Managing It All

So we come upon another semester this coming Tuesday. I’m looking at the Broad Street Run for sure and the Odyssey Half in Philly. Still undecided about Caesar Rodney in Wilmington but I have until the 31st before the price increase.

Thankfully unlike last semester, this semester is a lot easier, just two classes of six credits, financial accounting theory and business in a global world, a strategic management elective. The latter is on Saturdays as I had no choice due to travel and lack of other classes earlier in the week.

Social life? Better than ever, although I am missing some networking events due to travel. I’m spending more time with friends and family (travelling when school isn’t an issue) than ever. I’m spending time with those who most support my goals and vice versa, those whom I can support as well.

Hoping I can push myself to be more fit. Yeah I run marathons and half marathons, but I want to work more on weighttraining and body development. I know my body can be so much stronger than it is, and running is just part of the picture.

I’m hoping I can spend more time with people, but I gotta keep myself in check. We’ll see how travel goes and then take it from there.

2012: Looking Back, and Looking Forward

Last year, I completed four half marathons and one full. That brings my total to six half marathons and one full. Amongst the things I noticed in various races:

I managed my fluid and food intake in races extremely well for the most part: During MCM, I NEVER had to go to the bathroom. I skipped water stations if it was too much, and was constantly in tune with my body.

No injuries due to conditioning or overuse. Yes all of my injuries were on impact during races, so it’s clear what I need to work on there. But I stuck to my training plan, pushed myself to my limit but no further, and limited garbage miles, miles that did not increase endurance or speed.

I listened to my body when I DID incur injury. Did I quit? No. Did I think about quitting. Oh yes. Did I stop and listen? Yes. I know my body, but I’m still learning with this sport. I used aid stations when I needed and felt things out getting back on the pavement. And if I had to do it again, I wouldn’t change a thing.

My hill training wasn’t enough, and neither was weighttraining. Lord I need to improve on this, even though in Philly (not so much on the road in DC) it’s a royal pain in the arse. I’m working on this by attending body development classes on Sundays in addition to spinning, and incurring more speedwork. Sundays after my long run make the most sense.

Stay to the right of the damn lane and awareness, awareness, awareness!!! Accidents in Virginia Beach and MCM in DC nearly derailed my races, although the latter should have never happened, and was through zero fault of my own. But it pays to pay attention to the shadows when in sunlight, and if someone gets too close…

There’s more lessons learnt off the pavement but with respect to training and racing itself, these are the things I need to pay attention to. And I’m working on it as I plow through offseason and prepare for my first race of the year.

2011: What I Learnt

Fireworks at Northern Liberties. 31 December 2011

And that’s a wrap. Running season was over, as far as 2011 was concerned. Both MCM and the Philly Half Marathon came and went, capping a successful yet injury-marred season. Finals came and went, and I didn’t just survive, but I thrived. I got out of a very bad relationship this fall, but I feel far stronger and better having learnt what I did and standing for what I believe in. I travelled relentlessly this year for work, yet somehow between school and running and everything else in between, I made more friends than ever and more connections through networking than ever.

I must be doing something right, especially when I look at myself just 3 years ago and struggling to tread water.

And finally, I am learning what is most important to me, what makes me happy and what drives me, regardless of how society, religion, culture, whatever dictates the status quo. Because as my cousin Adrian once said, unusual people do unusual things.

And I’m finding that the mundane bores me, and that the unusual drives me to experiences that I could have never imagined.

Amongst the many things I’ve learnt and reinforced:

Take (calculated) risks, small and large… If I’d never started that first 5k, that first half marathon…it’s led me to a network of friends through running as well as reinforced friendships that I’ve already had through other means. If I’d never taken the chance, I’d never had gotten the job I have today. If I’d never had put my foot forward out there with the men I met, I’d never have gotten the dates I have. And so forth. My cousins, who have travelled the world are constant risk takers and it’s something I keep in mind as I plow forward.

