Today turned into a tempo run with Jenny. 8:38 pace. Whew! Good for me though. We did an extra 2+ miles, but slowed it down to the normal 9:00 pace. It is hard, but I need to do it if I want to meet or beat my half marathon time this fall. I think I have plenty of time, but I know it will come sooner than I think. Plus, no matter how much may wish it, the fact is that ONE speed work out will not make me faster.
So, I have been thinking about the below video for a few days. It is shows a guy's over the top reaction to seeing a double rainbow. At first I thought, 'Geez! This guy needs to get a life!" Then as I thought about it, I came to think that maybe I am a bit envious of him. What a great thing to get so excited and emotional over something as simply beautiful as a rainbow. Then I listened to the video again and realized, "Nope - the guy is just really stoned". BUT wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if we all could get so much joy from a simple, yet still magical thing?
And it DID suck while I was running, but I did give myself a break. I didn't worry (too much) about my pace. I walked up hills when I wanted to. And I told myself again and again and again, "It is just good that I am out running."
AND afterwards, in a nice cool shower, I was glad I did.
I know, I know - it has been a LONG time since I posted. June 10th to be exact. Time flies! I guess it just took me longer than normal to recover from Butterfest! I realize now that the goal of keep up with the Flock girls is similar to the goal of qualifying for Boston - Impossible!
Life has just been busy and I am not in training for anything, so life seems pretty ho hum. If you consider taking care of this guy ho-hum:
It is amazing how much he has grown in one week! The bad news is that he has been at the Vet's the last two nights with a viral infection. Hopefully he will come home today.
Anyway - back to running. Today was a bit nerve wracking. I was the only one signed up with the speed demons Jenny and Wendy. A frightful experience (due to speed, not company) no matter what, but the last couple of runs I have really struggled. Not entirely sure why, but needless to say the Wisconsin heat and humidity did not help. Thankfully, I felt really good today. We had a fast pace - for me - they were nice enough to slow down a little bit. And I even did another mile loop afterwards. Of course they did a 2 mile loop in almost the same time I did a mile loop..... It was a beautiful morning to run and it had been a while since I talked with Jenny and Wendy (since usually they are 5 blocks ahead of me) so the run went well.
It was one of those mornings that I just loved running - well, almost.
Wow, what a painful run this morning!!! Oy! I just had to force myself to keep going. If I had not had running friends with me it would have been a much, much shorter run. I am not sure why it was. It is sad if it was the 1.5 beers I had at concert in the park last night. I know I am getting old, but geesh! Or maybe it was the Piyo (pilates and yoga) class yesterday. I didn't feel particularly tired afterwards, although I know I worked muscles. I actually feel more sore after then run than before. I guess it snuck up on me.
It was a beautiful morning for a run too! Too bad it was so miserable. It just goes to show it could have been worse.... a tired body and bad weather!
This morning when I checked the running poll, 8 people had filled it out, which is pretty good. I just checked it to see who is running tomorrow and was astounded to see that TWELVE people have filled it out! We are not all running at once due to the the 5:00 and 6:00 start times - but still!!!!! It is a pretty exciting thing for our little group of runners!
Now when I see someone running I will be even more puzzled when I don't know them! How many runners can this town hold?
I started back to running this week with a vengeance. I was away at a meeting Tuesday - Thursday and I actually ran the two mornings I was there. That was a first for me. Usually I try to run at least one day. It helps me keep my head in these meetings which tend to challenge me as much as my marathons do! I do love running in other cities. The pressure to do well is, for some reason, off. Plus with it being my first week of post marathon running... I had another reason to take it easy.
Today I had planned on going 7-8 and ended up with 10.6 despite the majority of the running group abandoning me and Julianne at 2 miles. They had started a half hour earlier. Personally, I just don't get why people don't want to sleep in just a little bit on the weekend! I could go on and on about that.... but I won't.
The rest of the group missed an enjoyable run - so it was their loss anyway. I haven't run with Julianne for quite awhile so we had quite a lot to talk about and the miles flew by. I was feeling it (the marathon) at the end, but was glad I did OVER 10 miles!
I was looking for something funny and running related to post - but no such luck. So instead I am going to post a video and a drummer that thinks quite a bit of himself. It is pretty funny....it is long, but he amazingly keeps it up the whole time. I wonder if he wore a Bodybugg, how many calories he would burn. Would it count as an aerobic activity?
