another one bites the dust

About two weeks ago, while frolicking around my house, I strained my calf. I couldn't walk down my stairs, I couldn't put my foot down and I was walking on my heel. I immediately thought, well there goes the marathon.

Since August, I have been training with a group of high school students where I work to complete the LA Marathon.  The runners start off running/walking two miles and slowly increase mileage. Every Sunday until March is spent together running, increasing mileage and getting ready for the big day. To think I wouldn't be able to run was more devastating to think about than the actual pain that was shooting through my leg at that moment.

After many ice packs, acupuncture, massage, Aleve, doctors visit and kinesiology tape, I got to that starting line. I thought to myself, if I was going down with this calf strain, I was going down during a race and not at my house. The kinesio-tape gave me a sense of security that my calf would be protected from whatever I would put it through. Since this was my first injury, ever I had no idea what to expect my body to do.  Before the injury, I was setting my goal to finally breaking my 5 hour marathon that I have been hovering around for the last four races. After the injury, my goal was just to finish the race.  

Even still, the optimist in me went to the MyMarathonPace website to print out a pacing plan for the race. I modified the pacing for a negative split (to finish faster than I start) and to allow for easy hill climbing, just in case. I set my goal for 4:56:00.   I taped the pacing chart behind my bib for easy access along the run (I hate wristbands).

As much as I would have loved to sit and meditate before the race (wishful thinking), I still had to keep thirty five teenagers within my line of sight.  The adrenaline in their bodies had them asking to use the bathroom and to check out the stadium every five minutes. We stretched as a team and then about twenty minutes before the start, we disbursed (some of my kids run sub-4 hour marathons while others sub sub-7 hours).

I had to force my body to start slow and even still, I ran a 11:30 first mile. Yikes, it was about a minute faster than the pacing chart allowed for so I slowed down during the second mile. I blame the playlist of Rock-It! Scientists mixes that elevated the adrenaline pumping through my body.  The mashup/mixes are perfect to keep me moving and the eclectic mix of songs keeps me on my toes.

The first several miles  flew by. I didn't stop to take pictures the way I usually do. Cindy (a fellow marathoner) gave some tips for the LA Marathon on her blog that included enjoying the sights, and so I did.  I enjoyed the sites chomping on my baggie of dates (my new favorite food for distance running).  This was the first time I didn't bring out my phone to take photos of anything (except for one photo of an amazing Army rucker). I forwarded my calls to my cousin that met us at the finish line and just enjoyed the race. I was, of course, checking my pacing at every other mile to be sure that I was on track to finish under five hours. 

By the time I was coasting down Sunset Blvd, I realized that I was two minutes ahead of pace and started to worry about whether I was using too much energy too soon. Going downhill was also causing some discomfort in my right knee. I popped another Aleve and sent out positive vibes into the universe. At the marathon expo, my runners recorded a quick "cheer" video for me to be aired at about mile 17. Although I only heard it (I ran by before I caught it on the screen) the familiar screams definitely gave me a jolt of energy. That, and I knew I would see Cindy soon.

I didn't see Cindy initially, but I saw her husband.  I stopped for a bit and grabbed some pretzels from them. What a relief from the sodium craving I was having. At about mile 17 is where the course becomes home turf. Our team runs on the west side of Los Angeles and I make it a point to have them run along the marathon course to get comfortable with the neighborhood and streets.  It's the psychology behind the training.  When I got to mile 19 and a kool-n-fit station, I thought to myself,  it's time. I was either going to give it all that I had left for the next seven miles and risk my calf getting more injured, or play it safe and still beat my goal.

I picked up the pace. Just a bit.

On Santa Monica Blvd, near Sepulveda, I saw our school's librarian. She was out with her iPad taking photos. I knew she supported the marathon every year, I just never found her along the course. I waved and said thank you for being out there and sped along.

At mile 22, I got a chance to see our program coordinators cheering us on.The energy in that tent was so contagious and Rosny seemed so excited to see me that I left that tent feeling energized, like I hadn't just run 22 miles.  I zipped down San Vicente blvd, shattering any pace that my chart had for me, rounded the corner to the finish line and it hit me. I was going to PR.

