Eat Drink Run Woman

Last night I was a product-testing fool.  Just before I headed out on my run I swigged a glass of POM pomegranate juice (more on that in a later post), threw on a pair of my new WRIGHTSOCK Cushioned DLX double-layer socks and slipped my feet into a pair of trail running shoes I’m testing (not sure if I can talk about the specifics yet).  My plan was to run about four miles along the “trails” in Woodland Park near my house, then change into regular running shoes for an easy loop around Greenlake with friends.  Since I’d be running on a couple of different terrains, I brought along another pair of WRIGHTSOCKS — the ultra-thin SLTs.

The DLXs are indeed cushy, however, since they’re double-layered I found the inside layer creased a bit when I put my shoe on.  But once smoothed out it stayed that way.  They were extremely comfortable and I had no issues with them, however, I’ll be saving them for cooler weather as my feet got quite hot (the shoes contributed to that as they were pretty darn heavy).

I had stored my regular running shoes and the SLTs in my friends car, and when I switched out the trail runners and DLXs with them it felt like I had lost about five pounds.  The socks lived up to their ultra-thin name as I could barely tell I had any on.  While I didn’t have any issues with these either, I prefer a slightly thicker sock, as well as one that goes above the ankle (even though I still manage to get rocks and dirt in my shoes with the latter style).

Tomorrow will be an even better test, as I’ll be heading out on a 20-mile run.  Not sure which socks I’ll choose to wear, but that’s part of the fun!

When I first began running I gave little thought to my running gear. I’d wear cheap cotton shorts and socks, an old cotton t-shirt and shoes from the discount mart down the street. Eventually I started wearing race shirts, but they were still cotton as this the B.T.W. era (before technical wear). As I entered my second running phase in 2005 I replaced my cotton gear with technical fabrics, plus I got myself fitted for better shoes at my local running store. But my socks? They were still the $9.99/6-pair special at Costco.

Then I got into long distance running.

Sure, I balked when I saw many of the blister-free, moisture wicking socks were $8-$12 a pop. But as someone who stands on her tootsies all day, I knew I had to take care of ’em. I think the first pair of technical socks I bought were the Injinji toe socks. Yeah, they’re goofy looking and take some getting used to, but they work. I’ve then tried several other brands — Brooks, Asics, New Balance and Feetures — with mixed results. I don’t even know the brand of my favorite socks, just that they have cute blue & yellow forget-me-nots on them. They were the ones I wore when I BQ’d, and of course they were the ones I wore when running the 113th Boston Marathon (the blue & yellow matched the Boston colors; it was meant to be!) Alas, not clipping my toenails have done a job on them and I’ll have to throw them out.

Fortunately, thanks to the folks at WRIGHTSOCK, I now have plenty of replacements.

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It’s said bad things can happen to good people.  But why, oh why, did it have to happen to me?  After all, I consider myself an ambassador of the running community.  I train well, backing off when I’m on the verge of injury.  I serve as a mentor to new runners, encouraging them to challenge themselves and do their best.  I thank all the volunteers and spectators who come to cheer us on.  I discretely launch my snot rockets.  I don’t pee in people’s yards (okay, so just once).

So how could such tragedy befall me?

Oh, who am I kidding?  Even though I technically DNF’d from the Crescent Forest Marathon, I don’t consider it a “real” DNF.  It’s not like I had been training for this race for months; rather, I decided about three days prior I’d run it.  In addition, we didn’t shell out a ton in race fees — it was free, although we did pony up $20 as a donation.  But considering I started the race fully intent on finishing it, I suppose it counts.

Knowing I’d be in need of some serious recovery time after my Monster Month, I vowed not to run any marathons in July and August.  My resolve was short-lived, as I was soon signing up for the Wild Thing Summer Fling that required each participant to wear a dress on their first 2.6-mile lap around Lake Padden (extra points for wearing red lipstick).  Eager to run his first double, my darling signed up for Crescent Forest the day before.  While tempted to run the entire thing, I decided I’d run just a couple of laps (the course is four laps) and then cheer my darling on.  But as the weekend neared I began jonesing for another double (call me a masochist), so I emailed the race director to let him know I’d be joining in on the fun.

