Train to Busan

Last week's movie was Train to Busan.  This is a 2016 movie from South Korea, and it is excellent! 

"Damn train!" - the zombies, probably

Intense and scary action, characters you care about, and real drama.  For me, Teresa, this was my first time watching it.  I'm not going to spoil it for anyone since it's still fairly recent; I'm just going to tell you to definitely go watch it.  And have some Kleenex nearby when you do.  It's free to stream if you have Amazon Prime.  If you have seen it, message me, because I really feel the need to talk to someone about it right now.

The zombies in this movie are very fast, and strong.  Infected people also turn super-quick, so one zombie becomes an entire train car full in almost no time.  In an interesting twist, they don't seem to be able to see in the dark, nor can they smell live humans.  So we don't have to be fast necessarily, we can sneak past them in the dark if we're very quiet.

Teresa

I ran 15.25 miles this week, and pedaled another 46.55 miles on my stationary bike.  Not a whole lot of mileage, but with November Project Homecoming going on, I was active every day.  In addition to our normal workouts, Nick led an intense boxing workout that left us all sore, and Steph led another yoga session that was very needed.  We also went fowling again, and I'm definitely getting better.  If I can't outrun the zoms, maybe I can take them out by throwing footballs at them!  And I probably wouldn't be able to outrun these zombies.  I can put on a short burst of speed when I see the finish line, but I can't sustain it long.  Speed work is about my least favorite thing to do, but since we don't know what form the zombie apocalypse will take, I should get back to it.  Pre-Covid I had been doing weekly speed work on Monday evenings with Badass Lady Gang, but our in-person workouts are still on hold.  It's too bad, because I was actually starting to see some improvement.  Group workouts are about the only way I'm going to do speed work.  On my own, I'll just keep logging miles at my comfortable pace.

Was I Last? Unknown

Julie & I ran/walked the Indy Pride Virtual Rainbow 5K on Saturday.  Since runners have until October 31 to complete the run and submit their times, results aren't published yet.  We didn't see any zombies on our run, fast or otherwise.  In fact, Brookside Park was almost deserted, even though it was a beautiful day.  

Laura

Laura & Mark ran the Quest for the Crest 10K on Sunday.  About 2,000 feet of climbing up Mount Mitchell and back down, all technical trails.  Mark was the 15th male finisher, with a time of 1:27:11, and Laura was 8th female, with a time of 1:38:20!  Excellent finish times!  They'd probably stand a good chance of outrunning these zombies, especially on single-track trails.  The zoms may be fast, but they're not smart or coordinated, and they often trample over each other and take each other out.

Cindy

Little sis is having a hard time getting motivated this month, and so zombies are all over me (except that I can be quiet and move around in the dark!)  Scott and I didn't get back into our house to stay due to the septic problems until Saturday.  So I did have another week of lots of stairs...still some leg strengthening!  

This Week

Next up:  Zombieland, a fun take on zombies!

Warm Bodies

 Last week's movie was Warm Bodies, a slightly different take on the zompoc.  This movie is told from the zombies' point of view.  Eight years post-apocalypse, most humans are living in walled cities,
occasionally venturing out to search for supplies  and resources.  There are actually two types of zombies in this movie. The first are Corpses - the more recently deceased who shamble around looking for living creatures to eat.  They can still think somewhat, although they don't remember much about their life, they do know they were once alive.  Though they mostly shamble and wander, when they see living creatures and feel that fierce hunger, they move much faster and attack with surprising strength.  The other kind of zombies are Boneys.  They've been dead much longer, and are basically animated skeletons.  They still eat the living, but they no longer have any connection to being human.  They're much faster and stronger than Corpses, and are dangerous to both humans and Corpses.

Teresa

Back to more normal activity for me.  I ran 24.08 miles this week, pedaled another 66.35 miles on my stationary bike, and did 95 burpees.  I also took a Yoga for Runners class that Steph did as her final project for her yoga teacher certification.  She's a fantastic teacher, and I got a lot out of the class.  I really should do yoga more often. As far as specific benefits to fighting off zombies, it helps with core strength, flexibility, and staying injury-free.  It definitely wouldn't do to pull a hamstring or have IT band issues while being chased by a pack of zoms.

Was I Last?  No!

