I finished... barely

Yesterday's Madison Half Marathon is done and over with....But that's about all I can say. I finished, and I'm trying very hard to be satisfied with that... It was very hot and humid on race day-- around 90-- and we started off with heat warnings. People were dropping like flies, and I started having trouble myself by about mile 8. That meant walking a decent amount from that point on just to stay on my feet. A few of the miles I walked nearly ALL. It was horrible. Somehow I finished in about 3:02 anyway... I guess that's fine. I ended up in the first aid tent with about 100 other people afterwards because I couldn't stand up without nearly falling over at the end. I'm dealing with cramped up muscles a bit today, which I know is from the heat, not the distance. I really could have used my running buddy! Lisa, it would have gone a lot better with you, I know it!!! A big part was mental, not physical. I'm pretty excited to run in the Mongolian snow after this mess.

As proof that they give medals to everyone:

So very, very slow

Well, this is my last week to report before D-Week. Death Week? Diarrhea Week? Oh, let's hope not! Done-It Week! That's what I'm shooting for. Last week, the week of May 16th, I deliberately kept things pretty mild. I ran 3 or 4 times just 3 miles each time. I will do the same this week. On my days off, I walked 3 miles. The only day I didn't do one of those two things was Wednesday when I finally rode my horse. He was awesome, I was horribly out of shape for it, resulting in me having what I fondly refer to as "saddle crotch" for about 4 days.

Ironically, I have another riding lesson on Max today, Monday, May 24th. I think I will be fine and over the stiffness in time for my event on the 30th. I did erase a lesson I had scheduled for Friday the 28th. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I booked that one.... I mean, when we were kids riding didn't cause issues I guess #1 because we did it all the time and #2 because we weren't like almost 40-years-old. All I can say is that the space between my ass and the saddle when I canter has definitely grown exponentially with age. Same with the trot. Max has a really nice jog that everybody loves... it still cracks my ass!

So, on that note... I'll report more after my "race" (I can't even type that word without giggling-- I don't think you can do a 1/2 marathon in 3 hours and call it racing).

Sunday, 16 May (Amy's personal best; Lisa's personal worst)

Well, for the first time since September 2009, I have to report that I ran ZERO times this week! I'm disgusted... summer is rolling around, work is increasing, and I'm losing control. I HAVE TO fight back!

My New Plan

The week of May 10th went pretty well overall. I ran three days total: one day of 4 miles, another of 3, and a new personal distance best of 12.5 on Saturday. That run took me 2 hours and 45 minutes, so I'm hoping to finish my 1/2 marathon in under 3 hours. If I would try even the little tiniest bit I know I could do it. I'm just not all that motivated to work very hard. I have to be the laziest runner on the face of the earth. So, we'll see. I won't be timing myself so who knows...

Since I know how boring training can be, I've discovered a new activity I think we should try. It professes to improve both strength and flexibility: Pole Fitness. Personally, I don't think I'm capable of doing a handstand, let alone hanging upside down from a pole. I'm not really sure how you would explain the injuries you'd obtain to your doctor. And honestly, who'd want to share poles with other users? Sharing a treadmill during cold and flu season is one thing. But this??? Hmmmm.....

She likes puppies, lilacs, and slow walks on the beach...

Say what? Okay, I think this is a sign that there really IS humor in EVERYthing. I officially signed up for the Madison Marathon's 1/2 marathon today. Good thing, because the field was already 90% full.

The entry form was pretty typical except for ONE thing. Right above the anticipated finish time (I put 3 hours and 45 minutes-- completely forgetting my math. 3 hours should do it.). Anyway, right above that, there was a large block to answer: "Interesting fact, to be announced as you cross the finish." Golly gee. I had a tough time deciding between, "Yes folks, she's still alive" and "Likes puppies, long walks on the beach but HATES spiders...." I mean, really.... what kind of crap are the tubby whale losers at the 3-and-a-half hour mark gonna come up with? "Look, ma, I crapped my pants!!!!"

Last week, the week of May 3rd, I ran three times: two 3 milers and a 10-miler on Saturday (in a drizzle). I felt great on Saturday. I'm not sure if it counts, but I did walk three of the other 4 in-between days as well.

I think I'll be ready to sluff across the line in two weeks to the sound of some dumb accolade that they'll have to make up because I left that spot blank on the registration form. Thank goodness I'm not doing the 17-miler this weekend as originally planned. I'm in for enough humiliation later in the month.

Sunday, 2 May and Sunday 9 May (Combined)

Well, it hasn't exactly been a banner couple of weeks. In two weeks, I've gotten in five runs- none of them anywhere near the 10 mile mark (let alone the 15 mile mark I had hoped to reach by now).

Week of Sunday, 2 May:

Tuesday- Two runs. One in the morning (60 Minutes; 8 Km); one in the evening (45 Minutes, 5.8 KM). Both runs together totalled about 8.5 miles

Wednesday- 2 Miles

Week of Sunday, 9 May:

Saturday: 20 Minutes (2 Miles in 17:43)

Sunday: 60 Minutes; 9.5 KM = 5.9 miles

Blah... well, at least I'm way ahead of when I wasn't running at all.

Half Way On, Half Way Off

I guess this means I'm sort of dragging my legs beneath the wagon-- not really on, not really off. I did manage to run three times this week, which is a major improvement but not quite all the way there. I ran:
Tuesday: 5 miles
Thursday: 3 miles
Saturday: 8 miles

The 8 miles was pretty ugly and painful the whole way, but I did it. Actually, mile 8 was the only one that felt halfway decent. I'm feeling like I can get back on track in time for the 1/2 marathon at the end of the month if I really, really try. I'm shooting for 4 days this next week with a long one of 10....