For Anney & Jennifer

So, I dragged my butt down to the missions for another 10 miles this morning - but it was better than autoimmune and liver diseases (inside joke that's not very funny).  As I find myself facing the geratric cliff (big 40), I find that running on concrete HURTS.  But, it was a fun, positive run - and wasn't cold!  There was actually a small child (8ish?) pacing me for the first 3 miles (he was running the 5 miles - in JEANS!) - he rocked.

but you know I had to make it ugly - post-10 miles

Luckily, the recovery drink was delicious.

Thanks to Anney & Jennifer - big positive thoughts to you both!

Thanks to Tom Lake, SARR, & IAAP for the pics.

Catching up

Well, crud.  Somehow life and running and all kinds of stuff got in the way these past months, and I have not graced you all with my abundant ugly race pics.  So, since I last posted, my runs have also been quite cruddy - here's a synopsis:

Probably my worst HM finish at the SA Rock N Roll - definitely the worst leg cramps in my history, but here I am hamming it up

Later, around mile 11, other runners kept me from falling over with crippling leg cramps. But then, I ran the SABA Courthouse 4 miler - also pathetic.  And then, there was the Santa Antonio 5k - I rode the course twice by bike - and was hurting

But enjoyed a little 'recovery'

And then, this weekend was the Sticks and Stones 16.04K road or trail race (I picked stones/road, given my injurious history on this dang trail - I still have a scar on my left knee from earlier this year).  But, somewhere about mile 7, I got really grouchy - and at mile 9 in the humidity, the calf cramps hit again - right here-ish

But, again, I recovered with the help of some friends and libations

All that said and given my history of pretty cruddy performances at my races as of late, I was debating whether to run the SARR 5 mile or 10 mile run this weekend.  After posting a request for advice, I got pushes from two high school buddies - one of whom who has multiple autoimmune diseases - from the 'usual FM' to some really unique and untreatable disorders - and the other who recently underwent a liver transplant and is experiencing some complications.  So, my "I'm sleepy in the morning" and "my knee hurts" complaints pale VERY MUCH in comparison.

And, therefore, I have registered for the SARR 10 miler on Saturday - the first 5 miles will be for Anney and the second 5 miles for Jennifer.  Maybe a little positive run will do us all better in the overall spiritual realm?

Rock N Roll 'famous'

As you know, I am no stranger to fame.  Or, really, 'fame,' defined as randomly having my pic and/or quotes published in local periodicals, the Star, as the IAAP 'covergirl,' and other such appearances.

Well, now I made the Rock N Roll San Antonio Marathon event guide for the second time.  Of course, you do remember when I was 'famous' back in the November 2009 edition - right? 

Well, I just returned from the Rock N Roll expo and opened the 2012 event guide

No, I did not model for the cover. But inside.....

is a list of 'legacy' runners - those who have participated in the event every year since the inaugural 2008 marathon.  And, here I am, among 468 other legacy buddies.

Yep, "legacy" is close enough to "famous" for me!

Next up: Rock N Roll HM - then autograph signing, I'm sure (not really).

Still tired...

Well, since I returned from Hartford I've either been too busy or am experiencing post-marathon fatigue.  Or both - because I am beat.  Last week was the final Wednesday night zoo run of 2012 - Brak Pak was out en force:

Then, Thursday night was Diva Night at Fleet Feet Sports - bra fitting, wine, Krav Maga chicks kicking butt, wine, chocolate, and some of my favorite folks, Street2Feet (Felicia, below, is not a member of S2F)...

Saturday night was the 2nd Annual Dia de los Muertos 5k.  I phoned it in with my "thundercloud" costume this year - although I did have battery-powered "lightning" under the cloud.

I also phoned in my running performance - here I am at the finish, taking a detour to go pat an Iniguez doggie.

Then I blew my nose

It was really a nice race, directed by one of my favorite fotogs - Ceci.  She really puts the extra effort into the quality details.

