Polar Bear 5K

So, I have been working all week. By Saturday morning I had racked up 62 hours. Woohoo!

Friday night, I told my co-worker I was only working until 830p, so I could get a good night’s sleep for my 5K. I got home around 9p, had some pizza that D graciously went and got for me, and went to bed. At 230a, Porter started being crazy and would not lay still. She did this until my alarm went off at 610a.

So I got up as did D, and we got ready. He pretty much has to do everything for me. I couldn’t find a shirt or socks. He found the socks and I borrowed a shirt from him. He took care of the dogs, and off we went to Marietta.

The church that was sponsoring the race was your typical Georgia Baptist Church…f’ing HUGE! Our co-worker was also supposed to do the race, but he didn’t make the cutoff. Only 2K people could run because it was chipped. So it was just me and D. So we got our numbers and our shirts. The shirts are XL and might fit a 125 lb. male. I don’t see how any female with a B or bigger cup could wear this thing. Oh well.

After about 35 minutes, we went back outside to get to the start line. Chip timing…I wish Atlanta would learn how to do this properly. If you are going to have a chip, you need to have a mat. The chip should not start when the gun goes off, because if you are in the back…it’ll take you awhile to cross the start. So anyway, we listened to the God man (aka a pastor) do a prayer. Then the race started. I started the Garmin with 18 seconds already on it (I need to learn how to reset it). I started the Garmin when I crossed the start line. The race had some hills but they all were very small. I crossed Mile 1 at 13:15. I felt good. I passed the finish (the course was 1.5 times around the church). And I got to say, “I HATE PEOPLE!” You see, I hit the entrance to the finish with a huge group of people. A few of them were actually finishing the race, and thus had to cross the path of the slower runners. Not a big deal you would think. Except one fast runner ran into a kid and knocked him down. The blood curdling scream was very lovely to listen too. Even that is understandable…going so fast that you can’t stop in time, not that I would know. But the runner continued running. He didn’t stop nor did he come back. He was booed by us slower people. What an ass!

OK, so that carried me for awhile…how much I hate people. I also noticed there were 4 vet offices on this route. Very weird. So at mile 1.6, someone wanted to know how much farther. Garmin was able to provide us the answer. We passed the church (the start) again. I was getting annoyed by 2 sets of people (named Big Ass and Gold Earring). Both sets were running past me and then would walk. After the 9^th time this just downright had to be stopped. Oh somewhere near here we crossed mile 2: 27:30. So I plotted. My plotting slowed me down some, as I felt as though I was walking, and although I wasn’t, I was going at a 16 min pace. OK, so now I had to beat people and run faster.

The last hill came. I knew I had to make my move. Big Ass (although not as big as mine) and Gold Earring were going to see the last of me. I passed Big Ass and Gold Earring. I got to the top of the hill. My lungs were exploding. I kept pressing on. I started down the hill, and Gold Earring passed me. I was going to have to trip them or something. I passed D and Mile Marker 3. I waved. We got to the entrance to the finish. Gold Earring had slowed. I gave it my all. And I passed GE. Awesome. I crossed the finish line at 42:10 according to the Garmin. Take off the 18 seconds, and that is 41:52. Woohoo! So I walked through the chute and they scanned and took my chip (it was attached to the race number). The official result was 42:30 I think. I’m going with 41:52.

Afterwards, D and I had some water, cookies and a banana, and then went to Einstein’s for a breakfast date. And then like every day this week, I went to work.

Time: 41:52 (run)
Mileage: 3.1 (13:30 min/mile)
Calories: 694
Max HR 189
Avg HR 1686
In Zone 4:07

First Race and Run of the Year

Yesterday D, A and I went to Decatur to run the Run with the Dogs 5K. D didn't run because he hurt his back on Friday. Not sure what happened but he makes me wince when he stands up.

It was 47 and hugely overcast. Luckily I gave this some thought because I was going to wear a coat. I think I would have died.

Anyway we got to Decatur HS and signed in. Really cool T-shirts. We talked to the Race Coordinator. He said about 150 people would run, which was surprising since it benefitted Decatur City Schools. This made me really nervous. I didn't want to be last. I recognized some runners from other races. After about 45 minutes, the race started. It started up a hill. By the time I got to the top, I wanted to stop. But I didn't. Lots of people passing me and lots of people with pups. I found my groove and ran past Agnes Scott College and through a 'hood past Winnona Park Elementary. There were hills but nothing very steep...at least not anything Guinness and I haven't done. Near MM1 some guy asked if I wanted his dog to pull me through the race. I'm not sure if he was being nice or just being a dickhead, insinuating I was slow. I decided he was a dickhead, but let it go (obviously!). I got up a hill the cops who had halted traffic. It seemed to piss off drivers but oh well. Mile 1 was 13:47. Faster than I have been in quite some time. Mile 2 was basically a long flat street. For some reason this was the hardest part for me. There were cops or volunteers at every break in the street for the race, and this section was just a long street with no turnoffs, so no people. There were some people in front of me, but I wasn't intent on catching them.

What was weird Vanilla's post about training for his marathon popped in my head (he recollected himself). And how he had a bad run. And how he didn't want to run anymore. I decided I didn't either. I finally got to Oakhurst and they called at my time as 25 something. But I wasn't at 2 miles. I grabbed a cup of water because I was dying of the heat. But it was empty. I was getting more discouraged. So I could see MM2, and decided to walk. I didn't trudge and I walked like a walk racer, but I walked. I couldn't explain it. So I passed MM2 and I got to a a downhill. I decided to run again (I probably had walked 5o-100 yrds). My friend Kara's advice came into my head...You have 15 more minutes of fun, and then you can sit down. So I got to the hill to go up, and plugged away. I finally got to Dekalb Ave and had to run down it. It was kind of hard because I was running on the wet line of the street that had no curb, just a dropoff and against traffic. Most people slowed down, but some did not.

I could see the light of the school. 2 people were in front of me. They had done the run/walk thing the whole race. They decided I wasn't going to pass them and started running. As I said, it was weird, usually I would try to stay with them, and this time, I was just eh! So I got to the stop light (3 MM) and the rest was downhill.

A and D cheered me before the finish. I crossed at 43:07 which was much better than my time in December. I got some water (they had some!). A got 34 something.

As I write this, it seems like it was a lousy run, but I don't think it was. I think I was just having A LOT of headgames. Weird I guess.

A dropped us off and we were going to go to Lowe's to get my leafblower, but we decided to have some Cincinnati Chili first. Which went with a Pipeline Porter, and another. And a Young's Double Chocolate Stout. And some Left Hand Milk Stout. And some dancing. And some more beer. So my leafblower will be bought this week.

