Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas!

Way back in June I was asked to join Amber M. on a crazy adventure (see earlier post). Since I’m always looking for new and fun places for runs and triathlons, doing the Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon sounded like it was right up my alley. The bling was pretty cool too! It turned into an awesome weekend meeting new friends, making new memories, and helping a friend complete her first ever half marathon.

What a wacky fun group!

Amber and her husband along with another couple were already planning on going to Vegas so I needed to round up a few friends to fill my hotel room. I put the word out and Kate H. and Betsy G. joined in on the fun. Kate has run several halfs and was primed to go all out. Betsy was signed up to do the Oklahoma City Half Marathon (see earlier post) with me back in April but had to pull out when her mother became ill. This would be her first ever and she was excited to be doing it under the lights of the Las Vegas Strip. To top it off the race was the day after my birthday so I would be celebrating in style.

Running with the elite group! NOT!

I met Betsy at the airport in Vegas and connected with Kate. Even though they are both in my Running Friends Facebook group they had never met but in this small world it turned out they had friends in common. Then it was off to the Expo to pick up our race packets. Somehow along the way, Betsy’s registration got changed to the full marathon instead of the half and with the estimated time she turned in she was placed in corral #1. Yes, she was to start with the elite runners! I was in corral #45. After talking to the race organizers they said she could start with me and all would be well. But she will always have a fun Marathon bib to show for it.

We soon met up with Amber and her husband Mark and met their friends Dixie and Doug W. Instant friendship! I have met the most amazing people through my running and triathlon adventures. The circle just keeps expanding like ripples in a pond. The people I have been blessed to encounter are the reason I keep going. Dixie and Doug were also doing their first half marathon. You can’t help but catch the enthusiasm flowing amongst runners. It’s very contagious in the best possible way!

Party crashers!

That evening we had a nice dinner complete with birthday cake and, well, as they say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. 8-) We met for brunch the next morning then had a few hours of downtime to relax and rest.

Since the race was in the evening with my corral slated for a 5:30 start time, an entire hour after the first runners left the gate, I wasn’t sure how to eat and prepare. But since Betsy and I were planning to walk most of the route it really didn’t matter. The problem became actually getting to the start line. Imagine 45,000 runners and their support teams all trying to get to the same place at the same time. Even for Vegas it was daunting. Considering the start and finish line were 3 miles apart the logistics were overwhelming. The monorail was packed but somehow we smashed our way into the crowd and made it in plenty of time. Amber and Mark were going to renew their wedding vows at the Run Through Wedding (this is Vegas, after all!) so they were having lots of fun posing for pictures. The pre-race concert was blasting and we were all having a great time.

Until the storm hit.

I guess it wasn’t a storm by Kansas standards but the wind picked up and the temperature dropped

 quickly. Everyone was huddled close to block the wind and stay warm. Those of us near the back of the pack knew we had over an hour to wait and it was getting colder and colder. They kept the start

Helping Betsy finish her first 1/2 Marathon!

waves moving but Lady Luck was not smiling on us as a cold rain started pelting us with at least 30 minutes to go before our start time. We stood and shivered and tried to hide behind tall people for wind breaks.  It was not a fun beginning.

It was finally our turn to start and it felt so good to be moving. Betsy and I ran intervals and then walked, keeping up a nice rhythm as we passed the sights of Las Vegas. We knew what our target time was and the pace we needed and were banking extra minutes to allow for more pictures and potty breaks. One of the more interesting breaks came at the Planet Hollywood Casino. We were in a fairly long line at the port-a-pottys when a runner came out of the casino and said there were restrooms right inside the door, WITH TOILET PAPER! That sold it. We dashed into the casino and used the facilities and enjoyed the warmth a few minutes before heading back out to the Strip.

We were making good time and even saw Kate headed toward the finish line. We talked and encouraged each other and ran way more than I thought we might. Somewhere around mile 10, it hit Betsy. She was going to finish her first ever half marathon. With tears in her eyes she turned to me and said, “We’re going to do this! I’m doing a half marathon!” I was so proud to be doing this with her and seeing the look of pride wash across her face. It’s a look that you never forget.

But the tough miles were still to come. By mile 12 she was hurting pretty bad so we slowed down and took our time. The last mile seemed like it would never end and when we saw the finish line arch it couldn’t come soon enough. Betsy crossed a few steps ahead of me and will now forever be a half marathon finisher.

The Las Vegas Strip at Night!

However, the worst was yet to come. The finisher’s chute was a half mile long and our hotel was right at the finish line. We didn’t want to walk all the way down and then back up, adding yet another mile to our distance. With the adrenaline gone we were just cold. Cold and tired. As back of the packers there wasn’t much left and the walk seemed ridiculously long. And the darn security guards wouldn’t let us jump the fence either. Not that we had the energy to do that anyway. We finally make it back to the hotel and found the rest of the gang in the burger joint. Kate had set a new PR, Dixie and Doug finished near their target times for their first half marathons, Amber and Mark renewed their wedding vows, and Betsy finished ahead of her target time by quite a bit. Me, I finished with new friends, sore feet, and a smile from ear to ear.