Then, it was up again for Fleet Feet marathon training Sunday morning - and breakfast afterward at EZ's...

Then, I slept and hoped for a calm, easy week ahead.

Unfortunately, last night involved another midnight emergency trip to the veterinarian.  And, after struggling most of this past year with Vaca's cardiomyopathy, I had to put Vaca the cat to sleep.  This was the first time I've ever had to make that decision - and it really sucks.  But, in a short amount of time, it seemed that a blood clot knocked out his hind leg function and also his lungs, which I knew could happen with CM - my cat, Rojito, also lived with CM for 3 years - it tends to get the big, gentle guys.  Dangit.  But, now he can party on in his 10th life and my memory.  Adios, Vaca.

and almost almost famous again

Yep, I'm a fame ho.  Even though I didn't chase this one....

There are some great race directors in San Antonio - I am but a rookie - and Ceci's one of the top dogs.  Her Dia de los Muertos 5k is this Saturday - FANTASTIC race.  Last year, I dressed as a jellyfish - you can spot me in the last minute or so of this piece for 1/8th of a second - just don't blink.  And, if you are in San Antonio, register - there is still a little room left http://diadelosmuertosrun.com/ 

http://www.foxsanantonio.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/vid_12513.shtml

What - I forgot to mention that I was, again, almost famous?

After attending a luncheon today with George W (we weren't at the same table), one of the announcers who follows my posts emailed me that I had not posted this.  Really?  I didn't?

Really. I didn't. Holy cats - you know I love to look cruddy on camera like this - while promoting the Women's 5k!  This was actually from back in September - it's here


Or you can also look here

http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=3755175

Yes, I was dead tired and not prepared to be interviewed, but the 'reporter' did a wonderful job.  And I am, again, almost famous.

Hippopitoodlepotamus Run

Ho hum.  My annual marathon is run, so now what?  Let an 85-pound pitbull drag me up 3.1 miles of hills, you say?  You're ON!  Oh wait, I already did that on Saturday. 

Gwen and I hit the rescheduled SNIPSA Race for the Rescues 5k last Saturday.  She would like me to mention that she's been dieting and is likely closer to 80 pounds, but it's hard to do the pick-up-the-baby-hippo-dog-and-jump-on-the-scale thing.  Maybe we'll tackle that challenge this weekend.

But, back to last weekend.  I alternate dogs for these races, so it was Gwen's turn to 'race.'  Here we are beforehand.

She's pretty competitive and went into full-out zombie mode

Freaky, no?  Then, she lunged and ate the photographer's brains!

Not really.  Gwen is just overly enthusiastic with kisses (and accompanies them with a complimentary head butt). 

So, we got off to a FAST start, but Gwen was soon distracted by chasing the biggest boy dogs she could find and wallowing in dogpools like a hippo.  (The apple, it seems, does not fall far from the tree.)  But, we 'sprinted' to the finish, looking like champion runners - in a speedy 47ish minutes.

And then "we" sniffed a bunch of butts and took this lovely pic

Gwen would like me to mention that objects in this pic appear wider than they really are.  I'm pretty sure she's correct. 

So, after that adventure, I let her drive home.

Not really - zombie hippopitoodlepotamuses are TERRIBLE drivers.

Gwen would also like me to mention, though she was an off-the-street stray rescue, you should support SNIPSA.  I've volunteered with those folks, and they do a wonderful job TRYING to help reduce the stray population and kill rate in San Antonio.  Gwen says give them some money or adopt your own hippopitoodlepotamus (or other, slightly inferior, breed) from them. 

Thanks to scottydog, Benson photography, and Michelle for the pics.

Shiny things

I can't believe I forgot to post non-ugly pics of the best part of every marathon - the medal ***ooooo shiny things****!  Yes, it is a fairly useless "prize," but I treasure my shiny medals - and this one was cooler than  most:

And, as my fellow Brak Pak'ers pointed out - it is also suitable as a weapon.  But I don't want to get blood on my shiny medal, so I'm not going to try it.

