For all three of my devout blog readers, here's the skinny! 3 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds! I did it, baby! How exciting is that?!
Actually, I must admit, I went back and forth on the excitement. Walking to the starting line I felt like a kid who didn't want to go to her graduation ceremony. Odd, right? I've always been one for the Pomp and Circumstance of it all, but I felt rather hum drum about it - better than being anxious, I suppose. Maybe in my subconscious I was downplaying it in case I didn't finish or do well? I don't know, because I really had no doubts that we would finish. Who knows - anyway...
The morning was muggy, but not too hot, in the 80s? - I could cope with that. I was thankful it wasn't raining! Derek and I found a parking spot about 10 blocks away from the starting line, so we had a good warm up walk. I eventually meet up with group - in Corral 22. (See, they put people in groups based on their speed, elite runners at the front, slow pokes in the back. I was in Corral 22 out of 24. I'm OK with that, it just adds to the humor of it all.) We all moved along together like cattle until we reached the starting line. BLARE! With the blast of the air horn we were off! Oh oh. My shins were beginning to bother me, grrr! I pulled off to the side to stretch 'em and we lost half of our pace group - within the first 100 yards! Oh well! My running partner extraordinaire and I kept on!
Side note number one:
Derek was supposed to volunteer at one of the water stops, but he decided against that and purposed he would be the photographer superstar instead, meeting up with us all along the course. I'll try to post a few of these shots. Of course, the battery died midway, so he opted for the low-tech disposable camera for the post race pics. It was big fun meeting him along the way. At one point he ran with us, a mile or so. Seeing his smile, hearing his reports of other runners, letting us know we looked well, these things were of great comfort and a boost for me. It turned out his water stop was well manned (they didn't seem to miss him); he was definitely more of a benefit to us, I'd say. :)
Now, my musical two cents...
One of the things that makes the VA Beach Half Marathon so much fun are the bands that they sprinkle along the way to keep you groovin'. The first band was playing James Taylor, "I've seen fire, and I've seen rain. I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end..." You know, a really sad song, but for my first run and my first band, I thought it was great! Now, between mile 7 and 8, there was a one man Journey band singing "Faithfully". I wanted to BOOO him if I had the energy or creativity. It was hot then, the clouds had taken a break and the sun was greeting us rather warmly. I thought, how on earth is this song supposed to motivate us? I guess it was no less up-beat than the first song we heard, but dude, c'mon! I guess I just had to gripe about something. But the next band was playing an old favorite - "So go on now, Go! Walk out that door! Don't turn around now, you're not welcome anymore!... I Will Survive!" Every girls back up song! It was great! We got all pumped, we were practically dancing! Then, the very best song I heard ALL day was an old rap song from high school "Lottie Dottie, we like to party, we don't cause trouble we don't bother nobody..." When I heard that, honey, I was next to delirium! My best friend and I would sing that about a thousand times a day! Derek, who was running with us at the time, thought that I would be the only one who knew that song, and maybe so. Those guys who were singing were like the Beastie Boys in Jamaica, all reggae-like. Oh, it was so cool. One zillion times better than the off key sappy Steve Perry 3 miles back. Me-yow, claws in please!
Alright, back to the race...
We ran, and ran, and ran. Down big streets, over a bridge with a shallow incline, through part of the naval base and then back onto a big street. The return trip's bridge was steeper so we walked up and over it and ran to mile 11 ahead of us. We saw my friend's family, all was groovy there! Next, the last water stop and on to mile 12. After the water stop, where we did a hairpin turn, we could see the racers behind us on our previous street. One kind police officer said to us, "Well, you're kicking all their butts!" We just loved his comment and that helped us keep going. We had our last snack before we reached the boardwalk. When we stepped foot on the boardwalk it was just beautiful! The ocean, knowing that we were less than a mile away, just being able to walk a bit (well, walk a bit more, we had already taken some walking liberties), the excitement all around us, it was great... We ran again, then walked, then we saw the finish line. "OK, let's run." But something happened in me and I took off. Not really at full tilt, but my buddy was like "Hey! You're sprinting!" I didn't mean to run faster than normal, but I guess I just wanted to cross it. My chickie-chiquita friend booked it too. We got the EXACT same time - so awesome! 3:03:34 Our estimated time - target time - 3:03. How wacky is that. Kinda like Henry being born on his due date, even though I didn't know it (you know how you have at least two ETAs in your head for that - OK different story).
Happy, happy day. We finished, "on time", both feeling well, although we each had a hiccup or two during the race. The course was great, one spot reminded us so much of our training, shaded tree-lined residential streets, that mile went too quickly. The folks out to cheer all of us runners on was incredible, and no one was like, "you look like crap, siddown!", but "You're looking strong! Keep going! You can do this! Not much longer, keep it up!" Wow. Total strangers, really quite nice when you think about it. :)
The first thing they gave you after crossing the finish line was a bottle of cold water. We got our medals from random joes who had armloads full and just handed them to you - that was kind of odd, not even around the neck, you know? Others were handing out popsicles (red, white and blue rocket ones) and bananas, too. OH, and wet, cold face clothes - niiiiiiice! me likey :D We met up with our families and headed over to the Easton ROCKS tent to see our race family and see their smiles and hear their times and stories. It was all good. I even had a surprise visitor from Easton - Katie's Dora doll! She snuck in my bag to greet me at the beach! She's like my Travelocity Gnome; she heard about VA Beach and she had to come. She was sad to miss my NY adventure in July, but was pleased to score this trip. Her visit is documented on the low-tech camera, postings will be forthcoming.
After a bit, we had lunch with friends, a snooze back at our friend's house (almost three hours long!), a bite for dinner and then saw The B-52s in concert on the beach. That was great! We were maybe 40 feet from the stage, and to see those folks still up there singing "Private Idaho", "Roam", "Love Shack", and "Rock Lobster" was just a hoot! They sang more songs I didn't know than I did, but - wow, it was fun. One guy behind us must have been the biggest B-52s fan ever, he was manic about every song, acting like a robot for one of them, kicking up sand for the rest. The whole scene was just fun, a great way to end it all. :)
Got home at midnight, woke at six this morning, said farewell to my super wonderful host and her family (after their photo shoot with Dora!), picked up the kiddos, had a celebratory lunch at Chick-fil-A, drove home with next to zero traffic (thank you, Lord!), unpacked and here I am. And there you are. And the job is done. What a trip this has been! :)
Will I do this again? Maybe. We'll see what's in store for us in the Spring. You just never know what's around the corner! I have to say this has been wonderful and amazing and - like everyone always says - the friends and the memories and I learned what I can do, bla bla bla. While cliche, it's very true. My dad can't believe I willingly broke a sweat. I understand my husband better. My daughter wants to run with me - for a bit - down the street. My little part has caused at least one other gal to join a gym and become more active, and still another asked ME for my thoughts on running! Not to mention the kids we'll be helping and who will be having fun! I can't shut up right now because I've got so much happy inside!
So, if you feel like you ought to do something outside your little comfort zone, just do it (sorry for another cliche, but it's true). The worst thing that could happen rarely does, and the best thing that could happen is your heart soars! Just think of where that possibility can take you - you just have no idea! I say: Just do it, you will be so grateful! :)
Well, I guess that's it for now. Feel free to check in from time to time... there may be more at some point.
PS - If you are a time geek and really want to know about it all, you can check out the VA Beach Half Marathon Run website. The link is above.
Thanks for everything! :)
Monday, September 1, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Holy Crow! Wait a Second!
This is why it's good to keep a log (or weblog a.k.a. 'blog), because sometimes you learn something. For instance, my six mile time.
First, let me say this - it is DARK during the 5:00 hour now, we could barely see each other when folks first arrived! I had to be practically on top of the person before I could figure out who they were, and it had very little with my eyesight! The four of us did find each other and went out a little after 6:00. For various reasons, L and I weren't up to our usual high-speed selves, we were lagging a bit behind the other two most of the morning. During our last mile we walked a good bit, I'd say 10 minutes or so. We still came in at 1:21, which was 6 minutes quicker than our target time. Not to mention, my quickest of all four six-mile runs! Hot spit, kids! And we walked! I guess things are looking good for next week!
They asked us this morning about how we feel for next week. One response echoes mine: I feel fine. We did it last week, we can do it again. However, I wonder about the anxiety level when we are corralled together, before we actually begin. I wonder about the heat, starting at 7:00 and being further south. I wonder what it'll be like navigating our way in a relatively small space with 20,000 other people - especially since Easton has only 15,000 or so residents and we never pack ourselves into a 13 mile stretch that loops back on itself, etc. Oh well, these questions will all be answered by noon on the 31st - just 8 days away! Yikes! :)
First, let me say this - it is DARK during the 5:00 hour now, we could barely see each other when folks first arrived! I had to be practically on top of the person before I could figure out who they were, and it had very little with my eyesight! The four of us did find each other and went out a little after 6:00. For various reasons, L and I weren't up to our usual high-speed selves, we were lagging a bit behind the other two most of the morning. During our last mile we walked a good bit, I'd say 10 minutes or so. We still came in at 1:21, which was 6 minutes quicker than our target time. Not to mention, my quickest of all four six-mile runs! Hot spit, kids! And we walked! I guess things are looking good for next week!
They asked us this morning about how we feel for next week. One response echoes mine: I feel fine. We did it last week, we can do it again. However, I wonder about the anxiety level when we are corralled together, before we actually begin. I wonder about the heat, starting at 7:00 and being further south. I wonder what it'll be like navigating our way in a relatively small space with 20,000 other people - especially since Easton has only 15,000 or so residents and we never pack ourselves into a 13 mile stretch that loops back on itself, etc. Oh well, these questions will all be answered by noon on the 31st - just 8 days away! Yikes! :)
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Keep Movin 4Ward
Indeed I did! For 14 miles, 3 hours 14 minutes! I can't believe it. I just assumed I could, my knee was fine and I was with my Fabulicious gals, how could I go wrong?
7:00 we started, heading out Oxford Road and snaking through lovely neighborhoods - I found a house I love! We were in good spirits and the weather was in our favor, cool with a breeze. I couldn't even tell you specifics - 14 minutes and change for the 1st mile, 12 and change for the second... overall just less than 14 minute miles. I am just thankful to have done it in less than 4 hours, even better less than 3:30, and better still less than 3:15 - and that's 14 miles, we only have to do 13.1 on race day!
It was getting a bit long, I will admit. I remember saying around mile 8ish that I was getting tired, but no sleep till Brooklyn, baby - gotta keep rockin'. In the first half of our run, one of our coaches told us to slow down, and I broke out into the old New Edition song, "You've got to slow it down, ooooh watch out!" I'm the team singer, I guess. Nutcase? Whatever. If you can't laugh, really!
So we knew that there was going to be a shindig at the park at the end of our run, our families were invited and we always have postrun snackies (fruit, cheese, etc.). But, Honey, I tell you what - this was a par-tay! Balloons, banners, cheering, two huge tables of food and kid and runner friendly drinks. It was wonderful! Before we got there, our one teammate's family met us at the corner and her son ran with her. Then our other teammate's daughter joined us and the now six of us ran to the finish line. I finally spotted my family - Derek with camera in hand (a man after my own heart!), Henry with a juice box, and Katie who screamed "Mommieeee!" and ran into my arms! How awesome! I had no idea what that kind of welcome would mean to me! SO, so nice! I received my very own medal for finishing, and after the congratulatory hugs and kisses, Derek hands me a small square box. Inside, a small black velvet bag. Inside, a silver ring that he had engraved "Keep Movin 4Ward".
