Glorious, Victorious!

Drunk last night,
Drunk the night before,
And I'm gonna get drunk tonight,
Like I've never been drunk before!
And when I'm drunk,
I'm as happy as can be,
'Cause I am a member of the Hash family.

Singing Glorious, Victorious!
Hey!!!
One keg of beer for the four of us.
Singing Glory be to God that there are no more of us,
'Cause one of us could drink it all alone,
Damn near, pass the beer, to the rear, of the Hash House.

Beer, beer, beer, beer
Beer, beer, beer, beer
Drunk last night
Drunk the night before
Gonna get drunk tonight
Like I've never been drunk before
Cause when I'm drunk I'm as happy as can be
Cause we're all part of the Hash House family

Oh, the Hash family,
Is the best family,
To ever come over,
From the old country.
There's the High Hash Drunks
There's the Low Hash Drunks
There's the Asian Drunks
And the other damn drunks

Singing Glorious, Victorious!
Hey!!!
One keg of beer for the four of us.
Singing Glory be to God that there are no more of us,
'Cause one of us could drink it all alone,
Damn near, pass the beer, to the rear, of the Hash House.

Now I Know

I thought running was just running and training was everything you did without wearing an official race bib, I thought wrong. There are so many fancy running terms and types of workouts and it all seems like another language. So today I gave myself a little vocabulary lesson...

5k- 3.1 miles
8k- 4.97 miles
10k- 6.2 miles
half marathon- 13.1 miles
marathon- 26.2 miles
ultramarathong- greater than 26.2 miles, typically 50k+

Fartlek- Is apperently interval work that is unstructured, meaning based on what the runner is feeling. Used in a sentence I imagine proper use would be: Everytime I run, I fartlek.

Intervals- A predetermined distance that is ran at a fast pace with walking in between. Used in a sentence: When doing 4x800, I always dread the last one.

PR- Personal Record or Personal Best. Used in a sentence: My PR is much slower that his PR.

PW- Personal Worst. Used in a sentence: If this is my first race of this distance I don't have to record it as a PW, because it is also a PR!

Recovery run- a slow to moderate run used to recover sore muscles after a harder workout. Used in a sentence: That 5k was not a PW, it was a recovery run from my training run.

Road race- a race run mostly on concrete. Used in a sentence: They found the one road leading up the side of this mountain to have a race on.

Training run- any run used to reach a goal. Used in a sentence: Don't record that time, this is just a training run!

Runner's High- the feeling of euphoria some runners experience due to endorphins. Used in a sentence: I am going to take a recovery nap while I wait for my runner's high to kick in.

Second wind- the feeling of more energy and less effort after around 20-30 minutes of running. Used in a sentence: I didn't even get my second wind on that 5k.

Tempo run- used to increase lactic threshold, typically 15-30 minutes of high speed running. Used in a sentence: I wish my hamstrings could hear the tempo in this beat.

Wall- the state of exhaustion felt when the body has drained its glycogen stores, usually occurs around mile 20 of a marathon. Used in a sentence: I slammed face first into the wall at mile 23.

Quit- a word not in a runner's vocabulary. Used in a sentence: I may have had to crawl, but I finished!

Now I know.

"The finish line is just the beginning of a whole new race"

The World Didn't End...

 

12.21.12 , the day the world was to end (and much to my dismay, did not) Brandon, Cobb, Marissa, Niko, and I lined up on the track at Stout Gym promptly at 1900 to begin the 12 Hour Endurance Challenge (which seemed like a much better idea when we planned it a month ago when it wasn't even jacket weather yet!). It was a brisk 48 degrees, but were all hopped up on adrenaline and excitement we didn't seem to notice the chill and busily set up camp, distributed the bibs, and chatted about our goals while we lubed up our thighs and changed into our running shoes.

Resolving that we were all that would show, we decided to toe the line. At 1903, the sound of the space gun keychain (bew, bew) announced our official start and we were off! Brandon, Cobb, and I stayed together for the first 4 laps, mile one complete! We made a mark on our bib with a Sharpie (the way we would denote each mile of our challenge) and each began our plan to conquer our goals.
About a half hour in Cyn and Bri showed up to run. At an hour in Debby and Regina showed up just to cheer us on, it was too cold to stand around and they quickly left.

