tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206413542024-03-12T18:30:27.791-07:00Lace Up And RunLace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-91189429957634236512011-07-11T17:53:00.001-07:002011-07-11T18:03:34.636-07:00Whew! Is it HOT!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z1lW4DoNq0/ThucJ8rFDRI/AAAAAAAAAFc/T50xiW8mnTI/s1600/purple%2Blightning.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z1lW4DoNq0/ThucJ8rFDRI/AAAAAAAAAFc/T50xiW8mnTI/s320/purple%2Blightning.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628263854049135890" /></a><br /><br />My start this morning was not what I had planned. My alarm went off at the usual time, 5:45 a.m. which gives me time to dress, lace up my shoes, get my morning Spark drink, and take off out the door. As I was getting dressed, I was hearing thunder drawing close. I looked out the window and muttered to myself, "Well, at least, worse case scenario, I bought that used treadmill." Even though I don't care for the treadmill, it's all I had. I wasn't about to skip my workout since I was already awake! Sleep is just too important to me! <br /><br />So after the treadmill mileage and time kept blinking on and off, I realized my battery packet was loose. Thank you, Duct tape!!! I was almost at 3 miles on the treadmill or at least 30 minutes and then....what?....no power. Lights went out! I looked out the window and there was quite the storm going on. I guess with the noise of the treadmill and the TV on full blast I wasn't aware anything was going on.<br /><br />So I ended up cutting my run shorter than I would have liked, but got it done.<br /><br />Thank God I work in A/C. It was SOOOOO hot today. And very hot in my workout room. I really would have enjoyed the natural wind in my hair. Maybe tomorrow!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-75477472436979549952011-06-25T08:15:00.000-07:002011-06-25T12:41:11.479-07:002011 Raging Road Rally 5K<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVR87HNW6kg/TgY5x_4RsvI/AAAAAAAAAFU/GSa6QGvrT0w/s1600/Before%2Bthe%2Bhills%2521.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVR87HNW6kg/TgY5x_4RsvI/AAAAAAAAAFU/GSa6QGvrT0w/s320/Before%2Bthe%2Bhills%2521.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622244715942490866" /></a><br /><br />Once again, it was a good time. I was so happy to be able to run this race this year considering I wasn't able to run the local race in the winter. My goal was to get somewhere under 25 minutes. Goal accomplished in a time of 24:17. Ironically enough, at the beginning of June I had the exact same time on a different course. Back was a little stiff last night and still this morning, but I think that's only telling me I need to work on my form because it was in my shoulders and upper back.<br /><br />Oh and did I mention I received a trophy for 1st Overall Local Female Master's? There were so many people that came up to me later and asked what Master's meant! Really? You really wanna make me say that I'm now officially in a totally different group JUST for old people? Ah well, I guess since I really can't compete with the younger crowd, I'll take it. And did I happen to mention that the Overall Female of the whole race WAS in my age group? Chaw....she was in the 40-44 age group and came in at a time of smokin Joe Frazier 17 something! O M G!!!! I didn't know that was possible but she was blazing fast! And to top it off, she has 4 little kids that all placed in their age group. I swear the youngest one was 5 and the oldest couldn't have been more than 11 and I know for a fact one of them came in before me at a time of 23 something. I never saw him! lol I wonder if their mom makes them run before they get to eat their Wheaties in the morning!<br /><br />To top the night off.....free beer at the beer tent.<br /><br />Round II starts tonight with more beer and some great entertainment.<br /><br />Now off to the parade.Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-19932613717036125962011-06-19T15:03:00.001-07:002011-06-19T15:10:48.415-07:00Seriously lacking motivationHere I sit.....getting on facebook....reading emails.....reading all kinds of things about upcoming races. When what I SHOULD be doing is out actually running. <br /><br />It's been a busy day cleaning house, fixing up my flower beds and laundry.....but now I'm just making excuses. <br /><br />I ran 6 miles yesterday. Was supposed to be a long tempo pace. I.E. 8:50/mi. But after Friday nights liquor cabinet raid with friends and the heat circa 12:30 p.m. Saturday....well, let's just say it wasn't pretty. Not HORRIBLE! Just not pretty.<br />Hey, I waited until 12:30 at least and slept in. Thank God for my miracle hangover cure of Advocare Rehydrate. I SWEAR by that stuff. Oh...and it's good for rehydration when running...mustn't forget why they invented it for real! :P<br /><br />So after sticking to the easiest route I could find and cruising at a whopping 9:10/mi, (tongue in cheek intended), I finished and stripped off my now soaking clothes, changed into my swimsuit and cooled off in my sis in laws pool. <br /><br />How come nobody ever talks about how hard it is to get a bathing suit on when one is dripping wet? What should have taken me 1 minute took me about 5. I found it getting stuck everywhere. Horrible memories of not being able to put all of my bathing suit on when I was five years old.....walking down to the next campsite where my mom was, with a towel draped around me.....and then my mom was kind enough to snap a picture for the memory books!!! yeay Did I mention I was the last born of 5 and got teased....alot? Must be why I have a great sense of humor!