Fall Fest 8 miler

So, I awoke this morning to lightning and rain, but still headed out to Comfort, TX for the Fall Fest 8 miler.  At least I decided against running the 25k that was also being run.  The rain abated, but the hills and wind persisted, making this a tough little run.  It was scenic, though, and the fast guys took a bit of a wrong turn (and we followed), so it was only 7.5 or so miles, which was fine by me.

Thanks to http://www.iaapweb.com/ and Tom Lake for the pics!

When I got home, I crashed for a bit - then decided to register for a 5k next weekend that I was debating whether to run.  Imagine my surprise when I went online and found MY ugly race pic front and center! 

http://www.rauljimenezdinner.com/?page_id=21

More Race for the Rescue Pics

Check out Gwen and I!
Thanks to Studio Benson for the pics (I ordered some - proceeds benefitted SNIPSA)

Half Marathon

Though it was tough, I ran the Texas Medclinic Half Marathon in Leon Springs this morning.  It kind of felt like wading through mud and my feet hate me - but I needed the bling:

Next up - sleeping in tomorrow (which hasn't happened in a LONG time on Sundays) and hitting the downtown dog park opening with Dingo.

Ugliest race pics EVER

Now, you know me.  I quest for an ugly race pic.  But, these were beyond my wildest dreams - I hit the crazy running chicken pose, the zombie pose, the on-the-verge-of-death pose, and many more.  Now, finishing another marathon was one thing, but this is truly an accomplishment.

Thanks to ASI for letting me swipe their pics.

Next up: Texas Med Clinic Half Marathon October 9!

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!

Premarathon nerves

I don't usually get nervous.  Except when I have to go to the doctor, get a shot, or jump/fall off high things.  But speaking in front of crowds, running most races, and other sometimes intimidating situations do not really bother me too much.  But, the last weeks before the marathon always make me anxious.  I worry about sustaining some dumb injury after all that training, and I fret that I cannot, in fact, actually make it through 26.2 miles. 

This year is no different and, actually, worse.  So, today, I went to go get a massage.  It was brutal, but necessary.  The therapist said "damn" 14 times.  Really.  Apparently, I had some major knots - and felt it.  But, she did a good job working out my bum left hip and some of the residual scar tissue in my previously-separated shoulder.  (NOTE:  I should have waited until after the Packers-Bears game for that - I'm already getting tense again!)

In other news, I'm back in the 'news.'  Gwen and I made the 'cover' of http://www.iaapweb.com/.  Ceci changes the cover, so you have to look fast, but here are some screencaps to prove it:

Gee, I hope this isn't like the Sports Illustrated jinx or curse thing or whatever!

Gwen's first race

Gwen the pitoodle has run the zoo run with me, and some other training runs, but this was her first official, chip-timed run.  We 'ran' the SNIPSA race for the rescues 5k this morning - which means we walked it, because I'm not getting taken down by a pitoodle one week before the marathon.  We had to take one poop break ('we' being Gwen) and then, at every water stop, Gwen had to take a swim and do her hippo impression in both doggiepools (which meant about 8 by the end).  So, our finish time was somewhere around 57:30 - by far my worst, but a PR for Gwen. 

I tried to give her some ugly race pic pointers at the finish line, but she was determined that they get her best side - all of them.

She was THRILLED with the 3 side-by-side doggie pools at the finish - she would wallow in one and move straight to the next for more wallowing and blowing bubbles.  I kind of think race directors should include those pools at aid stations/finish area for people races.

Thanks to Ceci for the pics - check them all out at http://www.iaapweb.com/