Canceled Again

I always love my post marathon massage, it is all I think of while I am running. On Sunday I was dreaming on coming home and having my sore muscles worked on for an hour, unfortunately it did not happen, on Monday I got a call that my girl was sick. It is partly my fault that I am picky but I have two chickas at MEMS that I just lurve. I have tried others and that just don't get the kinks out like M and C do. So of coarse I rescheduled for today at 6pm. At 2:15 I get the dreaded call that again I have to reschedule. The next appointment that seems to fit both my schedule and C is not until Sunday. M I hope you feel better and C please don't get sick on me.

Drinks tonight with Robin, Russell, Najat and Kathleen.. yum yum

Compression Socks

Can anybody give me the down low on compression socks? Who uses them? Do they work? My shins are very sore from the hills in OKC, I am still walking like an old lady. If I could get rid of the shin pain I would be running already-at least for a couple mins anyway.

Thanks- Hope to see you on the roads soon!

50 hours later

Well it has been alittle over 50 hours since I started running the OKC Memorial Marathon(45 since I finished) my shins, quads and back are still a little stiff but I am feeling much more rested this morning. If I sit for to long and try to get up to fast I waddle around until the legs loosen up. Last night I was looking forward to stopping off at the track to see my coaches, but the monsoon that has hit Houston changed that. Tonight I plan to stop by and say hello, and maybe walk a few laps. Recovery is a biatch but more importantly I am thankful that I am healthy and I am blessed that I get to go through it after each race.

OKC Memorial Marathon- VERY LONG!!

We arrived in OKC Saturday morning around 10:30, after catching our hotel shuttle and checking into the hotel we headed out to lunch and to the expo. The expo was at the Cox Convention Center and was amazingly small, and laid out poorly to say the least. You had to walk all the way to the back to pick up your bib and chip. After that you walked to the far left side to make sure your chip was activated and to your name. To pick up our t-shirts back through the crowd to the very right front of the expo, finally we walked through the expo and look at items to purchase. I picked up an OKC marathon hat, pink tech shirt and a pair of double layered socks on sale for $2.

After the expo we went over to the memorial and walked around outside. In our packets we received a coupon for a free entry into the museum. This was an amazing tour; we saw photos, news casts, and articles of many items that were found in the rubble after the bombing. We heard a tape of a deposition that took place at the actual time that the bomb went off that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. After a very long day we headed to eat dinner and back to the hotel. We had watched the weather off and on all week leading up to this because we were so worried about the heat and the wind. By Saturday morning we were just hoping the race would not be canceled because it was rumored that OKC may be getting thunderstorms that included hail and possible tornadoes. Saturday night was no different; in fact Sunday morning when we woke up and discovered it had not even rained we were happy.

4:15am alarm goes off and we start getting ready. I made a cup of coffee and ate part of a power bar, but my stomach was in knots so I could not finish it. 5:00am we were in the lobby to catch the hotel shuttle to the start line. This was a little nerve racking, the hotel had told us they would run shuttle buses from 4:30 am until race time, so we were in the lobby standing in line when the lady at the desk announces there would not be another shuttle until 6am. (Hello the race is at 6:30 and you have 60+ people in line for 9 passenger vans). We made a stupid decision to try to catch the trolley that was to run every 15 mins a block from our hotel, after waiting 30 mins and no trolley (plus seeing 2 of our shuttle vans go by) we hung our heads and went back to the hotel and finally got on a shuttle to the start line with 10 mins for the bathroom and stop at gear check.

We lined up in the back instead of trying to push our way closer to the start line, but even with 19,000 people we were across the start line in about 10mins. The first 13 miles we had some wind mainly to our backs, but whoever said the OKC is flat needs to have their head examined. In fact I would rather run a half marathon on Flintridge than to run the hills in OKC again. We got to the lake at the half way mark and that’s when the wind started to pick up and they were no longer at my back but about a 25-30 mph head wind. The head winds never went away, for the next half of the race I was fighting the wind, a few times it almost knocked me backwards. At about mile 21 I knew that I would get a PR, I was not sure by how much but I knew even if I walked the last five miles I could probably get a PR. I started talking to a girl that was from OKC and had run the marathon 2 times before and she was complaining about the humidity and asked if it was bothering me, so I told I was from Texas and I did not even notice it was humid. I asked her if was always this windy and she said “pretty much, but the wind is your friend”. I am not sure if it was or not, but it showed me that I am stronger than I thought I was because I had to fight hard to make it to the end. When I finally saw the finish line in the distance I sighed in relief and I ran as hard as I could when I crossed the finish line and saw a dark headed lady with a medal I started near her and she said “sweetie I will come to you, thank you for running for us.” She put my medal around my neck and I made my way to get my finishers shirt, my Carl Jr’s hamburger, Gatorade and finisher picture. All in all despite the wind and hills it was a great race for a great cause. Fabulous volunteer’s, scenic course and another memorable completed marathon with great friends.
5:08:36 PR

