Run Blue, Run!

…er, maybe that should be lurch, shuffle, stagger, stumble, teeter, totter, waver, wobble, creep, scoot, skip, hop, gallop, and limp, Blue. Still, I’m going with Run.

So I flew out Saturday afternoon and The Jonnie greeted me like some domestic diva with enough food to feed a small village. Lasagna, angle hair pasta with sauce made fresh from the tomatoes in her garden, steamed vegetables, a salad with about 67 ingredients in it, garlic seasoned bagels, baguette. It was truly a feast. I could hardly dent it.

After a restless nights’ sleep, in which I dreamed that during the race I realized I’d forgotten my running shoes as well as my bib, I woke up tired, but looking forward to the moment I’ve been preparing so many months for. We got to the venue, parked, and made our way to the corals.

I should comment here that I had very high hopes. After giving my knee a rest all week, I figured I’d at least get a few miles in before the ITB Syndrome caught up with me and forced me to walk a bit. I guessed at worst, I’d only be able to run about 3 or 4 miles, with secret hopes that it’d be more along the lines of at least 8. That is what I was realistically hoping for. My fantasy was that I’d be able to run the entire 13.1 miles without any kind of serious injury or pain.

But apparently it wasn’t meant to be. We started out in the crush of over eighteen thousand runners, which The Jonnie referred to as “being in a mosh pit”, just walking along till things started to thin out a bit. Before we’d even reached mile 1, I noticed there was some discomfort on the outside of my right knee. I enjoyed another mile or so of complete denial…thinking that it was just warming up and would go away. But by the 3^rd mile, I had a sinking feeling that this too, wasn’t going to pass. I prayed a lot in my head this whole time, hoping for a miracle. I was limping along hoping there’d be a first aid station soon, but by the mile 5 water station the pain was pretty acute with no first aid in sight. I asked them if there was anywhere I could get some Advil, and a lovely volunteer named Tiffany working the water table gave me some from her personal cache…which I was very very grateful for. It probably enabled me to carry on.

Mile 9 was where we encountered the First Aid station. They taped my leg up…which also made a slight difference in the pain, and I limped along our merry way, inspired by the drugs and knee tape and the gorgeous ocean, birds, and other runners to skedaddle as fast as my little knee would let me. 10, 11, 12 and all too soon, 13 miles passed. I couldn’t believe how fast the whole thing went! Factoring in potty breaks, medical stops and water stops, and considering the pain I felt with every step, I didn’t fare too badly. We crossed the finish line when the official clock said 3:06. So I walkedskippedgallopedhobbledlimpedandbumbled my way over 13 miles in less than 3 hours. Physically I felt great. My lungs and heart could have gone another 13, but my knee is protesting with every step now.

The weather must have been special ordered, because it was simply perfect. No clouds, no wind, cool temps, and the sun low on the horizon. The Long Beach Marathon has to be one of the prettiest races anywhere. It starts out downtown on the shore, takes you up and around the Queen Mary, and wraps back around Shoreline Village, then down the coast along the beach. The split for the half/whole marathon takes the 26.2 runners over to the Cal State Long Beach campus, and then back to the finish line on the shore where we started.

It was so exhilarating to be there! I kept feeling amazed with how many people were behind us…even people who seemed to be running. I tried my best to speed walk and scurry as fast as I could manage so that The Jonnie could at least jog slowly. I know it’s kind of a strain to reign in when your body really wants to go faster. But she never once complained about my injury or pitiful speed. She stayed with me the entire time, and it was a joy to experience my first race with her by my side.

I was frustrated by my inability to run…I mean, really disappointed. I’d love to be in a race someday where I could actually go! It was inspiring to be there with so many people from every walk of life. And I confess, I got choked up by the event just like I do when I watch races. I’m not sure exactly why, but it just does something to me to see so many people running. Thank goodness for sunglasses!

Indeed!

I found this mug a couple months back at my favorite thrift store. The kids and I were updating their wardrobes for the new school year when we stumbled upon this mug...which you can see isn't exactly upright.


They of course INSISTED that I get it.

"You're almost forty mommy!" Gator sweetly reminded me. "You HAVE to get it!"

So now every day I drink my water from this little number. I drink my water before I go on my run, and I drink more when I get back.

