tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40610886666580774592024-03-14T02:15:11.981-04:00Half-Crazed Runner50 Half Marathons in 50 States, DC, all 7 Continents and six of the World Marathon Majors:
NYC, Chicago, Boston, London, Berlin, and Tokyo.Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-57480001754424051172023-09-18T14:55:00.007-04:002023-09-18T15:36:32.956-04:00Antarctica Half Marathon<p>Aside form completing the 6 World Major Marathons and a Half Marathon in all 50 United States, I want to run on all 7 continents. So, a few years ago (pre-COVID), I joined the 7 Continents Club. I guess I never read the fine print. It took one of the marathon trips with Marathon Tours and Travel to realize that the rules for the Travel Seven Continents Club is that the races need to be all marathons or all half marathons to meet the seven continents club criteria. Well, after several problems with my IBD while training for the marathons, I decided that six would be it for me. I don't want to take medicine just to finish running a marathon on every continent. In all honesty, even the last 2 half marathons had my IBD in a flare. one of these was the half on Antarctica.</p><p>Marathon Tours and Travel has been offering the Antarctica Marathon and Half Marathon since 1995. I have been booked for this race since 2018!!! I was supposed to go in March 2019, but I had just finished the Tokyo Marathon in February 2019, so I postponed the race until 2020. I don't think there were any races on Antarctica in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID. I made a decision in November 2021 to push out my Antarctica trip scheduled for 3/2022 to 3/2023. I needed to schedule knee surgery for a partially torn meniscus. It is a good thing I did because Omicron hit the ship hard in 3/2022. Several people did not race. Ugh, could you imagine going <i><u>all that way</u></i> and not being able to race?</p><p>It is really hard to get to Antarctica - it is no joke. Aside from getting to Antarctica, physically, it was hard for me to go on an emotional level. I had to listen to Zach Williams song, "Fear is a Liar" over and over and over when I trained. I was nervous, but I had to lay these fears down at God's Feet. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>You can't compete anymore - your knee surgery wasn't successful. You still have pain.</li><li>You are so slow. This race is challenging. You have to climb hill after hill after hill. you will never make it.</li><li>How dare you put yourself in harms way. You just lost your Dad. You want your family to mourn you as well?</li><li>How dare you risk your life and travel to Antarctica - you know you're still your kids' only parent.</li><li>You are so selfish - Ron is trying to be supportive in spite of the fact that you know he gets seasick.</li><li>What if you have IBD problems on Antarctica? There are no bushes you can run into.</li><li>It doesn't matter how far you run, where you run, you will never get over <i><b><u>that</u></b></i> pain.</li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1srs1YoTVzs" width="320" youtube-src-id="1srs1YoTVzs"></iframe></div><p>I had to trust in God. I trust Him and pray that I am on a path that He wants me to be on, fail or succeed, as long as I bring glory to Him. My goal was to run the whole half marathon, regardless of how slow I was, regardless of all my fears, and all the awful lies.</p><p>The Marathon Tours Antarctica trip starts in Buenos Aires. I was pretty beat up physically by the time I got to Buenos Aires. I feel I over trained and my IBD was flaring. I did not participate in any outside runs, but I did some treadmill runs a few times at the hotel. Buenos Aires is super hot - and even the gym was hot and humid. So running on the treadmill was challenging. Of course there was a welcome dinner. I met a lot of great runners, and their friends and family. My IBD issues persisted in Buenos Aires, despite only running 3 miles here and there on the treadmill. It seemed that no matter what I ate - nothing was agreeing with me. After 3 days in Buenos Aires, we flew a small plane to Ushuaia. </p><p>Ushuaia is beautiful. It is appropriately named, "Fin del Mundo", The End of the World, as it is the southern most city in the southern hemisphere. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XrJAT1q6-ro-pJf3YqouYh8f4d1VxHvTo7zFeQ706kfwLpIcN_EsvkVz4Orgi0rZVvdXk4GJ2OkR5zIpUqIT0qdwkGEPRIDPGE0EwGS0yunacEKr6viGIpV1bwtYY1khq3ezDUkVb_K51am0yWENN13bqzDi6TFRGFo9fw8Yk7q0JQZCT_Lfz80j8oc/s2992/Fin%20Del%20Mundo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XrJAT1q6-ro-pJf3YqouYh8f4d1VxHvTo7zFeQ706kfwLpIcN_EsvkVz4Orgi0rZVvdXk4GJ2OkR5zIpUqIT0qdwkGEPRIDPGE0EwGS0yunacEKr6viGIpV1bwtYY1khq3ezDUkVb_K51am0yWENN13bqzDi6TFRGFo9fw8Yk7q0JQZCT_Lfz80j8oc/s320/Fin%20Del%20Mundo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fin Del Mundo!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We tooled around for a few hours and had lunch at a super cute cafe before we boarded the Ocean Victory. Mind you, the Ocean Victory is an expedition ship - not like a luxury cruise line. It pales in size to a Norwegian, Carnival or Princess Cruise ships. This makes for quite the experience navigating through the Beagle Channel and the Drake Passage. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOQrGl_Z_AM5bsaDwzI0K7J611DRLDTUMY3udgd9dEQXPGt3rrKFQ3TUlIvNOGOFVL1mtpo-ERVy0Gp_WdsOLxyHR1ForP-IJnyvev9_9F6xPuEfk2rnCw3aCtbGh0C_eCjT068y3IBOPdSkmF8dkPGjToDvIOMPGrHFakLOdmSV4Rl_-ORr9RqCBbkc/s2992/The%20Ocean%20Victory.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOQrGl_Z_AM5bsaDwzI0K7J611DRLDTUMY3udgd9dEQXPGt3rrKFQ3TUlIvNOGOFVL1mtpo-ERVy0Gp_WdsOLxyHR1ForP-IJnyvev9_9F6xPuEfk2rnCw3aCtbGh0C_eCjT068y3IBOPdSkmF8dkPGjToDvIOMPGrHFakLOdmSV4Rl_-ORr9RqCBbkc/s320/The%20Ocean%20Victory.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ocean Victory</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Not quite the National Geographic Ship either . . .</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfOvUMmSTWqzCCf7KKknpNEHUDLTEKzUmcdjMX4mfkIw2Mzj3cv4EO_90RnIMya2Ol3shJqWqdX0KtrMXnxld5Rn7IgKYAQ2d8BO3TUG-xdIGm2mE34lcSPBBCkKkJ_wv-zR9ZB_sMkmwalmbXG4K0dmaVSIjWyMX_eWCM6BpHxHEpkP515TBX0iBzyM/s2992/National%20Geographic%20Ship.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfOvUMmSTWqzCCf7KKknpNEHUDLTEKzUmcdjMX4mfkIw2Mzj3cv4EO_90RnIMya2Ol3shJqWqdX0KtrMXnxld5Rn7IgKYAQ2d8BO3TUG-xdIGm2mE34lcSPBBCkKkJ_wv-zR9ZB_sMkmwalmbXG4K0dmaVSIjWyMX_eWCM6BpHxHEpkP515TBX0iBzyM/s320/National%20Geographic%20Ship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I psyched myself up. I told myself it would be a great trip. Ron and I were in God's hands. We had the world on a string and we were sitting on a rainbow! We even filmed ourselves dancing - no one had any idea what demons I fought to get to that dance! Ron was so supportive. Thanks, Ron!</p><p>Once you get through the Beagle Channel, you sail through the Drake Passage, which is the body of water between South America's Cape Horn, Chile, Argentina and then the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. The Drake Passage connects the southwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean with the southeastern part of the Pacific Ocean and extends into the Antarctic Ocean. The Drake Passage is considered one of the most treacherous voyages for ships to make. Currents at its latitude meet no resistance from any landmass, so waves can top 40 feet, hence its reputation as "the most powerful convergence of seas". We didn't experience 40 feet swells, thankfully, but 25 feet swells was enough for me. You know it's rough when the crew places vomit bags throughout the stairwells and there are only a few left moments later! Most people wore the motion sickness patch behind the ear. Ron and I used ginger tablets. It wasn't so much the rocking as it was the rocking side to side <i>WITH</i> a big rise on top of a wave with the sudden fall of the wave. Ron nearly fell out of bed one night. I nearly fell out of bed another night. To me, it was rough!</p><p>What made it worse was since the winds were so strong, we did not reach land for three days. We were supposed to race on Sunday, but with the winds so strong, we had to do the trip backwards, and the race was rescheduled for Wednesday. Of course, no matter how clean I eat, additional stress like this, resulted in major Crohn's difficulties. As mentioned above, from the training and likely the passing of my Dad, I was already inflamed. I started to drink black coffee in the AM with the gluten free bread I brought and a little almond butter, which I also brought. During the day, I would hardly eat anything, and for dinner, I would order one baked potato, grilled chicken (no soy or corn oil) and steamed vegetables. I drank lots of green tea. I was not very social - due to my embarrassing urgency issues, but the one morning we sat down with some folks from New Zealand. Ugh - I had to keep excusing myself. I lost count at how many times I got up from breakfast after the fifth or sixth time! When we were finally able to make a Zodiac boat land expedition, I was nervous my stomach would get me in trouble. In fact during every Zodiac expedition we made in the morning and every zodiac cruise we made in the afternoon, I prayed my IBD would behave. </p><p>Still, having a biology and environmental science background, I felt blessed in spite of my IBD issues. I saw some of the most amazing glaciers, cruised around brash icebergs, saw Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins, Fur and Elephant seals, as well as Blue, Fin, and Humpback whales! It was amazing! As we toured around the Shetland Islands and up to King George Island, where the race was planned, I took in the most amazing sights - beautiful sunrises, rainbows, and sunsets.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLZG5zvdfVuvUe0oFQBLCMyIienYQfG7M9sfC9bNilZ82OkYUykRyl1upDzkXIECWnjoxUr0TlJ0WU9IviNDNRGm99WWu4hQsZ21gtITwb9SD9Sn3mDS_s7C4wIdNbYJWQlK6w_BnMMZT9RErCEUQA4SWm8KMDjfoP-S_C2hq1spi5hEr52f9VR9m_xI/s2992/Penguin%20Welcome.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLZG5zvdfVuvUe0oFQBLCMyIienYQfG7M9sfC9bNilZ82OkYUykRyl1upDzkXIECWnjoxUr0TlJ0WU9IviNDNRGm99WWu4hQsZ21gtITwb9SD9Sn3mDS_s7C4wIdNbYJWQlK6w_BnMMZT9RErCEUQA4SWm8KMDjfoP-S_C2hq1spi5hEr52f9VR9m_xI/s320/Penguin%20Welcome.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penguin Welcome Wagon!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBi3rNc7oHoyMEbYyN_pZ4A-iF-syZTuPMrK3RxqCk5UzmxCNANTCTGqzKHzrQRXNKEAEDpjdfvWKL2I-Pa08Byo4eYR5Wpl65F9emZRlG4gNZiWznmiHHePM67hE0AMmBB8Ort3Q3WMK_JDJNuvGhwA1f3J5WofPrUJMlT26Gt9mn94hvzvbBc-xvFk/s2992/Glacier%20Pic%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBi3rNc7oHoyMEbYyN_pZ4A-iF-syZTuPMrK3RxqCk5UzmxCNANTCTGqzKHzrQRXNKEAEDpjdfvWKL2I-Pa08Byo4eYR5Wpl65F9emZRlG4gNZiWznmiHHePM67hE0AMmBB8Ort3Q3WMK_JDJNuvGhwA1f3J5WofPrUJMlT26Gt9mn94hvzvbBc-xvFk/s320/Glacier%20Pic%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Antarctica Glaciers</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLwMknTBdPk3T2ozxn_jJILMM9oDgShqRVNaXLivklvfTVFEgpPkgiDcXN5PX3EIBLOXYSK0HvnfOU5f4j7jQSwQyLTcTgOX8Q-A3v0MzMoiSk92BwrNgDbBDbCsn3IMV6Z-ViH9BWN-reoD0eh6kO7gF5eDi-DqPIAF2rnpT5C-27_7f3DgxTglnLBU/s2992/Weatherstationpic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLwMknTBdPk3T2ozxn_jJILMM9oDgShqRVNaXLivklvfTVFEgpPkgiDcXN5PX3EIBLOXYSK0HvnfOU5f4j7jQSwQyLTcTgOX8Q-A3v0MzMoiSk92BwrNgDbBDbCsn3IMV6Z-ViH9BWN-reoD0eh6kO7gF5eDi-DqPIAF2rnpT5C-27_7f3DgxTglnLBU/s320/Weatherstationpic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember M.A.S.H. ?</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAuVOU_91EYL2avLz5_FUvxUoaSCZ_5uOEKLZ9Tfz2KM_928RI86kRqyCI-KnS40by7XmbPA9YpRnDzLjZXc1y0IbA1tAWQr-00ddUICFJBqxYJVfDftXXEaj63__BDn_Sdap-9D9jUN_nrw3_IS1sfg9M60820-jN9tBof-fMfqjcAwwpvZfmq033RQ/s2992/Seal%20Sunbathing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAuVOU_91EYL2avLz5_FUvxUoaSCZ_5uOEKLZ9Tfz2KM_928RI86kRqyCI-KnS40by7XmbPA9YpRnDzLjZXc1y0IbA1tAWQr-00ddUICFJBqxYJVfDftXXEaj63__BDn_Sdap-9D9jUN_nrw3_IS1sfg9M60820-jN9tBof-fMfqjcAwwpvZfmq033RQ/s320/Seal%20Sunbathing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seal Sunbathing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFzzloL1d1LNlv9pJfauTI3tjVed7EaGPaxSbfzIDH7v-A5GzTVMueh-YxE2sWxL0q9eLjB5rP_6tcPuHWrwLUiCB5Ha7ytdWqIwRaxsJmsI6EYv4_gquWzvvaal27sP7i6b-mszwtTJs4jv3NbGgPzOyPR7GVKbNoQTBIxJ7UkFhbEzpyTx5HJsxD1Y/s2992/Gentoo%20and%20Chinstrap%20Penguins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFzzloL1d1LNlv9pJfauTI3tjVed7EaGPaxSbfzIDH7v-A5GzTVMueh-YxE2sWxL0q9eLjB5rP_6tcPuHWrwLUiCB5Ha7ytdWqIwRaxsJmsI6EYv4_gquWzvvaal27sP7i6b-mszwtTJs4jv3NbGgPzOyPR7GVKbNoQTBIxJ7UkFhbEzpyTx5HJsxD1Y/s320/Gentoo%20and%20Chinstrap%20Penguins.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKHlGbz3QUMUeIp8NluZJrJaprLk0MslTRYyGR6KS31f51fGh1qU7FEfRsFUbIHgdxRhDmbbZjlECei781SIHWrjVYEMxORZEl2fPgiridgGq_4DYvvHJe3gJ_CqSIQWLFRqypLmDzoagYu3GnrUwOz181QGa33xWutMpkIcgPdzZH1_MH5s6vg-0quo/s2992/Rainbow%20Antarctica.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKHlGbz3QUMUeIp8NluZJrJaprLk0MslTRYyGR6KS31f51fGh1qU7FEfRsFUbIHgdxRhDmbbZjlECei781SIHWrjVYEMxORZEl2fPgiridgGq_4DYvvHJe3gJ_CqSIQWLFRqypLmDzoagYu3GnrUwOz181QGa33xWutMpkIcgPdzZH1_MH5s6vg-0quo/s320/Rainbow%20Antarctica.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Rainbows</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheknvwG-YFfvrdyu3Q8iOQVn5wztV6zAZ-bfbpk74sXhltVc-fhW4LLNJOAlvKD0byWbnTpxWYur9tb_N-kadbg4Lz4z6V3AlszGatXE2m7MJkWymVHsbMf6ka0FGmTkLAyh7A5xkwanIvowFGLiHUrM6_wh9DgMr_lR8r4xwQ_3nPvw-3_9cCvcgaH6M/s2992/Glacier%20Pic%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheknvwG-YFfvrdyu3Q8iOQVn5wztV6zAZ-bfbpk74sXhltVc-fhW4LLNJOAlvKD0byWbnTpxWYur9tb_N-kadbg4Lz4z6V3AlszGatXE2m7MJkWymVHsbMf6ka0FGmTkLAyh7A5xkwanIvowFGLiHUrM6_wh9DgMr_lR8r4xwQ_3nPvw-3_9cCvcgaH6M/s320/Glacier%20Pic%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zodiac Cruise Among Icebergs</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Finally, race day came. Since Ron was not running, he offered to volunteer setting up the race. I think Ron left at 4:30AM on a Zodiac ship. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwgMhmjSSb8f8EhbnMyo1_bFJp1nxWwtllrnqI5oyzyE9mba5T4Vr2wZUZnNe0Sj7qxtNoFN45oP0zakbw_QQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p>I was, of course doing my pre-race morning thing: Drinking coffee, eating homemade grain free banana bread, drinking lots of water, foam rolling, and eventually planning my medicine - prescription Imodium. That morning, I planned 1-tablet every hour after my morning routine. We were supposed to leave at 6AM, but the winds were too strong. I believe we left at 8AM. I felt blessed to be able to have a few more hours for the medicine to settle in.</p><p>We were called, like we were all week long, by color group, to the locker room. Every Zodiac cruise was completed in an orderly fashion. On race day, we made our way to the locker rooms wearing race gear - tights, sneakers, under layer, fleece layer, hat, rain jacket, dry outer pants layer. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEztHhShpVN7DLd0qFa3CKqLQgzv4BW2S5ZmX5L1q__BgiNH8z2vZFFEZRUyN2LYtn36Eu8d3SsGIwz_7WitaSQRllCdSjpNxDn-XSqMz7C6zUeuyLAOhNVGbTB1ObrV-5bWda4ZIhWSUDMCXt_gtE3lJjNsNaizJQlTegvDYHlLUfj4-8eEySN_NB_oc/s2992/Zodiac%20Gear%20Lockers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEztHhShpVN7DLd0qFa3CKqLQgzv4BW2S5ZmX5L1q__BgiNH8z2vZFFEZRUyN2LYtn36Eu8d3SsGIwz_7WitaSQRllCdSjpNxDn-XSqMz7C6zUeuyLAOhNVGbTB1ObrV-5bWda4ZIhWSUDMCXt_gtE3lJjNsNaizJQlTegvDYHlLUfj4-8eEySN_NB_oc/s320/Zodiac%20Gear%20Lockers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locker rooms with Gear for Zodiac Excursions</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Once in the locker room, we put our sneakers in our dry bag, got on our high top water boots on, put on our parkas, then the life vests and gloves. Before entering onto the Zodiac cruise ship, we had to dunk our boots in Virkon, to make sure we weren't bringing any bacteria or viruses onto the land in Antarctica. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jDOmRmM-1ZoOWpw8yHZlol7NgTKrWKk-3MyahC0wKITLLFajY4C8VPJtMdL4KUOfSrhRNqAW1ZJEeC8OuoBch9ktVNd2UajA8RQ4tI743yIyqclG7BEmbMvn-z7jOMB1id_gUnjPvY881CMcu5Md3lSdhwH75SNVmRub8Q8AxD266q2I5Esyjv-FUIM/s2992/Race%20Day%20Zodiac%20Cruise.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jDOmRmM-1ZoOWpw8yHZlol7NgTKrWKk-3MyahC0wKITLLFajY4C8VPJtMdL4KUOfSrhRNqAW1ZJEeC8OuoBch9ktVNd2UajA8RQ4tI743yIyqclG7BEmbMvn-z7jOMB1id_gUnjPvY881CMcu5Md3lSdhwH75SNVmRub8Q8AxD266q2I5Esyjv-FUIM/s320/Race%20Day%20Zodiac%20Cruise.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race Day Zodiac Landing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wakJ5oxirrgEsP_2GBNKK6r5bHyTdckVvicADMzY4QRqECNYj8XO0FEvfMwCl9ttO3t_58J6F600ChFYHSVdqGAgx9AGo3P6MhYDmyDpWqIonw4HBw-IxwP0RVNxx2zwQve5FRztvLEJgdjXBSovc3MejIWEJAwZBiMYDrHoKcBdeZZHhSZWZfuk9Os/s2992/Getting%20to%20race%20start.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wakJ5oxirrgEsP_2GBNKK6r5bHyTdckVvicADMzY4QRqECNYj8XO0FEvfMwCl9ttO3t_58J6F600ChFYHSVdqGAgx9AGo3P6MhYDmyDpWqIonw4HBw-IxwP0RVNxx2zwQve5FRztvLEJgdjXBSovc3MejIWEJAwZBiMYDrHoKcBdeZZHhSZWZfuk9Os/s320/Getting%20to%20race%20start.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to the Starting Line</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8f2DI-vyLgasrLWu45V5_X56FvL9SI1eXFNn2cyjRpfwMOg59TvWOEmDwbyQr7Xk0-bpwGr04OmMhky6tZnDrwABQDacMssBXFIHbrGK_Slz5mXVsCwDGwcUOw-VcDf51sXt3-AqNfkabk54Dk9x0ngSWIu1z1fDsf-HXl6cTJ0R7EViEAX3DUpYy-Y/s2992/Ready%20to%20Run_%20Shabach.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8f2DI-vyLgasrLWu45V5_X56FvL9SI1eXFNn2cyjRpfwMOg59TvWOEmDwbyQr7Xk0-bpwGr04OmMhky6tZnDrwABQDacMssBXFIHbrGK_Slz5mXVsCwDGwcUOw-VcDf51sXt3-AqNfkabk54Dk9x0ngSWIu1z1fDsf-HXl6cTJ0R7EViEAX3DUpYy-Y/w320-h320/Ready%20to%20Run_%20Shabach.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready To Run_ YADAH (Hands to God with Praise)!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />To say the Antarctica Half was the toughest half marathon that I have ever run would be an understatement! I am telling you, it was tough, but not just one reason made it tough, it was for several reasons:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>You did not run on pavement - you were on rocks and gravel. At some points, you were running through mud or hopping over puddles, that eventually became mudier as the day went on since the half race is an out and back three times and six times for the marathon. </li><li>It is relentlessly hilly. Some so steep that the rocks and gravel crumble under your sneakers, making it hard to gain traction - especially as the legs get tired. It was the first race where I felt my legs and glutes burning as I climb/ran to the top if each hill.</li><li>There was a point during the race, where there was a mud lake. I must have faded out when approaching it, likely glucose-deprived, and I panicked. I yelled to a few runners or volunteers, "Where should I go?" They pointed to come towards them, around the mud and up another hill. It wore on me after awhile!</li><li>There were no water stops, you could not bring a cup - you could drop off bottles at certain points, but then you were responsible for bringing them back too. Since Ron was a volunteer, he kept my water bottle by the start/finish/turnaround point. I didn't drink water the first out and back, just the second time around. It was so cold, it burned going down. The last out and back, I decided to not drink the water.</li></ol><div>No Matts - Jumping over these wires became more difficult with each turnaround!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZK5vf9m3tJXIe2F0VuVS8p-P6kHHozFFNA1mz13Cm-jMHqTDZHUFTsiPD80FbcHg24DFb9mWxTX0rWts08pSHDgnJzCWTQD4r7qwdriY-gzeVnvp9mUKLsKJ_PArYhzAHoOvAwMLWSZSBfFPDniuhpSrlffkolzN0B17EV05dDfaKCTdXnoJA_eeiA3M" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZK5vf9m3tJXIe2F0VuVS8p-P6kHHozFFNA1mz13Cm-jMHqTDZHUFTsiPD80FbcHg24DFb9mWxTX0rWts08pSHDgnJzCWTQD4r7qwdriY-gzeVnvp9mUKLsKJ_PArYhzAHoOvAwMLWSZSBfFPDniuhpSrlffkolzN0B17EV05dDfaKCTdXnoJA_eeiA3M=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">No Mattas - Just Wires!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>During the first loop, I gave Ron my windbreaker and gloves. Later, towards the turn around, my hands felt very cold. Ron asked if I wanted water or the gloves before my last loop. I said no to both. I instantly regretted passing on the gloves. </div><div><br /></div><div>Towards the turnaround, you climb up the side of a hill. The wind was very strong. My hands were very cold and my chest burned when I was breathing. The last leg back, I was still hanging with a young runner from NYC. I was yelling go to the left, to the right, everytime a mud puddle would come up. </div><div><br /></div><div>Somewhere along those last few miles, I got super dizzy. I was also very nauseous. I think being on the boat for three days - rocking, being dehydrated from the IBD, and then running this very hilly half, constantly looking down to prevent landing in the mud or turning an ankle - made me super dizzy. I had to slow - and had to walk a little - I was afraid I was going to pass out in the mud. I kept thinking how awful it would be if I landed flat on my face, in the mud.</div><div><br /></div><div>I screamed a few times, "Keep running," to stay focussed and to stop thinking about the dizziness. I scared a few people around me. </div><div><br /></div><div>The very last hill, I slowed to a walk. I thought, "Catch your breath enough so that you can run up and over the top and all the way through to the finish line. Let Ron see you come in at full stride.</div><div>"Start now? No, walk a few more steps . . ."</div><div>"Start now? No, walk a few more steps . . ."</div><div>"Start now? No, walk a few more steps . . ."</div><div>"Start now? Yes . . full on sprint up and over the hill to the finish! You got this girl!" So my knees were crying in pain, but I planned finishing with a smile on my face, hands to God and praise on my lips!</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFQKcw7RqmkLbjZiRCzRhYQmQ9mRtAqfbBJwH5ArMKD85UQjMcDCtXjigZzrTp9rDAYGOoTdvcNxL6eLEKWnWI4gdIWszgAQ9LGH9uGxvvHL_l8tNOGpQM-DiWjbDiUOlzdLxk4lnJ1hWUQJ_qk4eH-3MMLFxNT49sjetT9eyEsHTqXkmxNmb97ZVgmDA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFQKcw7RqmkLbjZiRCzRhYQmQ9mRtAqfbBJwH5ArMKD85UQjMcDCtXjigZzrTp9rDAYGOoTdvcNxL6eLEKWnWI4gdIWszgAQ9LGH9uGxvvHL_l8tNOGpQM-DiWjbDiUOlzdLxk4lnJ1hWUQJ_qk4eH-3MMLFxNT49sjetT9eyEsHTqXkmxNmb97ZVgmDA=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antarctica Half Marathon Finisher 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Since there are only 100 people allowed on the island at one time, as soon as you finish, they want you off the island. Then, the next bunch of runners can land and start their race. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ron had to help me get undressed and dressed. My hands were frozen. In fact, for a few days, I could not feel my fingers and they tingled. Ron helped untie my sneakers, zip my dry pants over the waterproof pants, zip up the blue parka, and buckle my life preserver. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTYFjXyIgBPcZ2GpDb4mgrv-A6HuqNyT877_fV71VU2D3EP2NRig2cDqo7SdXwzhMWHxIisMyYh9c_dQAbyGs0MwCy4v53Iyd_gjRiu_jCNsVe-F_ttYaXf5JwxNGdwzh7N3McN9kQK0rEAM2stf9ifhdjbTZMA1Edgarx8vQWDixzEeYbDld_WtFaBNQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTYFjXyIgBPcZ2GpDb4mgrv-A6HuqNyT877_fV71VU2D3EP2NRig2cDqo7SdXwzhMWHxIisMyYh9c_dQAbyGs0MwCy4v53Iyd_gjRiu_jCNsVe-F_ttYaXf5JwxNGdwzh7N3McN9kQK0rEAM2stf9ifhdjbTZMA1Edgarx8vQWDixzEeYbDld_WtFaBNQ=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Struggling with Getting My Sneakers Untied</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Then off to walk through the cold water and onto the zodiac boat and back to the ship. I remember the zodiac driver saying, "C'mon, hop up and swing your legs in!" To which I replied, "What legs?" </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFYS1wAbDQx0gTzGThT4G0kdkCLJ7010JdO93ANpNSx9zKPg2BmoMrSZRa3iNTuuPkgg7ZF-5fa3pVDsuES89siMG1OOeWOfMfjxnC5rDIcqCOYLB2Ovo-BnsfNIiOOyHvmtstzRa2ti-r8KMFG47W3Ekw3Rz9BYmc4k-4Ne0q4s1TsvgXizcKOB1O0TQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFYS1wAbDQx0gTzGThT4G0kdkCLJ7010JdO93ANpNSx9zKPg2BmoMrSZRa3iNTuuPkgg7ZF-5fa3pVDsuES89siMG1OOeWOfMfjxnC5rDIcqCOYLB2Ovo-BnsfNIiOOyHvmtstzRa2ti-r8KMFG47W3Ekw3Rz9BYmc4k-4Ne0q4s1TsvgXizcKOB1O0TQ=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission Accomplished, Headed Back!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I finished 4th female overall, first in my age group (50-59). 2:25:38 My slowest and most difficult half marathon!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi02k68Gic3JJBg01FTSrdcsmO7oQPSED9CTU3JTVcj23ncxoqKOv368507osecwHtG27DxpCmdBDx9thgVn_g6vxuXnXAPo2iOhavuNaPI5Thm1xVgMch5h7_wHTcbBZTiwCdSWn4kvFEV8f6lGccaG6qCaSXf3J7j9-VsfRh_qrhHJ8lCsyicUYqL_xY" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi02k68Gic3JJBg01FTSrdcsmO7oQPSED9CTU3JTVcj23ncxoqKOv368507osecwHtG27DxpCmdBDx9thgVn_g6vxuXnXAPo2iOhavuNaPI5Thm1xVgMch5h7_wHTcbBZTiwCdSWn4kvFEV8f6lGccaG6qCaSXf3J7j9-VsfRh_qrhHJ8lCsyicUYqL_xY=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of Course, Never Forget!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9Nk0XRMTC2TLiYadYyMtXZjhpUfPbwBkQhODiyix_Cdh1Fcq_iCfGwbA1mGRYXLmscVskUKEy2qZ46NpA43uqPV9GjdgEe7EcEckt8ZM7NrgV6W2KvS-_5PBGmA-a7iu45RVKPMyrHLdT_x-xvRaOiBNcN66YHPM3Vpi86lLukg3l40pxc4BrJfMcCP0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9Nk0XRMTC2TLiYadYyMtXZjhpUfPbwBkQhODiyix_Cdh1Fcq_iCfGwbA1mGRYXLmscVskUKEy2qZ46NpA43uqPV9GjdgEe7EcEckt8ZM7NrgV6W2KvS-_5PBGmA-a7iu45RVKPMyrHLdT_x-xvRaOiBNcN66YHPM3Vpi86lLukg3l40pxc4BrJfMcCP0=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding Back the Tears #notenoughroad</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Ron and I had a good cry. It took awhile before I got warm. Marathoners who had not left yet were asking me lots of questions:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Was it cold?</div><div style="text-align: center;">What should I wear?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Am I overdressed?</div><div style="text-align: center;">What was it like?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is it muddy?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Are there lots of hills?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Was it difficult?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is indescribable. Painful and gleeful, lots up ups, lots of downs - just like life!</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy0YO4KITDXG2kDgqAuhdx7WKeGCwxJYYxLLJnYC63sYmYJxcj16H8_ZdAF3acpdeisDWHNqT-l6u8PZM7YeQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Until next post, </span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Trai</span><span style="color: red;">n Hard,</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Run Happy,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Run To Inspire</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">and </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">God Bless America!</span></b></p></div><div><p>3</p></div>Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-6919014919363329282023-05-30T17:05:00.003-04:002023-07-20T19:22:46.989-04:00State #44: IowaI went to Iowa and ran The Hillbilly Hike Half Marathon! I had to run this race. I so desperately wanted the race shirt. Get this, it is a picture of a Hillbilly, with a corn husk pipe running with a straw hat and boots. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n1hR9aizUw-mnOm-31eKNM4GvPafjI6iSufP6ueQRJIPUS0KafwI2QtCoZ3Xns0QZSBydJZt4SHQUr4eK6v9txP2hBzWvpbKhXCdJgBi7WhZJfwJjVrTkDrFxRe60SfQv0kDbMbVczDnhlLwv5bpTQvME4uApN9JNgj8I8L8fgKsKa_mAnmvLQzE/s4000/20230530_152616.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n1hR9aizUw-mnOm-31eKNM4GvPafjI6iSufP6ueQRJIPUS0KafwI2QtCoZ3Xns0QZSBydJZt4SHQUr4eK6v9txP2hBzWvpbKhXCdJgBi7WhZJfwJjVrTkDrFxRe60SfQv0kDbMbVczDnhlLwv5bpTQvME4uApN9JNgj8I8L8fgKsKa_mAnmvLQzE/w320-h316/20230530_152616.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Had to Have this Shirt!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div><div>I never told this story publicly, but a few years ago, pre-COVID, when I owned a wellness center with cryotherapy and my nutrition office, a runner came in. He wanted to use the Normatec Compression boots. Love these boots! I think Hypervolt bought Normatec now, but this was 2019. This runner made me very upset because he accused me of . . . </div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>"Cherry Picking" races so that I could place in my age group.</li><li>Running small local races because I wanted to place in my age group.</li></ol></div><div>First, I have run plenty of large races. I was never too afraid to enter all of the World Major marathons knowing I would not place in my age group. I have run many large half marathon races - like the Oklahoma City Memorial Half, Boston's Run to Remember, DC Rock 'n Roll Half, Lady's Speedstick Half in Nashville, and Rock Hall of Fame in Ohio - in major cities - most of which I placed in my age group might I add!!! I may have chosen one race over the next in the beginning, like the first 10 or 15 states, but after awhile - and those of you who have tried to run a race in every state know this - time, scheduling, injuries, family, other goals in life, etc. don't allow you to have the luxury of "cherry-picking" a race. So, no dear, this is not true!</div><div><br /></div><div>Second, I like the small town races. I like the post run exploration of local brewpubs, craft beers, whiskey halls, etc.. I loved when the older veterans came out to play taps on Veteran's Day in Indiana. I loved watching the kids jump into Lake Michigan from the Black Rock Cliffs in Marquette after running in Marquette. It is so beautiful in that part of our country. Hey, if I want to go to a big city, I can hop on the path train or drive the 12 miles to Manhattan any day of the week. After running some half marathons throughout America, what I realized is, I want to know what it is like in the smaller suburbs. I want to know what it is like in the small towns that make up the heartland of America.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward . . . </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindfMNnO06ZOO3XWbDmd-iQt1ylCiTpPALV22oK9LP4uIJCyt9w6VXcaHkjuF_Ffkak-ZugKR8RJB5mWUsJbHUl9XUVoEfc4POhr1dYhw-mzOzeRWRa3C3DFkxZ-3b0B3EqwOYIdQkuyHLAJJ0p1tua1D38_LT7EC_011-OCK1y5ixNYYeNDpLK6Ix/s998/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%204.54.17%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="998" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindfMNnO06ZOO3XWbDmd-iQt1ylCiTpPALV22oK9LP4uIJCyt9w6VXcaHkjuF_Ffkak-ZugKR8RJB5mWUsJbHUl9XUVoEfc4POhr1dYhw-mzOzeRWRa3C3DFkxZ-3b0B3EqwOYIdQkuyHLAJJ0p1tua1D38_LT7EC_011-OCK1y5ixNYYeNDpLK6Ix/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%204.54.17%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div>Yes, Iowa is in the books. It was pouring rain and cold. I was 11 months post knee surgery and 2 weeks post COVID. Yup, that's right, I had a torn meniscus repair, repair of torn cartilage, and two weeks before I ran this half, I got COVID for the first time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Not the greatest weather for the Hillbilly Hike Half. In fact, this is on their Facebook page:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4ojxVwQ-r7rpK1DSQB3A5hiTcy5jpYAfhq_sW8q1bD_jk5xJm1nS4Kzs75RkAfsnMxZi2fzDuAOT-TiJSMOS3Vkkb1sW3HLLqbHHoIZhEAfGG7i-GquY_Oa0jQuyrrujjkAPS7gpHHUwwPtg5rk3MYcQ-jzEUbmBKp9_E2Xua9iDBMS1DxzfVea6/s1004/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.22.32%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="1004" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4ojxVwQ-r7rpK1DSQB3A5hiTcy5jpYAfhq_sW8q1bD_jk5xJm1nS4Kzs75RkAfsnMxZi2fzDuAOT-TiJSMOS3Vkkb1sW3HLLqbHHoIZhEAfGG7i-GquY_Oa0jQuyrrujjkAPS7gpHHUwwPtg5rk3MYcQ-jzEUbmBKp9_E2Xua9iDBMS1DxzfVea6/w537-h169/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.22.32%20PM.png" width="537" /></a></div><br /><div>See that - I am a Hillbilly Warrior - and don't you forget it!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJC58J2e1AzgLuVYmXbMmZp_FEq3gcMURQlgdQ8gLY47EvlXkuG3m72UhfqmXtaZ_Jc3Ncz9DlgdLw28wVvTI0J1QnTWZhZ-IkB8tvoouwskrtqd3uIZoeXGYfkIgjepDtGYVpXzud17R9qIMtyLanNrrd1IhcnsvwKgFr-mIwT5zipgFMWg2G7Hk/s1332/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.17.56%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1224" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJC58J2e1AzgLuVYmXbMmZp_FEq3gcMURQlgdQ8gLY47EvlXkuG3m72UhfqmXtaZ_Jc3Ncz9DlgdLw28wVvTI0J1QnTWZhZ-IkB8tvoouwskrtqd3uIZoeXGYfkIgjepDtGYVpXzud17R9qIMtyLanNrrd1IhcnsvwKgFr-mIwT5zipgFMWg2G7Hk/w294-h320/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.17.56%20PM.png" width="294" /></a></div><br /><div>I was better prepared to run this race versus Tokyo. I actually went to REI the day before and bought this waterproof jacket. My hands were still freezing, and when the race was over, I regretted not bringing a change of clothes. All I could think is how beautiful this race must be when the weather isn't so cold and rainy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DFUNA4dFibauFmHRbHAg6X_k1OhWQORILX4g0ljnh0hqx8F0zUdwwCHPvDxqJswiI4S8mpU8HrGIBRwsb7OhuGeNjWv0i09ExozZyiWmxfEnlGs1WBNJHdvi68hL3O8NEyWF6iMCcf5Id8IEqFicrWEhewPOr335ne2rcZIfYmBn4IkrJNQHX-U_/s1694/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.09.59%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1694" data-original-width="1324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DFUNA4dFibauFmHRbHAg6X_k1OhWQORILX4g0ljnh0hqx8F0zUdwwCHPvDxqJswiI4S8mpU8HrGIBRwsb7OhuGeNjWv0i09ExozZyiWmxfEnlGs1WBNJHdvi68hL3O8NEyWF6iMCcf5Id8IEqFicrWEhewPOr335ne2rcZIfYmBn4IkrJNQHX-U_/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.09.59%20PM.png" width="250" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The course takes place on the Somerset Trail. The race starts in Indianola at Indianola High School and ends in Indianola at Carlsile. The trail was flat through woodlands, farmlands, and wetlands. I am glad it was flat because my knee was still giving me a good deal of pain. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDavV5kEPhfyvj1rCctv3bzDdqESsSPk6LSK85IR15nwmP-2KXpeqFxu__4jS_uZ5cW5Vob7qWcO25PnESa58e3znBk3XiJFynRsrDrWWwkRkX_EBvgZVsW85z7SJz0QDWHFk_ikGPpUbJYRHlgSs_xbJ0NPBC5-Cqhe9LTO5lVd0VPCr05HzC2hm/s12000/20221104_105549.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9000" data-original-width="12000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDavV5kEPhfyvj1rCctv3bzDdqESsSPk6LSK85IR15nwmP-2KXpeqFxu__4jS_uZ5cW5Vob7qWcO25PnESa58e3znBk3XiJFynRsrDrWWwkRkX_EBvgZVsW85z7SJz0QDWHFk_ikGPpUbJYRHlgSs_xbJ0NPBC5-Cqhe9LTO5lVd0VPCr05HzC2hm/s320/20221104_105549.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got Air Cover! You Can Not Make This Stuff Up!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsnmb-KW1npqtBaHw4wEdhZnyDc-SfrJb3a5_uw7ZM2WjOgHySaM6nQiAIDacfswPbtADE1aqqL0m7rEkUkBvJe3arbCHPiaXLMwCL0CHa6CYh-LJTNI_LvqO_Ln7r6dd8-_2iFMJvQ1T4innWuK_RjiUNpafuhRsyOVaNM2y5t0BdbZxAscxVMwR/s12000/20221104_105553.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9000" data-original-width="12000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsnmb-KW1npqtBaHw4wEdhZnyDc-SfrJb3a5_uw7ZM2WjOgHySaM6nQiAIDacfswPbtADE1aqqL0m7rEkUkBvJe3arbCHPiaXLMwCL0CHa6CYh-LJTNI_LvqO_Ln7r6dd8-_2iFMJvQ1T4innWuK_RjiUNpafuhRsyOVaNM2y5t0BdbZxAscxVMwR/s320/20221104_105553.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss You, Karen!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>At the end of the race, they served biscuits and gravy. Ron was in his glory!</div><div><br /></div><div>I came in fourth in my age group. I ran 2:06:01. This was a 9:37 min/mile. Not bad post knee surgery and post COVID! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51cN0xp35MkOxiu73FA_yBMJSq5sVsXM82r8JjFtvVZWbXqA6CHI70B-EaKaf8p9nW8lsPsZE7EVKTxkVlW7XW4hLn__yi1wDnd3t2-_TllRH08Xv1dBnkPcUHdH4yfRKK7DFlYjPXYYd3XNdgjQBQETvG-sIPV6cuxqC_sfHoACkaVF9FsvgG1iz/s1850/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.55.03%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1850" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51cN0xp35MkOxiu73FA_yBMJSq5sVsXM82r8JjFtvVZWbXqA6CHI70B-EaKaf8p9nW8lsPsZE7EVKTxkVlW7XW4hLn__yi1wDnd3t2-_TllRH08Xv1dBnkPcUHdH4yfRKK7DFlYjPXYYd3XNdgjQBQETvG-sIPV6cuxqC_sfHoACkaVF9FsvgG1iz/w320-h225/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.55.03%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0dt-Bh5h3vzEY_L4cxIbH-yoO6t9k8zxE7nn51g_Qo4oraS8H9CRkrTxslijHqZ-eR4yCFzPtIC5S2Vh0bH2p8kp-V-kiFBa_GSPtTY_MCbOedyPnfwt9YnwXQOD3fw5sPMlU15Hj0oy4l7ZGTQiZLBR2c1UXcY_0W7q32HeMqeDVkop8oJW05S_/s2038/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.55.19%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="2038" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0dt-Bh5h3vzEY_L4cxIbH-yoO6t9k8zxE7nn51g_Qo4oraS8H9CRkrTxslijHqZ-eR4yCFzPtIC5S2Vh0bH2p8kp-V-kiFBa_GSPtTY_MCbOedyPnfwt9YnwXQOD3fw5sPMlU15Hj0oy4l7ZGTQiZLBR2c1UXcY_0W7q32HeMqeDVkop8oJW05S_/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.55.19%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHinNA2RtNVuGsL-I7QCznoGVYATjVIZgW2V-Q4r8b4Wj_lQ-dW_1gZg4XT2o_mzMCVWTYK1ojlO4EQHghNGMWIwk0cMqIX12pwReDXMjEv7avFbc7rpyBFBm8WGSdf7jBYyok3m-DRPiaw8jWTyFmShyEZmoFVGkHNwzbfIdQ7Qlq4nbRoa16PkK5/s1780/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.56.09%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="1780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHinNA2RtNVuGsL-I7QCznoGVYATjVIZgW2V-Q4r8b4Wj_lQ-dW_1gZg4XT2o_mzMCVWTYK1ojlO4EQHghNGMWIwk0cMqIX12pwReDXMjEv7avFbc7rpyBFBm8WGSdf7jBYyok3m-DRPiaw8jWTyFmShyEZmoFVGkHNwzbfIdQ7Qlq4nbRoa16PkK5/w400-h320/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-30%20at%203.56.09%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slow, But Strong!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>If you watch the Hillbilly Hike Half Marathon Finish on <a href="https://youtu.be/f_p9P7tIWmM" target="_blank">You Tube</a> you will see my poor little hobble trying to get myself over the finish line. That's okay. I realized, soon after I watched my Dad struggle through Stage 4 Congestive Heart Failure, it's okay to be slow, because even though I may be slow, I know I'm strong.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the race, I had French Toast! I hadn't had French Toast in decades! I threw all (Crohnny IBD) caution to the wind and splurged! Of course I shivered the entire time in <a href="https://crousecafeia.com/#" target="_blank">Crouse Cafe</a> because I forgot to bring a change of gear! The Crouse Cafe was jam packed with people! No breakfast pun intended! It was quite possibly the best French Toast I have ever eaten! Of course, I needed to replenish my sodium and potassium stores too . . . </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9rYeCy4qkqHhOkApt7rTqthFvLG6bC9NiWi66jltv5wZesHKInHjLn1XaZ_nQsZyOJ6JDylQ3Wxwb1qiAh9evXIve7f4mURPbUPI7rLiXBTGpmDsOWISrQP91TxtEXdlwCbSUBnmsU-npWLDrvxHeaFwWSoArvidKfsj_v9CHJutZ6bcHvfv46un/s12000/20221105_113802.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="12000" data-original-width="9000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9rYeCy4qkqHhOkApt7rTqthFvLG6bC9NiWi66jltv5wZesHKInHjLn1XaZ_nQsZyOJ6JDylQ3Wxwb1qiAh9evXIve7f4mURPbUPI7rLiXBTGpmDsOWISrQP91TxtEXdlwCbSUBnmsU-npWLDrvxHeaFwWSoArvidKfsj_v9CHJutZ6bcHvfv46un/s320/20221105_113802.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So Yummy!<br />Cheers!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Next stop, hot shower! Like my post Tokyo rainy, cold, marathon shower, this one had to be the best post half marathon shower . . .<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fYfttTlA4wvfx9XHbGjxGRWd3jwOVKqEThhbtl1pujlhzQp4cB6WVEV-oYR5VIbB0CYKzpzj1Q6ESH1fJ9lMLkAO9y3ycXlLcvV8dR4wlEHOs7cYv3E-iYIBQwHyRAi-cDpP9o-1mkmvpPfyarj8vHwAuk37dD0-8ZwdrcnuRMXXuJnp91vGQNTn/s1575/IMG_20221105_124710_371.