New Things Hurt

I did it, I freaking did it!  17 miles!!  I am on the verge of sobbing right now.  Is that normal?

Per usual the first 4 miles sucked, man that mind of mine really is a major downer.  I felt a knee tweak just after the 4 mile mark and thought, oh shit.  Then I remembered what a friend's husband commented about aches and pains "If you are changing your gait change it back to your normal gait."  Gary is one smart cookie, that is for sure.  I imagine I am changing my gait in some small way.    The pain is acute and behind the knee cap and only when it tweaks.  My knees are always sore after I run, sore, not in pain.  I suppose this is Runner's Knee?  I'll look into elastic braces and start the appropriate strength training exercises to get things to stay aligned.

During the first four miles I passed the usual folks.  The guys looking a little mystified as to where they are and where is their car.  The ladies who sit on the stoop and smoke and drink coffee. The old man taking his ailing pup out for a morning tinkle.  I imagine him as some bad ass Marine back in his day. Chomping on cigars giving the grunts hell.  He has that broad shoulder build.  He is always so nice and waves and says good morning.  The couple who walk side by side and don't skootch over for anyone, cars, bikers, runners.  They had their dog with them this a.m. the dog like to walk ON the yellow line!  It isn't a hugely traveled road, but still it is windy and hilly and we should all SHARE the road!

I got up and around and down on my first out and back and felt pretty damn good, and then the second out and back was just shortly after that.  Down there I ran in to the Watch Cat.  She watched me run by the first time and was still there on the back part of the out and back.  Didn't move, didn't blink.  Cutie, isn't she?

Watch Cat

My cheerleader in the gray truck wasn't out.  I was bummed.  Still a few people did wave back when I waved.  There were a ton of bicyclists out.  Wonder if it is the season or there is a race or something?  Always nice to give and get a "Good Morning" from a fellow masochist.

Just when I was starting to get a little tired, and where everything went to hell last Sunday, Sargent Vines came on the iPod.  Perfect timing, since the iPod was not on shuffle this would play for the next hour and get me damn close to mile 17.

I love "singing" along. It is nice to just grunt or bark or say something that would make no sense to anyone not hearing what I am hearing in my earphones.   Love Love Love Love

Traffic on US 1 was good, people skootched over when they could.   Drivers paid attention, awesome, thank you drivers!  Until I got closer to civilization.  What is it with New York drivers?  Do they not pay attention.  If I wasn't paying attention he could have run me over.  He was looking left to turn right (which is totes normal) but not right to make sure there were no pedestrians.  So I did what any one would do I smacked the window and then the back quarter panel of his car.  THEN he noticed me.  I continued on my run as he pulled over to the side of the road trying to figure out what the hell had happened.  Tee hee!  THIS is why runners need to pay attention and run defensively.

I spied a tennis ball in the middle of a parking lot.  Awww  Diesel is cheering me on.  Miss ya Big Guy.

Wow, this is getting long.  Well I could take a short cut and just wrap it up with my stats.  But like I did this a.m. I decided to tackle one more hill.  It is a lot steeper than it looks in this picture. Left would have taken me on a more direct route home, and it is down hill.  I went up hill and am happy I did.  What an awesome run!

I walked the last 0.25 miles home and did a check how do I feel.  The inside of my calves hurt, they had never hurt before, better pay special attention to stretching them.  Everything else ached as it normally does.  It wasn't until I got into the shower that I found the chafing.  YOWZA does that hurt when you get water on those spots!  I've been having problems with chafing and my sports bra and I should have used some glide.  What I wasn't expecting was the chafing under my arms from the tank.  Next long run I am wearing my Team Lung Love jersey, just to see if or where that may chafe.  YOWZA that hurt. Better dig out that "Glide" from my gym bag and use it!

My stats:

The route looks how I imagine a "Dementor" looking.

Stayed under a 12 min mile overall pace, woot!

Hilly!

Sincerely,

Beth who is tender in new places and says "17 miles isn't for wimps, when do I get to do it again?"

