running for our lives
This Daily Beast version of the toughest marathons makes for interesting reading pre-Boston. Good luck to all the runners who are taking it on in the heat tomorrow. The BAA is giving runners the option to defer this year because of the heat. I wonder how many will take them up on the offer. Happy Running!
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My LDFs and I are headed to Virginia Beach for the Shamrock Marathon on March 20. I am very excited to have the group together (there are 8 of us going- three of us for the marathon, the rest for the half). It’s not often we can all commit to the same race because of crazy work and kid schedules. Exotic locations were considered, but slowly eliminated and we came to agreement on Virginia Beach. It’s no Big Sir or San Francisco, but hey we can all wear green and drink Yuengling (the sponsor) after the race—when in Rome…
The weather this winter has been a real test of this commitment. Doing a 20 mile run in 15 degrees (wind chill says -3), because that’s what the training schedule dictates, just kind of sucks. So you go in two pairs of tights, 3 shirts, 2 gloves, neck scarf, hat and if you happen to have them in your running cubby (which I did—yeah), Hotties for your toes and hands. We ran the Icicle 10 Miler Race for a change of pace that had icy roads, and turned out to be mostly uphill– oh, come on! Today was a balmy 26 at the start of an 18 mile long run. The roads are crazy because sidewalks have disappeared under mountains of snow. Cars are coming too close for comfort and drivers are less than enthused about our zealous outing on the road. Thanks to Yaktrax, the warm sunshine breaking through, and the distracting stories of LDFs, we made it through. But man, it’s tough out there. Whatever doubt I had about my commitment after a less than successful running year is slowing disappearing. Because frankly, if this is a test, we are passing. Take that Mother Nature!
So here are some of the training rituals/tips that are getting me through this weather:
1. Being flexible during the week, but staying true to my long run. I have had to move runs around because of snow storms. I check Weather.com daily to re-assess what can be done. Long runs are the exception. Those are obligatory and must be looked at differently. It’s more about coming up with ways to survive the long run rather then re-schedule it. We do, however, start later and slow down (icy roads are easier to navigate in daylight and at a slower pace).
2. Yaktrax! I simply would not be able to run in all this snow and ice without them. They provide sure footing and traction.
3. Layers. 15 degrees requires more layers that 26. Sometimes it’s hard to know and I have to strip down mid-run, but I hate being cold. My 15 year-old son gave me an pair of Asics arm warmers for Christmas and I wear them over my base layer and under my jacket. They provide arm warmth without an extra layer on the chest, which is great when I start warming up. Here is a recent Runner’s World winter running tips breakdown…this is helpful:
30 degrees: 2 tops, 1 bottom. Long-sleeve base layer and a vest keep your core warm. Tights (or shorts, for polar bears).
10 to 20 degrees: 2 tops, 2 bottoms. A jacket over your base layer, and wind pants over the tights.
0 to 10 degrees: 3 tops, 2 bottoms. Two tops (fleece for the cold-prone) and a jacket. Windbrief for the fellas.
Minus 10 to 0 degrees: 3 tops, 2 bottoms, extra pair of mittens, 1 scarf wrapped around mouth or a balaclava.
Minus 20 degrees: 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 extra pairs of mittens, 1 balaclava, sunglasses. Or, says Arribas, “Stay inside.”
4. Coconut Water–my newest obsession. I am not as thirsty in the winter so a bottle of Coconut Water is providing noticeably better hydration. I just tried Zico coconut water with pomagranate mid long run today and really liked it.
5. Pre-run grease up: Full facial sunscreen and lip balm before EVERY run on my face. This seems to protect my skin and acts like a barrier to the cold… I use Neutrogena Age Shield FACE spf 70 and peppermint Chapstick. Also, don’t forget to Body Glide up on all the right places or you will suffer with all those layers on the long runs.
6. A really warm hat that covers my ears and a neck scarf. I have a Nike fleece hat that is so awesome because it covers my ears and provides lightweight warmth.
7. Strip! I have to strip out of my clothes as soon as the run is over! I have an old pair of warm sweats that I transfer into if I am away from home for the ride back or if I have to get the kids going at home before a shower. And there just isn’t anything like a cup of strong, hot coffee after a cold run…heaven.
