26.2 miles later...

Yes, I finished the Marine Corps Marathon! Woo-hoo! Was it hard? You have no idea... (some of you might).

Friday, I went to the expo and picked up my race packet and mock turtleneck (and promptly calling Andy to rub it in his nose, which only made it better that the mock turtleneck is purple and gold). Then, after buying myself presents (consisting of a new running t - with the MCM logo, MCM socks, a MCM windbreaker, and a sterling silver pendant/dog-tag chain that says, "Marine Corps Marathon Finisher"), I wandered around the expo. I love running expos - the energy level is so high and I feel like I'm a real runner (yes, I know I am but expos just re-affirm it). Then I sat in on the speaker series and had a front-row seat for Jeff Galloway's talk. It was so motivational and great - but that has to be one of the smallest men I have ever seen. Duh, he's a runner.

Sunday, race day. The night before I ate yummy homemade baked ziti (it was great, April) and cookie cake (not the best thing, but I didn't care). I wake up early Sunday (as in 5am), leave the house at 5:45am, am on the Metro for an hour until I get to the start line (by the way, some poor person decided to jump in front of one of the trains, which caused a delay that morning on the blue line). Shivering with cold and excitement, I exited the metro station and walked around the Pentagon parking lot until I found Runner's Village. I found a couple people I knew (a Marine I met the day before, Bill from TNT) and chatted with them for a while. Anxiety was filling the air (and I have to say that the MCM had plenty of port-a-potties) as we waited. Finally, the scarlet wave was getting ready to line up. The National Anthem was sung and the Navy Leap Frogs (the parachute team made up of active SEALS and SRIC) jumped out of planes and swirled around until they landed. Then, the scarlet wave was off! I was on the yellow wave, so we all begin to line up (carefully because the Marines were running the show and as one guys said, "I'm listening to them - they have guns). Finally, it's our turn.

The first two miles were a bitch. Nothing but uphill. I managed to walk the first 2 miles because I didn't want to tire myself out. Then I coasted downhill probably too fast. Then I was passed by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, as well as the guy running and skipping rope at the same time, and finally passed by a guy running and juggling at the same time (marathoners like to have fun). I saw Bill up ahead, so I ran to catch up with him (this is mile 7). He and his friend were walking, so I trotted up alongside and joined them. Bill said to me, "Erica, I'd like you to meet John Bingham." Yep. Bill was running with the Penguin. I ran with them for about 1/2 a mile, and then I ran up ahead (calling Andy and rubbing it in his nose again). But then Bill and John passed me and I was getting tired so I let them go.

I got to mile 13 in 3 hours and a few minutes, which was about the same time as San Diego. By the time I got to mile 15, however, I was tired of running. And I mean tired. I hit the wall. April (my Gatorade girl) met me at mile 15 and that was basically the last time I ran (although I made several fierce attempts, each one lasting less than 4 minutes). So I sped walked, since I had to make it to the bridge in 5 hours. By mile 19, I was afraid I wasn't going to make it, so I called people and just cried (actually, I first broke down at mile 14 - running a marathon is very emotional). By the way, thanks to Mom, Andy, Christine and April for the inspirational text messages sent throughout the run - I needed them!). As I crossed the 19 mile mark, Marines were yelling, "Go faster or you won't make it! Pick up the pace! Speed up!" I respect the Marine Corps and I admire them, but at that time I was cursing those respective Marines under my breath. As I got closer to the bridge, it got worse. More Marines were yelling. Finally, I got to the bridge and started crying - I made it! I could finish! I got to mile 20 in 5 hours. I then gave up trying to make a better finish time and went very leisurely - for now it was just about finishing. My ankles were killing me and the bottoms of my feet were like fire. So I walked slowly to ease the pain and sang from my iPod shuffle as loud as I could (drawing many a glances).

Finally, I got to mile 25. In San Diego, I forced myself to jog the last mile in, but my feet refused. So I continued my easy walk. I met up with April at 25.5 and she walked with me the rest of the way. When we get to the chute, she convinced me to jog in, which I did. Once across the finish line, many cute Marines were there, congratulating me. They put a medal around my neck, gave me a camoflauge space blanket, took the timing chip off of my shoe (and relaced it, too!) and then guided me to the food. I thought I was going to pass out. I was uber-dehydrated. The sun was beating and I wanted more water stations. I had salt crusted to my face and hair and my sunscreen didn't work as well as before.