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1575" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fYfttTlA4wvfx9XHbGjxGRWd3jwOVKqEThhbtl1pujlhzQp4cB6WVEV-oYR5VIbB0CYKzpzj1Q6ESH1fJ9lMLkAO9y3ycXlLcvV8dR4wlEHOs7cYv3E-iYIBQwHyRAi-cDpP9o-1mkmvpPfyarj8vHwAuk37dD0-8ZwdrcnuRMXXuJnp91vGQNTn/s320/IMG_20221105_124710_371.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thawed Out, Time to Celebrate!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Time to eat, again, of course. or as Ron says, "Time to feed the machine!!!" LOL! So, I googled some restaurants. We drove to Des Moines, and stumbled upon this restaurant:</div><div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDK1o0tJbynMxhL1TDzKRVlPlRijbQCezYfpsTJLVNcIWyfV5yw8u-kT2PbO9-RDSBb_Yy8vdmOmdA5NxiLCTxWiTviEMcYbifupSZzZ-5p6jxCdJZYi63QW4MNyl8baaDuFBf79N8Jz1VvzIsVwZ21x-WivOqHEmijwi7fT54SwmQyy3PJdnD26I/s12000/20221105_143407.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="12000" data-original-width="9000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDK1o0tJbynMxhL1TDzKRVlPlRijbQCezYfpsTJLVNcIWyfV5yw8u-kT2PbO9-RDSBb_Yy8vdmOmdA5NxiLCTxWiTviEMcYbifupSZzZ-5p6jxCdJZYi63QW4MNyl8baaDuFBf79N8Jz1VvzIsVwZ21x-WivOqHEmijwi7fT54SwmQyy3PJdnD26I/s320/20221105_143407.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Air Cover!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>We walked in and said, "Lunch for 2 people." The waitress said, "Sit anywhere." I said, "Welcome to Iowa!" No matter what time of day, day of the week, in North Jersey, you always have to wait for a table. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Johnny's was great! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Great food, great beer, and the service was also great!</div><div><br /></div><div>Iowa is very pretty. Iowa is the only state bordered by two navigable rivers; the Missouri River to the west and the Mississippi River to the east. The capital of Iowa is Des Moines. Iowa's nickname is the Hawkeye state. Iowa is a big farm state and of course, it is known for corn, lost and lots of corn.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's to finishing Iowa, State #44!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8bHvnh8NGhTfLpLs6qNPc4INH1Ve2cYCIczIipU7bNrOAJXBuK3usDQpAylZu7lDKm_SK2TJ82P1wnCJAb9DJkqiFAIzoAEFmVbaApU83sO3_RzCHSBp1oxim1URcqiOjES28ME8_3xIIN64lZnBTIsFP-XuTMVsXS9o9IUCb69w4WtrG8JVrC64/s12000/20221105_111440.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="12000" data-original-width="9000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8bHvnh8NGhTfLpLs6qNPc4INH1Ve2cYCIczIipU7bNrOAJXBuK3usDQpAylZu7lDKm_SK2TJ82P1wnCJAb9DJkqiFAIzoAEFmVbaApU83sO3_RzCHSBp1oxim1URcqiOjES28ME8_3xIIN64lZnBTIsFP-XuTMVsXS9o9IUCb69w4WtrG8JVrC64/s320/20221105_111440.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woohoo!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><p>Until next post, </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Trai</span><span style="color: red;">n Hard,</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Run Happy,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Run To Inspire</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">and</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">God Bless America!</span></b></p></div></div>Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-820562198816185062022-09-26T17:09:00.005-04:002023-05-30T16:47:54.692-04:00State #43: New Mexico<p>Albuquerque’s Duke City Marathon had its 37th annual event in October 2021. The race is on a beautiful scenic road along the banks of the Rio Grande. You can run a full marathon, marathon relay, 10K and 5K in addition to the half marathon.</p><p>Yes, it was yet another race at altitude. It's an out and back course with an elevation profile that ranges between 4,900ft-5,100ft. So, basically, you run slightly uphill for the entire half marathon .... <i>Yeay</i>!</p><p>Albuquerque is in the middle of New Mexico. We did not go hot air ballooning ... </p><p style="text-align: center;">~ <i>You know you are a runner because you like to keep your feet on the ground</i> ~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>LOL! </i></b></p><p>We did take a drive to the four corners, which was an absolutely stunning drive. We drove through the reservations, which are all basically in a high desert. We saw the largest pumpkin fields we have ever seen. There must have been acres and acres of pumpkins! It took about 4 hours to get to the Four Corners, so when we were driving back, the sky was full of stars. It was quite magnificent!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCoNOsE21ZLWJoGf3TV7zLtxhZk9_HSsuq20Xe3iMb_SCih7RCPBZBKgmRnLyrCG1RT7hyFZkNR67C6UT_0IAiHsnGdZxcKTMKTVbIpQZvtYQlomiRm0kkl5Uf21ll7of9qWDwAuQpy0kjvmsfMe9y9U1sOYRbYnK2wzyO7YjxX2uMgC6Qw8vm0zh/s4032/20211016_105753.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCoNOsE21ZLWJoGf3TV7zLtxhZk9_HSsuq20Xe3iMb_SCih7RCPBZBKgmRnLyrCG1RT7hyFZkNR67C6UT_0IAiHsnGdZxcKTMKTVbIpQZvtYQlomiRm0kkl5Uf21ll7of9qWDwAuQpy0kjvmsfMe9y9U1sOYRbYnK2wzyO7YjxX2uMgC6Qw8vm0zh/s320/20211016_105753.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving to The Four Corners</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSRLbrSoz-mgrXqSUIvV0FT7q7J62EFkX2CVeX5mh5A832z-oaSpDeB5XcXYLzjS_867WrXBIhd4ezFnbKl1TE0Ks1V4II6lDDyXfaKXoPeDDNpzNJZ-a2M8dugi-X5rpcJOCzPe5RtC5LF5bHhOYS-Vhm84tEliOqbjEkP0mcBymSvSvUnrSnNHb/s4032/20211016_131801.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSRLbrSoz-mgrXqSUIvV0FT7q7J62EFkX2CVeX5mh5A832z-oaSpDeB5XcXYLzjS_867WrXBIhd4ezFnbKl1TE0Ks1V4II6lDDyXfaKXoPeDDNpzNJZ-a2M8dugi-X5rpcJOCzPe5RtC5LF5bHhOYS-Vhm84tEliOqbjEkP0mcBymSvSvUnrSnNHb/s320/20211016_131801.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Four Corners!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnlZNeUkuaXCM90NOwXIlp5XOppC0KE9zFD-_icQyt9VrQtDGueWYOLLPxw2RPpobBJ-pnzpjxgbEcpt4FzaTUqxQpsuipiI44uu32O4-594ZoSM5kvxDkHalrMwba3OHG4TjJBzmae3Thi2Gg4QAyL64YvAamZ4P13QymnNEYoBbM31vNQmWSYs_/s4032/20211016_190108.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnlZNeUkuaXCM90NOwXIlp5XOppC0KE9zFD-_icQyt9VrQtDGueWYOLLPxw2RPpobBJ-pnzpjxgbEcpt4FzaTUqxQpsuipiI44uu32O4-594ZoSM5kvxDkHalrMwba3OHG4TjJBzmae3Thi2Gg4QAyL64YvAamZ4P13QymnNEYoBbM31vNQmWSYs_/s320/20211016_190108.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the Sun Set Driving Back from the Four Corners</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p>New Mexico is beautiful, but my race results were not quite as magnificent!</p><div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhi-eEKacYpHVANmhUNcx54kDEioBH4ocgNAB3r5mJ4ivUB_xUhVFiCrbKbF6IV3g_sOoWSWJjqGiPcqElXwbjaOI4P61-Mgckf-U4IfrbimVjllSbAdYpwDTuMpIC2lEpzxTbR_Tli2QXyX--7mIFiaMp8yJCGUVHski0tgHLl6Nk_9rwHtmrtfK8D" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="1968" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhi-eEKacYpHVANmhUNcx54kDEioBH4ocgNAB3r5mJ4ivUB_xUhVFiCrbKbF6IV3g_sOoWSWJjqGiPcqElXwbjaOI4P61-Mgckf-U4IfrbimVjllSbAdYpwDTuMpIC2lEpzxTbR_Tli2QXyX--7mIFiaMp8yJCGUVHski0tgHLl6Nk_9rwHtmrtfK8D=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Favorite Duke City Marathon Pic!<br />Look at Us - We All Look Sooooo Happy!<br /><b><i>... NOT!</i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW4JE0N8HOfYvrCYnQTQhXT3iGvUIAkDMGOgZDVVtkyGt6fexSSbUobRA2b4SJNrkTqZ7rx8SEQh5cHtvACv7W2VRSm1q3Q8EFZSA12GBK_gKZSkdgtFgV5z-0l9snsG8cmxIqFvzcDtE1rHkhROSFp0uLnvcDM3SlZ7Y9jMNwpo6Vol15NJNiDQQ_" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW4JE0N8HOfYvrCYnQTQhXT3iGvUIAkDMGOgZDVVtkyGt6fexSSbUobRA2b4SJNrkTqZ7rx8SEQh5cHtvACv7W2VRSm1q3Q8EFZSA12GBK_gKZSkdgtFgV5z-0l9snsG8cmxIqFvzcDtE1rHkhROSFp0uLnvcDM3SlZ7Y9jMNwpo6Vol15NJNiDQQ_=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the 'ole thumbs up, but I am really wiped!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I gave it my all!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZXkF2BXtxlC9wO9gu-htZWPW_Y7WfYvT8Q8SvHCRcQ9oo-FGjQ3tJayDacXsSM3v75YXyrr333GQb9WZaRxRvoyMXaSGrr03sYV7b5XpS6Pl0EXeJp2isoyP0bIt6Pu-XLQfKhY4y29B1G2d80CHBb0v8R1-NlhvkoCUb3hTtkosUmjRIdkdmdOJL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZXkF2BXtxlC9wO9gu-htZWPW_Y7WfYvT8Q8SvHCRcQ9oo-FGjQ3tJayDacXsSM3v75YXyrr333GQb9WZaRxRvoyMXaSGrr03sYV7b5XpS6Pl0EXeJp2isoyP0bIt6Pu-XLQfKhY4y29B1G2d80CHBb0v8R1-NlhvkoCUb3hTtkosUmjRIdkdmdOJL=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div><br /></div>But it took its toll on me.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxAL3vY5zR9DecfnTJDHIftoFsu4cqML2HoRhnXqlmDCF_8e1Iw8fbG21rQtmd2k7-ylpnYs9sBeUF5xB31i3_m_nCYNLrskXk7T_qEIJbhe4OUuIugK81PMy8D2GRNTg9fLH29WuH0AsQtX5MlR6V0NhIosh0qzTKaNSZ0wJ4es7N5VU9A-GQ4XsU" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="3360" data-original-width="2240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxAL3vY5zR9DecfnTJDHIftoFsu4cqML2HoRhnXqlmDCF_8e1Iw8fbG21rQtmd2k7-ylpnYs9sBeUF5xB31i3_m_nCYNLrskXk7T_qEIJbhe4OUuIugK81PMy8D2GRNTg9fLH29WuH0AsQtX5MlR6V0NhIosh0qzTKaNSZ0wJ4es7N5VU9A-GQ4XsU=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I knew I didn't place crossing this finish line.<br />I had a full blown race at the end with someone who I think got 3rd in our AG.<br />She kicked it great at the end.<br />I tried, but then the cramps kicked in.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir5pwb537bZX-B6JowI_3aF1l74g4xAqzR21DmUVRujYzpFaRZqAuaHlxlmB9poi9Z0D6LTQ1YCkp9XYKiQ8i9bLUic5KoMjCczKUQwNKUH20Vt468IuVN9h7eSmpEUpFPd0SDyWGR5TsIxoBEXNnFMUKo1jD0dmVivPYPJU4KXAZkdhMl_2JJl_tc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2304" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir5pwb537bZX-B6JowI_3aF1l74g4xAqzR21DmUVRujYzpFaRZqAuaHlxlmB9poi9Z0D6LTQ1YCkp9XYKiQ8i9bLUic5KoMjCczKUQwNKUH20Vt468IuVN9h7eSmpEUpFPd0SDyWGR5TsIxoBEXNnFMUKo1jD0dmVivPYPJU4KXAZkdhMl_2JJl_tc=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cramping from Crohn's Trying to Hold It Together</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I apologize to the volunteer at the end of the race. I basically screamed at him, "Where are your bathrooms?" about 5 times, until Ron showed up and said calmly and audibly, "Can you tell us where your restrooms are?" <i>Ugh - I was so embarrassing!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">This race was a tough one for a couple of reasons:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>I was trying to keep my Crohn's Disease at bay with major antioxidant supplements - Fall is the worst time of year for me.</li><li>My "<i>friend</i>" came to town ...which made my Crohn's worse. </li><li>I got a stye, again. The masks can allow bacteria to build up in hair follicles that surround your eyes. Apparently once you get a stye, you are more likely to get another stye. Since this race in October, I have had 3 more styes and blepharitis! <i>Grrr</i>!</li><li>I am getting on in age - so I guess running three half marathons, in three different states, in three consecutive months, is getting to be tough on the legs and recovery.</li><li>I was having trouble with my right calf and hamstring - so much so that even before the race, I was having trouble unlocking my leg - and almost fell down the stairs a few times.</li></ol>The last reason was why I have nor run any races since the Albuquerque, New Mexico race. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTMDRSVHuHt6c_nbP2gX2gwGpo-smLK5N9nwS9jtlMkkSkJOWIVoW2EQIZ20lL2BJtgqwKTwRT29F-CtQZEN9hm_66o1FrAbutfwH6KhM-4gpi_xx9pIMxG0kKbOgxrYxkaWhw7GdWt_JNr3FlwZILfBXFrDkUorfLyexM7k5qFUzjI5_6ohv2iAt/s1728/Attach0_20211018_212944.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="1296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTMDRSVHuHt6c_nbP2gX2gwGpo-smLK5N9nwS9jtlMkkSkJOWIVoW2EQIZ20lL2BJtgqwKTwRT29F-CtQZEN9hm_66o1FrAbutfwH6KhM-4gpi_xx9pIMxG0kKbOgxrYxkaWhw7GdWt_JNr3FlwZILfBXFrDkUorfLyexM7k5qFUzjI5_6ohv2iAt/s320/Attach0_20211018_212944.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th place AG<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chip Time: 1:55:27</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Pace: 8:49</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I placed 4th in my age group!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Woo-hoo!</i></span></b></div><p>Since this race, I had knee surgery in January 2022. I started running again in April. I am slow, but I am now up to 11.5 miles. I am aiming for Iowa in November 2022. I think I just may have to settle for placing 33 times in my age group out of 43 Half Marathons. My goal is to finish ... healthy, as my Physical Therapist says. Oh, and yes, I was patient of the month some time back!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWf9SjoV8RXxpt-rdSNd-sJMevJ7M02Kye_Rv28eTMW2PdRxW1e2R65agKS7Q9bbmRAzA_Fc_Kw_J6TkJ2YrUnbukizpB1LkIuy5WaUj10AR-Gl1QDMi72S-wADHrzNuyhoiH-Q3nUTCqwuNqkI7zZpEM20tyOPkEfuhuvdBgrSeOuVfcHZi29ZokB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1172" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWf9SjoV8RXxpt-rdSNd-sJMevJ7M02Kye_Rv28eTMW2PdRxW1e2R65agKS7Q9bbmRAzA_Fc_Kw_J6TkJ2YrUnbukizpB1LkIuy5WaUj10AR-Gl1QDMi72S-wADHrzNuyhoiH-Q3nUTCqwuNqkI7zZpEM20tyOPkEfuhuvdBgrSeOuVfcHZi29ZokB=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Until next post, </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Trai</span><span style="color: red;">n Hard,</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Run Happy,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Run To Inspire</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">and</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">God Bless America!</span></b></p></div>Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-91702249445446205382021-12-13T16:42:00.003-05:002021-12-13T16:47:08.588-05:00State #42: Montana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFRsLZ3ASL4/YaU_Ia4GZ0I/AAAAAAAAyu0/MaA3mCX6heoIgIukucZDv1VuVUUKiaVCACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210917_125644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFRsLZ3ASL4/YaU_Ia4GZ0I/AAAAAAAAyu0/MaA3mCX6heoIgIukucZDv1VuVUUKiaVCACPcBGAsYHg/w381-h286/20210917_125644.jpg" width="381" /></a></div><p>The Montana Marathon includes a Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, a Virtual Marathon, a Virtual Half Marathon and a Virtual 10K. I ran the Half Marathon. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Ugh - yes, another race at altitude. </i></b></p><p>Colorado was rough, and Montana had it's moments as well. Billings is at about 3,123 feet altitude but the race starts a little higher up at about 3700 feet. It ends at about 3100 feet, with some minor hills along the way. I try to pick a small gradient downhill when running any race above 2500 feet, which is when I start to feel the change in altitude. I guess that's what you get living near sea level your whole life which is probably why I am a real big baby at altitude. I do that catch up breathing thing because I feel like I am out of breath - okay well, suffocating. Even though this race had no where near the ups and downs that the Prairie Dog Half in Colorado did, my pace still tanked on the minor uphills.</p><p>Billings is in the center of southern Montana, about a two-hour drive east from Bozeman. It was shaped by the Yellowstone River. Montana is beautiful. We explored some roads that Ron wants to go back and ride on his motorcycle. </p><p>Keep in mind, I am terrible at taking pictures!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy_M1r8YAEU/YaU_mcsB_7I/AAAAAAAAyu8/FpxhsT6JAAYjhIAWR1tWjhnLVSnLSBKLgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210918_164337.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy_M1r8YAEU/YaU_mcsB_7I/AAAAAAAAyu8/FpxhsT6JAAYjhIAWR1tWjhnLVSnLSBKLgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210918_164337.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beartooth Highway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5gQHOo7_EM/YaU_meMDueI/AAAAAAAAyu8/skLQVofwv1IrVhJfKdxagCTi2gcj57rCgCPcBGAsYHg/s4608/20210918_154015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5gQHOo7_EM/YaU_meMDueI/AAAAAAAAyu8/skLQVofwv1IrVhJfKdxagCTi2gcj57rCgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210918_154015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fq89FQVYjPY/YaU_mTiS2QI/AAAAAAAAyu8/SXSmJToS9lAfbEnIXG7puGyEImRbkTmiwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210918_153258.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fq89FQVYjPY/YaU_mTiS2QI/AAAAAAAAyu8/SXSmJToS9lAfbEnIXG7puGyEImRbkTmiwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210918_153258.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beartooth Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDPw2ZG1uYs/YaU_mYLz7aI/AAAAAAAAyu8/s0k_R9WWGSsMp3M9eez3390vNNhTkfePQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210918_151428.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDPw2ZG1uYs/YaU_mYLz7aI/AAAAAAAAyu8/s0k_R9WWGSsMp3M9eez3390vNNhTkfePQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210918_151428.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one point, we were above the tree-line!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cD-WYTdQBIw/YaU_mYzxF9I/AAAAAAAAyu8/wpAabeSr7dMNLiZ-Ck1wHpohyahigVXDwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210918_151329.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cD-WYTdQBIw/YaU_mYzxF9I/AAAAAAAAyu8/wpAabeSr7dMNLiZ-Ck1wHpohyahigVXDwCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20210918_151329.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beartooth Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWmr7-Rk0wQ/YaU_mdjyfiI/AAAAAAAAyu8/-XvTQHjh7LYklimZegiEinfpJ3Cf_XyzACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210918_145628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWmr7-Rk0wQ/YaU_mdjyfiI/AAAAAAAAyu8/-XvTQHjh7LYklimZegiEinfpJ3Cf_XyzACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210918_145628.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6agbw5Ch2tU/YaU_mW87pnI/AAAAAAAAyu8/jEPy74WwgOk_H0cSVZSvCE1zp3M9GPrVQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210918_145106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6agbw5Ch2tU/YaU_mW87pnI/AAAAAAAAyu8/jEPy74WwgOk_H0cSVZSvCE1zp3M9GPrVQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210918_145106.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrNRhAsiXek/YaU_mS6W7mI/AAAAAAAAyu8/mrw_XSa18bIUn4cpN4znUzC4LvzPDg8zgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210918_145057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrNRhAsiXek/YaU_mS6W7mI/AAAAAAAAyu8/mrw_XSa18bIUn4cpN4znUzC4LvzPDg8zgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210918_145057.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuMuH1R3KJM/YaU_mXxMiSI/AAAAAAAAyu8/qPoHyP6BkwARKmmEaEX7fmOnvIv6uHTcACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210918_144137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuMuH1R3KJM/YaU_mXxMiSI/AAAAAAAAyu8/qPoHyP6BkwARKmmEaEX7fmOnvIv6uHTcACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210918_144137.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-344KlkBLV10/YaU_meInEOI/AAAAAAAAyu8/xbE6YUsV0-YZ6p0vRCTrYv2o-vdHkoijACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210918_144012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-344KlkBLV10/YaU_meInEOI/AAAAAAAAyu8/xbE6YUsV0-YZ6p0vRCTrYv2o-vdHkoijACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20210918_144012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9cpBlxvDck/YaU_mUTo7AI/AAAAAAAAyu8/lCq6dcadE8wb9351DqUJGzMMxwgi4EEOwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210918_143415.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9cpBlxvDck/YaU_mUTo7AI/AAAAAAAAyu8/lCq6dcadE8wb9351DqUJGzMMxwgi4EEOwCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20210918_143415.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beartooth Highway</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Simply Amazing!</span></i></b></p><p>Billings is the largest city in Montana. It has great restaurants and brew pups. I picked up the race packet at the local YMCA. There was a map of all the races. </p><p>Even though the full marathon started in the tiny town of Molt, just outside Billings, the half marathon started at the midway point of the 26.2-mile full marathon course, on Molt Road. To get to the start, everyone packed into several different school buses. I took one of the earlier buses just in case I had tummy/Crohn's issues. I sat next to a gentleman who told me he had to go to work after he was done running. I thought, I know afterward, I am going to be super tired, and wondered what he did that he had to work on the weekend. So I asked, "What do you do?" He told me that he was a firefighter. I then said, "I bet firefighting out here is quite different than in New Jersey!" He pointed to what I am guessing was a type of Mountain Sedge and said, "You see that stuff? It burns like nobody's business."</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-loH7L7RmitY/YaU_mejBujI/AAAAAAAAyu8/iKZrTf8KMvAE_UUIX_bJEsGwEv6tlqu4QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210918_143327.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-loH7L7RmitY/YaU_mejBujI/AAAAAAAAyu8/iKZrTf8KMvAE_UUIX_bJEsGwEv6tlqu4QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210918_143327.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Sedge?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I learned a lot about Colorado, Montana and Wyoming over the past year. These are America's High Desserts. Each trip taken to these states, I have gotten a bloody nose. It's so very dry. The Montana Half wasn't only dry, at the start it was about 37 degrees F. The race start was delayed a little and everyone was huddling and shivering. I brought an old fleece, but put it in my checked bag not knowing the race start was going to be delayed a bit. It was very windy. I kept doing stride repeats. I met some women who seemed about my age. They were also running this half marathon as their "Montana Half". I met some women from Maryland who were also on track to finish a half in every state. I think the one woman was at state 47!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The start shot you down hill, which apparently was easier to run down this year than in the past because it is now paved. Ron heard some stories that people were falling and rolling down the hill at the start in years past. I am super glad it was paved - my luck I would have been one of the runners rolling down hill! LOL!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was pretty quiet once the runners started off. No pace groups, no one to run with, just the sound of my breath. My cold arms and legs were looking forward to warming up. There were some people along the stretch of farm road shouting and cheering. I remember running through a little development with people cheering, "Great job!" Then more stretch of quiet. Like you see in the above pictures. Then I remember running past a farm. There were, what seemed like a bunch of goats or sheep. Okay, don't judge - one, I can't see that well because of the double eye surgery, but more importantly, I grew up with the NYC Skyline basically down my street, so my interaction with animals amounts to cats, dogs, squirrels, birds, etc. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>I get excited when I see a chipmunk!</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, we runners had some new fans! A bunch of baby sheep or goats came running down a dirt path toward the road,. They were bleeting and baa-ing. I started laughing and said out loud, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>"Oh my gosh, this is the best fan club ever." </i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">I don't think anyone else was as impressed as I was, but these little noises/cheers and little gallops made this race, at that quiet moment, beautiful! It was an incredible moment. I was racing on a road so different than any road I run on at home. That's what it's all about though, isn't it?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After winding through the city along several twists and turns, the race heads east toward the finish line at Daylis Stadium, near Billings’ Pioneer Park.</div><div><br /></div><div>I pushed it out, kicking with everything i had left to trim off any last seconds.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhpYDN8bR8RBKbsACc9RNueEIw_tRs9ZCB9j3qYyxakimw5nkWcyAa9pCfrVAAqYw__zn9sKIC2rsR-CmxUQTbRieRWX3k62XOL-_ui5uEN4yDtYDwFJNuY3mkYwIstrS31tKgXeL04J0M7Hmu1hcllkeJlDTnVgkYhwOpbfHQJqXDxYqtIpriojrA=s1512" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kickin' It Out!" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1134" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhpYDN8bR8RBKbsACc9RNueEIw_tRs9ZCB9j3qYyxakimw5nkWcyAa9pCfrVAAqYw__zn9sKIC2rsR-CmxUQTbRieRWX3k62XOL-_ui5uEN4yDtYDwFJNuY3mkYwIstrS31tKgXeL04J0M7Hmu1hcllkeJlDTnVgkYhwOpbfHQJqXDxYqtIpriojrA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kickin' It Out!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chip Time: 1:49:31</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes! I came in under 1:50! </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I placed 2nd in my age group!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Woo-hoo!</span></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxo_MKJOGXo/YaVKYl47FlI/AAAAAAAAyvg/YBbaIcqv2ooqC9Kk7WZgF-9I-RJDXk91ACNcBGAsYHQ/s962/IMG_20210926_073925_243.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="962" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxo_MKJOGXo/YaVKYl47FlI/AAAAAAAAyvg/YBbaIcqv2ooqC9Kk7WZgF-9I-RJDXk91ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20210926_073925_243.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tired Eyes<br />A Good Cry with My "Why!"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdbrsUDOEZo/YaVKYoFD_CI/AAAAAAAAyvo/XCrmtwap3_wp4AV7VbMd0vyZXDTUmiA_wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1512/Attach0_20210922_111516%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1134" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdbrsUDOEZo/YaVKYoFD_CI/AAAAAAAAyvo/XCrmtwap3_wp4AV7VbMd0vyZXDTUmiA_wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Attach0_20210922_111516%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Place! </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Time to take a hot shower, get a burger and enjoy Billings, Montana's beer trail!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNZJLGd4i6E/YaU_mTGwnwI/AAAAAAAAyu8/YEbWUdw_36cTz29BGROvA6t_7Ujx38wYwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210917_135258.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNZJLGd4i6E/YaU_mTGwnwI/AAAAAAAAyu8/YEbWUdw_36cTz29BGROvA6t_7Ujx38wYwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210917_135258.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So Yummy!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Until next post, </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Trai</span><span style="color: red;">n Hard,</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Run Happy,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Run To Inspire</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">and</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">God Bless America!</span></b></p>Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-90799084473245280862021-09-29T16:00:00.007-04:002022-09-26T17:16:11.993-04:00State #41: Wisconsin<p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><i><b><u>Say Cheeeese!</u></b></i></h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXpW46sJdLQ/YVS6v0G4HFI/AAAAAAAAxY4/Vm4Za4vydpMA2xELlnn068IxV-_78ceVACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210813_173727.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXpW46sJdLQ/YVS6v0G4HFI/AAAAAAAAxY4/Vm4Za4vydpMA2xELlnn068IxV-_78ceVACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20210813_173727.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese Head Run, Wisconsin<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>On August 14, 2021, I ran the Cheesehead Run Half Marathon! The race follows along the rolling hills of Calumet County in rural eastern Wisconsin. It was a very well-organized out and back that started in a small mid-western town called Hillbert, Wisconsin. Although the race mentioned some long uphill stretches, it was to me a nice flat course with a few miles on a trail, called the Fox River Trail. I was grateful for the trail because as the race proceeded, the sun felt quite strong.<p></p><p>In spite of being lactose intolerant, I thought this race would provide me with a great opportunity to experience the beauty of this quiet area of Wisconsin, nestled amongst lots of farms and corn fields. I was good though - no cheese curds for me, even though I think I saw them in the Appie section on <i><b>every</b></i> menu in <i><b>every</b></i> restaurant. </p><p>In spite of eating healthy and watching my diet, I had terrible pain in the upper right abdominal quadrant that lasted about 10-miles. August seems to always be a hard month for me in terms of managing my Crohn's Disease. I literally prayed the pain would go away for almost the entire race. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VY51CSVEv8M/YT-RfykDL4I/AAAAAAAAw6k/6tu_wbBsYJUSQL2Fh2XfBFQXfyRrvgXzACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8771.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VY51CSVEv8M/YT-RfykDL4I/AAAAAAAAw6k/6tu_wbBsYJUSQL2Fh2XfBFQXfyRrvgXzACNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h267/IMG_8771.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a forced smile through the tummy issues!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT5cZAwqtws/YT-R5wlGukI/AAAAAAAAw6s/wuY8ebsH9VMd-L6MpjHfkOlSr9qPbL9vQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8772.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT5cZAwqtws/YT-R5wlGukI/AAAAAAAAw6s/wuY8ebsH9VMd-L6MpjHfkOlSr9qPbL9vQCNcBGAsYHQ/w266-h400/IMG_8772.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to Focusing, Breathing and Praying</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The whole time I ran, I thought, follow the guy in the bright yellow shirt. He past me in the beginning and from behind, he looked as if he were in such great shape. I though, gosh, if I can just tag along behind him for the rest of the race, I would probably do really well. There was no pic of me finishing, but here is the gentleman that I followed for the entire race.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7wPw9bA7WU/YT-TyUybNwI/AAAAAAAAw60/ie9CTigBWikx7X25Xk1ROfIStqsBMyMaQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_0902.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7wPw9bA7WU/YT-TyUybNwI/AAAAAAAAw60/ie9CTigBWikx7X25Xk1ROfIStqsBMyMaQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0902.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Brianth!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>When I finished, I had to introduce myself and tell him that I aimed to keep up with him the whole entire time. He was so nice - very thankful for all my compliments. I was like "WOW, I can't believe I was able to hang - he looks like quite the athlete!" Then he broke it to me... He told me that he loves to work out but didn't really train for this race - just ran a few miles here and there .... Let's get a beer, Brianth - maybe I will just forget that you just ran a few miles here and there with that post run beer! LOL! Of course, I train <b>CONSTANTLY</b>!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xH3awMvkuYg/YVS8268Y1II/AAAAAAAAxZ0/3SBx17sxGPQ5ACsoEc3ff2OwDnlawwjwACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2168_20210814_093655.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xH3awMvkuYg/YVS8268Y1II/AAAAAAAAxZ0/3SBx17sxGPQ5ACsoEc3ff2OwDnlawwjwACNcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_2168_20210814_093655.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers, Brianth!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have to give Ron some kudos - he ran the 5k! Great job, Ron, come have a beer with us! LOL!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoVMry5Gugw/YVS80O9-4XI/AAAAAAAAxZw/OC00OthlvdA-IXshnY6teYL9wZyDD_vuwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1728/Attach0_20210814_142216.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="1296" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoVMry5Gugw/YVS80O9-4XI/AAAAAAAAxZw/OC00OthlvdA-IXshnY6teYL9wZyDD_vuwCNcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/Attach0_20210814_142216.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta love the race beer!</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><p>It was great to learn that I placed first in my age group. This time, I was aware of where they were calling the age group winners - unlike Colorado. In Colorado all I could think was that I going to pass out from being deprived of oxygen for about 2-hours. In Colorado when they called my name, I was running around aimlessly wondering where the "winners circle" was - it was right in front of me. <i>Oh, well</i>.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-echwy2_6siA/YVS9ynuB92I/AAAAAAAAxaA/OezkusBMmgMgNzYgs5S5likeH6CHJH7CQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2024/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-09-29%2Bat%2B3.20.34%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="1506" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-echwy2_6siA/YVS9ynuB92I/AAAAAAAAxaA/OezkusBMmgMgNzYgs5S5likeH6CHJH7CQCNcBGAsYHQ/w298-h400/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-09-29%2Bat%2B3.20.34%2BPM.png" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st Place Age Group Win!!! <br />Woo-hoo!<br />1:52:00</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I received a beautiful pint glass and, I kid you not, a block of cheese! At first I didn't know what was in the pint glass. I poked this yellow block wrapped in plastic - see a trend? I am a little slow after a race, a little glucose deprived. Then I realized and said out loud, "Oh my gosh, this is a block of cheese!" The commentator said, "Yes, it is!"</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyjXz_ix5TN0HQry9NX60CQbg1ruGxYSXg4HZ-PP3vqXT0giP1DRXs3G0Nju6adKLuRleilegmPFu500KDMDw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>Next stop, a drive to T. Bacon's BBQ (<i>don't get really good BBQ in New Jersey by me</i>) and Anduzzi's Sports Club by Green Bay Packer's Lambeau Field. There was a pre-season game and the streets were packed. No we didn't wear any Green Bay jerseys - but we did happen to make friends with some Vikings fans from Minnesota, who were wearing inconspicuous purple outfits. They knew we were "<i>visitors</i>" based on our not representing Green Bay. I guess we stood out like sore thumbs - or in my case, sore hammies, LOL!</p><p>Here's a bit of the countryside along the way ...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUmU-AL6usI/YVS6v8qBqqI/AAAAAAAAxY4/taHIZ1thMNgvRJmASAL2twhYCECKaspUwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210814_062117.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUmU-AL6usI/YVS6v8qBqqI/AAAAAAAAxY4/taHIZ1thMNgvRJmASAL2twhYCECKaspUwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210814_062117.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of corn fields!<br />But very beautiful!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Can't forget to include a picture of Freedom - this is the whole reason I am able to run throughout the 50 United States of America! I am, and have always been acutely aware of how very blessed my family and I are to be living in the USA. Our freedom is something I will fight to preserve!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xD3p4fyNzAQ/YVTDRc9HT4I/AAAAAAAAxac/CwtnPvhpoIob6srLP0MWh9jPfil4fOkGgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1594/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-09-29%2Bat%2B3.48.58%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="1146" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xD3p4fyNzAQ/YVTDRc9HT4I/AAAAAAAAxac/CwtnPvhpoIob6srLP0MWh9jPfil4fOkGgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-09-29%2Bat%2B3.48.58%2BPM.png" width="230" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Until next post, <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Train Hard,</b></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Run Happy,</b></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Run To Inspire</b></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">and</b></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">God Bless America!</b></span></p></div></div>Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-64259875257703249212021-08-17T14:30:00.006-04:002021-08-18T17:32:41.920-04:00State #40: Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SYYJwwTRIk/YRv66Jg7gXI/AAAAAAAAwVs/OzpbxBhlv2kf1-D6aMUYXvkAIvw-NB6bwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/race_8929_122473_0eb26edf-477a-4003-85b4-70e77851c4ad.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="327" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SYYJwwTRIk/YRv66Jg7gXI/AAAAAAAAwVs/OzpbxBhlv2kf1-D6aMUYXvkAIvw-NB6bwCNcBGAsYHQ/w490-h327/race_8929_122473_0eb26edf-477a-4003-85b4-70e77851c4ad.jpg" width="490" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready, Set, Goooo!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>On July 16th, 2021, about 20 months after my last half marathon, I ran the Prairie Dog Half in Castle Rock, Colorado. It was a very challenging course. It was also very hot. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oK9rFgx6O64/YRvwHfKcpgI/AAAAAAAAwVg/5F6PFXE8SVImFB4VfRuSCPXxpBJYFpYFwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1590/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-17%2Bat%2B1.21.09%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1590" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oK9rFgx6O64/YRvwHfKcpgI/AAAAAAAAwVg/5F6PFXE8SVImFB4VfRuSCPXxpBJYFpYFwCNcBGAsYHQ/w514-h217/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-17%2Bat%2B1.21.09%2BPM.png" width="514" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>My heart is heavy writing this post because as I reached mile 10-ish, I was told there was an emergency on the course. All runners were to be re-directed. I stopped and yelled, "Everyone pray!" Then I looked at the woman, who definitely had panic in her eyes, and said, "I am from New Jersey, I don't know where I am going." She told me to follow the other runners.</p><p>There was one younger girl in front of me who kept stopping. I would catch up to her and yell, "C'mon - you are strong, powerful and confident!" She would then start running again. She would stop, I would catch her and yell, "C'mon, girl. Let's Go." This went on for at least 4 to 5 miles. So, if I could catch back up with her and not lose her, I would not get lost .... like I did in Washington State ... the first time I ran there! <i>Ugh!</i></p><p>Maybe it's a good thing we were redirected straight up a hill because the young girl slowed, stopped and I caught up to her, again. I might not be fast, but I definitely had endurance to make it up that huge hill at the end! I tried to hang with her once she picked back up and ran towards the finish.</p><p>It wasn't until a few weeks after the race, the race director reported that a young man in the race passed away. This is very sad news. I tried to see if the family had a Go Fund Me page but the race director was not aware of any. I am praying for this family. This is a tragic loss and I can definitely relate to seeing a loved one off in the morning and hear that they will not be coming home. This is why I run.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-si9Hg-7Z3XE/YRv-uN4V58I/AAAAAAAAwWk/WGinMWKeYE0EHXTe8fbyzjOT9jH7INQdACNcBGAsYHQ/s668/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-17%2Bat%2B2.23.20%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="668" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-si9Hg-7Z3XE/YRv-uN4V58I/AAAAAAAAwWk/WGinMWKeYE0EHXTe8fbyzjOT9jH7INQdACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-17%2Bat%2B2.23.20%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>The race started at 6:30 AM, which is probably the earliest start that I have ever done. At about mile 6/7, I got really dizzy from the altitude and fell off the course pathway. I stumbled onto the grass and to the next water stop. The volunteers asked if I were okay. I just said that I was a little dizzy because I was not accustomed to running at such high altitudes. Fortunately, the race was pretty much downhill from there and I started to peel off some time. This is when I was passed by a young girl who said, "Wow, you have been so hard to catch!" I told her that as long as she was not over 50, I was okay being passed by her. She yelled back to me, "Noooo, I am only eighteen!" <i>LOL!</i></p><p>The race was very pretty, most of it along a paved path, very quiet although you heard the occasional car and truck whiz by on the nearby highway. There were plenty of water stops and plenty of volunteers. There was one thing that I thought was odd and that had to do with the fact that there was no race timing mat at the turn around. After what happened to me in Kentucky when someone feigned running the full half and claimed to place in my age group, I am a fan of the bib chip and timing mats at start, mid-way and finish.</p><p>The last 400 meters was pretty flat and I sprinted through to the finish</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WdewtTJSgT0/YRv9nkXHf2I/AAAAAAAAwWU/zRJMcHBCSvoi9ZP7_zsAS8JmrQKnPRApwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/race_8929_122482_6176ccf7-e40f-4d38-ac93-a31b40045451.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="348" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WdewtTJSgT0/YRv9nkXHf2I/AAAAAAAAwWU/zRJMcHBCSvoi9ZP7_zsAS8JmrQKnPRApwCNcBGAsYHQ/w522-h348/race_8929_122482_6176ccf7-e40f-4d38-ac93-a31b40045451.jpg" width="522" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prairie Dog Half Marathon Finish</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Although the race wasn't cup-less, which seems to be very popular in Colorado, it was a cup-less finish. Thank goodness we had some ice pops. I probably felt dizzy for at least another hour, which is why when they called my name and told me that I finished 2nd place in my age group, I sat down to take the pic:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FVX8FBsJfg/YRv9W6aSRHI/AAAAAAAAwWM/39bjFkF8TUQymgc_NzkzpvuqQbbsI9R1ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/race_8929_122477_bd6c49f8-4640-4fa8-a256-3bc40f44a756.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="387" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FVX8FBsJfg/YRv9W6aSRHI/AAAAAAAAwWM/39bjFkF8TUQymgc_NzkzpvuqQbbsI9R1ACNcBGAsYHQ/w515-h387/race_8929_122477_bd6c49f8-4640-4fa8-a256-3bc40f44a756.jpg" width="515" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhausted!</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Congratulations to Ron, who placed 3rd AG in the "obligatory" 5K</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-532Q4aOvR8E/YRv_1eZxDLI/AAAAAAAAwWs/_4BTcCMThAsgylpr7-HMrOPs-DR2Ag2fwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/race_8929_122482_53f8c815-e23c-4e59-bab9-b750833b8527.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="329" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-532Q4aOvR8E/YRv_1eZxDLI/AAAAAAAAwWs/_4BTcCMThAsgylpr7-HMrOPs-DR2Ag2fwCNcBGAsYHQ/w491-h329/race_8929_122482_53f8c815-e23c-4e59-bab9-b750833b8527.jpg" width="491" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go, Ron!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p>Well, only 10 more states to go!! A little slower than when I started 11 years ago, but as I tell my clients:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>You can only do what you can do </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>for who you are </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>this moment in time!</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBY8T59EYjI/YRv-ViPtHSI/AAAAAAAAwWc/CMQNXj1qHcAgVbiEcpLYsnae-zt3XwF-gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1896/Prairie%2BDog%2BHalf%2BMarathon_Colorado_Finisher%2527s%2BCertificate.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="1896" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBY8T59EYjI/YRv-ViPtHSI/AAAAAAAAwWc/CMQNXj1qHcAgVbiEcpLYsnae-zt3XwF-gCNcBGAsYHQ/w433-h336/Prairie%2BDog%2BHalf%2BMarathon_Colorado_Finisher%2527s%2BCertificate.png" width="433" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Train Hard,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Run Happy,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Run To Inspire</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">and</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">God Bless America!</b></span></p><p><br /></p>Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-63733591666256848692020-06-01T16:39:00.001-04:002020-06-01T16:39:37.395-04:00State #39: Indiana<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This post has been a long time coming! I ran my half in Indiana in November. It was very cold! It can take me awhile to warm up when it's cold - and I didn't feel warm until about 10-miles in. At the 10-mile point, there was a water stop. I remember taking out the extra hand warmers in my pockets and tossing then to a young female volunteer, who looked as if she were freezing!<br />