Two hours in and the gym closed for the night. Fortunately, they remembered us, and the stadium lights continued to burn bright. Scott showed up, set up camp and joined the run. I rounded 11 miles and took my first break. I decided it was a good time for a sandwich and a beer. Bad idea; I got so nauseous, I required a longer break and ended up taking a 40 minute nap right there on the football field at the start line. At 35 degrees it was difficult, but it made me feel good enough to continue on. I continued my regimen of 2 miles at a 10 min mile pace, followed by walking one lap; I knocked out another 8 miles, easy and decided it was time for break number two and enjoyed another snack, which left me even more nauseous.

Around 11 pm, we were four hours in and Cyn and Bri called it quits and headed home, each completing a half marathon. It was getting ever colder, by now the rest of us were huddled in at least 3 layers and had broken out the balaclavas to keep warm, even while running, and huddling in sleeping bags and extra jacket when we weren't.

Around midnight Cobb, Marissa, and Niko made the decision to head home. I was burping up vomit and had slowed to a walk. I was struggling to reach 20 miles. Brandon was trotting along merrily, easily rounding 22 miles. At 1am Butters showed up, lagged fresh from the airport. He changed into his running gear and joined Scott, Brandon, and I on the track. Around 2 am, Scott called it a night, after running 15 miles and headed home to get warm.

3 am, I was struggling, I felt awful and it was below freezing. Butters and Brandon added another layer and trotted on. I took a break and accidentally fell asleep only to be woken almost an hour later. I was so cold I went to the car for a few minutes to thaw out.

At 4 am, Butters called it a night and headed back to Las Crucas. Brandon ran on; never losing his pace, maintaining his 4 miles an hour and still getting a 10-15 minute snack/bathroom break at the end of every hour. I got back on the track and walked along, finally reaching marathon distance at almost 5:30. Since I was no longer running, I made myself useful and broke down camp and packed up the car, while Brandon continued to run.

Just after 6:30 I reached 27.25 and decided to call it a night. I cheered Brandon on from the sidelines as the sun came up and he kept running. At a quarter to 7, he rounded his last lap and sprinted out the last 100m. When he crossed the lap line for the 200th time, he collapsed, having just completed FIFTY miles in just under twelve hours!!!

We crawled in the car and cruised to Denny's where Brandon inhaled a bacon cheese burger and we began the defrost process.

If you had asked me a year ago if I wanted to go run for 12 hours, I wouldn't have even wasted a laugh at the thought, and now I help plan and coordinate such gross affairs. If you had told me that we were going to run marathon plus distances without losing momentum, I would have said you were nuts, and yet here we go. If Brandon would have said he wanted to run 50 miles, I would have questioned his mental stability, and now here I am, his biggest cheerleader. I have seen it happen, and now I KNOW, nothing is impossible if you try!

"Just put one foot in front of the other..."


"One cannot fully understand the limits of their physical potential until they discover an extraordinary boundary, then push past it." ~ Eight Millimeter

Priceless

If anyone ever said that running in an inexpensive hobby, they lied.

I don't pay to run 5k's anymore and try as might to find free races, there aren't many. But I find motivation in a bib number and those aren't free. They cost weeks of working, my hard earned money, and miles of trail; for that particular race that number is who I am. It is a jumbled random selection representing the miles of training runs, the seconds counting against my time chip, the comparison of PR to goal, and the stats about my age and wave. Right now it is just a random number, but when I cross the finish it will be my recorded time, my place in the crowd, the number of the next chapter in my race book, a new PR... or step closer to it (or as with the MCM, a PW, calculating room for improvement). There is no price one can put on the thrill of the race, the experience on trail, the proof of continuous forward motion; and that makes these bibs priceless....
Or at least that's the rationale I use for raping my bank account!

Last night I registered for all my big Spring races... El Paso Marathon $80, Phoenix Marathon $95, Bataan Death March $85, Boston Marathon $300, and the Jemez 50k $65. This doesn't cover cost of travel, lodging, food, or sneakers. Sure, I could stick to the free kind of running on the trails or stick to the MWR events on post, but when I die with a full savings account, what will I say I did with my life? What will I have brne training for? I pay it because I can, I pay it because it's worth it, but mostly (like most others) I pay it for the experience and the bragging rights!

