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August 31, 2006

please ensure your cell phone is turned off

I went to the movies on Monday night and some asshole didn't turn off their cell phone. In the middle of the movie, off it goes, playing some downloaded rap type song/ringtone. What's annoying is he didn't turn it off then either, so yes you guessed it, it went off again 10 minutes later.

What's really embrassing about this ... I was on a date with him!

The first time, he didn't take the call just laughed and nodded his head while starring at the phone. Time number two, he takes the call! He takes the call in the theatre! He didn't take the call in his seat however, nope, he drops to the floor on all fours and carries on a conversation for well over a minute. I just sat there starring at his butt.

Seriously!

I kept hoping he would stick to the floor.

Yes date number 1 of 1, not to be continued, and hopefully not coming to a theatre near you soon.

Posted by Ali at 3:48 PM | Comments (2)

August 28, 2006

the 19 miler

This sort of distance deserves title mention.

I will not lie. I was dreading my Sunday long run. The distance. The pain. The mental dedication. All of it. But what I fear more is not doing it and then, then I have an excuse not to do Niagara.

To make matters worse, no one from my group was doing the run. If I hated the thought of the run before, doing it by myself added no appeal.

Arrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

On Thursday night the clouds parted and there was light! I was saved! While out on our group run I passed B, she has run 40 marathons, is super nice and is running on Sunday. We agreed to met up Sunday morning. After talking to her I started to feel better. She is about 1 min/mile slower than me, and keeps a strong steady pace. This is exactly what I needed. The distance would be okay, I could do it at her pace no problem. Now I just need to work on that pain and mental thing.

B was doing the full distance, 26 miles, I was joining her around 18. I got there a little early, and decided to run to meet her. This added an extra mile to my run. The weather was so much better than last month. It was cool and drizzily. Who would have thought I could love drizzily so much.

The best part of running with B is she entertains you. She has stories and tips on marathoning ... having done 40, I guess you would have. We spent the first few miles talking about motivation and training for number 2 ... basically how to get me out of the negative rut I'm in. I was starting to feel a little excited about number two.

After a couple waterstops, we started talking about Boston, miles 4 to 7 she told me about how she never thought she would qualify, was always stuck around 4 hours. Then in 2000 she had an awesome run and got her BQ. She has run Boston 4 times. 2004 was the last time she ran it, it was the really hot year, and since then she doesn't have the speed. It was sweated out of her.

By mile 8 the rain has stopped, we have another waterstop I take my first gel. Now the conversation has changed to destinations for marathons. Vegas, LA, London, San Francisco even Hawaii.

Mile 10 til 13 are flat, but really humid. After a toilet stop, the conversation naturally moves to what to eat and what not to eat. We have endless stories of eating the wrong things.

Suddenly I realise I'm at mile 14. Only 5 to go. My legs are stiff but I feel great. Not long after this the we hit the hill, it's a 2k climb. The conversation ends. Somewhere halfway up the hill I lose steam. My legs are dead. I am dead. I am tried. I am walking.

I can see B just up ahead she is still pounding up the hill. I am not. Another runner comes up beside me and starts walking with me. We talk for a minute, then she says she is going to run. She takes off. I want to have the energy to run. Maybe if I try and keep behind her, maybe her energy will pull me up this hill. I started to move my legs. Ouch, everything is stiff. I feel better after a few steps. I can see the top. Once we are over the top it is downhill almost all of the last 2.5 miles, I catch up with B and finish my 19 miler!

I am super happy I got the miles in. The last 4 miles were tough, but not surprising I haven't done that distance in a long long time. Also, because the pace was slower than usual I felt really comfortable for the first 15 miles, so only took one gel at mile 10. I think taking another at mile 14 would have given me some much needed energy for the hill.

You think having done this all before I would have some idea ... duh!

Cardiowise this was a supereasy run, I never felt tried. But running at someone elses slower pace is killer on your leg muscles.

Posted by Ali at 10:56 AM | Comments (5)

August 26, 2006

nothing to do with matthew

I have no Lance or Matthew pics or news to entertain myself with today, so I'll have to talk about my training. Let me rephrase that my anxiety about training. That's more accurate.

