26.2 - Grandma Style!

Well, I've done it again. My second marathon has come and gone, and I am left (proverbially) licking my (literal) wounds. And here's how it went down:

Meg, mom and I packed up the car Friday afternoon and drove north to Duluth. We heard that a lane was closed on the interstate entering the city, so we took the Skyline Parkway to avoid some of the congestion. It was a beautiful detour, even with the occasional downpour. I picked up my race packet at the DECC, then we checked into the hotel. (Donna was able to use her connections to get us a room at the Sheraton with a lovely view of Lake Superior!) We walked back to Canal Park, ate a spaghetti dinner, then back to the hotel and waited for Dad, Joel, Lucy and Eddie. The 4 of them spent the night in the UMD dorms (so as not to disturb my pre-marathon slumber).

I was able to get a few decent hours of sleep, but I woke up around 3am wide awake and waiting for my alarms to go off. I think 5 were set this year - just in case! I showered, got dressed, and ate a bowl of cereal. Mom and Meg walked the 2 blocks with me to Fitgers where I hopped on a school bus headed for the start of the marathon in Two Harbors, MN.

The bus ride up there seemed to take FOREVER, and the only thing I could think of was that I had to run all the way back. They dumped us off in a huge area with thousands of port-a-potties and even more runners wandering about. It was as close to feeling like being in a concentration camp as I ever want to be: thousands of skinny people wondering what horrible fate lies ahead. There was a moment of silence for last year's winner, Wesly Ngetich, who was killed while on a peace-keeping mission in Kenya early this year. There was a fly-by by two fighter planes, the National Anthem was sung, and we were off!

I got to the starting line about 7 minutes after the gun (pretty standard). I'm not sure of the starting temperature, but I know I was quite comfortable. The first 3 miles were a breeze. Around mile 4, two runners had moved off to the side up ahead of me. It looked like the guy knelt down to tie his shoe, but then he proposed to the girl he had been running with! It was so adorable, and hundreds of runners passing by (including me) were cheering and clapping for them. At mile 9, Al Franken (Stuart Smalley) was standing on the side and he gave me a high-five. As I ran towards mile 13, I could see large gold pom-pons flying around, and then I saw them! Meg and my mom were cheering and jumping and screaming! I totally needed to see them. It was like a beacon of light! If I had been any less dehydrated, I would have cried. I had been feeling pretty good up to that point, running just under 10-minute miles, and I could tell they were a bit surprised to see me so soon.

I kept on running, drinking at every water station available. In addition to water, they had lemonade-flavored Ultima for us, so I would usually grab a cup of each. Sometimes the volunteers would sneak an ice cube into the cups which was an extra treat! They also had large, wet, cold sponges which I doused myself with mostly in the later miles. Mom and Meg were on bikes, so I would see them periodically throughout the run: always cheering, holding signs, high-kicking. Awesome.

I made it up the dreaded Lemon Drop Hill at mile 22, but that's where the fun stopped. From that point on would be the longest 4.2 miles of my life. Nothing hurt, but I was completely drained. Mom and Meg met up with Dad, Joel, Lu & Ed at mile 24, and I don't really remember seeing them.

With less than 1 mile left to go, I realized that I could potentially beat my time from last fall, so I started bargaining with my legs... "If you can just keep going for, like, 10 more minutes, I won't... run for a month! Or a year! Or ever again!!"

With 1/2 mile to go, a slightly overweight middle-aged lady with cute chin-length brown hair shouted out, "Jean, you can do this!!" (My name was written down my arm.) I think I mumbled, "Ok, fine! Geez!" and I plugged through to the finish line.

And then it was over: 4 hours, 49 minutes, and 26 seconds after the starting gun went off. My chip time (time from actually crossing the starting line to crossing the finish line) was 4:41:57. I was about 6-7 minutes faster than last time!

