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June 26, 2008

girls on tour road trip part two

There is something I love about training for a Fall marathon.

Even though I hate running through the long hot days of summer, when I think there is just no way I'll be able to do it, run 26.2 miles. There will come a point sometime in September, when the heat will be replaced with fresh cool air. It's like breaking through a barrier. Exploding out of a coccoon.

That's my favourite moment in training. When sweat and self doubt are replaced goose bumps and belief.

This year, Fall marathon plans have reached a whole new level of awesomeness. If running 26.2 miles isn't enough to get your party pants on, well we have confirmation that our Ottawa Girls on Tour will reunite and take it state side.

I'm starting to get excited about my Fall marathon.

I've decided to change my plans for running this weekend. I was going to do the 8k race on Sunday instead of running long, but I feel I need the distance. With not running long this winter due to injury I really feel my lack of endurance. Since February, I've run over 10 miles once. My legs were not happy last Sunday, the last mile was brutal. Mentally this screws me. So, I will run long, 12 miles Saturday morning, then watch the race with coffee in hand on Sunday.

This fabulous plan also means ...

a) I can drink Saturday night
b) sleep in Sunday morning

Posted by Ali at 10:03 AM | Comments (10)

June 22, 2008

just doing their job

I wouldn't want my every move captured by photographers, my bad hair days gracing the cover of a tabloid. I try not to fuel the celebrity gossip monster, I refuse to buy the mags, instead I read other peoples or pick the longest line at the grocery to give me my fix.

As much as I believe in someone's right for privacy, I also believe when Prada gives you free stuff, you gotta suck it up and smile.

So just for today I am defending the paps. You see earlier, one of them took one for the team.

Photographers were trying to get shots of Matty hitting the surf. Some surfers got all territorial and a fight broke out ... of course Matty was not involved, his hand was full.

One of them still managed to get this shot ... thank you jebus!

In running news, I did a 12.5 mile run this morning. It was a tough one. I am rather sore all over.

Posted by Ali at 2:47 PM | Comments (13)

June 18, 2008

what do you think ...

The following is based on a true story. Names, places and identifiable details have been changed to protect the innocent and the stupid.

I have a 'friend' who was considering dating a guy. The guy is not her type. Since her type has not been working out, she thought she would fish in a different pond.

After a few dates, she realized that although he wasn't her type, they got along great, they had lots in common. Once she got him running, he would be 'hot' and they might live happily ever after.

Then the other night he stopped by. He was chewing tobacco.

Yes, that's right, chewing tobacco! Let me just clarify, he is not a Major League Baseball player.

While at her house, he continued to chew, until he needed to spit. He asked for a pop can. She refused and told him how disgusting this was. So he got up. He opened the front door. He spat on the front path.

So I ask you ...

Is he disgusting?

or

As a host, should our poor single gal have provided a spit pail?

I was going to include a picture, but when I googled chewing tobacco, the images made me hurl. On the plus side, I am down 2 pounds and am contemplating having fries with lunch.

Posted by Ali at 10:34 AM | Comments (18)

June 16, 2008

I never met a 10 miler I didn't like .. well maybe one

I think my problem is a lethal combination of expectation and lack of patience.

When I started this training program I expect to be running the way I will in October, after months of training, I expect that now. I forget that I haven't done speedwork since January. I suffer memory loss when it comes to long runs, I haven't done any over 9 miles since the beginning of February.

I forget this.

I forget how much work you have to put in to build up and improve.

I forgot this part.

So ... for yesterdays 10 mile run I did two things differently.

1. I prepared. Drank and ate properly on Saturday and brought fuel for the run.

2. Slowed it down. I went with how I felt not what I think I should be running.

You know what?

It was a good run! I enjoyed it. I felt great and picked it up the last three miles*. I love how a good run boosts your comfidence and makes you feel like it is possible.

See the sunshine shoes bring happiness where ever they go!

* of course this was after we stopped for water and a washroom break and I had 8 mintues of standing around waiting to regroup.

Posted by Ali at 3:08 PM | Comments (12)

June 14, 2008

Here comes the sun, doot in doo doo

I feel like I'm a week behind in everything.

Posting, reading, commenting.

Stretching, I still haven't stretched since the relay two weeks ago, must do that today.

I wish there was an exciting reason, something juicy I could write a book about that would live on the top of best seller list til I was so rich I could bathe in Evian and have a hunky man servant who fluffs the pillows before I sit.

