On the road again

Slowly but surely I am getting back out on the road.
My legs rebounded just fine from 26.2 miles, but my left foot's blister issue has taken longer to rebound and toughen up.
I took one 2 mile walk about 4 days after the Shires and that was plenty! I was amazed I even put the sneakers on my feet.
Memorial day weekend I spent taking walks on the beach - yes, beach. Hard sand. Piled sand. Salt water on the blister area. A good muscular workout. Easy on the feet because no shoes were involved.
All good right?
Well, let's just say my Achilles tendons and calf muscles took issue with the sandy walks. I was so stiff by Monday. Granted it was my own fault as I was not stretching regularly before or after the ocean front walking sessions.
A walk in Central Park on Monday provided distraction, and exercise.
By mid-week just now I was loosening up and yesterday afternoon I got in a very pleasant 4.5 mile walk. Ah, back to pace.
Our little walking group let a "little rain" deter us this morning and we simply celebrated Ruth's birthday instead - enjoying Joanne's delicious chocolate creation. Good thing a date for 7-8 miles has been made for tomorrow.
Just in time, as the Crowley Half Marathon (College of St. Joseph, W. Rutland to Proctor and back to downtown Rutland) is coming up fast - June 10.

Before concluding today, I MUST give big shout outs to all the ladies who took part in the VT City Marathon in Burlington last Sunday, in particular Patty and Mandy. That is one awesome medal you received for completing those 26.2 miles. BUT I know it wasn't about the medal for you either!

Post-marathon Glow ... and I don't mean the sunburn!

