End of year running report

Total miles run this year:      836

Total miles run:                   2,506

Races run this year:                 53

# of states run in:       4 (Iowa, Maryland, New York, Virgnia) & Washington D.C.

Race lengths: 1 mile to Half Marathon (13.1 miles)

Charities sponsored: many including youth groups and programs, breast cancer and heart research, autism, 116th Infantry and AIDS research

Post 8.5 mile run. . .

The sunset in Broadway upon arriving home from today's run around 5:30 p.m. We ran from Broadway to Timberville, and then took a circuitous route along the river and back home. Temp was in the low 60s at the beginning and the high 50s at the end; and the wind had calmed. Perfect for a long slow distance run.  It looked like God Himself was celebrating our victory with an elaborate painting.

Luray Hawksbill Greenway - 5K Race

The "Band on the Run" 5K course wound along the Luray Hawksbill Greenway Trail through natural and painted scenery.  The Luray High School Music Department sponsored the race to raise funds so that more than 50 students in the symphonic band, concert choir, Marching Bulldogs, and the percussion and guitar ensembles could participate in a national music competition and festival in South Carolina. (Click on the photos and they'll enlarge and be easier to see).

Cows (above) pastured right smack in the middle of one loop.  The land to the left of the trail is a riparian buffer, built and planted in such a way as to treat the waste coming from the cows and improve the water in the stream outside of the view of the photo.  And the stream (below) rippled and danced alongside the whole race course. Oh and the best part? The mid-60 degree temperatures allowing me to run in a tee shirt and shorts, and an opportunity to traipse along the trail barefoot after the race.

VA/WV Line on Route 33

These photos were taken at the West Virginia/Virginia line from Route 33 yesterday.  Though ice covered the treetops, the road to Elkins, WV (where we met Butch's son for dinner) were clear.  We think this is called Pendleton Gap as it does go into Pendleton County, West Virginia; the name of this mountain though wasn't on our map.

At the highest point of the 2 1/2 hour drive to Elkins, we were above 3,000 feet.  Most of that time my cell phone was out of service.  On the return home I was glad to meet a few passing cars along the way; it brought comfort to know that even though the cell phone was useless, perhaps some passerbys might be available if a problem arose.  

16 degree run. . .

The weather outside was frightful, but not as bad as our New York runs since the wind was fairly calm -- breezy, but not unbearable.  Nonetheless both Butch and I donned ski masks and gloves before we crunched our way across ice frosted grass, and headed to the track for a 3-miler.  I've run twice now in temperatures in the mid-teens.  My pace was about 10:40, which isn't wonderful, but then pants and wind pants; a tee, long sleeved tee and jacket; plus trying to breathe through a ski mask does slow one down a bit.  I am just amazed that I have done this twice now with no major lung issues.  Good news indeed!

Jingle Bell Run

We signed in at the registration table at the State Arboretum of Virginia for their annual Jingle Bell run.  The Orland E. White Arboretum was established in 1927, and registration was in The Quarters building, where from 1825 till slavery was abolished on the property, was part of the Tuleyries plantation. 

After pinning bells to our shoes and a warm up run, we ran alongside dormant dogwood trees as we watched our breathe steam from our mouths and nostrils.  The race begin with temps in the low 40s, but got colder before the 5K finish.  

The first leg was on loose gravel and after a couple slides I thought I'd break my neck.  But then I remembered our Broadway runs through the pea gravel track along the park and thought, "I know how to do this.  Just run where the gravel is packed the hardest and be prepared to 'dance' when you slide.'"  After the gravel piece, there was a section on asphalt and then the race ended on hard packed gravel -- more dirt road than gravel.  So that was a bit easier, too.

I watched the markers as we ran past a variety of plantings -- my favorite evergreen is the Normandy spruce with swooping branches that brush the ground.  

This was race #51 for the year and I finished in 29:15, very slow for me.  But I didn't fall!

Thaddeus Charles -- the reason for the Avoca run

Grammie & Thaddeus (above) and Dad, Mom & Grammie with Thaddeus and Ebony (below).
We also got to have dinner with my virtual running buddy, Steve Bragg (below in blue shirt) and my friend Camelia.  This was at Sis's Diner, of which half is a renovated railroad car.  The service was better than I've gotten at restaurants costing twice as much, and there was plenty of food to take home because the servings were large.

