Behind the Scenes

I'm Back and Running Again..

So, I've been gone a long time, too long, but now I will try to be back. I've read my buddy Michelle Champagne's blog as well as Diana Williams blog and now I guess I missed it -- it is my turn to fill you in on the struggle that Marathon training is -- and how much of it is in your or should I say my head...

Two posts back, I had just finished the NYC Marathon in November of 2008, now in 15 days I will be attempting to run the NYC Marathon for the 2nd time.

Am I ready? sort of  Am I nervous?  Definitely.  I am not sure how I got here, but here I am.

Three months ago, Michelle Champagne told me she was going to attempt to run the NYC Marathon, I volunteered to run it with her -- so we entered.... I had not worked out in 3 months when we gained entry and I had not run down the block let alone a distance in a year, but I was about to start again.

Since getting married, I had put on my newlywed weight (so has Butch - I think it is kind of like the freshman 20 only you do it with a buddy) and so I was and am running in quite a different place than I did 2 years ago.  I had a slow start, I kept putting off running - I was remembering what a drag training had been and how I had given up every Sunday for months just to go outside and run. I kept thinking to myself, what had I done?  I really didn't want to do this thing.

I had a lot of ups and downs.  Butch and I went to Cape Cod in August and I ran 8 miles in the rain no problem...that week I could do it... then the next week, we were in the heat of Key West and I couldn't run a step.

I had somehow convinced Diana Williams to run with me and once she got into the Marathon I knew there was no turning back - I ran on the treadmill and a little bit outside - I headed to Central Park, a beloved old stomping ground but it betrayed me as did my body and I always found myself giving up for some reason and walking a little bit of the way - sometimes a lot of the way and I was completely discouraged and ready to give up - I definitely couldn't do this thing - not now in the shape I was in.

Then tragedy struck our family.  David's first cousin Jeff lost his 2 year battle with liver cancer.  Jeff was 45 years old with 3 small children and a disposition that was as friendly and supportive as anyone I've ever known.  He had encouraged me and given me advice the first time I ran the marathon -- his best advice -- "run your own race" ---

As we were leaving the funeral in Atlanta, ready to come home, his younger brother Doug heard I was considering quitting the Marathon and he made me promise not to quit and to run for Jeff who would no doubt would also have encouraged me to keep training.  I told Doug that I wasn't ready and that this is not how I wanted to be -- his parting words were - "Things are not always the way we want them to be" -- if that wasn't the kick in the rear I needed, nothing would be..

So I came home and got myself training -- I bought new socks, a new water belt, new running pants and tried to remember all my tricks from the first time I trained -- I skipped Central Park and went to my favorite running path along the west side highway -- my first long run out there I did 13 miles - slowly - with a little walking, but I did it... and it started to turn my head around.

The weeks that followed were up and down -- when I got to 16 miles it was great! when I did 18 miles it was terrible I walked about 7 of the 18 miles - I pictured myself as the one finishing the marathon in the dead of night after walking the whole thing.  I knew I only had one more week of a long run and if that wasn't a good one - I was finished...

Last weekend was my last chance to set my head straight - the 20 mile final long run.  Diana and I decided to run together -- I forgot how fun it is to run with someone and especially her as a running partner (she was the one who got me into my first half marathon) -- we started on the east side - ran across the island of Manhattan and then down the west side -- I still had to walk a little, but for the most part, my turtle pace was steady -- and I kept running while talking about everything under the sun and before you knew it we had been running for 3 hours -- at that point, we split -- we were supposed to meet up, but amid the crowds in Battery Park, we lost each other -- I finished the 20 and then took a cab home -- since I was the one with the GPS, Diana kept running even further without me -- we met up back where we started hysterically laughing -- but exhilarated -- we were as ready as we were going to be.  It was just the run I needed to get my head on straight --

Now we are in the beautiful days of the taper -- tomorrow I have to run 10 miles which I feel is nothing -- a good feeling - and I noticed the "Marathon Route" banners in Central Park which of course completely freaked me out.

