20 miles? Worth a Post!

Actually it was close to 22 miles and actually, it didn't suck half as much as I expected it to. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination, but I finished my longest training run in one piece and alive. How do you spell SUCCESS?

 

I woke up on Saturday morning at 6:15am and started to get ready for the MGH team training run along the marathon course. Our bus was leaving from Newton at 8:30am and given the fact that I'm directionally challenged, I wanted to give myself ample time to get there and stretch nervously before depature. After the five minutes it took for me to put my running clothes on, I ate a small and plain breakfast (a banana and some dry cereal is all my sensitive stomach could handle) and watched the morning news. Then I grabbed the T around 7:30am and was on my way!

 

When we stopped at Newton Center, I immediately bumped into three other team members - another Allison (beautiful name!), Tim and Ben. Ben is a medical student from Harvard who is super smart and has run a zillion marathons. His PR is 2:55. In other words, he will be showered, well fed and napping by the time I cross the finish line on April 16th. Depending on how I feel race day, I may ask him to carry me on his back the whole time.

 

Tim is a BU grad student who ran his first marathon in Cape Cod last fall. He seems to be in great shape and is hoping to finish in less than 3:50, which I'm sure he can! He sat next to me on the bus and our conversation helped to distract me - at least for a little while. Once we had been on the highway for over 20 minutes, I started worrying outloud that we had missed an exit!

 

Allison is a first-timer too and works at MGH (we have a lot in common, huh?). She was equally as freaked out as I was and it was nice to feel like I wasn't entirely alone. I actually think a lot of people were in the same boat because I met a couple of other anxious runners when we were finally dropped off in Hopkinton around 9:00am.

 

When the bus pulled away, it became very real that the only way I was getting home was by foot. Even though you try to mentally prepare yourself for that, the thought of it is very daunting and you can't help but get that nervous pit in your stomach. The team as a whole dilly-dallyed for a little while with bathroom stops and group photos before taking off, which only gave my nervousness time to fester. My legs were jittery and itching for the starting line!

 

When we took off I made a mental note to reign it in and take it easy. I tucked in behind a couple of people who had assumed a nice, slow jog where I was really comfortable and forced myself not to pass them until the first MGH water stop at mile 5. From there I picked it up a little bit, but I didn't realize quite how much until around mile 8 in Framingham (at least I think that's where I was). When I did a quick time check I was a 7:52mm and I told myself to scale it back because the road ahead was still very, very long.

 

What surprised me most throughout the first several miles is the elevation. Everyone hypes up Heartbreak Hill so much that it leads you to believe the rest of the course is flat as a board. FALSE. The entire route incorporates rolling hills and actually starts on a very steep decline, which I wasn't necessarily prepared for, but handled relatively well. I think it's the cause of the numb sensation that hit my legs early around mile 14, but I didn't stop because of it. In fact, I ran the entire way, which I may have been most proud of when I finished!

 

Other lessons learned are that after mile 15 or 16, my legs are going to start feeling like someone is hitting them with an ice pick over and over again, but I need to keep running. Walking is exponentially more painful, which I figured out when I got back to Newton and tried to walk up a flight of stairs to the bagels that were waiting for me in Dr. Weinstein's house. One foot in front of the other is what I need to remember -- along with the fact that I'm doing this for a great cause and not to PR or to prove anything to anyone.

 

I know this run was important for my training, but it had the biggest impact on my confidence. Last week I couldn't shut up about how nervous I was and today, I'm still nervous, but not in the same way. Now I know that come Patriots Day, I'll have this experience to pull from and can tell myself that I've done it all before (or at least the first 22 miles of it!).

 

I could make some false promise to you and say that you'll hear from me before the race, but I think at this point we know that isn't true. Regardless, I promise to follow-up afterwards to let all three of you know how it goes -- although chances are you'll probably be there cheering me on! (I hope!). I'm sure I'll say it again, but in the meantime I just want to give another BIG THANK YOU to everyone reading this who has offered me encouragement and support since I decided to do this back in December. Without the people around me, I never would have been able to make it this far and each one of you will play a part in my motivation on Marathon Monday. Love you all!

 

Allie

 

It's A Beautiful Day!

It's 56 degrees in Boston. It's also January 24th. These things just don't happen in New England. That's why I ran 3 miles along the Charles River this afternoon.

To put it simply, the run was awesome. It was quick (24m total - that's 8mm people!) and refreshing. If only it was this warm all winter. Marathon training would be a breeze!

Okay, I'm out of here, but I have some MGH Marathon Team updates coming soon!

P.S. - Happy Birthday Pop! Miss you everyday! xo

An Overdue Update

Hey Everyone! Remember me? It seems that after dubbing myself the "Worst Blog Ever" a few weeks ago, I've been doing everything in my power to live up to the title. I wouldn't be terrible if I posted more than once every 2 and half weeks!

In all honesty, I've been meaning to provide an update on how things have been coming along for at least the last week or so, but things have been so busy that I haven't been able to find the time. With how crazy things have been at the office, all this marathon training and playoff football, blogging has had to take a back seat.

