As it turns out, I was right. I don't like running. It does, however, beat hamsterwheeltreadmillyptically trying to keep from getting a fatter arse. So, in addition to getting in some miles around town when the weather permits, during the last three months, I have done some running for good causes.
November - Drumstick Dash
Thanksgiving morning, I tend to think more about sleeping and eating than anything else. For TG2011 it was time to be thankful for always having food on the table and a nice warm place to sleep.
I've run some timed 5K's, and know I'm usually under the 9 minute mark for those. This was a different race for me. A. It was cold. Why am I out in the cold on Thanksgiving again? B. It was 4.5 miles instead of 3.1. I don't run that far. C. There were over 15,000 people in this thing. Whoa! That's a bigger crowd than I've tried to wade through. End result for me was: 08:44 / 39:19.7. An extra mile longer than I had been used to running and still under 9 min. per mile. I dig it.
December - Jinglebell Run
More like Freezing Balz Run. 17 degrees was the temp at the start. Pretty sure it was 18 at the end.
I think the hat I'm sporting is a decade old now, right y2kemo? N & I were running for Arthritis. Not to get it, though it feels like it some days, but to cure it. I just happen to have someone very close to me who deals with it everyday.
I learned a valuable lesson during this one. Layers are good. Too many layers are bad. I had to walk a bit to un-wire, remove a layer, and wire back up again. I can't run without music. My fourth (yes, fourth) layer was building up steam. It was ridiculously cold, and I felt ok standing outside waiting, which should have been an indication that after a couple of miles, I would not be cold at all. I wasn't expecting the personal sauna that I came to experience around mile marker 2. Given the walking, the result was: 09:10 / 28:31.2. At least I learned something.
January - Bop to the Top
I have heard about this "race" every one of my 11 years working the the OneAmerica tower, and previously wondered why anyone would do that to themselves. This time, I figured I should experience it myself, rather than listen to the stories of others. It benefits Riley Hospital for Children, so what's a bit of suffering? I did a practice climb of 12 flights the night before to get a feel for it. Breathing was tough at the end, and I learned to not sprint out of the gate and use everything up to early.
I said "don't sprint out of the gate!" That was in the first few flights of the 36 story, 700+ stair climb that rises 500 feet. Between floor 24 and the finish, I was a lot less upright than in these photos. The distance isn't much when you read it, but my legs and lungs were telling me otherwise for the next couple of days. I did mention suffering, right?
End result here, not that it matches running results, was: 08:29 / 08:29.4. So if you're looking for a few minutes of hell that will stick with you for a few days, but benefits someone else, come do this one with me next year. I'll definitely do it again. I like that PR idea (for my runner friends.)
