I think I will call this race my comedy of errors, because a bunch of things seemed to go wrong…but I DID finish and I had a fabulous time with Melanie and her family, as well as seeing some old friends from Chicago! So all in all, worth the trip

So this past weekend my friend Melanie and I ran the Chicago marathon. It was my second marathon, and her first. Now, I’ll be honest when I say I didn’t have the best track record when it came to the training. I was very good in the beginning, but then my schedule was all messed up and we moved and blah blah excuses–long story short, I was a little nervous that that would come into effect. But I completed the 18-miler and the 20-miler, so I knew I would at least be able to finish. Cut to Saturday morning at 5am on Saturday when I woke up and got my stuff together to leave for Chicago from DC. My cab was late, and I made it there in the nick of time for my flight. We board and I find myself next to a larger man who has already fallen asleep and is snoring LOUDLY. Okay, snoring is just something I can. not. take. I was just thinking this thought when the pilot came on and said that an indicator light came on and we needed to restart the plane on the runway. Naturally, Mr. Blocked Airways dozes right on through. Fifteen minutes later the problem is still not fixed and we have to head back to the gate for maintenance to look at it; but we’re assured it will be a quick fix, which is nice, since my layover time is rapidly decreasing. Well, fifteen minutes after THAT and the plane isn’t going anywhere so we deplane and head up to ticketing to rebook, only to find out that the only supervisor has left and no one is empowered to issue any tickets. UMMM this is what bothers me about airlines–with all their fancy communication gadgets, shouldn’t someone have sent the word that 100 people are storming back upstairs that will need immediate attention? Luckily I was person #5 because I booked it up the escalator, but it still took twenty minutes to talk to a real person. There was a girl in front of me who was also running in the marathon, and my heart almost sank when she came back and said the only flight available to Chicago left from DULLES and got into Chicago at 4:40…which meant I would miss the expo and would have to send Melanie along to pick up my packet and all my race day stuff. Well, lo and behold, I step up to the agent and she’s found me a flight on another airline that gets into Chicago at 1:45. Hooray! I’m beaming from ear to ear as I plant myself downstairs to finish The Stranger before my new flight (DIRECT to Chicago!) and everything went off without a hitch.

Once I got to Chicago I took a cab down to McCormick Place, picking up Melanie as I went, and picked up all of our stuff for the race on Sunday. The expo was crazy and it brought back a lot of memories for me. Watching the video of the course was especially emotional because I remember how I felt, particularly at mile 23 when there were NO SPECTATORS and I was so ready for everything to be over. At more than one point I found myself wondering, why did I decide to do this AGAIN??!? But, all in good fun. We headed up to Lakeview to meet up with Colleen and Amity and we went out to eat at The Olive Garden for some pasta and then I crashed asleep.

Next morning I woke up when it was still dark out, got dressed and crept out of Colleen’s apartment. Outside it was FREEZING and I went to wait at the bus stop. Wellll, twenty mintues later there was no bus so I found a group of girls and we started looking for a cab. Buttttt all the cabs were full, few and far between. So when the bus randomly pulled up, I hopped on and made my way downtown. Met up with Melanie and we dropped off our stuff and went to the start line. Probably about 5 minutes before the start, I dropped my iPod and it broke. Believe me when I say, my heart sank with the prospect of having to run 26 miles without music…again. Last year we weren’t allowed to have headphones so I was really looking forward to having it this year. Well, no such luck. But Mel and I were still pumped when we started walking towards the start line, and when we crossed it at a slow jog, skipping over the piles of old sweatshirts and warm-ups. As a sidebar: I kept my blue flannel pajama pants with frogs on them until about mile 10.

The first part of the marathon is always the best–there are lots of fans, the runners are pumped, and you’re feeling good and energized and fast. Mel and I ran the first 7 miles together, and then we got split up. I felt pretty good throughout, and the parts that I was really dreading didn’t end up being that bad. The last few miles, in particular, were full of people whose cheers really did help! Only problem was, my bladder decided to wreak havoc on my race and I had to stop–not once, not twice, but THREE times to go to the bathroom. So, that was kind of annoying because I had to waste time waiting in line for the port-a-potties. Although, to be honest, I didn’t push it as hard as I could have. Towards the end of the race–and even in places in the middle–I kept thinking, I really want to enjoy the race and not kill myself trying to get a good time. I think I was just remembering last year when it was so hot and I wanted to do well and there were points that were downright dreadful that I didn’t want to repeat…so yeah, ended up finishing 5:08:32, which was 20 minutes slower than last year’s marathon. But! It was a great time, and afterward I was so thrilled to eat a CRAPload–bagel, three packs of pretzels, banana, gatorade…and then once Mel and I met up we went to get a quick massage and then hobble back to her family’s condo, where we cuddled in bed and watched TV until dinner (Aurelio’s!).

