~Philadelphia Marathon 11/23/08~

[KeenHo]

Hey all you Zombies! (aka Phil-BOTS!)

I hit the streets after work tonight to get some overdue miles in. I started a bit rough, but after two miles, I felt much better. Here are the stats for my effort:

Miles: 9.36
Time: 1:24:07
Pace: 8:59

My best split was 8:48 and my worst was 9:05. I didn't push it too hard tonight since I will be doing a LR of 20 in preparation for MCM this weekend on Saturday. I actually went out to run 6 miles, but I was feeling pretty good so I ran a couple additional miles. I realized that I ran another 15K tonight in training and ran it in only 3:59 more than the Delaware Distance Classic 15K I ran on Sunday.

Tomorrow night after work I'll be headed to Pittsburgh (New Kensington) to visit my Mom for the weekend. I'll post my miles from Saturday sometime Sunday night.

Cindy ~ Feel Better and Get Well Soon!!!!!!

Colleen~ You'll always be Princessmomma to me. Hope your little one is all better soon!

Hi to Jodi, Sara, Chester, Mike, Lou, Matt, Jen, and Dave!!!

Have a great night, a fantastic Friday and a GREAT weekend!

Howard

 

[msblrobs]

Lou, good thing you're comfortable enough with your masculinity to be A COMPLETE GIRL!!!! Yikes!

DH and I just had this conversation Wednesday when he asked why I burn candles at my house but laugh at all of the candles at his house and I say "because it's totally effeminate for a DUDE to burn candles ." LOU - Of course NONE of that applies to you

Howard - Tavel safe and have a great time with Mom . Best of luck on the 20-miler

Mike - Happy Anniversary to you and Kathy and great choice on the hiking Colleen scared me into registering for Philly as well .

Colleen - about the McDonald's as a remedy for sickness! On that note, I think my best friend was offended when I commented last week that my DD has been to Burger King more times with her than with me.

Cindy - Feeling better ?

Lou - I'm sure however the negotiations with your wife work out you'll have a wonderful anniversary . It seems a lot of us have October anniversaries Mike's just passed, yours is this weekend and mine is on the 26th . DH hasn't actually committed to SPENDING ours with me yet so we'll see how that works out .

Dave - How is the leg feeling ? Since I've been forced back on the TM I am all messed up myself . My lower back and left hip are hating me . Have you been on the TM for the majority of your running lately?

Jodi - I don't know if I can back you up on the card being a must do for the mission to be a success . Maybe the one for when she wakes up after he's left for the race Please elaborate on Spencer's fundraiser run this weekend .

Yoga this morning since my back needs a day off the TM and I need a good LR this weekend to convince myself a 1/2 marathon is mentally doable in 6 weeks . I have 9 miles as a goal but we'll see what Sunday brings. Have a wonderful weekend

 

[Theta]

The only downside was that Kathy turned her ankle really badly on the the way down but still managed to gut out the 4+ miles back to the van. She 'aint feeling so great now though so we'll see what tomorrow holds.

Mike and Kathy, Happy Anniversary!!

Mike, sorry to hear about Kathy's injury. I hope her ankle starts feeling better soon. What a trooper to make it back those 4+ miles.

By the way, good call on that ING stock!

Also, forgot to tell y'all that a good friend of mine works for AIG and she invited me to the St. Regis hotel for the weekend. She said they have some great corporate rates there!

Howard, yes, I am still quite saddened that I can't get my old username back. I tried to contact the "contact people" on this site, but no ever gets back to me. I registered back in 2001 and I used an old email address that is no longer active.

Dave, hope you can get that hip loosened up!

Cindy? Feeling better? Working today? Time off? Get rest!

Lou, hope you have a good weekend with the lovely wife. So what did you buy her?

Chester, when are you and Tracy arriving into Philly? I get in Saturday 10:30 a.m. I think we are the only ones flying in that day.

Jen, congrats for signing up! Which reminds me, Mike, you just signed up yesterday??? So NOW we have everyone signed up correct?