With no reason to blame this on I start to stress. Which has caused me to breakout like a pubescent 14 year old.

It's only week two of training and I feel like I am behind.

I am struggling.

I don't know if it's the heat, the time off with the injured foot, the massage on Thursday, or just my attitude.

But I feel like I am in my second week of learn to run and accidently showed up at marathon training. My legs are tired. My breathing is terrible. The only thing working is my sweat glands.

At about 2k into my run I look desperately around hoping I find someone taking a walking break, so I can join help them.

At difficult times like these the best thing to do is spend money on new running stuff.

On Thursday that turned out to be new shoes.

I used to love my Brooks Glycerins, until they broke my foot. I am still pissed with them so obviously can't buy them. So I tried on every shoe in the store. Literally. I kid you not.

I really wanted Mizunos, cause I like the way it sounds. Sexy and fast. But I've had a bad experience with them, so they went on the rejection pile along with New Balance and Saucony. I loved the Nike pair I tried on but they didn't have my size. I needed instant gratification. I couldn't wait for them to be ordered.

Then an Asics box opened in front of me.

It was like a burst of bright glorious sunshine. When my life gets made into a big epic movie, they'll be playing Here Comes the Sun right at this moment.

So here they are. In all their bright wonderful gloriousness.

Posted by Ali at 6:40 PM | Comments (10)

June 10, 2008

tagged

I was tagged by Marci, I don’t do too many of these, since I like to appear elusive, like Greta Garbo*, Then I remembered I have a blog and the gig was up.

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?

I would run at the gym on the treadmill for 5 - 10 minutes, I really thought I was all that and more. I used to watch the London Flora Marathon live on TV, and be in complete awe, with coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other. So I would sum it up by saying I loved the thought of it, but had absolutely no grasp on the reality.**

2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?

The best. I’ve had a lot of really good runs, but the one that pops into my head is my first Around the Bay 30K race. It was the longest race and run I had ever done at that point. P and I ran together the whole way, finishing about 2 hours after the winners, but I think we both believed, if we had of turned it up a notch we could of taken them.

The Worst. Attempting to get on the bus after the above race. Probably last year’s Forest City Marathon, when I had to pull out at 26k*** due to puking my way thru the first half.

3. Why do you run?

Mental and physical benefits, the challenge, the stress release all the usual standard reasons. But really it’s the people I run with. If it wasn’t for them, I would of packed this in years ago.

4. What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?

This is tough since I don’t follow advice.

Best. Anything to do with drugs and stretching. The one piece of advice that I actually saw the greatest improvement, was “if you follow the training plan you’ll get results”.

Worst .. actually this is more myth than advice. It doesn’t cost anything to run. Just go out and do it. Excuse me, when I am fully decked out in all my gear and technology I am worth more than my car.

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.

When I was 18 I was held up at gun point by the IRA in Belfast.

* not crazy like Michael Jackson or Howard Hughes
** much like everything else in my life at this stage
*** a few people thought I pulled out at 26 miles, yes, there is just no way I can go that last .2 …

you're tagged if you wanna be!

Posted by Ali at 11:32 AM | Comments (5)

June 7, 2008

and on the third day

her training began.

I made it out this morning, post margarita-over-indulgence, for a 6k run. It was hot. Like how I imagine hell to be when faced with the decision of what to do and the bad angel is winning.

The whole run I kept thinking and thanking the sweet baby jesus that the relay was last weekend. Here are a couple of pics of our van.

at break time hour six ... (from l to r) me, Shannon, Sheryl, Stacey D, Stacey G and Rachel

middle of the night, hour ten ... note: it was windy and pouring rain hence the funky hair situation

Posted by Ali at 5:18 PM | Comments (4)

June 6, 2008

I need an assistant ...

I think I need staff. Someone whose sole responsibility is to make sure I am where I am supposed to be when I am supposed to be there. Added bonus if they could cook me delicious meals and clean ... and go to work for me on days like today when I don't want to.

What I really need is planner/day book/organizer, but having my own personal assistant would be more fun (see above personal bitch way more fun). Plus they could actually write things in the planner, something I seem to have trouble with.

Case and point.

I am the newest member of our Condo Board. There was a meeting last night at 6.30pm. The marathon training group started last night at 6pm. It wasn't until I came home after work to change for my run, when I bumped into a fellow board member that I remembered the meeting.

