If you ever get the chance to hit the AMR road with SBS and Dimity (to say nothing of Denise, the backstage muscle and funny bone), I urge you to do it. The three days I spent as part of the TFAMR tour were a hoot, even when they were tedious, as long trips on the New York State Thruway can be. Laughs were had. The world’s best nachos consumed. Needlepoint was needlepointed.
The best part, as you might expect, was meeting so many other mother runners. Really. Sometimes it feels like I’m in my little mountain hamlet throwing words out into the internet voids. But to meet real live women who can identify with a lumbering runner like me, well, it does my heart good.
And to continue down this selfish path, what was even more rewarding was getting to read my essay from TFAMR to two groups who really had their listening ears on, especially when one is used to lecturing to undergrads. I almost yelled “Put Your Freaking Phones Away” out of habit, even though no one had their phones out.
As they say at my son’s elementary school, you guys are a quality audience. Thank you.
I bring it up not (just) because I want to brag about the events but because reading my essay about my first ten mile run couldn’t have come at a better time. This Sunday, my first ten mile run of 2015 was scheduled. The weather, just like it was last March, was up to the spring-in-Upstate-New-York standard, which means it was in the 20s, windy as a politician, and snowing. Woo.
Because my eldest daughter is a generous soul who can’t be bothered to get a clean toothbrush cup and has started using mine without telling me, I managed to catch her case of the sniffles despite my ninja-like germ containment skills. By the morning of the ten miles, I was feeling decidedly sub-awesome. Not awful, just not quite myself. I stuffed my jacket pockets with a dozen tissues, a water bottle, a few Gu, and my phone, then added lined tights and super nerdy ear warmer/headband and went out anyway. Because that’s how we do.
To add to the look, I spent the first mile retrieving my underpants from the vast crevasse of my tushie. Yes, I know all the cool kids go commando. I usually do — but not in this particular pair of tights. Long story — and one that gets painfully TMI. If nothing else, the underpants situation kept my mind off of how dreadful the first mile was so, upside, I guess.
As ten mile runs go, it was good. I had lots of time with my own thoughts and a couple of podcasts. I didn’t get frostbite. After the first few miles, it wasn’t easy or hard; it just was, which is all one can ask, sometimes.
I came home, stretched, showered, and snacked. All things considered, I felt OK. Tired, yes, and a little sore and a little sniffly but fundamentally sound.
I got up the next morning and discovered that someone had worked my legs over with a pillowcase full of golfballs while I’d slept. Stairs were challenging — both up and down. The worst, however, was trying to push my wheeled office chair back while I was sitting in it, which is an oddly specific way to cause pain.
Maybe all of the phlegm left me dehydrated? Or my compression sock have lost their squeeze?Or maybe someone did sneak in with a pillowcase full of golfballs? Whatever it was, the delayed onset aches were kind of a bummer.
Still, I soldier on.
There’s only a fast-as-I-can eight on tap for this Sunday, then *gulp* 12 super slow next weekend. In between, of course, are some shorter, speedy runs and some strength stuff, which I’m not entirely certain how I’ll get done given that my husband is in the great state of Ohio for a conference and the kids have really turned their Demand-O-Meters up to 11. It’ll happen — but won’t be pretty.
I’m starting to feel almost optimistic about the Pittsburgh Half Marathon and my modest time goal of under 2:30. Which means I’m about to injure myself because it simply can’t go this smoothly.
Speaking of Pittsburgh, I’m planning a mother runner meet-up on Saturday, May 2. Holler in the comments if you can join us. And, um, if you know of a venue. I’m going to see what’s downtown — or “dahn-tahn” as we say — and has plenty of carbs on the menu.
And if you’re not going to be in da ‘burgh, have you ever been surprised by how sore you felt the next day after a run?
I’m doing some crazy mileage right now and my body is responding well and not giving me DOMS. But Wednesday night I went out in heels to an event and bam! Yesterday my legs were incredibly sore. What???
Have fun at the Pittsburgh Half! Sounds like a fun race.
I felt like I was reading my own experience…holy moly my quads were killing me 3 days post run. Watching me try to get up and down the stairs has provided tons of comedic fodder for my family (thank you very little). I feel you my BAMR sister!
I JUST texted my BRF yesterday that I think I am getting old b/c I am exhausted and sore after EVERY run I do lately! Not sure why, nothing’s really changed.
Good Luck in Pittsburgh!
You’ve got Pittsburgh!
I was really sore a few times in my life…once was after doing a rim to rim to rim in the grand canyon and the next time was after my Ironman in 2009 (my second)-but my whole body felt like I was hit by a truck. Jacuzzis, massage and ibuprofen helped!
Perhaps YOU need a barrel? Will your children fit into it? Can you fill it with distractions of their choice for when you run? Good luck this weekend!
