whoops, i did it again!
tried crossfit, i mean. at a different box. after posting my experience, several people told me that the experience k and i had was not typical. to recount my complaints:
1. it was unfriendly
2. it was late getting started and ran long
3. it was a road to being injured (coach would not correct our form and had us repeat the exercises until we magically got it right)
4. just the warm-up was super exhausting, making the (fairly simple) wod feel almost impossible
5. there was no cool down/stretch
yes, i know i complain a lot.
i feel that complaint 3 was the worst though. being told to repeat an exercise that you have never done before without individual correction is a recipe for disaster. i have goals and being injured because of stupidity does not make my list.
i was very apprehensive about trying out big horn crossfit. really? how different can one box be from the other?
apparently, A LOT DIFFERENT!
big horn crossfit was different from the moment k and i walked in the door. we were greeted with a smile. we were asked our names and felt like the people asking them genuinely cared. class started on time. our warm-up was a simple 4 minute row/jump rope, 25 burpees and some stretching. the atmosphere was light and jovial.
the wod was 500m row, 40 air squats, 30 sit-ups, 20 push-ups and 10 pull-ups. it wasn't easy, but i didn't feel like it was going to kill me either. i felt like i could modify and not be judged for not squatting my rear all the way to the ground or taking a break in the middle of the push-ups.
in all honestly, i would go back again.
i do have two complaints. (i know, i know!) the first is that there was no group cool down. possibly i am too spoiled by other group fitness classes, but i need a cool down and, baby that i am, i hate doing it by myself. the second is cost. i am aware that crossfit is more expensive than typical gyms, but dang if the price isn't way out of my budget at this time. i could make it work if i gave up yogacycle, but let's be honest... that is not going to happen.
so until i win the lotto (or big horn offers a groupon), i guess it's complaints and yogacycle for me. :) p.s. i have one more complaint. why haven't i won the lottery?!? (c'mon now. you knew that was coming.)
**thanks to brian and heather for encouraging me to come try big horn crossfit. if anyone is looking for a legit crossfit box in the denver metro area, i highly recommend these guys. it is a really good group of people!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Friday, November 8, 2013
my first time at crossfit: a review
I bought a voucher for a month at crossfit. I went to my first workout last night. I was nervous, but I went with the expectation that I would love it since my sister-in-law and her husband, my brother and his wife, and a good friend all rave about it.
I got there at 7:20 with my friend K as the class was supposed to start at 7:30. Except... It didn't. The class before us run late so it was 7:50 before we got going.
It didn't seem like the owner/instructor wanted to be there and was brusque. It was some person's last night there and the class before us was going out for drinks. I felt bad for him, but at the same time, don't take it out on me.
We started with a warmup and an intro to the gym/box ideals. He described their philosophy as 70% crossfit, 30% bootcamp. He showed us newbies (four of us) the exercise and had us do it. He had us repeat the exercise until everyone did it right. He said he would not call us out if we were doing it wrong, he would just make everyone repeat it. One particular exercise was repeated so many times, that my friend and I finally spoke up and said "If I'm the one doing it wrong, please just tell me." His words back to us were, I quote, "Don't tell me how to run my class!"
Listen, I get not wanting to embarrass anyone, but if I have done the exercise wrong 20+ times, chances are it feels like I am doing it right. Especially if I have never done it before. Tap me on the shoulder, say "Your form needs help. Try x, y, z." Don't keep have me repeating my mistake, ya know? I'm not learning from that. Not only that, but encourage the people that ARE doing it right, so they can repeat it.
So fine, class was late to start, the guy didn't want to be there, and he snapped at me for wanting more clarity on doing the exercise right. I can still love the workout, right? Right?
I didn't. It wasn't horrible or anything, but the atmosphere was more boot campish than I was anticipating. The workout was 10 box jumps, 10 pull-ups, 10 wall balls, 20 crunches as many times as you could until he told you you could be done. It might have been fine without all the warmup exercises (jump rope, squats, box jumps, pull-ups, several (!) exercises with the barbell that I have already forgotten the name of, walking lunges, crunches, and kettle bells); I was a pile of goo about 3 minutes in.
At the end of class, which was 9:30 (*ahem* supposed to have ended at 8:30 *ahem*), he asked if we had any questions. The website says that classes are 55 minutes long. I am planning on going to the 6am class (I know! Stop laughing!) so I asked if you can leave early if you need to. He said, not a quote but close, "No. You have to stay for the whole time. No leaving early." What?!
He clarified that 6am was the only exception, but wow, that rubs me the wrong way. Isn't it better for me to come in and get a partial workout done than to not come in at all because I can't stay for the whole class? Maybe I don't get it, but I thought crossfit was supposed to be a quick workout. 55 minutes is not quick. Neither does that work if classes are continually running over. (I have no basis for this other than the two classes I observed. Still...) If I have to stay there the whole time, you had better start and end on time.
I have a month there and I am not looking forward to going back. Maybe I'm just a whiner. Maybe I'm not cut out for the intensity of crossfit. But honestly? I just feel like I was mislead. :( Of course, maybe this was an anomaly. <--- I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Oh, and last complaint. I promise. There was no cool down or stretching after the workout. That really bummed me out. After using your muscle to fatigue, I imagine that stretching is pretty important for minimizing soreness. Yes, I can do it by myself, but it seems like a 55 minute workout should include it. Keep your fingers crossed that the rest of the month goes better.
