Rehoboth Marathon 2010

December 11, 2010
Somehow I once again convinced joe that it’s a great idea to drive 2+hours in order to run 26.2 miles in 36 degree weather. Either I have really great persuasion powers or he's just really unintelligent (kisses)....originally the plan was to get up at 3am, drive to Rehoboth, run marathon, drive home.. but the ole man said that was not to his liking and we had to do option B: drive down late the night before, stay in cheap hotel, run marathon, then drive home.

I am not sure what it is about the Rehoboth Marathon but this is the 3rd time we have done this race and twice we were feuding prior to the start. “...and how come you didn’t wait for me you asshole!?” … “screw you beeach”… its just another wonderful morning in Mastripolito happy land. Next time I am so going to bring one of those light box things so when he starts, CLICK in his eyes, seasonal dysfunctional disorder... NICE BOY…

My intention for Rehoboth this year was to run it as a long run, no racing, just training. What was Joe’s intention? Not sure.. I tried to give grump a pep talk but like I said.. light box...

The start was great, other than the bitter cold, it’s a fast course and we lucked out with no wind.. and off we go. The first 3 miles flew by and I looked at my watch and UH OH… 25 mins… too fast tart… I clear 5 miles.. 43 minutes.. SHEETAH… stupid pet tricks.. yeah lets see how far this will get you.

Joe says I have a short attention span.. although normally I would agree, today... running for 4 hours and 41 minutes with no music and not a lot of happenings...nah.. I did get the unawarded honor of being "best dressed"…

Around mile 15 my knee locked up.. like I damn near fell over.. uh oh.. I stopped to stretch.. um… didn’t realize how much it was really hurting until about mile 18 when thoughts of morphine and chainsaws came to mind..

Crying would have been great, had I not been so aggravated over my candy corn. Trying to heat it up in my mouth while trying to run and breath, because if I dont get the 1 mm of sugar right now I may pass out...wtf is it frozen or stale?!! Something severely twisted about all of this… stop..

The bike patrol asked me if I was ok… he told me I could walk… NO REALLY.. thanks anyway.. NO REALLY I CANNOT PHYSICALLY WALK..

I couldn’t really get a good leg lift to run, and it hurt to walk so I would have to settle for a sickly slow shuffle. EVIL eye to the old crone listing to the right that pasted me, F/U's to the man dressed as a bumble bee, and yes I smiled at them all as they passed me.. because I CAN!

Around mile 22 I met a man, about dads age, he was curious why I kept stopping to stretch, I told him my knee was just being a bugger. He said it sucks getting older, I shook my head in agreement and thought he can't possibly be talking to me... heehee..

I am not much of a talker when I run, I mean I need to breathe and all and I still had candy corn stuck to my teeth but I grunted a bit with my new friend as we ran together, it was nice, my new friend was a man of few words.. until he pointed out the fact that we couldn’t possible run any slower and still be standing..

Finally finishing in 4 hours and 41 minutes… a smile on my face and then I realize that my beloved had been sitting in his silver wrapper in the cold waiting for me for almost an hour.. YES my friends, Joe beat me by almost an hour, finishing in 3 hours and 45 minutes. What the heck did he have for breakfast~!

The best part of the day was knowing that I burned like 5,000 calories and could eat a half of a pizza and drink a half of bottle of wine and go to bed with a smile on my face. Sometimes the lessons learned are not always in the actions applied.

BTW: December is our downtime… just saying

Because ITS MY BIRTHDAY

My birthday day……

5:30 am: up early, breakfast with Joe … respond to all my wonderful birthday wishes and emails..

8:30 am: jumped in truck to drive the hour to Claymont Delaware for derby skates… hit up Panera, coffee, snack…

10:00am: an hour later arrive at Skatebuys in Claymont, excited... jump out of truck and race to door.. um.. hello.. door locked.. peer in window… hello?....check my watch, its 10:05am.. look at door… try door again (like I am assuming I am not pulling it hard enough).. still locked… peer in again.. HMPH.. check watch.. place was suppose to open at 10am.. it did not.. bang on door… HELLO?... go back to truck.. call them... no answer… get back out.. bang on door… try door again... sit back in truck.. call them.. no answer..

A little agitated… what to do?.. I am in Delaware..well...Christiana mall is “only” 15 miles away.. and since I am already in Delaware that is… I mines well ….because its my birthday…!

