My Wee Little Warriors Dashing About

But first a picture from Shane's Fall Fest party. His public school adventure is still new to us so it's a little exciting. I volunteered to help with his Fall Fest class party so I got to see the costume parade.

 

Cutest.thing.ever.

 

My little policeman

 

 

Saturday was the 2nd Annual Halloweeney Wee Warrior Dash. This is a free, kids obstacle course run that takes place near Shepherdstown, WV. Dr Mark and the Two Rivers team do a great job of directing this race and making it FUN for all ages.

 

The course was about a mile long with all sorts of fun challenges for the kids like the pumpkin mine field, hale bale maze, hay roll climb, and more.

 

My peeps wanted to test things out in advance

Volunteers held the orange tubes up so the kids had to crawl through them to get to the finish

 

afterwards the kids were encouraged to take a pumpkin, or 10!, home with them

getting over the round bales was harder than it looked.

there were enthusiastic volunteers to help them out

I want Ella's form

 

And they get medals at the finish!

 

 

Downer alert so don't read below if you like end with cheery stuff:

 

I ran Shane's lap with him and then 2 afterwards with Hank. Shane stopped and started a lot so I didn't have any pain that run. With Hank, I didn't have any pain at all for the first 1/2 mile or so. But after that aching quickly turned to pain so I walked the last half of our second lap.

 

We have a slew of expenses because of the storm so no chiropractor for me anytime soon. Frustrating, but that's life so I'll keep strength training and doing a little yoga so I don't turn into a blob.

 

Ok, I don't like to end on a downer either so here goes: The kids' cross country team had their end of season party Saturday evening. The kids ran around looking for baggies of candy while the grown ups stood around and chatted. We have a great group of families on our team so I really enjoyed one last opportunity to hang out with them before we start running again in the spring. :D

 

Freedom's Run Race Report

Looking back, nothing about my training seemed spectacular. I had some great runs, some ok ones and some really bad ones, but you'll have that with any training cycle.

I think being so incredibly busy really helped me not *completely* freak out - I had my moments, but for the most part I didn't have time to dwell on what I was preparing for. But I'm a little bit amazed that I did it. I ran a marathon.

I've been running for just 3 years, of those I missed nearly 1 year to injury. I have a crazy schedule between homeschool and volunteer work. I'm generally lazy and eat too many sweets - which contributes to me being 15 pounds overweight. But I did it. I don't say all that to make anyone feel bad. If anything it's to encourage anyone who doubts they can do it. Seriously, if I can do it, YOU can!

Alright, enough of that. Here's how it went...

The day started really early - 3am. The first buses were leaving Shepherd U at 5:30 and my friend, Eddy, was picking me up at 4:45. We walked up to the bus stop and our friend Larry from our running club was already there.

It turns out Larry planned to run the same pace I did and he agreed to let me tag along. He is known for running an even pace - be it an 8 m/m or an 11 m/m, he can dial in and maintain his pace. I - on the other hand - am *not* known for running an even pace so running with him was a real Godsend.

We got to the start and met more folks from our running club, checked our bags and hung out until the start. With a "Ready, Set, Go!" we were on our way. I didn't carry my phone so I don't have any pictures but you'll have to trust me when I tell you that sunrise at Harpers Ferry is quite lovely.

Just after mile 4, we crossed the footbridge from Harpers Ferry, WV to the tow path in MD. The bridge was wet which made me wonder if it had rained. We got close to the spiral staircase where it was slippery and realized it was frost. Brrrr!

The temptation with this race is to hit the tow path and turn it on. That would be a really bad thing to do for someone like me because you get off the tow path at mile 15ish and begin the really steep climb to the battlefield. Thankfully I was running with Larry, a nice relaxed pace, and I felt great. We chatted with fellow runners, got a chuckle out of a really crabby older runner and generally enjoyed the ride.

We got to Millers Sawmill Rd and began the climb up. Still feeling good but I decided to walk the steeper parts of the hills in this section because I knew what was coming, and honestly my walk pace was about the same as my run pace on some of these!

The volunteers for this race are wonderful and cheered us on like rockstars. The aid stations were spaced well, and I was happy that I decided not to carry water. We walked through each aid station and walked for a bit past the one at mile 20ish.

