~Philadelphia Marathon 11/23/08~

[Jodi]

Chester - That 20 was an excellent run in an excellent time It is very difficult to get back in the groove when you're so close to home. Mentally I'm too weak for that , seriously, I have to go out far & make my way back home. There's no way I could pass the house for a "part 2", I'd want to . Great job getting it done!

Sara - Are you home yet? Hope the trip today was uneventful! Welcome home! Glad you were able to get out & run a bit & it felt ok. Sending pixie dust storm to you & your knee. I'm glad you had fun on your vacation, sounds like the kids had a blast being chefs! We stayed @ POP last summer & loved it!

Colleen - What up Canada? How ya feelin' tonight? Listen, I've been thinking about this whole thing & while it totally sucks & it's easy for me to say 'cause it's not me, if you can't run this thing on the 28th it's not the end of the world, right? I mean, you've trained like a maniac, but maybe your body wants a break, huh? Nothing wrong with that. I mean, what's gonna happen if you don't go? You'll be pissed, sure, but you'll be running again b4 you know it, you just don't want to run too soon & mess something up for a longer period of time. Right after I ran that first half I was telling ya'll about & hurt my back on the stair climbcrapper, I didn't exercise for almost 3 weeks. From all out to nothing in a matter of 12 hours & it was heinous. I could barely get out of bed & walk the dog or climb stairs, let alone think about running. I know you feel you'll lose all that fitness & all, but you won't. After those 3 weeks off exercise & about 5 from running, I was able to start up again with relative ease. Don't anymore, it's gonna be ok . And if you decide to run & can't get a 20 miler in, who cares?? You know you can finish 26 miles, you've done it b4. If it'll make you feel any better I'll skip my 20 miler this Sat. so we'll be right on par with eachother.

 

[princessmomma]

If it'll make you feel any better I'll skip my 20 miler this Sat. so we'll be right on par with eachother.

Ah, sorry, you can't get off that easily!

Jodi, thanks so much for your words of wisdom, so true, DH and I had a good conversation last night and you are echoing his comments. Yes, I do have Disney marathon right around the corner.

So, that being said, I ran today! I decided to swog for 30 minutes and then run for 30 minutes. There is a half mile track right outside the door of our YMCA pool, so after I was nicely warmed up with my swog I changed into my running gear and hit the track for 3 miles. I was a little tenderfoot the first mile, but things started to feel "OK", not great, but OK. I did finish the three miles without any sharp pains and there is no inflammation tonight! So my plan is to try 6 miles on Wednesday and then 10 on Friday. If I can get 10 miles in Friday without inflammation, I am going to give this marathon a shot.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Ah, sorry, you can't get off that easily!

Jodi, thanks so much for your words of wisdom, so true, DH and I had a good conversation last night and you are echoing his comments. Yes, I do have Disney marathon right around the corner.

So, that being said, I ran today! I decided to swog for 30 minutes and then run for 30 minutes. There is a half mile track right outside the door of our YMCA pool, so after I was nicely warmed up with my swog I changed into my running gear and hit the track for 3 miles. I was a little tenderfoot the first mile, but things started to feel "OK", not great, but OK. I did finish the three miles without any sharp pains and there is no inflammation tonight! So my plan is to try 6 miles on Wednesday and then 10 on Friday. If I can get 10 miles in Friday without inflammation, I am going to give this marathon a shot.

Colleen- Good news for you. I have to echo what Jodi said. If you can't run the MCM this year, it's not the end of the world. Don't hurt yourself so you can't run in the future. You'll just be in great shape for running Disney. Don't worry about downer posts or anything. We're here for you. Sounds like you had a good workout yesterday, and congratulations on finishing the 3 miles with no pain. I'm so happy for you. Good luck on your 6 miles tomorrow and 10 on Firday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Chester- Great job on your 20 miler! That's awesome.

Sara- Great job running at Disney. So did you have any discomfort when you were running? Glad to hear you're in for MCM right now. Don't hurt yourself.