I went to the meeting. I didn't run. Today is a rest day. So far this training is going really well.

I need to regroup and focus!

Official Training for the Grand Rapids Marathon 2008 starts tomorrow* morning at 8.30am.

What I've learned over the last couple of years and this is just what works for me

1. Run 4-5 times a week, preferrably 5
2. Cross-train, Weights/Yoga/Pilates/Swimming - I don't do enough any of this, running becomes all consuming and I forget about everything else
Stretch

Sample week would look something like this

Monday - swim or pilates
Tuesday - Speedwork
Wednesday - easy run and weights
Thursday - Tempo run
Friday - swim and weights
Saturday - easy run and weights or yoga
Sunday - long run

I know how you guys like numbers and a plan, so here are my long runs.

Jun 8	Jun 15	Jun 22	Jun 29
9	10	11	8k race
Jul 6	Jul 13	Jul 20	Jul 27
10	12	14	16
Aug 3	Aug 10	Aug 17	Aug 24	Aug 31
12	Trail Race 8k	16	18	14
Sep 7	Sep 14	Sep 21	Sep 28
Half-Marathon	16	18	23
Oct 5	Oct 12	Oct 19
14	10	race day

*tonight there will be an obscene amount of margaritas consumed.

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

June 5, 2008

again ... ?

P.O.M asked an interesting question about the relay ...

Would I do it again?

During the last hour of the relay the question came up, it was fairly easy to answer.

No

... At least not next year.

But much like running a marathon, after a few days you forget the pain, suffering, torture and the promise you made to yourself never to do this again, ever!

So my absolute NO, is more of a persuadable Possibily now.

Why, the change, beside the ability to forget the bad, well you remember the good. And there was a lot of good. In fact there is nothing really like doing a relay.

It's a combination of every emotion, pushing yourself physically and mentally, a test of patience, a measure what you will or won't do for others, all in a small environment of a 7 seater van with no sleep.

I've done it twice now, and each time I learn from it. So for those of you thinking of doing a relay, or those already signed up here are my tips.

1. Support - the runner out there, your team, the other teams, the driver, the navigator. There is no such thing as too much support. If I'm out there running, I like to see my team every km, I may not want anything, but it's reassuring to see them and helps tick off the kms.

2. Juke food - it does not matter how much healthy food you bring, no one wants to eat trail mix, you want crap to eat. Pack chips and chocolate. Your team mates will forgive your bitching and body odour if you offer them trans fats.

3. Share - the responsibilites. Give everyone a task before hand, maps, food, music, t-shirts etc so everyone feels involved. When things go wrong or people aren't happy with something there are plenty of people to blame. During the relay, take turns, driving, navigating, supporting the runner, picking the tunes. After 12 hours the team member who hasn't done anything feels left out, and everyone else is pissed at doing everything.

4. Coffee - if I could of had an intravenous drip hooked up I would of.

5. Forgiveness - things are going to get tense out there. Know that you are going to get snappy, people will develop annoying habits, you may want to and might try to kill someone. It is just because you are tired, hot, dehydrated, soar and hungry. After an ice cold beer, a steak sandwich and a lot of sleep the love will be back!

6. Clean clothes - bring them, lots of them!

7. Capture it - bring a camera.

8. Bitch'n - it's going to happen, but no one likes a negative nellie it brings everyone down. Medicate if you have to.

9. Celebrate - everyones' run, good, bad, fast or slow.

10. Have fun!

Tonight at 6pm, my official "Fall Marathon Training Program" begins!

In tomorrows post, goals for this training program - stay tuned!

Posted by Ali at 9:32 AM | Comments (8)

June 3, 2008

the relay race report

I know this is a little late in coming. If you have been on the edge of your seat wondering how the relay went, I apologize for my tardiness.

I wish I had some legitimate excuse reason like:

1. We won and were whisked away for press conferences and have been living it large with our new sponsors.


2. I've been having sex with a foreplay obsessed massage therapist for three days


3. I've been helping Ang and Brad pick out eco friendly bedding for the twins.

but, sigh, tis none of those.

The lack of posting is the result of lack of energy. I tried to write a post last night, but I typed one sentence and sat back on the sofa and feel fast asleep at 6pm. So today, I decided to prioritize, I'll do the report at work, then I won't feel guilty sleeping when I get home, or napping at my desk mid-afternoon!