<br /><br />Okay, I've stalled long enough.......I really need to at least get some running clothes on!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-47854642306482817242011-06-16T19:32:00.000-07:002011-06-16T19:40:22.258-07:00Last minute decisionI decided today after work that I would run my hometown's 5K race tonight. I didn't run Tuesday or Wednesday due to getting sick but I felt I was well enough to run this one. It's usually on Saturday morning, but due to a small turnout on a regular basis(Alumni Night at the Beer Tent on Friday night had alot to do with that), they decided to change the day. I was more than happy to run it tonight!<br /><br />The course was most of the old route plus beginning and ending at the the football field. My time is always slower this race than any other for the summer, mostly in part, I think, to having a small part on an old, soft limestone trail and now this one ended on the same surface(old high school track with soft limestone surface). I felt like I was trying to get up speed at the end on a beach! <br /><br />My goal going into this one was to get somewhere in the 25 minute range, even though my race two weeks ago was 24:17. I knew this course well. I ended up coming in at exactly 25 minutes....no seconds....just 25 minutes. How's that for prediction?<br /><br />What was so cool about this particular hometown 5k, two of my cousins and one wife ran it. All three of them have lost a considerable amount of weight. So much so, that I had to do a double take when I saw one! I was so proud of them all and for the huge turnout they had. It does my heart good to see so many people trying to stay healthy and fit!<br /><br />Now, to rest up for my local 5K where I live now. The most challenging course of the summer, but somehow my time seems to be faster! Maybe it's all the competition! <br /><br />Did I mention how happy I am to be back running and racing! Even though those damn 5K's hurt so much. I'd much rather be half or full marathoning!!! Slow and steady....that's me!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-74739989721146550792011-06-13T18:33:00.000-07:002011-06-13T18:40:02.116-07:00Raging Road Rally routeI thought I'd do the Raging Road Rally route for my tempo run. Probably not a smart move considering it's freakishly hilly. First mile isn't so bad. Most of that is downhill except for one steep uphill. I really need to map out the long ass hill to see how long it really is. I swear it looks like a half mile. <br /><br />I was pretty happy with my time for my run considering I stopped after 2 1/2 miles to walk a bit. Did I mention the route kicked my ass? Maybe my body will thank me come June 25th when I actually have to RACE the course. I will take the challenge up 1 or 2 more times to see if I improve. <br /><br />On a side note, the weather was fantabulous! Can't believe how cool and pleasant it was without steam radiating from my head/body. I wish it was this temperate all summer. On a negative note, my throat is starting to get scratchy which means usually the beginning of a sore throat. Arrghhh!<br /><br />Total time for the 4 mile run was 35:34, but taking away the warmup and cooldown, the 3 miles in between that I was trying to turn into a tempo run was 25:34. Last time I did a tempo run on hills was 25:55. I think I see improvement?Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-70161955167617062822011-06-06T19:34:00.000-07:002011-06-06T19:52:04.551-07:00Brad Onken Summer Sizzler 5KI've run this race 3 other times and was going to use this race to see where I was for the beginning of race season and to see how much work I had ahead of me. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />This would be the first REAL race(not including the one I ran a month ago with a friend, since we jogged it) since my herniated disc injury last August. I wasn't really expecting much, but was hoping to get around the 25 minute mark.<br /><br />I picked up my friend's teenage daughter and headed to Sterling! Last year, we were the last to arrive and sign up so we both signed up in advance this year. When we got there the overflow parking lot was almost full. A far cry from last year since we were about one of five cars in the lot at that time.<br /><br />We jogged to the signup table where we would pick up our numbers and then jogged to the starting. A little stretch here...a little stretch there and we were ready. My GPS just wouldn't calibrate to where we were so I just turned it off.<br /><br />The gun went off and that was the last I saw of Kayla's back(my friend's daughter). I tried to maintain what I thought was a pace I could hold the whole race. I heard them yell out 7:45 for the first mile. Half of it was on a constant uphill so I was a little nervous thinking I may have started too fast.