…but don’t bite off more than you can chew. This semester was an example to some extent. Coming into the semester I had 7.5 credits (three classes), three races (two halfs and my first full), a relationship, a post on UPenn’s alumni group organizing events for alumni, and what seemed like endless biweekly travel for my job. Not to mention I hung out with a plethora of friends from the alumni network as well as my running clubs. I was starting to burn out by October and it showed. When handling so many things it came to a point that I had to stop and breathe. And in the case of scheduling the Philly Half 3 weeks after an injury-riddled MCM, I had pushed my body to the maximum it could take. So I learnt that I had limits and where to draw the line.

Be in tune with yourself… Physically, this applied to when I was injured at Mile 17 of MCM. Could I run the remaining 9 miles without destroying my ankle? I took upwards of 10 minutes to examine my ankle at an aid station, and I’m glad I did. I’d been injured before, and no one knew that ankle better than me. Emotionally, in spite of my ex saying it wasn’t possible that I couldn’t possibly know what I wanted out of life, I already saw myself making life decisions through career decisions, through lifestyle decisions, through everyday decisions. Despite him saying that I needed Catholicism to be a good person, I found the faith conflicted with some of my most important core beliefs. So I pushed back because I felt uncomfortable. I pushed back because I was getting away from myself. And I eventually pushed him out of my life, and rightfully so. Yes I know compromise is a very important part of relationships, but there is a line to be drawn between that and incompatibility.

And that even if there is a long winded tunnel, that there is always light at the end…and to enjoy life in the tunnel. I have two years to go for grad school, but I have to remember not everyone gets the opportunity to go, or has the grades/test scores to get in. I have to remember the connections I made, even if the exams are less than fun. With running, I have to make sure my goals are sustainable even if it might seem like forever before I can consistently break a 2-hour half or 4-hour full marathon. And with time and hard work, I know I can get there. And someday I will meet someone, but given what I want in life, I have to be realistic and patient and that if I do the things I love, that the right person will be there waiting for someone equally driven about similar interests (well, more or less).

And finally, that family doesn’t necessarily have to be your biological or immediate family. It’s important to be close to family and to loved ones, but not everyone may be so fortunate. I’ve learnt time and again that extended family and friends have often stepped up where my own family has failed to do so and that in a changing world sometimes one has to create their own family, and that this isn’t a bad thing. That if family doesn’t live up to normal societal expectations, there’s nothing wrong with seeking support elsewhere and drawing support from those who share common beliefs and values.

2011 was a rollercoaster ride. There were a lot of bumps in the road, but I survived and for every challenge, I feel I’ve emerged stronger. I’ve learnt more about myself and the world, and I want to continue setting and reaching my goals in 2012. I look forward to a good year – bring it on 2012 – and I wish everyone here a happy new year, one filled with blessings, memories and happiness.

Back in Philly: Wrapping It Up.

Philadelphia Half Marathon Recap and Race Report

Hanging banner. 18 November 2011.

Race: Philadelphia Half Marathon
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Distance: 21.1 km (13.1 miles)
Date/Start Time: 20 November 2011, 0700
Distance Travelled to Compete: Negligible – 1.8 km (1.1 miles)
Weather conditions: Clear to partly cloudy; temperatures started high 30s and quickly shot up to high 50s/low 60s. Wind started at the beginning but quickly died down.
Course conditions: Flat through most of Center City and South Philadelphia. Turned into Powelton Village and Mantua, where a hill picked up at Mile 8 and another at Mile 10 leading into the concourse at Fairmount Park. Wrapped around MLK Drive and finished back at Eakins Oval, in front of the Art Museum.
Preview: Only three weeks after MCM, most people thought I was insane for doing this race. Personally I had wanted to run this for fun, no time goal, just wanted to enjoy myself at home again and meet up with other runner friends who were really putting themselves to the test with their full marathon here.

The Expo:

Another awesome slogan. 18 November 2011.

I had attended this last year for the Rothman 8k and this year’s Expo was bigger, although the variety of vendors this year was disappointing and in my opinion did not match the vendor lineup from the Rock n Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon. Packet pick up was very organized and there was a lot of freebies to go around, mini CLIF bars, LUNA bars, chocolate covered pomegranate seeds by Brookside, and such. Normally I don’t comment on these things but for some reason it stuck out.

Volkswagen! 18 November 2011.