Now, this ring means a lot to me. I'm not going to get into all of it, but I'll say that Derek is a good man. He knows when to listen to me and when to ignore me. Besides the obvious implications, the expression "keep moving forward" is from the kids' movie "Meet the Robinsons" which is a movie I LOVE. The second time I watched it I was going to point out the part at the end that made me cry, but I couldn't because I was boo-hooing again - a trademark stamp of approval of a good movie for me. Derek and I just celebrated our 13th anniversary and he made all sorts of analogies in my card of running and life together, and this very thoughtful ring just pulls all those threads together. He made very good points today, not that I keep 'em, but if I did he got a bunch. PLUS, he rubbed my feet at the celebration. How good can life be?
The whole after-run fun time was all sorts of feel good happy times for me. Henry ran and played by himself with his friends, Kate ran between the playground and us - and it was all OK because so many people were around and watching out for them and each other. Everyone was happy, the weather was unbelievable, and it was such a happy, good for you, you rock sort of time. These folks that we've seen every Saturday since May, happy and sweaty and glad to have kicked out 14 miles (full marathoners did 18!). A beautiful, wonderful time. :)
Came home, ate lunch, showered - ahhhh!, slept 2.5 hours, ate extraordinary burgers from the grill, tomato and basil salad, and corn on the cob, got the kids to bed, and am now writing this blog. Derek is folding laundry and watching Brit Wit. I think we'll crack open a heffeweizen each and finish our British shows together. A great way to end a great, great day. :)
PS - This day may even mean more to me than the actual race day. I may be wrong, but I'm a Thanksgiving kind of girl. Thanksgiving is under-rated compared to Christmas - too much hub bub and the meaning gets lost; Thanksgiving is more of the real deal. The real deal for me was running for Easton through Easton with friends from Easton - that's what made this top notch. The beach will be nice, don't get me wrong, but I don't know if I need the 'formality' of it now. Give me authentic good times with friends, feet up on the tree with Lori, hugs for and from Amy and Susan L., seeing Christina give my kids and hers chocolate chip cookies because she loves 'em. That's what I'm talkin' bout. :] sniff!
7:00 we started, heading out Oxford Road and snaking through lovely neighborhoods - I found a house I love! We were in good spirits and the weather was in our favor, cool with a breeze. I couldn't even tell you specifics - 14 minutes and change for the 1st mile, 12 and change for the second... overall just less than 14 minute miles. I am just thankful to have done it in less than 4 hours, even better less than 3:30, and better still less than 3:15 - and that's 14 miles, we only have to do 13.1 on race day!
It was getting a bit long, I will admit. I remember saying around mile 8ish that I was getting tired, but no sleep till Brooklyn, baby - gotta keep rockin'. In the first half of our run, one of our coaches told us to slow down, and I broke out into the old New Edition song, "You've got to slow it down, ooooh watch out!" I'm the team singer, I guess. Nutcase? Whatever. If you can't laugh, really!
So we knew that there was going to be a shindig at the park at the end of our run, our families were invited and we always have postrun snackies (fruit, cheese, etc.). But, Honey, I tell you what - this was a par-tay! Balloons, banners, cheering, two huge tables of food and kid and runner friendly drinks. It was wonderful! Before we got there, our one teammate's family met us at the corner and her son ran with her. Then our other teammate's daughter joined us and the now six of us ran to the finish line. I finally spotted my family - Derek with camera in hand (a man after my own heart!), Henry with a juice box, and Katie who screamed "Mommieeee!" and ran into my arms! How awesome! I had no idea what that kind of welcome would mean to me! SO, so nice! I received my very own medal for finishing, and after the congratulatory hugs and kisses, Derek hands me a small square box. Inside, a small black velvet bag. Inside, a silver ring that he had engraved "Keep Movin 4Ward".
Now, this ring means a lot to me. I'm not going to get into all of it, but I'll say that Derek is a good man. He knows when to listen to me and when to ignore me. Besides the obvious implications, the expression "keep moving forward" is from the kids' movie "Meet the Robinsons" which is a movie I LOVE. The second time I watched it I was going to point out the part at the end that made me cry, but I couldn't because I was boo-hooing again - a trademark stamp of approval of a good movie for me. Derek and I just celebrated our 13th anniversary and he made all sorts of analogies in my card of running and life together, and this very thoughtful ring just pulls all those threads together. He made very good points today, not that I keep 'em, but if I did he got a bunch. PLUS, he rubbed my feet at the celebration. How good can life be?
The whole after-run fun time was all sorts of feel good happy times for me. Henry ran and played by himself with his friends, Kate ran between the playground and us - and it was all OK because so many people were around and watching out for them and each other. Everyone was happy, the weather was unbelievable, and it was such a happy, good for you, you rock sort of time. These folks that we've seen every Saturday since May, happy and sweaty and glad to have kicked out 14 miles (full marathoners did 18!). A beautiful, wonderful time. :)
Came home, ate lunch, showered - ahhhh!, slept 2.5 hours, ate extraordinary burgers from the grill, tomato and basil salad, and corn on the cob, got the kids to bed, and am now writing this blog. Derek is folding laundry and watching Brit Wit. I think we'll crack open a heffeweizen each and finish our British shows together. A great way to end a great, great day. :)
PS - This day may even mean more to me than the actual race day. I may be wrong, but I'm a Thanksgiving kind of girl. Thanksgiving is under-rated compared to Christmas - too much hub bub and the meaning gets lost; Thanksgiving is more of the real deal. The real deal for me was running for Easton through Easton with friends from Easton - that's what made this top notch. The beach will be nice, don't get me wrong, but I don't know if I need the 'formality' of it now. Give me authentic good times with friends, feet up on the tree with Lori, hugs for and from Amy and Susan L., seeing Christina give my kids and hers chocolate chip cookies because she loves 'em. That's what I'm talkin' bout. :] sniff!
Friday, August 15, 2008
I just noticed...
that my sneakers are dirty. When glancing down, I thought they may have been Derek's; I had to do a double-take! I proudly say that I have put some miles on those bad boys - probably not hundreds, but a bunch.
I have dirty sneakers (maybe for the first time in my life). This says I'm on the right path for August 31st! :) We will see how it all shakes out tomorrow!
I have dirty sneakers (maybe for the first time in my life). This says I'm on the right path for August 31st! :) We will see how it all shakes out tomorrow!
Gearing Up for 14!
Oy! I just ate my son's left over chicken nuggets from lunch - maybe not the best way to prepare for tomorrow's 14 mile run! Last week was great! Ran without owies in my knee or leg and was able to do 6 miles in an hour and 25 mins. The running without pain part is the best news for me! Now lets see if we can double that mileage and add two more!
We're heading out tomorrow at 7 am and hope to return by 11, I mean that is all the time we have for the race in two weeks. I'll let you know more after it's done - if I'm not sleeping for the rest of the week! :)
Yep, 16 days till race day...Amazing that I'm saying that! You just never know! :)
We're heading out tomorrow at 7 am and hope to return by 11, I mean that is all the time we have for the race in two weeks. I'll let you know more after it's done - if I'm not sleeping for the rest of the week! :)
Yep, 16 days till race day...Amazing that I'm saying that! You just never know! :)
Monday, August 4, 2008
I Am Amazed
Jesus said, "Ask and you will receive." He was referring, of course, to asking Him for things. I just asked you all to help out, and WOW, you have!
I needed to raise $1,000. That's a lot of bread. I asked for $1,310 and to date $1,450 has come in under my name! Unbelievable! I am flabbergasted! How can people think so much of me and what I'm doing? I am so floored at all of the support and well wishes and amount of money that has come to help these kids! All I can say is thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! I am just humbled at your generosity.
Just one person. There's a poem out there with that title or one similar, and I always thought of other people being that "one person". This is the second time this year (and this has only happened twice in my life) that I feel like I myself have affected an aspect of life for scores of other people. The first was the cockamamie idea of our high school reunion - others worked harder on it to pulled it off, but really, the idea originated with me (I type in unbelief, shaking my head). An now - $1,450 for kiddos who we will never meet, but who want to have fun and learn more. We have positively touched their lives. Amazing.
Your support means more than I can express. Thank you, thank you.
I needed to raise $1,000. That's a lot of bread. I asked for $1,310 and to date $1,450 has come in under my name! Unbelievable! I am flabbergasted! How can people think so much of me and what I'm doing? I am so floored at all of the support and well wishes and amount of money that has come to help these kids! All I can say is thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! I am just humbled at your generosity.
Just one person. There's a poem out there with that title or one similar, and I always thought of other people being that "one person". This is the second time this year (and this has only happened twice in my life) that I feel like I myself have affected an aspect of life for scores of other people. The first was the cockamamie idea of our high school reunion - others worked harder on it to pulled it off, but really, the idea originated with me (I type in unbelief, shaking my head). An now - $1,450 for kiddos who we will never meet, but who want to have fun and learn more. We have positively touched their lives. Amazing.
Your support means more than I can express. Thank you, thank you.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Note to Self
More for my own memory than anything else... I did my 12 miles in two days - 6 yesterday afternoon and another 6 today - which was kosher by our coaches. Both times I mostly walked, which still takes a bit out of you. I was able to maintain less than a 15 minute mile with the treadmill, but who's to say I'd do that without the pavement moving underneath me. I would love to maintain that pace. Funny how numbers sound better or worse depending on one's situation.
Here's my game plan 4 weeks out (and if you're one of my coaches reading this, forgivaness please) - start slowish, meaning: walk quickly (since that doesn't really seem to irritate my knee). Then I think I will speed up, meaning: run some, walk some. The 2:3 ratio, although slow, feels good to the old knee. Depending on how I feel, around mile 10, assess quick walking vs. run walking vs. "Oww, I hope I can finish" walking. I would love to finish sub3:30. Cut off time is four hours. By mile 10 I hope to be around 2:30, but will likely be slower than that. If I were to hit 2:30, I could probably walk backwards and still finish in time.
I don't know if all this is bad form, like am I jinxing myself by putting all these numbers out there, but, as I said, just a note to self, "thinking online".
Well, that's it. I know some of my friends will be zipping along at a 10 minute mile, and some at 16. Hey, in the end, it's just a number. I would like to finish before the cut off, though. At least I'm in the game, a few weeks ago that was the question, right?
Here's my game plan 4 weeks out (and if you're one of my coaches reading this, forgivaness please) - start slowish, meaning: walk quickly (since that doesn't really seem to irritate my knee). Then I think I will speed up, meaning: run some, walk some. The 2:3 ratio, although slow, feels good to the old knee. Depending on how I feel, around mile 10, assess quick walking vs. run walking vs. "Oww, I hope I can finish" walking. I would love to finish sub3:30. Cut off time is four hours. By mile 10 I hope to be around 2:30, but will likely be slower than that. If I were to hit 2:30, I could probably walk backwards and still finish in time.
I don't know if all this is bad form, like am I jinxing myself by putting all these numbers out there, but, as I said, just a note to self, "thinking online".