Despite the claims of this mug, I have spent most of the last few months trying to become a person who exercises regularly. The assumption that slim people are fit people is made far too often...and in my case it couldn't have been further from the truth. I wasn't fit. I couldn't keep up on a walk with the grannies in my neighborhood when we moved here. If I tried to run, I had a stitch in my side and felt short of breath after just one block. And I had a bad attitude about exercise, too. Not about it's importance, just about me doing any of it.

But I've pressed on...with help from a number of other people, and a few bloggers, too, who've encouraged me to hang in there. And guess what? Slowly, oh so slowly, I'm finding that I'm getting physically fit. Nothing has really changed in terms of my shape. But my lungs are definitely improved, my heart stronger. I have run for over an hour without them stopping me. My main issues now are A) joints and B) stress fractures.

I didn't have any problems until a few weeks ago. I'd been pretty good about going on my run 3-4 times a week for several months, when I somehow developed a stress fracture in my toe. This snagged me for a week, till I found a gym nearby that I could join for $100 a year. It was a worthwhile enough cause that I coughed it up and started using the elliptical and stair machines there to allow the toe to heal.

Three weeks of machine workouts and I was back to the terra firma...and it felt GREAT! I had a layover in Boston, and ran over eight miles along the Charles River in the rain and dark. I loved it. I never thought the phrase "I loved it" in a conversation about running would pass my lips, but it's true. I loved how I could just go and go. I know 8 miles isn't a lot for many people...but for this computer potato who couldn't do a block last spring, it was HUGE.

I got really amped up about the upcoming race after that. I figured 8 miles that night, 10 the next week, 12 the following, and then this weekend, all 13.1 miles in the race. I was DOIN'G IT!

But ever since that night, I've struggled. Knee pain where I never had it before (right ITB). Mild pain starting up in the fractured toe again. I've been slow and uncomfortable. It's been somewhat discouraging, because that run in Boston actually had me thinking I was on my way to becoming a runner! Now I'm thinking I'm just on my way to being someone who exercises regularly. But that's okay. If I can enjoy going out for a 3-4 mile run every other day or so, and keep myself physically fit in the process, I'll have accomplished something important, and I'll be very happy.

So this weekend I'll be hopping on a plane to Long Beach, where I'll participate in my first ever big race. I am excited to be part of the experience. I'll run as much as I can, walk when I can't, and celebrate when I cross the finish line with my sister, who convinced me to do it in the first place.

So my question today is...How about you? Have you managed to supersede a stumbling block in your life? How did you do it? And for you runner types, feel free to share any advice, tidbits or suggestion that would be useful for someone like me. ♥

Middle-Night

In the starlit dark of night
i run
in lane three.
it's blue,
and i am alone and free
just me, the music,
and all those beautiful constellations.
no hills or heat
the difference this makes can't be overstated.

the crescent of a yellow moon
shines above the silhouette
of giant mountains to the east
i love those mountains
they make me happy
and running in their middle-night shadow
is strangely inspiring.

the faint scent of horses
and a cool updraft
greet me on the north.
hay and earth...it's a good smell
i chase my lengthening shadow round the bend
notice my form
relax my arms, lift my head, un-tense my shoulders.

the great expanse of the valley twinkles
all along the west
it's brighter here
i grab my water as i pass the bleachers
and count out loud as i complete another lap

the south end quickly passes
i'm back along my friend east
it's my favorites stretch

twelve times i repeat the sequence
before running to my home.
down the stairs
across the creek
i pause the music to hear the water
it's one of my favorite sounds on earth
too dark to see
but i know the beauty that lies below
know it well.

today i don't hit any wall
no mental, emotional or physical barrier
i wait, expecting it, armed with positivity
to fight
but it never materialized.
it's a gift i know i won't always have,
but it was nice, this time, to run
and feel free.

Recap

Whew! What a great, crazy weekend!

My dear friend C and her son T were here for a few days visiting last week. I never know how long it will be between visits with any of my darling friends, so I cherish every moment.

Saturday was Doc's only day off this week, so he planned a little surprise date to celebrate our anniversary. He drove us to The Mall, which instantly threw me for a loop because I can count on one hand how many times I've been in a mall here in the past 2 years. He headed us straight for a little shop and told them "She has an appointment for a pedicure".

"We're getting pedicures!??!" I said to him, excited.

"No, just you." he responded.

