From Boston to DC

Well, maybe it wasn't the smartest decision that I have ever made, but I think I came out okay in spite of it. This past weekend, I ventured with three other running buddies from the Cleveland area to the Nike Women's Half Marathon in Washington, DC.  Normally, I would not have thought about running a half marathon 6 days after a full marathon (I might be a Marathon Maniac and Half Fanatic, but that is too close for me) except that this race is all women, raved about as lots of fun, lottery entry only, and the medal is Tiffany bling. I entered the lottery for the 2013 race and our group was not selected, so we entered for this years race, and lo and behold, we were.  My goal was if I was standing after Boston, I would go to DC and have a good time.  Running the half and getting the bling would be icing on the cake.

As many of you who know me or maybe even read this blog, you know that my focus this past Winter/early Spring (has Spring really come yet? It is 50F and raining here to day, or did it only come last Monday at Boston - but I digress) was indeed Boston 2014.  I set all my training designed and towards that goal, and I accomplished it running a 3:51:38 with only a 46 sec positive splits, evenly paced race (over the hills too!), and the best time that I had run on the course since 2001.  I felt vindicated, redeemed, and so revitalized after the race and since my soreness dissipated by Thursday, I figured that Sunday's half would be a go.

I left for Washington, DC in the late afternoon on Friday, and when I arrived it was really raining hard.  I went to the Expotique (which was actually pretty lame and all Nike based - now I guess Nike is the main sponsor of the race, but really, just Nike and just buy me?) and met up with Amanda, Marian, and Lisa by chance in the Starbucks by the Expotique.  We ventured up to the Nike Georgetown store, broke down and did a little shopping, and I located my name on the wall where each runner for Sunday's race was listed.

After meeting up we ate dinner at a great local restaurant calling Founding Farmers which features only fresh ingredients from a farmer's cooperative.  I thought it would be local, but it turned out that many fo the ingredients came from a far in North Dakota - what????  It was still good and obviously the trendy place to be in DC for dinner as it was packed.  We decided to venture back to Georgetown on Saturday morning and make a little monetary damage and add to the local economy.  The weather was absolutely beautiful, so we had our picture taken in front of the wall again.

Lisa, Amanda, Me, and Marian

I then separated from the group and met up with running friends, Kevin and Vivian from the 365runners board.  I ran much of Boston 2013 with Vivian and both Kevin and I paced her in November to the end of the JFK 50. (the photo is from mile 42!)  It was great to see them as I had missed sharing Boston with them, and we decided to meet up again to pace our friends, Wendy and Tim (at least Wendy) through JFK this coming November. 

Vivian, Me, Kevin

Fast forward to race morning.  We got up early - actually awakened by a frantic phone call from Amanda at 4:55 am that the hotel fire alarm was going off.  Of course, it didn't go off on our end of the hotel, just the end where Amanda and Lisa were staying and they rushed down to the lobby.  Marian and I thought we had slept through the alarm, but it turned out to be a false one; however, it still got us up and ready for the 7 am race.  Here we are at the start of the race with the US Capital behind us.

Lisa, Marian, Me, Amanda

As much as I want to pick on Nike for the lousy facebook/app instructions for the race and all the marketing of the shirts, shoes, etc., the starting area logistics were tremendous.  In fact, 2nd to none.  There were 15,282 runners (all women with the exception of a few good men) including Shalane and Joanie (who had also run Boston) and singer, Ellie Goulding and there was ABSOLUTELY NO LINE FOR THE PORT-O-POTTIES. NONE, NADA.  This is unheard of in a race this big, but Nike had that down to a science and it was well received!

Shalane and Joanie addressing the 15000+ runners at the start.