The variety of vendors was another story though. Aside from the freebies, the vast majority were running shops, hydration kit sellers, promoters for other races. Now let’s face it this is a running expo. But for some reason at other expos, I feel there was a little more diversity especially with the headlining or major sponsors. It did NOT feel that way here at all. I remember the Volkswagens in the corner, but that was about it. It could have been better, and heck I think last year’s lineup might have been better. But honestly a minor point compared to everything else.

Another kit. 18 November 2011.

The race shirt and bag? Awesome. Or at least I liked the design. Solid black with the slogan on the front and the course map on the back.

The Race:

On the way there.... 20 November 2011.

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Before the gun: With a 0700 gun time, we set out early from the neighbourhood, and we saw several dozen people trickle up with us through the financial district. Getting to Eakins was a breeze, where bag check-in went smoothly and I managed to get myself in the starting corral with relative ease.

Moving up... 20 November 2011.

Museum at dawn. 20 November 2011.

Miles 1-2: Fairmount to Chinatown. We started going southeast on Ben Franklin Parkway and veered left on Arch Street into Chinatown. Spectators were cheering everywhere and flat and fast these first two miles were a relative breeze. Of course, my muscles spoke soon after this.

Mile 3/5k: Old City. We proceeded south on Columbus Boulevard into South Philly and Pennsport neighbourhoods. On a side note, I couldn’t help but tremble at how close I got to my ex’s place (we broke up on rather dismal terms in early October – hah!) but breathed a sigh of relief as we proceeded north on 6th Street. Oddly enough I started to burn up, and the temperatures soared up to the point that by Mile 4, I shed a layer and tied it around my waist. It was utterly annoying, but that’s Philly weather for you.

Miles 4-5: Pennsport. Very run of the mill, very relatively flat and fast through South Philly. Still crowded and was still paranoid about tripping. My muscles were shaky but I maintained my steady if not slower pace compared to usual for the obvious. I kept my breathing steady, trying not to think of how fatigued I was getting up. But I finish what I start…

Mile 6/10k split: Washington West and Rittenhouse Square, nothing like the hometown crowd cheering you on. I felt a burst of energy heading west on Chestnut Street, pumping my fists easily through 15th Street. This area is probably the most packed out of all the spectator sites, although for those running the full, I do hear Manayunk boasts quite a crowd at Miles 20 and 22. I piqued my head for sights of anyone familiar but alas I could not. We crossed the bridge leading out of Fitler Square and into University City soon after.

Mile 7: University City and Powelton Village. Suddenly I couldn’t take it anymore; I needed a bathroom break; unfortunately I took it at what appeared to be the slowest queue: mile 7. Normally the loos were the worst towards the beginning, and here the line wasn’t too bad, but dear, people were taking much longer to the point I had to ask if people were actually IN them. This MUST have cost me a good five minutes and I could tell given that I had started with grey corral folks, and then I saw the blue and then the orange parade as I finished what I needed to do.

Miles 8-9: Mantua. As bad as I’d heard this neighbourhood to be, I’m sure the sights of runners probably brightened up an area that normally most people wouldn’t be caught dead in. North on 34th we headed to Fairmount Park’s concourse. A steady hill had started back in Powelton Village and proved to be a growing pain as I continued up 34th. I was starting to tire out prematurely, the penalty for overtaxed muscles. Thankfully another runner, who was running her first marathon, piqued my attention, asking me if I was stopping at the half or continuing on. I told her I paid my dues three weeks earlier and that this half for me was just to go out with a bang. She told me she was nervous, but I tried to encourage her saying the worst was behind us (which it mostly was) and the second half of the full marathon course into East Falls and Manayunk was totally flat. I bode her good luck as we split off.

Miles 10-11: Deep into Fairmount Park and the Concourse. Good lord, now I recall the big hill at 10 that my colleague Sergio warned me about: it was the same bloody hill that was mile 13 of the Odyssey Half in May. Déjà vu…strangely however, in spite of the aching that was the previous few miles, I soldiered rather easily through this part, not so much because of the strength I had, but at this point any strength I was pulling together was my out of body experience; it was mental.

