I went out this morning with the intention of running 6 miles. I am proud to say that I stuck with it and ran all 6 miles, although it took more willpower than I would like to admit. I don’t know how I let myself get this out of shape… I can remember the days when 6 miles was an easy, short, mid-week run. It was not that long ago! But even though my legs were hurting, my breath was coming easy and I spent all 66 minutes (ugh, slow!) being grateful to be outside. It was sunny and crisp and I lost a mile or 2 somewhere along the Lake of the Isles. I have an 8k on tap March 16 and will hopefully get through the lottery for Grandma’s half. I’m shooting for the TC marathon this October. There. I said it, it’s out. I can’t change my mind now. Brother #1 is working on taking the time off to come to Minneapolis and run TC too. I think he’s secretly hoping to BQ. I would just like to spend less than 5 hours running. Maybe if I can eliminate a potty break or 4, it’ll happen. 
Author Archive for Coworker #1
So guys - I’m here in NC visiting the family. I know it’s a little wrong, but one of the reasons I was so excited about this trip was that I’d get to run outside in decent weather. It’s been such a long MN winter and every year in Feb I start to despair that it will ever end. Unlike Lumpy and Sally, I prefer to run in shorts and a tank in 60 degree weather with a stiff breeze.
Well, I woke up to freezing rain this morning. Not quite what I expected when I packed nothing but shorts and tees. But the rain stopped and it warmed to 39 degrees. We drove out to the reservoir and I ran a couple of loops while Mother #1 walked the doggies. That’s right, I ran on a trail! But a well travelled, remarkably tree root free trail. It hurt and I’m VERY out of shape but it was WONDERFUL. I plan to go again tomorrow. And probably the next day too.
Guys, it feels so good to be running again. So good. So, so good. C’mon MN spring… Whee!!
It has taken a ridiculously long time for me to produce this post. And I have a feeling it will be anticlimactic now that I’m ready. But when I think about it, that could be a nice change! 
Turns out to be quite simple, really. Completing the marathon made me feel like I can do anything. Not in an overconfident, cocky way… Going into the race, I thought I’d be strong enough, mentally and physically. I was pretty sure I could make the right decision when the tough one came along. But now I know with a degree of certainty I’ve never felt before that I can do anything. I just have to want it badly enough and be willing to work hard enough to get it.
Pretty neat, no?
You’re gonna be awesome! I’m thinking about you and sending good vibes from the frozen north…
Enjoy, can’t wait to hear all about it!
Still not ready to try and put into words what running this thing meant to me, so here are some of my favorite fun moments to tide you over: Continue reading ‘Vegas marathon: Highlights’
Sorry this took so long… With family and travel and my car getting hit in the parking ramp while I was gone, time sort of slipped away from me. Not good, I know.
I’ve thought and thought about what I should write. You all know how crazy I am about words. Specifically about finding the perfect word for any given moment. Bonus points if it’s a P word… And I haven’t been able to find the right words for this yet. The overwhelming sense of discovery, pride and pain, emotion and thought that made up the 5 hours 2 minutes and 24 seconds of that race are something that mean more to me than I can describe. Words are failing me when I want to use them the most.
So I’m going to live with this for a while before I try to tell it. And there are many highlights that I want to share too. But most of all I want to say thank you. For your support, advice, love and listening. You were so much a part of everything. I swear there were moments that I could feel you with me, urging me on. I hope I’m not being overly dramatic about all this…
Maybe I do have the perfect word after all: Profound. Bonus points!
Brother #1 and I are sitting in our hotel room talking weather and running attire… Which is basically what we’ve been doing for the last 3 days. I have been unusually decisive and have my clothes all picked out. Brother #1 is still waffling and I have the video to prove it. The weather forecast looks perfect- I hope they aren’t lying to us! Mum and Sister are here to cheer us on. They will be carrying a large balloon each (a 2 and a 6, or course) so they are easier to spot in a crowd. My sister is especially excited about the balloon thing. We had to stop her from buying the .2. She is hilarious! Continue reading ‘12 hours away’
I’m here.
Set my alarm wrong, randomly woke up at 4:37am with just enough time to catch my flight without panic. Arrived in Vegas and called Brother #1 who was just finishing work. Turns out he’s not on the schedule at all for this weekend, so I ditched the rental car, he picked me up and we get to hang out together the whole time. I think my luck is a-changing, gang! Bring on a 5 hour marathon.
I sat next to a nice couple on the plane who asked me out of the blue if I was heading to Vegas for the marathon. They asked because I look like a runner!!! Sa-WEET! No running today or tomorrow… We’re picking up some sammy’s and heading out to with Seamus (Bro’s puppy) to visit the rock. I left my climbing shoes in Mpls lest the temptation prove too much for me
Having a great time so far! Whee!
So we’re less than one week away now. This weekend has been pretty rotten. But shouldn’t complain, I know it could have been much worse. I ended up missing 2 runs and not running for 3 straight days. Not only did I not run- I sat on my butt, watched bad TV and shoveled food into my face while attempting to prevent Sisko from either eating his cast or launching himself off/on the couch. I am not good at being inactive for long periods of time. By the time Saturday rolled around I thought I was going to jump out of my skin… I was literally shaking, I was so tense. I think that officially makes me a nut-job, but whatever. Luckily, Roomie #1 agreed to watch Pegleg while I went for a 3 miler and again today for my 8 miler. The last long run… Physically, it could have felt better, my knees hurt and I felt sluggish. But it was a gorgeous day and it was one of those times when I was doing exactly what I wanted to be doing. Ya know? Pretty great.
Sir Limpsalot goes in for surgery tomorrow morning. They will pin and/or plate the 3 toes that he broke since 2 of them are weight-bearing. I’m not really sure what’s going to happen after, cause although I spent a cumulative 4 hours at the Vet on Friday, they were so disorganized that I couldn’t get a straight answer about anything. I’m still working on where to board him while I’m in Vegas for the marathon. He’s going to need almost constant supervision since he will not have a cast and cannot be allowed to run or jump. For those of you who have met my dog, I know you are enjoying a good laugh right now. At least I’ve decided not to worry about money. I’m spending so much on the surgery that any boarding costs seem paltry in comparison… Lumpy- might be a little late for this, but I’d like some info on that pet insurance program you mentioned!
Nope, not mine…
The fuzz-face was chasing a bunny last night at about 12:30am and managed to break his foot. Roommate #1 was out with him in the backyard and I returned home about 5 minutes or so after it happened. So we took a very expensive emergency trip to the Vet in the middle of the night where they took X-rays and splinted his leg up to the elbow. Nothing we can do today except keep him quiet and take him to our normal vet on Friday morning. The emergency vet warned me that it’s quite possible that the furry monster will need surgery to pin the bones back in place. He broke 3 metacarpals and they are not aligned properly.
I skipped my run yesterday because I was really tired and sore. I’m skipping my run again today because the little guy goes nutty when I’m out of sight. I’ve been saying all week that I needed to take it easier on this taper. This is not what I imagined… I’m just really glad it wasn’t something more serious. We have doggie vicodin and he seems to be feeling more discomfort than pain. Hopefully they’ll be able to set the bones properly and he’ll be back to his leaping lunatic ways in no time.
Happy T-Day to all of you! I wish you all a wonderful weekend full of running…
