Fair Weather Runner

best part of my day. newport beach.

2012-02-08T14:55:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure where to start with it all because I had a wonderful trip to LA, Catalina and Huntington Beach over my long weekend. The company, the weather, the running, the locations, and the food were all complete perfection. I'm not overstating and trying to be polite when I say that this was by far the most fun (and the best location) I've ever had on a "racing" trip.

There are far too many pictures I want to share, I may just need to share my Flickr account here instead. Of course I find all the pictures far more interesting and entertaining than you would. Even still, I need to post a few. Along with posting about the Surf City Half itself, and my trip in general. Highlights included, but not limited to, getting to spend a lot of time with my sweet little niece who's comedic and bubbly personality is starting to really shine. And running a race on the PCH.

For now, pictures from Newport Beach in the morning, before we left for Catalina Island. Happy.

my faves: my sisters

2012-02-02T10:10:00.000-06:00

Any girl who has a sister or two knows that there is just something to having a sister, unexplainable, complex and invaluable. I mean, whether you like it or not you are in each others lives from birth to death. That's big. My relationships with my sisters have been up and down, there has been screaming, yelling, and hate but also hugs, endless support, love and more laughs and fun than can ever be counted.We can share brutal honesty and at the end of the day know it's in our best interest. It's a safe and fantastic relationship we all have, and one that I don't take for granted.

Because I know if my ass ever starts to get too big? Or I'm wearing a questionable outfit? I can count on my sisters to tell me to put down the chocolate, or take the ugly off, walk away, do some cardio and buy something new....

*i look unusually big compared to my sisters here, while in fact that one in the middle? she is almost 6' tall.... she has mercy on us and squats for pics. youngest to oldest starting with me on the left*

I am the youngest of three girls, it was no easy task to grow up under the shadow of these two really amazing girls. They offered me a lot to live up to, but also a lot to look up to. There's just something to the fact that we have literally been through pretty much everything together. And there is love and support for each other no matter what. Basically it kicks ass.

I've pretty much been the only runner in my family for quite some time. My dad got me started running as a kid, but I'm the only one who really took off with running and.... well, for lack of a better term "ran with it." While my sisters have run off and on, it was never anything we did together. We all lived in different cities for quite awhile, on opposite sides of the country. It just never worked out that we could join forces and run together. Or race together.

Until recently. My oldest sister moved back to Wichita and we have now run several races together. At Thanksgiving all three of us ran a 5k together. Sunday, we are going to run a half marathon together. FINALLY! I've watied years to do the Surf City Half Marathon in Huntington Beach, CA, it just never worked out that I could get out there and do it! I guess really it was just a matter of waiting for the right time and right people (i.e. my sisters) do the race with. It all worked out this year! While it will just be my oldest sister and I running the half marathon now, our other sister will be there cheering us on, along with our sweet niece, all color coordinated to match our running outfits.

It's going to be fun to run this race along the ocean with my sister, I love getting to run alongside a runner doing their first big race. It's almost better than a PR. And I can't wait to blather all about it and vomit words and pictures all over this blahg of mine regarding my trip to LA and the race. Get excited! Beachy race vomit is on it's way! Can I get a SQUUUEEEEE?

best part of my day.

2012-01-30T11:15:00.000-06:00

It was actually a week ago, but it still makes me happy. As mentioned I'm training for the OKC half marathon with some girlfriends. We run Saturday mornings as a group. Last Saturday it was a balmy 12 degrees (real feel of 1 degree) when we set out for our run. I've been bringing Milo along for our training runs. Mostly because he needs the exercise, but also because he loves to be out and running with the girls. I can't deny him the level of happiness he gets from running. It's too precious.

After we finished up last week we noticed Milo had gotten a bit icy on his chin. What a good buddy, he didn't even complain. We tried to get him to sit to for a picture, he of course took this to mean it was belly rubbing time. Regardless, I got a good enough picture of his icy little chin. Happy as can be.

I love that dog. The best part of having him run with us is the fact that he loves to be the leader of the pack, he is all "Hey girls, I've got this, you just follow me, I'm going to make sure we are all safe and accounted for. FOLLOW MEEEEEEEEE!! Also, I love you guys. A lot. This is awesome. Let's do this every week, okay? Also did I mention that I love you and that this is awesome?" Pretty sure those are his exact thoughts.

If you didn't know, shepherd dogs love herding, love running and love having people to keep track of. Saturday morning training group is Milo's ideal start to a perfect day.

hard work.

2012-01-25T14:43:00.000-06:00

Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't. Hard work isn't always rewarded, sometimes it ends with someone else getting the glory, or it ends in injury, or in failure. For me, anyway. For the past year I have put in a lot of effort and hard work. Into my life. Into my career. Mostly, I invested in me for the past year, working on my emotional, mental, physical and relationship health. Thankfully it has paid off, in every single aspect. And for that I am both fortunate and outlandishly grateful.

I can't even begin to explain the amount of effort I've put into my life the past year. With the help of quite a few doctors, and the unselfish, unwavering love and support of a LOT of family and friends, and even though it's hard to admit it the help of medication, and an amazing therapist, I am at the best place I've ever been in my life. That of course isn't to say my life is perfect, far, far from it. And I will be the first to admit that fact. But who's life is? Those claims are false.

I have horrible days that make it seem as though all the work and effort I did were for nothing. I can't control those days. Those days are simply the reality of dealing with an illness called depression. If you aren't a believer that it really is an illness, well, I am not here to change your mind. But you know what? It is. Case closed. And although I can control it with the aforementioned help, sometimes even that isn't enough.

Wondering why I'm spilling my emotional guts all over my blog? Because. I can. I've wanted to for more than six months now and never had the courage. But here you go. I have depression. It took me to some very dark places. I got help for it. I take medication for it. There you have it. It's a real thing. And it can suck the life out of you. And no, running is not my therapy. And it never will be. There was and is no amount of running that can or could fix my depression. Man, that would rock if it could, though.

No amount of running will fix my chemical imbalance or be a substitute for sitting in my therapist's office talking things over. Or a substitute for an abundance of understanding family and friends who are always willing to be there when I'm at my worst. No matter what. In fact I am convinced running made my illness much, much worse. I thought running would help fix me, it didn't. Not a bit. I don't hold that against it though, I still heart the shiz out of running. We are besties now, we understand each other!! But the running that ruined me is in the past. Thankfully. Running (and fitness and health and yoga) is and will likely always be a part of my life. But is so far down on my 'important' list than it used to be. Thank God.

The point of all of this being that this blog of mine, despite readers, followers, whatever, is something to document the reality of my life. So there it is. Because that is my life. Much more complicated than can ever be written on a blog, in a few paragraphs. No one wants to read that mess anyway. The fact that I can admit I have issues, have faced some very ugly moments and days in my life and sit here logically and in fantastic health and say I am better, is why I'm writing this post. So on those days I feel like it wasn't worth the work and effort, and the days I can't pick myself up off whatever surface I smashed onto so hard that I can barely breathe, let alone function, I can read this and remember it will all be okay.

And maybe, just maybe, there is some other runner, or human being out there who shares the same struggles. A lot of you fortunately don't, but maybe there are one or two who do, maybe this will make them feel better too.

All of that being said. I am now fully prepared to engage in some very hard work in speed training, cross training and logging miles to achieve my ONE goal race for this year. Yes, you read that right. My ONE goal race for the year. In caps. BOLDED. The Oklahoma City Half Marathon, that I hope to run in sub 1:45. SQUUEEEEE of nervous excitement. I am prepared to work harder than I ever have, and am prepared if I am met with failure. You see, I have full confidence I can train hard for a half marathon injury free. Marathons? Not so much. But this is part of my maturity, I know my strengths (in every area of my life) so much better than I ever have. Half marathons are where my legs like to be. Why fight it? I am also prepared because I have spent a full year working on getting healthy.

Interwebs, I can finally breathe again.

triathlon cup, part deux.

2012-01-18T11:06:00.000-06:00

I completed my second YMCA competitive indoor workout... I mean Triathlon, on Sunday. As I mentioned in November I am participating in the Greater Wichita YMCA Tri Cup Series. This means there is a triathlon at differing Wichita area YMCA's starting in November and ending in May with an indoor-out race. Although I planned to participate in each tri, I missed December thanks to some horrendous female issues (you're welcome for that, boys).

Sunday marked my second attempt at doing a triathlon, or as Edder likes to call it, my indoor workout competition. He has a point. So we'll go with that. I showed up calm and ready to rock, not sure what or how I would do, but knowing I was in at least a bit better shape than I was in November. I've been running, spinning, swimming, yogaing my heart out the past month.

Here's the thing internetters. I have learned there is a distinct difference in being comfortable in water since birth, with lakes, with the ocean, with swimming and what not. And swimming in a tri. I realized that I am clearly most comfortable in a water situation that involves a lake. Where I can jump off of a dock, a cliff or boat and swim around in the open water for fun. Or play in the water with a ski under my feet. I am not, however, comfortable with swimming in a cush, temperature controlled, clean and confined body of water with other swimmers. Noted. I'm thinking I will likely be more comfortable at the tri I plan to do in June at a lake than I am in a pool. I'm a free flying fish, if you smell what I'm steppin' in.

SWIM
To make a painfully humiliating explanation short. The swim portion of my competitive indoor workout was horrid. I got in the pool, talked with the lovely and nice girl sharing my lane, did a few warm up laps and was feeling fantastic. Then our heat began. Lap one (out of 10) went smoothly and quickly, it was perfection. Lap 2 - 6 however, total disaster. I panicked. BIG TIME. And why? I don't know, maybe it was the new pool, the discomfort of swimming with others while people watched. Whatever it was, all I know is that my breathing got ragged and hard, I couldn't catch a breath. I couldn't calm down. That made me panic more. My legs felt like they were going numb. I felt like I was going to vomit with every stroke. I was flailing around, floundering, trying to get calmed down and back on track. I just couldn't.

So. I switched to backstroke, which slowed me down even more. And while I knew I was slowing down, doing backstroke helped calm me down enough to flip it over, get my shiz together and finish it out like a grown up. I still felt like I was going to vomit. Needless to say I was the last one out of the pool. By an entire lap. I felt a bit defeated. BUT. Thanks to a little pre-planning in what I wore (shorties and a running tank for the entire race including the swim) and set up I was able to pull myself together during my 1:13 T1. Much better T1 than the first Tri I attempted. Despite the fact that my swim was a good minute slower than my first tri.

BIKE
Once I got myself on the bike a girl I met at the first Triathlon (we were in the same heat) had seen me run through T1 and came up to chat with me. That was a much needed relief, she is a seasoned triathlete and I got to vent about my swim. Then she told me to amp up my pace on the bike and kill it. So I did. Bike time for 6 miles was 20:03. A good minute and a half faster than the first Tri. T2? A mere second, that was thanks to the bikes being right next to the track. I noticed as I hopped off the bike that out of the seven others in my heat who all beat me out of the pool, four were still on the bike. I was feeling better. I can't swim, but biking I can do okay. Not great, but okay enough.

RUN
My comfort zone. I got on the track to do my two miles, my breathing evened out and I just flowed along like I have been doing lately in all my runs. No idea of pace, but I was passing my fellow heat members over and over again. My legs felt strong and fantastic, apparently my fiasco of a swim gave me the oommph and energy I needed to do what I needed to do on the run. I ended up finishing before anyone else in my heat in 16:55. Again, not fantastic, but not awful. I'll take it.

Stats
Finish time = 51:32

1st AG
11th Female

Overall, I was bummed about my swim, but on the other hand it made me realize that running really is where I'm comfortable. And at least I can make up some time on the bike and run. Especially since I've always thought of myself as a VERY mediocre and average runner. At least I know where I can improve for next month. I will likely employ a swimming coach very soon. And look into finding out more about triathlons since I went into this totally blind. I know I need it. I have been defeated by the pool. So sad. As for the bike, I know I can get faster. And for running? Now that I'm training to PR in a half in April, I should get some speed back soon.

I've gained enough points in the Tri Cup Series by getting first in my AG at both tri's to keep my first place standing in the series overall in my AG (out of three tri's so far). I can't complain about that. My goal is to stay in the top three standing in my AG so I can get my Tri Cup Series prize in May! And since THIS GIRL is in a different age group, we are not competitors, we are just tri buddies. So glad I have someone to do this with!

best part of my day.

2012-01-11T11:16:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday morning kicked off my official training for the Oklahoma City Half Marathon. While I have done the marathon there twice, both times with not-so-great results, I'm not ready to tackle a marathon there again just yet. I'm not sure when I'll be ready to tackle a marathon again period. Although, someday I do plan to go back to OKC and run that marathon in under four hours and give it everything I have. Someday. Not just yet. For now I have zero interest in running any marathon, although I am putting my name in the lottery for NYC again. I'm leaving that one up to fate.

Instead, I am training for the OKC Half, if I can't yet get redemption for my full marathons there, I can at least go down and tackle the half marathon. And aim for a PR, likely a lofty PR given my recent runnings. But that's a different post for a different day.

For now, basically I just wanted to post some pretty pictures that I took on our refreshing and beautiful group training run Saturday morning. We have chosen to do our long runs along the river area which makes me a very happy girl. It's hands down my favorite spot to run in this city. I am training with a fantastic group of gals and we all plan to run the half. I'm very much looking forward to the training and race, more so than any training or race in recent history.

hello 2012, welcome to my world. and the frosty 5k.

2012-01-09T10:00:00.000-06:00

I'm sure I'm not alone when I admit that 2012 and the new year took me by surprise. At least I hope I'm not alone. I haven't been quite on top of things like I had hoped this year. But starting the new year out by writhing in pain and sickness all pitiful in bed will do that to a girl. I suppose.

I was finally ready for Christmas to be here... last Saturday. I missed the boat. So here it is, the second week of January and I'm left realizing that I am running a half marathon in less than a month with my sisters. I have house projects to finish. I have classes to prepare to teach very soon. I have organizing to do. A basement to clean out. All before 2012 arrives. I am not ready yet! I think I missed the boat again. I also have a Triathlon next week, pretty sure not ready for that either. Can I just slow down time, prepare myself, get adjusted and THEN start 2012? I didn't think so.

Therefore, I'm going to shovel in some miles over the next month, get my junk together and pray to sweet baby Jesus that I do not let my sister down while pacing her through her first half marathon. And that I don't letmy household fall apart. She assures me I won't, on both fronts. I'm glad she has the faith, because I do not.

Despite the fact I wasn't ready for 2012, it arrived anyway. And like a good little runner, I woke up on New Years Day without a hint of a hangover (that's what eating chili and cheese, watching monty python and knitting while hanging out at your sisters house on NYE will do for a girl) and went to run the New Years Day 5K with some friends. It went really well. It was a beautiful morning, there were no PRs, I didn't wear a Garmin, just a nice jaunt through downtown with my good friends. I have no idea what our finishing time was, I didn't even bother to look it up. Because I didn't care. Regardless, it was a fantastic way to start the New Year.

*shellers, jenn, myself and katie pre-frosty 5k new years day. such a beautiful morning!*

*katie and i at the finish line, my hands are glowing, that is creepy*

And THEN. I got sick. Which wasn't so great. Which could explain why I could barely keep my eyes open until midnight on NYE. So the next two days were spent writhing around uselessly in pain and misery. So that was a good time. At least I still got my NYD run in. And I managed yoga the next day despite said sickness. In fact, I've not missed one day of working out yet this year. Which even I can barely believe! Running, swimming, biking, strength training, yoga. I've been loving it.

I have a lot of posts rumbling around in my head! Stay tuned, I'm thinking 2012 should prove to be an exciting year. I started officially training for the OKC half marathon (i plan to actually race this and attempt a PR) with a fantastic group of gals, the Edder and I have a few trips to California planned in the next few months, we have some cook-offs planned, I start teaching college classes again next month, we are putting the finishing touches on our home improvement projects (and will be starting some new ones), I have five triathlons in as many months I plan to participate in and then there are of course endless pictures of my adorable Milo I need to post. Clearly.

Happy Monday Interwebs, and cheers to a wonderful running week.

a very merry christmas run. and 2011.

2011-12-27T16:48:00.001-06:00

I won't bore you with details of my Christmas break activities. I'll just say it was a fantastic Christmas spent with family and friends. Snuggling and playing with my niece and celebrating her 1st birthday. It also involved lots of eating, lots of sleeping in, lots of reading, lots of laughter, fun, family time and lots of relaxing. Some napping. Some running. And a spin class. Not bad, I say.

We must have been nice kids this year, Santa was good to us. Not just in the material sense, in fact that isn't even the important part. Or the part I feel blessed from. Far from it. I think this year, more than any others, I've clearly seen the abundant blessing and joy that is my life. And it has nothing to do with material goods whatsoever. The blessing that is my imperfect, sometimes messy, very real, sometimes raw, sometimes painful, often injured from running, but now very peaceful, happy life. My biggest lesson this year: life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful.

However, make no mistake. Santa did come to visit. He fueled my inner 80-year old with what has to be a years worth of knitting supplies. Plus, what girl doesn't love the words "Tiffany" and "Chanel" when it comes to getting Christmas gifts? There were a few screams of giddy delight and joy in our house this year, and not just from me, but me and my necklace from a little blue box sent from New York will leave it at that. I felt very humbled and undeserving of my gifts this year, but giddy nonetheless.

Moving on. Seeing how I have a half-marathon coming up in about 6-weeks with my sisters, one of my sissy's and I decided to head out for a Christmas day run. Not the best choice after downing a massive Christmas dinner. But, meh. We got it done. And it reinvigorated me to get on the ball so I can be at my best to run my oldest sisters' first half-marathon with her. Along the beaches of California. Surf City here we come.

Since we were at my parents when we took off for our run, I got to run along my original running grounds, that brought back a lot of memories. It also reminded me how lovely it is to run in a peaceful, secluded neighborhood with smoothly paved streets with no cars on them. And ponds. With ducks. DUCKS, PEOPLE. And sunshine. Gleaming off of things. I swear it's like glitter and rainbows LIVE in that neighborhood. I may need to go against every grain and fiber in my body and move back to the suburbs... nah.

So. I have no re-caps of 2011, that's what the blahg itself is for sillies! I have no preview of 2012 either. Therefore, I'll leave it at this. The year 2011 blew my expectations away in so many ways. In the best ways possible. And for that, I have no words. As a whole I am healthier and happier, inside and out, than I have ever been in my life.

I have no idea what 2012 holds, hopefully more of the same non-material blessings, a tiny addition to the FWR household, laughter with friends and family, and an adventure. Or two. And some running. And cheese. A lot of cheese.

Catch you in 2012 internets. I hope the next year holds the best in store for all of you.

christmas sparkles. and kirstie alley. then more sparkles. with jonathan knight.

2011-12-19T11:47:00.000-06:00

Last week I mentioned I was excited to get home and go for a dark evening run with my dog Milo. And that I did. Actually I did that four nights last week and then again this weekend. I'm on a ROLL people. The point is... SPARKLY! On each of my evening runs last week I would randomly stop to take pictures of the houses I found had the prettiest and/or tackiest lights in my neighborhood.

Topping that list includes Kirstie Alley's house. This is likely a little known fact, but Kirstie Alley is a native to Wichita She has a house in my neighborhood and she is almost always around town for holidays. Random tidbit complete, but it's important to this post.

Some Christmases Kirstie decks her house out, along with the property next to hers (which she also owns, which are both coincidentally next to the church of scientology). Rumor has it the display on the property next to her home is from a movie set, it's an entire Christmas scene that takes up the whole yard. It's festive. It's tacky. And it just screams awesome. Pretty much I love it.

You know what else is awesome? Wait for it, because your mind is going to be blown. Jonathan Knight is home with her. Yeah, in Wichita. He is staying with her. INTERWEBS! Jonathon Knight is is sleeping and hanging out a mere few blocks from my house. SQQUUUUUUUEEEEEE!!!!! I mean.... there's a.... what.... because.... oh my. HOLY SHIZ BALLS!

I need to whip out my 90's acid-wash jean jacket and find a denim mini skirt (wait, do they still make denim mini skirts? because, gross) covered in NKOTB buttons and run past her house over and over and over and over.... deep breath. And over again. Until.... that's right. Until. I. See. Him.

Moving on, I didn't snap a picture of Kirstie's actual house, it has the standard fare of garlands, wreaths and twinkly white lights. All very pretty. But I did snap the Christmas scene. All while Milo pooped in front of Kirstie's house. Thank you Milo. I love running with a bag full of dog poo!

*here you go, yes i took it with my crappy old iPhone so it isn't a great picture, but just realize this set up takes up an entire front yard.*

I still have some work to do to make it through all the streets this week on my self-guided neighborhood Christmas lights tour. Until I do, these are the houses I've liked best so far. Again, taken with my crappy old iPhone.

*this one comes complete with christmas music blaring from the lawn, so then that was a good time*

Happy Wednesday, YA'LLs. Here's to a good Christmas joy filled week. I plan to run, yoga, snuggle my niece, go to my niece's 1st birthday party, spend time with my family, knit in front of the fire and of course pretend to work. And maybe do some stalking... difficult to say.

best part of my day. running.

2011-12-16T11:12:00.000-06:00

Running. Splashing through huge puddles in the chilly dark, getting my feet soaked, running garmin free, letting iTunes pick the music, with my dog at my side. Happiness.

It's easy for me to let this time of year stress me out and make me anxious. I've been combating that a few different ways this year, one way being running. It used to be that running stressed me out too, because I let it. But I've learned that if I approach running MY way it reduces my stress and allows me come home a very refreshed, clear headed, happy girl. I realize most runners already have this all figured out in their running. Well, I'm slow. I didn't. It takes me awhile to get things figured out and working in my hard little fluffer nutter head.

The key to my new, fresh approach on running? It's running on my terms. I've been running Garmin free, with no goals, no obligations, no one to meet, no one to keep up with or slow down for, no one to keep a conversation with, no distances to be met... nothing. I suppose I've become a happy winter running hermit. Which for now, is exactly what I want and need.

While I love running with my friends for the company and motivation (I wouldn't trade those runs with my girlfriends for anything) and love having a race to train for, what I've needed most in running is what I've been doing lately. And I've never been happier in my running than I am now. I literally get home in the evenings, put on my running junk while Milo brings me his collar and leash (yes, he sees my running shoes and goes and gets his own collar and leash) in outlandish giddy anticipation and then we set out. And run. As fast as we want (he loves running fast in the winter), as far as we want, and stopping to admire Christmas lights (or for milo pee on shiz) when we want.

Basically. I DO WHAT I WANT. I love running again. Pure and simple.

basically, i am 80.

2011-12-13T10:52:00.001-06:00

The biggest indication that I'm 80 is not just that I've taken up knitting. While a kitty-cat purrs on the ottoman next to me. Or that I enjoy sitting by the fire, drinking hot tea and reading in the evenings. Or that I choose to sleep in, paddle about on the weekends in sweats drinking coffee, shopping and lazing about instead of running or racing. Or that I now bake cinnamon rolls and scones and Christmas cookies (although I draw the line at fruit cake, that will have to wait until I turn 85). Or wake up at 6a every morning just to drink coffee by the fire and write. And read. No, no. The biggest indication is perhaps that I started a Knit Club. And that I added to my bucket list, the item: Knit a Throw Blanket.

Random aside: remember that one day when I was a young kid of about 31, that one who started a running/drinking club? That one who ran every race she could manage and would run 40 miles a week, regardless of injury or sleep? Back when I always ran uphill and into the sleet and freezing rain? Oh, memories.

Back at it. So, you know how it is. The first rule of Knit Club? Never talk about knit club. (name the movie i derived that from and you get a gold star and a shout out!). And that's that. Knit Club now exists. But it cannot be discussed. Just sharing this tidbit as a true indicator that my transformation into an 80 year old woman stuck in a 32 year old body is complete.

As if that weren't enough, the original Fair Weather Runners have been reunited recently. After a few rough and/or busy years for all of us, we have gotten the gang back together. As I knew we would. The originals. Me, the running Katie and the running Jessica. However, we may still be the originals, but now we get together to eat. And drink home brew.And chitty chatty.

You know, talk about life. The good old days when we ran our first races and half marathons together and how we all almost died. Or how we all almost died during our group personal training sessions. Or how we were a raggedy bunch who all dropped out of our second half marathon together, so we wouldn't almost die. Because ONE of us was on crutches (coughahem), one was pregnant, and one was battling the worst, never ending cold known to man. Or how on an early morning run by the river Katie fell and sprained her ankle, it was her birthday, and so we had to sit and wait on the curb of a random house at 5:30 in the morning while Jessica went to get a car. We talk about DNF's, the ins and outs of relationships, babies, and houses. The real stuff. I mean... shiz gets REAL with us, people. And I like it. We can be honest, be our true selves, share the good, the bad and the very, very ugly. And we have. And we do.

