1 and done

I have learned, at this point in my life, to never say never. However, it is HIGHLY unlikely that I will repeat the City of Oaks Marathon. 1 week ago, I tackled it for my second completed marathon. I finished triumphant, injury-free (not counting blisters), in just under 4 1/2 hours. But, my god, the hills!! They were relentless, numerous, and long - at least one was over a mile of continuous incline!

After dominating the first half with a 9:30/mile pace, I must admit that I walked a good chunk of the last 9 miles - saving whatever running I had left in me for downhills and anytime I thought my spectators might pop up. Yes, my less than victorious moments of near tears and hill-cursing were successfully hidden from my wonderful hubby and friends, who with their hats and signs to distract and amuse me every few miles, made it hard not to dig deep and smile.

In the past, I have underrated the value of having familiar faces on the sidelines. Though I am always thankful for my husbands' support, I have never really had anyone else cheer me on, much less make signs, gather props and get up at 4 in the morning to travel 2 1/2 hours and dodge traffic just to help me finish a race. It definitely made a difference, and I have already signed up to run the half of the marathon they are doing this coming spring so that I can try to reciprocate.

My post-marathon plans are a bit different this time. If I learned anything from my first, it was to not take such a long hiatus afterward. So, I am already signed up for a few races in the coming months - mainly shorter ones leading up to the afore mentioned half-marathon in April. And, after taking 5 days off from running to recover, I got in a short run around the neighborhood today. It felt good. My calves were still a bit tight, but my blisters are healed, and my easy run turned out to be a 29:01 5k. Given that when I first started running two years ago, I was turning in 3 miles in just under 35 minutes, I have come a pretty long way.

And, I have already put my name in the hat for NYC again next year. City of Oaks had been my local plan B marathon this time around, so I will hope against hopes that my name gets drawn for 2012 .....and keep my eyes peeled for a flatter back-up race.

count down chow down

Well, I just finished my last pre-marathon run - an easy but muddy 3 miles in the neighborhood. It felt pretty good and, not even trying, I maintained just over a 9 min mile (fast, for me). Nothing left to do now but but go over the race day plan a few times ......and eat! I have managed to remain pretty faithful to the caveman thing (see previous post) for the past two weeks - until these last couple days, that is. I have to say, the first week was hard, but this week I have noticed my metabolism leveling out and I'm feeling pretty smug for so easily going cold turkey on dairy.

But, since the conventional running wisdom is that I need to intake 70% carbs the last three days before the race, I have commenced to cheating with grains and some of the rest of the no-nos... big time. Yesterday, I indulged in a bagel and a couple of bean burritos. Today, I've been trying to be good and just load up on 'taters. But, tomorrow, pasta is definitely in the plan. What can I say - it's tradition, or superstition, or me just still feeling like a novice and being worried about NOT following the "rules".

So, Monday I'll get back to the paleo program, but all bets are off til then. Let me just get this second 26.2 under my belt and then.... well, let me just focus on running the race and worry about the rest later.

Wish me luck!