Last Run Before the Marathon!

Training is officially complete! A lot of excitement in the air!!! So, much so, I just can't think of anything to say!

Just looking at this picture of last year's start (10,000 less people than this year) makes me get excited! Can you imagine? I can't!

Getting Excited!

The excitement is building for Sunday! I think we are all getting excited despite the weather forecast (low of 62 and high of 79). And it seems to get warmer each day. The good news is that the wind speeds are decreasing. But a Larry says - don't worry about the weather since it is the one thing you can't control.

Yes, the excitement is building, but I don't think we will match the level of excitement in the video below. Of course, if Mike was running with us - I think we might.

4:40 am

When my alarm went off this morning I truly could not remember what I had to get up for. My wishful thinking must have been taking over my mind. Unfortunately, the rain I had hoped for (as always) did not materialize and the radar didn't show any in the vicinity. So, off I went.

It was warm today. I was over dressed. Not as much as Jenny, thankfully, but none the less one of my least favorite things is to be over dressed. It is different then running in hot weather when you can't really do anything about it. But being overdressed - it is just being stupid. Not that Jenny is more stupid than me.... ;-)

The day of the marathon WAS looking good. Mike had to ruin it by asking me what the wind was predicted to be. So, of course I had to go and check. The bad news is the forecast has changed since I looked last night. The good news is that there is plenty of time for it to change again.

Sunday, Oct 12

High: 60°F RealFeel®: 56°F - Rather cloudy with a bit of rain
Winds: NNW at 14mph
Wind Gusts: 24 mph
Thunderstorm Probability: 4%
Amount of Precipitation: 0.05in

Long Sleeve AND Long Pants

Mark the day - October 2 - the first day the majority of the group wore long sleeves AND long pants. Elyse was the brave one in shorts. She was feeling pretty tired today, so she must have wanted to be cold to keep herself awake!

Taper time... Time to enjoy the guilt of not running much!

Chicago Video

A brisk run with the group this morning 6.14 miles with a hilly beginning, but something different.

I found a video of the Chicago Marathon Course. To be honest it kinda freaked me out - definitely got my nerves going. It made me realize how long 26.2 miles is. Funny, I know, but I expected it to go a lot faster on a speeded up video. The good thing is that it is flat, flat, flat.

Got It!

No, I know which way to turn on the Elroy-Sparta Trail. I GOT that! I got my "confirmation packet" from the Chicago Marathon in the mail yesterday. It has a lot of RULES in it. It may take me 3 weeks to read it all! The are quite clear that you MUST bring this packet to the expo when you pick up your goody bag. They want you to think they are on top of it, but actually, I think they do it so you have ONE more thing to stress about. Obviously they don't think that worrying about finishing a marathon, the weather, wearing the right clothes, forgetting your shoes, finding your hotel and a good place to eat, finding the start (and finish), figuring out how to find the other 6 people you are running with among the other 44,993 people running and running with 44,999 other people is not enough to worry about. Nope, they have to ADD bringing the frickin (Sandy's new favorite word - NOT mine) "confirmation packet". All I can say is they better not run out of beer!

We were blessed with a mild summer and the fall (yesterday was the first day) is looking to be the same - if not on the warm side. A nice run this morning.

Time and place for everything.

A little life lesson today. Sometimes there are experiences that are best kept to yourself. There are numerous reasons to do so, but they all boil down to the fact that you are better off if you keep it to yourself. We were very fortunate today that Jill apparently has not learned this lesson.

Oh, this is soooooo good that it is tempting to keep it to myself in order to treasure it like a precious jewel. I find that throughout the day it continues to brighten my day and bring a smile to my face - almost tears to my eyes - but not quite. Unfortunately, a handful of other people also know, so it won't be long until the story gets out.

Today we were given SOLID proof that Jill was abducted by aliens and a fairly excellent (until today) facsimile was put in her place. It seems the aliens have gotten smart and have changed their tactics so there won't be anymore "I got abducted by aliens" people. It was working for them... until today. I say this because there is NO WAY a person who grew up in Sparta could have done what Jill did today. NO WAY.

