I didn't die during the marathon I have just been lazy!!!

Hola hola!!! I did survive the marathon but I have been lazy!!! I know I should have written an update before but I was taking a rest....from running and from blogging about running!! Actually I have been running but not as much as before. I am running half of the miles I was running before the ultra because I think it is important for the body to heal. I pushed my body a lot this year and he deserved a month of rest!!!   

I am not going to lie ....I am just partially happy about my performance in the marathon.  Who can be happy doing worst than the previous year!!! come one...whoever say that,  it is lying!! if you are a serious runner you not only want to have fun but also improve.  So,  I ran 3 minutes slower than my previous NYC Marathon......and I am not happy with that!!!!

  Many people have told me that I should be happy since I just ran a 50 miller 4 weeks before the marathon and I was still recovering but that doesn't make me feel happy about my time!!  Yes I am happy that I was able to complete  a 50 miller and a marathon in just 1 month and I felt strong after both races and went back to run just a few days afterwards but my speed hasn't improved as mush as my endurance.  I was feeling strong but my quads were still trashed and I could feel them pulling apart in every step after mile 16....I think I wasn't as recovered as I thought. I was feeling good when I slowed down but at soon as I tried to speed up the pain was back. I didn't feel the distance at all but my quads were not ready for racing yet. 

I need to keep working and try to keep doing ultras without hurting my speed. I need to learn how to train for both things at the same time because that was my mistake, I focused so much on my long runs and adding miles to my schedule that I barely did speed work during the year.

Since the marathon every person I know has been asking me "what is next?" incredible but I got this question from the very next day after the marathon and they are still asking everyday!....everyone is giving me a weird look when I say " I don't know yet".  Nobody can believe that I don't really know what I will do next year but it is truth!!!

The problem I am having is that there are so many things I want to do that it is tough to decide. I could love to do everything I want but with my work schedule I know I need to keep my training easy for the first half of the year or at least until  May. I am so much jealous of all my friends who can keep the same training all year around :(  but with my crazy busy season schedule that it is almost impossible for me.

And here is where I am now....with a big list of things I want to do but just half a year to do them....and it has been a little tough to decide since I will need to postpone some things for the following year.

My little month vacation just finished and now I need to slowly go back to my training.....hopefully will be able to keep running while I am in Argentina visiting my family...oh yes !! it is summer there!!! so shorts and tan tops will be back!!! 

I will have a final decision about my next year when I came back!!!

Carbo-loading does not mean stuffing yourself!!!!

This is a mistake that you can make during your first couple of long distance runs. You do not want to actually gain weight, you just want to store the extra calories as water weight that will burn off during the marathon.

If you plan to compete in any activity for longer than 90 minutes what you actually want to do is to maximize the amount of glycogen stored in your muscles because poorly fueled muscles are associated with fatigue and poor performance. The more glycogen, the more endurance!!

I was reading that the typical athlete has about 80 to 120 mmol glycogen/kg muscle while  a carbo-loaded athlete can have about 200 mmol. Our body has the capability of storing up to 1900 calories, plus the capability to utilize fat metabolism and store carbohydrates that you have likely developed during your training should be enough to help you to run the marathon. 

You are NOT trying to eat as much pasta as possible, the portions should be moderate and  you should snack at least two times per day on things like energy bars, cereal and pretzels. You need not eat hundreds more calories this week. You simply need to exercise less. This way, the 600 to 1,000 calories you generally expend during training can be used to fuel your muscles.

Lately I haven't been eating my big meal the night before a marathon, as it usually would give me trouble the next day. I  preferred to eat a bigger lunch and even a big dinner 2 nights before. I usually do my carbo-loading just 3 or 2 days before race day not the whole week!!!  The glycogen stays in your muscles until you exercise. 

Athletes who have properly carbo-loaded should gain about one to three pounds, but don't panic! This weight gain is good; it reflects water weight and indicates you have done a good job of fueling your muscles. If you gain more than that ....then is when you should concern.....last year when I didn't know about all these things I carbo-loaded too much and gained a lot of weight that was not gone after the marathon so watch out!!!.

In summary this is what I do:

•  I keep my regular diet until 3 days before the marathon...ok may be I do indulge myself with some extra dessert!! :) but I try to keep it under control.
  
• Carbo-load for 3 days before the marathon but I do not over do it!!! I just increase it a little. It could be ideal to also water-load!! but I never drink too much and my body seems to work ok with this, every time I drink more water than my regular intake I don't perform well but I think most of the people could need more water too.
• My last meal generally contains carbos as pasta or rice or potatoes or buttermilk squash but also proteins as chicken. I have noticed that I get better results with a mix of carbs and proteins and not just carbs.
• My snacks are always almonds, cashews and peanuts or a banana
  
• During marathon day my breakfast is the same as everyday except that I replace the cream cheese for peanut butter. I have a banana, 1/2 whole wheat bagel or a mini bagel or a slim things sandwich bread (circa @ 100/120 calories, no more!! a whole bagel has at least 300 calories!!!) with PB and coffee. In summery, I try not to eat more than 300 calories
  

When carbo-loading, you want to consume about three to five grams carbohydrates per pound of body weight. (This comes to a diet with about 60% of calories from carbohydrates.)

Sample 50 gram carbohydrate choices:

Wheaties, 2 cups
Nature Valley Granola Bar, 2 packets (4 bars)
Thomas' Bagel, 1 (3.5 oz)
Banana, 2 medium
Orange juice, 16 ounces
Apple, 2 medium
Raisins, 1/2 cup
Pepperidge Farm multi-grain bread, 2.5 slices
Baked potato, 1 large (6.5 ounces)
Pasta, 1 cup cooked
Rice, 1 cup cooked
Fig Newtons, 5
Flavored Yogurt + 3 graham cracker squares

Don't stuff yourself... it is better to " Smart carbo-loading"!!!

Spirit of the marathon...are you back??

Just after my 50 miles ultra  my body recovered pretty well. I was just sore for a couple of days and 3 days after I was biking and doing elliptical and 5 days after I was already running again. My legs are still a little tired and even though I am not sore at all I can tell because they feel very heavy when I am running, it is like if I were carrying a rock in each one. I have been trying to do some tempo run to loosen then up. Anyway the recovery has been really good and I am very happy because my body has been a very good partner and I have been  taking care of him as best as I can.

I try to eat healthy most of the time, I take my supplements and I do at home the exercises the physical therapist recommended me to strengthen my hip.

