A marathon "fish story"

I'm sure most of you already heard the story about Paul Ryan and his marathon time. 

First let me state, this is not a political blog and I don't care if you are a democrat or a republican.  But I do know as a runner, which Ryan claims he still is, every runner remembers their marathon time.

For those of you who didn't hear the story, he stated in an interview that he ran a marathon in under 3 hours. 

As a New Yorker article states, (I'm paraphrasing here) a runner always knows their marathon time.  They think about it  before the race, talk about it for years after the race, and try to improve it on their next race.

He actually ran the marathon at 20 years old at a time of 4:01.  Not slow by any means but not even close to the 2:50 sometime he originally claimed. 


When did he start telling the story as a 2:50 something marathon instead of a 4:01????


He probably has convinced himself it was the truth and when asked...didn't even flinch re-telling a lie...to the public... and to most importantly to himself...



There are things you don't forget...

Days you never forget...

And events that will always live in your memory...



Running a Marathon is one of them.  I'm sure I will NEVER FORGET my Marathon time...and if I ever run for public office...I will have to tell the true to myself and to the public :)

As I said at the start of this post, this is not a political blog...and we all tell white lies...but for some reason I find this lie particularly offense.

If I finish the marathon in 5:01 instead of 4:50 something (which is my goal), I will not be happy about it but I will give my accurate time to anyone who asks.   The saddest thing is to lie to yourself...



What does this have to do with fundrasing for RMHC???  Nothing :)   So, back to the most important topic in this blog... PLEASE donate today :)

Your friend Newbie,

Please donate…it only takes a few minutes (I PROMISE) and the children of RMHC need your help. Current total is $5,348 with a $10,000 goal...only 34!!! more days until the Marathon and blog farewell
Link to my blog
http://newbiemarathoner.blogspot.com/

Link directly to donation page
http://teamrmhc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1008711&supid=359448020

18 Mile run?

 

I was actually starting to look forward to running 18 miles with the CARA running group at the lake this weekend.  I survived running 16 so I thought 18 is ONLY 2 more miles...It won't kill me!

 
Yikes what is happening to me?

 It is like when Dr Bruce Banner transforms into the Hulk.

At first he doesn't know what is happening....
 

 

 

 

Is the lazy not serious runner turning into a serious runner????
 

Maybe slightly more serious but not too serious. If I were really serious I would give up drinking Cabernet and change my diet for the marathon. But some things are non-negotiable :)



My cold has temporarily put me on the disabled list.  I was advised NOT to run 18 miles until I feel 100% better.  If I don't feel 100 better by Sunday at 6:30am, I will be running 18 miles by myself on Monday. 


Or if I have to skip it completely...How will it affect my ability to run the Marathon??


A few months ago, I would have been happy to have an "excuse" to miss the 18 miler.  Now, I am NOT happy only walking until I am 100% healthy. 

Smiling but NOT happy I am only walking :)

 

 

 

Magnificent sky and waves on a cool morning at the lake

Until you can't do something... you really don't appreciate it or know how much you will miss it. 


Luckily I will be able to run again soon but it makes me think of all the children in RMH that are not healthy enough to run and play...and might never be.  With this thought in mind, I ask you again, please don't wait to donate.  A mere 35 days left and the children and families of RMHC really need your help.  If you are reading this blog, even if you don't know me, PLEASE consider donating to this important cause.

Your friend Newbie,

Please donate…it only takes a few minutes (I PROMISE) and the children of RMHC need your help. Current total is $5,348 with a $10,000 goal...only 37!!! more days until the Marathon and blog farewell
Link to my blog
http://newbiemarathoner.blogspot.com/

Link directly to donation page
http://teamrmhc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1008711&supid=359448020

Without you

Without your generous donations it would not be possible to help 12,000 families each day in 350 Ronald McDonald Houses across the country.


Thank you to everyone who has already donated!  And to those who haven't donated yet...there is no time like the present :)


Please watch this short video...it will touch your heart...

"Without You" (just over a minute): http://rmhc.org/what-we-do/video-stories/#/34

With my 18 mile run coming up on Saturday, I know I will think many times of QUITTING or slowing down or walking. I will probably think "Who will know if I just decided to run only 8 or 10 miles instead of 18?" 


Two opposing thoughts:

“If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no point in being a damn fool about it.”
W. C. Fields

"We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot."

Eleanor Roosevelt

So.... will I follow WC's sage advice or Eleanor's inspirational quote?


Only time will tell :)

 

To keep myself accountable, I decided I would run with a pace group at the lake this weekend. The camaraderie will keep my mind occupied so I don't think about quitting (I hope :)) 


My short runs are getting much faster on Wednesday morning I hit my fastest speedwork yet.  I ran one of the eight 1/2 mile intervals at a 8:56 pace!  I know that is still slow for many people but for me it's FAST.  Again, if I can do it...anyone can do it!


