Run #54 Y-Me Race to Empower

Date/Time:  May 11th at 8am

Place:  Downtown Chicago in Grant Park (mid 40's, windy, and pouring down rain)

Mileage 3.1

Time It Took: 34:59

Pace: 11:17                   

-[jhgxwtil;/ KH   knc  (Courtesty of Zoe)

Miles this week: 3.1--It's been a nice break!

Miles this month: 29.55

2008 Goal:  343.24

Thoughts/Comments:  It was cold and rainy and I was super stiff.  My shins were hurting and I was just glad to get that first run done!  Weird thing was that they didn't have any kind of finish line. I didn't even care, It was just pouring.  Everyone just kinda stopped, and oh, we must be done, there's people with some bagels.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.  I'm going to get showered and dressed, get the girls ready, head to church, and then get ready to cash in on getting whatever I want for the remainder of the day.  HAHAHA yeah right, wish it worked that way.

p.s. The Y-Me organization announced today that they are "re-branding".  They have a new name, which is long and hard to remember.  Hmm.

I'm re-branding too.  I"m on Day 3 of no diet pepsi.  I feel lke I"ve lost a friend.  No more random trips to Walgreens "Oh, I need to pick up.... when really all I want is a cold 20 ounce."    Sigh.

Y-Me Race to Empower 5K, up next UPDATE

So I'm running on Mother's Day in the Y-Me Race to Empower, which is an event desgined to raise funds for a great organization that helps women and families of those effect by breast cancer.  This run will be my first run after the marathon, and I'm not sure how that will feel. 

I've been feeling ok, but yesterday while on a conference call at work, I had to hurry back to my desk to get something I forgot.  For a second I took a quick jog, and Holy Quivering Quadriceps!  My legs were like "Um, NO?"

But another thing that is bothering me, and maybe it shouldn't, it's just for charity and for crying out loud, there's not even an official time...but because I raised a certain amount before a particular deadline, they were to send me my t-shirt and bib number ahead of time.  Well whoever packed my package must have skipped their morning latte, b/c I have a t-shirt, a special 30th anniversary pin for meeting my fundraising goal, 4 safety pins for the running bib, BUT NO RUNNING BIB!  What to do?  I emailed AND called and left a message but have received no answer.  Maybe I will pin my package envelope to my shirt instead?!  I dunno, I just don't want anyone getting mean with me b/c I'm not wearing a bib.

Any ideas?

UPDATE:  They finally called yesterday and apologized, and said I could pick it up in their offices downtown or just get it at the sign-in table on Sunday.  I hate long lines, so I decided to pick it up this morning.  I was originally going to take the bus into downtown, but then at the last minute I thought "Oh ye of little faith..." so I drove downtown.  Scoped the building and then drove around the block.  Parking garage...parking garage...voila!  2 metered parking spaces on the whole street, and I got one of them!  So I went and got my bib #, and then on the way back to the car, noticed a Subway.  Mmm, that might be a good breakfast since I hadn't had any.  So I order my food and dangit!  I realized I was like a dollar short, so I was about to bust out the debit card--no biggie-- and the guy's like "don't worry about it, it's on the house!"  So all in all, I'm having a good start to my Friday.    Oh, one more good thing.  Many of you know I'm a slave to my diet pepsi..well this morning, I DIDN'T EVEN FEEL LIKE HAVING ONE.  AND SO I DIDN'T!    And that, my friends, is a true shocker.  Alright, better get to work.  This was supposed to be just an update about my bib #.

Run #53: The Flying Pig Marathon, oh HILL NO! -updated with race report

.Date/Time:  May 4th at about 6:45 (start delayed due to fire near course)

Place:  Cincinnati, OH (mid 40's at start, upper 60's by finish)

Mileage 26.2...(or is that 26.45?  See below for link to story)

Time It Took: 6:24:38

Pace: 14:32 (oh geez!)

Miles this week: 34.43

Miles this month: 26.45

2008 Goal:  340.14

Thoughts/Comments:  I may have slightly underestimated those hills.  Who goes up a hill, and turn, voila, another hill?  incredible!  Is Cincinnati still the midwest?  Ay-ay-ay!  Can't even come up with a race report right now!  Sometime tomorrow, friends.  It's the middle of the night (ok...after 1am).  BUT I DID IT!  And since it's my first marathon, I can say that I "PR'ed" (personal record), hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.  Can't wait to get home to the flatlands of Chicago, we leave in the morning.  Thanks everyone for your support!!!!!!!! 

<Will update with race report sometime tomorrow.>

WAIT!  I KNEW IT!  My Garmin was telling me we were over 26.2, and I was like, wow, it's really off!!!!  But check this out, read down at the end about the course!!!

