Coach Kate sent me an e-mail yesterday reminding me that today was the first day of registration for the Twin-Cities Marathon, which takes place on October 1. She also called to follow up, which I love, because I love calls from my sisters. Race day seems like a long time away, but I assure you it's not for someone as out of shape as I am. Somewhere around 156 days, I think. The last few days of this month and May will be used for building a base of sorts, and sometime in June official training will begin. In any case, I've got to get start running more consistently. I usually retain enthusiasm about working out for about two days, when I realize how hard it is to get back into shape. All I know is that after this marathon, 3-5 miles a day should be cake, and I'm not even going to stop because I never want to have to work to get back into shape again.
Today was a beautiful day, and I even slept in a little bit. Plus, you know it's a good day when the BMP serves wing bar for dinner. You know it's an even better day when someone unexpected calls to eat with you. And when I say "someone unexpected," I clearly mean Ashley. She even volunteered to go running with me, which was great because I knew it would force me to actually do it. So, a half hour after wings, we google-mapped a route from Burge to City High so we could avoid running on campus.
Supposedly, our route was 1.9 miles, one way, but we started from the IMU rather than my dorm, so I'm not sure how the distance was affected. The run reminded me of a route in Bettendorf that starts at PVHS and takes Devil's Glen to Crow Creek Rd. Both runs had long stretches on the same road that never seem to end. For instance, when you turn around at Crow Creek and see Tanglefoot and then Hy-Vee, it seems like eternity before you actually get there. Similarly, today we ran down Iowa St. for quite a few blocks looking at the Old Capital. Both routes also highlight slight up hills you might not otherwise notice. Coincidentally, the Crow Creek destination is also 1.9 miles, one way.
My legs felt fine, a little heavy now (I've never been good at stretching on my own clock (Speaking of watches, mine -you know, the cheap Wal-Mart watch I got my first year of high school cross country, because I'd clearly lose a nice one- has a dead battery. So I'm watchless for a couple weeks. Also, I think I can handle an expensive Nike about now.)) Obviously, I was winded for the better part of the run, and hopefully that'll go away within a few weeks. Other than that, I'd say the last quarter the side-shoulder combo I've known every run of my life kicked in. My right shoulder cramps and I begin to run with my head slightly tilted to the right, and soon after the same side aches and it feels like my right lung has been punctured with a knife and is slowly collapsing. It's been bothering me like that for most of my running career and there is nothing I can do, except run through it. Interestingly enough, I wasn't bothered by it during the QC Marathon, although I had to cut down long runs during training more than once as the pain became unbearable.
So it's about 1 am, even though this is a record of April 26th. I got back from studying at Currier around 11:30, then went to outside to play basketball with my roommate. Let's just say shooting baskets isn't like riding a bike, and I don't care if I never do it again!! j/k...sort of. And you'd be surprised how long it takes to perfect a blog entry. I knew that already from those long comments on Dad's blog. Anyway, I'm going to try and keep this primarily running related and post the good stuff on 4000 Days.
I'd love comments, God knows how much motivation I need, especially doing most of this on my own. And advice. Advice is good.
156 days till race day!
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3 comments:
Charlie,
Good for you!. Putting a goal out there for others to see is always a way to put the onus on yourself to deliver the goods.
I spoke with Katie last night and told her that I would keep my record of financing marathon entry fees intact. So I'll reimburse you for your registration when you get home next month.
I am doing base-building on my bike now as well. I figure 15-20 miles every-other-day for the next month will get me to a point where I can realistically get out on the road for the 45 mile trip to DeWitt for a weekend breakfast ride.
Good luck.
Charlie - you do the running, I'll do the drinking... Did you notice how we have a caption now on criterium financial? "Charlie, my shining star daughter who ran a marathon and thus deserves to be on the fitness page, and her sister." Also, when you say you like it when your sisters call, i mean, is that qualified to "I like it when Katie calls?" because I call you like every day of my life. Hope that's ok since I'm probably unlikely to stop calling in the near future. Love ya!
this is such a big love fest for us all! as the MADE coach, which i have to tell you i love, i will be keeping close tabs on your progress, kristen! today was my off day and tomorrow i have to get up at 5am to go to the gym to get my run in. my day is too busy otherwise! :( be glad i'm not making you keep my schedule! i also registered for the marathon so we're all set. maybe i'll add weekly phone calls to my coaching plan. they tell us as teachers that nothing works better than a phone call home. (i got this info because tonight was parent-teacher conferences, and being a teacher i had to be there.) have a good weekend running...did you keep those shoes you got at run 'n fun?
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