~Philadelphia Marathon 11/23/08~

[Optimator]

Howdy Folks,

I hope everyone is doing well as the holiday weekend comes to a close.


Sara - I love to go to WDW as much as the next person but the thought of being in a park that's closed due to capacity limits sounds about as fun as a root canal. I hope you're having fun inspite of the crowds.

Jodi - Very thoughtful of you to include unibrow waxing as part of your transport service . Sorry to hear you're Zestless (I can't decide between some lame soap crack or an even lamer lemon peel joke so I'll pass).

Colleen - So is your sister a Disney cult convert like the rest of us now? If you're not sure, the first sign is walking aimlessly through the parks carelessly emptying your wallet of any extra money that has not already been extracted by the Mouse.

Howard - An orgy with food and desserts?? That sets the stage for some tough time management choices . Heck, who am I kidding. At this point the ratio would probably be about 10 to 1 in favor of food and desserts .

Cindy - Were you able to squeeze your race into your 16hr/day work schedule? Oh, I forgot. Holiday weekend... probably only had to work 14hrs a day.

ETA: I see you posted while I was composing. I knew you would be working like a fool! I am glad you got some fun in. No fireworks for us. Girls had to be at the pool at 0600 Saturday morning, weather looked bad, and the kids never asked when I said it was bedtime.

Chick Pea - Are you back from the wilderness yet?

Chester - How is the reunited family?

Lou - How's it going?


Not much interesting going on for me. I did run 8 miles this afternoon. It wasn't very hot but plenty humid and I struggled a heck of a lot more than I expected.

Here's my question of the day prompted by a few evening runs this past week: This pertains only to evening runs. Never morning or mid-day. Why is it that at least one Einstein is compelled to scream something out the car window as they drive by? Anything from a goose-step inducing rebel yell all the way to some enchanting little homophobic gems (maybe I should stop making such lovely flower arrangements while I run ). I never really understand the reason but am always thankful that there was no impending Jodi-stop in the works.

 

[lourodrigis]

Jodi - DW has been in Camden ER for 15 years. She cut back to 1 shift a week because she now works at a pediatrician's office. A lot less stress. Although the ER stories are much better. I hear you on the zestless runs.

Sara - Sounds like you had a blast in WDW. Nice job on the Dream fastpasses! The last time I was in WDW I missed a night in the castle by 3 cars in the Winnie the Pooh ride.

Howard - I bagged the Swarthmore race anyway. Glad you had a great time at WDW and the Cruise. Can't blame you for skipping out on a 5K in 97 degree humidity.

Cindy - You're weekend sounds like mine...to much work to do. Glad you enjoyed the fireworks in DC. I saw the Lion King on Broadway and loved it too. I'm not much for plays but that was good. My MCM training starts Monday too.

Mike - Can't explain the drive by screams. Maybe it's the shortie shorts.

Hey Steve, Colleen, Chester

I got in 10 miles today in some nasty muggy conditions. It felt like running through a steam bath. Had to make a 9-1-1 Jodi stop at Mile 4.

Work is still a bit insane but that will be the norm for a while. As long as I am still busy things are going good.

Lou

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Mike - Have you been wearing the tights again?

Lou - What training plan are you using for MCM/Philly?

Day 1 of my Philly training went well. I am very good at the resting

I've got only 4 runs this week 7, 9, 4, and 12.

In all seriousness, I am kind of excited about training for Philly. I have been reading Advanced Marathoning (Pete Pfitzinger) and I feel motivated to try to train hard (and I am most definitely ready to start running more miles to ditch the 4 pounds I've put on since Rock 'N' Roll San Diego).

 

[lourodrigis]

Lou - What training plan are you using for MCM/Philly?

I'm using this plan... http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/smtcresults/0,7144,s6-238-277-278-0-0-0-0-0,00.html?hour=1&mins=45&secs=0&rlen=half&rdst=mara&mpwe=26&startf=123xyz&diff=mod&lrdy=0&slen=16&trainstart=ds1215429311459&metr=miles

 

[KeenHo]

Hi everyone!

I wanted to report my huge effort tonight. I wasn't feeling well yesterday (stomach flu) and missed a scheduled LR (8 miles). I woke up with similar symptoms but decided to go to work anyway. I am glad I did. I managed to get through the day without any outward signs of my flu like symptoms. I didn't eat much of anything yesterday nor did I drink much for fear of getting more ill. So, I was basically running on empty (other than lunch today) when I hit the streets tonight on my usual "Rest Day".

