2009 Boom Run - Michael Runs Again

Yes, you heard it....Michael made his come-back! With some encouragement from our friends, The Hicklin's, they all decided that they would all run this year's Carthage Boom Run 5K again after a little hiatus. I was so proud of all of them. Myself, Tralaine, and Andy also ran again but missed having the Oexman's and Chanti (they did have better plans so I understood).

We had a fun time (well some of us) and everyone finished; which is what really matters. Tralaine and I placed 1st and 2nd in our age division (I'm sure you know who took first and who took second). We were immortalized in The Carthage Press. I even stuck with Tralaine and Andy for 2 miles this year and had my second best 5K PR (24:50).

Run On! - Brooke

Joplin's 1st Half-Marathon

On June 13th, Debbie, Chanti, and myself (along with quite a few fellow runners) ran the first ever Joplin Boomtown 1/2 Marathon. It was a nice day with lots of sun and many hills but we finished. The course was well supported (except for the college kids manning the intersections that looked like they would rather be sleeping). There were plenty of water stops with many volunteers and porta-potties at mile 8ish. Unfortunately the spectators left a little to be desired; it was as if they didn't know they were there to cheer for everyone not just the one racer they knew. At one point Chanti and I had to ask them to cheer us on to help get us up the hill. I am going to mark it up to inexperience ;-)



Chanti and I stuck together and finished in 1 hour 59 minutes. One of these days we are going to both be "on" and get a great PR but we were both very happy with our sub 2. Debbie ran a steady pace (cussing the hills as she went) and found herself at one point running and talking with the legendary Bart Yasso who was a guest speaker at the pre-race banquet and started the race on Saturday morning. Check out the full race results, they are pretty good. Looking forward to an even better Boomtown Half-Marathon next year...come and join us!

Run On! - Brooke

Another Race Missed - OGAR

I hate injuries....since I was injured and didn't have time to prepare for the OGAR our team decided it would be best to sit it out this year. Think this would have been my 8th year to race and was a sad year to miss being the 10th Anniversary. And of course they had good shirts!

The Dirty Nelly's (Chanti, Don, John, Jonas) raced and came in 37th in 10 hours and 29 minutes. The race was a full orienteering course with 20+ checkpoints. They biked a total of 21 miles, completed a trekking section had more than 9 way points alone and ran 6 miles. Due to weather the course was altered and the race coordinators cut out the paddling section. Congrats.....

Looking forward to the 11th Annual Ozark Greenways Adventure Race in 2010. Hope to see you there.

Run On! - Brooke

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