The Caboose

Guests at The Caboose can stay in these train cars during the summer.  Each car holds 4-5 and contains train berths as well as a regular bed.  These also have the other necessary amenities a traveler needs.  This motel was at the low end price-wise, but at the high end when it came to hospitality and cleanliness.  The room even had a refrigerator and microwave, plus cable television.  Nestled in the valley between two mountains, the scenery was stunning -- even in the winter.

A brave, but not so rave run. . .

Revised 21Dec08 (after an attitude correction from my NY running buddy):

Runners World posts a "Rave Run" in each issue.  We found last weekend's run in sleet and cold (mid-teens) to be a bit rough, but we did it anyway and now can include a winter run in Avoca amongst our list of 2008 adventures.  Slipping feet in plastic bags before sliding them into our running shoes (above) kept our feet dry.  That's a trick I learned when growing up without boots as a child in Iowa.  Butch suggested taping the top kept the snow from sneaking in from the top.

It was in the mid-teens when we ran the mile from hotel to my daughter's place.  The temps were in the mid-teens and the wind at our back as we left.  Even so I took one step forward and half a one backwards on every icy hill.  So we didn't add on the extra half that, upon returning home, would have met our three mile goal for the day.  We were worn out!

On the way back the wind burned and the sleet needled our faces.  My ski mask protected me somewhat, and, as you can see in the above photo, Butch found a combination of running gear that kept all but his face safe from the stinging ice needles.

Photo below:  Returning to the hotel, named The Caboose because, in the summer, guests can stay in train cars instead of the typical motel room.

Richmond Run

We know in our heads that no moment in time will ever be repeated.  That fact was very evident when running on the Richmond Spiders' Fred Hardy track after I took exams there on the weekend of December 5 & 6.  A sign on the gate said that the stadium (below) was being torn down starting Monday, December 8.  Above is a sketch of the new stadium.  

Paralegal Certification Exam

Well I'd have rather run a half marathon than take that test.  Sitting still goes against my grain, but I noticed it was hard for the proctor.  He refilled his drink bottle half way through each exam, and the entire time he sat in front of the room, his feet were tapping.  While it may have been nerve wracking to some, it actually calmed me -- it helped me to know I wasn't the only one having trouble sitting still. 

Morning exams didn't seem too rough, but afternoons were.  On the first day, I had plenty of time for the exam, so I actually closed my eyes for about five minutes and took a break.  On the second day, I got up and took a walk down the hall, grabbed some water, and returned to finish. And after two days of sitting, my post-test three-mile run on the track at the First Market Stadium at the University of Richmond was especially sweet (it is being demolished beginning Monday).  

Runners always want to know the results of a "race" the same day; we're not real patient when it comes to late results.  But sometimes we have to behave in a way contrary to nature, and sometimes those late results are good news -- like this week I received a plaque for earning first place in my age group at the breast cancer race.  I sure hope my February surprise is a similar outcome and I that I learn I'm one of the 60-70% who passed, as I won't be reimbursed for my expenses until February.

 

T.C.'s Race through the Chute

First grandson T.C. tried hard to race through the chute Tuesday, but he just couldn't squeeze through.  So he had some help by way of an emergency Ceasarian section on Wednesday morning.  T.C.'s doing fine now, as is his thoroughly exhausted momma.  But both should be coming home from the hospital today (Sunday). --photos complements of Noyes Memorial Hospital.

Lessons learned this week. . .

It's the first Saturday in weeks that I ran just for fun.  Well. . .half of my six miles was fun.  The first half, on the way to the "Plantation at Coote's Store" was 23 degrees and cold.  Mind you the "Plantation at Coote's store" is not an actual place; it's my nickname for my kids' home out in what formerly was called Coote's store, a name they'd like to see restored.  And "the plantation" is their homeplace, with enough land for a woods, and a hobby farm and organic gardening.

As I left my apartment though, the flag across the street was swaying in the breeze, and trees blocked most of the sun.  At the plantation (3-mile point) I fed Azul her breakfast; fed Frannie and cleaned her litter tray; and pushed, prodded and pulled Peanut Butter into a grassier grazing spot and re-tied him.  When I headed back down Brock's Gap for home, the sun was warming the pavement, providing heat from above and below.  I found my happy spot and lumbered back home at an 11-minute mile pace.

