tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24486518798025830512024-03-05T10:05:27.740-08:00Run away from TroubleRun away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.comBlogger304125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-5224119005518516942020-03-04T13:52:00.003-08:002020-03-08T13:13:04.036-07:00I Wanna Be Faster!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have many speedy friends in the running community. On my best day, I am a middle-of-the-pack runner. What does that mean? Well, if coyotes attack my running group on the trails (something I am certain will happen some evening), my friends will escape without even breathing heavily; I will be a tasty coyote dinner. If there is a zombie apocalypse, I will be just fine with my 5K pace of 8:30/mile. If the zombies can hang in there past 3 miles, I am brainfood</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are a slower runner, you might be tempted to compare yourself to your faster friends and decide that it’s no use trying to improve your time. I disagree. While I don’t compare my running times to those of other people, I do like to set my own time goals and then beat them. There is nothing like the feeling of a PR, especially if you pay yourself five bucks for every PR (<a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2020/01/running-payday.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">See my post about paying yourself for running</span>)</a>. So, how can we run faster, even if we don’t run like Meb? Here are some tips for any runner. Use what you like; there is no one plan for everybody.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Speedwork</b></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the number one technique (obviously) to getting faster. If you google the term, you will see lots of different methods. Choose anything you want to try; try everything! I like to do speedwork twice a week, and here are some of my workouts:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: red;"><b>10s20s30s</b></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. This is a great beginner’s method. All you need to do is count or use a watch if you don’t like to count. After a warmup, I run for 30 breath cycles (more on this in the next tip) at an easy pace, then 20 cycles at a moderate pace, then I sprint for 10 cycles. If you are using a watch or the clock on a treadmill, you can do 30 seconds, 20 seconds, 10 seconds. Repeat for 2-4 miles; then, cool down.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: red;">Intervals</span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Warm up for a mile. Run 400 meters (or a quarter mile) at 5k pace. Recover for a minute by walking or slowly jogging. Repeat up to 12 times. Cool down. When you feel comfortable with this pattern, you can either speed up your pace or lengthen your running to 800 meters (or half a mile) for up to 8 intervals. Cool down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: red;">Tempo Runs</span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Warm up for a mile. Run 3-6 miles at half marathon pace. Cool down. Increase your speed and your middle miles as you get more comfortable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre;">Your ability to bear discomfort has a lot to do with your breathing. As someone who bore two children, one without an effective epidural, </span></b></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "arial";">I can tell you that breathing is the number one non-drug way of managing pain. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "arial";">Running faster is a matter of working with discomfort and even sometimes pain. How do you breathe when you run? I read an article (Boy, a better blogger would have that reference for you here, but I can’t find it) that claimed that in-out breathing patterns should be grouped with footstrikes, and they should be in uneven number cycles in order to alternate each side. This is how I breathe when I run: three breaths in (I chant in my head, “In-In-In) and two breaths out (“Out-Out”). Each breath occurs when my foot strikes the ground. It takes practice, but it really helps me to run faster and endure the discomfort that comes with it. I even have mantras that go with those cycles: I am Strong (In-breaths), Runner (Out-breaths); I am Fast, Runner; I Got This, Runner. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span>
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<b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Recovery</span></b><br />
<a href="https://p2.piqsels.com/preview/306/661/77/people-woman-yoga-meditation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://p2.piqsels.com/preview/306/661/77/people-woman-yoga-meditation.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></b>
<b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-57ff12ff-7fff-0cb1-c9a6-472e02e24354" style="color: black; font-weight: normal; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here is something I learned when researching speed work. Do you know why we call 400s or 800s Intervals? The interval part isn’t the running, which is what I originally thought. The interval refers to the recovery. Recovery and rest are super-important for overall health, and you won’t get faster if you don’t respect this. When we work hard, we cause minute tears in our muscles. Protein and rest repair those tears, and the muscles become stronger. If you don’t consume protein, and if you don’t rest, you will continue to strain those muscles, and they will get weaker instead of stronger. It’s that simple. Take a rest day between difficult workouts. Do yoga. Stretch. You’ll be better and faster for it!</span></span></span></b></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-54f61bf2-7fff-f5ee-23d5-613fa652dd42" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use your newfound strength to race at the Cleveland Marathon series! If you want 10% off registration for any of the races, use my code </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RUNCLESTEPHANI10 !</span></span></div>
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Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-32139881273883531302020-02-08T19:01:00.001-08:002020-02-08T19:01:50.454-08:00Giveaway Winner!It has been a fun week, Peeps. I have posted each day to offer you a chance to run any Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon race for free, and you didn't disappoint with your responses!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how I look when I offer free race registrations!</td></tr>
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To enter, you had to respond in the comments on any of my posts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. I assigned a number to each comment in the order in which they appeared, and I used a random number generator to choose the winner. And the winner is. . .<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><b>firerunner2379</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">Congratulations! You get a free entry to any of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon races! I can't wait to find out what you choose.</span><br />
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">Don't fret, Peeps: you can still win an entry. All you need to do is follow the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Ambassadors on social media, and you can still #runCLE for free! I'll even give you a hint: the next giveaway belongs to </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jen Solanics. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Find her and respond to her posts this week!</span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, you can always register now with my code RUNCLESTEPHANI10, which gives you a 10% discount. It's simple--go to the <a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon page </a>and register today!</span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However you choose to run, I hope you run happy, Peeps!</span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!</span><br />
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><br /></span>Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-65170274232391408462020-02-02T12:02:00.000-08:002020-02-02T12:24:50.761-08:00Giveaway Week!Peeps, you may have heard (in very subtle hints) that I am a <a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon </a>Ambassador. This means that I get to give away an entry to the funnest (yes, that is a word) race in Ohio! This week starts my giveaway; I will post each day from Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Respond to my posts, and I will give you a chance at registration for any race in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon series! <br />
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To kick this off, I thought I would present 13.1 things about me. It should be 26.2, but I am not that interesting. <br />
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Shut up.<br />
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1. I didn't start running until after I turned 40. I got a late start, but I'm in it for the longevity.<br />
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2. I originally started running so that I could run the 3.1 mile leg on Sand Run Parkway for the Akron Marathon. I tried and tried to run farther than 2 miles, but I would be winded. Finally, I joined a running group, the Towpath Turtles. The day I reached 4 miles, I burst into tears. "I never thought I would be able to run this far," I sobbed gratefully to my coach. "Of course you didn't," she replied, "because you were running like a dumbass before." Huh.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with my first running group, the Towpath Turtles</td></tr>
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3. I signed up for that very leg on an Akron Marathon Relay team. When teaching a unit about Carpe Diem (seize the day!) in my literature class, a student challenged me: "Why not run the half marathon? Why run only 3 miles? What are we really doing here?" I realized she was right, and I switched to the half. There was no looking back.<br />
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4. I ran the Akron Marathon when I failed to break the 2:00 barrier for the half marathon (I was 53 seconds short!). Again, there was no looking back. This year will be my 5th consecutive Akron Marathon. I have run the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon 4 times. Will this year be the 5th?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yeD__ZtTEuDQubFG2wW2V7zqj3NU7WhdtVZMsvA3Q32sIarfjUurU52jXVoTxA7PsP-PJpQOuao8XKZ_YX0reOnv4zii2em2iVexoKi-g757AnsTdJNEXkYdJIrmL4dajWU3n4dQgpU/s1600/531481_235888615_Medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yeD__ZtTEuDQubFG2wW2V7zqj3NU7WhdtVZMsvA3Q32sIarfjUurU52jXVoTxA7PsP-PJpQOuao8XKZ_YX0reOnv4zii2em2iVexoKi-g757AnsTdJNEXkYdJIrmL4dajWU3n4dQgpU/s320/531481_235888615_Medium.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first marathon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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5. I ran my first 50k this year for Forget the PR. It was brutal, but I had a great time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZpnCYEw61M-6ZWFio-bpNf8dx6JAYR4kGLVeMf007sSlwPhWLsk5k0ev0pun8xARpbSKCwvHkInWVCUF5ktTb-gIlJCQTsWvIHSqoFMKifNDwOa9A6Pa9kQ1q4k49MYF-4zvl3x8Euk/s1600/IMG_7548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZpnCYEw61M-6ZWFio-bpNf8dx6JAYR4kGLVeMf007sSlwPhWLsk5k0ev0pun8xARpbSKCwvHkInWVCUF5ktTb-gIlJCQTsWvIHSqoFMKifNDwOa9A6Pa9kQ1q4k49MYF-4zvl3x8Euk/s320/IMG_7548.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy and I finish my first 50K!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVTeyXekRFx3ti3YnUhKM9RIpqY-Ja52Xrhuzhhjmbml0TfkSrZ3tJcOJFAF8ShqpeIf6Kv4yX3kGbErMbJo9ygQKGkppMed8wfGXVEysGoW2NYdysYsMYTU0hGygrDXBpKZYkvZswwE/s1600/IMG_7546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVTeyXekRFx3ti3YnUhKM9RIpqY-Ja52Xrhuzhhjmbml0TfkSrZ3tJcOJFAF8ShqpeIf6Kv4yX3kGbErMbJo9ygQKGkppMed8wfGXVEysGoW2NYdysYsMYTU0hGygrDXBpKZYkvZswwE/s320/IMG_7546.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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6. Sometimes I think about a 50 miler. . . and then I remember how miserable I feel in the last 6 miles of a marathon. So far that is a NOPE race.<br />
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7. I am a high school English teacher. I love teaching high schoolers. Seriously. I use running analogies all the time. My favorite: Education is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to build your endurance. Sometimes your runs are super-fun, and sometimes they suck and you feel like they will never end. They all have purpose, and they all make you a better person.<br />
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8. For three years I lived in Paris, France, where I met my husband. We had a neighborhood restaurant called Cafe Le Bouliste. When we retire, we plan to move back to Paris and open a Browns backers club called Le Dawg Pound.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5Ij5oBu71GlG6BTWSdp1cRzgLAFx0jWIIOpq9FJSzNFuWZtp7DaOive2CFn8r31uPKlSyYldNIKH4ntVubOWU6STo0FJk_7OFUC-k7WMpVl6QMScjIwdA6KEOeTBLkpM-ycQBMpk2Sk/s1600/IMG_5224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5Ij5oBu71GlG6BTWSdp1cRzgLAFx0jWIIOpq9FJSzNFuWZtp7DaOive2CFn8r31uPKlSyYldNIKH4ntVubOWU6STo0FJk_7OFUC-k7WMpVl6QMScjIwdA6KEOeTBLkpM-ycQBMpk2Sk/s320/IMG_5224.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband--the Kabyle Chef</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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9. Although I am an English teacher, the language I speak at home with my husband is French. Go figure.<br />
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10. I am obsessed with food. I think about it constantly, and I am always hungry. I feel like I ran my 50K only for the trail food and the opportunity to drink a lot of beer after the race. Unfortunately for me, I was wiped out after 2 beers. Ok, maybe 3. Favorite aid station food? Grilled cheese sandwich triangles with pickles on top. Runner up? Bacon.<br />
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11. Trail running is not my first love. In fact, I hated it for my first two years of running. I didn't even buy my first pair of trail shoes until I was three years in. Today I like to run trails if I am with my friends, but if I am alone, give me roads any day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2SMfJR7Sa3XvJX6O7SSBWuNYPeImR-YkZ_DG3BgWodBfzajMmtYnLGdBH6EJrvU-POeKmrwW2yAp6ZpBfidhedVYAz4eUEdjU0va55P-RlsDYd_CJ-BKEsbk7EAXunGCmnTs6kLJd5k/s1600/2018+Medina+Half+thumbs+up+on+bricks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="666" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2SMfJR7Sa3XvJX6O7SSBWuNYPeImR-YkZ_DG3BgWodBfzajMmtYnLGdBH6EJrvU-POeKmrwW2yAp6ZpBfidhedVYAz4eUEdjU0va55P-RlsDYd_CJ-BKEsbk7EAXunGCmnTs6kLJd5k/s320/2018+Medina+Half+thumbs+up+on+bricks.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love me some roads!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxV5ox841GB2ck-0raydr4gEULflbeljz7Xl4eNLL9uWbqaaJ9y_DEhaSPusi1ULdayZJkmg0aWeKWChWccFJFzqtpI3ui_K0YGuh6ZYDcoYpy6DpxptZO31CTCcQudeesUMUScilZ65E/s1600/2019+Buckeye+Trail+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxV5ox841GB2ck-0raydr4gEULflbeljz7Xl4eNLL9uWbqaaJ9y_DEhaSPusi1ULdayZJkmg0aWeKWChWccFJFzqtpI3ui_K0YGuh6ZYDcoYpy6DpxptZO31CTCcQudeesUMUScilZ65E/s400/2019+Buckeye+Trail+12.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love me some trails, too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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12. I struggle with my weight. A lot. When I started training for marathons and ultras, the wheels came off a bit, and I've gained 20 pounds that I am now trying to lose. For me, this means logging every bite I put into my mouth. Somedays I wish I could eat like a "normal" person, but I know where that kind of thinking leads me. . .right into my fat clothes. I've lost 10 of the 20 pounds, but every day is a battle.<br />
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13. I belong to some super-cool running groups: Trail Sisters, Crooked River Trail Runners, Phillips' Phlyers, Canal Rats, the Lawn Wranglers. I truly enjoy running with people in these groups. Runners can be the nicest, most welcoming people in the world.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHo7-Z_Wqz1RUJaU7VQHzQhPuA0cR1SygC-IPEwRlKBNfXgV92qq5m-baSStBvs8gLBV3aYKgRAiRPMCCJwWJRVb-GXZBUQVcfi4KYsKHn8iu2r90JOicpp8Q420IbuSwPqHkWbvgJfwM/s1600/Trail+Sisters+Whole+Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHo7-Z_Wqz1RUJaU7VQHzQhPuA0cR1SygC-IPEwRlKBNfXgV92qq5m-baSStBvs8gLBV3aYKgRAiRPMCCJwWJRVb-GXZBUQVcfi4KYsKHn8iu2r90JOicpp8Q420IbuSwPqHkWbvgJfwM/s320/Trail+Sisters+Whole+Group.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trail Sisters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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13.1. I want to give YOU a free entry to any Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon race!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>For a chance to win, tell me which of the above snippets relates to you. Want more chances? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout! I will post a chance for you to respond each day. At the end of the week (Saturday, February 8), I will draw the winner, and I will announce it on Sunday, February 9. </b></span><br />
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Don't feel lucky? Use my code, RUNCLESTEPHANI10, for 10% off any race registration.<br />
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What are you waiting for? Join me!<br />
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However, whenever you run, I hope you run happy, Peeps!<br />
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-73977695046195137502020-01-20T11:21:00.000-08:002020-01-20T11:21:42.682-08:00Running PaydayHere it is, Peeps, my annual Payday Post!<br />
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Here is how it works:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I pay myself $.50 for every mile I run, $1.00 for every racing mile, and $5.00 for every PR. I deduct my race fees from this amount, and I deposit the total in a special savings account for my big ticket racing goal. </span><a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2016/12/payday-2016.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Here</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> and </span><a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2018/01/pay-day-2017.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> are some previous posts. Go ahead and read them; I'll wait.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;">Ok, ready? </span><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Step one</b></span><span style="color: #222222;"> is to calculate the total miles of 2019. I get this figure from Garmin and Strava, where I log my runs. This year I ran and walked 1,714 miles, which is a surprising decrease from last year, considering I added a 50K to my races. I think this isn't a bad thing, though, for two reasons:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. I was sick and couldn't run a step for over two weeks during the summer. It was all in my chest. We all know that when it hits your chest, you don't do heavy workouts. That is a loss of approximately 60-some miles.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. I did a better job of incorporating other activities besides running into my schedule. For example, I like to rotate among cardio and strength training activities like Zumba, Tae Bo, Dancing, Kettlebell, and free weights. I also did more swimming this year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin0cCtacZTRnPYutmKyV5jzru0E8qVwtz6exV9_wpBW4j2SQsa2rIdfit6iUvfTcoe9EvkCxrFzxsHYb3ok-Z0e4zv0lvA-qBZdkoFgXsRejbw1NSwnjbDtBS5kwuEwKcSJ7Y4qyCjy0/s1600/swimming1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="255" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin0cCtacZTRnPYutmKyV5jzru0E8qVwtz6exV9_wpBW4j2SQsa2rIdfit6iUvfTcoe9EvkCxrFzxsHYb3ok-Z0e4zv0lvA-qBZdkoFgXsRejbw1NSwnjbDtBS5kwuEwKcSJ7Y4qyCjy0/s400/swimming1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how I THINK I look as swimmer.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/11/13/08/33/water-wings-529172_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="800" height="186" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/11/13/08/33/water-wings-529172_960_720.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is ACTUALLY how I look as a swimmer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Step 2</b></span><span style="color: #222222;"> is to add up the racing miles:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">April: Forget the PR 50K= 32 (I got lost)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May: Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon = 26.2</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May: Medina Half Marathon = 13.1</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">July: Burning River = 17 </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">August: One Hot Momma = 16</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">September: Race with Grace = 3.1</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">September: Akron Marathon = 26.2</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">October: Crowell Hilaka = 15.5</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">November: Home Run for the Homeless = 4</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Total Racing Miles = 153.1 = 153</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Step 3</b></span><span style="color: #222222;"> is to subtract racing miles from total miles:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1,714 - 153 = 1, 561</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Step 4</b></span><span style="color: #222222;"> is to multiply non-racing miles by .50 and then add to racing miles:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1561 x .50 = 780 + 153 = $933</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Step 5</b></span><span style="color: #222222;"> is to add in $5.00 for every PR. . .and that would be one (FtPR): 933 + 5 = $938</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Woohoo! I'm rich! I'm . . . Oh wait. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I still need to add up my racing fees and subtract them from the total:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">938-448 = $490</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v9FYRRb_i8MOk326Di3-cu7-dwn-Q6RLCtzydHrlY93DHKdo2UxYh-koVB16dGJr42bzcqQWkXEDtbSNxaIZ21bL0ojCqjzizyZVJfAZLq3-EP9PORK5B2EUss2cxER6S7s7IZCc0xk/s1600/cha-ching.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="650" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v9FYRRb_i8MOk326Di3-cu7-dwn-Q6RLCtzydHrlY93DHKdo2UxYh-koVB16dGJr42bzcqQWkXEDtbSNxaIZ21bL0ojCqjzizyZVJfAZLq3-EP9PORK5B2EUss2cxER6S7s7IZCc0xk/s320/cha-ching.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am so happy with this! What this means is that I will be depositing $490 into my savings account dedicated to running the Paris Marathon. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As my smart-ass brother has pointed out to me, I am merely paying myself with MY OWN MONEY, which I completely understand. . . HOWEVER. If you are remotely like me, you may want to pay attention to this part. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I tend to be the person who takes care of everyone else around me: my family, my friends, my colleagues, my students. Running is one of the few ways that I take care of myself, and I have learned that I deserve rewards. Also, knowing that I have an account waiting for me to reach my goal of running the Paris Marathon gives me an incentive on the days that I don't want to get up at 4:30 AM to run or work out. I tend to punish myself pretty harshly when I don't achieve one of my gazillion goals, so I really use this system to remind myself that I am doing a great job.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How can you reward yourself for your goals, Peeps? One way you can reward yourself right away is by using my code, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">RUNCLESTEPHANI10, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">for 10% off any race entry for the<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/" target="_blank"> Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon</a></b>. </span>We can earn points towards our paydays together!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm looking forward to where my running year will take me. Wherever your running year takes you, I hope you run happy, Peeps!</span></span></div>
