With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams...

Rock and Roll DC marathon

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Location:

Hope Mills,NC,USA

Member Since:

May 12, 2009

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

78.6 miles at Hinson Lake 24 hour ultra 2013

Short-Term Running Goals:

Mike to Mike Marathon- May 2014

Hinson Lake 24 hour ultra -Fall 2014

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run till the day I die and still enjoy it

Comrades---long, long, long term

Personal:

Married

2 children

2 chickens

cat

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Mizuno Lifetime Miles: 508.40
NB Trail Lifetime Miles: 94.40
New-zuno 9's Lifetime Miles: 515.83
Pinky Gladys Gutzman Lifetime Miles: 502.11
Brooks Lifetime Miles: 517.83
New Brooks Lifetime Miles: 507.28
New Minuno Pink Lifetime Miles: 519.24
MiZuni FLAMES Lifetime Miles: 470.24
Merrell Vibrams Lifetime Miles: 20.86
Mizuno Alchemy 8 Lifetime Miles: 586.59
MIzuno Alchemy 12 Lifetime Miles: 497.80
Brooks 13 Lifetime Miles: 577.62
Brooks 12 Lifetime Miles: 410.66
Brooks 13 New Green Lifetime Miles: 440.91
Brooks 13 New Blue Lifetime Miles: 445.67
Green Machine Brooks 13 Lifetime Miles: 560.25
Shiny Blue Asics Lifetime Miles: 164.85
Dreamy New Balance Lifetime Miles: 402.57
Total Distance
156.58
Brooks 13 Miles: 128.22MIzuno Alchemy 12 Miles: 28.36
Total Distance
3.00

Easy run in the morning to wake up the legs and get my day started off right.  The sun is coming up earlier and it makes my morning runs delightful when I get to start off with the moon and come home with sun.  I always enjoy the months when we get to enjoy the full moon in the early morning and he joins me for my runs.

Brooks 13 Miles: 3.00
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Total Distance
17.00

Went out later in the day today so I could do errands first, and with hopes that the weather would warm up some during the day.  It was overcast and in the 40s all day.  Gloomy weather.

My plan was to run to Wyatt's house, take a short run with her, and then run home.  We'd discussed running times, and I let her know when I left my house.  I was disappointed when I got to her house and she wasn't there.  Wesley's quote, "Life is pain you highness. Anyone who tells you differently is selling something" kept echoing in my mind.  

I tried to steal some water out of her hose to fill my water bottle, but I couldn't get the darn thing to work and I didn't want to break it.  So I had to take a little detour to a greasy gas station and beg for some water from their tap. So my pain was subsided with a dollop of kindness from the greasy gas station ladies and their warm tap water.  Thank you ladies- you made my day!

I ran home, taking a different route than I'd gone out on, and added an extra mile or so going through a new subdivision.  I checked my watch as I was exiting the subdivision, and I knew how many miles it was from there to my house, so when my watch died sometime later, I didn't stress about it.  With 2 miles to go, I found a busted up guitar on the side of the road.  I wanted to take the end of the arm with all the twisty things on it home with me, but they were attached to a bunch of stuff via the strings.  So I had to settle on this little nugget of wood.: (I'm not certain what part of the guitar it came from)

I am tempted to run back there on Monday morning with some wire cutters and take the good part home with me.  Something to look forward to :-) You know a good pirate doesn't just leave the best booty laying around for any old joe to come and take!  "You are trying to take what I have rightfully stolen."

With only 1/2 mile to go until I get home, the freaking sun finally decides to come out.  Oh the injustice of it all.  So instead of running 15.7 miles, I took a loop through my hood so I could spend a little more time with the sun and I ended up with 17 miles.  Totally worth it.



Brooks 13 Miles: 17.00
Comments(3)
Total Distance
7.46

Let's have a little picture story problem to start off the week:

What happens when you take one pair of running shoes.....

 

 

And you add one pair of wire clippers?

 

 

You get the treasure of the week!

 

 This was the one and only reason I woke up this morning and got out on the road....the hopes that it would still be there waiting for me.  I was worried for a few seconds that it was gone, but a few more steps down the road, and there it was!  Like El Dorado shining in the morning light.

 After work, zumba started a little late, so I ran a couple miles on the treadmill, then went down for zumba, and finished up with a mile or so of speed work.

I was hungry for dinner today!  I think I'll listen to a little guitar music before I head off to sleep :-)

 

 

 

Brooks 13 Miles: 7.46
Comments(4)
Total Distance
6.22

I actually got up extra early this morning so I could make breakfast for my little buccaneer.  She took the ACT test in school today and deserved a good breakfast.  

