RYSO Race Report

When I picked up my race packet and saw that I was given number 5, I knew it was a sign that it was going to be a great race.  The race director Tonia had just celebrated her daughter's 5th birthday. 

 

With the flexiblity to run the race over three days I knew I would be able to get the miles in.

Our family's Saturday packed so I ran 6.5 miles (50:57/ 7:50) of the Rock Your Socks Off Half Marathon virtual race in the early morning and hoped to pick up the remainder that evening.  My bossy hardheaded daughter wanting to make sure I was up to Races With Babes standards.  Something she reminds me daily that I fall short of.  So with her help, I decided to rock a sock skirt in honor of the stylist race director but it was so hot and humid and I ended up stripping clothes not all of them mid run. 

I wasn't able to finish my miles so I planned to squeeze them in on Sunday...somehow.

Sunday came and my thoughts were hopeful to squeeze in my half marathon loop it wouldn't quite work that way and just use it as my race time but the day would not go that way. 

I had a tight time frame to get my miles in before Hubbs had to head off to VA.  Biking Sherpa was joining me but running late so I started with a 3.5 mile (25:12/ 7:12) out and back and then picked Biking Sherpa up.

She thought I would have LBM and the stroller to put her things in but I was running solo so she left most everything at the house.  Including water.

We were enjoying the fact that I was already 'warmed up' from my 3.5 miles and we could talk more easily.  We talked about running, blogging, work, her family issues, Biking Sherpas BF.  We talked about God and Biking Sherpa's desire to learn more and help her BF strengthen his faith.  It was a great conversation!  I need take for granted the blessings I have been given to share such time with my neice.  I know I am fortunate that she allows me to be part of her life and seeks my opinion and advice.

We ran hard even with the conversations.  The heat and humidity was terrible.  We often joke about how much I sweat and how little Biking Sherpa sweats.  She doesn't.at.all.  It's weird.  So as I am dieing and hearing all of your 'voices' telling me how I need to carry water on long runs, I am wiping sweat off my arms and face.

That wouldn't be a problem for long.

Neither would the lack of water to drink.

It rained.  It poured.  It was wonderful!

It was just what we needed when we needed it!

At least Biking Sherpa finally looks like she got sweaty.

We have always loved running in the rain.  It is something that feels so freeing and joyful to both of us.  I hope she continues to allow herself to 'play' in the rain as she makes her own life.

We finished the last 6.5 miles (46:02 /7:05) and felt great as we dripped from head to toe. 

And for this runner that is now I rock my socks off!

More Animal Inspiration

If you change the way you look at things,

the things you look at change.

This snake IS crawling along a vertical wall.

If you find yourself feeling like you've hit the wall and just having no where else to go, remember there is always a way to overcome any obstacle. 

Today was a busy day.  My day started a 5 a.m. with LBM getting up at at the crack of dawn, I had a virtual race to run, a daughter to pick up from her very first sleep over, an early soccer game to get to, a new cell phone to take back because it was on the fritz, a movie to watch with "first sleep over" daughter to celebrate her overcoming her fear, time to spend with Hubbs; all while doing a few chores around the house and tending to LBM and exchanging a few text messages with Army son. 

I wondered how I was going to pull it all off.

But it has been a great day!

I was able to get LBM to lay back down with Daddy so I could go run for Tonia's Rock Your Socks Off virtual race.  After I got back at the house and showered, I made the family breakfast, picked up s'ghetti girl and headed off to the soccer game.  The great weather I enjoyed on my run (race report to come tomorrow) quickly disappeared and it started to rain.  Both teams played well despite the rain however we lost 5 - 8. 

We didn't let that dampen our day.  S'ghetti girl played hard and did her best, we congratulated her and her teammates and headed off to take care of the cell phone and see a movie.

Boy we are all glad to be home again.  Finally Hubbs and I can spend a little time together relaxing. 

A rainy evening spent with the family after action packed day.

Life is Good.

On the Serious Side

Kayte at Long legs on the loose is hosting a Sweaty Bands giveaway but that is not the only great thing happening on Kayte's blog.  Always doing charitable work, Kayte is hosting a Virtual Finish Chelsea's Run.

I know when I step out my front door and place my feet on the road, I rarely ever think that I need to worry about being safe.  My thoughts usually run along the lines of; 'if anything happens to me my neighbors know my schedule and would look out for me.'  I think this simply because I have lived in my very rural area my entire life and so have pretty much everyone else.

Oh, but who was in that white van that just passed me?  I simply waved because I wave at everyone who passes me.  Did they pass me yesterday too?  Gee I think I saw that unfamiliar van last week too.  Humm, I guess I should vary my routine a bit. 

But I don't. 

I assume that I am safe because I always have been.  And there in lays my problem.  I assume that no one in my quiet area would ever want to do any one harm, let alone harm me!  I assume that my neighbors would notice if I didn't run by their house on the return trip for my out-and-back in the morning.

In reality, they wouldn't.

Nor should I rely on them to keep me safe.

We all need to remember that it is up to each of us to keep ourselves safe because even in our most comfortable moments bad things can happen.

Let's finish what Chelsea started, a wonderful training run in a place she probably felt safe and comfortable.  One foot in front of the other just taking in the day.

Come run with us as we symoblize that we will not allow this tragidy to take away our ability to enjoy this sport, our stress release, our healthy habit of running.