10:30am: so drive.. drive.. drive... get to Christiana Mall and the right lane ends and I have to merge.. do they NOT realize its my birthday!!! Refusal to allow me to merge.. sure its ok.. I ride down the side give them all the finger and cut in front of them…

I am now at Christiana Mall.. alot more agitated than I was say about a half hour ago.. and realize I really DON’T want to shop… just want to skate… but I don’t have skates..

Dilemma... BUT I bet some place in philly sells them and is open for skating.. I google on my phone and locate a couple of open rinks and go on to my new quest…. (I know I am mentally ill)....

10:45am: I am now heading down Route 95 towards philly…and coming up on the same exit I came off of where the skates are SUPPOSE to be in Claymont… you know THE NOT OPEN place… I try and call them one last time and I get an answering machine… ohhh… does this mean they are in???

Debate.. should I…. or should I not….??..... try and see if they are open ONE MORE TIME? … and WTF… off the exit I go…..AND YES they are OPEN! .....HAPPY DANCE.. because its my birthday..!!!

Go in.. get skates, jump back in truck.. and finish heading to philly.. I am going to open skate and try out my new skates!!!

11:45am: An hour later I’m in Northeast Philly and realize…WOW I am about 5 minutes from Joe’s work…

RING.. RING... Call Joe.. Want to do lunch for my birthday?.. Yes.. Great.. first have to check out roller rink…one moment please...

So Palace Roller Rink in Northeast Philly.. its off the Boulevard… btw WHO IN GODS NAME CREATED THE BOULEVARD?!.. its like 6 lanes divided into two sets of 3 lanes with a medium strip in the middle AND a ramp between each set of lanes.. so I am shooting to the left.. then to the right..then to the left.. and......

12:00pm: FINALLY… arrive at the rink... jump out of truck rush inside… find out it’s “Mommy and me” skate time.. ok?… So like “Do I need a kid to skate ?” (I ask the slightly irritated overweight man at the window)… .

YES you do… (I am SURE he was thinking more of YES, you stupid ingrate... idiot… why do you think its called, mommy and me! ) ..

Fine whatever… I ask him for a schedule.. for what reason... to save my dignity... because why the hell would I EVER drive an hour into this arm pit of society to skate anyway!?…pondering where I can find a child SO I CAN SKATE... off to meet Joe for lunch....

12:30pm: Pick up joe, who in turn brings me inside his office to meet all of his co-workers…..how precious… I don’t think I even brushed my hair… HERE IS MY BEAUTIFUL… here is Wendy.

Off we go to Unos, seat by the fire, a peppermint candy cane milk shake and walnut salad… because ITS MY BIRTHDAY…. !!!

Joe takes me next door to the mixed martial arts store for some apparel and ends up dropping $145 for both lunch and presents... SWEET… thank you darling.. kiss kiss.. he is looking for someone mentally stable.. please send all inquiries to Email Box: I cant take it anymore, please help... … I drop him off and head towards home.

2:00 pm: Out of Philly I go..an hour later I am nearing King of Prussia…thinking wow.. still have time..I can stop at the King of Prussia mall and look around…Because its MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

The OUT OF GAS light comes SCREAMING ON… with wild pings of like you are OUT OF GAS YOU MORON… . sheetah!!! SHEETAHHH!H!!! I plug in GPS (THANK YOU GPS) for nearest station.. PRAYING .. please.. please.. please… DO NOT run out … its FREEZING and I have to pee!!

WHEW.. find a gas station…start to breathe …that is “reasonably” priced at $3.08 per gallon and fill my tank for $75 dollars.. WTF!

2:15pm: SO TIRED… need A NAP… but I am soo close.. and its STILL MY BIRTHDAY.. ok.. so get to mall.. walk around REALLY fast…….. realizing that there are TOO MANY RICH people who can pay $75 for an eye cover made of FUR and $395 for a feather sweater... I dont blame the sales reps for completely ignoring me... I didn’t look like I had a dime… which of course is NOW true..

3:00pm: Jump back in truck… and I KNOW its STILL MY BIRTHDAY… I will head to Exton Mall, least they like me there, and hit up the tanning place.. and TJ Max..


5:00pm: have to get home, have to let Bessie out, feed … feed… feed… play…play..play… dress for practice, back in truck… Derby practice…

7:05pm: Made it to Derby Practice.. AWE! Bro, sister in law, kids stop by with balloons and a card… SWEET!! because ITS MY BIRTHDAY!!!

9:30pm - 2 hours of skating practice and drills… I am INSANELY exhausted…home, STARVING… pasta.. wine…

11:45pm – pass out and die…

BTW: I was up for all but 6 hours of my birthday day!!!!!