Then on Wednesday night, I was hit with a bad cold.  How am I going to run 18 miles with a bad cold???  Oh well, I will have to figure something out...and hope I am much better by Saturday. 


While backing up some old photos today, I came across this photo of one of my first training runs for the Marathon.  A 6 mile run was considered the "long run" at the start of my training.  This photo is after running 6 miles and I remember being HOT and TIRED!  But I plan to run 18 MILES this weekend as my "long run".   It proves to me with heart, effort and determination you can achieve your goals. 

 

 

 

PS.  I think I am the ONLY person training for a marathon who has actually gained weight.  I am taking this carbo loading way too seriously.  Unfortunately red wine is a big part of my carbo loading and I don't think that is on the Marathoner's diet :)

PSS.  My running buddy is temporarily sidelined with an injury.  Get well soon Jan! 

Your friend Newbie,
 

Please donate…it only takes a few minutes (I PROMISE) and the children of RMHC need your help. Current total is $5,348 with a $10,000 goal...only 37!!! more days until the Marathon and blog farewell
Link to my blog
http://newbiemarathoner.blogspot.com/

Link directly to donation page
http://teamrmhc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1008711&supid=359448020

A walk (or should I say run) down memory lane....

From my little book of quotes: 

It always comes back to the same necessity: go deep enough and there is a bedrock of truth, however hard.
-May Sarton

I will let you ponder that quote today...feel free to comment or email me your thoughts directly.  I will share the most brilliant thought in my next post :)




With a mere 40 days left until the marathon...I looked at some previous photos and wanted to share a few with you for inspiration.  Although I might be freezing and drenched (like I was in my first half marathon) or hot and tired (like I was in many others), in the finish line photos I always have a HUGE smile on my face.  I am happy the race is over but mostly I am proud of pushing myself and striving to achieve something I never thought I would do.

My first Half Marathon May 2011.  We were drenched!  40 MPH winds and rain!  My hands were numb from the cold.  But it was so worth it :)

Chicago Half Marathon Sept 2011,  I hadn't really trained for my next Half. It was HOT and SUNNY! I was drenched again and tired but still smiling :)

Rock and Roll Vegas Half.  It was COLD and downpoured right after we finished.  It felt strange running at night.


 

Shamrock Shuffle March 2012.  My first race for 2012.  Notice the green hat for St Paddy's Day :) Pre-race photo

Chicago Rock and Roll August 2012.  10 miles down...3.1 left to go!   My friend Shar came out to cheer me on and captured this moment :)

In a mere 40 days...what photo will I share after running this 26.2 mile course?  I don't know what the future will bring...but I hope...and I bet... I will still be smiling :)  Follow your heart, pursue your dreams and you will be smiling too :)







Looking at this map makes me NERVOUS!

 

Your friend Newbie,

 
Please donate…it only takes a few minutes (I PROMISE) and the children of RMHC need your help. Current total is $5,348 with a $10,000 goal...only 40!!! more days until the Marathon and blog farewell
Link to my blog
http://newbiemarathoner.blogspot.com/

Link directly to donation page
http://teamrmhc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1008711&supid=359448020

 

230!

I was curious how many miles have I run since I started keeping track via my Garmin on June 6th.

Any guesses???? 

Well I gave it away in the title -- 230.  I can't believe it! 

I don't want to calculate how many more mile I will run during the next 41 days of my training.  Running 230 miles is the equivalent of running from my home to St Louis!

Plus 170 miles of biking since I started cross training!

I decided with 41 days left, I should probably start reading up on "marathon" advice.  I found some interesting and slightly intimidating facts.

• During a 4 hour marathon a runner can lose 4 quarts of water--that is one gallon!  and 4 ounces of salt.  I think I lost that much on my last 16 mile run...I might lose 2 gallons during the marathon :)

• It takes 30,000-50,000 steps to run a marathon (I will definitely run closer to 50,000)

• Toenails might fall off--Yikes I already heard that--at least sandal season will be almost over by October 7th :)

• The brain is continually deciding,  "Should I continue to do this painful thing?" And can decide to shut the legs down if it perceives the risk of injury is too high. (Fascinating--who knew :))

• Most sudden deaths are due to undiagnosed underlying conditions.  My mother has the genetic heart condition that causes most sudden death at Marathons and in many young athletes.  Due to many tests recently--I know I have a clean bill of heart health.  But Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a serious issue and anyone who is considering starting intense training should consult a doctor.

I found these facts and many more very interesting.  Follow the link below, if you would like more info about  "How running a Marathon affects the body"

 http://www.boston.com/interactive/graphics/20090416_marathonbody/

Some interesting facts about the necessity of the "Long Run" in a training regime:

• A long run provides improved psychological ability to handle the race distance. With each weekly long run, there is an improvement in the runner's ability to mentally tolerate exercising for long periods of time.

