No Dice in OKC

Well, I had recovered from the hamstring injury enough that I planned to run the half-marathon in OKC with Debbie, Robert, and Scott (and cheer on Don and Chanti when they finished the full) only to find when we arrived at the Runner's Expo that the half-marathon was closed. Fortunately Robert and Scott had pre-registered so they were in but :( Debbie and I had waited until the day before the race to make sure we were healthy (injury free) enough to run and didn't get the chance. For a few short seconds I thought about pirating the race but couldn't imagine not starting the race at the start and not crossing the finish line after so many miles.

So my fate was decided for me and all I could do was show up race day to support my friends. Both Scott and Robert ran the half and Chanti and Don ran the full marathon. Chanti had taken her bike to town so I rode the course with her from mile 9 on and give what help I could.

What a day it was for the racers; the 6am temp was a warm 70 degrees and the wind steadily picked up to more than 30mph. For Scott's first half, he finished thinking he just might run another which is a success in my book. Robert had a strong finish for his first OKC showing. Chanti and Don had tough days with the wind in their faces for a good portion of the race. No PR's but finishing was the big accomplishment.

I do owe a shout out to Don's brother for hosting the after-race BBQ...racers and spectators enjoyed burgers, dogs, and more before heading home.

No racing on this day but good times anyway ;-) Maybe next year. Can't wait for the next race.

Run On! - Brooke

Off the "Road to Recovery" and Back on the "Road"

After 2 full weeks off with NO running what-so-ever, I am back to doing a small bit. It feels like forever since I last ran and is sooo good to be back on the road. It had started to get depressing watching all of the beautiful spring weather go unused and hearing about all the great runs my friends were having. Was even missing out on some social obligations ;-).

Yesterday started with a short/slow mile jog and mile walk and that was OK. Then today was the real test - 3 miles, which sounds so short since the least I usually ever do is 4 miles. But I can deal with it...I'm healing right, and all seemed to be good. No pain or discomfort but still waiting for some odd pain in the front of my knee to go away now....oh well, running is painful right ;-) Made sure to stretch before and after and iced it well.

Looks like a day off tomorrow, try for 5 on Tuesday, and then maybe 6-8 on Thursday to see if I can hold up for longer miles (possibly do the 1/2 in OKC on Sunday). Still really wish it was the full :'( Was supposed to be my 5th and Chanti and I planned to run it together. Feeling like I let her down a bit but she understand; she's been there herself for tons longer. It will sure be sad not crossing the finish line with her but she will ROCK IT I am sure. Can't wait to cheer her in.

Run on...(again)! - Brooke

What Do You Do When You Can't Run?

It is as simple as that....what do non-runners do? Geez, I am going on 4 weeks with only 3 runs and am going absolutely CRAZY. I feel like a lazy, fat, slob and have filled my minutes with sleeping late, watching TV, playing Rock Band, eating and FaceBooking. Wow, what a waste of time and training thrown down the tube.

So this week is going to have to change. Need to work of some energy and calories. Must go to the Y at least and lift some weights. I have to get back into some sort of routine. Robert says that maybe I can even try running Friday a couple of miles.

Now I know the OKC Marathon is out but there is still a chance that I can maybe run the Half. Either way we will still go and support all of our friends that are running. Little conflicted though.... OGAR in 5 weeks and I still haven't gotten on my bike. If I try the half and hurt myself then the adventure race is for sure out but if I don't get on my bike soon and run my body is not going to be ready and I am really going to hold back my team. What to do? What to do?

Run on....guess without me:'( - Brooke

Injury SUCKS

....I am injured and haven't been able to run for almost 3 weeks. Figured out what it is (tendon attached to hamstring and calf bone) and am getting some PT for it but think it has canned my hopes to run OKC in a few weeks. I may make it for the half but if I was a betting person I would say not for the full.

Why couldn't this happen in the first few weeks of training? Why do I get to week 12 and then have problems? Why me?

It kills me that I don't really know what I did to cause the injury but guess it really doesn't matter. The funniest thing is that my dad and grandma are wondering if I am going to smarten up and just quite this running thing....like it is a phase I am going through (something like puberty).

Well, you'll hear it first if things get better. Hoping for the best. Keep your fingers crossed for me and....... Run On! - Brooke

Dogs - hate them or love them

There are some dogs that I lLOVE, like Spot, who ran miles and miles with me, and some that I HATE, like the 4 big dogs that tried to eat Chanti and I last Saturday.

