Casablanca

Before leaving, and again once in Morocco, we tried to organize a guided tour but never got a response from any of the tour companies. So Sunday we decided just to take our chances and venture into Casablanca ourselves.

I really enjoyed the cab ride on the back road into the city because it was a chance to see more of the countryside. We saw a little of everything. There were expanses of dry grasslands stretching off into the distance, some with cows, goats, and sheep. There were little shanty towns. There were dirt areas with kids playing soccer. Everywhere, there were people walking. We also went through several small beach towns with restaurants and beach clubs. I was really surprised by the amount of bushiness and industry on the outskirts of Casablanca (referred to from now on as Casa, as the locals call it). There were all kinds of factories, big stores, and car dealerships. It was a lot more like the US than Ghana.

There was apparently a big soccer game that day, as the roads were filled with cars filled with fans in red and white jerseys. The fans were hanging out of the cars while waving flags and shouting. There was a cacophony of horns. (Drivers in general are very liberal with their horns).

Our first stop was the Hassan II mosque, the third largest in the world. It takes your breath away at first sight. There is this massive, white marble, tower stretching into the sky and the most beautiful teal mosciac. The whole plaza is this oasis of light as the white marble reflects the sun. 

We just couldn't get over the level of detail.

even the ceilings are beautiful

There are elaborate mosaics and carvings everywhere.

It is the same inside. We walked through just in awe. It was built in just 6 years in the late 1980's and early 1990's.

inside the main cathedral. speakers are hidden in each pillar

It was interesting to see how they integrated so much technology. The whole roof slides open for ventilation, there are loud speakers hidden within the pillars, and the chandeliers lower with the flip of a switch so they can be cleaned. 

the chandelier lowers to be cleaned

the men's bathing room in the basement because Muslim's must clean before a service

A very nice girl in our tour group gave us a map, without which we would have been totally lost as there are no tourist information booths or maps anywhere in the city. Using our very small, and not very detailed, map, we eventually found our way to the medina, the public market.

There was quite a contrast between the opulence of the mosque and the neighborhoods we walked through 

The medina was a wonderful, crowded, smelly labyrinth. The aisles were so narrow and crowded, and yet motorbikes came flying through them as if they were speeding down a highway.

not the medina, but it gives you an idea how narrow the streets are

Both overwhelmed, and excited, we wandered and wandered, seeing everything from underwear, to whole sides of cattle, to stoves, to strawberries. It makes American malls and grocery stores feel so sterile! We sniffed spices, tried on a million scarves, drooled over the fresh produce, and eventually found out a way out.

We emerged in the United Nations plaza, which was a great spot for a late lunch. We sat down at a cafe that was clearly aimed at tourists because they had Moroccan food! That was the funny thing about Morocco- it was so hard to find authentic food. We learned this is because Moroccans cook traditional dishes at home and when they go out they want to eat foreign food, especially pizza. But at this cafe we were able to get a chicken tagine with a citrus sauce and cous cous with grilled vegetables and beef. However, my tagine came covered in french fries!

almost authentic tagine

It was so good. When we realized later that they had way over charged us, we only minded a little because it had been so good!

We walked around for a bit longer, seeing the palace and a couple parks, but we were pretty tired of walking and we were ready to go back to the hotel! 

mosaics everywhere! Prettiest post office I've ever seen

Our final adventure is Casa was finding a cab willing to take us back to Mohammedia that didn't cost a fortune. We did some bargaining and found a willing driver, but once we got near town we realized he had no idea where our hotel was. So after stopping to ask many people, he finally delivered us back to our hotel. A great day of adventures.

A Marathon in Morocco

I usually write my race recaps as soon as possible after the race before I forget too many of the details. However with this one, I just kept feeling like I wasn't ready to write it. I was still trying to process so many conflicting emotions. I'm hoping that maybe writing this will help me process it and move on to the most important thing- celebrating the fact I have now run 26.2 miles on all 7 continents. 

