With One’s First Marathon Finish Comes Eternal Glory!

**For those of you who know me you know that I don't really do Reader's Digest versions of stories. With that said anyone who was hoping for a quick read, I apologise as I am sure that this will get quite long.**

Well it’s official I’m a marathoner! I finished the 31^st annual Grandma’s Marathon in a chip time of 6:50:48 and 85 degree weather! Here are the humorous, and sometimes gruesome, details of my journey down the long and winding road to pain, success and victory!

My mom and I arrive at the expo to pick-up my number, get power gels (which I forgot at home and didn't realize until we had been on the road for an hour!,) and attend the all-you-can eat spaghetti dinner. At the dinner we ran into Ellen, a friend on mine from college who had been on the same study abroad trip and was who I hung out with at the triathlon a few weeks back. Both her and her boyfriend, also a CSB/SJU alum, were running tomorrow. I was starting to fell better since I knew someone who was up here and knew that this was my first marathon. I don't remember who told me this, but without a great support system you're pretty much screwed as far as finishing and being pleased with yourself goes. The closer and closer I was getting to 'go' time the more I was fully realizing how true this is. I also knew that if it weren't for my support system I probably wouldn't make it because my training had been a little, ok a lot, sub-par as far as mileage went. This was going to be about heart for me, not muscle.

We were staying with my Godparents in Silver Bay for the night and headed-up right after dinner. While we were waiting for my dad to get Up North we decided that a trip to their strip mall in Beaver Bay was in order. Well it happens to have an ice cream parlour in it, oh darn! If I can have pecan pie and beer the day before the half marathon (and survive,) I can have a scoop of ice cream the night before the marathon. We had skipped it at the spaghetti dinner anyway. So we called Dad and told him that he needed to stop; boy was he glad he did! If anyone likes ice cream more than me it's my dad! Anyway back 'home' I got everything ready for the morning and finished re-reading Ultramarathon Man for inspiration. Dean signed my copy when I met him last fall during the Endurance 50. For every major race two things always go with me irregardless of where they are: that book and Shelly, my tortoise stuffed animal I got at the Twin Cities 10 Mile last year, my first major 'goal' race.

I can't even tell you what time I got up but it was waaaaay to early for this night owl! I got ready and tried to get as much breakfast down as I could. I wasn't hungry at all but I HAD to eat, I knew it was nerves. I'm not normally someone who gets nerves or nervous, I usually embrace those situations full steam ahead. But every once and awhile the nerves get the best of me and this was one of those situations. Then we were off back down the North Shore past Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls into Two Harbors where I was getting dropped off.

I said a, surprisingly, tearful goodbye to my parents and go on the bus that was taking the runners to the starting point. On the bus I sat with these 3 ladies who were running their first marathons in quite awhile. Next to us were some crazy Canadians who were running about 5 marathons this year alone! Everyone wanted to know how I was doing considering that this was my first one (I had it written on my shirt per Ellen's advice,) why I was doing this, and why this marathon in particular. The shortest answer to these questions are two words: Chris & Chad, whom I'd both spoken with the night before. You see between the two of them they have completed 10 marathons, one of those being in an Ironman Triathlon. When we were all living in London we went to the London Marathon where I made them a promise: that IF I ever ran a marathon I would put the name Xtine (they had taken to calling me this) on my shirt and that my first one would be Grandma's Marathon because I grew up around it and the North Shore. In all honesty I didn't imagine that I would be running the marathon a mere 14 months later, but I can't back down out of promise. Anyway long tangent short, having all of these people be really friendly, supporting, and nice to me was definitely helping my nerves.

The starting area was your usual mayhem, people and port-a-potties everywhere! We had pretty much taken over a car dealership on the outskirts of Two Harbors, more or less in the middle of the woods just off the highway. The Air Force did a fly-by just for us which was really cool followed by the national anthem. As we were all corralled up they were blaring music which always helps me. The last 3 songs I heard before I crossed the starting line were: the Chariots of Fire theme (Love it! I think the front runners started right after this,) the Pirates of the Caribbean theme (perfect for me!,) and then the "STAR WARS Suite" but all I heard was Darth Vader's theme (how appropriate as we shuffled to our impending doom, ah I mean eternal glory for finishing the marathon.) I was off and it only took 7 min. to get over the start line!

The first mile or so was fairly solid people and was people for as far as the eye could see in front of you. I was right on pace for a 5:45 marathon for the first few miles but knew that I was pushing it a little too much. I was running with some guys for awhile who might be in trouble by the end, they seemed even less prepared than I did. Note: I was really good with strength training, cross training (biking, swimming and figure skating,) joint supplements, nutrition, and hydration coming into the marathon. A few miles into the course there is a Norwegian stubba house which my dad is obsessed with and on the lawn of that house there was a small pep band, woot woot! So when they were done playing I yelled back, "Go piccolo player!" I don't think she's ever seen someone acknowledge the instrument before. I played picc for 6 years including marching and pep band back in the day. When I'm still this energetic and in such high spirits it's hard to think about how painful and hard this process is going to be. I'm always that crazy person at the back of the pack, if not further back, that is still smiling and having fun even though I may be suffering and not have the best time ever. For me this marathon was going to be my personal record anyway so why not enjoy it?

In the Minneapolis paper a few days before the race there had been an article about a family that had 3 generations of women all running Grandma's. The Grandma's organization believes that this is the first time 3 generations have run this race. At about mile 6 the mother of this family came up on me and we chatted and ran for awhile. Evidently the daughter was up ahead and grandma was still behind us somewhere. The article had me tearing up so it was really cool to meet Anne. Funny story, I had been mistaken by someone on the sidelines farther back as being the daughter of this family.

By mile 7 or so the miles where starting to just peel off even though we still hadn't been anywhere too near the lake yet and it was starting to get warm. I was kinda counting on that nice cool lake breeze to make it a little more bearable. Before too much longer there it was, Lake Superior, and today you could see all the way across the Wisconsin with some really cool fog. It's rare to be able to see across the lake that far up. Also during this section of the run there were some kind residents who provided music for us. Like I said before nothing like a little music to keep you going. I think in a 2 mile span there were at least 3 places that had music. "Walk this Way" was the first one I think, ironically appropriate. Next was "Life is a Highway" which was my theme song from the start of the TC10 last fall, again significant to me. Lastly was John Williams' theme from The Cowboys. Now I know most of you won't know what that is but I played it in high school and had a kick ass piccolo solo (not as good as Stars and Stripes, but close.) The last time I heard it was at graduation when we played it as our final piece. Around this point we caught our first glimpse of Duluth and the Lift Bridge aka the Finish Line. Even though it was so small and far away you knew that the finish line was out there!

