1. I've settled into an excited calm. No stress. No panic. Just a bubbly giddiness over what's to come. I'm not sure I've looked forward to a marathon more than this one. Maybe it's all the amazing supportive emails and comment I've gotten this week. Maybe it's re-reading G's amazing letter to me (from the week before Grandma's) over and over again. Maybe it's all the TCM race reports I've been gorging on. Whatever it is, it's working.
I am SO FREAKING READY.
2. Today will be spent packing and double checking and getting everything ready around the house so John doesn't have to stress TOO much while I'm gone. I'll be out the door hopefully before everyone gets up tomorrow, just to make things simpler on everyone. And to get me to the cities as early as possible. I get a 6 hour drive to settle into my head. I'm actually looking forward to that...
3. If runner stalking is your thing, you can go here for the TCM website. Or here for the runner tracker website. Not sure if you need my full name (Bobbi Welch) or just my race number - F7789. (And Jamoosh, the F stands for Female - I guess they want all the guys on the course to be SURE they're getting chicked).
I'm not sure what kind of internet access I'm going to have, so I'll see you all on the flip side!!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Scatterbrained
My head is all over the place this week. I guess that's to be expected, but I can usually focus a bit better, so it can be disconcerting. And overwhelming.
Upon announcing the winner of my giveaway, I immediately had one less follower. Not that I give a crap about who follows me, but it made me giggle. Do you do that? Follow for the contest and then unfollow? I never have - it's never occurred to me...
The weather just keeps looking better and better for Sunday. I hate to say it out loud, because we KNOW how much it can change, but it's gone down almost 10 degrees. *sigh of relief* PLEASE anything but hot...
I have been doing a ton of visualization. I love finding videos of the course and imagining myself on it. It really helped me mentally at Grandma's, and I'm hoping it does at TCM also. Do you visualize yourself on the race course prior to running it? Does it help you?
Lots of little goals are niggling at my periphery. Goals I'm going to try to attempt, but not entirely sure I'm capable of. Here's the one that scares me the most. BECAUSE it scares me the most, I'm putting it out here: I WILL ONLY WALK WATER STOPS. Can I do this? Yes. Will I convince myself I can in the moment? Not as sure. But I'm putting it out there so you all can help me stick with it.
I got a really really good 8 miles in this morning between storms. It was really windy, but I stayed dry, and I felt SUPREMELY strong. So good. I really needed that one...
HOLY CRAP IT'S 6 DAYS AWAY!.
Sorry.
I am doing my absolute best to avoid any and all germs currently circulating my house. I really hate school for that. So. Much. Coughing. And the snot. Ugh.
Are you running TCM too? Please, let's try to organize a meet up. Leave me a comment or email me if you are interested. I'm going to be in the Cities from Friday mid-day through Monday. I'm WIDE OPEN as far as time, place, whatever.
I'm sure I'll be spewing randomness at you all again soon :)
Upon announcing the winner of my giveaway, I immediately had one less follower. Not that I give a crap about who follows me, but it made me giggle. Do you do that? Follow for the contest and then unfollow? I never have - it's never occurred to me...
The weather just keeps looking better and better for Sunday. I hate to say it out loud, because we KNOW how much it can change, but it's gone down almost 10 degrees. *sigh of relief* PLEASE anything but hot...
I have been doing a ton of visualization. I love finding videos of the course and imagining myself on it. It really helped me mentally at Grandma's, and I'm hoping it does at TCM also. Do you visualize yourself on the race course prior to running it? Does it help you?
Lots of little goals are niggling at my periphery. Goals I'm going to try to attempt, but not entirely sure I'm capable of. Here's the one that scares me the most. BECAUSE it scares me the most, I'm putting it out here: I WILL ONLY WALK WATER STOPS. Can I do this? Yes. Will I convince myself I can in the moment? Not as sure. But I'm putting it out there so you all can help me stick with it.
I got a really really good 8 miles in this morning between storms. It was really windy, but I stayed dry, and I felt SUPREMELY strong. So good. I really needed that one...
HOLY CRAP IT'S 6 DAYS AWAY!.
Sorry.
I am doing my absolute best to avoid any and all germs currently circulating my house. I really hate school for that. So. Much. Coughing. And the snot. Ugh.
Are you running TCM too? Please, let's try to organize a meet up. Leave me a comment or email me if you are interested. I'm going to be in the Cities from Friday mid-day through Monday. I'm WIDE OPEN as far as time, place, whatever.
I'm sure I'll be spewing randomness at you all again soon :)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
TCM Training Week 14 (And A WINNER!)
This has been a strange training week for me, but I'm in full on taper mode (complete with crazy mood swings) so I guess I can't care too much.
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 6 miles (ave. pace - 10:41)
Wednesday: 5.12 miles (ave. pace - 11:19) I ran with Sarah - this was a new distance PR for her!
Thursday: 4.29 miles (ave. pace - 11:19) I ran this evening with Sarah again, nice and easy.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Rest. Boo. I planned on getting my 8 mile long run done on Sunday, but I was thwarted by thunder and lightning. Later we had friends over to watch football, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow.
