Archive for the 'events' Category

10-10-10

Published by Toots on 18 February, 2010, at 23:34, in events, random stuff and training. 3 Comments

The number. The date. It’s official, I am registered to run the Chicago Marathon. Finally!!!

Let the training begin! Ok, maybe not…it’s still too early.

Let the running continue! ;-)

Still running 3 to 4 times a week, really just “maintaining” and keeping it to short, easy, fun runs. I’ve had excellent running weather and my little Punxsk8erdude has been able to join me on my runs more frequently. I enjoy running with him even though he always feels he must race me to the end and of course he always “wins”….

Still hitting the gym twice a week for strength workouts focusing on my upper body and core which up until this past year I had totally neglected. I still have quite a way to go to where I want to be, but I swear it’s making all the difference in the world for my running, in a good way of course! I’ve also recently purchased the Jillian Michaels’ Banish Fat Boost Metabolism DVD. I’ve only done the “routine” twice and even though I survived all 7 circuits, it totally wiped me out both times. I’ve only been able to fit that in to my couch potato time once a week. I’m curious about her the “Shred” workout too, maybe we can trade off DVD’s sometime, Sally?

Brrrrr. Whee! Thaw. Ouch!

Published by Lumpy on 2 January, 2010, at 10:38, in events and training. 1 Comment

Also known as the four phases of the 2010 Polar Dash.

It was a great race on a wonderfully COLD morning. A special shout-out to my own personal pacer: The Sally. She’s awesome.

This was a great way to kick off the 2010 running extravaganza. The last bit of 2009 really sucked for training and running. What with assorted colds, swine flus, pneumothorax, etc… This year is going to be fun!

That’s right, I puked.

Published by Sally on 1 January, 2010, at 19:58, in events. 2 Comments

Yep. Puked at the end. Almost on the nice lady giving me my medal. In front of a boy sitting in the snow. That’s dedication, people. Not really. I just started feeling nauseous at mile 4 and didn’t quite stop until the end.

I was so pleased with my run. I was shooting for a 1:05 time (I was banking on being hung over…which I was only slightly…) and I came in at 1:00:22.

It was freeze your ass cold outside and we all thought we might lose a few toes waiting for the race to start, but we already have a plan for next year. Plastic bags and foot warmers on the feet and emergency blankets, OR find someone with a custom or rigged out van and hang out there until the start of the race.

Onward and upward!

Welcome to Claudia and The Runner Formerly Known as Sag. TRFKAS. Nice.

No, really, there is a mountain there!

Published by Toots on 20 December, 2009, at 21:37, in events and random stuff. 4 Comments

El Cerro de la Silla

Cloudy rainy weather and smog kept the mountains and hills that surround Monterrey hidden from sight for almost 2 whole days. It wasn’t until marathon morning that the sky finally cleared up and El Cerro de la Silla along with all the other mountains became visible making the marathon start quite scenic. It was beautiful…just like I remember from over 25 years ago when I used to spend every summer there with grandma. Unfortunately smog and pollution have since taken over and one can go days without being able to see the beautiful mountains. I caught myself saying one too many times, “there’s a moutain there”, “no really, there is a mountain there”…. Yes, sadly, the pollution is that bad.

Now, the marathon, on the other hand is definitely a must! (Yes, despite the bad air quality!). It is by far the cheapest, best organized, most scenic, best schwag, evaaaah! Let’s see, for under $20 (more like $14 depending on the exchange rate) you get:

1. registered

2. wind jacket

3. pasta dinner (and dance! a DANCE! lol! Ok, since I ended up being the only one running, we decided to skip this)

4. a sweat towel

5. finisher medal (very nice!)

6. finisher long sleeve technical shirt (also very nice!)

7. recovery snack bag ( you know, the usual…water, sports drink, fruit…)

8. recovery meal (beans, rice, and tacos…gotta love it!)

9. since ARCA is a major sponsor, they also provide you with a snack bag full of ARCA snack products

10. a scratch a win ticket (all you have to do is answer a trivia question – I won an LG stereo!!! Thanks, Lumpy for lugging that thing around for me!)

Continue reading ‘No, really, there is a mountain there!’

lulu est decede ce matin a 10 heures les obseque lundi a 13 30 gros disous jojo

Published by Sally on 5 December, 2009, at 00:54, in events. 1 Comment

That was the only thing I have in this email. Just a subject line. So, this post will not be in English.

Elle m’a recue comme une amie, mais on est devenue famille toute de suite. Je la connaissais, et elle me connaissait depuis toujours. Quand j’ai pleuré, elle m’a pris par la main, et elle a pleuré avec moi. Elle m’ apporté des pains juste pour ma plaisir. Elle etait très heureuse que je n’étais pas végétérienne, et que j’avais envie d’essayer tout ce qu’elle a mis sur la table.

