Anne and Lora

My crazy girlfriend who wants to run MdS with me (we're at her daughter's wedding this past Saturday night)!!

Marathon Des Sables

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4714647&affil=wls

I'm on the list!!

Hopefully, Jay and Lisa will have room for me!! If so, this year I will be training heavy--and it's all about Mom. She was so proud of me when I did Rocky Raccoon, one of my cousins from Israel emailed us her answering machine message, which we read at the funeral, where she talked about it (and my brother transferred it over to a file that I now have on my computer). So this is for you Mom! I know you'll be watching me the whole way!!

I"ve finally started to lose weight. My head just wasn't in it. I have been watching my weight since I hit puberty and it's so damn tiring! I have a real sugar addiction, especially chocolate, so it's really a life-long thing. But when I started getting close to hitting 50, I felt like enough is enough. At this age I should eat whatever I want, whenever I want it! Right??!! Wrong!!

This extra 20 lbs I gained (and most of it from my old office job--geeze, the crap everyone keeps around by their desks is evil! I'm back in the field seeing patients, so bye-bye office and all your sugar-shit!!) just has to go.

I've been running outside again. The weather in Chicago has finally broken, so I'm running during the week by Northwestern University, and on Saturdays I'm back with my running group on the lake in Chicago.

It's been a bit of an adjustment being outside due to my asthma, but I'm working on it. Slowly but surely I'll get it all back.

I'll be leading the Chicago Half Marathon training program again this year. We had 200 sign up for it last year, and they are predicting more this year. Unreal how many are getting into running. The Chicago Marathon just closed -- hitting 45,000 already!! So I guess it'll continue to take me 25 minutes to get to that starting line!!

I've also signed up for a Women's Only Running Camp in June led by Coach Lisa. It'll be in Wyoming in a beautiful resort Grand Targhee Resort so I'm really looking forward to all I'll learn there. And Lisa told me there'll be someone there that walked the MDS this year, which is my plan next year. I'll be pulling lots of stuff from her brain!!

and so, life does goes on...........

New Goals

After a long walk with my pup on Sunday, I realized I need a big goal to keep me occupied. So I called Coach Lisa and told her my idea. She told me to wait a week or two before I make a decision. So I'll wait to tell you all.

Some hints:

It's in the desert,

This year's just finished,

my Coach has lots of info about it on her blog.

Can you guess??????

Back Home

I came home this evening, a very rough week it was.

I am still in shock, and anger is now breaking through.

The last time I saw my Mother was at Rocky Raccoon.
I just might have to get back there next year and beat that baby.

Spring seems to have broken through - hopefully, I'll get outside tomorrow morning for a well-deserved run.

Thank you all for your wishes and prayers. It helped.

Mom

I lost my precious Mom yesterday.
Life will never be the same.

Rocky Raccoon

Bottom Line......I made 40 miles and couldn't go any further. But I had a blast!!

Friday....Got a call at home from the airlines that the flight was cancelled. Made new reservations for 3 hours later, but when I got to the airport, that was delayed two hours.

While waiting for the flight I heard my name being called. It was Juli Aistars, a runner from my running club, and a great ultrarunner. We chatted until the plane boarded and she gave me lots of encouragement and tips. She was going to be pacing a first-time 100 miler(and she was successful--the runner was DFL!).

We got in too late to make it to the packet pickup, so I woke up earlier on Saturday to figure out how to get to the Start. My daughter was driving me there, leaving my Mom sleeping so that my daughter could come back, sleep some more and have breakfast with Grandma.

Coach Lisa saw me as soon as I walked into the packet pickup and told me to get moving, the race was starting in 1/2 hour. I thought it was an hour later!! Yikes!! I got my number, my chip and went outside where Lisa introduced me to other Dreamchasers (she had 40 of us there!). I set up my chairs and drop bag by the Dreamchasers tent and lined up. I threw my daughter a kiss goodbye and took off. Soon enough I was one of the last runners....which was just fine with me.

