Friday Haikus: Post-Marathon Edition

So much has changed since my post on Wednesday: I can now walk down stairs with a close-to-normal gate and I can sit and stand without needing to hold onto an armrest.  One thing that hasn't changed? I'm still working on that pesky race report. While you wait on pins and needles to hear about my race in excruciating fascinating detail, enjoy this fresh batch of post-marathon haikus. 

Photo credit: InsideMedford

  Crossing the Finish

  This is terrible
  I hate marathons; finished--
  Can't wait for next one


  Post-Race Glow

  Medal on my neck,
  Boston jacket on my back,
  Feeling like a star


  Post-Race Low

  Hobbling down stairs,
  Ouch! Bending down is a chore,
  Recovery sucks

Friday Haikus: Three Days to Boston Edition

At this time tomorrow I'll be in a car with my wife, our two dogs, and a couple of teammates heading up to Boston for the marathon. Between now and then, though, I have a lot to do: I still have a full day of work (I'll be very productive and efficient, I'm sure); I still have to pack (though I had every intention of doing so last night); and I still have to watch Spirit of the Marathon for the zillionth time (a pre-marathon ritual of mine). Thankfully, one thing you don't see on the last is writing haikus because they're already good to go.

Without further ado, I present you with my final round of pre-Boston haikus.

Me at last year's expo

Dangers of the Expo
 
So many samples
Clif, Gu, Nuun--tried lots of each
Now my tummy aches



All Packed

Pepto, Tylenol,
Imodium, benadryl
Pre-race bag of tricks



Monday, April 20th

Three months of training,
Runs on ice, in sleet, in snow
All come down to this

Friday Haikus: Taper Crazies Edition

Another week is coming to an end which means I'm another week closer to Marathon Monday. I'm at the point in my taper where I can't decide how I feel. Part of me is so ready to get this whole marathon thing over so I can go back to leading a "normal" life, one where I get to go out occasionally and can sleep past 6:30 a.m. at least a couple days a week. 

The other part of me is freaking the fudge out. Wait, I have to run 26.2 miles, AGAIN!?! And I have to run it fast? That part of me wants the race to hold off indefinitely. Ultimately, I know I'll be pumped come next weekend and while the nerves won't go away, they'll turn into a more positive energy. For now though, I'll continue to have this weird internal imbalance. 

Anyway, while my taper crazies continue to eat away at my soul wreak havoc on my digestive tract mess with my head, I leave you with a few Friday haikus. 

Break Them in Before the Race

Photo credit: Reddit

New shoes, feet on clouds

Glorious, until, what's that?

A nasty blister 

Deep Thoughts Mid-Run

Didn't go before

So much regret,  gotta stop

Never trust a fart 

Is It Race Day?

Been hitting refresh

On the BAA website

Countdown clock's too slow

Friday Haikus: National Poetry Month Edition

I was very close to skip my regularly scheduled haikus this week. Yes, they're fun to write and don't take that long to prepared, but it's hard coming up with new topics each time. I mean, how many haikus can you write about black toenails, runner trots, or winter weather? Then I learned that April is National Poetry Month--thanks Mark Remy!--and I thought, what kind of a poet would I be if I skipped the first Friday of National Poetry month? The answer to this non-rhetorical question: a bad one.

In order not to deprive you, the reader, of a fresh batch of haikus on this Good Friday first Friday of National Poetry Month, I wracked my brain and came up with some never-before covered topics. Given the solemnity of the date, I tried to keep them strictly highbrow. Please enjoy.

Our dog Ivy, the sock and shoe thief

Someone Needs a New Chew Toy

New compression socks
Pricey but necessary
Dog ate the old ones



Failure to Launch

Snot rocket mid-run
Launched into the air with haste
Fail! Lands on my shirt



A Special Marinade

God what is that smell
Running clothes forgotten for days
Stewed in a gym bag

Friday Haikus: Endless Winter

After a long final week of training before my Boston taper starts next week, it's Friday! This weekend I'm traveling to Boston with a couple teammates so that we can do our final long run on the course. I've made this trek four of the last six years and have generally had pretty good weather for it. In fact, in 2012, I remember wearing shorts to dinner the night before my run because it was so nice out. Of course, we remember how that heat wave played out on race day...