I’m not sure where the next adventure will lead me but I’m sure it will bring new people into my life. New locations and new challenges keep me moving. Life is too short to let pass by and I don’t intend to sit on the sidelines. I’m so proud of Betsy for accepting the challenge of doing a half and sticking with it even when it got hard. And it did get hard. This was my 4th half marathon of the year and 6th total. The memories of this weekend will always make me smile. Viva Las Vegas!

Prairie Fire Half Marathon

Yesterday was the Prairie Fire Marathon and Half Marathon in Wichita. The conditions were perfect and the course was fast. The course record was broken by the top 3 finishers in the marathon and many others set new PRs. Although I didn’t set a PR I am proud and relieved to say I am a half marathon finisher because at mile 11.5 I really had my doubts and actually considered dropping out of a race for the first time ever.

Finished and smiling, but oh the pain. 

When my good friend Amber M. invited me to this race I knew I wasn’t going to be prepared. My plantar fascitis was acting up and I wasn’t doing any running let alone any long walks. I was working up to the Rock-n-Roll Half in Las Vegas next month (another of Amber’s crazy ideas!) so I wasn’t pushing my training at all. I promised myself and my Hubby that I would walk this race and save myself for LV. Sounded like a good plan at the time, and it would have worked, except my competitive spirit kicked in and I just couldn’t help myself. I ran quite a bit of the first 8 miles.  My foot was feeling a little better thanks to a wonderful foot massage (yet another Amber idea, are you seeing a trend here?).

At mile 8 my phone rang. It was my hubby so I had to take the call. If I wouldn’t have he would have been worried about me and I don’t like to make him worry. He had been tracking my progress on my Garmin app and was calling to remind me I was to WALK this race. Busted by Garmin. So after walking a good part of mile 9 I got back into the groove and started running in short stretches again but I think the long walk break tightened my hips and they started to ache. Each mile was a little worse, and at mile 11.5, that was it. I told my legs to start running but after a few steps my hips just wouldn’t move any more. It got to the point that even walking as extremely painful. I kept getting slower and slower and there wasn’t a thing I could do about it. My hips just would not cooperate.

I know I need to listen to my body. I know I have issues that I have no control over. I know I can’t afford to trash my body for the sake of one race. But. BUT. Quitting goes against everything inside me. That’s why I’m out here doing things that put a strain even on healthy bodies. I am not going to let anything, even rheumatoid arthritis, dictate when and how I live my life. If I had given in and stopped at mile 11.5, I would be giving up more than just a cool medal and a t-shirt. I would be giving RA a victory and I will not do that. EVER. I’m sure my lack of training didn’t help and my puny donut for breakfast may not have been enough fuel (Amber and I were having so much fun the night before that we forget to get my chocolate milk). It would have been so much easier to just stop and ask for a ride back to the finish but even though it hurt and I had to slow down so much there were several older ladies that passed me (ouch, that hurt even worse!) I kept moving and even managed a slow jog for the last 100 yards to the finish line. I finished.

Looking back I can see where I went wrong. I’ll learn from my mistakes and finish stronger a month from now in Las Vegas. My thighs are sore and my hips are screaming at me but my feet are surprisingly OK. I’ll take a few days to recuperate and then start building some distance with more running included. I don’t expect to be fast but being prepared will make the experience so much better. I can’t wait to Run the Strip with my friends and finish another adventure. But I’ll remember the lessons learned at the Prairie Fire. Amber, you are a nut, but I love you anyway!

Lost in Transition or Who Let the Dogs Out

This Saturday morning was the Grant County Recreation Commission Triathlon. It was also my perfect excuse to get out of cooking all day at the Oktoberfest. So despite not really looking forward to or really being ready for this race I signed up and hoped for the best. Looking back it was truly a cosmic mix of circumstances that resulted in my first ever and most likely once in a lifetime overall first place finish in a triathlon.

I'm a winner!

I haven’t done any running since the Tiara Tri the end of August because my plantar fascitis is acting up big time. I’ve managed a few small rides and some nice swim sessions but that’s about it. I signed up for the race thinking I would go, have some fun, take my time, and get out of cooking in a hot kitchen for 12 hours.

Race time was scheduled for 7:00 am. Sunrise was not until 7:28. I’m not a fan of riding in the dark and mentioned this to the race director who assured me it would be fine. Alrighty then. The forecast predicted much cooler temperatures which also didn’t make me happy. We would be swimming indoors but the ride on the bike in a wet tri suit was going to be unpleasant. Maybe I would go and just do the swim. That sounded like a better plan.

The race director called to tell me the start time had been pushed back to 7:30 so things were looking up. I arrived at the pool and only saw a few bikes on the front lawn. Was I in the wrong place? I checked in and picked up my number and asked about the route. The others there were asking about the dogs. What? Dogs? I was told that there was a farmstead we would ride by that was guarded by some dogs. Since everyone was asking about these dogs they must be well known in the area. Her advice? Just keep peddling, they’ll leave you alone after a while. WHAT?!!! They hoped the owner would have them pinned up but if not, just ride a little faster and they would give up chasing you eventually. HOLY COW!!

