The night before the Illinois Half Marathon

I'm gonna do this review in 2 posts since my first one got kinda long.

Luke & I headed down to Champaign around 3pm or so from Geneva. We went around the outskirts of Chicago, instead of I-39. Bad idea. Plenty of traffic. But we still managed to get to C-U a little after 6:30pm. Checked in and asked for a late checkout but they said to come back and ask around 9pm. So we headed down to the expo.

Earlier that week, I was sent an email with my bib number and it said to print it out & bring it with to the expo. We got there and there was a HUGE line to what I thought was to get into the expo. Come to find out, it was to find out what your bib number was. Luke said that he was so glad that I had my number with me!

Headed right over to the half marathon tables & my number category. Picked up the chip & bib and then got in line to check it. While waiting, I saw the pace group table and Jim from my Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon was sitting at the table!

So afterwards, I head to that table to find out who was leading the 4:10 hour marathon (or a 2:05 hour half). I was offered a bib to put on the back with my name & the desired time but I didn't want that pressure on me just like my St. Louis Marathon (where I took off the bib on back last minute).

Then we walked around a bit, this expo is pretty small compared to some of the others I've been to. Then we left to get to my shirt, it was in another part of the building. Walked in and ahhh, there's the rest of the expo!! A lot more tables, fundraisers, other races, shoe & accessories retailers. Still not as big as St. Louis' Expo. Picked up my shirt & goody bag. Walked around the official Illinois Marathon clothing/retail booth but didn't see a pin available.

Then we left since we had 7:30p reservations at Timpone's. Drove right over there and was immediately sat. Looked through the menu & I decided to have 1 beer. 1 beer equals carbs, 2 beers equals more dehydration than needed. I also ordered this great pasta with red peppers & a tomato cream sauce instead of marinara. Both Luke & I greatly enjoyed our choices, even though his chicken pasta had like 4 chunks of it. We also scarfed down 2 plates of bread & oil. I was satisfied that I was properly fueled.

Headed back to the hotel, found out that we can get a late checkout of 1pm so no need to get everything packed up before leaving! Got ready for bed & then I started to get worried about whether or not I could sleep. Stupid kids next door were quite loud, playing music & all. Finally someone (don't know if it was hotel management or their chaperone) was called to settle them down and they obeyed, luckily. After that, I fell asleep rather quickly and only woke up twice (about par for a normal nights sleep).

Next post will be the day of the Illinois Half Marathon!

Categories: Illinois Half Marathon

Travelling to a half

My run on Tuesday was pretty good. I guess my body just wanted to go fast! Which is fine with me. It was also the last run of the week. I want to give my knee as much rest as possible.

My half marathon is on tomorrow. Leaving for Champaign/Urbana at 3:30p today since I have to pick up my packet before 8p on Friday. No race day pickup. It'll take me about 3 hours to get down there.

Then I'll also want to eat, not too late. Since I knew one of my co-workers went to University of Illinois for her undergrad degree, I asked her where some of good Italian restaurants/pizza joints to eat. Made reservations at a place. Almost thought about going to the Pasta Feed that they offer just to hear Katherine Switzer talk. I soo admire her!

Since I made hotel reservations late, I didn't get a great place. No microwave & no continental breakfast so I'm on my own there. Luckily, since it's only a half, I can get away with a bagel in the morning and that should tide me over.

Weather is calling for isolated thunderstorms, 40% chance of am showers. By 6 am should be 64 degrees so at least it'll be warm rain. Like my St. Louis Marathon, a year ago. We'll see how it goes.

Since I got a whooping 0 responses on the compression sock, which I knew I would, I researched for 2 nights and managed to pick out a brand and will be using it in my full marathon on the 16th. Let's hope it keeps the cramps away.

