Life is Good...Go Summer!

Birmingham's annual Mercedes Marathon / Half Marathon is now only 16 days. Last year this was my first race. After months of patiently listening to training stories at work, my friend Summer (the character pictured above) came out race morning to offer support. Even though I didn't see her, she claims she had a "Go John" sign around mile 1. I was touched and at the same time a little sad that somehow I missed her.

The day after the race she vowed that next year she was going to run the half. Although this goal was fantastic, I had my doubts. First off, Summer didn't really do any running. This would be an easy obstacle to overcome since I'd be supplying expert training advice. There were other obstacles that would prove to be challenging. Finding time to train while raising two kids under 5, while working full time is more difficult than I can imagine. Somehow Summer has managed to do it. She took the picture above during her longest training run (12 miles) last week. Katie and I ran 11 with her the week before and had a blast. I guess being idealistic and having a positive attitude does payoff.

Congrats Summer! Well Done! You're gonna do great!

JG

Life is Good...Mountain Mist 50k

Saturday I ran my first 50k (31.06 miles). Any race longer than the traditional marathon distance of 26.2 miles is considered an "Ultramarathon". These races usually are 50k, 50 miles, 100k, or 100 miles in distance, and most take place off road on trails.

The Mountain Mist 50k takes place at the Monte Sano state park in Huntsville and is one of Alabama's most popular and difficult trail runs. Katie and I woke up at 4:00 Saturday morning and began our voyage to Huntsville. Rain was coming down in buckets and I thought of my normal Saturday running group getting pelted. Turns out that they had a great 22 mile run despite the harsh conditions. Way to go guys!

We arrived at the lodge at the Monte Sano state park about an hour before race time. Luckily the rain had moved on. I checked in and spent the next hour nervously milling around the lodge with 300 hardcore looking folks. The race director gave us our instructions and alerted us to watch out for ice on the course : /. The gun went off at 8:00 and we were off, quickly reaching the trail. We ran single file through woods and beautiful open spaces for the first 9 miles. Everyone was very friendly and chatty and we moved along at a comfortable pace. As a rookie, I asked the veteran trail runners what to expect for the rest of the day. They prepared me for the worst, which was ahead.

At mile 17 I was beginning to get tired and the terrain was becoming much more challenging. Rocks, roots, and extreme hills were relentless for the final 14 miles. Two of the climbs were almost vertical, each lasting over a mile. We also had to navigate a 100 yard, 90 degree rock climb up the side of a waterfall. At this point, mile 23, my legs were screaming at me.

Finally, after 6 hours and 41 minutes, I exhaustedly crossed the finished line.

Mountain Mist was a fantastic experience and definitely the most difficult challenged I've completed. The race was well run, the course was challenging and beautiful, the volunteers were great, and the other participants were the most talented I've been around at any event. I look forward to improving as a trail runner and continuing to pursue ultra events. Maybe I'll even sign up for a 100 miler some day.

Special thanks to Katie for hanging out in the cold for almost 7 hours, waiting for me to emerge from the wilderness : )

JG

On Schedule . . . Almost

There's nothing like a race to get you back on track. The Auburn Half Marathon motivated me to kick it back in gear. On Monday, J. and I enjoyed an 11-mile trek with one of his co-workers, S. It was good weather, great company, and nice to feel like I'm back in the groove.

I have a five-miler on schedule today w/ my hubby and a 12-miler on Sunday with a friend. So far my foot is holding up (knocking on wood), and life is moving along at an incredibly enjoyable pace. I'm savoring every minute of it.

I'm excited about a part-time job I landed (and start next week) that will work around my classes, runs, and time in public schools this semester. I've even had time to start chipping away at my "list" of things to get done before going back to work full time (hopefully this August).

The puppies are squeaky clean and worn out from a walk--all three. The laundry is done. Dinner is ready for tonight. The house is in good shape. The sun is shining. And I'm proud to be an American once again.

Downside . . . can't think of one. Upside . . . I'm starting to think my blank calendar may look better with the help of some colorful pens.

P.S. Stay tuned for the Mountain Mist 50K race report. Anyone without Saturday plans is welcome to make the trek to Huntsville with us and hang out for 8 hours while J. clammers up and down the side of the mountain for 30 miles. Good luck, J.! Glad I'm not signed up for this one :).