Well, that's it. I know some of my friends will be zipping along at a 10 minute mile, and some at 16. Hey, in the end, it's just a number. I would like to finish before the cut off, though. At least I'm in the game, a few weeks ago that was the question, right?
Saturday, August 2, 2008
12 Mile Run ... Not!
Got up on time today, that's a plus. Ate, stretched, prepared myself, plus, plus, plus. Kissed the hubster goodbye, plus. Went out to the car and noticed the cloud coverage, plus! Maybe 12 miles won't be too bad.
At the park, the crowd had gathered. I found my team and we were reviewing the route. Our head coach called us to order and mentioned the possibility of rain, and maybe some thunder and lightning (a cloud lights up behind her). Some more talking, some more clouds lighting up. "If you're uncomfortable heading out, that's OK, you can make up the run on your own," but everyone is ready to run, so we all head out.
As we pass the Middle School, the clouds are huge and ominous, rolling towards us. Someone says, "I feel like Dorothy," but we all are certain that we won't be lifted high into the sky. We start our run and feel a few rain drops. I see my old team and chit chat with them a minute while running. They pass us and we eventually make our turn off of Oxford Road. Bolts of lighting and thunder are pretty common by then, but I mostly ignored them. One of the coaches drives past us, catches up with old team and tells them to turn around, the run is being canned. So we all do an about-face and head back to our cars. By now the rain is really hard; this has grown from a sprinkle to a rain, to a storm. I caught up with my old team to run back with them a bit quicker. A car with one of our people passes us and offers a ride for two of us, but we pass it up since there were three of us. Then, one of our coaches drives up and doesn't offer, but commands us, "GET IN THE CAR!"
"Are we going to sit on each other's lap?" one of us asks.
"We grew up in the 70's, it's OK," I reply.
The thought of three of us piling into an already occupied sedan was hysterical to me! Our mom-figure yelling at us to get out of the rain, all of us obeying, two of us climbing into a back seat with two gals already there - I found it a riot. It reminded me of being in grade school, being driven to band practice - SEVEN of us in a small Honda, two in the bucket seat in front, and five of us in the back seat, instruments and book bags and bodies shoved everywhere. With my reunion only a few weeks behind me, this was really an exciting and wonderful memory to relive. However, as an adult in 2008, I knew the situation was not great, and our coach was not happy with it or the prior decision of letting us run. But this is the thing memories are made of, you couldn't plan this!
We get back to the park and our coach was heading out to pick up more soggy runners. After we sprung out of the car like clowns, I heard one girl say, "I think that's a cheerio on your back." I mean, if you can't find the humor in it!
Total time running 24 minutes. I have to run the 12 miles on me own now within 24 hours. Hello YMCA! What a hoot.
PS - As I drove home, I had to use the high-speed wipers and there were lightning bolts and thunder claps so close you couldn't even count "one one-thousand". They did the right thing by calling it. However, I bet within a half hour, it had passed. By then, I was changed and snuggy in my bed again. The kids were still snuggy on their own, and we were able to greet 8:00 on a Saturday in bed! I was expecting a good morning, but it sure did turn out differently than I had planned! A very different kind of good!
At the park, the crowd had gathered. I found my team and we were reviewing the route. Our head coach called us to order and mentioned the possibility of rain, and maybe some thunder and lightning (a cloud lights up behind her). Some more talking, some more clouds lighting up. "If you're uncomfortable heading out, that's OK, you can make up the run on your own," but everyone is ready to run, so we all head out.
As we pass the Middle School, the clouds are huge and ominous, rolling towards us. Someone says, "I feel like Dorothy," but we all are certain that we won't be lifted high into the sky. We start our run and feel a few rain drops. I see my old team and chit chat with them a minute while running. They pass us and we eventually make our turn off of Oxford Road. Bolts of lighting and thunder are pretty common by then, but I mostly ignored them. One of the coaches drives past us, catches up with old team and tells them to turn around, the run is being canned. So we all do an about-face and head back to our cars. By now the rain is really hard; this has grown from a sprinkle to a rain, to a storm. I caught up with my old team to run back with them a bit quicker. A car with one of our people passes us and offers a ride for two of us, but we pass it up since there were three of us. Then, one of our coaches drives up and doesn't offer, but commands us, "GET IN THE CAR!"
"Are we going to sit on each other's lap?" one of us asks.
"We grew up in the 70's, it's OK," I reply.
The thought of three of us piling into an already occupied sedan was hysterical to me! Our mom-figure yelling at us to get out of the rain, all of us obeying, two of us climbing into a back seat with two gals already there - I found it a riot. It reminded me of being in grade school, being driven to band practice - SEVEN of us in a small Honda, two in the bucket seat in front, and five of us in the back seat, instruments and book bags and bodies shoved everywhere. With my reunion only a few weeks behind me, this was really an exciting and wonderful memory to relive. However, as an adult in 2008, I knew the situation was not great, and our coach was not happy with it or the prior decision of letting us run. But this is the thing memories are made of, you couldn't plan this!
We get back to the park and our coach was heading out to pick up more soggy runners. After we sprung out of the car like clowns, I heard one girl say, "I think that's a cheerio on your back." I mean, if you can't find the humor in it!
Total time running 24 minutes. I have to run the 12 miles on me own now within 24 hours. Hello YMCA! What a hoot.
PS - As I drove home, I had to use the high-speed wipers and there were lightning bolts and thunder claps so close you couldn't even count "one one-thousand". They did the right thing by calling it. However, I bet within a half hour, it had passed. By then, I was changed and snuggy in my bed again. The kids were still snuggy on their own, and we were able to greet 8:00 on a Saturday in bed! I was expecting a good morning, but it sure did turn out differently than I had planned! A very different kind of good!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
6 Mile Recovery Run
Good News! I did six miles without hurting!!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Sing it with me!
I did my two maintenance runs this week as walks and got up to 4.2 mph - top speed. I was over the moon that I could at least maintain a 15 minute mile for, well, only two miles, but still - no pain! I kibbitzed with my coaches and, same story as always - "ice, stretch, get insoles, you can do this. Head out with the 2:3 group this week (run 2 minutes, walk 3) instead of walking it. See how it goes." I was just so nervous about hurting, but I was reassured my one coach that I'm not a whimp because of that, nobody likes hurting. I felt a little better then.
Thursday night my hubby got me heat moldable insoles ($30, but WORTH IT) which we put in my shoes Friday night, ready for my 6 a.m. group run. I put out all my clothing, got my water ready, Shot Blocks, etc., set my alarm for 5:03(p.m.). 5:50 A.M. Derek nudges me and says, "Don't you have to leave?" eeek! I have never done anything so fast in my life, I was out the door and at the park by 6:00! I get there with tears just under the surface because I wanted this to go well, I was behind the eight ball already and I just didn't feel prepared at all. My best running buddy was sad because of a non-running issue, and my other gal pal was hesitantly excited since she just committed to running the full marathon in October! Can we say emotional soup, please?
I found my group and off we went. We had to walk a bit first to get where we needed to start, and then >bang!< We were off, running more swiftly than a ... butterfly? spider? centipede? It doesn't matter, we were moving! The old right knee felt a bit funny, but was no where near hurting! Our pace was slow and the steps short, which is what the coaches had ordered. The walk breaks were more like saunters! In the end, we completed the 6 miles in an hour and 38 minutes. That's over a 16 minute mile. :\ I'm horrified, but not hurting. I think I have to chose physical benefits over my pride - this time. We'll see how it shakes out Aug. 31st.
The weather was in our favor, for sure, warm but with a nice breeze. My new running companions were chatty and welcoming. At the water stops, I didn't need to be spritzed down or grab any ice (weather or lack of exertion?) Once, I noticed I was pulling out in front a little, but I'm glad I had them to pull me back. I felt good all the way through and had a huge smile for my coaches at the end of the run. Derek was just as pleased when I returned home with a happy face and a healthy knee! :)
Next week - 12 miles. I know it will take us close to four hours - the 2:3 team did 11 miles last week in 3:40something! I'm going to die if it's over four - on race day, you are disqualified if you don't finish within four hours. Breathe in, breathe out. It will work itself out. That's for sure.
Little steps, new insoles, slower pace; three good things. Two new generous contributors - Kevin Frankel and Stacey Haynie; two GREAT people! A new hope for finishing this half marathon without pain; that's OK by me! :)
I did my two maintenance runs this week as walks and got up to 4.2 mph - top speed. I was over the moon that I could at least maintain a 15 minute mile for, well, only two miles, but still - no pain! I kibbitzed with my coaches and, same story as always - "ice, stretch, get insoles, you can do this. Head out with the 2:3 group this week (run 2 minutes, walk 3) instead of walking it. See how it goes." I was just so nervous about hurting, but I was reassured my one coach that I'm not a whimp because of that, nobody likes hurting. I felt a little better then.
Thursday night my hubby got me heat moldable insoles ($30, but WORTH IT) which we put in my shoes Friday night, ready for my 6 a.m. group run. I put out all my clothing, got my water ready, Shot Blocks, etc., set my alarm for 5:03(p.m.). 5:50 A.M. Derek nudges me and says, "Don't you have to leave?" eeek! I have never done anything so fast in my life, I was out the door and at the park by 6:00! I get there with tears just under the surface because I wanted this to go well, I was behind the eight ball already and I just didn't feel prepared at all. My best running buddy was sad because of a non-running issue, and my other gal pal was hesitantly excited since she just committed to running the full marathon in October! Can we say emotional soup, please?
I found my group and off we went. We had to walk a bit first to get where we needed to start, and then >bang!< We were off, running more swiftly than a ... butterfly? spider? centipede? It doesn't matter, we were moving! The old right knee felt a bit funny, but was no where near hurting! Our pace was slow and the steps short, which is what the coaches had ordered. The walk breaks were more like saunters! In the end, we completed the 6 miles in an hour and 38 minutes. That's over a 16 minute mile. :\ I'm horrified, but not hurting. I think I have to chose physical benefits over my pride - this time. We'll see how it shakes out Aug. 31st.
The weather was in our favor, for sure, warm but with a nice breeze. My new running companions were chatty and welcoming. At the water stops, I didn't need to be spritzed down or grab any ice (weather or lack of exertion?) Once, I noticed I was pulling out in front a little, but I'm glad I had them to pull me back. I felt good all the way through and had a huge smile for my coaches at the end of the run. Derek was just as pleased when I returned home with a happy face and a healthy knee! :)
Next week - 12 miles. I know it will take us close to four hours - the 2:3 team did 11 miles last week in 3:40something! I'm going to die if it's over four - on race day, you are disqualified if you don't finish within four hours. Breathe in, breathe out. It will work itself out. That's for sure.
Little steps, new insoles, slower pace; three good things. Two new generous contributors - Kevin Frankel and Stacey Haynie; two GREAT people! A new hope for finishing this half marathon without pain; that's OK by me! :)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
This Weekend, 11 Miles or 5.5 if you're me!
Many thoughts are zipping around in my mind - where to start?