The point here is this. My original running buddies and I are back and do plan to race together again. 80 years old or not. In April. But as we evolve, so does our running. And our relationship. I kind of love it really. I love that we all had our individual battles we fought separately for a few years, but we are reunited. And it feels so good! I have kindred 80-year-olds-trapped-in-30-something-bodies friends.

The friends that together we talk about how we can't wait until we really are little old ladies. So we can go to water aerobics at the YMCA. Then go to the locker room where we let our wobbly bits flop about all nimbly-bimbly while we shamelessly curse and listen in as young women talk about their running and racing. Then we interrupt them impolitely (because we can, because we are 80!) and tell them that back in our day we used to run. Pregnant. On crutches. Sick. Uphill. In the snow. Or in 115 degrees. Beat THAT. Young whipper snappers... Then we will put our clothes on and go eat breakfast. Together.

best part of my day.

2011-12-12T17:18:00.000-06:00

Hasn't happened yet. But it involves taking my dog Milo for a run around the neighborhood to enjoy Christmas lights when I get home from work. Man, I love running in the evenings this time of year. It's so SPARKLY! And you know I love me some sparkly, interwebs. SPARKLES! Maybe I'll take some pictures on my night run, post the sparkles later this week.

In other news. I have been running. Some. And doing yoga. Some. But it's just the right amount for my taste right now, actually. The amount that makes me happy.

And yes I'm still alive but barely blahgging! I have grand posts waiting to be written, pictures to be shared, stories to told... OH THE STORIES! The many stories and updates. Okay, maybe just a normal amount of stories and some lame updates about my current obsession of doing projects around my house and knitting. THANK YOU PINTEREST!

But you have to wait. Maybe tomorrow.

Happy Monday, YA'LL's!!

best part of my day.

2011-11-23T11:04:00.001-06:00

Tis the season to be busy. And happy. The past two weeks have been full of family and friends, laughing, enjoying life and spending time with those I love. The insanity of the holidays has begun in my life. I love the insanity though. The gaggle of family and events and fun, it's definitely my favorite time of year.

Which leads me to the best part of my day. Really of my week. My family is in town, from my sister and brother in law and their sweet baby girl, to cousins and aunts and uncles. It's been an insanely busy few weeks. Fun. But busy, especially at work (silly jarb cutting into my blarrging time). Which is why I've not been blogging, although I have lots to catch up on and lots to share -- part of the busyness includes some home renovations and projects galore.

Not limited to, but including an overhaul of our fireplace (much bigger project than you'd think), some new kitchen additions, lots of home beer brewing (check out Big Arbor Brewing for more on that--it's a work in progress--don't miss the fact that I now have my own signature FWR beer), and just general crafty projects I've been doing to decorate the house. And all the knitting! And teaching my cousins how to knit.

All in all it's been busy and fantastic lately. Time for running and working out have been pushed to the back burner, but I'm okay with that. Although I am running in a Thanksgiving Day run tomorrow morning with my sisters, dad, cousin and Meggers. I'm learning to prioritize, there will be plenty of time for running and workouts once my family leaves. A few weeks laying low on workouts isn't going to kill me. In fact, I think it will revitalize me. For now, spending time with the people I love is far more important to me. And hopefully next week after life calms down I'll be able to share all the home updates and all the upcoming ventures, and return to my regular workouts. More triathlons, and some running races too.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope it's a fantastic holiday for everyone out there on the interwebs, finding things to be thankful for in your life!

*i'll leave you with hands down the biggest highlight of my week so far, my sweet niece, aves. she doesn't hold still for long, this was the best shot I could get on my phone. i am so in love with this baby girl...*

my first tri.

2011-11-14T12:33:00.001-06:00

I finished my first Tri yesterday! I had fun, but I was definitely out of my comfort zone. In true FWR form, I'm just going to get listy with my thoughts/results from the event.

LIST!
-I was nervous about the swim since I hadn't jumped in the pool in quite awhile, for more than two weeks actually. And am in anything but fantastic running and biking shape. But it all worked out just fine.

- I finished in under an hour, which deep down is what I wanted to do. OT = 54:52. The distances were a 500y swim, 6 mile bike, 2 mile run. Here was my breakdown, and yes I'm being totally shameless in posting this:

(swim) 00:12:50 (T1)00:03:01 (bike) 00:21:49 (T2)00:00:03 (run) 00:17:09

- Transitions and swimming are not my strong suit. Lessons learned for next time. I am slow at the transition, very slow. And I apparently (thanks to pictures you will not be seeing interwebs, no apologies) swim with straight arms shooting up out of the water. How I achieve this is beyond me. I'm like a human windmill, in fact its quite impressive.

- Running is obviously my strong suit so far. And seeing how I'm not particularly fast at running, this fact disheartened me a bit. I had the 4th fastest female run time, yet one of the slowest swims and T1 times and an average bike pace.

- Next time. Even though I didn't fall in love with doing a Tri (in fact I was a pretty lukewarm to the entire experience) I am going to attempt to participate in the entire Tri Cup Series. I'm not sure I'll do every Tri they offer this winter, but my plan so far is to at least do the one in December.

- I did get first in my AG, but seeing how there were all of three people in my AG I'm not sure that just wasn't plain good old fashioned luck on my side.

*meggers and i showing off our tri pride before the race*

My indifference to the Tri probably has more to do with the fact that I am very slow to warm up to new things (and people and everything really) and that it takes me awhile to get the hang of new stuff. But seeing how I had Meggers along for the ride, and fantastic spectators in her baby Jakey and her husband... well it all helped my attitude toward the entire thing. As did the delicious coffee we went and had afterward.

At the very least I can say it was a new experience, it was fun and interesting. I met so many nice people too. I can't say I'll be a Tri junkie, I'm still pretty indifferent to the whole thing. But maybe I'll warm up to it as I go along. The series ends with an outdoor tri in the spring, which I'm considering doing. Note to self, train for the next one.

In the end, it is a new challenge, which I definitely love, and I can now say I'm an 'indoor' triathlete. I have the certificate to prove it, do I need to whip that sucker out? Because you know I will...

venturing beyond running.

2011-11-07T11:33:00.001-06:00

So. I'm doing a triathlon. This Sunday. Uh huh. Right. It's an indoor "Triathlon Cup" at the local YMCA. Actually it's a series, they do one indoor Triathlon per month at all the different Y locations in Wichita. If you do all of them, you end up doing seven Triathlons total. They have a point system and what not, it's all very involved. And it sounds fun.

I figured why not? I am going to give it a shot, it's a new challenge and the bonus is I don't have to own a Tri Bike. Just yet anyway. It's a win-win, and something to do throughout the winter if I want to keep after it and do the entire series.

This is just a sprint triathlon. A 500 yard swim, a 6 mile bike and a 2 mile run.

I can't say I'm nervous, even though it's my first Tri and I haven't been swimming in two weeks, but I've got the running and biking down. And hopefully I'll simply just not embarrass myself during the swim. I know I can do 500 yards, I'm not worried about that. I'm more worried about all the people being around.

No time goals for this girl, I haven't been working out very much, just sporadic yoga or biking or running here and there. I tried to start a running plan last week, I managed two runs. I've just needed a 'workout' break lately, I've been enjoying my down time. And the ability to focus on other things.

Like lots of projects around the house! And sleep! And reading! And being involved with beer brewing! And graphic design for personal use and said brewing! And cooking! And baking! And painting on canvases again! And friends and family! And learning to knit! Basically indulging my creative side at home again, something I've not done in years. I use my creative side at work a lot, but haven't taken that home in a few years. And I'm loving it.

But I'm ready to do something small in terms of racing. Something I can do with minimal training. So this is perfect. I haven't really trained for it at all, so I can't expect much. I just sort of run, bike and swim whenever, no rhyme or reason to any of my workouts. Which used to make me nuts. Now? Not so much, kinda loving the freedom of it.

The only thing I'm expecting from this is a new and fun experience. And to do my first Tri!

lets get campy!

2011-11-02T15:02:00.001-05:00

A week and a half ago we went on a little fall camping trip with our friends Meggers and Jeremy who just moved back to Wichita this summer. They have a 6 month old baby, Jakey. We took our dog Milo, they took Jakey and we headed to Fall River, Kansas. It's on a nice little lake, with pretty scenery, and it definitely doesn't FEEL like Kansas there.

Since we all have busy schedules and it was Jakey's first camping trip, we only went for one night. But it was so fun, and we packed in all the goodness of getting campy into our short little trip. I love camping as long as it's below 70 degrees, yes those are my nordic roots speaking. I am anything but a fan of the heat. So Edder has to wait patiently to camp until the weather is just right for this girl.

Besides some Bocci Ball, delicious Taco Soup, more than my fair share of S'mores (after dinner AND for brekkie) and infamous "eggs in a bag" for brekkie we didn't do a whole lot. But that's what camping is about. Just hanging out, enjoying being outside and eating. A lot. It was a general consensus that camping makes you very hungry. Clearly. Since I had S'mores for my second breakfast..... right.

SO. Pictures. We didn't get a ton, but here are a few!

*one of the views from our campsite*

*jakey showing his winning k-state pride while chillin' in his camp chair.... uhhhh, yeah. it was all just too much cute! just want to snuggle and kiss him. he was so mesmerized by the fire!*

*a lil' bit of frambois to start our evening off right. please note impressive wood pile in the background*

*CAMPFIRE! i love them. and this is where i made and ate enough s'mores to put an entire scout troop to shame*

*after securing the campsite perimeter (multiple times), hunting wild beasts, staying alert to coyote noises, helping find firewood, chasing after the bocci-balls, sniffing everything, peeing on everything, keeping constant track of five humans whereabouts and doing the hard work of cleaning up the dinner/brekkie/snack remnants... milo crashed out*

*jakey the camo boy. we played a little bit of 'hide the baby' while in his campy camo... oh come on, you know you would too. even though his socks gave him away. and i'm sorry, but how ridiculously cute is THAT baby?! delicious i tell you. i may have had him as my mid-mornie snack!*

the prairie fire half marathon. in photograph.

2011-10-25T16:30:00.000-05:00

It may be a few weeks after the fact, but here are pictures from the Prairie Fire Half Marathon. This is the first half where I ran mostly by myself, and without any goals. I wasn't running with anyone, or for any other reason other than to enjoy a half marathon. Which I did. I'm giving myself a gold star for that.

Now. For pictures.

*this would be me showing an example of what katie and i do before a race since we are far too impatient to wait for a port-a-potty. impatient + shameless = bad pre-race behavior.... i'll leave it at that. well... and thank goodness that kansans love their gigantic pickup trucks which are fantastic to use as 'squater' protection.*

*pre-race with the girls--shellers, me, katie and amy. we love to match, that's for sure. sheller found our outfits, loved it! because yeah, we are all in our 30's and we still go all matchsies with one another for races, what of it? HMMM?*

*this was around mile three, getting ready to head into my 'hood. i started the race with a hat and water bottle, that didn't last long. also, was totally soaked already by this time. this was pretty much where i was thinking 'maybe i'll just stop.*

*my fam, a neighbor and meggers and jakey out cheering me on from our house, see the mile 4 marker in the background?*

*milo found me and ran after, precious*

*i'm running milo back home, he's such a happy little guy!*

*milo watching after me as i run back to the crowd, poor buddy just didn't understand why he couldn't go fur a run with mama*

*shellers husband took this, he was out spectating right by my neighborhood bookstore, i think this was around mile 6. happy runner!*

*this was before mile 9 and after mile 7, i only know this because i still have a gel tucked in my running shorts. i keep it classy! at least it's obvious how happy i was, just running...*

*coming off the keeper of the plains bridge, exactly around the time my calves started cramping up like nobody's bidness. rude, calves. very rude. pretty sure i'm concentrating on not making my calves any worse here.*

*soggy finish line! finished around 1:56.*

the detroit freepress half. in photograph.

2011-10-21T11:31:00.001-05:00

As I mentioned, the Detroit Freepress Half was so much fun. It was a fantastic course, not bad weather (it was my kind of running weather, chilly and rainy) and it was wonderful to run alongside someone who was doing their first half marathon.

Experiencing someone's first big race with them made for one of the most enjoyable races I've ever done. I loved just running along, taking in the sites, stopping to take pictures whenever I wanted and chatting with my running pals. I had an absolute blast during the race. And before. And after. Perfection!


kristen the canadian and i pre-race trying to stay warm


the start line

*the ambassador bridge - the bridge between detroit and windsor, ontario. it was WIN.DY up on that sucker, i was running close to the caution tape and could have sworn it was going to blow over my head and strangle me. very dramatic, i know*

*a view from the bridge, one side of the river detroit, other side windsor*

*running along the detroit river on the windsor, ontario side looking onto the detroit skyline*

*starting the underwater mile into the border tunnel*

*inside the tunnel right on the border, it was warm and had quite the deceptive hill in it. it kind of made me nervous being in there, got a lil bit claustrophobic, especially when i started hearing odd noises...*

*making it out of the tunnel into the US of A. my favorite was when we crossed to the canadian side the announcer was so chipper and delightful all "hey canada, show the american's how fun we are." and when we crossed back into the US the border guards were just standing there yelling "show your numbers, where is your number." they were terrifying.*


finishing, finishing... happy

*post race, killer medals, all smiles with my canadian running buddies*

best part of my day. the poutinery.

2011-10-18T12:49:00.000-05:00

Uhhhh, yeah. Poutinery. It's a thing. It exists. I AM NOT KIDDING!!

And can I tell you first hand? It. Is. Killer. I about died when our friends suggested we go to a poutinery. I thought they were trying to be all, "hey gullible Americans, haha, let's go to a poutinery." Because, right. "THOSE EXIST, eh. wink, wink."... But really, they are too polite to pull one over on us. Poutinery's exist. WHO KNEW!

*proof*

And, wait.

Random aside: speaking of gullible Americans. We are THOSE one's. The one's who happened to make the brilliant mistake of taking out American cash on our way to the airport to go to Canada. Right. You know, Canada, where they apparently ONLY accept Canadian money. It's a fact. Learn it. And there's your lesson for the day, interwebs.

Moving on. So. The first stop across the Canadian border Friday night was at the Poutinery (while waiting for our real dinner of sushi to be prepared). My SQUUEEEEEE was barely containable... I just stood in front of "Frenchy's Poutinery" in gleeful amazement.

*happily inhaling poutine, which is french fries smothered in delicious gravy and cheese curds*

Oh, Canada... I miss you already. I've already screamed twice this morning over the fact I couldn't have Tim Horton's coffee and 'Tim-Bits' to start my day.

Race report from Detroit Freepress Half and pictures coming soon. As a preview, I absolutely adored this race, it was incredibly fun. With the bonus that my hip, point of fact, didn't fall off!

my first international race. and poutine.

2011-10-12T10:30:00.002-05:00

Lot's of "firsts" for me this fall! Including, but not limited to, swimming my first mile, having a beer officially named in honor of me and my blog, trying venison, wearing bright green shoes, and of course running my first international race. That's right kids, I'm heading to O'Canada in a few days. I'll be pacing a friend through her first half marathon, come to think of it, I think it's her first race, period.

Of course the fact that this race partly takes place in the Edder's best friend's current home town (windsor, canada) doesn't hurt. It's the perfect trip for us. He gets to act like a 15 year old with his bestie, smoking cigars, drinking some kind of brown liquor, playing PS3, and setting off fireworks at midnight (this is their m.o.). While I get to mark off a running "wish" list item by running a race in a different country. And enjoying actual fall weather, wearing boots and scarves and saying 'eh'. A lot.

So. The cool thing about this race is that it actually goes through BOTH America and Canada. It's the Detroit Freepress Half Marathon, starts in Detroit, runs across the bridge to Windsor Canada, along the river, and back to Detroit through the tunnel. Can't beat that with a stick.

I have no doubt I will annoy the living-will-to-run out of my friend by taking pictures and being an annoying chipper little knat buzzing around her. Telling her how amazing it all is. And how OHHHHEMMMMGEEEEE we are running in CANADA AND AMERICA. Go team! So then there's that for her to look forward to. I'm also excited to partake in some Poutine again. Oh yes, and we go classy when we visit Canada. We don't get high end poutine, no. We go for PFK (KFC here) poutine. Yes.

Needless to say I'm looking forward to a much needed long weekend away, spending time with fantastic friends all while getting to run a race I can't wait to do. Clappity happy fun time!!

Now. Let's just hope my hip doesn't fall off before then, or during the race. The way it's feeling, it's likely it might. But after a little e-stim and PT love this morning, I think I'll be okay. Well... in terms that my hip will point of fact stay attached to my body.

the prairie fire half marathon. running happy.

2011-10-10T11:46:00.003-05:00

The Prairie Fire half marathon went really well for me. As well as a race could go considering I had run a grand total of four times in the four weeks leading up to the race. Maybe that's the reason I am in a tinsy bit of pain today. Ouch. However, I am nothing but pleased about my race yesterday. I ran happy, I finished happy, and aside from getting a bit sick post race I stayed happy.

I have no idea what my average pace was, or even what my finish time was (the race results are being grumpy this morning so i can't get them) since I wasn't even running with my Garmin. I ran free of devices and junk (well I had a nathan handheld for awhile but tossed it in my yard when i ran past my house) and it felt fantastic. I ran at a pace that felt easy and the race felt like a breeze.

Although I won't lie. My injured cranky hip and I were ready to call it quits at mile 4, right where my house was planted on the course. I was going to run to my yard and join my family and friends (because meggers brought out baby jakey to cheer me and others on) and just be done. But when I saw them, it lifted my spirits. Made me smile and I felt like just... running. With some music. So I did.

The only downside to my race was that my calves began cramping up the last two miles. I had to slow down and take it easy there after mile 11. I think my biggest takeaway is this. My calves hate humidity. Plain and simple. At least they held up and allowed me to finish the race. Even if they are screaming expletives at me today.

To be perfectly honest, deep down I was dreading this race, even though I would only admit it to a few people. I didn't want to run it, I wanted to sleep in, cheer from my yard while eating homemade cinny rolls and drinking coffee. I was in no mood to run a half marathon. Injured. With no goal. However, I paid for the race, I committed to it and I don't back down when it comes to that business. So I ran. And ended up LOVING it. In fact, I can honestly say I had more fun running yesterdays half marathon than I have any other race. Plus it rained. A lot. And I loved that. I am one of those sickos who thrives while running in the rain. I was running and smiling and just plain happy. So happy. During the drizzles and occasional heavier rainy bits. Happy.

And you know what? That was refreshing. It will likely be my approach to most races in the near future. I'm tired of letting myself be a slave to my Garmin. To the next PR, to the next running goal. I'm tired of letting my hobby make me cry and make me feel frustrated. I'm done. It's stupid. And I let that go yesterday and man, was it ever worth it. I'm going to run only what feels good for awhile. All I want to do is run with my girlfriends on the weekends for no other reason than we simply WANT to. And because we can.

So. No PR. And I don't care. I think my finish time was around 1:56 - 1:57. I'll take it. Happily. It was a fantastic course, in my hometown, on my home turf, on streets in my neighborhood I run regularly. And I'm still smiling thinking about how much I just plain LOVED it. Refreshing indeed.

Lastly, I have to share my favorite part of the race. In fact, I think this is the cutest and best thing that's ever happened to me in a race period. As I ran by my house, Milo (my dog) picked me out of the crowd of runners and jumped into the race with me. Beyond precious. He saw mama running, and all he wanted was to run with me. I had to run him back to the Edder while people all around in the race were laughing. At least we provided some extra entertainment. My dad caught the rogue Milo on camera, can't wait to get my hands on those and share. Seriously. Best. Thing. Ever. And pretty stinkin' cute.

I ran happy. Still smiling.

sidenote: once i get race pictures (official and unofficial both) i will do a post just for those. because one thing this blog needs is more pictures of my dog. and me. running. obviously..... chirp.... chirp chrip....

best part of my day.

2011-10-06T12:19:00.000-05:00

And that pretty much sums it all up. I'm such a huge sucker for little gestures like the note above. So small and easy, yet ridiculously meaningful. A girlfriend at work wrote that to me. Made. My. Week. Actually, made my month...

not a goggles genius.

2011-10-04T14:31:00.000-05:00

Right. Okay. So in my defense, I've never had any swim coaching, I never took a swim lesson in my life, and I had no idea what I was doing when I plodded into Dick's three and a half years ago to buy swim goggles, a swim cap and a swimsuit. And then proceeded to barely use said items for you know, three years.

Apparently, KIDS, I've been sporting my goggles a bit too tightly during my swimmings. As in my head starts to hurt and my eyes feel like they are going to bulge out about 20 minutes into my swim. Uh huh. It's awesome. And I just sort of assumed that was how it was supposed to be.

BUT. GET THIS. GET IT. Goggles aren't supposed to hurt your eyeballs. WHO KNEW! I will use 8,000 exclamation marks if I need to!!!!! !!!! !!!!!! Because during my one mile swim today, after loosening up my goggles I could not only see everything clearly without fog in my gogs, but I was also missing the sensation of my eyeballs beating in rythym with my heart. Is that normal, by the way? Actually, that part has been a bit disturbing the past few weeks. So there's the good news, I think I figure out how to actually wear goggles when swimming. Turns out you can actually SEE through those suckers when you wear them correctly...

Despite the new found goggle information (thank you world wide interwebs and your amazing search results and bevvy of information on swimming goggles, turns out i bought a pretty good pair on accident), I had a bit of an awful swim. At least I still swam a mile, and had the pool to myself for the most part, and shaved a whole minute off my mile from last week. SUCCESS!

Don't you love how I was all "writing and reading about swimming is lame" and this is my second post in a row about swimming? Me. Too.

my first mile.

2011-09-30T09:51:00.002-05:00

It may have taken me 46 minutes, but I went my first mile ever yesterday. Swimming. On my third attempt out at lap swimming in oh... you know... about four years, I swam a mile. No complaints. I don't care that it took me so long, it felt wonderful. Like I mentioned before, I decided to hop back in the pool seeing how my hip is grumpy at running. I forgot just how much I love swimming. The instant I swim those first few strokes, I just feel at 'home.'

I've always been a water bug, I don't even remember learning to swim. Although I'm pretty sure my Grandpa taught me in our backyard pool, or maybe it was my dad. Or both. I don't know. I've just always swam. Our family loves the water, we spend a lot of time on the lake together. Skiing and swimming and playing. Being in water for me is natural. And comfortable. And far easier on my body than running.

I plan to keep up the swimming, going about twice a week. Although I'm itching to get back in the water for some laps, I'm trying to temper my desire and take it easy. It makes it that much more enjoyable when I jump in the pool. I think the reason I love it so much is because when I swim laps I get into a zone that's even more focused and far more zen than running (i rarely feel zen when running). My brain shuts off and I just.... swim. It's so relaxing. I'm not in there competing with anything but seeing how far I can go. Even swimming that mile yesterday? I felt like I could have gone two miles. And when I hopped out of the pool, my somewhat tough week had melted away.

I'm not saying this to beef myself up, at ALL. I'm just sharing how swimming makes me feel... which is wonderful. I even love the lingering smell of chlorine (despite showering after) on my skin the rest of the day. Although, maybe the ease of it just means I need to swim harder! Or maybe it just means swimming is my thing. Clearly I'm not a speedster or stellar swimmer. But I do love it. And feel like I'm a swimmer who's been trying to fit into the running world. It's just the most natural sport I've ever done, honestly. Running was never natural for me. I feel almost the same about the bike, it's more natural for me than running. But that's a different story for a different day! And yes, there is a triathlon in my very near future. I'll be dipping my cheeto-like toes into the tri world in November. With THIS GIRL, who just moved back home, by my side. BONUS. She is a seasoned triathlete, thank goodness!

And the thing is, writing about swimming and biking... well, I've always thought it was un-interesting, boring and lame. So I probably won't write about it a lot. For some reason running is more interesting to me, in regard to reading and writing about it. That's just me.

For now, I'm going to attempt my FIRST run in nearly three weeks later today. I have no idea how far I'll go, I'm just going to go run and limit myself to an hour. I do have 8 miles, part of which is a 5k, on tap tomorrow with the girls. I can't totally neglect the fact I'm running a half marathon in a week. I need to get my running legs back!

new obnoxious kicks.

2011-09-28T13:56:00.001-05:00

Interwebs I snagged myself a brand spankin' new pair of obnoxious kicks, to go along with THESE. This time I went with bright green and what I can only describe as hyperspace hot pink. Because in real life the pink on these shoes is brighter than neon. And I couldn't think of a better term than 'hyperspace'. And it. Is. Awesome. (although the laces kinda look orange in the picture, they aren't).

Drum roll please.

No really. Did you do a drum roll? For reals. Do one. Right now.

Thanks.

I will be wearing said obnoxious kicks in the Prairie Fire Half Marathon in about a week. My hip is doing significantly better. I've been walking, swimming and biking (more on that later) since taking a full week off after peaking at a long run of 19 miles and then dealing with my crapped out hipster. And doing all of the prior pain free. It doesn't even hurt to stand on my left leg anymore, this is a definite improvement. Because, people.

