Reflections on 2007

One very memorable running injury I endured in 2007 was a fall while "hiking" not trail running. I was reaching for my little son to help him cross a stream and he found another way over, I then tried to pivot over to the other side and both my feet collapsed on the very wet rocks. The blood that pooled around my ankle over the next month was disgusting.

This boo-boo happened a day before my husband was asked to leave the house in order to protect my children from his abusive parenting. It sort of was like my body or a higher power was forcing me to stay off the roads and take care of my kids. My physical body recovered a lot faster than my heart and mind, let me tell you.

More reflections that are on a more positive note are coming. I promise...

Christmas Vacation

I am on vacation this week and will try to sit down and think about my blog, maybe contact Runner Susan for a new masthead. Just finished watching some totally cool movie about mind erasing. Internal Sunshine of a Senseless Mind, I think. Crazy good movie.

Ran five miles today, felt great. Be back soon. Gotta put my sweetie pie to bed.

Crazy Busy!

I have been crazy busy since Memphis. Hardly running at all. My body needs to rest, I think. I have gone on some nice walks and beautiful pre-dawn runs that were amazing, magical almost. There is something surreal running all alone in the dark cold morning with the stars shining so bright. I saw a shooting star too one morning that was cool.

Here are some photos from the Marathon. Not very exciting, well the one with Elvis is pretty cool.
http://www.asiorders.com/go.asp?27661905
http://www.asiorders.com/stf.asp?EVENTID=19934&PWD=&ID=44826430

Someday I will have a chance to download photos of Graceland and post those too. Now I have to go Christmas shopping.

Where to begin?

From the beginning, I suppose. We arrived in Memphis at 12 midnight, surprised to find out we gained a hour on our trip. We didn't know there would be a time change. We hysterically ran from a room full of sleeping people and finally settled into our room at about 1am. We woke up late for us on Friday morning and got out on the town at about 10am.



The woman at the desk, Jennifer, told us about the trolley public transportation system and we caught the trolley about a half mile from our hotel. We took the two mile trolley ride to town and found it to be very empty. We had an authentic Southern breakfast of bisquits and gravy and grits, home fries cooked in bacon fat, and the most tasty omelette I've had in long time. Then we headed to the expo, still not finding many people walking in Memphis. We were a little worried at that point. We walked a couple miles to the Missippi River and ceremonially spat in the river! My running friends and I always spit over every bridge we cross, so we HAD to spit in the Missippi River!!



Then we headed to the expo and got our stuff. It was a pretty cool expo. I picked a PACETAT for the four hour pace. I purchased a Memphis Running Club winter hat and some xmas presents for my family.



After that we headed to GRACELAND. It was awesome. You wear these headsets with controllers and you listen to a man talking about Elvis' house and life. You can punch in certain numbers to hear more about certain aspects. I loved it. It was so cool to learn about such a famous musician and his family.



Last, we went to Beale St. for dinner. Now this was Memphis. The Memphis you hear about in all the music. One awesome Blues bar after another. We opted to eat at Hard Rock Cafe because we wanted to keep it simple. We were back in our hotel by 8, lights out by 9pm.



By the way, Thursday and Friday were cold. I was freaking out since I wasn't sure what to wear running.



BUT I woke on Sat, race day to beautiful weather. At five in the morning, it was already like 40' and the sun was popping through, but it was still pretty cold. We went to check our bags at The Autozone Baseball Complex and hung out as long as possible. We made our way to the start line at 7:45. The weather was warming up beautifully.

The marathon started in two minute waves and my friends and I lined up in the 3:50 finishers corral. The start was smooth and we were off. I was following the 3:50 pace leader for about three miles and then realized I was right behind the 3:45 pacers. My girlfriend and I stayed in between these two pacers for the next ten miles. It was really fun because the 3:45 pace guy was shirtless and he wrote his name, Jimmy, on his chest. We got lots of cheers. I felt great the first 14 miles.

At miles 15 and 16, there is a slight incline and I started to get tired. I was no longer able to stay as close to the 3:45 pace guy, but I had them in my sights for about two more miles. By mile 19, my muscles were just starting to cramp. They were fine if I took it down a notch. I slowed to about 9:15/mile pace.

