Okay, okay. Apologies again. It's been another 2 months since I've written and I'm SO behind. A lot has happened folks! Basically July-August was a rough time for my family with the robbery, my aunt's passing among other things. My husband and I bought our first house on the 22nd of August and began a frantic painting and fixing of things so that it would be more 'homey' and contemporary since that's our style. It's getting there, I'm waiting on my cabinets. I can't wait to get them in and done. That will be fantastic! That painting and fixing and cleaning and everything with the house kept me busy, busy until the second week of September when I was wisked off to Rochester, Minnesota (who knew there was a Rochester Minnesota? I have only heard of the one in NY though that doesn't say much since I had never even heard of Knoxville and now I live here). I was there for a full week for Tobacco Treatment Specialist training at the Mayo Clinic which was pretty awesome! I was in charge of choosing restaurants and I have to agree with my colleagues... I did a good job! haha. :)
Friday after we took our test I flew out to Chicago and again (this is where the story actually starts I guess) was getting ready to run a double - in Wisconsin and Illinois this time. My flight was delayed a couple hours and I didn't get to Chicago until 5 and then I had to rent a car and head out to Wisconsin... far far away. As I was driving the check engine light came on and I called the rental car people... they said keep driving and they couldn't help me. So I'm over an hour away from any major city with any other rental cars in the dark by myself. Fun times. I got to the Richardson's house and we all hung out for a little while eating ice cream and then I stayed up and talked with Kelly for awhile before finally falling asleep around 2AM. I got up early to head to the start of the race since it said it was about an hour away and I hadn't picked up my packet yet I wanted to get there early... and I did. I was 2 hours early and took a nap in the car before the race started... of course I was in the bathroom going potty as the gun was going off so I popped out and was the very last soul across the startinging line.
I started at the very back and was talking with a guy who was injured but just out with a friend from a Chicago suburb. We ran together for the first 5 miles before he said 'good luck' and went on his way. He was very nice and I was sad to see him go especially since there were few people running this trail marathon. Oh, speaking of trail marathons... remember to bring a water bottle. Brilliant me did not and there were probably 6 water stops total... by the time I got to mile 11 I thought I was seeing an oasis when I saw a blue tent appear in the distance, but by golly it turned out to be a water stop - just what I needed! "Praise the Lord!" I cried as I reached the stop and chugged 3-4 small dixie cups of water before asking around for a water bottle. God provided by having a firefighter on the course who just happened to have a 16oz cheap plastic bottle of water that was unopened and I thankfully took that with me for the remainder of the course.
A couple of ladies and I hung out while we passed a few miles and we saw some horses on the trails we were on, which indeed were horse trails, so we took a picture with the horses of course of course! I was trying to figure out where we were on our 26.2 mile journey but I was only guessing since there were 0 mile markers and I had not looked up to see how far apart the water stations were. Super preparation I know! I just sign up for these things and put the start time and location in my phone so I can find it on GPS... Maybe I should start training and mentally prepare for the course or something like the old days?? Yeah, yeah I know, especially if I'm doing them back to back that might be useful.
I started using my running buddy app or whatever it's called that tracks your distance and time so I could have a better idea of how far I had to go between stops so I could ration my water from my small small 16oz bottle. I've always thought those bottles were tiny, but when you have 5 or more miles to run in powdery dirt that some how finds it's way to your throat... it seems like it's made for one of the Little family or is just a sip.
I hit mile 17 when my countdown begins and started to feel better... still dehydrated of course due to my earlier brilliance that I mentioned, but I knew I was going to get there and finish. I talked to a guy who had picked up a feather for his daughter and was carrying it to the finish. I had yet to see one and when I did at mile 22 or so, I was excited. I saw some of the relay runners... and wish I had friends who wanted to do a relay... haha. No, I really just wish I always could find someone to run with since it's way more fun to run with others. It's nice when Nathan can come too, I wish it wasn't so expensive!
I cheered people along to the finish as I rolled to the line. I grabbed a bunch of food... my eyes are always bigger than my stomach when I run. I just can't eat a huge amount right when I'm finished. Got my shirt and my arm warmers (thanks North Face Endurance Challenge in Eagle, Wisconsin) which I was excited to find that they were black since I already have a pair of white ones I got off my wedding registry (yes, of course I registered online at my favoritest store ever - REI).
I headed out to St. Charles to pick up my packet... but I was just over 2 hours away and I drive slow... and had to be there in 2 hours so luckily the other Jill was able to pick up my stuff since they didn't have packet pick up the morning of the run. I headed straight down to their house in Wheaton and bought gas along the way. I learned that my gas tank was on the right side (passenger side) after I had already parked at the pump. Thankfully I looked busted and a nice man on a motorcycle who was in line next to me waved off some people who were trying to take my spot since I had to pull out and then turn around (there were long lines for some reason at this particular station... maybe because gas was way cheaper in Wisconsin than Illinois). I have decided that Asian vehicles have the gas tank on the driver's side (my other cars - Jon Sampson and Lazarus were Acuras and they did, Gallileo who is a Toyota does, Hondas do... etc.) and the American cars like Chevys, Fords (like Nathan's Mustang Cobra), etc have them on the passenger side. I learned that the hard way. Oh and my rental car was a Chevrolet Impala which I would never normally drive. I like small cars - Asian cars.
I wasn't as worried about jumping pictuers since I already have them in Wisconsin and Illinois but I did take a bunch of good pictures while running. When I got there I took a shower and had dinner with the family. It was really nice to see everyone again! I'm glad it was on a weekend so Patrick was there too. We played 'Sorry' after dinner before bedtime and I was off again... Got a good parking spot since I was early and went to the bathroom before the run started... (hold that thought in the back of your mind for more on that later - pleasant yes?? You're welcome).