Given the winter we've had, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised that it's supposed to snow all day tomorrow in Boston. Nevertheless, after running in near 60 degree weather last night, it's hard to accept that Old Man Winter is again rearing his ugly head. That sentiment inspired today's haikus. Hopefully you enjoy them more than I'm enjoying the weather.

I hope it's not this bad on Sunday. Source: http://modernsurvivalblog.com/

Melted ice and snow
Reveal four hundred meters
Polyurethane



Tights are packed away
Shorts and tees at the ready
Spring weather is here



False alarm it seems
Cold is back with wind and sleet
I'm so over this


 

Friday Haikus

It's finally Friday! After a December in which I hardly worked at all (thank you wedding, honeymoon, and Christmas!) the first two full weeks of January have seemed pretty long. The long weekend for MLK Day always seems to come when I need it the most. Of course, what better way to start off a long weekend than with some terrible poetry?
 
After ages of seemingly total neglect, the Friday haikus are back! Enjoy.

 
Zelle 

Sub-par content, sad
Women have come too far for
Running up-do news



NYC Marathon Registration

The lottery's open
I don't have to sweat; two words--
Guaranteed entry



The Joys of Winter Running

Not enough quarters,
Too few machines, damn all this 
Winter running gear

Friday Haikus: Boston Marathon Edition

Better late than never I always say. With that old adage in mind, I present this week's running haikus. They follow the Boston marathon course from start to finish just as I plan to do on Monday. Good luck to everyone else running and safe travels to those making their way to the Hub over the next couple of days.

Long lines for bathrooms,
To the corrals, Hopkinton,
It all starts here 



Rural to commerce,
Original starting line,
Entering Ashland



Tracks cross the pavement,
10k hits the train depot,
You're in Framingham



Charming small town feel
Historic Natick Center
Last chance for liquor


 
Signs saying "Kiss Me"
Degree pre-rec, co-eds scream 
Running through Wellesley



Up along Comm Ave
Heartbreak hill, Boston College
Newton at its best



First sight of the Pru
Downhill through Coolidge Corner
Brookline fans scream "Go!"



Right on Hereford,
Left on Boylston, home stretch
Finish line--Boston

Friday Haikus: 2013 NYCM Edition

It's been a few weeks since I posted haikus, I know, but what better excuse to bring back the beloved tolerable tradition than the New York City Marathon? No matter what the race, if you're a runner and your city hosts a marathon it's hard not to get excited about it, but for those of us in New York there's something really special about marathon week.

I'm so happy to share my city with folks from all over the US and across the globe. On Sunday, no matter what our differences in training, speed, or shoe choice, we'll be coming together to do something much bigger than ourselves. During this whole runup to race week I've been chuckling at this year's slogan "26.2 MILES MAKE IT A RACE, YOU MAKE IT THE MARATHON." It's defnitely more than a little hokie but when you think about it, it is the runners that make the New York City Marathon what it is, a celebration of diversity and the community building power of running. Maybe WE do MAKE IT THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON.

From my instagram

And now, some haikus!


The Expo
Sampled powerbars
Tried new electrolyte drinks
Maxed out credit card


Athletes Village as POW Camp
Bodies all around
Lines for bathrooms, lines for food
Trying to stay warm


The Queensboro Bridge
Silent climb farewell
Crested now downhill you sense
Manhattan-sized crowds

Friday Haikus: Mini Edition

Somehow we've made it through another week. I don't know about you, but I always find that the first full week after a holiday seems to drag on forever. I've got a big weekend planned:

1) Tomorrow I'll be cheering on my female teammates at NYRR's Mini 10k. They'll return the favor at the Portugal 5 Miler next week. To keep things interesting, the men on our team made a friendly wager with the women about who'll have the better cheering. I'm not sure who the neutral arbiter will be though I'm not expecting a close contest.

