This weekend the Martini Twins did a mock tri. We’ve never done anything like this before and we had no clue what to expect. We survived and finished in 2:10 and that included our 30 minute swim. And that is when I decided that air is my best friend. Air is good. Air never fails me. And since there is no air under water, the concept of swimming is ridiculous. The exercise called sipping margaritas and floating aimlessly is the only appropriate water exercise.

Saturday we rode 20 miles and ran some and then on Sunday we swam 30 minutes, rode 13 miles and ran 3.2 miles and hung out with the neighborhood rooster for a while – it took us 2 hours and ten minutes. And if it wasn’t for the swimming, I might have some energy left today. Give me a half marathon any day, I say.

Anyhow, fun times, fun recovery and just plain fun hanging with friends!

Here’s some video and you’ll notice how far ahead we are of the pelopton, we’re fast like that. And training, recovery and party pictures for you to enjoy. I’ll post a protected update that does not include us dancing on the tables soon. Seriously, does not have any dancing pictures.

Anyhow, fun times, fun recovery and just plain fun hanging with friends! Pics and video to enjoy.

Tri Training from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

• Unidentified bird eggs were found on running track. Police were notified and Animal Control removed the eggs.
• Roaming black bull was caught and impounded. Owner issued a “livestock at large” citation.
• 9-year-old boy spotted pulling up plants in front of school. Juvenile was detained until an officer arrived. No children or plants were harmed during investigation.
• Police dispatched to liquor store where they found a man hitchhiking. Officer gave man and his three-legged dog a ride to truck stop.
• Woman in community center called about snake in the building. Officer arrived and killed the snake.*
• Man walking down highway told police he was visiting inlaws when he began arguing with wife and he decided to walk home. Officer gave him a ride.

*FYI – I am not the woman in community center  -  but now that I know police do this, I’ve got them on speed dial.

I haven’t been giving good blog lately, Internet People. I’m not sure why, I just haven’t felt the love. My suspicion is that you guys are all cheating on me with Facebook, and don’t think I haven’t noticed. If the blog world goes under and crumbles, don’t blame me – there will be no stimulus package for the blog world.

Moving on . . . so, just what have I been up to? Well, on Friday I got my hair cut. And if I remember correctly, general consensus was to NOT get the Katie cut. Well poopy on you – I made the cut and I love it. Abandon me for Facebook again and I’m going totally bald.

Speaking of abandonment, on Saturday I decided to ditch the bike. I tried and tried but after only six minutes and nine seconds my legs could not make the rollers work. I had nothing. I was enormously tired from running and riding on Friday. Being tired means I’m getting stronger, right? Of course it does. (See what I’m reduced to, Internet People? Answering my own questions. Thanks Facebook.)

Michael and I decided to stay home and cook instead of fighting the masses at the restaurants. I also promised the chef I would do my part. I even bought an apron and gloves so the chef would think I was serious about cooking. And indeed I was serious about being the sous chef, until the 4th glass of wine and then I got serious about giggling too much and made the chef mad so he kicked me out of the kitchen. All wasn’t totally lost; I made a fantastic artichoke bruschetta appetizer and strawberry custard dessert before my departure. We had some more wine, ate the red snapper, asparagus, and dessert and then I fell asleep on the couch. Happy Valentine’s Day, Honey!

I stayed on the couch until the alarm went off 4:30 the next morning. Oh my, that was early. Early and blurry. But have no fear, I slipped on the magical Newton’s and headed out into the 35-degree arctic temperature like a trooper. I ran slower than slow, but I finished all six miles. It was also the first time I’d taken the Newtons out for more than 3.5 miles. And I have to tell you – my right foot (aka fool) does not like the Newtons. My left foot is madly, madly in love – but the right was angry and numb by mile 4 and in quite a bit of pain by the end. I’m not sure what I was doing wrong, it feels like the metatarsal support on the right shoe is not fitting in the same spot as the left. Obviously, I still have some work to do on my form. Or maybe my foot is deformed.