This morning was my first run after the marathon. It felt about like I thought it would... hard. But I know it will just get better.
A bit of a shocker today.... Mike didn't show up. Too bad Jill wasn't there so she could finally give HIM a hard time about not showing. Life is full of missed opportunities.
I am feeling a bit under pressure since last weekend....
Sorry, but I can't help but think of that song when I feel "under pressure", which I do to write a Fargo race report.
Believe me, dear fans, I have been thinking about it every day, but not in a good way. I find it very hard to give race reports. Due to my race induced tunnel vision, my experience tends to be very narrow. However, during some car contemplation time this morning, I realized that I could just write about the "highlights" few that they were. That is another reason that I struggle to write this race report. The race was not exactly my best and I like to write about happy, fun thoughts, not why the F*** am I doing this thoughts.
First (I have no idea how many highlights there will be) - loved all the race clothing they had at the Expo and it was reasonable! Nothing like a little shopping to start the weekend off right.
Second - I passed Dean Karnazes! And yes, we were both running the same race at the same time! Okay, it was just the 5K, but a thrill none the less. I found it quite humorous that he was telling the guy next to him about a guy who had rigged up his water pack with beer. It sounded like one of those beer hats that are so common at Wisconsin tailgating parties. He thought it was a pretty cool thing.... my kind of guy.
Third - I know some of you were wondering if I would actually wear my beautiful throw away sweatshirt. Rest assured, I got my .25$ worth out of it. It came in quite handy when we were trying to locate the Cousins prior to the race. Christy said she spotted my sweatshirt a mile away. According to her it really set itself apart from the normal running apparel. Huh. I would have never guessed.
Fourth - I did have a moment of panic after the first mile when it was still quite cool and I was STILL wearing my horsey sweatshirt. I realized that if it didn't warm up, I might be wearing the thing the whole race. The good thing was that the sleeves that had shrunk to 3/4 length would work really well for an extended run. The BAD thing was that all my Fargo Marathon photos would feature the beautiful garment. The GOOD thing is that it would make finding my photo in the "lost and found" section of the race photos very easy. Thankfully, it quickly warmed up and I tossed my well spent .25$ to the side.
Fifth - Just before mile 6 I kept on hearing bells, but whenever I looked I couldn't find where they were coming from. I mentioned this to the Cousins and they didn't respond back. I had a moment of panic and asked "Are you guys hearing the bells?". I thought it was a bit early in the race to be hallucinating, but you never know... strange things can happen in a marathon! Plus, I figured it would give me a good excuse to find the next spot to drop out due to a "medical emergency". Thankfully, they cracked up (laughing!) and reassured me that they did hear the bells too. It turned out to be the bell tower at Concordia University which we ran right through the middle of. Very cool.
Sixth - Shortly after mile 17 I noticed a fellow running next to me. To me he suddenly was there, but I learned later he had been running along side of me for about 20 feet before I noticed that it was Bryan! It was time for my first DEW DROP STOP! This is the song I heard in my head at that moment...
I believe I have mentioned to you before that created a Running Induced Addiction to Diet Dew/Sun Drop among my long distance running partners. Oh, they looked down their noses at me, shaking their heads in shame the first time I made them stop at a Kwik Trip about 3/4 of the way through a long run so I could get a nice cold Diet Dew. That is until they took me up on my offer to have a taste. Thus the tradition and addiction to having a ice cold Dew/Drop 3/4 of the way through a run or in this instance, a race, came to be. Thankfully, Bryan on the injury list and not running so he was an enabler to our addition. He racked up many, many "points" from me, but unfortunately for him, I am not his wife so it does him no good. I saw his cheer face cheering me on so many times, I can't count. It was so great! (Thank you, Thank you, Thank you). This is what I will think of Bryan every time I see him (until the next story from Christy - in about a week)
Seven - It is really getting hard to come up with more highlights since by this time I was well into my "bad place" as Christy puts it.
Eight - During the last half mile I was once again walking when a guy in the crowd yelled at me with a lot of gusto, "Come on Allison! You can Do IT!" This caused a fellow runner to veer over to me and say the same thing with the same amount of disgusting enthusiasm. It took every remaining kind bone in my body to not say "Oh, I can DO IT. (lots of heavy sarcasm) It is more a question of whether or not it is running or walking." Thankfully, it would take to much energy to say that and she was well beyond my at that point.
Nine - Three words: PIZZA and CHOCOLATE MILK!
