Thursday, April 30, 2009
My name is Erin.... and I'm a runner.
April 25th.... 10:04am.... Madison, WI.... capitol square
Standing on the street with the majority of the other 10,000 people preparing to run the Crazy Legs Classic....
LIGHTNING and THUNDER rolling overhead....
Being soaked to the skin.... literally....
Knowing that Jim in queue C is just starting off.... and that I have a bit of a wait being in queue JJ....
Pouring rain.... absolutely soaked...
A brief thought of "why am I doing this?" flashes through my mind....
Followed quickly by the thought of "what's next?" (as in what race could I run in May?)....
I'm thankful for my fortunate trip to the Nike outlet for the moisture wicking running pants...
And all of a sudden, the downpour of rain doesn't seem so bad and not as cold as I expected...
Our queue is moving toward the starting line slowly.... I manage to merge myself in with the HH and II queue in front of me.... we're three groups from starting finally.... at 10:30am
It's our turn, the air horn sounds and we're off and it's crowded despite all the queues they divided us up into....
My heart is in my throat from all the initial excitement and adrenaline of being in a race with all these people.... strangers, but friends all at the same time....
I'm completely drenched, but being soaked thru to the skin doesn't seem to bother me at all, I don't notice the puddles I'm running through....
Observatory Hill.... ugggghhhh!
Notice an older gentleman who seems to drop behind me for about 400 yards, then catches and passes me the next 400..... then slowly drops back again..... and I say that it's nice to have someone to watch for that runs a similar pace.... he smiles and chuckles and introduces himself as Glen....
I catch myself running and talking at the same time.... wow, so that's what it feels like...
Mile 3: Glen and I are keeping pace with each other... and will finish the race together....
I couldn't tell you how happy I was to see the 4 mile mark and how really short that last mile actually seemed... (okay, a .97 mile)
A little hill before we round the corner into the stadium.... people are clapping, cheering, band is playing....
Down the slippery slope into the stadium.... the turf is so bouncy it almost catches me off guard and makes me trip right before the finish line....
I remember to smile this time for the cameras before I cross the finish line - wasn't hard to do, was tired, but not completely worn out.
Thank Glen for being my running buddy and wish him well on his continued sobriety - guess I'm not the only one who took up running to help distract from/heal the pain of other issues in life....
Look around for Jim and/or Leah.... make a couple phone calls and decide to just head out as the rain starts up again....
Thank God that..... I had the best of parking spots.... in a free lot right across from the stadium... and mildly intrigued by Mad town where I wouldn't mind exploring it a bit more when I haven't just finished an 8K race.
Changing into a dry shirt and covering my car seat with a towel, jacket, etc. to keep the rest of me from soaking through the cushion....
Smiling as I consider myself a "real" runner now.
Now, what race should I run in May???
(Trying to make a decision between a 1/4 marathon in Madison on 5/24 or a 10K in Port Washington on 5/31.... decisions, decisions....)
I love this stuff.....
Erin
Friday, April 24, 2009
Lots and lots of pictures....
I think I've mentioned in the last few posts now that I'm going to put pictures up.... well, here they are!
Introducing Jeff..... Poor thing - these were taken at the end of an afternoon of letterboxing and hiking - I just had to drag him all over Waukesha and Milwaukee county with me on a beautiful spring day a few weeks back.
And on top of a lovely birthday dinner he made me last night - steak and shrimp on the grill among other delicious things - he sent me these lovely roses this morning at work! His birthday is next weekend - I have my work cut out for me....
Mom and dad had everyone over for my birthday dinner tonight and it was salmon on the grill and chocolate cake for dessert.... mmmmm, good! And of course, I got plenty of time to play with Ella.....
I tried to get hold of Molly and Nate yesterday..... and left a message for them. I hope I hear from them again soon - that would have made the day absolutely perfect. I miss them.
For now, that's all the pictures I have.... I know there are more hiding somewhere.... I'll find them soon.
In the meantime, I'm headed to bed to get at least a few hours sleep before the race tomorrow morning. Leaving for Madison around 6am... or sooner if I can't sleep. Have to remember to bring dry clothes with tomorrow - sounds like I'm going to have my first race in the RAIN! Oh well, such is April in Wisconsin.
4 more minutes left of my birthday.... it was really a great one and a well-deserved one as well. I have good thoughts about 34..... hey, at least it's not 39.... not yet.
Remember, sometimes it's all about the little things. Take care of yourselves and really take the time to appreciate the love others show you!
Good night gang!
Erin
Saturday, April 11, 2009
It's been almost a month?!?!?
Sorry folks... or the few of you who follow along with me... I didn't mean to leave such a gap in time since I last posted here.... lots of things keeping me busy.
Running - I really am loving it and it almost is turning into a kind of drug for me... coming from the girl who has never taken a drug in her entire life - outside of the ones the doctor prescribed. But seriously, I may have a day where I'm all wound up and stressed about something and I won't be in the mood to run, but I'll force myself to change and then get outside and get moving. A few minutes into a run and I'm feeling completely relaxed despite using almost every muscle and ounce of energy I have to do it. Sure, it helps that I listen to music as I run to help keep my mind relaxed as well, but there have been days where I am finished with the run and want to still keep going.... No, I don't consider myself a runner yet, but feel I'm getting closer all the time. Speaking of which, I need to go do my run yet this afternoon, which will happen as soon as I'm done with this ultimately lengthy post. AND... another impressive part is that the running seems to have quelled my appetite for CHOCOLATE! I'm usually "a bag of chocolate per 2-4 days" type girl....but I've had the same bag of my absolute favorite candy ever (Cadbury solid chocolate eggs) for over two weeks now and it's still 1/3 full and sitting next to my book I read at night in bed.... just because I don't seem to crave it anymore! Now if only it would help me with my addiction to Cherry Pepsi.
