Turkeys, Trots and Little Tots!

A lot has happened since, last weekend.  I travelled to St. Louis to be with my family (mom, grandmother, cousins, aunt, aunt’s BF and my brother) for Thanksgiving – which, in and of itself, is a bit of an adventure.  My family (who I love dearly) always finds something to complain about.  I find myself incredibly happy in my Arizona life, and going home sometimes reminds me that others may be unhappy in their choices.  I have a beautiful family who finds fault in one another – I worry that I am that person, too.  And, I don’t want to be.  This realization hit me on Thanksgiving morning as I ran 6+ miles around Fairview Heights, Illinois’ barren streets.  (That is NOT a town of runners!)  Maybe this year we can all learn to appreciate each other – after all, we’re all pretty brilliant and relatively attractive!  So, I think that’s going to be my goal – to appreciate my family more.

In Chillier STL area -- with fields of nothing behind me.

Additionally, while away in St. Louis, one of my best friends (seen in last week’s bday photo) had her baby girl, Lyla!  As soon as I got off the plane, I rushed to the hospital to be with Anne and the baby!  So amazingly adorable!

Lyla would not move her hands from in front of her face...alas.

However, the birth of Lyla also meant Anne would not be available to “Sherpa” for me on my 16 mile run on Sunday morning.  It made me laugh when Anne apologized for this fact – and as she reassured me that she’d be able to assist the following weekend (on my 18 miler).  She is amazing – I hope she thinks I am anywhere near as good a friend to her and she is to me!

That being said, I mapped out my route for Sunday morning to include 3 loops: 7.5, 4.75 and 3.75.  When I don’t have Anne as my water/Gu Sherpa, I am relegated to sticking close to my house – which is in the foothills of Ahwatukee.  This means LOTS of hill training.  This route included 8 miles of uphill climbing – but I knew I was up for it.  The STL Marathon did a lot to boost my hill-confidence.

Saturday evening I was at a friend’s house sitting by the fire, eating ‘smores and sipping a delicious scotch.  I had the smallest amount of scotch, as I feared it would affect my run adversely.  That, in combination with the ‘smores (and no dinner), was definitely a potential recipe for failure.  But, sometimes you need to have fun and think less about the 16 miles the following morning.

In truth, the 16 miles felt great!  I was out the door before 6am and took on the hills like a champ.  By the time I finished the first, long loop I knew I was on the path to success.  Stopping for water and Gu always gives me a little anxiety because I want a good time – but I know that without them I will putter out somewhere around mile 10. 

I finished the second loop strong, as well.  It’s an incredible feeling to know your last loop is under 4 miles – so every time my watch beeped, I smiled.  In fact, my housemate Claire said that as she passed me on my run (en route to church), she saw me smiling away – I think that was somewhere around mile 9 – so nothing is really bad at that point. 

At mile 14, I started to hate the hills and wanted to take a break from them by walking.  I slowed down and looked at my watch:  2:25.  It was the first time I had looked at my watch all morning and I realized I was just over a 10 minute pace – with the hills, and the stoplights and the water stops.  It was exactly what I needed to keep me from walking any of those last two miles.  In fact, I busted out a 9:38 in my last mile to finish with a 2:43 overall time.   Felt good – felt really good.  

Now…on to this being less critical thing.  

What a GREAT week!

My 39^th year has finally arrived and I cannot remember having a better week of celebrations.   It started on Tuesday with coworkers bringing Hello Kitty cupcakes, cookies, flowers and students singing happy birthday to me in groups of 10+ at a time.  The comment I made to my roommate, Claire, when I got home that evening was “I genuinely feel loved, today.”  Not that I don’t feel loved or appreciated most days of the year – but it meant more (than anyone even realizes) to have received all of the well wishes, songs and goodies ALL day long.

Cupcakes, cookies, cards, flowers and an Edible Arrangement!

The birthday week ended, last night, with a celebration among many of my closest (and longest standing) friends.  Each year, Anne and I get to celebrate our birthdays together (I am the 15^th; she is the 24^th) and its become a nice tradition.  Anne and I met the summer before 9^th grade when her mom (also pictured) and dad moved to our neighborhood in Fairview Hts, Illinois.  Also at dinner last night were Amy (another high school friend who also lived in Fairview) and Marcy – who, if you jumped my backyard fence, lived a couple houses away from 5^th grade on.  If you do the math – that’s something like 28 years (Oh dear lord!). 