I guess I can start by giving a BIG THANK YOU to the people that have pushed me over the edge of my fundraising goal! Family - Aunt Flossie and Cousin Kristine and families, current friends - Melanie and Wade Dressler, and high school friends - Angela Grice, and Albert (Gonzalez) Pantoja. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Over $1,300 for the kids of Easton :) They and I so appreciate your help! :)
Next, my knee update. All I can do is blurg it all out - my right knee hurts and it makes me want to quit. If I didn't get close to $300 last week towards this running gig, I might have said "Forget this whole thing", but since I believe things happen for a reason, I think the mad rush of moola came a long to keep me going. I can say to someone, "I really hurt, and this stinks, and why do I want to put myself through this", but on the other hand I feel I can't say, "Thanks for your money, I'm bailing." So, on with the show I go.
I did have my high school reunion last weekend, which was an utter blast! Prior to going, my coach suggested I take the week and the 5 mile run off, rest up. :D And boy, I DID! I ran maybe 100 feet in a parking lot that weekend; it was nice to power myself and know I could run without being winded. However, I also took the next week off (this past week) because I was away and hadn't brought any of my stuff - no sneakers, no running gear - bubkis. So yesterday was the first day in 2 weeks I was going to run. I was nervous. I had no idea how my knees or hip would feel. I knew I wasn't going to make the 11 miles, that was out of the question. I was aiming for 5, my coach alluded to 7ish with walking the rest of the way. I just had to listen to my body. THANKFULLY, I had my best running buddy there and she was a HUGE encourager!
So off we all started, 6 a.m., down Oxford Road. Hot and humid, but do-able. Around the 1st mile marker, my right knee started to say, "hello!" We continued our 3:2 pace until mile 2. We met up with another group who was doing a 2:3 pace (run 2 mins., walk 3. Who knew you could do it that way?!) So L. and I said, eh, let's try a 3:3. We met up with our coach along the way and she suggested we do a 2:3 like the other group. We were quizzical about how that could be better for us, but I tell you what - I didn't miss the extra minute of running. I've turned into an old softie! At one point I felt like I could do better walking than running! We had a 18:33 mile! That's horrific! That was including running! L is a good gal to put up with me and my lame knee. Her knees hurt, too. I don't know how she goes on.
Well, we passed Miles 3, 4 and 5, and my heart was a little happy. I passed my own little cut off of 5 miles! I was just hoping my knee would hold out a bit longer. As we ran down Harrison Street, just after crossing Dover Street, in an instant my knee nearly killed me. I really hurt. Being stubborn (at times I can be) I just wanted to get to Mile 6, which I thought was at Goldsborough, just a block away. No yellow sign, surely it was just a few minutes away if I were in good running condition. Since I wasn't, and I stumble/scuffled while walking, I didn't get to see it. L & I gave each other a sweaty hug, and I left her to go it alone! She's one brave cookie! So, I packed it in, took off my water belt and headed back to our meeting place. I saw other gals who started a half hour after us, running the same street we ran 5 minutes ago. Eh, whatcanyoudo, those gals are gazelle-like and healthy. I just concentrated on getting back to the park without being too discouraged, I was doing what was best for my knee, I couldn't do the rest of the run today.
Arriving at the park, I realized that I didn't have my keys - we put them in a drop box like we're drunks (so we don't have to run with them, really). One of our coaches drove up and said that the other coach was out looking for me (aww! I love that! They really do care for you during this Marathon Rocks endeavour). She listened to my story of knee and no hip pain and she said, "Sounds like runner's knee probably brought on with the IT Band action." Great! Now I have TWO ailments I have to work on/around/with. Blurg.
I got home and I was walking OK, with a limp, but OK. Our head coach called at lunch time and suggested insoles and to build up my hamstring and quad muscles. At home coach, Derek, agreed. Last night I could barely walk, and this morning HUGE pain. But! Thank God for Advil! I've been doing much better ever since!
Everyone is so encouraging and telling me I can do this. "If you look ahead and look back you'll be glad you kept going." I don't like this pain. I don't like having to decide if living with and working through this pain is worth the goal of finishing a half marathon. The other goal of raising money has been obtained, by kindness of others. Really, I could wimp out now but still have helped out, which was an objective. Is the excitement of crossing that finish line worth the extra time and effort now? I guess I'm figuring it is. My friend, L, reminded me that this is hugely mental, I have to reframe my thoughts and opinion of myself and situation. I have to toughen up. I am, after all, a New Yorker! You can't get much tougher than that, right? And I just spent some time in NY - what am I thinking? I drove in NYC! I braved rush hour traffic in one of the most populated cities in the country! Of course I can do this! OK - Here I go - I'm getting ready to get over this pity party. Life's tough, get a helmet (or some Advil, knee braces, coaches and trainers, etc.!). Next week - a scheduled and will-be-successful - 6 mile run! :)
Thanks for letting me blurg and blog! :] Sue
I guess I can start by giving a BIG THANK YOU to the people that have pushed me over the edge of my fundraising goal! Family - Aunt Flossie and Cousin Kristine and families, current friends - Melanie and Wade Dressler, and high school friends - Angela Grice, and Albert (Gonzalez) Pantoja. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Over $1,300 for the kids of Easton :) They and I so appreciate your help! :)
Next, my knee update. All I can do is blurg it all out - my right knee hurts and it makes me want to quit. If I didn't get close to $300 last week towards this running gig, I might have said "Forget this whole thing", but since I believe things happen for a reason, I think the mad rush of moola came a long to keep me going. I can say to someone, "I really hurt, and this stinks, and why do I want to put myself through this", but on the other hand I feel I can't say, "Thanks for your money, I'm bailing." So, on with the show I go.
I did have my high school reunion last weekend, which was an utter blast! Prior to going, my coach suggested I take the week and the 5 mile run off, rest up. :D And boy, I DID! I ran maybe 100 feet in a parking lot that weekend; it was nice to power myself and know I could run without being winded. However, I also took the next week off (this past week) because I was away and hadn't brought any of my stuff - no sneakers, no running gear - bubkis. So yesterday was the first day in 2 weeks I was going to run. I was nervous. I had no idea how my knees or hip would feel. I knew I wasn't going to make the 11 miles, that was out of the question. I was aiming for 5, my coach alluded to 7ish with walking the rest of the way. I just had to listen to my body. THANKFULLY, I had my best running buddy there and she was a HUGE encourager!
So off we all started, 6 a.m., down Oxford Road. Hot and humid, but do-able. Around the 1st mile marker, my right knee started to say, "hello!" We continued our 3:2 pace until mile 2. We met up with another group who was doing a 2:3 pace (run 2 mins., walk 3. Who knew you could do it that way?!) So L. and I said, eh, let's try a 3:3. We met up with our coach along the way and she suggested we do a 2:3 like the other group. We were quizzical about how that could be better for us, but I tell you what - I didn't miss the extra minute of running. I've turned into an old softie! At one point I felt like I could do better walking than running! We had a 18:33 mile! That's horrific! That was including running! L is a good gal to put up with me and my lame knee. Her knees hurt, too. I don't know how she goes on.
Well, we passed Miles 3, 4 and 5, and my heart was a little happy. I passed my own little cut off of 5 miles! I was just hoping my knee would hold out a bit longer. As we ran down Harrison Street, just after crossing Dover Street, in an instant my knee nearly killed me. I really hurt. Being stubborn (at times I can be) I just wanted to get to Mile 6, which I thought was at Goldsborough, just a block away. No yellow sign, surely it was just a few minutes away if I were in good running condition. Since I wasn't, and I stumble/scuffled while walking, I didn't get to see it. L & I gave each other a sweaty hug, and I left her to go it alone! She's one brave cookie! So, I packed it in, took off my water belt and headed back to our meeting place. I saw other gals who started a half hour after us, running the same street we ran 5 minutes ago. Eh, whatcanyoudo, those gals are gazelle-like and healthy. I just concentrated on getting back to the park without being too discouraged, I was doing what was best for my knee, I couldn't do the rest of the run today.
Arriving at the park, I realized that I didn't have my keys - we put them in a drop box like we're drunks (so we don't have to run with them, really). One of our coaches drove up and said that the other coach was out looking for me (aww! I love that! They really do care for you during this Marathon Rocks endeavour). She listened to my story of knee and no hip pain and she said, "Sounds like runner's knee probably brought on with the IT Band action." Great! Now I have TWO ailments I have to work on/around/with. Blurg.
I got home and I was walking OK, with a limp, but OK. Our head coach called at lunch time and suggested insoles and to build up my hamstring and quad muscles. At home coach, Derek, agreed. Last night I could barely walk, and this morning HUGE pain. But! Thank God for Advil! I've been doing much better ever since!
Everyone is so encouraging and telling me I can do this. "If you look ahead and look back you'll be glad you kept going." I don't like this pain. I don't like having to decide if living with and working through this pain is worth the goal of finishing a half marathon. The other goal of raising money has been obtained, by kindness of others. Really, I could wimp out now but still have helped out, which was an objective. Is the excitement of crossing that finish line worth the extra time and effort now? I guess I'm figuring it is. My friend, L, reminded me that this is hugely mental, I have to reframe my thoughts and opinion of myself and situation. I have to toughen up. I am, after all, a New Yorker! You can't get much tougher than that, right? And I just spent some time in NY - what am I thinking? I drove in NYC! I braved rush hour traffic in one of the most populated cities in the country! Of course I can do this! OK - Here I go - I'm getting ready to get over this pity party. Life's tough, get a helmet (or some Advil, knee braces, coaches and trainers, etc.!). Next week - a scheduled and will-be-successful - 6 mile run! :)
Thanks for letting me blurg and blog! :] Sue
Saturday, July 5, 2008
10 miles, done! But what's this?
The glory of finishing ten miles is overshadowed by pain in my right knee and hip, and a hobble like an old woman.
We had a brand new route today, heading out Oxford Road, around a lovely neighborhood, back into town and down familiar streets. The insides of my knees were acting up a little during my second maintenance run. I went about business the rest of the week; things were fine. Within the first two minutes of running I felt my knees again. Others were mentioning their aches and pains, ankles, someone's knee, someone's back from moving furniture... a bunch of griping hens, we were!
After 5 miles, my right hip began to hurt - inside hip and outside knee, thus I had both sides of my right knee cap hurting and my hip. Honestly, I just wanted these ten miles all done, I didn't pay attention to if it felt better while I walked or what. I do remember saying my knee felt "rusty" when I started running again - I imagined a rusty spokey-geary bit near the peddles on a bike. Just keep pushing the peddles and ya keep movin' forward. Just get it done.
The ten miles were done in 2 hours 24 minutes, 14.4 minutes per mile. 18 minutes for the last mile. Why didn't we just walk backwards, we coulda made it quicker! Geez. I'm disheartened because, once again, I find out that being lazy and doing the bare minimum has rotten rewards. I haven't cross-trained (maybe I want to be home instead of the gym all the time), I run only 5 or 6 miles a week (see reasoning above), so far this has be easy-ish? so why put in extra time and attention if it ain't broken. Ahh... but now things are falling apart and to fix it takes extra time and attention.
My super terrific at home coach suggested I roll out my ITB with a rolling pin type contraption he has. Just roll, up and down on the outside of my leg from my hip to my knee. I felt like a million bucks! Maybe if I do it again I won't walk like Quasimodo, where did I put it?
So - 10 miles done! Hurray! Only add a 5K and I've completed a half marathon! I just have to take it easy and train properly. I'm finishing this thing. I may be a slow learner, but I'm determined! Thank goodness next weekend is a five miler, I have to do it on my own at the Y in NY prior to my high school reunion. Figures, all of this a week before my high school reunion when I should be able to boogie the night away to 80s tunes and with old friends... I may be walking my five miles, but it'll get done!
