Course correction

It came to me in a moment of clarity yesterday that there was no freakin' way I'd be ready to run a full marathon this spring. I was supposed to run nine miles today, on the treadmill. I nearly cried at the prospect.

This is supposed to be fun. In order to make it fun again, I've made an executive decision to stick with the half. Today's long run is six manageable miles.

I may be ready for a full next spring, depending on the amount of weight I lose this year. [How's that for positive thinking?] And I'm setting a definite goal of running a full on or near my 60th birthday, which isn't until 2011. That gives me plenty of time to not only condition myself, but maybe, perhaps, hopefully, even look like a runner.

One of the things I'm acutely aware of when I – heh – "race" is that I don't look like most of the women out there. I'm soft and pudgy and short. I'm always checking to see if there's anyone bigger than I am on the course. I know that's horrible, but there it is – my dirty little running secret.

They, on the other hand, those real runners are strong, lean and tall, with defined muscles and nice tans. And cool clothes.

There I go again, comparing myself to people I don't even know, most of whom I will never see again.

My training last winter was fun, and all I wanted each week was to do better than I'd done the previous week. My body amazed me. I remember the first time I ran seven miles. SEVEN!!! I also remember collapsing for the remainder of that day, but still. I ran seven miles; I'd never done that before.

This time I've done that and more. I could get that thrill by running 14 or 18 or 20 miles, I know I could. But I wouldn't be able to walk the next day. The extra weight I'm dragging around is hard on my joints and especially hard on the soles of my feet.

And it's hard on my spirit, too. I've done really well this week with those little things. It hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be to stop eating before 6:30 p.m., to drink two liters of water each day or to log every morsel. The scale has given me a tiny gift; I'm hoping I still have it on Tuesday, which will be the three-week point in this year's effort. Only then will I feel like I can report any progress.

Mr. Shrinking Knitter made it home just fine, about 8 o'clock last night. He isn't anxious to go back, which is unusual because he considers Vegas the ultimate vacation destination, and he's always ready to go to Vegas. Maybe this is a course correction for him, as well.

Today is the first day of the next 16 weeks

Training begins today! As I've mentioned previously, I'm not sure if I'm going to run the half or the full in Nashville in April. I've already registered for the half, but I'm training as if I'm going to run the full.

Gulp.

I've printed out two schedules [since yet another marathon book still isn't here to advise me]. The Runner's World Smart Coach plans vary the mileage each week – a three-week increase and then a cutback week. The plan from MarathonRookie.com calls for a steady increase in mileage from Week One until the two weeks before marathon day.

What I like about RW's plan is that it suggests a pace for each run, and for the easy and long runs it's a pace I can manage. The tempo/speed runs will be more challenging. Those of you who routinely run eight- or nine- or even 10-minute miles will laugh at me, but here's the thing. While I have run three miles at an 11:45 pace, long ago in another galaxy, I haven't done anything even remotely like that in a couple of months.

I have to do that day after tomorrow.

The Marathon Rookie plan's increasing numbers would, I think, give me confidence that I actually could run 26.2 freakin' miles. Right now I'm not so sure.

But I guess I only have to do it a mile at a time, right?

Anyhoo, training for an event really pumps me up, and I'm looking forward to today's easy three-miler. For today, at least, both schedules are the same.

For the next four months, expect to be bored beyond belief with training talk, including injury reports, nutrition evaluation, wailing about how hard it is and worrying about my weight. I know if I were smaller this would all be easier. And I know not to expect to lose weight during training.

Hope springs eternal, though; surely training for a marathon will burn more calories than training for a half.

I might be crazy.

We have a winner!

I've entered everyone's name who entered the drawing into an online randomizer, which did its magic, and I've notified the person whose name landed at the top of the heap that she's the winner of my extra copy of Gary Taubes' Good Calories, Bad Calories. Thanks for participating, and I wish I could send the book to each of you.

When I let the dogs out this morning I was surprised and slightly irritated at the sound and sight of sleet accumulating on the porch and driveway. All the preparation I did for the impending ice storm last weekend did some good – Mr. Shrinking Knitter believes that if you worry about something enough, it won't happen. This stuff that's coming down this morning, though? I didn't hear a peep out of any forecaster that this was coming through.

In fact, according to my little weather widget, today is supposed to be partly cloudy, but the Weather Channel has us under a winter weather advisory. I'd semi-planned to get out of the house today; guess I'll stay in and knit clean.