(L --> R: Loretta, Anne, Pat, Marcy, Mer and Amy)

But, this blog is about running – not about my birthdays…

So, I am in training for the PF Chang’s Rock n Roll Marathon on January 15^th, 2012.  I figured – what the heck, I can do another one, right?!  My friend, Kris, will be doing this one with me, as well.  I absolutely loved being with Lora, last year, as she finished her first marathon. 

Last weekend, I had a 15 mile run, which was not easy.  I think the soreness from the previous marathon and then the ½ marathon made my legs, knees and back extra sore.  I was looking forward to the short-ish 10 mile run slated for today.  It was time I finally had a shorter run.

However, yesterday was the annual Maricopa Community College’s “Maricopa Moves Mountains” hike through/around South Mountain.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I have done this event for a couple of years and always enjoyed it.  It was a nice hike through intermediate level terrain.  I knew that they decided to move the event to a different location, this year – but I still encouraged my roommate to awaken early on Saturday morning to hit the mountainside with other employees in the district.  (She happens to work for KJZZ/NPR station which is part of Rio Salado CC in our district.)  My comment to Claire was “It’s really not a bad hike – we’ll be fine.”  After all, my long runs are on Sundays and there’s no way I would jeopardize a long run with a tough hike the day before.  O.O

Right – so, the first mile of the hike was nice – we bobbed and weaved and hiked.  It was not remotely difficult and was good exercise.  At the 1 mile mark there were a couple of MCCD wellness employees letting us know that this was our opportunity to bail if we didn’t want to go farther.  NO one turned around; I mean, the hike simply wasn’t tough enough to merit quitting (at this point).  That being said the next couple of miles were sheer hell.  We picked up a couple of friends, Scott (from Rio) and Amy (from Mesa) before the hike started and the 4 of us were a good team.  However, there was a point a mile further up the mountain that NO one was nice and NO one wanted to be there anymore.  In fact, the hardest part of the hike was about 1000 feet from the top.  People were bailing right and left.  Kids were falling, people were tripping, legs were giving out and people were MEAN! 

Trying to ignore the obvious sadness surrounding me, I trudged on and didn’t look back.  Poor Claire was stuck between an onslaught of dying, complaining children.  And, I carried on. 

By the time I reached the top, I could see just how far we’d come.  And there, right behind me, was Amy.  We high-ten’ed one another and smiled at the amazing Phoenix landscape beneath us.  It was SO hard!  We took a few pictures and then waited for everyone else to get to the top of the mountain.  

Amy and I finished and within minutes posed with Phx behind us!

First among our gang, was Mesa’s President and his son, Nathan.  Then, I could see Claire approaching and I was thrilled.  About 150 feet from the top, she quit and sat on a rock.  But after a couple of coaxing friends, we got her to finish the mount!  She was NOT pleased – the invitation to join the hike was definitely deceiving and she was annoyed about the difficulty level.  To be honest, we all were.  All I could think was, “how the heck am I going to survive a 10 mile run on Sunday after this?” 

Dr. Pan and his son, Nathan, at the top!

Claire (pre-nose dive) at the top - with Michael Bryant!

We made it to the bottom with a lot of trepidation – as the rocks were steep and sharp.  Poor Claire took a nose dive and landed on her face en route down, leaving her bloodied from her forehead to her knees.  And, so it ended – 2 hours to the minute after we started and 5+ miles later. 

So, you can imagine that when the alarm went off this morning – I contemplated calling the run off.  I had done 2 hours yesterday (and 5 miles on Friday and 6 miles on Thursday) – how were my knees going to make it?!  But, I always feel awful about myself when I miss a run – so I stepped cautiously out of my bed to see how my knees and legs felt.  In truth, I felt strangely fine.   

I was out the door by 6am and feeling good.  It was a gorgeous 55 degrees.  I hid my water, stuck my Gu in my back pocket and headed out.  I decided, rather last minute, to incorporate a LOT of additional hills into my run.  I figured it was only 10 miles and it was a great opportunity to do so.  I started out easy, wanting to save some energy for the miles of hills and it worked.  I literally had a blast.

I was thinking about my friend PLo’s run, this morning, and how great it feels to be able to do something you love after recovering from a minor injury.  He’s back on track and will finish a marathon one day in the coming year, I know it.