***What is your experience at crossfit? Is this the norm or did I have a bad experience? Do I need to give it more time?
I got there at 7:20 with my friend K as the class was supposed to start at 7:30. Except... It didn't. The class before us run late so it was 7:50 before we got going.
It didn't seem like the owner/instructor wanted to be there and was brusque. It was some person's last night there and the class before us was going out for drinks. I felt bad for him, but at the same time, don't take it out on me.
We started with a warmup and an intro to the gym/box ideals. He described their philosophy as 70% crossfit, 30% bootcamp. He showed us newbies (four of us) the exercise and had us do it. He had us repeat the exercise until everyone did it right. He said he would not call us out if we were doing it wrong, he would just make everyone repeat it. One particular exercise was repeated so many times, that my friend and I finally spoke up and said "If I'm the one doing it wrong, please just tell me." His words back to us were, I quote, "Don't tell me how to run my class!"
Listen, I get not wanting to embarrass anyone, but if I have done the exercise wrong 20+ times, chances are it feels like I am doing it right. Especially if I have never done it before. Tap me on the shoulder, say "Your form needs help. Try x, y, z." Don't keep have me repeating my mistake, ya know? I'm not learning from that. Not only that, but encourage the people that ARE doing it right, so they can repeat it.
So fine, class was late to start, the guy didn't want to be there, and he snapped at me for wanting more clarity on doing the exercise right. I can still love the workout, right? Right?
I didn't. It wasn't horrible or anything, but the atmosphere was more boot campish than I was anticipating. The workout was 10 box jumps, 10 pull-ups, 10 wall balls, 20 crunches as many times as you could until he told you you could be done. It might have been fine without all the warmup exercises (jump rope, squats, box jumps, pull-ups, several (!) exercises with the barbell that I have already forgotten the name of, walking lunges, crunches, and kettle bells); I was a pile of goo about 3 minutes in.
At the end of class, which was 9:30 (*ahem* supposed to have ended at 8:30 *ahem*), he asked if we had any questions. The website says that classes are 55 minutes long. I am planning on going to the 6am class (I know! Stop laughing!) so I asked if you can leave early if you need to. He said, not a quote but close, "No. You have to stay for the whole time. No leaving early." What?!
He clarified that 6am was the only exception, but wow, that rubs me the wrong way. Isn't it better for me to come in and get a partial workout done than to not come in at all because I can't stay for the whole class? Maybe I don't get it, but I thought crossfit was supposed to be a quick workout. 55 minutes is not quick. Neither does that work if classes are continually running over. (I have no basis for this other than the two classes I observed. Still...) If I have to stay there the whole time, you had better start and end on time.
I have a month there and I am not looking forward to going back. Maybe I'm just a whiner. Maybe I'm not cut out for the intensity of crossfit. But honestly? I just feel like I was mislead. :( Of course, maybe this was an anomaly. <--- I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Oh, and last complaint. I promise. There was no cool down or stretching after the workout. That really bummed me out. After using your muscle to fatigue, I imagine that stretching is pretty important for minimizing soreness. Yes, I can do it by myself, but it seems like a 55 minute workout should include it. Keep your fingers crossed that the rest of the month goes better.
***What is your experience at crossfit? Is this the norm or did I have a bad experience? Do I need to give it more time?
Monday, October 28, 2013
seasonal depression
when it gets dark and the days become shorter, i lose my energy and focus. i want to sleep more and run less. (and let's be honest, can i afford to run less? no.) my average sleep a night jumps from 6 hours to needing 10 or more, and still feeling tired. seasonal depression is not fun. this year, i am going to purchase a sunlamp and take more vitamin d to see if that helps.
does the change in seasons affect you? do you have any suggestions to help combat the depressed feelings?
does the change in seasons affect you? do you have any suggestions to help combat the depressed feelings?
Saturday, October 26, 2013
i run 4...
have you heard of this awesome organization called 'i run 4'? it is so cool! it is a charity that pairs up a runner with a person who is unable to run. the person who runs does so in honor of the person who can't. they dedicate their run to that person. i find that so inspiring and motivational.
go get paired up! your runs will never be the same again.
http://www.whoirun4.com/tims-blog/
go get paired up! your runs will never be the same again.
http://www.whoirun4.com/tims-blog/
Thursday, October 24, 2013
could i be a ragnar ambassador?
i got an email that they are looking for ragnar ambassadors for 2014. i am not sure i am the most qualified, but i think it would be fun to promote the ragnar relay to other runners so i am going to apply.
i joined twitter and would love to have you follow the adventure. @WhyNotRun50
i joined twitter and would love to have you follow the adventure. @WhyNotRun50
Thursday, September 12, 2013
nighttime running
before the ragnar, i had never run in the dark. at dusk? sure. at dawn? ha! you know me better than that! not a chance.
i was nervous about the nighttime run. if we all ran on schedule, i would be running at about 3:00. in. the. morning. it's fine to stay up until then, but run at that time? i wasn't sure how that was going to go.
