35 Minutes Nice and Easy

I decided to just walk today. My legs are a bit achy and there's no reason to push things - I think I've already done that. The weather was warm but a slight breeze made it pleasant.
I'm trying to decide my course of action for the coming months. Do I want to do "Run the Rock" in Dallas? It's on December 10th, the same day as the Sugar Land 30K. Earlier this year after completing Houston and Austin's marathons, I found out about the Marathons of Texas Challenge. Anyone who completes White Rock, Houston and Austin gets a special reward. I decided then that I would do the three this time, but I'm not sure. I keep flip flopping about whether I want to cut back to half marathons or stick with the full. When you're out there by yourself it's just not as much fun. And when you finish after everyone is gone and there's no food nor festivities, you question your reasons for being out there.
I guess I'm more introspective today than usual. I got word that someone I'd known for a long time had passed away unexpectedly. I can't help but think about how uncertain life is and how important it is to live it to its fullest. I'm just not sure what my "fullest" is.

Houston Half Marathon

Today was the Houston Half Marathon. Prior to this year it was a 20K race, but the race directors decided to add just a few "K" more and make it a half marathon. When I had signed up for it back in September, I hadn't really thought it through. I was on the fence this week as to whether or not I would do it, but I really wanted the shirt (I wear last year's all the time), and I figured that if I mostly walked, it wouldn't be too bad. As soon as I started out I realized that I probably should have skipped the race. I was tired and the cold that I had been fighting since I'd gotten soaked at the 10 miler 2 weeks ago finally got hold of me. When I got to the end of the second loop, I seriously thought about throwing in the towel, but I'm not a quitter. I figured that if I could finish the Chicago Marathon under the conditions I had faced that I certainly could finish this race surrounded by a multitude of friends from Fort Bend Fit.
Bob, Steve and I rode downtown together. Bob worked a water station (he's headed for the NY Marathon this week). This was Steve's first half marathon and he did great (finished before me!).
When I was about a quarter of a mile from the finish, I was greeted by several buddies from FBF. It was so encouraging. They gave me that extra boost I needed to make it in. When I got very close to the finish line, Bob, who had worked a water station,was waiting to run in with me. My goal was to finish in under 3:20 and I did - 3:19:29!

Me and Steve After the Race

35 Minutes of Walking on Wednesday

This week after a marathon is referred to as Zero Week. Some trainers suggest a week of almost complete rest and others suggest easing back into training. It all depends on what is on the agenda next. I'm a bit up in the air about my agenda. I had signed up to do the Houston Half which is this Sunday, October 28th. It's part of the Houston Marathon (formerly the Luke's Locker and Koala Health 20K) warm-up series. My strategy was to see how I felt after Chicago and then decide if I would do it. On Tuesday I would have said no. After my 35 minute brisk walk Wednesday, I would have said maybe. But after a nice nap yesterday and a fairly easy day today, I'm thinking that I will at a minimum walk the race on Sunday and if I feel up to it, I will run intervals. I'll just listen to my body and respond accordingly.

Prior to Chicago I had thought about doing the Marathons of Texas Challenge. By completing White Rock, Houston and Austin, you receive a special recognition in the form of a Brooks technical shirt. I've already signed up for Houston, was planning on doing Austin, but have been on the fence about Dallas (White Rock). While I was on the course in Chicago I kept questioning myself about why I was even there. I was so miserable that I swore I'd never do another full marathon again. But I knew once I was done and proved to myself that I could do it, especially under such terrible conditions, that I'd be up for the challenge again. I think it's like childbirth - once it's over you forget how bad it was. Except in this case you get a medal that doesn't talk back to you.

Chicago - a Personal Record 6:41:09

This one was not easy. Being alone in the cold and wind, it was hard to keep my resolve. But I kept picturing everyone back home, following my progress and cheering me on and I persisted. I thought about Team Hoyt, that incredible father and son team, that do Ironman competitions together and I persisted. And the whole time,as I kept asking myself why I was doing this without a logical response, I persisted.

I had one official and two unofficial goals this time. My official goal was to finish while the finish line was still up, and I did. My chip time was 6:41:09. I made a PR (personal record) and finished just minutes before they started to tear down the mats at the finish line. My other two unofficial goals were to finish at either 5:55 or 6:21. I was on pace to do that, in fact, my half marathon time was my best ever, but the cold got to me and I had to walk in the last 6 miles. Around mile 20 I met a young women who was having a tough time. This was Jen's first marathon and she wasn't sure she could finish. I told her that this was my 3rd and that I was having a hard time, too, and that we could stick together and finish. So we spent the next 6 miles talking and encouraging one another and finish we did. I told her that now, whenever things got tough, that she just needed to think back to this moment. If she could finish a marathon, especially when she thought it might be impossible, that she could do anything!