But I finished! I finished! And today, the day after, I don't feel all that bad. The bottoms of my feet still burn and my right ankle is hurt, but the rest of my muscles (ass, quads, calves) are only minorly sore. Walking isn't that much of a problem. I'm still trying to recover from the dehydration. Yesterday I almost passed out at the Metro station (I had to sit on the ground with my head between me legs and sit until my breathing went back to normal and the wave of nausea passed). Today, I almost passed out at the grocery store. I am fighting off nausea now, and am going to bed as soon as this is posted.

I'll finish this up tomorrow. I need sleep.

I FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When's the next one, might you ask? Ask me again in two weeks, once I've healed.

One foot at a time...

My poor Astros. They lost the World Series. They lost bad, but the put up a fight until the very end. But I still love them and will continue to support them. They've made it to one World Series, they can do it again!!

On another note, I leave for Washington, DC tonight. As soon as the final bell rings, I'm outta there! I have to race to IAH because the traffic is going to suck. I think I've packed everything, my iPod shuffle is charged, I have my supply of gels and first aid....

Keep me in your prayers Sunday morning! I begin at 8:45am (which means I'll be running ALL freakin' day... why can't it start earlier?).

Ciao.

The Weather Outside is Frightful...

But it's just my kind! I love the brisk air!! Cold weather means better running for me! I jogged twice around the park for a grand total of 5.8 miles. I love this weather - it makes me want to continue being a runner.

I checked the DC weather forecast... now the chances of showers has moved to Saturday with Sunday being partly cloudy and a high of 66 - perfect! Maybe I can "Beat the Bridge." I was running 13:30 minute miles today (jogging, actually), so I just have to be strong enoughn to not slow down any. Also, with the drop in temperatures, I think I'll be able to knock off another 30 seconds on the day of the race, which will put me as barely beating the bridge!

God, I have to pack. The problem is that I have to grade assignments tonight, and then I have class tomorrow until 8pm. I was supposed to have dinner with a co-worker tomorrow (as our weekly custom, moved to Wednesday due to my Thursday flight), but I'm thinking I'm going to bail... I have to pack! And I want to make sure I don't forget anything (need to pack my shoes, gear, gels, safety pins, Body Glide, Vaseline, my runner's pack, my camera and film, peanuts, Band-Aids...)

Packing. Yuck. Wait, I have to wash my running clothes. Argh! I'm running out of time!!!!!

Bye Bye Burger King

I had my last Burger King breakfast this morning. Since my marathon is 6 days away, I have now forfitted grease. I need to forfit chocolate, but let's not get too hasty...

Finally, the weather in Houston is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!! I wore my leather jacket this morning and I can't tell you the last time I wore a weather jacket in Houston in October. I looked at Weather.com for the weekend weather for the marathon, and it's going to be nearly perfect (the perfect part being the high is 62 and the nearly part because it might rain). Things are looking up.

Two of my friends completed the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco yesterday. Delphi, who ran the San Diego Rock'n'Roll Marathon with me, finished and shaved 13 minutes off of her time. Christine is a first-time marathoner and she finished in a little over 6 hours. Both give me hope. Neither one of them trained like they should have (as I should've as well) and they finished within 6.5 hours. I want to Beat the Bridge, which is 21 miles in 5 hours (I just discovered that extra mile yesterday, much to my dismay). I wonder if they give any leeway on that. We shall see on Sunday...

7 More Days

My next marathon is in 7 days. Am I ready? I guess so. Am I worried? HELL YES!!!

My goal is to finish, and to finish I must "Beat the Bridge", which is at mile 21. I have to make it there in 5 hours. I might be able to do it. I can do 21 miles in 6 hours with an hour of bathroom breaks, conversation breaks, water stop/chatting breaks. 5 hours will be pushing it, but I am going to try!!! Running this marathon has been a goal of mine since last December, and while it's been on the backburner when school started, I still want to finish it. I'm running it to one-up someone, and the next time I see that person (which will be a week later), I'm going to wear the medal and show him the pictures. Hee hee.

