Before I even forget the details of the race, I need to get this race report rolling!
The night before, my good friends parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a Mass a party of 450 people. Rolph and I were so honored to be included and it truly was a great time with, yes, dancing in high heels. So, while I had just one glass of wine (imagine that!), my feet did hurt a bit from the dancing. And, I felt terribly guilty leaving so early, but I HAD to go to bed.
I woke up at 4ish and did the usual pre-race super OC crazy stuff. The crew which now included my Jersey girl Mo and her peeps, my Dallas pal, CW and my Austin team AT and LB gathered at LB's office and carpooled up to the start.
After much consternation over which shoes to wear and actually taking a car by car poll, I put on the old Mizuno Precisions and put the timing tape on it. I think my carload of folks just wanted me to shut up! Once the timing tag was on, I had one less thing to stress over. I do get pretty OC before races...just ask LB.
Speaking of LB, I tossed by shirt when the race was supposed to start and he picked it up. Lucky for him as it kept it him warm while we waited. Lucky for me, he tossed it to his wife who was a spectator this year and I got it back!
We headed to the start at 6:40ish. The race was billed to start early at 6:45 AM on the dot. LB and I scooted in by some familiar Gazelle faces. 6:45, 6:46, and so on and so on. Evil comes over the airwaves to tell us there is a race delay. Barricades are blowing down and the City of Austin will not let us start until they are back up. This could take a while. And it did, about an hour. Did I mention it was windy...natural wind and gross wind. I mean, people, it was a crowd of people near you, could you not move away to expel that!
Speaking of LB, I tossed by shirt when the race was supposed to start and he picked it up. Lucky for him as it kept it him warm while we waited. Lucky for me, he tossed it to his wife who was a spectator this year and I got it back!
So, by the time we're ready to roll, LB and I almost bailed. Caffeine was gone, urge to run was gone and I was actually feeling kind of tired. We decided to ditch the plan and just run a long run when the gun went off.
We started a bit slow for our usual, but we had to warm up now. My feet hurt right away, I mean they hurt. I thought to myself that I would never make it to the end. I wanted to bail, again.
About mile 6, my hamstring starts to cramp. I wait and keep running. LB, my hamstring is cramping, I announce about a mile later. He mutters some assurances and tells me to try to run with a bit different stride. But now, I'm getting nervous. I mean, it hurts...it is tight. And, I really don't want to be stupid and get hurt at 3M and not do Boston.
We pass by the relay exchange and the fresh runners are jamming by us. Next is the turn onto Burnet...the part of the course I hate the most. I start to get pissed. I mean, I have practiced this course so many times. I decide that I am not giving in to this...not that pain in my feet, not the hamstring, not the negative thoughts. I am going to speed it up and bit and get going. Besides, now I want to get done.
I see a woman in blue shorts running pretty strong and I decide to focus on not losing her and possibly catching up to her.
Finally, we turn on North Loop. Now, this I've got. I have run this over and over. People around me to start to fade on the rolling hills. I accelerate again. I have done this, I can do this. I will not give up. The next hill, I pass a guy -- 25 points. I pass another guy by the cemetery who had been way ahead of me. I refuse to look at my watch or look back. LB is behind me now. I'm waiting for him to come up on me as he always does on the hills.
I turn on Duval. I see girl in blue shorts and catch her. I forget what we say, but they were compliments. I ask her how old she is. I'm 27 she says, Whew, I think. And, I'm doing the relay. OMG, no wonder she seems so fresh. She offers to help push and pull and I accept her offer. By Mother's, I'm feeling really good and going faster up the hill. Not too much more, I tell myself. Blue shorts is behind me now.
I head to UT. Lots of traffic and people are up out of their cars complaining to the cops. They are blocked since the race started so late. I know this last stretch and I cannot give up. I have to finish strong. The wind whips so hard around the stadium that I can barely catch my breath. Once at MLK, I"m home free. I see Michael Madison over to my right and smile. I think he called out to me. I'm pushing, harder and harder. I know Gilbert will be near the end somewhere and I want him to see me working really hard and pushing as much as I can.
