Busy, busy

I've been absent, mostly because I have been busy, and partly from worry. It's hard to find something fun to write about when you're stressed out. But, I have been stitching away on the Kawaii from Hawaii winter cross stitch, amd a cross stitch iphone case I got on black Friday, and my new shoes came from Mizuno today, and we had a great holiday at home with family- I even got a new PR for the 10K with a time of 52:49 during the Turkey Stampede.
So, now I'm just hoping for some good news this afternoon.

Norfolk Freedom Half Marathon

I had a great weekend in Norfolk. Got there late Friday, exhausted, but so happy to see my friend Furb (a nickname she got from a yearbook snafu in elementary school). We've know each other since kindergarten! We've got the kind of history that makes it feel like we haven't been apart every time we get together.

Saturday morning, we got up to do an easy run- part of her pre-race ritual, and something I felt like I needed after being cooped up on planes the day before. I wish I had taken pictures of where we ran, because it was pretty and so different than where I usually run, but we were so busy chatting as we ran I never thought of it.

We spent the rest of the day basically running errands, but I'm odd and like that kind of thing sometimes. Plus, who doesn't love grocery shopping? And then it was off to bed to try to get some sleep (though I failed miserably for the second night in a row- I never sleep well away from home).

We got up bright and early and got ready. I was pretty excited and feeling good. Plus, I couldn't wait to play with my new Garmin (thanks, Husbeast!)

 We ran to the start since it was kind of close (1.5 miles away- she thought it was less). The race itself was a good course- well marked, mostly flat, fun- but I battled some severe internal pain from a biopsy I had done 12 days prior. I had been maintaining a great pace (average of 8:30) for the first half, but then had to take 2 walk breaks, one of which lasted about 5 minutes. But, thanks in part to the nagging beeping of the pace function on my Garmin, I sucked it up and resumed a pretty good pace (anywhere from 8:45 to 9:45, depending on how much was twinging).

I had wanted to PR. That was my main goal. But I also really wanted to break 2 hours. Given that when I saw Furb waiting for me at the last turn (she's a speed demon and ran sub 1:40) I used a big 4 letter word to describe my level of pain, I'm pretty darn happy with my time- somewhere around 2:02.

I mean, come on, my last PR was 2:13. I had gallbladder surgery and 2 other procedures that impeded my running last month, the most recent of which is still causing pain.

So I'm pretty.darn.happy.

 Sub-2 hour half marathon, I will get you, just like Furb got the gingerbread village that wouldn't stay together!

All in all, a pretty awesome way to celebrate my pre-birthday weekend.

Anyone else do something fun this weekend?

I fly solo

I just figured out that  the majority of the flights I've taken have been by myself. Which feels strange. But I guess that's part of why I don't freak out when I fly- it's kind of difficult to be a bad traveller when you have no one to listen to your panic.

Tomorrow, I'm heading to Norfolk, VA by myself, but I'l be staying with my BFF from high school, and running with her. This is the race my husband signed me up for our anniversary back in July, and it's the weekend before my birthday, so it's like my own personal holiday.

I've got my suitcase packed (except for all those annoying toiletries that can't be packed until the last minute), and my carry-on ready.

I ran 4 great, progressively faster 400s during our running group's interval workout today (1:52, 1:50, 1:45, 1:40).

So, I'm as ready as I can get for the weekend!

Half marathon #4, I'm coming for you! Sub-2 hours, if these sturdy peasant legs will cooperate!

Did you vote?

I voted!

(I did not run there, though- just had a feeling I better drive, which turned out to be the right choice since the postcard I received last month had the wrong location!)

If you live in America and want to right to complain about our government, GO VOTE!!!

9 little owls

The hats I made 2 weeks ago while recovering from surgery are getting shipped off tomorrow.

A brilliant idea?

Those of us in America are probably all THRILLED that the election is this Tuesday, which will mean the END OF POLITICAL ADS (for a short time, anyway).

