Whew! Is it HOT!

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!

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.

So I ended up cutting my run shorter than I would have liked, but got it done.

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!

2011 Raging Road Rally 5K

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.

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!

To top the night off.....free beer at the beer tent.

Round II starts tonight with more beer and some great entertainment.

Now off to the parade.

Seriously lacking motivation

Here 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.

It's been a busy day cleaning house, fixing up my flower beds and laundry.....but now I'm just making excuses.

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.
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

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.

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!

Okay, I've stalled long enough.......I really need to at least get some running clothes on!

Last minute decision

I 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!

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!

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?

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!

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!

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!

Raging Road Rally route

I 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.

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.

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!

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?

Brad Onken Summer Sizzler 5K

I'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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

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!

From 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?

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

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!

Stay cool people!

New 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.

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.

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.

I still can't figure out why they call me the dog "magnet".

It'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.

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.

On 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.

I really miss my long distances, but hopefully I can get into that again. Right now, I'll take anything I can get!

Soooooo...I ran the Bix 7

The 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.

Downside?....Sunday after the race I felt great. No muscle soreness. Hamstrings felt a little tight but they've been tight for some time.

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!!!
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!

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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.

I FEEL OLD!!!

It'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I was able to get free and just run comfortably even though it was totally uphill for two straight miles.

Best part of the race was the downhill on Brady Street heading back to the finish. Felt like I was flying.

Here's the comparison: First mile was 10:46, last mile was 7:02. You do the math!

Final chip time: 1:04:04.

Next year....get into the front of the yellow corral or get into orange.

Tomorrow...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.

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.

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.

Except for one thing.....

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.

I will post tomorrow the series of events yet to transpire.

Now to my Rehydrate!!!!

Lost one from my hometown!

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.

Thought and prayers go out to his family and friends during this rough journey ahead.

Every mother's nightmare: Four Marine soldiers dressed in their blues, coming to the work place to tell the bad news!!

Rest in peace Justus Bartelt! You are a hero!