Marathon #6 - Grandma's 2

The week leading up to Grandma's was such a relief, having met our goal in Rochester. I didn't fret over weather forecasts, I didn't feel the usual phantom pain. I did go through the requisite soul-searching ("Why do I do this?") where I remember that I love training and racing and that's why I do it; not to achieve a goal time.

I was pretty giddy waiting to line up because it was COOL--not the hot humidity of last year. Our group of six held together through nearly the half, when Husband and another woman broke off a bit, but our pack of four was strong, with me pacing, AJ calling the walk breaks, and SJ and MP providing the first-marathon spirit. The day turned hot, with a searing sun, but there was a breeze (albeit a headwind) and overall it was tolerable--not ideal, but decent. Ever the superfans, my parents (aka the Green Team) appeared to cheer us on 5 times in the first 16 miles, on pace to set a new PR and course record.


















Around mile 19 we saw Husband again, and SJ took off around 20. AJ and I ran up Lemon Drop Hill and headed toward downtown, offering words of encouragement to each other (OK, I spoke up a few times and she was a bit more proffering...) and fortifying ourselves for the end. I saw my parents again at 24. My Med-City blister returned right on schedule ("Oh! blister!" "It's OK now!" taking place in about 5 seconds). Overall I felt hot and tired and worried about finishing then crashing and having to go to the med tent.... and I told myself it was OK, that whatever time I finished in was fine, I just had to keep running but didn't need to go fast.

We rounded the corner and headed downhill to the interminable, maze-like, never-ending trek to the finish line. The band at 25.5 played "Another one bites the dust," which struck me as cruel as people around me suddenly seized with cramps and nearly fell over (And another one's gone and another's gone and another one bites the dust...") My parents appeared on a bridge about 6 blocks from the finish line... I raised my hand about 6 inches in greeting. (Later on: My dad: "You looked really pale!" Me: "Uh, yeah. I was, you know, running to the finish line. I.e. completely exhausted?!)

I trailed AJ in and sliced a minute off my PR time! 4:14!

We lingered at the finish line a long time, greeting friends and people from my running group. I definitely didn't have the dancing-in-the-streets feel of PRing like I did at Med-City: but what I was really bursting with pride at was how well my running group did. All of the first-time marathoners made amazing times and ran really smart races, nearly all achieving negative splits (speeding up in the last half). I was so thrilled for them and felt very mother hen.

Husband and I stayed up on the North Shore another day. We're getting pretty spoiled on campsites, though... I used to think you had to travel far to get the good stuff., but this beauty was only 0.7 miles in, and we had the area all to ourselves.

Ely weekend

We caught part of the weekend-long dock dogs competition... dogs compete in three categories: speed retrieve, extreme vertical, and big air (pictured here). The biggest air we saw was 18 feet--pretty amazing. But my favorite were the dogs who got all excited and took a running start only to cower at the dock's edge.




























We "camped" at the cabin (i.e. no power or water) because it hadn't been opened yet.
























There are notes up at the Ely cabin with reminders about everything from where the bedding is to how to make pancakes. They have been there since roughly 1986. We love them.

29

ON TURNING 29
I had so been enjoying saying I was 28 recently (28! doesn't that sound so young?!) that when Husband asked me how it felt being 29, I realized I felt a bit old. But I've been querying my 30+ friends about what goal they set out to accomplish before their 30th birthdays (skydiving! going back to grad school! completing an Olympic-length triathlon! getting a divorce!) in preparation for next year.

STRANGEST BIRTHDAY GREETING
A personal voicemail message from my car dealership.

GIFTS
Who doesn't love a good package from a foreign country? The official stamps, the foreign language, the embarrassed giraffe cartoon... even the tape is different!


















But the contents were even better!


















At least if you're a bit of a logic puzzle nerd, like me. My dad sat next to a Japanese man on the plane who had one of these books, so he asked for the publishing info. Some people import wine from France.... others, puzzles from Japan. Thanks Dad!

