Number Nine

On June 25, 2007 I sat down and wrote a list of 25 things I wanted to accomplish before I died. One of them was to complete a marathon. On January 18, 2009 I achieved this goal in front of family and friends in my hometown of Houston, Texas.

Gabby asked me to blog about this phenomenal experience a couple of weeks ago, but I'm just now getting around to it, probably because I have been sleeping every chance I get. My excuse: I'm still recovering. In fact, it takes a month to completely heal from a marathon. But let me backtrack to a time my 22 year old self did not feel trapped in the body of a 70 year old.

The morning of January 18th I woke up at 4:45am; the latest possible time I could wake up to get out of the house by 5am. I had been anxious about the race the entire week before and hadn't gotten a good night's rest. But with excitement pumping through my veins, it really didn't matter as I hopped out of bed like it was noon, my usual time of waking up during the break.

I performed my morning ritual and headed down to make my breakfast of champions. I prefer to eat 90 minutes before races, so it had to be a portable breakfast of champions. I mashed a banana with Jif Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter, my fave, and grabbed my G2 and Vanilla Crisp PowerBar.

When Kristine, a fellow Team Joe runner who I had coerced into running the Houston Marathon with me out of promises of steak and line dance - neither of which happened as she had to head back to NYC after the race because of a meeting - and I arrived at GRB, we joined a mob of runners. I always like to watch runners' pre-race rituals as I generally find them to be quite absurd. Then you see people just sitting there with stunned looks on their faces probably thinking, "What the hell did I just get myself into?"

My runners-watching in addition to the long line to the restroom combined for mistake number two: not stretching prior to running a marathon. I did not want to stretch too early and at the start there really wasn't space to accommodate my stretching. Additionally, I was wasting precious energy searching the area for the 3:30 pace leader.

What was mistake number one you ask. It was drinking too much G2. Essentially I looked like one of those malnourished Biafran children as my stomach stretched to it's fullest capacity, appearing to burst any minute.

However, with this being my first marathon, I feel it is good to analyze my mistakes so as to make improvements and cut my time for future marathons.

So Kristine and I finally found our pace leaders, Peter, and some other dude who's name I cannot remember for life of me. Ten minutes to the start and the anxiety builds, but slightly dissipates as I overhear the conversation between two ladies in their '30s behind us.

One lady turns to the other and says, "All I want to do is make it to the beer truck at mile 22 before they are out of beer! Every year I try so hard, but never make it! This is going to be the year I make it to the beer truck." Okay, first of all I would imagine anyone who is somewhat serious about this race is not consuming beer prior to the end of the race so the beer truck must be there a long time before running out. Second, there is a post race celebration with a plethora of beer. Third, why would anyone be so fixated on imbibing crappy American beer?? To each his own.

At 7am the canon fires and the 37th annual Houston Marathon is underway. Yes, you read correctly, a canon. Mind you this is Texas; everything is more extravagant than it needs to be which I love!

So the first couple of miles were spent weaving around slow people who have a false sense of their capabilities or no consideration for others. Then there was the added task of trying to keep an eye on the pace leaders.

The first few miles were ran at a consistent 8 min mile pace. At mile 7, I thought the pace was too slow and sped up with Kristine, leaving our pace group. This is mistake number three. At one point our splits were down to 7:20.

The energy from the crowd was wonderful! There were people dressed as Elvis, clog dancers, bands, etc. Then there were the spectators cheering everyone on. But the best part was seeing my friends and family.

My mom doesn't understand my love of running, but will support me to no end. In fact, she thinks that I am crazy for running the miles I do. There's no denying that you need to be somewhat crazy in order to run a marathon as well as a bit masochistic. Anyways, she had these signs the said, "Run, Kryssie, Run" in neon orange against a navy background in which my family and friends held at every four miles. I tend to get into my own zone when I run, so she wanted something that would allow me to notice them. I couldn't even stare at the sign for too long as my eyes started to hurt because the color was so bright! Having your own group of supporters is also good way to get gel shots as my sports bra could only hold so many.

