Re: Race Report

[Guest guest]

Wow......

you make this sound fun. I'm a non-runner, but like I say, you make it sound

fun and something to aim for.

I was thinking about Oprah running her first marathon. I had never had any

desire to do such a thing....but I could just feel the energy from your post.

Wow.

Congrats to you, Tory. You ARE such an inspiration. And...I really hope WW

does a story on you!!!!!

Lyn

Race Report

Okay, I know it's not like a marathon or

[Guest guest]

Thanks Lyn!

A few years ago I would have been right there with you.

You mean you run?

On purpose?

No one is chasing you?

No one is holding chocolate just out of reach?

Obviously you have lost your mind...

But honestly, it was a LOT of fun!

> Re: Race Report

>

>

> Wow......

>

> you make this sound fun. I'm a non-runner, but like I say,

> you make it sound fun and something to aim for.

>

> I was thinking about Oprah running her first marathon. I had

> never had any desire to do such a thing....but I could just

> feel the energy from your post.

>

> Wow.

>

> Congrats to you, Tory. You ARE such an inspiration. And...I

> really hope WW does a story on you!!!!!

>

> Lyn

> Race Report

>

>

> Okay, I know it's not like a marathon or

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Great job Tory !! I know a lot of people in my ww class that have taken up

runnung but I just can't se myself doing it. You make it sound like

fun.....Maybe someday.

Theresa

Okay, I know it's not like a marathon or anything, but we had a great

time so I'm going to write about it!

We signed up to run the St. Paddy's Day Dash today in Seattle. It's a

3.5 mile race from Seattle Center to Safeco Field. The bad thing was,

Roy has a horrible cold and yesterday I pulled a calf muscle during my

morning workout.

We decided not to drive to the race since there were about 12,000 people

scheduled to be there. We had rented a hotel room on the waterfont about

a mile from the Seattle Center so we walked there to warm up. Stopped by

Larry's Market and had a big bowl of oatmeal and tea. No coffee before a

race unless you like throwing up! I don't.

The race has three waves:

Green for those who want to race and compete for prizes; timed.

Red for those who want to run or jog. You can be timed or not. We ran in

that wave.

Yellow for walkers/joggers; untimed.

The first wave took off at 9:00 a.m. As we lined up there was Irish

music playing, announcers were keeping the crowd pumped. People were

dressed in all sorts of Irish and green garb. I had on my green shorts

and we had picked up our shirts so we had our race shirts on. Someone

was passing out Henry Wienhardt's foam lizard hats, so of course we had

to get those! There were people from all walks of life...young, old,

fat, thin, babies, people in wheelchairs. It was incredible!

After the first wave left (it takes nearly 5 minutes for all of them to

get across the start line), we lined up. We were running in the red

wave, timed. We stretched out and jumped up and down to keep warm. It

was freezing, but at least it wasn't raining. All around us people were

readying for the run in their own way...a gentleman in front of us was

apparently smoking is " race cigar " (uh thanks...just what I want before

I run, a lung full of your poison). A group of girls were sipping lattes

(only in Seattle). Lots of strollers (which I would, personally, like to

see relegated to the yellow wave since they get in the way of the

runners). Finally we moved up to the start line. We were probably half a

block behind the start line and were in about the middle. The " gun " went

off and we slowly made our way towards the start line.

Our first big race! Yeah, we ran in the Smelt Run a few weeks ago, but

there were only about 300 people. That was NOTHING compared to this!

Finally we hit the start line and started to put on some speed. My calf

was complaining. Roy's nose was running. Good times! We ran under the

Alaskan Way Viaduct and everyone was yelling and whooping to hear

themselves echo off the walls. After what felt like a very few minutes

we passed a " pot of gold " with a big number one on it on our left. Roy

and I exclaimed in surprise! We'd already run a mile? Wow! That was a

HUGE pump for both of us. He is not a runner and only does this for me.

I enjoy running, but not while I'm in pain. I had noticed, though, that

my calf was quieter and my knees weren't creaking any more. (It seems to

take about a mile before I can sort of fall into pace and feel good

about a run if I haven't been able to have a good warm up.)

