Narragansett is one of my favorite places to run, what could be better than a race in Narragansett... yeah, I forget about how much I hate the Blessing of the Fleet and that is in Narragansett...
This was the second year of the race, I can't remember why I missed the first year, there must have been something going on.
In the beginning of the year I had big plans, sub 2 1/2 for 2015. Didn't happen, wasn't even on my radar for this race. I didn't put in the work to meet that goal.
A goal: 2:11 I KNOW this was really unrealistic - 2:10 is my PR
B goal: 2:20 Kinda figured I could hold it together ending up with a 10:41 pace, HA HA!!
C goal: don't die, OK honestly, considering my track record this year, Finish!!
The weather was iffy, I donned on my WTAC long sleeve shirt, figuring that would help protect from the cold rain and the usual wind on Ocean Road. It did. Good call. I can hike up the sleeves and they stayed that way most of the 13.1
The course is on familiar roads, there are two out and backs, not my favorite thing to run. The runners passing on my right then on my left make me dizzy. I tried very hard to pay attention to the pack I was running with.
I started with the 2:15 pace group, and wanted to stay between 10 - 10:30 pace. On Rte 108, a down hill, I got in front of the pack. I played the pros and cons of this move as I ran along. I really felt great and comfortable. I regretted this move as I ran all on my own, into the wind on Ocean Road and the 2:15 pace group passed me. I couldn't muster up anything to stick with them and watched Dave Haskett saunter along with about 10 people in tow Would have staying with them helped? Yes. I felt good and love that slight down hill on 108 and wasn't thinking ahead to Ocean Road out to Pt Judith Lighthouse and the wind I would have to fight, I cursed myself.
On the Pt Judith out and back I saw Patti, Angie, and Emily. At mile 13 Patti passed me asking if I ran a 1/2 yesterday. Ha! No! I just couldn't hold my desired pace. I even walked in mile 13 and some guy says "Finish Strong!" All I could do was smile and say, "yeah yeah, thanks".
This was a great race, despite the out and backs. It was well run and supported. I really have no desire to compete and feel really uncomfortable when people cheer me on probably thinking this is my first 1/2 or something like that. How many have I done? I have no clue, guess I'll take a stroll on over to Athlinks and do a count? Oh 11, not including the one I got lost and the other one that actually measured 12.5 miles. So this was #12 of the true 13.1 distance. Not my worst, not my best, kinda average: 2:25.
My favorite 1/2 will always be my second. I was so unprepared for my first, finishing at a 3:20 not having trained or even run anything longer than a 5K road race! I seriously trained and came back the next year, same course, with a respectable 2:17, and a few months later I finished my first full marathon, hooked on running.
So why the trip down memory lane there Beth? I had 2 hours and 25 minutes to think about running and racing and competing. Saying I'm not competitive is an outright lie. I am, I always have been and I always will be. I have the winter to build a base, regroup, and plan for next year.
Sincerely,
Beth, still hooked on running, not frustrated or disappointed, happier running with friends than running in races
Showing posts with label 1/2 Marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1/2 Marathon. Show all posts
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Newport 1/2 - Recap
Going into this I had no designs on anything, just running 13.1 miles with Nicole. This was the race I PR'd (2:09) last year and wasn't feeling like working that hard this a.m., I just wanted to run and enjoy the sights of Newport on foot.
Nicole and I were to meet up with a few people. Rebecca, who we found though the miracles of texts! Yeah!
Me sans my usual smile... Alas perhaps I was a bit pensive over my activities yesterday, mostly the plate full of BBQ (neither the 5K or the bike ride were a concern - I really NEEDED those) and I just wasn't feeling this racing business. Of course I wanted to run, so that I did, ran and chatted with Nicole.
Nicole was on the look out for her friend Patty, we didn't see her till we stopped for a potty break @ mile 4.5. We caught up with her around mile 6 and hung for a little and then were able to see her finish!!
The race started about 30 minutes late, I have no idea why. Probably getting people to the start, I think this was also a problem last year. Remembering the traffic jam last year I aimed to be parked and on my way to a shuttle bus by 7 a.m. CHECK. Took a few minutes to get across the starting mat, per usual. Well those of you up in the front may not know this so, yeah, the runners of the group have this hurry up and wait and waddle to the starting mat business! We ran with Rebecca for the first couple miles. Nicole had already run 3 per her Philly Marathon training plan. Better woman than I, I never managed to do the additional miles, call me lazy? Ha - hardly!
We started out slow as per our plan, this is a training run, enjoy it. The first mile greets you with a big hill and we could either waste energy trying to pass people, or just run up it with no bobbing and weaving. Rebecca, did all she could to hang back for a little while, she found some Marathon Maniacs after the hill and started chatting with them, we bid her adieu. Spunky gal, we will catch up again!!
The first set of porta potties looked appealing, something about a late race start gets the body all confused. We passed them and figured the line would be less for the second set. It was, we lost about 6 minutes, it was time well spent (the BIG spike in the pace chart). Chatted with a gal from Philly (Nicole's hometown) who ran the Philly Full 5 years ago and was running the Newport Full. She gave Nicole some tips on the race and how nice it was to run in their home town. As luck would have it Nicole spied Patty running past, pshew, Nicole was relieved, she sort of talked her into the race and then they forgot to exchange phone numbers to catch up with each other pre-race.
After that we picked up the pace a teensy bit to catch Patty, eventually we did around mile 6, I didn't check my watch, it may have been earlier. She was happy to see a familiar face, even for a few minutes.
At about mile 8 Nicole happened to mention her 1/2 PR is 2:34. I checked my Garmin, we were 1:38 with 5 miles to go. OH hell yes, she was going to get a PR, little did she know I had a goal. I let her know a few miles later what my goal was. This sent my endorphin level spiking. I LOVE having a goal, super geek!! As the miles clicked down it became apparent we could get this thing done in under 2:30. I pushed her along a little harder and backed off as she really needed to. I kinda forgot she was 3 miles ahead of me for the day already!!
At mile 12, the sub 2:30 was in sight and I pushed a little harder, there was just enough of an incline that we could slow down too much and miss my goal, erh our goal, ah her goal... oh whatever.
As we went down the hill I was pulling Nicole along, by the time the finish chute was in sight and we saw Michelle (HI!) she got some kick in her step and I had to work to keep up with her and be a stride ahead, so she wouldn't let up. She saw the timing clock with 2:32 on it as we crossed, I could see some happiness in her face and a little bit of a bummer to not be sub 2:30. I said, "1:29!! Remember we didn't start till a few minutes after the gun" She was all smiles!! I'm so proud of her!!! She hung with it and totally gave me a reason to love this race (besides my own PR - which pales in comparison to helping someone else achieve their goals!)
After our race we looked out for Patty and cheered her across the finish line and then set about finding some food, snapping a few pics! I bailed on the last 2 of Nicole's total miles for the day, headed to the bus to go home. She knew I would, I knew I would, I should have stuck around, she found beer, bummer. I had my sights set on beer and pretzel sammiches with Dave....
Texted Dave that once I found my car I'd be on my way home. Yeah, finding my car. The busses were doing us a favor by going to the different parking lots. I had no idea where I was parked unless I walked there from where I picked up the bus. After a lap or two in the parking lot I did find Vinnie and we headed home, well sat in traffic. I knew this is going to be the case. Called Dave and he was done biking (Big River) and on his way to 55 with the guys. Damn it on many levels, I was hungry and all I had was a damn Cliff Bar and a couple bottles of water and what I wouldn't give for an icy diet coke at that moment, then I really want to try 55, and well pretzel sammiches are off the table. Blargh. Getting between me and food is, well, not a good idea.
I foraged around when I got home and came up with an orange, some cottage cheese and coconut water. Who does the grocery shopping in this house? Ah... whoops...
Awesome race day all the way around!
Sincerely,
Beth, who eventually did get beer and pretzel sammiches! Yummo!!!
Nicole and I were to meet up with a few people. Rebecca, who we found though the miracles of texts! Yeah!
 |
| Rebecca (Marathon), Nicole, Me (we are the sane ones doing the 1/2) |
Nicole was on the look out for her friend Patty, we didn't see her till we stopped for a potty break @ mile 4.5. We caught up with her around mile 6 and hung for a little and then were able to see her finish!!
The race started about 30 minutes late, I have no idea why. Probably getting people to the start, I think this was also a problem last year. Remembering the traffic jam last year I aimed to be parked and on my way to a shuttle bus by 7 a.m. CHECK. Took a few minutes to get across the starting mat, per usual. Well those of you up in the front may not know this so, yeah, the runners of the group have this hurry up and wait and waddle to the starting mat business! We ran with Rebecca for the first couple miles. Nicole had already run 3 per her Philly Marathon training plan. Better woman than I, I never managed to do the additional miles, call me lazy? Ha - hardly!
We started out slow as per our plan, this is a training run, enjoy it. The first mile greets you with a big hill and we could either waste energy trying to pass people, or just run up it with no bobbing and weaving. Rebecca, did all she could to hang back for a little while, she found some Marathon Maniacs after the hill and started chatting with them, we bid her adieu. Spunky gal, we will catch up again!!
The first set of porta potties looked appealing, something about a late race start gets the body all confused. We passed them and figured the line would be less for the second set. It was, we lost about 6 minutes, it was time well spent (the BIG spike in the pace chart). Chatted with a gal from Philly (Nicole's hometown) who ran the Philly Full 5 years ago and was running the Newport Full. She gave Nicole some tips on the race and how nice it was to run in their home town. As luck would have it Nicole spied Patty running past, pshew, Nicole was relieved, she sort of talked her into the race and then they forgot to exchange phone numbers to catch up with each other pre-race.
After that we picked up the pace a teensy bit to catch Patty, eventually we did around mile 6, I didn't check my watch, it may have been earlier. She was happy to see a familiar face, even for a few minutes.
At about mile 8 Nicole happened to mention her 1/2 PR is 2:34. I checked my Garmin, we were 1:38 with 5 miles to go. OH hell yes, she was going to get a PR, little did she know I had a goal. I let her know a few miles later what my goal was. This sent my endorphin level spiking. I LOVE having a goal, super geek!! As the miles clicked down it became apparent we could get this thing done in under 2:30. I pushed her along a little harder and backed off as she really needed to. I kinda forgot she was 3 miles ahead of me for the day already!!
At mile 12, the sub 2:30 was in sight and I pushed a little harder, there was just enough of an incline that we could slow down too much and miss my goal, erh our goal, ah her goal... oh whatever.