It’s a love/hate relationship, this running stuff.

And I think it’s just an honest fact that until we clean up our planet, I’m going run crappy 5-hour marathons. Can someone pinpoint a date for me on when that’s going to happen? Because it would be nice if it were during my lifetime. Anyhow, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Seriously, how could it be this hot in Chicago two years in a row?

The short version: It was hot. That pissed me off. I died at mile 15. Then I cried.

Now I’m okay with things. You can stop here if you like because an extremely long and unnecessarily detailed version is up next. And basically, it says the same thing. (Click on pictures to make them bigger)

This was such a long trip. Michael and I left Tuesday before the marathon. Our plan was to stop and visit and many family members and friends as we could along the way there and on the way home to rack up as many brownie points as possible.

Tuesday we arrived in Little Rock and met up with Michael’s college buddy and his wife to have dinner and watch my friend Obama kick some serious ass during the debate. That was fun. Michael rode in Arkansas and the next morning and I got my final 3-mile run in and then we drove to Memphis and had dinner with our cycling friend/financial adviser. The next morning Michael rode and I took it easy before we drove to Champagne, IL. Michael rode the Friday morning and we headed into Chicago. We had a great hotel on Printer’s Row downtown only a few blocks from the start and finish line. Really, it was the perfect hotel location for the race.

Immediately after checking into the hotel we met up with Michael’s sister-in-law and some cousins and had lunch. Then we headed for the expo. I wish I had pictures, but I don’t. It was well organized but the school bus ride there was hot, and by the time we arrived at the expo I was having anxiety hot flashes. I picked up the essentials and headed back to the bus. (FYI – Those hot flashes didn’t end until we checked out of our hotel on Monday morning)

Friday night was fun. We went to a great steak restaurant and then to a fabulous jazz bar. It was so relaxing. A few glasses of wine and a few martinis was just what we needed after FOUR DAYS of driving and visiting.

Michael got up early on Saturday and headed over to Lake Shore to ride. (thanks psimet) I was a little freaked out when I saw him ride his bike through traffic down Michigan Avenue – luckily is was a Saturday and traffic wasn’t that bad, but I halfway expected him to die along the way – call me paranoid, but Chicago drivers are crazy. By the time he got home and cleaned up it was time for lunch. I was starving. We walked over to a nice bar and grill and had a wonderful lunch.

Our plan was to meet up with David and Mrs. T. at the Art Institute, but I was still so tired from the drive and Michael enticed me back to the hotel for a nap and a massage. I ended up sleeping for two hours. And it was wonderful. After the nap we got ready for our pre-race dinner with David, Mrs. T. and the Schneiders. It was a fabulous restaurant with wonderful company. We planned out race morning meet-up and everyone was excited. I was so prepared for a 4:30 – 4:40 marathon I could taste it. David even brought a detailed marathon chart of all his marathons pinpointing all his strengths and weaknesses by mile. I was impressed. The only thing I could think of was “Why haven’t I done this before?” – Note to self: get new Garmin before next race.

Race morning David met Michael and I at our hotel and we walked down to the start line checked our bags and took a few photos and a video. There is a whole big long phone story here that I could go into details about, but basically I carried a different phone and let Michael keep my iPhone instead of checking it with my bag. My mistake.

Chicago Marathon 2008 Start from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

It was hot at the start line – already high 60s or low 70s. I checked the weather before I left the hotel and it said the high for the day was going to be in the low 80s. I figured it would wait until later in the day to get hot. We got to the start line and chatted with a few folks before the start. I hopped a fence to pee and cure my nervous bladder. It wasn’t 20 minutes or so before we crossed the start line – much better than New York, but elbow-to-elbow runners, which it stayed that way until the finish.

David and I ran a respectable first half – right on target around 10:30s – 10:40s, but I could feel the heat getting to me. I was dying slowly. We saw Michael and my sister’s family a little after the half. It was nice to see them and I passed off the phone I was carrying because it was getting soaked. Chicago was well prepared for the heat this year and volunteers were spraying runners with hoses left and right. Whether you wanted it or not.