At about mile two I went ahead and left Roy behind. We'd agreed that it

was okay for me to run at my own pace once I felt comfortable doing

that. Once my muscles were warm it was actually painful for me to run at

his pace. I have a much longer stride than he does and shortening it

bothers my hips. As I ran I listened to Bono serenading me...after all,

one must listen to an Irish Band on an Irish run!

I loved looking at the people running in front of me...and then passing

them. I'd set my sites on someone, say to myself, " You can beat Green

Braids! " and then I'd head towards her and pass her. Then I'd say " You

can totally beat Coos Bay " and whip past him. I did stop and run behind

a few women for awhile. They were wearing shirts that said " This race

dedicated to Lt. Buher, fighting in Iraq. " That really put some

perspective on things. I sent up a few prayers for and wanted so

much to say to those women, " Tell thank you from all of us! "

In what felt like just a few more minutes we passed a truck with HUGE

speakers blaring music and people yelling " One more mile! Just one more

mile! " Wow! Only a mile! At about that time we crested a hill and you

could suddenly see, in the short distance, Safeco field and a line of

white and green shirts stretching a mile! It was incredible! I wish I

had the camera! Fortunately Roy did and he said he took that picture

when HE crested the hill!

I started passing people right and left.. " Buh bye Helmet Head! See ya

Lepruchaun Boy! Eat my dust Fright Wig! " (I was " naming " people for the

costumes they were wearing...it wasn't a comment on bad hair days.)

About 1/4 mile out I was ready to move into my sprint when OW! My stupid

calf siezed up! I literally yelled " No! No! Not now! Just a little bit

more! STOP! " It didn't listen. Suddenly I had this excrutiating

pain...like your worst charley horse. Curse you stupid muscle! Curse

you! Curse your family! Curse!

I hopped towards the side and tried to adjust my stride so I could

continue to run. I found a much slower pace that didn't hurt too bad and

I was able to still " run " to the finish line. There were THOUSANDS of

people there! Music was playing! There were balloons! Lots of free

stuff! Water! WATER! Bagels, chips, twinkies (??). I grabbed water and

my cell phone and called Roy to leave a message telling him I was in.

Roy ran in just three minutes behind me, which is pretty darn good! He

called me and I made my way to the water table to grab him some water.

We finally found each other. I also found some other people from

sville, so that was fun. We grabbed a bagel and perused the free

tables. We were both in such a high mood that we just couldn't stop

talking about how awesome we felt! We decided to go grab the trolley

back to the hotel, but when it wasn't there we just decided to walk.

After all, we'd already walked a mile, ran 3.5 miles, what was 2-3 more

miles? We walked back holding hands and talking the whole way. At one

point a lady walked past me and said " Excuse me, but you have GREAT

legs! " Wow! That was nice to hear! Haha!

We made it back to the hotel about 40 minutes later and had just enough

time to throw on our suits and sit in the hot tub for a little while

before we had to check out.

I don't know my time yet since while I could see the clock, I didn't

start when the clock started...and I'm not sure if the clock started

with the green wave or the red wave. I think it started with the green.

They started ten minutes ahead of the red wave, I came in at 46:15 and

was about halfway back in the red wave so I probably didn't pass the

start line until 14-15 minutes after the green wave started, so if

that's the case I did pretty good all things considered! You can't

really get a good time with 12,000 other people in your way (those darn

strollers and walkers slowed me down).

Next year we're doing it again and this time we'll be in the green wave!

Our next race is the Tulip Run. Roy will do the two mile and I'll do the

five!

