I have to say, there is a marked difference between running in the country rather than the 'burbs. I can't say I prefer one over the other as they both have their strengths and weaknesses. And here in Dewitt, we get to do a little of both. Take it to the South around here and you are running in the 'burbs. Running on the pavement, dodging kids riding bicycles and curious dogs, smelling summer bbqs and freshly mowed grass, hearing the occasional hoot/holler from a car-load of teen aged boys (we are a good looking group of runner girls after all).
Take it to the North though, and you are in a different world. Pavement turns to gravel and dirt, a delight to the knees for sure. The cookie cutter houses of suburbia give way to scattered farm houses and rows and rows (and rows and rows) of corn. The smells out here...not so pretty...a mix of cow manure (sometimes so unbearable you have to breathe through your mouth) and stinky farm animals. And speaking of animals...you get so many spectators along the way. From the random farm dogs that greet you on the road, to the cows and horses that stand quietly by the fences and look at you as if to say "what in the HECK is that THING doing?". Country runs are so peaceful and quiet....just listening to the crunch of your feet on the dirt road.
And the occasional SCREAM of the divas. Which is what happened at the end of our 11 mile run Thursday evening. After winding through the country roads of Dewitt we paired off the at last few miles of our sweaty journey. About 1/2 mile away from my house and sweat soaked, Staci and I are happily chatting about something food related I am sure when out of nowhere we hear a strange guttural noise and a loud hissing from the side of the road. Staci (closer to the source) screams and lunges toward me. I scream because she is screaming. All the while...we are still running and screaming! I turn to look to see what is causing this reaction from an otherwise quiet gal. Crouched on the side of the road is a crazy looking raccoon...NOT your Disney movie variety for sure. This guy had WILD looking eyes, crazy fur that was half missing on his body, and he just kept hissing at us with teeth glaring! Our hearts skipping like 10 beats, we pressed on home, figuring the crazy looking 'coon had scampered away. Don't they say animals are more afraid of us than we are of them? Not the case with Ricky the Raccoon here. He paid a little visit to Sara and Danielle who were a minute or so behind us, equally scary the bejesus out of them!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
I'm meltingggggggggggggggggggggggg...
So you know those really HOT days of summer? I mean those REALLY hot days where you walk outside and you *try* to take a breath in but you feel as if you are swallowing water instead? Those sweltering days where you go outside to grab your mail and you have sweat trickling in between your boobs? (sorry, men out there...in between your back...) You look on your street and there is NO ONE, not even a dog, outside playing. Then, in the distance, you see some crazy ass fool be-bopping down the street. Is she...? Nah. She couldn't be. But as she gets closer you realize, yep, that insane person is actually RUNNING in this scorcher. IS SHE NUTS??!?!
That would be me.
I would have gone on the treadmill. Really, I would have. But, I promised my running class I'd do a group run with them. Besides, my car thermometer is *only* reading 81 degrees (ps. it's 10 am). Compared to the 90 degrees I ran in yesterday, this is some cool weather. I might grab my running tights. Brrrr...
Anyway. I meet up at the Y with 2 other hardcore fools and we start off on our 6 mile run. 2.3 miles into it, one of the gals veers off, taking the shorter route back to the Y. Smart, smart girl. Staci and I press on. My tank top comes off mile 2.5. Let me digress here about running in just a sports bra. I have NO shame. If it is hot, and you are running with me, you might see a little bare stomach. Hell, today I would have run naked if it weren't against the law (Is it?). So, I say whether you have a flat iron tummy or a little love handle action on the side (like I do), let her all hang out. Maybe just try to tan the belly a little bit beforehand so it isn't so blaring white, OK?
Anyway, here we are, be-bopping down the street. Me in all my sports-bra-clad wonder, sweating and panting like my dog when she doesn't know better to come inside on a day like today. 1 mile feels like 10. I make Staci stop with me at the park for a small shower in the water fountain. I make Staci stop so I can pick up my discarded tank top from earlier (good excuse, huh?). I make Staci stop and walk with me because I am hallucinating. Staci, by the way, is trying to chat with me in an effort to keep both of our minds off the heat. It would have probably worked better if I wasn't moaning every 2 minutes "OH MY GOD. IT IS SO HOT. ISN'T THIS AWFUL? OH MY GOD. IT IS HORRIBLE OUT HERE". So much for a positive attitude, Coach Kim.
Finally we are on the home stretch. We may be picking up our pace a little as we know the end is in sight. I even start contributing to the conversation instead of grunting and groaning. I glance up at sign in front of the high school that reads the date, time and current temperature. 92 degrees. Are you freakin' kidding me? No wonder there was NO ONE out on the roads with us. We passed not a single biker, runner or even dog walker. Not a one.