I ran 5 miles yesterday in 43:35 min/8:41 mpm. My Monday runs seem to be my speedy runs. I think my legs recover well after having a rest day on Sunday. Here's my negative self-talk though. I keep thinking my Monday runs are fast because it's kind of a downhill course. However, I start and finish at the same place - so I have to go up the hills, right? Oh, that's the little debate I have going on in my head.

Can I be honest with y'all? I think I'm battling a little mini-depression right now. I can't seem to get excited or happy about anything. Work's tough, home's tough, run's are tough... I've just been in a little bit of a "black" mood lately. I've dealt with depression in the past, and I think it's coming on again. OK, that's enough, I don't want to have a real downer post.

Have a great day everyone.

 

[princessmomma]

Can I be honest with y'all? I think I'm battling a little mini-depression right now. I can't seem to get excited or happy about anything. Work's tough, home's tough, run's are tough... I've just been in a little bit of a "black" mood lately. I've dealt with depression in the past, and I think it's coming on again. OK, that's enough, I don't want to have a real downer post.

So glad you posted this Dave, I sent you a PM and lots of prayers and to you.

I am teaching this morning, so I will write more later today.

 

[msblrobs]

I am back . I ran for 1/2 hour this morning and I will put in a little time tonight as I am able. There is no pain when I run and the tendon/ligament thing just tightens up after I run and aches . I am going to the acupunturist today. Actually, he messed up my left hand the last time I went and I think he damaged a nerve. Being a lefty, that is not a good thing .

Dave - Please give yourself some rest and take it easy. Get some help if you need to lift yourself up before it gets any worse. Lots of to you. Your times are awesome !!

Colleen - I am SO very happy for you !! Let me reiterate that I have absolutely NO agenda for MCM. If you want to go for it I will be happy to cover the 26.2 with you no matter how long it takes us . If you defer then you know January will be here before you know it .
Your plan for the week looks very realistic. I am crossing my fingers all will go well for you. I can only tell you top 3 for meals - Chefs De France, Narcoossee's and Spoodles.

Jodi - You'd better put in 20 this weekend girl !! Someone has got to put in a respectable finish for the team . How did the deck turn out?

Okay, 6 days out of the office and I am buried. It is month-end and the end of the quarter so I have to get moving here . I hope you guys have a great week of training. Soon comes the taper to mend our wounded spirits and we're all sure to get a second wind of inspiriation. Glad to be sharing the journey with you guys .

 

[Optimator]

Sorry for my little leave of absence. Either I was busy or the computer was.

Dave - Best of luck overcoming your current problems. I'm not real sure the best way for you to approach that but be sure to take care of yourself. I do think I know how much you enjoy running. Stick with it.

I'm really looking forward to spending some time getting to know you better over the course of the MCM weekend.

Oh, and BTW, mostly downhill running is not a reason for faster times but uphill is a very valid reason for slowing down .

Colleen - Still feeling O.K.? Your plan for the week sounds good. PD for a nice easy 10 miles on Friday.

I know it seems like ages ago, but House of Bounce was great. Unlike your rural folk infested germ pit, this place is very clean, very well run, and open only for the private party that books it. My DW had at least a couple of other moms ask her if I was her husband (with that slightly pitying look that says "He's having just a little too much fun. You poor dear"). I have had a slightly stiff neck for 4 days now. Too much fun, but I was catching some great air!

And one last thing, Jodi asked where I am in the world. I'm more than a little ashamed to say I live about 35 miles west of D.C.. I know you're probably steamed that you did all the hard work for the Friday dinner when I live so close. I'm sorry. But if it makes you feel any better, I'm really just a suburb boy at heart and have only been to Crystal City a couple of times and am usually so lost that I've got no clue where anything is.

Sara - Welcome back! Real life sucks. doesn't it? Don't go all crazy now with your training and mess yourself up.

Jodi - Let me tell you, I'd rather run 20 miles a couple of days in a row than stain the deck. Ughh! That's some serious cross training.

