Saturday March 1

So here we go again....Post Myrtle Beach and pre-Shamrock/Atlanta. Looking to do a few loops to total 18 miles. There's a 10 mile and a 5 mile (routes listed below) and for those of us who want all 18 miles, we will do the vita couse a extra time (or two) during the first loop. Not starting as early as usual. Sorry Blair. Looking for a 7 am go time. That would put those of us doing the first 13 miles back at the Dell around 8:55am to pick up anyone who wants to do the last 5. If anyone is just doing the first 10 miles they would be back sooner. Please let Shannon know if you plan on coming and what you will be running so I can see if I can buddy you up!

Then perhaps copious amounts of food upon finishing?

Route:
Dogwood Dell
Out Dogwood Dell to Boulevard. Boulevard to RIGHT on Patterson Avenue.
Stay on Patterson until one block past Libbie, LEFT on Maple Avenue. LEFT on Grove Avenue. Continue on Grove Avenue to RIGHT on Commonwealth Avenue. Cross over Cary Street turns into Berkshire Road. LEFT onto Dover Road, continue on Dover Road to RIGHT on Portland Place (at Downtown Expsway) RIGHT onto Portland Place to LEFT on Douglasdale.! Cross over overpass and stay RIGHT on Douglasdale to end and straight ahead and step onto the VITA gravel exercise course, complete one loop then back to Dogwood Dell. (10 miles)

Any one who wants to drop off then can, otherwise we will continue heading out of the Dell parking lot towards the Maymont entrance and loop over by the Nature Center and around Byrd Park (Swan and Fountain Lake) and to the! tennis courts on Boulevard, then heading back to the Dell, entering Pump House Road from the right side of the Carillon and finishing with that NICE BIG hill up the middle! Should be close and if not we can hit the Nickel Bridge! :-)
Thanks and happy running!!

The Man Cave

The man-cave, oh, I mean GARAGE is nearing completion. Obviously, women and men have very different brains. I'm still unclear on why a GARAGE needs TWO phone jacks, TWO cable TV outlets, and TWO ethernet jacks. Must be some testosterone-fuel reason for it that my estrogen-driven female brain just can't grasp. I'm told that the redundancy is needed in case the mice chew through the wires. But what if the mouse chews through it before it gets split out? What if the mouse chews through the electrical? Well, outside of the obvious mouse flambe of course.

Oh well. Apparently this is supposed to be our family "disaster recovery" site, as he's talking about putting in a NAS and our home PCs are backed up to that. You know, my day job is having our annual disaster recovery simulation in April. Every year, there's a creative story to go with the disaster -- apparently management can't just say "we have a simulated disaster and all equipment in the data center is unavailable." Last year, we had an accidental missile strike from a hostile submarine offshore. This year, we're being struck by an ASTEROID! Cool!

Well, my geeky but lovable team has to be obnoxiously accurate. So they went off to a University of Arizona website that simulates the damage caused by asteroid strikes. An asteroid is at least 1 km in size, so that's pretty significant -- like that giant crater in Arizona significant. Suffice it to say that my team says that we are not far enough away from the data center to survive, so they shouldn't have to participate, right? *sigh*

So, maybe my DH needs to do the calculations on the NASA site and see if the garage would survive? You tell me.

KTHXBYE

No More Safety Net for Pam

So for those of you who don't know, I've been officially discharged from physical therapy for my ankle, receiving a lovely PT Solutions t-shirt as my parting gift. So you know what that means -- no more excuses! It's frighteningly easy to say "oh - I'm a runner - but I'm injured right now" and just stay inside, full of self-righteous "I'm healing" thoughts.

But now that safety net / security blanket of being under a doctor's care has been ripped away. Time for me to overcome my inertia of the past month and a half, and overcome my fear. Fear? Fear of what? Fear of not being able to do it (run) again.

It's like the last 6 months of my life, since I started running, have been a dream. You have to realize my "before" self. I never played sports in high school (I was in the marching band for goodness sake), never went to the gym, was always (and I mean since junior high) in size 14 or larger. Not in the "in" crowd of cool kids, never had guys chasing after me, although I did have boyfriends. So to say "I ran 8 miles today", or that I actually ran 10 miles straight is surreal. You know how sometimes you are in the middle of a situation, and you are thinking "Is this real, or is this a dream?" Well, what if the last 6 months were a dream and I'm really NOT a runner and I can't do it? All those doubts have resurfaced. Through the love and support of the other 3 girls of this blog (Dee, Shannon & Maggie), I've done so much more than I've ever thought possible. Dee fusses at me to quit looking at my feet. Does she know why I look at my feet? Because I am amazed at what they are doing for me. Those are MY feet! Look at them running steadily! So what if that was it -- those 6 months are all I get of this? I don't want to sit on the sidelines again.