After next Sunday, I might take a break from marathon running. I want to enjoy running again, and I want to not train for something. Although I won't be training, I'm still going to do Saturday long runs of 13 miles (in case I want to sign up for a random half marathon, because 14 miles isn't bad at all). With the not training, I can focus on speed training and just enjoying myself without watching a stopwatch. So I'm not going to do New Orleans. It's too much. If they have a half, I'll do the half. Plus I'm doing the Houston half. My next marathon... who knows. I'll do at least one next year. Christine just finished the Nike Women's marathon (go Christine!) and she wants me to do that one with her next year. With the medal being a Tiffany's necklace... I just might! :)

I've been thinking a lot this past weekend, as well as listening. I had dinner with Yvonne and Stephen last night. They are the cutest couple and they're waist-deep in their wedding plans. Yvonne tells me that I need to get married soon, because she wants us to be soccer moms together (actually, she's been getting on my case for about a year now). That got me thinking. What if I don't get married? Will I be ok with that? I think I will. I think marriage is scaring me and I didn't want to admit it until recently. There are so many things I want to do, and I don't know how a marriage will work into that. For example, I want to live in NYC. And I want to live in London (getting my masters or PhD at a university in England). I want to live in either NYC, DC, London or San Diego for the long run, but who knows when that will be? And will someone want to move around for me? I wouldn't want to.

There's a lot to be said about acceptance.

What is happiness?

My sophomore class is reading "Fahrenheit 451" and since each day they have a journal entry to write, Tuesday's was "Are you happy? What is happiness?" I asked that question because Clarisse asked Montag if he was happy (see, I have a journal-novel connection).

That question got me wondering. I am not happy. I pretend to be and since I'm such a good actress, I manage to pull it off convincingly. But I'm not. I always knew I wasn't, and this trip to New York made it more evident. I am bored. I want a different kind of life and I am too bored here. I love my friends and family, but I want to have adventures. New York gave me the time to have an adventure (as did San Diego). I miss exploring places and finding out new things, which is why I have to move. Living in New York will be a constant exploration and adventure. If not New York, I could move to DC or one of my other cities of choice (my top choices are New York, San Diego, London and Washington DC). I love Houston, and Houston will always be home, but I think it's time to uproot my Southern self and live out of the South.

Sorry for the whining/complaining. I'm getting worried because my marathon is next week and I feel totally unprepared, and I'm taking out my fears and frustrations on myself. Meaning I am a nervous, grumpy wreck and I can't wait until the marathon is over (actually, I can't wait until mile 20 and the bridge is behind me). One week and two days away...

Are you happy?

Avenue Q... and 5th.... and Madison...

I love New York! I had the best time. Rather than go into unnecessary detail, here's a smattering of my fabulous trip...

Thursday: Landed in NYC and, I kid you not, I started singing showtunes outloud as soon as I got in Manhattan. The day was cold and rainy, but Christine took me around and we went through SoHo and the lower east side. That night, we saw "Sweeney Todd" - it was interesting. I am extremely familiar with the show and wanted to see an elaborate set and fantastic singing. I heard the fantastic singing (Patti Lupone, how wonderful!), but the setting was blah. The director made some interesting choices - there was no chorus and there was no orchestra. The main actors sang everything and played the intstruments themselves. Watching Patti Lupone play the tuba and other actors playing the cello, pianos, drums, etc. became more interesting than watching those acting and singing at the moment. I had some issues with it, but that's because it was different. The talent, however, was fabulous. That night, I got maybe 7 hours of sleep.

Friday: Woke up early to explore. I explored, however, in the cold and constant rain (hence my present sore throat). I watched GMA and the Today Show (I saw Katie Couric yawning), discovered Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Tiffany's and other 5th Avenue things. I loved it! I loved seeing the pedestrians, the cabs, the horns honking, the people wearing wacky clothes, the immense number of little dogs being carried in bags (and walking around in department stores). After returning home (2.5 hours of walking later), I picked up Christine (she was sleeping in) and we walked around in the cold some more. Macy's is amazing - it is 8 stories high and has a Starbucks, McDonalds, and more... plus it sports wooden escalators! I saw Ground Zero (taking pictures, of course) and was introduced to New York Pizza, Tasty Di-light, hotdog street vendors, and more (I ate a lot and walked a lot). That night, I went to a bar with Christine and made a friend in New Jersey. After the bar (in which I stupidly wore 4 inch heels), we walked all around Manhattan - we went to dinner in Times Square, went bar-hopping and exploring the night life. Friday night was one of the best nights I've ever had. The company was fantastic and the evening was full of laughter and excitement.

Saturday: Christine and I went running along the Hudson (although my feet were in much pain). We stood in line for tickets to see "Spamalot" that night (and got them), then shopped some more - I have a cashmere substance abuse problem. Afterwards we went to a favorite bar of Christine's to watch the UT game (for her) and the LSU game (for me). At halftime, I decided to go shopping again. I bought nothing, but went to Bloomingdale's and Barneys. My first celebrity sighting was Christine Applegate at Barney's. I was trying on $400 hats for the fun of it and she came right next to me and started doing the same thing (although she was probably going to buy the hats). She is tiny!!! Later, Christine and I met to go see "Spamalot" - it was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't relate how wonderful it was and I wished I saw it Friday also. Tim Curry and David Hyde Pierce and Alan Tudyck and Sara Rameriz were astounding and hilarious. Afterwards, I stood outside the stage exit door with other audience members and waited for the actors to come out. David, Alan and Sara came out and signed Playbills. They signed my poster and David took a photo with me! I was so excited and I'll post the pictures when I get them developed.

