An Ironman Cooks!: Non-Cooking: Army Ten Miler (and other Birthday festivities), New York Marathon Goals

Finished!

Army Ten Miler

Two weekends ago, my dad and I completed our 6th Army Ten miler. The Army Ten Miler always falls on my birthday weekend, which is both a blessing and a curse (early wakeup!). This race means a whole lot to me, as it always reminds me of how far I have come. I started running in the summer of 2006. My dad (a lifetime runner) and I had taken to walking after work on a pretty regular basis and my dad kept saying he thought I would enjoy running. At that point, I had zero interest in running but I had started hitting the gym regularly in an effort to lose the freshman/sophomore 50 (sadly no exaggeration). The last time I had attempted runninh was the prior January, in the 15 degree weather, and I made it about a mile. (That is one of the reasons I always laugh about New Year's resolutions - who really wants to start exercising in January?! I am truly in awe of anyone who sticks with it.) One weekend I was going out of town and couldn't get to the gym. I told my dad we were going to try running on our nightly walk. We ran a quarter of a mile, walked a bit, ran some more. I made him hold my water bottle and had to keep telling him to slow down the whole summer. We kept with it though, and by the end of the summer I was running pretty regularly. We decided at the end of the summer to make next year's Army Ten Miler our goal race and trained for it for over a year. I remember the 5-7 mile runs that led to three hour naps (I did not know the power of Gatorade/electrolytes just yet). We had countless conversations about whether we were ready and if we could escape the dreaded "recovery bus" that swept the course. Finishing that race was a supremely proud moment for both of us!

The next year we didn't do it because I didn't run while on Bike and Build and didn't think I would be able to do 10 miles afterwards. The following year, we signed up for it again. This time, it was after my first year of work where I worked out a grand total of probably less than 10 times (10 being generous). Having to start running from zero and barely being able to go a quarter mile (again) was a huge turning point for me. I decided then that I never wanted to have to start from zero again and my goal was to always be in the shape necessary to be able to run 10 miles without a (big) problem. Thankfully, I have kept and exceeded that promise. We have run the Army Ten Miler every year since and I now consider it an easy training run (at my dad's pace). The race never ceases to remind me of that and is always a good chance to reminisce.

prerace photo

Can I mention how proud of my dad (age withheld) I am? His family has a history of health problems so the Army Ten Miler training keeps him in shape and while he complains about the training every summer (it's what we do), he gets it done. He even ran this year w/ pulled muscles in his abs (we think - it's hard to have such a demanding daughter!) and we were only about 5 minutes slower than year's past. He is even talking about doing his (second!) half marathon! His first was only two years ago. Without his inspiration, encouragement, and hand holding, I would be auditioning for the biggest loser versus training for my 5th marathon and 2nd Ironman. Being able to do this race with him is one of my favorite parts of the year. Although next year we might have to find a half marathon instead!

New York Marathon goals

This leads me to my NYM goals. When I signed up for it, I simply was treating it as an experience race. This is a bucket list item and is a super crowded race, so I approached my training with a "I don't care about my time" mentality. Something switched in August after I spent a week talking to one of the fellow bikers about our deep love of running. I got home and as I geared up my training I found I was running faster. A lot has to do with my newfound commitment to healthy living this year. I have lost 25 pounds since January (12 of them coming off since that August trip), and am down 20 pounds from my Ironman weight, and 6-8 pounds from my previous marathon PR weight. I am also eating healthier than ever before. Between the weight loss, the healthy eating, and the F.I.R.S.T marathon training plan, I have really improved my running. My marathon PR (4:30) is based on a 10:18 minute mile. My 20 mile training long run pace this go around was a 10:15 minute pace. The other day, I did an 8 mile tempo run at an 8:28 minute pace. I think that I could reasonably aim for a 9:40 pace or so (~4:15), and I have decided to go for it! I have done three stand alone marathons and only one has come without the wall. Worst case scenario, I blow up and have more time to enjoy the last few miles. I am used to that struggle and can handle it. Best case scenario I get a monster PR. Regardless of the time outcome, my goal is to enjoy every freaking second of the race, including the 4 hour wait between catching the ferry to the start (6:30am) and actually starting (10:30am). Cross your fingers for me! A bunch of my friends are doing Ironman Florida Saturday. I will follow their race and use them to inspire me Sunday!

view from my last long run

Last long run! Feeling Great!

Nothing beats fall

Other Birthday Weekend Highlights (basically a reminder of the amazing people I am blessed to have in my life and a guilt-free weekend of food indulgence)

2 dozen birthday donuts from my (male) boss - don't worry I shared; coworkers giving up free chik-fil-a to take me to potbelly, snickerdoodles; girls night in w/ the BFF complete with gyros, chickpeas and roasted potatoes; beautiful bike ride w/ team z and fall colors; bertucci's! with the family; 2,000 pages worth of teaching cookbooks; pho dinner with most of my favorites (including the faux nephew!); army ten miler; gnocchi; piano bar; butternut squash risotto