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Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-64388434145666822792019-12-17T16:44:00.000-08:002019-12-17T16:55:47.132-08:00There's a Needle for That.You hate this title, don't you?<br />
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Last post, I wrote about my problems with Morton's Neuroma in both feet. Honestly, I have been really freaked about it. <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2019/11/my-lumps.html" target="_blank">You can read about it here.</a></span><br />
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Since then, I have been trying to figure out the problem and take care of the situation. Here are some things I have been doing:<br />
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1. I have cut back on my running by about 10-15 miles per week. I have been substituting strength training. I plan to put in some swimming soon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty soon I'll look EXACTLY like this. . . but hopefully with hair. And, well, not as a man.</td></tr>
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2. I have purchased a new pair of trail shoes, and I haven't worn trail shoes as much as I usually do.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saucony Peregrine Ice.</td></tr>
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3. I have continued my visits to the chiropractor.<br />
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4. I now use YogaToes (when my feet aren't too cold).<br />
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5. I have had 3 acupuncture treatments so far, and I have another scheduled.</div>
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I basically get needles in my feet (soles and tops), my calves, my lower and upper back, my hands, my ear, and my head. It doesn't sound relaxing, but somehow it is. . .well, after the needles in my feet go in. I can't feel any of the needles going in except for those on the soles of my feet. Even so, I don't feel them once they are in. </div>
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I really like my acupuncturist. She instructs me by explaining how all of it works, and I find Eastern Medicine to be very interesting. I also like the idea that sticking me in different places can help different problems, all at the same time. You got a problem? There is a needle for that.</div>
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The marble-like sensation hasn't completely disappeared, but it is definitely dissipating. I have hope, so much hope that I'm thinking ahead to the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. I haven't registered yet because I can't choose between the Challenge Series or the marathon, but I'm definitely going to be there, and it's going to be amazing! Do you want to join me? <a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Register here</span></a> and use my code, <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">RUNCLESTEPHANI10 </span>to get 10% off any race, even the Challenge Series!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly, I am excited to run Cleveland!</td></tr>
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Wherever you run, I hope you run happy, Peeps!<br />
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!</div>
Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-29321432124683779932019-11-25T16:07:00.001-08:002019-11-25T16:07:01.856-08:00My Lumps Yes, I know that isn't the song.<br />
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I have <a href="https://www.webmd.com/women/mortons-neuroma#1" target="_blank">Morton's Neuroma </a>on both feet. This is some kind of bullshit because I NEVER wear high heeled shoes. In general, my shoes are supportive, rather than cute. I first noticed the feeling of a marble in the ball of my left foot about two months ago. After the Akron Marathon, I went back to my trusty chiropractor, who previously had cured my Achilles Tendinitis. I like my chiropractor because she won't tell me to stop running.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY what a Morton's Neuroma looks like. I guess. What the hell is this???</td></tr>
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What has caused my neuroma? Here are some guesses:<br />
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1. Shoes. I have worn the same brand of trail and road shoes since I started running about eight years ago. Maybe they are no longer the best shoe for me? I notice that I feel worse after trail running more than five miles.<br />
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2. Weight. I have not been able to shed fifteen pounds that I put on when I started marathon and 50K training. I'm not sure I buy this one, however, because I was much heavier when I first started running.<br />
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3. Stress. I have been in a dark, stressful place for a while. (I am sure that because of my naturally sunny disposition, you didn't notice.) I think my stress is slowly killing my body, piece by piece.<br />
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4. Dampness? This is a weird one, but my acupuncturist said that Chinese practitioners believe that dampness causes neuroma. This has certainly been a damp time outside.<br />
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5. Running. Gulp. I don't want to believe this one. I'm going to just skip over it.<br />
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What am I doing to treat my neuroma?<br />
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1. Shoes. I am wearing completely supportive shoes at all times. I just bought a new pair of the same brand of trail shoes, but I might go to Second Sole to discuss changing brands.<br />
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2. Weight. Let's be honest here. Nothing yet.<br />
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3. Stress. Ummmmm. . .Move on. Nothing to see here.<br />
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4. I am currently experiencing acupuncture, a first for me. My acupuncturist seems really confident that she can take care of the problem. I really, really hope so. I'm combining that therapy with my chiropractor's sessions, so I'm currently getting my neck cracked and needles stuck into the bottoms of my feet. And the top of my head. And my ears. And my back. And my legs. And my hand.<br />
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5. Running. I have cut way down on the mileage, and I"m not happy about it. I have been doing other exercises, but running has always been the best way to keep down the crazy.<br />
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How will this end? I haven't a clue, but I have hope. I have so much hope that I registered for a fall marathon.<br />
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Also, as a Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Ambassador, I am still your connection for discount race entries!<br />
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Would you like a free race entry? Take your chances by following the Cleveland Marathon Ambassadors. <a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/get-involved/clemarathon-ambassadors.aspx" target="_blank">You can find their social media info here.</a><br />
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Not feeling lucky? You can get a 10% discount on your race entry if you use my code, RUNCLESTEPHANI10. Join me! I promise I won't keep talking about my lumps.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wherever/whenever you run, I hope you run happy, Peeps!</td></tr>
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-8774248520259988732019-10-20T14:01:00.000-07:002019-10-20T14:01:37.281-07:00Race Recap: Crowell HilakaI have been in a funk since before the Akron Marathon. Marathon training is tough and long, and I ran two marathons and a 50K between April and September. That is a lot of miles. The remedy to this should be letting go of the miles, but Fall weather is FINALLY here, and it is my favorite season to run. I'm still not really having fun. <br />
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On Saturday, I ran the Crowell Hilaka trail half marathon at the Richfield Preserve, and I found some mojo that had been hiding on the trail. It was a great time.<br />
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Crowell Hilaka is a donation-or-volunteer race; you either donate money for your entry, or you volunteer with the group to clean up the trails. Either way, it's a good place to put your money or time. The donation money goes towards the efforts to maintain the trails, so I feel good knowing that I'm not out there just using up resources without giving back. The park is a former Girl Scout camp; before that it belonged to the Kirby family (yep, the vacuum people). Last year I swept for this race, so I knew what it would be like, remnants of scout camp buildings and fire pits, beautiful trails, a lake, and houses (and a water wheel!) that used to belong to the Kirby family. It's a really interesting course with something different every couple of miles. <br />
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I like that I was able to roll in about an hour before the start time and collect my bib and t shirt. No worries about parking or bathrooms because there was plenty of both. I spent the time finding every trail friend I've ever seen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_5bUDPA7KJHp-QcaCcjGCXI7LNIrY57zemrHXwO_kqCsYoHlTT12X81Qrpw6ip3pQ-37s_-UEY1EzyhyNXXkMwzKb0Fl3rINR7evOzzlfqoDWfanY1gWpN3sXDDmg_siCE10_AYi8j8/s1600/IMG_8524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_5bUDPA7KJHp-QcaCcjGCXI7LNIrY57zemrHXwO_kqCsYoHlTT12X81Qrpw6ip3pQ-37s_-UEY1EzyhyNXXkMwzKb0Fl3rINR7evOzzlfqoDWfanY1gWpN3sXDDmg_siCE10_AYi8j8/s320/IMG_8524.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll bet you recognize fellow Cleveland Marathon Ambassador Pam. We are always taking pictures together at the start. Then she blows me away.</td></tr>
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This was a Trail Sister race, and boy, did we show up as runners and volunteers!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of Trail Sisters today!</td></tr>
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We started in the back, chatting. After about a mile, I started feeling a little bit perky. The sun was shining through the trees, and the course doesn't have any really sharp inclines, so I was able to continue my momentum of running, and I started to feel very good. I decided to run alone for a while and see if I wanted to push my pace at all. The first loop of six miles passed very quickly (for me on a trail), and I enjoyed every second of it. I grabbed more food than I should have from the aid station and moved on.<br />
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Around mile 10 I started getting a bit tired, and that is when I spotted Giovanna, who I seem to see at just about every trail race. We started chatting and decided to finish together. With her the last three miles were great, especially since we both agreed to walk the steep parts of the last mile (which is pretty much all uphill).<br />
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The finish was a trail PR for me, and honestly, because I am a sick, sick person, I'm kind of mad at myself for not pushing a little harder.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how I look when I'm kind of mad at myself for not pushing a little harder.</td></tr>
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There were lots of plans for post-race celebrations, but I had to excuse myself to spend 4 1/2 hours selling 50/50 raffle tickets for my kid's band invitational. I'm not complaining. I'm not. <br />
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In short, this race made me want to do more and be a better runner. I'm already making plans to get in more speedwork and cross training because this is definitely something I've been lacking.<br />
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Kudos to Jennifer Douglas and Matt Force, who are great Race Directors!<br />
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Where did you find your running mojo this week, Peeps? No matter where you are, I hope you run happy!<br />
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-89206467712476612342019-10-06T13:48:00.000-07:002019-10-06T13:49:02.011-07:00Race Recap: Akron MarathonI had to wait at least a week to write this recap because I am a very emotional person, and I feel like I'm a better person (and writer) when I can take time to think over what I want to write. I have some very strong prejudices against the Akron Marathon, and I wanted to be sure that I was being fair when I describe my experience. If you have never read this blog before, I should probably bring you up to date about my background feelings, both positive and negative. <span style="color: red;">Edit:</span> On my long run this morning, it occurred to me that 78.9% of you don't care one bit what my background feelings are on the Akron Marathon. If this is you, I will spare you. If you are a part of the 21.1% who genuinely want to know,<span style="color: blue;"> <a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2019/10/double-secret-easter-egg-my-complicated.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">here is a link to my double secret blog post</span></a>.</span> Call it an Easter egg. You're welcome.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Bg-easter-eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Bg-easter-eggs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not THIS kind of Easter egg</td></tr>
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The expo was lots of fun, as usual. I worked the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon booth for a few hours, and I got to see all my running friends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg863PE4RAKE9ooHGlZm9oGHwHn3fY9CqEGQR2vBNTd_c0sx47aahWex4DXmJH6wu5-nyPmm9sd23OkpHNysoACGY0IOd8H2rv6C9EHZ4iBfJraSyDoZUgpqNpzo3zwdiRSn2UIjgtICJo/s1600/IMG_8407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg863PE4RAKE9ooHGlZm9oGHwHn3fY9CqEGQR2vBNTd_c0sx47aahWex4DXmJH6wu5-nyPmm9sd23OkpHNysoACGY0IOd8H2rv6C9EHZ4iBfJraSyDoZUgpqNpzo3zwdiRSn2UIjgtICJo/s320/IMG_8407.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon RD Ralph Staph, Super runner (and Medina City Schools BOE Member) Ron Ross</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAIRVwShNdLS2uhIrbZTzooW_SmqdSVTGvvKcGNrmW7q3Qc1Z4ZTrooGNOz9VaPFwfdtBE0aVGNzIr70e0P-Wi2kBDvtcEVfWENMyqcTNhN2FbPmw45Gd3fXzxBFY4v-Lsr8NZOJLKkM/s1600/IMG_8408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAIRVwShNdLS2uhIrbZTzooW_SmqdSVTGvvKcGNrmW7q3Qc1Z4ZTrooGNOz9VaPFwfdtBE0aVGNzIr70e0P-Wi2kBDvtcEVfWENMyqcTNhN2FbPmw45Gd3fXzxBFY4v-Lsr8NZOJLKkM/s320/IMG_8408.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fellow Ambassador Jeff Edwards and I say, "Run Cleveland 2020!"</td></tr>
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Then Marta arrived and we went to lunch. We came back in time for Marta's pinning ceremony (10 years of running the marathon!), and then we were lucky enough to meet Desi Linden!<br />
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She was so amazing and inspirational. She actually ASKED ME ABOUT MY TRAINING!!!! I stammered and smiled like a love-sick idiot.<br />
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Marta and I got our bibs and browsed the vendors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6HrsQq2xtZKHBJmbckrsdYkazUNkxm9BF3hisRm5CYHW1FUqgup-iHc4CkNU_J7K24jGixGoCJ9BrM3VRpJ4K0GquikXo0pruIPrB14FH9Mu3Yc3wVoeFwsej_hPZKDaUdTRoTlu1sw/s1600/IMG_8424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6HrsQq2xtZKHBJmbckrsdYkazUNkxm9BF3hisRm5CYHW1FUqgup-iHc4CkNU_J7K24jGixGoCJ9BrM3VRpJ4K0GquikXo0pruIPrB14FH9Mu3Yc3wVoeFwsej_hPZKDaUdTRoTlu1sw/s320/IMG_8424.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta and I are ready!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE0LJfCEC6QhNRzVht6KUs4DnM_13hUEUQtN3M9xNONQdNfhzWIr39PZdOwKMB69f4vZB_hKMTIdLYlB1erl5lSYYGUrmxjDKhOQceK3hpid1Ffcfa1Yj5S9FQCC4ppsP3RGeX18ws80/s1600/IMG_8452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE0LJfCEC6QhNRzVht6KUs4DnM_13hUEUQtN3M9xNONQdNfhzWIr39PZdOwKMB69f4vZB_hKMTIdLYlB1erl5lSYYGUrmxjDKhOQceK3hpid1Ffcfa1Yj5S9FQCC4ppsP3RGeX18ws80/s320/IMG_8452.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's tradition to find your name on the car outside the Expo.</td></tr>
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I found my teacher friends, who were running the relay:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfjx95U1GJpe5ffddOsPbkCdUwGCmrLlxl97kwUzwzGI96N7ahakLfY57oDqG2hICp0BReqKVLKVBNbvxmuXilC7e622SXzrr1pvxTja6qj_HVxFlIzzlqFeBPVhLmN_6-K-4I4AcLt4/s1600/IMG_8423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfjx95U1GJpe5ffddOsPbkCdUwGCmrLlxl97kwUzwzGI96N7ahakLfY57oDqG2hICp0BReqKVLKVBNbvxmuXilC7e622SXzrr1pvxTja6qj_HVxFlIzzlqFeBPVhLmN_6-K-4I4AcLt4/s320/IMG_8423.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Erin, Katie, and Mike</td></tr>
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Then we met up with fellow Ambassador Pam McGowan and her husband Steve, who is a pacer for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. We all had a drink and went home to rest.<br />
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Flash forward to the race. I decided not to take the shuttle since it was making me so anxious. Luckily for me, my friend Jen offered to pick up Marta, Renee, and me downtown and drive us to the start line. She got us there in great time, and we didn't have to worry about lines. Thanks, Jen!<br />
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My second worry was available bathrooms. The start from downtown always had plenty of bathrooms, and I worried that there wasn't enough space for them at Stan Hywet Hall. I was right and wrong about this. We got there pretty early, so I had plenty of time to use the port a potties twice, but the second time involved a LONG line. There were lots of runners who chose to relieve themselves in the woods, and I wonder if the Stan Hywet committee thought of this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hcUMp6oTrZdVVN28xPNwY3Juz_TfdFZFhmF_IToAAgTGqgZjN7OkcPdTRdgasERNo9Kx8rM-tKWdQ1vupreTu10AXLTFn8u1M0FT9etZZ1QGcMmOqbPRbcKhb34pwe4NSOPYsmTyWpM/s1600/IMG_8459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hcUMp6oTrZdVVN28xPNwY3Juz_TfdFZFhmF_IToAAgTGqgZjN7OkcPdTRdgasERNo9Kx8rM-tKWdQ1vupreTu10AXLTFn8u1M0FT9etZZ1QGcMmOqbPRbcKhb34pwe4NSOPYsmTyWpM/s320/IMG_8459.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renee, Me, Marta </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILJzxa4jHBOM568-BSb4xLy1bTgt5UtJ1mjt6jVo6Zrc-_Q8LIi6EylOhFd6pLrcmHx2vIt8Ore-I7587VWhlfyKZyDE55K4jDBTZ4NGbPunUkG7sc0TCEWfK0n5EOP-AjwrHuPlT3Tc/s1600/IMG_8458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1298" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILJzxa4jHBOM568-BSb4xLy1bTgt5UtJ1mjt6jVo6Zrc-_Q8LIi6EylOhFd6pLrcmHx2vIt8Ore-I7587VWhlfyKZyDE55K4jDBTZ4NGbPunUkG7sc0TCEWfK0n5EOP-AjwrHuPlT3Tc/s320/IMG_8458.JPG" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicki, Me, Renee, Marta</td></tr>
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The corrals are in the parking lot of Stan Hywet, with A Corral right by the start line, of course. It took me nine minutes to get from my corral to the start, and while those minutes are super exciting on the road to the start downtown, at Stan Hywet they were. . .nothing. I stood still in the corral for 6 minutes watching a video monitor as the elites and sub-elites started the race. Then I walked very slowly for 3 minutes toward the start line. It was definitely anti-climactic. <br />
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I ran with my friend Jeanne and her cousin for as long as I could keep up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWx_skJig5fF9JO_c4XumkI8WJq_KmATOQuIcfsrW7zlGbsZPIwFeDU64QyaXsjvzejeDx4bOZ_K1jATHz_7HCgpPqUuSmlUPn4kWJ09O5uhCYQ-8VF9DIgUSPz2ZbYQk1yDPs35T9KZI/s1600/IMG_8456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWx_skJig5fF9JO_c4XumkI8WJq_KmATOQuIcfsrW7zlGbsZPIwFeDU64QyaXsjvzejeDx4bOZ_K1jATHz_7HCgpPqUuSmlUPn4kWJ09O5uhCYQ-8VF9DIgUSPz2ZbYQk1yDPs35T9KZI/s320/IMG_8456.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanne and I wait in the corral. And wait. And wait.</td></tr>
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I did pretty well with my pace, keeping it around 10:30-10:45 until Mile 17 when the wheels came off. One of the advertised appeals of the new course is that it is faster and flatter than the old course. This is true, in my opinion, but it wasn't an easier course because the last part of it was in full sun reflecting off of water. It was humid and hot, and many of us suffered. Had I been a better runner, though, with a predicted finish of 3:30 or sooner, I probably would have loved the new course. Alas. I am not a better runner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKrPHSyWKWnXIxBOLfG1AYUeeAEoPAnQK7pA8rSASUNFsx7VYfSwJ1huUxMC1Lc2mrH6C6Qym_VgSE9mFc8wPU2FSxhBEa8Ijchg3A-q_L1havHhsrMFDtUCx__9kw6qNXkvjfClaKvU/s1600/IMG_8464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKrPHSyWKWnXIxBOLfG1AYUeeAEoPAnQK7pA8rSASUNFsx7VYfSwJ1huUxMC1Lc2mrH6C6Qym_VgSE9mFc8wPU2FSxhBEa8Ijchg3A-q_L1havHhsrMFDtUCx__9kw6qNXkvjfClaKvU/s320/IMG_8464.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how I look when I pretend I am a better runner.<br />