I can put pants on. By myself. Without holding onto my bed. SUCCESS! And yes, I raise my arms in the air every morning now and scream 'success!!!!!!!!' after putting on my pants.

While I'm a bit concerned that my running ability has been diminished by a lack of running the past few weeks, I'm hoping my cross training and those long runs will carry me through comfortably in the half mari. I have no intentions of getting a PR. But I do hope to maintain a fairly decent pace and come in under two hours. I'll be doing a lil' bit o' race tune-up Saturday morning at the annual Rosstoberfest 5k, yet another race that runs down my street and past my house.

So that's that. I have obnoxious new shoes. And I will run a half marathon in them. Does life get much more exciting than that? I thought not.

getting googled.

2011-09-19T11:04:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite things about my blog is looking at what items people googled that landed them on my pages. This is my weekly entertainment. There have been some real gems, I've been harvesting them, saving them just for you. The best thing is seeing which pages get the most hits.

You know what posts STILL make the top few thanks to google? My post about bloody knuckles and then a post about parasites. And poop. Go figure.

Last week in particular held some spectacular google nuggets, here are my faves from the past month or so:

bloody knuckles - this is a regular occurrence, people apparently love their bloody knuckles on the interwebs
knuckles after a fight - also a regular occurrence, and these 'google's' relate to THIS POST
bloody girl knuckles - of course
baby hippo eats cat - what the.... yeah, THAT got googled, AWESOME.
girl joggers - uh, can you say pervy googler on the prowl?
leopard spots on inner thigh - another favorite of mine
beef stroganoff tee shirts - YES
evil hamsters theory - I can only assume they found it because of this really old post
drugged - still not sure where this one led to
minimal running shoes smell - naturally. although my sister and i decided nike free's smell fruity (before worn, natch)
purr, i'm a leopard - uhhhhh....
vomit during a run - thank you shellers for this one, if it weren't for you, this google gem wouldn't come my way.

All really good stuff. Really that is the only reason I continue to blog, obviously. To see the goggles.
That is all.

three weeks to prairie fire. trying not to sneeze.

2011-09-19T10:40:00.002-05:00

You know it's a good old fashioned hip strain when you sneeze and it hurts. And you wince every time you get up, or go down stairs, or lift your leg... and then you brace yourself for another sneeze. Apparently I am 80. Prairie Fire is in three short weeks and whether or not I'll be running in it is up in the air. Running the half that is. The full marathon? Notagonnahappen. And it's okay.

For now, it's time to wipe the slate clean of those three marathons I had planned this fall. Oh ambitious young grasshopper, you'd think I would learn. Right?! Not so much. If my hip is in shape for it, I'll run the Prairie Fire half, if not, I'll spectate. From my front yard. And wait at the finish line for my pals then host a celebration at my house afterwards.

So that's that. No marathon for me this year. The bright side in this is that I love half marathons, and I'll continue running those. They don't tear me up. Maybe I'll start swimming. Maybe I'll bike. Maybe I'll try some triathlon's. Or maybe I'll just eat Cheetos and Nutter Butters and watch trashy TV. Who knows. I'm not making any plans of any sort. Although Cheetos are REALLY good... Now I want some Cheetos. For now, I'm just gonna roll with what feels right.

Clearly I don't have any training to report. I did some yoga last week. Um...ouch. But after plenty of rest this weekend and more physical therapy (including ultrasound and e-stim) my hip is feeling much better and I have the clear to do some yoga again. Seeing how my legs are going nuts, you better believe I'm plopping my mat in that yoga studio at 12p sharp today and enjoying every second of it!

beyond bruises and astym.

2011-09-15T10:51:00.001-05:00

Right. So it's no secret I'm a bruised up leopard like of a runner right now. It turns out, that all the junk the resulting bruises from ASTYM and deep tissue work, on top of that fantastic 19 miler Saturday allowed a hip strain to show it's true colors. The other junk was covering it up, and while it was there a little under the surface, those 19 wonderful miles sent it over the edge in to pure pain.

Imagine a knife being stabbed into your hip (front and side) every time you took a step, lifted your leg, or moved. That's pretty much what I'm dealing with. It's again time to re-evaluate my marathon. After three hours of tears and turmoil and thinking and evaluating there were some decisions made. Maybe I will run a marathon, maybe I won't. At the very least I will run the half. And whatever will be will be. It may be time I just let go of the marathon and focus what I'm good at. Running half marathons and shorter distances, and supporting other people in their running endeavours. Time will tell. I'm open to wherever I'm supposed to be and doing whatever I'm supposed to be doing.

For now, I'm puffy and bruised up today, but it's all good. I had some great treatments this morning at PT and while the pain is still there, I'm hopeful I'll return to running soon. More lessons learned. More tweaking to my running. More injuries behind me. But healthier and happier, every day. It's a process for me. I'm learning. The important thing is that I'll get back to running and be ready to pummel some races. Or maybe just run alongside some of my favorite people in the world (like my sisters, and this girl), supporting them in their new running adventures. Either way, deep down I'm a happy girl. And it's all okay.

And look at it this way, if I wasn't always getting injured and growing and learning and being all dramatic... what the hell would I write about on this blog?! That's what I thought. So it's agreed, at least I have endless topics to blather on about to the blahgesphere...

four weeks to prairie fire. a turkey or a crane.

2011-09-12T16:34:00.000-05:00

Despite the on-going hip/IT band/quad/hamstring my left leg is enduring, I am still running as much as possible. With my goal 'm' time changed I am not worried or stressing out about the marathon as I have in the past. We are doing our long runs at a pace very near to where we want to run the marathon, so that in and of itself is comforting. And no, it's not at a pace that I'm pushing, it's a very comfortable, easy pace for a long run. We talk the entire time, so we are running easily enough for us to chatter non-stop.

While the long runs are going quite well, it's my weekday runs that are hurting me. Having two treatments a week in PT means that I'm swollen and bruised during the week, and good to go by the weekend. So I'm managing the best I can, squeezing in 4-6 milers as comfortably as possible Monday - Friday. I wish I could do more than that, but the pain isn't worth it.

That said, we ran 19 miles on Saturday, and I'm pretty stinking satisfied with it! It's one of the best long runs I've ever had. I love that I am training with Shellers and Katie (who is only doing the half at PF) and that we can carry each other when needed. It seems when one of us is having a bad run there is another one of us there to pick the other up to keep her going. It's what running buddies are for! Our last long run will be this Saturday topping out at 20 miles, then our taper includes a half marathon, and a 5k (+ some miles) the week before our big 'm'.

In other news, we have been mixing up our long run routes the past few months, none of us enjoy running the same route over and over. So we ran quite the path on Saturday that led us through a good chunk of the city and then landed us in a big nature preserve/park where we got to run on quiet shaded paths through prairie grasses and all manner of nature. In fact we spotted some Turkeys (or Cranes.... that issue is still up for debate) during our run.

Maybe you can tell which they are? We are sticking to Turkeys, SOMEONE else thinks they were Cranes. But he is a boy. And wasn't there. So clearly we are right. He is wrong. Or maybe you, the interwebs, should decipher. What do you think, they are the little grey things toward the top of the picture in the green scrub.

*turkeys or cranes?*

Week 12 Training
Monday - 3 miles
Tuesday - 4 miles
Wednesday - Yoga
Thursday - 5 miles
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 19 miles
Sunday - Rest

Total = 31

I Am Leopard.

2011-09-09T17:07:00.000-05:00

And shameless. Pictures never do it justice, the bruises I'm developing from my second ASTYM treatment. My bruises are quite spectacular, and they look like I'm channeling a leopard. Random aside: what noises to leopards make? Do they meow? Growl? Do leopards purr, I wonder? If they do, I'd be purring right now because my leg may look horrific, but man is it feeling better!

Regardless, the above splotches on my quad and inner thigh (yes those spotty patches are bruises, hard to tell) are the result of ASTYM; well the second treatment, the first treatment bruises aren't going public... well maybe... for a fee. So. Everyone handles treatment differently (i.e. level of bruising and swelling). I bruise a lot, and swell some. But it's very manageable. The pain is the payoff in this case. Literally. The good news is all those little spotter-spots? That is my damaged tissue thanks to all that speedwork this spring. Clearly I can work hard to run faster, but if I neglect my legs during my phases of speedwork, the results aren't good.

The great news here is that it's not like I have some awful injury like I've experienced in the past, my muscles just didn't heal back correctly. They should be like spaghetti in a box, and right now they are like cooked spaghetti. It's just how my muscles respond. And basically everything in my upper left leg is cooked spaghetti, not just my hip, but my IT band, my groin, my inner thigh, my butt. It sucks, but now I know. I know how these issues can be fixed. And now I know what to do when the aches, throbbing and pain appear.

I am an official ASTYM junkie!

I have a few more treatments to go, I'm not sure how many exactly, but I can keep running through treatment.! And if I knew what sound a leopard makes? I would totally insert the appropriate text reflecting said leopard noise... for now I'll say meow. And purr.

RELIEF.

2011-09-08T10:29:00.000-05:00

Finally. For the first time in nearly six weeks, I ran ALMOST pain free this morning. I had ASTYM Tuesday at Physical Therapy, and while ASTYM hurts like a mother and makes me all bruised up and puffy, it works. I had it on my right hip years ago, and haven't had problems with that hip since. I'm hopeful this proves the same on my left side. I go back for more torture this afternoon. But it's worth it.

I was seriously considering dropping to the half-marathon yesterday. As in ready to say at the end of my day, "okay, this isn't worth it." I'm not this athlete. I'm not meant to marathon (i'm still not convinced i'm built for it). But after my morning run today with my dear running buddy Shellers, I feel better. And ready to run a marathon. Of course the delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte's after and a good chat didn't hurt a bit....sweet goodness how I LOVE fall.

Side note: Milo hit his mileage PR today, five miles! So proud. He kept our pace the entire run and didn't once peter out.

It was my best run in a month and a half. My pain has been reduced by at least 80% and while I still had some pain, it was nothing like it's been. It was just the boost I needed to pick myself up and decide to do the marathon after all. With me and marathon training, it's never drama free. There is always that point I get to where I say, forget it, I won't do it. And then I get better and I do. It's a good time.

But. This is what I've worked hard for the past few months, really hard for. To get healthy in running, but also overall physically, emotionally and spiritually. To get past the junk, to get past the pain and be able to pick myself up and say it's okay regardless of all the crap. To keep going. And to live a happy and content life. Despite the junk. Despite running injuries.

The hard work and determination and refusal to give up are paying off. I feel like I've been climbing Everest the past few months in regard to a lot of things. Like life, running, career. And I finally made it to the top this week. Time to take a breath and enjoy. Because finally this week, there has been RELIEF.

best part of my day.

2011-09-06T10:40:00.000-05:00

My morning run in 55 degree weather. No.

Let that sink in.

FIFTY. FIVE. DEGREES. No humidity. I even put on a long sleeve shirt. My face got chilly, my cheeks were all red after my run, my hands a little numb.

It was incredible. After the 'summer on the surface of the sun' (read: endless days of 100+ temps), in early September I got to run in FIFTY FIVE DEGREE WEATHER. With my dog. In the peace and quiet of early morning. No iPod. No Garmin. No running buddies. Just me and Milo. And even though it didn't feel like an easy painless run (none of them have been lately), it was the best run I've had in a really long time.

After the first mile I just forgot about everything, let go and ran hard. Milo kept up, I've been working to get him in shape for this, and it is paying off. I can now just let him run beside me, off the leash, worry free. He is always right there. My favorite little running buddy. Then before I knew it we were back home. Both out of breath, chilly and smiling. All peaceful, content and happy. I worked some junk out on my run. I really needed that.

*milo happily trotting along in front of me on our run*

hot mess indeed.

2011-08-31T11:29:00.004-05:00

SO. It's totally been one of THOSE weeks. You know the kind. Where your car gets broken into, your dog has conjunctivitis, you get charged $60 for an Active.com membership you didn't sign up for (yet you did, sneaky marketers and stupid check boxes), your cat keeps vomiting on your new rug, you find out some not-so-great news that causes you to cry for a good two hours of your Saturday morning and bums you out all weekend, you go to physical therapy where your legs are torn up to the point of wicked bruising and it hurts a LOT when you run, you try and make a certain thing for dinner you've been craving and go to the store only to find out they are of course out of two key ingredients you need to make said dinner, oh and where of course you attempt two early morning runs--both thwarted?

Yerp. That. Is. My. Week. But I refuse to be defeated.

Sigh. Instead I'll show you the killer impressive bruise that is on a 'to remain nameless' part of my body....coughahem.... from physical therapy on Monday. This sucker is spectacular, no?

*i was making dinner monday night talking to the edder and was all, oh man i bet i'm gonna have a bruise where i had PT today, and i pull down my shorts? uhhhhh, yeah. that bruise doesn't look so big in the picture, trust me it's like the size of my fist.*

That is all.

Moving on. Thwarted six-miler this morning. If it wasn't bad enough my car had gotten broken into, my run got ruined. A happy runner this does not make. Livid is a term that comes to mind. Nothing like getting in your car only to realize stuff is strewn about all nimbly-bimbly! It was highly confusing. I sat in my car a good few minutes before I even realized what had happened. Then made the phone call to my running buddy that I needed to deal with it. Then woke the Edder up to tell him. Then called the police. Then I cried. Because that's what girls do. We cry. Man... I have only felt more violated two other times in my life. Such an awful feeling! I've never been robbed before, it kinda sucks! And by kind of, I mean it sucks a big one.

This week is awesome. That is what I keep telling myself. As I rock back and forth in a ball in my office chair. My office-mate is LUCKY. At least I got some pity Starbucks this morning from said office-mate. So there is that. And did manage to squeeze in two (not so painless) miles this morning with Milo (the not so reliable guard dog), who ran off leash most of the time--BOOM. Considering the morning, I'll call it a success.

And yes, I realize all my problems are very 'first world' issues. Life is not that awful, I realize that my issues are minimal in comparison. But that doesn't mean I can't whine about them every now and again... right? RIGHT?! Just one of those weeks, venting was needed. DONE!

Happythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughts.

six weeks to prairie fire. let me introduce you to the 'hot mess' and 'china.'

2011-08-29T12:44:00.002-05:00

The good, the bad and the ugly. The good? My training for Prairie Fire isn't going to be interrupted by what I'm about to talk about. The bad? I have a strained hip flexor. The ugly? China has returned to my right calf, making the party going on in my left hip strain that much more fun! SQUEEE!

I spent the morning at physical therapy, being poked, prodded, moved around and grimacing in pain when my PT Doug was trying to figure out what the heck is going on with my leggies. Then I got to go through some nice tear inducing deep tissue work on china (i.e. knotted up calf) and on my hip/booty/IT band. To sum, the left side of my leg is a big ol' hot mess. But based on the beating my calf and left leg got? China and the hot mess doesn't stand a chance now. Fun. Stuff.

Even still, the good news is that I get to keep training and my PT is confident I'll be in great shape to run Prairie Fire. Of course my favorite part was that as I was leaving his office I was all "oh, well that's just prairie fire, i haven't told you my other 'm' plans for the rest of the year"... priceless that look I got. Yes, I have big plans for fall marathons (see my side bar if you're curious now), I'm just gonna heap them on while I'm in shape and ready to roll. Since I'll likely be cutting marathons out of my life for awhile starting next year. But that's a different blog post, more to come there.

For now, I ran 18 miles yesterday, not awful, not great. The miles got run, and at a pace that wasn't what I wanted, but was all I could manage. With my good buddies hanging in at my side, despite me trying to shove them off at a faster pace. This is why we are running buddies, they stuck out my rough run with me the entire time. Keeping me going with a smile on my face and a little laughing thrown in.

The main points I am taking away is that I have to change my training for a bit, as in cutting out speedwork, which I'm okay with. I'm happy with my current paces and I think I'll be fine to run the marathon I want to run without bombarding my body with speedwork. Second is that I have to cut out hot yoga for awhile. It's just too intense on my hip, however I plan to keep regular (non-hot) yoga in my life. Along with some strength training. GUHHHHHH, that's my least favorite! Apparently when you have a weak booty as a runner? It messes things up, so ST it is. Sigh.

Week 10 Training:
Monday - Hot Yoga
Tuesday - Rest
Wednesday - 4 Easy Miles
Thursday - 6.5 Miles
Friday - Rest (hip pain)
Saturday - Rest (hip pain)
Sunday - 18 Miles, last two at a faster pace (for the most part)

Cheers to another week of running interwebbers, and to the fact that fall weather is a mere few weeks away. Now THAT really is worth a SQUEEEEEE, IMO.

seven weeks to prairie fire. back in the game.

2011-08-25T14:39:00.000-05:00

BOOM. Three runs and a 16 miler last week and I'm back to feeling like I can tackle that 'm' in October. While my hip and calf are still a bit cranky, they are holding up to my runnings and yogaings. It's bearable. In fact, I had the best 16 miler to date in my running history on Sunday. And that's saying something!

Any run over 14 miles is something I typically dread. I don't like how much time it takes, but I'm finding as my pace and strength have increased, so has my tolerance for long runs. Of course it didn't hurt that it was only 74 degrees during the 16 miler, a pure treat during August in Kansas. Plus my running company wasn't too shabby either! We even managed to negative split the last two miles, something we are working on during long runs to help us through those last miles.

Upon the advisement of my running buddy Shellers, after my 16 miler I went home and took an ice bath (first one since i trained for my first 'm' two years ago), and I even drank some Muscle Milk (it was my first time trying it), then took some Aleve. I felt fantastic afterwards, even yesterday. I won't lie, it's refreshing to finally feel good during and after a run over 14 miles. Big milestone for this girl, and it's giving me a lot of hope about that 'm'. However my hip is back to a painful state this week, but I'm simply running through it and hoping PT works. Fast.

Speaking of, I've changed my goal a bit for the 'm' seeing how I had to take a week off for injury. Whereas I was aiming for a sub-4 goal at the start of training, I'm tweaking that a bit and now shooting for anything under 4:10. Hopefully reaching something more in the 4:05 range. It's not exactly what I wanted, but I am being realistic here, especially considering my training interruptions. Sub 4:10 would still be a pretty decent PR, so I'm satisfied with that.

Week 9 Training:
Monday - Rest cranky hip and calf
Tuesday - Rest cranky hip and calf
Wednesday - Rest cranky hip and calf
Thursday - 4 Miles Easy
Friday - 7 Miles Speedwork, with 3x1 mile @ 7:30
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - 16 Miles with last two at faster pace

Cheers to a fantastic running week fellow interwebbers!!

my faves: snuggling meatloaf

2011-08-23T10:18:00.001-05:00

As in my dog. Milo. I call him Meatloaf, among a billion other names. Regardless, he is definitely one of my favorite things on the planet, and snuggling up with him on any day beats just about anything in the world. Good day, bad day, a 'lil bit of Milo snuggling makes my world better.

Nothing compares to going home to a happy dog that is thrilled you simply came back. Because yes, I love the instant gratification a dog offers in the form of validation. No shame. Come on, who doesn't love going home to something that is so excited to see you that they nearly pee themselves?!

Plus he is so stinking cute... just look at this sleepy little snugly face!! How could you NOT love?

best part of my day. rockum-sockums.

2011-08-18T17:11:00.000-05:00

A) I got to run again today! And while it wasn't a pretty one, or pain free. Four miles are in the books and that is a fantastic feeling. I get into physical therapy soon-ish, and while my hip is better it's still grumpy.

2) I ran in some new rockum-sockums (i.e. running socks) that the Edder brought home to me on a whim the other night. The socks are amazing, I have no idea what brand they are, but I have already informed him that whatever they are, I need more. Pronto. I think he got them at Backwoods. Regardless, they are wonderful and my new fave.

*i present to you, my new rockum-sockums! they are even pink. i ran at the gym just in case my hip exploded, didn't want that mess flying around when i'm two miles away from work. i won't lie, i welcomed the treadmill today, 4 miles of air-conditioned, mindless running*

8 weeks to prairie fire. HIP!

2011-08-16T10:11:00.001-05:00

Well. I don't have a lot of running to report on. After eight stellar weeks of training, I've hit a small training blip in the form of my left hip. It's gone all wonky on me. I haven't been running since last Wednesday, or doing yoga, or going to spin class. It just isn't worth making my hip worse, or causing it to take longer to heal up. I'm just in waiting mode for now, waiting to get into physical therapy, waiting to see how long this issue lasts before I make a decision whether to drop to the half marathon or not.

The good thing in this comes in here. At any other point in my running life, training for an 'm', I would be freaking the stink out right now. But I'm not. Actually, I'm eerily calm about the whole thing. If I have to drop to the half, I will train as hard as I can to snag a PR. If my hip turns out just needing a little deep tissue work and e-stem, I'll keep training hard for the 'm'. Whatever will be, will be.

The fact that I've been good and busy the past week isn't hurting matters, keeping me occupied. Between work, social life and having family in town right now? It would be a struggle to fit running into the past six days anyway.

My attitude is this. Meh! There's nothing I can do but wait. No use getting myself in a funk over it. I'll find something out tomorrow and go from there. In the meantime I may or may not have dipped back into the cheese and sugar. But just momentarily (while family is in town, that's always a good reason, right?) I'll be back on the cheese-free/sugar-free wagon later this week. That's all I've got on the running front!

In other news, thanks for all the music suggestions, you interwebbers are so killer! While I'm off the running track for a bit here, I plan to work on my running playlists. Giddyup!

Lastly, my runnings last week weren't worth posting since I ran all of two days before calling it quits on the hip. So nothing really to report for week eight of training. But cheers to everyone who is out and running this week, enjoy some miles for me, please.

(see how polite i was about asking for miles? that means you have to now, because i didn't demand you to do it in all caps. polite. this girl!)

what's your song.

2011-08-10T16:58:00.000-05:00

Although I don't listen to music much anymore when I run (only because i do about one run per week all alone), I plan on putting together a KILLER race playlist for the marathon. Someone suggested in my comments on my post wondering how to get through the middle miles of a marathon that I should put some of my favorite tunes in the middle of the playlist to get me through. Being a huge music lover, I have to agree. That, along with seeing friends/family on the course are the best solutions to help keep me going in the 'dead zone' of miles 14 - 20. Thanks for the suggestions interwebbers!

So, while I have no problems finding fantastic new music to listen to while not running (i'm posting my top five faves here every few weeks actually), I need some inspiration for running tunes here people. Please offer any/all of your favorite running songs, por favor. Especially since I haven't updated my running playlist since May. Sad. Poutsies.

I promise not to threaten you in all caps to get you to help me out here, I'll just send out the pity vibe... you offered your suggestions on how to help me get through the middle miles, now one-up yourself and offer me a song.

That is all. I look forward to your suggestions. HINT... HINTHINTHINTHINTHINTHINT. Okay, fine, I yelled a little there. But I'm a shamelessly desperate runner here, hoping to run the best race of her life in a few months.... I also love to guilt trip. I hope that worked.

Shameless. Guilt tripper.

9 weeks to prairie fire. middle miles advice, pretty please.

2011-08-08T17:00:00.001-05:00

Another week of training down. It went fairly well, as well as training in relentless heat can go. MAJOR ALERT: the heat wave finally broke over Wichita today, sweet relief. Although it's a bit telling when 90 degrees feels like massive relief. Even still, I'm looking forward to running outside all this week, I'm pretty excited about it really. Hopefully my runs will improve with the reduced heat/humidity the next few days. Sweet, sweet running relief.

I did have a decent week of training. I got some much needed yoga in, ran four times including a strong tempo and long run, and had a nice balance of working out and spending time with friends and family. Stellar week, really.

The thing that's been on my mind though is focusing on the middle miles of the marathon. I really need to up my mental game in regard to miles 14 - 20. I'm not really sure how to do that though. But for now when the running gets tough and I want to cut it short because of heat or being tired, I keep pushing thinking "this is how I'll feel at mile 18, and you don't want to give up this time." Like I always do in a marathon. When I want to just stop. I lose it mentally and it's over for me. At least until mile 20, but slowing in those middle miles hurt my pace!

The first 14 miles, and the last six miles are always the easiest for me mentally. I may be hurting those last six miles, but something about knowing I only have six miles left somehow puts some fuel back in my tank and pushes me further. It's the same in any race, from a 10K to a half marathon or marathon, for me. The END is my strong suit. I thrive knowing I can push just a little further, I guess my problem is playing it safe, wanting to have that fuel for negative splits at the end.

Suggestions encouraged, blahgeshphere. How do you get through the roughest mental miles in your race? How do you handle your middle miles in a marathon? Do you push the whole race? Give yourself some room? I need to prepare for this 'm' in October to the fullest, and the mental aspect is something that needs the most work right now. So please, suggest! Don't make me beg. It's quite pitiful.

