Concrete Jungle Where Dreams are Made of

I went.

I saw.

And most importantly,

I RAN.

And it was awesome.

Me!  Post-marathon, medal, dazed and confused!

This is me post-race!  Of course, I'm smiling...I had many, many reasons to be happy after this unbelievable experience in New York City.

My time?  A 3:07.  3:07 people!  A personal best by two whole minutes.  Recall if you will (or if you won't, I'll just tell you anyways) my previous marathon best was in Chicago, a 3:09 on a flat and fast course just one short year ago.  The NYC course, by comparison is a very difficult and challenging run.  Tons of elevation change (like my new running friend Derek says. "bridges are hills") and sitting in the cold for 3 hours prior to running makes the first couple of miles a bit tricky.   The goal time I had in mind for this race was a 3:05, but I'm certainly not disappointed with a 3:07.  All that speedwork has most certainly paid off and I was able to run fast on a much more difficult course.  I also went out for it...HARD.  And tried to hold on.  I usually hold back a bit more at the start of my races, but I really, really needed to prove to myself that I could go out fast and hold on, and I am happy that I was able to accomplish that.  Often in races I think about drawing on the strength of others (I so appreciate everyone who sends energy my way on race day :), however, this time I was truly focused on getting through the tough spots myself.  I know now that I CAN do it myself, and this will be key if I am to get to that elusive sub 3:00 mark.

I was also so fortunate to have the love and support of my family (Caitlin and Scott included) who came all the way to New York to see me run by them for just a few seconds in Central Park.  This was a long way for my family to travel to witness just a tiny part of my race.  It really, really is so very special and important to me that they were there.  When I saw them on the race course a couple of miles from the finish, it was like a jolt of energy went through me and I was able to push myself just that much more to the finish.  Family, you are the best and I am so lucky to have you.  I love you and appreciate you more than I can ever say.

I should also mention that my smallest fan was in attendance at this race.

Henry- my wee fan

The day I ran the marathon was Henry's 3 month birthday.  I just KNEW that November 6th held great things for me for that reason alone.  Henry was obviously super impressed with my super awesome race number.  He was also super impressed with my race effort.  He slept through the entire thing, including our reunion on the corner of 77th and Amsterdam post run.  But it's OK- marathoning around NYC is tough when you're a little dude!

And finally, a word or two about the NYC marathon, for those enquiring minds...

A running event of that magnitude (47 000 runners representing 130 countries with 2 million+ spectators) is difficult to describe. 

Wondering really and truly what it looks like?  Here's an awesome visual certainly worth 3 minutes of time!  This is actually the start of the marathon on the day I ran it just one short week ago!  Big prize to anyone who can spot me in the crowd- HUGE in fact...

It's been one whole week since I raced and it's taken a bit of time for me to gather my thoughts about this one.  This was one tough race.  Mentally, physically and emotionally, I truly went through the ringer on this one.  First, because the race starts on Staten Island and runs into NYC through all 5 boroughs (Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan) the race organizers need to get all 47 000 participants to the starting point- the Verazanno- Narrows bridge.  For me, this meant boarding a bus at 5:30 in the morning and then waiting in the staging area for 3 hours in the cold before the race started, sitting in the dark, on the pavement, trying to stay loose, hydrated, fuelled and warm.  This in itself was a big hurdle for me since I am always cold.  My pre-race uni included a woolly toque, sweats layered over running tights, layers on top, mitts AND hand and foot warmers.  By the time I started running at 9:40, I couldn't feel my feet!  Mentally, I knew that going out as hard as I did was going to require a great deal of toughness from halfway on.  When I felt my quads fatiguing already at mile 10, I knew that it was going to HURT.  And hurt it did, but I was able to push through, beat it and came through with a 3:07.  Definitley not my most evenly split or prettiest race, but I pushed myself through and didn't back down.  Emotionally...well, lets just say that as always, I worked some stuff out in my head over the course of this 26.2.  Worked.It.Out.  And the result?  Like ALWAYS- peace in my mind and happiness in my heart. 

Now it's time to let the body heal and recover which requires me to wrap my head around the idea that resting and recovering is a PART of training, even though I'm not running.  As some of you know, the hardest part of training for me isn't the running part...it's the non running part, and this will include the rest and recovery phase.

The NYC marathon was an amazing experience that I am not soon to forget.  Going through something that physically demanding on a course that tough changes you in some way.  I am already looking forward to seeing what that translates into for my next round of training and racing.

And I can't wait.

I'm Taking a Bite!

Of the Big Apple, of course!

It's finally here.  After waiting, waiting, WAITING...waiting to see if my time was fast enough to gain entry, waiting to book the flight and hotel, waiting to see if it was a solo trip or a family one, waiting for training to start...and then waiting for training to end, waiting for the day I leave for what will surely be one of the best experiences of my life...

