Whistlestop Half Marathon Weekend

Well, on October 10th, 2009, Joe, Kelly and I participated in the Whistlestop Half Marathon in Ashland, WI. The morning started off cold, a whole 26 degrees with a wind chill. Seriously, in October it shouldn't be that cold!! Anyways, we jumped in the car, after I scrapped the inch of snow off my car!! It was so cold, I had a hard time really warming up in general. While we were waiting at that start, we stood in the chip shack, with many other runners. Trying to stretch the muscles to get warm wasn't really happening for me. I was freezing. Nothing I did helped to get me warm. Kelly and Joe both looked comfortable, but I wasn't at all. Other than the temperature never making it about 29 degrees that morning, I needed more clothing to put on and I didn't have enough. Plus, I didn't want to wear too much for the run itself, but I should've. I really think part of the reason why I wasn't faster is because I lost/used so much energy waiting trying to get warmer I just didn't have enough for the run itself. Oh well I guess. To top of the waiting, the race ended up starting 10 minutes late. I wasn't really sure what to think of the black ice on the road, but sticking off to the side seemed to be a little easier. After running about 1.5 miles on the road, we took a turn onto the corridor for the majority of the race. It was amazing and gorgeous! At one point on the race track, I was wishing I had a camera with to take a couple of pictures to share with everyone. Anyways, it was a quiet run, but with great spectators, water stations and just in general a great race. Other than having a horrible stitch in my side from .5miles to the end, the run run wasn't bad at all. I only stopped/paused 3 times for water. Way better than how Grandma's went, thats for sure. Then again, there was a 55 degree difference between these two runs!

I am not sure what Kelly's time was, but she finished before the two of us. I finished, with a personal record, of 2hour 24 minutes. Unfortunately for myself, I had been training at a 10minute/mile pace, however, during this run, I think the cold took a toll on me and I wasn't able to maintain the pace I was looking for. Oh well, right? It just means I'll have to run it again next year! And surprisingly, Joe finished at 2hour 26 minutes! At one point, Joe was running ahead of me which caught me off guard considering he was training at a 12 1/2 minute pace. So him running up with me was a surprise, but good shock! He did great though, and I am terribly proud of him!!

Here is Joe, just after he crossed the finish line! All smiles! He looked great! Although, a couple of hours later were a different story. He was really sore, but didn't want to admitt it. But that didn't matter, he completed his first 1/2 marathon!!

Here is a picture of Scott Raaflaub (Joe's friend from high school, a great guy,) Joe, myself, and Kelly all with our medals we earned. Did I mention it was cold out there! After our run, we all had hats, and layers of clothing on to warm us up again!!

Kelly and myself!

After the race, we went back to my parent house and had lunch with Kelly and her mom, then relaxed for the afternoon. The only discomfort I had from the race was from my SI joint, due to the uneven groud on the corridor you experienced at times. A little bit of IT band discomfort, but nothing else. Way better than how I felt after Grandma's thats for sure. As for Joe, he's still waddling around a little, but getting better every day.

On Sunday, we stayed and watched a movie with my parents, placed Phase 10 (it's a card game) and then headed home. On our way back to Superior, we stopped at a local farm that had pumpkins for sale. It was fun! Both Joe and I picked out our own little pumpkins, and one big one for carving soon enough. Here's me, picking out our big pumpkin for carving! There were so many options, it was hard to chose! But, honestly, it was fun. I love spending time with Joe. We have so much fun and get to act like children some times.

Turning 30...Isn't Bad at All!

To my surprise, my 30th birthday was wonderful, and nothing that I would have expected! It all started on Thursday, the 10th, at work. Joe brought in a huge, delicious cake from an amazing baker,"How Sweet It Is" (no, sorry, not my Grandpa, there are other people too) and 30 roses with a beautiful card. I had no idea, he was going to do something like that, but it was great! Everyone at work enjoyed at piece as we ate lunch and discussed my plans for my birthday. As I told everyone, I had none! None other than have a spa treatment, then going to dinner with Joe and my parents! That's what I thought was going to happen!

Well, on Friday I woke up to Nurse On-line calling me back from my call the night before about my ear. So I had to go in to see the doctor, but I had to go to Urgent Care because they had no normal openings....so I sat there for two hours to find out what I already knew, yep, it was an ear infection. But the best part was this time I got an antibiotic!!! YEAH ME! After that, I headed back across the bridge to Trends Salon and Spa which I had sent up an appointment for me to have a spa treatment for my birthday. I figured since no one was doing anything for me and Joe didn't take the day off like he said he was, that I knew of, I'd treat myself to a day of bliss. Upon my arrival, the girl at the front desk said, "You don't have to worry, this was already paid for." I looked at her and I got a huge grin on my face. I knew it, Joe came in and paid for it for me!! He insisted that he didn't, but I knew it was him! So, I spent three hours receiving a body wrap of chocolate rub, a facial, a glow treatment, and then a great pedicure. Oooo, don't forget the wine that was served as well! After that, I headed home, just in time for Joe to get there and spent some time together.

After awhile, my parents showed up, and we talked about where we'd be going to dinner. Mom suggested Ace's and I didn't oppose, they have fairly good food. But for some reason, we weren't going until 6:30 so we could meet Joe's parents there as well. Well, we were sitting on the couch, waiting, and waiting, and finally, at 6:20, she said we should go....weird. I would've left before, so we could get there and have a drink or two before others got there, but no, we had to wait. As we parked, I looked around the lot and I couldn't see Donna's car....weird. Joe said, "It's right over there," and just kept walking into the bar/grill. As I walked in, I looked to my right where there's a conference room and Suzanne and Andy caught my eye, but I didn't think anything of that. As I walked around toward the door, I looked in to find family and friends all yelling Happy Birthday to me. Joe had thrown me a surprised birthday party!!! I was so shocked and surprised, I didn't know how he kept it from me. Usually when I whine enough, (and let me tell you I had been whining alot that past week because we weren't going to be doing anything for my birthday) he'd give in and tell me what's up. But this time he didn't!!

