Thursday, November 05, 2009

Three Things Thursday

1. My legs are torn up from all of this cross-training. I'm feeling pain in muscles I don't even recognize. Owwie! When I showed up for Spin yesterday, I knew I was in trouble because my legs were screaming from the drills in H.O.T. on Tuesday. Sure enough, I could not fully participate in the class. I did what I could, but my legs were not too happy. I'm meeting some friends for 10K tonight, but I'll take it easy and hopefully the legs will hold up. I'm thinking a rest day is in order for tomorrow before my first set of back-to-back long runs this weekend.

2. We leave for Florida exactly two months from today for the Goofy Challenge!!! That leaves exactly 9 weeks of training (including taper) and one of those weeks will be spent in Cuba, which leaves approximately 6 weekends available for long runs. I'm sticking to my plan of taking a laid back approach with less running and more cross-training. This won't be a "race" by any means, but I still need to adjust to the mileage again. I'm going to incorporate a few runs in the upper 20's (KM) and at least one 20-miler. Better get started on that...

3. Coach ran the NYC Marathon on the weekend and sent us some thoughts:

New York City is special. Those of you who have been will agree, I'm sure. Their marathon is a reflection of that specialness. The city embraces the race. They appear to be genuinely glad that you have come to run their race. They are proud of it, and it shows. Over 40,000 runners; over 8000 volunteers; over 2 MILLION spectators! I remember running up 1st Avenue at about the 16-18 mile (26k-30k) stretch. It is 8 lanes wide and was TOTALLY filled with runners as far as I could see (at a least a mile or two both ahead and behind me). The crowds are 6-8 deep along both sides and just ROARING as we go by. I've heard noise like that in Boston, but only at Wellesley College and at the finish! Here we were out in what is often the "dead zone" in many marathons, and people were going berserk. Wow! What's even more amazing, is that wasn't the only spot like that: the same sort of thing had gone on earlier in Brooklyn and would occur again later entering the Bronx. Given that description, can you imagine what it was like in Central Park for the last couple of miles?!? Really, words escape me. This is a MUST DO marathon, folks!


I'm so tempted to put my name in the lottery right now...

P.S. Hopefully we'll be reading lindsay's NYC report soon.... *hint hint*

35 comments:

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

1. My legs are torn up and I have just been running.. LOL.. I think it is fun when muscles I never knew I had are sore, means it is working.

2. You are Goofy..I have NEVER in my life ever been called "Popular" LOL!!

3. I would love love to run NYC. I have been to New York Manhatten once and I have been longing to go back ever sense. If only i could get a sponsorship from Travelocity.. The Roaming Tall Mom Gnome

Mel-2nd Chances said...

bet your body is appreciating the cross-training though... ! I agree, I think NY would be awesome... destination races are amazing. Can't wait to see how the *GOOFY* training goes! LOL

Jen Feeny said...

In 2 months I get to meet you! Yay!!!!

Jess said...

Too bad Orlando isn't a little closer, I'd come and cheer you on at Goofy.

Kelly said...

I definitely think you should put your name in for NYC! Everyone says its amazing. Or you could do Boston so I could watch you haha

J said...

Running goofy is going to be so much fun for you! I am so jealous!!

Denise said...

I'm thinking the same thing about NYC after watching it on Sunday. I'd love to qualify with my half marathon time, though. Maybe next year...

Unknown said...

DO IT!! Put your name in the lottery!!

Anonymous said...

The Goofy Challenge sounds exciting. The post from your coach makes me want run NYC too! Keep up the great work on the cross training! I hope I can integrate that more into my life one day.

Meg said...

Do it, do it, do it! *chants*

Tore up means you're working it. Just make sure to fit in rest too!

Anonymous said...

I want to put my name in the NYC lottery, but I don't think you can as a team and I don't want to go w/o my running buddies! Ugh yes cross training is kicking my butt. I'm not in yoga or spin shape.

Kristin Meeks said...

Great job jumping on the cross training! How's the weather up north?
I watched the NYC on TV this weekend and was so caught up in the sport I applauded when the first girl crossed the finish line--AMAZING--That lottery would be AWESOME!!!

Erika said...

I so need to get on that cross training thing. All I do is run and then run some more.

You should totally go for NY!

MCM Mama

N.D. said...

you are doing the goofy challenge!fantastic! I was there last year preggers and saw all the fun medals ( my sis ran the marathon)

Marathonman101108 said...