I set my transition area up near a bench and still didn’t see many other bikes and most of them had kickstands. Hmmmm. I walked into the pool and was given my choice of lane. I asked if it was a serpentine swim and got a blank stare. It was a 6 lane pool, very nice, and there were 6 swimmers. That’s it. No second wave. No sharing lanes. 2 teams (smart, considering the temperature outside was 46 degrees) 1 individual male, and 3 individual females. The other 2 girls were younger and in regular swimsuits. They were rookies but looked very fit. I’m used to losing so coming in third isn’t so bad.

We started swimming and I kept up a nice steady pace and finished my 400 meter swim in good time. I was surprised to see the other 2 still in the pool. They were each faster than me swimming but had to take long breaks at each turn. I hopped out of the pool and burst out of the doors into the cold morning air. Wowsers! That was not fun. I toweled off a little better then normal and put on my riding jacket and gear and off I rode following the directions of the volunteers and hoping I wasn’t going to get lost. (No maps since all the other participants were locals except me.)

It was COLD on that bike. My feet and thighs were stinging after the first mile but the faster I peddled the warmer I got so I just kept spinning away. At the second turn the volunteer warned me that the dogs were at the top of the hill and NOT pinned up. I could see the rider about a ¼ mile in front of me and when he got to the top of the hill here came the dogs. BIG dogs. I’m not sure of the breed but they looked like rottweilers to me. They went after that bike and I thought, this is it. I’m going to be mauled to death on a triathlon. My only hope was that the dogs would keep following the lead rider and leave me alone. No such luck. As I crested the hill they were standing in the middle of the road, snarling and drooling and right in my way. I started peddling faster and saying a few quick prayers. They came after me and I started growling back hoping to scare them away. It didn’t work. And when they started nipping at my tires and feet I let loose a bloodcurdling scream that surely was heard all the way back in town. The dogs eventually slowed and let me pass but my heart was pounding and I was shaking in the saddle. Why would the race director route us past this place? In addition to the dogs we had to cross the highway 4 times unassisted. I would rethink that route for sure.

The rest of the ride was uneventful until the last two blocks. A volunteer flagged me down and told me

Great to see Yolanda and her lovely smile.

to dismount. What? I got off and started running my bike down the street and she stopped me and said I could leave my bike there. What??? I said all my running gear was at the pool and she pointed to the ground and said they had brought all of it to me. What?!!!  They moved transition while we were out on the bike ride. That just rattled my brain. As triathletes, we practice our transitions and have a certain order to our equipment. They had brought everything I had laid out and put it in a pile on the sidewalk. Unbelievable. My shoes, hat, water bottle, all there and waiting on me. So I changed shoes and started running in the direction the worker pointed, which happened to be right past where transition was originally. In hindsight I realize I was the only participant that had to change shoes so for the rest it really didn’t matter.

The run went well for me and I was able to keep a good run/walk pace going. My foot felt pretty good and the cool temperature was perfect for running. The route looped around several parks and the volunteers were fantastic about letting me know where to go and where my next turn was. I was enjoying the jog through town when I saw my wonderful friend Yolanda and her husband Bill at one of the volunteer stations. Yolanda did the swim portion for a team and then helped out on the route. She told me that I was the first female to pass through and there was only ½ a mile to go! After hearing that I picked up my step a little and started to think maybe, just maybe. But surely one of the others would catch me. I listened for steps but didn’t hear any. With only a block to go I was really pushing, or at least my version of pushing. I heard a cheer of “Go Patty, you can do it!” but with only a few yards to go I heard another name being shouted too and realized that one of the other ladies was closing in on me. But she ran out of time and I crossed 10 seconds ahead of her. I was first across the line for the first time ever, and probably the last. But it felt very nice, even if there were only 3 in the race, a fact that I will omit from further recounts of the day.

I was cold, I was tired and as I drove home my foot really started hurting. I escaped the dogs and made it through the strangest transition ever and even finished with a kick. Looking back, if the other ladies had not taken the time to change into dry clothes for the ride they would have blown by me and left me shivering in my wet tri-suit. But today was my day. My first overall win AND I didn’t have to cook!

Tiara Tri, (because you can never have too many crowns!)

Yesterday was the 3rd Annual Tiara Tri and I'm proud to say I've participated all three years. It's an all women's race in El Dorado State Park and I love being able to share this event with my friends.

Cara, me, and Kate all smiles with our Tiaras

Kate H. and her friend Cara C. were also doing the race so we left in the wee dark hours to get a good spot on the rack. Turns out everyone else had the same plan and the racks were almost full when we got there. This race has exploded from less then 60 entrants the first year to over 100 this time around. We wedged our bikes on the rack and checked in and got our lovely body markings. They put your bib number on your arm and your age on your leg. I am notorious for looking at that age number as I scope out all the really fast looking old ladies.

We went down to the water and were happy to see the marker buoys were much closer in this year. Last year the swim was a lot longer so things were already looking up. As usual I sized up the ladies in my group and only saw a few but the ones I did see looked pretty fit. Rats. But I would give it a good try and see what happened.

