Leaving tomorrow!

"Chicago is/One town that wont let you down/It's my kind of town..."

-Frank Sinatra

I leave for Chicago bright and early tomorrow morning! I honestly cannot believe the race is this weekend. It's surreal. I'm so excited to actually be running the marathon, but the knee is still a concern. I can only do what I can do at this point -- stretch, ice, medicate and repeat.

I'm staying at the Amalfi Hotel Chicago. It looks amazing. They even offer a free cocktail hour in the evening. I'm super excited to have some pampering time for myself!

If you're interested in tracking my progress, you can sign up to receive real-time updates via e-mail or text message throughout the race. Updates will be received as I cross the 10K, halfway (13.1 miles) and 30K checkpoints, as well as the finish line. Click here to sign up for Online Runner Tracking.

Weather.com is calling for a high of 75° F with a 20% chance of rain. Sounds like pretty good running conditions to me. :)

BIB #

I received my confirmation email today. I have a bib number! Which means that I'm definitely registered! I'm running a freaking marathon! In a week! YAY!!!

10 days?!?!?!

And still a gimp. I know I'll be ok letting it rest a day or so more, but all I want to do is run! LET ME RUN!!! WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

nearing the end

I'm about to experience a few milestones in the near future -- my first marathon, my divorce and starting over again after the "fairy tale" ending. Yesterday, I shared with many people that my divorce will be final the day after I return from Chicago. I said that it's apropos that this goal (the marathon) will be complete at the same time as my divorce. I've been using training as a release from this chaos, and it's fitting that they will both be over simultaneously.

There's a point where you've worked and worked and all you can do is sit back and wait. There's no more work to do, the pain is no longer quite as intense... you just sit and wait. I know the emotions will continue long after both events, but at this point, there's almost a numbness. Thanks to everyone that continues to be of great encouragement and support. I don't think you know how important you've been to me. I know that I couldn't have made it this far in either journey without all of you.

still a gimp

So, the gimp knees are still gimpy. I ran my 4 miles on Saturday and took yesterday off. The IT band in my right leg is still a bit tight making walking uncomfortable. I hope taking off between runs will enable me to rest enough and still get workouts in. I’m going to attempt 12 miles after work today. Not fun since the Steelers are playing Monday Night Football. I’ll get home just in time to shower before kickoff. I guess I’ll ice my legs through the first quarter and see where I stand the rest of the week.

I can’t believe it’s down to less than 2 weeks! I’m not freaking out because I’m in full-on denial mode. As far as my brain is concerned, I’m going to Chicago for the pizza and to try a Gibson martini at its supposed birthplace, Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse.

YUM...

Fun info.

Runner's World online recently added a Chicago Marathon section to their website. It's pretty cool, and a testament to how big this race is. I can't believe I'll be in the same race as Olympic runners. Obviously, I'm not on their level, but it's cool how runners of all levels will be running the same course.

They also featured an article on tapering yesterday. I like how they also have a "Mental Prep" for each week. Especially with these longer distances, so much is mental. It's funny how antsy I've become already with the decreased mileage. I am taking an extra day off this week because of what I assume is IBS, but it stinks. My legs want to be moving...

Name That Injury!

I'm changing the name of my blog to "Name That Injury!" It seems more fitting since I discover a new pain on what seems to be a daily basis. Today's pain has bothered me since my second 20-miler. I don't think my knee cap was displaced anymore. I think it's my stupid IT band because I'm getting pain in the exact same place (outside of knee and down leg) in my right leg. Yay... I made it a mile on my morning run before I cried "Uncle" and walked/limped home. Yup, a lousy mile later...

I did a little online research because I was curious why I was able to keep running on Saturday after the initial "stabbing" sensation. Web MD says that one of the symptoms of IT band symdrome is "pain that generally disappears as the band is stretched out and becomes more flexible." I guess that makes sense because I was able to run, albeit not well, after a few stretches. The website also says a few of the other IT band syndrome symptoms include:

1. Pain on the outside of the knee or hip. Check!
2. Snapping hip pain as the iliotibial band snaps back and forth over the point of the hip (greater trochanter). Check!
3. Pain that improves with rest. Check!

Ok, so I know that I'm no doctor, but all these seem to point to a big, fat "rest before you can't run the actual marathon, dummy!" Not what I want to hear or do, but I'm going to take today and tomorrow off and see what happens.

As for the rest of the marathon prep, I saved $300 on my Chicago hotel yesterday, so that's awesome! The hotel priced matched Expedia.com's 24-hour sale price. How nice is that??? It's a pretty pimp downtown hotel. Should be fun times!

P.S. Wearing heels when you have this kind of injury is not fun and quite painful. Not sure what I was thinking while getting ready for work this morning...