So in my Soldier Field race report I mentioned that I met one of Lou's friends, Angela, whom I've known as simply '@" when mentioned in Lou's blog, plus reading her blog too. She's real cool, too. Well I also got to meet EP's very own Felecia, b/k/a thyckchyck. She was in town for a wedding that happened to be on Sunday, which means she had some free time on Saturday.
So after the Soldier Field 10-Mile, I went home, got ready for my day, got the girls ready (b/c God forbid my husband dare attempt to dress them or fix their hair). So me and the girls rode out to the burbs to pick her up.
Let me tell you, though I've never spoken to her before this weekend, she's is EXACTLY like she writes in her blogs! Bubbly personality, fun to be around, etc... We came back into Chicago, ate at Flat Top Grill near Oprah's studio, drove around to see the sites a bit, went by Garret's Popcorn, drove around some more, and that was our day. She took pictures, so I will enhance this post with some of them. Lazy me, I did bring my camera, but I figured that since its digital, I can just wait to get her pictures. I was trying to keep my girls corralled, they can be a challenge sometimes.
I love my babies, but sorta wish I could have left them with the hubby so we could REALLY hang out...but he had already given up his morning, and he had an appointment for work in the afternoon, and then went to go buy a lawnmower to take care of the forest in our backyard.
I'm writing this on Monday morning...soon I will head out to the crowning activity of my Memorial Day weekend, the RIdge Run 5K. My legs have been pretty stiff since Saturday. I'm not sure if it's going to rain. It stormed all night, the thunder was REALLY loud, it jarred me out of my sleep several times. Had Jada not already been sleeping next to me, those loud thunderclaps would have sent her running for sure. But I suppose since she was already next to me, her comfort level allowed her to sleep thru it. Zoe, on the other hand, has been in her bed since I returned her there around 11pm. Sigh.
Anyway, I hope I get the chance to hang out with Felecia again, she's lots of fun. I know she's gonna make this NYC dream of hers happen, so sooner or later I'll be out in ny again for a visit. I used to go all the time...when I could get tickets at a decent price. But now high price tickets x 3 (Jada and Zoe now are full price tickets), well, um...you do the math. Jada has been to NY 3 times in her short life, and Zoe, once. They love their "Auntie BiBi".
Subtitle: When the water hits it... (that's called foreshadowing)
Date/Time: May 24th at 7:30am
Place: Lakefront, actually ON Lake Shore Drive, the lakefront path, with a finish in "the bowels" of Soldier Field and out onto the field. (pretty awesome if you ask me)
Mileage: 10
Time It Took: 2:03:02 (official time)
Pace: 12:19
Miles this week: 20.09
Miles this month: 60.78
2008 Goal: 374.47/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: I think I might have hated every step of this run until the last half mile. I was dragging SERIOUSLY. At the beginning, I started out with Lou (running buddy from last year's training group) and her friend Angela, who I met for the first time today, but before today have known her as @. She and I have been reading each other's blogs. This was her first long distance run. At around 3.5 miles, I told them to go ahead, cuz I was tired and the pace was too much for me to keep up.
By around 5 miles at the turnaround point, I was spent. I was mad at running, wondering why the heck I thought I could be out there running. Maybe I'm trying to do too much after the marathon? Maybe I need a break? This is the most mileage I've done in a week for awhile, is THAT the problem? I peppered in a few walking breaks here and there and tried to keep as close a pace to 12:00 as possible.
By 8 miles I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to make up the time to meet even my simplest goal of 12:00 minute miles, I just had no energy level. At around 1:50 I looked at my watch...this was Lou and @'s goal time, I was sure they made it. When I got close to Soldier Field, which couldn't come soon enough, I saw a chic walking up ahead and someone telling her "Just a little bit further". Lo and behold, it was LOU! She was a sight for sore eyes. So we ran a bit, and she said she'd do one last walking stint before we reached the stadium. I wasn't the only one who had a tough run.
Once I hit the stadium, they were playing the Bears theme song. I ran in the concrete tunnels, wondering if this is where the Bears come out on the field (never been to a game). Then up ahead....I see the sunlight! I see green. As soon as I hit the grass, I ran as fast as I absolutely could, and passed a few people, which was cool. I looked back and saw Lou approaching the finish line, too. And the coolest surprise of all...we got medals! I wasn't even expecting a medal for this run, so that was cool.
I am somewhat disappointed about my time. But I didn't treat this run like I should have. I stayed up late, past 11:30...I ate crappy food for dinner last night (Chinese)...maybe I shouldn't have run 6 miles in that "semi-hilly" area of the path on Thursday (hilly in Chicago, not other places). I dunno...that sounds like a bunch of excuses, doesn't it? Maybe I just had a bad run...or at the very least, a not-so-good run.
