Big Scary Run Recap

A week later and I'm finally talking about it! Dang! Okay, everything went fine. I actually don't have anything good or bad to say about it. It was, well, 20 miles. I did the whole thing with Julie. She's got some good goals for Chicago and I ran with her as close to her training pace for Chi Town as she needed to. Thus, I'm kind of thinking about reevaluating my KC Marathon goal. I have a tortoise time of 5:25 planned. However, I'm thinking it might be possible to go under 5. Basically, after looking at my pace bracelet Julie got me, if I go one minute faster per mile than I had planned, I will come in at 4:59. I know, a minute per mile is pretty damn lofty. But, we ran a training pace for 5:00 (11:40/min miles) and I still felt okay. Here's the actual difference of the two paces (and Boston Qualifying for the Helluvit):

Today I make up yesterday's missed 10 miler. Then I have a 13 next weekend and an 8 the following. That's all, folks!

Hitler Hates Kayne

Now, I like me some Kanyzzle now and then. I still think he deserves a throat punch.

So does Hitler.
Click to watch Hitler get angggrrry at Kanye.

*The* Big Scary Run

Saturday morning has a big scary run waiting for me. Most things: distance, heat, mental weakness, I've battled before. Saturday, I battle them all.

The biggest war I've ever had in training was a run with Runner's Edge in 2007. Saturday, I will set out to conquer the course again. Here's the blog from that awful run.


Monday, October 01, 2007
Break down, break-break down…
I want to break down but don't know if I can
I need to break down but don't know if I can-Youth Brigade, Breakdown