Miles 12-13: Back on MLK Drive. I swore it must have felt like the longest run. At this point I had to take run/walk breaks because my ankles were really starting to hurt like they did after MCM, given my gait, my ankles do upon occasion strike each other but between that and the extremely high impact I had to be extremely careful. The cheering crowd grew larger and louder on me and soon enough I saw the split signs designating the full marathon runners to veer left and the half marathon runners to veer right, as I did. This was the end, I thought, the end to a hectic, painful yet fulfilling year.

The finish: My body was sore, but there it was, the finish line.

Unofficial: 2:28:48.

Smiling on the parkway. 20 November 2011.

Post-Race Thoughts:

I asked for this one. Easily 15 minutes over my average time, but did I have a goal? Nope. I ran a full marathon just 3 weeks before, and going into the race, my muscles did not feel that great at all. Not sore, but worn and a little tired when I woke up. But I knew I could pull through without injury. I just wanted to go out and end with a race in my hometown and post-party with friends, which I did.

At the same time, should I decide to do the full in a future year, this gives me an idea of what to expect the first half of my race. There’s no way I could have done the full here on top of MCM, although I know several people who did this full as the second of two within the month, either from NYCM or MCM or something else. Unfortunately I don’t have that ability and this half definitely pushed me to my limit.

It would be another 2 weeks before I exercised or worked out and another week after that before running 3 miles again. But now I know what my body can handle under an extreme schedule that people more athletically able can push.

I’m a little disappointed in the expo, but race day organization itself was solid. Swag was solid, so in essence very little to complain and I hope I can do this hometown race in future years!

Finisher's Medal. 20 November 2011.

MCM: The Successful Failure

36th Marine Corps Marathon Race Report

At the gun, 30 October 2011.

Race: Marine Corps Marathon
Location: Arlington/Rosslyn, VA and Washington DC
Distance: 42.2 km (26.2 miles)
Date/Start Time: 30 October 2011, 0800
Distance Travelled to Compete: 229 km (142 miles)
Weather conditions: Windy and chilly, starting in the low 40s.
Course conditions: Mostly flat, hills at miles 2, 8, and 25.6. Plenty of turnarounds.

Preview:

MCM  is billed as a true first timer’s race, the amount of support beginner runners get is remarkable. The course is mostly flat with hills on Lee Highway in Rosslyn (mile 2) far deep in Georgetown (miles 6-7) and coming back up the Arlington Cemetery (mile 25.5).  Registration sold out in 28 hours and change, the fastest sellout in history.  I picked the race as it was not too deep in the school year, and I thought it would yield temperate weather. Also I freaking LOVE DC.

Military get a discount ($75), and everyone else paid $91.

The Expo, DC Armoury 27-29 October

Runners' Expo, 28 October 2011.

Packet pickup was VERY well run, organized, zero hassle.  Participants got their mock neck t-shirts, bibs, and a commemorative patch. The expo had a load of vendors, and more sampling of endurance/race food than I’ve ever seen. Chomps, GU, PowerBar jellies, was glad to have tried them all, and confirmed yet again that I will always be, and always stay, a GU gal (or at least to the endurance gels – the CLIF shots aren’t bad at all, and I’m not brand loyal here).

Space was expansive, went around looking for a last minute second layer long sleeve running top with a collar, but the ones at the Armoury were too expensive. Wound up getting a Brooks neon cover jacket instead at City Sports for $45, not bad.

Pre-Race Party: First Timers Pep Rally, 28 October

First Timer Pep Rally, 28 October 2011.

As a first timer, I was invited to a pep-rally and motivation session for first-time marathoners. There was food, giveaways and a chance to meet and network with other runners. There was also plenty of advice given to ease our nerves, but overall we had a good time. The mascots and cheerleaders were in full force, even if it was cheesy, we could still kick back and just enjoy the moment.

During a straw poll the emcee took from the crowd, there were first-timers from Denmark and Australia, which is saying something. There were a few from the UK and from Africa that wanted to do their first full here. And that is saying something…

MCM cheerleader. It's not a Marine Corps Marathon without the Oorahs. 28 October 2011.

The Morning of the Race

Set my alarm for 5am.  Thank goodness I got a lot of sleep; we had eaten a good meal in Dupont Circle’s Floriana on 17th and Q Streets the night before.