They started in three waves and with this many entrants it was crammed and legs and arms were

Over 100 women all sharing a huge dressing room.

everywhere. You can plan you swim all you want but when you get in the mix it's all about staying above the water and not getting smacked or kicked. I ended up having to keep my head out of the water for the first third and by the time the pack thinned out my heart rate was too high to manage a good freestyle stroke rhythm. So it was scissor kick all the way to the shore and off to the transition area.

The bike was the same course and wasn't any smoother this year then last. Also, the hills didn't get any smaller and the speed bumps didn't get any lower. I managed to pass quite a few on the ride and was feeling pretty good about my pace.

I sparkle!

The run is the run. I know I'm not a good runner and never will be. One of the ladies in my age group passed me and she was looking way to fresh and relaxed for me to ever think about staying up with her. But I didn't see the other ladies pass me so I was hopeful. I finished pretty strong and was happy with my pace.

Turns out I was 4th in my age group. Apparently the other two really fast ladies blew by me on the swim and I never saw them again. Dang. Oh well, that's the way racing goes. It all depends on who shows up and who stays home on any given day. This year they gave string bags instead of place medals so I didn't miss much. Come to think of it, the finisher medal was pretty small this year and the crown was smaller too. Hmmmm. I hope they fix that for next year because I'll be back for my 4th crown. A girl can never have too many tiaras!

I'm Not Alone!!

It's easy to feel like you are the only one battling through issues but I learned recently of another athlete in our area who has Rheumatoid Arthritis and is not letting it stand in his way. While the majority of RA warriors are women it does strike men as well. Most think of arthritis as an old person's disease however RA actually strikes most often in the 20's and 30's. This athlete was hit at the age of 17.

Let me tell you, he is amazing! I've watched him run for years and thought how smooth he was. He makes it look effortless yet all the while he's been fighting through the pain, fatigue, and swollen joints. He's a private man and doesn't share his story with many but when I asked him about it he showed me his hands. Unmistakable.

His philosophy is simple. "Someday I may not be able to do this, but today is not that day."

I'm humbled.

Triple Threat Triathlon Series

This was a new series in my area and of course I had to be part of the fun. It consisted of three triathlons three weeks in a row, each one a little unique. The prize for doing all three was a really nice jacket. How could I pass that up? The bonus was three triathlons within very short driving distance and a chance to hang out with some really awesome friends every weekend. The hidden bonus was I actually saw improvement from week to week.

Race 1: Reverse Tri at Scott City

First race finished.

Holy cow, this one had me worried. It was run in reverse order with the run first and swim last. Yikes! I totally suck at the run and was so worried about being exhausted that I would be worthless on the bike and flounder in the water. But it really worked well and the transitions were actually easier. You were taking things off not putting things on. The only down side for me was my shoulders really tightened up as I rode and the swim stroke was pretty painful. I even managed to maintain my normal pace for each segment. Finished with a smile as there were no age group awards.

Race 2: Double Triathlon at Holcomb

Second Race Finished

This triathlon give you the option to finish a mini sprint and then do it again, backwards. So you can swim, bike, run, run, bike, swim, to complete the double. I'm crazy, but not that crazy and only did the first part. The distances are 225 swim, 9 mile bike, 2 mile run so the single is pretty doable. Since one of the ladies in my age group did the double it bumped me up to second place in my division. Woo Hoo!

Race 3: Arkansas Trails Triathlon at Garden City

Third Race Finished!!

I was really looking forward to the swim part of this race and dreading the run. The Big Pool in Garden City is huge by pool standards and I lobbied hard to get a perimeter swim to simulate an open water swim in a clear water environment. Those who were leery of lakes and murky water could see the bottom and those who didn't feel strong enough to swim in a lake could get that feeling and still have the side near enough to grab if they needed. Each lap around the pool is approximately 200 meters so twice around the pool was a perfect distance. The bike was the normal route through the Sand Hills and back. But the run was scary for me. It was a 4 mile run through trails along the Arkansas River. The sand was loose in many areas with lots of hidden rocks and uneven gullies. I took my time and survived. I finished 3rd again, just out of the medals behind the same two ladies. But I finished.

Final Thoughts

It was a fantastic turnout for this series. Over 25 people took up the challenge and completed all three races. It points out the popularity of this sport and the desire of people in our area to try new things and step out of our comfort zones. Many others participated in one or two of the events and all three races were well attended. I'm in awe of the fast people and inspired by everyone who steps up to the start line. The positive energy that flows at events like this is like nothing else in the world. I hope this series continues to grow. It's unique and fun and has brought me many new friends. That's a win in my books.

Triple Threat Triathlon Finishers. (I'm at the far left)

Big Pool Triumph for Carol, the Iron Mom

Iron Mom

Sometimes you witness such a feat of courage and demonstration of determination it brings you to tears. I was blubbering like a fool at the Big Pool Triathlon as I watched my friend and neighbor, Carol S., conquer her fears and limitations and finish the race with a fist pump and a gracious smile.

