Officially Official.

Yup. OOSG and I registered for the Chicago Distance Classic tonight.

There's no turning back now. It's all officially official and what not. I'll be doing my first half marathon on August 13th. And I'm only doing it because I want a penguin medal. :) ...okay, there are other reasons, too.

The confession of an untold track story...

In lieu of a running post...cause ya know...I'm taking it easy right now and all...I sit here icing my ankle with a fun little story for all y'all campers...so enjoy.

Way back in the days of my freshman year of high school...I ran track. Sorta. It was more or less something to do in the cheerleading off season. And basically the extent of my "running career" before I had the brilliant idea to run a marathon last August.

The Track Coach, Coach Hudson, thought all cheerleaders were great jumpers (cause well...we were...most of us at least). So yours was crafted into hurdle runner extraordinaire...200 meters if you will. And then every one on the team did the 100 meter run.

I could tell you about the time where I managed to catch my foot on the hurdle and went tumbling forward...or how Kellye and I tried to ditch practice and got caught red-handed by the team trainer...but hurdles and I...we were semi-friends. It was a love-hate relationship. When we were on...we were ON. But when I sucked...oooof...I was the comic relief for the whole team.

But enough about that. I'm going to tell you about my worst race ever...

It was toward the end of the season...I was feeling burnt out on the traditional 200 meter hurdle event and coach suggested I test the water in some different events during the last 3 meets. I tried the shot put (eh...no thanks, I totally throw like a girl)...but when one of the JV team's "star" athletes came down with mono after a tragic make out incident with the star of the soccer team (it was tragic because three other girls came down with mono from the same guy)...so yah...super fast sprinting runner chick was out...and I was in...

...the freakin 800.

Are you kidding me? 800 was a long ass way for this chick to go. At that time you might as well have asked me to run 5 miles. Anything over 200 in a race...was simply unfathomable to me.

I remember what the track looked like to a T....but I can't recall where the meet was at. Nor do I remember who else from my team was in my heat. But I do remember the race itself...and it's the only race I remember of the whole damn season. Partly because I am so effing ridiculous...and it's arguably the lamest thing I've ever done.

So the gun goes off...and me, being in 200m mode...I just start out super fast and go balls to the wall hard. The first 300 is going well. I've managed to pull out in the lead...by a considerable distance. And by considerable...I'm thinking 8 yards-ish (which in HS track can be considered considerable). I hit the start line and I can hear all of my friends going nuts. I still remember Danny and Kellye and Randy running down the side of the track screaming their heads off at me.

Meters 500-700 are a blur. I remember nausea and dizziness set in and I lost steam. And I got passed. Passed by the fast kids...the medium speed kids...and before I'd let the slow kids pass me...something happened...I passed out. I literally pulled over to the side of the track with about 100 meters to go, bent over with my hands on my knees, and basically toppled over. First Danny and Kellye rushed over with Coach Hudson shortly thereafter. I don't remember too much of the conversation...something about what I ate the night before and how coach thought we'd found my event...whatever that's supposed to mean.

So yeah...about my confession. While I did indeed feel dizzy and nauseus and on the verge of hyperventilating...what really pissed me off was that I was going to potentially get fast by some really slow folks. So, I...uh..."passed out" ...ya follow my drift? There was no real black out...it was me...pulling a really sad, pathetic whining act. Too pissed off to admit defeat. So I completely and totally bailed on the race.

There.

I admit it.

I bailed.

...and coming clean after 10 years surprisingly feels good.

But I know that no matter how slow I may be...no matter how pissed I am that people are passing me...no matter how much I want to throw in the towel...

...I will NEVER bail again.

(nor will I ever start out way too fast again.)

Getting Angry.

Hey Campers....

Imagine this...crisp, cool weather. Clear skies. Great crowd. Everything was aligned for a great 8-mile run. My leg had been feeling better the days following the speed training, so I was optimistic about the distance ahead of me.

We started out running south instead of north. The breeze felt great. The new shorts were beyond comfy...and overall I felt good (aside from the old pair of Wigwam socks that kept sliding down my heel). So we're running at 5/2 pacing around a 12:00 pace. The first mile though, Lesley went out way fast...and by mile 2, my leg was shot...again. F#$*(&%$#. I pulled back from the group and walked a bit. I heard Margie yell to see if I was okay, I gave her a thumbs up and figured I'd just walk it off. The next mile was spent doing the hobble, run, walk, stretch routine...and then I saw Coach Jack.

...and I lost it.

I didn't cry because it hurt (even though it was killing me). I cried because I was frustrated and disappointed and outright pissed off. Coach Jack helped me stretch it out some more, told me to walk it back to home base and take it easy.

