Fireball Classic 5K - Race Report

Sorry I'm a bit late on this race report!  As a result, I'm sure I will accidentally leave out important snippets along the way.  Between my mom and me, however, we got some pretty good pictures, so hopefully they will make up for the lack of fine detail.

My parents decided to tag along - as always they made the racing experience all the more fun.  I snapped a few pre-race pictures, then took off on a warm up.  I ran into these guys along the way and just had to get a picture.  Being the heroes that they are, they couldn't say no to a photo op!

(from left to right Thor, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America)

After another warm-up pass, it was time to line up.  I'm claustrophobic, and not a huge fan of crowds, so lining up was a bit difficult on me.  I like getting towards the front so I don't have to fight my way around people to pass, but I also enjoy NOT panicking/hyperventilating pre-race.  I settled on a mid-pack spot and waited for the gun.

Race time temps were supposed to be in the high 80s, but one of the ladies I was lined up next to said it was mid 70s.  If that was the case the humidity had to be at a billion percent because it felt HOT!  Thankfully the race start time was 9 PM, so we at least didn't have the sun to contend with.

I tried to start off fast, but had to spend the majority of the first mile passing other runners.  Given the weather conditions, I wasn't hoping for a PR but I wanted to race my best.  This race is ran on the same road as my current PR and I very much enjoy it.

Mile 1 - 9:15

During the 2nd mile I expected traffic to ease up, but it really didn't.  I was still passing people as I made it to the turn around spot and headed back.  After a brief up hill spurt, the cluster broke up a bit by that point the exhaustion (from passing?  from the humidity?) had kicked in and I couldn't will myself to go any faster.

Mile 2 - 9:36

The next mile was more of the same.  The fire department had a truck along the course spraying us with water, but since I'd brought my iPod along I skirted the outside of the spray.  Bummer too, because I'm sure it felt great for all who ran through it.

Mile 3 - 9:36

I had told my parents to look for me between the 25 minute (a girl can dream, right?) and 30 minute mark.  No matter what I wanted this race to be sub 30, but beyond that I really didn't have a goal.  As I neared the finish line I saw my dad with a cowbell.  He immediately started ringing it and looking towards the finish line.

My mom wasn't with him, and I quickly figured out this was the system they had set up for him to signal her to get the camera ready.  Apparently they didn't do a great job of spacing themselves, because she ended up getting a picture of my back.  The picture looks horrid and makes me look much larger than I am, so I will not be sharing it.  I do, however, applauded their attempt.

(this isn't the above-mentioned picture)

After crossing the finish line, racers were given a bottle of water and a cold, wet towel.  Add to that the Rita's Italian Ice in the snack line and I'd have to say this race had the best after party I've seen at a shorter distance.

How'd I do?

Gun Time: 30:26  
Chip Time: 29:38

Not a PR, but before this year sub 30 was a big goal of mine.  If I can go out and do that on any given race, I consider that a win!

Law Enforcement Memorial 5K - Race Report

Every year I run the Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministry 5K in May.  It was my first race ever and is sort of a new tradition.  After all running the same race year after year is the best way to track progress.

Unfortunately this year it was over Mother's Day and I was nice enough to skip it so that my husband could travel to Ohio to see his parents.

Although my employer hosted a local triathlon this weekend, I skipped it because the "difficult" hill scared me.  I know hard and easy are relative, but when the coworker/fitness instructor that is a total workout bad ass says something is challenging, I believe her.  And know better than to think my poorly training biking legs and my sad little mountain bike can handle "challenging".

Instead I signed up for the Law Enforcement Memorial 5K.  Race registration was held at Volunteer Landing and the race traveled along the river - promising to be one of the flattest races possible in this area.

(source)

I laid out my clothing the night before, and knew that my camera was right beside the door and I could grab it on my way out. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that it was in pieces thanks to my darling hubby, and while the battery was in the charger nearby, the memory card was no where to be found.

He offered to let me borrow his camera, but its the fancy kind with appature settings and the like, so it was far too bulky to carry with me in a race.  (Why my husband borrows "my" camera when he has his own plus a droid is something you'll have to take up with him.)

My tummy wasn't cooperating, so I ate a very light breakfast and hoped for the best.  Thankfully it wasn't an issue I had to deal with race day.

As always when racing in Knoxville, I got lost.  I took the proper exit, but remembered my dad telling me to follow the road until it hit where I needed to be.  I was mistaken, although I did feel pretty confident when I figured out where I was and how I should get to where I needed to be.

Traveling downtown Knoxville isn't my strong suit and I always build in getting lost time into my schedule.  I still arrived in plenty of time to get warmed up, stand in line for the one and only real toilet, and get registered.

I asked a random lady to take my picture with my phone.  Gotta love the picture quality of those 1980s cell phones!!

In the past, I put myself somewhere mid pack for the start.  I don't want to get in the way of other runners, so I try to be considerate.  What typically happens is I spend the first mile passing people with jogging strollers and walkers.  Annoying when that only leaves 2 miles for racing. 

This race was different - I positioned myself in the front.  Just behind the sponsored runners.  While it was nice not having to fight around people, it was a bit discouraging to be passed by so many people in the first mile.  Especially when that douche dude knocked me out of the way.  I'm not talking grazing my shoulder, but knocking me out of the way hard enough to make me "ouch".  (Although I'll admit I am a bit of a wimp, so its not like a bruised or anything.)

I'd discussed race strategy with a friend the day before and she'd said that I got too preoccupied at running XX:XX pace instead of just going out and running hard.  I reasoned that even if I went out at a full sprint and had to walk that would still be faster than a jog.

Ashley had another great suggestion - try to run at just a few notches below a full sprint.  I tried my best, and only a couple minutes into the race I was already breathing hard.

The path took me by Thompson Bowling Arena - home of the University of Tennessee Volunteer basketball teams.

(source)

By the one mile marker, I was wheezing.  Gotta love that asthma.  Thankfully I'd left the Asthma Girl mentality in the bathroom - Super Boo was running this race.  Wheezing and all I finished the first mile in 9:20.

I have to admit that had I seen a less incredible time, I would have been seriously discouraged.  My body was screaming, but the great pace meant it was all worth it.  I kept pushing and tried not to listen to myself breathe.

When we passed the KUB sewer plant I tried not to breathe at all.  Thankfully that section of the race was short and didn't last very long.  Around that point the leaders had already reached the turn around and were passing me heading towards the finish. 

Coming the opposite direction was a dude that I had chatted with a bit before the race, so I took a breath to encourage him as he passed me.  At the turn around, I glanced at my watch again - if this was the half way point I was on track for a new PR and a chance at a sub 30 race.  Sub 30 was my real goal, but I was afraid to hope for it.

After the turn around I tried to encourage people, but sometimes its hard to know what to say.  I couldn't resist cheering when I saw and old man with a walker participating in the 5K.  Dude wasn't even last!!  I was just amazed that he was able to walk, much less beat people decades younger than him.

Mile 2 and my watch said I had only been out 18 minutes and change.  Barring anything unforeseen I was going to do this!!  Unfortunately the 3 mile spot wasn't marked, so I had no clue when to kick in the afterburners.  Once I rounded the corner and saw the finished I kicked it into high gear.  Only high gear wasn't all that much faster than what I had been running.

