Running

Running — No Comments
3
Aug 10

You’ve Got to Have Goals…even flexible ones.

I decided on a new goal today. 

I’m not signing up for a marathon this season. (Personal decision maybe to be explained in later post.)

There are a few half marathons this fall/winter — just signed up for today. The Atlanta 13.1. Where the party meets the pavement or at least that’s what they advertise. We’ll see…..

No triathlons this summer.

I needed a goal.

After much careful thought and prayer, I decided the next focus of my life should be:

to do a split again after 20 years.

I used to be very flexible as most people under four decades are.

But age and the constant pounding of the running I love so much has made me one very tight rubber band.

Bill Rodgers, the great marathoner and part-time flake, said that for the masters athlete stretching is almost important as continuing in your sport.

“Yes, it’s true you don’t see racehorses stretch. You also don’t see racehorses sit behind a desk eight hours a day, or run on asphalt, or run after being sedentary for the previous 40 years. I don’t see racehorses eating spaghetti either, but that doesn’t mean runners shouldn’t. So maybe when we’re all bred solely to run fast and spend our days trotting around dirt tracks, we can forego stretching. In the meantime, all runners, at least of the human variety, should stretch.” The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Running ~ Bill Rodgers

Since most definitely, either literally or figuratively, I am not a racehorse — I shall stretch.

Stretch my way to a split.

So starting today, August 3, 2010 I am on a quest to do a split once again. We shall see how long it takes.

I’ll even post an after picture as proof. (For I certainly won’t be doing it in public.)

And no before pics. It may come as a surprise but I do still have a shred of self respect.

Life in Madison / Running — No Comments
5
Jun 10

The 2010 Torture Trail ~ My maiden voyage running through the countryside of Eatonton, Georgia.

I always wanted to do this race. Everyone says how hot and hard it is…
 
How hot and hard could it be? I’ve run the Peachtree well into the double-digit number of times and that is July 4.
 
We left Madison in a fog ~ 100 percent humidity ~ or at least it felt like it. But once it broke, it was a beautiful morning.
 
We checked in and got our numbers. My number was 114. The best number ever.

I did make it to the porta-potty. And upon exiting, heard a “Jamie Miles” from the back of the line. It was my neighbor, Rob Jones and fellow freaky-fast guy, Rodney Whitaker.

My son and I were running the 10K for the first time, so we asked Rob for advice. He said, “The last mile is a gradual up hill and then a steep hill back into town. So save some.”

No sweat.

After the race I went looking for Rob…to ask why he didn’t mention all the other monster hills in there? Or that the entire race was a rollercoaster?

Then I went looking for some ice cream. Yes, they do have ice cream at the finish…Yay.

And I heard another, “Jamie.”

We found her hubby, Dennis and another Madison face…Steve Rom. And sorry ~ I talk way, way too much during these things.

Dennis and Steve (like Rob Jones) had great race times though the dress handicapped Rob.

It was a great family morning.

Look forward to running the beautiful hills and streets of Eatonton next year.  In spite of all my protests…..if it wasn’t a bit hot and hilly I would have been terribly disappointed.

And I got the great shirt. Which is why I do these silly things in the first place.

Running — 2 Comments
17
May 10

Time Flies By…Like Shelby Hayes.

Shelby Hayes

Once upon a time walking along the hallowed halls of Winter Park High,  two people met and fell in love.  

Sandy Gantt and Neal Hayes. I think Sandy goes by Sandra now. Guess that’s really the same name —  just more mature version.  

 Not like someone who would go by a completely different name  as an adult than she did in high school.  

Such a person must be spending lots of time on a couch in doctors’ offices untangling lots of “issues” — or rambling on ad nauseum on some whacked-out blog.  

Back to Sandy and Neal.  

They got married and had a daughter and son. Their daughter is a senior at Winter Park High running track like her mom and dad.  

She is really gifted.  

A few weeks ago she won three gold medals in the 4A Florida state championship track meet. And was the first girl  in 4A history to win gold in the 4×8, 1600 and 3200.  

I know the pressures on a young gifted runner, especially since my age group first place finish in the Madison in May 10K. And no matter what you might have heard, my six year old did not trip anyone on race course ~ at least not intentionally.( Besides, it can never proven otherwise.)  

Shelby’s future plans are to attend Florida this fall on a full track scholarship. She’s adorable, smart and a Gator. Good it get any better?  

Bet Sandy and Neal are very proud. You did super good.  

Here is the link to Shelby’s interview the night of the state meet. I tried to embed the link — but it didn’t want to cooperate.  

Click here to see her interview. She’s too cute and a Gator. Woo!  

Shelby Hayes interview FHSAA 4A State Finals

Life in Madison / Running / Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction — No Comments
12
May 10

Madison in May. Just show up and turn in the flippin card.

Son and mommy

 

Last Saturday morning before the Madison in May races.

