From the heat of Boston to the freezing snow/wind/rain?! Seriously?!
Mother nature and I have some serious issues this week. I am still at bit mad at her for the heat of Boston, only to feel utter disappointment at the weather she has thrown my way (I take this as a personal attack) in the last couple of days.
My kids (who LOVE snow) are even a tad fed-up. Elliott said, "But, Mama, it is spring time. What happened to the sunshine?" You said it, kid.
It might be a blessing that I was reverse-tapering after race day, so I wasn't too concerned about mileage this week (add in birthday celebrations too!). I did, however, assume I would be back up to normal, fun runs at my leisure by yesterday. It is hard to get geared up to face the slushy, windy elements without a big race (or training log in real time with the trainer) to motivate me :(
Today is a new day. The ground seems to be drying off, and I will plug away in my long pants and possibly mittens.
Come on, Mother Nature!! Be on my side again, will ya?! My peeling sunburn is even more pitiful under piles of layers...
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Boston Recap (it's a long one!)
I am happy to report that I did not melt in Boston!
Physically, I did not melt, but my hopes at finishing in a specific amount of time melted. But that is ok! I floated along the course on the spectator's cheers, and it was all such an amazing experience, just as everyone promised me it would be.
The weekend was so great. We arrived in Boston early enough on Saturday morning, that we headed to the expo before the crowds were overwhelming. I picked up my race kit (and some extra goodies, like a jacket) and walked around, taking it all in.
After a few gatorade, powerbar, etc. samples, we had enough, and decided to make our way back toward the hotel, as our room was ready! We stayed at the gorgeous Lenox Hotel (right at the finish line). The hotel staff was amazing. Very helpful and almost as pumped about the race as we were!
We walked out of the subway, and almost immediately ran into some of my running friends from Guelph! Of course I forgot to snap a photo, but we starting talking about the weather predictions for Monday's race. They had just driven the course, and said there were already warning signs about heat in a few locations (especially heartbreak hill). Hmmmm. Of course, I shrugged much of this off. As if it's going to be that hot!
The finish line area was closed off for the couple of days prior to the race, so it was awesome to be able to walk around, snap photos and just hang out in that "running buzz". It truly is like a Running Convention or something!
After some quality time hanging out in Boston, Monday morning finally came. I had slept quite well (again, lovely hotel!) so I felt refreshed and optimistic that the run was going to be a good one. I did dress for warmer weather, (sports bra and shorts only) and I slathered on the sunscreen.
I waited in line (a LONG line) for theshuttle school bus to the start line. I chatted away with a woman from Halifax the entire way. She ended up being my "pre-race friend". I never learned her first name, but I hope she did well in the race!
Before long, it was time to head to the start corrals. It was a long, hot walk. In full sun. I think that was the point that I realized that it was indeed going to be a scorcher! I could feel that hot sun sizzling on my neck and shoulders, and I knew my time goal of 3:30 or less was all but out the window. I should have taken one last pit-stop before beginning the race, but I shrugged it off as nerves, as I just wanted to get going! (something I would later regret, as I waited SEVEN minutes in line at a port-loo!!)
I had a few tears as I crossed the official start line, but I reminded myself to pull it together, as it was going to be a long day, so crying continually would just make it longer.
I decided to go out slower than my goal pace. Play it safe. As it would turn out, "slower than goal pace" still turned slower as the hours progressed, and the sun warmed up even more!
Ah, well.
The course was unbelievable. There was not one inch of that course that did not have spectators cheering. I may have been a bit sore that evening, but there were thousands of people with sore throats from all the screaming and cheering. I still can't believe it.
Because of the heat, there were so many kind and generous spectators with sprinklers, buckets of water, make-shift gatorade stations, coolers full of ice, popsicles, towels soaked in ice water, and pure energy! It was continuous. Crazy.
Papa met me just before "Heartbreak Hill" (more on that in a moment). I was so happy to see him! I had been scanning the crowds for him for about 5km when I finally heard his voice. I swerved over to him through the crowd, and decided to take a minute or two to catch up with him, and even eat a banana he had brought. He refilled my bottle with gatorade (ice cold, unlike the gross, warm stuff I had been carrying) while I teared up a bit at how thoughtful he was. Then, sadly, I had lingered enough, so it was time to get on with it.
I continued on for a bit, then all of a sudden, people were holding signs, screaming, "You made it up heartbreak hill!!". Really?
That was Heartbreak Hill?
I don't know what I was expecting, but I certainly thought it wasn't too bad. "It's all downhill from here!!" they were shouting.
Yay!!
So I sped up a bit.
That speed did wear off, but those last 10 miles were much easier to handle than the first. Go figure.
Before long, I was so close to the "Citgo" sign (the famous 25 mile mark) that I felt like I could touch it. The crowds were wild with energy. The buildings in downtown Boston were creating the shade I had craved all day. There was a breeze. Or was that my speed causing wind in my hair?
I came to the finish line a pleased runner. I had finished! I was upright! I was sunburned!
