You've Been Chicked

Last weekend by bestest buddy competed in the Arizona Ironman.  While she was out swimming, biking and running for 12.5 hours, I needed something to keep myself entertained.  When I wasn't cheering on the athletes, I was taking pictures.

You've heard the saying, a picture is worth 1000 words.  In this case, four pictures tell the story of girl chicks boy.

Boy running along, minding his own business

Boy wonders if Girl can keep up

 Girl passes boy

Boy checks pace. Yup, Been Chicked

Happy Running!

Racing to Find Mojo

The lack of running motivation continues to plague me.  Running 3 miles without stopping is so hard for me to actually accomplish and once I start walking, there's not much at that point to keep me running.  With hopes to find my running mojo again, I signed up for the Arizona Road Racers summer series.  There are 5 races spread throughout the summer that are 5K's, except the 4th of July is a 4 miler.

I missed the first race since I was out of town.  Today was the 2nd race and the convenient location was only 4 miles away at Rose Moffet Park, Phoenix.

My goal was to run 9:15's and be sub-30min overall.  The first mile took forever and yes, I felt like stopping.  I knew the 1.5 mile mark would be tough because usually that's when I start walking on my runs at home.  I told myself walking wasn't an option but 10 minute miles or even 11's were an option. I really wanted to finish the race without stopping.

I finished in a personal worst time of 29:15 but overall I'm happy because I did run the whole thing.  I don't have my running mojo back but figure I have to keep getting myself out there. Next race is in 3 weeks on the 4th of July.

Happy Running!

Where Did the Good Expo's Go?

Each year the Expo's and goodie bags get more disappointing.  I remember when a goodie bag was full of new products, things to try and you were excited to dump out and see what you received.  Post race there was food, product and more free stuff.  Now in a goodie bag you get…nada.  Expo…disappointing.

I went to the Phoenix PF Changs RnR marathon expo and was terribly disappointed.  When the race first showed up in Phoenix the expo had car vendors like Saturn and Nissan.  Southwest was there one year and I got a cool free pull backpack bag (which I still use today).  PF Changs had an awesome booth.  So many shoe companies with show discounts and of course all the muscle gels, sport drinks and muscle massagers.  There were so many vendors and lots of free stuff, back then.

Compare this to Europe's races and they get all kinds of free stuff including bottles of wine.  I know where my next race needs to be.

I believe the decrease of goodies is due to higher booth rentals for the vendors (so the race can make more money), and the increase of races.  There are so many races the vendors can't possibly participate in all of the races.  However, with PF Changs, it is the largest Arizona race with people flying in from out of town.

Not to be a complete negative naysayer, there were two things I really enjoyed at the expo.  PF Changs had samples of their sangria and Ryan Hall was speaking when I was there.  Hearing any elite marathoner is motivational and Ryan Hall was no exception.

p.s. I signed up for the race but with recent injuries and not trained I decided not to run the race but I had to get my t-shirt and check out the expo anyways.

Happy Running!

ARR Summer Series 5K Race

In the summer when most people in Arizona lock themselves in air conditioned buildings,we crazy runners go out an run races.  Arizona Road Racers (ARR) puts on 5K races every year and calls them the summer series.  For only $50, you can run 5 races, get a run in early and have a blast.

Jacquie and I get a big kick out of being twins (I know.....super stupid) and dressed in our yellow adventure run shirts and hot pick socks. To get extra mileage in we arrived early for a 2 mile warmup and enjoyed checking out the new course through the Gilbert Riparian preserve.  

The narrow course path dictated a wave start for the 5K and Jacquie lined up with the 7min/mile group and I lined up with the 8 min/mile group.  Even with the wave start it was congested the first 1/2 mile. People around me must have thought I was crazy. With Jacquie being in front of me, when the course doubled back, I yelled WOO HOO to her.  When I passed Spiderman, I couldn't help myself and had to sing the spider-man song.

Spider-man, spider-man

does whatever a spider can

spins a web, anysize 

catches thieves just like flies

At this point spider-man corrects me.  Catches RUNNERS he says

Look out.  

Here comes the spider-man

Considering my fitness, I was pleased with my time and VERY surprised to hear I placed 2nd in my age group.  The ARR series has very serious and fast runners and I never would have placed in prior races with my time. I guess the fast women in my age group just didn't show up today.  Jacquie, got first in her age group and we hung around to get our AG awards.   

The 45-50 female age group was called and Jacquie was #1 and since I just turned 45, I was #2.  We had no idea we were in the same age group. The announced even commented we dressed the same so it was quite hilarious seeing our reactions realizing we were in the same age group and wearing the same outfit.

What an awesome morning.

Happy Running!