Mile 9 is where it starts to get a little ugly for me. As I'm coming in to the 'Pitt' Stop (yes someone had put a life-sized cardboard cut-out of Brad Pitt at the beginning of the aid station with a signs saying, "Welcome to the Pitt Stop") I noticed that my little toe was starting to get hot like I was going to get a blister; I know this because the exact same thing happened in the TC10 and didn't end well. Anyway a little quick creative first aid with some chapstick, to prevent more rubbing and cool the hot spot, and I was back on the road. I believe as I was exiting that station someone was playing Kylie Minogue, love it!

By the half-way point it was hot out! But I'd just done my second half-marathon! I knew that I had come that far and could do the rest since I was still feeling pretty good and was in great spirits. I was only about 15 min. off my last half time, so all in all I was pretty pleased with myself. My quad muscles had started giving me trouble a few miles back especially near my hip joints, but the pain and soreness would come and go. It seemed to stay at bay when I kept moving at a faster pace. Also at halfway my feet were getting hot so I stopped by first aid where they put something on the spots to prevent the blisters from forming and keep the damage to my pinky toe to a minimum (it was already starting to blister.) After a quick sit with first aid while they worked on my feet, I was all patched up and ready to do the second half of this race.

My parents were waiting for me just past halfway. They were so cute out there with their lawn chairs and camera. I found out later that they had seen EVERYONE else go by, so they'd been waiting quite awhile for me. It was fun to have someone shut out my name who knew me for once! People have been yelling all along since my name and 1st marathon were on my shirt. It just felt really good to see them there cheering me on, you see neither of them are runners at all so this is kinda a big deal for the whole family.

By mile 15 I was starting walk a lot more frequently and for long spurts. The lack of lengthy training was starting to catch-up to me and it was going to hurt. Chris told me the night before that it's suppose to hurt like hell, that's how you know it's worth it. That there are peaks and valleys all along the way mentally and emotionally, just ride them. If you're in a valley there will be another high point! I didn't think this would stick with me the way it did since I'd heard it from so many others before him. I think it had to do with the fact that he's done this before, had problems in marathons before, and he's one of my two best friends.

My parents turned up again around mile 16 or 17 where they had water for me, yeah! They walked with me towards their car. I told them that I was finishing this and that I would probably be walking most of the rest of the way. This was just something that I knew and I was perfectly alright with that. All I was after was that finishers medal because once I'd earned it and the title 'marathoner' no one could ever take that away from me!

I was still keeping a pretty good clip considering I was walking and was looking pretty good. My parents were there again at mile 19 as you entered Duluth. My dad walked with me for aways while Mom took advantage of the photo op. The thing that was starting to suck more than the sore and tired muscles and feet was that they were starting to break down the aid stations and most of them only had water left. I was getting worried, as much as the orange stuff didn't taste good it had what I needed to keep going since I was sweating so much.

The people of Duluth don't call this weekend Father's Day Weekend, it's Grandma's Weekend and they fully embrace it and all the runners. The people of Duluth come out in droves to cheer on everyone as they head into the last few miles, or so I'm told. There were only die hards left when I came through. I have to say the people who set-up hoses on ladders and had small plastic cups full of beer where some of my favorite people along the course. And yes for the record I did have one small cup of beer around mile 21 or so. There was a guy heading into 22 that was still out there handing out orange slices, heck why not at this point?

So a small beer and an orange slice later I met my parents at the bottom of Lemon Drop Hill, mile 22. This is the only real hill on the course (compared to those in Kentucky that I ran in May, this was nothing) but that far in, it was going to suck. My parents walked the hill with me. I have to admit that I was still hoofing it walking faster than my parents and passing people almost all the way until the end. For here on out it was Downtown Duluth through streets I've spent my whole life around. Now I didn't grow up anywhere near Duluth but we always seem to end up there at least yearly if not more frequently for this that and the other.

As I went 3 miles down London Rd. and Superior St. past every Duluth landmark I could image, I had to do my best to stay on course since they were starting to open the streets back up again. They were letting us finish and for that I will be eternally grateful. The mile markers and balloons were still there the whole way. I tried to stay on the street because of the black top vs. concrete (ask me about my half marathon and concrete some time,) but sometime I had to move onto the sidewalks. There were loads of finishers heading towards hotels, showers, and food along the way all shouting words of encouragement as I went along. One went so far as giving me her bottle of water! Once people figured out that I was still trying to finished they did everything in their power to get out of my way and let me go, again very appreciative.

I could tell that I was tapping into the last reserves I had. I had been trying to "run" a little every 2 miles or so, so I knew that I could run at the end of the marathon. I wanted to make sure I could still physically do it. As I was approaching the start of the 26th mile I had turned towards the lake and was passing the theater that my sister works at a lot of the time. At this point I was in full on agony and knew I was in the deepest valley I had been in yet, but I also knew that the next peak would be the last one and the best one. If I could just get over I35, around the DECC, alongside the William A. Irvin (a very cool old iron ore ship permanently docked in Duluth,) and make that one last turn...

I was right, as soon as I saw the Duluth Lift Bridge and the Finish Line it was all over!!! I had that last bitchy .2 miles to go and it was all mine! I don't know where it came from but somewhere deep down inside, in a place I didn't know existed came this energy and strength. I was full on sprinting without pain and without any control over myself. I was already balling like a baby and making these sounds of sheer agony/joy??? I was the only one in the chute and there were still people around to cheer me on but all I could see was that bridge from underneath the banner of the finish line, it never looked so good! I'm tearing up now just remembering what it felt like to go through that chute by myself with nothing in my way crying, laughing, and in complete shock over the fact that I was mere seconds away from completing marathon! I crossed that line beaming and then stopped and let out the loudest, most inhuman whale of agony, joy, pain, relief, and happiness that anyone has ever heard. I'm pretty sure I scared some of the people working in the finish area, but I didn't care. I had just finished my first marathon in less than 7 hours and that was good enough for me. I was going to crawl across that line if I had to. All I wanted was that big beautiful finisher's medal around my neck. As they placed that medal around my neck I felt like I'd just won the Olympic gold! As I looked around I heard my parents before I saw them cheering and crying with more enthusiasm than I remember them having for a long, long time. I went right over the them and hugged them over the fence and we all cried together.