We had a brand new route today, heading out Oxford Road, around a lovely neighborhood, back into town and down familiar streets. The insides of my knees were acting up a little during my second maintenance run. I went about business the rest of the week; things were fine. Within the first two minutes of running I felt my knees again. Others were mentioning their aches and pains, ankles, someone's knee, someone's back from moving furniture... a bunch of griping hens, we were!
After 5 miles, my right hip began to hurt - inside hip and outside knee, thus I had both sides of my right knee cap hurting and my hip. Honestly, I just wanted these ten miles all done, I didn't pay attention to if it felt better while I walked or what. I do remember saying my knee felt "rusty" when I started running again - I imagined a rusty spokey-geary bit near the peddles on a bike. Just keep pushing the peddles and ya keep movin' forward. Just get it done.
The ten miles were done in 2 hours 24 minutes, 14.4 minutes per mile. 18 minutes for the last mile. Why didn't we just walk backwards, we coulda made it quicker! Geez. I'm disheartened because, once again, I find out that being lazy and doing the bare minimum has rotten rewards. I haven't cross-trained (maybe I want to be home instead of the gym all the time), I run only 5 or 6 miles a week (see reasoning above), so far this has be easy-ish? so why put in extra time and attention if it ain't broken. Ahh... but now things are falling apart and to fix it takes extra time and attention.
My super terrific at home coach suggested I roll out my ITB with a rolling pin type contraption he has. Just roll, up and down on the outside of my leg from my hip to my knee. I felt like a million bucks! Maybe if I do it again I won't walk like Quasimodo, where did I put it?
So - 10 miles done! Hurray! Only add a 5K and I've completed a half marathon! I just have to take it easy and train properly. I'm finishing this thing. I may be a slow learner, but I'm determined! Thank goodness next weekend is a five miler, I have to do it on my own at the Y in NY prior to my high school reunion. Figures, all of this a week before my high school reunion when I should be able to boogie the night away to 80s tunes and with old friends... I may be walking my five miles, but it'll get done!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Special Shout Out to...
Doug and Gloria Wade!
Our fundraiser-bean-counter-gal just told me that this dear couple, former neighbors and co-worker (Gloria), also gave money prior to Sunday! Kudos to them for helping me make it to $1,000! Kindness from so many places! I am indeed humbled!
Hip hip hooray! Thank you, thank you!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Nine Miles - whew!
So, I ran with my Fabulicious group again; a nice pace and speed to which to return. We clocked in at 2 hours 6 minutes, a solid 14 minute mile. The other group I ran with made it in 1 hour 58 minutes (13.1 min/mile), so not that far off of what we did. I bet I could keep up with them…but I’m relatively pain-free today, so that counts for something.
Next week’s run will include more Body Glide in more areas, for sure - too many sore red spots today. It will also be a ten miler! I’m surprised at how well my flabulicious body is holding up! Thank you, Lord, for the water stops and those that man them! I’ll tell you what, at our last water stop, around 8:00, the sun was brutal! For some strange running reason, I preferred to be moving than standing in that heat!
OH – also, BIG NEWS! I’m over my “Obligatory $1,000” mark! Yippee! Many thanks to:
Alright, until the July 5th run – chill, chill, don’t freeze.
Next week’s run will include more Body Glide in more areas, for sure - too many sore red spots today. It will also be a ten miler! I’m surprised at how well my flabulicious body is holding up! Thank you, Lord, for the water stops and those that man them! I’ll tell you what, at our last water stop, around 8:00, the sun was brutal! For some strange running reason, I preferred to be moving than standing in that heat!
OH – also, BIG NEWS! I’m over my “Obligatory $1,000” mark! Yippee! Many thanks to:
Bob and Liz Lynch
Chesapeake Bay Internal Medicine
Chris and Paul Biondi
Flowers by Steve (Barry and Stephen)
Gift Matcher
Herb Waldenmaier
Joan Vogelsang
Jodi Short
Kathy Anderson
Kendra, Troy, and Luke Riley
Linda Hills
Lisa Weremeichik
Lyn Kilbourn
Meredith Weiler-Skirka
Midge Coppersmith
Mr. and Mrs. Reid
Nancy Tucker
Ronald Martin, and
Trudy Hamilton!
With your gift to Easton ROCKS,
each of you have encouraged me and spurred me on!
And have given kids a wonderful opportunity.
Many Many Thanks!
If you are so inclined and have not yet donated, you have until July 26th! I'll give a big huzzah to future contributors then!
Alright, until the July 5th run – chill, chill, don’t freeze.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Eight Miler
Ahhh, so that’s done! I met up with Amy at 6 a.m. on this humidish Sunday morning, the sun just stretching itself awake, and the moon putting itself to bed. We walked around the track to warm up and we decided on a 3:1 pace, which we kept up for 4 miles. 4 miles in 46 minutes, thank you very much! That’s an 11.5 minute mile! Didn’t I just say I was not a sub-13 gal? Hello!
I was feeling a little winded, so at that half way mark we had our Goo and we switched the pace to 3:2. Amy was so incredibly flexible with running speed and pace – she's lovely! It was a joy to run with her. She told me how Easton Rocks began and some happenings along the way. I am so impressed that two gals (she and another Susan) had a vision for a few after school programs and it has turned into this! She has big dreams and ideas for the future, all of which get me so excited. I offered to help in some way, so I’ll be doing some administrative work for her when the school year gets started. I’m delighted to lend a hand in some way, more than running! :)
So, back to the run. After the 4 mile mark, we slowed it down a bit, but the time still slipped by, because we were chatting. I’m telling you there is no other way to run, you have to have a running buddy! We followed familiar roads and towards the end, Amy’s GPS watch beeped for 8 miles, and I was surprised! SUR-PRISED that we ran 8 miles. 8 miles in 1 hour 40 minutes! 12.57 minutes per mile. Sub-13, by 3 seconds, but still!
So it’s been 9 hours since I returned home. My quads were sore in church and I took a 1.5 hour nap this afternoon, but right now I’m feeling OK! Eight miles done, just have to add five more for the half marathon! C’mon Nine Miler! I can’t wait!
I was feeling a little winded, so at that half way mark we had our Goo and we switched the pace to 3:2. Amy was so incredibly flexible with running speed and pace – she's lovely! It was a joy to run with her. She told me how Easton Rocks began and some happenings along the way. I am so impressed that two gals (she and another Susan) had a vision for a few after school programs and it has turned into this! She has big dreams and ideas for the future, all of which get me so excited. I offered to help in some way, so I’ll be doing some administrative work for her when the school year gets started. I’m delighted to lend a hand in some way, more than running! :)
So, back to the run. After the 4 mile mark, we slowed it down a bit, but the time still slipped by, because we were chatting. I’m telling you there is no other way to run, you have to have a running buddy! We followed familiar roads and towards the end, Amy’s GPS watch beeped for 8 miles, and I was surprised! SUR-PRISED that we ran 8 miles. 8 miles in 1 hour 40 minutes! 12.57 minutes per mile. Sub-13, by 3 seconds, but still!
So it’s been 9 hours since I returned home. My quads were sore in church and I took a 1.5 hour nap this afternoon, but right now I’m feeling OK! Eight miles done, just have to add five more for the half marathon! C’mon Nine Miler! I can’t wait!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The Seven Miler - You Just Never Know!
Well it’s Saturday morning and I am home typing and watching the kiddos as they watch Wallace and Gromit! A load of laundry is in the dryer and we're going to go grocery shopping soon. I would normally be out on the 8 mile run, but my hubby has his own run to do – 50K/~32 miles – so we work with each other’s schedule. I will be running the 8 with our head coach, Amy, tomorrow morn, 6 a.m. Wish me luck!
Last weekend, we ran 7 miles. We were lumped into larger groups so we could shake ourselves out and run at our own pace. I saw a friend, S., and she asked me to run with her and her running buddy/friend, J., at a 3:1 pace, and I knew they were a bit schneller than what I normally run. I was confident from my good maintenance run earlier in the week and have been toying in my mind about trying a 3:1 ratio, so I accepted this offer. I checked it out with my other running gals and they said ‘fine! Have fun!’ so off I went.
I enjoyed running with S & J, the 3:1 gals! The conversation and pace were new. S said she was having an off day, however, and so I think we didn’t quite run at their full or usual potential, thus allowing me to keep up. All in all, we had a great run, I did anyway. We finished 7 miles in 1 hour 29 minutes, just 6 minuets faster than my 6 mile run! :o I wanted to know right then what I should do next week (today), what group to be in. I told myself to be patient; that I would certainly know by the next run. And I sure do! I am not a sub-13 minute/mile gal. My legs were sore the next two days and my run on Monday was pretty lame, more like a walk. Running is pulling out a more competitive side of me, I would love to be able to run faster with them, but the bigger mileage will kick my tookis if I go too fast. I have to increase mileage and speed gradually, says my homebased coach. He would know, I have to try to remember what he says.
Tomorrow will be interesting, for sure. I don’t know how fast Amy runs, but she’s very familiar with my pace. I guess she figures we’ll do OK together. I think I am just a slower gal, and I have to be OK with that. Thursday night when I ran, I did a 5 K in 40 minutes, with some walk breaks, 13.3 minutes/mile. I guess I just want everything now, and am learning again that that is not possible. Just get to the start line uninjured. And if slower gets me that way, just be OK with that. Funny, just a few months ago I would never dream of wanting to run, or run faster! You just never know!
Last weekend, we ran 7 miles. We were lumped into larger groups so we could shake ourselves out and run at our own pace. I saw a friend, S., and she asked me to run with her and her running buddy/friend, J., at a 3:1 pace, and I knew they were a bit schneller than what I normally run. I was confident from my good maintenance run earlier in the week and have been toying in my mind about trying a 3:1 ratio, so I accepted this offer. I checked it out with my other running gals and they said ‘fine! Have fun!’ so off I went.
I enjoyed running with S & J, the 3:1 gals! The conversation and pace were new. S said she was having an off day, however, and so I think we didn’t quite run at their full or usual potential, thus allowing me to keep up. All in all, we had a great run, I did anyway. We finished 7 miles in 1 hour 29 minutes, just 6 minuets faster than my 6 mile run! :o I wanted to know right then what I should do next week (today), what group to be in. I told myself to be patient; that I would certainly know by the next run. And I sure do! I am not a sub-13 minute/mile gal. My legs were sore the next two days and my run on Monday was pretty lame, more like a walk. Running is pulling out a more competitive side of me, I would love to be able to run faster with them, but the bigger mileage will kick my tookis if I go too fast. I have to increase mileage and speed gradually, says my homebased coach. He would know, I have to try to remember what he says.
