So confession: I write up blog posts while I’m at work & email them to myself so I can post from my phone. Problem: my phone has been on the fritz the past month so my email is full of posts, but my blog is not. So forgive the bombardment of blogs over your Christmas vacation. Consider it a Christmas present & happy holiday reading.
Like thousands of other people across the country, I decided to run a turkey trot before engorging myself on turkey and pie for the remainder of Thanksgiving.
This year, I ran the TXU Energy Turkey Trot in Houston. I think there were three races to choose from, but this was supposed to be THE turkey trot. I ran my first turkey trot in 2007 in Arizona while on vacation with my parents. I didn’t run another one until last year in Wisconsin.
I left the house about 15 minutes later than I wanted to. This proved somewhat disastrous because by the time I got to the Galleria, the streets were all closed. I had to drive miles (so far!) out of the way. Finally, I found a street I could cut across so I made my way back. When I got there, a patrolman (there’s still a debate about whether he was an actual police officer) told me I couldn’t go across the street, I had to turn right. I asked him how could I get to my destination and he told me to turn right and u-turn. Since the roads were all coned off, I asked him where I was supposed to u-turn. He told me, “right there after you turn.” So I turned right. I got to the break in the road – NOT THE CONES – and drove through/over cones, made my u-turn and was able to turn right on the street I needed. Is that what he meant? I’ll never know. But I was following his instructions.
Parking was fairly easy. I did not follow the line of traffic into the garage, but instead, veered the opposite direction and it was the right move because I got a first level spot right where I wanted with a bonus of easy access for exiting. I wish I had stayed in the garage longer, because once we got out, it was a bit chilly (for Texas). Somehow I miraculously ended up in the starting corral right next to my best friend. As I received a text message from her asking where I was, I snapped a photo basically saying, “Look up.” To kill the 30 minutes before the race started, we chatted and photobombed people’s pictures. One guy was not amused. Others found it funny. Oh well.
Finally the race started, or so I thought. The 5k timed run was combined with a 5k un-timed run in addition to a 5k walk. Unfortunately, they all started at the same time through the same starting corral. It was CHAOS. Not to sound like a running snob, but if you know you’re a walker, get in the back. I’m slow and I’ve never once toed the line of a race start because I know I’m not that fast.
After the first mile of dodging people running, I started having stabbing pains (also known as ligament pains – thank you growing baby) all over my stomach. I decided to walk and Erika and Adam were all too willing to slow down with me. After a few minutes, I tried running again, but the pain continued. Around the halfway mark, we decided we would just walk it out (Yes, I am now walking BUT we were still walking fast enough to pass people). As we rounded out the final turn to see the finish, Adam turned the opposite direction. One of my old running coaches who recently had some weird anomaly was policing the final turn/intersection. We backtracked and talked to him. Then we decided to run the final blocks to the finish.
Obviously it wasn’t my best race, but nothing is going to be at this time. I’m ok with that. I like that I am still out and moving.
Unlike many runners, I don’t usually have bathroom issues. Before you stop reading this post – yes, this is going to be mostly about bathroom issues. We all do it, some more than others, but it’s a part of life. Runners are exceptionally trained at hydrating so if going to the restroom is something that may be unfamiliar to you, wow is about all I have to say.
Anyways, now that I’m bouncing a fruit ranging anywhere from a cantaloupe one week to a gourd, to a watermelon eventually, against my bladder, my running has been somewhat punctuated as you may imagine. Just last week, I had to stop after a half mile of running. I have never been so excited to see the restroom so early in my run.
I can count exactly THREE times when I’ve had to stop during an actual race.
1. In 2010 I ran my second half marathon at Disneyworld. Disney races usually have people corralled fairly early. Admit it – if you’ve run Disney, you’ve arrived early to get a decent parking spot and avoid the traffic. That says a lot because most Disney races start at unusually early hours, 5:30 am start for the Disneyworld Marathon? Ouch. Don’t get me wrong, I understand why, it’s just a jolt to the system. Back to bodily functions, I sip on water while I’m waiting for the start. It helps me stay hydrated for the run and keeps me cool. My strategy for this race was to run 3 miles, walk 1 mile. Around the 4 mile mark, I found the transportation center. I hadn’t been feeling well that morning and did not think a port-a-let was the best option for me. You’re welcome. The Transportation Center was lit up like a safety beacon in the night and thank goodness for modern plumbing!