It was good to run just for fun again, though I was mighty hungry by the time I got home.  Two cups of coffee and an energy bar at 7 a.m. just wasn't enough for my 9 a.m. exploits.  

And that reminded me of lessons I learned from the last couple races.  Running races (or running hard) in Virginia-cold still demands sports drink in order for me to run well, even if the race is just a 5K.  Though I am obviously less in danger of dehydration, I find I need the sports drink for the calories and the energy; otherwise my legs melt into jelly.  I drink half as much (8 ounces instead of 16), but still find I need it.  And pumping my arms wider and higher makes the hills easier to climb.  

Two lessons learned.  They say that life-long learning helps keep Alzheimer's and senile dementia at bay longer.  So I guess I'm two lessons farther from senile dementia (Alzheimer's doesn't run in my family).  Now it's time for the other race I'm running -- studying for the paralegal certification exam next weekend.

Gutter Dance & Medal at Race #50

FCPRD's Thanksgiving Race began at Sherando High School's track, and then headed down the school driveway and alongside the parking lot.  Not three minutes in the race, I ended up in the gutter and tripped over a half-inch rise.  The impromptu "gutter dance" prompted a "Watch out!" from a male bass voice behind me.  As I shuffled to regain balance, the crowd dispersed and gave me room.  The race was a benefit for the Big Brother, Big Sister program of three counties (Frederick County being one). I chopped my way through a tree-root scattered trail, skittered on a gravel path and then shuffled across knobby grass before returning to run on pavement and the track.  The gravel and the grass slowed me down; having already come close to a face plant, I was a bit hesitant on the uneven surface.  Nonetheless my 28:25 minute time netted me a second-place medal for my age group and 144th overall.  Butch was two seconds behind me.  

This was race #50 this year;  so I made that goal.  I have also surpassed my goal of 600 miles, having just finished my 768th mile for the year.  

You inhaler, your pants, and YOUR SIPPIE!

When the granddaughters finished their first one-miler (see previous post) yesterday, I sat down immediately afterward and pulled off my outer wind-pants, and then my jacket.  I handed both, and my water bottle to AM to hold during the 5K, my 49th race for the year. 

Jogging away from them I said, "See ya in about a half hour."

And they said, "This one's not on the track?"
"Nope, road race."  

I suggested a couple good places to watch, and told them anyone could tell them where to go.  My good buddies George Gillies and Butch stayed ahead of me the whole way, but only by a few seconds.  I think I beat Jeff "The Fat Guy" Campbell, but only because he was injured.  The scenery was gorgeous, but it was a bit chilly.  And my legs ached a lot.

But the best view was Anna Maria, Steven (and his ever-present camera), and the girls at the last turn.  Also SVTC runners club participants, jogging their cool-down were just before them, and they cheered me on as well.  We runners sure need a cheering squad -- especially in the that second "third" of a race.

My buds were at the finish line, and we walked till my wheezing lungs eased up and I had reconnected with my inhaler.  "Five minutes -- we need to cool down," I told my family, sticking the inhaler back in my jacket that Maggie wore and didn't wish to part with.  Then George, Jeff, Butch and I jogged around the parking lot to cool off.

I had crossed the finish line in 28:39 -- not a great pace, but enough to make second place in my age group.  The winner came in around 24-something, and I've never ran anywhere near that pace. So I was very pleased.  

Eliza and I both took second in our foot races (though she was second female overall and I only second in my age group); and Magdalena took third in the turkey calling.  Butch was third in his age group.  So all participants in "the family" were winners.  Does it get any better than that?

As I walked toward the car, Steven handed me the things I'd given Anna Maria -- and forgotten about.   

"Here's your inhaler, your pants, and. . .your sippie!"  

Yes, it does get better.  Ending a race with a laugh.

"There weren't many females ahead of you, and you were somewhere around the middle of the third," Anna Maria said later.  

