APES IS A MARATHONER!!!!

So it happened. I completed a marathon. Yes, I completed a race that was 26.2 miles, with over 30,000 people.

After months and MONTHS of training (well, except for the few months I couldn't train due to being in Physical Therapy for my sprained knees) the morning of the MARINE CORPS MARATHON arrived.

Leo and I met up at the metro, and headed to the start line festival. There we took some pix, dropped out bags off, and got in the large herd of people at the start line.

The race started at 8am, but with SO many people, we didn't even cross the start line till around 820am. Once we started....we were off! Leo went ahead and vanished into the crowd in front of me, and I ran along with my trusty Ipod. We started in Rosslyn, where it was AMAZINGLY crowded with spectators. It still didn't hit me that I was running a marathon. After Rossyln we headed over the Key Bridge and into Georgetown. The bridge was awesome because there were so many spectators lined up so it was nice to have that encouragement. Once we got onto M street, we turned left where we were able to pass others in the race that were on their way back. The route we were on was right by the water, so it was nice and calm. There was no one else on our route except us runners. That's where I met my first running group. They were an older couple who were kept pace by a younger woman (about my age). They chatted with me about my shirt (I was sponsored by O'Sullivans, a local pub, and the back of my shirt said "Follow me to OSullivan's for a Guinness") and every time I saw them afterwards during the race they kept saying "Oh look, there's the Guinness girl again!"

Once we looped around and ran back through M street, we ran down the middle of the street, with our weekend watering holes lining each side of us. It was AMAZING to turn the corner from the calm waterside path to M street that is normally PACKED with cars, this time it being packed with spectators cheering us on. What a great feeling.

I don't really remember the path after Georgetown until we got to Hains Pointe. Hains Pointe is a large park in DC that people run and cycle around (also part of the route from my first Tour de Franzia). It was a few miles to get around the park, and it wasn't home to too many spectators. BUT there was a woman with pretzels, so I grabbed some when I passed her.

One of the food stops was Oranges (I can't remember if it was before or after Hains Pointe) and I def took 2 of them. That was my FAVORITE food stop (there were 3 stops).

Back to the race...after Hains Pointe we hit ran more into the city, under bridges, down by the Tidal Basin, etc. There were PLENTY of spectators in this part, so it was easier to stay motivated (don't want anyone to catch me walking!).

Once I hit the half marathon point I thought "This is it! This is were my race starts!" I had run half marathons before, so I knew I could make it that long. But LONGER than half?? This is where I would find out if I could make it.

I got a little pep in my step at the half mark, and Felt GREAT for a few miles, but then of course I started losing momentum. This was right around mile 17 or so, right as we go to the Washington Monument. Luckily, Felipe was at that point and brought me a banana. That was the PERFECT time to get a potassium fix. So Felipe ran a little with me while I chomped on my banana and then he dropped off and was going to meet me on the other side of the loop around the monuments.

During the loop, I def had highs and lows. I felt great, but then the loop was so long. It was awesome to run past the capitol, the white house, and back around to the Washington monument. Once I got back to the monument, I met back up with Felipe and he jumped back in for a little longer.

He dropped back off right before the bridge. You have to get to the bridge by 1pm (so they could open the roads) in order to stay in pace to finish the race. If you didn't beat the bridge then you got shipped to the finish line. So my main goal was to beat the bridge. Once Felipe dropped off, I was AT THE BRIDGE!!! I ran over the bridge and that's where my emotions hit me. I started crying on the bridge because I couldn't believe I was actually making it across in time. It was the first moment in the race that I felt like I was actually going to FINISH the race!

Once over the bridge, we were in Crystal City - a few more miles left! So we ran through Crystal City, which was once again lined with spectators. The beer stop was also in CC, but I didn't stop for it. Crystal City was great, I was familiar with the roads from the Crystal City 5k Fridays I did back in April. We strolled through CC then onto where we started the race. At that point all everyone (or at least me) could think was - THIS IS WHERE WE STARTED! We're almost there!!!! I also was stoked that there were still people behind me!

Once we got past the start line, we ran through spectators the whole rest of the way. I started singing to my music (sorry to everyone around me) and started getting AWFULLY excited about finishing.