Augie, Me, Jen B. and Paula Before the Race

Me and Jen F. Approaching the Finish

It's Cold in Chicago

We arrived in Chicago, greeted by overcast skies and temperatures in the high 40's. I'll take this weather for Sunday, but the forecast is now showing a 40% chance of rain with a high of 46 and lows of 33. I'm singing my song, "Rain, Rain go away - come back after Sunday."

After we settled in at the hotel, we headed over to the EXPO where I picked up my race bib, long sleeved race shirt and goodie bag. There were lots of give-ways - I'm glad I left some space in the suitcase.

I got to meet Hal Higdon, well known runner and trainer. I had followed his 18 week training program with what I hope will prove to be much success.

Remember, you can track my progress on Sunday here:
Track Me During The Chicago Marathon

Me and Stan at the EXPO

Me and Hal Higdon

Me in Front of the Countdown Clock

Off To Chicago

We leave for Chicago in the morning. I am very encouraged. The weather looks like it will be great. If you want to track my progress, you can go to this link and enter my last name - Poscovsky

Track Me During The Chicago Marathon


Wish me luck!

30 Minutes in the Humidity

Augie, Jen and Me - Chicago Bound

I had an early appointment this morning, so I had to wait until late afternoon to go out. I'm glad I did because the humidity was only 85% instead of 95% and there was a slight breeze. It started to sprinkle, which helped. The whole time I kept thinking that the cold Chicago weather would have to be a whole lot better than this! Even though it was hot and humid, I felt really good.
About 40 or so Fort Bend Fit members converged on BJ's Brewhouse tonight to celebrate the October birthdays and to send off the 3 of us who are Chicago bound.
The well wishes were greatly appreciated.

Only 5 Days Until Chicago!

I keep checking the weather forecast for Chicago and it changes everyday. I really don't know what to expect. It snowed there last Friday, but the 10 day forecast indicated mostly sunny and only a 20% chance of rain for race day. Now it says showers, high of 45 and low of 35. I'll keep visualizing sunny skies and hope for the best.
This morning I did 1:00/1:00 intervals for 35 minutes. It was foggy and very muggy. I wore my Texas Flag shorts to "test" them out and they were very comfortable. Unfortunately they don't have pockets like my other racing shorts, so I'll have to decide if I want to use a fanny pack to carry all of my stuff.

USA Space Alliance 10 Miler in Clear Lake

Bob At the Bridge Just Before the Deluge

Me At the Bridge and Yes, those are Rain Clouds!

Today was the USA Space Alliance 10 Miler. The weather forecast indicated heavy showers and rain it did. Most of us managed to stay fairly dry before the race. When the gun went off at 7:00am it was just drizzling. Bob and I ran together and did 1:00/1:00 intervals for the entire 10 miles. We kept pulling each other along, he kept the pace during our walks and I picked it up during our runs. It rained on and off during the whole run, but came down in buckets around mile 6. I had tried to use a throw-away poncho, but it was too hot, so I ended up stuffing it into one of the orange cones along the way. The race was much better this year than last, although there were a few things that really frustrated me. Right before the turn onto the last road around mile 8.5 stood a giant puddle which looked more like a lake. The cones were set so that you had no choice but to run in the water. Granted, we were already wet, but up until that point my shoes had not been sloshy. The other thing that I disliked last year and this year, too, was that the course goes by the sewer treatment plant at mile 8. Not a very pleasant experience. I wish they would set the course up to run through the heavily wooded and beautiful UH campus instead of completely bypassing it.

All in all it was a great race and best of all my blister suffered no damage. I feel really good about my time. Last year it took 2:35:22 - an average of 15.31. This year 2:15:30 - an average of 13.33.The race/pace calculators predict your Marathon time based on various race times. These 10 miler results equate to a 6:21 time (average 14.31 minutes). Chicago is just 7 days away and now I feel really good about it!

35 Minutes

The weather was a little bit cooler, but still humid. I wore a short sleeved technical shirt and leggings and but it was too hot. I did 1:00/1:00 intervals for 35 minutes. My trusty water bottle worked once again to fend off the menacing geese by the lake. I refuse to let them scare me off!
Sunday is the US 10 Miler in Clear Lake. My scheduled training for the weekend in 8 miles, so it's just 2 miles more. Chicago is just around the corner. It was snowing there today, but the 10 day forecast shows the weather to be sunny and in the 40's to the 50's with only a 20% chance of rain. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

A Shoe Modifcation

Today I did 30 minutes of 1:00/1:00 intervals. I waited until late morning and had to avoid the lawn maintenance crew again. At the recommnedation of my doctor, I cut out a piece of the side of my shoe to remove the area that would rub my blister. I'm not sure if it helped, but it doesn't seem to have hurt. The blister is healing. I think the antibiotics were the right choice.