Week Total Miles: 15.41
I'm getting excited. And calming down at the same time. The weather forecast is looking better at this point, but I'm really at peace with however this goes down. I just want to soak it all in and enjoy every second. THAT'S my main goal...
On to the WINNER! As chosen by random.org, the winner of the YMX Tribal Sea Run Tee is Ms. Caboo!! Please email your shipping info to bandthejs at yahoo dot com, and we'll get your shirt to you!
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 6 miles (ave. pace - 10:41)
Wednesday: 5.12 miles (ave. pace - 11:19) I ran with Sarah - this was a new distance PR for her!
Thursday: 4.29 miles (ave. pace - 11:19) I ran this evening with Sarah again, nice and easy.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Rest. Boo. I planned on getting my 8 mile long run done on Sunday, but I was thwarted by thunder and lightning. Later we had friends over to watch football, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow.
Week Total Miles: 15.41
I'm getting excited. And calming down at the same time. The weather forecast is looking better at this point, but I'm really at peace with however this goes down. I just want to soak it all in and enjoy every second. THAT'S my main goal...
On to the WINNER! As chosen by random.org, the winner of the YMX Tribal Sea Run Tee is Ms. Caboo!! Please email your shipping info to bandthejs at yahoo dot com, and we'll get your shirt to you!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Antsy
Ok, I'm at that point in my taper where I'm anxious. Don't get me wrong, I love me some taper, and the running part is going really well, but the rest of it? *sigh*
Every time I log on to accuweather I swear the predicted high for 10/2 goes up a degree. Last week, it looked like a stunning high of 60. Right now? It's up to 77. This freaks my shit RIGHT OUT, even IF my hubs keeps reminding me that IT IS A GUESS, and they CAN'T POSSIBLY know yet. I know this in my head, but well, ACCCKKKK!
I'm wrapping my head around logistics while dealing with the pissed off 12 year old who can't understand why she DOESN'T GET TO GO.
I'm addicted to past race reports. It's seriously bad. I've read them all 16 times. No one freaks out TOO much over the hill at the end, so I'm choosing not to also.
11 DAYS!!!!
I'm struggling with goals for this race. The obvious choice is to come in under 5 hours, but if it's REALLY close to 80 degrees on race day? Yeah, that'll be amended. The only good thing about dealing with heat is that it'd make choosing the appropriate race outfit SUPER easy.
Geez. I'm even getting sick of me...off to daydream about the perfect race (while sanding and staining basement doors). Later...
Every time I log on to accuweather I swear the predicted high for 10/2 goes up a degree. Last week, it looked like a stunning high of 60. Right now? It's up to 77. This freaks my shit RIGHT OUT, even IF my hubs keeps reminding me that IT IS A GUESS, and they CAN'T POSSIBLY know yet. I know this in my head, but well, ACCCKKKK!
I'm wrapping my head around logistics while dealing with the pissed off 12 year old who can't understand why she DOESN'T GET TO GO.
I'm addicted to past race reports. It's seriously bad. I've read them all 16 times. No one freaks out TOO much over the hill at the end, so I'm choosing not to also.
11 DAYS!!!!
I'm struggling with goals for this race. The obvious choice is to come in under 5 hours, but if it's REALLY close to 80 degrees on race day? Yeah, that'll be amended. The only good thing about dealing with heat is that it'd make choosing the appropriate race outfit SUPER easy.
Geez. I'm even getting sick of me...off to daydream about the perfect race (while sanding and staining basement doors). Later...
Monday, September 19, 2011
An Unlikey Love Story. Happiest Ending Ever. (subtitled - damn I'm lucky!)
(a celebratory post, marking my 13th wedding anniversary - I have always wanted to write up a "how we met" post, but never actually gotten around to doing it...)
A little more than 14 years ago, I was still unsure as to where, exactly, life was going to take me.
Just a few years prior to that, I had gone through a pretty ugly (although uncomplicated - the ugly was entirely due to hurt feelings and bruised egos) divorce. Being the giant chicken that I was at the time, instead of facing my friends and family, most of whom did NOT understand my reasons for leaving, I ran. I ran to Illinois, where I'd done my last year of school, and where I'd remembered who I was again. It made sense to me to start fresh here. It was far enough away, but still close enough to Minnesota.
After settling in and finding a job, I picked out my "rebound guy." We dated, but it was a strange relationship. We never really gelled. He liked to push my buttons. We fought an insane amount. It grew old after a time, but neither of us was willing to call a spade a spade and move on to something better.
It was September of 1997. I got drug out with the rebound guy to a local Fall festival. We were working the beer tent with his sister and brother in law. I positioned myself at the tap next to his sister (which HAPPENED to be as far from rebound guy as possible) and started pouring hard cider and laughing and joking with people. It was a lot of fun.
Before long, 2 crazy (and obviously intoxicated) guys began running up to my line, cups in each hand. They were smiley and silly, one would ask me a question, and the other would declare that, "enough!" and drag him back away. Then they'd reappear again, louder than before. It was only a little obnoxious - more funny and flattering. He asked my name. Later he asked for my number. I politely declined, pointing out my "boyfriend." RG's sister was laughing too.