Monthly book post: May

May books:
Our book club read Night by Elie Wiesel, which needs no explanation, but which explains why we might have abandoned our June read, Love in the Time of Cholera, for something more lighthearted, a.k.a. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. Fun and frivilous, Evanovich was the perfect antidote.

More fizzy tonic: The Gatecrasher by Madeline Wickham (who also writes as Sophie Kinsella).

Sports Nutrition Guidebook by Nancy Clark came recommended to be by a nutrition professor, and was more than the obvious, same-old stuff you might read in a magazine.... it had really honest, forthright advice for those expending lots of energy in athletic pursuits, such as YOU WILL NEED MORE FOOD and YOU NEED TO PLAN FOR THIS MORE FOOD. I.e., it's really OK that you're eating two breakfasts or two lunches because that is better than denying that you are hungry and then raiding the office candy bowl at 2 p.m.

Marathon #5

Since 3 of the 4 races we ran last year were the hottest on record, we decided to do Marathon #5 this spring to hedge our bets against the predicted heat of Grandma's. So when the weather report predicted a high of 84 for race day, I had a bit of a "What is the point?" meltdown, a cross between a little kid pout-fest and an adult metaphysical crisis (the adult version might have had a hell and fuck or two thrown in).

I was also really worried about my body--still that damn groin. That may seem like too much information, but the groin is where your leg muscles connect to your abdominal muscles. i.e. ESSENTIAL. (Aside: Dr. Cutie was actually AT THE RACE, competing in the marathon relay, and I was really worried that I'd see him and we'd have some awkward conversation about my groin. Fortunately, I didn't see him and we didn't have to go there.)

Husband and I started out the race together on the humid, overcast morning with a light breeze. At mile 12 or so we split up... Husband was pushing ahead and I was ready to let him go, having done my duty of making sure we paced well enough not to hit the half mark too soon (2:07).

Miles 18-22 I didn't feel good... I felt like I was slowing down, which seemed to be confirmed by my watch, although I was purposefully not keeping too close of an eye on it. My face and head felt steamy hot, so I took off my hat to see if that would help... people kept asking me how I was doing which gave me pause, because that was my first warning sign at Twin Cities that I wasn't doing well. Later I realized that this was probably because it was a small-town, small-field race.

At mile 23 I got an unexpected second wind, and started passing people that I'd been leap-frogging with. Soon I was passing people like crazy, and people were cheering me on, and the last mile sped by and I looked at my watch and realized with complete shock that it was likely that I was going to PR. I caught a glimpse of Husband on one of the last straight-aways and followed him in, tears filling my eyes as I saw the much-sought-after 4:15 time.

The last few days I've just been elated, so happy to have achieved my goal and so relieved to have some of the pressure off for Grandma's. I feel like breaking open champagne and dancing in the streets (although it would have to be in a hobbled, blister-footed sort of way). And I'm so out-of-my-mind thrilled for Husband, who ran an amazing race and smashed his previous PR time by 17 minutes.

Not sure what to think...

about the fact that my new nearly-29-year-old license photo looks EXACTLY THE SAME as my 21-year-old license.

$3.69

In line at Caribou:

Girl: These drinks are like, so overpriced. I mean, like, they cost as much as a gallon of gas.
Girl 2: Totally.

Why my physical therapist makes me blush

It starts with the fact that he's cute. Then there's that he's digging around in my pelvis, plucking my groin muscles like a banjo, searching around for the exact spot that's causing me pain that's about two inches from another famously hard to find spot...

Dr. Cute: "Is it there?"
Tacohead: "Not quite. It's a little to the left, I think... just a bit more..."
Tacohead: Grunt of pain as he hits the spot
Dr. Cute: "Got it."

I think I could handle all that, I really could, if it wasn't for his coaching patter as he works out the sore spots. He usually gets us into a contorted position and has me push my leg against him in resistance as he presses his finger harder and harder into the stubborn muscle, getting it to relax and yield.

And all the while, he's saying things like:
"Come on, come on, come on, come on, you got it..."
Or:
"Right there, right there, right there, yeah, right there..."

What's a girl to do?

