jfa
By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote. Ralph Waldo Emerson and
The undertaking of a new action brings new strength. Richard L. Evans
Some early results in from our racers!
Frosty five this morning with the four legged friend, 10m solo later.Good and tired for however the game turns out!
Trails are hard!
Need a fast half for late fall. Then I need to actually train for it.
Hi All - I survived.
My run - I finished in approximately 6:40+/-. I don't have the official results yet. What can I say about the race - IT WAS FREAKING WINDY!!!!!! Holy cow! The breeze was coming up when we started at 7:00, and about 1.5 hours into the run, it just broke loose. My uncle looked at the China Lake Military web site to see what they were reporting the winds were at - 30 mph with gusts around 40 mph. It was non-stop, relentless. And, of course, you only had it at your back when you were going downhill. At one point, I was walking on a ridge in the middle of the track get out of the soft sand, and it almost blew me off. You were constantly having to lean into it, or you found yourself slightly turning away from it. 95% of the time it was either straight in your face or coming from the front left. I finally gave up and took my hat off 'cause I was tired of trying to keep it on. I was very happy I'd worn my capris as opposed to shorts, and it was only for a small portion of the last mile that I pushed my Moeben sleeves down and took off my gloves. Cripes! At one point I started to get mad and a few 4-letter words flew out of my mouth, but I realized it didn't do any good to get mad 'cause it would change anything, so I just started positive talking myself. However, things started falling about somewhere around the last 4 miles, and the last mile was at least 4 miles long.
At the last aid station, I asked where we were and one lady says, "24.9 miles." My head just about flew off my neck as I whirled around and looked at her. She quickly said, "No! 29.9 miles!" The other lady starts laughing and says, "You should've seen the look on your face!" I said, "I thought I was in hell there for a minute!"
The aid stations workers were real troopers, with the cold and the windy. I need to write a letter to the RDs and tell them how much I appreciated those people, especially today.
Well, my aunt almost has dinner together, so I'm gonna get going. I'm pooped and will definitely sleep well tonight. We're gonna get out of here probably by 6:00 a.m. and drive the whole way home - about 11-12 hours. I should be totally worthless at work on Tuesday.
Have a great week, folks. You were definitely out there with me today.
Leslie Living and Running Behind the Redwood Curtain -------------
Trail Runner Nation
Sally McCrae-Choose Strong
Bare Performance
Leslie, WTG! I can only imagine that 50K would be a bugger, even in good conditions....but the wind has got to be the worst running conditions. You gutted it out, pushed yourself, and, well only you know what it actually took to complete. My running hat is off to you.
Joe, the Giants run defense was very good. And the ability of the running backs (and punt returner) to cut back and take advantage of the over pursuit made a couple of those big plays for the Giants. Congratulations.
Man those Eagles looked good as well.
And what happened in the Washington/New Orleans game??? I thought Washington had it won, then I see it goes into overtime.
Nice work Jim, Lynda, Doug and Mtn. Can't wait to hear from you.
MTA.....I learned a new word today, proclivity. "Proclivity...NOUN: A natural propensity or inclination; predisposition. "
And guess what, I quoted that definition from the American Heritage Dictionary.
Queen of 3rd Place
Leslie - dayum, way to HTFU! When I checked the weather in the am the conditions were calm, sure sounds like it kicked up pretty viciously! BTW, I find that getting angry makes me faster
Waiting eagerly on the RRs!
How bout the Raiders? That was a surprise!
Tough 12 last night, something about dark, cold, windy didn't agree with me. Felt better this am even though it was raining. Might snow in Fresno tonight!!
Arla
Ex runner
Top 'O the World!
flatland mountaineer
We just hit that barren artic wasteland that is SW Nebraska. Hotel had an extra fee for net so only did it one day and my mobile wouldn't post here so once we get rested up a bit I'll give you the scoop. Had just a super time, race was well done, learned alot, good fun times.
Leslie sounds like you survived another tough one. Good going.
more later folks
The whole world said I shoulda used red but it looked good to Charlene in John Deere Green!!
Support Ethanol, drink the best, burn the rest.