I haven't registered for marathon number two. I haven't booked a hotel. I am in denial!

Two things are different this time around. Making 'getting onboard' with training rather tough. First, is this is not the first. This is my second marathon, all the exciting this is new, look how far, I can't wait, can I do it, is gone. Plus, there were a bunch of us training together for number two. This time, although there is a large group going to Niagara, it's just me from my little pace group.

So let's just blame my little pace group, who chopped off their fingers, did a spring marathon, injuried themselves, moved away, had a baby. Seriously, will people stop at nothing to get out of running!

I know I can do it, I know I'll be super proud when I do, but right now, today, I miss the first time feeling.

So tomorrow is a daunting 18 miler ... holy crap. It's supposed to rain, I am hoping it rains, I am hoping it's cool. I am just plain hoping.

Posted by Ali at 4:20 PM | Comments (1)

August 25, 2006

fill in the bubble

This is just another cheap ploy to post pics of Matthew McConaughey. I am cleverly disguising it with a comment jeff made.

Jeff's Comment
let me ask this question though...why wear an ipod if you've got a running partner? maybe mathew is tired of lance's "i won the tour seven times" stories. heh

I wonder why? ... Maybe Matthew is listening to a little Sheryl Crow?

Then I found this pic and they are both listening to their ipods! so I decided to have some fun. Here's what I think is going on in the pic.

I'm thinking of turning this into a watching Lance and Matthew train blog, my running is really not that interesting. I did a tempo run yesterday. It was humid. I sweated. ... see not that interesting.

Posted by Ali at 2:30 PM | Comments (0)

August 24, 2006

come back

"Hey come back, I just want to talk, honest"

new best friends Lance and Matthew make me happy whatever the angle.

Posted by Ali at 4:16 PM | Comments (0)

August 23, 2006

thank you

can my day get any better?

McArmstronghey looking fine!

Posted by Ali at 11:40 AM | Comments (3)

it's a big week

You know you are in the midst of marathon training when you refer to days as running or recovering. This week is a big week in mileage ... kinda exciting ... kinda scary.

Monday rest day
Tuesday 4 x 1 mile repeats on the track
Wednesday 3 miles easy
Thursday 8 miles tempo
Friday rest day
Saturday 4 miles easy
Sunday 18 miles

That's a total of 37 miles/ 59 km

definitely a little scary!

Today, everything is wonderful. Today is me day. A whole day dedicated to all things I want to do. I have the day off work. I got up early for a 7am run with P and D. I love junk mile runs. These were my favourite runs last year before Chicago, 3 easy miles to loosen out my legs after Tuesdays speedwork and before Thursdays tempo. The run was followed by coffee then home to shower and a little bit of shopping. Back home, for blog time, then off for a massage, a much needed massage. I get off the massage table, get dressed and head down the road for a facial.

Oh yeah. Pamper pamper pamper. I figure by then I will be so relaxed I could sleep on the sidewalk. I'll resist the temptation and hopefully make it home for a quality night of nothingness.

Nothingness - mindless hours of lying on sofa, while eating bon bons alternating between reading book and watching tv.

Posted by Ali at 10:39 AM | Comments (0)

August 20, 2006

16 miles

My garmin reads 16.25 miles ... I am super happy.

The alarm went off at 5.25am ... even the sun wasn't up yet. I ate, dressed, wrapped foot, gathered all neccessary items for long run and headed out the door at 6.15am. Sun was just beginning to wake up. I parked in front of P and D's and prepared to start the first 4 miles of my 16 miler journey.

D appeared to see me off, asking if I would prefer a coffee instead .... do you know how hard it is to turn down a coffee at 6.30 on a cold and dark morning?

I set off. There is something wonderful about this time of the morning. There is a calmness in the air, even with storm clouds forming overhead. The air is fresh, cleaner and purer than normal. The world is quiet. The sound of you heal strike ampilfied as if I turned up the bass. I had plenty of time and many more miles in front of me, so I took these miles really slow. The world began to awaken, and my pace began to quicken. I was ready to join everyone for 12 more.

