First Date

I discovered when I started running that my shoes were my new best friend. The idea of not having pain in my feet, legs and back never occurred to me until I slipped on those Saucony ProGrids....and it felt like my feet were given giant bear hugs. They have carried me across 3 finish lines. But like so many good relationships, things changed. The miles were added up and it was time to retire those wonderful and comfortable shoes. Unfortunately the new model were too different, awkward. So I bought the Asics Landreaths.

Tuesday my new shoes and I had a first date. They are different, and I am still not sure how I feel about them. We logged 3 miles due to time. Maybe had we had a little more time together I would be thinking these new shoes were a sure deal, but at the moment I am not yet sure.

To make matters worse, mommy guilt kicked in. CB had dance class. She normally has no idea when I am watching and when I am not watching. This time I decided I would drop her off, then go for a quick run while she was in class so I could spend time with her later. Of course as my luck would have it....about a block into my run she realized I wasn't there and had a meltdown. Her teacher was great, and when I got back CB was finally calmed down. I felt HORRIBLE!

This afternoon will be my second date, and I am hoping we get along a little better. Maybe I am just not a big fan of change? Or maybe these shoes just aren't for me. All I know is that I need to make sure that the shoes I wear feel like they are made for me!

WHY

I have done 8 miles before, but no 8 miles have EVER meant as much as my 8 miles yesterday. "Mission Day," the day to reflect on WHY we run. After a minor surgical procedure put me out of commission most of the week, I put on my trusty Sauconys and pushed through it. It started off pretty well. But when the hills hit my abdomen started to hurt. (Probably why the Dr. told me to take a week off, then start slow.....oops!) The first aid station was 3 miles in, and I was just starting to hit my "groove." Two more miles and we were back to the aid station. Thinking in my head...."I can do this, I have to do this." The downhills were throwing me off, and my skin was all itchy from some steri-strips on my abdomen. I was in the homestretch, and there they were.


Each season we have "honored teammates." In addition you can have your own personal heroes. There were about 15 signs along the sidewalk of Honored Teammates of the past season, as well as our current season. Two blocks of heroes that have gone through Cancer. Two blocks of WHY I ran 8 miles. I had to stop a few moments because I was crying. (I don't like crying in front of others). Connections with Team in Training that I had through Doernbecher.


And I also got my re-commitment paperwork! YIPPEE!!! For some reason it solidifies my trip to Honolulu in December to run my 2nd Marathon! Next week we have a 12 miler planned. And once again the snooze button will sound very appealing in the dark rainy morning, but once again I will be out there running for a cure, one mile at a time.

True Warrior

Yesterday I competed in the MOST difficult event I have ever done. Sure I have a marathon....but give me 26.2 miles over this anyday! E, two girls from work (D and M) and I all participated in the Warrior Dash. If you have never heard of this before, check out what it takes to be a true warrior here. Before we started the race we could see others come through that had completed. They were covered in mud.

The start line sent us off with flames as we ran down a muddy trail and crossed over a creek where we got wet feet and had to get up a hill without falling (accomplished!). Then after running up a hill that makes Terwilliger Blvd look like a speed bump we got to the first obstacle. The course was hilly, muddy and a lot of fun. This is what obstacles we had to go through:
-going over 5 logs in a really cold lake
-scaling straw bales 6 bales high (and wet)
-climbing up and over a wooden platform
-climbing over 6 rusty demolished cards
-climbing a rope ladder
-crawling over a rope net
-a dark tunnel that was 30 feet long
-tire maze
-repelling down a ravine (on my butt!)
-jumping over flames
-crawling under barb wire in mud

Before the race!

The finish line was sliding down a mud slide into a pool of mud. It was awesome! After a dip in the "lake" to clean off we hit the turkey legs....YUM!

Run Up....Run Down....Repeat

Track night....aka Hell Night! My first track night with this winter team and what are we doing, hill repeats. UGH! Terwilliger Blvd. is my enemy. We did 6 repeats, and after the half marathon my muscles did not want to do these. After 3 I was about to say no more....I was so tired. But I kept going, and going, and going. I did all six. And it was not fun.

