Last run of 2008

The last run of 2008 was a cold one with a couple of inches of fresh snow, but the slipping and sliding didn't seem too bad.

It was a good year. A total of 1291 miles for me and two marathons. Even better was that I came away from the marathons with a positive experience. I loved Green Bay because it got me over my "I Hate Marathons" mentality. So, I headed into Chicago with a good experience under my belt. Chicago will definitely go down as my most memorable and enjoyable marathon. It was so fantastic to train and run that race with all my running friends. Whoever said running is a solitary sport is wrong!

Even better was that 2008 was injury free. My plantar fasciitis did not rear its ugly head again! I am looking forward to 2009!

Beat the record!

Today I surpassed my record for mileage run in a year! Yeah! The weird thing is that the previous record was set the year I ran only one marathon. You would think I would have passed that year's mileage earlier since I ran (and trained for) two marathons this year! It proves my theory that I over trained for my first marathon.

Speaking of marathons...... the talk is starting. One person, who I will leaved unnamed (for the moment) says that they are ready to run another one! It looks like I might be pulled in to training for the GB marathon. I have been on the fence any way. I just happened on the following quote that is on the back of my Lutheran Digest. It seems like a sign that I should run the marathon given I was writing this post when I happened upon it:

In Courage

We totally

Forget the self

And the Cares

Of the Day

Are set aside

For the greater good

-K.S. Harding

I am sure that the quote was not inspired by someone that chose to train for a marathon just to help her fellow runners out, but hey - when you get a sign you should just roll with it!

Desperate Phone Calls

This morning at 4:30 I got a desperate phone call from my GOOD friend Christy. Here is how I I remember it:

She said, "Oh Allison, Oh Allison please come and run with me. Or else all by myself I will be". I responded "Oh Christy, the problem I do not see. Jill said she will be there unless it is below 5 degrees." She cried, "Yes! Yes! It is true, but Jill said a run she will not do!" Aghast, I must say, I was to hear such a buzz. So with a heavy heart I did tread. Out of my nice warm snugly bed. Off to run with my GOOD friend Christy. Although my eyes were a bit misty. My mood was quite blue. I could not see how this could be true. That our "friend" Jill would be such a pill. It wasn't even below 5 degrees! In the future, her friends she will have to work hard to appease.

Good readers, please remember that I am writing this at 6:00 in the morning. Good thing I had such a WONDERFUL run with Christy. Too bad Jill missed it.

I know you are wondering

I know you are wondering if we ran this morning. Yes! Elyse and the Cousins and I ran. It wasn't bad. If fact, I over dressed. I have to stop letting all those naysayers get in my head! The Walgreens clock said 7 below. There wasn't hardly any wind, so that wasn't a factor. We were a little quiet to begin with. No, it wasn't the shock of the cold. I think it was trying to speak and be heard clearly through face masks. It was so quiet that I even asked a question about football! We adjusted and by the end were chatting away. All of our cars started and we were back on our way home again.

In between storms

There was a nice little group this morning trying to get a decent run in between storms. It appears that a new guy is becoming a regular - welcome (back) to Al. Also Jenny, Judy, Elyse, Jill, Katie ran. I am sure Elyse and Jill were feeling a little let down after the "guest" runner appeared yesterday. I am still bummed I missed that. I wasn't happy when we started but at home I was glad I had did it. It improved my outlook for the day.

A little cold this morning

It was cold this morning. Maybe I was thinking that -2 wasn't that bad when it actually is. I didn't put my face mask up all the way and midway through the run I couldn't listen to the conversation because I was starting to worry about frost bite. Or maybe it was because my ear drums were frozen. Needless to say by the time I got home (and looked in the mirror) my fears were gone.

I am looking for someone in the group to give the srewshoe method a try. This cheap way of preventing slipping in the winter was featured in Runner's World last month. Plus Ryan from Hillrunner sent me a comment with a website with instructions on how to do it. They say it doesn't ruin your shoes so you can keep on running in them after the snow and ice has melted away.

Facebook - so I am discovering the world of Facebook. I have been more of an observer the last few days. I am not quite sure how I want to participate or how much I have time for, but it is cool seeing what old friends are up too.

I am anxiously awaiting tomorrow. No, not because of snow, not because Mike is buying donuts, but I think he has SOMETHING up his sleeve. I know it will shock you - NOT MIKE! but I think it is true. He is more concerned than usual about whether or not we will be coming. Hmmmm

Peas and Hair

Running in the morning is so great because you learn of ways you can help your fellow runners/friends. Here are a couple to put on your goodwill list for the holiday season:

1. Deliver a bag of frozen peas to Bryan Friday afternoon. If you are wondering why, you will have to ask him. It is just too personal to put here..... but think about it - frozen peas - 3 kids.

2. Compliment Jenny. Not that this is normally hard to do, but the rumor is that she has a new hairdo. A man noticed it, so it must be very different.

