Letter people

It is almost time for the annual Kindergarten tradition (at least at my kids' school) of the Letter Person Parade.

Carmella, was Miss I. See pictures and details here. I had much less trouble conceiving the idea for that costume than I did for Beau's.

There are only 2 rules to letter people costumes:
1. Store bought costumes are discouraged.
2. No bulky costumes, poster board or boxes, PLEASE! Your child must be able to walk an sit in the costume as well as parade through the halls. Please keep your child's comfort and safety in mind when creating the costume.


I find rule number slightly obnoxious because I have never seen a store made letter person costume. And believe me, if could find one, I would buy one. The one thing that I really don't like about Kindergarten is all the homework that I have to do--no matter how cute the result.

When I got Beau's letter person assignment I was less than thrilled. And when I read the poem I thought for sure that his teacher was purposely trying to be ironic and funny at Beau's and I's expense:

Poor Quiet Q
Has nothing to do
He just hangs around
Not making a sound.

Really? Beau? Quiet? With nothing to do? Bwhahahaha.

So when I was at the school the other day for centers I kind of politely complained; saying I was having a hard time being creative with the letter Q. His teacher immediately informed me that Beau insisted on being Mr. Q. Generally she doesn't let the kids have any say in which letter person they get to be but Beau was so adamant about being Mr. Q she let him--I think partly because of the irony factor. Even Beau's speech teacher and another school employee made a comment to me about how funny it is that Beau is Mr.Q. Word has, apparently, spread.

See.

The kid has a reputation and he is only in kindergarten.

I did ask Beau why he wanted to be Mr.Q and he just said because Mr. Q is "cool" but I suspect that there is some other reason and it will reveal itself soon enough.

I made the costume last night and Beau begged to wear it to school today. He even tried to negotiate " okay, just the hat". And then requested that I also make him a cane with a "Q" shaped handle and some "Q" shaped glasses (which maybe I will do that).

I went ahead and sent it in though. I obviously can't have it hanging around here for week because otherwise I will be spending the next 7 days making accessories for Mr.Q's outfit when clearly I need to remain focused on freaking out about the Twisted Ankle marathon next weekend.

Heaven's Proximity and Thanksgiving Day

As many of you know, if you've been reading this blog for awhile,November 24th is the 2nd anniversary of my nephew Evan's death. For those that haven't been following along for a few years, my nephew Evan died the day after Thanksgiving in 2006 from complications from bacterial meningitis. He was a few months shy of his third birthday and his loss has caused my family inexplicable pain and we still miss having him in our life every single day.

My sister in law Pam, my brother, family and friends gathered at a park to release balloons to remember Evan yesterday. My kids and Ryan and I couldn't make it out to their park but we also released balloons to remember Evan at a park near us. To explain to the kids what we were doing we told them we were sending notes to Evan in heaven.

Carmella had no problem with this and wrote a very sweet note telling him that she missed him everyday and hoped that he was having fun in heaven and she loved him always.

Beau, ever my little scientist, commented as we watched the balloons disappear from sight that he just "didn't think it was going to work." He explained that surely a plane or lightening would take the balloons out before they and our notes could reach Evan in heaven. Heaven, he explained, was very far away. There was even mention of Mars and Pluto.

Carmella told him that of course the balloons would make it. Heaven was closer to us than planes and planets, she explained, somehow, to Beau. And then there was much running a muck and it was starting to rain harder and then Beau face planted in the mud and we took that as our cue to leave.

Two weeks ago, when I did my final longish run I found myself remembering Evan and Thanksgiving morning--the day before he died. Evan sometimes has a way of sneaking into my thoughts when I do those long runs. It is okay, most times welcomed even. Not sure why but it can be motivating somehow; the anger and that overwhelming emotion of loss. At the very least, it is a diversion-- something else to focus on, unspool in my head and get me through the miles. And since I am in the taper for Atlanta marathon I can't help but think of my past Atlanta half marathons/marathon races. Especially the one I ran on November 23rd 2006.

I never wrote a post about the race and just had a blurb in one of my posts that I ran it and it was my best time for the course. At the time, the race was such a small, insignificant part of that terrible Thanksgiving day because it was about 2 hours after finishing that race that we found out we would lose Evan forever. But since then, I have found, my memory of that day is entangled in running, or rather more specifically the Atlanta half marathon-- and by default the Atlanta Marathon since the last 13.1 miles of the full course is the half marathon course.

And anyone who has ever run a marathon will tell you the real running doesn't even begin until that second 13.1 miles. Or sure there are those that argue even about it being the last 10k but regardless I think of the first half as just a warm up. (Right I warm up that run wayyy tooo fast. Neither here nor there.) I personally don't even consider that I am running 26.2 miles until I hit the half point. Up until then I am just thinking about getting to 13.1 miles. That is all I am doing. Not at all worried about what might happen after that point. Which, right, might be why I have such a tough time in the last half. What can I say, I am often guilty of not seeing the big picture.


Anyway . . . my point is that I can't help but think about Evan now on that course and so I have wondered how that will play out for me in what can be the valley of darkness already in a marathon. Ever since I signed up for the full marathon I've been riddled with this question.

And on my last long run two weeks ago and throughout this taper this is how I have answered it for myself: I have lit upon the notion that I will tell myself I got through those 13.1 miles two years ago on an impossible day under such impossible duress and ridiculous obstacles that surely I can get through it easily having only run 13.1 miles. Which of course, I'll be the first to admit, that everything sounds possible in theory.

Allow me to further explain where I am coming from on this. Keep in mind my thinking process also has to do with how crappy my races have been this year. I feel like I haven't been able to "suck it up" where as I use to consider myself queen of sucking it up and getting it done in a race. I have not had the best of luck in races in general: bad weather, race disorganization, lack of sleep, injury, sickness, bad weather etc. But really, I've come to realize the Atlanta half marathon 2006 really stands out as a triumph over adversity in terms of a race. (I know. One might be inclined to wonder why I keep doing these things. I sure do. And I don't really have an answer other than I seem to think they are fun.)