So that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Thanks to everyone for the support and good wishes! I'm hoping to post some pictures soon. Here's a preview! :)

Last Run

I finished my last run before the marathon! I ran two little miles around the streets of West St Paul on this lovely Thursday morning.
I just talked to my parents who are driving up to the cities as we speak. They should be around Madison by now. We plan on leaving for Duluth (along with Meg, Joel, and the kids) sometime tomorrow. I'm hoping for nice weather, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it.
I made my "must remember to pack" list this morning, and I think I'm set. I just really want this thing to be over with! AAAUGHH!! I'm terribly nervous.

Bamos the Bear!

If ever there was a perfect day, this one comes close. Nothing earth-shattering happened, but who needs earth-shattering? I was able to:
1)Make a phone call to my fabulous father to wish him a very happy Father's Day.
2)Go for a lovely 4.5 mile run in the morning.
3)Complete a successful shopping trip for a running tank, socks, and shot blocks.
4)Watch the Twins game on TV (flipping occasionally to see Tiger Woods).
5)Play in two softball games in Hastings.
6)Watch the Tony awards.
7)Do a round of dishes and laundry.
AND, it was sunny, mid-70's, with a gentle breeze. Ridiculous.

It is now under a week until Grandma's Marathon, and I think I have moved on from my "absolutely terrified" phase. I seem to be in some kind of "whatever happens, happens" phase. I've done what I can. I rest Monday, run 3 miles on Tuesday, 4 on Wednesday, 2 on Thursday. I drive to Duluth on Friday and run this bad boy on Saturday.

Rollerbladers and Bikers and Runners... Oh My!!!

Last Friday was my 20-mile run. Mom and dad drove up the night before to help assist (this is becoming a tradition). Friday morning dad watched the kids while Meg, mom and I headed out. Meg was on rollerblades, mom on my bike, me on my feet. It was cloudy and cool- perfect conditions! Mom and Meg gabbed while I ran 4 miles to the top of Lake Phalen, 12 miles along the Gateway Trail, and another 4 back home. It was a tough run for me only because I was exhausted! It took me almost 20 minutes longer than my 20-miler last fall. I definitely walked more than I wanted to, but I did finish with very little pain, which is nice. Mom and Meg switched wheels around the 16-mile mark, and mom only fell twice on the rollerblades (that I could see). After the second fall I insisted she blade in back of me because she was making me so nervous. Both falls were mostly in the grass, and she rolled very well.

I played in a softball tournament Saturday and Sunday in Shakopee. We played 2 games Sat, 5 games Sun. I pitched all 7 and was only hit once. Unfortunately it was a line drive that hit the inside part of my right foot- the same spot that had been bothering me that last couple of months from running. What are the chances? Initially it was super-painful, but now, 2 days later, there isn't even a bruise. We took second place in the tourney, losing in the championship game. The weather was gorgeous, and I think it's my favorite thing to be playing softball all weekend.

I ran about 4.5 miles Monday, and I felt like I had elephant legs. Today, however, I ran 6.5 miles and felt just great. I can't figure myself out. Also, I am finding multiple blisters on my toes, and I have lost one toenail. Although it's not painful, it's also not aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

I think I have some funny work stories, but I'm tired and want to go to sleep now.

Gotta Love 'Em!

Ok, let's work backwards here.

Last night: Went to the Twins game with Meg and Deena and Donna. Donna got the tickets from a coworker and not only were they FREE, they were fantastic seats! Row 11 (there were only actually 6 rows in front of us) between home plate and the start of the Twins dugout. SO CLOSE. The Yankees were in town, and I had never seen them play in person.

Yankees: Tight pants, broken bats, bulging muscles and arm veins. Hideki Matsui for SURE not wearing a cup.

Boyfriend-on-boyfriend action: Michael Cuddyer throws out Derek Jeter trying to stretch a single into a double. Next inning, Yankees can't throw out Cuddyer who stretches a single into a double. Derek and Cuddles discuss the 2 plays at second base. *Swoon*

Great finish: Mauer hits a solo home run to tie the game at 5 apiece in the 7th. In the 8th, Little Nicky Punto moves Cuddles to 3rd (following his spectacular double), Delmon Young lines a double to right to score Cuddles, Joe Nathan shuts down the Yankees in the 9th.

I totally have to go to work now, but more on the weekend to follow, including a 20-mile run and a weekend full of softball.