Hair-Whips and Frolicking on the Train

Where to start...where to start....

You’d think running 16 miles would garner enough information to be enough to consume an entire post...but to be honest, it’s really boring...and OH MY LORD my legs, feet, and butt ache today. Actually, I want to thank the crew for showing up...it was so much more fun (for me) to have someone to run with and more importantly to have breakfast with afterward (we found the Hideaway Cafe!)

First of all, the headline. When you all see me, you’ll notice that may hair is decidedly shorter than it was on Friday (cut off 8 inches...a real 8 inches, not 1/4” = 8” as Lloyd explained to the parents the other night...to which I giggled...Men always exaggerate that way...sorry BBJ). Anyway..one of the benefits of having shorter hair is that my long hair, when pulled up in a ponytail was really starting to bug me on these longer runs because it’d get all sweaty-wet, and then it’d start whipping the back of my neck...

Hence, I told the crew on the train that I needed to get rid of my “hair-whip.” Betty thought that was funny.

Then Paul told us that when we were done running that we could frolic in the ocean at Solana Beach, which led all of us to wonder about the last time we “frolicked” and about what...hmmmm

I’m still trying to wrap my head around the enormity of running 16 miles. For me, the first 12 (or so) were fine...the last four (or once we got to Leukadia and the freeking broken streets there) were the WORST! Alberta almost fell on her face because there was a STUPID barrier-thingy lying flat on the street that she didn’t see. I rolled my foot about 10 paces later and almost twisted my ankle. Uneven surfaces, road construction guys who won’t move out your way...the pack of Team in Training Cyclists roaring by at 150 mph (ok...I may be exaggerating, but I think I was in Leukadia when the team roared bay and it sorta freaked me out a little). I think we all agreed that Leukadia may be lovely, but it was a sucky place to run!



I was so happy to leave L, but then took a wrong turn and ended up with the pack of Paul-Groupies at the ladies room...which turned out to be down a huge hill...then we had to walk up (because it was a 45 degree incline...and even Paul wouldn’t run up it.) Then we missed the water station...GRRRR....

I am SO proud of Betty for running more than 14 miles (I mapped it....I picked you up at the south entrance to San Elijo, which is past the 14 mile marker...I also mapped my detour to the bathroom...which I think made my run longer...Mapquest says 16.32 miles...which makes me feel better about my 3 hours & 20 minutes... which includes the potty stop!). Heck I’m proud of all of us...16 miles is a freekin’ long way to run.

I told Edith this last night...(I drunk-called Edith to thank her for a nice email she sent me about my wanna-be field hockey playing daughter...in which she told me that she and TALL TIM ran 10.5 miles yesterday morning as well and that it was really hard (the run...not Tim))...ANYWAY, I’ve come to the conclusion that running with the track club makes it a heck of a lot easier to run these long distances...which is mostly mental (OK...It was physical too. I was so exhausted coming into Solana Beach, up that last hill, that I really just wanted to sit down and cry...but then Paul came up and convinced me to run up the hill with him...so I did.) In any event, I know that Edith was a little sad because running 10 miles seemed so difficult...and I just wanted to assure her that running with lots of other people makes it so much easier (for me). I don’t know why that is, but it has certainly worked for me. I hope you get to join us this weekend.

So, I’m proud of us and all...but I still want to ponder how Elvis continues to creep into the karma of this journey for me...really...he does...First of all, as you know the RnR has some running Elvi competition that they do, so a few weeks ago, there was this guy who was doing the marathon in his Elvis running suit. Then I got lost in Coronado a few weeks ago...but got through it because I happened to have Mike’s iPod with me and got to listen to Mojo Nixon singing “Elvis is Everywhere” (among other songs)...which made me laugh.

Then I ended up going to a fundraiser last night (yes...I went out last night...I’m a stud (see funny story about “stud” below...), but I was promised wine, so you know me, I went) ...Anyway, it was a really nice event and I wore HIGH HEELS! (yes, after running 16 freekin’ miles, I somehow managed to get my feet into 4” heels...don’t ask how, but I suspect the promise of wine helped.

The event was a casino night for Kuyamaay Elementary School, (Don’t ask how I ended up there...I know, I know, I don’t even go to fundraisers for the school where I work, or where MY kids go to school... again, I remind you, the wine...) but my sister-in-law is really involved in the school and invited us to go...and we’re good inlaws, and were promised wine, so we went.