RACE REPORT UPDATE:

So after a decent night’s sleep of about 6.5 hours, I made my way down to the start line…just under a mile away.  I walked most of the way with a husband and wife who were running, the wife running the half, the husband running the full marathon.  They were from Dayton and she talked a lot about the hills.  Her husband said the marathon course gets flat later in the course, but then corrected himself and said “Well, not really flat, let’s just say rolling.”  I decided not to listen too closely after that, no need to freak out now, I was here.  I downed half a bagel, but that was all I could stomach.  Yes, I notoriously eat within 30-60 minutes before a run, it doesn’t bother my stomach at all, and eating way before that does me no good!  My plan was to hit the Gu (energy gel) starting at 4 miles, for every 4 miles, and later in the race, more frequently if necessary.

Didn’t get the chance to meet up with Lou, pace group buddy, who was running the half marathon, it was really crowded and they had the sides of the start line blocked off, so in order to get there, you either had to go all the way to the back, or just wait until they opened the blockades.  Lou ran a PR, by the way, ON HILLS without training for them.  AWESOME!!!!!  Judging by her last few races, she may have officially graduated from the 12:00 minute milers!  Way to go, LOU!!!!!!!

Shotgun start, fireworks, and we’re off!  Within the first mile, my shoelace came undone.  This, after I’d laced my timing chip onto my shoelaces b/c I had a mishap with the little tie-thingy.  So right at the Mile 1 marker I stopped, retied and went on my merry way.  Going over the first bridge I noticed a firefighter in full gear.  “Whatever, man,” is about what I thought.  Who knew?  (click for story, what a hero!)  After the first bridge , we were in Newport, Kentucky.  2nd bridge, Covington, Kentucky, and 3rd bridge, back in Cincinnati. The hills were little, but not bad at all.   At around mile 4, I took my first Gu.

We start going uphill, leading up into a park.  Now miles 5 through 8 are supposed to be the toughest part of the run, a pretty steep climb.  It was pretty tough, I ran much of it, but it was crazy!  The hill would go up, you’d see the top, and then you’d turn and it was another hill!  It was pretty slow going in here for me, I was running, but very slowly.  At about 8.4 miles, according to my Garmin, I had another Gu.  At some point in here, and I don’t remember where, we were way up high, and the view was really nice.  I’m no picture taker when I run, but if I were like Stacey, I would have been snappin some photos, it was pretty with the trees, river and houses nestled amid the trees. 

So we finally hit a residential area.  Around Mile 9 I hit a groove, finally.  At some point an ambulance drove by.  I finally came across them and the paramedics were packing up their gear.  The ambulance was still there, but I didn’t see anything.  Read here for that story!

So although my pace was shot, I was moving right along.  The miles were just flying by 12, 13, 14….The aid stations every mile were pretty nice, too. I still carried my own Gatorade and water, which came in handy when I could no longer stomach that “endurance formula” stuff anymore.

There were still little hills here and there, and each one was more annoying than the last!  As l hit 20 miles and still felt ok, but I noticed my knee hurting a bit, the same one in the same place. Thankfully, I only felt one twinge of my muscles that plagued me the entire end of my 20 mile run a few weeks back.  This part of the course through to about 24 miles SUCKED in that there were very few people along the course, other than policeman and people who had to be there.  For a good long stretch were on the side of a highway and it was very boring scenery.  This is when I started run-walking.  Along the side there was this patch of grass and it looked refreshing.  I wanted to roll around in the grass.  For those who know me, you know I must have been half-delirious, since I don’t do the outside thing very much!

Around Mile 22, we were in a park, and this one chic was off on the side, I think maybe throwing up.  Me and this other guy went to go check on her, he was like “C’mon, we’ll walk you back in to the finish.”  All I could think was “Speak for yourself, buddy, I'm not walking for the entire rest of the race!”

My friend Megan sent me a text around this point, she’d be at Mile 25 to run me in.  Guess I took a long time, bc I got another text saying she’s now be at Mile 24!  It was around this time that my Gu was making me sick, Gatorade was putrid tasting, but I knew I had to “indulge”.  I could feel the salt crystals forming on my face, so I needed the replenishment.  But it was all I could do to drink it at this point.  BLECH!  Everytime I ran I felt Gu and Gatorade was jiggling around in my stomach.

So finally up ahead, there’s Megan!!!  Megan was part of my pace team last summer, and although she originally intended to run the half marathon, she as on doctor/trainer’s orders to not run any long distances.  So a few miles running me and Lou at the end of our races was ok.  J  Megan was who got me thru our 18 mile run last year when I didn’t think I was gonna make it, so it was so reassuring to have her there.  She shuffled along with me, which is what I felt like I was doing at this point.  Shuffle-shuffle-shuffle, walk-walk walk, shuffle-, walk-walk, and so on. 