His hand stretches out suddenly from the left. RED, he shouts and I smile. I know he's surprised that I'm smiling as the last few races I have been quite unhappy at the end. Now, I feel great and push even harder.
I see the number on the clock and realize that I will not hit or beat my personal record. But, in my heart, I am ok with that. I really wanted to grab a 1:32 or better, but given that I started so slow and had to deal with the cramp, I am not surprised by the time. I come through the finish and pump my hands in the air. I FEEL GREAT! My foot holds out even though they hurt, the cuboid has not collapsed. I ran negative splits, I ran hard. I find girl in the blue shorts and hug her. Thank you, I say, thank you. Did you do it? she asks me. I know she's asking if I PR'd. I just say yes, yes, I did it, thank you for helping me.
Chip Time: 1:34:17; Age group 40-44 4th; Female overall: 42
Mile one: 7:38
Mile two: 7:34
Mile three: 7:25
Mile four: 7:05
Mile five: 7:00
Mile six: 7:14
Mile seven: 7:18 (hamstring killing me)
Mile eight: 7:23 (really slowing down here)
Mile nine: 7:15 (getting pissed)
Mile 10: 7:09 (getting my groove)
Mile 11: 7:01
Mile 12: 7:05
Mile 13: 6:54
.01: 0:42
I need to still work on being consistent, but I'll take! See you next year 3M!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Seaside and Sugar Cookies
So, truth be told....I spent my summers at Seaside. It was not at all like the Jersey Shore Show on MTV and, BTW, those people are from Staten Island...New York, not Jersey.
Anyway, to me, Seaside was great. The beach, the waves, the boardwalk. We never got a fancy house or place and we slept on the floor sometimes, but as a kid, what could be better.
Sat. longish, really medium long run, was great. Met my good friends, LB, back from Bandera, AT, and my new Jersey Girl friend who brought me sugar cookies for my b-day. What could be better? We did 1/2 of the 3M course in reverse and came back on it. I hate this part of the course, so it was good practice.
Lots of very hard running...but it was good running. I was able to really pick it up at the end, after I was tired.
It's been an odd week....I turned 44, my Godmother passed away from cancer and my cousin's child is in the hospital. I'm so far away here in Texas.
Today, I went to party for a wonderfully exuberant and intelligent 6 year old friend of my daughter who has very cool parents. The very Latin party lasted more than four hours...then off to my very dear friend's house to visit. They surprised me with a cake and more friends from the old hood....
I feel so blessed...Thank you!
Anyway, to me, Seaside was great. The beach, the waves, the boardwalk. We never got a fancy house or place and we slept on the floor sometimes, but as a kid, what could be better.
Sat. longish, really medium long run, was great. Met my good friends, LB, back from Bandera, AT, and my new Jersey Girl friend who brought me sugar cookies for my b-day. What could be better? We did 1/2 of the 3M course in reverse and came back on it. I hate this part of the course, so it was good practice.
Lots of very hard running...but it was good running. I was able to really pick it up at the end, after I was tired.
It's been an odd week....I turned 44, my Godmother passed away from cancer and my cousin's child is in the hospital. I'm so far away here in Texas.
Today, I went to party for a wonderfully exuberant and intelligent 6 year old friend of my daughter who has very cool parents. The very Latin party lasted more than four hours...then off to my very dear friend's house to visit. They surprised me with a cake and more friends from the old hood....
I feel so blessed...Thank you!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Stupid Human Tricks: Take 44
Just when you think it's safe to go outside....um, you trip over your own two feet. I have never professed to be particularly graceful or athletic and I think I prove that daily. I definitely proved it the other day.
In my fit to "follow the schedule" and "not miss a work out" (remember Chris Farley here); I decided to sleep in (until 6 am) and go to the gym at lunch (horrors). Of course, then I was pressed for time (shocker) and had to drive like a maniac to the gym and get it done.
I got my new shoes -- Asic, Gel Nimbus 11, size 9.5 2A (narrow) (real shoe size is 7); anyway, I hate them. Whether it be the cheaply made shoes (I'm thinking they are knock-offs) or my lack of agility, my jog to the door of the gym ended up with me on the ground...all ghostly white long arms and legs in-o-so-understated-green shorts, cap and short. I must have nicked the sprinkler head and it sent me sprawling as if it were ice. I landed hard on my left hip and elbow. But, wait, the kicker, I nicked my right foot, you guessed it, right below the cuboid bone. Seriously.
