Running is Rad!

Today was my fourth half marathon!!  Woo-woo!  I can't believe I have willingly ran 13.1 miles four separate times.
The race was called the Skeleton Skamper and was a Halloween race, so we got to dress up.  I had to figure out a functional costume that was fun and that I could run in.  I decided on a 90's themed outfit.  Mostly because I wanted to wear a side pony-tail!
I made leg warmers for Becky, Melissa and myself.  Bought a sweatshirt at the thrift store and cut it up, and cut up one of my fluorescent race shirts that I never wear anymore.  And I even found a three pack of scrunchies at Family Dollar!

Skeleton Skamper 2012 Pre-Race

I was really surprised how well the race went.  It was super cold out, but after about half an hour I started to warm up.  Last week's long run totally blew, so I was hoping this would go well like I told myself it would.

Becky and I stayed together.  We ran the entire time, except through water stops. I was really surprised how well I felt most of the race.

The course was a little bit hillier then I thought it would be, though.  There were really long, gradual hills and not always downhills afterwards.  At mile 10 there was a long climb and I almost stopped to walk, but didn't want to bring down Becky mentally or make her think it was o.k. to walk.  So, I kept going and there was a hill to run down on the other side.

Finally mile 12 passed.  It got really windy as we turned.  I kept looking at my watch telling myself, "Only .9 miles, only .8 miles, etc."  With only .2 left to go I started really slowing down.  There was a fierce wind and we were going uphill...again.  Becky was inching ahead and I started walking.  She realized I wasn't next to her and turned and raised her arms like, "What the f@#$ are you doing?"  And motioned to come on!  I chuckled a little at what I just did and started running again.  By then Becky had sprinted off to the finish.  There were a few people at the end cheering and the whole cheerleading section of a local high school cheering me on at the end.  That was pretty cool and actually sped me up a little.

I ended up PR-ing the race by 7 minutes with a 2:40, which was not even on my agenda...mostly.  I just wanted to have a good time, which I did.

It was a pretty small race and most of the racers were done by the time I finished.  I stretched for a few minutes and headed over to get my after race snacks.  I stretched a lot more while eating.

Melissa's awesome pants AND fanny pack!

Leg warmer buddies!

After the race we went to Q'Doba for refueling and then Starbuck's for more refueling.  I don't know what was up with us, but EVERYTHING was funny.  We could not stop cracking up!  I think it was delirium and exhaustion.

After I got home, showered, and changed, I felt myself start to crash.  My head was starting to hurt from the gels I took wearing off and my body was tired and sore.  I took some ibuprofen and laid on the couch watching T.V. most of the afternoon.

Now, I am going to eat well deserved pizza and then going to my neighbor's for a Halloween party.  I don't have a costume, so I am going as a Packer fan by wearing my Packer shirt.  I forgot I had it.  I found it yesterday in my drawer when I was looking for my running tights.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

  

Running Sucks

Source

Yesterday was my long run.  I was scheduled to do 10 miles.  I had my alarm set for 5:30.  I turned it off and went on the couch.  I was soooo tired.  I turned on the T.V. and fell asleep watching I Love Lucy.  I woke up and Golden Girls was on.

I woke up again and some Hallmark movie was on.  By now it was 10:00.  I only do this when I really have no plans all day.  If I were going with someone or I had to be somewhere, I would have gotten up and gotten it over with.  Instead, I procrastinate and procrastinate.  I mean, let's face it.  Running ten miles is not my idea of a good time.


Finally, by 1:00 I started getting ready.  I slammed a Coca Cola and ate a cheese, tomato, pickle sandwich on toast.  Got my water and Gu together and finally took off around 1:30.

When I left, I told Kevin that I may not do all 10.  Maybe I'd do 5.  I just really, really, really didn't want to run.  I'm not really sure why.  I guess I was just tired.
I never start running until after I walk up a hill that leads out of my little neighborhood.  Once I was at the top I seriously considered going home.  I told myself to just go and see how far I could get.

To make a long story short, every mile sucked.  At the end, I knew I hadn't gone out far enough to get to ten miles.  I went around a cemetery once and instead of going again like I should have to get to ten, I said forget it and headed home.  I ended with 9, which was good enough for me.

Yes, I had tater tots for supper.

It's runs like these that really count.  I knew that I would appreciate this after it was done and these are the runs that will make me better, blah, blah, blah.  I'm just glad it's over.
And, the good part is, when I have a bad long run the next week is really good.  I'm hoping that holds true next week since that is my half marathon!

Nice spread!

I'm glad I didn't have time to lay around after my run.  I would have been so sore.  Instead, I stretched, ate, and jumped in the shower to get ready to go to Laura's.

Adding butter, real butter

We were going to watch a bad, scary 80's movies.  We went to get the movie and when we got back her husband had made popcorn and set everything up downstairs.  What a sweetie-pie!

We watched Return to Camp Sleepover or something like that.  It was so bad, yet funny.  By the time it was over, I was so tired and so was Laura.  We called it a night and I headed home to go to bed since I had to work all day today.

Oh, and I finished another leg warmer...yup, just one so far.  I like these.  I knitted most of it and crocheted a little on each side.


Now, I'm going to watch Boardwalk Empire and Homeland.  I love these shows!