As I walked, fighting back the tears, I kept thinking about everything I wrote the day before. About wanting the 5:30. About pushing myself this time around...and pushing myself hard. Harder than before. About going to the limits (without injury, of course). All of these thoughts came flooding in and I got myself really angry. Angry at my leg...myself...life...and I took that anger and ran right through it.

I think the brim of my hat is the most unappreciated part of all my running garb. The brim was my saving grace yesterday. I tugged the brim of my hat, bit my lip, put down my head, and just pressed forward running. No one could see the tears streaming from my eyes and I kept giving myself a pep talking say...get over it, it's just pain and it won't kill you and you can do this.

Around a mile away from the meet up point I saw the front runners of the Pride Run. They were amazing. Swift like gazelles...I admired their long strides and grit as they just pushed themselves. This fueled my next mile. And before I knew it, I was back at the meet up point.

...I had covered six miles. And tempting as it was, I didn't stop. I walked right by the group (not to tick Coach Jack off), and once I was out of sight I picked up the pace again. I saw Mike...he was finishing right as I was headed out for my final 2 miles. That was the moment where I realized, and accepted, that there would be no way the two of us will be able to run the Chicago Marathon. He is totally capabale of a sub-5 race and I would only hold him back. It would be unfair of me to ask or expect him to slow down so he can be with me.

I know if we run this race, it'll be because my ass gets in gear and gets faster. And so I ran.

I just got in a zone...a place where I didn't think of the shooting pain whenever my left foot struck the group or my shoulders getting tense...I just listened to my breath and my feet hitting the earth and ran on. And surprisingly, it felt really good.

The course I was running required me to nagivate my way around the finish line chute of the Pride Run. At the northern turn around point there were guys sporting cheerleading outfits, cheering for the runners to finish strong. I closed my eyes imagined they were routing for me.

The remaining mile was spent in a run/walk combo. No timed intervals or anything. I pushed myself to run, even when I wanted to walk. And only when the pain became too obnoxious, I walked.

I returned to the meet up point to find Mike waiting for me. Apparently Coach Jack told him I'd be a while and he took off walking in the opposite direction to find me. I half smiled...only because I did the distance...not for my performance.

The next time I run will most likely be July 2nd. Both coaches, Jack and Joe, told me to take it easy this week. No running. Rather, I've been prescribed timed exercises on the stationary bike to keep my muslces working and moving without putting the stress on it. I'll hopefully have a walk or two thrown in there as well. Pending how much my leg is bothering me. Strength training is in the forecast as well. ...but for now I'm just listening to my body.

I'm taking their advice, and my own. I said I wanted to train SMARTER. Running a lot right now would be sheer stupidity.

So cheers...to doing the full distance, and to all the cross-training ahead of me this week.

Tag. I'm it!

In an effort to add a little light-heartedness to this blog (I'm not yet ready to talk about this morning's run just yet, but I will. I promise...)...I'm responding to a tag by Tara...


A) Four Jobs I've Had in My Life:
Junior All Star Cheerleading Coach
GAP Sales Associate
J101 Teaching Assistant
Corporate Communications Associate

B) Four Movies I watch over and over:
Wedding Crashers
The Princess Diaries (I'm not ashamed to admit it!)
Saved!
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

C) Four Places I have lived:
Mississauga, Ontario
Brentwood, Tennessee
Vienna, Virginia
Lawrence, Kansas

D) 4 TV Shows I love to watch:
Saved by the Bell (what can I say? it's a classic)
American Idol
Friends
Most any crappy reality TV show (they all seem to suck me in)

E) 4 Places I have been on vacation:
Peter Island, British Virgin Islands
San Francisco
Kauai
Caribbean Cruise

F) 4 Websites I visit daily:
Gmail
W00t!
All my favorite RBF Blogs
The Chittie Lounge

G) 4 of my favorite foods:
Chicken
BBQ Pulled Pork
White Chocolate Macadamian Nut Cookies
Good ole fashion american CHEESEBURGER. Very well done, thank you.

H) 4 places I'd rather be right now:
Sleeping
Peter Island with Mike
Relaxing in a Hammock
Sleeping in a hammock on the beaches of peter island with mike.

I) 4 Favorite Bands/Singers:
Smashing Pumpkins
Self
Radiohead
Muse

J) 4 Bloggers I am Tagging:
anyone in RBF who is reading this. Yup...that probably means you. Now, hop to it.

I want.