Photo Credit: Rob Thompson</td></tr>
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From Mile 19 to the end, I walked at least .10 of a mile and then shuffled my way to the next mile. At least 3 miles were on the boardwalk on Summit Lake, and it was really difficult. Part of the course goes behind Canal Park, where big factory pipes burp exhaust as you run by. That was not pleasant.<br />
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The finish line was wonderful, as always. Food, beer, a fabulous band, and a sweet medal. Per our tradition, Andrew waited for me at the finish, walked me to a patch of grass, made sure I wasn't going to die, and then he left. I found Marta and we got our medal shot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnSs7-WircmZolZeVMprx8RoLFkp_hjQT9pe0NGtcwW9eEtZMs587xA9WmJ34OwYgXMrBJQENG9hy96jK15GdlFNuRHVkZe0WxPgcBBE-3I5M2SIP2VisuxesLWK94JS24cCclZY7gEE/s1600/IMG_8457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnSs7-WircmZolZeVMprx8RoLFkp_hjQT9pe0NGtcwW9eEtZMs587xA9WmJ34OwYgXMrBJQENG9hy96jK15GdlFNuRHVkZe0WxPgcBBE-3I5M2SIP2VisuxesLWK94JS24cCclZY7gEE/s320/IMG_8457.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta is fancy. She is drinking organic Mich Ultra Light. </td></tr>
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When I made it home, I ordered 44 dollars worth of Chinese take out, and I ate at least half of it. Marathons aren't for the weak, Peeps.<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>To sum up:</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Plusses:</span> End of race party, band, stadium finish, flatter course, crowd support in West Akron, plenty of water stops and fuel stops. Desi Linden! Kudos to <a href="http://swensonsdriveins.com/" target="_blank">Swensons </a>for bringing their food truck out for the milkshake mile! The medal is awesome!<br />
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One note about the plusses: I didn't use the shuttle system, but everyone I know who did said that it was very smooth. We didn't have to delay the start, which is a win for everybody. So, kudos to the RD for having planned enough transportation!<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Minuses: </span>Fewer bands and spectators on the course (I guess this would be normal since it is a different course). Corral start is awful for back of the packers. Not enough bathrooms at start. The miles on Summit Lake are excruciating with little shade, and with next-to-no crowd support (but not everybody needs a crowd)<br />
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This race was not terrible, but it is gradually moving away from the race I loved. This is obviously my problem. Change is inevitable, and I'm sure that the RD wants to have the best possible experience for his elites and sub-elites. Because I am so weather-dependent, I would guess that if we had had an overcast day in the low 60's, I might have felt differently about the back half of the course. Or maybe I wouldn't. I do have to acknowledge that this is probably an awesome course as a half marathon.<br />
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I plan to sign up next year because it will be my fifth Akron Marathon, and I would like the pin. Will I fret less? Probably. Will I enjoy it more? Hmmmm. . .Time will tell. <br />
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What did you think, Peeps? Was this a fair recap, given my biases? How much did you love this race?<br />
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However you feel about the races you run, I hope you run happy with yourselves, Peeps!<br />
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!<br />
<br />Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-27595337385584505042019-10-06T13:10:00.000-07:002019-10-06T13:11:02.806-07:00Double Secret Easter Egg: My Complicated Feelings about Akron1. I started running because I live on the (old) Blue Line, and for years I would watch the runners come by as I sipped my coffee and hated myself. I started running so that I could run that exact stretch that went by my house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6WVG59qY4ojfQ80CdJ8Rv6H14hZRF6uxDL6M9zXnw_7rS_N5V6lJZpVjFYsbIhDwFnDq8SHeu9ai3xUx0-SgLApm_aDGQMtZ-WD-1egluGplO-Ff9aD5F6QuG9oAJRFZypN7Eu1h1IM/s1600/Blue+line+me%252C+Mandy%252C+Joy+%2528Joseph+Kiggins%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="960" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6WVG59qY4ojfQ80CdJ8Rv6H14hZRF6uxDL6M9zXnw_7rS_N5V6lJZpVjFYsbIhDwFnDq8SHeu9ai3xUx0-SgLApm_aDGQMtZ-WD-1egluGplO-Ff9aD5F6QuG9oAJRFZypN7Eu1h1IM/s320/Blue+line+me%252C+Mandy%252C+Joy+%2528Joseph+Kiggins%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how I look finally running that Blue Line!</td></tr>
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2. The Akron Marathon was my first marathon, and it was a wonderful experience. You never forget your first, and I was lucky that the conditions were the best they could be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_yrC96qU0PuHu4WziPC32kuYyopQAZZEfkUNnsv9ixPuOhE5D_Xlu_Z-GzFRnbEUY3nLNNnIM3vwE3sGC2sTw8RM27DaENUw-9afiAJczCA_FMHij18GdCynLr0vQG3fWr0eAOPmcHY/s1600/531481_235846335_Medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="425" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_yrC96qU0PuHu4WziPC32kuYyopQAZZEfkUNnsv9ixPuOhE5D_Xlu_Z-GzFRnbEUY3nLNNnIM3vwE3sGC2sTw8RM27DaENUw-9afiAJczCA_FMHij18GdCynLr0vQG3fWr0eAOPmcHY/s320/531481_235846335_Medium.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming into the chute for my first marathon. Notice Andrew in the blue. He tried to hand me a beer, but I wasn't having it.</td></tr>
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<br />
3. The first year I ran the Akron Marathon, the RD took away the iconic jackets, and I received a long sleeved tech tee. . . like every half marathoner. Not to be too dramatic, but I was devastated. I talked to a member of the race committee about it and tagged Akron Marathon on social media to discuss this issue. The Marathon ignored my tags, and the committee member told me that runners actually said they would PREFER A SHIRT TO A JACKET. I am calling shenanigans on that one.<br />
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<br />
<br />
4. Each year, the RD tweaks the race, which is to be expected; however, those tweaks tend to make the race less enjoyable for slower runners, like me. In addition, the RD has sent some tone-deaf social media posts that I (and other runners like me) found disheartening and insulting. I recently listened to a podcast that featured the RD, and through his interview I realized that runners who are not elites or sub-elites are not really on his radar. It's not that he deliberately ignores or looks down on runners like me; we just aren't there in his mind. This is obviously my problem to get over, not his, as he is a successful RD, and I am. . .a successful teacher who runs a lot.<br />
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<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fEivyj68T4I" width="560"></iframe><br />
This is EXACTLY how I look as a successful teacher who runs a lot.<br />
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<br />
<br />
5. This year, the course started at Stan Hywet Hall, and it started a half hour later than normal. This meant that the beginning of the course would be in the West Akron neighborhoods (usually at the back end),in the shade with lots of crowd support, and the back part would be in full sun on the boardwalk part of the Towpath in East Akron. Runners were expected to take a shuttle from downtown Akron to Stan Hywet. These recent changes caused me to lose my freaking mind with worry over shuttles and bathrooms. A race that I had loved for years and years was now causing me undue panic and anxiety. I feared that my only alternative would be to drop the race, but that idea was hurtful as I had run the race for so many years. I signed up and tried to be positive about it, but if you know me, you know that my "positive" includes a lot of fretting.<br />
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<br />
Ok, you've read my background information. Wow! You are persistent! The obvious thought most of you are having must be this:<br />
<br />
Get over yourself. Seriously. If you have this much trouble with the race. . . don't run it. Just shut up and let it go. Well . . .<br />
<br />
I can't. I'm not wired that way.<br />
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Although I can name my demons, and I have daily conversations with them while I walk them about on leashes, I can't actually make them disappear. It's one of my little "quirks" that my friends tolerate. You don't have to tolerate the demons; they are not in your head. I hope you tolerate the quirks. Also, YOU are the one who opened this Easter egg! Why are you here if you don't enjoy my neuroses??????<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/886/41539285745_807e056c4a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="682" height="320" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/886/41539285745_807e056c4a_b.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is. . .not exactly how my demons look. My demons are chubbier and far less artistic.</td></tr>
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Carry on to the race review, Peeps.Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-14706146413580462542019-09-20T19:16:00.000-07:002019-09-20T19:16:18.949-07:00Race Recap: Race with Grace 5KI searched and searched for someone who would run with me; I never found anyone. I am the sad and lonely runner who feels compelled to try her best, even in the middle of a long run, even during taper. <br />
<br />
Here is my secret, Peeps: I hate, hate, HATE 5Ks. Why? Because 3.1 miles are just short enough that if you choose to run that race, you should race the crap out of it. I mean balls to the wall. Gasping. Trying not to throw up at the finish line. If you aren't trying to block out some major pain during a 5K, are you really running it? <br />
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Sick, right? This is how I think, Peeps. So, I am tapering until the Akron Marathon, and I needed at least ten miles on the day of the race. Last year I got Marta to run it with me; we ran the course pre-race as a warmup, ran it again for the race, and then we ran four more miles while sucking down snow cones.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlbuU_azhSBDO5VjzFUoGeP1iKuoaMpqAo08qOYutj_H5we6SDjtcXZBznxY1qKeCSjOp17PQoFB_15OEWtnsN3PRRABbQwKOEKErOCOvZj3jo8YMCSnaeGAEx9qJACo6C-p_O_zSeRA/s1600/2018+Race+with+Grace+chute+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlbuU_azhSBDO5VjzFUoGeP1iKuoaMpqAo08qOYutj_H5we6SDjtcXZBznxY1qKeCSjOp17PQoFB_15OEWtnsN3PRRABbQwKOEKErOCOvZj3jo8YMCSnaeGAEx9qJACo6C-p_O_zSeRA/s400/2018+Race+with+Grace+chute+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are in 2018, coming in to the chute. This does NOT look like tapering behavior.</td></tr>
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<br />
This year Marta wizened up and said she wanted no part of that, so I thought, well, I'll just find someone who hasn't run a 5K before. . .or someone who doesn't want to race. . . or someone who is sick or hungover. No such luck.<br />
<br />
I knew I had no motivation to PR this race; on the contrary, I have fifteen extra pounds and practically ZERO speed work that say there will be no spectacular running for me any time soon. GAAAAAAA.<br />
<br />
Still, it's a good cause.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xgH-D2BN73bo41KC5_WZiGdsev8njevCpfAZywI5gvXgCaKP_LmwB_ivDTlo13araTiYRB8h6SiqU_QfLbccB-zooLW1BDRZIUiqweCS_9PBxbX4ZP4sGKSsMWSgXw_Ry38sAcq_GHE/s1600/2019+Race+with+Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="960" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xgH-D2BN73bo41KC5_WZiGdsev8njevCpfAZywI5gvXgCaKP_LmwB_ivDTlo13araTiYRB8h6SiqU_QfLbccB-zooLW1BDRZIUiqweCS_9PBxbX4ZP4sGKSsMWSgXw_Ry38sAcq_GHE/s640/2019+Race+with+Grace.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MHS Team Brenda. I am clearly not a team player because I didn't wear the long-sleeved race shirt in 75 degree weather. </td></tr>
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So, I decided to do what I could. I showed up early and ran four miles, looked for someone to run with me, failed miserably, and resigned myself to a painful run where I would continually tell myself that I didn't have to run hard, but I would do so anyway.<br />
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I think I did ok. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bUY3FrbRe7bVwCe-D2z8naI2ynqHRdXkTIl4ALha0PldBheCvCwzXZbXL5Eg1AKL_JWlZYmYk0y-ApWRWRnlB0cFIP5WTqlUNxyUu9cUEVWTS4X3zL7GFsFJZd4L62PWBtWntRwd8I4/s1600/2019+Race+with+Grace+results.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="1600" height="30" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bUY3FrbRe7bVwCe-D2z8naI2ynqHRdXkTIl4ALha0PldBheCvCwzXZbXL5Eg1AKL_JWlZYmYk0y-ApWRWRnlB0cFIP5WTqlUNxyUu9cUEVWTS4X3zL7GFsFJZd4L62PWBtWntRwd8I4/s640/2019+Race+with+Grace+results.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is SO DIFFICULT TO SEE! I ran it in 27:27.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This is about a minute off my 5K PR. . .but I don't care. I don't. I feel like I did the respectable thing by running a middle distance between my comfort zone and my racing zone. This is my half marathon tempo pace, but I am no longer in that kind of shape, so. . .I'll take it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I immediately switched my Garmin to walking mode after the finish, and I walked a mile to take off the nausea. Then I drank some water and ate some pizza, and I took pictures of some of the finishers. After that, I couldn't stall any longer, so I ran two more miles for a total of ten miles that day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I am currently in my last week of taper before the Akron Marathon, and I feel ok. I'm trying to keep an open mind about the race, and I'm trying to visualize a marathon PR and a good time. This is kind of against my nature, but I'm giving it a shot. Wish me luck!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Next week will be the recap of the Akron Marathon and all the fun things that go with it. Stay tuned!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What are you training for? Whatever is keeping you running, I hope you run happy, Peeps!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!</span></div>
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<br />Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-15192986690276492022019-08-26T16:49:00.000-07:002019-08-26T17:02:44.413-07:00Race Recap: One Hot MommaSo, I am definitely susceptible to peer pressure, especially when someone starts up on booking a race super-early. I always book my races as early as possible, so if you tell me 9 months ahead that you want me to run a race. . . chances are good I will do it rather than argue with you. Good to know, right?<br />
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Jennifer posted the One Hot Momma 25k. It involves running and camping.<br />
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<a href="https://trailrunner.com/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/6-36e155c95ff3f96679a72e4ed98f33db/2019/01/one-hot-momma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="752" height="260" src="https://trailrunner.com/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/6-36e155c95ff3f96679a72e4ed98f33db/2019/01/one-hot-momma.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Despite my previous experiences with running and camping (Click <a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2015/06/race-recap-wv-ragnar-trail-race.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2016/08/race-recap-ragnar-trail-relay.html" target="_blank">here </a>for my Ragnar Trail experiences), I believe that I am a camping goddess, so I signed on for the weekend, which was supposed to include running, drinking, napping, paddle-boarding, and lots of eating. It was our celebration before reporting back to school that week.<br />
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I packed as if I was going to the Amazon for a week of camping, even thought it was two nights. I brought lots of clothing, bathing suits, towels, food, beer, my cooler, my Taj Mahal (tent for 6 people with a front porch), chairs, racing clothing, other clothing, headlamps, knuckle lights, a paddle-board. . .Oh, you get the picture.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/01/25/13/47/luggage-611004_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/01/25/13/47/luggage-611004_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wasn't Jen's car, but it may as well have been. </td></tr>
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We found that our campsite was located right on the race course!<br />
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We set up camp and unpacked and got our bibs:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxI1KBjeTq1n5ZbfnmW02TBlcRmmxOOGpnj4ZHyUklaJljoRtAarqsfNRuW3zJ2_ZXZ3drlOnRkCghUNihaW26ee3SzkswcgGtiwoGZnIiGqM3eTEzif_iVyPmN5_hf_Cmmawwj-mRwI/s1600/One+Hot+Momma+Pre+Set+up+Confusion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxI1KBjeTq1n5ZbfnmW02TBlcRmmxOOGpnj4ZHyUklaJljoRtAarqsfNRuW3zJ2_ZXZ3drlOnRkCghUNihaW26ee3SzkswcgGtiwoGZnIiGqM3eTEzif_iVyPmN5_hf_Cmmawwj-mRwI/s400/One+Hot+Momma+Pre+Set+up+Confusion.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who's gonna set up camp?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLznIdqlu0GTWcgfPaWtnEl-IDhJAYX60UWBr6QiQvkCaIK1ZGvU6ImR-OKKbc2L7G6bhfpV_sJlNbKL-ZEKOipWbM0gK1lBBT_mnz_fdCeEddJT8HuTVtZiCxdR0aNsI_IRyfXaTYRyM/s1600/One+Hot+Momma+Tent+Set+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLznIdqlu0GTWcgfPaWtnEl-IDhJAYX60UWBr6QiQvkCaIK1ZGvU6ImR-OKKbc2L7G6bhfpV_sJlNbKL-ZEKOipWbM0gK1lBBT_mnz_fdCeEddJT8HuTVtZiCxdR0aNsI_IRyfXaTYRyM/s400/One+Hot+Momma+Tent+Set+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll just stand there while Jen does all the work.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHg2G5fvqIzDSJpWT0k-4Z_Iaywx9V-OUWPgZE0pDzJDMcAKhCH8YlG1kmpeka1blwAgqqE25cUq49FyQG3Yrv0ocj4YQKv5pAlSxoO1QCIIh-AhaeVqeIf3PMXpUcn1_bjKstk0ui_Q/s1600/One+Hot+Momma+Camp+is+set+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHg2G5fvqIzDSJpWT0k-4Z_Iaywx9V-OUWPgZE0pDzJDMcAKhCH8YlG1kmpeka1blwAgqqE25cUq49FyQG3Yrv0ocj4YQKv5pAlSxoO1QCIIh-AhaeVqeIf3PMXpUcn1_bjKstk0ui_Q/s400/One+Hot+Momma+Camp+is+set+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then I'll take all the credit. Look at my beautiful tent on the left!</td></tr>
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And then we had some necessary carb-loading:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKyZ7oroRYhJ_qAqUoravrs3qv_QguliiE06kxs3XGCS71hN8rZHbz_ccknQG_Tzh4GAjlOOjj5yyDdSyEctBuSqW6jgOe8opNdye2q6bMxEYnMvGqJD-a0dwcXg6875YkRt5U8LtaOQ/s1600/One+Hot+Momma+beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKyZ7oroRYhJ_qAqUoravrs3qv_QguliiE06kxs3XGCS71hN8rZHbz_ccknQG_Tzh4GAjlOOjj5yyDdSyEctBuSqW6jgOe8opNdye2q6bMxEYnMvGqJD-a0dwcXg6875YkRt5U8LtaOQ/s320/One+Hot+Momma+beer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The race we chose was the 25k, which was four 4-mile loops around the lake. Each loop went by our campsite, so we had the luxury of dropping things off and picking them up again. We became very familiar with the sights along the course:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4dhtuWnnaSrfH0Dx-hVst6J6P_3lc8gYeXTYcP9EhpHRQW2-CD4l6O-_AUQCeo0yvYqILD4zQI0g5tflpZbTV3hllqNqQDuYsZDsH4BjC4DATs-6jUWhtMrz0iEHQk2Zkr-ayekUbyY/s1600/One+Hot+Momma+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4dhtuWnnaSrfH0Dx-hVst6J6P_3lc8gYeXTYcP9EhpHRQW2-CD4l6O-_AUQCeo0yvYqILD4zQI0g5tflpZbTV3hllqNqQDuYsZDsH4BjC4DATs-6jUWhtMrz0iEHQk2Zkr-ayekUbyY/s400/One+Hot+Momma+Start.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta, Jen, Me, Renee at the start</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt0KHJf7ZHaNX1gqYn6k2q32yiN93zuMMQ3J5tnyK7MScg1HwGclU9W5lHMo9hEwClP3PruX9Vu4hm07E99fz9C4f4HzwZpXENy8wvMKUrHH6NB5F8xhS3cwBgFvazntFhyphenhyphenCDm4HP_HE/s1600/One+Hot+Momma+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt0KHJf7ZHaNX1gqYn6k2q32yiN93zuMMQ3J5tnyK7MScg1HwGclU9W5lHMo9hEwClP3PruX9Vu4hm07E99fz9C4f4HzwZpXENy8wvMKUrHH6NB5F8xhS3cwBgFvazntFhyphenhyphenCDm4HP_HE/s400/One+Hot+Momma+Lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lake as the sun was rising.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavfAMbflGFCqtyDzCiCryXKjWtZtaVtyX9m1fQdb-9gry4NmPeLPmjmRGltVt9rhDAgDOtL5xL6bZ72XiYKkUlbm_TDzaN2_Lf2s_nJQVRy6nYvH26X068kT1HXnAUTDXCFnFN37DMd4/s1600/One+Hot+Momma+Mario+Stones+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavfAMbflGFCqtyDzCiCryXKjWtZtaVtyX9m1fQdb-9gry4NmPeLPmjmRGltVt9rhDAgDOtL5xL6bZ72XiYKkUlbm_TDzaN2_Lf2s_nJQVRy6nYvH26X068kT1HXnAUTDXCFnFN37DMd4/s400/One+Hot+Momma+Mario+Stones+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We called these the Super Mario stones. I crossed them four times and made Mario jumping noises each time.<br />
Photo Credit for almost all pics: Marta Pacur</td></tr>
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I had some stomach cramps that morning, and though Jen, Renee, Marta, and I started out together, my secret plan was to ditch them by hitting up the bathroom on the first loop and then having a leisurely run for the rest of the 12ish miles. Marta had other plans. When I got out of the bathroom, she was there waiting for me, and I knew then that I was going to have to run hard because she intended to catch up with Jen and Renee before the end of the loop. . . so we did. </div>
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I tease Marta a lot, but she really is a great friend and running partner. She didn't need to wait for me, and I specifically told her not to do so, but Croatians are stubborn, so. . .</div>
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I had a plan for each loop to keep it interesting. The last loop was the farewell loop because we had to say goodbye to every landmark on the course.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farewell, Super Mario Stones!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farewell, Bullshit Hill of Nope!<br />
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And, we finished by 10:00 AM, which gave us plenty of eating and drinking time!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta, Renee, Me. Jen had finished the 8-mile route.</td></tr>
