"Oh My Omaha" Update

Since I made such a big deal out of my trip with the Boyfriend's family this past weekend, I feel obligated to provide an account of the venture.

First of all, I am really glad I went, actually. That doesn't mean I would do it all over again, but I know now how important it was that I was there. Meeting his grandmother, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. was a really good experience. In such tight-knit families everyone feels safe and appreciated, even guests are instantly comfortable. And there was not a single question as to whether we've "set a date," begun reproducing, or any other such prying nonsense. Fortunately for me these were all directed toward the newly-wed couple.

The part I would not do-over is the 8.5 hour car ride book-ending the weekend. First there was the reading aloud from Readers' Digest. Then there was the insistence that I "put on a coat" (while riding in the car b/c the AC was too cold). Then there was the questioning at every stop as to whether I was hungry and instruction to "eat a donut" even after I replied "no thank you," "no, I'm not hungry," "no, I don't want a donut." The one bit of unexpected peace was the separate hotel rooms.

I think it was a learning experience for all of us. Boyfriend learned that not telling me anything about the event ahead of time means that he gets to carry TWO large suitcases in addition to his own. His mom learned that I don't deal well with people before breakfast. His dad learned that I HATE being rushed. I learned to ask more questions before I agree to a family trip. Questions like: "where will I be sleeping?" "with whom will I be sharing a bed?" "What time does the event start and when exactly do we need to leave?" "Is dinner going to be a backyard BBQ or a catered country club meal?" Oh, and questions like, "honey, why in god's name do you think I want to take a road trip with your parents?"

Amazing Race(s)

I've been keeping a fairly busy training and racing schedule this summer. On Saturday, it paid off. I ran a personal best, breaking 2 hours at the Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon. Just two months ago, I ran the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon in 2:13. I think that's a sign that the training is going well.

The real victory is that my race management was almost perfect. Other than the fact that I couldn't find my good shoes on race day, requiring me to don the pair I wore to train for and run my first marathon last spring, I felt well prepared, and ran comfortably the whole way. Averaging a 9:08 pace, I ran at the high end of my Zone 2 (goal heart rate/pace range for a race this distance) to the low end of my Zone 3 the whole race. To me, this demonstrates that I've not only improved in strength and speed since our time trials last month (where zones are determined), but also I've learned some self discipline in my racing. Typically I sprint from the start line and run the first 2-3 miles at top speed, only to burn out by Mile 10. Flanked by two trusty running buddies, Christine and Stacy, we took the first 3 miles easy, averaging a 9:30-10:00/mile pace and let our bodies warm up to the altitude (9,000 ft +) and terrain (rolling hills descending 1,000 ft over the course). We were all amazed at how quickly the miles clicked by and how good we felt, even at mile 8. After mile 9, Christine broke off and picked up the speed (8:00/mile). I kept on her heels to mile 10 then set my own pace the last three miles (8:30/mile) Stacy maintained a solid pace, finishing just at minute behind me. The last tenth of a mile, I pushed hard and finished strong to eke out a sub-two hour race. Jim was lucky enough to find parking and make his way to the finish line just in time to snap a quick photo of me crossing in record time.

Walking around after the race, stretching, eating, drinking, I started to feel the effects of how hard I had just run. That's the sign of a good race, I think, it feels so good during the race, you don't even realize how far and fast you ran until you're done.

While I still love the 26.2 miles of the marathon, the half-marathon could easily become my favorite race. It's long enough to be challenging but short enough to see improvement over a relatively short training period. Also, I never feel completely wiped out after a half while marathons leave me sore for at least a couple days.

This is definitely not the end of the racing season for me. In fact, it's just beginning to get interesting. With a 20-miler next weekend, a 10-miler in three weeks, Imogene Pass in about a month, then the Denver Marathon in October, I have a full schedule. I was hoping to knock off the Boulder (Backroads) Half Marathon in September, but Uncle Sam has other plans for me that weekend.

Also, I ran into a former coach at the race this weekend and he has some exciting training going on too. I may decide to join up with him and his team for the California International Marathon in Sacramento this December. Somehow a year doesn't seem complete with only one marathon on my legs. Since New York didn't work out as I anticipated, I've been searching for a replacement race. Maybe this is the answer?

Oh My Omaha

There's another family-fun weekend planned: the Boyfriend's Grandma's 90th Birthday Party, in Omaha, Nebraska.

After my last "Meet the Family" experience, I am better prepared to field the abundance of inappropriate and uncomfortable questions that are inevitably launched on potential new in-laws. And I think I can more adequately brace myself for the long stories about people I don't know and small talk with people who believe that vegetarianism is a form of Communism. In addition to the eight hour, one-way car ride with his parents to look forward to, there will be more, new extended family members to inquire and speculate on the quality of my uterus, and quiz and observe my domestic abilities.

I know it's all with good intent. They want to make sure their son/grandson/nephew/cousin/brother/step-brother/uncle is happy and has found someone acceptable. What baffles me is that they seem to forget that I too am someone's relative, and a person, no-less, with some plans of my own.

In these moments I come up with many reasons not to go on this adventure: I have to pack and move my apartment; I have a big fundraiser that weekend for AIR; I have to train with my team for one of the many races I have just around the corner; or I just don't want to go. I also know that if his extended family becomes my extended family, my absence will not be easily forgiven, or forgotten. And I know that if he goes without me, there will be an endless barrage of uncomfortable questions he will have to face regarding my absence. If it's going to be uncomfortable for one of us, it might as well be for both of us. That's what it means to be in a relationship, having someone to endure family events with.