I wasn't feeling too hot since I was already dehydrated from the day before so I decided to power walk. I saw a lady who was walking faster than some of the people were running/jogging and decided that I would do that. She was from Chicago. We walked and talked for awhile until I got a phone call... of course I was only walking a marathon so I took it and we chatted/caught up for about 2.5 miles and when I hit mile 13.1... I kept walking... haha. Did you think I was going to run? Please. I decided I would walk until I hit mile 16 and had 10 to go... but they had already picked up some of the mile markers so I ended up starting to speed up at mile 17 and was able to sub my first walking half (which was a 3:05) and finish in 5:57. Not fast, but not bad for a double, not training and being dehydrated I thought. And the most important thing - I finished another state. Wisconsin was state 32 and Illinois was state 33. Getting closer.
I was kind of messed up at the end and hobbling around so a lady took me to the medical tent and they tried to work on my legs a bit. Still sore. Good job lack of fluids. Another nice lady kindly offered to drive me to my rental car so I could make it to the airport on time since it was about an hour away depending on traffic. I thanked her as I hobbled out and changed into cleaner clothes and went to the airport - bought more gas along the way to fill the tank and dropped off the car.
Now back to that thought I told you to hold on to before the race started. Remember? No? Well I went potty before the run. Okay, that's great you say. Well yeah, that wasa before 7AM Central. It's now after 3PM and I still haven't gone to the bathroom. By now I've got to go so I waddled over to the rental car spot and went potty there. That's the longest I've been awake and haven't peed! I mean I can sleep like a rock and not go potty for hours but I literally drank 2-3 cups of water or Gatorade at each water stop during the Fox Valley Marathon which thankfully had stops at least every 2 miles if not a few more and STILL didn't go potty for over 8 hours! And that's after I drank 2 bottles of water when I finished and was driving to the airport. Man, talk about dehydration. No fun.
I silently apologized to all around me on the plane for not having time to take a shower but I got back to Knoxville safely! Thanks Jesus!
- run for life.
Everything we do starts with just one step. Live Simply. Live Fully. Live for Him, Live like Jesus. Run for Life.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
it's been awhile
I keep forgetting to write. Sorry to my 3 readers I may have picked up along the way. The journey has been getting a little bumpy and dense into the trees.
I guess it's been since my last marathon that I've written. That was Michigan. Boy state 31. That was a tough one. It was hot and humid... all up until I finished and it started pouring buckets on us on the way back to the car. I was taking it easy for the first half of the race and then started picking up the pace and talking with other people along the way. I was super impressed by a guy who was larger than average, running a minute on, a minute off and doing it with a purpose. He had already completed 5 states and was on his 6th. He was determined and doing it. I was tempted to ask him if weight loss was part of his goal to do all the states, but I refrained from working or seeking out lifestyle change motives in others while they were running.
I did enjoy myself despite the heat/humidity and subsequent rainfall that was freezing cold!
So here we are... fast forward to August. I started my 30 minutes of running/day on June 30. I made it 8 days of at least 3 miles/day, then it got hot. When I say hot, it was HOT. And humid to boot. Great combo for some wimpy California kid right? Yeah, no. So I started running/high stepping my 30 minutes indoors and was doing time on/off (minute on/minute off) to increase the intensity without the heat. I got 30 active minutes/day for 30+ days in a row... to earn the 'Trail Blazer' badge on Health Miles. Wow. I'm a nerd. I am trying to get all the badges I can and my next goal is the 'High Stepper' badge which will be quite a bit harder due to time constraints... of life.
I feel like it's easier than before to go for a quick run, but the heat is killer. I still slather on my sun screen and everything, but those first few weeks of at least 30 weren't too bad. I do need to increase the pace and get outside more... I can't wait until we move! I am praying everything goes through for closing so we can move to the new house that has a nice long sidewalk down the main street and a grassy field next to the church in front of our neighborhood. Then I can run outside and see something different each mile... instead of the same thing every 0.4 of a mile. The square has gotten real old... and boring to boot. Well, that's not true. It was ALWAYS boring.
Here I truck along. God willing. God will help me. I need to use the gifts He has given me and spread His joy and love to others and hopefully inspire and motivate others to lead a healthier lifestyle themselves... one step at a time.
I guess it's been since my last marathon that I've written. That was Michigan. Boy state 31. That was a tough one. It was hot and humid... all up until I finished and it started pouring buckets on us on the way back to the car. I was taking it easy for the first half of the race and then started picking up the pace and talking with other people along the way. I was super impressed by a guy who was larger than average, running a minute on, a minute off and doing it with a purpose. He had already completed 5 states and was on his 6th. He was determined and doing it. I was tempted to ask him if weight loss was part of his goal to do all the states, but I refrained from working or seeking out lifestyle change motives in others while they were running.
I did enjoy myself despite the heat/humidity and subsequent rainfall that was freezing cold!
So here we are... fast forward to August. I started my 30 minutes of running/day on June 30. I made it 8 days of at least 3 miles/day, then it got hot. When I say hot, it was HOT. And humid to boot. Great combo for some wimpy California kid right? Yeah, no. So I started running/high stepping my 30 minutes indoors and was doing time on/off (minute on/minute off) to increase the intensity without the heat. I got 30 active minutes/day for 30+ days in a row... to earn the 'Trail Blazer' badge on Health Miles. Wow. I'm a nerd. I am trying to get all the badges I can and my next goal is the 'High Stepper' badge which will be quite a bit harder due to time constraints... of life.
I feel like it's easier than before to go for a quick run, but the heat is killer. I still slather on my sun screen and everything, but those first few weeks of at least 30 weren't too bad. I do need to increase the pace and get outside more... I can't wait until we move! I am praying everything goes through for closing so we can move to the new house that has a nice long sidewalk down the main street and a grassy field next to the church in front of our neighborhood. Then I can run outside and see something different each mile... instead of the same thing every 0.4 of a mile. The square has gotten real old... and boring to boot. Well, that's not true. It was ALWAYS boring.