The Houston Marathon prides itself on being "flat, fast, and friendly." I was greatly looking forward to this being a flat course, and it was for the most part. However, they somehow managed to put every imaginable "hill" in the city in the race! My favorite was mile 14 and getting to run over this overpass of sorts.

Everything was fine and dandy until I hit the wall at mile 22 and never recovered. It felt as though someone took a knife, stabbed me in my upper thighs, and dragged the blade down through layers of flesh and muscle until one reached the knees. It was also at this point that the ibuprofen must have worn off, and I enjoyed the added pain from a ankle sprain I incurred a couple of weeks ago that didn't fully heal in time. (Note the masochism :-) )

I persevered and ran the remaining 4.2 miles at a much slower pace. People kept telling me I was almost there, but my legs were telling me otherwise. At 3:32:10, I crossed the finish line and completed #9 on my list of 25 things to do before I died and lived to tell about it :-)

Disaster at Mission Gorge

Ugh. Friends, sometimes you just have a feeling that things will not turn out well. At that moment, you really need to listen to your instincts and turn back. Turn back. In the indelible words of Cher, I say, "If I could turn back time.."... If only.

Let me paint the scene for you...It was turning out to be a beautiful day yesterday at 7a.m. Bird Rock Coffee had opened at 6:30am, and so I was in the car, 16 ounces of Ethiopian Sidamo and bran muffin in hand, heading towards Mission Gorge Park. There was a mist over the hills that was steadily being burned off to reveal rolling hills of desert scrub and cacti. 

The race website had told me to arrive at 1 Junipero Serra Drive for the start of the race, but when I arrived with my chauffeur (Dad), there was only one person around, who told us she had no idea where there was a race, but that many other souls had been equally lost. We almost called it a day then and would have gone home, but thought we'd try one more park entrance. We drove to the next one, where a man on a mountain bike directed us to yet another entrance a few miles down the road. 

With only minutes to spare we found our destination(wish we hadn't). When I got to the info booth, they told me they had postponed the race by half an hour because so many people had been lost. The main freeway to the location had also been shut down for a few days, but the race org had not written it on the website.

A lot more grumbling was going on from the port-a-potty line up of 100+ people, and - get this - 3 Port-a-Potties! Three! Almost an hour later, having used the bathroom as the gun was going off (at least there was tp), I headed into the unknown of the "challenging" trail race of 15K, or 9.3 miles.

The first 2 miles were an eye-opener for me. Rocky, dusty, hills that went almost straight up. I tried to jog through the pain, the burning lungs, my athletic ego growing thinner and thinner. I had to walk mile 2, which was straight uphill and slippery with dirt...and I was not alone. The huffing and puffing sounded pornographic, but there was nothing sexy about it. Getting to the top, there were some magnificent views of the rolling hills, and I had my telephone camera at the ready. 

We had a few tenths of a mile down hill, rocky, with no purchase for one's treads, and then straight up once again. At mile four, which felt like a half-Marathon already, there was an aid station with Gatorade and Gu's. For the first time in my history, I actually stopped to drink and suck(the Gu), before beginning again. When I saw the next part looming, I actually thought about turning around. However, back was as far as forward, and as treacherous. 

Next was the dreaded river bed run. Dry, slippery, rocks big and small. And just as I was thinking about my upcoming blog, "...and I just want all of you to know that YOU got me into this. I only ran this race for you, my readers(2 or 3 of you), just at that exact moment, twist, turn and pop went my left ankle. Then there was that moment when I said to myself "Shiiiiiiit!!!!". I promptly sat down, hyperventilated just a little, let the waves of queasiness run through me, and knew the race was over for me. It would be the first race I never finished.

Many nice people stopped to ask me if I needed help (yes, I did), and ran ahead to get some aid. Luckily I had my phone, so I spent a few minutes photographing my surroundings (treacherous) and texting friends. Misery likes company.

A few minutes later, along comes a Search and Rescue guy with an ATV(all terrain vehicle). I actually don't want to explain that ride, because it was so scary, but I did get a photo with it afterwards.