Race day here is how I found myself: Even taking out the equation of what was happening with Evan the odds were not in my favor to have a good race that day anyway. I had raced the Silver Comet half marathon less than a month before and nailed a pr at that time of 1:41--an almost 15 minute improvement of my fastest half marathon at the time. Two weeks later and 12 days before the Atlanta half I had ran the Outer Banks Marathon in pouring rain and cold and set a new 23 minute marathon PR of 3:42. Then a few days after the marathon I came down with bronchitis and a sinus infection. So Thanksgiving morning I was on day eight of a two week course of antibiotics. I was definitely better --able to smell again and breathe without hitting the inhaler every 15--but the doctor had instructed me not run or if I did to "take it easy." (It is funny, but I just recalled--upon writing this-- that I actually passed that doctor in the first mile of the race.)

So those facts alone were points indicating that I probably wouldn't have a great race. But of course I still wanted to run-- no matter how ridiculous of an idea it was to run. I love this race. Why? Seriously, I don't know. But I do!

But add to those strikes of why not race that I had a family crisis going on and well, most rational people would have bagged the race. However, we had been given hopeful news of Evan on Wed afternoon, so ever the optimist I went through my regular pre race rituals and laid out my clothes--number pinned to my outfit and ready to go. Though I admit that when I climbed into bed at 11 pm that night that I knew I might not be running.

At midnight my mom called and asked me to come down to Children's-- the latest news was not good. I didn't ask questions or really think but grabbed my clothes on the way out the door and drove down to the hospital. My sister, who was also signed up for the race was there too. From about 1 am until 4 am we just sat and stared at each other and had those inane conversations that seem to only occur in ICU waiting rooms. Finally we were told that we would not be able to find anything out until the neurologist came on duty at 11 am and that Evan was stable.

So since we were up my sister and I decided we would go run. The choice, at the time, seem logical: sit in ICU waiting room or run 13.1 miles. I mean, sleep wasn't even on the table so really, those were our only choices.

Oddly it was the most perfect weather for racing as I have ever had running the Thanksgiving race not that, at the time, I thought it was going to make any difference. I was just looking for a little distraction, alone time with my music, thoughts and doing the thing that makes me feel good: running.

I remember trying to convince my sister to come closer to the front but she wouldn't go any closer than the middle of the 8 minute milers. I wished her luck and walked up closer to the 7's. We were off and as we rolled down Peachtree Industrial towards day light the heaviness of the day hit me. By the end of the first mile I was a heaving, crying mess. I wanted to be done. I couldn't do it. Sometime around mile 3 I pulled myself together and began my mantra that got me through the race: I can't quit cause Evan can't quit. Funny the deals we will make. Like we really have that sort of control and bartering power.

I was so tired and sad and worried and wanted nothing more than to quit. But I didn't and ran as hard as I could that day because getting done would get me back to the hospital where I decided, after starting the race, was actually where I was suppose to be.

I vaguely remember crossing the finish line and knowing that I had a run a great race but didn't care at all. There was no elation or joy in finishing as there usually is; only relief to be done with it.

I found my brother in law and waited for my sister to finish. She had also ran her best time and had a similar race experience to mine. There was nothing to be said and we went to her house showered and back to the hospital where the day further unraveled in its horror and despair.

As I have gotten closer to the marathon, which is now only two short days away, this memory gets clearer. Every run I have done it has edged its way in. At first I have that knot of sadness in my stomach that makes me want to throw up but then it turns into this crazy anger that is like a fire. I find myself breaking my promise to take it easy in the taper and it is like it was that day-- wanting to get it done and over and move past it-- and I just run as hard as I can.

So see, here I am two years later and I still have that same emotion: pain-despair-frustration-thing-that-I-don't-have-a-name-for- and nor do I know how to get past it-- over it, beyond it. But what I do know and have been thinking is that maybe, maybe I can manage it. Maybe even harness it. . .

And so here is what I am hoping: that the thing that gets me through those last dark and painful miles of the marathon will be the understanding that nothing ever hurts worse than the pain of losing someone forever. So this, this little thing, this thing that I do called running? Is infinitely easier. Suck. It. Up.

And with that (assuming I keep this cold at bay that I feel is brewing) know that I--marathon runner 794-- will be going for broke on Thanksgiving morning.

Thanks for listening.

Stay Tuned !

Oh no!
Why is Nat in the back of a police car?
Why is Nat wearing this silly hat?


Who cares, but boy doesn't she look smart in glasses?

Hi there dear readers that I love!

I have had a busy and crawzeey weekend and promise to write up my boring blog posts about it as soon as I get a chance. Right now I need to crawl my way out from under the mountain of laundry that has a accumulated from neglect and have to go teach an art lesson on Charles Schulz to Beau's class this morning.

But till then I leave you this picture:

Sigh.

If only my Aunt Boo was Obama's running mate this whole deciding who to vote for would not at all be a problem. Seriously. Obama needs Boo on his team. Heck, I think McCain could use her too.

Wait a minute.

What am I thinking?

Boo for President!

I hope they have a write in option on the ballot.

Time To Think About Getting Your Turkey On . . .

Here is my yearly post about encouraging everyone I know to sign up for the Atlanta Half marathon on Thanksgiving. You know I love this race and think if I can do it so can you!

Let me sell you on it my fellow Atlantans:

#10. It is pretty much downhill for the first 6 or 7 miles (yes, then the next 6 are uphill but whatever. Think of it as a lifting and shaping your ass into fine perfection). There is a Starbucks at the midway point. Mmmm, pumpkin spice latte . . .

#9. You get to see Buckhead in day light and wait, never mind. Disregard #9.

#9. You get to start in the dark and see the sun come up on Atlanta. I at least think this part is pretty cool. Running into the light, so to speak.

#8. You get a t-shirt with the exact same design they have had forever--that phoenix/seraphin thingy-- so everyone will know exactly which race you did from a mile away. And they will think you are cool. At least that must be the reason why I still see people wearing the shirts from 10+ years ago.

#7. You will, without a doubt, see at least one person that you have not seen in forever at some point during this race--though it might be at the expo.

#6. Next year the Peachtree will seem so easy and you will be able to drink beer and get a PR.

#5. They give you candy bars at the finish. Oh, and a gay little medal that you should definitely wear to Thanksgiving dinner. I think I might wear all of mine (they have only been doing the medal for the half for 3 or 4 years). Hmm, maybe I'll even wear them during the race. Jingle jangle.