"I'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate"

500

Welcome to Bravo Company.
To earn the Iron Bulldog t-shirt you have to doing something physically challenging. Too easy.
To earn the 500 t-shirt, you have to meet the challenge. You must keep a log of the push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and dips you do, as well as the miles ran. Once you reach 500 in each of those categories, yo turn the log into the commander and he determines if it meets the requirements. If so, you will be awarded the 500 Challenge t-shirt.

Challenge accepted, sir.


"This isn't about instant gratification. You have to work hard for it, sweat for it, give up sleeping in for it"

World Ending Midnight Run

Brandon, in his post run endorphin high, concocted this crazy trail plan to run for a solid twelve hours.... consecutively!! His rationale? (I think it's a sadomasochistic fetish that he doesn't want to divulge), "we need to practice being on out feet, when we are tired for hours (or worlds) on end." I should have known he was not kidding and is not the hypothetical type of guy. We ran the idea by Cobb and he couldn't have agreed more. So the idea evolved to plan and an official event was created. The logistics were worked out and the race was set for Dooms Day Eve.

On Friday December 21, we (being an extremely small number since even the half minds we invited can't see the logic or rationality in it) will gather at Stout track to begin running at 1900. We will continue to run until 0700 on Saturday, December 22 (or until the world ends, whichever occurs first, and I'll admit I am hoping the world ends...). My goal for this terrible occasion is 40 miles. I am hoping for more, but trying to be realistic. We are completely under trained for this and taking the advise of a man who runs half marathons over a mountain with a tire strapped to his back!!!

My strategy? Hmm, we'll I'm taking my music (duh), a change of shoes and a change of clothes. I am bringing beer and Goober for sandwich breaks. I plan to run three miles at marathon pace and walk a half. When I reach 30 miles I plan to take a two hour nap, a few shots of tequila and stretch, then continue on until either the world ends or I astonish myself by surviving the twelve hours. At which point there will be giant bacon cheeseburger consumption, beer guzzling, blog posting, text/Facebook/phone call gloating, a hot shower, and sleeping away Saturday. It is a four day weekend, with plenty of recovery/hibernation time, I have no intentions of "taking it easy."

I really can't think of a better way to watch the world end than drinking beer with my craziest friends and running until we die.
Bring it on!!

"If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?"

Holiday Motivation

This week I started my new job at the donor center. Second day on the job and I'm chit chatting with my new Soldiers, one of whom has set the goal to run the El Paso Marathon. It will be his first. As a green runner he has found a training plan and sticks to it religiously, hoping not to hit that slightly metaphorical, but very real, wall. I am excited that he is excited and envious of his naive approach. I am excited to watch this play out. I know he will do well if he sticks to it.
I was chatting with them and it becomes apparent that they are looking to me for advise from a seasoned runner and that makes me nervous. I don't have good running habits. I don't eat or drink what I should, I don't train for races. I don't hydrate (I usually drink beer on trail!) and I don't carry anything with me or stretch. I am the worst runner for a newbie to look up to. But I tell them what I think will benefit them, you know what I know I SHOULD be doing! They are inspired, so inspired that the three of then leave work and go to register for the Holiday 8k.

2 Days Later....

The Holiday 8k, not my proudest race, but my first real run since Marine Corp at the end of October. I was only 3 minutes behind my PR of 42:37. It felt awful, nothing hurt, but I could feel the lack of training. Time to amp it up! How can I keep up my Soldier's motivation if I am last in the pack?! Only 9 weeks left until the next marathon!

 

"Failures do what is tension relieving while winners do what is goal achieving"

Under the Full Moon

Last night was the Lunar Eclipse Full Moon Hash and I ran the entire thing! It felt awesome, I regained my place at the front of the pack and just frollicked about! I'm back fishes!

"Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by those who were not smart enough to know they were impossible"

Slow start

Recovering from minor surgery has taken longer than I would like. The bouncing from running has hurt more than I care to endure, so instead, I have been taking up alternative forms of cardio including channel surfing, web browsing, window shopping and other various things that one can do without exerting much effort. I braved the stair stepper, the stationary bike, and attempted the elliptical (which did not go so well), but nothing feeds the spirit like running.