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 858 ft Location: DeKalb, IL Elev. Gain: +0 ft Date: 04/27/10 Up/Downhill: [+124/-124] Time: 04:32 PM Difficulty: 1.8 / 5.0 Performance Distance: 3.30 miles Time: 0:28:50 Speed: 6.9 mph Pace: 8' 44 /mi Calories: 349 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 8' 44 +0' 00 6.9 -0.0 +23 ft 2 8' 39 -0' 05 6.9 +0.1 -13 ft 3 8' 58 +0' 14 6.7 -0.2 +13 ft end 8' 24 -0' 20 7.1 +0.3 -23 ft Versus average of 8' 44 min/mile

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Categories: Illinois Half Marathon

Compression Socks

I have decided to bite the bullet and buy some compressions socks. I knew of 2 brands right away; InVigorators Sock and CEP Compression Socks. Those are thanks to two other blogs I read and they had reviews.

Then I started looking around. One of those two blogs also reviewed Recovery Socks and SIGVARIS Athletic Recovery Sock.

Now I'm very confused. They are, of course, all different prices.

Store links:

InVigorators $24.99 (66% nylon, 20% cotton, 14% spandex)

CEP Compression Socks $53.99 (85% Polyamid, 15% Elasthan)

Recovery Socks $34.90 (wicking material)

SIGVARIS Recovery Sock $29.21 (cotton, not good for running, post-run only)

Now while I can't say that I will or won't run in these (I'm not afraid of looking funny while running, thus the mix-match loud outfits & bands around both knees), I don't think that I want the cotton ones at all. So luckily, that's one off the list.

I can't make up my mind. Anybody out there have any information/reviews/suggestions?

Categories: compression socks, running accessories

Not quite where I had hoped to be

I have been getting worried that my endurance is faltering because of this knee issue.

My run of 5.5 miles the other day was a hard run. Not knowing how fast I was going in the last mile, I realise that's probably why but even the first mile, of 9:30 min was tough!

And now this one last Saturday. It was another tough run. By the end of 6.2 miles, I was spent. I gave my all and it wasn't all that fast. I could blame either the long-sleeve or the 95% humidity. Or both.

Someone please remind me that if it's in the 50's to wear short sleeves. Geeze, why can't I remember that!?

No running today since I tweaked my back and my glutes are hurting.

So much for a PR in my half marathon this weekend.

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 855 ft Location: DeKalb, IL Elev. Gain: -4 ft Date: 04/24/10 Up/Downhill: [+196/-200] Time: 09:13 AM Difficulty: 2.1 / 5.0 Weather: Fog/Mist 55 F temp; 100% humidity 55 F heat index; winds E 8 Performance Distance: 6.20 miles Time: 1:00:00 Speed: 6.2 mph Pace: 9' 41 /mi Calories: 664 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 22 -0' 19 6.4 +0.2 +36 ft 2 9' 39 -0' 02 6.2 +0.0 -17 ft 3 9' 51 +0' 10 6.1 -0.1 -9 ft 4 9' 58 +0' 17 6.0 -0.2 +10 ft 5 9' 58 +0' 17 6.0 -0.2 +10 ft 6 9' 30 -0' 11 6.3 +0.1 -33 ft end 9' 07 -0' 34 6.6 +0.4 0 ft Versus average of 9' 41 min/mile

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Categories: 6 miles, humidity

Hyperextension

I think I've figured out the injury to my knee(s). Back when I stepped on that painted yellow wet line and I nearly did the splits, I think I hyperextended both my knees. I know I did to one of them, I just can't remember which foot was out front, with that knee being bent past the point.

When I run, I don't straighten out my knee as much as I do when I walk. So I think that's why I can run fine but when walking, it's a pain and when after I'm done running.

I keep on icing though. Once May 16th is done, I'll take 2 weeks off of running completely again. And see where that gets me.

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 859 ft Location: DeKalb, IL Elev. Gain: -3 ft Date: 04/21/10 Up/Downhill: [+200/-203] Time: 03:38 PM Difficulty: 2.6 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 62 F temp; 46% humidity 62 F heat index; winds E 18 Performance Distance: 5.50 miles Time: 0:51:45 Speed: 6.4 mph Pace: 9' 25 /mi Calories: 585 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 36 +0' 11 6.2 -0.1 +17 ft 2 9' 26 +0' 01 6.3 -0.0 -9 ft 3 9' 28 +0' 03 6.3 -0.0 +23 ft 4 9' 26 +0' 01 6.4 -0.0 -10 ft 5 9' 13 -0' 12 6.5 +0.1 0 ft end 9' 01 -0' 24 6.7 +0.3 -23 ft Versus average of 9' 25 min/mile

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Categories: 5 miles, DeKalb Nature Trail, hyperextended knee

17 miles

What a busy weekend! I'm surprised I had any time or energy to get in my 17 miles but I did!