I suppose my dazzling "sprint to the finish"es have always just meant I didn't give it my all during the rest of the race.  That was not the case here.  As I crossed the finish I looked down to stop my watch 29:21.

I had a new PR AND had finally broken into the world of sub 30 minute 5Ks. 

And I had flem in my lungs that I desperately needed to expel.

No, my phone isn't the best camera in the world but...Yes, my face really is that red.  After a good run it takes me at least an hour if not more for the redness to go away. 

I decided to stay for the awards.  (My time was 5 minutes off placing so there was no danger of that.)  I'm glad I did because I learned a little about that old man with the walker.  He is 92 years old and in that race set a state record.  He walked the 5K in 47 minutes and some change.

If you're not a runner/walker - that's better (by several minutes) than the pace my 50 somethings parents walked their last 5K in.  

That added an extra layer of awesomeness to the race for me.  I totally wanna be him when I grow up! 

According to the official race site my chip time was 29:20 - I'll certainly take that extra second off! 

Covenant 5K - Race report

It takes a certain kinda crazy to set your alarm for 5:45 and leave the house before the sun rises.  Just so that you can make it early morning run you've paid $30 for the privilege of running.

Especially when said morning is unseasonably cool. 

All your insanity is justified when you arrive race day to see that the starting line is beside a national regional local landmark.

The dedication of the elite athletes as well as the hand chair competitors is enough to get you pumped for the start.

My goal for this race was to beat last year's time.  Actually it was a new PR, but I was so nervous that I wouldn't be able to meet that, I padded it by giving lip service to the slightly easier goal.

Either way this was my corral.

Too bad I was the only one that really paid attention to the corrals.  I spent the first half mile of the race passing people.  I mean really?  The dude walking in jeans thought that he belonged in the sub 10 m/m corral? 

The down hill portion of the race started shortly before the 1 mile marker.  I checked my watch: 10:15 - on pace for a PR.  I knew that the uphill was coming though, so I wasn't going to get excited just yet.  I tried to ride out the downhill, but still the congestion of the crowd made it difficult for me to pick up any good momentum.  Then again the lack of that speed also kept me from tumbling down the hill.  I guess that's a lose/win situation.

At the bottom of the hill it was time to turn around and head back.  I can tell that I haven't been doing any hill work lately because my breathing got a lot tougher during this part.  Just short of the top of the hill was the 2 mile marker. 

Watch check - 20: 29.  I was still on pace for a PR.  Then another downhill.  This time the crowd had thinned out enough that I was able to run my race and go the faster downhill speed that I wanted.  Rounding the corner at Cumberland and Kingston Pike I had one last downhill, then the end was near.

As ominous as that sounds - its really that bad.

This is the home stretch.  I'd guess its the 2.5 mark or so.  Towards the top of this hill there is a  26 mile marker for the marathon folks.  I took that as my "almost there" tip off to kick it up a notch.  Then of course the 3/13 mile marker told me it was time to sprint.  I passed several people sprinting into the stadium.  I hadn't known how I was going pace wise, so just before I crossed I noticed that the 5K clock read 32 minutes and some change.

A NEW PR!!

I kept sprinting until after the finish line (not stopping my watch immediately for pictures) and a moment later I stopped my watch.

I had forgotten about the delayed start.  I didn't just set a new PR - I crushed the old one!  My old PR was 33:08 - not a bad improvement for someone who hasn't trained all that much!

My official chip time was 31:35. 

Which means my goal of a sub 30 minute 5K isn't all that out of reach.  If only I could find a flat course around here! (Fat chance.)

I'm excited to see the official race photos - I hope mine crossing the finish line turns out.

Now its time to get back to training for the SMARM 5K.  Maybe with a consistent month I'll hit my goal for that race too.

Flashback Friday - the 2010 5K Edition

This weekend I have my first 5K of the year.  I'm hoping for a new PR...but I know after the disappointment I felt at this same race last year to not get my hopes up.  I've been through a lot this past year or so, so I'm interested to see how this year's time compares with last year's.

I started the year with the Race Against Racism 5K on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  After a bit of prerace drama, I set a new (and my current) PR of 33:08.

For those non-runner types out there PR = personal record. 

Was I anemic then?  Its possible, but if so it was definitely mild and in the early stages. 

My next 5K was the doosy for the year - the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon.  I chose the 5K option.  All Knoxville races are hilly.  This one was a monster.  Right down to the last uphill heading into Neyland Stadium.

Despite my speed work, training, and prediction on my motivational board, I didn't PR on this race.  I was pretty disgusted with my time until I sat down to write out my race report.  It was super cool to have my husband and my parents join me for the race.

That's an honor I don't have this year - my mom still isn't back to 100% on her walking game since her thyroid surgery and my dad just had shoulder surgery this week.  (He's doing pretty good.  Thanks for all the prayers.)

Was I anemic then?  Most likely.  Although once again it wasn't as bad as it would eventually get.

Next up on my training schedule was the SMARM 5K.  I was still bummed about my Covenant short fall and determined to PR in this race.  The previous year was the inaugural race as well as my first race ever.  Surely a new personal best would be fitting for the race. 

Only I struggled more than I ever had.  Even more so than fresh off the Couch to 5K program.  There were times I had to stop and walk - unheard of for me at the 5K distance.  I thought it was allergies, because I kept having trouble catching my breath.  It was scary, although I had no clue how scared I should have been.

Was I anemic then?  Most definitely.  I'm luck that I didn't do serious damage to my body pushing through the lack of oxygen getting to my brain.  Yes, at points in the race I was light headed.

The following week I did my worst 5K ever.  Thankfully it wasn't a timed race and as soon as I crossed the finish line I erased that awful time off my watch.

I don't remember the timing on it, but I do know that shortly there after I got my blood work done for the wellness program at work and found out my hemoglobin was dangerously low.  I was promptly told to stop training (two weeks shy of my first triathlon).

It took a couple months of test and a few rounds of B12 shots and iron infusions to get me filled back up to normal levels.

My first race back was the Marine Corp Mud Run.  It was a 5K, but with a few challenges along the way.  Definitely not a PR course, but probably the most fun race I've ever done.

Last fall I finally tackled my first triathlon, set a new half marathon PR, and trained for the Disney marathon.  Through all of that I didn't run a single 5K. 

I did run the On Cosby Moonshine Run - a 3.2 mile race.  Why in the world they added that 0.1 I have no clue.  It was an insanely flat course.  I placed 2nd in my age group and my 3.2 mile time (30:23) would have been sub 30 at the 5K distance.

That leads us to this weekend. Once again I'll be running the Covenant 5K.  Once again there will be killer hills.  My goal is to beat last years chip time 33:37.  I would be thrilled with a PR.  I'll be highly disappointed with a slower time.

I'll certainly let you know!

Runner Chick Chats

Hi Smart+Strong=Sexy readers! I'm Katie and I "met" Brooke a while back when I was really into money saving blogs (I still am, just not as obsessed) :)


For almost 6 years (high school and college) I was in a relationship with the same person. As our relationship deteriorated, my weight increased. I was my heaviest at 20 years old, in an on and off again relationship (engaged and not engaged, the stakes were high) and trying to figure out what to do after graduation. Just looking at these pictures breaks my heart, I look so uncomfortable and so unhappy. My weight gain was purely emotionally, I couldn't control my fiance or my future, but I could find comfort in oodles of chicken nuggets, nightly trips for ice cream and serving bowls full of Captain Crunch.