Lately I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I want out of this marathon? I'm not certain what has sparked all of this self-reflection...it could be reading about Susan's post of Incoherently Questioning Reality (the potential for a BQ run), or A. Maria's thoughts on why she runs and the support it generates...it could be because I'm reading Ultramarathon Man...but it's all got me thinking...thinking about what I hope to get out of training this go around and how I trained for Phoenix.

It's so much different than the first time. I started my journey to the Phoenix Marathon in September with the simple goal of just finishing it. I didn't care how long it took or if I had to be wheeled across the finish line on a stretcher...I just wanted to complete the course, get a medal and have eternal bragging rights. It was all wheee...look at me...I can "run" (and I use "run" loosely as I definitely ended up with more walking than running in the marathon).

But I've been there. Done that. It was great...it made me laugh...it made me cry...it was better than Cats.

I just want something more than this time around.

I want more of myself in this race.

I want more of my limits and boundaries and guts spilled out on the course (not literally...not puking is key this go around).

I want to run. hard. strong. smart. As fast as my body will let me run for that distance...without killing myself.

On Monday, October 23rd I want to look back and know that I went as fast as I could and know I gave it everything I had. I look back and Phoenix and really wonder if I gave it 110% on the course. I know I didn't give everything I had with my training and diet. Sure, I finished. But could I have finished faster? stronger? with less pain in my legs? Without a doubt...yes.

I want no regrets. Not that I do have regrets from Phoenix...I just wish I had been smarter about everything.

I want to push myself...push others...and be pushed in return.

I want to shave an hour of my time off. An hour!! That's a really big effing chunk of time. A lot of crap can happen in an hour. An hour off my previous time means I'm looking at a 5:30 'thon. That means I have to be consistently at 12:30 miles. Sure, it's easy for you...but cute, slow, pokey "look at me jog!" me? Conquering a consistent 12:30 pace for 20-something miles is like asking me to cook a 7-course gourmet meal for 20 (seemingly damn near impossible). It's hard (and honestly a great big joke...me cook well? Hahahhaahahaa!)! I'm not complaining though, I'm just trying to be realistic with myself. Can I do 5:30? I don't know. I have my doubts but I tell myself it's within my reach.

I guess in the end it all boils down to training smarter. Which, judging from this past week's events, means no more dancing on stripper tables (not like this was a Saturday night ritual to begin with, I swear!). Limiting beer...wine...sweets (oh gawd, what will I do without my Twix?!!?!?). Reducing junk food drastically (pizza...what's that?!?). Upping my water intake ten-fold (pee much?). And a long laundry list of things I haven't even begun to comprehend. Maybe even eating "no thank you" portions of my veggies (ugh!).

I wanted the whole mental argument over whether or not to run the CDC to finally come to a hault...and as of, oooooohhh...2 hours ago it did. I debated for a while that I should just run the 5k portion of the course and call it good (you still get a super sweet penguin medal for the 5k)...but come on...HOW many freakin' 5k's am I going to let myself run this year? Yah...I've been there. Done that. Slowly...I am getting quicker, though. But I don't push myself...I'm confident I could run a 30-minute 5k. But I don't. I've never even tried to run a sub-30 5k. And I don't know why...I always hold back and go slow...mix in walking and jog at the speed of a snail. That's my sad, silly strategy. I am so freaking lame.

So I'm already locked into the Race to Taste 5k on July 2nd and the Bucktown 5k in October...do I really need the one in August? Absolutely not. I've never done a half marathon so therefore, I am officially going to suck it up and run the Chicago Distance Classic. Not punk it a la traditional Barb style. I'm going to run my ass off during that damn race. I know I won't even be in contention to place or anything, I'd be lucky to be in the top 75% of my age group (no joke)...I just want to see what I'm really made of.

And while it's important to me to be a support system for my mentees, I feel it is equally as important for me to run the race (and run it well...smart.hard.strong.) to get another distance under my belt...so pushing myself in a half distance race will sort of help me figure out a realistic pace to run my remaining long runs at...and eventually, the whole kit and caboodle in October.

So here I sit at my desk...knowing I don't push myself to my maximum potential. Finally openly admitting it to the world. And it makes me sad...and frustrated...and I know I've let myself down. But at the same time, I am scratching my head wondering in awe...in awe of Leah & Jason, Elizabeth, Rae, Audrey, Whitney, Dane and so many others out there...wondering how the hell did you all get to where you are today? What fuels you to push yourself? What makes you want this so badly? What lights a fire under you?

