300 Club

It's official, 300 miles since the year began totals more miles than I ran in all of 2009. This is a new year and a new decade. At the beginning, I set out for an inconceivable challenge, not quite understanding what it would mean or consist of. 3 months have passed and I realize that I may not succeed in reaching my full 2010 mile goal, but I am succeeding. I am succeeding in putting on my shoes more often, I'm succeeding in lowering the number on the scale, I am also succeeding with increasing the number of minutes on the treadmill. This running goal has also allowed me to take a vacation to Virginia Beach to run my first 1/2 marathon while making a great friend along the way. I like the way I feel and am loving the change in my body. Running also keeps the winter blues away. The cold weather usually takes the toll on my mind each year and depression sets in for a few weeks, but it has been kept at bay this year. I've found I don't need drugs (not that I ever had) I just need a good pair of shoes. I wish the rest of the U.S. knew how easy this could be OK, not to say 300 miles is easy, but it sure does do a body good! Spring break is almost here and it is bringing warm weather and sunshine with it. I can't wait to work on my tan as I work on my miles. Oh, the sunshined miles to go before I sleep!

Shamrock 1/2 Marathon

Race Day was almost upon us.

Kristy, Jeff, and I left Summerville early Saturday morning to embark on Race weekend. With the Fusion packed, Fat dog in the Kennel, and runners in the car we began our

8 hour road trip to Virginia Beach, VA for the 2010 Shamrock 1/2 Marathon.

For Team JaKaL, (Jeff and Kristy and Leslie..get it!!!) this was our first 13.1 race, both individually and collectively. Our first stop was for breakfast of Champions at McDonald's five minutes into our trip. Then we were seriously we were on our way. Kristy and I slept, as Jeff upheld his manly duties of driving. Good bye South Cackalacky, Hello North Carolina.

Nap time was over when we had crossed the border and due to our small bladders and pure nervousness so we had to find a rest area began photo documenting our trip. We figured the State Line was a great place to start.

It was fun seeing the excitement through Jeff and Kristy, except when they continually "joked" that it was the worst idea that I had ever come up with and they weren't going to actually run the race or they were going to shut the alarm off on race morning so that we would miss it all together and they wouldn't feel bad about it. Oh, such kidders!

I can't describe the nerves, excitement, glee and fear that sets in leading up to race day. The training doesn't prepare you for the deluge of emotions you feel as you pull into the convention center for the race expo. This is where we got our race swag, numbers, and visited many vendors before race day. You could feel the energy and excitement from the fellow runners. It felt less like competition and more like comaraderie. We were there to do a job. We were there to revel in the hard work that had prepared us for the current challenge in our lives. We were facing the moment that we had talked about and anticipated, and trained for- for months. The participants at the expo share this enthusiasm, weather they are runners or staff, we have all pooled our efforts to make this a memorable experience. Walking into the expo,the first thing we run into are giant leprechauns (Of course.. Photo Op!)

On to pick up our Official Race Number. We were greeted by the most lovely girls who were so willing to help. They provided us with our official race bag and when I told the lady my name # and she pulled it out, she asked, "Hun, do you have your ID" then she paused and said,"nevermind, what is your last name? It's not like there are many people in the world who would try and lie so that they could run 13.1 miles for someone else" I just laughed because I had to agree. She handed it over and wished me luck. The other 2/3 of our race team picked up their digits and you know what that means another PHOTO OP!

We continued on our experience, traveling from vendor

to vendor, picked up some powergels, freebies, and most importantly...the 13.1 Bumper stickers. We wasted sometime before checking in to our hotel...little did we know what would be awaiting us.

We drove down to the beach passing high-rise after high-rise, large hotels lining the coast line, search for our nest. Using the GPS we came upon the Atlantic Sands Hotel in no time at all. We parked next to a dilapitated Chevy S-10 with a flat tire that looked like all it was missing was the cinder blocks holding up the other tires (usually found in ghetto front yards).We headed to the lobby which was completely under construction with a dirty counter and a large woman behind it looking like she hadn't taken a shower in days. We checked in, feeling apprehensive, took the filthy elevator up to our room, only to find that we didn't need the key because the room was actually open. We walked through the OPEN door to find the bathroom in a state of disarray;Toilet unflushed, Towels unfolded. There was even a used toothpick sitting on one of the tables. We had a balcony, but the door leading out to it was open when we walked in...who knows if it even shut. As I was heading to the phone to call the front desk, I saw the alarm clock was broken... thinking:"well they don't have to joke about turning off the alarm clock come race morning...it won't even turn on!" So soon we got another room, but wierd...no apology about the condition of the first room. 2nd room was a few doors down, and it was locked before we went in and this room actually looked like someone had cleaned it...OK let's not get carried away: vacuumed and flushed. However, soon to find out the Cable didn't work. So I took my McGyver skills and broke into the old room and stole the cable chord because that TV worked, however it didn't fix our problem.