Yes, I had a good Saturday!

Time: 43:07 (run)
Mileage: 3.11 (13:52 min/mile)
Calories: 383
Max HR 187
Avg HR: 179

I'm Robinson Crusoe...wait who is that?

OK, so yesterday was the Jingle Jog 5K. I woke up at 5:40 with the alarm set to go off at 6:00.

My bladder was very full, but I didn't want to get out of bed. I decided to rough it like Robinson Crusoe. At 5:50 I realized I had no idea what that meant. I never read Robinson Crusoe, so who knows. At 6 I got up, relaxed the bladder and got ready. I wasn't sure if D was going or not since he was feeling horrible the night before. He got up and got ready too.

It was a lovely 27 degrees. We got in the car and went to the race. I told D about the Robinson Crusoe thing. He asked if I was on drugs. We got to the race, parked, and went and looked for registration. We found that, and then realized we had 40 minutes to kill. We walked around a lot. Mostly to keep warm. We looked for my co-worker Seth who was the one who convinced us to run. We couldn't find him. We also couldn't find the start line. So we kept walking around. Finally we found it. We asked a guy to take our pic and then Seth found us. We all got in the start. Seth went up front, I stayed in the back. D decided he was going to run with me. That lasted about 10 seconds into the race.

Me and D

Me and Seth

So the race started. Lots of kids. I really wish there were age limits to these things. Lots of moms, making sure everyone was holding hands! Yay (insert eye roll). Anyway, after tripping over 1, I decided to run my own race. D was infront of me, but I could see him. We ran down to Einstein Bros and they yelled at 14 min for mile 1. I decided that albeit slow, I was just going to run. I have been sick, and there were a lot of people, and WTF is that...dogs running. I don't mean German Shepherds, Goldens, Labs, or other normal size dogs. I mean Pomeranians and other rat dogs. Never mind I don't like toy dogs, but it seems cruel to make those legs run 3 miles.

I thought about this at the start of mile 2 which was a HILL. Everyone around me was walking. I kept talking (so people thought I was crazy), telling Guinness to pull me up, we can do it. Now this was crazy, because Guinness was back at home sleeping. But it got me up the first part of the hill. The hill would flatten and then go up. All of Mile 2 was like this. I seemed to have surrounded myself with this annoying woman and 4kids, the mom/son/shitzu combo and 2 women with a poodle. The 2 women with the poodle had no patience for anything, and had I been walking I think I would have made 2 new friends. Everything I thought was annoying they voiced. The road was crappy. If I'm going to pay $1M for a home around here, I want a better road (there were lots of potholes.) Those kids are brats. How is it 10 year olds have better running gear than me? I thought it, they said it. Finally we finished mile 2...30 minutes.

Mile 3 started. It was mostly flat. I just started to try to pick it up. My lungs hurt but I felt I was going fast (my time would show me I wasn't). So the 2 ladies were still talking. We got to some photographer and the rat dog people stopped and posed. But they STOPPED. That was it. The 2 ladies fell into them, and finally said, "Pick up your damn dog will ya!" This made me laugh and forget about the fact that their posing made the photographer not get a pic of me. Oh well. The last turn was all downhill. I went on my way and left everyone behind. I crossed Mile 3 at 44. So I crossed at 46:05.



D and Seth were waiting for me. Seth ran at 31 something and D ran at 37 something. We went and got our shirts and get water. Did I mention it was 27 degrees. Well I guess water wasn't important. Of course I could get coffee or hot chocolate. We realized too that Seth lost his key. So we looked everywhere, and went into Home Depot where D bought me some water. We finally found the key at Lost and Found of the race. So we all parted. I was still perturbed about no water. This seems to becoming a theme.



So later in the day D and I decided to check out the Porter Bar. Pretty good. A little confused with the name since the beer list seemed focused on wheats. I did have a Left Hand Milk Stout and a Great Divide Porter. D had a Beamish and a Great Divide. We also split a Reuben and a Ham and Cheese. The French Fries were awesome. Although the bartender thought I didn't like them because I only had 5.

Then is when we decided we should leave...the man and woman who sat down next to us were interstesting. First the woman had enough collagen that we were sure she wouldn't be able to feel if she was giving her man a BJ. And he had this little case. It was black leather and it was a little roll. It looked like a dildo. So with his little dick on the bar and her lips we were making fun. Then they wanted to know if the fish and chips were greasy (huh!). The bartender goes, "No, they are just cooked in oil." The 2 didn't get what he meant so they ordered it. I think they were high too because they ate popcorn, fries and the fish and chips. And they were grubbing. I stretched back and then saw it. The chick had hair extensions that were coming through. It was so bad. I don't think the picture did justice. It is hard to take a pic in a dark bar incognito.

Bad hair

So we left.
Fun day!

Time: 46:05 (run)
Mileage: 3.1 (14:52 min/mile)
Calories: 1277
Max HR 190
Avg HR: 143
In Zone 13:10

Pancreatic Cancer 5K

So, Friday I was exhausted. I did the headbob thing at my desk from 1 to 130 when I said Fuck It and went home. I slept from 2 until 6. I still felt really tired. Nothing exciting happened on Friday night.

Saturday D went to work, and I got up around 830. A and I were doing another 5K. This one was in Grant Park for Pancreatic Cancer (link tells you what PC is since neither A nor I knew). I got to A's around 9:15. It was 55 degrees. We walked down to the Pavillion and signed in. Our reception was a bit frosty since neither of us raised any money for it (again, we didn't even know what it was). So we got our T-shirts that we had to ask for, as opposed to those around us who received them. We also asked about the course, and got, "I don't know." So back to A's we went to put our T's in the car. And back to the pavillion. Opening ceremonies were going on from 10-1045. In that time, I found out that A doesn't mind a black man being over her (politics, sortof), which still has me chuckling. She found out that I haven't shaved my legs in about 3 weeks. Terribly exciting...we still didn't find out what PC was, but that usually you are black, old, a smoker, a diabetic, a man, and have very little chance of surviving...or so said the white, young non-smoker, no-diabetic female survivor. Finally the ceremony was over and we had to walk to the start line.