Week 7 Training:
Monday - 6 Miles and Hot Yoga
Tuesday - Rest
Wednesday - 6 Easy Miles
Thursday - 7 Mile Tempo, 1 mile warm up, 5 @ 8:06, 1 mile cool down
Friday - Hot Yoga with THIS GIRL who just moved back 'home.' SQUEEEE!
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - 14 Miles @ 45 seconds faster than goal MP*

Total Miles = 33

*my faithful running partner shelley gets full credit for keeping me going on my long run, it was a rough one for me. thanks shellers, here's to kicking some prairie fire tail together, holding hands, and doing cartwheels across the finish line.

DON'T FORGET TO OFFER YOUR MIDDLE MILES ADVICE! And you know I mean it because I yelled at you in all caps AND bold. DO IT. Because I. Am. Terrifying.

best part of my day.

2011-08-05T14:34:00.002-05:00

My little guy is growing up! But I am a proud doggie mommy this week (i see that, you just rolled your eyes, didn't you?). Milo started 'school' this week. After losing his best friend Starla (a black lab) next door earlier this year, his play time and interaction with other dogs has been drastically reduced. In turn, his weight has shot up.

Since he is a 65-pound, long-hair, black dog, taking him on a walk or running with me when it's 100+ degrees between work/night-night is out of the question. Um, I need to point out that Milo goes to bed on his own at about 10p every night. Whether we do or not. He likes himself some sleepy-time. So if it IS cooled down by 10p you better believe he isn't going on a walk.

Moving on. Milo started school, two afternoons a week at Doggy Day Care. He was thrilled we came back to pick him up on his first day (he is a shelter dog, understandable he had some anxiety) but came home beyond worn out and happy both nights after 'school'. With spectacular report cards to boot.

Seeing his exhausted little face after getting home from work last night? Hands down best part of my day, if not my week...

*too worn out to get up after school last night*

*milo's report card from day two of school, he even got his paws neatly trimmed by his new friends*

setting the cheese down, slowly walking away...

2011-08-03T15:08:00.000-05:00

Cheese. It's a beautiful thing. I love it. I eat it all the time. It's my comfort food. Some people need chocolate. I need cheese. It's my go-to. When I'm starving and need a snack before dinner? Cheese quesadilla. Midnight snack when I can't sleep? Cheese quesadilla. When I'm too lazy to cook? Cheese quesadilla. When I'm bored? Cheese quesadilla. When I'm crying that ugly cry you can't stop? You better believe I'm making a cheese quesadilla during that mess. The thought of NOT having cheese in my house? Well that just sends me into cold sweats.

However, me + the cheese isn't helping much in regard to marathon training this time around. While I've been lax in my overall marathon training approach, with 10 weeks to go, I think I got scared into getting my butt into gear. Therefore.... I'm breaking up with cheese. AND typing out a training plan, printing that sucker off and sticking it on my fridge. BAM.

It's perhaps a bit random that cheese is what's sending me into marathon training mode. But as I was shredding some delicious organic sharp cheddar into a nice fat-laden flour tortilla the other night, thinking of how many calories I eat in cheese every week? It hit me. I need to stop. Plus it would probably help my pesky side-fat melt away... maybe. I'll keep you posted on how this goes.

The good news is, it's not just cheese I'm cutting out, I'm working on my overall diet. So far this week = success. Back to tracking nutrition and calories. And the scale is showing it already. Thankfully. Because I'm not a patient person. And while the diet is going well, my legs however are still in protestation mode. But a nice six-miler today helped loosen them up and hopefully some hardcore yoga the rest of the week, along with my running, will whip them back into 'm' training shape! Really I'm blaming the relentless Kansas heat. I'm pretty sure we are on day 739 straight of 100+ degree days here. It's a good time.

Please eat some cheese for me. It will make me happy to know someone out there is still enjoying it! Maybe take a picture of it. And send it to me. Or post it for me. Or mail me the wrapper so I can sniff it. You know... whatever works.

10 weeks to prairie fire. grumpy legs.

2011-08-01T10:34:00.005-05:00

Ten weeks to go until my next marathon. It's hard to believe it's been almost a full year since I ran my last one! I keep waiting to get into that intense marathon training mode. And I'm just not. Although starting this week I'm going to start watching what I eat a little better (more on that in another post, lets just say i need to break up with cheese) and as of this morning I have made a triumphant return to morning weekday running. Hopefully that will get my mind a bit more focused on the task at hand. Training well for my next 'm'.

With thanks to the motivation of a co-worker, and the appeal of running in cooler temps at least one more day per week, I ran this morning at 5a followed by an express hot yoga class. The hot yoga studio I go to hosts training runs for the Prairie Fire half marathon a few mornings a week at 5a. What better way to start the week than to run with fellow yogi's and stretch out after? Monday is always my 'recovery/easy' day of just four-five miles. So it works out perfectly.

Besides that, my legs have been protesting lately, but this morning they were feeling almost back to normal. I missed quite a bit of yoga the past two weeks and I notice a direct correlation in the pain in my calves/legs and how much yoga I do. Plain and simple, yoga is vital for my running. And I've slacked with it recently. No good. But I'm back on the wagon this week, back to a regular routine and things are shaking out nicely!

I have to say, despite grudgingly getting myself out of bed, it is satisfying to have a complete day of workouts done by 7a. I'm trying to find that balance between enough sleep and running super early. Because I also get up for early weekend runs. If I haven't mentioned it before, I will mention it here again. Sleep is a new concept for me, and I'm realizing how vital it is for my overall health. I refuse to give up my new-found precious sleep!

Week 6 Training:
Monday - 5 easy miles
Tuesday - 5 hot and sunburned miles on the hilly route
Friday - 6 tempo-ish miles on the hilly route
Sunday - 14 miles

Total Miles - 30

Cheers to a good running week blahgesphere!

my faves: i live with a baby hippo

2011-07-29T09:24:00.002-05:00

His name is Frank. He is my baby-hippo sized cat. He eats at least eight times a day. Just like MEEEEE! And I love him.

He's breaking in the new living room rug. He blends in nicely, no? It's hard to tell where the baby hippo ends and the rug begins!

Obviously I bought the rug to match the cat. He really ties the room together.

*BABY HIPPO ON A RUG*

stupid. and ouchsies.

2011-07-27T11:55:00.002-05:00

Right. Um, I decided it was an awesome idea to go for a lunch run yesterday. The heat index was 100 degrees, there were zero clouds in the sky, and I had exactly 20 oz. of iced down Gatorade all ready for me and my running. I wanted to go earlier but a work meeting kept me from getting out any earlier than 11:30a. In all my distracted preparing, I forgot to drop sunscreen in my gym bag or on my body:

a) I thought I'd be running much earlier and wouldn't really need it

2) It was 'just' supposed to be a 6 miler which means I'd be out running for less than an hour

d) I honestly didn't even THINK about sunscreen, which is rare. I was pretty distracted before my run. Obviously I was tackling the world's problems and NOT thinking about how short I should cut my hair next week. Or how I need to get my eyebrows waxed and tinted. Obviously. So that's a fair excuse, right? Tackling world problems. Uh-huh.

The result of all of the above? I got sunburned. Badly. Not only was my 'run' a complete disaster; it got cut short to 5 miles where I ended up walking every half mile and draining my Gatorade by mile 3.5, but I got a sunburn. BRILLIANT!

And I LOATHE getting sunburned, skin cancer scares the junk out of me. Seriously, as it runs in my family I've been scared into slathering so much sunscreen on my body every week that the amount I typically use could probably supply a family of 20 for months on end.

Evidence.

*yes this is me face-planted on my living room floor after begging the edder to put aloe vera on my back and arms. do you like those burn lines btw? yeah, HOT. note to self, never buy a running shirt with a cutout hole in back again.*

STUPID STUPID STUPID. That's all that was going through my head last night. So after work (and after multiple comments from co-workers about my burn....sigh) I went and purchased 70 SPF Ultimate Sport Sunscreen. It's apparently good for those who get 'super-sweaty'. That would be me. I'm that girl. I sweat. A gross amount.

*this sunscreen is going in and staying in my gym bag....*

Lesson learned. Guhhhhhhhh. I tend to learn things the hard way. Even after getting a bevvy of advice from a fellow hot-weather-middle-of-the-day-runner. Like taking ice water and wearing sunscreen. STUPID STUPID STUPID.

So here's to hoping I don't get the skin cancers!

11 weeks to prairie fire. um, i THINK i'm training for a marathon...

2011-07-25T09:58:00.002-05:00

So theoretically I've been training for a marathon for a good five weeks now. Um, right. Here's the thing. I still don't have a training plan, I haven't once worried about my paces or finishing time and I'm pretty darn sure I've not done a long run over 12 miles. BAM. Recipe for success right there. Right?!

Actually, I think right. In all honesty I'm enjoying this cycle of marathon training more than any other. I'm having a blast doing every single run, even in the stupid heat and humidity. I'm feeling relaxed and not an ounce worried about the marathon. This fact in and of itself is kind of making me nervous. But then I think, meh. It'll be fine. My new marathon training attitude... it's something I guess I'm just taking in stride.

Don't get me wrong, I'm training. Four - five days a week of running, two-three days a week with hot yoga. I'm even including speedwork this time, something I've never done before in 'm' training. My attitude is just a little more laid back this time. In fact, after running three marathons I'm starting to realize what makes my running and racing click. I'm not a high mileage girl, half marathons are my thing, long endurance runs suck the life out of me. And that's a-ok, everyone is different. So I changed my marathon approach, with the realization I will never be a stellar marathoner, but that doesn't mean I can't give it a go. In my own way, in a way that suits my body and lifestyle. Plus, going this route is far more enjoyable for me. Because I still DO want to conquer at least one marathon!

And that's that. No real training plan, except the fact that I do speedwork once a week, try and hit 30+ miles and have decided to do all of ONE 20 mile training run. Among a lot of 16-18 milers of course. My body just does best with that type of training. The other biggest factor going on during this training is sleep. I'm making sure to get a LOT of it, and man is it already paying off in recovery after speedwork and long runs. This lots of sleep thing (i.e. 7-9 hours per night) is new to me, and what a difference it makes! I mean WHO KNEW?!

Oh. About a goal for Prairie Fire? Sub-four. Maybe not possible with this training style, but maybe this style training is exactly what my body and mind need to reach that sub-four goal. We shall see blahgesphere.

Cheers to this weeks runnings, stay cool out there!

best part of my day. fighting the cold.

2011-07-20T14:47:00.002-05:00

So. I have a little summer cold. FUNSIES!! I haven't worked out since Sunday and I feel like I'm channeling a narcoleptic right now, all I want to do is sleep. But. I have a job, so... instead I survive. And wait for 5p to arrive so I can go home, crawl in bed to watch trashy television, and eat whatever I want.

Here you go, the only way I am surviving right now. My little 'sicky-poo' stash... It's as blissful as it gets on a 105 degree Wednesday when you are sick and have to work:

best part of my day.

2011-07-17T17:15:00.001-05:00

Question: What do 30-something, professionals do on a hot Saturday afternoon? I'm about to explain...

Step 1. Grill some delicious foods in the scorching heat and refrigerate tasty homemade beer to counteract standing in bajillion degrees to make food for your friends.

Step 2. Let little kids run around and play all nimbly bimbly in a different room while said 30-somethings consume food and beverage.

Step 3. Obviously play with the light saber app's on your phones over lettuce while eating cookies.

Step 4. Entertain yourselves while kids crash out. For example, with the Talking Carl's on your phones.

Step 5. Volunteer to pace a friend in a half marathon, running ONE race in two different countries (canada and the US)? Yes please! Pacing someone during their first half? Oh my, yes!

Step 6. Convince boys to take the group on a winter trip to Mexico

Step 7. Accept a dare to eat a tablespoon of cinnamon based on securing said trip to Mexico (yes, i will do anything to get a trip... ANYTHING).

Step 8. Admit to blahggie land you were stupid enough to take a dare to eat a tablespoon of cinnamon to get a trip.

Step 9. Admit to success. The eating of the cinnamon was ugly, lets just say the cloud of cinnamon that covered me and went into the air was similar to what I imagine comes out of Snoop Dog 5 minutes before he goes on stage. It was an impressive cloud of red dust. And maybe I'll post a picture. Maybe. People, my tongue went numb, so did my face. My hair is still gritty with cinnamon after a good washing.

That, my friends, is how you spend a Saturday...

do you smell that? that's the smell of minimal...

2011-07-15T10:34:00.003-05:00

That's right kids, I jumped on the minimalist running shoes bandwagon. Mostly because I found these spectacular pink and yellow Nike Free's. Yes, I'm shallow like that. What? I'm still devoted to my tried and true good old fashioned (albeit a bit boring in appearance) Mizuno's. But these suckers were calling my name, as was a change-up in my runnings.

*my beloved pink and yellow free's. and yes this is how you can find me pretty much any given evening while at home. i just hang out, holding and sniffing my free's... creepy*

So. I hopped on the bandwagon because I decided I wanted a lighter shoe for running in shorter races. But it's evolved from there. I was mostly inspired by this guy, and his post here about his trial of some Free's. Because he's fast. Really fast. And I figured if he runs in Free's, then somehow by default if I run in Free's, I will become fast. Right. Still waiting for that one... But, I'm finding that the shoes are perfect for training. And I hope to graduate to running my full marathon in them this fall.

Let me 'esplain. Seeing how I'm injury prone, I bought the Free's with the realization I would have to ease into them very gradually. Which I did. I have had them for nearly three months now and just last weekend did a long run of 12 miles in them. I took three months to build up to that. So I am still easing into them, and I switch between my Free's and my Mizuno's quite a lot.

The bottom line? I love my Free's. I bought them thinking of them as a trial and hoping I wouldn't get injured in them. They have done just the opposite, they actually make me feel better while running. Although at first my calves and legs would burn big time, but that has gone away. I can tell a noticeable difference in my form (that has carried over to when i run in my cushy miz's) as I used to heel strike and now I'm a mid-foot striker. I've also noticed an improvement in the strength of my calves and ankles. Then there is the bonus of them being obnoxiously flashy and bright. That's my favorite part about them. I'm not a flashy dresser, I just let my running shoes do the talking for me apparently!

I've even graduated to ditching my orthotics in the Free's. And my hips remain pain free... without the orthotics... something I never thought possible. So I'd say they are doing the trick for me, improved form, going orthotic free, lessens the pain I've had in my hips and calves both. All = huge bonus.

Love. My. Free's.

Please note, I realize every runner is different, I would never push these shoes (or any shoe) on any runner. I'm just pointing out that I went out on a limb to try something different and it absolutely worked. To each runner their own... I'm just sharing what worked for me, and how excited I am that they've changed my running for the better. They are literally the best thing to happen to my running in the six years I've been running. This all deserves a big. fat. SQUUUUUEEEE!

best part of my day.

2011-07-13T12:23:00.003-05:00

I spent a good chunk of time at Beaver Lake with the family over the Fourth of July holiday week. The baby girl pictured below was hands down one of the biggest daily highlights for me. My niece, Avery, she has stolen my heart. Big time.

*giving kisses to sweet avery one morning before her first lake swim. my mom took this photo, i had no idea she captured it. but i'm glad she did. LOVES.*

I've been absent from blogging, I've taken a break, but that's another story. I'm making some changes to my blahggings, not drastic, just some that will make me want to return to the blahgesphere. Coming soon!

For now I'll share that I'm several weeks into marathon training, it's going well, I've been testing new running shoes, it's been going well, I've been taking vacations, that's been going well, I've been spending a lot of time with family and friends, that's been going well, I've been cooking and baking, also going well, I've been taking my sweet dog on walks, going well when it's not 111 degrees (it's hot in wichita this summer), and I've worked hard on getting healthy... that's been the most exceptional thing of all. And part of the changes to come.

Brutal honesty shall follow... YIKES!

wherein hot yoga helps my summer runnings.

2011-06-20T17:39:00.001-05:00

And I'm back. Just like that, after a nice little blahggie breakie break. I've had a lot of blahggie writing thoughts stirring through my little head so I decided to go ahead and throw some posts back out there.
For now, what's on my mind ranges to everything from humid and hot summer running, hot yoga, my new love of Nike Free's and the fact that I started marathon training today. Really that's not a ton, but I always know when I need a break from blogging, it's usually when I can't think of anything interesting to write about during a run. But lately I've found my mind wandering to things I can write about while sweating it out on a run or during yoga.

Which brings me to my first topic. How hot yoga has helped me out in my summer running. And look. I get it, I personally love yoga. I'm devoted, I need it for a bajillion different reasons. However, I realize not everyone is a fan. I won't shove my yogi bidness all up in your face. But for me, yoga is important in my life and my running has only been enhanced by attending hot yoga classes at a new hot yoga studio in town. Why, you ask?

As I mentioned in my last post I hadn't been running a ton. I was focusing more on running for fun and fitness (not training) and looking more to growing in my yoga practice before starting another cycle of marathon training. Mission accomplished. The thing is, I knew the benefits of hot yoga for me have been beyond amazing. But I had no idea it would help my summer running as much as it has.

And this is all related because I made the decision to choose precious sleep over morning running this summer. My horrid sleep issues have been blessedly cured, so I'm not going to mess with that flow for now. Enough said. Which means I am left to run either over lunch or around 8p at night. If you don't know one thing about me, you should know this. I like to eat. So waiting until 9p for post run dinner is nearly torture for me. That's usually about the time I inhale SECOND dinner, not first dinner!

Therefore, I've manned up and chosen to run around 11a. Outside. Please note it's usually 85+ degrees (usually on the hotter end of that +) and ridiculously humid on an average summer day in Kansas. So I knew adjusting to late morning running was going to be a battle. Especially since I'm committed to doing speedwork outside as much as possible.

The amazing thing is that I was pleasantly surprised at how fast I acclimated to the heat and humidity this summer. Sure it makes me feel more wiped out after a run, and I may not be as fast, but I swear my paces so far this summer have far exceeded those of anything I ever thought I could do for summer training. Outdoors no less. During my five mile tempo run last week I started wondering how it was I was maintaining my pace and it hit me. HOT YOGA! Doing 75 minutes of yoga in a 99 degree room 3-4 times a week will really get a girl used to those summer temps apparently.

And then on Friday, after four days straight of running outside and doing hot yoga. I ate my joy in hot running and threw it up for lunch (yes, keeping with the vomit theme around here). My legs were shot. As in I hurt like I had run a marathon. Or worse. NO. JOKE. So much so that a 10 miler this weekend was cut short at three miles. Lame. And pitiful.

Lesson. Even though I'm feeling good while running in the heat, pushing it = a bad choice. Like milk on a hot day. I also learned several valuable lessons already during my hot runnings. Simple things. Like taking a bottle of water. With ice in it. And maybe wearing sunscreen. Perhaps go ahead and bathe myself afterwards. The list goes on, it's a bit embarrassing. I won't continue. So much for being the hot-weather-running-number-one-stunna' that I thought I was. I'm taking it a bit easier this week, but still pleased that I'm feeling good in my summer runnings.

At least I feel acclimated. That is a victory since I didn't feel like I ever acclimated to the heat last summer. So then at least there's that.

about santa fe.

2011-06-04T20:55:00.000-05:00

We went to Santa Fe over memorial day weekend, it was also to celebrate our eight-year anniversary.

*samples at santa fe brewery*

*we took milo along for the trip, he loved*

*loredo chapel*

*loredo chapel staircase*

best part of my day.

2011-05-26T16:42:00.001-05:00

Or worst, or maybe kind of a mix. So. The thing is that the Edder was running some errands when his car exploded during the lunch hour today (by exploded i mean a belt fell off or something, i don't know). He happened to have Milo with him, so while he was stranded waiting on both myself and AAA to show up, he let Milo out to run around since he was parked next to a retention pond.

The awesome part is that when I showed up both Milo and the Edder were back waiting in the exploded car with the windows down. So I pulled up, rolled my window down and was hit with a stench so bad I immediately wanted to vomit (there's a vomit theme on my blog lately, eh? and no, i'm not pregnant). Awesome. Apparently our curious, precious little Milo decided to roll around on a decomposed, rotting, fly infested snake while waiting for the car to be towed.

Holy goodness.

People. That was hands down the worst thing I've ever smelled. So much for getting stuff done over my lunch hour. That was a mess. The point is, despite his disgusting stinky smunk, I heart my dog. And clearly he was very proud of himself so I couldn't resist taking a picture of his pride. No worries, both the car and dog have been thoroughly scrubbed.

In other news, May is a busy month for everyone, no? I've been busy, clearly, but also just taking a bit of a break from bloggie land and running in general. Just waiting for inspiration to hit. It finally did today. Thanks stinky Milo!

Despite another running showdown I have coming up next weekend at the River Run 10K against AP, I'm still not running very much. I'm not worried. FACT. I will win. I've been running casually, whatever pace feels good, how many ever miles I feel like going. It's been incredible. I'm happy. Meh. What I haven't done in miles I've been making up for by doing plenty of hot yoga at a new studio in town, owned by a running buddy. She's amazing. I'm addicted and have no plans of stopping through the summer.

I'm just resting up and taking a break before I start training for.... wait for it... waaiiiiiiittttttt....a fall marathon. My home town marathon no less. Yep, I decided to do one. More on all of the above later.

For now I have more birthdays (they are endless in my family, those May birthdays) to celebrate and a vacation to take!

the wichita half. and the best finish line photo ever.

2011-05-13T12:06:00.001-05:00

The Wichita Half. Yes it's been nearly two weeks since the race, yes I've procrastinated posting a report on it. But not because it didn't go well, it DID go well. Very well. I've been reveling in it actually. I just haven't found the time to blahg about it, plain and simple. I've had other priorities to focus on lately, but here it is. Finally, my Wichita Half race report. TA-DA!

So. It was finally my day interwebs. I got my goal PR! To perfection. I hit the exact pace I had intended to hit. An 8:15 minute per mile average. You know if there is one thing I like, it's a nice even pace. I like myself an even split.

Official time - 1:48:10

What a relief. It was the perfect day for racing, cool and cloudy. As always there was a stiff breeze of about 17 mph, but it was nothing compared to real Kansas wind or what I've dealt with in past races so it didn't bother me a bit. The course was mostly shieled from the wind, so it was only windy for small portions of the race. Which was run around and beside our River area, it's a great course, nice and flat, plenty of spectators for a race in this town.

Despite being calm all week and sleeping well, the night before the race I started getting nervous. My nerves kicked in once we got home from a wedding reception for my dear friends and running buddy Shelley and her husband. I got home, I started doubting. Thinking about how I had barely run the two weeks leading up to the race, had worn high heels a good portion of my night and hadn't eaten that great the past few days. All of which translated into restless tossing and turning and two hours of sleep the night before my big race. No pressure. I woke up around 5:30a and thought, I give. I'm not going to do it today. What a way to start, eh? But then I had a shower, some non-crappy coffee and people started showing up at my house to head to the race. My spirits were lifted; I was feeling wide awake and AMPED. I felt ready after all.

There isn't much to say about the race. I am thrilled with how I ran it, I am thrilled with my finish time and PR, I am thrilled I finished strong feeling like I could have run two more miles at that pace or faster. This gave me confidence to set my sights on my next half goal, to be announced. And to be achieved who knows when.

*around mile 5-6 along the river path with wichita's 'keeper of the plains' in the background*

Onto the good stuff, the race highlights. Including all the fantastic running company I had along the way. I had a running buddy lined up to run the last four miles with me, but I was about a half mile in when I felt a tap on my shoulder and heard a "I thought that was you." This is the joy of racing in a smaller town, always running into someone I know! I love it. It was my personal trainer from a few years back. We exchanged excitement and decided to stick together. Until she blasted off at mile 5 and kicked some major butt. She was awesome.

I ran the next four miles alone, three of which got pretty rough. I just wasn't pushing like I could have... like I should have. But I didn't want to run out of gas, I was being careful. And with each passing half marathon I'm learning more and more how hard and how far I can push. Hindsight is 20/20 and I won't fault myself for the way I ran even one mile of my race. I reached mile 9 where my running pal AP was waiting to jump into the race. I wasn't feeling great (i needed some cliff shots) so his excited jumping and waving in a nice pretty pink shirt that said "Feed Me Ice Cream, I'm Pregnant" boosted my spirits and my pace. He was waiting with Edder and my mother-in-law, I grabbed my fresh Gatorade and gel from Edder, AP jumped in and we were off.

AP had strict instructions to keep me at an 8:15 average. I won't lie, there were times I wanted to just rest into a comfortable 8:30 pace again like I had done for a few miles there, but he wouldn't let me. I wasn't in the mood to talk, so he made up a game for us to play. And that my friends, was the most brilliant thing that has ever happened to me in a race. He told me I had the rest of the race (about 2.5 miles) to pass 10 people. He was all, "I'll count them down, but you and me, 10 people." I nodded but was thinking there was no way I could do it. There wasn't a runner close enough to easily pass. There was a big pack a bit in front of us and I thought I couldn't catch them. But we did. I passed more than 10 people. That strategy worked, it distracted me, it gave me a way to push myself and it was highly gratifying. I picked up the pace the last two miles (8:03 and 8:01 splits respectively) and crossed the finish line running as hard as I could. And it felt amazing to look down at my Garmin, hit stop and see a 1:48:08 (pretty darn close to the chip time)!

