Three Things Thursday

1. Last night I went to strength class and then for a short run, just to see how things were feeling. It turns out, things were feeling pretty darn good. The run was made even better when Chris made my day - she treated us all to our choice of goodies from the ice cream truck. YUM!

2. I was lucky enough to score an invitation from Mizuno's Mezamashii Project (you can click the link and request an invitation). I chose a super pretty pair of Wave Inspire 8s, which arrived yesterday. So last night's run was in my new kicks, and I have to say, I am a FAN. I obviously need to run longer in them before being completely sold, but they felt GREAT. Thank's Mizuno!

3. Tonight, my hubs and I are going to Summerfest in Milwaukee to see FOO FIGHTERS!! I am 100% sure you will hear more about his soon. I am so excited, I can hardly stand it!

(my spell check is not working. I suck at spelling. sorry for any typos!)

ZOOMA Great Lakes Ambassador

I am extremely excited to have been chosen to be a Race Ambassador for the ZOOMA Great Lakes Half Marathon and 5k. This race is one I've wanted to do for a while now, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to run and represent this year! The race will be held October 20, 2012, and it starts and finishes along the shore of Lake Geneva, WI, which is a really beautiful area.

Want to run with me? Use the code GLAMB9 for a $10 discount off the half marathon or a $5 discount off the 5k race. Prices will increase on August 5, so don't wait! Register now! :)

Race Report: HFM Maritime Marathon

So, when we last left our heroine, she was pretty effing miserable.

She did what any runner would do. (We ARE all a little crazy). She sought redemption.

Seriously, I got home around dinner time on Sunday last week, and that night I was already searching for a do over. I knew my window of opportunity was rapidly closing (if not already slammed shut) since summertime weather is not conducive to marathon running, so I was in a hurry. Grandma's was bitter in the back of my throat, and I wanted to get rid of that taste.

Almost immediately, I found the inaugural HFM Maritime Marathon in Manitowoc, WI. Nearly as quickly, I checked the area weather. When I realized that it was significantly cooler than the surrounding areas, I was hooked. Good weather? Check. Tiny race? Check. Beautiful course? Check.

I couldn't get it out of my head.

Fast forward to Friday evening when I was dragging my husband 2 hours north of here to register at packet pick up. The people were so nice. The race organizers were all there, asking questions about me, giving us directions to the race start, and just being friendly and helpful. We left the Maritime Museum feeling good. We watched the bridge go up and a ship amble through. It felt SO MUCH like Duluth, it was uncanny. It felt right.

I spent Saturday night at my parents' place, and Sunday morning, my Dad drove me the hour to the start at the University of Manitowoc. There were about 400 runners - half running the full and half running the 2 or 4 person relay. I used a ridiculously clean port-o-potty. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. My Dad was going to hang out at the start and then meet me farther up the course. There was the National Anthem and a "3, 2, 1, GO!"

So my goals for the day were pretty loose. I wanted to NOT have my stomach be a part of the equation - I was trying Imodium again and paying close attention to my diet prior - and I wanted to finish feeling good.

The course was gorgeous. Simply stunning. We were running along the shore of Lake Michigan for most of the race, up through Two Rivers, and then back. We ran mostly on paved path next to the lake. The view was remarkable.

The race was small enough and easy enough to navigate that I got to see my Dad several times along the course. This was so fun! I'd look up, and there he was again!

The weather was humid but cool. We actually got sprinkled on to start, but no rain ever came of it. The first half of the race was just miles ticking off. I talked to so many people. I enjoyed seeing my Dad, and I enjoyed the beauty of the lake shore. The volunteers and spectators were outstanding. You'd never have known that this was the first year of this race - there were no real hitches I saw.

Once I got north of Two Rivers though, my wheels came off a bit. (Go here to see splits and a map.) I was running just under a 10 minute pace to this point, but once we veered away from the lake, I heated up quickly. Then the sun came out. For whatever reason, I couldn't seem to keep my breathing in check. I got a side stitch. I walked some.

Unfortunately for my time goals, things never really got better for me. From miles 15 to about 18, despite pretty spot on fueling, my right foot cramped up into a giant ball of pain. I finally got it to let go, but by then, the ball of my foot felt almost bruised. It still hurts today. I'd see my Dad and he'd remark that my time was slipping, and I'd let him know I was ok, but slowing down.

