I’m baaaaacckkkkk …

After a year hiatus, I’m back!  Many people have asked me what happened to the blog and it isn’t an easy answer.  After doing the Amica Newport Marathon in fall of 2010, and writing about it, I was enjoying the fruits of my labor going into the winter.  I was in shape and feeling very good.  Then winter hit.  And what a winter it was!

In Connecticut we received 84.6 inches of snowfall, nearly twice the average for winter.  It wasn’t just that we got that much snow however, it was that it didn’t melt in between storms.  We had over 4-feet of snow on our front lawn and drifts of over 6-feet on either side of our already narrow driveway.  I, at just 5-feet tall, was attempting to throw snow onto those 6-foot piles!  It can wear on a persons psyche.

I found myself tired and lethargic.  I didn’t want to go to the gym anymore.  I didn’t want to go outside anymore!  I now think I had a bit of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. The only thing I was excelling at was gaining weight.  In a usual winter I slack off a bit and gain 5-10 pounds.  Last winter I put that to shame by adding 13 pounds to my formerly marathon-fit figure.  It didn’t take too long either.  We actually didn’t get our first snow until December 26th and by mid-February, it was on it’s way out.

Eventually I spoke to a doctor friend of mine, telling her I didn’t know what was wrong and she suggested that I take some Vitamin D to shake out the cobwebs.  It worked!  I had more energy and a more positive outlook.  Spring was right around the corner and I set out to come back from the heaviest I have ever been while not pregnant.  Today I can say with absolute certainty, that I now know exactly what it takes to lose weight, and I’ll share how I did it in a future post. I am now 17 pounds lighter than I was last winter, and for the first time since I can remember, have broken the cycle of gaining weight over the winter.  And so I’M BACK!  I have a lot to share and some exciting things coming up.  So stay tuned …

The wrap-up …

Enjoying a post-race beer from Harpoon Brewery.

… The Amica Newport Marathon happened Sunday.  Today is Wednesday and it’s the first day that I’ve woken up in less pain than the day before.  Woohoo!  I’ve turned a corner!

I felt pretty good after the race.  Obviously, there was some discomfort in my legs, although not too much.  I quickly recalled however, that the pain is always greater the second day.  Oh good, something to look forward to!  The worst part was my left foot, which was in a lot of pain.  I couldn’t curl the toes, which made me wonder if I sustained a stress fracture from the impact, but after some good ‘ole “PIE” … Pressure, Ice, Elevation … my foot felt much better on Monday.  Thanks to Janet and Lisa for the ice pack and Ace Bandage!

The race went well.  Not as well as I had hoped, but ok.  I asked Janet, who has run four marathons, if you’re ever satisfied with your performance after a marathon and she said in no uncertain terms, “No.”  She said you are after your first, which I was two years ago, because it’s your first, but after that, you always think you could do better.  Spectacular.  I think I would be satisfied if I broke four hours.  I know I would be satisfied if I qualified for Boston.  I wasn’t satisfied with my performance on Sunday.  I was happy I did it.  I was happy that I finished.  I was ok with my time, but I know I could have done better.  Damn.

While I was running, and questioning my sanity, I was telling myself, “finish this and you NEVER have to do this again.”  But then as soon as you’re done, you start thinking, “If I only got a couple more long runs in.  If I only started training a little earlier.  If I was a little more prepared.”  And then you wake up on day three in less pain than day two and so it begins again.  It’s kind of like childbirth … you say NEVER again, and then you look at that little miracle and the realization of the pain just slips away. 

The course was beautiful!  I mean, awe-inspiring, breathtakingly gorgeous!  If you’ve never been to Newport, it’s worth a drive.  Every bit of the course was along the beach and through spectacular nature preserves and although there were long stretches without spectators, the scenery more than made up for that.  Luckily, the wind had died down significantly since Saturday’s Nor’easter advisory –  although there were still two sections where the wind was formidable, which just isn’t fair if you ask me.

