15 freaking days according to Josh's cursed blog that reminds me. So I started the hypochondriac symptoms today.
I warmed up on the treadmill, then moved over to the Stairmaster. Started experiencing a sharp pain across my kneecap---WTF? I hopped back off the Stairmaster, stretched a bit, hopped back on. Nope, still sharp pain across knee cap.Kept this up for some minutes, then finally bagged the workout. No pain while walking, or doing bends. Hmm. I have crossed the hypochondriac threshold of taper madness, I believe.
Friday and Saturday should be fun days. Regis and I are heading over to Mohican to volunteer at the Mohican 100 Mile Bike Race. We should have time to pre-run the new Mohican orange loop section, and take pics, and then night run on the orange loop! I haven't got much time in at all on single track, so if we can run the mountain bike trail at night, that would be so helpful for the race.
I think it would be cool just to meet some mountain bikers and get their whole perspective on the trail thing. I think I'm going to meet different viewpoints, I think it should be interesting!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Change!!
Oh my, this will probably cause a ruckus. They have made some changes to the Mohican Race Course. We will now run the Blue Loop after the Orange Loop, instead of before it. Or, as the website puts it “after the green loop, you run the orange loop”. This drives me crazy! The green loop is not a loop. If you put the red section and the green section together, it does make a loop, but when everyone talks about “loops” it really confuses new runners to Mo. It’s just semantics, but it’s confusing. That’s why I have always posted that I am running the green section and the red section.
Hmmff. What was I talking about? Oh yeah, the changes. I think it’s a good idea. The Covered Bridge does get crowded with everyone barreling in from the green section, the faster folks are done with the blue loop and runners are going every which way. This way, the runners are going to get strung out more with running the orange section (actually a LOOP). The only drawback is you won’t be meeting so many runners going the other way, it may be a little more lonely out there.
Also, it sounds like we might be up in the hills and not down on SR 3 as in past years. I would welcome more time on the trails than that ugly little section of highway (it’s only 0.8 miles). I don’t actually know where this trail is, so I am interested to figure this out. Hey, I will just follow the markers.. but there are many little OCD runners out there. The aid station cut off split chart is now inaccurate, but I would hope that most people wouldn’t need to be so concerned about cutoffs 26 miles into the race. You never know, though.
I read on another website that Jon Blais has passed away May 27, 2007. If you remember, “Blazeman” was the ALS Warriorpoet. He completed IronMan in Kona in 2005, logrolling himself across the finish line. That action has led to more atheletes paying tribute to his spirit by also logrolling across finish lines.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Vrjp2P0GlE
I listened to a great interview with Jon Blais on The Competitor’s Radio Show via podcast. Jon started the Blazeman Foundation and Team Blazeman, a Multi-Sport Movement to End Lou Gehrig's disease. Even thou we have lost an amazing triathlete, the War on ALS continues. If you are looking for a cause, a reason, or hope then you might want to check out Jon's foundation so others might have a chance some day. You can find out more information about his foundation and Team Blazeman here: www.waronals.com
Hmmff. What was I talking about? Oh yeah, the changes. I think it’s a good idea. The Covered Bridge does get crowded with everyone barreling in from the green section, the faster folks are done with the blue loop and runners are going every which way. This way, the runners are going to get strung out more with running the orange section (actually a LOOP). The only drawback is you won’t be meeting so many runners going the other way, it may be a little more lonely out there.
Also, it sounds like we might be up in the hills and not down on SR 3 as in past years. I would welcome more time on the trails than that ugly little section of highway (it’s only 0.8 miles). I don’t actually know where this trail is, so I am interested to figure this out. Hey, I will just follow the markers.. but there are many little OCD runners out there. The aid station cut off split chart is now inaccurate, but I would hope that most people wouldn’t need to be so concerned about cutoffs 26 miles into the race. You never know, though.
I read on another website that Jon Blais has passed away May 27, 2007. If you remember, “Blazeman” was the ALS Warriorpoet. He completed IronMan in Kona in 2005, logrolling himself across the finish line. That action has led to more atheletes paying tribute to his spirit by also logrolling across finish lines.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Vrjp2P0GlE
I listened to a great interview with Jon Blais on The Competitor’s Radio Show via podcast. Jon started the Blazeman Foundation and Team Blazeman, a Multi-Sport Movement to End Lou Gehrig's disease. Even thou we have lost an amazing triathlete, the War on ALS continues. If you are looking for a cause, a reason, or hope then you might want to check out Jon's foundation so others might have a chance some day. You can find out more information about his foundation and Team Blazeman here: www.waronals.com
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
4 Mile Run today
Yes, it should have been the eleven miler around the block, but my shins hurt and I didn't have it in me. No excuses, I won't do that, but more important right now was the long stretching session I did at the gym after the run. I'm having a real block with this 11 miler around the gym. It's now rescheduled for Wednesday, try try again. I will attack it from a different direction, meaning I won't be on Township Road 104 where the drivers could give me more than one freaking foot foot of space between them and me!!!!! I think this is part of what is freaking my karma. Although there was a very nice 18 wheeler truck driver who got completely over and gave me the whole lane-I waved and said thank you! (as I say to any driver who gives me more than two feet of road). I mean, do they not realize how quickly I could trip and fall right into their path? Well, duh, yeah, apparently not.
A nice hot run today, I carried my handheld and wore my waist pack, since I was trying for the longer run. No worries, I will run the 11 miler tomorrow.
I am looking forward to the end of the week: The Mohican 100 Mountain Bike Race will be happening. I have volunteered myself to mark trail and proof trail Friday and Saturday before the race. It kind of sounds like most work will be done before Friday, so I am hoping to get a night run on the Orange Loop Friday night. Regis Jr. may be joining me, so that would make it a safe adventure. I am waiting to hear back from both Reg and the race director, Ryan O'Dell (who is the RD for the Mohican Trail 100 also) to finalize plans.
A nice hot run today, I carried my handheld and wore my waist pack, since I was trying for the longer run. No worries, I will run the 11 miler tomorrow.
I am looking forward to the end of the week: The Mohican 100 Mountain Bike Race will be happening. I have volunteered myself to mark trail and proof trail Friday and Saturday before the race. It kind of sounds like most work will be done before Friday, so I am hoping to get a night run on the Orange Loop Friday night. Regis Jr. may be joining me, so that would make it a safe adventure. I am waiting to hear back from both Reg and the race director, Ryan O'Dell (who is the RD for the Mohican Trail 100 also) to finalize plans.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Mohican Run
What a great day for running. I am so glad Tom wanted to run Mo this weekend, and coincidentally, Josh and Brian were driving up from Cinti to get acclimated on part of the trails before the race. So I hastily bagged my Ogden 20K race and Regis and I went over to Mohican to run again.
There were six of us for the Saturday, 25 mile run: myself, Regis, Tom, Josh, Brian, and Ted, a Mohican veteran that I had not run with before.
We started with the picturesque warmup loop, the awesome Blue Loop. This starts with a nice sedate, yet rocky trail down to the Falls. But us ultra runners run past the normal turnoff, and run to "Little Lyons Falls". This section is actually in the creek bed of the stream, very low right now, but lots and lots of bounding over rocks, climbing over logs. You arrive at Little Lyons Falls with the hand over hand climb to the top of the waterfall, on roots of an old tree. This kind of kills any sort of 10 minute mile pace, the vertical climb. Once to the top, it's an easy run (although I tripped and fell on a root) to the dam. At the dam, it's a short downhill, then about a mile climb on the road, then you turn onto a jeep trail, run it downhill back to the trail, to Big Lyons Fall, and then climb down to the bottom of the waterfall.
