Dear Readers,
It is less than two weeks until the marathon! I can't believe it is this close. Training has been hard, and definitely did not progress how I had planned - but one way or another, I am ALMOST there! The strenuous phase of training is over, and the goal now is to taper and allow my legs to recover for the big day.
I went on my longest training run on Saturday. It was....interesting. The goal was 20 miles, but I only finished 18. At about mile 8, I started to notice that my stomach was not feeling well. I tried to eat (my nutritious but totally inappropriate workout snack of pretzel rods and raisins), but it did not settle well in me. By mile 12, I felt noticeably worse than I did at that point in my past runs. At the end of mile 14.5, I had to stop. I walked half a mile, and was extremely dizzy and pretty weak. Determined to finish, I somehow mustered the will power to finish another 3 miles.
Probably not a good idea.
When I slowed to a walk after the 18th mile, I realized that I was in bad shape. I was pretty much delirious and EXTREMELY dizzy. It was scary as hell. I couldn't eat - it all tasted terrible and my mouth was so dry. The only thing I could do was drink water/gatorade and stare blankly. Thank goodness I had Kat with me - she made sure I didn't pass out. After about 30 minutes, I mustered the strength to bike back home. It turns out my body temp had dropped pretty low. I wrapped myself in blankets and ate and drank as much as I could.
Later that night, I was wolfing down a burger, no problem! So, stop worrying. I'm okay!
Yes, yes, I know -- "Be CAREFUL, Kevin! Are you crazy?!" I need to be much more cognizant of my nutrition during the race. On my run this weekend, I am going to try out some Shot Blocks to see how my stomach handles them. I will stay plenty hydrated and fueled up, and as long as my legs hold up, I'll finish that race!
In the meantime, I still need your help! Although I have had MANY wonderful, generous donations, I still have a ways to go to reach my goal of $2,000! Please consider dusting off that piggy bank and helping me support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Socity! Really, anything will help - $25 or $15 or even $10 bucks...heck, any spare singles you have laying around will all add up in a big way!
The link to donate is here
In the coming weeks, look out for a totally awesome pre-race update or two. I will have more information about race day! Maybe if you're lucky, I'll post a picture of my running beard!
Your Running Boy,
Forrest
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Running Update #3
Dear Readers,
Let me tell you, this running thing - it's not a bad racket. I honestly enjoy the extended self-propulsion across assorted pavements that is distance running in Chicago. Interestingly, I feel antsy and uncomfortable when I am not running. I am proud to say that I am becoming chemically and psychologically dependent on it. I'm high on exercise!
I have good reasons. I find peace during my runs. It is a good time to clear my head and think. I can satisfy my craving for challenge. I blow off serious work, school, and life-related stress. I see nice people. I see nice things. I sweat. I grunt. I get to be manly. These are all very serious needs that I have, and the act of running goes a long way to satisfying them for me. I am really happy that I have taken on this challenge.
However, it's not all sunshine and lollipops. As I mentioned, my knees haven't exactly taken too kindly to the training. Also, following Saturday's 16-mile run, I think I will be losing the toenail on my left second-toe. I will make sure to post gross pictures in case it does happen. Oh, and the blister spanning the entire end of my toe is fun, too!
Undoubtedly, the most difficult experience from marathon training so far has been the constant battle against negativity. It is far more difficult to stay positive and temperate during an extended challenge than it is to doubt and defeat yourself. But all I need is to have a good day and it reminds me of why I'm doing this.
Speaking of which, here is why I am doing this: LLS Team in Training. I am raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help them in their battle against blood cancers. LLS is the philanthropy of my college fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma, and they are a great organization.
Please take a minute and check out that link. And if you can, please consider making a donation to LLS on my behalf. I've got some cool ideas about how I can give back to those who have donated, so look out for them!
And to those of you who have already contributed...THANK YOU!! I want you to know that your support means so much to me and has helped me keep my eyes on the prize. Thanks so much!
Your Running/Schooling/Working Boy,
Kevin
Let me tell you, this running thing - it's not a bad racket. I honestly enjoy the extended self-propulsion across assorted pavements that is distance running in Chicago. Interestingly, I feel antsy and uncomfortable when I am not running. I am proud to say that I am becoming chemically and psychologically dependent on it. I'm high on exercise!
I have good reasons. I find peace during my runs. It is a good time to clear my head and think. I can satisfy my craving for challenge. I blow off serious work, school, and life-related stress. I see nice people. I see nice things. I sweat. I grunt. I get to be manly. These are all very serious needs that I have, and the act of running goes a long way to satisfying them for me. I am really happy that I have taken on this challenge.