Cross Generation Run

The one mile race begins above; and (below) ends with one tired "turkey": Maggie. -- Photos by Steven David Johnson

I ran my 49th race for the year on Sunday afternoon, and the little girls ran their first race ever.  Butch and I "coached" them, and Anna Maria and Steven watched them and tried to ignore us -- the crazy grandma and quasi-grampa (they did cheer the kids' on though in their own quiet way--without making a scene). 

The girls' race was a mile, four times around a cinder track.  Butch mostly was at the far curve and I stayed near the finish line.  I warned them not to be tempted to start fast as everyone else would do; I said, "You'll see. . .the others will be walking by the second lap."

And off they went. . .near the last of the pack, just as they'd practiced.  And they stayed there near the end for a lap.  But then Eliza began picking off the other racers.  

Each time they neared the finish line, their big blue and black eyes would look up at me waiting for the next instruction.  I'd shout "on pace" or "slow down"; and say the number of laps remaining while holding up corresponding number of fingers.  It was humbling and frightening, knowing they were depending on me to get them through and to do so at their very best. The weight of those two pairs of eyes looking at me at every lap, and knowing I had to counsel wisely or they'd burn out with discouragement; they'd run too slow, not reach their potential and be disappointed, or. . . 

Butch at the other end would run a bit with them if they started to slow at the half-way point on the track.  

Liza did the first lap at 8 mile pace.  I yelled, "On Pace, Liza, just maintain." And I secretly hoped she would slow a bit as I knew that was two minutes faster than practice.  Second lap was right on, "Perfect pace, Liza.  You're doing great. Way to go."  Third lap, "Last one, Liza.  You're almost there. Hang in there."  And then near the curve she was slowing--nearly to a walk.  I ran up to her, "Come on, Liza.  Push it through.  Beat that girl ahead and you'll be third." She poured it on, and beat that gal. . . who was actually 2d and running with an adult.  So Eliza was the second female.

Little Maggie stayed at the back.  She's barely waist high to me.  And you know little Maggie only weighs about 39 pounds, and she's just a bitty little thing.  But she ran 4 times around the track in a steady energizer bunny type pace and never quit.  She kept the same pace doggedly going around and around, except one time.  Seeing her slow, Butch ran toward her and ran around the second curve with her.  Near the end, I shouted, "Come on, Maggie.  Go for it.  Pick it up.  This is the end.  Pour it on."  And she did. . .till near the finish line.  She misunderstood where it was and quit a bit too soon.  Had she kept on to the end, she'd have beat the gal in front of her.  Her daddy, camera in hand said, "Here, Maggie.  Here's the line."  And she crossed -- two minutes ahead of her practice pace.  

But both girls DID win something! Later Maggie came in third during a turkey-calling contest.  For the race, Liza won a glass paper weight encasing a fairy; and, for turkey calling, Maggie won a wooden one with flowers on it.

And I'm one proud gramma!

To Run or Not to Run. . .that was the question

Somewhere between 25 and 30 degrees with windchill factors taken into consideration I can't run outside safely.  My lungs freeze up and I can't breathe.  This morning the windchill was 27 -- 32 degrees with wind.  I had awakened at 3:30 a.m. with lungs hurting.  So I was particularly concerned about heading out.  

But I didn't run yesterday, so I headed out anyway after a couple precautionary hits on my inhaler and some coaching from my running partner.  We decided to run to the hardware store after a two-lap detour at the park.  Having a destination run helped.  I'd actually have been colder had I driven to the store as it's only a half mile there and back, so my car wouldn't have warmed up before I got to the store.  So better to run there than drive, and once I was out, it wasn't so bad.  

The sun was warm on the pavement, but the wind bit my cheeks.  I concentrated hard on breathing in through my nose, warming up the air before it hit my lungs.  We got to the park and ran two laps, mostly protected by trees there.  Soon I was sweating, and took my sock-mittens off.  The wind still nipped at my cheeks, but my lungs were okay.  Actual oxygen levels though were low; I had to walk a couple times on the hills.  

At the store, we picked up plastic for my windows and mouse traps -- eviction procedings for Butch's latest roomate. 

Precipitation. . .most likely rain.

Seven-year-old Eliza Grace carried a hand-made paper wind sock as she walked home from school yesterday. She, Magdalena and I stopped at my apartment, adapted our attire, and met up with Butch. As we walked to the track for a one-mile run, she talked about the wind sock and how it measured the wind.
I pointed at the clouds and asked, "What do you think those clouds tell us?"
"Precipitation," she answered. "Most likely, rain."
And here in Virginia, that IS true. But yesterday, the clouds apparently warned of our first snow.