Anyway, as we walk in, the first thing I notice is this guy running around in an orange Elvis suit (wig and all), and my first thought is: “What a dork!” followed by “I wonder what bet he lost that caused that...”

Then, a few minutes later, Elvis walks up to me and says something like “hey hotstuff” which makes me think,

“What an ass...”

Then I realize, it’s my brother-in-law, Richard...dressed up like Elvis...and selling raffle tickets (I so needed more wine).

OK...we’ve got 56 (or something like that...) Two months ago, I could barely run an hour...yesterday I ran for three. I figure I need to be able to run for about 5 to finish the marathon...Somehow it sounds doable now...I must be crazy.

Or seeing Elvis... Help me.

Alice

11 Comments

p.a.

You all rock! I'm so proud to have you all along and I can't believe I made it that far. I only ran about 12 of the miles but gotta run with Mik for a couple (always such a great friend) and then Bumper stopped by for a minute or two. Then Cindi ran with me for a few miles which really was great. I saw my cousin running towards me with T.I.T. (that's what I call TEam in Training - because none of them look like me). Then my aunt Wogged with me for a 1/2 mile.
I hate Leucadia and I think I'll be able to get stronger each week - especially if you keep me laughing. BBJ is so brave to hang out with us and he has become such a strong runner! He finished the 16 miles faster than the 1/2 marathon in August!

But really, today I am so very grateful for friendships! I'm looking forward to June!

Sunday, April 6, 2008 - 08:56 PM

Clarence

I am so proud of you guys! Keep it up- I can't wait to be there in June to cheer you guys on! :)

Sunday, April 6, 2008 - 09:28 PM

Alice

Oh...I forgot to add the story about "The Stud."

So...there's a silent auction at this fund raiser and at one of the tables is this basket that has home remodeling tools (or something like that) and its labeled "Studfinder" which I think is slightly funny...maybe a little more than slightly because of the wine, that and I'm at a school fund raiser...

Anyway, this random guy walks up next to me, looks at the basket and says something like "hey, I could use a stud finder."

Seriously?

I sort of do a double take...I mean, is he joking? laughing? talking to a friend? to me?

Is he gay?

So I wait...then I can't stand it anymore...I mean it was A FREEKIN' GIFT! I sort of figure he wants me to make the joke. So I say, "you know, usually I hear women use that line." and I sort of laugh, cuz I thought at the very least I was being obviously clever.

He just stares at me. Not even a courtesy chuckle...

So I just apologize and giggle something like, "yeah, I know. That was inappropriate. I don't know you." And and he's just sort of glaring at me.

Damn Tierra Santa, Yuppie, Asshole...Hated him

Went to find Mike to tell him my story...He laughed.

Which is why I love him.

Sunday, April 6, 2008 - 09:42 PM

Momma

I'm so proud of all of you - I still think you're crazy - but I'm amazed at you all!

Sunday, April 6, 2008 - 10:11 PM

Anonymous

BBJ

OK, Carlsbad is a long city, Leucadia needs to fix its streets, Encinitas went well along the beach except for the one hill by the ENCINITAS sign. What was that Taj Mahal looking place in Encinitas?

I just kept thinking after the 16 miles in Solana Beach, could I have done 10 more miles? Very inspired by Mrs. Harris, Jaime, P.A. for their efforts. Mik, too.

How was everyone's "active recovery" on Sunday? Back on the road today with the mindset that we can do this 26.2 thing. Head up, one step, one mile at a time.

Monday, April 7, 2008 - 07:44 AM

Alice

The Taj Majal place is the Self Realization Fellowship Temple. There's a kinda famous surf spot below it called Swami's.

Active Recovery? I shopped again :-) I bought toe socks.

The guy at Movin Shoes seemed to think they'd help with my blistering issue...so I'm going to give them a try with some of my shorter runs this week before the 2.5 hour run on Saturday.

By the way BBJ, if you put your name in the "Comment As" box, your name will appear at the top of the comment entry.

