When I first started training for my first half marathon back in the summer of 2009, 13.1 miles seemed like a very long distance to run. I was positive something quite horrific would happen during the race, and I'd end up having to walk/limp across the finish line--or worse, be picked up by the paddy-wagon, earning a bright scarlett "DNF."
My longest training run was ten miles. I found this out when I discovered the magical helpful website mapmyrun.com. Despite the excessive and annoying pop-up ads, I could map wherever I ran throughout my community, and also, find some runs of other people. Mapmyrun.com was a fantastic resource, especially since I was not familiar with any good running locations in my neighborhood. My neighborhood has great sidewalks, and good places to run, but I never would have discovered the "Hilly Miller" without mapmyrun.
The Hilly Miller is a 6.82 mile run that I can easily do from my front door. (re: I don't have to drive to a start point.) It's also, as one might assume, very hilly, which helps if one is training for a notoriously hilly race....which I was. (As I've mentioned before, Baltimore has some monstrous hills!) It was a good loop that I could shorten (to as little as four miles) or lengthen (to as much as eight or ten miles) as necessary. Also, it's 60-70% shady, which becomes rather important when you're training in the humid sticky summer months. In short, I love the Hilly Miller. I ran three loops around it during my longest run training for the marathon. In fact, almost any time I set out on a "long run" now, I don't even think about it, and I'll head straight along my old familiar Hilly Miller course.
Here's the problem: The Hilly Miller is getting suspiciously and unfortunately too easy. Though it's just as Hilly as ever, tackling the same hills ever time is becoming the norm. It's not a challenge anymore. It's really not even a "long" run anymore....I probably should be doing it at least two times a week, and then doing an actual LONG run on the weekend. This makes me nervous....uncharted running territory?! (Although, I am moving out of my condo in late July/early August, and thus will be forced to change my routine anyway.)
Here's a quick recap of my last few Hilly-Miller runs:
Run #1. I just bought my first fuel-belt (not a fanny pack, but the kind with the water bottles in it.) My boss just completed a half-ironman, and he swore by them during his training. I hated it. Does anyone run with these? (And enjoy it?) Because I was carrying four bottles around my waist (32oz. total) I didn't drink that much before my run, even though it was a particularly hot and humid day, and I set off bright and early (around noon.) The stupid fuel belt is not adjustable....admittedly something I should have considered before purchasing it, but that I didn't think would matter much. I thought it'd be fine hanging low on my hips, since my fanny pack is fine that way. Wrong. The stupid belt kept shifting around, so I'd always end up running with a bottle in my crotch--Not fun! After a half mile, I was tempted to take it off, but I knew I would be thirsty, and I told myself I could manage it for a 6 mile run. Maybe after a few miles, I'd stop noticing it so much....Wrong again. It continued to annoy me through my entire run. It was frustrating that I had to stop and walk every time I wanted water, and I also needed two hands to fenangle the water bottle back into it's elastic holder after getting a sip. It was not, as I had envisioned, a quick sip-and-keep-moving kind of operation. This was three weeks ago, and it was the first and last time I've run with this cursed belt. It was not an enjoyable or efficient run. It will have to be a pretty sweltering day before I try this silliness again.
Run #2: Clarence Clemmons had just had a stroke and been hospitalized. The run went by easily and quickly, listening to Born to Run, 10th Avenue Freeze Out, and Cadillac Ranch over and over and over....
Only minor discouraging moment was when I passed a high school runner (he had to be on the cross-country team) with 3% body fat, running with a weighted vest. I've contemplated getting a weighted vest from time to time.....I'd probably like that much more that four bottles of water banging around my waist. I think they are pretty expensive, but it'd be an interesting experiment.
Run 3#: Lazy lazy run....the run was good. I ran faster than usual. I felt great! I had no where to be, and I should have just kept running.....but I didn't. Sigh....I cut things off at 7 miles, and headed home. Not a good motivational story....but, at least I got a solid 7 miles in before I crashed on the couch to watch my DVR-ed episodes of "House."
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
R.I.P. Clarence....
Since I heard about his stroke last Monday, I have been running to the sounds of the E Street band in the background. (I actually already run to the sounds of the E Street band on a regular basis, but this was more intentional.) I am a huge and long time fan. In college, my boyfriend and I were lucky enough to get backstage passes to "The Rising" tour concert in Greensboro, NC, and that was the first time I saw Clarence Clemons in real-life. At 6'4" he was already towering twelve inches over me, but in addition to that, he was walking up a high-incline treadmill, which made him that much taller and intimidating. He nodded hello as we walked past (gaping at him like the awestruck fans that we were) and I almost peed my pants with excitement!
I have seen him perform with the E Street Band twice since then, and both were spectacular shows. It's very sad that he's gone. In a statement following news of Clemons' death, Springsteen said:
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Marathons are for sissies.
I was going to post today about my somewhat miserable run on Sunday. (It's all written, and I'll probably return to my regularly scheduled griping tomorrow.)
But, this morning my uncle sent me a news article about his son, my cousin, which made me feel like a bit of a sniveling baby for even bothering to complain about Sunday's run....Read on. This is a feat I can safely bet I will never attempt, and if I did, would almost undoubtedly fail. But in a little over a week, my cousin Paul will attempt to conquor the "Spartan Death Race."
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/06/12/v-print/2372248/death-race-aboutchallenge-to-ex.html
Occasionally I get to do a good deed with this column. Such is the case today, when I save former combat Marine and current Charlotte resident Paul Habenicht from having to shave off all his body hair.
I have heard a lot of story pitches in my time, but the strangest came recently. Habenicht, 30, is about to compete in the "Spartan Death Race" in rural Vermont, an endurance race unlike any you have ever heard of. Its website is www.YouMayDie.com .
And although the race has never killed anyone and isn't actually supposed to, it features creativity and cruelty in equal doses. You don't know where it starts, you don't know how long it goes, you don't know where it ends and you don't get anything for winning. Only 10-15percent of the contestants finish in any given year.
As part of his prerace requirements, Habenicht either needed to get a story written about him in a local newspaper or come to the race with every bit of his body hair shaved. I know what you're thinking. ... the answer is yes. Every bit of it.
I didn't commit right away. But I did start finding more about the Death Race and Habenicht, who can strike you in a two-minute period as humble, introverted, smart, disciplined and quite confident.
Habenicht served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and one in Iraq as an infantry platoon commander - at one point he directed a sniper platoon and went on nighttime raids in search of "mid-level bad guys," he said. He attributes his survival throughout his 51/2 years as a Marine to the men he led.
But Habenicht, who graduated from the Naval Academy and played four years of lacrosse there, never intended to be a career Marine. He left the Marines in 2007, went to business school at Virginia and took a desk job in Charlotte in 2009 at a boutique mergers and acquisitions firm. He longs for an occasional bit of adventure and danger in his life. Eventually, I thought his story worth telling and his hair worth saving.
'People still hate us'
You never know what you're getting into in a Death Race, which is part of its cult appeal. Habenicht learned of the Death Race's existence after watching a 2009 New York Times online video about it.
