Walking on Sunshine

There are precisely four "major" pieces of news in my life or of family and friends.  Three positives, and one slight downer (but less significant than the rest, so overall it's pretty darn good).  As I sip on a delicious venti soy mocha frappuccino from Starbucks, I'll start with the most obvious thing that is on the forefront of my mind that I've been training for since July!

Walking on Sunshine - Newport, RI Half-Marathon

Since July 21, I have been training for my second half-marathon in Newport, Rhode Island.  As you all know, I'm not a runner.  But I do push some mean brisk speed walking that has gradually improved since May.  I started out in May walking at about a 14:30 min/mile pace, and now I tend to walk at a 13:45 (or faster) min/mile pace.  I've adjusted my walking method by shortening my stride and speeding up my steps.  That's done wonders in reducing injuries.

Today's half marathon (a full marathon and relay race also took place), sponsored by Amica and United Health Care, began at 8:00am on a chilly, breezy, but sunny morning along the water in Newport, RI.  At the start of the race, it was about 48 degrees, though it warmed up to about 58 degrees or so by the end of race.  I wore shorts with a long-sleeve bright orange Saucony shirt and my relatively new Nike shoes.

Saturday afternoon I had picked up my race packet and bib (#2138) and stayed overnight at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Middletown, RI.  I had chicken parmigiana for dinner at the hotel restaurant.  My stomach sadly was bothering me (what's new, though, huh?), and so some Pepto Bismol came in handy that night and on the morning of the half-marathon.  I had my clothes laid out for the morning, and for breakfast I had an oatmeal bar and half of a banana.  I drove the three miles to the Newport Grand casino parking lot which took about 30 minutes due to all the traffic, and I then took one of the shuttle buses which got me to the starting area at 7:45am.  Lines for the porta-potties at the starting area were absurd, but I wasn't about to deny my body's needs, so I actually didn't start the race until 8:10am (along with about 500 other late-starters).

And now we get to the race!  Initially, everyone was darting past me as the other walkers already started, and the late runners were kicking into high-gear right off the bat.  I decided I wasn't going to take things slow, and I immediately started at my usual 13:30-14:00 min/mile pace.  Thankful to get blood rushing through my limbs after standing around for so long in the chilly air, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I reached the first mile mark.  And the second mile mark.  Before I knew it, I was at mile 5 and feeling terrific.  Around mile 6.5, I reached Ocean Drive for the gorgeous ocean views (this was the stretch that I practiced walking the Sunday a week prior).  I found I was finally passing some slower joggers and walkers now, which strangely motivated me to walk even faster.  Some tiredness kicked in around mile 8, but nothing too bad.  At mile 9, I "ate" a GU gel pack, which boosted my energy levels.  Seeing the mile 10 post was a rewarding signal that I was getting closer to the finish line, and it also coincided with a beautiful walk through the historic mansion district - extravagant multi-million dollar mansions with tall iron gates.  Mile 12 was a blessing - the rest of the course was truly downhill, which was a joy compared to my last half-marathon in June when we were unfairly burdened with a steep uphill final climb.  Some subtle tears starting welling up in my eyes, and for the last 100 yards, I jogged the rest of the way.

Final Time: 2:57:27 at a 13:33 pace!  My goal was to beat the three hour mark, and I was thrilled to have succeeded in meeting that goal.  In fact, it was my third best pace for any of my walks, and I felt great about that!  I had walked my June half-marathon in 3:15:07 at a 14:53 pace, so the combination of a flatter course and an improved walking style definitely made a big impact.  During today's race, everything seemed to work out perfectly for me - I couldn't have asked for better results, honestly.  I don't have any photos of me yet as I did this race on my own, but I'll likely purchase the professional finish line photo of me, though, when it comes out.

I sure do feel sore in my legs and ankles, but thankfully this time around, I appear to have avoided any significant blisters or black toenails.  Well fitting shoes and a good walking style make a difference!

Today, like 2,505 other half-marathoners and 1,006 full marathoners in Newport, I truly felt like I accomplished something.