It finally happened. I finally had it. The wall. The massive, brick and mortar, steel, barbed wire, mound in-cased fortress of a wall. I knew there was no way I could go all season without hitting it. It would be impossible. In fact, I started to worry about not climbing the mental barricade outside of a race. Well, worry no more. I had slammed head first at full throttle right on in to it.Saturday morning at 7:00 am Julie and myself (along with the rest of Runner’s Edge and Erin and Michele) started off on our run. Julie ran 2 before I met her, so she was actually going to go 22, I was going 20. No worries, I did 18 a few weeks ago and comparatively speaking, it was a breeze- we ran the whole thing. Saturday however, as we started out on the first couple miles I could tell I was working harder than usual. I felt like my effort and HR weren’t matching up, and that everyone else was going at a much easier pace. From what I understand, this could be a symptom of two things: overtraining, or under recovery. Of the two, I’m assuming that under recovery is to blame- I did just do a half ironman 2 weeks ago.The course was an odd layout at best. We started at Ward Parkway mall, went parallel to Ward Parkway, went through Waldo, Brookside, the edge of the ghetto, the Plaza, Loose Park… and then back. I still feel like I’m forgetting a section.Julie and I ran side by side for the first 10 miles; however there’s a long hill between miles 9 and 10- she put in a little distance on me there. It is awesome to see how her running has progress. I’m sure she remembers- just about a year ago Julie and I decided to run from my house, to the fire station and back. Two whole miles. I think we almost died. After our turnaround at mile 10 we had a couple other gals catch up with us. We mostly ran in a pack together as Julie and I explained IronMan and how we train for, eat during, poop when, and the feelings we have. People make you feel like a rock star, but I had to keep explain to these gals “You’re doing a marathon!! It’s the same mentality; we just do some extra training.” For whatever reason, nobody believes that.Julie and another girl or two ended up together and myself and another woman ran along together. Things were getting difficult for me and I was having a dang hard time to keep from going all-negative and dragging the other girl down. After the water stop at mile 14 I tried to run again, but I only could of a little ways. I wanted to run, but my legs were burning and my body wouldn’t listen to my mind. RUN! GO! I kept telling my self, but alas I was walking. So after so was the other gal. We marched along in silence for a long time. I kept taking little running steps every so often, but eventually I thought, Who am I kidding? I’m not running right now. The other girl had to stop to use the bathroom and I went on up ahead… Until I had to sit down. Yes, I sat down. I couldn’t continue to put one foot in front of the other. I just couldn’t do it. In fact, I was pleased with myself that I sat on a park bench, versus the intersection like I wanted to. After sitting and stretching for a minute my legs felt the burning go away, so I got up and started walking again. At this point I felt like I might actually be ok, so I started running again. Nope. I got nothing. It hurt. So, I was walking again.Once in Brookside and back on the Trolley Trail I was feeling a flush of emotions, I knew I only had 4 miles to go, and if I were running I’d be done in 50 minutes. However, I was not running. As I was moving along two older gals ran up along side of me and asked how I was doing. I just looked at them and said “fine.” One of the ladies said “Oh honey, you are not fine.” And started handing me sport beans and clif blocks. “You need something with a pep,” one told me. They asked if I had gels and sodium. I did, and was taking them like clockwork, which I believe helped to ward of the leg cramping. “We’ll stay with you for a while.” Hearing that I decided I couldn’t let these women walk too, so I jogged along side of them while they gossiped back and forth about people in their Bunko group (Ok, seriously, they were in their 60’s, and yes, they were going faster than me). At mile 17 I was walking again, and told them to go ahead. Within minutes I was sitting again. This time, on the trail, stretching, petting passersby’s’ dogs, stalling. The gal I left at the bathroom had caught back up, so I got up and walked with her. Again, we marched in silence. I could feel tears brimming in my eyes, but I felt like I needed to be strong in front of a stranger. Then I heard her sniff. I looked over and she too had tears in her eyes. Finally I said “All I want to do is go home lay on my bed and cry,” she said she thought she would right then if she could find a decent spot to lay down. My watched beeped reminding me of the time. I reached up and yanked my HRM strap off. I was over it. My HR didn’t matter to me. Forward motion did. The stranger at my side started to jog. “Come on” she whispered. I took about 10 steps in what at the moment felt as if it were a sprint. “I can’t” I said as she slipped away. She wasn’t looking back and I didn’t want her to. I didn’t want anyone to see me. Me, in my bright blue spandex shorts and butterfly tank top. This isn’t me. This is someone else in my body, someone else in my head. I’m a fighter. I claw my way through workouts, I literally scream, yell, urge myself on. Instead, I was shrinking. I felt like a fake.At just over 18 miles I came to the final aide station. I poured a cup of Gatorade, and plopped down on someone’s front steps. As I fumbled through my salt capsule pack the person picking up the RE’s stations pulled up. “You want a ride back to the mall?” I didn’t answer. I wanted to pretend I was invisible. “Hey- you want a ride?” The man asked again. I shook my head no, and opened my lips to say thanks, but I don’t believe any words would come out. In my body I was kicking and screaming yelling YES! Take me back! Please! I want out! I want to be done! I quit! I quit! I stood up, got some more water, and started to walk again. At this point, I was completely by myself. Some people were out walking, and I tried to pretend to be one of them, just moseying along, enjoy the first of fall weather (however it was over 80 degrees).It took me 30 minutes to go less than 2 miles. I simply couldn’t move any faster. As I started to walk back into the mall parking lot, head hung low, Julie pulls up. “Hey. You okay?” I actually had to smile and laugh to keep from crying. “I’m fine.” “You want a ride?” Ride. Ride? Ride! To go back!? To go the last 200 yards, by God, phuck that. I am going to drag my arse the last of the way if it kills me.I made it back into the mall to check in with Eladio and let him know I was done. “How’d it go?” he asked with a look of apprehension. “Not good, not good. I totally fell apart.” Now, the tears came. I was admitting aloud that I had a crash, that I was toasted before mile 14, and that in some aspects I had failed. He discussed in his coach-ie way how I was likely not recovered from my difficult half ironman, and that after all I would be so much stronger for pushing through and completing the miles.Which, I did do. I made all the miles. And it sucked. Bad. However as much as it sucked, I still completed every last foot under my own power.After I got into the car to drive home, my mind flooded with emotions. I was thankful I had the opportunity to push through a wall that big. While I did not run again at the end, I did keep moving. I had constant forward motion.I turned on the radio, and Tom Petty started to rock me a song about breaking down.Loudly, I sang along.
Posted: 8:45 AM
Discussed: blog, IronMan

Oouf.

0.
Zilch.
Nada.
Nothin.


Adds up to:

No bueno.

That's my last two weeks of running. Er, lack there of. My allergies got so bad that I was covered in hives and sleeping less than two hours a night. Right when I started feeling comfortable on the medication I was given, it hit me again. Doc Lady says we have to try something else. Whatevs.