Well, I didn't get a chance to get a workout in yesterday. DD was home sick from school and she seemed to be better in the morning, but 2:00 rolled around and she really went down hill fast. Do you all remember when your little ones were sick, the afternoons were the worst? Well, I called the dr. and had a 3:50 appointment, we waited in the waiting room until 5:00. DD was SO cold, shivering in fact. We finally got in and they they did a few tests and she has strep throat. By the time we finished with tests and got her her antibiotics it was past 7:00 p.m. She and I did sleep through the night last night, so I think she is on the mend.

I am going to try and get out for 4 miles today.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Hi all. Still around, but I'm not caught up. Work is more than a bit overwhelming. I was told last night at 10:00 that I am needed to work on an emergency project that will require me to work all weekend. Great. Although this morning I was told that it may not happen. Whatever happens, I'm going to find a way to get my 20 in on Sunday.

As for my little cold, I'm not really feeling better, but I'm not feeling any worse.

Hopefully, I'll get off the hook on the work thing and I'll be back later to catch up.

 

[Theta]

I have 9 miles as a goal but we'll see what Sunday brings. Have a wonderful weekend

Sara, Good luck with your 9 miles. I are too funny with the candle talk, anniversary talk, treadmill talk, etc., etc.,

 

[msblrobs]

Sara, Good luck with your 9 miles. You are too funny with the candle talk, anniversary talk, treadmill talk, etc., etc.,

Thanks . All I can do is and make light of the entire situation. It's the craziest thing and we're all just doing the best we can with the hand we've been dealt while counting our blessings every step of the way . I am hoping to do my LR on the bike trail and the weather's supposed to be beautiful . Sorry about the strep and I hope DD is feeling better real soon .

Cindy - Loads of for you too!

 

[rKyDeX]

Chester, when are you and Tracy arriving into Philly? I get in Saturday 10:30 a.m. I think we are the only ones flying in that day.

Colleen
Tracy and I are scheduled to land at 3:00pm on Friday afternoon.

Cindy
I hope you get over your cold soon. I brought a cold/sinus infection back from the DL Half with me and it took over a month to go away. It never migrated into my chest, so I was able to keep to my training schedule. I just had to accept slower than usual times for a while.


Happy Friday to all and to all a good weekend.

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

 

[jbucci]

Hello all, thanks for welcoming me into this crazy group. I got lazy and didn't run yesterday- DD5 had no school so DH and I took the day off work too and we did a family trip to a farm and corn maze about 2 hours from our house. We had a great time and walked tons (I actually used my Garmin in the maze to see how far we walked-- 2 mile in about 2 hours, not race pace but fun).

Today is a morning full of helping friends move then I'll try to get in a few miles tonight.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Dave - How is the leg feeling ? Since I've been forced back on the TM I am all messed up myself . My lower back and left hip are hating me . Have you been on the TM for the majority of your running lately?

Sara- Is your lower back hurting you from the TM, or for what you had to do to get the TM to your house??? Thanks for asking about the hip, no I haven't really been running on the TM at all. Just that one time (and I didn't even get any special favors for it either). I biked yesterday and today, and the hip's feeling OK (not great just OK). I'm supposed to run 18 tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks everyone for asking about the hip. It's going OK.

OK, gotta run. Way too busy with this new job. I couldn't check the boards all day, and now I want to go home.

 

[msblrobs]

Sara- Is your lower back hurting you from the TM, or for what you had to do to get the TM to your house???

Dave, thank you so much for getting me through the last 5 minutes of my work week . At this point I couldn't really say . Have a great weekend

 

[Jodi]

Dave, thank you so much for getting me through the last 5 minutes of my work week . At this point I couldn't really say

OH MY!

ME ME ME, ALL ABOUT ME!! Ran 8 today after work & it was pretty ok. Got a little rough around mile 5 or so, but then calmed down again, back into a groove.

