Fueled by Spite

Well after the big scare and Eugene, oh and regular life I’ve been pretty wiped out. The other day I took a 1.45 min nap followed by another hour nap after eating a bowl of Cheerios. Romantic, no?

Mothers Day I did my first triathlon. Totally last minute and you can tell im confused (unlike normal). Just a sprint version, in a pool baby style.

It was fun, I guess. I feel fairly indifferent; perhaps because it was so small and really, really poorly organized.
I mean it was, swim, RUN, bike in that order because they didn’t have permits to close off the streets so we had to run 2 laps around a janky soccer field, thru a parking lot, and over a gravel driveway to get out bikes which were placed out of city limits. Whatever. It was fine. The swim was only 10 laps but challenging. The run was down right stupid, and the bike was kinda boring. The shirts are cute and it was only 20 bucks so happy mothers day to me. It took me about 1:20 but I got the first one over with pain free.

I have not really run since Eugene and I’m starting to crave a good run. I don’t want to loose all my fitness but my shin needs to be completely healed before I push it again. Hopefully this week I’ll give the legs a whirl outside on the pavement. I just don’t want to come this far in the “healing process” to F it up. Ok, really it’s just an excuse for burnout and having cocktails. Im good with that….just for a few more days.

Any body experience burn out? How long until you snap out of it?

Over a month ago I found a lump in my left breast. I went to the doctor and he could feel it and instructed me to come back in a few weeks. I did. Lump still there. He scheduled an ultrasound for the following week (Thursday right before Eugene). I had to take my 4 year old daughter thinking it would be quick because I wasn’t really worried. The quick appointment turned into 2 hours of worry. They did the ultrasound, then I had to get a mammogram and then discuss the lump. Most of the characteristics seemed benign but there was enough suspicion to do a needle biopsy or take the lump out. Whoa. Wait. This was a lot to digest and try to keep calm with a hungry bored 4 year old.

I opted for the needle biopsy. We scheduled it for Tuesday.

The radiologist who did the procedure is a friend of ours and when I saw his concerned face I fell apart. He was great and as gentle as he could be. Being in the room with the ultrasound machine, my husband, and concerned physicians brought back all the memories and heartache with my pregnancies. I just wanted to be left the fuck alone! Be normal. Not have to worry. It seems just when life is almost so good you need to pinch yourself, that is when the other shoe drops. I knew it. Too good to be true. I just tried to maintain calm. I looked over at my poor husband and he was green in the face and looked pretty upset. He never looks upset. Ugh. I was so glad he was there to suffer with me support me. He’s pretty great.

This was not fun but there are worse things. Like the waiting for the results. The discussions you don’t want to have and don’t because nothing is confirmed yet.
Waiting….waiting…
Thursday morning our friend, the radiologist called and left the best message on my phone.

BENIGN!

Holy crap. What a week. I was so exhausted. Coupled with the fact that we served over 2,000 people for different catering events in the valley for Spring Release wines. Oh and I had just run a marathon. Literally.

Please let’s not have the other shoe drop. I love my life. I love my kids and I even still like my joy killer husband. I have the most awesome friends and a great supportive family.

Happy Mother’s Day weekend! I’m off to a 25 mile bike ride! What are you doing this weekend?

I have not run since Eugene. Spin a couple of times and that’s it. Im purposely not running because there may or may not be a few more things I want to be completely rested for. The weather has been truly gorgeous here so Sunday when our good buddy and trouble maker stolled by with his two littles ones we chatted on the front lawn and caught up. I vented to him how I drug the kids in the car to the Y so I could do the elliptical but wouldn’t you know the kids room was closed. The first Sunday of the new schedule I suppose. I let the kids run around the gym while I did some weights then just bagged the workout because the kids kept being crazy and I was tired of fighting them. So, Sean in his brilliance (because he needed an extra girl) asked me if I wanted to sub on his rec soccer league in about an hour. I don’t know, it was beautiful out, he assured me I do fine and all I had to do was kinda stand there and run occasionally. I mean I can run 26.2 miles so I should be golden.