Crazy ass-fools, indeed! But oddly enough, afterward when we were walking back to the gym and discussing cold Oberon beers and 5K races, it didn't seem all that bad. :o)
That would be me.
I would have gone on the treadmill. Really, I would have. But, I promised my running class I'd do a group run with them. Besides, my car thermometer is *only* reading 81 degrees (ps. it's 10 am). Compared to the 90 degrees I ran in yesterday, this is some cool weather. I might grab my running tights. Brrrr...
Anyway. I meet up at the Y with 2 other hardcore fools and we start off on our 6 mile run. 2.3 miles into it, one of the gals veers off, taking the shorter route back to the Y. Smart, smart girl. Staci and I press on. My tank top comes off mile 2.5. Let me digress here about running in just a sports bra. I have NO shame. If it is hot, and you are running with me, you might see a little bare stomach. Hell, today I would have run naked if it weren't against the law (Is it?). So, I say whether you have a flat iron tummy or a little love handle action on the side (like I do), let her all hang out. Maybe just try to tan the belly a little bit beforehand so it isn't so blaring white, OK?
Anyway, here we are, be-bopping down the street. Me in all my sports-bra-clad wonder, sweating and panting like my dog when she doesn't know better to come inside on a day like today. 1 mile feels like 10. I make Staci stop with me at the park for a small shower in the water fountain. I make Staci stop so I can pick up my discarded tank top from earlier (good excuse, huh?). I make Staci stop and walk with me because I am hallucinating. Staci, by the way, is trying to chat with me in an effort to keep both of our minds off the heat. It would have probably worked better if I wasn't moaning every 2 minutes "OH MY GOD. IT IS SO HOT. ISN'T THIS AWFUL? OH MY GOD. IT IS HORRIBLE OUT HERE". So much for a positive attitude, Coach Kim.
Finally we are on the home stretch. We may be picking up our pace a little as we know the end is in sight. I even start contributing to the conversation instead of grunting and groaning. I glance up at sign in front of the high school that reads the date, time and current temperature. 92 degrees. Are you freakin' kidding me? No wonder there was NO ONE out on the roads with us. We passed not a single biker, runner or even dog walker. Not a one.
Crazy ass-fools, indeed! But oddly enough, afterward when we were walking back to the gym and discussing cold Oberon beers and 5K races, it didn't seem all that bad. :o)
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Not sure what hurts more...
Not sure what hurts more...my head or my hamstrings.
Just because I run, doesn't mean I am in shape. I have learned that the hard way after a torturous Bootcamp class at the Y. What kind of instructor would inflict that kind of pain on her students? Um...that would be me.
Michelle asked me to sub for her bootcamp class a while ago and I (too) eagerly agreed. I mean, what could be so hard about that? I run. I'm fit. No big deal.
I sensed I would be in a little bit of trouble when she gave me her list of exercises to do in class. Then, I decided to swap out some of the lunges (she had lots of lunges going on) with some "fun" speed type drills. I think I got a little overzealous with the old school PE drills...was I thinking I'd be sporting the track suit and whistle while my students ran cone to cone?
What I forgot is when you teach a class you also have to do the moves yourself. And everyone is watching you so you have to do them 1. correctly 2. at maximum intensity 3. for ALL the repetitions. Yeah. Wasn't really thinking about that when I added those suicide-type drills to the workout.
I knew I was in trouble when I felt the stiffness in my hamstrings and butt about 1 hour after class ended. By the end of the day, the only thing that was easing my soreness was the frozen vodka lemonades I was sucking down like slurpees. (Recipe for this lovely concoction to follow on "Downright Sinful" section of blog)
This morning, I hobbled down the stairs with the grace of an 80 year old (no offense to any 80 year olds out there reading this blog). My ever so observant 5 year old pointed out, "Mom, you can't walk right?". I am hoping the 3 Motrin I popped serves dual purpose: to stop the pounding drums residing in my head from excessive vodka lemonade consumption AND to make sitting down to go pee not such a challenge. We'll see...
Just because I run, doesn't mean I am in shape. I have learned that the hard way after a torturous Bootcamp class at the Y. What kind of instructor would inflict that kind of pain on her students? Um...that would be me.
Michelle asked me to sub for her bootcamp class a while ago and I (too) eagerly agreed. I mean, what could be so hard about that? I run. I'm fit. No big deal.
I sensed I would be in a little bit of trouble when she gave me her list of exercises to do in class. Then, I decided to swap out some of the lunges (she had lots of lunges going on) with some "fun" speed type drills. I think I got a little overzealous with the old school PE drills...was I thinking I'd be sporting the track suit and whistle while my students ran cone to cone?