And I really WAS ok.

me, a para sailor, and some gorgeous background :)

I was chatty. I was smiling, so much that people were commenting on it. I was running happy. Was it a perfect day with all I am capable of? Nope. But I didn't care - I've never run a race like this, where everyone cared about everyone. Where the front runners coming back would yell, "Looking strong 202! Great job! Keep it up!" Usually, despite me cheering like crazy for the fasties, I hardly get a grunt in return. Not this day. EVERYONE was so encouraging to each other. I really loved that.

The last few miles were tough. But still fun. I was running with the same group for quite a while. One girl ran steady the whole way. I'd run past her, and she's pass me back when I walked. We started joking about it. We ended up finishing within a minute of each other. Another girl was running her first marathon, and I'd like to think I helped her feel a bit better (she was struggling a little) when I told her how impressed I was that she was going to break 5 hours on her first try. The volunteers were still so encouraging at the end, telling us they were proud of us and that we were doing great.

4:49:31

When it came down to the end, I was determined to cross in under 4:50. I barely made it. It seems a little crazy to be so far from my original time goal and still so happy and satisfied at the finish, but I had a great race, and a PR, and how can you NOT be happy with a PR? I gave what I could this day. I had an amazing time. And this gave me a lot of peace. Plus, my stomach never ever came into play. Perfect.

I'll still chase down 4:20, but it was a good run. I'm so glad I did it.

DNF

I am just going to spew all this at you. There will be no editing. I just want to get it out and then move on.

Quick overview? I had a wonderful weekend and a shitty race.

I left my house Thursday morning, picked up Yvonne, and we were off to northern Wisconsin. My knee hates driving, so I wanted to get the bulk of it done with a day cushion before the race. We made it to our hotel no problem, checked in and chilled out. We had stopped at Subway for lunch kind of late, so it took  a while before we were hungry for dinner.

We hit Culver's for a light dinner - we both had salad. We watched the craziest lightning show I can remember while eating our food. Once the rain let up, we headed back to the hotel, watched tv and poked around on the 'net, and went to bed. I slept like a freaking rock. Seriously - best sleep in a while. (TMI alert: also, my period showed up this night. I was glad - I could deal with it instead of worrying about it - but flo always has a way of messing up my gut. I was still hopeful that the bulk of it would be behind me before race morning. Ominous foreshadowing here.)

Friday was a crazy blur. We got up, ran a couple shake out miles, packed up and headed to Duluth. We got to the hotel too early to check in, so we hit the expo. Right away, we ran into Carly and Kelli, and I got a quick hug. We were supposed to get together, but unfortunately, that never panned out. Again, we lunched later than usual, I had a chicken panini and fries. We got checked in, and then Riyanti, Chris and Carrie arrived. So we hit the expo again (it was within walking distance) and had dinner. I had a salad with grilled chicken, and only ate part of it. I was still full from lunch.

I slept like shit that night, but no big surprise there. We were up and dressed and ready to go early the next morning. We had to wait a bit for the bus to take us to the start, but we still had time to hit the potty line, where I was finally successful. But I was worried that it wasn't enough. For whatever reason, travelling seems to stop my system from "moving." And this trip was no exception.

We hit the start line, and tried to move towards our pace groups, but we couldn't move. It was packed like sardines. I'm not sure if we were just later than we should have been (the potty lines took forever) but I don't remember it being as crowded last year. Yvonne and I were stuck behind the 5:30 pacer, which really wasn't an issue for me, but I felt bad for Yvonne, who was shooting for a 3:40. All the dodging and weaving she did in early miles hurt her later in the race.

It took us about 6 minutes to cross the start. It was warm and really really humid. As in, I was soaked with sweat by mile 1 kind of humid. But I felt GREAT. I was running strong and feeling good. I was handling all the rolling hills with ease. I was holding a ridiculously steady pace. And I was smiling. This went on for the first few miles. 1 through 8 were: 10:03, 9:54, 9:54, 9:54, 9:49, 9:52, 9:55, 9:53.