I have NEVER played soccer before. Never. Ever. I’ve never played any sports, not by MY choice just my back ass upbringing. I told Sean over and over but it didn’t seem to phase him. Plus, I’m not gonna lie, it sounded super fun.

I had about an hour to find some cleats and watch my husband laugh at me then it was go time. Thankfully I’m a dwarf and I was able to borrow my good friends 4th grade daughter cleats and shin guards.

I hopped in the

Just trying to be discreet, you know, and arrived.

Turns out the team I was playing on is sponsored by the same team my husband plays softball on… They were all drinking beer when I showed up. The teams are sponsored by a local great watering hole. Now normally, I know, and you know, I’m totally down with that but when I looked at my opponents and couldn’t really understand the Spanish they were slinging I started to freak. It didn’t help that they all looked about 18. I was going to get my ass kicked. I’ve watched my son play soccer numerous times but the only thing I gathered from that was, “Left Foot!! Left Foot!!! Back up!! Back up!!!”
No freaking clue. As I was leaving home and my husband was snorting beer out of his nose from laughing so hard he gave me this sage advice,”Don’t touch the ball unless you have to. Pick a girl and just block her.”
Ok.

stolen pic from Internet

So I was just going to block her. Well apparently I was white on rice I guess. Hey I even stole the ball once. She did not seem that thrilled with me. I guess my “ring scratched” her. I apologized very sincerely because I felt terrible and told her it was my first time playing. She just kinda nodded and never made eye contact with me the rest of the time. Well…excuse me. But if I’m doing something “wrong” tell me. I said sorry a few times and I don’t even know what for; I have no clue I just thought I was supposed to look like the girl in the picture above. My teammates in their buzzed haze said I was doing great. Well shit. Bring it then. So I continued to be right on her.
It was tough. Talk about a sprint workout! I was so winded I nearly wanted to puke a few times. But I didn’t because I needed to protect my spot! God, take things a little to serious Becca? And I wonder where my son (who we mirror each other tremendously) gets it from!?
So that was Sunday. I think we won too.

Where I run

What’s something athletic you’ve never done? How did go?

Eugene was great for many, many reasons; but one was the free 15 minute massage at the end. Bonus! After the rub down we headed back to the hotel for our well deserved Fireball whiskey. A standard post race event I’m told from Brooke. So like a good Indian, I followed the plan. I didn’t even put up a fight.

Brooke and Niki had to drive back so we parted ways. Diane and I shopped and walked around which was great for the legs and I abused the free hotel ice machine.

We finally made it home and celebrated with the family. I think my husband was more relieved I got sub 4 then I was. Good lord I could stand another 6 months of my bitching either.
My son was really proud of me but disappointed I didn’t qualify for Boston; he was really hoping to see The Green Monster.
I couldn’t tell how my shins were because my quads were horrendous. Holy crap, please no stairs! And dam it I wish I could stand and pee. Whoa, I was shocked they were so sore. But my son, being the genetically gifted entrepreneur offered to roll my legs. For a fee. Good job Sam, way to exploit your mom.

So I have not run since the race. The only thing I did was spin once. Oh and…

Now I just stalk and drool over other people running. Totally normal right?!

Do you stare at other people when they are running and you are not?How much time do you take off from running after a big race?Whats you drink of choice afterward?

The night before was awesome we carbo loaded, shopped, and gave each other a good leg rub down.

Brooke, God Bless her speedy little heart said we ought to wake up at 4:00 am to eat, 3 hours before the start. “Follow the plan!” is what she kept saying. I told those crazy girls they need to go eat in the closet and keep the lights off. That’s just too dam early!

But with all the laughing and nervous energy I gagged down a bagel while practically sleeping. Follow the plan!
Now we are up and at em almost ready to leave. I swear to God maybe eating so early was good because I was so freaking nervous I almost puked while brushing my teeth!

Dear god what am I doing!? 26.2 miles is far and I didn’t train the way I wanted! Ugh no backing out now!