I found my way out of the finishers area, but not before getting my finishers t-shirt, and we headed for the lake. They had brought my flip-flops to the finish so I got my running shoes off as fast as I could to 1) relieve my feet from the confines they'd just spent a good 7 hours in and 2) to asses the blister damage that had been done. The feet were alright but a bit sticky from the blister blockers that had melted and moved during the second half of the race. I hobbled my way down do the shores of Lake Superior because this was the world's largest ice bath after all and it was 85 degrees out! So in I went up to my waist, medal around my neck. I was making friends with some other runners also in the lake. I figure the 15-20 min. I was in there was the longest I've ever been in that lake combined in my entire life. For instance I went in up to my knees last year in Michigan but was out again after about a minute because it's so cold. It's kinda a Minnesotan thing but you go into Lake Superior annually (usually only in the childhood years, but clearly I don't follow that [see Michigan trip])whether you need to or not, but then you remember why you don't ever really want to go back in, it's that cold! I've been in a lake, waist deep again, the day after the ice went off in the spring (college crew team) and it's about that temperature; you're numb to the core for hours afterwards. Just what the doctor ordered for someone with a very high internal body temperature and inflamed muscles! My proud parents were reporting back to the grandparents and neighbor's as I stood there happy as could be not even feeling the 35 degree water.

We took some pictures with the Lift Bridge and then slowly made our way back to the car so that I could change and we could get some food. Sitting felt really good but I knew getting up was going to be a bear! Oh and it was, and getting into the car! I fell asleep in the car and slept most of the way home. I didn't realize it at the time but I probably got the worst sunburn of my life that day. Later that night I got quite a scare because all of a sudden my teeth started chattering uncontrollably and quite fiercely. I hadn't realized that my body temperature had dropped drastically because of the lake and because the sunburn was radiating so much heat, I had no clue that my core temp. was so low!!! Quite scary but I put a blanket over myself which eased the chattering a few minutes later. Up here in Minnea'snow'ta we grow up learning the signs of hypothermia and how to treat them. I absolutely slept with my duvet cover tucked in all around me that night and slept for a good long while, I had earned it!

It took me 3-4 days to walk almost normally again and stop going down stairs backwards. The sunburned turned out to be more of a problem then the swollen and sore muscles. I had to about bath in aloe for the first few days following the marathon. To this day I still have some fabulous tan lines from my running kit that day. My poor left foot was in a world of hurt since 3 massive blisters had developed: one on the outside of my heel, one on the back of my arch at the heel, and they other engulfed my pinky toe. My poor little pinky toe was 3 times it's normal size since it seemed like everything except the toenail had turned into one major blister.

It was all worth it, the sunburn, blisters, and destroyed muscles because I am now a marathoner! I can't thank those of you enough who supported me through the entire process. There were so many of you to answer to if I didn't finish, but the great news is that the thought of quitting never once crossed my mind! It was probably the hardest thing I've ever done but I knew that I would finish. I didn't even really have to talk myself in or out of anything out there. I had a back-up survival plan. Every mile of that race was assigned/dedicated to someone so if I was lacking motivation or focusing too much on the pain or the remaining task load, I would just look at who's mile it was and think of them. I never had to look at my list but I knew who's mile I was always in as a sign of respect to those who supported me the most. These 20 people or so may or may not have realized that I looked to them for strength and support. In fact this might be the first time they are aware of this. The miles are listed at the bottom.

So that's it the tale of my first marathon. I don't know if I'll ever do another one, but I haven't ruled it out ;) We'll have to see how I feel about running in general when I can finally walk again! I know what I need to do next time. I would like to do the London Marathon at some point in my life, but I definitely won't be registering for the one next April, too soon!!!

Best Wishes,

Christine

Mile Person
1 Me
2 Michael OC - London
3 Jimmy - London
4 Eric - CBY
5 Kellie - CBY
6 Jake - CBY
7 Veronica - CBY
8 Lindsey - London
9 Robin - London
10 Jenn Merrill - London
11 Rachel - MG
12 Mark - MG
13 James - Family
14 Keith - London
15 Kristen - MG
16 Laura - CSB/SJU
17 Laura - CSB/SJU
18 Dad
19 Mom
20 Melissa - CBY
21 Melissa - CBY
22 Chad - London
23 Chad - London
24 Chris - London
25 Chris - London
26 Me
26.2 Me

Chad's Pep Talk

I talked to Chad last night about everything and anything marathon related I could think of. It's been really nice to have someone there for me who's been through it before (many times before.) Since I was training alone I really need that support and encouragement. He always seems to know what to say to calm me down and get me motivated. Really he's like a coach, brother, and partner all in one. And for that I will be eternally grateful!

It's so strange to think a mere 14 months ago I was standing in the drizzle of London watching my first marathon, the Flora London Marathon, and hypothesising that I might one day run a marathon. Well here I am 14 months later 3 days away from completing that mightiest of feats. I also made a promise to Chris & Chad on that cool, rain soaked morning: at my first marathon I would put Xtine on my shirt. People put their names on their shirts so that spectators can yell out their names along with the words on encouragement. Well by this point both of the guys had taken to calling me this so it was a promise. I intend to see it out!

What's even more strange is the transformation I've come through in the 16 months I have been running. Last January when you asked me what I thought about running I would have told you that anyone who runs, especially outside, it absolutely out of their freaking minds! Well clearly that mentality is gone, because I will be 'running' outside for 26.2 miles on Saturday. I know people decide to run marathons and do their 3-4 months of training and that's that, but for not running at all, hating it even to a full marathon in a little over a year has to be worth something!

Return to the Ice

I returned to figure skating lessons tonight. I was a little scared because I've been off of the ice for 2 months and I don't want to hurt myself right before the marathon. The apprehension pretty much all went away once I got out there. It was kind of like ridding a bicycle, but slipperier. I was a little rusty on some things and stiff as well, but I expected all of that with the absence. I'm not sure I like the new teacher, but I think she's still working out a system too. We pretty much reviewed a lot of basic things and forward movements, nothing backwards or on one foot. I was hoping to move forward in this class not just maintain. The only new thing I learned was a T stop. I'm just glad to be back out there! It seems weird now to pile on a long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, and jeans to go to the rink when a few months ago that was considered stripping down!

Little John and Robin Hood Running Through the Forest

So I'm slightly obsessed with the BBC America series Robin Hood, of which I now own season 1 on DVD. Which is fantastic news for me! Anyway I did indeed get different shoes on Sunday morning and needed to give them a go. So I popped in the DVD and ran for the length of an episode which actually felt pretty good. The only problem I had been having was that it kind of felt like I had my 4th stress fracture in the right ankle, so it was taped up. This created a weird sensation in my feet, but I think these shoes are much better. They are similar to my first pair of running shoes which I loved! Fingers crossed these are the shoes I need and that I'll be fine on Saturday!!!

