Start Info is set!!

Our start information was posted to our NYC Marathon profiles this week! Whoo Hoo!!

I can't believe it's coming up so fast.....and the start info makes it feel so much more real.

Bib #53332
Color: Orange
Wave #3
Corral #53

Start time: 10:40 a.m.

I'm super excited b/c my orange start color puts me on top of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (I was nervous about possibly running on the bottom).

Now, back to work getting ready!!

It's 10 Mile Tuesday!!

Whooo Hooo! 10 miles tonight on the canal path. Loved having the garmin as my assistant....and my friend Diane as my "coach"! Thanks lady.....Sorry I was Casey Complainer.....but I'm glad I made you laugh with my totally random comments! HA! Promise I won't be so complainy next time!

I also was up at 4:30 this morning and did a short elliptical and then upper body weight workout before I headed into school. It's been a full day of exercise and work. Now it's bedtime.....my favorite part!

Happy Running!

In Love...

Thanks for all the comments!! I'm so in love with my Garmin! How did I ever run without it? It's fantastic to see my pace and when I'm slowing or when I'm going out too fast. Awesome!

Running is going alright. I'm just having a good time doing it, I can't continue to put pressure on myself. The goal is to finish. It's that simple. I'm not competitive, I just want to be able to do it and finish what I started. I'm totally psyching myself out and it's got to stop!! It will be a good day, no doubt about it!

Finally.....My GARMIN!!!

Yes, I finally sprung for the Garmin Forerunner 205! I'm so excited, I can't wait to run with it tomorrow! I had to charge it tonight, so I couldn't use it, but I'm ready for tomorrow. It's all programmed, uploaded, and personalized. Whoo Hoo!

NYC Marathon Course Video!!!

ING NYC Marathon Course Video

This is fantastic!! I am using it to get remotivated!

I got into the marathon so many months ago and the training is so long, now my motivation has been waning. Watching this video and visualizing myself crossing that finish line is giving me that super duper final push. I can't believe it's 7 weeks away! WOW!

Good running this weekend! Still working on the foot pain, but continued icing and ice foot baths, along with advil seem to keep me moving. Thinking I might get my feet looked at.....after Nov. 7th of course! :)

Rochester 1/2 Marathon 2010

My 5th half is in the books and it wasn't too bad! With my last half being one of the worst running experiences of my life, I was a bit concerned about doing this one. However, it turned out to be a pretty good experience. It was most certainly a great gauge for what I need to do in the next 8 weeks to finish prep for NYC!

I got up around 5 this morning and immediatly wasn't thrilled because it was POURING rain. I have a skylight in my kitchen and I could just hear it pouring down. Ugh! I took the dog out, got soaked, and started praying it would pass before the 7:45 start time! I hopped in the shower (I always need the wakeup shower!) and then got into my running gear. My friend Diane sent me a text about the rain and after checking the weather channel and watching the local news, I assured her the rain would pass by 8ish. Again, praying the weather people were right for once in their lives!! :)

Thankfully the rain turned to a light mist as I drove into Rochester to meet my friends Diane and Renee. It was actually pretty perfect for running, 50/60 and misting. We headed over to Frontier Field to pick up our chips and then walk to the start line. We actually used the drop bags today b/c it was so chilly at the start that we wanted to wear our jackets and layers as long as possible! All was going well, still light misting, and I was feeling pretty darn good!

The start gun sounded and we were off! Diane went ahead (she's a bit faster) and Renee and I stuck together until we were 3 miles into the run. She was having some hip problems, so I went ahead when she took a walk break. I was still feeling good as we headed to the long drawn out Highland hill and I made it up and over without issue. Sweet! At that point I decided I would allow myself a walk break at the Clinton/Westfall hill.....but low and behold, I made it up and over with no problems! Double sweet! I turned onto Westfall and made my way to Brighton town park to connect with the Erie Canal path. We passed the 7 mile mark headed toward the path and I used my GU b/c I started to feel hunger pains and didn't want to keep running on a total empty tank. I started taking water/gatorade around mile 5, so I was still replenishing the lost fluids.

I kept it moving on the canal path, still feeling pretty good. Once the GU set in, my legs felt better and I kept up my pace. All was going well until I hit 11 miles. Out of nowhere I had a massive foot cramp that curled my toes and made my lower calf/ankle spasm repeatedly. Awesome!! The first cramp nearly made me wipe out on the course! It took my leg right out from under me! I kept running and every few steps I would get another cramp and spasm....to which I started swearing! I'm sure the people around me were thrilled! Understandably, I was pissed! So close to the finish and now this after a seemingly good run! Ugh!!!

So, I kept it moving and just worked on keeping my toes firmly in position and taking long strides to keep the calf stretched. It was the best I could do and yet, the cramp kept coming back. When I exited the canal path and headed over the Ford St. bridge (picture is me on Ford St. bridge), I stopped and stretched on a bridge pillar. That seemed to help for a bit, but once I got to the other side of the bridge, rounded the corner and started down Exchange St, I was hit with another cramp. I chose to walk the hill on Plymouth because the extra use of my calf caused more severe cramping. I knew that once I got over that hill, it was all downhill or flat to the finish. I started running again, and ran the rest of the way to the finish line. I was so close, I just wanted to finish and get my leg worked on, so I pushed through and gimped it when it started cramping.

I rounded the final turn onto Morrie Silver Way and headed for the finishline which was just a few hundred yards away. The crowds were fantastic, but I didn't have my usual finishing smile today. I was struggling so much to just get there, some friends told me they could see the pain on my face. Sad...I love finishing with a smile! I crossed and my friend Nancy was a volunteer and put my medal on....and then helped me to the medical staff. I made my way over with some help, got a banana, chocolate milk, and some water and began my recovery. I ended up laying on a massage table and had this women do an amazing job releasing my foot and calf muscle on my right leg! When I got off the table, I felt like I had a new leg! She was brilliant.

All in all, it was a great day to run in Rochester! I had a fabulous time aside from the cramp, and shared it with good friends! And, it gave me confidence that I will be OK in NYC!! That's really what I was looking for in this run! 16 next weekend! Yikes!

Happy Running!

So..............

I might update this someday! :)

Seriously, I have been busy....beginning mid Aug......getting ready for back to school and getting on top of my counseling stuff. Reading, creating documents, procedures, etc, all in preparation for this week when all their shiny little faces walk through the door.

I love it!! It has been a fantastic first 2 days of school....some bumps, but I work in middle school, so that is to be expected! Once they realize they don't have to "front" at my school, the bumps should start to iron themselves out.

I'm still running, although, I've strayed from my marathon training. YIKES!! Panic button isn't fully pushed yet. I think I'm in the "mid way of a long a$% training program" slump. I'm doing the Rochester 1/2 Marathon this coming sunday and that will put me right back on track. I think I need to be part of the organized race to get my drive back.

I've been in the gym alot, so I'm still in decent physical shape, but I have to step up the running to finish getting ready for NYC. It's a must!

I'm thinking I'll check back in with a post Rochester 1/2 report. while I'm watching my Buffalo Bills home opener! Man this will be a good sunday!! Running and Football!!

More on Sunday!