Just Plodding Along

Well once again participating in a Rock and Roll marathon I have signed up for eludes me. I registered for before we knew we would be moving so very far away. At first I was like sweet I can fly back for some sunshine and palm trees in the dead of winter. Brilliant. Look up plane tickets, hotels, transportation, contacting friends.....fun times. And then I added it all up and it was like a million dollars for less than 24 hours in the sunshine. So I thought about it for awhile and was like D 'do you think it is worth it?' D: 'No you could register for the rest of your races locally and then some for that amount of money.' Voice of reason strikes again. If I could stay longer maybe it would be worth it but considering I would be flying in Saturday afternoon and flying out Sunday afternoon....it seems like an annoying amount of time in airports and airplanes without much payoff. So RnR AZ is a no go. I am pretty sure I will run 30 half marathons without one bei...

Today I went to work and told everyone I could find (coworkers, strangers, elderly in the building to vote early, the cafeteria manager) about my sub 2 hour triumph. Their reaction: And I was just like: Um excuse me, do you people not understand how amazingly awesome that is. Why are you not as  impressed with me as I am with myself???? Uh these people just don't get me.  Five More to Go: The end, the end is near. 26)  Egg Shell Shuffle  March 30, 2012 27)   Chi-Town Half Marathon   Beginning of April Marathon Time Out:  Illinois Marathon  April 27th 28)  Wisconsin Half  May 4th 29)  13.1 Marathon Chicago  June 8th 30)  Chicago Women's Half Marathon  June 23rd Then it will be time to prepare for the birthday marathon of my choice  (Half Moon Bay Marathon ) And because my friend sent it to me and I think it is awesome:

The Skeleton Skamper in Mt. Pleasant WI was held on October 27, 2012. Otherwise known as the day I threw down and finally finished  a half marathon in under two hours. While this race will always hold a special place in my heart for the day I finished in under two (may be the only day, man that was hard- a little uncomfortable the whole way) there were some issues I would like to bring up, the main one being the course was at least 13.3 or 13.4. Last time I checked a half marathon is 13.1. But let us start with the 5 a.m. wake-up. Mount Pleasant is right outside Racine, WI and about a 40 minute drive from where I live. This race had race day packet pick-up starting at 6:30 a.m. I rolled out of bed downed some coffee, made a bagel with PB and banana to go, put on a long sleeve, capris (apparently I do not fear my shins being cold), ear cover and gloves, and headed out a little after 6. Plenty of parking outside the community center where the start and finish of the rac...

This happened today Goal Accomplished. Actual finish time around 1:58 to 1:59. I made an executive decision when I saw how long the course was going to run to push the button to record the magic moment when I ran 13.1 miles under 2 hours and did not puke. Not even once. I can't even explain how excited I am. I feel I have been chasing this goal forever and finally, FINALLY did it.

Not sure what my goals should be for I am feeling pretty good since my Wednesday run. Mostly because I haven't worked out since and been sleeping more. The course is supposed to be flat and fast. Weather is supposed to be dry and a cool 45 as the high. Let's do this: A goal: 2:05 or less B goal: 2:10 or less C goal: 2:15 or less I am dressing up as a runner, don't even think I will wear the cat ears, so there should be nothing to keep me from running on the faster side. I still don't feel 100 percent in the leg department so I guess we shall see. Fast or slow it will be fun to see those who do dress up and check out a new area. Good luck to all those racing this weekend. Do you all set goals for races?  Any exciting racing or non racing plans?

This past weekend I ran two, TWO half marathons. You know the equivalent of a marathon with a 14 to 16 hour break in the middle. Serious questions have been raised about the saneness of marathon runners. You know the people who do all that without the break in the middle. But I still totally want to do them. I now feel like death. Raise your hand if you may have signed up for too many races in too short a time period After a 5 mile easy run this morning that was not so easy (legs feel like lead, pouring sweat, achy shins, all signs of being crazy over training) I have a feeling this is not going to be a day at the park. And after that I gotta get it together because this is happening the Saturday after And there is beer and I have heard word of a lasagna dinner after and I refuse to turn down free food and drink. Or miss out on a medal within an hour drive of my house. You know what they say

This little number arrived last Tuesday. I was instantly excited. One, awesome skull running jacket, two, mail delivered number = no crazy packet pick-up in downtown Chicago. Worth the $19 which is what it probably would have cost to drive down and park, plus the three hours of travel/ traffic.  The Monster Dash was the second race of my double header weekend. I did not spring out of bed all bright out and bushy tailed. Instead I stumbled to the kitchen to slam some coffee and a protein pancake without opening my eyes cursing the ridiculousness of so many races in so little time. I then debated through three outfits. What to wear, what to wear. Luckily everything goes with cat ears. I finally settled on shorts and a short sleeve. My biggest fear is being too hot since I excel at sweating. D & I rolled out at 6 a.m. A little too early, my fears of traffic and no parking apparently are ridiculous in the early morning hour.   We parked at Soldier's...

DPR stands for Des Plaines River which we crossed a few times along the course. This is the second trail run I have done but the first that designated itself as an actual trail run with a trail briefing and everything. If you are looking for a challenge there is a 50 miler, a marathon and of course the half distance. They are all in the same area (the Half Day Forest Preserve which is near Vernon Hills, IL), though some courses were longer than others.  The races have staggered starts, with the 50 miler starting at 7, marathon at 8 and 9 a.m. start for the half. I rolled in around 8a.m. to a full parking lot so had to park in the overflow area near the Homestead Suites across the street. This race only has race day packet pick-up. I grabbed my race number and long sleeve tech shirt and decided I was too lazy to walk back to my car to drop it off so just tied it around my waist.  There were a few booths with bagels and bananas and 5 hour energy.  Packe...