#4. You get to run under the Olympic rings and on part of the Olympic course (90% if you do the full). And you should know, that this is the only American Olympic marathon course that still has a race on it. See how special that is?

#3. You will not be the one making the turkey that day. And if that isn't reason enough, I don't know what is.

#2. Beer, for breakfast. (Every does post race celebrate with beer right?)

#1. You will definitely "earn" your turkey but really what we are talking about is some sweet potato casserole, some mashed potatoes, some dressing--and gravy mmm gravy, some warm pecan pie--with ice cream and some pumpkin pie--with real whip cream-- and lots of yummy wine and Oktoberfest beer and best of all you don't gain a single pound because you burned off 1300 calories running up and down some cute little hills in downtown Atlanta. So see, what I am talking about, really is looking cute, wait, smoking hot, definitely not pudgy-- at the Christmas parties. Your New Year Resolution will be to run more, not diet.

So me? I am all signed up for the full! I have decided the lure of sleeping in my own bed, and driving down to the start/finish beats out traveling (and the costs involved)for a fall marathon elsewhere. Not to mention I don't have to get up at 4 am and leave by 5am since MARTA will not be involved (it is for the half though). I bet I can probably sleep until 5 am which is only an hour earlier than I regularly get up. No biggie.

No, it probably won't be a PR for me but whatever. I really don't care. I am done shelling out money to go do some race and stressing about it going poorly because I spent xxx dollars. This way I only have to spend $60 and I still get to run a marathon --even if it is hard one. But best of all. Afterwards? I get to come home, sit in my shower and then drive around the corner to Lala's and have a big fat delicious dinner that I didn't have to prepare. And the kids don't have to go school until the following Monday so I get a long weekend to relax and recover from the tin man shuffle. Now if the weather will just cooperate this year and I don't get bronchitis. . .

I have been training. My feet/calves continue to be an issue but I am practicing active recovery and rehabbing and icing and massaging the heck out of them. And I think they are slowly getting better. I am optimistic I can run the line between injury and healing. As a result though I have let the speed slide and chosen to focus on building up the mileage. So while I am not fast these days I am in it for the long haul.

Since the half iron man I have just been piling on the running miles. LAst month I only ran 140 miles. I am already past that this month (month prior though I ran 200+).


I ran 58 miles (4 days of running, 1 double) and 21+ miler the 6 days after the race in addition to swimming and cycling.

Last Thursday I managed to pull out a crazy double with 23.5 miles in the morning (3 hours 34 minutes) and then a 3.5 miler recovery run in the evening to hit 28 miles for the day. I finished the week out Saturday at 65 miles (6 days running, 1 double)with a 14.4 miler-- so I am even getting that dreaded mid length run in there too. I did swim and bike once each last week too.


This week I punished myself with yoga on Sunday. I was so freaking sore from twisting myself all pretzel Monday morning (I am still sore from it!) that I did not want to run but I forced myself to do 7 miles. I had to switch my long run this week to today because of commitments I have Wednesday and Thursday and because I need to do it early next week too since I have the Silver Comet half marathon next Saturday and again, commitments at the end of the week. I really wasn't feeling it today but my body loosened up after a few miles and I surprised myself and did 25.3 miles today in 3 hours and 45 minutes. Admittedly, I was a bit slower with the overall pace than last week's 23.5 miler but it was hotter today and last week I ran hard, maybe too hard.

It has been brought to my attention that I might be running my long runs too fast. Really, I am just doing what I can. These routes are quite hilly (by design) and I start out very slow and conservatively with an average 9:30+ pace for the first 5 miles. I let all the stiffness ease itself out of me and then I just start feeling good so I just naturally pick it up. In the middle miles I test out hard/fast paces. Then I reel it in a bit and then run the last mile or two as hard as I can comfortably manage. Today I finished running with 7:30 pace and felt fine. I am glad that I am having the energy to kick it at the end of these mega runs. It is making me hopeful for what is sure to be a bit of a death march in that last uphill 10k on Thanksgiving and so it will be nice if I can keep it together and finish running strong. Sigh, that is the hope. . .

Anyway, that is what I am up to these days. Lots of running, not much of it fast and a little bit of cycling and some swimming too. Well, in addition to all the mom, wife and business stuff. You know; same old, same old.

PS. Go sign up!

Band War

Steph invited the kids and I to join her and her girls at the Lassiter Battle of the Band.
Steph has a thing for marching bands. She was in the band in high school. I wasn't. I am not musical. At all. I did once have a boyfriend my senior year of high school that played sax in the marching band. But really, other than that, I don't remember much about my high school marching band. But that might also be because I didn't attend many football games. Spectating has just never been my thing. I get easily bored. I prefer to do, not sit.


And speaking of not sitting, this morning I did my long run. It went off well--21.5 miles and no severe foot pain! Just the regular long run pains. I was actually happy to have them.

I thought. This? This is normal.

So I am relieved I got it in and I am over the hump and able to move on with training for (some) fall marathon without a nagging or permanent injury. And, I actually had my highest running mileage week since last April, gosh, maybe even March. Partly, of course, this is due to the race last Sunday but overall this week I managed 58 miles running (4 days total), 121 miles cycling (4 days total), and 3.5 miles swimming (3 days). I am planning on dropping the bike mileage and replacing it with more running. As much as I don't want to do it I think higher running volume is what is going to get me faster. I hope at least. It has worked before. 50 mpw just seems to be keeping me the same. Gonna have to make another go at those 70 mile weeks. Ugh. It is gonna hurt. I just know it.


Oops. Sorry. Digression. This post is about the band wars. . .

So anyway, after I finished my run I asked the kids if they wanted to go see a battle of the bands. It surprised me that Beau knew I was referring to marching bands as he started marching and pretending to play the drums. Carmella wasn't so sure she wanted to go but Beau talked her into going to "the band war"-- as he called it.

Like Beau, I was thinking it was going to be a bit more intense. You know like a Bring It On sort of thing but instead of cheer off's there would be march off's. But no. It was all very organized and pedestrian. Maybe march off's happen in the finals. We still have our wrist bands and can go back any time we want today.