There weren't a lot of runners (we found out this was the first run, the 3rd walk). The walkers were on a different route. So the race started. I just kind of ran it. My knee was bugging me and it had been so I wasn't out to set a record. We ran near the Interstate and back to the park and up my least favorite hill in GP. Got up to BLVD and ran on the sidewalk. I was very careful because I was sure I was going to slip on the wet leaves (it rained overnight). Mile 1 was 13:45...I knew I was going slowly, but ok. I passed 2 12 year olds and they would pass me then walk, and then I would pass them. Finally on Atlanta, I passed them and 3 more people. Up onto Cherokee. This is an up/down street. The hills aren't hard, just long. I really didn't want to run on the sidewalk but looking at the slope on the street, I knew I would hurt my leg more. Mile 2 came, and it was 28:58. Getting slower.
There were some really good volunteers on the course and they cheered me on. Sometimes being at the back of a pack, you wonder if the volunteers are wondering why you aren't just doing the walk. This is what I thought they thought. There were a lot of cops for the race too. So finally I got to the turn and ran down hill. And all the walkers were on the street and I had to run against them up that same dreaded hill. The cop told me it was the last hill, and I could do it. By now my knee REALLY was talking. I walked half of the hill. I got to the top and resumed running. I passed the start cone. This run seemed really long, like at the cone it should be over.

I continued to BLVD, and then turned into the park. Only .1 more miles. Yay! I crossed the line at 45:27. I was horrified at this time. To make matters worse, they wouldn't record mine or Anne's time (she waited for me at the finish), because "they already know who the awards are going to." WTF! That isn't the point. So that ticked me off.
We went and got some water and they still had some... Yay! And then we walked home. A said her time was off from the cemetery run (part of the course was the same) by 2 minutes. Hmmm so was mine.

So I got home and looked at another GP run we had done, and my time was faster for that and that run was over a year ago, when I started running. Something was wrong. The difference in the courses was the beginning. So out to US Track to map the damn thing. Turns out it was 3.3 miles. Now in the grand scheme of things this isn't a lot, but it is almost a lap at the track, which equates to about 3 minutes, so things started to make more sense.

I'm still irked by that and the lady who wouldn't record my time. But eh...I got a T-shirt, and now I know what Pancreatic Cancer is.

Oh and then on Saturday Night, D and I did a case race of Pipeline Porter. Needless to say I didn't run 4 miles on Sunday.

Time: 45:27 (run)

Mileage: 3.3 (13:46 min/mile)

Calories: 912

Max HR 187

Avg HR 166

In Zone 12:43

I ran fast... for me...sortof...

So today was the 3rd Annual Romp and Stomp 5K at the Chomp and Stomp Festival. I really wished D didn't have to work but he did, so it was just A and me.

It was 44 degrees when we left, so Anne actually wore short sleeves instead of her usual tank top. I wore long sleeves and shorts. We got to Cabbagetown at 730 and there was no place to park. Finally found a place and went and got our numbers. We chatted to some of A's friends that she ran into, and before you know it the race was off.

As I crossed the Start line, I turned on my watch (you know Atlanta doesn't do chip timing!). The start of the race was kind of hilly. Not massive hills but up down up down. No big woop since I've been running in my 'hood. Oh there is the lady I passed last year...I will pass her again. And I did. Around and up to Milltown. I really wanted to go in...we haven't been in awhile...my medical bills put a dent into my social funds. Down another street, Mile 1. I looked at my watch...12:45. OK no wonder I'm breathing hard. If I can keep this pace I can finish under 40 minutes. Can I? I can't compute .1 so maybe not.

OK old man, why are you only running up the hills? Together Old Man and I passed 3 women. We got to the Krog Street Tunnel and went through. There were a lot of people still around me...was I really going fast or was everyone else going slowly. I don't know. Damn! There is a person in that car. I thought it was parked. I guess they didn't appreciate me almost running into it. OK Mile 2...26:45. 14 minute mile. One extreme to the other.

This next mile was quite boring...these 2 women would pass me and then walk. On a hill I would pass them and then they would run past me. They must have gotten tired of me, because the last half mile they ran all the way. I wasn't even in the mood to chase them. We passed the Coffee Shop that I won't go to. They are "dog-friendly" but don't allow Pits. Then you aren't dog friendly and you don't know squat about dogs. (don't get me started on that). Old Man and I still were together. The last turn, I saw the 3 mile sign. I got to it at 40:0?. The 2 women had disappeared by now, but Old Man was going to eat my dust. I saw the finish line and Anne. I was very glad I had my watch...they had already turned off the clock. (Annoyance). Woman with stroller stopped right on the finish line, I almost ran her down. My time 41:40.

I was really disappointed with that time. I was sure last year was lower. So we were herded into a line for shirts which they apparently had run out of, except they had XXL and M, so A and I scored. We also go spoons for the Chomp and Stomp later on (the Chili is free, a spoon is $5).

Our bitch of the run, you ask? No water again! WTF? They opened the beer truck, but it did us no good as I didn't have cash and A doesn't drink beer. So we came home.

I came home and looked at last year's time. 41:48. I improved. Go me!

Time: 41:40 (run)

Mileage: 3.1 (13:26 min/mile)

Calories: 789

Max HR 190

Avg HR 164

In Zone 2:50

Run Like Hell 5K, Drink Like Hell, and then Feel Like Hell!

OK, so Friday night at 11PM our phone rang. D and I were both asleep. The phone was Vic, waiting for us to pick her up from the airport. So off we went and got her. My arm was killing me.

I kept making sure that the left arm is the heart attack arm, because it was my right. But I know why. Friday morning they couldn't find a vein in the top of my hand so they had to put the IV in my arm (elbow bend). So before I was out the electric blood pressure thing was on my other arm going on every minute or so. But it changed somewhere along the way. At 915 I was bitchy and cold and finally got a blanket after waiting a whole 8 minutes. I also noticed my arm hurt every minute or so, sort of like a needle was being driven into my arm. But I had already caused a scene about the blanket that I didn't want to say anything in case they made it worse. So after rolling from side to side a few times for my air passes, the nurse said something was wrong with my blood pressure. She took the blanket off, and the cuff was now below the arm and on my wrist. But anyway...my arm hurt really bad Friday night and there is a nice bruise on it now.

So Vic and I got up and got dressed. It was 55 degrees. I know Anne would be wearing a tank top. I was in a long sleeve shirt as was Vic. We both ended up changing. We left the house at 8 and picked up Anne. She pointed out that the race went by her house, so look for J and C. We got to the cemetery, parked and found registration. After that, V needed coffee, so the people gave her a taste. Literally, she got a Dixie Cup and Anne and I had to look in the cup to see what she had. We put our T-shirts in the car. Then we hung out. D came up to cheer us on. I was very happy to see him and happy he was there. He could have slept another hour before going to work, but he chose to come see us. Yay D!