The worst part was really the half-way mark.  Running a loop through Newport and then a “loop” through Middletown, RI, the start and finish of both the half-marathon and the full-marathon were at Easton Beach.  Approaching the beach after 13 miles, there were 100′s of spectators routing the runners on, which was great, but taking that leap to go right, when the halfers were going left to their finish line was psychologically devastating.  To quote “The Matrix”, Why oh why did I take the blue pill?  I was soooo temped to just go left and end it.  But I persisted.  And in return, the crowd continued to cheer and frankly, looked at me like I was a little nuts.  Like, “ok, but seriously, can you do that again?!” 

That continued to be the question.  Can I do that again?  At eight miles, can I do that two more times?  At 11 miles, can I do that again?  And at the half, can I do that again?  I wasn’t really sure.  I felt good.  Almost too good, but the lack of training in the last couple weeks got into my head and messed with me more than the pain.  Maybe that’s where the training comes in.  Maybe as you’re building stamina and strength, you’re also building confidence. 

Oh well.  Unofficially, I came in at 4:29:13.  Seven minutes slower than my first but 30 minutes faster than my last.  huh?  I will probably do another one next year.  I have to thank everyone who supported me and asked about my training.  To Ashley for decorating my treadmill yesterday at the gym and to Janet and Lisa for the pretzel M&M’s to celebrate.  I was especially grateful to my husband, kids and parents for driving to Newport to cheer for me.  There’s nothing like seeing “Team Julie” on the course!  Seeing you and giving Owen a hug at mile 22 was fantastic.  Running is a solitary sport, but I couldn’t do with without everyone’s support and emails.

After the race, when we had gotten home, my oldest daughter asked me why I run marathons.  Drifting in a cloud of pain, I was at a loss for just a second, but then I responded, “Abigail, I run marathons because I want to show you that what ever your goal is, that you set for yourself … no matter how difficult … with a little preparation and training, you can accomplish anything.   That, and I want you to be proud of me.  Are you proud of me?”  To which she said with a hug, “Yes mom, Yes I am!”

It’s here!

I’m sitting here waiting for the start of the Amica Newport Marathon and I’m wrestling with a confusing heap of mixed emotions … Excitement, fear, anxiety … Dread. Music is blasting through the chilly morning air at Easton beach. Runners are milling about, going through their pre-race routines. Bathroom lines are long. For many, it’s still too early to start stretching or warming up, but nervous energy is beginning to boil over. It’s 41 degrees and mostly people are just trying to stay warm. Driving the course yesterday, I got so excited as we neared the finish, I got weepy. I’m gonna be a hot mess today! Accomplishing something of this magnitude for me is very emotional. As I sit here today, surrounded by 1,200 other marathon runners, I feel like I’m the only one here. This is mine to win, mine to lose. There is no more lonely and empowering feeling in the world. Just me against the road … Every bit of the 26.2 miles of it. But isn’t most of life like that? It’s you against the world. Go for it! And wish me luck.

Random Marathon Quotes …

I just found some of these funny, painfully honest, and poignant.  This post is a little self-serving and I apologize, but you can appreciate the fact that you won’t be running a marathon this weekend and gain some inspiration for your life.  Enjoy!

“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a lion or gazelle – when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” Unknown

“You have to forget your last marathon before you try another.  Your mind can’t know what’s coming.”  Frank Shorter

“Marathoning is like cutting yourself unexpectedly.  You dip into the pain so gradually that the damage is done before you are aware of it.  Unfortunately, when awareness comes, it is excruciating.”  John Farrington, Australian marathoner

“We are different, in essence, from other men.  If you want to win something, run 100 meters.  If you want to experience something, run a marathon.”  Emil Zatopek

“”Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of great opportunity.” Michael Johnson

“Most people run a race to see who is fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts.” Steve Prefontaine

“It hurts up to a point and then it doesn’t get any worse.” Ann Trason

“Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.” A.C. Green

“Some of the world’s greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible.” Doug Larson

“Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.” Jules Renard

“To describe the agony of a marathon to someone who’s never run it is like trying to explain color to someone who was born blind.” Jerome Drayton

“I always loved running … it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power.  You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.” Jesse Owens

