Hungerford 50 miler.



I had everything laid out for my morning race. The weather was a cool 54 degrees. We all got up easy. I went into the bathroom to get some Kleenex to blow my nose. As I blew my nose I waited to see how bad it was. "YUP that's great!" I thought as I looked at the thick orange mucus. My chest was tight, my nose was running, however, I had no body aches. This was where the rubber meets the road. An entire summer of training. Back to back longs runs, cold plunges, blisters, sleepless nights, constant hunger and still looking like I have an eating disorder. Sick or not I was running this.

As I was having mom pin my bib on me I could see her smile but her nervousness was still transparent.

Andy and I had matching "Team Harless" shirts made for mom and dad a few years ago. They wear them to all our races. Mom and dad are the best support group anyone could ask for.

 

The Agenda:

It was going to be a long day for Team Harless. I was predicting a 9-10 hour run. A lot of the race was through the Hungerford Forest. It was on a two track. My family would see me on the main roads. On the second loop I could have pacers, this is right around mile 25. I would really need the encouragement at that point.

My Goal:

My goal was to finish before sunset. They had these really cool walking sticks for everyone that finished before sunset. They were engraved with the symbol of SUNRISE. I wanted to finish between 9&10 hours. I also didn't want to get eaten by bears!  

The Starting Line:

We were running at 7:36am sharp. We were huddled together in a small group. 33% of runners ever run farther than 26.2 miles. So what does that say to the overall population? Marathon runners are in the 1% club. Ultra marathoners are small in number but we were hoping to run numbers most wouldn't even consider. I was not the only first time 50 miler. The race director asked how many first timers were lined up. I raised my hand and looked around noticing about 5 others.

 

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

 

 

As the gun went off, we all casually started running. There was a younger shirtless guy with beautiful sandy blonde hair and a full grown beard who instantly took the lead. You could see his curls dancing as he widened quickly widened the gap between us and him.

It was different not being on your toes to speed through the course. The morning was cooler but I knew the temps were going to reach 76 degrees. I wore a tank top and my arm sleeves that I planned to shed when I started to heat up. The arm sleeves are one of the best running gifts I have ever gotten. I volunteer coached a group at my kids school and the Johnston family bought them for me when I ran Boston. I have gotten so much use from them.

 

Mile 1-15 "Fun and Games"

I was just trying to get into my groove. It didn't take long till I started heating up. I was so excited to see mom and dad at mile 9. I gave them my arm bands, smiled and kept moving. I didn't get far when I heard noises in the woods. It startled me at first but then I saw Alec hiding and the car. I was laughing so hard at my family trying to make BEAR noises that I peed my shorts. I needed to go to the bathroom. There was no bathroom out here and only a few port a john, most ultra runners just go off the trail. After giving them high fives I kept moving. I heard a car coming up with the familiar bear growls a little while later and started laughing again. This time I ran into the grass asking them to keep watch as I squatted and did my business.

They really made the first 20% of my run entertaining.

We had a turn around this first segment that we had to sign in. The "turn around" allowed me to see who was behind me, There were a group of guys that I laughed at saying  "Hey is this the Man Club?" We all were still feeling good therefore laughing and joking came easy. I would pass mom and dad one more time about mile 15. Here I ate some pretzels, filled my H2O bottle and kept moving. Andy yelled " I will pick up with you at mile 25."
 

Mile 15-25 "Run Your Own Race"

The sun was beating on me as I ran down a flat wide dirt road. There was nothing protecting you from the suns rays. I thought of all the runners I had passed on the turn around. I had the opportunity to see who all was running behind me. I saw a few other gals but mostly men. It appeared that I was trailing behind about 5 others. I thought there were 4 women ahead of me but I didn't see them. I had ran the first 13 miles pretty fast because I didn't know there were that many people behind me. I just saw those ahead of me so I was desperately trying to keep them in sight. It was running out of FEAR. I honestly was scared to run alone. I didn't trust my navigation or the wildlife. I had to run my own race knew I couldn't stay with the few ahead of me. I made a left turn into the woods. This is where it got creepy. For the next 9 miles I NEVER saw a soul!

