Personal Best at the "Golden Mile"

As the supportive wife of a Boston College Eagle, I participated in the MBA 5K this past weekend.  Proceeds from the race benefited The Doug Flutie Foundation for Autism .  Before the race, I had obviously heard of Doug Flutie from his football connection to BC and Massachusetts, but never put a face to the name.   If you can relate, this is what he looks like (circa 1998):

On Saturday, I had a long stare (2.5 miles worth) at Doug’s backside profile.  I kept at his heels for most of the race, and then at the hill just past the reservoir, I swept past him.  I couldn’t help but think how great it felt passing the famous QB on that challenging hill and beating him in a road race. Yes, this was a “fun run” for CHARITY, but it would give me something to talk about in my blog this week-Selfish?!  Well, a few hundred feet from the finish line, he sprinted past me—I am still coughing up the dust he left behind…

SO, the only thing I can gloat about is my Personal Best 5K time (26:00.1).

The race took place at Chestnut Hill-right at mile 21 of my upcoming race-also known as The Golden Mile.  Recent news has me looking forward to this stage in the race on Monday- Click this link from the Boston Globe Looking forward to seeing positive results for the “Mile 21 Campaign” (wink wink)!  Good luck Eagles!

#24819

Don't worry, this won't be a post about the 24,819 reasons why I am decided to run another marathon...






#24819 will be my identity on April 18th and incase you blink or loose me in the crowd of 27,000 singlet wearing/gatorade drinking/rather be sleeping/maybe even working/tired of training runners, you can always track this way:

***in your "TO" field enter 345678 and in your "MESSAGE" section enter RUNNER--then directions will follow in which you will need my bib number #24819***


For those of you that "DON'T DO TEXTING" (JP!!), you have other ways to receive alerts (the following is brought to you by www.baa.org--I will take credit for the CTRL C-CTRL V command techniques):

• EMAIL - Continue to the registration page for the AT&T Athlete Alert on the race website. Sign-up using your mobile phone number for SMS text message updates, or by entering an email address for email updates. Click here to sign up now.
  
• ONSITE - If you prefer to register in person or have any questions, representatives will be available in the Bib Number Pick-Up area at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo on Friday, April 15, from 2:00pm-7:00pm, and on Saturday and Sunday, April 16 and 17, from 9:00am-6:00pm.

If you register a mobile phone online, you will receive a message asking you to confirm your intention to receive updates from the 2011 Boston Marathon AT&T Athlete Alert. Once you’ve completed registration for AT&T Athlete Alert, you will receive text updates courtesy of AT&T and the Boston Marathon when your runner has crossed the following points on the course:

10K
Half-Marathon
30K
Finish

Registration through the BAA website will close on race day, April 18th, at 6:00am. However, AT&T is pleased to announce that registration via mobile phone text messaging (for US mobile phones only) will remain open during the marathon.

Two (Kenyan Speed-like) Course Videos

The "LONGER" version of 26.2 miles to Boston (shown in 8 minutes!)




The "SHORTER" version of 26.2 miles to Boston (in under 6 minutes)

Training Time has FADED into Taper TIme

With only 11 days  until
the 2011 race, the 2010 Finish
Line at Copley Square fades fast...

EMAIL I SENT OUT EARLIER THIS WEEK:

Life just won't slow down, will it?  I am having a hard time coming up with something creative for my blog and the time to do it, but there are only so many hours in the day.  However, I easily came up with a list (or three) of the things I can't WAIT to do once the marathon is over! 

I did want to send out an email to my biggest supporters after receiving an email from the Boston Athletic Association titled:

Two weeks to go: Bib Number Pick-up, Wave & Corral Assignments, Getting to Hopkinton, and more...

I stopped in my tracks when I just saw this.  Really??  ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS?  14 Days??  Today marked my 5 year anniversary with my employer, Professional Alternative.   If the next two weeks go by as fast as the 5 years with Profalt have...then OH BOY I better get on the fundraising!! 

Training update:

Convenient for myself--we are in the TAPER phase of training!  This means reducing weekly and long runs to fully recover and allow my body to rest for the 26.2 miles.   Because of my recent injury, the timing worked out well!  For WHATEVER reason, I have developed an "inflamed" tendon on my left foot!  I have been checked by the doctor, trainers, coaches, etc. and if you check the history of my computer-you can see I have also done alot of GOOGLE research on how to make it better.  Once we collaboratively find a solution beyond RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and NSAIDs, I will be sure to share!  In the meantime, I am taking it one day at a time!