A very strong cold put me down for some days and I was not able to run for almost 1 week which was not in my plans since I need to keep up training for the NYC marathon. The cold doesn't want to leave me yet but at least I can now run!

Speaking about the marathon, I haven't been very excited about it this year. I am not sure why but during the last week  while everyone else seemed to be getting into marathon mood I didn't and I started to feel a little apathetic about it.

I was speaking with a fellow runner and  co-worker the other day and when I mentioned it he said that I was feeling that way because for me now 26 miles is just a training run and to be honest I was also thinking the same. I think that my little baby for the year was my 50 miller and I never thought about the marathon until now. I dedicated all my efforts to the 50 miller and now that I have reached my goal I was not feeling anything special about running 26 miles. I can't believe that just a year ago I was not even sure I could finish the marathon!!!

Last night I was speaking with my friend John and told him that I was not excited about the marathon and he said something like " how come? it is the NYC marathon!!!" but that wasn't enough to convince me :(

This morning I ran the Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff,  a 5 miles race that kickoff marathon week. I was really tired because I went to bed very late and I also had too much sangria and food with friends but I decided to still run it and just take it easy....a " fun run" as runners call races when they know they won't perform well!!! The day before I ran 6 miles in the same course and I  did it very slow, legs were still feeling heavy and I jut did a shameful 10 minutes miles!!! almost a turtle and so I was not expected today to do anything better.

Incredibly and even though I took the first 2 miles very easy I was able to  ran an average of 8:40 minutes, which is far from my best time but still good considering the circumstances :).  

When I was running I met a lot of friends and coaches around the course that were cheering the runners ..."Go Claudia" " Well done CHICA" "Looking good!!"  it was  so nice hearing my name and the cheers!!! and that was exactly what I needed to remember what the NYC marathon is about...thousands of people cheering you on while you pass by, screaming your name and why not admiring you in some way.

I think my Marathon Spirit is back!!!

50 Miles, done!!!

It took me a while to write this report may be  because I was busy last week and tired but also because writing about this really make me realize that it is over. A friend asked me the other day if I was happy because I finally finished my training and I think she was expected an affirmative answer but I said "NO".  I feel happy and excited for accomplishing my goal but at the same time I feel a little sad because something that was an important part of my life for 4 months is over.  Of course I can start training for something else even may be another 50 miller but it won't be the same, it won't be the first time and the feeling of the unknown won't be there again. Everyone keeps asking me " And now what?, what will you do next?, 100 miles?" to be honest I don't know yet but I do know that I loved the experience and that if my body collaborates there will be more ultras for me!!!

There has been a lot of questions during the last week,  questions about the ultra, the road, the food I ate, if I stop to go to restroom, if I was bored etc, etc, etc. hopefully I will be able to let you know everything about it in this post, if not...just ask!!!

I arrived to Rochester the day before the race and drove around 30 miles from there to Canandaigua. Once there I decided to drive  the last 15 miles of the course to get an idea of how much energy I should need at the end. I had read  about the hills  and needed to check it out to see them by myself. I was not "disappointed" those were some serious hills and they were not even the worst in the course!!! I have to admit that I was a little scared afterwards, Central Part didn't prepare me for those type of hills and most of my long runs were actually pretty flat.

At 6PM I went to the start line inside the College to pick up my bid and jersey and meet up with some of the runners. Everyone  was speaking about the same....the "hills".  I started to mingle with some people just to realize that I was one of the most inexperience from all of them. Even though for many people this was their first ultra most of them were also experienced runners with a  lot of marathons and years on the road. I spoke with some runners that had never run an official 50 miles but had run 50 miles many times and some of them even had run 100 miles ultra and for a moment I thought " OMG, what was I thinking? these people will sweep the floor with me".  I went back to my motel because I wanted to have an early dinner and try to go to bed as soon as possible since the night before I woke up at 4 AM for my flight.  

I had to buy some cooked pasta in the local supermarket, no whole wheat, not a good sauce....NOT MY TRADITIONAL HOMEMADE PASTA!!  Well, I have my traditions and I like to eat homemade most before an important race :( .  

I couldn't sleep very well, I woke up every hour because I was afraid to miss the alarm and arrive late !! LOL Finally at 4 AM I started to get ready....yes at 4AM!!!  the race started at 7 and my motel was literally 3 minutes drive from the starting line but I wanted to be very awake, take a shower, my breakfast and be there early enough. Canandaigua isn't Manhattan and finding a place to buy coffee at 5 AM it is just...not happening!!!  I had to buy everything I wanted the night before including my  coffee!! the room wasn't nice or big or comfortable but at least it did have a microwave!!! nothing better that a reheated coffee from the day before :((.  I was going to find out later that there was coffee at the starting line!! : p

When I arrived  to pick up my chip it was actually very funny because it was huge!!! I am used to the D-Tag from the NYRR but the chip here was an ankle brazalete. Have you seen in the movies when someone is under home arrest and the policy make them to wear that thing in their ankle to monitory that they don't live their house...well...that is it!!! LOL

Everyone was warming up, chatting with their families and friends and agreeing in last minute plans for the day. I felt a little lonely and I think everyone else was with someone. I can't completely confirm I was the only one alone but may be one of a few, I think most of the runners had families or friends  following them on the road and others seemed to know each other from previous races. Anyway, during the race many of these people cheer me on too!! they were really nice and even though they didn't know me they were asking me from their cars all the time if I was ok or if I needed something. This is called "crew",  you have someone following you not just to cheer you on but also to carry liquids and food for you and sometimes  even running part of the race with the runner. I saw many people running some miles with their friends, boyfriends or girlfriends  and carrying food and liquids for them. I,  in the other hand.  just counted with the aid stations and of course no pacer. I found out later that actually the winner had someone with him all the time, following him in a car and providing him the food and liquids and running the last 10 miles with him to push his pace....it does really sound a little advantageous, we should all run alone and just using whatever the race provides.

It was a little chilly but I could still wear my shorts and singlet because the forecast for the rest of the day was between 50 to 60. I decided to just wear a long sleeves jersey that I could leave in one of the aid stations after a couple of miles.   Almost 7 AM and we all start walking  to the start line.