The breeze wafted through the trees making strange sounds. I heard the cracking of branches and critters running across the path. I remember "Danielle" saying to make it apparent your out there. So I talked out loud, I coughed, I  laughed (You had to at how ridiculous I was behaving) and even whistled back at the birds. I got so paranoid that I actually thought I saw little cubs out there. As if that isn't no the peak of craziness I started wondering if maybe my clamoring might ATTRACT wild life.. So I did what I probably shouldn't have done....I ran faster.

I just kept counting my miles down until I got to see my family. "Anita, you can run a marathon, think of this as that,, steady and smooth." The trails were on a two track and very hilly and sandy. Once I figured out my footing I kept my eyes on the trail trying to stay calm.

 

Mile 25-31 "Falling apart, when your sons now YOUR Coach!"

Towards the 23 mile mark I wasn't feeling well. I was really looking forwards to company. This was driving me. When I came out of the woods and saw my family at the aid station I was so happy. I felt like Hell but didn't want them to know. Andy would be so worried. I had burnt everything up. I didn't realize there was not going to be an aid station that long and should have eaten more. On top of that I had ran the last 25 miles faster than I should have.

 Mom was like an Angel as she held a handful of gems in her palm. Motrin and gum, it was like she was reading my mind only I had no energy to speak. Austin came up along side of me full of energy and ready to go. Mom, dad Alec and Andy were a team. Getting me drinks, food, accessing me and encouraging me. Taking a second to stretch I realized that I had caught up with one of the men.

I took a second to stretch and get a cup of trail mix. "Love you, see you soon" I yelled.

After less than a mile I asked Austin "Hey, are you seeing spots?" "No, Mom...You gotta drink" He coached me. I had first seen blue spots everywhere. Now they were bright yellow. I thoughy maybe it was from the sun only we were not in the sun. "Austin, I am not feeling well. I am seeing a lot of spots." I confessed. I was getting nervous. My legs were feeling fatigued, my belly was nauseous and I got suddenly very hot.

I ate more trail mix and gulped down the water. "Keep drinking mom." Austin coached.  I asked him to peel my clementine. He not only destroyed it but he also dropped it in the sand. He handed it to me peeled apologizing. "It's ok, Austin, thank you." I gently replied as I ate it sand and all! It was wet, cold and juicy. So refreshing I didn't even care about the gritty sand in my teeth.

"Mom, do you think you will finish?" Austin said as he darted off the trail to play around. "Yes, if I have to crawl sick across that finish line I will NOT quit!" I said trying to convince him and myself.

We came out of the woods and the sun was baking hot. He took his shirt off and I dropped my tank top down. I finished off  the trail mix as I began to feel more normal.

Austin was a great encourager to me that I hated to see him leave but I was happy to see the family again too.

 Mile 32-41 "The farthest I have ever ran"

Team Harless waited with goodies. This was my favorite Aid station. you actually pass it 4 times. they had the largest cheering section and largest variety of food. I took a large vine of grapes as I chatted quickly with my family.  

I only trained 36 miles. On this stretch Andy and I were doing the loop of pure sun. He grabbed a tortilla full of peanut butter and we headed off. Andy was stuffing food down me. I was begging him to chill out. The grapes were divine but the peanut butter looked revolting. "Anita, I am begging you, please please take a bite." He waved the tortilla inches from my mouth. "Ugh" I mumbled as I bit into it. I wanted more trail mix as that seemed to agree with my belly.

"Nita, how do you feel", "What hurts on you?" " I am so proud of you."

I told Andy I got scared with Austin because I had gotten so sick and he responded "Yeah, you have to slow down. You have 18 more miles, please slow down, add walk breaks." During 5 miles of the stretch with Andy we ran that loop where you sign in again. It is all sun, flat and a turn around. I was anxious to see who was behind me and how far ahead the others were in front of me. I was most anxious to get to 36 miles. This was a milestone for me.