WHEW.. in 365 days I get to do this again!

Breaking the Rules

Disclaimer: Note this is NOT to offend any of my facebook friends or family but to alert my facebook friends and family to something that may or may not affect them.. and oh its for me to vent.. thanks!

There is a reoccurring problem in the running community that I have no idea how should be addressed… People who run a race in another person’s race number and are scored in the wrong category..

Like Men who get scored in a women’s category, or a 20 year old who gets scored in a Masters age group category. Now, I am NOT talking about people who WANT to be woman nor am I talking about men who have a “woman’s” name and then accidentally get scored in the wrong division.. I am talking about people, specifically men, who race in a registered women's bib and then get scored in the women's division.

For those that don’t know the racing scene, let me bring you up to speed. There is a common occurrence that happens, people share race numbers (bibs), sometimes it is by accident (a wife and husband wearing each other’s race bibs in error), or sometimes a person is injured and can't run and gives their number/bib to a friend, or perhaps sells their number/bib to someone who couldn’t get in a race. BRAVO to them for finding a good use for a paid race number/bib… BUT… do me a favor, before you race ....take off the timing chip.

See, what people who run races as someone else fails to remember is that they are skewing the race results... because the person who is taking the bib may NOT be that same age nor even the same gender as the original race number's owner. Thus all of a sudden you have a MAN placing in the top 10 of a race in the WOMENS 45-49 age group category.

So you say why should I care? I don’t ….unless it AFFECTS ME, and my race results,AND THEN trust me...I care and take issue with it.

IN some races, the rules specifically state no transfer of bibs and they make you sign a waiver (something about legality issues). But besides that, the point is people need to remember that there is more than THEM in the world and that what they are doing may affect someone else; a man should NOT be scoring in a women’s age group category. PERIOD.

The way I see it is, if you are going to run in another person’s number/bib, remove the timing chip…DO NOT GET OFFICIALLY TIMED. You don’t need the official times anyhow because it's not your name that will appear in the final results. I had stumbled upon this issue again this am, it's not the first time I have seen it and I am sure it will not be the last.

I always check the top 10-25 gals in my age group to see what they look like, to see I guess who my competition is or how really SKINNY they really are…HA! And what I found was 3 men running in registered women’s bib for the women 45-49 age group..SHAZAM… and one guy went to the effort to tape off part of the girls name, and the other crossed off the girls name which you can still read if you look closely enough.

This GUY ran for Christine Hetzler of NJ and placed 8th in the 45-49 year old womens age group… totally skewing up results for people who like poor Gwyneth who is 9th but actually should be 8th… picture below is the guy who ran in Christines bib.. you can see he even covered part of her name so it looks like he is Chris














So here is another one…he was running for Deb Foster placing #23 in the 45-49 age group… he went to the effort of crossing off her name but you can still read it..














And then there is this man who is #27th in the WOMENS 45-49 year age group.











So could all these “women” Christine, Deb, and Hye use their winning scores to qualify for Boston? Absolutely, and the REAL women didn’t even have to run the times to do so.

Would they do that? I hope not, but they could. What irks me the most is that races try their best to prevent this from happening, even checking drivers licenses when you pick up your race packet. But, if someone wants to hand off their number to someone else, there is nothing anyone can do. I didn’t even research any further… if there were this many people skewing up the results in just the top people in one age group, I can’t even fathom how many overall there were. What is truly sad is I can’t honestly know where I placed in my age group. SIGH.

I guess for the future I can do one of two things,( 1) win the damn races so there is no question on where I place, and/ or (2) tackle any man trying to be a woman.

Voting is Hard Work

Have to vote.... have to vote...running late, late.. late... have to vote..vote.. vote.. grab jacket, hat, gloves..

...drive to polling place.. Sweet..not too many people..should be easy in, easy out!...jump out of truck, look around.. it is me, a lady and a man...us.. only... with the doors locked..I peak in the windows.tap... TAP.. TAP.. i see someone... I motion to him…he unlocks the door ..and "YES?"

"Is this the polling place?"

"No…"

"Oh.. um… like do you know where the polling place is?

"No, sorry..…"

"Oh hmm…"

(like wtf to do?? - scratch head and)

"You know this hasn’t been the polling place for two years."

(Ok I am thinking smart ass isn’t that the last time there was an election, two years ago…? and shouldn’t you know where the polling place is if its NOT HERE!!!???)