Saturday Walk Day

Schedule was an 8 mile walk.  Woke up to rain and cooler temperatures.  This warranted a long sleeved shirt.  Found a nice bright pink one, perfect for the occasion on a somewhat dreary rainy Saturday.  Laced up the shoes, donned the waist pack with two bottles of water, some cash, and some GU Chomps.  The iPod shuffle seems to be working again.  I reset it. I wonder if that will do anything to help the battery hold a charge?  Donned my new Garmin Forerunner 410, I don't know why I felt the need for a new watch.  The 110 worked OK, granted it didn't pick up a signal quickly and never seemed to hold it in the beginning of my run and I had a devil of a time getting it hooked up to charge or to down load data.  So yeah, those inconveniences and for some reason I am feeling cash rich and needed a new gadget.

A fellow walker commented that she liked my top, it was easy to see from very far away.  I commented back that was the point.  I wanted to be seen, sometimes it is scary walking or running on the road.  It rained pretty much the full 2 plus hours I was out walking.  No blisters to report, and my shoes are drying out.

I run this course weekly and have walked it now twice.  I see it so differently at 16 minute mile versus a 10 minute mile.  Nothing really picture worthy what with all the rain.

The big project for the day was preparing for a girlfriends baby shower on Friday.  This required a trip to Babies R' Us.  Scary scary place for childless me!  I managed to not get lost and it only took me an hour to figure out what I wanted to purchase and how I would incorporate it into the presentation of the gift.  Shhhh.... it is a surprise.  I'll post a picture after Friday, she may read the blog.

Tomorrow's route is partially unknown, 15 - 17 miles.  I've driven it several times but never run or walked it.  Slightly apprehensive and slightly excited. Better make sure the iPod is charged I'd really like to have tunes for the run.  I'll see if it holds the charge until Monday why take a chance it really is dying.

Sincerely,
Beth walker for a day

One Crown Coming Up! Oh Yeah and My Take of Blessing of The Fleet Road Race

Friday started with a dentist appointment.  Hubbs latest dental adventure funded a new 80" television for the dentists home.  I think they saw easy prey when I sat in the hygienists chair?  Upper back left tooth, cracked.  Crown next summer, most likely.  Yippiee.

Friday ended with a 10 mile road race, Blessing of the Fleet, in Narragansett, RI.  Sir GIS-A-Lot talked me into this way back in March, we'd go up with a couple other local runners.  My BIL, due to transportation issues, also had to bail.  Work runner friend Don said, thanks but no thanks "It can be a hot one." Can't say they missed too much.  They would have been running to fast to take in what I took in!

My stats:  time: 1:45:51 / overall place: 2,134/ 2,642  / place in age/sex 237/317  (splits below - what do I do with this data!???!?!!?  anyone? Buller?)

The walkers (462 of them) started 30 minutes before the runners (2,642).  The walkers, and by that I don't mean Zombies, hubb was nearly bummed he missed this if there were actually zombies involved. The walkers were to start at 5:30.  I got up to the start area about 5:30, plenty o'time to walk around a bit, get a little jog in, get warmed up.  Mother Nature had other plans, she had a shower in mind. A nice accompaniment to the humid stillness.

The sky threatened

And it rained

And it stopped just about 5:50.  I wandered up to the starting line.  The race was getting chip timed so everyone didn't need to crowd the front to get a decent race time or pace or why ever people crowd the start line.  Why do people crowd the start line?  Let the elite runners, the top 10% up there, the ones that are going to blow through these 10 miles in 50 minutes to an hour.  So it drizzled, we hung out, 6 o'clock came and the walkers were summoned to the starting line.  "Walkers?"  Said the runners around me.  We thought they went at 5:30.  Well the officials held the race for 30 minutes so the weather could clear.  Runners now start at 6:30.  Now there is a mass of runners, 2,642 finished so there were more starters as a few people dropped out mid way through.  I hope for the best for the ones who didn't make the decision and were taken off the course on a stretcher.  This throng of runners crowding both sides of the street waiting anxiously to get the signal to fill the start chute.  There were a few incidents of jumping the gun to fill the start chute (which was an active roadway) and the police had to cut a swath through the crowd to let vehicles through.  There was one lady who looked terrified, the guy next to me said, "I think I just saw her lock her doors, she is in fear of all of us." I said, "We do look like an unruly bunch, don't we?"