I ran without a watch and took in the absolutely beautiful course.  The weather was pretty much as close to perfect as possible for an April morning even with the tough headwind during the latter miles on Haines Point. The course was similar to the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler with an added 3.1 miles and it wound around the city showing off several of the DC sites including the Capital, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and even the Watergate Hotel (!).  There were drum bands at each bridge which was a nice and cool touch and the large WE RUN DC lit up sign in the tunnel at almost mile 12 was very cool as well.  My legs gave out at mile 9-10 while fighting the wind, but I just tried to keep as steady an effort as possible.  It was not about time, but more about finishing as strong and possible and getting to that bling.  I was indeed happy to see Lisa at close to the final mile and make the last turn to the finish line.  I was also pleasantly surprised to see a 1:45:41 finishing time as I crossed the line (it turned out to be good enough for 4th out of 532 in my AG (missed 3rd by less than a minute) and 633 out of the 15,282 total).  Not bad for 6 days out from Boston.  

Of course, this race is run for the bling and for the guys who present you with that little blue Tiffany's box.  

I'm definitely tired today, and I skipped my 5:50 am class, but I feel good as in nothing hurts, nothing is sore, and I am ready to get back in the swing for my next race on June 2nd.  Another all women's race (a 10K) in Dublin, Ireland!  

Boston Marathon 2014

As you all know, Boston for me was important this year more so than other years.  It is, of course, my hometown race and in light of my not being able to finish last year, it really meant a lot to be there.  I was given a provisional entry as one of the 5700 that did not finish and even though I earned that spot later in the fall at Indianapolis, I wanted to earn it at Boston as well.  My Boston races over the last few years have not been great.  The only year where I thought it might all come together (in the last decade) was 2012 and then the monkey wrench of 89F became reality.  Last year, I was grossly undertrained due to lots of issues and having surgery in November, so this year had to be mine.  Winter sucked as you all know, so I was a bit worried going in.  But I knew deep down I was indeed ready.


And finally, the day was upon us.   Diane and I woke up early and walked to meet Joe, Amy, and Brenda at the Boylston T-station to prepare to board the buses.  Diane, Joe, and I made sure to wear our "Jerry" bibs so we could carry him over the Boston course, and I made a special note on mine as a tribute to Rich as well.  (Thanks for the lift, RuFuS! - RIP)

Seth joined us shortly after in the bus line and we were ready to go.  Amy & Brenda were able to board before us, and we had to wait for what seemed like a long time and the bus ride took longer than normal as well with all the traffic (there had been an accident on the Zakim Bridge that had the city tied up in knots and it was a holiday! and school vacation!).  We got to Athle's Village at 10 am, and the elites and Wave 1 had already left.  And it was warm, not 89F warm, but 63F warm.  And althrough that doens't feel warm to most, 63F feels like 89F when the winter temps were in the single digits and below in Ohio.  (Since I was in Wave 3 and started at 11 am, the temps had already risen in Hopkington.)  Basically, the four of us had little time, so we immediately visited the porto potties, and then Diane, Joe, and I left Seth and were off to the start.  No waiting, no time for stressing, and no time to even find our corral as the wave was already moving when we got there.  We kept telling each other that there were no worries as the race is "chip times".  One of the last things that I said to Diane was to be smart, don't go out too fast, don't spend energy bobbing and weaving, stay in control and see you in 4 hours.

My goals for the race were: 1) Run even splits (or as even as possible), 2) Don't go out too fast something I am always guilty of, 3) Remember that "NO ONE KNOWS ME IN NATICK" as I always run way too fast through my hometown, 4) Make the hills my "BITCH", and 5) give it everything until the finish line.  With the warmth, I slightly dialed back my goal to 3:50 and I decided to use the successful strategy of walking through the Gatorade portion of the water stops in the early miles.  Gatorade is really sticky when you get it all over yourself.  I would then start jogging, grab a cup of water, drink some, and dump the rest on my head.  