Eventually our relationship evened out and we began planning our wedding and I determined it was time to lose some of the weight! I started walking on a treadmill at the gym for 10 - 15 minutes at a time, until I worked my way up to walking a mile or two at a time.

Eventually enough was enough and we ended up breaking up 3 days before our wedding. Crazy!!! I found myself truly single for the first time in almost 6 years, weighing a little under 200lbs. My youngest sister, Hannah, participated in Girls on the Run in elementary school. I had watched her finish a 5k and picked her up at a few practices and vowed to never run. Look how tired and sweaty they were....yuck! She bugged (nagged) me enough about running a 5k with her until I finally decided to give this running thing a try.

One day at the gym, I was the only one in the cardio room, so I bumped the speed up to a slow jog for about a minute. I was out of breath and sweating but I was also pretty sure I had just run. This running in secret continued for a couple weeks. A minute here, a minute there when no one was around. I was embarrassed of the copious amounts of sweat pouring off me and I thought for sure people would think I was a fraud. Eventually a 30 minute walk would be about 25 - 50% running.

I had done all that running in private, not even telling my sister! It was just too personal and emotional at the time to make myself even more vulnerable. Tired of the treadmill, I moved my running outdoors. I'd run a block or two, then walk a bit. I started feeling proud of being a runner and wouldn't take walk breaks if there were cars coming, I wanted them to see me running! I'd go out for 10 - 30 minutes at a time, depending on how I felt.

Finally in July 2006, I admitted to my sister that I was running and would do a 5k with her. She was thrilled and said she noticed I was losing weight, which she contributed to the running. We signed up for the Lakeshore Days 5k on August 13, 2006 and I began running the course a few times after work. I was amazed as the objects (Big rock, the yellow house, etc) that marked how far I could run before taking a walk break got further and further apart.

The day of the race came and I was so nervous! I was obviously a newbie runner in a cotton t-shirt, shorts that rode up and cotton socks, but I was running a race dang it! I didn't take a walk break until after the halfway point, I was so proud of that fact! I ended up finishing in 30:24, which was good enough for second place in my age group (small races rock for that)! My mom even said "I couldn't believe it was you coming down the road, Hannah had only just finished!"
After that I was hooked! For the next 3 years I ran 3 - 4 times a week and raced a few 5ks for fun. Then in 2009, my sister and I trained for a 10k. I ended up running it in 57:11!

After 2 10ks in summer 2009, we trained and finished a half marathon that fall (2:12:59). That was a real challenge as I experienced IT band trouble and a cartilage tear in my knee!

As my running improved, I shifted from mostly treadmill to mostly outside running, even through winter, thanks to a pair of awesome running tights, toasty pull over and yak trax. In winter/early spring of 2010, we trained and completed the 5/3 Riverbank Run 25k. The weather was the big challenge here! Some of our training runs were as cold as -6 degrees, in 28 mph wind and hot as 80 degrees. Race day weather wasn't much better, it was 35 degrees, drizzle and 25 mph winds. All those runs when the couch would have been warmer and more comfortable were going to pay off! It wasn't easy, but I completed the race in 2:35:59!! Right on my goal of 10:00 pace!!!

That about sums up my running history. I've placed in a few smaller races, which is always a fun confidence booster! Currently I'm again training for the Riverbank Run 25k! I did 8.55 miles this morning in 1:24:15 in 20+ mph winds!

Thanks for reading my running history ramblings!!

Katie was my first running mentor.  I bugged asked her a million questions leading up to my first half marathon.  And I still have never ran a 5k as quickly as she did her first!  Safe to say she's high on my list of people I want to be like when I grow up.  Thanks for sharing your story today Katie!

I run...

It started out as a whim. A friend of mine and I had started counting calories earlier in the year, we took spin classes and weight classes together. Then out of the blue she called and said “I think we should train for a 5K, I’ve just found this program online.”


It was, of course, the Couch to 5K program. We signed up for our first race, but part of the way through the training she was sidelined and couldn’t compete with me. I remembered being nervous and excited – my only goal was to run the entire 5K, no walking in between. I had run 3 miles in training, but always on a track. The course was hilly, but I managed to meet my goal.

After my first race – I was hooked. It was probably the rush of setting a goal then pushing myself to meet it. I finished 11th out of 16 in my age group, but I’d never felt more like a winner in my life.

Why do I run?

I run for me.

I run for weight loss/maintenance.

I run for health.

I run for the high.

I run for the sense of accomplishment.

I run for my niece and nephew.

My niece, who’s 6, has already said she wants to run races like her Aunt Boo.

My nephew was unofficially diagnosed with asthma at 16 months old. Instead of getting upset about it, my sister told my mom “If Brooke can have it, and go on to run a half marathon, its not gonna hold him back.”

That makes me incredibly proud. So I guess it all comes back to…


I run for me.



What about you?

Power of One Week #4

How long is this challenge?  Cause I ain't movin much of any where and need to get my act in gear!  I've been out of the losing game for so long I guess I forgot how it works.



Oh yeah, well not this week - maybe next week!?!

Challenge start: 137
Last week: 137.2
This week: 138

What's up with me?  I'm so hungry from all my mileage.  No, that can't be right.  I logged a grand total of 8 miles last week.

I'm so tired from getting my runs in.  Erm...didn't run at all last week.  Haven't since the marathon actually.
I don't know how to "do" moderation.  And doing what I know makes me lose weight terrifies me.

I really don't know what to do with that.  I mean obsession and moderation are my only 2 weight loss choices, and I don't see either as a viable working plan for me. 

I considered "doing" South Beach.  It was even recommended by my Dad's doctor (we are both hypogluacemic)  but Intuitive Eating principals are still in my head.  Carbs aren't bad.  No food is.  I'm not even bad for enjoying a Pizza Hut double punch Monday buffet + Pepsi with friends.  Probably not the smartest choice for my body, but it doesn't make me a bad person.
Really, so what if I'm chubby?  I'm back to my former size 2 top, size 8 pants circus freak proportions.  Is that such a horrible thing??

Jay and I watched The Devil Wears Prada the other night.  Later I commented to friends that the movie was meh:

was insulted by the "size 6 is the new 14", but even more insulted that they wanted us to believe that ann hathaway was a size 6.

I was surprised and taken aback for a moment when I got the following response:

Or that size 6 and below is a good thing to shoot for. Feh.

It got me thinking, what did a size 4 get me?  Did I get the mortgage on my house paid off?  Did it take me to Europe and to Australia?  Did it bring my husband closer to the Lord?

None of those things happened.  Those things on my bucket list that I supposedly want more than anything occured.

So what was the point?

I'm not saying I'm giving up.  Or that I'm meant to be this size.  I just don't know where all of this leaves me.

I said once that even if I gained all my weight back, the journey was worth it because I found my love of running and how great I felt when I exercised.  Well that's me right now.

I'm going to be participating in a challenge issued by April.   A mile a day for 100 days.  Some days (like today in spin class) that will be easy peasy.  Other days (like on the weekends) I'm sure I'll really struggle.  But it'll be good for me.

In other news:
If you get a second Take a moment to head over to RR Mama's play ground.  She's looking for a bit of accountability and I have just the friends to help her! (Also, she thinks I'm cool.  So I'm kinda partial to her.)