Chelsea's Light Website

A new equation

Going into Casey's Virtual Marathon I was beyond confient that I would have no problem running 10 - 15 miles within 3 days time.  So I told Casey to give me whatever number of legs she needed to complete a Team.

She gave me 2 legs on Team Blues Brothers 2000.  Little did I know that I would be so happy that it was only 2!  

Friday morning we woke up to strong winds and blowing snow; white out conditions.  Although the neighboring schools were closed we had school.  So I got middle off to school and since littlest was up before dawn and conditions would not allow us to go for a run, he and I headed out for an early start to our day.

Friday a.m. run = FAIL

After work I thought no problem, I will get in 1 leg of the marathon on the treadmill since the winds were still a tad too much to stroller jogging.  BUT when I get to the sitter, I am told that littlest has the big D. 

Yep, Diarrhea.  Every parent's plan killer!

Friday p.m. run = FAIL

I tell myself I needed to back off my mileage anyway.  Trying to remain positive.

I also remind myself that single parenting it this weekend, I will have ALL the time in the world to run 10.48 measly little miles.  Right?!?

Saturday.

Littlest and I are up early.  We are greeted by more blowing snow.  Since he is up super early I KNOW that I can run when he takes his nap.  No problem. 

Noon = no nap

1:00 = no nap

2:00 = no nap

3,4,5,6,7,... = no nap

BUT one clingy baby

AND

more Diarrhea.

Saturday a.m./p.m. run = FAIL

I did succeed in handling the middle getting to have a friend over all day.  I did enjoy LOADS of sungle time with the littlest.  Something that will be few and far between before I am ready.

So Saturday with the family (- Dad) = PASS

Sunday

The stage was set early in the morning leaving NO room for failure:

I knew that this would be the day that I helped bring my team -

The Blues Brothers 2000 - to a victory! 

Thanks to my teammates for running their legs too!

Tall Mom on the Run

Long Legs on the Loose

I know I have mentioned that I am a sweater.  (No not angora or argyle.)

This is way you don't see photos when I run on the treadmill.

Scary!

I went on the finish out my run with another 3 miles.  To regain a little motivation for the upcoming week. 

All it took was a little determination and Running = success!

Single parenting this weekend + bad weather/ cranky little = few runs over the weekend.

But today I added a factor of determination to change the equation!

6 days to the Greenway Trail Marathon/50k!

Pray for warm weather in Maryland to melt the snow and ice.

Although I am screwing my trail shoes tonight...just to be safe!

What is Your Best Advice?

The winds were howling outside all night long creating some lovely wind chills. 

 We have white-out conditions and yet school was not delayed or cancelled. 

It felt like a morning for a donut!

Littlest decided to forget that sleeping is to occur at night so he and I got to listen to the wind for most of the night.  That will make for a difficult day at work.  I wonder if that extra sugar will help or hurt me?!?

With all the challenges last night and this morning there was no morning run for me.  I am left with the memory of getting out yesterday morning. 

Today is the first of 3 days; Febraury 26, 27 and 28th for Casey's Virtual Relay Marathon.

So I need to run 10.48 miles (2 legs). 

We are Team Blues Brothers 2000.

RunninAround

Tall Mom on the Run

and Me

I have stopped following my training schedule almost completely. 

I am still running more miles than my plan is calling for. 

So if I can get the weather, kiddos, time and the stars to align I won't have any problem completing the race.

Here is my question.  Knowing that I can run much FASTER on the treadmill, do I run the race miles on the treadmill to try and WIN or do I run them outside like a REAL marathon would be? 

Do I do one leg on the treadmill and one leg outside? 

What do you think I should do?

 

Side of Sneakers is having an iFit book Giveaway!

increase the chances that you will reach your goals by writing them down.

Erica at Run Mommy Run is celebrating by having a Bondi Band Giveaway! 

I just order a bunch of them but with all my hair you know I need more. 

Check it out.

Erica at I Run Because I Can is hosting a Gu, Brew and Chomps Giveaway.
Check it out.  Who doesn't need a little fuel along the way!

Tidbit Tuesday

We all remember Casey's Virtual Race in January

I had to show off the spoils.

Thanks Casey!   

My daughter wants to steal my wrist warmer and bracelet!

We actually had a bit of sunshine yesterday.  But we also had snow showers. 

I know there will be an end to all this winterness so today I choose to be happy and think that it is all beautiful.  Because it is much pretty when it's not on my face.

1...2...3 4 a 6.2

These were on my car this morning when I got out the door in the early morning hours to go toe to toe with the element (because no one else showed up).  I took my position in the first coral feeling confident that I would be holding a strong pace. 

As usual that nervous excitement was beginning to swell inside me as the gun was raised (I start my watch) and the runners (me) took off.  I knew I was starting out too fast as I quickly pulled away from the other runners (since there weren't any). 

Knowing that I had run this course a thousand times before I quickly relaxed and fell into the steady pace; listening to my footfalls on the pavement, watching the sky brighten as the sun began to rise over the mountain, feeling the refeshing morning air on my face.

It was like no other race (because it was a training run) that I had ever experinced.  Before I knew it I could see the finish line (the end of the driveway where I started) so I sprinted with everything I had (okay, not everything I have to drive 3 hours today with 2 kiddos). 

I crossed the line greeted by the cheers of the spectators

(my daugher playing race photog, early morning birds and a few cows).

And that was my 6.2 on 1.23.

(46:32)

Have a great weekend everyone!