Running Buddies Rock

Yesterday before I left for the track I got horrible news about Pamela's cancer. Her petscan did not go as we wished. At her 3 month mark she was told to be in remission after 3 more months of chemo and being sick 24/7 her cancer is back. Her doctor has asked her to gather her family for a consult to discuss what is next. I cried all the way to track, and this is where I get to running buddies rock, I get out of the car and I see my surf sistah and I felt so much better because I knew I was going to have some positive conversation for the next 30+ mins. Viv and I walked /ran around the track (she is getting her legs back after 70.3 WHOP! WHOP!) and chatted about her race and our family and other stuff. I saw Kathleen and Russell and we chatted about OKC this weekend (very excited). So thank you to my friends who got me through track without a tear. Taper mode rocks.. 2.25 miles.

Please say a prayer for Pamela and her family.

6 days

Well it is getting closer and closer, just 6 days until OKC. I have gone back and forward with nervousness, I get nervous then I have a great run and then I get un-nervous again. Sunday's run was a little less to be desired, it was very humid and it left me feeling a little yuck when I got home. After a cool shower I got in bed and stayed there for about 5 hours, sleeping off and on. I knew I had to get out of bed so I went and ran a couple of errands and then came home ate a light dinner and climbed back in bed. Yesterday I got up and went to boot camp, a couple of times I felt a little light headed, but felt pretty good afterwards. Then at work I started feeling sick to my stomach and went home and got in bed before lunch time. After staying in bed all day I am feeling much better today and hope to get a couple of miles in tonight. I am thinking that humidity really got to me on Sunday and Bootcamp Monday did not help. So again I am back to nervousness for OKC since it seems we are going to start with about 60 degrees and the high for the day is 78, not desirable running weather. Also there is the big chance for strong winds, again not ideal marathon weather for me, unless it will magically be all to my back and push me through the coarse. I will keep checking the weather and hoping for an arctic blast to come from our friends in Canada. Hope to see you on the roads soon!

Congrats to all runners that ran the 113th Boston Marathon yesterday! You all rock!

Busy weekend

Saturday morning I got up and went to bootcamp, it was hella hard since I had not been since February. Saturday got together for Pamela's birthday dinner and drinks. Sunday morning 10 miles, this was a difficult run for me since I was sore from bootcamp and the weather was very humid. I went home and took a long nap. Sunday afternoon got out for an hour or so to enjoy the weather and then early to bed. Monday morning up at 4:30 and back at bootcamp.

I had to come back and post this photo we took of "the girls" at Pamela's birthday, not only are we celebrating her birthday but getting together with old friends and celebrating Pam's recovery in her fight with cancer.

Hanging with the girls

Since my hours have been reduced I got out of work early yesterday and went with Lizette to take care of Pam's kiddos. Pamela had a consult with her oncologist yesterday so we took the kids to the park. Later in the day I stopped to pick up her husband at the airport and then dropped them at the house. Unfortunately I got to the woods to late and missed my run- guess I will take care of it this afternoon.

Headache.. 3.25 miles.. Watching Bill Crews Run..

Nothing to exciting to report about yesterday's run. I had a horrible headache and almost did not get dressed and go to the track, but I did. I met Russell (aka Mac) and Kathleen for 3.25 easy miles. Oh the one exciting thing about my track workout was watching Bill Crews run, truly amazing.

Track with Dan Green

Last night was my first time out to the Woodlands High School track. Since joining TWRC I have been contemplating if I should attempt to go to Coach Green's workout. So when I got an email forwarded from Joanne that their track workout was moved to Tuesday, I was moved to give it a try. I warmed up for about 3/4 of a mile at about 10:00 pace, then we got in our groups "really really fast", "really fast", and then "us". So the workout was 3 or 4 1600's w/3 min intervals. 1st 8:37, 2nd 8:26 and the 3rd 8:42 I chose to stop there because I was so tired. 3/4 cool down. It was a great workout and Coach Green was very encouraging made it fun.