Thursday was Run(317) Fountain Square, the final Run(317) event this year.  Even though I
stopped halfway through the race and had a White Claw at Sarah's open house, I still finished 452nd out of 568 runners.  The zombies would have a lot to eat before they ever caught up to me.

This is my 5th year being an Ambassador for Run(317).  I have always enjoyed promoting these races and helping out at the events.  No race expos to work this year, and two of the five races had to be virtual, but it was still a privilege to be part of this team and help to bring these safe and fun events to Indy.

Laura

Laura was too busy to give us an update this week - hopefully we'll catch up next week.

 

Cindy

I have been doing lots of flights of stairs this week.  The hotel that Scott and I are staying at now while dealing with our septic issues has lots of stairs, and we're on the 3rd floor.  I know that's not too high, but I've been intentionally walking the stairs a lot.  And at least half of the time I am carrying a 15-20 pound dog, whether going to the house with our Honey or just taking her out to the hotel yard.  She is blind, and although she can do a few stairs, I wouldn't let her try several flights multiple times a day.  I especially feel I wouldn't be eaten this week with Warm Bodies zombies helping keep the Boneys at bay and my legs getting stronger with the stairs.  I've seen quite a few people who don't seem to do much but step out on the balcony and stand around...so the Boneys and even Corpses would go for them!

This Week

We're going to watch Train to Busan, a South Korean zombie movie that I (Teresa and also Cindy) have never seen, but it's on every list of top zombie movies so I'm interested to check it out.  This week is also November Project Homecoming Week!  If you're in Indy, definitely come get fit and have fun with us!

Night of the Living Dead

Last week we watched George Romero's Night of the Living Dead, the groundbreaking 1968 movie that contributed a lot to what we now accept as common zombie knowledge - zombies as reanimated recently dead that eat the living and can only be killed by destroying the head.  The zombies in this movie don't run, but they don't exactly shamble either.  They walk at a pretty good pace.  They're also smart enough to use tools, like using rocks to break the car windows to get at Barbara.  One or two zombies can be easily fought off, but a large group is definitely a threat.  If you find a safe place to hole up, though, like Ben does in the cellar of the farmhouse, they will eventually give up trying to get in and wander off.

Teresa

This was a low mileage week for me: only 11.35 miles running, and 55.91 miles on the stationary bike.  Thursday I got my second shingles shot, and as with the first one the shot made me really sick for about a day and a half, so there was no working out at all on Friday or Saturday.  If the zombie apocalypse happened at the end of this week, I would've had to hole up in my basement and wait it out, because I would not have been able to outrun Romero's zombies.  However, I'm now better prepared for the future, as I don't have to worry about being incapacitated by shingles once the zombie outbreak begins.  Just before my shot I did a short run through my old neighborhood & by this little family cemetery, and I didn't see any signs of the dead returning, so it seemed like a safe time to get vaccinated.

Was I Last?  Yes and No.

 

I had a couple of timed events this week.  On Monday, along with several other Run(317) Ambassadors, I ran the Fountain Square course to demo the RaceJoy app for runners who will be doing it virtually.  I wasn't last because we all stuck together to see how the app was working, so I would've had company if the dead started coming for us.  Wednesday was Race Day at November Project, and I was last.  But Colleen joined me for my last 8 burpees, and she and Blake both ran with me on my final Up & Over, so once again I would've had help fighting off any zombies that caught me.

Laura

 

Laura ran the 48 mile Black Mountain Ultra Traverse, up Mount Mitchell, across the Crest Trail, and back.  Much of that at an elevation over 6,000 ft and temps in the mid 20s.  Night of the Living Dead doesn't address how zombies do in temps below freezing, but a lot of popular zombie fiction has the zombies shutting down & unable to function.  Also, since Laura won the masters female division, she definitely would've outrun any zombies that were still moving up there on the mountain tops.

Cindy 

I would have been last this week against Romero's zombies.   I have been dealing with septic issues and several days have not been able to stay at home; therefore, Ride Owltober is off to a slow start.  But a zombie could fall in the hole in the backyard if I was only being chased by one, or slip and fall in the water in the basement.   We'll try to find the positive in it! 

 

This Week 

We will be watching Warm Bodies this week, a much more contemporary romcom look at zombies, even personifying some that retain some of their personality. 