• Improved ability to absorb and tolerate the "pounding" the legs will take during the race. Feet, joints, tendons and muscles are all gradually strengthened over time from the overloading they receive from the weekly long run. Many runners who fail to finish a marathon do so because of leg pain and discomfort, resulting from the weight-bearing pounding over 26 miles.

Indiana University (2010, March 1). Biggest Marathon, Half-Marathon Training Mistakes. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 23, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/02/100226214350.htm



Last but not least...did you know Ziggy Marley and Flea are a runners???  I had no idea!

If you are interested in their inspirational videos, check out the Runner's World website (many celebrity runners are featured)



I NEVER thought I could run a marathon!  But I will. :)   So my message for today is ... strive for the unimaginable and seemingly impossible!

Your friend Newbie,

Please donate…it only takes a few minutes (I PROMISE) and the children of RMHC need your help. Current total is $5,048 with a $10,000 goal...only 42!!! more days until the Marathon and blog farewell

Link to my blog

http://newbiemarathoner.blogspot.com/

Link directly to donation page
http://teamrmhc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1008711&supid=359448020

Can't plan for the unexpected...

I have to admit...I’m a planner.   Sometimes it’s a good thing…sometimes not…  I have tried to learn I can PLAN for things but I have little CONTROL over things.

I was planning for my emotional state for months (ok maybe even years!) before Will actually left for college.  :)

All is well on Friday morning, I have a decent 8.5 mile run, pack and almost ready for the airport.  I decide I would rather wash some drinking glasses than put them in the dishwasher.  I find they are more sparkly that way J

Well…I am mindlessly washing the glasses…when I look down and think…??????.....what just happened?  Is that my blood pouring into the sink????  Did the glass break while my hand was in it twisting the sponge? 

 

Damn!!!  Or I might have said something that started with an S or an F.  :)

Bree comes running into the kitchen…  What’s wrong?   

“I just cut my hand in two places” 

Fortunately, I taught her well!  She tells me to keep calm and asks me what I need.   I lay down for a bit because  am feeling light headed.
 

Damn !!  The cuts are bleeding heavily and we are supposed to leave in 15 minutes for our flight to New Orleans!  The bleeding eventually slows down...I bandage it up... and we are off to the airport.

Anyway...the point of this story is plan for the expected but more importantly….stay calm when the unexpected happens. I hope to take this recent learning to the marathon.  I think I know what to expect.  I've trained and planned for the Marathon.  But I really have NO IDEA what will actually happen.  Life works in mysterious ways…we need to adjust and adapt to whatever comes our way...and make the BEST of it.

I’m happy to report, Will is all settled at Tulane.  I’m so excited for him and didn’t cry one tear (stiff upper lip).  I’m typing this post on the return trip home while wearing a big bandage on my hand.  I wonder if I will have a scar that will always remind me of Will's Tulane move in weekend...

 

 

 

 

Your friend Newbie,

Please donate…it only takes a few minutes (I PROMISE) and the children of RMHC need your help. Current total is $5,048 with a $10,000 goal...only 42!!! more days until the Marathon and blog farewell

Link to my blog

http://newbiemarathoner.blogspot.com/

Link directly to donation page
http://teamrmhc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1008711&supid=359448020

 

 

 

 

"The enemy of the “best” is often the “good."

I haven't posted for a few days because I've been kind of blogged out :) 

But, when I read this facebook post from my friend and fellow NewbieMarathoner "Naples Jen" it made me smile and gave me inspiration to post again.


 "You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically, to say “no” to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger “yes” burning inside. The enemy of the “best” is often the “good.”"

-Stephen Covey


This quote resonates with me because it is so true...we often settle for "good" when we should be pushing for "best".   My marathon training has really been a "push" for me.  Running 16 miles last weekend was intimidating but I did it.  Everytime I accomplish something I am intimidated by it encourages me to "push" on to the next.  My wish for you today:  Push for best and don't settle for good enough.



I actually have a "training tip" today.  I found a new way to cool down after a workout.  I saw this towel and didn't believe it would actually work.  Through the miracle of modern technology, you just wet this towel with water and it stays cool.  You can use it over and over again.  I love putting it around my neck and over my head after a HOT run or after speedwork. 

I bought this at Sports Authority--it is awesome!

 

 

With my cooling towel after some INTENSE speed training


 

Your friend Newbie,


Please donate…it only takes a few minutes (I PROMISE) and the children of RMHC need your help. Current total is $5,048 with a $10,000 goal...only 45!!! more days until the Marathon and blog farewell

Link to my blog

http://newbiemarathoner.blogspot.com/

Link directly to donation page
http://teamrmhc.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1008711&supid=359448020