Mentally I knew if I could make it to the elementary school, I was set because most of the course is downhill from there.  What I didn't count on was that my knees would start aching like crazy around mile 21 and my feet - oh my feet - they were talking by mile 22 and were done by 24.

not sure what that hill at mile 10ish is. the tow path is pretty flat

When I ran the Harpers Ferry Half in May, I got cramps in my feet. First time that had happened and I haven't had trouble like that since (that I can remember). Mile 24ish my feet started cramping hard. I would walk a bit, run a bit and pray.

I almost started to cry out of frustration and pain so I stopped, took a breath and said outloud "Pull yourself together. You can do this." So I did. Funny how that works.

I got to the bridge just after mile 25 and decided I was running to the finish come hell or high water. I heard some strange grunting sound and realized it was me! Each time my right foot hit the ground I made this awful sound, but I didn't slow down.

Because of road construction we had to wind through the campus a bit, and there was one last uphill. Really short, but steep and I got an awful cramp in the side of my right leg and my foot again. After that I couldn't feel my right foot (and it actually still hurts a little), but I kept my arms moving so my feet had no choice but to go.

I got to the top of the hill and couldn't figure out where to go. Thankfully someone was standing there, "follow the arrows!" Oh you mean those giant white arrows in the middle of the road?? doh!

The kids run was taking place next to the stadium entrance and there were people everywhere. My brain was addled so I was very grateful they had 2 lines of volunteers marking the way. Then I saw Bill and heard someone else yell name. At that point I couldn't feel my legs and ran as hard as I could focusing on my arms.

When I stopped my feet hurt so bad, I really did think I was going to cry. I wanted to wait for Larry who was just a couple of minutes behind me, but I had to keep moving or just melt into a puddle - and I had to pee.

I think I was in a state of shock...not physically...I was fine physically other than my feet. It just all seemed so surreal and a bit anticlimactic.

I hobbled around to find Bill and the kids, got something to drink, and we made our way to the Oktoberfest. On our way I saw Abbi and her husband. It was great finally meeting her in person after corresponding via email and blog for so long.

After hanging out with friends from the Steeplechasers for a bit, we headed home. I took a shower and went to bed and Bill took the kids to football. I guess he was right afterall.

Finish Time: 4:41:12.6

Pace: 10:44

Age Rank: 16/35 F-40 to 49

And I am nothing if not a good sport, particularly when it comes to unflattering photos. So I present to you....my unofficial finishline photo (at least I hope there was another photographer)

many thanks, I think, to Jacqueline of Charming and Quaint Photography

I realize she can only photograph what she sees so don't consider this picture a reflection of her skill as a photog. I like to think of it as a portrait of determination...yea, that's it, determination is all over my face. ;)

Race for the Birds Recap

Yesterday Hank and I traveled across the Potomac River to West By God Virginia to run my first trail race, the Race for the Birds. Hank runs cross country in the fall so this was old hat for him.

In keeping with my new post-injury outlook on running, my goal was to finish upright and have fun, which I did so the short version of this recap is -It was a success!

This was a pretty low key race with about 250 runners overall, and 4 distances - 7+ miles, 4+ miles, 2 miles (self-timed), and 1 mile kids trail fun run.

The 7 and 4 mile runners started together with the first mile or so on the road. This gave us the opportunity to spread out before reaching the trail.

The trails weren't very technical - a mix of dirt, gravel and grass, and they were wide enough for people to comfortably pass me (which they did, often!), and it was 2 loops, a smaller loop within a larger one.

I looked at the course map a few times beforehand and it seemed pretty simple, but once I got out there, I had almost no sense whatsoever of where I was in relation to the finish line. Thankfully it was very well marked with happy, cheering volunteers at each significant turn; I think it would be practically impossible to get lost during this race.

Another exciting element was the ambiguous distance. One flyer I saw said 4.4 miles. Later literature said 4.9 miles. The official distance was listed as 4+ miles. I saw 4.4 miles on my Garmin with no finish line in sight. At 4.9 miles I was in the woods but could hear cheering so I knew I must be close. I crossed the line - and forgot to stop my Garmin, must be part of my new laid back persona - at 5.12 so the 4.9 mile description was the correct one...and now I know for next year.

Hank did really well. He took off without me from the very beginning and ended up 3rd in his age group though the awards were given for the top 2. He said he had to walk a couple of times because he was too hot but that he had a great time. And he wants to do it again next year. Yay!