It was early. Code for — that’s why I look so well, so like me early in the morning.

Hope those new iPhone cameras come equipped with lots of gels and filters. My older model did nothing to enhance my early morning appearance — for all my wrinkles magically fall out around noon.

This was before the 5K. Lots of people showed up for the 5K, mile Fun Run and 10K. My son ran the 5K, two little ones and dad ran the mile and I ran the 10K.

Now here are some pictures..and I am having trouble with my computer so that is why they are so huge.

 The girls.

 

 

 

 This is my wreck of a desk. Look at my new coffee mug. Anyone that know me well, knows I have a billion coffee cups. But I didn’t have to buy this one. Here’s the best part.

Okay. That’s really large. But that’s okay.

This is the lesson. Just show up, run and turn in the flippin card. Lots of very cute women ran and walked the 5K. Not many women ran the 10K — as evidenced by my cup.

It was hot. When I rounded the corner of my in-laws, my husband said I didn’t look so good. I didn’t feel bad till I stopped — then had the “I’m going to vomit” feeling. I quickly looked for bushes. Seeing a clump behind the hardware store and made a beeline over there.

Then I filled out my card and handed it in — and up it went in the first spot in my age division on the board.

That was weird. But a good weird.

My son finished second in his age group and could have cared less. I had to get his mug.

But the best and biggest surprise of the day was my 6 year old. As I rounded the corner of in laws (the place where my husband saw me looking sickly) Joe held up a ribbon fluttering in the breeze. I thought surely that was a “thank you for participating” ribbon.

Later find out he finished third in the Fun Run. I was so worried he would lose interest during the mile that I asked my father in law to walk the race with him. My husband said once the race started, Joe took off running — and never stopped.

He carried it everywhere for the first four hours. Then it was lost.

But I still have the memory of seeing him holding up that ribbon — and thinking “What the heck, that looks like a ribbon?”

So sign up, keep running and turn in your card.

Family / Running — No Comments
20
Apr 10

Inside a runner’s mind….the marathon.

They ran the Boston Marathon yesterday.

In the spirit of that historic event, I  interviewed an up-and-coming runner who might one day aspire to run through the streets of Beantown. A simple guy sharing his thoughts about running his first marathon this January at Disney World.

Why did you decide to train for the marathon?

Runner: You patted my stomach and said, “Belly, belly, belly. And I thought we’d have togetherness time….which we did not. Which you promised.”

Interviewer: For the record, I never promised anything. I probably did tap your mid-section.

How did you train for the grueling 26.2 mile journey of a lifetime?

Runner: I decided there was no shame in walking. Heavy on the treadmill. I built up to two 18 mile walks.

Any tips for training to “walk” the grueling 26.2 journey of a lifetime?

Runner: If you are walking more than an hour, hide Clif Bars in bushes. Or you can refrain from marital relations for two days before your long walk — which I was unwilling to do.

Interviewer: Are you kidding me? You hid Clif bars on Dixie Highway. Who would take them? A turtle? Maybe a mouse might drag it to their little nest to feed their broad of 10,000 babies. You hid a Clif Bar on Dixie. Good Grief.

Runner: Yes. I always put them up high.

Interviewer: And I’m married to you.

What did it feel like to cross the  finish line?

Runner: Shame. I finished 23 minutes behind Donald Duck. And an hour and a half behind my wife.

You jest. There was no shame. Where to you keep the coveted Mickey Mouse medal?

Runner: In a drawer, wrapped in toliet paper.

Any parting thoughts?

Runner: Never again.

Interviewer: Oh no. You are not serious.

Runner: I lost two toenails and the last shred of my dignity.

Interviewer: I’m proud of you.

Runner: You need to go wash Joe’s hair and bring me my food.

Okay then.  I guess the interview’s over. But I’m not giving up hope. For Boston or that my dear hubby will indeed do another marathon.

Well, I guess I might qualify for Boston — like when I’m 80.

Running — 2 Comments
22
Mar 10

The Atlanta ING Half Marathon. A Hill-acious Good Time.

This is one EKG you'd like to see flatline.

Yesterday, I overcame serious stuff messing with my head. 

For the past two years, I signed up for the ING Half Marathon, drove into Atlanta the day before to pick up my race packet  ~ and slept in race morning. 

The weather the last two years had been horrible. Freezing rain with wind. 

Race morning I got up in plenty of time, pinned my race number on, left the house and realized…I completely underestimated the time needed for parking, Marta, porta potty, gear check-in and getting to the corral on time. 

Then driving over the train tracks on Hwy 278 out of town, I realized I didn’t have my race watch. 

Panic. 

It was so late, I decided to conquer this too. Left watch.

After sprinting to the start… 

I began running up hills. We ran up every hill in Atlanta. There never was a downside to these hills. 

Running  past the Martin Luther King Memorial, we turned a corner and met a huge hill. 