So I was flying (literally) totally blind on this one. I got on a plane to Morocco with no idea where exactly I'd be running, since for the first time on this journey I was not running an official race. We got to our hotel in Mohammedia, which turned out to be a small city 30 minutes outside Casablanca, around noon on Friday. After we got some lunch I started scoping out the situation. There was good news and bad news. On the good side was the fact that there was a pedestrian only path running along the waterfront. On the negative side, it was less than a mile long, made of uneven stone, and crowded!

The path (at 5:45 am so it isn't yet crowded)

Throughout the afternoon I also noticed the issue of clothing. Morocco is a Muslim country, and so Muslim women are required to cover their entire bodies, with the exception of the face and the hands. All the Muslim women wore some version of a veil the covers the head and most wore long loose robes or dresses (some wore the veil with more Western clothes). The non Muslim women were still very covered, in pants and long sleeves. When I went out in shorts (which were neither very short nor very tight), I felt really uncomfortable. It wasn't that I felt unsafe or anyone made outright comments or gestures, but I definitely felt watched and disapproved of. 

breakfast in the bathroom

However, I was in Morocco to run a marathon and I was determined to do it by any means necessary. I woke up around 5 on Saturday morning and got myself ready. I ate my breakfast in the bathroom so I wouldn't wake up my friend (not gross at all right?) and really wished I could have a cup of coffee, but nothing was open.


I set out at 6, just as it got light, with my water, some fuel, and my Garmin. Even at 6 it was very humid and I was sweating within minutes. I had been hoping I would beat the crowd, but there was already a large group of men cleaning the beach.

sunrise

I felt every single pair of eyes on me as I ran by. There were several other men out running and they too eyed me as I ran by. Down and back on the board walk was about a mile and half. By my 5th or 6th lap, groups of women also started to arrive to exercise. However, they were all fully covered and walked in groups. By 6 miles, I was feeling quite demoralized. I felt so conspicuous. I was so hot. The hard, uneven surface was hurting my legs. I tried venturing off the boardwalk a few times, but between the traffic, the lack of other people, and the unknown environment I didn't feel safe.

so many times back and forth.... with just a few diversions

I ended up running half my "race" on a treadmill. This is where all the mixed emotions come in. Flying across the ocean to run on a treadmill? In a way it feels like cheating. But at the same time, it was absolutely what I needed to do. I couldn't run before dark, and I can't run a 2 hour marathon in order to finish before the seaside path got too crowded. With the heat, there is no way I could have run in long sleeves and long pants, even if I'd had them. And good God, running 13 miles on a treadmill is mentally way harder than running outside. But it does make it so much easier to have even splits- just set the speed and try to keep up!

treadmill run

outside run

I also have mixed feelings about the fact that I didn't do an official race. I knew this was my one chance to get to Africa and run for the next couple years. So I don't regret going and doing my own thing. But finishing and having just my friend Cheri there didn't have quite the same satisfying feeling as crossing a big finish line. Although thanks to my amazing friend I did get a medal! Cheri had medal made for me. How sweet it that?

I did it. I ran my 26.2 miles in Africa. I'm done with this almost 7 year journey. The person who still doesn't consider herself a real runner has now run a marathon on all 7 continents. I just can't make it feel real.

Urgent and Important

I've been up since 4 am. I leave for Morocco today and I am this crazy, excited, stressed mess. For the first 4 hours of my morning I ran around like a maniac. I'd start doing homework and then remember something I forgot to pack. So I'd go back to packing and then remember something else I needed to do for school. I drank about 6 cups of coffee.

Finally around 8 I realized I was not helping myself. I was doing a lot of things, but none of them well. So I took a break and went for a bike ride. (p.s. if only I could run as quickly as I bike. I knocked off 20 miles in like an hour and 20 mins). Once I had some of the energy and caffeine out of my system, I was able to tackle things more strategically.

I thought about what my professor said on the first day of nursing school. She said that in nursing school, and as a nurse, there will always be way more to do than you are possibly capable of doing. The trick is to categorize things by urgency and importance. Do the things that are urgent AND important first. Don't worry about the things you can't control.

What is urgent and important in the near future?