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I chose the Veteran's Half Marathon in Columbus City, Indiana because the race honors all who served in the armed forces. Freedom is NOT Free. Honestly, there's just not enough road to say; "Thank you!". It was the 11th anniversary of the Veterans Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K. Ron also fulfilled as he likes to say " his contractual obligations" and ran the 5K!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go Ron - Steel Plate and All!</td></tr>
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At the start of the run, there were several veterans who came out to stand at attention while one person played taps in front of the huge flag displayed in the middle of the town. I started to cry. It was very moving. I felt blessed to be experiencing this example of patriotism. Then, they played our National Anthem and as they say, "we were off."<br />
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During the race, I was slightly ahead of a pack of runners who were running the marathon. The one gentleman was running with some sort of speaker, IDK what he was carrying - but it was playing classic rock songs. At first, my goal was to run away from them. Then, I guess my pace slowed. Next thing I knew, I was next talking with them, laughing and hanging with them through the rolling hills. They were super nice.<br />
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The gentleman with the speaker was asking me all about why I came all the way from New Jersey to run in their local race. Of course, I told them how it all started, what it evolved into and where it was going. I would lose them on the uphill, then catch them on the downhill. It was nice running alongside great people full of energy. I felt every foot hitting the road - while it seemed they just glided by.<br />
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The cold and wind started to take away some of my energy. Next thing I knew, I was trying to keep up with them. They were about 100 meters ahead of me when I crossed the finish. I couldn't imagine running another 13.1-miles at that point! I'm sure they finished their marathon strong!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running that last stretch of road!</td></tr>
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Right after the race, we went to the local brew pub. Ya' just gotta celebrate with a cold beer after a freezing cold half marathon at like 10AM, right? At first, it was Ron and me. Then, we met a local business person - he was a Psychiatrist. He came with us to the local brew pub. Then, after going up to the bar, we asked another person who was sitting by himself eating soup at the bar to come and join us. Next thing we knew - there were two other gentleman who joined us all. We were having a great time sitting around this large table, just talking. It was so much fun, we lost track of time. When we finally left, the runners were gone. We went up to the last few volunteers and looked to see what place I came in for my age group. I finished first place at 1:53:33 in my new age category, 55-59!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeay!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle of Town Post-Race!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this Award!</td></tr>
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I have to admit, over the past few years, it's been getting harder and harder to pack up, fly to another state and run a half marathon in a city that I know nothing about regarding the terrain, typical weather or where to get food. This race had a little extra drama - we missed our connecting flight! </div>
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We flew into Detroit. We walked to the gate - I thought we were too early. Based on this, we went to the Delta Sky Club. We were so tired from getting up at 4AM to fly out of Newark that we lost track of time. We ran to the gate just as the doors close! The gate attendants were like, "Didn't you hear us calling you?" Oh boy.... </div>
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We rented a car and drove from Detroit to Columbus City, Indiana. We stopped on the way at a newly opened BBQ restaurant. Yes, I was taking a huge chance with my stomach, but we were starving!!! I just remember the young female business owner handing me Ron's "<i>Soda Pop</i>". LOL! I felt as if I stepped back in time - nope, just a few states over!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqf00KN15DQ/XtVSD7Rm2rI/AAAAAAAAoSU/T6J34CLNggAireviVLzBGukNw3Apy0O5ACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20191108_124935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqf00KN15DQ/XtVSD7Rm2rI/AAAAAAAAoSU/T6J34CLNggAireviVLzBGukNw3Apy0O5ACPcBGAsYHg/s400/20191108_124935.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ron Looking Tired and Hungry!<br />But believe me, <br />his belly was singing happy tunes after this meal!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4FeGv99Zhw/XtVSD8KJ4EI/AAAAAAAAoSU/ux1J8G4yqq8rp5a_52EJinRkSpzW-koOwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20191108_125807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4FeGv99Zhw/XtVSD8KJ4EI/AAAAAAAAoSU/ux1J8G4yqq8rp5a_52EJinRkSpzW-koOwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20191108_125807.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulled Pork on White Bread ...<i>GUILTY</i>!</td></tr>
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Yes, I had my digestive enzymes, probiotics, Pentassa and Diphenoxylate-Atropine!</div>
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The Veterans Half Marathon was cold and windy, but it was well-organized - and not too hilly! There was warm soup at the end for all runners.</div>
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Someone told me they changed the course because the wind was tripping people and they were falling down in one section of the race. It was pretty windy, so I couldn't imagine it worse than it already was. The best part was starting and finishing downtown in front of Whitley County Courthouse and running past that huge flag on Veterans Day!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5cFU3Fx-LE/XtVgMCEbQVI/AAAAAAAAoTU/JhR17q1LTcoyb3kf_4HFDUd9t7kB4mMIACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-01%2Bat%2B4.02.28%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5cFU3Fx-LE/XtVgMCEbQVI/AAAAAAAAoTU/JhR17q1LTcoyb3kf_4HFDUd9t7kB4mMIACNcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-01%2Bat%2B4.02.28%2BPM.png" width="267" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Finish in Indiana, State #39!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Train Hard!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Run Happy!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Run To Inspire!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank You to All Our American Veterans!💗</span></b></div>
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Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-1218392312764391932020-01-20T16:18:00.000-05:002020-01-20T17:18:28.741-05:00State #38: South Dakota<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.leadingladiesmarathon.com/race-info.html"><span style="color: black;">Leading Ladies Half Marathon</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDxw0jI22zc/XiM6imNALzI/AAAAAAAAl38/yh6pCZespVk7L-rhoVrt5A-NW7CuKRr0ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20190817_105355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDxw0jI22zc/XiM6imNALzI/AAAAAAAAl38/yh6pCZespVk7L-rhoVrt5A-NW7CuKRr0ACKgBGAsYHg/s400/20190817_105355.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
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I was so excited to go to South Dakota! I couldn't wait to see Mt Rushmore, The Badlands - Sturgis and maybe take a trip to see Devil's Tower in Wyoming.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXOEBEkkmfE/XiM6imC55AI/AAAAAAAAl38/2xXJXueWp6gOzEuYcBIC08ayH2_3O9eDACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20190816_132336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXOEBEkkmfE/XiM6imC55AI/AAAAAAAAl38/2xXJXueWp6gOzEuYcBIC08ayH2_3O9eDACKgBGAsYHg/s400/20190816_132336.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow! Mt Rushmore!<br />
Can you name all four presidents?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CeCiQ1c20Q/XiM6irDIHnI/AAAAAAAAl38/-aJSsjQSsq0A42n8mdjtmu6BiweB1IXIgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20190816_134127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CeCiQ1c20Q/XiM6irDIHnI/AAAAAAAAl38/-aJSsjQSsq0A42n8mdjtmu6BiweB1IXIgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/20190816_134127.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, Ron is not one of them! LOL!</td></tr>
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I didn't choose The Leading Ladies Half Marathon in Spearfish South Dakota to go sightseeing, I honestly chose this race because it was a downhill race. I was having trouble with my Crohn's Disease and I thought it would be a good one to do while my Crohn's was active. Maybe easier because it was downhill.<br />
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Was I glad I did? Absolutely! I actually feel sorry for my male running friends because this will go down as one of my favorite half marathons - not because I PR'd - I actually didn't even run fast in spite of it being downhill.<br />
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It is a beautiful race! You run downhill through a canyon while passing several different waterfalls. Absolutely gorgeous! The weather was super wonderful - perfect for running - cool, not cold; dry, not humid. The sky was blue with big sleepy, summer clouds.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dkSLUauu2ZA/XiM6iqwMtiI/AAAAAAAAl38/8Gkq1hq4FaQOrhKuoQ5oaJ_iVTDPdXDMgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20190817_104936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dkSLUauu2ZA/XiM6iqwMtiI/AAAAAAAAl38/8Gkq1hq4FaQOrhKuoQ5oaJ_iVTDPdXDMgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/20190817_104936.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We stayed at <a href="https://spfcanyon.com/">Spearfish Canyon Lodge</a> just down the road from the start of the race. The owners were super nice. We had a small cabin with a full kitchen. We had a little balcony that looked straight into woods.<br />
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This was great because I need my decaf/regular coffee mix with Lactose free milk and ability to make my own breakfast - usually homemade banana bread with Justin's Vanilla Almond bread. I also need a fridge to store my Green Valley Organic Lactose Free Vanilla Yogurt. When something works - you stick with it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race Fuel!</td></tr>
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Hiking through the property and then through the canyon was just the cherry on top!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfalls Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a beautiful, scenic half marathon!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I was nervous at the start.</span></div>
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My goal is always to place in my age group. This one would be challenging. When my Crohn's is active, I bleed. My small intestines don't do a good job of absorbing nutrients and transit time between eating and digesting is only one meal away. So, not only was training rough - low energy - but my tummy wasn't very cooperative and I was afraid it would not hold out for all 13.1 miles ...and it didn't.</div>
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It is typical 6 months after a very stressful event to have my Crohn's flare. Opening another business, <a href="https://beyondcryotherapy.com/">Beyond Cryotherapy</a> was fun, but stressful. In fact, I upped my Whole Body Cryotherapy sessions from maintenance of 1-2 times per week to 4-5 times per week to help bring down the inflammation! My doctor wanted me on medicine - which I eventually succumbed to. It took two changes in meds and lots of cryotherapy over 6 months to finally get the Crohn's back into remission. Running this half was scary because I was bleeding every stop I made - and I stopped 4 times!<br />
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My splits were going well in the race, until the cramping started around mile 9/10. I intentionally started out slow and was shooting for 8:15 min/mile pace ... but I told myself if I ran an 8:30 min/mile pace, I should be happy and proud of myself based on how active my Crohn's was. It got pretty ugly after mile 10 - I could no longer get my time down under 8:30 min/mile. I finished 1:51:13:59 ... go figure who was with me? <i>I got a 13 and a 59</i>!<br />
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I ran exactly an 8:30 min/mile pace - and even though it was right before my 55th birthday, I managed to snag the 1st place age group for this half in what was the last time I would see the 50-55 age group!. Those years saw lots of running!<br />
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After the race, we drove to Wyoming to do some hiking around Devil's Tower.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_ASYKZUvLM/XiNLFYjS9MI/AAAAAAAAl4U/GfV-SRUWy-MtS3mKw7nQRUmWBHZupx5owCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20190817_152406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_ASYKZUvLM/XiNLFYjS9MI/AAAAAAAAl4U/GfV-SRUWy-MtS3mKw7nQRUmWBHZupx5owCKgBGAsYHg/s320/20190817_152406.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Devil's Tower, Wyoming</span></td></tr>
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And the next day, we drove out to Badlands National Park! Who knew South Dakota was full of so many beautiful canyons?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8grqVBAtEnc/XiNLbN5KX2I/AAAAAAAAl4c/x0Z_7KBSbrQSDYdtKMVJOFccVHwuiFbcACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20190818_135630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8grqVBAtEnc/XiNLbN5KX2I/AAAAAAAAl4c/x0Z_7KBSbrQSDYdtKMVJOFccVHwuiFbcACKgBGAsYHg/s400/20190818_135630.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badlands National Park</td></tr>
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<br />
and Prairie Dogs?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HNMrXsM2Zjk/XiYUrC3YrMI/AAAAAAAAl8U/KTxES6yZu0grtzV7ThAfEw8zdc-e5y2-QCEwYBhgL/s1600/20190817_163114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HNMrXsM2Zjk/XiYUrC3YrMI/AAAAAAAAl8U/KTxES6yZu0grtzV7ThAfEw8zdc-e5y2-QCEwYBhgL/s400/20190817_163114.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prairie Dogs - Just Chillin'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Driving through this part of America was amazing! We went through towns that had signs stating that their total population was like 11! I graduated high school with well over 600 students in my class!<br />
<br />
It was definitely the land of black steer! Lots and lots of farmland! So beautiful. I feel so blessed to be able to have run in so many states. It has been an amazing way to see the country!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bv-JsccHc9E/XiNN5P3wAgI/AAAAAAAAl4o/UnIsoL0x1sUZB-4qTVVEzJeAqsyzsDjhQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20190817_132824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bv-JsccHc9E/XiNN5P3wAgI/AAAAAAAAl4o/UnIsoL0x1sUZB-4qTVVEzJeAqsyzsDjhQCKgBGAsYHg/s400/20190817_132824.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Dakota Farmland!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Places to eat while in Spearfish:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Spearfish Brewing Company - Great for a burger and beer</li>
<li>Redwater Cafe - Trendy foods and menu chef-inspired</li>
<li>Steerfish Steak and Smoke: Cozy downtown restaurant serving smoked steaks and chops</li>
<li>Badlands Saloon and Grill: Family Restaurant - beer, pizza, burgers</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: right;">
... everything is meat in South Dakota! LOL!</div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2l84YXEPkE/XiYUrCakFXI/AAAAAAAAl8Q/wW2CN-a00rAhebS2_w4I3EIub_MWZTfFQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20190817_070029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2l84YXEPkE/XiYUrCakFXI/AAAAAAAAl8Q/wW2CN-a00rAhebS2_w4I3EIub_MWZTfFQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/20190817_070029.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeds all around the cabin - They look just like a memorial necklace I was given after 9/11<br />
#alwayswithme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sfLRHZvlHxs/XiYUrDWcxqI/AAAAAAAAl8M/S4gvE1qZvlsjaRs5i7EUfWMtTiMjLeXBwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20190820_074942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sfLRHZvlHxs/XiYUrDWcxqI/AAAAAAAAl8M/S4gvE1qZvlsjaRs5i7EUfWMtTiMjLeXBwCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/20190820_074942.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Train Hard!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recover Harder!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Run Happy!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Run To Inspire!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-38293466565750755452019-07-04T11:56:00.002-04:002019-07-04T12:00:13.891-04:00Tokyo Marathon 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqPuUaHM9zY/XR4Wo2IQ69I/AAAAAAAAjRc/ihxAWcdJ9OwWWMfZwexUsqpVHHE9qeGrACEwYBhgL/s1600/1133-3039425_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqPuUaHM9zY/XR4Wo2IQ69I/AAAAAAAAjRc/ihxAWcdJ9OwWWMfZwexUsqpVHHE9qeGrACEwYBhgL/s400/1133-3039425_full.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tokyo Marathon 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The marathon is a mental game, a humbling experience that also requires a <i>little</i> physical endurance.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you cannot withstand the mental and physical pounding during the training, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you will likely get injured and never make it to the start. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you cannot withstand the mental and physical pounding for the 26.2+ miles, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you will likely falter - and you may not make it to the finish. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you finish in the time you hoped for - it is exhilarating. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you finish far past the point of where you hoped to finish - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you are left with a quasi feeling of accomplishment, playing more mental games....</div>
<br />
On March 3rd, 2019, I completed my 6th World Major Marathon. I received the Tokyo Marathon Medal, as well as the Abbott 6 World Major Marathon medal. I finished far past what I expected, and for a few weeks, I felt as if I failed.<br />
<br />
I knew going into this race that I played it very safe while training. I ran 9:30 min/mile pace in my long runs, was careful (slower) in my strides, pick-ups, and track work outs. Running after the 1/2 in <a href="http://halfcrazedrunner.blogspot.com/2019/02/state-37-nevada.html" target="_blank">Henderson</a> was few and far between because my legs were so banged up. But no excuses - only reasons of why I knew I was likely facing a 4 hour, maybe going over to 4 hours plus 5-10-minutes. It was (<i>maybe</i>) going to be my last marathon ....<br />
<br />
Over the past few months, I did some soul searching, and wondered if it was worth logging all the miles I have <i><b>ever</b></i> run ...and after almost several months, I can profoundly answer:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>YES!</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Gloves - What a Mistake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I gave a talk at the <a href="https://www.essexrunning.com/" target="_blank">Essex Running Club's</a> annual dinner a few months back. I was so happy they asked me. I just wanted to thank everyone whom I have met while running - when you all talk, I listen. I listen to every word you say - all your advice, your thoughts, your actions, your race stories - and at my lowest points in my races, I think of your words, your race stories, your life - every step, and every mile.<br />
<br />
People are always amazed - you run by yourself? 22 miles? Do you listen to music? What do you think about? Well, I tell people - sometimes I think, 'Oh Gosh this totally sucks' - especially going uphill mile during a 22 mile training run. But mostly I pray. I go through the alphabet, and pray for everyone I know whose name starts with <i>A, B, C, D </i>...etc. This starts to fall apart around ... <i>Q, R, S. </i>Good thing I include families associated with those people in the first few letters!<br />
<br />
At about mile 18, 19, and 20 - I pull from the people I know:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Rebecca: I love this woman, aka My Track Partner in Crime. I always hear her words: '<i>There's always room for new energy</i>!'</li>
<li>Meb: '<i>I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me</i>' How true, how true!</li>
<li>Jackie: '<i>It's just a hill - get over it</i>!'</li>
<li>Yadira: "<i>You can do this, this is easy</i>!"</li>
<li>Joel: '<i>You're running sub 7-minute miles on the track, you can do a 4-hour marathon</i>!'</li>
<li>Tom Fleming: '<i>Listen to your Coach and just run</i>!'</li>
<li>Mary and Fidelma: '<i>Good luck, Beth - You <u><b>can</b></u> do this</i>!'</li>
<li>Paul: '<i>The hay is in the barn. You have done everything you needed to do to prepare for this moment</i>.'</li>
<li>Ron, My Bestie, Life Partner aka "Bag Man": '<i>Keep running "glidey" Just glide along</i>'</li>
</ul>
But Tokyo was tougher than any other marathon I've run so far. It wasn't hilly, there were some bridges around mile 9-13, but no biggy - I had Jackie with me.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made the fatal mistake of thinking it would get warmer as the day went on</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
- but it got colder, with heavy rains, and gusty winds that threatened my very soul and spirit. </div>
</div>
<br />
I saw Ron at mile 9 and screamed - "My hands are so cold." My hot hands got soaked and I threw them away about mile 8. I couldn't stand the sound of the rain poncho "Csh, Csh, Csh" every step - so I ripped it off mile 8 too. Ech - that's when I got soaked and started to feel the winds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqdMaCZVYHs/XR4XBqZhKtI/AAAAAAAAjRk/J2h-tBWFbnooFul68sI4CTM7gyQS8iwtACEwYBhgL/s1600/2870-484596_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqdMaCZVYHs/XR4XBqZhKtI/AAAAAAAAjRk/J2h-tBWFbnooFul68sI4CTM7gyQS8iwtACEwYBhgL/s400/2870-484596_full.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilled to the Bone!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I saw Ron again at mile 13. He screamed my name while holding up a pair of gloves - I was already headed for delirium - I thought he went back to the hotel, grabbed my gloves, and met me at mile 13. No - he had his gloves in his backpack and gave them to me. It took me about 1 mile to get the gloves on - and my hands burned so badly once in the warm dry gloves. Unfortunately, they didn't stay dry, and once wet, they were no longer warm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqpf2g8bixU/XR4Xq5UGDqI/AAAAAAAAjRc/pTYAec5_K_oxLhLyrppF-HjDWfKKVB5xwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Putting%2Bon%2BGloves%2BTokyo%2BMarathon%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqpf2g8bixU/XR4Xq5UGDqI/AAAAAAAAjRc/pTYAec5_K_oxLhLyrppF-HjDWfKKVB5xwCEwYBhgL/s400/Putting%2Bon%2BGloves%2BTokyo%2BMarathon%2B2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying To Squeeze Cold Swollen Hands into Gloves<br />
Looks like everyone's hands hurt!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With every gust of wind, I thought - find a big guy and just drag behind him. Then the nausea set in. I am sure I had a mild case of hypothermia:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>I was dizzy</li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I was super nauseous</span></li>
<li>I was apathetic</li>
<li>I felt super tired</li>
</ul>
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In terms of apathy, around mile 16, I checked out. I told myself I was home and running a 10 mile training run. I knew<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mile 1: I was at Mountainside Hospital</li>
<li>Mile 2: I was at Bloomfield Ave</li>
<li>Mile 4: I was in front of the train station, stroking the name, "John A Candela" and praying to God there are no more terror attacks on the United States</li>
<li>Mile 5: I was passing my street</li>
<li>Mile 6: I was at Brookdale Park, running down the hill for mile 7, running the inner loop for mile 8, climbing the hill in the park for mile 9, running back home for mile 10.</li>
</ul>
Yes, that would make 26 miles. For the last quarter mile, I pictured myself on the track - one more loop. Oh, No - why wasn't it over? Just go around the track again - it will soon end. I was on the track for two<b> </b>more quarter mile loops - it was the marathon that never ended!<br />
<br />
In terms of nausea - it was bad. I know as a Registered Dietitian and Sports Specialist, I needed to eat my gels and gu's, drink water and take sips of the electrolyte drink post mile 20. I ate a Gu around mile 18, and thought I was going to puke. I past each water stop from then on with disdain - the thought of putting anything in my mouth made me gag. This made me think of a very special runner - Nancy.<br />
<br />
Nancy is an amazing woman - a real fighter, a true survivor. Nancy is a cancer survivor, a breast cancer survivor. She has been on medicine over the years that has made her sick - I have seen her training across the track, getting sick in the garbage pale. She told Rebecca and I this incredible story of a woman (by-stander) who helped her while she was getting sick in the New York City Marathon this past year. When she went to say, "Thank You" she got sick all over this woman. The woman was really cool about it - seemingly honored that she was able to help Nancy, so Nancy could finish the race, which of course, she did.<br />
<br />
The night before the Tokyo Marathon, I also thought of Nancy - she ran Boston Marathon 2018 wearing dish gloves and a smile. I thought, "<i>Hmm should I wear dish gloves? Noooooo - Tokyo wasn't going to be that bad....</i>"<br />
<br />
Every time I got that wave of nausea, I thought of Nancy:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Nancy has done this a million times - <i>You can do this!</i></li>
<li>Nancy runs on the track after a meeting with the garbage pale - then she rocks it - and then she goes home and writes those "Be Inspired" Quotes on Facebook! <i>You can do this</i>!</li>
<li>Oh God, I'm going to throw up in front of all these people, I'm gonna just start puking. I literally thought this and started to laugh, thinking of Nancy's story of the New York City Marathon - <i>Well if I don't hit anybody, I'll be okay ...</i></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oo8CUd1kpus/XR4aS4qkIAI/AAAAAAAAjSE/KFTbqfMjrccQVpR_r7xuK4apFl6s2Fx4gCLcBGAs/s1600/FB_IMG_1562253790706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oo8CUd1kpus/XR4aS4qkIAI/AAAAAAAAjSE/KFTbqfMjrccQVpR_r7xuK4apFl6s2Fx4gCLcBGAs/s400/FB_IMG_1562253790706.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I Gave My Foil Blanket to (Nancy) Katz and Dogs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The marathon is a mental game:</div>
At every mile, everyone is there - My friends from Essex Running Club and Montclair Fleet Feet were there. My family was there - I just couldn't let them down. My kids faces were in front of me. Ron's frozen face holding up those gloves - yup, in front of me. My Coach and Rebecca were there holding up a sign ...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t27lk2Dwho0/XR4hcaYbXPI/AAAAAAAAjSQ/7e948OiW7DkZg4K929IMUtTJpf3XYn2DgCLcBGAs/s1600/Attach35736_20190227_085354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t27lk2Dwho0/XR4hcaYbXPI/AAAAAAAAjSQ/7e948OiW7DkZg4K929IMUtTJpf3XYn2DgCLcBGAs/s400/Attach35736_20190227_085354.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luvuguyz!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There were even people from my past, who have moved on. They were screaming, "Don't Stop Girl, You Got This!"<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
You were all there with me - inspiring me to finish strong - you all came to see me finish.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
'You gotta finish. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Beth, C'mon finish strong baby, finish strong. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
... oh boy, I got no kick - wish I squeezed down one more gu. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shut up, just keep going, keep pushing ...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
OMG.... there's the finish'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run To Inspire</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GsVlHXQ1bJs/XR4XsQefCLI/AAAAAAAAjRg/isn3rZ7CruYlvQYCjWc-JChiYZoQgLBvgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Tokyo%2BMarathon%2BMedal%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GsVlHXQ1bJs/XR4XsQefCLI/AAAAAAAAjRg/isn3rZ7CruYlvQYCjWc-JChiYZoQgLBvgCEwYBhgL/s400/Tokyo%2BMarathon%2BMedal%2B2019.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fakest Smile Ever!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run Strong</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-z0yi7RkNE/XR4XoXvWO9I/AAAAAAAAjRY/pF0pPzXAbQE32liErEouRPr2P3L97RoxACEwYBhgL/s1600/Abbott%2BSix%2BStar%2BPic%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-z0yi7RkNE/XR4XoXvWO9I/AAAAAAAAjRY/pF0pPzXAbQE32liErEouRPr2P3L97RoxACEwYBhgL/s400/Abbott%2BSix%2BStar%2BPic%2B3.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone in this Six Star tent tried to put more foil blankets on me -<br />
I told them it wouldn't help.<br />
Apparently, I was shivering so much I scared them!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run Fearless</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPeTz4KI70Y/XR4W08HPnkI/AAAAAAAAjMc/cPeZRMsgo1ArPepUR8Jxog86gSlMIfMJgCEwYBhgL/s1600/2-11623307_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPeTz4KI70Y/XR4W08HPnkI/AAAAAAAAjMc/cPeZRMsgo1ArPepUR8Jxog86gSlMIfMJgCEwYBhgL/s400/2-11623307_full.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hallelujah!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run For Peace</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ya0RPbP4MXE/XR4XCoOqgaI/AAAAAAAAjRM/FYsiEtSRjjIkdl81gSnWO2AjNyWtDmHQgCEwYBhgL/s1600/3-1215438_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ya0RPbP4MXE/XR4XCoOqgaI/AAAAAAAAjRM/FYsiEtSRjjIkdl81gSnWO2AjNyWtDmHQgCEwYBhgL/s320/3-1215438_full.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>and ... </i></span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>Know Your Why</i></span></b></div>
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Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-53371613040053344442019-02-26T21:45:00.001-05:002019-02-27T08:48:15.149-05:00State #37: Nevada<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's put it this way, I ran the Saints and Sinners Half Marathon in Nevada and when I left ... Hell Froze Over!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgcoR9Ni_28/XG6f0V9lcrI/AAAAAAAAhQA/g37dfVOwUR8cq1YCph_4u0zzWh7szca6QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-21%2Bat%2B7.27.50%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgcoR9Ni_28/XG6f0V9lcrI/AAAAAAAAhQA/g37dfVOwUR8cq1YCph_4u0zzWh7szca6QCEwYBhgL/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-21%2Bat%2B7.27.50%2BAM.png" width="310" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The trip started with an immediate drive to the local Medi-Center. With the Crohn's Disease, I usually get a warning that I have an infection or I am getting a cold - this comes in the form of a canker sore. </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, I had several!</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know I have been pushing it, starting a new business and training for the Tokyo Marathon. So I thought I would be safe and get checked out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unbeknownst to some, I also have had a few bouts of passing some kidney stones/crystals. This is common with not hydrating properly (likely due to the new business along with the intense training) and Crohn's. Long story short, I was fine - just a touch of bronchitis. Which, isn't great when you are starting a race at 2600 feet, aka Altitude. But, I chose this race because it was a downhill race, and that can help when running at altitude. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After about half a mile of running straight downhill, I started to call out to nearby runners, "Anyone run this race before?" I screamed it out a few times, until a woman ran up alongside me and said, "Yes, why?" I asked, "Is it the downhill this steep the whole race?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For those who live around the Montclair, NJ area, I can only describe the downhill in this race to be almost as steep as Alexander Ave or the top of Mt Hebron going from Highland to Upper Mountain Ave. I often walk down those hills after running about mile 10 or 13 because I want to be cautious not to blow out my knee cap. But there I was in Nevada, getting thrown down the side of this steep embankment for a good 3 miles, to which then I had to climb a steep hill, only to be thrown down more hills, for another 3 miles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the time I got to mile six, my chest was burning. I was coughing and coughing. I drank a Gatorade, and then a water. This young volunteer ran up to me, "Miss, Would you like another glass of water?" Through this terrible barking cough, I replied, "No. Thank you." Then I tried to start to run again. My legs were so banged up - they felt exactly as they did in mile 22 of the New York City Marathon. Holy Schmoly - the legs didn't want to move. I got so nervous - I just started repeating, </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me'.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next thing I knew we were running a slight incline that <i>felt as if </i>I were climbing the Dolomiti! My legs were so heavy. And then, we were running on a ledge, about 4 people wide. I hate, hate, hate heights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So even though there was a beautiful view of Lake Mead (I think) and the mountains in the background, all I could think of was how I could fall off the side of this gravel path. I was dizzy, and nauseous - which is how I get when I am up high. I was praying out loud, "Lord, please get me past this tunnel section." It was very quiet through this section - if anyone heard me, they must have thought I was a wack-a-do!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I went really slowly in the tunnels because I couldn't see. After 2 retinal surgeries (thanks again to the Crohn's), it's really hard for me to see in dark places. So, I just kept praying ...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tKDHYkeDlKw/XG6fu6_mhfI/AAAAAAAAhPw/JJJWxc_cjS0NxJLhFQpUkqjr0qAsXBcVgCLcBGAs/s1600/20190216_SandS_fin_259-%2528ZF-3347-03465-1-002%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tKDHYkeDlKw/XG6fu6_mhfI/AAAAAAAAhPw/JJJWxc_cjS0NxJLhFQpUkqjr0qAsXBcVgCLcBGAs/s400/20190216_SandS_fin_259-%2528ZF-3347-03465-1-002%2529.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from this Tunnel Section Were So Very Pretty, <br />