Training for the ZomPoc

 We're restarting our blog, with a slightly different twist.  Each week, we're going to watch a zombie movie, and then analyze our training to see how/if it would help us if that particular zombie apocalypse happened.  If you're like us, you've gotten a little bit discouraged with training during 2020, since races seem to keep getting canceled.  This is a way to to keep us engaged & active; and if you want to play along, we'll let you know each week what movie we plan to watch.  Fast zombies, shambling zombies, rage zombies....   We hope to survive them all!

Catching Up  

YTD, Big Sis Teresa has run/walked/biked/hiked 3,170.69 miles so far this year.  That includes the Great Smoky Mountains Half, the Beaver Chase Urban Trail quarter marathon, Run(317) Carmel/Westfield and Speedway, and several virtual races.  Can zombies run that far?  I think not!

Owltober

Cindy, Scott, and Teresa are all participating in Ride Owltober, a virtual challenge that encourages
people to get out & participate in whatever activity they enjoy, while raising money for Warren Wilson College men's & women's cycling teams.  We hope you'll join us!  Only $15 to get involved!

 

This Week

We're watching Romero's Night of the Living Dead   A classic that premiered the same year Teresa did, it still speaks to issues society is dealing with today. Going forward, we hope to share some of our fave zombie movies with you, and we're happy to entertain suggestions if you have some you'd like to share as well.   Please comment if you have any fave zompoc fiction you'd like us to train for!

 

 

Who's ready for the Inaugural 465 Challenge?

Don't Miss the Inaugural 465 Virtual Challenge! Shown above: Inaugural 465 Challenge Sticker included with Premium and Basic Registration Packages. Coming January 1, 2020 . . . Inaugural 53-Mile VIRTUAL 465 Challenge! WHO: Fabulously motivated YOU! WHAT: The Inaugural 53-Mile VIRTUAL 465 Challenge is an event conceived by Indianapolis-based Vision Event Management. Why 53 miles? Here's the skinny: Indiana Interstate 465 is a 53-mile loop around Indianapolis. As a kid, do you remember driving somewhere with your parents and imagining yourself moving on a map? Now, dig if you will a picture of yourself running, walking, biking, skateboarding, scootering or performing any physical activity of your choice for the 53-mile loop around the 465. THIS IS A VIRTUAL EVENT SO PLEASE DO NOT ACTUALLY STEP FOOT ON INDIANA INTERSTATE 465!

#CountdownToVegas Week 15: PR in the Rain

Saturday morning on the Monon

Short blog post today, because it's almost time for the season premiere of The Walking Dead.  I'm not enjoying the show as much as I used to, and I actually think Z Nation is a better show at this point.  But I'm curious enough to still watch at least the first few episodes this season, and see where it might be going.

I had a rather busy week with work and other obligations, plus one day I just plain forgot to pack my sports bra, so I didn't get quite as many miles in this week as I'd originally planned.  I only ran three days, which feels like slacking.  But they were good quality runs, so I've got that going for me.

Monday was reverse hill suicides with #TeamMoHills.  It was a really tough workout, but these ladies always make it fun.  Crazy that it was still in the 80s in mid-October!

3.17 PR

S'more on a Stick!

Thursday was the final Run(317) race of 2016.  It was in the 50s and raining, but I had a great race.  The course was crowded at the beginning, but once it opened up, I was feeling strong so I ran hard.  Not all out since the pavement was wet, but definitely pushing.  My mile splits were 10:38, 10:09, 10:38, and my final time was 33.22, nine seconds faster than my previous best at that distance.  I know some people prefer a straighter course, but for a 5K I like a course with a lot of turns.  Mentally it helps me, because I can break the race down to just running this block, just pushing to the next corner, etc.

The Run(317) races this year were all a lot of fun, even though the weather didn't always cooperate.  I'm looking forward to seeing what they have for us next year.  Now that Indianapolis has a second area code, though, will they have to offer two distances?  Either way, I really hope to see the S'more Mobile again!

Long Run

Saturday was my long run - 16 miles.  I had listed on our What's Next page that I was running the Hendricks County Fall Colors 10K, but I never actually did sign up for it.  Normally I don't list an event I'm not registered for, but I kept intending to do this one.  Every time I brought the website up, though, something stopped me.  So I decided to do my long run with BGR's All About That Base group, and I'm so glad I did.  I ran with Re'Nita for the first 8 miles, Broad Ripple to Carmel.  I was enjoying chatting with her and didn't even feel like we'd gone all that far.  She had a longer run on her schedule than I did, so I turned around at 8 and headed back while she kept going.  It was a gorgeous fall day - perfect weather for a long run.  Average pace was 13:01.  Interestingly mile 8 was my fastest, at 11:41.