Miles 1 to 10

An ultra is different to a city marathon in many ways and the start  line is one of the major differences. There are no waves or positions!! you can either start in the front of the pack or at the end and nobody will tell you anything.  The race director gave us some last minute instructions  and wished us good luck, meanwhile I was telling myself  " ok, this is it, you are going to be running 50 miles, you might run for 11 or 12 hours but Claudia you must do it, you have a long way in front of you but  you are ready and you have to do it, once you give the first step you won't stop until you are done and that will be in 11 hours!!! you have no time to be bored, sore, tired or sleepy....you must run because you can do it"

Runners, go!!! OMG...I am doing this!!! It is difficult to describe the feelings during the first minutes to someone who is not a runner, it is a mix of happiness, fear, emotion.  You have been training for a long time and now it is time to make good use of all that. It is the final test and you don't want to fail.

I started running very slow and I mean....VERY SLOW....I was the last one in the pack...yes the last one!!! I am not exaggerating I was literally the last person of the group!! Everyone started running very fast and I was not ready for that.  Every single piece of advice, tips, etc I read about ultras said that you are supposed to start slow because the first mistake people does in ultras is to start fast and that you don't win an ultra in the first 20 miles...that you need to pace yourself...and well that was my strategy but I started wondering what the others were doing.  Were they very fast and that pace was "slow" for them?? it was absolutely not slow for me. Anyway I stick to my plan and kept running my own pace.  After 3 miles I was still the last one...mmm....I started to be concerned and wondering whether I was running too slow or the others were running too fast...I looked at my Garming and I was in my pace...that was the pace I practiced and I needed to stick to it. It was too early to start running faster because I didn't want to use all my energies just in the first 20 miles..." Keep it easy and steady, you are running as planned...they will get tired and you will pass then later" I kept repeating this to myself in an attempt to hold back my pace and anxiety but I was a little worry, I didn't want to be the last one!!!

At mile 5 I decided to change my strategy, because I was afraid that even though  the others slow down since they have started so much faster than me I could not catch up with them. I wasn't sure about other people fitness so I didn't want to risk to be the last one!! no way I was going to be the last one!!!

I took a couple of minutes to think what I was going to do and how I will past people without getting myself exhausted. Here is exactly what I was thinking at that moment, and believe me...I am writing exactly as I was thinking:

• I will focus in the first person in front of me and I won't think about anything else until I pass him/her
• I am not going to spring to pass them because then I will be tired
• Since the course is very hilly and most people will walk the hills I will wait until the person starts walking a hill and that is when I will run a little faster until I catch up with them which also means that I need to run part of the hill but most probably just for a little while
• Once I catch up, if I need to walk I will do it really fast and I will start running again as soon as we past  the worst part of the hill
• On the down hills...I will sprint as hell!!!!!!!!!!! I know we are not supposed to sprint that much in downhills as that mashes your cuads but luckily I practiced it during a speed work I did a couple of weeks ago where I sprinted downhills for more than 1 hour so the feeling wasn't unknown for me
•  I should use the aid stations in my favor some runners were carrying a hydratation backpack and it takes longer to refill them, that could also be a good moment to past them...I was using a hand bottle and they are easy to refill. I won't stop for a long there...I will grab some food and walk out immediately
• Once you pass someone, for no meaning let them to pass you again!!!! watch your back!!!
  

The strategy was set and I just needed to put it in practice!!! You might think I am a little crazy, which it might be truth but I am very organized and I like strategies and plans !!! so I can't be different while running!!

Jim, he did it in 9:52:56

In the next couple of miles I started passing people, my strategy was working and I was still in my planned average pace.  After passing  may be 4 or 5 people I met Jim.  I looked at him for some minutes trying to figured out his strategy and how I could pass him when I noticed that he was doing a run/walk strategy not only on hills but every XX minutes. I waited until he was in his walking to approach him. We started to talk and kept running together for some miles. He told me he has been running for 47 years and at first I thought I misunderstood him, he looked young so how he could have been running for 47 years...no way...I was going to find out later that he was actually 67 years old!! His wife was following him in a car and taking pictures. Jim has run many ultras and other races and his pace goal was similar to mine. We stayed together for some miles, it was nice to run with someone with that much experience and heard what he has to say. Before I noticed it we were in the aid station around mile 10  and where I needed to go to the restroom. I am just mentioning it because there were only 2 restroom in the course, once at mile 10 and the other at mile 31, it is so much easy for men!!! they were just using the trees beside the road!!!! The restroom was a little far from the aid station and as always....there were a line!! Damn, I missed a couple of minutes there and by the time I went back to the road Jim was gone...I never saw him again until the end. He did a good race and kept the pace he wanted which was very similar to mine and that is why we never met again until the end.

Miles 10 to 26.6

I was feeling good but there was still a long way to go....it was not time to celebrate anything yet.  During these miles there were also some huge hills including the feared Bopple Hill around mile 16!!

As soon as I left the aid station I started to pass people again. I was feeling really good and I figured out that it was then or never. By the time I arrived to Bopple  Hill I have passed already several runners and I was now running with a pack of 5 or 6 men. They seemed to be strong and while I was chatting with them I was thinking how could I leave them behind. Bopple hill is really a tremendous hill:

Bottom of Bopple Hill

 

• • Distance: 1 mile
• Average Gradient: 11%
• Maximum Gradient: 22%
• Ascent: 560 Feet 

 

We all started to walk this hill and I noticed they were not walking really fast and that was my moment!! It was time to use my hiking experience!!! In general I am not a fast walker but this was not a regular walk it was more like hiking and I am good at that!! By the time I was in the middle of the hill I have left behind all the guys except one, this one was strong and he was not slowing down but before we arrived to the top he was history!!!  I have conquered Bopple Hill and left behind  at least 6 more people!!! Time to recover the lost time!!! 

After the hill there was a long down hill and I was feeling so good that I ran very fast and passed some more people. There was this guy about 0.3 miles in front of me I wanted to catch up but his pace was steady and for a couple of miles I was just behind him. I was obsessed with the idea of passing him :)  and I even thought not to stop in the next aid stations just to gain some minutes :) OH god...yes I am that competitive :) but then I noticed he was wearing a backpack!! alleluia!! " I will have time to catch up with him while he refills it!!!  " In the next aid station I finally catch up with him and we both left the aid station  at the same moment. 