Over the last couple of weeks, I've tackled a total of 40 miles including 2 long runs of 9 and 10 miles respectively. My body is definitely still adjusting to running this much, but overall I can sense that my fitness level is continuing to improve week to week. When my schedule calls for 3 or 4 or even 5 miles now, it seems like a cake walk. Maybe in a month or so that's how I'll feel when I have to hit double digits on a Wednesday morning! (Fingers crossed!)

I consider both my long runs big accomplishments. I haven't attempted either distance since high school, but in the last couple of weeks I've done so at a pace competitive with (or maybe even faster than) the one I held up as a 16 year old. It may sound totally corny, but the feeling of pride I have when my iPod sounds "Congratulations, you just completed your longest workout to date" is something I can't describe. It's another small victory on my way to crossing the finish line in 3 short months!

My first long run was with a small group of MGH Marathon Team members. It was nice to meet some other runners and hear about their experiences so far. Overall, the run was a big confidence boost because I was well ahead of several girls and ultimately caught up to one of the more seasoned marathoners on the team. I felt awesome as we trotted along side one another -- that is until she told me that she was hungover and had gained nearly 15 pounds since last year (when she finished Boston with a qualifying time). Nevertheless, it was nice to know I could hang with her, even if it was on her worst day.

I decided to tackle my 10 miler this past Saturday on my own. I liked the group run a lot, but it sucked up a ton of time in the morning and I wanted to make sure I had hours to hti the pavement, shower, and rest before the Patriots game (are my priorities in order or what?). I bundled up and was out the door by 9:30am or so with my super cool, pink hydration belt strapped around my waist. I wish you all could have seen the look on Brendan's face when I showed him this thing. Pure embarassment. I'm seriously considering wearing it out the next time we're in public together. I live to torture him!

The run was cold, but good. I felt really strong on my first 5 miles and once I hit the halfway point, I jogged in place while I took a GU (energy gel). I've read and heard numerous times that it's important to experiment with hydration and fueling methods during training, so that you know what works best for you during race day. The Chocolate Outrage gel that I got at City Sports tastes just like frosting to me and didn't upset my stomach at all, so I may have found a winner there. As for my drink of choice, I stick with water. For some reason, sports drinks do a number on me unless I drink them after a work out, so I didn't even bother bringing some along with me.

I didn't necessarily feel like I needed to take the GU when I did, but that's a good thing. They say that if you wait until you're fatigued or hungry, it's too late to begin replenishing your glycogen levels because you'll never get caught up and fully restored. I think taking them every 5 miles is a good approach for me, but of course I'll have to continue to play around with that throughout my long training runs.

All in all, training is coming along nicely. I've been learning a lot about long distance running that I surprisingly never really knew and I'm enjoying pushing myself throughout this process. Also, on the fundraising front, things are awesome! I'm over $2K now and still have many people out there who plan to donate. I really appreciate everyone's continued support and encouragement. I know it's a big part of what will get me to Boylston Street on April1 6th!

Til next time (you know, in February!).

Holiday Haze

First and foremost, happy new year! It's hard to believe that 2011 is already over. It was a great year, but I have a feeling that 2012 will be even better! 


Although I always look forward to the holidays, I'll admit that I'm happy they're over. Things are so hectic around this time of year that's it's incredibly difficult to establish any kind of routine. I'm actually really proud of myself for staying on track with my training over the last three weeks, but I blew the disciplined streak I had going after this weekend. 


Brendan and I were invited by his old roommate to spend the weekend in Plymouth, NH. About 30 people pitched in to rent an old ski lodge (pictured below). Originally, I planned to run the 5 miles my schedule called for on Saturday, but Brendan quickly shut down that idea. He said that if I attempted to navigate the streets of New Hampshire on my own, I'd end up lost and alone somewhere in Maine. I hate to admit when he's right about something, but he knows me well. His argument was enough for me to convince me to run on Sunday instead. 

Frontenac Ski Lodge in Plymouth, NH

When I made that adjustment, I should have known that doing anything physical today would be a challenge. While this weekend was a blast, it was also exhausting. When I woke up this morning, it was a struggle to get myself packed and in the car, but I felt (somewhat) confident that I'd be rearing to go by the time we were back in Boston.


Well, I was wrong. When I walked in the door, the Patriots game had just started and my couch was calling my name. That run didn't stand a chance.


I'm not proud of myself for taking an unplanned day off, but I am still going to get those 5 miles in tomorrow. From there, I'm resolving not to deviate from my training schedule in this way again. If I mess with anything, it can't be my longer weekend runs. And if I only follow through on one new year resolution, it has to be that one. 


Speaking of resolutions, my other ones are kind of stupid. I didn't realize it until I started talking to my roommates and co-workers about what they had in mind. Basically everyone I talk to is planning to become a better person this year in one monumental way or another. i just want to go grocery shopping more frequently. Maybe next year I'll set a higher standard for myself. 


Talk to you all soon! Happy 2012 (again)! 

Worst Blog Ever

If there was an award for the worst blog ever, I'd probably win. Not a single update last week? That's shameful. I extend a really heartfelt apology to my three, somewhat loyal readers!