Sunday was bittersweet because I was to leave. Christine and I went to a traditional diner for breakfast - I wanted my bagel with lox and cream cheese. I kid you not, the diner cook gave me a slab of cream cheese for my bagel. A huge square block. And it was fabulous. Then we ate cupcakes from Crumb and walked around Central Park, which is absolutely beautiful.

Basically, I had a wonderful trip and have now decided that I will be moving to New York. I am going to finish out this year at my school and also next year in order to save money and get an extra year of experience, but then I will be off to New York!!!! I am a city girl, and NY was everything and more I expected. I can see myself there.

Down by the Bayou...

I'm listening to the new Dave Matthews CD, which explains today's title.

Well, I am all packed for my adventure! After spending an incredibly insane amount of time hemming and hawing over what to pack, I called Christine and got the skinny on New York weather. She also told me that she might be working when I get into the city tomorrow and also on Friday. Yippee!! I love her to death, but the idea of having a solo adventure in NYC is great. I bought a pop-up map of Manhattan and I plan on getting semi-lost (meaning, I'll just walk around until it's time for me to return, then I'll consult the map to see where I am and then find a subway station on which to return). I decided not to buy a tour book because this is not a tourist vacation - this is a try-to-be-a-local vacation so that the next time I am in NYC, I can go to the touristy places and not be lost. I have an excellent memory (I still remember London's subway from 9 years ago) and getting lost is the best way for me to discover a town.

I packed my running gear also because I plan to run at least an hour a day, hopefully in Central Park or somewhere safe. I'll need to consult someone with that...

I'm not a partying gal, but I'm up for anything on this trip. I know I'll love NYC, and I have a feeling I'll want to call it "home" someday...

How Do I Get Hazard Pay?

Teachers need hazard pay. My eyesight suddenly started getting bad - my eyes become unfocused, I can't see things close to me and I've been getting horrible headaches. I went to the eye doctor Friday night and discovered that I need glasses. Again. I had eye surgery as a child to correct an eye disorder and wore glasses until I was about 12, in which my eye doctor said I don't need glasses again. The last eye appointment was three years ago and my eyes were ok. But Friday I found out that I have slight astigmatism and am now far-sighted. I ordered glasses, but have to wait 7 to 10 days for them. I can't see, so I can't grade papers until I get my glasses and my headaches are not going away. I was supposed to be in class tonight, but I bailed after 20 minutes because I couldn't see and therefore couldn't get my mind on the class. So I came home.

Another source of irritation these days is the television show "Alias." I love(d) it. I had no clue the season premier was two weeks ago, and taped last week's episode (and I'm watching it). They killed off one of my favorite characters! Being "Alias", it's possible that he'll come back alive (maybe he was undercover somewhere), but they took him off the opening credits. And there's 3 new characters, I can't understand the story and they're getting sillier.

Oh, and I'm off to New York in just three days! Woo-hoo! I'm hoping my eye glasses will be in by then, but probably not since it's less than a week from purchase. New York, New York!!!!!!!!!!!!

We Will Rock You

I was on my way home from Starbucks (where I no longer work, by the way) and I turned on the "80s... and more " station and was treated to a rare double-header of Queen. I don't know why, but listening to random Queen songs on the radio cheers me up.

I discovered school politics today. Apparantly the position of pre-AP/Honors teacher was coveted by someone else, someone who was looked over. I asked why me, and my assistant principal liked how I "think outside the school" sometimes by bringing in life outside the Third Ward into my class. Hey, I'm just being me. I can see now that I'm going to be the rebel of my hallway. Bwa ha ha.

I look forward to this new crop of kids. I haven't told my present kids, however, and had to bite my tongue when they were asking me about assignments that extended past this week. I can't tell them yet - I don't think the pre-AP teacher knows herself, plus a letter will be going out to all of the kids. I'm sure I'll be bombarded soon enough with questions of, "Don't you like us anymore" and "Why?" from my kids. By Monday the transition will be complete (wow, I can hear Darth Vader saying those words). Matt is coming into town (yea!) to visit this weekend, and he will be put to work - I have to move all the shit from my classroom to this new one and decorate it. Fun times.

