Richmond Marathon - 2009

Being a sucker for a bargain...I just signed up to run the Richmond Marathon next year. "Sign up before the end of December and get this special price". That shows great optimism on my part. Not only that I can run 26.2 miles, but that my arthritic toe will hold up.

It's really been hurting lately, as has my knee and hip. I knew the new orthotic would cause other issues, but I didn't anticipate being in this much discomfort. I'm feeling a bit old this last month. I need to "get over it". (A phrase from my mother).

Body Shaping

In the illustrious words of Patty - "It's easy to lose it once you quit using it!" Ain't that the truth. I did weights this morning, and let me tell you...A couple of years ago, I would have snickered at someone like me! I was lifting 8 and 5 lb weights. And shaking in the locker room after! What the hell?!

Just another area to work on...

Richmond Half Marathon

What a weird weather day. All Friday night it poured. I awoke on Saturday morning at 1:30 a.m. to hear thunder. The Saturday forecast was high 61, 90% chance of rain, and windy. When I walked outside in my long sleeved shirt, jacket and gloves, I was surprised to feel how warm it was. Back in for a wardrobe change. Thankfully, Kathryn and Lisa were running late so there was no problem.

We parked at VCU using Lisa's parking pass. What a blessing that was! Only a few blocks walk to the race and there was a real bathroom along the way! We got my bag checked and had only about 15 minutes to wait before the start of the race. We saw Kathleen. Bethany started the race with us.

Kathryn and Bethany took off at the beginning of the race. Kathryn had a goal of finishing in less than 2 hours...and she met that goal! Go Speedy Girl! Lisa and I pace about the same so we decided to run together. Well, that lasted one mile. She left me at the beginning of the second mile.

I swear, I thought my head was going to explode I was so hot! I finally settled in about the 4th mile, but I had to do a lot of walking. I had been very sick the previous week with a cold, and I didn't think I was going to be able to race. So I was grateful to be out there. But Christ, the phlegm choking me...how disgusting!

I had a plan that I had set up with Grandison for pacing. That went to hell. I was just glad to keep moving forward. I timed every mile. And can you believe I was anywhere from a 9 min mile to a 14 min mile. That's what a crappy day I had!

I was very grateful to see Shawn, Shelley, Karen, and Sharon as course marshalls around miles 5 and 6. That was a huge boost. I stopped to give Shawn a sweaty hug and tell her how proud I was of her IronMan accomplishment. Then Stacia and her neighbors partying in the street around mile 9. How fun! And there was a woman and some little kids with orange slices and tiny sips of orange juice. Let me tell you, I don't even like oranges...I ate that slice to the peel. If only I could find that woman to thank her ! That kept me going...that and Hammer Gel.

As I hit mile 10, Grandison and I had planned that I'd give it all I had. Well, at least I was able to run the rest of the way in.

I had told my family to stay home, due to the weather, (which turned out not to be an issue), but I was praying that they would be at the finish line. Alas, they were home, snug and cozy. I think this is the 1st race they've missed.

My time was waaay slower than I hoped. And I'm ok with knowing that it just wasn't my day!

A Big Butt?!

Why do I keep my 4 year old daughter at home with me?! She is telling me repeatedly that I have a BIG BUTT. Arms spread as wide as they can get in measurement. I told her I should be in exercise class, instead of spending time with her. (That was mature, huh?)

What was that song by Sir Mixalot..."I like big butts and I cannot lie. You other brothers can't deny..."

The funny thing is...I have a big tummy and a FLAT butt!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41APzy5kqBU

Waiting...

Feeling quite reflective and a little melancholy...

I'm waiting for my Friday appointment with Dr. Dec. I'm hoping she'll give me a yes or no answer regarding pursuing IMFL, but I know she won't. I'm sure there will be a lot of maybe's and alternatives. And I will have to make the final decision. How much am willing to put my body through?

I see my TRIgirlfriends heading down this very cool path and I sooo want to be a part of it! But will my big toe let me?! It sounds really stupid that something as small as a toe, might derail my big plans. I guess that's why it's called a "BIG" toe! But that pain in my toe is altering how I foot strike, which is causing parts all the way to my hip to adjust.

Annnn is having so much fun with this condition! "You're OLD! and arthritic." I rode with her and Jen this morning. Annnn is so good on the bike, even on her bad days, she still kicks my ass.

Someday, I hope to be really good at one of these disciplines. Someday...

Persnickety

This morning in guppies Suzie Q said she was a "persnickety swimmer". I just loved that!

I feel like I can get one part of the stroke down, like when we're doing one-armed drills or just kicking. But when I try to put it all together...sloooowww down! Does that make me persnickety too? Or just uncoordinated? I like persnickety! My word for the day. (Thanks, Suzie Q!)

Naylors Beach Olympic

My first olympic! I signed up so I could get the TRIgirl glass and Melissa had it waiting for me at the end! Yeah!!

The trip...Rode up with Jackie, Deanna B. and Trish. What a great ride. Just being with the girls helped. I must admit I began to panic a bit when Jackie had to turn on her windshield wipers! I've never ridden this bike in the rain and wasn't sure how I'd do on the hills.

The Swim - When I looked at that course...WOW! It looked long! Thankfully, I knew Deanna B. would be with me as my "swim angel". And an angel she was! Going out...I began to panic. Couldn't get my breathing under control - hyperventilating. She talked my through it. "Just put your face in, Breathe normally and swim 100 with me". Well, from then on, it was all good. We just kept going. I even hit some girls feet and there were people swimming around me. Never thought that would happen in the swim! As it came time to exit the water, I had to pee. So I started walking. Deanna's yelling for me to gooooo! So I finished swimming until my hand hit the bottom of the river. 43:09 - I was pleased! Thanks again to Deanna!!!!

The Bike - Went well. Took off kinda slow, just getting my legs back from the swim and anticipating the BIG HILL. (There are really 4 major hills in this race, but the one on Scates road is the big one, as far as I'm concerned!) So I come around the corner, ready to attack and there is an ambulance blocking the left lane and two bikes crossing the right lane. The ambulance driver appeared to be attending and volunteers were walking back down the hill. So rather than risking getting half-way and having to dismount on the slippery hill, I chose to dismount earlier and walk the hill. I was disappointed, because I had ridden that hill in the pre-ride and knew I could do it, and also because about 6 people passed me!! So I lost some time there. I stayed in aero the majority of the time, I ate, I drank, I felt good! 1:44:27

The Run - Went OK. Thankfully, it was cloudy. My calves were really tight from that walk up the hill with my bike. I felt like my feet were slapping the pavement in the beginning. And I walked all of the water stops. Probably could have pushed a little harder here. 1:08:07

As I rounded the corner for the 1 mile turnaround, who was on the sidelines...my family! It was wonderful to see their smiling faces and hear them screaming "Go MOM!" "WooHoo".

As I crossed the finish line there they were again, my wonderful family AND my wonderful TRIgirls!! Melissa, Lynne, Jackie, Deanna...It was GREAT! Ainsleigh, sitting atop her daddy's shoulders, was crying when I crossed the finish line, (and not tears of joy either!). Melissa told me later it was because "her mommi didn't win 1st place". Melissa tried to explain that "Mommi won in her own race". But Ainsleigh would hear none of it!

The post race food was awesome! A very hot crabcake sandwich and french fries. Yum! And waiting around to see Jackie being acknowledged for winning 3rd in her age-group. I was sooo proud!

Another learning opportunity...another experience to build on!