A man was panning for gold here. Regis, who took off from the rest of us, was of course chatting the man up and getting all his gold pointers. Who knew there was gold to discover out here in Ohio? (I have already discovered the gold, it's the friendship and camaraderie on the trail runs and the beauty of nature. I guess I am a millionaire then...)
Ok, off the hippiness, back to the race report...we finished the blue in about 57 minutes, very good; I ran this during the race in 45 minutes,so you know we were playing tourist taking pics out there. If I can run the blue in 45, most other runners can run this faster. I'm just saying.
After a short stop at the aid station (our vehicles) we girdled and garbed up for the 21 miler. Both Ted and I had put water out at various stops, and that was excellent. It was a hot day and having the additional water was real beneficial to the run: Thanks Ted!!!
The trails are in very good shape. There has not been much rain in the area in ten days. Most of the bad horse mucky areas are solidified mud. There is still about two bad spots before Rock Point, but that is all. It is very dry out there. Unless we get alot of rain, and alot of horse traffic, I would vention a guess that the red-green section could be in very nice shape for the race.
The three water crossings on the red, and the one water crossing on the green, the water is down. However, with the deeper channels cut after last years storm, there is not an easy (read stones above water) way to cross this and keep your feet dry. The rocks are simply not there.
Back to my monologue: This was a very nice run for me. Tom was running to keep his HR at a certain number, I was doing my usual nature-girl running and admiring nature, and I think Josh was running with me to see how the slow folks ran. I did lose a little steam around Rockpoint; I realized I was carrying two water bottles and only drinking one of them. I began drinking more, and remembering to take my Succeed Capsules,and then felt alot better.
Josh, Tom, and I arrive at the Fire Tower. Although the sky was darkening, and thunder rumbling, Josh had to ascend to the top of the Fire Tower; after all, Mike had done that, so he couldn't be left behind...lol. Tom and I took this opportunity to rest and drink and wait for Josh to be struck by lightning. When the lightning didn't occur, Josh bounded back down and we started the final 2.5 miles from the Fire Tower to the Covered Bridge. I gave Josh the secret information that although it was a net downhill to the Covered Bridge, there was still two little hills between the FT and the CB.
The storm never materializes, although the temperature does drop down. We finish up with Reg, Ted, and Brian meeting us right before the end. Regis has a fun story to tell.
Regis about got ticketed with a UIP. For those of you not from Ohio (my husband knew exactly what I was talking about when I said UIP) that is Urinating in Public.
Reg, Ted and Brian reached the Bridle Staging Area. While the other two guys hydrated, Regis decided to get rid of his excess water. And, while he was doing so, the park ranger pulled into the drive, in front of him. Regis knew he was going to get a talking to when he saw the ranger reach for his radio.
Well, it's lucky Regis is both charming and a talker. I believe he made have won his ticket with attrituion-after all, the ranger had five counties to cover. And if the worse problem he encountered that day was an ultraunner peeing on the trail, well, good for him.
The best part of this story is, there was a bathroom about 15 feet away from Regis. That the ranger pointed out to him. I'm still laughing about this one. I made sure Di knew this as soon as we returned home too.
20 days left. Will the trails stay dry. Will the creeks stay low. Will the deer flies go elsewhere. Will the lightning bugs (fireflies) be out at night? Who knows!!20 days is still a long time to do. Good luck with the start of a taper everyone, and see you at Friday dinner!
Kimba
There were six of us for the Saturday, 25 mile run: myself, Regis, Tom, Josh, Brian, and Ted, a Mohican veteran that I had not run with before.
We started with the picturesque warmup loop, the awesome Blue Loop. This starts with a nice sedate, yet rocky trail down to the Falls. But us ultra runners run past the normal turnoff, and run to "Little Lyons Falls". This section is actually in the creek bed of the stream, very low right now, but lots and lots of bounding over rocks, climbing over logs. You arrive at Little Lyons Falls with the hand over hand climb to the top of the waterfall, on roots of an old tree. This kind of kills any sort of 10 minute mile pace, the vertical climb. Once to the top, it's an easy run (although I tripped and fell on a root) to the dam. At the dam, it's a short downhill, then about a mile climb on the road, then you turn onto a jeep trail, run it downhill back to the trail, to Big Lyons Fall, and then climb down to the bottom of the waterfall.
A man was panning for gold here. Regis, who took off from the rest of us, was of course chatting the man up and getting all his gold pointers. Who knew there was gold to discover out here in Ohio? (I have already discovered the gold, it's the friendship and camaraderie on the trail runs and the beauty of nature. I guess I am a millionaire then...)
Ok, off the hippiness, back to the race report...we finished the blue in about 57 minutes, very good; I ran this during the race in 45 minutes,so you know we were playing tourist taking pics out there. If I can run the blue in 45, most other runners can run this faster. I'm just saying.
After a short stop at the aid station (our vehicles) we girdled and garbed up for the 21 miler. Both Ted and I had put water out at various stops, and that was excellent. It was a hot day and having the additional water was real beneficial to the run: Thanks Ted!!!
The trails are in very good shape. There has not been much rain in the area in ten days. Most of the bad horse mucky areas are solidified mud. There is still about two bad spots before Rock Point, but that is all. It is very dry out there. Unless we get alot of rain, and alot of horse traffic, I would vention a guess that the red-green section could be in very nice shape for the race.
The three water crossings on the red, and the one water crossing on the green, the water is down. However, with the deeper channels cut after last years storm, there is not an easy (read stones above water) way to cross this and keep your feet dry. The rocks are simply not there.
Back to my monologue: This was a very nice run for me. Tom was running to keep his HR at a certain number, I was doing my usual nature-girl running and admiring nature, and I think Josh was running with me to see how the slow folks ran. I did lose a little steam around Rockpoint; I realized I was carrying two water bottles and only drinking one of them. I began drinking more, and remembering to take my Succeed Capsules,and then felt alot better.
Josh, Tom, and I arrive at the Fire Tower. Although the sky was darkening, and thunder rumbling, Josh had to ascend to the top of the Fire Tower; after all, Mike had done that, so he couldn't be left behind...lol. Tom and I took this opportunity to rest and drink and wait for Josh to be struck by lightning. When the lightning didn't occur, Josh bounded back down and we started the final 2.5 miles from the Fire Tower to the Covered Bridge. I gave Josh the secret information that although it was a net downhill to the Covered Bridge, there was still two little hills between the FT and the CB.
The storm never materializes, although the temperature does drop down. We finish up with Reg, Ted, and Brian meeting us right before the end. Regis has a fun story to tell.
Regis about got ticketed with a UIP. For those of you not from Ohio (my husband knew exactly what I was talking about when I said UIP) that is Urinating in Public.
Reg, Ted and Brian reached the Bridle Staging Area. While the other two guys hydrated, Regis decided to get rid of his excess water. And, while he was doing so, the park ranger pulled into the drive, in front of him. Regis knew he was going to get a talking to when he saw the ranger reach for his radio.