But I was too scared to look down!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the tunnel section, you had more downhill, not so steep, but my legs were shot. At first I was like, "Oh good, a break from that incline," - and then I was like, "Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All along the course, I looked for Ron. He wasn't at the 1/2-way point, he wasn't at another spot where supporters were cheering. I wanted so bad to tell him - someone - "MY LEGS HURT". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, I saw Ron. I only snarled - too exhausted to talk, he just got an, </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Ughhhhhh!"</i></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At that point, we were near the end, and we had to cross over some roads. I started seeing runners coming up from a hill-ish part. I yelled to a volunteer, "Where's the finish?" He yelled back, "It's over that way."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The volunteer was pointing behind him. That meant that I had this small (IDK 1/4 mile) stretch downhill, but then we had to turn around and climb back up about 1/4-mile to make a left (in front of other runners) in order to make our way to the finish. I thought I was going to cry - how the heck were my legs going to go back up this incline - yes, it was small, but how?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have chronic left hammy issues from all this running (This was my 41st half!) - so my quads - particularly my left quad, does a lot of work pulling me uphill - and that poor little quad was shot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, more praying. I started to go through the alphabet and pray ..J- I prayed for Juliette, Johnny, Joel - and then I thought of someone special....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I left for Nevada, my Coach, Joel Pasternack, came to visit me at my new business, Beyond Cryotherapy. He told me that he wanted to tell me something. Of course, having PTSD and being Italian, I thought,' Oh my Lord, who is dying?' I bulleted questions,</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you sick?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is Bonnie well?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your daughter?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your son-in-law?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh my God, Joel, is it one of your granddaughters?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He said, "Everyone is fine, just type into your computer '<span style="color: var(--yt-lightsource-primary-title-color);">Benjamin Fairclough'" Joel's my coach - I naturally do everything he tells me. Together we sat, and watched this wispy blonde, child of God, walk across a gym floor to perform holiday songs with her pre-K-3 class:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7FdJmO4DDgY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7FdJmO4DDgY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then Joel proceeded to share with me that his Granddaughter, Carli, has Cerebral Palsy. I was at a loss for words. I could only think out loud, as I called on God. I refused to cry in front of Joel - he is so proud of his granddaughter, and it was actually a celebratory moment for Joel. I sat, and watched my coach, the man who ran his entire life ran - and still does - even after knee surgery - talk about his granddaughter, Carli. His eyes, bright, full of hope, proud of her accomplishments, and he told me, "You know, she has braces on her legs - that helps her walk with her walker. It's amazing what they have for her to help her walk. She's a toughy - a real fighter."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, there I was, climbing this sort of incline. People were dropping like flies. Ron said even the guy in 1st place struggled coming back up that section - that he could see it in his face. I yelled out to a guy next to me, "Quicksand, I feel like my legs are in quicksand." That's when I thought of the video that Joel showed me. I thought, if Carli can make it across that gym floor, God, I can make it up this section and on to the finish." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I dedicated that last mile to Carli, knowing that I have no idea what she struggles with, what it feels like for her to move, walk - and I hope, maybe, one day - to run ...with Joel." <i>God have mercy</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started to approach where we had to turn left, and shouted to a young girl facing that last incline down and back, "C'mon baby doll," and I waved her in front of me. Once you make that left, the race shoots you about 300 meters or so through another steep downhill. I thought, 'Make some time back, you can heal later." I looked at my watch - I could only squeeze out an 8:15-minute mile pace for that last section. people were yelling, "It's right around this bend. Kick it Out. C'mon, Kick it out!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I tried to kick it out - and you can see in this picture, the pain in my face as I finished. I didn't even realize there were two chutes - a saintly one, and a sinner one. Looks like I'm a sinner! LOL!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86luVXBjJ28/XG6fu2XtMeI/AAAAAAAAhP0/jWZ6aTFht5kmDVTRP3vxpuDOQJNc9nR_QCLcBGAs/s1600/20190216_SandS_fin_279-%2528ZF-3347-03465-1-001%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86luVXBjJ28/XG6fu2XtMeI/AAAAAAAAhP0/jWZ6aTFht5kmDVTRP3vxpuDOQJNc9nR_QCLcBGAs/s400/20190216_SandS_fin_279-%2528ZF-3347-03465-1-001%2529.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My Poor Quads!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It took me about 4 days to be able to walk down the stairs in the morning on alternating legs! The Saints and Sinners Half will go down as the hardest half marathon that I have run so far! Thank God for the cryotherapy at <a href="https://beyondcryotherapy.com/" target="_blank">Beyond Cryotherapy</a>!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIYqpLV39GY/XHX3QKjEGiI/AAAAAAAAhSg/VphRohEPv-wB364zUjKn1S-pb4kzJSsbQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-26%2Bat%2B9.29.08%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="491" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIYqpLV39GY/XHX3QKjEGiI/AAAAAAAAhSg/VphRohEPv-wB364zUjKn1S-pb4kzJSsbQCLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-26%2Bat%2B9.29.08%2BPM.png" width="222" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Getting ready for Tokyo 3/3/2019<br style="font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Maximizing Recovery in the JUKA </span><br style="font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">at Beyond Cryotherapy!</span></span></td></tr>
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Fourth Place Age Group </div>
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1:49:27</div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Keep Moving!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stay Strong!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Run Happy!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Train Hard!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recover Harder!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Run For Peace!</span></b></div>
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Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-74361610167866773702018-12-19T12:50:00.000-05:002019-02-21T07:42:26.316-05:00State #36: Washington (Again)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I managed to redo Washington State in September and reclaim my Washington State attempt. As you might already know, I attempted to run Washington State last February, Recap: <a href="http://halfcrazedrunner.blogspot.com/2018/02/state-35-dnf-washington-state.html" target="_blank">Here</a> The course was so poorly marked, that I got lost. I didn't realize this until I did one loop twice, and saw someone (whom I should have had seen standing there the 1st time through the loop) yelling "Half Marathoners, this way." Of course I freaked out, and asked the guy, "was I supposed to run this way after the 1st loop?" Anyway, Orca Running was kind enough to allow me to enter another one of their races ...free of the entry fee.<br />
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So, we planned another trip out to Washington State. Just to interject a little about traveling to a race - it's not an easy feat. I've gotten in sometimes at 9pm, had to get the rental, drive to a hotel, sleep in a bed that sometimes very uncomfortable. get up early, plan my meal - so that my Crohn's is perfect through the entire 13.1, head out to the race, scurry to pick up a packet, line up at 7am, 8 am or whatever, push through altitude changes, and stay focussed. This was easier in my 40's, but heading towards my new age group, at 55, I'm feeling it a little more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsCjvVe0kHc/XBqCBzzplGI/AAAAAAAAgWw/xvcZliGLD-QL_GkSu9ftJFB1aVl4QYQ6QCLcBGAs/s1600/Orca%2BHalf%2BFocus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="334" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsCjvVe0kHc/XBqCBzzplGI/AAAAAAAAgWw/xvcZliGLD-QL_GkSu9ftJFB1aVl4QYQ6QCLcBGAs/s400/Orca%2BHalf%2BFocus.png" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Focus To Finish Strong!</td></tr>
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See, my goal was never to just run a half in every state, my goal has always been to place in my age group in every half in every state. Sometimes I've done this - and sometimes I haven't - doesn't change my goal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjIr5IZ41ZU/XBqCM1FKhXI/AAAAAAAAgW0/WlMEHIxKNVApfC0Z6xplsxfmezRZXqdZgCLcBGAs/s1600/Never%2BForget%2B911%2BMy%2BReason%2BFor%2BWanting%2BTo%2BPlace%2Bin%2Bthe%2BHalves%2BOrca%2BHalf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="340" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjIr5IZ41ZU/XBqCM1FKhXI/AAAAAAAAgW0/WlMEHIxKNVApfC0Z6xplsxfmezRZXqdZgCLcBGAs/s400/Never%2BForget%2B911%2BMy%2BReason%2BFor%2BWanting%2BTo%2BPlace%2Bin%2Bthe%2BHalves%2BOrca%2BHalf.png" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pointing to my Mercy Band<br />
The Reason Behind My Goal<br />
Loss of My Husband, John A Candela, <br />
Killed in 911 in Attacks on WTC</td></tr>
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I ran all summer thinking of placing in my age group in the Orca Half Marathon. I just had to feel that I walked away from Washington State successful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yWg6Ei8CIoU/XBp7Wm3RrsI/AAAAAAAAgWk/ZuH0JnCcOpAdV7w_xb7_YAyu_nLaDJZ4wCLcBGAs/s1600/Orca%2BHalf%2Bresults.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="745" height="251" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yWg6Ei8CIoU/XBp7Wm3RrsI/AAAAAAAAgWk/ZuH0JnCcOpAdV7w_xb7_YAyu_nLaDJZ4wCLcBGAs/s400/Orca%2BHalf%2Bresults.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second place: Goal Achieved!<br />
9/23/2018</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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It feels good to know that at 1:45:57, </div>
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I would have placed in any age group 35 and older!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Info about the course - </div>
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</div>
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<li>Yes! You do see stupendous views of downtown Seattle, Blake Island, Vashon Island and Puget Sound! </li>
<li>It’s pretty flat, except around mile 10-ish, when you have to climb a small hill (pretty hot at that time) to go over a bridge, turn around and do it again.</li>
<li>It benefits a local non-profit: The Whale Trail</li>
</ul>
<br />
Quirky Half Crazed Memories:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The Port-O-John line was too long, and I started to get nervous that I wouldn't be able to pee, so I ran off into the distance - found some slope that ended behind a wall. Climbed up the slope - and slid down behind the wall. I started crying thinking that I broke my sacrum .... I thought, "Gosh will I ever be able to finish Washington State?" Yes ...I was fine! <i>Stupid - but fine</i>!</li>
<li>I realized I forgot my gels, and texted Ron pre- bag check, who rented a City Bike, and met me on the course at mile 4 with 2 gels - one was the new Maurten's Gel - which I am totally digging - it's been great on the GI (<b><i>sponsor anyone???)</i></b></li>
<li>I heard - what I though were seal pups - barking in the distance while running! I did not see any Orca Whales, but hearing the seals barking was pretty cool.</li>
<li>I finished, making okay time after flying in last minute, and trying to get used to the time change.</li>
</ul>
Oh yeah - I did all this while starting a new business, <a href="https://beyondcryotherapy.com/" target="_blank"><b>Beyond Cryotherapy</b></a>, which houses my nutrition business, <a href="http://beyondnutrition-rdn.com/" target="_blank"><b>B3yond Nutrition</b></a>!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Keep Moving!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Stay Strong!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Run Happy!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Train Hard!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Recover Harder!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Run For Peace!</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VhBzBZPNcU/XBqDMwPcIyI/AAAAAAAAgXA/MvIgtAg5TzQhASdO-HMQ5hI1XeME6wTcgCLcBGAs/s1600/Successful%2BFinish%2BState%2B37%2BOrca%2BHalf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="347" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VhBzBZPNcU/XBqDMwPcIyI/AAAAAAAAgXA/MvIgtAg5TzQhASdO-HMQ5hI1XeME6wTcgCLcBGAs/s400/Successful%2BFinish%2BState%2B37%2BOrca%2BHalf.png" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always feels good pushing through that chute!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-72562678529860659452018-08-26T15:15:00.002-04:002019-02-21T07:42:38.199-05:00State #35: Ohio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On Sunday, August 19th, I ran the Rock Hall Half Marathon in Cleveland, Ohio. </div>
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This was state #36, </div>
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and my 39th half marathon!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYXGDRQAahQ/W4K11rRuUJI/AAAAAAAAerE/y4QV7DzCR0IZfSrLgkXu1HtxgJbDD3MUwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180818_124056.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYXGDRQAahQ/W4K11rRuUJI/AAAAAAAAerE/y4QV7DzCR0IZfSrLgkXu1HtxgJbDD3MUwCLcBGAs/s400/20180818_124056.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It was a real pain in the butt getting there! It's been raining every weekend - even flooding in parts of New Jersey! So our flight was delayed due to storms, more delays - and then rebooked for the next morning - for some crazy hour, like 5am.<br />
<br />
Tried to stock up on my foods - homemade bread, bananas, Justin's Almond butter - but I needed real food by the time we landed in Cleveland. I've been eating real clean due to my having an acute Crohn's flare two weekends ago, which was scary, frightening. Probably due to the stress of opening my new business:<br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Beyond Cryotherapy, LLC</span></b></div>
<br />
Oh, yeah. So excited! I love cryotherapy! It has helped keep my inflammation down IBD-wise, and helped me to recover between long runs. In fact, probably another reason for my flare - I was so busy, I hadn't been to a cryotherapy session for weeks! Cryo does more for you than foam rolling, or ice baths - and you get a sort of "high" afterwards bc it helps release Beta Endorphins. In other words, it's a sort of:<br />
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<b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><i>Sexy Recovery!</i></span></b></div>
<br />
And, you know what I say, an Athlete's Trifecta is Nutrition, Training, and Recovery - if you're gonna recover - <i>at least make it sexy!</i><br />
<br />
Anyway, thank God for Cleveland's Urban Farmer - all local produce, eggs, and stuff. It was a great brunch! #YumYum.<br />
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Next stop the Cleveland Hilton, not the host hotel, but pretty close to the start of the race, which was at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Do you believe, they told us our room was to be ready at 4pm, but we didn't get into our room until 6 pm? I was really upset - I needed a nap! We were up at 3am! I had a race the next day - and you all know how well you sleep the night before a race ...NOT!<br />
<br />
At least we were able to take in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. IDK, maybe it's the time of year (pre-9/11) - but I was sort of sad going through this museum - there was Stevie Ray Vaughn, Michael Jackson, Elvis, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Bon Scott, John Bonham, Tom Petty, BB King, Roy Orbison, Muddy Waters, and Prince. Their music is part of who I am - it's part of my culture. It's sad knowing they are no longer with us.<br />
<br />
I cried when I saw Aretha Franklin's memorabilia and the flowers from fans that were laid in front of the exhibit honoring her.<br />
<br />
I cried when I saw video loops of Dick Clark's American Bandstand - Remember Dick? He was in our living room every Sunday - of course you got all your cool dance moves from watching Soul Train, but who didn't want to see Live Performances from the artists and groups that flooded your little Panasonic Twister Radio?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwzd_xdQTmg/W4Lz4vOdnMI/AAAAAAAAer4/wXzVJ6xj33kOZUq5aC01SypbcHazn3QRwCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-26%2Bat%2B2.39.11%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="186" height="311" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwzd_xdQTmg/W4Lz4vOdnMI/AAAAAAAAer4/wXzVJ6xj33kOZUq5aC01SypbcHazn3QRwCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-26%2Bat%2B2.39.11%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my 70's Spotify, Sirius XM and Itunes!</td></tr>
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I also lost it when I saw a huge poster of Frank Zappa - knowing Black Napkins is still on the TurnTable - <i>John loved Frank</i>.<br />
<br />
And do you believe Whitney Houston is not in the Rock Hall of Fame? I know she was a pop star - not really a rock and roll star - but IDK, I think she belongs! What do you think?<br />
<br />
Time to feed the machine some more - we left the museum, and walked to the Winking Lizard Tavern - I was not impressed. I don't like when you ask for a burger cooked "medium" and it comes out "raw".<br />
<br />
We walked back to the Cleveland Hotel, only to have to wait some more - I was that person in the lobby half falling asleep, making not so nice faces at anyone who was loud - yes, I'll admit - I was super-duper cranky.<br />
<br />
After my long awaited nap, we ate at a Steakhouse, called Red - The best steak, and Bordeaux ever!!! Only 1 glass, of course. Definitely go there if your in Cleveland!<br />
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And, actually, I slept pretty good!!!</div>
<br />
The Rock Hall Half started at 7am. By 6am, I was dressed, fed, coffee'd up and using my Thera-gun in the hotel Fitness Center.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nng2zKLFYOk/W4L2TQeFSII/AAAAAAAAesE/i7GL_BKeSbkSPxlCxWZ3Z4zhMBmlCMqxQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-26%2Bat%2B2.49.22%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="496" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nng2zKLFYOk/W4L2TQeFSII/AAAAAAAAesE/i7GL_BKeSbkSPxlCxWZ3Z4zhMBmlCMqxQCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-26%2Bat%2B2.49.22%2BPM.png" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love my TheraGun</td></tr>
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I rolled out, topped off with water, and headed to the race. There was music everywhere, it seemed like it would be a great day. It wasn't too hot ... not yet anyway.<br />
<br />
Before I knew it, we were climbing our first hill. For the 1st six miles, the race climbs a little, levels off, climbs a little, levels off, and then around mile 6, there are lots of descents for the next 3 miles. Then we got that little up and down again, with a few inclines near the finish. By the time we got to the finish - it was super humid, and I was looking for the race to end.<br />
<br />
Even the smallest of inclines are tough for me. Like I said, I had been missing my Cryo sessions, and my left hammy has not been happy. My push uphill really suffers. In fact, we were trying for 1-mile tempo of 7:20 the other day, and I barely pushed out a 7:23. My legs were still tired from the race, but also, the incline in this route sucked out my legs and squashed my tempo. A few years back, I remember doing 3 of these - pushing out 7:20 with lots more ease.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What do you think of when you run? </div>
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Is it different from when you race?</div>
<br />
Lately, someone asked me what I think of when I run - I usually pray - I go through the alphabet, and whatever letter I land on, I think of a person whose 1st name starts with that letter, and I pray for them.<br />
<br />
When I race - I pray for myself - I pray for strength, oxygen, safety, persistence, God's blessings, and to get rid of any negative thoughts or feelings - I just pray.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I hear people who have past rooting for me - yes, I heard Frank Zappa routing for me. No I wasn't glucose deprived. And no I am not off my rocker - but I'll tell you what was off - my watch was off - yeah so at the end of the race, you have a little hill to climb. I was running up, telling myself to run the best I could. Once you get over this little hill, your looking straight at the chute - holy-shmoly, I had to kick it in! Usually I try to kick in about the last 1/4 mile - but my watch said that I was at mile 12.9 once I got over the hill. Oh well, I just kicked it in and<br />
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Placed 3rd for my Age Group</b></div>
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<b>1:45:18</b><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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This was the fastest half I have run in almost 2 years! I might just be starting to recover from the marathons! LOL!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E3jl87ksnXI/W4LylirJrpI/AAAAAAAAer0/TWqoywTYECk0DbFuLPS5QZNirlLZWLH-gCEwYBhgL/s1600/20180820_080116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E3jl87ksnXI/W4LylirJrpI/AAAAAAAAer0/TWqoywTYECk0DbFuLPS5QZNirlLZWLH-gCEwYBhgL/s640/20180820_080116.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Medal and I love my new shot glass!</td></tr>
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I get a shot glass in every state that I've run - my one cabinet is full of stacked shot glasses. I love it! I call my Rock & Roll Hall of Fame shot glass my new 9/11 shot glass. Probably only a few of you know this - every year, before we go into the city on September 11th for the memorial, we gather around the kitchen island, say some prayers, and make a toast to John with - a shot glass of iced cold tequila. I've been <i>kidding</i> calling my Rock & Roll Hall of Fame my new 9/11 shot glass bc it's HUGE! It's like 2X the size of a normal shot glass.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Anyway, Ohio is in the books!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Eat Right!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Train Smart!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Recover Cold ... Cryo cold!</b></span></div>
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Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-13382015502837921972018-08-13T07:19:00.005-04:002018-08-13T07:19:56.275-04:00Running Small<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've been runnin' ...</div>
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... just not Blogging!</div>
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<i>Lots going on!</i></div>
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I have done some local 10k and 5k races since the London Marathon - I tried to get back my speed. I feel the marathons really slow me down - that and age. I think to fight the effects of age one really needs to maintain their muscle mass - which gets more difficult as we age.<br />
<br />
Here's an update: I placed 1st in my age group at the Tom Fleming Sunset Classic. I was just running it as a tempo run to get ready for South Dakota - I had to cancel my South Dakota Half Marathon because we lost my partner's Dad to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This is the 2nd person I lost to this horrible disease. I HATE CANCER! Lord, have mercy on my family. Running has been very therapeutic. As I always say - there's just not enough road to run out the pain of seeing your loved one's hurt.<br />
<br />
Tom Fleming was a local hero - winning the NYC Marathon and placing 2nd in Boston back in the 70's. He was best friends with my Coach, Joel Pasternack. They loved kibitzing on the track while coaching their runners.<br />
<br />
I felt badly last year that I didn't run this race because it was the first year they named the race after Tom. It finishes on the track where I cheered as a teenager - so once I got on that track, I took off! There was a little boy beside me, I said, "Put your head down and focus!" Then I told him, "You can breath later, let's go!" He took off, and well, of course, I tried to catch him - so much fun. From the recent stress, my Crohn's was not happy. I remember pointing out to someone to look at my intestine - it cramped up, and you could see it bulging out of my abdomen!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZj30IIbKXU/W3FbcumNn5I/AAAAAAAAegQ/Ka59VsM8ZfMufygVIVVftKqg1mAVXWbXwCKgBGAs/s1600/20180629_062152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZj30IIbKXU/W3FbcumNn5I/AAAAAAAAegQ/Ka59VsM8ZfMufygVIVVftKqg1mAVXWbXwCKgBGAs/s400/20180629_062152.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st place 50-54 years old<br />Sunset Classic 5 miles<br />39:10::14<br />6/28/2018</td></tr>
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I also ran the Fitzgerald Lager 5K. It was a really, really hot race - I did not place in my age group, but I did get a Top 100 finishers mug! Last time I ran this race, I ran it 2-minutes faster ....waahaaa....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninth place 50-54 years old<br />23:56:12<br />6/24/2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before the Fitzgerald Lager, I ran Race for the Cure for IBD 5K. I was a little mad after this race - they gave the woman who placed 1st in my age group both the Overall Female Winner and the 1st place age group award. Yes, I finished 2nd overall female - but there was no award for that! Grrr! So, I placed 2nd in my age group. Someone told me that I looked really strong after the race - I told them, "Thanks - not bad for fighting Crohn's for 40 years, <i>right</i>?"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-44JRN3c66ms/W3FbclBAOOI/AAAAAAAAegQ/DoEnUEVQWiYV1oUZI7nNtojwJK0vFkx_ACKgBGAs/s1600/20180616_104606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-44JRN3c66ms/W3FbclBAOOI/AAAAAAAAegQ/DoEnUEVQWiYV1oUZI7nNtojwJK0vFkx_ACKgBGAs/s400/20180616_104606.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cure for IBD 5K<br />2nd place 50-54 years old<br />23:46:25</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ybYcaShBYRs/W3FbcmpNbyI/AAAAAAAAegQ/xywS7VU7zT8iWFkbmblWrKZczDBVA6PIgCKgBGAs/s400/20180616_084405.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#runningwcrohns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ybYcaShBYRs/W3FbcmpNbyI/AAAAAAAAegQ/xywS7VU7zT8iWFkbmblWrKZczDBVA6PIgCKgBGAs/s1600/20180616_084405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ybYcaShBYRs/W3FbcmpNbyI/AAAAAAAAegQ/xywS7VU7zT8iWFkbmblWrKZczDBVA6PIgCKgBGAs/s1600/20180616_084405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Just thought I'd throw this one in. My training partner's daughter came to this track workout and snapped a picture. This is the first time anyone has ever taken a picture of our training together and we have been running and training together for - geeze - 5, 6, 7 years? Rebecca is amazing - she kicks my ass every Wednesday while having side conversations with people she knows, and sees on the track. She never ceases to amaze me!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZ5pbtM_w3A/W3FbciNKeNI/AAAAAAAAegQ/9-FXC0WrLS4dLh8AB8FlUaXcMp2O3V_9gCKgBGAs/s1600/FB_IMG_1528976676048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZ5pbtM_w3A/W3FbciNKeNI/AAAAAAAAegQ/9-FXC0WrLS4dLh8AB8FlUaXcMp2O3V_9gCKgBGAs/s400/FB_IMG_1528976676048.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brookdale Park Track<br />Training with Rebecca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Before the Cure for IBD 5K, I ran the 29th Annual Wayne AM Rotary<span style="text-align: left;"> 5k run. You can see, I was trying to get my speed back after the London Marathon. I placed 1st Overall Female - it was a small run.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--0X0OExqGHI/W3Fbcs3_ZcI/AAAAAAAAegQ/8uH0LJ32ezgTbJo6ulyahNiSCClH7a1uwCKgBGAs/s1600/20180602_103912%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--0X0OExqGHI/W3Fbcs3_ZcI/AAAAAAAAegQ/8uH0LJ32ezgTbJo6ulyahNiSCClH7a1uwCKgBGAs/s400/20180602_103912%25280%2529.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love these local races - so intimate!<br />6/20/2018<br />23:24:06</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This pic was taken in front of Fleet Feet, Montclair, NJ. We ran to raise money for a scholarship at the local high school, while honoring Doug Williams, and Essex County runner who was tragically killed in a hit and run. It was very emotional. I probably should not have gone into the cemetery - too many family members buried there and I got a wee bit anxious.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYpEk1LmNV8/W3Fbch5cMZI/AAAAAAAAegQ/XAx4QfskTrQlej-PZv98w7pnHecmPMEqACKgBGAs/s1600/FB_IMG_1526839778427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYpEk1LmNV8/W3Fbch5cMZI/AAAAAAAAegQ/XAx4QfskTrQlej-PZv98w7pnHecmPMEqACKgBGAs/s400/FB_IMG_1526839778427.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our small running community raised over $1,000!<br />What a great way to honor Doug!<br />May 20, 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMUHj1WW31M/W3FbcrJYbeI/AAAAAAAAegQ/D81P-yvEqdQ9OstqxHTikAtaSvjrAtDEwCKgBGAs/s1600/20180503_190541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMUHj1WW31M/W3FbcrJYbeI/AAAAAAAAegQ/D81P-yvEqdQ9OstqxHTikAtaSvjrAtDEwCKgBGAs/s400/20180503_190541.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Why - Singing Show Tunes on HornBlower NYC Manhatten Cruiseship!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay, off to training for the Rock Hall half marathon in Ohio, state #36!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: large;">Train Smart!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: large;">Run Fearless!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: large;">Run to Inspire!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: large;">Run for Peace!</span></b></div>
</div>
Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-23551114103693910912018-06-05T19:57:00.002-04:002018-06-05T20:02:38.350-04:00My Bourbon Barrel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Now this is a good running story. Why is it a good one? Because it shows how far a race director and community will go to right a wrong for a fellow runner.<br />
<br />
So, back in March of this year - March 31st, to be exact - I ran a half-marathon in Kentucky: Run The Bluegrass (Recap <a href="http://halfcrazedrunner.blogspot.com/2018/04/state-35-kentucky-run-blue-grass.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). It was State #35.<br />
<br />
I prayed really hard over running this race because it was hilly. I have been suffering with proximal hammy strain for the last 2+ years. I pushed through 3 marathons, 7 + half-marathons - all with this hammy pain. It's not debilitating, it just makes running up hills really hard for me. And I knew this half in Kentucky was going to be hilly ....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wPGIR74qhF4/Wxa9WHjUWVI/AAAAAAAAd5w/_ZJlw--0tqQRU2eK32sD33Fuqp6NK-UBwCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-05%2Bat%2B12.41.31%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="943" height="95" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wPGIR74qhF4/Wxa9WHjUWVI/AAAAAAAAd5w/_ZJlw--0tqQRU2eK32sD33Fuqp6NK-UBwCLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-05%2Bat%2B12.41.31%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run The Bluegrass Elevation Profile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Still, I was determined to get in 1 half marathon before the London Marathon (Recap <a href="http://halfcrazedrunner.blogspot.com/2018/04/2018-virgin-money-london-marathon.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). Remember the debacle in Washington State? Where I got lost, and didn't finish the full half marathon? (Recap <a href="http://halfcrazedrunner.blogspot.com/2018/02/state-35-dnf-washington-state.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). So for my peace of mind - that I actually ran a full half pre-London - I signed up to run in Kentucky.<br />
<br />
I doubted I would place - tired legs from training for the London Marathon, along with the hills - I decided to run the best I could, for who I was at the time of the race - a motto that I have really come to repeat over and over again.<br />
<br />
When I got to the start, a women asked me if I ever ran The Bluegrass Half before. I said, "No." Then she proceeded to tell me about "Mile 9" ...."You go straight up a hill, and just when you think it's over, you bear right and go up another hill"<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">YEAY!</span></i></b></div>
<br />
I focussed on how hard I trained, all the hills I ran to try to gain some strength for the London Marathon, all my speed work - I wanted to place in my age group - as I want for all my half marathons. Why not? I work very hard to achieve this goal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8iqCyqNx9no/Wxa_fy0FmfI/AAAAAAAAd58/5_uEU7x51FoM1lv_gTQD4_HgLz_a8VjtACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-05%2Bat%2B12.50.51%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="337" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8iqCyqNx9no/Wxa_fy0FmfI/AAAAAAAAd58/5_uEU7x51FoM1lv_gTQD4_HgLz_a8VjtACLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-05%2Bat%2B12.50.51%2BPM.png" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
As I detailed in my Recap, I first thought I came in 4th place, and when I got home, I looked at the age group placement again. The women in 2nd had no splits and she ran her last mile at a 14-minute pace. Something was off.<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">I searched for the women in 2nd place in past Compuscore reports - I wanted to know -
what does this person usually run, you know, pace-wise? And since she wasn't cranking out sub-9-minute
miles, I wrote to the race director, and told them how I felt that maybe
there could have been a mistake? Perhaps this woman ran the 7-mile race?
Possibly with a half-marathon bib?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">It turns out that the race director agreed - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">and this woman was disqualified for the half-marathon race.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">I took 3rd place age group.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I was to get a bourbon barrel trophie!</i></b> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">So, I filled out the forms to have the Bourbon Barrel sent to my address. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">A few weeks past, and Coach asked me if I received my Bourbon Barrel. </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Hmm</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> - "No...."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">When I got home from my track workout, I contacted the race director, again. She explained that the women who was recorded originally as the second place age group winner was not the woman who ran the race (or so this person said) - instead, she gave her bib to a friend, and 'that woman took the Bourbon Barrel age group award' (<i>Bad, bad, bad running karma</i>). The women who signed up for the race refused to give the race director this person's name and number to ask her to return the Bourbon Barrel ....so, the race director asked the person who makes the Bourbon Barrels if they would make one just for me ...and they agreed! <i><b>How nice is that?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">So I was waiting for my Bourbon Barrel to be made and shipped (No Charge! Woot! Woot!), and l <u><i><b>just</b></i></u> received it, along with a great note:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DfFHBrqDsL0/Wxbl4tbkPcI/AAAAAAAAd6U/HQ8e60GnoQoAIIvXmTxG6tcHD8umrnxBgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20180525_164437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DfFHBrqDsL0/Wxbl4tbkPcI/AAAAAAAAd6U/HQ8e60GnoQoAIIvXmTxG6tcHD8umrnxBgCEwYBhgL/s640/20180525_164437.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I present to you:<br />