No time for more, sorry, trying to organize 8 kids running a marathon tomorrow (who goes where & how they'll get back once they're done running, etc, etc,) Bruce & Spencer are run/walking 4 miles ...my poor son!

 

[SilverE]

Well hello Phillyphriends,

Sorry I have been absent this week; all my free time has been spent cutting numerous holes in ceilings while re-wiring our kitchen and dining room and installing new light fixtures and various switches. No, I am not an electrician, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Sara: read about the TM transfer. I'm glad you now have the treadmill; 'nuff said. So, did I read you are in for the half?

Cindy: Congrats on the Army 10-mile! I hope the cold is better.

Colleen: I hope that hole in the backyard for the fundage was a BIG one! And I hope DD has recovered.

Dave: Oooh, now I have iPhone envy. Hope the hip is cooperating.

Howard: Congratulations on the Distance Classic effort! Thank Cam for the photos.

Jodi: Hi there Glad you are getting in the miles. My achilles has been cooperating, but I am babying it. Going to try for an 8-mile run this weekend.

Lou: Glad to hear the knee seems to be OK. And Happy Anniversary! (even though you scheduled a long run for that day ) Oh, and I am rooting for your Phillies! OK, disclaimer: I am an AL guy, and growing up in Maine I have been a Sox fan from the days they were guaranteed to break your heart. So please have your team defeat Manny and send him home.

Mike: The soccer opponent this weekend is the Ladybugs, although the Girl Scouts of America have conspired to decimate our league by scheduling a Girl Scout/Brownie Retreat this weekend. We'll be playing a team that will only have 5 players; seeing as we will have 7 players on the field, maybe we will only lose by 4-6 goals this weekend. Hope Kathy's ankle is OK. You are a brave man: if I suggested to my wife on our anniverary to visit a location called "Old Rag Mountain" I'm pretty sure I would have been punched in the gut and would be sleeping on the couch.

Hi Chester. And hi Jen and welcome to the thread.

Take care all; catch ya later.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Uuugh, my 18 miler turned into a gimpy 3 miler. I got to 3 miles, took a walk break, started up limping again, and thought "why am I doing this?" I'm worried about the marathon. I'm in the part of my training where I have the longest runs, and I can't get through them. I missed my 16 miler last week, a 18 miler this week, and I'm supposed to do a 20 miler next week. My last real LR was almost a month ago when I did 15 miles (2 miles + the Rochester half marathon). OK, I'm having a panic attack.

 

[lourodrigis]

Mike - Nice running this week. The hike must have been nice (minus Kathy's ankle). Gotta love those Yankee Candles.

Sara - October is a popular wedding month. You get good weather and Autumn colors. I tend to operate at high RPM's at times when I am working. The candles help me relax and not want to put my head through a wall when things get crazy.

Colleen - Sorry about DD getting sick. Nicole is going out this morning for a 5K with friends. That will give me some time to go out and get something. We are going to dinner tonight at McCormick and Schmicks in Harrahs Casino in A.C.

Cindy - Sorry about work this weekend. You should have pulled that Office Space stunt and hid from your boss on Friday.

Jen - Where was the corn maze you went too? We have one close to our house in Glassboro but we usually like to go to the one near Lancaster, PA. I think we are going there next weekend.

Jodi - Nice job with the 8 miles.

Steve - Based on my experience and what I learned from Sara's post you should be in line for a good weekend for all that work around the house. I'm assuming the key is making sure the kitchen is cleaned up and looks better then before you started.

Dave - The LR's are tough. Finding the time can be harder than running them. Just get in a 20-miler before Philly and you'll be fine.

Howard - You seem to be plugging along with the nice runs. My sister is going to be in Wilmington for a book signing at the Barnes & Noble on 10/24. Swing by if you're in the area.

Hi Chester!

Got in 5 miles yesterday at a 8:45mpm pace. Felt real good. No pain anywhere and my cold is gone. I should be fine for LBI tomorrow. It's going to be sunny and in the 60's for the 10:30AM start. Better than the 90-degree temps that had the finish line looking like a MASH unit last year.