Start Spreading the News

I'm leaving (soon)... I want to be a part of it, New York - New York!

Yes, I am finally on my way to New York City, home of Bloomingdales, Serendipity, "Sex and the City", Central Park, bagels with lox, gigantic deli sandwiches and most important... BROADWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christine's been in NYC for months and I finally get the chance to go see her! I am spending our 4-day fall break in the city that never sleeps. I leave on a Thursday morning and return on a Sunday, filling the days in between with jogs around Central Park, evenings at the theatre (SWEENEY!), perhaps a bit of shopping and celebrity-spotting. I've never been to NYC before, but I know I'm going to "heart" it. (SWEENEY!). Ok, none of you guys understand the SWEENEY comments, but I was in a production of "Sweeney Todd" at the Baton Rouge Little Theatre years ago. It's always been a favorite musical of mine and guess what - there is a revival of it opening Tuesday and starring Patti LuPone. It's supposed to be a smash hit and I am getting tickets!! I cannot wait!!!! Plus, I hope to see Monty Python's "Spamalot" with Tim Curry and David Hyde Pierce. I love musicals.

I am so excited I can hardly sit still! I just bought my tickets, which explains the sudden euphoria. The weather is supposed to be fantastic, perfect for a Friday, Saturday and Sunday jog (because I will be running all of those days), and walking hundreds of blocks in the city. Sunday morning will be spent (hopefully) in a little coffee shop with bagels and lox and a Sunday edition of the New York Times.

I can go on and on about my excitement, but why bore you anymore?

I'M GOING TO NEW YORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and yes... my body hurts a great deal today. My ass and thighs hurt mostly, but I gritted my teeth and went to the gym and used the elliptical machine. My toes are still very much painful, so I will be teaching in flip-flops tomorrow.

NEW YORK!!!!!!!!! And DC again in four weeks!!!!!!!

Running in Circles with Big Feet

Today is Saturday, aka Long Run Day. When training for a marathon, one should run three short runs (no more than 6 miles at a time) and one Long Run (which is typically a weekend day, and it can get up to 21 miles). The Long Run starts at 3 miles and then gradually increases up to 21 miles. The 21-miler should be about one month before the marathon, and after the 21-miler, the Long Runs begin to taper down gradually in order to heal well before the Big Race.

Today was our group's 21-miler, but I originally planned on only doing 16 miles. Remember,I said I haven't been training nearly as much as I should and therefore knew that doing 21 miles would be painful, and I wanted to save the pain for the marathon. Plus, the last time I ran was two weeks ago and it was only 1/5 miles, and the time before that was a week prior to THAT and it was 15 miles. So, my running has been sporadic and I haven't had a run over 16 miles since June.

When I got to Memorial Park, however, I decided to try the 21 miles (keep in mind the difference between 21 miles and 15 miles is 6 miles - a large gap). I don't like the 21-mile route because it goes through River Oaks and I'd rather run next to cars than large houses that I can't afford (plus the chances of being chased by a dog in River Oaks is far greater). Hating the route, I altered my path. I ended up doing 3 laps around Memorial Park (at 3 miles per lap) and then ann additional 11 miles outside of the park. Yes, I did 20 miles. If the heat wasn't so horrific, I would've done 21.

How do I feel now? Not too bad. I definitely feel a lot better than the last 21-miler (for the San Diego marathon). My legs are a bit sore and stiff, but by far a lot less than last time. Only my feet hurt bad. My little pinky toes are purple and extremely sore to the touch - I will be wearing flip-flops for a couple of days.

Running around Memorial Park is interesting. Memorial Park is the runner's haven of Houston, and this time of the year guarantees marathon trainers of all ages, sizes and abilities running around like the crazy people they are. After a while, you see the same faces over and over as they breeze past you (or zip, depending on how fast they are and how slow you are). Some wear the same outfit (hopefully washing them in between uses), some wear stuff they shouldn't, some bring their dogs, some are so fit they make you jealous. And then they become nodding buddies - we recognize each other a nod hello (because sometimes talking takes too much energy). And then there's the time you see people you actually know... but then each of you are sweating like crazy and ignore each other because of embarrassment. :)

Random thought: running 20 miles mean you can eat whatever you want for the rest of the day. So I ate Raising Cane's for dinner (yes, there's one here in Houston - yum!!!) and then I went to Coldstone Creamery for my favorite ice cream-of-the-moment: their homemade cheesecake ice cream with fresh strawberries. YUMM!!!

So, if you love food as much as I do, train for and run a marathon.