<b>3rd Place 50-54 Age Group Award for<br />2018 Run The Bluegrass Half Marathon</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uXyj9BmSMc8/Wxbl4g8mPuI/AAAAAAAAd6Y/zglvrZZIol0lPSsYAq1RsYwBn3l4zMiuACEwYBhgL/s1600/20180525_164417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uXyj9BmSMc8/Wxbl4g8mPuI/AAAAAAAAd6Y/zglvrZZIol0lPSsYAq1RsYwBn3l4zMiuACEwYBhgL/s400/20180525_164417.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank You for the Apology!<br />
I know It Wasn't Your Fault<br />
Please know that I just love my Bourbon Barrel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This is definitely one of the sweetest half marathon trophies!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Just love my Bourbon Barrel!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run to Inspire</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run for Peace!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run Fearless!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run Strong!</span></b></div>
</div>
Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-88210969068032421742018-04-30T15:35:00.003-04:002018-04-30T15:35:44.288-04:002018 Virgin Money London Marathon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I did it!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I ran the 2018 Virgin London Marathon!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>... and boy was it hot!</i></span></b></div>
<br />
It was so hot, I kept my throw away shirt in my drop bag! We were all sweating just walking around the start area. They kept announcing at the start to pace yourself 20-30-seconds slower due to the heat. This was a first.<br />
<br />
Also a first, my introduction to "Stand and Pee"<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGRWG30_Y_Y/WudM8VD2jZI/AAAAAAAAdO8/UDx2Vi6MR18bI98fzwRJ8kGbyRxeRraBACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180422_091031_016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGRWG30_Y_Y/WudM8VD2jZI/AAAAAAAAdO8/UDx2Vi6MR18bI98fzwRJ8kGbyRxeRraBACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20180422_091031_016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know you are a (female) runner when ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Enough of the silliness. It was time to make my way to dropping off my bag, and getting to my corral. Before I knew it, there she was - The Queen, on a huge screen over my head - starting the race while standing in front of Windsor Castle. The Queen looked beautiful - red outfit - with a red hat to match, of course!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Queen started the race! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>We moved up in our corrals. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Then, we were off! </i></b></div>
<br />
I started out feeling really strong, in spite of the heat! Another first - first time I had water bottles given out on a course. I would grab one, and keep it for a few miles, toss the empty, and get another. I was so afraid of getting dehydrated, and also afraid of hyponeutremia. The marathon is tough - there's a lot to juggle.<br />
<br />
As for my nutrition, I took a Glukos at mile 5, another at mile 10, and my first Gu at mile 15. It was so hot, that first Gu exploded all over my face and hands when I opened it. It was quite messy, and I couldn't wait to get to the next water stop. My next Gu's would be at mile 19, and then mile 23. It was so hot, though, I struggled to finish them, as I was very nauseous.<br />
<br />
In spite of the heat, it was so exciting to run along the River Thames. I also couldn't wait to run over Tower Bridge! Before I got to the bridge, there was Ron! He was in front of the Cutty Sark! I felt so blessed to have seen him. I saw him two more time - <i>so he says</i> - I just remember seeing him one other time. Definitely runner's brain there toward the end.<br />
<br />
It got a little less noisy around the Docklands, and I remember feeling pretty good still. It was just really hot. Then, we were approaching the Tower Bridge. As I ran over the Tower Bridge, I was thanking God for the opportunity. The crowds were great!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-utSiKpTRiFc/WudM5gmhn6I/AAAAAAAAdPE/NP3Kryrz84kJzR9PR89HU2SL0X0iZEf4QCEwYBhgL/s1600/805309_274468013_XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-utSiKpTRiFc/WudM5gmhn6I/AAAAAAAAdPE/NP3Kryrz84kJzR9PR89HU2SL0X0iZEf4QCEwYBhgL/s320/805309_274468013_XLarge.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming over the Tower Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXPRbPymOoo/WudM6_6dYRI/AAAAAAAAdPI/h8gDmpwmcJwUA1NOd3omZr8Hs2gtuiY0wCEwYBhgL/s1600/805309_274926967_XLarge%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXPRbPymOoo/WudM6_6dYRI/AAAAAAAAdPI/h8gDmpwmcJwUA1NOd3omZr8Hs2gtuiY0wCEwYBhgL/s320/805309_274926967_XLarge%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pointing to My Mercy Band with the <br />Tower Bridge behind me</td></tr>
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Once I passed the bridge, I started to get a really bad side stitch. <span style="text-align: center;">I hate stitches! It forced me to slow down. </span>The pain traveled from my left side to my right side, and hung like a knot under my right rib cage. Ech. Was it my stomach? Was it my diaphragm? Was it because I was dehydrated? Was it all of the above?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I know one thing for sure: </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>It freakin' hurt.</b></div>
This happened to me one other time during a long run, a few years ago. I had to stop, run a few miles, then stop, and run a few more - just to get home. But I wasn't on a long run, I was running the London Marathon ... and I wasn't planning on stopping!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>There was NOOOO way I was stopping!</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I trained all winter - and this winter was tough! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cold and snowy, with bitter winds.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPpdcxlY3NY/WudRRxLiVWI/AAAAAAAAdPg/6R1fhYKArSs49JuNYo__lHEOstTLgyuawCKgBGAs/s1600/20180207_092527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPpdcxlY3NY/WudRRxLiVWI/AAAAAAAAdPg/6R1fhYKArSs49JuNYo__lHEOstTLgyuawCKgBGAs/s400/20180207_092527.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through the Snow<br />Every Week on the Track!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdLpIWfpFxc/WudRsb1WgbI/AAAAAAAAdPo/jYWOYrxFxxopbBTBHQ9zcmWaWwlzbnhIwCKgBGAs/s1600/20180314_101618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdLpIWfpFxc/WudRsb1WgbI/AAAAAAAAdPo/jYWOYrxFxxopbBTBHQ9zcmWaWwlzbnhIwCKgBGAs/s400/20180314_101618.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bundled Up Again!<br />Are We Having Fun Yet?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZYjFfohxbg/WudRsfX5nwI/AAAAAAAAdPo/nn1-X8KJg24FPtKRN2dOoLWL_K3lYlBhACKgBGAs/s1600/20180113_100804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1103" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZYjFfohxbg/WudRsfX5nwI/AAAAAAAAdPo/nn1-X8KJg24FPtKRN2dOoLWL_K3lYlBhACKgBGAs/s400/20180113_100804.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to Defrost My Face After Long Runs<br />with My Hot Hands!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i> There was no way that I was walking or stopping after all that training!</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The pain grew. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>It felt as if someone just kept dribbling punches into my abdomen.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>One Bright Side: No diarrhea this go 'round! </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Hey, you gotta be grateful for the little things.</b></div>
<br />
I was also grateful for the crowds! The London crowds were amazing - going over the tower bridge, they were louder than the Wellesley girls of the Boston Marathon. There were whistles being blown, those inflatable cheer sticks being clanged together everywhere, and people screaming. I got a kick out of the crowds - they didn't scream, "Great Job" in London, they screamed, "Well Done!"<br />
<br />
It was so very sunny ...so very hot. I looked up at the towers on the bridge and noticed how there wasn't one cloud in the sky! Maybe that's why after this, there were lots of runners who started to fade. I heard a lot of people vomiting. I saw a lot of people off to the side surrounded by volunteers. I was nervous. I started to get a pounding heat headache. At the water stops, I would take a water bottle, drink a little, then pour water over my head, then drink some more. <b><i>It was hot!</i></b><br />
<br />
Next, onto the Docklands, only about 10 more miles to go. I fought the affects of the heat, but somewhere between miles 18 to 20, there were lots of twists and turns - like by Canada Square. I reached out to a man next to me and grabbed his arm because I thought I was going to pass out. He said, "Are you ok?" I answered, "I'm just a little dizzy. I'm sorry." All those turns, with the heat, and the crowd screaming, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. This was the the 3rd time the heat got to me where I thought,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>God, I hope I don't pass out. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>If I pass out, I'll get trampled on.... </b></div>
Next onto Commercial Road and The Highway. More screaming crowds. Thankfully, no one screamed - you only have "X" more miles. Everyone just kept yelling, "You are almost there. Keep going, Keep going ...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>KEEP GOING!" </i></b></div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Then about mile 24, you go under Blackfriars underpass. There was quiet serenity and it was cool in this shady underpass. It was a welcomed relief. Lots of people started to walk here.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And I thought how lovely it would be to stop ... </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>only to be met by the vicious, very aggressive tiger inside of me who screamed:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>You ain't stopping, girl! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Remember that time you trained in 1 degree and your lashes froze?</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7eoVIY4ecI/WudRsbTZ9YI/AAAAAAAAdPo/H9UMGEn0IXc0nJ9vb-M8MLIOATUFBV3MgCKgBGAs/s1600/20180107_081648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7eoVIY4ecI/WudRsbTZ9YI/AAAAAAAAdPo/H9UMGEn0IXc0nJ9vb-M8MLIOATUFBV3MgCKgBGAs/s400/20180107_081648.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">True Story!</td></tr>
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<b>You ain't stopping!</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZhicQkDTFQ/WudRseteTbI/AAAAAAAAdPo/32sCuZ96IpgJkp-NzNFY4_25wHdzhDI4gCKgBGAs/s1600/20180107_082153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZhicQkDTFQ/WudRseteTbI/AAAAAAAAdPo/32sCuZ96IpgJkp-NzNFY4_25wHdzhDI4gCKgBGAs/s400/20180107_082153.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank You Rebecca, You Made Me Go on That Run That January Morning<br />This Was the Run that Helped Me Push Past Those Tired Legs at the End of The London Marathon</td></tr>
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I also reminded myself of an article my friend, Bill, forwarded to me before the race:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<a href="https://nyti.ms/2FuKjth" target="_blank">Why Men Quit and Women Don't</a>"</div>
I particularly noticed who was doing the walking at this time, and I must say, it was mostly men. I thought of Desi in the Boston Marathon, only one week earlier. Desi didn't stop, she just kept plugging away:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>That's what you gotta do - </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Just keep plugging away.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plug Away!</b></div>
I also reminded myself that everyone's legs hurt, everyone was tired, and I wasn't alone. I would hang on one person, until I passed them, then I'd fine another, and another...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NErm0D49Ark/WudM2mvVqbI/AAAAAAAAdPQ/iBkaYAWEAD0CErV-thfWA6PsNPbsDDWiQCEwYBhgL/s1600/805309_274006358_XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NErm0D49Ark/WudM2mvVqbI/AAAAAAAAdPQ/iBkaYAWEAD0CErV-thfWA6PsNPbsDDWiQCEwYBhgL/s400/805309_274006358_XLarge.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<br />
My shoulders ached from cringing so tight from the ab pain. I couldn't wait to finish. I just kept repeating all the way through the Victoria Embankment, "Don't you dare stop! If you stop, you will just keep stopping and you trained too hard to stop." At this point, I didn't care how slow I went, as long as I went.<br />
<br />
Then, I approached Buckingham Palace. The crowds were getting louder and louder! I heard an announcer say, "Well, here we are, approaching 4 hours." I thought, "Oh no, I told Rebecca that I would run Boston with her. I have to get in under 4 hours to qualify."<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So I took off!</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yrSwbAILwss/WudM3I9CRnI/AAAAAAAAdPU/MkY_gTNHudAWt2bN9S6FP_zfRaQYKpqmQCEwYBhgL/s1600/805309_274245812_XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1062" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yrSwbAILwss/WudM3I9CRnI/AAAAAAAAdPU/MkY_gTNHudAWt2bN9S6FP_zfRaQYKpqmQCEwYBhgL/s400/805309_274245812_XLarge.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look closely, <br />you'll see I was grimacing!</td></tr>
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I rounded the corner, with Buckingham Palace now at my back, and ran as fast as I could. I saw the time as I got closer 3:59:30, 40, 50 - oh nooooooo." I finished! I was a little disappointed in myself - I didn't think I finished under 4 hours.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COscOX8UCX8/WudM4LFo1YI/AAAAAAAAdPU/uqJCxqFcPjI9wzzKdN-VtqSbrx4Jg6QnwCEwYBhgL/s400/805309_274419583_Medium.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kicking to a Strong Finish for that BQ!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Once through the chute, I almost collapsed. A volunteer grabbed me,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"You have to keep moving. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I will help you."</b></div>
<br />
I thought I was going to be sick, I felt myself grab onto him and I heard him say, "That's it, hold onto me." We walked for a bit, I caught my breath, and said, "Thank you, thank you so much, I think I'm ok now." He told me that I had to keep going straight so I could get my medal and a goodie bag. I don't remember taking this picture.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJDcFbszafk/WudM3JpgUZI/AAAAAAAAdPY/rD-FJE-dTVYfrE-WJFA0_u6TQbMWs1p8gCEwYBhgL/s1600/805309_274078829_XLarge%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJDcFbszafk/WudM3JpgUZI/AAAAAAAAdPY/rD-FJE-dTVYfrE-WJFA0_u6TQbMWs1p8gCEwYBhgL/s400/805309_274078829_XLarge%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't even know how I got a drink that was like Gatorade, which I was so grateful for because I felt super nauseous and my feet were cramping up on me. My feet felt like two balls in my sneakers. <i>I couldn't wait to sit down and massage my dogs!</i><br />
<br />
I picked up my drop bag, walked a little more, my poor shoulders - they ached from being so scrunched up. I stopped off to the side, under some trees, and got my phone, looking to text and find Ron. I saw Coach texted me: "Great job in tough conditions! You finished: 3:56:23"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>3:56:23!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A few seconds faster than Berlin, and...</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>a BQ!</b></div>
I threw my drop bag down and punched my fist in the air and screamed,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> "Yes, Yes, Yes!" </b></div>
There were people waiting for their loved ones, they had no idea why I was so happy, but they started to clap for me.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>It was my own personal fan club! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Well, I can dream!</i></b></div>
<br />
It's not easy to train in cold weather and run a race in warmer weather. I did this once before - when I ran in <a href="http://halfcrazedrunner.blogspot.com/2017/03/mississippi-river-half-marathon-state-31.html" target="_blank">Mississippi</a>. I remember wondering why that race felt so hard. I remember looking up some research, like this article in <a href="http://bit.ly/2jgdYhd" target="_blank">Competitor</a>: It takes about 2 weeks to acclimate to warmer weather. This acclimation period includes your becoming a better sweater, and having an increase in plasma volume. <i><b>I believe it!</b></i><br />
<br />
Although I am happy with my time, I still think I could have run faster if I didn't have that awful pain across the top of my abs - even in spite of the heat. The pain actually lasted for 4 days. Every time I would get hungry, or walk, I would feel this knot, starting from under my right rib cage travel across my abs, Of course, I self-diagnosed every disease under the sun, but when I awoke on Thursday, it was as if there was never any pain. Sort of like running a marathon:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">"You gotta forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming!" ~ Frank Shorter.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Time Heals All Wounds ...</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Tokyo... here I come!</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTD5cRDWDgk/Wudc0BS6VzI/AAAAAAAAdP4/Zq3z3VTGWBQHwVVAzw6IoQJpDodTWUMswCLcBGAs/s1600/20180422_144042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTD5cRDWDgk/Wudc0BS6VzI/AAAAAAAAdP4/Zq3z3VTGWBQHwVVAzw6IoQJpDodTWUMswCLcBGAs/s320/20180422_144042.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Little Hard, but <br />Tastes So Good!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Train Smart,</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Train Fearless,</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Run Fearless,</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Run to Inspire,</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Run for Peace!</i></b></span></div>
</div>
Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-28695816494359376702018-04-08T08:50:00.000-04:002019-02-21T07:42:51.474-05:00State #34: Kentucky: Run The Blue Grass!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>YES!</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't get lost!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And, it was just as they advertised:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
America's Prettiest Half Marathon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
....but super challenging!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
... and super fun!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have struggled with chronic right hammy pain for more than 3 years. It has made hill work very challenging. Confession: I avoid running races with lots of hills. What I am realizing as I get down to now with only 15 states left - I can't be that choosy. It's actually getting harder to see what halves work with my work schedule, my marathon training schedule, and Ron's work schedule.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After my debacle in <a href="http://halfcrazedrunner.blogspot.com/2018/02/state-35-dnf-washington-state.html" target="_blank">Washington State</a>, Coach really wanted me to run another half before running the <a href="https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/" target="_blank">London Marathon.</a> I was scrambling on the flight home from Washington to figure out where I could squeeze in another half ...then I saw it...Kentucky, Run The Blue Grass. First thing I do ...look at the elevation. OMG! Look at all those hills!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qM1RU1lZVo0/Wsn4m76GGiI/AAAAAAAAdDU/SITjDqWbZ-U-vwDCcBrZHcLSz2ZAnmIMgCEwYBhgL/s1600/RBG_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="1600" height="387" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qM1RU1lZVo0/Wsn4m76GGiI/AAAAAAAAdDU/SITjDqWbZ-U-vwDCcBrZHcLSz2ZAnmIMgCEwYBhgL/s400/RBG_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presenting Example #1</td></tr>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1usGvQxMxc/Wsn4nT4QjZI/AAAAAAAAdDY/7AbIsLbUIXQ69MfNM03aSMj59XVoRmyowCLcBGAs/s1600/RBG_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1usGvQxMxc/Wsn4nT4QjZI/AAAAAAAAdDY/7AbIsLbUIXQ69MfNM03aSMj59XVoRmyowCLcBGAs/s400/RBG_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presenting Example #2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Okay, so this was on the way to and from Maker's Mark ...another great reason to Run The Blue Grass ...BOURBON! But you get the idea of the hilly terrain.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hXko3Icr88/Wsn5rBncbeI/AAAAAAAAdDo/Ff-xbisC3MYsO4a6-uU7teYehdxo6B8TQCKgBGAs/s1600/20180401_141432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hXko3Icr88/Wsn5rBncbeI/AAAAAAAAdDo/Ff-xbisC3MYsO4a6-uU7teYehdxo6B8TQCKgBGAs/s400/20180401_141432.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maker's Mark Distillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I learned from a local artist/photographer, Bill Cole, that Kentucky has 3 Religions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Basketball</li>
<li>Horse Racing</li>
<li>Bourbon</li>
</ol>
I don't know Bill, you are a pretty phenomenal photographer - but Kentucky did a pretty darn good job of pulling off an amazing half marathon!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I digress ...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Of course though, for the sake of Bourbon!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, without turning the calendar (Easter Sunday was the next day!) I said, "What the heck, Beth, Pull on your big girl pants, suck it up, and race some hills!" And don't forget Jacquie's words,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"They're just hills. </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Get over them!"</b></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And with that, I decided to train on Saturdays with a local group, <a href="http://www.fueledbydoughnuts.org/" target="_blank">Fueled By Doughnuts</a> (Yes, they let me run with them even though I avoid gluten, and can't eat doughnuts bc of the Crohn's). They run a super challenging loop every Saturday morning, which after running about 4-5 miles before I meet up with them, we run up a hill about mile 8/9. This was actually perfect because unbeknownst to me, around mile 9 of Run Blue Grass there's a "demon" hill that reminds me of this local hill ... <i><b>if</b></i> <b><i>you married it with Boston's <a href="http://archive.boston.com/marathon/course/stage4.htm" target="_blank">Heart Break Hill</a></i></b>. At about mile 9 of Run The Bluegrass, you "start" to run up a hill, make a slight turn, think it's gonna level out, and then run up another hill!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjdFL-006ZU/Wsn8N9_TI2I/AAAAAAAAdD8/CS_De7V4AH8KkABbt7bs-suMwgOuvtJWACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-04-08%2Bat%2B7.25.11%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="482" height="253" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjdFL-006ZU/Wsn8N9_TI2I/AAAAAAAAdD8/CS_De7V4AH8KkABbt7bs-suMwgOuvtJWACLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-04-08%2Bat%2B7.25.11%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waaaaah!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the past, I would have really gotten in my own head running this hill, but during my training leading up to this race, I ran, hill, after hill, after hill. The problem with this in New Jersey is that the hills aren't as close together. In NJ, you run up a hill, run down a hill, go a stretch with no hill, then run up another, so on and so forth. In Kentucky, the hills just roll, and roll, and roll....<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, my big prep for this race was working on my mental game. I decided during my training that I would keep my faith. To me, this meant, trusting in my God:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God will keep my legs strong,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God will keep my lungs filled with oxygen,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God will help me reach my goal ...which wasn't to place, but to finish -<br />
<i>especially after Washington State.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also needed to truly trust my Coach, <a href="https://joelrun.com/" target="_blank">Joel Pasternack</a>,<br />
and better follow his plans for me:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't over train (<i>Type A all the way!</i>)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't over run - speed, distance, etc, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trust my training. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And during my training, I started to pray and meditate: "I will keep my faith, God will make me strong, I am strong." And I started to praise God more, especially for the little successes I was having along the way - really in training for the London Marathon: GI-wise, as well as achilles, hammy, and hip-wise. Cryotherapy definitely helped too ...my new obsession.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I decided I would Run The Blue Grass as a training run for the London Marathon. I would run strong, in spite of how weak I would likely feel going up those hills. And with each step, running those hills, I would repeat, "God makes me strong!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also focussed on my training partner's recent comment while we were on the track, "There's always room for new energy." Thank you Rebecca - This was also a mantra I said and now say to myself over and over and over again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next, I developed an "A Plan", a "B Plan", and a "C Plan" - something Coach Paul Giuliano taught me. My "A Plan" was to run an 8:00 minute mile, my "B Plan" was to run an 8:15 minute mile, and my "C Plan" was to run an 8:30 minute mile.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I tried to hang with the 1:45 minute pacers - and I did for the first half. I would be slow going up the hills, and try to make up the time on the downhill. After awhile, just because I am not used to running hills like that back to back, my downhills started to be more of a recovery from going uphill.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
During the second half, I made some friends - you know how you do passing back and forth with other runners - </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I met a women who had really great strong-looking legs - I told her that her legs looked strong! She past me toward the end - and I yelled out, "Strong legs, you go girl!" She started laughing - it was a nice exchange. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was a guy who stopped on one of the hills, and I yelled, "C'mon, man shuffle if you hafta, but keep running." I passed him at the end, and yelled, "Mr Shuffles, we're at the finish!" He started laughing! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then there was a woman - we just kept at it back and forth - I told her, "Your strong baby, you're strong" She passed me towards the end, I yelled, "I told you you are strong!" She laughed, "I'm pregnant, so when you said 'you're strong baby, I just laughed" She went onto say that the last few hills were rough. I told her that I felt the same, and I am always cautious running down hill because it really jostles the tummy, and I have Crohn's" Turns out - she has Crohn's too! I yelled as she continued to pass me, "Mine got better when I was pregnant - I hope your does too." I heard off in the distance .... thank youuuuu ....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This young woman waited for me at the finish, and gave me a huge hug! "You are such an inspiration!" she told me - Me? I said, "You Are - Pregnant and have Crohn's? Wow!" I told her I have had Crohn's for forty years - then I told her not to let anyone tell her she should stop running!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then there was a bunch of us gearing up for mile 9. A local man told me as we approached, "It's more than a dooozy" Oh boy! When we got to the top, I screamed </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>"<i>Amen, that was freakin' awesome! </i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>One more mile and we only got a 5k left! </i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>That's nothing! </i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>WE CAN DO THIS!</i>" </b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh yeah - as my daughter puts it, "I'm a real 'peach' to run with!" </div>
Well, I saw this local runner after the race and I got a great big Hi-Five, "You made it!" I said, "We sure did!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After the race, we hung around, I was looking for a woman named Susan, who I met at the start, and a man, David, who ran the 7-mile race with his son. I didn't see them, but I did get to celebrate a very successfully hilly half with my family!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3sg3zW2e_Us/WsoFhjWWVgI/AAAAAAAAdEM/VRGaE7LNwEEy9EsWT-HSGGBK8XVKhUKuwCLcBGAs/s1600/RBG_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3sg3zW2e_Us/WsoFhjWWVgI/AAAAAAAAdEM/VRGaE7LNwEEy9EsWT-HSGGBK8XVKhUKuwCLcBGAs/s400/RBG_5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the horses' gates with Juliette and Johnny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I found out that I placed fourth, and my time was 1:50:35. I was happy with my time, and I focussed on not losing my faith in my God, my training, and my ability to run strong. But something was weird with the results, and Ron kept noting that my overall placement in the half kept going down. Ron said, "You know, I think they ran out of yellow bibs, and must have given some of the 7-milers blue bibs." I also thought it was odd that when I would look up my results, there was no official place results for me or my age group.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, we left without a trophy, which I truly coveted because it is a Bourbon Barrel - and all of you who know me - you know I like bourbon - not wine, not beer, but bourbon! As I say, it's a good thing I run because it keeps me honest on Friday and Saturday night.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCq4wVx7Jco/WsoHNnRnObI/AAAAAAAAdEY/Extnz-iaYb8kZdQudM94MADDqE56b75QgCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-04-08%2Bat%2B8.12.14%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCq4wVx7Jco/WsoHNnRnObI/AAAAAAAAdEY/Extnz-iaYb8kZdQudM94MADDqE56b75QgCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-04-08%2Bat%2B8.12.14%2BAM.png" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Present Example #3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
When we got home, I received an email with the "Official Results" I noticed that the woman in 2nd place had no splits after the halfway point, and her last recorded mile was 14-minutes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>So, yes I freakin' stalked her - and her Athlinks Times! </b></i></div>
<div>
I searched for her on Compuscore, too - I wanted to know - what does this lady usually run pace-wise? And no, she wasn't cranking out sub-9-minute miles. Soooo, I wrote to the race director, and told them how I felt that maybe there could have been a mistake? Perhaps this woman ran the 7-mile race? Possibly with a blue bib?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Long story short, you are looking at the 3rd place winner of the 50-54 year old age group winner </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of the 2018 Run The Blue Grass Half Marathon!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_1jDRVHXOuI/WsoI0-E7RGI/AAAAAAAAdEk/RKhn0CQzGX0xZTkLOo-Eg7PJ3Lvlvmi1gCKgBGAs/s1600/20180402_080748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_1jDRVHXOuI/WsoI0-E7RGI/AAAAAAAAdEk/RKhn0CQzGX0xZTkLOo-Eg7PJ3Lvlvmi1gCKgBGAs/s400/20180402_080748.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State #35: Kentucky<br />
Run The Blue Grass<br />
1:50:35<br />
3rd Place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, I just can't wait to get my little Bourbon Barrel Trophy in the mail!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Keep Your Faith!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Train Smart!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Run Strong!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Run Fearless!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Run To Inspire!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Run For Peace!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Amen!</i></b></span></div>
</div>
Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-81659515284179266672018-02-26T11:42:00.004-05:002022-09-26T17:18:15.800-04:00State #33, 34?: Washington State DNF<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is getting harder to locate half marathons in states that I did not yet run in. This is especially true in the winter months because I have completed a half in most every southern state.<br />
<br />
So when I saw there was a race in Washington State, My Better Half Half Marathon, I was excited. I took a look at the course elevation, and it was sea level - good for me, a sea level gal. There was one major hill in the beginning - OK, I started Mississippi on a bridge - I know to go out slow, so that I don't build up lactic acid and have that heavy leg feeling the whole race. Other than that first hill, it was mostly flat - good for me because I'm already up to running 16+ miles on my long runs, and I know my legs have been tired lately. I convinced myself that this was a prefect half for me to do while training for the London Marathon. Plus there was a 5K for Ron to run.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p6E441MIj-Q/WpQbMDsKAqI/AAAAAAAAcVA/bzXvBm5JjxcdKRhsbAkMnXVd8hiUapi1QCKgBGAs/s1600/20180209_085646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p6E441MIj-Q/WpQbMDsKAqI/AAAAAAAAcVA/bzXvBm5JjxcdKRhsbAkMnXVd8hiUapi1QCKgBGAs/s400/20180209_085646.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ron's Beverage on Flight Out (Bloody Mary)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IO-8jN0qFVs/WpQbMA_ADTI/AAAAAAAAcVA/MI2Pmzp-74EyNdamtUMqkzNPktcjOzqZwCKgBGAs/s1600/20180209_085649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IO-8jN0qFVs/WpQbMA_ADTI/AAAAAAAAcVA/MI2Pmzp-74EyNdamtUMqkzNPktcjOzqZwCKgBGAs/s400/20180209_085649.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Beverage on the Flight Out<br />
Eye on the Goal!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We arrived in Seattle on Friday, and all of Saturday to explore Puget Sound. </div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lLsMTSjg8Ik/WpQb5bRIO7I/AAAAAAAAcVI/IuWCsHdT1Mkzg9thftss23kZ7C5IvaI1QCKgBGAs/s1600/20180209_142008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lLsMTSjg8Ik/WpQb5bRIO7I/AAAAAAAAcVI/IuWCsHdT1Mkzg9thftss23kZ7C5IvaI1QCKgBGAs/s400/20180209_142008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Seattle Waterfront</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have been to Seattle before, and spent quite a few summers as a teenager visiting my family here. I've been on that Ferris Wheel!<br />
<br />
It was hard going back - there were many memories - some not so pleasant, and I was missing my grandmother, whom I used to visit in Kent, Washington. One memory I have of visiting my grandmother was during that awkward teen developmental period. A year passed before we saw each other, and so when she saw me, and how much I had grown, she told me that I was a beautiful young woman. She went on and on - you know how grandmothers can be. I was very uncomfortable accepting her compliments, especially since I knew I was still very underdeveloped from being so sick with what they thought then was ulcerative colitis.<br />
<br />
Landing in Washington State, and driving to the waterfront brought on an onset of memories, and I was just one big crying mess. Poor Ron.<br />
<br />
On Saturday, we planned to drive north to take the ferry to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. Still melancholy, this seemed like a good plan. First Stop: Road Runners Store to pick up our packet.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URpaWX4gJOM/WpQclyesP-I/AAAAAAAAcVU/8g-O6zc7Q8Qx0Kb6PZsfn8JKuA1Fdu7sACKgBGAs/s1600/20180210_224318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URpaWX4gJOM/WpQclyesP-I/AAAAAAAAcVU/8g-O6zc7Q8Qx0Kb6PZsfn8JKuA1Fdu7sACKgBGAs/s400/20180210_224318.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ron's 5K Bibb<br />
My 13.1 Bibb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wow! Great numbers! My late husband's birthday is 2/231959 - what are the odds of us both getting numbers that would make up his birthday - especially since this race was all about My Better Half, Valentine's Day, and Love! I thought. '<i>Im going to do great in this race! John is here with me</i>!'<br />
<br />
The ride on the ferry was beautiful, and Ron and I took in all the beauty of Puget Sound.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tA9R1RZaiwY/WpQdkHgN1LI/AAAAAAAAcVc/NUPTwE8ZFfEggFnOZxbjmuXn2_SjE32yQCKgBGAs/s1600/20180210_153226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tA9R1RZaiwY/WpQdkHgN1LI/AAAAAAAAcVc/NUPTwE8ZFfEggFnOZxbjmuXn2_SjE32yQCKgBGAs/s400/20180210_153226.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traveling to San Juan Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We stopped at the San Juan Brewing company for Ron. I drank water (<i>Eye on the Goal</i>). Then we had a lovely dinner at the Cask and Schooner Public House.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wiAzXe8xcYg/WpQfq_owzEI/AAAAAAAAcVw/zBHVIea_vcIWeO3_g3XOPrUfGKk9YFdlgCKgBGAs/s1600/20180210_170054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wiAzXe8xcYg/WpQfq_owzEI/AAAAAAAAcVw/zBHVIea_vcIWeO3_g3XOPrUfGKk9YFdlgCKgBGAs/s400/20180210_170054.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute Mini-Schooner Replica in the Restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We got back later than I wanted to but it's always hard to have a good night's sleep pre-race anyway. Everything is checked pre-race morning:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Watch</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Road ID in case something happens on the course</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Food</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Decaf and Regular Coffee</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Water</div>
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Bibb</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Race bra, shirt, and pants</div>
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Gloves and Hat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hot Hands</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_GlNFY0DxU/WpQlEVTJLzI/AAAAAAAAcWE/9z-yH6n5kE09h78B5kdvhvPG-b1uZ_7WgCLcBGAs/s1600/JPEG_20180211_152345_1750433523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_GlNFY0DxU/WpQlEVTJLzI/AAAAAAAAcWE/9z-yH6n5kE09h78B5kdvhvPG-b1uZ_7WgCLcBGAs/s400/JPEG_20180211_152345_1750433523.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ron Waiting Through My Thousandth<br />
