I dug out my official 2011 Boston Marathon shirt this morning and tried it on just to feel something. I can’t say exactly what I needed to feel. Connection, maybe. It’s marathon weekend in Boston with Marathon Monday just a few days away. Every year, a part of me remembers that amazing experience of being able to run that incredible race. It’s a little bitter sweet; pride coupled with a feeling of missing out. This morning, as I prepared to go out for my weekend run, I eyed myself in the mirror wearing that shirt. It still fits nicely, in spite of the weight gain. But I don’t feel like much of a runner these days. I thought be now I’d find a new groove but it’s still not so easy.
I’ve been continuing my regular yoga practice, stepping up my strength training effort, added supplements for arthritis relief, and even have been working with a nutrition coach. And, I *have* been training, although my training has not been the best. In spite of logging the distances of my planned long runs, I have had to walk-jog most of these miles in the past few weeks. I have a number of “excuses” that I have been blaming: everything from cold weather, arthritis flareups, hip and knee strain, trail closure due to flooding, and even a period of separation-anxiety with my treadmill. Seriously! I guess I am finally over my PTSD from the treadmill fall (concussion + treadmill burn turned to leg cellulitis, infection, and ugly dark scarring) incident of 2009. To be honest, it’s just convenient. If I have to stop to go to the bathroom, it’s right there. No trail closures. No giant sections of slippery mud. And, I get to see and learn about places all over the world thanks to iFit.
But treadmill running and propelling myself on dirt and pavement are not the same even with added incline. I had to break away from the ‘mill and get outside to walk, jog and run. The long awaited Yosemite Half Marathon is sneaking up on us rather quickly. TOO QUICK, if you ask me. Of course, I don’t feel a prepared as I had wanted to. In fact, I hardly feel like I can call myself a runner. Nonetheless, I do plan to toe the line, albeit reluctantly. YaYa’s training has had some hiccups as well. A hard takedown in his judo class coupled with the time and energy limitations of juggling a full college load and his role as Fitness Manager at the gym make training hard for him to get in. Although he blew me away with his half marathon time last year (also with limited training), I’m not sure how it will go this time. He may be hanging back with me. He may blow past me. I guess we’ll see.
Due to the crazy weather that California has been experiencing, the race course had to be re-routed to a completely new course. Although the new course won’t be the downhill race profile that racers had planned on, I does appear to be a mild course with very lovely views of the lake along the way. I am excited and nervous. Oh yeah, the race starts at sunrise (6am) with shuttle buses taking us to the starting line at 4am. *yawn* Although I am not excited to read this, YaYa (being a night owl) will have a harder time dealing with this than I will.
Well, I have my longest training run next weekend with 10 miles on tap. I have a 2-week taper after that in preparation for the race. If anyone is reading this, please send good luck vibes to YaYa and me.
Hi there, I haven’t checked in with your blog for a while. Funny, I broke out my own Boston Marathon shirt last week as well for the first time in many years. My son ran in the race, and I flew up to cheer him on. You are exactly right, pride coupled with the feeling of missing out. It was all great though and has inspired me to get back up there again. Wow so good that you are back in training and racing, these goals move us forward and keep us engaged and connected with life. Keep the Pace! And remember, tapering is overrated. :)
Good luck!