Don’t Ask Me How I Know: Poor Race Prep

When planning to run a race, do not also plan to donate blood the day before.

The typical donation is about a pint of blood.  We have about 10 pints of blood in our body.  Therefore, in donating blood you are losing 10% of your blood supply.  It takes approximately 24-48 hours to replenish the volume, and four to eight weeks to replace the red blood cells.

If your race is 30 hours after your donation, it’s probably not going to go well.

A pre-race meal, approximately 3 hours before the run, should not consist of fried dough and a root beer float.  The fruit salad will not make up for it.

You may spend the entire race hoping and praying you do not throw up.  Because really, it’s a 5k and that would be embarrassing in itself, but this happen to be the biggest 5k in the state with over 6,000 runners and walkers that the news not only covers, but many of their employees run as well.

And lastly, if you’re planning to run a race, actually training for it, even in a minor way, will help.

I fully support blood donation – its one of the easiest ways anyone can help save lives.  Being uncomfortable for ten minutes to a half hour (yea, sometimes my blood doesn’t flow quite so fast) and maybe enduring a bruise for a week is nothing compared to what someone in need a blood transfusion is likely going through.  But I will never do it within a week of a race again. Ever. Ugh.

I fully support fried dough and root beer floats at appropriate times.  Post race would be a good choice.

Pretty sure fruit salad is okay in almost all situations.

Blood donation facts taken from : the internet, per Google. kthanks.

5k Fail.

Balloon Festival 5K

I ran another 5K last Friday.

I couldn't help it.  It was small, cheap, and based on last year's results - I had a chance to place in my age group.  So I went for it.

The weather didn't seem like it was going to cooperate, but it mostly just stayed cloudy and the rain held off.  The race was part of a hot air balloon festival a few towns away which included food vendors, crafts, rides, and of course hot air balloons!

Somehow I convinced B to join me.  He's only been to two of my races - my first 10K, and my half marathon - so I was excited, even if he wasn't overly thrilled.  (Don't worry, while I was running he got a sausage and talked to the air national guard people that were there.)

It wasn't a chipped race, which always annoys me because I like accuracy.  But, since it was small, getting over the 'start' line wasn't really an issue.  I lined up with everyone, probably in the front of the middle of the pack.  The race was started with a "ready, set, go" through a bull horn, and the course guided by a guy on the bike.

I knew it was going to be somewhat hilly, and I haven't exactly been *ahem* keeping up with training, so I was nervous.  I felt good for the first mile and finished it with a split of 8:44, which is pretty fast for me.  There were a few woman around my pace so I stayed with them for a while before passing several of them.  Mile 2 was out through farmland (aka manure smell) and was mostly flat, except for the uphill turn around that included a water stop.

At this point, I was just pretty ready for it to be over. I wasn't feeling it and just kept pace with a girl next to me through the up and down hills.  Mile 2 split was 9:01.  There were rolling hills the last mile and I was grateful to see the dirt road that lead to the finish line.  As I ran towards the finish I saw B on the sideline with the camera.

I know, I look so great when I run, huh?  Sidenote: the girl behind me in the green shirt was the one I ran with almost the whole time.  After I got home and went to log my miles onto dailymile.com, I realized she was a girl I had recently friended on the site.  We're also running a few more of the same races this summer. Small world!

Mile 3 split was 9:08.  My official finish time was 27:55.  It wasn't a PR, but I'm still really pleased with it.  There were more hills than the one I PR'd on a few weeks ago, and this one was 3.13 whereas that one was 3.01.  So, yea, I was okay with my time. It was still well under 30, and it was in the 27s, so I can't complain!

Oh, and then there's the minor fact that I got 2nd in my age group again. Woo hoo!!! So, I call that a WIN.  2nd out of 15 in my age group, and 68 out of 154 overall. Not too shabby for a Friday night.  And it didn't even start to sprinkle until the awards.

I felt alot better than I looked here, I swear. So sloppy looking!

Anyway, now I've got myself $15 to spend at RoadID, which is what I chose from the table for my award :)  I'm probably going to get a wrist or ankle sport ID.  For those who aren't familiar, they're similar to the medical ID bracelets people with certain conditions tend to wear - only they have personal and contact information available in case anything where to happen to the wearer while running (or biking, or whatnot).  Gives the wearer and their loved ones some piece of mind.  There is also room on them to include an inspirational quote.... so now I need to decide on a running mantra.  And of course which color I want.

Ugh, decisions!

Stars & Stripes

Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe 4th of July weekend.

I wanted to buy a flag, be patriotic, etc.  B vetoed it when we were at Lowe's.  Not sure why.... we already have the bracket on the house, just need the pole and the flag.  I will probably just go buy one by myself anyway, even though its late.  But hey, its okay to be patriotic year round, isn't it?!

We had a great long weekend - getting things done on the house and spending time with friends and family, setting off fireworks, and eating waaaaaay too much food.  I've got a ton of pictures - maybe I'll post some another night, I'm not in the mood to fight with the photo uploader tonight.

I really wanted to post something, because I don't want to keep neglecting this blog, but I can't really think of much to say.

