So Cal Ragnar 2012 - Ragnizzle Fo' Shizzle

Del Sol Ragnar, 4 weeks later 1/2 Marathon, and 4 weeks after that was So Cal Ragnar. Possibly THE most blogged about Ragnar ever! All much funnier and more timely than my own, Laura, Leigh, Kelly, Gay and Libby Lou have already told their stories about that weekend. The only regret from the whole race would be not putting us all in the same van together. We even threw a few strangers into the mix at the last minute due to some injuries and things could not have turned out better. I was likely the most annoying person on the team, which works out well for me because nobody got on my nerves and nobody dared yell at me for driving them crazy.

Although a race from Huntington Beach to San Diego would lead you to believe that the course is coastal, to get the 200 miles that this race requires it winds inland quite a bit and the further we got from the ocean the higher the temperature rose. Kirt was the first runner in our van with somewhere around 9 miles for his first leg and temps over 100 degrees. I should have clued in when it took him a while longer than expected to come in, but I was still sure I'd be fine with under 4 miles to run. I was wrong. Topping out at 104 degrees and a route that was completely uphill, I let myself walk a little when I started getting chills at 1.6 miles. I tried not to take too many walking breaks hoping that when my team passed they wouldn't see me falling apart. It was fairly miserable and I could not have been more elated when I spotted the exchange. As I approached another runner (walking) in front of me I urged her to jog to our finish line. I pointed out the finish and begged her to run with me. Feeling like I'm helping someone else always helps me keep going.

I was shocked when I got to the exchange and realized I had beat my team there! They made it within a minute or two and laughed at me as I made a fool of myself in my delirious state. Libby has some video of the moment that I would like to see, but would likely destroy upon viewing.

(Before the hallucinations began we were all smiles. Getting lots of use from the playground bull-horn we brought along and pumping the jams at every exchange. Check out homeboy's sunburn behind me. Ouch.)

Once our van finished our legs we were off to find something to eat. Just thinking of this dinner cracks me up. Gay just HAD to have a steak (what else is new?) and Applebee's was our next stop. Tony got some garlic chicken something-or-other but couldn't finish it. When he asked for a box I stopped the train right there. In no uncertain terms Tony was told that there was not going to be any type of smelly leftovers hanging out in the van with us. We were smelling things up just fine on our own. Tony and I had made acquaintance 12 hours earlier and he had let me boss him around all day. His leftover situation was no exception and we left with zero doggy bags. (As the manager took this picture he reminded us to say "CHILI'S"!)

We set out for our middle of the night runs about 1:00 am and life was good. The cooler temps and heightened senses always provide an awesome experience. I ended my run at an elementary school in the middle of a neighborhood about 2:30 am and once again beat my team to the exchange. There were tons of people but it was eerily quiet. Instinctively, I start yelling for my team and about 35 people "shh'd" me. I had missed the police officer responding to a disturbance call by about 30 seconds, I still owe those neighbors an apology.

Once those legs were done we found our way to a field for some camping (in a world where camping only lasts 4 hours.) We woke to thick fog and eery quiet. By now, lots of runners are walking with a little limp, there's a line outside the first-aid tent and a look of dread in most faces. There's only one leg left to run but it takes a little effort to get geared up for it.

 I can always spot Libby's head sticking out of a sleeping bag. I felt terrible waking everyone up that morning. Nobody wanted to get up at all, let alone to run some more!

 The sun came out just enough to brighten our spirits and we were off for our 3rd and final legs of the race. Kirt took off on his leg and it took us a bit to get on the road and we made a few wrong turns once we did. I started to get nervous that we weren't going to make it to the exchange on time and once again denied Tony's modest request - a flush toilet. I told him we didn't have time and the porta-potties at the next exchange wouldn't be that 'used' and he would be fine. (Poor kid, I wonder why I haven't heard much from him since the race?) We made it just in time for Kirt to hand off to me and I had a 7.5 mile run through La Jolla that would end at Mission Bay. I kept pace with another runner for almost the entire route. Every once in a while I would catch up with him at a light or something but if he could see me he'd run too fast for me. I figured out if I just stayed far enough back he would lay off the speed a little and let me pace with him. Too proud to let a girl beat him, but he helped me get through the distance. I almost thought my leg was ending early when I saw Mission Bay, but I was tortured with another mile and a half around the bay. Finishing that leg was euphoric. It was finally time to relax and cheer on my team. That's when the party elevated a few levels. We had the tunes cranked loud, everyone picked a theme song and we brought a fiesta with us wherever we went. Other teams showed visible disappointment when our runner would come in and it was time for us to go.

