Badger Runner

Running Top Ten

2009-11-05T07:16:00.002-06:00

I am running short on time this morning, but I mentioned this during our run this morning, so I figured I had better share it.

Missed Out!

2009-11-04T06:14:00.005-06:00

I learned this morning that I missed out on Rhonda running with the morning group! I hope you come again!

A good morning run with the Cousins this morning. Christy actually set her alarm right so she was there. The bad karma from complaining about her fellow runners not showing up finally has worn off!

When I first saw the following clip it said that it was BEER that got destroyed. Everyone (except Beerhater) will be relieved to know it was hard liquor. Whew.... I was panicked there for a moment.

Bummer

2009-11-01T19:24:00.003-06:00

Packers lost today - BUMMER. Even more so DH was at the game... sucks being at a game that they lose at, especially losing to the Vikings (Wendy - I DON'T want to hear it), especially with Farve playing. Yes - I actually WATCHED the game. I suppose DH will now blame me for the loss since it was the one thing different from other games.... they have won up to now... right...;-)

It a glum mood I turned towards the Internet. I have been feeling a bit bored with it lately. I currently don't have any sites I like to go to and see "what's up". I learned a good thing and a bad thing. The bad thing is that people have a lot more imaginative blog names than mine. Creativity is not my thing (but organization is!). The good thing is that there are a lot of running blogs out there that have not had a post in an awfully long time. Although I have been known to have some good gaps between posts, I have been blogging since December 30, 2006. So, coming up on 3 years! Wow! Time flies! Those who run marathons with me know how consistent I am... even if I don't want to be.

I didn't find any new interesting blogs... so if anyone knows of any, let me know....

Tempted

2009-10-30T07:07:00.003-06:00

I was very tempted to call Bryan last night and say "It looks like it is going to be raining, so I am not planning on running." But since last time we had planned to run, I did almost the same thing, I knew I would be opening myself up to endless grief. So, I opted to waited to see if it was actually raining in the morning before I called and bailed.

Unfortunately, when I stepped outside it was NOT raining. So much for getting to sleep late on a non school day! I had a hard time believing my themometer too.... 58 degrees! Couldn't be! So I am so glad I didn't do a preemptive bail otherwise I would have missed out on one of the last warm runs of the year... which is what happened to the THREE people who stood up Christy at 5:00 am! Shame, Shame... I think you will be getting tricked instead of treated this Halloween!

So it was another nice run with Bryan. Today's topic was buying and maintaining cars. I learned a lot. Thanks Bryan.

Warning

2009-10-28T05:02:00.002-06:00

A warning to our running group:

Beware of when Elyse and Mike start talking football!

This morning was an enjoyable run until E and M started talking football... our pace ended up being 8:45!

It has been awhile

2009-10-27T05:03:00.003-06:00

Wow! I didn't realize how long it had been since I last posted! I have run since Oct 10th! But not much. Last week the morning run got rained out 3 times! I was convinced by Kwik Trip gal to go running with her and one of the Cousins on Thursday evening. As usual, dreaded doing it, but was glad I did.

The raining weather must have gotten to everyone because today was a big group, everyone except for Jenny and Wendy. We did a spontaneous new route that got everyone in the mood for Halloween (dark and scary). It was nice to have the big group again... I left feeling very happy and thankful!

Firsts

2009-10-10T09:41:00.002-06:00

Today was one of firsts.

It was my first run after the marathon. My legs felt good and I felt pretty good too. My hamstring still twinges, but it hasn't caused a problem yet, just worry.

It was my first run EVER with my college roommate Wendi. She has gotten the running bug! (big sly grin here!) When I talked to her late in summer she mentioned doing a 5K together. THEN the next time I talked to her she said she had just run a 10 miler!!! Sneaky Women!

It was great to share the love of running with her along the lake shore of Milwaukee. Maybe that is why my first run after the marathon didn't seem so bad. I was just enjoying the moment being with one of my best friends in life while doing something so great! And just LOVING it! One more thing we can share together.

Twin Cities Race Report

2009-10-05T06:08:00.002-06:00

It is time to report on the Twin Cities Marathon! Great weather, amazing spectators. The spectators are second only to Chicago. There was hardly a place on the whole course where there wasn't someone cheering you on. The course truly has to be the most beautiful urban course. It takes you through many parks and all of the grand old houses of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The course itself was truly challenging.

