I Hate The Cold!

Like it says, I am not a big fan of the cold. I don’t mind it when it gets into the upper 30’s and low 40’s, but this teen shit needs to go! I mean there is nothing like heading out for a run and having sweat freeze on your face. I guess that’s just part of living where I do. Not moving, so I guess I’ll just live with it.

Ok, enough bitching. Since running my first marathon just over a month ago, I have managed to increase my weekly mileage quite a bit. One of the main reasons is to hopefully avoid the feeling that happened at about the 18 mile mark of the Indy Marathon. I would like to not feel like I’m just looking to the next mile marker so I can walk for a few minutes. Luckily for me, I run with season marathoners who are helping me get where I want to be.

So every long run since then has been over the 18 mile mark and just about every run during the week has been around 8. So I am averaging around 50 to 60 miles a week now. Hope that does it.

Last Saturday was another day of firsts for me. When I woke up to head out the door there was snow covering the grass and plenty more falling from the sky. The plan was to do 24 miles, so this was going to be interesting. I have been out before and had a few flurries fall, but nothing like a steady stream falling from the sky.

In order to get in the 24 that Shawna and I were planning to run, we decided to meet at 4 am so that we could get 6 miles in before everyone else showed up for the 18 mile loop we ran a couple of weeks ago. We knew that Tom and Jen were definitely coming with Dave being a possibility. Dave has been having some heel trouble and has missed a couple of run because of it.

So when we got back there was no one else there. Kind of a surprise, since it was almost 5. But within a few minutes they started to roll in. I think it was Tom, then Jen, followed by Dave. As everyone started to get out of their cars and get ready we saw another car turning into the parking lot. I looked and was surprised to see Chris, my favorite Yeti, pulling in. This made us have to come up with a game plan kind of quick. So Shawna and I devised a plan without really letting anyone else know.

The plan that we came up with was to run the route we had planned thinking that when we got to the 5-6 mile mark Chris would need to head a different direction and we were 100% sure that Dave, and possibly Tom, would head back the same route. This is where I encountered another first, and it was not a good one.

As we approached the point where the turn would have to be made I let everyone in on the plan. At that point it suddenly became like a grade school game where people had to choose sides. Not a good thing. I knew Chris had to turn back, but was completely shocked when no one else did. So, Chris bid us farewell and off we went along our separate routes. He was just heading on his alone.

So we finished out the run, which ended up taking over 4 hours because we had to take quite a few walk breaks. I know towards the end my hands were freezing.

When I got home I felt like a complete ass. I really couldn’t believe I had left Chris out there alone. So I texted him and apologized. At first I thought this was going to be a really bad thing for our friendship. Luckily Chris is a bigger person than I may have been if it had been me on the receiving end of it. We seemed to get things smoothed out, although I don’t know if he’ll run with me again, not that I would blame him. I really hope that’s not the case.

So that is how things are going right now.

Later

2010 Fast Freddie 5-Mile Foot Feast

Thanksgiving morning I ran in my second Fast Freddie 5-miler. What made this one so special was that my daughter, Jade, had decided to run it with me. How cool is that?

The day started off pretty early for me. Tom, Shawna, and I had planned on meeting at 6 am to put in a few miles before the race. Mainly because Shawna was going to her families house near Indy and couldn’t join us and I was running with my daughter, so I wasn’t going to be pushing too hard. But unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. About 5:30 am I received a text from Shawna and she had been watching the weather. She said that we were getting ready to get hit by a storm any minute. So we scrapped the early run.

After that I just kind of checked out blogger and Facebook to kill time before heading out to pick up everyone and head to the run.

Before I knew it I needed to get ready. I had told Tom that I would pick him up at about 8 and then head to pick up Chris. Which is just how it played out.

By 8:30 we were at the 4-H fairground. Unfortunately it had started raining just after 7, so where we had to park we ended up walking through puddles of water. I knew my feet would be wet once the race started, but I wanted to keep them dry as long as I could. No such luck. We headed inside and hung out until it was time to head out to the start.