Wardrobe Change</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn't expect to run in 36-38 degree F weather - I thought it was going to be about 42-45 degrees. Good thing I brought multiple outfits, in case the weather changed. It was cold!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BqVhxeAVhAg/WpQlE5sEypI/AAAAAAAAcWI/LWqh-cGrWhYiSgX3-T2tqsm8Iipi8DUwQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Attach11716_20180211_152341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BqVhxeAVhAg/WpQlE5sEypI/AAAAAAAAcWI/LWqh-cGrWhYiSgX3-T2tqsm8Iipi8DUwQCEwYBhgL/s320/Attach11716_20180211_152341.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Race Smiles</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9ypRk4HgQg/WpQlFe3x7WI/AAAAAAAAcWM/l43LvCVjIiMFrwhOfoSb3XkB6Dvyx1aSwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Attach11715_20180211_152333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9ypRk4HgQg/WpQlFe3x7WI/AAAAAAAAcWM/l43LvCVjIiMFrwhOfoSb3XkB6Dvyx1aSwCEwYBhgL/s400/Attach11715_20180211_152333.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shivering, Waiting for Race to Start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before we started, the announcer said, "I hope nobody gets lost, we think the course is pretty well marked"I turned toward someone next to me, and said, "God, I hope I don't get lost, the directions were confusing."<br />
Here were the directions:<br />
<div style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px;">"5k and 10k runners will do one or two loops, respectively, of this<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://sendy.orcarunning.com/l/B892Ikg763v68CIGnFKqxknuyw/ryPQh98DaSPKVw763xaJM8929g/IQQXFZ44CCQoUEkPNgR1Yw" style="color: #6dc6dd; word-wrap: break-word;">course</a>. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px;">Half and relay runners will do one loop of 3.1 miles (the 5k and 10k loop, above) and two loops of this<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://sendy.orcarunning.com/l/B892Ikg763v68CIGnFKqxknuyw/1B2sXRzodO0y4gofbctV4w/IQQXFZ44CCQoUEkPNgR1Yw" style="color: #6dc6dd; word-wrap: break-word;">course</a>"</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EP4OORIkXRM/WpQmsdaeGfI/AAAAAAAAcWg/BJLpjej915Qa6MkqRxacgag0mWxV9B2xQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-02-26%2Bat%2B10.24.08%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="954" height="181" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EP4OORIkXRM/WpQmsdaeGfI/AAAAAAAAcWg/BJLpjej915Qa6MkqRxacgag0mWxV9B2xQCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-02-26%2Bat%2B10.24.08%2BAM.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">One 5 K loop and two of this Loop</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We started (no National Anthem - you all now how much I love the National Anthem). I ran up the first hill, and did the 5k. Legs were tired from running 20 miles last weekend. Pretty views in Seward Park. I kept thanking God for my ability to run, to be able to travel, and for helping me complete this goal to run a half in every state. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We went around the 5K, and I saw a bunch of people running on my left, so I ran up to a volunterr and said, "I am running the half marathon, am I going the right way?" He responded, "Yes, everyone runs this way."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Okay - so I kept running. I've never run this course before, so I just figured those people on my left were the 5K-ers and the 10K-ers. I kept running.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Although I am sure the race designers thought it was cute to have a "Tunnel of Love" with chocolates and candies, I was frustrated because people were stopping in front of me, trying to pick out candy, and I was trying to maintain pace. Some people were yelling, "Coming Through, Watch Out!" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>It wasn't cool!</i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
When I came around again, I saw someone yelling, half marathoners go this way. There was a sign that I did not see the first time either telling people to stay right for the half marathon. This, I think was about 6+ miles - I have no idea because <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>THERE WERE NO MILE MARKERS ON THE ENTIRE COURSE! </i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>That's right - Not One Mile Marker!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you look at my heart rate from mile 6+ to mile 10+, it goes from 145 bpm to 178 bpm. I started to panick, and thought, "Oh my God, I was supposed to run this way for the half marathon. I wonder how far this loop is?' I ran to the end and stopped to ask a volunteer, "Please, can you tell me how long this loop is?" He told me that he didn't know. I was sick to my stomach, and asked, "What should I do, I think I ran the 5K twice already, but never ran this loop - what should I do?" He told me that I should just run this small loop again.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I started running again, and I was talking to myself:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Okay, so if I run this small loop twice, will I be at 13.1 when I finish?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It won't really be fair because I didn't actually run the right course. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And what if I run less than 13.1? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What if I run more than 13.1?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Okay, girl calm down, ask those volunteers over there how long this loop is, and then try to figure out how many miles you need to finish this half.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To (Young) Volunteers: "Do you know how long this loop is?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Volunteers: "NO" ....Giggles and laughing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At this point, I was in tears. I ran to the end of this little loop, ran around a parking circle a few time - and then ran up to some guy who was volunteering by the sign - he was telling halfers to stay right (You know, the sign and the guy that I missed the first time coming around the 5K loop, but would have backtracked to if the other volunteer didn't tell me that 'everyone runs this way!') Anyway, I grab this guy who was volunteering, and I start yelling:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"This is supposed to be State #35. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I don't know where I am going. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am trying my best - </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I try really hard Dude to place in my age group for all these halves </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have run about 10.5 miles, where do I go now?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What should I do?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Volunteer: "Just run that way <i><b>toward the finish</b></i>."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Me: "WHERE?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Volunteer: "Just follow that man."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So I run up to the guy that I think he pointed to, and ask him, how many more miles do you need to run. he tells me 2.5 more miles. Okay - so I run straight. I can't hang with him - he's doing like a 15-min mile pace. I don't know where I was supposed to run so I screaming, "Where's the finish? Where's the finish?" <i>Right? The volunteer told me to run toward the finish</i>. I guess I was thinking there was a straight away toward the finish that was about 2.5 miles. ...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>NOPE!</i></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The finish was straight ahead! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Even typing this I am crying)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was so upset - I ran through the shoot. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I kept running and ran into a Port-O-John and started crying. "OMG, OMG, OMG. What the hell just happened?" I came out and Ron is waiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ron: "What happened? How did I miss you?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Me: OMG, Ron it was awful. I got lost, I was asking all the volunteers which way I should go, there were no mile markers, no one knew the course. Everyone gave me different answers. I was literally running around in circles. Some guy told me to run toward the finish - and I did - but I didn't finish."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ron tried to calm me down, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"C'mon, get some oatmeal."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Me: "I can't eat oatmeal - I got Crohn's" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>It's rare if I eat oatmeal - all the stars have to align, and my tummy was so very sick at this point. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ron: "Then get a cup of coffee, just calm down."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Me: "No, I gotta retrace my steps. I gotta find out where I went wrong."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ron: I did well in my 5K ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Great, now I'm ruining everything for Ron. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He traveled out here too. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He took off from work on Friday to fly too. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh God, What's wrong with me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Me: "That's great. I'm sorry. I know it's just a race - I shouldn't be that upset. We are healthy. We are safe."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ron: "Let's get our picture taken."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Me (Still sick to my stomach) Okay. I put on a fake smile and do the photo booth thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As soon as we finish I beg Ron to help me re-trace my steps. We walked for about a half-mile out, and I explained to Ron what happened. He said, "Beth, I can't walk anymore, I'm freezing. I'm sorry, but I just want to go back to the car and get warm."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, we left.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sick to my stomach, we left.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I got to the rental car, I saw a text from my Coach, "What happened? Why do they have you running the 10K?" I called Coach Joel and explained. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Driving back to the hotel, I was crying. Ron told me that I should be mad, not sad. I started thinking, I should at the least get my money back! This was awful. I wrote an email when I got back to the hotel, Orca Running responded - this was in their first response:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Unfortunately we do not feel as though the course was poorly marked as the other 300+ half marathon runners didn't have issues following the correct course. There were large signs at the two split points on the course as well as volunteers."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Well, just call me </b></span><b style="color: red; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">STUPID!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ron told me to drop it for now. He was trying to get me to enjoy this mini-vacation. Well, Orca Running and the My Better Half Marathon basically ruined this trip for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I responded to Orca Running email when I got back to Jersey: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I am still sick over this race. Every time I think about it - I just want to cry. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I haven't slept for the past three nights - I just wake up in the middle of the night wondering where I went wrong. I didn't just want to add miles towards the end - I didn't feel that was right. Plus there were no mile markers - I stopped and asked what that small loop would be since I ran the 5K twice ( I think) - but no one could tell me. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I know it was confusing for others because my partner and I saw a volunteer run after a woman and tell her to go straight - instead of turning left.</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I disagree about the signs - there were red arrows, and black arrows - I didn't know if the red was for the 10k and the black was for the half. I was confused. </b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>In the future, if there's a split - you need more than one person standing there - and maybe not in front of the sign. Have more than one sign - and have them with mile markers - and post signs leading up to the split. Most importantly, gather your volunteers the day/night/morning of the race - and educate them as to how the course is laid out - and how many miles each section of each loop is</u>.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know you put your heart into the race - and try to foresee all the potential issues - I thought the Tunnel of Love was cute - but for people who are trying their best to finish as fast as they can - it was frustrating getting stuck behind other runners who didn't take it as serious and who wanted to stop to get some chocolates.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><u>I would like a DNF and I would like to take your offer to run another race</u>. </b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have my 5th World Major Marathon in London in April - will need some time to recover - and was wondering if I could possibly get signed up for the Iron Horse Half Marathon 8/26/2018? </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;">Thank you for this offer, and I look forward to hearing back from you."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, I am signed up for the Iron Horse Half Marathon in August. I was trying for all USATF courses from here on out - thinking they have to hold to a higher authority - but just like the fact that I am running out of states, I am also at a disadvantage of not being allowed to be too picky - and realize that I won't be able to have every course a USATF course.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Orca Running was nice enough to allow me entry without a fee to the Iron Horse Half Marathon. And they were much nicer in subsequent emails:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hi Beth,</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Again, I'm really sorry about the confusing course.... "</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">They accepted my registration for the Iron Horse Half Marathon and tried to reassure me that all would go well ...</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"People come from all over the US to participate. The course is compact dirt and is quite pretty running through the mountains where an old railway used to be. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It can be hot in August but the majority of the course has tree cover, and if you start in an earlier wave and run fairly fast (which it sounds like you do!) you will be great."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some time has past - which is how I can now sit down to <i>even</i> write about what happened, but State #35 is a DNF. I will run another half marathon </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">in late March </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">before the London Marathon in April. This will, God willing, be State #35.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ron has me convinced that running 38 half marathons, there was bound to be some race that was a total screw up. I agree - just wish it were like Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Maryland - something closer. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Still wondering why the Bibb numbers were so symbolic - I can only think that no matter good or bad, John is still with me. I learned to apply the same for others who have passed - no matter good or bad - they are still with me - right Gramz?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Run To Inspire</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Run For Peace</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Run Fearless</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Run Strong</b></span></div>
</div>
Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-21389867887904273402018-01-29T21:05:00.000-05:002019-02-21T07:43:30.025-05:00State #33: Tucson Holualoa Half Marathon in Arizona<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>On December 9th, I ran the Tucson Holualoa Half Marathon in Arizona.</b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yt-nmisVLBo/Wm_NiRTymWI/AAAAAAAAbxk/0SPI1E6ghtsBySXdcyZ_hBgMDSh8W-dDgCKgBGAs/s1600/20171209_121318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yt-nmisVLBo/Wm_NiRTymWI/AAAAAAAAbxk/0SPI1E6ghtsBySXdcyZ_hBgMDSh8W-dDgCKgBGAs/s320/20171209_121318.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I was really tired after the Berlin Marathon. I took 2 weeks off from all exercise - I don't think it helped <b><i>ANY</i></b>. I also took off 4 weeks from running - that didn't help <i><b>any</b></i> either.<br />
<br />
Maybe you're wondering why I would do something like that - honestly, it's because that's all I heard from everybody after I ran Boston<br />
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"You know you should take off 1 day for every mile in a race </div>
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- and that's at least 26 days for a marathon</div>
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...blah, blah, blah"</div>
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<br /></div>
Everyone is different, and I can say for me - Taking <span style="color: red;"><b><i>ALL</i></b></span> that time off after Berlin didn't really help. I think what did help was accepting what I could do - and my limits after I ran two marathons in one year. I learned a lot this past year in terms of my running:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>I finally came to accept that the Marathon and Crohn's Disease really don't like each other #<b><i>UNDERSTATEMENT</i></b></li>
<li>I learned that because I have Crohn's Disease, once I consistently run more that 13 miles every weekend, I'm going to have GI issues</li>
<li>I learned that I am really happy that I am a Registered Dietitian, because I know how to feed myself to minimize the mileage from taking its toll on my performance <a href="http://beyondnutrition-rdn.com/" target="_blank"><b>B3yond Nutrition LLC</b></a></li>
<li>I learned that having a running buddy, like Rebecca, is priceless - not just for the running support, but for the emotional support.</li>
</ul>
Thank you Rebecca for ....<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Hugging me in the middle of Park Street while I sobbed and struggled through one of my Saturday morning long runs.</li>
<li>For listening to me complain about every body fluid under the sun, every Wednesday. </li>
<li>For reminding me of my "WHY" right before I left for the Tucson Holualoa Half Marathon</li>
<li>And for running with me that day when it was only 1 degree Fahrenheit ...</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-R0bqMBLG0/Wm_PO4GgxzI/AAAAAAAAbxw/aZsfDFZmFWAGGGXczRI7Jl8h6o2LnxOdwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_-y7l8fh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-R0bqMBLG0/Wm_PO4GgxzI/AAAAAAAAbxw/aZsfDFZmFWAGGGXczRI7Jl8h6o2LnxOdwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_-y7l8fh.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes Rebecca's Hair is Frozen and so are My Lashes!</td></tr>
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Yeah so, I was struggling with my runs, and especially with my Wednesday Morning Track Workouts. The Wednesday before I left for Arizona, I was crying again (sorry Rebecca, sorry <a href="https://joelrun.com/" target="_blank">Joel</a>). I didn't think I could run as well as I would like to in Arizona. I was feeling really slow and really tired. Still am!<br />
<br />
In fact, I went for some heart and lung tests to rule out any problems - the doctor's told me everything is fine - I have a "Heart of an Athlete"! That's funny because I felt as if I had the heart of a snail!<br />
<br />
But Rebecca said that I had to remember my "WHY" She told me this is what I told her a few years ago when she came over and was in tears ..... <b><i>Ouch</i></b>!<br />
<br />
So, on the flight to Arizona, I kept think of all the reasons I was trying to run a Half Marathon in every state - and not just run them, but place in my age group, which to me, I understand means:<br />
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</div>
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To run the best I can</div>
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To not give up</div>
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To show my children that no matter what obstacles you face in life, </div>
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you continue to go forward in a positive way</div>
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<br /></div>
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I train to run fearlessly - so why was I wimpering?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-0mf69nlfY/Wm_QB5n9nUI/AAAAAAAAbx4/ezSzgIKgvREbn8j-HzCY2HdtiAJzaKopACKgBGAs/s1600/20180105_104308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-0mf69nlfY/Wm_QB5n9nUI/AAAAAAAAbx4/ezSzgIKgvREbn8j-HzCY2HdtiAJzaKopACKgBGAs/s320/20180105_104308.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And yes, sometimes I can go a little overboard!</td></tr>
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Sooo what if I don't place - I still can run the best for me, where I am in life at this point in my life! </div>
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And you know that's a heck of a lot easier to type, than accept.</div>
<br />
I run to promote peace - I can spread a little hope and love wherever and whenever I run. If you run with me, unless I'm really struggling, you know I say "Good Morning" or "Hi" to everyone I pass. Even on a race course, I shout out word's of encouragement to others who seem as if they're struggling.<br />
<br />
I run to inspire - you never know who is watching - your children, neighbor, co-worker, stranger - if I can put on a hat, gloves, and shove Hot Hands in my pocket in 1 degree weather - maybe that can help to get someone off the couch to go for a walk on their treadmill.<br />
<br />
I run to show fearlessness - to show that you can overcome a tragedy in your life, but at the same time still remember. I run to overcome the pain of the events of 9-11 and to remember my husband, John.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wctbX7usc6o/WnBfmPTQM4I/AAAAAAAAbyY/7mgrFACuX7gqWQh0MuLIxUoYR5-foDW3wCKgBGAs/s1600/20170910_205242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wctbX7usc6o/WnBfmPTQM4I/AAAAAAAAbyY/7mgrFACuX7gqWQh0MuLIxUoYR5-foDW3wCKgBGAs/s320/20170910_205242.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial, Downtown Manhatten<br />
#Neverforget</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
But mostly, I run for my children. They are my "WHY"</div>
<br />
I closed my eyes on the flight to Arizona, and just pictured running in God's Hands. I kept thinking of running a local race this past Thanksgiving.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had no energy, so decided to run it with a Go-Pro. </div>
Most of the race I ran about a 9:35min/mile pace. I was filming some people at the end of the race while running, and I was yelling,<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>"You're strong, </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>You're beautiful, </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>You're doing great!"</b></span></div>
Afterward, I looked at my splits - I couldn't believe it - my last mile I ran a 7:35 min pace. I was just jogging along, trying to inspire other's to finish strong, and without realizing it, I picked up my own pace.<br />
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The morning of the Tucson Holualoa Half, we had to take a bus from the host hotel, The Hilton El Conquistador, to the start - It was about 5am! It was quite chilly!<br />
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I met a woman, Pam Erikson, on the bus. She told me that it was unusually cold for Tucson this time of year. It was high 30's. Thank goodness the busses were super toasty!<br />
<br />
At the start of the race, everyone was huddling close to stay warm. The man next to me told me that he thought we all seemed like penguins!<br />
<br />
For about 9 miles, the race was downhill - not steep, but nice for me since I'm a sea level gal who was running at altitude.<br />
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Nothing like Breckenridge</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UsX59uPwAXM/Wm_Ro0oRGSI/AAAAAAAAbyE/5MqjUIoKxNs9ckgCT16UEsn-KsdxfFc-wCKgBGAs/s1600/20171227_155533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UsX59uPwAXM/Wm_Ro0oRGSI/AAAAAAAAbyE/5MqjUIoKxNs9ckgCT16UEsn-KsdxfFc-wCKgBGAs/s320/20171227_155533.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10,00 feet and yes, I had altitude sickness!</td></tr>
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The Tucson Holualoa Half started at about 3,850 feet, went to about 3,030 feet, and then up to 3,100 feet. Well, that last ~100 feet climb - for me - was a doozy! I heard some guy yell out going up that last hill. I thought, okay, so I'm not alone struggling, here!<br />
<br />
Still, I kept running - running in God's Hands - telling myself that I was strong, I was beautiful, and that I was doing great! I thought, "No matter how you do, you know you tried your best, you gave it your all - for what that is at this point in my life. I just kept putting one foot in front of the other - <i><b>moving forward in a positive way</b></i>."<br />
<br />
I saw Ron at the last stretch before you turn the corner to run through the chute. I crossed the finish, was handed a finisher's medal and a water, and told a stranger that I ran that half in God's hands (he smiled and nodded). Next, I picked up my drop off bag, and ran to the port-o-johns - as only a person with Crohn's can do!<br />
<br />
After resurfacing, I found Ron. I was surprised to find out that I ran the half in 1:45:48. I was hoping to run it 1:50 or better. I was even more surprised to find out that I took first in my age group!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Train Smart!</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBON2nMN00s/Wm_LqhutrJI/AAAAAAAAbxU/yyq_X23sHJ42ydl6WG3zByl-bjOi_vb0gCKgBGAs/s1600/20171209_112454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBON2nMN00s/Wm_LqhutrJI/AAAAAAAAbxU/yyq_X23sHJ42ydl6WG3zByl-bjOi_vb0gCKgBGAs/s320/20171209_112454.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib, Finisher's Medal, and First Place Award!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run Fearlesss!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUY4vwxMb50/Wm_LqtqW_7I/AAAAAAAAbxU/nvnKOo7P1ZwFl0wbHHwxpQkZVhpgs5jQwCKgBGAs/s1600/FB_IMG_1512852116921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUY4vwxMb50/Wm_LqtqW_7I/AAAAAAAAbxU/nvnKOo7P1ZwFl0wbHHwxpQkZVhpgs5jQwCKgBGAs/s640/FB_IMG_1512852116921.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run to Inspire!</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUQLcWA83ls/Wm_NK-2lDoI/AAAAAAAAbxg/AZyY2opIn381yMMNwbmozBLm-PmTWSrzACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170708_112512003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUQLcWA83ls/Wm_NK-2lDoI/AAAAAAAAbxg/AZyY2opIn381yMMNwbmozBLm-PmTWSrzACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20170708_112512003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My babies</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Know Your Why!</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vjJ3Zabd2s/Wm_NK7YqdPI/AAAAAAAAbxg/Wd2sok-kXxU93tvsO2KrM_Na7yG2zdlBQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170707_162315860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vjJ3Zabd2s/Wm_NK7YqdPI/AAAAAAAAbxg/Wd2sok-kXxU93tvsO2KrM_Na7yG2zdlBQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20170707_162315860.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luvutonz!</td></tr>
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</div>
Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-28346653764320484052017-11-17T13:11:00.000-05:002017-11-17T13:11:20.446-05:002017 New York Road Runner's Hall of Fame<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On November 2nd, the New York Road Runner's Organization held their annual induction of elite runners to their Hall of Fame. Since my Coach, Joel Pasternack, was dear friends with Tom Flemming for 48 years, and Tom was being inducted, I was honored when my Coach asked me if I wanted to go. Of course Joel, I would love to go!<br />
<br />
I knew Tom from when I was a little girl. My brother Chris ran track for Villanova, and I heard stories of how Tom kicked his but when they went out for a 10 mile run. Back then, I remember Tom was a sixth grade teacher at the local elementary school, where I attended. I remember thinking, 'Wow, that's Tom Fleming - he won the New York City Marathon. He's super fast!' I also remember my dad pushing my brother, "Why don't you call Tom and get a run in." I suspect the fact that Chris, as he put it, had to run a full out sprint to "tag" along on Tom's 10-mile easy run was why he was always a little reluctant to meet up with Tom.<br />
<br />
It was a shock to hear when Tom died this past April. I had just run the Boston Marathon, and went with my local running club to see a documentary on the Boston Marathon. When I came out of the movie, I turned my phone on and saw a text from my brother. I immediately called Coach - who was in shock! We all were!<br />
<br />
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Now, several months later, I was so glad to hear that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
NYRR was going to honor Tom and induct him into the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2017 NYRR Hall of Fame!</div>
<br />
I have a few funny Tom stories - one that stands out in my head was when I came to the track with calf sleeves on. Coach Joel and Tom were kibitzing, Tom stopped, looked at my calf sleeves and said, "What are those." I explained that I just saw Meb run in Chicago (I had run the Chicago Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon) and saw that Meb was wearing calf sleeves - so I thought I'd try them out. Tom said, in his very dry tone, "Meb gets paid to wear calf sleeves - that's why he was wearing them!" I was so deflated, but knew - that was Tom - he always kept it real when it came to running. In fact he is famous for a few expressions, one being - if you want to be a better runner, run more!<br />
<br />
I absolutely love Meb. I have his book, Meb for Mortals - and even an Eliptigo because I saw how much it helped Meb when he was injured. Recently, I tweeted back to one of his tweets:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> #Lovemeb</b></div>
- and you can imagine how happy I was when he liked it! That was so cool! What's even cooler was that I saw Meb at the 2017 NYRR Hall of Fame induction. He received the Abebe Bakila award. He was kind enough to take a photo with me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4FLX_P-p8w/Wg8Y3OPCvYI/AAAAAAAAbE0/1EkNADctOCoNnD4SV74qKsCx9Sijdg1mgCKgBGAs/s1600/20171102_152136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4FLX_P-p8w/Wg8Y3OPCvYI/AAAAAAAAbE0/1EkNADctOCoNnD4SV74qKsCx9Sijdg1mgCKgBGAs/s400/20171102_152136.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#LoveMeb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meb was presented with this award by Deena Kastor. She had some beautiful words before presenting Meb with this very prestigious award. Deena was also kind, and snapped a pic with Coach and me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rAKA41mpw3A/Wg8ZuU3HATI/AAAAAAAAbE8/wvx6Ii4BwSISTOFAlM53Hb5NkvJqWVrPACKgBGAs/s1600/20171102_152349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rAKA41mpw3A/Wg8ZuU3HATI/AAAAAAAAbE8/wvx6Ii4BwSISTOFAlM53Hb5NkvJqWVrPACKgBGAs/s400/20171102_152349.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deena Kastor holds the American Female Record for Fastest Marathon<br />2:19:36</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Coach brought a poster with famous runners - and the elites at this induction would come up to Joel - to see if they were on the board - of course they were! They were honored to sign their names. It was amazing to watch!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9j_hSKku7s/Wg8aX9OoxPI/AAAAAAAAbFI/mBurWsgbP1sYq10N_cvGirVNE2YQ8ZwUQCKgBGAs/s1600/20171102_155500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9j_hSKku7s/Wg8aX9OoxPI/AAAAAAAAbFI/mBurWsgbP1sYq10N_cvGirVNE2YQ8ZwUQCKgBGAs/s400/20171102_155500.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Bill Rogers signing Coach's Poster!</td></tr>
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And so did 2017 NYRR Hall of Fame Inductee Orlando Pizzolato<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X95zgF9hoSM/Wg8dGxWPHzI/AAAAAAAAbFo/GobNqVqDBIsWqAxom2ROJat4SElM7J00ACKgBGAs/s1600/20171102_172019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X95zgF9hoSM/Wg8dGxWPHzI/AAAAAAAAbFo/GobNqVqDBIsWqAxom2ROJat4SElM7J00ACKgBGAs/s400/20171102_172019.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orlando won the NY City Marathon in 1984 and 1985 <br />with a time of 2:11:34 in 1985!</td></tr>
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As did Paula Radcliffe! OMG!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5NtNYpbfp2g/Wg8anD9MZKI/AAAAAAAAbFM/a4H2_LB6aeIbpmDXZLdC9A0YkAQwQVDngCKgBGAs/s1600/20171102_171929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5NtNYpbfp2g/Wg8anD9MZKI/AAAAAAAAbFM/a4H2_LB6aeIbpmDXZLdC9A0YkAQwQVDngCKgBGAs/s400/20171102_171929.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paula Radcliffe! WOW!<br />Love this pic!<br />She's a SouthPaw!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ep-pO-b_zRg/Wg8a7TSg2_I/AAAAAAAAbFU/-Ab1XrsW944nSfgl4mWwIw7ThqeLeyATwCKgBGAs/s1600/20171102_171955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ep-pO-b_zRg/Wg8a7TSg2_I/AAAAAAAAbFU/-Ab1XrsW944nSfgl4mWwIw7ThqeLeyATwCKgBGAs/s400/20171102_171955.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paula Radcliffe holds the Female World Record for the <br />Fastest Marathon 2:15:25!</td></tr>
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Paula introduced Lorna Kiplagat, who was also inducted into the 2017 NYRR Hall of Fame. Lorna also graciously indulged Joel in a poster signing and both of us with a picture<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u1ZqCFH3SzI/Wg8cHiGgeNI/AAAAAAAAbFg/JVAmF6mKa2YsvGQ3SzSWsVkwL0w60KcXQCKgBGAs/s1600/20171102_174043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u1ZqCFH3SzI/Wg8cHiGgeNI/AAAAAAAAbFg/JVAmF6mKa2YsvGQ3SzSWsVkwL0w60KcXQCKgBGAs/s400/20171102_174043.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKg5wVTPfOU/Wg8cHp7g3yI/AAAAAAAAbFg/Updtf1rMzF4QrvWkc5vtHD2r7RJPkP2VQCKgBGAs/s1600/20171102_174135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKg5wVTPfOU/Wg8cHp7g3yI/AAAAAAAAbFg/Updtf1rMzF4QrvWkc5vtHD2r7RJPkP2VQCKgBGAs/s400/20171102_174135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lornah's Community Outreach and Support for <br />Runner's Worldwide is truly inspiring!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lornah Kiplagat is the founder of the African inspired Sports brand for active women called "Lornah "www.lornahsports.com. She is also the founder of the famous High Altitude Training Center (HATC) in Iten Kenya, where athletes from all over the World go train..www.lornah.com</span></span></div>
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But here are two of my favorite photos of the day<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fg04rYIBA8/Wg8eDavZk9I/AAAAAAAAbF0/VARbIgWiQ-gKIw2WOLc1mzl2sYolSujXwCKgBGAs/s1600/20171102_172310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fg04rYIBA8/Wg8eDavZk9I/AAAAAAAAbF0/VARbIgWiQ-gKIw2WOLc1mzl2sYolSujXwCKgBGAs/s400/20171102_172310.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love how Coach is listening to Ryan Hall</td></tr>
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This is my other favorite picture - it's of Meb's Dad. He was wiping his eye's and pumping his fist in the air - he is so proud of his son. Meb, we are so proud of you, too!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4pP9PvJ8aIg/Wg8e3ep_VvI/AAAAAAAAbF8/YRkGkTMQMy0aD_PxFvUF5Eq36P25blQswCKgBGAs/s400/20171102_170217.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was beautiful to watch how proud Meb's family is!</td></tr>
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Ryan Hall was also kind and took some time for a Joel/Beth photo!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan Hall holds the American Male Record for <br />Fastest Marathon: 2:04:58<br />WOW!</td></tr>
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Tom's daughter Margot received the award on Tom's behalf. She prepared a beautiful speech sprinkled with her Dad's dry sense of humor. I cried when she cried - and Coach was trying hard to hold it together. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom won the NY City Marathon twice, in 1974 and 1975<br />His best Marathon time is 2:12:05</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Congratulations Tom on your induction into the </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2017 New York Road Runner's Hall of Fame!</span></b></div>
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You will be missed, but your spirit remains strong, </div>
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as will your love for running!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTu30KDwR1U/Wg8igloyHoI/AAAAAAAAbGU/VST0ixSRhY0vmwCoAj-ACwonJ6dhGoybQCKgBGAs/s1600/20171102_162344.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTu30KDwR1U/Wg8igloyHoI/AAAAAAAAbGU/VST0ixSRhY0vmwCoAj-ACwonJ6dhGoybQCKgBGAs/s400/20171102_162344.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Train Smart!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run to Inspire!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run Fearless!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Run for Peace!</span></b></div>
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Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-15375367813365980142017-10-01T10:00:00.002-04:002017-10-02T08:14:06.364-04:0044th BMW Berlin Marathon <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I don't know what it's like to run a marathon in my 20's, 30's or 40's - I started running marathons in my 50's. And for me, it takes a lot of planning, and it takes a lot of people - people who support you, believe in you, feel your pain, your sorrow, your passion, your drive to feel empowered, rise above, to show that love is empowering - and that, as crazy as it may seem, support that you have chosen to focus all of this in running a marathon.<br />
