~Philadelphia Marathon 11/23/08~

[lourodrigis]

Sara - I'll be thinking of you today. I'm sure everything will go well. Rest up. I look forward to running with you at Philly.

Steve - Nice to see you back on the boards. Sorry about the bum achilles. I think you are doing the right thing. You'll be ready to race again come Fall.

Mike - Waiting to hear how you did in Cleveland...

Colleen - I agree with the private tutoring gig. Why get pinned down on hours at that rate? Better to work when you want and make more per hour as a tutor.

Jodi - I agree with running better in the AM. It's nice to get it out of the way early and I also find that it's better for my allergies because it's usually wet in the AM.

Dave - I'm glad you had a great time in Orlando. Can't beat getting a free trip to Disney.

Cindy - I think you'll be able to handle VA Beach after WDW. At least you will be prepared for the hazy/hot/humid weather. I think I am in for VA Beach in 2009 because it looks like a great race and I have some friends in the area I can hang out with.

I got in 12 miles and 3+ hours of yard work on Saturday. Did a lot of running around in my car yesterday taking kids to events and family to the airport. Watched my Flyers fade away into the off season yesterday as they got crushed by the Penguins 6-0. I think I'll go with the Captain Lou avatar for a while. Can't go wrong with Captain Lou.

Lou

 

[Optimator]

Hey Folks!

I'm back and still in one piece.


Sara - Take it easy and follow doctor's orders for recovery. Then you can fight with him about running!


Colleen - Working is way overrated! If you are anything like Kathy (and I'm guessing you are in this respect), the half time will end up being full time with all the work that goes into it. Lots of work for very little scratch!


Cindy - I did miss starting with you this weekend. Of course, you've already run a few extra races without me, so I know which way this works.


Steve - Sorry the achilles is still in the tank. Good to see you pulling yourself out of the well of despair though. Sorry about the computer. Let's just say that I will be much better about backing-up and saving files with the next one.


Lou - Sorry about the Flyers. I had the same letdown when Boston beat the Cavs.


Jodo - Toes any better? Could you please list all the races that you are truly registered for. Then in a different list, all the races you will probably register for. Finally, a WISH list of the ones you are thinking about? I'm too confused and you are too flip-floppy!

My question about Bruce finding post-Optimator pretzel bits in his pocket: Did he eat them? (I would have!)


Dave - I'm glad to hear you had a good time at WDW. So, blisters from Crocs? You must be wearing them for their good looks?? Did you get some princess gibits, jibits, gibblets, whatevers for them?



The race went pretty well. I would have been just fine with a sub-4, was really shooting for 3:45 and finished in 3:43:52.

I was very satisfied with that yesterday after the race. Now that I've had a day to forget about how I felt at the end I keep thinking I could have pushed it more, finished stronger and come a little closer to a PR. Then I remember how I felt at the end again.

Now for a few details:

We got to my folks around 8:30 Friday night. We all (Me, Kathy, the girls, Mom and Dad) went to expo late Saturday morning. I was pleasantly surprised by the expo. Not super big, but lots of of freebies/samples. Plus, I was able to buy a copy of Bart Yasso's (Chief Running Officer of Runner's World, excerpts in this month's RW) new book and have him autograph it. I also recognized John Bingham walking through and chatted with him for a few minutes.

We then took a bus tour of the marathon course. The guide was very informative and it was nice for the whole family to get an idea of the route. I do have to say, it was good and bad. Nice to see what to expect, but a little intimidating when you see how far it actually is.

Race day was a typical Northeast Ohio day. It rained, it drizzled, it cleared up, it was bright blue skies and sunshine, it was calm, it was windy... all in a 4 hour span!

It was raining buckets (Cindy - Leesburg rain) prior to the start and the first 5 or so miles. Then it let up some and was actually quite nice for running with temps in the 50's and only a little wind.

Debra's (DeeKayPee) dear one Mark caught up to me around mile 6 or 7 (saw the WISH shirt) and we chatted for a bit. He made a few stops, leap frogged and finally left me in the dust around 14 or 15.

I was able to run pretty strong for about 20 miles and maintain pace pretty well. Then around mile 21 my hamstrings felt like they were going to cramp big time if I took one wrong step. So I walked for a few minutes and comletely lost my mojo after that. I walked and ran and did some "How much can I walk and still finish under 3:45" math until the finish.