Over 24 hours ago I completed my very first marathon. I am amazed by the idea that I have done so.
I awoke Sunday morning at 4:17 AM after dreaming that I had overslept and missed my opportunity to start the race. The dream was so vivid that I did not go back to sleep (I was planning to get up at 5 AM). Instead I got up and started stretching. Then I made my usual oatmeal - and because it was race morning I also had an English muffin with peanut butter. Routine is important!
I already knew what I was going to wear, and my waterbelt bottles and race snacks/carbs had been refrigerated overnight in anticipation of the forecasted mid 80s temperature.
Walking buddy Jen arrived promptly at 5:45 and within minutes of her arrival David had us loaded and we were off to Bennington for our anticipated 7 AM Race start.
Following a planned pit-stop in Arlington, we arrived at the Bennington Arts Center at 6:40 AM. Plenty of time to pin on our bibs - make one more pit-stop and have a Starting Line photo taken. Lynn made sure we had an actual Official Start, complete with timing mat.
My mental approach - just another long training session on the course - with an additional 6.2 miles!
Easy enough starting out. Sunny skies. A breeze. Very little traffic. Well, it was only just after 7 AM.
As walkers with an early start time Jen and I knew the first water stations would not be set up. We were well-prepared for that. The course mileage markers were not set out either; but the spray-painted green arrows along the pavement indicated it was indeed Race Day and we were already familiar with the course!
passed the Bennington Monument, went under the RT 279 overpass and went through the small covered bridge. We passed the Bennington Train Station and made our way up Grandview. We headed for RT 67. This was not a section with shade and at about mile 7 Patty called from the upcoming water stop (mile 7.5). I reported we were close.
As we came into view, Jen and I could hear the cheering from our school's volunteer students, teachers and parents! The girls had completed their 5K race on Saturday at the Girls on the Run event. It was fantastic to be wrapped up in their enthusiasm!
Onward!
A brief pit-stop at Paulin's (because a gas station bathroom is a welcome opportunity versus portajohn) and we were ready for the first side road - and the hills of Shaftsbury!
Yes, it was time to face the "butt-shaping" hills, but we had walked them before. In fact I believe I tackled them at least 4 times in training! One thing I knew about this stretch, it would have some shade! An important piece of knowledge on this given Sunday.
At the water stop at 9.2 miles we had the opportunity to refill our drink bottles with the first of our "stashed" preferred flavors (pre-planned with training group friends who were volunteering!!). This also turned out to be our first opportunity to get ice. In fact we got our ice in baggies which turned out to be invaluable! Some salty pretzels didn't hurt either.
I put ice-cubes on my head under my hat. Very cooling! Also ice in the bra. And then the baggie draped on my neck. Jen had no hat, but all the rest was repeated.
I drank my Gatorade regularly along the road and drank water at the water stops. I encouraged Jen to do the same. We ate our energy chews regularly. I ate carbs as well, something Jen found difficult to do (she had never eaten much in training ... ).
We were passed by the lead runner somewhere just before mile 11 (he started at 9 AM) and he passed us before 10 AM. NOTE - He had been on course for just under an hour! WOW!
We encountered sporadic runners for the next 45 minutes. The first 15 or so runners were all men. Then the first woman came through.
We applauded them and they in turn gave us positive shout outs! We felt complimented.
Somewhere on the hills of Shaftsbury we passed 13.1 miles, Half Marathon distance. A little after 3 hours - not bad for warm weather and necessary time to get ice at the water stops!
Onward!
Down Maple Hill and onto Old Depot Rd. Not much shade in our future! But another drink "stash" at 15.7 miles (something like that) helped fuel our spirits as well as our bodies. New ice for the baggies and under my hat. And a chocolate chip cookie. Thanks Sarah C. !
Up RT 7A to Warm Brook Rd and on the way to E. Arlington. Again with very little shade.
The course was dotted with spectators - cheering and some offering misting from hoses and hand-spray bottles. Others offering wet paper towels for our faces. Some homeowners left buckets of water out for "dipping bandanas". I loved seeing the community's support!
Plenty of women from the training group were out on course volunteering - at water stops and as course marshals. Some, like Patty, moved along the course to document Jen's and my journey. Thanks to Cindy too for capturing us digitally in E. Arlington.
Once through the middle of Arlington, and past the Mile 20 sign, it was all new "ground-breaking mileage"- having never walked further than 20 miles at a time during training.
That moment was not lost on Jen or myself. It was exciting to think that with each step we were walking further than ever before!
The stretch along 7A in Arlington - northward towards Dunham Rd. - was sunny and the most-traffic filled. We were somewhat confined to the roadside by orange cones for our safety. It was really the only part of the course that Jen and I could not walk 2-abreast. We gave way for some runners to pass and looked forward to our next side road- Dunham.
And there was Patty (and Bryne) with a cooler of ice! And smiles! Ah- Mile 21!
Thank you, thank you. We crossed the railroad tracks.
A little ways up the road we could hear a train. Ah ha! We had made it through the train-crossing without an interruption. Woo hoo!
A mile later I took Jen's picture by the Mile 22 sign. All smiles!
Before we knew it we were at the Mile 22 + water stop. Our last refilling station for our "stash". And hooray more ICE!
I think Dunham Road was the most challenging stretch for footing. The road had recently received new stone and it stood out. Jen and I could feel each and every stone underfoot. Ouch. At least there was periodic shade.
We knew there was one short hill coming up before the final stretch - Sunderland Rd/River Rd. Upon approaching the foot of said hill I noted a voice calling out our names - Patty!
I don't know if you know what it means to have someone speaking directly to you on course. But for me it was jump-starting. I felt drawn to her voice and took Jen along with me on the wave of energy that came along with hearing our names. "Let's knock this hill down!" I believe is what I said to Jen as we pumped our way up the short, but "aggressive" hill. A quick kiss to my friend Patty and on we went.
Now this part of the course was new territory for Jen. I had practiced this section alone during a couple of training sessions, so I knew the road. Yeah, I knew it alright - mostly unshaded.
Just some 3+ miles to go.
Somewhere around mile 23.5 Jen got quiet (we really had been quite chatty most of the walk). She seemed to be struggling and she said she didn't feel well. I encouraged her to continue to drink and eat as regularly as possible now. Only some 45 minutes or less to go. I had to find a way to keep her spirit up, as well as her body.
It was time for mind over matter. Our legs felt good. We still had a bit of ice. Sure our feet were hot and yes, I knew I had blisters coming on, but then the tents of the finish area came into view. I pointed them out to Jen, "You see those Jen? Those are the tent tops at the finish!" She took in the information. We rededicated our mental energies. She drank from her bottle and had an energy block. Ditto for me.
Onward.
A few sporadic runners came along in those last two miles. I hate to say it, but it did us good to note that they were not having an easy time of it either. NOTE: Those runners we were seeing at this point were closing in on a 4 and a 1/2 hour finish time. Pretty darn good in the heated conditions!
We approached the horse barn and oval that is the turn around point in the annual Komen VT Race for the Cure 5K. I knew there was only 1.55 miles to go.
Onward. One step at a time.
The sign for Mile 25! Jen, Jen- we are so close! A little more than a mile to go.
More drink. Another energy chew.
I know this section of River Road like the back of my hand. Jen asked me how our time was. I said it was just fine. This race was about finishing. Not about time (okay, sure I had a goal in mind, but the heat had taken that goal and pushed it aside).
Onward.
And suddenly there it was the Mile 26 sign! Volunteers with pom-poms were in sight. Only .2 of a mile to go! Smiling faces of friends and family came into view as we turned onto the grounds of Hildene Meadows. My daughter Sarah, with her camera. Patty. Others ladies from the training group. The timing clock. I added 2 hours and kept walking towards the clock and the Finish.
In view, husband David at the far side of the finish line!
"Jen, take my hand. Smile Jen. We're here!"
Under the banner. Touch the finish timing pad. 6:36:24 It's done!
"Jen, we did it!"
In a blur we were given wonderfully wet race tee-shirts to drape around our necks, along with ceramic finishers' medals.
Jen went to her sister and daughter.
I went to my David.
I didn't think it would happen, but the tears came. Tears that came with the knowledge of achievement and amazement. Tears of love for the man who has supported me through all the training and shared me, so many afternoons after school and weekend after weekend, with the women of the training group - shared me with the road.
Thank you David for all that love and support!
Jen and I had spoken briefly on the road about whether crying at the end of the race was "allowed". I had said of course, never thinking that I would be the first of the two of us to do so.
We separated from our family members and found one another for our own hug. We shared the moment - taking in the wonder of the marathon accomplishment.
And then there was my Sarah. Another hug. More tears.
Next it was Patty. Another hug and more tears.
My dear friend Claire too.
They were all here to share the moment. 
This moment was about so much more than a medal!

