What Child Is This?

Ho, ho, ho!  Merry Christmas!

My last post was about a gazillion weeks ago and so much has gone on since then.  I've had several busy weeks of working, sleeping, and gestating.  Not much running going on, but I've been back on the treadmill somewhat regularly since last week.  Running outside where it is potentially slippery doesn't seem like the best idea given my "delicate" condition, but I can tell running indoors is going to slowly make me crazy, especially when I have no more "Run, Run, Live" podcasts to listen to weekly (they are going to a new format with that show and will now be monthly).

So, 'tis the day before Christmas and we have so much to celebrate.  Our life here is not always easy or immediately rewarding, but always rich with blessings beyond what we deserve.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of goodwill.

I'll always love him.

Dad and me, summer of '07.

Ed Hansen Memorial 10K 2012

I ran the first half of this race for myself.

"The miracle isn't that I finished.  The miracle is that I had the courage to start."  ~John Bingham

The second half, I ran with my Dad.

"Where there's a Willis, there's a way."  ~Tom Willis

My race immediately followed a 12-hour graveyard shift, so I knew I wasn't probably going to hit my time goal.  And I was fully six minutes slower than I had hoped to be.  But overall I feel like this race was definitely a success for me.  First of all, I walked significantly less than I did last year.  Second, I finished strong; my last mile was faster than my first by almost a full minute.  Third, I now have my race where I overcame obstacles and succeeded.

And, fourth... the turnout was smaller than last year so I got FIRST PLACE (out of one) for my age division.  A medal and a beer glass, now THAT'S success!

Mid-August Already!?

Another week of training has gone really well.  I'm proud of myself and relieved to feel my love of running come back.  No doubt the cooler weather has something to do with the miles getting easier.

I am bummed that I won't be going for a longer distance race this year.  I think the Ed Hansen will be it for me, and that leaves me wondering what I'll do after that.  I'll probably keep running and biking much like I do now.  Eventually, winter will drive me indoors more, and then I can focus on weight training and planning for next summer.

I will do that marathon.  I don't know when or where, but I will do it!

10 K Training

I have jumped into the last five weeks of a basic training plan to get ready for the Ed Hansen.  It feels good to have some direction again.  I'll be running three or four days a week with two or three days for cross training and one recovery day off.

This is the first race I've trained for with a concrete time goal in mind.  Last year I ran this race in 1:02:59; this year my goal is to finish in under an hour.  That's not a huge improvement, but I think it is a reasonable goal for me.

I'm also trying to get a handle on my diet with the goal of losing weight again.  I reached my goal weight late last summer, dipped about five pounds under that goal, and then gained steadily through the winter.  It has been frustrating but also a learning experience.  It takes me hours every week to burn hundreds of calories.  It takes just a few minutes at any time to eat hundreds of calories.  That's why exercise alone will never get me where I want to be- I have to watch my diet also.  Besides, if I want to perform like an athlete, I have to eat like one.

Yeah.  That's all I've got today.  Now I have to go see who is screaming and why.

Let the Record Show

In my last post I failed to mention that THOMAS also ran at the Greenland Independence race.  He ran the 100 yard sprint and came in first.  Congratulations, Thomas!

I haven't been blogging lately, and I haven't been running much, either.  I keep saying that this week I'll be back on the ball, but I really mean it this week.  I can't use the new work schedule as an excuse: since I'm working relief, my work schedule will never be one I can get used to.

Any situation can be either an excuse to fail, or a reason to succeed.

My goal will be to get back in the habit of running every other day.  I will just have to learn to plan ahead to fit my runs in with my work schedule and other obligations.  "Somebody busier than you is running right now."  So true!

So, that's the latest on me!

I finally got through all the training and started my new job last night.  My first shift was graveyard, 9pm to 7am.  So far it seems I will do well adapting to a varying day/night schedule.  I hope that is always the case!

I ran yesterday.  It was almost four miles and was really not easy.  It has been several weeks since I've kept up with a regular running schedule, so I guess I'm going to be in no condition to do serious training.  That's okay, running just for the fun and exercise is still productive.  I may be running the Ontonagon Outback next weekend.  I'll almost definitely be running the Ed Hansen.  And then that will probably be all there is to my racing season this year.