Tom’s goal for this race was to beat his friend Traci. She had told him that she was going to beat him, but he wasn’t planning on letting that happen. Chris had never really said what his plan was, but I really didn’t expect him to stay with us. It really wouldn’t be fair to him.

As we walked out to the starting area everyone started to run! It wasn’t even time to start the race, so I have no clue what that was all about. By the time we did reach the starting area it was time to get things underway. I told Tom good luck as he headed towards the front of the pack. Chris stuck with us for about the first quarter mile and then was off.

I stayed with Jade for the entire race. She did great! The only time she needed to walk was almost 3 miles in, and that was just after climbing a decent hill. We only walked for a few minutes before she said she was ready to go. We never stopped again until we crossed the finish line. Tom came back and ran in some of the last half mile with us. He was so happy because he had beaten Traci! What made it even better was that Traci was receiving help from Garry and still couldn’t beat Tom. He beat them both. Chris was near the finish line and was awesome enough to take a few pics of us coming in. He even ran to the finish line and snapped a few there. Thanks Yeti!

I have to say that this was one of my proudest moments since I started running. It was really awesome to see Jade cross that finish line in front of me. Some people think they have to make a statement and beat there kids across the line. Not me. I think it shows so much more class to let them get that feeling of finishing a race, without having you tell them that you beat them. This run was not about me at all. It was all about Jade.

Chris had an awesome run as well. He was very close to his PR for that distance.

So that’s how I started off my Thanksgiving. I really hope it becomes a tradition.

Later

Another First

Yesterday was another first for me. I went out for a run in the rain on purpose. I wasn't out for a run and it started raining, I knew it was raining when I headed out the door!

I guess I have been what is called a fair weather runner when it comes to rain. Yeah, I've been in a couple of races where it has rained briefly. But for the most part, when it is raining I stay inside. I think I am over that now. I will say that it was made much easier because I knew someone else was going to be out there in it with me.

Shawna was planning on running, so I decided to join her. I will say that once we got going I kind of forgot about the rain. Now the wind was a different story. It seemed to be in our faces for over half of the run. Other than that it was a pretty good run. It usually is when you run with good friends though.

We did have one of my neighbors roll down her window as she passed and tell us that we were "hard core". I always thought the same thing when I would see people out running in the rain. I just never imagined that I would be one of them. Live and learn.

I will say that I won't be shying away from running in the rain in the future. Unless there is lightning, that's a definite game changer!

Later

2010 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

This past weekend I ran my very first marathon. It was an amazing event. I just hope that my recap can do it justice.

The adventure started Friday night around 5 pm. I headed to Tom’s house to pick him up and then headed to the Y to meet everyone else. When we arrived Dave’s car was already in the parking lot, but he was no where to be seen. A few minutes later Shawna was there quickly followed by Jeff, Jen’s husband, and then Jen. After Jen did the kid handoff to Jeff and we managed to get everyone’s things packed into my car we were on our way.

The drive only took about an hour and a half. We were heading to Carrabba’s for dinner and would be meeting Carole, who was awesome enough to head to the race expo and pick up all of our packets. Before we knew it we were there. Since Shawna had thought ahead and made reservations for us we only had to wait for a few minutes before we had a table. Dinner was awesome and the company was just as good.
After dinner as we were heading out into the parking lot we were greeted with snow, yeah you heard me correctly. I knew there was a chance of snow, but it was still a bit of a shock. We then said goodbye to Carole and headed to Shawna’s sister’s house.

When we arrived at Shawna’s sisters house I was very impressed. Shawna and Jen had talked about how big her house was, but until you actually see it you have no idea. It is one of those houses that just seems to go on forever. I think that I could have hidden in there and they still wouldn’t know I was there. We then all settled into the living room in front of the television and watched Talladega Nights before heading to bed. I will say that it took me quite awhile to fall asleep. Not sure if it was the third shift schedule or just some pre-race nerves, but it took awhile.

Morning seemed to come pretty quick. I had set the alarm on my phone for 6 in order to get us up and give everyone time to do what they needed to do in time to leave by 6:45. We wanted to be to the race area by 7:30 to meet Carole and do our bag drop off.