Thank you to everyone who inspired me to register for a marathon - who inspired me to train.  Mandy - I know it was you that said, "Never say never Linda!"
Thank you to everyone who said, "Yes you can." or "You can do it.".
Thank you to Lynn, simply a fantastic trainer and cheerleader, who believes in all of us every day, and helps us realize our goals.
Thank you to all the women of the training group - you never made me feel any less of an athlete being a walker attempting a marathon.

Thank you to my sister Janet who championed me from afar. By phone and by text. During training sessions (especially those 20-mile ones that I did alone) and then yesterday on race day saying, "Cow bell! Cow bell! I am cheering you on!"

Thanks to my daughter Kate who took my calls during long training sessions and just let me talk for a while even if she was not really awake at 10 AM!I loved hearing your voice while on course!!

Thank you to all who have listened to me -  whether in person, here or on Facebook - go on and on about walking and miles, and well, you know!

AND thank you to Jen - for signing up for a marathon because one day last Fall I said to you, "How would you like to walk a marathon with me?" I don't know that you really knew what you were in for, especially since your previous longest race distance had been a 10K, but you were amazing! You let me push you, mentally, up those hills and along those stretches. But just remember you did it yourself in the end. Physically and mentally!

And Jen, remember our little  talk we had today on May 21, 2012. ; )

Sunday, May 20th, 2012 is a day I am going to remember for a long, long time - for many reasons. The medal is hanging up with the others and the bib is doing the same.

Wow - I completed a marathon!

Just home from Brattleboro. What a glorious day for a race, whether runner or walker, for anyone of any age! The Mettawee girls did great. Many had family members or family friends there - some participating alongside.
Yes I did walk! I had a wonderful time mentoring two 6th graders along the way, in addition to cheering on hundreds of girls as they made their way along the 3.1 course.
Sunny, a breeze - no humidity! Plenty of water available. Smiles galore! I get caught up in the moment every year.
I know not all will read this, but thank you to all the well-wishers who crossed my path today. I am very excited about the Marathon tomorrow.
When stopping for the best macaroni and cheese anywhere at the Vermont Country Store we met a couple from Seattle who will be taking part in the Shires!

Shortly I will be headed to Bennington to go pick up my bib number, and Jen's. Then off to Pasta dinner with trainer Lynn and ladies from the Marathon group.
And for the record, I have had 50+ ounces of water so far.
Stay tuned after the weekend for "How Did It Go?" reflection.

In a word Sunday's Shires Marathon is going to be about hydration. Why? Because of, in a word, HEAT! Yes, one year later after pouring rain and cool temps, the 2nd Shires Marathon is expecting to be held under sunny skies and in temperatures in the mid-80s. I am hoping for low humidity and a breeze!
"There's no inappropriate weather, only inappropriate clothing." So says Trainer Lynn on many occasions. Just tonight she reminded us of the variety of weather we have trained in over these past several months. In fact, earlier this winter I walked regularly in the cold. Cold enough that I had frosted eyelashes. But you know what? You can always put on more layers. There are only so many layers one can take off (especially on public roadways!) I have my shorts and tank top picked out. I have my suntan lotion picked out! Raybans and Half-Maniac hat: check, check!
Additionally, I have some friends volunteering at water stops along the course so they are pitching in and stashing my particular flavor of Gatorade ( as well as my walking buddy Jen's Propel Zero) at three different water stops. I will also be bringing along extra snacks (salty). Trainer Lynn has sent out an advisory e-mail on how to handle racing in the heat and how to use the day before to prepare the body. That's where the hydration comes in. She is recommending drinking at least 64 oz. of water tomorrow. Doing the math I suppose that 8 oz. an hour for 8 hours is not so bad ... doable during the course of an16-18 hours day. Hydration. Sure is a good thing that there are porta-potties on course every 4-5 miles. at least that is what I have been told.
So tonight Friday night I am relaxing. I know I have prepared as best I can for 26.2 miles of walking. I have walked all parts of the course at least once, in sections. I will have very good company out on the road. I will have support along the way. And at the finish. But that is on Sunday!
Tomorrow I will cheer on the girls of Mettawee (where I teach) who are part of GOTR/GOT. These girls have trained for a 5K. For some, their first-ever. Tomorrow it is all about them!! And yes, they each get a medal!