Chester - I never run any loops that go by the house. Too big of a temptation to stop. Great job getting your back to back runs in.


On the training front: My 12+ miles LR from the weekend didn't get done until yesterday but the extra day's rest was much appreciated. Then I got 5 miles in this morning. I was a little tender from yesterday but loosened up about half way through. 8 on tap for tomorrow, working towards 20 sometime this weekend.

Gotta go. I've got two little fishies in the tub crying "DADDY! DADDY! DADDY!"

Take care all.

 

[princessmomma]

And one last thing, Jodi asked where I am in the world. I'm more than a little ashamed to say I live about 35 miles west of D.C.. I know you're probably steamed that you did all the hard work for the Friday dinner when I live so close. I'm sorry. But if it makes you feel any better, I'm really just a suburb boy at heart and have only been to Crystal City a couple of times and am usually so lost that I've got no clue where anything is.

Mike, you are just outside of D.C.? How hard, traffic-wise, is it going to be for you to get in for the marathon? No worries about the restaurant, I am only 45 minutes from Charlotte and I couldn't recommend any restaurant in there. The only time I go into Charlotte is the fly out of CLT, and CLT is only 5 minutes off the interstate, so I really never go into the city.

Things are still OK, today was a rest day today, hoping for 6 miles tomorrow. I have a heating pad on my hip flexor and quad as I type this, then I plan to stretch, use the foam roller and the ice before bed.

 

[skfulkers]

Hey guys! Haven't posted in a long time. I know I should probably put this on the main thread, but I figured you guys would understand as we were all training for a marathon at approx the same time. I say "were" because I've officially injured myself right out of making it to the starting line at Columbus. Remember my knee thing that acted up the week of my 20 miler? Well, it never got better. It got worse and on a 4 mile run last week (that ended up being less than 3), it was so painful that I had to stop and walk home. So.....I've succeeded in overtraining and injuring the good ole' knee.

You know what--I'm surprisingly ok with this. I'm a little bummed that I won't be running Columbus, but it was really a wake up call that I needed to get back into weightlifiting, more x-training, etc, all of which I had somewhat put on hold during the higher mileage. So I've been trying to cross train and lift quite a bit, and plan to continue for at least the next two weeks. My hope is to be back into training by the time TOT rolls around, and that may be my first LR in several weeks. My focus now is on Disney in January, which I WILL be ready for. I've already looked at my training schedule and I can still get a really good 12-13 weeks of training even after the middle of October.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi and let you guys know I'll be living vicariously through you at MCM. Good luck to you guys as you get through this final week before the taper.

I'll be honest and say that I haven't had time to catch up on everyone's posts, but I did get to read a little

Dave--hang in there, buddy. We'll be thinking of you.

Talk to you guys later!

Steve

 

[Jodi]

Mike - Good to hear from you & about your 12 miler . Glad you had fun @ House O' Bounce. I CT on the trampoline again on Fri. & it can get ugly, especially when my son & I were going bounce for bounce . PD for that stiff neck . I've got 20, too this weekend So you're right outside of DC, eh? Guess you don't need a hotel then, huh? It's nice to wake up in your home the a.m. of a marathon.

Steve - OUCH! Hope your knee issue sorts itself out, that's a tough one. But I'm diggin' your attitude & glad you've resolved yourself to just CT hard until the knee feels better. Good thinking

Sara - So glad you're home safe. Don't stress too much @ work, kay? So, you're a lefty, eh? Well that explains a LOT . I have a sister who's a lefty & my husband's a lefty & you people definitely got your own gig goin' on . REAL happy to hear your runs are going good, stay conservative & don't get hurt.

Colleen - Hey you, how's that heat feel tonight? You must be anxious as heck about tomorrow's run. Go nice & easy. I'm w/ Sara, whatever your pace, I'll hang with you...but I do have to catch a flight @ 4:30 . Seriously, you'll prolly blow me away even if you are not feeling 100%!

