Sunday, April 23, 2006

I had a good post-marathon recovery week. Between taking Tuesday off, the last day of Passover, and my usual half-day at work on Fridays, I'm feeling fairly rested compared to the week after Boston last year. I over did it cooking and carrying Speedy on Friday and my ankle has been bothering me since. I had hoped to run 3 miles this weekend but think that I need to ice my ankle, stick it in a brace for a few days, and hit the Advil before trying to run. So, Tuesday I'm going to take my bike out for a spin and then will attempt to run 3 miles at a relaxed pace on Wednesday after work. I want to take it easy for the rest of April and most of May before jumping back into training.

I know that I want to run a couple of 5K races this summer and the BAA half-marathon in October but I'm still trying to decide which races to really push for. Likely, it will be the Somerville Homeless Coalition 5K this fall. That way, I can spend some time on speedwork and getting a stronger stride.

I've also set a goal of doing an Ironman Tri by the time I'm 40. That gives me 10 years to understand the training needed for triathlons and as Speedy grows up, hopefully finding time to train will get a little easier.

Click here to see photos from Marathon Weekend courtesy of DFMC. Also, for those who have time to search through hundreds of photos, you are virtually guaranteed to find yourself by looking through photos from Jim Rhodes and company!

On the fundraising front, I'm going to continue to try to raise money until July 31st final deadline. Please, if you haven't given, contribute a small amount. DFMC needs you -- $1, $5 -- anything helps in the race against cancer. The finish line is still a ways away but with your donation, we come a little closer! I'll continue to say it -- IF A 6 YEAR OLD CAN GIVE HIS ALLOWANCE, YOU CAN MATCH IT!

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

It was only a dream....

So, the process of blogging about marathon weekend will take a few days -- here is another story about the big weekend...

On Thursday afternoon, I made a mental note that after the festival days for Passover and then Shabbat were over, I needed to clip my toenails (which were REALLY REALLY long and grazing the toe of my shoes...). On Saturday, I made another mental note to do this before race day and then promptly fell asleep on Saturday night without doing so.

I got dressed on marathon Monday, proceeded to Hopkinton, and started the race (read previous post for list of things that hasn't gone quite as planned). Down the road a good bit, I started to notice that my feet and toes felt irritated. I chalked this up to rubbing on my socks despite all of the lubrication I put on them to avoid blisters. I was thinking about what else the problem could be and eliminated toenail problems since "I cut them on Sunday evening."

With the race completed, I headed back to the DFMC runner's center to change out of my stinky running clothes and put on a nice comfortable pair of dry socks and my flip-flops. When I took my race socks off, I found a bloody toe - nothing compared to last year but bloody none the less. Upon closer evaluation, I also found that I had not trimmed my toe nails and the irritation I felt during the race was my toenails rubbing the end of my running shoe briefly during each stride.

The medication I am on for depression has listed as a potential side effect "vivid dreams" and I've definately been having some. Apparently, the toenail cutting that I thought happened on Sunday was simply the product of a worried marathon runner on medication that causes vivid dreams! Sadly, it was only a dream. Lesson for next time: double check the toes when getting dressed before a big race.

Thankfully, once cleaned off, the blood was only from a tiny nick in the skin on one toe -- disaster averted (atleast this time)....

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Race Recap

So I'm going to do a couple of posts today, starting with a general recap of the race.

Race conditions: 55 and overcast at the start but it got warmer and sunny through most of the course. There was a significant headwind for much of the way. At several points, I couldn't hear the music on my IPOD because of the wind!

As for the race itself, once we got moving to line up I removed the sweatshirt I was wearing and felt fine. With the wave start, there wasn't as much excitement and buildup as there is when the entire field starts at once. It lacked the celebratory quality that I felt last year. The upside of the wave start is that we all cleared the starting line VERY quickly!

I had prepared a goo bottle full of honey and attached it to my fuelbelt in place of the goo that I would normally need during the race. Just after crossing the starting line, my fuelbelt came loose and started to fly off. While I caught the belt, my honey was lost -- talk about panic. This left me with only orange juice and oranges passed out by little kids along the way. My major source of energy was gone less than a mile into the race!

At about 5 miles, I miss stepped and had a shooting pain in my right (not surgically repaired knee). This lead to freakout #2 of the race -- do I keep going or stop? I kept going and after about 1/2 a mile it calmed down. This morning it is a little sore but nothing that ice won't cure.