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When the alarm went off this morning at 5:45, I was on the fence about getting up for a run with strangers. I could easily have slept in. If it wasn’t for the fact that I thought they might be waiting for me, or that I had just had a conversation the night before with my teen about branching out, and oh yes…and that new refrigerator magnet (“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”), I would have pressed snooze. I was resorting to tough love already and I had not even left my bed–just (frigging) do it! I could surely use a change of pace (is there a card in that?). I made it out the door and to Philly in record time. It was a beautiful morning. The crisp, fresh air settled among the colorful backdrop of leaves was enough to make me glad I made this trek. I had joined the Runner’s World Challenge for the San Francisco race–I never got to run–but editor Jen had e-mailed me to invite me along for this Philly reunion/run anyway. Jen is warm. Her nurturing manner fuels the runners around her. I met some great people. Fun and interesting conversation made the 11 miles fly by. It really made me wish I had gone to San Fran with this group. I am now considering the RW Challenge for a future marathon.
It felt so good to be running just to run. I don’t fair well without a goal for too long but this race-free reprieve was energizing. It was fun to run with strangers who also love to run. I loved the stories about their runs, lives and questions. Although we had never met before, they just felt familiar. I especially liked hearing about Jen’s attitude toward the many races she now runs with Runner’s World. She doesn’t race them all (although she threw in that she qualified for Boston in Chicago)…I liked that. Her input was comforting. Meeting these runners today renewed this tired running soul…(and as usual) so glad I got up!
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Jean Metzinger painting from the Picasso exhibit courtesy of the PHA
Yesterday was a carpe diem day. There is something euphoric about checking off items from a “things I want to try out/do” list. There are so many that somehow never happen. Yesterday was a day of accomplishment to temper the more frequent sentiment of a ”I didn’t get enough done ” type day.
I was up at 4:30am to get dressed, stretch and drive a few towns over for a 5:15 11 mile run. Hilly and challenging, in the way that makes you finish knowing you had nothing left (and probably should have eaten something in your groggy haste). By 10 am I was off to see the Picasso and the Avant-Guarde exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Cubism art history and comparative studies, a very enjoyable show followed by a yummy veggie sandwich on olive focaccia at the cafe to fuel me ahead. It felt great to walk so much after a hard run, I often don’t have the opportunity to do that and sit stiff in my office chair. Yes, playing hookey today, an occasional must!
In the early evening, Jamie and I decided to finally try out the run/yoga sessions advertised on the Lululemon website. They offer this in many cities around the country in conjunction with local running stores, in this case Philadelphia Runner. I have run twice in one day only a few times but with all quiet on the home front (husband in town taking the reins), I could not forgo this perfect opportunity. We arrived early at the running store and browsed a well stocked, very friendly-staffed establishment. Runners are so friendly aren’t they? I love that. A group of about 20-30 people headed out from the store in small groups. A 5 mile group, a 2 mile group and a 2 mile walk/run group. Many of them were beginning a training program for the Philadelphia Broad Street 10 mile run. Broad street is a fun, flat race through the center of Philly. We opted for the 2 miler and followed a young lady and man throughout the streets of a bustling downtown. It was a beautiful 60 degree night and a welcome change from the suburban landscape that backdrops our standard route. We got the feeling that most runners were new runners, perhaps there to take on their first race. We met afterward at the Lululemon store around the corner for oranges, bananas, a little stretching and some ab exercises…yoga? Everyone was very welcoming and friendly and seemed to be catering to a new/beginning runner crowd. There was no yoga to be found, but I was able to find a pair of technikini mesh underwear in a fabulous shade of purple (which brought up a discussion for a future post topic: do you wear underwear when you run?).
We headed back to the Philadelphia Runner as we had heard there was a speaker. We felt positively lucky to find Runner’s World contributing nutritionist Nancy Clark already fielding questions. She has written several books on sports nutrition (Sports Nutrition Guidebook, Fourth Edition, Nancy Clark’s Food Guide for Marathoners, 2nd Edition, and Getting It Right From The Start, Nancy Clark’s Food Guide For New Runners) [click to continue…]
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We are "forty something" women who run and women on the run.
We aspire to stay in shape, love our families madly, connect with friends (over a book or a movie), and retain our beauty (inside and out).
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