Something to Celebrate

Last Sunday I ran the longest run my marathon training requires. My running mate, Sherry, joined me to run 21 of the 26.2 miles we will endure on March 1st for the 31st Annual Napa Valley Marathon. The most difficult running homework is now behind us. Truly something to celebrate.

Through many practice runs and a little experimentation, I have found the winning list of necessities, guaranteed to make running 26.2 miles as enjoyable as pounding the pavement for four and a half hours could possibly be.

1. Saucony Pro Grid Ride running shoes

2. SmartWool Adrenaline Light Micro Crew socks

3. CW-X Stabilyx running tights

4. Gatorade G2 Ice Punch (50% less calories and just as kicked up as original Gatorade)

5. Clif Bar Shot Blocks Black Cherry flavor

6. Bananas every 6 miles or so

7. Water

8. Sherry Hill. She is someone with whom you want to be "stuck" if you are going to be running for hours! Funny, energetic, motivating, genuine, and still looks like she just stepped out of a salon having just knocked out 21 miles.

So these are a few of my favorite things. I have yet to determine the perfect jogging bra and top. There is still time to shop with only 16 days left in the final countdown!

Oops, I did it again.

I can't say this is the first time I haven't paid attention, but it could be in the top three of paying the price.

Last weekend I barely moved through 17.5 miles of training that my Rookie Marathon Training Plan required. Knowing that the following weekend would lend me a break in mileage, I consulted the schedule to see if it suggested 14 or 15 miles, I couldn't recall. As I collaborated with my marathon partner to determine the course, it turns out I was off by one week and THIS was the weekend I needed to run an "Easy 17-18 miles." Ugh.

I suited up with my favorite running shoes, the Progrid Ride by Saucony. Surprisingly inexpensive, this is the best, most comfortable shoe I have ever owned. I tried something new, the G2 Ice Punch by Gatorade and loved it. It packs the same powerful punch of original Gatorade with fewer calories. One of our good friends agreed to follow us along the run and supply us with the necessary water and bananas for fuel.

So Sherry and I met in Calistoga, somewhere close to where the marathon starts, and ran along the Silverado trail for 19 miles which took us all the way to Yountville. It was brutal but beautiful. The mustard is in full bloom, the vineyards are all pruned, and the weather was a kind 55 degrees. We made it!

What are friends for?

Friends are for getting you up and out of bed, out the door and ready to run by 6:30 a.m. on a cold Saturday morning.

I am nearing the end of week eleven of The Rookie Marathon Training Plan, which today calls for an "Easy 17-18 miles." Sure. Just take it easy while you repeatedly pound pavement for three hours. Most enjoyable. I was about to throw in the towel when two of my running friends joined me and propelled me through most of these miserable miles. Thank-you Missy, I now call Missy Mitochondria (you have never seen anyone pull power out of a hat like this fiery Italiana) and thank-you Gale, a.k.a. Gale Force Wind (ridiculously strong, fast, and quietly persuasive).

Running 17.5 miles does not feel good. I belted up with Strawberry Gatorade which I bought because I liked the color, and have remained faithful to the black cherry Clif Bar shot bloks. So we set out in about 39 degree weather and ran through forests, vineyards, and neighborhoods for about three hours, until my vision was blurred, my feet were numb, my patience had thinned, and 17.5 miles were finally behind me!

The reward? I made myself a breakfast sandwich with the world's best english muffin from The Model Bakery, topped with egg and prosciutto. Delightful.