2008 Chicago Marathon Archives - Page 3 of 10

Leg Torture #16: The Final Video

September 23, 2008 By Runner Susan 23 Comments

This will be the final leg torture that we video before the marathon. I can’t believe I’ve been doing these awful workouts for almost three months now. My fitness level has improved drastically because of these specific workouts – in addition to the running.

I’ve always had strong legs, I could out-squat many of the football players in high school weighing only 98 pounds – but never, that I can remember, have I ever had abdominal or upper body strength. Now I do, it’s just hidden under a muffin of midriffical whale blubber. But strength is there, believe me. And I like feeling strong. Yes, I do.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that we’ve gone down in weight these past few weeks, and the next few leg torture weeks will be very light as I taper for Chicago – Only twenty days away. Yikes.

I’d like to dedicate this final video to my friend/trainer and Master Videographer Extraordinaire, Cindy. I couldn’t have got here without you. I can’t believe I’m getting sentimental about these horrible hour-long torture sessions. I’m a very sick person. Cindy even gave me the over-used and abused paper plates to keep as a reminder of all the hard work I’ve done. Thanks Cindy, I’ll treasure them forever.

It’s a long video, but if you stick it out to the end, it will be worth your while.

Leg Torture #16 from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

Something

September 21, 2008 By Runner Susan 20 Comments

I kinda sorta need to do something for 3 or 4 hours tomorrow. I have a feeling that that something should be running at least 18-20 miles, but I’m thinking maybe a bike ride would do? Same benefits or no?

Tour Des Fleurs 20k

September 20, 2008 By Runner Susan 28 Comments

I really didn’t want to race today. Really. Did. Not. Want. To. This monster month of marathon training is adding up to a whole bunch of tired. I know, it’s supposed to be that way and because of it I’m going to run a really fast marathon. Or at least that’s the plan.

Michael and I took Kenza to the local homecoming football game last night; Kenza had a blast, but we didn’t get home until late and I took a Tylenol PM to help me sleep – that was my first mistake. I just could not wake up this morning.

My second mistake was not having my race gear ready the night before. I used up all my race bib safety pins on Kenza’s spirit wear for the game. You give the girl something to cheer for and she goes all out, face-paint, colored hair, cow bell and 40 safety pins worth of spirit-attached attire in all. I admire her spunk, but it left me rummaging around on her bedroom floor at 4:30 in the morning, in the dark, trying to find her clothes from last night to recover at least 2 safety pins.

My third mistake was being constipated. I’m not sure how that is a mistake, but I was and I’m sure on some level it affected my race time. Or is that effected? FYI – spelling and grammar are way over-rated.

Richie and I met in the parking lot and headed over to the start line where I got to meet Kevin from 5ks and Cabernets. I love that blog title, and what a super nice wine-drinking guy he was. Richie said Kevin was really fast, so we move back in the pack a little.

Okay, so despite every step of this race being a struggle, I ran halfway decent. Probably slow for Richie, but respectable for me. I could go into a lot of details about how we had great weather, and how the second half was really hilly, and how I didn’t walk at all except for a few seconds during water breaks, and how Richie saved me from emanate death when I was nearly run over by a car around mile nine. (Note to self: turn volume on ipod down in traffic) And I could tell you that we ran negative splits almost the entire way. But what I mostly want to tell you is that the last mile we ran in 8 minutes and 18 seconds. For real. Seriously.

It was a PR 20k day. 2 hours, 3 minutes and 22 seconds.

My doubtful self asked Richie about 20 times how he thought I’d do in Chicago based on the last two races we’ve run together. He seemed pretty confidant that I’ll do well. After today’s race with the negative splits and 8:18 last mile, I’m thinking it might be possible to run faster than a 5-hour marathon. God, I hope so.

Yeah, I know, it looks like Cherry Berry styled my hair.

Injustice

September 17, 2008 By Runner Susan 21 Comments

I’m running close to 40 miles a week. I’m sprinting. I’m lifting weights. I’m riding . . . and yet I can’t get rid of that effing muffin top! If I had trained like I am now when I was in my 20s I would have been kicking some serious ass.

Now I just have ass.

Leg Torture #15: Without Legs

September 16, 2008 By Runner Susan 11 Comments

You’ll notice that there isn’t any leg torture in the leg torture workout today – because yesterday’s stellar 18-miler was torture enough. Instead, we opted for Cindy’s Upper Body/Abdominal Filthy Fifty Torture.

We do 50 reps of each exercise – which I sliced down to just a few reps for your 3 minutes and 45 seconds of viewing hilarity. However, I left all 50 reps of the last exercise because my arms are so whipped you would think that 25-pound bar weighed 250 pounds. It was pretty pathetic but I really wanted my free FF T-shirt.

I’m inserting a terrible editing and too much jumping disclaimer here – I’m keeping it real Internet folks – view at your own risk.

Leg Torture #15 from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

So very tired.

September 14, 2008 By Runner Susan 8 Comments

I know I’m supposed to be tired at this point of the marathon training, Internet People, but yesterday and today I’ve felt more like death wrapped in a tortilla than just tired. I know I’m not over-training; everything is going just as planned and I’m doing so well (even considering I’m currently running at snail speed, which is only temporary and I’m going to run like a demon on race day, I’m sure.) I feel stronger than I’ve ever felt and I’ve trained harder for this marathon than any other, and if things go as planned I’m fairly certain I’ll do well.

I’m not sure if the hurricane winds have brought something through or not, but my sinuses feel like they might explode if I tilt my head the wrong way. I’m going to try and do my 18-mile run on Tuesday, back to sprint work on Thursday and then I’m running a 20k on Sunday.

I did try and run my 18-miles today, but about 15 minutes into the run Massoman turned to me and told me I should go home because I wasn’t doing myself any good. He was right. I turned around walked back to my car, sorted my recycling and drove home and went back to bed. (I was parked by the recycling station and my stupid town does not recycle)

Three more long runs before I taper – and I do love the taper.

Update: Even though I’m tired, this made me laugh. From my sister’s blog, and it’s hysterical: