childbirth and marathons

I am an anxious person. I had relatively easy pregnancies. But, both times, I was so anxious about giving birth that the experiences became harder. I dreaded the actual day. How was I going to get through it, be strong enough, remember all the advice and training? I feel as if all the latter went out the window once actual labor began.

Both times, my blood pressure went way up (it is usually low), either when labor began or in the day or two before my due date. The midwives did not think “preeclampsia,” though they monitored for that. They, and I, knew it was anxiety. My mind over body powers are enhanced by anxiety. I swear that the anxiety prevented regular, productive contractions during my second labor, which was induced. The monitors did not help. When I was un-hooked from them, my contractions improved (if “improved” can possibly be the right word here). In the end, the painful pitocin was necessary (but quick!).

Unfortunately, I am feeling the same way about the Philadelphia Marathon on November 23. I have not run a marathon in six and a half years. I have started three and finished two marathons in my lifetime. The first was the best experience and time: New York City in 1999. The second, New York in 2000, I did not finish (calves turned to stone at mile 19). I ran the third, the National Marathon in DC in 2002, with a pace group; the pace leader was focused on catching us up to the clock (isn’t that what the chip is for?), that we ran each mile 20-30 seconds faster than advertised, and I had to slow way down and even walk some after mile 20.

I want to get it right this time. But my anxiety may psych me out. I know I am a strong, determined runner. And I’m even kind of fast. I followed my training schedule and am well-trained. (Though I do feel a little beaten down by the training, but that is why we taper for three or more weeks, right?) People do this all the time and even have fun – which is what I want. (And I’ve not heard anyone call childbirth “fun.”) So I need to calm the heck down, right?

too late, Philly Marathon

Really, I am a blog mommy blog blogger. Really. I just have not written for a long, long time. I never got around to race reports from the National Half-Marathon, the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler, the George Washington Parkway Classic, the Capitol Hill Classic... I'm sorry. And now it is too late. Ah, well. I'll get on it next time. Next race is the Sun Herald City to Surf in Sydney.

But now I have done something that scares me a bit: I signed up for the Philadelphia Marathon on November 23. Hm. I have not run a marathon in six years -- not since getting married and having kids. I run a lot, and I have a good strong base. I am as fast as I was when I ran my first marathon in 1999. But marathons are scary. From personal experience, I know anything can happen after about 18 miles. No matter how well-trained one is.

I ran one fabulous marathon, my first, in NYC. I did not finish my second in NYC. Then I finished, but had a truly miserable time after about 19 miles, the Washington DC Marathon (the one in March of 2002 that had only one official running; the race organizer went bankrupt the next year). Half marathons are fun -- and tough -- but not out of control. I love half marathons.

So I am scared. But I am going to do it. I think. I hope. What training plans do people swear by? I have a strong base now -- I can cover 12 miles "easily", and I even completed 15 a week ago. Week one of an 18-week plan starts on August 4 -- when I will be away in Sydney, Australia, (alone with my 13-month-old) sorting and clearing my mother's apartment. So I can't get crazy-serious until I return, on August 13.

Go FOGO Go!

12:30pm (Idaho time)
I was feeling a bit sluggish on my 5 mile run this morning...until it occurred to me that today is the Ironman at Coeur D'Alene and I've got a bunch of friends there swimming 2.4 miles, THEN biking 112 miles and THEN running 26.2 (yes, the distance of a marathon).

I logged on to check out how they are doing most are mid-way through the bike.

So here's to you, FOGO DO MIAMI!!! They've been featured in the local media and if you're looking for inspiration or are tripped up on the idea of "I could NEVER be able to..." or "I'm too overweight", check out their stories. Here are just a couple:

Tim

Victor

6pm (Idaho time)
UPDATE:

This blows my mind.
Tim swam for an hour, was on the bike for 6 hours and is near the end of a marathon right now.
Teresa swam for 1 1/2 hours, biked for EIGHT, and started her run just an hour ago.
Eddie swam for 1 1/2 hours, biked for 7, and probably has another 2 hours left in his marathon.


I'm exhausted just following them online!


FINAL RESULTS UPDATE:
Eddie: 14 hours 52 minutes
Mark: 11 hours 48 minutes
Tim: 12 hours 56 minutes
Teresa: 16 hours 50 minutes
Victor: 14 hours 19 minutes

What a journey!

Marathon Mantra

I, and my beloved TeamFootworks, will be participating in the ING Miami Marathon tonight (well, technically, it's tomorrow, but we'll be getting up SO early that I think you can call it Saturday night still). I am doing the Half, while many of my friends will be going for the Full Monty.

I live pretty close to the end of the course (actually, watching the medley of people go by a few years back got me into running, but that's another tale) so I plan on getting back home in time to help them not bonk at "the wall." In doing so, I scoured the internet for some "inspirational" words for posters/signs. Since I my eyes began to water (then again, Publix commercials make me weep), I thought I'd share ones I enjoyed.

• Pain is just weakness leaving your body (silly, but I pondered that one for TEN miles at last years marathon and it got me through).
• You made it to the START, you will make it to the FINISH
• This mile marker is farther than most will ever reach.
• Cold Beer & Hot Showers, Cold Beer & Hot Showers, Cold Beer & Hot Showers
• Pain is temporary, Pride is forever
  
• Relax, Power, Glide
• 1, 3, 5, 2, 4 (I found counting out of order over and over again made me concentrate hard on the numbers not the shin splints)
  

I'd like to hear your running mantras or inspirational running quotes.