Days with the Dorans

  So prior to all the Covid nonsense, I had signed up to run the Detroit Freepress International Half Marathon. When it was cancelled I was given the choice to run it remotely, or defer and be able to run it the next time they race it in person. Since I have no idea what will happen, I decided to run it remote! I was really bummed because I REALLY wanted to run over the bridge, so we found a bridge to run over in our hometown. Not quite the same but it worked. It was a beautiful morning for a run. We ran the airline train and I ran dirt trails and paved. It was relatively flat too. I wasn't sure how I would run it but I did decide to do a Galloway. I had a timer on my watch and I eventually got into a good groove and felt really good. I ran with my friend Dave (a XC running dad/ friend) and his two friends (now my friends). None of us stuck together though- I was second in the pack. One of the husbands was waiting with water at one of our turn-arounds which was so fun. I didn't...

  After my successful half on the treadmill I thought I'd be OK to run a half outside... I knew I was in trouble when I hit mile 5 and was already thirsty. I circled back to home and told Jeff to have some water waiting for me. He did. Then I got to mile 8 and knew I was in trouble again so I called the kids and asked them to bring me water. Thank God for kids who drive and could get there fast! At this point I knew I was in trouble... I wanted to get in the car with them but I thought even if I don't complete this half all running, I can at least cover the distance. And I did~ but dang was it HOT! I walked from mile 8 to mile 12 and then I ran the last 1.1 (slowly, but I ran it). I didn't die. But I wanted to.

So I'm a bit addicted to the Charge Running App- where you run with coaches in your ears and with other runners. With Covid, all in-person races have been canceled but virtual runs are still on. Well, Charge hosted a half marathon. The cool thing about the app is you can do you and you don't have to do the whole thing. I had a friend running it too and I thought, I could maybe do a 10K on the treadmill and that I'd just play it by ear... Well, I felt good by that point and thought I was going to keep going. At ten miles, I knew that I was going to finish. I had water with me and was doing a run/walk and I had a fan. I can't believe it!! This was a PR for me! My watch actually had me faster so I took the treadmill and Charge time which were pretty much the same! So proud of ME! Suck it, Covid! CHARGE ON!

So I had been a nervous wreck leading up the race. I didn't sleep well. My dad said not to run those last couple days and I was carb loading (who thought that this girl would get sick of carbs, but she did). Still I was overwhelmed with the messages, texts, calls, cards and words of encouragement. Even my students knew how big this was! I was able to sneak out a little early from work on Friday and Jeff and I were on the road by four. He was able to get the Littles out of school so I could hug all my babies before I left. They wrote me some messages on my hat and I packed up a PB & J and we were on the road. Despite it being a holiday weekend, it only took us 20 extra minutes to get there (it was NOT a short drive). I was able to get my numbers and shirt. Kyle and Jodie got there late and we went to bed pretty soon after they arrived. I slept AWFUL and in the morning I threw up three times. I felt yucky but wondered if it was nerves. I didn't really have anythin...