Run for fun? What the hell kind of recreation is that? quote from Back to the Fut III
Sounds like a good time was had by all our racers! Or for Leslie, a windy time . Congrats to everyone, and WE WANT DETAILS!
My father-in-law (Floy) passed out at church on Sunday morning, and the paramedics recommended a trip to the ER to check out an irregular heart rythm. He is fine, but spent a couple days in the hospital to make sure. I stayed w/ him since my husband's final exam for his class was last night, and he's got the job with the benefits right now. Floy and I had lots of time to talk, and he brought up the subject of him possibly moving from his house (he lives alone) to a retirement community. I really think it may be about time, and I was so glad that he brought it up so we could feel good about investigating options, and making those decisions with his input.
Now...since I've been basically sitting for the last 2 days....I'm sneaking out for a quick run before I show myself as available for work. What's another hour when I'm already a day or so behind? .
Jim - glad to hear you had a good time!
Ev - yeah, Fresno pulled that one off...barely...
Carol - my mom moving into her senior apartment has been great. Took her a little while to get adjusted, meeting new people and all, but she seems healthier than ever. She's participating in their exercise classes, and I know she's eating well.
Easy 8 in FROSTY conditions this am!
Hi Gang -
Carol - I'm glad your FIL is doing okay. I keep wondering when I might have to broach that subject with me dad. He's a long way away from it, but it still out there.
Sounds like things went well for Jim, Lynda, Cindy, and Doug. Can't wait for more details!
Arla - Snow . . . in Fresno?? What is this world coming to! We hit snow coming over the Tehachapis yesterday. It was suppose to get pretty hairy by midafternoon.
Did the Raiders win??? Well, faint and fall over!!
Ev - Nice use of the American Heritage Dictionary.
Hi Joe and Stumpy!
My run Sunday - Well, my official time was 6:39:29. I figured I'd finish in 6.5 to 7 hrs, but was secretly hoping for a 6-hr finish. My uncle sent me an email this a.m. saying their paper reported the winds to be 30-40 mph with gusts of 55 mph. I'm not surprised. I think if it hadn't been for the wind, I could've finished 15-20 mins faster. Oh well. There's always next year. I'll do a more in-depth report later.
On the up side, Coach found the name of a chick who has run Desert High for the past three years, followed by AR50. She finished DH in approximately the same times I did Sunday, and AR50 in about 12 hrs, so there's hope for me!
After a 12-hr drive yesterday, I was too tired to even think about getting up and running this morning, so will get back in the saddle tomorrow.
Later!
Careful what you ask for Carol! I had such a good time, I feel inclined to write a book!
First off, I highly recommend a gathering of fun friends for these things! 6 in our group (check) 2ndly, make sure you get a room with a comfy bed so the sleep you do get is quality! (check) The fact that our rooms were fairly close in proximity made for other "entertainment" that I refuse to divulge....
27,500 runners. Spectators. Course Crew. Volunteers. Entertainment: bands, fireworks, skydivers! Media. Medical. Law enforcement. & two white tigers...Elite puts on quite a show! This one amid National Finals Rodeo week = tens of thousands of participants & visitors for that alone in Las Vegas! (just want you to get a feel for the throngs!!! )
Flew in delayed (something I heard about inclement weather in Texas causing our flight to be delayed/transferred) to cooler weather than had been predicted...good thing I threw a long sleeves & gloves into the bag @ the last minute. Hotel let us check in early so, we threw our bags in the rooms & headed straight into the huge Expo...straight into wall-to-wall insane amt of ppl!! I know several shopping malls that would fit inside of Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino! Anywho, I'll bet we spent a good 2hrs in there! & I bought waaaay too much stuff ...What can I say? I love OneMoreMile shirts...chatted w/several "new friends" etc...met up w/Jim & Lynda later for food & beverages & the tail end of the NE/TX game......tucked in fairly early-ish...
5am & wide awake (good thing! Doug set the alarm for 5pm!!) Also a good thing I brought breakfasty stuff along as there was flat NO WAY of getting through any lines to get breakfast & get back out on the course before noon! I highly recommend running on oatmeal, raisin, walnut cookies washed down w/coffee!!
