November 3, 2009
Running New York City Marathon in the Slow Lane

OMG my Eiffel Tower running buddy got his picture in the NY Times!!!

(For the record, I’m entering the lottery to run it again next year — marathon, I ain’t done with you yet!).

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November 2, 2009
You guys, the marathon is officially signed, sealed and duh-livered (and yes, this guy carrying the freaking Eiffel Tower beat me. Fucking Frenchies!). Anyway, the story is that I went out strong and kept to my 13-minute mile pace for about the first ten miles (which was to have me on track for 5 1/2 hours). I was so pumped with adrenaline that I didn’t even notice my hip sprain. I was walking on air! Light as a cloud! Full of joy! Then I ran into some friends, started dancing, playing around, taking my time. At the half-marathon point I was off pace, but not terribly. Still thought I might pull it out. Then my hip completely lost feeling. Totally numb. And I started big-time limping. I started in on an alternating run-walk thing on the Queensboro Bridge until just about the Bronx, when I looked down and realized that my hands were ENORMOUS. Totally swollen. That kind of freaked me out, and I decided to take it easy. Completely walked through the Bronx, but was still pretty speedy and having fun, until I hit the wall at 138th and 5th. Wanted marathon to END there. Thankfully my besties were waiting for me at 110th, and they did a big A-M-Y cheer for me that made me burst into tears. They fully walked me in the last 3 miles. I think I looked like the Tin Man. My hip was completely stiff. I managed to run the last little bit so that I’d look all cool and runner-y in my crossing-the-finish-line photo. Collected my medal, and then the adrenaline instantly seeped out of my system and I considered just laying down and waiting for someone to come collect my body. But I didn’t! My final time wound up being reallllllllly slow. The last 6 miles or so were positively brutal. But considering that I hadn’t run in 4 full weeks and my hip was sprained AND I lost a ton of training due to the stupid ankle tendinitis…overall, I’m just glad I finished. And I feel super pleased with the first half of the race. I took it very conservatively, but I felt strong and bueno. And the second half, though it was mostly just about dragging my ass over the finish…I’m glad I made it. And finally, the NYC Marathon is the most fun thing on earth. I LOVED it, and I can’t wait to do it again without a sprained hip. Hooray! ps - Arie finished in 4:01. He’s the man! pps - We raised over $5500 for Autism Speaks. So everyone wins.

You guys, the marathon is officially signed, sealed and duh-livered (and yes, this guy carrying the freaking Eiffel Tower beat me. Fucking Frenchies!).

Anyway, the story is that I went out strong and kept to my 13-minute mile pace for about the first ten miles (which was to have me on track for 5 1/2 hours). I was so pumped with adrenaline that I didn’t even notice my hip sprain. I was walking on air! Light as a cloud! Full of joy! Then I ran into some friends, started dancing, playing around, taking my time. At the half-marathon point I was off pace, but not terribly. Still thought I might pull it out.

Then my hip completely lost feeling. Totally numb. And I started big-time limping. I started in on an alternating run-walk thing on the Queensboro Bridge until just about the Bronx, when I looked down and realized that my hands were ENORMOUS. Totally swollen. That kind of freaked me out, and I decided to take it easy. Completely walked through the Bronx, but was still pretty speedy and having fun, until I hit the wall at 138th and 5th. Wanted marathon to END there.

Thankfully my besties were waiting for me at 110th, and they did a big A-M-Y cheer for me that made me burst into tears. They fully walked me in the last 3 miles. I think I looked like the Tin Man. My hip was completely stiff.

I managed to run the last little bit so that I’d look all cool and runner-y in my crossing-the-finish-line photo. Collected my medal, and then the adrenaline instantly seeped out of my system and I considered just laying down and waiting for someone to come collect my body.

But I didn’t!