Monday, April 7, 2008 - 08:44 AM

Alberta

I felt pretty good until about mile 12 and then I felt like an 80 year old women who needed a knee replacement. I was very happy to have Alice to run with from mile 9 on, she kicked my butt. About mile 12 I almost fell on my face as the sidewalk jumped up and grapped me. Biggest mistake that I made was following Alice and Paul and his giggling girls down the hill to the bathroom. I wonder how much of a difference he is making in their life :) I was pissed they took me down a big hill for no reason I would much rather have pulled a Betty then stopped. I finally left them and made the mistake of following some lady with a visor up the hill who got me lost. I should have know not to follow her. Should I have asked her where her cocker spaniels were? Looking at this picture of us maybe I should have just asked here to borrow the visor!!!!!!!

Monday, April 7, 2008 - 10:11 AM

BBJ

Thanks for the ID tip on the blog.

BTW, if anyone wants some new bumpin'-bouncin' tunes to help with those tough miles, I put together a partial BBJ music list. Let me know if you are interested.

Monday, April 7, 2008 - 10:37 AM

Edith

Now imagine this conversation on Sat night...
A: "I'm wearing boots. Can you freakin believe I got my foot into a boot?"
E: "What?"
A: "But it works because they are stretchy leather. I think I am going to take a picture of my boot right now."

Seeing the blog, I felt like I was RIGHT THERE! Drunk dials are fun.

Monday, April 7, 2008 - 12:53 PM

Elsie

Great job kids - amazing to even contemplate 16 miles, let alone run it! Felt like I was there too : ) Hasta Tuesday.

Monday, April 7, 2008 - 03:26 PM

Alice

Here's BBJs playlist...

Super Hyphie Keak Da Sneak
I’m Really Hot Missy Elliott
Juicy Notorious B.I.G.
Yeah! Usher
Take It Easy Mad Lion
It’s Like That Run-DMC
Whoop! There it is 95 South & Tag Team
Electric Relaxation A Tribe Called Quest
Housequake Prince
Get Low Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz
Ch-Check It Out Beastie Boys
Planet Rock Afrika Bambaataa
The Way You Move Outkast
Me So Horny 2 Live Crew
Treat ‘Em Right Chubb Rock
Let’s Get It Started MC Hammer
Tender Love Force M.D.’s


LOVE IT! Will you burn me a CD? I'll repost my current playlist too!

Monday, April 7, 2008 - 08:15 PM

Jimmy, Mojo, and Me

You all missed a fabulous Coronado run this morning (yes...you read that right...ALL OF YOU missed it)..except for me. Here’s the course map which shows the route. You may notice that it’s not a perfect loop. I took a wrong turn at after 9 miles, but eventually found the rest of the group. I figure the good thing about running in Coronado is that you can’t get too lost. At some point you’re going to run into either a) the Naval Training Station or b) the bridge. I shared this outlook with the woman who was running with me, but she didn’t look so convinced. (not sure why she followed me anyway. I must have looked like I knew where I was going).



To be honest, I was a little sad to be running solo this morning. No familiar smiling faces to keep me going...nothing to write about on the Blog (I feared), but I figured I’d be OK because one of the things I did in the car on the ride home was put together a new playlist for running.

Then I looked and noticed, alas, that I had Mike’s Nano with me...not mine.

Drat!

Now Mike and I have somewhat different tastes in music. I happen to enjoy a variety of tunes, including songs that have been released within the last couple of years. But Mike’s Nano pretty much contains the same music he’s been listening to since his adolescence and young adulthood. Yes, he has some Jimmy Buffet (thank goodness) on his Nano, but mostly its late 70’s and 80’s music from Foreigner, Boston, The Kinks, The Eagles, Joe Jackson...that sort of thing...

Oh yeah, he also has tons of Mojo Nixon. Now if you don’t know who Mojo Nixon is, you really need to check out the link and next time he’s in town, I’ll take you to one of his shows... We NO DOUBT will hear his almost-hit “Elvis is Everywhere” at some point during the race. I was singing along (really) at 10 miles...at least I was laughing about how appropriate it was. (Seriously, you should listen to it.)

So, I ran 10 miles with Jimmy this morning and the last two with Mojo.