I'm running tomorrow, and that's that. Itch or no itch. Hold me to this.

I only have a total of 130 possible running miles left until October 17th. Which by the happens, happens to be a bachlorette party day. ::sigh:: Marathon in the morning, party my ass off in heels because Andrea Shadrick is getting married in the evening. Well, looks like I need to start training in stillettos, huh?

My long runs are scheduled like this: 12 22 12 14 8 26.2

Yep, only TWO runs are past the half mary point. Ah!

Better get on it!

Longest Solo Run Ever (And I Pooped in a Field)

Sunday morning I ended up at work, instead of doing my 16-18mi planned run. It was storming so I wasn't too upset about it, but I know I would have to make it up Monday... AFTER work.

I was lucky enough to leave work a few hours early. That meant, at 3:30pm, I headed out on my longest run ever done by my lonesome (breaking last week's record of 14.25 on my own). It was overcast, and pleasantly cool, although quite humid from the morning storms. I kept expecting the skies to open up, but they didn't, thankfully.

My route took me south, out of Blue Springs, down 7hwy. There's a wide bike lane and shoulder, so it wasn't too sketchy to run on. Then, in Lake Lotawana, I made a right turn, onto Colbern. Colbern is 4 lanes across, no shoulder, no sidewalk. I ran on the side of the road for about 3.5 miles, then jumped on the path that basically appears from no where on the north side of Legacy Park in Lee's Summit. I continued down the trail as it went south along Blackburn Rd. I went past the LS Rec Center, reminding myself to stop there on the return trip to fill up the CamelPak and potty. I decided I was only doing 16, and right at the 8mi turnaround, my stomach dropped. I had to poop. NOW. In a beautiful residential neighborhood. Shit. Shit. Shit. Literally.
I started walking clenching my butt and waddling. Coach Lady told me cramping and stomach issues can be salt problems, so I was sure to pop an extra endurolyte. It seemed to help and I started running again. I got on the trail that looked to be the "shortcut" to the rec center.

WRONG.

About a half mile in the wrong direction, and exactly across from the rec center (on the other side of a LAKE!) I couldn't wait. I took about ten steps off the path into knee high grass, turned around in a cirle like a dog making bedding, and well. I pooped. It felt AMAZING.

Then I started back in the direction I came from. Again, I had to go off course to make it to the rec center, filled bottles, got the luxury of wiping, and started back.

At about mile 13, I looked down and realized I was only 10min of my best half marathon time (not including the pit stops, but including the near mile walk from 7.5-8.5). Nice. I was keeping it easy, and crusing pretty well.

Things turned around from 13-15. The sun was out and getting HOT. I was getting tired. I was running on the concrete road, and my knees were hurting. My calfs were tight. My back hurt. I was over Orange gatorade.

At mile 16 I picked up someones discarded, nearly full water bottle from the side of the rd. I poured it all over me. I maybe even drank a little. I know, but I was running out of liquids, FAST.

I took solace in knowing that my now death march stride was almost a minute faster than my death march of two years prior. I could stop and walk, but, then it would take LONGER until I got home. Eff that. I wanted home. NOW.

I finally arrived home just over 3 1/2hrs from when I left, arriving at 17.64mi. I guess the extra mile and change was the marathon god's way of saying to do the longest possible planned runs.

I streched and climbed into the ice bath, tears on my face, so happy to be done. Hubs asked why I do this to myself, and that it obviously isn't fun. I couldn't really answer him, but told him deep down I actually like it.

"You're ate up, honey." He said, as he went out the door to walk the dog.

I know, but I'm 18 miles stronger than the day before.

Let Me Crawl Out from Under This Rock

Hi. I'm Courtney, and I have a Blog. I need to stare in the mirror and tell myself this every morning, and maybe someday I'll set aside 10 minutes to update it.

Ok, so let's see here, what have I been doing?

Let's start somewhere back around Kansas 70.3. I had a great race, and decided to take a few weeks off to chill out. I eventually picked up on running again, trying to gear up for the Kansas City Marathon. Then I cut my achillies at the dog park, which made wearing shoes, even bandaged up and double socked, impossible. The deep cut took about two weeks to heal up enough to stand running.