Vic, Al, and Anne

So the race started. Not a lot of fan fare. We started down MLK. Vic was beside me, talking (she is the most talkative person I know). She passed me, and I tried to keep up before I remembered to run my own pace. We turned on Grant, crossed over Memorial right by the Standard. I thought about a beer. They weren't open. Grant was downhill. We turned on Woodward and then went to Cherokee. It was a bit low hill but nothing much. There was a lady in a green shirt that would pass me. Then she would start walking. Then I would pass her. We crossed over I20 and passed the pizza place. Running down Cherokee...more downhill. I passed the 2 mile marker...I looked at my watch and it said 10 minutes. Obviously I had not gone 2 miles. People started passing me going the other way. Still running my own race, but knowing the course started bugging me...there were some hills I had to deal with...Drawn out hills...do I like steep or drawn out...not sure. Turned onto Bass. That was a steep hill. I got through 2 blocks and then had to walk. I couldn't get air into my lungs. I noticed while I was debating running or walking, no one besides me was running. I walked. We got to the top of the hill and turned. I resumed running. J and C were on their front porch. They waved and said "Go Allison." Everyone was looking around. It felt great to have a cheering section.

Turned again and noticed a line. Water station? Yes, and there was no water. I was fine with that. Back up Cherokee, and up the drawn out hill. I past the 2 mile marker at 27 minutes... I got up to the intersection before the pizza place and felt really tired. And my arm was aching, killing. To the point, I had it tucked in my side. I finally decided to walk again. I didn't lollygag though, and passed 3 people while walking. I got back to the I20 bridge and started running. Back across Memorial and turned onto MLK to head back into the cemetery. That green shirt lady passed me again (this was about the 5th time). I was tired. We were still on a hill. The volunteer told me to turn and run to the belltower. I started running a little harder, and I saw D. He was waiting at the belltower and took a picture.

My neighbors all screamed, "Go Allison!" I know they run sub-20 minute 5Ks so it made me happy they waited for me. I was pointed to go down a hill and it would be done. I ran and looked to my right, and I seemed to be below another path. I finally turned again, and had another hill. But I got there. And then I saw her...the green shirt lady. She had about 10 yards to go. I had about 15. I BEAT HER!!!!

Me beating the Green Lady

And people with kids, when you cross with a 2 yo, please pick them up so I don't trip over them.

D, Vic and Anne all came and helped me finish my card. I guess the time said 43:25 but I went by my watch which was 43:06. I'm happy with that time. D kissed me bye and left for work. The gals and I went to get water which there was none. D was nice enough to have given me his gatorade so I had that, which was fabulous. We left so we could get water at home.

We dropped Anne off and then we went to the Decatur Beer Fest, and got way too drunk. Becky came with us. Michelle met us afterward. Becky left, and Michelle drove us home. This is where things fall out of my head. I know we watched Sex and the City. I don't remember it ending, and I don't know how I got to bed. I do remember going next door because I had hiccups and I needed peanut butter, and we had none thanks to Guinness's incident.

So 630 came this morning. I tried to get up. I think I was still drunk. D graciously got up and drove Vic to the airport. I love him. I got up 2 hours ago. Becky wanted to do lunch because her purse is at my house. I think Michelle has my sunglasses. I am doing dinner with Becky because food isn't my friend right now.

Race for the Cure

D and I went to DC this weekend. Both sides of our families live there. However, I was so busy this week, I totally forgot to tell my side I was coming. Part of it too was we had planned for so long in coming for 2 particular events for his side, that again I just forgot. Oh well next time.

So we arrived and D's sis Stacey was at the airport. So was D's dad in a separate car. It was ok, because our niece was having an emergency thing (scary, but she is ok) and had to go to the ER, so Stacey left and his dad took us home.

Around 7 we went to D's sis Dawn's daughter's graduation party. She just graduated high school, and is the first grandchild (of D's parents) to graduate (she is the oldest). The party was fun. We got to see Dawn who has breast cancer. She looks great. I don't know what I thought she would look like, but except for the no hair, she looks healthy. Stacey and her fam also arrived. Her daughter was doing better and out of the ER, but Stacey said she (the daughter) couldn't do the 5K the next day.

Dawn's husband Tim and younger daughter were doing the race. So we all coordinated, and then went home.

Saturday morning we got up and took the metro to the National Mall. It was super hot. The race seemed a bit disorganized but I think it was more because the area was so big. I heard Hillary Clinton and Cynthia Nixon speak, but never saw them and once by the registration you could hear nothing. We met up with Tim and younger daughter. She was trying to decide if she wanted to run or walk (the walk started later than the run). Stacey showed up too. She and T's younger daughter (she is 14) decided to run. So D, S, daughter, D's dad and I all went to the start line. It took about 4 minutes to cross the start line. A lot of walkers which was annoying since the walk was starting in 15 minutes.

Finally started running. It was hot. I passed the National Monument and a color guard was out doing their thing. It was cool. We ran up and at mile 1 my time was 13. Their time said 16 minutes. We ran up the only hill, and came back down. Ran back past the monument and got to 2 miles. It said 29 minutes. Mine said 26 minutes. We ran on the road between the monument and the Mall. It was so hot. Sweat was running through my eyes. Turned onto another road. Had a lot of cheerleaders... "it's hot, it's hot, give it all you got." I saw D's Dad ahead of me. He was walking. More cheerleaders. "You are the Cure." A calypso band. The lady in front of me stopped running and started dancing. It made me laugh. We passed the Smithsonian. I'm not sure which ones. I could see the finish line.

I got to Mile 3, and you could no longer run. We had to walk across the finish line because there was such a cluster. D's dad and I crossed at the same time, according to my watch at 42:15. We walked to the end with a zillion other people. It took us about 4-5 minutes to get out of this bottle neck. We didn't see D or water. We opted to find water and then D, as I was a bit unsteady.

D ended up being at the water table. Stacey called. She and daughter finished too. Dawn's daughter was so proud, as she should be.
About 10 minutes passed, and Tim called to tell us where he and D's mom were. We couldn't believe how fast they walked it. They crossed and we found them. D's mom looked a bit disoriented. So we got her water and we stood around. D's mom said they only walked 2 miles...they took a shortcut. That was ok, since we were all worried about how hot it was (D's mom doesn't do well with the heat). Then we all went home.

Overall, I was so proud of us as a family. But dang it was hot.
I remembered why I didn't want to move back to Maryland. So muggy. Atlanta cannot compete with that. It ended up about 100 or 103 yesterday.