And now that this has evolved into some absurdly long nonsensical rant...I want those of you out there who actually read this to actually help hold me accountable for all "my wants." I want you to call me out when I bail on a distance. I want to know if you think I'm not giving it 120%. I want to be pushed if you're willing to push me around once in a while. Because damnit, I want that 5:30 and I'm not afraid to admit that I need as much help as I can get to get me there.

Color me tortise.

Speed training today was well...less than speedy. I would've been able to keep up had my stripper stage injury from Saturday night not been acting up. And the funny part? There were 2 other gals with "stripper injuries"...from the same exact place on Saturday night...but for a different bachelorette party. Talk about randomly and hilariously awesome. Apparently one was the victim of some crazy hand stand move by the Vanilla Ice look alike...he managed to bruise her foot. How? I dunno. At least my problems came from an inanimate object (the stage). Perhaps we should go back and file a formal complaint?

At any rate...I was rather slow today. We started out with a 3/4 mile warm up run...which was okay. My left foot was screaming every time my foot struck the ground. Then we did "indian runs"...think high school track, running in a single file line, the person at the back of the line sprints to the front, so on and so forth. We had to do this 2 laps around Cricket Hill and the soccer fields. Again...I would've been fine, had my foot not been acting up. I set out with Margie, Taylor and a few other folks and about 2/3's of the way around I had to pull back. I eventually joined up with another group and finished off the first lap. Coach Joe told me to bail on the second loop...and that stripper stage injuries should not be taken lightly. Soooo...I did. But acted like the cheerleader for everyone else belting out the tune to the Rocky theme as they ran by. Someone has to keep 'em motivated, right?

So the final speed drill was a figure eight around the fields incorporating the hill. Which, when looking at it from afar, isn't really a big hill...nor is it a hill at all (think massive mound in the middle of no where...clearly it's out of place)...but when you have to make the trek up, it's certainly less than pleasant. So Margie and I (along with a guy whose name I can't remember) opt to walk around the hill (again, tortise speed, folks) and then run up the side of the big burly beast of a hill. Walking down the hill was a different story...my foot was hurting more...so again, I was sidelined by the coach. So while everyone else did around 4 miles today, I probably clocked in around 2.5ish. Brilliant. How's THAT supposed to help me?

Who woulda thought drunken dancing would lead to such disaster? But in the end, it's not so bad being a tortise. I mean...didn't the pokey lil' sucker win the race?


Editor's Note: I just noticed, every one of my paragraphs ends with a question!! What gives?!

Details on the Great RBF Music Exchange...

I'm excited for all of the interest :) Woohoo!

Here's the skinny...
If you'd like to participate, you need to either A) Leave your E-mail Address in the Comments Section or B) Send an e-mail to me at BarbsMarathon AT gmail.com. Rather than post my mailing address here on my blog, I will get you e-mail it to you.

With the 4th of July Holiday coming up, the "CD Due Date" at July 8th...so try to get everything to me by that Saturday (this also allows for more folks to jump in on the fun). The following week, I'll match folks up and send the packages back to you. So assuming Mr. Postman complies, you'll have your new running tunes by the 15th-ish.

Someone had mentioned receiving a CD with a genre of music they didn't particularly care for. Here's how we're goint to ATTEMPT to avoid this...everyone will create a "Preference List" for me to use as a guide for what music you'd like to receive. This Preference List will consist of your three favorite genres and your favorite artist(s)--this is to avoid getting a CD of songs you already have. For example, if my favorite artist is U2, and Josh sends me a CD with a bunch of U2 songs, odds are I already have most of those songs on my playlist, so I wouldn't want to get that CD. Comprende?

My Preference List would look something like this...
Favorite Genres: 90's Alternative, Power Pop, and Piano Rock
Favorite Artists: Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, U2, Self, Ben Folds
So in theory the Prefence List will expand upon your favorite genres with new songs, but limit the likelihood of receiving tunes you already have.

So here's your checklist, fellow friend:

• 1 CD full of your favorite running songs with respective Tracklist...if you want to contribute two different CDs, be my guest. Contibute 2, receive 2 back.
• 1 Self Addressed Stamped Padded Envelope...you'll probably need approximately $1.50-$2.00 in stamps. You can also take it and get it weighed at the post office.
• 1 Preference List featuring your 3 favorite genres and favorite artist(s).
• Short Note (optional)
• All to Barb no later than July 8th!!

You may also want to include a short note to the effect of...These fabulous tunes brought to you by "your name here"...just a courtesy to your blogging friend. How weird would it be to get a CD and you have no idea who it came from?!?

How you package all this up and get it to me is entirely up to you. If you want to bring it to my doorstep, go right ahead. If you want to box it up and send it my way, be my guest. I think the easiest way would be to stick everything inside of the padded envelope (unclosed, of course) and then put all of that inside another regular envelope.