Man in car - voting is at elementary school now… off we go.. I am SOO irritated.. will be late for work, havent had my coffee, and finally, get to the school, jump out of truck, notice that the STUPID seatbelt is stuck in the truck door... UGH!!... I turn back around but am still going forward … least my legs were..

Projectile missile... new shoes with pristine smooth bottoms…...catapulted my legs out from underneath me..smacking my big ole head on the ground... sprawled out, legs twisted underneath me.. half under the truck, half not, purse contents and cell phone spewed everywhere and OHH ... moan...groan...I only lay there for a fraction of a second, mortified, and amazed at my own amazingness... jumping up, looking around to see if anyone happen to see me.. brush off, and dude THAT REALLY HURT... hobble into vote... DUDE this voting takes a lot of work…!!!

Pathetic woman entering polling place and so kind polling volunteer, And "Good morning miss, nice hat…"

Pathetic woman touches her head.. and "Thanks"..i say realizing I had grabbed my funky hat instead of my professional work hat and then proceeded to look at my hands.. and OMG I am wearing gardening gloves…!

Dont ask... just really don't...least mom will be proud ...and I think my leg should be about broken by now...

Tussey Mountainback 50 Miler

Tussey 50 Miler
Saturday, October 16, 2010

Not sure HOW I managed it... but I did… I somehow convinced Joe that running 50 miles was a good thing and then I proceeded to only run 26.2…

Distance: 50 miles
JOE: 9 hrs 41 mins (for 50 miles)
WENDY: 4 hrs 53 mins (for 26.2 miles)

START: 7:00 am
Leg 1:
Three Bridges, One Leg-Breaker
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 3.2 miles; difficult
Topography: Mostly gently climbing, with some steep ascents.

Cold (48 degrees) at start, windy (gusts 30 mph, sustained15 mph). I was bundled up w/hat, gloves, jacket. Joe’s plan was to run with me, well at least for the first half mile then he pulled away. Um ..what about the "we are running together" plan???

Joe is great hill runner and since the first three miles are basically up hill, I expected him to get a lead. I managed to run this first three miles better than last year, I felt good and was excited, maybe this year I can do A LOT better!

Of course what I failed to mention is that I started the race with a leg injury that I obtained playing at a race a couple weeks ago, rolling atop and over metal trucks in the Warrior Dash, and well I honestly didn’t know if I should even start today’s race. But I did... and I felt good, at least at this particular moment ....and hoped for the best. BTW: I did run the ENTIRE way up.. it was a slow run… but a run none the less..
Mile 1) 10:12 (up)
Mile 2) 11.03 (up)
Mile 3) 11.14 (up)
Break: No

************************************************
Leg 2:
Down to the Swamp
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 4.0 miles; easy
Topography: Downhill to level; gravel.
I am definitely a downhill runner, love how it feels, and well, perhaps I should have taken it a little bit slower... the THRILL of zipping by Joe was SO worth it..7 miles down and counting.
Mile 4) 8.59 (down)
Mile 5) 8.00 (down)
Mile 6) 8.07 (down)
Mile 7) 8.20 (down)
Break: No
****************************************************
Leg 3:
Race to the Beach
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 3.8 miles; easy
Topography: Fairly flat; gravel and then finishes on paved road. BOY I am simple....I LOVE this race..11 down!
Mile 8) 8:42 (down)
Mile 9) 8:51 (down)
Mile 10) 9.12 (down)
Mile 11) 10.17 (up)
Break: 3 min (sat, drank half bottle perpetium, potty, refilled heed and water bottle, stretched, saw Joe coming, waited for him, handed him his bag and left, most certainly he will catch me now the hills are coming).

**********************************************
Leg 4:
Three Up, Three Down
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 6.2 miles; difficult
Topography: Gently rolling, with several long hills.

I said this last year and I have to say it again… HELL... Ok so you can WIPE that smile right off my face. WTF was I thinking!!.. I started some walk breaks.. my leg is starting to hurt.. and Joe PASSES ME..17 down and how many left!?
Mile 12) 11:03 (down)
Mile 13) 11:40 (up)
Mile 14) 10.40 (flat)
Mile 15) 11:58 (up)
Mile 16) 15:18 (up)
Mile 17) 11:18 (Down then up)
Break: YES

**********************************************
Leg 5:
The Breeze
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 3.4 miles; easy
Topography: All downhill or flat.