2) After the Mini I'm going camping! I haven't been camping in ages so this should be fun. I just hope I can find a Chinese joint that will deliver to my tent.

Anway, enough about my weekend. Here's your Friday haiku fix.

 

 

Last year's Mini. Photo credit: SeeNancyRun

Running in the Rain
Cold, wet, skies gray, run,
Summer changes perspective
This is heavenly



A Classic Race
Women running fast
No men to steal their thunder
The Mini 10K



A Running Hazard
Loose, flapping, each step
Comes closer to falling off
Good bye big toenail

Friday Haikus: Random Thoughts

I'm slowly easing back into running after three weeks of PT and things are really looking up. After some seriously crappy weather earlier this week and a minor cold, the sun is out today and I can almoste breathe through my nose again. In other words, it's hard not to love the world on a day like today. Hopefully this week's haikus put a smile on your face at least half as big as the one on mine!

How to Avoid Traffic
Buses halting, slow
Subway crowded, misses sun
Run to work commute



That Weird Time After the Marathon
Sleeping in, no alarm
Drinking daily, staying up late
This sucks--running missed



The Traveling Runner's Conundrum
Suitcase almost full
Shoes, socks, shorts, two wicking tops
Where to put my "clothes"?

An Exhausted Update

I had really hoped to post a race report today. I've got it partially written and I thought finishing it and posting it would be a good exercise for me. Given everything that's happened overnight and still happening in the Boston area, however, I'm going to hold off a bit more. I'm just too exhausted mentally and emotionally to finish the report.

What an emotional rolercoaster this week this has been.


I have one haiku for you and I'll be back next week.


Never expected
More than sore legs, black toenails;
Terrible--pray for Boston

Ready to Wing It

Note: With Boston only days away (3 to be precise), I'm going to be doing a countdown to Boston series as I did last year. In the final days of the taper, it's hard to get my brain to focus on much other than the upcoming race, but with plenty of Boston-related topics, hopefully I can at least keep the blog interesting.

It's finally here, Boston Maraton weekend. Just three short days and a drive to Boston stand between me and the race. I'll be driving up tomorrow morning and hitting the expo in the early afternoon. My whole weekend's pretty much planned out--dinner reservations made for Saturday and Sunday and tickets purchased for Sunday's Sox game. The only thing that's not planned out? Monday's race.

I did an easy run today and thankfully the toe didn't seem to bother me (though it did get kind of bloody). Unfortunately, I'm still having some issues with my left hip. I have no idea how this is going to affect me during the race, especially during the latter miles, so I'm just going to have to wing it.

Despite a pretty successful training cycle, I really don't konw what's in the cards for this race. Maybe my hip will cooperate and I'll be able to run and intelligent race for a Boston PR. Maybe it's blow up half-way through and I'll end up limping to the finish for a personal worst. I don't actually care--either way, on Monday I get to run the Boston Marathon. I couldn't be happier!

While you wait with bated breath to learn my fate, enjoy a special Friday haiku:

Fenway early game
Drunk Bay Staters in the streets
Boston marathon

Countdown to Boston: Friday Haikus

Note: With Boston only days away (10 to be precise), I'm going to be doing a countdown to Boston series as I did last year. In the final days of the taper, it's hard to get my brain to focus on much other than the upcoming race, but with plenty of Boston-related topics, hopefully I can at least keep the blog interesting.


Just one more full week to go before Boston, which means I'm starting to deal with all the usual taper madness. No many matter how many marathons I've done, it's impossible for me not to begin second-guessing everything over the final days. As such, this week's installment of haikus is dedicated to some of the stresses of marathon tapering. Enjoy!