Well now I'm over that. But, I seemed to keep missing (ie: Being lazy, work, having too many excuses) my long Sunday runs. About a week ago I realized I was supposed to be running 14. I did 9. 9 was impressive. Wanna know why? Because prior to my 9miler, my longest run since KS 70.3 was a 6.5 miler. Yes, I know. Roll your eyes.

So, this week I of course missed my Wednesday run. Which I actually did make up, on Thursday. Then I ran my scheduled Friday. Two days back to back. Not fun. Then a long run for Saturday. To get myself back on track, I actually did the 14 (14.85 to be exact). I felt decent, considering I didn't start until 9am, at which point it was already 80* outside. When I finished almost three hours later, it was 94*. Gah. Well, at least I can survive in the heat. Which is good, since next weekend is 16-18.

Also next weekend is a bachlorette party. At this point, the prudent thing to do is to go and not drink, and have my ass in bed before 1am. It will be an early wake up call to get my feet on the pavement. Then, we're heading to the in-laws for lunch. An hour away. This means that if we have to be there by, oh, 1:30pm, we need to leave by 12:15pm. So I need to finish my run by 11:00am in time for me to stretch, ice bath, and shower. Completing my run which will take approximately 3hr and 40 min for 18 miles (not counting a gas station pit stop to refill hydration systems) means starting by 7am. At the latest. That's getting up at 6:15am. With 5 hrs of sleep.

On second thought, I'll be home before midnight. Sigh.

Other things on the agenda:

Swimming in Moonshine 2mi Open Water Race. It's the tail end of August and will make a great camping trip. Now, if I could only get my ass in the water to do a little swimming before hand.

I Got Older:
I had a birthday last Monday. Thus, I realized that unless I decided to do another race other than the marathon, I am approaching the end of my 20-24 age group career. Wow, so strange to think that when I started at 20. I'm actually ageing up! Welcome to the fast girls, huh?

For my birthday I got a fancy new phone, and a Garmin 305. I heart them both. Oh, and I can't forget. Neon blue Asics. Yes, back to the (b)Asics. I like the Zoot Ultras, but they're really just flats, and can't support a second season, let alone a marathon. I may pull them out of retirement for sprint triathlons if I ever enter another one.

Can't shake that (ironman) feeling:
I'm still sad that I decided to back out of the Redman full. It broke my heart and as race day nears, I'm feeling like I should be getting ready. It's definitely less time consuming training for marathon only races, and it worked out better for my schedule. Now, I'm looking ahead to 2010. Will it be Cozumel or Arizona? Both are held at the end of November. This would place a 20 week countdown at the begining of July. May thru the start of August were crazy work months for me, but I've seen things taper off as I gradually got a hold of it. I'm looking forward to next summer, as I feel like I now have the tools I need to get thru both training, and work.

Congrats:
To Julie. She finished her fourth marathon over the weekend at the ET marathon outside of Vegas. Crazy thing- they start at effing midnight! She's also got Chicago coming up this year.

Come Swim With Me!

Myself and another aquatics director are hosting a masters swim meet at the Vivion Rd. YMCA on July 25th. It’s a non-sanctioned, completely for fun event. Everyone from lap swimmers to hardcore athletes like yourselves can participate. It’s going to be outdoors, in a 50 meter pool.

There are several different events in all distances, and it will be a good time all around. I’m attaching the meet entry info. All you have to do is fill it out and mail it in. J Please pass these out to your swimmers, or forward this email along.

This isn’t a huge meet, and it will be a great time to either tune up for a triathlon or just enjoy the age group summer league feeling we had when swimming as kids.

Let me know what ya think!

I can really use the help promoting this event! Thank you!!

1st Annual YMCA of Greater Kansas City
Masters Summer Sizzler
Vivion Road Family YMCA
Kansas City, Missouri
Saturday, July 25, 2009

HOSTED BY: Vivion Road Family YMCA and the YMCA of Greater Kansas City

LOCATION: Outdoor pool area at Vivion Road Family YMCA

FACILITY: POOL Outdoor 50 meter by 25-yard pool, offering 8 lanes
of long course competition.
TIMING Manual stop watch timing and back up will be used.

RULES: 2009 United States Masters Swimming rules will govern the meet.

