The Marathon, How I Met Your Mother Style!

July 28, 2014February 6, 2016 / racingthestates / 2 Comments

I’m sure you are all familiar with the show “How I Met Your Mother,” right? I’m pretty sure I’m the last person to jump on this bandwagon and I recently went on a HIMYM binge and watched every episode in a row. (Not all in one setting, I swear, I do have a job and a social life).

I had seen a few episodes here and there but all my friends suggested that I watch it.

Well, they really do know me well, and thanks to NetFlix, it only took one episode to realize it was just my humor style. It is hilarious!

In season two there’s an episode about running the marathon that I thought all of you would find hilarious! (Episode 15 of Season 2 called “Lucky Penny”). It especially struck home because I had just started marathon training when I started watching HIMYM.

Here’s how it goes:

I was unsuspecting that they would start talking about running, but sure enough, Ted and his girlfriend Robin miss a flight and are trying to figure out whose fault it is that they missed the plane. They flash back to a conversation starting out with Marshal breaking his toe…

Robin: Well, you must be really bummed you’re not going to be able to run tomorrow.

Marshall: Yeah it sucks, all that work I put in training for the marathon was a total waste.

Barney: Pssh, Training for a marathon?!

Marshall: What?!

Barney: You don’t train for a marathon. You just run it.

Lilly: You’re kidding right?

Barney: Not at all, I could run a marathon anytime I wanted to.

Marshall: So, like tomorrow, you think you could wake up, roll out bed and just run the NYC marathon

Barney: Absolutely.

Robin: Barney, were talking about 42 kilometers.

Ted: Thanks Canada, I’ll take it from here. Barney, it’s like 26 miles.

Barney: Here’s how you run a marathon. Step 1. You start running. There is no step two. (My favorite line!)

Marshall: Ok prove it. Take my number and run in my place. I bet you 50 bucks you don’t even finish the race.

The next day they track his number and he finishes with a respectable time. He easily walks into the apartment to collect his winnings, medal around his neck. The best part comes at the end. Barney decides to ride the light rail for the first time because it’s free for the marathon runners. He ends up getting “stuck” because his legs are so tired and fail him.

If you haven’t seen it, you need to because it was Legen ……. wait for it ….. DARY! Legendary!

Generic Post About Running

May 11, 2012February 6, 2016 / racingthestates / 8 Comments

So, I don’t have anything too specific to write about right now. I guess that’s what’s called writer’s block. Probably because I’ve been super stressed about stuff going on in real life – and I don’t like feelings, so I won’t get into that. (I guess this blogging/running is not real life….??? I don’t know why I said that. lol) Anyway, this is just random stuff about running from this week.

First off, I feel even more like an actual runner. There’s been a lot of posts and tweets starting off with the phrase “you know you’re a runner if…” and you fill in the blank. Well, I read one the other day that was “you know you’re a runner if…you don’t know your toe is bleeding until you take off your shoes and socks.” I actually experienced this for the first time. And, I laughed! My socks had a big blood stain, and I laughed. Its so gross, but I laughed. Don’t worry, nothing major…I still have all my toe nails attached. In fact, one was digging into the side of another toe, and I have a nice small puncture wound. I think this officially makes me a real runner. Anyway….

I finally went to my doctor for my hip. Well, a new doctor. I hate picking new doctors, but I had to with renewed insurance and not living near my old doc. I had a general physical done and told him about my running woes. Of course, my hip isn’t hurting at the moment, nor has it hurt in about a week….I felt like a car: they never make the noise you’re hearing when you take it to the mechanic. I also wanted him to check out an old injury from a sprained ankle I got last october (I sprained my ankle playing soccer – my own teammate kicked a ball really hard into my ankle – and even though it doesn’t hurt when I run or anything, it is still more stiff than normal and does hurt when I sit on it funny like in yoga or something).

That ligament – the circled one

As far as my hip goes, he said I have normal range of motion and to keep an eye on it…basically to contact him when “my car starts making the noise again.” My ankle though, he did say it is more stiff than the other one and told me that I probably injured/tore my anterior talofibular ligament (don’t worry I included a picture) which is the most common injury with sprains. He gave me some exercises to make it stronger and I stopped by physical therapy to pick up some resistance bands. Even though it has been a while since the actual injury, he still said it is repairable and I can make it stronger and thus – not hurt. So, we’ll see how all that goes.

Since I don’t have a race this weekend, I’ve just been taking it easy on running. I took monday off, but ran tuesday, weds, thurs and will run today. I actually woke up feeling shitty yesterday morning and wasn’t going to run, but as the day went on I felt better and my running shoes were mocking me so decided to lace them up and run. My runs have felt great all week, but it is getting hot outside mid afternoon; I might have to start setting my alarm to run earlier in the day even if I do get off work late.