I ran NY this past Sunday. What are all of you waiting for? Go put your name in the lottery NOW! It was my 4th and last marathon, and by far the most memorable one I ran.

RunToTheFinish said...

Ohhh I keep thinking about putting my name in too, i mean NYC sounds sooo amazing

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing your coaches' thoughts. They were so inspiring! I can't believe you're doing the Goofy Challenge, how fun! Can't wait to hear how it goes even though you have a while. FUN!

Melanie Tait said...

Hey Marlene - I hear you LOUD and CLEAR about the cross training!

WHat a lovely review of the New York City Marathon from your coach - it sure looks special and is an absolute dream of mine one day!

CAN I SAY I'M SO EXCITED WE'RE BOTH RUNNING THE ATB!!!!! I can't wait to meet you! Perhaps we can all meet up for the pasta dinner the night before or have lunch after the race? So exciting!

Anonymous said...

Cuba coming up??? Ah, that sounds so fabulous right now.

I keep forgetting your doing GOOFY (despite the huge icon there on the right, haha!)!! that's so crazy Awesome. I love it.

and, okay, love me some spectators at races. Makes a HUGE difference. but, 2 MILLION?! I can't comprehend that. And I think that, alone, would get me to sign up for the NYCM. Seriously. How amazing!

Heather said...

I would love to do NYC!

Great job on all the cross training. My runs the day after kettlebells are always tough - it really does a number on those muscles!

Toni said...

Great job on all of the cross training! You should put your name in!

{will run for margaritas} said...

I didnt realize you were doing the Goofy Challenge - thats awesome!! I've done the half a couple of times and it's a great race (also, my mom has run the full and really like it). You will have a blast!

9 more weeks!!

{will run for margaritas} said...

I didnt realize you were doing the Goofy Challenge - thats awesome!! I've done the half a couple of times and it's a great race (also, my mom has run the full and really like it). You will have a blast!

9 more weeks!!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I am cross training while running too. I know the benefits will show up on the running abilites too but right now. Owwiee. My muscles are not just talking, they are giving me extensive speechs!

Glad to know I'm not the only no doing this crazy cross training thing!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I am cross training while running too. I know the benefits will show up on the running abilites too but right now. Owwiee. My muscles are not just talking, they are giving me extensive speechs!

Glad to know I'm not the only no doing this crazy cross training thing!

Nicole said...

Why not enter the lottery?? I did!! I don't care if I have to run all by myself....I just want to do it!

Anonymous said...

Having just run it, NYC is definitely worth a shot and there is no harm in getting yourself in the lottery early. (I used an auto qualifier, so I lucked out.) The one thing I'll say is while its an experience, it is a tricky course and an expensive trip (and I had a free place to stay!) Very worth doing though...they'll treat you like a rock star.

The interesting thing is parts of Brooklyn reminded me of the Waterfront marathon course but with many many more people!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

The pictures were taken at mile 1.5, I was still VERY happy at that point.

Happy Friday :)

Anonymous said...

Goofy is getting so close. You never stop. Take care of those legs. Have a great weekend.

Jenn said...

Loved reading your race reports! Good luck in training for Goofy. I would love to do that someday!!

Lindsay said...

dude nyc is an awesome race. enter that lottery! ;)

goofy is pretty sweet too, i mean you might as well knock them all out.

and yeah yeah yeah. i'm working on it. i am struggling with some writer's block.

Anonymous said...

I ramped it up this week and am hobbling around right now too... Oh the pain we put ourselves through!
I was talking at after run coffee about the Goofy... Seems that after a long run you can convince me to tackle any distance!!!
2 of my training partners also ran NYC... sweethearts brought us hats as a thank you for training with them all summer!!! I'm wearing mine with pride and definitely registering!

X-Country2 said...

All that soreness means it's working. Keep up the good work!

RW said...

hi marlene-

i am a new runner and i just went on my first run with my new garmin forerunner. i was hoping you might be able to help me with something. when i look at the data on my computer, the graph of my speed and pace have a scale that is not at all useful - the pace runs from 0:00min/mile through 90min/mile. do you know how to change that so the range narrower (like 0-20 or something like that)? any help would be much appreciated. i love your blog!!!

Irish Cream said...

OOOOh! You should totally enter the lottery for NYCM next year!! I'm finally running it next year! Hehe, we could be race twins :)

Speaking of which, um . . . I think maybe it's about time I start training for Goofy. Yikes! I swear I will start my back-to-back long runs this weekend!