I never wrote up a race report for the Greenland Independence Run, Walk, and Roll.  Robert, Raechel, and I ran the 5k distance; Joseph ran the 1 mile; Mary and Lucy kinda-sorta ran the 50-yard dash, although that ended in tears for both of them after only about 10 yards.  (I still feel bad for that poor boy Mary knocked heads with...)  My time was just a little slower than last year, but I was still the First (and only) in my age division.  Go Me!

So, since I'm not focusing on racing this summer, I should be able to get back on track with losing some of the poundage I picked up through the winter.  It's discouraging how slow it comes off and how quickly it comes back on.

Back in the Saddle

Chuck and I went for a beautiful ride today.  The day was perfect and the route was just right- not too easy but not too tough.

I love you!

After the 19 miles we did today, Chuck is more than halfway to his goal of 500 miles this year.  I'm so proud of him!

I would write more but my butt is tired of sitting.  ;-)

Loss

I've had good reason to avoid blogging these last few weeks.  You see, I was pregnant. 

Was. 

And we hadn't decided to tell anybody yet, and so it was a great big fun surprise. 

Was. 

And then we found out the baby had died a few weeks ago.  Probably about the time I had stopped taking the pregnancy test (okay, tests: there were three of them) out of my sock drawer to stare at it in disbelief.  Probably before I developed any symptoms.  Just as soon as I accepted there was a baby, the baby was gone.  But my body didn't know that yet.  Oh, no, my body didn't get the message so I stayed pregnant an extra six or so weeks; feeling sick and exhausted, feeling my tummy round out, even imaging I felt the earliest flutters of a baby's acrobatics.

There are things to be thankful for, always.  I am glad the baby's tiny (so tiny!) body wasn't lost; we were able to give the child a proper burial and a name:  Francis.  I am glad my body needed only a gentle nudge to let the pregnancy go naturally at home and avoid surgery.  I am so thankful for the support of my wonderful husband, and grateful for my children.  Finally, I am thankful that although I missed the chance to bring this baby into the world, my husband and I were able to usher a new soul into heaven.  I really believe that is my most important job as a mother; to receive the children God blesses me with and to return them to Him (in His time) with gratitude and awe, as well as sorrow.

So, I am doing okay, just sad.  Soon I will be back to running, training for races and writing up glowing race reports in no time.

Breakers to Bay 2012 Photo Album

The Oskar Dome doesn't look like a dome to me.

We don't know who that is.

Here's me, down the hill toward the finish!

Waiting on the slow ones.

There she is, in the sand trap.

Back home, with a Personal Best and a new shirt.

Breakers to Bay 2012

Well, I did it.  That's about all I can say for today's race.  Considering how crappy I was feeling last night, that's saying a lot.

First, we got there in time for me to catch the last bus, which means I made it to the start of the race with just enough time to potty and line up for the start.  The first two miles of the race are hilly, and that was really tough without any warm up.  I was taking walk breaks almost from the beginning.

The third and fourth miles were great- beautiful scenery and more down hill or flat.  I easily hit my stride and got my breathing under control.  Then that last mile, up another hill and then into gravel and eventually sand.  I really do not like running in sand!

So, I finished about one minute faster than last year.  I think my time was 53:14, but I will have to double check that when the times are posted to the website tomorrow.  I also have pictures that I can put up, hopefully soon.

I can't say enough positive things about the race itself.  The course, the volunteers, and everything about the set-up is just great.  Breakers to Bay was my very first race, and I think it will always be my favorite!

Just real quick..

It's almost time for me to leave for work, but I just wanted to leave a quick note.  I haven't got time for like, a real blog post or anything, just this.

oh.  hi.

Wanna go fast!

Usually I do interval runs on the treadmill.  The benefit is that it is super-easy to track your time and distance.  The down side is that you will only run as fast as the belt is spinning, and the belt will only spin as fast as your brain (and not your legs) tell it to go.  If my brain tells my legs they will go 7mph and no faster, that is how fast they will go.  In fact, that's the fastest they have ever gone.  Push that 8 button and the thing sounds like an experimental aircraft trying to take off.  I imagine faltering, flying off the back, and crashing into the wall.

Ouch!

I had 4x400s on the schedule, and it is too nice outside to be on the treadmill.  So, today I decided to run my intervals back and forth on the road in front of the house.  Just to make it "fun" I decided I would walk down the hill and run up the hill and into the wind.  Just for fun.