Dave - Duuuuude, so glad you posted & let us know about your melancholy mood. Listen, you've been through a lot in the last month or so, what with your mom's passing & all, so don't "feel bad" about feeling down, everyone's entitled to a "mini-depression" & a mini-meltdown once in a while. I've found myself in moods where absolutely nothing I can think of can jazz me up, but it passes. You mentioned you've had this b4, and it passed then, so...As far as the negative voices in your head about running, I'm right with you on that one . Something about my non-active lifestyle b4 has kept me from congratulating myself for my accomplishments. All I can do is say "well of course you ran the last 3 miles fast, it was mostly downhill" or "the weather's perfect". I've learned to laugh it off, now, so I'm a debbie-downer, what can ya do?

OK, I'm going to go finish watching "Captain's Courageous" on TCM, my favorite movie w/ my favorite actor, Spencer Tracy. I know, I'm a mega-geek.

 

[Optimator]

Mike, you are just outside of D.C.? How hard, traffic-wise, is it going to be for you to get in for the marathon?

Colleen - It's going to be a 20-25 minute car ride to the Metro station then another 40 min or so on the Metro (I'm guessing). It'll really should be a lot easier for y'all staying close.

Good luck with your 6 miler. Nice and easy.

Steve - I'm really sorry to hear of your injury. But, like Jodi said, I'm impressed with your positive attitude about the whole thing. I guess it helps to have ToT so near for a fun distraction. As much as I'm looking forward to MCM I'm severely jealous that we're not able to go down to be part of the fun.

 

[Jodi]

GOOOOOOD MORNING FELLOW MCMers

OK, this is getting a tad silly now, I need advice. My quick 40 min. run this am turned into a quicker 20 min run as, once again, nature called & I had to sprint home . Is there anything to this "don't eat after 5 pm the night before a marathon" stuff I've been reading about? I think I need to heed this warning every time I have an early am run planned , 'cause this is starting to get on my nerves!

OK, now that I've ranted, how is everyone else doing?

 

[Jodi]

HEY, WHERE'D EVERYBODY GO?

 

[princessmomma]

Jodi, I read somewhere that some people wake up 4 or 5 hours before a long run or marathon morning, eat and then go back to bed for a couple hours. So, for and 8 a.m. race, they would wake up at 4 a.m. to eat and then go back to bed, then wake up at 6 a.m. for their pre-race routine?!? I don't think I would be able to get back to sleep. Sorry, I don't have any other suggestions, especially for these short runs under an hour. My friend has this problem and strategical plans her runs to go by the college (bathrooms are always open there and they are clean) about 3 miles into her run.

Well listen to my day,

8 a.m. took the kids for their dental checkups and cleaning
9 a.m. delivered them to school
9:15 groceries
10:00 Chiro appointment
11:30 dropped into to Fleetfeet to talk running and try on some shoes. I was complaining about my lack of training because of my knee. They recommend I see a orthopaedist. I told them I had and all he did was get me to do some stretching and gave me the ITBS diagnosis. He didn't even touch my knee. The guys at Fleetfeet said, oh, you saw the wrong ortho, you need to get it checked out and find out what is really happening. They call the office and get me a 3:45 appointment today to see him. He was booked today but he agreed to see if because my marathon was so close.
1:00 off to the gym to warm up on the elliptical for 30 minutes followed by a 6 mile run. Again I felt OK and no inflammation yet.
3:00 Pick kids up from school
3:45 Pack kids, homework and all and checked in for my appointment.
5:45 finally finished at Ortho office going through McDonald's for dinner.
6:30 DD's violin lesson
7:30 laundry going, thank goodness homework is finished. Kids in shower

I will write more about my results of my ortho appointment later, but I have bones spurs on the knee cap. OS said 95% chance I can run MCM.

 

[Optimator]

Jodi - I've got no good advice. I do have to admit that needing a prolonged bathroom stop is probably one of my biggest race day fears. Not eating after 5:00 the night before just doesn't sound like a good solution to me. First off, you need the energy for the race. More than Gu or Gatorade can provide. Number 2 (no pun intended ), I'm better off eating something to get the system going, taking care of business, then going out for the run.