PAIN and more PAIN.. I tried really hard to channel my energy to other things and the damn leg stopped working… I had to decide, what to do.....
Mile 18) 11:04 (down)
Mile 19) 11:05 (down)
Mile 20) 12:21 (down)
Break: YES
**********************************************
Leg 6:
Made in the Shade
Mileage/degree of difficulty:5.3 miles; moderate to difficult
Topography: Gently rolling with some moderate climbs.
WTF YOU DOING!? I am unable to run, basically walking and pulling the leg...so I debate with myself... I pass the aid station, I stop.. I turn around.. and I call it a day. I think it’s the most mature decision I have made in my life, but then why do I feel like such a failure?!

I huddled on a bench, shivering, waiting for the sag wagon. I thought about things, trying to calm the mind, cursing the injury when another girl joins me..she had hobbled into the aid station with a bum knee... and she too called it a day.. when she looked at me, she cried, thanks I think… dude we need psychologists here out on the course…I am now a blubbering mess... I tell her we are NOT failures.. weboth just ran a marathon.. 26.2 miles… on a HILLY course in less than 5 hours!!!! Through tears she agrees but we both know it's still there… those thoughts…

I have made peace with myself and I will be back.

Mile 21) 11:27 (flat)
Mile 22) 12:51 (up)
Mile 23) 13:44 (up)
Mile 24) 13:22 (up)
Mile 25) 16:01 (up)
Mile 26) 17:41 (up)

THIS WAS THE END OF MY DAY..

But Joe got to finish, I don’t have his specs.. nor his write up.. but he did mention that he saw a bear… A BEAR!!

it ran across the road in front of him... or so he says... and how he didn’t get eaten.. well thats besides me since he was taken out by little bees a year ago... things that make you go HMMM...

Although he did mention something about doing someone some bodily harm and something about not knowing about some hills and.. so on and so forth... and when I asked him after the race what he thought of how beautiful it was out there... I will not repeat what he said!!..

Don’t think I aint beating his ass next year!
*********************************************
Leg 7:
Miles from Nowhere
Mileage/degree of difficulty:4.9 miles; moderate.
Topography: Uphill, flat, then gently rolling.

Mile 26) (up)
Mile 27) (up)
Mile 28) (down/up)
Mile 29) (down/up)
Mile 30) (down)
************************************************
Leg 8:
A Flash of Civilization
Mileage/degree of difficulty:2.8 miles; easy.
Topography: Mostly flat, then gently rolling.
Mile 31) (up/down)
Mile 32) (down/up)
Mile 33) (up)
********************************************
Leg 9:
Head for the Lake
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 2.9 miles; easy.
Topography: Begins uphill, then gently rolling and downhill.
Mile 34) (up)
Mile 35) (down)
Mile 36) (down)
*********************************************
Leg 10:
Are We There Yet?
Mileage/degree of difficulty:5.3 miles; difficult.
Topography: Flat, gently rolling to more serious ups and downs.

Mile 37) (up)
Mile 38) (up)
Mile 39) (up)
Mile 40) (up)
Mile 41) (up)
Mile 42) (up)
**********************************************
Leg 11:
Climb to the Vista
Mileage/degree of difficulty:4.0 miles; moderate/difficult.
Topography: Progressive ups and downs.

Mile 43) (up)
Mile 44) (down)
Mile 45) (up)
Mile 46) (down)
**********************************************
Leg 12:
Trucks Use Lower Gear!
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 4.2 miles; easy.
Topography: Mostly downhill, winding.
Mile 47) (up)
Mile 48) (down)
Mile 49) (down)
Mile 50) (down)

FINISH: 4:41PM!

Results:
http://www.tusseymountainback.com/results.html

SIGNED UP: 117 people signed up for the Ultra
• 88 men
• 29 woman

Did Not Start: 16 people did not start (11 men/5 women)
*********************************************************************
STARTED: 101 people started the Ultra
• 76 men
• 25 women

Did Not Finish: 6 people did not finish (3 men/3 women)

FINISHED: 95 people finished the Ultra
• 73 men
• 22 women

Joe’s placing was:
5th Age 40-44
55th Overall out of 101 Ultras

CONGRATULATIONS JOE!!!!
YOUR AN ULTRA MAN!!

AND YOU WONDER WHY I RUN…

Got to enjoy two great races this weekend…
Philadelphia Cross Country 5K (3.1 mile) Open Race & the OctoRun 13K (8 mile)

Cross Country 5K
I really do have a love affair with cross country, perhaps it’s the feeling of being able to take off running across fields, frolicking through woods, and traipsing up rather large inclines… or maybe its because that’s where I started my running 25 years ago… in cross country… either case I decided on Saturday to run an open cross country race, hoping beyond all hope that I could beat at least one gal, and hopefully a young one…

This particular race was an "open" race, which meant no age group awards, only the top 15 girls will place and I would be competing with everyone from ages 18+ and up ...