The kids 1 mile fun run was a trail run and I'm definitely bringing Ella and Shane next year. The kids who ran looked ecstatic as they crossed the line...and of course as a little kid, what is more fun than running like a monkey through the woods and being rewarded with a ribbon, chocolate milk and a Chick Fil A sandwich?

My official time was 53:05.6 and Hank's was 51:38.1

Overall impressions

Course: pretty and well-marked

Volunteers: friendly, helpful and enthusiastic cheer-ers

Atmosphere: fun and laid back.

Entry fee: reasonable, $20 (kids run = free)

This race was a win in all respects and we definitely plan to do it again!

And all the photos are from the Potomac Highlands Dispatch website.

Caught with my pants down

for reals

Before we get to the funny stuff though...tomorrow is the last day of Maintain Don't Gain and my free pool pass expires so I headed to Shepherd to swim as well as weigh in.

I lost about 1/2 a pound from Thanksgiving to now which I consider a small miracle considering how I stuffed my face from Christmas to New Years. After that small victory, I did my 2000 yds and headed home. Excellent afternoon if I say so myself.

On the way home I had the wild idea to stop at the Appalachian Trailhead in Weverton and run to the top of the mountain and back down. It's just a mile, but it's pretty steep with lots of rocks and switchbacks. I called Bill to let him know of my plan change so he'd know to come look for me if I did a face plant and couldn't crawl to the car.

I parked and realized I needed to pee, only there's no porto potty and it's winter so there are no leaves to hide behind. I figured I wouldn't be blazing up or down the mountain so I should be ok. ha!

Going up I was pretty much just fast walking. I wasn't wearing my Garmin but my trusty Timex told me it took 15 minutes to get to the sign at the top of the hill. Cool.

I started trotting down the hill feeling pretty darn amazing. There were just a few people out which was surprising considering how nice the weather was. As I traisped along, I realized I had to stop to pee or wet my pants.

Soooo I found a big tree, looked all around and then dropped trou and commenced peeing.

Then I heard people talking and looked up in time to see a dad about 25 yds away. He did a double take and then turned around to stop his preteen sons from going any farther.

photo credit

I yanked up my shorts and ran past them apologizing. The mom smiled like she knew my pain. The boys just thought it was pretty darn funny (so did I actually) and were giggling as I passed.

Bill was grossed out , but I figure we all pee, and even casual hikers pee in the woods so I don't think I scarred anyone for life.

Surely I'm not the only person who's been caught...has this ever happened to you...or anyone you know, or a friend of your hairdresser's cousin's neighbor?

Maintain Don't Gain

Those who know me know that I spend a lot of time in Shepherdstown because of Shepherd U's Wellness Wednesday [the Wellness Center (indoor pool, bball court, etc) is open free to the public the last Wed of each month], my favorite shoe store, Two Rivers Treads, is there [they offer a variety of free running clinics and are generally nice folks], and it's very near the tow path where I do a lot of riding.

So you won't be surprised to learn that when I heard about Maintain Don't Gain happening at Shepherd, I was all over it.

Maintain Don't Gain is a great program designed to keep people active and healthy during the holidays. You go to a participating location to be weighed in and then receive coupons for free visits to area gyms and a weekly motiviational newsletter.

After the holidays in early January, you go back to be weighed again with the hope that you didn't gain any weight which is important since most folks don't tend to lose the weight they gain over the holidays.

I made the trip to Shepherd to be weighed in by a stick figure of a college student and groaned when I saw the number. I knew I had eaten pretty badly the week of halloween and had gained nearly 5 pounds, but somehow seeing it on an 'official' scale - with another person standing over my shoulder - made it all the more horrible. ugh!

And have struggled for 2+ weeks since then to get my butt in gear. They gave us coupons for 5 free visits to 6 different gyms ranging from Curves to Gold's so theoretically I could go to the gym nearly every day in December...except that I have 3 little kids who need an education and who have much busier social calendars than I.

I've used 2 visits so far.... a spin class at Gold's (butt kicker!) and a quick mile swim at Shepherd.  I'm happy, sort of, that I haven't gained any more weight, but I would be very happy to see the scale move back down those 4.5 notches.

How do you plan to keep the pounds at bay during the holidays?