All in all, a very enjoyable trip, and I almost DIED when Melanie said she wanted to do it again (just the day before she was adamant about how she wasn’t going to be one of those people that caught the marathon bug…well, long story short we’re planning to do a half marathon in March and do the Chicago marathon again next year…what can I say?). I just hope we can get our friends Meg and Katie to run with us, because Mel and I both have high hopes of all four of us running together!!! We missed our Katie dearly this weekend since she got injured during the training and couldn’t run.

And, hey! If you made it all the way through this post, congrats!!! It took me a couple sittings to even write it Anyone else a runner or thinking about running a (half) marathon? I’d love to hear about any tips or good races!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend. Here in DC we are having the most fabulous weather, and Drew and I just got back from lunch! Today was my 20 mile day for marathon training, and after frustratedly looking for my Nike+ receiver throughout the apartment for like 45 minutes (I finally did find it), I got to running at about 10.

Well, right away I was nervous because I have been having stomach pains the past couple days and they set in early. And my knees decided to hurt before I even got through a mile. Oy! But eventually I got onto the path and settled in a bit and it was great! It was sunny and cool and a bit windy, which was quite pleasant to run in. After mile 5, I found the bridge over to DC and I took it, with no plan as to where to run.

I found myself in Georgetown once I crossed to Potomac, and in my panic for not knowing where the heck I was going, I started following this really tall muscular man for a mile or so. Then I got my bearings and decided to turn north a bit and go through Dupont, and then wandered southeast to the Mall. I wasn’t exactly sure where it was so I took a really roundabout way and ended up getting there around mile 9. Ran toward the Washington monument for a bit, then turned back north and went up to M street, then west back to Georgetown to cross back into Virginia.

As luck would have it, my little jaunt into DC was the perfect 10 miles I needed and I was right on track when I got back on the path. Around mile 14-15 I started to get a bit lazy…my legs were stiff but not too tired, and my arms and chest felt good. But I was wearing a backpack today for my water and Gatorade and snacks, and my arms were starting to chafe from the straps. Annoying! I was going to take some Gu, but I chickened out AGAIN. So instead I walked a little bit and then ran the rest of the way back…ended up finishing in 3:40, which I was pleased with.

I am thinking of doing another 20-miler next weekend because I missed a few long runs a while back with my hip craziness. Luckily that seems to be doing okay although there’s something funky going on in my left foot…at about mile 16 it started feeling a bit numb, which was a little disconcerting. Hopefully I can find something on the internet that will tell me what to do about that so that won’t be a problem.

I think I’m going to have revise my goal pace back for the race, but that’s okay. My new goal is just to do better than last year, so hopefully that’ll happen! If I continued the same pace as today, I would finish 10 minutes ahead of last year, so we’ll see. Anyway, I think I’ll go back to watching football and RELAXING a bit before dinner with some friends. Tomorrow I have an early flight to Chicago for a funeral…leaving and coming back the same day, so it should be a long one. But next week is gonna be pretty busy with interviews and such, so goodness gracious I hope something works out!!! As much as I like being able to watch the Ellen show every day, I think I’d rather have a job

1. Made my Artos bread today! More details and pics later…realized earlier that I forgot my camera in Chicago.

2. Found out my mom reads this blog…hi Mom!

3. Am back in Philly for the next while–did I mention that in my last post? Anyway back at home for a while until I find a job. Even though yesterday and today I didn’t do any job searching. But I did do a lot of errands and grading and apartment searching and baking! I feel like that’s good enough.

4. Still running! Now that I have the Nike + it’s easier to track my progress through that website, so I haven’t done much reposting over here. But yeah, into official training now, which is fun. And I’m glad to have a free schedule that allows blocked out running time! Yesterday I tried to run with the dog, and it was a real struggle. He didn’t really want to move past mile 1 but somehow we made it to 3 and arrived safely back at home. But with all the dragging and stopping I had to do for him to go to the bathroom like 4 times, my pace was all off. I was not pleased at all when my average pace of all my training jumped by like 10 seconds hahaha. Anyway, went at it solo today, but with fancy new running shoes! Hooray.

That’s all for now. Am starved for dinner, so hopefully that’ll be ready soon…and then I WILL watch the Bachelorette tonight! I’m so far behind but I can’t wait. And I’m sure I’ll be even more excited when I finish and there are only a couple days until the next episode–woot!

That’s all for now! Off to my last class, if not ever, then for a very long time! Sort of weird!

1. Got my Nike+ in the mail…hooray! Have only used it on two runs so far, but so far I really like it! I think I’ve finally figured out how to position the sensor on my shoe so it doesn’t move…at first it was giving me really wobbly results because it was bouncing around on top of my shoe, but hopefully that”ll be more accurate now. I also just found out that Becca’s parents gave her one and that Nike is updating the Nike Running website over the summer to include friends and such…so hopefully we can keep accountable on there at some point! And MelKatieLaura, think about it!