New Shoes

So I got new shoes just after I was in Kentucky and they felt awesome in the store. But ever since then I've had an issue with my toes going numb really quickly. I know that 's not good so I've tried varying degrees of lace tightness and in different places, nothing is helping. I also think they are a size too big. Good thing my running store has a 30 return/exchange no questions asked shoe policy. These are only hurting me! I went out today ready to do the 18-20 miler, but was stopped about 2 miles in because of the shoes. I will be going to the store tomorrow and sorting this out! Looks like the long run will be Saturday which is only 1 week away from the marathon. YIKES!

I Hate Being a Great Procrastinator!

Seriously between my master level procrastination skills and the sever thunderstorms all weekend, I'm so screwed for this marathon in less than 2 weeks!!! It also doesn't help that my body doesn't let me function, or wake-up, with less than 6 hours of sleep. I mean I'm grateful for it but it's really messing up my training schedule. The other thing that's severely hindering my progress is that I'm working at the horse track until nearly 1 AM every Friday night which is making the early Saturday morning runs nearly impossible. So I've been trying to do the longer runs after work, but it seems that whenever I'm planning to do one it decides to tornado out that night and I refuse to run that far on a treadmill!!! Anyway Dad wasn't getting home until late and Mom & fended for ourselves for dinner. We were planning on having Dad grill some turkey burgers but that was now out of the question, so we were left to do it ourselves on the dodgy grill. We opted for the George Foreman instead. I've decided that if I want to keep my parents on my good side, i.e. be supportive of my travel and avoid the Spanish Inquisition, it is best to be as helpful as possible around the house. Tonight that meant help with dinner, so looks like I'll be running inside tonight. After a lovely dinner of turkey burgers (with a light coating of Laughing Cow garlic & herb cheese and 1,000 island salad dressing) and yellow rice I was back on that damn treadmill. I'm really starting to loath that thing! For any of you runners out their I'm sure you're not surprised by this and probably surprised at how long it took me to get to that point. Anyway didn't last long before that damn cold surfaced again and really hindered my breathing. I just hope I can muscle through my 18-20 miler tomorrow! Yes I'm aware that I'm probably a little too close to the marathon to be doing those distances, but I haven't done them yet and it will help me more to do them than it will to skip it all together. If and when I do another one of these, I'm making training the #1 priority and only having one job, not an additional part-time job as well.

Chests Colds are not Ideal Running Conditions

Ok so I've been bad for a week, but I've also been battling a head cold that turned into a chest cold aggravated by allergies. I decided that enough was enough and that I was going to have to power through this if I'm going to finish that marathon! On the treadmill again, in case I die I'll be close to home instead of in the woods somewhere. More sprints I would run .35 miles and then sprint .15 miles. I did 8 of these which I was proud of considering my condition. I did nearly choke myself at one point and decided shortly after that I should wind it down for the day. I love running while watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, especially since I just saw the 3rd one at midnight last Thursday.

On a positive note, my treadmill pace is now where my race pace was last fall, which means that I'll be even faster outside since I'm always a good min. or so slower on the treadmill! I still have a chance of that 5:30 marathon after all!

I Won the Dancing with the Stars War!

Tonight was the season finale, but somehow I managed to record the show, be productive and watch it later. Anyway I did get back on the treadmill and do my normal sprint sets to the taped Dancing with the Stars. Apolo won which I'm happy about but I really liked all 3 of the finalists. I'm really getting sick of the treadmill and how hot it gets in the basement when I'm running. Must run outside whenever there isn't a thunderstorm!

It's Official, I'm a Runner!

I don't know how or why it happened, but it did. I went out for a run not knowing where or for how long I was going to run. I ended up going 5 & 1/2 miles when I really only needed to go about 3! I just kept going and adding on sections to my run, including some not nice hills! I never thought in a million years that I would be to the point where I would just keep running and enjoy it! Seriously it was like, "I'm not tired at all yet so let's keep going, there's no reason to stop." I ran 5 miles fairly easily and dare I say, for fun? I don't think like that at all. This means I've officially morphed into a runner. I also ran all that way without water, which means I'm in better shape then I thought. I've also been really good about trying to keep my hydration levels up at all times. I don't think I've ever gone that far without water before. Not to mention that all of this happened after my last strength training session, which really killed me today!

Keane & Eager to Run

Seriously when will I learn that I need to schedule less during marathon training? I took Kristen to the Keane concert tonight, but not before running first. I got smarter from yesterday and jumped on the treadmill right after work instead of staying up uberlate again! This time I watched Dancing with the Stars Results Show. My favorite 3 are advancing to the finals next week! Double YEAH because my favorites are going and because then my battle with the TV schedule will be over!

Killer(s) Midnight Run!

Nothing like getting off the treadmill at 1:15AM! Yes that's right I got on the treadmill at 12:30AM and off at 1:15AM! Earlier tonight I went to The Killers concert with my cousin who is Africa bound in the morning. That's dedication! He's going to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania for 3 weeks, living and working at a mission, rafting, and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro! So jealous! Oh and he also had the nerve to tell me that he's spending a whole day in London on the way over, but you know I hooked him up with all the info anyway. Back to running. I figure I'm too far into the training and too close to the marathon to be taking runs off anymore. So there I was running on the treadmill, in my basement, in the absolute middle of the night and watching the series finale of Gilmore Girls. What has my life come to?

20 Hours on a Train dose not Equal Strength Training

Taking a week off from strength training probably wasn't the best idea I've ever had, but what was I going to do? I was in Kentucky and nowhere near my training facility. Anyway, back to Discover Strength today for my second to last session which means the last time on all of these machines. Yeah this is the bad cycle for me! I powered through it, tornado siren and all! Yes there was actually a tornado siren going off as I was walking into the facility today! Oh that crazy Minnesota weather!

Stupid Cat!

My parents are out of town for the weekend which means it's just me and Tiger (my cat.) The only problem is that when you're the only person home with her, she needs to be near you at all times! This includes nights and she's a bed hog! If you move at all she'll meow at you, "get out of my space!" This makes getting out of bed nearly impossible since she pins you between her and the wall! Needless to say I was suppose to have a quite weekend at home sleeping in, but woke up at 7:45 Sunday morning and couldn't go back to sleep because the cat wouldn't let me get into a comfortable position! I resigned to my fate and got up. I had soooo much time to kill before I had to be at work that I jumped on the treadmill for a few miles watching Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest! Nothing like an unexpected Sunday morning jog to get the juices flowing.

P.S. I'm NOT a morning person!