# 48 -- for the cross country team in Berryville

Six mile cross-country race in sunshine and 55 degrees yesterday -- shorts and sports top weather. Perfect racing as it had just rained and the air was crisp. There were puddles to dodge though. "Chop" your way through them; keep feet flat: that was Butch's advice, who beat me by about 55 seconds.

This was a loop around a cross country track of grass and trails. One stretch went between two stands of trees. After the first loop most of the runners dropped off, as they had opted for the two-miler. And I pulled off my shirt, as I had dressed for cold rain, not expecting that the sun would come out.

After the second loop, a few more opted out. And the race volunteers yelled at me, "You're almost there -- right here's the four mile mark."

But I kept going and the expression on their face looked like a bit of surprise. But on the third time around, the six mile point, they were screaming, "You made it! Just 600 yards to go. . ."

And Butch was waiting just before the finish line. Because I had never been that far behind him, he was worried about me. Usually I'm that far ahead of him; but he was super fast today and there was no way I could keep up! His injuries are definitely all healed.

Funds raised at this race helped the cross country team with travel costs to go to nationals.

Dreaming of some R&R

Five miles Tuesday evening, which I managed by envisioning an upcoming week of rest and recovery. Just one more class before break, a weekend without a race, no work in site except studying for the paralegal certification exams.

Classes ended last night as planned. And today was going to be finding my way through the piles in my office, a project in which I made more headway than planned yesterday. But then there was a note from my editor -- three story assignments. Good news, as there'll be no teaching income next week. And my running partner found a race for this weekend, so scratch that break as well. And my daughter is still waiting for that baby, so add a quick "run" to New York.

Well I guess I will just keep running through life -- figuratively and literally -- for a few more days. Today's race begins with an appointment at 9 a.m. and another at 1, an easy track run at 3:30 . . .

But I am taking a break tonight to watch a play! And tomorrow SHOULD be restful, once I leave the dentist's office in the morning.

SVTC Crazies Run Back to Back Races

I slogged through the 116th Infantry race in Staunton Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Butch, Jeff Campbell, George Gillies, Rich Ruozzi, Joe Rudman -- so good to have so many of the regulars there. It ws long sleeved, tights race, but not bad at all. I finished somewhere around 28:08, and Butch at 27:58.

From there we changed into dry shirts and rushed to Bridgewater, where we warmed up bones that had gotten cold already during the 20 minute drive. After registering and a slow warm-up, we took off again. This time I ran 30:30 -- even slower. Joe, too, did a double; so there were three SVTC "crazies", as our president called us, who ran back to backs Saturday.

I Nearly Cried. . .and Wish I Had Taken a Picture Earlier

Yesterday was the anniversary of my mom's passing from lung cancer; she also had breast cancer. Her funeral was on the 8th of November. At the time, the church at which my then-husband pastored didn't even send a note or flowers; and no one visited from there. Yet when I picked up the girls from school yesterday, on the anniversary of Mom's passing, Eliza carried two packages wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a ribbon. She handed them to me and said I had to wait till I got home to open them. Anna Maria said Eliza had a special reason for making this present, but Eliza got embarrassed and didn't want to say. So AM said, "Eliza knew you were sad about Gramma Dot; she made this for you because she thought it would make you feel better." When I got home I pulled off the tissue paper. Two pint sized canning jars filled with hand-made bath salts -- made with food coloring-dyed Epsom salts, and lavender. Ooohhh, it smells so nice. Eliza and Magdalena know that I love my baths, that there in the tub with a magazine, hot chocolate and a snack, I often find comfort. I was so overwhelmed! I wish I had snatched a photo, but will have to do a posed one later and add it to this blog.

Another Saturday. . .another race

Race number 45; 5 more to go before I reach my goal of 50 this year and I took second in my age group. Club President Rich Ruozzi took third in his group, as I recall, and member Joe Rudman placed first in his age group. It 30 degrees when I left home, right at the edge for me. The elephant on my chest stayed with me till the end of about mile one. "Concentrate. Breathe," was my mantra. The pain eased but never went away. During that race I also hit my 700th mile for the year -- the highest mileage in a year since I began running in 2003.

