For every UP there is a down...

Up: Finding my rhythm and enjoying a 4 mile treadmill run instead of staring at the display as the minutes crawl by oh-so-slowly 


Down: Speed training the day after a good, easy run.  I'm running Fartlek... Fartleks... uh huh, and tempo runs twice a week.  Tempo runs can ruin my day.  Also, Fartleks suck.  Big time.  As does speed training and extreme tempo runs.  I don't know if you know... but my goal is to cross the finish line still breathing.  There is no actual RACE in this marathon for me.  I'm still trying to work in speed training because I figure a little extra conditioning for 26.2 miles never hurts.  A coworker in my office asked what my goal time is for the race.  Was it rude to say "Forget a goal time-- I want to cross the finish line on two feet and not a stretcher"


Up: Running my 7 mile long run on Saturday morning in the really warm, non-shaded, no-breeze/highly humid weather and not dying.


Down: The police officer who saw me around mile 3 and gave me a smile and happy nod also saw me at mile 6 and, with a much more concerned look, advised me to head home and get out of the heat.  I'm guessing I was feeling a lot more together than I looked, because I couldn't help but laugh as this came to mind: 

Up: Investing in a good pair of running socks.  After being advised by a few avid runner female coworkers, I went for the luululemon ultimate padded running sock.  I never knew what I was missing until I slid these babies on my feet:

Down: Obsessively tracking the shipment and then tearing open the package to find a pair of socks.  ONE pair of socks.  For $15.  That whole running ain't cheap theory?  Well, it is not a theory-- I'm clearly not in the Hanes Eight-Pack Sock Game anymore...



Training is going well.  I did hit a lull there for a few days where I was kind of just going through the motions.  We had a lot going on every single weekend, the weeknights were jam-packed, and after coming home, running, making/eating dinner and fitting in a bit of TV, I was exhausted.  This week has been better and with things settling down, I'm getting the chance to refocus on the commitment I've made.


I'm not gonna lie- there have been a few days since training began when just the THOUGHT of running put me in an awful mood (poor Brian).  I still got my miles in for the day, but I was ANGRY that I had to do it, ANGRY at the treadmill, ANGRY that my songs weren't shuffling the way that I wanted, ANGRY that my shin was being naggy and bothering me off and on.  Basically, I was a real treat and a half.


Then I kind of had this realization that I could either whine and complain and gripe about this, or I could shut up and do it, IT being THE MARATHON WHICH I VOLUNTARILY SIGNED UP FOR AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEYOND-GENEROUSLY CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS.  


So, I've chosen the latter.  


Tonight I'm tackling 4 easy miles, which should be a walk in the park.  Or sixteen laps around the track, however you choose to see it.  By the end of this week, I'll have run 8 for my long run, which will put me at running a little under a 1/3 of the marathon distance, and 21 miles total for the week.  It's crazy to see myself now totally accepting the fact that running X many miles is just a part of my week-- I never thought I'd see the day.  Shoot, I never thought I'd move like this!

Stop by and visit my fundraising page!!

http://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/newyork/page/Katherine-Fox.htm

I am officially just a number!

This morning I received my official invitation from the New York Road Runners association to run the marathon!  


Truthfully, I had no idea this invitation was coming-- after already starting my fundraising and training, I assumed I was just good to go.  While browsing the marathon website, I did kind of wonder at what point the Boston Children's part of my experience would tie into the actual OFFICIAL marathon... so I guess I now have my answer!


A negative?  While I paid a deposit to run with the BCH team, I did NOT realize there was also an acceptance fee to run with the NYRR.  When I hear the word "fee" I think of small numbers-- $25, $30... maybe $100 if we're getting prestigious.  $266... that is not a number that I ponder.


Of course, that's what my race fee is, which just might be more than every road race fee that I've ever paid COMBINED.  But, I digress.  I'm already knee (or shin... yes, I'm definitely shin deep) in this and am 100% committed, so now it's just forking over the cash.


I feel like I've heard before that people are encouraged to run because it's a cheap sport-- you just lace up your shoes and run out of your front door.  Yes, THAT part is cheap.  What's not cheap?


The $80 compression pants, $15 cushioned socks, and $27 breathable top that you put on pre-lace up.


