Life After Marathons: A Running/barre3/Coffee/Life Journal

[SarahDisney]

This is what I am looking at too. The white one is just so pretty!

Agreed! I haven't decided what color I'm getting yet ... with me, white becomes dirty within about 5 seconds, so I may be better off with a darker band. I dunno. But it is a nice e looking watch.

 

[SarahDisney]

You know when you do something at work that nobody explicitly tells you not to do, but you're probably still not supposed to do?
In my defense ... I'm assuming that next week I'll get removed from my bubble of fun and put back on the boring work, so this stuff needs to be available for other people to work on.

 

[cavepig]

Scissors scare me, it's like, what's you start there's no going back!

 

[SarahDisney]

Scissors scare me, it's like, what's you start there's no going back!

Exactly! Theres no undo button on scissors.

 

[jennamfeo]

Exactly! Theres no undo button on scissors.

You can say that again. But more specifically to my 7th grade self-cut bangs.

 

[SarahDisney]

You can say that again. But more specifically to my 7th grade self-cut bangs.

Yikes.

 

[SarahDisney]

Cross Training Update:
Signed up for my first barre class. Wednesday at 5:15pm. I wanted to do the 6:30 class, but it was full. We'll see as I get further into the week whether 5:15 is doable (it means leaving work before 5, which is tough, because even though I show up early, nobody else does, so I end up having to stay later than I want because I'm dealing with other people). I might have to cancel or reschedule. I'm trying to decide if I should put myself on the waitlist for the 6:30 class and then cancel my 5:15 reservation if something opens up.
Sigh.
Anyway ... this isn't just a straight barre place, it's a barre/pilates/yoga mix, which will either be great or awful (I have issues with yoga). So we'll see how it goes.

Marathon Update:
As some of you know, a few years back I had a different training journal. I stopped it for a few reasons, but before I started this journal, I used to occasionally pop back there and write out some thoughts.
Last week, when I was struggling with everything, I decided to pop back there and see what my thoughts and motivation were earlier in my journey. I discovered a post from September 2016, which was mostly about shoes (which was actually the main theme of that journal, kinda),but also had some discussion about what race should be my first half marathon:

The other possibility is trying to get into the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, but that race is probably way to intense for me. And I'd do it through the lottery, so I there's no guarantee that I'd get in.

As you guys know, a year and a half after this post, in March 2018, I ran the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, and I absolutely loved it. When I registered for the lottery, I had completely forgotten that I had previously been scared to try to run it. I just knew that I wanted to do it, so I went through the terrifying experience of the lottery. And I'm so glad I did, because I really loved the race and the experience.

After seeing that, I'm starting to wonder if the marathon is a similar thing ... I'm terrified of it now, but once I experience it, I'll love it. That's definitely a possibility, and I think remembering that makes marathon seem a lot less scary.
I also think that having 3 halfs under my belt already helped with making the NYC Half not seem like a big deal. So I'm wondering if I should do a different marathon before Disney so that I'm not as freaked out ... but I also don't want to do anything but Disney as my first marathon. I'm still a little sad that not only was my first half not Disney, but I still haven't done a Disney half.
(Also ... I think the only other doable option for a marathon before Disney would be doing NYC through Team For Kids (or some other charity, but I know TFK is their official charity, so it's probably easiest), and that doesn't seem any less scary.)

It's tough, but at least I think I'm getting closer to being okay with running a marathon.

 

[SarahDisney]

Japan Run 4M: Race Plans​

So, this race is a little unusual in that it's not an "A" race, but I do have a goal. I think you guys know what it is.

Date & Location:
Sunday, May 13th, Central Park

Getting My Stuff:
Packet pickup started yesterday at NYRR RUNCENTER and continues throughout the week. I have 3.0 miles EC scheduled for Thursday, and I'm planning to do the barre class on Wednesday (schedule permitting), so the current plan is to sleep in Thursday morning and run up to the RUNCENTER after work. I mapped it out, and if I run along Broadway to 57th, it's about 2.75 miles. So I'll have to find a way to get in that extra 0.25 miles. But I'm sure I can figure it out. My GPS will be fairly drunk anyway because Manhattan.

This may change ... we'll see what happens.

Outfit:
The last forecast I saw had a temperature of about 65F at race start. I've learned my lesson from last time and will wear short sleeves.

Currently Planned Shirt:

Skirt:

(There exists, earlier in this thread, a picture of me in the shirt. I'm too lazy to track it down now ... but it's there. No pictures of me in the skirt just yet.)
I will also be wearing black capris under the skirt.
I don't know what shoes I'm going to wear ... I could probably get away with any of my 3 current pairs. Original plan was my Zantes (short run shoes), but I'm not 100% sold on that.