Blessing Course

We were off at 6:30, my plan was to not go fast out of the chute.  As I sucked wind at mile 1 and saw a 9 minutes on the mile 1 clock I thought, well shit this isn't a good start.  I backed down and passed mile 2 at 19 minutes.  (splits below).   The air was still, stark still, it was still and heavy.  Ugh.  We are at the mile 2 inner dialogue of Seriously Beth, what in the world do you think you are doing?  Hey wait, she can run 14 miles.  Seriously Beth, you've had two lousy nights sleep, it is humid, you don't want to injure yourself.  Hey wait, you could try slowing down and get in a quality run, work on form, pay attention to form.  Seriously Beth and Hey wait battled it out and I saw the mile 3 marker.  Ah well that was fun, lets get back to business here.

Mile 4 approaches.  Damn I really need to pee, is there a porta poty?  Nope... Oh look a dirt side street, I'll just sneak down here.  Ahhhh....   Back to it, adjusting my sweat and rain soaked shorts and tank.  And look at this young boys with the hose out hosing off the runners.  HOLY COW did that feel good!

Mile 5 HALF WAY!  Ya freaking Hooo! People handing out crushed ice, thank you very much I'll just slip some under my hat! A little George Thorogood I Drink Alone on the iPod... hey let's turn this up.  And it dies.  The ear buds most likely...  They may say sweat proof, it is a big fat lie.  On, no probs. Take off the ear hooks and shove the wires in my bra and hope for no chafing.

And now, approaching Mile 6, I get to hear the conversations of the other runners and the walkers.  Side note the first walker finished at 1:49:57, so pshew I didn't get beat by a walker.  Behind me I hear a couple critiquing the other runners styles.  She lands on her toes to much, that can't be good for her.  She lands to heavy on her heels.  Did you see the guy with the ugly shoes.  And the one going barefoot, how weird is that.  Oh, I think, I have to see this pair.  They waddled, it was cute, waddling like a couple ducks squawking like a couple of chickens the whole while.  And PS, those shorts totally don't go with those shoes, just sayin'.

Mile 6 and most of 7 were in the woods. BEAUTIFUL, no sun, no breeze, but no sun.


Then we came up on the party street, very cool.  More walkers to deal with though.  Why must you walk 4 abreast.  I am seriously sorry for knocking into people and getting knocked into people, this isn't roller derby, I get that, just move to the right, as you've been instructed.  I am sure you can hear the sloshing of my water bottle and the squishing of the runners soaked shoes.  Move over, PALEAZE!  OH lookey more boys with water hoses, yes please spray me, you are wonderful.


There is a little up hill approaching mile 9, Sir GIS-A-Lot warned me about this he said don't take it easy keep your pace up because it is all down hill from there.  It was.  I got nearer and nearer the chute and got more pumped, I passed quite a few people and "chicked a dude".  Stomping on those timing mats I was winded and felt great.


Now what the devil are all these people doing standing in the finishers area?  You, with the stroller, WTF?  Oh grapes, oh orange quarters, oh hot dogs, ugh solid food sounds disgusting.  OH shit, sorry for kicking your stroller but hey if I stop I WILL pass out...  Get me out of this crowd.  And finally I am out of the crowd standing near the sea wall munching on grapes and talking to another runner and dog lover.  Hey Carlos!


And then on the bus to get back to Vinnie, change into a dry shirt (Hubb brought me back a super cool t-shirt from The Cape, picture later) and go home.


I was beat, I managed to shower, and talk to Hubb for 15 minutes before I went to bed.

Blessing Splits

Blessing Pace and Elevation, guess where I stopped to tinkle...  LOL

I May Have Drowned My iPod Shuffle

Today was the 2nd leg of the United Health Care Triple Crown.  A three 1/2 Marathon race series.  The first was in Providence.  Which was also my Team Lung Love run!!!  The second, today, in Jamestown, RI. The third October 14th in Newport, RI.

