Already?

A week and a half before the marathon and I already had anxiety dream!

It was they typical one. I was getting worried that I wouldn't be ready for the 4:30 p.m. (it was a dream) start time when I checked my bib (again - a dream... for some reason the start time was listed on the bib - maybe that isn't a bad idea!) and realized that it was a 11:30 a.m. start time! I was 5 hours late! I briefly contemplated running anyway since it was chipped timed, but realized my foolishness. Plus it would have made for an even longer dream!

Thank goodness it was a dream!

1st Annual Sparta Half Marathon

Today the First Annual Sparta Half Marathon was held. Unfortunately, the race was delayed 12 hours due to weather which caused a decline in participants. Reports are that the overwhelming pre-registered crowd of 8 decreased in HALF to 4.

Race weather was not ideal, a bit windy and scattered snow showers. However, it was obvious that the route creator is an expert at their job because the course was relatively flat and easy to follow.

It was quite an exciting start. The four runners lined up at the crack in the road. Several got down into their race start position - example provided for your clarity. I know you can't see the face, so just let me be clear that it is not a picture of Jill. I know you were all wondering. On a side note: I got this picture from a poster site. Why someone would want a large poster of some one's rear end? I wonder how big of a seller it is.

Getting back to the start of the race..... like I said it was QUITE exciting. After I said GO! It looked something like this, but with only 4 people. Mike was particularly cut throat.

Once we all got our rhythm and agreed there was no point in killing ourselves, we settled into a friendly and enjoyable run. Oh, of course Jill had to start complaining at the .5 mile mark, but Mike quickly put her in her place with a well place snot rocket (just kidding).

We picked a bandit at about mile 2 (Judy) and calmly continued on. I won't go into all the thrilling details of the next 11 miles. Disappointing, I know, but this is a volunteer job and I have stuff to do!

The finish was just as exciting as the start. Here is a photo of Mike finishing the race. I know it doesn't look like him, but it was such a traumatic finish that it actually changed his appearance!

Okay - enough joking around.... here is the picture of the 13.1 finishers. Judy (who didn't do the full 13.1 miles) took the picture for us.

See how HAPPY we look! Come join the fun next year! We are setting a goal of 20,000 runners, just like Fargo.

I am surprised this hasn't happened to me yet...

I saw the video below on Shut up and Run's blog and immediately thought, "Huh! I am surprised I haven't encountered this women in a hotel fitness center." I say this because it seems like after every one of my vacations, my running partners get to enjoy, once again, a story about some weird thing another person was doing or wearing in the hotel fitness room. I really don't think I am judgmental, just lucky. Or perhaps God is making up to me the fact that when I run outdoor races, my eyes are looking at the ground 10 feet in front of me. As a result, I miss A LOT of funny things my fellow racers enjoyed. He sees the need to provide me a little humor (since running with Tom and Mike is not enough).

Maybe someday I will get to see this women, but I don't think I will have the same willpower of the two people next to her. They don't give her one look. Not ONE! Seriously... I would be constantly looking and although you couldn't see it on the video - big eye rolling too.

Sullivan Curse?

I ran what was supposed to be my 3:30 hour run today with Tom. I had a little anxiety leading up to it due to the weather forecast - little did I know that would be the least of my worries (foreshadowing).

We did get rained on a little at about 5:30, but it ended and the rest of the run the weather was decent. A little windy, but manageable. No worries there.

I was feeling pretty good for most of the first 18 miles. Somewhere around there I experimented with a new energy substance - Gu Chomps. I don't know why. Energy Gel usually if fine for me although after training for 6 marathons, it is a bit of a struggle to get them down. Once down though, I am usually fine. Plus, I KNOW I don't like chewy, gooey things when I run. The sticking to my teeth annoys me. So, I don't know WHAT possessed me.

Shortly after that, my side started hurting. No, not a "side ache" from breathing wrong - a true pain. I have had this before, even when I am not running. Normally ibuprofen helps, but unfortunately I didn't bring any and Tom didn't have any either.

We were on a good part of the run too... 45 minutes remaining, on the trail (nice soft, flat surface) with the wind (which was becoming strong) at our backs. The best way to end a long run! However, the pain in my side continued to increase and my excuses to stop increased in frequency. Finally, I told Tom to just go ahead. I would run/walk back to his house where we started. He asked if I wanted his phone, was I sure... etc., etc. - asking all the things a good, caring running partner should ask. (This should have made me see what was really going on).

