Construction!

Whoever said Minnesota has 2 seasons: winter and construction, sure wasn't kidding. I've been dodging city trucks, trying to avoid the gravel and fresh tar on the roads, and changing my routes because of closed roads. I do feel bad for those construction workers when it's so hot out. It makes me glad I work in an air-conditioned building.
Speaking of the heat, I was at the doctor a few weeks ago, and we were talking about training for the Twin Cities Marathon (she's running it too). She said the only thing she didn't like about it was that you have to train in the summer. I didn't really think it was going to be that big of a deal, but it has turned out to be really hard to run when it's so hot and muggy and humid out. My runs earlier in the week were brutal, and now that the temp has dropped and the dew points have fallen, I've been too busy to run.
On a different note, at work yesterday, a urinal fell on my head, and my patient's leg fell out of the closet and whacked me in the forehead. The urinal was clean, thank goodness, but who puts their leg on the upper shelf of a closet? Don't you think it belongs on the floor - where everyone else's legs are?

Adios, Spring!

Today was my first run after the half marathon, and it was hot! The temp was only about mid-80's, but the sun was so bright. I probably should have run earlier in the morning, but I slept in a bit and didn't leave until 11:45am. I went for about 40 minutes, and I could feel my heart pounding in my head by the end.
I have the day off work today, so I'm getting laundry done and ripping more wallpaper off my kitchen walls. So fun.
I can't believe summer officially starts tomorrow. I feel like it's been summer for awhile!

New Shoes!

I bought a new pair of running shoes last week, but I didn't want to try to break them in until after my "mini marathon." I stepped out of my New Balance comfort zone and bought a pair of Asics on the recommendation of the nice Indian man working in the shoe section at Sports Authority. I didn't feel ready to run yet, so I went for an hour walk this afternoon. The shoes feel great, and I think I'll start running again tomorrow.
Along the way, I checked out my secret raspberry bush, which has not yet produced any fruits for me. I'm seeing some buds, though, and I hope it won't be too long now.

Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon

Rode to Duluth Friday afternoon with Donna (fellow runner), Deena (trainer), and Tim (support). Walked through the crowded convention center to pick up Donna's race packet (mine was mailed to me earlier in the week) and check out the health and fitness expo. Got lots of free samples, including sweat bands, water bottles, turkey in a bag, and energy bars. Saw Dick Beardsley (course record holder of Grandma's Marathon) being interviewed.

Checked into the Sheraton Hotel. (*side note: The day I found out we made in into the 1/2, I looked for hotel rooms, and the entire city was booked. Donna, with her unbelievable connections, was able to get us a room in the newly-opened Sheraton Hotel, located smack in downtown Duluth, thereby saving us from sleeping outside in a tent.

Took a hotel shuttle (driven by the friendly Scott, huge BB King fan) back to the convention center for a spaghetti dinner. Spent a few hours there eating, talking, etc. Met up with Meg and Joel (additional support). Walked along Lake Superior - lovely red sky in the evening.
Back at the hotel, set 8 alarms for the morning, just to be safe. (We each had a cell phone, plus a wake-up call from the front desk and Tim figured out how to set the TV.) Woke up at 4am, after getting a surprisingly decent couple hours of sleep. Showered, ate cereal, walked to Fitgers with Donna to catch the bus at 5am. Rode to the start, a wooded area along Lake Superior. Stretched, dropped off our sweat bags. At 6:30am, someone sang the National Anthem, the Blue Angels did a fly-by, and the run commenced!

We plugged along in the humid morning air, sun at our backs, with a gorgeous view of Lake Superior on our left. Saw Meg at the 8-mile mark (she rode her bike to cheer us on in the middle). It was hard to miss the enormous yellow pom-pons and the high-kicks!

Along the way we heard bagpipes, tubas, an accordion, and a whole lotta cow bell! Hundreds of people clapping and cheering. So cool. As we ran past our hotel, we saw Meg, Joel, Deena, and Tim yelling, holding up signs, etc. I finished with a chip time of 2 hours, 12 minutes, 25 seconds, a pace of 10:24. It felt great. We got medallions and t-shirts. Here are some photos..