Provided marathon long-sleeve shirt, race bib, and finisher's medal

Oh, and here's a taste of some of the music new to my playlist that kept me motivated during the race:

"Alive" by Pearl Jam
"Firestarter" by The Prodigy
"King of Anything" by Sara Bareilles
"My Sharona" by The Knack
"Defeat You" by Smashmouth
"Peaches" by Presidents of the United States
"Time Bomb" by Rancid
"Pas de Cheval" by Panic at the Disco
and of course...
"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves

A Congratulations Announcement to My Best Friend

My best friend Marcus, a great guy who I met in college during the very first day of classes my freshman year, is now a father!  He and his wife just had a baby (their first) last night at 10pm, and I am so excited for them!  I can't wait to visit them - and my new "niece" Sunny Marie - hopefully in November!  I really wish I was there in Virginia right now to see them!  Congrats Marcus and Kathy!

A House in the Outer Banks?!

My parents informed me tonight that they've put an offer on a house in Kill Devil Hills of the Outer Banks in North Carolina.  As you might know, my parents, uncle, and I have stayed at different rental condos every year in the Outer Banks since I was much younger.  Recently my parents decided they wanted to scope out houses down there so that we could have a "holiday" place to stay at that we own.  It appears they've made a big step toward doing so!  I looked up everything about the place, and it seems amazing!  I hope the offer is accepted - although regardless my parents said if it doesn't, there are a few other houses they have their eyes set on.  Gone would be the standard September vacations that tend to stress me out since they're always just after we open the residence halls at work.  Fingers crossed, pretty soon we'll be able to go down there any time we choose at our very own place!

And the Sad News... Farewell to Sergeant Pepper

I bought three molly fish in late August - Champ, Wiseguy, and Sergeant Pepper.  Sgt. Pepper was a dalmation molly fish who has probably had about 50 babies since I bought her.  In fact, just a week ago, she gave birth to another batch of fish fry - and they appear to all be black mollies, which surprised me, considering all the other babies have all been dalmations, too.  Well, over the last few days, Sgt. Pepper hadn't been looking too good.  I went to the pet store on Friday afternoon to see if there was anything I could do for her, but there really wasn't.  I think her last pregnancy (her fourth since August, the frequency of which is very common for mollies) was just too much for her.  When I came back from Newport this afternoon, she was no longer alive.  She brought a lot of new life into the world, though!  I know it sounds silly to be sad for a fish, but hey... a life is a life.  Farewell, Sergeant Pepper!


Rest in peace, Sergeant Pepper!

Walking Update!

Forrest Gump once said, "Those must be comfortable shoes.  I bet you could walk all day in shoes like that and not feel a thing."

Well, I don't think I could walk all day in any shoes and not feel a thing.  But I know I was not feeling comfortable in my Brooks size 10 sneakers.  Too often, I have been getting blisters and black toe nails.  I'm sure the sneakers were fine, but they didn't fit right for me.  So, based on a recommendation from a friend from work, I stepped into Marathon Sports in Norwell, MA this afternoon aiming to find a pair of new sneakers!

The guy who helped fit me did a great job.  I'm a strange bird when it comes to sizing for shoes because I've been gifted with a significant shoe size difference among my feet - size 10 for my left foot... size 8.5 for my right foot.  It makes life difficult finding the right pair of shoes.  There are some deals out there for "mixed pair" shoes, but the guy at Marathon Sports told me he could find me the right pair of shoes without that hassle.  After the fitting routine, I ended up with the Nike Air Zoom Structure Triax +11 shoes, in a size 10.5.  I think the slightly larger shoes will help cut down on the issue of black toenails and blisters.

I splurged at the store a bit.  Thanks to the rave review I've heard from my friend Erin, I decided to get the Nike + iPod Sport Kit.  It's like a fancy high-tech pedometer that hooks up to your iPod.  A sensor goes into a specially designed pit in the inside sole of my new Nike sneakers.  Then I connect a small "receiver" into my iPod nano that detects the sensor as I walk.  Now my iPod actually talks to me as I'm walking, telling me how I'm doing in terms of distance, time, and pace.  It's not the annoying GPS voice, but a pleasant motivating voice.  Then at the end of the walk, the results are analyzed and put into a cool chart on my computer.  Pretty awesome!  If you follow me on Facebook, you'll probably start seeing all the crazy data it spits out onto my profile.