"BUT NO! You have to get one too!" I informed him.

See, my sister had just recently taken her sweetie on a date for dual pedicures. She hadn't told him in advance what they were doing, and he'd never had anything like that before. But he ended up really enjoying it. So since Doc hasn't ever had a pedi before either, I was determined that he get one. I was ready to have him take my place if they couldn't accommodate both of us...but happily they had room.

So there we sat in awesome massage chairs next to each other and enjoyed over an hour of pampering together. I was right...he did love it. And he was right, it was the perfect anniversary gift idea for me.The two Vietnamese employees who worked on us are amazing. I left it up to them what to do on my toes, and love the final result!Afterwards, instead of getting a dessert, we walked over to See's Candies picked out a box of our favorite chocolates and truffles, which we will enjoy together every day until they're gone. We call this "having A Moment", as in "Wanna take a moment, sweetie?".

A Moment is when, (generally) with the aid of some treat or snack, we pause and enjoy a moment together. It doesn't matter how hectic a day, you can have A Moment with your honey...cause it only takes a moment! I've typed the word moment more in the past 3 sentences than in the past 3 years combined I'm sure! Anyway, the chocolates will last much longer than a dessert would have, and we'll have all those Moments together to share them, which is the best part of course. It's been torture to have that whole box just sitting there though, and not eat them during the day! I'm being good.

Sunday night Doc gave the kids special "Back to School" father's blessings. This is a sweet tradition every year the night before they start school again. I do believe it really helped Gator feel peaceful inside about the upcoming year. He was much less anxious than he had been, and has had 2 successful days so far. Yay!

When Doc woke up at 3:45 a.m. on Monday, I just knew that if I didn't run before the kids woke up and got off to school, I'd have a hard time getting out there in the heat. It just cooks my goose. So I came up with the brilliant plan of having Doc drop me off at the high school track by the freeway on ramp on his way to the hospital. At 4:30 a.m. This served the dual purpose of A) giving us a precious few moments together on our actual anniversary, and B) I wouldn't have to start my run with an uphill climb (I'm such a wimp!) and C) (did I say dual?) I could find out how far I was actually running vs. what my new little pedometer says I'm running, and D) (dual dual) It wouldn't be hot. Or bright.

Can I just say something about this plan? It was BRILLIANT! I already said that? Sorry. But it really made a difference! I was at the track in the clear, starlight dark, with a balmy breeze blowing, the music playing in my ear, and the half-moon shining down upon me. I only hit my "wall of mental pain" for about five minutes this time, and with a few tears (crying always helps, doesn't it?) it was quickly over. I discovered that I just LOVED running in the dark. There was one light shining on the track, which made a nice shadow for me to chase every time I ran along the the east side. It's little odd things like that that keep me going.

After my run, I got showered and dressed, and then the kids got up for their first day back to school. We ate breakfast, read, and then I took pictures of them before they departed on the bus with their nice, new bus driver. We're off to a great start with school!

Gator is ready to go with his new Clone Wars back pack!Bunch looks so OLD to me here! When I was her age, 6th grade was in Junior High. Here it's still in elementary school...which I'm glad about. It's Freaking me out that she's this big!

The annual sibling shot. This is the last year that
they'll ever attend the same school at the same time! Wah!

Their nice new bus driver. They're the 1st kids on the bus every day.

Later on Monday our NJ cousins and Auntie arrived for a whirlwind overnight visit. I don't know that there is anything my kids love more than cousin-time, and it was so fun to have them here for a few happy hours.

Now the house is quiet. I'm getting caught up on all the things I've put off, including this blog. And I'm off to bed early to get up for a middle-of-the-night run again. I kind of digged it! ♥

Deep Breath

Okay, I ran. Doc got home and said he'd go out with me if I could get home in time from Back to School night. So off we went, and with some good conversation and advice, I'm feeling much better thankyouverymuch! Especially for the supportive comments. You guys are the best! And today is a brand new day, off to an especially great start.

Confession

I was all flying high and pleased as punch with myself for making it to five miles last Saturday in my freaking training for this half marathon. And then what, you ask? Nothing! I haven't done anything since. Zilch. Not one measly block.

What the cupcake is that about? I just feel like holing up with my laptop and a jug of Nutella and whiling away the hours. Interspersed with popsicles. And cookies...while Father Time marches steadily on towards the big race day.