Here I truck along. God willing. God will help me. I need to use the gifts He has given me and spread His joy and love to others and hopefully inspire and motivate others to lead a healthier lifestyle themselves... one step at a time.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
after state 31
Well, Michigan was an interesting run. Tons of people thought the course was a lot tougher than they expected. I hung out with the 5:30 pace group for awhile and met a woman who was 47 years old and her goal was to run a marathon before she turned 50! It was her first one so I hung out with her for the first 13 miles and learned about her and her family - they were all from Michigan, she currently lived there and was a Spartan in college (we were in Ann Arbor so that was where the Wolverines were). Her husband and kids were going to the Tigers game later that day while she was running. It was great to get to meet someone new and hopefully encourage them along. She was very nice and highly educated as well as a fellow believer. It was a pleasant 13 miles... I always wish I could see every one through to the finish and be there to cheer them on!
The course was a lot of out and backs and Michigan has a lot more trees than I thought... though of course my only previous Michigan experience had been the streets and factories of Detroit... haha. That was back when I was going to all the baseball stadiums... before I was doing marathons in every state. So I suppose it was not the fullest Michigan experience. With all the out and backs, I think I ended up cheering for every single person who ran the inaugural Ann Arbor marathon... haha.
I sped up a little at the halfway point and started catching people and hopefully encouraged them also. I came across another girl who was not happy about the hills in Ann Arbor around mile 15 or 16 (there were a ton of turn arounds) and was not shy about voicing how much she disliked marathons and that she would not do another one. I ran along side her for awhile and tried to also encourage her. We were on and off jogging/walking for a few miles together before she fell behind only to catch back up at mile 19-20. At mile 20 I started running a little faster. I had done the first 13.1 in 2:56:49 and finished the last 10k in 73 minutes. Running around the mall was definitely not the most fun thing I have done in the world and I was still getting tired. The humidity at least was getting better by the time I hit the mall since it was spitting a little and eventually sprinkled during the last 2 miles I was running.
We ran past the University of Michigan's football field and down ... and back on Main street and ended on a field on campus I believe. Wow, there were TONS of out and backs. I prefer straight runs or a big circle (not the 2 loops or what not) so that I can't always see everyone who's in front of me... hehe. (Though it was pretty fun cheering for people!).
Overall I finished pretty strong though the humidity had overheated me a bit in the beginning, the cooler rain... and the thought that if lightening started they may cancel the run sped me up quite a bit! I was the last to cross the starting line and I finished in just under 5:40 at 5:39:58. I sometimes wonder what my times would be like if I trained... or cared in the beginning and paced instead of hung out with people and talked... but that's not nearly as fun as getting to know people! :)
Now I'm back in Knoxville, TN... life is moving quickly and we just got a dog on Sunday (we named him Blitz) so I need to get back home and walk him. Tonight I'll run a lap or two with him to tire him out before bed.
Time to get training. I know I've said that before, but this is it. I only have 11 months and 8 days before I turn 30 and I want to qualify for Boston before that! God, please help me and give me the drive and determination to get back in shape and glorify You through my running. Thank you for keeping me safe through the past 33 long distance runs in 31 states + DC.
-run for life
The course was a lot of out and backs and Michigan has a lot more trees than I thought... though of course my only previous Michigan experience had been the streets and factories of Detroit... haha. That was back when I was going to all the baseball stadiums... before I was doing marathons in every state. So I suppose it was not the fullest Michigan experience. With all the out and backs, I think I ended up cheering for every single person who ran the inaugural Ann Arbor marathon... haha.
I sped up a little at the halfway point and started catching people and hopefully encouraged them also. I came across another girl who was not happy about the hills in Ann Arbor around mile 15 or 16 (there were a ton of turn arounds) and was not shy about voicing how much she disliked marathons and that she would not do another one. I ran along side her for awhile and tried to also encourage her. We were on and off jogging/walking for a few miles together before she fell behind only to catch back up at mile 19-20. At mile 20 I started running a little faster. I had done the first 13.1 in 2:56:49 and finished the last 10k in 73 minutes. Running around the mall was definitely not the most fun thing I have done in the world and I was still getting tired. The humidity at least was getting better by the time I hit the mall since it was spitting a little and eventually sprinkled during the last 2 miles I was running.
We ran past the University of Michigan's football field and down ... and back on Main street and ended on a field on campus I believe. Wow, there were TONS of out and backs. I prefer straight runs or a big circle (not the 2 loops or what not) so that I can't always see everyone who's in front of me... hehe. (Though it was pretty fun cheering for people!).
Overall I finished pretty strong though the humidity had overheated me a bit in the beginning, the cooler rain... and the thought that if lightening started they may cancel the run sped me up quite a bit! I was the last to cross the starting line and I finished in just under 5:40 at 5:39:58. I sometimes wonder what my times would be like if I trained... or cared in the beginning and paced instead of hung out with people and talked... but that's not nearly as fun as getting to know people! :)
Now I'm back in Knoxville, TN... life is moving quickly and we just got a dog on Sunday (we named him Blitz) so I need to get back home and walk him. Tonight I'll run a lap or two with him to tire him out before bed.
Time to get training. I know I've said that before, but this is it. I only have 11 months and 8 days before I turn 30 and I want to qualify for Boston before that! God, please help me and give me the drive and determination to get back in shape and glorify You through my running. Thank you for keeping me safe through the past 33 long distance runs in 31 states + DC.
-run for life
Saturday, June 16, 2012
here we go again
Here we go again. This time I'm in Michigan for my 31st state and have been searching online for other back to back marathons I could do in states I haven't done and are not signed up for. I want to also visit friends while I'm traveling so hopefully I can do that as well. I don't see a point in doing it all unless I have fun too!
So here's to accountability. I'm going to start to run at least a mile a day 5+ days per week starting on Tuesday after I get back from Michigan. Hopefully it will be more than that, but that's the minimum. I need more steps for my health miles pedometer program anyway, so that will be good for me.
I am hoping to have less than 10 states left by the time I'm 30... Maybe less! We will see. I want to do as many as I can before we have kids and also start doing more quality runs instead of quantity. I will be able to do more local runs and meet more local runners soon which I'm excited about. I like meeting runners from all over too, but I do appreciate a good running buddy near by and someone to drive to races with... And hopefully I can actually race soon!