“If you feel bad at 10 miles, you’re in trouble.  If you feel bad at 20 miles, you’re normal.  If you don’t feel bad at 26 miles, you’re abnormal.” Rob de Castella, winner 1983 World Marathon Championships

“The marathon can humble you.” Bill Rodgers, winner of four Boston and four NYC marathons

“I’ve learned that finishing a marathon isn’t just an athletic achievement. It’s a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible.” John Hanc, running writer

“The difference between the mile and the marathon is the difference between burning your fingers with a match and being slowly roasted over hot coals.”  Hal Higdon, running writer and coach

“I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart.” Mike Fanelli, running club coach

“The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy…It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed.” Jacueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon champ

“Marathoning is just another form of insanity.”  John J. Kelly, winner of the 1952 Boston Marathon

“Anyone can run 20 miles. It’s the next six that count.”  Barry Magee

And one of my favorites …

“I’m never going to run this again.”  Grete Waitz, after winning her first of nine New York City marathons

Panic!

Ok, so as of the posting of this entry, there are 4 days, 23 Hours, and 3 Minutes until the running of the Amica Newport Marathon. Am I ready? I think I’m as ready as I was two years ago, though probably not any more ready than I was. On the plus side, I started training much earlier in the year & have been running more consistently.  I haven’t, however, been as diligent at logging my miles, although I’m sure I’ve done at least the 500 miles that I targeted.  I did, by the way, do the Hartford Marathon last year, but because of an injury, didn’t train.  Kate and I decided on our way to packet pick-up the day before to just do it.  We came in at just about 5 hours.  I wouldn’t recommend running a marathon without training.  Even my hair hurt and there was a lot of profanity. 

I was stressing about this the other day at the gym when I said, “I mean, I can do this for an hour no problem. The question is … Can I do it for four hours?!” At which point Ashley responded, “Four hours?! OMG! I hadn’t really thought about how long it would take you, but I guess I was thinking about an hour & a half!” Ha!

A little perspective … The marathon came to be when the Pheidippides ran from Marathon, Greece to Athens in 490 B.C. to deliver the message “Niki” (Victory) and then collapsed and died.

In 1896, the marathon was run as part of the first modern Olympic Games to commemorate Phieidippides’ run. And for the 1908 Olympic Games in London, the course was extended by 2.2 miles to the current 26.2 miles to cover the distance from Windsor Castle to White City Stadium, allowing a finish in front of the royal viewing box. This is the inspiration for runners and spectators still shouting “God save the queen” at the 24 mile-mark.  Why they don’t yell, “God save the runners”, I have no idea.

Twenty-six miles roughly covers the distance from Middletown to South Windsor. In comparison, it’s only about 22 miles from Middletown to Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tail in Madison. So the obvious question is “Why?” It’s a good question and there are as many answers as there are runners (which is roughly 4-percent of the population who will complete a marathon)

The first answer is just because I can. It feels good to set a goal, push your body to the ultimate limits of what is considered sane and obtain success. And the best part about running is, success means very different things to different people. Upon winning one of three consecutive New York City Marathons, Alberto Salazar was offered congratulations and he responded, “don’t congratulate me, the real champions are still out there. I couldn’t run for four hours!”

A lot of celebrities have run marathons. Here’s a brief list of some finishing times …

• Everyone who runs a marathon thinks to themselves, I just want to beat Oprah. At 4:29:15, for the Marine Corps Marathon, I definitely reached that goal.
• Katie Holmes – young, cute, and seemingly fit – must’ve stopped for a pedicure during the NYC Marathon when she came in at 5:29:58.
• Sean Combs showed that P Diddy has got it goin’ on when he completed the NYC Marathon in 4:14:54 and raised $2 Million for children’s charities and NYC schools.
• I have no idea where the Humpy Marathon is run, but Sarah Palin reached the sub-4 goal that many runners have by coming in at 3:59:36.
• Natalie Morales from NBC’s Today Show is gorgeous, has my dream job, and ran a 3:31:02 NYC Marathon. Bitch.
• Lance Armstrong, who has said he enjoys the marathon because “you can’t phone it in, you have to train”, did NYC in 2:59:36 and 2:46:43, respectively.