3. Medical appointment for Christy. She is showing early signs of developing Tourette Syndrome. Throughout the run she says heel, heel, heel. No, she is not saying it to Mike. She knows he would not listen anyway. She is training our newest running partner - Belle. No not the vampire, Bryan's new dog.

4. No help needed. I think Mike has come a long way since he started running with us, so I will just let him bask in the glow of his achievements - like getting a REAL water bottle. After all, it is the little accomplishments that matter most in this holiday season.

5. Marathon punch card - similar to a golf punch card. Too bad these don't exist. Jill could use one. I think it might help with expenses when she runs 4 marathons next year.

It was a good run this morning. The snow was packed down for the most part so running was relatively easy (I said RELATIVELY). Temperature was a balmy 8.

Pleasant Surprise

Christy and I got a pleasant surprise this morning when Katie came careening into the parking lot. Good thing she was late getting up or else she would have noticed the temperature and not come. I am surprised she didn't turn the car around when she saw the middle school clock say 12 below zero, especially since we wouldn't have known the difference since she wasn't signed up. What dedication you have Katie - it is dedication - right?

As you can imagine it was a cold run. Plus my Yaktrax broke a wire. I was expecting it since the wires were starting to break. They are several years old, so I suppose it is time for a new pair. Off to the Internet.....

1200 mies

Today I passed my goal of running 1200 miles in a year. I realized that in 2006 I had 1,276 miles which surprised me considering this year I trained for and ran TWO marathons. I wonder if I can get 73 miles in before the end of the year to beat my previous record. I am not sure I really care or not, especially with snow on the ground. NOT my ideal running condition!

Ran today with Judy, Jenny and Bryan. The let me join them since 'i' is close to 'y'. I am the only one with out a 'y' in my name although technically I believe Jenny is Jennifer. It was warmer, but running in about 2 inches of snow is never any fun. I like to go longer on Saturdays, but today I was good with 5.

Brrr

Another cold morning. Elyse and I braved it though. It seemed like the coldest morning to date. Good thing I put my warmer tights on and took my warmer gloves.

GOOD LUCK to Kwik Trip Gal who is running the Las Vegas Marathon this weekend. Oh - and good luck to Arnie too! We can't wait to hear about it!

Did it.

It was one of those runs where I just had to tell myself "You are out here and that is what is important". A struggle to say the least. Luckily for Christy I decided to ignore a cold that seems to be lurking and came. Jill bailed for some reason - something about cold and tapering for a marathon. Poor, Poor excuses. So thanks to Christy for hanging in there with me this morning. I must add that several people have been wondering where Mike has disappeared to. Apparently Jill finally pushed him over his limits.

A good day for Yak Trax and these....

Finally! Someone has tried to address the problem of cold jiggly buns! Not the jiggly part, just the cold part, but when it is cold the jiggly is more noticeable (and painful!). I could have used these today!

I found them while breezing (no pun intended) through Mile Marker Sports catalog.

They are called Northwind Unders and claim to be the perfect cold weather unders with 3SP front panel for windproof protection. At $35.00 they may be a good thing to add to your Christmas list. If you get them, let me know how you like them! Yes, they do have a men's version also.





Katie, Elyse and I braved the elements today. I never think it is bad once I get out there. The wind was brutal but was from the North, so we didn't get the full brunt of it too many times. I struggled being low on energy still from stomach flu and not eating much yesterday, but it still feels good to have gotten out there and it was a lot more enjoyable with others.

Not our dog. Not our dog.

We had two new running partners join us today. One was invited and one was not. Christy brought Bella along for her first run with the group. She did great. I think the sales of Vislas will go up in the Sparta area, but we need a breeder that is not 6 hours away! Our second uninvited visitor was a mutt puppy from some where in the Rusk Ave neighborhood. We aren't sure though - that is just where he joined us. I thought he would get bored, outside her normal range or find some delicious Thanksgiving leftovers in some one's garbage. For once I was wrong! He ran with us up Rusk, around Margaret, back down Rusk (we were foolishly thinking he might find himself near home and go back), down Pine, and back downtown where last I saw him. He had spotted Elyse running off toward home and took off after her (I was safely in my car). I guess we will find out on Monday if the Johnson's have a new dog.

I survived my post stomach flu run. The dog seemed to slow our pace down, which I enjoyed! Jim now informs me he thinks he is getting it too. Hmmm probably won't be going out tonight.

954

954 feet is the total amount of elevation we climbed this morning! And a total of 5.8 miles. Yes, that's right - we did a HILL work out this morning. Sorry Jill, just couldn't wait until Wednesday.

I wish I had a digital voice recorder at the end when Christy said, "Despite what you heard during the run, that is exactly what my butt needed." It was somewhat interesting to learn all the different expressions of exasperation, especially when we took a turn that meant more hills, not taking the easy way back to Walgreens.

I think I have a new goal - being able to run the entire route - even up Torrey View.