iPod Shuffle Down

Firstly, I should really be sleeping in preparation for tomorrows Blessing run. Or rather sufferfest.   Although I think Galoob's sufferfest may have been one, more fun, two more awesome, and three more pretty. 

Ah doesn't that make you feel all nice and cool, with a side of thigh/bum burn?

Alas, I am not...

I killed another iPod shuffle, drown this one on my run on Sunday.  Dagnabit...  

Last year the iPod shuffle died mid way through the Blessing, (it got all weird at the end of the Jamestown half)  this was during the time when I was absolutely resolved to never run without music...  that has changed, a bit, bordering on a lot...  I am now convinced (or wanting to be convinced) the music is what slows me down.  There must be a DSM classification for this, right?

So, honoring the tradition of nothing new on race day, I will bring the new iPod shuffle with me.  But may or may not use it...  after spin class tonight, I may not meet my sub 1:40 goal, or I may, who knows.  Life like running, for me anyhow, is a big game of craps.  Sometimes you roll 7 or 11 other times 2, 3, or 12...  Good or bad depending on how you bet, right?  Pass/ Don't Pass...

Good luck to all those racing the Blessing tomorrow.  I'm running for the free beer and camaraderie of Nicole and friends!!!  Oh yeah, and dessert!!  Always dessert!

Cannoli and Toffee from Crumbs, NYC

Sincerely
Beth, who probably should be a little concerned about the Blessing, but isn't, and won't be until she's in the finish chute.

Twilight Trail Run - Recap (and a very short book review)

Last night was the 13th annual Twilight Trail Run.  I've run this race the last 4 years.  2010 and 2011 I ran the 3.6 mile loop  (48.19 and 47.26 respectively) I've seen improvement on this time over the last 4 years of running that trail.  My best time is 34:14 (on 3/9/12).  2012 and 2013 I bumped up the game to the 7.4 (1:16:22 and 1:16:09) nothing stellar, DLF for my sex/age group this year and 12 out of 16 last year (none of the same women ran last year, if that means anything).  I felt like crap all day, and even leading up to the race.  Fortunately there were friends there to keep me laughing.  Amy with her pointy elbows, cheery cheerful too freaking cute Ro, and Don always positive offering to pull me off the course (after he finishes, of course).

Sure, I could have opted for the 3.6 mile loop, but really didn't want to have to deal with what ever I would need to deal with.  It was 7.4 miles on trails I love, suck it up butter cup.

The start is it's usual glom of people, the heard thins out about 1/2 a mile in.  I'm learning how these things work.  I pushed up the hills to secure some ground over people, smart?  dumb?  who knows.  I just know that I have always pushed myself to run those hills and the coast the down hills is my treat.  Then the cut off for the 7.4 mile and the 3.6 mile race.  Going down to single track, the woman ahead of me and I chatted back and forth about that last long slow climbing up hill.  We figured we were in the back of the pack, really someone has to be last, right?  (there were a few people behind us) When we got to the section that is all ledge and looking out over the water on the right we both gasped and said this is my favorite part.  Truly it is beautiful, any time of year.

OK so this is from 3/12... not yesterday...

I kept up with her until we got back on the two track, I stopped for water (oh yes I did) and never let her out of my sights but I just wasn't pushing to keep up.   Once out by the RR tracks it was time to see the front runners, lots of familiar faces.  You go guys and gals!!  Over to Haley Farm on more single track then two track and back towards Bluff Point (where apparently I am 2nd fastest Haley Farm to the Bluff - one more thing to figure out about Strava - so Yeah Me!)

I had a little gas in the tank for a strong finish!!  Love that crazy legs feeling at the end of a race. I've no idea where that extra little oopmh comes from, and it isn't always there.  Happy when it is!

After catching up with Don and Ro, I found Amy to dig those pointy elbows into my tight muscles.  I really think she enjoys people screaming in pain. (You do Amy, admit it. And I do enjoy it after it is over.)  On the way home, Hubb called to find out where I was and could I pick him up a Blizzard if I was planning on coming home soon.  Sure thing hon, I'm just coming home from a race.  Does that man not pay attention when I talk?  He said, oh yeah, I thought you mentioned something about that.  Thanks pal...  I had him text me his concoction, my brain was not going to remember anything, and said I would be along shortly. 

Dumb dumb dumb.  I was hungry, standing in the never moving line, hoping I didn't pass out.  The two drunk men, father and son, flirting with me was a nice way to pass the time.  Obviously they could not smell me was what Hubb had to say about the whole thing. Yes, he did appreciate his Blizzard and that was probably not an appropriate dinner for me?