i probably should have practiced running at night. after all, there was the reflective vest to maneuver, the blinking light to figure out, the headlamp to get adjusted to. but i didn't. because... well, i have no reason for why i procrastinated.
i ended up running at 2am. the nighttime run ended up being my favorite part of the ragnar! although i had my ipod with me, i never once turned it on. i listened to the crickets.the river.a passing train.my heartbeat.the wind in the grass.the runner's footfalls behind me.the silence that wasn't silent. everything had a surreal quality to it. it was absolutely amazing.
what is your experience with nighttime running? do you incorporate into your running schedule or avoid it?
i was nervous about the nighttime run. if we all ran on schedule, i would be running at about 3:00. in. the. morning. it's fine to stay up until then, but run at that time? i wasn't sure how that was going to go.
i probably should have practiced running at night. after all, there was the reflective vest to maneuver, the blinking light to figure out, the headlamp to get adjusted to. but i didn't. because... well, i have no reason for why i procrastinated.
i ended up running at 2am. the nighttime run ended up being my favorite part of the ragnar! although i had my ipod with me, i never once turned it on. i listened to the crickets.the river.a passing train.my heartbeat.the wind in the grass.the runner's footfalls behind me.the silence that wasn't silent. everything had a surreal quality to it. it was absolutely amazing.
what is your experience with nighttime running? do you incorporate into your running schedule or avoid it?
Sunday, September 8, 2013
post ragnar
i am not sure what to say about the ragnar. was it something incredible? yes. was it something challenging? yes. was it something fun? yes. kinda. sorta. maybe? was it something i would do again? i... i really don't know. i'm tired and sleep-deprived and tired and sore and tired. i'd like to say a resounding 'yes' because it was incredible and challenging and fun, but i am not sure i am there yet. give me a day or two to sleep and my answer will probably be different.
my teammates were fast. that is a good thing because as a team we needed to average under 11 minute miles. as my team was speeding along, breaking their proposed times, i was plodding along, right at pace or a little better. i felt like i held the team back. i don't think they minded and they never made me feel like a burden, it is just something i felt. i often feel inadequate as a runner and i am not sure why ...especially considering i am doing something that many runners never even think about attempting.
my first run was an 11:39 pace and my nighttime run was 11:32 (<--- check out that bad-ass time!). it was all going okay until the third run. and just let me get my excuses out of the way first.
1) it was hot, right at the noon-time sun.
2) it was hillier than i expected. yes, even though i saw the elevation changes and practiced running hills, this was more than i bargained for.
3) it was steeper than i expected.
4) i ran out of water.
5) my legs were shot from not having enough time to recover.
the third run sucked. it sucked, it sucked, it sucked! 15:09 minute miles and i am surprised it was even that fast.
i got to the leg exchange and was so thrilled to be done. i just stopped functioning after that. i stopped thinking, i stopped comprehending what everyone was conversing about, i stopped talking, i wasn't hungry, i didn't want to walk anywhere. i didn't even care about crossing the finish line when j came through (although we all did as a team).
maybe that is a normal reaction for a first time ragnarian. i don't know. i have never felt that way after any other race. so in addition to running an unique 200-mile-relay, that makes completing the ragnar unique.
the ragnar is over. i did it. it took me to my limits as a runner. and the view from here? wide open with possibilities. so would i do it again? yes.
my teammates were fast. that is a good thing because as a team we needed to average under 11 minute miles. as my team was speeding along, breaking their proposed times, i was plodding along, right at pace or a little better. i felt like i held the team back. i don't think they minded and they never made me feel like a burden, it is just something i felt. i often feel inadequate as a runner and i am not sure why ...especially considering i am doing something that many runners never even think about attempting.
my first run was an 11:39 pace and my nighttime run was 11:32 (<--- check out that bad-ass time!). it was all going okay until the third run. and just let me get my excuses out of the way first.
1) it was hot, right at the noon-time sun.
2) it was hillier than i expected. yes, even though i saw the elevation changes and practiced running hills, this was more than i bargained for.
3) it was steeper than i expected.
4) i ran out of water.
5) my legs were shot from not having enough time to recover.
the third run sucked. it sucked, it sucked, it sucked! 15:09 minute miles and i am surprised it was even that fast.
i got to the leg exchange and was so thrilled to be done. i just stopped functioning after that. i stopped thinking, i stopped comprehending what everyone was conversing about, i stopped talking, i wasn't hungry, i didn't want to walk anywhere. i didn't even care about crossing the finish line when j came through (although we all did as a team).
maybe that is a normal reaction for a first time ragnarian. i don't know. i have never felt that way after any other race. so in addition to running an unique 200-mile-relay, that makes completing the ragnar unique.
the ragnar is over. i did it. it took me to my limits as a runner. and the view from here? wide open with possibilities. so would i do it again? yes.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
grill it
my mother-in-law sent home several grilling magazines with the hubs. i went through and highlighted what i would like to try this summer.