2 Birds 1 Stone

I really loving this watching taped shows while running thing. I'm finally catching up from everything I taped while I was in Kentucky and I'm staying up with the training program. Tonight I watched Numb3rs and the Amazing Race finale. I've always liked running during the Amazing Race, but I needed more road time tonight.

I Finally Foiled Dancing with the Stars!

I finally figured out a way to watch Dancing with the Stars without it interfering with my running! Record the show and then use it as intervals for sprints on the treadmill. I run slower and a more normal pace when they are talking and showing the video clips and then I sprint when they are actually dancing. It works really well! I get about 8 sprints in and over 5 miles, so a win-win situation.

The Rolling Hills of Kentucky, Nearly to Indiana!

Why is it that I always have to run when I'm in Kentucky? It's okay though, Kentucky is beautiful and gorgeous to run through! I almost ran all the way to Indiana today, if it weren't for that pesky Ohio River I would have! The Ohio River is really getting on my nerves! It kept my half marathon temperatures under 40 degrees the entire time last October when I was here last running the Louisville 1/2 Marathon. Anyway it was much nicer out today, probably upper 70s, sunny, and even humid (boo.) Chad showed me where I could run before I set out and got lost in a horse farm somewhere, don't laugh it would have happened! I ran around his neighborhood (2.5 miles) and then headed down this long road towards Indiana. The road was lined with huge trees and tons of horse farms, but as you got closer to the river the hills start. These hills were huge in comparison to the 'big' hills in Minnesota. We're talking up to a 250 foot elevation change here, the worst I'm used to is about 50! Now I know why Chad always schools on hills in marathons, it's all he knows how to run on! This also made up for a few of the hill workouts I had missed, I think I'm all caught up now. Anyway by the time I got down to the river the Strongbow and black current I had just before leaving, among other things, was really getting to me and I felt sick, like honest to God going to puke in someone's yard sick, so I called in reinforcements to come get me and take me back to my Old Kentucky Home. I only ended up going about 6 miles when I should have gone 12, but I was going to hurt myself if I didn't stop. You name it, it had happened to me and was now working against me on the run. For the most part it felt really good to be out there running down the middle of a random road in the Kentucky countryside. I'm just glad I got a run in no matter how long it was or wasn't. Now onto more important things like the Kentucky Derby tomorrow and the mint julep in my hand!

Nottingham & 'Sherwood' Forest

About this time last year I took a trip to the real Nottingham and Sherwood Forest in England. This year I get to settle for running to a neighborhood call Nottingham through a forest that reminds me very much of Sherwood Forest. This is what I did today. I'm leaving later tonight for Louisville, Kentucky, and the 133rd Kentucky Derby. I HAVE to run since I'll only get 2 runs in at best in Kentucky. I figured a nice easy 4 miler would do nicely and leave me plenty of time to pack. So off I went going nice and slow, as usual. It seems that once I get through the first mile to mile and a half I find my rhythm and don't want to walk every 5 steps anymore. After 3 miles I was actually feeling really good considering I've been doing most of my running on a treadmill. The only problem was that I couldn't feel my toes since they had gone all tingly. It was really nice weather outside and I'm really going to try to keep off of that treadmill in my basement! You don't run a marathon on a treadmill now do you?

I Have Hamstrings!

In the soreness aftermath of the tri I discovered that I have hamstrings and that they hurt badly right now! Strength training today didn't really help any either. Why must they always up my weights? Why can't they leave it at the same weight for one session after you reach your goal? I know, because I get stronger if they keep pushing me all the time. They must really hate me because I always say how much I don't like certain machines. After this week I think I maybe only have 2 sessions left. But anyway I did the hamstring machine today which just killed! I'm hoping that it will have helped to get some of the stiffness and soreness out, but it burns in the mean time. Like I said last week, I really understand now that it takes days for muscles to recover from extreme usage. I think my hamstrings were so sore from all 3 events combined in addition to the headwind biking and trail running w/ hills.

Fruit at the Finish Triathlon

I'm a Triathlete!!! I've done it, one down, one to go! The triathlon I did was the annual one held at my college every spring. I actually volunteered at this event 4 years ago and meant to do it 2 years ago, but didn't know how to run at the time so it didn't happen. It is a sprint triathlon with the following distances: 750 yard swim, 13 mile bike ride, and a 6k trail run. I got up at 4:45am! I think the last time I was awake at that hour was in Vegas but I was just getting back to the hotel from a night at Tao, not getting up! I got all my stuff together and headed north. My college is about an hour from where I live, but it's a really pretty drive and the campuses are beautiful, so it's all worth it.

I got all my stuff into place and checked in. The problem was that we were swimming in the pool (yeah!,) but the men and fast women were going before my slow person heat so I had to wait for about 7 heats to pass before I started. It worked out because I sat with some other alums from my class and we caught up while we were waiting for our turns. Finally more than 3 hours after I arrived on campus it was go time!

First up the swim. My goal here was just to be able to swim the entire thing without stopping at the walls and to not be the last person out of the pool. It's funny I worked for the swim team in college and yet I've never been in the St. John's pool, it's really nice! I'm really glad that I'm use to sharing a lane from my regular pool since we had to share here too. I ended up doing my swim in just under 20 min. which is at least 3 min. faster than I thought I was going to do it! I did freestyle the whole way! I transitioned as fast as I could by drying off with a towel in the hallway and put my crew (I rowed in college too) uniform over the suit. I ran barefoot to my bike, threw on socks, running shoes, and helmet, downed GU, powerade and water before taking off.

The bike course was very pretty! It allowed me to cover some ground that I wished I had when I was up there. There is a great cover bridge that goes over I94 between the two campuses that we went over almost right away. There were some really nasty hills on the first half, but we were told we could recover on the Lake Woebegone Trail. Ha! There was a really strong headwind on the trail so my quads were just burning! The last evil was a triple hill with about 2 miles left to go right after the trail (which is abandoned railroad bed by the way.) It was so evil that I ended up walking up the last bit of the hill. Even though I thought the bike would be my strongest, I was ready for it be over as I headed back into campus! I transitioned really quickly by just taking off my helmet, putting on my visor and have another GU and water.

Oh me no likey running after biking! It's not that my legs hurt it's just that they felt like jelly. It was cruel and unusual punishment to have the run start up a hill! That hill is lethal even though it's gradual. Needless to say I did alright with the run even though it was trail running (not my favorite) and I walked about 5 times (mostly up the last half of hills.) I was the last person on the course because I could hear the 4-wheeler behind me the whole way but I didn't let it chase me, I went my pace and did it right. Even though I was the last one on the course I don't think I had the slowest time.