I ran my 10k route- down to the blinking light and back.  I found my treasure in the first quarter mile.  The other 6 were rather uneventful.  Just a nice run, beautiful sunrise, good pace.

treasure of the week #2 

 

 Zumba after work.

Brooks 13 Miles: 6.22
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Total Distance
0.00

took a day off from running and did zumba after work

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Total Distance
5.21

Went for a morning run and got to see a beautiful sunrise.  I'll miss the early sun up next week when daylight savings time kicks me back into the dark ages in the morning.

It wasn't extra fast, or extra slow.  Just got it done.  I had planned on running home as well, but a school bus drove into a ditch and I ended up staying late to answer the phones.  So mini-me came and picked me up.  I spent 90 minutes on the elliptical after dinner while I read and then watched TV.   

Brooks 13 Miles: 5.21
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Total Distance
4.14

My legs weren't ready to run this morning after doing the elliptical last night.  Took me a long time to warm up, and they never stopped feeling tired.  Tired legs are good reminders of what it's like to run a marathon.  

I got to sleep in an extra hour today and I was looking forward to a warmer, sunnier run than I usually get in the morning.  I'm not sure what it was like an hour earlier, but it was still cold.

Hope Saturday is warmer. 

Brooks 13 Miles: 4.14
Comments(1)
Total Distance
13.20

I had the perfect plan.  Sleep in, housework, then run when it was nice and sunny/warmer outside.  I'd be finished by the time mini-me got home from her camp-out and then I'd have the evening to catch up on my reading and cook dinner.

Everything went well until at mile 1.2, I saw a guy from church drive by and I realized I was supposed to be helping with a community blue and gold banquet that I was helping to host at the church house.  I turned around and ran home, jumped in the car, got half way there and realized I'd left my purse at home, turned around, went back to the church and found out it was all locked up.  Scout families were starting to show up and I didn't have a key.  It was a nightmare brought on by my own penchant for planning.  In 15 minutes I had the building open and helped get the tables & chairs set up so the different groups could decorate their tables.   This is the 3rd or 4th year I've helped host the group, and it's always a huge turn out.  I can't believe I forgot about it.  I also can't believe that things worked out as well as they did for me being such a dolt.

I ended up running at the park 1/10th of a mile away from the church.  It has a 1 mile loop.  Mind numbing loops, but a just punishment for my foul-up.  I figured this way if they needed me for anything, they could call and I'd be close by to help.  When I finished my run, they were getting ready to start the program, so I went home and showered, then came back to help clean up.  My day was pretty much over by the time it was all cleaned up.  I did get a good second workout trying to push the giganto vacuum around the hallways, putting chairs and tables up & down again, and clenching my teeth while I tried not to scream at little boys smashing cupcake frosting into the carpet.  If they were mine, they would have been walking the plank!

Brooks 13 Miles: 13.20
Comments(4)
Total Distance
4.16

Morning run and afternoon zumba.

Brooks 13 Miles: 4.16
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Total Distance
0.00

afternoon zumba- sweat so much I needed a splash zone pained around me

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Total Distance
4.40

Morning run.  Ran at a faster pace than I've been doing- just to see if I could. 

Brooks 13 Miles: 4.40
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Race: Rock and Roll DC marathon (26.2 Miles) 05:40:00
Total Distance
26.73

Had a fun time with Terri and Ann at the marathon.  I needed an excuse to see my running buddy, and this was a great excuse.

The weather was great- the rain held off and the sun actually came out for a while.  I was disappointed in the "Rock and Roll" people who put this race together.  Not enough port-a-potties, poor bag drop off planning/execution, and it seemed like the race was targeted for the half marathon 24000 and not the 6000 marathon runners. 

The end zone was empty.  Boxes of stuff to help yourself if you could find it.  Bags dropped on the hillside to pick up yourself, and the beer tent closed early too.  A pirate does not take kindly to having the beer tent closed, even if the pirate doesn't want the beer.  The option needs to be open!  I wouldn't sign up for one of the races in the Rock & Roll series again.  BUT I would run one with Terri again if she signs up :-)

Mostly because Terri is GROOVY!!

Brooks 13 Miles: 26.73
Comments(3)
Total Distance
3.00

Elliptical in the morning to work out the sore/stiff muscles.

