Monday, November 24, 2008
Philly Marathon Race Report
Sunday, November 23, 2008
jus finished with a net
25k at 2:25 pacing 8:29
Friday, November 21, 2008
Race Day Goals!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Final Real Run
Its amazing how one run can build you up or tear you apart. If today's run had continued to suck I would be really nervous about next weekend. Instead, I was able to spend the back part of the out-and-back thinking about what goals I have for my first marathon (will be shared in another post later this week). Only bad thing about today is the knee is really acting up...I've decided I'll finally get it checked out post-Philly.
I know Joey just wrote about this (ironjoe.blogspot.com) but I have to give huge thanks to Mark from Kilometers. I took Joey's recommendation a couple years back to check out the store in Ridgefield, CT and have been getting my run gear there ever since. Marks a great guy that loves what he does so I gave him a call when my knee was crapping out on me to get his thoughts. He took the time to call back after business hours to give some advice and encouraging words heading in to race week.
8 days and counting!!! Can't wait to see what I can do...I've started to get really psyched up so hopefully I'll fly. Current forecast: Low 32, High 44 and mostly sunny. Perfect!!!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Good and the Bad...
As soon as I started my 20 miler on Saturday morning I knew last night's dinner of pizza and dessert was a poor choice. Determined to run 8 of the 20 miles at goal pace and 8 at goal pace plus 30 seconds (per my training schedule), I dug deep and pushed through. You'd think living in a city, people would be used to me yelling at my legs to hurry the F* up but apparently I just got a lot of scared looks. Lesson learned though and I'm looking forward to a 2 week taper before the race- I see lots of yoga and healthy food in my near future.
* The one benefit to only running twice last week was my knee finally feels normal again (small concession for such a crap training week).
Monday, November 3, 2008
NYC Marathon Race Report
Wake up call was 4:30am, in cab by 5:15 and on the bus ride over to
3 hours later, we started to prepare. Walking to the start, the cannon went off for the first wave. I got chills up my body as I looked over and saw the runners take over the
Jen and I hit the half marathon mark at 1:49 (8:22 pace). Awesome – on pace for a 3:40!
Not long after though, at mile 15 while crossing the
The crowds were amazing – the noise was amazing. You could hear the cheering halfway over the
Mile 22 was a killer for me due to a cramp in my side. I told Jen to keep going as I slowed to a walk to stretch the cramp out for two minutes. I hydrated myself and started a slow jog. Within 5 minutes I was good to go. I knew from there on out, it was just getting myself to the finish line.
My favorite part of the race was the last mile. Nothing beats the feeling of running the last mile. I smiled the whole way.
I came in at 3:55:38, Jen at 3:53:47 and Joey at 5 hrs exact. Awesome job, Jen for improving her marathon time by 37 minutes and great job, Joey for completing a marathon while pushing 200+ lbs up all the hills. Thanks to everyone who came out to support! You all are great and helped push me through my first marathon and made it an awesome experience.
(Pictures: Jen and I at mile 18 – water bottle my dad has on the right of the first picture was like gold to me!)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
finish times: liz- 3:53:49/jen- 3:51:46.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
1 day 00h 43m 20s to go
Today I am nervous. I have butterflies in my stomach. My appetite is non-existent. I'm anxious. My brother wrote Jenny a pep-talk e-mail back when she did NY for the first time...she forwarded the e-mail to me yesterday. Here's a piece of it...
"Boom! Mile 24, you are back in the park and the street is PACKED with people cheering you on. No doubt you will be feeling the mileage at this point. Hopefully you will be somewhat tired but feeling great and strong and ready to finish fast. Only 2.2 miles left, an easy jog for you. Don't burst as soon as you hit the park. If you feel great take the pace up gradually, drop it by maybe 20 seconds. You will be blowing by people at this point. They are shot - to hell with them. Nothing will stop you from crossing the finish line now, so sit back and enjoy the crowds a little bit.. There is supposedly no other marathon in the world with the crowd support like you get in the NYC marathon."
I'm ready.........LET'S DO THIS!