One year contestants were told bikes would be essential, which meant many rode hundreds of miles in training and all brought their bikes to Vermont.
Then, when they arrived, contestants had to take the tires and chain off their bikes and carry it for about nine hours on their back through a muddy course. Later, they had to dive into a lake to retrieve their bike chains from zipped plastic bags. Then they had to put the chain and tires back on and ride the bike about 50 yards to show it worked.
"Then we said, 'OK, now you are done with your bikes,'" said race co-founder and co-director Andy Weinberg. "People still hate us for that one."
The race generally lasts close to 48 hours, with one strange task after another. It is part "Survivor," part Monty Python sketch.
Once, contestants had to run up an incredibly steep mountain for a mile, memorize a list of 10 U.S. presidents posted at the top and then come down and recite the list in order. If they missed one, they had to go up the mountain, look at the list and try again.
This year's required "gear list" to pack includes a splitting axe, a saw, a tape measure, a hand drill, a half-inch bit for the drill, some Dixon Ticonderoga No.2 pencils and a live fish.
Sound fun? Habenicht paid $400 to do it. This year's Death Race - the sixth, and by far the biggest - will begin June 24 with about 200 pre-screened contestants.
Said Weinberg, who might not be joking, this one will begin with all the entrants turning in their beloved running shoes and being forced to fashion a wooden pair of shoes using primitive tools. At the finish line, Weinberg said, all contestants will get two things - "a hearty handshake and a bag of manure."
"So in the end, I'm just some idiot guy who signed up for a dumb race," Habenicht said.
He's hardly an idiot - Habenicht has two college degrees and digs the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle. But he is an extremist. He has completed several marathons. He occasionally has been known to finish his regular workday in Charlotte at 2:30a.m. and then go home and work out until 4a.m., often running with a large bag of sand inside his backpack, before collapsing into bed.
If you think it sounds like this guy doesn't have children, you'd be right. If you think it sounds like this guy doesn't have a wife or a life, you'd be wrong.
"I guess I'm just used to it," said Caroline Habenicht, Paul's wife - the two grew up together in Richmond, Va. "This is kind of who Paul is - he doesn't do anything halfway. People say, 'Ohmigosh, that Death Race sounds crazy.' But Paul is drawn to extremes. And at least he's not going to Afghanistan again."
Why did Habenicht enter? I asked this question several times and he seemed to have a hard time expressing it in simple terms. I asked again later via email, and he was positively eloquent.
"I like that the Death Race is just about trying to finish," Habenicht wrote. "I often think back to what my former (and best) boss Lt. Col. James Bright used to say: 'You either can, or you cannot.' That's what I like about the Death Race. No T-shirts. No trophies. No hedging. If I don't finish, no big deal - I wasn't supposed to. If I finish (which the odds say I won't), my name ends up on a website that 99.9percent of the population doesn't care about. I like the fact that the results are binary and, in the grand scheme, insignificant to just about everyone on this planet."
Bypassing the 'easy exit'
Weinberg, the race co-founder, said current and former members of the military historically have fared better in the Death Races than almost anyone else.
"Although we call it the Death Race, it's really about living - about testing yourself in ways you've never done before," said Weinberg, who is a schoolteacher by profession and organizes these races with several partners as a hobby. "The race usually breaks people either physically or mentally. Physically, there's a point where we all break. But mentally, the military guys don't break. It's unbelievable."
Habenicht doesn't really know if he will finish - if both his body and mind will hold out. But he has thought a lot about trying to finish.
"If the guys who set up this race are smart," Habenicht said, "they will make it easy to quit. The ease of exit adds a mental challenge. I know a lot of people in my life who have bypassed the 'easy exits.' I look up to those people. Because that's what life is."
All true and rather profound wisdom from the former Marine who now officially has had his hair saved by me writing this story and you reading it.
But I'm still wondering what the guys in Vermont are going to make him do with that live fish.
But, this morning my uncle sent me a news article about his son, my cousin, which made me feel like a bit of a sniveling baby for even bothering to complain about Sunday's run....Read on. This is a feat I can safely bet I will never attempt, and if I did, would almost undoubtedly fail. But in a little over a week, my cousin Paul will attempt to conquor the "Spartan Death Race."
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/06/12/v-print/2372248/death-race-aboutchallenge-to-ex.html
'Death Race' about challenge to ex-Marine
by Scott Fowler
Occasionally I get to do a good deed with this column. Such is the case today, when I save former combat Marine and current Charlotte resident Paul Habenicht from having to shave off all his body hair.
I have heard a lot of story pitches in my time, but the strangest came recently. Habenicht, 30, is about to compete in the "Spartan Death Race" in rural Vermont, an endurance race unlike any you have ever heard of. Its website is www.YouMayDie.com .
And although the race has never killed anyone and isn't actually supposed to, it features creativity and cruelty in equal doses. You don't know where it starts, you don't know how long it goes, you don't know where it ends and you don't get anything for winning. Only 10-15percent of the contestants finish in any given year.
As part of his prerace requirements, Habenicht either needed to get a story written about him in a local newspaper or come to the race with every bit of his body hair shaved. I know what you're thinking. ... the answer is yes. Every bit of it.
I didn't commit right away. But I did start finding more about the Death Race and Habenicht, who can strike you in a two-minute period as humble, introverted, smart, disciplined and quite confident.
Habenicht served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and one in Iraq as an infantry platoon commander - at one point he directed a sniper platoon and went on nighttime raids in search of "mid-level bad guys," he said. He attributes his survival throughout his 51/2 years as a Marine to the men he led.
But Habenicht, who graduated from the Naval Academy and played four years of lacrosse there, never intended to be a career Marine. He left the Marines in 2007, went to business school at Virginia and took a desk job in Charlotte in 2009 at a boutique mergers and acquisitions firm. He longs for an occasional bit of adventure and danger in his life. Eventually, I thought his story worth telling and his hair worth saving.
'People still hate us'
You never know what you're getting into in a Death Race, which is part of its cult appeal. Habenicht learned of the Death Race's existence after watching a 2009 New York Times online video about it.
One year contestants were told bikes would be essential, which meant many rode hundreds of miles in training and all brought their bikes to Vermont.
Then, when they arrived, contestants had to take the tires and chain off their bikes and carry it for about nine hours on their back through a muddy course. Later, they had to dive into a lake to retrieve their bike chains from zipped plastic bags. Then they had to put the chain and tires back on and ride the bike about 50 yards to show it worked.
"Then we said, 'OK, now you are done with your bikes,'" said race co-founder and co-director Andy Weinberg. "People still hate us for that one."
The race generally lasts close to 48 hours, with one strange task after another. It is part "Survivor," part Monty Python sketch.
Once, contestants had to run up an incredibly steep mountain for a mile, memorize a list of 10 U.S. presidents posted at the top and then come down and recite the list in order. If they missed one, they had to go up the mountain, look at the list and try again.
This year's required "gear list" to pack includes a splitting axe, a saw, a tape measure, a hand drill, a half-inch bit for the drill, some Dixon Ticonderoga No.2 pencils and a live fish.