Mon anniversaire (et l’anniversaire de mon meilleure amie) sont tout près de l’anniversaire de sa plus jeune fille, Carole. On se ressemblait beaucoup dans toutes les grandes idées de la vie. Continue reading ‘lulu est decede ce matin a 10 heures les obseque lundi a 13 30 gros disous jojo’

Still running.

Published by Toots on 10 November, 2009, at 00:31, in events, gear and training. 0 Comments

I’m still running. I’ve missed a handful of runs but for the most part I’ve been able to keep up with the training. The weather has taken a turn for the better. Not as many time constraints. No injuries. No problems. No issues. Well except for the emotional ones, but the way I see it, running is therapy.

This past weekend’s 18 miler seemed like a breeze. Did I just say that? I’ve never been able to say that. Anyway, it started with the USAA We Salute Our Veteran’s 5K which I believed I PR’d in. I still don’t have my official time but according to my Garmin it was 26:50. That’s pretty fast for me so I was very pleased. I’ve been able to slice off about a minute on this exact same race for the last 3 consecutive years. Also, this was my last race as a 35-39 Female so I think I ended this age bracket era on a good note and am so looking forward to racing in a new age bracket. ;-)

After the 5K, I came home, had a late breakfast, took a short nap, then ventured on to complete the other 15 of my 18 mile weekend long run. I didn’t map a route. I just put on the Garmin and started running one way until the street ended then turned back and zig zagged through my neighborhood, and looped around Woodlawn Park a couple of times. I hardly stopped, except to drink from a couple  of water fountains and the one quick potty stop by the house to don my reflective vest. I ran the whole 15 miles with my Ipod and don’t really remember much except that I was totally lost in the music (I know, not very safe, but it was sooo working for me – children, don’t try this at home). Before I knew it I was done.

Nerstrand anyone?

Published by Toots on 18 October, 2009, at 10:42, in events. 1 Comment

Anyone??? Did anyone run this afterall?

Recovery? What recovery???

Published by Sally on 9 October, 2009, at 23:28, in events, sally's synicism and training. 0 Comments

I ran 3 with my women’s running class on Wednesday, then 3 t0day to exercise wunderhund. I knew I would be working late, so I didn’t want the Lump to have to deal with ecstata-dawg.

I’m feeling good. I’m actually feeling great. I am not running in between these little jaunts because I know I need to be smart and recover, but I do know that Mexico is taunting me. I took Portland really slow, but I ran it really well. (I’m very proud. I ran this as well as my first marathon…haven’t run one that well since then…) There’s a good chance that I will not run with the group in Mexico, then, because of this. I have Monterrey, I have the next Minneapolis marathon, then I’m taking time off from marathons. I’ll only run things that grab me, that seem really fun.  I’ve been putting pressure on myself for way too long.

Well, since I’m running again, I will have more of Sally’s synicism for you. There are still jerks on the path who need to be called out. I am here for YOU, TAS-ers!!! My “synicism” is a service to all who run.

Comin’ back strong. Thanks for all the support, folks. I’ve needed all of it.

Sally’s lists.

Published by Sally on 4 October, 2009, at 22:57, in events. 1 Comment

Lumpy mentioned a list about re-purposing the Mylar blanket, so it inspired me to make a few lists of my own.

List of  bathroom stops:

1. Pre-race
2. Pre-race again.
3. Mile 7
4. Mile 10-ish.
5. Back at the hotel.

Let’s just say I was very well hydrated. I’ve never had this problem before.

List of places that hurt right now:

1. Feet
2. Calves
3. Knees
4. Thighs
5. Shoulders
6. Neck

I wish I had begged Le Wiz to come along. Under-training is not the way to go.

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Okay, well, THAT was painful…

Published by Lumpy on 4 October, 2009, at 21:16, in events and lumpy's wisdom. 2 Comments

That’s the least I can say about running a marathon that I didn’t really train for. No really. What did The Lumpy learn from this experience:

1. Lumpy can run a 1/2 Marathon without really training.
2. Lumpy can not run a Full Marathon without really training.

I started to struggle a bit just before the halfway point. But I had to at least make it to that goal. I did, and it was at that point and I suggest to The Sally that she should go on without me. I didn’t plan to walk off the course, though the thought did cross my mind. But I didn’t want to hold her back when she was having a good run.

I muddled/hobbled/limped/ran/winced my way thought the remaining 13.1 miles. I had no real aspirations going into this race…other than to just finish.

I did. I’ll have more of a recap of my thoughts on this…oh, and watch for the joint Sally/Lumpy “10 Ways to Re-purpose  Your Mylar Blanket.”