Other celebrities that I’ve beat at my PR 4:22:46 … Alanis Morissette – NYC – 4:28:45, Miss USA Ali Landry – Boston – 5:41, Mario Lopez – Boston – 5:41:41, Freddie Prinze Jr. – LA – 5:50:49.

I hope to finish. I hope to improve my time. I hope to be able to walk on Monday. I dream of qualifying for Boston. But right now I’m panicking!

Inspiration.

It hit me like a ton of bricks.  The first time I did a half-marathon, in Hartford three years ago, I was at mile 11 and my quadriceps were yelling at me with what can only be described at the most foul language ever heard, when I saw it.  We were running by the Armory in Hartford - not the most scenic part of the course – and I was desperately searching for the next mile marker, when I looked up and it was right in front of me.  A man just ahead was wearing one of the many memorial t-shirts that I had seen that day for people running the race for a cause.  But this one was different.  This t-shirt was in memory of a child who had lost the battle with cancer.  Damn.  My attention immediately turned from my quads to my head and what the hell was I thinking to be worrying about a little physical pain?  Pony up and stop whining!

Everywhere you look there are people who can inspire you.  I remember training for my first marathon and trying to focus on feeling lucky that I was able to do this.  My mother was going through knee-replacement surgery at the time.  My father, who introduced me to running through fun-runs as a kid, had a hip-replacement and wasn’t able to run any longer.  My good friend and running partner – and a four-time marathon runner - was recovering from a back injury that left her in constant pain.  I tried to cling to the gratitude that I felt for being healthy enough to undertake the challenge. 

Since then, I find inspiration everywhere.  Everyone knows someone who has battled cancer, who has literally fought for their life.  I have a young neighbor who is battling cancer with such courage and grace that he inspires me whenever I run.  He may not know it, but he gives me the strength to continue when I get weak.  Whenever you don’t feel like working out, going for a walk, making a change in your life, think of them.  If it was as simple as getting in better shape, if that’s all it took to be healthier and live longer, would you do it?

It makes me crazy when I see people throwing away that opportunity.  This is your life.  You can have fun.  You can go out.  You can put down a plate of wings … once in a while.  But I also want this to be the best life I can have.  I want to look good.  I want to feel good.  And I want to make the most of the life and the good health that I’m so fortunate to have.

Inevitably, as the weather turns cooler …

… and the leaves start to change colors, my thoughts turn to soups, stews, and hibernating with comfort food.  But I really shouldn’t be curling up with a big plate of nachos, right, so I turn to one of my favorite recipes for this time of year - Weight Watchers Spicy Black Bean Soup.  My sister gave me this recipe a couple of years ago and I’ve used it so much, and it is so simple, I don’t even need to pull out the black bean splattered copy anymore.  This recipe is perfect for so many reasons … it’s filling, it’s low-calorie, it’s high in fiber, and it’s so flavorful that it’s very satisfying.  Here’s the details …

• Points – 3
• Servings – 8
• Prep time – 20 min.
• Cooking time – 30 min.
• Level of Difficulty – Moderate (this is debatable, I would say easy)

*the key to thickening up this soup without flour?  Pureeing some of the beans before cooking it.  You’ll love the stick-to-your-ribs texture that results.

• Cooking spray
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 3 15 oz. cans black beans, undrained
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste (this means I add another 1 tsp!)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 14 1/2 fat-free chicken or vegetable broth (I use vegetable for a healthier soup that tastes just as good)
• 10 oz canned tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped jalapeno pepper, or to taste (see red pepper flakes)
• 11 oz canned yellow corn, drained

1. Coat bottom of a large stockpot with cooking spray.  Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft but not brown, about 5 minutes.

2. Place one can of beans in blender; add sautéed onion mixture, red pepper flakes and cumin.  Cover and blend on high until smooth, about 30 seconds.  Pour mixture back into stockpot.

3. Place second can of beans and broth in blender and puree until smooth; add to stockpot.

4. Stir third can of beans (DO NOT PUREE), tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, and corn into stockpot.  Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.  Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.