All in all it was fun even though it was hard work. It was harder than I thought it was going to be, but I'll definitely do another one! I don't know about an Olympic, Half Ironman, or Ironman, but more sprint tris are definitely in my future!

Oh and my official time was 2:11:36, 2nd to last! I also had my fastest paced race run on record even though I felt like I was dragging.

On the Eve of My First Triathlon

Knowing that I had to get up super early was not helping me want to get one last workout in before the big day tomorrow. I knew I had to go since I hadn't ridden the bike since it's last tweak or tried out the helmet. So off I went for a quick lap around the lake just to get use to riding the bike again. The weather was perfect so I didn't really have anything to complain about there. When I got home Dad wanted to go out to eat since Mom and Jenn were still on their way home from Seattle. They had tons of car issues before they even left Seattle, so last I heard they were in western Montana. They should have been home this morning, but now it might even be Sunday. I HAD to run before I even thought about dinner. I did a quick (for me) mile on the treadmill and called it at day. Since it was my first triathlon in the morning, I wanted to do it right. Which meant some lean protein and carbo loading. Since Dad can't cook we headed for Noodles & Co. yum! Surprisingly Dad had never been there before but he did love it! We even sat outside, an early first for Minnesota spring weather. Mom & Jenn were home when we got back from dinner!!! They wanted me to help unload all of Jenn's crap, but I couldn't be bothered. I still had to put the bike rack on, load the bike, and pack all of my other things for tomorrow, not to mention get to bed early!

Really Not Loving the Community Pool

I got back into the pool today for one last swim before my tri on Saturday. The only problem is that the Maple Grove Community Center pool is only 5 lanes and is really busy after work becuase it's a good time and becuase the pool is shared with Lifetime Fitness. I thought I was going to have the last lane to myself, but some hot shot in a skin suit got in at the other end, so there went that theory! I was given permission from an instructor to jump into this other guy's lane who just wouldn't stop or acknowledge my presence. I know I've shared a lane with him before, but he was being really rude! I really think they need to label the lanes slow, medium, and fast so people can share accordingly. Anyway I only did a 400 and a 450 since I was so ticked and didn't want to burn out too bad. I was foiled again by Dad when I got home, we ended up going to Joe's Crab Shak for dinner where I at least got to watch the Twins game!

Dancing with the Stars Strikes Again!

Mom is gone this week. She's out in Seattle helping Jenn move back from her internship, so it's just me and Dad this week. I was beat at strength training, most likely from the 'race' on Saturday. I knew that it takes a while for muscles to recover but I really experienced how true that is today. It also didn't help that most of my weights had been raised since last time. I had every intention of doing something once I got home and had dinner, but I got sucked into Dancing with the Stars again and Dad too. He busted out the ice cream and I knew it was over for the night. This isn't going to be the best nutrition week for me, Dad doesn't cook!

I Found Hell on Earth!

The Trail Mix 25K is the worst thing physically anyone could do to themselves, expect for the 50K Ultra version of this race!!! I literally left blood, sweat, and nearly tears on the course and I only did 12.5K! I bailed out after one lap because I was in such bad shape! It had taken me over 2 hours to go 7.75 miles and I was getting lapped, which normally doesn't bother me. This course was cross country running at its toughest! I mean running up the back of a ski hill via a billy goat trail and then down the hill underneath the chairlift. There were at least 5 other, not quite so offensive, hills in the course that I was reduced to walking on. You know it's bad sign when you see the leaders of the 50K walking too! It was one of those courses where you finish, doesn't matter how you get there as long as you finish, a la the Western 100. This definitely wasn't the packed dirt, wood chips, and mowed grass that they described in the info and showed in the past photos! On the upside I was told, at the start line, that if I could survive this, Grandma's Marathon is easier. Needless to say me and and any kind of trail running are officially over!

Biking to Dinner

When I got home my parents decided that they wanted to go out to eat but I wanted to go for a bike ride since it was so nice out! We compromised and all biked from our house to Panera, about 2.5 miles away. This gave me a chance to check out my bike and all of its adjustments. My chain fell off twice, but we can correct that problem. We had lighter healthier dinners and then made the return trip back home just before dark.

Side Stitches, No Good!

Started running tonight and was feeling really good and got into a rhythm right away. After about 20 min. I got a stitch in my side that just wouldn't go away! I tried walking, breathing deeply, and drinking some water. None of which helped. So I stopped, not my best choice but I'd rather do that then continue on for another 6 miles in sever pain and possible hurt myself more from poor form and not paying attention. Must run outside tomorrow and do some hills before my bigger race on Saturday!

Mmmm Chlorine

The impossible was achieved today, I swam a mile! Who'd a thunk that possible? That's more than twice a far as I have to swim in my race in 2 weeks! Granted it wasn't all at once. I broke it up into chunks as follows: 100 kicking, 300 free (maybe 350 I lost track,) 350 free, 400 free, and 450 free. I actually felt really comfortable in the water and with my stroke. I didn't look like a drowning fish for once! I feel MUCH better about the tri after today's workout. I also tried out my new goggles, which rock! And I had a lane entirely to myself for once, awesome! I'm starting to get really excited!

Interference = Dancing with the Stars

More strength training today, good music again too! They upped a lot of my weights today as well. They said I was ambitious to be trying a 25K (15.5 miles) this weekend instead of a 1/2 marathon. The 25K is only 2.4 miles longer and I don't know anyone doing it unlike my option for the 1/2 where I know a lot of people who are very competitive and fast. I'm suppose to be at 15 miles this week anyway so I don't see what the big fuss is about?

My dad is out of town again this week so it's just me and my mom. So we get to do and watch all the things that Dad doesn't like. Dancing with the Stars for instance. Once we sat down to watch that I knew it was over as far as running outside in the beautiful weather was concerned. So once it was over and dark out I resigned myself to the basement and the treadmill to get a few miles in. Must stop running on treadmill when it is finally so nice out!!! Use the VCR Christine!

Running of the Pigs

I'm confirming the fact that once you stop something, it is very hard to start again. Didn't do anything until Sunday when I ran another 5K. The St. Paul Saint's Running of the Pigs. The race felt pretty good considering how bad I had been the last two weeks. My slowest 5K time, but still faster than my paces for the longer races last year. The Saint's mascot is a pig named Mudonna and she did the race as well, in roller skates! I must do better this week because I have a 25K on Saturday, 4 mile race on Sunday and the sprint triathlon next Saturday!

Slowly Getting Back on Track

I had my last figure skating lesson tonight, boo. I passed out of Adult 2 and will be in Adult 3 this summer or fall, whenever I take the next session. Skills worked on: forward one foot glides (distance,) backward stroking, power pulls (left foot only,) front crossovers (both directions,) backward crossover (both directions,) mohawks, and footwork sequences. For those you looking for the humor, I totally fell on my ass today!

