26.2 Windermere Marathon

It's a cool 51 degrees, overcast with a breeze.  The heavy clouds are taunting us with a chance of rain.  Easily, three quarters of the runners are standing with me in a port-a-potty line calculating in our heads if we will make it through the line before the race starts.

I make it through with three minutes to spare. Perfect.  And we're off.  Down the road we go.

Stand up straight and breathe.

Keep a slow pace that you can maintain...forever.

Enjoy the experience. 

Smile and thank volunteers you pass them.

The first two miles come and go and then I see my ROCK:  Cathy.  She is there snapping photos and video like the paparazzi.  She briefly runs with me, fueling me with encouragement, and then doubles back to her car.  Mile 3 I spot her again and ask "Do you have Kleenex in your car?" To which she replies, "Yes, but you really need to learn how to do a farmer blow."  

Gross.  Not when Kleenex is an option.

Between miles 3 and 4.

The course loops back down to the park road. I smile and think of my dogs Rhonda and Pepper (both now watching me from heaven) who used to run this "road" with me when it was an alfalfa field in our back yard, literally. I used to live there in an old farm house on 300 acres. Now, the house is gone and the alfalfa field has been transformed into housing developments and this park.   

Surreal.

Between miles 6 and 7.

Seven and a half miles, and two more Cathy sightings later, I leave Liberty Lake and enter the beautiful, but isolated, Centennial trail.  I plug myself into my iPod, turn it on, and crank up the tunes.

 It's just you and me now Pitbull. "Let's get this party started!"

I keep a solid pace for the first 15 miles.  I'm surprised with a few more Cathy sightings at some of the trail heads and then she leaves to go cheer on my son at his soccer game that I’m missing.

Mother of the Year eludes me again.

I hit my first wall at mile 16.  It’s more mental than physical.

I’ve been running for three and a half hours and I still have ten more miles to go including the part of the race I’m dreading: miles 20-24.

Shut up. 

You chose to do this. 

Pick a better song on your IPod.

Mile 18 and I cross Argonne Road.  I walk through the water station taking physical inventory of my body aches.  I’m getting tired, but my body isn’t swearing at me yet.

I’ve run 18 miles and I’m just now leaving the f^@%ing Valley?

I drive this to work every day and it takes me FOREVER in the car.  Now I’m running it!?

"It's worth the wait even so far away...All alone, just the beat inside my soul.  Take me home where my dreams are made of gold.  In the zone, where the beat is uncontrolled. I know what it feels like.  Come on make me feel alive."  (Krewella)



"One foot in front of the other...just keep moving forward."


I hit my second wall at mile 21.  My body is tired.  My hips and lower back hurt.

"...just because it burns doesn't mean you’re going to die..." (Pink)

Just keep moving forward.

Stand up straight and breathe.

It’s okay to walk the hills as long as you run everything else.

I slow down to a walk-jog pattern.  I pass mile 23 and see something that completely energizes me:  Cathy bringing my son to see me run.  DD is in his soccer gear and holding a ribbon he earned, beaming from ear to ear.  I run up and hug him.  Everything stops:  my head talk, my body aches, and my worries about time.   We snap photos, talk about the seven goals he scored in soccer, and then I move on feeling strong because I know he will be waiting for me at the finish line.  They drive past honking, waving, and cheering out the car windows.  Awesome!

With DD in mile 23.

You got this.

Only a little 5K left to go.

The faster you move the sooner you can see him again.

I thank the Police Officers directing traffic for me as cross the road to mile 24.  I know one and we recognize each other.  He gives me a high five and shouts out encouragement as I pass.  I round the next corner and thank the volunteers for being there.

Wow, they were a really excited bunch.

Wait.

Was that MY name on the sign she was holding?

I look back and recognize one of my awesome high school students holding a sign for me.  I run back, and give her a big hug. (Sorry, I realize now that I was nasty sweaty and that was gross.) 

She has no idea just how much that means to me.