Donna & Jean

Joel, Jean, Meg

Deena, Donna, Tim

The Whole Gang!

Overall, it was a fantastic weekend. Thanks to everyone for wishing me luck and giving me "power." I felt every bit of it! Special props to Donna for agreeing to run this thing with me, and to Meg, Joel, Deena, and Tim for their crazy support. You guys are the best!

Duluth or Bust!

I'm leaving for Duluth this morning, and Grandma's Half Marathon starts in 24 hours. (It's actually called the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Whatever.) Yesterday I received so many calls and emails wishing me good luck, making me very, very nervous. I think I'm ready running-wise, but I just don't want to forget anything. Like my shoes.
I better pack now.

Les Miserables

Translation: My run today was MISERABLE!
It was hot and my legs felt like tree trunks. My main issue was my breathing, though. About 15 minutes into the run, I noticed that I was taking faster breaths then usual. I'm sure it had something to do with the heat/humidity/dew points, but once I noticed it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I went for 35 minutes, then I was soooo done.
The Tony Awards are on now. There is something so awesome about live theater. I got choked up just watching the excerpts from A Chorus Line and Mary Poppins. I think I'm due to see another show soon. This new musical Spring Awakening is winning a lot of awards, but I don't know...
I assisted with a tap-water enema today at work. The patient was quadriplegic, nearly 300 lbs, and full of stool. Maybe you've heard about my gift for disimpaction. The rumors are true. Before I knew it, there was an explosion, and I was standing in a pool of stool. And the only thing worse than being swept up in a poop tornado is having a bad case of the giggles in a poop tornado. It was quite the interesting way to end a long weekend of work, and it will ensure I do a load of laundry tonight.

TGIF

I have had a bunch of lovely runs this week!
Wednesday after work I ran with my friend Donna who will be doing the 1/2 marathon with me. We ran along the Mississippi in St. Paul for 5.75 miles. It was the first time we ran together, but we seem to have a similar pace, which is great.
Thursday Meg and I ran around Lake Calhoun before our softball game. It was a little breezy,(even though Meg claims it was the windiest she had ever seen... ever,) but a decent run nonetheless.
This morning I ran 9.5 miles by myself in my neighborhood. The first 3 were the hardest, and I don't really remember the rest. I kind of zone out after awhile. It's possible that this was the best run I've ever had. Temp was perfect, a little breeze, not too many cars in my way, and I didn't hurt at all (thanks to the ibuprofen I took before I left)!
Days left until Grandma's 1/2 marathon = 8.
Time now to get my hair cut and go shopping!

I Can't Sleep

I hate when I can't sleep. It's so annoying. I turned on the Twins game and they just lost to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 16-3. Even more annoying. I tried to read a little, but it wasn't doing anything for me.

It's such a perfect night for sleeping, too, all breezy and cool and whatnot.

I'm not hungry, I'm not in pain. Wait a minute, maybe I am hungry. I have no-bake cookies in the fridge!

Ok, that didn't do it.

Maybe Conan O'Brien is on.

Saturday Stuff

I woke up around 7:30 this morning to get in a run before my softball tournament. It was a gorgeous morning: mid-60's, calm, bright blue skies. I think the rest of my neighborhood slept in, because I didn't cross paths with anyone! I ran about 5 miles in about 50 minutes. I wish I could remember that if the temperature is 60 or above, a tank top is required. It's amazing the difference a couple extra inches of fabric makes!
My house key flew out of my sports bra in the beginning of my run today. (I've been storing it there lately instead of tied to my shoe.) I'm glad I heard it clink on the ground, or else I'd be trying to crawl in through my second-story window! I stuck it under my watch for the rest of the run, but I might have to go back to the shoe. I don't know.
I play in a softball tourney today and tomorrow in Eden Prairie. I sure hope the rain holds off!