Total miles for the week: 28.4

Total training miles to date:  396.05

Winner x 2

Hopefully Laura blogs soon, but while we wait I'm going to brag on her.  She ran two races Saturday: a 10K road race in the morning and a 5 mile trail race that night.  She was 1st in her age group and 5th female overall in BOTH RACES!  Way to go Laura!

Up Next

Two Halloween events this week:  the Athletic Annex Candy Caper on Friday night (not a race, just a fun run), and the Brew HaHa Saturday morning.  Despite Siri's advice, however, I have some good costumes for both races.  Stay tuned to Instagram....

Epic Vacation Wrap-Up

Ten glorious days at home in the mountains of western North Carolina: spending time with family, catching up with friends, eating lots of good food, and of course running.  This place is so beautiful; just being outside and looking around is refreshing and restorative.

Since Kevin died, people often ask me if I'm going to move back.  The answer is: I don't know yet.  This will always be home, but so will Indianapolis.  Both places tug at my heart, but sometimes so does the idea of starting over somewhere new.  When the time is right, God will let me know where He wants me to be next.  So for now, I'm just going to keep doing epic every day right where I am.

And where I've been for the past ten days is Paxton Holler in Canton, NC, so here are some of my epic vacation highlights:

With a Little Help From My Friends

This is where I'd normally write a wrap-up of the year, adding up all the miles I ran and posting pictures of all the t-shirts, medals, and other swag I collected.  But 2015 stopped being about all that for me on April 23.  It instead became about the sustaining love of God, and the amazing support of my family and friends.


I have always known how blessed I am to have such a great family.  I'm so close to my parents and sisters, I have a wonderful relationship with our kids, and I have many extended family members that I enjoy staying in touch with too.  But I have really been awed to discover just how many wonderful supportive friends I have.

There's no "I" in Indy, just US

Friends back in Canton, friends here in Indy, and friends all around the world.  Coworkers, former coworkers, church friends, runner friends, SMOMS, bootcampers, friends from grad school, neighbors.  Friends I've known almost as long as I've lived in Indy, and friends I just met this summer.  It's no exaggeration to say that for all the tears I've cried in sadness over losing Kevin, I have cried just as many in humble gratitude at the support I've received from so many friends.  It's also no coincidence that yesterday when I started working on this blog post, some friend or friends anonymously sent flowers to me at work.

We have other talents besides running

I find myself starting to say "I don't know what I've done to deserve all of you."  But then I think that's kind of the point.  When God pours out his love on us, whether through the people He puts in our lives or some other way, it isn't because we deserve it.  It's just because He loves us.  So we just accept it as a beautiful gift.  And then we go out and love each other in response.

Babes of Bootcamp

And so that's my goal for 2016: to be grateful and to give back.  I'm know I'm still going to have lots of bad days; days when all I can do is go home and put Kevin's clothes on and cry till my head hurts.  But on the okay days and the good days, I'm going to try to give back some fraction of the support you've given me, and love you and encourage you on your journey.

Closed eyes, warm heart?

Of course I can't resist posting one pic of race swag.  I call this the Cuss Word Trifecta.  I was joking with Laura the other night that we could make this our motto for 2016: Do Epic Shit Every Damn Day, Badass!  And with that in mind, here's some of the epic shit I have penciled in on my calendar:

Do Epic Shit Every Damn Day. Badass!

• The Indy East Race Series - I hope all my Indy friends will join me at as many of these as you can.  Four 5Ks for only $60!  That price is good through January 15th, so sign up soon.
• Pacing the 13-14 min/mile group with the Indy Runners Spring Training Program - I'm pretty excited about this!  I'll be helping other runners reach their goal of a spring half marathon.
• My second full marathon and first destination race: Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas!  Kevin & I always wanted to go to Vegas, but we never got to make that trip together.  So this one is for Kevin.  I'm going to run the strip, see all the sights, and take everything in that I can.  Several of the FBG are going too, so I know it will be a blast!
• Lots more fun new things I hope to try: ReFit, Barre Fitness classes, possibly a triathlon in late summer, possibly a 50K in December (or January 2017), hopefully going to summer camp with the FBG in August....