Pause. Did I mention how well I have felt on my last two runs?
I wanted to cry, scream and go totally Jersey. Little children were asking me if I was ok. I wanted to cry like a 4 year old. It hurt so badly I was afraid that something was broken. I decided to pretend that it wasn't, dust myself off and go inside to get my work out.
My foot hurt, it throbbed. I took my shoe off and looked. It was already bruised, but it was not near the cuboid bone. If it was broken, it would be swollen, right?
My elbow was bleeding some, and my hip was bruising up. But, boy, was I mad at myself. I went back outside at the end to see where I had tripped. I didn't see a sprinkler head that was protruding enough for me to trip over.
Just my own grace and finesse, I suppose. Maybe it's the big toe box of these Asics...that's it. I'm packing them up and sending them back. Both pair
In my fit to "follow the schedule" and "not miss a work out" (remember Chris Farley here); I decided to sleep in (until 6 am) and go to the gym at lunch (horrors). Of course, then I was pressed for time (shocker) and had to drive like a maniac to the gym and get it done.
I got my new shoes -- Asic, Gel Nimbus 11, size 9.5 2A (narrow) (real shoe size is 7); anyway, I hate them. Whether it be the cheaply made shoes (I'm thinking they are knock-offs) or my lack of agility, my jog to the door of the gym ended up with me on the ground...all ghostly white long arms and legs in-o-so-understated-green shorts, cap and short. I must have nicked the sprinkler head and it sent me sprawling as if it were ice. I landed hard on my left hip and elbow. But, wait, the kicker, I nicked my right foot, you guessed it, right below the cuboid bone. Seriously.
Pause. Did I mention how well I have felt on my last two runs?
I wanted to cry, scream and go totally Jersey. Little children were asking me if I was ok. I wanted to cry like a 4 year old. It hurt so badly I was afraid that something was broken. I decided to pretend that it wasn't, dust myself off and go inside to get my work out.
My foot hurt, it throbbed. I took my shoe off and looked. It was already bruised, but it was not near the cuboid bone. If it was broken, it would be swollen, right?
My elbow was bleeding some, and my hip was bruising up. But, boy, was I mad at myself. I went back outside at the end to see where I had tripped. I didn't see a sprinkler head that was protruding enough for me to trip over.
Just my own grace and finesse, I suppose. Maybe it's the big toe box of these Asics...that's it. I'm packing them up and sending them back. Both pair
Monday, January 11, 2010
17 Degrees and 2 Jersey Girls in Austin?
Time for training on the course for 3M; except it's 17 degrees in Austin, Texas, not Parsippany, New Jersey. I mean it is cold and this Jersey girl has lost her ability to deal with the cold anymore. I mean, I am a total wimp...and, I hate to wear tights.
I convince my new found Jersey Girl and Gazelle, Mo to come on down from Ft. Hood and run with the Gazelle's on Sat in the freezing weather. We start later than normal, a luxurious 7 AM! I drive to the start and off we go.
We kvetch at each other for a few miles as any Jersey Girl would. We start WAY too fast. I mean, like I see Duane fast, and I tell her we have to slow this train down or we'll never make it to the end. We want to do 15 at least. If she drove all the way from Ft. Hood, I cannot bail at 13!.
Tights and all, we hammer it out. I have to stop twice, which is a drag, but Mo is a good sport about it. We really pick it up at the end, coming down North Loop and turning onto Duval. I am really pushing through campus but decide to dial it back for the last bit. I want to quit and go home, I know we need to add on before we hit RunTex, so we head by the Statesman and make a loop which feels like the longest mile ever. I mean my legs are sore and I haven't even stopped yet.
We hit 15 and change and we head into the annex where some pseudo stretching has begun. We shoot the proverbial S#$t for a bit and then head out. A new Gazelle stops us and asks us for a ride to her starting point. She suggest we drop her on the ramp at Anderson Lane...and, we do. It's odd, but there are no cars behind us and we're all ok with it...Her birthday is this week too...all these Capricorns.