seafood brochettes with chive butter
diablo shrimp skewers
chicken and mushroom yakitori
pineapple beef and mushroom kabobs over rice
steak, potato, broccoli and red pepper kabob toss
pork kabobs with ginger and garlic dressing
grilled portobello burgers with yellow peppers and fresh mozzarella
chili-glazed salmon burger
grilled chicken caesar burger with parmesan
jalapeno popper burgers with cream cheese and pepperjack
fig-a-licious pork burgers with gorgonzola
summer squash souvlakia with tzatziki
double-grilled grilled vegetable sandwich
mango shrimp and goat cheese pita
cubano sandwich
napa valley pizza with kale, grapes and swiss
pesto pizza with summer squash, tomatoes and ricotta
citrus shrimp pizza
summer garden pizza with bacon, eggplant, corn, carrots and parmesan
prosciutto pizza with nectarines, goat cheese and balsamic vinegar
bbq chicken and peppercini pizza with fresh mozzarella
eggplant caprese salad
grilled tomato and cucumber salad with pine nuts
grilled peach salad with blueberries and feta cheese
grilled watermelon salad with edamame
grilled pear and kale salad
thai shrimp and cucumber salad
grilled shrimp salad with watermelon, tomatoes and feta
blt coleslaw salad
teriyaki chicken raspberry salad
ramen-veggie chicken salad
tuscan chicken and pepper salad
grilled steak bruschetta salad
grilled pork tenderloin salad with grilled grapefruit, pistachios and avocado
roasted vegetables and orzo
moroccam pasta with grilled tuna
grilled chicken with chickpeas, marinated tomatoes, roasted red peppers in fettuccine
beef and blue cheese penne with walnuts, spinach, yellow tomatoes and pesto
grilled baby veggies with argula-mint pesto sauce
plank smoked portobello mushrooms (with sharp cheddar, spinach, pecans and bread crumbs)
greek-style squash with parmesan
grilled zucchini and pattypan squash with pesto and balsamic vinegar
corn and goat cheese stuffed zucchini boats
green chilis stuffed with guacamole
spinach and artichoke stuffed mini peppers
bacon-wrapped asparagus
cualiflower crunch with cashews and bacon
grilled broccoli
cheesy potatoes and broccoli
bloody mary fanned potatoes
sweet potato hash with black beans and scallions
grilled green beans
grilled romaine with tomatoes and blue cheese
orange-maple glazed halibut
pineapple shrimp packets
curried peanut chicken with red peppers
steak quesadilla with mandarin oranges and cheddar
don't these sound good? do you like to experiment on the grill?
seafood brochettes with chive butter
diablo shrimp skewers
chicken and mushroom yakitori
pineapple beef and mushroom kabobs over rice
steak, potato, broccoli and red pepper kabob toss
pork kabobs with ginger and garlic dressing
grilled portobello burgers with yellow peppers and fresh mozzarella
chili-glazed salmon burger
grilled chicken caesar burger with parmesan
jalapeno popper burgers with cream cheese and pepperjack
fig-a-licious pork burgers with gorgonzola
summer squash souvlakia with tzatziki
double-grilled grilled vegetable sandwich
mango shrimp and goat cheese pita
cubano sandwich
napa valley pizza with kale, grapes and swiss
pesto pizza with summer squash, tomatoes and ricotta
citrus shrimp pizza
summer garden pizza with bacon, eggplant, corn, carrots and parmesan
prosciutto pizza with nectarines, goat cheese and balsamic vinegar
bbq chicken and peppercini pizza with fresh mozzarella
eggplant caprese salad
grilled tomato and cucumber salad with pine nuts
grilled peach salad with blueberries and feta cheese
grilled watermelon salad with edamame
grilled pear and kale salad
thai shrimp and cucumber salad
grilled shrimp salad with watermelon, tomatoes and feta
blt coleslaw salad
teriyaki chicken raspberry salad
ramen-veggie chicken salad
tuscan chicken and pepper salad
grilled steak bruschetta salad
grilled pork tenderloin salad with grilled grapefruit, pistachios and avocado
roasted vegetables and orzo
moroccam pasta with grilled tuna
grilled chicken with chickpeas, marinated tomatoes, roasted red peppers in fettuccine
beef and blue cheese penne with walnuts, spinach, yellow tomatoes and pesto
grilled baby veggies with argula-mint pesto sauce
plank smoked portobello mushrooms (with sharp cheddar, spinach, pecans and bread crumbs)
greek-style squash with parmesan
grilled zucchini and pattypan squash with pesto and balsamic vinegar
corn and goat cheese stuffed zucchini boats
green chilis stuffed with guacamole
spinach and artichoke stuffed mini peppers
bacon-wrapped asparagus
cualiflower crunch with cashews and bacon
grilled broccoli
cheesy potatoes and broccoli
bloody mary fanned potatoes
sweet potato hash with black beans and scallions
grilled green beans
grilled romaine with tomatoes and blue cheese
orange-maple glazed halibut
pineapple shrimp packets
curried peanut chicken with red peppers
steak quesadilla with mandarin oranges and cheddar
don't these sound good? do you like to experiment on the grill?
Thursday, June 6, 2013
cheese
my friends know me so well. three of them posted this on my facebook page and one sent it to me via text. lol.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
deadwood race pictures
i took 46 pictures during the race but i will only bore you with 22. enjoy!
