If you haven't seen me post about the Rolling P-Stone, here's a little background info:
On Meetup.com there is a Charlotte Runners group. Basically, anyone can schedule a meet up and there is something on the calendar every single day, morning and evening, in every part of Charlotte. The more popular meet ups happen every week like clockwork and have gained some loyal attendees. The Rolling P-Stone meet up happens every Thursday at 6:30 pm. Everyone gathers at a pub called The Philosopher's Stone, run's the P-Stone route of about 4.5 miles, and then has a beer on the back patio of the pub. Every week 50-60 people show up to run the P-Stone. The route takes you through the very hilly and beautiful Elizabeth/Eastover neighborhoods. The run is well received by the neighborhood. One house has even built a very nice brick water fountain for public use. It's a very relaxed, light hearted, fun environment.
Last night the usual P-Stone run was a little different. For the past four years, they have turned their most popular group run into a Halloween party. Same place, same time, same beer. Just add costumes, food and prizes.
Way more people were dressed up than were not. The costume contest had 5 categories: Scariest, Most Creative, Hardest (to run in), Best Cross Dressed, and a random Just For Showing Up prize. My personal favorites were a nude guy, a bucket of popcorn and Prefontaine. I only took a few pictures. I was using my phone so the quality went down along with the setting sun.
Here is a screen print of the route and elevations.
Aside from the fun of the costume party, this was absolutely my best P-Stone yet! I didn't walk at all and in the final stretch I even passed a few people who had previously passed me. I haven't done this run in about a month and the new temps were such a big help. Also, it was dark almost the entire time. Something about not being able to see the hills makes them psychologically easier to handle.
Thank goodness I had this old costume hanging around. See. It's good to be a hoarder.
I only stayed for one beer and had a little bit of the pasta and amazing artichoke dip that was provided. Therefore I didn't see who won the costume contest. I had to be back home so my husband could attend his own "meet up" of sorts at a nearby bar to watch the Rangers play for the 50th time in one week. Can you tell I'm getting sick of all this World Series bull shit. He's still in bed... again.
Let's go over all the amazing things going on in my life right now!
I had a really great run this morning. 7.3 miles and I refused to let the pace killers in the last 1.5 get me. Take that bitches!
We've been juicing. We were at the mall and stumbled upon a juicer at GNC for half price! We've only had it for two days, so I can't yet attest to miraculous healing/detoxing powers that this machine has brought us. So far I feel like we waste a lot. For every 10 pounds of pulp in the pulp catcher we only get an ounce of juice. Does anyone know of anything you can do with all that pulp? We already compost. Is there anything else?
I made another fantastic quinoa dinner the other night from this recipe that I found at Peas and Thank You. I am now experimenting with a protein bar recipe from that same blog. The pumpkin ones have turned out flavorless twice now, but the peanut butter protein bars just came out and they smell delicious. Let's hope they taste delicious.
Does swinging at the park count as cross training? Maybe not, but I did finally make it all the way across the monkey bars and my arms are crazy sore! It's all about controlling your flailing body so you exert less energy. Write that down.
I think I'm giving up on making the kids costumes this year. My mom had already sent them Batgirl and Superman so I think I'll just go with that. I hate it. I told myself that I would always make their costumes, but I'm having a lot of trouble getting creative this year. I still have a few days though. We'll see.
As I was taking the above pictures off my phone, I found this one that I had taken at the Brookstone in O'hare. I like the new direction the company is headed.
And last but not least, Angie's husband is somewhat of an internet celebrity the last few days. He attended one of the Rangers World Series games in his New York Rangers Hockey Jersey and caused quite a stir. Some Oberman guy (I'm sure the dudes know who he is) and some other dudes called him a "confused bandwagoner" here. I guess this guy is special because Doug was stoked that he slammed him. Albeit a very mild slam. He was also mentioned here and here. It's all pretty hilarious. Here is the pic that has been going around
Doug finally got some redemption in this interview that he posted earlier on facebook. I'm just excited because I finally know a celebrity! Yay me!!!!
I ran a couple of times this past weekend and I finally downloaded the Map My Run app on my phone. I ran my "5" mile route slow and easy yesterday just to see what the app would tell me about the elevation changes. As it turns out, my "5" mile route is only 4.7 miles. Bummer. But the elevation changes are pretty cool. It's not an easy 4.7.