But we will probably not since I am already tired from having to walk up and down the bleachers. I am all marched out, to say the least.
Steph sat all the way at the top of the bleachers. Sure the view was great but it wasn't easy going back down.

Anyone who has ever run a marathon understands exactly what I am saying about going down stairs afterwards (up really isn't a problem for me).

Can you say Tin man?

I've posted this before but it cracks me up so much that it bears re-posting just in case anyone missed it last time:

Because when I told you to go to bed you didn't

Alternate titles for this post might be karma, revenge, or just the worst dinner guests ever.

Last night Fishstick and her husband had Ryan and I and my sister and her husband Wes over for drinks and dinner. Fishstick and Mr. Fishstick and Pookie and Wes are all newlyweds. They don't have kids. So they like to entertain and have other adults over. They do this because they have the energy and because they need to have a reason to use all those place settings they registered for. Otherwise, what's the point. Not to mention, since they don't have kids they still have all their place settings and nothing is chipped or broken. So they can entertain.

The Fishstick's and Pookie's are also younger than Ryan and I. I also use to be both Fishstick's and Pookie's babysitter. Neither of them ever listened to me about going to bed. Pookie is my sister so it is totally expected that she would ignore me about going to bed because really, who listens to their big sister? Fishstick and I worked out a deal: when Rae and George--her parents-- came home she would run and jump in her bed and pretend to be asleep. She got to stay up late and I still looked like I had it together.


Anyway it is nice to have young and newly married couples as friends. Most of Ryan and I's friends have been married as long as we have (almost 9 yrs!) if not longer than us. They all have kids. See the plural? It is the plurality of children that drastically cuts into your entertaining. Because once you have kids all your entertaining energy goes into arranging play dates and super fabulous children birthday parties. There is no time, energy or money left for adult parties. Not to mention what are you suppose to do with the kids even if you do have a dinner party. That whole hiring a babysitter to sit upstairs with them doesn't work. Kids? They like a party.

Which yeah, Ryan and I still entertain. We just invite everyone--kids and adults over and hope for the best. Trust me, it isn't the same.

So last night we got a sitter. Not the original sitter mind you. Lala was too worried that Pam might go into labor and somehow Lala has it in her mind that she is going to help birth this baby so she couldn't be saddled with my kids. Because my kids? They get in the way of birthing babies. So Bubbles and Poppy watched the kids. Thanks! And yes, as of this writing Pam is still preggars. So Lala's midwifery skills are still on alert.

Ryan decided that we should take his car. I was like fine whatever but I am not driving then. The Ford F250 superduty is way too big for me to manage. So Ryan drove. On the way to the Fishsticks--who lives ITP by the way( we are very uncool and live OTP)-- Ryan told me a really cute story. It was about how his truck almost died on him yesterday and he barely made it to the auto parts store where he determined his battery was dead. He got a new battery and assured me all was good. Having owned a Jeep for 11 years and learned just slightly less than a professional mechanic about cars I briefly wondered if maybe it wasn't something more than the battery but then my girl brain took over and I applied more lipstick.

Then at the gate getting into the Fishsticks neighborhood the truck died and the thought that been in my head about the alternator reappeared. Ryan conceded that maybe it was the alternator and not the battery that was the problem.

We had to call Mr. Fishstick for come help us. Did I mention that truck died just outside the gates?

How embarrassing is that?

Well probably really embarrassing for most people who have not owned a Jeep. But seeing how I am not lucky enough to be one of those people I am fairly comfortable in car breakdown situations. No big deal. Annoying, yes. But eh, once a fairly regular occurrence for me. You know once you have your drive shaft shear in half and have oil spilling out of the bottom of your car and you have to depend on perfect strangers to help you push your car out of the middle of a busy intersection during rush hour traffic not much that happens with a car is going to faze you. Really.

Mr. Fishstick jumped off the truck and we managed to get it parked. We enjoyed the dinner and looked at entertaining video from Pookie and Wes's wedding and marveled at how little we all remembered of the event.

When we first got to the Fishsticks I told her that I wanted her to know that I wasn't petting her cat because I am allergic to cats not because I don't like cats. Which confused Fishstick since my cat Thor( who yes is still alive and lives with Lala) I actually got from her. I had to explain how I am not always allergic to cats but sometimes I am and not touching cats seems to best combat the problem.

Unfortunately last night was one of those times that it turned out that I am allergic to cats--despite be vigilant about not touching said kitties.

And apparently Ryan, Fishstick and Pookie have never witnessed what happens to me when I have an allergic reaction to cats. I find this hard to believe seeing how Pookie and I grew up together and we have always had cats but whatever.

They were all greatly horrified how my right eye almost swelled shut and was all puffy and watery. They kept saying I looked like the guy in There is Something About Mary and were pushing the Claritin--which I declined since I have never taken it and didn't want to see what happened when you take Claritin after some cocktails. Besides once you reach the point of swollen eye the worst is over. It is all the itching while the eye swells shut that is the miserable part.

And, for the record I did not have hives. Just one eye that was severely swollen. I get face hives and vomit and lips swell when I eat fin fish. All over itchy giant welts on my body when I take penicillin. Hayfever and asthma to grass pollen. Really, when I think about it, the swollen eye is the most comfortable of all my allergic reactions. Totally manageable. Just really scary looking.

So my sister and Wes took us to their house and we spent the night. Lala and Pop had to go get Lola for us and were totally freaked out that our "dishwasher was on". As if we'd had a break in and the crime that occurred was that someone loaded and started a dish cycle. Certainly not that we had set it to run while we out. No, definitely could not have been that.


We called a tow truck this morning and Ryan right this second is off buying an alternator and will be playing auto mechanic this afternoon with his friend Jeff.

At some point during that time I will be going running.

Last week's workouts were as follows:
Sunday: Running and some walking on the beach for bit over an hour. Just calling it 5miles since I know it was at least that.
Monday: Same. 5 or so miles on the beach again.
Tuesday: Travel day but hit the elliptical for 45 minutes. I forgot how very boring the elliptical is.
Wednesday: 21 miles. I forgot the pace. It was just under 9 minute miles.
Thursday: 6 miles recovery in the rain. One hour on the bike at the gym in the afternoon-20 miles hill workout.
Friday: 5 miles on the treadmill--3 miles at or close to 10k pace, 1 mile at tempo and 1 mile recovery pace. Around 37 minutes for whole run. Walked it out for a half mile cool down. 1 hour continuous swim--about 2 miles.
Saturday: In the morning an hour on the bike at the gym-21 miles hill workout. 10 mile general aerobic run after lunch. Run felt great! I sprinted up the hills, practiced running hard on the downhill and recovered on the flats.