That I get myself to Boston in time for my flight
That I pack my passport and running clothes
That I pack my school notes and study on the plane
That I make it to Morocco
That I somehow run 26.2 miles while I am there
That I not fail my exam when I get back

So as much as it drives my type A personality nuts not to clean the whole house and do everything on my to-do list, I just can't. As much as I wish I knew exactly where and when I'll be running, I can't know that until I there.

Talk to you from Morocco!

Morocco Training: The End!

Here was my 6 week training plan:

Week Of	Long Run	Weekly Total
4/13	12-14	20-25
4/20	8+8	25-30
4/27	16-18	30-35
5/4	12-14	25-30
5/11	8	20
5/18	Race

Since my first 3 weeks went exactly as planned, and I was still feeling good. I didn't need to make any changes for my last couple weeks. With just 6 weeks to train, I tried to strike a balance between building enough fitness and not over-training. So although I did taper, it was a bit higher mileage than what I've done in the past. 

The week of 5/4 my long run was 13.1 (I had to run that extra .1 at the end just to make it half marathon distance) and I had a weekly total of 28.8 miles.

The week of 5/11 my long run was exactly 8.0 and I ran 23.4 total miles.

Both weeks I went slightly over my planned total miles because it was just so darn nice out that I wanted to be outside, but the extra miles were just easy miles. 

So am I ready to run a marathon?

I am ready to sit by this pool!

Honestly, I don't know. This is the first time I've attempted 2 marathons relatively close together. My longest run was only 17 miles. But, I also did a full 16 week training plan before this for New Zealand, that totaled more than 450 miles. I ran a strong race there. So I had a solid level of fitness and I was just topping off the endurance tank.

After 7 marathons, I know I will finish. I am not flying all the way to Morocco for 3 days to not finish 26.2 miles. I will finish even if I have to crawl!

I know that no one really cares how fast I do it, and I recognize that I don't want to smash myself to pieces just to finish 20 minutes faster. But there is also that part of my that always wants to do my absolute best. I am trying to prepare myself for the fact that not may not be my best time: I have no time to acclimate once we get there so I'll be jet lagged and not used to the heat. Plus, I won't be on a planned, closed course. I've just got to keep telling myself that finishing is all that matters!

I'm Alive

Sorry it's been quiet in here this week. I've been totally wrapped up with my first official week of nursing school.

scrub selfie

It was a whirlwind week. It was nice to start to get to know the other students that I'll be spending the next 15 months with. This is a program for people who already have a degree in another subject and have worked in non medical fields, so it is a really diverse and interesting group. I got a lot more details about what the next year and a half of my life will be like. Because this is an accelerated program, there was no nice easy introductory first week. We jumped right into lectures, reading, quizzes, and labs. And labs mean scrubs! So official.

I've also had to readjust to getting up early. Back to sunrise runs. At least it will help me beat the heat.

Speaking of heat, I've been so wrapped up in school that I completely forgot that I am going to Morocco next week. My husband asked me yesterday if I was starting to get excited for next week and I was like "What's next week?"

OMG I'm leaving next week! I'm going to Morocco. I'm running a marathon. I'm finishing my 7 continents. In 6 days.

Honestly it doesn't feel real. With all my other continents I planned the trip months and months in advance. I did a full training cycle. I spent tons of time researching the destination and the race. There was no time for that this time. I'm just going to get on a plane, study my butt off on the trip, and then get there a find a place to run 26.2 miles. For a planner, this is quite a jump for me. It will all work out, right?

It's Getting Real

Today I am taking my last final of my first semester of nursing school. And Monday I start my new semester! No rest for the weary.

This summer is when I get to start doing "real nurse stuff." It is also when I get to start wearing scrubs. Yeah! I think maybe I subconsciously chose to go back to school to be a nurse just so I could wear scrubs.

I might have bought Gray's Anatomy brand scrubs. But only because they were by far the most comfortable and flattering. I swear that is the only reason!

This is not me. This is a model. 