David was kind enough to carry my baggie of race supplies and at mile 14 I knew I needed to get it back because I didn’t want to hold him up – he was running a great race and I was slowing up. That made me sad, because I really didn’t want to run alone. We stayed together for another few miles and then it all started to fall apart – the same heat related fatigue that I’m so familiar with here in Texas. You would think training in Texas would prepare me for the heat. But obviously, NOT. My back was achy, but surprisingly was never a problem.

I started walking a lot around mile 18. My ipod died because it was filled with water. Around mile 20 volunteers with megaphones were blasting “we are now in a CODE RED” “CODE RED”. Which meant it was officially over 80 degrees. I saw sign somewhere that flashed 89 degrees, but I doubt it was that hot, although the megaphone people kept saying it was 92 degrees on the pavement. Yeah, I’m still not sure what that means. Was the pavement 92 degrees or were the runners 92 degrees because we were on the pavement? Either way there was no breeze and my clothes were so wet and steamy hot it felt like someone had microwaved them while I was wearing them.

I finished, official time 5:10:58. This was the first marathon I ever considered DNFing. I’m glad I didn’t but I was sad, I trained so hard. As I walked through the shoot a volunteer handed me a mylar blanket to warm me up. Um, okay. Why? I didn’t want one. I didn’t need one. I found my way to the bag pick up and looked for David. I really wanted a post race picture. I looked some more, but since I didn’t have a phone I couldn’t call him. I figured he left to meet Mrs. T since he finished so far ahead me. I headed back to the hotel and I was just sad. I trained so hard. It wasn’t my fault it was hot, it wasn’t Chicago’s fault it was hot. It was just hot which is why I’m blaming too much global warming.

When I got back to the hotel I cried on Michael’s shoulder a while. Told him I was never ever going to run another marathon again. He rolled his eyes, and said okay. He knows me. Then I decided that I was not going to let this get me down because I had an anniversary to celebrate. And boy, did we celebrate. I figured if Katie could wear heels after her marathon, so could I. And you don’t get calves like that from sitting on your booty all day long.

We checked out of the hotel the next morning and headed to Lafayette, IN where we had lunch with my sister and he kids (AKA: my cheering section). We then drove to Indianapolis where Michael rode and we visited with my parents and then to dinner with them and my brother and one of his kids, little Lucy. (Don’t mess with me or my brother will beat you up!)

I didn’t feel so good during dinner. I thought it was just travel fatigue. After dinner we took dessert over to visit my nearly 90-year-old Grandma and I ended up spending the next 30 minutes lying on her bathroom floor vomiting. Yeah, I don’t know what the deal was there. My Grandma blamed that “foreign food” spaghetti.  We were supposed to make one more stop in Arkansas on the way home, but I was so tired and I just wanted to sleep in my bed. We drove 15 hours straight through till we made it home. It was a busy eight days.

Now I’m home, I don’t feel so horrible about my time. I’ve been reading other people’s blogs and it seems the heat was a factor for everyone (except David who ran really fast anyhow), even though it was not as hot as Chicago’s marathon last year. It was well organized, and the volunteers were spectacular.

I lot of things happened while training and running this marathon. I worked hard and I’m in the best shape of my life. (thanks Cindy) I’ve learned cross-training and weight-lifting are good. I also learned that I’m a pretty good sprinter (thanks Ewen) and it might suit me well to actually train for some shorter races. I may never qualify for Boston, my body just isn’t meant to do so, but I also know that somewhere in me, if I still work hard, is a 4:30 marathon. I just need the right conditions for it to pop up.  I can guarantee you this, my next marathon will be low key and not with 40,000 other runners.

I’m just not sure what to do now. I’m running a half marathon in a few weeks, which I totally plan on rocking. But I just don’t know about another marathon. Whiterock is around the corner and Austin is whispering to me, but I’ve yet to make any decisions. How about you David?