The last 1 1/2 miles is the very end of all my long runs and always the pace killer.
I'm in the process of making the kids Halloween costumes so the day before yesterday I went to Hobby Lobby to grab a few things. I get to the checkout and their credit machines were down and guess what, they don't take checks! Cash Only Bitches!!! I went back last night in need of a bobbin for my sewing machine. Every f'ing bobbin in that place said "For Singer sewing machines only. Do not use with..." and it proceeded to list every other brand in existence including my Janome. I hate you Hobby Lobby!!!!!!!!!!!
Topic number two: Coffee
I'm out of coffee filters. That's all.
Topic number three: Poloitics
I stood in line for four hours, 8 months pregnant, with a toddler, in a library just to cast my vote in the last election. Did you catch that? Library+Toddler! For four hours! Go do that, and then you can tell me what your views are.
Topic number four: This house!
It's disgusting. I can't keep up with the mess that the hellions create so I've been letting them play in a mildly dangerous tree house just so they'll be outside. Don't freak out. They are very good and careful about going up and down the steps. Also, I can see and hear them from my station in the laundry room. It's not really all that dangerous, it's just a new level in backyard play that I'm not accustom to.
I haven't run in a while. I wonder if that's why Queen Bitch has reared her ugly head. Literally ugly.
Topic number five: pores
My pizza face is out of control this week! That bacon facial did me no good!
And here it is, the moment you all have been waiting for (i'm sure you have)! The winner of an astounding, random, clearance rack custom race shirt is........
JENNIFER! who's message was "If a marathon was easy, it would be called your mom" Oh SLAM!
I would still like to know why "Erin runs braless" and EMZ, we must think alike. You came up with Smar Tass. When Hugh was still in the brainstorming phase, I had jotted down Grey Tass. I also thought I might make Angie a shirt that says Bee Hotch. Get it? Like Beeotch?
I absolutely loved hearing all of your phenomenal ideas and I'm pretty sure that I will be slamming everyone's mom in my next race! Idea thief, right here. I think I'll also be having you guys play this little game again sometime so keep your thinking caps on.
Jennifer, email me your shirt size and address so I can get started! tincantreader@gmail.com
I'm about to head over to Hobby Lobby to get some stuff for the kids costumes. I don't think Braden understands what he's deciding when I ask what he wants to be for Halloween. Sometimes he says he wants to be Fishstronaut. Cool, and original I guess. But how the hell do you do that?
Then he mentioned Dragon Tales. "So you want to be a Dragon?!" I got excited. "No, I want to be Max" WTF?! That's not a costume. That's a t-shirt and pants! You look like Max right now!
We'll see if I can't make the Fishtronaut thing happen.
I saw my husband putting this in the skillet for breakfast this morning and thought it was weird because I just ate it in a wrap without cooking it at all.
As it turns out, this is country ham. Not a really thick, really tough prosciutto. It still made a pretty good sandwich though!
I went on a two mile run yesterday and today. My legs have felt fantastic, but I've been hacking up flem like crazy. It's delicious.
Check out this outfit that cost me a total of about $16. Not a flattering shot of the top, but it was on sale at Target for $8 and the capris (They're wicking!) were on sale at Old Navy for like 7 or $8!
Cinnamon brooms are back at Trader Joe's!!! Finally, my house can stop smelling like dog farts.
Lucy and Slim. Slim likes to lie in the highest traffic areas of the house, not move for hours, and fart.
I made those red bean and quinoa burritos two more times. They're so easy, not expensive, and my husband has given this meatless item the seal of approval! Wow!
Have I mentioned that my husband started running? We'll see if he sticks with it. He usually goes gung ho for something and then burns out after a month. He's really loving the Map My Run app on his new phone. Since he's so results oriented, literally being able to see his pace and distance numbers might actually help him to stick with it.
I think the kids and I might head to the mall later so I can get myself ,yet another, free pair of Victoria Secret underwear. Have the rest of you ladies been getting these coupons in the mail? It's awesome! Every month they have been sending out a coupon for one free pair of drawrs (no purchase necessary!) and $10 off a bra. Lord knows I love free stuff!