ATV guy took me to the next aid station where a volunteer EMS worker, Rob Sills, iced and wrapped my ankle. There was another woman athlete, Deborah, who had crashed at the same spot as I had, and had hit her knees, grazed her arm, and was generally in some kind of shock. We waited for the last runner to come in and then waited as they packed up the aid station, all in all, about an hour. 

Then, there was a rocky ride down the mountain with 4 of us crammed in the back for about 20 minutes. 

When I saw the finisher medals everyone else was wearing, I was sorely disappointed, as I love my finishers medals, but luckily my Dad had picked one up for me. We renamed it Survivor's Medal.

A couple hours later, and an ER visit with the nicest nurses and doctors ever, I went home to lick my wounds and have a stiff drink. 

I think I may be looking at 4-6 weeks of swimming (the dreaded exercise) and physical therapy. As long as I am ready for the 10 mile Cherry Blossom race in April, and the Brooklyn half Marathon in May. 

California Dreaming

This is La Jolla Shores beach, where my family and I are staying for 2 weeks while waiting for "Baby Rubinstein" to be born. It is gorgeous, especially at sunset when I go running. The beach is about a mile long of densely packed sand, making running easy and nice on the joints. I watch dozens of surfers in wetsuits waiting for waves while I sweat it out to shuffle on my ipod. 

I looked up Coffee House Running Clubs in La Jolla and San Diego, but it turns out, we really are the only one! I did, however, find a 15K trail race February 1st that I plan to do. See link at the title above. I will keep you posted!

As for my new niece, I am already planning our Saturday runs together-she in the baby jogger, wearing her mini Team Joe t-shirt, leading the way! My brother already bought me the baby jogger as my "Baby Auntie" gift! I was so excited when he told me yesterday! It is the gift that gives back(to him). I have promised him every Saturday, from 8:30am-12:30pm, he is a free man forevermore!

Speaking of Team Joe, it seems that, though I am gone, people still came out today in NYC for a Team Joe run! I am so proud! 

Thinking of you all!

Kryssie Kristine Houston Marathon

This is a photo of Kryssie and Kristine (and some other random new friend they met while running) after the Houston Marathon! Incredible! it's as if they didn't even run!

Kristine ran her first marathon yesterday in, get this, 3:28:11, coming in 7th in her age group(I'm not telling which one that is..)!!

Kryssie also ran her first Marathon in 3:32, coming in 5th in her age group!

I got a text yesterday directly after the race from Kristine, saying, "I feel perfect...".  It seems someone has discovered the runner's high. That's my Bumblebee!

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Also a shout out to Phoenix(Holla!) where Ani Go and Mayumi ran together in 4:02! Teamwork, Ladies! Nice one!

Go Joe!

Year of the Ox!

Yes, it's true. You know me - I look for any excuse to celebrate. I may be Jewish, but once a year I am also Chinese, sometimes Irish, maybe even a little bit Puerto Rican. If there's food and drink involved, and there's a toast to be made, I'll drink to that!

This year, my Chinese friends tell me, is my year! I have to say, so far so good. 

healthy: check!

running: check!

great friends: check!

I know it's only been 2 weeks, but here's hoping the good news continues.

As for Chinese New Year, check out the link above. If you haven't been to Jin Fong for dim sum or had  giant bowl of roast pork noodle soup at N.Y, Noodle Town (sigh!), or waited in long lines for the fat and delicious soup dumplings at Joe's Shanghai, folks, you are wasting away your precious lives.

Just a thought.

Post Marathon Lazies

I have to apologize for not writing since the Marathon. I guess after than much buildup, training, talking, finally completing, celebrating and healing, I just needed some space. It's not you, it's me. Really. You're a great guy, but...oops, wrong speech..

I have to say that the first week of November was of the the best weeks ever! 1. Ran and survived the Marathon, beat my goal time, had a great day, 2. Obama, and 3. Spain for a week, where I was no longer embarrassed to be American on foreign soil. In the old days, if traveling abroad, and someone asked me if I voted for Bush, I'd just say I was Canadian. Is that so wrong?

