Evening Runs Are Awesome!!

I ran with my girlie Elizabeth last night. It was still light out, as I figured, but it still had an early evening feel to it. We ran from Elizabeth's house, which is a little like farm country. The houses are farther apart and set back from the road, making the route very peaceful and serene. Some families do have horses so I could smell them. Call me a weirdo, but I actually love that smell...lol. It reminds me of the summers when I used to stay with my Aunt Rozanne in New Hampshire.

I went every summer from age 5 to about 11 or so. She had a farm with goats, chickens, cows, dogs, cats and even bees! And of course, she had a horse named Firefly. A great big Morgan. I'd give anything to lay in that pasture again. Picking raspberries and strawberries. Listening to nature. It was pretty cool to leave the city every summer and spend that time with my Aunt. She passed away from cancer in 1987. I still think of her all the time, and miss her.

ENOUGH NOSTALGIA!!!!!

So Elizabeth....she doesn't like to be called Liz, Lizzy or Beth. I save those names for when she runs ahead of me, only she can't hear me cuz I'm too far behind. Clever, I know. Anyway, Elizabeth and I headed out. Even talking, we were running at a 9 minute pace. She has MUCHO endurance because she'd been training for a half marathon recently. She wound up with the flu and missed it so she changed her plan to do a full in December. I kept up until we hit 2 miles. Then I had to walk. In fact, I had to walk 4 more times in the next 2 miles. I was soooo frustrated! Elizabeth ran up ahead and turned back a few times to let me wallow in my misery alone. I didn't wallow for long. I ran when I could, walked when I couldn't. I'll get it back.

After the run we talked outside until the mosquitos came. They're as big as dragonflies! I thought I got eaten alive but I don't itch at all today. Probably a good thing because we'd still be out there talking!

I went to my exercise classes this morning but left early. I had (have still) a wicked headache. I'm waiting for the drugs to kick in right now. I have to work tonight.

Saturday's plan is a 5K "Run 4 Reason" in Punta Gorda. Steph is running it with me. Elizabeth has her little 14 miler that day so she's skipping the race. Whatever Lizzy. Fine with me Beth. Have fun with that Liz. HA!! Just kiddin'. I'm so jealous. I would love to run 14 miles with her! I need to find out if Maria is racing....she works most weekends. Maria runs a 19-20 minute 5k. So it's not like we'd see her anyway....LOL

Ok, off to do some laundry before work.
Happy running!!!

Summer Running In Florida

I cannot believe it's been a month since I've posted! My husband had his successful lumbar fusion May 5th and we've been soooo enjoying our time together. Until now. The kids are out of school for the summer. We are not alone anymore. We have to share each other with the kidlings. Sigh. It was nice while it lasted. Bobby goes back to work a week from Saturday. We are staying on Siesta Key Beach for a few days as our last hurrah! Kids included.

Now for my running news. I am slowly getting back into it. I work with a young lady named Kayla who is a runner! YAY! She mentioned that she hadn't run in a longggg time and wanted to do the Firecracker 5K. I just so happen to be on the committee for that race and I was thrilled to hear her interest. YAHOO!! I also have been in the market for a new runner friend since Reg went back to Canada (I have a little story about him...later)

Kayla and I have worked out a schedule where we can run together 3 times a week. She told me she was slow and hadn't run in quite some time. PPPFFFFTTT!!! Our first run together showed me a little of what this chick is made of! She can run!! I can see she is a natural runner. Her breathing, rhythm and posture are very good. She has such a quiet landing I can barely hear her. I am thrilled she is not in my age group. What??? I am competitive....lol. Kayla is only in Florida until the end of July. Then she goes off to Japan with her Marine husband. I won't think about that until the time comes! =(

This Saturday I'll run my 1st 5K race since Easter. Last year we had a young mother from our town get kidnapped, raped and murdered. The story is horrendous. Her husband has completely absorbed himself in keeping her memory alive for their two young boys. This race is for her, Denise Amber Lee.

Kayla is contemplating running this 5K and I hope she does. It'll give her a PR for the 5K in July. She's a little nervous and not sure she's ready, but I know she is. I'm so excited for her!

Medically, things have been really good. The meds the doc gave me are helping immensely. If things continue this way, I'll have new goals!!

Speaking of new goals...remember my Canadian friend, Reg? He jokes that every time I ask him a question about things he's done and he says he hasn't done them, he winds up doing them.

For instance,
I asked if he'd done a half marathon. He said no. Now he has.
Ever fall while running? Never. He fell during the half marathon.
Like to race? No, not competitive. Now he's thinking about speed.
Seen a snake yet? Nope (thanked God under his breath) Found a snake in the house he was renting!

Reg told me not to ask him anymore questions. They're like little omens I guess. So last week, I sent him an email. All I said was: Have you ever run a full marathon? He answered with one sentence: No, I have not run a full marathon.

TeeHee. I just sent him a book. I can't wait for him to get it! It's called "4 Months To A 4 Hour Marathon". Haha!! I'm taking a chance writing it in here, but I can't hold it in any longer! He'll be back in November, which is 4 months to the Sarasota Grouper Marathon. Perfect huh? I think so too. I wonder what Reg will think...lol...

20th Annual Bill's Beer Run

Ooooohh, my 2 favorite things....beer and running!

http://www.manasotatrackclub.org/events/october.htm

Can't go wrong there, unless my husband has to work and I don't have a designated driver. It's a 5 mile race, never did one o' those before. Wonder if I can do it in 50 minutes. Probably closer to 55-57 minutes. I have 10 days to rehab my dumb IT band thingy. Kinda like keeping my "eye on the prize". Usually I try to get behind the hottie half naked men for incentive when I run, but beer works too. Beer can't run away from me like the half naked hottie men. And yes, my husband is aware of my race preoccupation. His motto is: look but do not touch. That's easy. My husband is a hottie cyclist and I can catch HIM.