So we called the front desk again. Fat woman's response "Oh, the Cable is out right now and we don't know when it will be back on." Did we dare tell her she was lying? So we politely asked who we should call to get it fixed. Sounding annoyed, she said she would give us a call back. Within minutes we had an old man knock on the door who came and jiggled a chord and then said "looks like your cable doesn't work. You might want to call the front desk and get a new room."

DUH! So we did, and they gave us our 3rd set of keys. Room #3- good view, clean bathroom, workable cable, and functioning Alarm clock... was this so hard?!

On to prerace activities: Carbo-loading, eating, and race

preparation. Chipotle was our CARBfest of choice! Wal-mart was of course the savior of all things forgotten. We spent as much time as we could away from the Temple of Doom. We drove around Virginia Beach, which is a beautiful city, and just vented our fears and anxieties.

The race was in T-minus 12 hours. Time for sleep and relaxation. 5:30 alarm went off- against the former humorous plot. Got up, got dressed and did the official pinning of Race numbers. Nerves and anxiety were high, but ready or not 13.1 ...

Here we come! We had 20 block to run to get the the STARTING line of the race. The long hike brought us there just as the National Anthem began. Personal tears shed as I remember my hero in Iraq right now. (Thanks Lisa) And the gun Fires...we're off...ok so it took us 6 minutes to actually get to the starting line after to gun when off, but now is what we had all been waiting for. Even though there are 10,000 people around, it felt like it was just me and the road. I was racing myself. Success was not in the minutes on the clock but on the individual goals of allowing myself to get through each mile and make it to the Finish Line. Step by step, my journey began. Mile 1 was perfect. Pace was perfect, my body felt great, if I can keep this up, I will be done in 2:09:00. Miles 2-4 passed quickly and easily. Miles 5-6 were a little tougher, but when I hit the clock on mile 5, my pace was still on target. This is where is started falling apart. I would love to say, with all my training I was able to push myself to a glorious Hollywood finish with Chariots of Fire Soundtrack playing in the background, but that isn't how it happen.

At mile 7, my lungs started to burn and my feet felt like there were blisters on the bottoms of them that were going to burst at any moment. I was also feeling tired and defeated. I know I was racing better than ever before, but I just couldn't find my drive.

I stopped. I took off my water belt, ipod and shirt, only to strip my long-sleeve shirt off. This was an excuse to catch my breath and hopefully gain some energy. I helped. I continued on realizing I had over 5 miles to go and just kept reminding myself: the more you run, the fast this is over. I found a group of girls to pace myself with. I passed them several times only to have them continually pass me too. It worked great, until fatigue set

in around mile 10. The last 5K was the hardest moments for me. Intellectually I was preparing myself with the mantra... you do these every day. A 5K is no big deal, you have less than 1/2 hour left. Just RUN! My body just wouldn't listen. That 5K took me 37 minutes!

So I didn't hit my goal time, but, when I crossed that finish line, I couldn't have been more proud of myself. Tears were streaming and that Chariots of Fire song was sure playing somewhere, if only in my mind. Soon I found Jeff. He was waiting right where we had planned...(on the left side banana stand... there are always bananas on the left side) We went to get the winning photo of Kristy and claim our free beers- 4 to be exact.
Did I mention the Shamrock Marathon was sponsored by Yuengling!

However in all the commotion, after Kristy's photo, we lost her for several hours. She was not at the Left Side Banana stand... come to find out she was at the right side stand the entire time! But we got our medals and left with more pride and lactic acid then we knew what to do with.

We waddled back to our rat hotel, took showers and then off for our celebratory dinner @ TGIF.

Needless to say, it wasn't as hard to sleep that night as is was to walk the next day. We couldn't stop revelling in our accomplishment for the entire 8 hour ride back to Summerville and we will never forget what Team JaKaL was able to do!