According to an e-mail I just received, I took first in my age group at the Breast Cancer race. Mom's wedding anniversary would have been yesterday; her funeral was a week ago on the 8th.

Proud Gramma

Ha! and you thought this would be another photo of me, didn't you. But I am no longer the only proud gramma in my family of origin, so this entry is about Grannie Annie and Harper, my great nephew. His tee says, "What happens at Grandma's stays at Grandma's." And that would be proud Grannie holding Harper in the photo below! This was Gramma and Grampa's first time babysitting, so I told them they had to use an egg timer to track how long each held the babe so there'd be no fighting. Seriously though it WAS tough to remember to share when Eliza was born. . .whew! I wanted her all to myself all the time. . .

Sopping Wet but Twice as Fast

It was in the mid-50s and pouring rain when I left Broadway this morning at 8ish for a 5K/10K fundraiser race/walk for breast cancer research. Couldn't help but think of Mom who had breast cancer, and died of lung cancer; and of a runner and politician whose wife lives just up the road a bit and had her third breast cancer surgery this week.

Getting out of the "chute" was a bit tough -- awful crowded, but I've learned to just go with the flow and not fight that too much. There's always a chance to make up the time later, and it prevents starting too fast. Just before mile two, though, my left shoe came untied. I had forgotten to change into my racing shoes, and thus forgot to knot the bows and tuck the ends under the strings. So I lost a minute or two there. Soon I saw my friend Laura who was running her first 10K.

By now puddles swallowed up about half of a lane on the roads. Fallen, wet leaves and pine needles threatened to snatch my legs out from under me. Uphill the going was just a tad slippery. And I'm finding it a bit difficult to know how to dress these days. Today I opted for tights as my legs get cold when it's this cold; tights less irritating than looser pants. I also chose a short-sleeved tee shirt, as the long sleeved I wore last weekend was just a bit too much. By the time I crossed the 10K finish line I was cold and my hands were too numb to pull the tab off my race number. So I think the tee shirt was okay, but gloves would have been nice. The sopping wet sleeves of a long-sleeved tee would have felt like a straight jacket. Maybe one of my long sleeved technical tops would have made sense.

For two of the last three miles I ran solo. . .I've gotten used to that. Then about half a mile from the finish, I ran into the walkers who were finishing up the 5K. They walked six or more across, many times oblivious to the runners trying to get around them. So I'd holler, "On your left" and head for the gutter alongside the road. The first two groups completely ignored me. In one instance I nearly shoved my way through because nobody would let me by. Perhaps they were lost in conversation or something; but that sure was rude. I've learned to be a bit aggressive in such situations though. . .and just push my way through anyway.

When I'd shout, "On your left," for the last few groups, they made room. And they hollered and cheered me along -- as I did them. They may have been walkers, but they sure had the running spirit. And I felt empowered -- I was doing 10K faster than it took them to run 5. Usually I'm running my races at half the speed of those in the front, and I'll cheer those front runners for all I'm worth when I see them coming my way, having passed the turn-around long before me. Now I know how they must feel!

I crossed the finish line in 57:51, and kept on running -- to the car where I had warm clothes waiting. I called AM on the way home, thinking she might be heading in to Broadway and thus able to turn the heat on in my apartment for me. When I told her I was cold, and before I had a chance to ask for a favor, she said, "Well, WE have a warm shower AND a fireplace. How about if you just come over here?"

So I took advantage of a hot shower there, and then drank hot chocolate with two toasty warm little girls sitting on my lap. I was warm again in a hurry. . .