8:49, 8:42, 8:48... Miles 1, 2, 3

The first three miles went by pretty quickly.  Joe & I had lost Diane but we were running together trying hard to stay smart.  Just after three miles, I had to stop and pee and we lost each other. Smartly, I did not try to make up any of that time and I just kept trying to stay in check drinking Gatorade as it was feeling warm.  The crowds were may more intense in years past and there were spectators in places on the course where there are never spectators like downtown Framingham.  I actually held back in those early miles (for once) and felt great when I got to Wellesley and my Mom.  She remarked that I was slower than usual, and I said that was the plan. I reached half way at 1:55 and change.  I had heard or saw on a sign near the 15k mark at Meb Keflezighi, a true American story, had one.  I honestly didn't believe at first, but my Mom confirmed it, and I know that I took inspiration from that.  Meb is indeed one of my running heroes after his silver in Athens, NYC victory, and London run.  May Nike once more eat their shoes.

9:25, 8:48, 8:41 (10K); 8:37, 8:48, 8:43 (15K , Natick and no one knows me here!); 8:31, 8:37, 8:48, 8:31 (Halfway 1:55:26)...

My next challenge was the hills.  I kept repeating to myself that I would get to that fire station at the base of the first hill, and then I was going to take that hill.  I rounded the corner and I seemed to just glide up - at that point, I knew it was going to be a good day.  While the body (my quads actually) were beginning to tire, I wasn't going to let anything get to me until I reached BC and then I was there.  (Along this stretch, a guy had a sign that said that Meb had won and in large letter - REALLY).  I smiled and kept chugging along.  I didn't break down like I usually do on those hills and I wasn't going to relent.

8:36, 8:43, 8:34, 8:56 (1st Hill!), 8:32, 8:24, 8:32, 9:06 (Heartbreak Hill), 8:29 (BC!)...

Those last 5 miles were electric.  I was in the zone and although it was tough, tougher than I wanted it to be of course, I knew that I was going to be at the "Fenway" bridge and to my daughter before I knew it.  Many times I repeated that I had run 5 miles feeling tired and a bit sore many times and today was just another day.  When I got to the bridge, I slowed a bit trying to find Shannon and her friends.  I spied them, waved mightily but I knew if I actually stopped it was over.  They screamed my name and I put my head down and went over that damn bridge into Kenmore Square.  

8:29, 8:43, 8:55 (Shannon), 8:21 and to the Finish - 3:51:38!

The last mile seemed like the hardest and as I turned onto Boylston St, the tears began to flow. I was both ecstatic and sad at the same time.  I passed the spot where I was last year, I slowed slightly (out of respect) and I made a sign of the cross and said a little prayer.  I then gave it whatever was left to cross that finish line.  

And after 370 days and an extra hour, I finished both the 117th and 118th Boston Marathons.   And I finished in 3:51:38, the fastest time I had run on the course since 2001 when I was 39 years old (3:38).  I finished 15,753 overall out of 31,931 finishers, 5597th out of 14356 total woman, and 354th out of 1490 in my AG.  I finally mastered the course once and for all and I ran about an evenly split race as I could with a 46 sec positive split (even walking to get in Gatorade - that paid off).  My 5K splits were : 8:49, 8:58, 8:53, 8:50, 8:48, 8:47, 8:47, 8:48.  I really need to thank Coach Emily for the great training plan as well as Coach Greg and Coach Ian for all the pacing and nutritional advice.  I need to thank Meredith and Cindy for those killer core classes and Jake for pushing me to dead lift 90 lb kettle bells.  I know I did the work, but you all contributed more than you know.  

I re-qualified on Monday for next year's race, and I will indeed be there, hopefully sharing the experience with Mary Pat.  Don't think we will race, but more celebrate the achievement and the fact that we are indeed there another year.  Her daughter will be at school in central Massachusetts, so hopefully she can come and join my daughter and watch the festivities. The race will be back to "normal" next year, but we will never forget the events of 2013 and how it has brought not only the running community but the entire course and city together like never before (and it was always good).  2014 was like no other and it will always be remembered as the race for rebirth and the one won by an American (Meb! Meb!) after 31 years.  However, we will always be Boston Strong!

