Many people may assume that I became a much more active individual after I started dating Nick. And partially that is true. I always wanted to be in shape and awesome but I never really could stay motivated to exercise enough to be that way. While I was teaching in Trumansburg, NY, one of my colleagues, Melissa, convinced me to start road biking. My friend Margaret did it too, so I wasn't stuck biking with Nick and slowing him down. I loved it, even though I was biking up giant hills. Then, Melissa convinced me to bike for a colleague for a YMCA triathlon. Seeing all the other individuals do the race, I thought, I could do this. So I did! Since that first Y-Tri five years ago, I've done a handful of triathlons, a century (something I never need to do again!) and swimming events. It turns out that I am not terrible and really enjoy being active. Even though I like to win, I don't mind doing these competitions knowing that I will be in the bottom half of the finishers. Having a race to train for really helps me stay motivated and get out and exercise, especially with a little one at home and being tired most of the time.
I vowed that after Lilly was born I was going to get in shape and do more races. August 2011, I did the Point to LaPointe swim, a two-mile swim from Bayfield out to Madeline Island. I had terrible morning sickness in the first months of pregnancy, so I lost ten pounds and spent a lot of time on our couch. I never had time to train, but managed to make the two miles (technically 2.2 miles) across the lake. I signed up to do it again this summer, not thinking that I would need to have my gallbladder removed and Nick was going to have hip surgery. Despite the fact that I didn't get to train at all (again) I did the race again. Partially because I convinced my friend Elizabeth to do the race too and that I would train with her. We did end up successfully swimming together a few times, and both survived the race and are thinking about doing it again next summer.
The first year we lived in Ashland, my parents and I walked the Cruisin' The Corridor 5K. We decided we needed a bigger challenge the next year, so we signed up and walked the WhistleStop Half-marathon. My mom and I did it the following October, and this year, Iswindled convinced my friend Katie to walk with us.
In our informational packet from the half-marathon was an advertisement for a new race in Ashland, the Chick-uamegon. A 5K and 10K race for women only on November 10th. New goal - running the Chick-uamegon 5K. I was going to train with Katie (who I again convinced to do the race with me, despite the fact that she hates running).
A few weeks after finding out about the Chick-uamegon, I was reading the local paper and saw an ad for another race, this one in Washburn, a Zombie 5K. I asked Katie to do it with me, but she was too busy to fit it in. On a whim on that Saturday afternoon, I decided to do the race without her. We quickly get Lilly ready and in the car - and on our way to Washburn the poor girl starts projectile vomiting. Five or six times! So, we turned the car around and go back home, no race for me.
My focus shifted back to the Chick-uamegon. Katie and I finally did squeeze a couple training runs in together but the second time she unfortunately hurt her ankle. She held out hope to do the race on Saturday, but as the week went on, prospects looked grim. My friend Stacie, who lives in California now, said she'd go for a run with me at the time too, so while I ran the 5K alone, I had Stacie up early in CA running at the same time.
The morning of the race was a bit hectic - the race started at 10:00 and Lilly woke us up at 9! Nick went and picked up my registration while I fed Lilly. Then again, we all rushed out the door to the race. It was a cold and rainy day but 250 women still did the race. After watching the start, Nick and Lilly drove down and cheered me on at the half-way point. It was so great to see them both on the side of the road cheering me on (although Lilly was clueless). They also helped me push myself to run longer than I thought I could - I wanted to be running each time I saw them. My first goal was to run the entire thing, but had to walk twice. I did much better at the race than I expected. My final time was 31:46, which was 16 seconds under my other goal.
Next up - Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning in Eau Claire. My goal is to run the entire two miles, perhaps in 20 minutes or less. Wish me luck!
I vowed that after Lilly was born I was going to get in shape and do more races. August 2011, I did the Point to LaPointe swim, a two-mile swim from Bayfield out to Madeline Island. I had terrible morning sickness in the first months of pregnancy, so I lost ten pounds and spent a lot of time on our couch. I never had time to train, but managed to make the two miles (technically 2.2 miles) across the lake. I signed up to do it again this summer, not thinking that I would need to have my gallbladder removed and Nick was going to have hip surgery. Despite the fact that I didn't get to train at all (again) I did the race again. Partially because I convinced my friend Elizabeth to do the race too and that I would train with her. We did end up successfully swimming together a few times, and both survived the race and are thinking about doing it again next summer.
 |
| Megan and Elizabeth before Point to LaPointe August 2012 |
The first year we lived in Ashland, my parents and I walked the Cruisin' The Corridor 5K. We decided we needed a bigger challenge the next year, so we signed up and walked the WhistleStop Half-marathon. My mom and I did it the following October, and this year, I
 |
| Rob, Bobbie, Megan, and Katie WhistleStop October 2012 |
A few weeks after finding out about the Chick-uamegon, I was reading the local paper and saw an ad for another race, this one in Washburn, a Zombie 5K. I asked Katie to do it with me, but she was too busy to fit it in. On a whim on that Saturday afternoon, I decided to do the race without her. We quickly get Lilly ready and in the car - and on our way to Washburn the poor girl starts projectile vomiting. Five or six times! So, we turned the car around and go back home, no race for me.
My focus shifted back to the Chick-uamegon. Katie and I finally did squeeze a couple training runs in together but the second time she unfortunately hurt her ankle. She held out hope to do the race on Saturday, but as the week went on, prospects looked grim. My friend Stacie, who lives in California now, said she'd go for a run with me at the time too, so while I ran the 5K alone, I had Stacie up early in CA running at the same time.
The morning of the race was a bit hectic - the race started at 10:00 and Lilly woke us up at 9! Nick went and picked up my registration while I fed Lilly. Then again, we all rushed out the door to the race. It was a cold and rainy day but 250 women still did the race. After watching the start, Nick and Lilly drove down and cheered me on at the half-way point. It was so great to see them both on the side of the road cheering me on (although Lilly was clueless). They also helped me push myself to run longer than I thought I could - I wanted to be running each time I saw them. My first goal was to run the entire thing, but had to walk twice. I did much better at the race than I expected. My final time was 31:46, which was 16 seconds under my other goal.
 |
| Meg and Lilly after the Chick-uamegon |
Next up - Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning in Eau Claire. My goal is to run the entire two miles, perhaps in 20 minutes or less. Wish me luck!
I've become a gazillion times LESS
ReplyDeleteactive as I've gotten older! In my defense, the bar was set ridiculously high in my youth. But still...I would LIKE to be more active. Motivation is just not always there.
Also, why is the picture of you and your friend Katie finishing a race (one on her blog) not on this post. Because I don't think I've EVER seen a better race finish picture IN MY LIFE. Please add it. Your family and friends NEED to see it. :)