I knew that there was a 2 mile long long hill starting about mile 21. So, around mile 15 I started telling myself to just put in good miles until then and then have the goal of getting up the hill without stopping. It was very, very hard though. It hit just as I was starting to struggle. I am surprised I didn't get pulled out of the race by medical for going a little looping. I started breaking the course into smaller, manageable chunks such as ... the next stop light.... the bright green sign..... the light green tree.... followed by "I can do this, I can do this". Unfortunately for all those around me... I was not saying this in my head, but out loud and I found that I got louder as it got harder. I caught a couple of side long glances from fellow runners.... who I might add I was passing.

As always I found myself at the point where I thought "Who the F**** cares how fast I do this race. I knew I wasn't going to PR... which makes it hard for me mentally and I thought I wasn't going to be close to my past 3 marathons of 4:09. But I have to admit the illusion of the 2 mile down hill helped me work through it.

I say illusion because their idea of downhill is MUCH different than mine! True, when I reached the last half mile it was downhill, which was great. But earlier when I could see the heads and shoulders of runners several blocks ahead, I wanted to stop and yell "Where is the downhill?!?" Sandy said she saw a women stop at somewhere in mile 24-25 and yell "Where the hell is the finish" I can totally sympathize with her!

The post race was good, but when they isn't beer then it will never be the perfect post race party. The Salty Nutrolls were fantastic! I think that is now a favorite post race treat for me, replacing the cinnamon sugar donut holes at Whistlestop. The T-shirts were technical long sleeve which is always nice. I was disappointed that I couldn't find a decent race t-shirt at the expo. It looked like they were sold out.

My foot held up very well, my left hamstring didn't give me much problem. My right quad got pretty tight and I was afraid that it would start cramping, but it didn't. When I was going down the home stretch my quads felt very tight and I was just hoping they wouldn't seize up before I crossed the finish line and thankfully they didn't. Plus they didn't right after the finish line either. The day after the race my foot feels real good and my quads are sore like they normally are. I can go downstairs the right direction, but it isn't pretty.

All in all I would do Twin Cities again, but try and enjoy the race and surroundings much more. Something I struggle to do at every race. After the race when we are discussing what we saw, I never see anything. This is a race that it would be fun to relax and take it as a long run and not worry about time.

Conspiracy?

2009-09-26T07:47:00.003-06:00

After looking at the weather forecast for St. Paul next weekend, I couldn't help but wonder if there is a conspiracy afoot. It is forecasting a chance of rain Saturday, Saturday night, Sunday night and Monday - every forecast period except Sunday which is sunny and perfect running weather, which coincidentally is when the marathon is taking place. Hmmmm.

It brought two memories to mind.

One was a fateful trip to Bayfield's Applefest with my friend Wendi. We were intending to spend 3 glorious days there. Now, those of you have been to Bayfield know that if outdoor activities are out, there isn't a whole lot to do. The moment we arrived it started to pour. That evening we started asking our B&B hostess what the weather forecast was (conveniently there was no TV or radio in our rooms or the common area). Her reply always was "I am sure it is going to turn beautiful". After the 5th time it was hard not to retort back "I don't care what you think, I want to know what the meteorologist thinks!" Needless to say we left early and went to the nearby Hellman cabin where at least we could watch rented movies!

The second one is very relevant for this time of year. Long ago the Forestry Division (who I work for) was responsible for providing the Department of Tourism with the fall color forecast. One year staff reported that the fall colors would not be particularly stunning for various weather and precipitation reasons. Soon they got a call from s another, more powerful state office, who shall not be named here, informing them that, in fact, the fall colors would be spectacular... in fact EVERY year they would be spectacular. There is a lot of power in those tourism dollars...at least that is how the story goes....

But I am sure that in actuality good weather will prevail and we will have a beautiful day for the Marathon... but I might check a few other weather sites just to make sure....

Let downs

2009-09-24T05:04:00.002-06:00

It was a warm and drippy run this morning, but a lot of fun conversations. I apparently missed a lot of ribbing by missing Tuesdays run. I was appreciative that they were willing to recap. Of course, Mike was the one retelling stories, I am not sure if Elyse, Katie and Jill appreciated it since they were usually the butt of the joke!

