I’m In, Dammit! Now what?

A while back, I registered the lottery to enter the Bank of American Chicago Marathon…..well, I received my congratulations email yesterday!!!!!

Yikes!!!

Truthfully, I was hoping that I didn’t get in. I thought it was a longshot. I entered the lottery for the NY Marathon and didn’t get in so I thought I wouldn’t get in here.

After receiving it, I was nervous and gave some thought to not completing the registration process.

But after reading all the excitement and disappointments of my runner friends who got in and who did not, I became excited.

So…I completed the registration and God willing and body holding up, I’ll be a Chicago Marathoner! 🙂

I really and not sure that I can endure the rigorous training schedule but if I didn’t try, I’d be very disappointed in myself.

So the 18 week training begins in mid June. I have not yet decided on which training program but I still like Hal Higdon’s training method: Novice 2 or Intermediate I. Intermediate I has two 20 mile long runs and the Novice 2 has only 1. Although I would prefer one of those, I think two 20 milers will be beneficial. Anywho, But I’ll do a bit of research for a few weeks.

Also, I’m getting strict about my calories the next few weeks to take off about 10 lbs or so before the training begins.

I am a happier, more disciplined runner when I am training. I even find myself slacking when I don’t train.

I did get in a beautiful 7 mile trail run this weekend on “Grant’s Trail.” Kevin and I ran with Peyton and Eli. We stopped and played with the Budweiser Clydesdales and I took a short tour through Grant’s Cabin. Most of the run was serious but we took some nice detours.

Selfies with Clydesdales

I spent time with Daniel exploring Forest Park. I visited with Sadie for a little girl time.

Kevin and I bottled our “2 Brown Dogs” Strawberry wine and Blueberry Port that has been in our basement for over a year. The labels are my design featuring my 2 Brown Dogs: Peyton and Eli.

“2 Brown Dogs” Wine

The labels go on the “2 Brown Dogs” Blueberry Port tonight.

Kevin and I got a little buzzed on our own brew Sunday night while bottling! 🙂

Daniel is coming to spend the weekend with us in  Columbia and I’m as giddy as a little girl!  We will fish and hike. We’ll take him to his favorite places. I’ll cover him with all the attention that he can stand. I’ll go get him tomorrow late afternoon and drive back to CoMo. I’ll return him to his parents on Sunday afternoon.

That is all…..

~Run Wild and Free~

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Just Rewards for Not Training

It’s been a while and it’s time for me to update!

I’m still very busy at work with projects so I have very little free time to blog or read blogs. I think about it everyday but just don’t.

Spring in St. Louis

After barely training due to work hours and various other excuses that I have made, I ran my Half Marathon this past Sunday in St. Louis.

On Saturday, Kevin ran the 5k and for the first time, he bowed out of the Half with me. That made me a bit sad because I wanted to run with him. But I was watching him do his 5k. This was a new experience for me. I have never been a spectator watching…always running. I enjoyed watching people cross the finish with many friends and family cheering them on. I was there for my baby when he crossed. 🙂 He’s been suffering injuries and just now getting back into running. So I was proud of him.

After that, we went to the Runner’s Expo on Saturday which always picks me up, excites me and breaks my bank $$$….but I was getting a bit excited to run…still nervous about the lack of proper training.

The night before, I was a literal bitch or basket case depending on which of my family members that you ask. Daniel and Sadie still thought I was awesome.

But, I was stressed, crying, irritable and anxious. I did not want to run it. I really for the very first time, wanted to not do it.

I woke up Sunday morning at 5am and ate my oatmeal and bagel. Put on my gear…and I was in tears. I still did not want to run. But if you know my personality….I could never just not go to something I registered for.

Our time was rushed and the dogs still needed tending to so I asked Kevin to drop me off in downtown STL near the start line and he could go back to the apartment to take care of them and come back and be there when or IF I crossed the finish line.

He reluctantly did that (which was sweet) but that’s what I wanted. I always have a guilt feeling if my dogs don’t get needed attention so I knew that would at least alleviate that anxiety.

While I was standing among thousands of anxious runners……I could not get excited. The sun coming up under the St. Louis Gateway Arch was incredible.

I was in tears and I mean like never before. Usually, when I line up with the others, the jitters and nerves leave and excitement is there. Not this time. This was different. I was a ball of tears and nerves. I missed Kevin. I wanted to be home. I did not want to be there.

