Glad That's Over

I DID IT!  I ran my first Half Marathon.  That's 13.1 miles.  Although my run tracker said it was 13.3 miles.  It was an experience.

We had to wake up very early, so for that, I thank my adoring fans.  Todd had to awaken the pups to get up and go.  It was a dark and quiet drive there.  Often throughout the morning I thought to myself how only crazy people wake up this early to go RUN.  

It was a great, flat, well-organized race.  They had heats for runners to start in based on expected finishing time so that everyone wasn't in one huge gaggle of flailing arms and twitching legs.  That's always nice.

My first mile was not the easiest.  I kept thinking my shins kind of smart because I didn't stretch enough.  But then after the first mile, I didn't give my shins a second thought.  I had warmed up.  I actually ran fast for the first 3 or 4 miles.  I thought I had better slow down because I couldn't keep a 10.5 minute mile up for much longer.

We had great cheerleaders along the course.  I saw some hysterical signs.  People really put some thought into their messages.  Here are the most memorable signs that I saw:

• Worst Parade Ever
• Run Faster, I Farted
• If Brittany Spears Can Survive 2007, You Can Survive This Race!
• Faster Faster Faster
• That's what she said (of course this one was right next to the one above)

I took some pics along the way.

Iconic fountain at the round-about

Ran past a beautiful park.

Picturesque Loose Park

The rose garden on the other side of Loose Park, which was the way we "turned around" on the course.

I had not visited these iconic landmarks since we've been back, so I was happy to run past them.  I actually took pics, because I wanted to remember this race.  It may be the only time I run it.


I was very impressed with how well organized the race was.  There were Gatorade / water stations and port-a-potties almost every other mile, it felt like.  And around mile 6, there was a "Gu station" where they handed out opened packets of energy-gu!  I LOVED THEM FOR THAT!  I brought my own energy beans which I used, but I loved trying a new brand.  Another group of cheerleaders had bowls of gummy bears.  Another lady was handing out ropes of licorice.

Somehow I got a burst of energy at mile 11 and again at mile 12.  About a half mile before the end, I had the strangest sensation that I HAD to pee and I seriously didn't know if my muscles were going to allow me to hold it or not.  I mean, every muscle in my body was focused on finishing.  Finishing this dang thing so it could be over.

About 10 seconds before the finish line, Todd was there cheering me on and got a few pics.  I was never so happy in all my life to stop moving.

Right before I finished my first Half Marathon!

Once I crossed the finish line, I heard them announce my name because they called out the names of everyone as they crossed the finish.  I got my medal and a bottle of water, and they cut my timing chip off my shoe.  Then I headed straight for the port-a-potty to take care of my most urgent need.  Let me tell you, compression tights + running for 2.5 hours + going in a confined space = NOT a fun experience.  

My second most urgent need was to drink that blessed water.  Everything in my body was telling me that I Needed. To. Drink. That. Water!!!  But as I struggled to get myself redressed (and try to use my phone with sweaty fingers), I reached up to get that brand new bottle of unopened water only to hear it... plop.  The damn thing slid off the top of the slanted toilet paper holder and dove straight down into the blue abyss of the potty.  I looked down and I swear it was right on top, right there in all the muck mocking me.  O.M.G. Noooo!

I come out of the stall dazed and light headed and desperate for water.  Todd luckily found me. Did I mention my sweaty fingers couldn't type on my phone while I was in the john to tell him where I was?  And I had tried calling him but there was NO SOUND.  So.  Frustrating.

So I tell him I have to have water now.  We start walking towards all the food booths, and I see some friends we know.  Todd was in front of me and he didn't see them, but I did.  I was in a panic, almost in tears I was so desperate for water, I run up to them and say to my fellow runner "can I have your water?", to which he immediately gave it to me.  His wife was instantly worried and asked if I wanted to sit down or go to the ER people.  Nope, I just needed some water.  THAT was sort of a panic-stricken feeling that I never want to experience again.

Thankfully, after I drank the entire bottle, I felt better.  We saw a few people we knew were there, walked around and got a little food to snack on, then left.  As we walked the eternity back to the car, I realized what really hurt on my body were my shoulders.  I had woken up that morning with a stiff neck that wouldn't turn to the left but with a warm shower I had loosened it up enough to know I was going to be OK.  I purposefully shook my hands out at least every mile and tried to keep my arms down.  I guess I didn't do that often enough.  That was unexpected.

Also unexpected was my time.  You see, I had experienced 2 sinus infections and stressed my Achilles tendon, all within the past 2 months.  I had to adjust my training plan so many times, I abandoned it.  I had no expectations to make the original time I really wanted, of 2 hrs 30 minutes.  But guess what?  I came in at 2:35:13.9!  I am AMAZED that I finished in only 5 minutes more than my original goal.  I hardly had any time to work on speed training.

So there you have it.  I did a half marathon.  I can check that one off my list.  Now, I'm ready to stick with 10K's.  I can run a blazing fast 6.2 miles now.



 

I Did It!

I had a goal of running a 10K in the Groundhog Run this year.  Today was the day!  It doesn't feel like spring is on the way, with it still being January and the temp dipping down at times to a windchill of -18 like it did last week, but today was race day.

I had many challenges that I could have used as an excuse not to go.  Over the past week: my hip was out of place and hurting (but fixed before race day), both of my ankles hurt at different times for different reasons, I had not had time to run all week long before the race, the pups have never been on a road trip, it was raining, bla, bla, bla.  In the end, I made it, and I'm glad I did it.  If I had wimped out, I would have regretted it because I have been training for this race.