It was when I went to buy my scrubs and looked at myself in the mirror in my scrubs and white coat that it felt real. I am going to be a nurse!

Anyway, I am really excited to start labs and practical hands on stuff. I am also nervous about it though, because I always tend to doubt myself. I just keep trying to remind myself though that I can do it. I was so scared going into this first semester because I felt like I was at such a disadvantage because I had no background in anything science related. I studied my butt off, but I aced all of my classes. Unless I completely bomb my finals, I'll end up with a 98+ in all my classes. I can do this.

I can't wait for my scrubs to come back from the tailor (I had to have them hemmed my patches sewn on) so I can wear them around the house to get into the nursing mood!

On my Bike Again

I was planning to go to a spin class this morning, but when I got up it was just SO nice out that all I wanted was to be outside. It was the perfect morning to go for my first bike ride outside. The only problem was this.

please excuse the terrible picture quality

My husband nicely tucked my road bike way up in the back of basement, where it would be safe and dry all winter. Easy enough for him at 6' 3", but not so easy for me at 5'2" to get down. I was determined though, and I eventually got that bike down!

The hassle was worth it- I had such a nice ride! I did my favorite ride along the coast in Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, and South Portland. It was like revisiting an old friend you haven't seen in a long time. It was familiar, but I also rediscovered some things I had forgotten as well as found a few new things.

Black Point

I can't imagine living someplace without seasons. I get such joy out of the weather change in each season- the first warm, sunny days in spring; the first cool, crisp days of fall; the first snow. This is my favorite part of spring- it is lovely, but the tourists haven't arrived yet so the roads are still quiet and the beaches are still empty.

Crescent Beach

This made me so excited for summer and so excited to get out on my bike a lot. 

What is your favorite season? Have you gotten outside on your bike yet? It is (finally) getting warm where you are?

Morocco Training: Week 3

The thing about a 6 week training cycle is that by week 3 I am already in my peak week! Here is what my training looked like this week:

Week Of	Long Run	Weekly Total
3-May
Planned	16-18	30-35
Actual	17	33.4

Again, I'm right where I planned to be, but it was a bit of a struggle this week. 

The bright spot in my week was my track workout on Tuesday. I did 6 x 800, and an 8 min/mile pace felt nice and easy.

I did my long run on the Eastern Trail on Thursday, hoping the dirt would be easier on my tired body. It was beautiful, and I loved being off road, but my legs were completely done by the end of the run. My hips were aching and I was really working just to keep moving forward. 

My long run didn't do much to inspire confidence that I can run a marathon in 3 weeks. But, I am going to resist the urge to try to cram in more training. It might built mental confidence, but it will just break me physically. 

I've really been trying to be good to my body. I've been taking a rest day (which for me is major), going to yoga, went to the chiropractor, and have been foam rolling and using my massage balls. Sushi thinks the massage balls are a toy and gets all up in my shiz. This makes me laugh so hard I can't keep going. 

that underbite

So now I begin my taper. I'm not feeling super confident, and I doubt this will be a PR or anything close, but that's okay. I just have to finish 26.2 miles.

125

As I logged my long run today, I realized that I ran 125 miles this month. Anything near or over 100 is high for me.

With the new Runner's World dashboard, my month miles aren't as apparent, so I've stopped noticing them as much. But, given April's mileage, I was curious to see my previous months. In March I ran 101, in February 111, and in January I ran 127.


Holy smokes- I've run 100+ miles every single month this year! An unintentional streak.

I feel both strong and exhausted.

I've been hitting really fast paces on the track and loving it. I was able to jump right into training for a marathon in Morocco.

But at the same time, the cumulative fatigue is hitting me. My legs felt so heavy on my long run today. My IT band, hip flexors, and hamstrings are tighter than they've ever felt.

Even though it wasn't intentional, I am really going to hate to end this streak. I know my body though, and it can't handle a year straight of 100+ miles. Will May be the month it ends?

Do you aim for a specific monthly mileage?
Do you track your miles all month and make yourself run a certain distance the last day of the month to meet you goal?
What is your highest ever monthly mileage?