How I feel right about now

Can't sit still at work
Can't sleep, can't focus--what's wrong?
Oh yeah, marathon



Want to eat a horse
My whole body seems broken
Taper has set in



Did I train enough?
Logged the miles, stuck to my plan
Hay is in the barn

Good Friday--Bad Haikus

Spring is finally here in New York and I'm slowly coming out of hibernation. Does that mean I didn't run all winter? Of course not! But it does mean my fingers were too cold to type and my brain was too cold to think creatively. Thankfully, it's warm enough to at least allow me to type--no guarantees my brain has thawed yet. In the spirit of spring, here are some Friday haikus for you. Enjoy!

Early Spring Afternoon, Central Park by Willard Metcalf

Running Nutrition
Chocolate, mocha
Sounds like a delicious treat
Too bad it's just Gu



Nature Calls
Really got to go
Public bathrooms still all locked
Look I found a tree!



The First Week of the Taper
Sixty done this week
Thought my taper had begun
Fewer miles my @$$!

The Return of Friday Poetry (and Me)

After nearly two weeks of binge drinking and eating unholy amounts of refined sugar holistically balanced rest and recovery, I'm running enough that it's time to return to the blogosphere. What better way to say "I'm back!" than with some Friday poetry?

Post-Marathon
Should I stand or sit?
Sitting would feel so nice but
Then I can't get up

Late Night Run
Moonlight on the pond
Peace in the now still city
Central Park alone

The First Run Back
Set a new PR
But recovery goes slow
Nine minutes, maybe


P.S. Thanks to all who contributed to my fundraising efforts for Philly. I got all the way to $750 for Covenant House!

Fun Friday Haikus

I'm not threatening promising that I'll be posting haikus every Friday, but once again the mood feels right. Maybe those early Wednesday long runs are playing with my head...

If you have suggestions for running related topics you would like to see turned into a haiku, or a form of poetry you feel would go great with a pair of racing flats, feel free to let me know in the comments. Otherwise, suffer through enjoy some more running haikus!


Early Morning

Photo from flickr user andycarvin

Alarm clock goes off,
Eyes open slow, not yet 5
It's time for a run

Move [Female Dog], Get Out the Way
A stroller, a bike
Sweet Jesus! Are you mental?
This track's for running

An Unfortunate Realization
Crowd's looking at me,
Pointing, they must be impressed
Nope, bloody nipples

Random Friday Post: More (Bad) Poetry!!!

On Wednesday solo long run I had plenty of time to let my mind wander. Sometimes I think about concrete things like work, weekend plans, or breakfast. Other times I get a snippet of a song stuck in my head--I don't listen to music on my runs, but somehow this still happens--and I end up repeating a line or two over and over. And then, on occasion, I have completely random thoughts and before I know I'm dreaming up stuff like these poems.

What Happens Every Time I'm on the Starting Line
Five minutes to go
Now I really have to pee
I thought I just went


What Happens After Every Race
That race really sucked
My entire body in pain
Just signed up again


A Tediously Brief Ode to the Foam Roller

You bring great comfort to my limbs,
    Which ache from workouts on the track,
Faithfully waiting at the gym,
    Resting gently, upon the rack
        Others use but do not own
        You're there for me, and me alone
       

Mid-Week Musings

As the Olympics continue it's been really nice to see all the positive coverage that American runners are getting. Given all that coverage, I figure you're probably getting a healthy dose of Olympics from your TV watching, newspaper reading, and water cooler talk so I'm not going to touch on the games today--though I'm really excited that Galen Rupp and Mo Farah will be in the 5000m final, especially given their great 10000m performances. (Oops, couldn't help myself).

Anyway, I offer you three haikus inspired by my recent training experiences.

 
The Ice Bath
Fill the tub with ice,
Water, time to soak, get in
Jesus Christ it's cold


Gu
Solid food is rough
Scientists created gel
This stuff tastes like crap


Post Run Meal
Post run must refuel
Ingest carbs protein and salt
Beer and nachos work