I ran 28 miles last month.  Pathetic compared to 62 I ran in March and April, even the 47 I ran in May.  But, it's more than none, and that's what matters.  I'm having some trouble motivating myself to get out there as much these days.  I have a 5K this Friday, and a 10K at the end of July... and the last time I ran over 6 miles (a 10K is 6.2) was....oh you know, that time I ran a half marathon... back at the beginning of May.  So yea, I need to pound the pavement the next few weeks to survive the 10K, never mind PR it.

I'm also struggling with the decision to sign up for another half marathon.  I really want to... it's just a matter of squeezing the race itself into my schedule AND the training.  I've got a few picked out that look promising but  I haven't made any decisions yet.

We'll see....

The Race That Almost Wasn't

But I'm SO glad it was.

This was the Rush Hour 5K Road Race at my work.  Around 11am this morning, people started noticing that the toilets weren't flushing and the faucets had almost no water pressure. A friend and I walked over to the other building on our company's campus and found the same situation.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I drink a lot of liquid throughout the day - water, coffee, tea - pretty much constantly.  So, without working toilets there was a bit of panic that sent in with many of us.  Shortly after, a company email went out that there was a water main break and by noon our management team decided to let us head home for the day.

I sent an email to the organizer to confirm if they would still be holding the race.  Part of me really didn't want to drive back to work once I got home, and a few people in my department echoed similar sentiments and said they might not bother coming back.  A little after two, an email went out confirming the race was still on. I had spent the afternoon walking the dog, mowing the lawn, and finishing up some projects around the house, and headed back to work in time for the race.

Couple of things... it was pretty hot today.  And admittedly, I haven't run that much lately, at all.  Most shockingly, I showed up to this race by myself.  There was no guarantee anyone else I knew would be running, and I hadn't signed up with any one to run with.

There were some familiar faces since it was held at work, but no one I knew enough to talk to.  I was there about a half hour early, so I jogged a little, and walked around, stretching and listening to my ipod.  I started getting nervous, realizing I was really about to do this by myself.  Each race I've run has included at least one friend running with me - and many times had people I knew would be cheering at the end.  But not this time.

I put myself in the middle of the pack.  I know all the advice - don't go out too fast, find someone to pace with, save some for the end, etc etc etc.  And I told myself the only goal was to break 30 minutes.  So imagine my surprise when I look down after a quarter of a mile and I've got an 8:06ish pace going.  I knew I had to back off or I wasn't going to make it.  I tried to keep pace with a few women around me so I wouldn't keep speeding up.

Mile 1: 8:52

Crap. I'm not known for sub-9 minute miles. Ever. I suddenly became very worried I was going to bonk.  I tried to pull back, just stick with the group I was with and not worry about passing anyone in mile 2.

Mile 2: 9:19

I felt good. I had a good cushion left in order to get under 30, and that was the only goal.  It all went by so fast.  I kept checking my Garmin for my mileage and around 2.75 was headed down a windy sidewalk and couldn't believe it was almost over.

Mile 3: 8:52

A woman passed me that I had noticed before the race.  She looked like a runner.  In the half hour before the race, you can bet I was scouting everyone out and making assumptions about people - because what else are you supposed to do?!!?  I wasn't sure if she was in my age group (20-29) but felt like she might be.  But it didn't matter.  I just wanted under 30.

I could see the finish line and timer and was shocked and excited to see a time starting with 27.  I gave what I had left and came flying down the hill.  My Garmin read 27:06.

Total shock. I had thought maaaaybe I could get in under 29, maybe.  Seeing that 27 put a massive grin on my face.  I wandered around a little after, drinking some water and grabbed a clementine.  I tried to decide if I should just go or hang out for a bit watching the rest of the finishers.  I took a seat on the basketball court and ate my clementine, and just kept looking at my Garmin and smiling at the time.  I looked at my splits in awe.

I got up to throw out the rind from my clementine, and noticed they had started printing the results.  I looked at them upside and saw a 2 next to my name.  And then I saw the pile of medals.

Wait a minute... did I just get an age group award?

Yes, not only did I PR my 5K, by 3 minutes and 16 seconds, I received 2nd place for the 20-29 female age group.  And yes, there was more than 2 people in my age group - 7 of them in fact.  Last year,  in this same race, I was 7/9 in my age group.  This year...  I got a freakin' medal you guys!! I love medals.

Embarrassing picture with my medal.  

Yes, I'm in my truck - but don't worry mom, I swear I was at a red light!

I'm so happy and feel very rejuvenated with running.  Like all these miles I've run over the last year have actually helped me accomplish something I wasn't sure was possible.  And now I'm off to find myself another race to run...

No Really, I Still Run...

Approximately a year ago tomorrow (okay, it was actually June 29th, so a little less than a year), I strapped on my first timing chip and stepped up to the start line of my first ever road race.

I ran a 5K in 30:37, without stopping once.  I haven't looked back since.

Tomorrow I'll be running the same 5K at my work, and have high hopes to finally break 30 minutes.  I've run hundreds of miles (wow, that's kind of crazy to say) since that last race, and I know I can run a lot farther than I did then, let's just hope I can run faster!

I've done a few 3.1 mile training races and come in under 30 minutes, so I've got my fingers crossed.  Most of the people that run it are pretty quick (i.e. 102 out of 116 that ran it last year came in under 30 minutes), so hopefully I can find someone to use as a pacer and between them and my Garmin, I can achieve one of my big goals for the year.  I plan to do at least a few more to better my time this summer, and then hopefully I can go off and do a 10k under an hour... we'll see about that.