If you have any questions, please let me know and I'll get back to you and post them here as well (odds are if you have a question, someone else has that same one, too).


Today's obligatory running note: nonexistant. My leg is just now finally starting to feel normal and so that means speed training tonight (weather pending).

And in other fun news...my brother and sister-in-law brought home the newest addition to their family on Monday--Sidney! I don't have any photos just yet, but I've been told she's slowly adjusting well to all three of her brothers and to her new family (adopted from Ethiopia). How exciting!! This auntie can't wait to spoil her rotten!

The Great RBF Music Exchange?

Okay campers...

I've read an abnormal amount of posts lately regarding songs to run to and what folks are listening to on the trails these days...which got me to thinking...

We should have an RBF "music exchange" of sorts. Everyone makes a CD of their favorite songs to run to and it gets traded with a fellow runner. You'll expand your music library, figure out what other folks are listening to and find new tunes to keep your motor running. Even if you don't run to music or don't have an mp3 player, you're still welcome to participate.

...if there's enough interest I'm more than willing to coordinate. Just post and tell me if you'd be interested in participating (all you have to do is send a CD with your favorite running songs and a self-addressed stamped padded envelope).

Soooo...who's game?

Sloshy Stomach and Stripper Stages

Hey there campers...

I've added another check mark under the crappy run column.

Yesterday was supposed to be an easy six miles. Which turned into a really hard, pathetic five.

Training started an hour earlier, so getting up before six was definitely a challenge. I was exhausted and I was in an overall less than stellar mood because of it. I knew I was dehydrated going into the run. The day before consistsed of an iced tea, half a glass of gatorade and 2 beers. Minimal water. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Never will I do that again.

So we're running along at 7am and it's already something ridiculous like 85 degrees. I am miserable. Around 2.5 miles I feel as if my heart is going to explode through my chest and I had to keep stopping in the shade to get my heart rate in check. I'm downing so much water I can feel it sloshing around in my stomach when I run...one of the grossest sensations ever. It's just truly awful. So we get back to the water stop area and Coach Jenny from the spring team is there and tells me to do a lap around the field so I can stay close to home base, God forbid something happen to me. So I make it through running and walking one lap. I feel okay still...so I start one more time around the soccer field (which is a mile give or take 15 yards). Half way on my second loop, the heart rate is again going bananas and I feel the acid rising in my stomach. Let's just say I tasted my balance bar for the second time that morning right in front of a bunch of kids. I sucked it up and did a walk/run for the last half mile and stretched when I got back.

Taylor returned shortly thereafter without Mike. She tells me that his foot was really bothering him a mile and a half out and he stopped to talk with Coach Chris about it. We need to get him orthotics (has anyone ever had these?) to help with his arch. Poor guy...on top of that he had some blisters pop, too.

The only good news from this run is my hip wasn't bothering me. YAY!

So we make it home and pass out on the couch for who knows how long. Christine, who is training for her first 5k (the Bucktown 5k in October) comes over and we take her to buy some running shoes at Fleet Feet. And because it is virtually impossible for us to go into a running store and NOT buy anything....we walked out with around a hundred bucks of merch (ooops). New socks and Brooks running shorts for me, fuel belt for Mike, a copy of Dean's book Ultramarathon Man, and a 2 for 3 packaging of Gu with the new Lemon Sublime flavor...yes, consumerism at its best. Just kidding.

Anyway...last night was a friend's bachelorette party...in which I pulled a "mouse." ....except I didn't hurt my eye, and I didn't go to the hospital. I just managed to royally f-up my left ankle and knee. Yes, I fell off of a makeshift stripper stage while dancing (I wasn't actually stripping or anything...there was a male revue earlier that evening and said strip joint turned into a pretty fun club hours later). Drinks were being sloshed ALL over the place and as a result, Barb went tumbling to her doom. So this morning, my ankle is swollen to the size of Montana and the inside of my left knee is 5 fabulous shades of blue, purple, black, green and yellow.

Brilliant. Consider this to be reason #348974 why I should not be allowed to wear heels. EVER. And the thing is, they were only an inch and a half. I am soooo super lame.

The tentative plan yesterday was to run 2-3 miles today. And now, since running appears to be out of the question...I'm hoping for a casual 1-2 mile walk later today (assuming Mike lets me).

What do Alf, Buffy, Consumer America and tricycles coming from proton collisions all have in common?

The CRU.