Ragnar Relay Del Sol- Team Rock Solid for Solid Rock

A little more than one week before Ragnar Relay Del Sol, I joined a team of complete strangers. Having run many Ragnars with strangers, I wasn't worried about it.  I knew 30ish hours with other runners could only end in friendship.

Ragnar Del Sol runs from Wickenburg, to Buckeye, back up to Surprise and Cave Creek, over to Fountain Hills and down to Tempe.  Lots of miles, laughs, food and in and out of the van.

The team captain, Kevin, was a Ragnar virgin and I worried about over stepping my boundaries. I've learned some things over my 12 Ragnars, team and van captain experiences and wanted to share but not be overbearing.  I can be a control freak at times, especially about 'the spreadsheet' and runners paces.  It's important to me that during the race to have an idea of when someone is expected to come in.  This helps the other runners and the other van to know when they will be running.  I've had some horror stories (like the gal who ran 12 min miles but said she would run 8:30's).

Kev, despite the fact of being a CPA (which are usually anal control freaks), was quite relaxed.  The relaxed disposition could have something to do with the fact he had a stent put in only the month before.  It was ok though since we had a doctor with a complete pharmacy on board.  Kevin is going to get a huge doctor bill from Doctor Gary for the 30 hour continual monitoring and the double time billing for all the questions I asked him and the eye liner re-application I required of Doctor Gary.

Our team name was Rock Solid for Solid Rock and we were raising money for Alice Coopers youth center Solid Rock.  The best part about running for this team were the incredibly awesome long sleeves shirts and the black eye liner I got to wear to mimic Alice Cooper.  In the middle of the night I would sneak up on people wearing my orange lit hair, black eyes and say ~SPOOKY~.  Seeing their reaction was priceless.

Rather than continue my ramble, here are pictures from the race.

Will and Gary actually listening to the safety briefing.  All I remember is the gal ATTEMPTING to be funny and talking about violating someone. (It wasn't that funny at all)

Lee (wearing bib 242) is runner #1 and starts the race in Wickenburg.  Only 200 miles to go!

Lee is off to a good start 

No, no, no…don't let someone pass you.  Trip them.

Lee's doppleganger.  The van made the mistake of thinking this runner was Lee (because of the grey shirt) and from that point we called him Lee's twin.

Lee hands off to Kevin.  I think he was worried we would miss seeing him out there so he wore the brightest colors he could find.

Vulture City graveyard from 1860.  Exchange 3

Ott ready to run his leg.

Hang loose

Kev explains for lunch he'd love to eat 1/2 a turkey. Heck, if you could also have an accordion player that would be the highlight of the day.

Out of everyone, Gary was the most consistent runner.  He was right on his pace for each of the runs (the rest of us got slower and slower)

Hey dad!  I'm flying!  I'm running 7:42's!

Sunrise at exchange 24

Yep, I look just like Alice Cooper

Will, Lee and Gary (awesome father and sons picture)

There's nothing like seeing the 12th runner coming across the bridge and finishing the race.

Stephanie bailed out the team joining at the last minute and ran our team in. 

Jordan, Ott, Gary, Russ, John, Stephen, Kim, Lee, Kev,
Stephanie, Lee, Justin and me (Christina)

Thanks 'Rock Solid for Solid Rock' for an awesome time. I had a blast!

Spectating at Ironman Arizona

Last weekend was Ironman Arizona and even though it's in my backyard, I've never went down to watch the action. This year my friends husband, Richard, was participating and I went down to cheer him on.  For those of you unaware of Ironman, it's a grueling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and to top it off a full marathon, 26.2 miles.  All of this needs to be accomplished 17 hours after the 7am swim start finishing before the clock strikes midnight and the carriage turns back into the pumpkin.

If you have ever whined about how hard your race was, how tired you were then suck it up buttercup because we, as mere runners, have it easy.

Each section has a cutoff time and the swim cutoff is 2 hours and 20 minutes.  The elites are out of the water in 50 minutes but the real world is out there longer.  After seeing Richard transition from swim to bike (1:10 minutes),  we stood in the long line at Starbucks and talked to a couple in their 50's from Texas. They were coaches and Ironman themselves and encouraged us to go to the swim and cheer on the people still out there.  The swimmers can hear the cheers and get revived even though their heads are underwater and they have earplugs.

This 'stipper' must be a triathlete herself because she was getting the crowd into bringing in the swimmers

Having never been to a tri, I didn't know there were 'strippers', volunteers to peel off the wetsuits off the swimmers. It was quite entertaining.

This gal, #946, came out of the water with 5 minutes to spare.  She was so dang happy (I don't think I'd be able to stand let alone be happy after swimming) that I decided to stalk her the rest of the race. More on that later.