I can’t believe she did that for me!

That is so awesome.

I’m almost home and have run this part of the trail many times.  I know it like the back of my hand.  I’m feeling confident and excited.  I select songs on my IPod that will help me finish strong.  I pass mile 25.

"...This is the moment. Tonight is the night. We'll fight till it's over, so we put our hands up..." (Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis)

I round my last turn and see the finish line.

"...I just want to feel this moment" (Pitbull & Christina)

I see DD and Cathy.  They are waiting for me at the beginning of the finisher chute. The announcer is calling me in by name and then I stop.  I’m ten yards away from crossing the finish line. Out of instinct I run to my son and hug him. He'd always wanted to see me finish a race and now he will.  I grabbed his hand.

 “Run with me.”  

“I can’t go in there.” (My good rule follower.)

“It’s okay.  You can come with me and I’ll hold your hand.”

Then we ran together, holding hands, across the finish line.



Crossing the finish line!



Our finish time?

5:52:52

Perfect.  I wouldn’t change a thing.

Sometimes being one of the last ones pays off in so many other ways.

Right after we finished the race together. 
He is holding the ribbon he earned at his soccer tournament.

My finisher photo!

My rose and bling.

2012 Run Down

2012 Run Down

Although 2012 had some amazing adventures and unbelievable accomplishments, it also came with sickness, shock, and loss. So, needless to say, I ran a lot. I ran to mask the pain. I ran to have alone time to cry so my kids wouldn't see it. I ran to find inner strength. I ran to help gain awareness and money for cancer research. I ran for those who were too weak to run.  I ran to see DD's eyes light up when I put my finisher medals on him.  I "ran" in a sock monkey costume (in horrible weather) when a friend couldn't make it to complete the "trio."  I ran with new friends and encouraged (maybe pressured) three others to complete their first half-marathon!
I welcomed some new Sole Sisters to our group

I completed eight half-marathons in six different states. I ran four other shorter-distance races, at which one I pushed Fats in the stroller rolling in to earn 2nd place in my age group!

My sister, parents, aunt, uncle, cousins, and friends all traveled the countryside to see me race (or race with me too, right Sissy!).  I'm humbled and blessed to have you all in my life!

Although it was an amazing ride, I'm glad it is over.

For 2013, I'm going to lay low and stay close to home only traveling twice, once out of state. I've decided to take myself out of my comfort zone and registered for a full marathon this May in Spokane. This quote inspires me: "If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough." -Jessica Russell, another mother runner

Time to cherish all the memories of 2012 and step into 2013 without looking back. On your mark, get set, go!

For The Love of Sleep

Hot Summer 10K

Those of you who know me know I love sleeping and that I have an uncanny ability to sleep anywhere, anytime.  For example, I've fallen asleep on dates, while riding on back of a motorcycle, for a short time during labor....  I function best with eight hours of sleep but with my life/schedule that is unheard of.  So, when my alarm goes off at an ungodly hour on a Saturday morning for me to get up and run, I have to question my sanity.

I drag myself out of bed scolding myself for wanting nothing more than to climb back into my little bit of heaven. I go through my normal race morning routine and drive to the race. I still don't want to go and midway I contemplate turning around and driving home; I started this madness and will finish it.

When I arrive at the starting line I'm surrounded by an intimidatingly fit group of people who make me aware that I may just end up being the last one to cross the finish line. My cousin who was standing with me agreed. Is coming in last so bad? I look at my cousin and I'm reminded of how life-changing events can happen to the last finisher of a race. She is living proof of a determination with a "never give up" front-page-of-the -paper and ESPN radio worthy story. My words do her no justice so here is her blog so you can read for yourself: www.bringiton23.com.  Let me just warn you that if you read her blog, you may need kleenex while becoming greatly inspired and motivated. 

Knowing that my cousin has a good pace and would not finish last in this race, my strategy became to stick with her as long as I could then not lose sight of her when I dropped back. And...I was successful finishing the 10K in 65 minutes-- just two minutes behind her!

