PCS Dallas Half Marathon

Half Marathon #5 DONE!  Sunday, December 9th I ran the PCS Dallas Half Marathon.  Shanna came with me again to spectate (do I have the best friend or what?!?).  We left a little after noon Saturday.  I had it all figured out.  Leave at noon.  Drive 3.5 hours.  Check into our hotel around 4, have plenty of time to walk to packet pick up to get my bib and then wander over to the expo.  We left a little after noon.  We stopped in Norman for a quick bite to eat at Jersey Mikes.  We got to our hotel with very little trouble at all.  We waited in line for while and finally got checked in.  We went up to the room, got situated....and I looked at the clock.  5:05.  This is bad.  Packet pick up closes at 5.  There is no race day packet pick up.  The packet is essential.  It has your bib and timing chip.  With out the bib, you don't run.  Period.  It was close, and with one way streets I decided it would be best to walk as fast as we could.  We hustled our bustles.  We found packet pick up and all the doors were closed.  Locked and closed.  I'm near tears.  Beyond stressed out.  There was a man approaching the doors at the same time.  A security guard opens the door and informs us it's closed and we can't go in.  I'm so glad that man was there.  I would have accepted her answer and left.  And not run.  And been sooo mad with myself.  But the guy says, (In a British accent no less) it's okay, we're with the staff.  And breezes on in past her, ushering Shanna and I with him.  Turns out he just needs safety pins for his bib.  I turned to him and say, "Thank you, I want to give you the biggest hug ever right now, but I'll use my self control and keep my hands to myself."  We went to the counter, he got directed to the safety pins and another nice gentleman helped me find my bib and even gave me a race shirt.  He says, "hurry and leave.  My boss won't be happy if she sees me." They were closed down.  There were about 6 volunteers. The shelves were empty. They were packed up.  Gone.  I got SO LUCKY!!!  What is it with me and racing?!?  I miss one start, almost miss another and now am late for bib pick up.  I am NOT a late person!  This is so unlike me!  At least that was our last hiccup.

The race started at 8.  Shanna and I set the alarms on our phones for 6am and I got a 6am wake up call.  And we got up at 6.  I had plenty of time to get ready and walk to the start.  I was in corral A.  You guys.  Corral A is for fast people.  There must've been some mistake...because I'm am NOT one of the "fast" people.  Anyway, I got my watch on and figured out (when I turned it on it was on the multi-sport setting and I had a HARD time figuring it out, but I did!) and I left Shanna at the start and I went to the back of corral A where they had Police Academy Cadets checking bibs to make sure everyone was in the right place and slipped into the back of my corral.  They had pace markers up, which was great, starting with 6:00 minute miles.  That's crazy.  I stayed at the VERY back of my corral where I met some really nice people.  2 people from Sioux Falls among others.  

There was a wreck which delayed the start about 10 minutes, so shortly after 8am, we were off. 

I knew at the beginning of this race that it was going to be a hard run.  It was 70* (which I think is HOT to run in) and 89% humidity.  And I was right.  I knew from mile 1 it was going to be a tough run and it was.  Instead of holding back at the beginning and increasing my pace throughout the run, it was a run and hold on or die trying!  I sweat buckets.  It the humidity was really wearing.  The first part of the race was pretty unattractive, but the second half was great.  The weather even improved as the race went on.  Sometimes I would catch a breeze and the humidity improved as well.  But it wasn't enough.  It was a tough run and really took it out of me but I did it and I didn't walk. 

You can see my clock time, but my official chip time was 2:04:17 I got 2324 place out of 9877, 805 out of 5531 women and 153rd out of 969 women ages 30-34.  Not a PR, but still a great run that I'm proud of because it was WORK and I worked HARD at it for 13.1 miles.

And then Shanna and I went out to eat and to IKEA before heading home.  Kyle said while I was gone, Luke prayed that I would "do good" in my race.  So sweet.  And since I get a medal every 1/2, the kids always think I win.  And really, why would I try to correct them?

Current racing: Not registered for any races until the OKC Memorial Marathon in April.  Considering registering for the Dallas Rock 'N Roll in March.

Current running: Non existent.  I have plantar fasciitis in my left foot so now that there are no races on the horizon I'm trying to rest and stretch.  Hopefully that'll work.  Because I've only missed 1 run, and I'm already going a little crazy.