But as these last days go by, I am filled with memories of 2 years ago.  I have often said to Diana and Michelle I don't know who is better off -- me for knowing what lies ahead or them for not knowing. Either way -- on November 7th we will be toe-to-toe on the Verrazano Bridge..

Except for my wedding day, I have never had a more amazing day as when I ran the NYC Marathon.  In fact this is what I wrote in my blog after completing it:

So it is done -- after all the training and complaining and running and running and running -- after 5 hours 12 minutes and 6 seconds, I completed the ING NYC Marathon on Sunday.  It was the most exhilirating, ambitious, amazing thing I've ever attempted to do and I had fun, am exhausted and very sore but if you ask me if I would do it again -- I would say yes without blinking an eye.

After reading that, it all came back and here I am 15 days from doing it all over again -- I'm a little fatter, I am a little slower (I will be lucky to finish in under 6 hours this time)  - but I am ready for the thrill of the day - seeing the city I live in  - in a whole new way.  I definitely have good running days and bad ones -- most are determined by my state of mind - so I'm praying my good spirits stay with me and what won't carry me through, the shouts of the crowd will.   My friend Rainy (who runs many marathons and just qualified for the Boston Marathon) reminded me that I am not going to win... so I plan on just going out there and as Jeff said : "run my own race" -

By the way - you can follow me and my training (not to mention Butch's cooking)  on twitter @lschully , and follow Diana Williams - @DianaWilliamsNY or Michelle Champagne @michchampagne -- and Diana is blogging about our training at Diana's Blog and you can check out Michelle's blog on our website at Michelle's Beauty Blog

It is nice to be back, and no pun intended - I'll keep you posted...I had forgotten how fun this is...

Schully

I'm Coming Back!!

Hey Guys --

I know many of you may have given up on me -- why not? -- I have let you down and haven't written since the marathon in November -- well in case you haven't noticed --  alot has happened to me since then - there is work to be done and a wedding to plan!!

So, in an effort to jump onto a new routine - a bridal bootcamp if you will - I'd like to return and could really use the support -- this is going to be short for now, but updates are coming --

I promise I'll be back soon....

Best,

Schully

November 5, 2008: 38,355 Runners and Me!!!

So it is done -- after all the training and complaining and running and running and running -- after 5 hours 12 minutes and 6 seconds, I completed the ING NYC Marathon on Sunday.  It was the most exhilirating, ambitious, amazing thing I've ever attempted to do and I had fun, am exhausted and very sore but if you ask me if I would do it again -- I would say yes without blinking an eye.

Saturday night, David took me to the famous pasta dinner at Tavern on the Green -- throughout the day on Sunday I grew more and more nervous at one point making myself so ill, that I almost threw up -- I followed an eating plan of all carbs and protein - no fiber or vegetables which would screw up my system before the race..   -- it was crowded at Tavern and I was feeling nervous and ill so I tried to have some pasta before David rescued me -- but not before taking a souvenir photo -- we then went home -- he bought me my favorite pasta from Quattro Gatti for the 3rd night in a row and I was able to fall asleep on the couch after he forced me to eat -- it is crucial to carbo-load....

Needless to say, I didn't sleep very well and with the time change and worrying if I had set my clock back (I set 3 alarms before I went to bed) -- but I got up -- took Molly for a walk and then at 6:00am set out for my great adventure -- thanks to ASICS (where would we be without the generosity of ASICS!!)  I got to go on a special VIP bus which left the city at 7:00am -- I sat next to some very nice Dutch guys who helped distract me on the way asking me to point out different NYC sites   -- but as we neared Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island -- my nerves were definitely in full force ---

I have to say it is all so organized - different villages depending on what color your number is - Elyssa and I were both Green - Cindy was Orange -- this was my view from the bus as we approached including a view of the (gulp!) starting line...

Once we arrived -- it was freezing cold -- I had worn extra sweatshirts and sweatpants, but it was so cold - Cindy wound up taking comfort in a garbage bag for warmth ..

Thankfully, my trainer Sid (god bless him) -- got up early and travelled to Staten Island just to stretch me so that I would be properly warmed up before the race -- he has been my personal trainer since the first fitness challenge, so he has stuck by me (helped me win twice) and wanted me to do my best -- he is a true gem -- my grandmother would have called him a "mensch!"