This is where the finish line photo awesomeness comes in. Oh yes. In the 'passing game' we ended up chicking quite a few dudes. I passed mostly men, which I didn't really think about at the time, I just wanted to PR. Badly. Apparently one guy, who I now affectionately call "Pre Lives," decided he wasn't a fan of having me 'chick' him. Right. So he did the manly racing thing and sped up. Fair enough, I don't fault him a bit, good for him for picking it up! But apparently this dude also thought it totally acceptable to elbow a girl at the finish line too. Not so commendable, actually kind of lame. Note to male runners: you know, just to make sure a chick doesn't beat you that one second across the timing mat, elbow her. Manly.

However, due to the sheer fantasticness and hilarity of the finish photo? I can't be mad. I PR'd, I got what I wanted, so meh. Even though I was less than thrilled at the time his elbow shot into my shoulder. Again, looking at the picture... the headband, the shirt... all of it? Made me laugh. A lot. Well played sir. You didn't get chicked. And the look on my face is clearly saying, WTH?! Awesome. I'm deeming this my most priceless finish line photo in the history of my racing. I might get this sucker framed... PRE LIVES!!!

*"pre lives" showing me up after shoving his elbow into my shoulder! please note AP's pink shirt... if that ain't a racin' shirt, i don't know what is*

easter sun run 10k. the triple threat.

2011-04-26T15:04:00.000-05:00

I am racking up the races this month, and the great race stories mind you. Saturday was the Easter Sun Run 10K and 2 Miler (i participated in both). I ran the 10k with AP and Shelley for fun. There was supposed to be a showdown between AP and I, but we decided to run as a group instead. That was a great choice.

The Easter Sun Run is a pretty big race around here, all the fasties come out because there is prize money! It is held in the Sedgwick County Zoo Park, a place where I have probably logged hundreds of miles running. It borders our city's incredible zoo (seriously, wichita may not be an impressive city but our zoo rivals any) so the race runs through the parks various wooded and scenic paths. If you run in the Zoo park on the right day you can not only smell the zoo, but hear the animals. It's a double edged issue. Saturday we experienced neither.

*before the race, this is us pointing out that we are the braintrust. we solve problems on the run.*

The 10K proved quite eventful, it was the triple threat for more reasons than one. There were three of us who ran it together. And together, we are a triple threat, plain and simple. But also, one of our to-remain-nameless-buddies (coughahem) had to stop and throw up during the race... annnnd then twice after. Now that's impressive, almost as impressive as the poo-ta-potty I navigated last week. In the vomiter's defense, the race directors might not wanna fire up the grill when runners are still running by. GUH. It was a bit much to run through thick beefy grill smoke at mile 5.5. GROSS.

*there may have been vomiting, but there was also leaping, and laughing, and smiles*

*just keeping it nerdy at the finish line, shelley was less than thrilled...*

One of my favorite things in the race, besides the vomit, was the dude who stayed behind the three of us most of the race and around the 9k mark and he was all "ya'll have far too much energy." Yeah we did, because we were just plain having fun! Which is why we did the race. We of course took that as a compliment. I'm not exactly sure that's how he meant it.

So here you go. How adorable is THIS I ask you? Our race results. Bam, bam and bam, MATCHSIES:

279 AARON ---------- 32 M WICHITA KS 43/67 53:03 8:33
280 SHELLEY -------- 32 F WICHITA KS ??/90 53:03 8:33
281 REBEKAH ROBINSON 32 F WICHITA KS 16/90 53:03 8:33

After the 10K I stuck around, talked to some people I knew including one 2 Slow 4 Boston who was our own personal race photog! Thanks 2 Slow! He took some great pics, and the pics in this post are pilfered from him (by permission natch). I should also mention he destroyed the 2-miler. After chatting with people I lined up to run the 2 miler with my sister and dad. It was a great morning. It just plain made me happy. I love that my sister lives in my city again and is picking up the running bug and going to races with me.

My dad and I ended up running the 2 miler together, my sister took off all speedy! So I talked his ear off as we watched all the kiddos around us do a run/walk/sprint/full stop sequence in a gaggle of limbs and mess. I asked my dad how in the world he managed running with FOUR kids during our annual River Run 2 miler. His response was that it was a disaster. I can imagine. Then he reminded me of the time one of my sisters ran right smack into a parking meter during one of the races. Awesome. It made me feel only slightly better about the fact I once ran into a pole during my own two mile race, except I was 28, not 8. But still, it just means it runs in the family? My dad is a saint. I'm sure we all make him proud.... right.

the oz half. pictures and the breakdown.

2011-04-22T15:59:00.003-05:00

Okay, not a literal breakdown, more like the breakdown of my race, splits, so on. I am fully recovered from the Oz half, inside and out. I actually wasn't hurting much at all after the race. My quads were a bit sore but I think that was more from shivering for an hour straight rather than running. I've decided to view Oz as a training run and am looking forward to my next half next Sunday.

Basically I wanted to post pictures, tell stories and offer my mileage splits (all for me to remember later on). Other than the fact that the weather was awful, this was a nice, quiet, tame race. If you're into tons of spectators and a flashy course, this isn't a race for you. I love both flashy and low key races, and enjoy going back and forth between the two. I can enjoy aspects of both. There were a few cool spots on the course, but it was mostly running through open streets, including around a Hospital and a Mall. So the scenery wasn't anything outstanding.

*kodi and i pre-race, chilly! she was running marathon no. 4. and then there was some random chick doing karate kicks...*

The draw and beauty of this race is that it is the Oz Marathon, in the land of Oz! The logos are adorable, the medals fantastic and the shirts were cute. Being born and raised in the land of Oz, I couldn't help but get schmoopy over doing this race. So while I wasn't that impressed with the course, I am really happy I did it.

The highlight of the race for me was starting out (with the best intentions) with the 1:50 pacer, my second favorite part was getting adjusted by a Chiro after the race. Wow, it was amazing getting adjusted, it felt incredible! As for being with a pace group, I got to talk to and meet new people the first three miles before I left the group to make a pit stop.

*the race start, i'm right next to the pacer, can't see us very well but we are toward the front of the pic*

This is where I had one of my most... interesting race experiences ever. I mistakenly ran into an empty porta potty that some dude with a broom was holding the door open to. Just for me obviously. Then I stepped inside and immediately realized why he had been holding the door open. With a broom in his hand. Two words people. Explosive. Diarrhea. I have never seen anything like this, and instead of being sanitary, hopping out and moving to the next porta potty? I sucked it up as to not lose another second of time.

This is where my mad skills come in. Because there was explosive poo EVERYWHERE. I am happy to announce I didn't touch one bit of it. SKILL. It was on the door handle, on the seat, on the SIDES of the wall... I moved on from being disgusted to downright impressed. Because how on earth this person managed that impressive display of feces flinging is beyond me. So while yes disgusting, all I could do was laugh, shake my head, do my bidness and get the heck out of that sucker!

It. Was. Awesome. In that sick, twisted, runner, poo story kind of way. The only other thing I can say about this race is in regard to my belly issues. I mentioned I never have belly issues, but this race I sure did. Thinking back I'm blaming it on cheap hotel coffee that my body is not accustomed too (yes, judge me all you want, i am a gigantic coffee snob. but hey at least my belly isn't upset every morning). Around mile 5 my stomach started sloshing, which in turn made my gag reflexes kick in every time I even thought about taking a drink or Cliff Shot. I didn't know what to do.

So I managed the best I could, I knew I needed the Cliff Shots and Gatorade. I would just take it slowly. It took me a good mile to eat each of my two Cliff Shots and I didn't even go through my entire bottle of Gatorade (which is very rare for me). The good news is, I'm taking this race and turning into yet another learning experience and as a very difficult training run for the Wichita Half. Because in the end, a PR is still a PR. And a PR I did secure.

And now, TO THE SPLITS! And more pictures.

The Split Breakdown:
Mile 1 - 9:00
Mile 2 - 8:40
Mile 3 - 8:26
Mile 4 - 7:54 (where i tried to catch up to the 1:50 pacer while running into a headwind)
Mile 5 - 8:16

*this is right around mile 5 where i started having belly issues and started taking my first cliff shot. i nursed that sucker for a good mile. this pic gives you an idea what the wind was like, that's my fluff ball at its finest. and i love the dude in front of me, he went totally savage!*

Mile 6 - 8:18

Mile 7 - 8:16

Mile 8 - 8:38

Mile 9 - 8:36 (this is clearly where I started to fall apart and decided to think of it as a really hard training run.)

*this was around mile 12, one of the prettiest spots on the course. *

Mile 10 - 8:47

Mile 11 - 8:33

Mile 12 - 8:19

Mile 13 (and.1) - 8:48 (the last mile of this race was brutal)

*the finish line!*

*i may have felt miserable but darn it i was going to smile for that post-race photo op*

the oz half. i should change my name.

2011-04-19T18:12:00.000-05:00

Based on history and races where I want to do really well, I should really change my name. To Crappy Weather Runner. Seriously. The weather was awful on Saturday morning. Before I ramble on, I will say I did PR at the Oz Half. But not by much, not by enough. I felt like I worked harder and trained for a faster race than what I pulled off on Saturday.

Results:
Official Time: 1:52:48
Garmin Time: 1:52:09 (i had to make a pit stop and forgot to take my watch off of auto pause before the race, but now i know how long it takes me to pee during a race... in a porta-potty covered in explosive diarrhea. not mine mind you.)
7/107 AG
34/516 F
132/836 OA

The thing is that I can make a lot of excuses, the 25 mph+ winds and 26 degree wind chill. Lack of sleep. Stress. Not enough long runs. What have you. But I'm not going to make excuses, as badly as I want to. The truth is, I thought I could do it and I couldn't. I just didn't have it in me on Saturday. I loved the temps Saturday morning, but the wind, while it's something I was prepared for, sucked the life out of me by mile 7. At mile 5 I started having stomach issues for the first time EVER while running. I never have stomach problems, but Saturday oh my. I did. It just wasn't my day. And that's okay, I had a feeling deep down that it wouldn't be my day. It happens. It's called racing. You can't always do what you planned.

I'll share a lot more about the race in my next post. For now I'll just say I finished out the race feeling numb, from my arms and hands to my insides. I was so cold and so out of it after I finished that I couldn't stop shivering for a good hour, and that was after putting on a dry shirt and some sweats. It was awful. I couldn't think straight, during or right after the race. In fact, I still feel cold! And I'm pretty sure I made an incoherent call to the Edder after to prove to myself I wouldn't die. WHAT? I am nothing less than dramatic, people.

So. It wasn't my day, the race didn't go as planned. But. Per usual, I'm going to scrape myself up off the ground (i'm feeling better already in fact), pick myself up and move on to plan B. The Wichita Half marathon. I haven't done it in years, and my fire has been fueled to go and give it a what's what in two weeks. But now I'm doubting my training, doubting my stamina and doubting my ability to run faster. Period. I won't lie, it's rough. I chose to do half marathons this spring thinking it would help me get faster when I return to do a full, and here it is five months after my last half mari PR and it didn't seem to work. Again, I thought I trained harder than what I pulled off. My training didn't work. At least this time. It's a bit depressing.

I'm going to give myself a few days to wallow and then it's back at it. Because if there is one thing I can't do, it's accept defeat in running. Clearly it's a problem with me. Maybe this is a sign I should just stop beating my head against the brick running wall? Nah. The Wichita Half it is my friends. Wish me luck.

less than a week to oz.

2011-04-11T16:50:00.000-05:00

I've got nothing blahgesphere. Nothing. Still busy, still trying to catch my breath. I managed a semi-decent running week last week. Once I recovered my orthotics and shoes from my dad's truck (that we borrowed for the relay race) that is. I wasn't happy about shoving all of my runs for the week into four days. But the good news is that I ran four days in a row, with zero pain. And for me? That's saying something.

Of course last week left me doubting and worrying about Saturday's race. But I decided if all else fails, I am just adding to my half marathon medal collection and running a race I've never done before. Every race can't be a PR, every race can't work out perfectly. I realize this, which is why I always take a healthy dose of skepticism (and a healthy dose of hope and confidence) into any race.

I'm planning to take it fairly easy this week. A tempo run is in the mix, but a shorter/easier one than normal. Other than that, I'm working on posting on Brew to Brew and the Rock the Parkway Half. Hopefully they prove more entertaining than my last few lame attempts at writing. And am hoping I can make the rounds back to read all the blahgs I follow, I had 500 waiting for me when I opened up reader this morning for the first time in two weeks. So then that's a good time.

Clearly my blahgging skills are lacking. I'm just hoping once Oz is over, and I'm done teaching (for the REST OF 2011, booyah! i decided to take a big fat teaching break, sweet relief) I'll feel a little less frazzeled. I am ready to slow down for a few weeks...

two weeks to oz. big week.

2011-04-05T16:03:00.008-05:00

Whew, it's been a week. Or two. Busy. And when busy seeps in, blahggie land gets neglected. All I have for now is a lame and quick update about Oz training. It's going well, I hit my peak week last week. This included running two races in two days--more on that later--and my hardest set of speedwork to date.

The good news is training has been going well since I've gotten over the sickies. And that's about all I have to offer. Training = good. Getting nervous butterflies in my belly for the race already. Enough said.

Week 11 Training:

Monday - Killer Spin (i had a weak showing, still wasn't feeling great)

Tuesday - 4 Miles Easy (finally back to normal, sicky wise)

Wednesday - Yoga Thursday - 9 miles of speedwork: 1 mile warm up, 5 x 1 mile repeats at 7:30 with 800 recovery, 1 mile cool down. This was supposed to be 10 miles total, but i have a job and had to get going. I'm just thrilled i didn't throw up or get injured. SUCCESS!

Friday - Rest

Saturday - 13.1 Miles Easy, Rock the Parkway Half Marathon in KC, running with the buddies!

Sunday - Brew to Brew, 4.8 miles on hills and in 35 mph winds. So that was fun. No idea what my pace was (i was that genius who forgot her garmin for her weekend of races), I was just trying not to get knocked over.

three weeks to oz.

2011-03-28T12:26:00.009-05:00

Three more weeks until Oz. After being sick and running so very little I've had my doubts about the race. However, after running a "still-not-100%-coughing-my-lungs-out-scare-the-crap-out-of-other-people-in-the-gym" tempo run last Thursday my confidence is restored. At least I know I can keep a decent PR pace for 7 miles.

Despite being sick I had my fastest tempo run to date. I was stunned. Apparently taking time off of running, being sick, and the need to blow off some steam = good fuel for my tempo's. Really there isn't much to report on my running week, it was still a moderate attempt to get back in the game. I'll take my three runs, my lingering cough and congestion and go after it again this week.

I'm excited and really nervous about tackling my longest/hardest speedwork to date this week: 10 miles, with 5 x one-mile repeats at a 7:20-ish pace. If I do it fully I'll be amazed, but it's something to shoot for. And even if I don't hit every mile, it will be such a gratifying feeling to accomplish my longest set of speedwork yet.

Lastly, the fact that Edders and I spent the weekend at Lake Tenkiller (in Oklahoma) at my in-laws and I ended up sleeping an unprecedented (for me) 10 hours a night was an indication that I clearly needed some quiet time away from the insanity that has been our life lately. So I'm back today. Well rested, well fed, 90% better and ready to focus the next three weeks on kicking some running tail!

Week 10 of training:
Monday - Kept by force from working out
Tuesday - 1 Mile walk with Milo (my dog)
Wednesday - Yoga
Thursday - 3 Miles and Yoga
Friday - 7 Miles Tempo - 3 at 7:54, 2 at 8:00
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - 10 Miles

spamsies. i'm getting better.

2011-03-25T10:01:00.008-05:00

SPAMALOT. Let me first remind you I am a theatre nerd through and through. I dream about taking a trip to NYC and London just to go to shows. Yeah, THAT level of nerd. Last night I got to finally go and see Spamalot, my date was The Lawyer of course. We share the same level of nerd when it comes to theatre. The show, wow, it's a winner. Really there is no point to that information other than if you know anything about Monty Python and the Holy Grail you will understand when I spout off that "I'm getting better." Because Spamalot is basically the Holy Grail on stage... it was A.Ma.Zi.ng.

So the truth is that "I'm getting better." Slowly but surely. I still sound absolutely awful, but I feel far better than I sound. The good news is that I did run inside on the track with The Lawyer yesterday morning. I ran almost three miles, there was some walking because my breathing is still a bit off thanks to congestion. But overall the run was better than I was expecting.

Which leads me to the fact that I decided I'm brave enough to try a tempo run today over lunch. At the gym . Until I'm 100% I'm keeping my running inside. My setback of the past two weeks is making me nervous about trying to PR. But I'm going to pick myself up, dust the allergies and sickness off and give it a go in Oz. I'm not good at backing down off of my goals unless there is good reason. Being sick for 7 full days isn't reason enough for me. So what's a week off of running in an otherwise pretty solid training cycle? Meh.

In other news I'm running a half marathon for fun next weekend with The Lawyer, and we run the 44-mile relay race Brew to Brew the next day. It's a relay that goes from one Brewery (Boulevard) in Kansas City to another (Freestate) in Lawrence, KS. The Lawyer and I organized two teams from the running club we founded with Shelley, Joggers and Lagers. With a name and running club like that (we basically run to a bar to enjoy beer!) how could we not do Brew to Brew? I'm also thrilled that one of our team captains is this girl, who will also be celebrating a birthday next weekend. It's going to be a fantastic weekend full of running, friends and celebrating, all with zero pressure.

Oh, and we will represent during B2B! I designed our running club t-shirts, which came in this week, right in time for Brew to Brew. Check 'em out. TA-DA.

*my first attempt at designing and making t-shirts. we decided to put the design on nike tech t-shirts. i maybe had a slight bit of anxiety over these shirts... to say the least. but the hard work and end result was worth the anxiety. also, i decided i look a LOT like a waitress in this picture, with that hat and all... anyone need a drink?!*

minimalist. opinion requested.

2011-03-22T12:45:00.003-05:00

I've been contemplating for months now about trying out a more minimalist shoe, mostly for shorter runs and races (up to half mari's). I dabbled with the Nike Lunar Glide last fall, took them on one short treadmill run and wasn't a fan. They were adorable and bright shiny obnoxious pink, but didn't do the trick for me. Even still, since last fall I've wanted to slip my feet into minimalist shoes. Seeing how I wear flip-flops (or go barefoot at home) nearly every day between the months of March - October, I figure my feet can handle running in some reduced cushioned kicks. My toes love freedom!

Recently, my dear friend Lea got some Newton's and loves them. I know a few other runners who run shorter miles and have raced in minimalist shoes. So they are working for others. And since I'm not an early adopter, I have clearly waited it out to see how these shoes work for others. Plus, I'm just curious, wanting to try something new, see if lighter shoes make me faster (let's hope) and/or stronger. Or just mix it up a little on the running front. Plus, I just plain love me some shoes!

All of this begs the question, what is YOUR opinion on minimalist shoes, and do you wear them sometimes, or all the time? And if you do, which brand? I'm requesting advice here interwebs, please don't fail me now. I'd like to gather some ideas of different shoes to try on.

four weeks to oz. down for the count.

2011-03-21T09:32:00.002-05:00

Oh dear. The last two weeks of training have been less than stellar; perhaps that's why I haven't been blogging about it! Guh. Needless to say when a runner is aiming to PR, that person might want to attempt:
a) running more than once in the past eight days
b) running more than 20 miles in the past two weeks

Just a thought. In my defense I am currently one sick puppy. I have some of the worst spring allergies of any person you'll meet. Most people look forward to spring, I hide indoors literally cowering. While everyone else is out enjoying beautifully sunny runs, working outside in the yard, or walking their dogs. I'm inside peeking out the window with my pasty skin and puffy face hoping the allergens go away. It's pitiful. I can usually nip them before they get out of hand, but this year that isn't the case. They got out of control really quickly and now I'm just in damage control mode. This means no running and no being outside, all while enduring the misery.

So there you have it, hardly any running for this girl lately. And now of course I'm just sitting here twitching like an addict, my legs all antsy. I was hoping to go to my killer spin class tonight, maybe get some elliptical in. However, I got the evil eye from the Edder this morning when I attempted to pack a gym bag. It was the stare off of the century as I slowly put my running shoes and clothes into my gym bag, hacking and blowing my nose all while maintaining the stare off... annnnnnd then slowly un-packing them again as his eyes got more and more evil until the bag was fully un-packed and set aside, when he finally resumed eating his cereal. Right. I am apparently not working out today...

MUST. RUN. SOON. Am going nuts!

breaking 23. st. patty's day 5k.

2011-03-16T19:39:00.005-05:00

I never thought I would be able to break a 23 minute 5k. My ultimate 5k goal was about a 23:30, which I attained in December of 2010. However, throw my new running nemesis (please note it used to be fanny pack) into the picture and ultimate goals change. Especially when your running nemesis is a boy. Are you with me here ladies?

I won't give AP credit for pushing me (because that would be too nice of me, and nemesis'... nemesi... nemesises.... ?? don't roll that way), I'll just say I broke the 23 minute 5k barrier. And for me that was a huge deal. The sweet taste of PR was only slightly tainted by the fact that after weeks of trash talk (i give him full credit for running a great race), my nemesis beat me. We live to race another day. Next time a 10k. Where my endurance will put his speed to crying shame. Do you hear that AP? You will shed man tears. After losing to a girl.

This was the second year for the St. Patty's Day race and there were a lot of friendly familiar faces. However, I made the mistake of waiting until race morning to regi, and sadly they ran out of bibs and chips. So thanks to my stellar procrastination, I couldn't get chip timed. But no complaints, I was just happy I could still run the race (for free no less). Because I wasn't chipped my time isn't official, but no love lost. It was all in good fun. Again, I was overjoyed that I simply made it into the 22's. Even if just barely. Even if unofficial. At least I know I have it in me!

Here is all I have for stats:
Time = 22:58

So maybe it counts, maybe it doesn't. I'll claim it as my unofficial PR to be fair and aim to make that official (minus a few seconds...smiley face) later this year.

*AP made some high class regalia for himself to wear, saying that it would be what i'd be looking at the entire race. he was right, i kept him in my sights the entire time. to clarify, i am BR. i am 0. my strategy was that i expected him to bomb at mile 2.5. um, that didn't pay off. because it didn't happen.*

*post race with the brain trust. shelley gets mad props, she always dresses up for 5ks! the rest of us never do. but we have plans. the group WILL dress up next time and it. will. be. spectacular. group theme! milo, of course, needed in on the picture action, that's my boy!*

of bloody knuckles and unicorn tears.

2011-03-07T09:50:00.018-06:00

Regarding Unicorn Tears... mostly that's for all those Lulu loving girlie girl runners out there. HOLLA'! Yes, I admit, sometimes I am one of THOSE chicks. I like running skirts and pink... and glittery Sweaty Bands for my hair.... and Unicorn Tears print from Lulu. Don't hate. Just accept. That is all on ~~my new obsession~~ that topic.

Bloody knuckles however, unlike unicorn tears (although i choose to believe they exist), those are real. And the antithesis of Unicorn Tears, no? I was sporting some pretty hardcore bloody knuckles last Thursday at the gym. The thing is, thanks to my current desire to sleep in instead of getting up early to run, I usually do my speedwork at the gym over lunch. Let's be honest, no one wants me at work after speedwork, un-showered. Because while I may like girlie running gear, I sweat like an overweight man reaching for his last Cheeto when I workout. So really, it's just easier to do speedwork at the gym most days.

That said, I am not a coordinated person. When I run on a treadmill more than likely I walk away with slightly skinned knuckles thanks to the fact that I'll hit them over and over and over....and over.....sigh. And over again on the handles of the machine. That takes a special level of uncoordinated, people. One that clearly only I have reached. Usually it's just a little skinned knuckle or two, nothing awful.

Thursday however, I was in fine form. I was tired and was getting sloppy during my last of four one-mile repeats and BAM. I busted my knuckles so hard on the handles that there was instant gushing blood. And maybe a little wimpy yelp from my mouth. Just a little one. Good thing I had a towel, which was white. Um, right. Not sanitary. Not cool. I had just become that gross girl at the gym. The gross one who likes Unicorn Tears no less. UGH.

Thankfully I only had a mile and a half left. So I tried to be as discreet as possible, keeping the bleeding knuckles under control until I finished. It was pretty awesome. I was just hoping anyone who noticed would think I was hardcore and had maybe just gotten in a wicked fight instead of... you know. Busting open my knuckles on a treadmill while running in a skirt and yellow top. And yes, I absolutely sanitized that machine after, along with my hands. GERMS!!

