Sunday, July 19, 2009

Run, Run, Run Away

Yesterday, I survived another race.

NASCAR you ask? Um, no. I'd probably crash at the first turn.

So you're an Indy girl? Um, no, but THAT would be cool.

I used my own two feet and ran.

Yes. I'm crazy just in case you were confused. We've had a break in the weather so we had temperatures in the 70's during the race instead of already hitting the mid-80's by the 7:30 am start time. They had sprinklers set up every few miles to cool us off, just in case we needed it.

This race was a 15K., 9.3 miles of screaming hamstrings bliss. These races can be somewhat entertaining. It's the people, of course. There was also a 5K event. Some of the folks you would think had never put on a pair of running shoes and these were the folks that think they need to line up in the front of the pack. You spend the first part of the race trying to get around them only to have one of them stop suddenly right in front of you. EEEEKKK!


Others you can tell had done this a thousand times. One girl was telling me about her last race, an Ultra-Marathon which is just way too many miles to talk about at this point. I wanted to whop her upside the head but I just smiled and said "wow". I'm nice like that sometimes.

While running these races, I leave the iPod and ear buds at home. I enjoy the sights and sounds of the course. The course was beautiful. It was basically a large loop around White Rock Lake in Dallas, including a construction area that smelled liked they dug up Hell's septic tank. I didn't see any dead bodies in the water, just a few old tires and some quacks ducks.

Nobody wore a funny hat or costume.

This is wrong in so many ways. Now where is Batman?

Nope. Not even that.

Most of the folks were wearing as little as possible, expecting very hot weather. Folks, let me tell you that there are some VERY SKINNY runners out there and many of them have boobs smaller than mine! THIS, I like. And, yes, there are guys out there with boobs larger than mine. Let's not go there.


Now for the sounds. I've noticed that woman will sometimes run in pairs. The first conversation I heard was all about caring for your infant. Zzzzzzzz. I tried so hard to tune it out and I was very happy that they passed me before they started talking about the poop.

Next, it was a group of about 5 people that were playing trivia. One guy asked the incredibly lame question of "Pick 5 people you would have at your dinner party" and the girl answered Oprah as the first person on the list. I starting feeling sick to my stomach. I'm sure that was the reason why. It can't be having to come to a complete stop to grab water at the inadequate water stops and then climbing a hill and starting to realize my meager breakfast had run out. Nope. I'm sure that wasn't it.

I bet you can't wait for what was next. Remember that this area of the U.S. is called the Bible Belt. That's right. One girl was telling another about her church, the minister, and studying the bible. I thought they might pray right there on the course. Hum, maybe they could put in a few good words for me.

It's not that I was offended by any of the topics but I felt like these people were talking to each other like they were having a drink or a cup of coffee. They did not seem to realize (or care) that everyone around them could hear their conversations. That just struck me as odd or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it.

And what is it with the idiots that set up at mile 9 and play "Running on Empty" on their boom box? If looks could maim...

I finished the race and got my food goody bag but passed on the beer (remember the stomach thing). Ironically, this beer truck was from that same brewery that Chris found in Fort Worth when he got left behind last month. Maybe it was good that I didn't sample any. I settled for a Diet Dr Pepper and some crackers for the longish drive home.

The race benefited an animal protection agency and they had puppies on display for adoption. I wanted to take them all home. I didn't. Cat would not be happy and might decide Puppy would make a good meal.

The results were finally posted and I finished 18 out of 41 in my age group. I wasn't overly excited about my 1 hour and 31 minute finishing time but I'll take it. Training has been very tough lately with the intense heat we've had and my disinclination to run on a treadmill.

I stopped short of jumping into an ice bath but I did sit on an ice pack to temporarily soothe the whining hamstrings.


Some of you may remember that I want to do a triathlon but that I have not done any serious swimming since I was, um, let's say 10. I have been going to the pool and swimming a couple of times a week. I have not drowned yet so I must be doing OK.

Photo credit: vikings: NoHoDamon on flickr.com, Creative Commons license (see sidebar)

33 comments:

Mike said...

All of the bloggers that I associate with seem to be into running long distances! Are they running from me? LOL!

Anonymous said...

Wow Reffers! that is awesome. I admire anyone who runs for fun! *smile*

You rawk it hard Woman!

AND if I had been running next to you (ha! me run?) We would've totally been talking about the upcoming ZA!

Congrats!

heh heh

ReformingGeek said...

@Otin - Nobody would run from you, Otin!

@Quirky - Thanks. Yeah. We would have had all kinds of things to chat about after we fully discussed how to avoid being eaten.

Nooter said...

good for you, except you shouldve brought a puppy home. and sent the cat out for milk and cigarettes. and then changed the locks.

Queen-Size funny bone said...

start swimming. 1 2 3 go...

ReformingGeek said...

@Nooter - Why didn't I think of that?

@Queen-Size - Yep. That's what I tell myself.

Jean Knee said...

the mere mention of Oprah's name gives me the dry heaves

Mama-Face said...

Which one of them is you? The girl with the big boobs? The best part? You gals run in TEAMS! Who won?

See, I read the entire post before commenting!!!

Did you see that Oprah ratings have taken a nose dive? Poor Oprah.

It's a sad day at my house; thanks for the laugh.

ReformingGeek said...

@Jean - Sorry about the hives.

@mama-face - Thanks! Um, yeah. Big boobs. Ha! Um, yeah. Poor O.

Hit 40 said...

YOU SHAME ME!!! I don't even like vacuuming. Too much work. And, I hate the vacuum noise.

... this post is suppose to be about you!! Excellent accomplishment today. I am totally impressed. In your honor, I will tackle the dust bunnies tomorrow.