Kathy was able to see me at 5 different spots so that was great. She was a little harsh at mile 25 when she threatened to run in with me because "If I leave, you are going to walk!" I finally convinced her to cut across to the finish area (then started walking when she was gone!! )

Post race grub was the usual stuff, plus some nice pop-sickles and chocolate milk. Yum!

Then we drove back to Mom and Dad's, took a shower, had a nice lunch of pasta, bread, and salad, packed up the van and drove 400 miles back home.
Kathy drove over half way and let me doze some, which was much appreciated.

I feel pretty darn good today. Even mowed the lawn today and haven't avoided the stairs. I'll probably run a bit tomorrow evening or Wednesday.

Gotta go get ready for work!

 

[SilverE]

Howdy all.

Mike: Congratulations! . Wow!, lots of driving miles to and fro for that race, huh? 400 miles (x2), the whole family, rain/drizzle, and parents? I salute you ! I was wondering how you did, so I logged onto Active; of course, not knowing your last name I searched for all "Mikes"; guessed as to your finish time; jumped over to the Goofy results from this year to cross-reference the last name; and voila! (Lord, I truly have too much free time )

Sara: Glad you are home from surgery safe and sound! Keep that Cryocuff on (I even slept in mine). I agree you may have to Doc shop for a more understanding health care professional. My surgeon was the same age as myself, had been a PT and went back to med school, had blown out his knees and switched to biking, but was all aboard for my goals--he cautioned me to abandon distance running in favor of a more knee-friendly sport, but when I told him I was turning 40 and had my sights set on Goofy, he responded: "Let's get you to those starting lines."

Of course we know we need to go easier on our joints (and I've worked with dozens of hip/knee replacement patients); but there is a lot to be said for a doctor who also appreciates the lifestyle and goals of his/her client(s).

You will be fine. You will be healed. You will be flexible again. You will be strong again. You will race again. Rest easy.

 

[lourodrigis]

Sara - I must have taken so long to start/finish my post that I missed your post. Good to see you are doing okay. I agree about getting a younger more sports oriented doctor. I think if you let it heel properly that you'll be fine to run again. Just PR Philly and send the certificate to your old doc when you get it. Some cool YouTube videos to fire you up... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obdd31Q9PqA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwjRtTKviSY&feature=related

Mike - WAY TO GO MAN! That's a killer time and you even ran 5 miles in cold rain. You're Superman! I may try to pin my race chip to your shirt at Philly. I guess I shouldn't complain about my Philly teams...I could live in Cleveland.

Lou

 

[msblrobs]

Sara - Just PR Philly and send the certificate to your old doc when you get it. Some cool YouTube videos to fire you up... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obdd31Q9PqA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwjRtTKviSY&feature=related

Thanks Lou, that video really helped me out today . That's funny, because I told DH last night that I was going to run a 4:25 PR in Philly .

Steve - I'm at work today with the cuff on and my leg elevated. Thanks for the story about your ortho - I am waiting to speak to mine live at my follow-up next week to see what he has to say . He is an old family friend from way back and although he may be a great surgeon, he isn't well matched with my current needs.

Mike - You rock, man!! Congrats on another smokin' finish !! Loved the race report .

Cindy - When are you leaving for San Diego ?

I never really had much pain once the meds wore off last night . You have to figure I was in lots of pain for the last 7 months so comparatively it was an improvement. I swear I'm going to take it easy and go slow with the recovery . I'm having all kinds of running dreams and I really can't wait to get back out there . Luckily, the pool guy is coming to open our pool next week so hopefully swimming can keep my running ambitions at bay for a bit .

 

[KeenHo]

Sara ~ Take care of yourself. Opening the pool sounds like a lot of work, glad someone is handling that for you. Keep well rested and sit back and eat some Bon Bons. You deserve it. I hope you'll be back to your old (new) self in no time.

Mike~ I am but a humble servant compared to the King of Racing. Great job!

School is over this week and I am moving forward with my training plans for MCM and Philly.

Hello to all those I have missed, you know who you are.



Howard

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Sara - I'm glad that it seems that your surgery went well and that you are not in pain I agree with you and Steve - you need a doc that will help you work to your goals and not simply suggest "no running" because it is the easiest answer.