I set out with a goal of 2:10 for the race.  This is aggressive.  My Providence time was 2:17, and the Jamestown course was far hillier than Providence, and the weather warmer and wetter.  Generally July is warmer than May, and it was bound to be humid, and the sprinkling rain was great (really, I love to run in the rain).  No complaints, no excuses, just the facts!  And I didn't have Carrie there keeping my pace up!

I kept up my desired 10 pace for the first half of the race pretty well (I'll insert my splits), or at least I felt like I did when I was running!  I finished with a time on my watch of 2:23... I'll update with the official results when they are posted.

The day did not have an auspicious start.  My alarm was set for 4:45, giving me enough time to wake up, eat a peanut butter sandwich, drink water, brush teeth, shower, dress and make sure I had every thing and saunter out the door 5:15 at the latest.  Reality:  I slept through the alarm, I have to remember to turn up the volume.  I woke with a start at 5:13.  Fortunately it was really 5:08 because we keep loosing power and my alarm clock goes a head a few minutes, so Pshew...  I scrambled around.  Thankful I had laid everything out the night before and pinned on my race bib (geek).  Quick scrub of the teeth, quick rinse in the shower, make the PB sammy grab some water, kiss the hubb, run out the door shoelaces untied.  FORTUNATELY I did not trip.  Because, yeah, I looked down and thought OH SHIT I'm going to bite it on my own front walk, wouldn't that suck?  I made it to the car, tied my shoes, took off, 5:25 a.m.

Friday when I picked up my race packet I also bit the bullet and got a RI E-ZPass.  They cost $20.95 and I couldn't see paying that for a transmitter when, wait what?  it costs me $4 EVERY trip across the bridge with the NY E-ZPass and it would only cost me $0.85 with the RI E-ZPass.. Hmmmm  One will pay for itself rather quickly, so yeah, lets get one.  Of course it isn't active until 6 a.m. the next morning.  Well with my oversleeping issue I hit the Pell Newport Bridge at 5:59:30 and shoved the NY E-ZPass in the foil package and put up the RI E-ZPass.  Well how about that GREEN light AND the velcro things were the right distance apart.  If I was on my original time schedule this would have cost me an additional $3.15.  Woot!  

The last shuttle left the Newport Grand lot at 6:15 (we had to be bused to the race start as there was no parking on the Island of Jamestown, as it is quite tiny).  I was on the straggler shuttle. When the traffic director said that, the guy behind me just laughed, I said, yep, stragglers!  Got to the starting line with just enough time to use the porta potty.  Yeah I hate 'em but they are necessary.  The porta potties, sans toilet paper were being delivered as I arrived.  There were lots of angry people and even angrier when they discovered there really was no toilet paper.  Just as my turn is coming the guy delivers the toilet paper.  WOOT.  So maybe this is all working out WAY better than I thought it would when I woke up 25 some odd minutes (oh you do the math between what the clock said and reality, 25 minutes seems fair) late.

Ok so the race starts.  Mile 1, is a tough one for me.  I need to find my pace, my feet, my rhythm.  I'm noticing that it is nice not running in the sun and I enjoy running in the rain, so hey this might not be so bad.  Mile 2 presents its usual "Seriously, Beth, what ARE you doing, you aren't a runner, come on lets just walk, please"  Mile 3 marker pops up and everything clicks, really clicks.  I have my cadence my tunes are awesome, found a couple people to pace with and I was loving it.  Feeling on top of the world, I can do this all day long.

Miles 5 - 7  Hill, the big one.  Take a gander at this elevation profile:

I knew 6 topped the big hill and was happy when it was over.  Somehow the remaining 6 or 7 climbs (depending on how you look at it) didn't exist in my mind, but trust me my rear knew they were there!!!

