Birthday Fun!

So, it's not quite my birthday, but mom has already sent some good gifts. Check out this sweet suit from Splish.




I think this is what they mean when they say 'pirate booty'!!!!


And look at these orange wellies...I haven't been so excited for rain!

Marathon

Wow! What a day for a marathon! Kelly and I ran the Kansas City Marathon yesterday and once again, the Gunn came through strong! She had set a goal to run a four hour marathon and what did she do? She busted her goal and came in UNDER four hours!! I'm telling you, once that woman has her mind set and focused on something... WATCH OUT! she has a will and determination like no other. Kelly consistently shows that that she will finish Couer d'Alene and will finish strong and happy. Me on the other hand, just had a fun race. I didn't look at my watch once and just enjoyed the scenery and the people. In retrospect, I know I could have picked it up and ran a better marathon. Why I continue to doubt my abilities is beyond me. I think I need a serious spanking by my coach- I've been beating myself up too much lately. I really picked it up the last two miles and was feeling good when I crossed the finish line. I wonder what would have happened if I would have pushed in the middle? Funny enough- I was at mile 19 1/2 and looked over at one of the volunteers and was blown away. It was an old buddy of mine from college that I hadn't seen in about 20 years! We chatted a bit and then I remembered I was running a marathon and needed to get my rearend moving! What a crazy thing to happen!
Not only did Kelly PR but one of our sole sisters, Patricia Rosa, qualified for Boston! Way to go, P! All the hard work and focus paid off. We were all so happy, it was almost like we all qualified!
Marathon over.... what's in store now?

Octoginta 2009

So last Sunday was the 2009 Octoginta Ride here in Lawrence. It was dedicated to Dr. Bob Frederick, who was killed in a bike accident earlier this summer. His wife and a couple of his kids were at the start. It was a nice tribute to Dr. Bob.

It was freezing...well not really but it was super cold. Not very comfortable riding weather...at least for me. On my way to meet Heather downtown, I fell. Just like a NEWBIE. Super embarrassing.

During the first 20 miles or so, we both were debating whether we wanted to do the 80 or make it a bit shorter and just ride 60...I just said 'just 60'...how sick is that?! We decided to buck up and go ahead and ride the 80 miles, or so we thought...

We were ready to be done around 60-65 miles. We were thinking where we could get picked up at! 'Keep at it, we'll be done soon' we kept telling our selves. Let's pick off the miles 10 at a time. So we did. Until we get to what we thought was mile 70...'yes! 10 to go!' Oh, no. The volunteer at the aid station indicated the course was long and we had about 15 to go. This same poor guy said to Heather, 'just think of it this way, you have 6 miles until the next aid station and then another 8 or 9 until the finish, easy!' Poor guy...we now have a priceless quote from a not so happy Heather...'we don't go by 6 at a time! We go by 10 at a time!'...and another one, 'well it would have been nice to know, they should have put that on the map!' (that the course was long)

Needless to say, it was a long 15 miles to the finish. But, totally worth it. Yummy minestrone soup for the soul at the finish. AND we had completed our longest ride EVER! Woo Hoo!

Seriously, drivers...

People, quit texting, grabbing for your oversized 240 oz soda (in a styrofoam cup, mind you) and talking on the phone while you are driving. I cannot tell you how many people had to swerve to not hit me today! I was in the BIKE LANE! There is an EXTRA two plus feet for bikers and runners to use! Pay attention! And...do all non runners stare? UGH!

It turned out to be a great run regardless of the inattentive people who should not be on the road!

Happy Sat.!

Sometimes I don't want to talk about training

Ok so what I do want to talk about is my amazing son! That kid never ceases to amaze me and this morning was no exception. We are experiencing his first Homecoming and Spirit Week as a freshman at BVNW ( my tummy gets that good feeling as all the memories of my Homecomings are being lived again ( but not my senior year- that one needs to be forgotten)). It's so awesome to see the whole school get involved- I could count on my hands this morning the kids I saw that were NOT dressed up according to the theme of the day. They start every morning with short dances created by groups of boys in each class and my son, Oliver, was performing today. Two words- fabulous and hilarious! Those kiddos can dance! All those new moves- the jerking and the twitching.. I don't know what they're called but it sure beats the sprinkler for sure!!! The group of seven ended  their dance with Oliver doing a back flip- I was nervous because he was on a cement floor, not a spring floor- but he landed it and the crowd erupted with applause and wild chants of 'Freshmen, Freshmen!'. Now we're on the countdown to the big dance.... I'll be a mess.. my baby is just growing up too fast!!!

Pity Pary is Over...

So let me back up to Wednesday...I had a pity party...all the favorites were invited...wine, cookie dough ice cream... I have been having issues with my left hamstring and the doc told me on Wednesday that I had a small....tear, yes, tear (mind you, this was the second time he has told me this!). So my world came tumbling down (again). Only 3 weeks til my PR race and I go and hurt my leg (again). So after a couple of 'pick me up' emails, I picked myself back up...on Friday.

Friday night...a 3,000 yard swim
Saturday morning...22 miler with the KC girls...thanks girls for the mud run!
Sunday morning...bike ride with Donna and Rafe...thank guys for the great ride!
Sunday afternoon...lake time with Robert...thanks honey!

Ahh, feels so much better after the party is over. Bring on the week!

A Stunt Woman I was not meant to be....

It's the craziest thing- I keep falling on Saturday long runs. Not just a little trip or stumble, but a full-on, down to the ground fall. The first time was in Lawrence and as Kelly said, 'I was a bloody mess'. My arm and leg were scraped up and blood had gotten all over my shirt. Yep, pretty nasty. I was just about healed when, crash!- right on the Trolley Trail where there are of course, tons of people. How embarassing! Same side and everything. This time, I stopped the fall by jamming my elbow into my ribs and as we all know, there's nothing you can do for broken, cracked or fractured ribs but dope up on heavy pain medication. Thankfully, mine are just bruised but don't get me wrong, it's still pretty painful. I choose not to dose up on pills but instead choose sport-induced endorphins. Swimming last night with Kelly was awesome- it was fun to have someone to chat with and to remind each other, WE LOVE SWIMMING!. Tonight is Runner's Edge speed sessions so we'll see how that goes. I have a feeling I won't be leaving anyone in my dust but I'll give it my best. Let's just hope I don't fall.....