Yep, it happened

There was something I've always been quite sure would never happen, yet it did.  I never planned on making it to 40 - it was just too far.  There were times I seemed to strive to make sure it wouldn't happen in my 20s (hitching a ride back from Matamoros, Mexico in a panel van driven by strangers and rappelling off a 70 foot bridge, for instance).  But it happened.

I turned 40.  And it wasn't so bad.  My family brought me home and helped me celebrate in grand fashion, including a 4.0 mile run with my sisters - who are the ones who dragged me back into the running world after the Army.  (My folks, brothers in law, 8 nephews, and niece were 'also rans!')  Here I am with the 2025ish Packers offensive line and coaching crew...

 And they gave me 40 gifts over the past weeks - which were a welcome break among the race entries.  The last was a lovely book of thoughts from friends and family from over the years.  It is very sweet - you guys clearly do not understand the mess of a crazy running chicken zombie I am, but I read it to cure myself of those afflictions.

And, so, here was my debut as a master runner.  Being a master sure didn't make me any faster or any un-sweaty-er.  That is a word in my world.

Freeda's 5K -- 3.0 miles to go

 

I honestly have NO idea what I was doing here - maybe explaining my theory on how to achieve world peace?  (because it only makes sense on a run, or while drinking wine)

Okay, this can only be described as prancercising.  Note the horrified runners to my left, house right.

Luckily, I snapped back into crazy running chicken mode.  Bok. Bok.
And I finished - worst time ever in my 40s.  And my masters PR - see how that works?

After the race, I enjoyed paletas and cervecas - and pimped my race. 

If you are not registered for the Women's 5K - fair warning:  I will find you, drag my 40-year-old butt to your house and crazy chicken prancercise all over your driveway.  And, this being Texas, I'm obviously trying to make turning 41 not happen.

Thanks to Ceci, IAAP, TimC, Belinda, and Scottydog for the pics!

 

Back to it - home, running, and critters

So, wow - what happened?  I flew back on Monday - in from the CHI marathon, whirl-wind tour of SE WI, 20th HS reunion, and assorted craziness.  And my head is still spinning. 

But, I ran the Alamo Beer Race #4 (15k) on Saturday and felt great.  Which you cannot tell from these pics.

At the start - (Kent is shamelessly promoting the Santa Antonio 5k on December 3.  If you are in or near San Antonio, you MUST RUN it - in a (provided) Santa suit.)

And then there was the run

I was actually feeling pretty dang good - no GI issues, no 26+ miles to run, and hitting a sub-10:00 pace with no problems.  But, as my buddy, Jenna, pointed out - these finish line pics are AWESOME.

"So what DID I run that in?"

"Damn, that slow?"

"well, heck, carry the 1, divide by 60 - not so so bad"

I'm so good at hiding my emotions.

And then, it was off to Dia de los Perros  I was so busy preparing my costume for the Dia de los Muertos run  that I didn't exercise due diligence in constructing dog costumes.  So, Gwen was a lion and Dingo was a jaguar (dogs dressed as big cats - get it?)  (they have tails and ears)

 Dingo with her brindle buddy, Cappy

 Dingo teaching Cappy how to knock over my buddy, Dulce

 Gwen teaching a trainer how to give her treats even if she fakes 'down'

The remains of the leopard.

thanks to Scallywompus, SA Photographers, Kevin Saunders, and Dulce Bares for the pics.

Next up: (maybe) cruiser ride of Eastside cemeteries, last zoo run of 2011, Dia de los Muertos 8k, and Eastside cemeteries running tour - and that's all between Tuesday-Saturday. 

no race weekend

But still fun.  I traveled to Southeastern Wisconsin this weekend for my Grandma's 80th birthday celebration, hosted by my folks in Waukesha (unfortunately, I did not find my camera until Sunday).  It was great to see many, many family members, even though the high temperature was around 20 degrees - when I departed. 

Grandma was suffering from some sort of bug, but was still vivacious and spry as always.  I'm hoping some family members who snapped pics from Fri-Sat send me them or a link (a-hem?).

After the fabulous birthday celebrations, we had brunch (and I found my camera) - to prepare us for the Packers's and Steelers's victories.  My future offensive line was ready to rumble.

not to be outdone, Lena rocked (well, swung) her Packers gear

Because they are already in the hard core future-Packers offensive line training program, the boys camped out - in Dad's golf room

and, then, we enjoyed watching the Packers's conference win.  Even when Peppers made a dirty, dirty hit against Rodgers (my sister made sure that all of the boys understood that THAT was a dirty hit that REAL players don't do - so we'll continue to play a clean game).  Next stop - Lombardi trophy.  With a race or two in between.

and starting for the Green Bay Packers in 2025-2030

my nephews (and niece - I'm pretty sure she'll be tough enough to show her stuff)

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Not really.  But my performance at the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon was the middle of times.  It was my second worst marathon finish - or my third best.  It was a fairly solid 4:45:24 for me.  I ran it with my sister, Gretchen, who smoked it in 4:12, cutting more than 30 minutes off her PR!  It was a twee bit chilly for me, but was actually good running weather.  However, around mile 17.5, something popped in my right foot, so I was running crooked for the rest of the race.  At first, I thought that something broke, but, now that the swelling and discoloration has reduced, I'm going to diagnose myself with an official not-broken foot (signed, Sally, fake MD).  (and then I'm going to run the Texas Med Clinic Half Marathon this weekend - or hobble it).  Here are some of my paparazzi (Dad's) pics:

Before with Gretchen (I'm only looking confident and warm because I'm half-asleep and inside the house)

Yep, crazy running chicken marathon runner.  my right foot had just audibly POPPED and caused serious pain - the chick in the blue diagnosed me with neuroma about 1/2 mile down the road (at mile 18).

 but I did shake a little crazy chicken off and kept going


and going

Meanwhile, Gretchen was making the finish look easy 

but it is hard

but if you keep puting one foot in front of the other, you get to the finish





 and then you freeeeeze. 
and then you eat 
and then you celebrate (with Mom and paparazziDad - across the lake from the finish line)

and all for this...

It really was a nice, albeit cold, run along Milwaukee's lakeshore with my sister and family.  And now, I ice my foot, drink a glass of wine, chow on some WI cheese curds, and start contemplating my next marathon.

Thanks to Dad for the pics!  Thanks to Gretch for another great run!

Wedding weekend

I refrained from racing last Saturday for my cousin, Sammi's, wedding. It was very sweet and this, apparently, was the calm part of the weekend (in which the latter part I was NOT a coconspirator, victim, patient, or party to the carnage). Yes, this is what you get when your family is fun (or crazy) on both sides!  Here are the pics before chaos, apparently, ensued.