"Music is the weapon of the future"

I am actually *borrowing* this quote from one of Emily's old-school, vintage t-shirts. But I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly!

Sometimes, music IS all it takes...at least in running and Craig's life, I have found that it is!

Craig's love of music began when he was a baby when Mom and Dad bought him a "tape deck" on which to play their tapes for him. Even though he was blind, they knew he could enjoy using his other senses, especially his hearing. Their idea was worth more than anything in this world because nothing energizes and revives Craig's spirit more than music. No matter if it's Whitney Houston or Barney singing, Craig becomes extremely verbal with a lot of "hey"s, and "yeah-yeah-yeah"s! Music simply makes Craig happy!
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I once was a runner that never laced-up without also having an i-Pod in hand. But in the past year or so, I've left the music at home on runs. I found that by not listening to music while I was training, I was able to "feel" my effort and cadence, and be more in-tune with my body and what it was telling me.

Most post-marathon plans prescribe no running at all for at least 5-7 days, and then a return to racing 6 weeks later, at the very earliest (I'm certainly cutting it close with the next Marathon about 5 weeks away now). And even though during recovery it is crucial to listen to your body just like in training, it's also a time to return to relaxed running for a bit...to take the serious-ness out.
Recovery from Chicago has been somewhat of an up-and-down journey. After taking 5 complete days of rest, I began with a run that was broken down into two parts, each around 2.5 miles. Overall it went well, even though it was hard to run any faster than about a 9:45-10:10 mile...but that was expected on the first day back. In fact, that Saturday was actually the first day I had wanted to run again because I had felt so wiped out. But over this last week, my runs haven't really felt a whole better. The effort that it takes to run 4 miles, now feels like the effort that was required for a long run a few weeks ago. Recovery has just been tough...mentally and emotionally. My physical self isn't quite ready to turn on all the engines yet for more training, yet my heart wants it to. I'm pretty sure all this adds up to a little "post-marathon-blues" because I've felt a loss of motivation, too. So, my prescription is still the same...continue to run easy, not pushing my pace, not pushing the distance build-up too soon, etc.
BUT, enter music...

On my 5th day back to running, I decided to take my i-Pod out with me...and what a difference music makes! I'm convinced that's all it takes sometimes! This particular run was my first 6-miler since the marathon. I was (honestly--and I know this is negative) not very hopeful that it would turn out to be a "good" run, just like the others up to this point. But 52 minutes later, I came back feeling like a different person...energized...refreshed...renewed...re-acquainted with my previous runner-self! From the moment I pressed play, to rounding the corner back to my house, the music was my weapon!

Craig had it figured out already!

*CHICAGO*

Mural on the wall outside Niketown on Miracle Mile in Chicago
Every single Chicago Marathon runner's name is listed
too cool

From the minute I arrived in Chicago, I was taken in by all that I could see...tall buildings, the busy-ness of passers-by, and taxi-packed streets. It was, by far, the biggest, prettiest city I've ever been to. I think I walked around with my mouth wide open. Chicago is what New York must be like on a smaller, much smaller scale.
Arriving midday Saturday afforded me and Emily just enough time to go to the Expo to pick up our race numbers and timing chips for our shoes. The Expo is like a fair for runners...seriously... free samples of granola bars, Oikos yogurt, Muscle Milk, Clif Shot Blocks, and Luna Moons. There was also a designated area for every major running shoe and apparel company, hydration product, nutrition supplements, etc...again, a fair!

Here's the stash along with the race shirt!

After the expo, the main priority was eating dinner to ensure an early bedtime, so we made our way to a (too fancy-for-our-style!--they sat us downstairs and in the back by the kitchen-ha!) seafood restaurant called Devon--best Salmon I've ever had. And honey biscuit. And rissotto. And asparagus. Period.
By 8:00pm that night, we were fueled-up with a nutrient-packed dinner and ready to wind down and save all our energy. Sleep came easier to me than I thought it would, because I anticipated being too excited to get any shut-eye. The night before a marathon (or any race, really) is like Christmas Eve for a kid!
The morning alarm sounded at 6:00am. The first thing I did was check the weather: I think the forecast said it was 30 degrees at that point...the decision on shorts or not was an easy one at that point! Em and I sat up and looked at each other with what had to be sparkles in our eyes because of the anticipation of what was to come!