<br /><br />I was slowly picking off other racers one by one. Right after mile one, I passed a gal, but shortly after that she flew by me. I figured she had just been taking it easy the first mile....or maybe it was because we were starting to go down a gradual decline. Either way, I didn't mind because I was keeping MY pace and felt it was going good. <br /><br />The last half of the race is a series of rolling hills. Two of the last ones being what I call, "Tiptoe Hills". You know....ones you have to go on tiptoe to climb? The first one is where I ended up flying past the gal that flew past me on the downhill. My legs felt very good on the hills this time for this race. The second and last steep hill is the one that gets me every time. Every year I end up walking most of it. Here's my theory on this: Every person that passes me on that hill I end up passing by the finish. Reason: They have used so much energy in running the hill that I can walk not much slower(it's only about 40 yards long). I'm able to catch my breath at that point and have energy to pick it up to the end.<br /><br />This year was different. My goal was to use my arms to pump up the hill as best I can until I couldn't take it any longer. This year I made it until about 10 yards to the top, where I walked a few steps. Just enough to catch my breath and take off again. No worries....no one passed me this time. Not even the girl I passed.<br /><br />I looked up as I approached the finish line and saw 24:12!!! I couldn't believe it! Finish time was 24:17!!! That was right where I normally was for that race! I did WAYYYY better than I thought. <br /><br />I ended up getting 2nd in my AG as opposed to 1st Female Master's like last year. But the competition this year was tough. I couldn't have beaten the 1st Female Master's on my best run. She finished at around 22 minutes. In my dreams!!!<br /><br />Now....to recupe and get ready for the Raging Road Rally 5K in my hometown! Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll once again get 1st LOCAL Master's Female! One can only hope!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-92183170614037904252011-06-03T05:57:00.000-07:002011-06-03T10:55:23.649-07:00From Grad Parties to Weddings!So with several Graduation parties completed and several more to come.......I'm looking at my checkbook thinking.....hmmmmmm.....where's all our money going?<br /><br />This has been ONE summer so far and it's just beginning. After all the graduation parties are finished, we start with all the weddings. We just got a "save the date" in the mail yesterday for yet one more! This is THE summer for weddings I guess. One of them being my 21 yr old(soon to be 22) son. So including that we have FIVE! I guess this is where we will be spending our money this summer. No vacations for us! :P<br /><br />On a running note, ran and easy 3 1/2 with my good friend Rachel! I really thought it would be hotter this morning, but it was very nice out. I guess the hot temps are going to appear mid day. Mid 90's....YIKES!<br /><br />Stay cool people!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-29295535918850970642011-05-31T18:44:00.000-07:002011-05-31T18:47:51.947-07:00New bike helmet!Okay, it's official! I knew this time was coming sooner or later. Ever since my road bike accident with the dog in August of 09, I knew I'd have to get back up on that horse again and get over my fears. Well....maybe some of them....because I still haven't gone to the country yet.<br /><br />I figured if I bought the new helmet since the last one was trashed by my head hitting the pavement, I'd better put it to use. I only went across town on an errand, but it was improvement.<br /><br />Here's the funny thing. I didn't get two blocks down the road, when.....here comes a dog out into the road barking at me. Well, this one was a little slower, so I was able to react(a pug) so no biggies. But I really had to laugh. <br /><br />I still can't figure out why they call me the dog "magnet".Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-28880963138495044742011-05-30T06:46:00.001-07:002011-05-30T06:49:16.973-07:00It's gonna be a HOT one!Getting ready to head out to run with some friends this Memorial Day. I didn't know how I'd be feeling since we had a great graduation party with friends last night. But since we got home fairly early and in bed at a decent time, I woke up at 8 a.m. Plenty of time to get ready to meet friends to run at 9 a.m. Opened up the door to let the dog out and whooosh....lots of humid, hot air already. LOVIN' IT! I am SO sick of the cool weather we've been having. Really surprised we didn't have a storm last night.<br /><br />My running is going well. I continue to keep the mileage low, about 15 miles a week and will keep it there for a while. I really miss the long distances though. Hopefully, someday I can get back to that without trouble from the back.Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-22608004059194169492011-05-22T13:54:00.000-07:002011-05-22T13:56:13.530-07:00On the road again!So I'm officially back on the running road again after letting a herniated disc heal. Lots of ice, Biofreeze, stretching, strengthing and WALKING and I am READY. I'm still taking it easy and not increasing too much, but I'm just so happy to be out there running. I feel like a kid again. I'm hoping I can enjoy running the whole summer and not do something stupid.