#14

I'm syncing up my titles with the number of states I've run versus the number of races. This way it will be easy to tell how many races I've completed as part of my 50 by 50 in 50 goal.

Today was Texas, and my fingers are still cold! I almost didn't get here due to a big winter storm that blanketed much of the South. I made it to Baltimore but whether or not I was going to make it to Dallas was a bit iffy when I left Durham. Ended up making it into Dallas but the plane didn't make the scheduled stop in Little Rock, AK due to ice at that airport. I didn't mind the direct flight but the people that were trying to get to Little Rock weren't given the "parachute option" so had to wait until today, Saturday, to try and fly in.

I'm staying in Dallas with Amy A. the sister of my good friend Sarah T. The hospitality is much appreciated and I have the added bonus of being very close to the airport and the race site. Though she didn't order up good weather for me. We were chatting last night and I happened to looked out the window and see snow falling! Dallas wasn't supposed to get the white stuff! Luckily it didn't stick so when I got up this morning the roads were clear.

The race was done in connection with the Texas Half, a half marathon warm up for the Texas Marathon held later in the year. The course was flat and should have produced a fast time but I ended up at 32:47. I was disappointed but so it goes. The course was around White Rock Lake and the wind coming off the water was miserable. At one point my face became so numb I truly could not feel it. I did have on my new tights and appreciated the warmth. I forgot a hat so only had a small headband that covered most of my ears. Luckily Amy lent me some gloves or I don't think I would have made it. The announcer at the end said you'll always remember your coldest race - and so far this is it!!

Next weekend is the Krispy Kreme Challenge. I was telling the workers in the Starbucks store I stopped in after the race and they admitted it was crazy but sounded like fun. I'm going to concentrate on the running part of that race - see if I can get a fast two miles at the start.

Texas Training

I've been rather faithful to my training schedule these past two weeks. Except for horrible lower back pain, things are going well. Today I spent time on the elliptical, treadmill and stationary bike as well as resistance training for my arms and core. Tomorrow is my "hair salon" run. A quick 1.5 miles while mom is getting her hair done. I may run the route backwards, just to mix it up a bit. (Clarify, I'm going to reverse the route, not run facing backwards!)

I just checked last years results for the Texas race and if I ran at the same pace I did in Arizona, I would have placed second in my division in that race. I know, I know, I know, this is not about winning it is about staying committed to an exercise plan. But I can't help myself! Maybe Hank M. was right and I need to shoot for 8 minute miles! At this point that just doesn't seem possible but if I can consistently hit 31 minutes for the next few races - I'm going to start working toward breaking 30 minutes and who knows what will be next.

Race #14

“Flat and fast” have become key words for me when reading race descriptions. I know that I started this craziness with the declaration “time doesn’t matter.” Well, I’m excited to say that I am just seconds away from running 10 minute miles. My official time was 31:10 or 10:02 per mile. So close and yet so far!!! And to make this even better I was second of fourteen in my division!! This is truly the best finish yet!

I came prepared to run with my fancy-dancy new running tights but the temperature was nearly 50 degrees so opted for shorts. When the race organizer yelled “GO” to start the race, I took off at a nice pace but not crazy. I hit the one mile mark at 9:57 but hit the mile 2 marker at 21:07. I got bummed at that point and almost decided to give up the 31:00 quest however I picked up the pace instead. About this time one of the two long-legged girls I’d chased in the first mile and passed in the second mile, passed me. I knew I had to pass her again so really pushed it to get past her. I finally did and as I ran passed told her that she shouldn’t let some slow 48 year-old woman beat her! My foot literally hit the 3 mile marker at 30:00! I was so excited and the finish line was in sight so I really tried to give it everything I had but came up 10 seconds short. Oh well, another PR so I’m going to enjoy it and use it to motivate me to run another fast one in Texas.

I got into Phoenix Saturday while the entire east coast, including Florida, was in the midst of a terrible cold snap. I took advantage of the seventy degree temps and did a three mile trail walk at one of the parks that rim the Phoenix valley just to get my legs moving after the cross country flight. For those who have not been to Phoenix it is in a rather large, very flat, treeless valley with mountains surrounding it. The city, and all the various bedroom communities/cities, (Glendale, Mesa, Tempe, etc.) are laid out in an almost perfect grid of east/west and north/south streets. Easy to get around it but definitely left a bit to be desired from an aesthetic standpoint. Lots of strip malls.

