Friday, July 3, 2009

I'm Here, and still running

Kari and I knew that this blogging thing would take a slight back seat once the marathon was over. I am sad that she and I no longer have a common goal, thus, the banter isn't as exciting (at least for those of you who found our road to Paris exciting.)

I finished my last day of work last Friday and promptly hopped into the car headed for Jamestown/Williamsburg, Virginia. Several years back, a very close friend and his family packed up and moved south. This friend of ours was the best man in our wedding and the guitar player in our band for about 15 years. He continues to be my husband's best friend, despite the distance. It was absolutely wonderful to spend time with him and his family. The last time Justin and I were in Virginia visiting our friends, I had not yet rediscovered my passion for running. This time, I was happy to find that our friend's new house was located directly on quite a system of running trails. I knew that last Sunday was going to be very very hot and humid, so I knew I needed to get an early start. Having checked the map the night before, I had a rough idea of where to point my running shoes at 7am. After about 10 minutes of running, I was already off course, but continued anyway. I am sure that I was trespassing, but before I knew it, I ended up on the Colonial Parkway and Jamestown Settlement. (insert US history lesson: Jamestonw was the first successful English Colony in the New World. It is the birthplace of our European-based heritage. Quite an impressive place to visit.) As I was running in the humidity, I was constantly wondering how the early English settlers could have possibly survived the same heat and humidity. Surely, they had to do an awful amount of physical labor to maintain their settlement. While I ran nearly 9 miles, and sweat my ever-loving-ass off, I couldn't get the Jamestown settlers out of my mind. I ran out the Colonial Parkway, until I was certain that I would be able to take a left, left, right and home. It was a good thing that I asked directions from a very nice lady who was running by. If I had continued, I would have plotted the next Jamestown Marathon - no possible way to end up home by taking a left, left and right.....ooopps. So, this lady ran with me until I was sure that I knew my way back. I found the trails behind the house and made my way back to our friend's house. I am so glad that I don't live in that humidity - there would be no marathon training for this marathoner, that is for sure.

Our family said our goodbyes and headed next to Washington, DC. The best part of this trip was watching my two young children experience their first hotel room. They loved our hotel. Again, the humidity was just cripling - I couldn't bring myself to get a run in while we were in DC - I justified it by saying that we got a lot of walking in (Air and Space Museum and the National Zoo.)

Today, I managed a nice 11 mile run but still feel like I've been lagging in my training. I should have been able to do a full 15 miles by this time in my training regimin, but I couldn't imagine going one step farther.

I finally bought a new pair of running shoes. I actually did the whole FLEET FEET fitting, etc. No shocker here that I have been running in shoes that are way too small for me. My usual 9.5 saucony running shoes are officially traded-in for an upgraded size 11 model. My feet will thank me, I am sure. I am only fearful of blisters caused by the larger shoes - I'll let you all know tomorrow. I have to get out and do 9 miles tomorrow (time to play catch-up.)

On a different note, I will be running the 15k Boilermaker in Utica, NY this coming weekend. It is supposed to be the greatest race to a beer tent in the greater New England area. I can't wait to run this with my LimaRuss friend and his contingency of Lima friends (who I had the chance to train with last week.) I have even talked my husband into running the 5k - YAY JUSTIN!!!!!

On that note - I'm outta here. I miss you all and miss our blog. There are good things in store for the two of us (Kari and I) you just have to trust us as we finalize our new plan.......

7 comments:

  1. Hey, thanks for the mention in the blog. You will love your new bigger shoes! I thought they were crazy when the put 11.5 shoes on me also. I have always been a 10 or 10.5. In all my running I have never had a blister. I even where the $4 runners socks from Walmart. They tried to sell me a $10 pair at Fleet Feet. I'm sticking with what works!

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  2. I am recalling a clown shoe blog from the past...seems like Ronald Mcdonald has some neww competition!

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  3. Go, Laura!

    My friend Ann has us training for a 10K in August, in Wooster. It will be fun!

    Glad you are back on the blog. I've missed you!

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  4. Ronald McDonald may have to make a trip to Wooster to run in August.....I see a read and yellow running skort in my future.

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  5. It's great to hear from you :) My husband travelled to Virginia and DC recently for a business trip. He managed to get very lost running a 30k in the forest...he said the humidity was hard but the scenery was gorgeous and so green

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  6. The Wooster 10K is August 22 -- here's the info:

    What: Heart & Sole Community Walk/Run, Presented by Buehler's Fresh Foods - All proceeds to benefit United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties

    When: Saturday, August 22, 2009 - Please note the new date !

    Registration starts: 6:30 a.m.
    1/2 Marathon start: 7:30 a.m.
    5K, 10K start: 8:00 a.m.
    Pump & Run start: Weigh-in & Lift 6:30 a.m. - 7:45 a.m., 5K starts at 8:00 a.m.

    Where: Start & Finish Line is at the corner of North St. & Market St., Wooster 144 N. Market St.
    Wooster, OH 44691

    Details: Buehler's Fresh Foods, in conjunction with The Daily Record, The College of Wooster, Wooster Community Hospital, Wooster YMCA and Zephyrs Gym are proud to sponsor the 5th Annual Heart & Sole Community Walk/Run to benefit United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties. To register, visit www.ohiochallengeseries.com or call InfoLink at (330) 263-6363 for a race registration form.

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  7. I have a bad feeling that I have something to do around here on the 22nd, but if I can make it work, I'll be there. Funny thing is the gentleman who is coming from Cali to run the Rochester Marathon with me sent his daughter to Wooster for College (Go Scots!) I loved my time at that school. We'll see what happens.

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