I like it with a couple (a serving or less) tortilla chips on the side.  Also 1 1/2 cups seems like a big serving to me, because it is pretty filling.  Oh, and if you’re not sweating when you’re done, it’s not hot enough.  Enjoy!

There is no glory in running to Guilford …

… glory comes from turning around and running home.

I’m at that point in my marathon training, at 6 weeks out, where the excitement has worn off and I’m asking myself, “I have to run HOW far this weekend?!”  Time grows short and schedules get in the way and when you need three or more hours to get a training run in - on a day that there isn’t work or school or church or the day after a night out - it gets more difficult to get them in.  That being said, it’s like that with every other goal in the world.

At the beginning of a new diet, or exercise program, or job search, or (fill in the blank), you’re motivated and inspired to make a positive change.  The hunger, or fatigue, or desperation doesn’t kick in immediately, especially if you see results.  Then there’s a birthday – with cake.  Or a vacation – with all-you-can-eat buffets.  Or an illness that sidelines you for a couple of days.  And it’s hard to get back into the swing of things and keep it going.  There is no glory in starting anything, the glory comes in seeing it through.

I knew I needed to get a long run in.  My 13 mile trek over the Arrigoni Bridge was a couple of weeks ago and with an out-of-state wedding the week before and the Patriots home opener coming up the next week, this weekend was my only opportunity.  I had a pretty decent nights sleep the night before and had stocked up on Gatorade and energy gels, but I still didn’t quite believe that I’d get the long run in. 

Despite this, I set out Sunday morning for a 16 mile run through Durham after dragging my feet for a while.  The weather was gorgeous and cool and I felt good.  When I came into Durham and ran through Allyn Brook Park, I decided that I enjoyed the distraction of seeing all the cars passing by and I felt so good, that I’d just keep going – all the way to Guilford.  Instead of taking the turn on Higganum Road after the Durham Dari Serve to climb the massive hill and loop back around, I decided to continue down Route 77 to the Guilford line.  It had nothing whatsoever to do with the massive hill, really.  It felt really good to just keep going.  Some races are designed as a loop course, whereas others – such as the Boston, New York, Disney and Marine Corps Marathons - are designed as a single destination course.  If the road actually had a shoulder, I would’ve kept going to the Guilford Green and called for a ride when I got there.

I got to the Guilford town line, turned around and headed back.  It was somewhat anti-climatic.  Then I realized that I needed to run just as far back.  What was I thinking?  I started thinking that I’ve already run 13 miles however, and I’m not allowed to complain until after I’ve done more than I’ve done before.  With that mindset, I got back to Allyn Brook Park pretty quickly and enjoyed a celebratory chocolate gel and some Gatorade. 

To make a long story short, I made it 15 miles before calling for that ride home.  I would’ve liked to go to 16 or the full 18 that it would’ve been if I made it home, but it was a good run and I was pleased with it.  It was just long enough to give me a mental boost and just short enough to incite some healthy guilt during my next training run, which should be this weekend.  Maybe I’ll run to Madison this time.

FORE!

So I felt so good, so energized after Zumba, (See “Ditch the Workout”) I headed across the street to the driving range in anticipation of my golf game the next day.  It was late, after 8 p.m., but the range is lighted and there were only two other people there.  I got a medium bucket of balls and found my spot at the end of the range to practice a swing that hadn’t been dusted off since the children were in school in June.  Overall, I was pleased.  I hit some really good ones.  In the spring, I was struggling with slicing it to the right, but I seemed to have straightened that out over the long summer of lounging by the pool.  I did hit the maintainance shack once, but everyone does that once, right?

Now the children are back in school.  What better way to celebrate than to go out and play 18 holes of golf?  I had been given a gift certificate for two for 18-holes with a cart to Lyman’s Orchards Golf Club (which sounds like a funny name to me, “golf club” HA!), so I decided to take advantage. 

It was a gorgeous day for golf.  Not too hot.  Not too cold.  Absolutely perfect.  The husband and I headed out for an 8:00 a.m. tee-time after putting the kids on the bus.  That, right there, is the definition of “Nirvana”!