Then, before we knew it, the announcement was made to line up in our corrals -- so after taking some last minute photos - lined up and looked at each other when we heard a loud boom and realized it was the starting gun!! -- then off we went -- sadly the two of us were on the bottom of the Verrazano Bridge so we were freezing and I could barely feel my legs when we started to run -- but as soon as we started all the nerves and butterflies went away and I just was able to run and have a good time -- and as we passed the first group of spectators on an overpass (after passing all the clothes and people going to the bathroom on the side of the road) I realized this was going to be the coolest thing I would ever do...

Then the running started -- through the streets of Brooklyn -- really one of the highlights for me -- crowds on either side calling out my name -- cheering me on to keep going -- I was feeling strong - the training actually works!! -- It was amazing -- words cannot describe it -- then finally, I hit my first spectators --- my friends Tara and Bill were my "outer borough" cheering team -- stationed between mile 10 and 11 in Brooklyn -- all of a sudden I saw Tara's red balloons and ran over --   it was just the lift I needed to carry me through the remaining miles to Queens -- and Manhattan was only a few miles away...

Then after 2 hours and 28 minutes - I got to Queens and the halfway point   -- I was thrilled --- and then not long after that -- I was running through Long Island City and spotted what would be the turning point of the race for me -- the Queensborough Bridge (also known as the 59th Street Bridge) -- I was so excited --- because I knew the crowds of First Avenue were on the other side --

But it turned out to be much longer and much harder than I thought -- my legs felt like they were in quick sand - I was ready to walk -- my phone rang -- it was my friend Jan from work on the phone - she was telling me where she was on First Avenue -- I told her I was losing it -- she told me I wasn't -- and then before I knew it I started to hear the cheers and then end of the bridge and then I saw the crowds -- I actually started to cry I was so happy -- 16 miles down and I was finally in Manhattan!!!!

   Now I was lucky enough to have someone waiting for me every 10 blocks or mile depending on where I was -- I was on 60th street and Jan was on 71st street -- in my head as each block went by -- "7 blocks to Jan, 6 blocks to Jan....." until finally -- there she was!!!      

Jan has a good friend Amanda who was with her and who I also know and before I knew it -- she jumped the barricade and told me she would run with me -- it was a godsend!! -- she got me going - adrenaline racing and off I went up First Avenue -- next stop -- David, my brother Jason and stepmother Carol -- I was so happy to see them I started to cry!! -- Not the greatest photo I know -- but the best I have -- you get the idea --

Next up on Team Schully -- were my friends Joan, Rich , Rhonda & Jill -- who greeted me with tons of signs and cheers ---

Then came my friend Rainy who was at 115th and First Avenue at mile 19 -- now comes the hardest part of the race - your legs are starting to give out - I was eating "Gu" like it was going out of style to replenish my body and the crowds were getting thin -- she surprised me by dressing in her running clothes and she joined Amanda and me as we continued running out of Manhattan and into Borough #5 -- The Bronx ---  it was tough -- but the two of them kept me going --you are only in the Bronx for one mile but it is brutal -- but thanks to Rainy, Amanda and the return of Tara and Bill -- I made it through --

Now you are in the home stretch -- 6.2 miles to go as Rainy said to me it is an episode of "Desperate Housewives" -- but it was definitely starting to take its toll - I was slowing down -- but these two kept me going -- just in time to see my next cheering squad -- the return of David along with his mother and her husband Gary -- David's mother made me a banner complete with a sketch taken from my SELF magazine photo --  I was moving -- not stopping - only walking a short time at each water stop -- switching between gatoraid and water -- and then I got to see my college friends Celia and Lori and then finally my Dad, Barbara and my sister and her family - again complete with signs (I am very impressed with everyone's artistic instincts) --

Right after my dad -- the route turned into Central Park -- I was now felt that I had home field advantage -- I know every turn and every hill as I made my way south to the finish line -- along the way - Carol and Jason brought their dog Casey to the park who greeted me by rolling over for a rub and wanting to follow me --   