I tried to motivate myself by signing up for a free 7-day pass to a gym here, and I could just go there and maybe get inspired by the taut, shiny, hot waxed muscles all around me, but I haven't gone yet. I
feel bloated, lazy and despondant about the whole running thing. The half suddenly seems huge and insurmountable. And I'm annoyed with my all-or-nothing approach. Even my trusty "To Do" list hasn't helped. I write it down, and do everything on my list except the exercise.

Just needed to vent and admit on here that I am flailing around with this. In case anyone wants to issue some orders, commiserate or make suggestions. Or show up wearing their tennis...

Sorry for the whine (hmm. Now if I could only add some cheese...)

Addendum to My Foray Into Running

Yesterday Doc was between rotations (yay!) and being thus unoccupied, he went running with me. We ran for one solid hour...without walking. We didn't manage to start till 11:15 a.m., so we were running at high noon with the sun blazing in a cloudless blue sky overhead. But thanks to his companionship, I RAN FIVE MILES! FIVE. CINCO. 五. Vijf. Cinq. Fünf. Πέντε. Cinque.

And yes, I hit that wall at about 25 minutes into it when I just wanted to cry and gnash my teeth and I felt overwhelmed and emotionally wrought and like I'd been duped into this whole 1/2 marathon training thing, and that I'd bitten off more than I could chew and should have started out with a goal of running a 5K first what the Zeus was I thinking?

But somehow it faded after a while (and truth be told I did cry a little bit), and the end wasn't as bad as the middle. It's good to know that this is what happens to me, because knowing will help me get through it. Kind of like when you're PMS and your emotions start swinging all over like a monkey in a jungle 'cause those hormones are pumping faster than Iguassu Falls...just knowing why you're miserable can help you get through it. (Sorry about the description guys!)

We were kind of lame for not bringing Swedish Fish or Cinnamon Gummy Bears with us to suck on. I had some in the car but it didn't cross our minds till after the run. We did have water, but I'll definitely be bringing a little sugar boost in the future. It was hot, but thankfully lots of people had their sprinklers running, and I hope no one begrudged me the bit'o water I carried off with me as I ran through them. Keeping cool is key for me, and I live for sprinklers.

I didn't have pain while running, nor were my lungs freaking and I didn't get a stitch in my side. My legs felt wobbly for a few hours afterwards, and the outside of my right knee is a little sore today. I'm trying to stretch it...hoping it's not an injury. But to have done it pain-free yesterday is really happy for me.

Doc kept reminding me that I was doing something really momentous. That for years I've had a mental barrier to making regular exercise a part of my life. That I was breaking down strongly fortified walls in my mind, and freeing myself to reach and grow. That I was doing something GREAT for my body, and that I'd feel so good afterwards, blah blah blah. He really could be an excellent therapist if the whole Doctor thing doesn't work out. His encouragement was so helpful, it truly made all the difference. He has promised he'll try to go with me on my long run with me every Saturday if he can, but his surgery rotation starts tomorrow, which is renowned as the most grueling of all the rotations so it may not happen in the next six weeks. I just hope I can make it.

I can't believe I ran Five Miles! As lame as it sounds, five just seems ridiculously far to me. My sister and I were talking last night and she couldn't believe I'd never run that far before. Apparently she has this inflated opinion of me or something, but the fact is, in junior high I ran the 50 meter dash, one leg of the relay and did shot put, high jump and long jump. Haven't been into track and field since then. So yeah, five miles...lifetime personal best.

This Saturday I'm supposed to run SIX. Sink me...

My foray into running

I've been a computer potato for years now. Despite a very active youth and young adulthood, I somehow slid into a living habit comprising mostly of inactivity. Long gone were the days of playing volleyball on a team, long jump and high jump on the track team, gymnastics, and fast-pitch softball. I didn't lace up my skates (ice or roller) or buckle my blades with any regularity. Nor did I hit the dance floor...ballroom or otherwise.

This happened in conjunction with my shift from a childless young adult to motherhood...but that could just be coincidental. Needlesstosay, for the past 11 or so years, I've become increasingly less fit, slender figure notwithstanding. I couldn't run a block without a stitch in my side and lungs bursting with exertion.