As we went down the hill I was pulling Nicole along, by the time the finish chute was in sight and we saw Michelle (HI!) she got some kick in her step and I had to work to keep up with her and be a stride ahead, so she wouldn't let up. She saw the timing clock with 2:32 on it as we crossed, I could see some happiness in her face and a little bit of a bummer to not be sub 2:30. I said, "1:29!! Remember we didn't start till a few minutes after the gun" She was all smiles!! I'm so proud of her!!! She hung with it and totally gave me a reason to love this race (besides my own PR - which pales in comparison to helping someone else achieve their goals!)
After our race we looked out for Patty and cheered her across the finish line and then set about finding some food, snapping a few pics! I bailed on the last 2 of Nicole's total miles for the day, headed to the bus to go home. She knew I would, I knew I would, I should have stuck around, she found beer, bummer. I had my sights set on beer and pretzel sammiches with Dave....
 |
| The cat's who ate the canary!!! |
Texted Dave that once I found my car I'd be on my way home. Yeah, finding my car. The busses were doing us a favor by going to the different parking lots. I had no idea where I was parked unless I walked there from where I picked up the bus. After a lap or two in the parking lot I did find Vinnie and we headed home, well sat in traffic. I knew this is going to be the case. Called Dave and he was done biking (Big River) and on his way to 55 with the guys. Damn it on many levels, I was hungry and all I had was a damn Cliff Bar and a couple bottles of water and what I wouldn't give for an icy diet coke at that moment, then I really want to try 55, and well pretzel sammiches are off the table. Blargh. Getting between me and food is, well, not a good idea.
I foraged around when I got home and came up with an orange, some cottage cheese and coconut water. Who does the grocery shopping in this house? Ah... whoops...
Awesome race day all the way around!
Sincerely,
Beth, who eventually did get beer and pretzel sammiches! Yummo!!!
Friday, October 11, 2013
Alien
Running home along Elm Street I hear a guy yell "ALIEN" out the car window as it zooms past me. I suppose I did look rather odd with the headlamp thing, white light in the front and flashing red light in the back with my orange shirt stating: What Part of "Princess" Don't You Understand? reflecting on the back. Yeah, he had a point, I'm sure it was a sight.
I went out with the sole purpose of testing out this headlamp before I wear it next Friday night running leg 17 (8.6 miles mostly along KY300 past grave yards, hoo boy) in the Bourbon Chase. That will by my 2nd of 3 legs in the 200 mile journey 10 women and 2 men take starting at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont and ending up at the Town Branch Distillery in Lexington. Of course this is the longest and most difficult leg, in the dark, the week before a marathon. It will be awesome fun!!!
The whole trip will be awesome fun!! I have never met any of these people in person, only 3 virtually. We share a common bond of running, whiskey, and wicked sarcastic sense of humor. Good times will be had, I am sure.
I fiddled with the headlamp quite a bit while I ran. The Black Diamond Sprinter, came highly recommended and had the required front lamp and red flashing back lamp. It felt a little tight and I loosened it up and tightened up the strap across the top. Thinking I may be happier with it with a hat or a headband, felt like the front lens was digging into my forehead. Need a couple more evening/night runs this week to test it out. Why do I insist on waiting until the last minute?
All in all it lit up the sidewalk and roadway very well. To be more comfortable I need to try along some darker roads, as I doubt KY300 will have many street lamps! Guess I'll venture down the West side of the river Monday night, maybe Sunday? I'll see how I'm feeling after the Newport 1/2.
Tomorrow I'm signed up for two 5Ks. I'll do one of them and if I happen to be in Narragansett by 12 I'll run the second, or at least pick up my shirt. The first is Free to Breathe at Slater Park in Pawtucket. Nicole and I will run together and take it easy! Plus I'll be able to see several people I met at the Lung Cancer Advocacy Summit in Dallas last month. It will be nice to catch up!! The second is Your Next Step is the Cure I've been trying to get in touch with the local folks connected to the organization to expand my Lung Cancer advocacy network and I've had no luck, so that sort of pisses me off, well no it really pisses me off. This is a bastard of a disease and all these different organizations really need to work together, or find a way to work together, they have the same goal after all. Yeah yeah, take off your rose colored glasses and be real, it is about who can be there first and raise the most money, I'm sure. 20 some odd years in corporate America should have taught me something, yes?
Anyhoodles, I'll have a smile on my face and see what connections I can make. The consummate diplomat...
Sunday is the Newport 1/2, this was a great race for me last year. I will enjoy it, a beautiful course and Nicole will be there and one of the gals I met at the Lung Cancer Advocacy Summit, plus this will be a friends first ever marathon and I'm pretty psyched for her. Although I can't imagine running this as a full, as you pass by the 1/2 finish for 13.1 out and back to finally finish...
Sincerely,
Beth, a little over committed for the weekend, but it will keep her from getting stressed over the next two weekends!
 |
| Back of the shirt - crown on the front |
I went out with the sole purpose of testing out this headlamp before I wear it next Friday night running leg 17 (8.6 miles mostly along KY300 past grave yards, hoo boy) in the Bourbon Chase. That will by my 2nd of 3 legs in the 200 mile journey 10 women and 2 men take starting at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont and ending up at the Town Branch Distillery in Lexington. Of course this is the longest and most difficult leg, in the dark, the week before a marathon. It will be awesome fun!!!
The whole trip will be awesome fun!! I have never met any of these people in person, only 3 virtually. We share a common bond of running, whiskey, and wicked sarcastic sense of humor. Good times will be had, I am sure.
I fiddled with the headlamp quite a bit while I ran. The Black Diamond Sprinter, came highly recommended and had the required front lamp and red flashing back lamp. It felt a little tight and I loosened it up and tightened up the strap across the top. Thinking I may be happier with it with a hat or a headband, felt like the front lens was digging into my forehead. Need a couple more evening/night runs this week to test it out. Why do I insist on waiting until the last minute?
Tomorrow I'm signed up for two 5Ks. I'll do one of them and if I happen to be in Narragansett by 12 I'll run the second, or at least pick up my shirt. The first is Free to Breathe at Slater Park in Pawtucket. Nicole and I will run together and take it easy! Plus I'll be able to see several people I met at the Lung Cancer Advocacy Summit in Dallas last month. It will be nice to catch up!! The second is Your Next Step is the Cure I've been trying to get in touch with the local folks connected to the organization to expand my Lung Cancer advocacy network and I've had no luck, so that sort of pisses me off, well no it really pisses me off. This is a bastard of a disease and all these different organizations really need to work together, or find a way to work together, they have the same goal after all. Yeah yeah, take off your rose colored glasses and be real, it is about who can be there first and raise the most money, I'm sure. 20 some odd years in corporate America should have taught me something, yes?
Anyhoodles, I'll have a smile on my face and see what connections I can make. The consummate diplomat...
Sunday is the Newport 1/2, this was a great race for me last year. I will enjoy it, a beautiful course and Nicole will be there and one of the gals I met at the Lung Cancer Advocacy Summit, plus this will be a friends first ever marathon and I'm pretty psyched for her. Although I can't imagine running this as a full, as you pass by the 1/2 finish for 13.1 out and back to finally finish...
Sincerely,
Beth, a little over committed for the weekend, but it will keep her from getting stressed over the next two weekends!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Surftown Half - Recap
After reviewing last years blog post, and other race results, I am officially getting slower. On the up side I am less injured... give and take live and learn? I love this race and this course. I run and bike these roads weekly, so maybe the familiarity made me lazy? Maybe running in pain has made me scared? Maybe, just maybe I didn't go into this as a race with any strategy or plans? Yeah, that's the ticket. I barely remembered to lay out my clothes the night before and pack a bag with things like breakfast, water, a change of clothes and my knee strap.
I finished 2:19:07 / 10:38 pace, Strava gives me a PR and some other medals. I'll take them but I know this is only from October 28th 2012 and forward (Marine Corps Marathon - when I changed shoes and wanted to start keeping track of shoe mileage). My PR is 10 minutes less. Neither here nor there that was a different race I was in a VERY different place last year and I'm much happier with my current calm reality versus the excitement and craziness of THAT reality. Although I do miss some of the craziness, it was fun and well exciting crazy!
Bib pick up was super easy, as long as you remembered your picture ID, which I did. I took a walk downtown to pick up the bib and was able to chat with Jeff for a few and then took a nice stroll down town and up through the park and back home. There was a family sitting on a bench. Their symmetry amused me: blue, yellow, blue, yellow. Well in MY reality it is right to left yellow, blue, yellow, blue. This is how my brothers and I used to line up, me, the eldest on the far right, then the middle, finally the youngest. Same with my mom and her siblings... Since traditional conventions require things left to right, there you go blue, yellow, blue, yellow. Happy now Rod??
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Hubb/Dave wanted to go for a bike ride but didn't want to go far. I was up for a quick spin down Boombridge through Ashaway to that awesome down hill on Chase Hill? or out to Watch Hill? but he didn't want to go THAT far. Are you kidding me? It is all of 10 miles or 15 miles... blargh.
I was up on time and ready to go, figured it would be a quick car ride. Whoopsie, not so much... 1,800 1/2 marathoners and how many 5Kers trying to get to the beach. Things got a little jammed up. I had enough time to find Monica and use the porta potty AND say hi to the WTAC crew, they are easy to find, all lined up in front. GREAT JOB Muddy for the WIN!!! And Matthew for your first race! And all of you for a great showing!
This is a nice course, starts with an out and back, which I am loving more and more, and then looping into Watch Hill and back to Misquamicut.
Miles 1 - 2 (9:58 / 10:08)
Monica, who did the Bold R Dash in Yawgoo, RI yesterday hung with me for a few miles, she was pretty sore and achey. Competing in 4 race in 9 days can do that to a person! Rock Star!
Mile 3 (9:46)
Saw Ryan and Muddy clearly tearing up the pavement. Caught sight of Jeff as he was rounding the corner back over the Breechway and I was off to the Weekapaug loop.
There was a cute couple, he said, "OK honey there is a hill here, just keep it steady." I think she beat him up that hill. I lost sight of them after that. She had the cutest argyle socks! Nice to see couples running. Co-worker Howie and his wife Alison, (killed it BTW @ 1:58, I'm going to hang my head in shame on Monday - but this was a training run for me, not a race, right?) ran together, their first 1/2.
Miles 4 - 6 (10:11 / 10:19 / 10:37) this is a not a good trend
Then the nice long flat along Atlantic Avenue. Kinda sucks to have to pass by the finish, but the race is nearly half over at that point. The wheel chair guy was just finishing up and I heard everyone say make way for the winner. Which one of the WTAC guys was it going to be???