PHILLIES fever has swept my household...taking the pain away from the Eagles. You gotta believe!

Lou

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Dave - Don't panic! Know that you can finish the marathon, even if you miss your long runs, as long as you get healthy before then. You need to figure out what is causing the hip pain. If it is an IT Band issue, there are some specific stretches that can help. Try Googling them. Also, have you tried a foam roller? Stay positive

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Howard – I hope your 20 goes well. Good luck on the hills.

Lou – Happy anniversary and good luck tomorrow. My anniversary suggestion would be to give your wife a small gift or note or card or something every day starting with your anniversary for as many days as the years you have been married. Theory behind this is that your anniversary is too important to be celebrated on only one day.

Jodi – I hope Spencer’s event went well.

Mike and Kathy – Happy belated anniversary. I hope Kathy’s ankle is better. Old Rag is high on my list of hikes to do around here, but I am nervous about the down part and how it will KILL my knees. Think that one is best saved for when I’m not training for a marathon.

Sara – I hope your LR goes well.

Colleen – I hope your DD is feeling better.

Steve – I hope the home remodel is going well.

Chester and Jen – Hi!

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I’m still not feeling great, but I’ll live. My head is just really congested and my energy level is kind of low. I’m a bit nervous about tomorrow’s 20 (ok – I’m a lot nervous). I’m going to try not to worry about pace and will consider it a victory if I cover the miles (not matter how ugly of a run it may be).

I’m going to have to go into the office for a bit tomorrow, but I did get out of the big “emergency” project that I was supposed to have to work on all weekend. Very good news.

I've been procrastinating a bit this morning but I'm now off for my 5 slow recovery miles. I did manage to get my 12 in yesterday morning. 7 of those were supposed to be at tempo. I managed 6 and I'm happy with that.

 

[jbucci]

Lou: good luck on the run tomorrow and have a happy anniversary. The corn maze is at Cherry Crest Farm near Lancaster/Stroudsburg PA. We have gone for the past 8 years, even carrying my daughter in a sling with us when she was only 3 months old. It is a fun fall tradition for us. I enjoy watching what my daughter finds interesting. This year she was all about finding mailboxes (these are hidden in the maze with "map pieces" in them) and loved the hay jumping area and holding baby chicks.

Dave: Don't panic. I think you did the right thing in stopping instead of causing yourself greater injury. I agree with the advice to see what it is that is causing the pain before you decide to "push through" it.

As for me I'm taking today off- helping friends move yesterday has muscle I didn't know I had being sore. I did get in 5 miles last night, but my legs don't fell very willing today. Instead I'm going to try to finish our Halloween costumes0 so we can all be Toy Story characters at Not So Scary Halloween Party, we should look pretty good, we will have a big group and everyone is coordinated- we've got Woody, Bo Peep, Jessie, Bullseye, Mr Potato Head, and 3 of the three eyed aliens. I'll try to post pictures after we get home.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

My Army Ten Miler Race Report (Really long and wordy – sorry!)

As I mentioned before, I am really very happy with my time in this race. Having run 16 miles the day before the race (and 31 total miles in the 3 days before the race), I wasn’t really sure what to expect and I was trying not to have too high of expectations for myself. That being said, I did have certain goals. My old ten miler PR was from my first ever distance race (and 3rd race I’d ever run) on April 1, 2007 (Cherry Blossom 10 Miler). That was 1:35:06. I think I would have been pretty upset if I hadn’t beaten that time. (I also ran the ATM last year but it was crazy hot and humid and my time was terrible).

Of course, my real (dream) goal was to finish in under 90 minutes. My 10 mile split from the PDR was 1:29:54 and I really wanted to beat that.