In training

THINGS THAT BREAK YOUR HEART
A soon-to-be-new-mom, five months left to go, assembles the newly purchased jogging stroller and takes it out on a run, a bag of sugar buckled in the seat, so that she'll be ready when her new daughter arrives from Ethiopia.

Monthly book post: April

April book list
Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella. Lexi wakes up after an accident and can't remember the last three years of her life, in which she suddenly became successful, married, and somewhat of a bitch. I always look forward to Kinsella's latest--pure beach read goodness.

Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz. What life would be like if your family was in the spy business and you used your spy skills (surveillance, breaking & entering, GPS tracking) to solve your problems (i.e. your suspicious boyfriend and troublesome younger sister). As fun and clever as the prequel.

Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino. Two Japanese prep school grads wind up as dead prostitutes... as told by their classmate and sister. An interesting exploration of character.

The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller.
Beginner's Greek by James Collin.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

Also read
The Chamomile Lawn by Mary Wesley
Hanna's daughters by Marianne Fredriksson

Half Marathon #5

I wouldn't normally run on a day (at least, a day in late April) that required the removal of ice chunks from one's eyelashes, brows, and forehead every ten minutes...but we'd already signed up.




And when you and Husband decided (on Tuesday, when the sun was shining) that you should push it, and see if you could break your half marathon records, well, you'd already committed to that, too.

It's not like we wanted to linger out there.

So pushing it as hard as we could, accepting glasses of water half full with snow at water stops, with eyes half shut and cheeks stinging, we ran, and amazingly, finished in time to earn Husband a PR and to be within 20 seconds of my PR.



















The hot coffee at the finish line never tasted so good.

Marathon training

I thought I'd share my marathon training schedule because I think it's a lot more do-able and less intimidating than people think.
























In general this is a guideline--my actual log does not look just like this. I often do 8 on Tuesday and then skip Saturday, do 6 runs one week and 4 the next, etc.

Things that are really important:
1. Doing hill and/or speed work
2. Doing the long runs and climbing mileage gradually
Things that aren't as important:
1. Running five times a week. You could easily swap in some cross-training.
2. It's OK to have an off week once in awhile. Most people get sick, take a vacation, etc., and it's not a big deal.

There are a million theories on running, of which this is just one. But there you go.
I also think going from 9 miles to 10 miles is as hard as going from 14 to 15 and then from 19 to 20. You always push yourself so you're tired when you're done; going longer isn't that much different.

But I won't lie: the last 6.2 miles break all the rules.

Tacohead's Running Gear Review 2

When I pulled out our worn bag of frozen edamame, Husband reminded me that I should do an update on the running gear review I did last year.

Most of these items are still vital parts of my running routine. Nearly one year and four marathons later, I still am quite passionate about Endurox, the Garmin Forerunner, gu gel, and BioFreeze. Less vital but still nice are the Stick and New Skin Liquid Bandage.

Here are a few other products I failed to mention:

Running Gear additions, 2008:

















Water belt (gray and black, GoLite brand) -- I don't think these are nearly as annoying to wear as you'd think, although in the heat of summer they certainly aren't my favorite. But it's such a luxury to have space to store your sunglasses and gel, and to know that you have water with you. I wouldn't run 12+ miles without one, even if I passed water pumps on the way.

BodyGlide -- all-purpose lube, especially good for feet, underarm area (when wearing short sleeves), along sportbras, inner thighs, etc. Husband and I are not the fanatics that most of our running friends are about this stuff, but chafing really sucks and takes forever to go away. On race day I put this stuff everywhere.

I put a hat in here because that and sunglasses are such essential items for me, even though they are not fancy. I also put my new shoes (Nikes of all things, can you believe it? But the toe box is so nice and roomy!) as a point about getting good shoes that fit your particular stride and foot shape and a reminder to replace them every 500 or so miles. It's worth it to go to a true running store that knows what they're doing, even if you don't buy them there. I did a little parade of gu to celebrate my affection for it, also to point out that you can usually get a discount if you buy by the case. And the edamame is to show how much it's worn in its year of use. I love you edamame... although I spend most of my time lately sitting on you, tending to my I-must-be-getting-older-if-rec-sports-are-leaving-me-with-injuries, not-going-away groin strain, courtesy of broomball 2008.

