Running Through Life

Well, which marathons should I run this year? With so many awesome ones to run it is a tough decision. I try to run them in different states. Not because I think I can do 50 states, but because.... well just maybe so why not. But it also gives my a chance to run in different parts of the good ole US of A.

A friend of mine is trying to get back into shape and running in general and he has decided on the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis. I agreed to run it with him. I was considering Country Music, but St. Jude is a good cause. That takes care of Tennessee.

I have a friend in St. Louis so I have been considering an inaugural marathon. Though Missouri was taken care of miserably last October (Lewis and Clark - which the Running Doc preformed admirably), I am thinking of a mulligan and doing it over. Rock n Roll bought out that marathon and is putting on an extravaganza in October.

I have another friend in Savannah where Rock n Roll is having another inaugural marathon as well. It just seems doing something the first time would be awesome. I have been to Georgia (never Savannah) and it is some pretty country. It should be an awesome run through some beautiful southern neighborhoods.

There is always the Illinois marathon here in town. I did run it the first year. I could always do it again as it is a local event. It is flat and fast (for the fast runners, not me). Brittany Spears, oh sorry. Got distracted.

A friend of mine is running the Martian half marathon April 2. I could always drive up there and do the full. I think I might be in shape to complete it without hurting myself (I have a scheduled 20-22 mile run the next day). But a 6.5 hour drive back doesn't seem real appealing (and the hotel - though the gas may cost more).

I also have a friend in Florida now and a few relatives. Though those would probably have to be towards the end of the year or early next year.

And to confuse and confound even a little more, Indiana and Iowa both have marathons that are close by as well.

So, I count 8 marathons. Not bad for a year. 4 more and I could be a Marathon Maniac - Gold level. Crazy talk there Sybil. You better watch the tongue of yours.

Noe to decide on which marathons. St. Jude is in. Who else wants to step up the the plate? This is going to hurt and require a lot of work on my part. Hell, a lot of work on my friends as well. They are the ones going to have to keep me motivated, keep me moving, keep on keeping me trucking. but I have faith in them. In person, by email, by blog, I rely on them more than they realize. Sounds like a helicopter at the airport again. They are the ones that make me a better runner and person. All of you take a bow.

Ok, it is decided. The marathons that are in (and maybe a secret one not listed below).
Rock n Roll - St. Louis
Rock n Roll - Savannah
St. Jude - Memphis

What a trip it could be. Now to save some money.

- the beginning of the end

Not a bad week in running world. Only 18miles but still ok. It was a cutback week. Next week has bigger mileage including the long run of 18 miles on Sunday.

Weather is starting to turn for the better here in central illinois. That makes it good for outdoor running. The new running club I have been meeting with one the weekends is one big club. Especially the half marathon group. Huge.

"once I get my hooks into a woman she never gets free"
"like ringworm?"
"if you like."

LOL!!! Watching "How to lose friends and alienate people". That scene was funny.

Back to blogging, sorry for the interuption. Oh shit, that was funny too.

Scheduled runs for the week -
M7/W10/F6/S18 = 41
my biggest ever in my life. WOW!!

Also, I noticed that I have crossed the 1000 mile plateau since using runnningahead.com. I crossed that on Saturday. It only took 3 years of my sometime running. Maybe the second 1000 won't take another 3 years.

Hopefully in the next few days I will have a hint at an unexpected idea that feel into my brain earlier today. As my friends would say - an idiocy of an idea. Maybe, not.

- the beginning of the end

I was up most of the night importing 28,000+ loans for work so pretty much felt like shit this morning.
Hence no morning run.
Therefore, feeling sorry for myself I had McD's.
That was bad.
Worked suck.
No communication again.
How to fix it?
Hell if I know.
Left work a whole 30 minutes early.
Really windy at home.
Extremely tired from no sleep.
Forced myself to plug in the treadmill.
Actually hopped on it.
Got back off and got water.
Turned on treadmill.
Ran 10k.
In 56.55.
Not bad.
Feel better now.
Still tired, but restful.
Eating pizza.
Then watching V.
And too bed.