When I saw the 26 mile marker, and then the finish line up ahead, I felt like it was a joke.  I’ve always heard that the last .2 seems long.  But it didn’t seem that long at all, though I still wanted to be sure I could run it all!  I shuffled along, right with Megan, and then I saw my hubby and two girls waiting along the side.  I waved and yelled but kept running thru to the finish line.  I was too happy, but to be honest, the first thing on my mind is “WHERE’S MY MEDAL!!!!!”  So Meg walked with me thru the end, getting my chip taken off, getting my medal, a Flying Pig towel (that had jello stains and snot on it 10 minutes later-thanks Zoe!), and my mylar blanket.  She even grabbed some water and ice cream (YES!) for me.  Isn’t she the best running buddy ever?!  AND she even reminded me to stretch, but eventually she had to go back to her hotel room to get ready for her trip back to Chi-town.

Me, Joey and the girls walked about a mile back to the hotel, well Zoe rode in the stroller.  I saw an Arby’s and suddenly I wanted roast beef sandwiches.  I sent him and Zoe there, and took Jada and kept walking. 

Body check: 

Sunday:  hurting, even my toes hurt!  I took a cold bath, followed by a warm shower, then did little but lie around and eat.  I didn’t go to sleep until well after 9pm, though.  Jada and Zoe weren’t having it.  Who knew that a mylar blanket would provide hours of fun for them?

Monday (today):  had to ride home (about 6 hours, including detour to our alma mater Univ of Illinois in our long-term plan to brainwash our children into going there) and I’m a little sore, but amazingly ok!  Absolutely NO pain relief medication at all.

What’s next:  Tomorrow will be another 6 or so hours in a car, going with co-workers for an RFP interview in Dubuque, Iowa of all places.  UGH!

My running future:  1st off, I’m so glad I signed up for the Chicago Marathon.  I KNOW I can do that course, and do way better than this run.  And I’m excited to PROVE IT!!!  My goal is to shave at least 45 minutes off of my time.

But first things first, this Sunday I’m running in a 5K Race to Empower, raising money for breast cancer awareness and support.  It will either seem really short, or it will be horribly long..not sure what to think.  Then on May 24th I’ll be running in the Soldier Field 10-mile run, finishing on the 50-yard line with my picture on the jumbo screen.

Well, it’s late, but I wanted to post this tonight since I will be out in the field all day tomorrow for work.

Go Penguins, 12:00 minute milers and all other back-of-the-packers!

starting.to.freak.out.

Got my Gu.  Got my iPod songs lined up, even added a few new songs.  Got my Garmin charging.  Got my favorite running shirt and socks (yes, I have a pair of favorite socks) washed.  Getting very, VERY nervous.  We leave tomorrow morning, and once we get to Cinci, gotta get my race packet and all.  Anyone interested in following my progress, my bib # is 5337.  You can go to the marathon website and sign up for text updates or check in online...so they say.

I don't know if I"ll be able to check in or post tomorrow, and we'll see what happens after the run.  I will take my laptop, however.

WISH ME LUCK!!!!!

FRIDAY FUN: Wordplay...join me if you will

I was reading my friend Lou's blog and then we briefly had an email discussion as we will meet up in Cinci this weekend...she's running the half and (cross your fingers) running the last mile or so with me in the marathon if she and Meg are up to it...anywhoo, I mentioned my "slacker" tapering progress and called myself "slackidaisical."  I thought that was a fun word, so I made up a few "slack-related" words.  Please, friends, ADD TO THE LIST!!!

Run #52 Leaving Las Vegas

Date/Time:  April 30th at 6:30am

Place:  The noisy, slippery sunny strip, 60 degrees  (the weather man was talking about the cold blast coming in...a high of 78.  )

Mileage:  3 the hard way

Time it Took: 37:04  (insert Richard Dawson "survey SAYS???"  X

Pace:  12:22  X

Miles this week: 8.23 miles

Miles this month:  75.13 miles X

2008 Goal:  313.69/1000

Thoughts/Comments:  I was sooooo tired and I really didn't feel like running, but I went on ahead and did it anyway.  As soon as I hit the strip my legs were hurting in places that haven't hurt before.  The concrete and marble running is not for me, plus I've been doing lots of walking.  Oh, and I bought a new pair of shoes that by the end of the day yesterday, I was like "ouch my heel kinda hurts" and I looked down only to find my heel full of blood with a nice fresh blister.  I'll be fine by Sunday for the marathon.  In fact, I'm in the airport typing this as we speak.  I left about 90 minutes before I needed to, just to get OUT!  I will run a very short run on Friday, like 2 miles or so and then THAT'S IT.  MARATHON TIME!

But back to today's running adventure, it included dodging water hoses as they were cleaning the sidewalks (3 different places), but only two sets of stairs this time.