Well, it's lucky Regis is both charming and a talker. I believe he made have won his ticket with attrituion-after all, the ranger had five counties to cover. And if the worse problem he encountered that day was an ultraunner peeing on the trail, well, good for him.
The best part of this story is, there was a bathroom about 15 feet away from Regis. That the ranger pointed out to him. I'm still laughing about this one. I made sure Di knew this as soon as we returned home too.
20 days left. Will the trails stay dry. Will the creeks stay low. Will the deer flies go elsewhere. Will the lightning bugs (fireflies) be out at night? Who knows!!20 days is still a long time to do. Good luck with the start of a taper everyone, and see you at Friday dinner!
Kimba
Friday, May 25, 2007
Short Run today
I meant to run the longer 'around the block' but just wasn't into it. So I did my 4 miles, also figuring in I had the 25 miles tomorrow at Mohican.
So I came home, ate dinner, spread 8 feet of mulch, planted some cilantro seed, repotted a rosemary plant, got the husband to plant a grapevine and raspberry bush, came inside, got all my race gear together AND put it in the vehicle. So tomorrow morning all I need to do is eat breakfast, dress and leave! Amazing when you are organized!
Bloglines doesn't seem to worry all that efficiently. I will go to a person's blog and see there is a new post, yet bloglines never updated my feeds. That is annoying.
So I came home, ate dinner, spread 8 feet of mulch, planted some cilantro seed, repotted a rosemary plant, got the husband to plant a grapevine and raspberry bush, came inside, got all my race gear together AND put it in the vehicle. So tomorrow morning all I need to do is eat breakfast, dress and leave! Amazing when you are organized!
Bloglines doesn't seem to worry all that efficiently. I will go to a person's blog and see there is a new post, yet bloglines never updated my feeds. That is annoying.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Guilt Free Running
Aah, a nice 4 miles around the block. Very hot outside, but it still felt good. My back is fine. I think I needed the time off. It was nice to have an injury that exempted me from totally working out--so I think my body and mind appreciated it.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
A view of one of my raised beds that caused my back strain early in the week. That is my elephant garlic growing. And BTW, all that land you see? All mine! (Well,ours.) It's nice living in the country.
I took another day off from working out, although we did get out to the garden and got everything planted. Except for the zucchini which I guess I will start from seed. My back only has a small twinge going on. I will take the running clothes with me tomorrow and see how a short 4 miler around the block goes.
Almost a really good picture of the dogs, too bad my plant posts are in the way.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Runner Down
I hope to feel better by the end of the work day, the forecast is 75 degrees and sunny!! I want to do my long country mile loop.
I have strained my lower back. Before I ran yesterday, I tilled up three garden beds. I have raised garden beds, about one feet tall. So I had to haul my front end roto tiller into the bed, till, then haul it back out again. I am very strong, but did have to strain to do this. I didn't really feel it until the evening.
Postscript: Well it was a beautiful day for running. Too bad I ran about twenty stops. Ow ow ow ow ow ow. Each step was a jarring pain.
I didn't even work out at the gym, because most of my workout involves my core and that's what is hurting!
I am not too bummed about this. It should heal up in a day or two, I will lay off all activity. This was actually the same way I ended up with my chronic hamstring injury from years ago, hauling that damn rototiller up a step.
It looks this will be a Saturday run at Mohican! Woohoo!!! I was all set to go run a quickie at Wheeling, a 20K road race, but Tom wants to come over and run the blue-red-green sections, and I think Josh may be coming north, so it looks like a Mo Run!
I have strained my lower back. Before I ran yesterday, I tilled up three garden beds. I have raised garden beds, about one feet tall. So I had to haul my front end roto tiller into the bed, till, then haul it back out again. I am very strong, but did have to strain to do this. I didn't really feel it until the evening.
Postscript: Well it was a beautiful day for running. Too bad I ran about twenty stops. Ow ow ow ow ow ow. Each step was a jarring pain.
I didn't even work out at the gym, because most of my workout involves my core and that's what is hurting!
I am not too bummed about this. It should heal up in a day or two, I will lay off all activity. This was actually the same way I ended up with my chronic hamstring injury from years ago, hauling that damn rototiller up a step.
It looks this will be a Saturday run at Mohican! Woohoo!!! I was all set to go run a quickie at Wheeling, a 20K road race, but Tom wants to come over and run the blue-red-green sections, and I think Josh may be coming north, so it looks like a Mo Run!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Running With Mike
While Mike was out running the Cleveland Marathon, he was also running with me, although he doesn't know it yet.
Let me explain..
I had downloaded Jetpack's Podcast for something new to listen to. I knew Tyler was a pilot too, used to work with Mike. So I load an episode on the iPod.
I finally set out on my run about 11am. I really don't feel like going, it's kind of cool and dreary. I tell my husband I am going to go run some distance, maybe run to town (about 10 miles) but who knows.
So I turn on the JetPack Podcast. It is Tyler, interviewing Mike, about his first 50 mile he did at the FatAss back in January!! Too cool. Listening to Tyler and Mike made the miles go by. In fact, I barely noticed my 'point of no return' where I am halfway to town. So thanks Mike, for running with me today!!! I guess you actually got 36.2 miles in today, with my ten miles added in!
Let me explain..
I had downloaded Jetpack's Podcast for something new to listen to. I knew Tyler was a pilot too, used to work with Mike. So I load an episode on the iPod.
I finally set out on my run about 11am. I really don't feel like going, it's kind of cool and dreary. I tell my husband I am going to go run some distance, maybe run to town (about 10 miles) but who knows.
So I turn on the JetPack Podcast. It is Tyler, interviewing Mike, about his first 50 mile he did at the FatAss back in January!! Too cool. Listening to Tyler and Mike made the miles go by. In fact, I barely noticed my 'point of no return' where I am halfway to town. So thanks Mike, for running with me today!!! I guess you actually got 36.2 miles in today, with my ten miles added in!
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Best of Luck Runners!!!
It's a big race weekend. Mike is running the Cleveland Marathon, along with Brian and Tony. Sensationally Red is running the 1/2 marathon. Outside of blogland, I have two other friends, Rob and Susan who are running the full and 1/2 respectively. Good luck and I hope for nice weather! It seems like it will a bit cool out there, especially if the winds kick up on the lake.
AND I almost forgot...this is also Massanutten Weekend!! This is commonly thought of as the hardest 100 in the East. Good luck and shout outs to Gombu, Slim, Faceplant, Roy and Dan Fox. I know of a few more runners who are heading down to crew and pace-Linda and Lloyd.Can't wait to hear race reports. They having been running for twelve hours now, I raise a glass of wine to them and settle back in my comfortable chair. I will rest for them.
I hope to take on Massanutten in the next few years. No, not next year, Slim, but maybe I can come out and crew for people and see what this course is like.
AND I almost forgot...this is also Massanutten Weekend!! This is commonly thought of as the hardest 100 in the East. Good luck and shout outs to Gombu, Slim, Faceplant, Roy and Dan Fox. I know of a few more runners who are heading down to crew and pace-Linda and Lloyd.Can't wait to hear race reports. They having been running for twelve hours now, I raise a glass of wine to them and settle back in my comfortable chair. I will rest for them.