Bahamas

I loved our St. John vacations because there was so much there that Husband and I liked to do: hiking, snorkeling, exploring, boating.

I was initially a bit disappointed to find that Paradise Island, Bahamas had little of that, but I realized that although it's fun to have lots of things you like to do, it's also fun to have very little you're interested in doing.

Because why leave, when you have this:























and when you're tired of that, this:


















We did get out a bit. Our resort was affiliated with the Mini-Disneyland-esqe Atlantis Resort next door. We rode the water slides, shopped, gambled (OK, Husband hit the "max credit" button on the quarter slots once while my brother was playing to say that he's done it), and explored the aquariums.


















You know my penchant for doing things I've never done before. On this trip, it was:
1. Being covered in seaweed paste then wrapped up in foil like a baked potato.
2. Drinking champagne daily. Now that is a hobby I could get into.
3. Celebrity sighting. Who knew we'd share the resort with an Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning actor, or sit next to the pool with a CNN reporter/talk show host?

Confession

I didn't really have a connecting flight.

But I was in the very last row of the plane and the jetway had malfunctioned and we'd been sitting at our gate for 15 minutes and I felt bad for Husband continually circling, searching for me to pick me up...

So I tucked my luggage tag under the handle of my wheelie bag, bowed my head, and let you let me by to exit the plane, not meeting your eye as you wished me good luck in making my next flight.

I'm sorry. I owe you one.

What sex is like

according to the hotel neighbors I've had recently:

1. Bang the headboard against the wall a lot
2. Shout "yes!"
3. Abruptly end and become completely silent.

San Diego

Water, bridge, boat, train
carrying army tank, army tank, army tank
like a kid's play set gone wrong

wherest the coal car? the caboose?
Oh San Diego
You have many tasty restaurants

And a generally agreeable clime
But why a Hilo Hattie store?
Hawaii you are not.

Brain

ON VACATION:
........yes...................... a mojito sounds.............. nice...
...............or.........maybe..................gin...ger................. mar...gar..ita?....................................................hmm.....


VACATION + 30 hours:
....what to make for book club? I could do a fruit tart, but I know C is on a diet....but I can't forget haircut Saturday morn. Should I bring a picture so she cuts it like she did when....got to fix that slipcover....and the tree! must trim it before it blooms... I forget! every! year!.......is that cat puke?......oohh... need to call T... such a bad friend....maybe edamame and something and the fruit tart...edamame's healthy.....and that dr. appointment...and did I tell people that I was going to be in late?....or the fruit and puff pastry thing.... that'd be easier....

Monthly book post: March

So late! Sorry. Post-vacation post coming up soon!

March list:
The Opposite of Love by Julia Buxbaum. Good chick lit.

A Part of the Furniture by Mary Wesley. Like a good classic English novel with a bit more sex thrown in, not in a The Other Boleyn Girl way, but in a "my, people had fun then, too!" kind of way.

Also read:
Midori by Moonlight by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

A Year by the Sea by Joan Anderson. I have a thing for women's mid-life/marriage crisis stories, although it's kind of a sad little genre. Maybe I want to read all about it so I don't find myself in my 50s realizing I've been doing the wrong thing for 30 years.

Good stuff

GOOD STUFF I've read recently:
Yes, running can make you high at the NYT.
The real cost of financial clutter at Unclutterer.
Be a great friend, DIY hair removal, whether you need to duck getting out of a helicopter: another great list from Not Martha.

YOGURT, CONT'D
So I've been exploring ways to eat plain yogurt since it has so much less sugar than flavored yogurts. Bananas and blueberries have been tasty, but when out of both I tried (don't gag) peanut butter and it's surprisingly good. I'd never buy peanut butter yogurt at a store, but it's yummy mixed in--small bits of smooth salty/sweet peanut butter alongside the tart cool yogurt.