Mike - You sat in a car for 400 miles after running a marathon I would have had to stop every few miles to get out and walk around. Great job, btw, especially so soon after your last marathon, you really didn't have time to ramp up to another training schedule.

Dave - Glad you had fun in Disney. Besides the blisters, how did you like the P&P party?

Steve - I hope your achilles gets better soon. I also race-results stalked Mike although I actually remembered his last name from the last 2 races we both ran. (Now he is probably scared)

Colleen - Camping sounds fun! I agree with you about the private tutoring vs. part-time teaching, why get stuck to a schedule when there is so little benefit?

Jodi - Matt and I are 95% sure that we are going to do the NYC half. We are probably going to do the guaranteed entry through Anthony Travel. If you do the room only and not the package, the price isn't as And its NY anyway. In the summer. So I kind of expect to pay stupid prices. I'll let you know if we register.

Lou - Sounds like you are doing a good job of getting the miles in without a race in your immediate future.

Howard - congrats on being almost done!

As for me. Work has been a bit crazy lately (not that there is anything surprising about that). I did manage to run 4 on Saturday and 12 on Sunday in between a birthday party for a one-year old, going to a comedy show, last minute anniversary shopping, and going to a fancy brunch with Matt to celebrate our anniversary (which was actually yesterday). The 12 on Sunday was TERRIBLE (and, yes, I ran before going to the champagne bruch). It was one of those runs where I felt like I didn't know how to run - know what I mean? My legs felt like they weighed 100 lbs each and I couldn't figure out how to put one foot in front of the other without feeling like I was basically stomping. I ran 4 miles this morning in the POURING rain and felt much better. Phew - I'm glad I got that crappy run out of my system.

We don't leave for San Diego until next Friday. I had wanted to spend more time out in CA and go up to LA to visit my good friend, but this had to be a pretty short trip for work reasons.

 

[Jodi]

Hey PhillyMcBots!!

Sara - Glad you're feeling better than you did b4 the surgergy...already!! Tell your doctor to scratch & go get one that has the same goals as yourself...a 4:25 PR in Philly!!. You didn't say you had a pool....so, what are you doing over the long weekend ? How do you feel today? I've had running dreams b4, too. How truly obsessed & sick are we?

Mike - I mean, What else can I say. 400 miles, 3 kids, 26.2 mile run, pouring rain & a kickin' finish. You rock, dude, you are my marathon hero . Check out marathonmaniacs.com, I truly think you've qualified. Yes, Bruce ate the old, giant salt chunks . OK, here's my race ambitions for this week (I drive Bruce crazy w/ this crap ) NYC 1/2, Philly, DW 1/2, VA Beach. Oh, & NYC full if I get in (b/c you KNOW Colleen is going). What's up next for you?

Lou - Love the knew avatar...why does it remind me of Cyndi Lauper . I meant to ask you about your allergies? Keeping them @ bay? Nice jobe on running around, running & yard work. I'm sure you're running a memorial day race somewhere, fess up, where is it?

HummusMan - So glad to see you back...sorry about the achilles, but glad you're pulling yourself out of your chick-like funk . What happened anyways??? Anything you are doing to try & speed the recovery?

Theta - Enough working for you!!! Do your private tutoring & tell the school to shove it...your time is precious & why infringe on your life so much? Don't they know you have swim meets to go to, marathons to run & threads to post on???

Dave - Still waiting to hear about the P&P party, there, fella. Are your Croc-induced blisters healed yet? And I have to ask....were they Mickey Crocs .

Cindy - I'm TOOOO psyched!! You guys HAVE to sign up for the NYC 1/2, that'd be too fun. How long are you going to stay in CA? This work thing is getting very annoying & you need to set them straight!! .

Howard - You are SO done w/ school!! .

OK, now for me. I went running Sat. a.m., felt sooo great, chiflowing & all that hub-bub. I'm about a 1/2 mile from home, trying to keep my head up (I'm always accused of looking @ the ground too much ) & WHAM, I step on a bottle on the side of the road & twist my left ankle! Let me tell you, I swore so loudly (everything in the book from anatomical attributes, both male & female, to intimate acts...you get the idea) that people were looking out their windows & collecting their kids from front yards.