I hope to take on Massanutten in the next few years. No, not next year, Slim, but maybe I can come out and crew for people and see what this course is like.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Good quote
from the Coolrunning.com website:
"Originally posted by jholtthief:
All of the things you do, or don't do in the first 75 miles will make or break your race. It's all about patience and damage control."
Yes, patience and damage control.
"Originally posted by jholtthief:
All of the things you do, or don't do in the first 75 miles will make or break your race. It's all about patience and damage control."
Yes, patience and damage control.
28 Days Prior
According to Josh we are now 28 days out from the Mohican 100 Trail Race.
I ran 4 miles around the block from the gym. I bailed on my run yesterday, and really wasn't in the mood for it today, but I made myself go. I had a nice little run, until I was done, and walking back to the gym, in my cooldown, when some piece of shit redneck hicks had to make some comments about me. Bastards. So my nice zen happiness was shattered. I'm normally much more resilient, but having my own body self image problems and having a crappy week at work, just deflated me.
I'm not running the 5 mile race tomorrow. My husband and I have a wine order in at a wine shop 1 hour north, so I will go with him. That way I can stop at a nursery and find the rest of the plants I need for my porch and my veggie garden. I will do my long run on Sunday. I am thinking of running to town and back, that would be about 20 miles.
I ran 4 miles around the block from the gym. I bailed on my run yesterday, and really wasn't in the mood for it today, but I made myself go. I had a nice little run, until I was done, and walking back to the gym, in my cooldown, when some piece of shit redneck hicks had to make some comments about me. Bastards. So my nice zen happiness was shattered. I'm normally much more resilient, but having my own body self image problems and having a crappy week at work, just deflated me.
I'm not running the 5 mile race tomorrow. My husband and I have a wine order in at a wine shop 1 hour north, so I will go with him. That way I can stop at a nursery and find the rest of the plants I need for my porch and my veggie garden. I will do my long run on Sunday. I am thinking of running to town and back, that would be about 20 miles.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Running Schedule
I don' seem to have one. Today I am going to run 9 miles 'around the block', Friday do my core workout and maybe some elliptical time.
I do have a 5 mile race that I entered on Saturday, but I think I am going to bail on it, and just consider my entry fee as a contribution to the YMCA. It is an hour drive to Marietta, so two hours of driving, 1 hour for the race, 1 hour for the awards ceremony..yeah I wouldn't be home until mid afternoon. I have been feeling guilty for being away so much, and there is so much to do around here, especially get my gardens in order.
So if I bail on the 5 mile race, I may go over to Salt Fork State Park and get a run in on the bridle trails there. I haven't been over there, although in my backyard practically (15 minutes away) for a year.
I do have a 5 mile race that I entered on Saturday, but I think I am going to bail on it, and just consider my entry fee as a contribution to the YMCA. It is an hour drive to Marietta, so two hours of driving, 1 hour for the race, 1 hour for the awards ceremony..yeah I wouldn't be home until mid afternoon. I have been feeling guilty for being away so much, and there is so much to do around here, especially get my gardens in order.
So if I bail on the 5 mile race, I may go over to Salt Fork State Park and get a run in on the bridle trails there. I haven't been over there, although in my backyard practically (15 minutes away) for a year.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Gym Workout
Yesterday no workout, my husband and I went on a date...dinner out and then a romantic movie: "28 Weeks Later". Yeah!! Zombie movies rule.
Today I got to the gym. I walked a 1/2 mile on the treadmill, to try and dissolve the rocks still in my quads. I did a decent core workout. I'm going to try and get my core workout in twice a week until race week. I know having a strong core helps so much with your posture. I saw people so slumped over at the Pig and at Umstead. I know I was still maintaining decent posture when I finished at Umstead.
30 Days out people!!!!!! Gotta go check out the counter at Josh's blog and watch it turn over to 30.
I know I will have a taper before Mohican. I will be away at a convention, in Nashville June 9 through the 13th. I think this will be a good distraction, as this is a pretty low key convention for me. I wanted to help mark trail at Mohican, but I think I will just spend Thursday with last minute details before driving to Mo. It looks like I will have company race weekend!! My husband is thinking of going with me, with the two nephews. He and the nephews can go canoe, or race go-karts in town, while I am out running all night.
Today I got to the gym. I walked a 1/2 mile on the treadmill, to try and dissolve the rocks still in my quads. I did a decent core workout. I'm going to try and get my core workout in twice a week until race week. I know having a strong core helps so much with your posture. I saw people so slumped over at the Pig and at Umstead. I know I was still maintaining decent posture when I finished at Umstead.
30 Days out people!!!!!! Gotta go check out the counter at Josh's blog and watch it turn over to 30.
I know I will have a taper before Mohican. I will be away at a convention, in Nashville June 9 through the 13th. I think this will be a good distraction, as this is a pretty low key convention for me. I wanted to help mark trail at Mohican, but I think I will just spend Thursday with last minute details before driving to Mo. It looks like I will have company race weekend!! My husband is thinking of going with me, with the two nephews. He and the nephews can go canoe, or race go-karts in town, while I am out running all night.
Orange Loop Sunday
On Sunday, all I could think of was the line from Monty Python: "bring out ye dead". Bleh. I was tired. It had been a cold night too, temperature had dipped into the 40's, but I was nice and warm in my zero sleeping bag.
The orange loop is 13 miles if you skip the Grist Mill section, 17 if you run that too. Since I did run it just in March, and had exorcised my demons of it (it really is not that big a deal, it just gives us runners something to whine about) I opted for the 13 mile.
The first three miles did not feel too good. In fact, I was adding walk breaks in, and I thought, this is going to be a long section if I feel this crappy this early.
Incidentally, being way tired and feeling like crap will probably be how I feel when I run the orange section for the second time, so it was actually good training.
BUT about mile 5, we pick up the mountain bike trail, and it starts weaving in and out of the pine trees, and I pick up the pace here. Now I am starting to feel good. We cross the road and continue on. This is one of my favorite sections, running the mountain bike trail on the ridge line. You start going downhill, so you are running fast, but it's a bit technical with roots and trees in your way, but so fun! to run and dart and gravity is helping you run fast down the hill. I barely had time to jump out of a biker's way as we met up unexpectedly around a tree.
This trail was in great shape also. I got back to the Covered Bridge and again amused the tourists by sitting in the river for awhile. I think I'm getting old. The water isn't that cold anymore.
The orange loop is 13 miles if you skip the Grist Mill section, 17 if you run that too. Since I did run it just in March, and had exorcised my demons of it (it really is not that big a deal, it just gives us runners something to whine about) I opted for the 13 mile.
The first three miles did not feel too good. In fact, I was adding walk breaks in, and I thought, this is going to be a long section if I feel this crappy this early.
Incidentally, being way tired and feeling like crap will probably be how I feel when I run the orange section for the second time, so it was actually good training.
BUT about mile 5, we pick up the mountain bike trail, and it starts weaving in and out of the pine trees, and I pick up the pace here. Now I am starting to feel good. We cross the road and continue on. This is one of my favorite sections, running the mountain bike trail on the ridge line. You start going downhill, so you are running fast, but it's a bit technical with roots and trees in your way, but so fun! to run and dart and gravity is helping you run fast down the hill. I barely had time to jump out of a biker's way as we met up unexpectedly around a tree.
