See Nat Run

Soldier on...

I'm a runner.

This is The Boy running dead last in a relay at a track and field last week. Note he is running and smiling. He knows that it's hard, he feels bad that he can't win... I know this because we talked about it. I talked to his phys. ed teacher, she said he just sucks it up does it, with a smile. (I am paraphrasing -- I don't think they let you teach if you use words like 'suck')  I've talked about it before. It's hard because most of The Boy's in his class are jocks.

Little C is stupid fast. He finished the 100m dash a good 15m head of the other kids. When he won the other kids in the class hoisted him up. (He's at the end of lane 5 here.) First first place ribbon of the day. I remember this feeling well, I never even placed either.

Still he soldiered on and never let it show that it was getting to him. There was no I don't want to run. NO, I'm too tired. Just getting out there and getting it done.

Possibly there is in here for all of us.

Can't finish the marathon by sitting on the couch.

Stroller Derby: Ottawa Race Weeekend 5K

At some point last week, the lovely but injured Lilly wrote a touching post about not running this past weekend. She'd planned to the marathon but her knee had other plans. She sounded ok with it, but you know, it made me realize that perhaps I needed to get out there.

My buddy Miss Vix signed up for her first 5K clinic and was doing her first race. And well, superstar triathlete Treena was doing the 10K... two really good invites. My bad planning  made the decision for me. The 10 was sold out. The 5K it would be.

Thinking back now I don't think I've ever tried to run this 5K. I usually am with people who walk it. The Boy, the gang from the previous work. Vixx though planned to run it. Because when I signed up it said running was ok. I got the impression that it was encouraged and perhaps even do-able.

This is the scene at the start. We decide to stand near the back. (We should have been closer to the front.) The start line is just ahead from the first building on the right.

When I signed up for this I figured it would be a lot of passing. I figured it would be a lot of weaving in and out. I had a swollen foot post-run earlier in the week. The goal honestly was to beat the time it took me to do 3 miles on Wednesday. It's a slow start no problem. Seems to me there are a lot more people than last year. (This is good, I guess.) Seems to me there are a lot of people pulling things -- wagons, tricycles, I can deal. I am too far back I think.

Finally we cross the start. It takes a while for me to have enough room to run. In fact, it's 3 minutes before I can even get some semblance of pace going. We loop onto the Canal. I have to slow because this group is walking abreast taking up most of the lane. (Ok, people, I get it, this is a big day but you have to let people through.) Gah. I run for a solid five minutes. (I decided on five and ones -- my shins ache but it's so bad.) Vixx says she's doing 10 and 1s and runs off. (I wish her luck. Tell her I hope to see her at the finish.)

I walk my one. Start running again. About a minute into the interval, roller derby begins. Buddy cuts me off with his running stroller. He grazes my right ankle. He doesn't notice. Keeps trying to push through with his stroller.  Not amused. I run for another 500m or so, and it happens AGAIN. Doofus #2. This time he really hits my ankle. He apologizes. I tell him in very colourful language to watch where the fuck he's going. Then about 100 m later, he nicks someone else. Clearly this is not right.

During the course of the race, I also nearly trip over a wagon. (Evidently this is my fault for running.) Seriously... people here is the deal...

I love The Boy with all my heart. I understand wanting to involve your kids in your running. I get it, I'm the same way. But strollers have no business on a course with 3,000 people on it. None. There is a 2K, which is designed for kids. It's a family run. Run the 2K with your kids... and I finish the course with fully functionning feet.

That being said, all the walking was ok. It meant I had to take it slow. (Though the ankle thing hurt, and my shins were not happy.) The heat didn't prove to me much of an issue. (Wooohooo.) I don't understand how the Distance Run in Philly can handle 15,000 runners so well. While these people couldn't handle a third of that... the line ups for water, and food where insane... and it just seem very badly organized... I just don't get it. It didn't seem that bad last time I did it.

And Vixx and her sister finished their first 5K. She's looking for a 10 for this fall.  Congrats to both of them.

As for National Capital Race Weekend, I think I am writing it off as an event. I'll stick to places where they can handle it.

Farewell Mr. Christie. You make good cookies.

I spent all week marveling at what a creature of biochemistry I am. (And missing my Four Score and Seven Blisters crew...)

Remember when you were 18 and you could rock 'n roll all night and party every day. Evidently as you near 40 this ability lessens somewhat. I can still do that. Problem being that it takes a good week to get over it.  But I am back, as are the photos.  And let me tell you, people, the news is not good.

I'd post an example but really, no one needs to be traumatized by the site of me in running gear. Clearly, I love the Oreos more than they like me. Perhaps it's that they like me so much that they don't leave and they take up permanent residence in my ass. Whatever the reason, the end result ain't pretty.

I remember sitting with Dan and crew for a pre-race meal and was talking about gaining back some of the weight he'd lost.

"I"m not one of these people that whines that they don't know why they're gaining weight. I know why...." 

I know why too.  Too much food, not enough exercise. I know the rules, somewhere along the way I decided they didn't apply. So. Enter Operation 26.

The goal is simple I need to lose 26 pounds, and I want to do it right. So a pound a week for the next 26 weeks, combines better food choices, smaller quantities and gasp... fewer cookies. Every week, a few goals to meet.

This week's goal is simple. Eat breakfast every day before work. Exercise five time (walking home doesn't count.)

Maybe you'll have me to kick around once more. :)