 Auburn Avenue = hill. Turning on to the Carter Center Parkway = long hill. Euclid heading into Five Points = long hill. 

My iPod saved me from total meltdown. No watch, no iPod and hills = headcase, did not finish. 

Irony of the race. At halfway point, “Halfway Gone” by Lifehouse came on iPod. Okay, it really started at the beginning of mile 6, but I played it twice. 

Next song was “More than a Feeling” as in Boston. At this point around mile 7, Half marathoners split from Fulls. Not “feeling it” today, thank God I turned left with the Halfs. 

But starting down Highland, the feeling became nostalgic. We entered an area that thankfully, looked so much the same. 

Manuel’s Tavern, still there. Thank God. 

Crossing Ponce, I held my breath and looked left. The Majestic, still there. Thank God. Johnny and I ended up there with friends at 2 a.m. the night we met. We sat on the same side of the booth. 

Atkins Park, still there. 

The American Roadhouse, still there. Many breakfasts. We ate there Monday, September 6, 1993. I told the waitress this time tomorrow I would be  holding my baby. She looked at me. The doctor was inducing labor the next morning — the day after Labor Day. 

Running past the Roadhouse, there was an overwhelming urge to pull the door open and smell those potatoes. 

Then we ran down to Piedmont Park… 

Up tons more hills. Turning on North we started through Georgia Tech running by the Lamda Chi house which I saluted as a former lil’ sis at SMU.  Running two sides of Bobby Dodd Stadium. North Avenue = hill. Turning onto Techwood = hill. A few more hills…

To the finish. 

I got my medal, got on the train and started the trek back to Madison. 

I conquered those hills yesterday. And I conquered the heck out of my head. Darn it. 

Running — No Comments
1
Mar 10

Going to church in tights and sweatshirt. Now that’s a party.

Today, I had a choice.

I missed my scheduled long training run on Saturday. Here was the dilemma..

Sleep late  (Definition of sleeping late; not setting alarm, but guarenteed to be out of bed by 8 a.m. ~ 8:27 a.m. outside latest.) Or get up and perform long run early, thereby freeing the day for normal glamorous Sunday afternoon activities. Sleep, write, clean up after lunch or jet off to the Turks and Cacaos.

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I set the alarm. It went off (a few times). I got up, turned on the light and found suitable running togs for below freezing temps with 90 mph winds.

Had a little coffee, put on my watch, took a deep breath and out I went.

I hate those first few moments. You would think after doing it so many years…getting up early running for 2 hours…that starting would get easier.

It hasn’t. AT ALL. In fact, is gotten only worse. But that’s just me.

So why do I do it?? Why do I creep around in dark bedroom in freezing house gathering clothes? Why do I leave my coffee cup? My hand still burning from its warm imprint.

Beats me.

No, silly. (Though I do wonder sometimes.)

Because I know it gets better. Within those first three minutes it gets better. Ten minutes into the mileage, I am sooo happy I crawled out of the very warm covers.

Yesterday, the last few miles not so much. Mile 11 on…my nose was raw, leftover from being outside in cold and wind Saturday. I was little puny; it was so cold, I didn’t leave out water or food.

But once I made it home. YAY!

13 Miles before 9 a.m.Plenty of time to change for church.

Okay, I miss calculated on how much time to get the rest of the house for church and how small our water heater was. Not enough time for all to shower who needed cleaning, so I took the hit and went to my dear Women of Faith Sunday School class in my tights and sweatshirt.

Just a few more long runs to fit into weekends before race.

Won’t think about that now. I’m tired. Remember I got up real early this morning.

Photobucket

When to you get your exercise in? Are you an early bird…or whenever the time allows?

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Columns / Running — 8 Comments
16
Jan 10

I was heating up. The shirt needed to go.”

Letting go or hanging on.

When committing last July to run the January 2010 Disney marathon, I couldn’t foresee race day temperatures in the 20s with wind chills into the teens. The Weather Channel announced exposed skin warnings and risk of hypothermia. Dressed in so many mixed-match layers, it appeared I was going on a date with the Michelin Man and trying a little too hard to impress. Continue reading →

Columns / Running — 1 Comment
18
Dec 09

I felt as strong as an ant attempting to clean and jerk 200 pounds.

 Only the weak cry. You cannot be weak and run roundtrip from Madison to Rutledge.  Continue reading →

Running / Thought for the Day — 1 Comment
3
May 09

Nothing’s Impossible. Luke 1:37

Sorry to have neglected blog for so long…but ruptured appendix’s have a way of interrupting things.

Have to post Mine that Bird’s Kentucky Derby win. Once again example of nothing is impossible. Even if you are 50-1 shot.

Just show up and give it your all..

So a 50-1 shot won the Kentucky Derby by a million lengths. Impossible.

I guess someone forgot to tell him (and his jockey) that. No, lots of people probably did. They just knew differently. And that’s the best part.

From one runner to another…Good Job.

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