This trail was in great shape also. I got back to the Covered Bridge and again amused the tourists by sitting in the river for awhile. I think I'm getting old. The water isn't that cold anymore.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Saturday Run
I wake up at six and don't feel too bad. My quads are stiff and my groin area hurts. I decide to skip the "blue loop" which we are to start with, and just run the red/green sections for a total of 21 miles.
We have 17 runners for today, not all the same ones as last night. I say bye to them, drive from the picnic shelter where we started, down to the Covered Bridge where the blue loop actually starts. The runners are pretty much there as I arrive. This little section is 4 miles, so I decided to start about one hour later, so they will catch me on the red section, which is the next part. Except I get cold waiting,so I just start out.
The Red Section starts with a very steep climb; it's kind of nice to take this leisurely. I get to the top and note my breathing is not the wheezing that happened last time on this section. I continue to walk, warming up my muscles. Eventually I break into a jog, and find all sorts of aches and pains going on. So I walk again. I keep this up for three miles, waiting for the others to catch me. I must have had a great jump on them, because I make it to the next aid station, Bridle Staging Area without them. Di and Cissy are here. Today we have Di working the rolling aid station. She meets us everywhere on the course with our food and water, what a nice change from having to stash caches out before hand. I think I must have been there for twenty minutes, eating and drinking, before the first runners showed up.
Eventually the last runners show up. I tell Roy I will run sweep, which is just my clever term for being the slowest runner. But I also know this section, so anyone with me or in front of me, I will not get them lost off the course.
It is a good run. There are three water crossings on the red section. The water is not as high as three weeks ago, but still high enough where you will get your feet wet. We get to Rockpoint, which starts us down the Green Section.
This is the only time when I encounter a less than friendly ( or maybe just obtuse)horse person. There were many horse people out this day. This is a bridle path also. Both runner and horse people are very courteous to each other.
Cheryl and I come across two horse people who have stopped, and are stuffing something into their saddlebags (still seated). I sing out a hello from a short distance away, never wanting to spook either rider or horse. They say hello,then abruptly start their horses down the trail, right in front of us.
WTF? I thought for sure they were going to let us go by. I stay right on the horse's ass...not close enough to get kicked of course. The horses are kind of ambling and I am ready to get rambling. The horse isn't happy with me on its ass, and finally they kick it into a canter or gallop and get ahead of us. Whatever.
The trail is in great shape right now. It has not rained in the area for at least one week, and even the mud churned up with the horses is a nice stiff mud, where you can run across it.
We have 17 runners for today, not all the same ones as last night. I say bye to them, drive from the picnic shelter where we started, down to the Covered Bridge where the blue loop actually starts. The runners are pretty much there as I arrive. This little section is 4 miles, so I decided to start about one hour later, so they will catch me on the red section, which is the next part. Except I get cold waiting,so I just start out.
The Red Section starts with a very steep climb; it's kind of nice to take this leisurely. I get to the top and note my breathing is not the wheezing that happened last time on this section. I continue to walk, warming up my muscles. Eventually I break into a jog, and find all sorts of aches and pains going on. So I walk again. I keep this up for three miles, waiting for the others to catch me. I must have had a great jump on them, because I make it to the next aid station, Bridle Staging Area without them. Di and Cissy are here. Today we have Di working the rolling aid station. She meets us everywhere on the course with our food and water, what a nice change from having to stash caches out before hand. I think I must have been there for twenty minutes, eating and drinking, before the first runners showed up.
Eventually the last runners show up. I tell Roy I will run sweep, which is just my clever term for being the slowest runner. But I also know this section, so anyone with me or in front of me, I will not get them lost off the course.
It is a good run. There are three water crossings on the red section. The water is not as high as three weeks ago, but still high enough where you will get your feet wet. We get to Rockpoint, which starts us down the Green Section.
This is the only time when I encounter a less than friendly ( or maybe just obtuse)horse person. There were many horse people out this day. This is a bridle path also. Both runner and horse people are very courteous to each other.
Cheryl and I come across two horse people who have stopped, and are stuffing something into their saddlebags (still seated). I sing out a hello from a short distance away, never wanting to spook either rider or horse. They say hello,then abruptly start their horses down the trail, right in front of us.
WTF? I thought for sure they were going to let us go by. I stay right on the horse's ass...not close enough to get kicked of course. The horses are kind of ambling and I am ready to get rambling. The horse isn't happy with me on its ass, and finally they kick it into a canter or gallop and get ahead of us. Whatever.
The trail is in great shape right now. It has not rained in the area for at least one week, and even the mud churned up with the horses is a nice stiff mud, where you can run across it.
Friday Night Run
The next couple of posts are all in Mohican 100 Trail Race speak...
We gathered at the
Mohican Wilderness Campground where the Mohican 100 Trail Run begins. There was 17 of us for the Friday night run. Roy is still speaking when Rita says to me "let's go" so we start running, and all follow suit. We run out of the campground, onto Wally Road, for less than one mile, when we turn left for the first climb of the yellow section.
The yellow, which is on the roads for ten miles, is up and down. Looking at the elevation on the map, the first climb is at least 400 feet. On this section, still in the daylight, it's amazing how I remember the houses from last year.
I fall into running with Mary Lou, who has finished Mo in 95 and 96 and managed to get out for the run tonight, although still very undecided whether she's trained enough for the race. We end up running the rest of the run together.
As full darkness encroaches, I do get out my Myo Exp Light and have it on my head. It is working fine. We fall into the habit of running behind three other runners..and then they turn around and run toward us. Apparently we all missed the "no outlet" sign and didn't make the right turn that we needed. Oopps, 1/2 mile out of our way. No worries, this is a training run.
Runners are coming back toward us and we reach the ten mile point of Rock Point, which is where you would begin the Green Section of the race. Mary Lou and I make it to the Rock, and find plenty of water left for us.
We start back.Most of the course is the same, until about two miles out, when a different road is taken, so you come back to the campground from the opposite directin. Roy, Bob, and Steve are ahead of us. We end up all together at one point, then us ladies stop to pee and the guys get away. But at every intersection, I see a light pointed toward us, and I bob my light to tell them we get the turn.
So Mary Lou and I run, and finally we have about one mile left. Except the mile gets very long. Even to both of us. I pull out my directions. "Turn left at Geesling Road." Hmm, we didn't make that turn. And then I hear Roy yelling in the distance for us. Bless his heart, he waited, and then he turned and ran after us. We ran at least one mile past the road. So we all ran back. Roy and I pulled a bit ahead of Mary Lou, who was tiring. We finally reach the road we needed. Roy gives me explicit directions on the "right way" and says he will check on Mary Lou. So I amble up "Big Hill." Roy catches me right before the top, saying he gave directions to her, and we start down "Big Hill." It is a very very steep hill. It wasn't so bad on legs with 22 miles on them, but this is the last hill before the finish; I can see quads locking up here big time.
We get to the bottom and Wally Road, which is now 1/2 mile to the campground and finish. But the road sign for Wally Road is gone. I tell Roy to go on ahead, I will wait and make sure Mary Lou & I both make it back to the campground- there is no way for us to now get lost! He finally goes on, after much pushing. I stretch my legs well as I wait. Mary Lou is fading, so we walk the rest of the course back.