I'm excited I finished the race. I'm elated because I ran a PR despite the Body Glide failure and leg chafing! (I have real mom-thighs, not Victoria Secret extra-photo-shopped, non-touching skinny thighs.)

Whew, all that writing made me tired. I think I'll put my head down and take a nap....

How do you workout?

3.17m  Sometimes I must get creative....

With both of my boys at home with me today, I resigned my chance for a mother-of-the-year nomination and plugged them into the television.  With their minds being sucked in by Transformer Rescue Bots, I armed myself with a water bottle and hopped on the treadmill.  I did not run with music as I needed to hear if my children were going to abort their mission of watching TV and instead try to have their own version of WWE Smackdown.  My plan was to work out as long as their little attention spans and brotherly kindness would allow.

Both of my boys have grown up spending time in the stroller accompanying me on my runs.  They are both great kids, but there are two of them and one of me.  My oldest son is older than stroller age, but doesn’t ride his bike well enough to keep up when I'm pushing his little brother in the stroller.  So, if I’m able to divide and conquer I do.  Ususally, I run at night (often late) when my husband is home from work and my youngest son has gone to bed.  When none of the above options are available or feasible, I’m forced to get creative.

Days like today it would be very easy to just call it a wash and put off my workout until tomorrow.  Being part of the WISER Sister Study does not allow me to make that choice.  I’m currently in week 13 of 20 and required to run/workout a minimum of 300 minutes a week.  I’m made a commitment to them and I won’t break it.  This study, and the hope that someday I will be back in true pre-pregnancy shape, fuel my motivation to run.  Thank God for the study because my snail crawl, mega-slow-motion body changes aren’t very encouraging to keep going.

With 3.17 miles run and a 30-minute cross-training workout complete, I’d say today’s workout was a success.  The house still stands and there were no casualties, only a bruised arm from a bite when the boys had wrestled over a toy.  Whew, mission accomplished.

ROCKSTAR Tour Stop in Seattle

13.1m  See Jane Run Half Marathon

After I rocked my run in Missoula, I made a tour stop in Seattle one week later and ran the See Jane Run Half Marathon. Running two races on back-to-back weekends was a new experience for me and I wasn't sure if I could pull off an encore performance because when it comes to running, I have no self-confidence.

I'm slow, envy all the fast, fit runners who pass me, and err on the easy side as to not push myself into an asthma attack. I've learned that running is as much of a mental battle as it is a physical one for me. I hear runners talk about "pushing through my legs" or "runner's high when I can run forever," but my lungs have never allowed me to experience this. Yet, I run anyway and love it!

Racing is a social event for me and a great excuse for a mini-vacation. Yes, I just called running 13.1 miles a vacation! Every race I run I dedicate to someone and every medal I earn I give to my oldest son, DD, who proudly displays it with all the others on a hook above his bed.

See Jane Run was inspiring because it was all women (except about six brave, or dumb, men depending on your view) who were all sizes, ages, and physical abilities. Everyone was friendly and smiling. My goals for this race were the same as all my races: start, finish, enjoy the journey, and do my best. But, I had a little voice inside me wondering if I could pull of another sub 2:30 performance....

The starting gun went off and I was still standing in the potty line with about 50 other women. Lovely. We all looked at each other and just shrugged our shoulders. No one moved out of line.  You can't exactly argue when Mother Nature calls.

One benefit of starting after the gun start: no crowds. Off I went knowing there were others behind me who were yet to start the race.

I ran, didn't let myself look at my watch for pace only distance, cranked up the recently downloaded tunes on my iPod, and smiled as I worked my way around Lake Union.

I'm lucky. I have asthma yet I'm a runner. I have generous family and friends who watch my kids so I can run. Every finish line I cross is a gift regardless of my time. So what was my finish time? 2:33:46. I'm ecstatic. For me that is another ROCKSTAR performance. Could I have done things differently and made up those three minutes to have a 2:30 finish? Probably, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Speaking of the world, it was pretty well protected while I was gone.