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The interwebs are turning my brain into mush.  Whereas I USED to find the time to compose pithy prose, nowadays you’re more apt to find me on Facebook and various running forums with nary a pith to my name.  Pretty pithiful, I mean, pitiful (or pithiless?)

Anyhoo, I aim to reverse the trend.  I realize my blathering may not interest many, but it provides me with a great outlet for my writing.  And I’m not just talking race reports, although yes, this one will be.

When Elite Racing announced it was taking over the Seafair Marathon I was ecstatic — for once I’d be running a local inaugural race.  Even better, we managed to nab a couple of the one-day-only $47 registration specials.  Score!  At the time we weren’t yet Marathon Maniacs, so little did I know it would be my 5th race for the month.

I was really excited as not only would the race be held at a better time of year than the Seattle Marathon, it truly was a destination marathon.  Whereas Seattle may attract people primarily from around the Northwest, Seattle Rock ‘n Roll would be bringing in runners from across the country.  I was curious to see how the city would handle 25,000+ runners (the Seattle Marathon typically has about 12,000-14,000).  The race sold out in May, much to the dismay of several (I saw many bibs listed on Craig’s List for an exorbitant amount).

In an attempt to fortify my running karma, I volunteered at the expo the day before.  Fortunately I was placed in registration as I was able to sit (I figured standing all day would not bode well for the marathon).  But while my legs got rest my arm did not; after pointing toward the t-shirt/goody bag pickup about a bajillion times my shoulder started to ache!  Oh well.  The expo itself was one of the largest I’ve seen, rivaled only by Boston’s.  I showed restraint and didn’t buy a thing, save for two $50 registrations for next year’s race.  (It was an expo special; the cost has already increased to $100).

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First of all, I survived once again! But boy, was it TOUGH. Actually, only the first day was tough; Sunday’s race was no more tougher than any other marathon. Saturday was the Lake Young’s Ultra — 28.8 miles comprising three loops around the Lake Youngs reservoir in Renton, Wash. I had run one loop around the lake in January, so I knew what to expect. In fact, I was goaded into doing the double-double after talking to a couple of fellow Maniacs after that race.

After my experience with last weekend’s double, I figured I’d run alone for both races. But my Maniac friend Jessica assured me she too would be taking it slow since she was also running a double that weekend. So once again I decided the company would be nice. We were joined by Shannon, one of my Runner’s World forum buddies, who was running one loop.

Since Matt is hoping to BQ at Seattle Rock ‘n Roll later this month, he didn’t run the race but instead manned the aid station on the other side of the lake. It was a real boost to see him each loop. He brought his camera along and set up some lights so we all have some pretty awesome pictures.

While I knew the course was somewhat hilly, it seemed worse this time, perhaps due to the fact we ran in the opposite direction (yes, I know it shouldn’t make much of a difference, but the uphills seemed steeper!) Jessica and I felt pretty good, but Shannon, who’s not as experienced, started to struggle toward the end. However, she appreciated being pushed. I also made her take one of my gels at about mile 7 and that perked her up.

We took a short break after the first loop to visit the potty, replenish our fuel and kick a few pebbles out of our shoes. We bid Shannon adieu and headed out. I could tell from the start this loop was going to be tough, so I told Jessica I’d be needing a few more walk breaks. But we still managed to chat our way through.

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I survived!  In fact, I feel no more creaky than I normally do after running just one marathon.  But I’m not going to get cocky — I still have another double this coming weekend.

