I DID IT!

I am no longer a marathon virgin.

Iwo Jima Memorial
Running UPHILL to the finish!

Well, I did it...I ran my first marathon this Sunday! It was harder than I expected-especially the last 7 miles; but one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The only real downside was the runner that died at mile 17---and my friend Susan and I ran past him. I saw a lot of runners that were 'down' on the course, but nothing like this man, we prayed for him.

Aside from that, and the half hour delay due to someone else collapsing 80 meters into the race from the first wave---it's an incredible marathon. I will do it again. The course is beautiful; and there are Marines everywhere...and I mean everywhere---running the course, manning the water stations, aid stations---drill sargents on the course (I wanted to KILL the guy at about mile 21 'This is a RACE---come on, MOVE 'EM OUT!) I felt very patriotic and proud to be an American. The wind was awful...every way I turned it was against me--The Washington Post said that it was a 'gentle breeze', I think that writer must have written the story from an isolation booth somewhere---

Some of my personal highlights were-Doing the YMCA as we crossed Key Bridge at mile 5; running through Rock Creek Park; seeing my family at mile 10 and then hearing the bagpipes in the background; My friend Noel's 'HEY E, DON'T PUKE' sign that graced the course several times, Susan jumping in mile 15 and getting me through Haines Point (the 3rd circle of Hell) Cory & Matt jumping in at 19ish and pushing me through the 14th street bridge (the 4th circle of Hell) My Good Luck phone call from Julie, Olivia & Casey on Saturday, Dinner and Church with the Waugh's and Susan Saturday night. 2 Cadillac Margaritas accompanied by 2 chicken and cheese enchiladas on Sunday night and passing out.

I finished in 5:16:38---the average finish time was 5:01...not bad considering I started running only 423 days earlier! Ready for another one---I think the goal for 2007, the year of my 30th birthday is an early spring marathon, and late spring half and another big one in the fall! OO0-Ragh!

1 Day, 15 hours until MCM

I am freaking out slightly right now...my iPod is not presently playing ANY of my purchased music-which holds ALL of my music for race day. Breathe-Breathe-Breathe, there is a Mac store by the office and hopefully it can be fixed-strange because I have not done anything to it. crisis diverted! The lovely folks at the Genius Bar at the Mac store fixed 2 carat! They have a new Nano that is Red...maybe Santa will deliver it to me---I love it...

Race weekend is here; my family arrives tonight-it's surreal. I have been planning and training for this for so long. I am going to attempt to relax and enjoy every minute of it. My car is jammed with lots of water, snacks, booze for the family and about 30 different outfits for the weekend. My friend Susan is going to run a good chunk of the race with me; and hopefully Cory & Matt will be well enough to jump in at the end to push me through the last few miles---which I hear are the worst and most exhilirating at the same time. My 'Roar Corps' will be Mom, Dad, Cory, Matt, Susan, Noel--Gary & Marianne are coming at the end along with a host of brokers that told me they would be on the course Sunday. Just wish the Hubik's could be here.

It's going to be a long day---hope to get busy to pass the time.

Third Times the Charm!

Cory & Matt kicked ass this weekend in their third Chicago Marathon in 3:58:11 and raised a ton of money for the American Cancer Society. I AM SO PROUD of them!

No mas 495!

I found a place to live! I am thrilled...I will be sharing this cute 2-story condo with a 35ish Marriott sales manager, Kim. Kim likes to travel around the USA and run half-marathons with her friends. Moving in a few weeks...very exciting!

I have adult ADD...

I fear that I am developing adult ADD, I really should be working right now but I think that I need to list what's on my plate:

-planning broker forum for next Wednesday, I love getting back into my event planning, but this is my first corporate meeting---love it!

-4th quarter is nuts...but I do love the diversity of my job, nice to have lots of freedom!

-need to finish packing tonight to have my belongings moved to temporary digs at the Waugh's---have 2 solid leads on places near work...unfortunately, I cannot look at them until next week. Could mean an extra move---I really, really hate this.

-need to download and finalize iTunes for race day in fear that internet will not work at new house

-pack for Chicago and try to not get sick...as I have a tickle in my throat...

-try to get in at least one mid-week run this week, not looking too favorable at this point. Running is difficult when you spend 4-5 hours a day in the car.

-run a marathon in 10 days.

-coordinate family and friends for DC race weekend.

-find place to move ASAP...

-get some sleep---the above list has induced what I guess are anxiety attacks---not fun, not fun at all...

I Love marathonfoto.com...

my legs actually look 'athletic' in these photos...so happy I paid for the "enhanced" package!