I will do my best to get to work on my blog!  Volunteers are welcome to help me out here!!

The DAY OF events are still being finalized, but it will end with an open food and drink invitation (hopefully on our roofdeck) for anyone coming to town! 

Thank you again for all of your continued support to an amazing organization!!!  Please feel free to pass on my fundraising link to anyone interested in supporting the future of Mass Eye and Ear!

www.firstgiving.com/elizabethnuzzo

I will be in touch soon!

xoxo,

Liz 

Virginia is for LOVERS and RUNNERS!

Terms from a Runner’s Glossary:

Carbo-loading The dietary practice of eating (and drinking??) a high carbohydrate diet (approximately 60-70% of total calories) for the three days leading up to a race to maximally fill the glycogen stores

***This was my first time to a Carrabbas.  I highly suggest the Pasta Sostanza, 
Tagliarini with sautéed mushrooms, artichoke hearts and spinach
in tomato basil sauce topped with seasoned breadcrumbs.  

ClimaCool® A high-performance mesh material used in athletic apparel for its ventilation, moisture wicking properties and quick dry time; brand name of Adidas®

***Since it was a “SHAMROCK” themed race, it was only appropriate to wear GREEN.  Lucky for me, the 2011 Boston Marathon ClimaCool Supernova Tee is GREEN this year!  It was the perfect 

Endorphins Chemicals in the brain which create a feeling of euphoria; said to be the cause of the "runner's high"

***My Endorphins didn’t level off until a few days after the Yuengling Half-Marathon!

Half-marathon 13.1 miles; 21.1K

Kick A finishing sprint at the end of a race

Negative Splits Running the second half of a race faster than the first half  

***For a visual of my SLIGHT Negative Split and Kick in my race http://connect.garmin.com/player/74474303

PR Personal Record

SUB 2 Hours Completing a race in less than 2 hours

***Two of my achievements from last weekend when I ran in the Virginia Beach 1/2 Marathon!!!!

I loved everything about this race: the location, the swag, the volunteers, the post-race party with unlimited beer on the beach, the sand sculptures, and the list goes on...

 Looking forward to going back next year!  

¡Yo Quiero Mofongo!

Vacation: a break, a trip, a rest, an escape…

Last week, I allowed myself to take a break from reality—work, marathon training, dog walking, housekeeping, and so many other activities that make up my daily routine in LIFE.   It was hard to do, but I turned my back on it all and escaped to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    

  


                                        
This was my second journey to the Caribe Hilton (origin of the Pina Colada)– and I couldn’t think of a better place to be!  The mint in the mojitos was fresh, the white sand was warm on my tired feet, 90-degree sunrays melted away my memories of our snowy winter, and time just failed to exist.  Day 1 consisted of nothing more than food, sun, food, a game of setback, happy hour (or hours of happiness), snacks, cultural dinners, and sleep—rinse and repeat for 4 more days!

      

A loosing hand in Setback

Sweet Plantains from El Patio

                                                                  

I just finished my first week back to reality, and it was an intense quick transition!  Luckily, I am mid-air, floating somewhere over DC in a Boeing 717 en route to Virginia Beach to visit the Martin’s  (Hi Amy and Kyle ).  Unlike San Juan, PR, this will be my first visit to the state that “is for Lovers!”  Lucky for me, the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon and Half Marathon falls on the same weekend. 

Training updates:     

• 2 fun runs in Puerto Rico—really too hot to log crazy miles, but I managed to add some island activity to my Garmin 
• Fun Run#1
• Fun Run #2
• Last Saturday, I logged one of my best training runs and shaved more than 30 seconds off my average pace!  
• My PR Training Run
• Last Tuesday, I showed up for hill runs late, but pushed through 10 full hill sprints by myself!  
• 10 Hill Repeat

Mofongo from Raices in Old San Juan

Raspberry Mojitos from El Patio

***Apparently, A week of mojitos and mofongos was all I needed to jump-start my motivation.***

Mass Eye and Ear Supporter:

Joey McIntyre and his son Rhys'

NKOTB's (New Kids on the Block) Joey McIntyre knows that Mass. Eye and Ear has the "right stuff" when it comes to advancing research and treatment of hearing loss. His son Rhys' diagnosis of hearing loss prompted him to lend his support to the hospital.  

