Filles de Fer

I’m just jotting down some things to remember for race day (and for the days leading up to it, so I can get used to a routine). These are mostly just personal reminders, but feel free to use them yourself!

Breakfast: 1/2 whole wheat bagel, spread with peanut butter and topped with sliced-up banana

I’m glad I did the full marathon this year

As poorly-prepared as I was for this race, I’m really glad that I stuck with it and ran the whole thing. I’m too stubborn for my own good sometimes, but this time, I’m glad I didn’t listen when my friends and family suggested that I switch races and run the half with K. Sure, it hurt. Sure, I was tired. But backing out just isn’t something I do - go big or go home!*

*I am fully prepared to eat these words after my 70.3 in July.

It’s that time of year. The beginning, that is. Resolution time. I actually managed to achieve all of my 2007 resolutions (including run a 1/2 marathon and then a full marathon by the end of the year), so I’m hoping that 2008 will be just as successful. Here’s the list:

1. Run a faster marathon Now that I’ve gotten a 26.2 under my belt, I’d like to shoot for a PR. I’m not going to resolve to get a Boston qualifying time, but if I can beat last year’s Chicago time, I’ll be a happy kid.
2. Run a smarter marathon I got hit pretty hard by Chicago. I’m not going to beat myself up over it (who didn’t get hit hard by that race?), but I am going to make some changes in my training plan this year. More heat training, smarter hydration practices (I may even buy one of those belts. Maybe.), and better pre-race rituals. Eating cake and staying up late the night before a race? Not gonna happen in ‘08.
3. 70.3 This is the year of the Half-Ironman. Run-bike-swim is my new mantra. I don’t care if I come in last place, as long as I finish that event, I’m golden.
4. Race for a cause Selfishness is so 2007. This year, I’m going to run at least one race for a charity.

The February 2008 issue of Runner’s World is out, and there’s a feature article on the 2007 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Check it out. I picked it up for some plane reading on the way back from Cleveland, mostly because I saw that on the cover.

I also found a new goal. Inspired by Tony Reed (there’s an article about him), I’m going to aim for 50 marathons by my 50th birthday. Seems like a pretty reasonable goal – I’ve already done one, so that averages out to two per year plus one more. Life-altering injury aside? I think I can make this.

Once upon a time, way back in September, I did a little analysis of a 1/2 IM training plan I’ve been looking at. It’s a 20-week plan, and while I originally intended to start it this fall, that didn’t exactly happen. I ran, I swam, and I got a little bit better on the bike, but I pretty much forgot about ze plan.

Enter a New Year’s Resolution of sorts: start this plan in January of 2008 (specifically, start it on the first Monday of ‘08, since I’m weird and would rather start on a Monday than a Tuesday), and work onward and upward from there.

Some things have changed since this fall: I got a bike, it got too snowy/icy to run outside, and post-Christmas, I’ll have a wetsuit (yeah, it’s not really a surprise gift). Some things need to change before I start a more focused training program: I’ve been a bit lax with my daily water intake, I could be eating a bit healthier, and I really ought to get more sleep.

The first 20 weeks of 2008 will be intense, but I’m definitely looking forward to it. Serious Runner, are you joining me on this plan?

It’s official…I’ll be running in the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon in May 2008! I still haven’t decided whether or not I’m running another race before then (looking at a couple for January/February), but the Pig is definitely happening! I’m excited, because I grew up in Cincinnati, and the course is really great. Lots of hills, though!

Check out some other Flying Pig blahgs here (including mine, which may or may not have some of the same content that I post here…haven’t decided yet).

…until SORT!

Yep, in 9 short months, I’ll be attempting my first 70.3! I think this is probably the farthest ahead I’ve started really planning for an event. I signed up for my first half-marathon 4 months before the race, but only really trained for two weeks (oops). My first marathon was about 5 months later. So, yeah. Combine those two, and that’s how far away my 1/2 IM is. I’ll need it too…70.3 is no joke!

I’m watching the 2007 Ford Ironman Louisville on tv right now (it’s on the Versus channel). The following things are going through my mind:

• If all goes well, people will be watching me (or at least a tiny speck in the giant age-grouper swimming shots) in the 2009 event!
• On second thought….maybe that event will not be Louisville. I grew up in Ohio, and the Ohio River really creeps me out for a swim course. Madison, perhaps?
• It’s really interesting to see the variety of apparel/gear the participants use - the different tri suits, helmets, bikes, shoes, etc.
• I’m putting a wetsuit/tri suit on this year’s Christmas list, but I’m not sure which style I want. A friend recommended a full wetsuit (sleeves and all), but after watching the Louisville event and seeing many of the athletes wearing sleeveless/two-piece tri suits, I’m curious about the pros/cons of each.
  • A full wetsuit would definitely allow me to start training in Lake Michigan a bit earlier in the year, but my target event (SORT) is in late July, so sleeveless might be the way to go.
  • Suggestions are welcome! I’ll probably ask the nice people at Running Away what they think when I go in to get my next pair of running shoes.
• Ashley Whitney (whom the broadcast is spotlighting after she rocked the swim) totally high-fived some spectators on her way out of the water. Note to self: transition times are not as important as showing some love to the people who come out to watch this thing
• Some of the athletes were doing things I wouldn’t have expected - like filling their water bottles with orange juice (or something that looks like orange juice). This is something I’ll have to investigate.
• A lot of the athletes had little gel pouches affixed to their bikes. I wonder if I’m coordinated enough to ride a bike while downing a Gu?
• The top women’s finisher, Heather Gollnick, did this beast in 9:23:22. Oh my.

We interrupt all of these Chicago Marathon posts to bring you this important announcement: 

It’s official…I’m all registered for SORT! The 1/2 Ironman is on for next July. K, have you signed up yet?

I can’t wait to start shopping for a bike and a wetsuit…

I was seriously considering signing up to run the Indianapolis Marathon on the 20^th.

The idea is still rolling around in my mind, but after a good stern talking-to from my mother, it’s less of a possibility at the moment.

New plan: instead of risking injury and whatnot, I’m looking into races slightly further out. Austin and Ft. Lauderdale look nice for February. Any suggestions? Nothing later than March…I’ve got the Flying Pig in May.