Something very cool...

http://supportyourmarathoner.com/

This is a website sponsored by Asics where you can make personalized messages that might show up on a big screen when I run by during the marathon!  My mom already uploaded a picture, which it appears she took using the self-timer on her digital camera:

The only info you need is my entry number, which is 449349.  I'd really really love to be surprised by messages and/or videos as I run!

Last 20 Miler

Yesterday I ran my last 20-miler before the marathon, which was really my first 20 miler since I accidentally only ran 19 miles last time I was supposed to do 20.  It was less than ideal that this run happened on a Tuesday, but with all the weekend traveling I've been doing, it just happened to work out that way.  I was extremely nervous for the run because of my hamstring pain and the fact that I've skipped a bunch of workouts lately to recover.  It's actually pretty ridiculous how scared I was for it - I haven't been able to sleep, I had a pit in my stomach every time I saw the NYC Marathon subway signs, etc.  I was pretty convinced that there was no way I'd be able to finish a 20 mile run, let alone 26 miles on Nov 7th. 

To my relief, the run went well.  Because Dr. Snug said to avoid hills, I ran all the way up the West Side Highway from Tribeca (at Harrison Street) to the George Washington Bridge (at 178th Street) and back down.  The course was pretty flat, although there were a few tiny hills up in Harlem.  My legs were really feeling the distance, and around mile 17 I had to stop and stretch out my hamstrings.  I have learned that certain miles will always be more difficult for me.  I always get tired around mile 7, 12, and 17.  For some reason I felt great during Miles 18-20, minus my screaming legs which I was trying not to think about, and was able to pick up my speed a bit.  I was pretty sore afterward, but took time to stretch and ice, and have been wearing my compression tights ever since. 

The long run gave me a little bit of confidence that I'll be able to run the marathon on November 7th.  This was the last long run before the marathon, so it was really my last chance for this peace of mind.  I am so relieved that it went okay, and now I can go into the taper without that panicky feeling I've had for the past few weeks. 

Dr. Snug

Yesterday I had an appointment at Manhattan Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Group.  My doctor, Dr. Klion, is awesome.  He has completed eight Ironmans and at least one marathon (I saw a race photo from a marathon in D.C. hanging in his office). 

Dr. Snug!

Dr. Klion told me that my problem is an overuse injury.  It's in my right hamstring, and he said that I should have been better about strength training.  Whoops.  I was doing strength training like lunges and weights for awhile, but then when the mileage increased I stopped.  He told me to do some light strength training now, and to take 3 Advil 3 times a day until my 20-miler on Saturday.  He said that I will definitely be able to run the marathon, although I will probably not be able to run as fast as I could have otherwise.  I need to run slower and take more breaks to be sure the hamstring is feeling okay during my runs.

It was really cool going to a doctor who was an athlete.  I was worried that no matter what was wrong with me the doctor was going to say I can't run and that I shouldn't do the marathon, but Dr. Klion understood all that's gone into my training and worked with me towards a solution.  I'm a little sad that I'm probably going to be embarrassingly slow on race-day, though.  I already get anxious about all my friends stalking my race times and thinking I'm a slowpoke, but now I'll probably be legitimately slower than I'd have hoped.  Oh well, if I get to that finish line, that's all that matters!  I'm no athlete, but I did raise $4,000 (so far!) for cancer research, and that's the real point in all this.  And once I cross that finish line I can take a nice, loooooong break from running and give my body a rest for awhile.

Feeling a Little Better

Several things have happened lately that make me feel a little better about the marathon and all the training.  The first is that I saw my friend Anne Marie this weekend and she told me that everything I've been feeling - my fears about not being able to run 26 miles, my concern about skipping workouts - is all normal.  Anne Marie really is the expert, as she recently finished her fourth marathon with a time of 3:18.  I fully anticipate spending at least an HOUR more than that running the NYC marathon, if I can even finish the damn thing at all.  But thanks to Anne Marie, I'm slightly more confident that I can.

Also, I made an appointment with a sports medicine doctor to have him look at my leg.  When I called, they said that lots of people running the marathon are experiencing aches and pains like this, and that I shouldn't worry.  That's nice to hear!  I am planning on going for an easy run today, and then my appointment with the doctor is tomorrow.  My fingers are crossed that everything looks okay.

Weekly Training Plan:

Monday: 5 miles
Tuesday: 8 miles
Wednesday: 5 miles
Thursday: Spin
Friday: 5 miles
Saturday: 20 miles
Sunday: Fun and relaxation in Philly!

30 DAYS!

Today is October 7th, which means the NYC Marathon is in exactly 30 days.  I am really nervous, mostly because my right leg has still been giving my problems.  This week I have skipped a lot of my workouts and have been icing and foam-rolling lots, but now I'm nervous that I'm getting out of shape.  It's not my knee, which is ironic because ever since I started marathon training I was nervous I was going to injure my knees.  It's either my hamstring or IT band or some other muscle in the back right side of my thigh.  I actually think I might make an appointment with a sports medicine doctor just to have it checked out, which goes to show you how serious I'm taking this, since I *hate* doctors and never usually go for any reason.  Either that or I'll just have my doctor brother poke around at it and let me know whether he thinks it's serious or not. 

Last weekend I ran the Hamptons Half Marathon, which went surprisingly well given that my leg has been bothering me.  The bad part was that I had to wake up at 3am and take a 4am Jitney to the Hamptons because my friend who was supposed to run with me canceled a few weeks ago.  So I was basically a zombie at the start of the race due to sleep deprivation.  It was a beautiful day and a gorgeous course, though, so once I warmed up I really enjoyed the race.  I had never been to the Hamptons before, but I definitely want to go back.  I kept looking to see if I could spot the Barefoot Contessa's house, or Ina Garten herself, but no dice.  I did get some beautiful glimpses of the ocean!

Here are some pictures from the race.  What an unflattering race outfit (that shirt just hits right at my widest point), although I do look happy!