Sound fun? Habenicht paid $400 to do it. This year's Death Race - the sixth, and by far the biggest - will begin June 24 with about 200 pre-screened contestants.
Said Weinberg, who might not be joking, this one will begin with all the entrants turning in their beloved running shoes and being forced to fashion a wooden pair of shoes using primitive tools. At the finish line, Weinberg said, all contestants will get two things - "a hearty handshake and a bag of manure."
"So in the end, I'm just some idiot guy who signed up for a dumb race," Habenicht said.
He's hardly an idiot - Habenicht has two college degrees and digs the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle. But he is an extremist. He has completed several marathons. He occasionally has been known to finish his regular workday in Charlotte at 2:30a.m. and then go home and work out until 4a.m., often running with a large bag of sand inside his backpack, before collapsing into bed.
If you think it sounds like this guy doesn't have children, you'd be right. If you think it sounds like this guy doesn't have a wife or a life, you'd be wrong.
"I guess I'm just used to it," said Caroline Habenicht, Paul's wife - the two grew up together in Richmond, Va. "This is kind of who Paul is - he doesn't do anything halfway. People say, 'Ohmigosh, that Death Race sounds crazy.' But Paul is drawn to extremes. And at least he's not going to Afghanistan again."
Why did Habenicht enter? I asked this question several times and he seemed to have a hard time expressing it in simple terms. I asked again later via email, and he was positively eloquent.
"I like that the Death Race is just about trying to finish," Habenicht wrote. "I often think back to what my former (and best) boss Lt. Col. James Bright used to say: 'You either can, or you cannot.' That's what I like about the Death Race. No T-shirts. No trophies. No hedging. If I don't finish, no big deal - I wasn't supposed to. If I finish (which the odds say I won't), my name ends up on a website that 99.9percent of the population doesn't care about. I like the fact that the results are binary and, in the grand scheme, insignificant to just about everyone on this planet."
Bypassing the 'easy exit'
Weinberg, the race co-founder, said current and former members of the military historically have fared better in the Death Races than almost anyone else.
"Although we call it the Death Race, it's really about living - about testing yourself in ways you've never done before," said Weinberg, who is a schoolteacher by profession and organizes these races with several partners as a hobby. "The race usually breaks people either physically or mentally. Physically, there's a point where we all break. But mentally, the military guys don't break. It's unbelievable."
Habenicht doesn't really know if he will finish - if both his body and mind will hold out. But he has thought a lot about trying to finish.
"If the guys who set up this race are smart," Habenicht said, "they will make it easy to quit. The ease of exit adds a mental challenge. I know a lot of people in my life who have bypassed the 'easy exits.' I look up to those people. Because that's what life is."
All true and rather profound wisdom from the former Marine who now officially has had his hair saved by me writing this story and you reading it.
But I'm still wondering what the guys in Vermont are going to make him do with that live fish.
Scott Fowler: 704-358-5140; sfowler@charlotteobserver.com
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Confession of a Disney-Running-Nerd
I have been a lover of Walt Disney World since college. I'd never been to Disney World before then, despite multiple pleas as a youngster to my parents. But when I was 19, I was in Cocoa Beach, FL with my then-boyfriend visiting his family, and he suggested that we go to Disney World for a day or two while we were down there. Truthfully, as an adult, I was rather indifferent about the idea. I'd been to Hershey Park as a youngster, how different could it be? But, once I got there, I was utterly and completely captivated.
From the moment Cinderella's castle came into view from my seat on the monorail, I knew it was truly a magical place. I became a loyal fan[atic] from that point on, even working there after I graduated college. I'm now officially one of those annoying people who will without any encouragement supply her friends and loved ones with fun trivia facts about the park as we stroll around. (And, by stroll around, I definitely mean maintain a rigid time-schedule so we can squeeze in as many attractions as possible into a very long day. Fellow fanatics I'm sure know what I mean.)
Whatever marketing guru at the Walt Disney Company cleverly realized that A.) Most Disney World fans are fanatical (Because, seriously, who is paying $13 for a Tinkerbell key chain?!), and B.) Most long-distance runners are fanatical (Because, seriously, who is paying $100 to run for four-five hours, something one can do for free??), thus C.) combining running with the theme parks was a surefire million-dollar idea is truly a genius!! The first WDW Marathon was held almost 20 years ago (1994), and since then it has become a booming business.
Last year, I rather impulsively signed up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in Orlando. Mainly because I had seen the medal at the Baltimore Marathon Expo and it became my hearts desire. Fortunately for me, the tourism industry was still not quite healthy back then, and a trip to WDW was easily do-able at virtually bargain basement prices.
After earning the insanely fabulous and beautiful princess crown medal last spring, the urge to earn the "Coast-to-Coast" bonus medal crept up on me. I found the cheapest possible hotel, and signed up for the Disneyland Half marathon, possibly one of my very favorite races to date. (Also, fortunately, I had to be in Wyoming for work immediately following the trip, so I only had to pay for my outgoing flight.)
2010 happened to be the 5th year anniversary of the Disneyland Half Marathon, so instead of the magical castle medal (which I desperately wanted) I got a colorful Mickey mouse medal. Even though it wasn't the gigantic gold castle, there's no denying, it's extremely awesome. The beautiful coveted (and magical) medals are one of the reasons crazies like me shell out hundreds of dollars to run these races. I will definitely be envious of any runner who comes home with this year's Disneyland Half medal.
I just found out recently that the 2012 Disney World Half Marathon, which I have signed up to run in January as part of the "Goofy Challenge," is going to be the 15th Annual WDW 1/2 Marathon--which of course means, a SPECIAL medal! Yipee! Oh, what fun colorful trinket will it be?!
If you haven't figured out by now, I've got a decent helping of lunacy when it comes to this subject. I also don't have the budget to go chasing glittery Disney medals across the continent multiple times a year. Thus, I devised a handy-dandy list/schedule for the next several years, so I can stagger out my Disney-related races so they coincide with their anniversary dates. (I know, brilliant, right?)
Here's the schedule:
2012 - 15th Anniversary of the WDW 1/2 Marathon
Inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon (I'm not attending this, but I might do the
Disneyland race again, because of the new "D" medal.)
2013 - 5th Anniversary of the WDW Princess Half Marathon
2014 - 20th Anniversary of the WDW Marathon and
5th Anniversary of WDW "Wine-&-Dine" 1/2 Marathon
2015 - 10th Anniversary of the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon
10th Anniversary of the Goofy Challenge
2016 - 5th Anniversary of the Tinkerbell Half Marathon
If I'm still on my feet/able to move my knees after 2016, maybe I'll add some more races to this list. Most likely, Disney Inc. will have added several more races and/or reasons I need to run through Sleeping Beauty's castle!