Of course a few minutes later when I could still see Tom, but he was well out of earshot (I tried). I realized that I needed to be picked up ASAP. There was no 'run/walk' in my future. I just needed to curl up some where. So, for those who are not familiar with the area - the area where we were at is secluded - a old railroad track converted to a trail. No cars driving by to hail down and I was in serious trouble (I am not trying to make you feel guilty Tom, really!). I had no choice but to keep walking until I got to a nearby bike shop where I could call my husband. It was about 3/4 of a mile away and up over a bridge.

There was a pit toilet, so I decided to see if was open with the hope that maybe a "deposit" would make me feel better. I did have the sense to drop my fuel belt at the beginning of the path to the toilet just in case I passed out in there. Maybe if hubby or Tom came looking for me it would point them in the right direction. I know it sounds like I am joking, but I am totally serious.

I was happy that the bathroom was indeed open. Unfortunately, my deposit did not make me feel better. However, I told myself it did. There was no choice but to keep walking. I was on the verge of puking and severe pain in my side. The silver lining in this whole story is that I got to practice my marathon mantra. This time I chose - 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3. In time with each step. It was the only way I could figure out to keep going and keep my mind from focusing on the pain.

I did make it to the bike shop without puking or passing out. I slowly walked in and asked the lady to call my husband. She went to hand me the phone and I asked, "Could you call him?" as I laid my head down on the counter. She did and after the confusion of Jim thinking she was calling "for" me (wanting to talk to me) and then that "she needs to be picked up" did NOT mean that I had ordered something that needing picking up, he came and got me.

The lady was very nice. She offered me a chair behind the counter where I promptly laid my head down and breathed.... She must have been a runner in the past because she did not ask me if I need anything, or if I was okay.. or any question which required me to talk. I know it might seem cold and heartless, but actually that is EXACTLY what I needed her to do.

Jim came and got me and after a long hot shower, I was, of course, totally fine even without ibuprofen.

So, which brings me to the Sullivan Curse. I realized, as I was lying on the desk at the bike shop, that my two most horrible runs in my history of marathon training have happened when I was running with one of the Sullivans. They are great to run with. They are excellent at keeping the chatter up with fun and interesting conversation, yet not dominating it. I realized that this is a ruse. They do this so you have no idea that anyone running solo with them is doomed to some horrific running ailment. I think the curse doesn't take affect when they are running with a group of people, because, well, it would just be too obvious. Either that it is a weak curse that is only effective on one person at a time. So, all you Sparta runners - keep this in mind if you ever run alone with one of the Sullivans.

Tuesdays

I noticed a couple of things today. First there were a LOT of runners. 9 - I think.

Second - we stood around and talked for a few minutes afterwards. Not something we normally do. There are a couple of reasons why I think this phenomenon occurred:

1. Jenny and Wendy were running. As soon as they had an opening, they took it and Tom went with them. A few of us nicer people hung back and stopped and waited for Belle had to do her business. (to be fair J, W and T were so far ahead they had no idea) So, we were all spread out through most of the run. As a result there was little opportunity to talk among the whole group, so we had to do it after the run.
2. It was actually daylight so we could see each other when we were talking.
3. It was somewhat warm (as compared to below zero).
4. We ran such a fast pace that we got back well before 6:00, so people didn't need to rush off.
5. Tom wouldn't let us go because he had to tell us about his new camper.

Over the weekend I ran in my home town. It was a windy and wet day, but I enjoyed it anyway. It was a trip down memory rain. Plus the crab apple trees were in mid blossom and their colors were just vibrant. At one point I stopped to take a picture of a crab apple blossom tunnel I was going to run through, but I realized that I didn't have my phone. This isn't the picture, but it shows the beauty of crab apple trees.

It would have been easy to excuse myself with the blustery and wet weather and although it wasn't a fast run, I felt really good having done it. Plus it was fun to run somewhere different.

The most hated done!

The training run I hate most is the last pace run... 16 miles. I hate it more than the long run of 3:30. However, the good thing about having a horrible, horrible, quite literally puking 3:15 mile long run last week is that the 16 mile pace run seemed like a breeze in comparison!

Mike gets the award for trying to keep conversation going when it was lagging during the last few miles. However, his tactics need to improve. Just saying, "We aren't talking again!" doesn't do much to spur conversation. He didn't get too annoying.