I kept an easy pace....enjoying the beautiful scenery and the runners around me. I carried a water bottle and had a fanny pack with salt tablets, Cliff Bloks, electrolytes and tissues--and many notes of encouragement from friends. I made it to the first aid station. I saw Deb, a long-blond-haired lady, who wrote on the ultra list that she'd be at this station and I introduced myself. She was as sweet as could be and chatted with me for a bit, showing off her 500 mile jacket. As I ran off, grabbing a handful of m&ms, she yelled out, "Best advice I can give you is to have fun!" This became a joke as I wished other runners passing me to "have fun" and they made comments to the affect of--"if this is fun, we're nuts!"

I was going along easy, marvelling at how many runners passing me in the other direction were voicing encouragement. I passed Bad Ben, recognized him and yelled back, "Hi Ben", and he yelled out, "Hi Lora". Funny this whole blogging community. I also recognized Kim from the Trails and Tribulations blog--quite smart looking in hot pink! Catra was also on the trail. How cool is all this!!??

The first loop of 16.6 miles took me 5 hours. I was on track. Coach Lisa predicted 15-16 hours for me, so all was good. I took off on the next loop with the walkers that Lisa introduced me to, Colleen and Marisol. They were a blast, and the three of us were busy admiring the guys that were running towards us (another bonus of being a runner!!). I lost them after about 6 miles, so I trudged along on my own. I continued eating M&M's at the stations, along with oreos, potatoes dipped in salt and chicken soup. I had no problems with my stomach and no issues from sweating.

Between Debs aid station and the next, I noticed a very young, fit guy running ahead of me. He had no shirt on and his back was full of salt. He was at the next aid station when I got there and I knew that couldn't be good for him if he was keeping up with this old lady. He stayed in front of me on the way back to Debs aid station, walking most of the way. When I got to her station I asked him how he was doing. He said he was wiped out and that this was his second attempt at a 50-miler, the last one he DNF'd. I mentioned that he lost a lot of salt, and asked if he was taking any supplements, "No Ma'am" he said (love these Southern men!), so I gave him my last salt tablet, walked a bit with him and then he took off. I hope he made his goal! I saw Bad Ben again and we high-fived each other--he looked fresh and I suppose he must have been on his 3rd lap, going for the 100. How inspiring!

I struggled after about 13 miles on the second loop. As I got closer to the Start, I called my daughter to come find me on the trail and help walk me in. She asked if I was going out again and I told her I had nothing left. But when I got back to the tent, Coach Lisa wouldn't hear of it. She asked me what was bothering me the most and I told her my feet were killing me. We checked that I had no blisters--I didn't-- and she said she had "magic" shoes, and made me put them on. Then she told my daughter to put my shoes on. I got my headlamp on and accepted that I had to go back out there. My poor little Jewish Mother was not happy. She begged me to go back to the hotel, but I told her I'd be okay with Steph with me and she was more accepting of it. I found out later that Colleen and Marisol drove Mom back to the hotel so she wouldn't have to wait up til midnight waiting for me. Thanks Gals!!

Steph and I took off. It was around 6:30pm and darkness was setting in. I had never trained in the dark and I was actually pretty excited about it. My daughter, though, was freaked out. The further along we went, the more scared she became. My focus became her, and I told her how cool the aid stations were and she looked forward to getting there. But after we left the first aid station, things got worse for her. She clutched onto me and I had to soothe her while I was struggling myself to keep moving. The next aid station was 2 1/2 miles away, and I knew it seemed like it would take forever to get there based on my last two laps. The noises in the woods were thrilling to me, but to Steph it was totally creepy. I kept soothing her but she started to cry and when we finally made it to the next aid station, I knew I couldn't go on. One guy at the station tried to refuse to let me drop. He gave me an awesome foot massage, where he had all the guys around him admiring my high arch. Gosh--runners are weirder than I thought!! :)

We had to walk 1/2 mile to the next aid station, off the trail, in order to get driven in. This was even creepier for Steph because here there weren't even other people around with their headlamps (some had awesome yellow, green and red lights!). But we made it, and she stopped crying. She felt terrible that she made me drop, but I assured her that my feet and legs were hurting terribly.

