100 miles and counting

In May, I heard about the Dirt in Your Skirt 100 Mile Challenge.  The premise of the Challenge was to run/jog/walk 100 miles between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  Since that time frame was three months long and I am putting in miles anyway to keep from being HUGELY overweight, I decided to take the plunge and make the commitment.  Since going it alone can be daunting, I drafted my cousin to participate with me.  She and I have done a few 5K races together and are planning on being in the Disney Princess 10K and Half Marathon in February 2014.  We do a pretty good job keeping each other going when the going can get tough.

Michelle and I at the Color Run earlier in the running season

We started the challenge by participating in the Riverfest Rock and Stroll 5K. In this race, participants are encouraged to dress in costumes showing favorite rock stars.  Michelle dressed as Elvis and I HAD to go as Cyndi Lauper.  After all, girls just wanna have fun.

This pic also shows our running kids - Robby from The Saw, Claire and Sabrina as mini Elvises.

Michelle went home to Missouri, but we still stayed in contact and posted our mileage on the Dirt In Your Skirt Facebook page weekly.  I did feel obligated to keep my mileage up, even when I was tired or it was hot.  Having a partner who challenged me was a definite asset.

It was mid July when I realized I would need new shoes. Bestie had been telling me to get new shoes for weeks.  My old shoes had done several 5K races and trained and run a half marathon and were starting to show the wear and tear of it all.  And, let's just face it, they were developing an odor.  Shoes can only do the whole wet, dry, wet, dry cycle so many times before they become too foul to deal with any longer.  I found these BRIGHT pink shoes and could not resist.  I have gotten more comments on them than I have on any other shoes I have ever owned.

My new shoes.  They don't glow in the dark but they look like they could!

I got to within one mile of finishing the 100 miles and decided I wanted to finish up with Bestie Boy by my side. He had been behind me 100% and cracked jokes all along to keep me motivated and on track. Bestie doesn't run with me because of a bone injury, but he does ride his bike along side me and make smart aleck comments about my pace. It only seemed fitting that Bestie would finish this by my side since Michelle and I would be unable to finish together.

Bestie mixed a celebratory cocktail for us in a thermos and we headed to Knopp Park which overlooks the city.  This was the location where Michelle and I made the commitment to each other that we WOULD finish the Challenge.  I had to hum the Rocky tune as I closed in on the final mile and, yes, I even threw a few Rocky like punches and showed off my muscles.

Check out those guns!

It may not seem like a big deal to have 3 months to cover 100 miles and for the really serious runner it is not a tough challenge.  I am not a 'serious' runner. I will never look like a world class runner with a great stride and a lean body. I run/jog because I have to in order to keep from being 500 pounds and being fit will help me live longer.  The main reason I do races is because I love bling.  I won't break any land speed records and I won't be on the podium at any races, but I WILL finish because I have more stubborness than I have sense sometimes and because I want that finishers medal. Yes, it is a sickness.

When Bestie and I got home from the first football game, lo and behold there was a package for me on the front porch and it contained my first "belt buckle" medal.  It is a beauty.

BLING !!!!  Now I just need a belt with my name on the back......

My cousin, Michelle, finished the Challenge the week after I did and now has her medal too.  We are now looking forward to racing together in Disney World in February as we continue our quest to collect the bling.  Hopefully I can get Bestie to be our paparazzi during the race!  My one man fan club!