We All Run For Something

Today was the 4th half marathon I have run in my running career, we are approaching the end of year #2 of me as a serious runner.  Seems like this is something I have always done, I suppose in a way I have...

I set a goal of 2:15, knowing my PR is 2:17.  Ok, so not really pushing it, but hey I have another 7 miles to run later to day to keep on track with my marathon training plan!!!  Cut a girl some slack.

I met my goal, at least according to my Garmin.

After laying out my racing outfit, I had a momentary concern that the temps (predicted to stay in the 50s until 10 a.m.) would be too cool.  Do I go with a short sleeve or a long sleeve shirt?  I went with short, and it was perfect.  Long would have been too much, plus it isn't really fall yet!  It was  BEAUTIFUL day for a race, cool, dry, breezy, who ordered this weather?  I want to tip them!!

It was pandemonium at the starting line.  2,000 runners I heard someone say.

I think that may be a little high, but we shall see when the official race results are published.  There were pace runners.  I lined up in the area of the 2:15, which was my goal and I figured this would help me to not blaze out of the gate.  Well the bazillion runners in front of me did help with that.  I kept it at a 10 m/m pace for mile 1.  Perfect.

We went out and around Weekapaug and were able to see the elite runners as they passed back towards the beach.

The first water stop was just that a STOP.  WOW!  I was not paying attention and smacked into someone, whoopsie.  I was off in my own la la land with the new tunes on the iPod!  The Weekapaug loop is nice, although the pavement is a little bumpy and you do need to watch where you are planning for your next foot fall or it could be a shocker if it is a hole or a bump!

Back towards the beach I was feeling really good, focusing on landing mid foot and PUSHING myself forward rather than landing heel and PULLING myself forward. My heel is in a bit of pain as I type this, but nothing like races or long runs previous.  I saw an older man with a shirt honoring his fallen son.  Later on in the race we both walked the same water stop.  I put my hand on his shoulder and said "I am truly sorry for your loss."  He said "Thank you."

Captain Ben "Pokey" Sammis MARINE Semper Fi

This made me think, we all run for something.  I run for Lung Cancer, well yeah, and to have long talks with Jack, mostly I run for my mom, for a cure / awareness / compassion about Lung Cancer.  This got me thinking about my race singlet for Marine Corps Marathon.  A dear friend lost her mother in February to Lung Cancer, Diane and my mother shared the same Oncologist and support groups, my mom says how weird it is to not see Diane and her husband Al in support group.  I think I want to have an additional mom on my race shirt.  I know my mom would be proud to share the space with Diane, I can only hope her daughter will agree, and I'm pretty sure she will.

There were lots of interesting shirts in the race.  I liked these two next best.

Chasing Down a Dream - Old Guys Rule

I have no doubt the woman in pink is going to achieve her dream.  She was clipping along brilliantly and had a smile on her face!  Makes me proud.   And well Old Guys Rule, well they do.  Someday my hubb may actually have gray hair, just a bit around the temples, for now he has his full head of thick sandy brown wavy hair.  He may not look like an old guy till he is in his 60's and possibly will never loose any hair.  Totally not what I am accustomed to coming from a family where the men loose their hair early and every one starts getting gray in their 20's.

We ran past the beach and down through Watch Hill.  What a beautiful place.  I figured out where my training run went wrong, route wise wrong.  I went up the longer sloping hill rather than the race courses steep get this over quick hill.  That was really the only hill and then it was down hill with a couple of mini hills until we reached the end.

I was so sad so see this girl start walking. I got up next to her and said, "you are doing great, you only have a little ways to go (0.2 miles) don't give up!"  She said she was on her 'walk break' and everything was OK.  Pshew I hate to see anyone, so close to the finish give up.

