Susan asked me the other day what I want to do for my birthday. Forthose of you not good with math, and for most of you that would besubtracting years from your age to get to mine, I got kind of a "big"one coming up in December. Since last year I made a mess of Susantrying to surprise me for my bday she decided it wise to have adiscussion about my desires for my 40th. My first thought is, wellit'll be like my 20th, and my 30th, invite friends and drink... Butthen I got to thinking, which is never a good idea, and I actuallycame up with an idea, not sure it's a good idea, and you all willthink I've lost it and send for an immediate review of my mentalstability... I want to do a marathon.
If you're interested, especially for those of you that met me in theearly years, running has NEVER been a passion/desire/thought of mine.I can still remember Ms. Schmock (if you don't know/remember that wasmy high school b-ball coach...) yelling at me to "MOVE MCCULLOUGH" mebeing always the last to cross the sprint lines... ~3 1/2 years agoRenee convinced me I should do the Shamrock Shuffle 5K, which howcould I resist a good Irish event like that, and being able to drinkafterwards. So, I started running but nothing serious. I can rememberhaving a conversation with a friend at work when I told her I was aslow runner, and she said there is nothing wrong with running 10minute miles, I said, um I run 13 minute miles... I went along forseveral years being content with running 2-3 miles at a time, and theoccasional 5K. Then I had my "second wind" inspired by Mo, whoalthough by full admission is an ultra-marathoner(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultramarathon) I just like to call hernuts. She convinced me maybe I could run a bit further, and then abit further and a bit further. When a couple of weeks ago we went ~9miles, granted it wasn't pretty, but I made it up right, I thoughtwell that was stupid. But then I go back to Susan's question "what doyou want to do for your b-day", and you know what, I think I want achallenge, I know I can drink, but can I run 26.2 miles AND THENdrink?
I realize this is a little off the standard protocol, but Susan and Iare going to Bloomington IN for my 40th, and I would like you all tobe there, whether as a 26.2 miler, 5.5 miler or spectator (to keepSusan company) and at the end have a beer with me, I'd love for you tojoin us. I don't have high expectations for myself, just don't wantDNF after my name (Did Not Finish) or for that matter DOA....
When: Friday December 5th, Saturday December 6th (race day), SundayDecember 7th (hangover and recovery day)
Where: Bloomington IN is the closest town
What: Marathon and Drinking (http://www.dinoseries.com/marathon.html)
I don't have all the details yet, kind of want to see who'sinterested, but we could easily reserve a block of rooms in a hotel inBloomington. For those of you willing to consider doing the marathonI recommend you sign up soon, as they fill up. It's not going to bean easy marathon, but no one ever said life would be easy(http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=2072051203)
And although John T.'s wisdom should always be considered "if you wantto run, why do you need to drive to the high school, just run..." Thelocation in Bloomington IN looks awesome!
16 comments:
Shawn M.:
I'm in for sure!!! I'll run 5K, that's my max but I'll drink you under the TABLE!! :)
oh and another question. Do you think I can play 18 holes in the same time you run 26.2 miles???
Bloomington, In has GREAT golf courses (but then again, I never met a golf course I didn't like) :), I think it might be a perfect match!
Mary C.:
Sandy and Linda think u should just do a karoake party.
Bridget M.:
Well, Katie you're a little more ambitious than I. For my 50th, I have asked my family to run the Army 10 miler in October. Anna and Steve are on board. Emma has declined. Go get'em killer.
Mo:
okay: I can take the nuts label as easily as I can take the ultramarathoner moniker: just remember that for some one marathon is just a good start!
Koach K:
Two words: YOU'RE NUTS!
Just don't let it interfere with your soccer playing too much.
You couldn't pick an easier one? Like running down hill all the way with a tail wind?
I'll help you train by screaming at you from a van.
Melissa P:
You have COMPLETELY lost your mind deary!!!!!
John T:
I will be in Chicago, Dec 2,3,4. Have marked the weekend of Dec 5,for Bloomington, In.