I haven't been running as much as I probably should be, or want to be.  But I've been doing a somewhat crazy amount of zumba, so I think I'm pretty strong cardio wise.  My plan is to run the first two miles around the same pace... aiming for somewhere between 9:15 and 9:30, kick it up in the third mile, and for the last quarter mile go pretty much all out.  I know the course much better this year, since I've walked and run it several times over the last few months, so I'll know where the ups and downs are and how much I have left.

Regardless of what happens, its crazy to think I've actually stuck with this for over a year.  Granted I took some time off in the late fall/early winter, but I've stayed with it for the most part - more than anything I have before.  Even though I played sports in high school, I don't think I've stayed this consistent with exercise before, ever.  For someone who has claimed many times in her life that she just wasn't cut out to run, I'd say that's a pretty big accomplishment.  I might not be fast, but at least I'm out there.

No matter what my time tomorrow, I'll still be proud of myself.

Big Lake Half Marathon Race Recap

*I realize I didn't post anything for Mother's Day. It has nothing to do with my mother - who is my #1 hero - but we have had some other things going on as well, that I will post about later.  Right now, this is what I want to write about, so this is what you get.*

A year ago, I was contemplating starting the Couch to 5k running program.  I had run during soccer practices growing up, and on occasion thought I could hit the pavement and knock out a few miles, but I always ended up out of breath, miserable, and feeling like I never, ever wanted to do that again.  I've been known to make the comment "my body isn't made for running".

Last Saturday, I ran a half marathon.

Friday night I organized everything I'd need to for the next day, and set my alarm for 5:00am, with hopes to be at the race site by 6:30/6:45am - it was a little over an hour away.  I checked the weather, which showed 50s and partly cloudy. Perfect.  Sunrise? 5:30am.

I woke up panicked and looked at my phone/clock/alarm.  4:47am.  I should probably just get up since I'm awake.  But I'll just wait for my alarm to go off.  A bit later, I could feel light coming through my eyelids.  That's strange... sunrise is 5:30, it shouldn't be light yet.  My eyes popped open and I grabbed my phone. 5:40.  You've got to be effing kidding me.  I jumped out of bed, tried not to panic, and started getting ready as quickly as I could.  I was out the door by 5:50.

I promptly swore at every car that got in front of me for the entire drive.  Registration closed at 7:30.  I arrived about 7:10, and panicked again when I couldn't find parking.  Eventually I found my way into the gymnasium, and was glad I had checked the registration the night before, since bib pick up was by number, not name.  198.  I hurried back to the truck and got my ipod, garmin, and clothes ready, trying to text my friend I was meeting up with.

We finally found each other.  I was on edge, nervous.  Anxious to get to the starting area, to get moving.  The group of us (myself, my friend, her friend, her cousin, and her cousins fiancee) made our way down to the start.  I stopped by the Make-A-Wish table to check in there, and received my - extremely tight - jersey.  When I told the organizer my name and she saw I had raised $991 dollars, she was excited.  When I told her it was actually $1,091, and that I also had a matching form they could fill out for another $100, she jumped up and down, shouted "thank you so much!" and gave me a hug.  Incredible feeling.

 Me, in all my tight jersey glory.  This picture was really just to make sure I didn't look too tubby, not so much to share with the world. Ah well.

I thought I should probably use the port-a-potty.  Afterall, I was a 'Wish Racer', and there were some sectioned off specifically for us, ideally to reduce the lines.  I walked over, but the lines were still long.  Do I reallly have to go?  I decided no, knowing I may regret it later.  I anxiously kept checking my watch, suggesting to my group that maybe we should move towards the starting area.  Finally getting them to agree, we made our way over to the starting area.

My goals were simple.... 1) Finish and 2) Don't finish last.  But, I'm too competitive for my own good, and had to put a few other stipulations on myself.  Like, finishing under two and a half hours would be great.  And under 2:20 would be fantastic.  But all in all, if I made it, and didn't have to walk much, I'd be happy.

The first mile was heading into town and towards the lake.  We talked a lot and laughed at ourselves.  The first few miles felt really easy.  Around mile five I ate my package of dried cranberries, since that was what I had used during my training runs.  The first seven-ish miles were made up of rolling hills on a main road, overlooking the lake.  Not a cloud in the sky and mid-fifties, everything felt great.  The course had a total of nine water stops, which was perfect, never feeling like we had to go too long between.

Somewhere around mile four or five, I had it with my race jersey.  I took it off and tucked it into the back of my capris.  The compression wasn't something I was used to and I couldn't deal with anymore.  It stayed tucked well, and after a few minutes I didn't even notice the flapping against the back of my legs anymore.  After mile seven, we headed down back roads, that consisted of much steeper hills, and I made the mistake of letting myself use gravity to get down them - which wrecked havoc on my knees.  But, we kept chugging along at a pace I didn't think possible for myself.

The farthest I had run during training (and ever) was 10.25 miles.  I would say at right about that point, I was ready to be done.  I had my fun, and I would have been totally fine with rounding a corner and seeing the finish line.  No dice.