I get to my bunk at 2am. I believe we ran about 24 miles. I drink a Boost, eat a banana and a small serving of pasta salad, and set my alarm for 6am. I don't even bathe, I just tumble into bed.
We gathered at the
Mohican Wilderness Campground where the Mohican 100 Trail Run begins. There was 17 of us for the Friday night run. Roy is still speaking when Rita says to me "let's go" so we start running, and all follow suit. We run out of the campground, onto Wally Road, for less than one mile, when we turn left for the first climb of the yellow section.
The yellow, which is on the roads for ten miles, is up and down. Looking at the elevation on the map, the first climb is at least 400 feet. On this section, still in the daylight, it's amazing how I remember the houses from last year.
I fall into running with Mary Lou, who has finished Mo in 95 and 96 and managed to get out for the run tonight, although still very undecided whether she's trained enough for the race. We end up running the rest of the run together.
As full darkness encroaches, I do get out my Myo Exp Light and have it on my head. It is working fine. We fall into the habit of running behind three other runners..and then they turn around and run toward us. Apparently we all missed the "no outlet" sign and didn't make the right turn that we needed. Oopps, 1/2 mile out of our way. No worries, this is a training run.
Runners are coming back toward us and we reach the ten mile point of Rock Point, which is where you would begin the Green Section of the race. Mary Lou and I make it to the Rock, and find plenty of water left for us.
We start back.Most of the course is the same, until about two miles out, when a different road is taken, so you come back to the campground from the opposite directin. Roy, Bob, and Steve are ahead of us. We end up all together at one point, then us ladies stop to pee and the guys get away. But at every intersection, I see a light pointed toward us, and I bob my light to tell them we get the turn.
So Mary Lou and I run, and finally we have about one mile left. Except the mile gets very long. Even to both of us. I pull out my directions. "Turn left at Geesling Road." Hmm, we didn't make that turn. And then I hear Roy yelling in the distance for us. Bless his heart, he waited, and then he turned and ran after us. We ran at least one mile past the road. So we all ran back. Roy and I pulled a bit ahead of Mary Lou, who was tiring. We finally reach the road we needed. Roy gives me explicit directions on the "right way" and says he will check on Mary Lou. So I amble up "Big Hill." Roy catches me right before the top, saying he gave directions to her, and we start down "Big Hill." It is a very very steep hill. It wasn't so bad on legs with 22 miles on them, but this is the last hill before the finish; I can see quads locking up here big time.
We get to the bottom and Wally Road, which is now 1/2 mile to the campground and finish. But the road sign for Wally Road is gone. I tell Roy to go on ahead, I will wait and make sure Mary Lou & I both make it back to the campground- there is no way for us to now get lost! He finally goes on, after much pushing. I stretch my legs well as I wait. Mary Lou is fading, so we walk the rest of the course back.
I get to my bunk at 2am. I believe we ran about 24 miles. I drink a Boost, eat a banana and a small serving of pasta salad, and set my alarm for 6am. I don't even bathe, I just tumble into bed.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Busy
It's been such a busy week. Today I drove home from work, walked the dogs, spread 8 cubit feet of mulch, showered, drove back to town, attended awards banquet for employee, then went grocery shopping for run-weekend supplies. I then came home, made sandwiches, found running clothes, packed three days worth of running clothes, found running lights, packed misc food and coffee pot for trip.
I am off for a three day running weekend at Mohican!! It should be a good time. Friday night, we are doing the road sections. This will be a good experience for me to fiddle with my lights. Saturday, bright and early, we are doing the blue loop and the red-green section. This will be a 25 mile day. Sunday, we wil do the orange section, which will be about 17 miles. The weather should be great, in the 70's and no rain.
I'm going up fairly early, leaving here about 2pm. That way I can have a leisurely drive up, check in to my cabin (no tent this year!) and maybe even take a nap before everyone starts showing up.
I am off for a three day running weekend at Mohican!! It should be a good time. Friday night, we are doing the road sections. This will be a good experience for me to fiddle with my lights. Saturday, bright and early, we are doing the blue loop and the red-green section. This will be a 25 mile day. Sunday, we wil do the orange section, which will be about 17 miles. The weather should be great, in the 70's and no rain.
I'm going up fairly early, leaving here about 2pm. That way I can have a leisurely drive up, check in to my cabin (no tent this year!) and maybe even take a nap before everyone starts showing up.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Photo Run Today
I brought my camera on my run today. I had to be at a 6pm meeting at work, so I left work, and went over to run my little trail in town. I had not brought my watch, but remembered the camera was still in my vehicle so I decided to do a little photojournalism.
This is my little trail right in town, it wanders over the side of a hill, crests at the top, where the golf course is, and meanders down the other side.But first, you have to get by this landslide:
This closed the trail for some time. And they haven't done anything to fix it, other than the electrical wires are no longer hanging in the trail.
But I seem to be the only using the trail.
Isn't this a gem? Right in town.
I tried my hand at the running picture:
and the obligatory running photo. Not as easy as it looks!
When you come out of the woods, on top of the field, you have this boring view to your left:
this is the airport field.To the right is the golf course:
I usually cut over and run on the golf course, except when golfers around, then I stay in the airport field. The golfers always stare. Back into the woods. On this side of the hill, it's more smooth dirt. On the first half, it's actually a bit technical. 
Some of the house size rocks out here on the trail.
Me finally giving up on the action photos and just going for the portrait!
The trail ends back on the road, back to the park system.
To the left is the replica towboat, in the replica canal. 
Monday, May 07, 2007
Pig Hills Vs Road Runner Hill
Actually this post originated because of a post by Sensationally Red left, asking about the comparision between the Pig Hills and the Road Runner Hills. (Red, I couldn't find your email, but then thought this would be a decent post also.)
Okay. To me, there is only one real hill in the
Akron Road Runner Marathon. It is about a 2 mile uphill. I have run the marathon there, and as a relay runner last year, I had the 5K section on the uphill through Sand Run Parkway.
I guess, as a hill goes, it would be challenging. I started the 5K portion on the flat; it actually descends, and then you ascend again. It seemed to be a sharper 2 mile climb than the climb at the Pig. The Pig does climb for about two miles, but it is a much gentler slope. Or at least it seemed to me.
I think, if you have run the Road Runner, you would have no problem running the Flying Pig.
Okay. To me, there is only one real hill in the
Akron Road Runner Marathon. It is about a 2 mile uphill. I have run the marathon there, and as a relay runner last year, I had the 5K section on the uphill through Sand Run Parkway.
I guess, as a hill goes, it would be challenging. I started the 5K portion on the flat; it actually descends, and then you ascend again. It seemed to be a sharper 2 mile climb than the climb at the Pig. The Pig does climb for about two miles, but it is a much gentler slope. Or at least it seemed to me.
I think, if you have run the Road Runner, you would have no problem running the Flying Pig.
Flying Pig Race Report
My Flying Pig Report
It was a beautiful day for a race, 50 degrees at the start, just a little chilly. There were mobs and mobs of people. Josh and I tried to find Rob, but that was hopeless. I eyed the Portopotty lines and told Josh I would see him after the race. I got out of the Portopotty at 626 with the race time at 630am. OH well, it’s chip timing. I was way way in the back. There was no way to move up or move at all. I think I shuffled by walkers for the first mile or so.