What I forgot is when you teach a class you also have to do the moves yourself. And everyone is watching you so you have to do them 1. correctly 2. at maximum intensity 3. for ALL the repetitions. Yeah. Wasn't really thinking about that when I added those suicide-type drills to the workout.
I knew I was in trouble when I felt the stiffness in my hamstrings and butt about 1 hour after class ended. By the end of the day, the only thing that was easing my soreness was the frozen vodka lemonades I was sucking down like slurpees. (Recipe for this lovely concoction to follow on "Downright Sinful" section of blog)
This morning, I hobbled down the stairs with the grace of an 80 year old (no offense to any 80 year olds out there reading this blog). My ever so observant 5 year old pointed out, "Mom, you can't walk right?". I am hoping the 3 Motrin I popped serves dual purpose: to stop the pounding drums residing in my head from excessive vodka lemonade consumption AND to make sitting down to go pee not such a challenge. We'll see...
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Excuses, excuses...
I find it interesting that when I have a particularly crappy run, like my 10 miler this morning, I have tons of excuses swirling around my head for the entire 90 minutes or so as to why the run sucks. But, I find it even MORE interesting that most of those excuses for why the run was crappy, well, they also have been reasons why I have had a stellar run in the past. Let me show you what I mean...
Here is the collection of the excuses I was saying in my head during my junky 10 mile run today:
1. I am running too late in the morning and feel sluggish after breakfast
2. I hate these sunglasses. They are slipping all over and distracting me.
3. It is too sunny outside and too freakin hot
4. These dirt roads are uneven and annoying and I feel like I am running on the beach (yes, an exaggeration)
5. I hate running by myself. (well, except for the annoying fly buzzing around me for 2 miles because I smell like a garbage heap)
6. My playlist is horrible on my iPod and it's making me run too slow. I should have left my iPod at home.
7. I didn't eat the right thing for breakfast. I forgot to eat a banana. I NEED to eat a banana before I run. What was I thinking???
8. I didn't drink enough water before I left and I am dehydrated (which I was because I was getting the chills)
9. I planned my water/gel stop to late in my run (mile 6.5). The last 3 miles now feel like I am running through sludge.
10. I think my shoes are tied too tight
11. This black tank top attracts the sun and makes me too hot.
12. I haven't ran this distance in a few weeks so my legs are not built up for it yet.
13. The horses on the farm are staring at me funny (OK. That wasn't really an excuse but I did lose my footing a couple of times because I was watching them)
14. I forgot to shave my legs. That must be causing some sort of wind resistance slowing me down...don't swimmers need to shave their legs so they can swim quicker...?
as I got more tired...the excuses obviously got more ridiculous...
OK. About a month ago I ran almost the SAME route in about the same conditions as I did today. I had the best 10 mile time I have ever run in a long time. Here's my spin on the above excuses for that day:
1. I love running later in the morning. It gives me a chance to digest my breakfast and ease into my run.
2. Wow! I am glad I wore sunglasses. If I had the sun in my eyes it would be a total distraction.
3. What a beautiful sunny day for a run!
4. These dirt roads are so easy on the knees...ahhhh....
5. Sometimes I love running alone...just me and my thoughts
6. This music is motivating me to push it faster!
7. Thank God I didn't eat a banana this morning because all I would be doing is burping that sucker up.
8. I am glad I didn't drink too much water or else it would be sloshing around my stomach
9. Having my water/gel later in the run is helping me to hammer out the last few miles.
10. I hate my shoes too loose...I am glad I tied them tighter today.
11. I think this is my favorite black tank top to run in
12. My legs really needed a break from the long mileage so I am glad I took a break.
13. The horses on the farm are staring at me funny. No matter the run...they always stare at me funny. They are probably thinking "What in the heck is that thing doing running around?"
14. I can't remember if I shaved or not that last run so I got nothing on that excuse
Oh well. I think some days you got it and some days you don't. Perhaps next run I'll try to do it early in the morning, with my running divas, leave my iPod at home (along with my sunglasses), eat a banana and drink plenty of water, run on pavement most of the way (avoiding those pesky horses) and be sure to shave my legs.
Here is the collection of the excuses I was saying in my head during my junky 10 mile run today:
1. I am running too late in the morning and feel sluggish after breakfast
2. I hate these sunglasses. They are slipping all over and distracting me.
3. It is too sunny outside and too freakin hot
4. These dirt roads are uneven and annoying and I feel like I am running on the beach (yes, an exaggeration)
5. I hate running by myself. (well, except for the annoying fly buzzing around me for 2 miles because I smell like a garbage heap)
6. My playlist is horrible on my iPod and it's making me run too slow. I should have left my iPod at home.
7. I didn't eat the right thing for breakfast. I forgot to eat a banana. I NEED to eat a banana before I run. What was I thinking???
