Half Marathon Results

I did it! (before picture above, gear in hand. 2007 before picture here). Another Half Marathon under my belt! 5 years and 2 babies and 15 pounds later. There are some differences. This time I had much more confidence in my ability, although I was very concerned with the time commitment. I had zero problems training for a half marathon and nursing a baby. But it was a challenge in terms of timing. I also had knee pain, toe pain, and developed allergy-induced asthma (luxuries of aging). During the half marathon, I used an inhaler for the 2nd time in my life. I hope to never use it again!

So here's my report on the race! Unfortunately, the baby woke up at 3:45 am, ready to eat & play. (I was hoping to wake up at 5). I got my stuff ready - I ran with very full hands...an inhaler, headphones & iphone, 2 GU's. Kathryn & I were hoping to run under 2 hours, which was an aggressive goal for us. At 11+ miles, I could not longer keep up with Kathryn, so I told her to go ahead while I slowed down my pace. I started walking a few times, but tried not to walk for long. And here's the truth...the last mile, I contemplated whether or not I should go ahead and "relieve" myself. I thought about this for quite a while. In the end, I did not wet my pants, but hustled immediately to the bathroom after crossing the finish line. I stuffed my inhaler, iphone, and several freebies (bananas, water, powerbar) in my sports bra and hustled in the port-a-potty. My time? 2:00:27!!!! Yeah! Although it would have felt good to be 28 seconds faster, I am not that disappointed. I truly feel like it's a major accomplishment for anyone to run/walk 13.1 miles, no matter the speed.The very best part of the run was when Lance brought Ethan & Katie Belle to high five me at several points throughout the race. It was such fun to see their faces!

Estes Park, Colorado

We are getting settled back in after a wonderful trip to Estes Park, CO. We got to do lots of hiking, climbing (well, Lance did) & hanging out with our friend Tommy.
Lance got to climb The Diamond, pictured above our heads & also below!
Picture of The Diamond from here.

My Husband

He's taken, Ladies. And if you've wondered - yes, that's a photo of him gracing the walls of our airport as well.

Lance Climbing

I know I just posted a rock climbing picture of my hubby, but I liked this one, so I wanted to post it. His climbing prowess and big muscles are 2 of the (many) reasons he won me over, almost seven years ago.

Half Dome

Yesterday, We got a very early start (waking at 4 am) and hiked to the top of Half Dome (pictured left, not below), in Yosemite, California! Pretty cool, right? I hiked about 5,000 in elevation gain and about 16 miles or so of hiking. Sure, Lance climbed it, which is cooler, but it was an awesome hike as well. My quads are a little sore right now...

An Ex-Runner's Lament

I'm sad that...

Just a few months ago I ran a Half Marathon and now 2 miles leaves me worked. -- It’s hard to motivate yourself to run when it’s 102 degrees. -- I need to run for a full hour to work off the whole pack of cookie dough I ate in the last 2 days. Seriously. That was 2,160 empty calories I snacked away. -- When you stop running 15-20 miles a week and eat a half-pack of cookie dough per day, your metabolism starts to catch up with you. -- I haven’t added new music to my Shuffle in forever. Which brings me to the question…

Have any new music suggestions to motivate me to get my behind moving? Here are my former faves that make me want to move fast…

Your Cover’s Blown – Belle & Sebastian
The Sound of Settling – Death Cab for Cutie
Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand
Let Go – Frou Frou
Clark Gable – The Postal Service
Talk to Me, Dance with Me – Hot Hot Heat
Ready, Steady, Go – Paul Oakenfold
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
Yeah! – Usher

Best of Nashville

It’s time again for the Nashville Scene’s Best of Nashville Reader’s Poll! My lovely friends & family, would you take a moment and log in your votes for Climb Nashville? Categories of Best Place to Take Kids when it’s Raining, Best Fitness Club, Best Summer Camp, Best Place to Meet Single Men and/or Women & Best Place to take Out-of-Towners might apply.

You might also express love for Baja Burrito (Blue Coast Burrito) in the categories of Best Cheap Eats, Best Kid-Friendly, Best Mexican & Best Vegetarian. Here are some other favorites: Laurel Creech or Blake Farmer (radio personality), Lightning 100 (best radio station), Portland Brew (coffee), Best Bike Shop (Cumberland Transit,) Best Local Artist (Seth Conley, Julia Martin, Trevor Mikula.)

One ballot per person. Must vote for at least 25 categories. Get your entries in by Sept. 12! Now…Get your vote on.

Climbing in The Tennessean

Yesterday's "The Tennessean" features a story about rock climbing which interviews Lance, and our friend Yuki.

Also, The Frist is free today! (Side note: Notice their lovely website - a project which I managed).

A Cyclist's Life for Me

We've taken a bit to bike riding, lately. Lance bought a bike & has been commuting to work. And then we got the GoBug, which we've been enjoying riding our little family to the park, or for popsicles & a latte! I love it! I'm only sad that there's only one place in the US that sells a bakfiet...

13.1

I’ve now knocked out one of my lifetime goals – I ran a half marathon today. In October, I had never run further than 3 miles. My original long-time goal really was to run the Boulevard Bolt, a 5-mile run on Thanksgiving Day. But running 4 miles was a HUGE mental & physical breakthrough for me. It really wasn’t that hard. So I ran 4. Then 5. Before too long, I was up to 8 mile runs!

So anyway, today I finally did it. 13.1 miles in 1:59. I’m very excited about my time. I didn’t really have a goal except to finish, but I thought it would be great to do it under 2 hrs, so I'm pleased. Mile 12 was very emotional for me - it was hard & I've trained so hard that it was a proud moment. I was close to tears a couple of times.

A BIG thanks to Mom & Lance, who gave me time away from Ethan so I could train. I so loved the time with my running partners – Rachelle, Renee, Kerry, Jen, Mason, & Josh. I’ve had the most honest conversations with those folks. Somehow, running with someone for an hour or more lends itself to some very frank chats. Thanks Rachelle for sticking with me throughout the run - I know you could have scurried on ahead.

I have had a blast running. But I’m also very glad to be taking a break. Much love & many thanks to those who have helped me accomplish this goal.

Beth in NY Times yesterday

Our friend Beth Rodden was in yesterday's NY Times magazine, "Play." (And here she is w/Ethan a few months ago.) Click here to see the online feature. Nice pics Beth!

And while I'm on the topic of climbing, here's a cool picture of the hubby!


More Look-A-Likes: Also, now I can add Tara Reid, Kate from the Drew Carey Show, and I'm also remembering Caroline's step-dad who said I looked like some girl from "World of Henry Orient," which I never saw. I'm having fun hearing about your look-a-likes too! Keep 'em coming!!!

Good Things for Running.

Here are my 2 favorite running tools. First of all, you've got to check out WalkJogRun.net. It's a very cool site that maps out running routes all across the country. It makes it easy to track how far you are walking or running. Type in your address or route, and it gives you distances for said route.

Secondly, I finally busted out (Lance's) iPod Shuffle for this morning's run. It's tiny, tiny, tiny and I would not have even noticed I was wearing it, were it not for the fact that Survivor was blasting a little "Eye of the Tiger" to get me going. Very cool.

Climb Nashville in the Paper

Good Morning everyone. Check out this link to the Davidson A.M. & see the Brocks & Slosses at work. It is an article about married couples working together.

And while I'm at it, check out some photos that our old friend Roderick Trestrail took of Lance.

Have a good one.