If only I had those lighter shoes...
I convince my new found Jersey Girl and Gazelle, Mo to come on down from Ft. Hood and run with the Gazelle's on Sat in the freezing weather. We start later than normal, a luxurious 7 AM! I drive to the start and off we go.
We kvetch at each other for a few miles as any Jersey Girl would. We start WAY too fast. I mean, like I see Duane fast, and I tell her we have to slow this train down or we'll never make it to the end. We want to do 15 at least. If she drove all the way from Ft. Hood, I cannot bail at 13!.
Tights and all, we hammer it out. I have to stop twice, which is a drag, but Mo is a good sport about it. We really pick it up at the end, coming down North Loop and turning onto Duval. I am really pushing through campus but decide to dial it back for the last bit. I want to quit and go home, I know we need to add on before we hit RunTex, so we head by the Statesman and make a loop which feels like the longest mile ever. I mean my legs are sore and I haven't even stopped yet.
We hit 15 and change and we head into the annex where some pseudo stretching has begun. We shoot the proverbial S#$t for a bit and then head out. A new Gazelle stops us and asks us for a ride to her starting point. She suggest we drop her on the ramp at Anderson Lane...and, we do. It's odd, but there are no cars behind us and we're all ok with it...Her birthday is this week too...all these Capricorns.
If only I had those lighter shoes...
Friday, January 8, 2010
Trollin' for Lighter Shoes
Here's where it gets sticky. When I actually have options and I'm trying to figure out what I should do and what will help me get there.
So, I had the chance to go to Gazelles for 800's do I go? No. I met my friend A.T. earlier and cranked out 7 miles on the Exposition route. My explanation, I need more rolling hills training. I have a good 18 miles in for the week now before the long run. And, just in time before the cold snap. It was a decent run, although I'm fast getting tired of the route, but I have to learn to push hard on the hills when I'm tired.
Since I was finished early, I headed to the track to get my fix. Before I even get out of the car, I hear Gilbert screaming, RED! I trot over and give him a big hug. "You having a good new year Red?" he asks me like he knows something is wrong. He's already seen me since the New Year but he's got this way. I change the subject by admiring his new Falke jacket. Where'd you get that one, I like, I try to divert him. "Just for me, Red, coaches jacket."
I ask Gilbert if he thinks my foot will hold in a lighter shoe for the 3M. The Asics that I am wearing are pretty heavy. He looks at my feet and says nothing...that is not a good sign. He turns away to coach the group.
Troy from Sports Performance is there and, as always, he's wondering how things are coming along. How does the foot hold out on the long runs? How far have I gone? How far did I just run? How fast am I running? I tell him honestly that the foot will hold for the 1/2 marathon, but I'm not really sure how it will be beyond that. I'm worried. Come in, he says, let's keep working on it.
I hang for a while shootin' the breeze with some Gazelles. Kenny Hill is training for Austin. He's always such a huge inspiration to me. He's such an encouraging coach. He was one of the first people to tell me I HAD to do Boston. I ask him if he's going to Boston this year. He says, "No, but I'll see you there in 2011, Red."
Dude, I've got to get through 2010.
Oh, back to the shoes. I think the answer is probably not. Gilbert pointed out some shoes, told me a shoe to try which I already can't remember since I'm that aging athlete....the mind goes first.
So, I had the chance to go to Gazelles for 800's do I go? No. I met my friend A.T. earlier and cranked out 7 miles on the Exposition route. My explanation, I need more rolling hills training. I have a good 18 miles in for the week now before the long run. And, just in time before the cold snap. It was a decent run, although I'm fast getting tired of the route, but I have to learn to push hard on the hills when I'm tired.
Since I was finished early, I headed to the track to get my fix. Before I even get out of the car, I hear Gilbert screaming, RED! I trot over and give him a big hug. "You having a good new year Red?" he asks me like he knows something is wrong. He's already seen me since the New Year but he's got this way. I change the subject by admiring his new Falke jacket. Where'd you get that one, I like, I try to divert him. "Just for me, Red, coaches jacket."