Mile 7 (10:40)
Great course support, tons of people cheering everyone on. Although I was a little more than miffed at the runners running in the middle of the road and yelling at the cars to get off the road. Really people, we don't own the road, we still have to share it with the vehicles. Things like that give runners a bad name. Sure sure I get a little grouchy when someone tries to smack me over in a cross walk when I'm certain I've made eye contact with them before dashing into the cross walk. And that happened twice, with the same car on the same run, with cross walks only a few steps from each other. I tried to explain that people actually LIVE here and have spent the summer dealing with tourists, cut them a little slack, we thought we had our little town back! Oh Beth, why bother...
Mile 8 - 9 (11:24 / 10:39) ok better
And then out to Watch Hill. At this point I meet up with someone on her training run for MCM, she and her girlfriends and I ran together till mile 12. This will be Michelle's 5th MCM and she asked me what my time was. Oh groan, 5:09 I was waiting for something in the low 4s from her... 5:56. Oh I didn't feel so bad now. A very peppy 40 year old from MA. Great company. She runs for the Semper Fi fund.
Lots of chit chat, what was your first concert? What was your first movie? And others I simply can't remember now. Damn this woman knows how to make the time just fly by and I can't carry on that great of a conversation when I'm NOT running, let alone when I am running.
Oh if you are interested: First concert: Jimmy Buffet First movie: Grease (I think, it is the earliest one I can remember my mom taking us to)
Mile 10 (10:50) hill?
The gals I was running with asked about this killer hill they heard they would need to walk up. Oh yeah, I said, it is about a block and a half up and the view at the top is SO worth it you'll have forgotten all about it. Besides mile 7 hill at MCM is WAY worse!! Michelle and Rebecka got a laugh out of that and then Michelle went on to tell us what she does at mile 18.5 on the MCM course, jumps up and down. HA!! Awesome perverse sense of humor!
Mile 11 - 13 (10:41 / 11:12 / 10:39)
The long straight away on Ocean View made me long for my bike seeing so many bikers. Up ahead was the hedge row and Bayberry and soon the end.
The finish line was one of those moving targets again... I swear it crawls forward. Not much pep in my step (last 0.1 9:15) seeing the finish line. I tried, I really tried to catch the guy in front of me, no dice...
Nice to see Crutch at the finish! Monica wasn't too far behind and we had our usual several miles of walking to find cars and/or people post race. Guess we have our tradition pretty set in stone now! Run many miles, then take a long long walk.
Off to the beer tent, IDs in hand! Free beer is good beer, period.
After digging up a beer at home and taking it in the shower with me, hey, don't knock it till you've tried it, kinda like frozen towels in the arm pits, weird but does the trick!
The rest of my afternoon required me to socialize with the wives of the guys in Dave's RC Plane club, (he is the president of the club, so yeah) today was their end of the summer picnic. I managed to spend an hour or so with Dave and the guys before depositing myself in the circle of hens. I never know what the topics of discussion are going to be, I'm sure they have no idea what to do with me, the childless one, fortunately they had gotten past the bitching and moaning about their husbands hobby. Hey, look, this makes Dave happy, he enjoys designing, building, and flying these things. He is happy, what's not for me to like? (I know, I know, epic fail on my part, I so totally flunked out of wife school it isn't funny) I caught them up on my running a little bit on biking and prayed the conversation would turn funny.
And one of the women said "So I'm flying to Florida to surprise my 83 year old mother for her birthday. She calls me and tells me her boyfriend, who lives in Ohio, is coming down to visit her for her birthday." She had us rolling with the stories of her mother and her boyfriends and how she decides she doesn't want to see them anymore so she doesn't answer the phone or the door, to the point one called the cops, he thought she might be dead... I don't think anyone can even make this stuff up. Oh and she met the Ohio man on a cruise, he's been visiting her once a month, and he is 10 years younger - cougar! LOL
And so ends another day, Gizmo has alerted me it is past time to feed the dogs.
Sincerely,
Beth, another race in the books, and more lessons learned!! Life is Good!!
I finished 2:19:07 / 10:38 pace, Strava gives me a PR and some other medals. I'll take them but I know this is only from October 28th 2012 and forward (Marine Corps Marathon - when I changed shoes and wanted to start keeping track of shoe mileage). My PR is 10 minutes less. Neither here nor there that was a different race I was in a VERY different place last year and I'm much happier with my current calm reality versus the excitement and craziness of THAT reality. Although I do miss some of the craziness, it was fun and well exciting crazy!
Bib pick up was super easy, as long as you remembered your picture ID, which I did. I took a walk downtown to pick up the bib and was able to chat with Jeff for a few and then took a nice stroll down town and up through the park and back home. There was a family sitting on a bench. Their symmetry amused me: blue, yellow, blue, yellow. Well in MY reality it is right to left yellow, blue, yellow, blue. This is how my brothers and I used to line up, me, the eldest on the far right, then the middle, finally the youngest. Same with my mom and her siblings... Since traditional conventions require things left to right, there you go blue, yellow, blue, yellow. Happy now Rod??
.jpg)
Hubb/Dave wanted to go for a bike ride but didn't want to go far. I was up for a quick spin down Boombridge through Ashaway to that awesome down hill on Chase Hill? or out to Watch Hill? but he didn't want to go THAT far. Are you kidding me? It is all of 10 miles or 15 miles... blargh.
I was up on time and ready to go, figured it would be a quick car ride. Whoopsie, not so much... 1,800 1/2 marathoners and how many 5Kers trying to get to the beach. Things got a little jammed up. I had enough time to find Monica and use the porta potty AND say hi to the WTAC crew, they are easy to find, all lined up in front. GREAT JOB Muddy for the WIN!!! And Matthew for your first race! And all of you for a great showing!
This is a nice course, starts with an out and back, which I am loving more and more, and then looping into Watch Hill and back to Misquamicut.
Miles 1 - 2 (9:58 / 10:08)
Monica, who did the Bold R Dash in Yawgoo, RI yesterday hung with me for a few miles, she was pretty sore and achey. Competing in 4 race in 9 days can do that to a person! Rock Star!
Mile 3 (9:46)
Saw Ryan and Muddy clearly tearing up the pavement. Caught sight of Jeff as he was rounding the corner back over the Breechway and I was off to the Weekapaug loop.
There was a cute couple, he said, "OK honey there is a hill here, just keep it steady." I think she beat him up that hill. I lost sight of them after that. She had the cutest argyle socks! Nice to see couples running. Co-worker Howie and his wife Alison, (killed it BTW @ 1:58, I'm going to hang my head in shame on Monday - but this was a training run for me, not a race, right?) ran together, their first 1/2.
Miles 4 - 6 (10:11 / 10:19 / 10:37) this is a not a good trend
Then the nice long flat along Atlantic Avenue. Kinda sucks to have to pass by the finish, but the race is nearly half over at that point. The wheel chair guy was just finishing up and I heard everyone say make way for the winner. Which one of the WTAC guys was it going to be???
Mile 7 (10:40)
Great course support, tons of people cheering everyone on. Although I was a little more than miffed at the runners running in the middle of the road and yelling at the cars to get off the road. Really people, we don't own the road, we still have to share it with the vehicles. Things like that give runners a bad name. Sure sure I get a little grouchy when someone tries to smack me over in a cross walk when I'm certain I've made eye contact with them before dashing into the cross walk. And that happened twice, with the same car on the same run, with cross walks only a few steps from each other. I tried to explain that people actually LIVE here and have spent the summer dealing with tourists, cut them a little slack, we thought we had our little town back! Oh Beth, why bother...
Mile 8 - 9 (11:24 / 10:39) ok better
And then out to Watch Hill. At this point I meet up with someone on her training run for MCM, she and her girlfriends and I ran together till mile 12. This will be Michelle's 5th MCM and she asked me what my time was. Oh groan, 5:09 I was waiting for something in the low 4s from her... 5:56. Oh I didn't feel so bad now. A very peppy 40 year old from MA. Great company. She runs for the Semper Fi fund.
Lots of chit chat, what was your first concert? What was your first movie? And others I simply can't remember now. Damn this woman knows how to make the time just fly by and I can't carry on that great of a conversation when I'm NOT running, let alone when I am running.
Oh if you are interested: First concert: Jimmy Buffet First movie: Grease (I think, it is the earliest one I can remember my mom taking us to)
Mile 10 (10:50) hill?
The gals I was running with asked about this killer hill they heard they would need to walk up. Oh yeah, I said, it is about a block and a half up and the view at the top is SO worth it you'll have forgotten all about it. Besides mile 7 hill at MCM is WAY worse!! Michelle and Rebecka got a laugh out of that and then Michelle went on to tell us what she does at mile 18.5 on the MCM course, jumps up and down. HA!! Awesome perverse sense of humor!
Mile 11 - 13 (10:41 / 11:12 / 10:39)
The long straight away on Ocean View made me long for my bike seeing so many bikers. Up ahead was the hedge row and Bayberry and soon the end.
The finish line was one of those moving targets again... I swear it crawls forward. Not much pep in my step (last 0.1 9:15) seeing the finish line. I tried, I really tried to catch the guy in front of me, no dice...
Nice to see Crutch at the finish! Monica wasn't too far behind and we had our usual several miles of walking to find cars and/or people post race. Guess we have our tradition pretty set in stone now! Run many miles, then take a long long walk.
Off to the beer tent, IDs in hand! Free beer is good beer, period.
After digging up a beer at home and taking it in the shower with me, hey, don't knock it till you've tried it, kinda like frozen towels in the arm pits, weird but does the trick!
The rest of my afternoon required me to socialize with the wives of the guys in Dave's RC Plane club, (he is the president of the club, so yeah) today was their end of the summer picnic. I managed to spend an hour or so with Dave and the guys before depositing myself in the circle of hens. I never know what the topics of discussion are going to be, I'm sure they have no idea what to do with me, the childless one, fortunately they had gotten past the bitching and moaning about their husbands hobby. Hey, look, this makes Dave happy, he enjoys designing, building, and flying these things. He is happy, what's not for me to like? (I know, I know, epic fail on my part, I so totally flunked out of wife school it isn't funny) I caught them up on my running a little bit on biking and prayed the conversation would turn funny.
And one of the women said "So I'm flying to Florida to surprise my 83 year old mother for her birthday. She calls me and tells me her boyfriend, who lives in Ohio, is coming down to visit her for her birthday." She had us rolling with the stories of her mother and her boyfriends and how she decides she doesn't want to see them anymore so she doesn't answer the phone or the door, to the point one called the cops, he thought she might be dead... I don't think anyone can even make this stuff up. Oh and she met the Ohio man on a cruise, he's been visiting her once a month, and he is 10 years younger - cougar! LOL
And so ends another day, Gizmo has alerted me it is past time to feed the dogs.