We all PR'd that day Jeff @ 2:14:13, me @ 2:28:43 and Kristy @2:51:30! Way to go Team JaKaL!!!! I am glad we got to run 13.1 mile together. 1/2 Marathon Finisher with many more miles to go before I sleep!

Here is a great picture of Fat-dog- this is actually what I dream of doing to Fat-dog. But I don't. :)

London bridge fell down too!

Yesterday was a big day in MY running world. I was able to push myself to achieve a goal that I thought was actually out of reach. My goal: a 10-mile run. I started off pretty excited because it was going to be my first outdoor run in several weeks/months. (Winter seems to lasts forever around here)  The sun was shining, birds were singing and the heat was up to 67 degrees. A runner couldn't ask for better conditions. Slowly I am becoming one!)  The daunting task is thinking about the 10 miles ahead while filling up my water bottle, wondering what and how many snacks to pack. It just seams like such a long distance.

       They say you should eat/snack 45 minutes into your run if you know you're going to be running longer than an hour. So I have to have some PowerBar /gummy bears (to change my mouth taste) around mile 4-4.5.  Carrying water is always a struggle because it weighs so much and jiggles. But I have a trusty fanny pack for my running luggage. A spot for the water bottle and pockets for any treats. (I am well aware of the fact that I look like a child from the 80's. The pack is very similar to the ones my mom made us wear as children on our seasonal trips to Disney World. Gee-thanks Mom!) 

But just like back then, it is actually very handy. 

       With my fanny pack packed, shoes tied tight and IPod fully charged I was ready to embark on my running journey for the day. It was going well. Five songs played through without me struggling. I usually play a game to get through some of my runs. My first 3 songs are sung by boy artists and the next 3 are sung by girls. It continues to switch through out my workout. Each set of song allows me to finish a mile(give or take). This lets me focus on how far or how long I need to  continue my pace. It also takes my mind off the road or treadmill. So, like I said, 5 songs in and the run was good, until My big event happened. I tripped. I stumbled over the uneven pavement and went down hands first, feet over my head and tumbled to a complete stop on the grass. I must have looked like complete idiot. ( like the blond below)

Thank goodness for grass!!!  I had some grass stains on my hands and knee, but no blood. I could feel a little pain in my hip and wrist but over all I was OK. I got up, brushed myself off and had to make a decision. Do I turn around and go home or continue on my way. Turning around now, I could chalk up that I trekked almost 4 miles. However, that was shortening my goal by more than 6 miles.  Yet, If I continue there is no one to pick me up if I start hurting down the road. Choices.  6 months ago, I would have turned around and not though twice. This is not then. This is a new year with a new attitude. 

There was no turning around. I had a goal to meet and that was what I was going to do. Keeping my time, I had to pick up the pace. Falling down doesn't do much for the clock. I hit my turn  around point, while eating 1/2 my PowerBar, (in 5 minutes longer than I was aiming for-10:55 pace). I took a  short stretch break and noticed my hip was a little tight and this was just too bad, because I decided I was going to beat the time I had and aim for negative splits. (negative splits- less time spent and on the 2nd half than on the first.) So I started booking it. stretching out my strides, picking up my heals so they would be closer to literally kicking my butt. In less words: Running. I was able to cut 9 minutes off and take my pace to 9:30 per mile, which is pretty good for my short stubby legs.  I finally made it home. 

Shortly upon arriving home, I was tired, the run was over and I sat down. I quickly had a revelation; either my age was catching up to me quicker than ever before or my adrenalin was wearing off. Either way my hip began to throb. I grabbed my medicine cabinet favorite (Ibuprofen) hoping it would solve my problem. Then just hung out for the rest of the day.

 Hubby came home from work and got his laugh out of the situation because he couldn't figure out how I just tripped. jerk. (not really, he is a nice guy, he just laughs at everything-especially me) We went to bed. Sleeping was painful.

 I woke up this morning feeling like an old man. My hip joint was as stiff as _______(fill in what ever simile you feel would fit best.) I could barely get out of bed, walk down the stairs or bend down to get the Sunday paper for my coupon clipping. So today I will not be running. I know this does not bode well for my goal, but I will have to make it up this week. For now, I am on the injured reserve list, hanging out with Kitty and Fat-dog. Happy Sunday! Today will be different than any otherbecause I don't have ANY "miles to go before I sleep."