Totals:
Run: 52 miles
Swim: 2 miles
Bike: 41 miles (I feel the need to qualify that all miles were on the gym bike which is way easier than any miles on the road.)

Last bit of business. Deciding on races:

My marathon training is getting back on track. I have managed 3 21 miles and 2 19 milers. This week will be a cut back week because I am racing a 10k on Saturday (however not at all optimistic for a sub 42). I feel like I am in a good place to do either GA ING full or the Country Music Marathon. I am pretty much definitely planning on doing the CMM so that I can visit with my friend Chris but can't decide whether to do the half or full at ING.

My thinking is that since I do usually do a 24-25 miler long run a 4-5 weeks out from a marathon the GA ING (March 30) falls perfectly in that range for the CMM(April 26). But then maybe that is too ambitious and I should just do the half at GA ING and save myself CMM. Thoughts? Opinions? I made a poll if you just want to vote and have no 2 cents. . .

Atlanta Half Marathon Race Report

Okay, so I guess I shouldn't be totally surprised that I did not run my best race ever. And, I'm not. It is what it is. No worries. I definitely have a few comments though.

That's a surpise, huh?

Little patience while I bitch about MARTA, k?

Sooooo.......MARTA proves it is NOT smarta. Again. See, I am one of those rare breeds and I am actually from Atlanta. Born at Northside Hospital. Lived in family housing at GA Tech as a baby. I've had addresses in Atlanta, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Marietta and Roswell. And for as long as I can remember the slogan for MARTA has been take MARTA its smarter. And in the 36 years I have lived in metro Atlanta? I have yet to experience the promised genius of MARTA. I think those guys in the horse and carriages outside the Westin might actually be a more reliable, quicker choice.

Generally, I have nothing bad to say about Atlanta Track Club. But the fact that they keep recommending in their race packets for people to take MARTA is starting to piss me off. Please, stop doing that.

Nevertheless, Doug and Steph and I parked at the finish. It took us less than 30 minutes to get to the Ted from outside the perimeter and that was with getting a little lost trying to find the stadium parking. I know you are wondering why park at the finish and not the start but this is because--at least this was the thinking--it is better to jog that mile to the MARTA station from the finish before the race rather than after. Especially today considering the weather forecast. Oh yeah, and there is also lots of stairs to go up and down at the MARTA stations. Certainly not on my list of favorite things to do after a race.

Well, this is the absolute last time I am depending on MARTA to get me to the start of a race or really, anywhere that I need to be in a timely fashion. It is a just a joke.

We got to the finish about 5:40 am. Race starts at 7 am. You'd think an hour twenty would be plenty of time. You'd think. We waited forever for the train. More time than it actually took to ride said train. Absolutely ridiculous. We got to the start about 6:58. Of course, I had to pee. I heard the race start from inside the portolet. As I sprinted to the start I heard "Happy Thanksgiving Runners! Have a great race and if you hear thunder take cover."

Exactly what I want to hear.

So I was at the back of the pack and had to dodge and weave and dodge and weave. Oh well. I really didn't set a time goal for this race since I am STILL sick. Doug was merciless with his ribbing at my hacking and sniffling. (Hope you don't sick Dougels!Mwah! Kisses) I figured under an hour 50 was reasonable. I ran 1:42 last year and had hoped that I could get under that but knew when I woke up this morning that any sort of Atlanta PR was not going to happen.

That first mile I ran mostly on the sidewalk or in the grass. I started crying about a minute in, remembering last year. I said my prayer for Evan, told myself I'm not allowed to quit and just dealt with it.

Mile one came in at 7:30. I had no idea how far back I started. I passed lots of people. I believe the rain also started at the end of the first mile.

I hit 2 miles at 15 minutes and the crowd was still very thick. It was totally pouring. It sucked.

At 3 miles I started to feel dizzy, my head hurt, my shoes were soaked and heavy and it was still raining. I really wanted to quit. Remembered that I wasn't allowed to quit. Cursed a little bit and figured well, only 10 more miles. I've run more than 10 miles in rain. I can deal. For me, it always helps if I go down my running list of things that have sucked or were painful to get through the tough times in a race. I ask myself: Worse than labor? Nope. Worse than OBX? Nope. Worse than broken pelvis? Nope. ING Heat exhaustion? Nope. Losing Evan? Never.

So I had my pity party really early and hit 3 miles in 23 minutes.

Mile 4 was 30 minutes.

Mile 5 I had a coughing fit. Some guy made a SARS comment. It came in around 38 minutes. I think it had stopped raining or was just lightly so.

Around mile six I passed the butcher chasing the turkey. I commented that he must be regretting that plush now. The turkey asked if we could swap outfits. I told him I had a cold and was miserable enough as is. He persisted and said that it would keep me warm. I picked up the pace and ran on. I think 6 was around 47 minutes. I asked someone what the last split called was and I calculated I was about 2 or so minutes behind.

I don't remember mile 7 but this is when you start the climb into Atlanta. This is when the fun ends(--not that I was having any). You start seeing smiles fade to grimaces. Cheers fall to curses. This is where you realize that yeah, I'm earning that turkey this year. And those bad things--as Steph says-- that you did to sweet potatoes? Inconsequential. You realize, as you meet hill after hill, that your waist-- your weight will be immune to all that fat and calories this Thanksgiving.

Mile 8 was around 1:03.

Mile 9 my nose started to run. It kept the pace that I had lost. Sniffing, wiping--didn't help. Total snotty mess. Oh, yeah. The wind kicked up here too. Whatever, I thought. Really I think those last 4 miles are always windy. Must be a top of the hill thing or something.

I don't remember mile 10. Probably more snot, wind, wet heavy shoe misery.