Mile 9 was a 10:42, because I stopped to walk twice. I was trying to negotiate getting my salt pills out of my handheld and then I stopped at the water stop to refill my handheld. It was also a pretty decent uphill, but I made up for it a little with the downhill the next mile - it clocked in at 9:38. I had taken a gu at about 6.5, so I was thinking about when to take the next one. And then the cramping started. Up til then, my stomach was silent. I'm not sure what triggered it, but once it started, it just wouldn't let up for more than a few minutes at a time.

So, I started run walking. I'd walk through the cramps and run when it'd let up. Mile 11 was a 10:18. I knew if I could get to 13, I wouldn't have to wait in line for a potty, so I was focused on getting there. Miles 12 and 13 were 11:16 and 10:55. At 13.1 is where the halfers start, so there's a giant bank of potties. I was sweating my ass off in there (it seemed like a potty for kindergartners - super short, which was really uncomfortable) but I made it out hoping that was it. Mile 14 was 14:40.

When I headed out again, I realized that the sun had gone under the clouds, and that the wind had shifted. I was now soaked and cold. Which was fine while I was running, but I wasn't running enough. It became clear quickly that my stomach was in no way finished with me. Plus I was having really lovely period feeling cramps. Every time I'd start running, I would make it a hundred yards and double over again. I hit the 15 mile water stop feeling crushed and wondering if I could finish. I grabbed a sponge, wiped my neck, and realized that my necklace chain had rusted all over me. So my nice white tank was stained orange at the neck. Lovely. I ripped the necklace off (which I'd run with many many time, btw) and kept trudging, more miserable by the minute.

There were more potty stops. There was much cursing. I knew I could finish, but that it would be fucking miserable to do so. And for what? So when I passed 16 and the med tent sign was there, I made my way over, checked out of the race, sat down and sobbed. I feel a little bad for the dude in the tent, because he didn't even know what was wrong with me at the point, but I was just fucking heartbroken.

So. Long bus ride back with some funny peeps. We dubbed our bus "the sad bus." The girl next to me went around the bus asking everyone what their race breaker was. It was a nice distraction.

Got off the bus (FINALLY - took forever! We kept joking that we could have slogged it in faster) and I made my way to my friend Chris who was course marshaling at 25.5. I got a hug and teared up again. I saw Nora run by with her husband (GO NORA!). We cheered for my friend Carrie as she ran by (AND BROKE 5 HOURS! New PR for her! I jumped up and down like a little girl!) and then I found my way to gear check, got my stuff, and changed out of my wet top half. I put on my hoodie and made it out in time to see Riyanti in the chute after she crossed. She has been dealing with a nagging groin injury, and I was so proud of the race she ran (she dubbed it her "merrython"). We were all finally together! Yvonne didn't quite make her goal, but she was happy with her race. I was happy to be with my friends again. But the reality of what I DIDN'T do (no medal or shirt for me) was starting to sink in.

And then it started to pour down rain. Are you fucking kidding me?!?

As I stood there shivering in a tent to try and stay dry, my stomach cramped up again. I just needed to get out of there. Now. I was NOT using another god damn port-a-potty that day. So Chris hauled ass (haha! I kill myself) back to the hotel room with me. I felt weird bounding up the stairs while everyone gimped around me. We made it back, I hit the bathroom and shower and I leaned against the wall and let it all out. I cried until I hoped I was done crying. I didn't want to bring my friends down. They all had amazing days! I didn't want to make them feel guilty about all they'd accomplished.

So. I composed myself, left the bathroom, listened to everyone chat about their day, opened my laptop to see a gajillion supportive facebook messages, and lost my shit again.

I tried, right?

I still couldn't eat. But I was hungry. I slowly took down a plain bagel and then made my way back to the bathroom. Lovely. So when everyone started talking dinner, I sent them on without me. I was going to blog then, but I couldn't without crying, so I shut my computer and took a catnap. They brought me back some plain pasta, which I inhaled. I was feeling a little better then, but still not "right." I ate a little chocolate anyway. Chocolate makes everything better.

