Monthly Archives: October 2009

Damp and Delusional

Posted on by Run DMT
7

Isn’t it funny how some days you can’t get motivated to run?  You drag your feet.  Every step seems like an effort. 

 

That’s how I felt on Tuesday.  I had to force myself to run.  The weather is still miserably hot here and the humidity is stifling.  Therefore, Tuesday was not my best performance.

 

Distance 4.70

Time 48:70

Ave Pace 10:14

 

And then, there are some days when you jump out of bed before the alarm wakes up.  You’re ready to take on the world and some serious miles.  Today was that day. 

 

Tiffany (my running partner) arranged to meet at our usual spot at 5:15 this morning.  I woke up before the alarm buzzed and in record speed, I dressed and headed out the door to meet her.  About a half mile into my warm-up walk, I felt a light sprinkle.  I looked up and in my best Christopher Robin impersonation muttered, “Tut.  Tut.  It looks like rain.”  And then the skies opened and a monsoon rain fell on me.

 

I took it as a sign that my warm-up was over and I ran the next half mile to meet Tiffany.  With each squishy step, I remembered why I hate running in the rain.  Then, my MP3 player short-circuited. 

 

When I made it to our starting point, there were no signs of Tiffany although I was a little early.  It gave me some time to properly stretch and wring out my running skirt.  Ten minutes later, there was still no sign of Tiffany and I knew she had probably sent me an e-mail stating how she was going to take a rain check on the run and crawl back into bed.

 

Once I finished stretching, the rain stopped and I had to decide if I would run my 9 miles or go home.  I elected to start running and ran towards Tiffany’s house.  Maybe she noticed the rain stopped and she would be on her way to meet me?

 

When I arrived at her house, I spotted a light shining in the kitchen.  I lightly tapped on her front door.  A dry, beautifully groomed runner resembling a Barbie doll answered the door with a smile.  Tiffany informed me of an e-mail she had just sent bailing on today’s run.  However, now that the rain had passed and a disgruntled running partner stood at her doorstep, she quickly changed her mind and she was ready to go the distance. 

 

For the next soggy 9 miles, my Saucony shoes kept squishing and it sounded like we were being followed.  Then, my water-logged running skirt kept slipping off my hips and I looked like a stripper runner. 

 

But the real fun occurred around mile 7, when blisters began burning the bottoms of my pinky toes.  Like I said, today I was highly motivated to finish 9 miles.  Staying persistent,  I continued running through the pain.  With each agonizing step, I remembered why I hate running in the rain so much. 

 

9.0 miles

1:47:49

Ave Pace 11:58

 

It wasn’t my greatest performance, but at least I made it and stayed miraculously motivated through it all.    However, it will be a long while before I run in the rain again.  Hopefully, my shoes will dry out before then.

Julia’s Run for a Reason Recap

Posted on by Run DMT
2

For the past year, the countless efforts of many helped make Julia’s Run for a Reason happen.  It started with a vision.  We wanted to do something big to remember Julia and inform the public about SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death of a Child).

 

 

Jackie (Julia’s mother) loves running and a race seemed like a logical means to remember Julia, however, the steps involved with making it all possible became overwhelming.  Thankfully, Jackie loved the idea and began soliciting family members and friends to help make this event happen, who in turn sought out even more help.  As our volunteers and support system grew, we began to move closer to what would soon become an outstanding event.

 

This past Saturday, the event finally took place and it was a huge success.  Despite being our first organized race, everything went smoothly.  Many participants were surprised to learn that this was our first race as it seemed we had been organizing races for years.

 

 

As one of the leaders of this event, I handled the children’s activities.  We booked a DJ from Nature Coast Professionals Disc Jockeys, two bouncy houses, face painting, and crafts.   The Home Depot Team provided several kid workshop wooden kits.  Sunshine Massage offered back massages.  My committee also booked Elmo, Tommy the Turtle (a local church hero) and Plato the Publix Dinosaur.  All the aforementioned had been donated.

 

 

 

 

Volunteers also solicited other donations from the community for the most incredible raffles and fabulous food selections.  Additional volunteers worked endless hours delivering brochures, stuffing magnificent goodie bags, wrapping raffle items, hanging signs, handing out water and medals, directing traffic, setting-up and tearing down, and distributing registration packets.

 

 

 

 

When I think about all the work, sweat, blood and tears (literally) that went into making this happen, I get goose bumps.  In the end, we had 352 participants when we had hoped for at least 250 and we raised close to $20,000.