2. Drew found a job! He may have another offer so is in the negotiation stage right now…but we at least know we’ll be moving to DC for sure. I am so relieved and excited–so much so that I spilled the beans at 3 in the morning on facebook before he was able to call some people…oops. But yes, now I just need to find me a job. Should be easy, right? So far not so much…so looking for all the help I can get! We’ll see soon enough

3. I also received my Bread Baker’s Apprentice book in the mail!!! I am very excited to learn how to bake bread well, and have already begun reading the 100+ page preamble for all the tactical and background info you need to know, which has been so helpful. Reinhart is very engaging and explains things really well, so I’m excited to get started. Probably tomorrow.

Well, that’s about all. Looks rather dreary outside so seems like a good day to get some things down around the house. Somehow my room has slid back into mayhem, and dishes are piling up again. Oh joy. But first, pancakes!

Got back to the apartment and changed shirts and put on my yoga capris and walked over to the Family Resource Center, which I learned was actually on the second floor of a church. I was going for free yoga led by one of the SSA grad students, and when I got there I found out that we were going to be practicing outside on the grass in a little courtyard…awesome! It was so peaceful and a great way to spend an hour and a half, but gosh my quads were BURNING! But honestly the best feeling in the world is doing the shivasana at the end…oh my gosh I am never so restful and at peace. And I made friends! There were 5-6 girls there and apparently they do yoga pretty regularly together, including at the  business school so I’ll have to check it out one of these days (well actually I think they’re ending this week….) but if I’m still in Chicago over the summer they have free yoga in Millenium Park every Saturday morning so I’m thinking about running downtown, doing yoga for an hour or so, and then running back. That would be about 14 miles, maybe a little less, so it’s good that they don’t start up the activities until a bit later in June. But I’m excited!

Also when I got back from yoga I made this delicious pasta. It really is so quick and divine. I really do love prosciutto, even though it is so expensive. But I figure pasta, peas, and cheese are pretty inexpensive, so the $/meal is not that bad. Supposed to make 4 servings, but I was rather hungry and ate it in two and a half (yes, it’s gone already). I did it pretty much along the recipe, except for adding a pinch of red pepper flakes and mixing in a bit of parmesan cheese at the end before serving. Really, it was soooooo good you should try it!

Today I was supposed to do Bike the Drive but I woke up so sleepy and after chatting with Mom online it was almost over, so I guess I missed it. Oh well. As it turns out you could only enter from Jackson, so I would have had to take the bus with my bike downtown and then ride south…which seemed like kind of a hassle. Ah well. Other than that I have been really lazy–saved some jobs to apply to, watched several episodes of Doogie Howser (seriously, my NPH obsession is reaching dangerous levels), and browsed a lot of blogs to add to Google Reader.

I think I’ll write for a bit and then eat some dinner…and I should post a little shout out for the Cavs who are playing Orlando tonight in Game 3! I am hoping they do well so Drew is in a good mood and so he doesn’t abandon the jersey I got him (apparently the Cavs are 1-3 while he wears it). Hope you all had fabulous weekends! So sad that another week is already here to greet us.

1. Things are going really well in one of my projects for school. I love the people I am working with and this week we had to do a lot of data work which I forgot how much I loved. We’re having a big meeting with the other half of our team on Monday and I can’t wait.

2. I have an interview for a nonprofit consulting job on Tuesday!!! In person!!! I am very excited…will let you know how it goes.

3. Yesterday morning I finally figured out what I want to write my book about. I have been writing…mostly poetry, but I think now that I have a book idea in mind I can finally get started on it.(!!!)

4. The Art Institute just opened their ginormous Modern Wing and it’s free now until next Friday. I was thinking about going today but I know it’s going to be mobbed so now I’m thinking of going Friday morning…hooray!

5. My FAVORITE 80s cover band, 16 Candles, is playing in Chicago tonight and I think Colleen, Stacey and I are going to go watch! I’m so excited! I do need something to wear though…

6. Drewie graduates from grad school on Monday!!! I’m kinda sad I won’t be able to go to the ceremony and such, but I’m happy that his mom and Mickey are down there, and in general I’m excited for him. Joe Biden is speaking at commencement, who is one of Drew’s idols, so that should be extra special.

On the downside,

1. My room is a disaster, and has been for weeks. Priority #1 today is getting laundry done, and straightening up. Also grocery shopping. I need to start eating real food again instead of the standard grilled chicken sandwich with swiss cheese and bacon that the guy knows I get every time now. I mean I love having friends at the cafeteria where I can order “the usual” and they know what that means, but seriously, it’s getting out of hand.