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| gorgeous! |
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| muddy trail |
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| raspberries |
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| my favorite sign |
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| homestake mine shaft |
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| panning for gold in the creek |
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| look! two feet off the ground! (thanks for taking my picture katie) |
Sunday, June 2, 2013
deadwood mickelson half race recap
let me first say that i love this race! it starts right next to my grandpa's house. it was my first half marathon ever. it is in my [former] hometown. it is where i run into people i used to know. it is gorgeous. it smells of pine and tweets of birds and gurgles of brooks. i feel comfortable on the trail because i used to bike it in my youth. it is downhill. the weather has been perfect for the last three years (or maybe more, i don't know). it has chocolate milk waiting for you at the end. it is a bucket list race. DO NOT MISS THIS RACE.
okay, enough of that. (seriously, folks, don't miss it. i will hunt you down and make you do it.)
i woke up on my own to blue skies. i kinda got nervous about that because well... usually i wake up for a race to darkness or the beginning of dawn. waking up before the alarm bodes well for the day, yes? i was moving slow but the mister was going to give me frontdoor service so i didn't have to take the bus and wait around for an hour before the start so i had the time. (that is a run-on sentence for sure. my bad.) what i am getting at was i felt unrushed and pretty calm. i remembered to put on sunscreen and mascara so the day was already a win.
we arrived 20 minutes earlier than i had planned on. i used the portapotties (my man calls them port-o-lets which i find funny [no really, say port-o-let out loud and tell me that's not funny]) and found a small spot that had some sunshine. it was chilly but i knew it would warm up. i met a great girl from houston who, upon hearing i wanted to run in all 50 states, invited me to stay with her. the thing about runners? we are a good group, yo.
i did not see the usual suspects, t, k or j. they had other things going on this year. i forgive them so long as it doesn't happen again. i should put a smiley face there but i am not going to. i might be joking, but then again, i might not be. without the smiley, you just don't know. bwahahaha. i crossed the start line at 8:09 and texted the boy. one downside to this race is no cell service for the first mile. another downside? gravel on the trail means tiny pebbles end up in your shoes. it's not perfect, okay? you will still like it. i decided that i was going to use this run to see how much i have improved since last year. the main squeeze offered me a benjamin if i shaved some time off my time. i set a goal. motivated!
three things i like:
1) personal improvement
2) money
3) firemen (wait! that's a different race.)
the first mile was good. i met the sign at 8:20. i ran into an old high school classmate and we ran the second mile together. i have a difficult time running and talking. every time i had something to say i slowed down to walk. it's a multitasking thing. i started out with some gum but had to spit it out before the first mile because i could not chew it and run at the time time. i'm serious. laugh all you want. i can take it. i should have taken a picture with her though. oops! we met the mile 2 sign at 8:36 and she took off to be all fast and runner-y and stuff.
i inhaled a bug at 8:42. very ick-tastic. <--- a bug committed suicide in my mouth; i can make up words if i want. there may have been choking and gasping and flailing about. maybe. i deny any knowledge of that.
i met the sign for 3 miles at 8:44. i don't know why but the first 5k is the hardest for me. it takes me that long to get my stride, pace, breath and heartrate coordinated. i'd love to change that, but i don't know how. i need a gadget that will make running easier... or... something. the group that i was keeping pace with thinned out at this point. which is good, except one thing - several speed walkers walked right passed me. if i still had my gum, i would have spit it at them. see? everything worked out for the best. i know i should be happy for them and be all 'you go on with your bad self', but i'm not. instead, i feel an intense dislike for people who can walk faster than i can run. it's uncharitable. I KNOW. i'm working on it. is there a gadget for that?
speaking of gadgets, for christmas this year, hubs gave me a cooling towel. you get it wet and it gets cold - even if it looks *really dumb* wrapped around your neck and tucked into your sports bra, that thing is magic. i don't care if it is a tool of the devil, it is awesome! fine, i care if it is a tool of the devil. but not by much. i started using it at 8:58. that's a pretty specific time because that's when i met the mile 4 sign. convenient, right?
i do not exaggerate for comedic effect. that would be wrong.
i came upon the mile 5 sign at 9:08. for anyone paying attention, that means i ran 5 miles in 59 minutes. booyah. who's a rockstar? it's my blog so the correct answer is *this girl*. i sat down and removed some rocks and made it to the sign for mile 6 at 9:25. that mile took some time. i was probably reveling in being a rockstar. i was not thinking about spitting on speed walkers. or firemen. or port-o-lets. i walked most of mile 6. i am going to pretend it was to enjoy the scenery. that is a good reason to walk, right? the m and m's station was at 9:39. did i forget to mention m and m's in the list of reasons to run this race? sorry. m and m's. i was derelict so i'll mention it again. m and m's for fuel. yes, i lied earlier. this race *is* perfect. the sign for mile 7 was at 9:43. it was in the middle of a steep-er-ish downhill portion. gravity is (mostly) your friend in this situation. also, it is fun to run like a deranged person. or like a (cough out-of-control-maniac cough) rockstar. whatever. it still took me until 9:54 to get to mile 8 but i had a huge grin on my face and forgot i was hot and/or tired and/or a not-very-good-runner. the course had a bit of squishy watery parts, but it was all part of the fun.