Route 66 Half Marathon

Another half marathon done!  #4  I was set to go with my friend, Shanna, again, who is a great specator, but her little boy got sick with a) strep b) double ear infections c) viral rash d) all of the above.  The unfortunate answer for poor Karter (And Brandon and Shanna!) is D.  So, of course, Shanna stayed home with her poor sick little boy.  It would've been more fun with her and I missed her, but guys.  I was ALONE from 2:15pm Saturday until 1:45 pm Sunday.  It was fabulous!  Mia Soper (as Leta likes to call her) was up for being our first ever overnight babysitter.  I started my alone time with a quick trip into the Goodwill in Edmond for some "throw-away" clothes.  I spent < $5 on a pair of sweats and a zip hoodie that I wore over my racing gear to the start and while I waited, then I took them off at the last minute and threw them to the side of the road.  They have volunteers who pick up discarded items and they then donate them to Goodwill or the Salvation army.  Staying warm for that hour was worth the $5 to me =).

After Goodwill, I headed to Tulsa and checked in at my hotel downtown, which was about 5-6 blocks from the start) and then headed over to the race expo before it closed and checked in and got my packet.  Then it was back to the hotel for me.  Since room service wasn't too outrageous, I opted for that instead of trying to find a restaurant and eating alone or getting carry out.  I felt very fancy pants eating in my hotel room.  I was in my jammies and reading in bed by 7:30.  Fabulous.  I just relished the quiet and didn't turn the TV on once the whole stay.

After a couple of incidences where I have barely made it to the start or have been late, I turned the ringer way up on my cell phone alarm, took the time to figure out the hotel room alarm AND had a wake up call.  I was up at my desired 6:30 wake time, had slept wonderfully and was ready to go!  I got ready nice and slow and headed out the door to walk the half mile or so to the start.  I timed it perfectly and after a short wait for a port-a-potty I headed into my corral (B) to wait for the start.  They started the race in "waves" Each subsequent corral was started 5 minutes after the one in front of it.

Soon I was off.  The first half of the course was gorgeous.

It was constant small hills for the first 6 miles.  We ran through a revitalized shopping district, down Cherry Street, through beautifully landscaped and well maintained old neighborhoods and past a gorgeous stone monastery.  I talked to a lady who was also running the half around mile 6 who said she felt terrible and that the hills were killing her, I down played it, but I felt wonderful.  I felt great the entire race.   After we hit the halfway mark, we ran on and out and back that was flat and boring.  But, the good thing about that (and being relatively slow! ha.) was I was able to see all the super speedy runners and people ahead of me so there was always something interesting to look at.  The course was pretty well lined with spectators and people holding up signs.  There was a saxophone player I saw twice, a drum line, a guy doing karaoke, several bands and a belly dancer.  This was a really fun race and one that I'll definitely want to run again in the future.

I picked it up the last 5K or so and then was able to really run strong to the finish.  I passed A LOT of people those last miles.  

I got 1090 place out of ???? and 98th in my division out of almost 500 runners by running a new PR of 2:02:51.  Still chasing a sub 2 hour half, but I am proud and happy with this race. It was FUN!  And it also helps that I felt strong throughout the run ;)

Pictures from Mother Road Half Marathon

 This is about mile 6

 After the race with my "cheering section" Shanna!

 I tried SOOO hard, but I didn't beat her.  Although I certainly look like I'm having a LOT more fun than she's having ;P

 The big finish!

Official chip time: 2:04:00  

Mother Road Marathon

My friend, Shanna, came with me to this race and we made a two day get-a-way out of it.  We left Saturday morning and headed to Tulsa.  After a quick stop we ate lunch at a place called Cheddars and then we went across the street to check out out their mall before we drove on into Joplin.

After checking in at our hotel we went downtown to pick up my race packet.  Joplin has a very nice downtown area and we were sorry it was after business hours and that we didn't get a chance to check anything out.  The place we wanted to eat in Joplin, The Red Onion Cafe, was just a few blocks away so we decided to walk over.  While eating it began to downpour and didn't let up.  Needless to say, we were both soaked by the time we got back to the car.  We made it back to our hotel room and went to bed.  It was hot, so I turned on the AC and fan, which was very loud.

That turned out to be a big mistake since the noise of that completely drowned out my alarm and instead of getting up at 5:15 to catch a shuttle to the start, I woke up at 6:10, with the last shuttle leaving at 6:15.  With no way to make it to the shuttle on time I had to scratch that plan and decided that I would have to drive to the start myself and then Shanna could bring the car back and get ready and then drive down the the finish line to watch me finish.  Since this was plan B, I didn't have very good directions to the race start in Baxter Springs, KS and the set of provided ones that we decided to follow weren't good and we managed to get lost.  I was no nervous and sick to my stomach that I was going to miss the race and have to recap THAT embarrassing story here instead! The race directors wanted to have everyone at their respective starts at 7 for the 7:30 simultaneous start for the Full and Half Marathons and the 5K.  I arrived at 7:15 completely stressed out, but there, and the timing turned out to be perfect.  I had time for a quick bathroom break and then headed straight over to the start for announcements.