As we arrived near the race area the traffic was insane. There were cars and people everywhere and I felt like I was surrounded by idiots! No one seemed to know how to drive and the traffic lights didn’t seem to help things. We did finally manage to make it to a parking garage and to the bag drop to meet Carole.

We then headed for our corrals. Tom was planning on running a 3:20 – 3:30 so he was in a corral in front of us. The rest of us jumped into the 9 minute mile corral. Before I knew it we were off.

I had given Shawna my Garmin before we headed to the start so that she could pace me and also so I wouldn’t keep looking at it. Basically all I had to do was stick with her and she would do what needed to be done to get me in under 4 hours, which was my only goal other than finishing upright.

We quickly seemed to loose Jen, Dave, and Carole. The first 3 miles just seemed to fly by. A couple of times Shawna looked at the Garmin and said that we were running in the low 8’s. But since we run so much together she knew where I would need the extra time and was banking time for later.

Miles 3-17 seemed fine. It is really awesome to run with someone that you are great friends with and to be able to talk with and take your mind off of what you are really doing. It wasn’t until about mile 19 that I felt like I really needed to walk. So we walked for a few seconds and then were on our way.

I made it 2 more miles before walking again. Then it seemed to be every mile after that. It probably became more mental than anything, but I seemed to suddenly be looking for the mile markers and they seemed to be getting farther and farther away. When we hit 25 I stopped to walk again. It was at that point that she told me that when we started again we weren’t walking again until we were done.

At about a half mile from the finish I was really wanting to walk. I told her and she said that I didn’t. She told me that I could walk all I wanted once we were done. She said I could walk home if I wanted, but I wasn’t walking now. She was so awesome in the last mile. She kept telling me different things to try and take my mind off of wanting to walk. It must have worked, because I didn’t walk. As we turned the last corner and I saw the finish, I suddenly found myself picking up speed. From behind me I heard Shawna say that she knew my legs had some left in them. She then let me cross the finish line just ahead of her. I told her that she should have crossed with me, but she told me it was my race, not hers.

I ended up with an official time of 3:56:01. A time I would not have if I hadn’t had such a great friend to run with and motivate me when I needed it. All I can say is thanks.

After we finished we saw Tom standing in the finishers area. We got our medals and our free hats, which was a bonus, and then headed to the bag check for warmer clothes. After I got my bag I sat down on the ground and I felt terrible. I just felt completely sick so I just sat on the ground with my hood up trying to stay warm while Shawna changed. I must have looked bad because she kept asking if I was ok. I finally got up and decided I needed more to drink. So we headed back to the finishers area so I could get a Gatorade. After drinking that I did feel a little better. But then I was freezing. We found a spot out of the wind so that we could watch for Jen and Dave. I know it wasn’t that long before they came across, but it seemed like forever because I was freezing and my legs were done.

Soon enough we saw them cross, which was awesome to see. We  then got everyone together in one of the recovery tents. Then it was on to gear check to pick Jen and Dave’s stuff. Then it was on to the car to head back to Shawna’s sister’s house for a much needed shower.

I thought I was fairly prepared for my first marathon, but I know now that I definitely need to do more long runs. I don’t like the feeling that came during the 20’s. I am looking forward to the Disney Marathon in January. I will just have to make sure to get in some long runs.

Marathon Week

 

After weeks of training it is finally here. This Saturday I will be running in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. I am very excited and nervous all at the same time. I think that I should be able to do this, but there is always that shadow of doubt that creeps in when you tackle something completely new.

I have been following a training plan that Chris and I had found in a Runner’s World several months ago that was designed to get me across the finish line in 3:59:59. I did my best to hit all of the runs, but there were times when life got in the way and I missed a few. I managed to hit all of my long runs though, and I think that is all that really matters.

Chris was planning on running this one with me, but life got in the way. He had to make the choice of either being a good parent and coaching his kids volleyball or being a runner. The choice in my eyes was extremely easy to make and the same one that I would have made. Kids always come first!

I will be running the marathon with Shawna, Jen, Dave, Tom, and Carole. I look for Tom to take off and leave us at some point, since he is planning on racing this one. Shawna is going to stick with me and make sure that I get across the finish line alive. I don’t have any idea what Carole’s plans are, since I don’t really know how fast she is or what her goal is. Dave and Jen plan on sticking together.

