22nd annual Amy Thompson 8k

I was thrilled to be able to get out there and run at this year's Amy Thompson 8k. Coming back from an injury and having the nature that I do, I had to fight to keep from putting pressure on myself to hit certain numbers. I had to wrestle my competitive self down to the ground and just let it roll. And I am so glad that I did! It was a great training run and it was good to see where my fitness was. Even better, it was great to see all of my running friends and be in there among them all. After the run, the Kvetchers and "Boy Toy" headed down the plaza for breakfast - and much to my surprise - birthday gifts! I was blown away with my new hydration setup and my Nike "run supernatural" t-shirt which I will cherish always! Check out the link below for an explanation of the Run Supernatural video...

I love race days!

So much has been going on since my last post. (This is for you Dina ;)

I achieved what I set out to do in 2008 and after a few years of trying, finally placed first in my age group on the Grand Prix circuit. I didn't win because I am incredibly fast (well for a sand crab, I suppose that I am..) but because I am consistent, that and the regional-level women were'nt showing up much last summer.
It is Ironic that it was at the pre-awards ceremony run that I had this spectacular fall (I shouldn't run and talk at the same time... ever!) and ended up with a stress fracture and torn tendons on my left ankle. So after the chilli luncheon, I limped up to have my photo taken alongside some of the fastest women in the midwest in my bloody running tights, gritted my way through a smile and the coveted coffee cup was mine.

I took it easy for the next month and didn't do anything at all. It is hard to do much when you are wearing a bootcast and for the first time ever my attention and focus were riveted on something... or somebody much more important than any of this stuff.
Here is the siesmic shift that I mentioned last fall... my birth daughter had finally found me - and now you know why my blog has been silent for the last few months. My entire life turned on a dime the day she called... Years of shame and searching have come to an end and it has been a very, very good thing. We had our reunion in Pheonix, Arizona and it has been the most incredible, positive experience ever. I am very protective of this and want to honor my daughter's privacy. What I will say is that she is incredible and has two beautiful boys. Yep, I'm a grandmother!

So, here is to new adventures - and there will be many. I have new goals and plans for this upcoming race season which I'll be yammering on and on about here in the very near future.

Merry Christmas!

To all of my friends near and far - the diverse group that you are - Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Kwanzaa or whatever you and yours celebrate this time of year. I hope your holidays are filled with family and fun and that you have a happy and healthy new year!

A Little Something For Thanksgiving...

Just an ultra cool idea - I think yule dig it.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone

Flu - With a Capital F!

I've been AWOL for a about a month, getting through the busiest time of the season at my place of work. I've been moving at the speed of light for a while now and was still toying with the idea of a two-hour workout on Saturday when the cold that I was getting caught up with me and became a full-blown flu. I went to bed last night at 7:00 p.m. and didn't bother getting up till 11:00 a.m. this morning... and I've been not doing much since then. I'm thankfull it didn't happen while I was knee-deep in deadlines! I have a bunch of posts from the last month that I'll get up and going - maybe tomorrow, after several more hours of sleep. Until then, here's a photo of Herb braving the sub 30˚ windchill at the Pilgram Pacer 1/2 marathon today.

More About Herb

For those of you who don't know Herb Brown let me start by saying he is an amazing runner. He is 71 years old and has run on the MARA circuit for years. He holds several state records in both Missouri and Kansas and I have never met anyone more humble or sweet-natured than this guy. I never would have known this stuff if I hadn't of looked it up for myself. He's like that - never one to be around the spotlight.

Waddell and Reed Kansas City Marathon Report

I wasn't sure if a half marathon was in the cards for me because of the lack of any real miles put in this summer but I sent my entry in early this summer and felt that maybe I would be able to handle a decent training run. Turns out that I was able to do it. It wasn't pretty but I got it done.

This year, instead of starting the race 10 minutes late, I skidded in sideways with two minutes to spare! I was able to locate Herb at the 9:00 minute pace marker and off we went (my Garmin didn't even have a signal yet!) There were a record 8,000 + runners starting out in the chilled, dark morning and it still only took a minute for us to cross the timing mats. Herb and I went out fast for the first mile and then settled into a nice 8:45 pace before reaching the Liberty Memorial hill. By then the sun was up and the work was just beginning. I continued to resist the urge to go fast on the straits and that is a really good thing because by mile 9, my hips started to seize up and Herb basically had to cajole my dead carcass all the way to the finish. He could have taken off and shaved 5 or 6 more minutes off of his own time and won his age group but chose to stick with me for the duration. Would I have done the same for someone else...?? Let me think... naaawwww!

I really like the KC 1/2 Marathon course. You get to see the best of this city, the views are amazing and so are the volunteers and multitudes of spectators. The run down the hill into the Plaza was a lot of fun and at the relay point Janice was there to let the crowd know that a fast moving sand crab (me) was coming! Maria was there at miles 9 and 10 with dog and signage. At mile 11 or so, we were met with a gorgeous view a foggy KC skyline as we crested the hill that led us into the jazz district. By mile 12, Herb had to coax me into a better mind-frame (I was definitely in the Bite Me zone) for the finish and then let me truck on by him at the very end... wow, now that is friendship!

The finish line festival was crowded and a little more claustraphobic this year but that is to be expected as this race continues to grow. I only have one complaint - why is it so impossible to get a cup of coffee at this or any other running event??? End of complaint!
We then met up with Maria and made a beeline for the Coffee Girls on Southwest Blvd to get warm and a coffee buzz!

Yes, it is time for me to go back to work on endurance.