 

Thank you to everyone involved for making this event truly incredible.

 

And like icing on the cake, rumor has it that a rainbow appeared at the start of the event.  Although I personally did not witness it, others remarked on the miraculous occurrence.  It was as though Julia gave us an approving smile and thanked us for what we achieved in her name.

 

 

 

 

For more photos of our event, click here.  To view the race results or to make an on-line donation, please visit angeljulia.com.

Hocus Pocus

Posted on by Run DMT
8

Keeping with a Halloween theme for Musical Monday, I selected some spellbinding songs from the film Hocus Pocus. 

 

Every Halloween season, I dust off the DVD and watch this bewitching movie with my two girls.  The film features Kathy Najimy, Sarah Jessica Parker and the amazing Bette Midler as the Sanderson sisters, three witches who were hanged in Salem, Massachusetts over 300 years ago.

 

After a virgin lights a black candle on All Hallows Eve some 300 years later, they return to Salem in modern times seeking eternal life by sucking the life out of young children.  As gruesome as this tale sounds, it delivers quite the rib-tickling comedy.  My girls and I love Hocus Pocus for all the tricks and treats it offers.

 

Before Sex in the City, Sarah Jessica Parker sang in the sky of Salem trying to lure children to her sisters’ home.

 

 

 

And of course, no Bette Midler film is complete without the enchanting howls and charms of the Divine Miss M.  One of my favorite scenes is when the Sanderson Sisters crash an adult Halloween party and cast a spell on an unsuspecting crowd. 

 

 

So, how about this Halloween you spellbind your loved ones with a little Hocus Pocus?

Buenos Ocho

Posted on by Run DMT
2

A few weeks back, a few of my fellow Striders and I were discussing how once you start running “the big miles” (anything over 10 miles), you never feel like you are really running if you do anything under 6 miles.  Over the past few weeks months, I’ve had some serious runner’s envy reading everyone’s tweets and FB statuses about running their long distances.

 

Even Tiffany and I were discussing how this time last year we were running 10 miles and higher, but an unfortunate mishap with my bike and an unusually long summer has really put a damper in my ability to rack up the miles this year. 

 

For my runs this week, I took Sunday and Monday off due to sore shins.  I ran Tuesday and Wednesday, but rested again on Thursday because my shins were still really sore.  Also, I had hoped to meet the Striders for their “Race to the Weekend Event” on Thursday, but I couldn’t summon the energy.  I decided to sleep in and take another day off from running to rest.  I don’t what’s the deal with me lately, but I have been so exhausted and feeling rundown.  I blame it on our prolonged summer and some viral funk going around town. 

Tuesday, 10/6

4.03 Miles

Time 40:22

Ave Pace 10:00

 

Wednesday, 10/7

40 minute tempo run (According the Hal – Week 6)

4 Miles

 Time 40:36

Ave Pace 10:09

 

But today, I made it to 8 miles and it felt good to run that distance again.  No weird pains, cramps, sore shins or angry quads.  Tiffany and I took it slow.  We even walked a bit here and there, but I didn’t care about my finish time or pace.  I just wanted to get to eight miles again and we did it.

8 Miles

Time 1:36:39

Ave Pace 12:05

Julia’s Run for a Reason

Posted on by Run DMT
2

For the past few months, Julia’s Run for a Reason has been spotlighted at the top of my sidebar. Although it has been a long time in the making, we are thrilled that our event will finally happen.  This Saturday, we honor and remember Julia.

 

 

After Julia’s untimely and tragic death, her family and friends wanted to do something to honor Julia’s memory.  Since Jackie (Julia’s mother) is an avid runner, a race seemed a logical choice to bring awareness to SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death of Child) and meaning to such a sorrowful passing.

 

For our inaugural race, we had hoped for 250 participants, but as of today, we have close to 300 registrants.  The support from the community has been overwhelming.  After understanding the reason behind this event, running clubs, local businesses, extended family and friends have rallied behind our cause. Strangers are traveling from all over the Tampa Bay area to be part of this event.  We never expected the response that has been received and we are truly grateful for everyone’s contribution.

 

I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks and my deepest appreciation to everyone involved.  Thank you for choosing Julia as your reason to run this Saturday.denise_40_gawsimplecooltext

Mrs. Zee Likes Me

Posted on by Run DMT
7

And I’ve got an award to prove it! 

 

 

A few weeks back, the marvelous Mrs. Zee bestowed onto me the Best Blog Award which made my day, but the kind words in her e-mail made it even better.