The $150 running shoes, possibly with $50 custom made orthotics to prevent those pesky shin splints that had to be purchased at the running specialty store so someone younger (and way more athletic) than you can stare at your feet while you run on a treadmill to determine which shoes are best for you.


The Garmin that you strap to your wrist to navigate your pace/splits/direction/heart rate/calories burned for a cool $300.


The $22 Nuun tablets you dump into your water bottle to rehydrate post-run.


The $25 copay to the orthopaedic doctors who you scurry off to visit whenever an ache or pain doesn't immediately work itself out.


Running... is not cheap.  It probably could be.  In fact, it definitely could be.  It's obviously not a requirement to be outfitted with this stuff, but when you fall for a sport as hard as I (and many, many other runners) have, it's difficult to pull yourself away!  It's kind of sick-- new flavors of energy tablets and bars are to me what a JCrew sale are to others.  Okay, I still like a good JCrew sale, but still-- I never thought I'd be pumped over the improved flavor of a Gu shot.


As much money as I may chunk at this hobby?  activity?  sport? I know that one thing is for sure.  Running has become my therapy.  If I'm stressed, I can almost always guarantee that a good run will give me clarity (and yes I'm human-- there are days where the thought of putting on my running shoes makes me want to throw things across the room) and I know that it gives me a better outlook on my day (hence, why I prefer to run in the AM).  


So basically, the lighter my pockets due to running, the lighter my mind is due to stress.  Right?


Who knows-- I'm off to raid my money tree and finally buy new shoes!

Week 1 of Training: 3 miles is progress towards 26.2?

Week 1 Schedule

Monday: 3 easy miles

Tuesday: 4 easy miles

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: 2 mile tempo run + 1-2 mile WU/CD

Friday: XT 45 minutes

Saturday: 5 miles long

Sunday: XT 45 minutes

So I know that I said I'd post a review of training every single day. I know. And I honestly tried this week, except that every post came out sounding like "Today I ran 3 miles. It wasn't really difficult because I've been running 3-4 miles regularly for quite a while now. So... I'm training for the marathon! Officially! But... it doesn't really feel like it."

Riveting, right? As an avid reader of other blogs, I can say that posts like that bore me out of my mind. If I'M bored by that mundane info, why would I share it with my people? Brian has to be subjected to it regardless, so you can thank him for having to suffer for all of you.

On the bright side, training HAS been really easy this week.

Monday I ran the 3 miles on a treadmill at my gym in the evening. Tuesday morning I woke up and took the 4 mile run outside (yes-- my feet were pounding the pavement by 5am) and other than a little bit of soreness from running on uneven pavement, it felt great. Tomorrow is my long run of 5 miles, which I'm excited for because I can throw it around in conversations:

"Oh, what am I doing tomorrow? Just starting the day with my long run, because I'm training for a marathon you know, and then probably sitting by the pool, no big deal."

Alright, I'm not obnoxious enough to actually say that out loud, but I totally do in my head. And when the long runs start to hit the mileage range of 18-22 miles, I'm 100% letting anyone who will listen know that I will be conquering that. Because seriously? At that point? I'll need all of the encouragement that I can get.

Several of my coworkers are avid runners and a few of them have run multiple marathons, so it's been really nice to have their words of wisdom when I have moments of panic. They keep telling me that once the long run mileage gets really high that everything is just second nature and you push your body through it. I find that hard to believe, but I keep telling myself with training and patience I'll get there too.

Excitement for this week? We're heading to a running store so I can finally pick out a new pair of running shoes. Now THIS I am really excited to do. Not only is it semi-fun investing in running shoes (because truthfully, it's hard to realize how badly you need a pair until you slip your feet into new shoes after miles and miles have been put into the old ones), but they always ask what type of running you'll be doing-- beginner, short distances, speed training, long distances, etc. And because I've become a big running nerd, I'm really pumped to tell them that I need an awesome pair of shoes because they're taking me to run NYC!!

My fundraising has been going SO WELL and I could not possibly be more appreciative of all of the family, friends and coworkers who have already made donations towards my goal! As of now, I've raised $540 towards my $3000 goal-- I still have a long way to go but am slowly but surely getting there!

If you would like to make a contribution towards my fundraising, stop by my Boston Children's Hospital marathon website!

http://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/newyork/page/Katherine-Fox.htm

As always, thank you so much for your support and encouragement-- it means so much from each and every one of you!