My plan was to sleep like the dead, the stuffed up nose, sore throat, and bed spins (non-alcohol induced, thank you very much) didn't really allot time for that.  Well shit, just what I need a summer cold.

Missed Mike's race and spent the day sleeping and reading "The Impossible Cool" by Eric Orton.  Very good book. It is a training plan book, yes, and it is more.  It is a conversation with Eric Orton on what are your true goals and what is holding you back.  His plan is about what YOU want to accomplish and how much effort YOU want to put into YOUR goals.  Eric gives you the pieces of the plan, you just have to do it.  Very similar to "Run Faster Run Less" by Bill Pierce, Scott Murr, and Ray Moss.

Due to traffic problems a few weeks ago I wasn't able to hear Eric speak about his book at R.J. Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT.  But I did get an autographed copy and hopefully will get to see him speak at a future time.

I enjoy reading books about running.  Personally, I think we know what works for us and what doesn't, it is interesting to hear what works for others as well as the science behind it.  How about you?

Sincerely,
Beth, feeling less spacey, and really needs to learn to listen when her body says rest.

Color Me Rad 5K - Recap

As it usually starts, Hubb is out with the guys on a Friday night, I'm home, drinking, either catching up on Blue Bloods or knitting and yes, of course, Facebooking.  Someone suggests a race or I find a race and with a little arm twisting, ok not really, I sign up. I can't even remember how many months ago this was...  Karen has just started getting in shape and walking on the treadmill and wanted to have a goal of a 5K.  She invited me to this event "Color Me Rad 5K Hartford"  Huh, usually my invites from Karen involve drinking, why sure, I like running even more than I like drinking and too cool to be involved with her first 5K.

Fast forward to yesterday afternoon and I am out running errands and off to pick up my bib and shirt in Hartford, I get a message from Karen's cousin Tuesday, I have your bib.  I message back, I was just on my way to Hartford thanks for saving me the trip.  I give her my cell number so the group can meet up in the morning and decide that it is time I took a drive around the Colchester Tough as Nails 1/2 Marathon course.  When I wasn't ready to cry in pain from my SI Joint dysfunction I remember it as being beautiful, well yes hilly, but beautiful, even in the raw ugly month of February.  Yesterday, it was even more so!

I need to plan a morning to run that all on my own...

Karen messaged me later in the day things in her house were a logistical nightmare and they were down to one car so she had to beg off.  I was a little bummed but not going to miss this event, sounded like fun.  Next time friend!!

I get up to Hartford, with the directions to Rentschler Field the Color Me Rad website suggested, actually pretty good, except for trying to get into the parking lot, you had to approach from a different direction.  There was no way we were going to be able to turn right into the parking lot (IKR, really weird).  The mini van behind me, turned around and went into the Cabella's parking lot. I followed, figuring we must be headed to the same place, right?  Well we were and parked way in the back of the lot nearest the stadium and all the chaos.  Now to meet up with Tuesday, and the rest of the gang.  She called at some point and said they were waiting in line to get into the parking lot, and to meet by the red shack to the left of the field. I said ok and just wandered around among this sea of people in white cotton t-shirts, white tu-tus, white hats, feeling a little odd with my blue cap and non cotton white shirt and gray shorts and spied what must be this red shack, and it was to the left of the stadium.  Fortunately we were facing the same direction, coming at it from a different angle it could be on the right!  The group of 8 convened and we went off to find the starting corral.

You really can't call this a race, it isn't set up like one, it is an event, and because of this I think a perfect way to experience your first 5K or have a fun outing with the kids.  Seriously, you should not be be out there to PR or race this, you should be out there to get as much damn color on you as possible and have a good time.  See getting all messy, what a great thing for kids, right???  There was even a bridal party.  What an awesome bachelor/bachelorette party!!   Although I will always hold firm that mine was the ultimate, me and my maid of honor going to Napa Valley for a week of wine tasting to pick out the sparkling wine for my wedding.  Then again, I am a little biased...  Anyhoodles...

Sweating it for the Bride

It was a sea of white at the starting line. and the color bombs started flying as we waited!

A sea of white cotton.

So I mentioned that people wore cotton.  After the race I understand why this is important!  My 'run for beer' tech-t did a good job with the dry powder and being colorful, once I started sweating and getting sprayed with liquid color, it did what a tech-t is supposed to do and wick it, spread it around so the moisture releases.  Didn't make for a very pretty finished shirt.

This guy was so ready to take off and run across the finish line!