Christy, however, went to her "bad place". Nuf' said.

Jill did great.. cheerfully plugging along. Of course, she is off today and going to a Brewer game. How could life not be good for her?

So, good video below. Yes, the guy is inebriated, but this so easily could be any runner after running a marathon - and BEFORE hitting the post race beer tent. I love the fact that no matter how intoxicated he is, he still has the presence of mind to flirt with the cute girl who talks to him. I am sure this probably took place at some beer tent in Wisconsin.

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

3:15 done

I ran my 3:15 hour long run yesterday. Thankfully I had Rhonda to run with me. She was a life saver and very good at chatting! It was NOT a good run.

The first 11 miles Kristi B joined us. We had a fight the 25-30 mph wind on the first leg and the last, but beyond that the wind didn't bother us too much. K did great - her longest run so far!!!!

I started having stomach issues shortly into that first hour and the first Gu did not help. When we looped back to R's to drop off K, I had a granola bar hoping it would help. It didn't. It really sucked. I have never had stomach issues like that and I am guessing it is because of the medicine I am on in combination of not eating the right thing during the day. The bummer was that my legs felt pretty good. Of course, at the pace I was going at the end - how could they not feel good!

I made it home, paid the babysitter and crashed on the couch - afraid to move. I logically thought I should get something in my stomach but really didn't want to take the chance. I made myself get up and take a hot shower, which I had a hard time making myself leave. Can't I stay in here forever? And that did make me feel better - enough so that I was willing to chance something in my stomach. A plain bagel and strawberry jam. Once I got that in, I was willing to chance some ibuprofen to mask the muscle pain so I could sleep. And I actually did sleep fairly well. Glad it is done and just hope the next run goes better!

One more thing -

Usually I try to be a positive person when it comes to running. Oh, I say the occasional, "Let's get this over with!" or "I am struggling." Or just plain, "Ugh". But overall I think my running friends would not say I am a negative Nelly. However, lately there seems to be a plethora of stories about things you need to worry about if you are out on a run. If it isn't getting hit by a plane, it is this:

Once again, thanks to Runny is Funny.

Holy Crap!

Holy Crap! For two reasons this morning.

First Holy Crap and starting on a happy note - a TON of people came and ran this morning. It looked like a big sale was happening at Walgreens. NINE! Jenny and Wendy made their repeat seasonal return (I missed them last time since due to not hearing my alarm clock). And Dan (Wendy's husband) joined us too!

Second HOLY CRAP and not so happy note - Jenny and Wendy have turned into speed demons over the winter and the overall slower momentum of the rest of the runners did not slow them down. Instead the group increased their pace to try to keep up. However, the wise ones (over 40) and thus able to resist foolishness behavior, decided to actually enjoy the morning run and settled into a much more reasonable, but still faster than normal, pace. Thanks goodness Elyse and Dan were there or it would have been either a lonely or miserable run for me.

On an even funnier note: Last night I had a dream, and I am not joking about this, that we were at a marathon expo and as we were leaving we said "We will see you at the post race celebration with beers in our hands!" To which the race organizer responded, "Sorry, no beer this year." Which elicited the reply, "WHAT???" And he explained that it was a new law which prohibited them from serving alcohol after races. To which I responded, "That's it - now I am definitely NOT doing marathons anymore!".

So, I interpret this dream a couple of ways...

1. It was a NIGHTMARE, not a dream.
2. Apparently, I do need a break from marathons.
3. It is an obvious indication of my opinion of the laws politicians feel compelled to enact for the "good" of the people. (sarcasm)
4. Maybe I am running marathons for the wrong reasons - all of which come in 12 oz containers and contain a yellowish brown beverage with a lovely white foam on top.

A search of the Internet came up with this appropriate picture:

And also helped me discover a great new blog: Beerrunner

Product Reviews

I have done three runs since my last post. A normal morning run. A 14 mile pace run. A Sunday evening sucky run.

The pace run was good. Well, it was very hard, especially the last 3 miles, but the pace as a tiny bit faster than I hoped. So, the suckiness (Is that a word? It is now!) was worth it. Plus I got to run with the very humorous Sullivans. They were very kind and delayed their run so I would have someone to run with since No Show Gal bailed on me for better running partners (the Cousins). It was very kind of them, but I am still going to give Tom grief for being a NPP (Non Poll Person).