Then it happened. I was at mile 26. I had .2 miles to go before I FINISH A MARATHON! I picked up my pace, and sprinted the last little bit to the finish line. When I rounded the last bend, and saw the huge crowd at the stands, it was so uplifting. I knew my friends were waiting at the after party and not at the finish line, but I pretended everyone at the finish was there for me. I passed some people, and even though it was an uphill end, I didn't even feel the uphill. I was sprinting....and then I crossed. It took me 5hrs 30min 38sec.

Dude. I completed a marathon. 26.2 miles. On a sprained knee. I COMPLETED A MARATHON! Who woulda thought??? Def not this girl.

At the finish I got my medal, cried a little more....then limped myself to bag check. I called some of my supporters (Dad, Beaz, etc.) and then Leo to see how he did. Of course he was already at the bar...so it was time to get to the after party to celebrate.

And celebrate we did.

So there you have it. In my quest to become a runner, I became a marathoner. Now you might say "You're not a marathoner just because you did ONE marathon". Well, if you haven't run one, then you can't really talk now can ya :)

- apes -

Apes does a TRI!!!

Last month I participated in my FIRST Triathlon EVER!!! That’s right, I swam, I biked, AND I ran…all in one race!!!

I went down to Lake Anna Saturday night with my sidekick, Crystal and we stayed at Bryan’s place. The Tri (Giant Acorn) was about 30 min from his house, so it was quite convenient. We headed to dinner to carb load (yes, there IS an Olive Garden in Fredericksburg) then back at Bryan’s place I organized my gear, and practiced taking off the wetsuit Crystal was letting me borrow. It was a lot of work just to get INTO the wetsuit, so I only tried it once. After I was satisfied with how everything was organized, we headed to bed…but of course I BARELY slept!

Sunday morning we got up early, I packed up the car – and we headed out. Once at the site, it was CRAZY!!! I’m used to running races where you just show up, check your bag (if you need to) and then head to the start line. NOT at a tri! I checked in, got my bib and swim cap, and put it on Rocky (my bike), Helmet, and Tri Belt*. Then I headed to land of the markers, where they wrote my age and group on my leg, and my bib number (504!!) onto my arms. Afterwards, I headed to the transition area to set everything up. While Crystal did most of the work, I watched and guided my Dad (drove up from 757) and Megan (drove up from 804) to where I was. So by this point my bike gear was set up how I needed it, and my running gear was set up as well. Nothing left to do buy GET EXCITED (as if I already wasn’t). I proceeded to get back into the wetsuit, and jump around with excitement. Yep – I couldn’t wait to start!

I was in the novice women’s group, so I was the LAST wave to get into the water. Everyone got in the water to get warmed up, and get ready for the big race! Once it was time to start, I watched each heat start, and then I finally got into my place.

The race went as follows: 700meter swim, 20k bike, 5k run.

The horn goes off, and here we go! Months of swimming and it’s finally time to use what I know. So what do I do? I start flailing around, forgetting everything I had practiced. I did a lot of side strokes, back strokes, etc. I DID do the freestyle for about 10 strokes, and then it was back to the other strokes. My left knee started hurting, so I knew I’d be in trouble for the run. It felt like FOREVER (really only 26:48) Once I FINALLY got to the end I jumped out and ran to the transition area….

BIKE TIME!! I tear out of the wetsuit (I’m wearing my tri suit* underneath), throw on my helmet, shoes, belt, etc. and grab Rocky and we are off!! Of course, I hear my cheering section, so I throw out a wave and keep trucking. Once I am out of the transition area I jump on Rocky and we are OFF! My knees felt great, I was passing people (25 people actually!), and I was snacking on my Chomps. It was a GREAT ride, and then….it was over. I completed the bike in 46:05. I jumped off the bike and headed back to the transition area for the last leg of the race…

THE RUN!! I threw off my helmet, parked Rocky, and switched shoes….and started my 5k. I kept thinking, it’s just a 5k, just a 5k. But with that first step, I knew it was going to be a long 5k…my knees hurt, and they hurt bad! But I had to suck it up! So I trekked up the first half, and then to the turn around. I got complimented from another runner about my tri suit, so that kept me occupied for a few min (we couldn’t wear headphones). Then it was the final stretch…through the woods. It was a few hundred feet through the wooded part of the park, and the tree roots were pretty high out of the ground. But I ran over them, and then I came to the clearing….I COULD SEE THE FINISH! It was sprinting time. So off I went! I ran past my crowd, and through the finish…clocking in at 1 hour 56 minutes 47 seconds. Not the best time, but it was my first one, and I was racing with an injured knee.