#43 - Staunton Ten Miler

It was about 45 degrees when we left Broadway this morning at 6:00 a.m. I was tempted to stay home, but Butch reminded me, "About 9 o'clock you're going to hate yourself for skipping this race you've been so looking forward to."
And this was an awesome course -- much better than last year when I ran it at 1:47:33 and took second in my age group. Last year the course had 28 turns and almost no break from the uphills. This year we ran down Beverley to Commerce, and then took a turn onto a country road where even the cows cheered us on with their contented moos.
Volunteers cheered, yet remained attentive to task and didn't let anyone miss a turn. They warned of lane switches and upcoming turns in plenty of time to adjust pace and course. All I had to think about was running.
Club member Marlin Yoder couldn't run the race as he's still recovering from taking first in his age group at an Ultra (100 miler) a couple weekends ago. But that didn't stop him from cheering us on. Near the end he ran with me for a ways through Gypsy Hill Park -- cheering me on, pushing me to run just a bit harder than I thought I could, reminding me that I was just almost there. And then he said, "I'm going to catch Butch next. . ." Which he did. . .he said it was about as fun to cheer as it is to run the races. Well, I don't know about that, but I DO know that I ran much faster than I thought I could and did this course at 1:33:30. And I think that push and some loud cheers from club members at the end let me reach that time.
SVTC club member Carmin Green was the first female. Jack Marmestein from Rosetta Stone, who often runs with our group during races but isn't a member, was the first male. Butch and I took third in our age groups. Another club member also took third place in her group. So the Club cleaned house again.

Toby: Our New Best Friend

Toby after his jaunt of disobedience. . .
An adventure on Tuesday reminded me of AM and Sam, although in different ways. I remembered how other teens often followed AM home from school. . .and then wanted to stay. And I remembered how animals followed Sam home. . .and then wanted to stay.
Well Butch and I ran down Sunset, as we always do now that's school's in session and the schools' tracks are unavailable. Somewhere along the way, a dog came out and ran with Butch a while. Since I was ahead of Butch at that point, I didn't see his new friend. Butch hollered though, and I looked back and there they were -- trotting along side by side -- Butch and this yellow lab.
Well the dog was enjoying his freedom, got tired of Butch, caught up to me and ran alongside me -- except when he was trail marking and then playing catch-up. A couple times I saw oncoming cars and I hollered, and pointed, and waved my arms to warn them as this dog was just wandering and meandering wherever. Once I thought he was going to get hit, and the oncoming female driver smiled and nodded and mouthed a thanks.
Finally I lost the lab. I thought that maybe he had gone home. I passed a lady getting out of her SUV, and, just in case the lab was still wandering mindlessly, I asked if she'd call someone -- told her I was worried about this yellow lab with no collar wandering down the run unmindful of traffic and all. She said she'd have her gramma call, and I ran on home.
Just a few minutes later, here comes Butch -- with the dog beside him! I called the dog, "Here, Boy! Come here." And I opened the door into my apartment. He seemed most glad to visit and explore a new place. But Butch protested. "He's too big! He's been marking his trail; he'll mess up your apartment."
I agreed with him, but couldn't let the dog just wander off again.
"What else can I do? I'll just keep him till I call the dog officer. I can't let him get hit. I could never live with myself."
"Will he fit in your car?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well then why don't we just take him home?"
"You know where he lives?"
"Well, yeah. . .I saw him come from a house anyway. . .must be his house."
So we put this now slobbering hunk of yellow fur in the back seat of the car that Butch had just thoroughly cleaned for me a couple days ago, and headed down the road. When we got to the house, I said, "You stay with the dog and I'll go see if someone's home."
This dear sweet older lady came out of the house, a house with a tennis court (no kidding!) and all kinds of farm machinery. She looked a bit apprehensive when she came to the door -- me all sweaty and stinky in my running clothes, and still breathing hard.
"This dog followed me home when I was running today. . .all the way to Turner Avenue. I wonder if he might be yours. He's in the car. . ."
She followed me to the car, opened the back door to a now smiling (well that MIGHT be an exageration) dog.
"Oh, Toby," she cooed. "You will have to stay in your pen all afternoon now." And then the lady looked at my car. "Oh dear. He's made a mess of your car," she said.
"Don't worry about it; I'm used to it. The grandchildren make a mess of it, too." And then I asked if she'd call dog control and let them know that the dog on Sunset had found his home, and she said she would. She was so grateful.
Once home, I collected carpet cleaner, rags and water and scrubbed the hair and dog smell out of my car. Ooohhh....the goobers he left on the headrest! Ick! But I know that Toby made it home safe. I smiled to myself as I realized that I had indeed learned a few lessons from my children.