Mile 11 my nose had stopped running but then I had another fun coughing fit. I could hear myself wheezing and people were looking at me with that--uh-do-you-need-help-cause-you're-kinda-scary-sounding-but-I-really-don't-want-to-be-the-one-to-help-you-because-I-totally-don't-want-whatever-is-wrong-with-you-so-I'm-just-gonna-look-concerned-but-not-say-anything-look. I wished I had my inhaler with me. But I figured that if it got worse someone at an aid station would probably have one. Next time I decide to run with a chest cold I will definitely remember to bring it.

Got some water and recovered. I have no idea where the mile went but it seems suddenly I found myself in the last mile and was like, yeah, I'm done. I cranked out the last mile the best I could and passed a ton of people. Some guy encouraged me and yelled after me that I "looked great!" Yeah, right. I know I look like ass. But thanks for trying.

Saw the Olympic Rings and sprinted it out to the finish. Clock read 1:47 something. Garmin was 1:45 something.

It was frustrating because I had zero muscle/joint/body discomfort. I think even with the weather had I not had this never ending freaking cold I would have had a super race. But yes, I am very happy I did not run the full. I always forget how much those hills in the last 10k suck. They aren't terrible for the half but they are just torture in the marathon. So props and cheers and hugs to all the full marathoners today!

And great job to all my half compatriots: Steph, Doug, Wes, Wes's Dee Dee,-- and my Dee Dee (Dee Lo), Paige, Toby, Danielle, Sarah, and Diana. Sorry if I forgot any shout outs. I really hope everyone had a much better race than I did. Let me hear your Turkey race run down.

Now go, go eat your turkey, gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, beer (drool). You deserve it.

Pam and Justin. We are thinking of you today. Like you, we are still missing Evan. Prayers, hugs and thoughts for you.

What? I'm fine. Really.

Every time I answer the phone someone--Lala, Tara, Dee Dee, Steph et all-- says "Wow, you sound bad." Or "I have the same cold."

"What?" I say. "I'm so much better. I ran six miles today. I was fine. Little tired, you know, but fine."

Then they say, "I don't think you should run." Or "So you're just doing the half, right?"

I assure them that I am fine, really, feeling better. I just sound bad because I was coughing. My voice is probably rough from that. My vocal cords probably strained or something. But really, my head? Chest? Clear now. Here listen. You hear that? I took a deep breath. Haven't been able to do that since last Wednesday. I'm better. Really.

Lala and Tara counter with; "Well you still sound congested."

I'm not. I promise them and assure them that I am just waiting to see how bad it is going to rain before I decide which race.

And last night I asked Ryan if it was raining really bad and I did the full if he and the kids would could meet me at the Starbucks on Peachtree Hills with some dry shoes. You don't even have to come if the weather is nice I told him. You know, just if it is bad, I would really like some dry shoes.

Are you serious?

Yes. I explain that the last 10k will go much better for me if I have dry shoes.

He just shook his head.

And then he didn't say anything but he looked at me with that one eyebrow raise thing that I can't do as I coughed so hard last night that I almost threw up. After I finished he said "Sounds like your going to do really good in the race. I'm sure the dry shoes will make all the difference."

I told him that I was better. Fine. I just needed to cough that last bit of phlegm out. I said this as I took 2 teaspoons of cough expectorant/suppressant and thought, to myself, that probably carrying my inhaler with me for race might be a good idea.

Apparently though there is still more phlegm and I am so glad Ryan went to work early so he hasn't heard me hacking all morning since the cough syrup has worn off.

So yeah. Maybe I'm not exactly totally well. But I swear. Yesterday? I thought my cough was gone.

Oh, and I checked the weather. Uhm, yeah, this is the forecast for tomorrow between 7-10 am: 80-100% chance of rain. Chance of thunderstorms. Showers definite. Temperature 56-52 degrees (looks like it is going to drop through the day)

I am taking the hint. I don't want to but I also don't want to DNF because at mile 20-- when I run past the aid station in front of Piedmont Hospital-- I decide to skip the Powerade and instead check myself into the ER. I know, if nothing else. The last place I want to be on Thanksgiving is in a hospital.

So I am sorry to all the hard core character building marathoners. I want to hang with you but I just can't suck it up. Too many strikes against me. And to all my peeps in the half. I'm in for the rain dance.

Now, I am off the Expo and then to take the kids to see the Lenox Santa and ride the Pink Pig.

Turkey Day Roll Call

Okay who's doing what race on Turkey Day?

For those doing the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Marathon or Half Marathon I want to hear half or full and when you are going to the expo.

And for those undecided runners you can still register at the expo. Today is the last day. You can switch races until Wednesday at 7:30 pm.

And for those that will not be getting up at the crack of dawn to run or make a turkey the race still needs volunteers. I hear you get a cool sweatshirt for your time. Application is here.

Finally, for those that ipod I want your top 5 running songs.

Edited because I need to know what everyone is planning on wearing for the race. Right now I am thinking skirt (navy) and Run Like a Girl shirt (orange). But last time I wore the orange shirt for a race was OBX and it rained really bad. Not that I think the shirt caused the rain but you know it may not be so lucky.
Thanks!

Silver Comet Half Marathon 2007 Race Report

First thank you all for your kind words and prayers regarding my other post bemoaning our business situation and the drought. All businesses go through bad times, I know. I just hope this is one of those times and not what ultimately does us in. I really appreciate the good thoughts.

Now on to my report.

Last week I was emailing with my new brother in law--Wes--about various things. They are having a "gathering" (read wild blowout party, who are they kidding "gathering") for the World's largest cocktail party--Go Dawgs. I told him we probably wouldn't make it as today is packed with my race and Carmella's fall festival. He emailed me back " What race? Oh yeah, the world's most boring race ever."

Don't listen to him. Wes is a man on a bike whose only road race ever is the Peachtree. I am sure a bike race on the Silver Comet would be mind numbingly boring but really, he is a crit bike guy who does forty loops around Athens. Seems like that would be boring--even if it is super fast. So really I have no idea why he thinks Silver Comet is boring but I told him as a runner who never gets to do a flat race (or really a flat run) I think it is a super fun race.

And today was fun.

I carbo-loaded last night with beers and pasta. I always say that I won't have any alcohol the night before the race and pretty much the only time I've done that was when I pregnant and ran the Atlanta Half. Yeah, so what if I am an alcoholic with a running problem--they say--they being all those people who write articles about running-that you shouldn't try anything new before a race. Do what works.