I did get to run with someone for their first 5K they ran.  Pam, who was introduced to me as Peanut Butter, and Queen Smart Ass, here, so desperately wanted to say "And which one of you is Jelly?" but wasn't exactly sure of my audience as I had just met these 7 people!!!  Nothing like getting started on the wrong foot...  A few hundred yard past the starting line, I looked over and there was Pam we continued to run together, only stopping when we had to for one of the color bombings and to get a bottle of water.  The rest of the time we talked and ran along.  I did make the mistake of asking "Are you a runner?"  She had sized me up as a runner and stumbled with the question.  I rephrased, and will always remember to ask it this way:  "Do you run?"  She then relaxed and went on to explain that she runs a bit and walks a bit and commented it looked like I was a runner.  I never got a change to say:  "If you run, you are a runner."  so Pam, you ARE a runner, next time anyone asks you that question and BTW you look like you are a runner, so neener neener foo foo!!

Beth and Pam!  See that smile, she's got the bug!!

The course was interesting.  For some reason we both thought it wound around the streets.  But really how could it with all these color bombing stations going on.  It was a loopy course around Rentschler Field, and just when you thought this turn was the last one and the finish, you snaked around AGAIN!  That really did make it fun.

All in all this was a great experience, I am terribly bummed it didn't work out for Karen and positively thrilled I could run a race with someone very new to racing, this was the first 5K Pam ran from start to finish.  Michael, I think she may be hooked, I saw that little gleem in her eye as I pushed her to go faster as we neared the finish line!!   Muwahaaaaaa!!!  It wasn't a timed race, and I didn't wear my watch or set my Map My Run up.  I'd estimate we finished in about 35 minutes, not too hard, and not any lolly gaggling around, for sure!

And at the end it was a sea of color.

Sincerely,
Beth, enjoying encouraging new runners!

PS the color is dyed corn starch and comes off of skin really easily.  I'm not so sure on the tech-t or the socks yet, but who knows.  I'm just happy to not look like a badly dyed easter egg!

Race Recap

Jamestown Bridge was fun. Trimom really does put on a good race!  Kudos! Nothing is left to chance.  The Trimom folks are always keeping the athletes informed with pre race information.  Bib pick up is quick and easy.  Race day arrival and bag drop (and pick up) seamless.  Seriously excellent preparation and execution!

The race starts with a down hill (the on ramp to Rte 138), then the first climb to the top of the bridge, a little circle bringing you to the first water stop (the water stop pro guidelines were totally on the money!) I was looking forward to the "Last Chance Water Stop" where I'd see Running While Mommy's smiling face.  Of course having never seen her in regular clothes it took me a minute to recognize her!!!  Then it was up the on ramp back on Rte 138 for the second climb.  I climbed with another runner.  I was watching as he kept running backwards then forwards.  After he asked me how much further and I panicked (I couldn't subtract 6.2 from 4.5 - remember the I'm not so good with math in my head post?) and the subsequent math lesson straightened out (it was 1.5 miles by that time) I asked why he kept running backwards.  It was to give himself a bit of a break, he wasn't really trained for 6.2 miles and his shins were bothering him and running backwards was better than walking.  I laughed and said, I'd either end up on my ass or in the Narraganset Bay.  So we ran to the top of the hill together and he slowed down to run backwards for a bit and I coasted down the hill.  Knowing that there was one more hill to climb before the finish.  Passing mile marker 5, looking at my watch, I was nearly tracking to meet my goal of one hour for the race if I managed to keep a steady pace for the climb. I finished at 1:02.

After getting home and looking at last years results, 1:00, and spending 10 minutes beating myself about the head and neck over two minutes.  Insane much?  And then whining to a couple of running buddies, one who is coming back from an injury where she has to start from ground zero and another one who just signed up for her first 1/2.  Unfeeling much?  I decided to set the emotion aside and looking at this logically.   What are the possible variables?  Hmm let's see:  training, weather, other runners.  Last year (consulting the training log) I was seriously training for a 1/2 marathon in May, not just running races for the shirt or the fun of it.  The weather was warmer and I don't remember having such a headwind to the up hill finish.  Lastly, I wasn't chit chatting with a Mr. Runs Backwards, totally ok, talking and running is a good thing!  Net net, I was in a different place this time last year. You know what, I finished the race happy with a big smile on my face, my buddy Don and his Wife said I looked good and happy, at the end of the day that is what counts, right?

It is a fun race, the view over the bridge is amazing and it is such a freeing feeling to be up high and over the water.

2012 race photo.  Still smiling!

