Sunday, September 19, 2010

A Trifle 18 Miler

I got the sweetest comment today on my blog:

anoncomment 

Other trifles? That made me laugh. What is a trifle anyway? I thought it was a cake layered with fruit and cream in a pretty see-through dish. I am racking my brain, but I can’t recall ever writing about that kind of dessert. I guess I’m too busy yapping incessantly to remember. Oh, I get it. Trifle = trivial. Yup, that’s me.

I run almost everyday and at any given time am training for a marathon. I’m committed and I get it done. This blog could be a boring report of miles ran and paces. Or a blank screen if all I did was shut up. I like to mix it up.

Always remember: you have a choice to visit and read this blog or not. If it makes you miserable and annoyed, you’re just a mouse click away from freedom (although my response to him/her in my comments section wasn’t quite so nice).

The run:

Getting honest here, I was so not in the mood for today’s long run: 18 miles (actually ended up being 18.75, but who’s counting?). I woke up to dense fog and 40 degrees. In truth, the weather didn’t matter. I was simply in a tough spot mentally. “Mind over matter,” I thought as I munched on half a cinnamon bagel.  “It is irrelevant that you don't want to go. Get your ass out there.” Out the door I went and was greeted with this (pics from my phone, so not the best):

foggy1

I literally could not see more than a quarter of mile ahead of me.  The only upside of this was that I knew if I had a toilet emergency I could pretty much squat in the road and no one would see me. I haven't run in this thick of fog before and what creeped me out was that I had no sense of distance and landmarks. I have run on this road too many times to count, but I felt totally discombobulated.

After about 5 miles the sun was trying desperately to make an appearance and things started to break up a bit:

foggy2

It was extremely beautiful watching the fog intermix with the sun and the landscape. Finally, around the half way mark (9.4 miles) , I actually had a shadow!

foggy3

foggy4

At halfway, I stopped at my friend Joie’s house to refuel and pee. Her eight year old always asks, “What are we? A gas station?”

As a side note, last night I was pretty worried about how my colon would hold up on today’s run. We had dinner with friends and my intake was scary:

# of margaritas: 1
# of glasses of Pinot Grigio: 1.5
# of pieces of bread dipped in Swiss cheese fondue: 10
# of chips dipped in guacamole: too many to count
# of crackers with goat cheese: 2
# of cheeseburgers: .5 (that’s point five, not five)
# of fingerling potatoes: 5 or so
# of pieces of key lime cheesecake: 1

This list is a nightmare for my intestines. And I knew that. With every delicious bite I was imagining how crappy my long run would be. Literally CRAP-PEE. I would only have myself to blame. It was a risk I was willing to take.

But, guess, what? The turd gods were smiling upon me. I had absolutely no #2 issues on this run. None. Go figure. I don’t think I farted even once.

In fact, this was a pretty unremarkable run in all aspects.

18.75 miles in 2:45 (8:49 min/mile pace).

I stopped at the one and two hour marks to take a gel. With stops I was out there about three hours.

That makes 42 miles for the week.

I will give a big hug to the other anonymous person who write this in response to today’s post: “Sometimes our lives get foggy and discombobulated, but eventually we see that the road has been there all along—faithfully waiting for our return.”

Dammit, I should have thought of that. Such a great analogy and a beautiful summation of life’s peaks and valleys. Thank you.

I’m going to cease my incessant yapping now and go find something trifle to eat.

Don’t forget my headband giveaway. Hey anonymous! Have you entered yet? Maybe a new headband would make you less cranky.

69 comments:

  1. well i am not the most traditional runner out there so i think your pre-lr dinner was perfect for setting up a great lr. seriously. it's always when i do everything "right" that nothing does, in fact, go right.

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  2. hilarious about your anonymous messager.....loving that you called them out. :) I had someone do that to me, so silly.

    Congrats on your run and not having any #2 issues. Always a relief when you don't have tummy issues.

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  3. I am thinking you might want to stick with that menu list from last night on the eve of your future long runs! Yum, yum and celebrate happy intestines! :-)

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  4. The perspective is Shut Up and Run, then come back and yap at us because we want to know. Love your blog and all the gastrointestinal honesty. Take care!

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  5. aaahh the joys of anonymity. I guess it might be fun to go be a dick to random bloggers.

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  6. If all you did was really shut up and run then this blog would be pretty damn boring. Of course the person had to be anonymous. Keep yapping away please because I love reading. To be honest I am kind of bummed your run didn't involve any poop stories today, that's why I keep reading:)

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  7. Why I love your blog:

    1. crappy = crap-pee

    2. vocabulary imagination lessons: I don't know what trifle is either, but i'm pretty sure it can also be used as an expletive verb; as in: "Hey all you other anonymous posters, go t&*@l!# yourself!!!"

    3. Your beautiful pics and running accounts. I had a 17 miler scheduled for today, but was in a car wreck Friday night and, needless to say, the run didn't happen this morning. (my right knee isn't happy, but i'm otherwise fine... the car, however, had a ghastly death.) I haven't been able to do much for the past two days except fret over my training schedule and how long this rest/recovery phase is going to last. For some reason your post has been incredibly calming this afternoon. Sometimes our lives get foggy and discombobulated, but eventually we see that the road has been there all along—faithfully waiting for our return.