By this time -- Rainy had left me, but Amanda stayed with me(she ended up running 10 miles!!) -- I needed her to stay -- I can't tell you how tremendously helpful it was to have her there with me -- it truly kept me going and at a decent pace --

then came the sign I was waiting for --- 1 MILE TO GO!!!! ---   

With 400 meters to go -- they kicked Amanda off the course because she didn't have a number and then it was all me to the finish line -- there it was just like I had seen it a few days before ---

And then -- just like that I put my arms in the air and crossed the finish line

5 hours 12 minutes and 6 seconds after starting -- I was the 33,677th person to cross the finish line -- I had run the NYC Marathon!!!!

After you cross and you stop running, they keep you walking to keep the blood flowing in your legs -- but believe me you do not want to keep moving and my legs almost buckled right under me -- I then had to walk quite a ways with my medal around my neck and my coveted mylar blanket wrapped around me and met David -- All in all, it was a tremendous experience  - one that cannot be duplicated but if you ask me if I would do it again -- partway through Brooklyn I already knew the answer to that -- it is a resounding YES!!! -- the people of New York are amazing, I saw parts of the city I had never seen before and I tested myself and my body in a way I never had -- I still kind of can't believe I did it -- from years of watching it -- to now running it -- there are no words to describe how I feel --

Actually three days later there is one word.....SORE!!!! -- Monday I couldn't barely move - Tuesday my muscles were not my own - and tonight I'm going to get a much needed massage --

To all those who have been cheering me on - Thanks -- and to my family and friends who had to listen to me talk incessantly about it and then came out in force to cheer me on words can't express my thanks and love - especially my running bodyguards Rainy and Amanda -- and to David who took the biggest brunt of my stint in "Marathon Crazyland" -- I couldn't have done it without you -- behind every runner there is a cheerleader and he is definitely mine -- complete with a dozen red roses!!

Sorry for the long blog, but 26.2 miles is a long way to go -- thanks for reading -- thanks for the support -- we'll talk again soon -- Schully   

November 1, 2008: Tomorrow......

So it is Saturday morning at about 10:30am and I am realizing that tomorrow at this time I will be with 38,999 other runners crossing the Verrazano Bridge starting (gulp!) The ING NYC Marathon.....

If you ask me how I feel right now... scared, excited, nervous, anxious, .....ready? -- don' know about that last one, but as the say.. here goes nothing!!

This week has been a whirlwind of emotions -- having to go to work, run a little bit, trying to eat right and just having to deal with the constant butterflies in my stomach which don't go away.

There has not been much training this week -- I ran 5 miles on Sunday, then 3 miles on Tuesday and 3 miles on Thursday and that is about it -- most people might jog a little bit today, but my body has never agreed well with running 2 days in a row, so I 'm going to wing and just go for it tomorrow.

Running on Sunday in the park - I couldn't help but notice the banners indicating the marathon route and I have to admit I got a little thrill running through the bleachers where the finish line is going to be...

This week has also been about Halloween -- I hope you all saw me with my nephews in the Kids of "Live" Halloween Fashion Show - that was a good distraction but once that was over it was just about Sunday.

Thursday, Cindy, Elyssa and I trooped off to the Expo at the Jacob Javits Center to pick up our numbers -- that was the moment it all became real...

Once the number is in your hand - you know you are really going to do this thing --

Friday, after the spectacular Halloween show (good job Elyssa!!) -- Elyssa and Cindy and I ran over to Tavern on the Green to meet Rachel and Heather from ASICS who had shirts and stick on letters so that I can put my name on my shirt while I run (ASICS has been our saving grace and have taken very good care of us throughout the training) -- I'm going to put Lori on the front and Schully on the back -- figured I could use all the help I can get -- after we met up with them I forced them to walk over to see the finish line --

seeing it made this thing made it very real -- odd to think the next time I see the finish line will be hopefully when I'm crossing it.   I think it made us all a little excited.

Today is all about rest, catching up on the television shows I didn't get to watch all week and eating lots of carbs and lean proteins.  I did start the carbo-loading and had pasta and the best meatball I've ever eaten from our favorite restaurant Quattro Gatti last night.   Parts of training - like eating anything you want is definitely one of the perks... that will all come to an end on Monday I'm afraid.