After my problems with the race organizers last year (Read the end of last year's post) I did not sign up for this race but wanted to go and cheer my friends along. I remember how important those shouts of encouragement were to me and wanted to pass that along to others. Then I found out my neighbor Carol was going to participate and I knew I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Let me tell you a little about Carol. When I moved into this neighborhood she was one of the first people that I saw running up and down my street. After stopping her and introducing myself I found out that she was training for a 5K. She's a little older then me and not the typical image of a runner. Carol looks like anyone else our age: a little rounder then we would like, not as graceful as some, and not a natural athletic frame. But don't let any of that fool you. Inside she has a heart of gold, a will of steel, and more determination and grit then most "athletes" will ever posses.

When Carol messaged me and asked for advice for the upcoming race I was so excited for her. Talk about stepping out of her comfort zone! She signed up for Tri Training classes and LEARNED TO SWIM! Can you imagine signing up for a tri and not knowing how to swim? But that didn't stop Carol.

Determination and Guts. Go Carol Go!

For the 4th year in a row the weather was absolutely perfect for the race. Carol was pumped but nervous. I had never been a spectator before and I can't tell you how excited I was for all my friends doing the race. It was so special to be able to give them each a word of encouragement and a thumbs up and not have those butterflies in my stomach to contend with. Carol's husband and son were there as her support crew. Let the race begin!

Just before the start Carol confided her fastest swim time to me. It was going to be slow but she was determined. If she could get through the swim the rest was going to be OK. As she started down her lane I felt like I was pulling with her on every stroke. She knew she could flip to her back and rest when she needed to but when she was on her back she didn't move forward very much. Her freestyle was good, but she just didn't have enough time to build up good technique or endurance. She was struggling. This swim is a 400 meter swim in a 50 meter pool so each length was grueling for her. Swimmer after swimmer left the pool until there was only Carol.

Keep rolling!

She was exhausted and only half way through the swim. She took long rest breaks at the ends and struggled through the laps. But you should have heard the cheers from the pool deck as she made it to the end of each length. I went to the end and even though Carol had her earplugs in and couldn't hear a thing she saw the thumbs up and gave me a nod. She took a deep breath and headed down the lane again. And again. And again. I was so proud of her for not giving up. For not giving into the exhaustion. For not abandoning the goal. I was in tears when I went back to her family and I think I startled her son who I had just met when I gave him a big hug. After watching her struggle through this long ordeal of a swim there wasn't a dry eye in the place. The cheer that went up when she climbed up that ladder was as huge as I can remember for any participant at this event. Her husband held her steady and helped her take off her goggles, cap, and earplugs, then gave her a huge hug. What a support crew! I couldn't help it, I had to give her a hug too. When she looked at her watch she was so happy. She had cut 7 minutes off her previous time!

After composing herself she was off on her bike ride. By then the fast riders were already on the
return leg of the ride and headed back to town. When Carol rolled back into transition she had chain grease on her legs and was worried about her bike. Seems she had a little mishap at the turn around and put her foot through her derailleur. But she calmly put on her running shoes and took off for the 2

Proud and Strong. 

laps around the zoo. By then many had already finished. They can all take pride in their accomplishments and deserve respect for their efforts. But we all knew Carol was still out on the course. Another friend went back to find her and run with her to keep her company. I ran/walked with them a short way as they started the second lap around the zoo. She was as determined then as she was before the race. She would finish this. Turtle Power!!

When she neared the finish line the spectators were cheering and crying and celebrating the biggest victory of all. Carol is now a triathlete. "Iron Mom" is the title she prefers. No matter what you call her you better believe she is a hero. Taking on a triathlon is daunting for most athletes and taking on that challenge in your later years is hard. But how much more so when you don't know how to swim. I have nothing but admiration for Carol. Her husband was practically bursting his buttons with pride. I'll never forget her determination to finish that swim and prove to herself and everyone else that she can do anything. Absolutely ANYTHING!!! Congratulation Carol. You are Iron Mom.

Summer Update (It's All Amber's Fault!)

Friends make the miles fly by.

I was planning to ride half of one day of Biking Across Kansas. I figured I couldn't pass it by since the route this year went right through my home town. Even right past some of our farm ground! It was a no-brainer. But the full day was scheduled to be an 80 mile ride with much of the later miles over a busy highway with no shoulders and lots of hills. This chick doesn't do hills.

My nephew Eric M. from across the state has started riding and decided to do this ride as a bucket list challenge. He played football in college as an offensive linemen so he's a boy with some size. He is also very strong so I knew he would leave me in the dust. It's a good thing my friend Amber M. was willing to ride along with me to keep me company. The plan was to meet early Sunday morning at the start and ride the 28 miles to my town and then call it a day. But it was a beautiful day with a slight tailwind and Amber kept saying, "let's keep going!" So we did.

Amber has been a wonderful friend from almost the first race I ever ran. Somehow we connected and kept seeing each other at the races. Then I found out that she works for an educational cooperative that services the school I work in. Who knew? I'll never forget the day I first saw her in my building. The halls were filled with students and when Amber saw me she said "Hey, you sure look different with your clothes on." We had a good laugh about that and we all look different with our civilian clothes on.

Had to stop for a hug from Claudia.

