Who Would Have Ever Thought...

...that I, having never won a race in my life, would actually win my age group in a 5K? Well, I did. Saturday, Gary and I ran in a race in Owensboro that was sponsored by Owensboro Christian Church to raise funds for their food and clothing banks. I was a member of that church for many years, and my mom and step-dad are still members. My mom knew that we had been running 5Ks, so she sent us the entry forms (hint, hint).

Though I attempt to improve upon my time with each race, I did not have high hopes for this one. The previous week we had run in the Komen race, and I had my best time, but that was because I was desperately trying to keep pace with my niece who is 20 years my junior. I didn't have her to rely on, so I just accepted that I would probably have a slower time. But then on the way to Owensboro, my husband also remarked that I probably wouldn't have as good of a time without Erin. Oooh! That was a challenge if I ever heard one!

There were about 100 people running this race, which is pretty small compared with the other races we have participated in. It was a cool morning, perfect for running. Gary and I said our good-byes at the starting line, and I took my spot toward the front. Now people who walk 5Ks really don't intend to mess up, but I would think it would be common sense to get out of the way! If one is walking, and knows that others are running, wouldn't it be obvious that he should line up in the back? I guess not because I was in about the 3rd row, and I had to weave around walkers when we started (I know, this was a church-sponsored race, and I should maintain my Christian attitude and let go of that nasty competitiveness). Once the race started, I got into my groove. I tried to stay up with a girl in front of me. She had an awkward form (I might too, but I have never watched myself), but I could not catch her. My grandmother, who died 7 years ago, once lived in Owensboro, which is where our connection with this church came from. Part of the course went past her old apartment, which was oddly sentimental. I thought about her as I ran, and I thought about a dear friend who also died a few years ago, Donna Fenn. She and I used to take Sunday trips to church at OCC. She loved the music there, and we always had a great time.

At the 2-mile mark, I really had no idea how I was doing. I just kept running. Because I run faster in the races, I have been feeling nauseated the last half mile or so. By now I know that it isn't likely that I will vomit, so I just keep running. At the Komen race my time was over 28 minutes; as I approached the finish I could see the timer: 27:30! If I ran hard, I could beat my time! I thought just tell me I can't run fast without Erin! Watch me! I sprinted for that finish line, and I believe that my official time was 27:52. I was very pleased. Gary also knocked a couple of minutes off of his time, so we were both pleased. I knew at that point that I was 35th overall, but didn't know where I fell in the age group.

After a pancake breakfast at the church, they announced the winners. Gary and I both won our age groups - and there were other people in them! I told him that we would just have to keep finding these small races so that we could actually place - and look like we actually know what we are doing! I can clearly remember telling Gary after my first race that I didn't know how I could possibly run faster because I had given it my all that race. Well, fast forward three months, and I have gradually knocked 5 minutes off of my time. I know that I will never be 'fast', and that I will eventually reach my peak time, but for now it is fun to see just how well I can do. We run, along with Erin, in Rockport this Saturday. It is the last race we are signed up for, but I know we will probably run at least one in October. I am not certain how running in the cold weather will be, so I don't know what winter holds. Maybe just the treadmill - YUCK! I can't wait until next spring and summer so that Jackie and I can see just how far these old bodies will take us!

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." -Louisa May Alcott

Start reaching!

Race for the Cure 2009

Yesterday was the Susan Komen Race for the Cure in Evansville. Gary and I had talked about participating for several years (although in years past it would have been as walkers), and this year we finally signed up. I also convinced my niece Erin to run with us. After hearing that there were thousands of people who either walk or run in the race, I was a bit apprehensive because of my bouts with crowd anxiety, but I was determined to run.

My Aunt Loretta died of breast cancer 2 1/2 years ago. She was an amazing woman who never failed to encourage others, and always brought joy with her no matter the situation. She raised four great men, and was a wonderful wife to my Uncle Dave (who also died of cancer), and a constant friend and confidant to my mother. Yesterday I ran in her memory.

I had no idea what to expect when we arrived at the riverfront. What I witnessed was both emotional and uplifting. Over 900 survivors in pink shirts walked along Main Street as a testament to the value of Komen research. As I listened to the speakers and watched the survivors and their families, I found myself fighting back tears. I thought about how I wished that my aunt was in the survivor walk. I also thought about how I could have just as easily been among those ladies in pink had things turned out differently in the spring. I had always joked that because I am so small, I would never have to worry about breast cancer. Then this past spring I found a lump. It scared me, and it scared Gary. The next day on my prep, I went to see Dr. Ress. He felt that it was only a cyst, but scheduled an appointment for me at the St. Mary's Breast Center that same week. I had just had a mammogram in December, so they had my records. Gary and I went to the appointment trying to remain positive, yet one can't help but wonder what if...They did another mammogram, and then came out and said that I also needed an ultrasound. Dr. Lackey read the ultrasound, and explained that what I had was a cyst (it's about an inch in diameter). It would never turn to cancer, but I still needed to be proactive and go to see them anytime I felt a change. Thank goodness, I had a positive outcome, but I must admit that I am very aware that one never knows when life can take an unexpected (and unwanted) turn.