Sincerely,
Beth, another race in the books, and more lessons learned!! Life is Good!!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
MCM Training - Week 11
Four Seasons Run for Hope this a.m. didn't happen, well for me. I was there in plenty of time, no on-site parking resulted in a nice tour of Boston and the Commons and my frustration level reaching an epic high. Well crap... another day I will run along the Charles River, so I had a nice long morning in the car. BLARGH. Poor planning on my part. It happens, we live, we learn, and we make adjustments.
So there you have it... a nap, bike ride, and ice cream cures all ills. Oh yeah and that downhill (9% grade) on 201 was AMAZEBALLS!!!! The down hills on this route are truly a treat for the up hills.
And so ends MCM Training Week 11 - the numbers:
Monday - 11.5 miles bike
Tuesday - Spin class
Wednesday - 6 mile run 2.5 mile hike
Thursday - 13.5 miles bike 2.8 mile run on the beach
Friday - 0
Saturday - 3.1 race 11 mile run
Sunday - 32 miles bike
I didn't get in all the miles on my schedule, or to the track... next week is another week!
Next week is also the Surftown 1/2, last year 2:16, my PR is 2:10. Looking fun to seeing lots of familiar faces!
Sincerely,
Beth, moving forward
Dave was sympathetic. He suggested we ride out to Buttonwood Farms for some ice cream. Sure, that would be good, let's go at 2:30, I need a nap, frustration wears me out. By 2:25 he woke me up, remarking how amazing it is that 1) fell asleep with the the obnoxious neighbors and their dirt bike, and 2) slept through the chain saws taking down the 40 foot tree across the street. Hey I am an expert napper, what can I say, we all have our strengths.
Off we went on our adventure! It was fun, we both had a blast and enjoyed our ice cream.
So there you have it... a nap, bike ride, and ice cream cures all ills. Oh yeah and that downhill (9% grade) on 201 was AMAZEBALLS!!!! The down hills on this route are truly a treat for the up hills.
And so ends MCM Training Week 11 - the numbers:
Monday - 11.5 miles bike
Tuesday - Spin class
Wednesday - 6 mile run 2.5 mile hike
Thursday - 13.5 miles bike 2.8 mile run on the beach
Friday - 0
Saturday - 3.1 race 11 mile run
Sunday - 32 miles bike
I didn't get in all the miles on my schedule, or to the track... next week is another week!
Next week is also the Surftown 1/2, last year 2:16, my PR is 2:10. Looking fun to seeing lots of familiar faces!
Sincerely,
Beth, moving forward
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Hanker for a Hunka Cheese
I successfully completed my first trail 1/2 marathon! Meaning I didn't get lost or have an incomplete course, whoop!
2:40:52 for a pace of 12:17. I was aiming for a pace of 12:30 or 3 hours. Yeah, yeah, I know the math doesn't quite add up. Not big on math in my head. I figured 12:30 was a reasonable pace and 3 hours to accomplish something I've never successfully completed, somewhere I've never run, reasonable, or at least wouldn't make me a laughing stock!! Southeastern Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine forest is beautiful and absolutely run-able, you just have to love hills or at least know how to manage them.
Starting out, the 9:00 a.m. race start was pushed back to 9:30 a.m. because of a mix up between the website and the eMails. Guess this happened last year also. I was pretty glad because I forgot my check list and realized, while sitting in the parking lot debating long sleeves or short sleeves that 38 minutes before the race was to start I left my hydration backpack in the motel. YIKES! It was minimally 34 minutes round trip to pick up said belt, would I make it? should I chance it? Yes, no doubt about it. With 5 minutes to spare my hydration pack and I made it back to the race and started to sprint across the parking lot when I heard some guy ask "Hey, does this start at 9:00 or 9:30?" I said "The eMail I got said 9." He said "The website says 9:30." Huh so I scrambled across the road thanking the guy flagging cars for his help and deposited myself in a throng of people discussing the 9 or 9:30 start. Hmmm... This is boding well for my nerves, quite well. The RD announced the races start would be 9:30 due to the mix up between the eMails and the website. Ah. I decided to go back to my car and regroup. The traffic guy said "Hey, quick race?" I said "Yeah, I won, it was easy peasy." Oh how I love Mid-westerners and our ability to talk to anyone. I so miss that living in New England, it takes me a while adjust back to my roots where any off hand or sarcastic comment can and most often does start a conversation and not someone looking at you like you have 2 heads and me resulting back into my bashful ways.
I texted with hubb. He was fishing with a buddy and sent a couple pictures of him and the 15" bass he caught on Watchaug Pond. Nice fish, horrible smile, and he is taking this opportunity to not shave... Absolutely needed the distraction to calm my nerves. I know, what is this with me and the nerves lately... perhaps this birthday I had on Thursday is wrecking havoc with my mind?
This is why I sought some council on sleeves or no sleeves.
The wind had me a bit concerned. Yes, it was in the forest, however there were large swaths of prairie. Counsel (thank you Tonya and Michael) suggested sleeves I went with sleeves and did not regret it. The sun did come out for the last 20 minutes of my run... Otherwise cloudy and windy, even in the woods, and wicked on the prairie.
There were 150 (137 completed) runners for the 1/2 marathon. We started out at 9:30 in a fairly large glom that thinned out after the 3rd mile. I wasn't so sure about this, however trotted along with them, mostly Badgerland Striders, discussing the terrain and we came upon the first uphill, it was slight. One of the guys yells "HILL" and walked the hill. A few others did this. I wondered what the rest of the course had in store, if he was treating this hill as a walker. I adapted to their pace and style until we all broke up. There were some huge hills (see the pace elevation). I do like hills and this walking up them was really an OK thing.
It was a two loop course so I took in the sights along the way thinking, I need to remember this for the second loop. During the second loop I'd find myself thinking, did I pass through that long stretch of trees, realizing that I just had and it really wasn't that long of a stretch. The benefits of running something twice? My second turn through I was able to see the Ultra Runners, trotting along faster than I, and walking the hills, huh. The 50K and the 50 Milers had their own course then two or three loops partially on the 1/2 marathon trail. Seriously to have someone who is running 2 or nearly 4 times as far as you pass you and tell YOU good job, absolutely amazing. I had no earthly right to be as slow or as worn out as I was, or so I thought. Hey these guys and gals have trained for this, talking with some after the race, they are truly amazing. I aspire to 50K.
This was a really easy on the joints trail, nothing like the rocks and roots I am used to. I kept expecting some. The material I read said there were rocky sections. Well, there were, but beaten into the ground pebbles and baseball sized rocks, not the big boulders, or ledge or basketball sized pieces of granite to hop from one to the other on I'm used to.
The race notes said absolutely no headphones. I obeyed, many didn't I wonder if they were DQ for this? I found myself getting lost in my head, not thinking of anything in particular, thinking about things, taking in the sights and the sounds and occasionally singing Greased Lightening to myself. There really is no accounting for taste, and I own that. About mile 9 I could have used a little of the energy the music provides me, otherwise, I was totally fine, and probably better off, without it.
At the end of the race, after fetching my phone from the car I ran into my Cousin, no really literally into her. I looked up and thought, what the hell is this woman doing in my space and then it all clicked. TOBI!!!! We, the sweaty me and her had a huge hug and tears. We always cry, what is it with us? What is it with women being OK hugging other sweaty women? Sheila gave me a hug after the Run Around the Block race... hubb, oh he'll wait till after I've showered, thank you very much. Huh...
Tobi has volunteered at this race, at one of the 50 Miler aid stations, for the better part of the last 12 or 15 years. It all started wayyy back when she was a runner! When we discovered we were going to be in the same place, it was truly amazing. She had fun telling people, oh you know that girl from RI, the only runner from RI, she is MY cousin!!
We spent the rest of the afternoon catching up and drinking beer. By all rights I should be passed out asleep...
Sincerely,
Beth, a little jazzed, maybe a little tipsy on good WI beer, and wouldn't mind a big hunk of WI cheese...
 |
| Key Chain! I didn't expect this! Thought only the 50K got these! |
2:40:52 for a pace of 12:17. I was aiming for a pace of 12:30 or 3 hours. Yeah, yeah, I know the math doesn't quite add up. Not big on math in my head. I figured 12:30 was a reasonable pace and 3 hours to accomplish something I've never successfully completed, somewhere I've never run, reasonable, or at least wouldn't make me a laughing stock!! Southeastern Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine forest is beautiful and absolutely run-able, you just have to love hills or at least know how to manage them.
 |
| Just a little hilly.... |
 |
| Fairly representative of the course, just hilly as depicted above! |
I texted with hubb. He was fishing with a buddy and sent a couple pictures of him and the 15" bass he caught on Watchaug Pond. Nice fish, horrible smile, and he is taking this opportunity to not shave... Absolutely needed the distraction to calm my nerves. I know, what is this with me and the nerves lately... perhaps this birthday I had on Thursday is wrecking havoc with my mind?
This is why I sought some council on sleeves or no sleeves.
The wind had me a bit concerned. Yes, it was in the forest, however there were large swaths of prairie. Counsel (thank you Tonya and Michael) suggested sleeves I went with sleeves and did not regret it. The sun did come out for the last 20 minutes of my run... Otherwise cloudy and windy, even in the woods, and wicked on the prairie.
There were 150 (137 completed) runners for the 1/2 marathon. We started out at 9:30 in a fairly large glom that thinned out after the 3rd mile. I wasn't so sure about this, however trotted along with them, mostly Badgerland Striders, discussing the terrain and we came upon the first uphill, it was slight. One of the guys yells "HILL" and walked the hill. A few others did this. I wondered what the rest of the course had in store, if he was treating this hill as a walker. I adapted to their pace and style until we all broke up. There were some huge hills (see the pace elevation). I do like hills and this walking up them was really an OK thing.
It was a two loop course so I took in the sights along the way thinking, I need to remember this for the second loop. During the second loop I'd find myself thinking, did I pass through that long stretch of trees, realizing that I just had and it really wasn't that long of a stretch. The benefits of running something twice? My second turn through I was able to see the Ultra Runners, trotting along faster than I, and walking the hills, huh. The 50K and the 50 Milers had their own course then two or three loops partially on the 1/2 marathon trail. Seriously to have someone who is running 2 or nearly 4 times as far as you pass you and tell YOU good job, absolutely amazing. I had no earthly right to be as slow or as worn out as I was, or so I thought. Hey these guys and gals have trained for this, talking with some after the race, they are truly amazing. I aspire to 50K.
This was a really easy on the joints trail, nothing like the rocks and roots I am used to. I kept expecting some. The material I read said there were rocky sections. Well, there were, but beaten into the ground pebbles and baseball sized rocks, not the big boulders, or ledge or basketball sized pieces of granite to hop from one to the other on I'm used to.
