Cold Turkey

Goals aren’t set in stone. They are meant to be met – first of all. And if you find yourself not reaching them, it’s time to change, reassess and update your goal so that it is more manageable and attainable. Instead of going cold-turkey.

HERE were my 2012 New Year Goals. I want to re-evaluate them and take a look again because I really want to keep up with them this year and follow through. Obvi since the first one on my list is to OWN IT. So how have I been doing.. ? Not that great. Definitely better with making an effort to do what I say I’m going to do. Can always improve on that, but I’m more aware of some of my actions and things that I say and commit to. Also keeping the balance even keel has been a bit better as well. Again, I’m more aware… and it’s going to be a long work in progress. Then there’s the eating… not good at all. Most of that comes with being stressed out though. And I need the mind frame that I don’t have to go ‘cold turkey’ but it’s a gradual, long term life change (not that it’s a change, but just getting back on track after the past few months). And thinking back to last year and how well I was eating and fueling my body during training. So here’s to the turkey…

BI-LO Marathon – Stats (Marathon #2)

BI-LO Marathon – Myrtle Beach, SC 2.18.12

APRIL FORSYTH #613

Philadelphia, PA

Age: 29 Gender: F

Distance	MAR
Clock Time	3:56:12
Chip Time	3:55:47
Age Grade	57.4%
Split 6 5 M	57:12
Split 13 1 M	1:56:37
Split 18 5 M	2:45:03
Pace	8:59

Can I get Some ‘Wooder’ Please?

Water, wooder, wuter, whater… however you say it. I need some! Running through the water stops at the race… apparently everyone knew I was from up North or from Philly. I would ask if they were handing out ‘wooder’ or powerade. And they would give me a funny look and say ‘you mean whater?’ Yes.

is that 'wooder'?

This week will consist of rest and lots of ‘wooder’. I think I hydrated pretty well after the race. To the point that I couldn’t even get drunk on Saturday night because I hydrated too much… which is a good thing. But I made up for that yesterday…

I’ll also be working on my race recap and fun stories from the weekend!! Good times – both fun and race.

Secret Goal

Well I DID it!!! I met my ‘secret goal’. The one that I didn’t tell anyone. The goal that I only had in my head and never actually said out loud. Until…. I got to the start today and was talking with another runner who asked me what my pace was today. And because I thought he was inquiring and wondering why I was in the 3:45 hour pace corral… I felt obligated to lie tell the truth about my real goal. And once I said it out loud I knew it was real, and I got scared. But, long story short (and no worries… you will get the full long story), but I met my “Secret Goal” and it was to Sub 4:00. Yes, yes, yes… I DID it! I could not be more proud right now, and I am on cloud 26.2 euphoria!!!

Bi-Lo, Pre-Marathon Thoughts

How do I feel about my overall training for the Bi Lo Marathon? Well… all things considered (injury, time off from running, weight, eating, attitude… etc etc), I think I did pretty damn well. With training, that is. We’ll see what happens on actual race day. Do I feel ready?? Yes and No. I guess that is always going to be the answer with a race though. Yes, I feel ready mentally… well I did anyway. Up until this week. Those last minute paranoid thoughts are starting to creep in. And with lack of sleep and trying to fight off a cold or whatever it is, I’m having those nagging doubts. Yesterday I was so tired I even thought about dropping down to the half. What the F*ck!? Seriously? I squashed that thought the mila-second it popped in my head.

When I really think about this, and think about my 20 miler I know I can do it. I know it’s going to be harder than SD, I know I will have to psych myself out and mentally prep and do a lot of pep talking. But I do feel mentally prepared for this. However… that is not everything – by a long shot. Am I physically ready? No. I did as much training as I could in the short amount of time that I had. I’m pretty surprised at my accomplishments, but I know I could be way ahead of where I am right now. Body/health aspect? No. Haven’t eaten as well as I should have been. Haven’t dropped the pounds that I should have or built up the muscle that I need. But… short time, it’s pretty decent and I am feeling good about it.

I’ve also been reading up on Racing Multiple Marathons in one season. I decided to look at Saturday, today, tomorrow as the official start of my marathon season. This race isn’t just a race, however the start of my training for the next few months, end goal – San Diego. With that said… I need to be cautious of my body, my time and how hard I am pushing myself. Meaning, if I don’t reach the time goals I want, that’s ok I’ll try not to be psychotic about it, it’s just a ‘training run’. And really, it is. It’s meant to be fun and enjoyable, and I’ll worry about time and effort when I run another race… maybe NYC?