A Weekend of Sister Racing and BOOM! Teresa, I Met the 2 Blog Challenge

This past weekend I had the pleasure of racing with my older sister twice! Two completely different races, a turkey trot road 5k and a crazy party trail half marathon.  I really enjoy racing with Teresa because she has a pure joy in what she does.  Every time I see her come to the finish, she always has a smile on her face.  Ive been finding my joy again in running and its so easy with Teresa because of her positive attitude.

When Mark and I first started running, we didnt know any other runners.  Slowly over time weve made running friends and started knowing others at races.  Run junkees know and understand the weird rituals we have, the fomo we experience, our inability to think about anything else.  Im lucky I share this with my husband, my best friend, and my big sister.

Like all sisters,  weve had good and bad times, times where we are closer, and times where we just dont get each other.  Running has brought Teresa and I together in a different way. It means so much that she understands me when so few do.  When I finish a race I always text her, well, we usually text each other because she is probably racing too.  This connection I just cant describe.

So, this has kind of been a rambling post, but it was important to me to finish the 2 post challenge, so I thought I would dedicate it to the one who challenged me.

Sweet Cindy Lou Whoo,  better watch out, that means there will be a post to you in the future.

Love to the uglies!

Blog Survey

Teresa, are you surprised ? Doing the survey day 1!  Here goes;

How has blogging impacted your life?
I honestly havent done it enough to make an impact...yet.  I'm planning on doing more blogging with the hopes of being an official blogger for the Blue Ridge Marathon in 2017.
This year reading my sisters blogs have touched my heart deeply.

What's the favorite post you've written?
My blog after the Savannah marathon.  One of my friends that ran it too said it gave her chills.  I need to read again.

How do you find time to do it all, blogging,  working and having a social life?
I never have enough time.  I work a lot and workout/run almost as much. Ha.  My social life is races and gym functions.

What is something special you do to treat yourself?
Hot epsom salt baths where I also read almost nightly.  Feels great, and reading would be my second love after running.

Do you take spontaneous trips or are you more of a planner?
To those who know me that's hilarious, planner.

Where was your last trip to?
Oak Island, NC  our annual anniversary trip.

Where is your dream vacation destination?
In the US - somewhere like Colorado or Utah, for the running of course.  Over seas-hmmm, so many.  Italy or England.

Weirdest fact about you?
I remember useless details, like what you were wearing when we met 20 years ago...stupid dates that arent important, etc

Knowing what you know now,  what advice would you give your 18 year old self?
That it gets better.

Are you a light packer or a take everything just in case kind of gal?
Again, hilarious if you know me.  Take everything plus more.  It was to my benefit last race though.  I kept trying to pack light, then went back last minute to get another sports bra, you know, in case I needed 4 in one race, when I reached for my laundry on the guest bed I found everything wet.  My overpacking caught a leak in the roof right when we were leavingfor a weekend in which it poured rain all weekend.  That unworn sportsbra saved us

Blog Survey! Sisterhood of the World Blogging Award

I know I missed blogging a couple of days.  So much for my #NaNoWriMo pledge.  Some days you just really wouldn't like the words that would come out of me, so I keep those between me & God.  But I'm back today, with a fun blog survey I saw on Julie Wunder's blog Running In a Skirt.  

1. How has blogging impacted you and your life?

I think it's started some conversations I might never have had.  Friends I know casually will remark on something I've written, and next thing you know we are really connecting.

I've also gotten to do some races free, so that's pretty cool too.  

2. What's the favorite post you've written?

This is actually a really recent one: You've Got To Fight For Your Right.... Or Do You?  That post is about a huge turning point for me in this unwanted journey I'm on.  I'm pretty sure I could recite it from memory.

3. How do you find time to juggle it all, blogging, working, having a social life?

I blog at work on my lunch hour sometimes.  And what social life?  My social life pretty much revolves around running.

4. What is something special you do to treat yourself?

Having my hair cut every four weeks at the salon.  My inner cheapskate wants to tell me $13 at Great Clips is plenty, but Shelby is so talented and especially with my really thick hair and a super-short cut like this, it is worth it to me to pay for a really good haircut.