We trudged down 24th Street from our hotel (the Westin Georgetown on 24th and M Streets) to the Foggy Bottom Metro stop.  Took a packed blue line subway to the Pentagon. And once we got off, holy crap it was cold as anything. The chill was unbearable. Thankfully as time passed, it got better, but to my chagrin, I found myself wearing my running gloves most of the race.

Pair of ospreys. 30 October 2011.

Before the gun: I shivered a bit on VA Route 110. We started on the highway due north towards Rosslyn. I got with my pace group and was ready to go.

Miles 1-3/5k: Rosslyn, North Lynn Drive to Lee Highway. We started off the highway and under the bridge on Lynn Drive. The first three miles consisted of a nasty incline that I was expecting yet had no trouble trucking my legs over. This early in the race, I had to stay focused and conserve energy as best as I could. The breeze died down thankfully, and I kept my gloves on for this part of the race. Breathing slowly to keep the air warm inside me, we were all greeted by loads of bystanders all through Rosslyn.

Taken AFTER the race, but saw this on Mile 1. 30 October 2011.

Mile 4: Key Bridge and West DC Astonishingly it was not as cold as I had feared along the river and we continued to truck along the Lee Highway and across the bridge. We made a sharp left against M Street and proceeded up another hill after Mile 5. People were extremely cheerful, and I passed several of the wheelchair racers. “Stay strong! Keep your chin up!” I pushed myself, looking at my watch…I was WAY ahead of pace, and astonishingly I wasn’t even trying. My pace team was only behind me a few feet, so maybe they had the same thing in mind, even though the leader told me she was going at even splits.

Miles 5-7/10k: Georgetown “You’re almost there!” screamed a spectator as I hit my 10k split. I swore I wanted to smack him. This was not the time to mess with my head. Seriously. We trucked back from 47th and western Montgomery County back to Georgetown, amongst the screaming crowds and the bands playing. I turned to my right and already heading the other way at the Mile 5 marker were the straggler busses, and several people already struggling to stay ahead. Oy.

Miles 8-11: K Street and Rock Creek Parkway More bands. More music. More refreshments. Love those orange slices. Unfortunately I still was wearing my gloves so I could only manage to grab one. Yeah that was one thing that was nagging me, the constant change in temperature. I think I took my gloves on and off at least 5 times during the course of the race. It was extremely nippy when we started, then I took them off, then the air froze up again…it drove me crazy. But onwards we plugged along through the parkway and with the crowds thinning down, towards Haines Point.

Miles 12-14: Halfway Home at Haines Point. The halfway point. The photographers. The split clock.

Mile 15: Heading to the Mall At this point, I was stoked

Mile 17: Injury at the First Checkpoint The Washington Monument. I was thrilled, this is where most of my family and friends parked to support me. This was flat, the best part of the race, charging all the museums and the US Capitol. We came down the hill, making a hard right up another incline at the exit underneath the 14^th Street Bridge.

Miles 18-19: Attitude Adjustment

Mile 20: 14^th Street Bridge and Second Checkpoint

Mile 21: Entry to Crystal City Once we finished crossing the bridge, we saw thousands more spectators

Mile 22-23: Not the Only One Struggling… …although it was for different reasons

Mile 24-25/40k: Back to Route 110. It was about this time that my calf muscles were starting to hurt, and I figured the delayed onset of “the wall” was because I was walking a lot earlier in the race than normal. At this point, just about EVERYONE in the pack was walking regardless of condition and at most I might have seen 1-2 people trying to run. My eyes were desperately searching for some sign of the finish, knowing that the end was surely in sight, but it just wasn’t happening.

Mile 26 and the Finish: Giving It What I Have  “Mile 26 is the tower!” screamed a young child, likely five years old at most. Ahead was a large wooden white lookout tower, so I knew for sure the end was near. With the pain, I was just begging to see that damned red arch, signifying the finish line, but I wasn’t seeing it and it was killing me. “Alright, just alternate those run-walks,” I told myself, but then I saw the final hill. Somehow I reached inside, and grunted as I forced myself, dragging my right leg up that hill. I turned the curve, and finally, I saw that arch. I worked myself into a slow jog, and as I crossed the finish line, despite the tears in my eyes, I threw my hands in the air.

I survived. 5:26:49 unofficial.