Walt Disney World Marathon - Race Report Part 3

Click on the links for parts one and two.  Please and thank you.

In part 2, I forgot to mention the helpful dude at the water station.  My water bottle holds enough for bout 13-15 miles, depending on how thirsty I get.  I mix my own Gatorade, and knew that what they passed out at the aid stations would be too strong for me.  Instead I packed a zip lock baggy full of just the right amount of powered, and would refill the bottle when the time came.

I stopped just to the side of the water station, and crouched down.  A volunteer offered me a cup of PowerAde that I declined.  I explained I was refilling my bottle and would need water to mix with the powdered.  I just wanted to stop before getting to the water so I didn't hold anyone up.  Before I could get my baggy out and the end bit off (to make a funnel w/the corner), he had grabbed a bottle of water and came to where I was crouched.  He even held the bottle for me while I pushed in the rest of the powder.

I can't say enough how helpful and kind the Disney staff as well as the volunteers were.  They went above and beyond to make the race experience as good as possible.

Okay where were we?  Mile 22 ish?  After talking to my sister one last time, I told her to let my brother-in-law know I'd seen Caballo Blanco (Born to Run anyone?) and told her I should be good to the end.  The race had previously been through the sewer plant Animal Kingdom, and would take us through Hollywood Studios before finishing at Epcot.

I can't recall which came first, the chocolate or Hollywood studios, but remembering my energy when I passed the "American Idol" camera I can only guess that the chocolate came first.  I was going to pass up the chocolate, but then I saw they had Mr. Goodbar.  I can't pass a Mr. Goodbar up.

They had a camera set up in their American Idol section asking us to wave/yell for the camera.  Apparently my "woot" was a little too enthusiastic, because as I passed the guy said "that girl needs to run another marathon."

I had a hard time getting in my zone throughout the race.  I was surrounded by people yet I was still alone.  I didn't see Jay at any of the spectator spots, and I couldn't jam to my music because their speakers were turned up so loud.  I was thankful that the final miles were filled with cheering people, even if they weren't there specifically for me.

In the last 2 miles, I noticed Sleeping Beauty - my nieces favorite princess.  Even though I was ready to have the race done, I knew I had to stop for a few moments for a photo.  Thankfully she didn't have a line and I didn't lose any momentum. 

I almost cried when I saw the legless spectator along the side of the course.  I wondered what he was thinking.  I remembered what Mel had told me about how fortunate these legs of mine would allow me to run.  I tried to decide if he consider his own misfortune, if he wondered why we were destroying our legs, if he was glad we appreciated our legs.

Probably none of the above, but hey it was near the end of the race and I was emotional.  I tend to over think things any way.

I saw the 25 mile marker, and picked up my pace a bit.  I saw the 26 mile marker and picked it up a bit more.  I saw the finish line and tried to pick it up but there was nothing left.  As I crossed the finish line I raised my hands in victory.

I was a marathoner.

I am a marathoner.

I am now in the 1/10 of 1% of the population that can claim that title.

Walt Disney World Marathon - Race Report Part 2

For the first part of the race click here.  Although I got a little ahead of my self.  Let me jump back a couple miles before my mother called.

As I said, I felt the call of nature while sitting in the coral, but when I got my first porta-potty opportunity it was evident that I wasn't the only one.  At about the mile and a half mark, there were a dozen or so toilets, but there was also a line.  Figuring that I'd held it that long, I could wait a while longer. 

My patience paid off, as we ran through Epcot (mile 3ish) and there were some real, non-portable toilets open for runners to use.  I even got to wash my hands in a real sink!

Okay so around mile 5 or 6 my parents called to check in.   Along the way we had marching bands encouraging us, as well as Disney workers (through Epcot) cheering us on.  Personally I'd be pissed if some stupid runner made me have to go into work at 4AM, but they were very good spirited about it.

Bari, called me near the Magic Kingdom section and chatted with me for a bit.   My legs were still cold, even though I'd been racing for 2 hours or so, but to that point it was my only complaint.  As I approached Cinderella's castle, I asked her to call me back in 30 minutes.  I stopped (because I don't know the settings on my camera well enough to get a good "in motion" shot) and took a picture of the castle.

I was disappointed that my favorite princess wasn't around her home, but I was glad that race photographers and Disney staff were there to take pictures of racers in front of the castle.  I got in the short-ish line and posed a couple times.

While in the Magic Kingdom I also had my picture taken with the Little Man's favorite character, Buzz Lightyear.  LM says "to infity an yond."

The highway sections of the race weren't nearly as interesting.  In fact, the hardest part of the race for me was between miles 17-20.  My sister had called me a couple times after the Magic Kingdom and I confessed to her that I was starting to get discouraged.  My pace was off what I was hoping for. 

She, BIL, the Princess, and the LM all spoke to me on the phone to help me along the way.  The Princess was disinterested in the run, but the Disney talk had her wanting to play Princess so she dressed her baby brother up in feather trimmed shoes and a lipstick.

Around mile 19, I saw a couple in front of me hold hands.  "Aww, how sweet.  They are doing the race together."  The closer I got it, I noticed that the woman had on wings and a pink tutu.  It was Christie O and hubby.  I snapped a picture of them (hopefully it turned out well) and continued on.

They caught up with me around mile 20 and we crossed over the check point within a few seconds of one another.  :Leading up to the race miles 20.1 through 26.2 had me worried.  Instead of being scared as I tackled them, they made me confident.  With each step, I knew I was traveling further and further still than I ever had before.

Right before the 21 mile marker, Viva Las Vegas came on my IPod.  I had chosen that song because its one of our favorites to compete on the Wii "Just Dance 2" game.  It made me smile thinking about how much fun we had playing that game (and me winning consistently) over Christmas.  It pepped me up and I had to break out the finger guns.  (Those of you who've played will understand why.)

Earlier in the day, I overheard someone say "oh...she's on the phone" as if they thought I was crazy and talking to myself.  Those crazy confirmations were really confirmed when i was shooting my pistols instead of hitting reported wall.

Also around miles 21-22?  My ass started hurting.  More specifically my tail bone.  I debated in my head the merits of stopping, sitting down, and cracking my back, or just continuing on.  The fear, of course, was that after sitting I wouldn't be able to stand.  I chose to risk it, not thinking I could bear the discomfort for the rest of the race.

TO BE CONTINUED
(Click here to continue to part 3)

Walt Disney World Marathon - Race Report

The whole Disney experience was great: meeting for the first time IRL some awesome chicas, experiencing the "magic of Disney", and getting away from the cold weather/snow storm back home for a weekend.

But those are all things to talk about in a different blog.

The race.

I was very glad to have those awesome chicas (and chicos) around me race morning.  Christie O. had heard the day before about people missing the buses to the race because they stopped running at the 4AM cut off time (not that they arrived late, they just stopped running at 4 despite the line).

Kirsten decided to set the alarm for 2:30 to try and catch the bus around 3ish.  We'd packed our bags to check the night before and laid out or race gear.  The only morning of prep work that remained was popping an English Muffin in the toaster and getting dressed.

As we were walking to the main building, I noticed a couple ladies carrying their refillable Disney mugs back to their rooms.   Which (thankfully) triggered in my mind that I'd forgotten my hand held water bottle.  It was the only thing not with the rest of my stuff (I'd left it filled and in the cooler overnight).