There were some serious elevation changes up and down during those last few miles, and they really zapped my energy.  My friend was carrying a camelpak and had some energy chews which I yelled ahead for at one point - going up a hill I had dropped back a ways.  It didn't seem to do much to help.

The last two miles were totally a mental game, and 20 (or so) very long minutes.  I told my friend J to go ahead without me, to stay with her friend who was running with us, but she dropped back with me anyway.  I mumbled alot of things those last two miles, including "I don't think I can make it" and "Why isn't the finish line here yet".  I had one older lady ask if I knew my pace, I glanced down at my garmin and told her.  She complained about going downhill, and I agreed, telling her I thought my kneecaps were going to fall off.

Even looking down at my garmin, knowing I had under a mile left, I didn't think I had any push left in me.  We finally started seeing the crowds and rounded into the finishers chute.  I knew my parents and B were there somewhere, but all I could focus on was getting to the point where I could finally stop.  I ducked my head down trying to make those last few seconds go by faster, and about 25 yards from the finish I looked up to see my parents smiling and waving, my mom and B snapping pictures.  I kicked it into gear with the last bit of energy I had left, and crossed that finish line, completing my first half marathon.

I grabbed my medal and had to keep walking around or I think I would have fallen down.  My legs were spent and tight, and even though I'm not sure I managed a smile for a while, I was ecstatic.  I didn't know my official time yet, but I knew it was under 2:20 according to my garmin.  I hit every goal I set out with, even the ones I didn't think were possible.

Splits, according to my garmin:

Official (chip) time: 2:11:25

FYI: Chip time is the actual time from when I crossed the start line, until I crossed the finish line.  There is a timing chip on the back of the numbers we wear.  Gun time is the time from the official start to when I crossed the finish line.


During training, I had a hard time hitting more than 1 sub-10 minute mile in a row.  I hit two in a row, 3 times during my half marathon.  And not a single mile was over 10:24.  I had been sure a majority of the miles would be closer to 11 minutes.  Incredible, once again.

A year ago, I couldn't have run a mile without feeling like I wanted to pass out.  Saturday, May 7th, I ran over 13 miles in a row, without stopping (only to finish a sip of water before throwing the cup away), in a time I honestly thought I couldn't achieve.

I had awesome support throughout my training as well as during the race.  I honestly don't know if I could have done it - at least not as well - without the people supporting me.  But in the end, I did it.  No one else.  Nobody did the training for me, suffering through miles on the treadmill, pouring ran, and the stench of cow manure (a training route I have to seriously rethink!).  Nobody made my legs keep moving during that race, only I kept them going forward, even when I felt like I was moving backward up that hill going into mile 12.  Nobody made me do it.  Nobody ever made me feel like I had to do it.  I didn't have to prove to anyone that I could.

Except for myself.

A year ago, I scoffed at the idea, thinking it was impossible.  But it wasn't, and it isn't.  And I kind of can't wait to do it again.

Now, I think I can finally admit to being a runner.

Almost Race Day!

Saturday is the half marathon.

The one I've been training for, thinking about, obsessing over, since January.

Something like 1 day 9 hours and 42 minutes left.

I got in as much training as I could. Life got in the way sometimes, but I didn't lose focus.  How could I? I was racing to benefit kids like this:

I set out with a goal to raise $500.  Generous friends and family helped me hit that goal in almost no time once I started asking.  B told me if I was going to keep asking for donations, I had to raise my goal.

I moved it to $1,000, with hopes of being able to hit it, but if not, I still did my part.

As of tonight, I've raised $1,041 with another $25 check waiting for me at work.  Plus, I have a form so that B's mom's employer will match her $100 donation.  Friends, family, and co-workers have all donated.

I'm so beside myself with all the support I've gotten.  Thus far, it has been a pretty difficult year emotionally, but I can't help but smile when I think of the joy these donations will help bring to a child whose life has been difficult emotionally and physically.

I can't wait for Saturday.

T minus 1 month

1 month from today I will be able to say I finished my first half marathon. (um, I better be able to say it!)

I'm in surprisingly good shape - as in no real injuries *knocks on wood*.  I have some sore legs, my knees act up, and I get shoulder pains. But its nothing I haven't been able to fight through.

My longest single run so far has been 7.3 miles.  I have an 8, 9, 11, and 10 left before the race.  My highest weekly mileage has been 20, which included two long runs.  Provided I complete my 5 miles tomorrow and 8 on Sunday, this week will be 23.  And the remaining weeks will increase from there.  Hopefully my body can handle it.

I've been using the Garmin B got me for my birthday for all of my runs and its amazing.... I just haven't been able to fully utilize all the features yet (the heart rate monitor, pace alarms, etc.).  Hopefully I'll find myself from free time to figure that out soon, but I'm not holding my breath.

My sneakers have about 240 miles on them.  I got them last July, but haven't been running consistently.  The rule of thumb is 300-500 miles.  Having worked in a sports shoe store (no literally, it was called Sportshoe Center) and knowing how important the right shoe, and replacing that shoe at the appropriate time is, I'm starting to panic a little.  Because I'll be over 300 miles by the race.  But you shouldn't wear brand news shoes (or anything) at a race.  So, I think I have to cough up the dough so I can run in them for a few weeks prior.  And then I can just switch back and forth for a while until my current shoes turn into my dog walking, mud, gardening, everyday sneakers.