I barely needed water, but took some at the 7.5 mile mark and headed back out immediately without taking any supplements.  I simply didn’t need them at all.  Back up the hill I went for the last 2.5 miles and I pushed hard.  It felt so good to know I could do it – even after a strenuous workout the morning prior. 

1:39:06 – and proud.  Even with the hills and the climbing, I still pulled out a decent pace – a pace, I can be proud of.   Here’s hoping next Sunday’s 16 are anywhere near as successful!

I <3 my Garmin -- 9:54 pace, great elevation changes!

15 wet-ish miles!

The forecast was for rain.  In Phoenix.  I was dismayed.  My friend, PLo, assured me that running in the rain would be refreshing, so I went to bed praying to Darwin that the rain would subside prior to my desired 6am start time.

At 11:30pm, I rolled over – pitter patter.  Again at 2:30am, drip drip drip drip.  At 4:45am I heard nothing and decided it was time to look outside to see my morning fate.  When I let Brunhilda (yes, my dog has a ridiculous name – rest assured I had nothing to do with it) outside, the rain was at bay.  This in no way shape or form means my dog did not track mud onto the carpet (from the evening’s rain fest) – it is, after all, what she does best.  I happen to really love it when she is the one who creates the muddy spot and then proceeds to step in it with multiple paws – and then brings it into the house with her.  But, I love her and she’s pretty good looking. 

Brunhilda - she's deaf as a post, but damn-cute!

At 5:45am I text Anne to let her know I will be cautious and slow – but would be honored if she’d grace me with some water around mile 7 ½.  The last time I attempted a long run post-rain, I took a horrible spill that sprained my left knee and kept me out of the game for 7 weeks.  I had trepidation about these 15 miles, to say the least.

I decorated my iFitness belt with red flashing lights – yep, pretty much looked ready for the holidays – hoping that every automobile within 200 feet would avoid me like the plague.  And, they did. 

My first several miles were relatively uneventful – I bobbed and weaved around the puddles, but nary a drop came down.  However, at mile three, I began to feel the little droplets on my face and could see them all over the road.  Keep thinking about what PLo said…you’ll be fine.  Let’s be honest, people who live in Arizona forget how to drive in the rain – my fear was that I would forget how to run, as well.  It rained from miles three through about seven, at which point I was soaked.  SOAKED! 

Anne was surprised to hear I had rain, since there was nothing from her house to the meeting spot at mile 7 ½.  I was relieved – I’d be running to her house another 8 miles to the east.  As she looked over my shoulder while standing at her car, she could see the ominous clouds approaching, so I quickly wiped my face, took my Gu and inhaled some water.  But, I was wet – VERY wet – and every step in my shoes reminded me of my incredibly uncomfortable dampness.

Alas, I trudged on for the next several miles – and managed to avoid rain until just before I hit her house at the end of the run.  However, the damage was done – there was no drying off on this run!  15 miles, 100% humidity, and a slow 2:45.  I felt disgusting, but proud to have completed it!

After the run, I showered at Anne’s, but was unable to warm my bones.  The hours of wet clothes and skin simply did me in.  I am such a ridiculous wimp!  It wasn’t until my 4^th cup of coffee at breakfast that I finally found myself comfy. 

Anne’s mom (Pat) treated me to an early birthday present after breakfast – a lovely pedi!  There’s nothing better than having someone work on your feet and calves after 15 miles – NOTHING!  Thanks, Pat!  I have the greatest friends (and Friend’s moms) EVER!!!!

Onward and upward!

Four days after I finished the marathon I felt great.  In fact, I cannot remember feeling as good after any of my prior marathons.  So, I asked my friend, Kris, is she would prefer to run the Women’s Half Marathon (on Nov 6^th) with me at her side – or if she’d prefer to see me on the sidelines screaming and providing moral support.  Her response, “Oh, definitely run!”

Friday afternoon, in the middle of our work day, Kris and I traveled to Scottsdale to pick up our race packets.  We each got some necessary items (Gu for Mer; earphones/buds/thingies for Kris) – and we went back to work. 

Sunday morning, I woke up at 4:30am ready to go.  Kris, her sister, Jennie, and I met up at the starting line about 45 minutes early – excited and ready to go!  This was to be Kris’ first long race – I was really excited for her.  I texted Kris just before I left the house to say I had decided to bring my phone with me on the run – for the mere fact that I wanted a pre-run photo of the two of us (for my blog, basically.) 