Wasn't it bad enough that we had to run in the cold and snow....I guess not because the 4 dogs on County Road 100 didn't seem to care that we were just trying to get in our 20 and deal with the weather. When I first heard them start to bark I thought maybe we would be ok, maybe they were in the garage or a fence. Then I heard Chanti say "Oh Shit" and looked to see 4 large dogs charging our way.

I know you are supposed to act like the alpha but man is it scary when you see all those teeth and hear the growls and barks. We did our best, I made myself as big as I could and charged back and we yelled until we were blue in the face. Don't know if they just got board or if we made our point but we escaped another run in with dogs and came out bite free.

One thing we are wondering....how in the world those people could just sit in their house and listen to all that and not come out to see what was going on. All I know is that I am going to look into buying some pepper spray before our run on Saturday (Run With the Wind 25K) since it is on that same course.

Run on...

Cold, Cold Go Away...Come Back Next Year

Two weekends in a row I have had to run with windchill's in the teens. This is getting ridiculous; Mother Nature here in the Mid-West obviously needs some Prozac to tame her bi-polar tendencies.

Last Saturday it was cloudy, cold, and windy with a route that had the wind at my back, face, and both sides with the windchill somewhere around 16 degrees. I ran with Don's running group in KC which is awesome since you have instant friends to talk to, they have pace groups that fit everyones needs with pacers, and they have water stops every 2 miles. I got to know my new running friend Jenn a bit better and even found a girl named Jennifer that is interested in Adventure Racing. It's fun to meet crazy people that also like to go out and run 18 miles on a Saturday morning and don't see anything wrong with that.

This Saturday brought cloudy, cold, windy, and snowy conditions and a lovely windchill of somewhere between 12-14 degrees. This all wouldn't be so bad if the weather would be like that during the week, but no, this past Wednesday, Chanti and I were running in a tank top and shorts at 5pm. The weeks seem to bring above average temps and the weekends are COLD.

Today we logged 20 miles on a mildly hilly course that she picked out specifically for the wind to be at our backs (and it was). Don't know if we could have made it having to go face into the wind so I guess I owe her BIG....Thanks friend. Also have to thank our sag vehicle for the water stop and picking us up. Do have one major complaint; who ever owns the 4 large dogs that attacked us on CR 90. Seriously, couldn't you do something about them.

Next week, we are running the Run With the Wind Race from Sarcoxie to Carthage (or the opposite, depending on the wind). Today's run was a good preview since part of our route was on the same roads.

FYI...also picked up my new shoes this week in Springfield, MO at a new running store that will do a running analysis for you for free if you are buying shoes. They ask a bunch of questions about running habits and injuries, they video tape you running barefoot, and then watch it in slow motion. After they tell you what kind of runner you are and what should might work best for you. Of course the Asics Gel Nimbus 10 is the shoe for me and they agreed. Did try a Sacouny that was very comfy but can't switch up shoes mid stream.

10 Weeks to Go

Followed up my recovery week last week with a good dose of longer runs. Ended up running 10 by myself last Sat. and then took 2 days off. Work was crazy on Monday do didn't have time to fit anything in. Debbie is back to running after nursing an injury for 2 months so put in a few miles with her and Spot on Tuesday (5). Then Chanti, Spot, and I put in 8 miles on Wednesday at a pretty good pace. Not sure but think somewhere between 9's and 9:30's. Thursday was another run with Debbie and Spot (6 miles). Thursday was awesome weather; got to wear t-shirt and shorts ;-)

And for our long run (16 miles) Chanti and I circled town a couple of times. Made a stop at the Y, at Chanti's, our house, and last stop at Chanti's.

Used my iPhone as GPS with Fitnio app and the distance was .87 off from Chanti's Garmin. Sure the Garmin was correct. This was spots last run before going home and she stayed with us for 8 miles.

Legs feel pretty good for 35 total miles. They ached pretty bad late yesterday after the 16 but that is to be expected. Feet are holding up well...only 2 blisters under caluses.

This week's goals:

• Goal 1 - Really want to try to get mid-week long run in at race pace but going to have to pay attention to my pace a bit better.
• Goal 2 - Running 18 with Don's running group on Sat. before the Pub Crawl. Hoping to stick it out with the 9:30's. We will see if I can stick with them. Hoping they stop at every water stop for a breather.
• Goal 3 - Eat better....more protein and veggies
• Goal 4 - Stretch often especially before and after runs
  
• Goal 5 - Not to fall asleep before 10pm on Sat. night

Hoping for sunny days and warmer weather but who knows with the mid-west weather.

Run on...