Columbus Recap

Wow, It's been over a week since the marathon and I haven't posted my race recap, the days are flying by!

Via

I met my running group outside of a church a few blocks from the start of the race. This church was having an all you can eat pancake breakfast for spectators. It was cute to see the spouses and children of runners all bundled up and eating a nice hot breakfast before they went on to cheer for their loved one.

This same church was also having a service for runners. Since I was very early I decided it was meant to be so I went inside for the service. I didn't stay the whole time so I could meet my group, but it was a nice start to my morning.

Five of us ran together for almost the entire race. Maureen and I were looking for a good training run, Amber was running her first marathon, Susan was aiming for 4 hours and Chris promised to help Susan meet her goal.

For the first 14 miles I didn't even realize I was running. We were having fun, telling stories, laughing and attempting to keep our pace in check. Around mile 15 or 16 I did something I have never done in a marathon before - I took a vaseline stick from volunteers. I felt the band of sports bra burning my skin and decided I was in dire need of vaseline. Just a few seconds later I look up and there is vaseline! It was a little awkward getting a big glob of it in the right spot, but I didn't feel it burn anymore (and now it's all healed!). It did not feel good in the shower that afternoon though!

I felt really good until mile 23. I didn't hit the wall, my stomach wasn't upset, my legs weren't cramping. I was THIRSTY. Usually towards the end of a marathon I have to force myself to drink more gatorade and water, but not this time. I took 2 cups of water and 1 cup of gatorade at the mile 23 station and had to walk in order to get enough liquids in me. I really wanted to turn around and go grab 4 more cups. I couldn't believe how thirsty I was.

When I started running again (I only walked for a minute or two) the 4 hour pace team was right behind me. I decided to tuck in with them to distract me from my immense thirst. I stuck with them until a little past mile 25.  I decided to try to catch up to Chris and Susan. We all ended up finishing between 3:58 and 4:01.



I contemplated walking myself right to the first aid tent to get an IV, I just felt so incredibly dehydrated. However, I ended up chugging a bottle of water and after 15 or 20 minutes I drank a chocolate milk and started to feel a little better. I jumped in my car and headed back to Cincinnati with my medal still around my neck.

From mile 20 to the finish I passed 191 runners in the overall category and was passed by 64. It's funny they can tell you that stat. I'm just happy I passed more than was passed!
Since I didn't run as myself, the division and gender places don't mean much, however I did  place 1341 out of 2854 males.

Columbus puts on a very nice race (although the expo this year was a hot mess). I really enjoyed the race again this year with the bonus of NOT breaking my foot afterwards.

Marathon #7 was a success!

Thankful Thursday

Who doesn't love flowers on their desk?  Especially bright pink ones in a bright pink GOTR "vase". And say hello to Peyton too!

This morning was the Inaugural Empowering Girls Breakfast for Girls on the Run Cincinnati. My mind was blown away by this event. The people, the stories, the cause...all of it chokes me up.

How do you go sit in a cube for the rest of the day after hearing Molly Barker, Erin, a coach and a GOTR participant speak? At least I have the flowers to brighten my cube.

I've heard Molly speak one other time and she is amazing. Her story is remarkable and inspirational. I also always love hearing Erin talk about GOTR. Her passion is visible and it gives me goose bumps and tears in my eyes. I would love to have 1/1000 of the impact on girls/women that Molly and Erin have had.

So, today I am SO thankful for GOTR and the opportunity to attend the breakfast this morning. SO thankful for having Erin in my life. She inspires me every day, encourages me in everything I do, is an amazing friend through happy and sad times and makes me feel like an amazing, strong person every time I see or talk to her.

My Secret Marathon - Columbus 2011

This weekend was full of surprises: a secret marathon, a Boston Qualifying time and an engagement. Only one of those is mine though!

Not the BQ....

Not the engagement...

Just the secret marathon!

The week before the race I decided running a marathon with people I've been training with is much, much better than running a training run of 22-23 miles alone. Then when I heard of someone that couldn't use their bib anymore, I decided it was fate. And you shouldn't mess with fate.

With the help of a very few people I was able to pull it off without telling hardly anyone. Blake and Sarah were kind enough to watch Sid and Dana was awesome enough to allow me to crash at her place.

All in all it was a good race. I went into it thinking I just needed a good 22-23 miles and we would just see what happened after that. I'll post a full race recap soon.

My official time was 3:58. You  just have to call me Greg in order to see the time and full details :)

Maureen took 10 minutes off her spring marathon time and qualified for Boston 2012!