Marathon #6 - Hartford

About 19 years ago, my good college buddy, Tara, suggested that we try out the Army - and I said "sounds good" - and off we went to Basic in Fort Knox, KY....

and I ended up in the real Army for the next 8ish years.  (We were about six years old in that pic.)  Fast forward to 2012 - the year I dislocated my patella, became hypothyroid, and discovered I have terrible arthritis under my kneecaps.  But, dangit, I was still going to run a marathon and searched for a flat, cheap-ish one. 

So, Tara suggested that I come run the ING Hartford marathon "with" her - and I said "sounds good."  So, there I was on October 13, 2012, freezing my buns off at the 35 degree start.  Didn't sound (or feel) good. 

(We're still about 25 years old.)  And here we are with team MAD (Making a Difference) - don't hate me because my pants are cool.  This group rocked - 7 private portapotties for 44 folks - most excellent.

This was my slowest finish - but it was the first marathon where THAT voice did not creep into my head and say "maybe you can't do this."  (Somewhere along the 26.2 miles, that voice always finds me and haunts me for a mile or so - until I grab it by the throat and choke the life out of it.)  This time, I was just taking it easy, and that voice never found me - maybe the voice found the Kenyans (or Tara - who finished in a blazing 3:37ish - but that's unlikely), and it didn't get me. 

The ugly race pics did get me, however.  Here are my cold running pics along the route:

Man, the fat face got me!

And then there was the inglorious finish....through the arch

That was pretty cool.
And they announced "Sally Seeker from San Antonio" - and I did a crazy running chicken warm-up

Then, I went full out crazy running chicken to the finish - check out the chicken wings

And that I did - finish.  But why does that chick in the blue look so happy about it?

I caught up with Cliff around mile 24 and we finished the run together (nevermind that he carried that flag the WHOLE time)

and then I finally looked at my watch and said "really? you couldn't break 5:00?"

But, in the end, I did it - broken-ish elbow, bad knee, and all.  And Tara managed to capture a not-so-ugly-I-rock-this pic

And then I froze a little more

But it was good. And now, Tara says, "we should run this"

And - wait for it------I say "sounds good"
Thanks to Tara, Kevin, and Brightroom for the pics - and super thanks to Tara for hosting me - it was really a great trip (especially when it warmed up).

Dingo's fame

Yep, even the Dingo dog is a bit of a fame whore.  Just like her 'mama.'

http://www.iaapweb.com/

Or, if you're lazy...

I don't know why I'm always so tired

Well, maybe last weekend will explain.  First, there was the Zoo Relay on Friday night - it's a 4 x 2 mile relay - with part of the route going by the alligators.

Here's most of the Brak Pak contingent.

The next morning, I ran with my buddy, Lorie, in her retirement run at McAllister Park - she's retiring after 33 years in the USAF.

Then, I frantically cleaned the house, chopped, peeled, cooked, etc. for wine book club.  Which brought on Sunday - and rain - and muddy dogprints across my clean floors.

Sunday morning was the Loteria 5k at Brackenridge park.  I dressed as Loteria card #33 - La araña

For those of you who don't know -- this is ironic, since I LOATHE spiders.  We have a hate-hate relationship.  I once took a bite out of one, and she took a bite out of me - landing me in the hospital (dumb black widows).  Disclaimer - I was 9 months old and everything on the floor was food.

So now, when I see a spider, I usually douse it with the hose - until it writhes in the water - like this:

Then, just before it shrivels up and dies, it looks about like this:

Maybe I'll be nicer to spiders.  Or I'll just give them a beer after the dousing - it helped me perk back up.

Then I went home, dried off, mopped up dogprints, and cooked some more - for my feast of Michoacán book club - and it was tasty, but I was TIRED.

Thanks to Ceci, Victor, and Scottydog (below) for the pics.