8. I didn't drink enough water before I left and I am dehydrated (which I was because I was getting the chills)
9. I planned my water/gel stop to late in my run (mile 6.5). The last 3 miles now feel like I am running through sludge.
10. I think my shoes are tied too tight
11. This black tank top attracts the sun and makes me too hot.
12. I haven't ran this distance in a few weeks so my legs are not built up for it yet.
13. The horses on the farm are staring at me funny (OK. That wasn't really an excuse but I did lose my footing a couple of times because I was watching them)
14. I forgot to shave my legs. That must be causing some sort of wind resistance slowing me down...don't swimmers need to shave their legs so they can swim quicker...?
as I got more tired...the excuses obviously got more ridiculous...
OK. About a month ago I ran almost the SAME route in about the same conditions as I did today. I had the best 10 mile time I have ever run in a long time. Here's my spin on the above excuses for that day:
1. I love running later in the morning. It gives me a chance to digest my breakfast and ease into my run.
2. Wow! I am glad I wore sunglasses. If I had the sun in my eyes it would be a total distraction.
3. What a beautiful sunny day for a run!
4. These dirt roads are so easy on the knees...ahhhh....
5. Sometimes I love running alone...just me and my thoughts
6. This music is motivating me to push it faster!
7. Thank God I didn't eat a banana this morning because all I would be doing is burping that sucker up.
8. I am glad I didn't drink too much water or else it would be sloshing around my stomach
9. Having my water/gel later in the run is helping me to hammer out the last few miles.
10. I hate my shoes too loose...I am glad I tied them tighter today.
11. I think this is my favorite black tank top to run in
12. My legs really needed a break from the long mileage so I am glad I took a break.
13. The horses on the farm are staring at me funny. No matter the run...they always stare at me funny. They are probably thinking "What in the heck is that thing doing running around?"
14. I can't remember if I shaved or not that last run so I got nothing on that excuse
Oh well. I think some days you got it and some days you don't. Perhaps next run I'll try to do it early in the morning, with my running divas, leave my iPod at home (along with my sunglasses), eat a banana and drink plenty of water, run on pavement most of the way (avoiding those pesky horses) and be sure to shave my legs.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Where in the heck have you been?
So I run a 25K and I think I am a running goddess and I never blog again. Is that what you are thinking? Or, it could be "thank goodness that girl shut up for a little while, doesn't she have a life??". Well, yes, in fact I do! The month of May happens to be the most insane month of my life. On top of the end of school festivities, field trips, and warm weather hoopla May brings, we also celebrate our anniversary and the birth of our 2 sons. For crying out loud, we even celebrate our freakin' dog's birthday! If I were to blog, it would most certainly be a laundry list of things that I need to get done (like today I need to wrap Tyler's presents, bake his brownies for school, go to a play date with Sam, teach my running class, order my Dad's birthday present (oh yes, he is a May baby too!), blah blah blah). So I figured I spare you the boring to-do lists of my life and take a bit of a rest with the blog. Just like I am taking a bit of a "rest" from my running training. Well, it is supposed to be a rest but I still find myself going out there for a run 4 times a week (I guess 2 times are a given since it is my job now!). You could say I am addicted. Or sick. Either one is fine.
I am feeling a little like a slacker I have to admit. I've got friends all around me training for another 1/2 marathon (and my husband for the marathon) that is this coming Saturday. I am not running in either as I will be a cheerleader and overseer of my children. And then all of my tri-buddies are training for the Hawk-I Triathlon which is the following weekend but I will be in Balitmore whooping it up with my college gals (believe me, even though I am missing doing that event I'd rather be drinking wine with my girls than sloshing around in open water in my hot swim cap). Oddly enough, when Sam and I cheered on the ladies as they took their inaugural swim across Lake Geneva, among the sea snakes (thanks Kara), I was jealous I was not in there. And to think, last year I SO dreaded that open water swim (if I was blogging back then, you would have had some really good laughs). Maybe because last year it was freezing and this year it was close to 80. Yep, I am going with that reasoning because if ya'll thought I missed it for swimming in the fishy, weedy lake you might have me committed at this point for sure.