Thomas ran the first couple with me.  I don't know how the child can run all out (he kept up with me pretty well) and continue talking non-stop, but he can.  He's great company.  My quarter-mile times were:  1:54; 1:44; 1:46; and 1:40.  Obviously, the first repeat was the most challenging in that it totally sucked.  In retrospect I should have taken more time to warm up.  But I was in a hurry with the warm up today because the kids wanted to get to the library and back before I have to work tonight and I definitely can't afford to skip the stretching afterward.  So, yeah.  That first one was tough.  If I hadn't already told Thomas that I was going to do that four times, I probably would have done it once.

But I did it!  And I did it quite a bit faster than I would have done it on the treadmill.

In closing, here is a picture, just because it made me smile.

Happy little tree!

2012's First Race

It has been an almost perfect day today.  I ran the 10k in something like 65 minutes.  I learned that when the course description says "six challenging hills" it really means rolling hills throughout with one or two ass-kickers.  Actually I felt great until about the 5.5 mile mark.  I was at the back of the main pack, for sure.  But I wasn't even close to last.  Overall, I feel this was a successful day for me.

So, yay!

Courage

I don't remember much about her. All I know is that she was an overweight adult who had decided to join the advanced ballet class with a bunch of teenage girls. I also remember how horrible we were to her. How we whispered and laughed.

She was probably younger than I am now, but at the time she seemed so old. And oh, my God, why do they even make leotards that big?

But now I recognize her courage; the strength to show up, week after week. The love of the ballet drove her to surrender herself, not only to her own physical limitations, but to our taunting as well.

I wish I could go back in time and be nice to her. I also wish I could find her today, and tell her that across twenty-ish years and unknown miles, she has inspired me. Wherever she is, I hope she is still dancing.

That's my man.

He did the sweetest thing today. He drove me out to the end of a country road, told me to get out, reset the trip odometer, and drove off.

It was that third thing- clocking the mileage home- that really tells me I'm loved.

I didn't actually want to do a run today, but it worked out pretty well. I did 8.3 miles at a 10:41 average pace. The sun was hot, but the air was early-spring crisp. I saw a deer, a few rabbits, and a bazillion birds (and a few dogs). I even got to pee outside. If my darling hubby didn't know me so well I would have talked myself out of experiencing today's run.

So, thank you, sweetie. I love you!

I'm going to Norway!

Norway Spring Classic

It is considered THE first race of the season for my area. I wanted to go last year, but was still afraid of the 5k distance. This year I'll be doing the 10k.

One interesting note is that I can enter as a "Clydesdale". I can't spell it (and neither can Blogger's spell check), but I can enter it. Simply means I'm heavier than your typical female runner.

There I am, Mama Clydesdale.

I like clydesdales. They make me think of beer, and beer is kissing cousins of cheap wine, my drink of choice. And so, I'm happy, even though I'm basically identifying myself as a plus-size female.

The last few weeks I've been running every other day, doing whatever I feel like that particular day. Mostly tempo runs of three to five miles, with longer runs about once every eight days. I'm going to jump in to an intermediate 10k training plan for the next two weeks and then see what happens. I'm not going for gold, here. I'm just wanting to set the bar for this year. There's still plenty of time for serious training and racing.

"Did you have a good day?"

answer: "I had a great day today!"
means "I got in a great workout today, and a bunch of other stuff got done, too!"

answer: "It was a pretty good day."
means "My day actually went to heck, but I got a workout in."

answer: "Today was alright."
means "I blew off my workout, and I wasn't feeling guilty for it until just now when it is way too late."

answer: "Today was a waste."
means "I had to participate in real life rather than going for a run and now I'm feeling sorry for myself."

There. Now you know.

Identify Yourself

"Oh, are you a runner?"

"Um... I guess. Yep. I dunno."

For whatever reason the phrase "wannabe" has negative connotations for me. Like when we were in high school and somebody was called a "wannabe" it was never meant in a flattering manner. But it is an apt description for one who aspires to something, but isn't quite there yet.

Guess which one is the Wannabe.

I have now owned four pairs of running shoes (including one pair returned and one pair ordered but not yet received). I have more pairs of exercise pants than jeans. I'm running about 20 miles a week; that's not a lot, but it is enough to prove my commitment, I think. I haven't lost any blackened toenails yet, but I think that's mainly because I figured out early on I need to wear men's socks (they're larger). And I sure know more about my feet than ever before, right down to my Morton's Toe.