I jogged as much as I could at hash on Friday night, which was awful. I tried again on Sunday, which was less terrible, not yet comfortable, but doable, so I did. Then yesterday I went to the gym at the worst possible time, the only cardio machine open was a single treadmill. I hopped on to do what I could and just like any other encounter with the treadmill, I went all out. It felt good! I did 1.3 mi in 10:36 with the first mile in 7:24.

I didn't feel great, and I'm passing on the half marathon this weekend, but I'm back in the game!!

"There's something incredible about setting a goal beyond your current abilities, where some people are afraid of failure, I'm excited to see if I can meet the challenge" ~ Susan Lacke

Pick up the Pace

So I've got the distance, Twenty-Six point Two miles doesn't scare me anymore. But as with any race, now that I got the distance, how do I get the TIME?!? I will not, nay, CANNOT run a 5 hour marathon in Boston! My head is not so far in the clouds that I think that I can get to a 3:30:00 in the next 5 months, but I don't think a 4:30.... 4:15 is too far of a reach. But how..........

"All limitations are self imposed"

Out of the Game

Here I was moping about because I had minor surgery and its been almost 2 weeks since I have been on trail. I was thinking about how I feel like I don't qualify as a runner anymore and I should probably pack up my numbers and delete my blog (okay, I get a little dramatic when I'm moping) and then I had a thought I think it DOES make me a runner that I am so bummed that I can't run! I have been tired and grouchy and all my joints hurt. I haven't been sleeping well and my resting heart rate is creeping back up (it was 55 yesterday). Seems like it might be a little unrealistic that I will have to start over from scratch when I am able to start back up again, but it sure feels that way. I can feel the fat piling on my hips and my muscles atrophying!! I can't even weight lift or swim in the mean time. I could probably go bike, but its the sitting that hurts the most. So here I go moping along...

I had a nurse last week tell me that there is no benefit to running because walking burns the same calories, it seemed futile to attempt to have her believe any different. Then she referred me to my Primary Care Doctor because my resting heart rate was 44.

Then yesterday, while selling snacks to raise money for the charity, a chaplain comes over and asks me why I run and proceeds to tell me that one day I am going to have to stop running from what hurts and face life. He said that long distance runners lack spirit because the run from their problems and only run as an alternate form of therapy because they can't face the truth. He said that they are junkies like all the other addicts, addicted to endorphins.

Then I had an old guy telling me (almost in tears) how when he was in the Army he was on the post Ten Miler team and it was the highlight of his life. Running gave him purpose and that in the last six years since he got cancer and can't run, his life lacks purpose and drive.

Then today, I got a package in the mail from Brandon from the Respite Center with a bunch of information from the Boston Marathon and the Respite Center. It got me all pumped up and I wish I could be running now.......

"Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up" ~ Dean Karnazes

Open Mouth, Insert Asic

Perhaps I spoke out of turn, Runner's World. Perhaps you do know more than me about running. Doesn't mean I'm going to take all the advise....

I have decided perhaps I shouldn't write my letter to the editor because, although I have survived the last month's runs, I am not without consequence. My hips have been killing me since last weekend. Standing, sitting, walking, whatever. Running is murder. I tried to go on a run yesterday and broke down. There are new pains in my injured knee that scare me.

You win this round, Runner's World, but round two will be mine!!

"If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?"

the daily mile challenge

For 2013, I have made a challenge with myself. Every single day, all 365 of 2013, I will run at least one mile. Be it on trail, treadmill, or whatever, be it fast, slow, or a recovery jog, I am challenging myself to run 365 miles next year, spread 1 mile over each day.

Challenge Accepted!

2 Marathons, 1 Week!

 

Yesterday I ran the Fort Bliss Marathon, I did the Galloway method and walked a minute at each mile, starting at mile 4, I ended up cutting 40 minutes off of last week's Marine Corps Marathon for a time of 5:15! I felt great. Today I am sore, what I would expect is  an appropriate amount for running two marathons in one week.
I won the gold medal for females for my age group. I don't think it counts because I was only one of two females to even finish the marathon and I was the only one in my age group...