Yesterday was spent packing up and heading home. Outside of my engine light being on when I started the car, followed by a trip to the gas station to put in oil (I love that I can do this without freaking out - thanks Daddy) followed by a GPS lady who hated my guts (rerouting!) and too many detours (fucking FUCK!), it was a good day. I got to hug my husband and my kids. I was home.

I spent last night looking for a do-over race. I'm not sure that I will try that, but you never know. This was NOT the way this was supposed to happen. But there will be other races. I can still run. There was no ambulance for me. I was not on the side of the road seizing (Riyanti saw this on the course. Scary.) so I am ok. Disappointed? Yes. But ok. I did not train for more than 600 miles this year for nothing. I am a stronger runner than ever. I had an amazing first 10 miles. I wish I could bottle that up and release it over and over on future race days. I will figure out my stomach. I will grow.

And I had a wonderful weekend with some amazing women. I am so glad to have been there with them!

Goals For Grandma's

I've been thinking a lot about this.

This is the first marathon I will run for more than just a finish. This is the first marathon I'm planning on running at more than a long run pace.

This is the first marathon I will "race."

All that said, after looking at all my training, I am going to attempt a 4:20. I won't lie when I say that number scares the shit out of me. But I'm going to give it everything in me, and I think with a good day, I can do it.

I can do it.

I am quite confident that I can run a 4:40 right now at long run pace, based on my 20 milers.

Anything under 4:30 will make me happy.

But I am going for 4:20.

No matter what happens, I will not give up out there. I will not let one bastard asshole ruin my whole day. I will not mentally let myself off the hook at any point. I will push myself until my body, not my mind, has had enough.

My legs can totally do this.

So I will make my head do this too. I believe that I can. I believe it.

Here's to a great day controlling all the things I can control, responding positively to all the things outside of my control, and embracing the suck until I cross that finish line.

Here's to giving this everything I have.

Here's to finally believing it, for real.

See y'all on the other side...

(if anyone wants to stalk, I'm Bobbi Welch, bib 6560. Go here to get texts or emails.)

The Rest of the Weekend...

Julia is doing fabulously - thanks for all your kind words. The meds seem to really be helping, and she's at probably 90% now. Of course, James is back to runny nose...I just need to stay healthy for 4 more days so please NO ONE BREATHE ON ME!

***

We spent the better part of the weekend trying to get the pool ready. We are sadly behind schedule because John's job is batshit crazy at the moment (really, he's doing 2 jobs) ans there's been no time. It isn't perfect yet, but yesterday we deemed it "perfect enough" and the kids all went swimming.

And then pool gravity happened.

What, you've never heard of pool gravity? That's where every kid in a 2 block radius senses it's presence on a hot day and comes running. It took all of 2 hours yesterday...that might be a new record.

***

I got to meet Sara this weekend!!

Backing up a little, she had won my entry to the 13.1 Chicago race I was supposed to be running Saturday. She made plans to head this way from Minnesota, and we were going to hit packet pick up on Friday and drive in to the race together Saturday morning.

Well, her sciatic nerve decided not to play nice, so running was out for her. But there was still packet pick up! And dinner! And we all know how that went down.

So we made plans to have dinner on Saturday night. I got there right on time, and I was sending her a message to see where she was, and I glanced into my rear view mirror and saw her walking in.

I quickly hopped out of my car and yelled, "Sara?"

It was her! Yay! I dashed across the parking lot, gave her a hug hello, and...

WALKED SMACK INTO A STREET SIGN.

The good news is that she didn't run away! And we had a lovely dinner!

The bad news is that I'm sporting ugly bruises on my arm, head, and ego. :)

We didn't take any pictures because I am a sucky blogger, so you'll have to pretend.

***

Tomorrow? I shall post about goals. I am way nervous and excited at the moment. I think my husband wants this race to be over so that I'll STOP talking about it. He loves me - what can I say?

And Then What Happened? My First DNS

So. Thursday night, Julia was back to the "coughing til she's puking" again. Friday morning, I told myself that it had been long enough, and unless she was hacking fit free, we were calling in a trip to the doctor.

The morning was uneventful. Right after lunch, we were back to square one, just like that. While I was on the phone with the doctor's office, she puked on the kitchen floor.

Sigh.