 

Snow Days

As you could figure out, if you were interested, I am writing from Charleston, SC. Chuck-town is an amazing place filled with manners, southern hospitality, shrimp and grits and after last night... SNOW. It hasn't snow here, I mean real snow, in over 11 years and it was 11 years before that when it had happened before. I'm a true Florida girl and have never experienced something like this. 

Friday night is movie night with my SC-BFF. It is just a night to watch chick flicks, drink wine, and just BE. I don't know if I had ever realized this was an imperative phenomenon. But it is! So like any Friday night, when there are no cheer coach responsibilities, Kristy and I are down for a flick. Last night was at her humble abode which meant I was given the task of driving in the snow for the first time. Dodging the snow flurries from inside my windshield was... weird.  It had just begun to accumulate, but was already pretty. 

After the "A-Okay" flick Love Happens, I experienced, for the first time, brushing snow off my car. While taking part in this yankee ritual, I took a brief glance down the cul-de-sac and was instantly blown away by the breath taking beauty. The clean, pure, calmness of a blanket of white was before me. The snow was still coming down glistening in the street lights, but I have never seen anything this awe-inspiring before. Driving home gave me a new love for this wonderful town. I took fat-dog and kitty out in the snow, took pictures, and tried to catch flakes.

  

Hubby assured me it would stop soon, but fat-dog woke me up at 7am today and the amount of snow had doubled.  I can only describe the the calm and new found appreciation of winter to that which Parents describe when watching their normally hyper, romping, sugar filled little loves...SLEEPING. It is just nice. Of course like any other day, the world wakes up and we have to get things done. Headed to the gym for an empty class of Tred-n-shed but it resulted with hitting the 200 mile mark for the year. This is 50 miles shy of the amount I ran for the entire year of  2009. So I'm pretty stoked. However, I am 17 miles behind where I should be for my goal. So I'll try for a repeat performance this evening for a 5-7 miler. Slowly, I will make them up, but I realize that I have many, many "miles to go before I sleep."  

T-shirts :)

The best part of  a race is the T-shirt-These are the designs that are on the front and back of our "offical" race shirts. Thank you Kathy, for the back slogan. It really captures what we are doing.

Another Reason to Run

If I didn't have enough reasons to run before, today another reason presented itself. You may or may not understand my reasoning, but basically it is because of my twin.

This all began with my friend Kristy, who joined my challenge of completing a 1/2 marathon. We have been pushing each other, over the past few months, to get in shape and make it to our regular play dates on Saturday mornings at the gym. (This is hard enough when cutting into Saturday morning sleep-in sessions, let alone waking up early after highlighting  as the local high school cheerleading coach for Friday Night Lights.) However, we faithfully met for Tred n' shed week after week and here we are, over 10 weeks later, sneaking up on our first 1/2 marathon. As surprising as it sounds, this kind of goal can be contagious. Hubby has also joined our crusade for 13.1 miles.  

I bet you're wondering where the twin comes in. 

Well, she would have loved to join our field trip across the finish line too, but she is locationally-challenged. At this moment, she is one of the many brave soldiers fighting for our freedom in Iraq and the 1/2 marathon is located in Virginia Beach.

This means she cannot attend. 

This is heartbreaking for two reason, the first was previously stated  and the other: because just over a year ago, she and I finished our first full marathon together. There is something to be said about twin powers, especially over a 26.2 mile test of what you're really made of. This brings us to my newest reason to run. 

Lisa has come up with a great idea: to run a 1/2 marathon, simultaneously, on a separate continents. We will be running together the weekend after the 1/2 in Virginia. The Air Force is sponsoring her run in Iraq the very next weekend and I will be running on a make-shift course in Chuck-town. We will work out the logistics over the next few weeks, but the basics are 13.1 miles, same day, with matching t-shirts (of course!!!) and maybe you can help!

If anyone is reading this measly blog, I would like to solicit your creativity. I need a slogan for our t-shirts. It must be something catchy. Here is the info you may need:

My location: Charleston, SC

Her location: Balad, Iraq

Date: March 27, 2010

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Just submit a comment with your idea and I will post the final product when the time gets closer. I have about 3 weeks before I will order the shirts, so get those creative juices flowing :) Happy Posting and good-bye for now. I have "miles to go before I sleep."