HERE – is some motivation. Ben’s Story is awesome and so inspirational…

Goals: Yes I have a few. 1- finish and have fun (always)  2 – sub ?? (time goals always scare me). There’s always the secret number in my head that I won’t reveal until the race is over. But I think it changed from the time I came up with it a few weeks ago.

HERE is the course, Bib # 613

Looking back on my SD training, I did log more miles and definitely over a shorter period of time. The longest month I had last spring was 112 miles in May. And the most I’ve done this season is 141 in January. However I did have some of my fastest times last spring. So it will be a good comparison.

Uber paranoid! Always. But, it is what it is… things could go either way. Everything all needs to fall into place. Sleep, feeling well, aches and pains, ITBand, food and fuel the night before, morning of, going to the bathroom… not having any stomach problems, clothing malfunctions, weather, whatever. If everything comes together the night before and the morning of, and I feel decent… I know I will be able to do it, and do it well…

do the damn thing!!

Lost and Insecure

You Found Me…. at 4:30am, wide awake. Having a test, traveling and running a marathon all in one week is a lot of stress for a normal person whatever you’d classify me as. Especially not being ready for this race in a few ways where I’d like to have been. One major one would be getting lots of sleep this week, which obviously isn’t happening since I’m up at night taking crappy random pics with my cell phone camera and listening to music…

Next Week

I might actually agree with this guy…

really!?

Doubtful. But I KNOW I’m going to be hurting. Day two after the marathon, AND after flying. Never a great thing for your legs. I really really really hope I’m in a great mood from doing an awesome job. However, I know my body is going to hate me… and I’m anticipating some ITBand, knee issues and probably some major foot pain. Seeing as how training has gone and the problems that I’ve had, I can foresee how I’ll feel. SO I need to make suuuuuuuper sure that I rest, REST, REST!!! No hurry to start training for SD right away. I rather need to take a break and rest my body and then jump into training when I’m ready. I’m not going to lose that much in a few months. I should be able to hit up the long runs pretty easily again. I’m glad my coaches have been reminding me of this too, because I get way ahead of myself and too excited sometimes. It’s better to do two marathons in one season then only one because of injury or over training. (thanks, Aram).

WORKOUT – yoga

ANATOMY FUN FACT – Recovery Period: the conditions in muscle fibers are re-turned to normal, preexertion levels. After a period of moderate activity, it may take several hours for muscle fibers to recover. After sustained activity at higher levels, complete re-covery can take a week.

Memory Lane Monday – Em

In honor of Em’s baby shower coming up in a few weeks… (don’t worry, she knows about it). Her and Nate Dawg are going to make some of the best parents that I know and I’m so excited for them. Also excited for Em to be able to drink again a little selfish I know.

The Last Run

Today was my last run before the marathon. Needed to shake out my legs one more time and get them moving. Also wanted to feel for any aches and pains that my Doc could fix up on Monday. I’m trying to think back to last year before SD and what my last run felt like. I know I had major paranoia but can’t remember if my runs were as shitty as they have been lately. Today wasn’t too bad. Much better than my 11 minute one miler on the treadmill yesterday. I’ve been hurting for a while now…. not really sure why when I haven’t had a long run in over a week. Cutting back on all workouts, tapering my running so why does this happen. My body is screaming for a break and making sure that I take one? Who knows. This is why taper is hard, and the two weeks before the race, not running are even harder than all the training was. Over the next week I’ll be only doing yoga, and my PT on Monday. Lots of water!!! Tons of protein and healthy stuff.

ready to rock

Red Hot Love

Haven’t done a ‘things I’m obsessed with this month’ post in a while. And what better time to talk about love then February. I’ve always loved Valentine’s day… I’m not even really sure why. Who doesn’t love, roses, pink and red, and chocolate? Maybe that’s why. Anyway… here are some things I love lately…

1.New Nike rain jacket  2.VS lipgloss in ‘Slice of Heaven’  3.Trail running  4.Looking forward, being nervous, anxious, scared, excited for another marathon!!!  5.Planning an upcoming vacay (done and done… and who would have thought, Vegas.  6.Planning my 30th B-day extravaganza  7.More blonde  8.THIS song  9.and THIS song  10.Enjoying one glass of wine, instead of downing a whole bottle 11.Tiff’s key necklaces  12.V-day (of course!) 13.Learning about the heart  14.This day in February 15.Red nails, red lips  16.Flannel shirts – especially when they are not my own  17.Kale  18.Chocolate covered espresso beans  19.Chocolate covered anything  20.Life (had to throw that one in there again for good measure – it’s been a while)