Before track night started I ran into my old teammates Amy and Lisa. They are training for the Portland Marathon. The two of them looked great! Then Mentor (now Captain) Mike showed up! It is so good to see my old teammates. I miss them so much. The bond between the team is so strong.

This weekend is a 10 miler on Saturday. I know I can do it, the question is how fast? Stay tuned to find out.

Giveaway on Tall Mom

Check out the giveaway on Tall Mom on the Run..... here is the link: http://tallmomontherungiveaways.blogspot.com/

Disneyland in Pictures

Carbo loading the night before at Outback.....YUM! Pasta
 

At the start line!

 

Sporting my new Orange and Black Bondiband!!!

 

Running up Main Street in Disneyland

 

Heading into Anaheim Angels Stadium!

 

One word....AMAZING!

 

Mile 12....almost there!

 

Our own personal "chEARleader!"

 

The 3 "MOSScateers!"

 

Coast to Coast Challenge Accepted! And accomplished!

 

Congratulations E! First Half Marathon

PR (I think...)

Not "officially" but my time according to Garmi was about 2 minutes faster than my chip time. (I stop my timer when I stop at the bathroom). But my official time was 2 hours, 50 minutes and 44 seconds. E completed his FIRST half marathon. He "beat" me despite the fact that we had the exact same time. I am so proud of him since he had only run 6 miles last October and he regularly runs only 3 miles. For him to pound out 13.1 miles at my side was incredible!

Sorry Disneyland, but DisneyWorld has a hand over you when it comes to a half marathon. The start line was not nearly exciting as it was in DW for the Princess Half. I was proud to hear the man singing the National Anthem, he was a member of a CG unit that is similar to the one E used to belong to. He did an AMAZING job and brought tears to my eyes and chills to my spine. E and I were in Corral C and started around 6:15 am. The sun was just starting to come up.

We ran around the outside of California Adventure to start and then circled around to come into California Adventure. It was so pretty. The water fountains were glowing multi-colors. We ran through the park and over to DisneyLand. Coming into the main gate we ran down Main Street to Sleeping Beauty's castle. Sadly after about mile 5 the course got pretty boring taking us through the industrial area of Anaheim.
Mile 9 got a little exciting as we got to run INTO the Anaheim Angels stadium! We came in on the right field and ran along the dugouts to leave on left field. Talk about an AWESOME experience!!!

Mile 10-11.5 was difficult for E. (really? I have no idea why:) ) But he pulled through like a champ to finish the last mile STRONG. At Mile 13 I grabbed his hand and we crossed the finish line together! We even had a celebratory kiss right before we received our medals. Since I had done the Princess Half I also got the "Coast to Coast Challege" medal. WOW!!! Talk about bling!

My BF that was supposed to run with us, but got an injury called out our name from the sidelines. She was watching CB and her little men. P's husband had finished right behind us so were were able to meet up together. After some pictures we went back to the hotel to take a nap. 3 hours later we were back at California Adventure.

I loved running with E, and I am so proud of him. For someone who doesn't do long runs on a regular basis he did great! Can't wait for October to do it again!!!

To the Happiest Place on Earth!

4 days until the Disney Half Marathon in Anaheim! We leave tomorrow evening and when we get to LAX we will head down to San Diego for the night. Friday we will visit Sea World for the day. They offer free admission to military members and their families!That night we will head back to Anaheim and meet up with my bestie, Pam!

Saturday we get to pick up our bibs and swag! The Princess Half had some GREAT swag....so I am hoping this will be also. Pam was planning to run, but may have a stress fracture in her foot. I feel a tad guilty because she was training on a plan I had sent her :( Her husband will be running though, and she will be at the finish with E and my little princess and her two princes! E has never run a half, so maybe for once I can keep up with him :) I may not be fast....but I have endurance! After the Expo we will hit up Disneyland.

E and I will hit up 13.1 miles on Sunday morning and finish the day at Disneyland! This will be our first family vacation since CB was a baby. Hopefully E will survive the plane ride with CB :)