We met up with Lisa at the tent and I was nervous about telling her that I dropped out before finishing, But she was great. She said something I'll never forget---"Anyone can run a marathon, but very few can run for 40 miles." Thank you Lisa, for all you've given me to get me here.

What's next?? I'm not sure yet. But I know I'm not done here.

Coach Lisa & Moi

My Daughter, Me and Mom

Rocky....here I come....

We're expecting a storm to come through late this afternoon in the Chicagoland area....will I get out Friday morning??? Will I make it to the race?? Should I mapquest the drive to Texas just in case??

Well...I'm getting ready. Got a drop bag to pack (my very first one!) besides my suitcase. Hopefully, I know what I'm doing and I'll have everything I need. I'm one of those that packs too little---I know....strange for a woman! But I've just always been like that. And don't think I'll go shopping if I'm missing anything...I hate shopping!! Too much testosterone in me maybe. Whateva.

I must say I don't feel ready to run 50 miles. I'm just feeling slow lately. Well, lately has been for months. I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm going to get out there and have fun and see what the day brings me. I'm looking forward to meeting people from the Ultra list and more bloggers.

My Mom is meeting me down in Texas and my daughter is flying down with me, so I have a super supportive crew. I was hoping for a friend to run with me, but it looks like business responsibilities have kept him from training. Oh well--maybe it's best I don't have someone to distract me.

Orders from Coach Lisa is to just keep moving--"eat, drink and move"....so that will be my mantra. I'm placing encouraging words from my coworkers in my fanny pack and I've printed out encouraging words from the ultrarunner that encouraged me to do this race (thanks Dave Bursler!).

So what's my goal? Coach thinks I'll do the 50 in 15-16 hours, so there it is.

Okay now.....BRING IT ON!!!

winter, winter go away

Challenged!!

Mr Will---my buddy from www.leannesslifestyle.com has challenged me to a weight loss. First one to lose 20 lbs is the winner......the loser then wears the title of Queer. These English boys are so cute......check him out........

MySpaceTV Videos: Leanness Lifestyle - training with Tayah!! by Mr.Will

Red Runner

All ready for my run on Saturday. Orders were to go a total of 5 hours---3 hours in the parking garage attached to my condo building, powerwalking up and running down, and then another 2 hours in the streets going 4/1 run/walk.

I made it for one hour in the garage, then the cold got the best of me. I'm already tired of the winter here in Chicago. It just gets worse for me each year.

So I went back to my condo, changed to shorts, and went to the gym for the rest of the run (the gym is in my building).

I made it another 3 hours before I totally pooped out. I only brought gels with me and I guess that wasn't enough nutrition. So I'll be more prepared next time.

Four weeks until Rocky Raccoon!! Holy Crap!!

Happy New Year!!

Dinner, drinking and dancing....what a way to celebrate!!

That's me and my girlfriend, Anu, spreading good cheer.

Hope the new year brings you much joy and many hours out on the trails!!

Cleansing Diet

Yep....it's that time again.

Master Cleanser, Lemonade Diet, Beyonce Diet Neera Super Cleanse

I'm starting the cleansing today.....and plugging away on it for 5 days.....so don't say anything that will make me cranky!!

Saturday Long Run

where I ran on Saturday for 3 hours............

where I was running two weeks ago.......

Life isn't fair!!

somebody doesn't have the xmas spirit...

Drugs In Sports

In light of what's going on with the drug exposure in baseball--I found a very interesting commentary from Joan Nesbit Mabe regarding our sport:

songs of experience » Drugs Killed Ryan Shay

May we all enjoy our sport, and every sport, honestly some day.

Tucson Marathon

I arrived in Tucson the day before the Marathon and was thrilled to see the magnificent hotel we were staying at! The Hilton El Conquistidor was surrounded by mountains with a glorious long-drive entering the compound. I splurged on the room as this was my 50th birthday celebration to myself!!