        The build up to the Shires Marathon race day continues. Only 3 days left for preparation. As walkers, we have secured an official 7 AM start time. Jen and I have also worked out being able to leave our own flavor of energy drinks with volunteers at a couple of waterstops. The temperature is expected to climb into the high 70s/low 80s. It'll be a warm finish.
        The tapering continues. I got in two very nice 3.1 mile walks this week so far. Staying loose is key. I just might get another session in on Friday. And there is the potential for one more on Saturday during the Girls on the Run 5K (see a prior blog post on that subject).
        And now I must back up! Last weekend I went to New Hampshire to help with set up and such for the first-ever Komen New Hampshire Race for the Cure  5K. The weather was amazing. The turnout over 1100 registrants. And the fund-raising impressive - over $217,000 (without the silent auction and raffle proceeds added in). All of the NH committee members and volunteers were top-notch!
        In fact all was going so smoothly that I had the opportunity to go out and actually be part of the race. There was a combined runner/walker start. Which is not as intimidating as is might sound. The runners were encouraged to be further up in the start area. Then fast walkers. And then the balance of the walkers. Now I had not really thought about this. The race started and I simply started walking my pace. Sure I was being passed by runners who somehow lined up behind me. But I soon could tell that there were only runners and run-walkers ahead of me. Except for one walking couple! Somewhere around mile 2.25 - 2.5 I noticed a woman and man, with consecutive bib numbers, walking at a pretty good clip. Ah, time for my Sea Biscuit mode. I decided I would catch up to them. I decided I needed to pass them. It was at this point in the race that there was an overlap of participants - some completing a section of the course for the first time and others completing it for a second time before going into the home stretch. The couple and myself were completing the section for the second time and we had to navigate the walker crowd coming through for the first time.
         I lost sight of the couple and decided to use the sidewalk to skirt the large crowd of walkers (who really should have stayed to the left allowing the second-time through folks to have the right side and the straight away). Suddenly
I could see the Race Clock at the finish. 39 minutes and counting. I was determined to beat 40 minutes. My foot hit the timing pad at 39:56. I milled about the post-finish area with a bottle of water in hand. I spotted the couple also post-finish. I went over and thanked them for pacing me. The wife smiled and acknowledged that I had "scooted" them by navigating the crowd a bit better than they had.
          When the overall results came out runners and walkers were in one list. I found my name and time. When the top-ten walker list came out later I was not on it. How had this happened? Well, it turned out that I was listed as a runner in the database given to the timing company. A quick e-mail to the timing company pointing out my timed walker status and, ta da, I became the first timed woman walker. No medal for the 5K. No announced name at an award ceremony (I was still thought of as a runner at that point). But for what may be the only time my name appears atop a Top-Ten finish list. That is good enough for me.
          Sunday's race will not be about a medal. It will not be about my name being announced. It will be about finishing a marathon! It will be about seeing it through.
         Bring on the sunshine, clouds, warm temps - whatever. I'm ready!

Wednesday ...  "Hump Day" ...  Mid-week: In short, it was a good day! It was the day after the 6th grade play at the elementary school where I work and the students did an amazing job presenting Treasure Island. I oversaw all the hectic activity of backstage during the 1 and 1/4 hour show, plus costuming before hand and post-show. There are 23 students. Enough said! Classroom teachers, Music and Art teachers, volunteer Parent(s) and 3 paraeducators pulled together to see the students through the "Let's put on a show" process. Okay, so we didn't have to put the show on in a barn a la Garland & Rooney. Mettawee has a very nice multi-purpose room with a stage and sound-system (soon to be upgraded). But it is amazing to see what is accomplished in a 6-week period (tryouts to presentation!) The rest of the good day was made possible through a 4.5 mile walk after school (and after the May PTO meeting). It felt great to get out on the road after motioning, seconding, voting and such! I didn't really have a plan - other than pushing myself to change my clothes and put on my sneakers. I had not gone for a solo outing in a while (well, no short ones). I glimpsed my friend Patty in the parking lot, checking her technological watch, prior to heading off for her run. I came out to the same parking lot and headed in the opposite direction figuring we'd meet up eventually, and I would turn around at whatever point I met up with her. Well, guess what? After approximately 1.5 miles I realized she was not on the same loop as I was. I knew this because we had not passed one another and mathematically we should have met up by that point (you know those word problems - Train A left the station at such and such a time, traveling at a rate of blah. Train B left from the opposite station at such and such a time, traveling at a different rate.When will the trains pass one another???) Anyhow, I was feeling good. The walk was pleasant and not much traffic, so I just kept walking. At the end of the side road I made the decision to complete the loop by walking along the State highway. I simply wasn't in the mood for turning around and going back the way I had come. As I neared the school parking lot I glanced at my watch, ta da, just over an hour. Nice. 4 miles I figured, maybe a tad more. Well, on the way home I spotted Patty's car at our friend Lisa's (she's the music teacher) and I stopped by. I needed to ask Patty what the exact distance was of the loop I had just completed. 4.5 miles she said. Well, now that hour+ was looking very good indeed.
There are no medals for training walks. But there is great satisfaction in knowing that a training session has gone well and a good session like today's makes the reality of the upcoming race day a little less scary.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Sitting outside at a favorite sandwich spot in Manchester Center ... and just having the chance to "chill" at a table and well, write. 