<br /><br />I really miss my long distances, but hopefully I can get into that again. Right now, I'll take anything I can get!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-75226003716934053322010-08-04T18:19:00.000-07:002010-08-04T18:28:48.862-07:00Soooooo...I ran the Bix 7The Bix 7 miler was a very fun race. Wayyyyy too many people for such a tight space, but my running friend and I had a good time splashing in all the puddles.<br /><br />Downside?....Sunday after the race I felt great. No muscle soreness. Hamstrings felt a little tight but they've been tight for some time. <br /><br />But wait? What about the NEXT day? Monday morning???? O.....My.....GOD!!!!! I couldn't even walk getting out of bed. Something was off. Hips...legs...something!!!<br />Put a call in to work...said in order for me to even function there, I was gonna have to get a chiropractic adjustment. Well....got the adjustment. Chiropractor said my hip was locked out. Go figure! Running back and forth from the sidewalk and the road and trying to run around slow people on Saturday had NOTHING to do with it. Right!<br /><br />Was able to walk enough to get home. Decided to STILL not run. Went back Wed. for another adjustment. Felt just a tad better but it felt like someone was stabbing me in the ass. I decided to visit my ART Chiro. in Bettendorf, IA to see what he could do about my muscles. Come to find out.....I had a whole lot of nothing but scar tissue upon scar tissue in my right leg....mainly the hamstring. Hmmmm...maybe that's what my hamstrings had been trying to tell me for the last month now? Woke up Saturday morning with a full blown case of Sciatica....or so they tell me. Never had it until now.<br /><br />So here I am icing....doing some nerve flossing(recommended by my ART chiro) and scheduled another appt. Seems I have some major imbalance issues. You don't say!!<br /><br />Here I sit....not being able to run(huge bummer)...and the physical therapist says I shouldn't even walk for exercise until my feeling comes back fully in my right foot(right side of the foot is numb). The numbness is causing me to not be able to push off properly so I have a slight limp. Which if I walk through it...will cause even more scar tissue.<br /><br />I don't have much pain anymore. Down to a 3 from an 8. Pain is now in my lower tailbone area. Not much pain from the sciatica...just the blessed numbness in my foot.<br /><br />I have another appt. with my ART chiro Friday. We will see what he has to say. Hopefully, the sciatica will be a tad better. Not seeing any improvement so far.<br /><br />I FEEL OLD!!!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-41326206343382451292010-07-24T18:52:00.000-07:002010-07-24T19:02:10.230-07:00It's official! 1st Bix complete!It was a learning experience to say the least. I have never seen so many people clogging up a small city street. Just looking up the Brady Street hill in the first mile was so cool. It looked like thousands of ants charging up a hill. <br /><br />I was a little nervous upon awakening. Thunderstorms and rain all around us. Water over the roads on the way. I wasn't sure if it would even be pulled off.<br /><br />It rained the whole race, which made me feel like a little kid again splashing in the puddles. Although it was more like streams after all the rain we had.<br /><br />Any other race I would have taken the first mile at 8:30/mile. Well...this one....we were pretty close to fast walking speed. My friend and I decided to hit the sidewalks to get around all the people walking. The first 2 miles were basically zigzagging around everybody because it was so painful to be going so slow.<br /><br />Around mile 3 we decided to find a portapotty. I could have waited but I thought, "What the hell, we're going nowhere anyway". So we waited in line for a portapotty to open up. <br /><br />After the turn around between mile 3 and 4, the people were more spread out. Don't ask me why. I never did figure that out.<br /><br />I was able to get free and just run comfortably even though it was totally uphill for two straight miles.<br /><br />Best part of the race was the downhill on Brady Street heading back to the finish. Felt like I was flying. <br /><br />Here's the comparison: First mile was 10:46, last mile was 7:02. You do the math! <br /><br />Final chip time: 1:04:04. <br /><br />Next year....get into the front of the yellow corral or get into orange.Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-51399572549330587572010-07-23T14:53:00.000-07:002010-07-23T14:59:54.494-07:00Tomorrow...weather permitting!Tomorrow morning is to be the very first time I run the famous Bix 7 miler. Hillasciously hilly, but I plan to make it fun. Heck, I'm already guaranteed a PR.<br /><br />My two running buds, Gina and Guy, will be by my side. Well, at least Gina will....Guy may just get bored with our slow pace and crazy antics and decide he doesn't want to be seen with us. Whereas Gina and I will have to eat his dust as he takes off.