And yet, somehow, I just don't quite identify myself as a Runner. Not publicly, at least. I feel like I haven't earned it.

What will that take?

I'm going nuts without any races on my calendar. One day I'm ready to register for a marathon, the next day I think I must be crazy to even consider it. The Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, OK gives special finisher's medals for first-timers. (And an extra trinket for visiting The Center of the Universe. I've been there!) But, ugh, I'd have to GET THERE first. And then actually finish.

Cuh-RAZY.

So, for now, I'm happy with calling myself a "wannabe" instead of a runner. I expect that to change, though.

Gone with the Schwinn

Hubby insisted on getting me a bike, and I am so glad he did! We took a great ride out to just past Rousseau Bar and back. There are so many things to love about bike riding. First of all, it is easier than running. When you're running, if you stop moving your legs, you stop moving forward. Not so with biking. It is a built-in interval workout- you have to work hard up the hills, but then you get to coast down. I'm not up to a 15-mile run yet, but that distance on a bike was really enjoyable. Riding with my Sweetie is the best!

(gratuitous baby picture:)

(Squee!)

I just can't get over how wonderful the weather has been. We're expecting highs in the 50's and 60's all week with not a snow day in sight. Awesome! At this rate, I'll be working on my tan in no time!

Mirror, Mirror

In my imagination I'm one of those cute athletes who grace the cover of Runner's Magazine.

My outfit is trendy and coordinated, from my "26.2" necklace charm to my size 5 shoes. I run with a gorgeous smile on my made up face, light sweat adding beautiful sheen to a perfect tan. The only thing bouncing is my adorable (blonde) ponytail.

Reality check! No single piece of my gear matches any other piece, and my shoes are twice the size of the average female's. I sweat like a swine and am pale as a poltergeist. And after eight babies, I'd be hard pressed to find a part, portion or organ that isn't bouncing.

I appreciate my body for what it has done, and what it may someday be capable of doing. It's not "poor body image" to occasionally wish you were smaller, younger, faster, or stronger. Part of being an athlete (even as a hobby) is the desire for improvement.

Just random thoughts from my run today.

The world won't end

if I don't exercise every single day. Neither will it end if I take two rest days in a row.

But three days?

I just can't take that risk.

Oh, no...

Spirit of the Marathon

We watched this movie last night. During the movie I was internally going back and forth. I could do this. No way. No, really... I think I could do this.

"Νενικήκαμεν"

"We have won."

Snowy Trails

Cross Country Skiing for Clutzy-Beginner-Dummies

Chapter One: Definitions (rough draft)

Bindings- the bindings of yore were simply hide straps used to tie the skis to the bottom of your boots. In modern times the binding systems have been developed and standardized so that there are now at least fifteen different bindings to fit three different boots, none of which are interchangeable with the others.

Diagonal Glide- the classic cross-country stride; leg and opposite arm moving in unison. For beginners, often looks more like a "wobble" than a "glide".

Double Poling- technique which involves moving both arms (and poles) in the same direction at the same time. Used with feet remaining stationary for flats or gentle downhills; also useful when you are too uncoordinated for the diagonal glide.

Downhill- try to keep your skis parallel, hold your poles out of the way, and pray the tracks are enough to keep you going in the right direction.

Herringbone- technique for going uphill. Turn the toes of your skis outward, press the inner edge of your ski toward the hill with your ankles, and march, knock-kneed, up the hill. Start to slide backwards. Fall. Get up. Try again. Fall again. Give up and crawl on hands and knees the rest of the way up the hill.

Kick Turn- quick and easy way to turn around and/or pull a groin.

Kneesocks/Knickers- (1.) the standard cross-country uniform according to both books on the subject which I found at the library (circa 1970). (2.) "what the pros wear"

Poles- if you think you can use these to maintain balance, forget it. These are mainly used by the beginner to snag nearby vegetation or hold your mittens when you take a break.

Skis- thin, slippery pieces of fiberglass, generally longer than you are tall, which you clamp on to the toes of your boots in the hopes of somehow moving forward through the snow.

Snowplow- technique used to slow down on a downhill or stop on a flat. Also, a reliable way to sprain your ankle.

Telemark- beginners cannot do this. Best to put it out of your mind entirely.

