Where have I been?

It has been quite some time since my last post. There hasn't been much to report as I have been taking it easy due to some injuries. No big mileage - no near death experiences - just short runs followed by days of pain and recovery. I am going to start physical therapy next week so I can figure out how to properly stretch and recover the injured iliotibial band and ligaments in my foot. Fun Fun! So far this week I have logged 8 miles:( Just working my way back in...

There are only 37 days remaining until the big event! This means less than 4 weeks of hard core training time if I begin the taper at the recommended two weeks prior. Sooooo....injured or not....I'm going full speed for the next 26 days. The training schedule through next Friday is very doable with the longest run at 10 miles. Next Saturday is the longest run of training at 20 miles. I know I can do it - it is just getting it done without causing serious injury. Sadly I have missed the last two long runs - a 10 and 18 miler. After the 16 was when the iliotibial band issue started. It was very strange because I had been struggling with the ligaments in my foot and my ankle was hurting with every step - but I could run through it. The ITB started hurting about the last two miles of the 16 - and at the end I could barely lift my foot off the ground. The knee hurt and it seemed I was no longer in control of the movement of my right leg. Hopefully with the time off - and starting PT next week - the remainder of the training wont be so bad - and 38 days from now I will be in a hot tub somewhere with my finishers medal around my neck.

That is all of my random thoughts for the day. Hopefully my post on Monday will be raving about the awesome 10 miler from Saturday:)

Near death experience!

What a weekend! I completed my longest run ever - 16 miles. It always feels good to hit new milestones. Though I am still struggling with pain in my ankle and trying to balance training and recovery so I don't injure myself too badly. But it really hurts just to walk on it now. I am going to get through this - less than two months to go!

So, the near death experience was absolutely crazy! The run group headed out down Prairie Path Saturday morning. It was raining and windy - but the thunder and lightning had stopped. We were about 2 miles out when we heard a very loud crackling sound - like someone had lit a brick of firecrackers right above our heads. Of course your first instinct is to duck and cover your head. Julie, our fearless leader, took one look back and yelled "RUN!" We all started sprinting as this tree cracked in half and landed right behind us! The last guy in the group was just grazed by one of the branches from the tree. Check out these pics - they were taken on the return trip so someone moved the big tree off of the path. Enlarge if you can - the small pic doesn't do it justice.

Now, when you think it might be "your time" it is amazing how many things can get through your head in a split second. While running away from this falling tree - which was probably only 3 seconds tops - the following thoughts went through my head..."perfect timing on getting the life insurance paperwork signed", "did I tell my family i loved them before bed last night?", "will they be okay without me?". I am delighted to say that everything worked out okay and no one was hurt. One thing that did come out of it...if you read one of my first blogs about the run club I mentioned how Julie said she was going to have us all running without headphones before training was over. Guess what - she made her point! Once the panic ended she made it a point to let us know that if we were wearing headphones and didn't hear that it could have killed us. Do you think she staged that just to make this point??? Hmmmm.....

And I just want to say once again - 16 miles - yep, that is SIXTEEN!!! Hell yeah!

On Sunday Jeff did his first triathlon. He did a fantastic job and we are so proud of him! The race was in Naperville and consisted of a 400 m swim, 13.3 mile bike, and a 5k run. What an awesome way to start the day! His total time was 1:32:14. That breaks down to an 8:47 swim, a 49:39 bike, and a 29:11 run - the difference is in the transitions. Here are some pics.

End of swim...

End of swim 2...

and the bike leg...

Michael cheering for daddy

Jack cheering for daddy

A little inspiration

I was reading my "Non-Runners Marathon Trainer" book on the train yesterday. I came across something that I just read again and again because I thought it was pretty inspiring. It talks about how we are half way through the training and the next 6 weeks will be the most time-consuming. Our runs are getting longer - our long runs will be a physical commitment of 2.5 - 4 hours from now until we begin the taper two week prior to the marathon. He talks about how it would be a good idea to rededicate to the program at this time.

"With that in mind, now would be a good time to remind yourself just why you decided to do this program.