On a side note, I picked up two running books at the store. One is the the “Runner’s World Complete Book of Women’s Running” (I love the magazine – I subscribe – and always get good advice from it, so I figured the book would be good). I mostly got it to see what they recommend specifically for women and because there are some training programs in there…..I *think* I’m going to start training for a full marathon!!! I’m still debating, and it seriously scares the shit out of me to start it. Mostly because I hurt after running a half..how in the world can I double the milage!?! Plus, right now I have the time to train, but what if I get a new job? Will I still be able to get in all the needed runs?? So it’s not set in stone yet, and I need a good marathon to set as my goal. Since I want to do a Rock and Roll series marathon, one of those might be my goal – either the Colorado one (late september) or to cross off Nevada from my list: the Strip at night (Early December)!!! Let me know any tips for training for a FULL marathon….any and all would be greatly appreciated.

I also got “50/50 – Secretes I learned from Running” by Dean Karnazes. He pretty much inspires me…he DID do all 50 states, in 50 days, and all full marathons! I’ve already started it (I’m only one chapter in) so I’ll let you know how good it is! But don’t look for my review too soon….I’m reading about 5 books at once. No joke.

Lastly, my Mom told me that Albuquerque, NM is actually HIGHER than Denver and is about the same elevation as Boulder, CO…so my PR is super awesome, and makes me ready/motivated to kick even more ass at the Bolder Boulder end of this month!!!

Ok ok, even more lastly: I got an email yesterday from the Horsetooth Half about official race photos. I’m actually probably going to purchase one because I think I look ~~bad-ass~~ er ~~in pain~~…fuck it: BAD ASS! Here’s the proof from online:

Hard at work!

Hope everyones’ weeks went well! Does anyone have any races this weekend??? If so, GOOD LUCK!

Horsetooth Half Marathon – Post Race Recap

April 23, 2012March 18, 2020 / racingthestates / 19 Comments

I did it! I finished my first Racing the States Race!!! The Horsetooth Half kicked my butt, but I still did it. And I hurt. Ok ok, I could’ve done more hill training, but what really hurts is my left hip for some reason. It’s actually been bothering me for some time now, but I kinda ignored it, hence why I haven’t mentioned anything about it before. I usually slightly notice it after mile 4 or so during training runs. But with the steep downhills, it really stated killing me at like mile 5 or 6. I tried to ignore it, but it was pretty painful. However, I finished the race without stopping. Here’s my breakdown of the race:

See those crazy hills!?

Mile 1: Only halfway up the FIRST hill….

Mile 2: Monster Hill Conquered! OUCH! But still feeling good.

Mile 3: Working on the downhill, trying to control my speed, but I feel good. No aches, no pains. I’m breathing well.

Mile 4: DAM HILL! Literally. That’s the name of the hill.

Mile 5: Feeling alright, my hip pain starts to act up, but its not too bad.

Mile 6: About to round the corner and I start heading down along the Poudre River. About half way! I can do this!

Mile 7: Another freaking hill!?! Are you kidding!?

Mile 8: It’s only downhill from here…..right???

Mile 9: Really, 4 MORE miles? Ok, ok, I’m in pain! (I seriously thought about stopping, but didn’t)

Mile 10: OUCH, side cramp! Why the F*CK did I want to do this???

Mile 11: People run FULL marathons!?! HA…crazy people….

Mile 12: O…M…G….one…..more….mile….that’s like 9 min……….

Mile 12.5: I see people!!! (speed up)…I’m still running! Where’s the finish line!?! (Slow down)

Mile 12.75: Ok, I’m seriously almost there…who cares about my stupid hip pain, lets do this.

Mile 13: (sprinting) I’m going to cry, but I’m almost there! Oh, HI MOM! Thanks for coming!

Mile 13.1: Where’s my beer????

I’m waiting for my official time and ranking to be posted, but I saw the prelim printed at the race. I ran it in 2 hours and 8 mins…so I didn’t break 2 hours, but I did beat my last time. To recap, my Goals were: 1) To finish – Yes! I did, I didn’t walk even though I REALLY wanted to. 2) under 2 hours – No, I didn’t make it, but at least I beat my old time. This is a hard course, so maybe a regular half I could do under 2 hours. 3) Be less sore – I’ll let you know later! HAHA Right now, I feel fine in my legs but, like I said, my left hip is killing me!! Overall, I think I’ll be in better shape than last time.

Other than that, the race was great! Still just as beautiful. The weather was perfect. Lots of people! Great after party! My wonderful Mom came to cheer me on, meet me at the finish line and took some pictures for me (on HER birthday! so nice!). The Horsetooth Half is a great race, and I highly recommend it to people who want to do a race in Colorado. Great atmosphere – the race ends at New Belgium brewery which has great beer and is great company altogether. I think it was an overall great day!