[Guest guest]

Theresa,

Me too. I can't see myself taking up running either, yet I'm doing

it. Most of my

running is on the treadmill - in the last 3 days, I've gone over 14 1/2

miles (6 1/4

miles on Saturday, 3 1/3 miles on Sunday (along with some weights work),

and

another 5 miles today (today was 4 miles of running - breaking it up

with walking

intervals for an additional mile). I feel like I'm pushing it and will

probably back off

a bit tomorrow - but my point is that I still don't think of myself as a

runner or someone

that runs. Yet, I walk/ran a real 5K event on New Years Day and am

planning to run a

5K event in June. Am I ever going to be a competitive runner? No. For

one thing, I'm

too slow - for a second, I don't have that desire. Am I going to run

half-marathons like

some on this board are planning/doing? I won't rule it out, but its'

unlikely. Do I still

prefer to go out for a good 20 mile bicycle ride? You bet. But I have to

start admitting

to myself that yes, I'm now also a " runner " , When & how that

transformation took place

is, and always will be, a mystery to me - I guess I kind of got forced

into it because I

can do it indoors, I can do it at home, and I can get the intensity

where I need it to

be. I still have trouble motivating myself onto the treadmill some days,

but once I

get the first 3-5 minutes behind me, I'm flying - there's no better

feeling!!!! This

spring/summer, along with getting back out on the bicycle, I plan a lot

more outdoor

running (we're expecting another shot of winter this week - will you

just warm up

already :-( ). - I'm planning a 38 mile blike ride in May and a 5K run

in June!!!!

So, I was were you were last spring - never saw myself taking up

running. Now I'm

a runner. Go figure.

BTW, Tory nice job with the Seattle 5K. Sounds like a lot of fun.....

Mitch

Theresa wrote:

>Great job Tory !! I know a lot of people in my ww class that have taken up

runnung but I just can't se myself doing it. You make it sound like

fun.....Maybe someday.

>Theresa

>

> Okay, I know it's not like a marathon or anything, but we had a great

> time so I'm going to write about it!

>

> We signed up to run the St. Paddy's Day Dash today in Seattle. It's a

> 3.5 mile race from Seattle Center to Safeco Field. The bad thing was,

> Roy has a horrible cold and yesterday I pulled a calf muscle during my

> morning workout.

>

> We decided not to drive to the race since there were about 12,000 people

> scheduled to be there. We had rented a hotel room on the waterfont about

> a mile from the Seattle Center so we walked there to warm up. Stopped by

> Larry's Market and had a big bowl of oatmeal and tea. No coffee before a

> race unless you like throwing up! I don't.

>

> The race has three waves:

> Green for those who want to race and compete for prizes; timed.

> Red for those who want to run or jog. You can be timed or not. We ran in

> that wave.

> Yellow for walkers/joggers; untimed.

>

> The first wave took off at 9:00 a.m. As we lined up there was Irish

> music playing, announcers were keeping the crowd pumped. People were

> dressed in all sorts of Irish and green garb. I had on my green shorts

> and we had picked up our shirts so we had our race shirts on. Someone

> was passing out Henry Wienhardt's foam lizard hats, so of course we had

> to get those! There were people from all walks of life...young, old,

> fat, thin, babies, people in wheelchairs. It was incredible!

>

> After the first wave left (it takes nearly 5 minutes for all of them to

> get across the start line), we lined up. We were running in the red

> wave, timed. We stretched out and jumped up and down to keep warm. It

> was freezing, but at least it wasn't raining. All around us people were

> readying for the run in their own way...a gentleman in front of us was

> apparently smoking is " race cigar " (uh thanks...just what I want before

> I run, a lung full of your poison). A group of girls were sipping lattes

> (only in Seattle). Lots of strollers (which I would, personally, like to

> see relegated to the yellow wave since they get in the way of the

> runners). Finally we moved up to the start line. We were probably half a

> block behind the start line and were in about the middle. The " gun " went

> off and we slowly made our way towards the start line.

>

> Our first big race! Yeah, we ran in the Smelt Run a few weeks ago, but

> there were only about 300 people. That was NOTHING compared to this!

>

> Finally we hit the start line and started to put on some speed. My calf

> was complaining. Roy's nose was running. Good times! We ran under the

> Alaskan Way Viaduct and everyone was yelling and whooping to hear

> themselves echo off the walls. After what felt like a very few minutes

> we passed a " pot of gold " with a big number one on it on our left. Roy

> and I exclaimed in surprise! We'd already run a mile? Wow! That was a

> HUGE pump for both of us. He is not a runner and only does this for me.