While I rarely get pre-race jitters any more, my trepidation over these two races intensified as the date neared.  I made the mistake of mentioning my plan to the owner of my gym and one of her personal trainers; as expected, they not only thought I was crazy, they were concerned I’d injure myself.  While I’ll cop to being crazy, I certainly was not being reckless.  Still, I had needling self-doubts in the back of my head.

Fortunately I have many enablers mentors among my Maniac brethren.  Not only have they proven my plan CAN be done, they provided excellent advice.  I tried to get as much sleep as possible the week before, and I ate well and heartily.  (I think that was my favorite part — planning out each day’s meal!)  Seattle was hit with a heat wave, so I fired up my grill on several occasions.  We ate lettuce from our garden and spring braising greens from the farmer’s market up the street.  I also made a delicious barley salad with Chinese cabbage, tomatoes, green onions and a lemon vinaigrette that served as both a side dish and a couple days’ lunch.  As for laying off the hooch?  Well, I succumbed, but kept it in moderation (I figured it might ease my anxiety).

Exercise-wise, I took it easy, running just over 13 miles at a 10-minute pace.  While I made it to yoga and did my arm weight routine twice, I skipped the stretch class as it was too darn hot.

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I must apologize — it appears this blog is turning into simply an account of my race reports.  I’ve had lots of ideas for posts, but no motivation to actually write them.  Mea culpa.

However, this coming week I have no excuse.  You see, I really should NOT be running for the next five days (at least not far).  As you can see by my updated race list/countdown timer, I’ve got one Mother of a marathon month ahead of me: five, yes, FIVE freakin’ marathons in the next four weeks.  Heaven help me!

As with most of my race plans, my “monster month” started innocently enough.  Last August my darling and I jumped at the chance for half-price entry into the inaugural Seattle Rock ‘n Roll Marathon to be held June 27.  Early this year I decided I’d like to try a “double,” which in Maniac-speak means running two marathons in two days.  The Lake Youngs Ultra/Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon looked appealing;  although technically an ultra, Lake Youngs is a 9.6-mile loop run three times for a total of 28.8 miles (a “mini” ultra, if you will).  I figured the Tunnel Marathon, which is an all-downhill race, wouldn’t be too terribly challenging the next day (although it was held in August last year, they moved it to June for 2009).

I then couldn’t pass up the Green River Marathon; after all, it’s free!  I had run the half two years ago, but skipped it last year since it was the day before North Olympic, where I had hoped to BQ.  When I mentioned my plan to another Maniac, he asked, “Why not do a double-double?” (Maniac-speak for doubles on back-to-back weekends).  For some reason I decided that would be a good idea and once again signed us up for North Olympic (I had considered the San Juan Marathon, but not only is it quite hilly, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to catch the ferry in time after running Green River).

Once I committed myself my anxiety started to grow, especially with every ache and pain I felt.  Will my body hold up?  Will I forever destroy myself for running?  Will people think I’m cool, or simply idiotic?  Why do I care what people think?  Is my long-standing need to be liked rearing its ugly head?  Does my butt look big in these pants?

Wait — where was I?

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I had planned on writing a longer report for this, but time got away from me.  So this’ll be a down & dirty report for the 2009 Capital City Marathon, held in Olympia, Washington.

While I first stated Tacoma was #17 for me, I was doing some creative accounting.  Rather, this marathon was #17 (#8 for the year) and it ended up being my 5th fastest marathon at 4:20:14. I had hoped to finish in under 4:20, but the heat got to me in the later miles and I had to take a couple of unscheduled walk breaks to shake off the dizzyness. That said, I’m thrilled with my time.

As with most Seattle-area races, it’s a hilly one. However, most of the hills were pretty gradual, although there was a long stretch from mile 22-24 that pretty much sucked (made worse by the heat). I guess I shouldn’t complain TOO much about the heat as we’re talking 65-70, I think; I know many of you have run in far worse conditions.