35 Minutes

I was able to get outside before the rains came. Since the blister on my heel is still very sore, I walked most of the time I was out, but got about 15 minutes of intervals in. Concerned about a potential infection, I went to the doctor this afternoon. He put me on antibiotics since the area has started getting red, and we don't want things to get out of hand.

Phedippidations 1/2 Marathon

I was scheduled to do 12 miles for my long run. Thankfully, the second skin product that Wes gave me yesterday, covered with Moleskin, did the trick. I went out to Oyster Creek park to do 2 loops (9 miles), plus 3. Having read a post on the FBF discussion board about the Worldwide Phedippidations 1/2 Marathon, I decided to try to do 13.1 miles instead (the distance of a half marathon). The concept was for runners all over the world to complete a half marathon either on their own or in a sanctioned race. According to the race website, "The motto for the race is 'Think Global, Run Local'. 'The idea' says Mal [its organizer], 'is to know we are running all over the planet in our own local races, but that we are part of a global community of runners'."
The Phedippidations Half Marathon website

So with the incentive to be part of this global effort, I set out at 7:30am. The weather was really great - in the high 60's, but my lack of training this past week really took its toll. I had a hard time running, in fact except for a few miles of 1:00/1:00 intervals, I walked most of the distance. Although my blister hurt a bit, it was tolerable. I kept telling myself that this was a training and it was endurance I was after, not speed. It took me just over 4 hours which was way too long. But at least I was able to train and there are still 2 weeks until Chicago.

Hope in Sight

I had planned to do my mileage with my Fort Bend Fit family this morning, but when I awoke my heel was still red and sore. I decided to sleep a bit more and then head up to Velocity to greet everyone as they came in from their runs and to hear the seminar. I spoke with Wes, our resident massage and trainer guru who fixed me up with the Second Skin product I hadn't been able to find. He also gave me recommendations on treating the blister such as soaking it instead of drying it out. I've had the second skin on for a few hours and it has been very soothing. I'm hopeful that I will be able to do my 12 miles tomorrow.

Getting Creative

I was really down this morning feeling sluggish and fat. I've only trained once this week as my heel isn't mending very quickly. I left it dry and uncovered last night in hopes that would help. As I was walking upstairs to my computer I decided that I would just walk up and down the stairs barefoot for 35 minutes, so that's what I did. I listened to my music, went up and down the stairs and around the house and surprisingly worked up a sweat. At least I feel like I did something. Tomorrow will be a challenge - 12 miles. I don't think my carpet could take it.

Still Sidelined

I was all ready to go out this morning, but that one darn blister was really sore. I'll lay off tomorrow, too and hopefully be OK for my 12 mile run on Saturday,

Blisters Be Gone......

I received some interesting tips from the FBF discussion board regarding blister management. So, before I went out, I applied clean bandages with antibiotic ointment and covered them with wrapping tape. I did my 40 minutes of 1:00/1:00 intervals without much discomfort. When I got back in and took off my sox, the tape had slipped (too much ointment and I should have used duct tape), and made a blister on my blister! The good news is that it doesn't hurt and I think I can get it right tomorrow (hopefully). Meanwhile I'll keep watching it and changing dressings.

Sidelined by Blisters

As I was putting my running shoes on this morning it became clear that my training run was probably not going to happen. The blister on my left heel was really hurting. I hadn't found any blister bandaids big enough to cover the nearly 2 inch spot and the makeshift bandage over antibiotic cream wasn't cutting it. I ventured outside and after barely 3 minutes into my warm-up, turned around and went home.

20 Miles - Yikes!

I was scheduled for 20 miles this weekend. Even though I counted the Komen race as one of my weekday trainings, there should have been a rest day in between. Bob, who is training for NY, was scheduled to do 20 this weekend, too, so we went out to Oyster Creek Park at 6:00am this morning and did 4 loops and 2 miles. The weather was pretty pleasant until the sun started beating down. We were very tired from yesterday's race, so we walked the first 4.5 mile loop. After our first break, we started the second loop, running. By 1.5 miles we decided we would go back to walking, and with the exception of an occasional jog here and there, we walked the whole thing. It was a very tough and hot 20 miles, but we did it. I kept envisioning our high 5 at the end and that helped to get me through. When I got home, Stan had 3 bags of ice waiting for my 15 minute ice bath. My legs felt better after a 15 minute soak, but my blistered heels are still stinging. Tomorrow is a rest day and very, very welcome.