It was wonderful to meet you, Dimity and Sarah in ‘Cuse, along w/ the mother runners present. What a nice supportive group. Listening to you read your essay was a highlight. Thanks to everyone who made it possible.
I expect to be sore after a race. Not so much after a long run, b/c that is usually part of my Saturday routine. I have had a few this winter that have left me exhausted. I attribute it to the harder effort required on snowy and slippery roads, not to mention the cold. I am expecting spring running to be a breeze ;)
You are doing great with your runs! It has been a tough winter for running! My legs and torso have felt completely beat up after long runs from running on the ice and snow. Congrats on running Pittsburgh again this year! I will be there running the full (my first!). Would love to have an AMR meet-up on May 2nd. The only issue is that I have my team dinner at 6 pm that night, so any time before that would be perfect to meet up with you!
Stay positive! You’ve got this! And have fun.
Good luck in Pittsburgh. I am doing the full there and would like to meet up if it worked out in the day. Keep me in the loop with a place and time.
I have been both surprisingly sore and not sore after a run and it usually doesn’t hit me for a day or 2. I’m guessing it was a combination of your traveling and the sniffles.
I wish I could be in Pittsburg but I’ll be in the “happiest place on earth” (debatable). I could be your personal pacer! It would be good practice for me for my first time pacing duties for the Old Port Half in Portland, Maine this summer. Whatcha doing on July 11th??
Oh bummer! I would love to meet up, but that’s my daughter’s 1st communion and we have lots of family in town! :( I don’t know of any good places downtown, but there are some carb-heavy places in my neighborhood, Lawrenceville. Matteo’s and Piccolo Forno are both great!
Oh, FYI, in England they had 10 corgis race to predict the name of the next royal baby.
Love the picture of the captive audience. I’m an ex-Pittsburgher….you must hit up the famous Primanti Bros with french fries in their sandwiches….featured on food network many a times!!! They have a few locations!
http://www.momontherunsanity.com
My running partner, Melanie, and I are running Pittsburgh. We would be interested in meeting up depending in the logistics, what you have in mind, and the whole babysitter thing. Definitely keep us posted on your plans!!
Wait, is it better not to wear underwear with running tights? No, that’s not the only thing I took away from your 10 miler but I’ve never thought about NOT wearing underwear and am wondering if I’m doing it all wrong??
I’m running the Pittsburgh Half for the second time this year :-)
Last year, I was just amazed at myself for finishing. Think my time was around 2:45; I’d love to meet up before the race, even if I may not be able to keep up with you during. The race is very well organized and a lot of fun–plenty of bands and onlookers with posters, lots of bridges and not too many hills ;-)
If you’d like, we could meet at the Expo Friday & grab an early dinner. There are plenty of great restaurants in the Strip District, which is Penn Ave, not far from the Convention Center.
Thanks for all the encouragement,
Tamra
AM- YES! A Pitt BAMR meet up is a MUST. There are 8 of us from the Ragnar Napa team Dim and SBS put together meeting there for a race reunion, coming from all over the US and Canada. Also, there are a few ladies doing the AMR Nuun Year challenge on Strava who want to meet up as well. Let’s figure it out! I’m happy to help coordinate. Heard there are lots of good places to eat – Church Brew Works is on our list, but not sure locale is convenient to expo/race center.
I am IN for a AMR hookup, doing the full this year, did the half last. Had dinner at excellent Sienna in Market Square, not sure if it’s big enough?
I think you’re training is going great, don’t jinx yourself! ;)
‘Your’ training.
I live in Pittsburgh and am running the half this year for the first time. There are tons of great restaurants downtown for meeting up on the 2nd and I would be happy to help coordinate. So excited!!!
I wish I could do a meet up in Pittsburgh, but alas it is too far. :(
Adrienne, these posts really always resonate with me. As a slower than most runner, who is also gunning for a 2:30 in my April race, it is a pleasure to read your witty, honest perspective. Thank you!
I’m also gunning for a 2:30 half on May 2! Though, in WI – not PA. Hoping that my (so far) less than stellar long runs aren’t any indication of how the actual race is going to go.
Hooray! Would love to have a BAMR meet-up on the 2nd! So fun!
I am running the Pgh Half and would most definitely like to meet up! This will be my second half (both Pitt) and I have a friend who will be running her first (she’s WAY faster than me, though, which almost doesn’t seem fair…). Primanti’s is a good choice, normally, but so.much.grease might not be good for me, personally, before a half marathon. Wherever you go, I’ll do my best to be there!
I am so doing a happy dance that I am not the only one with a further-back-in-the-pack pace! For my 3rd half in May, I am aiming for under 2:45! Good luck in Pittsburgh!