Although one of my Maniac friends thinks the course “sucks” (he didn’t run it this year), I really liked it. It’s on a lot of back roads through Olympia, and fortunately there were a lot of shady spots. While they let some traffic through, it was never a problem. We received a terrific jacket instead of a running shirt, however, no medal. Instead they let us keep our chip (it had Capital City Marathon on it) and gave us a card to clip it to, along with our race results (which were available on another card within about 30 minutes after finishing). The post-race pizza REALLY hit the spot, as well as provided much-needed salt.

I definitely give this a thumbs-up for anyone needing a Washington state race (although if you’re a Maniac, I’d probably recommend Tacoma next year as that’ll be the Maniac reunion and Dick Beardsley will be the featured speaker).

Given all the hubbub over that little race I ran last month (the one that starts in Hopkinton), I’ve neglected to mention the other races I have planned for the year.  I’ll update you in another post, but wanted to share my thoroughly enjoyable experience at this year’s Tacoma City Marathon held this past Sunday, May 3.

I had no intention of running the race — I had chosen the Capital City Marathon in Olympia for my May race — but I’m easily swayed by fellow Marathon Maniacs.  When I mentioned CCM to one of them, his reply?  “That course sucks!  You should run Tacoma.”  However, another Maniac came to CCM’s defense, so of course I signed up for BOTH of them.

For those of you looking for a Washington state race, I highly recommend TCM.  Sure, the fact we had absolutely gorgeous weather certainly increased my enjoyment, but it’s a very well-organized, Maniac-centric race (the race director is Tony, Maniac #3).

In its third year, TCM is known for its hills, but also for its spectacular views of Commencement Bay (Tacoma is about 35 miles south of Seattle).  It’s small (237 finishers this year, although at least double that run the half marathon), and there aren’t a lot of spectators.  But what it lacks in crowd support it more than makes up for in volunteers.  They truly are fantastic.

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Since I forbade him from banditing the race, my husband decided he’d run the course early, adding on a few miles to make it a 50K.  He left the B&B at 4 a.m., ran to Back Bay and caught the train to Framingham.  While he turned around in Hopkinton, he decided to save the section near Athlete’s Village for when he officially runs the race.  Long before I started making my way toward the corrals he was done.

Meanwhile, I got up at 4:30 to eat some instant oatmeal and down a couple of cups of coffee (the owner of the B&B not only got up early to have our coffee ready, she also had bagels, peanut butter and bananas available for us to pack).  I threw my drop bag over my shoulder and we headed to the T to catch the 5:15 subway to Boylston (runners ride for free on Marathon Monday).  Paula Sue’s running group took a few group photos, then we were loaded onto one of the buses to Hopkinton.

While it was somewhat clear in Boston, it got increasingly foggy as we neared Hopkinton.  Although I had packed both warm and cool weather gear, I opted to be resplendent in my Maniac gear — tank, arm warmers and wind breaker, along with my Race Ready shorts.  However, over that I wore an old pair of sweats, long-sleeved cotton race shirt and winter rain coat (I looked like a dork).  I was told to bring something to sit on in case the ground was wet, so I found a great use for the banner we used to use for our personal chef chapter:

I tried to take in everything at the Village.  Picture in front of the “It all starts here” billboard?  Check.  Write my name on my legs in black marker?  Check.  Get a shamrock temporary tattoo?  Check.  Score a pair of Boston running gloves?  Check.  I was like a kid in a candy store.

While I thought three port-o-potty visits would suffice, my bladder thought otherwise just as I was dropping off my bag.  We still had several minutes before the start, but as the minutes ticked away I started getting nervous.  I shed my throw-away clothes, but left on my heavy jacket until the last minute (wouldn’t you know it — I managed to hang on to the jacket I intended to donate, but lost my good one).  I hadn’t realized how far it was to walk to the corrals, so I started jogging to get around the crowds.  Even before I hit the #19 corral the gun had gone off, but fortunately it would take several minutes before we crossed the start line.

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