Race-ready for a 32 degrees-RIGHT before we walked down to the Marathon start!

This marathon provided a lesson in having confidence in yourself! My official time was 3:44:42, and was the best race I've ever run! Crowd support was absolutely unreal...not one stretch of the 26.2 mile route wasn't covered with cheering moms, dads, friends, husbands, wives, daughters, sons, sisters, and brothers. But even more encouraging than cowbells and whoops, was a man racing on crutches and only one leg. My eyes started to swell with tears because I was so moved. How courageous, tenacious, dauntless. What determination, commitment, and guts. A winner. A champion. One word: "in-freaking-spiring!"

We finished!

A goal that was in the back of my mind was crossing the finish line in 3:40 or faster, which would have earned me a ticket to the prestigious Boston Marathon. I was bummed that I didn't accomplish this, but was more than happy with how I had ultimately performed.
Em and I were able to start the race together and hugged-it-out in Grant Park when we saw each other after the finish. We will have this memory forever and I will treasure it.

Next up is the Space Coast Marathon in Cocoa Beach on November 29th!

T-46 hours and counting...

Trusting the taper, topping off the glycogen stores, and hunker-ing down!

In less than 24 hours I will be arriving in Chicago for my second marathon ever! I am almost too excited to sleep because it feels just like the first.

Today I spent time packing everything from Accel-Gel (gotta go with what works-"never try anything new on race week/day") to arm warmers; planning my trip from the El Train to the hotel so that I know it by heart, and making myself relax (I went to a movie). The best part about it is that my best friend Emily will be waiting for me when I get there...along with the opposite-of-sub-tropical-weather that I am so accustomed to now.

Repeat after me: cold weather good, hot weather bad..."cool weather is a marathoner's dream, and the ideal temperature for running is 48-52 degrees", says Coach Jenny Hatfield of Runner's World Magazine. From the weather reports (which I have compulsively checked all week), it looks like our conditions are going to be perfect as we'll toe the starting line at a crisp 40 degrees and finish at a comfortable 50 degrees.

Actually, the best, best part is that running this marathon is more than the sum of 26.2 individual miles...it's knowing that I've been able to make a difference and ease a burden in the lives of the kids and their families that attend E.S.P.
Thanks to everyone for support along the way. I look forward to continuing to share this marathon journey with you as I press on.

..........................................................

Frank Shorter, 1972 Olympic marathon gold medalist:

"You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming."

Misadventures in yoga

This is not me :)

"If one could run without getting tired I don't think one would often want to do anything else."
- C.S. Lewis

If I could get up and run every single day, I would. But at some point a body needs recovery. Mom says that I am my father's daughter, and that statement couldn't be more true...

Coming off of the 15K on Saturday, my legs were hoping for a break, and while my heart wanted to be on the roads, my head said "no." I listened to my head this time, though and conceded it was the right thing to do...Sunday should be a day of rest anyway, right?

That afternoon, I was going stir-crazy (there's my Dad in me), but my spirit leapt when I saw that there was a yoga class at the "Y" later. Let me just say that I might actually be the last person on Earth to try yoga, but, again...I needed something, anything, so that I could feel I exercised.

I'm guessing that you've already figured out by the title of this post, that it wasn't a mind-blowing experience. I was definitely the only newbie in the class, too...the instructor asked us to raise our hand if it was our first time, but nobody did...and then I completely chickened out. I was already going to look funny doing the poses, why in the world would I call MORE attention to myself?!

The anti-climactic hour wasn't because of the instructor (who, by the way, was really cool), or the people, or even the poses. In fact, we were encouraged to do only what was comfortable to our bodies. I think the problem is I'm just not yoga-ish. I find it really hard to close my eyes and not look around, "focus" in on a pose, and be "in it." I felt like I was totally missing the point-that everyone else was getting-and wondering why we couldn't just stretch :)

Monday morning, my legs felt fresh and *rested* and I was thankful I didn't run Sunday...and that I went to yoga! It was a lesson in always giving something a shot once, and that resting and doing yoga really does help!