So this past Thursday was supposed to be my first "road" run. SNOW DAY! Snow & ice. Too dangerous -- don't want anyone to get hurt. Secret sigh of relief --- I get to delay my attempt for a few more days. Meanwhile, I try a mile on the treadmill at the gym. OMG - this is so hard! How did I ever do 10 miles? Those worms of self-doubt are just crawling around in my brain, multiplying and filling it up.

Saturday a.m. I'm not running with the girls - they are on a heavy marathon schedule, and I'm just doing a few miles, so you guys go on and I'll just run my neighborhood. Yes! They bought it! Don't have to embarrass myself in front of my friends. Oh, hey, let's go to the YMCA for yoga class and open swim. Darn. Didn't run.

Sunday a.m. Wake up early as usual. "I'll wait for the sun to come up - don't want to run in the dark." It's not raining or ice. Not horrifically cold. Come on, Pam, turn off the TV and get OFF the couch. OK. off, dressed, and out the door.

2.09 miles, 22:39 later, I'm home again. I did it! It wasn't easy, and am I dancing around about a smoking >11:00 minute mile? No. I still use the excuse that I don't want to go crazy and hurt my ankle again (it's sooo nice to not have it hurt 24x7 finally), but I got out there, and after a mile, muscle memory seemed to kick in.
Yes, running is work, but it's reality work. This isn't a dream, and I can do this and I WILL do this.

I am a runner.

Sorry to keep my fans waiting...(Speedy Dee-Va)

Well, yes, I know, I know, I should have posted before now...bad Dee! Got back from Myrtle Beach on Sunday afternoon, tired of sitting (funny after a marathon the day before)...Bob was an awesome escort for all the ladies (I use that term loosely) and for Ray too!
As for Boston - well, I am sure you know by now, not this year for Speedy Dee-Va. It's okay, although a little disappointed, glad I was smart. Before I go on, Shannon - I can't ever repay you for what you did for me Saturday - saying that you would have dropped out had it not been for me - keeping me right on your back to Maggie - giving me something fantastic to look at - and most of all being a wonderful friend. Sniff - words can never be enough. And Maggie - not even get into the race and still coming and being there to run me in the last eight and still being supportive when I could not run anymore.
Okay, so the first 19 miles - ROCKED - Shanna Banana kept me on pace and I never even felt tired. Shortly after Maggie joined us, I knew something was up - but it wasn't fatigued - I wanted to keep going. At 20, I felt it the tingle, the shake, the pinch. I slowed down a bit and figured it would go away. With my friends yelling encouragement - I tried a walk/run for the next 2 miles, thinking I could get it back but by 22 I had to keep my final promise to Bob and to me - no risk of long term injury just to get a BQ. To make a LONG 4 mile story short...those were the longest 4 miles EVER...walking most of it backwards, but neither Shannon or Maggie left my side, uttered a negative word or let me apologize. That, my friends, is what a makes this the best race I have ever ran.
As I came into the chute, flanked by my beauties, holding my left butt cheek and, of course, flexing my guns to distract people from the sight of me almost crawling...the announcer said "and here's Dee Shackleford of Mechanicsville, she's 39 annnnnnnd it looks like her butt hurts!"
I beeped on the finish and went straight into a wheelchair, had the eye candy roll me to get my chip removed and to get my FINISHER'S MEDAL.
Thank you Shannon, my rock. Thank you Maggie, my sail. Thank you all for all of your well wishes and support. For every well wish, phone call, email and prayer - THANK YOU from the bottom of my grateful heart!
I love you all.
Speedy Dee-Va, over and out!
Peace!