Tomorrow will be interesting, for sure. I don’t know how fast Amy runs, but she’s very familiar with my pace. I guess she figures we’ll do OK together. I think I am just a slower gal, and I have to be OK with that. Thursday night when I ran, I did a 5 K in 40 minutes, with some walk breaks, 13.3 minutes/mile. I guess I just want everything now, and am learning again that that is not possible. Just get to the start line uninjured. And if slower gets me that way, just be OK with that. Funny, just a few months ago I would never dream of wanting to run, or run faster! You just never know!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Pre-7 Jitters
Feeling a little nervous about tomorrow - oh, it's the big 7! For some reasons, numbers with 7 in it seem important or big to me... I'll never forget how old and grown up 17 was to me when I was younger than that. Now, being >cringe< 37, I'd love to go back to those innocent, carefree times! What am I talking about! My parents still take care of me! :D
So, I've been kind of cocky lately, and I think it's going to get me now. Hmmm. I only had one run this week at the Y - I did relatively well, for me, but still, "I scare" as Kate would say. PLUS I have some type of oozing bumps on the back of my left knee. Not fun, rather annoying. Probably my yearly bout with poison ivy. Even though I never come in contact with it, some how in June I need to get Prednizone (sp?) for it, it spreads that bad all over me. It never fails. Also, I didn't have a pasta dinner tonight or a baked potato or anything - just Sushi. Will that keep my fires burning tomorrow morning? Maybe if I quick eat something superstarchy now, it'll be OK.
Am I being superstitious or realistic? I'm sure I'll let you know if I fall to pieces tomorrow! :P
So, I've been kind of cocky lately, and I think it's going to get me now. Hmmm. I only had one run this week at the Y - I did relatively well, for me, but still, "I scare" as Kate would say. PLUS I have some type of oozing bumps on the back of my left knee. Not fun, rather annoying. Probably my yearly bout with poison ivy. Even though I never come in contact with it, some how in June I need to get Prednizone (sp?) for it, it spreads that bad all over me. It never fails. Also, I didn't have a pasta dinner tonight or a baked potato or anything - just Sushi. Will that keep my fires burning tomorrow morning? Maybe if I quick eat something superstarchy now, it'll be OK.
Am I being superstitious or realistic? I'm sure I'll let you know if I fall to pieces tomorrow! :P
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Fabulicious!
Ahhh! We did it! We ran 6 miles and changed our name! :)
The six miles were accomplished in one hour and twenty-three minutes, four minutes quicker than we were supposed to, but fifteen minutes longer than last week. The humidity was crazy today, the haze thicker than I've seen in years, summer's finally here. We all made it back alive! Sweaty, but alive!
Today was also the first day we needed to eat while running. Since your body burns energy, you need to put some back in while running. Common practice is 100 calories every 45 minutes or so. At mile three I tried my first pack of Goo. I could handle the vanilla taste, but it was very Survivor-esque to have a glob of slime on my tongue and swallow it. Running in 100% humidity, swallowing slime - I don't want to know what's next. But ya gotta keep going and follow the rules! I'll try my beans next week.
And, our team name was changed! One of our gals got bumped up a group so now we're Fabulicious! I'm groovy with that, it's a little silly which is good. L thought that one up a few weeks ago, C suggested it today. We all like it, so there it is.
That's all for now! Exciting times! I'm off! Zip-a Zip-pah!
The six miles were accomplished in one hour and twenty-three minutes, four minutes quicker than we were supposed to, but fifteen minutes longer than last week. The humidity was crazy today, the haze thicker than I've seen in years, summer's finally here. We all made it back alive! Sweaty, but alive!
Today was also the first day we needed to eat while running. Since your body burns energy, you need to put some back in while running. Common practice is 100 calories every 45 minutes or so. At mile three I tried my first pack of Goo. I could handle the vanilla taste, but it was very Survivor-esque to have a glob of slime on my tongue and swallow it. Running in 100% humidity, swallowing slime - I don't want to know what's next. But ya gotta keep going and follow the rules! I'll try my beans next week.
And, our team name was changed! One of our gals got bumped up a group so now we're Fabulicious! I'm groovy with that, it's a little silly which is good. L thought that one up a few weeks ago, C suggested it today. We all like it, so there it is.
That's all for now! Exciting times! I'm off! Zip-a Zip-pah!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
5 miles and the Fantastic Four
We did it! 5 miles in 1 hour 8 minutes! Still quicker than the time we are supposed to run, but we reassured ourselves that we'll slow down! It was a nice day, no rain in the morning, but humid. We've escaped the humidity for quite sometime this year, and the heat, but summer will be creeping in, no doubt. We decided on a name, The Fantastic Four. I'm not super jazzed on it, but I had nothing better to offer. And really, a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet and/or run as well!
So, we bit the bullet...I am now a member, again, of the Talbot YMCA. The pickup truck scared me enough to shell out $117 upfront and $38 each month thereafter. All for a worthy cause, I altruistically justified to myself, and better than ending up dead. My first run there was last night, it was good. Better treadmills than in my shed, I'll tell you. Plus there are TVs, it's air conditioned, the treadmill has numbers flashing at how well I'm doing (or not doing, potato/potahto). I think I will be OK here for the next three months. It does irk me to have to drive someplace to run, but better safe than sorry. Do I always use so many cliches?
It's really amazing that I ran 5 miles. Running with others makes all the difference. If you asked me to do that alone, I would say, "No thanks" or "I'll see you in three hours", cuz I'd walk the whole thing. I guess, for me, it's not the four of us that are so fantastic, although the gals I run with are great. It's what we are doing, or can do, that is phenomenal. Yea! :) Maybe our name isn't half bad after all.
So this Saturday we, the Fantastic Four, and about 40 others, will run 6 miles - a 10K! - and almost half the half marathon! Each week there's something to look forward to! Hip hip hooray! It's all very exciting.
So, we bit the bullet...I am now a member, again, of the Talbot YMCA. The pickup truck scared me enough to shell out $117 upfront and $38 each month thereafter. All for a worthy cause, I altruistically justified to myself, and better than ending up dead. My first run there was last night, it was good. Better treadmills than in my shed, I'll tell you. Plus there are TVs, it's air conditioned, the treadmill has numbers flashing at how well I'm doing (or not doing, potato/potahto). I think I will be OK here for the next three months. It does irk me to have to drive someplace to run, but better safe than sorry. Do I always use so many cliches?
It's really amazing that I ran 5 miles. Running with others makes all the difference. If you asked me to do that alone, I would say, "No thanks" or "I'll see you in three hours", cuz I'd walk the whole thing. I guess, for me, it's not the four of us that are so fantastic, although the gals I run with are great. It's what we are doing, or can do, that is phenomenal. Yea! :) Maybe our name isn't half bad after all.
So this Saturday we, the Fantastic Four, and about 40 others, will run 6 miles - a 10K! - and almost half the half marathon! Each week there's something to look forward to! Hip hip hooray! It's all very exciting.
Friday, May 30, 2008
I run and I pack heat
So, I've run my two maintenance runs this week, both when I have been sooo tired. It's 8:00 p.m. by the time I get out the door, but I do this because I have to - I'll end up killing myself if I only run on Saturdays, right?
Tuesday night two thoughts ran through my head. One, don't run on trash night anymore. It's just too funky, and with the summer coming, it'll only get worse! :P Two, this more an emotion than a thought, at one point I felt like laughter after crying. I think I was so tired and depleted, that equaled the crying part, but the run was the refreshing, put life back into you, laughter part. Now it's not exactly like that, but similar. Hold onto that for future exhausted evenings, I thought to myself.
Well, two nights later, last night, I lugged myself out of the house at the same hour. I did my mile in the usual 13 minutes and then I hear a rrrrmmm, rrrrmmm noise from an obnoxious truck. I turn the corner to go down an alley and I was thinking of my cry/laughter feeling from the other night - it was kicking in a bit earlier than previously. I got to an intersection and I see a pick up truck going the same speed as me down the road I just turned off of. That didn't set well with me. I hot tailed it home. I didn't want to end up in some truck at the end of this alley, you see. The guy may have been reaching for his coffee for all I know, thus going slowly, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Blurg. Now I have to consider going to the gym... or carrying a shotgun, as my friend suggested. Put a bumper sticker on my bum that reads, "I run and I pack heat" (a la "I'm pro-life and I vote" etc.). :) At least she got me laughing about it. Ahh, laughter after stress - nice!
Tomorrow's five miles - calling for 80 temps and rain. More 'bout that later! :)
Tuesday night two thoughts ran through my head. One, don't run on trash night anymore. It's just too funky, and with the summer coming, it'll only get worse! :P Two, this more an emotion than a thought, at one point I felt like laughter after crying. I think I was so tired and depleted, that equaled the crying part, but the run was the refreshing, put life back into you, laughter part. Now it's not exactly like that, but similar. Hold onto that for future exhausted evenings, I thought to myself.
Well, two nights later, last night, I lugged myself out of the house at the same hour. I did my mile in the usual 13 minutes and then I hear a rrrrmmm, rrrrmmm noise from an obnoxious truck. I turn the corner to go down an alley and I was thinking of my cry/laughter feeling from the other night - it was kicking in a bit earlier than previously. I got to an intersection and I see a pick up truck going the same speed as me down the road I just turned off of. That didn't set well with me. I hot tailed it home. I didn't want to end up in some truck at the end of this alley, you see. The guy may have been reaching for his coffee for all I know, thus going slowly, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Blurg. Now I have to consider going to the gym... or carrying a shotgun, as my friend suggested. Put a bumper sticker on my bum that reads, "I run and I pack heat" (a la "I'm pro-life and I vote" etc.). :) At least she got me laughing about it. Ahh, laughter after stress - nice!
Tomorrow's five miles - calling for 80 temps and rain. More 'bout that later! :)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Our First Group Run
Saturday morning I left the house and listened to "The Boys" (a.k.a. Carbon Leaf) on the way to the park. I was jazzed because of the music, the slightly cool, non-wet, non-humid weather, the upcoming four mile run (my first ever), and meeting my running group. Of course, a crowd had already gathered at our meeting spot.
All of the runners were placed in groups, A (being the fastest), B, C,... I and four other gals are in F. As in "Fabulicious," said one running partner. We decided to do a 3:2 pace, so I suggested the group name "32 Flavors". The jury's still out on the name. Group name aside, we had a good run! It was a beautiful day and a fun course; we got to see yard sales, the Farmer's Market, and Downtown Easton before the hustle and bustle of Memorial Day Weekend. We ran past one restaurant and the smell of bacon wafted out of the windows... oh, to stop and have a cup of coffee! but the finish line was less than a mile away! We got the the park at "Five Corners" and we - well, I - was tempted to jump in the fountain to celebrate! 53:08 was our four mile time. :) Our running coach lovingly told us strongly that we ran quicker than we were supposed to. Just now, I figured out that we were 5 minutes faster than we should have been. Oh well, I'm sure we'll be 5 mins slower sometime, so we won't worry too much.
After it all, I noticed my feet throbbing a bit, but that's normal, huh? No other aches or pains - yippee! I am a little apprehensive about adding a mile a week, but I am excited to someday say, "oh yeah, I ran 7 miles last weekend" and just kinda shrug it off. That would be neat.