We started to chat and  ran together for 3 miles. What the odds to meet someone  who works just 2 blocks from my office!!! hahahaha and is also an accountant!!! I told him that I was following him for the last couple of miles trying to pass him and  about my strategy...he laughed and said " well, I am having a hard time keeping up with you so you can go any time I won't pass you, my goal is to finish in 12 hours!!! but you GO...I will see you in Manhattan!!"  That was the last time I saw him, in Canandaigua ;-)

The following miles were lonely, they were rolling hills and I couldn't see anyone in front of me but there was someone behind me, it was one of the guys I passed before. He was behind me for many miles, I couldn't stop turning all the time to check how far he was....by mile 26.6 mile my Garmin's battery died...just 5 hours into the race....damn...that really killed me.

Miles 26.6 to 45

A marathon is down and my goal now is getting to the next aid station, from now on I am counting from aid station to aid station. Just 5 miles at the time, that was the goal. My legs started to feel a little tired and so I incorporated a little walking....I did 1 minute walk every 20 minutes run for the next 5 miles. There were a couple of big hills and the rest were rolling hills...no flat around :(. 

I had never run more than 31 miles before so I wanted to arrive to the aid station at mile 31 feeling strong  and I did it!! By the time I arrived there I was cheerful and strong!! I ate some oreos, chips, potatoes, and went to the restroom....damn again the stupid restroom cost me a position...the guy running behind me arrived to the aid station while I was in the restroom and he was now running beside me...I was really upset with the stupid restroom!! and I repeat...it is so easy for men!!!

This guy, Don,  started to talk to me and since we were having a similar pace we decided to run together. He was also an experienced runner, he was in his early 40ish and have already run this race 3 times plus many other ultras including a 100 miller. He was having some issues with his foot and needed to do some walking time to time and as I am very stupid I waited for him a couple of time when he needed to walk.

Again a couple of major hills....I turned and asked Don " How many more hills? I thought we should have some flat now!!" he laughed and said..." really I don't remember well but I think there are still a couple of big hills".  The next miles were tough but I knew I could do it. I never had doubts about doing it!! Never!! 

Suddenly a mark on the road "TO GO 15"  OMG!! just 15 miles!!! 15 doesn't sound that bad!! I could do it!! how many times I have run 15 miles!!! "come on Claudia!!! you can do it!!"

At this point we started passing people again and finally something we have been waiting for the last 8 hours " TO GO 10" !!!  holly molly I am almost there!! 

I know that 10 miles is a lot but when you have run 40 miles 10 is nothing!!!  I knew I could do it!! I was feeling strong and I knew at that point that I was going to finish and in a better time than my goal. I asked Don the time and we started to calculate how fast we should run to make it before 10 hours.  He said we could do it and I also believed it!!!  After mile 10 the countdown marks started to appear every mile....TO GO 9, TO GO 8.....You can't imagine how happy I was every  time I saw a mark!!

I just kept telling myself..." You can do it!! you are almost done!! yeah!! you have this, you have this!!!"

Around mile 42 I felt something in my right cuad, it was not a cramp yet but seems that soon I will get one!!! I couldn't allow this to happen....I was not going to have a cramp now...no way...but what to do??!!! I decided that the best option was to walk for a minute or two, take an extra electrolyte and a GU. I told Don I needed to walk a minute because I was afraid to get a cramp....and here is why I said before I am stupid....he did not wait for me!! 

I know, it is a competition but I  did wait for him when he needed to walk :( and not one but a couple of times.

At the beginning I felt very stupid but then I was proud of myself. If finish 5 minutes earlier means that I have to forget what be a good person means, then I prefer to be the last one. One thing is compete and have a strategy and try to pass people in good faith  but when you forget about loyalty, respect and fair play it is a very different thing. In any case, everyone is free to decide what make you sleep better at night and I slept very well that night.

The last 5 miles!!!

TO GO 5!! OMG...I am almost there!!  I can still see Don...he is around 1/2 mile in front of me and seems that he is running faster now.  Thanks God my leg feels much better, no signal of any cramp and I am still running...TO GO 4!! just 4 miles to my goal!!! and again I am passing people!!! I have to admit that the feeling of passing people at a race is sooooooo good!!  and not to mention when those people are fit young guys!!! you feel powerful!! I am running and they are walking!!! I said ..."hi, are you ok?"  they said "yes, just tired, we can't run anymore".

While running I kept singing my song. I have this song that is like a hymn for me since I was 12 years old, it is in Spanish but may be in another post I will traslate it!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7XF_In5LrE

  

TO GO 3!!! Gosh!! just 3  miles...just 30 minutes and all will be history!! Along the road cars honk, other casual runners cheers us on and I feel proud. I want to scream " I have just run 47 miles!!! 47!!!"

TO GO 2!!! I want to cry, I am happy very happy!!! I am trying to run as fast as I can but my legs are tired.

TO GO 1!!! Just 1 mile!!! 20 blocks!! Lord I am doing this!!! I took my phone from my pocket to check my time 9:55 hours.....well I am not making this before 10 hours, there are no way I can run 1 mile in less than 5 minutes, not now and not even  if I were rested so I decided just to enjoy the last 1 mile...I looked around trying to keep everything in my memory, I looked at the blue sky and I Thanks God for helping me to accomplish  my dream with a beautiful day. 

Before I even noticed it I was in the College again, in the same path where we started 10 hour before and I knew I did it....I stopped for a moment, it was not the finish line

...it was before it, just before turning to the finish line...in a path between bushes. 

I was alone and I needed to recollect myself...it was just 10 seconds but I needed to be alone before crossing that line because after crossing it I will be a different person. I needed a time with my old me.

I can see now the finish line, I can see the watch and other runners around but not a single familiar face...nobody to hug me or tell me congratulations....I ran as fast as I could...I didn't want the watch to pass 10:05....when I crossed the finish line it was 10:05:35 and  everyone started clapping!! 

I was not expecting that....I was so happy, excited, touched, even ashamed for all those people clapping at me...runners, spectators, everyone....it was my moment and I felt special.

Just 2 days!!

And the day has arrived!! In just 2 days I will be finally running my FIRST ultramarathon. I can't  even believe this moment has arrived. Just 4 months ago I wasn't sure I could go through such tough training and now I am just steps away from my " graduation".

The training wasn't  as physically tough as I thought at the beginning, I really enjoyed it and the only cont I can mentioning is that it is very time consuming!! let you very little space for a personal life after working and training. It is something that definitely I could never do during my busy season at work. I don't have a 9 to 5 job so this was a luxury that I am not sure when I will be able to repeat but there will be always challenges that can be done even with a demanding job.