363 more days..............................

The Final Week

As an introduction to my final race report, I just want to finish out my training cycle and the lead up to the race.  I was surprised coming in how I didn't really seem to lose it during taper.  Most tapers I'm kind of crazy and worried about time and all my runs feel just awful.  I begin to doubt myself a lot, and although I wasn't sure of the smartness of my outside time goal on the Boston course, I knew that my overall sub-4 goal and re-qualification was well within hand.  I know that I'm a better half marathon runner than marathon runner, so the McMillan calculator is a bit aggressive for me.  But I also knew that I felt good after the hilly Publix race and that I ran it as well as I did back in 2012 when I felt ready.  I guess I felt ready.

My runs for the week went well and my final "speed" session on the outdoor track was extremely positive as I polished off those four 800s in 3:34, 3:301, 3:28 and 3:30.  On a flat course that would translate to roughly 3:40-3:45 for me, so my outside goal of 3:48 to 3:50 for Boston was doable if the weather and everything else cooperated.  I was ready.

I left for Boston on Friday morning and after arriving there, I checked into my hotel and took the walk to the Expo before meeting up with my daughter.  As I passed the spot on Boylston St where I was stopped last year, I took the photo below.  I must admit, that I really had no idea how close I actually was to the 2nd bomb.  I knew that it was in front of the Forum restaurant, but I didn't even begin to believe that I was almost in front of the Forum Restaurant too.

 The Expo was the typical Boston Expo with lots of electricity in the air.  There was a bit of added security in that you had to have your bag checked going in, but that was pretty much like any sporting event in the post 9/11 error.  After wandering at the Expo, I met up with my daughter and we covered the remaining booths and then ventured outside to take in Boylston St. and the finish line area.   As you can see below, the Marathon Sports store (site of first bomb) was ready for action.

 And unlike last year, I took a picture in front of that starting line with high hopes that I would be on the other side in two more days.

 After some Mom & daughter time on Friday night and Saturday morning, we (she, her friend, and I) went to the wonderful Dear Boston exhibit at the Boston Public Library.  This exhibit is a display of all the wonderful things left at last year's finish area at the site of the bombings where the three spectators - Martin Richard, Kristal Campbell and Lu Lingzi - were killed.  It is a powerful display and I hope that it remains there for some time.  Here are some of the images from the display:

 And after a wonderful get together with some on-line running friends, taking in the Pasta Dinner and getting my nail painted in traditional Boston colors.  I knew I was ready.

 Boston Marathon here I come.   1 more day........................

Boston Strong

I'm posting my race report from last year.  This was posted on a website that is hosted by a bunch of cool like-minded runner friends many of whom are mentioned and many of whom I ran Boston with last year. Boston 2013 will always be in my heart and in my mind and regardless of how many times I run my "hometown" race, it will be special and I think that this year will be the most special.  

I'm starting to process a bit better all that happened on Monday. Glad we are all safe. Someone asked me if I would go back - hell yeah. Like John, I knew I was not nearly 100% going in, and if I had not stopped to give my daughter a hug and slowed down so much over the hills (they really tore me up this year like I knew they would), I might have been right there since I was running with Vivian for much of the beginning of the race (and I saw her again around BC). My wheels really fell off going down the hill from BC (the hip/ITB issues I've been dealing with) and then the headwind seemed horrific. It doesn't seem like much now. (Interestingly, I ran those same miles back the day before Easter and the headwind was tough on Beacon St then!)

My daughter is fine, they were at mile 25 on the bridge that leads to Kenmore Square (with the big BU flag). They were starting to leave when the police in Kenmore made everyone go out of the area and not into the T. Luckily, she lives just up Comm Ave from Kenmore Sq, so they were safe. BU locked down the campus as a precaution, but they had school yesterday. Sadly, news had not traveled yet as the 3rd victim was a BU graduate student from China. There was a memorial yesterday at their chapel and now their sadly will be another. No I am not making my daughter leave BU and Boston and go to school somewhere else. Boston is my home and she loves the city as well. We cannot run scared, we just have to be a bit more cautious again (like after 9/11).