It was a GREAT experience!!! One that I DEF want to do again. While I may never do an Olympic size triathlon, I do like the sprint distance and am looking forward to doing another (once the season starts up again).

*Tri Belt: a belt that holds your bib. You wear your bib in the bike when your biking, then turn it to the front when you’re running

*Tri Suit: Suit made to cut down on transition time. It’s similar to bathing suit material so you can swim in it, fast drying, has a small chamois for biking, but not too heavy so it doesn’t bother you when you swim or run.

Next up…a MARATHON!!!!

- apes -

I'm Back!!!!

Hello strangers!!!

I know I know…I haven't blogged in MONTHS!! But, there’s a VALID reason. My schedule. Yes, that’s right, my schedule is so busy that I don’t even have time to sit down once a week and write up a blog L

Why is it so busy you may ask? Well…BECAUSE ITS RACE SEASON FOR APES!!! That’s right readers…I am in FULL ON RACE MODE. Starting with Labor Day Weekend I have a race almost every weekend…check it:

9/5: Half Marathon
9/19: Half Marathon
9/25: 10k
10/3: Sprint Tri
10/31: MARATHON

So needless to say, I am working out a bunch! Along with double duty on the job front. Now, while I could easily blog during my TV-show times (Trueblood, the new Hellcats, etc) it’s hard to focus on sweet shows while writing. AND YES, I could blog during commercials…but our Internet is just so spotty sometimes. So there. You have ALL my excuses. I will try to update on a more regular basis (maybe once a week at least), OK?

So…now for the actual meat of the blog:

Back in July I had my anniversary race…the Crystal City Twilighter 5k. It was apparently the hottest day of the summer. So hot in fact, they put “misters” on the route to keep up from melting. There were 2 of them…so not overly helpful, but it felt nice running through them. My time wasn’t my best…but wasn’t my worst! The time didn’t really show too much of a difference that my year of running made L It took me about 15 min after the race to finally catch my breath…IT WAS SO HOT AND HUMID! But luckily that didn’t stop my fan club from coming out: Roomster, Alex, and the cute couple – Girl Alex and Cole (thanks guys!).

Not too much training happened from that race to the Labor Day Half Marathon in VA Beach, but I was DETERMINED to beat those I was running with (mom, sister, and aunt). My aunt and I paced each other, and I fell a little behind on the last mile, so she ended up beating me by 4 seconds (ugghh) but I did beat my mom and sister…by like 30 min!! My end time was 2hrs: 27min: 41 sec. About a minute slower that my half marathon back in March. However, I did NOT walk at all during this race (which probably didn’t do too well for my bad knees) so I was proud of that. The race wasn’t too bad, I hit my runners high at mile 8, and hit my wall at mile 11. But I kept through. That means I have a whole 2 half marathons (or….a FULL marathon) under my belt! Woo hoo! There weren’t too many spectators at this one, but the bands and cheer squad at each mile def were good pick-me-ups.

My knee hasn’t been feeling too hot after my last half, so I’ve been resting it. HOWEVER, I do have a half marathon this Sunday….so let’s hope I am able to run it. Cross your fingers.

There you have it, my latest update on my running adventures. Hopefully I’ll be able to update my blog each week after my race…and eventually I’ll have to start incorporating my adventures outside of exercising (with my move in April to Thailand I am sure to have PLENTY of adventures)!

Thanks for checking in, and special thanks to those on my case about not blogging lately!!

- apes –

PS – since I am doing this on my phone, I couldn’t add pix..but if you want to see them, just go to my facebook page (click my facebook link on the left) to check me out in action.

Playing in the crosswalk

Wednesday after work Spicy and I went for a run through Clarendon. So we jetted off, and Spicy decided to use the run to work on my stride. I was VERY happy, because even though I have long legs, my stride is SUPER short. I was just never taught how to run correctly. Luckily, Spicy was ready to work with me!