> I enjoy running, but not while I'm in pain. I had noticed, though, that

> my calf was quieter and my knees weren't creaking any more. (It seems to

> take about a mile before I can sort of fall into pace and feel good

> about a run if I haven't been able to have a good warm up.)

>

> At about mile two I went ahead and left Roy behind. We'd agreed that it

> was okay for me to run at my own pace once I felt comfortable doing

> that. Once my muscles were warm it was actually painful for me to run at

> his pace. I have a much longer stride than he does and shortening it

> bothers my hips. As I ran I listened to Bono serenading me...after all,

> one must listen to an Irish Band on an Irish run!

>

> I loved looking at the people running in front of me...and then passing

> them. I'd set my sites on someone, say to myself, " You can beat Green

> Braids! " and then I'd head towards her and pass her. Then I'd say " You

> can totally beat Coos Bay " and whip past him. I did stop and run behind

> a few women for awhile. They were wearing shirts that said " This race

> dedicated to Lt. Buher, fighting in Iraq. " That really put some

> perspective on things. I sent up a few prayers for and wanted so

> much to say to those women, " Tell thank you from all of us! "

>

> In what felt like just a few more minutes we passed a truck with HUGE

> speakers blaring music and people yelling " One more mile! Just one more

> mile! " Wow! Only a mile! At about that time we crested a hill and you

> could suddenly see, in the short distance, Safeco field and a line of

> white and green shirts stretching a mile! It was incredible! I wish I

> had the camera! Fortunately Roy did and he said he took that picture

> when HE crested the hill!

>

> I started passing people right and left.. " Buh bye Helmet Head! See ya

> Lepruchaun Boy! Eat my dust Fright Wig! " (I was " naming " people for the

> costumes they were wearing...it wasn't a comment on bad hair days.)

> About 1/4 mile out I was ready to move into my sprint when OW! My stupid

> calf siezed up! I literally yelled " No! No! Not now! Just a little bit

> more! STOP! " It didn't listen. Suddenly I had this excrutiating

> pain...like your worst charley horse. Curse you stupid muscle! Curse

> you! Curse your family! Curse!

>

> I hopped towards the side and tried to adjust my stride so I could

> continue to run. I found a much slower pace that didn't hurt too bad and

> I was able to still " run " to the finish line. There were THOUSANDS of

> people there! Music was playing! There were balloons! Lots of free

> stuff! Water! WATER! Bagels, chips, twinkies (??). I grabbed water and

> my cell phone and called Roy to leave a message telling him I was in.

>

> Roy ran in just three minutes behind me, which is pretty darn good! He

> called me and I made my way to the water table to grab him some water.

> We finally found each other. I also found some other people from

> sville, so that was fun. We grabbed a bagel and perused the free

> tables. We were both in such a high mood that we just couldn't stop

> talking about how awesome we felt! We decided to go grab the trolley

> back to the hotel, but when it wasn't there we just decided to walk.

> After all, we'd already walked a mile, ran 3.5 miles, what was 2-3 more

> miles? We walked back holding hands and talking the whole way. At one

> point a lady walked past me and said " Excuse me, but you have GREAT

> legs! " Wow! That was nice to hear! Haha!

>

> We made it back to the hotel about 40 minutes later and had just enough

> time to throw on our suits and sit in the hot tub for a little while

> before we had to check out.

>

> I don't know my time yet since while I could see the clock, I didn't

> start when the clock started...and I'm not sure if the clock started

> with the green wave or the red wave. I think it started with the green.

> They started ten minutes ahead of the red wave, I came in at 46:15 and

> was about halfway back in the red wave so I probably didn't pass the

> start line until 14-15 minutes after the green wave started, so if

> that's the case I did pretty good all things considered! You can't

> really get a good time with 12,000 other people in your way (those darn

> strollers and walkers slowed me down).

>

> Next year we're doing it again and this time we'll be in the green wave!