Golf is great exercise.  It burns roughly 238 calories an hour, which means that after 18 holes, or 4 hours, you’ve burned off almost 1,000 calories.  Minus the hotdog and beer before the 14th hole and you’re still coming out way ahead for the day.  Those figures represent the calories burned when using a cart, and are much higher if you’re walking the course.  We played the Gary Player Signature course.  You’re required to use a cart due to the challenging lay-out of the course which climbs above Middlefield, offering stunning views of the area.  I like to think that I burned a little more, based on my “hit a bad shot, walk to the ball” rule.  Luckily, I didn’t have to deal with the “walk of shame” too often. 

In fact, every time I hit a good shot I’d hear, “did you throw that or hit it?”  Luckily, I had plenty of opportunity to display my athletic prowess by hitting it out of the sand traps.  I also was rather adept at just missing the green and got to use my pitching wedge, my new favorite club.  Overall, the husband was impressed with my improvement.  I even beat him at one hole, which is always the goal - 1 par, 1 better than my opponent, improve score from last time.

“GOLF” is supposed to stand for “Gentleman Only, Ladies Forbidden”.  The game has definitely evolved since that moniker was adopted.  It’s still primarily a man’s sport, but women are welcomed on the course.  And with the golf fashions, it’s a natural fit.  I’m just happy that I looked good and played well … and that the foursome behind us didn’t catch up to us and have to play through.

When I was at the driving range, the pro approached me (before I hit the shack) and asked if I ever took a lesson.  He said that winter is the best time to perfect your swing on the range before the spring season hits.  It might not be a bad idea.  I may just take him up on that and then I’ll really be ready for next year!

Ditch the workout …

… and join the party! 

That’s the tag-line for Zumba, the dance fitness craze that has been sweeping the nation.  Started in the mid-90′s by celebrity fitness trainer “Beto” Perez in Cali, Columbia, when the trainer forgot his aerobics music and quickly grabbed whatever tapes he had in his backpack.  The result was a mix of traditional Latin sounds – such as salsa and merengue - which would give rise to the hottest new fitness class around. 

I was lucky enough to be invited to join in a Zumba class last week at New England Athletic Club in Cromwell by my friend Anne Marie and I can attest to it … it’s a party!  My favorite quote of the evening came from Anne Marie as we were entering the class.  Normally very conservative, Anne Marie said usually she would need a drink before busting out these moves.  What was I in store for?  And could someone please get me a margarita?! 

We entered the class which was in a large room with LOTS of mirrors.  Fortunately our instructor, Jonathan, turned down the lights to enhance  the nightclub atmosphere.  I half expected a disco ball to drop from the ceiling. 

Music starts and instantly, you get the feeling of being at a resort somewhere on a tropical island.  Jonathan didn’t instruct as much as just demonstrate moves for us to follow along with.  There was an occassional direction given, but mostly we just followed along.  The moves weren’t overly complicated, and everyone gets tripped up on the footwork occasionally.  Before I went, I heard two things about Zumba … 1) most everyone who has tried it, loves it.  And 2) they love when someone new comes, so they can laugh at the newbie.  Jonathan did a great job making the new people feel at ease.  He explained before we started that everyone moves differently, so to just go with it and don’t worry too much about everyone else.  That was very comforting. 

The class lasted an hour, and really was a decent workout.  I definitely worked up a sweat.  Also, other than giggling with Ashley at the gym, I usually don’t laugh as much as I did during this workout.  That added to the energy and fun of it.  And I must say, I think I did pretty well.  I may not be quite ready for my dream-gig on “Dancing With The Stars”, but I’m certainly at least as qualified as Kate Gosselin!

Jonathan said over the last couple years, Zumba has definitely gained popularity.  It’s still a little difficult to find classes around Middletown, although Jonathan said in the Hartford area, it’s huge.  There were no men in the class, although I think they’d enjoy it.  The workout definitely gets everything jiggling and is as much fun, and much healthier, than hitting the clubs.