It was great. My parents, Joe's parents, my aunt and cousin and her husband from Washburn drove up, my Uncle Jim and his friend Julie from Ashland drove up, and Joe's Uncle Le and Michelle from St. Cloud came up, as well as Andy and Suzanne, Seth and Traci, Krissy (Zach's girlfriend, but Zach couldn't make it cause he had drill), Amber and Mike, The Banker's, Kay (Donna's golfing partner), and Josh....man there are more that I may be forgetting, and I'm sorry if I do, it is not intentional!!! But the man of the hour, other than me, of course is Joe.
All smiling and happy he pulled off this great thing!! Of course, I threw out the idea of shots, and he was right on top of that!! Scooby Snacks and Sambucca for the men! And then, of course, you can't have a party without presents. People got me gifts, which I would never have asked for but are greatly appreciated.

Liquor, of course was present. Don't forget the Amaretto!! Yummy!

And the funny gift of the evening was from my cousin, Sara, whom I grew up with. Some might not understand, but I know, and Sara, this made me smile from ear to ear.

Thank you dear!

The best gift of the evening I thought was the whole party Joe was able to throw. But I was wrong. Joe had one more card for me. As I read it, I started to tear up. He usually doesn't get senimental cards....when I looked inside, there was a Northwest Airline voucher for $300. He had hoped to book a flight for me to go out see Amy in Arizona, but things just didn't work out. So instead, he got the voucher for me to choice when I want to go. I started crying, of course. I guess I never thought of him being so thoughtful and loving. Sometimes he doesn't show it, then others, like this, it just pours out. All in all, this was a wonderful birthday, and I have to say thank you to Joe and to the parents for helping plan this day. It was great! Thank you everyone! And a special thanks to my husband, I love you dearly, Joe! See, turning 30 isn't bad at all!

Just Keep Running!

Say congratulations as Joe (and myself) completed his first 5.1k road race last night! It was held in Duluth at the Mount Olive church, called The Festival 5.1K. It was fun, but must I say a little tasking for your first race: the majority of the course was up hill! Joe's friend informed him of this race, saying it would be a good beginning run, but little did he know the actually race course until the day before. All in all, he finished, alittle out of breathe, but made it through. He keeps complaining, saying he didn't do well, but I am very proud of him for sticking with it and completing it. It was fun to actually say we did something together, sportwise of course! As for myself, I am sorta happy with my finish. I stuck to my 10 minute mile pace, slow but steady and that's all that matters. As you all know already, we don't have that runners body, but making the effort toward running and getting exercise is all that matters! So hopefully we'll get out more and do more local races. It's something fun to do and you're giving back to the community while getting exercise! Only two more months till the big race in October!

Changes in the Martin Household

There really isn't much going on these days in the Martin household these days. Which is a good thing, right? Joe is still working full time at Advanstar and part time at Starbucks, and I'm still full time at the hospital.....but I'm loving it to wits end! *S* (Bet you never thought I'd say something like that, right? Ok, I should clear this up......I love what I am doing, absolutely love it! But I hate the politics behind what is going on. I know there is always going to be politics with things, but at some time you just get to the point of not wanting to have to deal with it anymore, know what I mean? Oh well.)

Other than my hours and schedule being changed at work, I am not back to working 8 hour days verses the 10 hour days I had been doing for 2 1/2 years. This, of course, was not my choice to change. It came from above, unfortunately I am not a big fan of the switch, but trying to deal with it. So, ultimately, I am getting a little bored of things. So I've picked up more running, now running between 4 to 5 miles each run. And, I've actually had the opportunity to run with Joe! Well, sorta! I finish before him, but we do start together, which is good for him. I'm so proud of him, keeping up on the running even though it isn't something he really likes. But having a goal in mind has kept him trucking forward. In the next couple of weeks, both of us are going to be running a 5k, this'll be Joe's first running race! I'll keep you posted as to our results.

So if anyone has any ideas for easy, part-time or at home jobs, please send them my way! Wish us luck, more Joe than myself, for the up coming community race we'll be taking part in soon! Hope everyone is doing well! Thanks for keeping up on us!

Next on the Agenda

Finishing Grandma's was an accomplishment for me; however, I did not finish at the time where I wanted to, so I've continued training and pushing myself more. In my mind, move on to bigger and better things, right? Yep, another half marathon in October, The Whistlestop, which is held in Ashland. A close to home race, along the corridor starting in Iron River for the full and 1/2 way from there finishing in downtown Ashland. I've heard great things about this race and how most people get a PR running this race, something I'm hoping to achieve. Two other great things to go along with it is Joe, my husband, and Kelly are both going to run! Joe has this idea in his mind that he do it, and more props to him, who doesn't run for anything! He has a great mindset though: he has 6 hours to finish. Either way, if he doesn't run the whole thing, he can still walk! As for myself, I was not too happy with my finish during Grandma's so I figure I need to challenge myself one more time. The heat really took a toll on me, so hopefully a race in October I won't have to contend with the heat again! I'd rather run when it's cold any day!

Anyways, The Whistlestop is October 10th, and I am looking forward to finishing another race where I grew up. Who knew I'd grow to actually enjoying running? Sure not me! So I'm glad I've found something to keep me busy and healthy. I can honestly say this is the healthiest I've been in a years, and not only can I tell the difference, but I can see it in my work. It's a good feeling to be awake and healthy and traveling down that road is better than sitting around and watching my life pass me by, right?! So, wish Joe, Kelly and I luck in our training and on finishing the race!