I finally went to bed around 11 and slept fitfully--as always. I got up at 5 am and changed my outfit 6 times-- walking outside to figure out if I was going to be too cold or too hot. I really wanted to get it right. The weather today was perfect racing weather. The temp at the start was mid 40's. At best the high at the finish would be only 10 degrees warmer. Ultimately I decided on a blue/pink running skirt and a light weight long sleeve technical shirt. The decision not to wear a hat was a good one and while mittens might have been nice I was fine with out them. In retrospect I probably could have gotten away with my pink "Run Like A Girl" short sleeve shirt but the sleeves were nice at the start.

This year I left a little early so that I wouldn't have to miss the start while I tinkled in the portolet. I ran the .8 mile from the middle school parking lot as a warm up. I felt a new and unfamiliar ache in the arch of my left foot that worried me a little but it proved not to be a problem in the race. Maybe I was just cold.

I made it to the starting area around 7:15ish (race started at 7:45) and hopped right in the portolet line. This is where I met a guy who actually out talks me. Yeah, I didn't think it was possible either. He was very sweet and will be doing his first marathon in December at St. Judes. Never got his name but we'll just call him Chatty Doe. He ended up beating me by 4 minutes. Bastard.

I still had 5 minutes until the start and I found some of the Big Peach peeps and lined up with them at the starting line. I was so excited to actually be at the starting line this year since last year I was totally unclear as to where it was.

The gun went pop and all the runners went. I sort of fell in line behind Kate, whose recent finish at Twin Cities marathon got her $500 and 2:56 finish, so I knew that wouldn't last long--despite her saying she was going to "take it easy." Her easy is still impossible for me. Garmin was reporting a 6:20ish pace. I backed it off since, after all, I did want to finish all 13.1 miles of the race. And then I got passed. A lot. Oh well. Start in the back, sure I get to pass a lot of people but my time is less accurate (no timing chip for this race). I'll take a more accurate time over a falsely stoked ego.

Here is how the splits broke down as I recalled: First mile marker I never saw so I don't know. I think it was under 7 minutes. At 2 miles I was 14:10. At 3 miles 21:22. 4 miles was 28 something--which I thought was too fast so I pulled back. Wasn't getting passed as much any more. 5 miles was 36 something. At 6 I was right at 42 minutes. Shortly there after I had my Expresso Love Gu. Missed 7 and 8 splits. Mile 9 was 1:04 something. I was feeling pretty decent. I smiled at a lot of people. But somewhere in the 10th mile I started to feel myself fade. (Two women passed me during this time and I didn't think much of it but later it would come back to bite me in the ass.) I did some quick math and even if I ran 9 minute miles for the next 3 miles I would still beat my time from last year and have a new PR. So I hung in there the best I could. Garmin had lost the GPS signal so I was little confused on how much further I had. Once I saw marker 12 I picked it up.
I crossed the finish line in, wait for it . . .
.
.
.
.
1:36:58!!!!!
That is almost a 5 minute PR!
Yeah me!
I had no idea my pace till I came home and checked it: 7:23. Wow. I am pleased.

I ended up being 3rd in my age group. A little disappointing since I was 2nd last year but my age group is the largest and from what I can tell the fastest overall. (Those two women who passed me were 1st and 2nd in my age group. Fast bitches!)

So I am happy.

I am going edit this quick because I have to go get dressed and take the kids to the fall festival.

Last weeks totals were this:
Run: 43 miles
Bike: 13 miles
Swim: none

PS Charlie I hope you had a great race too at Marine Corps Marathon.

Awesome Alpharetta Half and Marathon Race Report

Or alternatively: What happens when I don't wear make-up?

Bill Rogers doesn't chat with me even though he ran right next to me for two straight miles and then off and on the entire race.


This was the inaugural race for the marathon. They did a half, same course in October and a 10k. I didn't do either of those. I did run the Alpharetta Half marathon 2 years ago in October but it was a different course. This one was better, but only slightly.

Anyway, I guess to get more of a draw and to look like a serious race they had Boston and New York Marathon champ Bill Rogers come and speak. He ran the half. I think I can be pretty confident and say that even though he is 60 he wasn't racing --unless he was specifically racing me because he finished less than 50 seconds before me and ran most of the race with me. And when I say with me I mean he ran next to me. He never said a single word to me. See? See I told you people don't talk to me when I go naked face.

Unfortunately I am not going to have a lot of positive to say about this race and I apologize in advance to Alpharetta for that. I like Alpharetta. I have friends who live there, work there. I even like to shop there, lunch there, occasionally run on the Greenway. Sometimes I even wish I was rich enough to live there but then I remember I like our schools and cheaper taxes much more than Alpharetta's.

The course is not "awesome" in any way I could figure so I am not sure exactly what they are referring to when they call it the Awesome Alpharetta marathon.Maybe it is the marathon that is awesome. I ran the half and know for a fact that it was not awesome.

For those not from here let me explain that there are 2 Alpharettas: There is the Alpharetta of quaint shops set up in old cottages and farm houses, wide spacious farmland and country like roads with multi-million dollar neighborhoods with 2 acre lots. These are some very beautiful and ridiculously large houses. It is nice; pretty, in an interesting way.

Then there is the Alpharetta of the Mall. It has the big mall, a bazillion smaller strip malls and chain restaurants and gazillion office parks-- albeit beautifully landscaped and pristinely maintained office parks--basically it is a landscape of unprovoking and bland concrete,glass and stone buildings framed by stretches of fescue that are punctuated by azaleas, pear trees and crepe myrtles. And that, unfortunately, is the Alpharetta that the half marathon and marathon dominated.

Oh yeah, and Alpharetta? It is really hilly. But the whole North Atlanta metro area is rolling hills. I know that, run that and am use to that. These are the foothills to the Appalachians. You know the Appalachians? Those little mountains in North Georgia? James Dickey wrote a book and then the book became a movie, and here is where I am going to be evil and strike a chord of fear in my male readers and mention the name of the movie don da da don . . . Deliverance that set the stereotype for who/what Georgians were for the rest of the country. queuing dueling banjos. . .