From the moment Cinderella's castle came into view from my seat on the monorail, I knew it was truly a magical place. I became a loyal fan[atic] from that point on, even working there after I graduated college. I'm now officially one of those annoying people who will without any encouragement supply her friends and loved ones with fun trivia facts about the park as we stroll around. (And, by stroll around, I definitely mean maintain a rigid time-schedule so we can squeeze in as many attractions as possible into a very long day. Fellow fanatics I'm sure know what I mean.)
 |
| My happy place... |
 |
| I had to have it. |
After earning the insanely fabulous and beautiful princess crown medal last spring, the urge to earn the "Coast-to-Coast" bonus medal crept up on me. I found the cheapest possible hotel, and signed up for the Disneyland Half marathon, possibly one of my very favorite races to date. (Also, fortunately, I had to be in Wyoming for work immediately following the trip, so I only had to pay for my outgoing flight.)
2010 happened to be the 5th year anniversary of the Disneyland Half Marathon, so instead of the magical castle medal (which I desperately wanted) I got a colorful Mickey mouse medal. Even though it wasn't the gigantic gold castle, there's no denying, it's extremely awesome. The beautiful coveted (and magical) medals are one of the reasons crazies like me shell out hundreds of dollars to run these races. I will definitely be envious of any runner who comes home with this year's Disneyland Half medal.
 |
| The Coast-to-Coast bling. |
 |
| The OLD Disneyland Medal. Which I will never earn... |
 |
| My FABULOUS Mickey Mouse Medal! |
 |
| The recently unveiled 2011 Medal. I WANT. |
If you haven't figured out by now, I've got a decent helping of lunacy when it comes to this subject. I also don't have the budget to go chasing glittery Disney medals across the continent multiple times a year. Thus, I devised a handy-dandy list/schedule for the next several years, so I can stagger out my Disney-related races so they coincide with their anniversary dates. (I know, brilliant, right?)
Here's the schedule:
2012 - 15th Anniversary of the WDW 1/2 Marathon
Inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon (I'm not attending this, but I might do the
Disneyland race again, because of the new "D" medal.)
2013 - 5th Anniversary of the WDW Princess Half Marathon
2014 - 20th Anniversary of the WDW Marathon and
5th Anniversary of WDW "Wine-&-Dine" 1/2 Marathon
2015 - 10th Anniversary of the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon
10th Anniversary of the Goofy Challenge
2016 - 5th Anniversary of the Tinkerbell Half Marathon
If I'm still on my feet/able to move my knees after 2016, maybe I'll add some more races to this list. Most likely, Disney Inc. will have added several more races and/or reasons I need to run through Sleeping Beauty's castle!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Busy busy bee....where's the gym again?
....because I haven't seen the inside of it in quite some time.
My weekend began with a "date" on Friday night. Date is in quotation marks because it was just a drink thing that lasted through the dinner hour. Either my date had already eaten or he's not a big eater, because he nursed 1.5 mojitos for 3+ hours and barely nibbled on some calamari. He had probably only 2% body fat, and I could tell he was very diligent about what he put in his body. (Note to men: Don't drink mojitos, especially pomegranate mojitos, on a first date.) Meanwhile, I had a few beers. Three, I think. I wanted to order more because it was hot and I was thirsty, but I was feeling a bit lushy compared to my date's delicate sipping. I was also starving because I had dashed home, threw on some [relatively] nice clothes and dashed back out to meet him.
(This is the problem with commuting in and out of the city. If my date is in the city, I have to meet him in my work clothes and/or my very stylish "Working Girl" sneakers-with-dress-clothes ensemble. Very sexy. If I meet him by my house, I have to trek all the way home, then psych myself up to go out again--a difficult task in itself--and try to find something nice-ish to wear, then drive to wherever this date is taking place. It always takes longer than expected. Even if I leave work at 5:00pm on the dot, I still work be ready to leave my house again until 6pm at the earliest. It's always a scramble. Especially when it's hot, and I arrive home drippy and sweaty from work. So, I will usually say 7pm, I will definitely be hungry, and I will most likely be late.)
Anyway, my "date" lasted later than expected Friday evening. I had wanted to go to the tailor, the dry cleaners and the pharmacy, but obviously I didn't make it. Instead, I came home very late and very hungry and munched on some hummus, saving my errands for Saturday morning, which sadly meant I missed spinning and bodypump--for the THIRD time that week. Annoying, but necessary, as I was busy all day.
Furthermore, I was leaving town Sunday afternoon on a super-top-secret mission (job interview) and would not be back until late on Monday night. Sunday morning before I left, I did squeeze in a much-needed but brief Ab workout. I was going to do arms too and go for a run, but as the clock ticked on, I started to feel like working out was not the most productive use of my time. (I don't like leaving my house in disarray before I travel, and my house was definitely in a severe state of chaos.) I decided to forgo any further exercising, in favor of packing, cleaning and arriving at the airport on time.
Monday, I was in various job interviews for the majority of the day. Diet-wise, that was advantageous because my nervousness was making my appetite was almost non-existent. But, after the interview, I had far too much time to kill at the airport waiting for my flight home, and I decided to reward myself for finishing the long day with a delicious (& enormous) cheeseburger. It was so tasty, it might have been worth every calorie, but certainly not the wisest of diet-decisions.
Tuesday, I had agreed to go with my friend to an awards cocktail party at House of Sweden. I was pretty tired, and in all honesty, I should have gone home and slept (and unpacked) OR gone to BodyPump and Spinning, as is my traditional Monday evening routine. But, I have been wishing and hoping to get to go to a swanky party at house of Sweden for a long long time. And, I had just bought a fun new dress (& matching fun shoes) that were perfect for the occasion. so, I turned my back on sleep and exercise in favor of an open bar and fancy meatballs on toothpicks. Totally worth it. House of Sweden is amazing, and the weather was gorgeous!
Wednesday was my younger brother (& current roommate's) birthday. It was also a record breaking HOT day in our nation's capital. If you don't live here, you may not know that the metro (subway) system in D.C. frequently malfunctions in hot weather. I had delays both going to and coming home from my office. (Also, you have a chance of getting stuck on an un-air-conditioned car, which is truly disgusting.) It took me over an hour to get from DC to Vienna--a trip that normally takes 20-30 minutes--and then I had to race around town to get some finishing touches for Brian's birthday present (card, etc.) before going home for cake, pizza, and other non-healthy birthday goodies.
Tonight, I was hoping to get a nice run in....either in the 104' temps outside (hey, I just bought a new fuel belt!) or on the trusty ol' treadmill. But a girlfriend of mine who I have not seen in a while requested some quality time. It's overdue and very necessary. So....no run tonight either. Cry,cry.... (On the VERY bright side, this particular girlfriend, who is NOT a runner, just asked me today if I would run a 5K with her! I was ecstatic! And so surprised, I almost fell out of my chair! Now, I need to find a very fun 5K so she'll love it, get the running bug, and want to do more! Hooray!!)
Tomorrow night, I've told my friend I'd attend an event at the Newseumpositiv....e
Anyway, the point of me sharing my oh-so fascinating schedule is to say that my marathon training, which was progressing rather well until about 8-10 days ago, has fallen by the wayside. I need to get myself back in the saddle asap--and before my rear no longer fits in the saddle.