So later, after watching the Belmont, we went to dinner with the family. I had a really good time.

And this morning, D's brother called. We are an aunt and an uncle (again) to a new little girl. After work tomorrow we are going to see them.

Running from the Cops: Atlanta's Finest 5K

So A and I decided to run this to run something. Neither of us has a high respect for the cops, mostly due to the media's "highlights" of the few bad apples. However, spring day, benefitting the good ones, free T-shirt, etc. ok. Let's go.

So A picks me up at 6:30. I would have thought 7 was more appropriate but A was a bit confused on the time of the race, due to the Title saying it started at 7:30 (but the fine print said 8). I saw the fine print, she did not. No big whoop. It was 49 degrees. So I get in the car. A has on her flourescent green running shirt, black shorts with 2 white stripes. I have on my flourescent green running shirt, black shorts with 2 white stripes. Ah! We're going to Midtown, so we'll be partners.

We get there (Piedmont Park) and walk around. We get to pet 2 horses. They were so sweet. One was a rookie (the horse, not the cop on the horse). We see Kara, but can't catch her (why would we run BEFORE a race). Finally at 7:55 we meet up with her. We (A) decide to start in the front of the pack. This is due to no chip timing, and A's desire to have a more accurate time. She decides people can pass us. I'm not sure I agree, but eh.

So there was no pomp and circumstance, the race just started. Up 10th street. It is mostly up a hill. The rookie cops were running in their little groups, doing their chant drills. Luckily they all passed me, because "left, right, left, right" was annoying. Down the hill and around the corner at Flying Turkey, onto Piedmont. This is the same course at the Nike 5K for kids. There is this old man who totally underpronates (his legs go out) in front of me. He looks older than Jesus. I run his pace. The little boy running with his dad and they only run when I pass them are annoying me. So Jesus and I get to the top of the hill. And Mile 1. I look at my watch. 12:58. Holy shit! Less than 13 minutes! Wow. Way to go AL!

Mile 2 starts all down hill. I immediately notice I don't run fast downhill (like I run fast up hill). So Jesus gets far away from me. We pass Tierra. Are the horses here? No that is a man! Whew, he smells. He passes me, and so does his odor. We get to 1.5 mile. I must be weird. I never stop for water on a 3 mile run. I just don't see the point. So I passed a few here, and is where I made my move to pass the little boy and his dad. Turn onto Monroe. It is mostly up hill like the treadmill. Pass 1 Midtown Kitchen and start giggling, at Kara's and my conversation right before the race on how I hate Richard Blais (he use to work there), and how all restaurants he touches fail, yet all of Atlanta (and now Top Chef fans I guess...I don't know, I don't watch) are being duped by this imbecile. Anyway, back up the hill. Who is that? It is Jesus. I'm catching up.

Mile 2: 26:10. Cool. I have now passed Jesus. My steps feel a bit lighter. There is Park Ave. Go 804! the volunteer calls out. I look down. "Yes that would be you bright green," she yells. Go 15 she says to Jesus. Jesus passes me on the down hill and says something about politicians. I guess he doesn't like the volunteers cheering us on. Anyway we pass Park Tavern (where D and I partied like rock stars at our wedding), and turn onto 10th. 36+ minutes The HILL! This was the hill I lost all steam at the Nike 5K. I set it in my sights. Jesus is about 50 yards ahead of me. The incline starts. By now, I know Jesus is going to beat me, so I set some unassuming woman in my sights to pass. Up the hill. "Nike 5K," I say, "I ate my breakfast today, so I can beat you." I get to the top of the hill, the 3 mile marker and the entrance to the park (all the same place) at 39:39. I have never run this fast. I turn into the park and am running, when I see the finish line. Only Jesus is between me and the line, and I still know he will beat me (as I see him cross it). I look at the clock. 40:39, 40, 41. I can get there, I see Kara and A. I cross the line. My watch (my official time keeper) says 40:51.

No way! I made it in under 41 minutes. I PR'd! I'm ecstatic. Kara and A are so excited for me. I feel awesome. We get our shirts, and some bagels and diet coke and water. I'm still feeling awesome. I love everyone.

We say bye to Kara and A takes me home. I call D and leave him a message (he is at work), and then start typing this. In 2 hours, I'm going kayaking. Yes, kayaking.
Yours truly, Miss I don't do Nature, is going kayaking.

Oh and I have 1114 calories to drink while doing that kayaking thing.

Time: 40:51(run)

Mileage 3.1 (13:11 min/mile)

Calories: 1114

Race for the Cure 5K

My donation page
D's donation page

So D and I got up this morning. 6:30am. We got dressed and left to my *favorite* place...Atlantic Station. It once again proved to disgust me. We couldn't get from the parking to street level. We ended up walking forever and finally found a stairwell that wasn't locked.

There were a lot of people. We ended up going to the finish line and talking to Thornygirl. We helped her break her camera, after she took a picture of us (she dropped the camera, but only had it out because I asked her to take a picture). We felt bad, so we left.

We ended back up on street level, and somehow ended up walking part of the 1mile Survivor Walk. We realized that and got off the course.

At 8:30 we lined up. We saw my friend Kara. As usual she was looking cute. However, every pet peeve that runners listed the other day on Marcy's page came into my head. Hand holding, strollers, walkers in front, etc. So I tried to focus on the purpose of the race. The race finally started.

D had hurt his knee so he didn't know if he was running or walking. He did the Guinness-Prance at my pace. We dodged around lots of people across the 17th Street Bridge. Onto Spring. I thought there was a hill. Cross 14th. Aha the Hill! Still was passing people. Started coming down the hill and smelled bacon. I probably slowed for this. Anyway we got to 10th Street and turned. Left onto W Peachtree. Back up a hill, and then down the hill. Thornygirl passed us and cheered us. D was having trouble at my pace so I told him to go ahead. He didn't. Finally back to 17th street. I don't remember running down the hill from the bridge, so I was surprised to see a hill to run up. D left me there. I was suprised he stayed with me as long as he did. I crossed the Start Line which was also the 2.1 mile at 29 minutes. The rest of the course was flat. I really wanted to walk.

Every time I thought about walking (it overcame my thoughts), I thought of Dawn. I have no idea what chemo feels like, but I'm sure 2/3 of the way there, she wants it to stop. So I kept going. I finally reached the turnaround and saw D and waved. He didn't see me. I picked up my pace until I got to State (I think). Then I went into some sort of funk. The quick turn on 19th brought me out of it, and then it was downhill to the finish. The time said 43 something, but my timer (when I turned it on as crossing the Start Line) was 42:51. Although it is over a minute off my PR, I feel proud. Last year, this was the first 5K I ever ran, and I ran it at 49 minutes. So this year, 18 pounds lighter, I got 6 minutes quicker.