A bit flustered, I headed back to our building and got on the elevator with a fellow racer.  I got off when the doors opened and went to room --08.  Banging on the door (we'd left all our keys with Jay) I waited to be  let in.  Then I noticed there was a "privacy please" sign on the door.

Only I was the last person out.

And I hadn't put the sign on the door.

Looking over I noticed I was at 4608 instead of 4508. 

I had just banged on the wrong door.

Before anyone came to the door I took off in a run.  Thankfully I made it around the corner before seeing if they answered the knock.  I felt bad, until later when Kirsten informed me of their loud activities had been obnoxious the night before.  Guess I was tired because while Tim and Jay confirmed that they were really loud.  I hadn't heard anything.

Loading the bus was thankfully drama free.  We were off to the starting gates.  Here was where I was thankful to have my Shrinking Jeans hookers around me (plus Christie O's friend Nicole and Mr. Christie O. and Mr. Kirsten.)  We arrived early, but it just took a few potty breaks to eat up that time and we were off to the corals.

Seemed that there was a porta-potty on every turn.  Except in the coral.  So guess where the urge hit me?  While I'm not above peeing in a bush, there are just some things a girl needs a proper bathroom for.

Also?  It was a COLD morning.  Maybe not by Tennessee in January standards, but by I'm-in-Florida-dressed-in-shorts-and-a-thin-long-sleeved-shirt standards.  When I went to sit down in the coral (I was going to be there waiting for our start for an hour), my legs were so cold and stiff my skin hurt.

I had dressed in a tank, with a thin zip pullover, and a pair of shorts for the promised 70 degree weather.  I was under dressed for sitting around in the cool morning air.  Once the first runners started, the excitement really started.  In less than 30 minutes I'd take my official first steps of the journey I'd been anticipating for the past year.

I was glad to have Christie O. and her Mr. in my coral, it really helped with the wait.  I knew that once we crossed the start line we'd be running our own race.  I was use to running alone.  I'd never practiced sitting in a coral for an hour by myself.

By the time my first scheduled incoming phone call came in, the sun was up, but I was still freezing.  My mom and dad called with their words of support and encouragement before they headed to church.  As I ran through one of the mile markers, my mom asked what all that racket was. 

That racket, was the sound system that the race officials had set up to play music at intervals along the way.  Later in the race, that racket would mess up my race mojo.


TO BE CONTINUED
(Click Here to continue to part 2)

(I don't want to bore you to tears.  We'll be in the park soon I promise.)

Mileage sign-up time!

The countdown to Disney is growing even closer!  This time tomorrow I'll be on my way to meet the Shrinking Jeans Hookers.  Tomorrow night I'll be giving them their first round of hugs.

I'm starting to get nervous.  I'm starting to get emotional.  (How could I not with people like Barb blogging for us)?

One thing I've learned battling back from anemia is that its not about me.

ITS NOT ABOUT ME!

(I had to yell because sometimes I forget.)

I love you ladies.  I love the encouragement you give me.  I love that you love me even though I probably should be smacked around a bit.  I love that you know just when that swift kick in the pants is needed.

So during this marathon - I want it to be about you.  Pick your mile.  I write down names on a postcard or something and store it in my bra.  I'll figure something out.  But pick it and let me pray for you during that mile.

If you have a specific prayer request that you don't want to put out there for the world, claim your mile in the comments then email me at stingysingleton (at) gmail (dot) com.

Or maybe you don't have a specific request.  You don't even have to believe in my God.  You can still claim a mile.   You might not get a full 12 minutes of prayer out of me.  I'll probably spend some of my time out there chasing down characters, digging for gels, and what not.  But I promise that you'll get at least part of it.

And before anyone claims it, I am going to be selfish and say that from mile 26.0 to 26.2 I'm probably just going to be focusing on me.  Forgive me m'kay?

Thank you for encouraging me along the way.  I appreciate each and every one of you!

Edited: This is open to anyone - not just the Sisterhood hookers!

Already claimed:



1- Lisa
2 - Penny
3 - Stella
4 - RR Mama
5 - Barb
6 - Tirah
7 - Butch
8 - Kim
9 - Lora
10 - Mari
12 - Tiffany
13 - Joanna
14 - Bari
21 - Amy
22 - Pubsgal
23 - Jaime
25 - Becca

Disney Marathon: T-minus 4 days and counting

Good morning all!  Hard to believe that today will be my last run before the big day.  Getting a little excited, a little nervous, but mostly I'm ready to do this thing! 



This weeks goal, as far as the scale is concerned, is for that number to not go up.  I've read about the dangers of weight gain during a taper.  Since I've been gaining wait while running full mileage, I was a scared about what would happen when the mileage started to decrease.

How did I fare?  Let's take a look shall we?

Last week: 137
This week: 136.2

Nothing to turn cartwheels over, but I'm definitely pleased.  This week I'm not focusing on weight loss, but rather properly fueling for the race.  Each dinner that I've planned has included at least one good form of carbs.  Monday night was mashed potatoes, last night spaghetti, and tonight we're going to be having stir-fry and rice.

Yes, the stir-fry was strategically placed.  I didn't want the sodium to make me retain fluids and help me record a gain for the week.  But I also want that sodium gone before race day!

I haven't done so well on cutting out soda consumption, but I'm still working.  I was soda free for 2 days, then the New Years hit.  I was soda free for 2 more days, but then the stress of my bathroom remodel caused a meltdown and I decide to have a coke at lunch.  What that does mean, is that I have only had soda 3/7 days this past week.  That's pretty good progress for the girl who was drinking one a day.

I'm also learning that the more critical I am of myself, the more poor the choices I make.  Those days I caved in and had a coke are done and over - nothing can be gained by dwelling on them.  I can however gain encouragement and momentum by congratulating myself on 4 days this week soda free.

Another example?  I saw a slight loss this week.  I also forgot my lunch today.  That small (but significant) loss will probably mean the difference between me running out and grabbing fast food, and settling for the can of chicken noodle soup in my food drawer at work.

What are the little things you've done this week to help encourage you?

(Sorry still no "before" pictures.  I keep forgetting until I'm snuggled in on the couch.  And with inside the house temps of 60 degrees, its hard to find a good reason to come out from under my blankie.)

Dear 2010 Self. Love, Your 2011 Self

The Monthly project is going weekly!  For this month at least.  This week's challenge?  Dust off that old January 2010 Monday/Monthly Project - the one where we wrote a letter to ourselves, and review it. 

Half way through the year last year, I reviewed mine.  So I know I didn't quite reach it.  But let's take a look shall we?

Dear 2010 Brooke,



This past year was one of tremendous growth for you. 2009 Brooke was no where to be found!!


After a couple months of training - you set a brand new personal best at the Covenant Health 5K. Who would believe you'd run a 10 minute mile? Jay You certainly didn't. Remember what it feels like as you cross the finish line. Never forget that moment of total victory.


Of course you reran all the same races from last year, each time setting a new personal course record. First the SMARM 5K, then the West Hills race - the hills will kick your butt again. Period. This time you better your time AND you don't feel like you're going to puke as you cross the finish.


The new of running has worn off for your family - don't expect them to meet you at the finish line as they did all last year. This is old hat to them. You still have the stuffed animal the Princess gave you at West Hills - keep it close by, hug it often. With every hug, remember that she is with you in spirit at each race. Just as you will be when she grows up to compete.