Anyway, I have been moderately running again, and I tell ya, I already cannot believe I could have run a Marathon only 6 weeks ago! Anyway, I promised my Mom I would retire from Marathon running, and a promise is a promise, so I am going back to halfs and tris. Already some of Team Joe will be running the 10 mile Cherry Blossom Festival Race in DC April 5th. Should be glorious! It sold out in about 2 hours! Wild! I also signed up for the NYC Triathlon again. Last year I missed out, but this year I waited up on October 31st till the church bells tolled midnight and signed up, scoring a spot. 22 minutes later, it was full, or so the rumors have it.

Today was a Team Joe run day. However, it was slushy, icy, treacherous! I cancelled the run in favor of brunch and a movie with some Team Joesters. In years past, I would have battled it out against the elements. Maybe Steve Bookman would have showed and we would have run around Washington Square Park about 50 times. But now it seems I've gone soft. I hope I haven't disappointed anyone. These days, the idea of sitting on a stationary bike, listening to Heartless Bastards or Grateful Dead and reading whatever recent sci-fi embarrassment for my intelligence I am reading sounds superfine to me! 

Somebody stop me!

Ugh! Marathon! ugh! Grunt!

rrr...ggrrrr...hurumph! Drool....uuuuuhhhhh....ooowwww!!!! Wowwww!!!

And that's pretty much how it went.

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OK, now I'm ready to dish. Had a hot shower, hot soup, hot sex...oh, no, that was the dream I had while I was nodding off in my soup. Darn.

So, I'm gonna tell it to you straight. No adornments. Just the facts. Cause I'm ready to pass the #@$*& out!

I got up at 5:45(really 6:45). Made coffee, my first thought on any given day; made oatmeal;ate a hard boiled egg with the oatmeal..maybe I should fast forward to the good stuff.

So, I get to Staten Island at 8. I was with Miss Ani Go & Diana for the ride down and we huddled in the low 40's degree weather to keep warm.  It was chilly! 

The race this year was uber-organized! There had to be "like" 1000 "Johnny on the Spots" (aka "porta-potties"! And they were fancy schmancy ones! Actual toilet paper and hand sanitizer!

Sorry, back to the story. I started my run with a couple of menfolk, Bill and Bob. They were very kindly and we ran a couple miles together, but when it comes to racing, everyone's your best friend before and after the race, but during, it's every Gabby for herself.

The run felt fresh until mile 23. The crowds were out in droves! Special thanks goes out to the lady with the peeled banana around mile 23. May G-d bless you and keep you. May G-d shine his radiance upon you and bring you 10 sons. 

I saw lots of friends on the course, including from Team Joe, Riccke, Lysa, Kristine & Kryssie. Plus I saw my friend/manager from work, Carrie, and my brother! I admit I may have lost about 30 seconds stopping for hugsies, but it gave me the boost to finish with a smile on my face. 

Around mile 18, my left quad got seizy( new word), but I just thought to myself, "It's only another 8 to go. That's nothing! Think of all the delicious mochi you can eat afterwards!" And it worked! I finished very well! Click above to see my times. I finished in 4:04:05..BUT, my age graded time is 4:00:39. Now, if anyone knows what that's all about, please comment and let me know. Is a time not a time not a time? Is there sci-fi going on? Because I am 35, am I so old that 4 minutes gets shaved off my time? I can't walk around telling people my time was 4:00:39! Then again...

Anyway, I walked off the muscle cramping after the race, after I thanked heavens I was done and told myself I will never run a Marathon again(again). I walked for 1:40, because that's how crowded the streets were! However, the walking helped ease my sore muscles, and by the time I got home, I was barely sore at all! Yay!

I met some friends for drinks at 5, and am now home at 8:30. Not a bad day, all in all! Race, friends, food, drinks!

Plus, we raised about $1500 for Breast Cancer Research! 

Thanks everyone for your support, monetarily, emotionally, and any other -ally you can think of.

I'm going to sleep!