Sincerely,
Beth, enjoying a little post race euphoria, and maybe later a little whiskey.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Yesterday was all bunged up to squeeze in a run with oddly spaced meetings.  Then a 5 p.m. deliverable that no one but me took seriously became a 6 p.m. deliverable.  As a result I missed TRX.  I have to leave by 5 and that was not happening.  These things happen.  I miss it after two weeks off, and now it is three weeks off.  Next Monday!  Although missing things seems to be a trend for the first 8 days of this year...

Today was an open calendar with an opportunity to run I took advantage of.  Ding dong would have taken a few more mile advantage had she not forgotten her gloves.  The wind off the water was cold and now I think I know why people run clock stupid, the coldest wind is off the water and at their backs running the direction they run.  I had gloves in my bag, I just failed to put them on.  Lesson learned, took a good hour for my hands to really warm up.

It was a lovely and sunny 4.4 Mile 45 Minute run, when my hands weren't taking the brunt of the wind chill.  The air temp was 40F, I did not factor in that wicked wind chill off the Long Island Sound.

A friend sent me his race list for the year and this got me going on picking races for 2013.  Of course one thing leads to another and I start looking for 1/2 marathon per month. Can we say over committer??  I'm good for all months but December. Perhaps TX or FL?  I think the list is good and now I need to pick which ones and leave room for the 'oh that sounds like a cool race'.  OH yeah and family....

How do you determine which races to run?  Any thoughts on my list? Run any of these races? Suggestions for a December 1/2?

Sincerely
Beth, weighing options

2012 Drawing to a Close

I left work with Jackass giving me a hug and a kiss saying, "You've had an awesome year, it has been fun cheering you on.  See you next year unless we can get together for drinks over the break."  We are off the 24th - 28th, with everyone but me taking the 31st off.  I'm not wasting a vacation day...  Hopefully the guys and I and the spouses can get together for drinks over the break.  If not I made them all some rum balls.  I'm a girl after all and like to do these dorky homey things.

It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of the year.  I finished up my self review at work with the goals I had set out how they were achieved or delayed and the other things that were not on the plan and accomplished due to always changing business needs.

Runningwise I set a goal to run 1 race a month in 2012, continuing on from running one race Oct, Nov, Dec of 2011.  Athlinks tells me I ran 14 races last year.  Definitely my goals!  I should go count my bibs to see if it all matches... I'm sure I have more than 14 bibs from last year...

The last race I ran in 2011 was a 5K trail race in Wakefield RI, at Old Mountain Field, this is part of Off Rhode Racing 4th Season Trail Race.  The race director set a series of 5 races for the winter, with the last ending in March when the time changes back to Daylight Saving Time.  The cost to enter is a minimal fee plus two canned goods to go to the Johnnycake Center.  The last series raised over 1,000 lbs of food! 

Sunday was the kick off for the second year of the series.  The course was a bit different and more challenging.  Instead of a good distance of  wide open spaces the race director kept it to the first 0.1 and last 0.1 being open field and the rest were single track.  Which means you need to pick your place early on in the race.

I picked a nice pace, not a fast pace, and was semi-content to run at the end of a string of runners were were less aggressive than I am on the trails.  Not that I am wickedly aggressive, I do push myself to jump over stumps and rocks and pick a route over obstacles that doesn't require me to stop and walk across and obstacle.  I do love running through the mud...  It was a little frustrating.  However passing on single track takes A LOT of energy and was a I willing to expend that much that early in the race and risk having them pass me later or just end up passing me on a less technical part of the trail?  I ran conservatively until the last mile.

A woman in pink over took the glom of us, 9 runners I think.  There were some nice S curves coming up ahead and perfect for over taking someone and getting more than a few steps ahead of them.  She over took. I over took. Then she slowed down and I over took her.  I felt great, and confident and then WHOMP tripped over a rock and I was down, she whizzed past me.  Oh well.  I lost my cadence.  Ok I gave up a little bit, too.  There was no way I was going to beat my time of last year, well perhaps there was...  I finished strong on the nice wide open flat.  The next race in the series is the 6th of January Beach and Trail in Narragansett.

Comparison of this year to last year...  Interesting, eh?

Year	Final Position	Age	AG	AG Place	State	Time	Pace
2012	111	45	40-49 F	9	RI	34:20	11:05
2011	112	44	40-49	9	RI	33:53	10:56

Sunday afternoon was reserved for the most awesome massage therapist in the world to come over and un-stick my sticky muscles.  As I screamed and writhed in pain I could hear Hubb downstairs chuckling.  He said, "You seriously find benefit in that torture?"  I assured him that I do.  He shakes his head and says he will never understand me sometimes.  I really really need to make friends with my foam roller more often.  Amy just said "Beth you are a mess."  I am feeling exhausted and must more flexible.  That was the point, right?  Tonight over dinner he said, "You seem a lot less stiff, I'm surprised.  I hate massages."  Well, to each his own, right?

