Post-Marathon Thoughts

Well, I'm alive. Barely.

So, the race didn't go very well. Turns out that you have to actually train for a marathon. In my two marathons, I've now made every rookie and veteran mistake imaginable.

1.) Rookie mistake: I trained well but went out way too fast and bombed at the end of the race.

2.) Veteran mistake: I figured I had this whole marathon thing down and didn't train---like, at all.

Wisconsin marathon time (5/5/12): 4:24:46

Chicago marathon time (10/7/12): 5:19:29

Almost an hour slower. Wow.

I'm disappointed. I'm not happy with my time but I have to admit that this was a very humbling experience. Turns out that if you want to do well, you have to actually train for it. It's a good metaphor for life.

I kind of scoffed at the "slower" runners before. But now I know: Every mile is a battle, whether or not you're fast or slow. In fact, I'm now a firm believer that slow runners have to fight for longer and are therefore stronger people.

Despite my time, I still had fun! My 5 goals remained in my head and I have to admit that they got me through the race. I really enjoyed the course and I made sure to keep my head up and enjoy the crowds and the energy of it. Chicago really is a great city and the marathon highlighted the best parts of it!

My two favorite signs seen on the race course:

1.) Do Epic Shit

2.) You've been training for this longer than Kim Kardashian was married

So, I'm going to learn a few lessons, pick my head up, and keep going. Marathons take guts and commitment and pride. And so, I'm proud of myself.

Sean and I on race morning! 

Blisters after the race

Post-race Chinese food!

Pre-Marathon Thoughts

The Chicago Marathon is tomorrow. Wow. Wow.

I have not been looking forward to this marathon. My summer training, in one word, sucked. The heat and humidity really bothered me and I am going into this undertrained.

But I got excited for the race yesterday. Really excited. All of my friends were asking about it. My office even put together and signed a good luck card for me! I was so amazed and flattered by their support.

My first marathon (the Wisconsin Marathon in May) was small. I was running with only a handful of people for a lot of it. But Chicago? The Chicago Marathon is huge. And I'm learning that the whole city gets behind you! Everyone comes out and watches it. My friends who aren't running the race will be making signs and following my progress with some pretty cool racing apps (check out RacerChaser).

So, yes, I'm getting excited. Finally.

I went to a talk about last-minute marathon tips. Coach Mark said to come up with 5 goals---even if one of the goals is getting to the start line. So, Coach Mark, here are my 5 marathon goals:

1. Get to the starting line
2. Get to mile 5
3. Get to mile 13
4. Don't worry about the time. Run/walk as I see fit. No watches.
5. Head up. Smile. Enjoy it.

Chicago, I heart you. See y'all out there!

Race bib

Good luck card from my company! I love my job!

Happy New Year!

My niece, Ava, ringing in the New Year!

I am super-excited for 2011. Last year seemed to be a tough year for most people. Admittedly, it was a tough year for me. Not that everything will change at the stroke of midnight, but the initial outlook and excitement of a new year is inspiring.  I have a number of things that I'd like to work on or strive toward, but I don't want to call them "resolutions." This is because I always have goals for myself and because the word "resolution" often equates to failure. We laugh at people's feeble attempts to work out every day or eat perfectly or whatever. However, I believe that working towards self-improvement, whether you do or don't finish a specific task, should never mean failure. The action of doing something alone means that you are a step ahead!  That's my pep talk for this year. 
One of my goals for 2011 is to continue cooking and to try even more recipes. So, this morning I dragged myself to the gym (I'm an out-of-shape mofo! Another thing to work on...), ran to the grocery store, and came home to make a spicy Thai green curry dish. This stuff is soooo good and sooooo spicy that it was making me sweat. Yum!  I adapted the recipe from here. I can tell I'm becoming a better cook when I now can look at a recipe and easily adapt it according to my tastes and what is in my kitchen.

Score!!! Pictures! (Taken with my new, awesome camera that Santa brought for Christmas.)

Thai Green Curry in the skillet. Lots and lots of food. Yum!

Heaven, anyone?

Random, but here's a picture of my roommate, Miles.
This man lives on cereal and his TV. True story. Love it!