Ah, good times. Just makes you want to go up to Clayton and go on a back country canoeing trip . . .
Anyway, if you want flat you gotta go run by the river or sink below the gnat line into South Georgia. But yeah, that is too far for me to drive. This was a race of convenience: conveniently it is 3 weeks out from ING and the proximity was good and the course, most likely, similar.

So here are the positives: Organization was fine. Aid stations great, frequent and well stocked. The course was clearly marked for the most part until the final miles. I got confused at the end. Garmin, of course, failed me. The GPS didn't kick in until I was a 3/4 a mile in. It always throws me off when Garmin is off. There was no mile 12 marker or 13 and while I had an idea of where the finish was I wasn't certain and then I saw runners going down the road up ahead--I realize now they were the full marathoners who had turned off but were going into their second loop. From my perspective at that point, even though I thought there was only about a 1/4 mile left,those other runners made me think I had 1+ miles left. It is easy to get confused once you start piling up the miles. I slowed and almost started walking but then I saw the finish banner and picked the pace back up. So I never really gave that final kick.

Negatives: Boring course. I didn't like that I had to pick up my packet Friday or Saturday but had to wait until race morning to get my chip. That makes no sense and is inconvenient. But then again it was nice at the start that they had free lattes, coffee and doughnuts. Spectators rather sparse. This doesn't bother me since I run alone all the time but I add this because I know some people really need those cheering throngs.

But all that aside. My major complaint was the weather and I can't blame the race directors on typical crap shot North Atlanta weather. It was cold. It was 30 degrees at the start and I swear it got colder. 30 degrees isn't terrible but the wind. OH. My. God. The wind. It really kicked in after mile 4 and was just brutal by the 8th and 9th mile. I guess there is a reason it is called Windward Parkway. I didn't have my mittens--I couldn't find them. It has been in the 50/60's lately and I haven't needed them. Then I think maybe I didn't choose my outfit so wisely: grey just below the knee tights (my calf's get hot), long sleeve technical shirt, shiny pink windbreaker and pink hat. I don't know. I thought I would warm up after the first mile or so and that might have happened had the wind not been a factor. I really don't know what would have been a better choice as it was just the force of the wind and the chill on my face and hands that was so horrible.

Okay, I'll stop whining enough to give you my mile breakdown. Keep in mind my times are approximate and from my sketchy memory since Garmin thinks I only ran a little over 12 miles today.
Mile one: 6:54 split. Too fast but this was downhill and I was fucking cold.Trying.To.Get.Warm.
Mile two: 14 minutes flat. Slowing as we are climbing.
Mile three: Just over 21 minutes. I had stopped and took off my shoe. It felt like my sock was slipping and was bunched up. Turned out that my feet were just really numb and I was only feeling part of it. Put shoe back on and kept running thinking I hate not feeling my feet. Shortly after this time Bill Rogers showed up. So did the hills. Even still I kept pace with him for several miles.
Mile four: I think around 29 minutes.
Mile five: Right around 37 minutes.
Mile six: 44 minutes--downhill. I lost Bill when I stopped for water. But he kept stopping too. He seemed to be having some problem with his shoe. I swear I wasn't stalking him. He was just the most recognizable person around me. There seemed to be a lot of men who all looked the same age--40's, around the same size and all wore black and had hats on. Bill had a bright yellow shirt on and track pants and was taller, thinner. I only saw a handful of women the whole race. It seems I always run with the boys.
Mile seven: Just under 53 minutes
Mile eight: 61 minutes the wind is just killing me. I think I muttered holy mother of fuck and I saw Bill turn to look at me. Still, he never said anything to me. Maybe, even in all my pink, I was invisible. Really, I know it was the lack of make-up. I am so much hotter with the make up.
Mile nine: I can't remember. Cold,windy,sucking hill ass--or something like that.
Mile ten: 77 minutes--really this is fine and I kept thinking if the course gets more forgiving I might can kick it and do under 1:40. But not really knowing the course made it hard to gage. I really didn't care except a PR would have been a nice boost. I knew I wasn't going to win. Around here I need to do sub 1:30 for the half to win--in the women. Men usually do under 1:15.
Mile eleven: This ran me past the children's boutique where I have spent a fortune on dresses for Carmella and gay boy outfits for Beau. I had brief moment of shopping nostalgia. And after I passed the mile eleven marker I stopped paying attention to time, topography and Bill Rogers. I decided to think about Evan instead.
Miles twelve and thirteen: I said a prayer for Evan and asked him to get me through this hellish wind tunnel of a race and asked again for peace for Justin and Pam. I think he maybe heard me because then the race sloped down and the wind was finally on my back. Then there was finish line confusion and then I was finished.

My watch said 1:41 and 45 seconds, chip time is 1:41 and 51 seconds. I was 15th female overall and it looks like third in my age group. Pretty consistent with my half times of late and I suppose I could consider it a PR if I compare it to the Atlanta half since the course was probably more equal. My 1:41 PR is from the Silver Comet and that is by comparison a pancake flat race.

After finishing I had thought to stick around and see if I placed. But I got ridiculously cold and decided that even if I did place I doubted if they were giving away the fur coat or fleece jacket that I desperately needed. I must have looked in the early stages of hypothermia as several people advised me to get warm. Where they thought I should go I have no idea. One very kind and nice guy said he would give me his sweatshirt but he didn't have anything on under it. He laughed when I good-naturely told him that good intentions were not going to keep me warm. Together we looked and asked about for the shuttle bus and I also waited for the New Orleans coffee cart to make something warm to drink other than gumbo. They kept offering me benignets. Doughnuts and wind proved the theme du jour--neither of which am I terribly fond of.

Finally some hot chocolate and 20 minutes later me and my sympathetic companion finally located the shuttle. I almost started to cry when I saw the driver shut his doors and pull away from the curb before I could get to the bus. But God bless, he pulled back over and let me on. It was the best post-race shuttle ride of my life.

PS to Wes for linking me from his blog. I appreciate the props. And hi to all who stopped by. Hi! Please keep reading and commenting.
PPS Sorry about all the typos. I am tired of editing and writing this. Some are writers, some are editors and the latter-- I know beyond a shadow of a doubt--I am not.
Cheers and onto to taper mania. . .