*me and my bloody knuckles, the other hand was bleeding too, but i'm not that talented with my camera phones skillz. HOTT. you're welcome.*

the first annual beef stroganoff-off.

2011-03-02T19:57:00.006-06:00

So you know those runs with your running buddies when you inevitably get onto the topic of food? Or is that just me and my running buddies? If it is, you should seriously consider discussing food on the run, because it results in eventual genius. Just trust me here. Back to the running and the food talking. It's no secret around here that I love me some food. I love me some beef. And I love me some Alec Baldwin.

Random aside: You know what I'm loving? Now when people balk at my little Alec Baldwin obsession and comment on his sheer awfulness, I can respond with this. "Well, you have a point. I mean, he's no Charlie Sheen." Badda Ching. And I'll say it just like that. Badda ching and all. Just to be even more obnoxious.

Onto the genius. During a run I began talking about a recent batch of (what i thought) fantastic beef stroganoff I had made for dinner. It all starts so innocently. To which two of my running buddies (AP and Shelley) spouted off about THEIR fantastic beef stroganoff recipes. A few crude jokes and four miles later, BAM. The First Annual Beef Stroganoff-Off was born. We just needed judges. And being the brilliant runners we are. The first two people we asked to judge were... wait for it...wait....for....it. Vegetarian. Right. Regardless, we found our judges, scheduled a night and the great Stroganoff-Off commenced. What? We are totally THOSE runners. The ones who run, but also stuff their faces shamelessly with beef and wine. And cheese.

Last Sunday night while the world was watching (or sleeping through) the Oscars, there was an intense battle brewing between three runners and their 'noff. Each confident their 'noff would be superior. Just waiting for sweet victory and the prize of gloating over the losers. And publicly humiliating them of course. The stakes were high. Sounds intense, no?

It. Was. Epic.

I present to you, the First Annual Beef Stroganoff-Off. In photograph:

*some fierce competitors. we look so intimidating.*

*sending out my stroganoff to the judges, just a little sniff test first*

*some of the judges. the lawyer completed the trio, she just didn't get a picture. she pouted. but who can resist a picture of a baby? seriously.*

*and my dog milo, he was a wannabe judge. pitiful.*

*and the other wannabe judge chloe. she used her best smile to beg for a taste*

*THE STROGANOFFS! mine is 'A.' 'a' for AWESOME.*

*standing by our beef. the contenders. shelley, me and AP.*

I didn't win, but I also didn't stand a chance. Shelley used an Amish recipe she "borrowed" from a girl at work. I'm choosing to believe she pummeled the girl and threatened to beat the Amish out of her if she didn't hand over the recipe. That's my interpretation anyway. Regardless, Shelley's Stroganoff was amazing and I will never again make my lame Stroganoff. Because even if she did get the recipe on questionable terms, at least she's sharing it!

Next stop, the Lasagna-Off sometime this spring. That poor Edders is going to have to eat a LOT of lasagna the next few months... I have a competition to win!

That said, If you have an amazing lasagna recipe please share. You'll get total credit for it. Well, maybe half credit. Honestly, probably like a third of the credit... but still.

seven weeks to oz. and sore.

2011-03-01T09:44:00.009-06:00

Have I mentioned on this blahg of mine that I'm incredibly happy I'm only training for half marathons right now? Not sure if I have or not. My running buddies have heard nothing but constant glee coming from my mouth during runs regarding how incredibly happy I am that I'm not doing 16 or 20 milers.

It's seven weeks until that goal PR at Oz comes around, I'm feeling fairly ready. The speedwork is definitely making me sore. The kind of sore that I haven't felt in years (unless you count after a marathon), muscle sore, like I've gone and lifted weights. Please note, I never lift weights. It's not my typical and constant aches and pains from knotted calves, it's just plain muscle soreness. And I like it. I thought it was the Yoga last week since I hadn't been in two weeks. Then realized it was most likely the seven miles of tempo run I pounded out last Thursday.

I'm still a little sore. Again, just muscle soreness. In fact my typical and constant calf/shin pain has disappeared this week. Despite an 11 mile run at a decent pace on our "hilly" route with the last two miles at a faster pace. And all the speedwork, which usually aggravates the constant shin/calf issues even further. My new running plan doesn't seem to be doing anything other than making my quads and calf muscles sore. I can handle sore quads and calves over the incessant shin pain and knots. In fact it's almost a relief.

*In fact, here's a picture I took on our 11 mile run on Sunday. It was really, really foggy here, and I loved it. So peaceful and so wonderful to run in. Pretty.*

That's all I've got for last week's training. Although, I realized I should probably actually sign up for all of these races I have coming up at some point... right.

Week 6 of Training:
Monday = 2 miles and killer spin class
Tuesday = 5.5 miles with a mile of hills
Wednesday = Yoga
Thursday = 7 mile tempo with 5 @ 8:06 (success. i didn't feel like throwing up.)
Friday = Rest
Saturday = Rest
Sunday = 11 miles with last two at a faster pace

Total miles = 25.5

February Total Miles = 64.5
This mileage is so much lower than I was planning on, but I don't really care. Plus I was on vacation for more than a week of February. So, meh. Excuses, excuses.

best part of my day.

2011-02-26T08:16:00.001-06:00

Sometimes living in Kansas is awesome. Like when you are running right outside the city limits at dusk and get to witness incredible sunsets. This one isn't nearly half as amazing as most of the sunsets get around here. And my iPhone camera doesn't start to do it justice. Even still... it's the little things.

the in between.

2011-02-24T07:16:00.001-06:00

Okay Ladies. Well... and gentlemen, that all just depends. Please empathize with me for a moment. You know those times when your hair is kind of in that 'in between' phase, sort of growing out... sort of a disaster... sort of humiliating when you try and pull it back for a run, or yoga, or any workout? Uh huh. Please tell me I'm not the only one who goes through this phase? PLEASE!

Because right now my hair is about as awkward as a 13 year old boy. Need I say more? No. I needn't. Therefore, I simply leave you with the below photo and wait for your pity. I mean look at that, hair sticking up all nimbly bimbly, and of course it only gets worse the further I run or the longer a class goes.

Oh and yes, why this picture was done old school MySpace style. In the bathroom at work before my run. BAM! Yeop. 'Cause I keep it classy that way. I made sure to get the trash can in there for an extra touch of refinement.

Just be thankful I didn't take this sucker when my hair was in full-on-fluff-ball-curly mode. Trust me here. Good stuff. Fun times. Although I may go ahead and do that thanks to my utter lack of pride...

eight weeks to oz. the goal.

2011-02-22T11:05:00.006-06:00

Finally, I'm back to feeling like I have a normal schedule, in life and in running. Such a relief. Running was back on track last week, I ran four times, did some speedwork, got a long run in with my buddies. All good stuff. Which led me to think hard about my Oz half goal time.

Oz Half Marathon Goal: 1:48 and change. This will put me running about an 8:15 average and would cut five minutes off my current PR. Ambitious, but hey, what do I have to lose?

I'd honestly be happy with 1:50, but since I'm not training for an 'm' I want to push myself quite a bit harder and really amp up my speed. I'm feeling pretty great (for all of a week) with my training, even though I only ran 23 miles last week. I'm happy with where my speedwork is taking my running, plus it's just good plain fun. I'm just going to keep training, keep doing speedwork and see what happens in all these half marathons I have coming up.

Speaking of speedwork. While it's going well, and I'm hitting paces that are making me quite happy, that doesn't mean it's easy. I did a 6 mile tempo run last week with four miles at an 8:06 pace, hit it spot on. Despite the fact that around mile four I had the overwhelming feeling that I was channeling my fat cat Frank after he's had fifth dinner. I had to literally stop and hunch over to keep myself from throwing up. But... BUT like any true devoted runner I stood up and finished it out. The urge to vomit did go away, and I'm proud to announce I didn't end up tossing any cookies. Small victories. I'm just going with the thought that this is excellent training for how I'll feel at mile 11 of the half.

This week is off to a good start so far for running. And it's even my birthday week, yes I give myself an entire week for my birthday. As should you. I plan to keep my workouts going despite a few small celebrations. I may or may not be planning some runs around said celebrations, but meh. So I'm giving myself a gold star already.

Week 5 of Training (last week):
Monday = Nothing, unless you count eating too much and having some wine
Tuesday = 4 Easy Miles
Wednesday = 3 Easy Miles (during which i felt less than stellar, most awful run in months)
Thursday = 6 Mile Tempo, 4 @ 8:06
Friday = Rest
Saturday = 10 Miles, last two at faster pace
Sunday = Rest

Total = 23

best part of my day. she's 30!

2011-02-18T11:52:00.032-06:00

I talk about The Lawyer (although she doesn't blahg any longer, but i wish she would... and this isn't a subtle hint, it's an outright demand... BLOG AGAIN LAYWER, BLOG!!) quite a bit around here. Today, she turns 30. And even though she isn't a blahgger right now, I am still giving her some blahggie love.

I'm a lucky girl, I get to call The Lawyer my best friend. She is a true friend, there for the best and worst. And I'm a mush-fest for her. Hearts. We have had so many good times together everything from being in her wedding, running our first marathon, starting a running club, to just plain hanging out and logging endless miles together. I wouldn't trade her for the world. Cheers to many more years of laughing, eating, talking about poo, sharing a love for life and running together!

I was going to write a haiku, but instead I leave this for you, The Running Lawyer. "We need you. I need you. I'm a mess without you. I miss you so much. I miss being with you. I miss being near you. I miss your laugh. I miss your scent. When this all gets sorted out, I think you and me should get an apartment together."

Really it was that or Photoshopping her into a Sushi Roll... or Red Velvet Doughnut. Which now that I think about it. She probably would have preferred. Meh. Instead she gets mush, movie quotes, and pictures. You're welcome lawyer.

So in honor, I present to you. The Lawyer. She's turning 30. A tribute through photograph (that kind of makes it sound like she died, don't worry, she's alive and kickin' my friends):

*happy besties. plain and simple.*

*smiles despite a 4:30a run and chilly temps, now that's love*

*before OKC 2010, our second marathon together*

*well this one is just awkward*

*the founding fathers of joggers & lagers, the best running club in wichita!*

*month one of our running club, it's exploded to be 20+ people every week from the original five who have been there from the start*

*the february birthday girls!*

*another race, another priceless memory with our buddies*

*and yet another race, and more priceless memories together*

*the beautiful running lawyer, wine and painting. yeeop, that pretty much sums it up!*

So yeah, this whole thing could have basically been an obituary. Right. Well... you know. It's how I roll. I could have also made a montage... every birthday needs a montage.

nine weeks to oz. and um....

2011-02-14T14:28:00.008-06:00

Well, all I can say for now is thank goodness I decided not to run the 'm' in April. I'm sure my mentality in general has changed since I'm not running it. But looking back over the past three weeks I have no idea where I could have mustered the energy and time to train for an 'm'. Literally. I think the past two months have been some of the most hectic of my life. But I made it through to the other side, with a vacation at what is hopefully the end of the insanity for awhile.

I had the best intentions to run during vacation last week. Annnnnd I ran twice. But I'm finding that some priorities are changing, and while I love running, I am not willing to sacrifice precious time resting or time with my family just to get a 10 miler, or even a 5 miler in. I'm just not at that point right now in my running life. And I am so okay with that. I am happy in fact. My body is thanking me.

So really there isn't much to say except wow, I hope I'm ready to PR in Oz. I have run so little the past three weeks that it's not even worth posting about. Although I did have one magnificent speedwork session on the treadmill before I left for my trip. The Lawyer was on the TM next to me, egging me on to do it even though I was whining I didn't think I could. And what do you know? I knocked out three one-mile repeats at a 7:40 pace at a 2% incline (that's about my 5k pace) and felt fantastic. Talk about a confidence booster!

Besides that, I felt the skiing I did and the rest I've had the past week have done wonders for me. I plan to get a quick run in with my all time favorite running buddy Milo (my dog) before a quiet valentines dinner this evening. The weather in Kansas turned beautiful, and I will capitalize, especially considering it was a blizzard here last week! Not that I was here to see it, I just heard things! You know, things like the Edder drove 13 hours (usually it takes 9) across this fine state in that blizzard to get to southern Colorado.... right. Bag of chuckles. Oh, Kansas. Should be in the 50's-60's all week though. Fabulous.

The last thing I've been meaning to mention on my little blahggie blahg is that while I have four half marathons planned between April - June, the Oz half is my main focus. With the Wichita half being my secondary focus. The others are just for fun. I've been meaning to point that out.

I HOPE to run a major PR at Oz. I haven't decided on my half PR goal, especially considering my training the past three weeks. Or lack thereof. Hopefully by next week I'll have a better idea on what I want to shoot for. I don't want to be too ambitious, but I also don't want to sell myself short in thinking I can't achieve my goal. Regardless, my PR goal for Oz will come to me eventually. I'll keep you posted.

Happy Valentines Day blahgesphere. I hope it's filled with a lot of love!

best part of my day.

2011-02-08T20:18:00.007-06:00

Being on vacation. And knowing I still have a few days of it left.

I couldn't find the time before I left last week to blahg that I would be MIA for a good 10 days, and my running schedule would be shot. I'm in the mountains of Colorado skiing, eating, and sleeping to my hearts content, all with my family and Edder (who, thanks to that job of his, just made it out to join us today. it's a small miracle he was able to join at all. so no complaints).

I told myself I wouldn't get all interwebby while I was on vacation, but me + being relaxed = boredom after four days. Clearly. I can only take so much before I have to do something besides read and sleep and ski! I have managed to get two five-mile runs in so far. And wowza running at altitude is no joke! And I won't lie, I am loving those waterproof Mizuno trail runners of mine. I plan to get a few more runs in, and snap some pictures while I'm at it. Although none of the runs will be very long. If I add in five days of skiing to those short runs, I think I'll be fine to pick back up on some hardcore training once I get home.

Until next week blahgesphere. For now, just a little peek at my daily view around here.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go stuff my face, snuggle my new niece and get ready for another day of snowy-skiing-goodness.

best part of my day.

2011-02-02T16:13:00.003-06:00

Well it was my Saturday really, but it was so happy that it's oozed over into the rest of my week. Saturday was a beautiful and rare 60+ degree day in Kansas in January. Part of it spent doing my 'long' run of 10 miles with some fantastic running buddies. It made me ridiculously happy that my long run was only 10 miles. So freeing. So freeing for all of us in fact, that we were game for making total idiots or ourselves in a gym parking lot halfway through our run.

Behold. "Special" runners (if you're smellin' what i'm steppin' in). Attempting to jump for joy. A photo series:

*attempt to jump together, take one. photographer fail*

*attempt to jump take two, with a new photographer. still, a fail. and we all look particularly dim-witted. awesome.*

*this is the photo i took, please note there is air in the photo, i make myself proud. this was as good as the action shot got. trust me there are more, but they are far more humiliating than even these that i posted, so this is all you get!*

*we gave up on the jumping and went ahead and just took a normal group shot. my running pals. happy.*

*we found a fox during the run, it was SO friendly.... hannah became besties with it.*

In contrast to Saturday what a week it's been in Kansas, we deemed it Blizzard of Oz at work. And while it's still quite a mess, it's not half as bad here as it is in other parts of Kansas or other areas of the country. But I love snow and winter storms, so no complaints from this girl. My point is, only in Kansas can it be nearly 70 degrees on Saturday and then Monday and Tuesday it's the Blizzard of Oz. Beautiful.

12 weeks to oz. tough choices and sweet relief.

2011-01-28T12:13:00.001-06:00

The past few weeks I've been struggling in running. Even though I took a break through most of December, I simply haven't been able to get my groove back in running. Yoga? Spinning? I'm back on my game as the numba' one stunna'. Running? Not so much. Honestly it's been awful the past month. I haven't been able to string decent miles together, I'm exhausted, burnt out... you get the idea.

Enter the fleeting thought at the start of the year that maybe I shouldn't do a marathon this spring. Fleeting thoughts banished, training commenced, but thoughts kept returning. As of Monday the thoughts were so strong I had to stop and pay attention to them. I started seriously considering dropping to just half marathons for the entirety of spring, but was wrestling with the decision. I just couldn't convince myself that it was okay to forgo a spring 'm' without feeling... well, like a failure honestly. Which is ridiculous. It's a marathon for goodness sake, not a life or death situation!

Until last night, or three o'clock this morning rather. When I was still wide awake pondering all of my life dilemmas and frustrations. When I realized I am just not interested or committed to doing long runs. I'm loving my weekday mileage, and the training of hills and speed. But my thoughts kept going to this: if I could successfully train for a marathon by running 12-14 miles every Sunday? I would do it. Which is of course asking for marathon disaster in my book. And to the fact that I was so dissatisfied with my 'm' training plan that I had already changed it a number of times. When really perhaps that dissatisfaction wasn't with the plan, it was really over running another 'm.' It sounded so daunting. And exhausting, especially considering how busy the next few months are going to be for the Edder and I. So at three-thirty a.m. I decided no 'm.' Then I rolled over and fell asleep. It felt blissful.

I'm sure over the next few months I'll wish I would have stuck it out in 'm' training every now and then. I'll get a bit sad I'm not conquering that PR 'm' goal in the next few months. But as of today, I feel nothing but sweet relief. Honestly, I am excited over the prospect of training really hard for three spring half marathons, shooting for my ultimate half PR goal (more on that in the future). That feeling alone is what solidified my decision to drop from the 'm.' It didn't sound fun, at all. It sounded miserable in fact. While going balls to the wall in multiple half marathons sounded like a blast. Because clearly I'm a sicko! I felt like I was running an 'm' this spring because that's what I was supposed to do. Because that's what runners do. We run marathons. And that's the only thing that proves you are a 'real' or 'good' runner. At least that's been my screwed up thinking. What? It's no secret I have issues!

But that thought is total crap, it just took a lot of talks with those closest to me and some enlightenment to realize that no matter what, running is running. Which is an amazing thing. It's so personal, so gratifying, if you let it be... It's just easy for me to get caught up in the 'keeping up with the joneses' aspect of running. I got caught up in it and it clearly made me miserable. My running is nothing like anyone elses. Period. As a dear friend pointed out to me, it shouldn't be stressful to run, it should help relieve the stress. Excellent point. Running and I, we go through fights about every six months, so really we were due.

So. Here we go folks. The FWR is going to embark on a journey to destroy some half marathons over the next four months. It's like my love and passion for running has returned just thinking about working hard on half marathons. And while I realize the blahgesphere couldn't care less if I run a marathon or a half marathon? I just had to get it all out there on my little blahg. Emotional vomit complete. And hey, what is my blahg if it isn't there for me to vomit all over? I mean really?

Moving on.

Week 1 Training (starting over, this was last weeks training):
Monday = Spin class
Tuesday = Yoga
Wednesday = 5 Miles Easy & Yoga
Thursday = 7 Miles Easy (split between the TM/Joggers & Lagers)
Satuday = 5 Miles easy (during which i stopped to whine to multiple people and cry a little)
Sunday = 13 Miles (all while whining to the lawyer about not wanting to train for an 'm', i was a bag of chuckles)

Lastly, all of the above said. I absolutely intend to destroy a marathon in the fall, and hopefully building a great base with halves and working on speed will just be a catalyst for me to do that! Wait. Not hopeful. It WILL be.

topeka to auburn 1/2.

2011-01-16T14:10:00.034-06:00

The Topeka to Auburn 1/2 Marathon is no joke, that sucker is rough. It chewed me up, but I didn't let it spit me out. I had no intention of "racing" this, and I didn't. I walked up the biggest hills, and ran a reasonable pace on the flat, or slightly inclined sections. I knew I needed to conserve myself and my legs on the hills since I NEVER run hills. EVER. I just started doing 'hill training' on the TM last week. Plus, I did plenty of racing the past few months and am committed to not race anything (although i have races i'll casually run) until the 'm' in April. Time to let my body focus on just the one race.

I'm thrilled I finally got to do the race I've been waiting five years to do. Clearly I could benefit from living where there are hills to run every day. But, the challenge for a flatlander was fun. I was happy with my finishing time and the fact that I met people along the way to chat with, something I've never done before in a race.

In fact, around mile six I came upon a guy walking up a hill at the same point that I was. We started chatting (read: exchanging expletives at the exact same moment) and ended up finishing the race together. It was nice to find a friend in the misery. I found that's the best part about a race that you aren't "racing." You can meet cool people along the way.

*cheesing at the top of urish hill with my new found race pal*

As for the course itself, it was hilly, there were about four miles of snow packed gravel, and it was hilly. Did I mention hilly? Just to show you what I mean, I present to you the elevation of T to A compared to my typical 'hilly' route that I run in Wichita. Yes, a route we consider hilly. Laugh. Because it is ridiculous in comparison. And as you'll see, there is a huge difference.

I won't lie, miles 8-10 felt like a breeze compared to the rest of the race, and that is where I actually picked up some time. It felt so flat and easy! Man, I wish I had hills like that to train on every week. I should mention that I also did this race in brand new, never before worn, trail shoes. Mizuno Cabrackens, which I loved. But it probably wasn't the smartest idea to do 13.1 miles in a brand new type of shoes. My calves and achilles were cramping by mile 12 and I have a feeling the hills, combined with new shoes, contributed to that. It hurt.

*happy to be at the finish line. it was getting cold, the sun went away, until then it was decent, in the 20's and sunny*

One last thought on the T to A race, just the other day I learned from someone writing in the Examiner, then posted on Facebook (so you know it MUST be real and pure truth.... right), that the Topeka to Auburn Half Marathon is ranked one of Runner's World's 10 most difficult half marathons. I tried to find the information to back that up, but I couldn't, so I don't trust that to be fact. It could also be that my research skills are just rusty.

However, even though I couldn't find the information to back it up, I'm going to pretend it's pure fact:

1) i'm obnoxious that way (even though it goes against my principles); because....

2) it totally benefits me and the fact that my finish time at T to A was only my third fastest half (but still faster than both trail half marathons i've done).

3) i am wishy-washy. clearly. and roll with what's most beneficial for me and my race times.

At the end of it all, I was hurting for nearly a week from the race, my legs were fatigued and my training last week overall was less than stellar (something i'll post about soon). But T to A is a race I will do again when I have the chance.

For this year, I will just view it as a challenging and fun training run that I did with 300 other people. Plus, I got to meet new runners and hang out with RunnurMark and a fellow Wichita runner (who runs barefoot and did the race in vibrams-ouch) for a little while after the race. All while I stuffed my face with pancakes (uh, runnurmark and barefoot dude finished way before me therefore enjoyed their pancakes before i even crossed the finish line. RUDE) and we watched/participated in the awards ceremony.

Official Results:

2:07:00

3/14 AG

207/300+ OA

*my third place AG prize. which was just pure luck.*

14 weeks to oz. mostly a success. so far.

2011-01-13T19:49:00.000-06:00

Fourteen weeks to my next marathon and the first two weeks of training were a total and utter fail. Therefore I'm going to pretend they didn't really happen and act like I WANTED to train for just 14 weeks instead of 16 for the Oz M. All of this means, granted I survive the brutal half marathon I'm running Saturday, that week one (we'll use that term loosely) of 'm' training was a success. Hill-work, speed-work, all of it. Pain free.

My training plan is complete after quite a bit of effort, and I'm very satisfied with it. It's more intense than any other 'm' training plan I've done so far, but I feel ready for it. If it starts to make me hurt too much, I'll back off. But to reach my goal I'm going to have to endure speedwork and hill training for this cycle, and hope my body handles it sans injury. Since I have a pacer and a coach I feel confident in putting it all out there for the Oz. That way if something goes wrong, I can totally blame him. And I will absolutely blame him.

That's what pacers are for. Blaming.

Therefore, my goal: 3:55.

Wish me luck blahgesphere, it's an ambitious plan for this girl. But after running the Gobbler Grind half, I have the confidence I need to finally go and attempt to 'race' a marathon.

Week 1 Training
Monday = 4 Miles, 'Hills' on the TM
Tuesday = 4 Miles
Wednesday = 6 Miles Tempo, 4 @ 8:34
Saturday = Hopefully finishing 13.1 in the Topeka to Auburn 1/2 Marathon

This brings me to my last point. Running the Topeka to Auburn 1/2 Marathon on Saturday, to which I've gotten many ridiculous looks and the big question WHY from my running buddies (none of whom are joining me. RUDE). Well, because back in the day, when I was just starting to run and I lived in Topeka, I was going to run this race. Then three weeks before the race, I had a little nugget of fun pop up called an appendectomy. So you know... that sort of stopped me. I haven't had the chance to run it since then.

Opportunity seized. Despite a forecast of cold temps, streets and gravel roads that will be covered in a mix of ice/snow/slush on a brutally hilly course, I'm in. Yep. I'm considering this a challenge. Thanks to the weather and road conditions I've bid farewell to any time goal and I'm just going to hope I don't hurt myself slipping down an icy hill. I am NOT a coordinated human being. This could be tricky. I take that back. This will be UGLY. However, I'm not sure any race could get much worse than the El Dorado Trail Half Marathon. Really, I've got nothing to lose. Clearly I have a problem with choosing the worst possible races available. But between that trail half and the OKC 'm' last year, my dignity has obviously seen it's prime.