This was our first outing with the pups!  They did so well, even though they ended up being in the one spot we tried to keep them out of initially.  They liked being between the two front seats on the floorboard next to the gear shift (no problem really, since neither have opposable thumbs).  It's nice and warm there. 

Oh, you mean you did NOT want us right here???

The groundhog run is in the underground caves.  It's such a neat atmosphere.  I didn't really care that it was raining outside because I was nice and dry underground.  Sometimes it can be musty and stinky smelling, but it was good this year!

The entrance to the "SubTropolis"

 

Cute little SupTropolis transportation

 

Every world has to have rules, right?

 

Gus, the mascot for the Great Underground Space

 

Me with Gus after the run

I'm so glad Heather wanted to run this year.  Otherwise, I would have come up with even more excuses to stay home.  She has a friend who ran with us as well and it was great that all three of us had the same pace.  We averaged around 12 minute miles, which I am very happy with my ability to maintain the pace throughout the entire race.

It's got me thinking of training for a half-marathon some day...

Not A Typical Sunday

Today was a special celebration.  We participated in a 5K this morning to raise funds for lung cancer.  I ran a good race, and Todd actually walked the 5K!  Todd usually hangs around with Keystone, drinking coffee and wondering what all these nutjobs are doing out here in the dark/cold running so early in the morning.

Our sunrise drive to the event

This event has been a day that our friend/neighbor has spoken about for over a year now.  Let's call him "K".  K lost the love of his life to lung cancer about 5 or 6 years ago.  Each fall, he participates in raising funds for lung cancer by walking in the Lung Hill Run.  Members of his family join together to celebrate and remember his wife and support this worthy cause.  K actually co-captains a team with another person who lost her husband to lung cancer.

There was no question, as we have bonded with K over the past year, we had to participate in such an important event.  Todd and K go garage sale-ing and bargain hunting every Friday.  We often have each other over for dinner or we meet for lunch.  K is such an awesome man.  I never had the privilege of meeting his wife, but I can only imagine how much we would have loved her.  She married a great man, and they raised two wonderful women.  She had to be special, to have formed such a great family. 

My heart sincerely goes out to them that she is no longer here.  I am getting to know K's two daughters, around my age, when he has cook-outs and invites us to come up and visit with the family.  K has 4 wonderful granddaughters.  They are each so beautiful, on the inside and out.  I think the oldest may have met her grandmother, but I believe the youngest 3 did not.  Regardless, I know they can't remember her.  I feel so badly that she's not here to witness the wonderful mothers her daughters have grown to become.  They are great people.

Anyway, we really enjoyed joining in their special day.  We went to the race. I ran, and they all walked.  Keystone was chillin' just taking in the scenery.  Then we all went to a great little place that had a great brunch buffet.  Highlights of the brunch:  Bloody Mary bar and bread pudding with whiskey sauce (which was divine but really ugly, so no pics of the pudding).

The veggies, meats, and saucy spices to garnish a Bloody Mary

Several liquid options to finish your Bloody Mary

My finished Bloody Mary.  I am now a fan of this drink.
After I took a sip, I added a piece of beef jerky and a meat stick.  Because I could.

I am so glad we chose to participate in K's special day.  I thought often this morning of not only his family and how they lost someone special, but I also thought of my aunt who died in May and how her family lost someone special.  My heart went out to them then, and it goes out to them now.  I still can't believe my Aunt Linda is gone.

Cancer sucks.

Pumpkin Harvest & BluesNBrews 5K

Howdy!  I had an action packed weekend full of dirt and sweat.  So I would call that a great weekend.

 

Saturday started with the harvesting of the pumpkin patch.  In total, we got 25 pumpkins from a 4'x8' frame.  We had at least 5 or so more pumpkins that were claimed by the bugs/rotted so much that they went straight to the compost bins.  I was expecting more than this at the end of the harvest.  Next year we are going to triple our frame size.  We have the field, so why not?!?

 

We only had two pumpkins that were untouched by the bugs.  THOSE seeds will be grown next year for sure!  Also, I have a few tricks up my sleeve for next year's battle with the bugs.  They better watch out, cause we've got plans.

 

Even though I was wanting even more in total, it's a very attractive line up.  I have a few picked out for the front porch and a few to give away.  I'm afraid they wont last too long though because of the blemishes by the bugs.  It's like they took two bites and went on to the next one.  Geesh, talk about picky eaters.

 

I dunked them in bleach water to try to slow the growth of bacteria, so let's cross our fingers, shall we?  Here they are lined up drying after their bath:

It's Pumpkin time!



Sunday has been a great day because I ran in the inaugural Blues N Brews 5K with Heather!  I also exceeded the pace time I wanted and surprised myself at the end--wahoo!  That must explain why my knee and ankle are wildly throbbing right now and I am hobbling around like a little old lady.

 

Today started WAY too early.  We woke up at 5:30.  Todd was such a good sport about this.  We picked up Heather and made our way downtown to where all the crazy people were:

 

 

Notice the sun coming up in the background?
I noticed the moon was almost full when we first got there.

My and my medal.  And my Blue Moon beer.
Because I had to put a Brew in this race.

 

We were very pleased to make it to the finish line with good times.
Not real pleased that there was no food, no free beer, no dancing cobras,
and the concert was way later than we wanted to stay.

The Blues Travelers were playing a free concert this morning for the event, but it was like 2 hours after we were done, so we bailed.  Nice thought, but maybe next year.



Todd is such a great sport about these events!

Now I'm off to bed to nurse my ailing body parts.  They aren't rebounding like they used to.  Oh, planting 100 irises today may have something else to do with it.  I only have 50 more to go.