It was still very congested through about mile 3. I didn’t get of a view of the rivers as we crossed bridges or Kentucky due to the crowds. It got better as we ran back through Cincinnati due east.
I kept waiting for the hills to emerge. We started up a gradual incline about mile 6. Was this the hills? These weren’t bad at all. In fact, I didn’t even stop to walk them, just shuffled up. I guess we did go up hill for a few miles. There was a spectacular view of the Ohio River from Eden Park.
This was where the running gods paid me back for the Las Vegas Marathon. I was in need of the Port o potties again, but all I passed where ten deep in runners waiting. I saw a woman emerge from a park building on the left—I looked from where she emerged and saw the word WOMEN on the door-was it? Was it unlocked? I dashed to the door and found, to my amazement, flush toilets with only three women in front of me. I only spent two minutes waiting in line and was back out on the road!
Yes, speaking of ROAD. This was a road marathon, did everyone know that? I guess I did too. My body was not happy. I started to stiffen up around mile 8. My calves hurt, my lower back hurt, my hamstrings started to sing. Eew. I never tighten up like that at mile 8 on a trail run.
I made a few mistakes out there. I bought a new hand held water bottle, and never transferred my Succeed caps to the new bottle. I only brought one snack size Payday bar, w hich I ate around mile 9. It tasted great, but now I was starving. I’m used to food on runs!
About mile 14 or 15 I really felt grouchy and a bit light headed. It felt that maybe my blood sugar was a bit low. So I did it. I DRANK GATORADE.
And you know what? I kept it down. And didn’t need a Portopottie stop. I felt better with a little electrolytes and calories in me.
The hand held bottle worked great for me. I only needed to stop about every third water station and get water or Gatorade, and then got back to running. Walking actually hurt. This happened to me in another race. Walking really excasberated my muscle stiffness, plus I could feel both insertion points on the outside of my knees with the IT Band.
FINALLY There was the Clif Shot Stop at Mile 18 (I thought it was at Mile 17) and I got some much needed gel for my stomach.
This was a very nice course. Lots of people out cheering you on; although I got my ultra running feathers ruffled a bit. People were telling me “you’re going to finish! You can do it” Well, of course I am going to finish, that was never any doubt-don’t patronize me!!
Mile 24 was probably the toughest. You could see the bridges of Cinti and it looked far away. This was also on a stretch of road with no crowds, only one band. I wanted to keep correcting people’s form; runners were tired here, and slumped over.
Last ½ mile or so was a bit of a downhill; you round a sharp corner and can see the “FINISH SWINE” (ha ha ha) Some people blew by me; at least six of them finished in a pack; I took my time so I would alone in the finish line photo!!
Food was rather scarce after five hours; that was kind of disappointing considering I was still starving. I did get some Gogurt and bananas, but I would have really like something from Panera Bread. Josh and his parents were waiting for me, sunning themselves on the Serpentine Wall steps. Josh had finished about two hours prior to me!
This was a nice marathon. A good course, good swag; although the Pig needs to be bigger. You have to squint at the shirt to see that it is a marathon shirt from the Flying Pig Marathon-race organizers, we want a big PIG! Good crowd support, plentiful water stations. They need to reorganize the PortoPotty situation though. Potties not being used at the end of the race runners were desperate for in the first 12 miles.
It was a good run for me, as a training run. I didn’t really enjoy it so much, just because of my body hurting. I am going to rethink road marathons for myself, and not get sucked into my friends plans LOL!
I don’t hurt as bad as I thought I would, maybe my ice bath helped quite a bit. Although usually aches and pains catches me on day two. I am not planning to run today, just walk the dogs and maybe do some walking on the treadmill and get some good stretching in.
It was a beautiful day for a race, 50 degrees at the start, just a little chilly. There were mobs and mobs of people. Josh and I tried to find Rob, but that was hopeless. I eyed the Portopotty lines and told Josh I would see him after the race. I got out of the Portopotty at 626 with the race time at 630am. OH well, it’s chip timing. I was way way in the back. There was no way to move up or move at all. I think I shuffled by walkers for the first mile or so.
It was still very congested through about mile 3. I didn’t get of a view of the rivers as we crossed bridges or Kentucky due to the crowds. It got better as we ran back through Cincinnati due east.
I kept waiting for the hills to emerge. We started up a gradual incline about mile 6. Was this the hills? These weren’t bad at all. In fact, I didn’t even stop to walk them, just shuffled up. I guess we did go up hill for a few miles. There was a spectacular view of the Ohio River from Eden Park.
This was where the running gods paid me back for the Las Vegas Marathon. I was in need of the Port o potties again, but all I passed where ten deep in runners waiting. I saw a woman emerge from a park building on the left—I looked from where she emerged and saw the word WOMEN on the door-was it? Was it unlocked? I dashed to the door and found, to my amazement, flush toilets with only three women in front of me. I only spent two minutes waiting in line and was back out on the road!
Yes, speaking of ROAD. This was a road marathon, did everyone know that? I guess I did too. My body was not happy. I started to stiffen up around mile 8. My calves hurt, my lower back hurt, my hamstrings started to sing. Eew. I never tighten up like that at mile 8 on a trail run.
I made a few mistakes out there. I bought a new hand held water bottle, and never transferred my Succeed caps to the new bottle. I only brought one snack size Payday bar, w hich I ate around mile 9. It tasted great, but now I was starving. I’m used to food on runs!
About mile 14 or 15 I really felt grouchy and a bit light headed. It felt that maybe my blood sugar was a bit low. So I did it. I DRANK GATORADE.
And you know what? I kept it down. And didn’t need a Portopottie stop. I felt better with a little electrolytes and calories in me.
The hand held bottle worked great for me. I only needed to stop about every third water station and get water or Gatorade, and then got back to running. Walking actually hurt. This happened to me in another race. Walking really excasberated my muscle stiffness, plus I could feel both insertion points on the outside of my knees with the IT Band.
FINALLY There was the Clif Shot Stop at Mile 18 (I thought it was at Mile 17) and I got some much needed gel for my stomach.
This was a very nice course. Lots of people out cheering you on; although I got my ultra running feathers ruffled a bit. People were telling me “you’re going to finish! You can do it” Well, of course I am going to finish, that was never any doubt-don’t patronize me!!
Mile 24 was probably the toughest. You could see the bridges of Cinti and it looked far away. This was also on a stretch of road with no crowds, only one band. I wanted to keep correcting people’s form; runners were tired here, and slumped over.
Last ½ mile or so was a bit of a downhill; you round a sharp corner and can see the “FINISH SWINE” (ha ha ha) Some people blew by me; at least six of them finished in a pack; I took my time so I would alone in the finish line photo!!
Food was rather scarce after five hours; that was kind of disappointing considering I was still starving. I did get some Gogurt and bananas, but I would have really like something from Panera Bread. Josh and his parents were waiting for me, sunning themselves on the Serpentine Wall steps. Josh had finished about two hours prior to me!
This was a nice marathon. A good course, good swag; although the Pig needs to be bigger. You have to squint at the shirt to see that it is a marathon shirt from the Flying Pig Marathon-race organizers, we want a big PIG! Good crowd support, plentiful water stations. They need to reorganize the PortoPotty situation though. Potties not being used at the end of the race runners were desperate for in the first 12 miles.