i must have sounded like a herd of stampeding elephants because runners seemed to move out of my way. or maybe someone was yelling 'it's alive! it's alive!'. [no one was yelling that.] they may or may not have been scared for their lives; i can't speculate. either way, i am not going to talk about it. because... m and m's. mile 8 had lots of wild raspberries on the side of the path. i know it makes me a bad person, but every year when i pass them, i think about how i should come back in the middle of the night and steal a few plants to supplement my garden. i mean, "relocate them to a new home for diversification". you know, to go green. cross pollinate and prosper. for the good of the raspberries. (...unless it's a felony. I DO NOT ADVOCATE COMMITTING A FELONY JUST BECAUSE RASPBERRIES ARE DELICIOUS.)
i arrived at the mile 9 sign at 10:07. for anyone paying attention, that is 9 miles in 118 minutes. for the math challenged, 118 minutes is less than 2 hours. you read that right. nine. miles. in. under. two. hours. so what that if i was keeping a consistent pace with my earlier miles it should have been 10 miles in 2 hours? it was 9 miles, man.
so what? i'm still a rockstar. i've got my rock moves and i don't need you. <--- this is lyrics gold. someone should write this down and make it a song.
like i was saying. rock.star. although a true rockstar might not run out of water at 10:10 with a mile to run in the heat before the next water station. no judgement from me. i'm just sayin'. also, removing rocks from your muddy shoes without getting everything else muddy is a pain in the beep. with another beep thrown in for good measure. *don't do things halfway.* it's all about the follow through. i arrived at the mile 10 sign and the water station at 10:21.
here is feat of truly amazing talent and rockstarness. (which i know you know to expect from me.) i am normally passed by the lead marathoner between mile 5 and mile 7. but guess what? not today. not today, my minions. the lead marathoner and i met at 10:33, and he left my life at 10:33:01. the sign for mile 11 was just 2 short minutes after that. now, even though it was only the blink of an eye, i could tell he had special thoughts about me. love can happen that fast, people. i had special thoughts about him as well. i am embarrassed to admit that i may have had a tiny daydream of having him carry me across the finish line. it was a fleeting fancy. while i am over him, i fear the lead marathoner could be in love with me for the rest of his life. it happens. move on, dude. i'm taken. i have to make a short apology to my soulmate here. you know there is no one else for me but you. well, possibly, firemen standing without a shirt at mile 11 during a certain may race. but other than that, no one.
what is it about mile 11 that makes me succumb to the temptation of being swept off my feet? delirium? brain damage from running for so long? i am not sure. i should probably go to therapy about that sometime. or maybe stop running at mile 10. or maybe go to therapy.
we'll see.
so there i am in the middle of mile 11 when i tripped and sprained my ankle at 10:46, with the sign for mile 12 visible, forcing me to drag my bum foot like the lurching bride of frankenstein, aka walk. karma. i will say it again. i am sorry for my lapse, o-husband-of-mine. at least i was looking stylish with my mascara and cooling towel. since the ankle is so painful (still!), i will provide you with the texting transcript between the studmuffin and i before i go off to cry.
him: Almost there!! Keep pushing.
me: Tripped. Twisted my ankle.
him: Ugh. You okay? I'm at the finish line.
me: Limping.
him: Only 1.1 left.
me: Walking. It hurts.
him: :(
me: I think I was made for 15ks.
him: You were made for me.
see what a good guy i have? is it corny to say love of my life? heart of my heart? it is but i am going to do it anyway. i would never trade him in just to get to the finish line faster. n.e.v.e.r. since he was waiting me, i was able to finish strong with a sprint once i saw the sign for 13 miles. i crossed the finish line at 11:02. i didn't quite meet my goal for time, but i was really close. i am pleased that i shaved 5 minutes off of last year's time. looking over my splits, my pace was all over the place - 11, 16, 8, 14, 10, 17, 18, 11, 13, 14, 14, 11, and 16. even though the first 5k feels the hardest, it seems like my weaker miles are actually the middle. [i repeat, i need a gadget to make running easier please. puh-lease!] i would really like to become a more consistent runner so that running becomes more enjoyable. also, benjamin is calling my name (i am hoping that is not the lead marathoner's name or things could get awkward). the gauntlet has been thrown.
all in all, it was a good day to be out. the sun was shining and the birds were chirping. my ankle will heal and i will make my goal time during another race. although, the deadwood mickelson trail half will always be my favorite.
