Keeping Pace

Keeping Pace

Archives for December 2009

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree

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During Saturday’s Annual Ho Ho Ho Run, Mark described how this year he got a grocery store tree instead of heading into the mountains to cut one down as he usually does.  Earlier in the week my friend, Wendy admitted doing the same. And as my friends’ deviate from their Christmas tree traditions, I found myself doing the same.

One factor that came into play this year was my little car.  It seems the MommyVan was good for things like dog hauling and tree toting.  *sigh*  But another consideration was the one that hit hard: it seems that the majority of the Christmas season would NOT be spent at home.  And if I’m not going to be home, than is it right to kill a tree just so my home will smell like Christmas when I am?

I decided that an artificial tree made a whole lot of sense and soon we were heading off to find just the right one.  That was easier said than done.  Have you seen how much these trees cost?  I selected a 6′ tree, brought it home, and immediately began assembly.  Right away, I didn’t like it.  The tree was anorexic looking.  Don’t the artificial tree makers know that Christmas trees are supposed to be wider at the bottom.

As we began hanging the ornaments, I became more and more depressed.  While our tree trimming experience was slightly different from last year, there remains the same underlying sadness.  Our family still feels broken. With DD staying in Southern California for the holidays, I began wondering how I could manage to find joy in the day.  More importantly, how would I ever bring enough joy to the day for my boys’ sake?

I took a break from the tree trimming and went upstairs for a hot shower.  Almost immediately, I realized how silly it was to keep a tree that I didn’t like.  I yelled down to YaYa to remove the ornaments so that we could return the tree and get one that we would like year after year.

Unfortunately, the tree that I wanted was sold out — in all 3 stores that we went to.  At one point, I sat in my car in tears. Lil Sis talked me down off the ledge.  Focus on the positive, she urged.

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The Show Must Go On

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IMG_1343.JPGEvery year it is the same. We don our Santa hats and meet up for our annual Ho Ho Ho Run. This was how we kicked off our marathon training. It was the first marathon for each of us, and the first year of the Ho Ho Ho Run. And we had such a jolly good time, running in the rain and greeting the passersby that we decided to do it each and every year since 2002.

This year, Mark and I were the only ones enthusiastic enough to face the rainfall and head out. I think that Mark has a similar view as mine: rain or shine, the show MUST go on.

So it did. And we had a grand time.

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Racing against time

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It’s a product of where I live — this hustle and bustle pace.  While it’s one thing to push hard in a marathon when trying to meet a time goal, it’s another thing to live in this constant state of racing-the-clock.  I should be used to it…but I’m not.

My life has been in a constant state of fast-forward from the moment my suitcase landed on the front steps.  It’s really no different from the norm; it just took getting away from it to appreciate the difference.

Within the first few hours of coming home, I picked up my new eyeglasses, drove to the Federal Express office to pick up a package, got YaYa at school, picked up the dogs from the kennel, and went to a mandatory lecture at the church.  I went to bed exhausted and awoke soon after, or so it seemed.

My alarm clock gave me a rather rude awakening.  Rush, rush, rush… It seems that this entire week we have been running behind schedule. No matter how hard we try to beat the clock, something always slows us down: missing uniform sweatshirt, broken shoelace, or dog puke.  On the road, the cars move too slow and the lights turn red just as I’m nearing the intersection.  I’m stopped but time keeps ticking on, and on, and on…

Meanwhile, my calendar of events keeps filling up, and I have yet to buy one Christmas present.  *sigh* 

I’m not complaining — really — I’m just saying.  After all, I choose to live here.  Still, the pace does make running a marathon seem like a nice break.  Certainly, GREAT company on the run, beautiful scenary, and a steady infusion of endorphins helps. 

Here’s hoping that I can get a few things done this weekend.  Have a great one everyone!

Running with Coach Jeff: Oh what a drag!

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Although I’ve had a long-standing rule to race ALONE, I made an exception for today’s marathon in Santa Barbara. Coach Jeff offered to come out and pace me for the entire route. I responded with a “hell yeah.”  It was only later that memories of running 16 miles of CIM with Big Sis at my side — being a little too honest about how awful I looked — left me wondering if I was too quick to reply.  I attempted to reassure myself thinking that surely Jeff would NOT do the same.  After all, he’s been reading my blog for years now and knows my quirky hang ups.

