My Marathon Wish List

Marathons.

A few years ago I couldn't imagine running a 5K, much less a marathon.  (and I'd never even HEARD of an ultra marathon!)

When I trained for and ran my first marathon I thought it would be once race.  Done.  Mark it off the list.  Go back to halfs. 



Who did I think I was kidding? 


I've run five marathons: NYC, Cincinnati Flying Pig, Dallas White Rock, Houston and Ft. Worth Cowtown.  In July I'll run my 6th (hey, ultras count) and in October I'll head to D.C. to run my 7th marathon.   

My PLAN is to run White Rock again in December, Houston again in January (fingers crossed I get in) and then revisit the 50K at Cowtown in February.  That will make 10.


I hope that I'll be running marathons for years to come. But who knows?  So I'm making a list of races that I simply must run. 

Chicago Marathon - because you just have to.  It's Chicago!  I'm praying the year I run it isn't 400 degrees.  I can't watch The Spirit of the Marathon and NOT want to run Chicago.  Early October.
Austin Marathon - It's Austin, so I have to.  Because I'm basically in love with everything Austin.  Those hills scare me, but I could use it as a training run for Big Sur.  February.
Detroit Free Press Marathon -  I know, I know.  No one in their right mind wants to go to Detroit.  But one of my dear friends lives outside of Detroit so I'd get to see her.  Plus, they have Noodles.  I could carb load like a maniac.  I just love that Noodles!  Annnd, the race crosses a bridge and goes into Canada.  Now, how cool is that?  I could actually say that I ran all the way to Canada.  Usually mid October.
San Diego Rock n'Roll - No, I'm not really the biggest fan of the RnR series.  Don't get me started.  But I've always wanted to go to San Diego.  And who doesn't want to run along the beach?  Held in early June.
Big Sur - because I'm a glutton for punishment.  And because I want to be able to say I did it. Even though it might actually kill me. May.
Stockholm Marathon - I've always wanted to go to Sweden and this is a flat, fast course at sea level.  And it's Sweden, so, duh.  Held in May.
Toronto Marathon - I love Toronto.  Love.  Plus, I could see Jenn!  It's in, surprise, May.
Omaha Marathon - Yes, Omaha.  I've always wanted to go to Nebraska but I couldn't tell you why.  September.

Do you see a trend here?  Looks like I'll be very busy in May and October! 


What races are on your "must run" list? 

Random Friday Facts

1. I recently heard an author's writing described as "lyrical diction."  I found that mellifluous.  Lyrical diction.

2.  I fall asleep (or attempt to) each night to white noise.  I have three playlists: Native American Flutes, Storms & Rando Nature Noises.  I'm not sure when I became a yoga loving, new age music, candle sniffing hippie.  But I'm diggin it. 

3.  I am obsessed with Perry Mason.  Netflix has every season and I have them all in my queue.  I watch the Perry Mason movies by streaming them on my Wii.  Netflix is convinced that I'm 80.  Every now and then I'll watch a MMA movie just to throw them off.

4.  I cannot stand to hear the microwave beep when the countdown is done.  I will risk personal injury running through the house to stop it before it gets to 0:00.

5.  I don't know why I even have a microwave.  I only use it to heat up Betty Crocker Warm Delights.  These are pretty much chocolate crack.

6.  I recently bought my very own set of drill bits.  I consider this a personal victory. 

7.  Wanting a change, I painted my back door and the ceiling of my front porch, taupe.  I know, I'm wild.  Somebody stop me. 

8.  Last night I got one of my horse vitamins stuck in my throat.  Peristalsis was not working in my favor.  I swear I can still taste it.  Blech.

9.  I do not care for honey.  It's too sweet and goopey. Plus, it's basically bee vomit.  But I'm going to try to like it.  I need something to add to my peanut butter (which I learned last year to tolerate, not like) besides jelly which is basically garbage. 