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The route is really interesting and not too difficult. There were lots of people to talk to along the way, and the volunteers were awesome. I really liked this race, especially the medal, which was created by an art teacher.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWNn7JWF3LUDIhxdtSAGAw19gu3jalt7PS5qyBRI8oXpVJ9oh6Glv9vmQUQPe6GRJ-euLnnH8Ki-n2A-S16DlNV0LHPLX_O7QA4hXWV85d44FJ5lYLpYhYFqYivF_ojv5oiZyXPan49I/s1600/One+Hot+Momma+Medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="997" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWNn7JWF3LUDIhxdtSAGAw19gu3jalt7PS5qyBRI8oXpVJ9oh6Glv9vmQUQPe6GRJ-euLnnH8Ki-n2A-S16DlNV0LHPLX_O7QA4hXWV85d44FJ5lYLpYhYFqYivF_ojv5oiZyXPan49I/s320/One+Hot+Momma+Medal.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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There are a lot of good qualities to this race, as I have already written. The only drawback is that the campsite does not have showers or real bathrooms. I can survive a long time on a primitive site, but I need a shower and I need toilets with sinks. The campsite had one bathroom with two toilets, but they locked one of them up. It was very inconvenient before, during, and after the race. As for the shower, the race officials connected with the local YMCA, who graciously allowed runners to use their showers after the race. I was ok with that, but I still think it's weird that a campground has no showers and hardly any working bathrooms.</div>
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After the race we ate and ate and ate and ate some more. Then we took naps, woke up, and ate again. It was glorious. This was the perfect opportunity to get my head together before I started school again, and a race three hours away is the perfect distance to do that.</div>
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Will I run it again? Honestly, I don't know. Bathrooms are a dealbreaker for me in races and camping, so I would have to succumb to lots of peer pressure before I sign up again. Despite the campgrounds, I liked everything about the race, and I encourage you to try it for yourself. You, too, can be One Hot Momma!</div>
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!</div>
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Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-50620367259545650032019-07-29T16:49:00.000-07:002019-07-29T17:38:43.777-07:00Race Recap: Burning River 8 Person RelayBurning River is a 100-mile race, but I don't treat it as a race. I consider Burning River to be a 24+hour party where I get to see every running friend I know. It is a weekend without sleep. It is a weekend to follow through on poorly-planned ideas with minimal training. <br />
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But that is just me.<br />
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There are friends who run the full hundred miles for this race (actually 102 miles!). There are friends who run the front or back 50. There are many friends who organize relay teams of 4 or 8 runners to cover this distance. Last year I ran in a 4 woman relay, and this year I decided to run in an 8 woman relay with the Trail Sisters. Lest you think that I was taking it easy, I want you to know that I chose leg 7, which is a night leg of 17ish trail miles with 1,866 feet of elevation. Have I laid down my crazy for you yet? No? How about if I tell you that due to work and family vacation, the longest distance I've run this summer is 13 miles, and that was at least 3 weeks ago? Now are you convinced?<br />
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I was sick for two weeks before this race, and my running was minimal, but I wasn't worried too much about it. Trail running allows for some hiking as opposed to road running, where you are a wuss if you walk. I knew I could finish my leg, but I didn't want to be very slow.<br />
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The Trail Sisters had their annual dinner the night before the race.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ837yjLEy7mxmZ3ipEiSPm1iNfgvC4tRj0aM6ZPr26XZC59A4WhPj2vjBR_Zq-X988RYeXLx_3SjtpvDIrxMLeYzKO_8vXxuyrqz9j2w-zMnTgVf03tBacSoQRZsYTNEbZyDWYKCxyBg/s1600/2019+Burning+River+Trail+Sisters+Dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ837yjLEy7mxmZ3ipEiSPm1iNfgvC4tRj0aM6ZPr26XZC59A4WhPj2vjBR_Zq-X988RYeXLx_3SjtpvDIrxMLeYzKO_8vXxuyrqz9j2w-zMnTgVf03tBacSoQRZsYTNEbZyDWYKCxyBg/s400/2019+Burning+River+Trail+Sisters+Dinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you find me? I'm in pink.</td></tr>
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My leg wasn't slated to start until around midnight, so I had some time to kill. Marta, Jenn, and I decided to hang together to cheer on other runners at the 50 mile mark.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta, me, Jenn, Dawn, Kelleigh</td></tr>
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We spent a few hours talking with running friends. Kelleigh was filming a documentary on the race, and I pestered her until she finally consented to film me (to shut me up). I am a star in her film (until I end up on the editing floor).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am being VERY AMUSING.</td></tr>
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We watched for our friend Jason, who was running his first 100 miler. This was an emotional moment for all of us because Jason was running the race in honor of Steve Pierce, my friend and friend to many, who died from a heart attack in May. <a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-running-community-suffers-great-loss.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Read my tribute to him here.</span></a> Jennifer is Steve's wife, and I admire the strength it took for her to celebrate this race with us. We stood in the sun for a few hours (in retrospect, I don't think that was a great idea), and we were rewarded with Jason coming in to the 50 mile point:<br />
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Jason looked strong coming in. He had a huge smile on his face when he saw that his crew (which was enormous) had brought in his mother, who is fighting cancer. She gave him a big hug and the strength he needed to continue. <br />
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Let me just take a minute to show you something and explain the context. There are rules in races that have relay teams. One of the primary rules is that when a relay runner passes a 50 or 100 miler, they need to announce that they are a relay runner. This is courtesy, and it is very necessary in the last fifty miles of the race. Imagine that you are a 100 mile runner, and some punk blows by you on the trail: you would be discouraged, right? That is why it is necessary to announce yourself as a relay runner; you are letting the runner know that you have more energy because you have fewer miles. Many relay runners (read: ME) take it a step further, and they tell the runners they pass that they admire them for their stamina and courage. When I pass a 50 or 100 miler (after announcing myself), I always say something like, "Great job, Runner. You look strong!" or "I really admire your strength, Runner." It's super-important to encourage those runners because they will need all the help they can get to finish.<br />
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Ok, so imagine you are a relay runner approaching the 50 mile mark of the course. Imagine that the Race Director announces that the man you are running behind is a 100-miler, and then there is a huge crowd that cheers for him. What would you do in the chute? Would you continue your pace behind him and let him take the lead for the last 50 feet? Or would you give it everything you've got to blow by him and cross the marker before him? Take a look at this dude, and guess what he decided to do:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Must. Pass. Hundred. Miler. </td></tr>
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Ok, 'nuff said.<br />
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Anyway, my leg was slated to start at midnight. Bobbi and Marta were driving me to the start when we got a text from Jenn (who was on the leg before me). She said she was dizzy and sick and was heading for the road. Marta used the race app to find her, and we drove to her location to pick her up. I think that those hours in the sun were working on us at that point. Marta and Bobbi dropped me at my start, and they took care of Jenn. <i>Update: Jenn is fine. </i><br />
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I started at Valley Picnic, which was uphill for miles. In fact, most of my run was freaking uphill. Of course. I knew every part of the 17+ miles I ran, but in the dark the trails weren't as recognizable, and I couldn't figure out how they linked together. Luckily, the course was well marked, so I didn't have to think about any of that.<br />
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My leg was a combination of road-Towpath-jogging path-trail. The trail parts were definitely slowing me down because of the night and the climbing, but I was able to make up for that on the road and Towpath. Sand Run jogging trail is MY HOUSE, so I was pleasantly surprised to find myself running there. <br />
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The course was tough, and I ran it in about 4 hours and 12 minutes, which is slower than I had hoped, but I think it was understandable since it was climbing at night (and I was undertrained). The aid stations were within reasonable distances, and the volunteers were AMAZING. They were so kind, and they tried to make sure I was fueling and hydrating properly, even when I arrogantly dismissed their questions by saying that I was only running 17 miles. I am an idiot for sure, Peeps. I don't know why my friends put up with me, unless I am fodder for jokes later. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuffing my face and considering my life choices at the aid station.</td></tr>
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I met up with the Trail Sisters (thanks to Bobbi, Marta, and Nicole!) at the handoff to Kelleigh.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ABB7jsa8731U3a5F1Ns6GzMucRqlBdPKl4piLKx_7K131s8CSUXQg4r1wip3zvsGN-7iTi7dIkNihVvSJ1GIqQl3j45j-UL6IXtwaF1igDG8BNLhJWinolbkZ6uaNym_JaTIOLarNe4/s1600/2019+BR+Leg+7%253A8+handoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ABB7jsa8731U3a5F1Ns6GzMucRqlBdPKl4piLKx_7K131s8CSUXQg4r1wip3zvsGN-7iTi7dIkNihVvSJ1GIqQl3j45j-UL6IXtwaF1igDG8BNLhJWinolbkZ6uaNym_JaTIOLarNe4/s400/2019+BR+Leg+7%253A8+handoff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have evil eyes. Why do you suppose that is?</td></tr>
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Then Bobbi shuttled me back to the finish line, where I changed clothes and slept for about an hour in my car to wait for Kelleigh, who came in like a Speedy Gonzales, so I freaking missed her crossing the finish line.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjermjNyL2IDmrDgrfBV0uwJVSMXkEG_jlV9o8OPxFQb6HLuWm_DpDXPJ2wBAG2wU9KM_4PKKrcEJ4XW7TUP6RT9btrfInzYhUCtLloxQH6ollZOt3kKbg956IQh5ARBMCm1TGNUHBsybM/s1600/2019+BR+Finish+with+Kelleigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjermjNyL2IDmrDgrfBV0uwJVSMXkEG_jlV9o8OPxFQb6HLuWm_DpDXPJ2wBAG2wU9KM_4PKKrcEJ4XW7TUP6RT9btrfInzYhUCtLloxQH6ollZOt3kKbg956IQh5ARBMCm1TGNUHBsybM/s400/2019+BR+Finish+with+Kelleigh.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am apologizing to Kelleigh for being a Sleepy McSleeperson. Nicole is about to steal my purse and run away, it seems. Allison hopes to distract me to help out Nicole.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKAQfH96vxxYVIdcXK8A7709B3zHnvbnvTQucXb6MEmT0GFUe_xEp4m49F6vrwN6xirrcIyd51q2LDG9F2vEoqITBPCRcbhJt2-48O2AsjAb01q12ppAP_1anolj5oK0U_ZSm8Tkr9PA/s1600/2019+BR+Finish+Line+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKAQfH96vxxYVIdcXK8A7709B3zHnvbnvTQucXb6MEmT0GFUe_xEp4m49F6vrwN6xirrcIyd51q2LDG9F2vEoqITBPCRcbhJt2-48O2AsjAb01q12ppAP_1anolj5oK0U_ZSm8Tkr9PA/s400/2019+BR+Finish+Line+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Sisters of Mayhem with our medals!</td></tr>
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I really wanted to stay to see Jason come in, but I could barely keep my eyes open, and I knew I had to get home safely. This is what I missed:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDmr_tS2St8ie6vDmvbVAiRo80htYWhjGIQrkbAbiSbtng3MtC0r5DO0Q8-OCS4-dpRUBJnfBwLcLzJS1RNXE5ZMEJG3-JhnH6j1cPeIUDc_1aV4uEEtMq1J29VwpO-r3XvPBd0VV_Gs/s1600/2019+BR+Jason+chute+Steve%2527s+shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDmr_tS2St8ie6vDmvbVAiRo80htYWhjGIQrkbAbiSbtng3MtC0r5DO0Q8-OCS4-dpRUBJnfBwLcLzJS1RNXE5ZMEJG3-JhnH6j1cPeIUDc_1aV4uEEtMq1J29VwpO-r3XvPBd0VV_Gs/s400/2019+BR+Jason+chute+Steve%2527s+shirt.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason finished and held up Steve's shirt as he crossed the line. There wasn't a dry eye in the place.</td></tr>
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I'm so proud of all my friends who ran this weekend: Sisters of Mayhem, Twisted Sisters (who kicked our asses), the Mother Runners, and the 50 and 100 milers. It was a challenge to run in the heat, and I am so proud of all of you; whether you met your personal goal or not, you are amazing to me. <br />
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I am so thankful to the Pacers for my friends and the volunteers for every part of this race. Your selflessness is an inspiration to me. Your calmness and cheerfulness kept many runners going. I would especially like to thank Bobbi, Marta, and Kelleigh, who were seemingly everywhere during the race and who cheerfully shuttled us all around. Please note: Bobbi has EVERYTHING in her car because she is always uber-prepared and keeps her cool at all times. <br />
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I would like to thank the Race Directors for Burning River. You had many challenges laid upon you on top of the "normal" challenges of hosting a 100 mile race. You did a great job of giving us a fun and challenging experience. <br />
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Peeps, this isn't the end. I've got a 25K (One Hot Mama) in just two weeks, and it involves camping, so you know there will be some stories. I hope that whatever trails you run, you run happy!<br />
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!<br />
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Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-40687610927296701402019-06-23T17:35:00.000-07:002019-06-23T17:44:00.846-07:00Recap: Medina Half MarathonIt was a chill kind of race.<br />
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To give you an idea of it, I didn't even wear my Garmin that day. For me, that is UNHEARD OF. <br />
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I had come off the Cleveland Marathon with a time far above what I wanted. I was trying to recover. I was suffering. I got lucky.<br />
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I got lucky because I convinced a fellow Mother Runner (Amy) to run with me. She said she wanted a steady 11:00/mile pace, and I knew I could do that. Thank goodness for Amy.<br />
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We had a great time running in horrible heat (again), and I actually didn't worry about it because. . . hey. I said I would run an 11:00/mile, and that is what I did. Thank you, Amy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKzAzfFlj-5TmabX2EKhznjDGP-izL_iCdDYJ3-gq_ia7uf-ithaQCyFARUJAW3LPfo28x1NIOA42Ybt2QH2kP7jOoIMlejinlRoSDMQO69JT52eP7nst-tUMCwWJDnu0-XrjAg6vAso/s1600/2019+Medina+Half+Hands+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKzAzfFlj-5TmabX2EKhznjDGP-izL_iCdDYJ3-gq_ia7uf-ithaQCyFARUJAW3LPfo28x1NIOA42Ybt2QH2kP7jOoIMlejinlRoSDMQO69JT52eP7nst-tUMCwWJDnu0-XrjAg6vAso/s320/2019+Medina+Half+Hands+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Medina. Amy and I pretend that the freaking humidity isn't bothering us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaouz6IzFfSUmLAY_h6I8MJkYZ1PmCUblpDbi0CgUxAoDBjpeujb_rfYq0ZaD2dMxm39adfsCFYa_XuBNiFmFIx555jFxcpVErvyVtonBiNFx1JdQfawZhpkZo-XcXVXfMC0UCCDJeEeY/s1600/2019+Medina+Half+Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaouz6IzFfSUmLAY_h6I8MJkYZ1PmCUblpDbi0CgUxAoDBjpeujb_rfYq0ZaD2dMxm39adfsCFYa_XuBNiFmFIx555jFxcpVErvyVtonBiNFx1JdQfawZhpkZo-XcXVXfMC0UCCDJeEeY/s320/2019+Medina+Half+Finish.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish line. See what a false friend I am? I had to sprint ahead. Sorry, Peeps. I am just built that way.<br />
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I would like to give a shoutout to the race director, Beth Bugner. I have run this race every year (with the exception of 2016, when I gave up my bib because I had to attend my friend's funeral). Each year truly gets better. I was in doubt that the Medina citizens would be able to handle a half marathon in their neighborhoods because their behavior was questionable and dangerous in the early stages of the race. This year I had no reservations whatsoever about cars or any dangerous situation, and I attribute that to Beth's hard work. Thank you. The Medina Half Marathon is my goodbye to the school year, and the efforts of the coordinators and volunteers allow me to say goodbye in the best possible way. I have already purchased my bib for next year, and I encourage you to do the same. Let's meet at PJ Marley's afterwards for beer and omelets.<br />
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As soon as I finished the half marathon, I took off for Salt Lake City for a side gig scoring essays. Salt Lake City is gorgeous, Peeps. I was only able to run up to 5 miles each morning, but gosh. I can't even describe the mountains as they turned from red to pink to orange. What a great week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsfEOfs2xmLdVi18pqGSvJK3lr_MsPKSegmqnUn5LMfij-5lgrz41kg-jViCShVQQI8iyevN9Ad4_B03yJBWBDm7v6Hg4A21bRaKDNQi6gE4HDMCR5MVEqmKaVAOieyDKjv_jboGJ5I8/s1600/IMG_7836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsfEOfs2xmLdVi18pqGSvJK3lr_MsPKSegmqnUn5LMfij-5lgrz41kg-jViCShVQQI8iyevN9Ad4_B03yJBWBDm7v6Hg4A21bRaKDNQi6gE4HDMCR5MVEqmKaVAOieyDKjv_jboGJ5I8/s320/IMG_7836.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ran as far as I could go towards the foothills before 5:30. This is where the road stopped.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtEwJsY9OjF0jaiPt7RyrKG9TnywdKrXjG0IkN9iB5zCzbq4pJmSkMWCuRB4yxiaW_ZV9IO9H0hMPJeyN2XNWTefROQXaenEMWHyr3FgeKcgT3aWbLSB4VybA-4QvBFC0rp8A7hekVPM/s1600/IMG_7842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtEwJsY9OjF0jaiPt7RyrKG9TnywdKrXjG0IkN9iB5zCzbq4pJmSkMWCuRB4yxiaW_ZV9IO9H0hMPJeyN2XNWTefROQXaenEMWHyr3FgeKcgT3aWbLSB4VybA-4QvBFC0rp8A7hekVPM/s320/IMG_7842.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capitol Building at 5:00 AM</td></tr>
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For the past two weeks, I have tried to get back to a long trail run, but it has been difficult, Peeps. I am training for the 17.5 mile leg of Burning River, but I just don't have the time. Last week I ran 10 trail miles on Sunday, and this week I ran 13 trail miles. That will have to do because I am leaving for Houston for the National Education Representative Assembly next week. Then I have family vacation (thank God!), and then we have Burning River. I'll be ready. I will.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGxoNA-QZisTZ-_B6sSWoF2z4ohbHJ7rhEn_RFaiSeNW8XPEf9skOhBDZrlGTW07i11VlddxWbOq9jXUX4mn4K4Ps7eywoQYD8zl1KIMW0dzBVwaLFzmLvfAerGMTO7dq2HXsU8kBNxM/s1600/IMG_7865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGxoNA-QZisTZ-_B6sSWoF2z4ohbHJ7rhEn_RFaiSeNW8XPEf9skOhBDZrlGTW07i11VlddxWbOq9jXUX4mn4K4Ps7eywoQYD8zl1KIMW0dzBVwaLFzmLvfAerGMTO7dq2HXsU8kBNxM/s320/IMG_7865.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stepping Stones at Sand Run. Marta, Rae, Caroline. We had a great run today!<br />
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I wish I could be more clever, but I am dealing with a bit of writer angst this week, Peeps. I feel like I should have written on my education blog, and I feel like this post should have happened last week. Deadlines suck. <br />
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In any case, embrace the weather! I hope you run happy, Peeps!<br />
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!<br />
<br />Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-66945608689331882762019-05-25T16:52:00.000-07:002019-05-25T16:52:27.234-07:00We Honor You: Cleveland Recap Part IILast week <a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2019/05/hot-in-cleveland-rite-aid-cleveland.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>I gave a first impression recap of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon</b></span></a>. In that post, I said that I wanted to write at least one other post to address my feelings about Taylor Ceepo's death. I was avoiding writing the post because I was avoiding processing my feelings about all of it. I ran the Medina Half Marathon today (recap to come later), and several people asked me when I would continue my reflections on the events of the Cleveland Marathon.<br />
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So, I guess that will happen today.<br />
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Sunday was super-difficult for me, as you read in my post. It was difficult for most runners, but it was the MOST difficult for Taylor Ceepo's family.<br />
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If you haven't heard yet, Taylor Ceepo, Medina resident, St. Vincent alum, Walsh University graduate, died about a quarter-mile from the finish line while running the half marathon at the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. <a href="https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ohio/obituary.aspx?n=taylor-paige-ceepo&pid=192957743&fhid=2978" target="_blank">Here is a link to her obituary in the <i>Akron Beacon Journal</i></a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cache.legacy.net/legacy/images/cobrands/cleveland/photos/photo_20190522_wo0054759_0_20190522.jpgx?w=230&h=230&v=&option=0&fc=fff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="230" height="400" src="https://cache.legacy.net/legacy/images/cobrands/cleveland/photos/photo_20190522_wo0054759_0_20190522.jpgx?w=230&h=230&v=&option=0&fc=fff" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taylor Ceepo</td></tr>
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I didn't know Taylor; I don't know her family. I teach at Medina High School, and I have heard/read that Taylor was a coach for a soccer club in Medina, so I'm thinking that some of my students knew her. I know that we have some mutual friends who have talked to me about the memorial services.<br />