We started out with about 3 miles that got us to Historic Rt. 66 and they were the 3 most beautiful of the entire course.  Fall had arrived in Joplin and we ran down tree lined roads that were red, orange and yellow and just gorgeous.  We also ran over a couple of really pretty rivers and a pretty neat bridge.  The last 10 miles of the race weren't spectacular at all view-wise, but we did run through 2 small towns before heading into Joplin for the finish so at least there was a lot of new things to look at, which helps.

There were several hundred people running the half and while I ran alone for the entire race, I was usually within 20 feet of other people.  Around mile 6 I started counting my "kills" or people I passed and then I'd have to take away a kill if I got passed.  I passed one girl who passed me back later and I never caught her again, and then I was passed by a lady who I passed back later and never saw again putting my net "kills" at 22.  There was one girl who was always ahead of me the whole second half of the race and I kept with her really well and I tried so hard to catch her and beat her at the end, and I did really come back, but she still beat me by about a second. It was close!  After the race I found her and told her she had been my rabbit and I was trying so hard to catch her, her reply was, I COULD FEEL YOU BACK THERE!!!

Anyway, I had 3 goals for the race.

1.  Don't walk.  CHECK!  No walking this race!
2.  Don't go out too fast.  Run a smart race.  CHECK!  I stalked my pace on my watch like it was my job.
3.  Get a PR by beating my previous best of 2:09:08.  CHECK!  I ran a 2:04:00, a 5 minute and 8 second PR!

Stats:  I got 38/215 women and 9/43 in my age group (30-34)

Pictures to come later when they post some!

Shanna was there cheering me at the finish.  We went back to the hotel and I showered an back to Tulsa we went, this time to Utica Square for shopping and a late lunch.  Then we picked up the Guinea Pig for Luke for his birthday.  After a quick stop for some frozen custard (YUMMY!!!) we were home shortly after 8:00.  It was a great, GREAT weekend.  I had a decent race, I got a nice break from home and the kids etc. and I had SO MUCH FUN hanging out with Shanna all weekend.  

1 year Runiversary

October 6th marked 1 year of running for me!  I ran 794 miles in that year.  I ran 2 half marathons and one 11 mile race.

This Is Illegal.

What I'm doing here is illegal.  

 The clock time was 2:12...my chip time was 2:09.  You wear a chip on your shoe and it records your start and finish time.  It took 3 minutes from the gun start for me to even get to the starting line.

OKC Memorial 1/2 Marathon

Yesterday I ran my 2nd half marathon.  The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.  The Marathon is in remembrance of the bombing of the Murrah building on April 19, 1995.  I wasn't living in Oklahoma at the time, but I remember sitting in Mr. Clark's history class and watching the coverage.  I have since visited the reflecting pool, but have yet to tour the museum.  
Yesterday 11,455 people finished either the Marathon or Half Marathon.  There was also a 5K.  I think there were over 25,000 registered runners for the event.  I was one of over 8,000 running the half marathon.  I finished with a 2:09:08 162/890 in my age group and 828/4986 for my gender.  
I was desperate to not have to drive and park and navigate downtown (I don't like to do that ANYTIME, but especially on a busy day like yesterday), so after a couple of facebook pleas, I was able to ride with a guy who also goes to church with me. I  met him at his house at 5:30 am and we drove down town and parked and started walking.  There were over 25,000 people out on the streets before the race and all of them feel to complete silence for 168 seconds to remember the deaths of the bombing victims.  It was a moment.  Wes and I walked slowly through the crowd trying to get to the start and we were off.
It was perfect temps, overcast skies, but VERY humid.  I think the humidity may have helped cause some of my issues.  It was almost perfect running conditions.  There was a little weaving at the beginning, but it wasn't bad and I was able to fall into a rhythm pretty quickly.  A quick rhythm.  I kept trying to slow myself down, but it was HARD.  It's so easy to get swept with the crowd, and I just wanted to RUN!!!  I found a girl who was running strong and steady and about at my much to fast pace.  I asked her her goal time, hoping I'd found a running buddy.  She wanted to run 9 minute miles.  I was hoping for an overall average pace of just under 9:40 minute miles.  I really thought about it.  I knew her pace was much too fast for me.  I knew I should run a smart race and stick with my race plan and slow down.  A lot.  I KNEW that.  But I didn't WANT to do that. I was feeling good (of course I was...I'd only been running for a couple of miles!)  I purposefully chose to abandon my race plans hoping that the crowd and distractions and adrenaline would help me maintain. (This wasn't even rational thinking.  I run 9 minute miles when I'm running a hard 6 miles.  6 miles is a LOT less than 13.)  I chose to go for it and hoped I could hold on.  My "pacer" had to slow down at mile 8.  I never saw her again.  I just kept running strong.  Until mile 10.  I was hot, tired, and had an upset stomach and was getting lightheaded.  So I stopped to walk.  I walked a couple of minutes, and when I felt better I ran again (much slower) 10+ minute miles.  At this point I decided to take off the hat I had worn in case of rain and carry it.  I hate carrying things in my hands when I run.  HATE.  But that breeze on my head felt so nice.  I ran through the finish with the exception of one necessary potty break in mile 12 at the last aid station.  There were EMT's everywhere and when I quickly veered off the road they all jumped up to catch me as though I were falling....but I wasn't.  I just started taking things off and throwing them down and headed right for the port-a-potty.  It started misting on me and felt oh so nice.  