Of course I had no way of knowing how running with Jeff would be and, given my sensitivity to even the people running near me, I was rightfully nervous. So after managing to overcome some unexpected challenges in getting from Laguna Beach to Santa Barbara, Jeff telling me that he had a bit of a change in race day plans was met with apprehension.

The night before race day was filled with the typical restlessness and anxiety one would expect. I completed my usual obsessively laying out my race-wear, filled up my CamelBak with Perpetuum, loaded the pockets with GU, and attached my chip to my shoe. Everything from breakfast to the cardkey for my room was set out before my head hit the pillow at 9:30 pm.

Race morning came all too quick.  I was out of bed at 4 am and was out the door an hour later with my dear friend Mark, who was to run his 1st marathon. Our chariot, driven by Lesley (Jeff’s friend), met us at the corner by the hotel. Out jumped Jeff wearing a Santa hat — with braids attached! While in route, he filled us in on the plans for the rest of his costume.

Things went like clockwork: we got to the start 1 hour early, took a turn in the port-o-potty TWICE, and got race ready. You could say that a few heads turned as Jeff put the finishing touches on his costume. Just when the clock was nearing start time, the delayed start was announced. More milling about was followed by a mass run for the trees and bushes until finally we were lining up.

Minutes later, we were off and running. Our braids were swinging, jokes were flying, and it was certain that a good day was ahead of us. The race course took us through two loops of Goleta, allowing those who were just not sure if it was Santa they saw running past, or something else, to get a 2nd look. Jeff played along and gave a wave or a high-5 to many of the little kids, and showed some leg to many of the big kids.

The whole way, there was laughter and cheer coming our way. It put a smile on my face in the early miles and made me smile on the inside when I could no longer muster a smile in the later miles. It also caught the attention of Drew — a blogger that I’d only known virtually until race day. Drew ran with us for a bit here and there, adding to the jokes on Jeff’s race attire and throwing some encouragement my way.

Image Source: A Running Gag
Image Source: A Running Gag

The course was much tougher than I’d expected. The pavement pounded on my body and the hills put up barriers for me to overcome — which I DID! The whole way, Jeff ran by my side and told me exactly what I needed to hear. When I was sure that there was no way that I could hit my time goal, he kept me going. When my mind had turned to mush, he took the elapsed time and “extrapolated” for me. Forever he delivered the “Impossible is Nothing” message which I needed to hear and have always associated with the Boston Marathon. When I was feeling weak, he told me that I was looking strong. When the hills wear defeating me, he reminded me of my training and chimed “you eat hills for breakfast.” And, silly as it might seem, it was just what I needed to hear. Even when Ms. Garminia was telling me that my goal was slipping away, Jeff was telling me that I could do it.

I still don’t have my Boston Qualification but I’m okay with that. I’m not at all disappointed in my race experience because I can honestly say that I pushed harder than I ever dreamed I could. It’s a whole lot easier to keep pace when the you are ahead of your goal. When you are chasing that goal from behind, it’s a whole different thing to not give up even as you are watching it slip farther and farther away.

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Prioritizing

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It’s been packing, packing, packing…ALL week long (for me, for YaYa, and for the dogs). When it came to packing for me, I wanted to bring everything — including the kitchen sink — but was limited to 1 1/2 suitcases. The challenge of an added business trip (3 days of dinners and meetings) to my marathon weekend forced me to do some careful prioritization. What I need vs what want for my marathon (pre, during, and post) are different. The foam roller could not accompany on this trip however, I made room for my coffee, M&J’s power snacks (baked the night before departure), sleep aid, etc.

More prioritization came into play when I began considering the need to check one of my bags. What if I was lost? One might expect that since the work meetings (for my NEW job) were first in line, I’d keep my business clothes with me. This, I did not. Instead, I placed my racewear, shoes, Ms. Garminia, and laptop in my carry-on. I did make room for one business outfit.

Fortunately, everything arrived just fine. I am now roughing it (as you can see) in a fabulous seaside resort.

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