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When I think about Taylor, who was only 22, I think about her parents. I have two kids, Punkin (17) and Butterbean (12), and I am old enough to have had a 22 year old child. My first thoughts when I heard of her death were for her parents. Elizabeth Stone summed it up perfectly when she said, <strong style="font-family: "PT sans"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."</strong><br />
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When Punkin was 3 years old, I told my husband (the Kabyle Chef), "I think we need to have another child. If something happens to this one, I could never survive it." The Kabyle Chef agreed with me almost immediately. Ok, ALMOST. There is another part to this conversation; I also said, "They say you have one good one and one bad one."<br />
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The Chef's response was, "OMG. What if she IS the good one????"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2220/2466821884_1e509a6f6f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2220/2466821884_1e509a6f6f_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Punkin at 3 years old. Just kidding. It's a statue of Regan from <i>The Exorcist.</i></td></tr>
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Regardless, because I am neurotic, I have had nightmares about something terrible happening to one or both of my kids. It is the absolute worst thing to happen to a parent. So, that is why my first thought was for Taylor's parents.<br />
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My second thought was a jumble. As you may have read, the running community lost another great member in March: Steve Pierce. <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Click here to read my tribute to my friend</b></span>.<br />
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Both deaths have hit me hard because they happened so close together and because they are SUCH A GODDAMNED INJUSTICE. It isn't fair. Steve's death made me angry and afraid, and Taylor's death has magnified that fear. With Steve's death, I had an existential midlife crisis that I thought I had scheduled for myself when I turned forty: What if I die? What is death? Is there an afterlife? All of these questions have tormented me since we lost him. When we lost Taylor, I had greater fears: What if my kids die? How will I go on?<br />
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Today, as I ran with a friend, she talked about the Greater Purpose behind death, specifically deaths that we feel happened too soon. I said that while I respect the beliefs of those who cling to the Greater Purpose, I do not believe that there is any purpose to an untimely death. It's wrong. Steve's death was wrong. Taylor's death was wrong. It's not fair. Screw this.<br />
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So, what do I take from this? There is no good from the deaths of two people who left suddenly and too soon. There is no lesson; there is only the reaction. I can't always control the circumstances of my life, but I can control how I react to them. <br />
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When I fear death, mine or someone else's:<br />
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I must remember to fiercely love my children, even. . .ESPECIALLY when they are unlovable. I must hug them and hold them and kiss them and remind them that I NEED them.<br />
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I must look to my community and my friends, and I must remind them that I value them and I love them. . .because I may not always have them. This is not easy for me because, well, I'm sort of prickly. That is my reaction, and I need to change it. My friends deserve more from me.<br />
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I must remember that everyone around me has a story and a history. We are all dealing with shit and a struggle, and my job is to find a better reaction to their struggles. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My favorite novel in the whole world is <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i>, and I am lucky to be able to finish every school year with it in my Sophomore Language Arts class. Atticus Finch, the best role model for a parent and leader that I can ever imagine, said, <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Gregory_Peck_Atticus_Publicity_Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Gregory_Peck_Atticus_Publicity_Photo.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">I can look at my world with more empathy because frankly, I don't know how much longer I or those I love will remain in it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">I can choose to be angry, or I can choose to love. Actually, I choose both. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">As you can tell, this is a rambling way for me to square my thoughts. I have no answers or assurance. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">I will run away from my troubles, as I have always done. This time, though, I will recognize the journey and friendship of those who run with me and around me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">I love you, Peeps. Run happy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!</span></span>Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-57321571581183505902019-05-20T18:08:00.000-07:002019-05-20T18:17:02.120-07:00Hot in Cleveland: Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon RecapSooooo. . . I've spent my time training in the coldest of cold temperatures this winter and spring. Zero degrees? PSSSHHHH. Who knew that Cleveland would smack me in the face with 80+ degrees on race day???? But. . . I've gotten ahead of myself.<br />
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I worked the Expo on Saturday morning for a little bit, but things were slow, so I was allowed to go pick up my packet and browse the expo. So many fun things to do! I got a free blood pressure check and facial screening (Scary! Peeps, wear a hat when you run outside), and I bought socks, Bondi Bands, and a 50K car magnet (in honor of Forget the PR). I also took a pic, of course:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DusNMOMCzxRy-1gTBIUvNQ_oHY2N17UWhdhjVeQ7P20X1bsNdhm_C56M8JOEzUY8Tshyphenhyphenm2LGHO4dXIaoXwntnCHRUcfqn3rfncV3L_2PFAQsDQrJASjHzjgCC2e79T3JDwpywcC0cI8/s1600/IMG_7723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DusNMOMCzxRy-1gTBIUvNQ_oHY2N17UWhdhjVeQ7P20X1bsNdhm_C56M8JOEzUY8Tshyphenhyphenm2LGHO4dXIaoXwntnCHRUcfqn3rfncV3L_2PFAQsDQrJASjHzjgCC2e79T3JDwpywcC0cI8/s320/IMG_7723.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What bib number are you? Do you have any ID? NO???? NO BIB FOR YOU!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_he9l-h_-9LoTBJqb1l0kOZmNvcaVIDg76WBHPAHn0qbS1AzTnK4emdpMBpnc-LJJVrALdL4FaeEG9sOJan1FTcuJVlfYRaILPyaRdRkupClfP2c6zRn5akMXaxBiXVGtdRMIHZzRX1Q/s1600/IMG_7724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_he9l-h_-9LoTBJqb1l0kOZmNvcaVIDg76WBHPAHn0qbS1AzTnK4emdpMBpnc-LJJVrALdL4FaeEG9sOJan1FTcuJVlfYRaILPyaRdRkupClfP2c6zRn5akMXaxBiXVGtdRMIHZzRX1Q/s320/IMG_7724.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm official!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksZ-UCgA0sGgI9yo39148NWOOg81Uh-5KF45VQF7T_rBWAW2ohhEBHUqE98R_CtCdfe39TtiVsLZz50DWZlOzTijbioa8s-t5vD2rlsUVEz0a4XytrZEVSxI_-PRbprBgcYWd7A9EnwE/s1600/IMG_7728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksZ-UCgA0sGgI9yo39148NWOOg81Uh-5KF45VQF7T_rBWAW2ohhEBHUqE98R_CtCdfe39TtiVsLZz50DWZlOzTijbioa8s-t5vD2rlsUVEz0a4XytrZEVSxI_-PRbprBgcYWd7A9EnwE/s320/IMG_7728.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how I look when I win a marathon wearing Birkenstocks.</td></tr>
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I met Marta for a pre-race dinner, took a two-mile walk with the kids, and then went to bed early.<br />
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The next morning was a 4:00 wake-up. I had already laid out my clothes and gear, so it was a matter of drinking my coffee and eating my bagel and fretting about finding a parking space. FYI: There is no need to fret about parking spaces, but I do it every year. This year I pulled right into a lot just feet away from the finish area. Easy peasy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9XEdexoT94_hEsH3UwunDEvRJ_k-TjEQfYume0lKD8Og8O5fwVnMMn0YYheDl3CP4mupDJvl1ACEO7PsKWcGFslurDO23gQCfWHM-H27tLb_MuRgv1wnMW2vgty57-a7q0fc4etxFdU/s1600/IMG_7741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9XEdexoT94_hEsH3UwunDEvRJ_k-TjEQfYume0lKD8Og8O5fwVnMMn0YYheDl3CP4mupDJvl1ACEO7PsKWcGFslurDO23gQCfWHM-H27tLb_MuRgv1wnMW2vgty57-a7q0fc4etxFdU/s320/IMG_7741.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how I look when I am fretting about parking. Notice that I am ALREADY SWEATING.<br />
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I met up for starting line promo pics:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2EtSjNmWu15l4oXttX2jULL4nl3nTsOTbdC8qySpgioAkxkPskG9PT8xqljcxQRXFcrNslcY0prOGF8b0l3OXIS2X9zw2bmdBlh0F_T01quGCfIPOphnVBUTCatxSChg0BTd_yYi31Y/s1600/2019+Starting+line+cleveland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2EtSjNmWu15l4oXttX2jULL4nl3nTsOTbdC8qySpgioAkxkPskG9PT8xqljcxQRXFcrNslcY0prOGF8b0l3OXIS2X9zw2bmdBlh0F_T01quGCfIPOphnVBUTCatxSChg0BTd_yYi31Y/s640/2019+Starting+line+cleveland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2019 Ambassadors<br />
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This year the photographer didn't pick me to stand in front of everyone else. I am less special this year, I guess.<br />
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Marta and I took pictures with everyone we could find:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibO_M0FKNu2fck8tx299q4hO8otxJGftmMrGTfIsvC_tnLPa4DXMEeXlsLmgGqZjWZaRqql_G-Zbv6cvYbEg5XlasYMYrD3zVqm_9Urs0DxNL3ypUPKh0vRWDc8qqLa5LhOiSk4sUo58/s1600/2019+women+ambassadors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibO_M0FKNu2fck8tx299q4hO8otxJGftmMrGTfIsvC_tnLPa4DXMEeXlsLmgGqZjWZaRqql_G-Zbv6cvYbEg5XlasYMYrD3zVqm_9Urs0DxNL3ypUPKh0vRWDc8qqLa5LhOiSk4sUo58/s320/2019+women+ambassadors.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women of Cleveland: Melissa, Pam (nice tongue), Stephanie, Katie, Melissa, Me, of course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAn0tvh9AgWy8TeM66PTD3CGy7xpL0kQFP-wFKjJiFlW520PtgakfBIOLbj3d8Zt2MGvUqzZJ1os8AZEv2EC4yxmhEje-P57uIRNjmQUPCq233w6LJNORo8hn-fMfPt5sGBVnxA4hLPzs/s1600/2019+Marta+and+Me+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAn0tvh9AgWy8TeM66PTD3CGy7xpL0kQFP-wFKjJiFlW520PtgakfBIOLbj3d8Zt2MGvUqzZJ1os8AZEv2EC4yxmhEje-P57uIRNjmQUPCq233w6LJNORo8hn-fMfPt5sGBVnxA4hLPzs/s320/2019+Marta+and+Me+Start.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta and I walk to the start.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTQatS2VTgQiFsKnX_608dY7LY5PNHRWFO2cUi7kJw-c3J4ikbHrkZL4Go8ZesctP-arefBBbZCFzk_d8AZVZYicNdEWveNs1SMR92M_mZlA0-mJ4M6S7oZHgWuN8QhX72LQ2eB6U1B4/s1600/2019+starting+line+rico+suave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTQatS2VTgQiFsKnX_608dY7LY5PNHRWFO2cUi7kJw-c3J4ikbHrkZL4Go8ZesctP-arefBBbZCFzk_d8AZVZYicNdEWveNs1SMR92M_mZlA0-mJ4M6S7oZHgWuN8QhX72LQ2eB6U1B4/s320/2019+starting+line+rico+suave.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta found Jeffery and Nikki, who brought Rico Suave to cheer us on!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8ZZo9UVd6TXS-_SCc99zGNMau_KGuNoMrWic72zniGuMEhS0lS2-uyTySA_UIpDIoNqn0Eo6xOinlgI5LZrvTJ3quu1LfevjCR_pDkS7UNIxMnPmHMSJykFmxM_-TVzxkP-1cTF86pM/s1600/IMG_7742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8ZZo9UVd6TXS-_SCc99zGNMau_KGuNoMrWic72zniGuMEhS0lS2-uyTySA_UIpDIoNqn0Eo6xOinlgI5LZrvTJ3quu1LfevjCR_pDkS7UNIxMnPmHMSJykFmxM_-TVzxkP-1cTF86pM/s320/IMG_7742.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corral Shenanigans: Here we go!</td></tr>
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Normally, the first 13 miles of a marathon are pretty chillax for me because I don't push myself too hard. It's a time to warm up, talk, take the beer miles when/if you can, high five little kids. This year was different. Even after mile 2 I felt like I was on the struggle bus, and that bus was not where I wanted to be. It was so hot and humid; I was already finding it difficult to breathe and find a good pace.<br />
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There were definitely some great moments--like the Bishop, for instance:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSV9u5d1KOVnAkvzzP6QYtG9G3KNXFF3KNqiz8IyvPP63FLvnz0xXiBCTf2OYXgHSBmZDNtcrCKGjJA90a9YHsi7n37IyR_kyyb3SlDwbJn1QtRxVCKKYGGI38Sta0_p1gRekvRVVhn7g/s1600/IMG_7745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSV9u5d1KOVnAkvzzP6QYtG9G3KNXFF3KNqiz8IyvPP63FLvnz0xXiBCTf2OYXgHSBmZDNtcrCKGjJA90a9YHsi7n37IyR_kyyb3SlDwbJn1QtRxVCKKYGGI38Sta0_p1gRekvRVVhn7g/s400/IMG_7745.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was hoping to get a picture with this dude! He made my day!</td></tr>
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We took a beer mile, and it was very refreshing in the heat. I don't regret that at all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu-0-Z3os53xVoUBryvzEEXXIOVUHt6xLkSv_IIMqlHv2lhAgZ8QteLoONztVfyffn0rQ0l0w6c3Wdfh9Y15vc4q0XNyk5WXw9g5vuS3cYC0VoBnBfVZ3DhCsHIfj9ZtUzd0-TnSdvoA/s1600/IMG_7757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu-0-Z3os53xVoUBryvzEEXXIOVUHt6xLkSv_IIMqlHv2lhAgZ8QteLoONztVfyffn0rQ0l0w6c3Wdfh9Y15vc4q0XNyk5WXw9g5vuS3cYC0VoBnBfVZ3DhCsHIfj9ZtUzd0-TnSdvoA/s320/IMG_7757.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of bridges. So cool.<br />
Photo credit: Marta Pacur</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityfKVAV1Umls2APJxu2t1cEADb7gF6c7ZXInLSnKVyZVsW4p6w9rF6mPgq3lNtGO5h8MDmfcxRtvDzcwJk6kyrsUubSY3vMXRkqZjS4A4JyONLuuasPYrv4oKXEF99GG5-4MuoZnHUWc/s1600/IMG_7755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityfKVAV1Umls2APJxu2t1cEADb7gF6c7ZXInLSnKVyZVsW4p6w9rF6mPgq3lNtGO5h8MDmfcxRtvDzcwJk6kyrsUubSY3vMXRkqZjS4A4JyONLuuasPYrv4oKXEF99GG5-4MuoZnHUWc/s400/IMG_7755.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how I look when I am pretending I am not on the struggle bus.<br />
Photo Credit: Marta Pacur</td></tr>
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I love the Cleveland Marathon course. It has all kinds of neighborhoods and scenery: Downtown, The Flats (both East and West banks), Tremont, Ohio City (Hello, Speedo guy again this year!), Clifton, Edgewater, Battery Park, Gordon Square. Everything is so interesting, and the course really highlights what makes Cleveland special. I love running the out-and-back stretch to Rocky River and back to Edgewater because I can look for my fast friends to inspire me on the way down. I saw Ryan (3:05 pacer!), Steve (3:45 pacer!), Eric, and Pam. When we were around Mile 14, we saw Luke, who was looking super strong, even in the incredible heat and humidity. He gave us hugs and high fives, and yelled, "Who made me sign up for this?" Marta and I both pointed to each other and shrugged.<br />
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The wheels really came off around mile 17. I was really, really hot. I wasn't sweating, and my heart was beating too fast. I was worried that I was getting heat stroke. I started walking a bit during almost every mile. I didn't want to fuel after mile 15 because I was feeling nauseous, but I knew I needed the fuel. I also felt like I was drinking too much water, so I started swishing and spitting at the aid stations and dumping water over my head instead of swallowing it. God bless the people who sprayed us with hoses because they probably saved me. God bless Marta, too, because she stuck with me even though I told her to go ahead because I was definitely not going to make a good finish time.<br />
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Seriously, Peeps, it was really difficult out there. One mile out from the finish, I couldn't even get excited enough to run it in until Lee came by us just before the bridge. She gave a great pep talk and really helped me buck up. "There is serious carnage out there," she told us. "Even the elites have dropped the idea of a PR today, so you are badasses for being out here. Now, you are allowed to walk up the hill to that bridge because you are trail runners, but then you are going to run it in to the finish. Get going!" I managed to run and finish, and I fell apart as soon as I stopped my Garmin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa95uc2pus67PbjxSC6v-mlBjZwdJKLq6Dc-Ros9Bj9-yS0OXxRUMMgpmmwFnzy6v9Nc2jLUluhdbd-mqNBBMJSRLcYwTPdLgdqimhCFK3sWgBntuUuHELmAUWa82bh_NoGqh0pSct9w/s1600/IMG_7754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa95uc2pus67PbjxSC6v-mlBjZwdJKLq6Dc-Ros9Bj9-yS0OXxRUMMgpmmwFnzy6v9Nc2jLUluhdbd-mqNBBMJSRLcYwTPdLgdqimhCFK3sWgBntuUuHELmAUWa82bh_NoGqh0pSct9w/s320/IMG_7754.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta doesn't know it, but I was crying and hyperventilating here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_M8h69ePtU7d5B3P7NPVkZdSB4pQQes5jpO0rSpgegCNk0LJF8RdbIIQUJsGxxCid2SYWS577-ROT9rhpdcIMWs1mYlYvuR4S7Ush-LBbWBj2eU1_SNsvUmRrPg1Rv2Vms2pfwTc03Q/s1600/IMG_7753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_M8h69ePtU7d5B3P7NPVkZdSB4pQQes5jpO0rSpgegCNk0LJF8RdbIIQUJsGxxCid2SYWS577-ROT9rhpdcIMWs1mYlYvuR4S7Ush-LBbWBj2eU1_SNsvUmRrPg1Rv2Vms2pfwTc03Q/s400/IMG_7753.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how I look when I fall apart after I stop my Garmin.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5zBylNz24dIT1EdY12IEUiGhGcgr198TDxdfmPcA-L1WgMNIseAxXNDYyU4d742cfcOq870O0sFJ9rncyWVSiYFLVh0k1c0fZGHJL3MbQ5rdAgopnL_nQDYw8jVrUyVFfflM5G6zTJQ/s1600/IMG_7749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5zBylNz24dIT1EdY12IEUiGhGcgr198TDxdfmPcA-L1WgMNIseAxXNDYyU4d742cfcOq870O0sFJ9rncyWVSiYFLVh0k1c0fZGHJL3MbQ5rdAgopnL_nQDYw8jVrUyVFfflM5G6zTJQ/s320/IMG_7749.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a mess. Luke is fine; Pam and Steve are fine.<br />
Photo Credit: Marta Pacur</td></tr>
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I drank some chocolate milk, but I couldn't handle more sugar, so I drank a beer, and it actually made me feel better. Then I was able to interact a bit more.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcMpxU5sMODAERE5xtwQ7m9rlA8QQn1Ma7terRo4pxF-ljbmCS4e_rfoYW6EqpHvEGlYyLEXwqZvv6K7EEiAR8Od-3SJmo20vskS-nESyvrBqEHUmsRI7-tDhOvjbSmReC65ZrDuBmG4/s1600/ambassadors+beer+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcMpxU5sMODAERE5xtwQ7m9rlA8QQn1Ma7terRo4pxF-ljbmCS4e_rfoYW6EqpHvEGlYyLEXwqZvv6K7EEiAR8Od-3SJmo20vskS-nESyvrBqEHUmsRI7-tDhOvjbSmReC65ZrDuBmG4/s320/ambassadors+beer+garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambassadors Finish! Eric, Pam, Me<br />
Photo Credit: Steve McGowan</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5KsiVZxXyUyU3YF-8awNtxzGr3i8tSm1lLmOOj9_IrH1ASXetAuudOEcSKDWi63OiTsnlsXo9zVnh7mt5SNayBSBeeFWhOR0spKlXWLvvtWfHM0g1OR-eyD9kr_EXKzi42M15Q4WJ0M/s1600/Group+photo+in+beer+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="960" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5KsiVZxXyUyU3YF-8awNtxzGr3i8tSm1lLmOOj9_IrH1ASXetAuudOEcSKDWi63OiTsnlsXo9zVnh7mt5SNayBSBeeFWhOR0spKlXWLvvtWfHM0g1OR-eyD9kr_EXKzi42M15Q4WJ0M/s320/Group+photo+in+beer+garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta, Me, Pam, Eric, Luke<br />
Photo Credit: Steve McGowan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqhzilNAzoFwIiqAavzF3U85zUCEhntmKC0steRRe0sLViw97NBl1GQkfi91ERA-IVvIYS7XxwG-gUjPKhZjnhaIk0qXufFL8kt1qHgb48Xey2xKJO5Cexnph1o5_w1q_peEDO5m3P6A/s1600/IMG_7750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqhzilNAzoFwIiqAavzF3U85zUCEhntmKC0steRRe0sLViw97NBl1GQkfi91ERA-IVvIYS7XxwG-gUjPKhZjnhaIk0qXufFL8kt1qHgb48Xey2xKJO5Cexnph1o5_w1q_peEDO5m3P6A/s320/IMG_7750.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Luke, Marta<br />
Photo Credit: Eric Geyer</td></tr>
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This race was no joke, Peeps. I have never walked so much in a road race in my entire life. Today I feel like a long train ran me over. </div>
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I am grateful that I was able to finish, and I am grateful to my friends who supported me in this journey.</div>
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I have more to say about the race, specifically about the people who couldn't finish, and more specifically about Taylor Ceepo, who collapsed and died a mile from the finish line. I will honor Taylor with a separate post, but I wanted to acknowledge that this day was marked by tragedy. My heart goes out to Taylor's family and friends.</div>
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Lastly (for this post), I want to thank all the volunteers who helped out in this race. You gave me water, Powerade, and HoneyStinger gels, you sprayed me with the hose, you smiled and cheered and awarded me a sweet medal. Thank you for giving so generously of your time and spirit. Thank you to the Staph family and all the organizers who put all of this together. Thank you to my fellow Ambassadors who are more than social media friends to me; they are my family.</div>
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And thank YOU, Peeps. </div>
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter @itibrout!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run Happy, Peeps!</td></tr>
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Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-63532733200046492412019-04-28T13:19:00.002-07:002019-04-28T13:21:29.391-07:0020 Miles: Goose, Collie, BuzzardsMarta and I ran 20 miles today. Here we are at the beginning of the run. One of us doesn't want to do it. I'll let you decide who that is:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRzCa_mLQtlZmp3fvAd7IMluOEjQ2pMcQ02d2_p_gT9-U8oW-f3UumF1iD9iupNd61gBdcJmrwiDR4YKAiLUOf7xow2gIQSJlWXxIe5zBzi1_ZQYT1jccbs2iSxxBT9-zcfTNekLcF0E/s1600/IMG_7625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRzCa_mLQtlZmp3fvAd7IMluOEjQ2pMcQ02d2_p_gT9-U8oW-f3UumF1iD9iupNd61gBdcJmrwiDR4YKAiLUOf7xow2gIQSJlWXxIe5zBzi1_ZQYT1jccbs2iSxxBT9-zcfTNekLcF0E/s320/IMG_7625.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
It was rainy and chilly, but I was ready for this run because I planned most of the route around West Akron. I decided we would follow my old, old Blue Line route combined with my morning run around the mall. These two combined would give us about 14 miles, so I came up with extra miles along the way. It was an adventure, to be certain.<br />
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Our adventure started when a goose attacked us. I know what you are thinking. You think a goose ran after us, but you are mistaken. That goose flew up into the air and came at MY FACE, hissing at us. Marta was looking at a storefront, and I pushed both of us out of the way of the dangerous beast, yelling, "Jesus! It's attacking us!" I saved our lives, Peeps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tYzD1tWEOTN6Wws-HXxTTgIu29GyhPggN79UhbapYshI7SDaYyMITe38rZzvJesh3kf2R9mIKhsNRM27S_3QxIAA0RhkEzU347XT1m10YXVBokoqvSYXAp0YcCd7DY6y2WU-0ytJYz0/s1600/angry+goose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tYzD1tWEOTN6Wws-HXxTTgIu29GyhPggN79UhbapYshI7SDaYyMITe38rZzvJesh3kf2R9mIKhsNRM27S_3QxIAA0RhkEzU347XT1m10YXVBokoqvSYXAp0YcCd7DY6y2WU-0ytJYz0/s320/angry+goose.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how the goose looked when it came at me, Peeps.</td></tr>