Indy-area ladies, if you are looking for a great hair stylist, check out Domu Salon and ask for Shelby. 

5. Do you take spontaneous trips, or are you more of a planner?

I'm a little of both.  I like to be spontaneous and don't really stick to a schedule, but I also like to have a basic idea of what I might want to do so that I don't waste time and miss something cool.

6. Where was your last trip to?

I went to Philadelphia for work back in August.

7. Where is your dream vacation destination?

Oh I want to go everywhere.  If I could only take one more trip and had to narrow it down, though, I would say the Pacific Northwest.  

8. Weirdest fact about you?

I taught myself to read when I was 2.

9. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?

Of course the first answer that pops into my head is to make Kevin go to the doctor.  Sigh.  Although I didn't meet Kevin until I was in my 30s, so that would make no sense to me at 18.  

10. Are you a light packer or a take-everything-just-in-case kind of gal?

Take everything just in case.  No question.  I do try to find things that do double-duty, but yeah, if you need it I've probably got it.

Thanks for reading, and now it's your turn!  Rules are I nominate some other bloggers.  Well of course I'm nominating Laura and Cindy.  They owe us some blog posts now anyway.  I'm also nominating:

Trena at 591 Miles

 LeeAnn at She's At It Again

 Keira at The Blonde and the Beardiful

 Darcy at Chunky Wonder Woman

And Tasha, who said she wants to get her blog going again 

And if you aren't a blogger, answer a question or questions in the comments!

NaNoWriMo Begins!

November is National Novel Writing Month, where professionals and amateurs alike try to write a novel in one month.  I've always been fascinated with the creative process, I've been a voracious reader my entire life, and I have even tried to have a few sci-fi short stories published (no luck yet), so I have followed #NaNoWriMo online for several years.  Last year I noticed that some bloggers I follow were using NaNoWriMo to blog every day, because some writers are going more for word count than completed project during November.  So, I have decided to do the same: I have challenged Laura & Cindy to each blog at least twice during November, and I will write a post for all the other days.  We may not be writing the next great novel, but sometimes all it takes is one good idea to spark something.  I hope you will enjoy what we come up with!  We don't have a particular plan or schedule, we are "pantsing it", in NaNoWriMo terms.

Together Again at Richard's Run 5K

We all three sisters, plus Mark, got to run together again last weekend at Richard's Run for Brain Cancer at beautiful Cataloochee Ranch.  This was absolutely the most scenic race I've ever run.  Not even having all three ugly sisters in the same place at the same time could detract from the gorgeous landscape.  I would like to have more pictures for this post, but I don't think pictures could really do it justice, anyway.

Pic by Jeanne Naber

The race was advertised on the website as "possibly the most challenging 5K on Earth".  It was definitely the most challenging I have ever done, and Cindy agreed with me.  Laura thought it was about equal to Rock the Quarry.  We all said it felt like being kids running around on our parents' land: running on trails through cow pastures, and up and down hills on gravel roads.

Winner!

As expected, Laura won the Women 40-49 age group, and Mark got third in Men 40-49.  All of us were happy with our race results.

The race shirts are cute and the post race party was pretty nice too, with a bluegrass band and barbecue.  Almost made us want to trade our running shoes for clogging shoes.  And the following Monday, Cindy & I made the front page of The Mountaineer.


It was super fun to be able to do an event together for the first time since the Feed the Need 5K in November 2013; and the race is so pretty and the event so well put together that this is definitely now one of my favorites.

Coming Up:

This weekend, Laura has the Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run where she can deduct 20 seconds off her 5K time for each rep she pumps, and the winners get jars of local honey!  Pretty cool!

Next weekend, I have the Ignite the Night 10K, and of course I am already working on my outfit since there are special prizes for the best dressed with the most glow. 

Anything that I got the strength to do...

2007, French Lick

People keep telling me that I'm so strong, and I just think "Oh you wouldn't say that if you could really see me."  You see the highlights on social media: the good memories I share because I like talking about Kevin, the race pictures & outings with friends because life has to go on...  You don't see me laying in our floor crying until I'm exhausted, begging God to give me Kevin back.  You don't hear me scream at God until my voice is gone, telling Him that He got this all wrong & I can't do it & He's got to fix it.