The most difficult part is not  physical but mental, it is more determination than speed, motivation than strong legs, persistence than ability. It is all about believe in yourself and what you are capable of and have the determination to stick to your decisions and pursuing your goals. I think our attitude and commitment to train  is just a reflection of how we are in  life. When I decide something I go for, I never quit, I work hard to get what I want and I try to do it with a smile and not complaining......there are not space for doubts or fear in my life as there are not space for them in my running... I believe in myself and I trust in my determination to fight for what I want to accomplish but of course this doesn't  always ensure a success but the success for me is to fight until the end and never quit. I don't know what will happen on Saturday but I am very happy with what I have accomplished, just be able to complete the training and  20+ miles long runs every weekend for more than 6 weeks is something I could have never imagined!!

Enough about this, there will be time for this  bla bla bla  after the race!!! I will have time to write about my feelings while resting my legs!!

This week training has been very light since you are not supposed to run hard the week before your race, it is more about loosing your legs and really liberate tension while waiting for the big day. Nothing you can do now will make you faster or give your more endurance. 

On Monday I went for a 4 miles run and I felt really good!! I was planning to just do a relaxed slow run but I found myself running faster than my marathon pace. My legs just wanted to go!! I think they are so ready for the race that they can't wait!! While running I visualized the race...I thought about crossing the the finish line and it was so so so so real that I cried!!!! ! silly right? well that is a proof of  how hard I concentrate when I train, I block everything else.

People keep asking me if I am nervous...and to be honest I am not.  I am excited about the race!! I can't wait to be there running. I have thought about it many times, I have planned everything even though you can't really  know what will happen and most probably your plans will be screwed up  but anyway that help me. I have thought about all the possibilities...be tired and not able to run  or that I might even feel so great that I will do a better time that what I have planned, or that, or this, or everything!!

I think I am just missing a decision tree!!  hahahaha Whatever it is..I am not nervous, actually I feel strangely calm...... I should call this "overconfidence"!!!

 

My only concerns at this point are:

1- my outfit : I wanted run in my shorts and singlet, the one I  used for all my long runs but it is going to be very cold 45F with a hight of 55F so I am not sure what to wear now :(   

2- my Friday night dinner!!!:  I need my homemade food and my hotel room doesn't have stove and  I don't like the idea of eating in a restaurant the night before the race...you know...traditions a runner have!!!  I wonder if I can carry my a tupperware with my pasta in the plane :)) I do have a microwave in the room :)

I am flying to Rochester on Friday morning and from there I will drive to Canandaigua and I am planning to drive the last 20 miles of the race to see what to expect.  I will also go to a social event to meet some of the runners. My motel is just 0.5 miles from the start line so the commute in the morning will be very easy...I need to be there at 6 AM to  warm up a little and start running at 7AM. 

This is my last post before the race......wish me luck!!!!

ps. I am starting to have a cold :( but I won't let it take the control!! I will just need to run with more tissues on my pocket!!! 

Details about the Ultra

Where: Canandaigua, NY - 1 loop around the beautiful lake

Start time: 7AM

Course:  road loop around the most beautiful Finger Lake in Western New York. Scenic roads, wineries and peak fall foliage. Several major climbs including locally famous Bopple Hill.  

Total participants: 92 

Female runners: just 22

Youngest runner: 27 years old

Oldest runner: 67 years old 

Bib number: Lucky 121 !!

Elevation Chart

 I WILL DO IT, I WILL DO IT....OH YEAH...I WILL DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Running and weight

I have struggled with my weight my whole life, I have been on diets since I remember but I have never been slim or skinny :( .

I gain weight even just drinking water...my body has never been very gentle with me and in the past when I didn't watch what I was eating I used to gain weight...a lot of weight.  The last time I didn't watch my diet for some months...I ended up with 40 pounds more than my actual weight...yes you read well... Just 6 years ago  I was 40 pounds bigger. After dieting I lost those pounds but I needed to leave in a constant diet to keep my weight....until I started running 2 years ago.

I haven't really lost  much weight but I don't do diet anymore...yes I take care of  what I eat because I need to make sure I eat enough nutrients to keep my body healthy and with energy to run but I am not just eating tomatoes and apples all day!!

At the beginning I  thought that I would lose weight with all of this marathon training but I was obviously mistaken.

I really have a love/hate relationship with the scale. I decided not to weigh myself everyday anymore because it was causing too many highs and lows which is unhealthy. Going up or down  3 pounds on any given week means nothing when you are training,  so long as it's not 3 pounds up and then 3 more pounds up, etc.

I looked online and weight gain weight is very common when you are training, here are some reasons why people gain weight while training:

1. You are building muscle, which is denser than fat: this is always a good thing!! who doesn't love muscles!

2. Your body is learning to store carbohydrates as fuel (glycogen) for your long runs. Those glycogen stores will add more weight. Your body also requires additional water to break down and store the glycogen, so that will also add extra weight.

3. You are maybe increasing your calorie intake without knowing it. I am pretty damn hungry everyday!!!

4. You may be drinking too many calories through sports drinks.

My weight haven't had a big fluctuation since training but although I haven't lose considerable weight my body has changed a lot, my clothes fit better,  people do tell me all the time that I look slender, and  I  feel like I am the most "fit" I've ever been. I think I have gained some muscles and that is why my weight it is almost the same. If I reduce my calories intake a little I might lose a couple of pounds more but training is tough enough to make it more difficult cutting on the food....I am happy to where my body is going, it might be a slow process but I am starting to see the results and I feel and look much better than 20 years ago.

I feel  I can dare any girl in their 20ish to keep up with me!!

I love eating and it feels so good to eat ice-cream without feeling guilty :)

A little under the weather but still strong!!

Last week I reduced my miles a lot and ran only 20 miles for the week!! that is 18 miles shorter than my schedule because I missed 2 days but I am not worried about it. I've been a little sick, got an infection and  I am taking antibiotics.  I managed to get my runs done on Tuesday and Wednesday but Thursday I started to feel bad and couldn't run the 8 miles I was supposed to do. Just on Saturday I was able to run again and I did 10 miles.  At the beginning I was afraid, being so close to the race make you feel unsecured and after not running for just 2 days and being a like weak for the infection I though I could have lost fitness...crazy!! how come you lose it in just 2 days of not running!! LOL 

May be the fact that the previous Saturday I had a very bad running didn't help and I was really paranoid about it. This is part of the "tapering effect" you think you are loosing fitness, gaining weight, your legs feels heavy...it is all mental!!! may be the only part that it is truth is that you are a little heavy :) because you are eating a lot and not burning that many calories!! ( post to follow about this!!!)