6am. 34* clear & calm. except for the fireworks going off overhead...& skydivers falling from the sky...I think the lighted skydivers came down first....running around in the dark looking for the bag check, the last thing I expected to find easily was Jim & Lynda but, there they were! Cool! We were all assigned different corrals & the guys headed for theirs just as they were starting to move fwd but, we girls jumped into one further back (kinda btwn our three assigned) & started out together. the corral "police" didn't stop us! I told the girls that due to the foot injury & lack of training, I was going to do a very conservative 3:1 run/walk. They agreed & off we went, chatting & having a very good time!
Quite in the Las Vegas style, costumes abounded - most commonly, the Elvi crowd! this race also featured a "run through" wedding ceremony & I heard that we had about 50 couples - all sporting some type of ahm, wedding attire!? & of course, being December, we also had several Holiday themed = elves, Santas, reindeer antlers, etc...& a Caveman!? (think Geico) and I must say that many of the spectators & cheer stations were definitely up to speed as well!! Ha!
The half marathon course went straight up the strip from the South, to the Old strip & back down, beginning & ending at Mandalay Bay. flat.flat.flat! but very scenic! @ mile 10, the full marathoners peeled off to the right to meander other realms of the city, including out to the golf course & back.. for anyone who has done the Vegas marathon before, this is a different course. I felt that it was mostly flat & pretty ideal for a fast race. That would not be me..although, this by far was my best marathon experience!
It took 42+ minutes for our corral to reach the start gate! approx 1000 ppl per corral! First couple miles, feel light & easy...tough keeping it slow enough but, running w/the girls really helped & it was alot of fun! But, by now, two of us needed a porta potty again! so we jumped into a line..Lynda felt good & wanted to keep going & we told her we'd try to catch up..took 4 mins @ the porta potty (why do ppl not speed pee @ races??)..we didn't see her again until that night! My other friend & I stayed together till the full/half split...run/walking, dancing, taking pictures... by mile 5 or so, our "group" had settled into several regulars who would finish the course with us. Mine included a juggler, a man carrying a very large American flag - in his hand, not a carry strap! his RP, a woman in all bright pink, a Maniac in red (fifty stater), a pr of Elves & a pr of Elvi in Hawaiian style garb w/"Ma halo! Ma halo very Much!" on their backs.
With the easy pace, my foot was actually feeling pretty good! in fact, everything was feeling pretty good! It was cool enough that I'd kept my warm-up shirt through mile 13, & decided against discarding it altogether (good thing!) as it was just borderline too cool (39*) .I was slowing picking up a little speed (relatively speaking) & starting to calculate, ponder what kind of a time could I pull if I just cut a couple more seconds ....not full out hard mind you, just a little, when WHAM! intense.medial.quad.cramps! Holy Carp! Walked them out for a cpl minutes thinking WTH?! Where did THAT come from? I'm not running hard, it's not that cold, nutrition's been good....Work! that's it! I immediately flashed to the feeling of quashy feeling quads going up the stairs a cpl days prior & knowing that 29 massages in the previous 4 days~Damme!!...I do a very "active" sports massage that involves me doing lots of squats/lunges!! Hokay! so, I'm not dying & I know what it is...my run/walk however is now dictated by the cramping/walking it out thing...run easy till I have to walk it out, back to running till I have to walk it out...one thing, going too fast meant I couldn't run as long & had to take longer to walk it out...so, somehow, I was still going approximately a 3:1 ratio! just a bit slower than I had been for the first 16+ miles...& I was going juuuust fast enough to stay with my "pace group." Most of the cramping settled down by the last couple miles, but I didn't want to push it, so I just motored it in...6:04:50....not a good as I'd hoped. Much better than I'd expected!
Checking stats, 382 finishers behind me, +13 "diverted" (didn't make the time cutoff)
Spent that evening out with good friends, eating, drinking, runner spotting in the South end of the Strip! Ya just look for ppl walking funny & tell them "Congratulations!!" & watch 'em grin!! Then there's Doug....wearing his Red Marathon shirt & medal -RUNNING down the sidewalk!! Dork!