Running Ups and Downs

2 01 2013

I was afraid to recap last year. I was terrified to count up the miles. I didn’t want to see the number. I didn’t want to know how my couch bonding time affected the numbers. I know the numbers are arbitrary, but I also know that I was only injured for about a month of my lower mileage time. I don’t know what frustrated me so much about running this fall/early winter, but I just didn’t want to do it, so I didn’t. I didn’t run a single mile in December. Not one. I have somehow decided not to dwell on that. Normally I would obsess over it. I decided to tally up my miles today. I’m not disappointed. I’m actually surprised with what I ended up.

mileage

Total: 929

Highest Mileage Month: March with 119

Miles run with Sara: 571

Half Marathons: 6

The fun I had running and racing with friends last year is immeasurable. I had so much fun traveling, racing, not sleeping, plotting, cheering, making new friends and running.

My goals for 2013 are simple:

  • Find some balance
  • Enjoy running

I will be racing less for many reasons. I will only run half marathons or shorter. I will not under any circumstance register for another marathon. I want to run with Sara. I want to have more adventures with Mo and Kelsey. Katie might even get me to run in Minnesota.

I started 2013 off with the Polar Bear Dash on New Year’s Day with Sara, Jen, and Jodi. It was cold. It was fun. And I started the year with 3.1 miles.

Polar Bear Dash


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Tyranena Sixth Barrel

4 11 2012

The result of my last post, To race or not to race, was a compromise. I did not run the half marathon. I ran a sixth of a marathon, the six barrel race. I’m really glad I had this option. I still got to run at Tyranena and I didn’t re-injure myself. I ran a new distance and had fun with my friends.

I went out a little faster than I probably should have, and that was with me holding myself back a bit. The nice thing was the first mile was flat. And flat doesn’t hurt. I don’t have to hold back on flat. Mile 1 – 8:09

The first of the hills was around mile one and a half. I slowed down to baby my stupid hamstring. Mile 2 – 8:51

Hmm, these hills aren’t so bad and they are nothing like the ones on the half course. Woah, this hill is worse that I thought, yay downhill. Mile 3 – 8:56

One mile to go, no problem, Oh shit, another hill. Remember when these were no problem? I miss that. More curses at my hamstring. Almost done. Mile 4 – 8:54

I wonder how much more there is. I can’t remember what the distance is. I know it’s 4.? Eh, just run. Final .39 – 3:13 (8:16 pace)

Final: 4.39 in 38:05

I had fun. I ran faster than I have in quite awhile. And one of these days I will be able run faster and longer again.

Post race was an absolute blast again. Tons of friends ran both distances. There was lasagna, beer and cake! This is already on the schedule for next year.


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To race or not to race

31 10 2012

I am supposed to run the Tyranena Half Barrel this weekend. I love this race. It’s a great end of the season race. I had planned on just having fun running with Sara. It was supposed to be perfect weather like last year. I was supposed to be well trained.

Instead I have an injured hamstring that HATES hills and it’s supposed to be gross and rainy. Regardless of the weather forecast I have no business running 13.1 miles, but I want to do it. I already know I would have to walk the hills. And there are some quite large hills on this course. Normally I would suck it up and run through the shitty weather, but I have been questioning my running of the race all week.

I don’t know what to do. I don’t know when I will decide. The race doesn’t start until 11:30 so it will most likely be a race day decision. I will still go. I will still drink beer. I will hang out with the wonderful Angie. I know I will still have fun.

Mo and Kelsey are coming into Milwaukee to play and to run. I’m pretty sure half the Milwaukee and Madison runners I know will be there. I want to see everyone. I want to have fun at the Tyranena Brewery, but most of all I want to be able to run 13.1 miles again.

So friends, see you Saturday. I may or may not be in running gear.


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Lakefront Marathon: Spectator edition

9 10 2012

I wish I wanted to run. I wish I wasn’t injured. I wish I hadn’t gotten sick right before the Madison Mini. I wish I knew how to get back on track.

I won’t go on and on for several paragraphs whining and bitching because even I don’t want to read that crap. Instead I will talk about last Sunday, the Lakefront Marathon.

This past weekend I cheered for friends running the Lakefront Marathon. I forgot how much fun it is to spectate at a marathon. I forgot how much fun it is to support your friends. I haven’t spectated a marathon since Marine Corps in 2010 where I spent all day out cheering for and celebrating with friends.

This was a race I was supposed to run. I was supposed to attack 26.2 again. Several weeks ago I decided not to run it. I was going to run it with my totally amazing friend Sara. When I decided not to run it I promised her I would be out there to support her. It was such a fun day to be out cheering and supporting. Sara shaved 20 minutes of her time and broke 4 hours. When I received the email with her finish time I almost cried. In fact, I teared up and couldn’t wait to give her a giant hug.

In addition to Sara having a good day, so did a whole bunch of other friends. It was a cold day to spectate, but I wouldn’t trade anything for being out there cheering.

I just wish it had inspired me to get my ass off the couch. I guess it kind of did. I’m just so damn annoyed with my hamstring that I don’t want to run 2 miles. I want to run 12. That is until I start running. Then I don’t want to be anywhere but my couch.


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TP’s Adventures in Wisconsin: Beer and Running

2 10 2012

Thai Phi has visited me three times since I moved home. She has been to Wisconsin three times in her life. What a great friend. And then on this trip she told me Wisconsin was one of her happy places. I’m still shocked I didn’t cry when she said that.

We had a great weekend of sitting on my porch drinking beer, running at Lapham Peak State Park, visiting the Wisconsin Cheese Mart and drinking more beer. It was a fantastic weekend and I will someday figure out a portal between Milwaukee and DC. Someday.

Select photos  from out adventures. Also, I need to run the trails more.

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This was a great distraction from the fact that I have’t run more than three miles at a time in over two weeks.


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Madison Mini

18 08 2012



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