First things first:
I’m officially a marathoner
I qualified for The Boston Marathon

On Sunday, May 1, I ran the Potomac River Run Marathon – my first marathon – in Carderock, MD. It was a small local race, only about 300 runners, that ran along the Potomac River towpath. It was also, gasp, a double out-and-back.

Annie and me, around Mile 10

A little background:
I thought long and hard before registering for a double out-and-back marathon, especially since it was my first. A double out-and-back can be a really good thing (I know what’s coming) and a really bad thing (I know what’s coming). I think it can be mentally draining and challenging, too.

But once I decided to train for the marathon, I was too close to running a March marathon (I wouldn’t have enough time to train), and too busy for an October/fall marathon (weddings, Army 10 miler, etc.). So, May 1, small, local, double out-and-back marathon it was.

Race Day:
I woke up feeling nervous, excited, happy, and scared. 14 weeks of training, early morning runs, and sore muscles was all dependent on this morning. I ate breakfast, took a quick shower, dressed for the race and headed out. I was ready to chase down my woolly mammoth.

I could not have constructed, asked for, prayed about, wished upon more perfect weather for a race. It was a glorious day – overcast, no breeze and a high of 62 degrees. Around 7am I made my way up to the front of the start line – this was an old school race with no timing chip/system – and I couldn’t afford to lose any seconds once the gun went off. 7:15am race start – the gun went off and Annie (my pacer) and I were on our way. 4x10k: no big deal, right?!

Best hubs ever

I felt really good on the 1st out-and back (13.1 miles). We were on pace (8:00/mile) – it didn’t feel too fast or too slow – and I was still smiling. But, as I started my 3rd stretch (miles 13-20), I was not prepared for the mental challenge I was about to face. Miles 16-20 were hard. I mean really hard, both physically and mentally. While I was training I encountered physical pain and mental challenges – but I never experienced both at the same time or on the same run. Miles 16-20 scared me because I questioned myself, my training, and whether or not I was able to capture a BQ. I was thrilled when I saw the 20.5 mile turn-around point. I was also relived when I realized the following:
a) I could run 10 minute miles and still BQ
b) I only had a 10k left – and I knew I could run a 10k

Post-race, All smiles

Physically the last 6 miles were hard – I was tired and my legs were starting to fatigue -but mentally I was in a better place (than the previous 6 miles). I counted down the miles, thought about it in terms of laps around the track, put my head down and ran as hard as I could. With 0.5 miles to go, half of my support crew was waiting and cheering for me – all of this, in addition to the finish line, was a glorious site – I sprinted it in and finished in 3:32:42. My very first marathon complete, and a BQ! I could not be more thrilled or excited – permanent smile for the rest of the week.

• My mom – she is the reason I am a runner, and flew up from Florida just to watch me run my 1st marathon
• BJ – my very supportive hubs and water provider
• Annie – my training partner, marathon runner extraordinaire, friend, and pacer who would not let me give up
• Betsy – a dear friend, who hopped in at mile 13.1 and ran the rest of the race with Annie and me
• Allison – my best friend, one of my biggest fans, water provider
• Erika (and her dog, Tucker) – friend, runner, triathlete, major supporter
• Jared (Allison’s finance) – borrowed BJ’s running shoes to run the last 2.5 miles with us
• Julianne – a good friend and one of my biggest fans
• The K Family, including Julie – my 10-year friend and the best water girl around

Top L-R: BJ, Mom, Allison, Jared, Erika Bottom L-R: Annie, Me, Betsy, Tucker Not Pictured: Julianne, The K Family

Thoughts about the race:
It was really nice to run a small local race, sleep in my bed the night before, and go home after the race. It was laid back. I never had to wait for a port-a-john (this is the 1st race I didn’t have to wait in line for a bathroom). Everyone was nice and runners cheered for runners.

But, there is something to be said about race support and infrastructure, timing chips, and plenty of water stops. The volunteers were awesome, and I totally appreciate their time and support, but there just weren’t enough. Same with water stations, there was one every 2.5 miles but the last 1/2 of the race I needed water more than that.

Mom and me

I’m not sure if I’d recommend this race for a first time marathoner or someone trying to run a PR – but if you have a few marathons under your belt, this is a great race.  Jay Jacob Wind, the race director and long-time runner, is passionate about running and putting on a great race.  Thanks to Jay, the volunteers, and Marathon Charity Cooperation for putting on a great race.

Post-race grub down with mom

BJ – thanks for letting me selfishly train for my marathon and BQ dream

I did it – I qualified for The Boston Marathon! I’m SO excited, and I just can’t hide it (I’m about to lose control and I think I like it)!