It was by mile 22, that I knew my possibility of qualifying for Boston was slipping through my fingers. I was sad for about one mile, then I kicked myself in the ass. I told myself that I needed to appreciate what my body was doing right in that moment and continue to run as hard as I could. I was able to continue to run hard.

Two events enabled me to keep focused and moving. At mile 21, a man was going down and my first instinct was to go try and catch him. I quickly realized that I was really only able to keep myself standing at the moment and ran up ahead a few feet as fast as I could to get help. I don't know how he fared, but he sure did make me realize that I should appreciate that my body was strong enough to continue.

Another event was at mile 24, a young woman passed me at the water stop. I must have looked tired because she said, "I have been pacing off of you for about 5 miles, don't you quit now!". Well I'll be damned if I slowed down then, I only had two freakin' miles to go. I kicked it in and passed her and got my hungry ass to the finish line. I was so happy to break four hours.

We finished in Autozone Park at home plate. The stadium was packed of screaming fans. After getting my tin foil and medal. I spotted Elvis and posed for a professional photo. I can't wait till they are up. Then I crawled up the stairs to the concourse and devoured whatever food I could get my grubby hands on. I ate two slices of pizza, soup, a banana, yogurt and an orange. I drank two bottles of water. Then I went to try to get my bag, my friends were out on the course and I wasn't able to figure out how to get out there. I figured they would find me and they did.

Once I got my bag, I called my family and tried to change into dry warm clothes. The only problem was that my feet were so far away and I was afraid that if I sat on the ground to change, I would not be able to get up without assistance. At that point I was like what they hell do I do this to my body for???

The only answer I have ever come up with is because I can. I am blessed with a strong runner's body and I am going to use it!!

Memphis Marathon Rocks

I am home, showered, sitting at my computer after getting up at 3am to catch a taxi at 4am to get to the airport to catch a 5am flight. We travelled for the next four hours and as soon as I get to CT my kids call my cell to tell me we need food. Stopped at Stop and Shop to pick the neccessities according to my 12-year-old son (frozen waffles, milk, bread and cereal). I have taken a shower, thrown in a load of laundry and now I am writing some of my memories of the Memphis Marathon trip. It is now 3:39pm and I am deliriously tired, but happy to be home.



My stats from the race look like this:

27th in my age group

608 overall

119th of all women

10K 22 52:29 8:28

1/2marathon 23 1:53 8:40

20 miles 2:55 8:47

Final 3:55:26 9:00



I was happy with that time, I completed two of my goals: (1) finish, (2) under 4 hours. The third goal, qualify for Boston was just out of reach. I tried to kick it in the last few miles, but I just did not have enough to do it. BUT I know the ability is there, I just have to refine my training. I was totally psyched about being 608th out of 1952 runners. Wow!

More on the experience and photos to come. I am too tired to sit upright any longer. Ciao.

5:15 Race morning

I am currently sipping tea and eating a banana, mentally preparing for the task I am about to undertake. I just tattooed my arm with the a 4 hour pace band. I have confidence I can break 4 hours, but not so much confidence I can hit my Boston Qualifying time of 3:45. We'll see....either way, Wes, happy birthday!!!

Beautiful race conditions, start of the race will be 45' and by the time we finish the forecast is for 60'. Gorgeous.

See you soon!

ps I am officially in love with Elvis and I think I'll give up teaching and become a clerk in one of the 300 souvenir shops on Elvis Presley Blvd.

I'm in Memphis!!

Last night, four of the five other women and I travelled from Hartford, CT to Memphis. We had a layover in Charlotte. It took us five hours to get here. None of knew about the time change so we gained an hour, needed it I am exhausted.

We get to our hotel at midnight, but one am in my body. The clerk must have been busy in the back because she sure did not want to help us!! First she tells they have no cots and no extra blankets. Luckily one of our travellers is a firefighter and always prepared and brought a sleeping bag.

Then we proceed to rm 227. My friend unlocks the door and says "oh they forgot to make the beds, oh wait a minute, there are people sleeping in them!!!". We opened the door bleary eyed and look in and find PEOPLE sleeping in the room!!!! We quickly apologized and ran back to the lobby in hysterics.

Now we are getting ready to head to Graceland. I am going to find my inner Elvis, I definitely have the hips!

New Look

My son said my old blog design was boring, so we checked out blogger's choices. How do people make their own design? I know Runner Susan makes personal headmasts, maybe I could talk to her.