There were a couple of women in orange shirts they wizzed past me, well not wizzed but were going faster than I was.  Less than a half mile to go and it was time to get on my crazy legs, as did the women in orange.  The three of us just tore it up to the end.  Kind of nice to find other crazy legs in the chute.  I told them they were an inspiration for me to step it up and the one said to the other 'she made me and I think I am going to vomit'  I agreed that was a good idea.  My tummy had not felt right since the pre-race porta potty visit. *shudder*

Once through the chute, medal and water obtained. I ran into a former co-worker.  I could only remember his nick name "Buzz Light Year" (eventually I did remember his proper name) and said "Hey Buzz" and lifted up my sunglasses.  He said "Damn Beth how the hell are you?  How is Crazy Land?"  we bantered back and forth about Jackass (Work Husband), Number One Smart Guy, Shrek, and G-Dogg.  He isn't really enjoying the 'California Culture' of his new company, he said at least at Crazy Land if you pissed someone off they were right in your face about it and you could settle the issue, California Culture is full of backstabbers - he is slowly getting used to it.

Yep, he still looks like Buzz

A nice couple in the parking lot snapped a post race picture for me, I felt pretty damn good about what I had just spent the last 2 hours and 15 minutes doing.  It is lovely to feel proud of oneself, don't ya think?

Stats:

Splits

Pace / Elevation

Course

Sincerely,
Beth who is feeling proud of herself.

Sometimes You Just Have To Walk

Anywhere5K's status was "Sometimes you just have to walk", what ever my witty post title WAS going to be it is long gone and this is now the title for today.  I think it is rather appropriate considering my 13 mile training run this morning.  I got a bit of a late start, seems both Gus and I were having tummy troubles so once mine got sorted, and Gus finally took a Tums.  It is really hard to explain to a dog that this will make you feel better.  I had to crush it up and put it in peanut butter and I put it in too much peanut butter with probably exacerbated the tummy issues.  Poor guy something is just not sitting right with him.  I knew what MY problem was and I required me to get a 30 minute later start than I planned on...

I decided to run the Surftown Half course, starting in Watch Hill and running through Misquamicut and Weekapaug and back to Watch Hill.  I figured parking in Watch Hill would be easier.  They have spaces with a 2 hour limit and I'd be back in 2:30 or less and I was starting around 7:30 (which turned into 8:15). Never the less I'd be gone, hopefully, before prime beach time.

Route

Normally my long run is on Sunday, and since I have a three day weekend I thought I'd take advantage of the opportunity to run long twice, meaning a Saturday and a Monday run.  Running is a mental sport and a physical sport.  I need to get used to running on Saturdays.  Mostly I need to get out of my own mind.

Got my self all parked and situated and basically knew where I was going to be going.  I lost the little street listing I had jotted down last night but basically remembered where I needed to go.

As I approached Misquamicut I saw this interesting tree, for all of you who have lost or left beach toys or other things at the beach, this seems to be where they end up.  Well those that don't end up as general trash on the 'trash islands' forming in our oceans.

Debris Tree?

About this time I noticed I was not on my route alone another woman runner, just a bit faster than me.  Not much mind you, so I had someone to pace with (read: try and keep up with) for several miles  This was nice because I was getting into the boring part of the run along the beach.  Wait, that sounds wrong.  This was along the straightaway that I would see twice, so boring in that aspect.  Exciting in that all the beach goers were walking to the beach and driving to the beach, so it was fairly busy.  Quite a few runners and bikers out  and I was running in to the wind, which is nice and cooling.

I got a little turned around in Weekapaug and should have went right when I went left then I would not have gotten turned around.  Alas, these things happen. Interestingly it did not skew my mileage.  I had lost sight of  woman runner and didn't know if we were on the same course or not and thought well I'll go left and up and around this loop and then back on to the boring beach road.  I also figured there would be some shade in the neighborhood (there was) and then it would be nice to be along the ocean before going back on boring beach road.   I didn't go far enough down, I recognized a street name and thought, oh that is where I need to turn. I should have went 1/2 block further and I'd of been where I needed to be.  In any event, back over the Weekapaug breachway and stopped to get a bottle of water, to replenish, I was at the half way point and thirsty.