Tonight was TRX, what happens in TRX stays in TRX, I took the opportunity to tell a story I've been DYING to tell.  OMG, it felt so good to tell it in a safe environment we all got a bit of a chuckle and the others shared similar stories.  Ah.....  Do you have any safe environments you can let your ass show and not have any repercussions?

In what I can report on TRX, I managed 6, yes 6 plank rolls on the right side with out having to cheat by resting my elbow.  On the left 8, but I cheated a bit with a teeny rest on the elbow.  Hoorah!  I'm happy with that progress.  Last week I couldn't even get one unassisted on either side.

Oh goodness this is full of words and no pictures....  well sorry folks...  next time?

I could show you my knitting?

Sincerely,
Beth, master of the plank roll (well at least for today)

Catch Up!

Seems like all I've been doing is catching up lately.  It is a complete mystery to me where time is going.

Thursday was a non-running day, I enjoyed my break. I went out to Newport to pick up my shirt and bib for the race on Sunday.

Friday I took to the trail at Bluff Point.  It was 3.8 miles and 38 minutes of bliss.  I ran the 2nd half of the trail, considered taking a small loop on the 1st half of the trail but it was getting close to dusk and I didn't know if that would be a good idea.

On the trail the swans had returned to their spot.  They scare me.  Not as bad as geese do.  Guess being attacked by geese on the family farm does that to a girl?  I know the Canadian geese freak me out on the golf course, but then I do have a golf club in my hand so I can defend myself.  Running, not so much, I couldn't out run them as a child, doubtful adult Beth would be any more successful.   I know, of all the things to be scared of, geese, swans, long necked winged birds.  Funnily enough ducks don't scare me.  Go figure.

Swan, beautiful and scary

Saturday, oh my, what a disaster.  I went out with the designs on a 12 mile run to Watch Hill and back.  My IT Band had other plans.  5 miles in I called hubb and had him come get me.  I felt so defeated.  But hey, I don't need to aggravate the overuse injury, right?  I need to treat/manage it like I did for the PF.  Plus I had a race on Sunday.  Then again I had 17 miles on the schedule for the weekend.  So that all went pear shaped in a big way.  The rest of the day I spent with girlfriends.  I haven't seen E and H in FOREVER we had lunch and shopped and caught up.  We need to get together more, once every couple months is NOT enough.  Something to work on.  H travels for work so taking her away from home for a day of the three she spends at home just seems so unfair.  We will figure it out!

Sunday, today, the Pell Newport Bridge run.  I ran it last year. I spent the night in Newport because the race start was 6:30 a.m. and I was on the 5:45 shuttle to start and was all weirded out about getting up early and making the shuttle and getting a good nights sleep.  A year of races and getting up early traveling and running a good race solved that problem.  This time I slept at home, so up at 4:15 to leave by 4:45 to catch the 5:45 shuttle.  I slept OK, I never sleep well the night before a race, and having had such a crappy run, well let's just say I was focused on sleeping well, and I did!

Pell - Newport bridge 

The run last year was cold, this year not so much!  YEAH!  There were 2,500 runners and walkers.  Walkers, yes.  I have nothing against walkers but please, please, please, if that is what you are doing line up in the walker corral not the runner corral.  I wasted precious energy passing all of you lined up in the earlier corrals. Not placing blame on you, that lands squarely on my shoulders for not realizing the number of walkers participating   Next time I will line up in the 9 corral versus the 10 corral.  Oh yeah and don't walk 4 astride.  While I may not be aiming to place in the top 10 I do have a PR from the last race I want to beat!

I did beat last years race time of 40:42 with a 35:54.  I am pleased.  That puts me at a 8:59 pace for this 4 mile race.  Granted the down hill from the top of the bridge helped.  I had negative splits, I cut nearly a minute off my pace on the down hill part of the bridge, so yeah!  I finished strong and look forward to next year.

After I showered, fed myself, and re-hydrated  I took Gizmo on a hike and we enjoyed ourselves.  My poor guy was going crazy from not being out all week.