Plus it's the only half marathon in this area for months to come. Don't you worry, I'm sure I'll have quite a bit of fodder to share on this little gem over the weekend. So then, there's that to look forward to...

the rodeo clown vs. the possum

2011-01-06T20:11:00.012-06:00

While I should be writing posts about my fail of an m training for Oz thus far, given my limited time and a better topic, I'm not going to. Instead, I sure am going to subject you to my blatherings as that DOG LADY. The one who tells stories about her dog. And her never ending week from hell. Insert overly dramatic sigh here. Giddyup blahgesphere.

So. The thing is, between work, teaching every weeknight for the next two weeks, and the fact that Edder is currently working equally ridiculous hours, I am managing m training... I think. Barely. SO that post shall come soon. Our house is one big bag of chuckles right now. Needless to say by 10p all we want to do is get a drink and sit on the couch to stare at the ceiling for exactly six minutes before going to bed. We are also exciting. I could whine further, but I will not.

Last night, the drinking and couch sitting activity was rudely interrupted by our dog Milo freaking out with angry barking/growling. More so than usual. Despite our better judgement, we decided to let him out to go "get it." Whatever "it" was, we assumed a harmless bunny or a confused squirrel. Oh no. Let me offer you the condensed version. After five minutes of violent barking and growling and scuffling, Edder forcing the mystery meat out of the bushes (lord knows how, i don't want to know), a chase into the backyard and our open garage, I land at the back door. Safely inside to watch in horror as my dog drags a gigantic possum that is clinging for dear life to a detached lawn mower bag out into the driveway. Where he proceeds to shake it. Until it appears dead. Condensed version. It was all much more horrifying in real life. SHIVER.

After Milo was satisfied his work with the possum was done, while still highly disturbed, I could stop being embarrassed that we were THOSE people on the block. The ones who let their dog out to cause a ruckus (what? i'm a kansan, i can say that without ridicule) at 10:30 at night. Edder managed to get Milo back inside and we instantly notice a fairly deep gash on his left cheek. A gash that no home remedy could fix.

The point to the story is this. After a late night trip to the doggie ER, having Milo put under, three stitches and a 5a trip back to the ER Vet to pick him up. Milo is one proud boy. Edder and I however, are tired. But we choose to find the hilarity in all of it, the timing, the expense, the inconvenience and the sheer stupidity on our part of letting our dog "get it." And we are now left with a dog that looks similar to a rodeo clown. And squeaks like a hinge for sympathy.

I present to you. The Rodeo Clown, Milo. A series:

*at the ER vet waiting to be seen. he is still very amped up and very proud of his 'killing' with his fresh wound as proof.*

*right after he got home, he jumped in bed and we let him because we felt sorry for him. these are his stitches. he is really good at looking pitiful, no?*

*sporting his pretty pink IV bandage in a blissful drugged up state*

*more of said blissful drugged up state, at this point it was just amusing and i'm being mean taking advantage of it. please note the tongue. it's a very rough life.*

*the proud rodeo clown, thanks to his shaved cheek, in a rounded shape. and this rodeo clown sure did kill him a possum!*

best part of my day. and happy new year!

2010-12-31T10:32:00.004-06:00

The below pictured is hands down my favorite neighborhood street to run down during the holiday season. I always get a bit sad when the Christmas lights come down and I have to go back to running the bland, un-decorated streets. I think people should leave the happiness of lights up year round! Just for the runners sake of course.

*this just seemed like an appropriate picture to use in closing out the year out on this hur blahg*

My 2010 wasn't perfect, what year is? Perfect is relative anyway. Even though I met my running goals, my running in 2010 was clearly far from what I had hoped, hello sparkly and dramatic ambulance exit from marathon No. 2! But there were some pretty amazing highlights, and some pretty spectacular 'little' moments that will be forever ingrained in my fluffy head. That's what life is to me anyway, those spectacular and beautiful unexpected moments that occur on any normal day. It's not always just the 'big' stuff, in fact it's rarely the big stuff for me...

Cheers to 2011 blahgesphere! As an early celebration, I just ate an entire bag of sour skittles. At 10a. And that makes up spectacular little moment No. 251in 2010, just needed to share. Now onto moment No. 252. Cleaning up the cat vomit in my hallway, so beautiful.... so touching... We know how to really ring in the New Year 'round here.

jingle bell 5K. 2010 running goals, check!

2010-12-29T11:06:00.002-06:00

True to form as of late, I'm writing this race report and update a week and a half after the fact. Awesome. Meh, I've been busy eating. To start, I've had a very eventful two weeks. Namely the fact that I am now a real life aunt! Very exciting news in our family, my sister had a sweet baby girl December 22 and I couldn't be more thrilled for her and her husband. This precious baby girl has been a much anticipated blessing, sadly I won't get to meet her until February. I can't wait to snuggle her senseless when I finally meet her in person. I am already absolutely in love with her, I can't imagine how I'll feel when I get to hold her!

Moving on, this is supposed to be a race report! As I mentioned I ran the Reindeer 5K the week before Christmas. I was going for a PR to reach my 2010 race goals, and honestly also for the mere fact that I love pushing myself to PR all the time. Yes, I'm one of THOSE runners, no secret of course. It's a problem, I know. The good news is I did snag my PR and I met my 2010 race goal of PR'ing in every race distance. I'm a bit shocked I did this actually, but perhaps I shouldn't be. All I needed was an injury free year to really 'get there.'

Official Results:
23:29
30/243 OA

I don't have any stats other than those. This was a first year race and apparently they didn't do age groups or gender. Which is fine, but hopefully next year they add it in, because it was a really fun race on a good course.

A 5k is a 5k, in my opinion it's hard to report on. They are all lung-burning hard when you try and PR! What else is there to say other than I trained with some speedwork the weeks leading up to the race, and then went balls to the wall, tried my best, used the same race strategies I always do (start conservative, end with all out effort) and it paid off. It was a blast. Of course I found a little competition on the course, a girl who I kept going back and forth with over and over. Until mile 2 when I finally decided it was time to let loose and get after it. Not gonna lie, that is a fun feeling, leaving someone in the dust that you've been going head to head with for two miles. To her credit, she wasn't far behind me at the finish.

My oldest sister, brother in law, and father did this race as well, for all of them it was their first 5k and they did fantastically. My dad is 64 and just recently finished radiation treatments. How incredible is THAT? I was so proud! Of all of them. But mostly my dad. It was fun racing with the whole family. And while there are some great pictures of the race, they are all on my mother's camera. And seeing how she is currently in Los Angeles playing with her new granddaughter, I have a feeling I'm not going to get my insignificant racing pictures anytime soon. That niece of mine is already totally stealing my thunder...

I have so many posts I want to write. I am starting to train for my spring marathon, the Oz Marathon. I have high hopes for that race. I've even secured myself coaching help and a pacer in Coach Scott to help me reach my goal. And no, it is most definitely not a BQ. Much more on all of that later. We are currently finalizing my training plan, once that is done, I'll start the countdown and endless blather about my Oz 'm'. And everything else I want to blather about. I've really missed blogging lately, I have been all sporadic and spastic about it the last year. But I honestly am starting to miss it. A lot.

fair weather runner indeed.

2010-12-16T16:31:00.004-06:00

Hey, the name of the blog says it all. I absolutely bailed on going for that 5K PR on Sunday. I woke up at 6:30a to howling winds (21 mph, mind you that didn't include wind gusts) and 14 degree temps. I was warm, my bed was deliciously cozy, I just plain didn't wanna. So I texted Shelley to whine and we agreed to skip the 5K, sleep in and meet for some brekkie with friends later in the morning. And that we did. Best decision of the week.

I am however running a 5K this coming Saturday, the weather should be much more FWR friendly at a balmy 35 degrees or so. I should mention here that my oldest sister, and her husband, recently moved back home to the big dub. She has decided to do her first ever 5K on Saturday, and my dad is running the race as well, so it's a family affair. I am feeling somewhat confident that I'll shave a few seconds off of my current 5K PR to meet my 2010 goal. But more importantly I'm excited I'll be running with my family!

In other news, I'm really struggling to get out and get running this month. I've run a total of 26 miles so far. Pretty sure I'm not going to make it to that 100 for December unless I start pulling miles out of my ass. Wait. I wonder if that's an actual option...

Regardless, I just don't know what my deal is. I don't think I'm burnt out, and I wanted to keep a good base to start marathon training next month. I just choose Christmas cookies, going out with friends, cooking too much food (read: drinking wine while opening a cookbook pretending i'm going to make dinner and then going for take-out) and eating to my hearts content as opposed to running after work. Plus, it's chilly in the mornings so I don't feel like getting out of bed at a stupid hour to get a run in alone. Just not worth it right now. Oh the humanity! It's a rough life. I know.

I guess what I'm saying here is I need some December motivation. I have none. Please help accordingly Interwebs. I have a feeling part of it is that I am slightly competitive (so i hear anyway) and with all my big races over, I've got nothing to force me into higher mileage. Maybe I'm simply bored with running. Who knows. But if anyone has any thoughts on how to resolve this issue, please let me know.

I'm almost ready to start begging for someone to offer up any manner of competition to keep me motivated... Although meeting my 100 mile per month goal should be enough? Oh my, it is point of fact, not.

gobbler grind. somewhere between a snake and a mongoose. and a panther.

2010-12-07T08:38:00.010-06:00

Oh my, I never said I wasn't a procrastinator. So two weeks after the fact, here is my Gobbler Grind Half Marathon report. Per usual, I'm just going to list it out. But first the good stuff. PR secured.

Official Results:
1:53:29
AG 15/121
Overall Place 284/1323

*Indi and I pre-race, as you can see I fully embrace my northern European roots and keep it pasty white, year round. I love how it's especially noticeable next to Indi and her beautiful tan skin.... jerk*

*The girls pre-GG ready to go, Indi, Me, Shelley and Erin*

The race:
- It was a warmish, very windy morning in Overland Park, so I woke up dreading the race. I wasn't well rested, and was feeling worn down. Plus wind and I, historically, do not get along. I went ahead and got all typically dramatic. Oh there was drama oozing every direction. I got over it after I had a latte of course. I'm somewhat like a hungry infant before coffee...

- I headed to the race with Indi, who also ran the half, and our faithful spectators Edder and the Sherpa. Once at the race we found Shelley, and I felt instantly better, she's like my binky. I need her at races. Yes, I'm quite needy, I'm fine with that. And so is she. So once I saw her I was just ready to go. Screw the wind. And hills. And humidity. IN NOVEMBER. I was determined to get a PR.

- After a warbly set of announcements and a questionable rendition of our nations anthem we were off. My legs were suffering the first two miles. I sucked it up and braced myself, but after mile two my body started to cooperate and I got in a groove and started to feel much, much better. By mile three I was starting to pick up the pace and loosen up. I passed the next three miles by picking a person to pass, and doing just that. Not a bad method to occupy my mind, it worked pretty well.

- I made the last minute decision to try a new method of hydration, instead of fannying about with the water stops, I decided to carry hydration for the first time in any race. This was an excellent decision. I got two fuel belt bottles and a holder. I had one that I started with (filled with water) and I had finished that off by mile six, where Edder was waiting with my second bottle of Gatorade. I was worried I would drop the bottle he had for me, but managed to snag it seamlessly. This is a credit to the Edder, because anyone who knows me well knows that I am inept at anything involving depth perception. And balls (stop giggling) or grabbing things while moving (okay, giggle), or catching anything. ANYTHING. I duck when Edder tosses me house keys for goodness sake. But it was perfect. And I plan to do that at future races when Edder is there to be my pack mule.

- Miles 7 - 9ish were the hilliest I have ever done in a race. This is the part of the race that was a total mind screw (except insert grownup term that rhymes with truck here, keeping it friendly here people). We had to run uphill for nearly two miles, but it was also into the wind. And you couldn't see all that glorious hill waiting for you. Oh no. You would get to the top of one, turn the corner and HEYOOO, there's another one. That went on three times. It. Was. Awesome. Or made me want to cry. Either way.

- I always semi-believed in taking Cliff shots during my races, but after GG I am a firm believer it can make all the difference in the world. I was bombing at mile 9 (right after the hills), so I took a Cliff Shot (and here is where i don't recommend trying a new flavor for the caffeine factor, although the caffeine worked it's magic, it tasted horrid) and I got my stride and energy back. It was a total relief.

- I had fantastic splits for miles 10 and 11 (8:13 and 8:07 respectively), but by mile 12 the hills and the exhaustion caught up. And I was getting angry as I was slowing down. The fact that my iPod was seriously screwed up (skipping and scrubbing songs for the last four miles) didn't help the angry factor. I got angrier as the time kept getting higher and higher and my pace kept slipping (that mile ended up being 8:36-ouch), and my iPod kept messing up. Even though at that point I knew I would finish in around 1:54. Amazing how irrational I can get during a race. However, finishing with a PR always feels fantastic. No matter what. And that it did when I crossed the line.

- I watched and waited with the boys as Shelley, Erin and Indi crossed the finish line. Shelley's finish line story is quite exciting and I'll just say for now she is an amazing person, I'll tell that story in another post.

-Overall it was a good race, it was hard, but not as hard as I assumed it would be. We were sheltered from a lot of wind, and the uphills weren't as horrific as I prepared myself for them to be. But it still sapped my flatlander energy and knocked me on my ass by the end. Clearly. All in all? I was quite satisfied, who wouldn't be with a nine minute PR?

*post GG PR smiles*

I'm really bad at letting myself be satisfied with a PR, but I've been trying really hard to enjoy this one, seeing how I've had to wait quite a few years to get it. I am of course already planning my next 1/2 PR. March. Oh you know you do it too. I'm already excited to do this race again next year. I really liked it, and glad I finally got to do it! And take my PR 1/2 revenge out on the good old Gobbler Grind.

One more race to go on Sunday to meet that 2010 PR goal. And I hope I get another Pee-My-Pants PR at that 5K!

arbitrary.

2010-11-30T11:43:00.003-06:00

I have this new arbitrary goal. Well, I've sort of had this arbitrary goal and obsession since July. Either way. It is that I run 100 miles a month. Not a huge feat by any means, but compared to where I was most of last year, it's pretty decent. When I was taking time off, healing from multiple injuries, indulging in lots of pouting and even more eating... In the context of that? It's a pretty nice and attainable goal that will keep me motivated when I have zero races to train for.

As long as I run 6 miles tonight after work, my arbitrary goal will have been met every month since July. I plan to keep it up through December and all of 2011, especially as I transition back into marathon training in January. Yes, lots to discuss. More on all of that later. I have lofty goals for '11 in mind.

Speaking of goals, I have two more chances (two if need be) to finish up and meet my 2010 goal of getting a PR in every major race distance. I am doing a 5k in two weeks, and if that one doesn't go well, I can always hit up the New Years Eve 5k. I'm hopeful I can swing it on the next race though.

In that regard (the 2010 PR goal), clearly since I only have a 5K PR left to snag, that means I PR'd at Gobbler Grind! I've started a post, but honestly just lost motivation to write it. For now I'll share that I met and exceeded both my "safe" PR goal of 1:57 and and my "oh i would pee my pants from joy" goal PR that was in my head of 1:54. Apparently I had a good day. And peed my pants...

two weeks to gobbler grind.

2010-11-09T09:54:00.006-06:00

I'm feeling wholly uninspired the past few days to blahg. But, per usual, I'm posting this so I can come back and see what I did right, and what I did wrong, just in case Gobbler Grind turns out in my favor.

Last weeks runnings went just okay, I didn't run the five days that I wanted to. Things come up, life and work get in the way. And sometimes for me sleep and rest just plain have to win so the ugly beast inside doesn't rear it's ugly head. The good news is that I got my 12 miler in on "hills," and my speedwork once again was spot on and I felt great afterwards. The injury-free fairy is blessing me lately. I'm still skeptical, but enjoying it.

As for this week, I plan to run hard. Including a round at the Graveyard Hill (creepy) near my house tonight. I'm only doing it because I insisted a friend join me, I refuse to do that sucker alone. It's creepy, I'll take photographic evidence tonight. I also plan to do my last (for GG training anyway) and longest speedwork session on Thursday. And also hope that my sinus' have mercy on my plans, so far this week they aren't.

Week of November 1 Training:
Monday = Nothing
Tuesday = 4 miles and yoga
Wednesday = 6 miles (4 with the group)
Thursday = Nothing
Friday = 7 mile tempo with 5 @ 8:13 (success!)
Saturday = Nothing
Sunday = 12 miles at 9:16 (i'm trying to keep my long runs under 9:30s, so far it's working)

I didn't run as many miles as I wanted last week, but I feet like what I did was mostly quality. Right now I'll take quality over quantity. I usually don't post my times either, but I'm working on speed, so I'm putting it out there for my own sake. It's good for me to put it out there! I just need to grow a pair really. I've spent so long being so careful and paranoid, it feels good to let loose and just RUN now. Without worrying about it.

Speaking of speed, I mentioned a few posts back that I have a goal for this year. I'll go ahead and put it out there while I'm at it.

My goal is to PR in every race distance (that i typically run) in 2010: 5k, 8k, 10k, half and full marathons. So far I have an 8k (my only), 10k and marathon PR. All I have left is a 5k (i have my eye on one in december) and the half marathon. It would be pretty sweet, after a horrible two years of running in 2008 and 2009 and even part of 2010, to meet that goal. So wish me luck!

Side rants complete. Feel free to now carry on with your day.

best part of my day.

2010-11-05T15:07:00.006-05:00

You know those days at work that totally drain you? Suck the life out of you and beat you down? I have my fair share at my job, as I'm sure we all do. But Wednesday was not that day. For all the frustrations I have, there are those days that make up for it.

Days when say, I get to experience things like meeting Taylor Swift. Uh huh. It happened on Wednesday. And while I'm anything but a country fan, I sure do like me that Taylor Swift. That girl really has all her stuff together. She hugged me when I walked up to her, like I was her favorite bestie in the whole wide world and hadn't seen me in months! She is precious.

Just another day in radio people.... uh huh, um right.

*me and t-swizz... and a couple guys i work with*
please note this picture is also proof that i do clean up and get out of running clothes every so often

three weeks to gobbler grind.

2010-11-02T08:26:00.002-05:00

Wowza. Three more weeks to the Gobbler Grind. The first half marathon I'll have ever 'officially' trained for in full (i always half-assed them in the past, if trained at all). I'm hoping it pays off. Really this post is nothing more than to track my training from the past two weeks and to note the coming week of training. You know, the really entertaining stuff.

I mentioned my training plan a few weeks ago and I'm happy to announce that besides skipping my long run (and missing my PR by a few seconds during a race) I ended up nailing all the runs, paces and all. Same for last week. All my training this year, yes all 10 months so far, has been done in "slow down and don't get injured so i can finish a marathon without getting injured" mode. So I've been itching to train at the paces I know I'm capable of, and that make me feel good. The kind of running that makes me feel like I've had a good hard run, all fresh and tired inside and out afterwards. Just totally spent. I love that feeling oh so much.

And contrary to what I usually do, I refuse to think I'm jinxing myself by writing this. The Edder reminds me on a regular basis there is no such thing as "jinxing," I'm choosing to trust him on this one. So if I fail, I can totally blame it on him. Clearly it's a win-win. Such a lucky man that Edder.

Week of October 25 Training:
Tuesday - 4 miles
Wednesday - 6 miles with the running group
Thursday - 6 mile tempo, 4 at 8:13 pace (success!)
Saturday - 4 miles
Sunday - 10 miles
Total miles =30

Total Mileage in October = 105.7
(lower than the past few months, but i let myself take it easy after chicago)

Goal for Week of November 1:
Tuesday = 7 miles
Wednesday = 6 miles easy with the running group
Thursday = 7 mile tempo run, 5 at 8:13
Friday = 6 miles
Sunday = 12 miles

I was slightly concerned over how I would feel with my new training paces, but so far I'm feeling good. Sore and tight on some days, but nothing worrisome. I'm actually kind of surprised. I plan to leave my paces where they are for now, I'm not going to speed up my paces anymore until after the half. My training the past few weeks has been comfortable, and I don't want to push it since I still do worry about injury. So I'm calling these paces good and sticking to them and pretty hopeful I can pull off my goal at Gobbler Grind.

Now, GO VOTE!

pumpkin run 5k. and pie.

2010-11-01T15:26:00.000-05:00

A week ago Saturday I ran the WSU Pumpkin Run 5k with some of the girls, most notably, Batgirl (more on that later). The race was on my alma mater's campus, go shocks! On a windy, humid, warmish day.... after a night out at the Midwest Beerfest Beer Dinner.

Um, so I mentioned something about wanting to PR in the Pumpkin 5K race? Uh, yeah that so did not happen. I of course was ridiculously pissed off at myself for not running 5-6 seconds faster. But seeing how I thought I was going to vomit the last half mile, I totally dropped the ball. Pay no mind to the fact that I didn't take care of myself very well for the week leading up to this race. Yet, I was still quite pissed off at myself. Perhaps if I hadn't consumed three days worth of calories at a dinner the night before a 5k, or say, hadn't had more beer than I normally do (coughahem, it was a BEER dinner, i mean i had no choice in the matter!) I might have just pulled off a PR. But it's me. So you know..... that's a gooooood runner.

So in true FWR fashion I ate and drank and didn't sleep the night before and expected to pop off a PR. Right. But. this is where I mention PIE! Even though I didn't PR I still managed second place (uh, only because the fast girls weren't there) in my AG, and this race actually gives prizes for AG winners.

Oh my, you guys.... I won a PIE! Not just any pie, but pie from the Amish bakery in a town outside of Wichita. An Amish town. Horse and buggies, no electricity, the whole bit. AMISH PIE. Let me preface by saying although I love highly refined sugar I'm not much of a pastries fan. Not a fan of cakes or pies or other pastries for the most part (unless it's thanksgiving). But oh my if my mind hasn't been changed by that delicious Amish apple pie. It smelled and looked so amazingly perfect, it was sparkly on top. SPARKLY! I may or may not have eaten it for dinner that night. What? I won that sucker, and it was massive, I needed to get to work on it. No shame.

So me and my pie wallowed in the fact that I didn't get a PR, I got over the wallowing about halfway through said pie and all was right with my world. The pie didn't fare so well.

In other news, Batgirl (i.e. shelley) won first place for female costume and third place in our AG. However I was pretty disappointed that The Lawyer and I won nothing for our costumes, we went as "Freaking Awesome." What, can't you tell that's what we are? And no one understood Liz was dressed up as a runner. Boo race organizers, boo.

*batgirl, a runner, freaking awesome no. 1 & freaking awesome no. 2*

moving on. going for the half.

2010-10-20T08:56:00.002-05:00

Now that I've finally had what I consider a very successful marathon (considering my history) it's time to re-focus. I gave myself a week post-Chicago to eat, be lazy, and generally not care about being healthy, or care about life whatsoever. Well. I lie. I gave myself until Monday of this week to do that. But now I'm back in training mode and looking forward to finally having the chance to work on speed. I have my eye on the Overland Park Gobbler Grind Half Marathon, November 21.

I've decided on a time goal, taking the massive hills (that don't exist in wichita to use for training) into consideration I'm going to shoot for a time of 1:57, which would still be a five minute PR). Hold up, can I just get a little shout out for admitting my goals here, because I'm totally that girl who is terrified to put stuff like that out there. Time goals? I don't post those! Because I might fail! But look at me, posting goal times all nimbly bimbly. Go ahead, roll your eyes, then tell me good luck. Thanks. Moving on.

If it weren't hilly I'd shoot for 1:54, but since Wichita has limited half marathons I have to work with what's in my budget. Which means a lot of Kansas City area races, seeing how I have free lodging and it's close to home (and i get to see some killah friends natch). This leaves me little option other than doing a hilly half marathon this fall, but I think it will be fine, just not as speedy as if I were doing it in the flatland.

Like I said, now that I'm finished with the marathon I'm ready to focus on speed and will just hope to sweet baby Jesus I don't get injured training at the paces that I have in mind. Speedwork, mile repeats and tempo runs are going to be my besties the next five weeks. I'm not sure why, but I have a huge bone to pick with both the half marathon distance and the Gobbler Grind (even though i've never run it before, which was due of course to injury). So brace yourselves, I'll be back to posting random blather and whining about how much my scrawny little leggies hurt over the next five weeks! Because not only do I have my eye on the half marathon prize but I also have another lofty goal to achieve before the end of the year. I'm not ready to divulge that yet. Maybe I will after Saturday.