I was slower than I wanted to be for much of the race -- once I lost my honey container, I switch to conserve and finish mode rather than break a PR mode. I had friends planted along the route with orange juice mix in case I needed it. These people also helped break up the race as I focused on running from person to person. Navah was at mile 7 or so with a sign, a smile, and much needed OJ. At Wellesley College I found Lisa and Kerry with bananas and was pleased to have Lisa as a brief running companion. A mile later, Larry met me with a smile and refreshed water bottle.

Speedy Ima and Speedy were at the firehouse turn onto Commonwealth Ave at the base of the Newton Hills. Seeing them really gave me a needed recharge before hitting the hills. I managed to pull of for a quick kiss to both of them before heading up those brutal hills. About a mile later, my legs turned to lead and I had to walk. This is where I started to identify lost training opportunities and had to resist the temptation to beat myself up. This is also where I was sorely tempted to just walk or quit. I had to keep reminding myself that as a full-time student with a full-time job and new baby, that something couldn't be full-time but that does not mean that I don't take my running seriously. This conversation with myself also helped as a reminder that just because I was undertrained didn't mean that I didn't deserve to finish...a break from my normal, do it right or don't do it at all tendancy.

So, I found myself walk/running the hills but was reenergized by seeing David and his camera and Boston College. A couple of miles later, my friends Ben, Ruth, and their son Aaron Solomon were out with a juice cup and bananas. Ben ran along with his camera for a section of the race bringing a smile to my face at a difficult point in the race for me.

Next thing I knew, I was running the last downhill miles into a headwind and smiling again. The Beacon Street section was a little difficult because of potholes and drunk students in the middle of the street for a mile or so. At some point, I remember thinking that I wish these people understood that I could barely hold my arms up to run much less to slap their outstretched arms. One guy was running along drunk and high-fiving runners so hard that he almost knocked a few folks down.

The last mile or so brought a huge DFMC cheering group at Kenmore Square complete with Jan yelling "Go Jesse" on the bullhorn. This was a definate highlight. Seeing all of the kids and their families out was a great reminder that if we run enough miles we can beat this disease. It was also a reminder of the kids that were with us last year and lost their fight against cancer -- making it more clear that we have to raise more money, one step at a time.

Just as I ducked under Mass. Ave, my friend Karla greeted me with waves and smiles -- like many of the folks who came out to support me, Karla has seen the struggle from walking with a cane to health. Because we worked together in a small office, she is perhaps the only person in Boston other than Carolyn who clearly understands how difficult life was during the last year before surgery. She had to watch me struggle to get into the office on cold mornings -- but her family were also some of the first to celebrate the success of my knee surgery. Having her on the course was a real joy.

Once I made the turn onto Boylston St, I could see the banner at the finish line and my legs received the "Back to the barn" message. I ran faster at that point than I had in the whole race. Crossing the finish line last year was never in doubt. To quick would have meant letting Chris down -- and 12 days after his passing, I wasn't about to let that happen. This year, despite having several friends touched by cancer, I did have some doubt but along the way I conjured up their names, the names of Jimmy Fund patient partners, and of those in my family lost or battling cancer. Their strength and a bit of grit and determination on my part got me through to the finish.

Once I got my medal and retrieved my baggage, a wonderful DFMC volunteer escorted me back to the Marriot runner's center. Along the way, someone from the media asked me to pose for a portrait and I should get that via email in a few days. I'll post it here when I do. Once back at the DFMC site, I changed and called SpeedyIma who picked me up and we headed home for a bath, hot chocolate and matzah lasagna. At 10:30, I finally hit the hay and slept like a rock.

Thanks to everyone for the support. I'll be resting for the next month or so with minimal running and some cross training. I'll still be blogging though, there are summer races around the corner with the BAA half-marathon in October. So, stay tuned in -- I may be resting but there is still plenty of life and running to explore!

Sunday, April 16, 2006

The Marathon is Coming....

I'm back from the DFMC dinner and am hoping to hit the hay soon. My running shorts for tomorrow are in the dryer, dinner is in the oven (there was a snag in the kosher dinners at the event), and I'm about to tape my race bag so that is doesn't break and go to bed.

I've loaded the IPOD with lots of music to keep me going, and at this point the only thing left to do is remember to relax and get some shut eye. I have to be at the Boston Common tomorrow morning between 7:30-8 am. That's much better than when I arrived with other DFMCers earlier. The Common is easy to get to from here so I'll be able to squeeze in an extra hours of sleep.

Hopefully at this time tomorrow I'll be sleeping off another successful Boston Marathon!