8mm finished in 4:22!! Almost 50 minutes quicker than the San Fran Marathon, this was his second, he did the Galloway method too!



Marathons are getting easier!!
So many benefits...
I feel thinner
My legs feel stronger
I am officially a marathoner!

"I don't stop when I'm tired, I stop when I'm finished"

Recovery Run

They hurricane may have let us be long enought to run the marathon, but it has us all trapped here in DC!
Less than 48 hours after the marathon, I'm itching to run again. Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, I'm stuck inside. I like running in the rain as much as the next guy, but she's pretty intense. So, I wandered down to the excersise room here at the Hyatt, 3 treadmills, none in use. I hopped on, set it to an easy 7.4 and took off. 1.5 miles in I was feeling sore, but a lot better. My hip is still bothering me, so I called it quits at 2 miles flat.
I may regret this at mile 21, but I'm in for running the Ft Bliss Marathon this Saturday come hell or high water (I mean, it's Ft Bliss, the water can't get as high as DC in a hurricane, can it?!).

Personal Worst

 

 

Yesterday I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in our Nation's Capital. What a wonderful race it was. From the motivation and organization at the packet-pickup/expo to the motivation and support on trail. Hurricane Sandy came strolling into the east coast late Satruday night, it was supposed to pour on the race, but luckily, it held out untill shortly after the run. At the start line there was the plane demonstration by the Marines, the singing of the National Anthem, and the shooting of the howitzer, it was wonderful energy, all the way around.

 

Cums-a-Latte, her offspring, and I ran th race. All along there was entertainment and support, it was fantastic. It was cloudy and chilly, perfect for running. A beautiful fall, pre-hurricane morning in DC. We ran past all the monuments. There were so many supporters with signs -uh, oh, tangent...           
      I don't really think that the people who hold the signs at the long race in support will ever fully understand what they offer the runners. They keep me moving. They make me laugh, they remind me that I am not alone on trail! A few of my favorites from this trail "If Britney Spears could surive 2007, you can survive 26.2" "Chuck Norris never ran a marathon" "I've been training 6 months to hold this sign" "With no long run next Saturday, that means more Friday night sex!" "Yeah, you guys may be tired, but we're tired AND hungry!" and "Run! Hurricane Sandy is right behind you!" Thank you everyone who held the signs and supported us along the way, it means more than you will ever know!
     off tangent- I was doing awesome, staying right on course with a solid 10 min/mile pace. I tried out the method of walking a minute at each water stop after mile 10, I was feeling awesome, crossed the 30k mark at 3:33, right on track for a 4:30 marathon, a personal PR. Then I saw the 23 mile sign and something in my right hip popped. It almost tripped me, the pain was increadible. I could hardly even walk, let alone run. I hobbled to mile 24 when I found some hashers and took a 15 minute beer/stretch break. I tried so hard to run, but my hip was stabbing me. I hobbled to the finish for a 5:53, which was a PW (personal worst) by almost an hour for me. I was so bummed, I didn't even want to accept the medal at the end.

I have the most supportive running partner/boyfiend in the world who helped remind me that I set out to do 26.2 miles and that is what I did. All my non-runner friends are proud/impressed. I can't feel my feet and my hip still hurts, but otherwise I'm well and I'm glad I finished.

     

I was debating sitting next weekend out, but after setting a PW this weekend, that is not an option!



"Push yourself, no one else is going to do it for you"

Out with the Old, in with the New!

Today I retired me Spiras. They have been supportive this last year, I have run every race in them and done all my longer training runs in them, 2 marathons, 2 half marathons, the Army Ten Miler qualifier, the Army Ten Miler, and dozens of shorter races. I wore them right out of the box to the El Paso Marathon.

I bought the Asics Gel Kayano 18. These are the same shoes I wore right out of the box to the 45/50 Marathon in 06. I have had 2 pairs of these in the past, I know they are good shoes. They are heavier than I like, but I went for a break in run and my feet don't hurt. I will put about 15 miles on them prior to the marathon this weekend, but they will have to carry me thru 2 marathons within 1 week!

"4. Remember the 'rest day' and keep it holy."