Since I'm cheap, and picky, I have to try and find my current shoes in my size, on sale somewhere.  They came out with new ones, and the color choices are all ugly.  Which stinks, because looking good is clearly the most important part of running.

My fundraising is going awesome.  I have some very generous people in my life, that I am very grateful too! (Oh, and if you'd like to be one of them, go for it!) (Is it tacky that I just linked that twice? Yes? Oh well.)

Half Marathon, for real.

I've survived my first three weeks of half marathon training.  In one piece at that :)

I'm following this program by Hal Higdon, with slight modifications, since I had more than 12 weeks from when I started until the race.  I mostly just doubled up on a few weeks a little later in the training, especially the ones that involve running more than 6 miles, since that is currently my longest distance.

My half-marathon is on May 7, 2011.

Which is currently 83 days away.  Seems like alot, but it isn't.

It's the Big Lake Half Marathon and looks like it'll be a blast.  Well, as much of a blast as running 13.1 miles can be.  Each water stop is themed, and the volunteers compete to have the best one, there's even some live music along the course!  It's also along the lake, which, as long as the weather is good, will provide for some awesome views to distract from the distance.  And, I'm a big sucker for the free stuff, I think "real runners" call it swag, from the race, and this race includes a multi-color tech shirt, as well as a finishers medal at the end.  Which I mean, who doesn't love getting a medal?

As I mentioned previously, I'm also running for charity.  I've signed up to be a Wish Racer, for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  You can read more about my decision to do that on my fundraising website, which can be found here.  I think its a great cause, and it seems to be a no-pressure fundraising effort, which I appreciate.  A friend who is running a marathon, looked into running for a charity, which stipulated that you must raise a certain amount, and if you don't, they will charge your credit card the difference.  I don't know how common that is, but I found it kind of.... rude. Maybe its just me.

I'll try to keep updated on the training, and not beg for money too much :)

Anyway, there you have it. I'm really doing it.

I haven't told my knees yet though.  Not sure they can hold out that long, so let's just agree to not let them know until it gets a bit closer, k? Kthanks :)

So I Got Little Crazy...

Since I have so much free time these days (no wait... that's not right...) and I love running so much (nope... that's not right either...) I decided, WHY NOT sign up for a half marathon!? Seems like the most logical thing to do, right?

Right.

Well, wrong.

But I did it anyway.  *sigh*  The registration fee has been paid, the training plan has been adjusted and printed, and *gasp* the fundraising page has been set up.

I'm not ready to share more than that just this second.  I'm still in shock that I did it.  It might not seem like that big of a deal, but let's take a few things into account here.

1. The longest distance I've run since I started pretending to be a runner (maybe ever) is 6.2 miles (The 10K races I did).  A half marathon is 13.1 miles. (For those of you not versed in race distances, a half is always 13.1, and a full marathon is always 26.2.)
2. This involved a minimum commitment of 12 weeks, to follow the training plan I'm working with.  That's THREE MONTHS people.  Oye.  And since I have a few extra weeks between now and the race, I've built in a few double weeks, since I know myself, and if I don't start right now... well, it won't be pretty.
3. And did I mention what else I have going on in the next few months?  Well, I guess I don't really need to, its mostly more of the same - an insane amount of work, trying to survive grad school in one piece, helping B survive grad school in one piece, keeping this house from looking like a tornado hit it, being a good doggie-mom, and oh yea, keeping a social life. 
4. This fundraising thing... I'm a little nervous about it.  I haven't done much fund raising in my adult life.  Sure, I sold Girl Scout cookies, and whatever crap it is you sell in school fund raisers.  And in college we sold beer beverage "coozies" to raise money for the rugby team.  I don't know what to set my goal at. I don't want to over-do it on Facebook (or here).  Can I increase my goal if things are going well? AH, what is the fundraising etiquette?!  Luckily, there's no minimum amount I have to raise, like some I've seen, so the pressure is off there at least.

I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm thinking I might be crazy.

10K Race Report: Santa Fund Run 10/31/10

10K Race #2: Completed.

The Santa Fund is a charity run by our local newspaper that works "to give area needy children a happy holiday."  Who can argue with that?  The Santa Fund Run is the kickoff to the fundraising season and for the first time I was a participant.

Almost immediately after the first 10K, C suggested we do another.  So just a few weeks later, we arrived at a local high school and lined up on the track for our second race.

I felt incredibly unprepared for this race.  After the first one, back on the 10th, I didn't run for a week.  And then I only half heartedlt trained for the next two weeks, the last few days of which were on the treadmill at the gym I joined (story for another day).  I was nervous and had low expectations of myself.

I had a serious issue deciding what to wear, changing my shirt at the car when we arrived, but it turned out to the be perfect day for some running capris and a long sleeve tech shirt.  This was a much, much bigger race than the Pumpkin Festival.  There were over 500 people running between the 5K and the 10K.  And lining up on the track with all of them was a little overwhelming.  Just getting across the finish line was a challenge, so many people funneling through.

