Tough Run

Today I joined a few of the guys for a morning run at Fort Snelling. It was actually warmer out than I thought so I was looking to place my gloves in the pockets of my running pants. However, I came to a realization that I had my running pants on backwards since I could not find my pockets! I announced to a few of the guys that I had my pants on backwards as if I was just wanted to get it out there before any snickering began. However, I should not have said anything, because they probably would not have even noticed. I attribute this lapse in judgment and putting my pants on backwards to losing a few brain cells at my Saturday morning run.

Yesterday I went for a run in the Eagan/Apple Valley area with a few other TU runners: Anne, Pam, Carly, Janelle and Amy. We were all there to help Anne with her last 20 mile run in prep for Boston. Most of us met at Jensen Lake since we were going to run 15 of the 20 mile course Anne had planned for the run. I was excited because since I live in Apple Valley, it was a short drive; however, I also knew that the run was not going to be an easy one. This wasn’t going to be the nice, leisurely run you find on the parkways in Minneapolis/St. Paul. This run was going to be one loaded with hills. Not just little bumps like the hill between Calhoun and Harriet. We had a few that were almost a mile long. I wish I would have counted the number of times we were running either up or down hill.

Anne picked up Janelle and met the rest of us at Jensen Lake and we proceeded on our journey for the next 15 miles. Right from the start, all I could think about was how I just did not feel right and that this was going be one of those runs I just couldn’t wait to get over with. I was trying really hard not to focus on how I felt and the hills that were ahead of us. What helped me through it was the fact that I was running with some great friends who like to tell stories!

As we continued on our up and down journey, I was still feeling like crap and was doing everything I could to not think about it, but I found myself fixating on getting to the to that first water stop. Anne told us it would be at 6 miles so I kind of knew about where it would be, but it wasn’t getting to us fast enough. I was starting to get a little cranky. I finally saw a little blue cooler ahead that Kirk put out earlier for us (Thanks Kirk!) and it was like I won the lottery! I was so happy to just be able to stop for a few minutes and slam down some refreshing Gatorade!

I was content to just stay there a bit longer, but we were soon on our way. Once again, my first thought was the next water stop at Anne’s house, which would be at about 10 miles for most of us, about 15 for Anne. However, to get to that point, I also had to think about the monstrous hills ahead! The mile long hill on Diffley was daunting! I tried not to look up, but I did and immedailry became crankier. All I could think about was getting up that darn hill! Of course, you get to the top, you have a short rest and then you had another hill to deal with. This was the course we ran! There was never a reprieve from the hills! Crankiness settled in and consumed me.

We arrived at Anne’s house and I found myself smiling! The crankiness subsided as I was gulping down my nice, cool glass of water from the coolest pink glass that Anne handed me! However, it was very short lived since we were immediately out the door for our final 5 miles.

The “crankies” were back and at this point, I just wanted to get done with the run. I was feeling weak and tired and I knew that we had to finish going up about another ¾ mile long hill. As much as I wanted to finish, I also wanted to avoid that hill at the end! I was hoping Anne would steer us a different direction, but then it dawned on me, there was no other way, unless we went through the trails and that wasn’t going to happen since the trails are not quite ready yet. I just found myself consumed with thinking about the hill at the end.

I felt the pace quickening since I believe we could all smell the finish, but that also meant that flippin’ hill was quickly approaching ahead. Once we turned on Pilot Knob, you could see the enormity of it! I could sense that it was going to be a dash at the end and I did everything I could to stay with the gazelles I was running with, but my worn out body could not keep up. I just resorted to getting to the top at a pace I knew would get me there still standing. Once I got to the top, I knew it was downhill to the finish so I just fired up everything I could and started running like a mad woman down the hill. I got up to Carly and then we both dashed downward in perfect rhythm! We finally reached Anne and Amy right at the finish and I was never happier to be done with a run. WE FINISHED!!! As we all gave each other the “high five” and were telling each other what a great run it was, as I turned towards Carly, she had that look of a baby who was about to burst out into a hysterical cry! Then all of a sudden Carly blurted out “I hated that run! I mean I know it’s good for me, but I still hated that run”! I could not help but burst out in laughter since I knew at that moment exactly what she meant. That will be a moment in time I do not believe I will ever forget. I’m still laughing about it now! Thanks Carly for being so brutally honest! It was a tough run for me too!