<br /><br />I usually get a little nervous the night before a race, but since I'm not really "racing" this and I won't be half dead when I get done, I'm actually really excited.<br /><br />Except for one thing.....<br /><br />It's been very wet today and doesn't look much better for tomorrow morning. I can handle running in rain but if they cancel the race due to storms, I'll be so disappointed. I've been looking forward to this race all summer. Usually I can't do this race because of something else going on.<br /><br />I will post tomorrow the series of events yet to transpire.<br /><br />Now to my Rehydrate!!!!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-85027012260251699142010-07-18T07:40:00.000-07:002010-07-18T07:45:58.277-07:00Lost one from my hometown!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thm-a03.yimg.com/nimage/2fb69a51ecc0bca4"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 103px; height: 155px;" src="http://thm-a03.yimg.com/nimage/2fb69a51ecc0bca4" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />What a sad day. I found out one of the boys from my hometown is coming home from Afghanistan today. But not in the way we wanted. Seems he was killed in action after volunteering to go out on patrol. <br /><br />Thought and prayers go out to his family and friends during this rough journey ahead. <br /><br />Every mother's nightmare: Four Marine soldiers dressed in their blues, coming to the work place to tell the bad news!!<br /><br />Rest in peace Justus Bartelt! You are a hero!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-21929175757562939902010-06-26T10:10:00.000-07:002010-06-26T10:58:33.587-07:00Raging Road Rally 5K<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yEPyVps70WY/TCY8jxIL0II/AAAAAAAAADU/L2psfXC11UI/s1600/100_3733.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yEPyVps70WY/TCY8jxIL0II/AAAAAAAAADU/L2psfXC11UI/s320/100_3733.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487139781178282114" /></a><br /><br />Here are all the award winners together at the awards cermony.<br /><br />Last night was the annual 5K race here in town. This race is not only challenging(hilly), but there is alot of competition. My goal was to uphold my title of Local Master's Female from last year.<br /><br />Mission Accomplished! Time 23:52. My last 5K at the beginning of the month was 23:49, so as challenging as this course is, I was happy with my time. <br /><br />Goal for the end of summer is still to get under 23 minutes. <br /><br />This race is a killer because the first part of the race is a slight downhill and the rest is up and down with a suicide 1/2 mile hill halfway through. Goal while running on that hill.....put one foot in front of the other. Below is a picture of said hill!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yEPyVps70WY/TCY9S-E76YI/AAAAAAAAADc/5cV90ErRObY/s1600/100_3720.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yEPyVps70WY/TCY9S-E76YI/AAAAAAAAADc/5cV90ErRObY/s320/100_3720.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487140592108169602" /></a><br /><br />Wouldn't ya know it? Another hill at the end!!! Damn!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yEPyVps70WY/TCY_XormjQI/AAAAAAAAADs/qv0-GX6c3-c/s1600/100_3727.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yEPyVps70WY/TCY_XormjQI/AAAAAAAAADs/qv0-GX6c3-c/s320/100_3727.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487142871287368962" /></a><br /><br />My first mile was wayyyyy too fast, which killed me in the end, 7:09. Last two were at 8:05ish. Sometimes I forget when I step up to the starting line how much this is going to hurt. Can you see the pain on my face at the finish line?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yEPyVps70WY/TCY-nTImhmI/AAAAAAAAADk/BeMInTM8yKU/s1600/100_3728.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yEPyVps70WY/TCY-nTImhmI/AAAAAAAAADk/BeMInTM8yKU/s320/100_3728.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487142040869701218" /></a><br /><br />Kinda like having a baby. While you''re delivering, you're thinking,"No way am I doing this again!" Then some time later, you're going through it again. Although labor lasting 23 minutes would be awesome. I could handle that.<br /><br />Followed the race up with my carb of choice.....BEER, of course! Awards ceremony, music and dancing. Good way to end a good, hot race!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-61302633911411313602010-06-14T17:58:00.001-07:002010-06-14T18:06:38.884-07:00Rain? Seriously? More rain?Mother Nature I laugh in your face! You tried to stop me from my long run on Friday with success, but you played unfair. You brought more than rain....you brought lightning. NOT FAIR! You know I won't run in lightning!!<br /><br />So...I tried again. On Saturay. Thought I was getting out early enough. Then again....maybe not! Damn! Foiled again! Bringin' on the same nasty, stormy weather.<br /><br />One more try. Wake up Sunday morning...late....look at the weather and see it coming. How many miles can I get in before it hits. Three miles?.....Four? Oh yeah...the rain started to come between miles 4 and 5. But.....what?.....no lightning? I can handle that! Rain? Ohhhhh.....Mmmmmmmm.......Geeeee! What a downpour!! The curb and gutters couldn't even keep up! Oh....but......guess.....what? I had a TON of fun!!!! What a way to make me feel like a kid again!! Running through the rain. I was soaked to the bone. But loved every minute of my total 8 mile long run. I DID IT!! I succeeded in getting all the miles in. I actually felt like continuuing but thought I'd pay for it later!!!