Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Nightime Running


After I had competed my race, I hung around a bit, talked a bunch, had the most amazing shower, and made sure Ron was still running,

See he told me to focus on my race, but I was minory distracted by the fact that Ron was going to make an attempt at 100miles. Shhhhh don't tell him this but I was concerned, like REALLY concerned he would not make it. As I read like 1001 blogs I know the training that is required for a 100miler, and thanks to his blog I didn't know if he was there.
So my job was to run with him through the night and help him however I could. Problem is Ron is a giver- he has a really hard time taking. At times he was more concerned about me then his own incredible misery. He actually felt bad about his complaining!!! Good for him I don't empathise so I just reassured but really I found his moaning funny.  I think the man needs selfish training. I mean in the morning another pacer told me how her pacer duties went. She had to be at least 10 feet back so she wasn't breathing down her runners neck,  and was not allowed to say a word. If she was to talk about the the importance of staying on pace she got a hand in the face. Odd from a runner who asked for pacers.
Anyways I intended to run/walk stumble 60k with Ron but I didn't quite make it. I was just too done. I got the sudden irrational urge to JUST LEAVE so I did. Kinda like a paranoid convolution. I made it so far as the 401 and highway 6 and I had to sleep.

I woke up four hours later with the lights on and the ignition turned halfway on. Dead car. Got a boust from some big black dudes hanging out in the parking lot. Good times.

For me the pacing duties taught me a few lessons in preparation for my summer night ultra at dirty girls. Some are my own thoughts and some are taken from observation.
- Need a better head lamp. Thank goodness I was caring a cheapo hand held- I would have been totally stumbling around in the dark
- Prepare EVERYTHING well in advance at home. If there is a thought I might need it, bring it. Once I get to the race site I alwasys want to talk so that does not leave time to prepare there. BE ORGANIZED.
- New shoes, new shoes, new shoes.
-Bring many multiples of everything
- Do not pee in the woods in a hurry. Why?? Dribbles make shorts wet which in turn make skin wet which in turn cause some serious uncomfortableness.
- Several types of lube for different areas of the body
- Calories are everything
- Garbage bags have a million different uses. Bring many.
-Many food options are needed for fickle tummies.
- Take the pain medication

I am sure more will come to me and I will record them here.

As for trainning  my 12hour nighter, I am going to do some 6 hours runs... do I have any takers to join?? Even for an hour or four??
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Shoes Post Sulpher


I should note that by the point I took this photo I had picked off haf of the mud from my legs.
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Sulphur Mud Fest 2011

In my continued effort to suffer I completed Sulphur springs Trail Race- Version 25k .Walked away with a time of 2:16:20- 9th female overall, which seems consistent with the times of previous years.
I am moderately pleased with my result but of course I want to play the negatively blame game.So why didn't I do slightly better??

- Biggest reason- My ipod died about 8km into the race. RIP. I am a spoiled rotten little ADDer who NEEDS distraction. Screw that one with myself. I want my Lady Gaga!
- Felt heavy- like five pounds off my race weight, which I am.
- I need new trail shoes. I was wearing my asics so I could save my other trail shoes for night running as they are slightly more comfortable. Bottom line- nothing I have works right now.
- I had to pee, and try as I might to pee on myself it just was not happening.
- I didn't feel pretty. I was wearing my fluorescent orange shirt which I like but I need to redo the shoulders. Ones outfit is everything.

I should have done better- the conditions were overcast and MUDDY. I do better the worst it is. Just for the record. I didn't lose a shoe but I think I was the muddiest at the finish line. I have special skill in getting muddy. As I said previous I am rarely happy with myself post race- perhaps twice a year. I have already had a great time at ATB so the next ones coming sometime.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Umm nope

Got a flashy invite for a facebook for a group inviting me to pray for my husband for 31 days.

Really?? How many sarcastic comments can I come with?? Well lets start with:

Ok well I can't do that with out sounding completely x-rated, totally man hating, and mocking Christianity..... and Luke gets mad if I am too mean.

So lets just say I am not attending.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Last to know

Surfing the net and discovered Jennifer Knapp is gay. She came out last year. Ummm somebody could have told me.
Sorry Jennifer, just beacuse you are gay does not mean I will not steal your music. I kinda like you more now though.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Small Town

Felt slightly embarrassed today while garage saleing. Feels odd going through friends/ acquaintances cast offs,  looking for pants for the boy. Strangers good. People you know bad. Cause then they don't want you to pay anything and you kinda feel like you are accepting charity.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Insanity

We all have ideas of what qualifies as athletic craziness. I for one think walking 20k home after a night shift is nuts- running not crazy but walking is crazy.

