Run Forrest Run

John & I have a set a goal of participating in a Marathon or Half Marathon in every state & DC. Now, we’re starting this a little late so we’ll have to do multiple states a year. John has already done races in Indiana, Illinois & Kentucky while I’ve only competed in Indiana. So we set our sights on the Kentucky Derby Festival Half Marathon (me) & Marathon (John). Although technically John has already crossed Kentucky off his list, he wants to improve his Marathon time from that of his Ironman competition back in 2008.

This is a relatively “small” race compared to others we’ve done and we get to start in the same corral. Of course that won’t last long since John is a MUCH FASTER. However, I’m running along and all of a sudden someone pats me on the butt and then passes me! It was John. For a brief moment I was actually ahead of him…but only because he had stopped to pee. That would be the last time I’d see him until the finish line. It was a pretty hill course for the first few miles and there was a constant drizzle but the trees helped block some of it. One of the funniest things I saw out on the course was a group of guys each dressed like Elvis. They were running with a jogging stroller that was carrying a “boom box” playing Elvis tunes. I enjoyed running through part of Churchill Downs. It was funny to see people stop and take pictures of themselves with the famous grandstand & steeples in the background using their cell phones. See when you’re in the back of the pack….people do stuff like that.

Good feeling crossing that finish line; it was my best half marathon finish to date. I got to see John finish his Marathon and was excited to hear the announcer say his name as he was about to cross the line.

For me: two states down and only 48 more to go!









Then the month of May finds us without entries into the Mini Marathon. This was “planned” as we thought the race was going to overlap with another event but turns out it would not have. Anyway, on Friday I randomly post on Facebook that I was envious of everyone walking around with their race packets and people contacting me with Bib Numbers that they aren’t going to use! So approximately 12 hours prior to the race, John & I drive to Greencastle to meet my friend Teresa & her husband Brad to get two bibs. So Saturday morning John & I are known as 71 year old Lynn & 74 year old George. We are both starting in Corral Y (the year prior John started in Corral B). It takes us over 30 minutes to cross the START line and the wind is brutal. Whose Idea was this anyway? Oh yeah, it was mine. It was tough to get into a good rhythm until about mile 3 when the crowd thins out a little more. Of course John finishes prior to me but I had another good run; even better than the KY Derby Festival race.

Happy Birthday to me!

John bought me a Dolphin Adventure for my birthday and exactly two months later….I was able to do it!

See, my birthday is in February and we weren’t going to be in Florida until April.

The start of the day had a few bumps in the road. They didn’t have me on the schedule but luckily John had his confirmation number so they added me anyway. First I had to sit through a “class” and was worried that it would be too kid oriented but it was very interesting and I really did learn some things. Next, its time to put on a wetsuit and get in the tank with the dolphins. My dolphin’s name was Sandy. The trainer had Sandy do a few tricks and then had her swim over to us and we got to see her up close and “pet” her. We got to see first hand some of the things we learned in class; such as where her ears are, the markings on her tail and how to tell that she is a female. Then we each get to take a ride with her. You swim out to the deeper portion of the tank, tread water while holding your left arm out flat on top of the water and then as she swims by you grab a hold. I was hoping that I would be able to hang on! I must admit that being in this tank full of “blue” water made me lose track of the fact that I was actually in salt water (rather than chlorinated water) until I got going with her and got a mouth full of it. BLEH! The ride with Sandy ends but you stay out and tread water a little longer for her to perform a trick with you. Mine was being the conductor while she “sang” a song.

This was a great experience; I loved it!


Thanks John!!

26.2

Another first for me...I completed a marathon!

I make sure that I don't say that I RAN a marathon because I did a lot walking too.

(I've actually written a longer, more detailed account of my day but I'll try to post a Cliff Notes version.)

John drove me downtown on Saturday morning, November 7th, took a few pictures and then left after the start of the race. I jokingly told everyone that he would be going back home, be able to have breakfast, take a nap and build an addition on our house prior to coming back down to watch me cross the finish line…because that’s how long it would take me!

The race starts, I give Boomer a high-five and I’m on my way.

As I approached the 5 mile marker I wondered if I might be in trouble. I felt like I was having trouble breathing; as though I was hearing the “death rattle” in my lungs. So I popped a cough drop and hoped that it would soon pass. I plodded along, up Fall Creek Parkway and then the course splits. I thought to myself, “Why didn’t I sign up for the Half Marathon? I’d be closer to the finish right now!” It was very windy along 38th street past the State Fairgrounds and we were running directly INTO it. The path up Washington Blvd was beautiful. But then here comes the “gloomy” part; all of a sudden I get passed by the 5:30 hr pace group. Dang…that was the “time” that I was really hoping to finish in. Well, it is what it is and I continue to plod along.

