Back in Black.

I (NOEL – the missing team member) have been somewhat lax in my official marathon training – not for lack of cardio endurance or internal drive, but because I have fallen prey to the infamous BLACK TOENAIL syndrome that I’ve heard so much about but have never experienced firsthand.

The path leading up to the BLACK TOENAIL (isn’t it so much more dramatic in ALL CAPS?) began with a plan to rid myself of the used and tattered running shoes that had served me well. I wanted to start training for the NYC Marathon in freshly cushioned, sparkly white and blue runners, so before leaving for Italy in June I purchased a new pair of Asics Gel Kayano v14 Size 10 on Ebay for $100. This is steal considering they retail for over $135. I’ve been wearing this brand and style of running shoe for over six years, and this was my first time purchasing them on Ebay. My old running shoes had clocked in the miles and my plan was to leave them in Italy to make room in my suitcase for More Important Things (i.e., pasta + espresso + limoncello). Getting rid of the old pair is a story in itself, so if you have the time and curiosity, check out my other blog which details how Mary and I were running from “the law” in Italy in a last ditch attempt to “throw our shoes up.” My intention was to just leave them at the bus stop for someone else to pick up and use (ala Detroit-style) but as is the case with Mary, nothing is ever that simple.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=112176485

Upon return to North Carolina I laced up my new Kayano’s and the toebox felt a little snug. Hmmm. I thought. Same style, same color, and same size as my old shoes, but since they’re new, I must have to break them in. I went for one trail run – it was just okay. My second run on June 30th was here in DC where I’m working. This run marked my first official “track workout” (although done on a treadmill at the gym) and began the decent into toenail transformation.

I can do this, I thought. I just gotta break ‘em in. No worries. I’m TRAINING, I kept telling myself. Like Rocky. Nobody said running a marathon was cake. This positive self-talk kept me going through the weekend’s long run of 9 miles at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station, Virginia.

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelake/

Burke Lake Park was voted one of the 10 best fitness trails in America by the American Hiking Society, and its 4.7 miles of shoreline trails helped me recharge my batteries after a long week at the office. I was so happy to be out in the woods that I hardly noticed the toes on my left foot wincing with every step. It wasn’t until that evening that “the shiner” appeared. One of my toenails had gone purple, and when I touched it I could feel it all the way up into my armpits. Hmm, this isn’t good, I thought. I glanced over at my shoes, then down at my toenail, then over at my shoes before shaking my fist in the air thinking that somehow I had purchased “fakes” on Ebay! This can’t be! I ran a few more times in said shoes before hitting up the running store in town, and sure enough, when I measured my sockless feet, I had somehow grown to a size 10.5 since I’d lift Italy. Must have been all of the pizza I ate. Haha.

So, since this debacle I’ve been cycling at the gym and examining my toenail daily like it’s some kind of middle school science experiment. I can’t wait for it to fall off so that I can discover the world underneath. (I hope you’re not eating at your computer right now because I’m sure the thought of that is making your stomach turn.) Because the pain has subsided, I was finally able to run today for the scheduled “tempo run” of 6 miles (on the treadmill) and my toenail was cooperative. I did a two mile warm-up (6 mph), three miles at tempo (7-7.5 mph) and a one mile cool-down (6 mph). This weekend, Burke Lake for 10 miles – black toenail or not.

- nlk

Knock, knock, knock on wood

Somewhere between finishing the Owl's Roost Rumble half Marathon with Meghan and Noel, and beginning training for the NY City Marathon a few weeks ago, my shins decided they had had enough.

"We're done, finished, OVER and OUT!" they screamed at me and promptly decided to give me trouble. Even standing up to ride the bike in spinning class made them throb. The docs in sports medicine said it was likely just my body not able to handle the increase in mileage. The physical therapist told me it was because my big toes wasn't quite flexible enough and he added a little piece of tape to my inserts to give it extra "drop". I even had a bone scan...nothing. I crossed my fingers, knocked on every piece of wood I could find, prayed to every God I could think of...I iced, I elevated, I RICED... and still there was little improvement. For those Seinfeld fans out there, I was left imagining my shins with lightening bolts hitting them and given the answers I was getting that may as well have been the cause.

I stopped running for 6 weeks and things got a little better.