Friday night had me going up to Madison for a concert of my favourite indie band with a good friend of mine. Getting home at 3:30a and finally passing out a little after 4a.

Saturday night had me waking up at 8a to leave by 9a to get to Chicago so I can park at the same friends house and taking a bus up to Wrigley Field to catch a Cubs game. I was freezing my buns off in the upper deck and in the shade with a strong wind blowing in from the lake. OUCH!

Came back to my friends house to get some rest (no sleeping, just chilling) to get ready for another concert off the same band with the same friend! Finally caught up with my sleep a little that night. Going to bed around 3a and waking up at 9:40a.

I left relatively soon after that to head back out to DeKalb to hopefully start my 16 mile run. I decided to do it on the path around DeKalb instead of the Great Western Trail.

I got home and my apartment was 54 degrees! It was 50 outside! I ate a bagel and got dressed with shorts & a long-sleeve shirt. Yep, I did that. I only had one knee band and I put that around my left knee. I have to look tonight to see if I can find the other one.

I knew right away I was going slow and that's how I wanted it. With not running for a week, it was going to be interesting to see if I can get 16 miles in at all.

Nothing really to report from the first half. I was reaching a road crossing and I thought I saw a guy's car I knew. I was surprised to see him in town but I remembered that I had let him borrow 2 books last JUNE and he never read them but I still hadn't picked them up from his mother's house. So I was thinking I need to get down there that day and pick them up.

When I reached the end of the DeKalb Nature Trail, I had only hit 6 miles. I knew his mother lived on the same road and wondered if I could run down there and get 8 miles. So I attempted it. That first mile was THE longest mile EVER. I couldn't believe it. But I made it to his mother's house with his car outside and knocked on the door. 7.69 miles. Booo.

My friend asked if I was going to run back with those 2 books, I told him it was the only way, I ran here. Plus, I knew that he was never going to drop them off to me. I ate some PowerBar Gel Blasts, asked if I could fill up my water bottle and with 2 books in hand, I took off again.

Even within that first mile, it was tough going. I was constantly switching hands back & forth. Putting one book in each hand. My forearms were starting to burn. Wasn't fun. And that's when the times started to slow down.

At one point, right around 11.5 miles, I had to drop the books and I just stood there shaking out my arms for a bit. I knew I couldnt' keep it up for too much longer. That and I knew that I had a hill coming up soon and I didn't know if I would be able to trudge those books up that hill. So I started looking for a drop point and I found one just after 12 miles. I dumped them under a dumpster at the NPR station at NIU. I just knew i had to remember to get them before the day was over.

I felt a lot better after that. My running did seem a little bit easier. I did the math with what I knew of my normal path and the distance left. If I ran the same path, I would have just over 15 and that wasn't cool with me. If I added the other part of the path I would have nearly 16.5. So decided to just go with it. I was starting to hurt and I kept saying "just get to the next ______."

I tried filling it up at spigets that these pillars out in front of a condo place but alas, they weren't turned on yet. I finally ran out of water with less than 1 mile to go. Saw 16.5 come and go and decided to keep on going. At my normal start/stop point, I had 16.8. Well, I couldn't leave it at that distance so I continued to 17. Good enough.

My legs weren't cramping at all either. My left knee felt OK. I was surprised. I do have to remember to not wear a long-sleeved shirt in 50 degree weather. That wasn't a smart move at all.

Luke came over about an hour later and after just hanging out and telling him about my run, we went on a bike ride. Well, I went on a bike ride, he went rollerblading. He actually said that he didn't think he would be able to keep up with me. As I carried my bike down the stairs, I felt my calves a bit, I giggled and said "I don't think you need to worry about keeping up with me! I did run 17 miles a few hours ago!" And sure enough, we were able to go about the same speed. So that was good.

