and I will run 100 miles...

First off, our coach told us today in our weekly team email that this week we will have run over 100 miles this training season so far! I guess that makes sense when you break down the weekly mileage, but, hot damn, that sounds like a lot of miles! 

Secondly, I don't know if it's because of all those miles or perhaps a result of recently increased stress, but last night I had my first marathon nightmare. I hear people at work lamenting over their disruptive work nightmares that they had the previous night, and normally I can't relate. I am not someone who remembers my dreams frequently and so when I do, I feel like they must have meaning. It's as if some extraordinary power is sending me a sign that this dream HAS to be true.  It's disconcerting nonetheless...

I dreamt that I was running the marathon with a couple of running pals, but every time we passed a store or a water station we had to stop and go inside or wait at the water station sipping our drinks, talking to everyone. Running was the last priority. Every time we veered off course, my tension was rising and I started exclaiming, "Guys! The clock isn't stopping for us while we are here!" I kept trying to run on my own, at my own pace, but I had no choice, whenever they stopped, I had to stop also. It was terrible! No one else seemed concerned with the clock. I have no idea if I finished the race, and that's the worst part!

So I guess, not a REAL nightmare, but when I was in it, it sure did feel like one!

As this weekend approaches, the increased mileage is definitely creating more anxiety! This week exceeds the most I have ever run - 15 miles! I'm excited to enter unknown territory, but a bit concerned with how my body might take it! I am going to start taking salt pills during the long runs to try to avoid my 4 pm low blood sugar episodes that I've been getting on Saturdays despite eating/drinking enough. Because I sweat abnormal amounts, I think I am losing too much sodium. So we'll see how this next experiment goes!

...cause photos are fun, here's one more from today!

Mile-stones

Hello! And I apologize to the many few readers who have been missing my posts :). Last's weeks run was quite the test - both physically and mentally. The snow was a'fallin and the streets were a'icing. It was also a hill day - 12 miles up those darn Newton hills. Mentally, I felt great after, astonished at what the team accomplished and proud that I was able to push through the toughest run I have ever been on. The rest of my Saturday literally consisted of me + food + couch + sedentary stillness.


TODAY, however, was not only the greatest weather for running (sunny, clear sky, 45 degrees), but it was also a major mile-stone (ha, love this horrible pun) in our training. 13.1 miles, yes that is right, a full half marathon! For many people it was their first time ever running this distance and so the coaches and mentors threw an after party and were full of encouragement throughout the entire run. See the picture below for an awesome shot of our homemade medals! While this was not my first time running 13.1 miles, I have definitely not run this distance frequently. I ran my first and only half marathon in May and probably ran about 3-4 runs at that distance while training. I feel the heat coming - the miles getting longer and in just 2 short weeks, I will be entering unknown territory... Duh duh duh.... 15 miles! 

Overall, I'm feeling the strongest I have ever felt (only a few aches and pains that I think are pretty normal) and every week we finish another week of training and I can't believe it. My weeks are measured by how many sprints are accomplished, how many on-the-go snacks can fit in my bag, when to fit that next run in with my new running buddies, and how to transport all of my gear to and from work without looking like that jerk on the T taking up too much space (although I think I've already got that covered). OH yea, and also how the hell am I going to fit in that damn cross training?!? Work + Running are not good companions. 


Each week also marks a new mission moment - a story of inspiration, courage, hope, and also reality - a constant reminder to why we are all out there. But with these stories comes camaraderie, friends, health, and a little bit of craziness. Because one thing I've learned so far is that every runner is just a little insane - but together, there's comfort in numbers, and that my friends, is what makes this training not only manageable, but enjoyable and something that after a long week at work, I look forward to. 


So again, thank you to all who have donated so far to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I can't even explain all of the stories I have heard so far this season - but I will tell you that the money we are raising together is helping and directly saving people's lives. So if you would like to, please consider donating at: 


http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/boston12/jbushell


[[I'm only $435 away from my goal!!]]


and here's some entertainment for all of you: 
Sh*t Runners Say


anddddd on that note....
-Jbu

What does one do after a 10 mile hilly run?!.....

ICE BATH!!!!! supah chilly.

Chocolate Milk to Bring in the New Year

It's been a little while, but the running has continued! We haven't had any team practices over the past 2 weeks due to Christmas and the New Year, so the runs have definitely been a bit lonely now that I like discovered that I actually like running with people. 