Praying tomorrow's weather will be dandy for the marathon and for my flight home. Praying for a safe, on-time flight back to see my loving and supportive husband who has been holding down the fort back at home without me!
When looking at marathons for the rest of the year... I think I want to do Kansas, Rhode Island and Connecticut this year and have 13 left and plan out next year's schedule at the end of the year. I have to do at least one of them since the new wellness initiative came out after June 1 at work.
Here's to a good run! Thanks God for giving me mobility and the ability to do this. You have blessed me more than I can say. Love you!
-run for life
So here's to accountability. I'm going to start to run at least a mile a day 5+ days per week starting on Tuesday after I get back from Michigan. Hopefully it will be more than that, but that's the minimum. I need more steps for my health miles pedometer program anyway, so that will be good for me.
I am hoping to have less than 10 states left by the time I'm 30... Maybe less! We will see. I want to do as many as I can before we have kids and also start doing more quality runs instead of quantity. I will be able to do more local runs and meet more local runners soon which I'm excited about. I like meeting runners from all over too, but I do appreciate a good running buddy near by and someone to drive to races with... And hopefully I can actually race soon!
Praying tomorrow's weather will be dandy for the marathon and for my flight home. Praying for a safe, on-time flight back to see my loving and supportive husband who has been holding down the fort back at home without me!
When looking at marathons for the rest of the year... I think I want to do Kansas, Rhode Island and Connecticut this year and have 13 left and plan out next year's schedule at the end of the year. I have to do at least one of them since the new wellness initiative came out after June 1 at work.
Here's to a good run! Thanks God for giving me mobility and the ability to do this. You have blessed me more than I can say. Love you!
-run for life
Sunday, June 10, 2012
day two
Well we made it. My rommates and I all finished. Of course I was rooming with ladies who had finished the 50 states 1x, 2x and were titanium manics long before everyone else started joining. I don't feel like I did two, but more like I did one. I walked again the first 13.1 with some of my roommates and then they told me to run on ahead. I obliged and trotted off up and down the small hills, but today the elevation was getting to me. We had started early. The first male runner passed me at mile 15.2 and looked super strong. He wasn't even breathing heavily, he made it look easy.
I kept on trucking along, finding half marathoners to encourage along and cheered on the marathoners who didn't do an early start. Toward the last 6 or so miles it was hot again, the sun blazing down on my already burnt skin from the day before. I'm toasty and can feel the burn right now. I'm definitely going to peel. :( I don't remember the last time I was sunburnt, but I feel like it was probably also from a marathon where I sweat my sunscreen off...
At the end I took a few more pictures and got some food before walking back down a mile or so to cheer everyone along who was still running. I saw my roomates I had started with early and jog/walked along side them to the finish and cheered them along. I hurried to get back to the hotel to get the car keys so I could pick them up and on my way back they were half way there already so I picked them up and we all took showers... well tried since it was quite disgusting and there was no more warm/hot water half way through my shower so the other two had no hot water. Sad times.
Before we left Garden City we stopped at the last gas station and all got raspberry milkshakes. Wow they were good, but SWEET! I had to eat mine super slow since I don't normally have stuff that sweet. (I like things like ice cream and make it myself... but wow, I don't put that much sugar in... just enough to taste, not to overpower.) I did however suck it up and finish it all. :) Haha. So much for lactose intolerance. It was quite a flatulent night... hehe!
All in all, Subway is by far the best, most consistent on the road, quick food to get (well, healthier option). We stayed at a hotel 5 minutes from the airport... this hotel was cheaper than the other one that was grosser at Bear Lake, fancy that? More food from Denny's and sleep were required before sleep and getting onto the airport shuttle.
Overall lessons learned: I need to run more regularly, or at least do cross training rather than sitting on my butt on planes and being lazy. I should train myself to get up early to run before work again. Staying up late isn't good for me anyway. Well, I've run 2 days this week so that's good. I put it into my calendar to run and get steps so I should be able to do it and check it off each day. We'll see how this works. Like I mentioned before this started... this is my kick in the pants get back in shape weekend. It definitely kicked me in the pants and reminded me I need to get back in shape. Here's to qualifying for Boston before I'm 30, wish me luck! They just changed the time cut offs too, now it's harder. I have to run sub 3:35 (before it was sub 3:40). 20 more states to go. Next weekend I won't be in shape yet when I do Michigan, but perhaps in the fall when I do Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and maybe Conneticut and Rhode Island. I doubt I'll be BQ by then, but hopefully have at least built up a good base to work on speed.
Here we go! -run for life
I kept on trucking along, finding half marathoners to encourage along and cheered on the marathoners who didn't do an early start. Toward the last 6 or so miles it was hot again, the sun blazing down on my already burnt skin from the day before. I'm toasty and can feel the burn right now. I'm definitely going to peel. :( I don't remember the last time I was sunburnt, but I feel like it was probably also from a marathon where I sweat my sunscreen off...
At the end I took a few more pictures and got some food before walking back down a mile or so to cheer everyone along who was still running. I saw my roomates I had started with early and jog/walked along side them to the finish and cheered them along. I hurried to get back to the hotel to get the car keys so I could pick them up and on my way back they were half way there already so I picked them up and we all took showers... well tried since it was quite disgusting and there was no more warm/hot water half way through my shower so the other two had no hot water. Sad times.
Before we left Garden City we stopped at the last gas station and all got raspberry milkshakes. Wow they were good, but SWEET! I had to eat mine super slow since I don't normally have stuff that sweet. (I like things like ice cream and make it myself... but wow, I don't put that much sugar in... just enough to taste, not to overpower.) I did however suck it up and finish it all. :) Haha. So much for lactose intolerance. It was quite a flatulent night... hehe!
All in all, Subway is by far the best, most consistent on the road, quick food to get (well, healthier option). We stayed at a hotel 5 minutes from the airport... this hotel was cheaper than the other one that was grosser at Bear Lake, fancy that? More food from Denny's and sleep were required before sleep and getting onto the airport shuttle.