You should all know, the Women’s Half Marathon is a special race and not just because it supports Breast Cancer Research.  It’s 99% women (yes, a few men do run in tutu’s and wigs).  The camaraderie amongst women is so very different than men – we’re very encouraging, we don’t fight for space in the corrals and we laugh…a lot! 

The race started ON TIME and we were OFF.  Again, the crowds moving through the narrow streets of downtown Scottsdale, Arizona made for a very slow start – with women apologizing right and left for bumping elbows with a stranger at their side.  Not my favorite start to any race.  Kris and Jennie were gone – we were together for maybe 50 feet and BAM they were gone into the crowds of women moving steadily through the streets.

We’d met a nice, young woman in the corral named Trina.  She noticed that Kris and I were wearing pacing bibs with 2:15 on them.  She wanted to finish in 2:15 because she knew she could; she confessed that in her first half marathon last January she did a 2:25.  Shaving ten minutes off of a half marathon is no easy feat.  But, I told her she could stick with us because I intended to finish in 2:15 – it was 2 weeks after the full marathon and I was in no mood to push myself any harder than that.  Trina never lost me or left my side – not even in the crowded streets of downtown, Scottsdale.

Kris found me just before the first mile marker and the three of us were rolling through the race.   The first few miles were easy – it was super flat and the temps were around 50 degrees.   I watched my Garmin sit right around a 10:00 min mile pace as we passed mile markers, 1 – 2 – 3 and 4.  Trina and Kris were doing brilliantly.  I was trying to keep us just over a 10 minute mile so that we’d all have the energy to finish strong.  At mile 5, we picked up Vienna – a woman who had been pacing with us for the prior 4 miles and finally asked if she could join us at the 5 mile marker.  However, shortly after mile 6 we headed up the Papago Hill; its 4/10^ths of a mile up.  Kris took a break and I told her I’d see her at the next water station – as I would need water and Gu.  Trina, Vienna and I moved on – they held strong up the hill and through the crowds of spectators just after mile 7.  (Mile 7 goes passed the finish line, so everyone and their child is there.)

I do have to say that male spectators kind of stink.  (Sorry guys!).  They spend the entire time on the sidelines completely silent – as if they don’t want to bother us while we run.  They only cheer on their own runner.  Seriously – we all see you there; give us a clap or a “you look great!” 

I saw my roommate, Claire as I made my way through the streets of Tempe – and she was super enthusiastic!  It gave me a quick boost of energy as I made my way through the crowds of screaming people. 

I never saw Kris again, but remained hopeful that she got through the tough hill with success and was right behind me.  Trina,Vienna and I stuck together, talking and encouraging each other up and over the next three dreadful hills of the race.  In fact, it was Vienna that said, “Come on Meredith – you told me it’s the last hill – I am expecting you to run it.”  So, we did.  The three of us ran and ran and ran.

Somewhere around mile 11 I took water and Trina trudged on.  In our fog, Vienna got lost in the crowds and it seemed I would finish alone.  I glanced at my watch and as I passed the 12^th mile marker it said “2:03:52” – yep, this was going to be EXACTLY 2:15 – how did I plan so well?  Just before the finish line, Trina nudged my shoulder and smiled.  I said, “Trina – you’re going to finish in 2:15, as I promised.”  She was nearly in tears. 

I pushed out the last 10^th of the race and glanced at my watch again – 2:15 it was.   I turned around and High-Ten’ed Trina as we accepted our ridiculously HUGE race medals from strikingly attracted young men in their Military Class A’s. 

The crowds at the finish line were awful.  I found Jennie, Kris’ sister, and explained that we’d gotten separated at mile 6.  I went to look for Kris to cross the finish line, but I think she crossed as I was trying desperately to make my way through the crowds.  I waited what seemed an eternity and then went to find Claire.  I was disappointed that Kris and I didn’t connect, but I know I will see her at work, this week.  We can embrace, then.  She finished strong – and she did it!  I am so proud.

I would also like to give my friend, PLo, a shout out – he completed his first ½ marathon this weekend, too – in snowy, Boise, Idaho. 

And, my last comment of this blog has to be a HUGE Thank You to my former student, Adam.  Adam sent me a FB message on Friday night offering me his family’s club seats to the Cards/Rams game on Sunday afternoon.  I guess my letter of recommendation got him a sizable scholarship J -- YES!  Adam, Claire and I had a BLAST!  What a win – what a game!  Yay, Cards – at least you’ve won TWO games, this season!