Short Songs, Oh I mean Shorts & Songs

I bought my first pair of official running shorts! I am a real runner now! Well, I own two Nike shorts, but I would consider them winter shorts because they were warm and cotton shorts. The new pair, pictured below is a nice light fabric - Body: Dri-FIT 100% polyester taffeta. Mesh: Dri-FIT 100% polyester knit. Liner: Dri-FIT 100% polyester crepe.



I don't own a ton of shorts, but the rest of my wardrobe consists of basketball type shorts. I only played basketball for a few years, but the shorts are cheaper and more prevalent. My old high school track shorts were leftover or old shorts from our basketball team. Shepherd Hill wasn't a poor school. They had the same position toward shorts that I do, or perhaps they're the reason I just purchased my first pair of real running shorts!

I know it's against all recommendations to buy a new item specifically for a race, but I wore them tonight on a 7mile hill run and I will run with them again on Saturday. They match my Bottom Line running shirt! Everyone wins! I need to look official for the Boston Marathon and I definitely need to match.


Running Mix on my iPod.
I barely ever listen to my iPod while running. I clock my run times and pace with the iPod Nike Plus, but I like listening, noticing my surroundings, and I am always running with someone else. Last Saturday was my first time running a long run on my own! I rocked out with the ol' Running Mix and to my delight, it helped a lot! But I also now have a few holes in my Mix. I realized some music is very inappropriate for running. I will share my discoveries, and give rating based on my running mood and I beg you to share your music choices for Marathon Running. Also if you want to send an actual CD with the song my way, that is completely okay!

1. I did it - Dave Matthew's Band. - ok
2. Girl - OTown - great
3. Champagne Supernova - not a good running song
4. So Damn Lucky - not a good Marathon song
5. Swing, Swing - All American Rejects - great
6. Lie in Our Graves - okay, but not a good Marathon running song
7. 1, 2 Step - Ciara - Perfect Marathon song!
8. Risen - OAR - what could be better? Perfect Marathon Song!
9. Chicago Medley - University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band - This one is Better! Best Marathon Music!
10. Grace Kelly - MIKA - ALL MIKA songs are top rated for Marathon Running
11. Feel It - BEP Excellent
12. Happy Valentine's Day -OutKast - Awesome, but not the entire song.
    

I have a few more songs, but the post would be too long! In the official BAA booklet, it states that personal headphones are not allowed. At the charity logisitcs meeting held a few weeks ago by the race director, David McGillivary said that he would allow it! I don't think I will actual use my iPod, but it was so helpful during my training run... so who knows???

This is Insane!

The 20 Mile run from the starting line in Hopkinton to the base of Hearthbreak hill in Newton was a success and enjoyable! I finished in a time of 3:01.24. My iPod Nike was a little off, it had me clocking 7 minute miles from the starting line! I must have calibrated it with a wider stride than my normal pace. Not being able to rely on my iPod to inform me of my pace, I was on my own to run.

I kept my backup watch running the entire time, which clocked the 3:01 time. Remember that neat pace chart from my last post? In another tab of the Boston Marathon Excel sheet, I had the chance to print of a Wrist Pace watch – a list of my pace per time and time elapsed per mile according to a goal time entered by me! I finished 6 minutes over my goal time. According to a 3:50 finish goal time, I should have finished the 20 miles in 2hours and 54 minutes. I AM PUMPED! 6 minutes off the pace is nothing, right?! If I can rest, train, taper, and rest properly, I should be lined up to run a great marathon!

The marathon route is a great little course. I like the start through Hopkinton and Ashland, but it definitely takes discipline to hold back to not zoom down the hills. It was my first time running past Ashland. I ran the Newton hills with Katie Stomski a few weeks ago, but it was a thrill to string the route together run all the way from Hopkinton to Newton, seeing all the town signs, and the few historical (well Marathon historical) highlights along the way. I did not enjoy running through most of Framingham! It was a long stretch of nasty road, luckily on Marathon Monday, the cars won’t be bothering us. The Lake Cochituate was beautiful as described, so I’ll give that to Framingham. Natick was uneventful, I don’t recall hating or loving any point of the route there. Wellesley was the best part of the run! It was a shady area along the suddenly sunny day! I always like running through towns too. I was flying down the streets, although, this is also where I first turned on my iPod for musically entertainment. The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band is a great artist and really had my legs moving! OH my Goodness, at Mile 15, there is a LARGE downhill and I almost screamed. Yikes! I don’t like reliving it! Any advice, anyone? Anyway, another very exciting moment was arriving in Newton and running over Rt95! I took out my iPod earphones and yelled to the runner next to me, “THIS IS INSANE! WE’RE RUNNING OVER ROUTE 95! WE JUST RAN FROM RT 495 TO 95!” He responded with, “Yea, and who put this hill here?!” The Newton hills are as bad as I’d heard. They are hard. Well, they aren’t all that bad…it’s the other 16 miles before that cause the real problem! My coach advised stopping at the base of heartbreak hill to avoid hurting ourselves during training. 20 miles in 3 hours! I stopped a few times for water, Gatorade and I think I walked 4 times to relax my muscles. I also stopped at the Dunkin Donuts in Ashland for a bathroom break. I ran inside and a few other runners were waiting so I said, “Oh, you needed your morning coffee too?” Everyone in line laughed! It’s so close to the route, I don’t think it messed with my time all that much. On Marathon Monday, hopefully I’ll be able to take all bathroom visits before crossing the starting line!