Finally, the finish line where we got to meet up with the rest of our team and run in together. Once again, Ragnar proved to be a favorite experience that I'll talk about as long as people will listen.

Ragnar was summed up by this realization, "So, the only part of Ragnar that is NOT fun is when YOU'RE running!" Exactly.

My first Half Marathon

This spring was a crazy one for me. 4 weeks after Del Sol Ragnar I was all ready to run my first half marathon. I wasn't sure what to expect from a half marathon to begin with and on top of that I had decided to do one that was mostly mountain trails instead of pavement. I had always thought that if I did a half marathon I would want to finish under 2 hours, knowing that goal was attainable if I trained hard and treated my body right, but also knew it would challenge me. That 2 hour goal is probably what made me the most nervous about the race. I didn't want to be disappointed in myself after training and running 13.1 miles.
I did a lot of hill training to get ready for the trail. I found a nasty hill a few miles from home and would go there 1-2 times a week and sprint up and down that thing as many times as I could. 2 weeks before the race, Kirt took me to some of his favorite trails and we did 10 really tough miles together in pretty good time and I was feeling pretty confident. The week before the race we headed out to the trails again for my final long run and it started to rain on the drive there. By the time we reached the beginning of our trail the wind had picked up and the rain was coming down in sheets, sideways. We had to turn around and come home without getting my last big run in. My confidence took a nose dive, but the race was happening ready or not.
Game day arrived. Still not knowing what to expect, I was up early ready to go. Once we got to the start line it was a party. We're in the middle of a neighborhood at 7:00 am with a DJ set up in a driveway bumping the jams and before I knew it, we were off! I took the first 3 miles pretty slow to get warmed up and just as I was feeling good the trail started. What I didn't realize was that the trail was narrow and allowed for a single-file line of runners so the order was set. Every once in a while something would open up and you could sprint ahead of a few runners, but for the most part the pace was set by the runner in front of you. It was nice and comfortable and I wasn't keeping track of time since there was not much I could do about it. I knew the last and biggest hill would be nearing the end of the trail and things would open up after that.
Getting to the top of that hill was tough. Just as I thought I was nearing the top, the trail would switch and take you up a different side. We rounded corner after corner to find hill after hill. But when we finally reached the top, the reward was sweet. Huge downhills for the next several miles. As the trail opened up I looked at my time and I was 8 minutes behind pace for the time I wanted. The sub 2 hour goal was history. So I re-focused, set a new goal to come in under 2 hours and 5 minutes and took off. I took advantage of the downhill and let my body relax and go with it. Before I knew it I was nearing the finish and feeling pretty good. As I rounded the corner for the finish I was definitely feeling the mileage but it was almost over! I gave it everything I had and as I cleared the last corner I heard Kirt start yelling for me. I sprinted to the finish in 2:01 finishing my last 5 miles in under 40 minutes - by far my fastest time ever. I couldn't have pretended to be disappointed if I wanted to, mission accomplished.

Gay talked us into doing this crazy race and the week before homegirl came down with West Nile Virus or something and was not feeling it. She showed up ready to go, but told us to go up ahead and not worry about sticking with her. At mile 5 I dropped my chap stick and glanced back to see where it landed and I hear Gay yelling "I got your number KP!" Made me laugh for a few miles back then, made me laugh as I typed it just now. She's going to tell you she's not competitive but I know she's looking to redeem herself!

A Week of Running

A few weeks ago, I jotted down some notes about things I'd like to get caught up on, or remember on the blog. Several of them include races that Kirt and I have participated in the last year or so. So, just like ripping a band-aid off I'm going to try and knock them out this week. To get warmed up (lame workout joke) I'm posting an essay that I wrote (& Gay edited) earlier this year and submitted to for possible inclusion in a running magazine:

I remember the specific dinner very clearly. Probably because I have never been so focused on a carrot cake before. My choices were that or the lame conversation taking place, so for me it was an easy pick.

"So have you guys ever heard of Ragnar? It's this 2 day race with everyone taking turns running while the rest follow in a van. When it's not your turn, you just sleep on the ground or wherever until it's your turn to run again. Doesn't that sound fun?!!"