As with any competition with a cut-off, there is heartbreak too. At 9:20:20, the gentleman below came in. He missed the cutoff by 20 seconds and that was it.  His months of training, worry, stress, managing diet and fears all came to screeching halt when he couldn't continue on.  I heard he hung on to a kayak a little ways out and that could have easily been his 20 seconds. I can't even imagine his disappointment.

Removing of the time clock within 2 minutes of the swim cut-off

This is the second buy who came in and he was ready to go on until he was stopped by a volunteer. It was heartbreaking to watch.

After the swim cut-off we headed back over to the bike to watch for Richard.  The day before the race Richard joined Jacquie and I on our long run where I quizzed him about what he would be wearing. I was so thankful he met us out on the run and pointed out his funky colored shoes.  Out of all the bikers, most of them wearing all black, he's the only one with funky colored shoes and we were able to easily pick him out.

Richard coming through 1st loop

2nd loop

After his second loop I headed home to do my chores but I wasn't done spectating.  Once I got home I downloaded pictures and admired swimmer 946 determination.  The athlete tracker identified her as Stephanie from Tempe, AZ.  I tracked her on her bike and the start of the run. At 8:30pm I drove back to the race to cheer on the athletes still out there trudging through their final miles.

The athletes at this point are walking with a few runners. Some would run for a bit and then go back into walking. I cheered as loud as I could and woo hoo'd them loud enough other runners could hear it too.  I continued to track Stephanie on my phone and was disappointed I hadn't found her yet. I had missed her at each of my spectator spots.  I crossed the bridge to try another point and eventually this lady came along.  Her number was off to the side and so I asked what her number was.  #946.  I said you're Stephanie and I've been stalking you all day.  I think I'd be freaked out knowing I had a stalker but she just smiled and said really?  I walked/jogged with her for a bit talking to her and then left for the finish-line where I watched her cross.  The announcer cried out. Stephanie,  YOU ARE AN IRONMAN.

For those runners, if you have ever whined about how hard your race was, how tired you were then suck it up buttercup because we, as mere runners, have it easy.

I watched men and women athletes cross the finish line after competing for 16+ hours. Some had prosthetics, some were 70 years old, one was a heart transplant recipient. One lady was so cramped that her entire body was shaped like a C and yet she ran across the finish line in obvious pain. And then with 37 seconds to spare,we spectators watched the screen showing the finish line with hope and tears in our eyes as a truly energy deficient male athlete was assisted across the finish line.  YOU ARE AN IRONMAN.

7 tips to running the Women's Half Marathon in Scottsdale

If you missed it, check out the vagina medal in yesterday's post.  I am now a proud owner of a vagina medal and can't say I have any other medals like that.   Since I would have nothing to write about for a"I Rocked It" race report, I'm doing a post of top 6 tips for running the Women's Half Marathon in Scottsdale.

1. Leave your hand sanitizer at home. This race is so well equipped with hand sanitizer in the portapotties and sinks with water, you won't need your own hand sanitizer for 'just in case'.
2. Bring your own GU.  For two years in a row although there was Power Gel on the course around mile 7, there was no one to hand it out. At least this year the boxes were open and placed at the end of the table but it would still require you to run off to the side, open it and stop in order to get the water (which there were only about 5 volunteers at the water stop)
3. With only two of the seven aid stations having Gatorade plan your fueling without relying on what's out on the course.
4. Get ready to rock out. There are numerous points where the music is blasting helping you keep up your running pace.
5. Ignore the BS that it's a downhill course. Race organizers love it when it's net downhill and they can advertise it as downhill but net downhill doesn't mean there aren't any flipping hills.
6. Start out slow!  Don't make the mistake I've made for the last two years and go out too fast and then fall apart at mile 8.  The downhill start tricks you into a false sense of confidence that doesn't carry through when the race gets tough.
7. Do something super fun, like photo bomb someone's pre-race photo. If I ever meet that Jacquie gal, I'll have to tell her to loosen up and have some fun.  She's SOOOOO serious.

Happy Running!

Women, Wear Your Vagina Medal Proudly

The women's half marathon is like no other.  The start the race has lots of pink portapotties, sinks (with real water) outside of the portapotties, a freshen up station for after the race with Secret deodorant and wipes, pink finisher shirts and now the infamous finisher medals with a picture of a vagina.

Overheard at the Women's Half Marathon finish line in Tempe.

Woman #1: Doesn't that flower look like a vagina?

Woman #2: Yes, I think it is a vagina.

Hence, I present you with the finisher medal that all women who ran the Women's Scottsdale Half Marathon shall wear proudly.

Ohhhh, so that's what a vagina medal looks like.

Happy running!