Trail- depending on conditions the trail may be groomed, tracked, and clearly marked. Or it may be a barely distinguishable indentation in the snow, leading off into the forest and dead-ending in the middle of nowhere. Hopefully you brought flares.

Wax- substance put on the bottom of skis; there are approximately 1,274,752 types of wax currently available. Good luck finding the right one.

Good Advice

When heading out for an "out and back" winter run, I've been told it is best to always start against the wind. Today the wind was from the south, so I headed south on our road. My goal wasn't speed or time, but rather to just get out there and enjoy it. I think of these as BTN runs. (BTN: Better Than Nothing) I was taking a nice, easy pace with a run/walk ratio of 4:1. Like I said, I was out just to be out!

The longer you can put up with the cold wind in your face, the longer you get to enjoy the wind at your back.

There's a life metaphor in there somewhere, but I'm going to be late for work if I sit here and try to tease it out.

Chuck and I went out to the ski trail at Courtney Lake yesterday. It was so much fun! I think I'm getting more comfortable on the skis- accepting what they are and understanding that I probably won't hurt myself if I fall. It was a lovely afternoon, and I hope we can go out again soon.

Mid-Winter Whatever

We've made it halfway through the month of January. Yay! There's only five more months until spring!

I've been checking in on the website for my local running club almost every day. When are they going to update the race calendar? Did they update today? No. *sniff* Maybe tomorrow...!

Since I'm running every other day, I'm alternating weeks with three and four runs per week. I've been averaging 11 miles per week, which is really low. I'd like to get up to at least 20 miles per week. The problem is, I just don't know how to make myself stay on the treadmill more than about an hour; my longest run for weeks and weeks has been six miles. And I'm a little hesitant about running four or more days a week. I've been telling myself that I need that day off between each run, that I can't run two days in a row.

I have to keep this in perspective, though. Before a year ago, I thought it was something to jog a quarter mile in the middle of my walk. I am making progress.

Problem? No problem.

Chuck took the kids ice skating this evening. Not just the big kids, he took them all. It's a rare treat for me to have the whole house to myself. You'll never guess what I did.

Did I drink the last beer and play on the internet? No.

Did I shower with the door open? Not yet.

Did I clean the house just so I could enjoy seeing my living space neat and tidy if only for a few moments? Yeah, right.

As soon as they were out of the driveway, I changed clothes (with the door open), grabbed my gatorade and the iPod, and hopped on the treadmill. Six slow miles without a single interruption. It was heaven.

I don't have a problem. It's a passion. :o)

January 2012 Measurements

(All measurements are in inches.)

Weight: 182.4

neck: 14
shoulders: 43.5
bicep: R- 12; L- 12
chest: 39
bust: 40.5
@ braline: 35.75
waist: 33.25
@ bellybutton: 34.25
low ab: 37.25
hips: 41.25
thigh: R- 22; L- 22.25
calf: R- 13; L- 13.25

Estimated Body Fat: 30.4%

Freak Out

I took my measurements before working out today. Wrote them all down, then used the same body fat calculator that I've been using the last couple of years. (I know it's not the most accurate way to assess body composition, but I mainly use it to watch for a downward trend.) The last time I did this, I was at 26.9%. I figured that being right after the holidays my number would be (artificially?) higher. And it was. 38.7% THIRTY-EIGHT-POINT-SEVEN PERCENT!!??

!?!?!?

I admit, I freaked.

It wasn't until hours later, I was at work and realized why it was so high. I had entered my height as 60 inches. That's five feet! I was so relieved, I literally LOL'ed.

So, given the fact that I am SIX feet tall- not five- my estimate came out to 30.4%. I'm not loving that number, but at least it is still in the "acceptable" category for a woman. And I bet once I'm back to a more normal diet, that number will go down quickly enough.

Happy New Year 2012

We are two days into the new year, and I haven't screwed up writing the date even once.

I usually make resolutions for the new year, but I haven't yet this year. Maybe I'll have my act together in time for the Chinese New Year, January 23 this year. It will be the year of the Dragon. Cool.

I did put together a workout schedule for myself for this month. I will be running every other day and doing either strength training (weights) or yoga or resting the other days of the week. My main goal this month will be to build my base mileage. I'm also doing some interval runs to break up the treadmill monotony.

So, more on resolutions to come! I'll also be recording weight and measurements, and I'll talk hubby into taking some fitness pics for me.