The race was so fun and just flew by (except after mile 10.  And the stretch down Classen did get a bit long).  The route was great, but in all honesty, I wasn't really looking at Oklahoma City as I passed it, noooooo...I was watching the people.  Turns out, big races are GREAT for people watching.  Runners and spectators alike.  There were people watching from their yards, playing music, cheering, yelling, waving signs etc.  Superman and Wonder Woman even came to watch us run.  There is a hill named "Gorilla hill" (Note: NONE of the hills on this route were anything like the hills by my house and they were barely blips on my radar.  Nice.  Thank you all the hills by our house!)  Anyway, on Gorilla hill there were probably around 10 adults all in banana costumes.  


I felt pretty rotten at the end and was all kinds of light headed and dizzy (NOT normal for me at all) so I walked around a ton, cooling down until I felt better.  My stomach was a bit off all day long yesterday and I didn't really eat much.


Anyway, I'm glad I finished.  I'm happy I improved by time from my last 1/2.  However, I am frustrated that I walked (again.)  And I mad that I made a stupid choice and decided to ignore my race plan.  As we can see...it did not work out well for me.  And I'm disappointed I missed by goal time of under 2:05.  Because I KNOW I can run that.  I HAVE run that on a training run.  I did really taper week before the race, but I ran a 13.1 mi training run the Sunday before AND a 13.1 mi training run the Saturday before THAT.  I'm not sure running 13 miles 3 weeks in a row was a smart thing to do. Oh well.


Next race?  Sooner State Games Half Marathon May 19, 2012.  I WILL abide by my race plan.  I want to run sub 2:05.  I want to NOT WALK!!!  I think it will be much easier to maintain my race plan and not get carried away.  It will be a MUCH smaller race. 


* I'll post pictures when they post them.  The race had professional photogs.

First Half Marathon -Post Oak Lodge Challenge

I  had my bags packed and ready to go.  After I nursed Max and put him to bed, I hopped in the car and headed to Tulsa (in the Sand Springs area).  The Post Oak Lodge is very close to down town Tulsa, but is actually out in the country a bit "City Close, Country Quiet" is their slogan.  They were very welcoming when I arrived, "You must be Rachel!  We saved your pasta dinner for you!"  The Post Oak Lodge Challenge has a TON of races to choose from.  Saturday events included a 10K, 25K, 50K and 1.3 mi. fun run.  These runs were exclusively on the trails on the Post Oak property.  Sunday events were the Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and 1 mile fun run.  These Sunday races were "troad" races.  Part trail, part road.  I would say 60% of the half marathon was on single track trails, a couple miles on gravel, and the final 3.1 miles were paved.  At which point I was too whipped from the previous miles to enjoy the even terrain!  They really try to build this into a "weekend" and there is a Doubler's Challenge in which people run an event on both Saturday AND Sunday (excluding fun runs).  For more information about the races visit http://www.postoakrun.com/ or for more pictures of the Lodge visit: http://www.postoaklodge.com/ .