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Then, as we were running (ok, we were walking here) along the sidewalk on S. Hawkins Avenue, a Collie came out of the yard and aggressively charged us, barking and growling. I thought, This is how it ends, with Lassie tearing out my throat. Luckily, the owner came out, got the dog, and apologized. She saved our lives, Peeps.<br />
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Here is a picture of me telling Marta to get out of the way of a car behind her. I saved her life, Peeps.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tgShGpMWtq_ZRu-EK2T0jIbO7n3oBivsuEFzsK0bptUYQtUhzq-PE8aZ4e40vFRj5sbHtM4lMA0U-I3r-z5iRzyrYyQdqZi4YF5c6rajo-7r_bUGyXOsDtYvJWfDKG7Rd7Yd1SfJHU4/s1600/IMG_7628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tgShGpMWtq_ZRu-EK2T0jIbO7n3oBivsuEFzsK0bptUYQtUhzq-PE8aZ4e40vFRj5sbHtM4lMA0U-I3r-z5iRzyrYyQdqZi4YF5c6rajo-7r_bUGyXOsDtYvJWfDKG7Rd7Yd1SfJHU4/s320/IMG_7628.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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As we ran up S. Rose, we saw two buzzards tearing apart a brown paper bag. They were ginormous. I wanted Marta to take a picture of them because my phone was in my pack, but she refused because taking pictures of buzzards brings about Bad CroMo. This is short for Croatian Mojo. She did pull out my phone for me, and I was able to take the pictures for you:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFZ8nZyar4s0ybDNHi_WycwBGMGdp-0G4mxwliay80fEB8q8pYb4apPJ9QmS4O9V3E61zvSb4NQwOKM7Rsm-Ydr00TOZpeBRZ_fq68L6lMchjxcwBffrmUX29JVVbA0xWHbpcVzw15Gw/s1600/IMG_7627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFZ8nZyar4s0ybDNHi_WycwBGMGdp-0G4mxwliay80fEB8q8pYb4apPJ9QmS4O9V3E61zvSb4NQwOKM7Rsm-Ydr00TOZpeBRZ_fq68L6lMchjxcwBffrmUX29JVVbA0xWHbpcVzw15Gw/s640/IMG_7627.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
We also had a tiny dog yip at us as we passed its territory, but I wasn't scared. It was on a leash.<br />
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As we ran, the sun tried to come out, and the sky turned from gray and gloomy to blue and fluffy. Marta and I discussed houses we passed, and before we knew it, we were finishing strong by running down the Portage Path hill to the end of our route.<br />
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20.11 miles. Done.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAgn1Chak-tra9nzd1F6hER_TCh3GJLTCVH8gg6U9sUglkPnE0fYdTyhtG7QRWiAf4r0kfhJqtZTz6ESTkWtSVSjoO9QTbJb1f1BRp6eVs77BNa5p7ZVQ9XZnqIXCed6IRODJRiU6kDw/s1600/IMG_7629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAgn1Chak-tra9nzd1F6hER_TCh3GJLTCVH8gg6U9sUglkPnE0fYdTyhtG7QRWiAf4r0kfhJqtZTz6ESTkWtSVSjoO9QTbJb1f1BRp6eVs77BNa5p7ZVQ9XZnqIXCed6IRODJRiU6kDw/s320/IMG_7629.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now I taper for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. Would you like to join me there? <a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Click here to register, and use my code, SI2019</b></span></a>, for a 10% discount on any of the races you choose. Get on this, Peeps, the race is quickly filling up!<br />
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May you run happy <i>sans </i>wicked geese, dogs, or buzzards, Peeps.<br />
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-47351428324377192002019-04-09T15:53:00.001-07:002019-04-10T17:28:19.480-07:00Race Recap: Forget the PR 50KIt was a really stupid decision, Peeps.<br />
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A while ago I got on the wait list for Forget the PR 50K at Mohican. I don't know why I did it. Ok, I do know why I did it. Peer Pressure. A yearning for a new challenge. Mid-life crisis. Other things (if you know me, I'm sure you can guess what that means).<br />
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Anyway, I was on the WAIT LIST. The key word here is WAIT. I thought I wouldn't get in, and the Universe would be to blame, so I didn't have to blame myself.<br />
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Wrong. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxR5lMWSlH-9E8rxNvPuVK8EBWFmCHnRIn_xSKsKgoesYKff5SE9jR3CKiui7ehhMmtHnLnLsYTGBSIajcTOJUpyYEjPYO36oqkfuH_4CdSR2hFJb6hNp0_JTqBxLyATcppp_ELgtP7E/s1600/Forget+the+PR+acceptance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxR5lMWSlH-9E8rxNvPuVK8EBWFmCHnRIn_xSKsKgoesYKff5SE9jR3CKiui7ehhMmtHnLnLsYTGBSIajcTOJUpyYEjPYO36oqkfuH_4CdSR2hFJb6hNp0_JTqBxLyATcppp_ELgtP7E/s320/Forget+the+PR+acceptance.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This showed up in my email. Dangit.</td></tr>
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So, I was in it. Luckily, Wendy (whom I was training with for this race) was in it, too. We decided that we were as ready as we were going to be. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how Wendy and I look when we are ready.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg169z3-CDcGQUUF4WRC0zTNa2JViUocbKqkrE0mK7OtSn1CBnornfa8JLzqLRVfCzqzVpFBvJmom4yRreFIq67SKilIe0vCbNN6c7T4r1YJgCQpOPcMCZHenAS6b2dS6vxdChHtxm7aBE/s1600/IMG_7549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg169z3-CDcGQUUF4WRC0zTNa2JViUocbKqkrE0mK7OtSn1CBnornfa8JLzqLRVfCzqzVpFBvJmom4yRreFIq67SKilIe0vCbNN6c7T4r1YJgCQpOPcMCZHenAS6b2dS6vxdChHtxm7aBE/s320/IMG_7549.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how Wendy, Sarah, Marta, and I look when we are ready. Notice the Trail Sisters shirts!</td></tr>
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<br />
Forget the PR is aptly named. It takes place at Mohican (in Loudonville), and the elevation goes well beyond 4,000 feet in the 31 miles of the race. Wendy had a great idea for mentally tackling the course: The first loop was 18ish miles; therefore, the second loop was much easier. Period. That was all we had to think about. I added some rules: For the first loop, we could talk about how beautiful it was on the course and how lucky we were to be outside on such a beautiful day. For the second loop, we would discuss food and beer. This was a pretty good strategy all around.<br />
<br />
After about two hours on the course, I had to find a bathroom, so I told Wendy to go on without me. We had agreed ahead of time that we would run our own races, and I didn't want to hold her back. She said she'd see me later (which I should have picked up on), and she moved on. I found a bathroom, got back on course, and then I promptly moved off course. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI52LnemPfUsq2mWnts7Lo9_FQb_XlyfVFIFwvqdOycwCP29VcZKRRduV_OVtfc4GjETxuytUsj583O20zuP2-iYqRxRbze-YqTReGtPc-pYVx-7mI7A2E96i5iYCa5CpYT6qSx0eaSE/s1600/IMG_7541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI52LnemPfUsq2mWnts7Lo9_FQb_XlyfVFIFwvqdOycwCP29VcZKRRduV_OVtfc4GjETxuytUsj583O20zuP2-iYqRxRbze-YqTReGtPc-pYVx-7mI7A2E96i5iYCa5CpYT6qSx0eaSE/s400/IMG_7541.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I blame the beautiful scenery.</td></tr>
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Luckily for me, I heard a voice behind me: "Have you even seen a pink flag around here?" I turned around; it was Wild Bill Wagner, one of the race directors for <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://runningforwardandgivingback.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Running Forward and Giving Back</span></a>. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">"No," I replied.</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">"Well, I'm following you, and I think we are lost, " he said.</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Irritated, I snapped back, "What the hell are you doing following me??? I've never run a 50K before, and I've never been here before, and you are a RACE DIRECTOR!!!!"</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Anyway, we reversed our course and found our way back. In this way, I lost (or gained) about a mile. Thank you, Wild Bill, for getting me back on track. I'm sorry I yelled at you.</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">I eventually found my way back to the Covered Bridge, and Wendy was waiting for me, something I didn't expect. I know she had been waiting at least 20 minutes (because I had gotten lost), and I felt TERRIBLE. I didn't expect her to want to finish the loop with me, yet there she was. Wendy, I'm still SO SORRY that you had to wait so long. If I had known that you intended to wait for me, I would have told you to move on. </span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">So, we were back together again. Honestly, we had a great time. It was hard, but I didn't have any meltdowns; I was focused on finishing the first loop because Wendy said the second loop would be better (She is a liar, but oh well). </span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Let's talk about an iconic part of the course: Big Ass Hill. Everyone talks about this hill, and Peeps, it is really a steep, long hill. </span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCW-AtZeawCNo3zYq7Ot7duTHRXpSao7i1Q30_0u_CTqgcyAJAVPfrYzgN2eYtuGeFCNDp0dyBf-mHf1fl-RVNmhZJc4Uc-6TjDTBAdpoUKzcKwTMthKSK-9bfZkWhyphenhyphenOKcyGmJeqsrGw/s1600/IMG_7542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCW-AtZeawCNo3zYq7Ot7duTHRXpSao7i1Q30_0u_CTqgcyAJAVPfrYzgN2eYtuGeFCNDp0dyBf-mHf1fl-RVNmhZJc4Uc-6TjDTBAdpoUKzcKwTMthKSK-9bfZkWhyphenhyphenOKcyGmJeqsrGw/s400/IMG_7542.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This doesn't seem steep and long, but believe me; it is. What you perceive to be the top is NOT actually the top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtTEsGIFrxPFVzh9kcCgR4CORDrZdbqKWzl-ld9f4EjxOeqS6EGCqI9s5RGoJQ-3vwGnLy-WEo4O5TI7zMNuu_dzcN34QlJLQ5so0S02XynG1D4eA75vcPpPP94SH_gFFR8aLotHLAcA/s1600/IMG_7544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtTEsGIFrxPFVzh9kcCgR4CORDrZdbqKWzl-ld9f4EjxOeqS6EGCqI9s5RGoJQ-3vwGnLy-WEo4O5TI7zMNuu_dzcN34QlJLQ5so0S02XynG1D4eA75vcPpPP94SH_gFFR8aLotHLAcA/s400/IMG_7544.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Wendy coming up Big Ass Hill on the second loop. Yes, we had to climb that damned hill twice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">I had heard about Big Ass Hill, but I am not easily intimidated. I put my head down and I plowed up that hill. As I climbed, I talked to a Dude in a Kilt who had an Australian accent. When I got to the top, I made my signature move: I threw my fists in the air and shouted, "Yes! The hill is my bitch!" The elation didn't last long, though, because after a slight (and deceptive) downhill, I saw this:</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOjIihab90eUukbstnQxeAxkwqZMNyw-R8wV39I9p9miPp9tm0x8I7B0PK-Jz1TbpMB7asAQcuXF1iUWcF0y329DE9uxj7UzNJ5ElVJvD4aFOSfNHrq1i1T-1meHH5O-Sf_VclBgJqIQ/s1600/IMG_7545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOjIihab90eUukbstnQxeAxkwqZMNyw-R8wV39I9p9miPp9tm0x8I7B0PK-Jz1TbpMB7asAQcuXF1iUWcF0y329DE9uxj7UzNJ5ElVJvD4aFOSfNHrq1i1T-1meHH5O-Sf_VclBgJqIQ/s400/IMG_7545.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother. Of. God. Are you kidding me????</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">When I verbalized my disapproval (use your imagination here), Dude in a Kilt said, "I wanted to say something earlier, but you were so happy. . . "</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Anyway, we made it back to the start for the first loop. We fueled and started right back out again. At this point, we met up again with Jason, who ran us to Big Ass Hill as moral support. The nice thing about Forget the PR is that you see lots of friends on the course who are just running to train and cheer on idiots like me. Wendy and I had seen Jason and Jennifer several times on the loop, and they lifted our spirits. We also saw our Trail Sisters, Kate and Talula, in the first loop. Thank you, friends, for being there for us!</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Honestly, I don't know how we did it, but we finished that race under the deadline. The cutoff was ten hours, and we finished in 8:47. If I hadn't had to go to the bathroom, I wouldn't have gotten lost and slowed us down, and we would have finished under 8:30. Never mind. I am SO HAPPY with my finish time.</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIPaA9-OtZDLOqyLt5xBf6FOItkIox2xDQlydwgWzKpsB29kjsMBC2Mjg2dOq3Ewu_xqy9pz-rnUIhQvfUXsFmBnUW3d_Ge8K4qRV_F084r2XHA8E7oVGjtoqtsPJUWBq7qYNk55fluk/s1600/IMG_7548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIPaA9-OtZDLOqyLt5xBf6FOItkIox2xDQlydwgWzKpsB29kjsMBC2Mjg2dOq3Ewu_xqy9pz-rnUIhQvfUXsFmBnUW3d_Ge8K4qRV_F084r2XHA8E7oVGjtoqtsPJUWBq7qYNk55fluk/s640/IMG_7548.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy and I finish strong.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTlu_6d59OnVZ53jSOVdsgKvHjg1aI2BxkcSY6IrxlGxXfJUEKxHc0kZTBc2Y2jzSh-MjSS3zzlEBI5lRplnVJfoRRC4-cmslQYgQpQUVGRGdRjgCTGC4MLavNfDHr1vJsJsL8OgAYr8/s1600/IMG_7546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTlu_6d59OnVZ53jSOVdsgKvHjg1aI2BxkcSY6IrxlGxXfJUEKxHc0kZTBc2Y2jzSh-MjSS3zzlEBI5lRplnVJfoRRC4-cmslQYgQpQUVGRGdRjgCTGC4MLavNfDHr1vJsJsL8OgAYr8/s320/IMG_7546.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how I look when I am happy with my finish time (and my buckle).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Peeps, I am so proud of myself. This was a truly badass race, and it was my first 50K. I thought I would be really upset after the race, but. . .I wasn't. I ran this course in the best possible circumstances: The weather was perfect. The Trail Sisters (and other friends) were all there (in fact, the Trail Sisters ran us in to the finish). Wendy and I are well matched in long distance trail running. It was really a great time. Was I in pain? Hell, yes! But a bit of hot tub time (along with ibuprofen ) was a great remedy for that. You know what else is a great recovery tool for your first 50K? Birthday cake:</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCESAnSH4dHSuUOOrrUNzmNnNHXDrCf-P44qnaZ_mFr64gzTYaC5sJ3oYItifyVR23qFYANB5kkrguRyRhCJYwx-uTUTj_odEAq-Qp7RVCozcTC472gc85uf0rBNfyVOWzQMeJkviR7w/s1600/IMG_7554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCESAnSH4dHSuUOOrrUNzmNnNHXDrCf-P44qnaZ_mFr64gzTYaC5sJ3oYItifyVR23qFYANB5kkrguRyRhCJYwx-uTUTj_odEAq-Qp7RVCozcTC472gc85uf0rBNfyVOWzQMeJkviR7w/s320/IMG_7554.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta got us a cake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNt9kGN2AkvaKi5eta3Zmlxsd5i0QKKsrwfQ56r3lN02V0JFZw3ZTpA69nluy1I1E0DX8W_E2fw-MT1fSa_XrCyIWUkfJGLdzI_Zdi2KqKyjwvapmMQYLL-ZaJ3MBtOpK_WZAM1gVLoDs/s1600/IMG_7555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNt9kGN2AkvaKi5eta3Zmlxsd5i0QKKsrwfQ56r3lN02V0JFZw3ZTpA69nluy1I1E0DX8W_E2fw-MT1fSa_XrCyIWUkfJGLdzI_Zdi2KqKyjwvapmMQYLL-ZaJ3MBtOpK_WZAM1gVLoDs/s320/IMG_7555.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah, Wendy, and I blow out the candles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSJ4XX-2DXODiCsFXZ2LNlIkLdFpgIUz59fp86dXR7X1nYsq4ra9Riw2ePw7qAP7y3Za6AQzLy2ar106Ojnrx2OO3smg8HJ5-0Daf0Fhk7_UfEVjA111R74MuT7WzaAi7NJ34FI68TP4/s1600/IMG_7556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSJ4XX-2DXODiCsFXZ2LNlIkLdFpgIUz59fp86dXR7X1nYsq4ra9Riw2ePw7qAP7y3Za6AQzLy2ar106Ojnrx2OO3smg8HJ5-0Daf0Fhk7_UfEVjA111R74MuT7WzaAi7NJ34FI68TP4/s320/IMG_7556.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is no problem that food can't cure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">This was a great race. Will I run it again? Hell no. I love the course, but I don't want to run it twice, so a 25K is a real possibility here. I am so grateful that I have a supportive group of friends--not just the Trail Sisters, but all the members of our running community that I saw that weekend. Runners are the best, Peeps. Really. </span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">What is next? I'm still training for the <a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.</span></a> Will you join me? Use my code, <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>SI2019</b></span>, for 10% off any of the races in the series.</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Wherever you run, whatever your goals, I hope you run happy, Peeps!</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!</span>Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-69137953278683466632019-03-27T17:33:00.000-07:002019-03-27T17:33:02.635-07:00Allow Me to Introduce Myself<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Let's start with my very first post, Peeps:</span><br />
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<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: "Gill Sans"; font-size: 22px;">
"Let go your heart; let go your head, and feel it now." These are the words I sang along with David Gray on my playlist this morning. I touched my heart, and I touched my head, and I pictured the pain, grief, and fear I have been feeling float away into air I left in my wake as I ran to the finish in my ten-mile run in the sun this morning.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf97lC55xD54r4VtA2yJRL_12q8nE2sW74SZg0g6esAgq110ocvAPc0uvWJr4tKdrddpXlLzhVgo53H-ESYLStPt6cc3dZJPaTsTUB3FkBMW21Q39_sGuS59KQ2WrTjgsf6GwxlQ3Ryw/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #888888; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf97lC55xD54r4VtA2yJRL_12q8nE2sW74SZg0g6esAgq110ocvAPc0uvWJr4tKdrddpXlLzhVgo53H-ESYLStPt6cc3dZJPaTsTUB3FkBMW21Q39_sGuS59KQ2WrTjgsf6GwxlQ3Ryw/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans"; font-size: 22px;">Had you told me a year ago that I would be running ten miles in twenty degree weather in order to experience catharsis, had you told me that I would have willingly awakened early on a Sunday morning in order to do this, had you told me that the tears I shed were of joy, not sorrow. . . Well, I would have sarcastically laughed, poured another drink, and asked you if a bear would be chasing me when I did this. I wouldn't have believed you because I didn't believe in myself. Running can help. Running changed my life for the better. Run with me; run away from your troubles, and you may find one day that you are not running away from a problem, but running to a solution. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Gill Sans"; font-size: 22px;"> I did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Gill Sans"; font-size: 22px;"><span style="color: purple;">Touching, no? This was from 2012, and I've been running away from trouble ever since. My runs have taken me through 6 marathons, a trail ultra-relay, 3 Burning River relays, and countless half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, and I don't even know what other distances. Running away from Trouble has led me to making lots of new friends.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Gill Sans"; font-size: 22px;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWenEO4HdM9CG2x1BWwv8iqLVGLo37UX0Wvhid7CJ1xgCsfwVg0rJX07zpfhXtDaGFUidZQw30gG6byq9VVjkKszgPFP3Slv0g-lamTMpjbJRIGng6GNSC6xs1Irq66kLOxuydV5ijkGE/s1600/Trail+Sisters+Whole+Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWenEO4HdM9CG2x1BWwv8iqLVGLo37UX0Wvhid7CJ1xgCsfwVg0rJX07zpfhXtDaGFUidZQw30gG6byq9VVjkKszgPFP3Slv0g-lamTMpjbJRIGng6GNSC6xs1Irq66kLOxuydV5ijkGE/s400/Trail+Sisters+Whole+Group.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail Sisters 2018<br />Photo Credit: Steve Pierce</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-h3X738kfkp6T4_k8TOuIRmT8d4fDkVxB9L6L75CeQoOW0HkptUHlCYCQejIrYWeQwJSsfuIJAFvFQLH-9bYgzynDe9NoxRAGs3GRx28kllLgI9nboddqkQWXPZFl-nvIgFLJKNEiQI/s1600/Mother+Runners+Dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="960" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-h3X738kfkp6T4_k8TOuIRmT8d4fDkVxB9L6L75CeQoOW0HkptUHlCYCQejIrYWeQwJSsfuIJAFvFQLH-9bYgzynDe9NoxRAGs3GRx28kllLgI9nboddqkQWXPZFl-nvIgFLJKNEiQI/s400/Mother+Runners+Dinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother Runners 2016<br />Photo Credit: Marta Pacur</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGArBdI1Z6TnjjN_TbS-nSB0TtMqyl4KQs2fbhlaN2RFb05-UVfwXmuYRBcRA8KpZga6sZaYOVtXsqHVpckzoTeQ-JCI3Z3vqX-Qv6rW2RN4o4z8XkL3ERlE3Yz8dyjYoG82QsBluNMGE/s1600/2018+Ambassador+VIP+Selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGArBdI1Z6TnjjN_TbS-nSB0TtMqyl4KQs2fbhlaN2RFb05-UVfwXmuYRBcRA8KpZga6sZaYOVtXsqHVpckzoTeQ-JCI3Z3vqX-Qv6rW2RN4o4z8XkL3ERlE3Yz8dyjYoG82QsBluNMGE/s400/2018+Ambassador+VIP+Selfie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleveland Marathon Ambassadors 2018<br />Photo Credit: Mary Sutter (?)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">It has led me to feats of strength that I never would have imagined.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa6Y3STKYVhsfY6zFxBcBaKDl6OKRnNc7X2DyhWYeqf2okN_NrmWWjAMy1vWNZ3o-LUeaFdebI5jyRgfBdBVOspVJo9WFnl1g0KGXImRIlaq5f4zp40NLjSn915MGVNUx5LCBbh6Fi-Y/s1600/2018+Akron+Marathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa6Y3STKYVhsfY6zFxBcBaKDl6OKRnNc7X2DyhWYeqf2okN_NrmWWjAMy1vWNZ3o-LUeaFdebI5jyRgfBdBVOspVJo9WFnl1g0KGXImRIlaq5f4zp40NLjSn915MGVNUx5LCBbh6Fi-Y/s400/2018+Akron+Marathon.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I never thought I would run a marathon, let alone 6!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhWClr7WisMmOxgA0jfw6Zp8XyKvHizCjZkNwR4-2LBF-1XAJZk3WSg5Dx4TFEg5FcHdq6XlZivapuA40_TcsBOyTX1-R_-uBIM5GoiEMokCsBl9tI_Er25y959-Kj91PU4MiWNUnSQU/s1600/Burning+River+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhWClr7WisMmOxgA0jfw6Zp8XyKvHizCjZkNwR4-2LBF-1XAJZk3WSg5Dx4TFEg5FcHdq6XlZivapuA40_TcsBOyTX1-R_-uBIM5GoiEMokCsBl9tI_Er25y959-Kj91PU4MiWNUnSQU/s400/Burning+River+.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wondering why the heck I decided to run the night leg at Burning River</td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">And it has led me to being a Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Ambassador.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_2VcxHZUdzOBXjbXxGPNz1lWhZd4WZvtMENdFWTjpKa6HPjfv5gODQ1I9xzbgJsfbIuyiq4pegFxNZvzbXwkztIgCC6GNCYdvKJfU6-GPZ6eV3qkZ3Xqs5Oz5pTmzir5sOvrsjGbDBQ/s1600/2018+Ambassador+Start+Line+Me+with+a+Medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_2VcxHZUdzOBXjbXxGPNz1lWhZd4WZvtMENdFWTjpKa6HPjfv5gODQ1I9xzbgJsfbIuyiq4pegFxNZvzbXwkztIgCC6GNCYdvKJfU6-GPZ6eV3qkZ3Xqs5Oz5pTmzir5sOvrsjGbDBQ/s400/2018+Ambassador+Start+Line+Me+with+a+Medal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm up front because I am more important than the others. I am.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Peeps, I am one of the lucky runners who get the "runner's high," and I want you to benefit from this while I am still in a good mood.</span></div>