Leaving, we got lost in the parking lot, and found our car, but couldn't get to it because there was a big construction site between us and the car. We found a hole in the gate and cut through. Else, we would probably still be in the parking lot.

D and I raised over $400 for SGK, and so all is good.
Right now I'm going to take a nap, and then have some beers.

Time: 42:51
Mileage 3.1 (13:49 min/mile)
Calories: 766
Max HR: 190
Avg HR: 159

In Zone 6:12

Good luck to Yas on her SGK Race today. Good luck to Viv on her Tri tomorrow!

Al's Musings: Nike 5K

I should have guessed that a run that gives $20 of the $25 admission to the school of your choice would also have kids in it. But that would have required me to think, so no, I didn't. It started out yesterday. You had to go to Niketown to pick up your race packet during the hours of inconvenient and more inconvenient. But I did it. I asked the volunteer if she had a pen, and she said, "What is it with you parents not having pens?" I said, "I don't know, I'm not a parent.""She said, "Then why are you running?" I said, "Because the run benefits the community, sheesh, is this an inquisition or a place to get a T-shirt." So I got my T-shirt and number. You were supposed to wear the T-shirt, but it was cotton, so uh no (I'm now a running snob, I guess, because last year that was fine!).

Incidentally if you have a chance to see Corey Glover (Living Colour-Cult of Personality)in Jesus Christ Superstar, do this, only if the tickets are free. If he isn't it, I don't recommend seeing the play, free or not.

So this morning, D and I woke up. It was 41 degrees. Not a big deal, as my Maryland runs were in the upper 30s. I drove D to work, and then drove down to Piedmont Park. Parked relatively close, texted Johnathan and Anne where I parked (different then where I had told them yesterday), and sat in the car until about 7. Walked to the information and got my chip and it started to snow.

I walked around a little loop twice to stay warm. Anne showed up in shorts. J and their daughter C showed up (they were parking the car). C wanted to come with us, and you could tell J was ready for the 1 mile run that he and C were going to do at 9...hahahaha. So it was 7:50 and A and I went and lined up.
Tons of kids everywhere running the 5K. No one lined up by the pace markers. It was a bit annoying. They talked and talked and talked, and finally the race began.

Mile 1 consisted mostly of running around people who were walking. Not a big thing on 10th street since it was closed completely. We turned onto Piedmont, and the road narrowed for the runners. This meant I usually had to run around a cone into oncoming traffic because parents don't understand running etiquette and were walking with their kids 5 across holding hands. That was really annoying. It was an obstacle course. Or worse, you had kids who would be running and suddenly stop and turn around and walk the other way. So most of the run on Piedmont was like this and didn't really offer "me" time.
What was cool however was to see the parents who were runners who were "training" their kids. I passed a lot of those too. They were doing a Galloway Method type run. That was cool because you would hear "On your left" coming from waist high and then some pint-size runner would go past you.
So, oh, it also started snowing and the wind picked up around here. So obstacle course, wind, snow in the face oh my!

I passed the water station which meant I missed the mile marker 1 and didn't see it. I turned onto Monroe. This road had some hills. But they were like level 2 and 3.5 on the treadmill, which I run weekly, so I just took it there. The road narrowed again and now the runners were set to 1 lane. At this point I realized, I really wasn't going to get to clear my head, and I really don't know what I had to clear about. Still the obstacle course, but I relaxed a bit. We passed1 Midtown Kitchen, where I discovered my hatred for Richard Blais. He is on TopChef this year. I hope he loses. He lost Iron Chef. He is a pricckk. My fork got taken at 1MK, and he would not give me another one, and was insulted when after 5 minutes of waiting for a fork, I got up, went to the kitchen and asked for one. That and flat iron steak (like 3 oz) with Oreida fries was $27. I'm glad every restaurant he has touched since has gone down in flames! Oh that got me up through Amsterdam and Park. There is another light. That can't be 10th Street ahead. I'm running kind of in a little groove, albeit slow. Rocking out to Foo Fighters. Oh shitte, how long how they have been on. I'm supposed to kick it up when they are on.

Pass Park Tavern (D and I got married there). On to 10th. Look up, I'm tired. Duh! I didn't have breakfast. I am spent. I have one more hill. OK, just push it. Bon Jovi comes on. I can't push it. This hill is looooonnnnnnngggggg. Finally got to the park opening. Run into the park. There is A, J and C.
I can't push it to the finish line. It is over 42. Bon Jovi is done and Jimmy Eat World just started. I cross the line. I go through and take off my chip. Then I decide to look at the time. So I don't know what it is yet. I'll update. I grab 2 waters, and go and find my friends. C is now bundled in A's fleece. J looks cold. A looks refreshed. They say C is too cold to run the 1 mile, so we go and get her a goodie bag and walk back to the cars.

I totally forgot to ask A how her run was (typical of me). We part ways and I drive home. I check the temp. It was now 33 degrees. No wonder it was so cold. Took a shower, ate some oatmeal and drank some milk and then I took a nap. All in all, a pretty good run. Parents and kids came out to better their schools, runners came out, and everyone came out to support their communities. And I was done my exercise for the day before 9AM.

Chomp and Stomp 5K and a man in my bed...

So yesterday morning I got up at 6, and put on my running pants and my brace, and got back in the bed and slept until 6:45. Put on my HRM, bra, and shirt, and found some socks, and got the shoes on.

Took the dogs out, and drank water, and Doug got ready as well. Anne came and picked us up at 7:15, and off to Cabbagetown we went. It is maybe 3 miles a way. It was 50 degrees out.

Anne was in shorts and a tank, and nuts, but oh well. Doug still hadn't figured out if he was going to run or walk. (His knee hurt). The sun started coming up. We registered and I actually did a lot of stretching so that I'd be warm. I don't know how Anne wasn't freezing.

Anyway we walked towards the starting line. Ran into our friend Brakel who was doing his 3rd 5K in a wheelchair, so we wished him luck as well. And Doug and I went to the back. We started...Doug ran. I ran and passed a few people. Down the first road and up a hill. No issue. Around the curve, and there is a water table...eh I'm not thirsty. Past the bar...I want a beer. Oh well. I always forget this block...Down this street and up this one. Car, you are just going to have to deal with me in the middle of the road...nowhere is this important this early in the morning, except for me. To the urine filled tunnel...it doesn't smell that bad. Passed the Bootcamp lady. Cool, I'm passing people.