I told them that yesterday I had a frustrating day in the world of running gear shopping. My initial reason to shop was to get grippers for the icy season that will undoubtedly come before they are all sold out. I decided to try a new kind, ice joggers. I became fairly frustrated since I had a very hard time finding out what shoe sizes S,M,L equated too. (shame on you Road Runner Sports). Having finally accomplished that task I realized I should buy some energy gel since mine are about gone. I was pretty excited when I saw a new seasonal favor "mint chocolate". MMMMMM. The reviews I saw were good too. However, I wanted to be sure they had caffeine which was not readily apparent (shame on you AGAIN Road Runner Sports). So again I had to go searching to other websites to figure it out. I finally found an ingredient list that contained a ingredient that said behind it "contains caffeine". Not exactly resounding proof, but at this point I was willing to take it. I put it in my shopping cart only to learn that it wouldn't be shipped until Oct 9 - AFTER my marathon. UGH! All that hard work and salivation for nothing! Just not my day for easy Internet shopping!

1000 miles

2009-09-23T04:59:00.003-06:00

I just realized that this morning I passed the 1000 mile mark for the year! I am on track to break my yearly mileage record of 1291. I really don't mind if I don't break it because it isn't one of those records I want to keep on breaking! But I do like to reach 1200 each year.

I also noticed that my blog has had 12,000 visits! Wow. Of course, I believe that is over the 3 years (as it really been that long???) that I have been doing this. So, I guess that isn't that great.

A STEAMY run this morning. 65 degrees and high, high humidity. I am wondering when reality is going to hit.

Great Weather, Can't See.

2009-09-21T05:09:00.004-06:00

It is that time of year when running is filled with mixed blessings....

1. It is perfect running weather, but so dark it is hard to see.
2. Marathon training is over, but the actual race is 2 weeks away.
3. We have great tans from a summer of running, but now we have to cover them up because it is getting cold.
4. Just as marathon training ends, the marathons of eating begin (football season, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Holiday parties etc, etc)

Speaking of eating, a few of us have been participating in a group weight loss effort. It is not a "challenge". It is just some sharing of personal info (Here is how much do I weigh today!) with the hope that all this sharing will provide extra motivation to eat right. So, that made me really relate to the following video:

See more funny videos and Funny Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Foot Jinx

2009-09-15T05:09:00.002-06:00

Well, after running 22 miles on Saturday with no problems with my foot, my 5.5 mile run yesterday did cause problems. I think it is Murphy's law kicking in.... The day you decide not to go to the doctor appointment, which took you 3 weeks to get, your foot decides to start hurting again.

I am not regretting not going to the Dr., since I doubt he would have done anything but look at me crazily after hearing I had run 22 miles without issues - physical that is - not mental. So, the debate will be..... do I skip my Thursday run and see how my 16 mile run goes on Saturday OR do my Thursday run to see how the foot does and run my 16 miler if it feels good? Ah... the stress of being a runner... quandaries all over the place. The one quandary I don't have is that I do plan on running the marathon. It won't be pleasant, but I will do it.

Oh - btw... I ran with Mike this morning..... ;-)

Hello Kitty?

2009-09-14T05:23:00.002-06:00

A nice run this morning with the group - when is it not? We got caught up on Elyse's half in Elroy - town of 15,000 according to a heat delirious Elyse. Apparently, Elroy made quite an impression on her. Enough so that she added an extra zero to the population sign she ran by.

Christy is buying a new couch - HUGE news!

I also found out that Jill won a diamond Hello Kitty necklace. Funny how the "steak as big her head" was bigger news that winning a necklace (ok, it is a Hello Kitty one - so I can give her a big of understanding) and a gift certificate to Freight House. She must have been afraid that we would invite ourselves along!

Marathon is on!

2009-09-11T07:52:00.003-06:00

My foot has been feeling pretty good lately, so I decided to see how much of the long run I would be able to do today. I am very happy to report that I did the whole 3:30 (well, actually 3:28) or 22 miles. Little pain and it didn't get worse. It is soaking in an ice bath right now just in case.

It was good run, although know I can't say anything disparaging about Christy or Bryan for the 6 months since they were kind enough to let me use their bathroom. Of course, they did send me to the one without the fan, I think just to see how red my face could get from embarrassment. That is why they only get a 6 month reprieve instead of a year.

So, that was our last long run for this marathon. I am a little nervous since I missed two pace runs and a long run. I know I can do it, but it may be painful. Of course, it does take the pressure off a little bit... I have a good excuse.

Glorious morning

2009-09-10T05:55:00.003-06:00

This morning was a glorious morning in many ways.

I am in Chanhassen, MN for a meeting. Two long days of sitting and listening. I have learned that a run in the morning significantly improves my ability to stay engaged during day two. So, I headed out this morning with a route in mind.

It is a beautiful morning, a little warm which was good since I only brought a singlet. The birds were chirping and it was a time where I couldn't help but enjoy the morning - despite the sun not being up yet.