Overall lessons learned: I need to run more regularly, or at least do cross training rather than sitting on my butt on planes and being lazy. I should train myself to get up early to run before work again. Staying up late isn't good for me anyway. Well, I've run 2 days this week so that's good. I put it into my calendar to run and get steps so I should be able to do it and check it off each day. We'll see how this works. Like I mentioned before this started... this is my kick in the pants get back in shape weekend. It definitely kicked me in the pants and reminded me I need to get back in shape. Here's to qualifying for Boston before I'm 30, wish me luck! They just changed the time cut offs too, now it's harder. I have to run sub 3:35 (before it was sub 3:40). 20 more states to go. Next weekend I won't be in shape yet when I do Michigan, but perhaps in the fall when I do Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and maybe Conneticut and Rhode Island. I doubt I'll be BQ by then, but hopefully have at least built up a good base to work on speed.
Here we go! -run for life
Friday, June 08, 2012
day one
I survived day one. I ended up walking the first 13.1 with one of my roommates since her knee hurt and hit the half way point at 3:31 minutes. It was beautiful! I loved Bear Lake always peeking through the trees. I took a ton of pictures and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
I did pick it up the second half, but I didn’t want to push it too hard since I am running tomorrow too. I was able to talk to everyone I was passing and hang out for a bit with almost everyone. It was quite lovely!
I met some great people, and some race walkers also. One of them walked back a bit with me and cheered people on as they were still coming in. We got on the bus and headed back to the hotel… the sad excuse for a hotel. (Bear Lake Motor Lodge… has got to be the worst hotel in Garden City, Utah with the worst management. I would post the pictures I took of the room’s cracking paint, disgusting tub and go into more detail, but that would take away from the running experience which is what I’m here to write about. Let’s just say it was definitely NOT worth the $100/night we paid, no wonder they make you pay up front and sign papers.)
I took a shower first so the water wasn’t too bad, but for some of the other ladies the water ran cold. We had dinner (I ate veggie pizza, my usual post run tradition) and hung out for a bit before picking up our packets and heading to bed.
I did pick it up the second half, but I didn’t want to push it too hard since I am running tomorrow too. I was able to talk to everyone I was passing and hang out for a bit with almost everyone. It was quite lovely!
I met some great people, and some race walkers also. One of them walked back a bit with me and cheered people on as they were still coming in. We got on the bus and headed back to the hotel… the sad excuse for a hotel. (Bear Lake Motor Lodge… has got to be the worst hotel in Garden City, Utah with the worst management. I would post the pictures I took of the room’s cracking paint, disgusting tub and go into more detail, but that would take away from the running experience which is what I’m here to write about. Let’s just say it was definitely NOT worth the $100/night we paid, no wonder they make you pay up front and sign papers.)
I took a shower first so the water wasn’t too bad, but for some of the other ladies the water ran cold. We had dinner (I ate veggie pizza, my usual post run tradition) and hung out for a bit before picking up our packets and heading to bed.
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
what did I sign up for?
I just spoke with some of the ladies I will be hanging out with, rooming with and running with this weekend... and thought to myself... "what did I sign up for?" I am almost desperately attempting to get my bottom in shape here by running back-to-back marathons... but then I thought... what the heck? Who runs marathons without training... much less runs TWO in a row? Yeah, I must be crazy.
These will be staets 29 and 30 so I will be closer to my goal and this summer's goal is to get back in shape and run a BQ time. I'm sure there are thousands of people who used to run in high school or college or both and have gotten out of shape over time... perhaps I can help inspire them to get back to training or if not necessarily training, but remain healthy - for life. I hope so! This weekend is dedicated to all of those who used to run or race "back in the day" when we were younger and everything was much easier and we had time in our busy schedules to practice after school or between classes in college, etc. I'm running these for you. If I can do this... you can too. I don't expect to ever run as fast as I did in high school or college, but simply qualifying to run in the Boston Marathon to have that as my Massachusetts marathon is part of my 50 states goal. They changed the time cut off this past year so it's a little harder, but even if I run half as fast as I did in school or what I did on long leisure runs... I'd qualify. Now it's just getting that motivation and drive to get up and run early before it gets humid and sticky out here in the south! We can do it!
run for life... one step at a time.
These will be staets 29 and 30 so I will be closer to my goal and this summer's goal is to get back in shape and run a BQ time. I'm sure there are thousands of people who used to run in high school or college or both and have gotten out of shape over time... perhaps I can help inspire them to get back to training or if not necessarily training, but remain healthy - for life. I hope so! This weekend is dedicated to all of those who used to run or race "back in the day" when we were younger and everything was much easier and we had time in our busy schedules to practice after school or between classes in college, etc. I'm running these for you. If I can do this... you can too. I don't expect to ever run as fast as I did in high school or college, but simply qualifying to run in the Boston Marathon to have that as my Massachusetts marathon is part of my 50 states goal. They changed the time cut off this past year so it's a little harder, but even if I run half as fast as I did in school or what I did on long leisure runs... I'd qualify. Now it's just getting that motivation and drive to get up and run early before it gets humid and sticky out here in the south! We can do it!
run for life... one step at a time.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
getting out of Fargo
What a huge chore. Those storms in the mid-west are killer for travel. After my flight was cancelled Sunday night from Fargo to Chicago (ORD) my next flight was booked to leave at 2:04PM Monday... it was delayed also. Then once I finally got to Chicago the flight to Charlotte was delayed over an hour.. I believe 1 hour and 12 minutes but my connection was only 1 hour and 15 minutes till take off so I stood in line in hopes of finding someone who could help me get back to Knoxville.
The man at the counter was very nice and informed me that all the Knoxville direct flights from Chicago were booked through Wednesday. Charlotte was my best option/greatest hope. So I prayed that I would make my connection and get home, no matter what time it was.
I finally got on the plane to Charlotte and arrived there when my flight to Knoxville originally was scheduled to leave. It was delayed but I ran across the airport anyway and asked at the counter for another woman going to Columbia, SC if they could wait... their response "when the door closes it's closed" with attitude. :( I felt really bad for her because it was the last flight out... I tried, sigh.