Post-Race Party

I took my picture at Iwo Jima and I darted to the aid station right after I was through with hospitality, receiving my Gatorade, water, a Bento box filled with other goodies (hummus, crackers, edamame seeds and pretzels and a few other things), a few bananas and a bagel.  The Marines wrapped my ankle again in a cold cloth, but ultimately the most I could do going forward was resting it for awhile.  Thankfully, nothing was torn or broken.

Bento box given to finishers, 30 October 2011.

Aftermath and Moving Forward

It was a true successful failure, obviously nowhere near the projected 4:30-4:45 finished time. There was a part of me that was annoyed. I was wise enough to not let the course beat me, so to speak, but with 3 20+ mile runs, hitting at most 3:30-3:45, I felt in GREAT shape going into the race. I heard about the wall, I heard about the horrors of post-mile 21 fatigue, and I wanted to take my training seriously as a result. But at the same time, I can’t control certain things, and even with being told about avoiding collision at the beginning of the race, one thing I failed to take into consideration was that with MCM catering to beginners, the REAL thick of the pack was more on the slower side. So the crowding of the pack was really with me until, honestly, mile 24.

The crisis management part was something I learnt early on – when someone rammed me over in Virginia Beach in March at mile 2, recovery wasn’t too bad, I had nearly 100% left. But it’s a lot different after having run 16 miles AND trying to stick with a pace group, not to mention testing an entirely new boundary of stamina. Also I’ve never hurt my ankle from impact in ANY race before (or ANY situation outside of running, now that I think of it), so I was not entirely sure how to deal with it as opposed to my knee or anything resulting from the occasional spurt of bursitis. Seeing it swell a bit was scary, but all things considered, I had already passed one checkpoint and easily made the second. Yet, it was the fear of the unknown, balancing wanting to finish versus figuring out how bad the ankle injury could possibly get. I didn’t know how my body was going to react.

It’s clear as day I need to get with the program with being aware of who is around me, though “the pack” took me by surprise, especially that far in the race.  But mentally, I am proud at the end of the day that I pulled it together and stuck it out. It is painful having to accept things you can’t control. This IS my first marathon and I am still learning. And even so, yet, physically I was very happy with how things went up to Mile 16. It will be something to consider as I train for my next full marathon next year.

Finisher's Medal, 30 October 2011.

But injury aside, if I had to do MCM again, I absolutely would. I’m giving serious thought to repeating this again next year – it was so well run, and vindication would be quite sweet. In all honesty, with everything it was, running and completing MCM was one of the best experiences of my life.

Finisher's Medal, 30 October 2011.

Finals Done…and a Little More Time

…to write…and to have to myself.

I STILL haven’t gotten out my race recaps from MCM and the Philly Half. Pics are uploaded.

Several of my other pages need updating. I know.

Admittedly I’m so tired out from finals that writing almost seems like a chore. Then again, there are a lot of things I do want to reflect upon as well. A number of changes in my life for sure.

Looking Ahead for 2012

Running season 2011 is almost over, and depending on how I feel I may take on TWO full marathons for 2012, but I may not.  If I take on Garden Spot Village’s full marathon (toying between the full and the half at the moment), I would have to start conditioning in December.  That would give me a whopping two weeks of offseason, and put another dent in trying to safely integrate weight training with running without taxing my body to a breaking point.

As in, I will challenge myself, but I am fearful of injury.  I have searched high and low for reliable integration of weight training with running 3-4 times per week for a full marathon, and it’s difficult to get that all in if trying to avoid consecutive days of weightlifting and training.  And that’s not even bringing in school into the picture or other work commitments.  I’m no longer in a relationship (not due to running or schedule, but other reasons best saved for a separate post), so I don’t have that issue for the time being.  But I certainly have been forced to reprioritize.

If I stick to the half marathon, I can work in more weighttraining. But we’ll see. My school schedule looks to be favorable, so I could probably be fine either way depending on how my body reacts after the Philadelphia Half Marathon.  I was debating sitting out, but my ankle post-MCM has healed quite well, so a few more days of rest and I’ll be good to get back on track for shorter runs and up to an 8-9 mile run the following Saturday.