Andy paced me adding walk breaks in every 5 minutes. We were coming to a walk break when we passed the "Man Club" again and I whispered to Andy "I know this is going to see silly but can we do our walk break AFTER we pass the "Man Club?!!" I let Andy make fun of me for a while after that one! I deserved it!

We got to see mom and dad one more time before heading into the woods. I ate another clementine, watermelon and more peanut butter. When we reached 37 miles I was smiling and thanking God for the longest distance I had ever ran. "Anita, you have already accomplished more than you ever have. You got this!" Andy cheered me on.

As we came into the woods I had warned Andy it was brutal. A lot of fresh sand and rolling hills which he is not used to, for that matter neither was I. Already running it I was more prepared but less eager. It was just so beautiful that I tried to focus on the beauty of the forest. I zoned in on the smells of the woods, even embracing the cracking of branches and creepy forest echo's this time around.

It was nice to share with Andy all the beauty. To listen to someone encourage me was so much better than the voices of crazy in my head.

We parted ways a little early because Andy was nervous he wouldn't make it out of the woods and to the finish line in time.

Mile 42-48 "Hurt Locker"

My Quads were on fire. This pain far exceeded running Boston. I was so sad to be alone and in this much pain. "Get into your groove Anita." Both Garmins died. I had Andys but it was having a hard time picking up satellite in the woods.  I had a plan: Walk every 5 minutes unless there was a hill. Keep it steady, Just Move FORWARD. Pray Harder. Give Thanks.

I saw that man in front of me. He had slowed down. I was approaching him slowly and steadily. It gave me something to take my mind off the pain. But then I was within yards of him. He had no idea I was right behind him. I knew he had to be deaf to everything but his voices of pain because I was not that quiet. I said a prayer for him and felt guilty passing him. I actually stayed behind him for a bit not wanting pass him afraid it would discourage him. I actually felt bad passing him this was a first for me. I tried not to think about how much more time I had to run. Every time my legs hit the surface pain shot through my quads. My right quad and glute were toast. I knew I was first female back at mile 25 but I questioned whether I could hold that. I questioned everything, I remembered my goals only I had no idea where I was to that. I just knew my legs were begging me to walk. I recited "I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me" Dear God Please fuel me. DRINK DRINK Drink more water Nita. I knew that yes, water would help, calories would help, electrolytes would help but Ultimately I NEEDED God to give me everything man could not and that was a Miracle.

Mile 48-50 "A MIRACLE"

I was praying to see my family. I had been crawling to each mile marker. Praying for another mile. Praying for my family to be around the next bend. I just needed to see them. I need to see mom because I knew she was worried, I needed to see dad because I knew he was proud, I needed to see Andy because I knew he was my coach. I needed to see little Alec because he was my giggle. And I needed to see Austin because I was hoping he was my finishing partner. Another hill, another turn more pain and another mile.

I looked trying to focus. It was them!! Down the hill came Austin. He looked so nervous. "How ya doin mom?"

"It hurts so bad. I'm ok though just help me get to the finish." I winced.

He started reciting mantra that his coach recites to them.

"2 and through mom!"

Every step I could feel. I was aware of every pebble, every grain of sand and every incline and decline. The hills seemed worse than ever. My quads cursed me as we went down them.

Austin asked if my arms hurt. "No Austin believe it or not nothing hurts but my quads and my glutes and they hurt so bad that I might not even know I have pain anywhere else." I cried.

That mile seemed like it went on forever.

Mom, I think that is the 49 mile marker up there!" Austin said trying to encourage me. He had driven the ending of the course so he was helping me with markers trying to break it up for me. I have always been HIS cheerleader. coached Him, CHEERED him on. And now he was trying to get me to the FINISH.

As we came to the mile marker I said "Ok, walk break." I wanted to run that last mile in but I had nothing. We took a minute to walk where that little competitive spirit asked Austin "Is there anyone behind us?" Austin looked and said "No mom, there isn't anyone behind you for a while." 