Colleen - Wow, that is some running store! I can't wait to hear more about your appt.. Yea for the 95%!!!

Hey maybe Jodi should go check out shoes there. They'd have her in to see a running gastroenterologist by the end of the day. Problem solved.


Well, I kind of feel like Sara today. Went to the gym with DW and lifted some weights this morning (I've been seriously slacking in that department) then did an 8 mile run this evening. All I needed was a little yoga and pilates after lunch and I'd be all set!

 

[Optimator]

Hey Colleen - Your post went from 95% sure you'd be in DC to bone spurs on the knees. The phrases kind of rhyme but do they mean the same thing?

 

[princessmomma]

Hey Colleen - Your post went from 95% sure you'd be in DC to bone spurs on the knees. The phrases kind of rhyme but do they mean the same thing?

OK, changed it for you Mike, here is the story, I got in to see THE OS. This guy sent me for Xrays of my knee. He asked me about my problem and asked who diagnosed the ITBS. Well if you look in my file, you associate did. He then checked out my knee, did a lot of poking and prodding, strength testing, and asked if certain spots caused pain when he pressed on them. I said no and he said, you definitely DON"T have ITBS. He then pressed on the outside top edge of my kneecap and I almost hit the roof. He then showed me the Xrays that showed my bone spurs. We talked about having them removed, which I probably will in a few months. Then I asked him the all important question, can I run a marathon in 24 days. He said absolutely as long as I don't mind the pain. He said I really won't do any damage in the next 3 weeks.

I know I will be able to run through the pain. I am just concerned about my cartilage in my knee. He reassured me it would be fine, especially since this has just crept up on me in the last month. He also offered a steroid shot in the knee a few days before the marathon. He said this would help keep down any inflammation during the race and make the race "more enjoyable'. So does anyone know about steroid injections?? I am really torn about this.

I need our resident doctors to chime in on this so I will PM Mel and Lynne.

 

[msblrobs]

Colleen - YEAH !! We can take pain girlfriend!!! I am sure I will be in agony also so we can swear profusely together and it'll all be okay . Actually, I was considering a cortisone injection in my leg because I am afraid if I don't I will be sorry. The only thing I would caution is I've heard cortisone shots can weaken things in the long run. I'll have to do some research and let you know.

Mike - hey, I resemble that remark!! Nothing wrong with twice a days except when they mess up your leg . Glad you got some strength training in with DW. Just don't overdo with the lifting on the legs too close to marathon time.

Jodi - For some reason my stomach has become much more sensitive and I have to be very careful with pre-race and race nutrition. It has been a battle lately so I feel your pain. You know what they say, do what you know and what works for you. You should definitely fuel up race morning with something you know your stomach can tolerate even if it is just liquid nutrition. I normally run on an empty stomach at 4:00 a.m. for all except my LR's. Before my LR's or a race I always go with oatmeal and a banana. I hope you're able to find something that works for you real soon (b4 10/28!).

Dave - Thinking of you my friend. I hope you're hanging in there and you can begin to look forward to seeing us in 3 short weeks. You know the race is really secondary here and there's nothing like a WISH meet to get your head in the game . Let the enjoyment you get from running help you out during this time. Please check in because of the 'Ohana meaning family and family means no one gets left behind thing - okay?!

Chester - If you're lurking I hope you have a great time at Race For The Taste this weekend . We expect a full race report from you next week!!

4 miles for me this morning and a Pilates class before work. I have a belly dancing class after work so I guess that's it for me today. I am waiting to hear how many miles Colleen's going to go for on Saturday before I will throw out a number. My runs feel good but the aftermath is bad . I will try to get into an orth ASAP.

 

[princessmomma]

You know the race is really secondary here and there's nothing like a WISH meet to get your head in the game .


I am waiting to hear how many miles Colleen's going to go for on Saturday before I will throw out a number.