Here are my stats:

Miles: 8
Time 1:30:37
Pace: 11:19

My Splits:
9:06
9:13
9:38
11:34
13:44
13:00
11:52
12:30

For the second time in my life I actually hit "the Wall" during my running tonight. It came upon me somewhere around 3.25 miles. It is evident in my split times listed above. Unfortunately other than some warm G2, I had nothing to nourish my depleated body. I literally had to sit down and rest through two songs on my iPod. It was in excess of 85 degrees (5:30 PM) and had to be close to 90% humidity, it had just rained less than an hour before my run.

I live and learn, then again no one said this was supposed to be easy.



Howard

 

[lourodrigis]

Howard - Wow! I give you credit for getting out there but next time you may want to give yourself another day or two before attempting a LR after being sick. No sense passing out on the side of the road for one training run. You gotta a lot of years and LRs left in you.

 

[rKyDeX]

Mike - Have you been wearing the tights again?

Maybe it was the neon pink tights with the lime green crop top.

Howard
Part of why I use a heart rate monitor is so that I can adjust my run to physical and environmental conditions and still achieve the workout goal I've set. Running after having flu like symptoms must be as sane as trying to run after donating blood - better to take an extra day off and to slow down a bit.


Two more weeks of maintenance runs before I break into the Philly training.


Best wishes to all.

Chester
W.I.S.H. Half-Fast Marathon Team

 

[KeenHo]

Lou & Chester ~ Thanks for the advice. I will take it to heart.

Unfortunately I run for distance and time these days. My Garmin doesn't have a heart rate monitor for me to gauge that. I am sure it was maxing out during my run the other day.

Tonight was an XT day held over from yesterday....

3.1 miles on the Elliptical/Cross-Trainer in 28 minutes.

15 minutes of free weights.

I have been missing/skipping my XT days in the schedule I am using. I need to make sure I take the time to XT in addition to the miles I am accumulating.

Have a great night!



Howard

 

[Jodi]

OK, OK, I'll break the silence already!! Where ARE you people??

I'll start -

I've been in Martha's Vineyard since Tuesday. My family bought a bed & breakfast here back in April...you know, a fixer-upper opportunity kind of thing. Everyone has been coming back & forth for the last few months working on it (except me...c'mon, I'm the only one in my family that has to actually work every day ) and we opened on Memorial Day weekend. It's really cool up here and even though I'm not a big fan of the ocean, I'm enjoying myself immensely!! Check out the website Isabellesbeachhouse.com. Isabelle is the woman that runs the place for us & is a well known figure on the island.

TheInn's right across the street from the beach & I went in the ocean on Tues. Weds. I got up to run on the great bike path that runs along the water & had a decent 6 miler...except for the hot spot that developed along the way between my toes that turned into a full blown blister. It's so rancid that I had to pop it & the skin is completely raw...WTH??? I haven't had problems with blisters at all lately...do you think it's b/c of the salt water?? I'm sooo pissed right now!

Anyway, sorry about the all about me post, but hey, no one else is writing anything on these boards!! Tomorrow Spencer & I are headed home on the 10 a.m. ferry. I'll check in then...unless, that is, there's nothing to check out!!

 

[CynthiaCindy]

I'm here. Been working crazy hours (what's new) - 'til 10 every night this week. Which isn't really that late except that now I have to get up even earlier because my runs are so much longer. I only got about 5 and a half hours of sleep last night. Did get my 9 miles in this morning. 4 miles tomorrow. Out of town for a wedding this weekend. Will try to get my 12 miles in Sunday morning. Gotta get back to work.

I hope everyone else is doing ok.

 

[lourodrigis]

Hey everyone!!!

Jodi - It has been quiet here this week. I've never been to Martha's Vineyard but everyone says it's nice. I know a lot of people from Philly that hang out there in the summer. I have to get there one of these days. Nice blister story. Nice to read stories like that right before dinner.

Cindy - 9 miles during the week? Nice job. I'm having a hard time squeezing in 5-6 mile runs during the week. Good luck with the 12 this weekend.