It's been an interesting week. 

After the long training session last Sunday I did not get back out on the road until Thursday! And boy, did my legs feel it on Thursday! The 3-day layoff was due in part to crazy schedules and some poor weather. Now I realize that sounds like I am making excuses, but I like to think with all the training miles I have invested that when scheduling doesn't work, and weather doesn't work, it really doesn't work. My brain was still in training though- worrying about the 3-day layoff. Thank goodness Thursday rolled around with walking weather and my friend Joanne available! We put in 4 miles (actually 4.4 hee hee) and then Saturday it was 10 miles for Jen and myself as part of our Marathon training. Joanne came along "for the fun of it" (10 miles, just for fun). Actually, Joanne is keeping up with her miles because she is doing the Crowley Half Marathon with me in Rutland on Sunday, June 10. The 10 miles went smoothly enough, but it was a session where I did not feel like I had much "left in the tank". So it was a good thing I did not have to do any more miles. Instead Joanne and I grabbed a quick iced-coffee and headed up to the Lioness 5K course to cheer on our pal Patty and others, including two 6th grade students and our school librarian, Kelly! Nice job by everyone.

And now back to today- Sunday. Joanne and I went out for a "casual" 3 and were rewarded by seeing 5 goslings up by the pond on our route. Adorable. We think they were getting a lesson in finding insects. 

There are actually many animals on our route on any given day. Dairy Cows. Calves. Pig and piglets. Llamas. Goats. Horses. Chickens. And even Guinea Hens. And then there are all the neighborhood dogs and cats. And of course songbirds and squirrels galore.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday. 

This is a quiet one. 

Next week I will have the happy opportunity to share Mother's Day with not only my husband and at-home daughter, but with my daughter in NYC, as we journey in for a day-long visit and brunch.

Two weeks from today I will have taken part in a marathon. Have I mentioned lately that I get a medal for doing that?!

I am happy to report that my third training session of 20 miles went smoothly. No major wardrobe issues. A couple of minor blisters to show for my effort. And well, yes, some sore muscles. But they are rebounding! Time? 5 hours and 2 minutes (with one "rest" stop and some clothing removal).
The best news for this week, I begin "tapering" my miles leading up to Race day (May 20). Yep, only 10-13 mile distance walk expected this weekend. My choice! Jen and I are opting for 10 miles on Saturday - with Joanne coming along (only 10 because I will do another 3-4 on Sunday, probably with Joanne).
The weekdays are to be filled with 3s, 4s and maybe a 6 mile stint here and there. The weekend of Mother's Day is supposed to be a 6-mile weekend. I'll need to fit that walk in before the weekend itself as I will be heading to Portsmouth, NH to assist with putting on the first-ever Komen New Hampshire Race for the Cure 5K. I am thrilled for the Granite State! Depending on how Race morning pick up etc. goes I may even get to walk the event. This fund-raising race series means a lot to me. NOTE: This summer Vermont will host its 20th anniversary race! Race day is Saturday, July 28th along River Road, finishing at Hildene Meadows, in Manchester, Vermont.
Meanwhile I am trying to organize a small group of women to go to the Wineglass Marathon in Corning, NY at the end of September. In doing so I was referring to the website and discovered a link to Finisher's Certificates from last October's race. I downloaded mine and printed it out. The certificate lists my time, place amongst my age group and overall finish. Nice! This was a nice surprise 6 months later! See? There is more to a race than a medal! Particularly at the Wineglass event. Shirt, wineglass, wine and a glass medal. And now a printable Finisher's Certificate! I like!