I went back to the gate where the Knoxville flight was delayed until 11:30PM... hung out with the people who were sitting by me. Turns out they were doing some Dream Imagination (DI) thing in Knoxville and that was probably why all the Knoxville flights were booked from Chicago. It sounded really neat! I think I would love to get involved in something like that... perhaps I'll look into it for next year.
We didn't take off until about 12:50AM... so much for leaving a little after 11... or 12... there were maintenance issues and all kinds of delays for me this weekend. Wow. What a long night. I landed in Knoxville around 1:35AM or so and got home after 2AM and that's with Nathan waiting for me in the front of the airport so we could leave as soon as possible.
I got home safely and got another state done. Thanks Jesus! You are good.
-run for life
The man at the counter was very nice and informed me that all the Knoxville direct flights from Chicago were booked through Wednesday. Charlotte was my best option/greatest hope. So I prayed that I would make my connection and get home, no matter what time it was.
I finally got on the plane to Charlotte and arrived there when my flight to Knoxville originally was scheduled to leave. It was delayed but I ran across the airport anyway and asked at the counter for another woman going to Columbia, SC if they could wait... their response "when the door closes it's closed" with attitude. :( I felt really bad for her because it was the last flight out... I tried, sigh.
I went back to the gate where the Knoxville flight was delayed until 11:30PM... hung out with the people who were sitting by me. Turns out they were doing some Dream Imagination (DI) thing in Knoxville and that was probably why all the Knoxville flights were booked from Chicago. It sounded really neat! I think I would love to get involved in something like that... perhaps I'll look into it for next year.
We didn't take off until about 12:50AM... so much for leaving a little after 11... or 12... there were maintenance issues and all kinds of delays for me this weekend. Wow. What a long night. I landed in Knoxville around 1:35AM or so and got home after 2AM and that's with Nathan waiting for me in the front of the airport so we could leave as soon as possible.
I got home safely and got another state done. Thanks Jesus! You are good.
-run for life
belated post now posted. written 11/20/11
11/20-Tulsa, Oklahoma - Route 66 Marathon
I think I was out of it today while I was running. My mind was else where and I kept having to use the potty... Port-a-potties and for some reason I just cleaned the toilet seat a little and was more concerned with that than locking the door. I had the door opened twice on me today... Haha. No one saw anything so it was all good, but still. The first time I was like, oh my bad. Second time I was like, really?? What's wrong with me? Guess its like life, just get distracted by the pee on the seat and you are trying to wipe it off that you forget to lock the door. Another thing about port-a-potties while I'm already on the topic. I think it's hilarious that they have those small busted mirrors on the inside of the doors on some of them. For one the mirror is so cracked and blurry you couldn't fix your hair or see of something was in your teeth if you tried... But also the port-a-potty population is probably not as likely to give a care about how fabulous they look when coming out of a port-a-potty right? Mostly it'd be construction workers, marathoners, people going to fairs and what not. I am not a port-a-potty expert but I do know when I run marathons I'm more concerned with getting I the finish than how I look while I'm on my way there.
This blog is going to be about the journey to the greatest destination. Life as a Christian runner. Here is my story. Thanks for coming and reading. I'll be trying to include stories of the past marathons I've run and my journey and trials of trying to get back into racing/running shape. I hope you find some comradery and hope as we re-start this journey once again...
-run for life
I think I was out of it today while I was running. My mind was else where and I kept having to use the potty... Port-a-potties and for some reason I just cleaned the toilet seat a little and was more concerned with that than locking the door. I had the door opened twice on me today... Haha. No one saw anything so it was all good, but still. The first time I was like, oh my bad. Second time I was like, really?? What's wrong with me? Guess its like life, just get distracted by the pee on the seat and you are trying to wipe it off that you forget to lock the door. Another thing about port-a-potties while I'm already on the topic. I think it's hilarious that they have those small busted mirrors on the inside of the doors on some of them. For one the mirror is so cracked and blurry you couldn't fix your hair or see of something was in your teeth if you tried... But also the port-a-potty population is probably not as likely to give a care about how fabulous they look when coming out of a port-a-potty right? Mostly it'd be construction workers, marathoners, people going to fairs and what not. I am not a port-a-potty expert but I do know when I run marathons I'm more concerned with getting I the finish than how I look while I'm on my way there.
This blog is going to be about the journey to the greatest destination. Life as a Christian runner. Here is my story. Thanks for coming and reading. I'll be trying to include stories of the past marathons I've run and my journey and trials of trying to get back into racing/running shape. I hope you find some comradery and hope as we re-start this journey once again...
-run for life
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Fargo, North Dakota
North Dakota is a tough place to get to if you’re trying to save money. However, Jesus totally helped me out with the goodness of people’s hearts. I don’t understand how people can say how horrible people are when the majority is very nice and hospitable and a few that plague our news and television shows with rampant sin and destruction, setting bad examples for future generations to come.
I flew up to Rhode Island for work again and was diverted to Boston … so instead of arriving at my hotel around 10:30PM, I didn’t arrive until 2:15AM. :( Let’s just say it made for a long night and a huge lack of sleep on my side. I spoke with 18 patients/clients and quickly went through their paperwork during the day and skipped lunch so I wouldn’t have to do paperwork later (it was easier since I had spoken with 17/18 people previously so they were mostly follow ups, it would have been very difficult if I had initials and follow ups mixed in together.) Immediately after I finished working I was whisked off to the airport and flew down to Charlotte and then up to Minneapolis where I would CS for the night near the airport and get dropped off at 7:30AM to await the arrival of the couple who was also heading from Minneapolis to Fargo for the marathon. Thanks to the 50 States Marathon Club’s connections, this was made a possibility.
I was trying to study … but it turned into a brief study session and a nap time in the comfy chairs by baggage claim in the smaller terminal 2 of the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport… whoops! They arrived and we headed out toward Fargo, but not without stopping by Noodles & Co. to have some lunch. We got to the expo where they had run out of pins for our bibs… But luckily we spotted quite a few on the ground and were able to find enough for each of us to have 4. Ghetto? Yeah, apparently the 5k people and earlier people had grabbed handfuls of pins instead of just taking 4 or possibly 5 in case one was busted.