We took off at first light and soon Eric was a speck in the distance ahead of us. I kept reminding Amber that we were on a tour, not a race. So we took our time and talked and talked and peddled away the miles. We went past our farm and we shared notes about farm life (Amber's husband is a farmer too). As we passed near our good friend Dan K.s house he came out to meet us. He was watching all the bikes go down Main Street and wishing he could join us. Maybe someday Dan!

A few more miles took us by Claudia B.s house and she and her husband were sitting on lawn chairs on the side of the road watching for us. Can you believe it! All my activities have brought so many people into my life that I can't imagine not knowing. The circle of friends just keep getting bigger and bigger and everyone of them is a positive influence on my life.

We pulled into my home town and it was still pretty early in the day so Amber said, "Let's keep going." I called my hubby to make sure he could pick us up along the road if we went farther then planned. I could almost see him shaking his head at our crazy ideas and agreed to pick us up when we got tired.

Eric and his favorite Aunt!

Heading out of town was like heading into uncharted territory. I've driven this road a thousand times but never ridden it on my bike. But the tailwind kept pushing us and we kept talking and laughing, and the miles just flew by. Eventually we got to a rest stop and checked our mileage. Amber's previous long distance ride was 35 miles. We were way beyond that and she was smiling from ear to ear. "Let's keep going!" OK Amber, whatever you say. I did decide to put a halt to our ride at the next little town because it was starting to get warm and, honestly, I was only planning a 28 - 30 mile ride. My saddle was not happy and I'm a wimp. But when we finally stopped at the next SAG stop we had 56.8 miles on our bikes. A record for Amber and a pretty wonderful day out on the road.

Hubby picked us up and we talked and laughed all the way back to the starting point and dropped
Amber back at her pickup. And somewhere during that day I agreed to do the Rock-n-Roll 1/2 Marathon in Las Vegas in November. I'm still not sure how that happened, but when Amber says "Let's keep going" apparently we keep going!

My nephew Eric managed the 80 miles and then some to make it an official century ride for him. Amber set a new distance record on her bike. And I found a new goal to work toward and have another adventure on the horizon. What can I say. It's all Amber's fault!

Amber and I sweeping the medals in the "Masters" division at a race in 2010.

Running With My Daughter

This past weekend I had the wonderful pleasure of finally doing and event with my daughter, Lyndi. She lives across the state from me and has a busy life with family and work and like so many younger women, no time to train. So when she invited me to do Running With The Cows I jumped at the chance to share the morning with her. That it was scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend was an added bonus. That I would get to see my granddaughters was just icing on the cake.

Because of work and family Lyndi doesn’t have the time to workout that I do. When do you fit a workout in between work and Girl Scouts, commuting and dance lessons, husband and housework? Many women have to put their own goals on hold as their families grow and activities get in the way. She does what she can when she can which is all anyone can do. I certainly don’t mind going slow and walking is just fine with me. Plus, the finishers received a cowbell. How cool is that! Sign me up!

The forecast was for rain but the morning was perfect; a little chilly at the start but just right at the end. The race features a ½ marathon and a 5K and in just 6 short years has grown to a major event. Over 1500 runners did the half and over 500 the 5K. Not bad for a little town. We followed the cow signs out of the starting area and then a simple out and back on a rolling course. We talked and visited and stopped to take a picture or two and spent a wonderful morning out on the road. Best Mother’s Day present she could have given me!

One of the big draws of this run is the amazing feast at the end. They have everything from the standard fruit and power bars to pizza, cinnamon rolls, muffins, protein balls, and bagels. They even had a concoction of homemade noodles, pulled pork, and green grapes. It sounds strange but don’t knock it until you try it. Yummmmm.

We didn’t break any speed records but enjoyed our time together. It’s not how fast you move, but that you move whatever you can, whenever you can. I’m so proud of my daughter for fitting in her workouts between family and work obligations and making a commitment to fitness. I was so happy to get to spend some time with her doing something healthy and active. I hope she calls me up more often and invites me to do a few more events with her. As they said at the race, “Just keep mooooving.”

Half Marathon RUN

Yolanda, Meghan, and I,
Proud 1/2 Marathon Finishers!

I’ve been able to say I’ve completed a half marathon for a while now but I have always added the caveat that I’ve WALKED the 13.1 miles with only a few running bits thrown in. As of this weekend I feel I can say I’ve RUN a half marathon. I ran most of the first 4 miles and quite a bit after that. If I go back through my Garmin data I could get exact figures but I’m confident in saying that I ran at least 5 miles. I don’t know at what point that becomes enough to move from the walk to run category, but by the powers vest in me by, well, me, I declare it a RUN!!

The OKC Memorial Marathon/Half Marathon is an amazing race with unique community support and an atmosphere that begs runners to return year after year. Last year’s run was filled with drama as well as emotion with storms delaying the start by almost 2 hours. I walked 13.1 miles with my good friend Claudia B. and finished with a smile. This year I was to walk with Betsy G. a friend from high school. Several from the area were doing the run as well including Meghan M., Yolanda R., Dan K., and several others from my Running Friends group. It’s a party and we don’t mind making the long drive to OKC to be part of the fun.