It was a slow 3/4 mile walk uphill to my truck-- makes for a good calf stretch. When I'd parked there was a layer of fog/mist, but before I left it had burned off and this was my view:

A great ending to a great race.

ROCKSTAR For a Day

13.1m  Missoula Half Marathon

On Sunday, July 8th, I walked out of my hotel room at o'dark thirty having no idea when I returned a few hours later I'd be a rockstar.  Well, at least I'd feel like one.

Ready to run at 4 a.m.

It was my first time running the highly recommended Missoula half marathon.  My game plan was to run the whole thing and enjoy all the sights. My finish time was irrelevant; it was the medal I would give to my son for his collection that was my prize. The look of excitement when I hand him the medal makes me feel like I came in first place.

Despite wearing two watches that tracked every step of every mile down to my pace, heart rate, and exertion zone, I told myself I would not look at any of the data until after the race. And I didn't look until mile 10....

The starting gun went off and I trotted off with the rest of the herd of runners.  The sunrise was beautiful over a lake and through the distant trees.  A woman stopped to take a picture so I asked if she wanted to be in the picture. A few photos later, I was back on my way. I ran at a pace that felt challenging yet maintainable.

Mile 8

The mile markers came and went and I ran through every sprinkler I could. At mile 8 I saw Turtle Girl who snapped a quick picture of me then jumped in and paced me. She is an excellent coach and cheerleader extraordinaire. She told me I was doing amazing and had a fantastic pace. We chatted (visualize her talking and me grunting responses between my labored breath) and I told her my racing goal had always been to finish in 2:30, but my closest PR was 2:43. She told me if I kept up my pace I'd make it. So at mile 10, I looked at my Garmin and confirmed she was right.  What was holding me back? Nothing so I went for it.


Nothing is as surreal as running down the finisher chute with the crowd cheering you on like you are a rockstar.  I sprinted and crossed the finish line with an official time of 2:27:14 beating my former PR by 16 minutes! I'm still smiling as I write this!  I can't believe it! I gain something from every race. This one I got a new PR, but more than that I have great memories and some new friends who I met along the way.   I look forward to more races with them and others who I'll meet. Who wants to come with me to San Antonio or Vegas?

New friends and she's also a blogger!  Follow her at: 
http://sportymamadotme.wordpress.com

My best finisher photo ever and it was FREE!

 

My Time To Run

I think of myself as pretty easy going, but on nights like tonight I have to second guess myself. Nights before races (or as I'm packing to travel to a race) I find myself obsessing over every detail to ensure everything is perfect down to the last emergency kit detail. (If you haven't had the pleasure of digging into my treasure bag o'kit I'll leave the surprises inside for a time that you do.) Now back to my obsessing....  As a participant in the WISER Sister study, I've been progressively running more minutes each week and have reached my 300 minutes per week mark which I must maintain for the duration of the study. Knowing that I have a big run Sunday, I opted to do cross training in order to "rest" my legs for the race. Well, I'm regretting that decision as I find myself using my arms to help me to and from a sitting position or navigating the stairs.  My cross training included lunges and they got the best of me. Waking is even tricky so this race may become comical. We all need to be able to laugh at ourselves, right? Tomorrow my cousin (we'll  call her Turtle Girl) and I will take a fun road trip to Montana where I swear everything is so inexpensive it felt like they paid me to visit last time!  It will be nice to run the race this time instead of playing cheerleader on the sidelines trying to calculate pace and distance in order to make it to he next cheer spot in time to see my friends run by. I remember it was a hot July day and I was pregnant...not a good combo. But, that is all behind me and this Sunday it will be my turn to run. And, I'll have Turtle Girl, one of the world's best cheerleaders, with me! More on Turtle Girl and an official update on the WISER Sister study soon....