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Look at the people in this photo - they're smiling, thumbs up - I still got all my nutrition pinned on me and in my hands - so I know, this is pre mile 5. The gentleman wearing Bib #57107 is smiling, and the man wearing Bib #61716 is giving the photographer a thumbs up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early miles 44th BMW Berlin Marathon</td></tr>
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Now take a look at this one - about 3/4 of a mile left to go. The gentleman off to the far left - he's holding his stomach - he looks as if he's going to throw up. Now focus on the far right - there's a man in an orange jacket who is coaching a runner - listen closely, in any language, and you hear, "C'mon, man. You got this. It's just a few 100 kilometers more. You're amazing and you know you are because you've come this far! You got this! You know you can do this!" It's the sound of love - one stranger to another - hope in the human spirit - and it shines so brightly in the marathon. It's beautiful.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running through the Brandenburg Gate<br />
44th BMW Berlin Marathon</td></tr>
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I have to thank my family, friends, and running community for getting me through the first 18 to 19 - even 20 miles. You train, you put the time in - people ask how you're doing.<br />
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There's your base layer of professionals, <a href="http://www.marathontours.com/" target="_blank">Marathon Tours</a> and their employees who get you enrolled in the Berlin Marathon, and plan a trip around the marathon - Thank you Nicole Langone and Jacqui Kaufman. </div>
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And there's the professionals you turn to when your training goes awry and your body doesn't cooperate like my Podiatrist, Dr Jessica Merkel-Levy at <a href="https://aprcnj.com/" target="_blank">Advanced Performance and Rehab</a>, who helped me through a very painful and debilitating bout of Plantar Fasciitis from July to August. And my team at <a href="https://goparabolic.com/therapists/" target="_blank">Parabolic Performance and Rehab</a> - my PT, Dr Monica Saenz, who would massage and use the Graston on my Plantar Fascia and Achilles every week, along with my Acupuncturist, Michael Gonzalez who worked on my calves, adductors, psoas, periformis, and hammies. Of course, I have to mention my favorite Chiropractors, Dr Lou and Dr Jayne at <a href="http://www.familychiropractorsofmontclair.com/" target="_blank">Family Chiropractors of Montclair</a>.</div>
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A huge thank you, of course, to Coach <a href="https://joelrun.com/" target="_blank">Joel</a>, who is more than just a professional Running Coach to me - he's family - remember, I adopted him as my '<a href="http://halfcrazedrunner.blogspot.com/2017/04/joels-angels.html" target="_blank">Track Daddy</a>'!</div>
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And there's the local running group(s) whom you meet up with in those early morning hours on a Saturday or Sunday morning - and you hear: "Beth, How's it going? How's your training?" I always love Fidelma's great big hugs. I would be lying if I said I didn't look for one of her big, welcoming hugs. </div>
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And training for Berlin, I made a new friend, Francois Prophete - we didn't run many times together - but we probably put in close to 50 miles together. I can't explain the connection you make with someone when you put in all those miles together. It's the simple gestures and words: Are you okay? Okay c'mon, we got this. Do you need to stop? Or the running ahead to make sure it's okay to cross a street. Or when you meet up and say you don't feel like running 16 miles the silly gesture of Francois picking me up and running down the street yelling - It's okay, I'll just carry you today! </div>
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And the fact that there's actually someone behind the scenes orchestrating and promoting these runs, Rachel Crampsey and her group: <a href="http://www.fueledbydoughnuts.org/" target="_blank">Fueled by Doughnuts</a>. It literally takes a village.</div>
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Or how about Jacquie, who the night before I left for Berlin brought me a card that read, "Ignore the Rain, Look at the Rainbow" Did she know that when I first met my late husband, we would go searching for rainbows? Or maybe she knew it would rain the day of the marathon - and I needed to focus on the positives. </div>
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All of these people - they get you through those first 18-20 miles.</div>
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And then there's another layer - the people who get you through the last six miles.</div>
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I knew I would have trouble in Berlin. I kept telling everyone that I hoped I wouldn't crap myself. To manage my Crohn's Disease, I avoid <u><b>lots</b></u> of different foods that irritate my stomach. It's the main reason I became a <a href="http://beyondnutrition-rdn.com/leap-certified/" target="_blank">LEAP Therapist</a> - I had to know if it worked before I used it in my private practice, <a href="http://beyondnutrition-rdn.com/" target="_blank">B3yond Nutrition.</a> </div>
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But when you eat out in restaurants, are away from home, or are in another country whose culture enjoys foods that you avoid - you have fewer choices. If you notice in the above picture, I am carrying tissues in my right hand. This is because at my 2nd or 3rd run to the bushes in the median divide along the Berlin Marathon, a woman with a strong German accent ran up to me (shorts down and all) and gave me a stack of tissues. She was yelling something in German, but I couldn't understand - it sounded to me like, 'OMG! You poor thing!' I thanked her, apologized - I told her that I have stomach problems. At that point, she reached into her coat pocket and produced <i><b>another</b></i> bunch of tissues. After cleaning up, I headed back to the race - and I heard this woman (whom I fondly refer to as my Angel sent from Heaven) yelling, "Good Luck! Good Luck!" I thanked her profusely, signing, </div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">"I love you!"</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm6qap2sGIA/WdDO-8dhbNI/AAAAAAAAZ80/qdULFW7ViRYue98FC4RDQPmlAlO7jpxigCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-10-01%2Bat%2B7.17.40%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="661" height="272" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm6qap2sGIA/WdDO-8dhbNI/AAAAAAAAZ80/qdULFW7ViRYue98FC4RDQPmlAlO7jpxigCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-10-01%2Bat%2B7.17.40%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you! I love you!<br />
My Angel from Heaven - You have no idea how much you helped me!</td></tr>
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Of course I packed tissues in my back zipper pocket, silly, I got Crohn's. But I didn't think I'd blow through them and stop 4 times! Thankfully, after my 4th and final stop, my tummy settled down. At that point, I was dehydrated. I actually had cotton mouth I was so dehydrated. Problem - water stops in the Berlin Marathon are like every 3 miles. Each station I made sure I drank a full glass of water - sometimes I drank two glasses of water!</div>
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By mile 20, I wanted to stop. That's when you think of the other people - like your training partner, Rebecca, who ran a great marathon time after rehabilitating two crushed hips from being hit by a car. C'mon, Beth if Rebecca did this after getting her hips crushed - you can do this! Or your Coach's words, "You can do this. All that training you put in over the summer. Of course you can do this. No Problem." Coach believes in me ...</div>
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I can do this!</span></b></div>
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">KEEP RUNNING!</span></b></div>
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And don't forget - Mom is praying for you, your sister's are praying for you - heck, even Joey is praying for you! You got air cover! Even Steve, the older gentleman you see on the track every week lit a candle at church for you! </div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>I can do this!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>KEEP RUNNING!</b></span></div>
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And then there's yet another layer of people, who get you through the last 5k, like my daughter Juliette - who, I know is struggling because every day she does the same commute her Daddy did - she drives to Harrison, and takes the Path downtown. It's likely a combination of dealing with a new internship, the commute to NYU Grad classes at night - and another point in her life with a different sort of missing. I couldn't stop running. When I got a back spasm around mile 22, and a hammy cramp in mile 23, I yelled at myself: You gotta show Juliette, you just push through. Push through, push through, push through - This is God's Will!</div>
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can do this!</span></b></div>
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">KEEP RUNNING!</span></b></div>
And at mile 24, there's my partner - and I hear my name, "Let's Go Davis!" Ron screams, "Let's go B. You're strong. You got this." As he violently points to his head, reminding me to think positively. And you remember all the things he said before you started that day, 'Don't let any negative thoughts enter your head. You trained for this. Trust your training.' And then you hear Stephanie's words, your other training partner, 'You have put in the time, there's nothing else you need to do, trust your training.' </div>
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And you start, repeating: </div>
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I'm strong, I'm strong. I'm strong. </div>
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I can do this. I can do this, I can do this!</div>
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I CAN DO THIS!</div>
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No negative thoughts - think of what your son Johnny said when you ran Boston: Don't say you're not going to stop. That's negative. Say you're going to ...</div>
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<b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;">KEEP RUNNING!</b></div>
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And then there is always one person, whose strength and resilience pushes you through that last mile and a half. This time, it was Helene. I had the honor and the privilege to run with Helene in her first half marathon after one year of her getting chemotherapy treatments for Ovarian Cancer. When we started that half she warned Rebecca and me that she was going to take walking breaks. Yeah, right! I got a kick out of her "walking breaks" - Helene timed her walk breaks - like 15 seconds, every 3-4 miles! Even I wanted more of a walking break than that! </div>
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Nope, not Helene, she pushed through - and I watched. </div>
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It was not an easy half - there were several hills in the last 2-miles. </div>
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Helene struggled up those hills - and I watched. </div>
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At 13.1, Helene ran over that finish line, and did the Runner's Hunch - you know the one - where you lean over, put your hands on your quads, round your shoulders, and just try to breathe.</div>
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Helene took a moment, gathered herself, and then smiled - I just watched.</div>
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I wanted to cry, but I held back - it was Helene's moment. I was simply there to say, "I believe in you, I feel your pain, your sorrow, your passion, your drive to feel empowered, rise above, to show that love is empowering - and that, as crazy as it may seem, I support that you have chosen to focus all of this in running a half marathon.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half-Crazed Runner, Helene, Rebecca<br />
Westwoood, NJ Half Marathon</td></tr>
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I spelled H-E-L-E-N-E's name a thousand times before I crossed the finish line. </div>
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Watching Helene finish that half inspired me to </div>
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<b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;">KEEP RUNNING!</b></div>
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And when I crossed the finish line at 3:56:41, I felt someone tug at my arm, he was yelling in an accent (what type, I have no idea), "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You helped me. I just kept watching you for those last few miles. I kept watching you." I was overwhelmed. He was an older gentleman - maybe in his 70's. We embraced. I kissed his face, and said, "God Bless You!" </div>
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Running is a funny thing - </div>
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you really never know who is watching!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Train Smart:</span><span style="color: blue;"> Nutrition, Training, and Recovery Are Key</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">RunTo Inspire:</span><span style="color: blue;"> You Never Know Who Is Watching</span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Focussing on My "Why": Running to Inspire PEACE</span><br />
Here, I Point to my Mercy Band inscribed with the words:<br />
John A Candela<br />
WTC</td></tr>
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<b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><b><b><b><span style="background-color: white;">So, I challenge you to</span></b></b></b></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><b><b><b><span style="color: red;">RunForPeace:</span><span style="color: blue;"> It Starts With You!</span></b></b></b></b></div>
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Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-87141067713494836502017-08-20T18:24:00.002-04:002019-02-21T07:43:58.504-05:00State #32: Nebraska<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wow, it's been a long time since I posted. I feel bad. This blog is sort of like my running diary - so no posts might seem as if I haven't been running - not true. Me, not run? Hah!<br />
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After the Boston Marathon, I struggled with speed. So, I did a couple of 5K's, like the The Ridgewood Run in which I placed 1st in my age group<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4ZcbNkFB2Q/WZmCa1ZilQI/AAAAAAAAZmQ/iS6HHnBKqBwl51_WDOCaDliytPgFx5O_gCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-20%2Bat%2B8.34.51%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4ZcbNkFB2Q/WZmCa1ZilQI/AAAAAAAAZmQ/iS6HHnBKqBwl51_WDOCaDliytPgFx5O_gCLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-20%2Bat%2B8.34.51%2BAM.png" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ridgewood Run<br />
23:15:97</td></tr>
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and the Milford Run</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wlMSt5MBuGk/WZmIBuCmH8I/AAAAAAAAZmk/buPnkvK6GlgBZmog9ntar06SpdwpD2CaQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-20%2Bat%2B9.00.08%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="671" height="250" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wlMSt5MBuGk/WZmIBuCmH8I/AAAAAAAAZmk/buPnkvK6GlgBZmog9ntar06SpdwpD2CaQCLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-20%2Bat%2B9.00.08%2BAM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essex Running Club: New Milford Run</td></tr>
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Wasn't feeling it that day<span style="text-align: center;">: 23:19,</span> but that's running. Still, I was going to the track a couple of times per week to help maintain pace for when I run the Berlin Marathon. Then came June and July. And life unfolded:<br />
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Huge Celebration for my daughter, Juliette, </div>
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who graduated from Fordham University with a BS in Psychology:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congratulations My Beautiful Daughter!<br />
Next Stop: Masters at NYU</td></tr>
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And in July, I took an amazing trip to Italy with my family. No running for 10+ days! Even though I didn't run, after touring Rome and Venice, we hiked about 10-12 miles per day with Backroads Tours through the Dolomitii in Northeast Italy. So breathtakingly beautiful:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Las Vegas, Altor Badia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From our first Ruffugio</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ron, aka Drone Geek</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Il Dolomitii</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the fam</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and My Gal<br />
Roma, Italy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Man</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and My Mini Man</td></tr>
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Just want to cry looking at these pictures - we had so much fun. Italy is so very beautiful. Ron always says that when he retires, he wants to move to Colorado and become a Ski Ambassador. I am working on him to think maybe San Cassiano or Val Gardena instead. Black Night, Georgio - what do you think? We'd be neighbors.</div>
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And through all of this, I studied for two new Dietetics Certifications! I am now <a href="http://nowleap.com/" target="_blank">LEAP Certified</a>, which means I can order Mediator Release Blood Tests to identify food sensitivities. Based on these results, I work with my clients to develop an Immunocalm Diet. I am seeing amazing results with clients who have IBS, IBD, Chronic Migraines, Arthritis, and Fibromyalgia. It is very satisfying.</div>
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I am also now Board Certified Specialist in Sport Dietetics (CSSD). I worked at least five years toward this certification! With these two new certifications, business has boomed! </div>
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And training was going well - that is up until a few weeks ago, when I started to have heel pain. I was doing really well. Running somewhere between 7:40 - 8-minute mile splits to break 3:30 in Berlin. This all came to a screaming halt after a 19 mile long run. After that run, I had trouble walking - let alone run. Dx: Plantar Fasciitis (PF). </div>
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Everyone told me not to run the Logan View Half Marathon in Fremont, Nebraska. I would have listened, but I saw so many positive signs. Ron and I thought that maybe I should VLOG instead of BLOG. So, we went to Best Buy to buy a shoulder harness to wear his GoPro. When we got to Best Buy, the number on the building was #333 - which if you know me, reminds me of my late husband. I can't make this stuff up.</div>
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I prayed, 'Okay, if I find something that works, and fits (I'm a small person), I'll wear it and not run. Well, I did not find anything I thought I could wear comfortably for 13.1 miles. And after facing the heat of the day, I am really glad I didn't even try the shoulder harness. Decision made: I would run this half marathon!</div>
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Well, as my Coach put it, it was really just "The Survival Shuffle". It was 85 degrees Fahrenheit, No shade, corn fields, cows all around, on a sandy, gravelly dirt road (not good for PF), in which I turned my ankle, not once, but twice - still getting pebbles out of my sneaks! Did I mention that there were more challenging hills in this half than than in the Boston Marathon? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At about mile four, I almost turned around. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thoughts of DNF ran through my brain. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What? I never did not finish.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0EJXVyJJAM/WZmYIdhcl3I/AAAAAAAAZnc/D6R1_hHafegtKO-zW0sLq8B8JmEhrwFFACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-20%2Bat%2B10.09.02%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="395" height="164" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0EJXVyJJAM/WZmYIdhcl3I/AAAAAAAAZnc/D6R1_hHafegtKO-zW0sLq8B8JmEhrwFFACLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-08-20%2Bat%2B10.09.02%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
I started yelling at myself 'C'mon, you can at least shuffle through. You have less than 9 miles. I made a pact with myself to at least try to make it to the turn around'. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I got to the turn around I thought, 'Okay, see if you could run a full 90-minutes'. I took it easy when I felt some pain, backed it down, and repeated to myself, 'Berlin is the goal. Berlin is the goal.' I thought of all the suggestions everyone made over the past couple of weeks:</div>
<div>
<u>Ron</u>: Just use this as a training run, concentrate on your form</div>
<div>
<u>Dr Monica at Parabolic Performance and Rehab</u>: If you have to, walk run. It's Okay. I will pray for you (Thanks Dr Monica!)</div>
<div>
<u>Dr Mike at Advanced Performance and Rehab</u>: Berlin is the goal. Don't push. </div>
<div>
<u>Sissy</u>: You shouldn't do this. This is bad</div>
<div>
<u>Mom</u>: My friend needed surgery for this. You gotta take care of yourself. You're running yourself down.</div>
<div>
<u>Jacquie</u>: What would you tell me?</div>
<div>
<u>Coach Joel</u>: If it starts to hurt - even if your walking, STOP!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I struggled to find the balance between all of these caring, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and thoughtful suggestions.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know why, but it seems all my common sense </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
flies out the window when it comes to my running goals.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why?</div>
<div>
I'm glad I wore my headphones and listened to music. I kept one earbud in, so I could listen to how my feet were hitting the gravel. Since it was a small local race, there were stretches of road where no one was around me - it was so quiet, I could hear an echo from my own footsteps. </div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8o_yIgpTZo/WZoGKa0X_kI/AAAAAAAAZq0/OJfE2cb_dqMnPOINHstyOrX_pNV4-5hugCEwYBhgL/s1600/Attach6063_20170820_113034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8o_yIgpTZo/WZoGKa0X_kI/AAAAAAAAZq0/OJfE2cb_dqMnPOINHstyOrX_pNV4-5hugCEwYBhgL/s400/Attach6063_20170820_113034.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let this pretty picture fool you - <br />
the hills were pretty intense!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Going up the final hill in mile 12, I thought, I never, ever want to run - ever, ever again. I was very uncomfortable, disgustingly sweaty, covered in sandy dirt from when the wind picked up, and I had tsetse flies flying into my eyes and mouth. But - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You know you are a runner when you can think:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No good decision is ever made going uphill</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I suspect that even if I didn't have PF, I likely would not have done that great. It was very hot, and I'm not a good hill runner. I took my time, had a few conversations with the locals at the water stops, tried to encourage others whom I past and who past me. Frankly, I was glad to finish in just under two hours. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No age group classes, but </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I actually finished fourth female overall!</div>
<div>
<div>
In the last few miles, The Stones came on my iPod: "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you get what you need" It was wisdom to my ears. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep a fast pace, but I came for the finishers medal in State #33: Nebraska, and that's what I got!</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_5VRQSbQxyg/WZoGFFdmmkI/AAAAAAAAZqw/_WAgjcvwEF4U2uecp-QYTcL_Ov_dzsPWwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170820_120333288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_5VRQSbQxyg/WZoGFFdmmkI/AAAAAAAAZqw/_WAgjcvwEF4U2uecp-QYTcL_Ov_dzsPWwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_20170820_120333288.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State #33: Nebraska</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-91938107839949574992017-05-14T11:36:00.002-04:002017-05-14T17:30:57.537-04:00Boston Marathon 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, it's taken me some time to sit and write my recap of the Boston Marathon. I think I'm still exhausted from all the training, excitement, and ..the hills.<br />
<br />
When I say I had fun running the Boston Marathon - it's because I did. It was the first race that I held back, and because of that, I was able to relax and enjoy the race. I held back because I had a lot of concerns training for and anticipating this race:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Would I make it to the start? Last year I got injured and had to pull out of running Boston., and last September, complications form my Crohn's Disease landed me in the emergency room, and I had to withdraw from the Berlin Marathon three days flying to Berlin! </li>
<li>Would that happen again?</li>
<li>Would my stomach blow up on me in the race?</li>
<li>Once I got there, would I finish? </li>
</ul>
Let's face it, the Boston Marathon is intimidating. Anytime you ask someone how they started running, they tell you their story, and then there's always the 'And then I was accepted into Boston' or 'And then I ran Boston' or likely the most painful "And I tried four times to make it to Boston - the last time, I missed by X seconds'.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, I was definitely psyched. During the taper, I was flying. In fact, the last few miles, I ran on the track, and was running 7:40-8:00 minute miles, not even trying - just because I was so pumped up!<br />
<br />
Even driving up on Saturday, I was psyched. It was nice spending time in the car with Ron, Jules, and Johnny. We stopped for lunch, and even stopped off at a brand new Ducati Dealership in Medford, Massachusettes so - as Ron put it - he could sit on a new Supersport and make some vroom, vroom noises! Carlo, the owner was so nice. You could see and feel his passion for the bikes he sold! I connected with this passion - as I have the same for running!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B3eFWzk5yc0/WRTehqB8nzI/AAAAAAAAXd8/17kydRXn3sABMncHK3A2Ft6R54JUhwnoQCKgB/s1600/Attach496_20170415_114644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B3eFWzk5yc0/WRTehqB8nzI/AAAAAAAAXd8/17kydRXn3sABMncHK3A2Ft6R54JUhwnoQCKgB/s400/Attach496_20170415_114644.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vroom, Vrooom!<br />
Like My 261Fearless Shirt?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The other reason I was so psyched to run Boston 2017 was because I was running in the race that marked Kathrine Switzer's 50th Anniversary as being the first official woman to run the Boston Marathon. Wow!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJIUGDW8hjc/WRdtXpku1RI/AAAAAAAAXf8/pFWqqhIg61I34aC5fq8RNEBIRbJK7CA7ACLcB/s1600/Kathrine%2B261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJIUGDW8hjc/WRdtXpku1RI/AAAAAAAAXf8/pFWqqhIg61I34aC5fq8RNEBIRbJK7CA7ACLcB/s320/Kathrine%2B261.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At 70 years old, she smiled crossing the finish line!<br />
This woman is amazing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am not kidding! Kathrine Switzer's Boston Marathon story is the ultimate #runtoinspire. She has done an incredible job of promoting women's running. I didn't know she worked with Avon to promote races for women. I remember the first few races that I ever ran were sponsored by Avon! Who knew, Kathrine's hard work helped me run - giving birth to those bucket list items: I want to run a half marathon one day, I want to win a race one day, I want to run a marathon one day ... I want to run Boston ... one day ....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mevwk4h9UQI/WRTf5ebuDyI/AAAAAAAAXeI/7Jqr9al7S7AuxfCtUQ50xBPX8hOFLTGiACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170416_081145983_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mevwk4h9UQI/WRTf5ebuDyI/AAAAAAAAXeI/7Jqr9al7S7AuxfCtUQ50xBPX8hOFLTGiACKgB/s400/IMG_20170416_081145983_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathrine re-enacting her race 50 years ago at <br />
Adidas Base Camp, Boston, Ma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I did not run for 261Fearless. I had a lot keeping me busy this past semester with teaching both Advanced Nutrition, Sports Nutrition, juggling my private <a href="http://beyondnutrition-rdn.com/" target="_blank">B3yond Nutrition</a> Counseling Business, and my clinical work at a Kessler Rehab Hospital, not to mention all the training that goes into preparing for a marathon. Even so everyone was so welcoming. I have great memories of running down Boylston from the Adidas Base Camp!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4XUZTQ2daho/WRTlTsYGfoI/AAAAAAAAXec/gA3Pm7G6sekffdZDrKMp5DlsyuHqK8MTwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4XUZTQ2daho/WRTlTsYGfoI/AAAAAAAAXec/gA3Pm7G6sekffdZDrKMp5DlsyuHqK8MTwCLcB/s400/DSC_0249.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I say 261, you say "FEARLESS!"<br />
Thank you Chris Grack-Wilson for organizing everything!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have a confession to make, though. Even though I thought running down Boylston with Kathrine and the 261Fearless team was super wonderful, I was NOT, NO WAY, NO HOW, going across that finish line area. To me, that was sacred ground - I had to wait until Marathon Monday to have that privilege! <i>Shhh - I snuck around some barriers, and waited for the team to run onto the sidewalk to head back to Adidas Base Camp.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day before running Boston 2017<br />
With Kathrine Switzer!<br />
What a great Easter!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I felt bad asking Kathrine for a picture - everyone was pulling her in a thousand directions. But my daughter knew how much of a fan I was, and kept coaxing me to wait and get a pic.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Easter morning was wonderful!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Next stop, packet pick-up and the Boston Marathon Expo! </div>
<br />
I got some great advice from my son when we were driving up to Boston. He told me,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Don't say that you're <b><i>not going to stop</i></b> on Heartbreak Hill, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
instead say <b><i>you're going to keep running</i></b>, because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>everything you say and think must stay positive</u>!" </div>
<div>
I had a few minor lapses of confidence, until seeing the time leaving for packet pick-up: 3:33pm - I knew my late husband was telling me that I would be fine, and that he would be with me! Luvutons! Thank you! I needed to see that!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jgSuReWeFaA/WRTnwqLI8iI/AAAAAAAAXew/trQvzr6vI18c_kcqiLknUuZGNeR0IPhZwCLcB/s1600/Boston%2B333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jgSuReWeFaA/WRTnwqLI8iI/AAAAAAAAXew/trQvzr6vI18c_kcqiLknUuZGNeR0IPhZwCLcB/s400/Boston%2B333.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3:33pm Of Course!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Aaagh - my first Boston Marathon!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpgLB-T1YxU/WRTnwn5nn9I/AAAAAAAAXes/Vft5TTJGE_AornLDfd8yIvZQbdrb2virQCLcB/s1600/Packet%2BPick%2BUp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FpgLB-T1YxU/WRTnwn5nn9I/AAAAAAAAXes/Vft5TTJGE_AornLDfd8yIvZQbdrb2virQCLcB/s320/Packet%2BPick%2BUp.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head for the Citgo Sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then there's the Boston Marathon Expo - it's like the largest running candy store in the universe!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaoSZPgJqRI/WRTo5xxEbxI/AAAAAAAAXe4/Q7Vej5h6P-klPJvLbvt4vRQZ2hefvhO6QCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170416_090224979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaoSZPgJqRI/WRTo5xxEbxI/AAAAAAAAXe4/Q7Vej5h6P-klPJvLbvt4vRQZ2hefvhO6QCKgB/s400/IMG_20170416_090224979.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After the expo, we drove the course. We took the highway out, and race course back. About 3/4 of the way to Hopkinton, my son says OUT LOUD, "Wow, This is really far!" Yeah, thanks, son! You might have thought that, but you didn't have to say it out loud! We all cracked up! <span style="text-align: center;">It was like the worst thing you could say!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay! Marathon Monday Morning:</div>
Didn't really know what to do except eat and drink! My plan: 1g carbohydrate per kg three hours before, 1g carbohydrate per kg two hours before, 1g carbohydrate per kg one hour before. I tried to get in as many carbs to top off liver glycogen stores - of course the last three/four days I "carb" loaded - basically traded up some protein for carbs in my mid morning and mid-afternoon mini-meals. I also Beet loaded all week with 1-2 <a href="http://beet-it.us/sport-shots-bars/" target="_blank">BEET IT Sports Shots</a>, and took one shot 2 hours before the start of the race. So for the next three hours I ate a few red potatoes (no skins), some of my famous banana nut bread, a banana with Justin's Honey Flavored Almond Butter (I'm addicted to the stuff), and topped off with water and a little Gatorade on the bus over to Hopkinton.<br />
<br />
I heard all the stories about the drive on the buses to Hopkinton, and anticipated all the feelings that my runner friends shared. I sat next to a gentleman, John Devries, who was running his 20th Boston Marathon! He was 72 years old! He told me that he didn't started running until he was in his 40's! Just incredible. I can only hope that I'm still running at 70 years old!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
John finished in 4:26:10! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Congratulations, John! It was great meeting you!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I started at 10:50am, Wave 3, Coral 1. The next thing I knew I was yelling at myself to slow down, "Easy Peasy Elizabeth, Save it for the End". Well, I told myself that so much, I made a friend, Alexandra (Sondra) Darvish - she was from California. We were in the same age group. Her husband worked in a Rehab Hospital - <i>no coincidences here</i>! She and I planned to run with the same goal - easy enough to BQ! </div>
<br />
It was hard holding back - it was scary seeing an 8:40-8:45'/mile pace on my watch in a race. With fresh legs, and all that downhill - it was hard to hold back. But holding back made the race very enjoyable - even at the end when your legs feel disconnected - like tree stumps coming out of your hips!<br />
<br />
The Boston Marathon isn't like the Chicago Marathon or The NYC Marathon because the course winds through quaint little New England towns and unlike the big city streets, the little roads keep the runners close to one another. When you look up ahead - you see a mass of runners. It's quite an awesome view. Sondra and I kept taking in all the sights and sounds. For about 10 or so miles all we heard was, "Go Mexico!" We would just laugh! Then, IDK what happened, but we lost Mexico.<br />
<br />
The crowds are just like everyone says they are - incredible! Everyone screams for the runners. It's like they get up on Marathon Monday and drink one or two double espresso coffees and then scream non-stop all day! And nowhere were the crowds louder than the screaming girls at Wellesley College.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
OMG! My Poor Ears!</div>
Their screams were so loud that I felt a surge of anxiety rush through my body. I looked at my watch, and I was running an 8:10' mile. My new friend, Alexandra yelled out, "A little too fast" I had to slow it down! After that, Sondra and I ran together for about another 3 or 4 miles, then we lost each other.<br />
<br />
I took the hills, miles 16-20 pretty comfortably, but when I approached Heartbreak Hill, I was like - okay, Heartbreak - I'm ready for you. Even though Heartbreak isn't the largest of the hills, at that point, you feel it - and at that point, I was also feeling the heat of the day, and started to look forward to the push home. My strategy on each hill was to let the person in front of me do all the work. I always tagged behind someone and told myself that they were doing all the work. But on Heartbreak, my "pacers" were dropping like flies. It was odd - I always chose someone to pace because they looked strong - and then they would stop running.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I refused to stop! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I refused to walk!</div>
I have to admit that I am proud to say, I ran the entire Boston Marathon - even through the water stops - I might have shuffled - but I refused to walk. That was one of my goals - and it was my goal especially up the hills. I promised myself in the beginning of the race that even if I had to slow down, I would continue to run, jog, or shuffle to the end.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why?</div>
Because I have one sister-in-law who had to have cancerous tumors removed from her lungs this past year - and throughout that entire process I asked her to stay strong, and to have faith. And I have another sister-in-law with metasticised lung cancer - there too - is this unspoken request for her to fight <u>every</u> <u>single</u> <u>day</u>, and to not give up - and every day she puts a smile on her face says, "I am so blessed!" and fights an incredible fight.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So you bet your sweet bum, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was NOT going to stop and walk during <i>my</i> Boston Marathon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I had to be Fearless! I had to be #261Fearless!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plus, like family, the crowds push you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Going up Heartbreak Hill people were just screaming:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"C'mon, you can do this!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"C'mon, you got this."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"This is it, one more hill and your home!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"You're almost done!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"You are near the top!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and at the top of Heartbreak, they were cheering </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"You conquered Heartbreak! You did it! You did it! You did it!"</div>