The race notes said absolutely no headphones. I obeyed, many didn't I wonder if they were DQ for this? I found myself getting lost in my head, not thinking of anything in particular, thinking about things, taking in the sights and the sounds and occasionally singing Greased Lightening to myself. There really is no accounting for taste, and I own that. About mile 9 I could have used a little of the energy the music provides me, otherwise, I was totally fine, and probably better off, without it.
At the end of the race, after fetching my phone from the car I ran into my Cousin, no really literally into her. I looked up and thought, what the hell is this woman doing in my space and then it all clicked. TOBI!!!! We, the sweaty me and her had a huge hug and tears. We always cry, what is it with us? What is it with women being OK hugging other sweaty women? Sheila gave me a hug after the Run Around the Block race... hubb, oh he'll wait till after I've showered, thank you very much. Huh...
Tobi has volunteered at this race, at one of the 50 Miler aid stations, for the better part of the last 12 or 15 years. It all started wayyy back when she was a runner! When we discovered we were going to be in the same place, it was truly amazing. She had fun telling people, oh you know that girl from RI, the only runner from RI, she is MY cousin!!
We spent the rest of the afternoon catching up and drinking beer. By all rights I should be passed out asleep...
Sincerely,
Beth, a little jazzed, maybe a little tipsy on good WI beer, and wouldn't mind a big hunk of WI cheese...
Friday, May 10, 2013
Unstoppable? Perhaps not...
And So It Burns had this in his news feed this morning, it made me laugh for a number of reasons!
I've been traveling. Driving from RI to MI (via CT, NY, NJ, PA, OH) on the 8th of May. It is between a 12 and 14 hour drive, depending on what route I take and how often I stop. Stop for lunch, chat with the trout fisherman along Rte 17 in NY, check out a shop, check out a trail, see what the town of Barkeyville PA is all about, snap a picture of Town of Horseheads sign and chuckle, sometimes I'm compelled to just shut my eyes for 20 minutes. When I am driving, I am doing my best to stay under 80.
After all the highways, it is on to back roads. When I got on the final set of back roads to get to my parents house, I fly down the paved part, in the middle of the road, it is in the middle of no where, no really, it is. When I see headlights coming at me I get in my lane and slow down. Which I did on Wednesday night. Those headlights turned around, and then they flipped on their lights. Whoopsie. I was pretty sure I had slowed down to something near the speed limit (what ever that is) and because he saw me cross the center line figured he was going to get a drunk driver.
The chit chat started, Lenawee County Sheriff "License, registration, and proof of insurance." I said it would take a minute for the paperwork, my glove box was a mess. I handed him my licence and opened the glove box and sure enough everything came exploding out of there. I found the proof of insurance on the top of the pile of paper. Pshew, and oh yeah it is current! I handed it to him and he said "I've never pulled over anyone from Rhode Island before. What is that state like?" I said "Small." and flipped through papers, where is the current registration. He said "No is it rural or city." I said "Little bit of both." He then asked the question "What exactly are you doing out here on Ford Highway? This seems a little remote for someone from Rhode Island." I explained that I grew up out here and was visiting my parents up on XYZ Road and this was the best way from US 23 to get there. Still shuffling through papers, to find that darn registration. Last time I got pulled over (STOP LAUGHING SHEILA) was several years ago in North Carolina (pretty funny story actually). He said, it's that yellow piece of paper. I said it was last years. He said it would be OK if my tags were current. I bit my lip, because yeah that factors into the NC story, he reported my tags were current. And off to his car he went.
He came back to the car with my paperwork and licence and asked if I knew why he pulled me over. I said I was pretty clueless. I figured he thought I was drinking and driving because I crossed the center line, but hey I wasn't going to say THAT!! He said "You were going a little fast, 66" Fortunately I didn't ask "So, what IS the speed limit." I said "OH, sorry." He explained that he could give me a ticket or a warning. I said he should do what he thought best. He then asked me if I thought he was being lazy if he didn't ticket me, because his shift was ending and he really didn't want to deal with the paperwork. Oh good lord... Of course I wouldn't think you were lazy for not giving me a ticket. (Is this guy flirting with me? Aren't I supposed to be the one flirting with HIM to get out of the ticket - and THIS my friends is why I married a man from NY, the MI guys continually baffled me) I thanked him and carefully pulled back on to the road and crossed over the hard top on to the dirt road. He did follow me, until the last turn off to XYZ road.
After I was on my way, my father called. I always call when I get off the turnpike so they know I'll be along in 45 minutes or so. He wanted to know if I hit a deer or what was the hold up. I said, "Oh, I got pulled over on Ford Highway." He said "Way out there, huh, did you get a ticket?" I said that I didn't and I was about a mile away I'd see him in a few minutes and that I had a police escort. He laughed and said "OK see you soon."
So yeah, unstoppable if not for Law Enforcement. DOH!!
Presently I am in the grand city of Whitewater, WI, calming my nerves before the Ice Age 1/2 trail marathon tomorrow morning. There is a 50 Mile and a 50 K race also. Next year a 50K is the goal. You may ask why on earth is she running in WI. Well... a friend signed up for the race and cajoled me into signing up for the race it would be fun she said. I figured it was perfect because I could spend some time with my family in MI motor to WI race, see a cousin or two, motor to IL see an Aunt and then make my way back to the teeny tiny state of RI. As luck would have it one of my cousins is marshaling at the 50 Mile turn around, so yeah!!
I spent a few years of my childhood living in this state, wayyyyy up north in New Richmond, kinda feels like home wayyy down here in the southern part, kinda. My mom mentioned that New Richmond had a foot of snow last week, and perhaps I was glad to be a bit more south, OH YEAH!
I walked a bit of the course after I picked up my bib... very nice, the first miles in either direction are not technical, wonder what the guts of the route have in store?
Sincerely,
Beth, running in the wilds of Wisconsin.
I've been traveling. Driving from RI to MI (via CT, NY, NJ, PA, OH) on the 8th of May. It is between a 12 and 14 hour drive, depending on what route I take and how often I stop. Stop for lunch, chat with the trout fisherman along Rte 17 in NY, check out a shop, check out a trail, see what the town of Barkeyville PA is all about, snap a picture of Town of Horseheads sign and chuckle, sometimes I'm compelled to just shut my eyes for 20 minutes. When I am driving, I am doing my best to stay under 80.
 |
| This frog did not look amused... |
After all the highways, it is on to back roads. When I got on the final set of back roads to get to my parents house, I fly down the paved part, in the middle of the road, it is in the middle of no where, no really, it is. When I see headlights coming at me I get in my lane and slow down. Which I did on Wednesday night. Those headlights turned around, and then they flipped on their lights. Whoopsie. I was pretty sure I had slowed down to something near the speed limit (what ever that is) and because he saw me cross the center line figured he was going to get a drunk driver.
The chit chat started, Lenawee County Sheriff "License, registration, and proof of insurance." I said it would take a minute for the paperwork, my glove box was a mess. I handed him my licence and opened the glove box and sure enough everything came exploding out of there. I found the proof of insurance on the top of the pile of paper. Pshew, and oh yeah it is current! I handed it to him and he said "I've never pulled over anyone from Rhode Island before. What is that state like?" I said "Small." and flipped through papers, where is the current registration. He said "No is it rural or city." I said "Little bit of both." He then asked the question "What exactly are you doing out here on Ford Highway? This seems a little remote for someone from Rhode Island." I explained that I grew up out here and was visiting my parents up on XYZ Road and this was the best way from US 23 to get there. Still shuffling through papers, to find that darn registration. Last time I got pulled over (STOP LAUGHING SHEILA) was several years ago in North Carolina (pretty funny story actually). He said, it's that yellow piece of paper. I said it was last years. He said it would be OK if my tags were current. I bit my lip, because yeah that factors into the NC story, he reported my tags were current. And off to his car he went.
 |
| So not a cool picture at night, but can you hear a little Judas Priest "Breaking The Law"? |
After I was on my way, my father called. I always call when I get off the turnpike so they know I'll be along in 45 minutes or so. He wanted to know if I hit a deer or what was the hold up. I said, "Oh, I got pulled over on Ford Highway." He said "Way out there, huh, did you get a ticket?" I said that I didn't and I was about a mile away I'd see him in a few minutes and that I had a police escort. He laughed and said "OK see you soon."
So yeah, unstoppable if not for Law Enforcement. DOH!!
Presently I am in the grand city of Whitewater, WI, calming my nerves before the Ice Age 1/2 trail marathon tomorrow morning. There is a 50 Mile and a 50 K race also. Next year a 50K is the goal. You may ask why on earth is she running in WI. Well... a friend signed up for the race and cajoled me into signing up for the race it would be fun she said. I figured it was perfect because I could spend some time with my family in MI motor to WI race, see a cousin or two, motor to IL see an Aunt and then make my way back to the teeny tiny state of RI. As luck would have it one of my cousins is marshaling at the 50 Mile turn around, so yeah!!
I spent a few years of my childhood living in this state, wayyyyy up north in New Richmond, kinda feels like home wayyy down here in the southern part, kinda. My mom mentioned that New Richmond had a foot of snow last week, and perhaps I was glad to be a bit more south, OH YEAH!
I walked a bit of the course after I picked up my bib... very nice, the first miles in either direction are not technical, wonder what the guts of the route have in store?
 |
| The 1/2 is mostly the blue loop on this map, hopefully there are not too many places to get turned around... |
 |
| Like, here 50 yards from the start... the course is marked with painted arrows on the ground... |
Sincerely,
Beth, running in the wilds of Wisconsin.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
That was fun!
Big River, trail half marathon with a 10K option, 11 a.m. final race in Off Rhode Racing South County Fourth Season Race Series.
Friday I was released from PT, the hips may never fully align, close enough works in this case. I have plenty of strengthening and stretching exercises to do and the pain is mostly non-existent. I'm good with that. This made the prospect of this morning's trail race even more appealing. Trail running is easier because it is softer and I generally go at a slower pace navigating the roots, rocks and hills; frankly I really enjoy being in the woods.
Saw two people I knew by more than just facial recognition! So nice to have familiar friendly faces. Met E's husband, P, they were doing the 10K. She is just starting out running and 10K is her furthest distance thus far. We run at a comparable pace hopefully we can run some of the local trails in the near future. Michael of Forward Momentum was there with his always encouraging words, thanks!! Hoping that you had a much more successful run! Other faces I recognized but had no names for, so HI!