Finally when I went for my run I felt really good!!! LOL  and when I was done with my 10 miles I wanted to keep going, it felt very short but as I am tapering it couldn't be wise to run more. You are not supposed to run more than 8/10 miles in a single run a week before your race because it could take longer to your body to repair any damaged tissues.

I met my friend Sid during my run, he used to be my coach last year in Team for Kids and  is an amazing runner. He is 71 years old!! and yes he can run much faster than me and he holds many US records in different age groups. He told me that it is normal that I got sick because I have put my body under an extreme training and tough it is "broken" and my immune system is weak but since I am very fit I should recover soon with the tapering. 

Today I feel much better but I decided not to run....less is better in this moment and I need to understand that 10 miles less won't make a difference now. Also,  after my run on Saturday I felt much confident about my shape. I will take the antibiotics for a couple of days more and discontinue then by Wednesday as I don't want to run with them in my system, hopefully all the pain will be gone by then or at least it will be very mild and let me run without problems :)...oh yes...the eternal optimistic :)

This week it will be really difficult, I have a lot of work and I also need to relax and rest...mmm...how to accomplish all?!?!?  I  still need to decide my running schedule for this week, I will only do some short runs, no more than 3/4 miles but need to decide if I will take 2 days or 1 day off before the race and if I want to run consecutive days or no. I am flying to Rochester on Friday morning.

I am ready, are you ready???

The art of Tapering

Just less than a week  !! I can't believe it is so close. During the last 2 weeks I have been tapering and so do many of my friends who are running the Chicago Marathon on 10/10/10...so cool!! too bad my ultra is on 10/09/10 :(

Tapering is nice as you slow down a little and give your body a chance to rest before the big day but at the same time you are worry  about loosing fitness.  Since I have now many readers that are not runners I will try to explain you what "tapering" means. But to do so I could  first  like to to explain that most of the training programs has 3 phases:

1. The base phase which develops endurance, the foundation of any distance-running plan. You can't just start training for a marathon or half if you have never run more than a block in your life!! You need to build some millage before getting serious about the training. There are different types of base depending the distance you are planning to train for. Once you are comfortable running some minimal miles you can move to the next phase.
2. Phase two which depending on your goal it would  add speed by introducing tempo runs and long repeats or distance by increasing your long runs. If you are training for a long distance race as a marathon you will start adding miles every week until you reach a "peak". After your peak you body will be ready for the race but since you have pushed and pushed it is recommended to give it a rest to get your optimal performance....and here is where the next phase starts.
3. Tapering. This phase generally starts 21 days before your race date and  means you run less and rest more. It is time to chill and let your body to recover. Muscles might have tissue damage that need to be repaired before the race. You need to eat proteins to help you muscles recover but also carbohydrates to replenish the energy you have used during your training. Your tank is empty and it is time to refill it!! Also during tapering you can pamper yourself with massages and hot bubble baths that will help your body to recover and relax....you see...training hard it is not that bad!!

I have been tapering for the last 2 weeks and will continuous in this way until race day. All the hard work is done and now it is time to recover and minimize accumulated fatigue. For some people, the idea of backing off on their training just before the big race is really disturbing because everyone is afraid to lose fitness and fail on race day.  The truth is that  in those last few weeks it's the rest more than the work that makes you strong. And you don't lose fitness in 3 weeks of tapering. In fact, studies show that your aerobic capacity doesn't change at all. But don't think you won't be doing anything!!! it is just that you slow down a little but you still need to go out and run!! in general you will be cutting your millage approximately 10% to 20% the first week, somewhere between 30% to 50% the second week and just do a couple of easy runs the last week.

Nevertheless, you need to understand that when you have been training hard for 3 or 4 months running almost everyday and pushing your body more and more it is tough just to slow down one day to the other. It is more psychological than physical actually. Not to mention that sometime you gain some weight during tapering because your metabolism is the same and you are hungry all the time.  You can't do diet because you need the nutrients to recover but you are running less and therefore you are burning less calories!! Coaches tell you that you shouldn't worry because you will lose these pounds during the race...my own experience tells me that in my case it is not truth!!! I know I will end up with a couple of pounds more after the  race  and I will need to do some diet afterwards. I think this theory only work for men and  skinny women :(

Welcome EisnerAmper to my Blog!!!

Have you ever wondered how it feels to be famous and have people recognizing you?? 

Well, I have experienced a little of that during the last week. Since an email was sent to all my co workers inviting them to follow my training and my blog I have became a little popular in the office. Many people I don't know recognize me in the elevator and wish me good luck, I have received many emails from other runners, thriatlonists, and even people who have never run but would like to start.

Everyone has been really supportive and even though most of them think I am crazy for running 50 miles :) they all wish me good luck and ask me to keep them posted on the race.

I went to one of the partners office and he said " I am reading your blog, how are your cuads feeling?"  LOL.... 

In between all the emails I got there was one that really toughed me. Since I don't know if she wants to be recognized I won't say her name and I have deleted her personal training/ races information but I really wanted to share some paragraphs with you  because even though I am being recognized for my training and blog I am not the the only one in the office who is "challenging the body". Also I have asked her to write a post for my blog telling us about her training, lets hope she accepts!!

Reading about your upcoming challenge was really nice and refreshing. I am a runner myself and can totally relate to everything you are going about pushing limits, determination, dedication, and persistence. All those words mean so much to me and to people who push themselves to achieve more, as you said “something not many people can do".

I always try to do my best, always  have my own personal goal to do the best time possible, to be placed, feel accomplished.As you say, there is nothing better than doing something you love while hearing people screaming and cheering you on. It’s all about the energy and the atmosphere of different races which make me to like it even more and pushes me harder and harder each year and at each event.

I could love to hear about other people challenges and share them in my blog...so DO TELL ME your story!!There is not small challenge ...you don't have to compare yourself with others just with yourself.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog, I will take all the good wishes with me next Saturday!!

After a bad running day there is always a good running day...

....trust me ....it is truth!!!

 

On Saturday I had one of the worst running in the last 3 months. I was energy less, tired and my body didn't want to run at all.  I always say that you never know how your body will feel before a run, you can do everything well the day before and still have one of those days. I slept enough, I had the right food, I didn't drink, I was in good mood but still my body didn't want to run. I was supposed to run 16 miles but I barely ended 10. I could have push myself a little more and complete my run but I felt it didn't make sense. At this point of my training it is better to listen the body and give it what it is asking for...the hard work is done and I can do more damage than good pushing now. I need to rest and heal my muscles before the race.