Sunday night Sara and I went to PF Chang's for dinner where we witnessed an engagement. It was a very  strange cheesy hide the ring in the dessert engagement with no hugging, hand holding or shrieks of excitement. Maybe she said no.

Thankful Thursday Friday Edition

Better late than never, so they say!

What I am thankful for this week:

1. The treasures my sister found of mine at the old house. I wrote an autobiography when I was 8. It was very funny, I was am awesome a dork. It's in the recycle bin now. I also received a B+ in Wearable Art in Jr. High. Proof that I am not crafty. (First, this is a class, really? Second, my only B. I must have been  pissed, however I have no recollection of even taking the class.)

2. Crazy hat day at GOTR. I mean seriously, who doesn't love to wear a crazy hat with 15 8 year old girls. Nonstop giggles.

3. The Sing Off. I LOVE this show. It's impossible to be in a bad mood while you're watching it. Even Marc enjoys watching it with me! How do they figure out they can make those noises with their mouths?

This Little Piggy...

got hurt.

Ouch.

A rambunctious Sidney getting teased with her favorite toy Mr. Moose is the cuplrit.

I hope it feels better by this weekend!

Prepping

This weekend is a 22+ mile run. I have been trying to take these weeks seriously, treating them like race weeks as much as I can. Here's what I've been doing this week:

Drinking LOTS of water. Yum!

Enjoying 5-8 mile runs in this gorgeous weather and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Ben and I saw 3 turkeys (and no Marc wasn't one of them) last night on the trail. Unfortunately I didn't have my phone with me to get a picture, but they were only 3-4 feet away from us and didn't seem to care.

Breaking in my new running shoes.

My legs look really weird here

Reading Bossypants. Hilarious. I heard laughing is good prep for long runs.

And of course attempting to get a good night's sleep every night. Unfortunately that is easier said than done for me. I'll keep trying though!

"Easy Run"

Today was supposed to be a quick, easy, flat 10 miles. It was quick and it was flat. Definitely not easy.

I ran with someone new today and was pushed to my limits. Most of our miles were between 7:45 and 7:55. It was hard but it felt good to have someone new really push me. I mean, I can't look like a slacker in front of someone I just met, right?

This person also inspired me to really use my Garmin and all of it's bazillion abilities. I need some lessons, so Youtube here I come!

Thankful Thursday

1. My sister. I don't know what I'd do without her.

Me and My sis the Bride at her wedding. Almost one year ago!

2. Upper 70 degree weather in October! It's been beautiful running weather. I can't wait to get out for another run tonight!

3. Girl's night out this weekend. It's always good to have girl time. Especially when celebrating the upcoming wedding of someone you've known since kindergarten!

One Month!

Less than 750 hours til my next marathon! Woohoo! Indy, here we come!

Inspiration

Via

Last night I finished The Long Run. It was truly inspiring. In 2005, Matt Long is riding his bike to a work out before work during the transit strike. He is hit by a 20 ton bus and given a 5% chance of living. The book is very well written and you learn about the person he was before the accident along with the accident, recovery process, and his return to endurance sports.

Between this awesome book and Healthy Ashley, I feel like a slacker!

Back Again

After 2 weekends out of town and unable to run with my group, I was very excited to meet up with all of my friends again on Saturday. A lot of them were starting their taper for the Columbus marathon. Mo and I joined in on the lower mile long run with the intent of going longer next weekend then 22ish the weekend of Columbus.


We did 12+ miles in under 1:50. I had long sleeves on and didn't feel like exposing my hands to the cold weather to start and stop my watch at lights. The weather was quite different than what we've been running in! It was in the low 40s when we started and WINDY. I feel like every fall/winter I have to re-teach myself how to dress to run.

Our run flew by since we hadn't seen each other in 2 weeks. We had races, weddings, and other news to catch up on. The best news was that Mo's son was sworn into the Marines this past week. It has been quite the saga for the last 9 months and everyone is so excited. There was a fabulous party Sunday afternoon at their house to celebrate that I was able to attend after the bridal shower for my friend.


After running I met Marc at his niece's soccer game. I got there late and only got to see her play for  a quarter, but at least I got to see her play! Then it was time to head home for a HOT shower and cleaning before a Mexican dinner and night out with Marc.

Today I am nice and sore from barbell yesterday. Oh, how I missed it! Hopefully I can keep going until it gets too close to marathon day!