Walking in the woods gives me time to reflect. Running does to, with walking I can think more deeply as I'm not worried about twisting my ankle and can explore my thoughts a bit more!  I thought about something a friend said to me in the last 6 months, maybe longer ago, I'm not sure.  He said "Beth, you have changed,  You are a different person from a year ago."  I denied it, he pressed the point, I insisted I haven't changed I am still the same person I was a year ago.  That conversation has been playing and replaying in my brain since we had it.  More frequently lately. He was right, I am not the same person I was a year ago.  I don't think I've changed at the core, I think I found me.  I think the outside more reflects the inside?   Running did change the outside of me.  I have been amazed at the transformation.  Running did change me mentally.  Increased confidence.  Then I wonder did it change me or did it bring me back to me?   Maybe running just brought me to the next stage on my journey?

I discussed this with Gizmo, he would stare at me as I prattled on, then wander off to sniff something and come back to report to me what he smelled.  Yeah, we don't speak the same language; still we had a nice conversation.

Sir Giz of the Mo  -  LOVE my curmudgeon!

The rest of the day was fiddlefarting around. Coming back to that question of have I changed? Perhaps it is more of an evolution?

A friend posted this Nancy Thayer quote to her wall today:

"The universe is always speaking to us...sending us little messages, causing coincidences and serendipities  reminding us to stop, look around, to believe in something else, something more."

I do believe this life is a journey, my soul has something to learn in this body, what that is I may never know. My job is to live this life.  What happens when this soul learns the lesson of its destiny?  Does it go on to a new lesson?  Has this soul met the souls I know now in lessons of the past?  Is that why I feel like I've known someone forever?  Will this soul meet up with souls I know now in the future?   I hope to meet up with the souls I've met on this journey in the next and the next and the next.

Has running changed you?  Has any new venture (writing, boxing, singing, acting, biking, etc) changed you? Love to hear your thoughts!

Sincerely,
Beth who ran, thought, and got little else done....

Cupcake Classic

I love all the women with running pages on Facebook.  So many interesting stories and people.  Mostly running moms.  I'm not mom, I am a woman and they seem to accept me sans children.   I’m not sure when or how I stumbled upon Run with Jess, I clicked "like" and haven't regretted it.  My parents met in Peoria, IL so double positive karma, running and Peoria!  When I saw her virtual Cupcake Classic 5K I had to sign up.  What could be better run a 5K and eat a cupcake?  Then I saw the shirt!  I finally have something to wear with my black plaid running skirt!  Black isn't a color I gravitate towards, bright colors catch my eye.  Not even really sure why I bought that skirt to begin with, finally have an appropriate top!

Today was my chair massage, it has been weeks since Amy and I could hook up to work out the kinks and break up the fascia in my upper back.  The tightness down my spine had gotten to the point it was affecting my jaw.  Yes, I could have gone someplace and gotten full sports massage.  Frankly I’d rather Amy’s pointy elbows up and down my back.  Finding a massage therapist is like finding a yoga instructor, you just have to click.  Amy has been working on me for nearly 4 years?  I remember walking into her ‘office’ with my head cocked to a side, explaining what was wrong.  She said "Oh sweetie you're a wreck"  sliding into the chair and she continued “Do you want to feel better or do you want to be fixed?” I said “Fix me”  she touched my back and said “Yep, this is solid cement” cleared her throat and said “OK hang on this is going to hurt and you must ice your back.”  H.O.L.Y. C.O.W. it hurt.  I could, after the 15 minutes she worked on me, move my head!  Slowly it got better and better and better to the point where a year later Amy says “Look at this Beth, you can touch your hands together behind your back.”  Wow…    As I've noted before with commitment you see results.  I have seen results with regular massage therapy on my back, my carpel tunnel is gone, my tennis elbow is gone, I can turn my head, I can nearly get my hands in prayer position behind my back.  This all roots down to 1) posture 2) muscle memory and 3) Amy's magic pointy elbows.

Noting I had a 2 hour block of uncommitted time, I grabbed my running gear and headed to the gym to meet up with Amy and then go run.  She wants to throttle me when I do this but it is the only way I can fit it all in.  My day starts heating up in the afternoon and while I arrive early and get MY to do list done, others to do lists filter in after 11 a.m.  But enough about that, again not why you tune in.  Amy got me limbered up and said “ICE, Beth, ICE.” 

Checking the weather it was just under 60 degrees, perfect for long sleeves, Cupcake Classic time!  I know, I know you don't wear the shirt for the race, I broke the rule, I'll pay the fine.   But hey looks cute, right?  And I totally figured out how to flip the image to make the lettering not backwards, pat on the back (gently please it is a little sore).

Cheesey smile

Since I've managed to find a perfect 5K route at work I ran the same route I've run a few other times.  Focusing on speed consistency and pushing off with my mid foot rather than pulling myself forward with my heel strikes.  I think I'm getting it, yeah!  There are some rolling hills on this about mid way through, and most days I have to dodge golf carts, fortunately I haven't had to dodge any golf balls, I imagine they would win!  The leaves are looking so beautiful.  I love fall.