And back up we went ,Ouch, ouch ouch ouch..every step pounded though my legs. It felt like a sledge hammer hitting my quads over and over again.

"Mom, 1 And YOU DONE"!  More Coach Brinker mantra Austin was cheering into me. I actually found the energy to laugh over this. My pace picked up and bit too much. I wanted to run it in but my legs thought otherwise.

One more walk break. We saw the 26 mile marker for the marathoners and Austin said you have .2 to go mom. Wow, his brain was so crisp. I didn't even correlate that.  Ok, roughly 2 minutes.

We made one more turn and I could see the flags. I could hear mom cheering. I was so happy to see them. I actually felt my legs moving faster and almost missed my entrance into the finish.

I wrapped my arms around mom and couldn't let them go. I just wanted to collapse into her.  She had tears in her eyes and this made me cry with her. I was so happy. I hugged each one of them and felt my body just melt in their arms.

I am ever so grateful for my family.

 

 

 

The RUNDOWN

Distance: 50 miles

Pace:10:20

Time:8h 37 min.

I was 4th overall.

1st female

BUT...it was a really small field.

 

So thankful for all the amazing responses I have gotten from so many friends and family.  I am beyond words towards the encouragement I have received.

I give Thanks to God. He is my Strength and Endurance.

 

UNEDITED!

 

Anita

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Bright and early Hungerford 1 minus 10 hours

Well we are about 10 hours out!
We are in our Hotel. Mom and dad arrived. We had the guy next to us come over and complain. He said something along the lines of "Did I hear somebody say something about somebody getting hit in the face with a pillow?" Gotta love having BOYS! UGH. I couldn't wait till they all went to the pool!!
We ate at "Shuberts" upon recommendation of Lindsey I work with.
I had the "Rachel"..A rueben with coleslaw. I had some yummy greasy fingers!!
We picked up our registration. We found the starting line with some work.

Well still stuffy, sneezy and annoyed by these sinuses. But I guess I am going to have to just suck it up. On a good note it is going to be 75 degrees out. That will be awesome.

Heading to bed.
7:36 race starts.

Remember me in your prayers!!
Anita

We all have a little bit of CRAZY in us!

"Focus on our abilities rather than our limitations."

2 DAYS OUT FROM HUNGERFORD 50 MILE RACE:

I find myself wanting to throw up when I think that I still have over 2 hours of running past what I have trained for. I have trained being on my feet for almost 7 hours so 2 hours seem like a possibility. But then I think of all that CAN happen in 2 hours along side of what has the potential of NOT happening!

And my stomach turns.
My stomach turns a lot as of lately.
Today I called to confirm the hotel and they did not have me booked.
Barf in the belly #1
Then I thought I had better confirm my lodging for Detroit. This would be all great only I can not remember where I booked that hotel!!
Puking point #2
Jeff B called to ask some questions about Boston regarding travel for the marathon. This just about threw me into a financial tailspin.
 Vomit point #3
UGH..And none of that even touches NEW YORK CITY in less than 6 weeks.

One day at a time.
We are 2 DAYS out from my ULTRA. I am feeling like this is a bit crazy.
I am feeling I may be a bit CRAZY.
We ALL have a little bit of CRAZY in us.
The Crazy part for me is when people tell me I am CRAZY for all the running. But if I didn't run I would be a WHOLE lot more CRAZY.

As of late I have been struggling with different personalities of CRAZY.
Yesterday evening after my sons Xcountry meet in Flint I drove out to Brighton for a meeting at Brighton Hospital. This is one of the better rehab facilities in Michigan. I really enjoy going to the meetings. I feel that there is always a tool that you can take from the meeting to add to your toolbox.
It may be on forgiveness, anger, enabling, worry, or even being naïve.
Well, a lady was talking about her depression as a result of her child using drugs. My ears perked up to listen to the advice and encouragement that would be given to her from the facilitator.
"You do not have to be depressed. The Circumstances involved in your loved ones addiction are DEPRESSING."
I was trying to relate that to myself. I wake up in a funk and I go to bed in a funk. My mind is completely hijacked by grief losing Ariel. Every day seems like it is getting worse. I am my best when I am around people yet I do not really want to be around people. All I really want to do is RUN. I just can not out run this broken heart. The circumstances are Depressing. I can not hear her voice. I can not touch her hair. I can not see her smile at me in a crowd of family chaos. There is just so much lost. And it is all so depressing. I have never felt like this before.
It is just CRAZY.