So we listened, and we ran. After being among the crowd and listening to the stories, I was no longer concerned with how fast I ran; I just wanted to be a part of that awesome day. The run was amazing. The weather was perfect, and the route was pretty. There was entertainment along the way, from cheerleaders to a karate school, from dancers to church choirs. Erin and I ran together, so that pushed me to run faster, yet it was easy. She took off ahead the last 1/2 mile, and I was getting tired and nauseated, but I thought of my aunt. The weariness and discomfort that I was feeling was nothing compared with what she went through as she battled cancer. What an incredible feeling as I crossed that finish line! And while I say I wasn't concerned about times, I was thrilled to find that I had beaten my best time! I ran it in 28:09. To put that in perspective, I ran my first 5K in over 33 minutes; that's 11 minute miles. Yesterday I ran 9:17 minutes/mile!!! What a day! Erin ran in 28:09, and could have run it faster had she not stuck with me for so long (but I am glad she did).

It will be some time before another race has that type of impact on my husband and me. Even Addison, who just went along for the ride (and the shopping afterward) said that if she had any idea what that event was like, she would have at least walked in it. Next year! For now, we are running next weekend in a 5K sponsored by Owensboro Christian Church, and the next weekend we will run in a 5K in Rockport, and Erin will once again run with us - hopefully she will run her race to see just how fast she can complete a 5k!

The weekend is coming!

This weekend we will be running in the Susan Komen Race for the Cure. Gary and I have often talked about participating, so I am pleased that we finally took the initiative to signup. My favorite aunt died of breast cancer, so I am running in her memory. I am also excited because my niece Erin is going to run with me. I am extremely nervous because this is a huge event with thousands of participants. I am a bit afraid that my crowd anxiety will get the best of me. My friend Kelly told me that there are so many runners, and because the course is only 3 miles, it never really thins out as in other races. You will find me on the edge praying that my chest isn't tight and that I can breathe! Sometimes I have to work to not break down and cry! Weird, I know.

The following weekend our former church (and my mom's current church), Owensboro Christian, is sponsoring a 5K to raise money for their food bank. We will be running in that. The next weekend there is a 5K in Rockport, which we are also considering. I really want to find a good 10K to run, but it seems that most of the races are either mini-marathons or 5Ks. Jackie and I have been running 4-6 miles regularly now; we run 6 miles at least once a week. Last night we ran 6.2 (that .2 matters!).

Gary's running is going well. He regularly runs 4 miles, but has also run 5. He has had some lower back pain, so he is taking a break from Mozart. I have had no major aches recently (knock on wood), but I must say that after only running one day when we were in Vegas, it was hard to get back at it last week.

Saturday morning about 9 a.m., if you are up, think about us! Send me some energy so that I don't end up hyperventilating on the side of the road! If I could just run with my niece, away from the thousands of others, I would be fine.

Step away from your computer...

Running in Vegas

This past weekend, Labor Day Weekend, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit the City of Sin. I fully understand why it is called that after seeing the sights. This small-town girl was way out of her league! As we walked with my family (cousins and sister) down the famous Strip, people we literally lined up handing out business cards --- for prostitutes! These cards had pictures of naked women and their 'specialty', and contact information. Ya don't see that in Perry County! Quite honestly, Hooters Casino was about the most conservative place we visited! All-in-all, we had a great weekend. Gary and I enjoyed some time together; I spent time with my cousins and sister; and we experienced nightlife as we had never before experienced it. I even discovered that I rather like Blackjack after adamently stating to friends that I would not be gambling! We all decided that we would go back.