2. One of my family members committed suicide last night. Can’t quite process yet…

3. Lots of jobs I need to apply for still…that’s priority #3 (after grocery shopping).

Yeah, all in all, life is pretty good. I am happy where it’s going, happy to be almost done with grad school (what?? I just started!), happy to start my career, and definitely happy to be in the same city as Drew finally! Anyway, will update more a bit later, but now it’s time to tackle my room.

ps. I did run yesterday, but am thinking of taking today off and running tomorrow instead. Going to go for 5 miles, so if that’s not how much I run you better heckle me! Better to state a goal and then have to achieve it Later!

Laura asked me a while back what I do for stretching before/after runs, and I thought I’d post here as well. Enjoy!

BEFORE <5 mins

-stand and lift each heel to your butt to stretch quads,
-butterfly stretch
-pike stretch
-shoulder stretches: first, fold each arm behind your head, grabbing your elbow and pulling it to the side as your palm slides down the middle of your back. second, pull each arm straight across your chest, holding it against your body with the other arm

AFTER 20-30 mins

-butterfly stretch: first, sit with your heels against your crotch; push down on your knees gently until they reach the floor. second, extend your heels out so your legs form a diamond position. then with legs in more of a diamond shape. push your knees gently to the floor, then lower your chest to the floor and extend your arms overhead to the floor.
-one leg pike stretch: sit with both legs out, then bend your left leg in. flex your right foot and reach for your toes. repeat on left leg.
-pike stretch: sit with your legs together straight out in front of you. flex your feet so that you pull your toes back toward you and push your heels out. sit up straight and support yourself from behind and lengthen your spine. then reach for your toes and pull them back toward you. gradually stretch further so that you are grabbing more and more of your shoes until you can grab the heels. if you can’t reach this far, just start at your shins and move downward.
-shoulder stretches: repeat as you did before your run.
-get into downward facing dog with straight arms and legs. push on your hands and lift your hips toward the ceiling, straightening your back. don’t worry about form too much yet, just push it a little on the top half and alternate putting your heels on the floor to stretch your calves.
-bring your hips down and move into a push up position. lower your body to the floor like a pushup, then glide forward into seal pose. try to keep your body off the floor, including your thighs in seal pose.
-push your hips back and move back into downward facing dog. lengthen your spine, push your hips toward the ceiling, straighten your legs, and try to lower your heels to the floor.
-repeat updog and downward facing dog twice more, working more on your form and deepening the stretch.
-while in downdog, lift your right leg straight toward the ceiling. push on your hands and use your back muscles to lift the leg higher. you may need to walk your hands closer to your feet as you lift higher. point your toe! hold, then return to downdog.
-repeat updog and downdog. this time lift your left leg, then return to down dog.
-repeat updog and downdog. lift your right leg again. after several seconds, bend your right leg and rotate your hips so that they are facing to your your right. let the weight of your right leg pull your hips open. hold, then return to down dog.
-repeat updog and downdog. this time lift your left leg, then rotate your hips so that they face to the left, and allow the weight of your leg to stretch your pelvis. return to downdog.
-repeat updog and downdog. push into your hands, lengthen your spine, lift your hips to the ceiling, straighten your legs, and lower your heels to the floor. hold, then exit pose.
-to end, come into bridge pose (the end of a backbend). you can also do dancer’s pose or lord of the dance pose. if you’re doing either of the latter two, make sure to do it on both sides. after any of the three, make sure to follow with back rolls to balance out the arch of the previous pose.

That’s it! As you can see, my after stretching a lot of yoga-type poses. I find this relaxes me after a run and helps me to work on my flexibility and strength in a fun way. Whatever you choose to do, don’t skip stretching, especially after your run. Your body really needs that time to recuperate (I should know–after I stopped stretching during last year’s training, I developed an ankle fracture…NOT fun). If you’re running out of time, it’s better to chop off a half mile of your run and spend 5-10 minutes stretching. Anyway, hope you find that useful, and let me know what you do as well! I’m always looking for something fun and different to do as I rock out to Backstreet Boys or Phillips, Craig and Dean.

Wed 5/13 3.0 miles 29 mins stretch 10 mins

My phone interview went…okay. She asked me a bunch of “what would you do in x situation” questions instead of “tell me about a time when…” questions. So that took me a little off guard. She’s going to send my answers and application to the Director of Leadership Development and I should know in a couple weeks. We’ll see! I so hope it works out!

Laura also sent me a link to this amazing vintage site, Posh Girl Vintage, and I thought I’d share a couple pics of dresses I liked. Clearly I was born in the wrong decade since I missed the tea length wedding dress craze by about 50 years. So cute, right?

Tues 5/12 3.0 miles 26 mins stretch 25 mins

Have also discovered Backstreet Boys as excellent stretching music. I was rockin out to I Want it That Way during my pike stretches and I held them a lot longer than normal hooray! Can successfully do the right leg splits, but not the left or center yet. Coming soon! Off to showerrrrrrrrrr.