Running Updates:


- I got off the treadmill and made it to one of the outdoor track workouts last Tuesday night. It was probably about 20 degrees outside and for the warm up laps my feet felt numb. But the time does seem to fly when your toughing it out with others. Andddd.... a track workout followed by burritos is never a bad combination. I could get used to that...


Last week's 8 miler felt really great... truthfully, surprisingly good.   I ran out and back along the Newton Hills, covering the three big heart break hills. I figure that it's good practice since come marathon day, we'll be hitting those hills after running 20 miles. (can't wait). 


Today marked the last single digit long run until April 16th. When I think about it like that, it seems daunting and slightly unattainable. But as Sarah and I were trucking along Beacon Street this morning, I feel thankful for already having found someone who runs at the same pace as me and shares similar fears: What do you eat before a long run? How do you ignore the fact that the Boston Marathon has an incredibly large pool of elites? How many "Gu's" do you plan on running with? How do you stretch this muscle that you never thought was a muscle until you started feeling some pain there? AND most importantly, where should we put our gallon of chocolate milk as we go out for our run so that it doesn't go sour? YES YES I said it. I have leaped on the chocolate milk bandwagon after some skepticism. I don't believe there is a better post-run drink in fact. I'm hooked. You got the protein, sugar, potassium and deliciousness. Solution: chocolate milk remained in my fridge. In the future, we leave it outdoors, it's sure as hell cold enough!


We left my apartment this morning and decided to warm up with a lap around the reservoir. It was pretty foggy and misty, just a little bit such that it actually felt kind of nice since it is about 40 degrees outside. The fog persisted throughout the 9 miles and by the time we got to heartbreak hill all we could see was a faint green light at the VERY top of the hill, far off in the distant. I felt like I was in the Great Gatsby.... ha....


But the chocolate milk was safe and sound in my apartment and post-stretching, rolling, and kneading, we downed some milk a la chocolate and with that, I say, here's to double digits and more importantly, here's to a healthy New Year!

Qualms of the Bag Lady #2

I think the one piece of equipment that poses more of a problem than socks is... a sports bra. I was so happy that I actually got myself to the gym after my company's holiday party which included beer, macaroni and cheese, and cookies, that I felt pretty disheartened when I opened my knapsack and basically flipped it inside out swearing that there had to be a sports bra in one of the many compartments. But there was not. You would think by now that I had this routine down - but there is always room for error. I told myself that I had to run anyway. It was not pleasant. Not at all. Not only because of no sports bra but because I learned (the hard way) what foods don't sit well in my stomach pre-run. I can tell you this, I'm saving the beer for post run glory...

being thankful and trotting

One of my favorite reasons for coming home to NY from Boston each year for Thanksgiving is to run in my town's 5 mile Turkey Trot. I think it's a great way to run in the brisk air, start my Thanksgiving morning, see people who I haven't seen since last year's run, and most of all celebrate one of the things I am most thankful for - my health. 

At this time last year I was still recovering from having a lymph node removed from my neck. Everything was benign, but it took some time for my neck muscles to regain their strength in order to run long distances again. Running became something I never wanted to take for granted because every time I went running meant that I was healthy enough to do so. 

This time of year is always so special. Similar to most people, it's a time when I always realize how lucky I am for so many reasons - whether it's as small as being thankful that I remembered to run with gloves this morning or something as big as my family and my health. As I trotted along the Port Washington Turkey Trot this morning I made sure to recognize how lucky I was to be out there running alongside the 2500 other trotters. Camaraderie is really not something to be underestimated. It's also nice to run a race without going full force sometimes and taking in everything around you. I decided to take it a bit easy on the legs since training begins next week. Today I appreciated all of the people who were standing outside in the cold cheering us on. I'm convinced that that is a harder job than actually running in a race! It was a bit chilly, and damn, have I forgot about some of the hills in my town, but overall, another great trot! 

I know that this time of year is tough with the holidays approaching, but if giving happens to be in your budget during this wonderful season, please consider donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. As I've mentioned before, now that we have exceeded the $4,000 minimum, every cent of every dollar is going directly to this wonderful cause. 

Now on to bigger and better TURKEYS :) [see below]:

Happy Turkey to All!