I got in a bit after 10 pm Saturday night and after checking in, getting settled, pumping for Max (he stayed home) calling Kyle etc. I was asleep just before midnight with my alarm set for 7:30 for the 9:00am start time. I got woken up around 6:45 by the sounds of people opening and closing doors and decided I wouldn't get back to sleep so went ahead an got up.  I threw some clothes on and went to the main lodge to get breakfast.  Then I came back to my room, pumped, got ready and then settled in to read to distract myself from getting nervous.  I settled on wearing a pair of compression socks, compression tights, a tank, arm warmers, my Garmin watch and a headband. I opted to not wear my water carrying running belt and just wear my small light running belt.  I took 3 Gu with me and wore my 13.1 headband that my friend Shanna gave me (you better believe I'm going to be wearing THAT a ton!!!).  I walked out the door 25 minutes early forgetting my sunglasses.  As I left the cabin where my room was I hear a gun and a whole slew of runners took off.  I ambled up to the lodge and commented to someone, "That the marathoners taking off?"  I was informed that NO, NOT THE MARATHONERS....THE HALF MARATHONERS!  Note to self.  Next half marathon....double check the start time.  I was the LAST runner out of the chute...by a couple of minutes.  The last straggler runner was a good 1/4 mile ahead of me.  Way to start off on a good note.  So off I go.  This is when I notice my watch hasn't located all of it's satellites so it's not on yet.  Great.  So now my mileage count is going to be "off".  Oh!  It's pretty sunny out...too bad I'm going to have to squint the entire race.  Sheesh.  I will say, the good thing about beginning dead last is that you get to pass a lot of people.  I only got passed twice the entire race and those were towards the end.  The race was on the "easiest" single track trails.  Yeah.  Their easiest trails are WAY harder than the trails at Lake Arcadia and at Lake Draper (the only trails I've run on at this point).  It was super hilly, steep inclines, very steep declines...tons of rocks.   There were tons of rocks.  OH, AND DID I MENTION THERE WERE TONS OF ROCKS? I never actually saw anyone fall down, but people all around me were tripping like it was going out of style.  Myself included.  I quickly decided that my goal of "shoes staying trail side down" really might not happen.  My ankles were very sore running, not from twisting them, but from using muscles to stabilize myself that I normally don't use.  In fact, my ankles muscles are sore today.  I can honestly say that's never happened to me before!  I also got blisters on both feet, which has never happened and I'm certain they can be attributed to the rough terrain as well.  Post Oak Lodge is near the aptly name Sand Springs.  There were randomly soupy mud holes in the trail that I had to stop and pick my way across or jump over.  I only managed to step in one and had to finish with a muddy/wet right shoe and sock.  The bad thing about single track is how easy it is to get "stuck" behind someone.  There's just no way around.  Most people who know people are needing to pass them, will stop and get over off the track allowing other runners to get by.  Also, running behind other people makes it harder to run because you can't see the ground in front of you as well, so tripping is even MORE likely.  I had several good stumbles, but no falls and managed to get several tree branches in the face.  I also regretted my decision to not wear my water bottles as I was thirsty most of the race.  I prefer to take sips frequently, not just a couple of ounces ever 2-3 miles. I took 2 Gu on the run.  One at mile 8 and the other around mile 11.  The race ended on paved road.  I was so beat from battling the trails that I couldn't even enjoy the nice, even terrain (although these roads were quite similar to the roads by our house...and could be deemed quite "trail like" because of the crumbly asphalt and potholes).  The race ended with a .7 mile long hill, advertised as "The Hill From He**".  I ran the first part of it, but when it came to the steepest part...I walked.  I just didn't have it in me.  My official time was 2:16:50.  (It was chip timed, meaning my time didn't actually start until I crossed the starting line and ended when I crossed the finish line).  I finished 51 out of  138 finishers.  I'm okay with my time given the conditions of the race.  But I want to run faster.  I can do better...(I hope!)

The lodge had changed the checkout time to 2pm so I stretched, grabbed a shower and headed home to my beloved foam roller.  Then, at 8:30 my friend who is a massage therapist came at 8:30 and stretched and massaged me.  That was the BEST idea I've ever had in my entire life.  And today?  I'm so sore I can hardly walk down our stairs.  My quads are KILLING me.  I think it was from all the rocky hills and steep declines.

Right before I wrote this recap I registered for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon on April 29th.  I will be running the half again.  The OKC Marathon is notorious for horrible weather...last year it hailed, so I shouldn't really anticipate better overall running conditions, I don't think.  And I have new goals.

1.  Don't walk

2.  Run faster than 2:15.

I'll be taking tomorrow off from running to continue to recover, but I'll be back at it bright and early Thursday morning.

Training Recap

I decided in October that I wanted to start running again.  And that I wanted to train for something.  A full marathon seemed out of reach and I didn't want to commit to making the time necessary for training for something like that.  But a half marathon sounded do-able.  After all, my favorite running route in high school was 6 miles long.  A half marathon is not more more than twice that.  Do-able.  And then I started running, and my body (while not out of shape thanks to Body and Soul) quickly reminded me that it hadn't run in 5 years.  And 5 years ago I was regularly running just 3 miles.  Not 6.  And high school was a long time ago.


The runs at the beginning of my training were hard.  I was getting back into shape.  I was dealing with runners knee and a tight IT band.  I was only running not even 1/4 of the distance that I needed to run.  13.1 miles seemed impossible.  I decided I must be crazy.  But slowly I started to see my fitness improve.  I began to run a bit faster.