I mean, I can do the house stuff, and the bills, and the chores, and be there for the kids.  I was a single mom for almost 13 years before I met Kevin.  I can get the tasks done.  But I miss him, and it hurts not to have him here.  I just need to see his face, and hear about his day, and cook supper for him, and I would even take him just rolling his eyes at me when I tell him I want to try a triathlon next year.

I'm Not Ready For This

2011, in Michigan

I think most of our readers know why I haven't blogged since mid-April, but for those who don't: my husband Kevin went home to be with the Lord after a sudden heart attack on April 23.  I am devastated to have lost him at only 47.  We had 11 years together, the last 5 of those married, but it doesn't feel like nearly long enough.  I feel angry & cheated out of the 40 or 50 years I thought we'd have together.  And I don't feel ready for this life I have to now live without him.

I know, however, that God is with me and will be with me in all the days to come.  He knows what I need to get through this and He will make sure I have it, so I am living on faith and taking each little step as I see it in front of me, even though I can't see any farther than that right now.

Yeti or Not? NOT!

Just a quick update on how my training is going, plus reminders on a couple of fun races I hope to see ALL my Indy friends at.

The Carmel Marathon is 46 days away, and I'm starting to question both my sanity and my preparedness.  Oddly enough, though, most of these questions come when I'm doing something else and the thoughts just pop in my head.  When I'm actually out running, I feel just fine.  I haven't been running as much as I had planned to by this point, but I'm still doing a lot of strength training and hitting the elliptical when I can't get out and run.  And every time I do run, I feel pretty great.

Foot Rx Yeti or Not

And speaking of running, I went to WNC this weekend for an early birthday celebration for Laura.  We were hoping to run the Yeti or Not? 25K trail race together, but sadly the race had to be postponed due to the weather.  I understand why they postponed it, but I'm still disappointed.  It is ironic, though, that a race named for the Abominable Snowman was snowed out.  I was looking forward to seeing how I could do on the mountain trails, and I was really looking forward to doing a fun race with Laura, Mark, and Alice.  Plus the logo is super-cute, so I wanted that shirt and socks.

Since the race was not happening, I just went for a run from our parents' house into town, running all around town looping over several different routes so I wouldn't get bored.  Once I'd been running for 90 minutes, I turned around and retraced my route backwards.  I ended up doing 14.8 miles, with the return trip taking just a little longer since I had to run back UP Smathers Hill to get back to their house.  My legs were still really sore from taking Kendra's Group Active class at Urban Athletic the day before, so I feel good about being able to run that long and tackle a few hills on tired legs. 

Funfetti Cake Batter Dip

Laura wanted a stir-fry for her birthday dinner, so Momma and Daddy cooked that up deliciously.  In lieu of a birthday cake, we had Funfetti Cake Batter Dip with various cookies (and by the spoonful).  So easy to make, and so delicious!  The picture does not do it justice.  We were disappointed Cindy didn't make it for the celebration, but we definitely had no problem eating her share of dip.

Coming up for Indy-area runners:

• Shamrock 5K Beer Run: a fun 5K with a local brewery beer sample every km, a full pint at the end, plus shirt, medal, and pint glass.  You can get all this SWAG for HALF PRICE if you register using discount code SUPPORTBONER.  And since the John H. Boner Community Center will receive $5 for every use of the code, please spread the word?  Online registration ends March 7, so you still have a few days to get in on the fun.
• Englewood's Race for Roofs 5K: one of my favorite races every year.  Proceeds go to provide rental scholarships to residents of the Near Eastside of Indianapolis.  Plus I have it on good authority there will either be homemade cookies or homemade granola bars in the SWAG bags!

Disclaimer: I am receiving a free entry to the Race for Roofs in exchange for promoting it.  All opinions, however, are totally mine.  I really do love this race!

Marathon Motivation

I had a little fun with a baby picture of Starr, making a motivational post for Laura as she got ready for today's Savannah Rock 'n Roll Marathon.

Laura finished in 4:54:32, and Mark finished in 4:37:50.  Great finish times!  I can't wait to hear all about it!

Weekend Recap: 2 Sisters = 28.1 Miles

The Rollinses Win Again!

Badass Winners of Big Ol' Mugs

Laura & Mark ran in the Bays Mountain 15 Mile Trail Race on Saturday in Kingsport, TN.   They were a bit nervous about the weather as there was a chance of storms, but it turned out okay.  They did get a bit of rain, but no lightning or thunder.