Getting To The Race:
Remember last race when I was all excited about only having to take one train to the race?
Some things are just too good to last.

The F train is running on the E line. And since I'm not going to walk from 53rd (too far), I get to take the F to the 6. Which is honestly not terrible ... I take the 6 to work some days (just in the other direction - downtown, not uptown), and it's not a bad transfer, despite the walking. It'll still be about an hour commute.

This race starts at 8, so I'll probably leave the house around 6:15ish so that I get there around 7:15-7:30ish. I may try to warm up by running from the subway to the race area, but that will depend on whether or not my Garmin wants to find a signal and/or the weather.

Training:
This race is part of a longer plan, so I haven't really specifically been training for it, just following my larger Coach DB plan. We're still early in the plan, but things are going okayish.

Race Plan & Goals:
We all know what the goal is for this race (at least, we all knew 2 weeks ago, and when we see it written down here, we'll remember):
Sub-40

My friend Tzippy will be pacing me, so I'm definitely putting myself in a good position for success. The thing about Tzippy is that she's one of those people who doesn't listen to you when you say no (and I mean that in the nicest possible way), so even if I want to slow down, I won't be allowed to. Which is annoying when I'm just trying to test run a pair of shoes, but is a good thing for this race.

Post-Race:
This race is part of a whole Japan-themed festival going on in Central Park, so I might stick around to get a picture with Hello Kitty and some free panda cookies. Or I might just go home and buy the panda cookies next time I go to Costco. Nobody knows. Not even me.

Track Me:
Live tracking is available at https://liveresults.nyrr.org/e/NYRR-JAPANRUN-2018#/tracker. I think there will only be start and finish updates. Expect me to start somewhere between 8 and 8:15 (probably closer to 8:15) and finish somewhere between 8:40 and 8:55.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

Nobody knows. Not even me.

Hahaha! This is the best line of the day. I wanted to say something nice about your look back on your old journal and stuff... but then I read this and laughed. Also, great race outfit!!

 

[ZellyB]

I'm way behind on journal reading but trying to catch up.

I will tell you I consider myself a casual runner (although I guess in my head I use recreational instead of casual). I've run 6 marathons. So, for me, casual/recreational runner and marathon runner are not mutually exclusive. But, I get that it's something you are wrestling with and there are still times when I get down on myself because I set certain goals for myself and then when I don't attain them, I feel bad about it and get upset with myself. I don't know why I still do that, but I do. As I get older and have more years running under my belt, I find that I don't do as much comparing of myself to others. I'm me and that's it. I'm competing against myself really and nobody else. I'd love to be faster and I do work to improve to the best of my ability, but I'm just never going to be as fast as a lot of people I read about on here. And, that's okay. I hope you are able to reconcile your feelings, because you really need to run that Disney marathon and wear that ridiculously cute outfit!! I vote polka dots with polka dots and then more polka dots!!!

ETA: I'm here in AK love solidarity with @rteetz

 

[Andie16]

After seeing that, I'm starting to wonder if the marathon is a similar thing ... I'm terrified of it now, but once I experience it, I'll love it. That's definitely a possibility, and I think remembering that makes marathon seem a lot less scary.
I also think that having 3 halfs under my belt already helped with making the NYC Half not seem like a big deal. So I'm wondering if I should do a different marathon before Disney so that I'm not as freaked out ... but I also don't want to do anything but Disney as my first marathon. I'm still a little sad that not only was my first half not Disney, but I still haven't done a Disney half.

This is totally what it was like for me. Before I did a half, the distance seemed SOOO far and intimidating - but then I trained for it and it wasn't such a big deal. The marathon was the same - I was intimidated during the training cycle, but once the training was done, I knew I'd complete it one way or another. And it turned out to be an amazing experience.

I think WDW is a perfect location for a first marathon - there is so much support, so much going on, and tons of first time marathoners. I remember running by a couple of spectators who commented to one another "I can tell that these are the serious runners because I don't see any costumes!". I'm not sure I qualify as a "serious" runner but I got a laugh out of being put in that category simply because I showed up in normal running clothes . That race definitely illustrated that there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to running or marathon running - be serious or playful, set a time goal or don't, stop for characters or don't, it's all good!

 

[SarahDisney]

Hahaha! This is the best line of the day. I wanted to say something nice about your look back on your old journal and stuff... but then I read this and laughed. Also, great race outfit!!

I may or may not have said that to be funny.
Okay, I didnt. These things just come out. And I really have no idea what my plans are ... glad it made you laugh, though!
Also, thanks!

