Taper madness May 15, 2008

I am a total mess today, in my head at least.  Oh sure, outwardly I look completely normal.  I managed to put on a matching outfit today, shoes match my belt, good stuff like that.  But in my mind?  I am a freak. 

I am all nerves for the run Sunday and also since I can’t go for a long run and work through some stuff that’s bugging my mind.  Runs are therapy to me.  I don’t need to go see a therapist to get through my problems, I just need to be able to go run.  I work it all out, I calm myself down, and I feel great afterwards. 

Alas, that is not something I can do until Sunday, so the next three days are going to push me to the edge.  This is what they call taper madness.  Welcome to my world. 

I don’t remember it being this bad last time, but maybe I’m not remembering properly.  Marathoners are like women who have given birth.  We have selective memory and tend to block out the unpleasant parts of marathon training; quite like how I’ve heard women who’ve gone through labor and delivery some how block out the memory of the pain and have another child.

Last time I was training for a marathon I didn’t have quite so much going on in my life.  I saw Alan every day, I was working only one job, and I wasn’t trying to start the ball rolling with getting a new job and relocating. 

I don’t see Alan and often as I’d like.  I don’t have him around to talk some sense into me and calm me as he is very good at doing.  So, I’ve turned to my runs more than ever this year, and I can’t even do that for three more days!   

 Calgon, take me away!

Week 17 – Training Run #53 – 4 miles May 6, 2008

That’s right. I ran my four miles this morning. That means I earned a bunch of free beers! Woo hoo! Yet again, I woke up before the alarm, got up and went to the gym. It seemed warmer in there today, but I still got through my miles and finished.

I am sitting in the breakfast room of our hotel, enjoying a Belgium waffle while Alan’s in the room asleep. I’ll take him something for breakfast. He really can still use the sleep.

Uneventful run. Next run is three miles on Thursday. This is definitely a taper.

Week 10 – Training Run #27 – 3 miles March 17, 2008

Riley and I headed out in the 30 degree weather for our three miles today.  I have to say, it was a struggle to get my butt out the door.  I am just over  half-way through my training and it is getting to me.  I think it has something to do with Alan’s schedule as well.  He only has two weeks of school left, so only two weeks more of the alarm going off at 4:15 in the morning, only two more weeks of him being tired all the time, only two more weeks of me taking care of the house myself. 

It’s funny, I had to fight with myself to go for a run this morning, but I think I am also to the point in training that my body is a bit “addicted” to running.  I find that on the days I don’t run, I am a little crabby and restless.  I didn’t run yesterday as it was a rest day, and boy!  I was crabby!  I think I am going to start swimming on Sunday mornings so as to get some  sort of exercise in, and crosstraining as well.  Hopefully that will fix my mood on days I don’t run.

Friday night, time to be boring February 29, 2008

Alan is a bit lucky that I am a cook’s widow on Fridays.  You see, when training for a marathon, or other major athletic endurance event, you can be quite boring the night before your big training day. 

For me, my long runs are on Saturdays, which means Friday nights I am lowkey (read boring) sitting at home eating pasta and drinking water.  Okay, it’s not that sad, and it’s not always pasta, but it is pretty chill.  I was invited to happy hour again and had to pass.  I need to get my butt in gear and get serious about these Saturday runs.   I do not need to go to happy hour, have a few too many beers, and end up salsa dancing the night before a run.

So, tonight I’m hanging out with Riley doing laundry.  I did whip up a tasty pasta dish for dinner, no recipe involved.  I made lemon-pepper shrimp with spaghetti and peas (I love peas and add them where ever I can).  I added olive oil to a hot skillet and added in about a quarter to half teaspoon of red pepper flakes.  I then added the shrimp and sauteed for a few minutes.  I added the peas, juice of half a lemon, and then tossed with cooked spaghetti.  Man, it was good!  I’m going to have to make that again, perhaps next Friday night.

I remember when I was training for my first marathon.  Alan was training for a cycling event at the same time, but his event was about six weeks before my marathon.  So come Friday evening, he was ready to go out for some cocktails and unwind.  Me, I wanted (and needed) to go home, rest, and go to sleep early.  It drove him nuts at times.  So, with his new career, he isn’t impacted too much by my training schedule.  He’s at work when I’m doing most of my training rituals.

On another note, I’ve been brought on by a local university’s rec center to be a personal trainer!  I had a second interview yesterday and received the good news at the end of it.  I’m going to do a few sessions with some of the student employees to get some practice before I deal with a paying client.  I’m pretty stoked! 