HUNGERFORD GAMES  T minus 2 DAYS
I got to run with Danielle. She allowed me to scale back from our 8 mile run. We ran 5 miles then went into Paneras for green teas and water. Together we walked another 2 miles enjoying one another's conversation for a total of 7 miles.
I went home afterwards and stayed there till it was time to get Alec.
My massage was at 4pm. Unfortunately I am getting SICK!  This is pretty common for runners directly before a big race like this. Remember how sick I got before Boston? I thought I was dying. I have never vomited like that in my life. MMM!
This time it is sinuses. I have sneezed a million bazillion times which leads to repeatedly peeing my pants! The boys don't even look at my weird anymore when I quickly grab myself  and cross my legs before my body goes into hysterics from sneezing. It is nothing shy of ridiculous and totally UNLADYLIKE in every way! My entire body lunges forward 2,3,4 5 times as the sneezing belts out.
I have doubled up on my JUICE plus. I have drank enough green tea to start changing colors and I am just about to go into my prayer closet in begging mode.

My bags are packed. I am bringing both pair of shoes. I also have 2 pair of socks. I have my Stinger chews, my Kind Bars, Motrin and both Garmins. I have my amphipod H2O bottle and my belt.
I have my roller and Vaseline (good reminder from Michelle B.)

I am getting a little warm so I am going to take me a big swig of Nyquil and follow that up with prayer. I am going to focus on owning my health and getting better. I am trying not to let being sick trip me up to much.

Today I was entertaining sadness to much. I gave it a foothold and it got the best of me.
 But once again God showed up. The door bell rang, and the most beautiful flowers were staring me in the face.
"Bea" one of my husbands workmates sent them to me. She has been such an encouragement to me. I burst into tears when I saw all the shades of purple. Ariel's favorite color.

God knows that there are circumstances that are depressing. But he has also equipped me with tools to overcome them. I know this. I believe this. It is hard to play out sometimes. God does not want my grief to limit me.
SO Saturday I am going to RUN. And I am going to run for God and allow Ariel to encourage me along the way. I am going to use the abilities He has given me to Honor and Glorify Him.

Please Pray for me.
Anita

Hungerford T minus 5 days

Here is a funny recap to yesterdays post.
I went into Dunkin Donuts this morning after my run and ordered a Egg White Veggie Breakfast sandwich with NO cheese and a medium cup of coffee. My order got all messed up but I just smiled and said "No problem!" I finally got my order and headed to the car to go grocery shopping. I opened up my sandwich and lo and behold it had CHEESE! I chuckled for a second then bit into it.

2nd funny of the day that was actually NOT that funny. I looked like dookie and had no business at the grocery store. I went into Krogers in Clarkston another place I should not have been. I work in Clarkston therefore I am destined to see a client there. Seriously I am so embarrassed I should have taken a better look at myself before I walked in.
I did see 1 client of mine but she was kind and laughed my appearance off.
A few aisles away I was unable to get through the path because of 2 carts blocking the aisle. I recognized one of the ladies as a salon client. I smiled and gently said "I am sorry may I get through here?" She looked at me twice and I could tell she figured out where she knew me. Letting me by her she kept me in eye contact. "I said "Hi, and thank you" confirming we knew one another.
THEN it GOT Awkward...
Her countenance drastically changed as she bluntly responded "Are you OK??" Making sure I had my most healthy smile on hand I quickly replied "YES!" and AGAIN she said "Are you sure your OK?" with a Dr. Phil look of great concern.
"Seriously?" I thought. I knew I looked bad but she looked at me like I was dying.
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"Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true." – Leon J. Suenes