The runs in the middle of my training were hard.  I was increasing my mileage to distances I had never run before. (Farthest run being ~ 6 miles).  I was still dealing with knee issues.  I really enjoyed the fact that every time I ran another Long Run, I was setting a new personal record for longest distance I'd ever run.  And then I had a fabulous 8 mile run.  The weather was great. I felt great.  I ran fast (for me).


The runs at the end of my training were hard.  I was now running so far on my long runs I had to carry water and Gu (carb gels) to fuel while running.  After running so long, you literally have no calories left in your system left to burn.  I had some brutal long runs.  My 10 miler I forgot to bring Gu with me.  I ran on empty and it took me a long time to recover.  I ran two 12+ mile runs that made me want to die.  On the second I seriously considered calling Kyle to come and get me.  I hobbled around for days after running that far.  After running 12 miles twice, I knew I could run a 1/2 marathon.  But I KNEW I'd hate every minute of it.  In the middle of that I ran a 11 miler on trails.  I fueled.  I didn't want to die, I didn't feel good, but I didn't want to die.  For the first time 1/2 marathon seemed possible.  Then last week I had a mid week run that I killed.  The "runners high" that had been eluding me for the past several weeks had made a return. Then I ran a 12 miler last Saturday.  It was exhausting, like always.  But I had figured out what to eat before a long run.  I ran a great (for me) average pace.  For 12 miles.  And I had a runners high that lasted for days.  And I know that I can run 13.1 miles.  And I know that it could be fun.  We shall see what Sunday holds.


I am proud of myself for doing all this training and making a goal and following through and working to achieve it.  (Luke is sick, so this Sundays race may not happen, but I WILL run one).  


Stats:
I trained for 20 weeks.  Had 60 scheduled runs.  I missed 10 or so of them due to knee issues/traveling/wisdom teeth.  I have run a total of 272.56 miles since October 6th.


6 of those miles are totally mine.  Kyle was gone and I ran on the treadmill after putting the littles to bed.  266 miles are because Kyle is supportive of me.  He wants me to achieve my goal and he sacrifices his sleep/work time/leisure time/rearranges his schedule so that I can go run around and then come home and whine to him.  He gives Luke and Leta breakfast every morning so I can sleep as late as possible and walk in the door just in time to feed Max.  He feeds all 3 lunch every Saturday and deals with getting them down for their naps.  This is easily the busiest 1.5 hours of my day, and always leaves me counting the minutes until nap time.  So I can fit in a long run.


So.  Come Sunday 1/4 of a mile of 13.1 miles are mine.  The rest are Kyle's.  Thanks Kyle!!!!!

Just for you Michael

I know how Michael loves it when I post about my running, but with today's 7 mile run in 25+mph wind (BRUTAL), and it being my last run of 2011, my total mileage for 2011 is 115 miles.  I started in October.  Maybe my New Years Resolution Goal should be to beat last years mileage.  Shouldn't be too hard since I'll have a full year to accomplish it =).  I find that I am much less likely to be disappointed when I have low expectations.

Cute pics and a few runs!

I took all of last week off from running as my knee  hurt really bad the previous long run...and I ran with it hurting for quite some time (which wasn't smart) but I was back at it again this week.  Tuesday was a treadmill run and this morning I ran outside in the balmy 36* weather and returned from my run covered in frost.  I didn't know I could frost.  But I can.

 Tuesdays run on the treadmill because it was raining.  This includes a .36 mile cool down.  I set the incline at 1% and really try to work on my "speed".

My run today was a tough one.  I felt like I was running through mud.  I felt sluggish and like I was working WAY too hard to maintain my pace, which is slower than it has been. Probably the cold had something to do with it.  Yeah.  That's probably it.

Sorry for the poor quality of the Max pics.  They're taken on my touch at church (during class!) last night.  And the Luke holding Max pictures are from tonight.  See how up-to-date I am?!?

We've been busy around here.  Last Thursday we had a couple college girls over for supper.  Monday evening my cousin, Analisa, and two of her friends stopped by and spent the night.  They had just finished walking 60 miles in 3 days for the Race for the Cure.  I hadn't seen Analisa in a long time so it was nice to catch up with her.  Luke and Leta were in not-so-rare, but pretty unpleasant form that night.  An audience of THREE! to perform for!  Kyle was gone Tuesday night, and we had a couple of college girls over for supper tonight (different ones).  Tomorrow night is a Body & Soul girls night here, plus an afternoon birthday party.  Saturday I'm co-hosting a baby shower, Sunday church and small group at our place, Monday friends over for supper..whew!  I'm tired just thinking about it! But it will force me to keep my house relatively picked up, so that will be nice.