Mike Galoob, Race Director, introduced the course and mentioned that they did the best they could with marking and if you got lost track back to the trail, failing that just keep going down hill eventually you will hit Carr Pond and follow that till you find more orange flags. If you are even more lost than that, well he really wasn't sure what advice to offer. Giggle...
E and I ran pretty much the same pace for the first 3 miles where the 1/2 split from the 10K. We wished each other well. Me thinking, bloody hell I'm going to be out here for three hours at this pace... well, it is what it is and damn this is so beautiful out here and it is a fantabulous day too. Totally game for spending it in the woods.
I was doing just fine, passed the water station just after mile 4, passed mile marker 5. Climbed up a nice rocky area and that is when I noticed I didn't see any orange flags. I stopped for a little bit and looked around. I went right, this is where I went wrong. Eventually finding Carr Pond, and some orange markers, again another right turn. Figured I missed a turn somewhere on that hill? Then there were runners coming at me. Huh... they said, "Turn around" so I did. Trotted along and then saw some more orange flags and a mile marker. Mile marker 4. Huh... Wait Mike said something about the 10K following the path around Carr pond. Wonder if I've managed to find that trail. Do I turn around and figure out where the 1/2 trail is or just keep going. Considering it took me nearly an hour to get to mile marker 5, maybe this is a sign from above? My guardian angel Eve? My left calf said, "If you turn around I swear I am going to make you scream." Hmmm... Kind of a compelling argument, no?
Where it all went amiss:
Thankfully I am not the only one who got lost, some tried to find the trail, never making it to Carr Pond but finding the "10K return" signs and followed them to the finish line. I hung around at the end for about 15 minutes. Looked like who ever was going to be done was done?
I can't stop laughing. I giggled most of the way home. Hubb was amused by my story; suggested he go with me next time and he can bike and I can run. Seems fair enough. But I'll keep the car keys, just in case!
Of course I took a hike back in to the trail to snap a few pictures. This trail really is beautiful and had a few things that made me wonder. I passed the time making up stories about things I saw.
Maybe this is where Jimmy Hoffa ended up? I'm a Michigan, Motor City transplant, nuff said!
Was the rock split before the tree or did the tree split it?
And how fast is fast enough?
Sincerely,
Beth, just makin' it up as she goes along.
Friday I was released from PT, the hips may never fully align, close enough works in this case. I have plenty of strengthening and stretching exercises to do and the pain is mostly non-existent. I'm good with that. This made the prospect of this morning's trail race even more appealing. Trail running is easier because it is softer and I generally go at a slower pace navigating the roots, rocks and hills; frankly I really enjoy being in the woods.
Saw two people I knew by more than just facial recognition! So nice to have familiar friendly faces. Met E's husband, P, they were doing the 10K. She is just starting out running and 10K is her furthest distance thus far. We run at a comparable pace hopefully we can run some of the local trails in the near future. Michael of Forward Momentum was there with his always encouraging words, thanks!! Hoping that you had a much more successful run! Other faces I recognized but had no names for, so HI!
Mike Galoob, Race Director, introduced the course and mentioned that they did the best they could with marking and if you got lost track back to the trail, failing that just keep going down hill eventually you will hit Carr Pond and follow that till you find more orange flags. If you are even more lost than that, well he really wasn't sure what advice to offer. Giggle...
E and I ran pretty much the same pace for the first 3 miles where the 1/2 split from the 10K. We wished each other well. Me thinking, bloody hell I'm going to be out here for three hours at this pace... well, it is what it is and damn this is so beautiful out here and it is a fantabulous day too. Totally game for spending it in the woods.
I was doing just fine, passed the water station just after mile 4, passed mile marker 5. Climbed up a nice rocky area and that is when I noticed I didn't see any orange flags. I stopped for a little bit and looked around. I went right, this is where I went wrong. Eventually finding Carr Pond, and some orange markers, again another right turn. Figured I missed a turn somewhere on that hill? Then there were runners coming at me. Huh... they said, "Turn around" so I did. Trotted along and then saw some more orange flags and a mile marker. Mile marker 4. Huh... Wait Mike said something about the 10K following the path around Carr pond. Wonder if I've managed to find that trail. Do I turn around and figure out where the 1/2 trail is or just keep going. Considering it took me nearly an hour to get to mile marker 5, maybe this is a sign from above? My guardian angel Eve? My left calf said, "If you turn around I swear I am going to make you scream." Hmmm... Kind of a compelling argument, no?
Where it all went amiss:
Thankfully I am not the only one who got lost, some tried to find the trail, never making it to Carr Pond but finding the "10K return" signs and followed them to the finish line. I hung around at the end for about 15 minutes. Looked like who ever was going to be done was done?
I can't stop laughing. I giggled most of the way home. Hubb was amused by my story; suggested he go with me next time and he can bike and I can run. Seems fair enough. But I'll keep the car keys, just in case!
Of course I took a hike back in to the trail to snap a few pictures. This trail really is beautiful and had a few things that made me wonder. I passed the time making up stories about things I saw.
Maybe this is where Jimmy Hoffa ended up? I'm a Michigan, Motor City transplant, nuff said!
Was the rock split before the tree or did the tree split it?
And how fast is fast enough?
 |
| The sign says: "You need to go MUCH faster than you THINK!!!" |
Beth, just makin' it up as she goes along.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Chasing Skirts
I was poking around on the internet for a sparkly running skirt. I thought
maybe it might be fun to wear a sparkly pink running skirt for the Jamestown
Bridge 10K next weekend. I see the gals in their sparkly skirts in the
bazillion St. Patrick’s Day races I ran, they looked like fun. From what I remember of this race last year it was fun and there was even a guy dressed as a bunny rabbit!! Anyhoodles, I had no idea where they
purchased such things. Then I saw a post about sparkly
skirts and I checked out the referenced website and well now I’m tooing and froing on the
purchase of this. I'd spend more on a few after work cocktails with one of my gal pals in
NYC and I’m getting all wigged over $30 bucks? Sometimes my internal dialogue doesn't make sense to even me. I can’t imagine what Hubb deals with on a daily
basis.
So this prompted me to google “sparkly running skirts” there were pages and pages of blog posts and articles
about skirts. I was a little surprised people were so emotive and verbose about
this apparently very controversial topic. Wow. I used to run in shorts or tights and that was ok
and somehow I stumbled upon running skirts. I can’t remember how but I
fell in love with them from the beginning and have nearly completely switched to
skirts. They are fun, they have pockets - LOVE
pockets – they fit nicely, and the don't ride up or bunch. It all really is a matter of personal preference, what the individual is comfortable in they will run their best and enjoy the race!! Not really sure why women running in skirts is such a big deal or controversial.
Some men wear skirts, mostly kilts, I've seen a few pink tutus... Back to kilts, I saw quite a few of them over
the bazillion St. Paddy’s Day races and a few during the Marine Corps
Marathon last year.
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| MCM 2012 Firefighters |
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| Nice Buns!! - Gansett Marathon 2012 |
I will be purchasing one in pink, a sparkly skirt, not a hamburger. The next decision is bright pink or a
muted pink? OR Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, special orders don’t
upset us?
Tomorrow is a 1/2 marathon trail race. After all this skirt talk, I'll probably wear tights, the prickly things were pretty plentiful when Gizmo and I went out to check out the Big River trails. But who knows, as Miss Scarlett says, "Tomorrow is another day!"
Gizzy is good for about a 4 mile hike in the woods, which is probably more like 5 for him because he takes side trips here and there and then has to catch up. We went two miles out and back, very cool trail, running or mountain biking. Hubb nearly has me convinced to dust off the old Bontrager and get it tuned up. These trails seemed much more my former biking ability levels, so maybe.
Presently, Lord Giz of the Mo is at my feet snoring rather loudly, he was quite happy for an adventure that did not include the youngest members of the pack and to show me how to run the trail. For a 12 year old boxer boy he is very spry!!
The brief hike along the first 2 miles of the 13.1 mile course was great, it really is a lovely trail and I imagine the deeper into the woods it goes the more lovely it becomes. Very much looking forward to tomorrow! Thanks for the encouragement Michael! I'll probably be DFL PLEASE don't let that hold up any of the post race festivities, although, maybe make sure I am out of the woods before the last person leaves? HA!!
Sincerely,
Beth, the mostly skirt wearing runner
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Ocean's Run 1/2 Marathon
Today was the 2nd 1/2 marathon of 2013 for me. Ocean's Run, flat and fast. I'll drink to that! I'm not wicked fast and may never be; simply happy to enjoy a nice long run, with my slowly mending hips, in this wonderful state of Rhode Island, on a what turned out to be a beautiful sunny Sunday morning!
TriMom puts on a great race. This is the 3rd one of theirs I have run and have to say these gals have it locked and loaded on how to put on a race, every thing is easy for the participants from picking up race packages to parking to water stops every mile. Kudos!!!
The course started from the South Kingstown Town beach and wove through the beach and farm community of Manutuck. Matunuk was hit pretty hard by Superstorm Sandy. Yesterday, Lord Giz of the Mo and I went out to Matunuk for a little 'mommy and me' time (enjoying the balmy 52F temps). Places where there used to be land and homes gave way to make the vast ocean even vaster. I noticed quite a few for sale signs, I do wish the residents well.
The landscape in the country side is as beautiful as the beach.
It was overcast and in the high 20F when I left the house this morning. By race start it was high 30F and still cloudy, about 30 minutes into the race the sun poked its head out and stayed out. It was nice to chase my shadow for a portion of the race. The temps never got much above 45F so perfectly pleasant for a race. The head wind for the last 3 miles was even pleasant! Yeah, may be time to get back in to therapy?
There were several out and backs in this race. Normally I am not a huge fan of these, although there was one in the AZ Rn'R marathon and it was nice to see one of my marathon girlfriends so I am beginning to appreciate the beauty of this type of race. I noticed the front runner, hey wait I recognize him, well wait, he had a woolly beard the last time I saw him, could it be? Hmmm something to ponder. I was able to give a high 5 to my friend Don on this first out and back, that was super cool! He is the hare to my tortoise pace, plus it was so cool to actually be able to know one of these fast people! On the second out and back again the front runner, yep, that is him. How cool! By the 3rd out and back he was mile 10 to my mile 7. I clapped and yelled "Go Mike". As I neared that same mile 10 who did I see with several other top finishers, on their cool down run, Mike. He clapped and yelled "Go Beth". I've said before that seeing a familiar face really puts a kick in my step and that was what I needed to get out of my slowing pace.
I finished respectably strong, I started out a little fast, per usual but didn't fall apart. Quite pleased to see only two splits in the 11 minute range, my intention was a 10:30 pace. I stayed pretty close!! Now to work that back to a 9:05 pace to meet my goal of a sub 2:00:00 1/2. (my PR is 2:09:00) Good to have goals.