Nothing new in the world of chocolate loving runner girl except I am already packing for Memphis. WOOHOO!

A week to go...

Only one week from today, I'll be hitting the streets of Memphis to run the marathon. I am totally psyched and getting anxious now.

Like completely overdramatiziing and obsessing over every slight pain or discomfort I might have.

Or not wanting to go near anyone with a cold or runny nose.

Or thinking and freaking out about flying (i hate flying).

Or worrying about my "time", this is the first time I ever cared about time, I used to just care about finishing, but now I know I can run faster than before.

Or worrying about how all the childcare plans are going to work out and not being able to do anything about it from miles away.

Or completely stressing about the weather and what to wear while running.

Or wondering how I can get to Graceland from my hotel!!

Oh the many trials and tribulations a crazy runner woman has to endure!!!!

Spiritual Awakenings

I have had spiritual experiences while running, especially when I am pushing my limits. While running my long run this week on a 25' cold, windy but sunny and crisp Sunday, I was pretty cold. BUT every time the sun would shine on my body for a few minutes, I would experience such a warmth, I just knew there is a God out there somewhere watching over me, making me warm when I need it most.

Sweet faith.

Twenty miler down, I friggin' kicked ass. I can't wait for this marathon, baby. I am soooooooo prepared. Now time to taper, I love tapering. I have a 15 miler scheduled for this weekend. I love when 15 seems so easy.

Does anyone know where my chocolate brother has been lately? I have visited Jon who was in Michigan but now lives in New York, Chocolate Runner's Blog and he hasn't written in a while. What's up? Tell him I miss him if you have his email.

The Breakfast of Champions!?

It has been such a busy week I have not had time to write about a splendid running event that took place last Sunday afternoon. As you all know, I have been trying to make some type of sense of my home and projects have taken precedence over eating and sleeping, notice I did not say over running, never would that happen!!

I woke up Sunday and immedately started working on my projects, but keeping my hydration in mind since I planned on running in a local 5K at 1pm. So I worked my butt off and then realized we lost some pieces to fit our bed back together. Had to run out to the hardware store before it closed at 1:00. The store is right next to a local greasy spoon and it was like 10:30, plenty of time to grab some brunch and have it digested before race time. Right...what I didn't plan for was the hour wait for our food. The boys and I all ordered bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches on texas toast with home fries. I only ate half of my sandwich while my oldest son ate his and my other half. He was planning to run the 5k as well. Bad move.

We ran in the Veteran's Memorial Greenway 5K in Willimantic, Ct. It USED to start behind a gym and that's where I rolled in on two wheels at 12:30. No race there. I hypersped to the other gym in town and realized where the race start was moved to. Tommy and I ran to the registration table, grabbed our numbers and t-shirts (it really pays to preregister!) and then ran them back to the car. We had ten minutes to warm up and then head to the start line.

I felt pretty good during the warm up, no full stomach problems. I got to the first mile in 7:05 and then was passing some people and realized I was doing pretty well. There is a turn around at this race, so I started to look at where I was in terms of women. There was only ONE woman in front of me! And I could see her and pass her I did, baby! I passed her right after the turn around and I mean I really passed her. I was afraid I might not be able to keep the speed up but I figured what the hell, I might as well try, right?

I passed mile two at 14:16, wow pretty consistent.

Then I started to suck wind a little, but I really wanted to win. I passed one my training buddies. Then I saw my teenage totally freaking fast long distance runner son, he usually finishes race in 21:05 or so. I was like, oh my goodness, he is hurting. Later he described me coming up behind him as "oh my god the person behind me is going to die" since I was breathing so hard. When he saw the person was me, his next thought was "oh my god, I knew I was sucking out, but I didn't think I was going that slow" ( I usually finish in 24 min.)

I somehow got the words out to have him look behind us and tell me how close the next woman was to us and he told at least 50 feet. I immediately slowed down since I knew I had it in the bag and I thought my lungs might burst if I kept up that pace. I finished the race in 22:40 and was sooooooo pumped. I was proud for like days. The feeling of crossing the line would just pop into my consciousness at random times and it was just great, stupendous, excellent, grande. My kids started teasing me about my foolish grin just crossing over my face.