Actually, mine does. Mi Madre was a stay at home mom for more than 20 years before she decided to go back to school. She just completed her Bachelor's and has now been accepted into grad school with a scholarship! Way to go MOM!!!!! You are academically kicking my ass!!!!
She's majoring in social work and really loves it. She has also maintained a really great GPA. Her grades did, however, slip a little bit last year when started going out a little too much. I love you and I'm proud of you mom!!! Stay away from the frat parties for the next year.
Crazy college kids
And here is a picture montage of my momma over the years...
I get mild seasonal allergies every time the temps make their twice yearly change. Other than my mild congestion, the 2 mile run I went on last night was really good. My legs feel fantastic. Must better than after my two previous marathons.
At night my sinuses clog up worse than Crystal Gayle's shower drain.
Get the coat hanger, some baking soda, and some vinegar.
Baking soda chased with vinegar can unclog drains. You didn't know that?
So I tried the Netty Pot (I don't know how to spell it), or the off brand version we got from Walgreens, for the first time last night. My husband kept yelling at me to breath through my nose before proclaiming that I "suck at Netty Pot." He cheered me on a couple of times with an "Oh, yeah. There comes some good stuff, right there." TWSS. I thought it burned like hell. That could be because my other solution to sinus drainage is to simply shove pieces of toilet paper into my nostrils and leave it. Trader Joe's TP isn't very soft and may have rubbed my nostrils raw prior to me pouring salt water in them.
It's just as cute when I do it.
If you missed it yesterday, go to my give away post. So far my top pics are "Erin runs braless", (Explain Erin, explain!) Jenny Taylia, Can D. Yass, and Imus B. Slow. John, you raised the bar with your brilliant and poetic "Tranny blow job" comment a few weeks back. Enis Penvy is OK. But just OK. You can do better! Adam hasn't responded yet, but I would imagine he would like a shirt that says "Minimalist Hippie Hater" ;)
I've already said it, but Hugh Jass was amazing at the race the other day. So amazing, in fact, that I believe I will make Hugh my racing alter ego. It's one thing to have people yell your actual name as you run by, it's another for them laugh and enthusiastically scream obscenities. I even had multiple people scream "Best shirt ever!" as I ran by.
So for one of you, my adoring followers, I will make you a shirt containing your alter ego name and/or a message to your fellow racers. The request for jokes didn't receive much of a response, but perhaps that's just because my request/message sucked.
Here are the rules and regulations:
Debbie Downer shit will not fly. No "in memory of..." type things.
You do not have to "like" anything on twitter.
You do not have to follow my non existent facebook page.
You do not have to follow my blog. Although, you should because it's mind blowingly cool.
You do have to begin your comment by telling me how awesome my give away is (my game, my rules).
This contest will not be won by a random winner. The winner will be the wittiest, smartest, most amazing commenter who comes up with the best phrase/message/name to written on their shirt.
The color and style of your prize shirt will be chosen by me (clearance rack). But it will be a wicking athletic shirt.
The winner will be chosen next Thursday.
Close personal friends of mine are welcome to share their greatness, but ineligible to win. Sorry Shanon, you can't win everything.
Some hints on names: Any word beginning with the "k" sound will work after the name Mike. Like Mike Arr, Mike Offee, or the famous Mike Hunt. None of those would win anyway. The first two are lame and last one is unoriginal.
Are we all clear? Let's see what you come up with. I'll probably be stealing some of it!
I already posted about my first day in Chicago, and how I lost my Metra ticked and walked 3 miles from Downtown to the expo, blah, blah, blah. It wasn't all bad though. It was my own little mini tour, and I did finally get there.
That night, Doug bought a whole lotta wine.. and we drank it. Here is a little video I captured while Randee was describing Angie's methods of motivation and coaching. !Contains adult language!
Saturday morning, after a quick 2 miler on the lakefront path, Angie and I met up with Cely from Running Off The Reeses and Mehgan at the The Original Pancake House literally just around the corner from our hotel. It was fun to meet people in person that we had only previously communicated with online. We all chowed down fatty pancakes and Angie's omelette contained at least a dozen eggs.
After breakfast Angie, Doug and I met up with the rest of the Bitches in front of the John Hancock tower. It costs $15 to go to the observatory but a woman told us that we could go to the lounge just one floor lower (or higher?) and hang out for just the cost of one drink each. Sold!
