Hip-Hop-Hustle....ouch

Every good long-distance runner mixes a little cross-training into their weekly workouts.  Keeps other non-running muscles sharp and adds to your overall core fitness.  I am not a good long-distance runner (unless you count channel surfing, chauffering kids, and reading the newspaper as cross-training activities).  I find stretching tedius, and would rather run additional miles than do something else. 

However, I am a smart long-distance runner. (Note: smart does not equal good).  I know that if I expect to finish the TransRockies run, I will need to become Lynn Pettus lite.  Mix in some cross-training here and there.  So, I decided to take a Zumba class at the local YMCA a few weeks ago.  Aerobics on steriods is what this could best be described....with an instructor that had moves like a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader  x 4.  WOW! WOW! WOW! (you get the picture?)

I must say I was worried when I showed up for the 55 minute class and was the only male there, with three other women, 2 who also looked like cheerleaders.  How could I keep up with them?  I only have one main move...awkward...  And the studio had mirrors on all sides - there was nowhere to hide.  Oh, the thoughts running through my head.  Should I leave?  Should I play it cool? Should I fake an injury?  Should I act like Jim Ignatowski from Taxi???  Crazy?  Thankfully, just before class started, 3 more men and 8 more women walked in.  Apparently they knew that showing up for class 5 minutes early is....awkward...

By this time I was well hidden in the second row on the end.  Behind the 3 other guys.  This wouldn't be so bad after all.  Then the music started, and Meredith (the instructor), started talking and moving.  She was all arms, legs, hips, butt, knees...it was going everywhere...in rythym!  I was do a slow line dance out there - every one of my moves (move) was about 3 seconds behind everyone else's.  Guess it wasn't difficult for them to tell who the rookie of the class was.  Good thing I have a sense of humor (a self-depricating one at that), and was laughing at myself.  Ok, in reality, I was laughing in-between catching my breath from the repeats we were doing.  Up-down-left-right-jump-turn-twist-shimmy-shimmy-shake-shake.  OMG!  I was dying there after about 8 sets, and there were still more to come. (ok - maybe 3 sets....but 8 sounds impressive).

Meanwhile, I could see Meredith just cruising along. Telling us what to do, showing us how to do it, without a bead of sweat.  She was glam, and I felt 80ish.  Then I realized the secret....when she said jump high - i jumped high.  However, the rest of the class jumped 1/2 as high.  Bend down low? I went low. Others...not so low.  Wait a minute here....I am not that flexible at the ripe old age of 42.  Were they intentionally tanking it, to conserve energy???? I may never know, but I have my suspicions.  Zumba slackers...

In the locker room after class, some of the other guys were talking about how Meredith really cranked it up this week.  I asked how long they have been coming to class. About 6 weeks.  They knew her moves, her intensity, her routine.  I was definitely the rookie.  But next class would be a new opportunity to put my new cross-training to work, and show I was a quick learner.

Only there were a few problems.  First, I was SO SORE for three days after class.  Different muscles than those used for running - I was still able to run - just not able to bend over.  My poor hamstrings.   Second, I was travelling each of the past two weeks, so I haven't been able to make it back to class.  Guess this means I will be starting over again fresh after a 3 week layoff. 

Meredith....I am ready for you!   I think.  You bring on the Hip-Hop...I'll bring the hustle.  And the humor.

KEIYH

Crowning a Boston Marathon Champ!

A temperature of 49 degrees and a 13 mph headwind greeted more than 26,000 runners at the start in Hopkinton -- including an unprecedented 1 runner from Waxhaw, NC by the name of Lynn Pettus -- to help celebrate the 2,500th anniversary the Battle of Marathon. It was there, in 490 B.C., that a messenger named Pheidippides was dispatched the roughly 26 miles to Athens to deliver news of a victory over Persia -- and then dropped dead.

Thankfully, Lynn had a better training plan than Pheidippides and will be returning to North Carolina with a medal around her neck, and the title of "Boston Marathon Finisher", with a finish time of 4:02:07 on the impressively hilly Boston Course.   She fell "just a few minutes short" of the women's winning time of 2:26:11, thereby leaving the $150,000 in prize money on the table. Bummer.  It would have made a nice donation to the Emmah Care fund!  However, faithful readers can make up the difference with donations!!!

After a short few weeks recovery, Lynn will be putting in more hillwork in preparation for the TransRockies Run in August (with Ken drafting behind her conserving energy!).  This is a fantastic start to Lynn's 2010 running calendar, and we look forward to hearing her describe the experience in a future post.

Until then, I will share in my next post what it felt like to do Hip-Hop Zumba dance at the local YMCA a few days ago.  Play that funky music....

KEIYH

Look Out Boston - Lynn is READY!!

In Lynn's own words: 

Boston – yikes!


On the misty, humid Saturday morning of February 14, 2009, I park my car and walk to the starting line at the Myrtle Beach Marathon…alone. Every time I run a marathon, I ask myself – ‘Why am I doing this?’ Typically the answer has been because I can and I so much enjoy running with my ‘buddies’ – Ken, Meredeth, Cameron. This particular day, I asked myself – ‘Why do I think a 40 year old woman who couldn’t run one mile 3 years ago can qualify for Boston’?...alone.