Up in the Broad Ripple area one of the bars had set speakers outside to keep participants pumped up with music. However, as I was passing by the song “Another One Bites The Dust” was playing. I didn’t find that to be very encouraging. But maybe that WAS my motivation to move it a little fast past that area. I know that the furthest north I have to go is 66th Street and I find myself watching those street signs closely, hoping that “66” approaches soon. Turn the corner and eventually cross under the 13.1 mile marker. There is a big inflatable archway and I sign that says, “Congratulations. You are half way done.” Ah, if only that were true. While technically from a distance/mileage standpoint, yes I am halfway done but everyone says that you shouldn’t consider yourself at the halfway point until you get to the 20 mile marker. YIKES!!

Finally I get to the 20 mile marker. Yep…there is it is, the wall that everyone talks about. Now it becomes a mind game. I’ve found that the more I walk the harder it is to start running again. Should I have just trained to walk this thing? It’s good for my morale to see a young kid up ahead of me and he is walking! I’ve passed him…but I’m sure I’ll see him again. Along the course you see all shapes, sizes and ages. It makes you wonder how someone that at least looks older, bigger and maybe more out of shape than me can be ahead of me. I guess even during a marathon you should never judge a book by its cover. I need remember that this is MY race and get to that finish line. Somewhere between the 24 & 25 mile markers I smell maple syrup. Man it smells good; wonder where it’s coming from? I’m really tired of my Power Bars at this point and don’t think I can take another bite. I’m now at Monument Circle so not too much longer. There’s another course photographer but this time my smile is not forced…well, maybe a little.

I’ve just crossed on to West Street and I keep looking to my left. I see them up ahead! John and Patriot are waiting on me. John must have told him that I was coming because I see him get up and start looking around for me. This brings a great big smile to my face and the extra mental push that I needed. I take the leash from John and Patriot & I cross the finish line together. Well, technically, I think he crossed before me but that’s okay. People are cheering us on and I hear the P.A. announcer say my name and mention “her dog” as well. I sure hope the professional photographers got a good shot of us.

My Marathon day is over. Believe it or not, I don’t feel too bad. Part of me wonders if it’s because I didn’t push myself hard enough but the fact remains that I have been out there for 26.2 miles. I need to stop being so negative. I get my water, a banana and TWO chocolate chip cookies. They tasted fabulous.

Although I’m done with the marathon, my “day” isn’t complete. I go home, shower and relax/nap for a couple of hours but then its time to get ready for the Blue & Gold Ball at Conseco Fieldhouse. So the evening finds my out of running shoes and a sports bra but in a cocktail dress and heels.

Maybe on Sunday I’ll just do nothing.

I'll give it a TRI

This summer I participated in my first Triathlon.

I signed up for the sprint distance tri at Eagle Creek Park which took place on August 22nd. John was signed up too as well as our friend Sherri. I had been training for the past two months trying to especially work on my swimming endurance. So the morning arrives, I set up my transition area and then get toward the back of the pack for the start. I was one of the last ones to get in the water and although I knew I could swim 500 meters…I totally freaked out! It was completely different than all the practices I had done in a pool. One of the lifeguards must have seen the fear in my face and swam over to me. She asked me if I wanted to be pulled out, telling me that I could still finish the bike & run portions but that nothing would count. I told her that I just needed a moment to get my head together. The boat was coming toward me and all I could think was “I can’t NOT do this! I’ve told too many people” so I told her that I would try to swim to the next buoy. She followed me to make sure that I was okay and once I passed that second buoy…I was fine. I did “okay” during the bike leg of the race and even passed some people. I saw John out on the bike course. He would tell me later that he was glad to see me because he then knew I would be able to finish. At the time, he had no idea that I almost gave up! Saw Sherri on the run course; she was already on her way back in…I was just barely on my way out. John was watching for me at the top of the last hill before the finish. He wanted to know if I’d like him to cross the finish line with me but I didn’t want anyone to think he was THAT slow so I schlepped along on my own toward the finish line. It was a pretty incredible feeling crossing that finish line…even though I was very slow and one of the last ones in.

I’ll definitely TRI another one next summer.