Zumba (as much as possible) after work, then I did a few miles on the treadmill using my "new' knee brace.  I wanted the same kind of brace I'd been using the last 2 years, but the brace shop stopped carrying that brand.  The guy promised me that it was even better than the old one, but I'm not convinced.

Running was slow, very slow.  But I've got to start somewhere :-)

MIzuno Alchemy 12 Miles: 3.00
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Total Distance
4.14

morning elliptical

afternoon zumba- a little easier today than yesterday

later afternoon run- the sun was out, it was 70 degrees, and the blossoms on the bradford trees & azalea bushes.  It's going to get cold again, so I had to get out before spring goes away.   A dog I'd never seen out before came tearing across a yard and into the road after me.  It was a small black dog, who was barking and growing as he ran toward me.  I shouted, "STOP!  GET YOUR DOG!"  No one came, so I ended up having to kick the dog to keep him from biting me.  The dog didn't go away, but he stopped trying to attack me.  Guess getting kicked is better than getting shot, but I wish his owner would have just kept him under control to begin with.

MIzuno Alchemy 12 Miles: 4.14
Comments(3)
Total Distance
0.00

90 minutes elliptical.  give the knees a break, and spend some time with mini me.

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Total Distance
10.70

Morning run of 5.7.  Chilly morning, 38 degrees, but beautiful.  The stars were out and very bright- due to the moon being chased beyond the horizon before I got out to run.

The run back was magnificent- started with just a hint of dark blue on the eastern horizon, and slowly, over the next 15 minutes,  the sky spread open with the dark blue lifting, and a dusty red on the horizon.  When I finished my run, the gap was filled with a gentle rainbow of colors.  What a treat.

Afternoon run of 5 miles home from work.  Note to self: when The Weather Channel has warnings in your area for high winds, don't expect any great paces. In fact, just hope the wind doesn't knock you backwards.  All but the last .5 miles was into wind.  I was glad my knees and legs cooperated.  It was really nice outside- except for the big wind gusts.  The great part of my run was finding treasures.  TWO treasures today.  

First was the cotton candy, which someone thought would be cute to drive their tire through....


 And the second was this terrific disc titled, "Lil Keke.........Loved by Few, Hated by Many".  If my Pirate name wasn't already QP, It'd be Lil' Keke. 

Some days, it's good to be a pirate.

 

Brooks 13 Miles: 10.70
Comments(7)
Total Distance
12.50

Housework in the morning while I waited for it warm up a little.  I was hoping for a little bit of sunshine.  I finally saw some at mile 9, and it encouraged me to run an extra mile so I could see more of the sun.  I think I may have been an Egyptian in a former life.

Just after mile 2, as I was approaching a house that often has a big dog out chasing and barking (I had a few words with the owner on MLK day in January), I noticed a big dead dog on the side of the road.  I don't think it's the same dog, but I kind of wish it was.

The rest of the run was rather uneventful.  Listened to podcasts and thought about spring break coming and how I hope it's nice weather then.

My pace was slower than I thought, but I'm giving myself a break since I did 26 last Saturday.

MIzuno Alchemy 12 Miles: 12.50
Comments(1)
Total Distance
8.02

4.02 in the morning.  The weather app said it was cloudy but not rainy.  It lied.  It was drizzly the whole time.  I had to take off my glasses and run blind the last mile because it was easier to see without them than with them.  I did tempo miles and I was happy about the paces I was able to get.

zumba after school- not sure if it's just me or not, but it's kind of getting old....not as much fun as it used to be.

Then I ran on the treadmill after zumba while little one did her math tutoring.  I started at 6 mph and every half mile I added .2, so I ended at 7.4.  It felt good, but the last half mile did feel like a workout.  A good workout.

This week I'll be sharing photos from the marathon with Terri.  Here's one of the guy who carried the Coast Guard flag the whole time.  We passed him just before/after/before around the time we passed by the Coast Guard building on the Anacostia river.

Proud of him, proud of our Coast Guard, proud of our military.

MIzuno Alchemy 12 Miles: 4.02Brooks 13 Miles: 4.00
Comments(2)
Total Distance
4.70

am- an hour on the elliptical

pm- zumba, then 4.7 on the treadmill.  I didn't do speed like Monday, but I'm pretty sure it's not good to do speedwork every day.

The photo for the day is from the Marathon with Terri- It's "Miss America."  She's with her friend in the photo.  We'll call the one in the jacket "1st runner up." We would leap-frog each other for the whole second half of the race.  I told her that when I talked about my run, I was going to talk about her.  She had on full make-up, and if I had to say so myself, she was one good looking Miss America!