2. In September 2010 I ran the Disneyland Half Marathon. About 2 miles in to the run, I thought I could maybe go and lucky for me there were some port-a-lets at just the right spot. There were no lines and I thought I’d make the best of the situation. Now why do I remember this so vividly? A week earlier I had my wisdom teeth removed. I was still on pain pills so I had some in my pocket. One fell out on the floor of the port-a-let and for about .03 seconds, I thought I should pick it up. Then I realized, I’m in a port-a-let, I can see wet shoe imprints and it wasn’t raining.
3. In 2013, I ran CrazyLegs Classic in Madison. This is a fairly short race. But again, it has a long wait time. Adam ran with me so we took the bus since the start and finish are at different locations. Besides, the cost of the bus was the same price as parking, minus the chaos of being transported from the finish area to the start – and NO TRAFFIC! Because the city made changes to the routes to accommodate the race course, we were there early. To kill time, we walked the Dane County Farmer’s Market, ate breakfast, drank a Red Bull. Then we had to line up. To say the corral start was slow is an understatement. Basically, the guy that won the race finished before my corral even started, and there were about 15 corrals behind me. This race is fairly large – about 40,000 – and helps support University of Wisconsin athletic programs. It’s held in April when temps are finally thawing out and there’s unlimited free beer at the finish, aka Camp Randall Stadium.
Anyways, lesson learned – apparently if I have to wait too long for a race to start, I’m going to have to pee. Otherwise, I can usually make it to the end, and yes, this includes full marathons. Lately though, if I make it ½ a mile, I’m stoked. Unfortunately, on my running path, after the first stop at ½ mile, I’m SOL until about mile 4/5. Ahh pregnant running.
Oh, hi. I have a blog. A blog about running. This would be awesome… if I were running. I’ve been slacking on this blog as much as I’ve been slacking on running.
I recently announced to Facebook, family, and friends that I am currently expecting a baby which may have something to do with my lack of running. I know the phrase, “no excuses,” but I’m convinced this was made up by a man. He’s never dealt with constant nausea and throwing up where the only relief is just to sleep. So that’s where I’ve been. Sleeping on my couch, listening to my body.
But I have ventured out in to the world a few times the past month. In fact, I even volunteered at Ironman Wisconsin over the past weekend. I volunteered last year. I absolutely love Ironman. Even if I weren’t volunteering, I would still go downtown and watch different parts of the course. The determination of these athletes is so inspiring. Even when I’m not hormonally emotional, I can’t help but get all teary-eyed watching the finishers cross. It is something seriously amazing.
Last week I was playing a game with some friends on Instagram. It was to post 20 facts about yourself. One of my facts included how I played soccer up in to college. Since I had so many ankle injuries playing, the doctors said I needed to stop and avoid contact sports altogether. I stopped doing all sports for a few years. I regret that I lost a lot of fitness during that time. Then I started running. I hated running, even while I was playing soccer. To this day, I can honestly say I have yet to just want to go for a run. I still slightly despise running but it has turned in to a love/hate relationship so we’re getting better. Maybe a few more therapy sessions (aka races) and I may start to just like running. Anyways – so in addition to the facts, I also stated I would never attempt an Ironman. That’s just not my thing. I think of that 26.2 mile run at the end. I struggle running a marathon without any other endurance events before that.
So naturally, Monday morning after working Ironman Wisconsin for over 12 hours the day before, I did what any sane person would do. I started looking up the various destinations for Ironman. My due date is currently set for March 2014 so that rules out an Ironman in 2014. I still want to do the Ironman 70.3 held in Mexico (currently Cozumel) during September of 2015. So that rules out an Ironman in 2015. Assuming Ironman keeps the current destinations, I am starting to see Ironman Texas 2016 looming on my horizon. Of course, 2016 is still over two years away, but it’s something to look forward to. I’ve been looking forward to Mexico Ironman 70.3 for YEARS now and that’s still two years out.
Having this goal so far in advance will really help me stay focused during the next few years. Knowing there’s a higher goal will get me off the couch on days when I tell myself there’s no race in the upcoming months. It will help me try to learn more about the individual sports. I have time to master heart rates and heart zone training. I have time to clean up my diet and get in the best shape of my life. It may seem crazy to start thinking of a race so far ahead, but this works for me. Also, have you seen the costs to do an Ironman? Just the registration fees alone are over $700. That doesn’t include equipment (wetsuits, a bike, running shoes, oh my!), the hydration/fueling, and the training (so much training). By the end of the race, it will cost well over $1,000 once all factors are added together. So here’s to hoping 2016 will be my Ironman year. And hoping that I can get back in to running, even while pregnant.
I have a 10k this weekend so I may have more updates. And supposedly I’m going to magically feel better soon & will hopefully be able to pick up running again.
Your Pace or Mine? 