Also, if you're a walker (or a runner), don't you hate all the stuff in your pockets bouncing around?  I know I hate it - especially my cell phone!  I purchased an Amphipod Micropack Satellite that clamps onto the waistband of my pants/shorts.  Plenty of space for the phone, keys, and ID.  And the last thing I got was a long-sleeve bright orange "wicking" shirt.  All the shirts I have for walking are short-sleeve.  The weather's getting cooler, so soon I'll need a good long-sleeve shirt designed for all that sweating! (eww)

I walked four miles this afternoon with everything above (except for the long sleeve shirt), tested it all out, and I loved it!  Can you believe I'm now just about three weeks away from my UnitedHealthCare half marathon in Newport, RI on October 17th?  Oh, I can't... so pumped for it!  Check out the course map. Training-wise, this Sunday is my weekly long-distance walk, and it's the longest one - 10.5 miles (hey, that matches my shoe size!).  From Sunday on, the tapering begins - shorter training distances.

Stay tuned.

Bring It!

I am so excited that I've registered to walk the UnitedHealthcare Half Marathon in Newport, Rhode Island at 8am on Sunday, October 17, 2010.  I officially began my training on July 21.  This time, I'm able to adhere to the recommended time frame of training (I've read that 12-16 weeks is standard) over the course of 13 weeks.  It's essentially 3 miles twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays, cross-training twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, and a gradually increasing long-distance walk once a week on Sundays.  Tuesdays and Saturdays are my rest days.  In a couple weeks, the bi-weekly 3 miles will increase to 4 miles.

Today I was only two seconds shy of breaking my pace record of 13 minutes 39 seconds per mile - SO close!  Thus far, I'm happy to say I've had no pain anywhere in my body - unlike for the last half marathon when sore knees and shin splints were very common during my training.  I've done the necessary stretching before and after every walk, and I've chosen not to jog this time around - at least for now.  So these could all be contributing factors to my pain-free training.  From my last half marathon, the blister I got on the bottom of my foot finally healed after three weeks.  Actually, it's technically still there and occasionally gets a little irritated, but it's generally good.  My two black toenails are still quite black, and I expect I will lose both nails eventually - perhaps in another month or so. 

I think the biggest challenge for my training will be the fact that with my job we'll be in the middle of Resident Assistant staff training mid-to-late August and then we're opening the residence halls in late August/early September (hard to believe we're one month away exactly from the day that our halls open to first-year students).  It's going to be a very busy schedule with long days, and there may be some mornings or late evenings where I won't want to walk.  But I will walk!  It's a good feeling to walk on a regular basis, and I've found my energy level is usually higher on those days that I walk (long-distance walk days the exception; I'm exhausted those days, and that's legitimately going to be a bit of a concern). 

A little more about the half marathon: The UnitedHealthcare Half Marathon is actually part of the Amica Marathon - same day and location.  The marathon was ranked as the 4th best marathon in the country last year.  The half marathon route is almost entirely along the water, which is AWESOME.  :)  Though somewhat hilly, it's nowhere near as steep as my last half marathon in the Blue Hills Reservation.  Plus, Newport is just a beautiful area.  So I'm pumped.

P.S. - I've lost 10 pounds since early May.  That's a good thing.  Now I'd like for my body to stop losing the weight and stay steady.  A semi-sincere apology to those who are upset that I have this dilemma. 

I'll keep you updated on all the training. :)

When's the Next Race?

How is it that I have already become a distance walking addict?

Here I am, two days after a fantastic half marathon.  I'm anxious to get out and do that again!  I'm actually pretty happy today with how I'm physically feeling.  Already, my legs feel better and aren't giving me any grief.  The only thing that's stopping me from doing a 3 mile walk is an unpleasant blister on my foot (eww).  Guaranteed, when that's healed, I'll be out there once more!

I have to remind myself that it was the motivation and encouragement of my co-worker friends that greatly contributed to making that half marathon so enjoyable.  As with anything, having a support system can go a long way.  It was great to share and hear about the training updates and stories.  And they did wonderfully themselves in the 13.1 race - I was very happy for them!  And I admire anyone who can run an entire race.  Me?  I'm much more comfortable walking!  But it's still an accomplishment.  We're already talking about doing another half marathon and some smaller races, expanding the fun to others in our office.  It makes me incredibly thankful.  Shared experiences make life much more satisfying and energizing.