Great race, definitely one for the books for next year.
Post race I was able to congratulate Mike, so impressive. Meet up with my buddy Don and his wife, thanks for taking the picture Suzan! And formally met one of the guys I've run trail races with (Hi Michael nice race!). Nice to start putting names to the familiar faces in this running world; I am starting to feel like I belong!
Sincerely,
Beth, enjoyed running in Rhode Island and now is contemplating a nap!
TriMom puts on a great race. This is the 3rd one of theirs I have run and have to say these gals have it locked and loaded on how to put on a race, every thing is easy for the participants from picking up race packages to parking to water stops every mile. Kudos!!!
The course started from the South Kingstown Town beach and wove through the beach and farm community of Manutuck. Matunuk was hit pretty hard by Superstorm Sandy. Yesterday, Lord Giz of the Mo and I went out to Matunuk for a little 'mommy and me' time (enjoying the balmy 52F temps). Places where there used to be land and homes gave way to make the vast ocean even vaster. I noticed quite a few for sale signs, I do wish the residents well.
The landscape in the country side is as beautiful as the beach.
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| Cows! I'm a country girl at heart and farms make me feel all warm and cozy! |
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| Walden's way. Oh yes I do believe Thoreau could appreciate these woods. |
It was overcast and in the high 20F when I left the house this morning. By race start it was high 30F and still cloudy, about 30 minutes into the race the sun poked its head out and stayed out. It was nice to chase my shadow for a portion of the race. The temps never got much above 45F so perfectly pleasant for a race. The head wind for the last 3 miles was even pleasant! Yeah, may be time to get back in to therapy?
There were several out and backs in this race. Normally I am not a huge fan of these, although there was one in the AZ Rn'R marathon and it was nice to see one of my marathon girlfriends so I am beginning to appreciate the beauty of this type of race. I noticed the front runner, hey wait I recognize him, well wait, he had a woolly beard the last time I saw him, could it be? Hmmm something to ponder. I was able to give a high 5 to my friend Don on this first out and back, that was super cool! He is the hare to my tortoise pace, plus it was so cool to actually be able to know one of these fast people! On the second out and back again the front runner, yep, that is him. How cool! By the 3rd out and back he was mile 10 to my mile 7. I clapped and yelled "Go Mike". As I neared that same mile 10 who did I see with several other top finishers, on their cool down run, Mike. He clapped and yelled "Go Beth". I've said before that seeing a familiar face really puts a kick in my step and that was what I needed to get out of my slowing pace.
I finished respectably strong, I started out a little fast, per usual but didn't fall apart. Quite pleased to see only two splits in the 11 minute range, my intention was a 10:30 pace. I stayed pretty close!! Now to work that back to a 9:05 pace to meet my goal of a sub 2:00:00 1/2. (my PR is 2:09:00) Good to have goals.
Great race, definitely one for the books for next year.
Post race I was able to congratulate Mike, so impressive. Meet up with my buddy Don and his wife, thanks for taking the picture Suzan! And formally met one of the guys I've run trail races with (Hi Michael nice race!). Nice to start putting names to the familiar faces in this running world; I am starting to feel like I belong!
Sincerely,
Beth, enjoyed running in Rhode Island and now is contemplating a nap!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Brutal
Saturday's "Tough A Nails" Colchester 1/2 Marathon was, in a word, brutal. From the weather to the course to the beating my body took. On the upside, I freaking did it and the course was, besides freaking hilly, gorgeous. The race director was out in various spots running down the hills to run up the hills with us. I have no idea where this man gets his energy from. Amazing.
I had the privilege to run with him twice. The first time we chatted and I mentioned I loved his race description however I had not seen any cows yet. He assured me that the second half there would be cows. The second time I saw him there was 0.3 left in the race and I said, "I"m coming I'm coming as I hobbled/ran." He laughed and said, "Just another 0.3, oh yeah and it is all up hill." I smiled and he said "You're smiling through the pain, that is a good thing."
Let me get some order to this before it becomes a disorganized brain dump.
The race started at 10, in a town about 45 minutes away from where I live, so I hit the road by 8:30 giving me enough time to be sufficiently awake and biologically balanced. The start was at a school called "Bacon Academy" Unfortunately it was not an academy dedicated to the study of bacon, instead it is a school started by a donation from Pierpont Bacon in the early 1800's. I'll spare you the Cliff Clavin monologue.
Checking the weather it was expected to be cloudy, mid 30's, slightly windy, and 30% chance of rain. It misted pretty much the entire drive over and the bigger mist, what I'd refer to as spitting held off until after I was off the course. Talking with a running buddy after the race he did confirm that it felt like it got progressively colder during the race. I thought it had. The weather history isn't confirming anything other than the wind speed increasing, and being sweaty and tired that would make it feel colder!
I was really not feeling this run, my 3 miler mid day on Friday was pleasant, I felt good and was looking forward to Saturday's challenge albeit a little apprehensive about the distance, hills are hills, you just get over them (famous last words). As I ran I figured a good yoga session would help relax and went to Friday night Yoga, new instructor, different sort of class, complete violation of the nothing new rule.
Cutting to the chase: out of 501 finishers I came in 489 and 157 out of 164 for my age group. Chip time of 2:40 12:15 pace. Yes you read that right. The hills did a number on my back, specifically my SI Joint and I ran walked the last three miles.
Some fun facts about the Cochester 1/2 Marathon besides 2013 being the 21st running!
2013 Colchester Half Marathon Fun Facts:
Sincerely,
Beth, who's back is not happy, but overall she is glad she didn't wave down the sweep van.
I had the privilege to run with him twice. The first time we chatted and I mentioned I loved his race description however I had not seen any cows yet. He assured me that the second half there would be cows. The second time I saw him there was 0.3 left in the race and I said, "I"m coming I'm coming as I hobbled/ran." He laughed and said, "Just another 0.3, oh yeah and it is all up hill." I smiled and he said "You're smiling through the pain, that is a good thing."
Let me get some order to this before it becomes a disorganized brain dump.
The race started at 10, in a town about 45 minutes away from where I live, so I hit the road by 8:30 giving me enough time to be sufficiently awake and biologically balanced. The start was at a school called "Bacon Academy" Unfortunately it was not an academy dedicated to the study of bacon, instead it is a school started by a donation from Pierpont Bacon in the early 1800's. I'll spare you the Cliff Clavin monologue.
Checking the weather it was expected to be cloudy, mid 30's, slightly windy, and 30% chance of rain. It misted pretty much the entire drive over and the bigger mist, what I'd refer to as spitting held off until after I was off the course. Talking with a running buddy after the race he did confirm that it felt like it got progressively colder during the race. I thought it had. The weather history isn't confirming anything other than the wind speed increasing, and being sweaty and tired that would make it feel colder!
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| Handy dandy weather thing from the Garmin! |
I was really not feeling this run, my 3 miler mid day on Friday was pleasant, I felt good and was looking forward to Saturday's challenge albeit a little apprehensive about the distance, hills are hills, you just get over them (famous last words). As I ran I figured a good yoga session would help relax and went to Friday night Yoga, new instructor, different sort of class, complete violation of the nothing new rule.
Cutting to the chase: out of 501 finishers I came in 489 and 157 out of 164 for my age group. Chip time of 2:40 12:15 pace. Yes you read that right. The hills did a number on my back, specifically my SI Joint and I ran walked the last three miles.
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| Pace / Elevation at about mile 10 after that long down hill it started falling apart... |
Some fun facts about the Cochester 1/2 Marathon besides 2013 being the 21st running!
2013 Colchester Half Marathon Fun Facts:
- 10:00 a.m. sharp start time – Saturday February 23, 2013 (always the last Saturday in February)
- USATF Certified course (CT112001JHP) certified 13.10938 hilly miles
- Volunteers on every corner
- No t-shirts
- Lots of hills
- No Awards
- Pre-race & post race massages
- Bacon Academy cafeteria post race hearty carbo re-load party, open to runners, volunteers, and their guests
- Mile marks painted on the road
- Some dirt roads
- Bacon Academy High School for a warm & sheltered area to register, pick up your race bib, stretch, and to shower after the race
- Cows & donkeys too
- Professional timing and results
- Rural scenery
- Three Gatorade & water stations out on the course
- More hills
- Camaraderie, tales of woe, and a great bunch of runners
- An Awesome bunch of volunteers
- A loud and encouraging race director
- Sweep car - just in case someone needs a ride back, (f you do hitch a ride you’ll be the last one back!
- The run has a total ascent of 351.05 ft and has a maximum elevation of 620.08 ft.
Will I do it again? Hell yes! Just need to work on strengthening my back although I wonder what hand the vigorous yoga played in my demise.... It was brutal, it was also fun. Next time hubb and I go out to Colchester I will drive him around the course, I'm kind of glad I didn't drive the course or study the elevation profile prior to the race.
Some of my favorite things about this race:
The volunteers at the bottom of a big hill, as I was coming down one hill just after mile 10 the volunteers at the bottom were directing me to turn right and the woman yelled: "You are making this look like too much fun, stop smiling." That made me laugh. I do love to run and that helped remind me of this bizarre passion I have.
Another set of volunteers had a big blow up monkey and was blowing a vuvuzela from a distance it looked rather strange and I welcomed the comic relief.
The cows. They just stood there looking at me, like, I was crazy, I giggled and greeted them good day. What else could I do?
Fellow runners, nearing the end I was getting passed, about 6 people passed me, one noted I had cute socks. They had cupcakes on them. I wonder if this is why I was craving a donut through most of the race? Never fear there was a Dunkin' Donuts on the way home. This is New England you can't swing a dead mouse without finding a DD. (I had a brownie batter filled donut, it was yummy)
The volunteer that said, it is just a nice walk in the country.
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| Yep it is beautiful! |
Beth, who's back is not happy, but overall she is glad she didn't wave down the sweep van.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Sunday, October 21, 2012
OUCH!
Today was my last long run before the marathon. In one week from now I will have run my first marathon. I am so excited, I'm not really that apprehensive. I've trained for this. I set out a decent training plan and mostly followed it. As of today I've logged running nearly 350 miles and at a 10 min mile pace that is nearly 60 hours of running. This does not include my walking or any other cross training. Is this enough? To finish respectably, yes.
The changes I have felt and witnessed in my own body and mind have been amazing on this soon to be 18 week journey culminating in me finishing my first marathon. Truly a challenge I am thrilled to have taken on and hunger for the next one. Any suggestions on my next marathon? next challenge? next race?