Jeff and I - are doing quite well, having a lot of fun, spending time together when our schedules work out and definitely developing a true affection for one another. He cooks! And quite well!!! This is another reason that I'll have to keep running.... he makes stuff from scratch too - and every meal he has made has been very, very good! I'm going to be spoiled soon if he doesn't stop with the dinners and breakfasts he can make - biscuits from scratch people.... he's a keeper for sure just for his culinary skills. We have so much in common, it's a bit scary.... I was emailing off a list the other day of about 30 things I think would be fun to do together and he only said no to one of the ideas.... rollerskating, but he would try iceskating... go figure. He even said that if he could get running on a more regular basis than he does now, he would run in a race with me sometime this summer. :D I love this dating thing.... I don't know what I was thinking when I was adamant with my counselor that there was no one else out there for me, much less anyone I could possibly be interested in even remotely..... and boy is she enjoying seeing me get back into the swing of things and almost saying "I told you so."
Easter - This Easter, we're having a family brunch that will include Alissa's soon to be in-laws and I've invited Jeff to join us - which will hinge on whether he has Gabby tomorrow since her mom is sick with the flu. Should be a fun time and of course we're making food enough to feed a small army! Wouldn't be any other way in the Hubertz household.
There's so much more to update.... like my friend Jim and his recent bout of bravery... which will pay off big time in hopefully a week. :D I'm looking forward to maybe a double date sometime! Other close friends on the other hand have decided to end their marriage and I don't envy them spliting up their family and trying to remain civil during that whole process. And I'm still enjoying work for the most part, but was recently told that I need to be more "peppy" - yes, those exact words were used.... so I'm working on my peppiness... better get outside and go for a run!
Happy Easter and Happy Birthday (belated birthdays) to many of my friends and family, you were all on my mind on your own special days - Scott, Jim, Kyle, Keith, Charlotte, Abbey and Chris - all in the first couple weeks of April! Speaking of which.... watch for an announcement of sorts - to come and watch my race on April 25th and celebrate my turning 34 the day prior! This year is bound to be a great one!
Smiles and hugs,
Erin
Running - I really am loving it and it almost is turning into a kind of drug for me... coming from the girl who has never taken a drug in her entire life - outside of the ones the doctor prescribed. But seriously, I may have a day where I'm all wound up and stressed about something and I won't be in the mood to run, but I'll force myself to change and then get outside and get moving. A few minutes into a run and I'm feeling completely relaxed despite using almost every muscle and ounce of energy I have to do it. Sure, it helps that I listen to music as I run to help keep my mind relaxed as well, but there have been days where I am finished with the run and want to still keep going.... No, I don't consider myself a runner yet, but feel I'm getting closer all the time. Speaking of which, I need to go do my run yet this afternoon, which will happen as soon as I'm done with this ultimately lengthy post. AND... another impressive part is that the running seems to have quelled my appetite for CHOCOLATE! I'm usually "a bag of chocolate per 2-4 days" type girl....but I've had the same bag of my absolute favorite candy ever (Cadbury solid chocolate eggs) for over two weeks now and it's still 1/3 full and sitting next to my book I read at night in bed.... just because I don't seem to crave it anymore! Now if only it would help me with my addiction to Cherry Pepsi.
Jeff and I - are doing quite well, having a lot of fun, spending time together when our schedules work out and definitely developing a true affection for one another. He cooks! And quite well!!! This is another reason that I'll have to keep running.... he makes stuff from scratch too - and every meal he has made has been very, very good! I'm going to be spoiled soon if he doesn't stop with the dinners and breakfasts he can make - biscuits from scratch people.... he's a keeper for sure just for his culinary skills. We have so much in common, it's a bit scary.... I was emailing off a list the other day of about 30 things I think would be fun to do together and he only said no to one of the ideas.... rollerskating, but he would try iceskating... go figure. He even said that if he could get running on a more regular basis than he does now, he would run in a race with me sometime this summer. :D I love this dating thing.... I don't know what I was thinking when I was adamant with my counselor that there was no one else out there for me, much less anyone I could possibly be interested in even remotely..... and boy is she enjoying seeing me get back into the swing of things and almost saying "I told you so."
Easter - This Easter, we're having a family brunch that will include Alissa's soon to be in-laws and I've invited Jeff to join us - which will hinge on whether he has Gabby tomorrow since her mom is sick with the flu. Should be a fun time and of course we're making food enough to feed a small army! Wouldn't be any other way in the Hubertz household.
There's so much more to update.... like my friend Jim and his recent bout of bravery... which will pay off big time in hopefully a week. :D I'm looking forward to maybe a double date sometime! Other close friends on the other hand have decided to end their marriage and I don't envy them spliting up their family and trying to remain civil during that whole process. And I'm still enjoying work for the most part, but was recently told that I need to be more "peppy" - yes, those exact words were used.... so I'm working on my peppiness... better get outside and go for a run!
Happy Easter and Happy Birthday (belated birthdays) to many of my friends and family, you were all on my mind on your own special days - Scott, Jim, Kyle, Keith, Charlotte, Abbey and Chris - all in the first couple weeks of April! Speaking of which.... watch for an announcement of sorts - to come and watch my race on April 25th and celebrate my turning 34 the day prior! This year is bound to be a great one!
Smiles and hugs,
Erin
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