Daily Chatter

Friday, December 4, 2009

One More Run...

....and then what will I do?

I will put in one more run before the half on Sunday. I am filled with so much nervousness and excitement you would like it’s my first and that it was a full marathon.

Race organizers should not tell us so much about the race. I mean really! Do I really know to know in graph, street view and topological map styles that their course is going to try and kill my legs? NNNNNOOOOOOOOO! No. I do not. Did I really NEED to see this?



Maybe they could just give us a quick glance over of the course, a general feel of the race might suffice. Who is to say that I would not run better if I did not have this battle going on inside my head knowing that I am going to run 13.1 miles (if the course is accurate!) of some of the steepest and longest grades I will have ever run in a race. Did I really need to know that before hand? Again. No.


I keep trying to visualize a successful run. An enjoyable run. However, this picture keeps popping into my head. Information, Ugh! I only need to know one thing; how far do I have to run. That is enough!


Okay, my rant (attempt at humorously ranting) is over. I wanted to show Tara (http://diylibrarian.org/) what I will probably look like at the race. She is volunteering since she recently ran a marathon. Thanks! She has offered to cheer for me. Thanks again! I may be running this completely alone. (Don’t cry for me. I have run full marathon all by myself too. It’s my unfortunate situation.) Hubbs may stay home with the kids. The details are not worked out. Anyway, here I am:


I thought this picture was funny since I have gotten really overtly long hair right now. I thought I’d share it to amuse you. My son caught me turning into the driveway after my run. I got out this morning for a short 3.5 (28:08/8:02). My dogs were excited. They had just chased a black bear across the property and into the fields behind me; hopefully he was headed to the mountain in the background. I was an exciting morning. What will the day hold in store?


Good Luck to all the runners this busy weekend!


Leave me a comment with your mileage over the weekend. Let’s see what kind of a total we can come up with (race or training). It might make for a great competition to see just how many miles we can do!

11 comments:

  1. Love the pictures!! PInk girl..

    That is a whole lot of HAIR..

    Oh My hills...I am so curious to see how that topography relates to pace. Wowzers!!

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  2. That is a crazy layout for the run - but I am sure you are gonna do great! Just pretend to be surprised!!
    Wow, your dogs chased a black bear! You my friend do live an exciting life!
    Good luck to you on Sunday - I will be sending lots of good thoughts your way as I hit my own 26.2 starting line :)

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  3. Wow...those are some wicked hills. Did I just say that outloud? Cuz I meant to say that in my head as to not freak ya out! Ha. You will do great, I am confident of that! Relax on the uphills; wiggle your shoulders as to not tense up and shorten your stride.

    I love the hair - FUN!! I have been trying to grow mine for Locks For Love but at my old age, it ain't working well cuz I look like I'm trying to be 15. I'll give it a few more months.

    Run STRONG!!!!

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  4. Holy mother of mountains that is some exciting topography!...said this flatlander...really I think it's better you know in advance what you're in for.
    Have a wonderful race---you look mahvelous!

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  5. You are so fast, you will be flying up those hills, no problem. Hope you have a good run.

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  6. Just dropped in from the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge after seeing that you ran with your 19 year old in a stroller. You are doing great in the challenge, what an inspiration you are with two kids still at home and one of them a toddler! I ran with my son, now 25, in a Baby Jogger when it was a real stretch for our budget for me to buy such a thing. Then I graduated to 2 of them in a double Baby Jogger. I have not been a walker for 21 years but am trying to add a bit of running back in. Good luck in your half tomorrow. You are going to surge ahead in the points contest! Where do you live to have such gorgeous mountains?

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  7. Sandy - Great to read that I am not the only one who had been doing this running road a while with kids. I still have all 3 at home (until January). I am very close with my eldest son so it will be a challenge. He remembers the stroller he had to indure! No way I could have gotten a jogger back then! Thank goodness for my two youngest they each had a comfy jogger (each time they were gifts from my "adopted" mom) Although now I would have given up other things to make sure I had one. With kids spread out over the years I will be using it a lonng time.
    We are in southwestern PA. Very rural area. I live in a cove created by two mountain ranges. It is literally heaven for outdoor running.
    Have a super weekend. You need a blog/email so I can keep in touch with you!

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  8. I learned in Baltimore that I am horrible at translating an elevation chart into real life- but even I can see, that is a HUGE hill!!! Have fun :)

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  9. Hope you enjoyed the race today! I was out there braving the elements too. Looked for you in your pink outfit but must have been way too far behind you in the pack to spot you.

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  10. Those are great photos - the pups look happy to see you.

    That graph really DOES look daunting.... I have just read your race report, so clearly it was deceiving.

    You'll be ready to kill this race next year if you choose to do it again.

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