Lost at Lost River

Well, we weren't really "lost" exactly; we WERE on a road going somewhere. And as soon as I saw the sign "leaving Lost River", I knew what we'd done wrong. But had we not gone the wrong way about a mile earlier, we would have missed the horses out on a run and the covered wagon.

You can't tell it from the photo, but these guys, for a spell, were coming at us full gallop and they have no rider! A horse and rider at the front and another at the end of the line made sure they galloped down the road, crossed safely and then tore down one of the nearby trails.

Ryan

Ryan took his first steps last weekend (10/11), but outside on the uneven ground he preferred walking while holding hands.
Ryan studies a leaf. . .and a laugh with his mom.

Ryan's fine motor skills are pretty good for someone just over a year old. . .he could pick up one blade of grass at a time using pointing finger and thumb, and he liked sharing each one he picked.

Lost River Pathfinding

Katy has been attending college near D.C., training to be a nurse. And one or two weekends during the month she has Reserve duty. So she hasn't been attending SVTC runs on Tuesdays, and we haven't seen her for a long time. Photo: Katy with her son, Ryan, on her back and Butch study the map and decide which way, and how far, to go.

Race 42 - 10/11 SVTC "Cleans House" & Dry Bath

Race 42 was the 10K Fall Foliage in Waynesboro, Virginia. Temperatures were in the 70s by the time the race started, so shorts and tee shirt was appropriate. The leaves are starting to turn. Near the halfway point I picked up a racer from North Carolina who originally thought this race was just a 5K. He hoped to finish in 60 minutes. We pushed each other to the finish, he beating me by a few seconds, both of us coming in around 58 minutes. Pace: 9:30.

And I took home my very first trophy! 51 years old and I finally earned one. I got home just in time to throw baby powder on hair and body (AM says the English call this a "dry bath"), and a clean shirt and jeans. Then I left for Woodstock and a Friends of the North Fork River fish fry; the organizers put the event together to raise funds for cleaning up the North Fork of the Shenandoah.

The little girls just beamed when they saw the trophy. I had told them a couple weeks ago how much I'd like to have just one trophy for my shelf. Eliza held it for several minutes on the drive and then Maggie cradled it like a baby, pure joy and pride on her face.

Then at the fish fry, Messie Maggie ground chocolate frosting on my shirt, but she's my granddaughter. . .I got home just as Butch pulled into the driveway for a church dinner with another friend. I yelled, "Clean shirt! I'll be right back!" And I tossed on another shirt and more baby powder -- just in case!!

Did my wet shower after all that ever feel good! I think it felt almost as good as winning that first trophy. But I wasn't the only one bringing home prizes. Butch, club president Rich Ruozzi, Susan Dendinger and George Gillies all won awards as well. I love it when the Club and friends clean house like this.

The Community of Zenda & Long's Chapel

Butch and I took the long way home from Saturday's race, going through Keezletown and the Community of Zenda, near Fridley's Gap and Brethren Woods.

Funds to restore and preserve this chapel are being raised in the valley, thanks to, as I understand it, a black from the south who visited the area and became interested in the history. This chapel was built in 1870 in the Community of Zenda, a community established by former slaves Henry Carter, Milton Grant, William Timbers and Richard Fortune. Each of the four families owned two-acre home plots. William and Hannah Carpenter, and the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, "deeded the land 'here to colored people. . .for. . .a church, burial ground and a school house.'"

The community of Zenda grew to 17 households and 80 people by 1900. And it was here that blacks were finally able to exercise their new rights to worship, marry, attend school, own property and be buried in a marked gravesite.

The school closed in 1925.

That's a tree growing out of the car. . .

There's a farm at the corner of Happy Valley and Mountain Valley roads near Keezletown (along the SVTC Mountain Valle 10 Miler race course) where this car has sat long enough for a good-sized tree to take root and grow inside.

Burtner Farms 6K XC

How's this for a cross country course? The hill along the right side of the pond is nearly straight up, and the entire 6K course, which began behind the school below, was hilly. All but a short spurt of this course was on grass. Thirteen participated; I was the third female overall and brought home a bronze medal. But then there were only three females and I actually came in 12th. Butch beat last year's time on this course by 20 seconds and came in 11th; our club president took 10th. When the race was over, we added a new member, James Fye, to the SVTC club membership roster. Welcome, James!