BUT that was last week, this week brings me to my 20miler, my last long run before Memphis. I am psyched and sick with nerves at the same time, but that is why we do this, right? Right now I am off to play in a setback tourney with Tommy, his ego and stomach have recovered nicely.

Run hard, play harder!

Happy Long Run

I ran from putting my kids on the bus this afternoon and zipped into my running clothes to run for three hours or whatever miles I can run in that amount of time. My middle son surprised me at school looking for a ride to a skateboard shop, so I got out a little past schedule but still got on the road by 4pm.

I did a longish part of the run first, I took a big loop to get to my house and feed my dog and check on her. The poor girl has been totally neglected this Fall. Too many soccer games and races. I ran ten miles to my house, got my water belt, gu and music. Then I made my way down back into town for another nine miles. I felt great the whole time, except by the last hill I was pooped.

I ate my gu at about mile twelve and oh my goodness, what a jolt it gave me. I have cut WAAAAAYYYYY back on my sugar intake, so when that sugar hit me I was ready and rearing to go, baby!!!

I was pretty psyched about how good I felt since this was my second long run in only five days. My last long run was only last Sunday, but I had to do it tonight since this weekend is filled with yet another soccer tourney, church and a race on Sunday. There are soooo many fun things I want to do this weekend, but I think I have to stay home and complete a project for my boys so they can move their bedrooms. On SAt. night, a bunch on women friends are getting together for a "clothing swap". I don't really need any clothes, but have a bunch to get rid off. So maybe I'll just drop them off. On Sunday afternoon after the race, there is this "hibernation festival" held at this earthy crunchy private school. They sell the BEST soup in the world, I look forward to it every year. So I will have to just go get some even if I am not done with my job at home.

Have a great weekend everybody, run hard!

The Longest Long Run

Today I had plans to meet a friend and run for three hours or 18 miles at the West Hartford Reservior. My friend was bringing his camelpak so I planned on having him carry the water for both of us. BUT he was detailed to dive due to an auto accident body recovery and wasn't able to run. I didn't know this till AFTER the run.

Not only did I have no water, I didn't really know where I was going. My friend has a garmin that would have led us around the trails. So the inevitable happened, I got lost on the trails with no water or watch or cell phone. I never really got lost because in CT there are not big enough forrests to ever really get lost. When I could not get back to the parking lot, I spotted some open areas in the tree line and ran in that direction. The open area was actually homes. Luckily I am skinny and fit through a hole in the backyard fence and started running on the street.

I found my way to a main road and STILL did not know where I was!!!! I ran to a stop light about a mile away and did not know the road that was intersecting but then noticed it was a road I saw on one of the ends of the trails. So I waited till a woman driver stopped at the light and waved and asked to point me in the direction of Farmington Ave., she told me it was the opposite direction I was running about four miles! So I hightailed the other way down the street and continued on. When I finally got to Farmington Ave., I had to ask a nice couple which direction the Reservior was and they looked at me like I was crazy and told me which way to go and said it was like ten minutes away. I finally got back to my car at exactly 10am. I had been running for 3 hours and 15 minutes. I was thirsty, let me tell ya!

I am tired but happy I got home in one piece. It was quite an adventure!!

Here we are enjoying a "look for signs of Autumn" walk with my class. The colors this year are amazing, very vibrant. I am not ready for winter running though. I have adjusted to running in the dark, I dug out my headlamp, but I haven't dug out my running pants yet. I am holding out as long as possible!!

Global Warming

I declare that global warming is not so bad. I enjoyed the past three days of running in the early morning hours with shorts on. Looks like tomorrow will be a beauty too, but I am pooped. I might try to drag my ass out of bed just because the moon is beautiful and bright and it is supposed to be like 50' at dawn. Usually by now, we are fighting with frost in the am.

Loving this nice weather. I will post some pics soon of the gorgeous foliage too.

Run hard, play harder!

I love running

My marathon training is going really well. I hope I don't jinx it by saying it aloud. I completed 17 miles on Thursday and it was also the first day of my period. So all you people of the male persuasion, imagine running 17 miles with a diaper on and feeling like your testicles are twice their normal size and crampy. Not easy, but it is done and it feels good I don't have to run another long run until next Friday!!