In tears (like I lost my olympic bid) I kept running to get home, muttering "no, no, no" (like I received devestating news from overseas). I get home, immediately ice it, elevate it. Bruce is trying to empathize. I demand he take me to the health food store immediately where I buy these little tablets that dissolve in your mouth - arnica montana - that are for "trauma, bruises & muscle soreness". Been popping these things like tic tacs & icing & should be able to run tomorrow. . What would I do if I actually had some adversity to deal with like some on this thread????? Lord knows . Feel free to laugh hysterically @ my stupidity....

 

[Theta]

In tears (like I lost my olympic bid) ....

Sorry about the ankle. RICE that baby!

I officially called the principal today and told her that I was going to sit out another year from full time work. DH was SO happy! He is happy when I have the homefront running like a well-oiled machine, he (and I) didn't want to sacrifice that for, like Mike said, little scratch.

More later!!

 

[Theta]

I'm back!

OK, a few things I need to say.

Howard, wow, finishing up Grad school, time just flies, I remember when you started! Isn't it funny how the years go by and the WISH team still strong!

Mikey boy, WOW! I think you should quit your Pharmacy gig and become of full time marathoner. Like someone said earlier, full time work is over-rated.

Jodi, laugh at your stupidity?!?!? You are one of the brightest people I know!

Ah, Sara, your pool sounds great! It has been around 85 here all this week. Summer is right around the corner. How is the knee today? Steroids wear off yet?

cindy, wow, you are still cranking out the high miles on the weekend. That is great!

Steve, glad to see you around these parts partner! Hope everything is going well for the family.

Lou, I don't get the Captain Lou thing??

 

[Jodi]

Where is everyone??? You guys are beat.

 

[lourodrigis]

Where is everyone??? You guys are beat.

Been pretty tied up with work/business lately. Over the next 2-4 weeks I need to go through a process of acquiring the company I work for and setting up a new company. While I do that I need to find time to actually work on projects and do my regular job. Somewhere in all this mess I found enough time to run 5, 5, and 4 miles this week and spend some time with my family.

No races for me Jodi for a little while. I'll train all summer and prepare for the fall races.

Sorry about your tumble. I know the feeling. Try rolling around on the boardwalk in A.C. Only the seagulls heard me cursing.

Lou

 

[Jodi]

No races for me Jodi for a little while. I'll train all summer and prepare for the fall races.

Lou

Uh-huh....sure .

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Where is everyone??? You guys are beat.

I'm here.

 

[Jodi]

I'm here.

HI! It's me, Dodo .........

 

[lourodrigis]

Uh-huh....sure .

Well...I may do a couple little summer races down the shore. You never know.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

HI! It's me, Dodo .........

How's your ankle feeling?

 

[Jodi]

How's your ankle feeling?

It's a little blue up the lateral part of my calf, but the swelling has gone down ok. I'm gonna go "run" this afternoon & see what gives....thanks for asking........ Oh! Did you sign up for the NYC half????

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Oh! Did you sign up for the NYC half????

Not yet. Still trying to decide between going in for the lottery and shelling out the cash for Anthoney Travel. Good luck on your run. Beware of evil bottles.

 

[Optimator]

Hey McPhillibots,


Dojo - How'd the run go? Ankle hold up alright? I secretly felt that you'd get in trouble because of the bottle, but rolling the ankle wasn't really what I had in mind!

And what's the deal with this voodoo witchcraft health food store crap?? If it hurts bad enough to swear like a sailor take some real drugs! Of course, if it's just that you've got money to waste, send some to me. I promise to only use it for running related expenses.


Howard - Are you done yet? In truth, I think I'd rather run a marathon every other week than to go what you've just gone through. Sincerest congratulations.


Colleen - Enjoy the life of leisure (yes, I am being sarcastic) as long as you can. If push comes to shove and you need some extra cash here's what you do:
1. Grind some grass seed into a fine powder.
2. Put the powder in a glass vial.
3. Tell Jodi it's all natural, homeopathic and good for something, anything.
4. Sell it to her for an outrageous amount of money.


Hey to everyone else. You know who you are.


I ran 5 miles tonight. Everything felt pretty good. I got tired a bit quicker than usual but nothing hurt so I'd rate it a success.

All the girls' normal activities are winding down and summer activities are starting soon. I'll have to revamp my running schedule pretty soon.

Gotta go get ready for work. See ya.