It wasn't my goal time anymore. That had looonnngg passed me by. But, there will be other, faster marathons in my future. I had fun being part of "the hot one".
It took a good 48 hours for my tummy to recover...
But normal food is all good now, so I am ready to get out for some recovery running!!
Yay!
Happy Running
Physically, I did not melt, but my hopes at finishing in a specific amount of time melted. But that is ok! I floated along the course on the spectator's cheers, and it was all such an amazing experience, just as everyone promised me it would be.
The weekend was so great. We arrived in Boston early enough on Saturday morning, that we headed to the expo before the crowds were overwhelming. I picked up my race kit (and some extra goodies, like a jacket) and walked around, taking it all in.
 |
| Yay! I'm here! |
 |
| It's a really heavy race kit! Yipee! |
We walked out of the subway, and almost immediately ran into some of my running friends from Guelph! Of course I forgot to snap a photo, but we starting talking about the weather predictions for Monday's race. They had just driven the course, and said there were already warning signs about heat in a few locations (especially heartbreak hill). Hmmmm. Of course, I shrugged much of this off. As if it's going to be that hot!
The finish line area was closed off for the couple of days prior to the race, so it was awesome to be able to walk around, snap photos and just hang out in that "running buzz". It truly is like a Running Convention or something!
 |
| The finish line! I didn't realize how much I would want to lay down on it after the actual race ;) |
 |
| Papa, making some friends... |
 |
| Officer O'Neil (not kidding on his name)! |
I waited in line (a LONG line) for the
Before long, it was time to head to the start corrals. It was a long, hot walk. In full sun. I think that was the point that I realized that it was indeed going to be a scorcher! I could feel that hot sun sizzling on my neck and shoulders, and I knew my time goal of 3:30 or less was all but out the window. I should have taken one last pit-stop before beginning the race, but I shrugged it off as nerves, as I just wanted to get going! (something I would later regret, as I waited SEVEN minutes in line at a port-loo!!)
I had a few tears as I crossed the official start line, but I reminded myself to pull it together, as it was going to be a long day, so crying continually would just make it longer.
I decided to go out slower than my goal pace. Play it safe. As it would turn out, "slower than goal pace" still turned slower as the hours progressed, and the sun warmed up even more!
Ah, well.
The course was unbelievable. There was not one inch of that course that did not have spectators cheering. I may have been a bit sore that evening, but there were thousands of people with sore throats from all the screaming and cheering. I still can't believe it.
Because of the heat, there were so many kind and generous spectators with sprinklers, buckets of water, make-shift gatorade stations, coolers full of ice, popsicles, towels soaked in ice water, and pure energy! It was continuous. Crazy.
Papa met me just before "Heartbreak Hill" (more on that in a moment). I was so happy to see him! I had been scanning the crowds for him for about 5km when I finally heard his voice. I swerved over to him through the crowd, and decided to take a minute or two to catch up with him, and even eat a banana he had brought. He refilled my bottle with gatorade (ice cold, unlike the gross, warm stuff I had been carrying) while I teared up a bit at how thoughtful he was. Then, sadly, I had lingered enough, so it was time to get on with it.
 |
| Don't let that fresh face fool ya...I was HOT! |
 |
| The green sponge in my top was SO necessary! |
I continued on for a bit, then all of a sudden, people were holding signs, screaming, "You made it up heartbreak hill!!". Really?
That was Heartbreak Hill?
I don't know what I was expecting, but I certainly thought it wasn't too bad. "It's all downhill from here!!" they were shouting.
Yay!!
So I sped up a bit.
That speed did wear off, but those last 10 miles were much easier to handle than the first. Go figure.
Before long, I was so close to the "Citgo" sign (the famous 25 mile mark) that I felt like I could touch it. The crowds were wild with energy. The buildings in downtown Boston were creating the shade I had craved all day. There was a breeze. Or was that my speed causing wind in my hair?
I came to the finish line a pleased runner. I had finished! I was upright! I was sunburned!
It wasn't my goal time anymore. That had looonnngg passed me by. But, there will be other, faster marathons in my future. I had fun being part of "the hot one".
 |
| Well-deserved Bling, I say! |
It took a good 48 hours for my tummy to recover...
But normal food is all good now, so I am ready to get out for some recovery running!!
Yay!
Happy Running
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Spectator Signs at Races...
Race day is just around the corner! I cannot believe it. I think I am ready. Logistically, not quite (I haven't started packing) mentally, almost, and physically...well...I am as ready as I will ever be!
Picturing myself running the Boston marathon has been on my mind lots over the last fewyears days, and it got me to thinking about all of the fun ways to pass the time while out there soaking up the 26.2.
Here are some of the items that occupy my mind (in no particular order)...
- Math. I always have some sort of technical failure on my wrist--usually my own fault. This forces me to attempt to figure out split times, etc. in my head. It really only helps me to pass the time, as my math skills are not my strong point (which might be why I still haven't figured out that "26.2" is actually very far)!
- Reading other runner's t-shirts. I love it when people wear shirts that say interesting things. Places they've been, slogans, etc. If only more runners had shirts that resembled personalized licence plates--that could keep my mind occupied for a lot longer!
