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Thursday Updates

May 3, 2012 by Kristy 19 Comments

Erica Sara Necklace
I’m not normally a necklace wearer, but I instantly loved this Erica Sara necklace that Meggie featured on her blog last month. I love the button concept and the ability to personalize it. So what does mine say? BOSTON 4-16-12. I didn’t want the word “marathon” or “26.2” included – I wanted it short and sweet and not obvious.

Broad Street Run
I’m running Broad Street this Sunday, the flattest and fastest (and most crowded) 10-miler. I’m transforming into spontaneous Kristy and running without a plan or a strategy. It’s too soon after Boston to tell how my legs will hold up (although my quads are feeling back to normal) so I’m just gonna go with the flow (gasp!).

Coaching
I don’t talk about coaching often but I realized earlier this week that it has been a year since I started my little coaching biz (officially…unofficially, I’ve been coaching for years). To say that it’s completely rewarding and fulfilling is an understatement. I just need to figure out a way to do it full-time

Hawk has seasonal allergies
Yes, just like me! On Saturday his one eye was a green, goopy mess. Since this has happened before, I immediately started giving him Benadryl. A few hours later he was pawing at it – something he never does – so we went to the vet. We walked out with this and some eye drops…

cone of shame

Don’t let the slightly pleasant look fool you, Hawk was miserable. Thankfully we didn’t need to leave the cone on too long since the Benadryl kicked in pretty quickly. Poor guy!

Are you more spontaneous or more of a planner? I’m interested to see your response, as I know most runners are Type A.

Marathon FAQs

April 30, 2012 by Kristy 20 Comments

Ever find yourself cornered at a party or in the office answering a million questions from family/friends/co-workers about marathon training? Like you’re being interrogated, the questions come flying one after another.

I love to talk about running and probably could do so all day long so I normally don’t mind these questions. Most of the time they are coming from non-runners, which makes things interesting.

How far is a marathon? Definitely #1 FAQ. I’m still amazed that people don’t know this. Isn’t this common knowledge?
So how far is the marathon you are going to run next week? Umm, yep…still 26.2 miles. This question annoys me slightly. All marathons are 26.2 miles. And yes, I mean MILES.
Do you run every day? Nope. Then I explain the concept of a rest day.
What do you eat? A very open-ended question. Do you mean pre-run, post-run, all the time? People assume I’m a super healthy eater (ha ha) and I watch what I eat (ha ha ha). Then I explain my love for DQ Blizzards.
So you lose weight training for a marathon? Everyone is looking for a magic weight-loss plan but it ain’t marathoning. I explain that I do lose some weight when my mileage is high (more on this in another post) but generally my weight stays the same because I eat all.day.long.
Are you going to finish the marathon you’re running next week? Umm, yep…that’s the plan.
How long will it take you? This is always funny. I’ve gotten the range of 3 hours to 6 hours. Which always leads to the follow-up question…
Wait, you are going to run the ENTIRE time? In general, yes. I may take a few brief walk breaks.
Running is bad for your knees. I love this one. If I’m sick of answering questions at this point I explain the concept of adaption and their eyes usually glaze over with boredom.

Got anything to add to the list? Which question do you answer the most from family/friends/co-workers?

Recovery

April 26, 2012 by Kristy 11 Comments

Recovery from Boston can best be summed up in one word: humbling.

I have the whole recovery thing down to a system: no running 1 week post-marathon, ease back into running during week 2, increase mileage and maybe add some easy speed work during week 3, etc. Essentially…reverse my taper. This works for me.

Earlier this week, I set out to do a rather ambitious 8-miler. Keep in mind this was my first run post-Boston. Not sure why I wanted to do 8 miles but I guess I missed running?

8 miles turned into 6 miles with a walk break. My quads were screaming. Kinda like I went to barre class for 4 days in-a-row.

I know trashed quads are typical of the Boston course. But I never, ever thought my quads would be this beat up though. Why?