But, I tell you what...sometimes it is nice take a break from the hard training and just appreciate the sport of running. Nothing taught me that more than the 5K race I did this weekend with some of my Running 101 buddies. There were 6 of us that showed up to the race on a threatening rainy morning. 4 ladies were running the race with personal goals in mind, whether it was to complete the entire 5K running, hit a specific time, or beat an old time. I paced with my good friend Kristin to help her get close to beating a 30 minute 5K. Now, typically when I run a 5K I take off with abandon and do not pay attention to anyone, or anything, until I hit the finish line. It was so nice on Saturday to take the focus off of myself and watch everyone around me trying to make their goals a reality. I could see the look of determination and focus on the faces of each runner. After Kristin and I finished (30:08 this time...next race we will crush it Kristin!) we watched the other ladies come in. Every one of my running 101 gals crossed that finish line with a Personal Record. I can tell you that I feel the most amazing sense of accomplishment when I finish a race and know that I beat my old PR and have had an awesome race. But I cannot describe the feeling of watching someone you have helped over the course of 7 weeks cross that finish line accomplishing her goal. I swear I felt like crying...but I fought back the tears for fear of looking like a crazy sap. Did I mention that three of the ladies took top 4 in their age groups?? What did it for me was when we were walking in the parking lot to go home, Linda F held up her medal and exclaimed "I have never won anything like this in my life until today!!"
Me either, I thought, as I got into my car.
I am feeling a little like a slacker I have to admit. I've got friends all around me training for another 1/2 marathon (and my husband for the marathon) that is this coming Saturday. I am not running in either as I will be a cheerleader and overseer of my children. And then all of my tri-buddies are training for the Hawk-I Triathlon which is the following weekend but I will be in Balitmore whooping it up with my college gals (believe me, even though I am missing doing that event I'd rather be drinking wine with my girls than sloshing around in open water in my hot swim cap). Oddly enough, when Sam and I cheered on the ladies as they took their inaugural swim across Lake Geneva, among the sea snakes (thanks Kara), I was jealous I was not in there. And to think, last year I SO dreaded that open water swim (if I was blogging back then, you would have had some really good laughs). Maybe because last year it was freezing and this year it was close to 80. Yep, I am going with that reasoning because if ya'll thought I missed it for swimming in the fishy, weedy lake you might have me committed at this point for sure.
But, I tell you what...sometimes it is nice take a break from the hard training and just appreciate the sport of running. Nothing taught me that more than the 5K race I did this weekend with some of my Running 101 buddies. There were 6 of us that showed up to the race on a threatening rainy morning. 4 ladies were running the race with personal goals in mind, whether it was to complete the entire 5K running, hit a specific time, or beat an old time. I paced with my good friend Kristin to help her get close to beating a 30 minute 5K. Now, typically when I run a 5K I take off with abandon and do not pay attention to anyone, or anything, until I hit the finish line. It was so nice on Saturday to take the focus off of myself and watch everyone around me trying to make their goals a reality. I could see the look of determination and focus on the faces of each runner. After Kristin and I finished (30:08 this time...next race we will crush it Kristin!) we watched the other ladies come in. Every one of my running 101 gals crossed that finish line with a Personal Record. I can tell you that I feel the most amazing sense of accomplishment when I finish a race and know that I beat my old PR and have had an awesome race. But I cannot describe the feeling of watching someone you have helped over the course of 7 weeks cross that finish line accomplishing her goal. I swear I felt like crying...but I fought back the tears for fear of looking like a crazy sap. Did I mention that three of the ladies took top 4 in their age groups?? What did it for me was when we were walking in the parking lot to go home, Linda F held up her medal and exclaimed "I have never won anything like this in my life until today!!"
Me either, I thought, as I got into my car.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Divas Do Grand Rapids
Well, I told myself this run would be the determining factor whether or not I would really try the marathon. I know I am already signed up for the darn thing, but mentally I needed the nudge that said "hey, if you can run 15.5 miles and not die, you should be able to do 10 more with out medic assistance". I am happy to say I am so excited to do my marathon in Baltimore because I had SO much fun at the Fifth Third River Bank 25K. I would be wrong to say the actual run was the highlight, though. It was great, don't get me wrong, but it was the adventures before and after that made the trip. And lucky you get to hear about them all...settle in...this is a long one.
I wasn't sure if we'd even make it to Grand Rapids on Friday. But after a lively game of Chinese fire drill, we figured out our carpooling situation and all got down to the Amway Grand Hotel Friday evening. Thanks to the handy restaurant guide that Peg whipped out (just one example of our Type A behaviors of the weekend), we found a BIG O's (don't even go there with the name...), a cute red and white checkered tablecloth Italian restaurant. I inhaled a heavenly pre-race dinner of spaghetti and bread. And a liiiitle glass of Mark West Pinot Noir. Hey, a girl needs to calm down her nerves. (Sidebar: Do not consume mass quantities of garlic bread before any running race. I think I was still burping it up at mile 5).
I wasn't sure if we'd even make it to Grand Rapids on Friday. But after a lively game of Chinese fire drill, we figured out our carpooling situation and all got down to the Amway Grand Hotel Friday evening. Thanks to the handy restaurant guide that Peg whipped out (just one example of our Type A behaviors of the weekend), we found a BIG O's (don't even go there with the name...), a cute red and white checkered tablecloth Italian restaurant. I inhaled a heavenly pre-race dinner of spaghetti and bread. And a liiiitle glass of Mark West Pinot Noir. Hey, a girl needs to calm down her nerves. (Sidebar: Do not consume mass quantities of garlic bread before any running race. I think I was still burping it up at mile 5).
