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
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
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.
Friday, April 16, 2010
blisters galore
So I went to REI yesterday with a friend after stopping by Maggie Moo's to get a free "tax day, tax relief" slice of their "ice cream pizza." Sadly it was kind of lame and gross. There was only one flavor to choose from despite the advertisements stating there would be 3. I guess I'm not a big white chocolate fan.
I bought the Vibram Classics... and last night I ran my regular 2 miles in my 'barefoot shoes' while catching up with Linds (good times by the way). Today I needed to go to the bank and get cash for my friend to fix my car. I decided it would be a good plan to run there in my new Vibram shoes and walk back and run the last mile (2.5 miles there and then I walked 1.5 miles and ran the last mile). When I got up the hill toward the bank, I knew my feet were tender. When I got to the bank I peeked at my heels and I had blisters surrounding the entire Achilles on my left foot and a few blisters on my right. Frustrating to say the least! I was wearing a size 37 shoe instead of 38 like the blue Vibrams I have. I wonder if the blisters are because the Classics are designed differently than the Sprints or if it's because they're too small? I think it's because they're designed differently... the rubber on the heel hurts like nobody's business! Those blisters I have are wicked. Now I have blisters on my toes and heels... who wants to guess where I'm going to get them next?
I'm probably too stubborn. I want this barefoot shoe thing to work. I can tell I am running more on my mid-foot/ball of my foot which is good and the reason I got them in the first place... but I don't like these blisters I'm getting. I could definitely do without.
Of course, all of this preparation is for my 50-miler in the Mojave Desert (Nevada) that I signed up for on June 26. I have 4 marathons between now and then which I am treating like long runs for the 50-miler. I'm a little scared... but excited all the same. People are right on the money when they say runners are crazy...
- run for life
I bought the Vibram Classics... and last night I ran my regular 2 miles in my 'barefoot shoes' while catching up with Linds (good times by the way). Today I needed to go to the bank and get cash for my friend to fix my car. I decided it would be a good plan to run there in my new Vibram shoes and walk back and run the last mile (2.5 miles there and then I walked 1.5 miles and ran the last mile). When I got up the hill toward the bank, I knew my feet were tender. When I got to the bank I peeked at my heels and I had blisters surrounding the entire Achilles on my left foot and a few blisters on my right. Frustrating to say the least! I was wearing a size 37 shoe instead of 38 like the blue Vibrams I have. I wonder if the blisters are because the Classics are designed differently than the Sprints or if it's because they're too small? I think it's because they're designed differently... the rubber on the heel hurts like nobody's business! Those blisters I have are wicked. Now I have blisters on my toes and heels... who wants to guess where I'm going to get them next?
I'm probably too stubborn. I want this barefoot shoe thing to work. I can tell I am running more on my mid-foot/ball of my foot which is good and the reason I got them in the first place... but I don't like these blisters I'm getting. I could definitely do without.
Of course, all of this preparation is for my 50-miler in the Mojave Desert (Nevada) that I signed up for on June 26. I have 4 marathons between now and then which I am treating like long runs for the 50-miler. I'm a little scared... but excited all the same. People are right on the money when they say runners are crazy...
- run for life
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
barefoot?
I decided to try those "barefoot" shoes by Vibram. Last night I ran in them for the first time and got a huge blister on my right great toe (or big toe for us non-medical people). I've gotta say, they look pretty silly. I saw a man running the Knoxville marathon in them and I had just ordered them from REI... mostly because they have their 100% satisfaction guarantee and I was sure I'd return them. The people who reviewed them at REI said they took some getting used to and someone said they run normally 5-6 miles a day in regular shoes and they were only able to run 1/4 mile the first day in them. Yeah right, I would never put shoes on and just run a quarter of a mile. Pfft.
I figured I'd still take it easy. I ran 2 miles in them. It took me 20:15 at a super easy pace. I kept thinking my knees were hurting and perhaps I was getting shin splints... I could feel the ground every step and I could feel my blister starting to form but I'm stubborn (I get it from my dad) and since I had decided to do an easy 2, I was going to finish my easy 2. (Don't get me wrong, I'm not in super great shape or anything but I'm on my 'I'm going to get back into racing shape kick that should last awhile since school is over... last night was my first night of it. ha ha!)
Today I had off so you'd think I would have run in the morning but instead I did a bunch of errands I can't do on the weekends like go to the bank, post office, get my passport picture taken (it was pretty bad but whatever, it wasn't TERRIBLE like my last one, ha ha). I even cleaned Lazarus for the first time at the car wash! I only went there to get the bottom of my car clean from all the nasty snow, sand and salt from this past winter (I still think snow is only good for visiting when you want to snowboard or ski). Also, they have free vacuum use when you go, so I needed to get that kitty litter out of the bottom of my car from the STP (gas additive that spilled all over the bottom of my car when the guys changed my oil).
Anyway, back to running. I taught a fitness conditioning class that turned out to be more like a personal training session since there was only 1 person. It was too hot to run during the day so I waited until it was dark and went out at 8:30 and began my second 2 mile jaunt in my barefoot shoes. It wasn't too bad. I went out easy trying to just get used to the shoes so I finished in 19:56 and then ran up and down the hill (the street I live on is a decent sized hill) 2x. I could still feel everything. I feel like my knees are a little more tender today than they were yesterday. I can't decide if I like them or not. My feet feel very light when I'm wearing them, like I'm really not wearing any shoes or wearing spikes/racing shoes. However, I feel the blister growing on my toe (in the same place as the first day).
I don't know if I like them because they're light or if I don't. I feel like I'm going to get shin splints! Maybe it's psychological. I am glad I'm running in the dark because the shoes kind of weird me out when I look at my feet. They look like water shoes with toes... I'm vehemently against toe socks because my toes like to be friends! (Okay, I think they look weird and feel weird.)
I'll keep trying them out for awhile, but I'm leaning toward just using them as a training tool to force myself to run properly rather than actually replacing my current Supernovas. I am going to ask my PT his opinion on them too. I think I need a professional opinion of them! Either way, it feels good to be running again. I just don't want to sideline myself because I ran in silly looking shoes...
- run for life
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)