As far as this week goes, it’s going to be an easy running week. I ran 4 miles yesterday and may get out today or tomorrow, but that will be it until race day.

So hopefully everything I have done will work in my favor. Wish me luck!

Later

Bourbon Chase 2010

 

 

Dave, Tom, Carole, Shawna, Jen, Me

This past weekend I took part in the Bourbon Chase 200 mile relay which runs from Clermont, Kentucky to Lexington, Kentucky along the Bourbon Trail. I will say that the best part of this event was running it with a great group of friends.

This all started a couple of months ago when we were having our pre race meeting for the Red Eye Relay. We found out that there was a spot open that we could take, we just had to have the entry money right then. We made it happen. Next thing you know, it’s 3 months later and your running 200 miles across Kentucky!

The day started off pretty early for everyone, I think. At least it did for me. We had planned on meeting at the Y at 9. So I was out of bed around 6:30 am in order to make sure that the kids were up and ready to head out the door for school. After that it was time to double check and make sure that I had everything that I needed. I was planning on heading to Panera Bread to pick up a dozen bagels for us to munch on as we ran. So I was not too surprised when I got a text from Jen requesting a Pumpkin Spice latte. It was like she was reading my mind! After having breakfast with Autumn we made our way to the Y to meet everyone.

When I pulled into the parking lot I didn’t see anyone else. So I started second guessing myself and thinking maybe I had misunderstood where we were meeting. I had already made the mistake of thinking that we were meeting at 8:30 instead of 9. Luckily I asked Shawna and she told me the correct time, only after asking if I was drunk during our meeting. I was only there a few minutes before everyone else showed up. Then it was up to Brad, Shawna’s husband and driver extraordinaire, to figure out the jigsaw puzzle he had to put together in order to get all of our gear into the back of the Suburban. So we stood around and watched as he made it happen. Next thing you know, we were on our way.

Not sure exactly how long it really took to get there, but it seemed pretty quick to me. We made a quick pit stop for gas and fuel for Brad before heading to the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont. Once we were there it was time to check in. We had a little under an hour until our start time. Suddenly you would think that we had never done this before. I headed to the check in with no id, so as I ran back to the car to get it I handed Dave my waiver. When I got back, Shawna said that I was checked in and that she was my emergency contact because she couldn’t find my waiver. I thought I had actually given it to her. It wasn’t until Dave turned in his that we realized what I had done. Then it was on to the start, at which point we realized my number was in the car! Again, are we new at this? Shawna took off for the car for me.

I finally had my number when I realized that I had left my water bottle sitting on my kitchen counter. Not sure where my head was when getting ready for this one. The only good thing is that for whatever reason I don’t usually drink a lot when I run. Not sure why, but I don’t. My first leg was only 7 miles, so I knew I would be fine.

Before I knew it we were off! The first leg ran along a very nice trail for almost 3 miles. It was pretty awesome. I could get down with running on those type of trails, but the ones that involve climbing mud banks and crossing streams don’t appeal to me at all. I managed to finish my first leg in a little under an hour. Then it was up to everyone else to get there legs done, which they did in awesome fashion!

Me at the start.

The rotation went me, Dave, Carole, Tom, Shawna, and Jen. This went on for the rest of the night and into the next day.

As we arrived at the half way point we got a bit of a surprise. Jen was coming in to hand off to me. As she approached the hand off and called out our team number they told us that we had to stop because we had a 2 hour hold. When we asked why, they told us that we were running 43 seconds faster than the times that we had submitted when we signed up. Now mind you, these times were submitted almost 3 months ago. Don’t they think that just maybe we might be a little bit faster? Or that because the weather was great we were running great? Brad immediately called Shawna and told her that her and Tom needed to head over there. Before I knew it Shawna and Tom were by my side. They then began to argue our case. Tom said that he was not waiting 2 hours. He said that we were either running and getting DQ’d or going home. So we headed back to the van to see what everyone wanted to do. We decided to run it and let them DQ us if they wanted. Tom and I headed back to the hand off and when Tom told them that we were going anyway they said that it was fixed and we were good to go. They said that they would add our time back. If they did or not, I’m not sure. I do know that at that point we were less than 2 minutes behind the leading men’s ultra team. It was definitely a momentum killer.