Somewhere in the 2nd mile...Rooms to Go Truck if you back out and block my path I will be mad. You are... Man gets out of the truck... F you, I'm in a race and being timed. You will wait for me to pass. (Oh I said that outloud). Around the Milltown Lofts... There is a coffee house here? I didn't know that. Wait I'm in Reynoldstown, how did I get there, we are running in Cabbagetown. So confused. Any cones? Oh yes, I'm on the right path.

OK, DOA is on the ipod. That means I'm in minute 34 or about. I guess I'm into the last mile. Up a hill. This place is hilly. Another turn. I have no clue where I am. Another turn. DOA is over...I won't be under 40 minutes. Boo. But hopefully I can get in before Bon Jovi is over. There is DH. I have to be soon. Another hill. 40+...Dammm. OK, 41...I will get there under 42. Hi AL! WTF is that? I'll ask Doug later. I crossed at 41:48. New PR. Then vomit came into my mouth, but I managed to get it back down.

Wait in line to get the T-shirt. Anne is there. So I get in line with her. We finish and don't see Brakel anywhere, so we go back up the course, and ask the cop. Brakel is coming. He comes around the corner with 2 friends and the motorcycle cop cheering him on. Up that hill, and he looks spent but I know he'll do it. He gets to the top of the hill and we cheer him. He does one more push and drifts through the finish too. Awesome!

We talk to him and he tells us about how the course was hard considering the street was missing in one section and he nearly fell out of the chair on the RR tracks. But he is definitely made for this. He had to go do leg work during the day so he wasn't going to the Chomp and Stomp Festival.

Anne takes us home. Doug and I shower and get ready. We pack up the pups and go to the park. Get some beer and a spoon for the chili cook-off. See Anne, Johnathan and Caroline. It is N-A-P, so they are leaving, but Caroline is happy to see the pups. Balancing beer, chili and pups is hard. We probably ate a cup of chili total. Most were good. My favorite had garam masala in it. Doug thought it was gross. We sit on the lawn and listen to blue grass and Jack comes. We have another beer, and decide that we need to take the dogs home so that we can drink and take a cab later. So we do that.

Go home and Jack takes us back to the park. We have some more beer (chili is all gone). Man with bird is dancing to the bluegrass. He wasn't very good, because he keeps nipping the bird with his foot. A 2 yo is dancing too. I guess she though the Chomp and Stomp hadn't had a Stomp yet. She tried to Stomp the daylights out of the bird. Man gets mad. We can't stop laughing. The lady next to us is laughing so hard, she dumps her beer on her baby's head. Everyone is laughing. Man leaves because the look he gave the little girl was scary and he realized he was outnumbered. That band ended and we went to the other side of the park and listened to another band. And we got another beer.

Listened to that band and then decided to go get some pizza. So we walked to the pizza shop and ordered pizza and more beer. Ate that. Went next door to the bar and had more beer. Doug and Jack were talking to everyone. I was talking to the bartender. I spilled some beers and Bartender just shook his head. Jack and I were talking and Doug was playing at the juke box. We did some shots. We kicked the Guinness Keg. Someone bought us some other shots. Doug got mad and left. I went out and asked him what the issue was, but he didn't know. So back in the bar, I got the bill and Doug came in. Jack put his CC down and Doug took it, and left again. Bartender took my CC and I paid. He called a cab. Jack decided he couldn't leave since he didn't have his CC. I went back outside and Doug had it. I gave Jack the CC and the cab came.

Cabbie didn't take a CC so I told him to take us $14 and I would give him $15 total. He said he has taken us home many times and he knows from experience that he has earned more than his fair share so he will take us home. Doug tells him we really have more money but he didn't want me to know (I guess I'm not supposed to be able to hear him). So we get home and Doug gives him $30. I got $12 back. We go inside and Doug passes out on the LR floor. Porter pees beside his head.

Jack decides that Gordon Ramsay made an omelets so he must make an omelets and wants to know where we keep the eggs. I don't know where the eggs went, so Jack gets the mushrooms and sticks of butter out. I get out some leftover chicken and start eating it. Jack looks at that and decides he must have chicken, and I cut off what I have eaten and give him the rest. He cooks that with the shroom and the butter, and pours everything into a bowl. The shrooms taste like butter, so I don't want any and I go to find Doug. He isn't moving, and doesn't look like his head will hit the pee, so I go upstairs to get some PJs on. Then I decided I needed to check my email.
So Jack has turned off the oven, and comes and gets in the bed, and we look at the bartender's myspace page.

Then we looked for the remote, and turned on the TV. I went back downstairs to make sure he turned off the stove. Came back on and talked to Paige online. Jack decided he didn't like my pillow and took Doug's (Jack was on my side, and I was on Doug's side of the bed). Then Po came and got in the bed. I turned off the computer and we went to bed. At 6AM I awoke to loud snoring and I was on my side of the bed. Doug was on his side. At 8AM I got up and Jack was on the couch. So I have no clue how they all changed around.

We took Jack to his car and then went to McDs. Then came home and watched TV, and then went to lunch with my friend Nina.

Alzheimer’s Walk 5K

Well, it has been a hell of a week. Sharon's death, and 2 other life events, and we were ready to drink our sorrows away Friday night. I was off most of Friday and made a Guinness Cake and some pupcakes. The Guinness Cake was left on the counter against the wall to cool.

Doug and I went to Manuel's and broke our rule of no drinks before a 5K. We had 2 each. So we left, and got some beer for Porter's Party.

Got home and went into the kitchen and 1/8 of the cake was gone...Guinness was licking her chops. We really didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and just started shaking. It turned into laughter. So I cut off the cake, and frosted it abd Doug put it away so we could have it for Porter's Party.

We tried to watch TV, but both of us were going through the motions, and we went to bed. Last words before sleeping...Why are we running?

So at 6:30 AM, Doug woke me up. He had already started the grill for the brisket. I brushed my hair, got dressed and put on my shoes. Then he got dressed. We watched the news and there was a shutdown on the Interstate, so we decided to leave to be in Kennesaw (30 miles away) to avoid any major traffic. We got within 1 exit and traffic came to a halt. We looked at each other and said it figures. We went the wrong way down the Barret Pkwy exit (got off on the on ramp) and continued. Parked. We went to the desk, and the people asked us if we were here to volunteer. They said the registration desk was somewhere else. Doug thought it would be nice if they had signs, but they were under the desks doing nothing. We went to the registration desk and signed in, and got our t-shirt tickets. We went and got the t-shirt, and decided to put them in the car. We got to the car, and looked at each other. We got in the car and drove home...no we didn't run. So then having so many people who supported us (we raised over $800) we felt bad and selfish, so we decided we would run at the track.