They went to the pasta dinner there at the expo and my CS host from Fargo picked me up from the expo and her roommate was cooking curry and it was delicious! And yet she said it was super simple to make… I will have to start making curry at home… :) They had another CS hostee to was also running the marathon. I was pleased that he was also laid back and not super intense about getting there early to the start or worried about a certain time and he just came to run.
Our host dropped us off a few blocks from the start and we went to the very back of the pack to start the run. We ran together for about the first 10k and then he needed to use the restroom… so I went on ahead… then I had to use the restroom so he went on ahead and I never caught up due to lack of training and my bum ankle. I was just there to finish… and as my motto goes ‘live to run another day’. I think I ended up cheering for at least half of the marathon participants since it was an out and back course so I saw people from the 3 hour mark to the 5+ hour mark. (Well, I finished at 5:14 or so, so of course I could cheer for those around me.) I didn’t end up talking to as many people/running with as many people as I usually do since my pace wasn’t the same with my ankle. I am not too sore, but I did get a few blisters from trying to compensate and avoid hurting my ankle too much. :( No chafers though! Hoorah! Perfect weather! I am glad me and Jesus are BFF and He can control the weather and even the wind listens to Him! (It was about 94 degrees Friday evening around 7PM and then it rained all night to cool off the temperature before the marathon… and it spit a little at us Saturday morning but it never rained during the marathon so that was awesome! Thanks JESUS! You’re the best!!)
I hope that I helped motivate some people as they were running/walking/jogging along and I cheered for them. One woman found me after the race and said that I helped her a lot when I encouraged her and told her to keep her head up and keep going. :) It always makes me happy when people find my encouragement helpful! They had awesome soup post race (chicken and wild rice) and some icky pizza, but it tasted much better after running a marathon than it would have without. The cookie dough was a nice surprise and quite delightful after running. I got a bunch of little random snacks and the other CS marathoner and I started walking back to our host’s house. We got about halfway there and got picked up near Dairy Queen on University Drive…. Went back, took showers and took naps! Naps were awesome. :) Nathan woke me up during my nap, but we got up and got some food anyway… before coming back and sleeping more.
Overall, it’s been a good trip. Fargo, North Dakota has good people-there were tons of people outside their houses cheering us on. Maybe it’s because there isn’t anything better to do on a Saturday morning, but it was nice to have so many spectators in a small town. It was definitely a pleasant surprise! I love marathoners too, what a great community. Well, it was good times. I’m currently with another CS person from Fargo and just attended her church – First Lutheran Church in Fargo. It was a good service. Hopefully I can get some of this studying done and pass this pre-test! Thanks God for watching out for me and for the good, safe trip. Please help me study and get all of this done that I need to get done… and please help my ankle to feel better since I have 3 more marathons in June! You’re the best. -run for life.
P.S. After I wrote this... I walked around Fargo, got my jumping picture... and then my flight was canceled. :( I'm in Fargo for another day and by the time I found out my flight was canceled, it was too late to call my patients in-person that I have tomorrow to let them know that I would have to reschedule with them. :( Sigh. At least God always keeps me safe. I'd rather be delayed than dead.
I was trying to study … but it turned into a brief study session and a nap time in the comfy chairs by baggage claim in the smaller terminal 2 of the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport… whoops! They arrived and we headed out toward Fargo, but not without stopping by Noodles & Co. to have some lunch. We got to the expo where they had run out of pins for our bibs… But luckily we spotted quite a few on the ground and were able to find enough for each of us to have 4. Ghetto? Yeah, apparently the 5k people and earlier people had grabbed handfuls of pins instead of just taking 4 or possibly 5 in case one was busted.
They went to the pasta dinner there at the expo and my CS host from Fargo picked me up from the expo and her roommate was cooking curry and it was delicious! And yet she said it was super simple to make… I will have to start making curry at home… :) They had another CS hostee to was also running the marathon. I was pleased that he was also laid back and not super intense about getting there early to the start or worried about a certain time and he just came to run.
Our host dropped us off a few blocks from the start and we went to the very back of the pack to start the run. We ran together for about the first 10k and then he needed to use the restroom… so I went on ahead… then I had to use the restroom so he went on ahead and I never caught up due to lack of training and my bum ankle. I was just there to finish… and as my motto goes ‘live to run another day’. I think I ended up cheering for at least half of the marathon participants since it was an out and back course so I saw people from the 3 hour mark to the 5+ hour mark. (Well, I finished at 5:14 or so, so of course I could cheer for those around me.) I didn’t end up talking to as many people/running with as many people as I usually do since my pace wasn’t the same with my ankle. I am not too sore, but I did get a few blisters from trying to compensate and avoid hurting my ankle too much. :( No chafers though! Hoorah! Perfect weather! I am glad me and Jesus are BFF and He can control the weather and even the wind listens to Him! (It was about 94 degrees Friday evening around 7PM and then it rained all night to cool off the temperature before the marathon… and it spit a little at us Saturday morning but it never rained during the marathon so that was awesome! Thanks JESUS! You’re the best!!)
I hope that I helped motivate some people as they were running/walking/jogging along and I cheered for them. One woman found me after the race and said that I helped her a lot when I encouraged her and told her to keep her head up and keep going. :) It always makes me happy when people find my encouragement helpful! They had awesome soup post race (chicken and wild rice) and some icky pizza, but it tasted much better after running a marathon than it would have without. The cookie dough was a nice surprise and quite delightful after running. I got a bunch of little random snacks and the other CS marathoner and I started walking back to our host’s house. We got about halfway there and got picked up near Dairy Queen on University Drive…. Went back, took showers and took naps! Naps were awesome. :) Nathan woke me up during my nap, but we got up and got some food anyway… before coming back and sleeping more.
