One of my New Year's Resolutions is to PR in a marathon. I'm frustrated trying to get it done, and don't know how I will (but I will!) by end of year. I had a pinch in my hip after the Miami marathon, so I bagged running and went to yoga till that felt better. Then summer was here before I knew it. I ran the Amica Iron Horse Half Marathon on June 3, 2012. I did PR that race! 2:03:40 (that's 9:26 mile), shaving 53 seconds off my previous PR (2:04:33) in London at the Adidas Silverstone Half in March '09.
Gettin' older. Gettin' faster.
I actually felt myself going fast, scenery flying by. Runner's World Magazine had recommended Iron Horse for flat, pretty, PR-ability. Plus it was close to New Haven, CT where Tyler goes to school so I planned to sneak in a run during one of our monthly visits. Not that much ever seems to go to plan in my world.
Chapel Haven, the school we had just enrolled Tyler in, turned out to be a poor fit. I'm inclined to wag my finger at the $86,400/yr program, but what's the point? It didn't work. Tyler really needs a program that is more tailored to his learning style. A one-size-fits-all Autism educational programming just didn't work. His home-life was causing him a great deal of stress, so David and I took him out May 25 - just before this run.
Still, no excuses! My resolutions need to stay on track. I'm vegan almost 8 mos now -- dropped 25 lbs with very little effort, which is why my running time has improved. I still haven't done much speedwork. I feel ready to do that now, but alas, I'm starting IVF next week and so that I don't flip an ovary (you shoot yourself with follicle stimulating hormone that makes your ovaries temporarily bigger to work harder), I'm supposed to keep the workouts down to "walking" and "some light weights". The nurse said it three times in Teach Class, "No marathon training!" haha, cuz who would ever do that?!
I do it because I need it. My goals help keep me on track and generally happy. When my running/workout structure goes out, everything caves for me it seems. I've been there too many times. It's like pulling AA meetings away from an alcoholic. Not a good idea. I NEED STRUCTURE!
Honestly, that's why I have a lot of heart for Tyler. People with autism also need structure. He's back to living with us in NYC in a 400 square foot apartment. He sleeps on the couch right next to us - pretty miserable for all. It's temporary, of course. David took him to Florida the past month for more space, which helps. I was with them for the past 10 days, which is where I filmed my speed work video, below. Nice place. $1,500/month -- much cheaper than Chapel Haven or a monthly rental in New York.
New Plan might have me set Tyler up in an apartment in Toronto next month and live with him a few months till we can hire my replacement/more support. That's the latest anyway. He's Canadian, so long term, we'll have to move him back there. Plus, he has family there. Not sure how involved they want to be right now, but our hope is that if we can create stable structure, family will come around. Or not. Hard to say.
I made note that the Toronto Marathon is October 14 (87 days from now). Not really enough time to train for a marathon. If I am living there, I'll do the Half and try to out PR my last half. Unless of course I'm pregnant (goal of all goals) I'll just run for fun if doctor says it's OK.
I'm also job hunting. I have two interviews next week. Stressful, because not sure I could take them yet if I wanted. But dang, we need the money. Enough of that. Let's talk about running.
Till yesterday morning, I had no idea how fast I could run. I still don't. I pumped the treadmill to 9 to start. That's a 6:40 mile, I think. After a few minutes, I decreased treadmill speed to 8.5, then 8.0 then 7.5 for an average of an 8:00 mile according to my iPod, which doesn't make sense to me since 7.5 on treadmill is 8:00 mile. Right? I may need to run this experiment again. Today, the sides of my butt hurt. It's a great hurt! I want to do it again just for that.