Running a marathon is no easy feat (this was my 1st) – but the feeling of accomplishment after crossing the finish line is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced (finishing my 70.3 felt pretty cool, too but as a lifelong runner, there’s just something about running a marathon).

I’m pretty sore today and look forward to taking the day (and week off)! I plan on treating myself to a massage, pedicure, wine, happy hour, friends and fun – all the things I didn’t do while I was training 🙂

Race report to follow but I wanted to let everyone know that I BQ’ed and I really appreciated your blog support and words of encouragement – thank you, thank you, thank you!

Pre-race: nervous and excited!

I love fashion. I really do. So much so, that I was voted “Best Dressed” my senior year of high school and in my sorority (yes, we had fashion contests). I love everything about it – the way a fabulous pair of jeans and sexy high heels can make me feel, and pairing unlikely items together to construct an envious/totally cool outfit. Bottom line, I like feeling cool, trendy, fashionable.

All of that changed about 2 months ago. Right around the time I started training for my marathon…
First it started with a sharp pair around my ankle. I tried to ignore it but it wouldn’t go away. My doctor told me it was from wearing heels (que: the knife to my heart). He suggested that I walk to work in flats – but that I could change into heels once I was in the office. Fair enough. It took some getting used to – I only have 2-3 pairs of “work” pants that I can wear with flats. But then, a few weeks in, I started wearing jeans with flats; at first I only wore jeans on Friday but then it slowly morphed into Thursday/ Friday, and before I knew it, I was wearing jeans whenever I felt like it.  And sometimes, hold your breath, I’ve worn workout clothes to work.  Part of me feels bad, like I should “dress up” a little more for work (I work in a casual environment, unless we have clients in the office, in which case I would totally dress up) but, the marathon-trainer in me says “Eff it, I’m training for a marathon and my whole body hurts, all the time”. The funny thing is, no one in the office understands how I feel. So, I’ve occasionally gotten the “Oh, I didn’t know it was ‘workout clothes’ day – wish I would have gotten the memo”, to which I reply, “Yea, I ran 23 miles this weekend – what about you?”  I’m usually too tired to do my hair or wear lots of make-up, which clearly doesn’t help my cause.

I am, however, biting at the bit to wear wedges and heels again. I have a closet full of fabulous dresses and jeans and tanks waiting to be worn.  And I keep promising BJ that I’ll be pretty again on May 2 (sorry hubs, marathon training has me looking like a hot-mess). 

Countdown is on – only 11 more days and then I’ll be pretty (and fashionable) again.  I can’t wait!

Wow, what a day. I can’t even imagine what it must have felt like to be there – running, cheering, watching. Records broken. Mad dash to the finish line.

The Boston Marathon couldn’t have come at a more perfect time in my (first) marathon training – with less than 2 weeks away, I really needed the motivation. I needed something to remind me why I want to qualify for Boston, why I am training my butt off. I think watching the Boston Marathon yesterday may have just done the trick (wink)

To all of the amazing runners who ran yesterday: Congratulations on an AWESOME accomplishment (And, to the support crew – those runners needed you!). I can’t wait to read all of your race reports, thumb through pictures, and live my dream of running Boston through you.

…is another man’s treasure. That’s how the saying goes, right?

Well, not in my world. In my world, one man’s trash is…definitely trash!

BJ and I own (well, it’s officially BJ’s but now mine through marriage-default) a condo in a nice building, in a nice part of Arlington, VA.  Included in our condo fee is an awesome management team, 24/7 security, and great amenities including a nice gym, party area and a trash room on every floor.  Because of the building and high-rent/prices in our area, there aren’t a lot of hoodlums that live in our building.  But…there are a lot of idiots!

Case in point: the (little) trash/recycle room on our floor.  It’s nice to have a trash room on every floor – I don’t want to go to the loading dock every time I have to throw something away – but keep in mind, it’s small.  It’s a place to throw away some trash bags and recycle some bottles.  It is NOT Goodwill (but here’s the url if you need to find one in the area – there are like 5 in Arlington  http://www.goodwill.org/)

Apparently, some idiot person on my floor thinks it is. And, because I tend to be a rule-follower, especially when it comes to the place I own and comfort of everyone that lives on my floor/in the building, this just pisses me off. To make myself feel better (and laugh at this person – I mean, what else can you do but laugh?!), I take pictures of all the hilarious things they think the can throw away in the very small trash room on our floor (and then I tell on them).

Enjoy!

No, I don’t want your broken column and/or your fake eucalyptus plant.

No, I don’t want your used comforter with stains on it.

No, I don’t want your broken suitcase.

And, NO, I especially don’t want your Hello Kitty paraphernalia

Disclaimer: This post is suppose to be funny (hey, it’s Friday!), not mean. I apologize if it comes off differently.