On Saturday morning Gary and I ran a 5K in Henderson, which is just outside Vegas city limits. The first order of business (at 5:30 am) was to get a cab. They were lined up outside the Luxor Hotel, so that was easy. I had ridden in a cab years before, but Gary had never been in one. What a shock as we sat in the backseat watching the meter. It moved faster than the odometer! The race was about 15 minutes from our hotel, and it cost $38!!! And we still had to get back to the hotel after the race. After catching our breath, we retrieved our numbers and our computer chips and just waited. Considering that the high that day was to be 100 degrees, it didn't feel hot yet. I had hoped to run the race in just under 30 minutes so that I could beat my personal record. The course was flat and the weather was beautiful. I ran hard, but was really tired. I kept telling myself to look around - I was running in Las Vegas and could see the mountains as the sun was just peering over them. What an awesome sight! As I turned the last corner and had about 1/2 block to go, I saw the timer - 29:30! I had to pick it up to get in under 30 minutes. I pushed through, and I made it. My pace was 9:37 per mile, which was great for me. My first race at the end of June I ran 11 minute miles, so I had knocked off quite a bit of time. I ended up placing 4th in my age group. Gary placed 3rd in his.

And what about the cab ride back? I had no pride. When they announced the winners, I heard them announce a guy from North Carolina. Hoping that he and his wife were also staying on the strip, I asked if they wanted to share a cab. They had a rental car and offered to take us back! They were both so kind, and we really had a nice ride back. We offered them $20, but they wouldn't take it.

On Sunday we all took a bus trip to the Grand Canyon. Although it was a long day, and we spent 10 hours on a bus, we all felt that it was worth it. It was an amazing sight! That area of Arizona is actually rather ugly to those of us used to trees and grass, and just the color green, but all at once there is this immense hole in the ground that was carved out by a single river. I don't really know how anyone can doubt the existence of God after seeing such pure beauty.

Now I am trying to get back into my running routine here at home. I didn't run Sunday or Monday; I was just too tired Monday when we returned. Jackie and I ran 4 miles Tuesday, and last night we actually ran 6.5!! That is Jackie's furthest run, so we were excited. I had had a stressful day at work, so the run felt incredible. Today, I just can't get going. I took Addison to Owensboro for violin, cooked dinner, and now here I sit gazing at the treadmill. I know I should jump on for a few miles, but gosh I am tired. Maybe I will take a break and make up for it tomorrow...

What a lifestyle change!

I think that I have mentioned that although running is the preferred method of bodily torture, Gary and I also purchased bikes early in the summer. Not just Walmart specials, but Trek bikes. They truly are nice, smooth-riding bikes, but they were not cheap. We felt that since we are not young (well Gary's not ;-)) athletes, we needed to invest in higher quality bikes. We try to work bike rides into our running schedule, but it isn't always easy.

Sunday was the perfect day for a longer ride. Previously we had ridden 5-10 miles at a time. That would be a long run, but it isn't much on a bike - unless there are hills involved. I ran Sunday morning, went to church, went to a meeting after church, and came home to announce that we would be biking. The temperature was unusually cool for the end of August, and the sky was clear. Sure, there were dirty bathrooms, yardwork, laundry, etc. to tend to, but it wasn't often that the weather cooperated on a weekend that the kids were otherwise occupied. The work could just wait (and it is still waiting three days later!).

Both a lady Gary had spoken with, Sharon, and Addie's golf instructor, Jim, had recommended riding on a back road that goes from Hawesville, KY to Lewisport, KY. So we hauled our bikes over to Hawesville and set out on our afternoon adventure. I had in my mind that it would be about ten miles to Lewisport, and I thought that riding 20 miles would be awesome - twice the longest distance we have ridden. The ride was gorgeous (and NOT hilly!). The road went through farmland so there were wildflowers and animals to keep our interest. For the first 8 or so miles, we were riding right into the wind. It made peddling more difficult, and we did not coast once. At about the 8 mile mark Gary asked just how far I intended to go. I told him that I would like to make it to 10 miles, and if we weren't at Lewisport, we could turn around. Well, we went around a bend so we were headed south rather than west, and the wind was then at our backs. Riding was much more pleasant, and Gary was ready to venture on. Being the younger spouse, there was no way I could back down! But where the heck was Lewisport?? We rode forever it seemed, and I could have turned around at any point - not Gary. We would make it to Lewisport, despite the fact that we have to turn around and ride all the way back to Hawesville.

Finally, we reached our destination. There isn't much in Lewisport, not even a soft drink machine that I desperately needed. We sat and looked at the river a few minutes (I had a sore butt by this point, and my should was beginning to throb). Knowing we had a long haul ahead, we boarded those torturous seats and began peddling back toward Haweville. Since the area was now familiar, the ride back didn't seem so long, but there are only so many positions one can get into on a bike seat.

So, we rode 30 miles one Sunday afternoon. 30 freakin' miles as I told Gary. Am I glad we stuck it out? Absolutely. The only problem is now that we know we can ride that far, how far will he expect to go next time? I am not biking to Owensboro and back!