Overall, it’s been a good trip. Fargo, North Dakota has good people-there were tons of people outside their houses cheering us on. Maybe it’s because there isn’t anything better to do on a Saturday morning, but it was nice to have so many spectators in a small town. It was definitely a pleasant surprise! I love marathoners too, what a great community. Well, it was good times. I’m currently with another CS person from Fargo and just attended her church – First Lutheran Church in Fargo. It was a good service. Hopefully I can get some of this studying done and pass this pre-test! Thanks God for watching out for me and for the good, safe trip. Please help me study and get all of this done that I need to get done… and please help my ankle to feel better since I have 3 more marathons in June! You’re the best. -run for life.
P.S. After I wrote this... I walked around Fargo, got my jumping picture... and then my flight was canceled. :( I'm in Fargo for another day and by the time I found out my flight was canceled, it was too late to call my patients in-person that I have tomorrow to let them know that I would have to reschedule with them. :( Sigh. At least God always keeps me safe. I'd rather be delayed than dead.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
back in action
Hello! To my non-existant readers and random people who stumble across this way. I got an email because someone was trying to request for my blog name I suppose and I figured I had been wanting to start writing again or journaling, or "blog" if you will and this was a good excuse to see what was going on.
I have been quite busy since I last wrote in 2010! When I last wrote I had just run the Knoxvile marathon on March 28, 2010 and met Nathan the night before the marathon in Knoxville, TN. Who now about 2 years later has been my husband since October 1, 2011. Crazy how much can happen in a short period of time. Well, of course between traveling to see him, running more marathons and working a ton (and traveling for work)... I haven't been able to find time to write. So I am sorry I have neglected you blogger.
In 2010 I ran 9 marathons in 9 states, though 10 in 10 states were within a 365 day period since I ran one in early 2011 in Mississippi when I was moving out to Knoxville. Yes, you read that correctly, Mrs. California lover who never wanted to leave and lived in Virginia for 3 years now lives in Tennessee. Strange because I was trying purposely not to meet guys on the east coast so I wouldn't ever get stuck here and God had me meet Nathan quite randomly via couchsurfing.org and now I live in this city. Let me tell you, that marathon was rough. It wasn't as hilly as the locals make it out to me (maybe my presception of hills is skewed since I ran Mt. Lemmon, Blue Ridge Mountains, Ridge Runner in West Virginia, etc. and all those were hillier than Knoxville). Anyway, it rained freezing cold rain and of course Knoxville has no gutters and I was wadding in water up to my mid-calf region for part of the time. That wasn't super fun! I ran with a guy named Jack for the last 5 miles who was on a relay team so that was neat since I'm Jill... you get it I hope? Needless to say my muscles got all cramped up though I was still cheery natured and cheering people on who ran also. (All the spectators had wussed out and left the slower people to fend for themselves. I thanked all the volunteers and people who actually were there to provide support in the rain.) I ran into Neyland stadium and across the 50 yard line and it was 'eh' not that great, not a big deal. That was state 10 for me. I didn't ever want to come back to Knoxville and of course God has a sense of humor and I've lived here for a year and 4 months now... hoping and praying one day that I will get to move home.
Fast forward to 2012. Wow. I went to my 10 year high school reunion last year so that tells you how old I am. Gosh. I finished state 26 last month and have state 27 this coming Sunday. I've got a bunch on the calendar this year and am definitely looking forward to finishing my 50 states in 2014 or so (after this year I will have 16 I believe). Maybe 2015, depends on kids and what not.
Okay, well I'm back though I was never really gone... just busy! Hope you all are doing well. I'll try to write about my more recent marathons I haven't had a chance to write about when I get a chance.
- run for life.
I have been quite busy since I last wrote in 2010! When I last wrote I had just run the Knoxvile marathon on March 28, 2010 and met Nathan the night before the marathon in Knoxville, TN. Who now about 2 years later has been my husband since October 1, 2011. Crazy how much can happen in a short period of time. Well, of course between traveling to see him, running more marathons and working a ton (and traveling for work)... I haven't been able to find time to write. So I am sorry I have neglected you blogger.
In 2010 I ran 9 marathons in 9 states, though 10 in 10 states were within a 365 day period since I ran one in early 2011 in Mississippi when I was moving out to Knoxville. Yes, you read that correctly, Mrs. California lover who never wanted to leave and lived in Virginia for 3 years now lives in Tennessee. Strange because I was trying purposely not to meet guys on the east coast so I wouldn't ever get stuck here and God had me meet Nathan quite randomly via couchsurfing.org and now I live in this city. Let me tell you, that marathon was rough. It wasn't as hilly as the locals make it out to me (maybe my presception of hills is skewed since I ran Mt. Lemmon, Blue Ridge Mountains, Ridge Runner in West Virginia, etc. and all those were hillier than Knoxville). Anyway, it rained freezing cold rain and of course Knoxville has no gutters and I was wadding in water up to my mid-calf region for part of the time. That wasn't super fun! I ran with a guy named Jack for the last 5 miles who was on a relay team so that was neat since I'm Jill... you get it I hope? Needless to say my muscles got all cramped up though I was still cheery natured and cheering people on who ran also. (All the spectators had wussed out and left the slower people to fend for themselves. I thanked all the volunteers and people who actually were there to provide support in the rain.) I ran into Neyland stadium and across the 50 yard line and it was 'eh' not that great, not a big deal. That was state 10 for me. I didn't ever want to come back to Knoxville and of course God has a sense of humor and I've lived here for a year and 4 months now... hoping and praying one day that I will get to move home.
Fast forward to 2012. Wow. I went to my 10 year high school reunion last year so that tells you how old I am. Gosh. I finished state 26 last month and have state 27 this coming Sunday. I've got a bunch on the calendar this year and am definitely looking forward to finishing my 50 states in 2014 or so (after this year I will have 16 I believe). Maybe 2015, depends on kids and what not.
Okay, well I'm back though I was never really gone... just busy! Hope you all are doing well. I'll try to write about my more recent marathons I haven't had a chance to write about when I get a chance.
- run for life.
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