OFFICIALS: Meet Directors : Sara Garrett and Courtney Staton


WARM-UP AND
START TIMES: Saturday morning warm-ups at 7:00am with competition beginning at 8:10 am. Indoor 25 yard short course pool will be available for warm-ups immediately before and after each event. Indoor pool will be open to YMCA patrons, please be courteous to members using the facility. All times are Central Standard Time.

SAFETY: In the interest of safety and accident prevention, spectators, coaches and swimmers are asked to observe all posted pool rules and to conduct themselves in a safe manner.

ELIGIBILITY: Swimmers are not required to be registered with USMS or YUSA Swimming. This is an open, non-sanctioned event.

ENTRIES: Swimmers may enter up to six individual events. Please note, events may be run back to back. Breaks will be given between events if time is available. Bring volunteer, receive 20% off. Volunteer must be available at warm ups and stay through entire meet.

ENTRY FEES: YMCA Members: $20 up to four events. $5.00 charge for each additional event up to six events. Community Members: $30 up to four events. $5.00 charge for each additional event up to six events.
Make checks payable to: YMCA of Greater Kansas City and mail with entry packet.

ENTRY LIMIT: Swimmers may enter a maximum of 6 events.

DECK ENTRIES: Deck entries will be accepted at the discretion of the meet directors. Deck entries will not be seeded with an entry time. Deck entries will be seeded as “NT”.

ENTRY DEADLINE: Pre-registration is due by Monday, July 6, 2009 for discounted shirt offer. Entry forms, release waiver and entry fees are due to meet director by Monday, July 20, 2009 at 8:00am. All entries received after this deadline will be deemed “Deck Entry” and may be entered with “NT.”

EVENT SHIRTS: Cost of event shirts is $6.00 with pre-registration. If registered after July 6, 2009, cost of shirt is $12.00. An order form is included with entry sheet.

MAIL ENTRIES TO: Email entries to saragarrett@kansascityymca.org
Mail to:
Vivion Road Family YMCA
ATTN: Sara Garrett, Meet Director
1101 NE 47th Street
Kansas City, MO 64116
816.453.6600

SEEDING: All events are timed finals and will be seeded according to all applicable YUSA Swimming rules. Seed times will be times entered on the entry form. Entries with no time (NT) will be seeded by random draw. Notification of scratches will be appreciated in case lanes are needed for late entries.

Events will be swam co-ed and mixed age groups for purpose of seeding. Awards will be given based on gender and age group.

The 800 Free, 400 IM and 400 Free will be seeded fast to slow and combined if necessary to expedite the meet. We reserve the right to limit any event as necessary due to the session limitations. The courses and events will be split or combined at the discretion of the meet referee in the interest of running the most efficient meet.

Times entered shall be in Long Course Meters. If no LCM time available, please refer to: http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/results/conversions.asp


SCRATCHES: All scratches should be submitted to the Clerk of Course as soon as possible to provide lanes for possible late entries.

AWARDS: Awards will be given to top three finishers in each age group category for both genders. Age groups are as follows: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 +. Awards ceremony will take place at TBA.

SCORING: There will be no team scoring.

SWIMMERS
MEETING: A swimmers meeting will be held at 8:00am prior to the start of the meet.


CONCESSIONS: There will be a concession area provided upstairs in the spectator area. Heat sheets and t-shirts will also be for sale in this area.



Order of Events
1 400m Indiv. Medley 8 100m Freestyle
2 200m Freestyle 9 100m Backstroke
3 100m Breastroke 10 50m Butterfly
4 50m Backstroke 11 200m Indiv. Medley
5 100m Butterfly 12 50m Freestyle
6 400m Freestyle 13 800m Freestyle
7 50m Breastroke





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*This Portion Must Be Detached and Included With Entry Blank For All Mailed Entries*


2009 YMCA of Greater Kansas City
Masters Summer Sizzler
Waiver and Entry Blank



Waiver

In consideration of this entry, I hereby for myself, my heirs, administrators and assigns, waive and release any and all claims against the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, Vivion Road Family YMCA, meet directors, staff, officials, and volunteers for injuries and /or expenses incurred by me at this meet or while on the road to and from this meet. I am a bona fide amateur athlete and am eligible to compete in all the events I have entered.

Signature_________________________________
Printed Name ______________________________
Date_____________________________________