> Our next race is the Tulip Run. Roy will do the two mile and I'll do the

> five!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

LOL!!! This just about made me fall off of my chair.

in OKC <><

238/195/194

> Thanks Lyn!

>

> A few years ago I would have been right there with you.

>

> You mean you run?

>

> On purpose?

>

> No one is chasing you?

>

> No one is holding chocolate just out of reach?

>

> Obviously you have lost your mind...

>

> But honestly, it was a LOT of fun!

>

> > Re: Race Report

> >

> >

> > Wow......

> >

> > you make this sound fun. I'm a non-runner, but like I say,

> > you make it sound fun and something to aim for.

> >

> > I was thinking about Oprah running her first marathon. I had

> > never had any desire to do such a thing....but I could just

> > feel the energy from your post.

> >

> > Wow.

> >

> > Congrats to you, Tory. You ARE such an inspiration. And...I

> > really hope WW does a story on you!!!!!

> >

> > Lyn

> > Race Report

> >

> >

> > Okay, I know it's not like a marathon or

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Mitch,

I finally got my butt on the treadmill today after a long time off of it. I

walked 2 miles with the fastest speed being 4mph. I only went on an incline of 4

for the highest also. I figured I better start out slow at the beginning so I

don't get sore and stop right away. I did try running a long time ago on the

treadmill where I go to work out and it was very dificault. It's atart for now

anyway !!

Theresa

Theresa,

Me too. I can't see myself taking up running either, yet I'm doing

it. Most of my

running is on the treadmill - in the last 3 days, I've gone over 14 1/2

miles (6 1/4

miles on Saturday, 3 1/3 miles on Sunday (along with some weights work),

and

another 5 miles today (today was 4 miles of running - breaking it up

with walking

intervals for an additional mile). I feel like I'm pushing it and will

probably back off

a bit tomorrow - but my point is that I still don't think of myself as a

runner or someone

that runs. Yet, I walk/ran a real 5K event on New Years Day and am

planning to run a

5K event in June. Am I ever going to be a competitive runner? No. For

one thing, I'm

too slow - for a second, I don't have that desire. Am I going to run

half-marathons like

some on this board are planning/doing? I won't rule it out, but its'

unlikely. Do I still

prefer to go out for a good 20 mile bicycle ride? You bet. But I have to

start admitting

to myself that yes, I'm now also a " runner " , When & how that

transformation took place

is, and always will be, a mystery to me - I guess I kind of got forced

into it because I

can do it indoors, I can do it at home, and I can get the intensity

where I need it to

be. I still have trouble motivating myself onto the treadmill some days,

but once I

get the first 3-5 minutes behind me, I'm flying - there's no better

feeling!!!! This

spring/summer, along with getting back out on the bicycle, I plan a lot

more outdoor

running (we're expecting another shot of winter this week - will you

just warm up

already :-( ). - I'm planning a 38 mile blike ride in May and a 5K run

in June!!!!

So, I was were you were last spring - never saw myself taking up

running. Now I'm

a runner. Go figure.

BTW, Tory nice job with the Seattle 5K. Sounds like a lot of fun.....

Mitch

[Guest guest]

Terrific, Theresa - everybody starts at their own pace. I was doing 3

MPH when I started and

I remember that being tough. The point is to start somewhere and get

going. Good job getting

back on the treadmill :-)

Theresa wrote:

>Mitch,

>I finally got my butt on the treadmill today after a long time off of it. I

walked 2 miles with the fastest speed being 4mph. I only went on an incline of 4

for the highest also. I figured I better start out slow at the beginning so I

don't get sore and stop right away. I did try running a long time ago on the

treadmill where I go to work out and it was very dificault. It's atart for now

anyway !!