The first 8 miles with the group were comfortable and easy. We stopped to take a gel and grab some water in the park. When we started up again my legs felt tight. Only 4 more miles to go and it would be over. As I hit my 14th mile of the day, I could really feel my legs, they were protesting at my new plan. They weren't so happy about 16 miles, they would of been very happy with 13 probably pushed to 14. 16 was a big jump.

The last 2 miles are almost all up hill. I'm not going to sugar coat this,

I HATED THE LAST TWO F@#*ING MILES!

It was through a gorgeous neighbour, probably one of the nicest in town, at the time however, I was thinking more that these pretentious bastards have too much money, with their perfectly manicured lawns. I don't even have time to get a manicure, maybe they could spend some of their millions and have this hill removed. Yeah, flatten the road! Maybe someone in their Hummer or Merc could offer to drive up this stupid hill. Now that the 6000 mg of advil are cursing through my veins I can truly appreciate the beautiful architecture.

So, I got the run in. I do ache ... alot ... especially the bottoms of my feet (the heels). I am trying not to think about next Sunday's 18 miler.

Shudder

Big thanks to P and D for hosting the run and for my super-huge-had-to-hold-it-with-two-hands cup of much needed coffee!

Posted by Ali at 4:00 PM | Comments (4)

August 19, 2006

planned calm

Remain calm. Do not panic. You've done this before you can do it again.

Ali-land Marathon Training Advisory System, the anxiety level has been downgraded from red to yellow. We are still not at green, nor do we expect to be at green until we cross the finish line.

I need to stop stressing, and just take each run as it comes. It is still August, not October, I still have 2 months. I have a training plan, plans calm me. I need calm.

Exhale ...

I did a tempo run with P on Thursday night that ... get this ... was actually a tempo run. I know crazy. She really pushed me on the last 2k of the run. It was hot and humid, I was tried and exerted most of my energy earlier in the day stressing about long runs. It felt great to push the pace (not at the time, at the time I wanted to puke).

Friday no running. Went and viewed a house that I thought was cute from the pics, turns out house is just photogenic. In person house is falling apart. It would be a great house to flip. I watch too much TV. I see these flip this house show and then I think I could do that. Seriously I am hyperventilating about a few extra miles, how could I flip a house!

Friday night met up with couple guys from the running group and the coach for a few beers at the East Coast Music Festival. Irish fiddley type music is perfect for drinking. Do the Irish drink because of the music, or did they make the music cause they drink so much?

This morning I met the group for an easy 6k run, they did hill reps ... I didn't, I escaped to flat surfaces. Saving my legs for my long run tomorrow ... how long ... 16 miles! Wooo Hoooo longest run since early March!

Breathe

Now the only catch to this long run (besides completing it) is the time. P and D are hosting the run from their house tomorrow morning. When the run is finished we get to jump in their pool and everyone brings goodies to eat and drink. The run starts at 7.30am, but the route is max 12 miles. I know if I run the 12 miles with the group there is no chance in hell I will run 4 more, knowing everyone is in the cool refreshing pool, sipping drinks and eating cinnamon buns. Nope that won't happen.

Sooooooo

I am going to do my 4 miles first, which means, leaving just 6.45am. YUCK

BUT, when I see 16 miles on my garmin around 9.40am tomorrow morning I will be happy happy happy!

Posted by Ali at 3:19 PM | Comments (2)

August 17, 2006

panic

Long run panic hit me today.

The second Port Stanley run is next weekend ... 10 days

... breathe

Last year I did 20 miles on this run. I can't do 20 miles! My longest run this summer has been 14 miles.

... breathe

Really I should do 16 miles this weekend, then 18 next Sunday.

16 miles seems like a long long long run.

That's a 16 miler then an 18 miler ... then it's September, which is practically October, which is marathon month.

I need a brown paper bag!