So, here it is April 27th and there's a "Freeze" warning for tonight. What does that mean for me in terms of my walk tomorrow morning? It means I need to consider my trainer's phrase, "There's no inappropriate weather, only inappropriate clothing!" Really? Still? Fleece and mittens! Whew! Now tomorrow I will be starting at 8:30 am, so I should luck out and it should be at least 40 degrees by the time I head out. Maybe no mittens.
BUT what about Sunday morning? My start time is 6:30 AM. Why? Because it is my last 20-mile training session. The last 6:30 AM start, earlier this month, I could see my breath when I began. Therefore I will be dressed appropriately on Sunday morning as the forecast is similar - I will be layered. Layers need to be the kind that can be easily removed and dealt with on the road. I have a favorite Patagonia pullover (courtesy of my sister - it was actually intended for my husband) that is just the right weight and ties easily around my waist when no longer needed as a layer. It has a zippered chest-pocket that is perfect for carrying my cellphone, chapstick, ID, and a few bucks (ya never know).
As I said this particular pullover ties easily around my waist which is important because I also wear a 4-bottle, bulky waterbelt that actually carries Gatorade! This "belt" has a zipper pouch built on and I added another Velcro pouch because I carry plenty of carb snacks and energy chews.  What can I say? I get hungry on the road.
As you may have imagined by now I tend to be a walker who is not fashion conscience (gasp!) because in the end it is not about my look, or the medal on Race Day (well, maybe a little bit) ... it's about finishing the distance and being the best I can be on that given day!

"New shoes, new shoes ... red or pink or blue shoes ... tell me what would you choose ... if we were to buy ..." These words come from a favorite childhood poem and lead me into a post about new sneakers.
With all the miles of training, and a couple of races already this year, it was time. I looked at the tread on my well-loved Adidas (3rd pair of the same style, just updated model) back in March. I knew what I had to do. Time for Supernova Sequence 4s. So with one month to go before the Shires Marathon the box arrived. Some people really like new car smell. I like new sneaker smell.
First, I just wore them around the house. Then I took them out for a 3 mile walk on Saturday. So far so good. Next test? 10 miles on Sunday. No blisters. But something was not quite right. So today another test, 6 miles. Different socks. Ah ha! I think I have found the combination I was looking for. I sure hope so.
A big test coming up on Sunday - last 20 mile training session.
"Feets don't fail me now!"

Last week was vacation week - for my younger daughter. She went to Arizona with a high school friend and stayed with my parents. That is usually MY April trip. But I stayed in the East during my vacation week (the week right after Easter) and grabbed some time with my older daughter. I got my walks in and some tennis! I suppose it was cross-training of a sort.
And therein lies the subject: cross-training. I have not been doing much cross-training. I got in a handful of ski days this winter. And that's about it.
The marathon trainer recently reminded us about the benefits of stretching and cross-training exercise. So, with less than a month to go until the Marathon, I am buckling down and "planking" and stretching.
I hope I am not too late (I can hear the inner voice saying, "It's never too late!") because there is one more 20-mile training session this coming weekend (oh, no ... don't worry I won't go on and on about that ...) Suffice it to say that I will have company this time around - at least that's the plan. I will be a mentor this weekend and get my walking buddy Jen through the mileage. I think "planking" and stretching this week will help my mood as I work up my attitude to complete another 20 miles.
My plan for getting Jen through 20 miles? Simple. The trick is to NOT talk with Jen all week so we have plenty to talk about on the road on Sunday as we walk from Bennington to Arlington. Our school weeks get so busy that we don't interact much. So it worked out this past weekend that we had plenty of conversation as we walked 10 miles (much talk centered on the weather as on the return 5 miles we faced a headwind that I think added 2 miles in terms of energy spent!)
So there you have it ... instead of focusing on the idea of a marathon medal, I am focusing on cross-training and stretching. Oh, and that 20-mile date I have on Sunday!

Some thoughts on Girls on the Run (GOTR)

Following a less-than-routine day of teaching, I pitched in at my elementary school's Girls on the Run activity. The GOTR group meets twice a week and the energy of the girls (grades 3-5) is amazing! They are simply ready for anything. If you are not familiar with the program I suggest you visit http://www.girlsontherunvermont.org/ to learn about Vermont's participation in this nationwide organization.

My now-17 year old daughter took part in GOTR the first year it was offered at her elementary school, 7 years ago. I think that the culminating GOTR 5K race that year was the first "other" 5K I had ever walked outside of Vermont's Komen Race for the Cure. It was very different from the country road race I was used to.

Last year I went to both culminating GOTR 5K events - one in Burlington and the other in Brattleboro. I "mentored" students at both races. Both held in soggy conditions - the Burlington race following a huge downpour and the Brattleboro race in steady rain!

This Spring I will be cheering on my school's GOTR students on May 19 in Brattleboro, but might not do the 5K itself. Why? Because it is the day before my full marathon.

In the scheme of training doing 3.1 miles the day before a marathon probably does not seem like a problem, but thus far my group leader has always encouraged us to "lay low" the day before a race - even a little half marathon.

I have a feeling though that I will be drawn to the course - those smiling faces will be headed to the start line and I will have little choice but to join them as they run, for many of them, their first 3.1 miles.

I can hardly wait to celebrate their accomplishments!!