On my run on Saturday

Anyway, I was mad with myself for feeling so energy less and more because I was going to run a race the next day and I thought I couldn't get better in less than 24 hours but as I said before...you never know how you will feel on race day!

Today it was the 30th edition of the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile race. This race is just 1 mile and the goal is to run as fast as you can!! It is on Fifth Avenue from 82nd  to 59th. The street is closed to traffic and a lot of people come to cheer the runners on. It is one of the most excited races in the city an many international professional runners come to run it.



The run is divided in female and male and also in age groups. Amateur runners go first starting early in the morning and the professional runners around 1 PM.  

This was my second time running this race but I was not really very optimistic about my performance because I haven't been doing any speed workout and I have been running very slow for my ultra training. I was just hoping at least to do the same time I did last year (7:12 minute per mile) but after yesterday performance even this seemed to be too optimistic. Anyway I was going to run it and of course wearing Shannon's singlet!!

I woke up early and head the park to run some miles to warm up before the race. I was not sure how I was feeling or what my body could do. Standing in the corral and with less than 5 minutes to start the race I felt the butterflies in my stomach...5 minutes to go, 4 minutes to go, 15 seconds to go....GO!!!

I wanted to get a PR (personal record) I really wanted with all my heart but I knew I hadn't trained for it.

Getting ready and wearing
Shannon's singlet!!

I pushed and pushed until the point I felt my heart was going to explode....and at that moment...I pushed even more and more...3/4 a mile and I was feeling more tired than after a 20 miles run....but there it was...I could see the clock at the finish line...I told myself " you can still make it..... push until the finish line and you will get a PR....RUN FASTER!! "



It feels so good and so painful at the same time...I could feel my heart beats and my throat burning all the way to my stomach and for a moment I thought I was going to have a heart stroke. I met up with some friends and  I noticed everyone else was feeling the same and we were all coughing. I can't really describe it as I had never felt anything like that before and I am not sure why we felt that way but I can just say that I have been coughing since then and my throat feels very sore...the only explanation I can think about is that we really pushed and we ran with our mouth open  and in same way that hurt us. 



There is a quote I like very much that can exactly describe what I felt today:

 " I was unable to walk for a whole week after that, so much did the race take out of me. But it was the most pleasant exhaustion I have ever known." Emil Zatopek

I got my PR!!! I ran the mile in 6 minutes 53 seconds...... that is 19 seconds faster than my last year time....if you are not a runner it might seem to just be 19 seconds but in runner's time...it is a lot!!

Keep running, there is always a better run!!!

Mingling with the starts....and getting inspired

I am member of the NYRR's Young Professionals Committee which  is a group of volunteers who are dedicated to fund-raising on behalf of NYRR programs that combat childhood obesity and empower youth development.  The YPC plans, publicizes, and attends  fund-raising events. YPC members also play a critical role in connecting NYRR with corporations that may be interested in sponsoring NYRR events or youth programs.  Last Thursday we host an event where some of the professional runners attended to help us with the fund-raising.  They were very nice with everyone and we were happy to have they there helping this great cause. Here a little about them:

Alan Webb - US 1 mile holder record...3:46:91

Alan Webb



Since turning professional in 2002, Webb has competed for Nike. In 2005, he won another national title at 1500 meters, and made it to the Finals of the World Championships in Helsinki in that event. He also set personal records (PRs) at every distance from the 1500 to the 5000 meters, setting the American record at 2 miles along the way. In 2007, Webb once again won the national championship in the 1500 m run, surging past Bernard Lagat in the final 50 meters for the title. He then finished 8th in the final of the 1500 m at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan. On July 6, 2007 Webb won the IAAF Golden League meet 1500 m race in Paris in a lifetime best of 3:30.54, third fastest on the American list. On July 21, 2007, Webb broke the American record in the mile. His time of 3:46.91 bested the 25-year-old record of 3:47.69 run by Steve Scott.



Shannon Rowbury



Shannon Rowbury 

She competed for the United States in the women's 1500 m at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. She won the bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics in the 1500 m. On July 22, 2010, Rowbury improved her personal best in the 3000 m by 23 seconds with a time of 8:31.38, which is the third-best mark in U.S. history. On 2009 Shannon also won the Fifth Avenue Mile.



Shannon signing my singlet



Both of them are very nice and simple and I was really hoping that they won today. Unfortunately Alan lost but my girl Shannon got the first place for second consecutive year....I was scared at one point when she was in 4th place and thought she was not going to make it but  then she passed all the other runners in a matter of seconds...very impressive....her time 4:24:12...wow wow wow  I am really happy that she won!!



I was lucky enough to get one of Shannon's singlets, yeas one of her owns!!! Jane, who works with the elite runners at the NYRR gave it to me and Shannon signed it to wish me luck in my 50 miles but I told her I was going to wear it on the race on Sunday for good luck.

Last very long run!!

This week I hit one of the peaks in my running training ....60 miles for the week!! After running 31 miles the previous weekend I took a couple of days off to recover and then I ran 5 consecutive days including today when I ran my last very long run training, 26 miles!!!

During the week my runs averaged 8 miles and yesterday ,Saturday I did 12. The idea was to be tired for today. Yes you are reading right, I wanted to be tired for my long run!! why?? well, I know I can run 26 miles if I am not tired but I need to know if I can keep running when my legs are exhausted because that is what will happen in the middle of my 50 miles, I will be tired may be around mile 26/31 and I will need to keep running for another 20 miles !!

Today I ran 20 of the 26 miles with my running group, we went to Palisades in NJ  and again I needed to wake up very early for a weekend!!!

We started at the GWB bus terminal and ran in the pedestrian/bike path over the GWB. Once in NJ we  head onto Henry Hudson Drive. Henry Hudson Drive parallels the Hudson River to the Park Headquarters. Ten miles out-and-back on rolling, paved roads with several tough hills!! and when I say several and tough....just multiply whatever you are imagining by 3!!! Holly Molly, I have never run such a hilly course before, it makes Central Park looks totally flat!!!

Despite of the hill It was an amazing run and my first time running in Palisades.