When my shift was up and we were cleaning up, he found me again and handed me his business card, saying, "You won't give me YOUR number, but I can give you mine." I took it, laughing and shaking my head. He was cute. And funny. I stuck his card in my pocket.
The next day, RG was heading to a wedding with a friend. A girl. Not me. I knew where this was going. I headed to the Bears vs. Vikings game with friends (who were bound and determined to find me a NEW guy). They were obnoxious while we tailgated, but it was hilarious. The game was a great time - it was a noon game, so I got back to my apartment rather early. I was still steamed at RG's whole "wedding with a friend" thing (seriously, who does that?) and fueled by the beers of the day, I drunk-dialed John. I left some rambling ridiculous message on his answering machine, but not my number. (I am WAY smart, yo.)
Monday after work, I was frankly embarrassed. I couldn't remember exactly what I'd said on John's machine. So I used that as an excuse to call him to apologize. We talked for a long time. We totally clicked.
A couple days later, I called it off with RG. He was not happy. In retrospect, I'm not sure why he put up such a fuss, since he ended up marrying wedding chick (who is way cool, and a much better fit for him than I ever was) but whatever. I had my first official date with John (yes there may have been unofficial dates first. we don't need to go there. this is a PG blog and I already established that I was LESS than smart).
I called my mom and told her I was going to marry him.
I heard her rolling her eyes at me through the phone.
The following May, we went out to dinner. During dinner, he stuck a jewelry box on the table and pushed it towards me. We were flat out broke, and I was confused. I kept asking him, "What's that??"
He kept telling me to open it.
When I did, I found the most perfectly beautiful ring I'd ever seen. That I'd had absolutely nothing to do with just made it even more special. I still consider it the best present I ever received. He asked me to marry him, and of course I said yes. Dinner was on the house, along with a bottle of bubbly. Best day ever.
It was John's first marriage, so I let him choose the logistics. We got married in Vegas and used the money we'd saved on a huge wedding to buy a new to us house. We closed in June, lived in sin for a few months, and got married in September. Somehow we found the money to swing a package deal and honeymooned in Maui. Which, for the record, is still the most beautiful place I've ever been. I can't wait to go back some day.
Throughout everything in our lives, he remains my rock. He is my best friend. My partner in crime. The one person I can ALWAYS count on. He supports every hair brained scheme I can come up with. He is my biggest fan. He is an amazing father, and has never once looked at any houshold chore as "not a man's job."
We are a team.
I am blessed to have him in my life. I am blessed that he ran up to my beer line that day (an aside, I am STILL "beer chick" in our football pool). I can't imagine anyone better by my side.
So. Lucky.
A little more than 14 years ago, I was still unsure as to where, exactly, life was going to take me.
Just a few years prior to that, I had gone through a pretty ugly (although uncomplicated - the ugly was entirely due to hurt feelings and bruised egos) divorce. Being the giant chicken that I was at the time, instead of facing my friends and family, most of whom did NOT understand my reasons for leaving, I ran. I ran to Illinois, where I'd done my last year of school, and where I'd remembered who I was again. It made sense to me to start fresh here. It was far enough away, but still close enough to Minnesota.
After settling in and finding a job, I picked out my "rebound guy." We dated, but it was a strange relationship. We never really gelled. He liked to push my buttons. We fought an insane amount. It grew old after a time, but neither of us was willing to call a spade a spade and move on to something better.
It was September of 1997. I got drug out with the rebound guy to a local Fall festival. We were working the beer tent with his sister and brother in law. I positioned myself at the tap next to his sister (which HAPPENED to be as far from rebound guy as possible) and started pouring hard cider and laughing and joking with people. It was a lot of fun.
Before long, 2 crazy (and obviously intoxicated) guys began running up to my line, cups in each hand. They were smiley and silly, one would ask me a question, and the other would declare that, "enough!" and drag him back away. Then they'd reappear again, louder than before. It was only a little obnoxious - more funny and flattering. He asked my name. Later he asked for my number. I politely declined, pointing out my "boyfriend." RG's sister was laughing too.
When my shift was up and we were cleaning up, he found me again and handed me his business card, saying, "You won't give me YOUR number, but I can give you mine." I took it, laughing and shaking my head. He was cute. And funny. I stuck his card in my pocket.
The next day, RG was heading to a wedding with a friend. A girl. Not me. I knew where this was going. I headed to the Bears vs. Vikings game with friends (who were bound and determined to find me a NEW guy). They were obnoxious while we tailgated, but it was hilarious. The game was a great time - it was a noon game, so I got back to my apartment rather early. I was still steamed at RG's whole "wedding with a friend" thing (seriously, who does that?) and fueled by the beers of the day, I drunk-dialed John. I left some rambling ridiculous message on his answering machine, but not my number. (I am WAY smart, yo.)
Monday after work, I was frankly embarrassed. I couldn't remember exactly what I'd said on John's machine. So I used that as an excuse to call him to apologize. We talked for a long time. We totally clicked.