1. I trained adequately. After “experiencing” the course, I wouldn’t change a thing about my hill prep.

2. Umm, I certainly didn’t go out too fast in the beginning on the downhills. Hello, 89 degrees.

3. I was fine after running Steamtown, which was far worse in terms of downhills than Boston.

So what is it?! Time on feet. I haven’t ran a marathon in 4 hours 33 minutes since 2006. I certainly didn’t train to be on my feet that long. In fact, my 21-miler was my longest run and it lasted 3:04. That, coupled with the extreme conditions, is probably why I’m still feeling the effects of the marathon.

Humbling.

I’m happy to report that my quads felt much better this morning and I hope that trend will continue – very quickly – as we move towards the weekend.

I have Broad Street in a little over a week! I haven’t decided if I’m going to race it or run it as a tempo/progression run. I will all depend on how my quads feel next week.

Have a great weekend!

Now What?

April 24, 2012 by Kristy 24 Comments

Some people have asked me what I plan on doing after Boston. For many years I just ran marathons and chipped away at my time until I BQ’d. This is the first time in a long time where I don’t really have anything major planned. And, I must admit, it feels good!

I do have some plans though. Please, I’m not that spontaneous and fly-by-the-seat-of-my pants.

Immediate
I’m definitely burned out a bit from racing marathons. I need a break. So I’m taking what I love about marathon training – high mileage – and sticking to it. So how is that a break? I’m decreasing the intensity of those miles. No more track work for the foreseeable future. Tempo and progression runs will be done if I feel like it. But mostly, I’m going to run whatever pace I feel like on that day. Sounds a little bit like ultra training, huh?

Sooner or Later
Ultras! 50Ks and 50-milers! Running long is my favorite aspect of running so I think ultra training would be a good fit (because, let’s be honest, speed is not my forte). I’m not rushing into it yet and haven’t committed to anything race-wise but there just so happens to be a few ultras bookmarked in my favorites! We’ll see!

Future
BQ’ing again. I know I have a 3:3X in me and I would love to get another shot at Boston…and race it.

Racing
Other than Broad Street (popular 10-mile race here in Philly) on May 6, I have nothing planned except for 2 HMs in the Fall.

I’m really excited about this new running “chapter” as cheesy as that sounds. It’s very different from how I spent the past 10 years running but this change is much needed. Only good can come from it!

What are your running plans right now? For the future?

Celebrating…

April 22, 2012 by Kristy 21 Comments

It’s nearly 1 week post-Boston and I’m still smiling and celebrating.

Check out this post-race picture. I don’t even remember posing for it. Even though I’m rocking the halo of frizz and my smile resembles a Cheshire cat, I love it. It’s nothing more than pure bliss and happiness.

Too bad it costs $50 to download you…

So what have I been doing all week? Going out to dinner, drinking, sleeping, and no running. I always take a week off post-marathon to recharge physically and mentally.

I got a pedicure on Thursday and a massage on Friday. The massage included a “chakra balancing”. I had to Google it when I got home. In the middle of the massage these stones/crystals were placed midline down my body. I have no clue what went on after that because I passed out cold for 30 minutes. Apparently my chakras were unbalanced? Regardless, it was the best massage I ever had.

On Saturday, Matt and I went to the Mutter Museum. If you like weird medical anomalies, this place is for you. Diseases of Secretion, a slide of Einstein’s brain (for real), the Soap Lady (disturbing), and the Big Colon (need I say more?). You’re lucky they don’t allow pictures.

We spent the rest of the day at Rittenhouse Square, one of our favorite spots in the city. Matt and I people-watched and Hawk chased pigeons.

So pretty

We went to dinner at Village Whiskey on Saturday night, which we heard has the best burgers in Philly. They were very good, but the best in the city? Not sure…

And then we had brunch on Sunday morning. Oh my god, I’m practically busting out of my sweatpants.

No more celebrating. I cannot wait to run again tomorrow. One week off is enough for me.