And, I agree on the Oprah thing. She jumped the shark for me when she started talking about her dogs like they were children. HELLO!!! Dogs are great. But, they ARE NOT children.

Marvin D Wilson said...

Fun accounting of a cool event, RG. I actually envy you - I was an avid jogger in my early 30's - 10 miles a day and training for a marathon - LOVED it and totally addicted to the morning rush my run gave me. BUT - blew both my knees out and have had chronic neck and back pain the rest of my life - sigh. But I still walk, it's good exercise, keeps the old ticker healthy. :)

The Old Silly

ReformingGeek said...

@Hit 40 - Thank you! Yeah. I just don't understand the Oprah appeal. I'll be expecting an account of the vacuuming!

@Marvin - Thanks. Injuries and the disinclination for chronic pain will probably be what keeps me away from a full marathon. I really don't want to say that yet, though!

Chaotically Calm said...

I wonder if they have a 15k bra (sort of like the 24hr bra) for folks who are rather endowed in the cleave arena???? Maybe I should ask some of those gents that you ran across.....


And it's a good thing you let the talking moms pass, def better for your health. I mean you could have fallen asleep while running and that wouldn't have been good at all.

Skye said...

Way to go on the run! I don't do that sort of thing, my exercise comes from work and swimming at the beach during the summer.

Any-who's-it, I've just read all your roasts listed on your sidebar. Great job on all of them, and thanks for breaky :D

Ed & Jeanne said...

Nice job. Hey, I can see those women's bras...hee hee hee

Funnyrunner said...

hey! Good for you! I've never run a 15K, although there's a great 10-miler in Philadelphia that I've done twice (1:16 is my 10-miler PR) - it's flat to downhill and completely straight. I highly recommend it.

I LOVE hearing peoples' conversations during races. It's one of the things that makes running races fun, although I don't think I would have had the breath to have a conversation in a 15K.

I, too, hate treadmills and don't do well in the heat... I sometimes wimp out and run at the indoor track at the gym (wuss, I know)...

ReformingGeek said...

@Chaotic - Sounds like you need a super-duper support bra! Good Luck.

Yeah, snoozing would not have been good.

@Skye - Thanks. Swimming is great exercise! Thanks for reading the roasts. They are fun to put together!

@Funnyrunner - Thanks. Your pace is pretty fast. I'd like to work on my time if my hammies will cooperate (excuses, I know). Indoor tracks are better than treadmills!

@VE - Thanks, VE. Silly girls wearing their bra and panties on the outside. Sheesh!

@

SplitRock Dozer said...

Its possible to talk and run at the same time? How do you understand each other with all the panting, coughing, and cursing? Or is that just me?

Good job BTW!

Millennium Housewife said...

An excellent and well written post - cheers! I'm doing my first triathlon in October - the swimming bit just takes some getting used to. I put a big donut on the side at each end of the pool, helps with my times. You might like to try it.

ReformingGeek said...

@SplitRock - Thanks. Sometimes I'm huffing and puffing and I was going to saying blowing but.....um, no. ;-)

@Millennium - Thanks! Good luck with your triathlon. I think I MIGHT be able to do a "First Time" triathlon with a shorter swimming distance but yes, it takes some getting used to. It's mainly the breathing for me. I'm used to longer breaths from yoga and that's how I bike and run so it's quite a challenge to inhale enough air quickly!

Anonymous said...

I have NEVER admitted this to anyone, but I've never been able to run!! My feet just aren't coordinated and I start flinging them in all directions.

Gianetta said...

I hate running...guess that's why I'm a middle aged fat woman.

Unknown said...

I think it is totally awesome that you can run marathons like that. It must be so exhilarating.

I will be rooting you on when you do your triatathon. I know you will do well.

Contrats on the time you did finish.. it it were me.. I'd STILL be running it. LOL

ReformingGeek said...

@dana - There were people there that ran like that. It made me dizzy. ;-)

@MA Fat Woman - You sound like Hubby!

@dizzblnd - Thanks. You are so sweet!

Elizabeth said...

Wow! Congratulations on your race! It's nice that the weather cooporated. Do you ever get a runner's high? I've heard about them, but I've never ever gotten one. Maybe that's why I don't run :)
(Oh, and pretty soon I'm going to be one of those moms talking aout her kid!!)

United Studies said...

I get exhausted running after Emma all day, so there is no way I would ever run on purpose. :-)

I admire people that do, though. Go, you!

ReformingGeek said...

@Elizabeth - Thanks. I usually get a slight endorphin rush after I finish. For me, the intensity of the "rush" decreases as time goes on and the body gets accustomed to the pace and distance.

@Jacki - It doesn't sound like you need to run. Emma keeps you fit! ;-)

Funnyrunner said...

an award? for you? yes! Come pick it up over at LLOL

The Constant Complainer said...

Congrats on your runnning accomplishment.

I love running and especially when you're doing group events, the conversations are always interesting. LOL.

And, I saw your comment on my blog last night. I was happy to give you a shout out and thank you!

ReformingGeek said...

@Funnyrunner - Thank you. I'm on my way!

@Constant - Thanks.

Suzanne said...

I didn't know people can have conversations while running. I always thought of it as a quiet sport.

ReformingGeek said...

@Sue - Apparently not. ;-)

massage momma said...

Great job on your run! And it always amazes me what you overhear at races, too. Most times I find it entertaining, but other times I'm just like why?

I also agree with the Oprah thing. That woman annoys the crap out of me! Ugh!


"1.00s, 1.50s, 1.75s for the short arms. If you know what I'm talking about, you're probably old, too."

"Boomer brain fog: What was the last, middle, and first part of what you just said to me?"