10.  I used to be very afraid of taking a shower alone in the house.  This was a huge fear of mine.  Now I have no option.  And it never crosses my mind anymore.  Go figure. 

11.   Every other week I treat myself to Smashburger for lunch.  I go alone, sit at the bar and read blogs while devouring the kid's grilled cheese meal.  Yesterday, the manager greeted me and said, "You gonna hunker down in your little corner?"  Yep.

12.  I was never a big perfume wearer.  Smells and me, eh, not always a good match.  I have a sensitive nose.  My trainees learned that I like the Dove cucumber soap and treated me to the shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body spray.  I am now obsessed with the cucumber body spray.  I smell like crudites. 
13.  It's only April and I'm more brown than anyone I know.  I can only imagine how dark I'll be after training all Summer.  I am impervious to sunscreen. (and I use SPF 85)
14.  I want to hike Camelback Mountain this June.  I'm working on how to make that happen.  Yes, I kow it will be 400 degrees. 
15.  Miss Piggy was my favorite muppet growing up.  I like her blonde hair, her blue eyeshadow, her sassy attitude and that she knew karate.  

Tell me something random about you! 

Kara Goucher and the 7 Minute Mile

You may be asking,

I'm sorry, but uh, do you ever run anymore?  Like ever?

Yesssss.  I run.  Of course I run!  Well, some.  Not as much as I should.  But some.  Okay, maybe twice a week?  That's only one run less than on my schedule right now.  I'll get back on track soon.  Pinky swear.

I better.  I have a half marathon in early May.  My plan is not to race it.   Cause it's gonna be hawt here in Texas! 


But then, then, I'll be running my next 50K in July.  Eep!  I'm really excited about this adventure. El Scorcho hosts both a 25 and 50K race starting at midnight.  In July.  In Texas. Hence the name, El Scorcho.  (see Ally, you already knew this!)  I'm excited to switch up my Summer training plan and try some new things.  I'll post about that later and ask for plenty of advice from you ultra runners.  Imma need help to survive that distance in this heat!

Last night I headed out for a 4 mile tempo run.  (tempo = comfortably hard, no convo)  I tried to keep it below a 9:45 pace and managed to average exactly 9:30.  I love it when that happens!  But I busted it the last 2/10ths of a mile. Busted it.  Like sub 7 minute mile.  True, I thought my lungs might burst, and true, it was only 2/10ths of a mile, but busted it I did.  Brought my best pace down to 6:35.  As I walked to recover, I recalled an article I read on Kara Goucher regarding running while pregnant.  She mentioned that she  lowered her mileage and kept her run at a slow pace.  At a 7 minute mile.  While that may very well be slow for a superstar amazing runner like Kara (yep, we are on a first name basis, she calls me TPG) it felt like full tilt to me! 

It's all about perspective.  One girl's death speed is another's pregnant plod. 


Last night, before I headed out on my run, I Tweeted this, "I'm going to pray though my run.  How can I pray for YOU?"  I like to use my runs to clear my head and spend some time with the Lord.  But I don't want to be selfish and just ask for things for me and my loved ones.  I want to pray for you too!  It was such a blessing to pray for those that contacted me.  I even prayed for a few of y'all who didn't ask, but have mentioned needs in your blog or your tweets.  What a privilege that was! 

I've decided to make this a weekly prayer run. So look for my tweets and shout out if you have a  need.  You can be as vague or as specific as you want. He knows your every need, but I want to lift you up from Texas!

Big D Race Recap - Half Marathon

I went to bed angry.

I woke up angry.

Decided last minute that even though I hurt myself during my softball game on Thursday, that I'd go balls to the wall.

It was hot and it was windy.  Very few dogs to look at.  Instead I just focused on how entirely angry I am at how out of control I am of my own life.  So I ran hard because that is something that I can control. 

PR of 2:07. I'll take it. 


For now.

Want me to flip it?  I can rip it any style you want.  ~ Eminem