Then the buzzer sounds and thousands of happy runners began. I put on my running playlist, started my garmin and started running. My tears left and I became calm. When I ran under the huge American Flag….I felt goose bumps. The crowd including me was excited.

This was a new route which took us across Eads bridge into East St. Louis, Illinois and back over the MLK Bridge back into downtown. We went through the riverfront and warehouse district. I loved this route! It was tough over the bridges but I was enjoying it. About 3 miles in…it started a slow rain so I was in my element.

My spotify playlist stopped due to overcast skies (I’m assuming) so I ran 1.5 miles or so with no music. I don’t like doing that…but this was nice. I could other’s talking, laughing, breathing hard and footsteps. Even my own. Soon my music came back on and I was happy.

I was on schedule to run my record time half marathon. I kept looking at my Garmin and couldn’t believe it. I remember around mile 6 or 7 all the excited crowds with their inspirational and funny signs. At that point…..I was so happy that I was a Runner! I remembered why I loved running. I was running at a record pace for me at mile 10. I was keeping a 10:22 pace which is very good for me on long runs.

Then….lack of training properly started kicking my ass about about mile 10 near Anheuser–Busch. My hamstrings started feeling very tight. I couldn’t even stretch out my stride. My quads were locking up. That was absolutely, the worst 3.1 miles that I have ever experienced…counting the marathon.

That runner’s high left and I hit the wall.

I didn’t even experience “the wall” in my marathon.

I’m very intimate with “the wall” now….

I still PR’d that bitch by almost 6 minutes…..but if I had trained properly…. *sigh*

Lesson Learned?????

A Fallen Runner

I’m making excuses of course but I feel not so much  like a runner anymore…..except for when I see runners out and then my heart tells me I am. This morning I saw a group of runners….in the dark…in the rain *sigh*

I still run but mostly on the weekend. Last weekend while in St. Louis, I ran 3.2 miles on Saturday and felt like I could have run forever.

On Sunday morning, Kevin and I ran in a charity event “Boots and Badges” benefiting the children  of fallen Police Officers, Firemen and EMTs.

I ran in the Blue for Police “Badges” and Kevin ran in the Red for Firemen “Boots.” I didn’t run a personal best but I came very close and that 3.1 miles had many looong inclines. We had a great time and it was a fun and happy crowd.

I felt like the ole runner in me had kicked in….but then came work (long hours) and a bout with serious conjunctivitis that hit me like something I haven’t experienced. I am a bit better today but not much. At least I can see! haha

I have all but left the blog world….and the running world. I miss being an obsessed runner! I will do a long run this weekend and maybe get in runs next week. I have Half Marathon April 12 “Go! St. Louis” and I am sure it will be a struggle. But I deserve it.

I’ll still enjoy the Runner’s Expo the day before. That’s the only reason I run anyway…for the stuff!

So, my life is busy but good. My brother is still hanging in there with good spirits…but he is getting worse. I have come to terms with the fact that I will say goodbye to my little brother soon. The world will be a worse place without….i’ve no doubt. But for now I wish him comfort and love.

I’m not a religious person….but at times like these…I wish I were. But I say prayers just in case.

Work is busy….and the truth is, I am liking it. I am involved in many projects as the leader so I stay busy and keep my teams busy. My days are long.

I get home and kiss on my dogs…..and Kevin 🙂

I eat healthy for the most part. I get to spend time with my cute little grandkiddies. St. Louis Blues Hockey is winding down a bit and my fingers are still crossed for the Stanley Cup. I put some red in my hair! 🙂

My St. Louis Cardinals are about to begin the season…that always makes me just a little bit happier when the Birds fly back up North! 🙂

I’m a slacker on reading my friends blogs. I have all intentions of checking in and then I don’t.

I’m in a running stall……I thought good weather would help but it hasn’t.

I registered for the lottery in the “Chicago Marathon” slotted for October. If by chance I could get in…that will be a kick in my runner’s shorts! I have heard that it is easier to get in the Chicago Marathon by lottery. I’ll know May 28. If I don’t, I’ll find another marathon.

I miss training for the marathon. I am jealous of those who are. I think that still makes me a runner.

“They say the breaks even up in the long run, and the trick is to be a long-distance runner.” ~ Chuck Knox, LA Rams