Anyway - tonight David and I are going to the big pasta dinner at Tavern on the Green -- I figure if you are going to do this thing... do it right! -- who knows if I'll ever do it again and you only have one first time.

I guess the next time I'll write will be after it is all over -- thanks to my friends and family who have all been assigned to their spots along the route -- my friend Fran checked in with me from London this morning to wish me luck and a delivery of flowers just came from Colette in Denver --

And for those who checked in with my blog and were pleasantly surprised to find I had actually written thanks for your support and Nancy who said I almost brought her to tears, well your comment did the same thing for me.

See you on the finish line!!! --  Best, Schully

October 23, 2008 - Running, Running and More Running....

I know, I know -- where have I been? -- why no blog from Schully -- so after several complaints from family members, friends and a few of you... here I am, back in my blogging seat to get you up to date..

I don't know when it happened, but sometime in the past month, I became a runner -- I don't feel like a runner, and I don't live to run, but what started as a pasttime and a way to lose weight, has turned into a rather time consuming pursuit.   I am currently in the home stretch of my training for the NYC Marathon and am happily doing what is lovingly called "the taper." which I am finding to be the best part of the training -- but I'm getting a little ahead of myself and since I haven't written since August!! -- wow -- has it really been since August? -- I will catch you all up a little --

Before I begin, let me tell you that training for a marathon, any marathon but maybe especially the NYC Marathon is a grueling, amazing, awesome and horrible task -- you don't run because you want to run, you run because you HAVE to run and if you don't run, you know you won't be able to complete those 26.2 miles on November 2nd -- did I say that is only 9 days away!??!!?

In the beginning, it wasn't that bad --3 runs a week which got progressively longer -- I, along with Elyssa and Cindy have been following a training plan sent to us by ASICS, we are all part of the ASICS Editor's Team -- the long runs are always on Sunday.  Like I said, in the beginning it wasn't that bad 8 mile sunday runs, 10 mile sunday runs -- and since I ran the half marathon in July, it especially didn't seem that bad -- although the mileage kept going up as the weeks continued -- then, just in time to help me out.... my prize arrived....you guessed it.... wait for it... -- the TREADMILL!! - Thank You Star Tac and ASICS -- (I actually kept putting off getting it because I didn't quite know where it would fit in my NYC apartment)  --But it arrived and after being taken apart and then put back together has found a permanent home in my bedroom -- it is huge!! -- but I have to admit, I love having it and there were many days during this training that I never would have gotten my mileage in without the help of the treadmill and my TiVo!! -- I took some before and after photos of the area in my bedroom -- the room definitely got a lot smaller once the treadmill moved in!

  -- no question it has definitely saved my training!!

When the Sunday came when I had to do 14 miles, I had a horrible run -- it was an unusually hot September Sunday and I opted, having grown tired and restless with the Central Park loop, to run along the West Side Highway -- I ran from Central Park through to the West side and then got to 26th street from 95th Street,only about 6 miles, and then my legs wouldn't move -- I was completely discouraged -- bought some gatorade and somewhat worn down, took a taxi home where I only was able to run 3 more miles on the treadmill -- I was miserable -- how would I ever be able to do this thing!!?!!

Two weeks later, the mileage went up to 16 -- the day before I ate right - had lots of water and told myself if I couldn't make it through the 16  then I would bow out of the marathon -- I actually took a taxi to the westside from my home on the east side and started running -- it was an overcast cooler late September sunday morning and about 6 miles in, it started to rain -- but Schully did NOT give up -- after 3 hours, I completed the 16 miles -- wet, hobbling a bit -- but the run was done!!   Now I knew I had a chance at the marathon and so my training continued.....if I could run 16 miles in the rain, I could do anything and I knew that along the marathon course -- 16 miles gets you over the Queensboro Bridge into the screaming throngs of First Avenue in Manhattan..