Where do I even begin? Tonight's meet up was a ton of fun. Good food, great company and a lot of fabulous Goose Island Beer a-brewin'. Who would've guessed that Leah has a secret obsession with Buffy or that 9 brilliant minds could not remember Alf's catch phrase. (Guys, I think it really is"I kill me." That is all the clips showing on You Tube.)

It's strange to think that there are actual people BEHIND the blog names. And that said people are really cool :) And all of our quirks are awesome (and I say quirks in a good way, not negative). Deep down, we all have our Geekdoms...for some it's Buffy...for others it's running to the Clash or reality TV or Dirty Dancing Havanna Nights or pug love...but it's just proof that we all rock. But we have quite the group of people across all sorts of specialities...quite fascinating. At least we all agree that the consumption of beer constitutes as carbo loading.

Here are a few pictures of the evening...for your viewing pleasure and all...

Frank & Josh...Josh posted pics on his blog from his phone...I wish I were that tech savvy!














Leah & Jason...Leah is really getting riled up telling her story about runners and american consumerism...quite humorous. Perhaps she'll point us all in the right direction to get riled up, too.














Dawnie & Mike (not a great angle, sorry!!)














Me & Leah...what is going on with my hair!?!?














Taylor was there with Jacob (her boyfriend), but for some reason Blogger doesn't want me to upload them...perhaps her stunning beauty will shut the network down?

Mark your calendars, campers...Sunday, July 23rd we're getting together again! Place and time are TBD.

Happy 100th Post To Me!!!

Well...I've hit a century! This is officially my 100th post as Running Jayhawk o'er here on blogspot. Good times, campers.

Mad props to my hubby, Mike, for snagging an awesome Chiropractic internship. And after that, he ran into two of our favorite bloggers at Dick's Sporting Goods--Jason and LeahC over at Marathon Running. Very awesome. Yet very random...especially since we're all having dinner tomorrow night. Anyhoo...you can read Mike's account here and Leah's story here. Good times!

So work was work today. Things are finally calming down now that everyone is headed to Cannes for the International Advertising Festival. Thank goodness. Hopefully I'll start working the normal 8 hour days for a little bit...I can dream, right?

So today, I was actually home by 5:30. Woohoo! A first time in a reaaaaaaaaaally long time. The plan was for Mike and I to go running with the NikeTown running group at 6:15. I walk in the door to find Mike passed out on the couch....a well deserved nap was being had. So Mike was out...but I was feeling pretty good so I got dressed and headed out the door. Me, being all codependent and what not, decided to ditch the NikeTown running group, for fear of being left in the dust.

I did interval running through the city until I hit the lake front path. I stretched out a little bit and then rain drops started spitting from the sky. The path was crowded and everyone seemed to be out enjoying the evening. Swimming, volleyball and all sorts of fun going down. I never noticed this before, but at North Avenue Beach they were having this dodgeball tournament in full force. I started laughing to myself thinking about the "American Dodgeball Association of America" video from Dodgeball. Good God I love that movie. Perhaps a little too much. You have to know the five D's of dodgeball...dodge, duck, dip, dive, dodge...okay, yah...i like it a bit too much.

So yah, the overeager dodgeball players were quite humorous to watch...and with that I headed over the bridge by the north avenue fields...and then it hits me...my ad agency was playing FCB (the agency we're merging with) in softball. So I ran over there to cheer for a few minutes before continuing on. A few minutes turned into 20-something and I finally peeled myself away from the game. I ran around the zoo area for another mile and then returned to the game for a final bit of cheering before heading home.

All in all it was a beautiful evening, perhaps a bit too warm though, with lots of folks out enjoying the weather. In the end I covered a little over 5 miles. But I'm not sure how much of it really counts considering only about 2.5 was done nonstop...but eh...I ran...go me. :)

It was a good day. A very good day. And now it's time for sleep. Goodnight!!

I just re-read all this, and it's pretty uneventful. How sad for my 100th blog.

Nothing exciting to report.

Yup...things are pretty boring over here...

Tuesday we were supposed to run...but Mike, in his sly, cunning, charming ways, convinced me that we needed to head to Skokie instead to take advantage of Michael's 50% off framing sale. On our last visit to Lawrence, Kansas we bought the fabulous Mike Savage print "The Wheel Keeps on Rolling" and we've been needing to get it framed so we can hang it up in our place. After much debate, we settled on a dark wood frame with crimson & blue mats to match our other Savage pieces. By the time we got home and ate, it was 9:30. We were pooped. Wanted to watch a movie (Firewall, in case you were wondering). So there was no running to be had. BAD BARB.