Okay, Okay, I can't hold it in anymore. Today was our last and final long run before Chicago. Apparently, Jill was delirious with joy which short circuited her alien wiring. Our last loop was what I call Jenny Extended. We head out on John St. (and what ever it turns into) and when it meets the trail we go right (left would go by Jenny's) until the country road we are on again intersects with the trail. At which point you turn left on to the trail and take it back to Sparta. In all reality, you don't have to be from Sparta (like the pseudo Jill says she is) or even have ridden the trail to know this.

Apparently, the aliens didn't know this either... since Jill turned right on to the trail.... heading towards Norwalk. Yes, you heard me right.... Norwalk. Luckily, she had her cell phone with her and called her dear husband. She didn't know where she was at, but knew that she was on Hwy. 71. So he drove to find her, but was understandably concerned when he found her walking TOWARDS Norwalk. I am surprised that he didn't take her immediately to the emergency room since Jill also professed that she "is really good with directions". No well person could honestly think they were "good with direction" and go the way that was obviously (accept to an alien) the wrong way. This must be normal for Jill since Arnie apparently didn't bat an eye at the situation. Oh, but WE did! Of course, we didn't take her to the emergency room either. Instead we were considering a trip there ourselves from the pain of so much laughter!

How was the run? Good. I felt good which I needed after such a miserable last run. Sandy did awesome! A faster pace then her race pace! Jenny's heel felt good. Wendy struggled, but we reminded her that this was the FIRST bad run she has had this training cycle and we all have at least ONE bad run. Plus she knows the reason why... too fast of a start. Jill had a ..... well.... it is obvious what kind of run she had!

However, I do have a heart. I won't e-mail this to Mike which would ensure he hears about it. We all know how kind he is to Jill when she makes mistakes like this. I am sure he would reach out to her with some kind, supportive words.

Training

I know that I am at the tail end of the hard part of marathon training. One more long run to do. The end is in sight. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The last bell has rung (almost). Anyway.... it is affecting my dreams too. Last night I had a dream that I over slept and missing the morning run AND I WAS OKAY WITH THAT. It wasn't the usual panic dream. Unfortunately, later in the dream I realized my clock had been set wrong and I had actually gotten up way before the run (too early) so I still had to go anyway. I wasn't thrilled.

Good morning run. Although the light has faded, the weather is beautiful. Wisconsin's wonderful fall.

Hump day

It felt like hump day today, but after hearing Wendy's story about her car being broke into getting up at 5:00 to run didn't seem so bad! See - the many benefits of running with a group!

A good group today. I am sure I missed out on a lot of ribbing in the back group. KT gal and Mike together is a rare thing these days!

I was pretty bummed today. I brought a piece of paper and pen with me and even and a back-up route in case the Paparazzi showed up. Unfortunately, the star of the group didn't make an appearance. Her agent had an imaginative excuse about a heel that wasn't healing from a cut. I am sure that was that case rather than our humble running group being to 'small town' for the star among us.

Oh, and speaking of sightings of URO's (Unidentified Running Oddballs). I believe we did glimpse He Who Shall Not Be Named (in this blog) running yesterday. He tried to hide himself by dressing all in black either that or he was trying hard to get hit by a car - you never know with him. In any case... despite what he thinks we still did see him when he ran right by us. Yes, he said Hello - even gave a certain someone in our group a high five - but we all really know what he is about!

Envy

I went on one of my wonderful vacation runs this morning. I have come to love these runs instead of feeling like I HAVE to do them. Although I take my Garmin along for distance, I don't let my pace worry me. Come to think of it, if I didn't have my Garmin along I probably would have run longer. Oh well.