I was running with a group of 4 women and 3 men who turned around before the end while the "ladies" did all the way to the top!!! GO GIRLS!!  It was really hilly!! did I mention it already??? hahahaha.... When we arrived to the top, 10 miles from our starting point, we turned back to complete the 20 miles. The Flyers did a great job with the aid stations and we had water and Gatorade every 5 miles and at the finish too.  Everyone was really happy after the 20 miles and starting to relax but I still had 6 more miles to run and I was really tired!!!

I had a very bad pain in my quadriceps, it was as if I could feel them broken in pieces but anyway after eating a cereal bar and drinking some water I decided that I wanted to complete my run.

I was in 179th Street and Broadway and I need to run to the Upper East Side!! I wasn't really sure where I was going to run since I am not that familiar with that area!!! I knew I had to go east and down so I found my way to a nice street and just stayed there till I reached Central Park. To be honest, in some places I was a little scared  and thinking that not even my Spanish could help me!!!   I ran through a group of guys and well...they were smoking something that I couldn't call cigars!!!  My legs were really sore, every step hurt me really bad but I needed to keep going!! When I finally arrived to 110th and saw  Central Park I felt safe and at home!!!

Once at home I took and ice bath and stuffed my face with food!!!!  I wasn't able to do anything else the rest of the day and  still now my quadriceps are really hurting me.  I wonder how I will feel tomorrow and how I will walk!!!!

The good news is that the taper has started and even though I still need to run 5 days a week and some of the runs will be 12 to 16 miles I don't have to do any other 20+ run  plus the cool weather we have these days I won't need to wake up at 5 AM on weekends to go running!!!

Now it is time to maintain, heal and rest for the big day!!! just 3 weeks away and hopefully all my training will pay off. I have done the training and  now I have to conquer distance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE THIS, I HAVE THIS, I HAVE THIS!!!!

31 Miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the day finally arrived and guess what?? it wasn't as tough as I imagined!!!!! Let me start saying that I DID IT!!!!  31 miles on my pocket and a big confidence-booster for my ultra. To be honest I thought it was going to be harder but seems that all my training is paying off and I am getting used to run long distances. Also I have to give a huge part of the credit to my rest the previous week, I think resting is as important as training to give your body time to heal.

I knew my last year Team was running their 20 miles run and I could join them for part of my run but I decided that the best thing for me to do was to run alone and just, if needed, make use if their water/Gatorade aid stations. Most probably I will be running alone the 50 miles so I need to be mentally prepared for that. I need to know how to be strong by myself and give me the motivation needed to finish the 50 miles.

I was planning to start running around 6AM since I knew it could take me 6 or more hours to do it. I woke up at 5 AM, yes on a Saturday!!!  and got ready to start running at 6 but it was way too dark and I decided to wait a little. I was planning on running in the East Side River Esplanade and I know some homeless sleep  there at night so I didn't feel it could be safe to go out in the dark.  By 6:30 the sunrise was here and I was ready to go.  The adventure started at 96th and East River heading downtown. As usually, by mile 3 I was still thinking I was going to die and how could I ever possible finish 31 miles....I always have that felling!!! it takes me 5/6 miles on my long runs to really be confident about finishing it! I couldn't ask for a better weather for this run, no humidity and sunny but not very hot. I got to Brooklyn Bridge and I knew that from there I could meet many people I know on road.

I love running in Battery Park, the view is nice and if you are lucky you can feel a breeze from the river. From there I started to go up on the Westside Highway. On my way saw some Team for Kids groups and also some Flyers. It was nice to exchange greetings with them and it is always good to have the motivation of not stopping as someone could see you walking!! hahaha Well, it is not a secret...I don't like walking while running and I am too proud to allow someone to see me walking!!

My goal was to try to keep at least a 11 minute mile pace since it was the first time running that distance and I didn't want to push it too much. I am a good pacer and I always keep my run steady, a little thanks to my Garmin and a lot thanks to my body that knows how to pace itself. The way up to GW Bridge was nice, I was feeling strong and confident, I knew I was going to make it, I had no doubts I was ready for that. Steady and easy mile after mile....

Mile 20: Lighthouse!!! I like that little red one!!! It was nice to make it there because now it was just an 11 mile run!!! how many times have I run 11 miles?? I know I can run 11 miles...keep going!!! - I told myself . I turned back and the plan was running until 72nd street where the TFK people where and from there run down half of the miles I was missing and back. I wanted to finish at 72nd since it is easy to head home from there.

Mile 22: I am not seeing any wall yet!!! LOL...you know...people says that runners "hit" the wall around mile 20/22 :) I guess when you have run many 20 miles runs the wall moves further!!! I think around here was where I met one of my last year coaches, Sid, he is 70 or 72 years old and can run faster than you or me!!!  He is still running representing US in his age group in international championships. Last year he got a medal in the last games and he is still the holder of some records in other age groups....he is just amazing!! and loves teaching you all he knows!!! As soon as he saw me he made me stop and hugged me asking "how many miles today?? you have graduated from the marathon running and are now an endurance runner!!!"

Mile 25 and change: I got to the TFK final stop and grab some Gatorade from them, I was tired and everyone else were already stretching and getting ready to go home, they ran 20 miles so they were done but I still had 6 more miles to go!!!

Mile 29: I saw Jon, a fellow runner from my running group, he was running the other way and when I saw him I started screaming..." I am  in my 29!!!!" I was so happy that I really needed to tell someone!!! hahaha...I started jumping and cheering myself while Jon looked kinda " what?? did you just say 29?" lol

Mile 30: I am so doing this!!! it is just there around the corner!!!  I was so happy that I ran the last mile with a huge smile on my face :))

Mile 31: I am DONE!!! I couldn't really believe I did it and the best part was that I was still feeling so good!!!

I stretched my legs and talked to some of my former coaches, they were all asking how I was feeling and how my training was going.  The final time was 5:30 hours...much better than what I planned and I didn't walk at all, just made the regular stops to refill my bottle with water.  I was so hungry that I just took a cab home also because I wanted to get into my ice bath as soon as possible.

The rest of the day I felt pretty good, tired of course but  my legs were not sore. I was more concerned about the next morning, it is always worst 1 or 2 days after. When I woke up on Sunday I was afraid to stand up from my bed as I still remember the pain after my first marathon last year and how difficult was to walk the next day....took me 15 minutes to stand up from bed and when I finally did...voila...perfect...no sore, no pain, nothing!!!

Just one more very long run next weekend and tapering will start!!! can't wait but at the same time that means that race day is closer!!!

I WILL DO IT, I WILL DO IT, I WILL DO IT!!!