I went home and ran for a little while on the treadmill just to got some running in today. Nothing too surprising to report. Although Applebee's isn't the best pre-training food.

Bad Christine!!!

I've been horrible this past week! Since last Tuesday all I've done is horseback ride Saturday and strength training Monday. The good news is that I'm not completely shot after strength training anymore! I might tell them to really push me next week, although I don't want to be sore for 4 days again! I did fix 3 of the 4 problems with my bike on Sunday, so that was progress too. I still need to get road tires and a helmet.

The bad news is that we have snow on the ground again! I'm 2 months out from a major marathon and there's snow on the ground and below freezing! Not uber-inspiring for training. As such I sent myself down to the treadmill to get some kind of milage in today. I ran for an hour which actually felt pretty good and I was starting to quicken the pace which went better than expected considering my week off and slow normal pace. Also note: I did not get sick at all even though I had eaten half of a Papa John's large pizza less than 2 hours prior, impressive!

Uff Da!

I got caught walking down the stairs backwards at work today and had to explain myself. Chad taught me after the Louisville 1/2 Marathon that walking down stairs backwards is a lot easier then the forwards when you have sore leg muscles and knees (especially these for me!) He learned it after the Boston Marathon in 2005. Between Sunday & Monday I nearly ran 17 miles! I think that should suffice for not being able to train today or tomorrow. Hopefully my impression of the Tin Man will subside before the baseball game tonight!!! I'm going to the game with friends and family for my birthday today!

Perpetual Sorness

Walking was a bit difficult Monday at work, I'm really glad I'm taking the supplements for my joints though! There was no way I was going anywhere near stairs today! I had strength training again today, which went pretty well. Really worked my arms, which need it, but burns! My sore hamstrings weren't really happy with me either. I gave myself a chance to eat dinner and stretch since I was wiped after the workout. Later that night I ran another almost 5 miles on the treadmill. I had to since I won't be doing anything besides sit-ups the next 2 days. I went nice and slow and it went well, sore hamstrings and all. Yeah for watching the Amazing Race! Nothing like international travel to keep me motivated. I'm guessing no stairs tomorrow either.

I'm taking tomorrow off since it's my birthday and I'm going to the Twins game! Wednesday I have to work both jobs, so nothing that day either. See you Thurday!

Don't do a 1/2 marathon on a treadmill!

Friday: Took off to recover, just sooo exhausted

Saturday: Uberbusy and never got to training. Did a lot of moving around so that helped with the perpetual soreness I've been experiencing for about the last 4 weeks.

Sunday: 12 miles is a VERY long way to go especially on a treadmill! Started out alright, but then started stopping a lot, something was going on with my left ankle and my right hamstring was really sore. I managed to make it through though. It was way more painful than my 1/2 marathon, which is just a little farther distance wise. Now I'm not a fan of the treadmill. I watched all of A Knight's Tale and most of The Cutting Edge, he he he. Even with two bottles of water and gu I was in desperate need of refueling after that. Showered and crashed into bed (quite literally.)

Swimy Like A Fish

I've been forgetting to mention this, but I've seen 2 Bald Eagles since starting to train outside. Once I was only about 50 yards away from one. It's really cool to see our national symbol up close and personal in the wild.

I got a chair massage at work today which as really nice and relieved all the tension I had in my neck and shoulders.

Today I went back to the pool. I meant to do a bunch of 200s but once I got going I decided to change plans and increase my distance each time. Actually I lost track during my second 200 and just kept going. I ended up doing a 200, 250, 300, and 350. I think I'll keep this plan and start 50 higher each time I swim. That way I'm getting a lot of yards in and building to my race distance of 750. I was also meant to run today but I'm just so exhausted and tired that I decided to go home and rest instead. I've haven't been sleeping well or very long all week. I can combine my 6 mile run and hill work tomorrow.

Swim & Skate all in the Same Building

Headed to the pool after work, boy was it busy today! Most lanes had 2-3 people in them! Normally there are only a few that have to double up. Anyway started out rough because of all the activity and the fact I hadn't been in nearly 2 weeks. Once I got going I was able to find a good pace for me and do a bunch of 100 and 200 sets. I can tell the strength training is really helping my arms because I'm not sore after swimming anymore. I'm still slow, but not stopping nearly as much as I use to. I stayed in for 45 min. and I don't think I would have been able to go much longer. It's funny, once I get going, my mind wanders and thinks about whatever, it's kinda nice actually.

After I dried off and changed I headed to the other end of the building to the ice rink for my weekly figure skating! I got a really good warm-up in today and felt really good on the ice, that makes a huge difference for me. In class I learned edges, all 4 of them. I also got really good at my front crossovers, finally! I stayed late to work on back crossovers since we didn't do them in class today. I also got much better at one foot gliding, both feet both directions, and mohawks. I finally feel comfortable on one foot going backwards and even turning a little. I'm pretty sure I've already passed Adult 2 and may be nearing completion of Adult 3 (there are only 4 levels!) I know my back crossover need to get better before passing out of 3. I can tell the skating is making a difference in my leg muscles, it's working muscles from strength training and those I need while running.

Quads of Steel!

Super tired after work today and normally would have just been lazy and taken a nap, but Discover Strength has a 12 hour cancellation policy. It's nice because then I'm accountable to someone and feel obligated. This blog also makes me feel accountable and keeps me on track and motivated. I had a new trainer tonight and he was really good at pushing me. I also had some new machines. I really like the obliques one! We did a lot of legs at first and I had problems standing up for awhile; literally had to hold onto another machine because I was so shaky and Jell-O legged. My entire legs were shaking on the leg press and that's never happened before. Didn't feel as challenged on the arms and core muscles today, I'll maybe say something next time.

When I got home I found out that my dad is trying to loose 20 pounds, so that's interesting and will help keep better food in the house.

After eating and letting it digest I jumped onto the treadmill with my tape of Dancing with the Stars from last night. For some reason I really like running while watching that show. The time goes quickly and I can keep a better pace. I busted out 3 miles at a decent clip with a few sprints. I can tell my legs are getting much stronger because I could run about a minute faster per mile pace tonight than I have been able to in the past on the treadmill.

Ice Ice Baby

Wednesday was figure skating again, yippee! It amazing how far I've come since starting lessons in January. I've know how to skate since I could walk, but never took formal lessons at all. This week I did a lot of work on a few skills including mohawks (I'm getting really good,) front crossovers (which I'm actually doing correctly now,) and back crossovers in both directions. I think these are easier than front ones, but it's all a matter of getting my feet under me in a good way. P.S. Figure skating, especially backwards, is a great butt workout, just an FYI!