Gill E:
I just LOVE this idea, and I am extremely tempted to do it. I'll have to talk it over with Dan first, but I've definitely been lacking motivation lately, and this looks like a wonderful event to get my ass back in gear for! It happens to be on Sam's birthday, too (when's yours exactly?), so maybe we'd try to do a family weekend... we'll have to see. Thanks so much for the invite, though, and I hope we can make it work.
Brian P:
Wow, Katie! That's a pretty serious goal. You can do it!
Geez, now if I don't do something big for my 40th I'll be ashamed of myself.
Maybe I should take you up on the invite and suffer with you. I've been doing some running this summer, but nothing close to 26 miles. I'll think it over.
My brother Al and his gf are training for a marathon at the end of September.
Any other takers so far?
Heather G:
Wow! I like it. I do have a few problems with this plan:
1. Um...there's running involved
2. This is OUTSIDE IN DECEMBER
Now, once I get beyond that, I'm good to go. From the pics of the event, it looks like maybe it's not horrendously cold...more of a mild, slightly bothersome cold. I'd be in for the 5k walk (unless I were to start running before then - highly unlikely) or spectator mode.
Ed W:
I'm just glad you're doing it. Marathons are hard obviously, but they really are a total blast too. I've met people while running marathons that have become very good friends. It's also a great way to celebrate your 40. 40's are the best! (so far)
Jan G:
Well, I would say you are going through a midlife crisis, but since I didn't feel a need to run a marathon at age 40---the midlife crisis is not the culprit of your insanity!! Shit Kate, I am totally awed that you ran 9 miles!!! You are my new hero (although your mental stability
is questionable)!! Does this "Mo" character have powers of hypnosis or brainwashing? She must be really something to have talked you
into this!!! Well, hey, I am all about support so at this time you can count us in (unless work conflicts). Promise me that when you are running the course that I can still still smoke my Virginia Slims while waiting for you!!!
Clare N:
You know--I ran once but it hurt. It hurt real bad. I'm bad at running. My shoulder blades always hurt and my legs just kinda melt under me. I used to be one of those girls in gym in junior high that always "walked" the mile
run we had to do with the other lazy girls. I'm also traumatized from my relay race in elementary school when I biffed and slid face first across the track and made our team lose. I realize now that all of those gym teachers were sadists and gamblers and probably were betting on us little children,
like racing dogs.
But I do have to say I like the idea of doing something completely
challenging for the 40th. Unfortunately, that's my finals week and I won't be able to make it! I'd totally love to laugh at you--I mean cheer you on and drink a beer afterwards. You'll need the carb uptake after a marathon like that. Maybe you can just run with one of those cute little beer hats
with the straws.
I think that later in December after you've returned from IN you should have a Madison birthday party for those who could not make it to IN and I'll be there. And if you want, we can chase each other around the bar and have our own little mini marathon. Maybe an obstacle course hurdling barstools and bartenders?
I'm impressed that you ran 9 iles! I can't even run 1 without feeling like I'm having an asthma attack--and I ain't got no asthma!
Julie R: Wow, Katie!!! That looks like such a great race! Congrats to you for going for it!
Clearly, I remain misunderstood and unforgiven for my comment to you regarding 10-minute miles. Sheesh, there is just no room for any mistakes with you.... :) I'm glad you are getting LOTS OF MILEAGE out of an off-the-cuff, asinine comment. (Although those types of comments seem to be my specialty...)
do we need to create beer drinking stations at the 5 mile mark for your marathon? Well u may have to wait to the 10 mile mark, because we have to get the keg, tap it, make sure the beer is alright and that will take a couple hours. is that right for the 10 mile mark??? :)
Shawn, Shawn Shawn---you are definitely showing your age--kegs at the 10 mile marker??? This is the 21st Century---preparation is the key---take a bottle of your finest vodka(Absolut), Drill hole in watermelon and allow to funnel over night. Then---just hand out the lovely watermelon slices at the 10 mile marker!!! For the love of God Shawn--you were born in Lincoln, IL---have you not learned anything the uses of watermelon??
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