I will tell you I consider myself a casual runner (although I guess in my head I use recreational instead of casual). I've run 6 marathons. So, for me, casual/recreational runner and marathon runner are not mutually exclusive. But, I get that it's something you are wrestling with and there are still times when I get down on myself because I set certain goals for myself and then when I don't attain them, I feel bad about it and get upset with myself. I don't know why I still do that, but I do. As I get older and have more years running under my belt, I find that I don't do as much comparing of myself to others. I'm me and that's it. I'm competing against myself really and nobody else. I'd love to be faster and I do work to improve to the best of my ability, but I'm just never going to be as fast as a lot of people I read about on here. And, that's okay. I hope you are able to reconcile your feelings, because you really need to run that Disney marathon and wear that ridiculously cute outfit!! I vote polka dots with polka dots and then more polka dots!!!

Thank you for your insight!
And the polka dots will get worn. If not for the marathon, then for a different Disney race. I'm all about the polka dots.

ETA: I'm here in AK love solidarity with @rteetz

Fine with me ... that means one less person in line at the other parks!

This is totally what it was like for me. Before I did a half, the distance seemed SOOO far and intimidating - but then I trained for it and it wasn't such a big deal. The marathon was the same - I was intimidated during the training cycle, but once the training was done, I knew I'd complete it one way or another. And it turned out to be an amazing experience.

I think WDW is a perfect location for a first marathon - there is so much support, so much going on, and tons of first time marathoners. I remember running by a couple of spectators who commented to one another "I can tell that these are the serious runners because I don't see any costumes!". I'm not sure I qualify as a "serious" runner but I got a laugh out of being put in that category simply because I showed up in normal running clothes . That race definitely illustrated that there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to running or marathon running - be serious or playful, set a time goal or don't, stop for characters or don't, it's all good!

Thank you for sharing your insight and experience! It's good to hear that the feeling of intimidation does go away during the training cycle.

I think one of the reasons why Disney appealed to me as a first marathon was because it attracts such a wide variety of people ... but I'm also concerned that doing my first marathon at a place that means so much to me will just add pressure that doesn't need to be there, especially at a race that has the potential to be so much fun if that's what I want it to be.

 

[SarahDisney]

In a move that should surprise no one ... I just registered for another virtual race. It's a Global Running Day 1 mile race. It was free. I kinda like Global Running Day. And that's about it.

 

[amazingact21]

Sarah, I just happened to be reading someone else's update and noticed in your reply a link to this thread in your signature. And now I'm kicking myself for not finding it sooner! While I've only read the first and last few pages, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about your races and training and overall running thoughts. It's given me an unexpected burst of excitement for my own first Half in Sept.
Congrats on registering for the WDW marathon in January! That's so exciting, and I am already excited to read about your experience with the race weekend as whole.

 

[SarahDisney]

Sarah, I just happened to be reading someone else's update and noticed in your reply a link to this thread in your signature. And now I'm kicking myself for not finding it sooner! While I've only read the first and last few pages, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about your races and training and overall running thoughts. It's given me an unexpected burst of excitement for my own first Half in Sept.

Hi Alicia! I'm glad you found your way here and thanks for your kind words.
That first half marathon is a huge and exciting thing, and I'm glad I'm helping you get excited! You're doing the Disneyland Paris half, right? That's going to be super exciting - runDisney is the best!

Congrats on registering for the WDW marathon in January! That's so exciting, and I am already excited to read about your experience with the race weekend as whole.

Thank you! I'm very nervous about the marathon, but excited to share the experience with everyone!

 

[SarahDisney]

So ... I'm alternating between medium excited and super nervous about this barre3 class tomorrow. If I enjoy it, I'll be super happy, but I'm just terrified that maybe it won't be beginner friendly or the class will be super clique-y and nobody will be interested in helping a newbie or the lockers will be too small for my bag or someone's going to try to make me drink some sort of wheatgrass acai kombucha (yeah ... no) or it will just be too intense for me.

Anyway ... I don't think I'm freaked out enough to chicken out, but you guys may have to talk me down off the ledge tomorrow.

EDIT: Also, it might possibly be supposed to rain Thursday afternoon, and if that forecast holds, I'll probably want to run in the morning instead of after work. So there's that.

EDIT#2: Hmm .. I might want to think about just bringing my change of clothing, leaving everything else at work, and then going back to work after to grab my stuff... (it's about a 10 minute walk)

 

[jennamfeo]

After you mentioned that you were committing to try a barre class I found some barre videos online that I could do because my small town doesn’t have a barre class. I can’t wait to hear how it is!

Also +1 to running in the rain in the morning!!

 

[Keels]

I'm sorry I'm so behind - traveling from Florida and other life stuff got in the way ...