    Thanks.

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  8. Gah people are mean!!! I am amused at "yapping incessantly" about headbands and other trifles. This is the first time I've read about headbands in one of your posts, and no, I don't recall a post about trifles either.

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  9. Yay! Nice run and beautiful photos.I love reading your blog. It makes me laugh every time.
    LOL @ crap-pee

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  10. Trifles? Who invited the Renaissance Fair troll?

    That guy probably spends his fall weekends dressed up like a court jester, serving overcooked turkey legs to 7 year olds so don't feel too badly.

    As the great philosopher Eric Cartman once said when he thought he was a Vietnamese prostitute, "Whateva! Whateva! It's my hot body. I do what I want!"

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  11. Haha, I think you found your new pre-race meal?? And holy smokes, you are getting speedy :).

    I fully don't understand why people have to be mean - if you don't like what you're reading, then don't waste time reading it. Envy would be the word I'd use to describe that anonymous blogger!

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  12. OMG Kung Pow you kill me. Renassance Fair troll. That is one of the funniest things I have read in awhile.

    And Jill - thanks so much for the kind comment. I don't get it either.

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  13. I'm miserable and annoyed today without reading your blog...but a trifle sounds pretty good!
    Only .5 of a cheeseburger?

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  14. Ha, ha Renassance Fair Troll. I think that should be our term for all mean, spiteful and cranky "anonymous" peeps that leave toxic, negative messages. I do love the way you handled the situation, HoNesT, as always! Great run today, by the way, we ran in the fog, too. Kind of drippy but great for running(and pooping in public).

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  15. I say, continue to yap incessantly. My blog-reading is often a highlight of my day.

    And, uh, unless "trifles" refers to your bowel movements, I'm clueless.

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  16. Oh Girl, I'm so happy you started out slamming the jerk for his comment. I bet he will crap his pants when he reads your post. Like I always tell people about my Facebook page, if you don't like what I post, QUIT looking at my profile! I LOVE your blog...even though I'm a new runner and struggle to pound out 3 miles, I love your motivation!

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  17. Aren't all blogs sort of "trifle", really?

    I love seeing pictures of your run. You have truly remarkable scenery.

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  18. Trifles must be the fuel we all need to get through the tough runs ;) Way to get out there - we DROVE through that yesterday on our way up to Estes Park, ridiculous. What was amazing? Literally driving *above* the fog on the road, into Clear, blue, gorgeous skies.

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  19. Don't listen to that douche. They obviously don't know how much your rambling brightens my day!

    I bought an apple cinnamon hammer gel because of you today. I'm also drinking wine, but that's for me!!!

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  20. I love reading your blog (although I don't always comment) because you motivate me to get my shoes on and get out the door. Even if you blog about headbands and dessert :o)

    Now I want some cake...

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  21. I love reading your blog no matter what you write about.
    I am newbie runner at age 50.I am in that now or never mode and you keep me inspired.

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  22. I'll never understand anonymous commenters and their rude comments. Talk about a cowardly way to act.

    Love the 8 year old's comment about being a gas station... gotta love the honest perspective of a child, I guess!

    Well done on the 18!

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  23. oh my god it made my stomach hurt just to READ about your dinner... the turd gods left you alone cause they were with me on my 14-miler this morning...

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  24. I like your yapping! I hope that trifle you ate after the post was delicious.

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  25. Personally I think anonymous commenters should be outlawed. grow a backbone folks and stand behind your words!

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  26. Oh my lord! I had to laugh at that. I don't many comments at all and I certaintly have never had an 'annoymous' one like that!

    Well you actually popped into my head today during my race. I was thinking about craptastic I was feeling and I swear I heard "just shut up and run!" and it made me smile.

    Great job on your 18 (although I would have rounded to 19 hee hee). That is one PITA distance and a nemisis of mine when marathon training. Cool photos too.

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  27. You make me laugh so hard! Good for you answering back to anonymous.

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  28. You are amazing. Your attitude is inspiring!! Thanks for making my day!

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  29. Man, you can really eat! Wow, where does all that food fit?
    Boo to the bloggie haters!

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  30. I don't think I've ever commented before but I have been reading your "incessant yapping" for some time now and I really enjoy it! Keep yapping away...I love it!

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  31. I get so annoyed when people don't have the balls to say who they are. If you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all!!!

    Great job on the run, i LOVE the pictures!! SO jealous of your running hood!!

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  32. LOL! I totally love your blog and it always makes me laugh. And this post was hilarious!

    I get so annoyed when people use the wrong words and misspellings, but when they are doing that WHILE trying to publicly insult somebody? It makes that person a joke!

    Glad to see your run turned out well after all that fog :)

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  33. i can't imagine a blog where you don't write anything. I appreciate your point of view, and your candor. Keep it up. Did he mean Tribble? like on star trek? Do you have tribbles?

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  34. Your blog rocks; I love your enthusiasm, your sense of humor and your hilarious stories - keep on keeping on!