R.O.U.S. Runners of Unusual Speed-Ragnar Del Sol

Ever since I started running Ragnar's I wanted to be on a team named R.O.U.S. Runners of Unusual Speed.  I love the Princess Bride movie and the play on words R.O.U.S is hilarious.  After working 3 SWAT volunteer positions with Ragnar I earned a free team and became Princess Buttercup.

Van 2 hanging out in front of our van while Jacquie runs the longest leg

Putting together a team means patience as the team changes form like your pace changes during a 5K race. After having a full team, losing three runners in a 24 hour period, accomadating for injuries and those sandbaggers padding their times you never know what to expect.  Even my boyfriend John caused me anxiety. He never wanted to run Ragnar but was guilted into it by his friends (and I'm so glad they did) and I knowing his endurance running ability gave him the top miles of 23.  The funny thing about John's training is as we got closer to the race, he trained less and less where his long run was 6 miles and he was running 1, 2 or NO days a week.  I had to remind myself he's a big boy and their van would figure it out. The end result was awesome runners having great laughs and being wonderful friends.

Van 2 at exchange 6. Note the bull riding pen behind the picture. That was the real reason I got bruises on my knuckles on both hands. But it made for a better story that I picked fights with runners tagging our van.

I got van one out the door at 5:30am off to Wickenburg and had a couple hours to kill before my van left at 10:30am. Within 20 minutes Jeff received a text from his wife saying she was taking their 5 year old son to the doctor because he had a rock stuck up his nose. I can't even type that without laughing.  He was "holding' it for a girl he had a crush on. I believe that is what pockets are for but maybe putting it in the nose is better because of the polishing features of the nose. It turned out to be a plastic glitter bead which is far better than an ordinary rock and it can still be strung on a string for the gal to wear. This rock became one of the many jokes throughout the 28ish hours.

Jeff and Glen discuss how elevation charts were drawn by 5 year olds with rocks up their noses.

The race isn't about the running but the stories that come out of the race.  I heard van 1 had people taking pictures of their van and we had runners spouting off quotes after seeing all our character names and quotes all over our van. At one exchange I had a guy call me a witch.  I yelled back at him.  "I'm not a witch, I'm your wife" at which he instantly replied with "and after what you just said I don't think I want to be that anymore".

Jacquie and Jan at our start-exchange 6

Jan finishes her first leg

Jan hands off to Glen and is glad to stop running

Glen shows Jacquie (who is challenged with working slap bracelets) another way to hand off the bracelet

Is my butt blinking?

Michael is ready for his night run

Having run the Lost Dutchman marathon the week before I gave myself the shortest distance of 11 miles and the coveted spot of running in the team, runner 12. My boyfriend got the top miles of 23 and Jacquie had 21 miles.  The 21 miles, while extraordinary,  wasn't the highlight of her legs.  She ran the longest leg in Ragnar history of 13.5 miles in an astonishing 2:07 and wore her special bling metal proudly the rest of the race.  We were worried the medal bouncing up and hitting her in the eye (you should see the bruise on my hand from her medal as she was swinging and dancing around waving it) and we talked her out of wearing it the last two legs. I think she probably slept with it that night though.

Jacquie looking strong on her 13.5 mile run

When I ran Hood to Coast in 2012 I learned about Spirit Sticks and thought the were the best invention ever. A long decorated stick with a light on the end made finding your team so much easier especially at night.  We had a pom pom on ours and it also became the device to brush someones head with and turn around quickly as they brushed off what was touching their head. It also doubled as a kilt lifter and skirt lifter used on the men wearing dresses.

Michael holds the spirit stick

One of the jokes in our van is we were going to nickname our selves runners of unusual parking.  Our 15 passenger van was LONG and it was just so much easier to take up 2 or even 4 parking spaces.  With our relatively early start time and our fast team, we were towards the front of the race at the end so it was ok to park so horribly.

We did leave Jan stranded at her exchange for about 10 minutes.  We didn't mean to and had plenty of time to get Starbucks but we drove the wrong direction leaving Starbucks and were too busy chatting to realize it and then we passed up the exchange and had to drive another half a mile before the road allowed a U-turn. We kicked Glen out of the van, ignored the evil eyes of the other teams for getting to the exchange late, and apologized profusely to Jan. After all, she was a prized team member because after our first legs we showered at her house, sat in her spa and her husband picked up dinner for us.

Bringing in the team was awesome. Close to the finish line I let out my cheer yell which is comparable in volume to my zombie scream and Jacquie heard it across Tempe Town lake.  The team was waiting for me and we all ran across the finish line together. Many thanks to Megan for capturing this video and being our "official finish line photographer".

Jeff, Tom, John S, Chip, Michael T, Glen, Michael C, Jacquie, Jan
Christina, John C and John H(not pictured)