It was a good run for me, as a training run. I didn’t really enjoy it so much, just because of my body hurting. I am going to rethink road marathons for myself, and not get sucked into my friends plans LOL!
I don’t hurt as bad as I thought I would, maybe my ice bath helped quite a bit. Although usually aches and pains catches me on day two. I am not planning to run today, just walk the dogs and maybe do some walking on the treadmill and get some good stretching in.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Getting Jiggy with the Piggy
Oh wait, that was last year's theme. This year it was "Get your feet rev'in for 4.6.07" kind of cute. I liked "Jiggy with the Piggy" more.
I will write a race report tomorrow, but just some random comments for now.
I finished in 5.15 chip time..far over what I wanted to, but I started hurting around mile 8. I need to stay OFF asphalt. I do not hurt at mile 8 on trails. I think I am getting allergic to pavement. But still, despite hurting, a good run. It was just a training run, and a good way to get 5 hours in and 26 miles too. I like the Pig Marathon course; although I wasn't impressed by the hills. I kept waiting for "the big ones".....I mean, people, I even run (well, shuffled/jogged) up the hills, I couldn't even come up with an ultrarunning excuse to walk them!
I don't like my shirt. Although it is pink...the pig and marathon lines are really small, and they fall under my boobs! I want a BIG FAT PIG on the shirt...so people can look at me across the room and say "oh, she ran the Pig"!!!
The medal is very cool though, I like it alot. But see, I will wear the shirt a bunch, and the medal will go on the hook with all the other medals..
Ladies, the running skirt is the new black. Lots and lots of running skirts out there-looking very cute on everyone~~!!!
I stayed at Josh's Place Saturday night, and ladies, Josh made dinner for us, chicken, veggies, spaghetti and garlic bread-very yummy!!!! Josh also had his secret parking spot downtown, so we had our guaranteed parking place for the run-very helpful! Josh, thanks so much for the meals and hospitality!! You are welcome at our place anytime!!
I will write a race report tomorrow, but just some random comments for now.
I finished in 5.15 chip time..far over what I wanted to, but I started hurting around mile 8. I need to stay OFF asphalt. I do not hurt at mile 8 on trails. I think I am getting allergic to pavement. But still, despite hurting, a good run. It was just a training run, and a good way to get 5 hours in and 26 miles too. I like the Pig Marathon course; although I wasn't impressed by the hills. I kept waiting for "the big ones".....I mean, people, I even run (well, shuffled/jogged) up the hills, I couldn't even come up with an ultrarunning excuse to walk them!
I don't like my shirt. Although it is pink...the pig and marathon lines are really small, and they fall under my boobs! I want a BIG FAT PIG on the shirt...so people can look at me across the room and say "oh, she ran the Pig"!!!
The medal is very cool though, I like it alot. But see, I will wear the shirt a bunch, and the medal will go on the hook with all the other medals..
Ladies, the running skirt is the new black. Lots and lots of running skirts out there-looking very cute on everyone~~!!!
I stayed at Josh's Place Saturday night, and ladies, Josh made dinner for us, chicken, veggies, spaghetti and garlic bread-very yummy!!!! Josh also had his secret parking spot downtown, so we had our guaranteed parking place for the run-very helpful! Josh, thanks so much for the meals and hospitality!! You are welcome at our place anytime!!
Saturday, May 05, 2007
STOOD UP
Gomer is gone!!
Mike had to cancel on the Flying Pig Marathon. He and Kurt did complete their 24 hour walk on May 3rd; but it left him sore and tired and he knew he wouldn't be able to enjoy the Pig.
So I am off to the Pig soon by myself. Friday afternoon was a little late to be scrambling to see if anyone wanted to ride down with me.
Josh, I am planning on leaving around 10 am here, be at your place around 2pm or so, I am going to stop for lunch on the way down. I'll call when I am getting near.
Oh yeah, back to the marathon...I'm going to race the marathon. See how I can do. It would be nice to break 4.30. That is my goal for this thon.
Had to bust your chops Mike....
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Satellite Internet
Well, we have it. Satellite internet!!! While it is not high speed, it is much higher speed than we are used to. See, the Amish out here are not really the market for cable or anyone to run fast phone lines. We live so far in the sticks that we would never have high speed internet. Our fastest speed has been..maybe 28K. Really. I know lots of you folks have never even experienced that before.
So I uploaded pics-whoosh, done! Downloaded a 1.5 hour podcast-done in minutes!!
Ohmygod. While it's not high speed, it is higher speed, and still a zillion times faster than what we've had before.
No workout today. My legs are still sore. I felt lethargic at work. So I went and got my hair cut and colored today. Hey, I gotta look good for the Pig. I think I'm taking the rest of the week off too, my official Pig Taper!
Josh may have another house guest besides me and Mikeso it's looking like a fun time in Cinti!!
So I uploaded pics-whoosh, done! Downloaded a 1.5 hour podcast-done in minutes!!
Ohmygod. While it's not high speed, it is higher speed, and still a zillion times faster than what we've had before.
No workout today. My legs are still sore. I felt lethargic at work. So I went and got my hair cut and colored today. Hey, I gotta look good for the Pig. I think I'm taking the rest of the week off too, my official Pig Taper!
Josh may have another house guest besides me and Mikeso it's looking like a fun time in Cinti!!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
80 Degree Run
It was typical Ohio spring weather, 50 degrees one day, eighty degrees the next..
I left the gym for my 9 mile 'round the block' but realized I didn't wear a watch. Oh well, a good Cavewoman run.
I also only carried one handheld water bottle. Since I could have easily sucked it dry in the first three miles, I knew I had mismanaged the weather. I started on my back country roads. The bottle was about dry. I was climbing to the top of the ridge, kind of a 'point of no return' and thought about just turning back. No, I thought, there should be people out in their yard, maybe I can cadge a water refill out of someone.
No such luck...luckily it was very windy out, and that helped somewhat. I was still parched. I kept looking at the water drainage ditches...cool water....no, couldn't do that.
Got back to the gym and actually bought a Powerade bottle and downed the contents. I think I drank about five bottles of water. I did some stretching afterwards. I have been having some aches and pain in my groin area, along with pain on my left ITB insertion point on my knee. Am I having the usual aches and pains in my taper for my marathon? What taper? Ok, maybe I will do strength training at the gym, a litle elliptical, and some good stretching.
I left the gym for my 9 mile 'round the block' but realized I didn't wear a watch. Oh well, a good Cavewoman run.
I also only carried one handheld water bottle. Since I could have easily sucked it dry in the first three miles, I knew I had mismanaged the weather. I started on my back country roads. The bottle was about dry. I was climbing to the top of the ridge, kind of a 'point of no return' and thought about just turning back. No, I thought, there should be people out in their yard, maybe I can cadge a water refill out of someone.
No such luck...luckily it was very windy out, and that helped somewhat. I was still parched. I kept looking at the water drainage ditches...cool water....no, couldn't do that.
Got back to the gym and actually bought a Powerade bottle and downed the contents. I think I drank about five bottles of water. I did some stretching afterwards. I have been having some aches and pain in my groin area, along with pain on my left ITB insertion point on my knee. Am I having the usual aches and pains in my taper for my marathon? What taper? Ok, maybe I will do strength training at the gym, a litle elliptical, and some good stretching.
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