What I have learned through my years of running is that sometimes you have those runs you absolutely hate and wish you would have stayed home and read a good book instead. However, it is the friends you run with that help you through these tough runs. I could not have made that distance on that course alone. So I say with all sincerely to my friends: THANK YOU for helping me through a very tough run. I will end by saying that we started the day supporting Anne on her 20 and to me it appeared Anne could run the entire course again. So Anne – You are ready to face the hills at Boston. We all wish you the best!

Have you met Golden Shoe Barbie?

Last fall we ran our first official race as the new Team Unattached. After the race Deb came up with the great idea of having a traveling trophy awarded to one of our team mates after each race. She dubbed it "The Golden Shoe Award" and asked for ideas for what the trophy should be.
A week later Carolyn presented us with the perfect trophy. Barbie dressed in our team colors!

Since then Barbie has been spending her time traveling between the ladies of TU. After each race the current holder of Barbie gets to make the very tough decision on who the next recipient will be. The decision is purely subjective, Barbie can go to a person with a big PR, someone who overcomes tough conditions to finish the race, someone who shows up when the team really needs them, the reasons go on and on. The only rules about awarding Golden shoe Barbie is that it must happen immediately following the race and you have to explain how you made your choice.

Congratulations to everyone on a great Human Race (see the next post for Deb's post race recap)! Keep your eyes on the blog for more info about our next race, the Earth Day half marathon.

Anne

Race Recap - The Human Race

Hello TU Runners!

We had a fabulous turnout at the Human Race this past Sunday and at the post race celebration at O’Gara’s! You all ran so impressively!!! I hope each one of you is proud of your accomplishment, and if things did not go the way you wanted, just know you are supported by your teammates and that things are OK. Racing is never an easy thing to do, but if you try and do the best you can, no matter how you feel that day, you cannot ask anymore from yourself. So hold you head high, think positively, and forge ahead! I also want to thank those who came out to watch and support us! THANK YOU!!!!!

It was awesome to see our team support for one another before, during and after the race. We were a sea of PINK! Wasn’t it awesome? I was very honored to be a part of it.

The Golden Shoe Award went to Carly Kohler for setting a huge PR!!! Congrats Carly! More importantly, I chose Carly because I happen to know personally that she has been working very hard for this race. So Carly-hats off to you!


For those new to the Golden Shoe, this award is given by the person who last received it to the person they choose at the next race. It is very subjective and it’s up to the person giving it to decide which person they want to receive the award. If you have not seen the Golden Shoe, I think Anne or I can get a picture out on the Blog.

The team results are out and I have attached the information we received from USATF below. TU took 5^th in the Open division and 4th in the Master’s Division. WAY TO GO TU!!! I'm so very proud of you all!

Next up we have the Earth Day Half Marathon in St. Cloud on April 19th. Please let Anne or myself know if you plan to run the race. Registration information is located on www.usatfmn.org.

My sincere thanks to all of you for a great kick-off to the season! I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Deb

Human Race Info

Hello TU Runners:

The 2008 USATF MN Team Circuit is about to begin! YAHOO! The first race will be the Human Race 8k this Sunday. I know a number of you have already registered, but if you have not registered, and plan to run, you can access the information by clicking on the "Human Race" link on the right side of the blog.

Please make sure you are also a member of USATF. You can get your USATF number at www.usatfmn.org.

The race start is 1:20 pm. Let’s try and meet as a team prior to the start at about 1:10 on the south side of Summit. This race usually has two start lines on Summit Ave. The women normally are on the right side as you face the road for the start so let’s try and meet at this location. The forecast is for a high of 41 degrees – partly cloudy. Perfect race conditions! For those that ran the CC circuit, I think we can get away with wearing our singlets with maybe a long sleeve underneath. I may wear longer shorts or Capri tights. We will have to see what factor the wind may play as well. For those new to the team, just look for the women in PINK!

After the race, I hope you will all join in the celebration at O-Gara’s Pub located at 164 Snelling Ave. in St. Paul. This will be a great opportunity to meet your teammates and celebrate our first race together as a team! Anne and I will talk briefly about the team and the race circuit and I will have the TU sport bras available. The cost is $18.00 if you want to purchase one (see photo below). There will also be drawings for some cool Nike Gear!!!

Please let me know if you have any questions. I’m looking forward to seeing you all Sunday!

Take care,

Deb