 

Hungerford 50 Miler: T Minus 5 days.
We have a Holly Running Facebook page and I posted on there to see if anyone might want to join me to run today. "Jessica" jumped on board with me. I wanted to do between 5-7 miles however "Jessica" is tapering for her first half marathon, The Brooksie Way this Sunday.
It is so exciting to see how well she has done. It was just a year ago she was touching her foot at the base of running. She was feeling discouraged and even said "Anita, I just don't think I have the mental strength to run." Now she is out there encouraging others.
I ran the first 3 miles alone before she arrived. The leaves are changing and the air is brisk and chilly. The sun was bright and all the elements circled all around me perfection. There was no way that I was giving this run away. I was all in.
And it felt oh so good.
I met back with "Jessica" and her pooch and we brought it down. Nice and easy run. Almost 4 miles. We chatted, laughed and Ran!

I am bringing this down even more this week.
A few thoughts on Running my first Ultra.

1. What if I see a bear, cougar, MT lion or any other crazy flesh eating animal? The first loop of the Ultra I have to do solo but the second loop allows you to have pacers. I was thinking about anointing the other runners with bacon grease so they will be better bait!
2. I want to wear my headphones the first loop but I am scared I wont hear the wild animals pursuing me!
3. What if I get LOST?? I came out of the womb lost. Remember Carrolton where I turned a half marathon into almost 16 miles because I got so lost. I have countless runs that I have gotten lost in my own neighborhood. When I get tired the only thing I can count on are my legs because my brains turn OFF.
4. What if I get such bad blisters that I can't walk? should I have a extra pair of socks? Shoes? Legs??
5. And my Garmin. UGH. I like the Garmin 10 but it only holds a charge for 5 hours. My other Garmin holds a charge forever but the blisters on my wrist seem to stay forever as well.  

I have other little thoughts like what I am going to wear, should I bring my own water like I have been, how long do I stay at the aid stations, and should I hit every head station?

I am bound and determined to finish this. Last night Andy asked me what trait I wanted the boys to share that he had and in return he said "I want the boys to have your mental fortitude. Of course that has been a blessing and a cursing!"

I am in need of prayers. I am asking readers for prayer, I know that I can only do this with Christ. He is my personal trainer. He is my Coach. He is my Strength. I Pray I feel his presence to carry me the distance. I pray he keeps my footing safe, my body healthy, my mind clear and uses me to Glorify him.

"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible." – Arthur C. Clarke -

 

Anita

 

T minus 6 days :HUNGERFORD GAMES

 "Each one of us has the power to make others feel better or worse. Making others feel better is much more fun than making others feel worse. Making others feel better generally makes us feel better."

Martin Luther King Jr

I am enjoying the taper. This week I am going to try and get my massage and enjoy running less and getting more done. I am going to try to put on a couple pounds as well. Oh yeah, I am going to try and remain calm. Breathe, Pray and desperately try not to panic.
It is here. There is NO backing out now.

Things I am thankful for during my Ultra training the past 16 weeks:
Thankful I remained injury free.
Thankful I had people to run the majority of my long runs with me.
Thankful I never hit a big wall of discouragement in my training.
Thankful for the encouragement of others. I am always so shocked at the people that are rooting for me that I  hardly know.
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With that in mind it brings me to something my pastor said today. Funny how we get so crabby when things do not go our way. We often feel like we should "Let them have it." Someone messed our order up at the drive thru or that person cut you off on the highway. We have gotten so ultra sensitive. WHO cares they added cheese on your burger..TAKE IT OFF. But because we are slightly inconvenienced we think we should make someone feel as lousy as we do over a piece of cheese or having to put our breaks on and turn off our cruise control.

WHAT if...What if we smiled at that person who looked like they were having a bad day rather than point out they look like they swallowed a turd?
What if we told the cashier "Your doing a great  job, thank you!"?
What if we called a family member and said "I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you."?
What if you just waved, or smiled, or opened the door for someone?
What if you said things like: "Have a good day.", "No Problem" Or "Thank you"?
Rather than walking around with a chip on our shoulder.