I've been tied up with work this week as well. DW signed us up for tennis classes for the next 5 weeks. Played 1.5 hours of tennis in nasty heat/humidty on Tues night. I must have drank a gallon of water before the madness ended. Ran 5 miles this AM. Did a little tempo run where I had to run 3 miles at 7:47. That was rough due to the humidity but I did it.

Lou

 

[msblrobs]

I'm here !! I just figured if the McPhilly ladies weren't posting then I wouldn't feel too badly about just lurking .

Lou - The tennis sounds like fun - although not so much in the high humidity . I liked your Philly training plan

Cindy - The mom in me has to remind you that your body needs sleep with the increased mileage . Are you tapering soon for NYC ?

Jodi - Glad you're having a great time and I promise not to think you're all snooty with the Martha's Vinyard gig . The website for the B&B was real nice Sorry about the nasty blister!!

Howard - It sounds like you need some rest too . BTW, I checked out the too cool pics Cam posted from the menu planning, cake tasting, etc and I am insanely jealous . Glad you guys had an absolute blast on your trip as well

Mike - I totally agree about WDW. I don't do crowds well and lose my patience rather quickly when my personal space is invaded . However, I have no problem holding my ground and giving a forearm to anyone when necessary .

Colleen, Dave, Steve -


Today's DD Lauren's 11th birthday . Yes, my 3 kids birthdays are all within a 30-day period . I went to the doc today and I will stay on the Naprosyn for another month and then wean off to see if I'm okay without it. He also said I could try shots that increase fluid in the knee for lubrication down the road. It's kind of a "don't ask, don't tell" with the running. I've run 3-5 miles each of the last 4 days with no pain so I am just not sharing the info with him. It's all good and I am hoping to be ready to train for Philly soon!

 

[KeenHo]

Hi Sara! Yes, it was great being pampered by the Grand Floridian Chef during the tastings...Mmmm.... delicious!

Hi everyone! I didn't get a chance to run last night after work due to thunder storms. Once they cleared out it was pretty close to dark and really steamy. I gave myself the night off (I feel really guilty when I do that ).

I also kind of saved myself for a 5K that I knew I would be running today. I ran the Catherine Rooney's Irish Pub 5K which benefitted the Delaware Ulster Project. Here are the results of my efforts:

Miles: 3.1
Time: 25:17
Pace: 8:09

Splits:
6:59
8:24
9:58 (up hill at the end.... ugh )

The official results are not posted but I think I may have come in top 10 in my age bracket, not really sure though. There are some fast men out there in my age group.

Here are the results from my last 3 5K's (all this summer) since graduate school ended:

Andrew McDonough Memorial 5K......6/20......26:23......8:34
Wellness Community Run for Cliff......6/22......25:32......8:13
Catherine Rooney's 5K....................7/10......25:17......8:09

Hi to everyone I've missed.... Mike, Chester, Colleen, Lou, Cindy, and Jodi! Enjoy the beach!

Keep up the training!



Howard

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Greetings Everyone: This is a real drive-by post, or should I say fly-by? We're leaving for Disney this morning. Our flight leaves at 8am. I haven't been around because we've been visiting family for the last couple of days. Yesterday was doing laundry and finishing up packing, and now we go!!! Yahoo! Dining review with Kevin is on Saturday. We'll be back on July 20th. Have a great week all.

 

[msblrobs]

Dave - Travel safe and have a MAGICAL time!!

 

[Theta]

Just a quick post this morning and I PROMISE to be back later today!

Have a great trip Dave! You deserve it!!

Off to yoga this morning and then a home swim meet starts today at 7 a.m. I have to work in the concession this morning until about 10 and then the kids swim in the afternoon... I'll be back!!

 

[rKyDeX]

Happy Friday to all

No time to reply to everyone today.

Best wishes to everyone.

Chester
W.I.S.H. Half-Fast Marathon Team

 

[Theta]

OK, I am back.

Howard, I am very impressed with your workouts! Keep posting the results, it very motivational to know that others are putting in the miles.

Lou, ah, tennis lessons, I was hooked on that for while but that was before we had kids. We played tons of golf too, usually 36 holes on the weekends, followed by a few cocktails.

Sara, wow, very impressed with your runs. Just be careful. Too funny your kids all have birthdays around the same time. A friend of mine has two sets of twins and they were born a day apart, well 2 years and 1 day apart.