Then I went back to yoga. My first night I imagined all my breath going into those shins and as I exhaled I imagined what ever the cause of the pain was leaving my body. It was very, as Meghan would say, oooovy groovy. But I kept at it.

I ran 9 miles on Saturday, and 6 on Monday. And 7 the Sunday before. Now, when I get out of bed in the morning my shins are quite. They're not silent, but I'm able to drown out their voices with just my breath-- and that feels pretty darn good.

- kjd

Track Workout #1

Natalie and I (Kelley) did our first official training track workout this morning at 6:30AM. Following the FIRST program described in Natalie's post below, we did a 10 minute slow warm up followed by 4 sets of 3 minutes fast and 3 minutes recovery, then finished up with another 10 minutes to cool down. These track workouts are not exactly what I'd call fun, but they really do work. I also love how efficient they are--a great workout in a pretty short period of time. That said, you won't see me out there running a track workout by myself--I need one or more of my fellow team members there with me to keep me in check. Thanks for keeping me in check this morning, Natalie!

FIRST Marathon Training Program

For the 2008 NYC Marathon, we have decided to train using the FIRST (Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training) Marathon Training Program.

I (Natalie) decided to try FIRST when I trained for the 2005 Chicago Marathon. There were many reasons I wanted to try the FIRST program. First and foremost, I wanted to pay tribute to my alma mater and some of my undergraduate professors (Bill Pierce) who developed the method. Secondly, I liked the idea of running with purpose 3-4 times a week instead of running every day. I found that I just don't love running enough to be doing it every day. With FIRST, I was able to engage in other forms of physical activity instead of running 6 days a week, which allowed me to stay motivated for my runs. Finally, I liked that the FIRST program allows my body to take a break from all of the pounding that I feel from running. I could spin, swim, and even play tennis.

I have trained for 3 marathons using FIRST and I will never use another program. I found it to be effective (increasing my running pace) and most importantly a great way for me to stay motivated and injury free.

The FIRST program has gained a lot of popularity through Runner's World, but I have become the unofficial spokesperson among all my friends and family. I have run the last few marathons with friends and both of my sisters and I have convinced each person to use FIRST program. This marathon is no different.....

Full Circle (Meghan)

My earliest running memory is watching my dad at his first triathalon at Hagg Lake outside of Portland, OR. Two weeks ago my dad and I did a 100-mile Livestrong bicycle ride that included Hagg Lake.

There is no doubt. My dad is my running inspiration. He started running in his 30's and got a solid 30 years out of his body. He has run too many marathons and ultramarathons for me to count. I grew up hearing about 'running buddies.' There were the noon hour boys at work and the Sunday morning crew. There were nicknames and designated joke tellers. There were always smiles.

While I could see that running was a great thing for my dad, I never really got it. That is, until, I ran with him. For a brief time we both lived in Germany, the land of heavenly trails. My dad didn't have any running buddies and I didn't have any money for a gym. So I ran. We ran. And we talked and laughed and told jokes. And I got it.

We trained for the Berlin Marathon and I tore my achilles 6 weeks out. I had a great time cheering for my dad and sister and a few of his Seattle running buddies. But I really wanted to run.

Fast forward 5 years. My dad ran all the cartilidge out of his ankle and as a last resort had to have his ankle fused 2 years ago. He can no longer run more than 40 minutes. It has been a big adjustment. We have since become cycling partners.

He's never run NYC. I'll do it for him.

9 miles, 90 degrees, 90 percent humidity

OK, maybe that's a slight exaggeration. But this is July in North Carolina.

This was our second official week of training and we actually got to run together again (minus Noel who's in DC). We ran the Carolina North trails. 5 women, 2 dogs, a single goal.

We met at the trail head at 7:30am and were off on the trails. Mix of gravel and single track, rooty trails. We all had a good run. We finished at about a 9:30 minute mile pace and had lots of laughs. Fortunately Kiyah's shins/calves felt good. Despite Natalie's hatred of trail running, not a single fall...this time.

It's pretty amazing that 9 miles seems like a relatively short run to all of us now. But we know we have a long way to go.

We are fired up!

It's official. We are training. 111 days, 22 hours, 37 minutes and 1 second to go!

Check back frequently to watch our progress.