I'm tired, Guess I'll go home now

The 28th annual Army Ten Miler in our nation's capital was today. Early morning, I drove to the parking station for the Metro. I met a guy who was running the same race, trying to figure out the DC public transportation as well. We chatted about the race, he too will be doing the Marine Corps Marathon next weekend, although he had much higher hopes about today. Once we arrived at the Pentagon, absolute chaos ensued. People everywhere! I had to pee, lucky for me there were about 100 Porta Johns (no exageration!), I dropped my jacket off at the garment check (first time I have ever used the garment check and I was nervous about it. I went to the holding area for my wave, ran into (yes, literally) none other than Munch McKoochie.

It was cold, and about an hour to race start. I had checked my jacket, so it was a long hour of attempting to stay warm and attempt to enjoy the awkward situation of old friends. The sun came up and finally the colors were presented and the worst rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was sung. Then the cannons announcing the start of wave 1. Then, like cattle, we were herded to the start line. Our cannon went off, it was 5 more minutes before crowd thinned enough to actually start jogging (yes, that's a silent j, as it never allowed more than a 10 minute mile). The race went all around the monuments, down the middle of Nation's Mall, the crowds were so thick, it was hard to enjoy the sights.

The rules stated that there were no phones, music, or headphones allowed, so it was a long 10 minute mile, 10 miles alone with my thoughts. About mile 6, I was thinking about all the upcoming races and began thinking about why I run and it was kind of stressful. When people know you run, they expect you to go longer, faster. When you go to races, you spend all this money to fly across the country and run with tens of thousands of strangers, and there really is no way to get a good PR in the middle of a crowd that big. I found myself wishing I was back at Ft Bliss, running 10 miles on a trail with 8mm. I wouldn't have had to come all the way to DC, or take the metro, or battle the crowds or drive 40 minutes to get back home; I'd have coffee and a burger at Denny's with my love and take a shower and a nap right next to him. I had a true Forest Gump moment and thought well, I'm tired. Guess I'll go home now.

I wish I could say this story has a happy ending. I wish I could say that in a moment of clarity I found meaning in it all and found my purpose in running. I used to run for therapy, to keep my top from becomming muffin-like. I wish I could say that today was a magical experience, that I'll come back every year, but to be honest, I was more dissapointed with it. I can only hope that next weekend, it will only be the serious runners, and my music will keep my mind from wondering so far.
I have not lost my love of running, just need to find my own rhythm again.

"Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it" ~ Bill Cosby

In Flight Entertainment

What I have been training for is finally here! I am en route to DC, the Army Ten Miler is in 48 hours, the Marine Corps Marathon in 7 days. I am nervous and pumped up. Neither do I intend to set a PR on. I want to finish and have the experience (okay an maybe the medal and t shirt #SwagStyle) and most importantly not hurt myself. I'm going to listen to my body more than I ever have before.

To get in the mood, I bought my favorite in flight reading material, Runners World. The title article is  "Do you run too much? Or too little?" In creeps the doubt.... As I read it has suggested mileage for different events, suggestions for serious training and tapering off, none of which I have done. Another article suggests doing two marathons a year, with 6 months between... less doubt, more anxiety. This weekend will be number 3 for the year with number 4 the following week. It also suggests if you are going to do back to back 1/2 marathons to do it at least 2 weeks apart, for fulls, allow 8-12 weeks. Reflecting on my fall race schedule shows the complete opposite. 5 weeks: 21 miler, half marathon, ten miler, marathon, marathon; respectively. What would the editors of Runners World have to say about that? What would they say if they knew it is 6 months to Boston and before I get there I will be running 4 more marathons and a 20 mile leg of an ultra? I think I will write them and find out.....

"It's my soul that keeps me running, My body told me to quit a couple miles ago..."

Gotta get up to go down

Yesterday was the TransMountain Challenge Half Marathon. Oh, what did I think of the trail? It sucked.

It was 1 nice flat mile to the base of the mountain, then 6 miles up and 6 miles down, at an 8% grade. I'm not sure really  what an 8% grade is, all I know is if large trucks should be concerned about it, perhaps running it wasn't the brightest idea. It wasn't really the climb that got me, I kept a nice even pace the first four miles, didn't even really notice the 1500 foot climb. What I did notice was the wind I was running into. I was literally blown into the guard rail twice it was so strong. It was cold, which actually provided a relieving running temperature for El Paso, but the wind was ruthless.