I started to hyperventilate as I got to the finish line. I saw the clock above the finish line and it read 5:06:53 clock time (different than chip time) and I knew it. I broke the five hour streak, finally! My leg felt fine and the tears just came. I haven't been more proud of myself. My official time is 4:52:56, twelve minutes faster than my previous fastest marathon time.

I saw some of our alumni runners at a water station just before the finish line (but I missed their awesome posters). They were screaming their heads off when they saw me. I was happy to see them out volunteering for the race this year with one marathon under their belt. If I would have seen these posters, I would have started bawling while I was running. They make me so proud!

The season is over, I get my Sunday mornings back from coaching. Some of my runners PR'ed and others were just happy to finish. One got sick and had to be pulled from the race. Despite this, it is such a great feeling to share this accomplishment with others.


I made myself lemon pie bars to celebrate. A student of mine brought me a bag of citrus last week so I put them to good use in this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened 
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup lemon juice (from fresh lemons)
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest (the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon but I think it's too much)

The full recipe is on allrecipes.com and it's super easy to make, especially for non-bakers like me.  The tang of the lemon goes well with wine...well I think so.

San Francisco marathon, I'm coming for you! But first, rest.

Fastest and Youngest

My runners had an amazing, once in a long shot, opportunity to meet (and get autographs from) the elite athletes for the race in which they all will be competing on Sunday. The elite athletes had their last training run this morning in Griffith Park.

I got invited to attend with the runners by the organization we are a part of and jumped at the opportunity. I think I was more excited than the kids were at first.

I immediately got 12 of my team of 35 interested in waking up before the sun (and before school) to drive to Griffith Park where we had a photo op and were filmed by KTLA morning news. The kids had the chance to get autographs from the runners, too.

One quote from my student, "I got to put my arm around last year's LA marathon winner for the photo. If someone got that in a photo, that would make my....universe."  He was talking about Simon Njoroge and although this teenage runner towers over the speed racer, he was mesmerized by this talented man.  It was such a sight to see these "cool" teenagers revert back to the excitement "like a kid in a candy store" when meeting marathon runners.  These guys and gals are their idols.

What a great experience for them. I am just lucky enough to tag along.

See you all out at the ASICS LA Marathon on Sunday! Remember your green (or orange)!

Made with love

One of my best friends underwent surgery yesterday.  When she told me that she was going to have surgery this year, I was worried and hopeful that all would come out well.  

After-surgery recovery sucks. Food doesn't taste the same and the body isn't interested in digesting heavy foods in the first few days. I'm not very good at knowing what to say, so instead I made her food. I think she sticks around because I cook for her so much.

Because I signed up for a home delivery service of organic fruits and vegetables, I always have plenty to choose from in my house. The last three boxes included a butternut squash. I mean, I like squash, but not THAT much.  I can only handle so much of any food.

Thanks to Rachel Ray and her "Every Day Rachel Ray" magazine, I found the perfect puree for post surgery-Roasted Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Carrots...and I added my own twist.  

The recipe calls for:

carrots, sweet potatoes, celery

• 2lbs of butternut squash (peeled,sliced and cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 1lb of carrots peeled and cut into 1/2 inch rounds
• 1lb sweet potatoes (peeled,sliced and cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 2 onions, peeled and cut into 8 wedges each
• 3 tbsp EVOO

Butternut Squash,garlic and onions

It didn't seem like enough flavor...so I added three cloves of garlic, Italian seasoning and chili flakes (Carmen is fan of sorta spicy), two celery sticks, and chicken stock instead of water.  The recipe asks us to drizzle olive oil on the vegetables before putting them into the oven to roast. I did, but I also added the garlic and herbs before putting them into the oven.   The recipes I find often consist of basic ingredients,almost daring us to make changes and update with our own flavors. This one fit that theory.

After the veggies roasted, I put them to boil in chicken stock. Then, in batches, put it all to puree in the blender.  Remember to add the salt and pepper, too!  The puree is a perfect blend of healthy vitamins and minerals to promote a healthy recovery.  It may even be a good option for infants (minus the chili flakes). 

The puree will be complemented with a dollop of sour cream on top and a lot of love while serving it to your loved ones. Carmen is in recovery and has already enjoyed two servings. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!