It's all about me! (Pam)

The girls are off in MB for the BiLo Marathon, so I'm holding down the proverbial fort here.   The BiLo marathon -- I know we don't have any BiLo's around here, but it's just funny to say it.  BiLo Marathon.  BiLo Marathon.  BiLo Marathon.  They had a good ride down with Bob chauffeuring, and are going to the Expo today.  I've hinted that I deserve some kind of amazing present, but I just don't know if they sell "My friend BQ at BiLo MB and all I got was this lousy technical" shirts.   How many people outside of the running world would have a CLUE what that meant?  LOL

So, I got to run on the treadmill today.  I alternated between walking & running for 2 minute intervals, and I did 10 min pace, 8:30 pace (woo hoo), and 9:30 pace for my three running intervals.  Even though running on the treadmill is not the same as road running (and I do prefer road running still), I have to admit that having instant, correct and consistent gratification as to my exact pace is appealing.   Am I going to have to upgrade my Garmin to one that actually accurately reflects instant pace?  I guess I'll just have to wait and see.  

Regardless, the cool thing is that it didn't hurt even at my (smokin') 8:30 pace.  I don't feel any impingement, and I just have a little soreness above my ankle where the muscles/tendons/ligaments that have been frozen for a couple of months are actually mobile again.  So this is exciting!  Since it didn't hurt like it did last Sunday when I ran on the road, the next trials will be on more soft surfaces like the track or grass/gravel, avoiding asphalt.  Alan the PT guy said that I'll come in this Monday, and if I felt good after this treadmill run, we would discuss my discharge from PT and I would be free again.   That sounds SO exciting and I can't wait.   My track schedule for this Tuesday shows 1600 / 1200 / 800 / 400, so that's a tough one for me to come back to, but I can't wait to see how I do.  I was super excited to have 2 minutes at 8:30 on the treadmill (and yes that was work), so maybe I'll be faster from all this strength training?   Who knows.

My sweet husband tricked me for Valentine's Day.  One of our boys was born on Valentine's Day, so that day always is "his" day -- family dinner, waiters singing to him at the restaurant, etc.  So, I was all prepared for going somewhere that was all kids menu, and the afternoon conversation was that Red Robin was the party choice.  So I walked out of work at 5 planning on going to the Red Robin so the kids could get milkshakes and have the required birthday song sung.  Red Robin is ok, until you start reading their nutrition info -- ai yi yi -- but it is SOOO tasty.  I get to my car, and there's roses on the seat.  COOL!  That's like my sweet hubby - he's done tricks like that before - leaving things in my car at work for me to find.  So I hop in and turn the key to start the car.  My eye notices movement in the rear-view mirror, which is my hubby's car, and my cell phone rings simultaneously.    He pulls up beside me and tells me I'm in the wrong car and that he's taking me to dinner.  It takes me a few more seconds to realize that there's no screaming kids in the backseat -- SWEET!  It's just the two of us.  We can go somewhere that DOESN'T have a kids menu and don't have to make 18 trips to the potty when the food arrives.

So, off we go to Da Lat, which is super yummy, and they've put roses at every table, candles, and Valentine's balloons.  It's really cute in there, and yummy as usual.  After laughing about the older couple at the table near us (him: "I want the rice noodles, but no shrimp or squid, and don't be slipping little pieces in there back in the kitchen.  I don't know what you do back there."), I go all adventurous and get #98 - clay pot style ginger garlic chicken.  I had pointed it out to DH as something he would like, but he got some shrimp thing.   Well, when the entrees arrived, who do you think kept stealing chicken out of my pot?   Yep!  DH himself!  So once again, I'm right (hooray!) and I TOLD him he would like it.  He said he was definitely getting this next time.

Overall, it's been a great week after a rocky start Sunday, and it's going to be culminated by Dee's awesome BQ news she's going to send out tomorrow.  She's got both original date power bars, and new cranberry power bars, so she has everything she needs to rock on (including gorgeous Valentine's roses from her own DH).    I can't WAIT!!!  She needs to go run NOW and not wait til tomorrow.   I don't know who's more excited - her or me.   Go Dee!  Go Dee!

It's always ALL about ME!    OH - and it's WOOT OFF DAY (thanks David)!   Could this day get any better???  http://www.woot.com

Thoughts!