It took me a full 2.5 hours to complete that race and I have never been so happy to see the sunshine than on that decent.
Cobb dragged his damn tire the entire way and came in just over 3 hours. What a maniac!!

The best part about this race was the turn out. All Aboard, Hana, Bree, Cyn, Scott, Cobb, Butters and I all ran it and waiting at the finish line with a cooler of beer was Brandon, Matty, Squirts, and Allison. It was also a beautiful view, we started in the dark and watched the sun rise as we climbed that mountain.

As I was standing at the start line, shivering in the line for the Porta Johns, I was watching all the runners stretching and taping thier muscles and eating goo packets. I saw them clipping on their hydration belts and setting thier podometers and putting on body glide. I began to wonder of my simple technique of get up and go, was lacking somehow. Would I be a better runner if I wore those silly running shirts or taped my knee or limbered up before hand? Should I carry stuff on trail? I passed some of those people and some of those people passed me. I concluded, for now, that I am going to keep on keeping on the only way I know how... to just go!

Repeat after me, 'I can do this!'

BOSTON or bust!

So it's official! I paid my $300 rego, I am heading to Boston for the 2013 Marathon!!

Wakes Me and PR from the hash hooked my up with thier charity group, the Michael Lisnow Respite Center, I just have to raise $4000.oo to go. I set up my account and have bee spreading the word, 1 week in and I have raised $380.oo! I was prepared to pay the entire amount myself.
What a wonderful charity and what an amazing opportunity. Running the Boston Marathon is a lifelong dream of mine, I would pay TEN thousand to run it. I feel incredibly honored to have this spot. I am more motivated than ever now that I know others are counting on me. How incredible would it be to qualify for Boston, IN Boston!?

To up the awesome, the Rays are playing at Fenway Park the entire weekend! You bet your ass I'm going!
I already bought the travel guide and put in my leave. I am beyond excited!!

My biggest challenge in all this is going to be raising the money. Not that I don't know enough people willing to donate (and we all know I am not short on knowing people with money to spare!!), but I have never been good at asking for help. I hate asking people for money, good cause or not. So I am enlisting some advise from others. Brandon suggested asking the MWR or corporate sponsors. V Voyage suggested hosting a dining out at MacAdoos or another race to raise money. I have put out the website to all my co-workers and on FaceBook. Mom said she was gonna put the site out to her co-workers and on FaceBook. She also said she would ask the Women of the Moose. I got a ceramic piggy bank for my office. I don't think raising the money is the issue, I just have to get over myself and ask.

This is probably one of the coolest things I have ever gotten the opportunity to do, I must have done something right to deserve this!!


http://www.razoo.com/story/Rene-Headley

Boston or Bust!

Juggz' Vagtastic 35,657m Cum R*n

This weekend something amazing happend!
With marathon season quickly approaching, V Voyage and I hosted a friendly 21 mile race. We made t-shirts, race bibs, water points, the whole 9 yards (36k m, rather). We had 13 runners show up and 8 support! We had 3 people biking the trail helping to motivate the runners and help ensure safety. The water points were every 4 miles (ish). It was a 10.5 mile turn around. We had most of the group turn around at the first water point (to make it an 8.5 mile run) and 3 stop and the water point after the turn around to make it a half marathon. We had 3 finishers for the whole 21.2 miles... Me, my boo, and Bree.
I was overwhelmed by the turnout and the support. We raised over $250! There wasn't any profit as we speant money to make the tshirts and stock the water points, but I really thought I'd have to eat that cost. It was incredible. Never, in two decades, would I have thought I would find people just as crazy as me to get up at 0500 on a Saturday morning of a 3 day weekend to go run 21 miles!
It's a real humbling experience to host something like that and have people turn out. I have a feeling this won't be my last!

The best part about the whole darn thing was waking up on Sunday and NOT being sore. I think I may be a real runner now.... :D

"I don't run because I love the feeling of running, I run because I love the feeling of living" ~ Bonnie Pfiester

Just one more mile...

I have been frustrated, feeling like i don't have enought time to run, i hate that feeling, I get so grumpy.