<br /><br />Now....if I could only get my running friends to run in the rain with me! :PLace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-14194848800591596422010-06-11T20:02:00.000-07:002010-06-11T20:10:16.494-07:00Decisions, decisions!Here's the thing. A friend of mine, Gina, and her husband, Guy, just finished their first half marathon in Madison, WI and they are hooked. They have been officially bitten by the half marathon bug, soon to be full marathon bug. Well, next year perhaps. That's what Gina said.<br /><br />We are looking for a decent half marathon in October in the Midwest. September is out due to their schedule. Grand Rapids, MI is out because I did the full last year and although it's a great race, it's a little more than we want to pay for a half.<br /><br />Here are some of the options we are trying to decide on(although Gina has told me I HAVE to pick! Thanks! No pressure or anything.):<br /><br />Wisconsin Dells Half Marathon Wisconsin Dells, WI (first inaugural)<br />Haunted Hustle Half Marathon, Middleton, WI<br />Mauston Pumpkin Bash Half Marathon, Mauston, WI<br /><br />Right now I'm leaning more towards the Haunted Hustle. It's on Saturday, October 30th and the finish is at Capital Brewery. And you know what that means. FREE beer for the finishers. Plus after the medal ceremony, free brewery tour and post race goodies, we are invited inside to rock out to music and more beer. How can one say no to that. Best part is, it's only $40 and the price doesn't go up the closer to race day. Must be a pretty small one.<br /><br />So here I am, instead of deciding on a half marathon, I'm writing about one. <br /><br />Best get to deciding.Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-60849749680641834132010-06-07T18:19:00.000-07:002010-06-07T18:24:33.615-07:00Brad Onken Summer Sizzler 2010 5KGoal: Shave off some more seconds of my 5K time from 4 wks ago.<br /> <br />May: 24:12<br />Today: 23:47<br /> <br />So today I took along my friend's hs daughter of 15 yrs. I'm trying to keep her running so she doesn't start all over in the spring with track so I invited her to run the 5K.<br /> <br />Not one to spend alot of time warming up, we got there and registered just 10 minutes before race start. There were 195 runners and I was number 193,Kayla was 194.<br />This course is a pretty challenging course, but I love it. Through some side neighborhoods, into the park trails, along the river. Beautiful, cool summer morning.<br /> <br />I finished pretty much spent. I actually thought I was gonna have to vomit at the end. Can't say I didn't give it my all. I actually quickly walked about 30 steps up a very steep hill at the end. Part of my strategy....catch my breath and then pour it all out to the finish, where I end up passing everyone that passed me on the hill and then some.<br /> <br />Finish time: 23:47 Very happy with that.<br /><br />On a side note, I really didn't expect to place today because there were so many good runners. I was hoping at least a 3rd place to take home something. We listened to the guy giving out door prizes. I didn't win anything...I never do! Rats!<br /><br />After he announced the overall female and male winners, Kayla and I sauntered over to the listing of runners to see where we placed. I thought I heard my name and Kayla said the announcer called me. So I walked over and said, "You called my name? Why?" He said,"Because you won 1st overall Masters female!" Totally shocked me! Did NOT see that coming! The woman that won overall female is one year younger than me but ran it in 19:47, so that opened up the old lady group for me. Woohoo!<br /><br />Anyway, as we were standing there, in all seriousness, Kayla said, "Master's, isn't that for old people?" I couldn't help but laugh and say, "Yes, Kayla, I'm one of those old people?" 40+ lol<br /><br />Kayla got 1st in her age group 14-16, with a time of 22:57. Ohhhh...in my dreams!<br /><br />Went home, showered and went to my nephew's graduation party.<br /><br />Oh, and the overall female and male won a year's supply of Buffalo Wild Wings. You think they will share them? Hmm?<br /><br />Next goal.....sub 23 minutes.Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-16908009195841375562010-05-23T11:02:00.000-07:002010-05-23T11:08:00.661-07:00ADVOCAREI have found what I was looking for!!! A friend recently introduced me to Advocare products and I am HOOKED! I started out taking their energy/mental focus drink called Spark and lost 5 lbs. right away. <br /><br />Prior to trying Advocare products, I had been purchasing my nutrient products from an herbalist. I thought they were the best products out there until I compared them with Advocare. Not only was Advocare better, but I liked the idea of money going into my pocket, rather than my herbalist. <br /><br />I am a runner and when I was laid up with an injury I had gained some extra pounds and just couldn't shake them even when I started back running again. I started out by taking the Spark Energy drink before my morning runs and noticed a huge energy difference that I wasn't getting from my cup of coffee plus lost 5 lbs. <br /><br />I've recently finished the Advocare 24 day challenge and I've lost 10 lbs total. The biggest advantage I've noticed is I no longer have the craving for my favorite sweets(Reeses) during the day. As a matter of fact, my coworker, trying to sabotage my progress, bought a huge pack of Reeses and guess who's eating them? Not me....HER!! <br /><br />My goal is to ultimately qualify for the Boston Marathon and I have no doubt with Advocare's help, that goal will be met. I'm lighter on my feet and getting faster all the time thanks to the products they have for cardio and muscle strength!!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-53969737024366173262009-07-05T09:10:00.001-07:002009-07-05T09:13:15.206-07:00Raging Road Rally 5KOkay, since it's racing season, I've got to get better about my race postings.<br /><br />Last weekend I ran the local 5K Raging Road Rally. Last year's time was 24:something. Can't remember right now. But this year with different training(Run Less, Run Faster), I've pulled it down to 23:32. This on a very hilly course. I really want to try these legs out on a fast, flat course.<br /><br />Today I ran a 5K in Stockton with my friend, Rachel, who was gunning for a PR. I planned on pacing her to her new PR but she didn't know that. I showed up at the race unannounced and surprised her.<br /><br />Her new PR final time was 25:40. Can you say wow? Her last 5K was 26:something. She rocked! I'm so glad I was there to see it.<br /><br />Now for a shower and a nap!Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-86044477777147046162008-08-09T20:44:00.000-07:002008-08-09T20:45:32.372-07:00Music in Motion 5KRace: Music in Motion 5K<br />Goal: Use as a speed workout and hopefully better my 2008 5K summer<br />time of 24:27.<br /><br />This was the first time I've run this race. I've wanted to run it the<br />past 2 yrs. but I was always so close to harboring an injury at this<br />stage of the season training for the Chicago marathon.<br /><br />It was an out and back course with a long gradual incline<br />(shhhhhh...don't say HILL) somewhat before the turnaround. There's a<br />story on this. My running friend and I both looked at the map online<br />and thought the turnaround was just after the incline. Boy, were we<br />wrong. We get to the top of it and realize we still have more to go<br />before we can turnaround and come back down.<br /><br />I felt pretty good the first mile considering I didn't go to bed until<br />after midnight, had no warmup running and only stretched a tad. Oh,<br />did I mention that it was pouring down rain as we stood there at the<br />start listening to the National Anthem. We were all just standing<br />there laughing, feeling like little kids on a rainy summer day, waiting<br />for the song to end so we could start torchering ourselves.<br /><br />First mile was right on cue.....7:50....right on the money for me. Got<br />into a nice, comfortable, yet taxing breathing pattern. Started to<br />gradually pass some people, yet I just couldn't seem to reel in this<br />one woman that stayed about 20 ft. ahead of me the whole time.<br />Hmmmm...I wonder if she's in my age bracket?(40-44). Never<br />mind....just run your own race Weebs!!<br /><br />After staying pretty composed on the "incline", got to the turnaround<br />and headed for the finish. After getting back to the bottom, at the 2<br />mile marker they yelled 16:00 even. Oops....kinda slowed way down<br />there...time to step it up a notch.<br /><br />This is where it got ugly. It seems that sometimes when I run a race<br />with a downhill, my breathing pattern must change enough that I get a<br />sidestitch from hell. I felt it coming on between a 1/2 mile and 3/4<br />mile to go. I tried to concentrate more on my breathing as I reeled<br />more people in. I was getting closer and closer to the "woman" ahead<br />of me and was about 3 ft. behind her when out of the blue, Brian(a<br />fellow runner I know) came up to the "woman" and started pumping her up<br />saying you're gonna reach your goal...come on you can do it. All the<br />while I'm thinking...I'm not gonna make it...I'm gonna puke....this<br />knife in my side is gonna kill me!! ACCKK! I just can NOT catch<br />her...and it's pissing me off! I got a tenth of a mile away from the<br />turn to the finish line and I SERIOUSLY wanted to walk. I thought, why<br />the HELL amd I doing this? My goal at this point was to NOT<br />stop....forget the girl in front on me!<br /><br />Btw, not only did she finish 4 seconds ahead of me, she pr'd by 2<br />minutes from her previous 5K AND she was in my age group. Yeah, nice<br />huh? lol<br /><br />My official time was 24:30, not my best but pretty much average for<br />me. Got 2nd in my age group....yes...she got first. I talked to her<br />after the race and congratulated her(yes, I'm competitive, but I was<br />polite and kept my hands in my pockets all the while envisioning<br />yanking on her hair and beating the crap out of her) while smiling.