While I haven't been writing much over the last several days, I have been running! Since you last heard from me, I've logged two long runs and three shorter ones for a total of 22 miles! In only two short weeks, I can already see my fitness level improving. When I wrapped up my most recent long run of 7 miles on Christmas Eve, I felt great. I was lip syncing along with my new iPod until the very end. My breathing was under control, my legs didn't feel tired and I didn't look like I was about to pass out. Success!

I finished the 7 miles in just over an hour and my average pace was an 8:56 minute mile (mm). I started out much slower at around a 10:00mm, but ran negative splits the entire time. That's my game plan for race day as it stands right now, so I'm trying to practice as much as I can. I've also started to play around with fueling as I run. My distances haven't been long enough to test any GU's yet, but I've been sipping water and Gatorade every couple of miles or so to get my body used to that. It's amazing the impact that staying hydrated can have on you and your ability to keep trucking along. Even a little liquid goes a long way.

As the training days roll on, I find myself looking forward to the challenging runs I have ahead. So many blogs I read say that you'll never regret a work out and I'm relating to that now more than ever. I feel SO accomplished when I have another few miles under my belt. I can only imagine how great I'll feel in March when I tackle the daunting 20 mile run or on Marathon Monday when I cross that finish line. The endrophines will be flowing for sure!

While I don't have any running pictures to share with you, I'll leave you with the annual picture of my cousins, their spouses and their children that we take each year on Christmas Eve. And for those of you that are just dying for photographs of my training adventures -- don't worry. Santa listened and got me a new digital camera, so there will plenty of that to come!


I have so many cheerleaders!

 I PROMISE to check in again sooner rather than later and in the meantime, I hope you all had a happy holiday with your family and friends!

Ask the Experts: Fundraising

I had a somewhat unoriginal idea yesterday to begin a mini-series on my blog! As you may have already guessed, I've titled the series "Ask the Experts" and I'll be creating a new post everytime I speak with someone who knows more than I do about running a marathon and doing it for a cause. I'm pretty clueless at this point, so chances are there will be plenty of entries like this over the next few months!

Thursday afternoon, I headed over to the MGH Development Office to meet with two employees about fundraising. Amy and Jordan organize this team each year and both have been participants as well. This is actually Jordan's third year in a row running with the MGH team and the stories she told were so encouraging. It almost made me wish I was a superhuman and had the ability to run this race tomorrow. I just can't wait!

I was so appreciate that they both took the time out of their busy schedules to listen to my ideas and offer suggestions. They've made a career out of fundraising, so there was no way I could pass on their advice. Some of the things we talked about were:

• Using the Internet to my advantage (e-mail; Facebook)
• Creating propaganda: flyers, business cards, postcards, etc.
• Sending some snail mail as follow-up
• Personalizing the cause: tell a story
• Forgoing personal presents (for Christmas or my birthday)
• Hosting an event (already in the works for Feb. 25th, 2012 - mark your calendars!)

Also, throughout our conversation, they stressed the importance of being motivated, proactive and AGGRESSIVE with my fundraising efforts. I know I'll need to ask more than once and I have to be okay with that. Persistence will be the key to my success! 


I've already raised $500 - 10% of my overall goal - so I am off to a good start! My plan is to kick things up a notch after the holidays and my hope is that I'm more than halfway there by the time I host my event at the end of February. If you'd like to help me achieve that, don't hesitate to DONATE! You can easily do so by clicking the link placed in the top right corner of this screen. Remember that every little bit counts! THANK YOU in advance for your support!

And So It Begins

One of the materials that was given to runners at last week's team meeting was a training schedule. According to Dr. Weinstein, this particular schedule is great for 1st time marathoners and he assured us that if we follow it closely, we won't feel like we're going to die on Marathon Monday. Considering he's done this dance over 20 times and seems like the nicest man on the planet, I'm going to trust him.

This training schedule has me running 4x per week, cross training 1x per week and resting 2x per week. A more specific breakdown is below. 

Mondays: Rest

Tuesdays: Easy, short run

Wednesdays: Difficult short run 

Thursdays: Easy, short run

Fridays: Rest

Saturdays: Long run

Sundays: 1 hour of cross-training 

 

Santa - I'll take a new digital camera too, thanks!



Generally speaking, distances of my mid-week, short runs increase bi-weekly whereas the Saturday long runs increase by a mile or two each week. The program is designed to build endurance and stamina at a slow, steady pace in order to avoid injury. That said, the first few weeks of my training aren't daunting at all, but once I hit mid-February things are going to get tough! We're talking 15+ mile runs during the coldest months in New England. If anyone is still Christmas shopping for me, hats and gloves may be the best way to go. 

My training officially kicked off on Monday, but given that it was a rest day I flexed my shopping muscle at Britt Ryan on Newbury Street after winning a $200 gift certificate there! The next thing I win will probably be the marathon.

The rest of the week has me racking up 15 miles - most of which will probably happen on the dreadmill treadmill. I'm sure I'll check in again along the way. In the meantime, don't forget to donate to support the cause!