- the beginning of the end

I got an email last night about some of the old gang getting together at Lake of the Woods. I wasn't decided. I wasn't decided when I woke up this morning. I also did not run my scheduled Friday run (5 miles). Work, personal just couldn't get out of the house to run. Sunday is my last scheduled run of the week (16 miles)

The end of the Challenge.

I got up, rolled over, got up again. I decided to see some of the old gang. I got there early figuring I run my 16 today and then hopefully use Sunday to make up my Friday run. I ran the trail out there. A 5 mile hilly grass course with several water crossings. The first one was nice.

The third one was hard.  But I did it. 16 miles on my own. I rock.

The gang was still at Hen House when I finished and I met them there. It was a good time and the chocolate milk was cold. Sweeeet!!!

The Running Doc completed her scheduled runs successfully this week. Let's see if she runs any extra on Sunday. I feel good this week. About my running.

Next week is a kick back one.
T6, T8, S12

- the beginning of the end

Running Doc got her scheduled run in earlier today. I had a 9 mile EZ run scheduled for today that would have put me a few miles ahead of her. Let's go to Webster for the definition of easy.

Webster says - causing or involving little difficulty or discomfort. And to me that means a 10 to 10.30 pace. Unfortunately my body likes rebel against my brain. And brain is kind of a wimp and gives in. 


Warmup - 9.05.79 - too fast
Mile 2 - 8.39.05 - wtf!!!
Mile 3 - 9.30.35 - water break adds an extra 30 seconds, but I am pleased
Mile 4 - 8.51.68 - impressive
Mile 5 - 9.25.77 - getting dark - had to slow down to read street signs
Mile 6 - 8.57.22 - rebound for last mile


Total - 55.04/9.08 pace


I could have continued. I was tired but not beat. I made not have continued on a 9 minute pace. I was also a STUPID runner. It would have been very dark before I finished and I wore dark clothes. How dumb is that? So after 6 back in the parking lot at car the I grabbed water and called it quits. A hard 6 = an EZ 9. 


I am still happy. 


Challenge total - 6.1 + 6.0 = 12.1


Now I have to lay a disclaimer - the Challenge really isn't about who runs more (the Running Doc is likely to get out at 11pm just to grab an extra 5) but more about getting my lazy, slug-like ass off the couch. I actually have more miles scheduled for the week than she does, but I am far better at skipping runs or shortening them. Tonight's run.... but I am glad for the Challenge and super happy than the Running Doc has got my back  and keeping me going. 


- the beginning of the end


P.S. - Boo to the BAA that is lowering qualifying times for slow middle aged runners like me.

I may need a clarification, but since I slogged through 4 -6 inches of mush and snow checking the fence around all pastures (dog getting out again), uphill and downhill, I am counting the 1.3 miles that the Garmin recorded. I then hopped on the 'dread for another 4.8 at 9.24 pace. Let me tell you - a 10 day layoff and I am beat. Right shin even hurts a little. Hoping it isn't a shin splint and feels fine in the morning.

No scheduled run for tomorrow but I will try to get in 3 anyway. I really need to make up some of the miles I missed from being lazy. I know that is a BAD thing to do and I tell all my fellow runners not to do it. But that is why I am going far or fast. My base mileage really needs to be higher than what it is.

Indy Mini - I signed up for it last year and I really would like to come within a few minutes of my PR. My awesome goal would be to break it, but we will see. I am looking forward to a perfect scenario come May 7. And there is bad news for that day already. Same day as the I80 Alpacafest. Oh well. There will be other alpaca shows.

Challenge Day 1 - 6.1 miles
Challenge Total  - 6.1 miles

- the beginning of the end

Sisters? of Providence?
yes, saturday I and a good friend will be visiting the Sisters. not sisters from the same mother but religious Sisters. Sisters of god and sisters of the farm. they will show us, teach us and feed us. they are eco-friendly. i think it will be a very good time. can't wait to visit saint marys of the woods.

and i am thinking of making my small goat herd into a real farm. yep, going to register it as a corporation or llc. not sure which yet. any business people out there? of course i really don't expect to make money but hopefully enough to pay for their winter feed and some of the electric costs for heating their water. might even looking at getting one or two of these little crias.