If you're having trouble remembering, maybe this will help:

Training for and running a marathon is not a single event; rather, it is an experience. It is a discovery of self that will forever change your perceptions, perspectives, priorities, and possibilities. You will meet yourself at what you thought were the boundaries of your potential and endurance and watch in awe as they evaporate to reveal only open expanse. To know that the only boundaries in life are those which we create ourselves is a discovery which can not be taught - it must be experienced. For once you have seen the view from the mountain top, living a life of voluntary blindness is no longer an option."

I thought that was pretty powerful and a nice thing to document and come back to when I need a little pick-me-up.

As for training...LOL...I am totally going to get a run in tonight:) I was doing great getting up in the early morning prior to the injury - but two weeks of getting up at 6 instead of 4:45 quickly becomes a very welcome habit:) I am going to have to ask Jeff to help me with this one...I'm sure he'll be more than happy to kick my ass out of bed at 445 so he can stretch out and enjoy some peaceful rest before his wake up bell rings.

Back in action

Well...what a weekend! I rested my injured ankle for two weeks and came back full force. Here was the itinerary.

Saturday: 11:00 - 3:00 The Great Urban Race

Saturday: 5:00 - 10:00 Amanda & Kevin's wedding reception

Sunday: 6:30 am - 10:30 Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon (yes, I had to wake up at 4:30 am!)

Sunday: 12:00 - 5:00 Sean's 1st Birthday Party

I had to come to work on Monday just to get some rest!

The Great Urban Race was awesome! Think Amazing Race Chicago style. You and your partner show up at the Cubbie Bear for check in and some pre-noon beer - socialize a bit - and at noon you are handed a piece of paper with 12 clues and off you go. I had no idea that there would be so much physical exercise involved! Leanne and I jogged about 6 miles, had to do the crab walk, leap frog, and wheelbarrow across 3 tennis courts (think back to 3rd grade - it is much harder 30 years later!), take salsa dance lessons at Kingston Mines. It was a RIOT. See pictures below.

My Urban Race partner Leanne


Challenge: find someone on the streets of Chicago wearing high top Converse All-Star shoes and get a picture taken taken of that person with both teammates.

Challenge: find this hot dog joint and get a picture of you feeding your partner a hot dog


Awesome costume - back to the future

Cute costume: their shirts read "Never trust a big butt and a smile"


Most Awesome Costume: Smurf & Smurfette

Challenge: there was a riddle - answer the Berghoff. Now, find the Berghoff and get a picture of both teammates with 8 others under the Berghoff sign

Challenge: find a store - purchase either markers & coloring book, a matchbox car, or ? and find this location and donate the item. Get teams picture taken with the star dude.

Challenge: Find the Palmer House hotel - count the flags hanging over the entrance. Make your way to the Picasso and get your teams picture taken in front of the statue holding up fingers equal to the number of flags at the Palmer House.

That was Saturday afternoon. We finished around 3:00. I then had to rush home, shower, get the kids ready, pack up and head out the door to Amanda and Kevin's reception, which was lovely. Once I get some pics from that I will post.

10:00 pm - head home from reception - put kids to bed - get things ready for race in the morning - ARG!

11:30 pm - off to bed

4:30 am - alarm goes off and its time to get ready for the big race. I was very excited, and a little bit nervous because I have been off for two weeks due to injury. But all went well. I ran the first 7 miles at a pace much slower than I've been training at - but it was good to ease back in and make sure the ankle was doing alright. At mile 7 Alexis's friend hopped in to run with her for a couple of miles and thats where I picked up the pace. My goal was to catch up with the 2:15 pace group - which I did. My finish time was 2:13. Definitely not a PR - but it was a good, fun training run. I have to keep in mind that getting through the full marathon is my goal this year. Here are some pics from the race...

Alexis before...

Me before...

Me and Alexis after

Click here to view some more pics taken by the pros during the race... Jens RnR Half Pics

So...we get done, it was fun, as always - glad I did it, but time to move on. I hit the road around 10am, go home, shower, get kids ready, head out the door to the birthday party. Once I have pics from the birthday I will post those as well. An awesomely exhausting weekend!

Now that I know my ankle is back in action it is time to start training again. I have a 16 miler this Saturday which will be my longest run yet. I am phyched - hoping the mild temps stick around at least until that run is over.

Jeff is training for his very first triathlon. He will be doing that this coming Sunday in Naperville. I will have lots of pics to post from that event next week.

Happy training:)