Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Marathon
Back in January, I announced to our blog readership that my goal for the year was to run in the Baltimore Marathon. I firmly believe that with a goal like this you have to tell as many people as possible, so that you know you will look foolish if you back out. I feel it was a great motivating factor. Here is the play by play of the marathon:
5 am: Wake up with severe pain in my knee. I can barely walk on it. The pain does go away after a while though. It was like my knee was asleep, but more painful than usual. I spent the night in Baltimore, and the rest of the family came up that morning.
7:30 am: Line up at the starting line. It is cold and windy. Fortunately they have included gloves in the goodie bag for the race, as I will wear them almost the entire race.
8:00 am: Start of the race. It is pretty crowded for the first several miles. I am running with the 4:00 pace group. I notice a runner with a serious mullet.
8:30 am: Feeling good. I decide to leave the 4:00 pace group behind and try to find some running room. It is nice and cool.
9:00 am: Feeling very good. This marathon running thing is a breeze. I spot a juggler on the course. Fortunately, I see him running the opposite way on the course (meaning he is a couple miles behind me).
10:00 am: Pass the halfway mark at 1:57:26, just under a 9-minute pace, which is where I want to be. Several years ago, I ran a half-marathon and was woefully under-prepared and finished in 2:31, so this is a big improvement. Feeling good, though the wind is picking up. The runners have started to spread out more.
10:45 am: Not feeling good. Just after the halfway point, the elevation started a slow and steady rise (from mile 16 to 22), which is painful. The wind is now a beast (or do I just notice it more now because I am slowing down?). Also, at mile 16 we join up with the half-marathon, which makes the road thick again with runners. Psychologically, I am not happy to be with these runners who have only been running a few miles after I have already knocked out so many.
11:15 am: Coming to the end of the rise in elevation (mercifully!) I can see runners running on a street perpendicular to ours and heading back in the direction of Camden Yards (the end of the race). However, upon reaching these runners, we turn to the right (they are running to my left) and find that before I can join the runners on the road home, I have to circle a 2-mile lake! At least the lake is level and it kind of feels like a track since it goes in a circle.
12:00 pm: What am I still doing running after four hours?! Legs are aching. I am starting to hear several songs on my playlist for the second time.
12:20 pm: Slow and steady to the finish line. Just keep running. I pass my fantastic cheering squad on the last half mile. Kudos to Sheralie for hauling four kids all the way out there. They snapped a picture of me running away:
12:30 pm: It was great to finish running through Camden Yards. I was also motivated to keep my legs moving to get under 4 1/2 hours, which I did with a time of 4:29:03. Very happy to finish! And very hungry as well.
Overall, it was a great experience, and a great motivation to keep training all year. It was definitely long. I will probably do another one, though I will take a little break before I start thinking about it again. Thanks for all the well wishers and encouragement.
5 am: Wake up with severe pain in my knee. I can barely walk on it. The pain does go away after a while though. It was like my knee was asleep, but more painful than usual. I spent the night in Baltimore, and the rest of the family came up that morning.
7:30 am: Line up at the starting line. It is cold and windy. Fortunately they have included gloves in the goodie bag for the race, as I will wear them almost the entire race.
8:00 am: Start of the race. It is pretty crowded for the first several miles. I am running with the 4:00 pace group. I notice a runner with a serious mullet.
8:30 am: Feeling good. I decide to leave the 4:00 pace group behind and try to find some running room. It is nice and cool.
9:00 am: Feeling very good. This marathon running thing is a breeze. I spot a juggler on the course. Fortunately, I see him running the opposite way on the course (meaning he is a couple miles behind me).
10:00 am: Pass the halfway mark at 1:57:26, just under a 9-minute pace, which is where I want to be. Several years ago, I ran a half-marathon and was woefully under-prepared and finished in 2:31, so this is a big improvement. Feeling good, though the wind is picking up. The runners have started to spread out more.
