DATDA (Day After The Day After)

Hot (jeez, there’s that “hot” word again) off the Boston Marathon trail, I’m back in Vermont for work.  The day-after-the-day-after (DATDA) proved to be all I remember it to be from past marathons – THE WORST!  So.Stiff.

What made the DATDA a little more dramatic was jumping into the car for a 3+ hour drive.  I stumbled out of my car at my work location and willed my legs to cooperate.  Once they got moving again, I joined my VT coworkers and began the fun retelling of the Boston Marathon.  My medal accidentally fell into my bag came along for the trip – what’s a good marathon story without a little “show & tell”?

So many people have told me that I inspire them.  Wow, such a wonderful thing to hear about oneself.  I think it’s less about an admiration that I can run the miles or that I had the guts to complete the task in the searing heat.  I think it’s more about the determination that I believe I can do what I set out to do; whether it’s a marathon or a project at work that no one else wants to touch.  At least that’s what would inspire me if I were in their shoes. 

It’s also interesting how many people admit that “running a marathon” or more specifically “running Boston” is one of their bucket list to-do’s.  To that I always reply, “You can totally do it if it’s what you want”.  Now, it goes without saying that people need to make sure they’re in good health, etc but from the personal determination standpoint, absolutely go do it!  Then when they offer up, “I can’t even run a mile”, I reply, “Neither could I when I first started”.  And there it is.  Believing in oneself is the only way to start a marathon journey or any other journey that is meant to be highly rewarding, yet not necessarily the source of immediate gratification. 

Fortunately, I’ve inspired these legs to become less robotic and more fluid today.  I even took the stairs this morning – down!  I’m feeling good and have got my eyes on a weekend easy run to dip my big toe back in.  Thankfully, the DATDA only comes once per marathon, so it’s now time to move on and set my sights on…..

….more to come on that [wink]!

Boston 2012 - An Experience

Boston was hard.  It was impossible for many.  It was one of the most grueling tests I’ve experienced - physically and mentally.  But there are a whole bunch of positive “buts” I’ve realized, now that I’m cool to the touch…

• I finished!!!!
• I had my favorite person in the world, Scott, running by my side.  We finished together in a time of 4:30.  Holding hands.  Smiling.
• My splits were remarkably even, including a faster mile at mile 23.  Huh???
• I was fortunate to qualify AND be accepted during the new registration process
• I did not visit any med tents
• My head was clear
• My stomach was iron clad – happily accepting salt tabs & GU like it was its job (when I hadn’t experimented w/ that combo before)
• My shins once again cooperated, after a training cycle filled with shin-whining
• I got to appreciate all the goodness that was the spectator – hoses, ice cubes, popsicles
• My cranky knee that I feared would give up on me between mile 20-21 didn’t – thanks to Scott for reminding me to “increase your pace a little if you can”.  It did the trick.
• I smiled through most of the race. 
• I made spectators laugh.  My personal favorite line came just after I doused my body at a water stop, looked up and asked, “Sexy, huh?” 
• I got my coveted medal
• I only got one calf cramp – AFTER the race
• I was able to chill with Scott for the remainder of the afternoon/evening – no other responsibilities but us.
• We were contacted by one of the local newspapers upon return home.  Always fun to relive such an exciting day at Boston!
• While Scott was firing up the BC crowd (he lost his voice from screaming at them with “let’s go BC!”), I overheard a visually impaired runner w/ his guide runner state, “This is so awesome”.  What he couldn’t see, he sure did hear and feel.  You couldn’t NOT.
• I managed the race; it did NOT manage me

That’s what Boston’s all about.  The spectators will us past what we think is our breaking point.  We runners will each other through the rough miles.  Because of the heat, the BAA began referring to this event as less of a race and more of “an experience”.  They should have done that a long time ago.  It truly is an experience.

Boston 2012 (aka Run for the Hoses)

FINISHED!!!!!!!

Toughest marathon to date (word is it hit 91 during the race) yet one of the more fun marathons!

Much more to come.....but thank you all for such supportive and encouraging thoughts!!