Serious face
When we left there, the Bitches went to Nike Town for the eighth time (I don't really care for Nike all that much) and I went to H&M where I ran into a guy from Charlotte that I fitted for shoes at the store a few weeks ago. How random! At some point Doug and I went to get souvenirs at the Water tower Mall. I have some good friends who are Socks fans so I stood in this position in front of that cubs store for a good half hour while trying to explain to Doug how my camera worked.
I was glad to have Doug there since he was the only one who supported and understood my consuming a total of 5 Italian Beef sandwiches in 3 days.
Doug and I both thought that this particular Italian Beef was less than stellar. We had to ask for the aujus!
We had dinner in the room that night where I ordered my 3rd Italian Beef in little more than 24 hours.
The next morning was race morning! We were all up bright and early, getting ready.
Then walking to the start. Look at how innocent all these first timers look.
Inching toward the line!
I took off a little fast. I'm not sure what my splits were since I was having some trouble with my watch. I couldn't hear it beep and ended up hitting the split button twice every time. I also completely missed the two mile marker. I never saw it. I didn't hit my sub 5 hour goal, but I haven't once been upset about it. This race has taught me more than any other. The three factors that contributed to me coming in 7 minutes over my goal time would have to be
I didn't train past 17 miles. Hmmm, is it any wonder that I started crashing at 16? You would think I would learn my lesson by now about cheating on my training.
It was hot. This is the one and only reason I would be the least bit jealous of the Bitches training in Texas all summer. Sure, they thought the heat sucked too, but I don't think it affected them as much as it did me.
My shoes. Let me first defend the Minimus by saying that I did not get a single blister and I do still maintain that they are the most comfortable pair of running shoes that I have ever owned, AND I do still plan on buying another pair. However, I don't think that my feet can handle the minimal padding over a span of more than 15 miles. They really took a beating and I think a little more cushion would have made a big difference in my comfort level.
Immediately after the race I was feeling pretty shitty, physically. I was not motivated at all to start thinking about another race. But over the last several hours I've been thinking about all the things I can do in my next round of training to keep improving my performance. All the things that ached and gave out that I can put some more focus into.
The Bitches met up after the race, and they found Cely as well. Doug told me where the were, but I had ideas of my own that I didn't think they would be up for. I already talked about it my last post, but it was awesome enough that I'll talk about it again.
Last year, the day after the marathon, Marla (My friend and former Chicago resident that I ran with last year) and her boyfriend took me for my last tour of the Windy city before I headed home. As we were walking the lake shore path near Navy Pier we passed by a little beach.
Then as soon as I had signed to run Chicago a second time, I decided that this would a mandatory post race pit stop. Because even though Chicago was hot, the lake had to be cold. It was the best thing I could have done. The water felt amazing on my legs, and the sand was a warm massage on my feet. I just stood in the water, enjoying the view, basking in the glory of my accomplishment while the cold waves rolled up and over my sore thighs.
The one post race thing that I didn't do but really wanted to was have a celebratory deep dish pizza and beer. That's what Marla and I did last year. After a good nap we took our sore muscles over to a wonderful family owned restaurant just a couple of blocks from Marla's apartment. We heroically climbed the stairs to our second floor table and dined with our medals around our necks.
Between my two trip to Chicago I accomplished quite a bit. Last year, I saw EVERYTHING. Name something iconic, and I either ate it or saw it. However last year I ran really crappy race. This year, I didn't much of the city and the only thing I ate was Italian Beef, but I ran a great race and PR'ed!
Chicago has treated me well, and I now officially in the "what's next?" phase. Hmmm. Marla did just move to Seattle... and I've never been there before... and I'm sure it's plenty cool there in November...
Thoughts and prayers are with the family of the Greensboro firefighter who died on the course Sunday. In a Greensboro area news report, one of his fellow Firefighters said that he died doing something that he enjoyed. It's a tragedy that makes you ask, "What happened?" and "Why him?" He was only 10 or 15 minutes ahead of me and by all accounts he was a healthy avid runner. Did he have an unknown condition? Did he make any mistakes along the course that any one of us could/or does make at any time? So may people complete this great physical challenge so often that you forget about the very rare, yet very real consequences that can occur.