On our trip to Tampa, we hashed with the crew there, it felt so good to run at sea level, I was First B*#$h In!

I went to the gym (for the first time in forever!) yesterday, hopped on the treadmil, ran a 6:43 min mile, it felt good. Then a leg work out, which did not feel so good (but that's the point, right?).

I swam a mile this morning, cross training seems to be a better idea than I gave it credit for...It wasn't easy, I'd rather run 10 miles than swim one... so I will!

I ran home from work today (4.6 mi), my co-workers thought I was crazy... maybe I was, it was so hot (97 degrees to be exact)! And that sun was ruthless. My thighs started cramping in the 3rd mile, but I had defeated the hills already, so I walked the 1.5 remaining miles home, only because I have the 8k Oktoberfest Race tomorrow.

Not so sure I am ready for this Army 10 Miler coming up soon (FORTY FOUR DAYS!!!). I have a lot of mileage to pack in before then, I'm going to push my hardest.

The Ft Bliss Marathon is Nov 3, I am going to register for it, but it is 5 short days after the Marine Corps Marathon (gasp!).

I found a journalist with similar ideas and have been following her, http://running.competitor.com/2012/01/boston-marathon/out-there-boston-or-bust_45730

That's all, time for beer.
On-on.

~Juggz

Push yourself! No one else is going to do it for you.

do they serve beer in hell?

There are days I plan to run and wake up loathing the idea, then there are days I wake up and it's the only thing I think about.

I had an idea today, I really wanted a beer, I decided to run to the bar. I am not sure how far it is, I think that's good. Just go till I get there and have my beer. That sounds perfect.

... the beggining

This months issue of Runner's World suggested blogging as a way to keep motivated and share experiences with others. I immediately thought it was a great idea, not that I can keep a commitment nor do I have the attention span it requires to document every run, but I thought it might be neat to record some of the thoughts I have about running. I don't think anyone else will ever read this, but just like the trail, this isn't for anyone else.

I am not good at running, but I am not better at anything else. I love that I can run by the strength of my own 2 feet and the courage of my own lungs. I don't need anything fancy. I can run in the rain, the heat, the dark, and the snow. If my bike chain breaks, the pool is drained, or my car won't start, I always have running. Whether it's racing or hashing or me on the trail alone, I can just go, as fast or as slow as I can push.

The distance... 2 miles fast, 26.2 to finish, or a comfortable 6. Running isn't easy, if it was everyone would do it. I do it because I can. Sure, my knee gives out sometimes and my feet are so battered, they don't even hurt anymore, but I still have them. I run because the trail doesn't judge me. I run because there is no good reason not to but at least 100 good reasons too. Mostly I run because everyone tells me how stupid it is.

I have been running for a few years now, I just logged my 3rd marathon in San Fran last month, Marine Corps is in 65 days. I am organizing and hosting a 21 mile race with some of the hashers and ultra marathoners I know, to help us prep for this season's races. I have been trying a few new things... I got awesome new shoes, I love em, Nike Frees, custom made, so comfy. I have been listening to audio books, helps keep my mind from wondering and on those days I am running to destress instead of race prep, I listen to nothing to let my mind wonder. I have been noticing that running to music, I have been pacing off the beat, great for high tempo, bad for cruising. Ii have also been cross training. Swimming a few days a week is kicking my ass, I would much rather run 10 miles than swim .5! Also, been pushing it as hard as I can here in El Paso, I found the altitude drop in San Fran made it feel easy! I wasn't short of breath once in 26.2, even up those little San Fran hills!

I am excited about the races coming up in the next few months, different goals for each.... Oktoberfest post 8k (Sept 8): I'm going for medals!
PT test (Sept 15): goal sub 15 (last APFT 15:04),
my 21 miler (Sept 29): goal under 4 hrs,
Transmountain challenge half marathon (Oct 14): goal is to not walk at all.
Army 10miler (Oct 21): goal under 1:26 (which is what I did to qualify),
Marine Corps Marathon (Oct 29): goal is 4:30 (last marathon time 5:03),
Ft Bliss Marathon (Nov 21): goal 4:20.

I don't stop when I'm tired, I stop when I'm done....