A couple days later, I called it off with RG. He was not happy. In retrospect, I'm not sure why he put up such a fuss, since he ended up marrying wedding chick (who is way cool, and a much better fit for him than I ever was) but whatever. I had my first official date with John (yes there may have been unofficial dates first. we don't need to go there. this is a PG blog and I already established that I was LESS than smart).
I called my mom and told her I was going to marry him.
I heard her rolling her eyes at me through the phone.
The following May, we went out to dinner. During dinner, he stuck a jewelry box on the table and pushed it towards me. We were flat out broke, and I was confused. I kept asking him, "What's that??"
He kept telling me to open it.
When I did, I found the most perfectly beautiful ring I'd ever seen. That I'd had absolutely nothing to do with just made it even more special. I still consider it the best present I ever received. He asked me to marry him, and of course I said yes. Dinner was on the house, along with a bottle of bubbly. Best day ever.
It was John's first marriage, so I let him choose the logistics. We got married in Vegas and used the money we'd saved on a huge wedding to buy a new to us house. We closed in June, lived in sin for a few months, and got married in September. Somehow we found the money to swing a package deal and honeymooned in Maui. Which, for the record, is still the most beautiful place I've ever been. I can't wait to go back some day.
Throughout everything in our lives, he remains my rock. He is my best friend. My partner in crime. The one person I can ALWAYS count on. He supports every hair brained scheme I can come up with. He is my biggest fan. He is an amazing father, and has never once looked at any houshold chore as "not a man's job."
We are a team.
I am blessed to have him in my life. I am blessed that he ran up to my beer line that day (an aside, I am STILL "beer chick" in our football pool). I can't imagine anyone better by my side.
So. Lucky.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
TCM Training Week 13
This was a great week of running for me! That said, why the hell is it that I wait 3 days before I start running?? I run 4 days a week. I know this. When I start on Thursday, that means 4 days in a row (which I normally don't like to do). Dumbass. Moving on...
Monday - Wednesday: REST. Not on purpose really, but Tuesday, my procrastinating nature got the best of me, and I was thinking, no problem. I'll run on Wednesday! Then my friend who's husband was recently diagnosed with cancer calls and says she wants to hang out. What can I say? Cancer trumps pretty much everything.
Thursday: 6.01 of the best miles in recent memory. (ave. pace - 10:07) Negative splits. Last 2 miles sub 10. Awesome.
Friday: 11.6 miles (ave. pace - 10:58) I wanted to get my long run out of the way, since the weekend was going to be crazy. I had 12 on the schedule, and met Kim and another running club member out for some morning miles. I only got 9.5 done before I had to get back home to meet James' school bus. Before the bus came, I managed to squeak in 2.1 more mile. I called 11.6 close enough!
Saturday: 5.5 twilight miles (ave. pace - 10:29) A gorgeous evening run...I had to wait until Jenna was back from an all day volleyball tournament, but it was worth the wait.
Sunday: 4.01 easy miles with friends (ave. pace - 11:29) I ran with my friend Sarah and her daughter in the misty rain. Perfect.
Week Total Miles: 27.12
Monday - Wednesday: REST. Not on purpose really, but Tuesday, my procrastinating nature got the best of me, and I was thinking, no problem. I'll run on Wednesday! Then my friend who's husband was recently diagnosed with cancer calls and says she wants to hang out. What can I say? Cancer trumps pretty much everything.
Thursday: 6.01 of the best miles in recent memory. (ave. pace - 10:07) Negative splits. Last 2 miles sub 10. Awesome.
Friday: 11.6 miles (ave. pace - 10:58) I wanted to get my long run out of the way, since the weekend was going to be crazy. I had 12 on the schedule, and met Kim and another running club member out for some morning miles. I only got 9.5 done before I had to get back home to meet James' school bus. Before the bus came, I managed to squeak in 2.1 more mile. I called 11.6 close enough!
Saturday: 5.5 twilight miles (ave. pace - 10:29) A gorgeous evening run...I had to wait until Jenna was back from an all day volleyball tournament, but it was worth the wait.
Sunday: 4.01 easy miles with friends (ave. pace - 11:29) I ran with my friend Sarah and her daughter in the misty rain. Perfect.
Week Total Miles: 27.12
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Three Things Thursday: Complete 180
(pssst! GIVEAWAY!!)
1. I whined a ton during July and August about being burnt out. About feeling stuck in a rut. About losing my running mojo. Well, something happened in the last week, because it's BACK! Maybe it's the weather? Or a successful 22 mile day? Or TAPER? Or the weather?!?
I love running again! It's so nice to not dread running and training. It's so nice to be on the cusp of finishing out a training year that began in FEBRUARY. It's so nice to run HAPPY. I had the most incredible feeling 6 mile run this morning ending in 2 sub-10 minute miles. PERFECTION.
2. Speaking of loving running and a successful 22 mile day, check out this finish-line photo:
3. Truly, I was kind of dreading TCM before. Now? I am so STOKED for that race. I've been stocking up on old race reports, photos, videos from last year, all of it. I CANNOT wait to run this gorgeous course. Even if it DOES sport a 2 mile long 250 foot hill starting at mile 21. I am going to OWN that freaking hill! Right?!? Right!