“Music is the art of thinking with sounds.”

TRAINING UPDATE:

The past two weeks have been (and continue to be) hectic--I am finding that 24 hours in a day is just not enough time to "get it done".  My outlet for stress and where time does not seem to exist:  pavement. 

The Saturday before last, February 19th, I effortlessly ran just under 19 miles at an average pace of around 9:30 minutes per mile.  2/19 happened to be my best friend of 9 years- Michelle Venezia 's- 29th Birthday! That night I ate about 900 calories in Pizza and drank 900 more calories Allagash White (which is only 3 beers?)...oh wait, I already did a "numbers" posting!

With the weather calling for "storm" winds (gusts 40+mph)—I almost (purposely?) hit the snooze button!  Instead, I forced myself up and out with a playlist that could not be more in sync with the run I was about to face!

Getting started:

5AM? Turn the radio up!
Where's the rock and roll?

(pink-raise your glass)

Wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy. 

Put my (sun)glasses on, I’m out the door

I’m gonna hit this city!

(kei$ha-tik tok)

How could you (the almost march air) be so cold?
 As the winter wind when it breezes yo

(kanye west-heartless)

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?  (like the plastic bags I saw floating around BC’s Campus)

Drifting through the wind-wanting to start again...

...Cause baby you're a firework! 

Come on show 'em what you're worth!


Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

(katy perry-firework)

8 Miles down and 8 more to go:

I've been traveling
 on this road to long-Just trying to find
my way back home

Ever had one of dem days
you wish would have stayed home

(justin timberlake &t.i.--dead and gone)

Gotta give you my all


Winter and the Summer my all

(enrique iglesias-tonight)

Dear Marathon training:

Don't wanna leave you really


I've invested too much time

To give you up that easy to the doubts
that complicate MY mind.

(pat benatar-we belong remix)

Meeting new people along the way:

Do you come here much?

I swear I've seen your face before

(timberland-if we ever meet again)

I told her "I love the view from up here (Boston skyline by Star Market in Brookline)

Warm sun and wind in my ear (and at my back!)

(plain white t’s-rhythm of love)

Achieving Goals:

And since I made it here, 
I can make it anywhere…

…There’s nothing you can’t do

Now you’re in BOSTON, these streets will make you feel brand new

(jayz-empire state of mind)

Chase you down until you love me
Papa-paparazzi

(lady gaga-papa(papa)razzi)

And if the wind blows EAST 
would you follow me 


And if the wind blows NORTH 
would you stay your course 


And if the wind blows WEST 
would you second guess 


And if it flows to the SOUTH 
would you cast me out 


And if the sun don’t shine 
would you still be mine 


And if the sky turns grey 
would you walk away ...

...we can make it through the winds of change

(kid rock-lonely road of faith)

Stuck on a roller coaster


Can't get off this ride

(katy perry-hot and cold)

And I need you to remember one thing


I came, I saw, I conquered

(jayz-encore)

CELEBRATING:

I’ve had the time of my life


And I’ve never felt this way before


And I swear this is true


And I owe it all to you!

....DIRTY BIT!

(black eyed peas-the time)

Thank God the week is done


I feel like a zombie gone back to life


Hands up, and suddenly we all got our hands up


No control of my body

(usher-dj got us fallin’ in love)

Fill up my cup (Drink)

MazelTov (Le Haim)

(black eyed peas-i got a feeling)

MASS EYE AND EAR UPDATE:

Early in the training season, I had the pleasure of meeting the adorable Mark Thurrott and his courageous mother, Stephanie.  Mark was just a year old when he contracted bacterial meningitis. After a week battling the life-threatening infection, Mark returned home to recover, but the infection had completely robbed the toddler of his hearing. Mark’s young parents knew little about deafness and had never heard of a cochlear implant until they were referred to Dr. Leila Mankarious at Mass. Eye and Ear. Within weeks, Dr. Mankarious performed surgery giving Mark the first of two cochlear implants.  Now, after eleven years of follow-up audiology appointments and speech therapy, Mark goes to public school and talks to his many friends - using a cell phone!  His mom says, “Cochlear implants gave Mark back what he lost to meningitis, the opportunity to be a kid like any other kid.”

With you SUPPORT Mass Eye and Ear continues to make breakthroughs --- supporting their mission that the deaf may hear and the blind may see!