You can see all the pictures of the race and pre/post-race in my flickr accounts.

*Grammar, spelling, sentence structure, cohesiveness or punctuation doesn’t count on race reports – at all and ever and you can’t use it against me.

I don’t have a whole lot of time to update right now. We’re on the road, driving to Chicago since we have to take the bike. Michael doesn’t go anywhere without his bike and it’s just easier to drive it instead of fly it. The Devil is house-sitting. Boy, do I feel safe.

Let’s get to the point. On Thursday while Michael was doing some yard work he broke his toe. And he’s been a big whiny baby about it. Yadda, yadda yadda, it can’t be that bad if he is still riding his bike everyday. I gave him one rule – if you can ride the bike, then NO COMPLAINING about spectating the marathon course. Of course, I can complain all I want since I will be running 26.2 miles.

It gets better. Last Sunday, I bent over to pick up a glove. A glove. And I got stuck. Just like this:

Stuck. And in intense pain. I couldn’t stand up. My back was spasming because I tried to pick up glove! WTF. I kinda panicked a little. A Lot. I’ve trained like an animal for this marathon, and there was no way I was going to let a whimpy back spasm get in my way.

On Monday morning I went to visit Dr. Joey. He gave me a shot of cortisone and almost immediately I felt better. Better, but not 100%. Monday only my left side was spasming, but I could stand up, mostly. By Tuesday, I felt really great. And by the time the hydrocodone kicked in I felt REALLY great. Drugs and wine make for a great presidential debate night. Did my man Obama rock that debate, or what? Gotta love that man.

Wednesday morning I went for an easy three mile run and felt fine. Better than fine. Fabulous. I’m so ready, Internet Friends.

The only problem I have is sitting. And driving involves a lot of sitting. Driving from Dallas to Chicago involves A LOT of sitting. And since Michael is doing most of the driving, I’m just complaining and playing on my iPhone emailing everyone about how GREAT I feel because I’m reassuring myself that by running, I’m not sitting, therefore I’ll be just fine during the marathon. I am a genius.

Michael and I are making some interesting traveling companions with our ailments.

I am feeling great, though. I really, really do. This is going to be the best marathon ever. I can hardly wait for it to start. Oh, and in case there is any doubt of my healing, here’s proof that I’m feeling better – running in my hotel room – I couldn’t do this if I was still in pain:

practicerunning – PROOF I’m better from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

FYI – I don’t have time to proof this since I need to shower and hit the road again, so don’t judge my lack of grammar skills. But, my next post I’ll have my race number and a place for tracking for anyone interested. Thank you so much for the well wishes. Oh, and I’m too chicken to wear the shirt in public. Maybe I’ll sleep in it the night before the race.

I really didn’t want to race today. Really. Did. Not. Want. To. This monster month of marathon training is adding up to a whole bunch of tired. I know, it’s supposed to be that way and because of it I’m going to run a really fast marathon. Or at least that’s the plan.

Michael and I took Kenza to the local homecoming football game last night; Kenza had a blast, but we didn’t get home until late and I took a Tylenol PM to help me sleep – that was my first mistake. I just could not wake up this morning.

My second mistake was not having my race gear ready the night before. I used up all my race bib safety pins on Kenza’s spirit wear for the game. You give the girl something to cheer for and she goes all out, face-paint, colored hair, cow bell and 40 safety pins worth of spirit-attached attire in all. I admire her spunk, but it left me rummaging around on her bedroom floor at 4:30 in the morning, in the dark, trying to find her clothes from last night to recover at least 2 safety pins.

My third mistake was being constipated. I’m not sure how that is a mistake, but I was and I’m sure on some level it affected my race time. Or is that effected? FYI – spelling and grammar are way over-rated.

Richie and I met in the parking lot and headed over to the start line where I got to meet Kevin from 5ks and Cabernets. I love that blog title, and what a super nice wine-drinking guy he was. Richie said Kevin was really fast, so we move back in the pack a little.