 

In case you didn’t already know how fabulous you are, now you have an award to prove it: Best Blog Award!  This is just my way of saying thanks for making the blog-o-sphere a darned great place to be!

 

Now, it’s my turn to bring a smile to some of my favorite bloggers’ faces.  The conditions of the Best Blog Award state that I must pass this award along to 15 bloggers, so without further ado, (in no particular order) here are my favorite fifteen:

 

Sippycups and Fingerprints

Muthering Heights

Chasing the Kenyans

Discom-bob-ulated Running

Chloe is Running with a Bottle

Running Betty

Good Mourning, Glory!

Following in My Shoes

Secret Mom Thoughts

Run Buggy

Momisodes

Momma’s Gone Over the Wall

A Nut in a Nutshell

N*ked on the Roof

Happily-Ever-After-Land

Saving the Ta-Tas One Step at a Time

Posted on by Run DMT
7

On Saturday, I joined thousands of walkers, runners and breast cancer survivors in downtown St. Petersburg for the Race for Cure 10K.  This is one of my favorite races because it feels good to be part of something bigger than me and knowing that my small contribution helps move us closer to a cure so that someday our children can live in a world without breast cancer-free.

 

Last year, I reconnected with an old high school friend on Facebook.  Since I often share my blog posts on Facebook, Rob read my Race for the Cure post last October.  Afterwards, he shared his wife’s, Sarah, story with me and thanked me for being part of this cause.  After learning about her battle with cancer, I wanted to honor Sarah and her survivor story.

 

This year, I ran for Sarah. 

 

 

The race itself is a gorgeous route.  As the sun rises over the bay, its golden rays create a pink horizon, a perfect match to this pink ribbon event.  The start line parallels the Vinoy and we follow 5th NE Ave to Bayshore Blvd which leads us to the St. Pete Pier.  Then the course winds through the streets of downtown St Pete.   

 

IMG_1381

 

 Like the previous year, the scenery didn’t disappoint and once again, I enjoyed running under the sunny skies of downtown St. Pete.  In typical Run DMT fashion, I took lots of pictures.  After passing Mile 1 on the pier, another runner offered her assistance with capturing my Kodak moments.

 

IMG_1388

 IMG_1392

 

Although I remembered my camera, I forgot my Garmin.  Therefore, I only know my “clock time” and not my real time as recorded by my Garmin.  I crossed the finish line at 59:04 and I made my “under an hour goal”, but I had hoped to have been closer to 55:00.  Without my Garmin, there’s no real way to determine my real time.  I had no idea how fast or slow I ran, but I do know that my calves were sore and I tired around mile 3, which means I probably pushed myself too hard at the start. 

 

I also know that I started a minute or so late because the race was seeded based on our pace.  I started at the 9:00 minute pace sign.  Like I already said, if I had my Garmin, I would know my exact time.  C’est la vie.  Hopefully, I will do better at Longleaf.  As long as I run without my camera, I should shave a minute  or two or three off my time.

 

Fortunately, I had quite a crowd cheering for me, including several Striders who all placed in the top 50…

 

Striders

 

and Strider Andrea (left), who finished third place for females.

 

IMG_1439

 

 Before the start of the race, I bumped into Running Betty, Brian and their daughter, Alice and all three cheered for me as I finished the race.  Running Betty even snapped some photos of me crossing the finish line.   

 

IMG_1379

  denise1

 

denisefinish

 

She also videotaped me.  It’s a thumbnail video but it’s still pretty cool to watch.   Thanks, Running Betty! :-)

 

Let’s Do the Time Warp Again!

Posted on by Run DMT
9

Halloween is only 26 days away but our adult costume party is on the 17th.  This  means I have less than two weeks to figure out my costume and I am so ready to let my freak out!   To find my inspiration and to get into the spirit of the season, I’ve been spinning some spine-tingling tunes.

 

It’s astounding.  Time is fleeting.  Madness takes its toll.

   

The Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show conjures up some great memories from my youth.  With rice, toast and umbrellas in hand, my friends and I would dress-up and catch the midnight showing of Rocky Horror. 

 

I remember doing the Time Warp
Drinking those moments when
The blackness would hit me and the void would be calling
Let’s do the time warp again…
Let’s do the time warp again!

  

Nowadays, no Halloween party is complete without pumpkin ale and The Time Warp. 

  

It’s just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it’s the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane,
Let’s do the Time Warp again! 

 

Let’s do the Time Warp again!