I ask Gilbert if he thinks my foot will hold in a lighter shoe for the 3M. The Asics that I am wearing are pretty heavy. He looks at my feet and says nothing...that is not a good sign. He turns away to coach the group.
Troy from Sports Performance is there and, as always, he's wondering how things are coming along. How does the foot hold out on the long runs? How far have I gone? How far did I just run? How fast am I running? I tell him honestly that the foot will hold for the 1/2 marathon, but I'm not really sure how it will be beyond that. I'm worried. Come in, he says, let's keep working on it.
I hang for a while shootin' the breeze with some Gazelles. Kenny Hill is training for Austin. He's always such a huge inspiration to me. He's such an encouraging coach. He was one of the first people to tell me I HAD to do Boston. I ask him if he's going to Boston this year. He says, "No, but I'll see you there in 2011, Red."
Dude, I've got to get through 2010.
Oh, back to the shoes. I think the answer is probably not. Gilbert pointed out some shoes, told me a shoe to try which I already can't remember since I'm that aging athlete....the mind goes first.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
2010 Journey to B-town
2010, it's hard to get my head around the fact that the 1990's are over, let alone a complete decade of the 2000's. My son, born in 1999, just turned 10; my daughter, just completed her 5th year! Yikes...that means that I have that many more wrinkles.
I want to try to return to regular blogging for 2010. Let's see how the resolution holds. I am on this journey to Boston and I'm hoping writing about it here will give me an outlet from all the "eye rollers" who think I'm crazy to train and to run so much. P.S., there are worse vices.
Let me just pat myself on the back for a minute for actually running during the holidays while in Jersey...it was cold, dim and tough. The naysayers were out in force but they motivated me all the more to do track workout and to run in 16 degree weather. Keep telling me I'm nuts -- it's helping me.
I've already met some great new folks in the Gazelle group training for Boston. Even another Jersey girl, which gives me great comfort! No worries about dropping the f-bomb there (sorry Gilbert) but it's part of the vernacular in Jersey!
My challenge with Gazelle's is my son's morning car pool to school. So, with schedule in hand, I can only participate in Gazelle's as often as the car pool works out, which isn't that much, since the other guy travels a great deal. This issue is driving me crazy. I like my routine, so I am constantly trying to sort out how to get the workouts in. And, I hate to run alone, which also makes it tough.
So far, the most I can plan on is the Saturday long run. I get my Gazelle fix and get to do some good running. Fortunately Lorenzo Blanco is always willing to meet at 5 AM should a workout require that extra early hour.
The other challenge is that I am so dog tired by 8/8:30. When you get up at 4:20, you are toast by that time. By the way, I get lots of eye rolls for that too...reminding people how early I rise.
Anyway, note to self, blog more, talk less; there are no eyeballs rolling.
I want to try to return to regular blogging for 2010. Let's see how the resolution holds. I am on this journey to Boston and I'm hoping writing about it here will give me an outlet from all the "eye rollers" who think I'm crazy to train and to run so much. P.S., there are worse vices.
Let me just pat myself on the back for a minute for actually running during the holidays while in Jersey...it was cold, dim and tough. The naysayers were out in force but they motivated me all the more to do track workout and to run in 16 degree weather. Keep telling me I'm nuts -- it's helping me.
I've already met some great new folks in the Gazelle group training for Boston. Even another Jersey girl, which gives me great comfort! No worries about dropping the f-bomb there (sorry Gilbert) but it's part of the vernacular in Jersey!
My challenge with Gazelle's is my son's morning car pool to school. So, with schedule in hand, I can only participate in Gazelle's as often as the car pool works out, which isn't that much, since the other guy travels a great deal. This issue is driving me crazy. I like my routine, so I am constantly trying to sort out how to get the workouts in. And, I hate to run alone, which also makes it tough.
So far, the most I can plan on is the Saturday long run. I get my Gazelle fix and get to do some good running. Fortunately Lorenzo Blanco is always willing to meet at 5 AM should a workout require that extra early hour.
The other challenge is that I am so dog tired by 8/8:30. When you get up at 4:20, you are toast by that time. By the way, I get lots of eye rolls for that too...reminding people how early I rise.
Anyway, note to self, blog more, talk less; there are no eyeballs rolling.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