He tried to get me to simply elongate my stride, but I was NOT getting it. So he (knowing me VERY well) decided to make a game. Every time we pass a crosswalk, I would stretch my stride to hit each white line. That would elongate my stride and use my back leg to push me forward instead up my “up and down running” that I usually do. So of course, I LIKE GAMES, so I played along. I def DID feel the difference and hopefully with enough practice I can get my stride to STAY that long.

As we rounded back to the shop, I was going SUPER slow, but once we got to Clarendon metro, I got a second wind and jetted out my long stride all the way back to the shop. It wasn’t a sprint, just bigger steps. Needless to say, I was QUITE proud of myself, and even Spicy was proud of my going as far as I did on my newfound stride.

Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves from our 3.5mile run with a naked juice from whole foods (as it was already 10pm and WAY too late to try and cook something at home)!

I have my anniversary race this weekend: Crystal City Twilighter 5k. This was my first race EVER (besides middle school track) and I am really hoping to incorporate my longer stride and shave off some of my time from last year….so let’s see what I can do!

- apes -

Dear Santa...

After I took Erwin the Black Stallion out for our first ride, I realized there were a few items I need to look into getting for us.

- Bike Computer: I can find out how far I travelled, AND how fast I go. I don’t need a crazy one, just a simple one with the basics: distance, speed, time, stop watch, etc.

- New Chamois: I currently ride wearing the “diaper shorts” so I don’t get too sore, but I DEF need some new ones (partially so I don’t have to do laundry after EVERY stinky ride) with some different padding. Riding Black Stallion is a little different than riding cupcake, and with the different posture on the bike, my soreness happens in different spots

- A Jersey: A nice wicking jersey to keep my cool. Cycling jerseys have pockets in the back so that way I can store stuff without it getting in my way in front pockets. I already want to get a Revolution Cycles jersey (duh!) but I think first I am going to get a regular sleeveless one for fun rides. I hope I eventually get a small collection of sweet jerseys!

- New Pedals: I knew I wanted these anyways since this is a racing bike. I am looking at getting some RED pedals, and then probably some new shoes as well.

So if you guys are looking for “any occasion” type gifts….there’s some ideas :)

- apes -

My first peloton

Sunday morning I awoke to the sound of my cell phone buzzing…my alarm clock. It was 8am on a Sunday morning. WHAT AM I DOING AWAKE SO EARLY AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING?!?!? Ahh….I remember. It’s the morning of my first group bike ride!

So I get up, chug down some water…and get geared up for the big ride. Alex and I do a warm-up ride into Clarendon to the shop to meet the group. Francis and Spicy were both already at the shop getting suited up, and there were a few others outside waiting to ride.

Once Jess (the group leader) showed up, it was time to ride! She introduced all the staff members and then it was off to Georgetown. Click, Click, Click went the sound of about 30 riders clipping in and taking off for our next stop. I took an easy pace in, and chatted with a few of the riders around me that I knew.

When our peloton got into Georgetown, we met with the group out there. The group would break off here and we could either do the “beginners ride” of about 17 miles on the trails or the “more experienced ride” of about 30 miles at a 17mph pace on roads. Of course me being me, I decided to hang with the big dogs and do the 30 miler.

Click, Click, Click goes everyone clipping into their pedals and heading off. Up comes the first hill…kicking my butt and putting me way into the back. I can still see the whole group, so maybe I can eventually catch up. Then comes hill number 2. HA, there’s NO CHANCE of catching up. Luckily Alex stayed with me and we did our own ride. Jess came back looking for us, but I told her not to worry about dropping us, Alex was safe since he was “with a staff member” – which apparently means we can get any of the riders back to the starting point. Ha! So off she went to catch up to the group.

Alex and I stayed on MacArthur Blvd. on the way to Maryland and passed the Glen Echo Park (apparently used to be an amusement park) and rode for about 15 miles. Then we turned back around and he taught me how to “ride out of my saddle” (not sitting), how to “climb” (pedal while out of my saddle while going uphill) since I was always too scared of falling over to try it before. Now that I had THAT mastered, going uphill wasn’t so bad!