'Murika

MIzuno Alchemy 12 Miles: 4.70
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Total Distance
0.00

niggles.......I think that's what RAD calls them.  Foot niggles, knee niggles, other knee niggles.  I don't have any reason to push the miles right now, so I'm going to back off for a while and let the niggles work themselves out.  I think the elliptical will be getting some one-on-one time with the pirate for a while.   Which is fine, because I have a huge book I want to finish re-reading before Friday. 

90 minutes on elliptical in the pm today.

Bonus for the day:  It's Big T's day.  That's the day when our awesome principal has the traveling food truck come and feed us snowcones & chili dogs for lunch.  I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself.  I'll need to put a cork on the end of my hook so I don't scratch anyone in my overly-excited state.

The photo for today is of Terri and Ann on the bridge.  Aren't they cute? We were having entirely too much fun for a marathon.

 

Comments(2)
Total Distance
10.00

You never know what kind of adventures will befall a pirate once she sets out on the open seas roads.

I was going to run home from work today.  It's 5 miles home- taking the most direct route.  The sun was out, it was 55 degrees (we got out 2 hours early, so I had a sunshine/warmer advantage that I usually don't), and the road was calling to me.   I was already feeling great because we'd gotten out 2 hours early and it's the start of our 10 days of spring break.  I wasn't sure the day could improve.

As I started running home, I realized one aspect of my perfect running trifecta was amiss....the wind...it was very, very windy.  Which is a good thing for setting sail on a trip to spring break land, but wasn't very exciting as I tried to run into it.  I thought of RAD and her blustery run on Saturday that she pushed though for 30+ miles, and realized I really couldn't complain. 

At mile 3 I decided it was just too nice outside to head home, so I took a detour that took me along the cypress lake with the beaver dam, the burned down house, and the cattle ranch.  It added another 5 miles onto my total route, so I ran a total of 5.  From mile 5 to 8.5, it was straight into the blustery wind.  When I finally turned at mile 8.5, and the wind was behind me, I felt like I was on top of the world. 

Then, around mile 9, I saw a 7 turkey vultures in the field to my left.  I was contemplating what kind of dead critter they were after when I had to stop in my tracks at one of the most beautiful sights.  The mother of all pirate booty-loot lay there shining with the sunlight gleaming off the metal.  Of course it was coming home with me!

 

Yes buccaneers, it was adjustable cane.  In fine shape, if I say so myself.  I shoved the bottom of it down the back of my shorts (so the liner would keep it from sliding out) (and I did have capri running pants on under my shorts as well) and started for home.  I soon realized I needed to secure the top of the cane as well, so I took off my reflective jacket and used it to hold the cane against my back.   I was on my way home and didn't mind the handle banging against my head, because hey, we all have to sacrifice for the better good.  It did occur to me after a few good knocks to the head that the cane was adjustable and so I fiddled with it a little and made it shorter, thus eliminating the head beating I was taking. 

When I was almost home, it occurred to me that perhaps, the owner of the cane was the dead critter those vultures were eating, and it made me a little sad.  But they won't be needing the cane either way ;-)

I'm sure this is just an omen about what an awesome spectacular spring break I'm going to have.  A wonderful run, a delightful treasure, and 10 miles worth of sunshine of my shoulders.  No pains from those niggles either.  It's a beautiful day in the life of a pirate.

And lest I forget, here's the race photo for the day today.  It's me on the bridge over the Anacostia river into Southeast Washington DC.  Not a place I'd normally head on foot by myself anytime of day, but fun when you're with Terri and Ann (and Miss America too).  If I remember correctly, we'd just passed by the stadium on South Capitol Street where the Washington Nationals play baseball.  Anacostia Naval Annex/Bolling AFB is in the background.   




Brooks 13 Miles: 10.00
Comments(4)
Total Distance
0.00

I'd put off exercising all day, and then when I did finally get on the elliptical, just a few minutes after I'd started, I had a surprise visitor and never finished.  Procrastination paid off after all.

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Total Distance
12.00

Beautiful day for a run.  MR rode his bike and we went around p-town and on a few back roads before heading home again.  I was certain the mileage would be higher than it was, but I wasn't going to take any side trips to get more distance today.  

Glad spring is finally here!

Brooks 13 Miles: 12.00
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Total Distance
156.58
Brooks 13 Miles: 128.22MIzuno Alchemy 12 Miles: 28.36
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