And when I got home and hit the showers, ARGH!!!!!! CHAFING!!!!! Haven't had that in a long while. OUCH!!!!!!
Place: Lakefront, Lake Shore Drive @ 31st Street Beach (45 degrees-sometimes its colder by the lake.)
Mileage: 6
Time It Took: 1:09:30
Pace: 11:35
Miles this week: 10.09
Miles this month: 50.78
2008 Goal: 364.47/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: Not an enjoyable run. I really prefer running in the morning, but I could not pry my head from the pillow this morning. I did get to see a mama duck and her little ducklings, so that was nice. I was glad she didn't peck my eyes out, as I got pretty close on the lakefront path.
Next up, Soldier Field 10 Mile with the finish line ON THE FIELD where greats like Mike Ditka, Dick Butkis (sp?), Walter Payton and the good-looking Brian Urlacher have graced us with their presence.
Oh guess what? Felecia is coming to Chicago, so we have plans to get together on Saturday afternoon. I'll try to remember to take the camera along.
Run #57 When being negative is really a positive...
Date/Time: May 21st at 5:30 am
Place: Lakefront, Lake Shore Drive @ Hayes (50 degrees)
Mileage: 4.09
Time It Took: 45:52
Pace: 11:12
Miles this week: 4.09
Miles this month: 44.78
2008 Goal: 358.47/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: Nice run, I was feeling pretty good, a little tired at the end, but considering my mile splits, I’m fine with being a little tired. My Garmin reports that I ran a "negative split", meaning I ran the second half quicker than the first:
Mile 1:11:25
Mile 2:11:27
Mile 3:11:02
Mile 4:10:59
I mean, I’m no speed demon, but those splits are good for ME.I love running along the lakefront path on LSD, (Lake Shore Drive, not the drug ).Today there were TONS of people out, which is kinda surprised considering the time.The only thing that bothered me was seeing a dog in the middle of the drive.It was already dead.It made me sad, knowing that some family somewhere has lost their beloved pet.
Time It Took: 1:22:00 (forgot Garmin, so went by time on cell phone, so it was somewhere between 1 hour and 22 minutes to 23 minutes.
Pace: 11:42
Miles this week: 11.14
Miles this month: 40.69
2008 Goal: 354.38/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: Because I forgot my Garmin (stopwatch GPS), I had to pay attention to the mile markers that are up every half mile along the path. A few times I missed them because I was in the zone (or LaLa-land). All in all it was a decent run, but towards the end I was feeling really tired. I'm glad I did at least 7, b/c now I think I'm in good enough shape for the Soldier Field 10-Mile run next week. Could I have done 3 additional miles today? I suppose if I absoutely had to...
I plan to run on Tuesday and Thursday during the week, maybe a real short 2 miles on Friday, and then the race is on Saturday. Also, a friend of mine talked me into a 5K on Memorial Day. It's in this great neighborhood on the south side called "Beverly", and the homes are so freakin huge it makes your head explode. Ok, not really, but they're aboslutely, stunningly beautiful. Every time I'm in that neighborhood (which is every once in awhile b/c my cookie supply store is there), I sort of wish I had a different major in college! But then I remind myself, what did Biggie a/k/a Notorious B.I.G.(R.I.P) say? Mo' money, mo' problems! Anyway, so the run should be nice. So I signed up, and then AFTERWARDS my friend told me she's planning on walking it. I told her I'll see her at the finish line.
and not one Diet Pepsi. I'm very proud of myself. I'm past the point of craving them, but now starting to deal with the habits of particular times of day when a nice cold, fizzy one was in order. I can't go back, no I can't drink it in moderation. So far now, this is the only solution.
Thoughts/Comments: It's been tough getting going this week, I had originally planned to try to get back on a regular schedule, but I just couldn't get myself going in the mornings...but I made up for it this morning. Sunrise was 5:35, so I left the house at about 5:25 and drove over to the lakefront. It was perfect out, sun just above the horizon, new tunes on the iPod including one of my all-time favorites "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers, thus the title of this post.
Still felt a little sluggish, but I guess that's to be expected when I haven't run much since the marathon. This is just the 2nd time. Next week's 10-mile race might not be all that fun, but we'll see.
I think I'm behind on my 1000 miles goal (I'm sure I am, but I don't want to calculate to see exactly how far). Once marathon training ramps up to those ridiculous long run weeks, I will make up for it, so I'm not too worried about it.
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.
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.JMegan 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.
).
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 #.