To be certain, Mojo isn’t everyone’s cup of tea...Some of his other songs include:

“Debbie Gibson is Pregnant (with my two headed love child)”
“I Ain’t Gonna Piss in No Jar”
“Gin Guzzlin’ Frenzy”

and then there’s Mike’s personal favorite (I am not making this up),

“Louisiana Lip-Lock” a song which contains the line: “She had a Louisiana Lip-Lock on my love porkchop.”

Yes, Mike took me to a few Mojo shows when we were dating, one at The Belly Up and another show at some dive bar up in San Bernardino. Yes, I married him anyway.

So, let’s just say that between Buffet and Mojo...I was entertained...although I still missed you all!

Alice

PS, If you want a copy of “Elvis is Everywhere” for your iPod, let me know.

Getting Lapped by Elvis

At the moment it happened, I knew it would be the headline...actually, I knew several miles before that moment. It crossed my mind at about mile four when I noticed that each time Elvis was headed toward me, I was just a little bit farther away from the turn-around point. Then at mile six I thought, “Sweet Jesus (as opposed to Dear Jesus) I think he’s gonna lap me.”

But it was as I headed toward the mile 8 turn-around when Elvis, in his shiny white, sequined, and very sweaty Elvis-in-Vegas style running suit, lapped me. And that is when “I got Lapped by Elvis” flashed in my mind as the perfect headline for me this week’s post. Of course, I also got lapped (twice) by the 6 minute mile guy in the orange San Diego Track Club suit...and there were others, but it was when Elvis passed me, I began to wonder how he could possibly run in a wig and sequins. It looked so incredibly uncomfortable, and I also began to consider the possibilities as we begin to think about what we should wear as our marathon “uniform.”

So, that was part of the scene this morning when BBJ, Alberta and I ran for two hours on the San Diego riverbed (back and forth 5 1/2 times for me, almost 6 for Alberta...I have no idea how far BBJ ran...he was long gone by the time I finished).

The least painful part of the run was when we ran away from hospitality point, with the wind at our back, and the sun overhead... In all honesty, the first 6 miles felt pretty good.

A more painful part, for me, began with miles 7 & 8 when we were running toward the ocean, into the wind, which seemed especially cold at that point.

But the really painful part was

that last mile (again, toward the ocean and into the wind)...when I found myself, having run 2 hours (2:04 to be honest) at the 11 mile point, with still a mile more to go to get back to Hospitality Point. I guess everyone else had already turned around because for the most part I was all alone! Where did everyone go?

I didn’t see the virtue in going all the way back to Hospitality Point, then turning around and walking back to my car, so I decided to walk straight to my car.

I figured an 11 miles in 2 hours (ok, ok 2 hours and 4 minutes) run, followed by a 3/4 mile walk was enough.

I wonder what the most painful part of the run was for BBJ. He admitted to being pretty hung-over following Friday’s HTA event, which he stayed at until the free food and beverages were no longer offered. Both Alberta and I (again, discussing our digestive issues) agreed that fried food before a long run was a very bad idea.

I may have annoyed Paul (who makes a difference in our lives, and who we love). I think he was trying to be encouraging at the six mile turnaround point. He was shouting something - through the bullhorn - as I ran by like, “YOU SHOULD BE FEELING REALLY STRONG AT THIS POINT...YOU’RE JUST GETTING STARTED!” To which I responded with a sort of involuntary combination snort/laugh. Which he heard, looked me straight in the eye, and said (off the bullhorn, thank God), “seriously, you’re just starting.”

Yeah, I’m with you Paul in spirit and know you’re being a good track coach...but I didn’t feel so encouraged, just distressed, because while I felt OK at that point, I, in no way, felt like I WAS JUST STARTING TO RUN!

Running six miles still feels like a long way to me. And while I’m hopeful that since we started training in January and I’m now able to run 11 miles, that by June I’ll be able to run a marathon, Saturday’s run made me feel less confident about this if after the first 6 miles I should feel as if I’m JUST STARTING!

I don’t know if I’ll ever feel like I’ve just started running after I’ve run 6 miles.

Ah well...

ANYWAY, hope all of you injured, vacationing and otherwise missing RnRers check in soon and that you’re having a fabulous spring break in NYC or Cancun or wherever you are. I’ll be skiing at Mammoth the first part of this week, so I won’t be at Tuesday night’s track workout, but I’ll be at Tideland’s Park on Saturday. Hope to see you then.

Take care,

Alice