This weekend, I was planning on going to Honfest in Baltimore. It's a wonderful street festival that requires a fabulous costume and a beehive hairdo. (They are technically not "required" per se, but really going to Honfest sans a "Hon" ensemble is a much less-fun experience.) The problem is, that since I live over an hour away, even if we don't go to the festival until 1 or 2pm, I still need to be getting ready at 10am (that beehive takes a little time) so I can be on the road by 11....if people want to be in Baltimore by 11, well...I have to be getting my hair done very early in the morning....and there goes any productivity on Saturday. I may need a weekend at home to regroup. I love Honfest, but if I could eliminate one activity that would de-stress me, Honfest might just be it. And I'd save $60 in gas money, which is no small shakes.
BUT, it is only Thursday, and I've been known to change my mind impulsively when it comes to exciting events. I do love 'dem Hons! What to do?!
My weekend began with a "date" on Friday night. Date is in quotation marks because it was just a drink thing that lasted through the dinner hour. Either my date had already eaten or he's not a big eater, because he nursed 1.5 mojitos for 3+ hours and barely nibbled on some calamari. He had probably only 2% body fat, and I could tell he was very diligent about what he put in his body. (Note to men: Don't drink mojitos, especially pomegranate mojitos, on a first date.) Meanwhile, I had a few beers. Three, I think. I wanted to order more because it was hot and I was thirsty, but I was feeling a bit lushy compared to my date's delicate sipping. I was also starving because I had dashed home, threw on some [relatively] nice clothes and dashed back out to meet him.
(This is the problem with commuting in and out of the city. If my date is in the city, I have to meet him in my work clothes and/or my very stylish "Working Girl" sneakers-with-dress-clothes ensemble. Very sexy. If I meet him by my house, I have to trek all the way home, then psych myself up to go out again--a difficult task in itself--and try to find something nice-ish to wear, then drive to wherever this date is taking place. It always takes longer than expected. Even if I leave work at 5:00pm on the dot, I still work be ready to leave my house again until 6pm at the earliest. It's always a scramble. Especially when it's hot, and I arrive home drippy and sweaty from work. So, I will usually say 7pm, I will definitely be hungry, and I will most likely be late.)
Anyway, my "date" lasted later than expected Friday evening. I had wanted to go to the tailor, the dry cleaners and the pharmacy, but obviously I didn't make it. Instead, I came home very late and very hungry and munched on some hummus, saving my errands for Saturday morning, which sadly meant I missed spinning and bodypump--for the THIRD time that week. Annoying, but necessary, as I was busy all day.
Furthermore, I was leaving town Sunday afternoon on a super-top-secret mission (job interview) and would not be back until late on Monday night. Sunday morning before I left, I did squeeze in a much-needed but brief Ab workout. I was going to do arms too and go for a run, but as the clock ticked on, I started to feel like working out was not the most productive use of my time. (I don't like leaving my house in disarray before I travel, and my house was definitely in a severe state of chaos.) I decided to forgo any further exercising, in favor of packing, cleaning and arriving at the airport on time.
Monday, I was in various job interviews for the majority of the day. Diet-wise, that was advantageous because my nervousness was making my appetite was almost non-existent. But, after the interview, I had far too much time to kill at the airport waiting for my flight home, and I decided to reward myself for finishing the long day with a delicious (& enormous) cheeseburger. It was so tasty, it might have been worth every calorie, but certainly not the wisest of diet-decisions.
Tuesday, I had agreed to go with my friend to an awards cocktail party at House of Sweden. I was pretty tired, and in all honesty, I should have gone home and slept (and unpacked) OR gone to BodyPump and Spinning, as is my traditional Monday evening routine. But, I have been wishing and hoping to get to go to a swanky party at house of Sweden for a long long time. And, I had just bought a fun new dress (& matching fun shoes) that were perfect for the occasion. so, I turned my back on sleep and exercise in favor of an open bar and fancy meatballs on toothpicks. Totally worth it. House of Sweden is amazing, and the weather was gorgeous!
Wednesday was my younger brother (& current roommate's) birthday. It was also a record breaking HOT day in our nation's capital. If you don't live here, you may not know that the metro (subway) system in D.C. frequently malfunctions in hot weather. I had delays both going to and coming home from my office. (Also, you have a chance of getting stuck on an un-air-conditioned car, which is truly disgusting.) It took me over an hour to get from DC to Vienna--a trip that normally takes 20-30 minutes--and then I had to race around town to get some finishing touches for Brian's birthday present (card, etc.) before going home for cake, pizza, and other non-healthy birthday goodies.
Tonight, I was hoping to get a nice run in....either in the 104' temps outside (hey, I just bought a new fuel belt!) or on the trusty ol' treadmill. But a girlfriend of mine who I have not seen in a while requested some quality time. It's overdue and very necessary. So....no run tonight either. Cry,cry.... (On the VERY bright side, this particular girlfriend, who is NOT a runner, just asked me today if I would run a 5K with her! I was ecstatic! And so surprised, I almost fell out of my chair! Now, I need to find a very fun 5K so she'll love it, get the running bug, and want to do more! Hooray!!)
Tomorrow night, I've told my friend I'd attend an event at the Newseumpositiv....e
Anyway, the point of me sharing my oh-so fascinating schedule is to say that my marathon training, which was progressing rather well until about 8-10 days ago, has fallen by the wayside. I need to get myself back in the saddle asap--and before my rear no longer fits in the saddle.
This weekend, I was planning on going to Honfest in Baltimore. It's a wonderful street festival that requires a fabulous costume and a beehive hairdo. (They are technically not "required" per se, but really going to Honfest sans a "Hon" ensemble is a much less-fun experience.) The problem is, that since I live over an hour away, even if we don't go to the festival until 1 or 2pm, I still need to be getting ready at 10am (that beehive takes a little time) so I can be on the road by 11....if people want to be in Baltimore by 11, well...I have to be getting my hair done very early in the morning....and there goes any productivity on Saturday. I may need a weekend at home to regroup. I love Honfest, but if I could eliminate one activity that would de-stress me, Honfest might just be it. And I'd save $60 in gas money, which is no small shakes.
BUT, it is only Thursday, and I've been known to change my mind impulsively when it comes to exciting events. I do love 'dem Hons! What to do?!
 |
| Me & a lot of other "Hons" from Honfest 2010. |
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Happy Running Day!!
http://www.runningday.org/site/
Did you go for a run yesterday to celebrate?? I shamefully did not. Although I did wake up early this morning to get in a belated Running-Day training run before work. (So, technically I only missed NRD by a few hours.)
I also, sadly, did not take advantage of the $13-26 discount on the Rock-and-Roll races that Competitor was offering yesterday. Sad sad....I really wanted to, and I knew it was happening, but scheduling-wise, none of the races seem to be working out this year.
A running acquaintance of mine, who I really like a lot, is organizing a group of local runners (Baltimore-MD-DC) to head to San Antonio, TX for a "destination run" in November. I would have loved to go along! I love San Antonio, and I would really like to go back for the race, but unfortunately, it's the same weekend as the Richmond Marathon, for which I've already registered.