We hopped on the school bus to the start. Got in line for the Honey Buckets and I nearly puked again. So gross. So nervous. Niki was assigned coral B and we were in coral A. So there was a little sneaking to get her in coral A with us. My goal was obviously sub 4 and I was really hoping for at least 3:48, the right side of 12 you know. I felt so out if place in coral A. What the hell?! All these people are fast! I’m gonna get run over! I took a deep breath and reminded myself that even if I didn’t go 3:45 ish that I was most definitely not going over 4 hours so my happy, kinda unprepared ass is staying put!
The gun started and off we went. I’m pretty slow to warm up, I never go out fast, and the same held true race day. Just stay under a nine minute mile and don’t risk blowing Goal A. Let the crowds thin out and just hang back. No hurry 24 miles to go. Niki and I had kinda agreed to run the first 18-20 together then if gas in the tank go for it. Main objective sub 4. Duh.
It was about 50 and overcast but warmed up a bit and by mile 7 I took my shirt off and ran just in a very thin unpadded sports bra.I just hate things touching me. But holy god if I would have realized how terrible I looked maybe I would have kept my tank top on. Ah, probably not.
I felt great! A tiny bit of side aches at the beginning(which I never get). But no shin issues and I was just happy to be running so effortlessly. The plan was to run without music until mile 13 but I didn’t need it until mile 16 or so. I think it was at mile 17 I just said to myself, ” I love this shit! I love you marathon! Let’s do this!”
I can’t remember where exactly Niki and I parted ways, I think it was around 20 and I was really done screwing around. I wanted to put every ounce into this. I could hurt tomorrow. I kept crazy even splits almost the entire race. The last 2 miles were in the low 9′s and it was getting quite warm. No one passed me the last 2-3 miles and I was chewing them up the best I could. I “chicked” this guy that I had seen a few times and there was no way in hell I was going to let him pass me! No. Freaking. Way.
Mile 25 I saw Brooke standing on the curb looking for us. I don’t think I was ever so happy to see someone! She is a rockstar and knows just what to say. It was a pretty emotional experience to see her and I can’t repay her enough!
I knew I had it and I kept gutting it out. But where the hell was Hayward Field?! I should be able to see it!
A few moments later there it was!

Running through the gates and onto Hayward was awesome! I gave it everything I had! Dipped into low 8 min pace.

Most heinous race picture ever but I’m owing it! I don’t care! Take that 26.2!
And just like that…it was over.

The three of us doing the full PRed and Diane, my good buddy BQed with 5 minutes to spare! Brooke was injured so walked the half as to not risk anything and she practically walks faster than I run.
A truly wonderful weekend!
Can you top that?!

3:54!

Here we go! The 6 hr drive felt like an hour, good times! Stopped at Road Runner Sports and bought some stuff. Got orthotics so we’ll see how they play out….later. Not tomorrow.

The outfit because any proper blogger fills space with their outfits.
We had awesome pasta for dinner at Noli Cafe that I found on Yelp. I love Yelp!
Ok well night time!

I was doing totally fine, pumped and excited about the race. Now, I feel like I want to puke. My shins still hurt and I think I am getting the black lung. We leave in 2 days. Holy crap 26.2 miles is a long freaggin way to run. I challenge you to make a conscience choice to drive the distance one day and you’ll see. Then to run it?! Then to say, “I want to run it so and so time.” Marathoners are crazy. Ok enough worry here. It’s too late, the work is done. No cramming for marathons.
Oh yeah my bib number for Eugene is 1315.

On another note, look at this beauty. Now we have two vehicles for the business. The drive thru is actually going pretty well! We’re not losing money so that’s a success right there.
Well let’s have marathon success and business success. That’s not too much ask is it?

Do you ever drive the 26.2 course before you run it? Does it help you or freak you out?Are you calm before races or nutty?

Where I run

What….wait?!? I lost a follower? Come on guys. If you read you may as well follow. You know you want to; it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Where I run