As many of you know, I was roughly at mile 26.1 (by my watch) when the first explosion occurred. I stopped as I thought it was someone shooting, but then I saw smoke and someone said they thought it was an electrical fire near the finish. Then 2nd one went off, and I remember smoke and fire and debris flying, and I ducked, turned and ran. I then found myself in the parking garage entrance of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel with tons of spectators and runners. I remember looking at Boylston St and wondering where everyone went and hearing sirens and seeing police and fire trucks. I borrowed a phone from some guy and called my Mom so she could call everyone and I texted Shannon. A young girl (runner), Julia from Bangor, ME, was crying and I gave her a hug as we were shuffled towards Mass Ave by the cops. (She was 24 and I went into Mom mode.) None of us really knew what had happened, we were just following instructions from the police. I knew my inlaws had probably heard everything as they were at the corner of Hereford & Comm Ave and I had just seen them. I took Julia and we walked to their condo. We were lucky enough to be able to call her sister from a land line and she came to my inlaws to get her. 

By that time, runners in mylar blankets were walking down the Commonwealth Ave Mall, so we went back outside to see what was happening. Granted, I still thought the 2nd explosion was a gas main or boiler from a building. The runners told me that we could get our stuff as the baggage buses were still on the lower end of Boylston waiting for us. I was able then to pick up my gear bag and retrieve my phone to see all the messages, texts, etc., from all of my family and extended running family. Thank you so much!!!!!

I was staying at the Lenox Hotel which is across the street exactly from the 2nd bomb site. The hotel was shut down and is still shut down. I was lucky that on Monday night I received a phone call from the general manager to see 1) if I had a place to stay, and 2) if I was in the area, I could get into the hotel to get my stuff that night with a police escort or again in the morning at 9 am. I walked all the way around from my inlaws to Mass Ave, and down in back to Huntington to get to the other side of the building. A Boston police officer escorted me up to my room so I could pack and leave. The building had been cleared so the elevators were working, but all the room doors were wide open. I was then escorted back down and had to walk all the way back around (it is like 2 miles when my inlaws live on Exeter and really two blocks). I was then able to crash on their couch (they only have a one bedroom place). 

I'm hoping my body can heal enough to run Cleveland and get that BQ -5. It is a flat course (couple of very small rollers), but it isn't until May 19th, so the weather can be iffy. I need to get this ITB/hip thing cleared up, but I'm betting with rest, and my continued strengthening, it will get there pretty quickly. I gave up running multiple marathons back in 2010 when I ran myself into a staff infection and literally to the ground. However, I know that I can and many of the others here are as well. I was not planning on it next year, but now, I'm hoping that I can. Those bastards cannot win.

As for the race itself, I think Vivian and I did a good job of holding back as best as we could through the first 12 miles. I lost her when I stopped at my Mom, and I kept seeing her but couldn't catch back up in the hills. I knew that my leg would not handle the hills well, and I slowed down over them and even walked through several water stops as it seemed real humid to me and the sun was much warmer than I thought it would be. I guess that is what happens when you run in 30F temps (or lower) all winter and hardly get any warm weather. My leg gave out coming down the hill past BC and if my friend, Ken had not caught me at that point, I would have really walked the rest. Ken just ran a 4:01 at the Georgia Marathon which is hillier so I knew he was going to run well over the hills. He was hurting a bit and the wind was tough, but we stayed together until I stopped to give my daughter and her friends hugs and high 5s. Ken finished between the two explosions. I could see him in the distance because of his bright green hat. He is fine too. I think all the walking afterwards served my body well as I'm not as sore as I expected especially given the fact that my ITB gave out. I think I might even "run" later today as it is supposed to stop raining.