After the race on Sunday I took a quick nap then headed to a Native American Arts Festival. The warm temperature and clear blue sky made it a perfect day for wandering through the artist booths and watching the performers. I did find a sculpture by a stone and bronze sculptor, Upton Ethelbah www.greyshoes.com that I so desperately wanted. The price was high but he was willing to negotiate. I walked away and hoped for a sign as to whether or not I should go back and try to find an agreeable price. As I was walking through the other displays there was a lot of turquoise jewelry and all that kept running through my head was a line from a John Prine song – “we’ll be wearing turquoise jewelry and standing in soup lines!” There was my sign, economic times just aren’t quite right to be spending big money on art. However, after I looked more closely at his brochure I saw that his studio is in Albuquerque, NM the site of one of my upcoming races!! Hmmmmm……….

Back in Florida and got to take a walk on the beach yesterday. Is 48 too old to still have a crush on a Lido Beach lifeguard? Just wondering as he’s gorgeous – electric blue eyes and wavy grey hair.

Question

A question for you real runners. Is the first mile and a half miserable no matter what your pace or skill level?

Today was a big milestone for me, I had to attempt a four mile run, with an added challenge for this fair weather runner - we had snow and ice last night. Luckily the roads were pretty clear and only one side street on my route was pretty slushy. I completed the four miles, and a little something, something at the end (no not "that" something, something!) however, did take a one minute walk just after the two mile mark. What I found interesting was that right around the one mile mark, I was hating it. My legs felt like lead, I couldn't breathe and my attitude stunk. Somewhere between the two and three mile marks I started to feel good. Then when I got to my end mark I felt like I actually might have had another half mile to a mile left in me, hence the little bit extra in the end.

I'm now intrigued enough to keep on running and anxious for next Saturdays 4.5 mile attempt. Will run that in Sarasota on what I'm sure will be completely different conditions. Mom, Dylan and I take off for the Sunshine State on Monday. I'm so ready for ten days of warmer temperatures and sunshine

NC Bonus Race

I learned an important lesson Sunday, don't run a 5K in your fancy bra and panties. Support for a woman requiring anything larger than an A cup is non-existent and chafing will occur in a "place where the sun doesn't shine."

You are probably asking, "why did Camille ran another 5K in NC?" Sunday is my slow 30 to 4o minute run day and I've been struggling with motivation. Even though this was a very good week with regard to sticking to my workout schedule, I thought maybe running with a group of people would help. It did.

I almost didn't make the race start. I got lost finding the race site, had to quickly change in the car five minutes before race time and realized at that point I'd forgotten to bring my jog bra and panties. Hence the lesson learned.

It was a nice challenging run. A lot of up hills of varying grades which gave me a much harder Sunday run than usual but I took it slow and even walked once. I think my time ended up at 35:00, but waiting for official results.

Training continues tomorrow with a three and a half mile run. I added some weight training, primarily upper body and core, into my schedule last week. Will try to do that three times a week. Not sure if it will help my running but maybe it will firm up my mid section and get rid of some of the belly flab before bikini season rolls around again!

Race #13

I had a good feeling about this race before it began, I knew it would be special. My attitude was good and I just thought I'd have fun and be able to run with my heart.

My hunch was true. I ended up with a time of 32:25 which is better than last week and I think a PR. But what made the race neat was that I did the first two miles in less than twenty minutes, which means I was hitting my current goal of a ten minute mile pace. The last mile of the race was pretty much uphill, gradual incline all the way. There were a couple times during that mile when I really wanted to walk, but I kept reminding myself that this was a race! I was hurting at the end but tried to give it a bit of a kick for the last couple blocks.

I don't think the weather was as big of a factor as I was afraid it would be. I did have on three layers of pants and four layers of tops plus a pair of socks I'd gotten at the dollar store the night before on my hands. The only part that suffered were my ears, I didn't bring a hat or headband. I think I'll get out the knitting needles when I get home and start a headband, or maybe I'll start running in one of my titty tams.

I must confess that I really didn't get to see much of Birmingham as I got in after dark and after the race just had time to shower, grab lunch and head to the airport. The snow that was so beautiful on the trees this morning is now all melted.

My next race isn't until January 9, 2010 so I've got a month to run/workout and try and get my pace faster. I know I started this and said I wasn't going to focus on time, but that very narrow streak of competitiveness in me, seems to be getting wider!

The first song on the radio when I got back into the car was John Fogerty's "Centerfield" - "put me in coach, I'm ready to play today!"

Race morning

OMGosh! I woke up early this morning and first looked out the window without my glasses on and saw puddles in the parking lot. A little bit later I looked out again, with my glasses on, and saw SNOW on the ground and trees! I was not prepared for this. I was expecting temperatures in the low 40's and totally didn't see the forecast for snow. There is still another two hours before the actual race starts so it could warm up by them. Either way, this is going to be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to a great run.