However by about mile 4, I started to feel my left knee have some pain. He suggested that we go back but I declined saying that we might as well go as far as he wanted to go. And we did. All together it was 11.6 miles (according to my bike computer, while the Garmin got started late because of stupid satellites). And we were both freezing by the time we got back. Especially him since he was wearing a short sleeve shirt & shorts!

I was walking around my apartment afterwards and I felt tightness & pain in my left knee. Luke kept telling me to ice it but alas, I couldn't just sit for a while since I am expecting company tonight and had to clean up my place. And I never did ice for the rest of the night either.

Woke up this morning and felt great muscle wise but then I sat for quite a while at my desk at work. I got up and my legs hurt, especially my hip area. I swear I want to go work at a place where I can be moving. I hate having officechairitis.

Not running again until Wednesday, to give my knee sometime off and also cause I have stuff going on on Monday & Tuesday. I'm almost in taper mode. 6 miles on Saturday, followed by 13.1 (Illinois half Marathon in Champaign) and then another 8 miles and then my marathon. Gah. 4 weekends left!

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 856 ft Location: DeKalb, IL Elev. Gain: -3 ft Date: 04/18/10 Up/Downhill: [+387/-390] Time: 12:41 PM Difficulty: 3.5 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 58 F temp; 31% humidity 58 F heat index; winds N 10 Performance Distance: 17.00 miles Time: 2:47:09 Speed: 6.1 mph Pace: 9' 50 /mi Calories: 1818 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 35 -0' 15 6.3 +0.2 +20 ft 2 9' 25 -0' 25 6.4 +0.3 -6 ft 3 9' 11 -0' 39 6.5 +0.4 -13 ft 4 9' 18 -0' 32 6.5 +0.3 0 ft 5 9' 31 -0' 19 6.3 +0.2 0 ft 6 9' 24 -0' 26 6.4 +0.3 +7 ft 7 9' 29 -0' 21 6.3 +0.2 +43 ft 8 9' 35 -0' 15 6.3 +0.2 0 ft 9 9' 45 -0' 05 6.2 +0.0 -29 ft 10 9' 52 +0' 02 6.1 -0.0 -10 ft 11 10' 17 +0' 27 5.8 -0.3 -6 ft 12 12' 50 +3' 00 4.7 -1.4 0 ft 13 10' 07 +0' 17 5.9 -0.2 0 ft 14 10' 21 +0' 31 5.8 -0.3 +33 ft 15 10' 18 +0' 28 5.8 -0.3 -23 ft 16 11' 00 +1' 10 5.5 -0.7 +19 ft end 10' 16 +0' 26 5.8 -0.3 -33 ft Versus average of 9' 50 min/mile

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Categories: 17 miles, DeKalb Nature Trail, hyperextended knee, Luke, personal life

20 mile run

I suppose I should talk about this run, just for accountability sake.

I ran 20 miles on Saturday. I ran it over on the Fox River Trail for a change of pace, plus, I wouldn't be on sand & limestone.

I got started around 9a, even though I was awake at 6. But when I saw that it felt like 31 degrees, I decided I was not going out in that. Figured that when the 9am hour said 45, I'll be good to go. That was mistake #1. Also wore a long-sleeved shirt, thinking that I was going to be a bit chilly. I even started the run with pants on. Mistake #2.

Ate around 7:45a but all I had was a banana & a bowl of cereal. That was mistake #3. I did bring some coconut water (peach mango) and 2 bottles of water with me and my PowerBar Gel Blasts.

6 miles north on a new path made the mileage go by kinda slow since I didn't know when the next mile was going to hit. At one point, I even was running on a road (I guess the trail & road merged) and I got yelled at by someone since I was running on the left side of the road, facing traffic (heading north). Needless to say, I turned around then.

I got back to my car and dropped off my pants and thought for a second of only doing 16 or so since it was warm and I'll do my 20 next weekend and then it won't be that long (5 weeks) between my 20 and my marathon. But I decided to forge ahead. Mistake #4.

By that time, it was near 11am and quite warm out. I knew I didn't have my short sleeve shirt with me in the car so I left on my long-sleeve but by this time I had pulled up the sleeves to my elbows. And I was getting warm. My socks were also causing me some discomfort and I kept checking on them and adjusting them.