My pace was slow today, I was feeling a little, honestly, hung over. Even the pic Hubb snapped of me in my "Never mess with a woman who runs 26.2 miles for fun" tech shirt showed me to be a little "delicate" as one of my British friends calls it. Although my shirt is really a mauve not a purple so maybe it was the lighting?
I ran my usual long run route. Said HI to the ladies stoop sitting sipping coffee and smoking their cigarettes. The little old man was shuffling across the street to pick up his Sunday paper, no dog, I wonder if the dog just wasn't into going out on this crisp fall a.m. or if he expired. Kinda the same old same old, not a lot to report on. One other runner, lots of cars, no bikes.
When I trained for the Providence 1/2 marathon I ran in May, I would post my route as a rorschach test, while not an inkblot sometimes it made interesting figures and people enjoyed pitching in guesses. My purpose was to talk about Lung Cancer and who I had dedicated my loop in the park to. I still do that loop and still think about and meditate on someone I know with or has passed from lung cancer or someone who has a loved one with or has passed from lung cancer. I dedicated this loop to the last name I've added to my list, a new friend had an Uncle who passed from Lung Cancer, quite quickly after diagnosis. This disease touches so many people in so many ways.
This afternoon my massage therapist friend came over to the house to work on me, mostly my legs. She arrived at 3 to the chaos that is our house with four dogs barking and jumping all over the place. She is not unaccustomed to dogs and took it all in stride. The fearsome foursome also joined us for my torture, er massage, session. There were a couple of screams and yelps that upset the dogs a bit. These were prompted by Amy releasing my bound together IT band and hamstring. I was ordered to sit on ice as soon as she left. GLADLY, that HURT and I could feel the pressure release. What surprised me most was the fact my toes stopped cramping up. Holy cow, she worked all that bound up fascia up and down my legs and hips from the PF and the compensation my muscles made as I was recovering from the PF. Who would have thunk this was the reason my toes were cramping and flipping me off!!
Amy mentioned she reviewed my PF treatment plan with the trainer for the CT Sun Women's Basketball team. She is their massage therapist. I run in some pretty impressive circles, eh? She said the trainer wished his athletes were so diligent with recovery from injury. If only he could get the women to follow the plans he laid out for them they would see results and here is this pure ammature plugging along and seeing actual results. I felt pretty smug, wouldn't you?
The dogs did their best to keep an eye on Amy and also win her over with their charms. Love them!
I've been frothing at the the mouth to run Bluff Point, I think I mentioned it rained all day Friday. I did take my eldest dog out there. I've never taken anyone out there, it has always been my place. Half way through the trail it dawned on me this has always been just my place. I was happy to share it with Gizmo. He loved the one one one time although was getting pretty tired by the end of the trail. We saw some beautiful sights and he seemed to sniff some interesting smells. Slowly the sun came out making it an even better trip. I did want to splash through the mud and puddles. I tried to remain dignified, it was difficult.
There were a few runners on the trail. I was so jealous. After the marathon you can trail run again, don't risk injury, don't risk injury!!!
On the last downhill from all the rain the trail was pretty beaten up. I caught the glimpse of a runner behind me, bright green shirt, nice! Making sure she can be seen! Two thumbs up. I maneuvered Gizmo to the more rutty part of the trail, giving her the best part of the trail for THE best part of the trail. She passed, we exchanged hellos and thank you's. I said "This is the best part of the trail, isn't it?" She said "Yes, down hill and near the end." then we both heard it, CRACK, the tell tale sound of a dead tree falling in the woods. The at least 5 inch in diameter dead tree, fell, she instinctively put her hands over her head, the tree, missing her head by inches, caught her left foot. She fell. I rushed up "Are you OK?" She got up, stopped her GPS, looked around, disgusted at the forming scrape on her left shin, and answered "Yes, I think I am fine. Do you have a cell phone?" She was going to call her husband. They were staying at the Marriott and he ran part of the trail with her and was going back to the hotel. No luck getting ahold of her hubb. We walked out to the parking lot. Chatting about running. She was one week out from the New Orleans Half Marathon and was wondering if what felt like a broken toe or two were going to cause her to not PR that race. I told her was training for my first marathon and while wanted to run the trail, didn't for fear of injury. She said "Totally hear you there." Ooops sometimes I need to think before I speak!!
When we got near the trailhead, we were about 0.2 miles from the end, there was her husband. He saw her with me and another woman and our dogs and the blood running down her left leg and said "Oh honey what happened?" She had kept it together very well until then but really wanted to break down "I nearly got killed by a tree falling." I could hear her voice crack. He comforted her and eventually realized they had RUN to Bluff Point and shouted, "Hey, can you give us a ride?" Of course, no problem. Loaded them and Gizmo up into the car and we chatted about running and injuries and that she would just tape up the toes and run next weekend. Atta girl, don't let this near death experience get you down.
Her husband asked if she was planning on wearing heels to the wedding they were attending. Really?
I never asked their names, I do have their phone numbers from her trying to get ahold of him. Maybe I'll text them and see how she is doing. Guess I could ask if she wore the flip flops or the heels?
This is why I don't run without my phone. I had a nasty tumble on the Vin Gormley trail that shook me up bad enough to keep it with me. Not that anyone would have been able to find me, but at least I could try!!??!
Stats:
Sincerely,
Beth fully in taper mode
 |
| Training Plan with Notes |
My pace was slow today, I was feeling a little, honestly, hung over. Even the pic Hubb snapped of me in my "Never mess with a woman who runs 26.2 miles for fun" tech shirt showed me to be a little "delicate" as one of my British friends calls it. Although my shirt is really a mauve not a purple so maybe it was the lighting?
 |
| Hubb "Should you really be wearing that shirt yet?" |
I ran my usual long run route. Said HI to the ladies stoop sitting sipping coffee and smoking their cigarettes. The little old man was shuffling across the street to pick up his Sunday paper, no dog, I wonder if the dog just wasn't into going out on this crisp fall a.m. or if he expired. Kinda the same old same old, not a lot to report on. One other runner, lots of cars, no bikes.
When I trained for the Providence 1/2 marathon I ran in May, I would post my route as a rorschach test, while not an inkblot sometimes it made interesting figures and people enjoyed pitching in guesses. My purpose was to talk about Lung Cancer and who I had dedicated my loop in the park to. I still do that loop and still think about and meditate on someone I know with or has passed from lung cancer or someone who has a loved one with or has passed from lung cancer. I dedicated this loop to the last name I've added to my list, a new friend had an Uncle who passed from Lung Cancer, quite quickly after diagnosis. This disease touches so many people in so many ways.
 |
| See anything? The loop in the park is just to the left of the green bubble. |
This afternoon my massage therapist friend came over to the house to work on me, mostly my legs. She arrived at 3 to the chaos that is our house with four dogs barking and jumping all over the place. She is not unaccustomed to dogs and took it all in stride. The fearsome foursome also joined us for my torture, er massage, session. There were a couple of screams and yelps that upset the dogs a bit. These were prompted by Amy releasing my bound together IT band and hamstring. I was ordered to sit on ice as soon as she left. GLADLY, that HURT and I could feel the pressure release. What surprised me most was the fact my toes stopped cramping up. Holy cow, she worked all that bound up fascia up and down my legs and hips from the PF and the compensation my muscles made as I was recovering from the PF. Who would have thunk this was the reason my toes were cramping and flipping me off!!
Amy mentioned she reviewed my PF treatment plan with the trainer for the CT Sun Women's Basketball team. She is their massage therapist. I run in some pretty impressive circles, eh? She said the trainer wished his athletes were so diligent with recovery from injury. If only he could get the women to follow the plans he laid out for them they would see results and here is this pure ammature plugging along and seeing actual results. I felt pretty smug, wouldn't you?
The dogs did their best to keep an eye on Amy and also win her over with their charms. Love them!
I've been frothing at the the mouth to run Bluff Point, I think I mentioned it rained all day Friday. I did take my eldest dog out there. I've never taken anyone out there, it has always been my place. Half way through the trail it dawned on me this has always been just my place. I was happy to share it with Gizmo. He loved the one one one time although was getting pretty tired by the end of the trail. We saw some beautiful sights and he seemed to sniff some interesting smells. Slowly the sun came out making it an even better trip. I did want to splash through the mud and puddles. I tried to remain dignified, it was difficult.
 |
| View of the swamp just before the first uphill. |
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| View of the LI Sound, sailboat in the distance. |
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| The last downhill |
On the last downhill from all the rain the trail was pretty beaten up. I caught the glimpse of a runner behind me, bright green shirt, nice! Making sure she can be seen! Two thumbs up. I maneuvered Gizmo to the more rutty part of the trail, giving her the best part of the trail for THE best part of the trail. She passed, we exchanged hellos and thank you's. I said "This is the best part of the trail, isn't it?" She said "Yes, down hill and near the end." then we both heard it, CRACK, the tell tale sound of a dead tree falling in the woods. The at least 5 inch in diameter dead tree, fell, she instinctively put her hands over her head, the tree, missing her head by inches, caught her left foot. She fell. I rushed up "Are you OK?" She got up, stopped her GPS, looked around, disgusted at the forming scrape on her left shin, and answered "Yes, I think I am fine. Do you have a cell phone?" She was going to call her husband. They were staying at the Marriott and he ran part of the trail with her and was going back to the hotel. No luck getting ahold of her hubb. We walked out to the parking lot. Chatting about running. She was one week out from the New Orleans Half Marathon and was wondering if what felt like a broken toe or two were going to cause her to not PR that race. I told her was training for my first marathon and while wanted to run the trail, didn't for fear of injury. She said "Totally hear you there." Ooops sometimes I need to think before I speak!!
When we got near the trailhead, we were about 0.2 miles from the end, there was her husband. He saw her with me and another woman and our dogs and the blood running down her left leg and said "Oh honey what happened?" She had kept it together very well until then but really wanted to break down "I nearly got killed by a tree falling." I could hear her voice crack. He comforted her and eventually realized they had RUN to Bluff Point and shouted, "Hey, can you give us a ride?" Of course, no problem. Loaded them and Gizmo up into the car and we chatted about running and injuries and that she would just tape up the toes and run next weekend. Atta girl, don't let this near death experience get you down.
Her husband asked if she was planning on wearing heels to the wedding they were attending. Really?
I never asked their names, I do have their phone numbers from her trying to get ahold of him. Maybe I'll text them and see how she is doing. Guess I could ask if she wore the flip flops or the heels?
This is why I don't run without my phone. I had a nasty tumble on the Vin Gormley trail that shook me up bad enough to keep it with me. Not that anyone would have been able to find me, but at least I could try!!??!
Stats:
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| Slow but steady |
Sincerely,
Beth fully in taper mode
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