The first mile flew by.  I was running with C, and my college roommate aka Spaz.  We were dodging in and out of people, trying to find a comfortable pace.  For the next few miles the race was on wooded trails along the river, which is really pretty this time of year.  I evened out my pace pretty early and felt strong through a majority of the race.  It helped that it was mostly flat too.

At mile four we ran through a back parking lot in the "millyard" and continued on a paved trail back through the park.  My knees weren't quite ready for that pavement.  There was a slight... and I mean slight and short, decline, and I wasn't totally confident both my knees wouldn't buckle completely.  But they didn't.

Mile five was spent telling myself I did not need to walk and to just keep going.  I followed behind a woman going about the same pace and tried to space out to my music.  At mile 6 my knees wanted to be done. Totally and completely done.  But I was soooo close.

And then Spaz and her boyfriend popped out and started cheering for me. (They had run the 5k). Fine.

I hit the track and gave it everything I had left.

1:02:54.

To refresh your memory, the last one was 1:07:17. That's what... 4 minutes and 22 seconds faster?  Something like that.

Amazing.

C also had a PR (personal record) cutting her time by around 30 seconds.
Spaz had a PR in her 5K, which is also awesome.
Oh, and Spaz's boyfriend won his age group in the 5K.

Yea, he's good.

I had a good time, and surprising felt really good through most of it.  Just have to figure out what to do with these knees... they seem to be acting twice their age, and it's getting old...

Next scheduled challenge? PR the 5K on Thanksgiving.  "Training" to begin as soon as my knees stop aching.

10-10-10: 10K Race Report

I'm only a few days behind on my posts, no biggie.

Anyway, 10-10-10 was the big day. The one we spent 2 months training for - 10K Day!!!  The race was held in conjunction with our town's annual Pumpkin Festival and included both a 5K and 10K.

I made sure to get everything ready the night before, and get to bed at a decent hour - since the race started at 9. C and I drove to the high school to pick up our numbers together, and then had some serious time to kill.  We walked around the track a few times, stretched, and tried not to psych ourselves out with the fairly fit people walking around.

There was a significantly smaller number of runners for the 10K, but as my friend K says, that's because 10Ks are the worst distance and no one likes them. Figures.  We started near the back and let a majority of the pack go out ahead of us.  No use tiring ourselves out in the first half mile.

Frankly, we both felt like crap.  We kept a steady pace and were keeping up with a couple in front of us for a while, but lost them around a turn at one point.  And then there was this young girl, maybe 12, who was running the 5K and would go really slow right up until we were about to pass her, and then she'd take off.  She did this for about 10 minutes until I decided I couldn't take it anymore and sprinted by her. On a hill.  Poor decision.

By the time we split off from the 5K group, which was around 3 miles for us, I was seriously wishing we had run the 5K.  As we ran by the track, and woman started flailing her arms and whipped out her camera.

(All photo credit to my awesome mom)

I was not nearly as happy as this picture portrays me to be.  But seeing my parents did put a smile on my face and gave me a decent push to keep going.  The next mile was pretty awful.  About half of it was downhill and then flat, but then it was up, up, and then straight up.  My strategy in these cases is to put my head down, and turn my legs over as fast as I can, because otherwise, I won't make it.

The woman holding the sign at the top of the hill to turn was bubbly and encouraging, even though we knew we were the very back of the pack.  There was only one woman behind us.  Once my knees survived the steep downhill, I hit my stride.  Apparently my ipod knew just what I needed:

For whatever reason, this is my current favorite running song.  No idea, don't ask.  And it gave me the push I needed. For exactly the next mile and a half.  With about 3/4s of a mile left, there's a some short, but steep, uphill on the sidewalk.  I was able to run up it, but then was pretty sure I was going to throw up.  So there was some walking involved.

But then, I saw a person in front of me. Crap. My competitiveness got the best of me and I decided she needed to be passed.  The last half mile or so wraps around the middle school, and the takes you down this hill of drainage rocks - which I thought was just plain mean - and then across the field and back onto the track. About halfway across the field the woman who was in front of me and I were right next to each other. We exchanged a few encouraging words and I continued past.

So at this point, I just want to stop. Lay down. And take a nap. But you've gotta go around the stupid track.  And all the little high schoolers that had finished their 5K probably like, a half hour ago, were loitering around in the center field, and migrating ONTO THE TRACK.  Hi, please move, I'm freakin' tired get out of my way kthanks.

The announcer comes on and says "Here comes S - coming in strong! This is her very first 10K, great job!"  So my mom used to work for the middle school in town, and my stepdad for the school district - so they knew the announcer and had him throw in the part about it being my first 10K.  Sweet.

Much more accurate representation of how I was feeling.

Coming in, I could see the time.  I wasn't thrilled, but it was better than I thought.  See, even though I had "gotten everything ready the night before" I still forgot my watch.  So I wasn't sure were I was at.  About Mile 5 my playlist ended, and I have an approximate idea of how long it is, so I had estimated how I was doing.  At this point, I was just glad to be done, and not last.  (39 out of 42 isn't that bad right!? haha)

Official Time: 1:07:17 (Mom was a little early on the picture)

Good enough to be proud of, with enough room to improve.  Which is hopefully exactly what I'll do this weekend.

Oh, did I not mention we're crazy and are running another 10K on Halloween? Yup. With not nearly enough training having been done in between the two.