Many of my experienced running friends have told me about racing strategies. One particular method is running the last 100-150 feet of a 5K as a warmup to the race to understand the finish line and when to kick in the last sprint. Now for a marathon, is it essential to run the last 6 miles of the route? I’ve never run it before. I won’t be blindly running, because the mile markers are clearly displayed. The surprise and waiting to experience the route until Marathon Monday adds another degree of excitement! We’ll see… I guess!

Okay, another quick funny story for you. I woke up on Saturday morning at 6:15am! Earlier than any other day of the week! I woke up before my alarm sounded! I gazed at my phone and thought, is today the marathon? Phew, wow! Apparently, I psyched my body and mind up too much and I am also really confused in the mornings.
Okay time for bed!

Long Run Preparation

I have a long time of items to prepare before a long run.

This evening, I will share with you the preparation for the biggest, and most exciting training run. Drinking, drinking, bathroom break, drinking, eating, eating, drinking, bathroom break, bathroom break, drinking was the order of my day. I barely worked with all the bathroom breaks. I ate and drank a lot. Everyone was laughing at my lunch feast. I had a bowl of plain wheat pasta, 1 banana, yogurt, a half of ham sandwich, and sliced pineapple. On top of it, I had my breakfast, 2nd breakfast of oatmeal, and a snack before I left work.

I printed out the nice wrist pace chart for myself. Pacing for 3:50 finish. I'm testing it out tomorrow morning! I'll be sure to report back.

Following work, I ventured to the Marlborough high school track to calibrate my iPod with the Nike sensor. I planned on running around the track once, but definitely ran around several times while talking to the Apple support. Phew, I think it's up and ready for tomorrow.

My clothes are picked out, the Blocs are set aside, my stomach is almost full to the brim with lasagna. I called up Coach Rick this evening asking about timing and a ton of other questions. We talked all about the plan for tomorrow. Then I admitted to him, that I'm exhausted mostly from all the excitement. Partly my fault, I actually wore my wrist band around the office in an attempt to memorize the desired splits. Anyway, at 2:30pm exactly, I wanted to take a nap. On the way home, I still felt like I was dragging. Rick mentioned that it's very natural to feel lethargic before a long run. He said you're body and mind realize that something BIG is coming and it's getting ready. How convenient, right?

Alright folks, I'm signing off - back to the FUN! To combat my usual pre-long run nerves, I made some lasagna and invited over my dear friends Miss Stef Hiller and Shari Warden over for the evening. It's a blast watching friends drink, and getting to laugh just as much as them, but be stone sober! I'm also in the comfort of my own home with couch, ice bags, water, and my bed so close by!

I'm going to win the race tomorrow!

Welcome Booklet!

Do you remember the day you received the acceptance letter for your 1st choice school, the welcome package from your dream job & company, or when you waited in line for the latest Harry Potter book?

I received the Boston Athletic Association 113th Boston Marthon Welcome booklet this evening! I don't know if any of my above descriptions helped paint the picture of my excitement. I carefully craddled the small booklet in my Johnny Kelley Marathon book, and happily headed off to the gym. I pumped the iron on the hamstring machine. That last sentence was wrong in many ways, but anyway, I read my Welcome booklet and analyzed every graphic and read every word. I only made it through 4 pages because I read the entire table of contents word for word. I still have 25 days so I'm sure I'll eventually make it through!

P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E

This evening, my goal was to run 6 800 repeats and I exceeded my goal! The Bowditch track was crowded this evening, but it was all very good company. I meant to take a group picture, but became distracted with conversations. Anyway, I ran 3 repeats with Phyllis and Jim, but I really like to take a tiny walk break and they continue to truck down the track between each repeat. After my third, I walked around the track with Tom Abbott and Sue Ericson and chatted about pace. Pacing for the marathon is constantly on my mind!

Check this out! Amazing, right?

Now with all the numbers displayed - reaching the ultimate sub 4 hours seems reachable... Phew, we'll see though!

OH yes, the rest of the workout included a 1000 run with Bruce Daley and Mike Laing. They're working off a rigid Marathon program! I ran 2 repeats at my own pace - 3:05 finish!

This afternoon, I emailed my running club checking the numbers for the evening track workout. I like to gather support and excitement. Anyway, I ended the email with my signature and the countdown. - 26 days!! Is it okay that most of emails from today ended with that?

I received one particular email back from Wayne Buckley, a fellow GFRC runner. He's offered tons of great advice over the course of the training. From my first email/ call for desperate help, and follow ups with great encouragement and advice. With this email, all he said was, "PATIENCE". Wouldn't that be something to say back in November when I started training? I've been patient for 5 months! I've been careful with my mileage and working up to the speed workouts. I'm not saying this is bad advice, so I guess I'll try to stop being so excited and get back to focusing on rest... Being my young impatient self - it's probably my biggest flaw, I'm not sure if this is what Wayne meant.