As always, I'll keep you posted on me and my group Fabulicious or 32 Flavors or The Funky Females. Whatever we decide on, I hope we just have fun. :)
All of the runners were placed in groups, A (being the fastest), B, C,... I and four other gals are in F. As in "Fabulicious," said one running partner. We decided to do a 3:2 pace, so I suggested the group name "32 Flavors". The jury's still out on the name. Group name aside, we had a good run! It was a beautiful day and a fun course; we got to see yard sales, the Farmer's Market, and Downtown Easton before the hustle and bustle of Memorial Day Weekend. We ran past one restaurant and the smell of bacon wafted out of the windows... oh, to stop and have a cup of coffee! but the finish line was less than a mile away! We got the the park at "Five Corners" and we - well, I - was tempted to jump in the fountain to celebrate! 53:08 was our four mile time. :) Our running coach lovingly told us strongly that we ran quicker than we were supposed to. Just now, I figured out that we were 5 minutes faster than we should have been. Oh well, I'm sure we'll be 5 mins slower sometime, so we won't worry too much.
After it all, I noticed my feet throbbing a bit, but that's normal, huh? No other aches or pains - yippee! I am a little apprehensive about adding a mile a week, but I am excited to someday say, "oh yeah, I ran 7 miles last weekend" and just kinda shrug it off. That would be neat.
As always, I'll keep you posted on me and my group Fabulicious or 32 Flavors or The Funky Females. Whatever we decide on, I hope we just have fun. :)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Timed Run
I've tried to write two blogs already about this dumb timed run. I did it in 40:27, about 13 mins a mile. Not great. Not horrible. It is what it is.
I have nothing witty or wonderful to say. I can happily say I'm in a group of three other gals, and I think things will be great with them. The three miles we ran on Saturday slipped away because we were talking and laughing and having fun. I know one through Henry's class, one I met on Saturday and one I have still yet to meet. I'm sure we'll have a good time together.
For some reason, I'm just not jazzed. I've tried to figure out why, but no can do. No light bulb or ah-ha moments. It'll be good to get out on the 24th and run with these chickies, see how we do, how we mesh, where we'll run for four miles.
I'm at 65% my fund-raising goal, about 85% of what I need to raise. If you're reading this and want to contribute, please click on the link in the upper left hand corner. If you're reading this and don't want to/can't contribute, you're just like me with PBS, so consider yourself in good company. Some day I will call with my credit card number, however, even if it's for $15 (my usual donation amount to the Cancer Fund and the American Vets).
That's all for now. At least the Blog has been updated. Hopefully my mood will pep up soon, too.
I have nothing witty or wonderful to say. I can happily say I'm in a group of three other gals, and I think things will be great with them. The three miles we ran on Saturday slipped away because we were talking and laughing and having fun. I know one through Henry's class, one I met on Saturday and one I have still yet to meet. I'm sure we'll have a good time together.
For some reason, I'm just not jazzed. I've tried to figure out why, but no can do. No light bulb or ah-ha moments. It'll be good to get out on the 24th and run with these chickies, see how we do, how we mesh, where we'll run for four miles.
I'm at 65% my fund-raising goal, about 85% of what I need to raise. If you're reading this and want to contribute, please click on the link in the upper left hand corner. If you're reading this and don't want to/can't contribute, you're just like me with PBS, so consider yourself in good company. Some day I will call with my credit card number, however, even if it's for $15 (my usual donation amount to the Cancer Fund and the American Vets).
That's all for now. At least the Blog has been updated. Hopefully my mood will pep up soon, too.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Huzzah!
Group Run Number One under my belt!
As I looked at my new sports watch on Saturday at 5:49 a.m., I thought, "This is serious." I don't get out of bed weekdays this early, but our trainers suggested we get up and do our normal morning routines so our bodies are awake for the 7 a.m. run. PB on a bagel, a few sips of coffee, my vitamins, some OJ, checked my emails - lovely. The kiddlywinks were waking as I was slipping out the door; hubby extraordinaire sending well wishes as he pour himself some joe.
I turned up The Newsboys as I drove the five or so minutes to the park. A bunch of gals had gathered already, some in shorts, running skorts, pants, sleeveless, short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts, and/or jackets; the clothing needs were as uncertain as some of us felt. We heard some announcements from our fearless leader, Amy, and we sorted ourselves into 1, 2, and 3 mile groups. The gals I knew best went to the 3 mile group while I stuck to the familiar 2 mile distance.
The gals in my group had a range of experience, and perhaps I was on the declining side of this bell curve (which gave me a bit of an internal boost). We started out around the track for our warm up and I spoke with a former high school runner, Kim. When we all got going for the actual run, Kim "the gazelle" I called her, pranced away. A bit quicker than the rest of us, she darted straight when she should have gone left. "What's her name? Call after her!" one of the gals suggested. For the question, I offered the name, "Jen." A co-runner hollered for "Jen" (aka Kim), but she didn't turn around. Another member of our band said she would catch up with the gazelle, and we should continue on the correct course. So, I started running with this willing-to-holler-co-runner. She introduced herself as Jen. A few minutes later, I realized the gazelle's name is KIM! and the gal I was currently running with is Jen! OH, I what an idiot! Jen and I chuckled a bit about this, and then I told her, "well, they both have three letters. My brain works like that a bit". As the words fell out of my mouth, I wanted to hide! I felt like Rainman! Would this self mortifying event ever end?
Well, by then, one mile was done. The real Jen and I ran the rest of the way together, talking about our kids and our lack of experience. We were panting a bit more than we should have, but in the end - we clocked in at 25 minutes. I was pretty happy about that. And I was happy to see Gazelle Kim waiting at the park for us. I apologized and everyone was OK with my slip up. I knew I certainly would have lost my job on the Pony Express or as Paul Revere for such an error. "The Orange Coats are coming, the Orange Coats are coming!"
"Uh, Paul (Paula), whom, pray tell, are the Orange Coats?"
"I thought I saw orange coats, no? Pink? Red? maybe red? I know it was in that color family..."
Well, all's well that ends well. My friend Christina (a 3 mile mama) and I were done by 8:00 and we could go see our boys in their third tball game. Next week, maybe I'll be in the three mile loop. I'll be on the incline of that bell curve for experience, but the week after we're being timed for 3 miles - I've got to get my groove on!
As I looked at my new sports watch on Saturday at 5:49 a.m., I thought, "This is serious." I don't get out of bed weekdays this early, but our trainers suggested we get up and do our normal morning routines so our bodies are awake for the 7 a.m. run. PB on a bagel, a few sips of coffee, my vitamins, some OJ, checked my emails - lovely. The kiddlywinks were waking as I was slipping out the door; hubby extraordinaire sending well wishes as he pour himself some joe.
I turned up The Newsboys as I drove the five or so minutes to the park. A bunch of gals had gathered already, some in shorts, running skorts, pants, sleeveless, short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts, and/or jackets; the clothing needs were as uncertain as some of us felt. We heard some announcements from our fearless leader, Amy, and we sorted ourselves into 1, 2, and 3 mile groups. The gals I knew best went to the 3 mile group while I stuck to the familiar 2 mile distance.
The gals in my group had a range of experience, and perhaps I was on the declining side of this bell curve (which gave me a bit of an internal boost). We started out around the track for our warm up and I spoke with a former high school runner, Kim. When we all got going for the actual run, Kim "the gazelle" I called her, pranced away. A bit quicker than the rest of us, she darted straight when she should have gone left. "What's her name? Call after her!" one of the gals suggested. For the question, I offered the name, "Jen." A co-runner hollered for "Jen" (aka Kim), but she didn't turn around. Another member of our band said she would catch up with the gazelle, and we should continue on the correct course. So, I started running with this willing-to-holler-co-runner. She introduced herself as Jen. A few minutes later, I realized the gazelle's name is KIM! and the gal I was currently running with is Jen! OH, I what an idiot! Jen and I chuckled a bit about this, and then I told her, "well, they both have three letters. My brain works like that a bit". As the words fell out of my mouth, I wanted to hide! I felt like Rainman! Would this self mortifying event ever end?
Well, by then, one mile was done. The real Jen and I ran the rest of the way together, talking about our kids and our lack of experience. We were panting a bit more than we should have, but in the end - we clocked in at 25 minutes. I was pretty happy about that. And I was happy to see Gazelle Kim waiting at the park for us. I apologized and everyone was OK with my slip up. I knew I certainly would have lost my job on the Pony Express or as Paul Revere for such an error. "The Orange Coats are coming, the Orange Coats are coming!"
"Uh, Paul (Paula), whom, pray tell, are the Orange Coats?"
"I thought I saw orange coats, no? Pink? Red? maybe red? I know it was in that color family..."
Well, all's well that ends well. My friend Christina (a 3 mile mama) and I were done by 8:00 and we could go see our boys in their third tball game. Next week, maybe I'll be in the three mile loop. I'll be on the incline of that bell curve for experience, but the week after we're being timed for 3 miles - I've got to get my groove on!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
BLURG!
"Blurg" is a word Liz Lemon uses on 30 Rock. She uses it when uncertain, frustrated, or discouraged by temporary defeat. Today, on the way home from my 'run' (ha, ha), all I could think of was, "I have to write 'Blurg' on my blog".
No more fried pickles. These are Nemeses Number One. I blame them entirely for my demise today. My legs were 500 pounds, I had aches in my legs where most children forget to draw (hips, ankles), and I was just discouraged all around. It was a "blurg" kind of day. "We all get them," said my live-in trainer (a.k.a. my husband, Derek).
When I told Derek about the front of my ankles bothering me, he said "ohno" and informed me that those are still part of my shins! Who knew! He showed me some stretches to do for them. All of this running takes a lot of dedication and determination. Not only do I have to change into clothes into which I will sweat, I have to warm up and stretch before I get to sweat! It takes body parts that I'm not used to using - I don't know if I even want to use them, to be honest. I'll see how the rest of the week goes, I may decide to walk this gig 8/31. There's no shame in walking 13.1 miles. I just have to maintain an 18 minute mile, maybe I can do that. Maybe not! What if I have blurg days when I'm training to walk? What's left? I can't drive the 13.1 miles that day!
Plus, my MP3 player's battery ran out. Indeed, it was a Blurg kind of run today.
This running is not a 3 times a week type of thing. To be good at it, it needs to be a lifestyle - no crappy food, remembering to do excercises, cross-training, etc. I have been a lover of ease for so long it's hard to get into the new swing of things. I hope to get swinging correctly sooner than later. I like Liz Lemon, but I don't like blurg days.
For posterity, I did a 2:2 run:walk (mostly walk) for 38 mins, 2.5ish miles. Blurg.
No more fried pickles. These are Nemeses Number One. I blame them entirely for my demise today. My legs were 500 pounds, I had aches in my legs where most children forget to draw (hips, ankles), and I was just discouraged all around. It was a "blurg" kind of day. "We all get them," said my live-in trainer (a.k.a. my husband, Derek).
When I told Derek about the front of my ankles bothering me, he said "ohno" and informed me that those are still part of my shins! Who knew! He showed me some stretches to do for them. All of this running takes a lot of dedication and determination. Not only do I have to change into clothes into which I will sweat, I have to warm up and stretch before I get to sweat! It takes body parts that I'm not used to using - I don't know if I even want to use them, to be honest. I'll see how the rest of the week goes, I may decide to walk this gig 8/31. There's no shame in walking 13.1 miles. I just have to maintain an 18 minute mile, maybe I can do that. Maybe not! What if I have blurg days when I'm training to walk? What's left? I can't drive the 13.1 miles that day!
Plus, my MP3 player's battery ran out. Indeed, it was a Blurg kind of run today.