I just got back from a Sunday evening run with as I alluded to before - SUCKED. It was a beautiful evening too! Perfect temperature, no wind. One of those evenings that EVERYONE is out taking walks. However, it was the evening and my body just is not used to running at the that time. It was one where one I looked at my pace I had to remind myself that it was just a good thing I was out running.

So - on to PRODUCT REVIEWS.

MUSCLE MILK LIGHT

After my pace run I got a request on my cell phone to bring home some marshmallows to roast over our new fire pit. (One of those times I did NOT enjoy the easy access of technology). However, I was feeling like my usual recovery drink of Diet Mtn Dew was not going to be good enough nor was it going to make my night of sleep any easier to come by. Plus, the one I had in my cooler was not icy cold. So, since I could also benefit by stopping by the grocery store in my nice and stinky state, I decided to go and get the marshmallows and some CHOCOLATE milk. I have read in many places that it is indeed the best recovery drink. It didn't take much convincing. However, in the long and large cooler space at the front of the store I could not find a chocolate milk! There was every energy drink you could imagine, but no chocolate milk! I tapped my heels three time and said "I want go home, I want to go home". But since I was already in Wisconsin (the DAIRY state) I stayed right where I was. Still no chocolate milk and after running 14 miles, there was no way in H - E double hockey sticks that I was going to walk to the very back of the store to see if they had single serving sizes back by the gallons.

Then my eye happened upon:

Hmmmm (in a skeptical tone). If you look carefully, you will see below the words 'Nutritional Shake", the words "Contains No Milk". I was very, very skeptical. Did I really want to spend the money (over $2.00) to take a chance on something that might gag me? I decided it would give me some good blog material, so what the heck. But I also bought some flavored water so I could wash it down if it was indeed nasty. Nothing like driving around in your car looking like cat trying to hack up a hairball.

So, I got in my car and started slamming it it. As I was slamming it I thought, 'Not too bad!" Then I stopped for a brief second. Apparently, your taste buds aren't able to take in the full taste of a liquid when it is passing over its taste buds at high velocity. Now, the taste wasn't that bad, but it wasn't like chocolate milk. More like a cheap malt ball, which I don't like.

I have no idea if the drink helped me recover faster, but I do know that next time I will opt for the much cheaper, better tasting and scientifically proven good ole chocolate milk!

PRODUCT REVIEW NUBMER 2 -

Sennheiser MX75 Twist-To-Fit In-Ear Stereo Sport Headphones

Normally I don't wear headphones runnings I prefer people over my iPod. However today I was running by myself, so I took my husbands Sennheiser headphones with me. I got these for him for Christmas after he said he was happy it was cold out because now the ear band or hat will help to keep his earbuds in his ears. He unlike me, NEVER runs without his iPod - even when he is running with me (note to self - future blog material). He mentioned that at a recent race he saw a women who had taped her earbuds into her ear. Although he sympathized with her, he didn't think he would ever do that. Any Whooo... on my Christmas list it went and of course, Internet Search Goddess that I am, I was able to find a pair of earphone that was specifically built to address his dilemma AND all the reviews agreed that they worked. After wearing them twice, I have to agree that they work swell. I never have to adjust them and they never pop out. My husband has worn them on long runs and they did not hurt his ears. So they get two thumbs up from us. Of course, I had to wipe the girl sweat off them before I returned them to him. Here is a picture of them in some dude's ear (not mine or my husband's).

Shameless blogging

The purpose of this post is solely to get another entry into a give away contest at by my favorite running blogger - Shut Up and Run. She is giving away some cool stuff just because she is a cool gal! Check it out. She is even giving away stuff for MEN - and she is still cool!

One of those mornings

It was one of those mornings.

I almost didn't set my alarm because the weather said there was a 100% chance of rain at 5:00. I know it will surprise you, but the meteorologist isn't always right. So, I set my alarm anyway.

I knew it wasn't good when through our open window I couldn't hear the pitter patter of rain drops or the trickle of water down the rain spout. I took a peek out the door and the sidewalk look dry. So dry in fact, that I didn't go out from under the porch and do my turn around with arms out and hands up to see if I could feel a rain drop. I did check the radar before leaving and the rain was approaching... but not was not here.....yet.