- Eavesdropping on other runner's conversations. Just Kidding. (actually, not kidding--people talk about some funny things out there--but of course I try not to laugh or look in any way like I am following along with what they're saying. That would be rude.)
- Taking in the scenery. I love getting caught up in seeing the sights of a race. Fancy houses, "window shopping" etc. Passes the time very well.
- Singing the same few lines of the song I have stuck in my head that day. (Inside voice only)
- Spectator signs!! (more about this below). Total highlight of any race.
- Regretting signing up for a race. Usually this happens at some point. "Why do I keep doing this?!" inevitably goes through my mind, and Inever learn my lesson always go back for more!
- Sharing small talk with other runners around me. I was in a race recently, however, where I passed a man dressed as Elvis. Whenever spectators would say, "Go Elvis!" or something similarly encouraging, he would say, "Thank you, thank you very much". After about a kilometre of this, I decided that I had to speed up to get away from him (even if it killed me) because I couldn't take any more of his Elvis impression!
- In races that I am not familiar with the route, as the last portion of the race is near, I think a continual loop of, "Is that the finish line?" and, "Where on earth is the finish line?"
- In races that I am familiar with the route, as the last portion of the race is near, I think a continual loop of, "I swear the finish line is just around the corner" and, "did they move the finish line?"
Upon crossing that finish line in Boston, I know I will get a teeny bit weepy, as one does when theywin a race complete a race. I am so excited for those butterflies at the starting line, for the scenery, the other runners, (soooo many other runners) and the triumph of crossing the finish.
This post is going to get quite a bit longer, as I am leaving you with some of my favourite slogans from spectator signs at races/marathons (some from my memory, some from my friend the internet):
I would like to add that my FAVOURITE signs are the ones from kids to their parents. I of course, get teary-eyed at those :)
Picturing myself running the Boston marathon has been on my mind lots over the last few
Here are some of the items that occupy my mind (in no particular order)...
- Math. I always have some sort of technical failure on my wrist--usually my own fault. This forces me to attempt to figure out split times, etc. in my head. It really only helps me to pass the time, as my math skills are not my strong point (which might be why I still haven't figured out that "26.2" is actually very far)!
- Reading other runner's t-shirts. I love it when people wear shirts that say interesting things. Places they've been, slogans, etc. If only more runners had shirts that resembled personalized licence plates--that could keep my mind occupied for a lot longer!
- Eavesdropping on other runner's conversations. Just Kidding. (actually, not kidding--people talk about some funny things out there--but of course I try not to laugh or look in any way like I am following along with what they're saying. That would be rude.)
- Taking in the scenery. I love getting caught up in seeing the sights of a race. Fancy houses, "window shopping" etc. Passes the time very well.
- Singing the same few lines of the song I have stuck in my head that day. (Inside voice only)
- Spectator signs!! (more about this below). Total highlight of any race.
- Regretting signing up for a race. Usually this happens at some point. "Why do I keep doing this?!" inevitably goes through my mind, and I
- Sharing small talk with other runners around me. I was in a race recently, however, where I passed a man dressed as Elvis. Whenever spectators would say, "Go Elvis!" or something similarly encouraging, he would say, "Thank you, thank you very much". After about a kilometre of this, I decided that I had to speed up to get away from him (even if it killed me) because I couldn't take any more of his Elvis impression!
- In races that I am not familiar with the route, as the last portion of the race is near, I think a continual loop of, "Is that the finish line?" and, "Where on earth is the finish line?"
- In races that I am familiar with the route, as the last portion of the race is near, I think a continual loop of, "I swear the finish line is just around the corner" and, "did they move the finish line?"
Upon crossing that finish line in Boston, I know I will get a teeny bit weepy, as one does when they
This post is going to get quite a bit longer, as I am leaving you with some of my favourite slogans from spectator signs at races/marathons (some from my memory, some from my friend the internet):
“Look over your shoulder--you are beating all those people”
“Don’t worry, your WAY in front of my husband”
“26.2? I thought it was 2.62!”
“Pain is temporary, but internet race results last FOREVER!”
“It’s not sweat, it’s liquid AWESOME!”
“I trained for 6 months to hold this sign”
“Because 26.3 miles would be CRAZY!”
“Waking up early and making this sign is hard too!” “You all are really good at exercising” |
“Hurry Up! We’re tired of standing here.”
"Actually, you're NOT almost there!"
"Where are you all going?"
"You're not slow. You're just enjoying the course."
"Stop reading this and keep running!"
"It'll feel better when it stops hurting."
“No one made you do this”
Some of the signs I have seen can be a bit inappropriate, but funny nonetheless. I excluded all of the "That's what she said" types of signs that seem to be popular these days...although one that I thought was quite funny was, "If it was easy, it would be called your MOM!" yeesh.
I would like to add that my FAVOURITE signs are the ones from kids to their parents. I of course, get teary-eyed at those :)
Happy running!
5 more sleeps!!
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