Oh, and in case you were wondering - I walked a mere 4.5 miles today! But that is another post.

A little extra mileage

The 20-mile training session was successful. In fact it was so successful that it turned out the route actually was 20.63 miles. Excuse me?!

Now you have already had the chance to read my comments on “additional” mileage. In this case, the .63 miles was more "extra" than expected. The trainer's route, calculated on Map My Run, showed 20.57 so I had already accepted the notion of added mileage when I started off at 6:32 AM Saturday morning on Lake Paran Road in North Bennington.

And before I go any further - many thanks to my Number 1 supporter - my husband - who drove me to Bennington (leaving the house at 5:45 AM).

It turned out that on this particular morning my body was not fully cooperating. Pitstops were a necessity and I decided that this training session was really going to be about finishing, not about my time.

As far as long walks go, it was uneventful. That's a good thing.

After realizing that I was more than half way through, and in familiar territory - leaving the Stewart's in Arlington, I began to reassess my time scenario. Did I really have ONLY 8 more miles to go (translating into almost 2 hours)?

The last section, from center Arlington to Manchester, was one I had walked earlier in the Winter, but I had not really paid attention to its actual distance. While mulling this over entering Dunham Rd. my friend Harriet from the Half Marathon group pulled over to say hello and check to see if I needed water or snack. I was all set and thanked her for the concern.

Off I went not wanting to linger (I had already sgiven up 3-4 minutes for an elderly gentleman who early in my walk – on 7A in Shaftsbury – had asked for directions to Manchester. I told him to turn around and go back North).

I called a friend in NYC and my husband to make the time pass quicker. Walking solo has its disadvantages (like having no one alongside to talk to) and its advantages (I can sing along to my iPod and not offend anyone).

At the foot of a short, insulting little hill prior to arriving on River Road at the Sunderland Garage I asked my husband to just keep talking on the phone so I could concentrate on the incline. Phew. Arriving at the top of this hill meant 4 miles to go!

Piece of proverbial cake. 16 miles down and 4 to go.

My watch said 10:47. My original goal was to finish around 11:30 – but that was when I was thinking 20 miles exactly. Now I realized I had not anticipated that I would need an additional 7 minutes for the .57. So 11:45 was the new target. One hour or less to complete the last 4 miles.

After 2.5 miles I arrived on the section of River Road that is used for the Komen VT Race for the Cure 5K (I know this section of road like the back of my hand after participating in this event for some 15 years). I was beginning to feel there was, "light at the end of the tunnel" um, I mean road!

Let me back track for a minute. In March my sister talked me through the last 1.5 miles of my first 20-mile training session. That had worked well, so now I called her and said, “I have 1.5 miles to go!” We chatted happily as I passed through the familiar terrain. No last drinks or snacks needed. I passed the Equinox Falconry where a guide was leading a demonstration and a falcon swooped across the road – more than once - landing in various trees before taking off over and over again. A little bell tinkling announced his whereabouts. Magnificent bird.

Back to the walking. Ah - Hildene Meadows - the finish - in sight. Time to refocus. I said to my sister, "I need to finish like I mean it."

I arrived at 11:43 AM. I announced to no one in sight, but to my sis on the phone, "Done. Done. Done."Watch check - 5 hours and 11 minutes. It may not seem important to you, but that time includes pitstops and giving directions. Turns out this was a good session!

I thanked my sister and we hung up. I roamed slowly about the parking area where others from the group had parked their cars early in the morning before carpooling to the start. I stretched my legs, slowly. I was giddy at being finished.

Then I noticed movement coming from downfield. The first of the runners was coming in. Time for photo ops of finishers. Time to begin celebrating together.

18 of us altogether – trainer included. Some more weary than others. Sharing road stories over a potluck picnic. And then the news from one friend (who has technology that calculates the actual distance traveled) that the route was 20.63 miles.What? More extra mileage? That means I have now trained my furthest distance ever!

Oh, but wait, there are 5.6 miles left to conquer on Race day – May 20.

Now there's something to think about!

4.4 + 4.4 + 6 + 4.4 = 19.2

Fancy math sentence, isn't it? That is the equation reflecting the number of miles I walked during the week leading up to the 20 mile session planned for Saturday.

Now you might be wondering why 4.4 miles? Well, it turns out the 4 miles that I have been walking (2 out and 2 back) over in West Pawlet along VT-153 is actually 2.2 miles out and 2.2 back. This was discovered by my frequent walking buddy Patty who has the technology to measure such things. And let me tell you, we felt quite righteous when we discovered we had been walking further than planned. That .2 in each direction adds up over time (see above). And all those days when I thought it was taking me a lot longer to complete 4 miles (normally in under an hour) it was taking 1 hour and 7 minutes, roughly. This was because I was walking an additional .4 miles! What a joy to discover that the extra time was due to extra mileage, and not a slow pace on my part.

