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!

My bad.

"Hey Katie-- way to create a blog, promise daily updates and then disappear for two weeks!"

I know, I know... I KNOW.  Honestly, you don't want me to blog about what's been going on in my blog absence.  I've self-diagnosed myself with a bad case of all-over flu, so I've been sidelined from running for awhile.  

Today is my first day back.  I'm a little scared.

Okay, terrified.

Part of this all-over flu was a nasty chest cold that seems to have settled and made itself quite comfy.  I have a doctor's appointment today to hopefully nip it in the bud because y'all?  Training OFFICIALLY starts on Monday.  Just to get back into the swing of it, I'm planning to put in 3-4 miles today through Saturday, rest Sunday, and jump in Monday with rested legs.

So that I have some sort of sanity (on the blog... with myself... for Brian's sake), my plan is to post the week's training runs here each Sunday evening, then blog about the runs as I chug chug chug along.  Get excited for this material to include treasures including but not limited to discussions of the following:

• race fuel-- basically, i gotta figure out what to eat/when to eat it/how much to eat.  i've read that on race day, lots of people eat tiny pretzels for the sodium.  out of all of the fuel options out there, my family (and brian) would not be surprised in the least to see me reaching for a salty carb versus a powerbar
• shoes-- what better excuse to buy kicky new sneaks than when you're running 26.2 miles?  i've only ever worn the brooks brand but am open to new options.

these are kinda fun, no?

• pain-- i'm not even about to lie to my people.  there's going to be pain.  probably a lot of it.  i've been doing lots of reading and research to try and prevent anything negative from happening (figuring out the best diet balance for tons of running, lots of stretching, taking the right vitamins to keep the immune system up... because mine is often weak and to help sore knees and joints... because i have those, etc.) but i'm also prepared for inevitable wear and tear on the body that comes along with training for something like this-- eek!
• music-- i'm relying on my ipod to get me through this race.  this necessity comes with its own set of panics including what if the power runs out? what if i miss the race experience because beyonce is telling me to put a ring on it and billy is declaring that only the good die young (on second thought, songs with death/dead/dying in the lyrics might be omitted from the soundtrack to this adventure)? what if the power runs out? do i practice running to a playlist so i know what to expect?  do i know four hours with of music?  WHAT IF THE POWER RUNS OUT?!?
• runners things-- body glide? gu? negative splits? energy beans?  there are words i've learned in the runners world that i never thought i would say.  "i need to try the vanilla energy beans" are just a few of them.  we'll work through it together, my friends.

Welp, I'm off to that doctor's appointment in which I'm hoping a resident will prescribe me another bottle of codeine cough syrup so that I (and other parties involved) can get a good night's sleep for the first time in who knows how long.

Fundraising Update: So many of you beautiful, generous people have made donations to my fundraising efforts-- I'm at $310 and training hasn't even officially started yet!  Y'all are amazing, no big deal.  

If you would like to donate to the Miles for Miracles team and to my personal fundraising goal of $3000, stop by and check out my fundraising page!

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

a little lunch run.

Lots of running takes up lots of time.  Even though I'm currently still in the "pre-training" phase of marathon prep, I'm trying to schedule as many longer (yet non-intense) runs during the week that I can, just to get used to putting at least an hour or so aside every day that is focused solely on pounding the pavement.


The time commitment... I struggle with this.  If you know me, you're likely aware of the fact that I am very much a morning person.  I'll take a 5am flight over a 5pm flight any day.  On Saturdays, I'm up by 6 to run, showered and ready for the day by 7:30, errands and grocery shopping have been done by 10, and I'm home with breakfast for me and Brian (who is assuredly still dead to the world) by 11.  It's how I work.  


When it comes to working out during the week, I am the exact same way-- I would so much rather have a run tucked away all complete and happy by 6am than be dreading it all day for me to work in around 6pm when I finally make the commute home.  One negative about living outside of Boston and working in the city is the commute-- we leave by 7 in the morning and I walk in my office door at 8:30.  If I make it out for the day between 4:45 and 5, I'm on the train until around 6:30.  Basically, even if I feel really pumped and ready for a run when I leave... by the time I get home I kind of just want to nap.  Cram in a workout plus a shower, then making and eating dinner (and an episode or two of Mad Men if possible) and I'm falling asleep on the couch by 9:30.  


It's okay.  I know that I'm old.


Knowing how much of a time commitment training for the marathon would be, I knew that I had to find a solution.  Enter my lunch time runs.  In an effort to make my evenings as stress-free and enjoyable as possible (for all parties involved), I've started running on my lunch break, and then just working while eating when I get back to my desk.  The first time I tried I was nervous because although I was running in a super safe area in the middle of the day in a really busy part of town, I had no idea where I was REALLY going.  Yes, it was a big loop but still-- if someone can get confused running a loop, it would be me.  From start to finish, my route is a little over two miles, so running it twice has been perfect so far.  The trail is a really popular spot to run in Boston (but I'm totally not sharing where because hello, creepsters out there) and quite scenic-- basically the run flies by.  Since I'm still getting used to long runs, this is ideal for me.