I soo love competing… something about just the idea of being able to do your best and being acknowledged that you did so… but then again nothing deflates it like when you see one of the area's top women runners, who happens to be in your age group, preparing to run your race... sigh.....when I saw Ms. Cecily Tynan... just say some people get gitty when they see “celebrities”.... I just want them to pick up knitting or something… just saying…

SURE I wish I could give her a run for her money or at least be somewhat competitive... but honestly… I will still be running when she is warming down and on her way home…

As I was waiting for the 1pm open to start, I watched the college and high school races ....I guess I should have warmed up instead... oops... time to race... across the field and through the woods.. to grandmothers house we go... and DUDE ....should have warmed up those legs... ignore the old man who passes… ignore the young boy who passes… ignore the fact that if you dont get your butt in gear you will be dead LAST... AHHHH... so I run... like I should run... because I can run....

24:50 (8 min mile pace)… 8th woman out of 15….[48th out of 73 overall]... I will take it… with a smile..!

PS: BTW do not NOT use the the port-a-pots in Fairmont Park.. I think someone was very created with their crap.

PSS: Cecily and I had a brief exchange after the race, she made mention of my long compression socks in which she was wearing a similar pair… it's hard to hate nice, talented, rich and beautiful… just saying.

OctoRun 13K
On Sunday, I thought a nice long run was in order and signed up for the OctoRun 13K …which by the way is 8.08 miles… so thinking at first it was a half marathon (thus the 13K mixup in my mind).. then realizing it was only 8 miles.. which of course was a pleasant find… less is best!.. and so I was up early and off to run me some fun in Hatfield…

Coolest tshirt and coolest gimmick… here have a small bag.. if you see a ghoul or someone dressed up with candy along the course, fill your bag.. the person with the most candy (weight wise) in their bag wins a prize.. hmm. Should I run for speed and try and place?.. or run for a prize for the most candy??... dilemma, dilemma…

Being the competitive bloke that I am.. I decide.. I am going to run it fast AND gather candy on the way… I can do BOTH!!!!

So we line up and OFF we go.. I have a strategy… I am going to use my hat to carry the candy and bag … I AM a SMART GAL… hmmm.. I see the first candy stop.. I pass it.. too soon.. not even a mile into race.. don't want to be bogged down yet….. hmmm... What if they only have two more stops and the last stop someone takes all the candy?? ...SOOO I better get candy at the next stop.. just to be safe.. I AM a SMART GAL…

I am blazing through the first 3 miles.. well under what I should be for an 8 miler… and I see a candy stop.. SCREECHING to a STOP to fill up my hat… (later some dude was like I saw you stop.. wasn’t that candy heavy?)… ok more on that ..

So I am pleased.. I AM a SMART GAL… I get back into my running having not lost too much time… mile 4… mile 5….ugh this candy is freaking HEAVY!… I am now debating whether to PITCH the candy or not.. my arm is going numb… I feel like I am carrying a small child… . and HOW MUCH does this freaking candy WEIGH anyway!!!?

By mile 6, I literary wanted to stop running… I am traveling the speed of a snail… I feel sick.. I am starting to get passed by everyone...WHY?! WHY?… WHY must I feel the need to win everything!!!

At mile 7…. I see another candy station.. and there is a TON of candy left.. are you seriously telling me I could have waited until mile 7.. and gotten my candy!!?? I AM SOOO NOT a SMART GAL.. .. I wanted to cry…

I brought in the race at 1 hour and 9 minutes and some odd seconds (8.30 ish pace)… I have no feeling in my arm and NEVER, EVER want to see candy again…

EVER….BTW I did manage to get my candy weighed in at almost 5 pounds… and was the record holder until the LAST OFFICIAL runner pushing a stroller came in.. and YES her child was holding a HUGE bag of CANDY… CRY...