Although less critical to the training and the half marathon, music was also an important motivational piece.  I decided against posting my playlist of 49 songs from start to finish.  That's a lot to type, and some of the music was slower for the beginning of the half marathon, which pretty much was just ear candy for me!

Instead, here are my "Top Ten" songs on my playlist that put an extra spark to my steps!

10. Kelly Clarkson - "Walk Away"
9. Genesis - "Land of Confusion"
8. Coolio - "Sumpin New"
7. Survivor - "Eye of the Tiger"
6. Moxy Fruvous - "Psycho Killer" (don't try to match the insane tempo at the end, though!)
5. Huey Lewis & The News - "Back in Time"
4. The Beatles - "Get Back"
3. Bush - "Machine Head"
2. The Wiseguys - "Start the Commotion"
1. Dropkick Murphys - "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" (LOVE this!!!)

Peace out for now!

First Things First - A (Long) Blog and a Half-Marathon

It seems like everyone is starting their own personal diary blog.  Of course, I already started a blog on my family genealogy.  But there's something to be said about writing about your daily personal life.  I love reading old diaries and letters of my ancestors (and even of other people throughout history).  A spotlight shines on one's personality and soul when in the form of a diary.  So I aim now to do the same, albeit publicly!

The inspiration for this blog came from my recent participation in my first half marathon.  I wanted to write about it, but it didn't fit in my genealogy blog.  Sharing my thoughts on Facebook is limited only to those who use it and know me, so I decided I'd start a personal blog for all to see.  So without further delay, my first topic!

The 13.1 Boston Half Marathon (Benefiting the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation)

Over the last year and a half, I've been gradually developing a healthier lifestyle.  Eating better and going to the gym were my main paths on that journey.  Then around April 2010, three of my co-worker friends, Erin, Amanda, and Courtney, chose to participate in a local half marathon (just 30 minutes north of where I live in Bridgewater).  The inaugural 13.1 Boston Marathon was to take place in Milton/Canton, Mass. in the Blue Hills Reservation on Sunday, June 27, 2010.

Its charity was to benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.  The charity sparked my attention because I was born with a congenital intestinal defect that required multiple surgeries as a baby (and still affects me physically and at times emotionally to this day).  I feel a certain kinship to those with Crohn's disease and colitis, as many of the troubling symptoms are similar to my own.  I initially debated on simply financially supporting the charity and cheering on my co-workers.  I thought, "No way could I participate in a half marathon, especially with only about nine weeks notice."  After all, the furthest I had ever walked was about 3 miles.  I had never participated in any race before (not even a 5k!).  However, the more I considered the idea, the more it grew on me.  I also had this misconception that you have to run in a half marathon.  You DON'T!  You can walk it, albeit briskly.  So I decided to take on the physically and spiritually rewarding challenge: train to walk 13.1 miles in a half marathon benefiting those with similar issues as myself.

So on May 6, 2010, I put forward the $55 for the registration fee.  That was Step One.  Committing myself to the half marathon was the best way to earnestly start training.  I had about eight weeks to prepare, which was less than what most training programs recommended, but being a young 30 years of age and relatively fit, I knew I could do this.

Pre-training, I tended to walk a 16 minute mile (coincidentally also the minimum time necessary for the half marathon), but my goal was to average a 14 minute mile, mainly to give me some cushion time for any rest/restroom breaks I might need during the race.  The plan, over the eight weeks, was to walk between two to four miles three days a week.  Additionally, one day a week was dedicated as a "long distance" day, where I would gradually work my way up from four miles to a distance closer to the half marathon.

I invested in some good sneakers, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10 (here's a review).  I purchased three pairs of Feetures socks which are really supportive, contour the feet, and prevent blisters.  I also bought myself a couple polyester shirts and shorts (Reebok Playdry), and a nice visor hat for protection from the sun.  A Nathan Quickdraw Plus water bottle also was on the purchase list. Yes, I spent just over $200 on all of this, but the long-term investment is worth it, I think!

I also found a great web site called MapMyFitness that helps you map out walking/running routes.  It gives you the total distance and an elevation chart for your route.  This was immensely helpful in preparing for the half marathon, which is extremely hilly (more on that later).

