Oh. My. God.
Pictures from the NSHM just came up. I look like I am sleeping/vomiting/melting in every single one. Well, there's one where I look like a functioning human, but I'm walking.
www.northshorehalf.com. My pride - clearly non-existent.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
And away we go...
Well yesterday I "ran" the North Shore Half! Actually I didn't do as terribly as I thought I would, all points considered. I was not being as vigilant as I should have been with the training in the past two weeks, due in large part to moving apartments and working a lot. But I did go running once or twice in the week before the race, and I think that actually helped...
So on Saturday night, the eve of the race, James and I went up to Highland Park to stay overnight at our friend Susie's house. Her parents live about 5 minutes from where the race started, and she and another friend, Sue, were also running the half. We had a big pasta dinner -- delicious -- and watched "Talladega Nights" (which I actually liked). Went to bed early, in the hopes of having a chipper morning.
But things didn't go exactly as planned. While the guest room was very comfy and nice, I kept having awful dreams about running and racing. I would wake up every half an hour thinking I was late for the race. And the alarm clock kept making these strange buzzing noises and waking me up. By the time the alarm went off at 6 a.m., I was sleepy and sore and NOT looking forward to running around.
Hopped in the shower, got dressed, and went downstairs for some breakfast. This was delicious. I had a wheat pita with peanut butter and a sliced banana. Really, I think I'll eat that every weekend before I go for long runs from now on. It was perfect. Scott (Susie's hubby) was nice enough to hold all our things and drive us to the race, so we didn't have to worry about storing things and walking from the parking lot to the race. Thanks Scott!
When we got there, the sun was out and it was probably about 77 degrees... very humid, too. But I had actually expected it to be much worse -- either hotter, more humid, or storming -- so I was happy. There was a guy announcing that it was a "high risk health advisory" running day and any "first time runners" should re-think their decision to run, considering the health implications... I paused, but only for a minute.
The race started at 8. The first mile or two were anti-climactic. I was just sort of running in a crowd, trying to figure out whether the people around me were faster or slower... And then I started to get HOT. I was sweating way more than I wanted to be by the 2-mile mark. At the first water station, I grabbed one water to drink and poured another on my head. It was refreshing but also sort of disgusting, as the water ran hot down my back. But I did this at every water station, and by the end of the race my outfit was completely soaked. It is sort of weird to think that I was running through Highland Park scantily clad in a soaking wet outfit for two hours. But, I guess everyone was...
Around mile 6, I started to question my sanity. There were hills, so many hills. And going downhill is actually more stressful for me than uphill. It's a lot harder on the joints, and my knees and right hip were killing me. At one point, I felt a "pop" in my right knee and I thought I'd have to pull over. But after a few strides it was ok again and I kept going.
Nearing the end of mile 8, we descended a big hill towards Lake Michigan. It was really beautiful, but everyone around me was saying, "It's right around the corner... It's coming up! After this we will be OK, but here it comes!" and I know I had a look of dread on my face, anticipating the hill that I couldn't yet see. At this exact moment, I realized that one of the race photographers was snapping pictures. I am sure that one will be a beauty. I'll probably post some of these pics when they come out, but I can't promise anything -- I do have some pride.
The hill at mile 9 was NOT fun. I wound up walking most of it. Then I realized, "hmm this is just over a third of the distance I'll be 'running' on October 12." And I started to well up. I think a tear trickled down my cheek, but it may have been sweat. I resolved to not be discouraged and I stopped thinking of the marathon and started focusing on finishing.
The last 4 miles were the hardest by far. My legs were dead from the hills and all I wanted was to lay down in a cool pool. But I trudged on, thinking to myself of how pathetic and ridiculous I must look to the crowd cheering at the sides. But there was some big athletic guy running behind me (I think he was a pace setter for the race) and he kept yelling, "good job everyone!" and he made the crowds whistle and shout, and I felt better. But oh man, when I saw that final lap around Wolter's field in the distance, I can't tell you how happy I was.
I ran the last lap around the track and felt pretty energetic. By the time I crossed the finish line, though, I was definitely done. Probably the best part of the race was when James bounded at me just across the line and told me how proud he was of me. It was so nice. Thank you James.
Overall, I am happy with the race. I finished at 2:13.42 - that's about a 10:13 pace per mile, which is slower than I usually run but oh well. James, Susie, and Sue all did really well (they all beat me, anyway)! Overall, I placed 761 out of 1335 competitors... and not everyone behind me was elderly, disabled, or obese. So, I feel OK about things.
Anyway after the race we walked (like, a mile) to the car - oof - and went to Susie's for a post-race bbq. My dad and brother came from Barrington to say hello and congrats, and that was so nice! They are very supportive and interested in all the running. It really does help to have people cheering you on, even if they're not physically at the race. It was pouring out by this time, but the men grilled the meat (turkey meat and a veggie burger for me, of course) and I gorged myself on watermelon. It was so good. About 45 minutes into eating, though, my adrenaline must have stopped pumping because I felt like a zombie and could have slept at the table. James and I drove home (glad we made it back without falling asleep at the wheel) and as soon as I got there I hit the couch (beloved "red cloud") and fell asleep. I woke up about 5 hours later feeling pretty out of it and sore, but happy. We got Chinese food and hung out, and all in all it was a great day.
