Cooper River Bridge 10K Recap

First of all, I am happy to say that I managed to keep the CRBR Streak alive... running my third race on the new bridge which opened back in 2006. Yahoo!

Let's chat for a second about how the race is a logistical nightmare.

1. Over 35,000 people run the race and Charleston ain't that big of a city
2. It is a point to point race
3. In between the points is a huge bridge and the only other way to get from point to point is to take a long 23 mile "workaround" aka highways
4. The bridge closes at 7 AM (one hour before race time) so you better get your butt there beforehand if you want to cross.

Long story short... it was my slowest time ever. I had not trained. I had not prepared. Part of me wished I had actually ran beforehand... but I did it! My time was 1 hour, 23 minutes. A pace of 13:30 for walking probably 70% of it. The good part is- I guess I have a fast walk?

So, the aftermath. I am really not sure but my left foot (the plantar fascia nightmare) hurts like hell. I am trying icing and rolling it over a frozen bottle of water. I would feel great otherwise!

Congrats to the other finishers! I wish I could have met up with you, David and Mendy :( Next time...next time... and we can all start in the sub-40 corral! I am glad you enjoyed some of the yummy food here in Charleston- Vickery's and Andolini's are awesome!

I am off to spend time with my family and will be out of pocket for a few days.

What's next? Who knows? Stay tuned...

Twas the night before the Bridge Run...

Life has been nuts lately. Most of my energy, thoughts, and prayers have been with my grandfather. He went into the hospital last week to get a cancerous tumor removed, end up having a stroke after lots of internal bleeding, and has been in Intensive Care since then. It has been really hard on my family.

So, here I sit at 11:35 PM the night before my third Bridge Run. I haven't trained. I haven't run much since October. I am just going out to have fun and run/walk this 10K thing with friends. I am hoping to get the same motivation that I got several years ago on the bridge that spawned a tailspin of half marathons, marathon training, and other assorted fun.

Twas the night before the Cooper River Bridge Run...

Now where did I put those running shoes...??!?!

It’s Official.

I signed up for the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K today- which leaves me one week (or actually 8 days) til the race next Saturday! I had to keep my streak alive so this will be my third year running…or run/walking in my case. Can you blame me for wanting to check the weather report before signing up for a race? Chicago… Chicago…Chicago… Well we appear to be A-OK with lows in the 50’s, highs in the 70s.

On a slightly bad note- I’ve only run once in the last 5 months… but I’m doing it! Nothing like a good kick in the butt to get back on track. And…a certain person does not know that I signed him up too… misery loves company, right?

Now I must find an outfit! And wipe the dust off those running shoes...

Bon Voyage!

Off to the Western Caribbean until next Saturday!

Way to go, runners!!

A BIG CONGRATS to all of you who just finished marathons and half marathons!!! I love reading your race reports and seeing how much fun you are having out there!! :) Way to go!!

YAY!!

I am just getting back to wimpy 2 and 3 mile run/walks which are not as fun as 20 mile training runs, but will do for now.

Traveling a lot- Chicago, Seattle, now Philadelpia... and OFF TO THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN on Friday!

Yes, kids. It is almost CRUISE TIME!

Does Goldilocks live in Chicago?

I was/am in Chicago for work this week... again. Only this time, it was too cold. Because of snow, wind, the position of the moon and stars- my flight got cancelled. Typical! Luckily, I get to spend some more quality time in the Sheraton downtown. Have no fear....there is plenty of fun stuff to keep me occupied- bowling across the street, shopping, karaoke in the bar downstairs.

However, it is either too hot or too cold in Chicago. This Goldilocks is wondering if it is ever just right?

I sure hope I get home tomorrow morning!! Supposed to be 60's this weekend back in Chucktown- holla!!!

Oh yeah- and something crazy happened on the flight up to Chicago earlier this week... our airplane got struck by lightning. CRAZY!! First time it has happened to me in over 600,000 miles of air travel. In case you are wondering what it is like, it sounds like a really loud cracking boom and then you see light all around the plane and coming through cockpit door. We had a first time flier on the plane- she seemed totally freaked out.

I thought it was kinda cool.

I am weird though.

On another happy note, I am going on the President's Club sales trip to Cabo in April for my company!! Vacation rocks. I will even have some remnants left of the tan I will get in three weeks from my cruise when I hit Cabo. WOOOHOOOO!!

Doctor visit recap

On a good note, the foot doctor told me that I have nicely shaped feet with a beautiful curvy arch. Just beautiful... those feet.

On a bad note, we did an ultrasound on my foot...and...well...it is not pregnant. But my plantar fascia is super inflamed. He said the measurement on it was nearly 3x as wide as normal plantar fascias. Fabulous. Luckily, no bone or heel spurs.

I am on a recovery plan of twice daily 2-pill doses of Nalfon for anti-inflammation (which make my stomach feel like it is ripping itself apart), a taped up foot to take the pressure off the plantar fascia, lots of stretching and stuff, and possibly sleeping with a night splint to stretch my foot while I sleep.

He said no running til I come back in two weeks for a checkup. I can, however, continue to enjoy the elliptical and bike for exercise. Awesome.

So, there ya go.

YAY.

Biting the bullet

Finally going to visit the foot doctor tomorrow- yipppeee! I am sick of not running. Need to run. Need to race.

Keeping the non-running blog streak alive!

So, I am going on another cruise on February 23rd to the Western Caribbean. For those of you keeping tabs, I just went on one in December. I kinda like vacation. And the Caribbean. And it is kinda a cruise "date" with someone I have only been seeing for three months. A date that lasts 7 days and we will be sharing 180 sq foot cabin.

It almost sounds like a reality show.

Can't wait to head home tomorrow- Boston is freezing my butt off! I have finally decided that I will start my training for the Cooper River Bridge Run- my homecoming to racing several years ago. Hey- wait! Yall should come run it too!! Mendy, David- you have no excuse. Jess- come on up! Marcy- NY sucks this time of year-come to Charleston. Jayhawk and all your blogging posse- Charleston is waiting!! Bring your mom- plenty of bourbon to share! All you other folks- come on!

OK, I kinda am motivated now.

This might be the worst running blog ever created...

Why is it the worst? I guess cuz I don't really talk much 'bout running lately. I should rename my blog to Me and My Free Weights or Me and My Pilate Mat or Me and My Elliptical Machine. Not much running though. And I am still OK with that. I still have yet to make it to the sports medicine place to look at my foot. So, I am keeping on working on and focusing on eating better.

And starting tomorrow on United flight #something at 6:30 AM- I am back on the road (or in the skies). To Chicago. Sweet, sweet Chicago. Still love that city :)