Expo, outfit, and…BAA deferment?

The race is fast approaching and there’s ….nothing really to do, but hydrate and chill!  Now that the trip to the Expo has been made (finally found a good time to go to avoid the masses), all that's left to do is arrange my race day stuff for photos. 

Positioning GU and other running
paraphenalia = NERVOUS ENERGY!

I broke the rule of buying a new piece of clothing for race day, but with the hot/sunny forecast and a black shirt originally planned, a change to a lighter color and lighter weight top was the order of the day.  

Scott's free shirt

Because we were actually able to move around the Expo this year, I easily found a top that fit the bill.  Even better, the Brooks people were giving away a free shirt with any purchase, so I grabbed one that would fit Scott.  We both win!

Now that my race day outfit is complete, it looks like I might receive an A in functionality, but probably a C- in fashion.  Nothing matches.  Check it out – would I lie?

At least the shoes & socks match
each other!

With 26.2 miles ahead of us and a possible record setting temperature, no one will notice.  I suspect if I ran naked, someone would notice that.  I might be cooler, but I’d also probably be jailed.  And that would mean a DNF.

Hot off the presses (no pun intended on the “hot” reference)….BAA is implementing a deferment policy in reaction to what will likely be a dangerous heat.  I think it’s responsible of them to offer that, though I for one will not be biting.  Many people go into these races undertrained even on a good day, so hopefully they will be the ones who defer to 2013.  A race is nothing to risk your health over, but I think I’ll be OK and am ready to tackle the course, albeit slower and more cautiously than if it was 45 degrees and overcast.

Afterall, weather is one of many important elements to managing a race.  This is what we’re getting – it’s pretty evident – so manage it we must.  My mismatched, unfashionable outfit and I plan to rock it.  Now, to define “rock it”…..

So sweet

I’m talking about this….

…and the fact that this delectable cupcake was a thoughtful “good luck” gift from my new friend/coworker today!  On the outside of the box reads, “Good Luck!” and “Run, Lisa…Run!” and “You go girl!” 

How sweet is that? 

Don’t sweat the small stuff

Hmmmm, good thing I wasn’t (realistically) looking for a PR on Monday…

Not to say I’m throwing this marathon away.  But I cannot control the weather, and this type of weather is nothing to sneeze at when there’s a marathon at stake.  Of course the forecast might change 26.2 times before Monday.  Of course I want to have a solid race.  Of course I dream of a PR.  Of course I want to finish strong.   I’ll adjust accordingly to ensure I finish.  Extra bonus – no supplemental oxygen or wheelchair.  Solid finish.  Period. 

Now, back to my top 3 priorities for this week:  eat, drink, rest.  Oh, and the periodic weather site stalking.  Duh.

Rolling out the “runner” carpet

Welcome runners and spectators to my city!!  Well, I don’t technically live in the city, but close enough.  And although I work hard at pronouncing succinctly words like "car"
(aka caaah) and "yard" (aka yaaahd), I've got enough Boston in me to make me a native.

Although I can’t do the city justice by recommending fabulous restaurants or intriguing, off-the-beaten-path sites, I can offer up some interesting race day tidbits for those visiting Boston for the first time….

• Wellesley ½ way mark – unless you want a big college kiss and a blown right ear drum, run to the left of the street/screams.

• Play the game, “What beer do I smell?” as you run through the college areas along the course
• Enjoy the fresh onslaught of spectators who will file out of Fenway Park after attending the Red Sox game

• Salute the soldiers who will walk (fully loaded with their gear) the complete distance

• Pray to the Citgo sign that signifies 1 mile to go to the Finish

• Revel in that final left turn onto Boylston and smile like it’s your job (how can you not!)

• Show your commitment to carbo loading by kicking back with a Sam Adams 26.2 special brew to celebrate a great race

I’ve run Boston, I’ve volunteered at Boston, and I’ve cheered at Boston.  I can’t get enough of it!!  Welcome to a fantastic event and a city wide celebration.  I wish you all safe travels, personal bests, and an enjoyable adventure called….Boston J

See you in 6   4 days!!