Best Marathon Ever?

This weekend was my first time running the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC. What an extraordinary race! Everything from the course, to the weather, to the Marine volunteers was perfect. I think this is definitely THE American marathon to do if you're thinking about only being part of one.
I ran with my mom the whole time, carrying her portable camera and finishing in a leisurely 4:38. It was a totally different experience to run in the mass of slightly slower folks and they were definitely a great group of people to be surrounded by. (My last three marathons were all in the 3:30s- a far less talkative group!)

Click here to see my mom's photos of the weekend, including the photos taken during the race.

Now I'm on recovery for a week while a sore muscle or two heals, then it's on to winter cross-training and preparing to run a fast half-marathon come March. I'm so inspired, motivated, and excited to be planning for another year as a runner!

Marathon Ahead

Sorry about the lack of posting for the last couple weeks. This is a case of "no news is good news"... I'm just starting my mini-taper as we head towards the Marine Corps Marathon on October 25th. I managed a 17 mile run last weekend, and 20 this past Sunday. They were a little rough towards the end, but nothing unreasonable considering my minimalist training. Now I can start looking forward to the trip.
I'm also using the race as an opportunity to raise money for the Erik Anderson Memorial Fund. Erik was a colleague of mine and a coach to many student runners in Spokane. He passed away in a terrible accident on campus this past February. It is an honor to be able to raise money for his memorial fund to benefit his family. If you're interested in donating please e-mail me!!

Tempo Feels GOOD

An unexpected perk of my easier Fall teaching schedule is that I'm back to doing at least one afternoon run per week. This is really great, because I definitely feel different on afternoon runs. While they are a lot harder to commit to than morning runs (a lot can come up before you get out of the office, drive home, and lace up your sneakers) they are generally more fun. The weather is pleasant, the world is buzzing with activity, and I can run as long as I like without worrying about getting home to start the day. As a result, I usually use the afternoon for slightly longer tempo runs. In the past that has typically meant 8 - 11 miles, but right now I am pleased just to be doing anything near 1 hour. Today I ran 7.4, and did it at a pretty remarkable pace (7:35 m/m) given my summer of slow training. It is fun to stretch your legs and remember how strong you can feel in your own body. Hurrah for Fall running!

Lovely to Run

I'm about 95 - 99% recovered from my European travel bug, and with the start of classes I've been happy to be back to a predictable running schedule. This last week I made it out on three mid-week runs plus my longer weekend training run. As far as I'm concerned, all the running was great. Some days were faster, some more comfortable, but I was just so happy to be running (no walking breaks or stomach bug, thanks!). My lungs felt pretty good by Friday and my almost-15-miler yesterday was a dream- it felt like the easiest long run I've done all summer. (No doubt the cooler weather is a big help too.)
Next weekend I'll go to about 16/17 miles, and then push towards 19/20 the next week. Then it's a quick "taper" with one shorter weekend run, and then I'm off to DC for the Marine Corps race. I'm also back in the pool on campus, and it feels so good to be back in the water. With all this good energy it's too bad we're headed towards the end of race season... but then 2010 is just around the bend!

I'm back!

Steve and I are back from our adventure to the Medoc Marathon in France. It was a fun trip, and overall I had a good time despite one major disappointment- I didn't run the marathon!!

No kidding. After traveling 5000 miles to Bordeaux to take part, I found myself sick from the start of the trip with some combo cold-stomach-bug-type-thing. (It wasn't the swine flu, I promise.) We were able to enjoy ourselves, but I toted a bag of kleenex, elephant strength sudafed, and some lingering nausea through much of Europe. By race day I knew I wasn't cut out to run 26.2. Still, I managed to keep my head up and run-walk the first half (the course is a figure 8) so that I could still take part in a lot of the party. (Ok, honestly, the start and first 20 minutes were great fun, but after that I was concentrating on not throwing up or passing out... definitely not healthy. I knew it was smarter to call it a day then to create an international medical incident!) Steve finished the full distance, complete with wine stops, oysters, steak and all the hurrah. This was his second-ever-marathon. I was so proud. He finished in under 6 hours with tutu and cow hat still flying.

So it was disappointing to not get to run, but I was thankful that I was still well enough to mostly enjoy the trip, and happy to see Steve make the most of the day. And as a totally unexpected bonus, we had a lot of other running related fun on the trip, most notably watching the half-way point of the JUNFRAU MARATHON! After years of daydreaming about that race, we managed to find ourselves in the same valley on the same weekend of the infamous race. I had never paid very close attention to exactly where it was and honestly was clueless just about until race morning. It was all the talk in town and it was SO COOL to see the competitors and the amazing scenery. That is now very high of my list of international races to make it in to!

Check out our flickr site (link to your right) for photos of the whole trip, including the Medoc. Steve carried the camera with him so you can enjoy all 26 miles of costumes and vineyards.

And I am doing better- still not eating as much as I'm used to, but I've at least stopped coughing and did make it out for a 35 minute jog yesterday. I'll ease back into things this week before cementing my build-up plan for the Marine Corps race on Oct. 26th.

The Summer Grinds Down...

August in Spokane is a lazy affair. Our days become shorter, the heat spells get weaker, and many of our afternoons blur together into a muddle of still air, yellow-brown haze and hours that pass unmarked. The weather is still hot and the runs are still long, but there is a palpable sense that September is just around the corner. With the approach of the Medoc Marathon this year my "fall race" seems sooner than normal. But without the need for a taper (how do you taper down from a paltry three runs and thirty miles per week?) we are still running long on weekends and carefully enjoying the slightly cooler weather. The Medoc is just over two weeks away, and I'm confident we're ready for it. In fact, I've been mentally shifting my thoughts to the upcoming Marine Corps race which is still more than two months away. Again, not one to run fast, but I'll need to pick a race plan nonetheless.
And my thoughts continue to spin past the Marine Corps to the 2010 season and what it will bring. I have two strong desires for the next season: one is to get my bike situation figured out and set my eyes on a 70.3k tri next summer. (This is news to just about no one, right?) But the other is to travel; Steve and I are tentatively planning a romp through China at this time next year. I feel like doing both, from a financial standpoint, is not the wisest plan. *sigh*

It's good to be so blessed in life that these are the sort of decisions to amuse yourself with. Which would you consider first: a new bike and triathlon gear, or a trip to China?

A Vivid Nightmare

I usually have at least one nightmare prior to major races, and the dream always follows the same theme; I show up late to the race start, or I forget my running shoes, or I lose my GU in the starting chutes. Predictable subject matter and the dream occurs with reliable timing.
Last night, however, the dream had a new flavor. As usual I was running around at the start of the race trying to find all my missing gear. The difference? It was an Ironman, and my bike helmet was missing!! I think I'm becoming certifiable...

While my mom was in town last week I enjoyed a week of easier walk-runs, including a very comfortable long run/walk. My mom is e-coached by Jeff Galloway, and he insists that these long runs have as much walking as running; 1 min intervals of each. It's remarkable how comfortable it felt. We covered 22 miles in 4.5 hours, including 1200+ feet of vertical rise. This weekend I'll be back to a run 4 walk 1 pattern as we finish up our training for the Medoc.