We all met up at the Expo and got our race bags. Coach Lisa was manning the table with race accessories to buy, so I introduced myself! It was great to finally meet her!! She introduced me to her friend, Greg, who was helping her out and running his first Marathon the next day. And she introduced me to one of her clients, manning the Muscle Release Spray booth, also running his first marathon. I, of course, bought his product to keep in my drop bag for the end of the race (it works to relieve muscle aches and pain).

Afterwards, my running group went for snacks in the hotel lobby (where this pic was taken) and shared our excitement for the next day. Three of us were running the Marathon, the other four were doing the half marathon. One was shooting to qualify for Boston, as she obviously couldn't do it at the Chicago Marathon, and this race offered us disappointed Chicago Marathoners a discount for entry. Thanks Race Directors!!

We all had signed up for the pasta dinner, so after running back to our rooms, we met back there. It was a fun dinner, the MC was very engaging and almost all of us got prizes! I got mine for having a close birthday (a hat and a running bottle with a handle!).

A crazed gal ran into the room while all this was going on and stated she had just been proposed to! It took her awhile to catch her breath and state this, and the MC was pretty nervous as to what he was dealing with. She flew out of the room as quickly as she flew in, and we were all in a state of amazement over her looney approach. The MC regained composure and we all had a good chuckle over it.

Shortly after we all went back to our rooms to prepare for a hopefully sleepful night. I decided to order room service then, as it wouldn't be open at 4 am (we had to catch the bus to the start by 5am). Luckily, they were okay with getting me a pb&j sandwich and a banana (Elvis would be envious).

I slept well, woke up, got dressed and headed out to the buses. I wished the half marathoners good luck and we parted ways. I didn't know anyone on the bus, so I chatted with the gal next to me (running her first marathon and hoping to BQ) ate my breakfast and watched outside for the sunrise. The driver stopped a couple of times to check his map. Ohoh! Sure enough, he got to the top of a mountain, tried to turn around and then asked us all to disembark since he was stuck in mud!! Now this was an adventure!!

We all got off the bus, cheered him on as he got out of the mud and tried to get our cell phones to find service as the driver was lost! Well, no luck with the phones--but the driver called to the front of the bus one of the runners that had told him she had driven the course the day before. He found the correct turnoff (he was wearing s Sox hat--so no wonder he couldn't find his way!!!) and we finally got to the lineup with the rest of the buses with 45 minutes before the start.

I stayed on the bus to remain warm, sipping on my newly won water bottle and watching the sunrise. Well, if you've never been to the Southwest, do put it on your list!! The sun rises creating all different shades of reds, oranges and the shadows on the mountains just leave you breathless. No wonder Georgie O'Keefe settled close by to paint her magnificent portraits.

I finally got off the bus and trecked up the hill to the first two buses which were where we had to leave our drop bags. I lined up at the back of the runners, knowing that this was my first non-flat race, and the hill was probably going to be my great challenge.

We listened to the "On your mark, get set, GO" guy, and took off, realizing that we never sang the National Anthem!! ohoh---don't let us be jinxed now!!

I had my running orders from Lisa---just run/walk for the first five miles at a pace that allows you to talk. Okay---talking down the mountain was a challenge, so I walked more than I would have liked. I found myself at the back-of-the-pack quickly and started chatting with three big guys who were running together and having quite the good time. I also met a former Chicagoan, doing the relay, who filled me in on his new life in Tucson. (Did I mention that I was considering Tucson as a place to retire and this was one reason for coming here???) So he told me how much he loved it here, and I discovered I was running waaaaay too fast and slowed myself up ( 1 1/2 minutes faster than I'm supposed to!! ohoh)

We all kind of ran close to each other and soon picked up another guy at our pace. This guy was all bundled up around his head and stated this was his first marathon and the longest he'd run was 13 miles. I told him to stick with me and I'd get him through. After chatting a bit, I realized he was one of the guys Coach Lisa introduced me to, so we now had a lot more to talk about.