Pic #1: getting ready to take off....

Pic #2: headed off down the road....

Pic #3: at the beach ....

Notice I do not post pictures of ME at the beach.....teehee!!!

I'm outa here for now....busy in the shop....

Back To Blogging

It has come to my attention that a certain SOMEONE (who looks remarkably like Steve Tyler) is in need of some useless words. Which is good, since that's all I got tonight.

As you know, I ran a half marathon last Saturday, did rather poorly once the IT band was properly freakin killin me but still placed 2nd in my age group. Shocking since I walked QUITE a bit. I'm happy though. Except for my McFatty Pants pictures. Whatever...those shorts are LONG gone.

I'm on "no running" rehab for the IT band for the week. It's feeling so much better, but I know it needs to heal. Still a little sore. I'll be ready for a run by Sunday.

Today was the first day for Runners Club at the YMCA. One of our newer runners is Laurie. She's an older woman who just lost 160 lbs after gastric bypass! Laurie has already had the excess skin removed and looks FABulous! Her doc told her she was ready to start exercising so she came straight to the YMCA. We are starting her with fast paced walking until she builds up some stamina. Laurie is an upbeat, very sweet lady. Her goal is to run a half marathon. She came to the right place!!! I am looking forward to seeing her make this goal.

Ok GQ...I came, I blogged and now I'm going to bed. It's only 9pm!!! But I had a very full day.
I'll catcha in the AM!!!

Short Run

I was pretty sore from Saturday's 9 miler this morning. But I ran anyway. Ed was doing a 15 miler and I really wanted to do that, but I knew I would be too sore for more than 4 miles.

The first mile was kinda iffy, my hips and right knee were very sore. We did about an 11 minute pace. By mile 2 I was feeling peppy. The soreness was wearing off so I figured it was all muscle fatigue from running 9 miles after a 2 week hiatus from running. Then at mile 3 my knee basically let me know we were done. It was sore and tired. Felt a little creaky too.

Ed has had knee problems in the past so when he told me not to push it, I listened. He ran up ahead in here and there and back-tracked because it was still dark and he didn't want me to get kidnapped....lol. We went to the water station (at the end of my driveway) and Ed continued on. I sat on the car and rubbed ice on my knee for awhile. It seems better. Then I went in, I had 2 kiddies to get ready for school.

I popped out the door to cheer him on when he passed about an hour later. When I pulled back in the driveway from dropping the kids, Ed was back at the water station with the biggest grin on his face! He completed 15 miles!!! YAY!!!! I'm so jealous...haha! Great job Ed!!!!!!!

There's a man who runs my route now and then, I call him "Gazelle-Man" because when he runs he looks like he's just gliding along effortlessly at about a 6 minute pace. He passes me a few times running, then again on his bike. Drives me crazy...lol. I found out Tess lives nearby and runs my route, so I asked her if she's ever seen Gazelle-Man. Tess had not had that honor...until this morning. I got a text from her this morning telling me she spotted Gazelle-Man on her way to work. I almost died laughing!!! I called her back for the full story, of course. It was girl-talk so haha!!!

Tess is a marathoner, I enjoy running with her. We seem to be on the same page with pacing and she runs like she loves it. I love that about her. We're doing an exercise class together tonight and then going for a run right after. I know I ran this morning but I'm going again. =P

NP Endurance Project Week 6

The team met at the 4th Annual Hurricane Run in Port Charlotte yesterday Aug 15th. The "real" coaches were away (grrr) which left me, so there was no unified warm up or cool down. I have failed at my first solo coaching expedition, sighhh. There were only 4 of us there running and we just kinda chatted before the race. Ed and Frank were working the race for Zoomers so they were cheerleaders. They looked so cute with their mini skirts and pompoms...(kiddin') Joan was there helping the race people. She's a great source of support too. (luv her)

Quite a few of us were away, Sherry has a hip flexor injury. We all know how I feel about the hip flexor so I feel her pain and frustration. Hugs to you Sherry! Hang in there girlie!! Abbey is away to The Keys and we have Hurricane Fay on her way. The Keys have been evacuated of tourists/visitors as of this morning. I feel bad for Abbey. She works her behind off and was so looking forward to her trip. Hugs for Abbey too.

My friend Chuck was at this race. I hadn't seen him since the Boca Grande 5k last February! Ooops, not true. We ran the Sarasota Grouper Marathon in March. Anyway, he's speedy. He finished this 5k in 22:01...YAY Chuck! Always great to see you!

Tess, Cindy, Jackie and I were running this 5K. Sherry came to cheer everyone on. My husband Bob came too.

Away we went! I was hoping to break 28 minutes but I was unsure how I'd do. I made a new playlist on my iPod with 30:05 minutes worth of music. I mixed up all my faves so I wouldn't get too crazy if I heard the wrong song at each mile marker. I put my favorite racing song at the end (Sawyer Brown's "The Race Is On") so I'd have an idea how I was doing. But I forgot what song I had playing before that so it didn't help. What DID help was coming around the corner and hearing my husband yelling that I was coming in under 28 minutes!! Chuck was with him and was cheering too. It was like a shot of rocket fuel! I was very excited! A new PR!!

Tess placed 2nd in her age group...YAY Tess!
Cindy placed 4th in hers
Jackie placed 8th in hers
Kim placed 5th in hers

Overall we did a great job! GIRLS RULE BABYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next up...an easy 8 miler at the State Park next week. Ed and Joan are putting on an after run breakfast. Yummy!!!!!