When I got back to the gym, I met up with the two walkers I walked out of the gate with.  They remarked on what a cute shirt and how bright red my thighs were.  I didn't think it was that cold outside and besides my belly also gets red when I run and that is not exposed to the elements so who knows.   We had a nice chat about why we run, one of the walkers runs for beer the other one doesn't run.  I’m not a big beer girl, I like whiskey.  She said, you don't find a lot of women runners who drink whiskey, I said IKR?  We got back to the topic at hand:  Running and Cupcakes!!!  I kept thinking how good a cupcake would taste and hoped there would be one in the cafeteria.

No cupcakes in the café, bummer....

On the drive home I stopped with the intention of picking up two cupcakes, well they only had one so Hubb is getting some torte thing.

Stats:  (kinda been there done that with this route)

Summary,  Deffo did not burn a cupcake worth of calories

Getting consistent with the splits!

Sincerely,

Beth, enjoying a chocolate peanut butter cupcake!  MMMMmmm

Fall

The day started out with the off loading of heavy equipment outside our home just before 7 a.m. Damn, the only day this week I get to sleep in.  Well there was a 5K I wanted to run today, wanted to and didn't want to.  I have 20 miles on tap for tomorrow, hence today my only sleeping in day this week.   I figured I would just run with the goal of keeping my pace even.  I do believe I did that!

It was a beautiful morning for a race, despite starting with the beep beep of heavy equipment and cloud cover and sprinkles, the ugly weather was gone pretty darn quick.  I decided to wear a long sleeved shirt, whoopsie.  It wasn't too warm with it on.  It is fall after all and appropriate to wear long sleeved running gear!

The reason for the race was to raise funds and awareness for Mesothelioma.  Gary fought a valiant battle against this horrid rare disease. It was an honor to run among many New London firemen supporting Gary's family and the cause.   Following is an article I can't even begin to paraphrase.  Be sure to have some tissues handy.  Gary Batch

The course was an out and back, plenty of volunteers directing people and trying their best to keep the drivers from plowing us over.  There were a couple of irate drivers.  Seriously people, share the road, I know we runners do our best to share with you!  Besides, killing someone by running them over with your car is still murder, so hey, don't commit murder, relax and ease by us, please.

When got back home from my adventure the workers were still digging up the street, they had moved down to in front of my house, yippiee and I had 80 lbs of dog food to lug in the house.  Good thing I was all mellow from meditation last night and endorphin-ed up from my run, or it could have gotten ugly.

Stats:

31 minutes, not bad!

CONSISTENCY!

Route, out and back!

Race Results:
Place 42/118, Chip time: 31.31.3, 6th in my division.

Sincerely,
Beth welcoming her favorite season, fall

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.

Just a Quickie

I haven't run since Wednesday!  Yikes.  I must be sick or something?  I had a 3 miler this a.m. and I feel better for it.  Tomorrow is my 4th 1/2 marathon.  Picked up my race bib, shirt, and gear bag this afternoon.

I'm short 3.1 toes!!!

Hubb called to find out if he should pick up some corn for dinner, sure, that would be fine, but I'm really craving bread.  He said "mmm bread"  sort of Homer Simpson like, weird.  We don't eat many breads / pastas anymore.  He picked up a nice Italian bakery loaf and suggested garlic bread to go with our usual salad.  Oh boy, perfect, I wanted something crunchy!  We ate damn near that whole loaf of bread!  Oh, there wasn't any corn at our usual place, it is getting late in the season... salad and bread, nice dinner!

So my run. Weather absolutely perfect, cool (mid 60's), breezy, could have probably pulled off a long sleeved running shirt, but didn't.  I walked to the end of the street, and took off running down the hill.  Waited through what must have been three light changes, to get to my traditional loop in the park.  I saw someone I had not seen in about a year.  This guy, all bundled up like it is below zero outside, scampering along on his walk, hat on and gloves on. So cute.  I waved and gave him a "Glad to see you again" grin and he looked at me like I might not be quite right in the head.  Guess you'll have that on occasion.

Loop around the park, beautiful this time of year, more leaves are turning and falling.  Run through town up and around the railroad station and up Oak Street.  It is a hill, a serious hill.  I remember the first time I successfully ran up it without stopping.  A year ago October, all in preparation for the Pell-Newport Bridge run last November (I am signed up for this year too, that was so amazing).  I was reminded yesterday that I really haven't been at this running thing for very long and to cut myself some slack and be very very proud of what I have accomplished.  That single minded focus of mine to accomplish something does come in handy on occasion!