Total mileage 4.75 miles.

Easter Weekend

My Easter weekend started with a few drinks with the "runner girls at Crescent Moon Wine Bar. It was a nice evening of laughs and wine (beer for me). Friday morning I got up early and headed to Pam's for another day of girls. Lizette, Pam and I got to catch up on old times and played with the girls and Caleb. Saturday morning was my last loonngggg run before OKC, I met up with Russell and Kathleen for an 18 miler that turned into a 19 miler. It was nice and cool run that ended in a sprint back to Starbucks for a Grande non-fat Cafe Mocha no whip. Glad to be done with that one! Saturday afternoon I had big plans for a long nap that got nixed by a visit from a friend we had not seen in a while a very energetic 2 yr old named Scarlett. We sat out on the back decked and watched many golfers go by and had lots of laughs when Scarlet somehow associated "oh shit" when the golfers would tee off. We explained to her that was the incorrect thing to say and that we should say "good shot" instead. Later on the evening my hubby took me to see "Fast and Furious" pretty good show considering almost 2 hours of staring at my man Vin. In bed and asleep by 8:30. Sunday we spent Easter lunch with my mom, step dad and all of his family, lots of great BBQ and Easter egg hunt for the kiddos. Great weekend!

Furlough

Furlough was the word for Tuesday. Yes I am now on furlough, it is not as bad as it could be. Instead of more layoffs my company has decided to do a furlough for the rest of the year. As of now it is only 40 hours for the quarter until the end of the year. In case you have not heard of furlough for me this it means 120 hours I get to take off without pay. I am very happy that I still have my job and that I work for a company that will do this instead of laying off their employees.

Last night 3 miles at the track at 10:25 avg pace.

Finally the last week

Something I have not blogged about lately is my friend Pamela. This is her last week for chemo, in fact tomorrow is her last day. Next week she will be going through re-staging and then we will see what comes next. It has been a very tough road for her, she has been going through chemo for the past 6 months every other week, 3 times a week. All of this with twin girls that will be a year next month and a 3 year old. After her third month she was showing signs of remission and for precaution they chose to extend her chemo through this week. Her next hurdle is surgery, after her re-staging they will determine when and where her surgery will be preformed. I am so happy for her that she will finally get a break and will feel like a human again. Because of the type of surgery and the medications she has been on for the past 6 months she will get to have at least a month of being herself before her surgery. She has been down a very long road and she has a very long road a head of her, she over come so many obstacles and I know that God is taking care of her. She is my inspiration to love life everyday and live it to the fullest!

Monday night 4 miles in my hood.

Getting ready for OKC

I decided about a month ago I would go ahead a run Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. So these last few weeks I have been trying to get my miles in so I am ready.

Last Sunday I ran Angie's Half Crazy Half in Clear Lake. It was a nice small race with a great cause. Russell, Najat, Robin, Kathleen, Molly and I met at 4:45am for the drive over. We were there plenty early as you never know how bad traffic will be, we had plenty of time for the extra bathroom break and to meet up with Judi and Donna. The race was set to start at 7am but they had 200 race morning entry's so the race was slightly delayed. We ran into Jon Walk at the start line and I had a new goal which I let him know it was to beat him that day. (Which I did) The coarse was nice and scenic, volunteers were great, cold sponges every other mile were the bomb (even though I made fun at first). It was a cool morning, around 40 at the start and probably about 50 when I finished. My plan for the run was to have fun and to come in somewhere between 2:19 and 2:30. Russell, Kathleen and I stayed together for a good while until we discussed that is was possible to finish in 2:15 at that point Russell took off and left us between mile 9 and 10. Kathleen and I finished strong at 2:13:00. It was amazing to get another PR. Russell finished in 2:10. The other's were not far behind. All of TWRC represented well.

Monday- Rest
Tuesday-3.35 miles
Wednesday- 3.75 miles
Thursday- 5.2 miles

Friday-16.3 miles, I was a little worried about this run- sinceI knew it would be by myself, it was by far the furthest I have run completely by myself. I thought of a hundred excusses, but I fought through all of them I got it done. It is truely amazing what you can accomplish when you put your heart into it.

Saturday went to Victoria for a baby shower. No running
Sunday- rest