My 40-minute run yesterday was supposed to be easy, but it felt hard to me and I was greatly disappointed in how slow and sluggish I felt. It crossed my mind while I was slogging along that maybe I wasn't meant to run. It was cold, so I wore long pants, a technical t-shirt and a fleece cover-up. I was sweating after the first half-mile and was quite literally dripping by the time I finished three. Yes, you read it right. I only did three miles in 40 minutes. I didn't feel like I was slacking; I just couldn't get going. Today is a cross training day, which is probably going to be limited to mopping, vaccuuming and dusting, since my shoulder still hurts.

Have I mentioned how much I'd like to be able to lift weights? Why yes, I think I have. Remind me of that the next time I start whining, okay?

Laura asked if I was planning to run the half or the full Country Music race. I've registered for the half, but am keeping my options open. These race directors don't mind at all if you pay them more money and change your mind about which distance you want to go. There's a time limit, of course, so I'll have to decide at some point.

Other than that, not much else is going on. My sweater should be dry today and I'll try to get a photo taken. Next in the queue is one of those cute little newsboy caps. I found this pattern that looks pretty quick to do and is the style I'm going for. There are cabled ones and lace ones and ribbed ones and felted ones, but I just want a simple one. I think I'll do it in red.

Then, of course, I'll need red mittens to match. One good thing about snow … it's great weather for knitting.

I'll take Potpourri for $200, Alex

I'm totally stealing that title idea from our favorite readhead, by the way. This post is just full of random stuff.

No knitting yesterday. Not one stitch. Perhaps it had something to do with the weather, which is absolutely balmy. If you'll remember, I started getting my knitting mojo back about the time the first snowflake fell.

I wrapped and shipped Christmas presents all day yesterday [only a few more little things to finish up – whew!], left the house at 6 p.m. for the drawing class at the prison and came home exhausted. I had every intention of knitting and watching MNF, but the game wasn't that interesting and sleep came first.

Yesterday was a scheduled rest-from-exercise day. Amazingly, I also rested-from-food. It wasn't until I was at the prison talking about upside-down-drawing that I realized I'd forgotten to eat dinner! I think I can count on one hand the number of times that happens around here.

Today is the first day of a 20-week training program for CMM. If the first four weeks don't go well – and they may not, considering it's the holiday season and all – I have a 16-week backup plan ready and waiting. What I don't like about this plan is that workouts are measured in minutes instead of miles – today, for instance, I'm supposed to run easy for 40 minutes. I think I'll wear shorts, by the way. I kind of enjoyed racking up the mileage last time I was in training. [Don't I sound like an athlete? Heh.] That's not to say I won't keep track of my miles, of course. I most definitely will.

Among the mail I picked up yesterday was yet another box from amazon.com. In it were two copies of a book I'd ordered recently. JuJu inspired me to order it; she talked about it last month, but I've always been a day late and a dollar short, so I'm just now receiving it. Er, them. I'll blame the extra copy on pilot error.

Rather than return it, I thought I might donate Copy Number Two to our local library. And then I thought, "Hmmm. Why don't I donate it to one of your libraries?" So, if you're at all interested in winning a brand-new, unread, pristine copy of Gary Taubes' Good Calories, Bad Calories, shoot me an e-mail: shrinkingknitter AT citynet DOT net and put GCBC in the subject line. You do know how to translate that to a real e-mail addy, don't you?

Deadline is December 18 at noon, a week from today. I'll use a random number generator to determine the winner, which I'll announce first thing Wednesday, December 19. The book is a rather scientific read; you might not even want it. If no one enters the contest, I'll still donate it to my local library.

Denise, if you had a blog I would totally send everyone over with get-well wishes. So sorry about your fall!

Finally – I bet you thought I was never going to shut up – yesterday's Supreme Court decision to restore federal judges' control in sentencing was the best news I heard all day. I'm hoping for more today.

There's still time …

to make a last-minute gift, even if you knit. Large knitting projects – sweaters and afghans, for instance – take for-freaking-ever, and if you started one today, the only way you could put one under the Christmas tree this year is if you wrapped a picture of one. Jewelry, though? Easy-peasy.

About a year ago I made a knitted, beaded bracelet that ended up being too big for me, so I had a contest to give it away. I also wrote the pattern up and gave it to everyone who entered the contest.