After dinner we checked out the expo. Along the way we spotted the signs for the starts of the different races.
(Left: the girls pose by the 25K start sign. Right: Peg and Tom pose at the 10K sign, which Tom smoked!)
Not that any of us were nervous about actually running the race. Nope. We were more concerned about the weather. Even though I kept checking weather.com on my Blackberry so much my battery died, the meteorology situation did not budge. Saturday morning's forecast: 44 degrees (real feel 32), 25 mph winds with gusts up to 38 mph, light rain 30%. Awesome. Like it's not bad enough to run in a cold, spitting rain, but then to throw some wild whipping wind in your face. So after stuffing our faces with Italian cuisine and checking out the expo, the clothing neurosis began. First Staci and Sara came bounding down the hallway in their proposed morning racing outfits. Then Lisa and I spent a good hour pulling together what we thought we should wear: Should I do the purple coat? There will be high winds and rain after all. But the rain chance is low. Perhaps I should just do my long sleeved shirt. Should I bust out shorts? Hat or no hat. And on and on and on it went. My Nike duffel bag (that I stuffed with every article of running attire I owned) was like a magicians' hat. It seemed to have no depth as I pulled out more and more clothing options.
At 9:30 pm we settled on an outfit and decided we needed to test it out. So we laced up our sneakers and down the elevator we went, into the elements. No, I am not kidding. We took a little jog around part of the hotel to see how it all worked out. Satisfied, we headed back into the hotel, passing an elite Kenyon/Ethiopian guy on our way (Tom pointed him out earlier to us at the Expo). I exclaimed, "We can't be that crazy...he is doing the same thing!". Lisa pointed out he probably does that as part of his "elite" training regimen. We were doing it simply because we are Type A freaks. Point taken. Keeping with our OCD neurosis, we neatly layed out our clothing, gadgets, race bib and sneakers (with timing chip already attached), and settled down for a long winter nap...
The alarm(s) blared at 6am and before I could even put my contacts in, I checked my Blackberry yet again, willing it to change the forecast. It hadn't. Lisa and I stumbled down to Peg and Tom's room to grab some coffee (waking them up in the process) and went back to our room to watch the local news (and weather). Grand Rapids Saturday morning weather man: I hate you. Why? Because in his cozy newsroom, in his ugly purple shirt and tie, he states in his meteorology fake voice, "A band of rain makes its way over downtown, just in time for the runners". Thankfully we were distracted from all of this because from our 11th floor vantage point, we could see the early morning race preparations. We even watched the 5K racers start at 7:30 am. We headed outside for a final clothing check and promptly turned around and went back upstairs (way too cold to stand out there). At 8 am the 10K racers started (GO TOM GO!). Still hanging out in our room, the hand-cycle race was lining up at 8:10 am. Hey, doesn't our race start soon (yes, ladies, it starts at 8:20 am)?!?! After posing for a few random pictures, we bolted downstairs and shot outside, hearing them announce "Just 2 more minutes until the start of the 25K!!!" Lucky for us, we could see the start mat from our hotel and we lined up just in time to hear the start horn blare. And off we went.
Since I was so preoccupied with my clothing, I hadn't given much thought to the race, and the fact I'd be running 15.5 miles that morning. I barely had enough time to put my ear buds in and start Sara's Timex (Zach trumped me on the Garmin...something about a dumb 20 mile training run...) when I crossed the start tarmac. I settled into my pace in the first couple of miles and was in my own little world. Thankfully, the hated-purple-shirted weather guy was WRONG and there was no rain. We headed into a trail that took us alongside the river and the trees seemed to wrap themselves around me, shielding from the wind. It was PERFECT.
I was pretty carefree for the first 8 miles. I chatted with an older man about his Boston Marathon aspirations. I checked out all the attire, from the lady running in her old school high top purple Reebok's (yes, I passed her), to the guy with the crazy 80's printed running shorts (jeesh!). I dodged farmers blows and launching spit, as well as water/Gatorade cups and GU wrappers (what a mess...I did try to be eco-conscious and throw mine away, but in the last few miles I can't be sure what I did...). And although I didn't run it with any of my girls, I did run back and forth with cool-purple-vest lady. I'd always see her out of the corner of my eye...she was my pace partner and she didn't even know it. Like when we rounded the corner and started our way back towards downtown. The carefree wooded trail gave way to mean hilly pavement with that dreaded wind whipping my face and blowing my hat practically off my head at times. I'd look around, and take comfort in seeing my cool-purple-vest lady. I'd pass her. She'd pass me. I'd run by her side, focused on the run ahead but strangely comforted by her presence. The hills finally passed us as we weaved back into the city through neighborhoods with cheering fans. It was exactly what I needed to kick it in and finish the longest race I have ever done! 2 hours and 17 minutes (and 18 seconds for those counting).