If you are wondering why I am focusing on the past as opposed to anticipation for the future, it is because the past comforts me, gives me strength. The past helps me remember where I came from, the joy and pain I have experienced throughout my life that have made me the person I am today.

The future is scary. It is unknown. I leave for Boston this Saturday…alone. I have been ‘through’ Boston only one time previously. I don’t know what to expect other than I plan on running my heart out and yes, through Heartbreak Hill at mile 21.

On April 19, I will walk to the starting line…but not alone. I take with me 41 years of family, friends, those who can’t run and those that never had the chance. I take with me the 14 beautiful little girls I coach for Girls on the Run. During this race, the last race I plan on doing by myself, I will have the hands of so many on my back pushing me forward.

It has been a long and winding road that I have run to get to this place…and I never really ran alone.

I hope to make everyone proud . Thank you for your support and thank you Emmah, for being one of those hands on my back.

KEIYH

Number 1 or Number 2?

I am not a big fan of potty humor.  I can see how it has a place in the eyes of a pre-teen though.  They haven't yet learned about "more colorful" humor.  But I am going to share some with you today - and I promise it isn't bad.

I was reminded of this story after reading Jeff's blog a few weeks ago, where he discussed Ana's penchant for not doing the obvious when she should. (click the link - a must read!) In particular, in the Gudeman family latrine.  Let me take you back....the year was probably 1994 or 1995 (I know it was before I moved to Charlotte in 1996).  Jeff and Julie had purchased their home in Joliet, IL...and I thought it was an awesome layout...and had lots of potential.  So did Jeff.  If you know him, you know that there isn't a project that Jeff doesn't like to start.  And if you know Jeff, you know that those projects don't always have an estimated time-to-completion (ok, they really do...but "some date in the future" doesn't qualify)!

So Jeff started working on redesigning one of the bathrooms on the main floor of this awesome house.  Back then, Brenda and I would get to visit often with Jeff & Julie (as we didn't have kids yet - ok, we weren't married.  And Jeff and Julie didn't have kids yet.  Apparently they rectified that problem!) and note the progress being made on said bathroom.   Minimal.  It got to be a running joke with us.  I would comment often how someday I would come back to the house...here it comes...and spend some glorious time in the remodeled room admiring Jeff's handiwork.  You get the picture (and the picture above tells how).

Well, 1996 came and I moved to Charlotte in the fall that year.  I returned at Xmas time to gather Brenda and our belongings and move permanently.  No - couldn't do #1 or #2.  Work-in-progress.  We probably made it back to visit in 1997 and/or 1998.   Still could see studs....

Since then, we only make it back to Illinois about every three years, usually at the holidays and always manage time to meet up with our good friends.  I have admired Jeff's handiwork on the backyard deck (quite gorgeous), the garden/playground area, the fence around the yard, and the garage the reminds one of Noah's Ark (still being worked on).  Yet, I have this yearning, burning feeling, deep inside me....a sort of emptiness...that I haven't been able to "live the dream".   The dream that started in the mid '90's has stretched over 15 years now.

I am pretty sure the bathroom is done now, but in reality, I just don't know.  Last time we were able to visit the house was at Xmas of 2006 when Emmah was first ill.  I was right outside the bathroom door...it was so tempting.  But, alas, the door was closed.  I didn't dare knock.  I may have been waiting in line.  You see, I think someone else was enjoying the moment that I waited so long for, and was first in line.  You can guess what's coming, right?

I was relagated to #2....

That is my potty story for today.

KEIYH

Boston Marathon - 15 days and counting!

Lynn and I made it out for a run together yesterday (with our friend Meredith). Of course, we are going in opposite directions. Lynn is tapering for the Boston Marathon in 2 weeks, so she is "down" to 14 miles.  I, on the other hand, am only beginning to ramp "up" my miles - trying to get to 14.  On this day, I cut it short at 13 - didn't have much left in the gas tank at the end. 

If this training run was any indication of Lynn's readiness to run in Boston - I'd say she is going to do quite well...and that Heartbreak Hill near the end of the marathon is going to seem like a small speed bump in the road.  Lynn spend most of yesterday about 20 feet in front of us - chit-chatting away about various things, while I was huffing and puffing to catch my breath.  Hills used to be my friend, I'd pound up them and tell Lynn to do the same.  Now she is cruising at warp speed up them, and I am left wondering where my extra gear went.

But it is the big picture we are keeping in mind.  Hill work is going to be quite necessary in the upcoming months to prepare for Colorado, and once Boston comes and goes in two weeks, some serious mileage is going to be taking place, at speeds where we can both carry on a conversation!

Lynn is ready - wish her well - all her training has been leading to this moment - one that only a fraction of people in the US can say they've been able to participate in - THE BOSTON MARATHON!

KEIYH

Anticipaaatttioooonn....is making me wait

No - I haven't disappeared.  Yes - I have been quite busy.   Been thinking about my next post.  It is all about ANTICIPATION!    Waiting for that one thing you always wanted to do....and there is something I have always wanted to do in the Gudeman house...and have never been "presented" the opportunity.  Have your attention now?  Good story coming soon....

In the meantime - THANK YOU to a few more special donors who contributed today to bring our total to over $3000!!!   We are doing great...with fundraising AND training!

KEIYH