And I've also signed up for a 5K on Thanksgiving.  And have half committed to a 5K next weekend too.  Who am I?!!?

Running... a 10K?!

So, I still won't call myself a runner.

But I'm in training for another race.  My neighbor, good friend, and morning running buddy, C, and I decided that we wanted to set a goal, rather than just run for the heck of it.  So here we are, in week 2 of 10K training.

That sounds so far, doesn't it? 10K. It's twice as far as a 5K! A total of 6.2 miles.  Now, if anyone reading this is like, a real runner, yea I know, you probably knock out 6 miles on a random Tuesday in bare feet. With your eyes closed. Whatever. I think it's far, and more importantly, an achievable, yet challenging goal.

We're following the 10K Training: Novice program from Hal Higdon.  My friends who are training for a marathon (yes, they are crazy) are using one of his programs, and it looked simple enough, so here we are.  So far, so good. It's not JUST running, so its nice to mix it up and little and be *forced* into some strength training, since I otherwise always say I'm going  to, but then never do.

My awesome shoes are still... awesome.  And I've added some sweet bling to my work out attire.  Since it's still pretty dark these days at 5:45am (omg so early), and it's been raining this week making it even darker, I'm trying stay safe and have been wearing two of these bad boys:

(No, that's not me. Image taken from the NathanSports.com website. I purchased mine at Sports Authority)

I've been putting one on a wrist and one on an ankle.  It was annoying to have one on my wrist with my watch... but this morning the one of my ankle was acting up and being all pinchy, so back to the wrist it was.  As it cools down I plan to get myself a running jacket that is even more reflective, but, these work for now.

Anyway, the 10K is October 10th - the weekend of our town's annual Pumpkin Festival.  Of course its Sunday morning, when they have a beer tasting on Saturday night... figures.

This Friday or Saturday is our first real "long" run - 3.5 miles - which should be interesting.  For the most part I'm enjoying myself so far... even tho the four letter words in my vocabulary have been getting a workout.

I've got a delicious (and healthy!) recipe coming up on Friday, and hopefully will be able to get caught up on all the stuff I've been wanting to share since I turned in my last paper of the term for grad school tonight!! Ooooh I'm going to enjoy this month off before the next term starts...

Make It Fun Monday: Running

Some things in life aren't fun.  Bills, homework, laundry.  Mondays.  But I've been trying to get the most out of even the un-fun situations lately, taking pleasure in the simple things.  So, why not take Mondays to come up with ways to make things that aren't usually fun, fun! Ok ok, how about tolerable?

I am admittedly not a huge fan of running.  Or maybe I should say I wasn't a huge fan of running.  It's growing on me, s-l-o-w-l-y.  There are a few things I've tried to do to enjoy myself while getting into this whole running thing.  So, I figure this is a fitting subject to discuss.


*I am by no means an expert. Heck, I've barely been running for more weeks than I have fingers on my hand.  But this is what's worked for me. Take it as you will.*


Music.
Yes, I know every "Make Running More Enjoyable" list in the world probably suggests you try this. Whatever.  There are a lot of different ways to go about this one.  Some websites have "podcasts" you can down load specifically for running.  They can be specific to the beats per minute, because apparently that helps you run a certain speed.  With the Couch to 5k program I did, there are "podcasts" that will change the song, or make a beep, when you are supposed to switch your intervals.

Me? Well, that's all way too technical for the-girl-who-isn't-a-runner-but-sometimes-runs.  I've loaded up my ipod with a variety of tunes that just make me want to move.  I suggest songs you really like, but don't necessarily get to listen to all the time.  In my house, we listen to mostly country music, so on my running mix I throw on things I don't hear everyday, that way, it's like a treat getting to listen to them.  And I use new music as a reward for sticking with it.  It's a cheap, easy way to reward yourself, and give yourself motivation to keep going.  With Kevin Rudolf screaming "I Made It" in my ear, or Fort Minor chanting This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill, Fifteen percent concentrated power of will, Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain, And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!, it's pretty hard to let myself stop.


Sneaks, Clothes, and Accessories.
So frankly, there's nothing that makes it more difficult to go run than feeling like I'm missing something, that I'm not properly equipped.  I used to work at a place called Sportshoe Center. And I'm pretty sure you can guess what we sold.  I learned the value of wearing the proper footwear for a variety of activities.  It really is one of the best things you can do for yourself.  The right shoes go a loooong way.  So, after I had several weeks under my belt and knew I would stick with it, (and happened to lose my current running shoes on vacation...) I rewarded myself with a pair of these puppies:

Mizuno Women's Wave Rider 13s. Size 10. (Yes, I have giant feet.)

I've been an Asics girl since my time at Sportshoe, but it felt like it was time for a change.  And maybe someday I'll go back.  But not for a while.  I've been running in these for about two weeks, and so far, I love them and have literally no complaints.  No wait, I have one.  One shoe lace is like, way longer than the other.  I have to double knot it so it doesn't tickle my other leg.  But that's it.

Other fun things for your feet? SOCKS! And yea, I know, there's expensive technical running socks.  And I have them (past employer reference again).  But seriously, I found the FUNNEST socks ever at Olympia Sports.  Fluorescent greens, yellows, blues, purples, oranges - even with argyle! So yea, they make me happy and want to run.