WWW.BOSTONMARATHON.ORG
BIB # 18639

Saturday, April 15, 2006

2 Days and Counting

The marathon is right around the corner and now that the Passover cleaning frenzy (and the late night seders) are complete, I've gotten the chance to rest up for the race. Speedy Ima and Speedy have both had colds this week so it has been a struggle to stay healthy. I've been VERY tired the past 2 days and think my body is working to fight off whatever they have. So far, I only have minimal congestion and a slight headache. Strangely, someone told Speedy Ima that eating the pith of lemons along with the rind helps like any medication would -- I tried it and sure enough, it works for hours.

On the fundraising front, I've raised just under $4500 to date. Thanks to everyone who has donated! The folks at Figaro's Boston gave me a check on Wednesday morning for $250. Again, they've been incredible -- give them your business!

As for the rest of the weekend, I'm planning on picking up my number tomorrow morning sometime and then heading home to rest before going to the DFMC pasta party. We'll be back around 7 so I'll be sure to post a party re-cap here before heading off to bed.

The race weather is predicted to be 55 degrees and partly cloudy -- let's hope that my race goes as well as the weather forecast!

For those running on Monday -- good luck! I hope that those of you who are keeping Passover have found tricks that work for you.

The Swadfather

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Final Stretch

While my training is wrapping up, the fundraising has really begun to sprint off! My class at CPCS raise $90 to meet my challenge of matching or matching + a 6 year-old's donation to help the Barr Program find cures for cancer to help people like his mom. In the past 7 days, I've raised $1732. If you haven't chipped in your coffee money for the week, do it now! Marathon Monday is just 1 week away. I'm doing the hard part by running, giving is easy! $2, $10, $20, $262, or more -- any of these makes a huge difference in the fight against cancer. You know people touched by cancer -- and you have the power to make a difference!

Figaro's of Boston will be wrapping up their fundraiser at the end of this week -- they have been unbelievably involved both in the fundraising but also in training updates, food, and support. Go give them your business -- the food and staff are fabulous!

I'll post a few final things before race day -- right now, I have to get in 10 miles and finish the pre-pesach cleaning frenzy (space aged foil kitchens anyone? I hear they are fashionable in the Jewish community this time of year!)

The big 3-0

The big 3-0 has arrived...that's right readers, I turned 30 last Thursday. Along with it came a minor freak out about having a career, partner, child, etc. Speedy Ima threw a party for me on Shabbat complete with my favorite Carvel ice cream cake --- yummy junk food goodness! I had asked for donations to Dana-Farber in lieu of gifts and was happy to have raised some good $ for the Marathon Challenge Team.

Along with the freakout over being 30 came the realization that I'm getting more comfortable with parenting (atleast for now). At the moment, I mostly know what Speedy needs when he cries, laughs, etc and I have gotten better at anticipating diaper changes, bottles, going for a walk, etc. We start him on solid food the week after Passover and I am interested to see what changes in our lives that brings! He is holding himself up when we get him into a sitting position and has started to roll over in his crib. Watch out world (and parents!), mobility is just around the corner!

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Updates

The taper has begun and there are less than 2 weeks left before Marathon Day.

The fundraising has picked up in the last week. Tonight, my classmates met my challenge to match or more the donation made by my friend's nephew. 12 people gave a total of $76 while we met for our Program Evaluation class at UMASS-Boston. Thanks all! You've done a great thing!

The other big news is that tomorrow I turn the BIG 3-0....I'm not sure how I feel about this other than some excitement that I'm now at the bottom of my age group in most races again. I guess there is something to be said for getting older...

Speaking of older, I'm exhausted....when is it that I start needing LESS SLEEP like my grandmother????? She gets by on 3 hours of sleep but could run circles around me!

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Just In Case You Needed Some Motivation...

A few days ago I had the best reminder of why I run and raise money for DFMC that I've had all year. Some friends of mine invited me over to talk with 2 kids that are living with them about the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge and why am running a marathon to raise money for them. When they get their allowances each week, they put money in a tzedakah box to save and give to cause they believe is important. The kids' mom has cancer and they wanted to know what people are doing to help people like her to get well, or to keep them from getting sick in the first place.

They also had LOTS of questions about the marathon, the course, etc. We watched a video clip of the course and I tried to answer their questions. At the end, they counted up the money from the tzedakah box and the younger child kicked in his allowance to raise the total amount going to Dana-Farber. So, for those of you who are reading this and listing all of the reasons why you aren't clicking on the DFMC link on the sidebar, a 6 year old gave his $2 allowance for the week -- surely you can give $5 dollars, $10 dollars, or even match his donation times 10 ($20). The amount isn't as important as your participation in the fight to beat this disease.

People like their mom, my mom, my Uncle, grandfather --- and your friends, family members, and your friend's family members need for you to join us in giving to fight cancer. A 6 year-old gave his allowance - can't you forgo a cup of coffee and join him in giving?