<br />Just kidding on that last part....kinda! ;-) Brian apologized to me<br />and said he knew the other "woman" and I were in the same age group,<br />but she was his running partner and he had to ride home with her!! lol<br /><br />My running friend, Jocelyn, finished in 22:47, average for her but 1st<br />in her AG(25-29).<br /><br />The male overall finished in a new course record of 15:20!!! The<br />female overall finished in a new course PR of 1 second, 19:29.<br /><br />I was told this is a pretty competitive race and draws fast ones from<br />towns further away, which showed by the first place male finish!<br />Geez, 15:20???? That's rockin' fast!<br /><br />After the race we went out for breakfast, got groceries, and then went<br />home to take a nap.<br /><br />WeebsLace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-74553998816751214102008-07-29T08:45:00.001-07:002008-07-29T08:52:48.166-07:00Here I go again!I'm getting the itch to do a longer mileage race again. So I've chosen a half marathon locally on Sept. 28th. My official training started yesterday with intervals at the track. Temp. was 84 degrees at 6:00 p.m. Why, oh why, didn't I get myself out of bed early in the morning to do my run. Oh, that's right....it was Monday and I drag myself out of bed on Monday mornings.<br /><br />Getting up early is highly overrated when one has the day off from work and can sleep in until.....say......9:00 a.m.? Ackkkk! Talk about most of the day already gone. <br /><br />Okay, so I am motivated and dedicated(borrowing from the U.S. Marines) to follow my training schedule. I really need to start working on my speed. <br /><br />Next up I will start looking at another marathon for next year. Maybe one in the spring this time. Training should be interesting to say the least the way our Midwest winters have been.Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-1455624528302544252008-03-28T20:55:00.000-07:002008-03-28T20:57:45.533-07:00Almost without painI can say that as of today, I hardly have any pain from my cracked ribs when I run. It's been almost 4 weeks since the accident so it's coming along well.<br /><br />I have succumbed to running every other day. The other days I walk. It just takes alot more stress off me. Sometimes if I run every day my body starts to rebel. I can tell I'm running more again because my appetite has picked up once again. Damn, where did I put the lock for the frig?<br /><br />Now it's time to start picking up the mileage.Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-80379073928670652902008-03-17T17:52:00.001-07:002008-03-17T18:00:00.913-07:00Haopy St. Patrick's Day!!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yEPyVps70WY/R98TWxoqicI/AAAAAAAAAA4/H7xts4wXvyU/s1600-h/Green+beer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yEPyVps70WY/R98TWxoqicI/AAAAAAAAAA4/H7xts4wXvyU/s320/Green+beer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178879378501306818" /></a><br /><br />So some people say St. Patrick's Day is a day to celebrate saints. I say it's a day to celebrate beer.....green beer that is. I actually had my quota of beer on Saturday night. I won a door prize too, but it was only stationery. I guess I'll have to snail mail more of my friends.<br /><br />The older I get, the bigger it seems that St. Pat's Day becomes. It's almost like I notice more and more people celebrating it.<br /><br />I'm gonna celebrate the rest of it by taking a pain pill and getting some sleep. The rib is kinda sore today. I think I did too much. Too much lifting of things around the house yesterday and a busy day at work. I couldn't even get myself to run tonight after work.<br /><br />Gotta start feeling better. It's like two steps forward, one step back.Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20641354.post-20584463604203098562008-03-15T14:56:00.000-07:002008-03-15T15:01:30.088-07:00Back in the saddle again!Okay, so I'm happy about running again albeit ever so slowly. I still have to stop and walk a little if my ribs start to hurt too much but at least I'm able to run.<br /><br />I'm keeping my mileage low(3-4) miles/daily just to get exercise. I'm sure I'm making myself slower, but I don't think it can be helped. <br /><br />There is a local 5K next Friday. Don't think I'm gonna be able to make it. Oh well! This is just not a good time to be laid up.<br /><br />Well, I'm off to a St. Patty's Day bash. It should be a long and eventful night starting off with corned beef and cabbage and all the spirits you want to drink. Get this....it's put on by the local Catholic church. We went last year and I felt so out of place drinking in the basement of a church. After about the second beer I'm like, "Oh well....cheers!" We also win door prizes as well.<br /><br />Oh and I won a door prize of a goatee trimmer last weekend. So Geo has another one for the downstairs bathroom. Funny thing is....when I heard the prize, before they even called my name I said, "Oh God, that's probably something I'll win!" And sure enough my friends were about rolling on the floor after they called my name. Too funny!<br /><br />I hope everyone has a good St. Pat's Day.Lace Up And Runhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14563600059247200900noreply@blogger.com1