Las Vegas Photos

random
Last weekend I was in Las Vegas to visit my grandfather. I of course toted my camera along and took some photos.

runnings

First and Last Run

random


runnings
Yesterday I ran for the first time since the marathon and perhaps for the last time in the countryside at my parents. Soon my parents will be moving to a larger city so my next visit I may not find the same sort of running I’ve grown to enjoy. I intended to take a week off after the marathon and then I came down with a nasty cold so two weeks later I was trying my first run with the friendly Wisconsin hills. Even though I haven't always considered them friendly, they actually have become almost comforting. They come with corn and cows and plenty of quiet. I’m reminded again that one of my joys in running is the variety of places I run through that I wouldn’t normally spend the time to take in.

Post Marathon Toe

random

runnings
The emotional wreck has passed and my wreck of a toe is healing. I’ll certainly loose my second toenail and it wasn’t due to dropping anything on my toe this year. This toenail has occasionally changed colors, but I’ve never quite gotten such a blister as I did from the marathon. Thanks to a friend and his macro lens, here’s a look (for those not faint of heart).

2009 Twin Cities Marathon

random

runnings
I took my time writing a blog entry for the marathon because I needed to be sure I could focus on the ups versus just the downs. I ran much of it alone, which I didn’t expect, so I went through a pretty big low for almost 6 miles. By half way I realized I was already feeling taxed in my legs and the mental game began. I had to break up the next 6 miles to encourage myself through. Mostly I used water stops as milestones but my drumming friend was around mile 16 or 17 so I also wanted to push through to her. I do believe seeing her in all her excitement and exuberance started the mental game on the upswing. I gave myself permission to run the race however I had to and by the time I hit mile 19 and the St Paul side I honestly was suddenly remembering I like running. I had some walking moments after that, but I still finished a bit better than last year at 4:14:22. I do now feel positive about the marathon, but I can’t explain the almost emotional wreck I also feel about it. I had such ranges of emotions, but focusing on the positive:

• I improved over last year.
• My time at the half marathon point (1:58:36) is better than any of my half marathons lately.
• As another (talented!) running friend pointed out, it’s the incredible runners that deal with the downs and overcome them, and I did that. I pull through my low.
• It was great running weather.
• Spectators are amazing and so important.
• So many friends have been so supportive and encouraging. I even arrived home to congratulatory flowers.
• I have some swelling, blisters, and aches, but I seem to have come through without injury.
• I still want to run the Twin Cities Marathon next year.
• I plan to drink a lot of coffee this week. No more cutting back!
  

Positive Thinking

random

runnings
I want to get some positive thinking going so I’ve started putting together a list of advantages I have this year over last year. One of my concerns is last year what pulled me through the last 6 miles was the realization we were finishing our first marathon. Even if we had to slow to a shuffle, we were going to finish. This year, we already have one under our belt so what will pull me through? To get out of this thinking, I’ve decided to focus on what having one under our belt will give us and how things have improved this year.

• All our long runs went better this year. I never sat in an ice bath afterwards nor did I feel like I needed one.
• I haven’t had to ice my knee since Ragnar, and before that I think it had been a few months. Ragnar is kinda a crazy thing anyway.
• I never had any strange pains throughout our training. Besides the familiar knee issues, nothing else seemed to act up. Last year I had a foot thing mid training.
• We did do our 20 miler earlier, but we also did an extra 18 miler.
• The weather forecast still looks good for tomorrow. Even if I haven’t run in cool weather in six months, I still prefer it!
• I have a happy new pink headband to wear that might help friends spot me.
• A good friend will be at mile 16 drumming!
• I can’t wait to see the crowd of people. I’m told last year the spectator turn out was fairly slim compared to other years because of the weather. I still thought it was impressive so can’t wait to see this year!
• I remember the amazing feelings I went through last year and can’t wait to experience it all again.