Sara, so true, so true, to be honest, if I was running MCM solo and you guys weren't there, I don't think I would go, I would just have the surgery and try and get ready for Disney.

Feeling alright this morning after my 6 miles yesterday. I am going to swog this morning and then try 10 miles tomorrow. DH has a company golf tournament on Saturday so I won't be running at all. If 10 goes well on Friday, I will try and get my 20 miles in either Sunday night or Tuesday morning, whichever day gives me the cooler running conditions.

 

[Jodi]

Thanks for all the poddy-advice, guys. Believe it or not, it's never been an issue in any of the 1/2s or marathons I've run, weird, huh? I guess I'm so nervous before hand that, um, it takes care of itself. I've got to eat something b4 I go on a LR, though. I'll get up early Sat. like on my 18miler, eat a little, drink tea & give it 1/2 hour b4 heading out.

Dave - Check in with us, dude!

Mike - What's up with that superworkoutregime you got goin' on? Nice! Did you make that pilates class I must echo Sara's sentiments, though, go easy on those weights if you're working legs. We don't need a strain, pull or anything like that. What's your LR again this weekend?

Colleen - Holy crap, that is some serious service you received @ Fleetfeet, they've obviously got a lot of pull in the running community local to you. I'm glad this ortho seemed to work for you, but I still believe that the chiroaccupuncture canadian helped, too. I've learned not to take all the advice I get from all different Drs. & therapists, but to take bits & pieces of what they say & see what seems to hit the nail on the head for your situation. What I'm trying to say is, I think both these guys have valid info for you, so take all of it into consideration when training, but remember, there are no absolutes. Bone spurs on the knee, huh? That sounds suuper painful! I'm glad you're checking in with those WISH doctors though re: surgery. Maybe you can live w/ these spurs? I just hate reading about any surgery, I'm real leary about anything invasive. I used to be a paramedic in another lifetime & oh the stories I could tell ... But again, you're obviously doing your homework & I'm sure you'll make the right decision . Keep doing what you're doing 'cause you've been able to run again w/o major swelling probs. I'm really not sure that I would run 20 miles (but then again, look who you're talking to ). Do the 10 tomorrow & if it feels ok by Sun., maybe another 10 or 12. I'm not sure about that shot, either, but Sara, please don't get a cortisone shot. Once you do your research I'm sure you'll come to the same conclusion.

Sara - Sorry your after-run feelings suck, lots of pain, huh? Is there swelling, too? OK...A BELLY DANCING CLASS??? I wish they had a little belly dancing icon. Is this something you've done b4 or just on a whim. We will all be expecting a demonstration in DC, right guys?? Perhaps once we cross the finish line? My husband made me promise to do the robot dance once I cross the line . Feel free to walk away from me @ that point.

I can't believe we're only 3 weeks away , I'm starting to get that "why the heck did I sign up for this" feeling, per usual. My belly's in knots right now just thinking about it. I'll join ya'll in the pain dept. as I'm having a couple issues w/ hotspots & potential blister sites after I whittled down my callouses. I think I need to buy stock in Bodyglide! My 45 min run this a.m. turned into a 25 min. walk around the block. Just couldn't convince myself that it was a good idea to run today. This always happens to me towards the end of training, mentally I just get so fatigued, . Oh well

 

[msblrobs]

Colleen - Please, please, please don't feel obligated to do this thing!! You know I run solo as a general rule so for me it is no big deal. We will have a drink for you . WDW is right around the corner and you know it makes more sense to defer MCM where you can transfer your entry fee to 2008 then run WDW healthy in January. I swear I will slap you if you do this thing out of some sense of obligation. Give thanks that you finally know what's wrong with your knee and that you can get it taken care of. I may just smoke out a 4:30 in your honor . I am going to the ortho on 10/19to beg for some cortisone. You're NOT letting anyone down so just get the thought out of your head. I want to share the MCM experience with you but not at the expense of you further injuring yourself or delaying your getting your current injury resolved. Pray on it for a bit and just make sure you will be at peace with whatever you decide. I've got your back either way .