Getting My Digits

What a gorgeous day for a final "long" run before the marathon! 9 miles like it ain't no thing. I rocked my compression socks and sleeves. The Starbucks crew asked me why I was sporting Britney workout attire. I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult.

The packing list for the marathon makes me crazy. For those that don't know me (why would you be reading this?), I'm a planner. I've already started laying out my clothes, goos, socks, and extra shoes for the trip next Friday. I'll obsess about the little things I could forget until I get on the plane. Tomorrow, I'll go pick up my throw away clothes for the chilly wait on Staten Island before the race.

For those of you that have asked, my bib number is 51807. I'm in orange - wave 3 and my start time is 10:40. The athlete tracker system is different this year and they are charging to get text/email alerts. You can sign in the day of the race for free and track whether I survive this thing. I'll trust that if you're my friend, you're clever enough to follow the directions on the website below.

http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/athlete_alert.htm

7 more days, Team KC. S-E-V-E-N.

On the Road Again

"Pssssssssssssssssttt --- over here" is what I heard when I got to the lake on Saturday. Maggie and the rest of the ATP group were huddled up with hushed voices. When they pulled me over, I was hoping that I was about to be given the secrets of uber fast running ("we've been driving half the course for MONTHS without telling you and *that's* why we finish half an hour ahead of you). Instead, I was informed that we were supposed to run a different 12 mile course than normal because it was flatter and meant we didn't have to take the dreaded Sperry Loop on our last route off the lake. I have no idea why that merited a whisper, but everyone seemed very excited about the secret. The thing is, I just couldn't do it. I didn't want the Sperry Loop to think it had gotten the best of me. I've solved the world's problems many times over on those streets this summer. So, while everyone else did a turn-around across Abrams, I did Sperry, Santa Barbara, Fisher and the ridiculous hill at West Bay for the last time this season. A rule follower to the end.

12 miles. Cake.

I appreciate that the ATP group let me tag along this season. This picture is sweet Maggie pretending to be mean. I have not done her justice on this blog. She's actually the most supportive coach ever and truly a medical miracle with her speed and positive energy. I am thankful that she's been such a good sport about all my sarcastic comments. Don't get me wrong, she still scares the hell out of me --- but ... I mean that in the nicest way.

The Long Way Home

Goodbye, Swiss Avenue. I won't see you again this season and please know that I won't miss you. Today was my last long run before NY. 23 miles. 23 miles is a long, long way. I was really nervous last night. I don't care how long you've been running --- 23 miles is not afraid to kick your butt.

You would think that you would feel invincible after conquering 23 miles. Instead, I cringed as I faced another fear --- my first ice bath. I've heard all the claims about how an ice bath speeds recovery, but those 15 minutes in freezing water seemed almost as daunting as the 4+ hours I had spent running this morning.

There's a specific way to take an ice bath. Put warm layers on top, grab a Starbucks and sit in the tub while you fill it up to your hips with ice cold water. Then, take a deep breath and dump in ice bag #1. Reassure your dog that despite your whimpers, you are not dying. About 5 minutes later, dump in ice bag #2. Sit in the tub for a total of about 15 minutes.

How was it? About as bad as it sounds, but it really did help. Afterwards, I took Parker to the dog park, showered, put on my compression socks and took a ridiculous nap. Not bad for a list of Saturday accomplishments.

Boo

My name is Kristi Covey and I have an irrational fear of Halloween decorations.

As I mentioned before, I run down University during the week. Last year, during October, one of the houses on the street scattered glow-in-the-dark bones in their yard. It is dark in the mornings when I run this time of year. I wish I was joking when I told you that more than once I picked up my pace to make sure the bones didn't ... I don't know ... get me, I guess.

This year, bones weren't enough. It seems that everyone on the street has gotten into the holiday spirit. University is now a series of dodging witches, ghosts, and at least one grim reaper driving a demon pumpkin carriage. The scariest by far is a house that has filled the trees with spiders of all sizes and hung a mummy-person upside down over the sidewalk to look like the spiders have captured a human. The mummy-person sways ever so slightly in the wind. I swear I saw it twitch one morning.

Oh, sure ---- you say to me ---- those are just "pretend" and they can't really hurt me. That's what you say, but you're not running by them every day. You can't see their shifty little eyes "watching" me. Mark my words --- those spiders are up to something.

Devil in the Details

Reading comprehension is usually an easy A for me, but I obviously didn't give the schedule for last week more than a quick once over. I spent Friday night printing off my map, packing my goo, charging my watch, downloading new music, laying out my clothes and making sure I got to bed early. Saturday morning, I showed up at the lake ready for 23 miles. I was literally 2 minutes from our start time when I realized through a short conversation with the ATP folks that the NYC group was only scheduled to run 12 miles that day. I had mistakenly read the mileage for the Marine Corp marathon. The upside? Easiest 12 miles ever. The downside? I still have a 23 mile run ahead of me. Oh well, as Michelle pointed out, this was an awesome surprise --- if there can be such a thing as an awesome surprise at 5 a.m.

So, this week, I'm gearing up again. I'm running 23 miles this Saturday. No --- for real. Last long run before the marathon. Come on taper!

The Underdog

Look at this face. How are you going to tell this poor girl that she has to run 5 more miles? That's the dilemma that I will be faced with tomorrow morning.

MK took this picture of me when I had the terrible 20 mile run (see previous entry). This picture is at mile 18. See that look on my face? That's the look of the miles beating you into submission. It's the look that screams "dead (wo)man walking". I hope the version of me running 23 miles in the morning has a little more pep in her step.

The marathon is officially less than a month away. Currently, fear of marathon > excitement for marathon.

BOOMER!

Today is one of my favorite days of the year --- OU/TX. I lucked out because I only had to run 10 miles this morning and kick off wasn't until 2:30. The weather was perfect and our seats were on the 40 yard line. I couldn't have asked for a better day. Are my feet killing me? Yes. Was it worth it to go watch the Sooners kick a little Texas butt? Absolutely.

Sooner win + Fletchers corny dog + Beer = Bliss.

Next week is 23. Oh, and now that Maggie will be finished with *her* marathon, she's starting a phase with the rest of us called Explosive Strength Training. Terrified doesn't cover it.