And then of course there's all the cute running clothes.  Like my obsession with running tights - pants and capris.  The Oh-So-Comfy tech shirts.  And even cute little running shorts... that I've bought, but not yet worn.  My go-to company is adidas, I can't help but want to buy every single thing they make.  Champion is a cheaper alternative.  I stay away from Nike for personal (weird) reasons.

Goals.
Have something you're aiming for.  Especially when you first start.  If I didn't have a 5k in mind that I wanted to run, I doubt I would have stuck with it.  Races are fun, and not nearly as scary as they seem.  Even if you're in the back of the pack.  I won't say everyone is nice and that they all cheer for you at the end - because that doesn't always happen.  But it's incredibly satisfying to be able to say "Oh yea, I ran a race yesterday."  So, with that in mind, I really need to find myself another race soon....


A Buddy.
I know, I know, you're probably like, "SERIOUSLY S?! This is all the same crap everyone feeds me about running."  But I promise, having someone to run with, will get you to do it.  Case in point: I am not a morning person.  For the last three weeks I have met my neighbor at the end of my drive way between 5:30am and 5:45am, 3 days a week.  And we've run.  And walk. And run again.  It's awesome. And there's no way I would be getting up at that hour if she wouldn't be left in my driveway.

So really, find a buddy.  And it's not as hard and daunting as you think.  There's the "grown up" ways of doing it - finding local running clubs, etc.  You can ask friends you know who run.  Even if you think they're way faster than you, a day or two a week of a slower run won't kill them, and they might just enjoy the company.  Or, you can do what I did.  The desperate move.  Post on your Facebook status (or whatever other social network you use) that you are looking for a workout buddy (mine specified morning).  In less than two hours, I had a bright and early date with my neighbor for a morning run the next day.  If you don't have anyone near you that would be up for it, even just text messages or phone calls in the morning to get you up from a friend or family member who's already up at that hour, will help you be accountable.

And Mix It Up.

I don't just run when I run. I walk too. I call them my intervals.  They make time go by faster, and help me go farther.

Rain. Oh my, running in the rain my just be one of my favorite things these days.  Give me a hat and some refreshing ran coming down, and I can go like, twice as far.

Run for time, not distance or speed.  At least at first.  Best advice I read when starting the Couch to 5k program.  Trust me on this one.

And when you need to, take a break. Don't push it so hard that you're miserable. Cause duh, then you won't go back out and do it again.  And that pretty much defeats the entire purpose.

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There you have it.  A few of the ways I try to enjoy running.  I know it's good for me, I've seen a difference in my energy and my body in just the few weeks I've been doing it, and it's something I can do almost anywhere.  I've read that it can take a while to truly enjoy it (like a year or two, ugh), but this is a start.

Now if only I could find a way to make grad school half as fun...

My Running Secret

I've been keeping a secret.... the last six weeks I've been following the Couch to 5k Program.  It's a 9 week program designed to help you get from being a couch potato to running a full 5k.  (I asked B if he wanted to do it with me... he said he'd take care of the couch part.)

With two friends training for marathons - that they discuss frequently, and still feeling the "newlywed nine", I was looking to get myself into decent shape again.  I've never enjoyed running, and would never dare to call myself a runner.  I played sports - soccer, basketball, rugby, and I swam.  There's an amount of running required (well except for the swimming), but beyond that it was never something I enjoyed.  Over the years I've tried to run, it always seemed like a good idea, but I would come home in pain and convince myself my body just wasn't built to run. That I have bad knees. That I have a bad back. Etc. Etc. Etc.

But, then I looked at the Couch to 5k Program.  I'd never followed any programs before, I'd just go out and run as much as I could.  I told myself I would follow this program, and not overdue it - which always leads to me feeling awful and not wanting to do it again.

Well, this is week six.  I've completed all of the trainings so far, in order and not gone over (at least not by much).  It also happens to be the week of the "Rush Hour 5k Run" at my place of employment.  I figured what the heck.  One of my crazy marathon friends works in the same location as me and said she'd run it too.  Perfect.

The race was today.  And I finished. And I ran the entire time (minus about 5 seconds of tying my shoes).  And I wasn't last. Not even close. In fact, I passed several people in the last quarter-ish mile.  I did pick up my pace a little too soon - didn't realize the last loop was so long!

My "unofficial" time - i.e. when I crossed the line what the clock read - was about 30:25.  It was a chipped race - meaning they gave us ankle bracelets that track you specifically, so they'll have the results based on exactly when I crossed the start line, and exactly when I cross the finish line - so I'll have an official time in a few days hopefully.  And, for those who are metrically challenged, a 5k is 3.1 miles, and 30:25 is under a 10 minute/mile pace.  Which is pretty decent for a beginner runner - at least from what I know.

I'm really proud of myself, and will continue to finish off the training plan as is, in hopes of being able to push myself a little harder.  I had fun, even if I was a bundle of nerves (cause I mean, my boss, Mr. something-like-7-time-Boston-Marathon-runner was running too), and am excited to get back into a competitive sport - even if the competition is mostly with myself.

Big thanks to Kristin (check out her photography site Focused on Life) for running it with me, and helping me push myself.

So, I might be doing some more running, but I'm still not calling myself a runner...