Posted by Ali at 10:50 AM | Comments (3)

August 16, 2006

early morning

Running before work in the summer is wonderful. So why is it mid August and this is my first time doing it. Why? Because of the inventor of the snooze button and the radio alarm clock. If these two things were not in my life I could probably get up ... maybe .... almost certainly. Snooze is just too easy to hit, sometimes I don't even remember doing it. I have now mastered sleeping through the radio if I don't have enough energy to wack the snooze for the 4th time.

This morning I didn't hit the snooze, I got up. I am still on a quest to increase my weekly mileage, and P and D would be waiting for me. This is the single greatest reason to have running buddies. Guilt.

At 7 am, the sky is clear, the temperature is perfect and no humidity. We got 5k in, then I dashed home and got ready for work. I've felt awesome, energised and frankly very pleased with myself all day.

So the Dixie Chicks were great. Apparantly I've been living under a rock, I didn't realize their lastest song "Not Ready to Make Nice" was about the Bush comment ... I thought it was about relationships ... duh. It makes you listen and hear it differently when you know the motivation behind it. A couple years ago I went to a Dido concert, before she sang each song she explained why she wrote it. It was great, you feel this personal connection to the words, understand the story a bit more.

I got an email from a friend I used to work with in England, she has just moved into a bigger house and invited me to stay ... maybe next April and do the London Marathon! Thinking about it!

Posted by Ali at 6:17 PM | Comments (1)

August 13, 2006

running shoes to cowboy boots

So if it's not hot enough to cook you, or humid enough to turn you into a puddle. When you aren't trying to keep up with someone faster than you. When you forget to look at your watch because you are too busy talking. When pace doesn't matter, or time isn't a factor and you don't really know how far you are going

... it turns out, that running is fun.

I think somewhere along the way I had forgotten just how enjoyable a run could be. There was no pressure, no fear or dread of distance, just refreshing cool breeze, an easy slow pace and two great running buddies!

It was wonderful! My legs felt great, the pace was perfect for loosening them out after yesterdays long run.

Time to get the cowboy boots out! Dixie Chicks are in town. I know they aren't as popular down south anymore ... which kinda makes me like them more. I am so excited. Heading to a BBQ first then out for a few bevies.

Later y'all

Posted by Ali at 12:43 PM | Comments (2)

August 12, 2006

more miles

I am not sure how it happened but I think I am doing two long runs this weekend!

Due to the temperatures rising and my motivation dropping over the last month I have been struggling (I haven't struggled I just haven't done it) getting my weekly mileage in. On the schedule there was no long run this weekend, instead an 8k trail race. It is supposed to be a rest/recovery week, but I'm not really recovering from anything except making excuses why I shouldn't run.

So I decided to do a long run on Saturday to increase my mileage. Then do the trail race on Sunday.

My alarm went off at 5.50am ... I ignored it, hit snooze, again and again. Finally I got up at 6.20, just enough time to get dressed, organize my fuel belt and drive downtown. Not enough time for breakfast. No worries, nope, the weather was perfect, almost like fall this morning, ridiculously fantastic lovely running weather ... yipppeee!

Everything was going wonderfully til about mile 4 when I started to regret my dinner choice last night. I used to keep track of dinner/breakfast before a long run, then I stopped, no idea why. Probably because I had found something that worked really well. That something that worked really well, plain pasta or veggie pizza and cereal for breakfast. Not what I had last night. Chicken, wild rice and corn on the cob does not work. It gives you stomach craps at mile 4 - 10 and not having breakfast, causes you to drag your sorry ass home for 2 long hot miles.

* When I first started this blog and only other bloggers read it, it seemed normal to talk about my stomach issues. Now that people I actually drink coffee with read it, it seems a bit odd talking about my bowels. *

Anyhoo ...

Somewhere between stomach issues and D deciding he wanted to do a long run tomorrow, I changed my mind on the trail race. So I will be getting out of bed again at an unsightly hour for the weekend to further my quest of increasing my mileage.

Posted by Ali at 6:09 PM | Comments (1)

August 11, 2006

the finish line

I attended a funeral today. A running friend of mine died on Sunday. She was 56, diagnosed with breast cancer in January. She ran until the chemo made it impossible.

