Another Last Place Finish in July

A grilled cheese sandwich during a race is always yummy...although this one at the Race Around the Lake Marathon was not a race sanctioned aid station but was a church fundraiser. But regardless it was tasty!

Enjoying the lake while partaking in a yummy coconut smoothie from Gingerbread construction company (good smoothie, great muffins!!) In fact for this picture what you cannot see is that I was sitting on a bench appreciating a small break from running (yeah, that's what I'll call it even though I was "running" 20 minute miles at best!)

"I'm in a race, can you call me later?" (these are words you'll never hear me say). In fact I was calling people left and right. Although no one was home or else they were screening their calls at 7 a.m. Saturday morning!

I think I need to upgrade my friends and family. If I need to phone a friend during a race, they should be available!!

Here I am sizing up my competition, a very cute golden retriever puppy. I think I could beat him in a marathon, but he abruptly quit after about 100 meters.

During the race I wanted to check my google e-mail (in case some sponsor decided to offer me some big bucks for my inspiring performance!). I also needed to check in online so I could get a good seat on my return Southwest flight (nothing but A's in boarding group is my philosophy). And of course I like to keep on top of the news:-)

Notice that my new laptop matches my running outfit. I think I will start running with Pinky because she would be a really cool accessory to go with my lei, sparkeley fanny pack and lucky mountain goat: Jim Baaaah--n (thanks Glaven!)

July has not been a stellar month in terms of athletic performance. Although it started off well since July 4th I ran a 5 km fun run with my friend Flo and we did not come in last. Since then my placement has dropped precipitously with:

1) Last place female at Vermont 100 miler (how did this happen??? after Umstead 100 in 2007 I vowed never to come in last place and suddenly I recapture the pathetic-ness of my youth).

But apparently last place female was not a low enough bar for me...

2) Last place overall at the Race Around the Lake Marathon!!! was my next event. (Even if I had skipped my shower, sleep, blogging, e-mailing, muffin-buying and eating, I still would have come in last as my main competition for last finished in just over 7 hours! Excluding my tasks and sleeping would have simply altered my time from ~14 hours to ~8 hours).

I had been hoping there was a glitch and someone unexpectedly finished after me but now the official results are posted showing me as the last finisher.

I am optimistic August will bring me improved placement; however, considering I was 2nd to last in the IronGirl Triathlon last year and I have been last in 50 km races before, I am not convinced I will do much better.

My IronGirl Triathlon poor performance I blame on my waterproof camera (which totally wasn't pulling it's own weight), my ~20 minute transition time (excuse me for wanting fastidiously clean feet) and my general awful swimming and biking capabilities (throw in bad running and how I came in second to last is easily understandable!)

Maybe I need a new strategy. Or maybe I just need to embrace my pathetic-ness. Or maybe I need to take the advice of one of my bloggy friends, Joy who suggested to her kids "You're a winner for even finishing". Yeah, that sounds right!