As I headed toward the small lake I saw on Google, I saw two runners coming over to my side of the road. I thought they were two women, but as they emerged from the pedestrian tunnel that came under the road (Minneapolis area does a GREAT job of being pedestrian friendly!) I realized it was too men. But as one of them later said..... "I wear a headlamp, how dangerous can I be?"

I asked if I could follow them and instead they asked me to join them. Two very, very nice guys. It was one of those experiences that renews your faith in the kindness of humans (especially after watching the news about the heckling during the President's speech). Of course they had ties to the LAX area and I am sure if I had dug deeper there would be a connection we both knew.

It was a great short speed run with great company. It renewed my spirit in many ways. Thanks to Eric and Dan!!!!

Perfect Patient

2009-09-08T05:13:00.002-06:00

Over the weekend I did some more running. On Sunday I did a 4 mile walk with the last mile or so running.... in jean shorts no less. Obviously, I was not planning on running. On Monday I ran 6 with my sister in law. Today I ran just over 5 with the morning running group.

I am not sure this is wise, but it doesn't SEEM to be making my foot worse - or maybe I have unleashed the power of the brain and am just ignoring it better.

Or maybe I just prefer to really make it hurt so I can better tell the Dr. "where it hurts" when I go in next Monday. I always strive to be the perfect patient ;-)

So, in all seriousness - it doesn't seem to hurt as bad when I run, but throughout the rest of the day I am often limping. I seem to have two points of pain... one that does seem to be like Plantar Fasciitis since it is in that same spot and seems to dissipate one I have walked a little bit. But then I have a pain spot on the bottom side of my foot which is where it hurts when I run, and does not go away when walking. So hard to say what it is, but I am going to give our long run a try this Friday. I will try and go as long as I can.

Ran today

2009-09-05T06:38:00.002-06:00

I gave running a try today. I went 4.84 miles with Jill. My foot seemed to hold up okay, but I don't think 14 miles was possible. The real test will be how it feels the rest of the day. Fingers crossed.

Trial

2009-08-31T06:03:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I tested my foot with about a mile run and it seemed to do okay. It didn't seem to get worse anyway.

Today I decided to run in the morning, but shorten the route. So I ran 3.5 miles. I am not sure I should have since I was limping around the house before I left. The run was okay. My foot hurt, but it didn't seem to get worse and I didn't get any sharp pains, but I don't know if I could go the full 6 miles or not.

So now the foot is in an ice bath and I am waiting to see how the day goes. I probably will not run tomorrow though.

@#$$#%^&^%$%^

2009-08-28T06:04:00.002-06:00

$%$#@@#$!!##@$%#$%$%$#@@#$!!##@$%#$

Let me say that again....

$@$$%%$#@$%%$#$@$$%%$#@$%%$$@$$%%$

Dang it all any way! My 3:15 hour run got cutoff at 1:36. My left foot started to hurt little beyond half way and got progressively worse. At the end I would get occassional sharp stabbing pains. I was having a great run too! ($%%$#!$#@%">$%%$#!$#@%) I opted to cut the run short rather than risk causing more, long term injury. Plus the thought of running another 1:45 with this pain wasn't appealing either. I had already decided to take a phone with so I could call Jim to come and get me. Not a good sign.

Dang! Dang! Dang! It is the same foot that I had the plantar fasciitis issues, but this is different although I do think it the problem is with one of those tendons (or whatever they are called). I don't think this is one of those runner paranoia moments. You know - those ones where you knee twinges going up a stair - and you think "Oh No! Something is wrong with my knee! I might not be able to run anymore!" and two steps later the pain is gone and doesn't return. Nope, this is different. This is not good. My only hope is that with a little TLC it will be just a small pothole that I stumble over on the road to completing the Twin Cities Marathon and not one that I fall in, twist and break my ankle while at the same time giving my face a nice case of road rash.

So, I have the guilty party in an ice bath right now. Next, I will be on-line ordering new shoes. Keep your fingers crossed!

Obligations

2009-08-25T06:14:00.002-06:00

I sensed this morning that Bryan was a bit disappointed that I didn't blog yesterday being that he was the only one running with me. Apparently in his mind this was enough to warrant a blog entry. It appears he is being influenced by He Who Shall Not Be Named. Fortunately, despite it being 6:00 (I know I don't get any sympathy from the 5:00 group) I was able to think quickly on my feet (despite not actually being quick on my feet) and come up with a good and plausible reason why I did not blog.