It makes you think ...

It makes me sad ...

It makes me want to run a little bit harder, a little bit further, for her.

There was a wonderful part of the service that tied her running into life. When she first started running she knew she was training for something, just didn't know what. She was training for the biggest battle of her life, and now she has crossed the finish line. She would be there waiting, cheering for those close to her, when they crossed the finish line.

Posted by Ali at 4:47 PM | Comments (2)

August 10, 2006

hotter than you think

Sitting on the ground stretching, it was pleasant. After a mile it was warm. After 2 miles .... hot!

I had a 5 miles tempo run, first half was hot and horrid, the breeze picked up on the way back cooling it down. Ran with D, we had a few walking breaks on the way back, which I had no objection to.

It got really cold last night ... did I just type cold ... yip. I was wrapped up tight in my duvet this morning. The window was open and this wonderful chilly breeze filled the room. I love being wrapped in my duvet.

Posted by Ali at 9:57 PM | Comments (0)

August 9, 2006

obsessed

I am addicted to reality tv!

I need to get a life.

I can't stop myself. I was in complete and utter bliss last night from 8 - 10pm.

First Big Brother, the deceipt, the lying, the drama ... I love it.

Then Rockstar Supernova, I really can't decide who I want to front the band, I change my mind every week. One of the guys looks like David Blane, I can't get pass it. The house band is awesome.

During my 2 hours of bliss, the phone rang ... who calls during reality tv time? I shouldn't have picked up the phone but I did. It was my friend T. T's thing is she wants to get married. Not because she wants the big day, gifts and to be a princess. Nope she just wants the title. She has been dating someone for almost 3 years. During this time, she discovered he was an alcoholic. This didn't bother her, she says "eveyone has problems". He did a Gibson minus the obscenities and anti-Semitic. Last year he proposed, after she issued an ultimatum. Then they had a fight, he pawned the ring.

Here's a bit of the telephone conversation ...

me ... so how are things with you?
T ... good, he doesn't want to be engaged, as his parents are still mad at me, but he's agreed to get married.
me ... how do you feel about that?
T ... I don't think this relationship is long term, but I've already invested 3 years, I can always get a divorce.
me ... that's romantic
T ... well I'm a feminist
me ... reaaaaalllly?@!?
T ... he doesn't like that
me ... what part?
T ... he wants me to cook with fresh ingredients, who does that, I am trying now, but once we are married I'll stop that.

Every now and then, when I wish I wasn't single, when the other side of the bed seems empty, I talk to T!

Tuesday - 4 miles - 39 minutes, 9.30 min/mile pace

Posted by Ali at 10:34 AM | Comments (4)

August 8, 2006

wisdom

I got this email on the weekend from the owner of our local running store. He organises our groups. If it weren't for him, I doubt I would ever have run a marathon and certainly wouldn't have met all the wonderful people I run with locally.

His advice is to first time marathoners, but I think it applies to everyone and anyone. Sometimes it's good to get a reminder.

I would like to pass on a few words of wisdom from my years of
personal running successes, failures, mistakes, injuries, and observations
during my coaching years.

We have 19 weeks to our goal and for most of you that is a long time as
most of you are above a base level. Take your time, be patience and listen
to your body.

Don't "fight" through injuries that are being made worst with running NOW.
Take a little rest NOW, cross train, run in the water, rehab, what ever it
takes. A little break now is better then in October.

Watch your pacing on your long runs in August. Start a little slower then
your normal long runs and gradually build them up in pace over the run. Even
if it is a little slower now, that is ok. Your pace will come in the cooler
fall weather. If you force them now and beat yourself up, you will never
recover for those all important fall long runs. Get the K's in but don't
worry too much about pace now. Take is easier through August and build to
the all important Mid-September and October long runs.

Access were you are now in mileage and have a planed progression from now
till Vegas. Don't increase your mileage too quickly. Long runs can start jacking
your mileage up quickly and if you don't monitor it you could be
increasing your weekly work load by 15 to 20% per week without knowing it.
Increase gradually.