Which is when I delved even deeper into my cake. Until I was specifically called out.

“Kady, don’t you think it sounds like fun?”

My response was something like, ”You have got to be kidding me. People just run for hours and hours, do their business in porta-potties, pack into a van of sweaty nastiness and miss out on sleep…to run? No thanks.” Turns out I was the only one at the table unwilling to even think about it.

Several years (and lbs) later I read somewhere that running was the most efficient way to burn calories and I bit the bullet. I would begrudgingly run my 2-3 miles a few times a week just to get some cardio in. But there was this one run...where everything changed. A few months into my routine I met up with a friend and completed my first 5 mile run. I broke those mental barriers that had been telling me that I hated running and that I could never last more than those 2-3 miles. I did it. I RAN 5 MILES. And for the first time, I felt it...I finally realized that “runner’s high” that I had heard so much about, that runner's high that catapulted me to the next level of wanting to lengthen my strides, quicken my pace, and push my limits.

Fast-forward to another dinner where Ragnar found it's way into the conversation. And instead of looking for carrot cake to bury my face in, my ears perked up like an excited puppy...I was intrigued, I was ready. While I once found the idea of Ragnar repulsive, I sensed the beauty as Ragnar would bring a team dynamic to an otherwise individual sport. And as life often allows, irony wiggled it's way right into our race- I, who had stuck my nose up at the thought a couple years earlier, would be pioneering this effort, while most of the excited ones were stuck at home with newborns.

And thus was born SoCal Ragnar 2011, where that high I discovered only mere months earlier after that memorable 5 mile run, was present for 2 days. To be cheered on by teammates and strangers alike, while being able to do the same for others was incredible. The energy that surrounds Ragnar is unmatched.

Which is why within a few weeks of finishing our first Ragnar, I had no choice but to captain a team for Napa 2011 and Del Sol 2012! I’m finally getting ready to run SoCal again. This time I’ll be joined by some of my favorite girls from that dinner so many years ago and holding my breath until 2013 when the whole crew will finally be able to do it together. And I'm sure all the while I'll be singing Ragnar's praises to whoever will listen....... "So have you guys ever heard of Ragnar? It's this 2 day race with everyone taking turns running while the rest follow in a van. When it's not your turn, you just sleep on the ground or wherever until it's your turn to run again. Doesn't that sound fun?!!"

A Few Random Thoughts

First and Foremost:

 These darling kids celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary yesterday. I know! Believe me, nobody is more shocked than we are. The longer we're married the more conversations start with, "Can you believe our parents let us get married!?" (I mean, I was barely eligible to go to jail.) I couldn't have written the story better myself, these life adventures have always been more exciting with this guy by my side. And how about that picture? I think it's what people refer to as "vintage". You know, when you get married before anyone has even heard of 'digital photography'. I think the fact that I took a picture of the picture with my iphone and emailed it to myself may have added to the vintage effect. (Take that technology!)

And because the title led you to believe there would be some random thoughts...

Tessa came home from school the other day very tired and very hungry and in her weakened, emotional state the following conversation took place:

Tess "Why do you put so much stuff in my lunchbox?"

Me "I put in all the things you like so that you'll eat at least a little something at lunchtime."

Tess "No! You just want my backpack to be heavy... and dangerous!"

Owen on the other end of the spectrum:

"Mom, tomorrow can you send me TWO sandwiches? I am just LOVING those triangles!"

Who knew cutting the sandwich a different way would create such passion?

Yesterday afternoon I found myself in a particularly bad mood. Lately I've been all sorts of introspective about my emotional well being. I wondered if I was in a bad mood because it was our anniversary and Kirt was stuck late at work or if I was upset about Cal being kind of lazy about his homework or any other multitude of first-world-problems. I couldn't put my finger on it for a few hours and suddenly it was clear. I changed out of my skinny jeans and into my yoga pants and suddenly life had a brand new cheery outlook. Note to self.

And finally, today marks the end of the 4th week that all my kids are in school and the FIRST day that I am completely unaccountable to anyone for anything (until 2:25). I don't have a single appointment, meeting or responsibility. If you'll excuse me I'm sure I can find something meaningful to occupy myself. You might be able to find me at the mall, or asleep. I haven't decided yet.

