Encouragement that stands out: My Brother In Law, Michael Wood, who has a talent that far exceeds any that I may have, wrote an amazing poem for me (I can’t even write a sentence that isn’t a run-on). Written as if he was training for a marathon himself. Thank you Mike! I love you! Here it is below:
For Jen:
From the door she trots away,
a journey of some length,
for she will run today.
Enduring cars too close, snow and rain,
mile after mile
the inevitable pain.
It hurts, yes it does, it doesn’t come for free
Its not about the time, or the ribbon,
“Its a thing I do for me.”
The sprains, strains and aches will mend,
the training, for this race,
will come to an end.
Then as you stand at the start
remember its not the legs that drive you on,
it’s the heart.
Off to Boston, hopefully a glimpse of sun,
with all of us who love you,
you have already won.
MJW 3/3/14
January 26, 2014
Boston Marathon Training 2014, Week 4
Just as I suspected! 5K Chilly Chili and 22 Mile long run is DONE and I couldn’t be more HAPPY! Completely the opposite of my feelings this morning. This is the cycle though and thankfully I am always able to remember how good it will feel when it is over. This is why I keep doing it. If it was easy it wouldn’t make me feel proud, accomplished, and healthy.
About 11 miles into my run, I stopped in Stingers Pizza Pub in Manlius for a glass of water. I’m sure they all must think I am crazy. Oh yes… I casually walk in.. ask for water.. and pretty much tell them I was just passing through from Cazenovia.. running home. I know most people think I AM crazy for doing what seems to be excessive running. I wish I could explain just how SANE I am from running (I’ll attempt to explain in a later post).
It’s been a tough training week.. 2 speed workouts and I just added in weight training. I am tired and my thighs are shockingly sore from the downhill long run. I will probably need a few days to recover but I’m feeling really good! It hurts so good.. yes.. I just quoted a 80’s song and I’m not proud Have a good week everyone!
January 14, 2014
Boston Marathon Training 2014, Week 2
Another fumbled long run down! 17 miles through the hills of Green Lakes and another mad dash back to the car. My husband had a meeting and I was just minutes from making him late. I actually texted him while running to tell him I was on my way. Twice I ran off the road, slipped on ice and finally ran into a border collie and his people. (Do NOT text and RUN!)
On the plus side (heavy sarcasm) Easter Sunday is the day before Marathon Monday! OH MY! What am I going to do? I am rethinking my choice to leave the kids at home (which I decided they were safer home because of last year’s bombings). Anyone have any advice on this? Does the Easter Bunny come on Saturdays? Should I bring the kids?! Remember I said last week that I won’t take anything special from the kids…. that one bit me back huh?
Basketball with the girls starts this Saturday so I should have another close call for my long run. A lot of my Mom friends ask me “How do you fit it all in?”. Now you see… I don’t! It’s just a constant juggling act that I manage week to week. Behind the scenes it’s UNorganized chaos but worth every bit of stress.
Speed tonight should consist of hills in the rain, a welcomed workout compared to last weeks freezing temperatures! Super!
January 7, 2014
Boston Marathon 2014 Training has officially commenced! Week 1
I started this Saturday with a freezing cold long run 2 plus hours… about 16 plus miles …but I really have no clue the exact time or distance. (In case anyone thinks I can just go out and run 16.. I can not. I have been doing longer runs on the weekends since Chicago Marathon last October.) Anyway, I was out on Rt. 31 in Baldwinsville when my watch died and I had less than 30 mins to get back to Onondoga lake park so I could make it in time to the 11 am Disney on Ice show with the family. A little over the 2hr mark I was just about a 7:10 -7:20 min pace. All I could think about was missing the show and the girls would have to go without me. This is not acceptable.. I take time away to run but I would never take “special” time away from them to run. So I hauled it back to the Willow bay area at Onondoga Lake park. My mantra was simply “The pain does not hurt.” Ridiculous really, but I had to get back as fast as possible and I couldn’t let my mind stop me. I made it to the show with mins to spare. Thankfully Aaron D Wood had them all packed up and ready to go. With a fast tempo workout tacked on to the back end of my long run, I’m counting the experience as a win instead of a near monumental FAIL!
Today is .. or was my first speed workout for the official training period. At the last minute, I decided to opt out of my Tuesday night speed work outside and hit a class with Kevin R. Collins Y runners at the OCC track. It went good and I felt pretty good. Of course NOW I feel like I gave up on my Tuesday night Y runner crew and I have decided to go brave the cold and go for a 2nd round of speed work for the day. Huh… I always thought it was mental toughness that I had but maybe guilt is why I won’t give up on this running lifestyle Oh well.. whatever works! Be careful out there today!