As Sally mentioned, the She Runs fall program ended with everyone–especially the girls–running the Monster Dash . It was quite the fun event! And I think everyone had a good time. Me and DAWG were running the Monster 5-K9, which started last. Back of the pack. So we were playing the sweep position, catching anyone that fell back and needed to be brought in to the finish. So we got to play herder…not that we had to! Everyone finished!!!
DAWG had a great time and clearly loves everyone involved. She got a spiffy new collar from stuntpuppy …Lumpy got an awesome new technical fabric long sleeved shirt…
Purrrrr-fect! WOOF! Right?!?!
Well. We had our first 5k, with our 3 girls. I am speechless. (Okay, not entirely.) I am amazed. I am grateful to be part of it. We could not find two of our three until pretty much AT the finish line, but we were all there, and I was so proud. Lumpy and I have had much discussion about the whole thing, and we are just pleased as punch. If we only got to one of the girls (which, according to her mom, we did!!!) that’s plenty. I think we will have two returnees, possibly three for the spring program, that I will do, if no one else can-yup, grad school will be DONE!!!!-and I will actually have time to recruit and write curriculum, etc. All in all, I’m just glad I got to experience the girls. Especially after having taught all my little “roughnecks” in Chicago and the Chicago area. I forgot what it was like to be able to actually smile and enjoy my students/trainees, so this was great. I learned more from them than they will ever learn from me. Just as it should be. What a great high. I hope for an entire career of more.
Thank you girls. I love what we did together.
BANANA!!!! How was your race/event/ thing?!!!!!
Two water bottles, a Snickers candybar, and beautiful scenery…what more can one ask for? The Big Woods run was fabulous despite the “change in route”…Afton is absolutely gorgeous. However, I think Sally & Lumpy are trying to kill me. Sally’s personal hell and the bane of Sally and Lumpy’s existence almost became the end of me. After much huffing and heaving and a bit whole lot of walking, I was able to conquer those treacherous climbs! By-the-way, Lumpy, thanks for hanging back with me! :) What a great run, sign me up for next year!
The Toots traveled up to The Minnesota for a trail half marathon. We all convinced her that she should run and experience it.
Those of us on the Northern end of I-35 ran it last year, and it was much fun! So The Toots, Sally, and Lumpy planned to run the Big Woods Half Marathon. Nice little 13.1 miles of mostly trail in Nerstrand State Park. Whoops….uh…NOPE!
When we arrived we discovered that the race route had been changed due to weather. Yes, yes, the rain caused a lot of potential problems on the trails and the race directors did the right thing and altered the course to protect the trails from the feet of several hundred runners. Well, fine, but they altered it into a frackin’ road race. A ROAD RACE!!!
Um. NO! No! No! and NO! We didn’t want to run a road race and The Sally and I were not wearing road race gear…so we made a change…
And thus begins the Afton Half Marathon !
So we hatched this plot to ditch the Big Woods Run and dash off…driving all over God’s Half Acre to Afton State Park. There, we donned our race numbers and ran something +/- 13.1 miles of greuling trail. And thus begins the Afton Half . More to follow, soon…
Right now the wind is going at 18 mph. I’m pretty sure it was harder than that when I was riding home into it. Either way, it sucked. I forgot to put an inhaler in my pack, so I was just trying to breathe, then I got quite nervous trying to correct for the wind, and not get knocked over when the gusts would suddenly stop, running myself into a car in the process. I was down to 8 mph at one point. I had to go into granny gear. I normally vary between the big crank and middle crank. This ride was a lesson in humiliation, stress, and asthma. Ugh.
for the First Annual Afton Half Marathon:
In first place…Lumpy- time ??:03
In first place…Toots- time ??:03
In first place…Sally-time ??:03
Second place…Banana - time??:04 - simply because we were thinking of ourselves first.
It was an amazing race; much drama, excitement, blood, sweat, tears, a few blisters, and two continuations of black toes. Wow! You really should have been there.
More posts/information/link to the Afton Half to follow.
“A thing long expected takes the form of the unexpected when at last it comes.” -Mark Twain
**** I forgot to add…tattoos. Yep, you really should have been there. (10/27)
Quick post to say GOOD LUCK with the Big Woods race this weekend, I’ll be thinking about you and sending sunny thoughts from Vegas. I’ll be out here climbing and NOT training for the next week or so… Although I do hope to get some “fun runs” in. I’m told the Scenic Road is exactly 13.1 miles long. Very, very tempting. Maybe I’ll challenge myself with a timed half. I have the Gu packed. :-)
Lovely to meet you, Toots! Hope the three of you have a wonderful race! I do wish I could join you…
Wow! Time sure does fly! I see Toots, Sally and Lumpy have the Big Woods Run this weekend! I’ve been slacking on the cheer section. Hope you have a fun time. I really wish I could be there live!
I will be participating in the American Cancer Society: Making Stides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday with a team from work. Looking forward to getting back out there and at least walking since I haven’t been running lately. Should be fun!
…..Some thoughts to prep for the Big Woods Run…..
Insist on yourself. Never imitate. –Ralph Waldo Emerson
It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. –Confucious
We’re still on for the tattoos, I just have to call about the artist/appointment/design/etc. As long as all works out, I am thinking Saturday evening-ish.