The other Rock-and-Roll races I was considering are Providence and Chicago, but they are both occurring right when I'm supposed to be moving out of my condo. (End of July/beginning of August) Not only is moving typically time consuming and exhausting, but it also seems to generate unforeseen expenses. (yes, moving men and maybe buckets of paint, but also surprises like, "oh, my trashcan doesn't fit here anymore" and "Oops! I've just dropped my TV down the stairs" type expenses.) So, I can't sign up. I know what will probably happen--I'll find out at the last minute that I am free that weekend, but by that point the race(s) will either be completely sold out or top-dollar!
So, I guess you could say I didn't "celebrate" Running Day in any real way per se. BUT, I did take the time to complete this fun "runner's survey" that I hijacked off my girlfriend's blog. (Thanks Cassie!) So, for your reading pleasure....
Q: Do I wear a hat?
A: Not as a rule, but I need to start wearing a visor or something to protect my delicate skin from the signs of aging.
Q: Favorite Post-Race snack?
A: I usually won't have a "snack" unless I know I won't be able to have a full meal for a while, then I'll opt for a banana. Otherwise, the answer is simple: BRUNCH! eggs, biscuits & gravy, french toast, waffles, pancakes....the whole she-bang!
Q: Favorite Race to-date?
A: Tough call. I like so many races for so many different reasons. I liked finishing the National Marathon because it represented such a big accomplishment (finishing a full marathon all alone), but I loved the Princess Half because it was really "magical!" No joke!
Q: Do I use a garmin?
A: No. I use a stopwatch, and I can barely remember to hit it when I start. I worry that a garmin would make me obsess/fret too much over my time. Also, doing the mathematics in my head to figure out my pace makes the time go by faster. ;)
Q: Favorite medal?
A: Probably my Baltimore Marathon medal, from last year. It was my first full marathon. The medal is HUGE, because it was the tenth anniversary of the race, and it has the Maryland flag on it. Very bling!
Q: How long have I been running?
A: I started running on a treadmill in my parents basement when I moved home from Florida in 2004. I was never a runner, but I needed to lose some weight and get in shape. I would run thirty minutes to an hour every day. I actually got chronic tendinitis in 2005 from over doing my running, and not listening to my body. Now, I try to cross train and not work the same leg muscles two days in a row, so the tendinitis doesn't flare up again. I wasn't brave enough to run outside until a year after I started running. The first time I ran outside, not in my basement, I was so self-conscious. But, once I came to the realization that no one is looking at me, everyone's just out enjoying themselves, I grew more confident and came to enjoy running outside.
Q: Do you run with your engagement/wedding ring on?
A: No, because I am very very single. I do sometimes run with post-earrings in though.
Did you go for a run yesterday to celebrate?? I shamefully did not. Although I did wake up early this morning to get in a belated Running-Day training run before work. (So, technically I only missed NRD by a few hours.)
I also, sadly, did not take advantage of the $13-26 discount on the Rock-and-Roll races that Competitor was offering yesterday. Sad sad....I really wanted to, and I knew it was happening, but scheduling-wise, none of the races seem to be working out this year.
A running acquaintance of mine, who I really like a lot, is organizing a group of local runners (Baltimore-MD-DC) to head to San Antonio, TX for a "destination run" in November. I would have loved to go along! I love San Antonio, and I would really like to go back for the race, but unfortunately, it's the same weekend as the Richmond Marathon, for which I've already registered.
The other Rock-and-Roll races I was considering are Providence and Chicago, but they are both occurring right when I'm supposed to be moving out of my condo. (End of July/beginning of August) Not only is moving typically time consuming and exhausting, but it also seems to generate unforeseen expenses. (yes, moving men and maybe buckets of paint, but also surprises like, "oh, my trashcan doesn't fit here anymore" and "Oops! I've just dropped my TV down the stairs" type expenses.) So, I can't sign up. I know what will probably happen--I'll find out at the last minute that I am free that weekend, but by that point the race(s) will either be completely sold out or top-dollar!
So, I guess you could say I didn't "celebrate" Running Day in any real way per se. BUT, I did take the time to complete this fun "runner's survey" that I hijacked off my girlfriend's blog. (Thanks Cassie!) So, for your reading pleasure....
Q: What's your favorite type of cross-training?
A: I love spinning, because I feel like I get a great workout, even though I'm not running. I also like BodyPump (or just regular weight-lifting) in between runs. If I am not doing BodyPump, I am a big fan of Tamilee Webb's "I Want That Body" DVD.
Q: What's your favorite song to listen to while running?
A: Super-tough call! I have so many songs that get me through the rough patches. I never seem to get tired of "I'll work for your love" by Bruce Springsteen. Or "Stacy's Mom" because that's always fun and upbeat.
I also have, oddly enough, two Christmas songs on my running playlist that I never get tired of: "My Only Wish This Year" by the lovely and talented Ms. Britney Spears, and "Last Night I went out with Santa Claus" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.--good for sprinting.
My favorite NEW song (re: Haven't got sick of it YET) is the remix of "Get Loose" by Quanteisha Benjamin. download it immediately for both running and dance parties. Listen here.
I also have, oddly enough, two Christmas songs on my running playlist that I never get tired of: "My Only Wish This Year" by the lovely and talented Ms. Britney Spears, and "Last Night I went out with Santa Claus" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.--good for sprinting.
My favorite NEW song (re: Haven't got sick of it YET) is the remix of "Get Loose" by Quanteisha Benjamin. download it immediately for both running and dance parties. Listen here.
Q: Favoritw brand of shoes:
A: Nike, Air Pegasus +27. They feel great and are very cushiony! I'd recommend them for anyone who runs with a slight under-pronation, which I do. The only problem is, I bought them in blue. They are pretty, but had I been aware that they also come in "High Voltage Cherry" I would have bought those!
A: Nike, Air Pegasus +27. They feel great and are very cushiony! I'd recommend them for anyone who runs with a slight under-pronation, which I do. The only problem is, I bought them in blue. They are pretty, but had I been aware that they also come in "High Voltage Cherry" I would have bought those!
Q: Do I wear a hat?
A: Not as a rule, but I need to start wearing a visor or something to protect my delicate skin from the signs of aging.
Q: Favorite Temperature to run in?
A: I like it hot....I love to be really gross and sweaty, but if I want a PR, I need to run in colder temperatures--from 50-the upper 60s.
A: I like it hot....I love to be really gross and sweaty, but if I want a PR, I need to run in colder temperatures--from 50-the upper 60s.
Q: Any big races coming up?
A: My summer is clear of races right now, but that's not by choice. This summer my personal life is more hectic than usual, and I have a lot of tentative non-running things on my calendar. But, this fall, I have the Baltimore Marathon in October, followed by the Richmond Marathon in November, the Las Vegas Marathon in December, and then I kick off 2012 with the Goofy Challenge in Walt Disney World in January...Also, I'm considering, depending on logistics, doing the Cape Cod Marathon over Halloween weekend. They have a "Clam Chowdah Challenge" which is the same as the Goofy Challenge (1/2 of Saturday, Full on Sunday) but it's very small--limited to 250 runners--so I'm not sure I'll be able to decide until after the field is full. We shall see....