Went to the track and the parking lot was closed, so we would have to drive to the other side of the track. Instead we just went to the gym.

Warmed up, and hit 5K on the dreadmill.

I was watching the news, and started get dizzy so I stared at my feet. Ran. Thought about Nana. How I didn't have many memories of her, but she was the one who got me over my fear of Swiss Cheese. For some reason I was afraid of the holes, so she would stick her tongue through the holes, and taught me to do the same. Because she looked so silly I could eat the cheese. She also taught me how songs with no words (classical) needed them and just make them up.

Mile 2: I thought of Grandma and how she used to joke she had Oldtimer's Disease, and it used to make me so mad that she was so indifferent to my Nana. Now it is different. If you know me, I try to joke about things that are serious to deal. I think that's what Grandma was doing. OK, so now I was tearing up.

The hill setting set in on the dreadmill. I always turn them off. I decided I didn't deserve to turn them off, and kept going. I tried not to think about Sharon, because I was pissed off. Not at her, but the circumstances that prevented her to get checked. I thought of the first time meeting her and how I thought she was so nice. And how she thought it was so funny that the "girls" had to pass daycare tests to get into doggie daycare, and how she always sent us cards for our anniversary, how she helped us get Doug's mom's Christmas present. Overall, I didn't know her well, but she was one of those people that was just a really good person to know.

Amazingly, I didn't tear up thinking all this, like I am writing it. At .25 miles left I looked and saw that my time was going to be pretty good.

I turned up the speed, and looked up. They were talking about the 3rd place finisher at Chicago Half-Marathon. I don't kow what they were saying because I was listening to Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer. But I ended the race at 43:10.

After walking and drinking Gatorade, we went and got ice and flowers for Porter's Party. Then like every other Saturday...I took a nap.

The 5K Sucketh

OK. Got up at 6:30 to take a shower. I'm not sure what that was about, but I felt the need to shave my legs. Plus I was excited.

Opened the door for the dogs and it was a sauna out there. Steamy 75. Dang!

D and I finished getting ready and drove to J and A's house. A was running with us.

She took some pics of my face for me to compare from last race. So we walked from their house to the race.

We get there and they give us everything.
US: Can't we get it after?
Them:No, because if you pre-registered we want to
make sure you get your shirt.
US: Ok... XXL.
THEM: Oh we don't have XXL.
US: Ok, XL,
Them: we don't have those either.
US: Give me the largest size you have.
Now we are registered.

D put all our stuff under a tree, so we wouldn't have to run with it. A was nervous and talking and D was looking at all the ugly runners. I started looking around and realized there was going to be a problem. I was the heaviest there by 40 pounds. All these people were runners. Even heavy set women, had the thin runners legs.

OK, stop Al, you're fine.

They said some stuff I couldn't hear, and we were off. Most people passed me, not a big deal. First mile done.

Second Mile started with a hill. I run hills, I'll just take it slow.

Clod, click, clod, click...WTF is that? A 1-legged runner is passing me. OK, she is probably an Olympian and used to this...yes, that's it. D later said she could go faster because she was missing the extra weight...thanks Hon!

Out on the main road. 2 MARTA busses...I thought they ran on Natural Gas. cough, cough... how is that truck in Atlanta with all those fumes. Now I can't breathe. Here is mile 2. I can't breathe. I have no clue what volunteer is telling me. I can't breathe.

Brain1: OK if I walk, life will be good. I can't breathe.
Brain2: You're weak if you walk!
Brain1: Shut up! OK, if I' don't walk, I'm going to die.

So I walked to the hill. Then I ran down it. Who is this...Granny is passing me? Geez I am slow.

I thought we finished on a downhill, where did this hill come from? I can run it.

Lady walking passes me...oh no you aren't passing me. Get to the top of the hill and see the finish. 44 minutes. That is horrible. Walker woman you aren't passing me again. There is D, I love him. There is A, J and C. They are great.

I crossed at 45:23.
I had to immediately fill something out. I was a bit disoriented. A gave me some water. I drank that and went to get some more. There wasn't any. I got some gatorade...one of the last. And had a banana.

Sweat everywhere. I think J took a picture.

We walked back to A&J's house, A knew I was disappointed with
my time. She reminded me that I hadn't been able to run a mile
last year oreven in February. D pointed out from my
hills training last weekend I was on point.

We going back to their house. I looked at my HRM. I had burned 1100 calories.
Thats 4 beers to drink with no guilt.

All is right in the world again.

But the dang T-shirt doesn't fit!

Komen 5K 5/12/07

The race went pretty well. It was crowded and REALLY muggy. We (D and I) got there at 7:15 and looked for my friend Thorny. Finally found her at 8. We said hi and then Doug and I went and got in line to run. We were in the middle of the pack. We walked 5 minutes, and then said bye to each other. I ran 5 minutes, and then got to the hill at 12th street and walked it. It looked monstrous and huge. Started running again, at 10th street. Ran 2 minutes. Walked 2 minutes. Ran 8 minutes. Had to run in the street (where cars were) because it was so crowded. The police told the walkers to use their common sense and walk toward the middle, and let the runners have the outside. Walked 8 minutes. Now I was back on 17th street.

The water table I passed (didn't stop) said I was at 2 miles. I thought I was going fast. I ran 2 minutes, walked 2 ran 3 walked 3. I saw Doug near the finish realizing I still had about a mile to go. I walked/ran some 1 minute intervals. I ran the last 4 minutes and got there in 49 minutes (about 15.8/mile). Doug was waiting for me at the finish line. He finished by 41 minutes. We then went and got our T-shirts.

The honorariums people had on their backs was really moving. I remember thinking the future doesn’t bode well with “In memory of Mom and In honor of my 3 sisters.” I choked up at a guy with “In memory of my wife X and in Honor of my wife Y.” The one that really got me though was “in memory of Mom and Dad.” After that I stopped looking at them.

Thorny took a picture of me and Doug, but she accidentally erased it. She got the pic of me and her. I look absolutely HUGE!(I'll use it as motivation to lose more weight or as resume fodder to become a linebacker for a football team). I believe since Doug and I started training for this he has lost 13 pounds and I have lost 4.

But in the end, I was really proud of us for committing and doing.

We went for a run yesterday. It was really SLOW (much slower than that 15.8 min-mile I ran in the 5K).