My head is a jumbled mess right now.
Basically ... over the past few days I've been feeling like I'm not a "real" runner because I run much lower mileage than many other people.
I'm also trying to figure out cross training. I attempted to do a beginner pilates video on YouTube last night (this is a video I've done before, but not in a few months) ... emphasis on attemped. It did not go well.
Today I discovered that theres a barre place near my work and I've wanted to try barre for a while, but a) I dont know where it fits into my running schedule, and b) the beginner package is 3 classes for $60, and while that's a good price (single class is $35), what if I end up hating it after one class?
Also ... I know I should just be thinking about my current plan, but I cant stop thinking about future things, and then freaking myself out about future goals.
I'm just super confused about literally everything.

At least there's pizza for dinner and beer in the fridge.

Hey guys...

So, I'm feeling a little better today. Still not great, but better.

I've always seen myself as a casual runner. Which is perfectly fine. I've also always thought that marathon runners are not casual runners. Which is fine, because I never planned to run a marathon anyway.
But then suddenly I turned around and I was planning to run two marathons. Which is something casual runners dont do in my mind. So I'm having a huge conflict between the races I want to do and how I see myself as a runner.
The way I see it, I have three options for how to resolve the conflict:
1 - Figure out why I want to run the marathons. If I have a good reason, then it's easier to ignore the conflict in my head
2 - Accept that casual runners can run marathons. They just do it super casually
3 - Accept that I might actually be a serious runner. How I'm going to manage to do this without running any more than I did when I was a casual runner is going to be interesting l, but it's an option.

Writing my marathon update, which came at the same time as some life stuff (the work computer is staying at work tonight...I cannot deal with working at night three nights in a row), kinda just brought this all to the forefront.

In more important news ... people who cold brew (I know I'm not the only one here) - do you use store bought grounds or grind your own beans? What beans do you use? I've been using the Acme supermarket hmbrand house blend, and it's kinda tasteless. I just put up another batch because those are the grounds I have in the house, but ... this is not working for me.

But HOLD UP. Nobody talks about my sweet friend Sarah like this - not even Sarah herself!

If you run, you're a runner. Not a casual runner, you're a real runner. A bonafide real, serious runner.

Are you an elite? NO. But - really, there are like 20 of them in the world! OK, a few more than that, but you get what I mean.

Your pursuit of the 9+1 is amazing to me, and how you've taken it on with SUCH gusto and have completely been able to give your life to it while studying, starting a new job and acclimating to that new job is so impressive.

I think why you're feeling the "meh" about the marathon(s) is because you KNOW they're a foregone conclusion. They seemed like a challenge before, but now? Bah, you've got this. It's nothing. It doesn't scare you like your first half did. The thought of training for it, or adapting your life around the race doesn't even push you slightly out of your comfort zone. You've already got this. You don't fail. You may fall - we all do - but we get back up and get to our goals.

I'm so proud of all the things you've accomplished - you continue to amaze me each week when you post what you're doing. And I can't WAIT to watch you crush everything in January!!

++++++++++++++++++++++

As for Cold Brew - I have a special pitcher, but I grind my beans at the market because I don't like to have Unitaskers in my kitchen. I usually do a medium roast or sometimes a chicory coffee if my store has one that sounds interesting, but I only grind it to like a medium/coarse. I also let it steep in the cold brew pitcher for at least 24 hours, but it's got a little mesh filter that's easy to pull out, dispose and clean.

 

[McNs]

This is totally what it was like for me. Before I did a half, the distance seemed SOOO far and intimidating - but then I trained for it and it wasn't such a big deal. The marathon was the same - I was intimidated during the training cycle, but once the training was done, I knew I'd complete it one way or another. And it turned out to be an amazing experience.

This sums it up really well. And crossing the finish line after a marathon is so much better than a half - the sense of accomplishment, sheer exhaustion, relief it is over, is almost incomparable. I never know if I should laugh or cry and want to do both. At the same time.

I also think Disney would be the perfect first one, as it can be enjoyed more than a traditional one.

 

[Jules76126]

I meant to come over here yesterday and tell you to not judge yourself against others in the Barre class. When I took my first class, I was very intimidated. First off, everyone was wearing the same socks. I was like "did I miss a memo or something?" Turns out the studio sells "sticky socks" and most people buy at least one pair. I own like 12 now as I bought them with the studios had sales. I also felt really out of place as the movements are not things you are used to doing and if your studios is like mine, they will do the same warm up routine for a few months so everyone seems to know what is coming, but you which can feel awkward. But I went back after that first class and soon I was way more comfortable. Plus the classes are HARD. So really everyone is focused on themselves and not you even if you think they are judging you. Also I used to feel weird if the instructor had to come over and correct my form, but it was also something I got use to.