*pictures to come
okay, enough of that. (seriously, folks, don't miss it. i will hunt you down and make you do it.)
i woke up on my own to blue skies. i kinda got nervous about that because well... usually i wake up for a race to darkness or the beginning of dawn. waking up before the alarm bodes well for the day, yes? i was moving slow but the mister was going to give me frontdoor service so i didn't have to take the bus and wait around for an hour before the start so i had the time. (that is a run-on sentence for sure. my bad.) what i am getting at was i felt unrushed and pretty calm. i remembered to put on sunscreen and mascara so the day was already a win.
we arrived 20 minutes earlier than i had planned on. i used the portapotties (my man calls them port-o-lets which i find funny [no really, say port-o-let out loud and tell me that's not funny]) and found a small spot that had some sunshine. it was chilly but i knew it would warm up. i met a great girl from houston who, upon hearing i wanted to run in all 50 states, invited me to stay with her. the thing about runners? we are a good group, yo.
i did not see the usual suspects, t, k or j. they had other things going on this year. i forgive them so long as it doesn't happen again. i should put a smiley face there but i am not going to. i might be joking, but then again, i might not be. without the smiley, you just don't know. bwahahaha. i crossed the start line at 8:09 and texted the boy. one downside to this race is no cell service for the first mile. another downside? gravel on the trail means tiny pebbles end up in your shoes. it's not perfect, okay? you will still like it. i decided that i was going to use this run to see how much i have improved since last year. the main squeeze offered me a benjamin if i shaved some time off my time. i set a goal. motivated!
three things i like:
1) personal improvement
2) money
3) firemen (wait! that's a different race.)
the first mile was good. i met the sign at 8:20. i ran into an old high school classmate and we ran the second mile together. i have a difficult time running and talking. every time i had something to say i slowed down to walk. it's a multitasking thing. i started out with some gum but had to spit it out before the first mile because i could not chew it and run at the time time. i'm serious. laugh all you want. i can take it. i should have taken a picture with her though. oops! we met the mile 2 sign at 8:36 and she took off to be all fast and runner-y and stuff.
i inhaled a bug at 8:42. very ick-tastic. <--- a bug committed suicide in my mouth; i can make up words if i want. there may have been choking and gasping and flailing about. maybe. i deny any knowledge of that.
i met the sign for 3 miles at 8:44. i don't know why but the first 5k is the hardest for me. it takes me that long to get my stride, pace, breath and heartrate coordinated. i'd love to change that, but i don't know how. i need a gadget that will make running easier... or... something. the group that i was keeping pace with thinned out at this point. which is good, except one thing - several speed walkers walked right passed me. if i still had my gum, i would have spit it at them. see? everything worked out for the best. i know i should be happy for them and be all 'you go on with your bad self', but i'm not. instead, i feel an intense dislike for people who can walk faster than i can run. it's uncharitable. I KNOW. i'm working on it. is there a gadget for that?
speaking of gadgets, for christmas this year, hubs gave me a cooling towel. you get it wet and it gets cold - even if it looks *really dumb* wrapped around your neck and tucked into your sports bra, that thing is magic. i don't care if it is a tool of the devil, it is awesome! fine, i care if it is a tool of the devil. but not by much. i started using it at 8:58. that's a pretty specific time because that's when i met the mile 4 sign. convenient, right?
i do not exaggerate for comedic effect. that would be wrong.
i came upon the mile 5 sign at 9:08. for anyone paying attention, that means i ran 5 miles in 59 minutes. booyah. who's a rockstar? it's my blog so the correct answer is *this girl*. i sat down and removed some rocks and made it to the sign for mile 6 at 9:25. that mile took some time. i was probably reveling in being a rockstar. i was not thinking about spitting on speed walkers. or firemen. or port-o-lets. i walked most of mile 6. i am going to pretend it was to enjoy the scenery. that is a good reason to walk, right? the m and m's station was at 9:39. did i forget to mention m and m's in the list of reasons to run this race? sorry. m and m's. i was derelict so i'll mention it again. m and m's for fuel. yes, i lied earlier. this race *is* perfect. the sign for mile 7 was at 9:43. it was in the middle of a steep-er-ish downhill portion. gravity is (mostly) your friend in this situation. also, it is fun to run like a deranged person. or like a (cough out-of-control-maniac cough) rockstar. whatever. it still took me until 9:54 to get to mile 8 but i had a huge grin on my face and forgot i was hot and/or tired and/or a not-very-good-runner. the course had a bit of squishy watery parts, but it was all part of the fun.
i must have sounded like a herd of stampeding elephants because runners seemed to move out of my way. or maybe someone was yelling 'it's alive! it's alive!'. [no one was yelling that.] they may or may not have been scared for their lives; i can't speculate. either way, i am not going to talk about it. because... m and m's. mile 8 had lots of wild raspberries on the side of the path. i know it makes me a bad person, but every year when i pass them, i think about how i should come back in the middle of the night and steal a few plants to supplement my garden. i mean, "relocate them to a new home for diversification". you know, to go green. cross pollinate and prosper. for the good of the raspberries. (...unless it's a felony. I DO NOT ADVOCATE COMMITTING A FELONY JUST BECAUSE RASPBERRIES ARE DELICIOUS.)
i arrived at the mile 9 sign at 10:07. for anyone paying attention, that is 9 miles in 118 minutes. for the math challenged, 118 minutes is less than 2 hours. you read that right. nine. miles. in. under. two. hours. so what that if i was keeping a consistent pace with my earlier miles it should have been 10 miles in 2 hours? it was 9 miles, man.
so what? i'm still a rockstar. i've got my rock moves and i don't need you. <--- this is lyrics gold. someone should write this down and make it a song.
like i was saying. rock.star. although a true rockstar might not run out of water at 10:10 with a mile to run in the heat before the next water station. no judgement from me. i'm just sayin'. also, removing rocks from your muddy shoes without getting everything else muddy is a pain in the beep. with another beep thrown in for good measure. *don't do things halfway.* it's all about the follow through. i arrived at the mile 10 sign and the water station at 10:21.
