26.2 and still RUNNING!

This morning I ran for the first time since I ran through the finish line on 4.20.09.

Warming up slowly and then three minutes into the actual course, finding the hill up Central St. and then onto the bike path, I sustained a 8:40 pace on this 5K course. So smooth after last Monday. I'm buying time. I've got to train for the next fun run. sick right? like that song Jesse's girl that I listened to. Just gets you pumped for all the wrong reasons...

I began 4.20.09, a few hours shy of my actual birth minute on a bus from Park Street out to Hopkinton. No anxiety, probably due to not getting enough sleep since there was plenty of anxiety the night before, I chit chatted with the woman sitting next to me. She was running Boston as her second marathon, she qualified during her first. I'm not jealous, just impressed, mind you.

The further the bus went, the more worried I became. Really? they want me to run from here? a straight shot home? Really? hmmm. But tens of thousands of people are gonna do it. Sure they're fast. Sure they qualified. Sure they are awesome runners. But still, Why not me? I only ran 3 and sometimes 2 days a week for the past 4 months. "sure ya can," I hear a little sweet pea tell me when I ask her to clean up. There's nothing like empowerment from a 3 1/2 smarty pants. Sure I can. And of course, I do.The fan club met me at Mile 6 when I still looked good. Word to the wise, If you have fans, make sure they see you early on. You wanna look happy in the photo shoot. At this point, I also notice a stream of texts wishing me well. HOLLA Back at you, kids.

(You might think I'm walking but I've actually arrived 55 minutes from take off. On target.)

Of course, shortly after, I fell off target. Precisely, two miles after the photo shoot. Now, I was prepared to get hung up around mile 9. I like running 9 miles. I don't like running 10. I like running 13 miles, I don't like running 10. But, on many occasions, I've made it from mile 9.5 to mile 13. No such luck this time. I started walking at mile 11. BALLS. Sometimes, it just is what it is. I had a happy go lucky guy hand me some water and then scream my name-- he knew me. we were friends. And for some reason, I felt no need to keep up appearances.

I got myself to Wellesley College and here I give a shout out to all the 7 sisters. The remarkable making of an extraordinaire womanhood. You can hear those fans cheering on the windy, winded-wooded path even before you see them. I was "Beware of the Noise" as suggested. Signage is good. As expected, (as reputation permits) those women were all looking for their husbands. "Give me a kiss" was written everywhere. Odd that you have to inform a Women's college that WOMEN were permitted access to run in the 60s. I dunno. Maybe Hillary shared with her almamater the legacy that its okay if to kiss someone else's husband as long as they don't tell-- it is a marathon for crying out loud. woo, the stress. And for the record, Kathrine Switzer was the first official entrant to challenge this all boys club. HELLO, ladies.

But for all the morality, the energy can move you and carry you right through down town Wellesley, into Wellesley heights and into newton falls. the 95 overpass was next and then Wellesley-Newton Hospital and Allison and Amy at DF's stand. The Smith connection lives on.

A co worker met me at mile 14 as I was swinging out my hamstring. Way to go dynamic stretching. Then Team BMC tent and up half way each hill, to heartbreak hill. I saw the second BMC crowd and this time, yes, I was walking because really, that 's the point where if someone wants to argue with you, you can tell them to suck it in the most creative ways.

A note on cheering-- no i don't want you kids to hand me grubby oranges out of the peel and no, your telling me I'm almost there is a lie- at Mile 1 or mile 16. You're not helpful.

But I made it, I made it to Cleveland Circle, to the Publik House and then Coolidge Corner, to Leah (her mother went to Smith). One of my greatest fans met me and we ran/walk/trotted up the final 3 miles up Comm. And at the 1 mile marker when I really didn't think I could run, a voice called out by the train "Hey Devon!" That's right. Sarah G had it going on. Another Smithie! Talk about a network. Talk about love.And then, as it were, I made it. I crossed the finish line, 45 min later than I wanted to and 35 minutes later than I expected to. (4:45:56) It's okay, you know why?I do yoga. I've got peace. Well..AND... 'Cause I just registered for the Philly Marathon!!! HOLLA at me! Another homecoming of sorts. Let November come after a nice, long, warm, beach filled summer. While I appreciate that I raised close to $4,600 for a great institution, don't worry, I'm only raising money this time for my personal bank account.