Ten - Jim was kind enough to go get me a beer. I was quite impressed by its size and even posted a photo of it to Facebook. I think that is a 20oz Powerade bottle sitting next to it.
Later when Jim was off getting something else for me - perhaps another beer? Two guys sat down at our table and asked how much it was and I said, with a lot more enthusiasm than I felt the entire race, "Its FREE!". Later, when Jim had returned, another two guys sat down and asked the same question and I responded the same. To which Jim said, "It's NOT free". Oh... does Christy have some explaining to do! She assured me that there would be beer. And there was, true, but it did not meet the Sparta Runner Race Criteria of being FREE beer. That criteria was submitted by Christy herself and the lack thereof of said FREE beer sends her immediately to her bad place.
It seems appropriate to end on that note. Beer. Needless to say it was not my best race - 4:13. I started out too fast and after doing 2 marathons a year for the last 3 years, I am mentally beat. So, that WILL be my last marathon for a long time. I won't say never, but the thrill is gone. Time to start focusing on halfs.
I would recommend Fargo to anyone. It is cheap, but provides the same level of service as much more expensive marathons (excluding the free beer). The people were incredibly friendly every where we went and crowd support was awesome.
My RIOCD (Running Induced Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) specifically checking the weather forecast for Fargo, ND a gazillion times a day, has not helped to relieve any anxiety. Here is how the weather has changed as I have been checking it:
Warm
Warmer
Hot (60 at beginning of race and 78 at end)
Hot and Breezy
Hot and Windy
Hot and Windy with Gusts
Hot and Windy with Gusts and a 30% chance of rain.
So, apparently I need to stop checking the weather because it just keeps on getting worse. Maybe if I stop it will improve. I am sure that the weather revolves around my actions, so it will work. Just like when my husband says he has to sit in a certain spot or wear a certain shirt in order for the Packers to win. The Packers' success depends on HIM!
Today is Christy's B-day. She is not sure if she is 36 or 38, so make sure you ask her how old she age since repeating things tends to either help you remember them or make people think you have dementia. I should be nice to her though, since she brought donuts this morning! Yum!
So here is a Birthday song for her. Based on what Christy said about how Bryan views her birthday, I think he will agree with its overall message:
On another unrelated note. I noticed today that we now have a lot of white cars in our group. Mine, Mike's Christy's and Todd's. NO ONE can get another white car! I bought white car to get away from all the Gray min-vans (mine, Wendy's, Sandy's, Judy's x2) and now I find myself in the predominate color group again! At least they are not all the same type of vehicles!
The marathon is 6 days away and the running induced obsessive compulsive disorder (RIOCD) has begun!
I have checked the weather forecast 3 times so far (+ 3 more while I was writing this blog). The first time was a high of 80!! Yesterday was 75 with chance of rain, BUT it was from my iPhone app - Weather Central. Today, I once again checked National Weather Service (what could be more accurate than a government run meteorological agency? (no scoffs out there!) They are forecasting 78 and mostly sunny. The local Fargo TV station is forecasting 78 and partly cloudy and Accuweather is predicting 75, windy and plenty of clouds. So, needless to say beyond the fact that it will be in the 70's, the forecast is uncertain, which will put my RIOCD into overdrive.
However, I don't want it to be cold, so I did something to guarantee that it will be warm. (but not TOO warm). When I was hitting the garage sales this weekend, I went hunting for a throw away sweatshirt for race day morning. I am pleased to report that I found the PERFECT throw away sweat shirt for .25$. Take a gander:
Pretty SWEEEET huh? It is soooo ME! Here is the close up of the front, so you can fully appreciate the artistry:
I am not sure how they get the sweatshirt to do that "lace" effect, but you have to hand it to them...I guess. I particularly LOVE the horses. It takes me back to my grade school days when I MAY have liked it, just because it had horses on it.
And yes, the sleeves are short which is a bit of a bummer because it will be hard to pull my hands into them if it indeed is cold. I guess I shouldn't complain for .25$. Now I will probably have to also pack my homemade arm sleeves which I can put my hands into. For those who have not witnessed those beauties, maybe I will share a picture of them next time!
Lastly, CONGRATULATIONS to the Sparta runners who took part in the Cellcom Marathon (Sullivans) and Half Marathon (Knolls) in Green Bay! It looks like you guys did great! Can't wait to hear about it! And yes Tom, we know you are done with your marathon and we are not!
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!
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 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.