On the way back other cyclists kept passing us in their race line and I said “I just want to pass SOMEONE!” and later, I did it! I passed Alex. We ended up playing a game of leap frog and I got to work on sprinting. Alex clocked us on his bike computer at getting up to 21mph!

Once at the key bridge I hear some familiar voices “How’d it go April?!?” – what do you know, it was part of the original group! They caught up to us on the bridge, and we stuck with them a little on the way back to the store. Once at the store (and exhausted after 30 miles!) we biked over to Robek’s for some after-riding-smoothie. A smoothie has NEVER tasted so good!

Back at my place (almost noon!) it was time to muster up the energy to make it to the pool to nap. I don’t know how I found the energy, but I didn’t last too long at the pool before I was napping in the sun!

I can’t wait to take Black Stallion out on another group ride (but this time I may stick with the Georgetown group till I get good enough to do that 30 miler again).

- apes -

You shall be named...

Thursday afternoon I picked up Erwin. He is a BEAUT!!! So I decided my first ride would be on Friday evening. Since everyone already had plans, I decided to go by myself and get a little bonding in with my newest addition to my “wheel family”.

Once home from work on Friday I suited up, and went to switch me pedals from Cupcake over to Erwin. Cupcake was NOT happy! I got her first pedal off fine, but the right pedal (my dominant foot) would NOT budge. I tried over and over, but couldn’t loosen it. Eventually I gave up and ended going on my ride with my left foot clipped in and my right foot in the toe cage (not fun).

I knew there was a trail in Ballston but couldn’t remember which one it was (Custis Trail) so I headed through Arlington to hop on it. About a block from my place, my IPOD died and I wasn’t too happy. Once on the trail, I followed it around (passing the 5k race I was supposed to do) a few miles – past a MILLION parks! Once I stopped for a water break/leg stretch I took a few pix of the new bike and then headed back the way I came.

Once I got to where I was supposed to turn to stay on the trail and head home, I decided I was NOT done bonding with Sir Erwin. So I continued on (it turned into the W&OD trail) and I rode along the quiet path. There were a few runners, and a few bikers, and it was AMAZINGLY peaceful. I didn’t mind that my IPOD had died and I was just out “being one with nature” – well, as “one” as you could get while riding a bike on a bike path.

During my bonding, I needed to figure out what to call my new set of wheels. My thinking went something like this:

Let’s see, he def needs a manly name since he’s a cyclocross bike. Something like HANS that makes you think of a super muscle meathead. The frame is made of steel…BLUE STEEL! But there’s no blue. Red Steel? Nah, that’s weird. Ginger (since I want to rewrap the bars in red) YUCK! I am NOT having a “Ginger” bike! Red Stallion? That’s reminds me of that creepy guy from Longwood Freshman year...DEF not. BLACK STALLION!!!! Done! He’s a black frame, and stallions are manly and can move fast! DONE AND DONE.

Erwin, my Black Stallion. It’s a pleasure to have you in my life.

Anyways, back to the ride. So after I was on the W&OD trail for a few miles (passed some people too, woo hoo) the trail dumped onto Columbia Pike (Barcroft) so I decided since it was after 8pm (and roomster was cooking dinner) I would go ahead and ride Columbia Pike the rest of the way home. So I turned into the direction I thought was east (towards home) and started on Black Stallion once again. I rode a few blocks and thought “I hope this is the right way” as with Columbia Pike being super hilly, I didn’t want to ride a while in the wrong direction. So I saw a man walking on the sidewalk and decided to stop and ask him which way to the city.

Me: Excuse me, is the city that way? (pointing)

Spanish looking Man: What?

Me: Is the district in that direction? (pointing)

Spanish looking Man: Confused look

Me: La ciudad….esta direccion (pointing) o esta dirrecion (pointing)? Luckily I remembered that much from Spanish class.

Spanish looking Man: I understand English.

Me: Oh, um. Well, which way is East? To the city?

Spanish looking Man: Confused look again. DC is that way (pointing to the direction I was already going) and that way (pointing in other direction) is not DC.

Me: OK. So DC is THAT way?

Spanish looking Man: Yes.

Me: Ok thanks.

WTF?!?!?!?!!?!?!

So I jumped back on Black Stallion and finished my ride, NOT stopping to ask anyone else anything.

- apes -