It's here!  I'm leaving on a jet plane TOMORROW for NYC to run the marathon on sunny (hear that weather Gods- yes, please) Sunday morning.  The bag is (sort of) packed, shoes and gels CHECK, and let's not forget the ear plugs.  Henry, I love you, but you are one LOUD little sleeper!  I have done my last big stretch at yoga, eaten a fabulous dinner and am settling in for hopefully one last great night's sleep before I hit the road.

NYC, ready or not, here I come.  Is the city ready for me?  Am I ready for the race?

Which leads me to this question...is the journey ending or is the journey really just beginning?

Perhaps I'll ponder that one whilst pounding  the 26.2 on the mean streets of NYC.  Which really aren't that mean, or so I hope.  Post races deets to follow complete with fabulous pics taken by one ARice junior I am sure.  This is it, PEEPS!  I'm off...and RUNNING!

 

This is How Things Are...

Update!  Very quick!  Too nice for typing!

Weather.  +30C.  Run.  Hill Intervals- 5 medium (45sec), 5 long (70sec), 5 short (30sec).  Intervals in between- Pushups and a variety of squats and jumps.  Total time working.it.out. 1 hour.

Fitness.  Lacking.  This just about killed me.

Inspiration- NEEDED!  Anyone?  Anyone?  NYC beginning to frequent my thoughts.

And now I must swim.  I'm hot.

P.S. Still not an aunt.  But waiting patiently!

Self Doubt

I had a strange thing happen to me today. 


I had a look at the map of the New York City marathon which I pulled out of last months issue of Runner's World.  I have mentioned previously that I plan on running this marathon in November of 2011.  As I was looking at this map, the start line at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the pathway through the 5 boroughs, the finish at Central Park...

I felt doubt.  I suddenly didn't feel so sure that I could run in and finish the marathon.

This would be common if NYC was to be my first marathon experience.  But it's not.  It will likely be my 9th time pounding out a 26.2.  I have no idea where the doubt came from.  Maybe because I've been hibernating from the cold for a few days?  Maybe because I haven't run any distance at all since Chicago?  Maybe?  Maybe?  Maybe?  I know that self-doubt is something that everyone experiences from time to time; life is full of new and unique situations, all of which likely force us to consider our level of confidence and how we do perceive ourselves in the world often dictates our response to these situations.  But I am CONFIDENT in my ability to complete a marathon.  So why the doubt?  And why now?

I may never figure out where this (hopefully!) moment of doubt has it's roots but I do know one thing for certain; I am confident it will go away.  I am confident because I will help it the only way I know how...

I'll go running.

Guess WHAT?

This is a photo of the start of the NYC marathon.

And...

My plan is to be there...

NEXT YEAR!  YES! YES! YES!  Exciting!  SO exciting!

I discovered in my interweb travels today that the NYC has a guaranteed entry if you have run under a certain time.  For me that certain time was a 3:23.  My 3:09 in Chicago just became that much sweeter, as next year I plan to be in that pack, pounding the pavement on the means streets of New York.  The only question now is how am I going to manage to contain myself for a full calendar year.  Curious.  Tips anyone?  Do share...

But that's not the ending of the running excitement and news...

This past weekend was Winterstart.  Yes, THE Winterstart, which, in previous years, has resulted in everything from an altercation with a VERY irrate hotel employee over the Inn Keeper's Act to intense Flippy Cup competitions hard fought at the Rose and Crown.  I'm pleased to report that this year we managed to avoid any legal disasters and cup casualties.  The 5 miler up Tunnel Mountain was conquered by all and we managed to keep our behaviour in check.  One item of consequence I would like to highlight is the fact that ARJR, Bergie-Lynn, Ellis and I finished the race in a solid tie- around the 47 minute mark.  There really is nothing quite like holding hands and crossing that line together.  Nice work, ladies!  And for that matter, nice work to ALL the ladies that made the trek to Banff for this event- a job well done!

And last, but definitely not least, I'm running again.  YES!  So happy to be back at it.  It just feels awesome to get out there and work it out people.  I think I've decided that my next 26.2 is going to be Vancouver in May.  Having said that I'm open to suggestions...any other ideas for a spring marathon?  I'd love your input...yes, YOU!

And one more small thing...I'm training the Tech Shop half marathoners again.  The target race is the Calgary police half at the end of April and I'm really excited to be working with Nolan and his crew again.  If you are considering this kind of training, I highly suggest checking out their website (The Tech Shop) or stopping into the store to sign up.  If the half distance seems a bit daunting at this point, there will also be a learn to run clinic, which usually has a shorter distance for the target race.  Go for it, people!  I promise you won't be disappointed!