What if we woke up and said I am going to try to make someone smile. I am going to be an encouragement to someone today?

I am not all of the above at all. I try and then there are days I don't try.
This has been a tough week. I have had to try a lot this week. I have actually isolated myself this week. There are calls I should be making to different family members but I have been in my funk. I know I should try harder. It is safer for me to be alone with myself than to be something I can not be right now. Thank God for second chances.
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Joan and I

The Rundown:
Distance: 5.09
Time:51 min.
Pace: 10.01
Easy run but fun RUN. I ran with Andy and "JOAN". "Joan" was one of Ariels sorority sisters. Her and her fiancé "Javon" came over after church and breakfast. We had so much fun. I get so excited when newer runners ask questions about running. "Javon" picked my brain for about 20 minutes. I am setting him up with a basic training plan to prepare him for a half marathon.
This week as hard emotionally as it has been it is so amazing Gods timing. He has put "Ariels" friends around me. I have gotten messages from a few different ones. I know God is holding the tissue box for me.

There was more I wanted to share but I am tapping out.

Have you encouraged someone lately?
Anita

Kicked out.

Another emotional day. It has been over 20 years since my mother passed away. There were many years that I would go through several weeks of feeling "Off" only to correlate it with the approaching anniversary of her D****. (I hate that word) I have been pretty good around people. You wouldn't know that I am all tore up inside. But when I am alone I feel it creeping over me. The sadness of Ariel.
This morning I was really looking forward to seeing Danielle. I miss running with her. I miss our sweet time together. She is very good for me. Together we had a great run.
I wish the rest of the day went as well.
I had a good size hiccup in my day. I decided to go home and find therapy in painting. I really wanted to run again but I knew that I might do irreversible damage.
I put my ear buds in and turned up the tunes.
I LOVE music. I get saturated to the words, I feel my shoulders dipping, my voice singing and my mood rising. I quickly turned the song if it was too emotional. I had white paint every where. But my mind was like a blank slate. I had the music up so loud I couldn't hear the phone ring or anyone text me. I was officially in "The Nothing Box."

I just cant help Baby-ing him. So Cute!

Alec had a dentist appointment today. He was having one of his baby teeth removed. Before we arrived he told me I was NOT to leave him. We had just been there yesterday, where he had another baby tooth removed. I had gone to schedule some appointments and they took the tooth out within minutes of my departure. Alec didn't even know that they took the tooth out!
While I sat with Alec the female dentist comes  in and says to me "Ok mom, you may leave now we will get you when we are done." Alec looked petrified.
It was only minutes before they came back and retrieved me. But the dentist actually pulled me aside and said "He is a big boy mom, you don't have to baby him."
I never thought of myself as the babying mom type. It is a sad place when your baby doesn't need to be babied any longer.


One lesson I have learned from running: FLEXIBILITY.

"The only thing that is the End of the World is the END of the World!

 



When it comes to training not everyday goes as scheduled. Sometimes the weather changes. Sometimes my mood changes. Sometimes life interrupts. But if you take a minute to look outside the box most of the time you can find another route. And sometimes, not all the time but sometimes, things even work out better,
But when we get "Stuck on Stupid" we set ourselves up. We end of disappointed, discouraged and often times suck the fun right out of our training.
This goes for life in general also. Maybe it is having kids that has made me more flexible.  Or maybe it is because I have become less serious about non serious issues. I watch people set such rigid guidelines that they can hardly keep them themselves. They get so caught up on perfectionism that they actually hurt themselves and people around them. They panic when things do not go as planned and can not even see themselves out of it.

It is always good to have a PLAN.
But it is also good to be open minded to CHANGE.

THE RUNDOWN:
Distance: 8.02
Pace: 8:44
Easy run with Danielle. Forgot to eat afterwards. So I made an over sized dinner. Grilled Chicken marinated in Italian dressing, Corn, Garlic baked Redskin potatoes, biscuits, Garden salad, and cottage cheese.