This race is the bizarre-o I have heard of in awhile. Small loop, and 72 hours to do it over and over. Slightly hamster wheel.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

iwin!!!

As mentioned previous I use social media as a method to enter contests. I enter a few here and there and basically win nothing. Well a couple of weeks ago I received a hand addressed note from Mizuno informing me that I had won a weekly draw for 'running accessorys' from irun magazine and Mizuno Canada running club..... and something actually came!!!

Not a big prise but a price none the less. I got:
-Arm warmers
-Gloves
-Hair bands
-Hat
- One of the necklace thing for keys or ID badges
-Towel
-Drawstring bag

There was the hope that a running accessory would be shoes- specifically Mizuno riders size seven...... but I am thank- full none the less.
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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Friends First MIssy HALF 2011

Pain first to get it over with.
Ran the Half- GUN- 1:42:52,  CHIP- 1:38:58.
What this means is the difference between a 7th place AG vs a podium 3rd place AG........and  follows is how could I allow this to happen.....

Today was the running of two of my good friends first marathon, as well three of my run clinic participants from the past were also attempting their first marathon thus,  I really wanted to be there to see it happen, so instead of following my 'do what I love plan' for the year I signed up for the half so I could be there for the excitement.

I thought I could do the half, take a kick at the can of my PB half time and take a stroll through the marathon course after and run in with them. In particular I was really eager to help run Dave finish. I was with  Dave for his first 5k, first half, first 30k, and it was only fitting I was with him for his marathon.

With all of the excitement of the marathon I wasn't really focusing on my race. I had thoughts of sub 1:35. ........but I really didn't think about how I would do that. Things like getting into a corral earlier than 2min before the gun, or maybe not be in the process of taking off my pants when the gun goes would have helped. Endless passing and severing in and out of people most likely added to my time. Slowing down to talk to people added some time. I could have peed myself instead of going to a port a Pottie, or tied my shoelaces better. ( Slightly shame faced)
BUT I wanted to be with my friends until we got to the start line and that's how it played out. I  am really happy with my time, and feel I worked for it as well.... and that's just how the dice rolled.

The highlights of my day included caring for a hypothermia woman in the massage tent, seeing familiar faces and not having to shower after due to the wonderful rain.

After a new friend lent me her warmest jacket I headed out backtracking the marathon course. Wonderful time cheering the half marathoners coming in, and the top marathoners. LOVED yelling to the woman they were in the top 10, and told them to catch number nine. Took my time snacking on a apple and a banana, chatting with the other spectators. Saw Ron of the Westgrey runner fame bringing in some tri club members and marveled at the extent of his smile. New depth today for sure. Caught up the my friends around the 35km mark and brought them in strong- ahead of their goal time.

All in all, would have not missed it, but really why do we run roads when we can run trails???

Thursday, May 12, 2011

New Smile


Note the blood smeared around from the stuggle to wrestle tooth from its socket.
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Thanks for the mail Meghan



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A souvenir from PYP. Need narrow trail shoes. Note- I have not grown man hands- Luke is helping with the photo.
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Friday, May 06, 2011

Funny, with alot of truths

http://charliebroadway.blogspot.com/2011/01/triathlon-is-stupid-sport.html


And for the record, I do know some (insert bad word here) triathletes. Slime balls really.

Monday, May 02, 2011

Lent


Luke gave up chips for lent.

I guess it is over cause I found a half full bag in his car.

Crunch.
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Sunday, May 01, 2011


This is a picture from Easter. Maya was playing photographer, She would set everything up then race to be in the photo as somebody else took it.....but this post isn't about a career choice I don't support.

Luke has left me to go to Calgary for a church thing until Wednesday. I have never been alone that long with the children. I have already made them clean the house for an hour cheerfully so they could get desert, and put Ever to sleep in less than 5minites. I win!!!
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Arm Warmers


I bought some arm warmers at ATB race expo and Maya was insanely jealous sooo I went to the used clothing shore and bought a voloumpsious bathing suit and VOILA arm warmers for Maya.

Should have done that for myself and saved $25. Would have had to be a really voloumptious bathing suit though.
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