But I think now I realize how important it is that I don't skimp on the marathon training. I've got a couple long runs (longer than the half marathon) planned in the next few weeks, and a half marathon and a couple 20-mile races are on the training program before the big day in October. So hopefully I'll be good and I won't wind up on a stretcher at the end of all of this. Time will tell...
So on Saturday night, the eve of the race, James and I went up to Highland Park to stay overnight at our friend Susie's house. Her parents live about 5 minutes from where the race started, and she and another friend, Sue, were also running the half. We had a big pasta dinner -- delicious -- and watched "Talladega Nights" (which I actually liked). Went to bed early, in the hopes of having a chipper morning.
But things didn't go exactly as planned. While the guest room was very comfy and nice, I kept having awful dreams about running and racing. I would wake up every half an hour thinking I was late for the race. And the alarm clock kept making these strange buzzing noises and waking me up. By the time the alarm went off at 6 a.m., I was sleepy and sore and NOT looking forward to running around.
Hopped in the shower, got dressed, and went downstairs for some breakfast. This was delicious. I had a wheat pita with peanut butter and a sliced banana. Really, I think I'll eat that every weekend before I go for long runs from now on. It was perfect. Scott (Susie's hubby) was nice enough to hold all our things and drive us to the race, so we didn't have to worry about storing things and walking from the parking lot to the race. Thanks Scott!
When we got there, the sun was out and it was probably about 77 degrees... very humid, too. But I had actually expected it to be much worse -- either hotter, more humid, or storming -- so I was happy. There was a guy announcing that it was a "high risk health advisory" running day and any "first time runners" should re-think their decision to run, considering the health implications... I paused, but only for a minute.
The race started at 8. The first mile or two were anti-climactic. I was just sort of running in a crowd, trying to figure out whether the people around me were faster or slower... And then I started to get HOT. I was sweating way more than I wanted to be by the 2-mile mark. At the first water station, I grabbed one water to drink and poured another on my head. It was refreshing but also sort of disgusting, as the water ran hot down my back. But I did this at every water station, and by the end of the race my outfit was completely soaked. It is sort of weird to think that I was running through Highland Park scantily clad in a soaking wet outfit for two hours. But, I guess everyone was...
Around mile 6, I started to question my sanity. There were hills, so many hills. And going downhill is actually more stressful for me than uphill. It's a lot harder on the joints, and my knees and right hip were killing me. At one point, I felt a "pop" in my right knee and I thought I'd have to pull over. But after a few strides it was ok again and I kept going.
Nearing the end of mile 8, we descended a big hill towards Lake Michigan. It was really beautiful, but everyone around me was saying, "It's right around the corner... It's coming up! After this we will be OK, but here it comes!" and I know I had a look of dread on my face, anticipating the hill that I couldn't yet see. At this exact moment, I realized that one of the race photographers was snapping pictures. I am sure that one will be a beauty. I'll probably post some of these pics when they come out, but I can't promise anything -- I do have some pride.
The hill at mile 9 was NOT fun. I wound up walking most of it. Then I realized, "hmm this is just over a third of the distance I'll be 'running' on October 12." And I started to well up. I think a tear trickled down my cheek, but it may have been sweat. I resolved to not be discouraged and I stopped thinking of the marathon and started focusing on finishing.
The last 4 miles were the hardest by far. My legs were dead from the hills and all I wanted was to lay down in a cool pool. But I trudged on, thinking to myself of how pathetic and ridiculous I must look to the crowd cheering at the sides. But there was some big athletic guy running behind me (I think he was a pace setter for the race) and he kept yelling, "good job everyone!" and he made the crowds whistle and shout, and I felt better. But oh man, when I saw that final lap around Wolter's field in the distance, I can't tell you how happy I was.
I ran the last lap around the track and felt pretty energetic. By the time I crossed the finish line, though, I was definitely done. Probably the best part of the race was when James bounded at me just across the line and told me how proud he was of me. It was so nice. Thank you James.
Overall, I am happy with the race. I finished at 2:13.42 - that's about a 10:13 pace per mile, which is slower than I usually run but oh well. James, Susie, and Sue all did really well (they all beat me, anyway)! Overall, I placed 761 out of 1335 competitors... and not everyone behind me was elderly, disabled, or obese. So, I feel OK about things.
Anyway after the race we walked (like, a mile) to the car - oof - and went to Susie's for a post-race bbq. My dad and brother came from Barrington to say hello and congrats, and that was so nice! They are very supportive and interested in all the running. It really does help to have people cheering you on, even if they're not physically at the race. It was pouring out by this time, but the men grilled the meat (turkey meat and a veggie burger for me, of course) and I gorged myself on watermelon. It was so good. About 45 minutes into eating, though, my adrenaline must have stopped pumping because I felt like a zombie and could have slept at the table. James and I drove home (glad we made it back without falling asleep at the wheel) and as soon as I got there I hit the couch (beloved "red cloud") and fell asleep. I woke up about 5 hours later feeling pretty out of it and sore, but happy. We got Chinese food and hung out, and all in all it was a great day.
But I think now I realize how important it is that I don't skimp on the marathon training. I've got a couple long runs (longer than the half marathon) planned in the next few weeks, and a half marathon and a couple 20-mile races are on the training program before the big day in October. So hopefully I'll be good and I won't wind up on a stretcher at the end of all of this. Time will tell...
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