Are YOU Flexible?
Are you the type of runner that likes to run alone because you don't want anyone to mess with you routine, pace, or distance?

Anita

Sack Lunch.

Alec is my youngest son. He is the stinking cutest thing you have ever seen. He seriously came out of the womb breaking hearts, mine mostly.
Problem is he is an airhead. This may be a bit of a genetic disorder. If you have met me you will know where he got this trait.
Monday Alec forgot his picture money as you may remember.
Today he forgot his lunch on the kitchen table.

Andy was home today from work. This interrupts my mojo a little bit. Today I had 20 miles to run and was concerned that Andy was going to throw a kink in my plans.
Surprisingly though Andy asked if I would like company on 10 of those miles. Because Andy takes 20-30 minutes to stretch and roll I thought during that time I would get a few more miles in. I decided to  RUN Alecs lunch up to him at school.
I guess I didn't realize how big or heavy of a lunch I packed the little guy. It was a very awkward 2 mile run up to the school. I looked so goofy carrying his sack lunch in my hand. I felt like I should have been working in New York city as a carrier or something. I had plenty of people staring at me making me laugh during half my bag lunch run. As if the dork factor was not already a 10- I had those goofy looking Hokas on my feet for the first time.

RUNNING in HOKAS.

I have never ran in anything like this before. It is a oversized shoe that appears like a shoe that would help a extreme over-pronator or disabled runner. It is the goofiest shoe I have ever seen.
BUT....
Big thank you to "Kristy" one of my readers and a gal I went to high school with over 20 years ago who GAVE me a pair she wore only a couple times. The crazy part about this is we are the same size.
Andy thought I was nuts for running 20 miles in them. But how else are you going to test them?
REVIEW of the 170$ HOKAS:
As I put my foot into them my first thought was "This is a lot of shoe." And it was. It took a while to get used to them. They felt incredibly foreign on my feet.
On the cement they were more clunky feeling to me but as soon as we hit the back roads I felt enmeshed with the terrain. The soles are a spongy feeling with a lot of cushion. They were very secure around my feet. After dropping off Alecs lunch I picked up Andy for 10. Andy laughed at me saying "YOU LOOK LIKE  A DORK in those, you have these little legs and these BIG boat shoes on!" I am glad that I only ran 20 miles in them. Towards mile 18 my legs had little random aches and pulling that didn't let up the last 2 miles.
I have never cared what my shoes look like. My recent Mizunos are the most girly shoes I have ever ran in. I couldn't wait to dirty them up because I felt like a diva princess in the bright pink color.

Overall I think that I am going to really like them. I am so thankful. I want to do more trail running to break them in. Problem is I am a little paranoid of weirdos hiding in the woods so I will not go alone.

Turning Heads.
I lead a family group on Tuesdays directed towards addiction. It is a arena I am much more serious and composed. The last person to speak mentioned that they wanted to share something that would only take a few seconds but didn't pertain to a loved one struggling. It went like this:
"Yeah, so I was driving on Grange Hall Rd near Alexs gas station and all of a sudden these cars start coming to a sudden stop. Someone then beeps their horn and I see this guy yell out his window "WOO HOO". I am trying to figure out what is going on then I see you, Anita running. Totally oblivious to the fact that you have stopped traffic!"
I think I must have turned 15 shades of red. I had my hands over my face laughing so hard. I had no clue. And nor would I just a few months shy of 40 years old my head turning day have long surpassed me. This was indeed flattering and gave me a little smile after such seriousness.

HUNGERFOLD Countdown: 9 DAYS!!!

This is the Medal..Wood, from local forest!
 

Well I can honestly say I trained this committed and disciplined. If there is one thing I wish I could have altered with my training it would have been training more trails. But then you know why I do not hit the trails alone.
My last 3 long runs not including todays 20 miler:
36 miles, 30 mile, 28 mile run.
It is amazing what you are capable of doing if you stay committed and disciplined. Having a plan and following helps lead to success.

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 20.02
Pace:9:17
Time:3:06