I tried to find a funny video in order to demonstrate in some small way the amount of laughter Bryan has given me since joining me on runs at 6:00. Sadly, the website I usually find good videos on is slow today.... not sure what the significance/symbolism of that is.... I will let you decide.

Quite a change

2009-08-20T08:30:00.003-06:00

Quite a change today.. had to run on a treadmill. It was a good work out beyond the fact that they needed some fans and the women next to me had immovable boobs, snapped her gum and her workout was taking big strides at a steep incline going both forwards and then backwards. I guess in my mind she is summed up by her snapping gum. I will have to add that to my list of treadmill/gym pet peeves.

It is always interesting to be in a gym where there is not a regular clientele - such as a hotel fitness room. Beyond the snapping gum lady, there was also the guy who came in with his black "non running" tennis shoes, got on the treadmill and promptly put it up at full speed and then tried to push the button to slow down without falling off the back. I am always curious why these people chose this moment to try running. It is not something I would think about doing while on vacation. Hmmmm.... I think I will go down to the hotel fitness room and try running. NO, my thought process is.... I wonder how long the kids will sleep so I can sleep late.

Memories

2009-08-18T08:51:00.000-06:00

Today was I had another beautiful run in Devil’s Lake. I ran along north shore, down Tumbled Rocks Trail and along south shore to the picnic area. It was a less strenuous run both physically and mentally and I found myself reminiscing quite a bit. I was amazed at how many memories I have of this beautiful and sacred place.

Starting (I think) with camping at the South Shore in a shared air stream camper – quite a step up from our canvas army tent! My strongest memory of that trip was driving up ‘Snake Hill” while pulling the air stream. To my little wide eyed self it was the same as driving up some mountain pass. I still think of it every time I drive that twisty turny road.

I remember hiking up the East Bluff with my Mom, Kris K and Julie L (or was it Kris H?) One of my many, many climbs up that bluff including a time much later on in life when I and a new boyfriend were hiking along that trail and ran into my mom. No neither of us knew the other was there. It was a surprise introduction for both of them.

There was the time that Dad has his sailboat out and the Ranger came and checked to make sure there wasn’t a gas motor (not allowed) underneath. This was the same time that Dad took an interested female bystander on a ride with assurances that he wouldn’t let it tip….. of course they did.

As I ran along Tumbled Rocks I remembered Ranger Bill Otto – probably one of the best and definitely the longest summer Rangers. He helped me fish my work keys out of the boulders after they had come off and fell in between two boulders. We were both amazed we got them out. I ran by Rock 8 and remember skinny dipping of it with Sue R. (The statute of limitations is up – right?) I have no idea why someone spray painted an 8 on it.

Running along the north shore there were memories of “sun bathing” with Kris K and Julie L. I put “sun bathing” in quotes because I was always the whitest and the only one putting sun SCREEN and not sun OIL on. I remember the awe I felt when we ran into Bradley T, Rich S and Kim S after they had BIKED from Sauk to the North Shore which means UP the Baraboo Bluffs.

And of course there were loads of memories of the people I worked with during my 4 summers there and the many campers (good and bad) that I encountered. Many, many funny stories all of which I can’t remember anymore, but which all of which will always make Devil’s Lake a very special place for me.

Favorite Places

2009-08-17T07:29:00.002-06:00

Today I got to run in one of my favorite places.... Devil's Lake State Park (WI). I didn't even mind all the hills. Just a glorious way to start the morning... by running through one of the most beautiful places that Wisconsin has to offer and at a time where it is quiet and peaceful. It makes you appreciate life in so many different ways!

Brutal

2009-08-14T08:12:00.002-06:00

A brutal long run this morning. Hot (for 5 am) and humid. Dripping with sweat was an understatement. If you had asked me during the run, I would have said I was miserable. Although I became considerably happier when I convinced Jenny and Judy to stop at the depot and get a Diet Dew. We were only 25 minutes from ending but I NEEDED MY DIET DEW! The magic elixir worked and for the last 25 minutes I was in a much better mindset. I think we would make a good commercial for them, especially since a number of non Dew drinkers have said that it really hits the spot on a long run. Judy commented that she can't even chug her beer as fast as Jenny and I chugged that Dew!

So, we were 5 minutes short, but I don't keep track of stopped time, so we are sure we had more than 3 hours "on our feet" even if it was not all running. Given how hot it was, 2:55 was damn good. Plus we had a good pace considering... 9:16 for 18.88 miles. Now it is time to enjoy the weekend!