<br />
But I knew, after Heartbreak, I was still far from done. And ouch - those small hills after Heartbreak just chew up your quads. As I ran those last few miles I remember thinking ....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Aaagh, now I get that person's post how you see that "damn" Citgo sign forever!</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Where are those the three blue lines? This is new as of last year - starts somewhere around mile 24? IDK I was delirious at that point - But three blue lines are painted on the road for about the last 1-2 miles (?)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Ech, there's still Hereford. Don't forget that person's words of wisdom "At Hereford, you gotta let the crowds push you up the hill."</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I also wondered what young Kathrine Switzer felt like after she made that turn at Brookline 50 years ago?</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Another little hill, "Our Father who art in heaven...."</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I'm doing it, I'm doing it, I'm doing it!</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am every woman! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm doing it! </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fighting to reach the end of a marathon </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because it embraces hard work, perseverance, and is empowering</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It shows my kids that no matter what, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you push, you strive, you set your sites on a goal, and you fight to reach that goal</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am #261Fearless!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
I'm every woman, it's all in me</div>
<div>
Anything you want done baby, I do it naturally</div>
<div>
I'm every woman!</div>
</div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Somewhere in the last few miles, Sondra past me. She asked me if I were okay. I said, "Yeah, just taking it a little slow." I got really bad GI cramps. They were pretty intense and for a mile I worried that maybe I was actually perforating. More <i>Our Fathers</i>... Which definitely helped because before I knew it, it was a right on Hereford, and left on Boylston. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alexandra finished 3:50:01! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Congratulations girl! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was so wonderful meeting you! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know why you run - you told me your story! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And you are Fearless! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
#261Fearless!</div>
<ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dZPXXvFom00/WRdzgSEGvqI/AAAAAAAAXgw/K9N58CTRTEED2aIRjyIl_u6Fc9cEdor_QCLcB/s1600/Rt%2Bon%2BHereford%2BBoston%2BMarathon%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dZPXXvFom00/WRdzgSEGvqI/AAAAAAAAXgw/K9N58CTRTEED2aIRjyIl_u6Fc9cEdor_QCLcB/s400/Rt%2Bon%2BHereford%2BBoston%2BMarathon%2B2017.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Letting the Crowds push me up Hereford!<br />
Secretly wishing that little side street was Boylston!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</ul>
When I got to Boylston, I had a surge of energy. The crowds were screaming, and I saw that grandiose finish! There was about 1/4 mile left to run. I ran that last stretch at the best pace I could muster, about 8:10'/mile.</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRMHaqO6kdY/WRdzgGabRbI/AAAAAAAAXgo/uVDzsgy7TKw5y9FklwMGTc62gjDGMu3OwCLcB/s1600/Boston%2BMarathon%2BBoylston%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRMHaqO6kdY/WRdzgGabRbI/AAAAAAAAXgo/uVDzsgy7TKw5y9FklwMGTc62gjDGMu3OwCLcB/s400/Boston%2BMarathon%2BBoylston%2B2017.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running down Boylston!<br />
Wow! Boston Marathon 2017!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
As I approached the finish line, I remember thinking, "Is this real? Will I still hafta keep running, even after I cross that blue mat?"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7JbT1PZfgY/WRdzgRopoVI/AAAAAAAAXg0/U4cISYI3_FgERuIipmXxYhhLG9zkBcevACEw/s1600/Boston%2BMarathon%2BCrossing%2BFinish%2BLine%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7JbT1PZfgY/WRdzgRopoVI/AAAAAAAAXg0/U4cISYI3_FgERuIipmXxYhhLG9zkBcevACEw/s400/Boston%2BMarathon%2BCrossing%2BFinish%2BLine%2B2017.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boston Marathon 2017<br />
3:51:38</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was real! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I ran the Boston Marathon! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I finished!</div>
I blessed myself, praised God, thanked all my supporters in heaven, grabbed a water, and was crowned with a medal. Literally, a volunteer said, "You - come here, let me crown you!" Next thing I knew, someone was handing me a space blanket.<br />
<br />
I couldn't wait to get my bag, and call my family,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Ron, Juliette, Johnny - I did it! I ran the Boston Marathon. I finished!" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I love you guys!"</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then, I called my Coach:</div>
"Joel, I did it! I finished! Thank you! You got me to Boston, and you got me through Boston! I BQ'd! I wanted to BQ for you - to show everyone what a wonderful Coach you are."<br />
<br />
In spite of this past winter Crohn's problems (Anemic, low albumin, tired, very slow at times), Coach Joel got me through! He told me that I ran a very smart race - especially in spite of the heat. <span style="text-align: center;">I set out to run an 8:50'-8:59' mile, </span><span style="text-align: center;">and my pace wound up 8:51'/mile. </span>It is my slowest marathon!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then, Coach Joel, in his typical drill sergeant way told me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Great race! Rest up! Training for Berlin starts in May!" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Yeay! Just what I wanted to hear!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then his new softie self came out, and he said, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Congratulations! You did great! Go celebrate ... I love ya'!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hung up the phone and cried!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coach told me he loved me!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><i>... I love you too, Joel!</i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmotgmtaQVI/WRd7OD-A7hI/AAAAAAAAXhE/-kWZcaFfp-8Kq4u4hvBZ5dcZdoujgDURQCKgB/s1600/Attach839_20170421_130756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmotgmtaQVI/WRd7OD-A7hI/AAAAAAAAXhE/-kWZcaFfp-8Kq4u4hvBZ5dcZdoujgDURQCKgB/s400/Attach839_20170421_130756.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud 2017 Boston Marathon Finisher Momma with Kids!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> #Train Smart</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">#RunToInspire</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And you cast your fears aside, and you know you can survive</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And you'll finally see the truth</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">That a Hero lies in You!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: large;">#RunFearless</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: large;">#261Fearless!</span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-66350540999199562932017-04-06T10:13:00.001-04:002017-04-06T18:43:55.294-04:00Joel's Angels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coach Joel and I have been together now for 7 years! </div>
I believe I'm the runner he has coached for the longest period of time. I fondly refer to him as (whether he knows it or not) my "Track Daddy".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-loMEZyqvyWk/WOZBQxJHD6I/AAAAAAAAXHs/oRAEMKZGpNweK7sKjVcxoYzuOWftI2nVQCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B9.22.46%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-loMEZyqvyWk/WOZBQxJHD6I/AAAAAAAAXHs/oRAEMKZGpNweK7sKjVcxoYzuOWftI2nVQCLcB/s200/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B9.22.46%2BAM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the early years, Coach was, how can I put this ... <span style="color: red;"><b><i>ROUGH</i></b></span>!</div>
He always seemed to come to the track with a specific agenda. He'd yell out, "Too fast, Too fast!" Or "C'mon, Let's Go!" When I would try to steel some extra time between repeats he'd bark out, "C'mon get to the line! Now - get to the line!" You'd seldom hear a, "Great job, today," and might hear a "Good effort, Good effort" every so often. I never really minded because I had my own agenda: To build running speed and strength.<br />
<br />
Well, I guess that's not altogether true, I minded a little. Over the years, I'd come home and tell my better half, "Joel barked out this or that, today." I mimicked his voice and his gruffness, I had Joel's voice and mannerisms down pat. It became funny, and when I'd come home, Ron would ask, "How was Coach Joel today?"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean, I was already in my 40's when I started training with Joel, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it wasn't as if I was trying to make it to the Olympics </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- or even to the Boston Marathon for that matter! </div>
<br />
And I actually appreciated Joel's intensity about my workouts and level of seriousness he showed to each of my strides and repeats. And whether it was 19*F or 99*F - he was always there. At the end of the workout, I'd get my homework for the week. Always on recycled scrap paper, from whatever paper he had laying around in his house at the time. And, yes, over the years, I began to treasure these homework assignments.<br />
<br />
Then something happened to Joel ....about 4 years ago, Joel's daughter and son-in-law started a family. Joel would come to the track with these incredible pictures of him and his grandchildren - holding his grandbabies, on the floor playing with his grandbabies - even in silly poses with his grandbabies ... Yes, Joel! <span style="text-align: center;">My Track <strike>Coach</strike> Daddy - aka Drill Sergeant - was becoming a "<span style="color: red;"><b><i>SOFTY</i></b></span>!"</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
I mean - he was never a mean person - always Coached kid's running events, always extended himself to the community to inspire people to run, and always looked for ways to promote his beloved sport: Running.<br />
<br />
Over the years, not many, but a few women dared to join me and Coach in these track workouts - and to date, only a few have hung in there with me, and Coach Joel.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RT8uvugeRos/WOZDKS99qxI/AAAAAAAAXH4/-XoFH7nlkhEuEOthb6TSl0OfYKoLEQWywCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B9.30.36%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RT8uvugeRos/WOZDKS99qxI/AAAAAAAAXH4/-XoFH7nlkhEuEOthb6TSl0OfYKoLEQWywCLcB/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B9.30.36%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coach Joel, Half-Crazed Runner, Rebecca, Sephanie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fast forward to a few weeks ago when Coach tells us we should run in a local relay race.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay! Everyone is in - but I'm skeptical.</div>
My track partners in crime are so much faster than me - Steph's goal is to run a sub 6-minute mile, and Rebecca has this incredible ability to hang back - and power through the last 1/4 mile like everyone else is standing still - <u>all while holding a conversation</u> (no joke!). And Jodi - I'm recently getting to know. For some reason, because I tend to be socially unaware, I thought she was in her late twenty's early thirty's - until we were recently at a local half marathon, and Coach said, "That's Jodi's Daughter" What? She's married and has kids? She's always been such a strong runner - I never thought she was even older than 40!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay. So we have a team of four women!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we call ourselves Joel's Angels.</div>
Turns out Jodi even has a job! She's an artist and is an Art Teacher!<br />
She buys the shirts, designs a logo, and makes iron-on presses:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SGwapjjSotQ/WOZGiG9Cv8I/AAAAAAAAXIQ/nc2yv7x6Dnsx7l-xxTNajbrgYcHxthRzwCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170406_094333745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SGwapjjSotQ/WOZGiG9Cv8I/AAAAAAAAXIQ/nc2yv7x6Dnsx7l-xxTNajbrgYcHxthRzwCKgB/s320/IMG_20170406_094333745.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel's Angels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Race day: I just don't want to screw up and slow our time down. Of course, me and my tummy start to act up!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Steph picks us up. </div>
Rebecca's in charge of the directions. She gets us to "A" park - I immediately head toward the port-o-john. When I get out of the port-o-john, I see 3 women running toward me screaming, "Get in the car, Get back in the car, We are at the wrong race!"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay back in the car. Jodi's turn at directions. </div>
I start to panic (literally freaking out on the inside). I start my 4-7-8 breathing. Steph rubs my arm, and whispers," It'll be okay, Beth".<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks, Jodi, but how did we end up on that dead end street?</div>
I literally grab the race sign up papers out of Jodi's hands, read some cross streets, and talk to my droid for directions. Twenty minutes to the start of the race - and I haven't done my dynamic stretches, warm-up, strides; 4-7-8, 4-7-8, 4-7-8. Breathe Beth, just breathe.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coach calls: "Where are you guys?" </div>
Me:"We got a little lost, we will be there in 3-minutes."<br />
Steph's still rubbing my arm.<br />
Rebecca and Jodi are singing the Immigrant Song from Led Zeppelin - Don't ask.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We get there, warm up a little.</div>
Steph's first. She kicks unbelievable ass! Coach says we gotta worry about the green team - the women in the tutus.<br />
Okay, Rebecca is next.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OTRqbKc3QdA/WOZK-3tNc0I/AAAAAAAAXJE/zTXjf5CuudksRCbPGjcemMrOZQ975V_lgCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B10.03.57%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OTRqbKc3QdA/WOZK-3tNc0I/AAAAAAAAXJE/zTXjf5CuudksRCbPGjcemMrOZQ975V_lgCLcB/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B10.03.57%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie and Rebecca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We are all screaming. Steph gives us pointers about the course. I start my strides. Coach starts screamin' at me (so used to it), "What are you doing? What are you doing? Get back here! Not 100 meter strides. Get back here. Just do 50 meter strides. Rebecca will be here any second."<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
OMG! OMG! OMG! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't drop the baton, don't drop the baton - OMG! </div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPnWm_67UBY/WOZICwZLx7I/AAAAAAAAXIg/vF6oKb-AJiE5ugKUB394vtVvqnYiTZCMACLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B9.50.54%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPnWm_67UBY/WOZICwZLx7I/AAAAAAAAXIg/vF6oKb-AJiE5ugKUB394vtVvqnYiTZCMACLcB/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B9.50.54%2BAM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What a Teammate!</div>
<br />
Look at Rebecca's face - she looks totally exhausted ...Yeay, that'll me in a ..."Gooooo, Beth, Run!"<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H91rZhjFsgg/WOZMb5NfvxI/AAAAAAAAXJU/Ewn6hnCFYK4Zff_4V6zgJs0mQcFxpLdjQCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B10.10.37%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H91rZhjFsgg/WOZMb5NfvxI/AAAAAAAAXJU/Ewn6hnCFYK4Zff_4V6zgJs0mQcFxpLdjQCLcB/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B10.10.37%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Focus, girl, move your legs <br />
until they feel like they're gonna fall off your body!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next up, Jodi. I pass the baton off. And we wait. Through some trees, on the other side of the park - you can see the runners as they clear 1.25 miles. I see Jodi, I start screaming, "Go Jodi, Gooo. Ruuuuun!"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jodi, runs through the home stretch ... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We did it, we did it! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our 1st Relay!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-et4d6cQv-w4/WOZKTAJt7xI/AAAAAAAAXI8/-KNa3qBNbu4j58mBaWUJKBz8mnNzy_5sACLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B9.59.46%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-et4d6cQv-w4/WOZKTAJt7xI/AAAAAAAAXI8/-KNa3qBNbu4j58mBaWUJKBz8mnNzy_5sACLcB/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-04-06%2Bat%2B9.59.46%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jodi Runs It Home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We placed <b>3rd O<i>verall</i></b> - beating out even some men's groups - and took First Place Female Master's Group in the De Novo Harrier's 4X2-mile Relay.<br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">City/Town,State Age Sx U Code Time Pace Place Place PLP </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">1.Team Dad Bodz , 91 M M 56:14.04 7:01 1/13 M91-91:1/3 0.00 </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">2.Team Touch Of Grey , </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">91 M M 56:20.03 7:02 2/13 M91-91:2/3 0.00 </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">3.Team Joel's Angels , 94 F B 58:58.51 7:22 1/12 F94-94:1/4 0.00</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">4.Team Va Rove Lightni , 95 M X 1:00:59.57 7:37 3/13 M95-95:1/7 0.00 </span></span></div>
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I turn toward my teammates and say jokingly, "And we were worried about the tutus?" They actually did an awesome job! They took 2nd Master's Female. Congratulations Ladies!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9i2sjBVQAsA/WOZGtjTWKbI/AAAAAAAAXIU/mkwg_wnDQiI3X39eJgMdozXjg_MkyBpywCKgB/s1600/FB_IMG_1490542126102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9i2sjBVQAsA/WOZGtjTWKbI/AAAAAAAAXIU/mkwg_wnDQiI3X39eJgMdozXjg_MkyBpywCKgB/s400/FB_IMG_1490542126102.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Place Female Master's<br />
DeNovo Harriers 4X 2mile Relay</td></tr>
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And Coach Joel - my Drill Sergeant Coach - who when I started to cry a few weeks ago because he told me was taking his Granddughters to Disney World in the middle of my training for Boston (yes, he got me to Boston!) <b><i>kissed and wiped my tears away</i></b>, hugged me, and told me not worry b/c everything would be okay - couldn't have been more proud. He, my transformed Coach, now a Grandpa and a real softy, was hugging and kissing my teammates, telling them all what a great job we did, and shaking his head like we just landed on Mars!<br />
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And people say running is boring!</div>
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<i>Hah!</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Train Smart Today!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">#Women </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">#Runtoinspire</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">#RunFearless</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">#261Fearless</span></b></div>
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Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-83357885489637907852017-03-06T10:31:00.000-05:002017-03-06T11:21:00.434-05:00Mississippi River Half Marathon: State #31<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I thought I was going to knock my time out of the park in the Mississippi River Half - the race is flat. Flat as a pancake! I've been training really hard: running hills, pick-ups, strides, and lots more leg and glute strength exercises. I found a video online that's been helping me <a href="https://youtu.be/ethpJQS752A" target="_blank">strengthen my hip</a>, relieve the pain I've had since training for (and dropping out of) Boston last year. Sounds like a plan - until you count in some other factors.<br />
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Ever since I got the required flu shot in early September 2016 (re: I work per diem as a Registered Dietitian in a hospital), I have struggled with my Crohn's. My arm blew up after the shot, and it must have triggered my very sensitive immune system. I've struggled with anemia, low albumin levels, ech, blah, blah, blah. It's taken up until the end of January with a strict SCD diet, supplements, Ginger/Tumeric tea to finally start feeling better. When I asked my doctor WTF? why are my energy levels still low, he says that I'm still healing. Okay no excuses, but the Mississippi Half Marathon goes down as one of my slowest halves.<br />
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So considering all the training, my Crohnny issues, and being on a low CHO diet, I have diagnosed myself with <a href="https://philmaffetone.com/the-overtraining-syndrome/" target="_blank">overtraining syndrome</a>. Since the Mississippi River Half, I've made a conscious effort to reduce my pace except for a weekly tempo run and my speed work on the track. For the first time in a long time, I am excited to run - and come home from running and say to myself, "Now that was a great run, a <i>really</i> great run!" We will see how this unfolds in Boston next month ...<br />
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Back to my half ..We flew into Jackson, Mississippi and drove about 2 hours Northwest to Greenville, Ms. We were told by locals that all the land we passed was farmland - full of corn, cotton, and wheat when it's growing season.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCcudVx1Bsw/WL13vv5OfKI/AAAAAAAAWl0/ZhOof0vmVeko1uNh8tMsH9b67vm_X_VJACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170210_152344813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCcudVx1Bsw/WL13vv5OfKI/AAAAAAAAWl0/ZhOof0vmVeko1uNh8tMsH9b67vm_X_VJACKgB/s320/IMG_20170210_152344813.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're not in Jersey, Toto! They got lots and lots of land here!</td></tr>
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Ron even tried his hand at making a video of our trip using his Osmo (see below). </div>
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After driving awhile, I finally found a place that seemed to serve good, local food. OMG! If you are vegetarian - you're S-O-L, not only is there a church on every corner, but there's a smoker on every corner, too! And if your vegan and a Hillary fan, you're double S-O-L:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the window of The Pig and Pint</td></tr>
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I usually don't eat pork or BBQ, but at the <a href="http://pigandpint.com/" target="_blank">Pig and Pint</a> - what else do you eat? I'll admit - this BBQ was the best I've ever had, and it went down real easy! </div>
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More driving to packet pick up at the Greenville Mall, next stop Walmart for some groceries, and check in at the Hampton Inn. The young ladies at the front desk suggested some restaurants in the area. This was good because when I went on Open Table, this is what I saw:</div>
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On race day, we had to meet in downtown Greenville, where buses lined the streets to cart us all across the Mississippi River into Arkansas. I met a lot of <a href="http://www.50stateshalfmarathonclub.com/" target="_blank">Fifty Staters</a>. They all reassured me that even though the race started in Arkansas, it would qualify as my Mississippi Half (Thanks, guys!). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving over the Mississippi to the start</td></tr>
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We actually started on the bridge - yeah it was a highway, and tractor trailers were driving by beeping ...no I wasn't a little freaked out (yeah, riiiight!). At the top of the bridge, I jumped/leaped, held my breath, and screamed - there was a huge expansion joint. I calmed myself down by focussing on how great it was running over the Mississippi, again. The first time I ran over was on the Rainbow Bridge in Minneapolis, Mn. </div>
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I didn't take off quickly, my goal was to run a 7:50min mile pace. Since I'm training for Boston, I didn't want to push it. I really haven't been myself lately - and I've really been struggling with my track work outs. I've been reading Dr Phil Maffetone's book, Endurance Training and Racing - and suspected overtraining syndrome. </div>
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I don't know why I couldn't maintain that pace - not feeling great, overtraining, not used to running in 65 degree Fahrenheit weather, eating too low carb diet with consistent training with lower and lower liver and muscle glycogen stores, plus lots of recent stress from juggling my private nutrition practice, working per diem at a rehab hospital, and teaching two courses at a local university (Advanced Nutrition, and Sports Nutrition). Final time: 1:47:28; Ech -an 8:12min mile pace. I ran the Chicago Marathon faster than that!</div>
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Okay, enough whining. </div>
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Looking on the brighter side, </div>
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there are some great memories I'll take away:</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Like the teens yelling to me around mile 10/11: </span></div>
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"Look at that little lady! Go little lady, gooooo.</div>
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Keep running! Follow your dreams, never give up on your goals, never give up! </div>
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You can reach your dreams!" </div>
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I cried. They have no idea how much they impacted me. They were so unbelievable. This part of the country was likely the poorest part of the country that I've ever visited. The economy is suffering. How do you maintain the drive, and the courage, to follow your dreams? On our way back to the airport, we stopped in Yazoo, Mississippi to catch a bite to eat before flying home - there was nothing open in Greenville when we left - everything, but fast food restaurants, are close for church on Sunday morning. I took this picture as a way to show how the economy is suffering - and as someone who works in a hospital, I ask, how <strike><i>do</i></strike> can people afford health care?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtiLWubr73o/WKF1n0BTHrI/AAAAAAAAWZE/qLKopYOJn00zDu8hkp3dKwoBby-RVd1PACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170212_131644415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtiLWubr73o/WKF1n0BTHrI/AAAAAAAAWZE/qLKopYOJn00zDu8hkp3dKwoBby-RVd1PACPcB/s400/IMG_20170212_131644415.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Yazoo, Mississippi</td></tr>
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But here, these teens were inspiring <i>me</i> to follow <i>my</i> dreams, and reach <i>my</i> goals! Thank you, guys!</div>
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It was also beautiful to see how the whole town came out to cheer on the runners. Families on their front lawn. I remember running past a group of females and I made a face, as if to say, "I'm exhausted, and it's only mile 8! Why am I doing this?" And they yelled back,"You keep going girl! You're lookin' strong!" Thank you, ladies!</div>
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I didn't feel strong at all. I was suffering to finish as best as possible. Still, towards the end, I gained on a few people. There was a young couple who stopped, and started walking. I grunted at them as I ran by, "Don't stop - shuffle if you've gotta. Keep moving. You got this." After the race, they came up to me, "Hey, you're the lady who yelled at us to shuffle, and keep moving!" They thanked me profusely - "That helped us so much, thank you, thank you so much." ...more tears!</div>
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And thanks to the young girl who, around mile 12, yelled, "Kick butt girl, keep going - your sixth female!" There was a woman older than me, Fran O'Neal (<i>Congrats, girl, you rock!</i>) ahead of me. I hung on with her up until that 8th mile, when the wheels started to fall off. She finished #1 Grand Masters. I managed to finish #1 Female Masters.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q4SKn4Owqgg/WKF1nxiyFkI/AAAAAAAAWZE/Sv1ZdN1Th2oKfZUShpzVFJxwg-j54DNWACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170211_112909815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q4SKn4Owqgg/WKF1nxiyFkI/AAAAAAAAWZE/Sv1ZdN1Th2oKfZUShpzVFJxwg-j54DNWACPcB/s400/IMG_20170211_112909815.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a beautiful award!</td></tr>
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We hung out and listened to some great blues by a local band! I love the blues - BB King, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Etta James ...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every day I got the blues!</td></tr>
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Enjoyed some more local food</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x91uVq8lDmA/WL1yWj4814I/AAAAAAAAWlk/EEYU4Cdx2Ww7IuL57kHlWNVSHhsB5PZUgCKgB/s1600/IMG_20170211_135626403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x91uVq8lDmA/WL1yWj4814I/AAAAAAAAWlk/EEYU4Cdx2Ww7IuL57kHlWNVSHhsB5PZUgCKgB/s400/IMG_20170211_135626403.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, I did not try the Alligator!</td></tr>
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Kept singing the same lines of River Boat Queen, until I Ron got annoyed</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bwlbsGTG460/WL1zJQv90dI/AAAAAAAAWlo/N___FPrPny0xAfj9HkwzBd3ZGZZRbL_MACKgB/s1600/IMG_20170211_152934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bwlbsGTG460/WL1zJQv90dI/AAAAAAAAWlo/N___FPrPny0xAfj9HkwzBd3ZGZZRbL_MACKgB/s400/IMG_20170211_152934.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River Road Queen</td></tr>
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And planned how I was going to recover from this Overtraining Syndrome</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0ARrAgDQ1M/WL1zz8sOroI/AAAAAAAAWls/789ND7j08HMKlXtpMkFZacl_WCLqzqOPwCLcB/s1600/Mississppi%2BRiver%2BHalf%2BHeart%2BRate.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0ARrAgDQ1M/WL1zz8sOroI/AAAAAAAAWls/789ND7j08HMKlXtpMkFZacl_WCLqzqOPwCLcB/s400/Mississppi%2BRiver%2BHalf%2BHeart%2BRate.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As my pace dropped, my heart rate surged - dangerously high!</td></tr>
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I can tell you all the metabolic issues that led to the Overtraining Syndrome based on my labs, and training - but can I figure out how to reverse it? Well, for one, I don't leave the house without wearing my heart rate monitor. I'm trying to go slow, and rebuild my fat burning metabolism - what I'll need at the end of Boston. Mind you, this is different form a low CHO diet - your body can figure out how to burn fat, without starving your body of carbohydrate, it's just a matter of training within a certain Heart Rate Max (or VO2 max if you've gotten this tested).</div>
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Okay, enough of the science. Enjoy Ron's <a href="https://youtu.be/KlgxTzddEyc" target="_blank">State #31:Mississippi River Half Marathon Video</a>! </div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Train Smart Today!</span></b></div>
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Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061088666658077459.post-79342153916224181482017-01-16T11:38:00.005-05:002017-01-16T11:38:35.670-05:00Joe Klinerman 10K<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yes, I froze my you know what off! </div>
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Yes I pressed my HotHands on my </div>
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little frozen eyeballs after the race.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">We all froze.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">At 8AM, Saturday, January 7th, </span><span style="text-align: left;">it was only 28*F,</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">in Central Park. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">And about 30 minutes after the start, it started to flurry.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Brrrr!</span></div>
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I love running in NYC. This was the 3rd race I have run through Central Park. I guess three's a charm - I took 3rd place in my age group! <i>Hey Coach Joel, I think my race head is getting better.</i><br />
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Although, I did hold myself back a little in mile 6 - I have this big fear that I will get hurt before Boston 2017. I keep telling everyone - if I gotta crawl, I'm crossing that Boston finish!<br />
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So far, I have trained for four marathons, and have only made it to the start of two. The last two, Boston and Berlin, are scheduled at times in the year when my Crohn's Disease is most likely to flare. This s#cks because I am not absorbing anything that I eat, and am always running in a dehydrated state. After this last flare - which I suspect was really bad due to my having to get a mandatory flu shot at the hospital I work in - I wound up anemic. I have actually run my last three races before the Joek10K pretty much really run down.<br />
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I am happy to say that even though I was freezing, I felt strong this time. Did I do anything different nutrition-wise? Why yes, I did, and I thought you'd never ask. Here's what I did:<br />
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<li>I tried the Beet Boost the week before the race. I'm sorry, I wasn't a fan. It actually made me a little nauseous.</li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>On race day, I committed the number #1 sin of Sports Nutrition</b></span>: I tried a <i>new</i> drink. Beet It Sport. I have had beet juice before races - so this wasn't that much of a stretch. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GJS8VX4/ref=sr_ph_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1484581186&sr=sr-1&keywords=beet+it+sport" target="_blank">Beet It Sport</a> is a concentrated juice claiming to give you 400mg of dietary nitrate per 70 ml shot. It went down faster and better than I expected - it was very tolerable. I think it helped!</li>
<li>I also ate a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Honey-Stinger-Energy-Gold-Ounce/dp/B0010TGK18?th=1" target="_blank">Honey Stinger Energy Gel</a> 30 minutes pre-race. I like these better than the Gu's b/c they are less thick. Still packs 27 grams of carbs - just enough energy <i>for me</i> and for my goal time which was 45 minutes.</li>
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Well, I felt strong, even coming up the hills in miles 5 and 6, but I did not meet my 45 minute goal time. I ran the 10k in 47:22, pacing 7:38. Not bad for such cold conditions!<br />
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How cold was it? It was so cold that the top of the water was frozen in the cups offered at the water stations!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qjQsT1qspIA/WHzsviB1BmI/AAAAAAAAWIM/BdV_FT7f_Qk2CjcfcKnlv5iQBfXjox7sQCLcB/s1600/JoeK10K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qjQsT1qspIA/WHzsviB1BmI/AAAAAAAAWIM/BdV_FT7f_Qk2CjcfcKnlv5iQBfXjox7sQCLcB/s400/JoeK10K.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was like 1/4 inch of ice on top of the water at the water stations!</td></tr>
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Running in the cold makes your mouth feel really dry. It's weird, your eyes can't stop tearing, but your mouth is like screaming for water. I didn't stop for water along the course - <i>heck</i> <i>it was ONLY a 10k</i> (saying that in my best half marathon snobbery voice). But at the end, I needed water. I picked up a frozen cup - and a volunteer warned me, "Just bang the cup on the side of the table a few times." I tried, but - it was quite frozen - so I slammed it on the ground - and, <i>WALAH!</i> It was like striking gold! Gulp, gulp gulp!<br />
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I would definitely run this race again. There were tons of volunteers, who were super helpful. We got in and out of Manhattan in record time, and the course was great - it's Central Park, of course it's great! Mostly all downhill for the first 2 miles, then you start to circle around, and climb back up some hills to get back to the start. I'll tell you - those hills are way more easy in the 10K then when you run them in the NYC Marathon!<br />
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And yes, knowing that I placed does inspire me to connect to the Alecia Keys song in some weird way!<br />
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And when I went to the Port-O-Johns before the race, my eyes weren't tearing up only b/c it was so cold, or b/c I knew I had to undress in 28*F weather to pee - but b/c I was listening to people all around me, who all spoke different languages, theye were from all over the world - all getting together <u><b><i>in a peaceful way</i></b></u>, to simply ...<i>run</i>!<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Train Smart, </b></span></div>
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<b style="color: red;">Eat Right</b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>#B3yond Nutrition, LLC</b></span>!</div>
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Half Crazed Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17046649398812050664noreply@blogger.com0