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<a href="https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/51808384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="180" src="https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/51808384.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Here is how you can profit from my good mood. Do you want to run any of the races in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon series? (Choose from the 1 Mile Fun Run, 5K, 8K, 10K, Half Marathon, or Full Marathon.) Here is how you may get lucky:</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">1. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout. Each day I will post an opportunity to put your name in the hat for a drawing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">2. Respond in the comments to this question: What do you run away from, or what do you run toward? (The English teacher in me is cringing right now at finishing two independent clauses with prepositions.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">On April 4, I will randomly pick a winner from all comments on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and this blog.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Don't want to wait? You can register right now using my code, SI2019, for 10% off registration for any race.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">What are you waiting for? If you are like me, trouble could be stalking you as you read this post! Run! Run! Run!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">No matter what you run toward or away from, I hope you Run Happy, Peeps!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!</span></div>
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Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-56793088386796536162019-03-17T17:20:00.001-07:002019-03-18T10:09:54.761-07:00The Running Community Suffers a Great Loss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Running is a solitary sport. It really is because no matter what happens, your brain is telling your body what to do. At the same time, running is a community sport. We choose to run together, whether it's to train or to race or just to pass the time because we spend hours running. <br />
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Honestly, the solitude of running is what drew me. I spend hours being "on" for my students and my family. When I was young, this gave me energy, but now it drains me, so I cherish my time alone. This does not mean that I don't like running with others; I really, really do. My fellow runners push me to limits I don't even think I'm capable of reaching (I'm thinking of you, Marta), and they force me to make an effort to be kind and sociable, even when I don't want to be either of those things. Also, when I can't possibly be kind or sociable, my runner friends are STILL running with me, despite the swearing and/or the silence (I'm thinking of you, Jenn and Renee). I appreciate that.<br />
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Anyway, we all have our quirks and weirdness, and we learn to run with that. Some people evolve as leaders in their weird running tribes, and that is what I want to write about today. On Saturday the running community lost one of our greatest leaders, Steve Pierce, who died on the trails. If you are reading this blog, chances are pretty good that you know Steve. Maybe he took your picture for a race; maybe he joked with you on a trail run. <br />
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I met Steve through his wife, Jenn Pierce, whom I consider to be a good friend. She and I ran with the Towpath Turtles, and during that time, Steve would take pictures (for free) at the races we entered. After Jenn and I spent time seeing each other off and on the trails once in a while, she suggested to me that I needed to switch to trails and run with her group. If you know me, you know that this wasn't an easy switch for me. I started running with Crooked River Trail Runners, and that is where I connected with Steve. I have a few memories I would like to share.<br />
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<a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2015/06/race-recap-wv-ragnar-trail-race.html" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">I wrote about the Ragnar Trail Relays in West Virginia here</span></a>. In the spot where I refer to real trail runners I would like to emulate, I was describing Steve. When I panicked (in a lightning storm) he was calm. When I threw a literal tantrum due to lack of coffee, he gently reminded me that we weren't in real trail running circumstances, and real trail runners wouldn't throw tantrums. He didn't say these words; he lived them, and I took notice. I decided I wanted to be a better trail runner; I wanted to be more like Steve.<br />
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When I joined the Crooked River Trail Runners, I was nervous. I have a big ego, and I don't like to compete for attention. I also don't like to be in last place. Steve understood this, and he always welcomed me. We often had beers and/or food after the run, and Steve included everyone. This was particularly important to me when I ran the Christmas Lights Run with CRTR for the first time. There was a post to meet at a certain bar after the run, but I was nervous about being left out, so I posted, "What if certain runners (not me) are afraid of sitting there alone?" Steve responded right away: "Hypothetical nervous runners should remember that their friend Steve is there, and he would never allow someone to be all alone." <br />
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Steve took many, many race pictures, all for free. If you were lucky enough to get him to take a picture on your phone, you got a freebie: a Steve Selfie:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJunN46v0AqbZdO_47iA88HjUQrRM2maJHIJM7ggBiRCmW0RdQ8zV3tZAQNV4akvQk5cJ5elKJ95tD-feRvhx7i9MqmMFtgVhq-Ie3WSd3Juhmew0Mh0bpbGQGCL3enTumhd-qrxzeDw/s1600/Steve+Pierce+Selfie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJunN46v0AqbZdO_47iA88HjUQrRM2maJHIJM7ggBiRCmW0RdQ8zV3tZAQNV4akvQk5cJ5elKJ95tD-feRvhx7i9MqmMFtgVhq-Ie3WSd3Juhmew0Mh0bpbGQGCL3enTumhd-qrxzeDw/s320/Steve+Pierce+Selfie.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine looking for your group pic in your phone and finding this!</td></tr>
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I took lots of pictures for social media on my runs, and Steve was present for many of them. The problem is that I am a lousy photographer, and somehow I often cut out Steve in our pictures, and if he was in my pictures, I didn't tag him. I honestly don't know why, but it became a joke. For example, one night we were in a local bar after a run, and I didn't tag him, and he told me he felt like chopped liver. I responded that it was probably because he was so grumpy in the picture:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Mh41HrqFMCfEi-ieiA7dibfuczThBXojM256hV6Ujb_0KN5p7hgaNIQ51EJN4szmS32sKbhAqSz1WsVxy34GbiygJigY-nFFFEWZkLctZjpwKOyc24BbuTptrjY-_2pu_elZ8W_krHI/s1600/Steve+Pierce+Baxter%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Mh41HrqFMCfEi-ieiA7dibfuczThBXojM256hV6Ujb_0KN5p7hgaNIQ51EJN4szmS32sKbhAqSz1WsVxy34GbiygJigY-nFFFEWZkLctZjpwKOyc24BbuTptrjY-_2pu_elZ8W_krHI/s320/Steve+Pierce+Baxter%2527s.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve is on the far left staring into his beer. Seriously. Be happy.</td></tr>
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Another time I took a picture after a run, and he wasn't in it, so he complained. I decided to take a picture of just the two of us, and he wasn't happy with that either, so he did this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSYEtdbxxYFBqss_lnnnIoUyq8qbaamfsnTr6pCH1W9QswWPdn5ag2viQ6oHWfh4Kz2CfSp3OxcSiJrOKYShcScTETJ1eD3tvpcg59bJkDK5_VPUF0MVTA14_gcQ76zr7z2ANAdifnbo/s1600/Steve+Pierce+hiding+behind+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSYEtdbxxYFBqss_lnnnIoUyq8qbaamfsnTr6pCH1W9QswWPdn5ag2viQ6oHWfh4Kz2CfSp3OxcSiJrOKYShcScTETJ1eD3tvpcg59bJkDK5_VPUF0MVTA14_gcQ76zr7z2ANAdifnbo/s320/Steve+Pierce+hiding+behind+hat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who is that guy? Why is he avoiding me?</td></tr>
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I want to share one last story: I had recently "friended" someone who had views that were drastically different from mine. I had looked at his/her social media posts and I was worried that we would not be able to get along. Steve set me straight in two minutes. He asked me, "You friended him/her, so he/she can see your posts, too, right?" Well, yes. "Ok, well do you think he/she is equally worried about getting along with you?" Ummmmm. . .yes. Thank you.<br />
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I could talk forever about Steve, but I want to just emphasize that he was kind, gentle, funny, and incredibly cool. Everyone, I mean EVERYONE in the running community loved him. How could we not?<br />
<br />
Steve leaves behind a family: his wife Jenn, his daughter Maddie, and his son Riley. If the spirit moves you, can you donate to help them during this time of crisis?<br />
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<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/in-memory-of-steve-pierce?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_dn_postdonate_r&fbclid=IwAR2T47WsPdBok70j_gEHHvXe_4Rp0ziwBbzR_6ZolRFTYxtK8xjbDIVpk30" target="_blank">Click here to donate to the gofundme account for the Pierce family. </a><br />
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I hate to take this back to me, but I have to (because the thing about me is that everything is about me). My father died of a heart transplant (Jenn and Steve were with me at the Ragnar Relay when he had the transplant and I was frantic). I knew that he was going to die pretty soon, regardless of whether the transplant worked or not. You may or may not have read<span style="color: blue;"> t<a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2015/07/running-with-grief.html" target="_blank">he posts I wrote</a></span> around my father's death that addressed my difficulty to openly grieve. Please know, if you see me, that I am not unfeeling (something of which I've been accused). I have a difficult time dealing with my emotions, but like everyone, once I wear myself out, it will hit me.<br />
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Steve should have had more time. It's so unfair. Peeps, if you have ANY uncertainty about your heart at all, get some tests. I did. You mean something huge to many people; make sure you stay around as long as you can.<br />
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As for Steve, the only thing I can think is that he has progressed to the ultimate trail. I only hope that I am a good enough runner and person to run on the trail he has saved for me.<br />
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Jenn, I love you. Steve, I loved you.<br />
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Peeps, tell the people you cherish that you love them.<br />
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Peeps, I love you, and I appreciate you.<br />
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Run Happy.<br />
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at @itibrout.Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-80341275389955557652019-03-04T16:55:00.001-08:002019-03-04T16:56:03.486-08:00Break It DownSo, last week I ran 17 miles on the long run, and this week I ran 18. The way I've been making this work is that I meet my Trail Sisters Jen and Renee and Carrie for a trail run, but I show up an hour earlier, and I put in 4-5 miles on the Towpath. I feel like this gets me properly tired for all those hills and steps. So far it seems to be working. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnQGwDMIFHaeIYNXoIUCNVv8UJBHKmjycnfF3U3HMcz8kJKbwJP8kBzzcPJFYuXy-x5F2bm-fiLgL53emI06TaFt3YawBWwd3FkHs36iXWjO0r1t3_dDUL8tt6TC1tBvIO6ESUdOG23E/s1600/IMG_7308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnQGwDMIFHaeIYNXoIUCNVv8UJBHKmjycnfF3U3HMcz8kJKbwJP8kBzzcPJFYuXy-x5F2bm-fiLgL53emI06TaFt3YawBWwd3FkHs36iXWjO0r1t3_dDUL8tt6TC1tBvIO6ESUdOG23E/s320/IMG_7308.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jen, me, Renee. Bundled up and happy to be done.</td></tr>
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Peeps, when increasing your mileage, my one piece of advice is this: Choose your running partners wisely. I am a slow trail runner, so 14 miles on the trails is going to take me about 31/2 hours or so, depending on the conditions (the conditions lately have NOT been good). This means that there is a LOT of talking and not talking during that time. Jen, Renee, and I are English teachers, so we have a lot to discuss, and when we run out of things to say about literature, pedagogy, or just classroom pet peeves, we can always complain about our husbands. Then there comes a point where you just want the run to be DONE, and you start to do whatever it takes in your mind to make that happen. I am lucky that we have been able to share so many miles without them killing me and hiding my body in a fallen log.<br />
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Speaking of fallen logs. . .<br />
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Last Sunday we decided to run even though the weather forecast called for very strong wind gusts, up to 50 mph. We started together at 8:30 (I had put in 5 miles before that), and it was very pleasant, warm with little wind. We went out about an hour and a half, and everything was fine, so fine that our hubris got the best of us, and we scoffed at the forecast. Big mistake. When we turned around, the wind started kicking up, and sometimes we had tiny pellets of sleet/hail. Then the trees started creaking and we heard cracking all around us. <br />
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I don't know about you, but I have heard stories about trees and branches falling on people, and I've always thought, "Seriously, I can outrun a falling tree. What is wrong with people?" What I've learned is that when the trees are cracking all around you, and the wind is whipping them everywhere, that sound echoes, and you don't know where it's coming from. There were plenty of times on that trail that I wasn't sure if a tree or branch was going to hit us or not. We saw one large tree take down another, and at one point on an open part of the path a wind gust blew me over until I crouched down to make a wider base. On the way back, we saw this, and it scared the bejesus out of me:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmG2t281W6SzaRIr6daCuqxcpzJM4Txw7kVHYf4F4-sF9MhcvAS-kgpT0iR_CAvIsrGJW4r5nUeyZFYDR2tjF0FcDhH6ddZDN_q2oJf7ybfCyBxyDooVktSfWLVKq-K97K58azvmjrucw/s1600/2019+downed+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmG2t281W6SzaRIr6daCuqxcpzJM4Txw7kVHYf4F4-sF9MhcvAS-kgpT0iR_CAvIsrGJW4r5nUeyZFYDR2tjF0FcDhH6ddZDN_q2oJf7ybfCyBxyDooVktSfWLVKq-K97K58azvmjrucw/s400/2019+downed+trees.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This all happened in the second part of the run. Photo credit: Renee Milhalyov</td></tr>
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At least five big trees fell directly on the path we had run on the way out. We had to climb over some of them. They were all heavy. We could have been pinned under any of those trees.<br />
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Don't laugh at the weather gods in Ohio, Peeps.<br />
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So, I am alive for now, and I am still building towards my 20 miler, which I think I'll run on St. Patrick's Day. I am still on the wait list for Forget the PR, but I think it won't be long before I get an email saying I'm running it for realz. <br />
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If I survive this race, I swear I will take up some speedwork and PR the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. Wanna join me?<a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Register for any Cleveland Marathon race</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> </span>(1 mile Fun Run, 5K, 8K, 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, Series) <span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">using my code, SI2019</span>, and receive 10% off. Let's do this together!<br />
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However strong the wind blows in your woods, I hope you run happy, Peeps!<br />
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-6245461808472340122019-02-18T17:09:00.000-08:002019-02-18T17:09:25.798-08:00"Baby, I'm a Star"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was my second high-mileage week, and I believe I might just be getting stronger. On Saturday, I ran some icy trails with the Trail Sisters. After seven miles I called it quits because I was afraid I would slip and break my dupa. Then on Sunday Marta and I ran sixteen miles on the Towpath and a bit of road (that was a big, freaking hill). The hill was Marta's idea, and I guess I will thank her because if I end up running Forget the PR, I will need that hill training.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrd0Z7CBvzB6foktCBTbougtGmmiizcA28yIXkTm3CDzH168xbogjn1xBluStaM45vrTcKxo5GjDkSk7t0bFf1fjgDWpzGQwYYpIiHRaMi3NzLMAbD4gpF-JctsNLUjEVtBxzPQxiHh4/s1600/IMG_7316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrd0Z7CBvzB6foktCBTbougtGmmiizcA28yIXkTm3CDzH168xbogjn1xBluStaM45vrTcKxo5GjDkSk7t0bFf1fjgDWpzGQwYYpIiHRaMi3NzLMAbD4gpF-JctsNLUjEVtBxzPQxiHh4/s320/IMG_7316.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a mile ten selfie in the bathroom at Boston Store. The bathroom is heated, and I didn't want to leave it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ij6Nlc9IM91NUhkSVP5X5hT4tLGImbT0j8awu_lPG37ezzUE39yDaJNlCrG5ydkBAG9ZC3kUGSot6T5yRUI4b_dpFSfj3-r4zaVrvGbBXH7FXHH7YOp2pPoLmsDqjAiICqs7gbbRvBA/s1600/Hill+by+Brandywine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ij6Nlc9IM91NUhkSVP5X5hT4tLGImbT0j8awu_lPG37ezzUE39yDaJNlCrG5ydkBAG9ZC3kUGSot6T5yRUI4b_dpFSfj3-r4zaVrvGbBXH7FXHH7YOp2pPoLmsDqjAiICqs7gbbRvBA/s400/Hill+by+Brandywine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm running down the big, freakin' hill. It stretches out for about a half mile. Going down was MUCH better than going up.<br />
Photo Credit: Marta Pacur<br />
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I finished really strong with my second-fastest mile of that run being my last mile. I was cold, hungry, and numb from the hips down, so my motivation was at its height. I tried not to think about the fact that I would basically have to run double the miles in just two months. <i>Don't think about it, Stephani. Just run the mile you're in. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i> The best part of my weekend was the opportunity to be on WKYC's Live at Lakeside on President's Day! At our last Ambassador Meeting, I had told Jack Staph, Executive Race Director, that I need to be on tv, and could he please arrange that as soon as possible? So, today was the day. Fellow Ambassador Leah Backo and I did a segment for Marathon Monday with Holly Strano and Michael Estime. Leah is a pro at this because she is on the news all the time, but I admit I was nervous.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGkVTgvR-heeuHDaWxh72fz49heKl40tUgTbPbxRQCVBVr9sl58Lp57lY-VsMyBlCLdEWIcBAQ2MsExwWkSD4_oX7n5hUkqzdWkvqIZQViC4fJnWOI_V57injDO2EbAdyMCCUt32LthQ/s1600/IMG_7321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGkVTgvR-heeuHDaWxh72fz49heKl40tUgTbPbxRQCVBVr9sl58Lp57lY-VsMyBlCLdEWIcBAQ2MsExwWkSD4_oX7n5hUkqzdWkvqIZQViC4fJnWOI_V57injDO2EbAdyMCCUt32LthQ/s320/IMG_7321.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael and Holly prep before the show. Be cool, Stephani; be cool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaV0PS2mjIJ2_X0f6s-TIP8mwuz7vedMV3lvrJghCGWSNCIiUQXhhgNmiEmIe1E_m2_96bPoj5Ynz2xwpG7onpAqpXJt93Aocr3c94gFFlwCAUivMtgiVoevGS6kcVIpccYmQ4XCf6pec/s1600/IMG_7320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaV0PS2mjIJ2_X0f6s-TIP8mwuz7vedMV3lvrJghCGWSNCIiUQXhhgNmiEmIe1E_m2_96bPoj5Ynz2xwpG7onpAqpXJt93Aocr3c94gFFlwCAUivMtgiVoevGS6kcVIpccYmQ4XCf6pec/s320/IMG_7320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leah and I are ready!</td></tr>
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I had a lot of fun talking about the <a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/register-now.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon</b></span></a>, and I think I didn't do too badly. Judge for yourself!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://media.wkyc.com/embeds/video/95-c23f143d-9e02-4ff2-b5c0-61f4125b0a83/iframe" style="border-color: #e6e6e6; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="640"></iframe><br />
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So, that was my excitement for the week (as well as the forty-two miles I put in). I'm hoping for my next appearance to be on the day of the race. Whaddya say, Jack Staph?<br />
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Here are some reminders about the race:<br />
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1.<a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/get-involved/clemarathon-ambassadors.aspx" target="_blank"> <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Check out my fellow ambassadors</b></span></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span>on FB, Twitter, and Instagram. We are all giving away registrations, and you might get lucky!<br />
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2. Follow @Clevemarathon on Instagram and Twitter. The ambassadors are doing takeovers for the Instagram account. It's crazy over there, Peeps!<br />
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3. Don't want to take your chances at winning a registration? <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Use my code, SI2019, for 10% off registration for any race in the series.</b></span> Choose from the 1 mile fun run, the 5k, 8k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, and series!<br />
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I'm steadily climbing toward my twenty miler. How is your training going in this weird weather?<br />
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However you run, I hope you run happy, Peeps!<br />
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-2758844380954828322019-02-03T07:41:00.000-08:002019-02-03T07:41:37.510-08:00How's that Weather Working out for You?GAAAAAAA!!!!!!<br />
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It has been cold in Ohio, Peeps. Yes, I realize that you didn't need me to tell you that. I have been confined to the treadmill for days, and it's starting to make me soul-sick.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The treadmill would be SO MUCH BETTER if I ate ice cream like this dude.</td></tr>