Through the finish corral, a volunteer put a medal around my neck as I gasped for breath. I stumbled over to where the food/water was, hoping to spot any of my fellow divas. Someone tapped my shoulder and I looked up to see cool-purple-vest lady in front of me. She thanked me for a great race and she said, "As long as I saw your white jacket and white hat, I knew I was doing OK". I laughed and told her I thought the same thing about her. And after she left, I spotted Lisa and Sara.
The first order of business: BEER TENT
lisa and I put one back
Lisa, me and Sara in the beer tent...
Next on the agenda: MASSAGE!
even the Douglas J guy looks excited! little does he know he will be rubbing down Sara's sweat through her cute pink shirt :o)
Next: BACK TO THE HOTEL TO WARM UP
Snug in Sara's bed...
After a trip back to BIG O's for an Oberon and big fat slices of pizza, it was time to tell Grand Rapids good bye. But the Divas will be back...hopefully with some of you out there too!
Post race: Staci, me, Lisa, Sara and Peg
BALTIMORE HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Pre-race Zen
In 48 hours I will be standing on the start line of the race I have been diligently training for the past few months. During this training time our group endured runs in the snow and runs in unseasonal heat and too many runs in the wind. We dodged crazy dogs, made emergency bathroom stops at undisclosed locations, had a couple of our water stations stolen, and even did some "destination" excursions. This is typically the time where I start to freak out a bit...wondering if I have it in me to complete such a distance. I felt that way last August before the 10 miler. I certainly felt that way before the Capital City Half Marathon. But this time, I feel an overwhelming sense of calm. I am more uptight and nervous about what to pack than I am about actually running. Perhaps because we are staying overnight somewhere has me distracted from the fact that I will be running 15.5 miles on a course I have never seen before. Another distraction could be for the last 2 weeks I have been racing around like a chicken with her head cut off, with a to do list consumed with birthdays, BBQs, school activities/paperwork, etc. etc. Or maybe I am fixated on the post-race Michelob Ultra tent for after run beer imbibing (and a hotel room reserved until 5 pm to nap it all off...). Truth be told, the reason for my uncharacteristic sense of zen is I have not put any pressure on myself to complete the race in any given time (I do have a goal in my head...but I choose to keep it right up there along with the other random thoughts floating in my brain).
So, it is TAPER week, meaning the week before a big race when you cut down your mileage considerably to rest up for the said big day. Now you all know I typically am a healthy eater and occasionally indulge in a sweet treat every now and again (aka chocolate cake). So you would think the week before this big race I'd be eating all the Quinoa, Tofu, Oatmeal and Protein shakes I can, right? NOPE. I have been consuming more sugar than one girl really should in a week. If I was keeping a food journal, the abridged version would look a little like this (note: amounts are approximate. perhaps i erred to the smaller side to make myself NOT look like a TOTAL cow...)
Monday:
breakfast: sensible english muffin with peanut butter. another spoonful of peanut butter. and another.
lunch-piece of sweetielicous roasted red pepper and feta quiche that was about the size of my head. i ate the whole thing. then i "split" a chocolate chunk cookie AND a lemon cherry bomb cookie with my mom. mathematical note to self: 2 halves of a cookie do in fact equal a whole. don't kid yourself.
dinner: sit down dinner "skipped" b/c of such a big lunch. instead i scarfed down a snack wrap from McDonald's (crispy of course) and then a trip to scoopy doo's ice cream shop for a Reese's peanut butter cup flurry. it was Sam's birthday, after all. i needed to help him celebrate. i might have came home and eaten a girl scout cookie too. i can't be sure. after all...i DID "skip" dinner...
Tuesday:
i vow to make today a bit more healthier.
breakfast: waffle with almond butter. just one more scoop of almond butter...
lunch: turkey wrap with homemade guacamole. pretzels and chips and more guacamole. shoving my hand in the guac. bowl for more. now practically licking guacamole bowl...
dinner: Boca burger and fries. not my typical sweet potato baked fries with olive oil. nope. not this week. straight from the Orida bag in all their trans-fat glory. maybe a few carrots for good measure. and a big fat glass of Cabernet, because it pairs SO well with a veggie burger...
dessert: i *had* to bake brownies for Sam's preschool picnic Wednesday. the smell of baking brownies to me is probably a whole lot like cigarette smoke to a smoker. the brownies were barely out of the oven before I was frosting and cutting into them. i rationalized i would not have the time to do it later when they were fully cooled. naturally, they were a mess, so i had to eat the "pieces" that were not suitable for preschool picnic consumption. when it was all said and done, i probably inhaled 3 brownies worth of "pieces". All while watching "The Biggest Loser". Lovely.