At that point everyone only had 3 legs left. I ran my 4th leg with a lady from Cincinnati. It was kind of nice to have someone to talk to over the next 5 miles. It kept me from running too fast. I ended up averaging about 8:45’s for this leg, which was good. Before we knew it the sun was coming up and we were coming in to the home stretch.

I think that everyone was just about wiped out before starting there final leg, but everyone dug deep and pulled it out. We ended up finishing 200 miles in 29:48:07. I think we kicked major ass!!

Me coming in on my final leg. I was ready to be done!

Next on my agenda is the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. This will be my first. The awesome thing is that everyone from the relay, with the exception of Brad, will be running it with me. How awesome is that. I can’t wait. I am sure there will be more relays in my future, because they kick ass and we have an awesome team.

Congrats to our team, wearejustdoing9:40s! Can’t wait until next time.

The Farthest I've Ever Gone

This past week was kind of weird. It was one of those weeks that I just didn't have the motivation to run. Maybe that was due to the fact that most of my runs would have to be done on my own. Not sure. But for what ever reason, I only managed to put in 3 runs this week. 

It started off pretty good with an afternoon run on Monday. Nothing crazy or particularly memorable about his run except good company and a pretty decent pace. After that I seemed to get lazy. I knew that I should run, I just didn't. It happens. Tuesday and Wednesday came and went without me lacing up the running shoes one time. Thursdays I always head into work on second shift, so I use it as a rest day. Not that I needed it to be at this point.

Friday morning came and I was back on the streets. I met Shawna and Dave for an early morning run. It was another good run. As we ran we discussed what we were planning on doing Saturday morning. I wanted to run 20. Of course Shawna, the overachiever, was wanting to do 24. Dave, who is now the newest member of the Bourbon Chase team, was down for whatever.

Saturday morning came with a 4:30 alarm. I managed to drag my ass out of bed and get ready so that I could meet everyone at the Y at 5. I was the first to show up, but was soon joined by Dave and Shawna. Before I knew it we were on our way. As we started out Shawna reminded me again that we were doing 24! There was a chance that another runner, who no one really wanted to join us, would be showing up around 6. So we came up with a scheme to stay out a little longer on our first loop to try and miss them. Our first loop was just under 8 miles. Unfortunately, as we were making our way to the cars to refill water bottles and GU, we saw the runner in the parking lot. Oh well. We quickly came up with a plan to head out on a route that would add about 12 miles to our run. I was happy with this.

As we headed out Shawna came up with the plan to add miles to the route by heading across the bridge into Kentucky. I think that is where she got me, I love running across the bridge. I have only done it a couple of times, but it is a very cool experience. On a good note, we were able to let the other runner leave us by slowing down. Before I knew it we were crossing the bridge. 

Once across the bridge we made our way along a few streets near the river. We took a few walk breaks, which were very welcome at the time. Then it was back on the bridge for the return home. Dave was beginning to slow down and have to walk more. This was completely understandable. He has made a huge leap in mileage over the past couple of weeks. As we approached the 19 mile mark, I mentioned that I would be entering virgin territory. Once the Garmin alerted me to 19 miles I began to say, with every step, "This is the farthest I have run." I don't think it took too long for that to get old, but it was fun while it lasted. 

As we were making our way into what I thought was the home stretch Shawna tells me that we are making a turn. Dammit! I could see where I wanted to go! So we made the turn, which ended up adding almost a half mile to the run. I did have to stop and walk for a few minutes along the way. But in the end I ended up running 23.4 miles, and  that is the farthest I have ever gone. I was very glad when we were done, but I am glad that Shawna pushed me to go the distance. I think I have an idea how I will feel after my first marathon, which is now just 4 weeks away!

So, that is my tale of the farthest I have ever gone. It is still hard for me to believe that I ran that distance.

Later