This was a concern for me, but I couldn't figure out how to overcome it. The thought of any of my old sports just seemed to bore me. My greatest love, roller blading with my girlfriends, had lost it's allure. Getting out there all by myself wasn't appealing enough to motivate me.

But I'm closing in on forty. And I know that metabolism changes and age will exact their toll on me like they do on everyone fortunate enough to grow old. I want to be healthy and have the stamina and vigor needed to keep up with the lifestyle I'm accustomed to. For years I kept a copy of this article in my IN BOX on email. The author is one of my favorite authors, and his article helped me make a few good starts, but in the end I hadn't truly become a different person.

So where to find the motivation?

There have been a few key people who've motivated me. Doc has always supported any effort I've made to make regular exercise part of my life. He himself has been running three days a week for the bulk of our time together, with strength and resistance training on the other days. But he's never pushed me or taken it upon himself to be a drill sergeant. I almost need that.

So with pleasure did I stumble upon Doctor Momma's blog. She posts about running and has a system to start people out. It consists of referring to us as "Maggots", and ordering us about. I don't know what it says about me that her method was the first to really help me change my lazy ways and start moving...but she was the impetus. This other doctor also periodically helped inspire me with her posts about running. Then I became friends with Shelah...who is a rock star about running.

All these blogs helped get me going, but I owe a debt of gratitude to a few local friends who have helped me keep hanging in there. Michelle could run circles around me backwards, on one foot, holding a camera in one hand and a child in the other. She's fast. But lucky for me, (and quite unfortunately for her) for a brief time she was injured, and could only walk whilst healing. As fate would have it, my run was the same speed as her walk, so we enjoyed some nice outtings.

It was those days that taught me that running is much more endurable if I have a partner to go with. Sweet Claudia even hit the asphalt one night...which was sorely needed because I'd gotten lackadaisical about my workouts, and had started to lose momentum. If she hadn't called me up and asked to go with me, I likely would have found excuses to stay home and get even further behind.

It's less than two months till the 1/2 marathon that The Jonnie convinced me to sign up for. I admit to significant trepidation regarding my ability to actually run 13.1 miles. There are moments when I'm about mile three that I hit a wall and just lament signing up in the first place. But I've pressed on when the run is over and I'm home again, I'm always glad I stuck with it. But it's SOOOOO BORING! Great Zeus it's boring! I have the hardest time when I hit that dip in my energy, when I've been at it for 25 minutes or so and my body starts saying "okay, that's enough now. I'm done listening to pod casts and music". Once I encountered a friend out running her dog right at that moment when I was about to give in and stop...but with her I was able to keep on till I got past it.

I haven't quite hit the 5 mile mark yet. Part of me can't believe I ever will...especially in the next eight weeks. But hopefully I'll find a good running buddy nearby, someone at my speed and commitment level who would be mutually benefitted by having a partner to go out with. Till that time though, this maggot is in need of some serious orders. Or else!

Half Done...

Just thought I'd let ya'll know that I'm 1/2 done with my Couch to 5K training program, and YAY ME! I haven't missed a single workout! Anyone who knows me knows how huge this is for me. I've been a computer potato for so long...

And happy day, the scale has started to slide in the other direction...which I'm thrilled about because let's just say it wasn't headed north due to increased muscle mass. More like increased pie consumption. But that's another matter which you can ask me about later.

The best news is that I've been able to just get out there, do my running assignment for the day, and finish without knee pain! You can't buy that kind of gratitude man. Pain is miserable. I really feel for all the lovely people who live with pain every day, and cherish the fact that right now I'm pain-free.

The trick this week is going to be getting my run in between flights. I am pulling all-nighters every night starting Wednesday...with just 9 hours on the ground to get to the hotel, day-sleep, and get back on the van to the airport again. I'll barely have enough time to catch 8 winks to renew me for another night of red-eye turns, but I'm determined not to miss any of my runs. So I'll be chugging along the streets of DC at dawn this Friday morning. Honk if you see me! ♥

Couch to 5K

Here is my running workout plan for the next 2 months. I'll intersperse with other things on alternate days:
You may think it's pathetically slow, but I'm hoping it's the ticket for me gearing up to training for the1/2 marathon. The biggest changes will come by gearing up to be able to run 5K consistently. It's the Couch to 5K Running Plan. Though in my case it'd be more aptly called a Computer to 5K, since I spend so much time at this thing. Anyone out there care to join me?!!