Update: I got to the school, picked up the kids and then saw a huge crowd of kids over by the lunch tables. "Hmm, wonder what's going on over there? - Oh crap! I was supposed to be here 30 minutes ago to help with Ice Cream Friday!" That's what I get for bragging about 'no responsibilities'.

Christmas is around the corner!

I get a little fired up when I see Halloween stuff out in August and Christmas decor in the stores immediately after Halloween. But... now is the time to start thinking about the holidays. I have NEVER been done with my shopping before December 22. I rarely even start my gift buying until after Thanksgiving, but that doesn't mean I'm not getting ready. September (Yes - it is September already!) is the month I start my preparations.

So Halloween: We invite friends and neighbors over on Halloween for Taco Soup, trick-or-treating and the annual haunted house through the garage. I used to try and buy the candy for trick-or-treat ahead of time, but it all ended up on my thighs and then I had to re-buy for the big night. (And don't tell me to just buy stuff I don't like, I won't do it. I have strict guidelines about the candy we hand out. Go chocolate or go home baby!) Anyway, the taco soup: I start purchasing all the non-perishable stuff that goes in there. Cans of tomatoes, sauce, salsa, corn, beans, etc., as well as bowls, spoons and cases of soda when I see a good deal. Then when the day gets here my already-long-shopping list is not as bad as it could be.

Christmas: I get completely overwhelmed with all the shopping that takes place in December. Not to mention the parties, wrapping, and general craziness. Even if I find a way to stay on budget (haha!) I get so sick of running to the store and/or mall and completely over swiping that dang credit card. Obviously I'm no super shopper but here's how I manage: I buy a larger quantity of any household items than I need - in September! If toothpaste is on my list, I pick up 4 tubes, and that goes for all cleaning supplies and toiletries. If I happen to swing by the post office I grab enough stamps for my Christmas cards and stash them away. (You will have to manage without the cute Christmas ones, but I pick my battles.)

I think if I had to make a trip to Wal-Mart on December 15 because somebody is out of deodorant I might freak out. So I'll try to save my sanity while I'm making a trip this month. So far, I've stocked up on toilet paper and that's about it. I guess it's a good thing that it's only September 4th and I've got at least 15 more Target trips this month to get everything else!

Not our typical Friday night.

Last Thanksgiving while we were home Tessa Jane was helping her cousin Lincoln get out of the bathtub. Then she proceeded to try and carry him to the living room in his towel. It didn't go well. They only made it to the door of the bathroom before she slipped on the wet tile and little Lincoln's ear met the door-jam in an unfriendly fashion resulting in a trip to the ER and some stitches.

Last night we were making our last minute preparations to head out for Food Truck Friday when I heard a "thud" and a resulting scream. It took a few minutes to realize that this one might be serious and there was a decent amount of blood involved. Once I got a good look I knew that we were headed to Urgent Care. (A place I have come to know far too well. I called ahead to make sure my preferred plastic surgeon was on call.) A few hours later Tessa had successfully received her first set of stitches. (I'm tempted to say 'hopefully only' but I did that once before and it didn't turn out so well for us.)

When Tessa and I arrived at Urgent Care the pediatrician took a quick look and called in the plastic surgeon. He said it would be a while so get this - they let us go! They told us they would call when he was close so we didn't have to wait there all night in the germ-infested waiting room. (Awesome!) The bleeding had long since stopped and Tessa was hungry. We hit In-n-Out for and just as we finished up they called to say the Dr. would be there in 10 minutes.

We arrived about 2 minutes before Dr. Namazie and he just laughed when he walked in the room and saw us. Luckily, it's been a few years since we have needed his services but 2 incidents within 4 months with Owen and we have been cemented in his memory. He chatted with Tess for a few minutes then she and I snuggled up on the table and he got to work. Within 5 minutes (and ZERO tears) girlfriend had 5 blue stitches holding her ear back together.

The staff was dying over Tessa telling her how brave and beautiful she was. She walked out of that place with toys and stickers galore! If our night was going to have to result in stitches, I could not imagine more pleasant circumstances. We would have been out of there in 15 minutes if I wasn't busy chatting the two Dr.'s ears off about their medical missions all around the world.

P.S. At one point in the drama I texted my brother: "Tessa cut her ear open tonight and will be having stitches shortly. That Karma chick sure is specific!"