Then there is the matter of this Disney marathon coming up. The training totally helped you kick it into high gear for the Oak Ridge Half. Shaving 15 minutes off your time? A completely crazy goal, but I'll let you in on a secret - You totally do it. There is no trotting, no getting passed by an old lady in a back brace, or a walk/runner who speeds up when you pass her so she doesn't have to be last.


You jog the entire race at a respectable pace, then you report back for training Monday morning. A week of rest? You don't have time for that nonsense - you have a full marathon to train for!!!


As I write you this letter, I can't help but be nervous. You've made a lot of progress in 2010, but you left me with some work to do. First there is the matter of 26.2 miles that you've signed me up for. No thanks to you, some of those nagging insecurities are still in my head. Can I do it? Am I tough enough?


You've proved to me that I am, but it looks like this month I'm going to have to prove it again.


There is so much more I could share with you, but I think its best to leave it at that. Love yourself, take care of yourself - oh and don't forget to love that husband of yours!


Love, 2011 Brooke

Who comes up with this crap?  I mean seriously some of us are trying to work here - these tears just aren't professional!!

Beyond training for Disney, I didn't do a single thing on my list. 

I didn't set a new PR at Covenant, but I was (mostly) okay with that.  I loved being able to race with Jay and my parents.  Of course Jay beat me, but I was proud of him for really pushing himself.  And incredible proud of my parents for their efforts.  My mom even went on to walk another race (On Cosby Moonshine Run - 3.2 miles) later in the year.

My 2011 self didn't even bother to mention the Mountain Man March where, with some friends, I walked 26.2 miles.  Maybe she figured if she said something I'd get scared and not commit.

I ran in the SMARM 5k, but I wasn't able to run the whole thing.  I got short of breath (even light headed - due to lack of oxygen I can only assume) and had to walk portions.  It was my worst 5K time ever.

Until the next week when I ran another 5K and set yet another PW for myself.

Thankfully May was also the month that my anemia was discovered.  Looking back at how bad I felt at the SMARM race, I'm quite fortunate that I listened to my body and I didn't push myself too far. 

I would have been nice if 2011 me would have warned me that the Memorial Day Triathlon would never happen for me, and I could have save my entry fee.  Thankfully the Anchor Splash Triathlon was perfect timing to be my first race back after getting myself healthy.

As far as shaving 15 minutes off my half marathon time?  2011 Brooke was wrong again.  I cut 18 minutes off my time!!!  During my anemia stuff one of the nurses told me that my race times would be incredible once I got built up again.  After all your blood carries oxygen to your body, and that oxygen directly effects performance. 

Then there was Disney training.  She...wait...2011 me is me now.  Duh!  Anyhoo, I was totally right about the Disney training.  Part of me says I've got it in the bag.  After all I walked a marathon despite being anemic and not realizing it.  I didn't let illness get me down and I fought my way back to being healthy and hitting all the goals I set for myself at the end of the year.

But there is still that part of me that worries...

Wednesday Already??

I'm cranky.

Probably because of poor eating choices I've made the past few days months.  Sorry Tinsel Vixens! 

To keep the crankiness out of this post, I'll keep the words short and sweet.  I was able to log almost 6 hours of exercise this past week - half of which was spent in Jay's Pawpaw's basement on a treadmill.

For my long  run, Jay had initially said he was going to go with me.  He hasn't ran in over a month and thought somehow he could tackle 17 miles.  Oh to have that sort of self confidence!

As you can see, it took a little effort to get him up and going.

And after only 2 miles, he decided that he'd had enough.  I told him to get rested up and then check on me in 30-45 minutes.  By then I thought he would have recovered enough to save me from the dreadmill boredom and we could get a few more miles in outside.

Instead, when he came to check on me, he said he was just then recovered from those two miles.  He offered to bring me water.  I had already gotten the "low battery" warning on my IPod, and I feared what might happen if I did have music to entertain me.

I knew due to lack of Internet service, Jay wasn't using his computer.  So I asked him to set it up for me and see if Pawpaw had any DVDs at his house - other than Silent Night (a war movie set near where he was captured as a POW during WW2). 

The only other option was a movie belonging to Jay's mother "Thomas Kincade's A Christmas Cottage" based on Kincade's early years - a story about how he found his inspiration.  Because of the noise of the HVAC unit as well as the treadmill, I couldn't hear the dialog.  Jay put the captions on for me and I was on my way.

My non-scale victory of the week?  A 17 mile run (15 of which was on the treadmill).  Only 9.2 more to go!

Race Report - Secret City Half Marathon

Since last year, I've been excited to repeat my half marathon experience from last November.  It was my first 13.1 miler, I had vacationed two weeks prior (and missed a whole week of training), and almost came in last.  (But I didn't.)

I was disappointed when I went to register for the race - not only had they changed the name (it was the Oak Ridge Half Marathon last year), but also the course.  This wouldn't be an apples to apples comparison.

My tune changed, however, when I learned that a friend of mine from college would be coming in for the race.  Something new to get excited about!  I hadn't seen her in over 6 years (I'd like to think I haven't been out of college that long, unfortunately, I'll be graduated a decade this time next year.)  and was excited to be able to race with her.

I did my standard race routine - laid out my stuff the night before.  Gave myself 30 minutes to get dressed, eat breakfast and get on the road.  When I arrived at the race headquarters, my race tears arrived also.  I always cry during race.  I hate it, but that's just how I roll.

As I went to register I couldn't help but tear up.  What a difference a year makes!  At my first (and only other) half, my sister drove her family in from 2 hours away so that the Princess and the Little Man could be there at the finish line for me.

This year, Jay didn't even bother to get out of bed. 

13.1 miles was no longer a milestone.  It was just another stop on the way to 26.2.

After picking up my packet I headed back to my car.  I wondered how I was going to meet up with Lisa and her mom before the race - I hadn't even gotten her phone number. As I sat in my car pinning on my race bib, something made me look up.

Who was parked right in front of me but Lisa and her mom.  We smiled, laughed, and waved before getting out for hugs and pictures.  (Most of which are on her camera.  I plan on stealing them from Facebook as soon as she gets them posted.)

The race was fairly straight forward.  It was billed as a flat course, which was mostly the case.  There were a few tiny hills here and there, highlighted only by the flatness of the rest of the course.  I noticed another lady running beside me around miles 3-4.  At mile 5, a race volunteer said the official time was 54:58.  "I'll take that!"  I said to my new found running partner.

"Yeah, those people behind us said that you were an 11 minute-miler, and I'm wanting to finish in under 2:30 so I thought I'd pace off of you."

Big Gulp.

She was using me as a pacer?  That wasn't the moment to tell her that my Half Marathon PR was 2:44.  For the next few miles we were pretty consistent.  After the first loop, around mile 8 or so, I felt the wheels starting to loosen.  By that time, "those people behind us" joined our group.

I'll just be honest - if not for them I would have probably slowed considerably.  I kept at it though, pushing myself to keep up with them.  By my 11.5 I hit the "leaking oil stage".  My dad, who watches far too much Nascar, called it that while we were watching the New York City marathon together.  Its that part in the race where you know you've pushed yourself as much as possible and you're just hoping to coast across the finish?  Yeah that was me.