1. I whined a ton during July and August about being burnt out. About feeling stuck in a rut. About losing my running mojo. Well, something happened in the last week, because it's BACK! Maybe it's the weather? Or a successful 22 mile day? Or TAPER? Or the weather?!?
I love running again! It's so nice to not dread running and training. It's so nice to be on the cusp of finishing out a training year that began in FEBRUARY. It's so nice to run HAPPY. I had the most incredible feeling 6 mile run this morning ending in 2 sub-10 minute miles. PERFECTION.
2. Speaking of loving running and a successful 22 mile day, check out this finish-line photo:
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| nothing like crossing the line with your daughter AND your friend to make you happy! |
3. Truly, I was kind of dreading TCM before. Now? I am so STOKED for that race. I've been stocking up on old race reports, photos, videos from last year, all of it. I CANNOT wait to run this gorgeous course. Even if it DOES sport a 2 mile long 250 foot hill starting at mile 21. I am going to OWN that freaking hill! Right?!? Right!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Almost Wordless Wednesday!
(If you missed it, hit up my giveaway!)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
GIVEAWAY!! YMX Tribal Sea Run Tee Review and Giveaway
A while back, YMX contacted me about hosting a review of their Tribal Sea Run Tee. I was super excited, because their designs are SO cool. So I meant to get this moving a while ago, but honestly, it's only been cool enough for me to want to sport sleeves recently. Last week, I was finally able to take it out for a spin around the neighborhood. I LOVED it! (AND I got compliments from my kids. WIN!)
From their website:
Want to win one for yourself?? Become a follower! (MANDATORY) Leave me a comment. For extra entries, please leave me a comment for each:
Disclaimer: YMX provided the shirt at no cost to me, but the opinions are all my own.
From their website:
ABOUT YMX
YMX (acronym for YellowMan Expression) was launched in 2009 as an extension of the original, high-end tattoo clothing brand, YellowMan (founded in 2004). Built on an extensive library of original tattoo artwork collected around the globe, YellowMan offers collectible, limited wearable art prints. YMX was created to offer an alternative to YellowMan in a broader, commercial market, while still preserving the authenticity of its origins.
YMX offers multifunctional garments that bridge the gap between athletic and fashion garments. Featuring high-comfort, lightweight MadKool fabrics and detailed, original prints, YMX garments can be worn for athletic use, or for casual wear. As a matter of fact, because of the moisture-wicking properties of the fabric, many people wear YMX in both active and leisure activities without having to change!Their designs are so so cool. Seriously, poke around their website - their stuff is more like artwork. And their MadKool fabric? Is SO nice to wear. Soft and silky and lightweight and breathable. It feels great on your skin and wicks like you wish all your running stuff would wick. It also has a pocket that sits at your lower back, perfect for gu, tissue, chapstick, whatever.
About MadKool® technical fabrics:
MadKool® technical fabrics enhance the athletic performance of the people who wear it. MadKool® efficiently moves sweat away from the body to the outer layer of the fabric, where it dries faster than with other fabrics.
In addition, MadKool® fabrics regulate your natural body temperature so you will stay warm in cool weather activities, and cool when your heart is pumping
Some MadKool® fabrics, such as those used in YMX cycling jerseys, offer UV protection so you can wear them on your next outdoor excursion without having to worry about exposure to the sun's harmful rays.
MadKool® fabrics have a lot of stretch, hold their shape and are abrasion resistant. Although they feel delicate, they aren't. Wear YMX garments hard, they can handle it just fine.
As an added bonus, MadKool® fabrics are engineered to receive prints with vivid clarity and permanance, so you don't have to worry about wearing your garment hard.
Once you experience the comfort and performance of MadKool® fabrics you will never want to take it off.Truly, I think this is my new favorite shirt. And they sent me a super cool pair of arm sleeves made out of the same material. I can't wait till it's cool enough out to try those out too!
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| no making fun of the messy bathroom! |
- Lie YMX on facebook. Leave me a comment.
- Share this giveaway on your blog, facebook, twitter. Comment for each.
- Visit the YMX by Yellowman website. Tell me what you love!
Disclaimer: YMX provided the shirt at no cost to me, but the opinions are all my own.
TCM Training Week 12 (and WTH have I been up to?)
As I've mentioned, life seems extra crazy lately. I don't have time to breath hardly. So here's the scoop on the last week...
Monday: After Sunday's long run fail, this was planned rest. Sort of. John and I spent the majority of Labor Day in the basement working our asses off.
Tuesday: Rest. More basement work.
Wednesday: Unplanned rest. Meant to run, but basement got in the way. Again.
Thursday: 4.01 predawn miles! (ave. pace - 10:45) It felt so good to get out there. The first round of flooring was scheduled for that morning, so I knew it had to get done early. Leg feeling good!
Friday: Unplanned rest. Oops. Up too late in the basement and I was unable to haul my ass out of bed. Next round of flooring DONE!
Saturday: 5.01 early miles (ave. pace - 10:49) Again, I knew it was early or nothing. Jenna had a volleyball game that morning, and we all went. I spent the rest of the day shopping with the kids, taking care of packet pickup, and hydrating.