8am - 3pm
This year I was in the second half of our team. The first half, Van One, started at 8am Friday morning, we took over just after 3pm. So while they all ran, I was at work.

3 - 7.14pm

My first of three runs came at 5.45pm, a little 7.5k run. Our previous three runners S, S S and S had all said it was muggy and hot. It was. By the end of the second km I was hot and sweating. The run was good. It was hard to pace it, you are by yourself mostly, but definitely running faster than you normally would.

Our Van was awesome at supporting me, they would drive a km ahead and offer me something different everytime. It started with water ... then dental floss ... then lip balm ... cheese and crackers. It made the kms fun and took my mind off the heat. I handed off to R who ran the last of our legs before Van One was back on duty and we had a break.

7.15pm-12.30am

We had a few hours off, so we headed out for dinner then to S's aunts who lived close to the race area. We were greeted with welcome signs and beer, towels and hot showers. It was just what we needed to energize us for round two ... the middle leg, 12.30am - 5.30am! We planned to leave Auntie Ds around 11pm, as we started to pack up the rain began, along with thunder and lightening. Out in the middle of nowhere, on the darkness of country roads gives you a whole new appreciation for the power of mother nature.

The next hour is definitely my favourite memory of the relay. As we waited for a runner to hand off to us, we danced and sang outside in the rain to cheesey classics like Copacabana and YMCA. .. and by sang I mean screamed at the top of our lungs.

Motivated and excited we began the second leg.

1am
... feeling good. Still singing, we make a pack, when a runner is out there, that's their hour, no one sleeps, it's all about them. No one sleeps when a runner is out there.

2am
... the rain has stopped, it's surprisingly humid. But we are making up some serious time. Our Van is kicking this courses butt! We've passed at least 8 runners.

3am
... yawn, we seem a little quieter.

3.15am
... we start snapping at each other

3.45am
... eyes begin to close for long periods of time in the van.

4.10am
... I begin my second run.

My second run is my best of the three. But also very surreal, it's dark, I can't see the road and my head is tired and foggy, I feel like I am dreaming I am running.

5am
... last runner takes over, van is silent, more sign of life on Mars.

It's at this point I realize people really do need sleep, if they don't have it, things can turn bad, quickly. Mary Poppins could turn into Freddie Krueger after a sleepless night in a van. Suddenly Team becomes a very bad word.

6am - 9am
Getting lost, getting gas, coffee, shower, some sleep, breakfast, more coffee, clean up the van, coffee, getting lost again

9am - 11.30
We aren't due to run til 11.30am, but Van One has logistical problems where two runners are running at the same time, so we come out to support them. Which turns out to be a really good thing, since there is construction on the race route detouring support vechicals, excepts there are no signs just deadends. Van One gets lost. A runner is can't be found. Other runners are in different vans. There is about 45 minutes of craziness. But you know what happened during that mayhem?

Teamwork.

We were no longer 2 Vans but one team. Even when I lost it and started yelling. Yes ... I did. Due to the above, the next runner wasn't at the exchange when P finished her leg, so we subbed a runner in to keep everything going. When the runner arrived, they wanted to start running from there, not 2k down the road where our runner was. That's when 29 hours without sleep, 9 coffees and a natural lack of patience kicked in.

After that everything went back to, well, as close as you can get to normal. Oh except we got lost one more time.

11.30 - 5.30pm
Seriously, the longest 6 f*&$ing hours of my life. It went from hot and sunny to potential tornado, rain storm complete with hail and high winds then back to sun and heat.

These last six runs where tough. We are all tired. Surviving on a diet of pretezels, coffee and milky ways. I am dreading my last run, 9k, I don't have the energy to do it, but I am looking forward to finishing it, then we are only 9.8k from the finish line ... and sleep.

My run is kinda of a blur. I was hot. My legs hurt. I don't remember much except, seeing this red vision ahead, every km. It was moving and making noise. As I got closer, it was our team, in red shirts singing and dancing. Every km. They rocked!

Finally I handed off to R, who took off like a rocket. Everytime we pulled up beside her and asked how she was doing, she looking very focused, would say,

"Gotta, git er done! I want this finished!"

She blazed out 5 min kms. Gitt'n us done in just over 34 hours.

Posted by Ali at 9:44 AM | Comments (8)