By mile 12 we started to break apart.  Our group has served all of us well.  It was weird to talk during a run.  Weird, but nice.  I had helped keep them steady during the first party, they helped me from backing off too much at the end. 

It was now time to run our own race.  They ended up finishing before me, but the 4 of us all smoked our "under 2:30 goal".   My official race time was 2:26:45.  I could have sprinted across the finish line (as is my signature in all my races) but there was a couple right before me and I would have had to pass them with 10 feet to go. 

Instead I crossed with my head held high, knowing that I'd well surpassed my hopes for a great race.  Afterward I refueled and waited on my friend Lisa to finish.

One of the ladies that I had ran with also had a friend behind her in the race, so around the 3 hour mark we decided to head back out onto the course and find our friends.

(Lisa's mom on the right, my new found running buddy on the left)

I came up on Lisa just a little before the 13 mile marker.  I'll just tell ya know that last tenth of a mile wasn't any short the 2nd time around!  She trotted for a little bit, but was having some foot pain, so we walked most of the last stretch.  As she turned the corner she picked it up to a run to the finish.  I dropped back to get some pictures.

I'm still sore.  I guess that's what happens when I think of a half marathon as a race, rather than just another training run to get through.

Next stop - 26.2 through Disney!

Fitness Friday

While completing my long run (15 miles) last week I had what I thought to be a genius idea.  I'd love to hear what you think about it, possible logistic problems, benefits, etc.

I always carry my phone with me during long runs for safety reasons.  What if I trip and fall and can't make it back to my car?  (A long shot, I know.  Ahem)  What if someone tries to kidnap me and calling 911 then getting a picture of the car's plates is my only means of defense??

Can you tell my mind is very active during these long runs?  When you've got 3 hours and only the thoughts in your head to entertain you it takes you to some interesting places.

Last week was the one and only weekend I'm ever expected to work.  Our big Winterfest kickoff even requires some weekend planning when its on a Monday, and since I'm the coordinator's right hand gal Saturday work happens.

Since I was going to be in town for my long run anyway, I volunteered to meet the guys dropping off our tents.  I was told they would arrive from 10-12, so I had to start my run a little early.  For my long runs, I typically map an out and back course so that I don't go past the same point more than twice. 

If they called at mile 12 of 15, there would be no way for me to cut it short in order to get to them sooner.

When I heard the beep of my voicemail alert at mile 11 I almost panicked.  Sure enough it was the driver telling me he was on his way.  I called him back and he kept saying a location that was not associated with us.

Thankfully he had just gotten the tickets wrong.  He was on his way to his first stop, and called us by mistake.  I hurried and called our event coordinator - he had called her when he wasn't able to get in touch with me and she was coming into town to meet him.  Thankfully, I caught her as she was just leaving her house so she could turn back around.

While all of this was going down, I was running.  Sure its not very professional to be panting in some one's ear (at least not in my profession) but he was early so I didn't feel too bad.

Making those phone calls made the time go by much quicker, which led me to wonder.  I mean what else am I going to do for the final hour of my run??

What if I wore my blue tooth during the race?  I'd have to carry my phone any way to meet back up with Jay, Kirsten, Karena, Roo (you're still coming right??) and Christie O.   Why not clip the ear  piece in and have it turned on.

I thought about talking to friends/family and setting up a schedule.  At the top of every hour have someone different lined up to call and chat for a few minutes.  And if I hit the wall and needed someone to talk me through it, I could pull out my phone and call someone up.

What do you think?  Do you runners think its a good idea?  What sort of issues might I have?

For you non runners, how would you feel if someone asked you to do this for them?  Am I being self centered and presumptuous?

The race starts at 5:30, but I'm sure for the first hour or so I'll be just fine.  If I started the shifts at 7, my mom (an insomniac) and sister (mom to a 2 year old who doesn't believe in sleeping in) could handle the early morning hours and then normal humans could kick in.

I would love your input.  I think its a great idea, but since I came up with it I might be a little bias!!

Training, Trophy Wife, and Birthday report

This was a full weekend for Super Boo and family.  Friday night was spent...okay so Friday night I didn't do anything but play on the computer and watch TV.  But the rest of the weekend was busy!!

Saturday morning started with my 13 mile training run.  Since the mileage is getting up there I'm having to get a little more creative with where I run.  The Parkway here in town is a straight shot through 2 of the 3 major cities in my county.  I knew that I'd be able to go out and back 6.5 miles no problem.

What I didn't count on is the million and ten crosswalks I'd have to stop at along the way and almost getting ran over by a coworker's teenage daughter.  In her defense she was trying to be sweet.  What most drivers don't know about runners and bikers, is that as a general rule we'd prefer you to go first. 

Things go much more quickly (assuming everyone sees everyone else) if you go ahead.  We only have to slow up a bit then we continue on our way. If you stop, we're gonna slow up too.  We don't trust you.  Then we have to be stopped long enough to trust that you're not going to run us over.  Then we go. 

And the cars lined up behind you are cussing us both.

The route - with a good parking area as well as bathroom facility - ended up being 13.33 miles.  My longest run ever.  Hard to believe that in the next couple months I'll double that mileage.  I had more in me today (I quasi-sprinted out the last quarter mile) and could have gone further, which was encouraging.

After the run I headed back to the house to get some cleaning in.  The In-laws would be arriving later that night and I wanted to get everything picked up/clean before they got here.  Between twitter, facebook, and my messy house, it took every bit of the 3 hours I had to get the job done.

Then it was time to get showered up and play trophy wife.

One of Jay's clients had recently married, and invited us over to their house for a post wedding celebration.  They'd called it a hoedown and mentioned that polo's and khakis were too dressy.  Jay assumed that they just wanted people to be comfortable casual.

I hate my wardrobe.  It really sucks.  Especially with this up and down business my weight has been doing.  I only had one pair of jeans that fit that can be worn with flats (and I wasn't crazy enough to try heels after that morning's run).  Since they were black in color and low in rise I had to be picky about what top I put them with.  I picked out a cute white (long) polo and a sweater.

Jay took one look at me and said "I pictured you wearing something like...um...well...um" as he looked through my closet.  He ended up finding a really dressy button up shirt I wear with slacks to work.  His suggestion had been less than helpful.  He told me I'd probably get too hot inside in the sweater and to wear something else.

So I picked out a cute short sleeved top and we headed out.

I wanted to kill Jay when the host greeted us outside in a wife beater and overalls.  It was a country bumpkin themed party and we were the only ones who didn't dress to theme.  On top of that most of the party took place outside on the screened in porch in the cool fall air. Thankfully the hostess offered to lend me a jacked so I didn't freeze to death.

I was nervous since I'd never met any of the party goers, but I quickly found that everyone was friendly and easy to talk to.  In our treat bag, I found an invitation to next years event.  They want to make it a yearly thing.  Next time, we will come dressed appropriately!

We had a great time and stayed much longer than we'd anticipated.  When we got home we found Jay's parents asleep on the couch.  As per our usual, we stayed up late chatting until we finally called it a night around 3AM.

Yesterday was Jay's birthday so for lunch we headed up to the land we just sold for a picnic.

The four of us, plus my parents met up there for pizza and homemade cobbler (is it still homemade if I used canned peaches?)  After that we headed toward another development - this one with a creek - so Jay could get more pictures.

Then it was back to the house to hang out and watch the birthday boy's favorite new show - Ice Road Truckers in India. 