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I have made a point of getting out on the weekends, and that really helps. Last weekend I didn't get the opportunity to do back-to-back long runs because I was working in Columbus, so I decided to do a long trail run with the Trail Sisters on Sunday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYm_9LRmn5uAKu-0DvId8MZNnRoG7mejqAanB1dWXhyNnANN84dOh2GfRzmtS7r7Ge1wULQ3lGQhJVQjkI7nakkdCdVJw2081pBmfCt1huJCK8VuJ7mgTqUFpsRL0VRib6OMcl2TLz2I/s1600/2019+Boston+Store+Trail+Sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1600" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYm_9LRmn5uAKu-0DvId8MZNnRoG7mejqAanB1dWXhyNnANN84dOh2GfRzmtS7r7Ge1wULQ3lGQhJVQjkI7nakkdCdVJw2081pBmfCt1huJCK8VuJ7mgTqUFpsRL0VRib6OMcl2TLz2I/s320/2019+Boston+Store+Trail+Sisters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our start at Boston Store: Me, Wendy, Renee, Marta</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping to catch my breath (Renee is patiently waiting for me)</td></tr>
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As you can see, it was very snowy, very cold, and very steep. Running in the snow was like running on sand, and at the end of 12 miles, my Garmin registered that I exerted as much effort as I would have on 17 miles!<br />
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This weekend, I ran 14 miles on Saturday and 7 miles on Sunday. All of the miles were incredibly hilly, which is exactly what I need for Forget the PR 50K in Mohican.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vUcpEKAJVv8KLhP0-vWXxyyUWwS2Q1ETEVIttY97gvvDvj6YNNYwuvtEwfKb5i2Os3ZMq2ofOTbFqj5zVaeBNfgwNCD9qYmONi1bqOfeCeJIkhMdQtkXL0kdXsi9wGgwSGnM_9o5Svw/s1600/Hills+in+Bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="872" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vUcpEKAJVv8KLhP0-vWXxyyUWwS2Q1ETEVIttY97gvvDvj6YNNYwuvtEwfKb5i2Os3ZMq2ofOTbFqj5zVaeBNfgwNCD9qYmONi1bqOfeCeJIkhMdQtkXL0kdXsi9wGgwSGnM_9o5Svw/s320/Hills+in+Bath.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This gives you an idea of Saturday's run: I am the tiny speck in orange and white on the left.<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Halfway through the run, Wendy, Marta, and I crashed a golf and chili event at Hale Farm.<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9fhuVNiJ-IqjgcHHyMmXUv9UIic4bKhvLsgeHJVUFqameQbVgJs0DKXtRj62NVTmBoiRxKaemSKUUqJ_Shmq5_jIvjXMqJqs36tZDwPmsrqI8KR_K4n2ZUXRKaDcH8OkuZW9iDIj4Kc/s1600/Crashing+the+Chili+Open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="670" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9fhuVNiJ-IqjgcHHyMmXUv9UIic4bKhvLsgeHJVUFqameQbVgJs0DKXtRj62NVTmBoiRxKaemSKUUqJ_Shmq5_jIvjXMqJqs36tZDwPmsrqI8KR_K4n2ZUXRKaDcH8OkuZW9iDIj4Kc/s400/Crashing+the+Chili+Open.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy and Marta have no shame. I am hiding.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The chili smelled so amazing; it was difficult to leave.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1PQgm6HrSR-ttJZa-8BfOmOWEUzIib2Sbm0UGmS08j6RMtYNkhCA9UZrXi2RRGZTUlKEF04DZNTcHMTSpUibgeBcQxoFFw5OssLVLNrv6RlmgaDmMv1yl90ruId8TRX01lmm4FBVA7U/s1600/Hale+Farm+walking+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1PQgm6HrSR-ttJZa-8BfOmOWEUzIib2Sbm0UGmS08j6RMtYNkhCA9UZrXi2RRGZTUlKEF04DZNTcHMTSpUibgeBcQxoFFw5OssLVLNrv6RlmgaDmMv1yl90ruId8TRX01lmm4FBVA7U/s320/Hale+Farm+walking+away.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy and I reluctantly leave the Chili Open.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I made sure to nap and fuel after cleaning the house on Saturday, and I got up early to run with the Canal Rats this morning on Sand Run--more hills. Normally the Rats run WAY too fast for me, but they were kind enough to run a leisurely pace. . .which still kicked my butt. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My runs this week totalled 42 miles, which is pretty darned good considering we had the polar vortex. I also managed to do yoga and strength training. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At this point, if I don't get into the Forget the PR 50K, I will be in stellar form for the<span style="color: blue;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon</a></span></span> in May. Speaking of which, would you like to sign up to join me for any of the races in the series? If so, <span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">use my code, SI2019, for a 10% discount on registration</span> for any of the races, including the whole series. Come on--it will be fun!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
No matter how cold it is, I hope you run happy, Peeps!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-79143083476000350682019-01-14T15:45:00.000-08:002019-01-14T15:45:25.130-08:00Training Time!For those of you who didn't catch why I am in a tizzy:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6uzM3qCO1q27oQ3VtAEUTjk4zKuPqIVC3AiVdZWLyUuqDSTGyV0VS-tPsyk7Td2ngTvzKyqPXcFQ03GzzeA7tUu67lIBzTjR527_sCU7RFLHCcBmrFWB2ShT70eSWmqXHA-gkbhE29o/s1600/Akron+horrified+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6uzM3qCO1q27oQ3VtAEUTjk4zKuPqIVC3AiVdZWLyUuqDSTGyV0VS-tPsyk7Td2ngTvzKyqPXcFQ03GzzeA7tUu67lIBzTjR527_sCU7RFLHCcBmrFWB2ShT70eSWmqXHA-gkbhE29o/s320/Akron+horrified+me.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EXACTLY how I look when I am in a tizzy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I signed up for the <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=60785" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Forget the PR 50K</span></a> a month or so ago. Yes, peer pressure was involved. No, I don't want to talk about it. Well, maybe just a little bit. <br />
<br />
Every year I need a new challenge. I knew that I would eventually sign up for a 50K, but I actually thought I'd sign up for some sort of 24 hour loop type of race so that I could take my time and eat more food and stuff. <br />
<br />
That didn't happen.<br />
<br />
This particular 50K takes place at Mohican State Park, and it is a monster. Think hills, lots and lots of hills. Think April weather in Ohio. Think of how stupid I am to sign up. Anyway, I didn't get in, but I can't be relieved just yet because I am on a waitlist, and I am NUMBER 7 ON THIS STUPID LIST!!!!<br />
<br />
So, I've got to train.<br />
<br />
I was running with my friend Jenn (who has done the Mohican 50K) a few weeks ago, and she asked me about my training plan. "Ummmmm. . . you're assuming I have a training plan," I replied. "I just thought I'd do a marathon plan with lots of hill repeats and painful stuff."<br />
<br />
"You realize that you're supposed to do back-to-back long runs to get used to running on tired legs, right?" she asked, giving me the side-eye.<br />
<br />
"Dammit, now I do!" I yelled, and that is how everything changed. I looked up 50K training plans and realized that I have to devote my weekends to running, and so I have.<br />
<br />
For three weeks I have been running long on both Saturday and Sunday, both days on trails. I've started with shorter distances--8, 9, and 10 miles-- to get used to it. I've made sure to build in long hills whenever I can.<br />
<br />
This past Saturday I ran 10 miles at Pine Hollow with the Trail Sisters. Then, on Sunday I came right back to Pine Hollow to run 9 more with Katie, a fellow Cleveland Marathon Ambassador. Katie is training for her first marathon, and you guessed it--it's Cleveland!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGcC4evYUbMVUPvmv9E-4Eaa4FddAQnV1I5qqwROF_zRwgLQ0dr7URTHx9wee9oZNa-A90vhv_fZ16Sffat3c64VPF0BUXdRHY_MHPYvREN8AUKEeSXblaR-T1w0VPZMUrLSzgQoUz8Q/s1600/Pine+Hollow+with+Katie+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGcC4evYUbMVUPvmv9E-4Eaa4FddAQnV1I5qqwROF_zRwgLQ0dr7URTHx9wee9oZNa-A90vhv_fZ16Sffat3c64VPF0BUXdRHY_MHPYvREN8AUKEeSXblaR-T1w0VPZMUrLSzgQoUz8Q/s400/Pine+Hollow+with+Katie+C.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm hiding my face in the shadow. Katie is looking uber-cool in sunglasses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The group I ran with are all super-speedy badass trail runners, and I had NO BUSINESS running with them, so I made the decision to let them go when I stopped to take a picture and I dropped my gloves. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSThkETNvXVE3o8XQUyWmYn4tR2yFg4LFjWSTqFe2yaKkxpfbl4HWPUBnEMR-Ax_ntvtdmIf3g9TuITXaK2aiwd8ipmb60PHn-dOSLBMna4GJiK3atbNR0jomZSWPauD57w-z1XL_T4tM/s1600/IMG_7220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSThkETNvXVE3o8XQUyWmYn4tR2yFg4LFjWSTqFe2yaKkxpfbl4HWPUBnEMR-Ax_ntvtdmIf3g9TuITXaK2aiwd8ipmb60PHn-dOSLBMna4GJiK3atbNR0jomZSWPauD57w-z1XL_T4tM/s320/IMG_7220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Uy9CeMcAALDXsuQXWKk5XVZNMTkrfHfR5nLhdV6CPtAPqeeun5OIsngqM2xcIxdE8IuP5aWPqav1lNxHv7Hdf13HkoLq7GmideMHN-4hJfjdKbYD0BqJyIHZIEr5_ZSpDtNGicRV4H4/s1600/IMG_7221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Uy9CeMcAALDXsuQXWKk5XVZNMTkrfHfR5nLhdV6CPtAPqeeun5OIsngqM2xcIxdE8IuP5aWPqav1lNxHv7Hdf13HkoLq7GmideMHN-4hJfjdKbYD0BqJyIHZIEr5_ZSpDtNGicRV4H4/s320/IMG_7221.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning at Kendall Lake. I never did find my gloves, darnit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was peaceful and beautiful running through the park, and I wasn't as sore as I thought I might be. I caught up with Katie later on, and we chatted a bit in the last few miles. She is going to rock the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, and if I survive this 50K, I will rock the marathon, too!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you signed up for one of the races yet? Or will you choose the series? Wanna discount on registration? <a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Click here</span></a> and use my code, <b><span style="color: purple;">SI2019</span></b>, for 10% off any race or series.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
However you train, I hope you run happy, Peeps!<br />
<br />
Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-54369633749394985882018-12-31T11:30:00.000-08:002018-12-31T11:30:42.550-08:00It's Pay Day!Happy New Year, Peeps!<br />
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2018 has been some year. I'm not even sure I want to process what that means, to tell the truth. I prefer to focus on the good stuff right now, so first a photo:<br />
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My last day of running this year was 12/30 with the Trail Sisters:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcOXNg0jrg8MeULRy3hMuTc9r_oSO3-oAfVYHW_m5-Oc836Wurawz5L63wVjRUqJ9NiTOaNELeAutenqdO2e9e95FyITPYlY3flkQzA86nEVu3AIdFa-LBvBk7utTZJg4xJi2af03YL0/s1600/IMG_7192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcOXNg0jrg8MeULRy3hMuTc9r_oSO3-oAfVYHW_m5-Oc836Wurawz5L63wVjRUqJ9NiTOaNELeAutenqdO2e9e95FyITPYlY3flkQzA86nEVu3AIdFa-LBvBk7utTZJg4xJi2af03YL0/s320/IMG_7192.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were some real shenanigans going on here.<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We ran the trails of Sand Run. Marta and I decided to finish our twelve miles with a 1/4 mile long hill because we are just badass that way.<br />
<br />
Also, I jacked up my knee somehow, so I'm taking it easy today. There will be stretching and foam rolling on the agenda.<br />
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Ok, for those of you who haven't read my posts on Payday, here is the gist:<br />
<br />
I pay myself $.50 for every mile I run, $1.00 for every racing mile, and $5.00 for every PR. I deduct my race fees from this amount, and I deposit the total in a special savings account for my big ticket racing goal. <a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2016/12/payday-2016.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Here</span></a> and <a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2018/01/pay-day-2017.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">here</span></a> are some previous posts. Go ahead and read them; I'll wait.<br />
<br />
Ok, ready? Step one is to calculate the total miles of 2018. I get this figure from DailyMile.com, where I log my runs. This year I ran and walked 1,848 miles, which I'm very happy with because my goal was 1,700.<br />
<br />
Step two is to add up the racing miles:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2018/12/turkey-and-shenanigans.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Home Run for the Homeless</span></a>: 4.06<br />
<a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2018/10/race-recap-run-with-scissors.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Run with Scissors</span></a>: 13.3<br />
<a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2018/10/race-recap-akron-marathon.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Akron Marathon</span></a>: 26.42<br />
Race with Grace: 3.07<br />
<a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2018/07/race-recap-burning-river-100-mile-4.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Burning River</span></a>: 25.76<br />
<a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2018/06/race-recap-medina-half-marathon.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Medina Half Marathon</span></a>: 13.12<br />
<a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2018/05/race-recap-rite-aid-cleveland-marathon.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon</span></a>: 26.48<br />
Pro Football Hall of Fame Half Marathon: 13.26<br />
<a href="https://troublerun.blogspot.com/2018/04/race-recap-fools-25k.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Fools 25K</span></a>: 15.94<br />
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Total Racing Miles: 137.35<br />
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Step three is to subtract racing miles from total miles:<br />
<br />
1,848 - 137 = 1,711<br />
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Step four is to multiply non-racing miles by .50 and then add to racing miles:<br />
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1,711 x .50= 855.5-> 856 + 137 = $993<br />
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Wow! This is a lot of moolah, but I'm not finished yet, Peeps. I still need to add up my racing fees and subtract them from the total:<br />
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Total: 993<br />
<u> -351</u><br />
642<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">642 smackeroos! Holy Shmoly! But wait!!! I get to award myself 5 bucks for every PR, and I had 1 (The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, thanks to Marta!), so. . . .</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">647 dollars! Whoa!</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v9FYRRb_i8MOk326Di3-cu7-dwn-Q6RLCtzydHrlY93DHKdo2UxYh-koVB16dGJr42bzcqQWkXEDtbSNxaIZ21bL0ojCqjzizyZVJfAZLq3-EP9PORK5B2EUss2cxER6S7s7IZCc0xk/s1600/cha-ching.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="650" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v9FYRRb_i8MOk326Di3-cu7-dwn-Q6RLCtzydHrlY93DHKdo2UxYh-koVB16dGJr42bzcqQWkXEDtbSNxaIZ21bL0ojCqjzizyZVJfAZLq3-EP9PORK5B2EUss2cxER6S7s7IZCc0xk/s320/cha-ching.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
I will be depositing that money as soon as I get paid! My dream marathon account is certainly adding up! Paris, I will be running your streets soon!<br />
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So, I do this for myself because I am driven (shocking, right?), and I tend to punish myself for my shortcomings. It is super-important that I acknowledge my accomplishments, and this is a way for me to see real improvement. This is the highest paycheck I've earned to date, and I intend to earn more next year.<br />
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What do you do to reward your accomplishments, Peeps? It doesn't have to be money, and your goals don't have to involve running. You could practice mindfulness and meditation. You can take up a new sport or start walking or swimming. The thing is that OF COURSE the rewards to your body and spirit are obvious, but that doesn't always help when you want to sleep in and you know you should be training for a 50K by doing hill repeats (guilty). Find something you can use as an incentive (try not to make it donuts), and reward yourself for your effort. It can be gradual (at the end of each week that you accomplished a goal) or it can be the biggie at the end of the year (like my payday). <span style="font-size: large;">Just do it! You deserve this.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">Speaking of what you deserve, why not treat yourself to one of the races in the </span><a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon series</span></a><span style="color: purple;">? Use my code, SI2019, for 10% off registration. Let's do this together!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKhtqjR-qXxIDxC0sW72OT33PAkGjbqmF3ldl8NX3VtRf8fWcwnU2hkGdHvSEC_ldsZlUB2cdj1QafOOXiDdYpMy0nnh2q83wyG9BU_nlFpJTgKI353j_uqzPxrBE_oZ5ZopD2prKQDU/s1600/IMG_6466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="387" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKhtqjR-qXxIDxC0sW72OT33PAkGjbqmF3ldl8NX3VtRf8fWcwnU2hkGdHvSEC_ldsZlUB2cdj1QafOOXiDdYpMy0nnh2q83wyG9BU_nlFpJTgKI353j_uqzPxrBE_oZ5ZopD2prKQDU/s320/IMG_6466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span>
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However your year ended, I hope you ran it happily, Peeps!<br />
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Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448651879802583051.post-67050610578366194072018-12-16T10:53:00.001-08:002018-12-16T10:53:56.948-08:00Christmas Lights and I am Stupid<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Last week I ran the annual Christmas Lights Run, organized by Ed Sutter, of Eddie's Famous Cheesesteaks. This is where over one hundred runners don Christmas apparel and run through the streets of Akron (following the blue line of the Akron Marathon) to Stan Hywet Hall to see the beautiful Christmas lights. It is a total of eight miles, and then everybody fills the bars and restaurants in downtown Akron for post-run food and libations. Here are some pics:</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqK91weEn2tiD8Twomy_KNNyn1fYcOMiYoBF5t_5c1ykpVwMIK1YG31W1PbqHRAO66ZrDRT_hBYqIB9ulh4ZdPV9chHcLwmlleA1zuKvtkBYKpcvQWrYEfHTFloNzoSrprYMd9Cqxggs/s1600/2018+Christmas+Lights+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1080" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqK91weEn2tiD8Twomy_KNNyn1fYcOMiYoBF5t_5c1ykpVwMIK1YG31W1PbqHRAO66ZrDRT_hBYqIB9ulh4ZdPV9chHcLwmlleA1zuKvtkBYKpcvQWrYEfHTFloNzoSrprYMd9Cqxggs/s320/2018+Christmas+Lights+Run.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleveland Marathon Ambassador and Pacer Spotting! Steve, Me, Pam</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUshT7ZNmpugyC0Bj8XAt8IROKCdH6F7_Lv5bjElW8BSEgLpJnw03Uib3EUZ-E4uK7pyvfILs9c_xtntzQQbmas9o3IJv3PYq1TZTgg3L2GYcGplVEMKmGjGSDtbrtK3-hbLmn7iTYco/s1600/2018+CLR+Group+Stan+Hywet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="960" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUshT7ZNmpugyC0Bj8XAt8IROKCdH6F7_Lv5bjElW8BSEgLpJnw03Uib3EUZ-E4uK7pyvfILs9c_xtntzQQbmas9o3IJv3PYq1TZTgg3L2GYcGplVEMKmGjGSDtbrtK3-hbLmn7iTYco/s640/2018+CLR+Group+Stan+Hywet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole group in front of Stan Hywet Hall. Photo Credit: Steve Pierce</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-c73cQhjsnyhg7ThtUWT-ZMtx6nc4sVmI612zl8v1uQ0mQOrcFFgezbUNu5iH9JVh5jCgVs4L5r24mmVaH8jKM0I8VEwjBKeiqoIl_4GLqz045sYwGCsjPxMroyUYh9eZdZo2vFUmyQ/s1600/2018+Trail+Sisters+Christmas+Lights+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1080" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-c73cQhjsnyhg7ThtUWT-ZMtx6nc4sVmI612zl8v1uQ0mQOrcFFgezbUNu5iH9JVh5jCgVs4L5r24mmVaH8jKM0I8VEwjBKeiqoIl_4GLqz045sYwGCsjPxMroyUYh9eZdZo2vFUmyQ/s320/2018+Trail+Sisters+Christmas+Lights+Run.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail Sisters Represent! Marta, Cari, Angie, Me</td></tr>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I love running at night, and the lights at Stan Hywet are amazing. This was a great way to relieve some holiday stress. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.defense.gov/2011/Dec/20/2000190357/-1/-1/0/111219-F-NT337-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="800" height="224" src="https://media.defense.gov/2011/Dec/20/2000190357/-1/-1/0/111219-F-NT337-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is usually how I deal with holiday stress.</td></tr>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">On another note, I did something stupid, Peeps. Here are some hints:</span><br />
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">1. Peer pressure was definitely involved.</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">2. Alcohol may have been involved.</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">3. I was looking for something different in my races.</span><br />
<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">4. I'm turning 50 in two years.</span><br />
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Did you guess that I signed up for my first 50K? Ok, that isn't so bad, right? I mean, it's inevitable that I'm going to run a 50K when I've already run six marathons. Here is the problem. For my first 50K, I've chosen. . . </span><br />
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mohican50k.com/" target="_blank">The Mohican Forget the PR</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Here are some things you need to know:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1. The course is EXTREMELY difficult. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2. The race is in April (around my birthday), so I can most likely expect icy rain.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">3. I am #8 on the waitlist. When I mentioned to my friends that I felt that it was unlikely that I would get in, they all informed me that I was definitely going to be running the 50K if I'm only #8. GAAAAAAAA.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">4. Trail Sisters have already registered, so I will be in good company.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">I've had a period of freaking out, but I am not a quitter, so I am going to prepare for this damn race. I will run hill repeats. I will do squats and pushups. I will put in the long trail miles. I can do this, right?</span></span><br />
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: magenta;">Ok, this is the most important part of the post. What spring race will you train for this winter? Will it be the</span><a href="https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> <span style="color: blue;">Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon</span></a><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">or any of the races associated with it? If so, I have a code for you! Use SI2019 for 10% off registration for any race, including the series!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 0, 255);">However you run this season, I hope you run happy, Peeps!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 0, 255);">Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!</span></span>Run away from Troublehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02204446516263312254noreply@blogger.com0