It was a nice glide back down the hill to home.  Hubb was still home!  Yeah!   Usually he is gone by 10 or so on Saturday a.m. well it still was before 10, after all this was just a quickie.  He was upstairs tinkering with a glider plane.  He yelled down "Your back already?"  I trotted up stairs and said, "Yeah, it was just a quickie I'm a wet mess!"  He just looked at me and said "You take everything to the lowest level, don't you?"  Well, yeah...

Stats:

Overall Stats

Yeah, don't ask me what I was thinking with lap 5 and 6 

Pace / Elevation

Sincerely,
Beth who has her super cute race outfit picked out for tomorrow!

"But It's Just a Tiny Island"

A few months back a girlfriend and I had this awesome idea for her to join me on Block Island for the Race Around the Block 15K race.

I rented a room in a B&B on the water and we took the ferry over to the island.  I could tell something was amiss when both me and my bestie were hungry, over heated, and didn't remember me as being insane.

We arrived on the Island on Friday (9/7), the race was on Saturday (9/8).

I had this bright idea to walk the route, well only one loop of the route, it was a loop and a half route to make up the 15K which is 9.3 miles.  The fact that a loop would be 6 miles did not really register with me.  It registered with my husband and my mother who said, "are you sure this is something she would want to do?"  I thought, well yeah, we did the Cliff Walk in Newport 18 months ago and that was like 9 miles....

"But it's just a tiny island" were my famous words, or my famous last words when I was met with.  "Ah we have to walk TO the route, and BACK from the route, and OH YEAH, the route."  The look on my face was as incredulous as hers.  We both had no clue what the other was talking about or thinking, or which orifice the others head was in.

My bestie being logical methodical well grounded person she is, suggested I rethink this plan.  About this time I was beginning to see the massive flaws in my logic.  Firstly, we have no way to get to the start, about 3 miles inland.  Secondly, the last time I took a long walk before a run I was in incredible pain.  Thirdly, well we really don't need a thirdly at this point, do we?

Once we were on the same page and had a uninspired lobster roll, we took a stroll to see some yarn, and this calmed us down. Yarn has that affect on us.  Pshew.

So race day comes and it is hot and humid and still.  As the school bus to us to the starting line, we climbed this HUGE hill.  All I could think was, "Oh this would not have been fun to walk up, in the heat and sun".  Little did I know my bestie was thinking "She is effing insane, we have to take a BUS to the starting point?".

The clouds that were promised disappeared and the sun came out in full force as the gun went off at 1:30 p.m.

As I ran the route I was reminded of this conversation we had and couldn't help but notice the route itself was a nice route to run, hilly and windy, however rather not so scenic in all but a few places.  Compared to the Cliff Walk with a surprise view around ever turn, I was even more sure that yes, indeed, my bestie had a point and I am effing insane.

So on the race recap.  It was a nice race, there was little shade, and a bit of a breeze.  Four water stops, one with a man with a hose spraying the runners.  I may have proposed to him the second time I saw him, I'm not sure, it was H.O.T.  I was delirious.  Of the nearly 350 people who started the race, just under 300 finished, the weather was brutal.

Pace and Elevation:

You can clearly see the water stops, yes I did walk three of them!

Right before the second water stop I looked and saw my bestie with her camera.  OMG that was the best part seeing her in the middle of the race.  I've never actually had someone cheer me on during a race.  This was so freaking cool!!!  So if anyone thinks that maybe they would like to cheer on a friend, DO IT.  It really is a lift for the runner.

6 miles!  Wiggling it for the camera!

As I approached the finish line I was greeted with, a hill.  Lovely.  Well Marine Corps Marathon ends on a hill at 26.2 miles, this was 9.3 miles I do need to get used to this last and final hill business.  Plus, reality, I live on a hill and have to run up one to get home anyhow.  Suck it up sister and RUN.

At the finish, in the chute

I finished at 1:40:38, my goal was 100 minutes.  I think I did pretty good and my bestie was very proud of me and gave wet sweaty me a hug after the finish line.  This is a very brave thing to do.  And then she had to sit with me on the bus ride back to the ferry dock.  She had a Jack and Coke to prepare for being on a bus full of stinky runner, smart girl.

On the bus!

I didn't stop my watch until nearly a minute after I finished, I was just glad to be done.  I am getting a teensy bit more consistent with pacing.  I'm still going out of the chute too fast.

Sincerely,

Beth, who has no concept of reality at times.

P.S.  But doesn't it LOOK like a tiny island?