Sunday: 22 miles!!! Adding everything together, I finished all 22 in 4:21:01 for an average pace of 11:52. Not too bad.
Week total miles: 31.02
Want to see pictures?? Go here to recall how it looked before - we'd gotten it just livable enough for my brother-in-law to stay down there. And now?
We still need to finish the ceiling, stain and varnish all the doors, and have a little trim work to finish, but it's SO FREAKING AWESOME to have all the big stuff complete at last!
Monday: After Sunday's long run fail, this was planned rest. Sort of. John and I spent the majority of Labor Day in the basement working our asses off.
Tuesday: Rest. More basement work.
Wednesday: Unplanned rest. Meant to run, but basement got in the way. Again.
Thursday: 4.01 predawn miles! (ave. pace - 10:45) It felt so good to get out there. The first round of flooring was scheduled for that morning, so I knew it had to get done early. Leg feeling good!
Friday: Unplanned rest. Oops. Up too late in the basement and I was unable to haul my ass out of bed. Next round of flooring DONE!
Saturday: 5.01 early miles (ave. pace - 10:49) Again, I knew it was early or nothing. Jenna had a volleyball game that morning, and we all went. I spent the rest of the day shopping with the kids, taking care of packet pickup, and hydrating.
Sunday: 22 miles!!! Adding everything together, I finished all 22 in 4:21:01 for an average pace of 11:52. Not too bad.
Week total miles: 31.02
Want to see pictures?? Go here to recall how it looked before - we'd gotten it just livable enough for my brother-in-law to stay down there. And now?
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| prior to flooring |
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| laminate done! |
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| this is where all the stuff was piled in the first picture |
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| Jenna's room |
Monday, September 12, 2011
Race Report: Fort2Base 10 Nautical Mile
(first off, I'M SO BEHIND! I've been reading, but not commenting - I hope to catch up with everyone this week...)
I heard about this race early in the Spring, and really wanted to do it, but couldn't afford it at the time. As time went on, of course the price went up. But! A few weeks back there was an online Schwaggle that discounted it 50%. So I registered, hoping to both honor the day in a meaningful way and also combine it somehow into my 22 miler - my last long run before TCM.
Kim was running it too, and I tried to talk her into making it 22 with me, but she wasn't comfortable with the idea, wanting her 22 to be it's own thing. So she did her 22 on Saturday, and ran this with me as a recovery run. (YES!! She ran 11.6 with me the day AFTER her 22! ROCK STAR!!)
SO. Since I was running more than 10 miles prior to the start, I didn't want to do race day packet pick up. I drug my kids with me Saturday and we picked up my bib and shirt, which by the way is probably the best race shirt I've gotten to date. Love it.
Race day morning I woke up at 3am. Yes. Way early. I was out my door before 4, hoping to get at least 10 done by 6. The miles ticked off, and I enjoyed the quiet of the dark. The moon was AMAZING. It was cool and humid, and the run was uneventful. I made it back to my house just before 6, having logged a 10.4 mile warm up. YES! Now I just needed to finish the race, with no extra miles to worry about.
I changed my clothes quick (I didn't want to START the race already gross), grabbed a banana and my handheld, and John dropped me off right at the start. In hindsight, I am so thankful, and the logistics of getting on the base turned out to be complicated for many runners. He kissed me and sent me on my way, and it was nice knowing I'd see him at the end.
I ended up waiting for a bit, even though I was worried about being late. The last bus full of runners didn't arrive until AFTER the projected start time, so there was a bit of a delay, but nothing too serious. I found Kim in the port-o-potty line, and waited with her, as the race started without us. No biggie - it's chip timed and I have no time expectations. Just putting in miles while honoring the day.
The first few miles ticked by. I was feeling pretty good, all things considered. I took walk breaks every mile or so. My legs felt surprisingly good. The majority of the race was along a shaded trail, and the weather was still fairly cool, with a nice breeze (I was actually COLD waiting for the start). It was still rather humid though. That kind of bit me in the ass later.
My fueling was going pretty well - I'd taken a gu at mile 6 that morning and had a salt packet and a banana between runs. I was drinking my powerade and water from every stop. I gu'd at mile 4 of the race, with more salt a couple miles later, when we stopped at a port-o-potty. I gu'd again at nearly 9. I was feeling decent. No tummy troubles.
The crowd support and course marshals were nearly all military, and they were amazing. At mile 8, we entered Great Lakes Naval Base and it really ramped up here. Just after mile 9, I started having trouble with my toes cramping up. For a bit, I could walk it off and stretch them out, and they'd be better again for a while. Just after 10, we went down a monster of a hill. Steep. Long. My toes smashed into the end of my shoes, and it hurt. Then we ran along the lake for a while, and Kim was playing music for me and dancing and distracting me. I ran as much as I could, knowing I was going to have to walk back up that monster of a hill. The good thing was that the military support at the hill was amazing. They were whooping and cheering - it was really a great boost. I walked it, the whole thing, next to a woman who ran up nearly the whole thing. We were going the same pace, so we were motivating each other.