Green Shirt=Good Half

My green UA shirt made it's second half-marathon appearance this weekend at the Baltimore Running Festival. And, just as Mike fell in love with the girl in the green shirt (GS) I feel that green shirts bring good luck to all...okay, maybe not all, but I had a great half on Saturday. I know that I have been complaining about the Baltimore course for the past few months, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the course.

Baltimore is a city of neighborhoods; and it was cool to see how each neighborhood responded to the marathon. For example-we started at mile 13 of the marathon course; and blended with the marathoners at mile 14 or so...Canton is a very yuppy neighborhood. Many folks were camped out on their freshly rehabbed rowhomes with a nice cup of coffee or a bloody mary with their neighbors. We then moved into the east side ghetto and lots of kids were outside cheering us on. I really enjoyed the high school marching bands in this section of the race. My favorite neighborhood was Charles Village-they love the marathon! Almost everyone was outside in a three block section complete with large speakers playing inspirational music, and the famous Gummy Bear Man with approximately 150 pounds of gummy bears. They also offered additional snacks as this was also mile 23 of the marathon. We proceeded through the west side and I ran part of my commute---I was feeling really strong and I think that I channeled some road rage and started to kick it into high gear...Ran through Camden Yards to the finish; and saw 2:11 on the clock---I figured it took me about 3 minutes to get to the start so I thought I ran about a 2:08---apparently the clock was wrong, as my chip time was 2:14---but I am staying with the clock-as it was in my favor and beat Austin by a couple of minutes.

Regardless, I loved it---great inspiration for the big race in 2 weeks---can't wait!

The welcome return of good television

When we were growing up there were tons of adult evening dramas; St. Elsewhere, M.A.S.H., Dallas, Hotel, 30something...to name a few. I can remember my Mom talking about story lines and characters, but I was too young to wrap my mind around the wonder of it all. The nineties ushered 'My so-called Life' and 90210---then we had an influx of reality TV that filled hours and hours.

There is really only one reality show that I feel compelled to watch-Project Runway (I think Jeffrey is obnoxious, Laura's husband looks like the nutty professor, but her Louis Vuitton luggage and beautiful Manhattan home is to die for, Uli is sort of annoying in the European way and Michael is a sweetheart) I also have almost the same hysterical reaction to Grey's Anatomy. I must say that last nights show was quite good---I love the character and story development. I agree with MB that the chemistry between Meredith & Derek is far more dynamic than Finn. I am happy that George is done with the scary doctor.

That being said, I need to focus on my own reality series of a life and process some renewals, budget new tires and figure out what to wear for the half tomorrow---supposed to be a high of 58---really blows my intended debut of new UA custom running shirt---may sport over another layer.

The Conference Call

There are components of Corporate America that I love---an office, free internet, a steady paycheck, after-work happy hours. But, I hate conference calls. Yesterday I spent a little over 2 hours on the phone with one of my new clients, their broker and the carrier. It was tedious to say the least---especially when the broker and the client more than likely looked like the above gentlemen...the bad jokes and blowing smoke is a waste of time in my book.

Checked off my 20-miler this weekend, finished in 3:50 on a fairly hilly route---so I am confident about having a good race. I am hoping to have a good half-marathon this weekend during the Baltimore Running Festival on one of my least favorite courses. The following weekend I head to Chicago for Cory & Matt's race (it's not too late to donate: www.charityrunner.org Oh yes, my belongings will be moved while I am away to my temporary digs at the Waugh's new house. The only reason I say temporary is that I will have limited privacy---and I just don't know how long that will last...

Tonight I will start compiling my final marathon mix----the 43 minute Chemical Brothers running workout on iTunes is incredible---great Doors remix of Roadhouse Blues included. Semper Fi is only 18 days away! Can't wait!

4th Quarter and 495...

I am going to complain on this posting. I cannot do anything that 'normal' people do because I commute. I know now why the divorce rate is so high in the US---commuting. The busy season is starting at work, I think I am moving in a couple of weeks and this is my last big training week before my 20-miler this weekend...and I am not going to get in all of weekly runs-setting myself up for possibly one of the worst training runs that I have had to date. So---that's all. Need to hit the hay so I can get up at 4:45 and do it again...

I don't think there is a treatment program for this...

I can fairly easily admit that I may lean toward an 'addictive personality' and I have a new addiction...CANDY CORN, candy halloween ghosts and little pumpkins. Anything made out this sugar-crack mixture is fair game for me these days.
When I was growing up I always loved this stuff...but now that I am older it seems to be the perfect ending to almost any meal-it's so bad that I almost added a couple of pieces to a stuffed cupcake this weekend (yellow cake with chocolate frosting on the top & the inside)
I am just going to add this to my 'I'm in training!' motto and deal with the harsh realities of my consumption 4-6 weeks after the race when I try and wear gauchos 3-5 days/week.