This year, the pattern is yours.

I lost count of how many people snagged the Wee Santa Hat pattern, so I thought I'd try it again. Admittedly this takes a little more patience, and some materials may not be at your fingertips, particularly the teeny-tiny knitting needles. You don't want to start this project while you're watching an exciting basketball game, for instance, or you might stab yourself. Teeny-tiny needles are sharp!

Anyway. Click on the little image and the larger one should land in your computer somewhere. Merry Christmas!

Late yesterday evening I told Mr. Shrinking Knitter I might try to do the eight miles outside today if it was warm enough and not raining. My shoulder felt pretty good then. This morning? Not so much. I might get inspired to give it a go this afternoon, though. I've already declared myself a DNF, but I feel like such a slacker doing that! I know that's unrealistic and harsh, but maybe it's what I need.

Training for Country Music begins in earnest in January. I'm registered for the half but can change my mind, give them more money and go for the full marathon. I'm wavering ... but before I do anything I have to get back in training condition. For most programs, that means being able to run continuously for 30 minutes. So far, since mid-November, I haven't been able to do that.

A great, great weekend

Registration Fee for Country Music 1/2 Marathon:

$75

Motivational T-Shirts for Country Music 1/2 Marathon:
$63

Thorlo Socks, New Balance Shoes
for Country Music 1/2 Marathon:
$159

Finishing the Country Music 1/2 Marathon:
Priceless!

Now to come back down to earth. Heh.

Thanks for the many, many comments all week long, especially the "Done!" ones. You have no idea how much you were all on my mind as I raced plodded through the streets of Nashville. I wasn't going to let you down by not finishing, no matter what!

There was one moment around the 12th mile when I felt kind of woozy and lightheaded and even kind of lost my balance for a bit, but I shook it off – as athletes do, heh! – and kept on going. After that point it was all downhill and so close to the finish line I wouldn't have quit unless I were dead.


Some fun stuff
I wore a t-shirt with a West Virginia University logo on the front, and was greeted by spectators all along the course shouting, "Go, West Virginia!" and "Hey, Mountain Mama!" Very motivating. At one point a band was playing "Take Me Home, Country Roads," West Virginia's unofficial anthem made famous by John Denver. Don't I look great as I find my daughter and grandchildren in the crowd? This was taken mere yards from the finish line.

Spectators along the roadsides toasted us with a variety of libations, including tequila, Red Stripe, champagne and coffee. One guy offered cigarettes – no takers on that one.

I was amazed at how many people brought cell phones with them, and checked in along the route. We heard lots of "I just passed the five-mile mark" type conversations along the way.

My son-in-law, Tyler, ran the race with me, finishing seven minutes ahead of me. [There we are, after we crossed the finish line and stopped gasping for breath.] He's much taller, but also much younger, so I pretty much kicked his ass. [I crack myself up!] He wants to wear a shirt next year that says "Hang up and run."

Next year
Next year? Looks like there will be more of these for both of us. We're already talking strategy to improve our times. I had no idea when I registered how to estimate how long it would take. You had to finish in less than four hours, so I put down 3:30, which put me in one of the last corrals, where most of the walkers were. Tyler could have been in an earlier corral but elected to stick with me most of the way. [Thanks again, Ty!] We probably ran an extra mile just navigating around people who were slower than we were.

I'm definitely going to do more weight training. I know I would have felt better at the end, no matter what my speed was, if I'd been stronger. But the training I did was so valuable. I amazed myself, week after week. Having that medal placed around my neck was A Moment, for sure.

I placed 61st out of 403 in my age division. I still can't believe that. When I looked in the paper at the finish times for older divisions, though, the top three women in the 70-74 group finished faster than I did. Heh. Here are my times and splits:

Chip time begins when your shoe, which has a computer chip attached to it, hits the starting line. Clock time is when the first runner hits the starting line. So we basically stood around waiting to start for nearly an hour.

The rest of race day was hard. Aching muscles, extreme fatigue, massive quantities of water. My daughter fixed a fabulous steak dinner Saturday night, which was just what the doctor ordered. I was surprised at how much better I felt Sunday morning. I had an eight-hour drive to get back home, and only took a couple of short stretch-your-muscles breaks along the way. I feel normal – well, actually, better than normal – this morning.

I feel like a runner.