10:45 am: Not feeling good. Just after the halfway point, the elevation started a slow and steady rise (from mile 16 to 22), which is painful. The wind is now a beast (or do I just notice it more now because I am slowing down?). Also, at mile 16 we join up with the half-marathon, which makes the road thick again with runners. Psychologically, I am not happy to be with these runners who have only been running a few miles after I have already knocked out so many.
11:15 am: Coming to the end of the rise in elevation (mercifully!) I can see runners running on a street perpendicular to ours and heading back in the direction of Camden Yards (the end of the race). However, upon reaching these runners, we turn to the right (they are running to my left) and find that before I can join the runners on the road home, I have to circle a 2-mile lake! At least the lake is level and it kind of feels like a track since it goes in a circle.
12:00 pm: What am I still doing running after four hours?! Legs are aching. I am starting to hear several songs on my playlist for the second time.
12:20 pm: Slow and steady to the finish line. Just keep running. I pass my fantastic cheering squad on the last half mile. Kudos to Sheralie for hauling four kids all the way out there. They snapped a picture of me running away:
12:30 pm: It was great to finish running through Camden Yards. I was also motivated to keep my legs moving to get under 4 1/2 hours, which I did with a time of 4:29:03. Very happy to finish! And very hungry as well.
Overall, it was a great experience, and a great motivation to keep training all year. It was definitely long. I will probably do another one, though I will take a little break before I start thinking about it again. Thanks for all the well wishers and encouragement.
After the race next to Camden Yards
Relaxing with the finisher's medal.
Note: You may not be able to see it, but it is a number "10" to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Baltimore Marathon. Jeffrey saw a different runner with it and thought it meant that he got 10th place in the marathon.
Final stats: overall #1892 out of 3359, for men: #1317 out of 2124, and for M 30-34, #201 out of 328
Monday, October 11, 2010
What We Missed
America is absolutely beautiful, we have come to love her more than ever. Who would have thought living abroad would make us more patriotic than ever? The abundance and prosperity and order we enjoy in this country is without compare. Just look at the modern marvels of plumbing, street planning, city services and parks. Oh, the glorious parks.
Some things we feel simply starving for and we have tried to consume in large amounts, to make up for the loss these last two years. And what have we missed, you ask? Well, there is so much. But most especially,
THE FOOD.
Sweet potatoes, avocados, frozen green peas, most especially. And berries, peaches, nectarines, fresh baby spinach, store bought hummus, fresh sprouts, and great potatoes. Hooray for vegetables that I know how to prepare and that my children love to eat. James has taken to avocados and demonstrates that the vitamins benefit not only your internal organs, but especially the skin and hair :)
And what would America be like without
FOOTBALL??
Our Saturdays now consist of large amounts of college football. I shall not divulge the amount. We have two years to make up for, you see. Since this makes a rather lousy photo, us sitting in front of the television, you can see for yourself the influence this has had on our children.
Gone are the days of basketball. Almost every spare minute outside, Jeffrey is throwing the football, passing, tackling, trying to drum up players for a game. The fever has spread to Lucy and Laird, and even James who has a mini football he will crawl to.
As any father knows, at least one play will result in injury :)
America means more FRIENDS.
Of course we have had friends every place we live. But I am personally reveling in spending time with other mothers, rather than nannies and maids. And my children are finding it easier to make friends with children who speak the same language. Imagine that.
Above is Laird's new best friend. Honestly, his first close friend since Sarah.
These boys were born only three days apart. These two are hilarious together and speak the same language of legos, imaginary shooting matches, and an intense love for a movie neither has ever seen . . . Star Wars! Even though Laird's best buddy goes to kindergarten, it means we see him at least once a day for updates on their lego guys, weaponry and silly ideas.
Jeffrey has just joined scouts. With their recent activities of basketball, bowling, and more basketball, Jeffrey is completely convinced that Scouting is the BEST. Take that, Harry Potter.
And best for last, we have missed
FAMILY.
My brother lives in the city. When his working and social calendar permits, he stops by for food - football - fun - family home evening - or just some friendly debates about politics, economics, or international development. I love this opportunity to be around him more.
Stay Tuned: This Saturday, Pete will run his first marathon. With all his hard work and preparation, he is sure to do well.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)