All checks can be sent to my home address. This is for love of the game.

MAD LOVE.

Trials and Tribulations

While tapering has been a big test -- I still don't quite believe it will work on Monday--I've enjoyed my final shorter runs. Although I'm glancing at the watch 20 min in, I have faith. I know that many talented runners before me have been successful using this plan. Of course, I emphasize 'talented' i.e. elite...

And so, I've distracted myself by participating in a study. I've also had an ultrasound for medical research on marathon runners. The Health Notes contributor to the Boston Globe, published her findings and I've copied it here. But like I said, a distraction...I'm ready to run!

BOSTON GLOBE

MARATHON RUNNERS WILL TEST THEIR TENDONS IN SMALL TRIAL
Posted by Elizabeth Cooney April 16, 2009 04:04 PM

A Boston radiologist studying how well a faster form of ultrasound can detect breast cancer is training the same tool on marathon runners and their tendons.

Dr. Alda Cossi, director of ultrasound in the radiology department at Boston Medical Center, hopes to improve the way both cancer and sports injuries are treated by getting a better picture of them before they get worse.

Typical ultrasound machines, like the ones in an obstetrician's office, send out sound waves, like ripples in a pond. When they meet tissue they compress it slightly, but too fast for the movement to be recorded. A newer kind of ultrasound technology called shear wave elastography borrows software from video games that captures images 10 times as fast, at 3,000 frames per second. That reveals the vibration of the sound waves on the tissue and allows radiologists to measure how stiff the tissue is.

That's important in cancer diagnosis because malignant tissue tends to be harder. That quality is also relevant in for athletes, who know the pain of muscle or tendon stiffness. Or the agony when they rupture, often without warning.

"We're pretty poor at looking at tendons," Cossi said. "You can do an MRI, but all you can tell is is, does a tendon have a hole or a tear? You're not really looking at the behavior of the tendon."

So with the elastography ultrasound equipment she is using as part of a multi-center, international trial of breast cancer detection, Cossi is examining 15 runners in the Boston Marathon before and after their race to measure stiffness in their quadriceps, patella, and Achilles tendons.

A mix of young and old, men and women, charity runners and elite athletes, they are being measured this week and will come in again in the week after they have run their 26.2 miles on Monday. They will be asked both times how stiff or relaxed their tendons feel.

A runner herself, Cossi knows athletes aren't the best judges of their condition, pushing themselves for competitive reasons when the better course might be a day of rest. She also knows some damage to tendons is so insidious that it goes unnoticed until too late.

Her hope is better information on tendon stiffness can prevent injuries and monitor recovery if they happen.

One more week!

I know, I know, you're like-- "what happened to Devon? What type of blogger is she? Did she leave us for twitter?" No, no, no. I'm still here. I've just been spending more time hitting the pavement and less time typing away. I apologize to my loyal fans.

But I have record good news. Three weeks ago, I ran the longest I ever have an awesome 21 miles with Team BMC. I can't tell you how amazed I was that I had made it. And, chaffing aside, I up for a walk around the Charles that evening. I did the most hill repeats I've ever done and then did some yoga afterward. I also completed my final long run (8.6 miles at an 8 min mile pace) and was SHOCKED by that, too. I will take seriously, the free advice I've been getting not to start too fast next Monday.

This tapering business though has me nervous. I hope it will work out. I hear the first 10 miles are supposed to be the easiest 10 miles I've done in my life. I'm counting on it. With 7 days left, I've got new shoe laces in my Brooks, the clothes all picked out, new socks and plenty of anxiety until my 27th birthday! I've raised almost $4,000 including pledges and am hoping those last minute birthday well wishes pull me closer to my goal.

Of note too, is that I'm taking part in a medical study that looks at the tendons of the quad (knee area), patella and achilles for tension before, a week after and two weeks after the marathon. So far, my unscientific study has shown that yoga helps.

One more week until take off, I'm happy to have you with me anywhere along the route.

Start planning to be at the BMC tent (so I can find you) at miles 15 and right above heart break hill. Other friends will hang out at coolidge corner where I expect to need tons of encouragement. More updates and a post party drinking hole location to come!