Today's run: 4 miles in a little under 40 minutes
Negatives: a cramp in the arch of my left foot that won't stop
Positives: i don't have to run when i get home!  and enjoying the gorgeous afternoon outside-- texas friends, it was in the 70s here today.  SEVENTIES!

$250 down, $2750 to go!!  swing by my fundraising page!

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

I must be crazy.

That, my friends, is my signed waiver for the marathon. After being selected to run on the team, the next step was to sign all of the paperwork and make my individual deposit. Truthfully, it took me close to two weeks to take those final steps, and I might have felt faint as I walked out of the building (and maybe contemplated "What in the hell did I just sign myself up to do?") but now that the reality has set in, I am so excited and ready.

Guarantee that that will come and go as the training kicks into high gear, but oh well-- I'll revel in the feeling while it lasts.

For those of you who know me well, I have not always been a runner, hence the title of this blog: "I wouldn't run if you chased me." That used to be my tagline. I legitimately would not run across the street if a car was speeding towards me.


When I was in elementary school, I would fake being sick from the tire swing so I wouldn't have to run races or laps. Dear God, the laps around the Cater track...


When I was in middle school, I played the cello and clarinet, and took tennis as an elective-- basically, the least physically active activities that anyone could attempt. (Sidenote: I sat the tennis bench because I refused to run for the ball.)


When I was in high school, I was on the dance team. Considering that I'm from Texas, "dance team" consisted of parading around on the football field at halftime in white cowboy boots and sequins. While the experience did perhaps make me a bit more athletic (and brought me to some of my very best friends), it did not make me an athlete... nor did I find my rhythm (go figure).


The first year of college came and went, and then I moved to Boston. Boston is what one might call a runners town. Even in the dead of winter, it is a given to see the hardcore devotees navigating the icy sidewalks in their spandex (that is cray-cray; I cannot even shuffle steadily on the ice). As I began to notice how common of an activity it is here, I let myself entertain the thought of giving it a shot. It also gave me a good answer when people asked what I was doing in my free time as a new Bostonite because "Oh, just touring the city" is only valid for so long.


The summer of 2010, I ran my first 5k. Several others followed and the summer of 2011 brought my first 5-miler, the winter of 2012 brought my first 4-miler and 10k (in rapid succession), and now the fall of 2012 will bring my first marathon. Notice how I skipped over a half? Yes, I'm still on the lookout for a good half marathon to run mid-August-- it's written into my training schedule as a good checkpoint to determine how I'm feeling with the distance, the longer runs, etc.

This is huge for me, taking on this goal. My free time has been occupied with reading marathon books on my Kindle and fine-tuning my running playlists to push me through the tough days ("Eye of the Tiger" is a given, as is any and all Britney). As a person, I'm a lot of things, and until the last few years, I never ever would have admitted that "a runner" would be a part of that list, better yet "a long distance runner" and EVEN BETTER YET "a marathoner." I'm not there yet... but I will be.


There have been lots of questions about the distance... I think that the distance is something that is in the back of my mind but hasn't fully registered. I know that in 143 days, I'll be close to finished with running 26.2 miles, and that is unbelievable. Truly-- I can't wrap my head around it. Since the training hasn't "officially" started yet (I'm sticking to easy runs and lots of cross training and stretching in the meantime), the idea of tackling that many miles doesn't really seem real yet. I'm looking at my schedule and in 9 weeks, I have a 14 mile Saturday long run. That, my friends, is what I call intense. The longest training run that I'll have is 22 miles, and they say that adrenaline and conditioning is what pushes you through the final 4.2 of the race. In 20 weeks, that will likely make a lot more sense.


More than anything, I want to thank each and everyone one of you who wandered over to this little blog. Whether you're my family or a friend, a blogger or a fellow runner, thank you. It is 152% true that without such a fabulous support system, I wouldn't be able to do this, and I don't mean the fundraising part. The people that I'm talking about are those who are cheering me on and encouraging me without anything really having started yet. Support is what makes this happen-- it is so appreciated.


Since this blog will serve as my own little journal throughout this experience, I intend to update daily as my training goes along. There will be good days, amazing days, and I guarantee that there will be awful days, and I will be honest every step of the way. Few things irritate me more than reading about a runner who's training for a race and never has a negative remark. Seriously? Even the world's most elite runners have off days; everything is not roses all of the time. So... be prepared for the thorns.


Here we go!

Katie's Fundraising Page

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