A: My summer is clear of races right now, but that's not by choice. This summer my personal life is more hectic than usual, and I have a lot of tentative non-running things on my calendar. But, this fall, I have the Baltimore Marathon in October, followed by the Richmond Marathon in November, the Las Vegas Marathon in December, and then I kick off 2012 with the Goofy Challenge in Walt Disney World in January...Also, I'm considering, depending on logistics, doing the Cape Cod Marathon over Halloween weekend. They have a "Clam Chowdah Challenge" which is the same as the Goofy Challenge (1/2 of Saturday, Full on Sunday) but it's very small--limited to 250 runners--so I'm not sure I'll be able to decide until after the field is full. We shall see....
Q: Favorite Distance?
A: Tie--between half and full. I like the half because it's long enough to feel accomplished, but it doesn't take up my whole day (I can run a half, and still meet someone for brunch afterward.) It's a great length for a "destination race" because I'm still energetic enough afterwards to go sight-seeing, etc. I love the full because it feels like a much bigger accomplishment. But, because of that, it requires a bigger training commitment that I can't always make, and it also wears me out. I've only run two in my life though, so I'm hoping that [by this fall] I can train and prepare myself for a marathon that won't exhausted me quite so completely.
A: Tie--between half and full. I like the half because it's long enough to feel accomplished, but it doesn't take up my whole day (I can run a half, and still meet someone for brunch afterward.) It's a great length for a "destination race" because I'm still energetic enough afterwards to go sight-seeing, etc. I love the full because it feels like a much bigger accomplishment. But, because of that, it requires a bigger training commitment that I can't always make, and it also wears me out. I've only run two in my life though, so I'm hoping that [by this fall] I can train and prepare myself for a marathon that won't exhausted me quite so completely.
Q: Favorite Post-Race snack?
A: I usually won't have a "snack" unless I know I won't be able to have a full meal for a while, then I'll opt for a banana. Otherwise, the answer is simple: BRUNCH! eggs, biscuits & gravy, french toast, waffles, pancakes....the whole she-bang!
Q: Favorite Race to-date?
A: Tough call. I like so many races for so many different reasons. I liked finishing the National Marathon because it represented such a big accomplishment (finishing a full marathon all alone), but I loved the Princess Half because it was really "magical!" No joke!
Q: Do I use a garmin?
A: No. I use a stopwatch, and I can barely remember to hit it when I start. I worry that a garmin would make me obsess/fret too much over my time. Also, doing the mathematics in my head to figure out my pace makes the time go by faster. ;)
Q: Favorite medal?
A: Probably my Baltimore Marathon medal, from last year. It was my first full marathon. The medal is HUGE, because it was the tenth anniversary of the race, and it has the Maryland flag on it. Very bling!
Q: How long have I been running?
A: I started running on a treadmill in my parents basement when I moved home from Florida in 2004. I was never a runner, but I needed to lose some weight and get in shape. I would run thirty minutes to an hour every day. I actually got chronic tendinitis in 2005 from over doing my running, and not listening to my body. Now, I try to cross train and not work the same leg muscles two days in a row, so the tendinitis doesn't flare up again. I wasn't brave enough to run outside until a year after I started running. The first time I ran outside, not in my basement, I was so self-conscious. But, once I came to the realization that no one is looking at me, everyone's just out enjoying themselves, I grew more confident and came to enjoy running outside.
Q: Do you run with your engagement/wedding ring on?
A: No, because I am very very single. I do sometimes run with post-earrings in though.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Race Report: The SWAG-tastic Frederick Running Festival (Part 2)
The Mid-Day 5K
After completing the half-marathon, and picking up our shirts and other various goodies, Cassie and I headed back to her car to meet up with Katie, our resident running super-star who always finishes before any of us. We chatted for a bit about how each of our races went, what we thought of the course, etc. Then we snapped a few pics of ourselves in our snazzy medals. We were going to head toward the infield of the track for the after party, but first I had to take a detour to my car to retrieve sunglasses. The day had gotten very bright! On our way back to the random field, where both Katie and I had parked our cars, we had the brainwave to go try to retrieve our 5K shirts. As I mentioned before, the tables were understaffed, and we walked in the back entrance, bypassing the still-lengthy half-marathon-shirt line. All of the 5K shirts were stacked next to the half-marathon shirts....and all of the bonus "Nut Job Challenge" shirts were stacked next to those...One woman just came up beside us, and took a shirt. We didn't want to do that without alerting the shirt-table staff in some way, so Katie and I found our sizes, grabbed our shirts and then flagged down a poor volunteer (who was swapped with half-finishers) to give him our bib tags. (I'm pretty sure he didn't understand what exactly we were switching, but at least we tried.)
After that, we headed toward the field in search of sunglasses. The fairgrounds was hosting a farm auction along the way....so the there was an interesting combination of runners and farmers wandering around! It was hard after already getting our TWO race shirts to get motivated to run the 5k race. I mean, we had our swag that we came for, right? But, Katie and I decided that we simply could not wear either shirt with pride if we didn't actually complete the 5K stretch....no phoney-bolognas here!
We picked up my sunglasses and headed back into the fairgrounds for the after-party. The party at this race was really great! I felt like it was a smaller version of a Rock-n-Roll race after-party. They had a fun cover-band, Crushing Day, and it was in the in-field of the racetrack, so we had a great view of the finish line and could watch the other runners as they finished the race. Although, most of the half-marathoners had finished, there was a 1 Mile FunRun for kids, and we watched that too. It was super-adorable! If you have children, I highly recommend running this with them. They get their own medal (a nice metal one!) the kids have their own post-race tent, with gatorade and pretzels. And, right next to that, they had a huge moon-bounce slide and the carnival basketball-shooting booths! It looked like a lot of fun, and a great way to get kids involved, if you're a parent that races, or if you're just trying to get your family to be more active. I was impressed. I had one of my four free beers while we watched the fun run and waited for them to set-up for the 5K. (We got 2 beers for the half, and 2 for the 5K. cha-ching!)
Eventually, it was time for Katie and I to reluctantly line-up at the Start line for the 5K (which was also the finish line for the Half.) There was a decent number of people running. Also, I guess a local youth track team was running as well. A bunch of little kids, around seven to nine years old, I assume, all wearing bright florescent orange and yellow shirts that read "Lightning" across the front, lined up in front of all the other runners. When the gun went off, those kids ran--and I mean RAN. I remember when I was a little kid (and I HATED running) and there were always one or two kids in my class who were amazingly fast--faster than anyone else. Well, the Lightning was a collection of all of those kids from every school zooming ahead of us slow-pokey grown-ups. It was humbling.
I took off at a slow pace....I realized about 100 yards out that I'd forgotten my ipod, which given my lack of motivation would have been very helpful and friendly to have had with me. Oh well, at least I had my sunglasses....the weather was nice--still cool when I stopped running, but the sun was blazing in a cloudless sky!