Okay, time to switch out laundry and start to really unwind for the night.  I’ve mapped out my route for my 12 miles tomorrow.  The weather looks okay, it could be better.  It looks like it’s supposed to be about 20 degrees out, 10 degrees with wind chill.  Go, Erin, go!

Week 5 – Training Run #11 February 12, 2008

I ran at the fitness center again today.  Did 5 miles.  I had to do the run/walk again, but it gets the job done.  It was kind of rough, but that’s partly due to the fact that I was up to 9:20 minute miles, which is really fast for me.  Not sure why I went that fast, basically because I could.  I’m more of a slow runner, I enjoy it, but on the treadmill I just want to get the run over with. 

Alan has tonight off, so he’s meeting me when I get off work so we can go out for drinks and sushi.  A classmate of his works at a sushi bar close to where I work and he’s going to hook us up with some tasty maki.  I can’t wait!  I go to this place for lunch sometimes, and although the service is rather slow (which I don’t unerstand.  There’s no cooking, just rolling.  If the station is prepped out properly, I don’t see how sushi can take so long) the maki is excellent. 

Should be a fun evening!

Running, being sick, and sleepwalking February 3, 2008

I did not go running this weekend on account of my being sick.  Not sure if it’s just a generic upper respiratory infection or specifically bronchitis, but something is not right with my lungs.  It is said that if your illness is in the head, like a cold, you can continue to exercise.  But, if the illness is below the neck, in your chest, you should rest.  And so, I rest. 

It kind of blows and I feel kind of guilty for not running, but I got light headed simply walking the dog, so I really don’t see how running is a good idea.

Being a chef’s widow, I am on my own to care for myself.  I don’t really want to eat anything at this point, so it’s not that big a deal that Alan is off at work.  And with me being sick, it’s not that big a deal I’ve nothing to do during the Super Bowl.  I’m not a big football fan, but it is fun once a year to watch a game and have some good wings and dip.  Alas, none of that sounds good to me.  You know what sounds good?  Taking a nap.

Speaking of sleeping. . . I’ve heard that some cook’s bring their work home with them, but it doesn’t show up until they are asleep.  I got my first taste of this last night.  Alan got home at about 2:30 last night.  We chatted for a bit and then I went back to bed at about 3:00.   At 3:30 or so, I heard the distinct sound of the iron being turned on.  I wondered why/ if Alan was ironing in the middle of the night, but quickly fell back asleep.  This morning I asked if he turned on the iron last night and he said he had a vague recollection of that, but he thought he was maybe sleepwalking.   Well that’s safe!  Ironing in your sleep!  The iron was not on this morning, and nothing appeared any smoother than last night, so who knows what that was about?  If it happens again, I’m hiding the iron at night.

Week 3 – Training Run #9 January 29, 2008

I ran my 5 miles in mild, slightly windy weather.  Riley ran three with me and then I went out for the other two alone.  I don’t want to push her too hard, especially running two days in a row.  She did a great job, and we even saw a bunny.

I am a bit tight now that the run is over.  I think some of it is from Saturday’s portion of the run on the unshoveled sidewalk.  It is probably also in part due to some core exercises I did yesterday.  It feels good to have my body feel like this again.  It’s a good hurt.

Today is Alan’s first day off from work since he started a week ago.  He’s at class now (getting out shortly) and is very much looking forward to taking a nice, long nap when he gets home.  I’m taking tomorrow off, which he has off as well.  I may have to treat the two of us to a massage.  He’s never been interested in the past, but as his body is adjusting to life in the kitchen, I’m thinking he’ll be up for it. 

Training Run #6 January 24, 2008

First off, if anyone has any other ideas of what else to call these posts, let me know.  It’s not a very exciting naming methodology, but it gives some idea of time frame/ progress.  Anywho. . .

Ran my 3 miles today at lunch on the treadmill.  It was about 1.5 degrees out this morning and there was no way I’d run outside in that.  I am not a big fan of the treadmill.  I call it (like many other runners do) the dreadmill.  I get bored on it.  It doesn’t matter if I can watch TV, listen to my MP3 player or what.  It’s boring because the scenery doesn’t change.  Today to help pass the time, I looked out the window and counted busses.  I was kind of surprised that it took me so long to count ten north-bound busses. 

Boring post for a boring run.  At least I got the run in.

This weekend = 9 miles.  Weather looks good – mild temps (compared to what we’ve been having) and maybe a little snow. 

I’m not too worried about my Saturday runs taking away from my time with Alan; I anticipate him sleeping the whole time I am out running.  His hours at work aren’t bad, except for the fact that he has school in the mornings when he’d rather be sleeping.  I think Saturday and Sunday mornings will be him catching up on some much needed sleep.