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  35. oh my goodness!!! Your posts always make me laugh! lol... anonymous #1 is just very very tired and probably had a crappy long run! ;)
    and crappy = Crap + pee... seriously?! haha, only on your blog ;) And I love that saying that anonymous #2 left! Very true! :D Keep posting about trifles!! I love reading about them ;)

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  36. Glad you had a run that was easy on the colon. I didn't - for the first time ever. I'm now "hard core"; well, maybe it's soft core.

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  37. Wow..that fog is so cool, but it probably would have freaked me out a little to run in it. Yay for not having any GI issues on your run! :)

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  38. Hi! sorta off topic, but I just had to say I thought of you two times this weekend:
    1. I had my first real 'potty' moment on my ~10 mile run. In the past those moments just pass. Well, it ALL passed through me (and then some) on sat! It was my first official potty run experience. oy

    2. I lost 2 'followers' this wknd, and i remembered ~1 mo ago you wrote how you lost 3 in one wknd and were sad about it. at the time i sorta couldn't understand (given you had ~500)..but i now get it.;-)

    now..i'm off to enter your band giveaway...

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  39. Please don't ever just shut up and run. Your blog is truly inspiring and one so many of us look forward to reading. As someone just getting back into running, it's refreshing to know that hard work does pay off. And that even someone as experienced as you has issues along the trails, yet you're able to keep going one foot in front of the other to get the job done. Make me want to go that little bit extra even when the body doesn't think it can go one more step.

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  40. Gotta love people that talk crap anonymously; bunch of pansies. They are known as E-Thugs. This picture pretty much sums these people up: http://media.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/183524/693830.jpg
    hehehe :D

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  41. I love the yapping. Yap some more.

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  42. I love your blog and since I am new to running and (based on some advice I saw somwhere) surrounding myself with all things running, your blog makes me laugh most days. Also makes me realize I am not necessarily going to h**l for peeing behind my own church on a long run. Your yapping is inpsiration for me, so YAP AWAY!

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  43. trifle away...you make me laugh everytime....

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  44. Anon commenters crack me up. Why do they take the time/read?

    So happy the run ended up going well. I have run in the fog like that and think it's scary!

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  45. "Anonymous" is a coward and can shove it up his trifle....


    Anyway... AWESOME 18++ miler. Good for you getting out there and gettin' it done when you were NOT in the mood. And yay for now #2 issues!! What a treat.

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  46. Isn't it weird how one mean anonymous comment sticks with you longer than a hundred good ones? There's someone who reads my blog that seems to loathe me and everything I do, yet continues to read it (and I've become good at selective comment deleting).

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  47. I had no idea we had the option of reading this blog or not. Where does it say that? Must have been mixed in with all the other minutiae.

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  48. I'm a newbie runner and I just want to tell you how much a LOVE your blog. (And that guy--notice I'm assuming it's a guy--is just a jerk and needs to put people more amazing than him down to feel okay about himself. Just saying...) I thought I was the only woman/runner out there with stomach issues, and I'm SO relieved to know I'm not alone! So, please, ignore that guy and keep doing what you're doing. Sometimes knowing you are out there running (or crapping) is the only thing that gets me out the door! Thanks a million!!

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  49. I never understand anonymous rude comments. Obviously they wouldn't say that to your face, or they would have put their name to it. And if they dislike your blog why don't they just stop reading it? :) Funny stuff!

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  50. when's the dessert give-away?

    I'd stand in line for that ... it sounds delicious

    -Anonymous

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  51. Quoted fro the movie Means Girls (hilarious movie): "Dont let the hata's stop you from doin' yo thaaang". True story. We all love your blog and it's a must-read every morning for me :) Please, keep writing about trifles and poop and running. Also, BALLER job on the 18 miler!

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  52. I have GOT to start reading the comments! I am missing all the action!

    Glad to hear your 18+ miler was a non-crappy one.

    I love running in fog! I don't like to see the end...or how far I have yet to go!

    # road side pees in the fog - countless!

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  53. Based on those good eats the night before, are you changing your nutritional strategy for "clean" running?

    Love that you used discombobulated. I've wondered about using that word but then get all discombobulated when it comes to writing it. It just never looks like it's spelled right.

    Great run! Be careful on those foggy mornings. It gives the drivers an excuse to hit you.

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  54. Yeah, I want to read more stuff about truffles too!

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  55. mmmmm...great! now I'm hungry!....Thanks Anonymous...

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  56. Your pre-race meal is about as crazy as mine: I always eat Indian food the night before! I know, shocker! But the protein and carbs mix well together and have a nice flavor ;)

    Lately I have been getting really, really weird annoymous comments - leaving weird LONG stories I even blush at (and that says a lot!) I would gladly take that one!
    Nice job on the run!!!

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  57. This is a very inspiring story to read, thanks for sharing more good thoughts. Nice blog too.

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  58. Personally, I think fog = awesome. And you may be jealous of my wins, but I'm jealous of your 18 milers!

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  59. Anon sure does use big words. Trifle!? Aren't those the things that cost 800/pound and taste good shaved on french fries?

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