So yesterday we probably SHOULD have run...but we had tickets to the Cubs/Astros game...where our lovable losers inevitably lost to Houston...because we suck...hardcore. Of the four games I've been to this season...we haven't won a single one of them. This is pathetic. So after being down 5-3, we left at the top of the 8th. From the el platform we hear a home run being scored...not enough to tie or win. We probably would've been better off staying home and running. The cubs seem to be stuck in what Dice calls "the revolving door of suckitude."

But never fear, because tonight, my friends, we are running. Come rain and sleet and torrential downpours...we will run. And I think we're hitting the town with the Niketown Running Group. We'll see how well we fare. I'm sure they'll all leave us in the dust with their sub-eight minute miles. Par for the course, right?

*Folks coming to the RBF Dinner*
Our reservations are under "RBF" for 7pm. Looks like there will be 8 of us there...should be a great time!! :) See you there!

Running Banana

So as we learned from my previous (and only) marathon, barb + bananas + running = bad idea. However, Running Banana is a brilliant idea that has me ridiculously excited. I've decided I'm going to get a custom made technical shirt for future races (which may or may not include the CDC)...but have no idea what it should say. So naturally, being entirely way too codependent on my fellow RBFers, I turn to you to help me come up with a clever saying...

Here are several possibilities that have crossed my mind...
A) RBF Logo on the front and "Running Jayhawk" on the back
B) Are we there yet?
C) something simple like "Run Barb!"
D) It's nice back here in the back of the pack.
E) The imfamous line from one of my favorite SNL Sketches..."I've got the fever, and the cure is MORE COWBELL!"
F) Something else...but make a suggestion...

Thoughts?

Anyhoo...I got my rear in gear after a stressful day at work and got to the gym. But not before I watched the 2005 Chicago Marathon Highlight reel twice. Yes...twice. I'm lame...I know. But when I really need that extra kick of motivation, that promo really gets me in the mood to go out and just fly.

So tonight's workout...
2 miles on the treadmill (my shins were killing me).
5.5 miles on the stationary bike.
15 minutes worth of weight work focusing on the arms.

Chicagoland RBF Dinner!!

We hope you can make it!! If you'd like to join us, please leave a comment here or over at Marathon Running!

To CDC or not to CDC? That is the question.

Sooo...do I run the Chicago Distance Classic (a half marathon) on August 13th or not. THAT is the question.

PROs:

• It fits right along in with that weekend's training run (it's supposed to be a 10-miler cut back week).
• It's only $50 registration.
• Mike is going to run it.
• I'd get a super cool penguin medal since it's a John Bingham event!!!

CONs:

• Most of my TNT mentees are running the CDC and it'd be really awesome to be cheering them on along the course and at the finish line (some might not have anyone there for sideline support).
• Mike is going to run it...it'd be really cool to let him run his own race and watch him at different points. But we're different paces so he technically WOULD be running his own race.
• I'm supposed to be running the Elvis is Alive 5k the night before with Race Crew (not signed up yet, so no big deal).
• Homie don't like running in da heat.

What's a girl to do? I'm strangely torn about running this race. All suggestions welcome...

-B

Just Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuunning in the Rain....

When my alarm went off this morning I could hear the rain pouring down. I stared at the ceiling and hoped for thunder and lightning (such conditions cancel training). It's not that I didn't want to run today...I just really wanted to stay in bed and sleep. I've had an exhausting week and been on the verge of a breakdown from all the stress (the upcoming weeks aren't going to be much better I fear). Friday night I got home from work and just lost it. It wasn't pretty. So when the alarm on my phone blared this morning after a short 6 hours of sleep, I was not a happy camper.

Somehow I pulled myself out of bed, got ready and took the dog outside. Great. It was borderline monsoon conditions (at least for the 5 minutes I was outside) and of course, Phog would not do his bid'ness cause of said rain. I was soaked before I even got in the car.

After scarfing down a balance bar, we were out the door to get Taylor and headed to the Wilson St. meet up. The rain kept a handful of people from coming out, but those that were there, were ready to just get the 6 miles done. It was chilly, too...which I loved.

I joined Ma Spencer's 6/2 team and loved the pace. I'm running with them from now on. I felt it was a little bit on the slow side (12m/mi) but I know it's what I needed for starting back up. 11 and 10 minute pacers break off of the group with a bit of time. Up until mile 1.5, it was pretty rainy, but luckily it tapered off into a nice cooling mist. Somewhere along this stretch it was attack of the nasty flying bugs. Holy cow...our group felt like PigPen from the Peanuts...we'd be running through them, but it never ended...it was like they were flying along with us. Really gross! But it was funny cause everyone was flailing their arms about and doing their best not to swallow the lil buggers.