>Theresa

>

>Theresa,

>

> Me too. I can't see myself taking up running either, yet I'm doing

>it. Most of my

>running is on the treadmill - in the last 3 days, I've gone over 14 1/2

>miles (6 1/4

>miles on Saturday, 3 1/3 miles on Sunday (along with some weights work),

>and

>another 5 miles today (today was 4 miles of running - breaking it up

>with walking

>intervals for an additional mile). I feel like I'm pushing it and will

>probably back off

>a bit tomorrow - but my point is that I still don't think of myself as a

>runner or someone

>that runs. Yet, I walk/ran a real 5K event on New Years Day and am

>planning to run a

>5K event in June. Am I ever going to be a competitive runner? No. For

>one thing, I'm

>too slow - for a second, I don't have that desire. Am I going to run

>half-marathons like

>some on this board are planning/doing? I won't rule it out, but its'

>unlikely. Do I still

>prefer to go out for a good 20 mile bicycle ride? You bet. But I have to

>start admitting

>to myself that yes, I'm now also a " runner " , When & how that

>transformation took place

>is, and always will be, a mystery to me - I guess I kind of got forced

>into it because I

>can do it indoors, I can do it at home, and I can get the intensity

>where I need it to

>be. I still have trouble motivating myself onto the treadmill some days,

>but once I

>get the first 3-5 minutes behind me, I'm flying - there's no better

>feeling!!!! This

>spring/summer, along with getting back out on the bicycle, I plan a lot

>more outdoor

>running (we're expecting another shot of winter this week - will you

>just warm up

>already :-( ). - I'm planning a 38 mile blike ride in May and a 5K run

>in June!!!!

>

>So, I was were you were last spring - never saw myself taking up

>running. Now I'm

>a runner. Go figure.

>

>BTW, Tory nice job with the Seattle 5K. Sounds like a lot of fun.....

>

>Mitch

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Terrific, Theresa - everybody starts at their own pace. I was doing 3

MPH when I started and

I remember that being tough. The point is to start somewhere and get

going. Good job getting

back on the treadmill :-)

Theresa wrote:

>Mitch,

>I finally got my butt on the treadmill today after a long time off of it. I

walked 2 miles with the fastest speed being 4mph. I only went on an incline of 4

for the highest also. I figured I better start out slow at the beginning so I

don't get sore and stop right away. I did try running a long time ago on the

treadmill where I go to work out and it was very dificault. It's atart for now

anyway !!

>Theresa

>

>Theresa,

>

> Me too. I can't see myself taking up running either, yet I'm doing

>it. Most of my

>running is on the treadmill - in the last 3 days, I've gone over 14 1/2

>miles (6 1/4

>miles on Saturday, 3 1/3 miles on Sunday (along with some weights work),

>and

>another 5 miles today (today was 4 miles of running - breaking it up

>with walking

>intervals for an additional mile). I feel like I'm pushing it and will

>probably back off

>a bit tomorrow - but my point is that I still don't think of myself as a

>runner or someone

>that runs. Yet, I walk/ran a real 5K event on New Years Day and am

>planning to run a

>5K event in June. Am I ever going to be a competitive runner? No. For

>one thing, I'm

>too slow - for a second, I don't have that desire. Am I going to run

>half-marathons like

>some on this board are planning/doing? I won't rule it out, but its'

>unlikely. Do I still

>prefer to go out for a good 20 mile bicycle ride? You bet. But I have to

>start admitting

>to myself that yes, I'm now also a " runner " , When & how that

>transformation took place

>is, and always will be, a mystery to me - I guess I kind of got forced

>into it because I

>can do it indoors, I can do it at home, and I can get the intensity

>where I need it to

>be. I still have trouble motivating myself onto the treadmill some days,

>but once I

>get the first 3-5 minutes behind me, I'm flying - there's no better

>feeling!!!! This

>spring/summer, along with getting back out on the bicycle, I plan a lot

>more outdoor

>running (we're expecting another shot of winter this week - will you

>just warm up

>already :-( ). - I'm planning a 38 mile blike ride in May and a 5K run

>in June!!!!

>

>So, I was were you were last spring - never saw myself taking up

>running. Now I'm

>a runner. Go figure.

>

>BTW, Tory nice job with the Seattle 5K. Sounds like a lot of fun.....

>

>Mitch

>

>

>