Okay, so despite every step of this race being a struggle, I ran halfway decent. Probably slow for Richie, but respectable for me. I could go into a lot of details about how we had great weather, and how the second half was really hilly, and how I didn’t walk at all except for a few seconds during water breaks, and how Richie saved me from emanate death when I was nearly run over by a car around mile nine. (Note to self: turn volume on ipod down in traffic) And I could tell you that we ran negative splits almost the entire way. But what I mostly want to tell you is that the last mile we ran in 8 minutes and 18 seconds. For real. Seriously.

It was a PR 20k day. 2 hours, 3 minutes and 22 seconds.

My doubtful self asked Richie about 20 times how he thought I’d do in Chicago based on the last two races we’ve run together. He seemed pretty confidant that I’ll do well. After today’s race with the negative splits and 8:18 last mile, I’m thinking it might be possible to run faster than a 5-hour marathon. God, I hope so.

Yeah, I know, it looks like Cherry Berry styled my hair.

I saw this on The Superficial and it is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen Matt Damon or Sarah Silverman do. This song is going to be stuck in my head for a while – but I guess there are worse songs to have stuck in your head.

Here are are two videos that allow me to meet my NaPoBloMoHoHo requirements. They aren’t significant in any way, but we’re girls, we have cameras and this is what we do. Tomorrow I’ll write words that mean stuff — or I’ll put Rowdy in a sweater and let him run around while I video him and then I’ll post that. Boy, do I know how to keep you guys coming back for more!

Do you ever have a day when it seems every picture turns out perfect? Days like today are rare in Dallas. It was the perfect fall day. We ordered this tire swing from Herb at My Tire Swings and it has been the best fun! If you are in the market for a tire swing, Grandpa Herb makes them best. Tell him Runner Susan sent you.

You all know me. You know my addiction to shoes, handbags and lamps. And you also know I have a tendency to exaggerate. ***roll eyes*** But this time I’m serious and I am NOT exaggerating. Because this one really IS the world’s greatest handbag.

The adorable entries: via email Carly and Alex and the famous Kenza Roo

RS: What should I blog about today? My jeenyus idea of having a spice rack installed in my bathroom, or my standard don’t have anything to write about today “boobs” post?

Cindy: Why don’t you just call it a “Spicy Boob Rack” and be done with it.

Have I mentioned that lately? I can take as many pictures of my newly colored hair as I want and nobody can stop me. They make think I’m crazy, but they can’t stop me.

Somebody tell me those aren’t wrinkles on my forehead?!?

Instant messaging gone awry:

RS: What should I blog about today?
Kate: How great I am
RS: How great you are?
Kate: Yeah, because you always blog about you
RS: But it’s my blog. A blog about me. Me and all my me. Me and my amazing breasts.
Kate: You don’t have breasts
RS: Yes I do, I’ve gained weight. It’s the only benefit, I have them and they are wonderful.
Kate: I deserve praising more than your breasts. Now go praise me.

(5-minutes later)

Kate: How is the praising of Kate going? I see no praising of Kate yet. Praise me, damn you.

Why fight a battle you can’t win? So let’s move on to the greatness of Kateness:

• She loves cheese.
• She has Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder.
• She has really cute blue shoes.
• She alone holds the secret to the semi-colon; and uses her secret powers for good or when forced by Runner Susan.
• She doesn’t eat cute animals.
• She hosts very serious international sales meetings.
• She reads more books than anyone I know. And smart books too.
• She types fast.
• She draws great pictures of my internal organs and their dysfunctions.
• She has really fast growing hair.
• She listens to me talk about my wonderfully amorphic boobs and she’s still my friend.
• She’ll tell me amorphic isn’t a word.
• She has a secret blog that she won’t let me see (that’s not really great, but I want to rub it in)

That would be me. I didn’t get officially registered, so technically I don’t count. So there. Take That.

Tragically, too much sake results in taking pictures at sushi restaurant. It also results in writing poetry about fish. Which I shall spare you. And you shall thank me.