Running: London baby!

Running: London baby!

Hello friends,

I feel like the little boy who cried wolf as I write this post.  I have completed over a dozen marathons, more if you count the solo marathons (prepping for an ultra). I'm think I'm done marathoning...

NYC marathon (2014): When I signed up for NYC, I promised my husband it would be my last one. I thought to myself, what a great way to end the marathon distance.  The training season was uneventful (no injuries).  The weather on race day played a major factor: 15-25 MPH winds, with frequent gusts over 40MPH.  I will never forget being blown midstride several times, as I crossed the Verrazano bridge. 

About a week after the run, I told someone that if I had an opportunity to run the London Marathon  I would do it.  Mostly as a way to visit the city.  Would you believe me if I told you I have only spent 36 hours in London?

April 24, 2016: I will be in London! 

My 20 week training program kicks off this week.  My first long run will be one of my favorite runs, along Lake Geneva.  With the Noel festival underway.  I'm planning to end my 8 miler at the hot cocoa stand, and will take the bus back to Vevey.

Training Program: I'm planning to use the same plan I did for NYC, provided by AMR, along with a little help from a running coach.

Goal: Make it to the start line with strong legs (no injuries please).  I will train for a 4:10-15 marathon finish. 

Let me know if you have you picked a fitness challenges for 2016, I would love to cheer you on!

Eat well, rest up, and treat your body kindly.
Much love, Mari

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Running: 2014 NYC Marathon recap

Running: 2014 NYC Marathon recap

Hello friends, Grab something to drink, get comfy and enjoy... this is a long post.  If you aren't interested in the details, just skip to the bottom to see how I did.

There are three strategies for most runners on marathon day: to race, to run, to survive.  Looking back on my experience, I was prepared, felt great, I was ready to run.  I have one experience of surviving so I know how rough marathon day can be. I ran the 2014 NYC marathon, as planned.

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Running: time to taper

Running: time to taper

Hello friends, NYC marathon is less than two weeks away.  I can't believe it. Now I get to rest, run lightly, and eat well.

Last November, on a whim, I entered the lottery for a chance to run the marathon.  It was cyber Monday and the lottery fee was half price, I believe $10. I wouldn't find out if I was selected until late spring.

This means I have been thinking about this run for almost a year, with training kicking off early August. My travels this fall have let me run long runs of thirteen or longer in NJ, Cape Cod, Germany, and Switzerland.

Saturday I capped off training with a 21 mile trail run.  Three seven mile loops of hills.  While leaping left and right to avoid roots, rocks, and leaves, I kept thinking 'this is it'. It's not only my last training run for NYC but it should be my last long run.  I don't have plans to run this distance again unless I have an opportunity to run London.

Sunday I woke up feeling lighter, thinking I'm ready.

Yellow Trail, you will forever own a piece of my heart.  

The start of the NYC marathon: is this photo exciting or overwhelming to you? It's overwhelming to me but now that I'm ready I'm shifting from fright to excitement.  It will be incredible to see the 2014 photo and know I'm there, somewhere!

I'm ready to have a great experience, spend the weekend in the city, roam the Expo (secretly a family favorite).

This will be my 11th official marathon. I have ran more though, alone, on the trails without one person watching... as I trained for the Ultra.

I've got this. 

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Running: Cape Cod + Marathon update

Running: Cape Cod + Marathon update

Hello friends,  A few weeks ago my friends and I traveled to Cape Cod for the Zooma half marathon... but mostly for a girls weekend away.

A five hour drive took over seven, but we didn't let this bother us.  We talked and laughed, shared stories and never did see what caused the hour delay at exit 14. 

We arrived just in time to watch the sunset, then headed to the expo, took this fun photo with feather boas, settled in, ate pizza, and enjoyed a glass of wine.

The Run: The weather was warmer than expected, and humid.  My running friend is the most consistent runner, every mile split was spot on.  The last few miles were a bit harder than expected but we crossed around 2:08.  The finish time flashed 2:10, our chip oddly said 2:12 (which is impossible)... GPS time was 2:08:25.

After the Run: We stood in the ocean for a modified ice bath, showered and set out to explore Woods Hole.