(this is me holding my candy in my hat.. and in PAIN)

No place in age group … no place in candy weigh… may not be able to actually use my arm for a few more days… just saying….
(this is the gal and her stroller kid with the BIG bag of candy)

PS: Rethink running in a full German outfit at the half marathon next weekend… rethink… rethink...but they are offering… prizes.. and then there is the egg contest…hmmm

Next weeks Half Marathon: We will reward the best/funniest outfits (must have some kind of relation to Oktoberfest). Everyone loved the cuckoo egg hunt during the sloppy cuckoo trail half, therefore we will once again hide some cuckoo eggs along the course. Return a egg to the RD to win a cool prize…
....AND YOU WONDER WHY I RUN…

Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful

Please dont hate me because I am beautiful…

Ok so this has NOTHING to do with this posting… but I gotta have something..... can there just be one day.. just one day ....that I can live drama free….?!

Rush rush rush… always in a rush.. .. life just needs to slow DOWN... a bit... sigh.. sitting in traffic... Do you ever sit in traffic and look over and see someone doing something that just totally, utterly amazes you..?? Because you cant believe they are doing it… !? YEAH...

I have seen all types of crazy shit in the morning.. people putting on make up, reading the paper, SHAVING, god knows what they do at home because they are all on the roads doing it… and so this am was no exception on crazy…

I came up to the traffic light at the intersection of 401 and have to wait for someone who is backing into traffic in front of me out of the gas station... they are backing OFF a rather large strip of grass OFF a curb.. ouch.. thats gotta hurt ...dude.. what AN IDIOT!!… HOW do you do that?..you drove right up the curb and onto the grass.. like there are two entrances/exits... and you missed both of them??? .. what a F-ck NUT!…

Shaking my head .. I tell you .. menace..… as this person manages to get their vehicle to one of the gas pumps... how embarrassing... I look back over…hmmm that truck does look awfully familiar… thinking...

NAH... he doesnt go this way.... and he most certainly wouldn’t drive his BRAND NEW VEHICLE up a curb..I mean the dude buys specially made squeegees to wash his damn car.. I am straining my neck to see who will get out of the vehicle.. and the damn light turns green.. I soo wanted to see who ….

I dial Joe’s number..

RING.. RING… (pause).. RING.. RING…. Sigh no answer..RING..

Joe: “YES?”. (he answers)

Wendy: “Oh hi.. ........just was curious.. (PAUSE).. are you at A gas station?

Joe: “YES”

Wendy: “Um. … (PAUSE)… um...where you just up on a curb?” (IT WAS AN HONEST QUESTION!!!… )

Joe: “YES”

Wendy: (Silence…. Trying to contain an utter outburst of hysterics)

Wendy: “Oohh… (snickering )… UM ARE YOU alright? ......(pause)... Do you need me to turn around? (silence)

( perhaps the question of WHY he was on the curb should have been asked but I figured that well ….it was truly a mute point.. )

MORE SILENCE… like silence of the lamb silence…

Joe: “I’m fine”

Wendy: “Ok if you need anything…… let me know..”

HANG UP …..end of conversation … AND OMG ………………………………………..

PS: a shortcut to the gas station?.. just saying...

ChesapeakeMan Ultra Triathlon

I thought I would share….here is the video of my second Ironman Triathlon that I did on September 25th…(140.6 miles).. did it in 15 hours and 26 minutes… it’s a 2.4 miles swim, 112 mile bike and then a 26.2 mile run… YEAH LONG DAY!..

Joe did an awesome job filming! It has sound… (btw I was LAST out of the swim.. but passed some people on the bike and run!)…I was a bit hungry afterwards.. just a bit..
CHESSYMAN VIDEO (Click Here)

Goals are Achievable

Saturday, September 18th
I snuck out of the house on Saturday to run a local 5K race(3.1 miles). I didn’t have to go far.. in fact it took only about 5 minutes to get there… and that’s because I drove slow….. YAWN…

I have gotten really lazy lately... my pre-race routine used to be.. warm up, stretch, then some sprints... heck I will be lucky if I actually raise my heart rate while napping in the truck..

I check out my competition (while napping)... lots of 40 somethings ...W-H-A-T-E-V-E-R... no big plans, just go out and run …. but I better get outta this truck.. i line up...and sorry fat chick.. instinctively… my body does lunge forward on take off..

Around the first turn, I pass two young gals and I am now leading the race.. um.. excuse me... ? LEADING THE RACE!?… WHERE IS EVERYONE!!?? ..finally a guy passes me.. I am now in 2nd place overall with 65 or so people behind me… BUT NO PRESSURE... At mile 1.. two more guys pass me and I am now in 4th… I am lead female.. I am not sure how to handle this new found “pressure”… especially when someone yells out.. YOU ARE FIRST FEMALE!!!… um.. sheetah..gulp

This was supposed to be a semi "easy" training run.. not an all out and die run.. but um .. at turnaround, I notice there is a gal behind me.. not too close but still there… I am not sure I even breathed that last mile... and felt no sort of sadness when I passed the guy who passed me previously... I am now in third place overall..uphill finish, crossing the line at 23 mins.. (a 7:26 pace)… and I am FIRST FEMALE!!! YAHOOOO!!! Jump up..jump up.. jump up and down .. So perhaps my time was not earth shattering… BUT YAHOOO!!!! Even the most impossible goals are achievable!!!!