However, it's not all sunshine and lollipops. As I mentioned, my knees haven't exactly taken too kindly to the training. Also, following Saturday's 16-mile run, I think I will be losing the toenail on my left second-toe. I will make sure to post gross pictures in case it does happen. Oh, and the blister spanning the entire end of my toe is fun, too!
Undoubtedly, the most difficult experience from marathon training so far has been the constant battle against negativity. It is far more difficult to stay positive and temperate during an extended challenge than it is to doubt and defeat yourself. But all I need is to have a good day and it reminds me of why I'm doing this.
Speaking of which, here is why I am doing this: LLS Team in Training. I am raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help them in their battle against blood cancers. LLS is the philanthropy of my college fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma, and they are a great organization.
Please take a minute and check out that link. And if you can, please consider making a donation to LLS on my behalf. I've got some cool ideas about how I can give back to those who have donated, so look out for them!
And to those of you who have already contributed...THANK YOU!! I want you to know that your support means so much to me and has helped me keep my eyes on the prize. Thanks so much!
Your Running/Schooling/Working Boy,
Kevin
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Running Update #2
Dear Readers,
After a 40-day hiatus, I am back on my feet! My left knee went buggy on me (read: knife-stabbing pain) halfway through a long run on July 18th. I was really bummed about that, and I admit now that I let it get to me pretty bad. My confidence wavered a lot, and I was having some serious doubts about this whole marathon thing.
In the meantime, I had a lot going on. I spent most of the 4 weeks after my injury out of state, conducting my last 32 interviews in that span. I returned and had about 45 contact reports to complete in less than a week. In a stressful few days, I had to tie up all the loose ends of having a traveling job for 8 months (a LOT of work). The very next day, I started graduate school! Talk about switching gears!
Unfortunately, amidst all that running around, I was rarely actually running. Luckily, rest is almost never a bad thing when it comes to injuries, and now my knees are doing great. How do I know?
I completed a long run of 16 miles yesterday!
Huzzah! It took me 2:34'05''.36. My average mile came out to around 10 minutes. My previous long run was 8 miles. Let me tell you, I sure missed running. The thoughts and feelings that pass by while on a long run are incredible. It's a constant flip-flop between pain and pleasure, exhilaration and agony, confidence and self-doubt. Distance running is a sport for the patient, and I am far from patient.
Luckily, Kat was there with me. She rode her bike by my side for the entire time! She gave me food and water when I needed it and helped keep my mind focused and my emotions in check. She even dealt with the awful embarrassment when I got a little delirious and started moaning and yelling incoherently around the 15 mile marker: "ahhHHH Generalll...CUSTER!!" "BANANAS!! in pa-JAMASSS!" "MARMALADE!!!"
I would like to thank everyone who has supported me so far. Your donations and words of encouragement mean so much to me!
I promise you that I will provide regular updates during the final month of training!
Until next time,
Your Running Boy,
Kevin
After a 40-day hiatus, I am back on my feet! My left knee went buggy on me (read: knife-stabbing pain) halfway through a long run on July 18th. I was really bummed about that, and I admit now that I let it get to me pretty bad. My confidence wavered a lot, and I was having some serious doubts about this whole marathon thing.
In the meantime, I had a lot going on. I spent most of the 4 weeks after my injury out of state, conducting my last 32 interviews in that span. I returned and had about 45 contact reports to complete in less than a week. In a stressful few days, I had to tie up all the loose ends of having a traveling job for 8 months (a LOT of work). The very next day, I started graduate school! Talk about switching gears!
Unfortunately, amidst all that running around, I was rarely actually running. Luckily, rest is almost never a bad thing when it comes to injuries, and now my knees are doing great. How do I know?
I completed a long run of 16 miles yesterday!
Huzzah! It took me 2:34'05''.36. My average mile came out to around 10 minutes. My previous long run was 8 miles. Let me tell you, I sure missed running. The thoughts and feelings that pass by while on a long run are incredible. It's a constant flip-flop between pain and pleasure, exhilaration and agony, confidence and self-doubt. Distance running is a sport for the patient, and I am far from patient.
Luckily, Kat was there with me. She rode her bike by my side for the entire time! She gave me food and water when I needed it and helped keep my mind focused and my emotions in check. She even dealt with the awful embarrassment when I got a little delirious and started moaning and yelling incoherently around the 15 mile marker: "ahhHHH Generalll...CUSTER!!" "BANANAS!! in pa-JAMASSS!" "MARMALADE!!!"
I would like to thank everyone who has supported me so far. Your donations and words of encouragement mean so much to me!
I promise you that I will provide regular updates during the final month of training!
Until next time,
Your Running Boy,
Kevin
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