Olympians

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!

March Madness

Last Saturday's long run (3/14) to this past Saturday (3/21) has marked the best week of my training to day. Two long runs, one the complete Charles River loop and the other, on the Marathon course from Wellesley and then to the South End/South Boston line were two of the best runs eva-eva. I felt good, my form was strong and I had a little left in me at the end.

This final month is certainly fully of surprises. Spring is here, sunshine and the forecast void of snow for consecutive days, the kids are skateboarding, the sirens are blaring and the preppy kids downtown have on flip-flops...without socks.

Emotionally, every day is different. I'm overjoyed and excited. The next day, free radicals are flying. Craziness, jittered and wild, anxiety takes over. Then, I'm back to being unbelievably amazed that there are only 29 more days to go. I'm sure my emotive schizophrenia isn't hurt by the b ball tourney. The first day of spring was historical and great! Last Friday's game Eastern TN and Pitt...then Siena and OH state. Amazing games. Event Gonzaga and W Ky. This is powerful athleticism. I find it most inspiring that the fight lasts until the last second. I hope I can take that away with me come Marathon Monday. Until then, I plan on enjoying some more fiery competition from the comfort of my living room.

WOOT, WOOT!!

I don't know what the kids are doing these days, but "woot, woot" is kinda like almost sorta, the ultimate shout out, second to HOLLA!

Shout out to all my home kids.

I don't have much to share today, (gasp in shock!) only that I wanted to thank everyone who has donated thus far. I am SO CLOSE to having raised $3,000 and then I'll have just a small way to go before getting to $5,000.

I haven't even run the whole darn thing yet, but there's nothing like coming to work after a morning run and seeing another message in my inbox saying: "Jane Doe or Joe Schmoh has donated to your website -- check it out!"

What is more, is that many of those automated messages are followed by (your generous gifts of course) AND personal notes. The thrill I get after I add another one of you to this ULTIMATE list of do-gooders makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. If nothing else, it has been a real awakening for me to be able to rally such supporters. THANK YOU!!!!

Also, the BU student TV station the terriers this or that, just interviewed me and some colleagues who are all training. When they send me the link, I'll make sure you'll get to see it. giving you good to embarrass me with will only make me happier!

Esplanade meet Sr. Sanz, ("Con mucho placer")

Many years after the fact, I am not ashamed to admit that I did indeed purchase Alejandro's CD 'mas' directly after it was released. I went to El Corte Ingles in Alicante. The basement housed the department store's music collection. I went and paid homage alonge with cash dues to this lyrical genius knowing that after my short lived love affair with the backstreet boys, ( I saw their concert in Barcelona) I would be truly devoted to this man. It was the tumultuous spring of 1997 and I needed these ballads in my discman like no other 16 year old girl.

I would run, one of the only people running in Alicante, through the city, along the waterfront lined with palm trees and past the ocean. That's where I learned the lyrics to Mas, alternating Mariah with Alejandro for variety.

A decade later, I'm still willing to admit that Mas continues to have fair play time in the car's CD player. That says alot. While I spend roughly 40 hours a week at work, I spend most of the rest of that time, running, doing yoga or in my car. Ira Glass and Terry Gross may get honorable mention but Senor Sanz still holds his ground.

So why the post about this Spaniard?

Sure, he quickly faded from the scene after his duet with Shakira. She permitted him a spot, (for marketing) on her Tortura CD. In the US we know Ricky Martin and the father and sons, Eglesias, but Alejandro Sanz isn't as pop culture. Too bad. Because this was the first day I've trained for the marathon that I've taken to the full extension of running on the Charles. From Harvard and Cambridge Port, down the MoS, through the Esplanade, back over the Mass Ave bridge to Trader Joe's. It was a 90 minute run against the wind. And this lyrical genius popped into the shuffle and a jolt of adrenaline shot through me. Sure I was listening about the woes of a heartbroken man but what poetry! True stories of a successful playist.

Someone on YouTube even gives you the translation: Si Hay Dios...

...Lloraré si se llorar
como el tímido rocío de un clavel en mi soledad
estaré, todos se irán, ya lo sé
a tu lado en cada golpe iré
como lo hacen las orillas y la mar
como lo hace el campo y el agua que lloverá.

Podría ser más educado
pero el alma sólo entiende de emoción
y si hay Dios seguro entiende de emoción.
Podría haber llorado un mar de lágrimas saladas
arrojarme a los abismos y partirme en dos el alma
desatar la tempestad y el huracán de mi garganta
y confesar desesperado que no puedo con mi rabia
aunque mi actitud no es hoy tan evidente, no puedo sufrir más.

Que el dolor cuando es por dentro, es más fuerte...