The next week, the mileage went up to 18.. and I had a weekend planned to visit my brother in California and also to see my friends Fran and Steve who were travelling through the west coast from London -- I decided running 18 miles along the Pacific Ocean in the California sunshine would do me some good so Sunday morning I headed off -- it was gorgeous and made me want to move to California although I slowed down toward the end of the run and walked uphill from mile 16 to 17, but the 18 miles were done! -- another milestone accomplished.  -- Fran and Steve were staying at the very posh "Shutters" right on the beach and snapped some photos as I ran by -- clearly I am smiling because this was the beginning of my run - also I am wearing one of those "fuel belts" with gatorade and water -- essential when you are running long distances -- David likes to call it my "utility belt" like I'm batgirl or something.... but that and some "Gu" in my pockets defintely do the trick..

Following the long run of 18 miles -- I rewarded myself with a porterhouse steak at The Palm where my brother is the assistant manager -- I shouldn't have eaten it, but I i did -- all 20 ounces!!!    

The final long run was the following Sunday and was for 20 miles -- this is the longest run you do before you actually run the marathon.  Friday night of that weekend, I came down with a cold and Saturday I laid on the couch all day pretty sick.  I woke up Sunday morning with a plan to run with Elyssa and after much hemming and hawing and phone calls to more experienced runners - David kicked me out of the house and told me to get running!! (everyone needs a David in their corner - but you can't have mine) -- In the end, I figured if I could run 20 miles with a head cold, I could run 26.2 miles healthy -- so Elyssa and I met up on the west side and off we went - 4 hours later we had done it!! -- I felt good had a good run and feel like I can actually do this thing!! --

Now we are in "the taper," -- the runs are reduced by half every week leading up to the marathon -- last Sunday I had a lovely 10 mile run and returned to Central Park -- it was a beautiful fall day -- and you know that every runner out there was doing the same thing as me -- all trying to physically and mentally prepare.... On Tuesday, Elyssa, Cindy and I did a 3 mile run-- it seems like nothing! -- it is weird how your perspectives on distance changes as you train -- this Sunday is another 5 mile run  and then ....... well you know..

I definitely have had an ongoing relationship with the Marathon -- the very first year I lived in New York City, i volunteered and handed out water to runners on the 25 mile marker -- it was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had in New York -- little did I know that 23 years later, I would be one of those runners --- it is something I never thought I would want to do, yet here I am --- a year ago, my friend Rainy celebrated her 40th birthday which coincided with Marathon Sunday and I remember sitting with David and he asked me if I would ever want to do it .. I emphatically said NO WAY!! -- so you never know what could happen to you in a year -- and never say never --

Thanks to anyone who sent in your solutions to my chafing problem -- they were very helpful -- i have found a product that really works -- actually ASICS, the sneaker company sent out their brand of chafing cream and it definitely works like a charm and someone said that before putting on your undergarments to use a blow dryer to thoroughly dry the troubled areas -- this works too and if you add some cornstarch - you will be all set....

On other fronts in the life of Schully -- David has hung in there with me as chief cheerleader ..losing me for hours at a time every Sunday and also helping to kick me out the door when I start to procrastinate and I think the big de-cluttering may be almost finished -- there is still much to do, but I have been doing the hard part lately -- going through boxes of old photos and memorabilia -- every Monday night when Kathleen and I get together it is an unbelievably hard walk down memory lane.

David continues to travel every week and last week arrived home with 13 pounds of cooked lobster from his travels in Maine -- so over came some friends and we had our own "Lobsterfest," -- complete with risotto and a lobster roll that bested my favorite lobster rolls from "4 Seas" in Osterville, Massachusetts and "The Rotary" in Nantucket.  David, as you can see was very proud of his lobsters.. and he even set them out on display so our guests could appreciate the $4.00 a pound buy he made -- and he was quite the visionary on his trip -- there was a news story today which said that lobsters are a good buy..  

Right now, though -- it is all about the Marathon -- it is pretty much the only thing there is room for in my brain -- with 9 days to go it is ever present .....and there you have it -- most of the trials and tribulations of my training -- I'll let you know how it goes...

Anyway, sorry for the absence, I won't make any promises, but if you only could read the blogs I've written in my head you would know I've been thinking of you --

best to all --

Schully