Laura finished in 3:14:02, with a pace of 12:57, and won third in her age group!

Mark finished in 2:37:31 with a blistering pace of 10:31 and won second in his age group!

Friend Alice also had an impressive finish at 3:12:38 with a pace of 12:51.

A New Half Marathon PR

I ran in the Hendricks County Half Marathon, a wonderful little race and the runniversary of my very first half marathon.  It was 47, cloudy & very windy.  I wished I'd worn long sleeves, as I was cold for over half the race.  Other than the cold, however, I felt great.  I was nervous-excited, but I felt ready.  My knees didn't hurt at all, and at the end I really felt like I could keep going for a couple more miles.  I finished in 2:45:55, which is 4 minutes & 13 seconds faster than I finished this same race last year, and 9 whole seconds faster than I ran the Mini in May.  A new PR!

This race is only in it's third year, so it's still pretty small, but I bet it grows quickly as word gets out.  It's a great course:  well marked; with some slight inclines (Hoosiers probably call them hills); nice straight county roads with pretty views; and wonderful volunteers at water/Gatorade stops every mile.  I am of course partial to the stop at mile 1 & 11 manned by Living Faith Church, but the one with the cheerleaders was pretty fun too. 

My only complaint would be that the pictures aren't free this year.  I looked at the proofs, & I really like them.  Especially the one that caught me with both feet off the ground, so I look like I'm floating.  It would cost $12.99 to download it, though, and that's half the cost of doing another race.  Picture of me running versus me actually running?  We all know which one I'm choosing.

Coming Up

This week I have three 5K's within 48 hours.  First up, the Merrell Summer Series #3 on Thursday evening in Carmel.  Then the Arsenal 5K on Saturday morning at Arsenal Tech High School, and finally the Chateau Thomas Winery 5K on Saturday afternoon in Plainfield.  Perhaps I was a little overambitious scheduling all three of these.  The Arsenal 5K isn't chip-timed, so it will not be a 5K PR attempt.  The other two races are, and the weather is supposed to be in the 60's both days, so good running weather. 

Laura has the Rock the Quarry 5K trail run this Saturday - a repeat of one of her favorite races and one in which she placed last year.  Expect to see another picture of her with yet another award.

Race Discounts!

If you'd like to run the Chateau Thomas Winery 5K or 10K this Saturday, go HERE to sign up, use discount code FBFRIEND, and say you were referred by Teresa Hazel to save $5!

If you'd like to run the Santa Hustle 5K or Half Marathon in Indianapolis on 12/21, go HERE to register and use discount code TERHAZELIN to save $5!

Weekend Recap: Raining on the Rhododendrons, Yoga on the Circle

View from my mat after shavasana

This weekend Laura ran the 37th Annual Rhododendron 10K, part of Bakersville's NC Rhododendron Festival; while I participated in the 2nd annual Monumental Yoga on the Circle for Summer Solstice, and Cindy enjoyed a restful weekend.

Laura was really looking forward to the Rhododendron 10K.  She'd run it last year and placed, bringing home a cool engraved plate, and was hoping to make it a matched set.  Last year, the weather was in the 50's, but this year it was not so nice.  It started out incredibly hot - very unusual for Bakersville - but quickly clouded up and began to rain.  It rained so hard the last three miles, Laura said she thought they might have to swim.

Despite the uncooperative weather and some leg pain from her sciatic, Laura still won 3rd in her age group!  No matching plate, though - they gave engraved plaques instead.  Laura plans now to take a week or so off to rest and regroup, and she'll be ready to run again soon!  In the meantime, you can always catch her at Urban Athletic.

I'm at the very left edge, just behind the chain. Photo from IndyStar.com

No rain in Indianapolis as I joined hundreds of other yogis for the second year of Monumental Yoga (link goes to the Indy Star photo gallery of the event).  I met some friends from Metta Yoga in a slightly shady spot to the southeast, and we enjoyed a free hour-long class led by instructors from various studios around the city, saluting the sun outside on Monument Circle on Summer Solstice.

I always enjoy yoga, especially when I can practice outside, but there is something extra special about practicing with hundreds of other people like that.  There's such a positive energy that fills the air.

Next up for me, the 10 East Biz District Bicycle Tour & Scavenger Hunt on Wednesday.