My final time wound up being reallllllllly slow. The last 6 miles or so were positively brutal. But considering that I hadn’t run in 4 full weeks and my hip was sprained AND I lost a ton of training due to the stupid ankle tendinitis…overall, I’m just glad I finished. And I feel super pleased with the first half of the race. I took it very conservatively, but I felt strong and bueno.

And the second half, though it was mostly just about dragging my ass over the finish…I’m glad I made it.

And finally, the NYC Marathon is the most fun thing on earth. I LOVED it, and I can’t wait to do it again without a sprained hip. Hooray!

ps - Arie finished in 4:01. He’s the man!

pps - We raised over $5500 for Autism Speaks. So everyone wins.

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October 30, 2009
My BFF’s Tim and Anastasia’s new baby is on Chicago Public Radio’s blog wearing her Halloween costume. She’s dressed as a Chicago-style hot dog. (Click picture to see full post). Aww…baby’s first taste of internet-fame! A tiny hot dog!

My BFF’s Tim and Anastasia’s new baby is on Chicago Public Radio’s blog wearing her Halloween costume. She’s dressed as a Chicago-style hot dog. (Click picture to see full post).

Aww…baby’s first taste of internet-fame! A tiny hot dog!

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Best Aunt Ever

That’s right. I rule. I’m the best Aunt ever.

While I’m busy being consumed with pre-marathon anxiety over my various injuries, my under-training, my general crowd phobia, etc., I’m trying to remind myself that the reason why I signed up to run this monster in the first place was to raise money for Autism Speaks on behalf of my fly nephew, Evan.

Amazingly enough, Arie and I have raised $5,553!!

We are already $353 over the amount we originally set out to raise, but I thought I’d make one last plea…

If you can make even a small contribution, please visit:

http://tinyurl.com/amy-arie

And thank you again to everyone who already contributed. When I feel like giving up on Sunday…or when I’m being carted off in that ambulance…

I’ll totally think of you.

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Hot NYC Marathon Tip

It seems that the Jacob Javits Convention Center isn’t just hosting the NYC Marathon Expo this weekend…it’s also hosting…wait for it…AMERICA’S GOT TALENT AUDITIONS!!!

Good thing I’m so awesome at multi-tasking.

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counteracting mantras

I am the baddest bitch out there! I feel no pain! I will not be stopped!

Related: Nothin’ wrong with 8 hours.

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things to fret over: 48 hours 'til marathon edition

1. Why oh why must my face turn beet red when I run? I feel as though I’ll be the reddest person out there, and people will naturally think I’m having a heart attack (I might be), and that will be embarrassing. Damn ye, Irish face and your reddening tendencies.

2. Spitting and snot rockets. I’m kind of gross when I run. Where can I do these things discreetly?

3. That nagging hip injury. Still stiff. Still hurts. Freaking. Out. All evidence points to the conclusion that I’m going to run a mile and then it’s going to start really bothering me. With 25 miles to go.

4. The blister situation. Yup. Still an issue.

5. What if I barf?

6. What if my pants rip?

7. What if everyone laughs at me?

8. What if i just can’t go on?

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Today: Amy & Arie: 6 years of bliss, bitches!

Today: Amy & Arie: 6 years of bliss, bitches!

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October 29, 2009
That is all.

That is all.

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October 28, 2009

Hot NYC Marathon Tip

icanseenewyorkcityfrommyhouse:

Friends tell me that no matter where you are corralled for the start on Sunday it would be in your best interest to go to the upper level of the Verrazano Bridge. No matter what the forecast calls for on Sunday, there are always showers on the lower span of the Verrazano Bridge on race day. Catch my drift?

See you guys at mile 18-19!

Great, so not only am I going to be attempting to run 26.2 miles with a sprained hip flexor that is STILL causing me to limp 3 1/2 weeks later, but now I need to worry about dudes pissing on my head as well?

I’m doing my best to Eye Of The Tiger myself up, but if we add any bad weather into this mix things are going to get right ugly, quick. 

SIGH.

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