Do you like weird medical stuff? I love it. I used to be addicted to Mystery Diagnosis.

How much time do you take off between races? I always take a week post-marathon. Always.

Boston Marathon Recap

April 17, 2012 by Kristy 37 Comments

Oh jeez, where do I even begin? Let’s start out by saying the Boston Marathon far exceeded my expectations. I had the time of my life and loved every (hot) second of it.

To be honest, I was terrified of the heat. Each day I tracked the weather, the hotter and hotter it became. I was fearful of a DNF (even though I never DNF’d before). The heat is sneaky. It creeps up on you and before you know it, you’re in the medical tent and getting a ride to the finish line.

I wasn’t about to DNF in Boston. I wanted to run a smart race, enjoy myself, and finish!

I hate lengthy race recaps so here are the highlights:

I was sweating before the race even started! The sun was brutal and the course offered no shade.
I decided to run by feel and started out at 8:45-9:00 pace, knowing I would slow down pretty soon. I was feeling good, enjoying the crowds in Hopkinton, and taking it all in.
My stomach started to feel a little queasy around mile 4. I knew it was from the heat (I had a similar experience last summer). I just tried to ignore it.
The spectators were AMAZING! They doused us with water and handed out ice cubes. I would not have survived the race without their support.
After mile 10, I slowed down significantly. I happily walked through every single water stop, filling up my water bottle. A few miles later, I allowed myself to walk when I needed to.
It’s funny to see so many runners walking so early on during a marathon. This is going to sound cheesy but I felt a kinship, like we’re all in this together.
The Wellesley girls did not disappoint. I heard them cheering at mile 12. Since all the runners were enjoying the “experience” (the B.A.A. refused to call it a race but instead used the term “experience”), I think they got many kisses on Monday. Sweaty kisses, that is.
When we entered Newton, I remember thinking “OK, here come the hills”. I didn’t think they were that bad, although I was running so slow. If I was trying to maintain MP up them, I’m sure my tune would be different.
Heartbreak Hill is not that bad. It’s just a long climb at the worst time (between mile 20-21).
The Boston College kids were great. So drunk, but so encouraging.
After mile 21, I felt like I was going downhill all the time. Again, my perception of the course is a little skewed because of my slow pace.
Best sign? “Honey badger don’t care about the heat”. Hysterical.
Other than being hot (obviously) I felt OK around mile 22. My stomach settled down, my legs felt good, and all the ice and frequent douses with water were keeping me somewhat cool. I was having fun!
I knew I’d see my family and friends around Mile 25, so I started to count down the miles until then.
Surprisingly, I wasn’t too emotional when I saw them (dehydration = no tears?). I stopped, chatted, got some last words of encouragement, and moved along.

Oh, hey there

So deliriously happy

This way?

I had quite the entourage

The next 1.2 miles were incredible. I think I had a smile plastered on my face the entire time. The crowds got even deeper and louder.
Making a right onto Hereford and a left onto Boylston was the best part of the race. I felt like I was on the red carpet.
I just tried to soak up every last bit of it during the final stretch on Boylston. Before I knew it, I crossed the finish line and became a Boston Marathoner!

My official time was 4:33:50. That’s my 4th slowest marathon ever but I have never been prouder. I walked a lot (more than my first marathon!) and I was just so happy to finish strong (and not visit the medical tent).

I have so many people to thank. My family and friends that made the trip up to Boston to see me – Matt, my parents, Karyn, Aidan, Michelle, Paul, Charlotte, Neil, Mr. and Mrs. G – it means the world to me that you were there.

For everyone who sent congrats and words of encouragement via Twitter, FB, text, and email – I read each and every message and it meant so much to me. Thank you.

I definitely want to do Boston again. Get another shot at the course on a much cooler day and race it. But for now, I’m just so happy and plan on riding this out for awhile!

If you’re interested, I posted all my Boston pics on FB.