Unfortunately Betsy found out the day before we left that her mother needed to be moved to the big city for more medical attention and needed to be with her. I absolutely agreed but realized that I would be walking by myself this time. I adjusted my thinking and decided to take the opportunity to really enjoy the day and make connection with the wonderful people in the neighborhoods that make this such a special event.

Always ready with a glass of wine.

Meghan, Yolanda, and I drove down Saturday morning and aside from forgetting to look at the fuel gage and thankfully finding a gas station quickly the ride was smooth. Saturday evening we shared supper with Kate H. and her sisters (Kate is coming back from an injury but her sisters were running the 1/2) and got to bed by 9:00. 4:30 came around awfully fast! We woke to perfect weather: temps in the mid 50s and overcast with a slight breeze. Not a thunderstorm in sight!

We wished each other luck at the starting line and promised to meet up on the other side with a smile. Since I’ve been feeling better and was full of energy I decided to run the first 3 miles. That part is through mainly business and commercial areas so there aren’t as many spectators along the way. It’s not until we get into the neighborhoods that the fun really begins. So I kept up the pace and amazingly finished the first 4 miles with only a few walk breaks, mainly on uphill portions of the route.

One of the first characters I came across was a lovely older gentleman sitting at a small bistro table with a bottle of wine smoking a big cigar who was willing to share a glass of bubbly with anyone who wanted to stop. I didn’t share a drink but did stop to take our picture. So many of the neighborhoods play music and post signs and offer water, pretzels, fruit,

Bouncing along with Tigger.

and encouragement. It’s a party all through the middle of the race. I stopped to take a picture with a cute little guy in a Tigger costume who was bouncing all over the place. And of course I had to get a picture of the gorilla waiting for us at Gorilla Hill. This group goes nuts! Music, people in banana costumes, fruit, cheering, and all of this well into the run with as much enthusiasm for us slow people as for the fast people who went by much earlier.

One little guy caught my eye as he held a sign that said “Free Cupcakes” He looked a little sad that not everyone was stopping to take his cupcakes so I HAD to stop. I thanked him and bit into the treat and it tasted so good at mile 9 that I think I groan and he started to chuckle. That made my day!

Gorilla Hill, Party Central!

The last part if the race is back through business areas but the crowd support is still amazing. When I got to the finish line chute the sidelines were packed with cheering crowds who didn’t care if you were fast or slow, running or walking. They were there to thank the participants for supporting their city and the Memorial. To them I say, You’re Welcome!

When I stopped my Garmin I realized that I had set a new PR. I can only imagine how much faster my time would have been if I hadn’t stopped to take pictures and eat cupcakes and dance with a cute little Tigger, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I ran more than I thought I would, stopped to enjoy the sights and sounds, and made a mountain of new memories. Today I’m sore and my hips are not happy but I will be back next year and maybe this time I’ll stop and have that glass of wine and hope for a cupcake or two as I RUN another half marathon.

Finished and smiling!

Take It To The Limit

As I’m participating in an event I try to allow the moment to fill me, to bring me new insight, to take away a new understanding of myself or the world around me. After finishing the Outrun Childhood Obesity (OCO) ½ Marathon on Saturday I can honestly say I was filled with a Peaceful Easy Feeling even though the wind was blowing at 25 mph and my hips were making their displeasure known quite emphatically.

My race started early. The race director Meghan, a good friend of mine, again allowed me to start early so I would finish with the rest of the pack instead staggering in long after everyone else has finished. She allowed me to do this last year and as things turned out, a few others could have benefited from an early start as well. It was a cold 36 degrees with a wind chill of 28 when I hit the road. I showed my Garmin to Meghan’s dad to verify my start and headed south out of town into a 15 mph wind. (This is truly the beauty of small town races!)

Still smiling after the OCO 1/2 Marathon

I have just discovered the joy of listening to music as I walk/run and was loving the 70’s channel on my SiriusXM app on my phone. Up until recently I had only listened to myself gasping for air and talking to myself in my head. Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown kept me company while I caught Boogie Fever and did some Jive Talkin’. As the wind picked up the Eagles kept me soaring. But when the wind kicked up to 25 mph and Dust In The Wind by Kansas came on I almost burst out laughing as tumbleweeds rolled along beside me.

The return leg of the race is special to me. By starting early I get the chance to meet all the runners as they are still heading out to the turn around. Most give me a high five or a thumbs up and those that I know shout encouragement as I give them a big smile and try to boost their spirits. It truly is a special part of the OCO race for me and I’m so glad Meghan let’s me experience this.

As I was running one of the downhill stretches it occurred to me: I had a little more energy and a little less pain than in the past. Don’t get me wrong, my hips still hurt, but not nearly as bad as they would have a few months ago. I haven’t been as totally exhausted lately either, just more tired them most. Progress? I sure hope so. The new biologic treatment might actually be getting the upper hand in this battle with RA. No wonder I felt a sense of peace and calm. For the first time in 18 months I felt like I was taking a step forward instead of treading water or even falling farther behind.