This running is not a 3 times a week type of thing. To be good at it, it needs to be a lifestyle - no crappy food, remembering to do excercises, cross-training, etc. I have been a lover of ease for so long it's hard to get into the new swing of things. I hope to get swinging correctly sooner than later. I like Liz Lemon, but I don't like blurg days.
For posterity, I did a 2:2 run:walk (mostly walk) for 38 mins, 2.5ish miles. Blurg.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The ups and downs...
Now that I have this blog on my signature, I feel like I will have to be pithy and pondering and entertaining with each entry. Meanwhile, really I feel like Doogie Houser typing away... ACH! and the ellipsis, too! Oh no!
Well, then, the up side... I sent out my email fundraising letters and I didn't die. I was so apprehensive about doing it - "Hi Friends, this is what I'm doing. By the way, would you fork over your cashola please!" Can you see me with a big ol' grin on my face and my hand out, the other on my hip, foot tappin', just waiting for the outstretched hand to be slapped full of green? Eeek! More like an old man in the rain wringing his old black cap on your doorstep, "May I have a warm cup of tea?" I still have to snail mail others, the personalization of them takes time. BUT - just by asking - I'm 1/4 the way to my goal, thanks to some very generous people! That is very encouraging! Thank you, thank you!
The other side to it is, I know many folks don't have gobs and gobs of left over $ at the end of the week, and if they do, maybe they want a pizza or a movie for themselves or their kids. Honey, that is OK by me. Just think of me every once in a while and ask the good Lord to give me and the rest of these running rabblerousers strength and endurance, good health, and a mild summer! Ask big, baby! He can take care of us (and our fundraising needs)! :)
Now, the down side - my knees hurt a bit. :( They ache on the inside. I've asked my coaches via email for any of their thoughts, and they've been very helpful. One exercise I think I'll like is eating ice cream - oh, no it's not! I made that up! :) - it's writing the alphabet (upper and lower cases) in the air with my toes. I wanted to ask if I can do the numbers up to 20 for extra credit but I forgot. One coach said I may be going too fast for what my body's ready for - chikKAH! ZIP! Zoom! I think that may happen to other people, but it's nice she thought it might happen to me! Ehh! It'll all get worked out! My first oooch of my running career! :) [Did I just say 'career'?] 8-D
Well, then, the up side... I sent out my email fundraising letters and I didn't die. I was so apprehensive about doing it - "Hi Friends, this is what I'm doing. By the way, would you fork over your cashola please!" Can you see me with a big ol' grin on my face and my hand out, the other on my hip, foot tappin', just waiting for the outstretched hand to be slapped full of green? Eeek! More like an old man in the rain wringing his old black cap on your doorstep, "May I have a warm cup of tea?" I still have to snail mail others, the personalization of them takes time. BUT - just by asking - I'm 1/4 the way to my goal, thanks to some very generous people! That is very encouraging! Thank you, thank you!
The other side to it is, I know many folks don't have gobs and gobs of left over $ at the end of the week, and if they do, maybe they want a pizza or a movie for themselves or their kids. Honey, that is OK by me. Just think of me every once in a while and ask the good Lord to give me and the rest of these running rabblerousers strength and endurance, good health, and a mild summer! Ask big, baby! He can take care of us (and our fundraising needs)! :)
Now, the down side - my knees hurt a bit. :( They ache on the inside. I've asked my coaches via email for any of their thoughts, and they've been very helpful. One exercise I think I'll like is eating ice cream - oh, no it's not! I made that up! :) - it's writing the alphabet (upper and lower cases) in the air with my toes. I wanted to ask if I can do the numbers up to 20 for extra credit but I forgot. One coach said I may be going too fast for what my body's ready for - chikKAH! ZIP! Zoom! I think that may happen to other people, but it's nice she thought it might happen to me! Ehh! It'll all get worked out! My first oooch of my running career! :) [Did I just say 'career'?] 8-D
Monday, April 14, 2008
Two thoughts - 1 pondering, 1 proud
Here are my thoughts, in order in which I had them... First the "Pondering"
Compromise vs. Commitment - Last Thursday, after Derek and I put the kids to bed, I hemmed and hawed for a bit about going out to the shed to run, knowing that my favorite show, 30 Rock, would soon air for the first time after the way-too-long writer's strike. Derek said, "Go ahead, you have 38 minutes before it's on!" So, by the time I got out there, after changing and all, I had less than 30 minutes; I knew I was going to miss some of my fave gal Liz Lemon. I tried to concentrate at the effort at hand and juggle in my mind which was a better choice for me, to watch this show, which makes me laugh and reminds me of all the zaniness in the exotic and chaotic world of business and New York, or persevering in this new discipline of running. I knew Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin would never know if I tuned in or not, and I could catch the rerun in the summer. On the other hand, would 5 or 10 more minutes today really make a difference in August? At the end of it all, I compromised, I missed the first 5 minutes of the show, and ran only 28 minutes. A lose-lose in my book. I was disappointed with my time and distance (1.7 miles), and I was bummed I missed the hip theme song and plot introduction.
Later that night, I conceded to myself that I really should have honored my long term commitment to training for this race. And I began to think that most long term commitments are for the best - savings (huh?), marriage, raising your kids instead of selling them, even training to run a half marathon. Running, even in our smelly shed, certainly was more important/substantial to my life than Hollywood. When thought of that way, why did I ever question it? This lesson renewed my commitment to long term commitments and how sometimes distractions along the way can be fool's gold.
Now my proud moment - I ran 2.5 miles yesterday in 35 minutes. I was floored - the thought of running more than 2 miles was beyond me, let alone a whole half mile more than the original 2, which I couldn't even muster up several nights earlier! I mentioned it today to a few people and they were really pleased for me. I'm pleased for me. Group training starts this Saturday and I was nervous about running a mile - it looks like I can really do it! Being fully committed to my commitment is all right! :)
Compromise vs. Commitment - Last Thursday, after Derek and I put the kids to bed, I hemmed and hawed for a bit about going out to the shed to run, knowing that my favorite show, 30 Rock, would soon air for the first time after the way-too-long writer's strike. Derek said, "Go ahead, you have 38 minutes before it's on!" So, by the time I got out there, after changing and all, I had less than 30 minutes; I knew I was going to miss some of my fave gal Liz Lemon. I tried to concentrate at the effort at hand and juggle in my mind which was a better choice for me, to watch this show, which makes me laugh and reminds me of all the zaniness in the exotic and chaotic world of business and New York, or persevering in this new discipline of running. I knew Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin would never know if I tuned in or not, and I could catch the rerun in the summer. On the other hand, would 5 or 10 more minutes today really make a difference in August? At the end of it all, I compromised, I missed the first 5 minutes of the show, and ran only 28 minutes. A lose-lose in my book. I was disappointed with my time and distance (1.7 miles), and I was bummed I missed the hip theme song and plot introduction.
Later that night, I conceded to myself that I really should have honored my long term commitment to training for this race. And I began to think that most long term commitments are for the best - savings (huh?), marriage, raising your kids instead of selling them, even training to run a half marathon. Running, even in our smelly shed, certainly was more important/substantial to my life than Hollywood. When thought of that way, why did I ever question it? This lesson renewed my commitment to long term commitments and how sometimes distractions along the way can be fool's gold.
Now my proud moment - I ran 2.5 miles yesterday in 35 minutes. I was floored - the thought of running more than 2 miles was beyond me, let alone a whole half mile more than the original 2, which I couldn't even muster up several nights earlier! I mentioned it today to a few people and they were really pleased for me. I'm pleased for me. Group training starts this Saturday and I was nervous about running a mile - it looks like I can really do it! Being fully committed to my commitment is all right! :)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wow, I'm a blogger and a runner!
A big day in history for me!
So, yes, I've decided to run the Va Beach 1/2 Marathon on August 31 - dead of summer and even more South than I am now - not to mention more humid? maybe? Ocean breezes are a possibility - let's think positively!
I can only walk/run 2 miles right now, although, I guess I haven't allowed myself to try more than 30 minutes for fear of 'over doing it' (that's the Couch Potato in me). Tonight I will run (walk/run - jog actually) on the old treadmill again. I usually do a 17 minute mile including the 5 minutes walking warm up. Listen, as long as I get across the finish line, I'm happy. Oh, and the $1,000 I need to raise in order to do so! (Did I mention this is all to raise money for Henry's school's before and after school program, Easton ROCKS.) As I'd say in college, I again say now - but not just to my parents! - "Send money, please!"
Our first timed event is May 17th, a 5K, so I do have some time to get more acclimated and pick up more mileage. Part of me is scared silly! I know I'm not alone. And the method of training seems solid, I've already transitioned from week one to week two of their version of "Couch to 5K" and it was easy. Derek, of course, can do all this in his sleep, but he had to start out some place. He is hugely supportive, and it's nice to talk to him about what I'm experiencing, learning, etc. It's nice to be able to share this with him.
I swore I would never run; I never had any interest in it. I couldn't imagine why. Just why would someone run? You can sit inside and not sweat. I can't explain why I want to do this... a friend mentioned wanting to do the 1/2 Marathon training and asked if I was thinking of it. I'm sure my answer was as simple and direct as "Nope." The flier came home from Henry's school the next day, and, like in the movies, all of my focus and attention went to the spot on the slick heavy duty paper that simply says "The Virginia Beach Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon, May 3, Race Day is August 31". I put the paper down, but had to pick it up again; my eyes shot right back to that spot. That's happened one other time in my life, and it all worked out, in aces. That experience (teaching) was a God thing. I'm supposing this adventure is going to be, too.
So, yes, I've decided to run the Va Beach 1/2 Marathon on August 31 - dead of summer and even more South than I am now - not to mention more humid? maybe? Ocean breezes are a possibility - let's think positively!
I can only walk/run 2 miles right now, although, I guess I haven't allowed myself to try more than 30 minutes for fear of 'over doing it' (that's the Couch Potato in me). Tonight I will run (walk/run - jog actually) on the old treadmill again. I usually do a 17 minute mile including the 5 minutes walking warm up. Listen, as long as I get across the finish line, I'm happy. Oh, and the $1,000 I need to raise in order to do so! (Did I mention this is all to raise money for Henry's school's before and after school program, Easton ROCKS.) As I'd say in college, I again say now - but not just to my parents! - "Send money, please!"
Our first timed event is May 17th, a 5K, so I do have some time to get more acclimated and pick up more mileage. Part of me is scared silly! I know I'm not alone. And the method of training seems solid, I've already transitioned from week one to week two of their version of "Couch to 5K" and it was easy. Derek, of course, can do all this in his sleep, but he had to start out some place. He is hugely supportive, and it's nice to talk to him about what I'm experiencing, learning, etc. It's nice to be able to share this with him.
I swore I would never run; I never had any interest in it. I couldn't imagine why. Just why would someone run? You can sit inside and not sweat. I can't explain why I want to do this... a friend mentioned wanting to do the 1/2 Marathon training and asked if I was thinking of it. I'm sure my answer was as simple and direct as "Nope." The flier came home from Henry's school the next day, and, like in the movies, all of my focus and attention went to the spot on the slick heavy duty paper that simply says "The Virginia Beach Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon, May 3, Race Day is August 31". I put the paper down, but had to pick it up again; my eyes shot right back to that spot. That's happened one other time in my life, and it all worked out, in aces. That experience (teaching) was a God thing. I'm supposing this adventure is going to be, too.
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