Take your plan and mess it with your life. Don't stress yourself out too
much to get every workout in.

Do your best but keep married, sane, employed
and happy. It will all work out.

Posted by Ali at 7:11 AM | Comments (3)

August 6, 2006

need for completion

So I just registered for the Las Vegas Marathon, which if things go according to plan will be marathon #3. Slight horse before cart, since I haven't registered for marathon #2 yet!

I seem to have caught the procrastination bug. I don't seem to be getting anything done. I get alot started, then move on to something else. Like cleaning the house, which I started doing to avoid something else I can't remember what exactly now. I have swept the floors, got the vacuum out, but decided to abandon that idea and clean the bathroom instead. I got as far as putting the cleaning stuff in the bathroom then started laundry. Distracted by all the recycling that needs to go out, I started that .. then decided to check my emails.

Maybe I have ADD?

I need to complete something. I need that 'check' it's done feeling.

Got 12 ish miles in this morning with the 10k group. The first 12k were really good. Ran part of it with D who is doing really well after being off for 3 months. I have my shiny new shoes on this morning, it's their second outing. They felt great until the 12k mark and then the bottoms of my feet started to burn. I think they felt that way for the rest of the run, but I got distracted about 15k by the burning of my skin. The last 5k was pretty tough and hot. I didn't use a gel today, I think that could of helped. My breathing felt good, but my legs were tired.

After the run, G and N had us over to their lovely house for a dip in the pool, coffee and delicious goodies, including the most wonderful cinnamon bun I have ever had. Big thank you!

I am feeling slightly lost in training for marathon #2. I think the heat has melted my mojo. I don't have that same motivation as I did for the first one. My legs feel like they are training, but mentally I am not 100% there.

Posted by Ali at 4:01 PM | Comments (2)

Vegas Baby

It's offical ... I'm registered

Posted by Ali at 3:44 PM | Comments (1)

August 5, 2006

things I don't get ...

Elevated testosterone level

I get that there is more testosterone than normal, but what does the extra do?

Does it make you perform better?

Obviously the day he was tested his performance was amazing. Does the body produce it when you put in that effort, or do you take something, something that doesn't show up in the tests that then produces that effort and the elavated levels are a result?

Saturday ....

Easy run 5k
Full body workout at the gym

Posted by Ali at 9:44 AM | Comments (1)

August 4, 2006

what to do?

When your new running buddy runs too fast for you? When you drop back to your comfortable pace and then they stop and wait for you. Because you are an idiot and try and keep up. You feel guilty about telling them to go ahead especially when it means them running alone. It doesn't matter anyway, because I can barely speak, let alone talk. My biggest fear is now dying not telling them to piss off.

So, I was introduced to new running buddy at the beginning of the training group. She is new and didn't have anyone to run with ... someone thought we were about the same pace and asked if I won't mind running with her.

No problem.

She is definitely faster than me. At first I liked it, thought it would push me harder on my training runs. And it does. I am now as fast as she was in June. However, now she is improving, so running faster. What happens now is the first half of my run is great I push hard to keep up and the second half sucks. This is not motivational at al!

I have tried setting my own pace, but my legs and brain don't communicate. Last night I thought I had a solution, let her get ahead, but she stopped and waited at the turnaround. Damn!

I feel terrible saying go ahead, it sounds like I don't want to run with her ... but honestly I don't know I can!

Posted by Ali at 11:26 AM | Comments (4)

August 3, 2006

bliss ...

Posted by Ali at 3:17 PM | Comments (1)

August 1, 2006

Could be worse

I am now living on Venus. It is currently with the humidex 44/111 degrees .. it is not even noon.

There is speedwork tonight at the outdoor track.

I need a back up plan. Otherwise no running will happen. Butt on sofa with chips will happen.

I can go to the gym and do my 600s on the dreadmill in the air conditioning.

That's a plan.

It could be worse ... I could be Mel Gibson or Suri Cruise. That's assuming Suri exists ... which I doubt. Tom's a media whore - he never passes up a opportunity for coverage.

Posted by Ali at 10:49 AM | Comments (3)