We headed in. We waited for over an hour, just to be seen. We were in the exam room for an hour and a half, during which my favorite doctor in the practice (yay!) looked at her, listened to her lungs, and I found out I was all wrong. I THOUGHT it was a dripping head cold making her cough. Turns out, it was all in her lungs. After a breathing treatment and more listening, bronchitis was the call.

We left with prescriptions in hand. It was after 6pm when I got home with 2 very hungry kiddos. There was no way in hell I was going to be able to make it to packet pick up in time, considering I still needed to get her scripts filled. And even if I could, I wasn't sure I WANTED to. I was freaking beat.

So I called it. No race for me.

I headed to the pharmacy and was THERE FOR OVER AN HOUR. During which I may or may not have shed a tear or two. I ended up going home with only 2 out of the 3 scripts (one of them was missing a strength and the doctor was paged several times and didn't call back - frustrating) and John ran back later for the last one.

After all that, I didn't even get up early enough to run on Saturday. I guess I was tired, huh. So Julia and I pouted together all morning. She was missing her bff's birthday party and I was stalking my friends and my sister.

I think secretly John was glad. I'll be gone this whole weekend, and it was nice to have that time all together. Silver lining and all.

Running at the beginning of last week was all sunshine and roses. But now it's more like taper running. You know - everything speaks. Was that my knee? Why does my shin feel like that? I can barely breath and I'm not even CLOSE to marathon pace. WTF???? This sucks!

But I know what it is. And I'm not listening.

TTT: Updates

1. Since Julia "Stand By Me'd" my bathroom, she perfected her aim. And puked several more times. I don't know what it is about her, but this is how she does coughs. It isn't whooping cough (I used to check) it's just Julia. She's much better today...

2. Saturday's forecast gets hotter every time I look at it. It's up to a high of 90 now. It's the damn curse of the Gingerfoxxx. I guess it's a good thing I'm not racing it, huh? The good news is, it's been STUNNING all week so far. Making for some stellar running. Like I want to run every day! Because it's so NICE! Last night I saw 8 deer....

3. MY BOOBS ARE PERFECT. Just sayin'...nothing abnormal to see here.

*sigh*

Now I can focus on that which is in front of me. :)

Tuesday Thoughts

It took me 30 seconds to actually figure out it's Tuesday. That's what summer vacation does to me.

So it's taper time. This is the time when a lot of runners go a little crazy. I admit, I have succumbed to the madness in the past. But instead, I am all zen lately.

Except when my daughter coughs. And coughs. And coughs until MY HEAD EXPLODES AND I CANNOT TAKE IT ANYMORE and then she pukes all over the bathroom. OVER the toilet. Not IN it.

Wait. Where were we? Oh yes.

Zen.

Somewhere in the last couple weeks, I realized that I am 100% capable of the marathon that I want. My legs will go as fast as I want them to for as long as I want them to go.

BUT. I have to KEEP wanting them to, for the WHOLE race.

Rocket science, I know. I am a rockstar genius.

But while it seems really really obvious, putting that into practice is much more tricky.

So I've been coming up with ideas to help me along. Making plans to remind myself at mile 19 when I can't seem to THINK anymore. Little strategies that I hope will make a big difference.

I WILL NOT WIMP OUT THIS TIME.

My taper is a little unorthodox. I'm running a half marathon this weekend. FOR FUN, I promise. NO racing whatsoever.

But it's gonna be good. I can taste it.

(thanks for all your comments regarding my health. my appointment is Thursday afternoon, after which I will have results and I will share them with you, I promise...)

FUN!

So May? Is done. How did that happen? My mileage at 138.48 was a little lower than I hoped, but it is what it is. I'm cool with it.

So, I thought I'd give you a little taste of where my month has gone...in pictures!

Jack (in green) warming up

band concert

daisy bridging to brownie ceremony

Julia

impossible to get them both to smile normal

junior high formal dance

Jenna

James ready for his concert

the vice principal (in pink speaking) reminds me of Dorothy Umbridge

in the middle in stripes (his teacher is in pink to the right)

he was outstanding :)

I'm looking forward to a relaxing June with a marathon in the middle :) Who wants to guess my finish time?