2010 Goals:
Run a half marathon in 1.45 or less
Run the 8K in Shamrock at 37 minutes or less
Qualify for Boston and eventually run a marathon in 3.45
Run a 5K WITHIN 22-23 minutes COMPLETE
Run a sub 6 min mile
Improve Bike Time.. keeping a 18-19 mph pace for 30-50 miles
Improve Swim Time.. 1 mile to 1.2 mile swim under 45 minutes
Improving time on the Full Ironman hope to be under 13 hours
Be first woman finisher in any race (even if only 10 people run!) COMPLETE

(PS: won $75 for being first female!!) Here is the link to the results: 5K RACE

Philadelphia Half Marathon 2010

I can't seem to get a grasp on how to actually write all that’s been happening because all the stuff keeps happening!!!… one day… our life will slow.. and when it does…

Sunday, September 19th
Joe really doesn’t function well prior to say… 8am…

TIME TO GET UP! 4AM... RACE DAY!

Today was the ING Philly Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and somehow I convinced Joe that it was fun.. and that he should do it with me… (SUCKER)..

We arrived in Philly around 6am, parked and started our trek to the start… thankfully only 8 blocks away and we got there early enough to christen the port-o-pots, and oh yeah.. watch the sunrise from the art museum steps…

Life was in fact …Good..!

OK...time to line up… 20,000 people in 22 or so corrals.. thankfully we are near the front!.. Joe in corral 4… I corral 5… then off we go… yeahhhh.... running free... free...FREE.. and strong.. strong.. STRONG!... ain't no one stopping me....I ... AM...

....... Freaking tired as shit!... by mile 5… I was done.. toast.. finis... my legs felt like someone had beaten them and were just hollow shells attached to my dead carcass... and then D-mn .. "Hey"... um.. "Hello".. (my friend Denise had just caught up to me)...

[Denise is my running buddy… she and I are great competitive friends..in fact best friends... we sometimes train together, race together, work together and well I beat her last year at this race by like 11 seconds..and well HOW DID SHE CATCH ME!!?]....

I am thinking... calculating... she was suppose to be in the corral behind me..which by the way should have gone off 3 minutes later than me....thus I SHOULD HAVE HAD A 3 min lead!...Calculating that I just ran a 38 min 5 miler.. what did she just run a 35 min 5 miler!!!??? HMPH!!

I tried to ignore her… perhaps she would just go away.. but she would NOT.... I couldn’t shake her.. ...I couldn’t … and well... so it began... we ran together to the finish....

[BTW I come to find out later.. conveniently ...she failed to mention the fact she changed corrals.. so she was NOT 3 minutes behind me and thus when she caught up to me... she didn't have a 3 min lead... she started in my corral and only had a 30 seconds lead... DUDE... !! ]

Good tactical maneuver on her part!..hmmm...had I known... would I have tried to take her out? ..hmmm.. She swears she did tell me...when we were running.. that she had changed corrals... the fact I had ear phones in.. well... today was not about the win but about the friendship... she could have easily taken me out .. but didn't.. in fact she slowed at times to stay with me when she saw I was hurting...and I with her...

She was hurting from her previous day’s flag football with "the Amazons" and I from Saturday's overall female 5K win… so between us …pulling each other… and stubborn persistence (in not letting the other get ahead)… we managed to bring in the last 8 miles of the race…..together… finishing in 1 hour and 52 minutes… (around an 8.30 pace).. not too shabby for two 40 somethings…

Joe ran a blistering 1 hour and 44 minutes (around an 8 min pace)..which just goes to prove that he should have taken this up years ago… this running stuff… he is a natural. With no speed work and on tired legs to pull that... I have to admit that he showed really great restraint in not punching the punk who pushed passed him during the race and then later when Joe got ahead of him, the punk spit on his back.. I tell you… Joe is SOO much the better man… because I would have been arrested… for sure…

Joe waited for me at the finish… I tell you… nothing is better than that.. seeing him at the finish... unless of course it's me waiting for him..