He, Greg, was carrying two water bottles and was not a happy camper over how much Lisa had told him to drink. He soon needed a potty break, with no porta potties in sight. I told him to just head off the trail a bit, and I'd walk so he could catch up to me. Well....when he caught back up his legs were all scratched and bleeding!! My "Nursey Hat" immediately flew on my head, and I offered to clean him up, but he refused, stating he was really okay, it was just stinging. So I "chucked that hat" off and resumed being a runner. Meanwhile, Greg started entertaining me with some of his wild life stories, and I found myself not paying attention to my watch and giggling and loving the scenery way too much!!!

The 10-14 mile section of the race is uphill and downhill and I decided to mostly walk the uphill. We soon found ourselves at the back of the runners, with about only 7 people behind us!! We also had to stop at each porta potty so Greg could get rid of all the water Lisa was pushing down his throat! Though I must admit, one stop had me using the potty too!! Well, I realized I was waaaay behind the time I was shooting for, so I decided this race was going to be about totally enjoying myself and just getting through it.

I started to get tired around the 21 miler mark, and Greg, who probably could have taken off ahead of me, stayed with me to keep me going!! Boy how quickly the tables can turn!! We met up with two guys, one who was 19 and not trained for the race, but being coached by a friend, and kept up with them a bit, but the competitive Lora decided to blow the 19-year old out of the water, so Greg and I took off, leaving him to eat our dust! (in reality I came in only about 2 minutes before him but I just love that "eat my dust" saying!!).

At around mile 24, the medic on the bike came by us to see if we were okay. By now, the truck was coming by to pick up the cones off the street!! I yelled at the driver, but he ignored me! Hey---we're still out here!! And we didn't know where to go!!! The biker Doc said he'd meet us up ahead where the turn into residential streets was supposed to happen.

Well, we got there ahead of him, but saw him up ahead, so we made the turn. The truck that follows the racers was there and asked us if we wanted a ride in. NO WAY!!! Greg didn't care about his time, he just wanted to finish. So we just trudged in, and at around mile 26, I got a call from one of my Chicago runners asking if I was okay. I told him I was almost there and they all came to see me run in. Greg finally took off ahead of me, and made it in one minute before me.

So my time???? 6:22!!! Crazy I know---but I just loved this race, I had a wonderful time and didn't care that I blew my goal AND the race ended at 6 hours!! Know what?? I just love that I can be out there, meet new people and have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery that Mother Nature has bestowed on us. I also love that I have this attitude. Gratitude! That's what it's all about for me now. Thank you legs for letting me do all these races! I'm happy where I'm at---and I have lots ahead of me in terms of running. I'll fill you in soon!

In the meantime----I'm training for Rocky Raccoon 50-miler! It's another present to myself. Fifty miles for my 50th year!! No time constraints!! I just want to get out there and do it without any injuries. So here we go again...............

Go Bears!!

Bears party this Sunday with some wild running friends above. Making my favorite salsa dish. Can't wait!!!

Sometimes ya just gotta party!!!!!

Whole different way to Train

It's been an interesting ride with my Coach. I keep having to ask her if I'll be ready for this upcoming marathon. Four weeks away, and no recent 20 miler!!! But she says I'm ready.

I did a lot of Saturday and Sunday long runs. Lots of cross training during the week. And now I'm focusing on getting my Quads strong as the course is all downhill. Hard to find hills in Chicago to train on, but they have a man made one on the lakefront. So this past Saturday I ran up and down it for 2 3/4 hours. Hope that counts!!!

My weight stays the same, but I'm tightening up. I've gotten real tired of watching the calories (or Points--25 nurses at work have joined Weight Watchers, so the meeting is at our office!) I joined in with the group.....but I'm not behaving!! I'm supposed to get 7 points for my workout days, but the leader says we can't take more than 4!! What's up with that???!!! I'm hungry, damnit!

So I'm rebelling from the "diet" and just eating healthy (well, don't count the animal crackers I like to munch on late at night!)

I guess I'll just stay a size 8---cant complain about that now, can I???

I've gotten a small group of runners to continue on from the half marathon training program. We do monthly pot luck dinners, and now we started a book club. First book is, "Eat, Pray, Love" (my suggestion). Four are coming with me to Tucson to do the half marathon. I'm loving this!!!