I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I'm almost finish with "Last Pick" by David McGillivary. Check it out. It's the best book ever! Goodnight!

Marathon Fever - 20 Miles! - $10 Campaign Challenge

Good evening everyone! I know I should be in bed... but the Marathon Fever came over me as I discussed with my sister her logistical strategy for meeting me along the Marathon route. She might even run the last mile with me!!

As I talked about the upcoming marathon with my sister Molly, she said, “Wow, Katie! 20 Miles! You’re golden now!”

I definitely feel a sense of excitement and relief, and I know the students of Bottom Line feel the same way once they’re accepted into the Bottom Line program, perhaps even more excited!

Bottom Line offers guidance, mentoring, and support for disadvantaged students - for students that want to go to college, but don't know where to begin. Their guidance counselors are overwhelmed, their parents don't have the experience; the students don't have the necessary to support to navigate through the process, but with Bottom Line they're on their way to go far in life!

Please view this new short video (the end is the best part!) about Bottom Line: http://bottomline.org/about/mission.shtml
Bottom Line counselors give personalized attention, and the small gestures of help and attention are creating big results! Bottom Line students are earning college degrees at twice the rate of the national average in their peer group!

One recent study tracked eighth-graders who were high achievers in math over a 10-year period. Among those from high-income families, 99 percent went to college and 74 percent graduated. Among similarly high-achieving students from low-income families, 75 percent went to college but only 29 percent graduated. Even these high-achieving students were faced with obstacles throughout college that they did not have the means to deal with.

Whether a student has financial, academic, professional, or personal barriers to overcome, the one-on-one guidance and the network of support that Bottom Line provides gives our students the tools to graduate from college at high rates.



I haven’t trained for the marathon on my own and these students need our help to make it through the marathon of high education!

Please visit my Firstgiving.com/katierunsboston for the

$10 Campaign Challenge!

Help me Raise $1500 in the last Marathon Fever MONTH! Ask your friends, forward to your parents, mention it to your neighbors -

Let’s Gain Strength in Numbers! Don't miss the chance-

donating just $10 can help change the lives of the Bottom Line students. They have dreams of becoming doctors, teachers, accountants, orthodontist, scientists, designers, surgeons, and looking to make a difference in the world!

Thanks Everyone!

Spring Fever Will Hit You in the Middle of the Face

I ran 20 miles this morning, starting at 6:45am with Linda York from the Brophy school in Framingham, Ma. We trekked all around Framingham, Sudbury, and perhaps other towns to complete our loops of fun, thrills, and training. When I run, I'm thinking about last weeks events, upcoming plans, my goals, where I am in the route, how my body feels, the Boston Marathon, the Bottom Line students, and my surroundings. Oh and of course, the lovely chatter that occurs with my running partner. Today, the day focused mostly on my surroundings. I notice the numbers on the houses to gauge the length of the road. When running 20 miles, I have small goals of finishing one road or portion of the run. The day started out to be very chilly at 23 degrees and my body was tense. Linda and I tried a new style of running, our plan was to run for 10 miles and walk for 1 minute. You're suppose to feel so much better and have energy for the end of the run - it worked! I ran fast up the last hill and for the last stretch through the path to the parking lot. Exciting... perhaps I WILL be able to sprint the last mile of the marathon! I want reallly want to RUN the last mile! We clocked about 3 hours and 20 minutes. I felt not so hot after two hours, but then felt great after completing 3 hours. It is a huge relief completing 20 miles!

I immediately jumped in the shower, and jumped back in the car to head to the Bottom Line meeting in Jamaica Plain for a noon time meeting. We chatted for about two hours about fundraising, Bottom Line, and Rick talked about preparation and the Boston Marathon experience. We have 29 days and this is going to be the most exciting month... in my life!

Rick mentioned that "Spring Fever Will Hit You in the Middle of the Face!" Marathon Fever will hit soon and I have to admit it already has plagued my office and friends. Everyone is asking, how far, how long, how many days? I couldn't ask for anything more! Rick mentioned, and it's very true, as the weather changes and the days count down, the media coverage is going to gain momentum. The Boston Marathon is more elite than the Olympics for running, it's the MECCA of running! It's completely crazy that it's going to be my 1st marathon, but being this is my home state, I couldn't do it any other way. I have the privilege of running the Boston Marathon and having friends and family line the course.

Rick gave us all kinds of advice - fuel, clothing choice, Hopkinton throw away clothing choice(all the clothing that is thrown off in the first miles of the marathon are donated to a homeless shelter!), 9AM arrival time, ice is great along the marathon route (HINT HINT!) Helium Balloons held by visiting friends, red liquorish, and reminded us of all the great work that we're doing.

I'd like to plan a Pasta Party Fundraiser with Marathon Logistics Focus for April, but I'm not exactly sure of the date ... or location!

Okay, I want to lie down and rest before my Saturday night. I bought two new Boston Marathon books on my way home!

Please visit my Fundraising Webpageand forward the link to your friends. Thanks for your help! Nothing significant in life is ever achieved alone!