This photo is of my 2013 medal, number, BAA passport and race stuff along with a singed $20 that flew at me and that I grabbed when running from the site.  To me, it is simply a rememberance of a very strange and special day.  I had to work at the museum today, but I made it home just in time to observe the moment of silence with the crowd in Boston.  

Michelle Lewis - Run Run Run (Official Music Video)

Rough Week

Taper is never easy.  After all the weeks of training - in the snow, cold, ice, rain, wind, sun, etc., etc. - you get at last a reprieve and your mind begins to tell you all the silly things about how running 26.2 miles is just plain crazy and why don't you take a car to cover that distance.  However, unlike previous tapers, this one has been fraught with all kinds of strange occurrences from the feeling a bit too good on one run, to not feeling sure on the next and from praying for the recovery of another friend from a serious car accident to the untimely and unexpected death of another.  Those random occurrences combined with the ongoing reliving of last years Boston Marathon events might actually be enough to put one over the edge.  But make it to the finish line, I am determined to do (kind of Yoda-esque would you not say?).  The Boston stories sprinkled all over TV and publications are fascinating and inspiring and although I was unable to finish last year and essentially right there in the middle of it all, it still has not really grasped me fully.  I watched some of the Anderson Cooper special with Adrienne Haslet-Davis, the dancer who has returned to dancing, and I was shocked by the video of things I had possibly witnessed but blocked out, but the video of the runners running backwards up Boylston St did bring back some vivid memories of the explosion, the fireball, the smoke and my thoughts of the side walk blowing up and injuring spectators.  In my own rational mind, I never thought there was a bomb, but more like an underground gas main or electrical explosion.  I ran back to the parking garage of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and borrowed some random spectators phone (can't believe he just gave it to me) to text my daughter and call my Mom to say I was ok.  Shannon could easily have been at the finish line with her BU friends, but I told her that it was always too crazy and to go the the "Fenway" bridge with the other members of the dog pound and wait for me there.  Things could be very different today.  (The arrow doesn't really represent anything just want comes up when I looked for an image on Google.  you can see where the hotel is, and I was just passed that to almost Ring Rd).  The 2nd explosion was actually much closer to me than I knew at the time).

My first week of taper was pretty good.  Tuesday's run seemed a bit harder than it should which is to be expected, but Wednesday's track session was excellent.  I felt strong and ran through the 3 x 1600m repeats easily in 7:18, 7:16, and 7:12.  Last fall, I could barely run 7:20 and had to enlist the help of Karyn to run close to 7 one evening. There was a nice headwind on one side of the track and of course, you never really felt the wind at your back on the other side.  Thursday's run was a joy in the beautiful 70F weather and Anne & I ran much too fast, but the humidity was low and we were simply celebrating the fact that there was no SNOW which had been very present the last time we ran those same 6 miles.  Yesterday,  I had a nice comfortable 12 mile run yesterday here in Ohio with Brenda and Amy, two other runners from the local 2nd Sole group who are running Boston.  We ran north from the Cottonwood Picnic Area in the park to almost the Marina, just so we could cover a couple of hills as well as some flat and some gradual climb and descent.
http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Resource.ashx?sn=RockyRiverReservationNorthTrailMap

It was perfect weather and a good, solid run, and it gave me enough confidence to believe that I will finish come next Monday, but who knows in what kind of time.  I'll be very happy with a repeat performance of my 2009 race where I ran fairly even splits and finished in a very respectable 3:59:29. Sub-4 is an ideal and commendable goal at this point, and anything else will simply be extra icing on the cake.   I just need to remember to let gravity take me down those first 3 miles, but not to expend more energy than that.  It is always crowded at the beginning of Boston and this year, I assume it will be even more so especially since the field is so much faster and larger than in the past.  Be smart has got to be my motto for those first few miles.  And although I know Coach Emily (@GloriaBee) would want me to run as close to even splits as possible, I still need to be very careful in those first miles and even more careful and cognizant of my miles through Natick (it's my hometown and everyone should know me right?) and Wellesley (1983 Wellesley, rah, 1983 Wellesley - Class of Yellow, Proud and mellow, 1983 Wellesley).  The training is there and like I have told every runner that I have ever worked with in Peachtree or Atlanta Half Training - trust it as that is why you did it!

