5.22.2013

Movin' Blackjack Tables (A Running Metaphor)

Oh, how I miss Vegas.  It's been nearly seven years since my last visit (um, since children happened), I was actually a few weeks pregnant with my first at the time.  Prior to that trip, I used to go at least once (mostly twice) a year, beginning with my 21st birthday.  



I searched high and low for a good picture from nearly 18 years ago, and all I have are pictures of The Eiffel Tower! The Luxor!  All things that are no longer So Exciting!  But, that is indeed me standing in front of what used to be the entrance to MGM Grand.  Looks a bit different now.  Speaking of looking different, here's a picture from the air on that trip:


pretty sparse
And the pool at the Hard Rock, back during the time of my Bachelorette, looked like this:



Back in 2002, you could actually SWIM in the pool!  Anywaaaaay....  I have a major tendency to go on a tangent when talking about Vegas.  All of this to say that, despite my undying love for sin city, I'm not a huge gambler.  No, I love it for Circque du Soleil, the clubs, the energy, the vast pools with chairs equipped with flags to signal waitresses, and most of all - the food.  However, I learned the basics of blackjack over the years: to split aces, when to double down, and, most importantly, when to leave the table.  

I feel like that's where I'm at with all this half marathon business: I've been sitting at the same table for too long.  Obviously, I want to still be in the (running) game; it's what makes me happy and sane.  But, when you've been dealt a few crappy hands in a row, you really should move to a different table.  And it's haaaaard to switch up when you're all bellied up with your buddies and your "free" drinks.  Same goes with the 13.1 distance, it's where the par-tay is at and definitely where the best meet ups are happening.  Sure there are lots of 5Ks and fun runs that lure folks in, but they don't have the same gravitas with runners as the marathon and half marathon.  

Alas, some of the best decisions of my life have been to take a completely different road and go my own way.  I'd certainly love some 13.1 defectors, so let me know if you want to join me at the 10K table.  I think that's where I'm going to focus my efforts for awhile.  I've said before that it's a distance that scares me, since I only have two race gears: one being OMG I'm going to hurl 5K pace and the other being my steady effort 13.1 pace.  I'm going to follow a 10K plan that will help me with getting over the fear of the distance and hopefully get my speed back, maybe even a shiny new PR.  Now I just have to find a race...  Hmmm, anyone know of a good 10K at the end of June?  Early July?

I'm also playing a little roulette and, not only am I so excited to do my first Ragnar with my fabulous teammates, but I'm trying my hand at a trail race this weekend - yay!  My first trail race!  Anyone running Soaring Eagle?  I'm doing the 5 mile run to get my feet wet (maybe literally) and I hope do another before the end of the year.

By the time I've explored some new ventures, I'm sure I'll want to say hi to my friends at the half marathon table again (or, yes, maybe one day the marathon) next year.  Here's hoping I'll be a bit speedier and, most importantly, re-energized about the distance.

8 comments:

  1. The Lake Union 10K is in August, it is a pretty flat course, very PR friendly! http://www.lakeunion10k.com

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    1. I'd love to do that one! BUT, we'll be on vacay then/I'm taking some downtime for a few weeks after Ragnar :)

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  2. Have you checked out gametiime.com for looking at upcoming races? That website is my weakness, I constantly find races I want to run. It lists all the races that are being held in WA, all distances listed out for you to puruse.

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    1. of COURSE I looked at Gametiime! Zip for the time of year I'm looking at. There's one on the 4th of July through the Everett Y I might do - the yankee doodle dash...

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  3. I just raced a 10k for the first time in 3 years... thought I was going to hurl. Miserable! More power to you, lady! Maybe if you're nice I'll show you the horrifically embarrassing pictures...

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    1. haha, you KNOW I'm gonna want to see those ;)

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  4. I'm doing the sound to narrows 12K in Tacoma in June. Not quite a 10K but close enough..right?

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  5. I've never been to Vegas but I LOVE the analogy! I tried the trail table last year and really enjoyed the low-keyness of it all. I'm trying my hand at it again this fall.

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