19.2 over 4 days! Hmmmm ... I guess I am ready for a 20-mile session tomorrow!

Getting reacquainted with 20 miles

This weekend I will take part in a 20-mile training session in preparation for the Shires Marathon, coming up on May 20. This will be my second 20-mile practice walk. The first one went quite well - under agreeable weather conditions.

I guess I should back up a bit.

As I mentioned in the previous post, I have completed 10 half marathons. So early in the Winter I made the decision to "bump it up a notch" and commit to training for a full marathon. I figured I had "mastered" walking 13.1 miles (if there is such as thing as "mastering" the distance).

I has manned a water station last Spring and watched several women friends slosh their way through the 26.2 miles in steady, cool rainy conditions. Sounds like fun, right?

Marathon training began in January for me. I am the sole walker of the training group - although I do have a friend working her way through the training distances who will walk with me on Race day, but she is not a regular member of the group.

Since I was training for a half marathon through the first 3 months adding on the distance sessions was not too hard - at least not through 16 miles.

Then came 18! This is where the training became more about mental training than physical. I knew what foods and drink I needed to go the distance. This was about going on for two more miles. Now that in itself is not a big distance, but tacking it on - another almost 30 minutes - was a task. But where there's a will, there's a way. I knew I had the support of the runners completing the same mileage. I did not get to start as early as I had hoped and the trainer would be waiting for me - and I did not want to make her wait too long. She greeted me with a smile. I had completed another "milestone".

But there was one more to come. 20 miles. The longest distance we are asked to complete prior to the race itself. 20 miles! Again, I looked at it as a mental accomplishment. I had been bringing my legs along 2 additional miles at a time. 14,16 and 18. All done! So, why not 20?

Mainly I was looking at the time factor. Spending 5 hours on training! And alone. My walking buddy was not available to go on this walk.

So I got dropped off at the starting point shortly after 7 AM and started walking. This race will start within a 45-minute distance from home, so training has taken place on the actual race course. A major side-benefit!

I had not started from the actual Race Start before, so the 20-mile training was providing some new mileage, and scenery. Soon I was walking along road that I had already "conquered" in previous weeks. It was familiar. My legs were comfortable. My head knew where I was going. I walked. I spoke to family members on my cell phone (thank goodness for my Bluetooth) along the way. I listened to music in the "dead zones". I was doing it. Only one runner passed me (with about 1 mile to go - and she started at 9 AM!!). It felt great to be finished and have the opportunity to cheer on the runners coming in after me.

The course has hills make no mistake about it. I have now walked those hills 4 times. This weekend I will walk them again.

The training route this weekend starts 6.2 miles into the race and therefore I will walk 20 miles to the Race's actual Finish.

I know what foods and drinks I need. My legs have walked the hills before. Once again I will not have my walking buddy to chat with. I will start as close to 6:30 AM as possible as runners will start as early as 7:30 AM. I know there will be more than a dozen running women out on the road behind me.

It's only 20 miles. I have done it before. But I also know no two training sessions feels the same.

20 Miles! It's time to get reacquainted!

In the beginning

In the beginning it was all about the medals. That was four years ago. Yes, I have been taking part in half marathon events for four years. I started out as a walk/runner (and no, I have never referred to myself as a walker/runner ... go figure). Over the past year and a half I switched to just walking. A bit easier on my knees.
Being a walker makes choosing a race a bit tricky as not all Half Marathons are "walker-friendly". But as a walker if you convince a race director that you can finish in under 3 hours, then usually you are welcome. Sometimes you have a separate start time (perhaps an hour earlier) and other times it's an all-racers start.
As a walk/runner when I started with "the pack" and I pretty much finished at the end of the time-limit. As a walker with an hour's headstart I finish close to the middle of "the pack". At a recent Half Marathon where I started an hour ahead, I was able to cheer on my runner friends (and take Finish Line pics) as they were coming in just behind me. It was a mental game for me. Sure they were completing the same mileage almost an hour faster, but I was there ahead of them - taking their pictures - instead of the other way around. Like I said, it was a mental game!
Now to tell you the truth, four years later it is still about the medals. I really like my collection of finishers medals. Metal, glass and wood! They are proof of races completed! There are, however, only 9 of them, even though I have completed 10 half marathons. Imagine my reaction at one race when I realized after finishing 13.1 miles that there was no finishers medal! Each of those medals (and bib numbers - yes, I have kept those) holds the memories of that particular race. Each bears the race's name (sometimes the date and the location). One even has the race route on the reverse.
And now I am seeking my first Marathon medal. Yes, I am training for a full 26.2 mile event. I have walked training sessions of 14, 16 ,18 and even 20 miles thus far. And there is another 20 mile training session to be completed.
But on May 20th the medal will be the proof that I have walked further than ever before. It's all about the medal!