I finished my ½ marathon in just over 3 hours and shaved 17 minutes off my previous PR. Yet another reason to smile after the race. Now, a few days later, I’m a little sore and my hips still ache but for the first time I’m optimistic about controlling my disease. I’ll keep listening to my 70’s hits as I plod along and the Eagles and I will Take It To The Limit one more time.

Racing For A Cure

Dan, me, Kate, Patricia (Kate's Sister)

Yesterday was the TLC Groundhog Run in Kansas City. It's the only completely underground 10K in the
USA and benefits the local organization that supports children with disabilities. It's also the race I choose to use as my fund raiser for Racing For A Cure, an organization that raises money for research to fight all forms of arthritis. Helping two groups at one time is pretty special. That's why I drive 7 hours to KC and ignore my claustrophobia to run in the tunnels of a limestone mine. That, and the really cool finisher medal!

I have been trying to rebuild my stamina but it seems life gets in the way sometimes. Between the holidays and all the distractions that brings I didn't get as much training in as I really should have but I only have so much energy and when it's gone it's gone. My game plan was to work hard for the first 5K and relax and enjoy the ride for the second half. The 10K is not my race anyway and PRs are a thing of the past. Finishing upright with a smile and a thumbs up is winning in my books.

Thank you Sponsors!

My friends and family really came through for me this year. I was so happy to see the donations roll in for my fund raiser. Even more important was the information I was able to pass along about the struggles those with RA face every day. If in some small way I can help others understand RA and how important it is to find better treatment and someday, God willing, a cure, then my struggles will be worth the pain. It's never too late to donate so if you feel the urge to help log onto my donation page: http://racingforacure.org/team/patty-knoll.

This year I was going to have to drive by myself since another girl from the area had to pull out of the run. My hubby really didn't want me to drive home tired and sore all alone so he gave up his planned activity on Sunday (his men's group cooks and serves a Groundhog Supper) to spend the weekend with me. He's not a big fan of going to the races because, honestly, it's pretty boring for those left behind at the start/finish line. There usually isn't much to do to keep them entertained and I take a long time to finish. He's such a good sport and didn't complain too much but I know it wasn't a fun time for him. He takes such good care of me and his support means the world to me. I know I would have been fine driving home but it really was nice to just relax and rest. Thanks Hubby!

The starting area.

I met up with Kate H. and Dan K. and we headed back into the tunnel to the starting line. I waited until the
slower wave passed by then started my run/walk with almost 1400 other runners. It was cold and drizzly outside and I had worn a long sleeve shirt under my jersey. Big Mistake! It actually gets quite warm and stuffy deep in the tunnels and I was overheating big time. By mile 1 I was looking for a pillar I could hide behind and strip my shirts off. With a quick change of clothes I was back on the road and feeling much better. I kept to my intervals for the first 5K and when I looked at my watch was pleased with my time. Not fast, but in my range of normal.

Then I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures. Now this is how to enjoy a race. I talked to the volunteers, shouted encouragement to the fast people as they passed me, and talked to others along the way. I think I like this concept!

Running through a long long tunnel.

Somewhere around mile 5.5 my hips really started hurting. Amazingly, running felt a little better then walking so I probably ran a lot more then I had planned. I was limping pretty bad by the time I finished but I made it to the end. So the car ride home was not pleasant. We stopped several times so I could get out to walk but it was pretty painful. I moved like a zombie and about as fast. It's better today but I'm getting up and moving every chance I get.

Finished, smiling, thumbs up!

I did have a goal time in mind and I beat it by almost 3 minutes. My Hubby and friends were at the finish line cheering me on. Kate and Dan had run really well and were kind enough to wait around for this slow poke. We caught the shuttle back to the hotel for a quick shower and then hit the road for the long drive home. Another Groundhog Run in the books. 

I don't know if I'll do this run again but if you have the chance you should give it a try. It is the most unique place to run and it's for a worthy cause. And the 10K finisher medal is really neat!

New Year, New Focus

With a new year starting I'm going to focus on having fun. I'm not going to try of a new PR in anything and not going to worry about finishing last. In fact, I fully expect to finish last a few times this year. But I'm going to have fun doing it.

That doesn't mean I'm not going to work hard. I know that being in some kind of shape makes you feel a lot better at the end of an event. I will still try my best but if I can't enjoy the day then it's not worth doing. Not at this point in my life. So I'm looking for events that give unusual swag or neat finisher medals. Unique locations and fun themes are what I'm looking for. Challenging but not excruciating, that's for me.

That's why I'm gearing up to do the TLC Groundhog Run 10K again this year. It's a totally underground run under Kansas City that benefits children with disabilities. As if that's not reason enough to do the race, I'll also be using that race to do some fund raising for the Arthritis National Research Foundation. Check out my donation page at: http://racingforacure.org/team/patty-knoll
Not nearly enough money is available for research into RA and finding a cure, or even new medications that control this chronic disease. We need better drugs that fight RA without the major side-affects caused by present treatments. It is my small way of fighting against RA. Please consider making a donation to this cause.

With only a few weeks until the run I will need to get on the treadmill and put in a few more miles. My event calendar is filling up for the year and I can't wait to get started. Happy New Year everyone, and let the fun begin!