5 miles!

1st 5 mile run down the hatch.  My knee started hurting at 1.75 mi.  What's up with that?  Pretty decent pace though.  I'm icing it right now so it should be completely healed in about 10 minutes, right?

Seen and Heard

Luke-ism from today. (There were 2 so far, but I forgot one...)

Me: Did you tell Leta thank you?
Luke:  No.  Because we do not have to say thank you to people who live in this house.

I quickly corrected him, don't worry.

Since I got all excited on Tuesday and didn't check my training plan, I ran .5 miles farther than I was supposed to.  Oh the HORRORS!  Anyway, I didn't want to repeat THAT mistake today ;) especially since it was raining outside so I opted to run on the treadmill. I'm glad we have it for mornings such as this, but boy was I glad to get off of it!  Bor. Ing.  Since running on the TM is easier, I set the incline at 1 and got truckin'.  I did .25 mile mostly walking warm up and a .25 mostly walking cool down.  The slowest I ran was 6.1  increasing my speed intermittently until I started the last full mile, which I started off at 7 mph and finished at 7.5mph.  I thought I was going to die.  That's pretty speedy for the likes of me.

I went to see my friend who's  PT and she looked at my knee yesterday.  She gave me some stretches and some strength training moves to do.  So we'll see.  My knee felt pretty good today.  Started feeling it around 3.3 miles, but either it stopped hurting or I was to distracted by thoughts of possibly dying from running and wondering how long it would take Kyle to come and find me.  Up next: 5 mile run on Saturday.

The "long run" becomes "base miles"

4.19 miles/hilly and windy/ no music

Really I just wanted to say "Base Miles"  it makes me sound all official, like I know what I'm doing and I'm probably a really good and fast runner.  But in reality...none of those things are true.  Well maybe...no.  None of them.

Okay.  Oops.  I totally lied on the long run becomes base miles.  I just looked at my training plan and I should have only run 3.5 miles this morning.  Oh well.  At any rate....

It was windy this morning and there are a LOT more cars out and about on before dawn on a Tuesday morning than there are on a Saturday morning.  Don't worry mom, I'm more likely to twist my ankle while running on the shoulder than I am get hit by a car.  It was the warmest it's been on my run and I enjoyed running in shorts and a sleeveless shirt this morning.  It takes a lot less time to get ready this way.

I didn't really get done running at 11:22 this morning.  That's just when I managed to snap the picture.  As you can see my average pace was much better today.  I felt good today.  And I finally felt great at Body and Soul yesterday.  My knee did start hurting a bit around 3.4 miles, but overall my rest day did it's job.  We'll see how the week progresses.

Last 4 mile "long run"

Another Saturday Long Run!

Today was my "long run" day.  So far I'd say my training is going okay.  I have a wonky knee and an injured left calf, and could that be  twinge of shin splints in my right shin?  Probably.  I have yet to go a full week as planned.  I know I'm just a couple of weeks into training, but so far it seems I've skipped as many runs as I've gone on.  The Spousal Unit said he experienced the same thing when he was getting back into sprinting when I was pregnant with 2.0.  So, hopefully I'll get past this.  

I nee to look at this with a "see how far I've come in just a few weeks" instead of how far I have to go.  Up until a couple of weeks ago, I hadn't run 3 miles since before I was pregnant with the Biggest of the Small Ones, and he just turned 4 this week.  I haven't run 6 miles since....maybe the summer after my freshman year at college?...so 2001?  I ran 4 miles this morning.  Before 8am.  

However, somewhere around mile 3, as I was hurting and workin' hard...it occurred to me that in Half Marathon Land? 4 miles is NOTHING! and I can't imagine running more than 3 times that distance.  Breathe.  That's what training is for.

Here are my run stats:

And here's my post run, sweaty, red-faced poor quality self-portrait taken in my closet.

Goin' on a Bear Hunt

Goin' on a Bear Hunt

Run: 3.74 miles/ hilly with music!

 Or just finishing a run.  Whatever.  I just got back and had K snap this picture while he was laying in bed.  I've gotta red face going on!  It was a windless, balmy 38 degrees when I finished running.

Now, I know I just told you I ran 3.74 miles, but my Garmin says I ran 1.87 miles and those things NEVER lie.  It helps to actually hit the start button at the beginning of a run.  The lap button doesn't really help.  And I didn't realize my mistake as it was pitch black and I couldn't see my watch for the first while.  Luckily I ran an out and back, so I started my watch at my turn around point.  And you can also see that I haven't switched my display to show my pace and/or splits.  All in good time, my friends.  All in good time.

