Thursday, October 30, 2008
Think of a change, do it twice, feel better!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wonder where I've been?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I can do yoga! I can do yoga!! A post-marathon entry
I have never been more happy to practice yoga than tonight. After the Sunday marathon, I was seriously starting to wonder if I'd ever be able to move my body in any coordinated way. Ah, impatience! It's only been 48 hours and already I'm yearning to move my body in an athletic way. So be it. It's in my bones and there's nothing I can do about it. But, truth be told, I am still quite sore, especially the quads. I have heard about this kind of post-marathon soreness but never experienced it. It's not all that fun! Especially when you see people running and you wonder how you'll ever get up the strength and flexibility to run again.
I practiced for about an hour. It was slow going but honestly, it was 100 times better than I expected. I modified a bit, but all in all, I had a regular practice albeit a bit slow. I think I'll continue with this until Saturday with a few brisk walks in between. I am excited to be attending a benefit yoga class on Saturday (see www. omgal.com for details). It will be my first group yoga class in months and one taught by a very good friend and teacher colleague of mine. I figure by Saturday I'll be even more healed and ready for more strenuous movement.
I want to take some time to acknowledge all the well-wishes sent by family and friends both before and after the race. I was really supported by so many of you and you all have commented to me on how you're enjoying the blog. I've had some questions from people inquiring about the fate of said blog: if it's intention was to be a training tool for my marathon training, what will become of it now that the race is over? Well, fear not my reader friends. I have been working behind the scenes at one URL that will provide you with my website and blog in one space, condensed into an easy-to-read format and full of interesting resource information about yoga and running. I haven't had the time to devote to setting it up but now that I'm not training, it should be a piece of cake!
I look forward to continuing to share with all of you and thank you for all your support.
More details will follow soon!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
I got soul but I'm not a soldier
All done! 4:14:40. Feel tired but good. All in all, it wasn't so bad! It was fun in a very weird way.
I am happy and at peace.
Sleep well. I know I will!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Get Inspired!
( Soldier one) "The Almighty says this MUST be a fashionable fight. It's drawn the finest people!"
( Soldier two) " Where is thy salute??"
(Gibson) " For presenting yourselves on this battlefield, I give you thanks."
(Soldier two) " This is OUR army. To join it you give homage!"
(Gibson) " I give homage to Scotland. And if this is your army, why does it go??"
(Soldier three) " We didn't come here to fight for them! The english are too many!"
"Sons of Scotland. I am William Wallace."
(Soldier three) "William Wallace is seven feet tall!"
(Gibson) "Yes, I've heard. Kills men by the hundreds and if he were here, he'd consume the English with fireballs from his eyes and bolts of lightning from his arse. I AM William Wallace. And I see, a whole army of my countrymen here in defiance of tyranny. You have come to fight as free men. And free men you are. What will you do with that freedom?? Will you fight?"
(Soldier three) " Against that? No! We will run. And we will live!"
(Gibson) "Aye. Fight and you may die. Run and you may live. At least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade ALL the days from this day to that for one chance, just ONE chance, to come back here and tell our enemies, that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our FREEDOM!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Can nervous energy work in your favor?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Got the number!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Six days left!
Well, that's how I felt tonight. And if you've never tapped into that depth of feeling, well, I can only hope that you open yourself enough to start to..because it really puts things into perspective.
The legs felt great tonight. For some reason, almost back to normal. Strange because nothing significant has really changed. I did ice yesterday and have been pretty regularly. I'm hoping if I keep up this week with icing I will be in good shape for Sunday.
The plan is posted on the flip chart wall; I've thought of a few more things to add. Tomorrow, I'm getting my race number. It's early but always better to get that out of the way as soon as you can. I'm keeping to the plan for the next week and so far, so good.
Love life.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Write it down.. make it happen!
I bought a flipchart the other day. Sometimes, when you need to stay focused, you have to go "old school." No computers, spreadsheets or electronic reminders. Just good old-fashioned paper and markers. I made a list. A list of the activities for me for the next seven days and a final "to-do" list of things for the marathon. Things like picking up my race number, seeing the course, sleeping more than usual. Figuring out the schedule for the day of the race, determining what I'm going to wear. Then, I hung it on the bathroom door. That way, I can see it all the time and stay on track.
Do you have a goal you're working towards? Looking for a job, changing careers, losing weight, changing some negative behaviors? Go to Staples. Buy a flipchart and some fun Sharpie markers. Make a list. Hang it up. Then, make it happen.
I ran five yesterday. Legs feel good. Then, I played golf for three hours. A lesson and two hours of the driving range. Needless to say, I'm a bit sore today. Today, rest and a light running week.
Heading for Sunday!
Be well.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Do what matters
Sunday, October 5, 2008
You are unique
I went to a wedding yesterday. The bride and groom really made it their own. The setting, the vows, the officiant, the music, the table names all gave you a sense of who they are as individuals and together. It got me thinking about how unique everyone is while we live in a world that is full of trends and many of us flocking to the same things: Starbucks, the Apple store, Whole Foods. Did you ever stand in line at Starbucks, knowing you'd be late for work but you stay anyway? Maybe it's just me, but from the looks of the lines I've been in, I think not.
So what does this have to do with marathon training? As I completed my last long run today (18 miles) I realized that ultimately, I have to make this race my own. Despite the hundreds of other runners I'll be with on October 19, I have to wear what I want, eat what I want, use my i pod if I want and most of all, run my own race.
I am in the last two weeks of training. This week, along with running, I'll make a playlist for the i pod, confirm the clothes I'll wear, eat well and try to get more rest than is usual.
Sleep well!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Heading for the finish
I went for a run this morning at my old familiar morning running time. I felt like crap. Matter of fact, the past three runs have not felt so hot. Food choices the night before haven't been so good, aches and pains have sprung up in new places and now, guess what??? It's freaking cold in the morning and dark. And at night after work, it's the same way. I honestly think it's just a combination of the change in climate, combined with what has been really rainy weather here in Boston and just the fact that I'm tired from training. I've read a few articles about what happens to runners when they are in the last few weeks of marathon training and what I'm experiencing is not new. So, that's something.
I have my last long run tomorrow. Then, the rest of the schedule is quite moderate.
By the way, if I can run the time above in the picture, I will be thrilled!
Namaste.