I'm happy to be leaving...I am so done with Vegas.

Eating Las Vegas

Ok ok...what is this Fatburger that people rave about so much????  I know it's a west coast thing, if nothing more from an old Beastie Boys song "I buy a Fatburger when I'm way out west."  But I've also been in enough chat websites to hear people rave about them destroying their diets.  I'm thinkin, it's just a hamburger, people!!  C'mon, get ahold of yourselves!

Enter last nite, the need for quick "relaively cheap" food on the strip.  Hmmm, Fatburger?  McDonald's?  Fatburger?  Mc Donald's.  "I'll have one baby fatburger and skinny fries."  (I HATE steak fries.)  Holycannoli! THAT BURGER WAS GOOOOOOOO-oooo-OOOOOOD!  I think I will visit there again before I leave!   Now to find an In-n-Out Burger place, and Chick-fil-a and I will have hit all the fast food joints that I have been deprived of during life, if it's truly possible to be "deprived" of fast food.

Buffets.  The first night here I went to the buffet at MGM Grand.  Other than some a small piece of chicken in mole sauce and one (yes, 1) lobster ravioli, I pretty much stuck to fruits and veggies.  Aren't you proud of me?  Spinach salad with a devine oil/balsamic mix courtesy of ME, creamed spinach, sweet potato salad, sauteed mushrooms, veggie lasagna, more creamed spinach, carrot cake and key lime pie!  See?  Pretty good, eh?  (UGH!  I know!)  Sure do love me some key lime pie.  I never had it until about a year ago and I can't believe what I've been missing my whole life. 

I must sound really pathetic right now. 

Ok...of to work for the conference sessions! Hope you all are well.  I will be running again tomorrow and MAYBE Wednesday, if not then, on Thursday.

Have a great day, friends!

Run #51 Viva Las Vegas

Date/Time:  April 27th at 5:45am

Place: Las Vegas, 63˚

Mileage: 5.23 miles

Time It Took:  1:05:29

Pace:   12:29

Miles this week:    5.23

Miles this month:  72.13

2008 Goal: 310.69/1000

Thoughts/Comments:  Well, I never did get a run in before leaving Chicago…too much preparation needed for the conference that I’m attended here in Vegas for work.  I’m putting the week behind me, planning to taper this week up to the marathon.  I’ve put in the time and distance for my long runs, and I will be fine come next Sunday! I'm taking thyckchyk's advice and not beating myself up about it.

So as I was leaving the hotel room, I kept feeling like I was forgetting something.  I WAS!  It wasn’t until I got outside and finally got a satellite signal on my Garmin, when I realized I forgot my iPod.  No biggie, I decided it wasn’t worth the trip (Or losing the satellite signal) to go back and get it.  I was really stiff as I got going, since it’s been since Tuesday that I last ran, but I decided that even though I should probably do 8 miles, I was just going to do what felt right. And that’s what I did.  I counted 17 other runners, none of whom I saw during the first mile and a half.  I saw many people who were just finishing up their night of partying. 

I think my pace was slower b/c I had to go up and down stairs several times on those pedestrian walkways..I figured that since I was exercising, I should be taking the stairs as opposed to the escalators.  I crossed 4 pedestrian bridges (8 sets of stairs), using the escalator only on the down sides.  Also, I was wondering…I ran on lots of concrete, but also marble. How does that rank in terms of running surfaces one should avoid, concrete being one of the worst?  Lots of marble surfaces along the strip.

Well, gotta go, gotta make a few last changes to my presentation before I go take it to the central admin site for uploading to their system, wish me luck, my presentation is tomorrow!

They said TAPER, not STOP

What a horrible week, running-wise.  I can't seem to get any running in.  With this blasted presentation I'm working on for next week at the conference, edits to that big writing project that I thought I was done with (but now the client wants to talk today at 9am), a phone conference with several people in order to prepare for an RFP team interview on May 6th, a grant application for church, UGH, I can't get a run in!  And I had planned to get up early today, but now it's too late to run, get ready, get the girls ready and MAKE SURE I'm at my desk to talk to that client at 9am.  Anyway...all this is to say that I have to run Saturday, Sunday for sure, and then Tuesday and Thursday for sure.  MAN!  What am I doing over here?  Wy must work get in the way of my life?!

Sorry for complaining, thanks for listening...ya know...I suppose if I budgeted my time better, this wouldn't be such an issue.  I should have been done with this presentation over a week ago, as well as the grant application.  Today should be an easy day of work, not one that's spent frantically running around before I'm gone for 4 out of 5 days next week. 

Funny thing is I have this article about "Professional procrastinators" that was in the paper a week or so ago. I said THAT'S ME when I read the headline.  "I need to read that!"  ANd I stil have it sitting at my desk, b/c I  put off reading it!!!!!  The irony.