So how did my training go?  For the most part, it went pretty well.  I did experience quite a few issues with shin splints, muscle cramps, and knee pain.  When I look back on this, I think it was a natural part of my walking progression.  However, the knee pain did sideline me from training around week six.  That was unfortunate, since that was when I was supposed to hit my maximum ten miles distance day.  Ultimately, eight miles was my longest distance day.  The week before the half marathon, I practiced six miles on the steepest section of the marathon course, just to familiarize myself with the course (this proved helpful in terms of training but also just relieving some of my anxiety and nervousness).  Then I walked a couple days that week - short and slower 2 mile stints.  I relaxed the two days before the half marathon.

On the day before the race, I picked up my race packet which included an official commemorative shirt, race bib with my first name and number (#1549!), gear check tag which I ended up not needing, and a chip tag (the electronic chip inside was "sensed" at the start and finish line of the course to measure my time).

The night before the race, I didn't do the typical carb-loading dinner, though I did have a big bowl of oatmeal!  I set up everything that night so it would be ready in the morning (pinned the race bib onto one of my Reebok shirts and strapped the chip to my sneakers).  I had a lot of trouble sleeping that night due to my excitement and anxiety.  Thank goodness I slept ten hours the night prior.  I woke up at 3:15am (the race was at 6:13am) and had a small bowl of oatmeal - I was feeling nauseous from my nerves so I kept it small for breakfast.  From there I picked up two of my co-workers Amanda and Erin, and we drove to the site of the half marathon!

Aside from the humidity, the weather couldn't have been better.  Upper 60's, partly cloudy, and no rain!  We got there at 5:30am.  Restroom break in the porta potty.  Met up with some different folks that my co-workers knew.  Before I knew it, it was 6:13am!  I took my place toward the back of the pack since I was walking.  Over 4100 people were registered (over 2600 finished).  A woman beautifully sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," which nearly brought tears to my eyes as it was an emotional and intense moment of anticipation before the race.  And woah, the race began!  Four minutes later, I crossed the starting line.  I set my stopwatch at that point so I'd know how I was doing throughout the race since I was delayed compared to the official clock time.

I walked at a slow 16 minute pace for the first mile and a half to warm up.  Just took in the wonderful feeling of the moment.  I couldn't believe I was finally doing this!  At mile 3.5 and again at mile 5.5, I saw Amanda (she's a fast runner) coming the opposite direction (it was out and back on that section) who cheered me on.  Gave her a high-five the second time around.  The course was beautiful - mostly wooded and in the shade.  Around mile 7.5, I started to feel my energy dipping a bit (after all, eight miles was my longest distance during my training) but I still felt strong.  A few minutes before mile 9.5 when the long 2 mile steep hill began, I consumed a GU gel to provide some needed carbs/energy in preparation for the final haul.  While the steep climb was exhausting, I actually walked my best pace there (about 14 min/mi).  It was a great feeling briskly walking past other walkers who were slowing down at that point.  When I reached the summit of that hill, the worst was over.  I was almost there to the finish line!  At mile 12, I called Amanda and Erin to let them know I was nearly there (they were done way before me since they were both running).  About 100 feet before the finish, I stepped on the gas and sprinted the rest of the way for the sake of pure dramatic imagery.

My official time: 3 hrs 15 mins 7 secs!  I was happy - thrilled that I finished it!  I saw my co-workers and their friends after the race, and I got my medal.  During my drive home, I began to feel the pains from the race.  Ultimately, I had two black toenails, a blister under my right foot, and pains in my calves and knees.  But I consider these ritual marks of battle!  No pain, no gain.

Nearly 36 hours after the half marathon, I'm still in awe over what I accomplished.  I plan on walking a half marathon again - perhaps jogging some of it next time and beating the 3 hour mark.  I've definitely started a new healthy habit: daily walking.  I plan on walking 3-4 miles every other day for as long as I physically can in my life (that hopefully should be another 40 years or so).

And so... that marks the end of my first half marathon - and my first personal blog entry (kind of a novel, huh?).  If you read all of this post, you deserve an award!

Tomorrow... I'll post my iPod playlist from the half marathon!