Yes, I have them. Right now though, all the focus is on Myrtle Beach...I can do this, I won't fail, I can't let all my friends and husband, who all support me daily, down. A little stressed, no, just want to do my best - which is all I can do. The past 9 months has been an amazing whirlwind of building, hard work, trust in friends and belief in myself. Learning my limits and breaking down walls. Gaining confidence and leaving alot behind. Realizing I deserve to do what I love and love what I do and to glow and basque in the glory of all my accomplishments - PR or not. I have learned alot from this "little group of gals"...Shannon - what can I say - bright light in my universe - bouncing around, free-spirited an full of giving. Thank you for opening my eyes to a whole different world. Pam - WOW - what a change ... a year ago I never would have thought we would be peas in the same pod but here we are - morphing into the butterflies we are meant to be...I am so proud of you. Maggie - You are so strong - your strength and resilence makes me strive to be better and stronger - you should give yourself a lot more credit as you are much stronger than you think - and you give me strength. I love my girls - whether it is cold and rainy, hot and humid, 6 miles or 20, you bet there are few places I'd rather be than with you guys! I carry you all with me Saturday - good or bad - it's not just me out there, it's us. MUAH!

Okay...let me say this...

Pam - Thank you for the page, I LOVE IT! Your low rise jean post - too funny! Yes, we can find a happy "medium" rise. No more taper leg high waist allowed, you are HOT and I will tell you if you are looking like a 30 something dressing 16. You know me well enough to know that! Rule applies both ways though. UGH! I know what you mean about the jeans, my issue is the roll of skin that comes up out of my waist band, but alas the doctor will be looking at that next week!
How about a chic's shopping trip for jeans? What a fun afternoon that would be. We could do Short Pump then Starbuck's! I love this...girl chat when we can't chat..Bob thinks I am working! HA! Muah to all! What do you think of my nickname?

Low rise jeans

OK, I have a very stylish friend who tries to help my less-than-stylish self.  She swears that I really need a pair of low-rise jeans from Express.  So, the family was at the mall this weekend to buy a new AMP Dale Jr. NASCAR hat for one of the boys, and I jetted over to Express to check out the jeans.
After getting over my shock at jeans being $60.00, I dutifully handed over my credit card and went out with my purchase.  Here’s my issue, though

LOW RISE JEANS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE!

I feel like I spend all day tugging on them, when I sit down I’m obsessively pulling at the back of my shirt to make sure I don’t have some crazy plumber butt crack thing going on.   And these aren’t even the super low kind that show your butt crack when you are standing up.   Then there’s the whole mental “am I dressing like a 16 year old when I am more likely to be the mother of a 16 year old” problem.  We’ve all seen older women who are dressing like teenagers and laugh at them.  Although I am not yet ready to be an “older woman”,  I’m closer to that side of life than I am to the 16 year olds.  I only wish that someone will have the nerve to tell me when I’ve reached that point.

Apparently this is some great overhaul for my wardrobe – I will need new lower underwear, what tops do you wear with them, belts to fit lower around your hips…..   Maybe this is the economic stimulus package that America needs – make all women buy low rise pants and have to completely revamp your entire closet.

I don’t want to go so far as jeans that come over my belly button, but what about moderation – say an inch below my belly button can be called “low rise” (especially for those of us who are NOT 16 anymore).   Anyone got those????

1 Week til Myrtle Beach

Well, it's one week 'til the rest of the girls head out for Myrtle Beach and I have to say I'm jealous. It's been a hard 2008 for Dee and me due to injuries, but based on her smokin' 10 miler today (you GO girl!), she's back and better and faster than ever. Are you really ready to quit smoking when you BQ next weekend? LOL


Anyway - I am so excited for everyone, and I know they are going to have a blast and kick some SC butt down there. I'm looking forward to getting back on the road really soon and getting back to my training. The Monument Ave 10k is April 5th (if you haven't registered yet - be sure to give them MY e-mail address so I can get the free t-shirt!) and I'm actually the MOST excited about the Virginia Beach half in August. I know I am addicted to running when a 10k isn't a big deal. *yawn* It's "JUST" 6.2 miles - that's the Triple-Poop-Loop and I run that all the time. Ho hum.

Oh well. Ladies - have a wonderful time and I expect to hear how Dee symbolically threw her cigarettes in the ocean or something equally meaningful! Weather forecast says a high of 63 and mostly cloudy next Saturday.

Buddy's 5 Miler on Saturday 2/9

Here's the Buddy's 5 Miler.. www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=192038 -

1. Start at Buddy's heading west on Stuart.-
2. Turn Right at Boulevard-
3. Turn Left at Monument-
4. Turn Left at Westmoreland-
5. Turn Left at Grove (feeling like a NASCAR race by now)-
6. Turn Left at Shields-
7. Turn Left at Stuart-
8. Finish at Buddy's

Five milers sit at Buddy's or Starbuck's and 10 milers continue for a second lap.