For next fall, it’s hard to predict my schedule versus class availability.  If I have to take a weekend class, then most options outside Philly will be out of the question, and I may be forced to stick to Philly for all my races.  I am looking at entering the lottery for the NYC Marathon in 2012, so that’s about 10-11 dollars for the lottery entry.  If NYC does not pan out, I will be looking at Baltimore or Philly for my fall half marathon; by then MCM 2012 will have sold out.  (This year, MCM sold out in 28 hours and change, and registration will be done by the time decisions for NYCM will have gone out in April.)

And a part of me wants to do MCM again because the race was so much fun, plus there is a nagging feeling of vindication as I hope to complete that course without injury.

But we shall see what happens.

26.2 With a Recap to Come

It’s over. Injury at mile 16, but I made it.

I will be getting my race recap up by the weekend.

The Time Is At Hand

This is it. I leave for DC tomorrow morning. I’m stoked but slightly nervous at the same time. Mentally I have to put it aside. Attended an alumni happy hour (abstained from any drinking of course) to network and received loads of encouragement from fellow runners. It’s my first. Don’t overload on the carbs, get the sleep, have you been watching your diet? Stay hydrated all week, my colleague told me.

Just go out there and enjoy the friends and family running by your side and enjoy the sights of DC and take it all in. I still have not seen all the memorials so I will keep it in mind.

I’ve had people run with me both in Philly and during my travels in DC. And I will be thinking of all my supporters as I roll in 26.2.

Thanks for all your words of encouragement near and far and for those of you also taking on MCM, best of luck to you as well as we all charge the District, beat the bridge and take down Iwo Jima.

See you all this weekend!

I’m Running 26.2…This Month

15 weeks down, 3 more to go.

Just 24 days now remaining until the 36th iteration of the Marine Corps Marathon.

Physically I am more ready than ever, and barring freak injury, I will rev up, dress up and head to the start line from my Georgetown hotel that morning 30 October.

Mentally, I’m more scared than ever. Blame it on the fear of the unknown. My body starts breaking down at mile 21, and the most vulnerable parts of me will either hold up or bring me down with them. Most vulnerable as in, my knees, and lately my right ankle.

My right ankle is always sore, and I find it hard to walk on it right after a long run, but it feels fine some time after running. It’s worse with intensity, so I will have to lighten it. On my last 16 mile run, it only became a problem towards the end, but I was going at it niiiiiiiiceeee and slooooooow.

But I am looking past fear and looking at each barrier I broke down. The first time I made the change. I’m just south of two years where I left my old firm 1 October 2009 and took that first step towards taking care of myself.

It was a bright and sunny Thursday afternoon, when I left that office for good. I had the remaining stuff of mine in my messenger bag and decided to cut through Rittenhouse Square on my way home. It was then that I saw people in running gear, running on Walnut Street. It’s a nice day to run and enjoy the fresh air, so I figured I’d give it a whirl.

I’ll never forget what happened that next day. If there was ever such a rude awakening that I received, the huffing and puffing from 18th to 19th Streets was it.

Two years later, my world is different in so many ways. The choice to run, along with the choices I’ve had to make around it. All around, a happier and healthier person.

It was one day in January that I decided to take the next step, emboldened to move forward – what if?

What if I could do 26.2?

I decided to be smart – locale and weather not too hot because dehydration and humidity would kill me, but lung capacity would be a serious issue if I picked a race where it would be too cold. That said, the Philly Marathon was out – having faced freezing temps in my first half marathon, risking such with a full was not happening.

Enter the late October MCM race in Washington DC. It couldn’t have been perfect. I love DC, perfect running weather on average and not too far from home: travel costs would be manageable. (NB: I have hotel rewards points for travel, but even those who had to pay can find decent rates.)

I marked my calendar: 23 February was registration day. It took seven hours before I could get on the website to register.

And now…that day was within the month.

Physically I’m ready. Mentally, I am more apprehensive. I’m more apprehensive of what will happen between Mile 21 (21 miles will be my longest run ever) and the finish line.

I remember myself 2 years and 25 pounds ago. Each barrier that I was able to break down happened because I believed in myself that I could take the little steps I needed to.

In the end, sometimes the hardest thing out there is believing in yourself.

I need to push myself past this barrier too.