As I pulled out of the garage I saw the first few drops on my windshield. At first I had the naive thought that it was just condensation from dew. I know that those of you who are more with it than I am at 5:00 will have already asked.... dew? In the garage??? Yeah well, I will chalk it up to positive thinking rather than stupidity.

However, on the way to the meeting spot it became clear that it was indeed sprinkling. Luckily the Cousins didn't check the weather and they showed up too. We decided to run a loop that didn't take us to far away and brought us by our cars mid run. The rain steadily increased - of course. It wasn't that bad until we headed back east which turned out to be gale force winds (with rain). I really don't think I am exaggerating.

Christy bailed when we neared our cars. She said the dog had had enough. Dog??? I will have to tell Bryan to take the dog back to the breeder since it is apparent that if it can't run in rain then it can't be a good hunting dog.

Mike and I decided that we were wet anyway, so we might as well finish the run. Not the smartest move we have ever made. We did stick to a mostly north/south route to avoid the wind, unfortunately it is one of our longer loops. So although we avoided the wind, we ran longer than normal.

It started a conversation though..... It could be worse, we could be running 26.2 miles. Hmmmm.. So what would I do if race day was weather like this? I have been fortunate that the 5 marathons I have done have been without rain. Some heat, some wind, some cold, but no rain. I don't know if I could do 26.2 miles in steady somewhat cold rain. How would I avoid being hypothermic by the end? I think I would be tempted to bail and look for another marathon the next weekend. Hard to say.....except to say it would be MISERABLE.

Goofed

Big story coming up, but it is true!

I didn't show up to run today even though I signed up. Unlike others, this is UNUSUAL for me. I think it may be the second time it has happened to me. So, of course I have a good story to go along with it.

Last night we were dreaming of sugar plums when the dog barked. Normally this is not a big deal, but immediately afterwards we heard a fairly loud scratching nose. I thought it was just the dog pawing at his rawhide and the raw hide was caught in a corner, but when I went to investigate the second time the scratching noise started, I found him happily dreaming of sugar plums on my son's bed. Huh.

Of course, at the same time I found my youngest (who was not in his bed with the dog) on the couch. He said he was sick. Time to get the "puke bowl" (no cute names in our family) and a blanket.

I headed back to bed and the loud scratching started again it was even louder in our room. Jim discovered that we had an animal trapped in the drain spout which was right outside our bedroom window. Closing the window helped to minimize the animal's desperate clawing, but not to the level that we could go back to our sugar plums.

Jim left for the guest bedroom. I grabbed my ear plugs and another pillow to put over my head. See! - It was loud!

At 4:17 I woke up and thought "15 more minutes of sleep"......zzzzzzzz

I then woke at 4:37 and thought in my sleep induced brain that I might as well get up because my alarm would be going of in a minute. Note the sleep induced brain part - in actuality 4:37 is 2 minutes after my alarm. More sleep induced issues to come....

Knowing that Jenny and Wendy were returning from their winter hibernation today (translation - they were emerging from running in the gym all winter to come run outside with us) I happily headed to the bathroom. There I did my duty (sorry Shut Up and Run Blog, I just can't be has honest as you when it comes to my bodily functions) and brushed my teeth. As I was brushing my teeth, I looked at the clock and thought "Huh, did we not change this clock when Daylight Savings ended?" (or started, I can never keep it straight and really don't care enough to try and keep it straight beyond the "spring forward (set clocks ahead), fall back (set clocks back))" Then I looked at my wristwatch and sure enough 5:38!!!! AAARGH!!!!

Apparently, I had slept through the alarm when I had my ear plugs in. Dang! Plus, I didn't even get to back to bed for another 30 minutes of sleep. Well, I did, but I then heard hacking noises in the living room. I came out and found my youngest puking into the now appropriately named "puke bowl". Plus, I had to explain my whole story to all of you before nasty e-mails start flying around!

Yes, the animal's desperate attempts to escape have currently ceased. Now, I am waiting for a smell to start......

Signs of warmer weather

Today we had another sign that spring is here and summer is on its way - Kristi B joined us again! Of course, this brings a dilemma with it. We now have a Kristi and a Christy and two other ones that are lurking in the side lines. We need to figure out some nicknames!

Another sign of spring... I took my ice joggers out of the car AND put them away. So, no more snow or even more importantly - ice.

I might be finally getting the nasty cold Jim had last week. I am not sure what it says that I am semi hoping that it will get worse so I have a good reason not to run the 12 mile pace run tomorrow.