First stop, lunch at the Landfall Restaurant.  Located next to the ferry to Martha's Vineyard, this is a must see.  The building is made from shipwrecks, and other old items. I had an amazing salad, one I have made a few times since and is quickly becoming a fall favorite.

Then we walked a few miles to explore the coastline, visiting the Nobska light house, enjoying a double scoop of ice cream, and window shopping at local shoppes.  Late afternoon we settled into recliners on the beach to catch the sunset below.

Sunday morning we packed up, had breakfast at The Middle of Nowhere Diner.  A first class dive where you can get three eggs and toast for $1.95!

Sunday night we hosted a BBQ...  it was a lovely weekend! 

NYC Marathon: Can you believe the marathon is in 26 days?!

Rain on Saturday made it unsafe to run the trails Sunday morning, they were covered with slippery leaves, so I ran one mile loops in my neighborhood. 18 times....

Miles last week: 59

In two weeks I will run a 20-22 mile run, then I will begin to taper.  I'm starting to think about my running outfit, and the logistics for the weekend.

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Running: thank you thief

Running: thank you thief

The NYC marathon is in 41 days. I have just two long runs left, then I get to.... taper!

I had a few not so great things happen last week, but nothing to impede training:

One day last week I woke up with two knots, in my left calf and bum.  I tried running with my compression sleeves.... the knot disappeared.  After my run I sat on the brick to apply pressure to the knot in my bum... with the brick.

Today I'm knot free, whew.

Sunday morning I posted this to my running group: I run on a rock, knot and root dirt trail, in a park with a pavilion/benches where runners store water, fuel, sweatshirts, etc (honor system). Yesterday someone stole my water/refuel and GU, creating a physical challenge as I ran 12.8 miles on 8 ounces of water... climbing 1,500 ft... and an ever bigger mental challenge wondering who would do this and why.

I haven't had a bad run, blister, or muscle pull yet this training cycle... so in a strange way this was a valuable experience as I prepare for NYC. Thank you thief, this experience can only make me mentally stronger.  

This week: Friday I'm driving about five hours to Cape Cod, with friends.  Two of us are running the Zooma half marathon, then we will sight see, enjoy the beach, take in a sunset, bliss.  I'm being kind to my body, focusing on nutrition and rest.  

Miles planned: 4, 4, 3, 6, 13.1 

Looking ahead: I signed up for the marathon lottery last November, a cyber Monday deal.  I've spent almost a year with the idea of this run.  I'm starting to look beyond November 2, to long walks, watching movies while I do cardio.  

What is your favorite workout at the moment? 
Do you use Fitbit (or a similar system)? I'm curious to see if the iwatch takes off.

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Fitness: I can't believe I did that

Fitness: I can't believe I did that

It's hard to share my Kili story in one post, with this being fitness day... it seems like a good day to share my emotions behind this accomplishment (I will post an experience recap later this week, with photos).

I have spent months preparing, planning, scheduling, never doubting, just wondering, anticipating.

Since returning from my trip I have felt off my game and today I realized why - I haven't let myself feel a sense of accomplishment for reaching the summit.

I'm struggling to process the following: 

Instant gratification: a nine day journey, with no communication didn't let friends and family celebrate our achievement real time - darn it social media and cell phones!

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Fitness: a dancing duel on the mountain?

Fitness: a dancing duel on the mountain?

I missed you guys! Reading blogs, following my fitness friends embracing summer. Joy hosts Reader's workouts, feel free to join us.

A dancing duel on the mountain? Calvin is a trek guide, a person with a spirit rarely found these days. He is happy, the life of the party... and he likes to sing and dance.

We quickly bonded, laughing, giggling, singing. We challenged each other to 'dance move duel's' often while standing on a rock during a water stop.  I miss this guy.

Kili reflections: I am thrilled to tell you the physical part of the mountain was a breeze for me! Fellow trekkers commented on stiffness, sore muscles, aches... I had none of this. People seemed shocked that I actually trained towards the 60 miles distance vs hours on a stair stepper.

Once I have time to narrow down a thousand photos to a dozen... I will share my Kili story with you.

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