I knew that I had to go to mile 16 and then turn around. At mile 15.5, I reached a break-off point and stopped for quite a bit. by this time I ran out of water in my 2 bottles and only had a little left of the coconut water but I couldn't bring myself to drink it warm.

I finally relented to the warmth and took off my long-sleeved shirt, tied it around my waist and put my 4 water bottle belt around that so I wouldn't get chafing. So for the other few miles, I ran in just a sports bra. Classy.

There was a bottle in the middle of the path. I kicked it. It had water in it. I debated for a split second if I wanted to pick it up. I did. Poured it over my head, down my back and then poured it into my mouth. Yes, I did.

Couldn't just leave an empty plastic bottle so I carried it around to the next garbage place where I recycled it but noticed that the water fountain was still covered. I was devasted. Bathroom didn't even have a sink either.

So I kept going on. Then I found it. My saviour. I screamed in joy when I saw that the next fountain was uncovered. I nearly started crying. No seriously. I did. And when I hit that button and water came out of it's spout, I was ecstatic more than I can describe. I drank so much, I filled up my water bottles and I dumped water on my arms, neck, head, face. Unfortunately, I had 2 miles left.

I finished. Disappointment washed over me when I looked at my watch. Oh well. I started walking, a lot to calm the cramps in my calves. I was in so much pain. I didn't want to get in my car and drive. I blame the warm weather and also, I had a really crappy personal week so that can be to blame as well.

But when I did, I was able to get in a cold water bath and my legs felt so much better after I got out of it. I did start having problems with my left knee though. Well, technically I have had difficulties with it for a few weeks now. I tried jogging to my car in a parking lot and it was just not happening.

So I iced all day on Sunday. And on Monday. And today. I haven't ran since Saturday. I got 16 miles on Saturday. Should be interesting. I'm trying to see if it could be a tear or ligament injury. I have knee/leg movements to try out from the about.com pages.

I haven't done any weight lifting in over a week now. When you're depressed you really don't feel like doing anything. So I'm losing the gun shows I acquired. Boo! I'll get back to it in a few weeks, I hope.

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 687 ft Location: Geneva, IL Elev. Gain: +4 ft Date: 04/10/10 Up/Downhill: [+561/-557] Time: 08:58 AM Difficulty: 3.9 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 68 F temp; 38% humidity 68 F heat index; winds S 18 G 25 Performance Distance: 20.00 miles Time: 3:34:36 Speed: 5.6 mph Pace: 10' 44 /mi Calories: 2129 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 20 -1' 24 6.4 +0.8 +3 ft 2 9' 35 -1' 09 6.3 +0.7 0 ft 3 12' 49 +2' 05 4.7 -0.9 +69 ft 4 9' 42 -1' 02 6.2 +0.6 -69 ft 5 9' 54 -0' 50 6.1 +0.5 +3 ft 6 10' 08 -0' 36 5.9 +0.3 +23 ft 7 10' 09 -0' 35 5.9 +0.3 -27 ft 8 10' 19 -0' 25 5.8 +0.2 +17 ft 9 11' 02 +0' 18 5.4 -0.2 -17 ft 10 12' 05 +1' 21 5.0 -0.6 -10 ft 11 10' 37 -0' 07 5.7 +0.1 +4 ft 12 14' 55 +4' 11 4.0 -1.6 -14 ft 13 10' 46 +0' 02 5.6 -0.0 +3 ft 14 16' 18 +5' 34 3.7 -1.9 +9 ft 15 13' 27 +2' 43 4.5 -1.1 -17 ft 16 15' 23 +4' 39 3.9 -1.7 -3 ft 17 12' 37 +1' 53 4.8 -0.8 +17 ft 18 12' 34 +1' 50 4.8 -0.8 -3 ft 19 11' 21 +0' 37 5.3 -0.3 -6 ft end 12' 45 +2' 01 4.7 -0.9 +6 ft Versus average of 10' 44 min/mile

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Categories: 20 mile run, Fox River Trail, hyperextended knee