here is feat of truly amazing talent and rockstarness. (which i know you know to expect from me.) i am normally passed by the lead marathoner between mile 5 and mile 7. but guess what? not today. not today, my minions. the lead marathoner and i met at 10:33, and he left my life at 10:33:01. the sign for mile 11 was just 2 short minutes after that. now, even though it was only the blink of an eye, i could tell he had special thoughts about me. love can happen that fast, people. i had special thoughts about him as well. i am embarrassed to admit that i may have had a tiny daydream of having him carry me across the finish line. it was a fleeting fancy. while i am over him, i fear the lead marathoner could be in love with me for the rest of his life. it happens. move on, dude. i'm taken. i have to make a short apology to my soulmate here. you know there is no one else for me but you. well, possibly, firemen standing without a shirt at mile 11 during a certain may race. but other than that, no one.
what is it about mile 11 that makes me succumb to the temptation of being swept off my feet? delirium? brain damage from running for so long? i am not sure. i should probably go to therapy about that sometime. or maybe stop running at mile 10. or maybe go to therapy.
we'll see.
so there i am in the middle of mile 11 when i tripped and sprained my ankle at 10:46, with the sign for mile 12 visible, forcing me to drag my bum foot like the lurching bride of frankenstein, aka walk. karma. i will say it again. i am sorry for my lapse, o-husband-of-mine. at least i was looking stylish with my mascara and cooling towel. since the ankle is so painful (still!), i will provide you with the texting transcript between the studmuffin and i before i go off to cry.
him: Almost there!! Keep pushing.
me: Tripped. Twisted my ankle.
him: Ugh. You okay? I'm at the finish line.
me: Limping.
him: Only 1.1 left.
me: Walking. It hurts.
him: :(
me: I think I was made for 15ks.
him: You were made for me.
see what a good guy i have? is it corny to say love of my life? heart of my heart? it is but i am going to do it anyway. i would never trade him in just to get to the finish line faster. n.e.v.e.r. since he was waiting me, i was able to finish strong with a sprint once i saw the sign for 13 miles. i crossed the finish line at 11:02. i didn't quite meet my goal for time, but i was really close. i am pleased that i shaved 5 minutes off of last year's time. looking over my splits, my pace was all over the place - 11, 16, 8, 14, 10, 17, 18, 11, 13, 14, 14, 11, and 16. even though the first 5k feels the hardest, it seems like my weaker miles are actually the middle. [i repeat, i need a gadget to make running easier please. puh-lease!] i would really like to become a more consistent runner so that running becomes more enjoyable. also, benjamin is calling my name (i am hoping that is not the lead marathoner's name or things could get awkward). the gauntlet has been thrown.
all in all, it was a good day to be out. the sun was shining and the birds were chirping. my ankle will heal and i will make my goal time during another race. although, the deadwood mickelson trail half will always be my favorite.
*pictures to come
Thursday, May 30, 2013
i won an award
i am very touched and flattered that my words have meaning to someone other than myself. thanks for reading!
Monday, May 20, 2013
colfax half marathon recap
hi dad! another year down. the anniversary of your death was easier this year. we made a cake and had a little celebration in your memory this morning. the boys are getting to be so big. you'd be impressed with them. they bring you up often and i know they miss you watching them play sports. unlike you, they like to cook and help out in the kitchen. :) i spent yesterday in the company of firemen. no, the boys didn't burn the house down. i did the colfax half again.
the start time was later by an hour, which i appreciated. my morning did not feel rushed to get to the race. when i met up with marlene, however, i realized that i had forgotten mascara (again). now, i know i can survive a half marathon without mascara, but... firemen! at mile 8. and mile 11. and the finish. firemen! t wasn't with us for the half because she wimped out and did the full. (ha! see what i did there?)
we saw some really cool shirts.
and people running in remembrance of boston.
and we got to run through the zoo.
marlene and i had a respectable pace going. it was a little slower than i felt capable of, but this was her first half marathon and she had struggled with the longer training runs. i can relate to that. (even though i have done a pretty good job at being consistent lately.) they had free runner tracking, so we were right on pace for an under 3 hour finish up to mile 6 and a little over 3 hours by mile 8.
we walked miles 9, 10 and 11.
i took my picture with the firemen, but marlene said that she couldn't stop moving or she just stop. she missed out. they were hunky. i am not sure hot half-naked firemen make 13.1 worth it, but it definitely helps.
we started running again (15 second run, 1 minute walk) at mile 12. we met up with the marathoners at mile 13 and sprinted to the finish. t finished her marathon a few minutes before marlene and i crossed the end. 4:44 was her marathon time. seriously, no words for that girl. no. words. we finished in 3:27. i'd say marlene is pooped. (but there is a hint of a smile. do you see it? i think she's hooked.)
the bling is pretty fantastic this year. i heart this medal.
i am grateful i didn't have a breakdown this year. and the lack of mascara did not affect my performance, although i still don't recommend it. :) i really loved running through the zoo. it was a neat experience dad; you would have liked it. i miss you. happy three years in heaven.
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