On the morning of the race, I was feeling fine, so I decided to try and go for the dream goal and try to run 9 min miles. Here are my splits:

Mile 1 8:50
Mile 2 9:05
Mile 3 8:58
Mile 4 8:51
Mile 5 9:04
Mile 6 8:41
Mile 7 9:08
Mile 8 9:10
Mile 9 9:24
Mile 10 8:07

As you can see, my splits are not too consistent. Mile 6 was clearly too fast and I paid the price for the next 3 miles. I was really struggling during miles 8 and 9. This is where you are running across the 14th street bridge. The entire bridge is basically rolling hills and I was starting to feel very tired and really pushing myself to keep that pace. When I saw my split at the 9 mile marker, I realized it was not likely that I would break 90 minutes (given that I needed to run a sub 9 minute mile), but decided to give it everything I had.

The race ends with everyone coming off the highway ramp and into the Pentagon parking lot. As I came around the corner I saw the clock already read 1:40. At that point, I “knew” that I had missed my goal because I started in the 2nd wave, which was supposed to start 10 minutes after the first wave, and last year it did start exactly 10 minutes after the first (military efficiency). This year, I was at the very front of the second wave (maybe 5 people deep from the start line) so I knew my chip time and the start gun of the second wave would only differ by seconds. Anyway, as I saw the clock, I “knew” I had missed my goal, but decided to really push it anyway to get as good a time as possible. I crossed the finish line and stopped my watch a few seconds later. Even at this point, when I thought my time was probably around 1:30:30, I was still really happy with how I had done and felt that I had run a good race. I got some water and continued walking through the finish chute. I then decided to check and see what my time actually was. When I saw 1:29:26 on my watch, I was shocked and so happy. So much for military efficiency – the second wave must have started a bit late! Final chip time = 1:29:22.

For anyone who has made it this far, for laughs, here is a link to my race photo. Not sure exactly what that expression on my face is

http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=32509&BIB=10743&LNSEARCH=1

(As for Matt, he was not feeling well and after 2 miles decided to treat it as a training run and not race it).

 

[SilverE]

My old ten miler PR was from my first ever distance race (and 3rd race I’d ever run) on April 1, 2007 (Cherry Blossom 10 Miler)

Cindy: Oh Lord, I feel so old; I have been running for 28 years with my first race being a 10K in 1981! Seriously, great effort in the 10-mile. I love those 10-mile races; we have one here in Maine which is run in (Brrrr) February, but I have run it for 9 years in a row. Some years faster, some years slower; it is a great barometer of my fitness and training (and weather).

Dave: Sorry about the "gimpy" runs; do not panic! Believe me, I have seen it all and done it all my friend--the races are ALWAYS there! Dial it back, and listen to your body. I know, I know, you get your mind focused on a race and you want to compete, and you keep training, and.... Please just listen to your body. This message brought to you from your friendly physical therapist who has had two knee surgeries but insists on continuing to run.

Lou: Glad the cold is gone and the knee is good. Good luck in the LBI. Go Phillies!

The Penguins (DD-5's) soccer team went down in defeat today to the dreaded Flamingos. I blame it on the coaching--oh wait, I'm the coach! Luckily, DD-10's travel soccer team was victorious in their first day of her Columbus Day tournament. (obviously, I do not coach her team )

Hello Everyone! No running for me for a couple days; got some swelling in a balky knee. No worries, I'll be back at it soon. Take care.

 

[msblrobs]

Lou - Happy Anniversary and best of luck today

Dave - Take comfort knowing you're not alone in those of us who feel quite under trained for the upcoming marathon . You'll be fine

Cindy - Awesome race report and congrats again . Loved the pic and thanks for sharing .

Steve - You're correct - I took the plunge for the 1/2 this week . I hope your knee starts feeling better soon .

Jodi - Anxiously awaiting the details of yesterday's race .

Jen - you're WAY too ambitious . We can't wait to see pix When are you headed to the World?

I just handed my DD's off so I'm trying to mentally prepare for at least a whole hearted attempt at a LR today . It's beautiful outside so I'm hoping to become a bit more inspired once I get out there

Happy training and racing to all today