Small Consolations

At least I'm not like this guy:

Most Annoying Runner Ever

Limp Blue Limp

One thing I've learned about me is that I have an exaggerated sense of distance. My sister teases me about this, and it's funny because it's actually true. If you'd have asked me a week ago how far it was from my house to the schools I attended growing up, my answer would have been about two miles to my elementary school (it's actually less than one) and about five or six to my high school (actual: three). This revelation has been quite eye opening. Maybe just becoming aware will help me be more accurate in my estimates. That's my hope at least.

So last night went for a run. Because of my new goal, I decided that instead of just running for 30 minutes without worrying about distance or speed, it'd be nice to see how far I was actually going. I mean, my progress with trying to get out there lately might have been doing more good than I realized, right?

So I tied my laces and off I went. I headed straight up the hill towards this one parking spot at the base of the mountain, and then turned around and ran home. I kept my route simple, so that I could get on Google Earth and plot out my path, to find out exactly how far I had gone.

As I went along, I was thinking Yah! I'm really doing great! This is probably at least 5 miles round trip...maybe even six. I'm probably in much better shape than I've given myself credit for.

I pushed on through the discomfort I felt (probably from the Thai chicken curry leftovers I'd eaten for dinner not long before I left), and the dull achy knees that I always have after a bit, and fought the boredom that is intrinsic to running. And then instead of stopping at 30 minutes as I have since I started getting out there again, I just kept running, slowly, till I got home...which was 43 minutes. I ignored the tightness in my right thigh too...it was just tight, not painful, after all. And it was just my hamstring. Hamstring Schmamstring.

Finally, the moment of truth arrived. In my 43 minutes of running, according to the almighty Google Earth, I ran an amazing 2.74 miles. That sound you're hearing just now is the balloon deflating.

Oh well, so big deal, I thought. I'm not even running 5k yet (side note: I'm the chairperson of the food committee for a 5k happening in my community on June 14th. I plan on running it again this year. Last year it really did me in. I was a mess.) I'm just starting out, and I ran for 45 minutes. Yay Me.

Then I woke up this morning to the reality that the outside edge of my right knee was really sore. I mean, limping with every step. I went to church, but had to leave during it and come home for some prescription-strength ibuprofen. I've discovered that locking my right knee when I walk mitigates the pain. But I'm limping. It's pitiful!

Doc happens to have subscribed to Runner's World Magazine, and the recent issue is dedicated to begining runners. He gave it to me and now I'm trying to go about this with a little more direction. I went for a 30 minute walk tonight, just to keep myself limber, and hope that with some cross training I'll be back on track. Oh, and maybe some stretching would be good. I've never done any of that. (Newbie!)

Run Blue Run

So my phone rang the other day. I picked it up and said "hello?", and heard a familiar voice on the other end. The first thing this very familiar voice said was, "Are you ever going to run a marathon or half marathon?"

"Uh, hello to you too, JB " I replied

JB then proceeded to use all her powers of reason and persuasion to convince me over the next 90 minutes that I should and could do it. And then she cinched the deal by agreeing to be my training buddy and run the thing with me. Even though we're in different states, we'll keep tabs on each other through technology.

As anyone who knows me IRL or reads my blog knows, I've been trying to become a a person who runs. Among other things, I've used the inspiration of several Super Super Women Around me (they're everywhere!!!), as well as the guidance of various bloggers to try and change myself in this regard. And while I've seen a slight improvement in my attitude about the whole matter, I'm nowhere near transformed.

Still, when JB called, I felt within myself a certain call to action. It was a chance to dream...something I've decided to do more of. (Thanks Brett!)

Right now, running a half marathon isn't something I've ever aspired to do. It doesn't actually sound fun. But the marathon part isn't the reason to do it. It's the getting my caboose out there and doing the training every other day that is the reason. One of my favorite things that Doc says is "the journey's the reward". It's very true. And getting myself into better physical condition is the best reward I could give myself. Or my family.

So here I go. I just plunked down my registration fee, and now I have five months to get myself geared up. My main concern (beyond ability to actually get out and train), really, is my knees. I hope they can take it. I'm glad I have this much time to prepare.

Of course it goes with out saying that I can use all the cheerleaders, encouragement and fan support I can get. As well as any tips. I'll try to log my progress here.

13.1, here I come!