Life is Good...Katie and Meg

Congrats to Katie and Meg, who got up early this morning, forged out into 20 degree weather, and ran one hell of a hilly half marathon.

The annual half marathon in Auburn, AL was today in the lovliest village on the plains.

Great job Katie and Meg.

JG

Life is Good...Obama Train

Thousands of people have lined the railways in the freezing cold to watch as Barack Obama and Joe Biden roll by. Tuesday is going to be electric! Go Barack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JG

Life is Good...Glass Half Full

Its been a half empty kind of week. I guess when you get knocked down you can either choose to just lay there or get back up. As of 3:48 A.M. this morning, with a heart that is still very heavy, I have chosen to get back up and my glass is back to half full.

Off to run 17 in sub 20 degree weather ; )

JG

A Pause

I'm staring at a calendar on my wall--a big calendar (17" x 22" to be exact). I have the Auburn Half Marathon with Meg this weekend. J. has his huge Mountain Mist 50K next weekend. Mercedes Marathon/Half Marathon and 5K are in February and the Seaside Half Marathon is in March.

Other than those events, the calendar is blank. I know it should be filled with training runs . . . and swims and bikes for that matter. But I haven't had the fortitude to commit to anything yet. I feel like I'm squeaking by on my runs--doing enough to keep my capabilities at a "just-barely-capable" level.

Right after Chicago (pre-foot injury knowledge), I said I was really going to amp it up and work on my pace (speed wouldn't exactly be the right word to use). That definitely didn't happen and I feel like I'm back at square one (well, maybe two).

In my prior professional life I made schedules--lots and lots and lots of schedules. There was a schedule for this and a schedule for that. If we got off schedule (which was very rare), I made a new schedule--so that we could stay. on. schedule. Scheduling is something I'm good at--in fact, nerd-that-I-am, I downright enjoy it--or used to enjoy it. Not even my colorful pens make me want to write on the big, beautiful, almost-empty calendar. It's pretty and white--clean and relatively free of obligations. I haven't owned a calendar like that since . . . I honestly don't know.

And I think I'm going to enjoy it for at least a few days more.

Downside . . . seeking motivation to move beyond square two (again). Upside . . . enjoying life a little less scripted.

Wordless Wednesday . . . For Grins

I'm working on blog material--and my training schedule--and finding a job. As soon as I nail down one of those I promise to have more posts. Until then, be satisfied with Charlie and his brother. And don't forget to smile :).

Life is Good...But not today

My hero died yesterday. Charles Daniel Cary was almost 84 years old. He was my grandfather and my friend. He lived a great life. He served our country during World War II. He was a small business owner. He worked hard and never complained. He took pleasure in the simple things in life, such as fishing and hunting. He put the needs of his family above his own. He loved me very much, and I loved him. He could tell a great story.

I'm sad and I'm angry. I think I'll get a tattoo in his honor so that not a day goes by for the rest of my life that I don't think of him.

As his health failed, whenever I went for a run I would think of him and cry. The last two days the tears have intensified.

If there is a god I would like to talk to him. I'd like to tell him to give me my granddad back. I'd also like to tell him I don't appreciate all the pain he allows to happen in this world.

Somehow I'll turn these lemons into lemonade. But I'm not sure how yet. I guess I'll start by living a selfless life like Chuck did, so that maybe others can benefit from my existence.

JG

Procras . . . . . . tination

Wheel of Fortune is on. (my favorite)
Hubby is business-tripping.
Dogs are soaking wet because I left them outside in a downpour. (by accident)
I made some yummy risotto. (which is adding to my sluggishness)

and

I should be studying . . . hard. The big praxis test is this weekend and I'm supposed to be brushing up on British lit and iambic pentameter.

But I keep getting distracted by things. Like this clip entitled "Monster Kicks Ask:"



I want one of those :).

Here's to Monday night grins, mystery rounds (WoF), my new favorite shoes . . .



and the luxury of a little time to study--at least until Saturday.

Downside . . . wet dogs stink. Upside . . . I'm not worried about monsters kicking my ask :).