Thursday was my first hill workout and only my third time running outside this season. It amazing how much easier it is to just get out and go run. The weather is near perfect running weather right in the 50s and just before sunset. They are gorgeous around here. I tend to run on paved trails around the lakes in the area. It still seems like running in the fall, which is my favorite season and weather. Although it's weird to have all the leaves off of the trees and ice still on the lake. The sunset was just absolutely beautiful and was getting better for every set I did. I ran down the hill watching the sunset. I was felling so good that I took the long way home!

Friday I had another session at Discover Strength which felt really good today. My favorite song "One" by U2 was on the radio was I was doing the leg press at the beginning so of course I had to be good for the rest of the workout. When I got home I ran 3 miles outside because it was too beautiful not to run and if I didn't I would be extremely sore in the morning. The neighbors were having a bonfire while I was gone, so I stopped by after my run and a beer. Before you go all preachy on me it was a Michelob Ultra, so really it was water with a few extra carbs.

Took Saturday off because I had to work and was exhausted. Just means I have to be good the rest of the week.

Sunday I ran 7 miles on the treadmill. Discovered that it's easier to watch action movies then comedies while running. The action movies keep my attention better. The first few miles were a little rough but then found my groove for the last few.

Tonight I went for a 9 mile bike ride since it was 80 degrees today! It's never been that hot in Minnesota in March before! But there is still some ice on the lakes! I can tell my legs are getting a lot stronger from the running and figure skating. There almost isn't an ounce of fat on my legs now, whoops.

Ugg

Took Monday off too since I was still ubersore from the strength training on Friday and being on my feet all day Saturday.

Tuesday I ran on the treadmill. My goal was suppose to be 10 miles, since I didn't do that on Saturday. I ended up going almost 7, but complications arose just before 5 miles which hindered my progress and drive. I've heard that I need approach long runs as if they were the race itself and use water and goo accordingly. I did have one goo, but ended up not needing it since I didn't last long after that. I found out that running while watching Dancing with the Stars is a good combination!

Pain, Lots & Lots of Pain!

Friday I got my ass kicked at Discover Strength, a weight and strength training facility that I was intorduced to via the Calhoun Beach Running Club last summer. I was so physically tired it was hard to drive home!!! Forget trying to run a little!

Saturday I run the 100% Irish for a Day 5K around Lake Harriet with my cousin. It was a bit chilly, but got better as the race went on. I really suprised myself, my first mile was 11:49! My overall time was :22 short of my personal record! Not too shabby considering that I was ill that morning, sore from training the day before, there was no water on the course and had only run outside once this year before today! My time was 37:42. The season has officially begun for me now.

Took Sunday off because I was working, sore, and very drained!

I Don't Heart Block Training

Really tired all day today, so almost didn't go swimming again. I think I'm getting better with this whole will power thing because before I knew it I was at the pool. I think it helped that I knew I only had to do a short workout today. The bummer was that I had to share a lane which I'm really bad at since I swim really slow. Today I was working on being able to swim more than 50 yards without stopping. I also decided that I needed to work on doing this freestyle only. I ended up doing 5 x 100 yards of freestyle to improve my endurance. I really need to learn how to do flip turns! Anyone want to teach me?

Changed real quick, got home and jumped on the treadmill since it was below freezing, really windy and very icy. I managed to go 5 miles in a faster time than I did it last week. I saw that as improvement especially since I had just swam beforehand and hadn't the week before. I don't mind the treadmill so much because I can watch movies while I run. Crap TV signal though so I had to record Ugly Betty & Grey's Anatomy. That's the only downside to this whole training thing. All I do is work, train, and sleep! I'm too exhausted to do anything else and live for the weekends so I can catch-up with everything that happened and/or needed attention during the week.

Tomorrow I'm starting strength training, which comes in the form of an ass whooping from Discover Strength, a local place here that just does weight training. This could spell disaster for my Irish 5K on Saturday, but we'll see!

Guinness & Figure Skating = Lethal Combination

I had every intention of going swimming right after work and then heading over the the ice rink, well those plans got turned upside down when my dad called, out of the blue, at 4:30 wanting to know if I wanted to go with to Happy Hour with him, his buddy Gordy, Gordy's son Jonathan, and his friend Chantal. FYI, Jonathan & Chantal are both about my age. Well my better judgement did not win out in this round. A Blue Moon, 1/2 a Guinness, buffalo wings, & artichoke crab dip later and I was in fine shape for skating. Off I went to my lessons. I really don't like having a shortened practice/warm-up period. I was really timid on the ice and anyone who knows me knows that I'm kinda a daredevil, especially with skates on my feet, or so it seems lately. My front crossovers were not going well neither were my backwards one foot glides. My backward stroking (get your minds out of the gutter, or I'll backward stroke up your back with my skates on!) got a lot better magically. I also learned 3 new skills: pivots, mohawks, and backward crossovers! I'm suppose to be in Adult 2, but pivots were the only things I didn't know, so now I'm working on Adult 3 skills! P.S. There are only 4 adult levels.

And So It Begins

Today marks the first day of outside training. For the last month I have been driven indoors due to -35 degree weather and 2 blizzards. Because of this I have had to get creative with my training. Consisting of running on the treadmill in my basement, swimming laps at the community center pool, and figure skating weekly at the local ice arena. Today was a balmy 60 degree spring day here in Minnesota. Rare because we were buried in 3 feet of snow just over a week ago. Anyway I moved outside today when I realized I had a bad case of spring fever and it was too nice not to be outside. I managed to pull my bike out from the depths of my garage and I was off! I headed off to the trails I covered countless times last summer. It's a very good thing I have a mountain bike as it turned out I was a little too eager for spring. I had to ford a stream and drive through snow and ice on the path. I was forced to turn around about 1.5 miles in when the snow and ice got too bad to continue. Biking on snow is way dangerous! It seems more slippery than just walking on it! By the time I made it back my entire rear end and back were soaked from water and snow being sprayed up onto me. No matter, I lost the bike and headed back out for a run. I haven't run outside since my half marathon back in late October in Kentucky. My muscles were a little miffed at what it was I was trying to make them do, especially after biking nearly 3 miles. After a little while my legs relaxed and the natural rhythm came back to me. Up and over a big hill, back again, and a sprint to the finish. I forgot how good you feel after a good workout. I also forgot how fast I can go when sprinting! Completely drenched from water, snow, and sweat; not a better way to start off the outdoor training season.