The whole race, in my head, I kept telling myself that NOTHING I was doing today was as tough as what the people of our nation were going through 10 years ago. That was my mantra of the day. "This is NOTHING. This isn't pain. THAT was pain."
But the last mile. *sigh* I was hoping to finish much stronger than I was able to. But my toes were now excruciating. They brought tears to my eyes. I was WISHING I'd brought another salt packet. Kim was encouraging me, telling me to run it in. I had to tell her that I was walking now so I COULD run it in. We made the final turn, and I was able to run the last 100 yards. We saw our husbands, and John had brought Julia with him! So she ran it in with me! It meant everything to me that they were there...
The medals were awesome, although I'm a little bummed that we couldn't get the chain that so many people got (the chain was for the 3 mile medals). Still - very cool medallions!
Thanks so much to Kim! It was amazing doing this with you!! I'm so glad you were feeling good enough that you could use this as a pokey recovery run, and thanks for being patient and running back to me so many times. Running friends rock!
I heard about this race early in the Spring, and really wanted to do it, but couldn't afford it at the time. As time went on, of course the price went up. But! A few weeks back there was an online Schwaggle that discounted it 50%. So I registered, hoping to both honor the day in a meaningful way and also combine it somehow into my 22 miler - my last long run before TCM.
Kim was running it too, and I tried to talk her into making it 22 with me, but she wasn't comfortable with the idea, wanting her 22 to be it's own thing. So she did her 22 on Saturday, and ran this with me as a recovery run. (YES!! She ran 11.6 with me the day AFTER her 22! ROCK STAR!!)
SO. Since I was running more than 10 miles prior to the start, I didn't want to do race day packet pick up. I drug my kids with me Saturday and we picked up my bib and shirt, which by the way is probably the best race shirt I've gotten to date. Love it.
I changed my clothes quick (I didn't want to START the race already gross), grabbed a banana and my handheld, and John dropped me off right at the start. In hindsight, I am so thankful, and the logistics of getting on the base turned out to be complicated for many runners. He kissed me and sent me on my way, and it was nice knowing I'd see him at the end.
I ended up waiting for a bit, even though I was worried about being late. The last bus full of runners didn't arrive until AFTER the projected start time, so there was a bit of a delay, but nothing too serious. I found Kim in the port-o-potty line, and waited with her, as the race started without us. No biggie - it's chip timed and I have no time expectations. Just putting in miles while honoring the day.
My fueling was going pretty well - I'd taken a gu at mile 6 that morning and had a salt packet and a banana between runs. I was drinking my powerade and water from every stop. I gu'd at mile 4 of the race, with more salt a couple miles later, when we stopped at a port-o-potty. I gu'd again at nearly 9. I was feeling decent. No tummy troubles.
The crowd support and course marshals were nearly all military, and they were amazing. At mile 8, we entered Great Lakes Naval Base and it really ramped up here. Just after mile 9, I started having trouble with my toes cramping up. For a bit, I could walk it off and stretch them out, and they'd be better again for a while. Just after 10, we went down a monster of a hill. Steep. Long. My toes smashed into the end of my shoes, and it hurt. Then we ran along the lake for a while, and Kim was playing music for me and dancing and distracting me. I ran as much as I could, knowing I was going to have to walk back up that monster of a hill. The good thing was that the military support at the hill was amazing. They were whooping and cheering - it was really a great boost. I walked it, the whole thing, next to a woman who ran up nearly the whole thing. We were going the same pace, so we were motivating each other.
The whole race, in my head, I kept telling myself that NOTHING I was doing today was as tough as what the people of our nation were going through 10 years ago. That was my mantra of the day. "This is NOTHING. This isn't pain. THAT was pain."
But the last mile. *sigh* I was hoping to finish much stronger than I was able to. But my toes were now excruciating. They brought tears to my eyes. I was WISHING I'd brought another salt packet. Kim was encouraging me, telling me to run it in. I had to tell her that I was walking now so I COULD run it in. We made the final turn, and I was able to run the last 100 yards. We saw our husbands, and John had brought Julia with him! So she ran it in with me! It meant everything to me that they were there...
Thanks so much to Kim! It was amazing doing this with you!! I'm so glad you were feeling good enough that you could use this as a pokey recovery run, and thanks for being patient and running back to me so many times. Running friends rock!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Drama Queen
Wow! I sounded like my 12 year old daughter in that last post - all whiny and pouting and woe is me.
I'm still not running (yet). But after reading all your lovely comments and really taking a good hard look at it, I'm surprisingly ok with that.
This training cycle (which, for the record, I wrote in FEBRUARY), I really ramped up the miles. I figured, why not? I am already used to it - I ran a spring marathon right? Why NOT increase things?
I guess my body didn't like that so much.
In every one of my marathon training cycles so far, my body has rebelled at some point, forcing me to step it WAY back for a bit. Instead of getting (too) pissed off and training through pain, I've chosen to listen to it every time it's spoken. If that means a week off mid-training, so be it.
The upside to this is that I've yet to suffer a real game changing injury.
So I guess I'm doing something right...