So, to celebrate, I suggest we all run/walk to our polling locations (if you live close by).

In Indiana, most counties have satellite polling locations, often within just a few miles. I know mine is within 5 minutes' drive, and I would guess it's only 2 miles from home.

Tuesday morning, I will be loading my brightest running jacket's pockets with my ID so I can run to the polling location! It will also throw some hill work into my training this week.

If you can run/walk to yours, think of it as killing 2 birds with one stone- getting fresh air and exercise while doing your civic duty!

Who is with me?

(I do realize this is just another check mark in the "She's a crazy runner" category, and I'm ok with that)

Nothing goes better with mud and spandex than tulle!

Before

 So, this morning, just 12 days after gallbladder surgery, I ran another local mud run. It was cold (37 degrees F!), so of course I contemplated going shirtless... but after asking a volunteer and finding out there was no major water until right before the finish line, I kept my clothes on.

(I've learned the hard way that less really is more when it comes to mud run- if you're going to be immersed in water, dress like it's 80 degrees out- cold, wet shirts just lead to hypothermia. Trust me, I've been there.)

I got tons of comments/compliments on my tutu, so I'm glad I made it last-minute last night. No sew tutus may need to be incorporated more often, especially since it was so easy to make.

We met one of my husband's coworkers and his fiance there, which made it even more fun. Silly me, I was too cold at the end to get a group photo!

After

 We really didn't look too muddy when we were done, in part thanks to the dumpster full of water at the end.  

The race was small- I'd guess there were only about 60 people total- and ALL proceeds went to the area's Shop with a Cop program (lower income kids get to go shopping with a police officer for Christmas gifts for their families- it's great way to make Christmas dreams come true, and show these kids strong, positive role models). I love supporting small, local events because of this. No big greedy companies, just lots of love and community.

The course was on a boy scout camp property, and wound us through woods, over hay bales, over or under a hay-laden wagon (I went under- the sand looked nice), through the edge of a pond, through a small creek etc. They did a great job of using the natural landscape for obstacles, and added a few like the hay bales and the water-filled dumpster at the end. Halfway through, I thought we had to go over a trailer of boats (similar to an obstacle in Warrior Dash last August), but Tim notice the course went the other way. Silly me, I just assume anything big is meant to be climbed over!

Tim and I finished the 2.75 mile course in under 30 minutes (there was no timing system since this was meant to be a true fun run- Tim just kind of glanced at his watch). And, I'm very pleased to say (because even in a "fun run" I can't help but compete a little), I was the very first female to cross the finish line! Not too shabby given that 12 days ago, I was still under the influence of anesthesia, and one week ago, I was drowning that darn sinus/chest cold with literally a gallon of hot tea. I was grinning ear to ear when I heard the ladies "manning"the finish line double their volume, yelling, "First female! Way to show all those guys how it's done! And in a tutu!"

There you go, Mom. I made your wish come true- you now have something to brag about at that fundraiser next weekend, since you keep reminding me you need something to brag about in the absence of grand babies!

 The shirt, while not my favorite color (ugh, white, everyone will know what I ate all day), has a very well done logo, and we all got a good chuckle out of the race bags- it's an evidence bag! HAHA! That's what you get when police officers organize a fun run! They also gave everyone a plastic bag for your muddy clothes when you were done- though, since this wasn't my first rodeo, I actually had 6 bags, which was enough to share with our friends.

Check out the medal- a large nut with "MUD AND GUTS" engraved around it. Pretty clever for a small event like this.

I would definitely recommend this event. It was well-organized and the atmosphere, though no party like big name events, was so welcoming, friendly, up-beat, and just all-around great. Over the 13 events I've done this year, some of the smaller ones have been just as fun as the big productions. I love knowing that my money is going towards a good cause, too, not just making someone rich.

It's been a good weekend so far. I hope you've been enjoying yours!