As for the weird week, Charles is doing terrifically after his horrible car accident of a few weeks ago.  He is certainly a testament to how working out and preparing one's body and mind can truly help with the healing process.  He is home and out of the neck brace and although he is in pain, he is enduring and recovering and will be back walking and running in no time.  Jerry has been moved to a different rehab facility.  The chemo and radiation are taking there toll, but he is strong and still hanging in there.  I'm so glad that I got to visit him when I was in Atlanta as he continues to give me some strength.  We will all be sporting our "Jerry" bibs at Boston as another reminder of why we run and how running builds not only strong bodies and minds but strong friendships and bonds as well.   Prayers go out to my Mom's side of the family as my Great Aunt in Italy passed earlier this week.  She was well into her 90s and a fiesty old Italian lady till the end.  I only met Zia Maria once back in 1979 when I went to Italy with my cousin, Marie, and my grandfather and she was a delight.  Married to my great uncle, Renzo, who was my Grandfather's youngest brother by 20 yrs and who visited us in the states on several occasions, she was the steadfast matriarch of the family home in Gallarate.  I know she will be missed.  Not sure what the family will do with the homestead now and I'm glad that my daughter was able to meet her two Springs ago.

The strange thing that happened this week was the unexpected death of my crazy friend, Rich F. Scott.  Rich graced us with his wit, charm, character, and presence on a long ago but not forgotten running internet board.  It was on this running chat room that I met many of my virtual and then not so virtual running friends. Rich came to us as a beginning runner who had lost 90 lbs and like so many others had turned to running for his health.  His caustic wit and his ability to grace us with his exploits with a simple keystroke touched us all and we have lost a truly great guy.  I only met Rich once in person (although I cannot remember which race - Chicago? DWD?) but he was one of those people who would suddenly call or text (in more recent years) you out of nowhere with some crazy comment or memory.  The last time I exchanged text with him was over two years ago when my daughter graduated high school and he congratulated me on a job well done (my husband spent the last three years of her high school mostly in California while we stayed in Atlanta, so I guess I deserved it a little).  He also wanted to bust on me for turning 50.  Rich was kindly nicknamed "RuFuS" as it fit his persona wonderfully and we will all miss him terribly.  His untimely death was a sad reminder of the fragility of life and the fact that three amongst our little internet running group (Paula, Joe, and now Rich) have left our little family for a better place.  They are watching over us now, and I know that they will be blowing a little tailwind for me next week.

Until then.................8 more days.

And for fun, I'll leave you with a cute picture of my daughter being a student at BU.  Glad to see her having fun.  (Yup, she is 4'11" and they are 7').

RIP RuFuS.  We will miss you and thanks for touching so many of us.

Back to Ohio

Unlike Chrissie Hynde, I went back to Ohio and nothing was gone - well, maybe one thing - that being SNOW. Since I left two weeks ago (March 20th), it has snowed, but it has also rained and hopefully and finally, the snow is actually gone.  The lake is unfrozen and although it is a blustery, rainy day today (and a thankful day off from running), it might actually be that we are headed towards Spring.  My time in Atlanta was well spent as I ran more hills in two weeks there than I have run in 2 years here (maybe not counting Chautauqua in the summer, but I went there when I lived in Atlanta too), and I saw a great number of old friends both running and non-running alike.  I ran in warm weather and some humidity and I subjected myself to two killer massages.  