Training Week 1 - Gobbler Grind 1/2:
Monday = LAZ.E., eat a lot of fatty deliciousness and sleep all day - done
Tuesday = 5 miles and yoga - done
Wednesday = 6 easy miles with the running group and yoga - done
Thursday = 7 miles with 3 x 1600s at 7:49 pace (i'm expecting tears and the inability to breathe, but that pace is conservative according to mcmillian's pace suggestions based on my last 10k race time) and yoga
Friday = Easy 6 miles
Saturday = WSU Pumpkin Run 5K (hoping for a PR, even if only by a few seconds, gotta beat 24:36), please note I'm apparently running this race with Bat-Girl... uh huh. Yeoop.
Sunday = 10 miles with the girls

Let's hope I don't injure myself. But seeing how I went through the whole marathon training process injury free, and am feeling really strong, I'm ready to give training at a shorter distance a good hard solid shot in the ass. I'm a girl on a mission. I'll keep you posted. Wish me luck!

rosstoberfest 5k

2010-10-19T14:20:00.005-05:00

A week before Chicago I decided to run the 3rd Annual Rosstoberfest 5K. The first two years this race was held I was relegated to cheering the runners on from my front yard while hanging out on crutches. This year I was excited I could finally run it. Although I wanted to race it, with Chicago looming and all my focus on that, I decided to take it easy. Thankfully my original running buddy Katie had a half marathon the next week as well so we decided to run it casually together. It worked out perfectly!

So although I want to PR at a 5K at some point this year (perhaps at a race i'm doing this saturday, we'll see, i never assume in racing, ever) the Rosstoberfest wasn't the race for that. But I loved it, the course goes past my house twice and through the streets that I run on a weekly basis. I loved running by my house, having Edder and Milo out there waiting for me (thankfully milo realized he wasn't supposed to run out and join me, he often tries to chase me if i run by the house when he's outside or i take off on a run without him) and all the cheering from my neighbors that were out didn't hurt either. I think that was the best part of the race, seeing so many people I knew out in their yards cheering everyone on. It felt good to run on home turf. I don't have a lot to say about this race except the weather was amazing and the running company I had next to me the entire time was even better. It's a race I hope to continue doing for many years to come.

I finished in 25:05, that was good enough for a fourth place AG finish. I'll totally take it seeing how I was holding myself back the entire race. It goes against every fiber of my being not to go out and run hard in a shorter race. According to my pace calculator (that sounds ridiculously nerdy) that was exactly 8 minute miles. How's that for consistency? What's bizarre about that is the fact that I ran Chicago in exactly 10 minute miles, guess I'm on a roll with even mile splits? Quite random.

After the race Katie and I ran into Lacy who had won the women's division of the race (congrats again lacy) and then we jogged back to my house and that was that. We decided to pass on the beer and brats offered post race, something about having that at 9 in the morning just wasn't appealing. So we didn't stick around long and I'm sure I missed some other people I knew out there. Bummer.

That's all I have on that. Well, that and a picture I pilfered from Lacy from the race (thanks for that lacy!)

*katie, myself and lacy post rosstoberfest*

Rosstoberfest 5K
Garmin Time = 24:57

Official Time = 25:05

4/59 Age Group

124/494 Overall

the chicago marathon | 10.10.10.

2010-10-13T16:04:00.003-05:00

Redemption is sweet. No. Redemption is badass. I know, because I finally got it on Sunday at the Chicago marathon. All the hard work, the tears, the past failures, the mind numbing fear, the emotional and physical exhaustion of it all... it paid off. Finally. The third time really is the charm. I could go on and on with that stuff, but I won't. So here's the goods.

Official Chicago Marathon Finishing Time:
4:22:08

It was hot, really hot. At mile 20 we saw a Bank sign that said 86 degrees, at the finish line we heard 91 degrees. All the stupid hot and humid runs paid off for the Kansas girls. Our saving grace was that there was little humidity, so the heat was bearable. I have so much to say, so many pictures coming, and just so many thoughts that I don't know where to start.

I had the pleasure of running this race with a lot of friends, in all (with friends of friends and dad's) there were eight of us who all knew each other there running together. We even started together which was so much fun. It really helped calm my nerves honestly. Out of the eight, four of us had PRs, those are pretty great odds in my opinion. The fantastic news was that everyone had a great race, despite the heat. It was pretty incredible really.

So instead of blathering on and on, I'm just going to highlight it in a list, of course. Would I do it any other way? Later I'll try and post pictures and write stories, or maybe not. I'm still holding this race pretty close to my heart (which is the biggest reason I haven't posted on it yet), some things I just like to keep inside (believe it or not) and cherish.

So let's get listy.

10 Things From Chicago 10.10.10:
1. I ran that marathon with so much hope and work invested, and it paid off. I never once felt like I was pushing myself, I kept an easy pace and I had a blast. I wouldn't change a thing about how I ran it, or the time I got. I am beyond thrilled.

2. Snagging a 41 minute marathon PR. I'm still sort of in disbelief I did that, in all honestly I was expecting my time to be around 4:45.

3. Sharing this experience with remarkable women who I love dearly. This marathon will always mean a lot to me, it was a truly priceless experience.

4. Mile 10.3 or so, I had the chance to run over to my family who were there cheering us all on and stop (sort of) to say hi and smile at them. It was fantastic getting to really see them! I had called the Edder a few miles beforehand to see where they were going to be, so we could be prepared for a photo op of course, he assumed something went horribly wrong. I was thrilled to tell him all I wanted to know is where they were going to be. Then he was all... WHO CALLS SOMEONE DURING A MARATHON... um. Me. Because uh, just keep reading.

5. Like I mentioned, and as I'm sure a lot of you heard, Chicago was HOT. There were a lot of runners suffering that day, I heard a lot of ambulances, saw a lot of runners on the side of the road, saw some vomiting, limping and saw some tears. The looks on the faces alone were heart breaking for me. I can honestly say I wanted to run over to each and every one of those runners and give them a hug and tell them I know exactly how they felt... and that it would be okay, eventually. That the physical pain and bruised ego fade and it will be okay. Every time I heard an ambulance I cringed... I think that was the most difficult part of the marathon for me, seeing the carnage, knowing exactly what those runners were feeling. It was rough out there on Sunday.

6. Running through Boy's Town. Whooo do those boy's have some spirit, they can sure entertain some runners, hands down my favorite spot on the course! From their shortie shorts, to sparkly jazz hands, boas and batons, to the cheer routines. Just spectacularly hilarious and fun.

7. Calling my lovely and badass running buddy Hannah at mile 7.5 while she and the Wichita running group were around mile 5 in the Prairie Fire Marathon at home (that race started later than Chicago). Good stuff.

8. Seeing some great signs along the way, including a huge banner and stick heads of one guy asking a girl to marry him. Precious and heart melting. My other favorite sign was one that read "you are all very good at exercising." I laughed over that one for a good mile.

9. Calling The Lawyer a few minutes after finishing to tell her my time and just plain talk to her. Hearing her voice, her excitement for me, the squealing, it was all I needed to complete my finish. Period.

10. Crossing the finish line with a huge smile on my face.

represent.

2010-10-06T15:27:00.005-05:00

All I've got to say is represent.

This was taken around 5:30 this morning by my Hannie-Pie, of Lea and I sporting our Chicago pride. At Starbucks, after of course, a five mile run that started at 4:30a and on three hours of sleep for Lea and I. A run I wouldn't have traded for all the sleep in the world.

Four days interwebs. Four days.

six days to chicago.

2010-10-04T09:01:00.003-05:00

Hold on a second, I need to go throw up thanks to writing out that title. Okay, all good. This is going to be short and sweet, no mileage listings (i don't have time to go back and look right now), or waxing poetic about what's to come and what's been, or sharing just how scared I might be (i'm admitting nothing). Just putting it out there that Chicago is in six days (what? like the entire universe isn't revolving around the chicago marathon?)

I'm taking off Friday and will be heading to the glorious city of Chicago (i really love that city) with some amazing friends and family for five days. I've had my ups and downs the past week, and for now I'm just trying to focus on staying positive, not letting the demons from OKC get in my head, staying healthy, resting and focusing on running a race with some incredible and fun women who I love dearly.

Although I don't leave until Friday for the windy city, it feels like the festivities are starting sooner. My dear friend Lea who means the world to me, and who we bonded strongly over bad marathons past, moved to California last winter. Wichita hasn't been the same since she left, but she is coming 'home' tomorrow and I get to spend the next week pretending that she lives here again and that life is back to how it was when she was here. I think I'm more excited about that for the week than anything else.

My week is going to be hectic, I have no idea if I'll even post again before I leave. Although I want to since I got to finally run the Rosstoberfest 5K on Saturday, it was important for me to run it (i've been on crutches the past two years and couldn't race it) since it's in my neighborhood and goes right by my house. I didn't PR or do anything fantastic, just ran at a comfortable pace with my original running buddy Katie. Regardless it was a special race for me and dang it I wanna write about it.

For now, I'm going to try and settle my nervous and excited belly and focus. Realize I've trained and done the work, now I just have to trust and have faith it will pay off and ignore the tweaky aches and pains that are hopefully mostly in my fluffy little head. I'm going to focus on the amazing trip I'm about to take, on getting everything done to leave in time, on the precious time I'll have with my girlfriends, and running one of the best marathons in the world. And hopefully running it well, you know, like a virgin marathon (i'm reclaiming my marathon virginity by the way, the last two just don't count anymore, i deem it so, and so it is). In fact, I am now inspired to slap some Madonna on my marathon playlist... Cheers to running my third marathon for the first time.

Happy Monday interwebs, take care of yourselves this week and get ready for those races next Sunday!

three weeks to chicago. and do over.

2010-09-22T16:28:00.003-05:00

Word on the street is that there have been some rough running weeks in blahggie land lately. Not gonna lie. That makes me feel 100% better about my current running week. Which is turning out to be less than stellar. Both physically and emotionally. I know mostly it's due to a lot of miles crammed into a seven day period last week, some added life stress, lack of sleep and just general anxiety and fears over the upcoming 'm.' I've been trying to overlook my concerns about my third attempt to finally run a marathon well. And as of this morning I couldn't do it anymore. In fact I turned into a secretly grumpy runner during a 10 miler group run and ended up balling my eyes out afterwards on my way home. I feel weak. And lame.

WHAT? ME? Crying after a run because I'm totally frustrated and exhausted? Shocking, I know.

Don't worry, I also sure did break my "no starbucks for six weeks commitment" that I have going right now. After that run, with tears rolling down my face, I stopped by Starbucks. I had totally caved in my little head by mile seven during the run this morning thinking 'screw it.' That caramel machiatto was REALLY good, by the way. Really, really good. Um, yes I admit I have a small problem (coughahem addiction) with Starbucks.

I suppose the good thing is that I know, I mean, I KNOW deep down I'm going to be fine while running Chicago. I've done the work, and I know my body won't fail me at mile 25 this time. But the demons of marathons past are trying really hard to get in my head and I've been fighting it with every ounce I have so far. Somehow this week they got to me. Over the weeks of training for this marathon I've kept waiting for the anvil to drop. For the freak outs to set in, for the anxiety and unnerving feelings to begin. For the ever faithful running injury to hit. Or those feelings that I have to do "something" in this marathon whether a time goal or with training, to arrive. Wondering if I'll be able to hold myself together or if my training will pay off. Those are all the things I'm now currently worrying about, among others. The good news is that the injuries have not arrived. I guess I'll take these silly emotional issues over an actual injury.

In the end, despite my bad running week, I feel like running Chicago is my do over. It's a chance to take a third shot at running my first marathon in a way. The OKC races were blips of lessons learned, a lot of very closely guarded heartache and physical pain. Something I'll always remember. Maybe not fondly, but I'll always remember them. For the beat down of lessons they handed me. But somehow Chicago feels different. Despite what I'm feeling this week, at least my head is solid enough to realize that fact. Now if the rest of me would just follow suit, and stop the minor freak outs, worrying and ridiculous emotional outbursts in the form of crying in front of complete strangers, I'll be good to go. Just 17 more days and it's on.

My verbal diarrhea is complete. Pretty sure I'll be back in kick-ass mode soon enough. My doubts and fears are normal, and I know it's mostly due to extra stress and fatigue in my life right now. We all have these types of weeks before a marathon, right? RIGHT??!! (just say right. please).

What really matters is that I know deep down Chicago is my 'm' do over. And I really am excited to experience it.

Week 12 - Chicago Training
Tuesday = 5.5 miles
Wednesday = 10 miles
Thursday = 4 miles
Saturday = 20 miles

Total = 39.5 miles

best part of my day.

2010-09-15T11:27:00.006-05:00

Best part of my day which started at 3:45a mind you, and yeah it's such an early start I want to announce it on my blog. Because it's just a stupid time to wake up in the morning. But I did it, and I clearly need to share that with the world because it's such a BIG DEAL!

Moving on. Pretty sure anything in my day won't top the picture that was taken (quite well coughahem by "coach scott," nice photog skills COACH) with Hannah and I around 5a this morning.

We look like 12-year-olds skipping along during recess. Except apparently I lost my pants somewhere in those first four miles (of 10). Don't worry, I promise I AM wearing some. Awkward. I haven't yet stopped laughing at that picture. Which is why I had to share, and which is also why it will totally be the highlight of my day. Enjoy. We have no shame. Oh and yes, if you're wondering, we are in fact holding hands. What of it?

four weeks to chicago. and life.

2010-09-14T10:24:00.008-05:00

I'm beating myself up because I really wanted to keep a GOOD blog record for me and me alone regarding my Chicago training. That's been a total fail. Sigh. But there is no time like the present to try and get back on the 'training log' horse and leave posts about my training for future me. So future me, here you go. A recap of the past three weeks of training.

I've had some bumps in my training road, sometimes I wonder if they are self inflicted because of procrastination, lack of sleep and bad planning on my part (highly likely). But some things during training have been out of my control, like trying to keep my body healthy and away from injury, dealing with things like sinus infections, spending time with my family and keeping my social life (all things i refuse to compromise at this point for some marathon). Oh and that little thing I do called working full time during the week and teaching college at night. You know, the stuff most normal runners deal with. Real LIFE.

All in all, despite the bumps in my training road, I've been happy with the number of miles I've been logging. I may not be hitting my long runs like I've wanted, or as many miles as I've wanted, but my weekly mileage is still surpassing that of any previous marathon training cycle. That fact alone is helping me cope with the long run sabotage I've been dealing with. And it could very well be self-sabotage on the long run thing, I'm that kind of girl. I sub-consciously and unknowingly sabotage areas of my life because I am either scared sh!tless or worried about failure. It's a problem. I just hope someone else out there does this. Well I know a few people who do, but they aren't runners. So I mean in regard to running, natch.

Does anyone else accidentally self-sabotage your training? Hmmmmm. I'm not much of a blahggie question asker, but I really mean this one. I'm curious.

Moving on. So here is some TMI (especially for any male readers, i apologize) some of my long run sabotage has come in the form of that pesky female friend most girls get. The thing is, most female runners don't get THAT problem once they start training for marathons. Not me, I have huge issues and unfortunately that's what sabotaged my long run this weekend. What was supposed to be 20 miler ended up being 14 tear and pain (in the form of female stomach cramps) filled miles ending with me vomiting on the side of the street, sitting on a curb and calling the Edder to come and pick me up. Good stuff. Did I mention that it sucks? So there was that issue to contend with this weekend.

However, like I said, despite my long runs either not happening or not being as long as I want it's all good. I'm okay with it. I'm not running Chicago to beat any times or be a bad ass. I just want to finish strong and be able to actually RUN it. With my friends. I realized this weekend that at this time last year I was hobbling around on crutches with my second stress fracture and at a pretty low point in my life. I realized that I've gone all year without a major injury, I've had my blips of hip and calf issues yes, but nothing like being sidelined for months on end while gaining 17 pounds in a depressed stupor (yeah, that was me last fall). Wow, I'm on an honesty kick today.

My point is I am not injured and I'm getting ready to run my second marathon of the year. That's a pretty huge success for this girl who isn't built or made for long distance running. I've decided and realized my threshold is around 16 miles, I think I'm meant to be a half marathoner, and I plan to focus on that after Chicago. Big time. As in starting to get faster and pop off PRs in half marathons and 10Ks, as much as possible. But that's a different blog post.

Enough of the TMI and honesty. Let's get to the running shall we. The past three weeks training:

Week 9 - Chicago Training
Tuesday - 4 miles
Wednesday - 6 miles
Thursday - 4 miles
Saturday - 19 miles
Total = 33 miles

August monthly mileage total = 120.77

Week 10 - Chicago Training (we aren't going to talk about this week, shhhh)
Tuesday - 4 miles
Wednesday - 6 miles
Friday - 6 miles
Saturday - 6 miles
Total = 22 miles (FAIL)

Week 11 - Chicago Training
Monday - 7 miles
Wednesday - 8 miles
Thursday - 6 miles
Saturday - 2 miles
Sunday - 14.31 miles
Total = 37.31 miles

best part of my day.

2010-09-13T14:23:00.002-05:00

Unless something very important disrupts me (i.e. offer of delicious food), ninety-nine percent of my Monday lunches are spent doing yoga at the Y. Sometimes The Lawyer and Shelley my Chicago training buddy join, sometimes not. Either way, the past few Mondays I get to witness something that makes my Mondays so much better. You see, the yoga studio and aerobics class studio are right next to each other in a hallway. So when leaving the yoga studio you have to pass by the aerobics studio and you can see in a few windows as you walk by. It used to be there was nothing to see... Until recently.

Now, and without fail, there is a one man party going on in that aerobics studio. Lights off, techno music pumping and oh my are there furious movements happening. FURIOUS! But just the one guy. Alone. Last week he was doing the running man, it was spectacular. And it is really hard not to just stop and stare at this fantastical sight. I think he's caught me/us gawking before.

But here's the thing. As entertaining as it is to stare at the one man party, I kind of envy him. He has got to know people are gawking at whatever the hell it is he's doing and he doesn't seem to care one bit. With all the passers by he just keeps at it. Doing the running man, hiking those knees up, kicking, punching, more dancing and flailing... all quite shamelessly. And FURIOUSLY! I mean, don't you envy that guy and the kind of guts it takes to do that? I do. A lot.

Next week I kinda want to slap on a mauve and teal striped leotard and a puffy glittery headband and go and join him. Because seeing that after yoga totally made my day.

In other news. OH WOW Chicago is a month away. I just peed a little (the nervous kind mind you)....

best part of my day.

2010-09-01T14:15:00.002-05:00

Another really good early morning run with an amazing group of runners. Seriously, I lucked out finding them.

Also, the fact that I deemed it running prom morning for myself. Mostly because I literally had zero clean regular running clothes. Interwebs, what you get when you take a tired FWR + 4:30a wake up call + 6 miles with a running group + hardly any clean running clothes (you know those ones you leave until the end, that you only wear when you have no more clean running clothes or that you only wear for races)... running prom. That's what you get. Me. In way too fancy for a 5a six miler running gear . Next time I'm whipping out the bedazzler! And slapping a tiara on my head. Oh, don't think I won't.

That is all.

seven weeks to chicago.

2010-08-26T19:49:00.009-05:00

First off, I started this post last week and want to finish it, even though it's only six weeks to Chicago. I'm behind, and I DO WHAT I WANT. That's it.

So just like everyone in the world, my life has been a bit hectic between work, starting back up with teaching for the fall semester, family and life in general. But probably, unlike most of the world, I've also done a bit of pouting lately thanks to a new bestie who made a home in my OTHER calf. The right one. I un-affectionately named it "Mongolia." Yes, that's right. China in the left, Mongolia in the right. My calves are plagued. And so I did what I do best when it comes to my calves. I pouted. Let me tell you, that did absolutely nothing to help the situation.

I suppose the good news is that while I pouted, I was able to refrain from totally flying off the handle and doing what I like to call FREAKING THE F OUT. Maybe I'm just a pro at handling the whole injury during marathon training thing, or maybe I'm just growing up and realizing I don't always get my way and life doesn't always go how I demand it to go. Either way, there was pouting and some venting, yes. Freaking out, no. I am giving myself a gold star.

Here's the thing. I came to the conclusion after Mongolia reared it's ugly head so furiously that I couldn't run from a week ago Thursday until last Tuesday that there had to be an explanation as to why my calves had been viciously evil the past two years. Yes I could attribute it to running too fast (pretty sure that isn't the case this summer), or hitting higher mileage, or the heat and humidity. The list of 'could's,' is potentially endless. And yes something on that list should include how I once again wasn't taking the best care possible of my calves (and self) the past few weeks. Aside from all of those, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling lately that there is something bigger going on. There HAS to be a reason my calves are the bane of my running existence. I'm not sure I've found the conclusion, but in stopping and really thinking things through I came to a bit of a theory that I am currently testing (yeah i'm a nerd, i love theories and testing them, i may even make a spreadsheet).

Orthotics. I got mine after a series of hip issues and a second metatarsal stress fracture on my left foot. Wait here is a short aside: my hip issues that landed me in PT originally I am now certain didn't come from running, but from going to yoga classes where instructors weren't concerned with the safety of the students. Lesson learned. I found this out by going to a yoga class I used to frequent during my hip problems and the next three days after that class I had a lot of hip pain. Culprit found, problem solved. Aside complete.

During this revelation about my orthtics, it literally just randomly popped in my head one morning while pouting, I whipped my orthotics out of my Mizuno's (MIZUNO!) and looked them over. On the bottom was the date they were created, it said 11.08. Right around the time when all my awful calf issues started. Perhaps a coincidence, perhaps not. I could delve further into my thoughts on this, especially since I just read Born to Run, but I won't. I'll leave it short and sweet. I decided to try running sans orthotics for a few days. Run No. 1 sans orthotics, my calf hurt a bit but after a few miles it seemed to loosen up. Run No. 2, even less calf pain even though I hadn't run for nearly a week and ran six miles the morning before. Very surprising. Very happy.

For now I'll just save the rest for my next Chicago post and share that I do in fact think the orthotics were causing calf issues. That said I've also been getting daily leg massages and taking better care of myself overall. That's it on that issue for now. Like I said in my last post I had a good running week, then a bad running week thanks to the calf (i.e. i barely ran) and then this past week was pretty successful running wise, but again that's another post. For now, the breakdown of the previous two weeks of running.

Week 8 - Chicago Training

Tuesday - 5 miles

Wednesday - 6 miles

Thursday - 8 miles

Friday - 4 miles

Sunday - 16 miles

Total = 39 miles

Week 9 - Chicago Training (mongolia showed up)

Monday - 3 miles

Wednesday - 3.27

Friday - 7 miles

Total = 13.25 miles (ugh frustrating, but i'm taking it as a very unplanned super rest week)

best part of my day.

2010-08-25T11:20:00.003-05:00

Running six miles, nearly calf-pain free (yeah that's a different blog post) in 56 degree weather early this morning with some pretty fantastic running buddies. Fall isn't quite here, but Kansas is finally cooling off a teensy bit, for now anyway. It's glorious. That is all.

I have my Chicago training post in the queue, I've been lax on updating my runs on Garmin and on my online mileage tracker so I wasn't sure what my mileage was. Plus I was pouting over my calf and didn't want to post another week of training fail. I had a good week, a bad week and I think I'm back to a good week again this week. But more on that in the next post.

9 weeks to chicago. and knocked down.

2010-08-11T20:53:00.009-05:00

I got knocked down last week, big time. I ran less last week than I have since early May. Last Monday night the inklings of exhaustion and sinus issues settled in. By Wednesday it had turned into a full blown sinus infection, by Thursday I was so pitiful that I couldn't even take myself to the doctor. I can't remember the last time I was that wiped out and knocked down. My suspicion is that life/work/teaching/training/allergies all caught up to me in the same week.

So remember in my post last week when I told you to hold me to running seven miles even though I didn't feel 100%? To spare myself humiliation? Yeah, I ran five miles. They weren't pretty. I gave up. Of course when I found out the next morning I had a sinus infection I didn't feel so pitiful about the running.

Instead of festering and getting PISSED that I couldn't run, I vented a little, let out my frustration and simply allowed myself to rest. And I won't lie. It was pure bliss. I can honestly say I needed it. I can only go for so long before I need a break. From everything. Yeah I'm one of THOSE.

I ran a whopping 15 miles last week! Most of those miles were either done in near tears or in a dazed and confused state and it was awful. But after a big fat dose of sleep (i think i slept more in four days than i did the entire month of july), rest and medication (that I'm pretty sure was delivered by God himself to my doorstep), I woke up Monday morning after a full week of feeling terrible, hopping out of bed feeling fantastic.

There are still 9 weeks to train. I'll still get three 20 milers in. I'll still surpass my monthly mileage PRs, so I have no worries. I needed a break. I've already run twice this week and I'm feeling great. Sometimes breaks are good. Even during marathon training.

Week 7 - Chicago Training
15 Hazy Miles

I leave you with a picture of my Chicago training buddy Shelley and I doing what we like to call 21st Street Yoga. After our long runs we whip out our towels and plop down in the grass alongside a very busy street to do some yoga. A little pigeon, maybe some downward dog. We are shameless.