All of a sudden I hear voices behind me, eventually they catch up.  Woman runner and another woman runner.  They say HI and woman runner says I saw you in Watch Hill.  I said that was where I was heading back to.  We were all on our weekly long runs.  The two woman went ahead for a while then the other woman decided my pace was better so we ran together and walked together.  At one point I just said, I am not feeling this, go on ahead.  She was happy to walk and talk with me for a few minutes and we  picked up the pace again.  Her name is Deb.  She hails from Baltimore and is training for the Baltimore Half.  She will also be running Surftown in two weeks, hopefully I will see her again.  I asked how long she has been running and why she got into running.

Deb is a breast cancer survivor, double mastectomy, after three tries they could not get clean margins.  She said she had never had much of a chest and that was just heart breaking to loose what little she had.  Cancer just wasn't going to win.  One of the medications she is on to keep the cancer at bay is known to cause a 10 pound weight gain.  She was adamant she was NOT going to gain that 10 pounds and she was going to run again.  Well she did NOT gain that 10 lbs, in fact she lost 20.   She is mid 50's, you'd NEVER know it by looking at her.  I'd peg her at mid 40's like me.  She said she got into running halfs as the training wasn't as demanding as it was for the 100 mile bike rides she used to do pre-cancer.  As she talked, and we ran, it was nice.  She said she ran a Disney Princess Half and loved it.  They run it before the park opens and were able to run through the castle to places no one is allowed to go.

The whole conversation gave me chills.  How wonderful.  She was NOT going to let cancer beat her and she was NOT going to let the 'cure' cause her to get fat.

I spied a C-Store and really needed some Gatorade and bid her a fond farewell, congratulations on her victory over cancer, and hoped to see her again in a couple weeks.    That Gatorade never tasted better.  I walked a bit got my gumption together and ran more.

This was NOT my best training run ever. Instead of chalking them up to junk miles I worked on form and landing more mid foot and keeping my posture straight and leaning at the ankles a bit.  I will not kick myself for my lousy pace or for walking.  It was what it was and I did it, end of story.

After I got to my destination I saw Woman Runner and said "You are a beast!  Go Girl!"  She said "4 more miles".   I said "You can do it, you are awesome!" and swigged my water and hobbled to a shady spot to try and stretch my legs.

Stats:

Splits

So maybe not my fastest run. But not as slow as I expected.  166 minutes = 29 WW points! Did someone call and ask if I wanted to go for pizza tonight?  I do believe Hubb just rang with that question.

Elevation

HR

Pace

 I need to review the "Player" to see what happened where, but you can see there isn't a lot of consistency after mile 7.  Is this a factor of it being Saturday?  Late Start?  Heat? Tummy issues? Mind games?

Sincerely,
Beth who's bad training run, really wasn't bad; when is a run a bad thing?

The Road Less Traveled

Today's run was 15 - 17 miles.  I had it mapped out, with the alternatives to extend to 17 if I felt like I could handle it, and ready to go!  Loaded up my Fuel Belt with water, GU, and money (so I could buy more water along the route I mapped out).

The actual route, 14.2 miles

Like every good plan there are contingencies you just aren't prepared for, and just hope for the best. I am so grateful for the folks at Greenhaven Marina, well more grateful for their porta potty.  One of the things I was very happy to see on my training run today.   And looky you can even see the little line off the course where said porta potty is located. Tee hee.

This was the second time I noticed the guy in the gray pick up truck, he beeped softly and stuck his hand out the window with a thumbs up.  Damn that made me smile.  My more paranoid friends would probably go into stalker alert mode.  I was happy for the positive affirmation.

The next off the beaten path was The Road Less Traveled, not maintained by the town, not really sure what to expect, but I figured the three miles out and back would be worth it!

Nice and shady, so far so good, little bit of a hill, not bad.   The sights I saw took me away to different times, and one well, just was disturbing.

My Father needs one of these!!

There was also a little cabin just past this sign.  Interesting little place, very neat and tidy, not at all Ted Kaczynski style. But I sorta thought I heard some banjo music.

This was a bit weird.  I know, how does a tree stump and a sign weird me out?  I think it was the glowing eyes, they caught just a hint of sunlight peeking through the trees...  Congratulations to Tom and Laura for what ever they accomplished!