Wednesday
i vow to make today a bit more healthier.
breakfast: as usual, something sensible. a banana with peanut butter. jeez, i eat a lot of nut butters.
snack: cheese and triscuits. many more triscuits. i am not eating anything else until the picnic. pinkie swear.
lunch: darn it all! Sara calls and mentions going to Sweetielicious (they have gotten a good dose of my business this week!) for lunch. had i eaten yet? ummmm...nope. not really. 1/2 a veggie sandwich and pantry salad (that's the one with the candied pecans and mounds of blue cheese...mmmm...) later I did maintain some self control and said no to the cookies. for now.
dinner: a little randomness at the preschool picnic. maybe a slice of pizza. perhaps a scoop of taco dip and chips. probably a few grapes to be a reasonable role model. and polished off with not one, not two, but THREE desserts. I am a sucker for M&M cookies and PB cookies with the Hershey kiss on top...
Today i vow to make today a bit more healthier. Maybe.
At least I know I'll be lining up Saturday to burn off all the damage I did this week in a 25K with my favorite running girls.
So, it is TAPER week, meaning the week before a big race when you cut down your mileage considerably to rest up for the said big day. Now you all know I typically am a healthy eater and occasionally indulge in a sweet treat every now and again (aka chocolate cake). So you would think the week before this big race I'd be eating all the Quinoa, Tofu, Oatmeal and Protein shakes I can, right? NOPE. I have been consuming more sugar than one girl really should in a week. If I was keeping a food journal, the abridged version would look a little like this (note: amounts are approximate. perhaps i erred to the smaller side to make myself NOT look like a TOTAL cow...)
Monday:
breakfast: sensible english muffin with peanut butter. another spoonful of peanut butter. and another.
lunch-piece of sweetielicous roasted red pepper and feta quiche that was about the size of my head. i ate the whole thing. then i "split" a chocolate chunk cookie AND a lemon cherry bomb cookie with my mom. mathematical note to self: 2 halves of a cookie do in fact equal a whole. don't kid yourself.
dinner: sit down dinner "skipped" b/c of such a big lunch. instead i scarfed down a snack wrap from McDonald's (crispy of course) and then a trip to scoopy doo's ice cream shop for a Reese's peanut butter cup flurry. it was Sam's birthday, after all. i needed to help him celebrate. i might have came home and eaten a girl scout cookie too. i can't be sure. after all...i DID "skip" dinner...
Tuesday:
i vow to make today a bit more healthier.
breakfast: waffle with almond butter. just one more scoop of almond butter...
lunch: turkey wrap with homemade guacamole. pretzels and chips and more guacamole. shoving my hand in the guac. bowl for more. now practically licking guacamole bowl...
dinner: Boca burger and fries. not my typical sweet potato baked fries with olive oil. nope. not this week. straight from the Orida bag in all their trans-fat glory. maybe a few carrots for good measure. and a big fat glass of Cabernet, because it pairs SO well with a veggie burger...
dessert: i *had* to bake brownies for Sam's preschool picnic Wednesday. the smell of baking brownies to me is probably a whole lot like cigarette smoke to a smoker. the brownies were barely out of the oven before I was frosting and cutting into them. i rationalized i would not have the time to do it later when they were fully cooled. naturally, they were a mess, so i had to eat the "pieces" that were not suitable for preschool picnic consumption. when it was all said and done, i probably inhaled 3 brownies worth of "pieces". All while watching "The Biggest Loser". Lovely.
Wednesday
i vow to make today a bit more healthier.
breakfast: as usual, something sensible. a banana with peanut butter. jeez, i eat a lot of nut butters.
snack: cheese and triscuits. many more triscuits. i am not eating anything else until the picnic. pinkie swear.
lunch: darn it all! Sara calls and mentions going to Sweetielicious (they have gotten a good dose of my business this week!) for lunch. had i eaten yet? ummmm...nope. not really. 1/2 a veggie sandwich and pantry salad (that's the one with the candied pecans and mounds of blue cheese...mmmm...) later I did maintain some self control and said no to the cookies. for now.
dinner: a little randomness at the preschool picnic. maybe a slice of pizza. perhaps a scoop of taco dip and chips. probably a few grapes to be a reasonable role model. and polished off with not one, not two, but THREE desserts. I am a sucker for M&M cookies and PB cookies with the Hershey kiss on top...
Today i vow to make today a bit more healthier. Maybe.
At least I know I'll be lining up Saturday to burn off all the damage I did this week in a 25K with my favorite running girls.
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