So, Jodi, when are you taking reservations for the B&B?!?!? Never been the MV, what would an average B&B at/in/on MV run me? (Excuse my ignorance.)

Cindy, good luck with Advanced Marathoning. DH and I actually purchased the book too and then after a few weeks, we decided we were too old for that many miles.

Steve, you are probably riding an inner tube as I type this. Have fun!!

Hey Chester, thanks for popping in.

Mikey, whassup? Are the girls swimming throughout the summer? What race to you have next?

First day of swim was OK, one of our coaches, a young girl, just drives me crazy. She is so ROUGH with the kids. I mean rough around the edges and she just seems so harsh when she talks to the kids. I think it is time to say someone to the head coach, as this point, there is no building of self-esteem. Some kids just feel deflated after she gets through with them, yes "some" kids, because she does have her favorites.

 

[Jodi]

Hey Guys

Back from the Vineyard .... and just in the nick of time! The weather was way too beautiful & I was beginning to imagine that summer wasn't really that bad....of course coming back to the CT humidity has cured me of that notion...

Howard - Wow, check you out, brother...nice times! I'm afraid that I'll never improve in the speed department , oh well, I'm happy that you are running injury free & lovin' it!!

Sara - Great to hear that you too, are running pain free!! It's about dang time!! Right?? Happy birthdays to your entire tribe!!

Colleen - Didn't know you were a golfer...will you take it up again when the kids get older??? Need me to come down there & chat with the frustrated coach that's not going to the Olympics & taking it out on the kids? What a wench! MV summer rates?? Oh please, you'd get a cheaper deal headed to Disney for a week .

Lou - Don't read this part b4 dinner...but when I popped that blister the fluid actually shot out arterial-style . Go figure!! I've never had a blister do that before . Cool stuff. Glad work is going well, be careful playing tennis...don't hurt anything bounding around out there!

Hey Link - Stay out of the lightning, kay? Ready for DisneyLand 1/2?

Cindy - 9 miles during the week?? Wow, I can barely scare that up over the weekend!! Nice job! You're going to be so ready for NYC .

Dave - Have fun in the world, luck duck!! Tell Kevin I said "hey". What restaurant are you reviewing???

Mike - Did they catch you again???? Oh well, get in touch when you get out, kay?

It was so cool, yesterday, about 1.5 miles down the road from the Inn they closed the beach because 2 great white sharks were spotted close to the shore . That is soooo awesome, but I wish they closed the beach across from us, too, as this would have made the story even more dramatic! The ironic part is that it was literally in the exact 2-mile vicinity that they filmed many scenes from "Jaws".

My toe is stripped of skin & red, red, red! . I CT on the stupid elliptical for 30 mins. today...whoopeeee! That'll sure bring me great times in NYC in a few weeks!

 

[Optimator]

Hey Folks.

I hope everyone is doing alright.

Howard - Very impressive 5K! It must be satisfying to see those times continue to drop. You must live in the 5K capital of the world! It seems you have 1 or 2 every week.

Lou - How you feeling after all the tennis? That side to side mottion can be a killer when you're so use to the straight ahead running stuff.

Dodo - The B & B looks nice. How's the blister? I actually had one on "This little piggy goes wee-wee-wee all the way home" or maybe it's "goes to market". I'm not sure. Which side do you start with? Anyways, on my pinkie toe. Just a lot of fluid. No raw, oozing flesh.

He also said I could try shots that increase fluid in the knee for lubrication down the road!

Ironically, most of the times I've tried shots I ended up scraping up my knees. Odd that you ddoc would suggest that.

Colleen - DD11 and DD8 are both swimming. Just a summer league with meets on Saturday mornings. No big 3 day meets. DD11 kind of middle of the pack and DD8 is still learning.

I'd take Jodi up on her offer to chat with your problem coach. My guess is the coach would come away with a whole new attitude.

Chester - How's it going?

This week has been pretty good for me. A little back story: We moved into a new pharmacy at work that has a sterile "clean room" for making IV's. This means I change into scrubs when I get to work. So now, I can run 4 miles to work, shower there, change into scrubs, work 10 hours, change back into my running clothes and run 4 miles home.

I've done that twice this week. Now, I know I can't expect to train for a marathon on a steady diet of 4 milers, but it's fine for maintaining over the summer.

O.K. Gotta go to work (driving, not running tonight). Have a good weekend.