Records...made to be broken; Goals...made to be surpassed!

This morning I ran in the Miracle Miles 15K. This race is extra special because it benefits the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Winnie Palmer Hospital, where I'm a nurse. Our tiny babies can't run, so we do!

Today was another milestone in my training program *yay*! I finished the 9.3 miles faster than last year (which was my first goal), and even set a Personal Record! Another wise runner once told me that every race should have three time goals: the best-case scenario, the realistic scenario, and the worst-case scenario. I'm excited to report that I nailed my time goal for the best-case scenario @ 1:14. I began the race really cautious and conservative because of the high temperature and humidity (shocker, I know). But once I hit the first 3 miles in about 23 minutes, and knew I felt comfortable, I kept it steady all the way in. Here are my splits for each mile:
8:02, 7:47, 7:46, 8:03, 8:04, 8:08, 8:11, 7:56 (after the Power Bar Gel--so glad I brought it along!), 7:55 (now it really kicked in!), and 2:27 (for the last .3mi).

The best part...seeing Marshall at mile 5! I had no idea he was going to be cheering for me on the course, and it made me feel so special--thanks, Babydoll! THEN he showed up again at mile 9 to light my fire on my way in to the finish.

My original plan was to run 3 miles after today's race to log the 12 miles required as the long run this week in preparation for Chicago, but I gave 110% effort this morning, and I know those extra 3 would not be functional. SO, I'm going to run 12 easy on Monday, which I feel is a better game plan.

Tomorrow we will be 2 weeks out from the marathon...stay tuned for these last days of training as the final preparation is upon me!

Home is not where you live, but where they understand you. --C. Morgenstern

...Where red and black go together (Go Dawgs!), the dirt looks like rust, and the rolling hills are populated with green pines and a few cows. And, to me...the place where you can say things like "y'all", and no one looks at you funny!

A trip "home" to Athens, Georgia was long overdue--we had not been to visit in over 6 months! The drive is around 7-8 hours (depending on how many times I need to stop--sorry, Love) and because we usually can't wait to get there, we typically take off after work and arrive some time in the middle of the night.

We began our first morning in Athens slightly sleep deprived, though. We made it there around 3am, and because my BFF and I had planned a run together that next morning, I had just enough time to essentially power-nap! 13 miles on my favorite roads like Milledge and Prince provided enough excitement that I forgot how little I had slept...the coffee and powerbar didn't hurt either! Our bagels and Diet Cokes at Marti's were the perfect recovery.

The trip home also included my first trips around town in my sister's car-she is *16* and a new driver...but a pretty good one (keep driving with both hands on the wheel, Sarah); a high school reunion of sorts at Clarke Central's football game where my Grandaddy Billy was honored by past players; a Georgia football game Between the Hedges; a movie with mom; lunch and never-ending-hard-as-you-can-squeeze-hugs with my Nana; and a trip to the North Georgia town of Dahlonega for some old fashioned picnic-ing.

Before we knew it, the time had come to leave. Time at home always passes so quickly!

Thank you Mom, Dad, Sarah, Craig, Nana and Grandaddy, and Pop and T (and Nicholas) for such a fun trip back in Athens, and being the place where we're always understood.

20 or bust!

We've peaked!
Emily and me after the 20!

Almost 4 months ago, Emily (the BFF) and I, made a commitment to run the Chicago Marathon together. This will be Emily's first 26.2, and I can't wait for her to love it as much as I do (that is, after she forgets how she feels afterward!)

Even though we are both runners, we have never been able to run together in years because we have always been in different cities. But back in Athens we got the chance to run together twice! Our first was a 13-miler that came on the heels of a "cut-back" week at the beginning of our visit. The second was the infamous-peak-of-marathon-training-20 miler. Funny enough, during our 3+ hour run we talked about everything BUT running... But when we weren't running, ALL we talked about was running! Those two runs have been my favorite of all during these past few months. I've always been a loner when it comes to logging miles, but running alongside Em beats any day on my own.

For the next three weeks we taper and rest as we decrease our mileage from about 50 miles per week to about 30. Our job is to make sure our glycogen stores are topped off and that we remember sleep is precious (and time well spent)! The hard training is over and on October 11th we will be ready!