Is it any wonder that I'm exhausted?

How was your weekend??

On Cosby Moonshine Run - Race Report

My mom, Jay and I had all registered for this 3.2 mile race.

Mama wanted to walk it for the t-shirt (which I don't have a picture of unfortunately), but started getting nervous the night before.  None of the paperwork said it was walker friendly.  It also didn't list a time limit, so I assured her that walking was fine.

It was false confidence - I had Karena's horror of a half marathon in the back of my mind.  But I certainly wasn't going to tell my mother that.  If need be, I'd go back after her and walk the final part with her.  My middle finger works just as well as any one's. 

(Did I tell you I was all decked out in my wedding veil and flipped someone off on the way to the church?  Yeah not exactly one of my finer moments, but he deserved it.)

Besides I had almost landed in the Cocke County Jail once this past weekend - my dad reffed the Cocke County/Morristown East game.  One of the plays moved very quickly and he couldn't get out of the way fast enough.  He went down hard and from the stands I could see his head bounce off the field.  Some jerk a few seats away from me started laughing.

I'm the first person in line to make fun of my dad - but you're certainly not allowed to do it.  I glared his way and said "Its not beeping funny." Not in a whisper nor a yell.  Either he didn't hear me, or didn't feel like getting blood on his new knife, cause he never turned around.

I made it through the game without hurting anyone, and my mom made it through the evening with a little anxiety.  My dad walked away from the field with 3 cleat marks in his hand.

Jay & I spent the night with my parents since both the football game and race were on their side of town.  Rather than driving back to our house late Friday night and again early Saturday morning, we just crashed in my old room.

When we checked in my mom had me ask if the course was open to walkers.  They assured her it was, and while they didn't know the slowest times from last year, they assured her that most every year someone walks the race.

That's my mom in the coral fleece and navy hat.  I'm to the left of her in my polka dot bondi, white tee, and black shorts.  We don't look like we're in the same climate do we?  It was 40 degrees at race start, so I could have probably gotten by with pants but otherwise I felt comfortable.

(I like that picture b/c I think my legs look skinny.)

The gun sounded and off we went!  Jay was in front (no picture - sawry) then I was shortly behind.

(I'm behind the kid.)  Followed by my mom.

There were 2 other walkers, both about 2 decades younger than her...

It was an out and back course that went about a half mile on the main road (yes, from what I understand this 2 lane road is the "main road") then cut back to the left and went on a back road that ran along side the creek.

When I made the turn, I thought my pace was off.  The race director had said about a half mile until the turn and I made it around the 6 minute mark.  When I got to the first mile marker, I realized he was off.  I'd completed my first mile in 9:17.  Knowing that this pace wasn't sustainable for me over a long stretch, I decided to keep it up as long as possible.

I started passing runners coming the opposite direct and kept my eye out for Jay.  The closer I got to the turn around the more I started to worry.  He doesn't train for these things, then takes off in an almost sprint on cold muscles.  When I reached the "Moonshiner" directing the turn around, I saw Jay crouched down.

Me: "Are you okay?"
Jay: "Yeah I'm fine, just waiting for your mom."

I figured one of 2 things had happened - he'd gotten hurt and didn't want to ruin my race.  Or else he wasn't as fast as he'd hoped and packed it in early using my mom as an excuses.

I kept running and checked my time at the 2 mile mark.  I can't remember exactly what it was, but it was sub 20 minutes.  At that point between my lungs and my head I started having doubts.  My goal was to beat my 5K time despite the extra tenth of a mile in race distance.

"You're not this fast.  You can't keep this up.  You're not going to beat your time.  Why do you set yourself up for failure."
Up until that point, I hadn't turned my IPod on, but I had the ear buds in ready to go just in case I needed a boost.  When the negative voices in my head started telling me that I couldn't, I cranked the music up and blasted those thoughts away.

When I got back on the main road I realized I could really do it - my time was good enough that I had a shot at me beating my PR.  I kept up the faster pace.  When I got back to the school, I couldn't see the finish.  When the race workers directed me onto the walking track, I asked how much further.  I wanted to know if it was time to kick on the afterburners. 

They didn't know the distance, just told me to follow the path.  I held up on kicking it into high gear until I rounded the corner and saw the finish line.

I sprinted out the last tenth of a mile and crossed the finish line in 30:23.

That's supposed to be me crossing.  No one ever said my dad was an expert photographer.

I grabbed some water and a banana and went back to the finish line to stretch and wait for Mama & Jay.  My dad was regretting not walking - his knees, especially during football season, give him problems.  He hadn't signed up for the race out of fear that he'd be hurting from the night before.

As I explained to him how flat the course was, and how there were no hills, and how it was the easiest course I'd ever done, a lady behind me chimed in.  "There was a hill - it was from the turn around until about the 2.5 mile mark."
Oops.  Guess I stuck my foot in my mouth again.  Remember when my lungs and head were screaming at me?  That was during the so-gradual-I-didn't-even-notice-it uphill portion of the race.

I started cheering as soon as I saw Jay and my mom on the walking track.  In both of her races she has sworn to walk it all, only to trot across the finish line.  See the way Jay's walking to my mom's jog?  He does that to me all the time - it drives me nuts!

They crossed in 47:46 - a minute and a half off her 5K PR.  If you've never believed me before that the hills in this area can be killer - this should be your proof!

We stuck around for door prizes and awards, neither of us thinking we would place in our age group, but she hadn't caught her time crossing the finish line and was hoping that after everything was handed out the race director could tell her what her official time was.

We were in for a surprise!  Female 30-34 second place with a time of 30:23 Brooke F!

(Now that the race was over I was cold, so I borrowed my dad's sweatshirt.  Not the most flattering look but I didn't care.)  Look at the giddy "omgIcouldcrapmypants" look on my face.

Speaking of.  As it turns out the real reason Jay didn't finish is because he was plagued by the same problem that has been plaguing runners for decades.  Since there were no portapotties on the course and he refused my mom's suggestion of just going in the creek, he walked the 2nd half of the race.

Female ages 55-59, 3rd place:

Sure she was 3rd out of 3 in her age group - that just means that she was more brave than all the other grandmas that stayed at home that morning!!

Jay's time was on pace to place in his age group, had he been able to maintain it.  The race didn't go as he'd anticipated and my dad was still his normal grumpy self, so while my mom and I celebrated, the mean weren't as excited and proud for us as they should have been.

(Notice the lovely bandage on his right hand?  That's old people crepe skin for ya.  A 200 pounder steps on you wearing a cleat and you have to make a big deal of it.)

I'm very proud of this picture and I hope she is too.  Followed by our fish tale:

The race winner and the over all prize.

And us returning them to their rightful owners.  My dad had struck up a conversation with one of the kids, thinking he recognized him from the night before.  Turns out it was a different dude, same hair style.  My mom ask him if we could borrow his moonshine jug for a picture, then this little boy offered to let us hold his race winner trophy as well.

Yes, they were kids - quite a few members of the Cocke County High School cross country team participated in the race.

Just a week or so ago, I was asking Lightening McHooker if she thought that a sub 30 minute 5K was really possible for me.  She said I'd need to do some speed work, but if I worked on it after the marathon I could get there.

Had this race been a true 5K, I would have been sub 30 minutes - so I'm guessing its not that far fetch of a goal after all!!