The rest of the run went something a little like this.....run 6...walk 2...run...avoid puddles...run in the grass to avoid the standing water on the running path...walk around random folks with dog...run....oh %*#(&$ that was a really big puddle...run with sloshy socks...curse the blister on the arch I felt coming on...walk a pinch...run...oh no...there's no way around this one...gotta run through it...*%(&% I picked the deepest part...walk...run...oh.my.gawd. WHY? WHY does my hip have to act up right now?!?! argh!!...run...limpish run...walk...stretch...walk....attempt to run...stretch...walk...attempt to run...curse the hip...and we're done.

The 6 miles went well. Around 5.5 the hip started acting up so I did a ton of stretching and walking the last 1/2. I forgot the Garmin, so I'm not sure what my final time was. Overall, running in the rain was not that bad. Kinda nice, actually. Not too humid at all.

There's something to be said about dirty shoes and running straight through the murky puddles. For some reason, dirty running shoes make me feel more like...well...a runner. The semi-new Mizunos aren't so new anymore. They've got a few shades of brownis- grayish muck all over them. Quite attractive...makes me look all "serious" and what not...as if to say hey this chick is running a marathon. The back of my calves were sporting lots of muck, too...took a bit to scrub it all off in the shower. There were some folks who had kicked up crap all along their back...yuck! But those were your super strong crazy runner folks...Top 100 Marathon Man....how do you do it?!

So after my hip being so...well...uh...sucky, after last week's run, coach chris told me to back off running and focus on stretching my body out. So no running for me last week. I did some stretching throughout the week and had a 1.5 mile walk to help get Mike out of a pay parking lot (which, as it turns out, he ended up not needing my help to get out of).

Thursday - 1.5 mile walk.
Saturday - 6 mile run--6/2

And I'm excited to report that 2 of my mentees with TNT have decided to sign up for "The Combo." Initially they both came to TNT with the hopes of running the Chicago Distance Classic this August. Now, not only will they do the CDC, but they will also run the full Chicago Marathon!! Way to go ladies!! :)

Alright...back to relaxing!!

-B

One Happy Jayhawk...

Woohoo!! We've got tickets to the Kansas vs. Boston College basketball game this December!! I am so excited I could do a jig :) Big shout out to my folks for this fabulous surprise (they won them in a silent auction--a former KU player was auctioning off the Mizzou tickets and my dad offered him top bid for this game). So a nice big SCORE! for Mike and I. It'll be a blast!

Today we took Phog for a nice lil' walk to the Newberry Library Park and hung out for a bit with Paco, Ceasar, Daisy and some other pups. And now we're watching the fabulous 80's flick "Dance Till Dawn" ...good times.

Congrats to everyone who completed the Rock N' Roll Marathon today out in San Diego! I'm anxiously awaiting the results online so I can...well...stalk a few of you. Heheheee.... :)

First Run with the Team...

Today was our first actual run with the team...the past two weekend's we've had a wedding and a race, and therefore, missed those group runs. It felt GREAT to be back. After all the announcements and what not, we all head out north on the path...I was doing great the first mile and a half...when I got to the 0-mile marker, I turned around and then my hip started kicking in again...giving me the same problem as it did during the Soldier Field 10...extremely tight to the point where it's painful (no fears, I'm icing it right now). The mile and a half back to our meeting point was a bit well...less than kind. I'd only let myself walk 10-20 yards at a time, so I'd interlace this with running. When I approached the meeting point for water, Coach Chris looked at my and asked why I was favoring my left side. He helped stretch me out and then suggested I only do 4 miles instead of the 5 we were scheduled to do. So around the hill and soccer fields I went...it wasn't too bad. The path was marked off for the WonderGirl 5k sponsored by Girls on the Run...so there was a bit of confusion with where folks were supposed to turn and what not (as a result, Mike and Taylor ended up doing 4 instead of 5 as well).

I finally got to meet a handful of my mentees! They're awesome and off to a great start fundraising. Plus the post-run breakfast at Zephers was realllllllllly yummy. We have to remember that place in the future. When we got home, Mike, Phog and I walked up to Starbucks and then the Newberry Library Park for some four-legged socializing. Met some of the cutest dogs, including one Boston Terrior French Bulldog Mix (who was so sweet and friendly!). Now it's an afternoon of riding the couch and icing our sore spots....

Tuesday: Bikram Yoga
Thursday: intended to run however, because of some events going on at work, I ended up working for 14 hours...and well...the run didn't happen.
Saturday: 4 miles and a 1 mile post-run walk with Phog the Wonder Dog...