(for the record, I'll be heading out either tonight or tomorrow. thanks again for all your lovely comments. beers were definitely had, although not a whole lot of rest. more like staining and varnishing and base moulding installation and ceiling tile. carpet and laminate are being installed at the end of the week. THEN I can rest!)
I'm still not running (yet). But after reading all your lovely comments and really taking a good hard look at it, I'm surprisingly ok with that.
This training cycle (which, for the record, I wrote in FEBRUARY), I really ramped up the miles. I figured, why not? I am already used to it - I ran a spring marathon right? Why NOT increase things?
I guess my body didn't like that so much.
In every one of my marathon training cycles so far, my body has rebelled at some point, forcing me to step it WAY back for a bit. Instead of getting (too) pissed off and training through pain, I've chosen to listen to it every time it's spoken. If that means a week off mid-training, so be it.
The upside to this is that I've yet to suffer a real game changing injury.
So I guess I'm doing something right...
(for the record, I'll be heading out either tonight or tomorrow. thanks again for all your lovely comments. beers were definitely had, although not a whole lot of rest. more like staining and varnishing and base moulding installation and ceiling tile. carpet and laminate are being installed at the end of the week. THEN I can rest!)
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Dammit
It's super great that I post all about determination while my leg is hurting right?
I'm all about denial.
Unfortunately, after a mile gimp-running this morning, I am unable to NOT face my current reality. There will BE no 12 miler. My week total mileage is 6.
My fucking leg hurts.
Where does that leave me?
Who knows.
I'm all about denial.
Unfortunately, after a mile gimp-running this morning, I am unable to NOT face my current reality. There will BE no 12 miler. My week total mileage is 6.
My fucking leg hurts.
Where does that leave me?
Who knows.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
On The Cusp Of My Favorite Season...
I love the Fall.
I love the crispness in the air, and the chill in the morning. I love the colors and the smell. I love settling in to a new routine, and that we NEED a routine again after a Summer of "whatever we feel like today."
I love running and not feeling like I want to die.
After a couple of weeks of stunning running weather, today feels oppressive. Heavy. Looks like Summer's making a final stand. I somehow couldn't make myself get out there this morning, so I'll be running as the sun sets (which I also secretly love).
It was a good August - I lost another pound, and even saw 149 on the scale a couple times this past month. It'll be weird to finally not be classified as an Athena runner. Weird, but sweet. I ran 121.92 miles. I survived a 20 miler. I got to spend a lot of time with my kids in August. I got to celebrate 3 of my kids' birthdays and my Dad's college graduation. I got to usher everyone back to school (which was good for them AND me).
All that said, I'm suffering from a lack of motivation (which is really nothing new - I'm lazy at heart) and a suffocating kind of melancholy. Some of it is in part to the change of seasons and some of it is a bit of unwelcome and unexpected news, news that isn't mine, so I can't share it, but it's always in the back of my mind, and it's reminding me to be THANKFUL for what I have.
But instead of thankful, it's bringing out this strange, perverse, thick sadness in me, one that I've been unable to shake.
But I'm trying.
Hug your families today.
Life is short. And a gift.
As I enter the home stretch for this final marathon of this season, and as I stare at McMillan and my training log, I decided something today. A 5 hour marathon is MINE. I just have to WANT it enough. I CAN. I CAN. I just need to EXECUTE WITHOUT GIVING UP. I am too too easy on myself. But I see the numbers. I have this in me. No wimping out this go around.
Hello, grim determination. Welcome back. I've missed you.
I love the crispness in the air, and the chill in the morning. I love the colors and the smell. I love settling in to a new routine, and that we NEED a routine again after a Summer of "whatever we feel like today."
I love running and not feeling like I want to die.
After a couple of weeks of stunning running weather, today feels oppressive. Heavy. Looks like Summer's making a final stand. I somehow couldn't make myself get out there this morning, so I'll be running as the sun sets (which I also secretly love).
It was a good August - I lost another pound, and even saw 149 on the scale a couple times this past month. It'll be weird to finally not be classified as an Athena runner. Weird, but sweet. I ran 121.92 miles. I survived a 20 miler. I got to spend a lot of time with my kids in August. I got to celebrate 3 of my kids' birthdays and my Dad's college graduation. I got to usher everyone back to school (which was good for them AND me).
All that said, I'm suffering from a lack of motivation (which is really nothing new - I'm lazy at heart) and a suffocating kind of melancholy. Some of it is in part to the change of seasons and some of it is a bit of unwelcome and unexpected news, news that isn't mine, so I can't share it, but it's always in the back of my mind, and it's reminding me to be THANKFUL for what I have.
But instead of thankful, it's bringing out this strange, perverse, thick sadness in me, one that I've been unable to shake.
But I'm trying.
Hug your families today.
Life is short. And a gift.
As I enter the home stretch for this final marathon of this season, and as I stare at McMillan and my training log, I decided something today. A 5 hour marathon is MINE. I just have to WANT it enough. I CAN. I CAN. I just need to EXECUTE WITHOUT GIVING UP. I am too too easy on myself. But I see the numbers. I have this in me. No wimping out this go around.
Hello, grim determination. Welcome back. I've missed you.
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