I ran along the bay shore. A lot of people out running which is always cool. Plus I ran into a art fair and a farmers market. When I was running by the marine museum I noticed people swimming. Then I noticed a whole group of women hanging out on the seating areas. Although I was pretty sure it was a tri group (pretty obvious - who else would be swimming between buoys with wetsuits on) I decided to ask. Sure enough it is a group of women who train together through a store in the area called See Jane Run. As I continued to run I saw seals swimming in the water nearby. How cool would that be? It turns out they were doing a swim/run workout. Several times I saw women greet passing women as they were running. I caught up to a group of 4 and asked if they were part of "Team in Training"since I saw a woman with one of their hats. Nope, it was still the See Jane Run group. How lucky they are to have such a large group to train with and a beautiful place with great temperatures! Envy!!!!

Next day. I didn't get this post done yesterday. Today I hoped to get another run in, but I had to get to Alcatraz for my tour. I could have squeezed it in, but I like those runs to happen as they may and needing to get back by a certain time doesn't allow me to do that. It is vacation after all. Alcatraz was great and it was a beautiful day for walking around. A nice way to end the vacation. Lots of interesting people to look at and you see a lot of things you wouldn't see in Sparta!

Not the way it is supposed to go.

We had a 16 mile pace run today. I did 14.62 - that is your first hint of what kind of a run it was for me. My attitude was bad before I even started which is not the way to start. I have it the "I don't really care how fast I run" mode that often hits at the pinnacle of training. However, today it went one step lower since I added "Nor do I care how far I run today".

Jill was a saint - hanging with me the whole time and keeping up a cheerful banter. It didn't keep me from walking, but it definitely helped me. So, Mike - LAY OFF HER or you will have to answer to me. Of course, I am going to be in San Fran, so I won't be able to do much. Sorry Jill.

So, since we are leaving for San Fran this morning (I have not yet packed)I went another step lower by adding, "I just want to leave for vacation where I can sleep, sleep, sleep."

Yes, I still plan on running when I am out there. It is something I have found I really enjoy. So look for postings from San Fran.

Was today the pace run?

I think Sandy was confused today. She led us in a 6 mile run with a 8:23 pace. I kept on reminding her that TOMORROW is our pace run, not today. We should be RESTING today. Apparently she didn't hear me. No. Seriously. It was good. It was!

Brrrr though! 43 degrees! I was glad to see that we all struggle to remember what we wear at different temperatures. I thought it was just maybe me getting old. No comments please Mike and Jill.

Mike ran with us today. So of course we were discussing what is up with Jill. He is very concerned. Jill has been acting strangely. More so than normal. She gives Mike a hard time about not running and then goes out of her way to change her schedule so she isn't running on days he is. Come on Jill - we care about you - you can tell us! (Mike put me up to this.)

Monday - again

Today was proof once again how good it is to run with others. I was already to sit back and have a leisurely run. Sandy was ready to run hard. So after the first 2 miles I took up her hint and picked up the pace a bit. Of course, I felt better afterwards and was glad I did. It made getting out of bed seem more worthwhile.

Sorry, no humor in my bones this morning. I am sure the Cousins, Sandy and Katie can attest to that after listing to all my complaining this morning. Not about running though.... I won't trash our sacred sport.

Another on under our belts

I know that Jill has been checking the blog every 5 minutes to see if I have posted yet. So, I made it my top priority so KT would get something for the money they are paying her.

3:15 - 21 miles - 9:17 pace. My pace fell of the last 4 miles when the voice of Judy kept on creeping into my mind - "It is not how fast you run, just time on your feet". Funny, when Larry talks about keeping negative thoughts at bay, I am sure he wasn't referring to Judy's thoughts. Actually, I felt pretty good throughout the run. Of course, slowing down my pace probably helped.

It was a beautiful morning to run. Too bad my sister in law didn't make it. Apparently, 2 alarms isn't enough. I will have to ask her if she has been having secret conversations with Wendy.

Thanks to Wendy and Jenny for slowing their pace down for me and putting up with me! Done! Good Luck Sandy and Jill!