Relay for Life

Saturday evening,  me (and the rest of the family) participated in the Relay for Life at the local high school. We had joined the team put together by my work and were there to make sure we would always have 2 walkers on the track.  The event was to run from 5pm - 1:00 am.  That's a lot of walking.

The weather was hit or miss.  While the temperatures dropped to a very comfortable place, rainstorms moved in and out all night.  

My plan was to walk the course most of the night, but at some point I was going to add my 3rd training run in so I wouldn't have to get up and do it before I went to work on Sunday. Watching the weather, I decided to do it a bit earlier in the evening than originally planned.  I am glad I did.  As I was finishing my cool down, the skies opened up.  I spent half of the 5 minute cool down helping to put a tarp around the team's canopy.  Then we huddled under it as it rained and rained and rained. 

I was a bit worried about the abrupt stop to my run.  I always worry about migraines when things are outside the plan.  But I ate my banana and drank lots of water and hoped for the best.

During our time under the tent, Noah and Riley continued to walk.  They held up the team on the track.  They also delivered food from the main tent.  They brought me Dickey's pulled pork. No carbs! I may or may not have eaten a lot of it.

When the rain tapered off, I continued walking. And walking. I walked most of the night and only ducked into the tent during the rain squalls.

Riley had a great time walking and dancing with other kids there.  Noah had a couple of friends show up to walk with him. Darcy showed up after she got off work, and her boyfriend, Travis,  joined us. Brian had to head home early with a terrible headache.

In memory of CDR Jason Much

In honor of Abby Furco

The highlight of the evening for me was the luminaria. We purchased and decorated bags for people we wanted to honor.  We were walking in memory of Jason Much and in honor of Abby Furco.  When they lit them up and turned off the lights, everyone participated in a "Silent Lap" as they read off the names.  It was quite moving. 

As the clock ticked on, our Team Captain needed to head out -- with the tent.  This seemed like the perfect time for Riley and I to head out as well. Darcy, Travis, and Noah stayed to finish up and represent our team. 

During the walk, you added a bead to your bracelet for each lap you completed.  I came home with 28 beads. 7 miles.  Noah came home with 50 beads! 12.5 miles.  Way to go, dude!

Relay for Life

Saturday evening,  me (and the rest of the family) participated in the Relay for Life at the local high school. We had joined the team put together by my work and were there to make sure we would always have 2 walkers on the track.  The event was to run from 5pm - 1:00 am.  That's a lot of walking.

The weather was hit or miss.  While the temperatures dropped to a very comfortable place, rainstorms moved in and out all night.  

My plan was to walk the course most of the night, but at some point I was going to add my 3rd training run in so I wouldn't have to get up and do it before I went to work on Sunday. Watching the weather, I decided to do it a bit earlier in the evening than originally planned.  I am glad I did.  As I was finishing my cool down, the skies opened up.  I spent half of the 5 minute cool down helping to put a tarp around the team's canopy.  Then we huddled under it as it rained and rained and rained. 

I was a bit worried about the abrupt stop to my run.  I always worry about migraines when things are outside the plan.  But I ate my banana and drank lots of water and hoped for the best.

During our time under the tent, Noah and Riley continued to walk.  They held up the team on the track.  They also delivered food from the main tent.  They brought me Dickey's pulled pork. No carbs! I may or may not have eaten a lot of it.

When the rain tapered off, I continued walking. And walking. I walked most of the night and only ducked into the tent during the rain squalls.

Riley had a great time walking and dancing with other kids there.  Noah had a couple of friends show up to walk with him. Darcy showed up after she got off work, and her boyfriend, Travis,  joined us. Brian had to head home early with a terrible headache.

In memory of CDR Jason Much

In honor of Abby Furco

The highlight of the evening for me was the luminaria. We purchased and decorated bags for people we wanted to honor.  We were walking in memory of Jason Much and in honor of Abby Furco.  When they lit them up and turned off the lights, everyone participated in a "Silent Lap" as they read off the names.  It was quite moving. 

As the clock ticked on, our Team Captain needed to head out -- with the tent.  This seemed like the perfect time for Riley and I to head out as well. Darcy, Travis and Noah stayed to finish up and represent our team. 

You took a bead for each lap you completed.  I came home with 28 beads. 7 miles.  Noah came home with 50 beads! 12.5 miles.  Way to go, dude!

Day 2

You are not seeing things: that is a Seahawks band.

Day 2 of the Couch to 5K was good.  I got out of the house a little earlier today and it was a lovely 68º and slightly overcast.  Perfect for running.

Worked a  bit on the logistics.  I used the waist pack instead of the arm band to hold my phone (and the car key-I actually locked the car this time). Much more comfortable. I managed to get some of the slower songs off my playlist. Next step is to find the running water bottle that is more comfortable to carry.


And that's it for today.  Two days of running.  Woo-hoo!

The Problem with Being a Sometimes Runner

Post Run Selfie

Well, the problem with being a Sometimes Runner is that sometimes you don't run.  And when you decide to start running again, you have to start over.  So that's what I did today: I started over.

Boy, isn't that fun.

A confluence of events precipitated my restart: 45 is looming, a friend passed away, and I had a chance encounter with an Ironman (IronWoman?).  

I am working on plans for a 5K in October and have downloaded the Couch to 5K app. Today? That app was awesome.  I loved how it used my music, coached throughout the run, and told me "Good Job" at the end.  I may opt for the Runicorn as my coach next time. No downside to the app today.

Looking back over this blog, I noticed that I was less likely to have a post-run migraine when I am not eating carbs and sugar. So, I have stopped.  Fingers crossed that this is part of the solution.


Random thoughts about today's run:

• When I run, I want to write.
• The Santa Fe Trail was awash with my personal nemesis: Grasshoppers.
• Starting out with "Back in Black" and ending with "Hell's Bells" worked just fine for me.
• Turns out Simon & Garfunkel's "Feelin' Groovy" is just fine for my slow ass.
• Sunscreen.
• I like being a runner.