Good Grief

I walked for the Relay for Life, which is a fundraiser for cancer research this weekend. I always think about one of my best friends that died of brain cancer eight years ago while I walk. I usually have a good time thinking of him, it sort of feels warm like a comfy old blanket wrapped around me. And this weekend was the same. I remembered things about him I thought I had forgotten and they made me chuckle.

Then sometimes grief hits you so hard it takes your breath away. Later that same day, I was at church and the choir sang a hymn that was one of the hymns I sang at my friend's funeral and I felt like I had been punched in the stomach and tears just popped out of my eyes.

Life is a strange and mysterious journey.

Hartford Marathon Recap

I had to scrambled to get all three kids to friend's houses so they could get to their games or practices. They were all up by 6am on a Sat., not too thrilled with me. I get everyone where they need to be and I am off by 6:40, a little later than I should have left.

I arrive in Hartford at about 7:15 and notice that people are leaving the Civic Center with their bags. I am perplexed because I have run one of the races since 2001 and you could always pick up your number at the race start on race day. So I park anywhere I could and jog to the Civic Center and thank goodness I jogged because the line to pick up your race number was about 300 people long at 7:30am when the race is scheduled to start at 8:00am about a half a mile away!!! So basically I freaked but kept it all inside, got my number at about 7:45 and jetted over to the start. I threw on my chip and quickly pinned my number on, at 7:50 I ran to the UPS trucks to check my bag. Of course I had to pee, but no time allowed. I got to the very very back of the crowd and we started about 5-10 past 8am.

It sucked starting in the back, I had to dart and weave past a lot of walkers for the first two miles. I don't consider myself a running snob, I feel like if your fat ass is out there, then I'll be damned if someone should judge you for walking or jogging instead of "running". BUT as truth would have it, I am slightly a running snob. Trying to get past those damn walkers was a bitch.

Finally by about mile three, I was with other people going my pace, about 8:30/mile. I felt great!! The whole entire 13 miles was easy and fun. I think my long runs have been challenging because I haven't brought enough water/fluids with me. I drank on the course at least every mile, I think they had more water stops than miles even and I stopped at every stop.

Right after I finished I turned around and met my girlfriends at about mile 12, they were right behind me. We ran in together and I continued on to get 16 miles in so I could feel good about using this as my long run for the week. We then met up and enjoyed the most excellent race food. Whole foods market supplied the food and they served this cranberry cous cous that was amazing. I don't know what cous cous is and someone called one of the men I was hanging out with "gay" for eating it, but gay or not I love the stuff.

My friends and I headed back to the finish line to cheer on one of our friends that was finishing up the marathon. Unfortunately, my marathoner friend experienced the feared stomach cramps that can sometimes happen during a marathon and had a horrible pain for the last 16 miles. But she is incredible and finished the stupid marathon anyway! After we consoled her at the finish line, some of us ate some more food (me), while some of us drank some beer (everyone else!).

It was a beautiful day to run, 50s with a slight breeze. I have to complain about the marathon coordinators though this year. They did not have enough shirts. They said they will send me one and they better, that $50 race fee aint' for nothin'!! They also ran out of marathon medals with the clock not even being 5 hours and let me tell you those after 5 hours finishers deserve those damn medals! Also, I know we are trying to be environmentally conscious, but they did not provide water bottles at the end of the race, just drinking fountains. And working at a school, I know what can get on those fountains and it aint pretty.

My finishing time was 1:54, an 8:44/mile pace. I was 738th out of 2471 finishers! I was thrilled that I did not get tired the entire race. I guess those long runs are paying off!!

Gearing Up for the Hartford Marathon

The Hartford Marathon is held this Sat. at 8am. I am runnning the half marathon and plan to run a friend in as well. This is her first half marathon. We are also meeting some other friends. One of the friends is running the 5K while another is running the full marathon. The Hartford Marathon has a very fun post race party as well. And lo and behold, I think I might be kidless at this race. I don't know what I'll do with my self!!

A Yankee fan friend of mine (yes I have a few that I let into my life, but they have to pass a test first!!) invited me to a concert Friday night, I think it is a ploy to get me to miss the first game of the Red Sox vs Indians series, but I am not sure. I have to think about it, because I want to get to bed early Friday night so I can kick ass in the half. It is so much better to have to make these kinds of choices!! Life is full of good choices!