Then I started seeing what I expected to see, nice houses, really nice houses, cobble stone driveways, and expensive cars.  Less than a dozen of these houses. What a view.

The view, Stonington Borough in the background

And it was back up the 1.5 miles to the main road.   A mile or so in to the same old same old, then the gray truck drove by again!  WOOT! Another THUMBS UP!!! Oh you paranoid people, settle down.  He is probably a runner too!!

My path took me straight rather than my usual right to head back home.  Uncharted territory again.  30 MPH seems to be a suggestion on the roads, as do Stop signs.  I take it all with a grain of salt.  What I didn't remember from driving this route were the hills.  Well more the big down hill.  My knees did not like that.  I think they were tired from walking yesterday?  I've never had both of them hurt so much.  After mile 11 the walking (well a little hobbling) started. Mile 12 was the gas station I thought was closer appeared.  Some Chocolate Milk and Gatorade.  Why, yes, I do have a strong stomach!  And had I been running it would have seemed closer!!

Elevation Chart

Had a nice chat with a lady advertising for her tag sale.  She asked how I liked the Fuel Belt and I gave her the pros and cons.  She has been running with a bottle on a waist pack.  She ditched the hand held a while ago, it gave her neck problems too.  Hmmmm... I wished her well on her tag sale and she wished me well on my training and on I went.

I was never to happy to see this f-cked up intersection, ever.  Crossing it in a vehicle is tough.  It is a usual 4 way intersection, however you have the added bonus of a rail road bridge pylon turning it into a nightmare for anyone turning left in any direction.  I hobbled across knowing I was nearly home, just one long hill to climb.  Fortunately going up is way easier than going down!

So what did I learn:

1. A mile walked is way longer than a mile run
2. What I thought was a convenience store is actually a bar
3. A rest day pre-long run is important
4. The road less traveled should be taken, everyone needs to see new sights

The gray pick up never appeared again.  Wonder if I will see him for next Sunday's long run? I do so love the drive by cheers!!!

My splits, if your interested.  I think I'm getting slower...

Sincerely, 

Beth enjoying icing and writing this entry.  

SGK - 60 Miles in 3 days is not for Whimps

I've been absent since the 30th of July.  Krikies...  I'll run you down on what I've been up to.

• 7/31 That was a Tuesday so I was in NY....  what a wasted trip that was.  The folks I needed to meet with worked from home.  My usual train home partner worked from home...  I got out early enough to participate in Girls Night Out with my CT based crew, yeah!  Margaritas and Mexican food, Yumo!

Margarita

• 8/1 Dinner with the BIL and the Niece and Nephews
• 8/2 Drive out to Cleveland for the Susan G Komen 3-day walk.  60 miles in 3 days...
• 8/3 Day One SGK 
• 8/4 Day Two SGK
• 8/5 Day Three SGK
• 8/6 Drive home with swollen legs
• 8/7 Hair appt first day back at work
• 8/8 Making a lame attempt at a post....
• 8/9 Today editing and posting...

I signed up for the Susan G Komen 3-Day prior to the controversy with Planned Parenthood.  I struggled with participating.  Either way I signed up I had to raise the funds if I participated or not.  They weren't letting anyone skate out.  I can't blame them, SGK is a corporation.  It started as a non-profit (don't know this for sure) and turned into an industry.  I am a capitalist and don't fault capitalism,  It is what makes the world go round.  Socialism certainly doesn't, someone has to make the money to distribute to those who don't do for themselves.  And I am not going to fight or acknowledge political views.  So, let us just move on.

So anyhow I was apprehensive.  My PF was HURTING from the Blessing of the Fleet on the 27th.

Blessing of the Fleet towards the finish

I was petrified this could sideline me for MCM.  Of course that is a self fulfilling prophecy.  I altered my gait and caused some problems with my hamstring and calf muscle.  Focusing on getting back to my normal gait fixed most of the problem  But walking 60 miles over 3 days one is bound to get some over use injuries.