In addition to staying with my wonderful and old (god has it really been 20+ years) friends, I also had a fabulous dinner and birthday celebration (later in the week) with two of my bestest and oldest running buddies in Atlanta. Going back to having dinner with Karla and Sally Love is like old home week to me, and even though we have not seen each other since last march, the conversation simply picks up where it left off.  I met Karla back in the early 2000s when I moved from a more northern suburb of Atlanta (Alpharetta) to Dunwoody (just OTP) and we ran together for a few years.  We even trained and ran Boston back in 2003 and even if Karla thinks she is a "slow" runner today, she ran a way smarter race and beat my butt good that April day.  I then moved to Ohio the first time and remained for 2.5 years, but once I returned to Atlanta, she and I returned to running and we were joined by Sally Love (who was a former work colleague of Karla's).  Together, Karla and I trained Sally Love to her one and only Boston (2007 - the nor'easter year) and we ran together for the next 5 years.  As their lives got busier and mine got less, I even introduced them to some of my "newer" running buds and they do continue to run with them and together still.  Their birthdays are this week (well, Karla's was Saturday and Sally Love's is tomorrow), so we celebrated with our traditional coffee at the Dunwoody Starbucks and made sure to take this crazy "selfie" to capture the moment.

Yes, just three 50+ ladies trying to figure out the selfie thing.

For you readers (and I hope there are at least two not including my mother), I also had a series of good runs after last weeks disasterous long run on Thursday.  I managed an awesome 10 miler over a hilly course with one of my dearest friends Chris (who actually got me to run that marathon in Chicago of 2000 after a long 13 year lay off).  It was to be 10 miles with 6 at marathon pace, and although I have not really dialed in that pace - those 6 miles were easily run at 8:40-8:50 with the ups and downs of the course.  It felt good even though it did warm up over the course of the 1.5 hrs it took to complete. I then ran what felt like a real easy 5 miles on Wednesday over those same hills and in much warmer weather (since I did not go for my run until 11 am). The next day, I had a delightful run with Laurie and Sarah, who is also running Boston.  We ran some very technical and hilly trails that I had not run in a few years and it brought back memories of when I used to feel like I could fly up and down those hills with reckless abandon.  Well there is no reckless abandon anymore, but I didn't get hurt either :).  That is most definitely par for the course if you ask anyone.

Friday morning, Joe joined me for a 15 miler and it felt like old times.  Joe and I ran our long runs together for the last 4 yrs that I was in Atlanta, and we whipped ourselves into pretty good shape over that time frame.  Neither of us wanted to disappoint so we were always there - often joined by Jody and the aforementioned Sally Love who by the way is nicknamed "the rabbit".  Sally Love always had a time constraint (because she works like a crazy lady); therefore, those first few miles were always quick.  Joe's granddaughter met her once and even called her "the rabbit".  Neither Jody nor "the rabbit" joined us on Friday, but Joe & I finished up with a very solid run, and on the Saturday, I joined the Roswell group for the last time to have my final hurrah in Atlanta with a cool morning and good friends.  

Recap of the running week:

Mon - Day off
Tues - 10 miles with 6 at pace
Wed - 5 miles (70F, 77% humidity)
Thurs - 7.3 miles of trails (65F, 77% humidity)
Fri - 15.2 miles averaging just under 9 min miles (cooler, but very humid with a bit of rain at the end)
Sat - 6.2 miles in the cooler weather
Sun - Drive home

WTD: 44 miles  YTD: 550  (10 more miles than last year and a lot more quality).

Just picked up my "held" mail from the last two weeks, and there was my Boston Marathon packet.  It is getting very real now, and it is weird to me that I will be leaving for Boston in just a bit under 14 days.   I guess it is really going to happen and soon.  Maybe I should see if I can get myself into taper mode and get rid of all the lousy runs between then and now.

Glad I went back and spent those two weeks, glad I saw everyone and didn't stay too long, glad I saw Jerry, but I am glad (at least slightly) to be home.

For now - 14 days.......................