Mile 9  I realize I am not going to hit 2:10 and just relax into the run.  I pass on the down hill, hey I am taking advantage of gravity.  I pass this guy, he starts to pass me on a flat and we just run next to each other for a few hundred yards.  I say, "Hi" he says "Hi" he keeps up for a while and eventually falls back.  Huh... can I call this chicking a dude?  Yeah, no, it wasn't, that only counts at the end of the race...

Mile 12 nice view of the Narragansett bay, bit of a breeze.  Only one mile left.  Wait, what? ANOTHER hill.  You are freaking kidding me.

Mile 13  THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. is all I can think.  All of a sudden my dragging feet get moving.  Really feet?  You couldn't do this at mile 10?  Maybe we would have hit 2:17?  (refer to elevation chart, there was a hill, perhaps the feet were doing the best they could?)

I love running through the chute with all the cheers.  These people don't know me, they are just cheering and it is wonderful.

I love spectators that cheer at races.  The ones that sit there, and wait until the person they are cheering show up, they suck.  They do, they suck.  Just cheer ALL the people on.  OMG what a lift it gives, what a lift.  Just that good job, clap, smile, wave.  I always say thank you, and I mean it  THANK YOU, it helps so much to cheer on the runners.  They may be having a great run or a poor run or an ok run, but you, you dear spectator, cheering us on, we LOVE it.  Or I do...  Guess I can't speak for all runners.  Runners?  What are your thoughts?

During the race I thought about various things, in no particular order:

• Multiplication tables, I still can't get 8x8 right... grrrrr.... but it sure does help to focus thoughts not on running.
• Level Renner's article about the cost of races, which all I took away from it was, I wonder if this guy considers me a "Tourist" in races.  I really do think of myself as a runner, and I am my own worst critic, maybe I shouldn't think of myself as a runner?  To his credit and to his point, races are getting expensive and I have no need for a finisher medal, especially if this jacks up the price, which most likely it does.  Finishing and having my results posted on CoolRunning is so totally awesome, that is all I need.  Dude, I can google myself and see race results, that is awesome!
• Wade and Rod -  They inspire me to be the best I can be.  To keep on keeping on.  Both are fitness professionals, and really do treat their body like a temple and are proud (not arrogant, not boisterous, beautifully and subtly proud) of their accomplishments, and what makes me admire them so much more, they are proud of their students (and their friends) accomplishments. 
• My mom and dad - what a time they have had the last 5 years, and just this year.  How much I miss them and admire them for all they have accomplished and done.  
• My friends - JoAnna because I could hear her clanging the cow bell.  Sheila because I knew she was up sipping coffee crocheting cheering me on.  Michelle because I knew she had her ass in bed with her gorgeous husband. Matthew because how can be be so damn good at WWF, he is killing me, killing me!!  Don every time I would slouch or strike my left heel heavy, I would straighten up, like someone pulling a string out of the top of my head.  Julia, Carrie, Diane, and Nelia my TLL Team Mates, because I simply admire them.  Running with Cupcakes because, damn I wonder which one of these women I've passed or who has passed me is her!
• My husband - my iPod Shuffle started doing funny things, like saying stuff in the middle of songs "nice song"  "great running song" I thought, what the devil did he do to my iPod, and how sweet, wonder if he will have any other encouraging words.  I also wondered if he actually remembered me kissing him good bye. 
• Running -  IKR, I'm running and I'm thinking about running?
• What am I going to write in the blog. 

Splits - I have no idea what to do with this data, but it is data there for it is good and should be collected..... and cause I referenced them and I'm sure one of you can pick this apart?  or not?  or like me just like data!

After the race is when I began to realize that my iPod was actually malfunctioning, while my husband is a wonderful guy neither one of us touch each others computers... I must have drowned the iPod.  I was dripping wet, seriously, DRIPPING wet with sweat.  I clip the little iPod guy to my left bra strap and he got soaked.  I will let him dry out and see if he is ok.  I really like the 3G iPod shuffle, totally basic, no screen no scrolling.  I need to find a new place to clip him.  Damn the bra strap worked so well, but eventually he isn't going to recover from his salt baths. And that is how I may have drowned my iPod Shuffle.