Working with the Sports Med folks they stretched me out and all was good.  Then someone said "Try this" and threw a pack of Biofreeze at me.  Icy Hot on steroids.  Well this made my leg blow up...  Petrified I had done some damage Day 3 I went to the sports med folks post lunch and they poked and prodded and said you didn't tear or strain anything, your not yelping in pain and you walked in here.  I said, "Perhaps a reaction to the Biofreeze?"  We agreed that was it.  Don't wrap it, no more Biofreeze and keep ice on it....

I finished the 3-Day with ice wrapped on my leg, well it was ice when it was wrapped, it wasn't ice at the finish line.

Let me break it down:

Day 1 - 22.2 Komen miles, they tend to be longer than real miles.  Went well, a little sore, ready for some Jack and bed by 9:30.  I was out like a light

Feeling OK

Day 2 - 21.7 Komen miles.  We both thought we were going to die.  It was hot, it was humid.  2 miles from the 'finish' we wanted to give in but didn't want to let each other in.  Out like a light by 9:30 after a nice soak in the hot tub.  I was also introduced to Biofreeze

Dying would be nice

Day 2 - 17 Komen miles.  We were happy to be done and have spent three days together.  Trish's husband was there to take pictures and be supportive.  He rocks!

VICTORIOUS

All in all it was amazing, not as amazing as the first time.  Numbers are down so there were half the number of participants, only 640 so there wasn't the energy from the participants.  The city of Cleveland and the Western Subs ROCKED, totally ROCKED.  SO supportive and appreciative.

The number of houses we passed with survivors either out front greeting us or with a simple sign saying 'In support of' or 'In memory of'  what got us both choked up was the sign saying 'four survivors live here'...  and I am getting choked up, again.

After nearly two weeks break I ran again tonight, 3 miles, felt great, still muscle soreness and tightness behind the left knee, nothing else seemed off!  It was tuneless and watch-less.  Tuneless because my iPod was out of gas and watch-less because I just wanted to run and not watch my pace.

Sincerely
Beth who totally needs to wear another color besides pink for a few days

#Anywhere 5K and Susan G. Komen 3 Day training

Yesterday and today was the Anywhere 5K Troop Tribute race.  I ran mine, this a.m., for my Paternal Grandfather.  He was a U.S. Merchant Marine, we don't hear much about them and they are military...  so I figured what the heck, I hadn't spent any time thinking about him lately and it is good for me to have a subject to ponder while I run, even if it is only 3.1 miles.

I suppose I could have counted yesterdays 5K as a 5K with a 10 mile warm up?  Nahhhh....   I ran the first 5K of my 8 miles for today.  Where is that pesky schedule... I messed up last weeks 11 and only did 8, I think today was 8 and I had decided to walk the Saturday miles.

Wait, today is Sunday you say?  Well my long run was the race yesterday, so Sunday's miles and Saturday's miles got swapped.  Jeepers how quickly you people forget!  Don't you keep my life top most in your mind?  HA HA HA

OK, so where was I.  Yes the 5K, My time was 32:36, not great, not bad, hey I ran 13.1 yesterday.  The 5 miles turned into 6 when I decided to explore a side street.  Oh boy, I haven't walked for exercise in a while!  You do use different muscles.  I kept a consistent 15 mile/minute clip and finished in 90 minutes.  I definitely need to do some longer walks to get used to what that feels like for the SGK 3-Day (60 miles in 3 days) walk the 3 - 5 of August in Cleveland.  So excited to see my GF Trish, it has been a year!  Grateful for FB so we can stay connected and get to know each other over the last year.

From this point I start to wonder why there are so many more women involved in fundraising and walking or running for a cause?  Thoughts?

Speaking of fundraising..  I still haven't started to beg for sponsorship for the Marine Corps Marathon I am running in October with Team Lung Love...  just wait.  There is a link on the side though....  if you'd like to jump the gun and sponsor me!!

I will leave you with some of the lovely sites I see on the Pawckatuck CT side of this route!

The Flamingo Chairs.  Wouldn't having a cocktail watching the boats come in be lovely?

Flowers, I love this old wrought iron fence and the Hostas and the Tiger Lilies plus there are usually some ducks out on the water.

I just love this old majestic house.  

To me this is absolute tranquility