My old an decrepit body:
I could feel my calf hurting a little off an on.  Mostly on the downhills when there was more impact.  But I'm icing again today.  My knee started hurting probably a quarter mile into mile three.  Saturday is my next long run.  Another 4 miler.

New Gear!

New Gear

I'm sure you've (singular you, I'm sure) all been wondering where I am.  I didn't run on Tuesday.  Turns out my left calf was more than just sore.  I've declared it injured.  I haven't even been able to do more than very low impact during Body and Soul either.  I skipped my run on Tuesday, but hopefully I'll be back out there tomorrow.  I took it easy at B&S today and I'm icing it.  We shall see.

Here's my new gear.  Running ear buds, a running belt (very similar to a fanny back, but sleeker) and my iPod holder and arm band.  Need some tune-age while I'm running.  Now, to sit down and plan out some killer playlists.

4 Mile Long Run

4 Mile Long Run

Today's Run: 4.15mi/43:48min/hilly no music

I didn't realize my arms are so hairy!  At least the hair is lighter colored and not black!

Completed my first "long run" at 7:42 this morning.  Yes, I got up at 6:30 am so I could be home in time to nurse the Smallest of the Small Ones.  I ran outside.  My first outdoor run since starting all of this.  My pace was a little slower than I would've liked.  I need to change up my settings on my Garmin (the watch) so it'll tell me my pacing instead of my calories.  Although I DO like knowing I burned 446 calories this morning, I don't want to have to wear my HR monitor every time, and knowing my pace will help me more on my run anyway.  It was 56* when I left home this morning and pitch black.

Since I ran by myself, I thought if I shared some of my thoughts while running, it would be ALMOST like you were my running buddy and came with me.

1.  Man I'm glad I bought this long sleeved white running shirt at Target the other day.
2.  I need mittens.
3.  Was that a deer?
4.  I wish it was light out so when I get over for cars I don't keep tripping.
5.  I don't think I've run this far since college.  I ran 3 miles all the time before I had the Biggest of the Small Ones. (I basically haven't run in 5 years)
6.  Man there are a lot of hills out here!
7.  I'm going to have to carry a stick if I keep seeing these dogs.  I dont' think they like me.  They both seemed territorial and one was a pit bull, so I wasn't diggin' that.
8.  I can't wait for my arm band to come in so I can listen to music on my runs.

I am sore from my run Thursday and I could feel that my calves were tight while running, even after fully warmed up.  I stretched out at home and then hobbled around the house like an old women for a while.

Today's Run

Today's Run

I have been feeling a little "off" so I haven't worked out since Monday, and haven't run since Sunday.  So when I declared myself "better" today, i was well rested and ready to go.  Kyle had an errand to run during nap time today and I feel weird enough going out to our detached guestroom where our treadmill is to run since I can't hear anything that is going on in the main house with the kids etc. that I didn't want to run outside.  I need to start running outside and get used to it before I get to used to "keeping up" with the treadmill and not truly propelling myself on my runs.  Anyway.

The Breaky-Break down goes like this:
0-.25              warm up
.25-2.75         ran 6.0
2.75-3.5         increased pace 0.1 mph for every passing 1/10 of mile.  So I ended my run running at 7.0
3.5-4.05         cool down

I didn't catch my final "time" I did my cool down on the phone with my sister-in-law and was distracted trading stories about silly 4 year old little boys.  I intended to only run 3 miles, but my knee was only slightly hurting and I was feeling good, so instead of stopping at 3.25 at a 6.5mph pace, I kept going another half mile.  Go me.  Because being able to go that extra 1/2 mile is going to make me not die during a 1/2 marathon. *sarcasm*  I need to focus on the progress I'm making and not focus on the fact that a half marathon is THIRTEEN POINT 1 MILES.  Which will take me 2 1/2 hrs running 10 minute miles (6.0mph pace).  Which also assumes that I'll be able to maintain a 6.0 for THIRTEEN POINT 1 MILES.  Okay.  Focusing on progress.  Focus.

And so it begins...

And so it begins...

My journey really began last night as I searched for an App to help me with my journey.  I'm using Run Coach Pro.  Today I did my first workout.  It was a short one.  15 minutes total, walking for 2 minutes, then running three repeating for the duration.  I ran on the treadmill since it wasn't a distance run.  The application is a "Couch to Half Marathon" variety.  I do workout regularly, but no real running since I was pregnant with my first.  Since I'm not completely deconditioned I didn't want to go too easy on myself so I upped the incline to 3.0 for the duration and walked at 4.0 mph and ran at 6.3 mph.  I could feel my knee hurting a bit and really hope it adjusts and doesn't cause me too much pain or this little project may not get off the ground.