The 5K started out on the racetrack. I thought that was pretty fun--especially considering it was also Kentucky Derby day. Then the course went down a rural road and looped back up. As I ran, some of the Lightning kids were already on their way back.....a lot of them shouted out words of encouragement to us as they passed. It was super cute!!--even though part of me was jealous of them for being so fast and beating me. Humph.
The waterstop, about halfway through the race, played a mean trick by giving runners water in Corona-cups. I thought a refreshing alcoholic beverage might have been coming my way, but they were just teasing me.
After the turn around, I started making my way (back uphill) toward the fairgrounds. I was actually feeling a little more energized on the second half of the race, mainly because I knew it was almost over! As I ran, one lady commented, "So, you didn't get enough running the first race?!" She must have recognized my pink sparkle skirt. I told her, this isn't the smartest decision I'd ever made in my life, but that I do go to great lengths to get a free tee shirt. (Fact.)
Finally, I reentered the fairgrounds, and came back toward the finish line. I saw Cassie and Katie, who had finished long before me, cheering and snapping pictures. They put a smile on my face as I finished the second race of the day. Finally!! I was relieved that that we'd already gotten our swag and I didn't have to wait in the t-shirt line again. I swung by the bathroom then found Cassie and Katie in the infield. I was so excited to be finished! I also felt like I'd accomplished something....because it was really hard to psych myself up for a 5K almost two hours after I'd finished the half marathon, and I felt like I'd met a mental challenge and beat it. I'd finished. I wasn't as fast as I'd have like to have been (33:28) but I wasn't as bad as I was expecting to be. Heck, I run training runs that are slower than that!
We settled in with a round of victory beer, and enjoyed the music and the gorgeous weather. Cassie had been catching up with some of her Half-Fanatic friends when Katie and I were running, and one of the guys she was speaking with had run the Richmond Marathon last year. I'm running it this year, mainly because it was very cheap to register and it's only two hours away. But this guy was absolutely raving about it. He said it was one of the most fun races he's ever run, and he highly recommended it. The got me really excited!!
Overall, the who festival was fantastic and I'm really glad I went! I wish I had trained more so I could have used the flat course to maybe get a new PR, but running with my good friends, and getting ALL my sweet swag made the day worth it. The t-shirt line after the race was long and chaotic, but really that was a pretty minor detail, considering how well-organized and nice the rest of the race was. Also, the after party, the farm auction and the kids race made it a great event to go to with friends or family that might not be into running. Now, time to start training for the Full-in-the-Fall!!
Click here for Part 1.
After completing the half-marathon, and picking up our shirts and other various goodies, Cassie and I headed back to her car to meet up with Katie, our resident running super-star who always finishes before any of us. We chatted for a bit about how each of our races went, what we thought of the course, etc. Then we snapped a few pics of ourselves in our snazzy medals. We were going to head toward the infield of the track for the after party, but first I had to take a detour to my car to retrieve sunglasses. The day had gotten very bright! On our way back to the random field, where both Katie and I had parked our cars, we had the brainwave to go try to retrieve our 5K shirts. As I mentioned before, the tables were understaffed, and we walked in the back entrance, bypassing the still-lengthy half-marathon-shirt line. All of the 5K shirts were stacked next to the half-marathon shirts....and all of the bonus "Nut Job Challenge" shirts were stacked next to those...One woman just came up beside us, and took a shirt. We didn't want to do that without alerting the shirt-table staff in some way, so Katie and I found our sizes, grabbed our shirts and then flagged down a poor volunteer (who was swapped with half-finishers) to give him our bib tags. (I'm pretty sure he didn't understand what exactly we were switching, but at least we tried.)
After that, we headed toward the field in search of sunglasses. The fairgrounds was hosting a farm auction along the way....so the there was an interesting combination of runners and farmers wandering around! It was hard after already getting our TWO race shirts to get motivated to run the 5k race. I mean, we had our swag that we came for, right? But, Katie and I decided that we simply could not wear either shirt with pride if we didn't actually complete the 5K stretch....no phoney-bolognas here!
 |
| Stolen from Cassie |
Eventually, it was time for Katie and I to reluctantly line-up at the Start line for the 5K (which was also the finish line for the Half.) There was a decent number of people running. Also, I guess a local youth track team was running as well. A bunch of little kids, around seven to nine years old, I assume, all wearing bright florescent orange and yellow shirts that read "Lightning" across the front, lined up in front of all the other runners. When the gun went off, those kids ran--and I mean RAN. I remember when I was a little kid (and I HATED running) and there were always one or two kids in my class who were amazingly fast--faster than anyone else. Well, the Lightning was a collection of all of those kids from every school zooming ahead of us slow-pokey grown-ups. It was humbling.
 |
| Lightning Fast!! |
I took off at a slow pace....I realized about 100 yards out that I'd forgotten my ipod, which given my lack of motivation would have been very helpful and friendly to have had with me. Oh well, at least I had my sunglasses....the weather was nice--still cool when I stopped running, but the sun was blazing in a cloudless sky!
The 5K started out on the racetrack. I thought that was pretty fun--especially considering it was also Kentucky Derby day. Then the course went down a rural road and looped back up. As I ran, some of the Lightning kids were already on their way back.....a lot of them shouted out words of encouragement to us as they passed. It was super cute!!--even though part of me was jealous of them for being so fast and beating me. Humph.
The waterstop, about halfway through the race, played a mean trick by giving runners water in Corona-cups. I thought a refreshing alcoholic beverage might have been coming my way, but they were just teasing me.
After the turn around, I started making my way (back uphill) toward the fairgrounds. I was actually feeling a little more energized on the second half of the race, mainly because I knew it was almost over! As I ran, one lady commented, "So, you didn't get enough running the first race?!" She must have recognized my pink sparkle skirt. I told her, this isn't the smartest decision I'd ever made in my life, but that I do go to great lengths to get a free tee shirt. (Fact.)
Finally, I reentered the fairgrounds, and came back toward the finish line. I saw Cassie and Katie, who had finished long before me, cheering and snapping pictures. They put a smile on my face as I finished the second race of the day. Finally!! I was relieved that that we'd already gotten our swag and I didn't have to wait in the t-shirt line again. I swung by the bathroom then found Cassie and Katie in the infield. I was so excited to be finished! I also felt like I'd accomplished something....because it was really hard to psych myself up for a 5K almost two hours after I'd finished the half marathon, and I felt like I'd met a mental challenge and beat it. I'd finished. I wasn't as fast as I'd have like to have been (33:28) but I wasn't as bad as I was expecting to be. Heck, I run training runs that are slower than that!
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| long sleeve, medal, short sleeve, & nutjob shirt |
Overall, the who festival was fantastic and I'm really glad I went! I wish I had trained more so I could have used the flat course to maybe get a new PR, but running with my good friends, and getting ALL my sweet swag made the day worth it. The t-shirt line after the race was long and chaotic, but really that was a pretty minor detail, considering how well-organized and nice the rest of the race was. Also, the after party, the farm auction and the kids race made it a great event to go to with friends or family that might not be into running. Now, time to start training for the Full-in-the-Fall!!
Click here for Part 1.
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