Well, my last week of tough training is done. Hello TAPER!
Monday: 4.5 easy recovery miles with Sarah (average pace: 11:10)
Tuesday: rest (read: RAIN)
Wednesday: rest (John had a night meeting which preempted my track workout. Much pouting.)
Thursday: 5 miles (average pace: 10:23)
Friday: 3.57 fun miles with Kim (average pace: 10:18)
Saturday: 20 miles!! (average pace: 11:37)
Sunday: rest (read bbq with friends trying not to eat everything in sight)
Week total miles: 33.07 miles
My left calf had been acting up after the half, and I was happy that it seemed to work itself out by my 20 miler. It's still a little tight, but not anything I'm concerned about. Today I get to go see my sister's new house and spend time with my family. Happy Memorial Day to everyone! And my heartfelt thanks to the men and women who've served and who continue to serve our country.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
The Best 20 Mile Run Ever
To say that I was looking forward to this run would be an understatement. After running and chatting with Kim on Friday, I was even more looking forward to it.
You see, I had very specific goals for this run. And here's a little spoiler: I MET EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
When Kim asked me what my goals were, I said, "Goal number one: Don't shit yourself. Goal number two: Finish feeling strong." (An aside: later on facebook, Kim commented, "YAY! Can't wait to hear about your 20. Don't forget your #1 Goal! Or should it be your #2 goal...? :P" I laughed so hard I almost spit my drink at my computer. Really, I'm a 12 year old trapped in a 40 year old body.) I ended up posting my planned run on the running club website, but truthfully, I wanted to do this one alone. I wanted to see if I could get through it ALONE. I won't have a huge support system at Grandma's, and I crashed hard mentally in Chicago last fall, so I NEEDED to see if I could manage 4 hours of running by myself.
I hydrated really well in the days leading up to Saturday. I was planning on eating really light on Friday night, but instead gave in to my PMS craving for pizza. Oops. I took 1 imodium Friday before bed, and got to bed really early and slept really well. So far, so good.
Saturday morning, up at 4:00. I ate cereal and had 2 cups of coffee, which did the trick. I made it out the door, almost on time. I was planning on running my same route along the Des Plaines River Trail as I had for my 18, but just go a half a mile farther before turning back for each of 2 out-and-backs. I saw 2 running club peeps before I started, but I sent them on ahead.
I headed north along the trail. It was a humid, cool, overcast morning, threatening rain. It was really nice running weather. I decided to run the whole thing with my handheld, and I planned to refill at the halfway point. My achy calf was feeling decent, and I was looking forward to a good run.
Almost immediately, I was forced to change plans on the fly. About 1.75 miles up the trail (when I was planning on 5 miles up and 5 back) the trail was completely flooded. I couldn't see a way around it without potentially soaking my shoes, which I flat out refused to do this early on in the run, so I turned south. I passed my car and headed south for barely a mile from there when the underpass was flooded. This I could get around though, and I climbed up the hill and crossed the street. Another mile, and I had 3 pissed off geese blocking the trail. Really? This is NOT my day! I got hissed at a bunch, and went way off the trail to get around them. Finally, running again. but I only got another mile and a half before the trail was flooded and I was forced to turn back.
Now I am feverishly calculating in my head, trying to figure out the best way to proceed. I gu'd at 7 (since I was walking by the stupid geese again anyhow), and made it back to my car with only 8.5 miles ticked off the total. *sigh* I was feeling good, so I decided to head north again as far as I could go. I ran a road access both ways to add some distance on, gu'd at 11, and made it back to the car at 12.5. Just in time, too, because I needed a bathroom stop.
Took care of business (I never noticed a difference with the imodium - maybe I need to take it earlier? Or not eat an entire frozen pizza right before taking it?) refilled my handheld, ate a packet of salt, and tried to figure out where to go next. The pavilion I was parked at was right next to a lake, with an inner and outer path going around it. I decided to start running loops. I did the inner ring first, but it was only about 0.8 miles around, so I moved on to the outer ring. It was a little better than2.25 around. I can handle that. It was less covered, so a bit more windy, which was actually really nice, since it cooled me off nicely. It was also nice to have a bit more "company" to smile and say good morning too. One woman I must have met 6 times and we were encouraging each other.
After the second 2.25 mile loop, I had less than 3 miles to go, but I refilled my handheld one last time. I had gu'd and eaten another packet of salt again at about 15.5, and I was feeling strong. My feet never cramped up, my legs were tired but good, and my mental game was perfect. I hit mile 18 with the hugest freaking smile on my face, and I think I smiled the entire rest of the run. People on the trail probably thought I was loony, but I did not care. I was going to DO this. I started running faster, which made me walk more often, but my average pace stayed consistent. I hit mile 19, and Cinderella's "The Last Mile" came on my iPod. I LAUGHED. And maybe sang a little.
The last mile / before I sleep
It'll be awhile / before I get my peace
With the same style / I walked for years
On the last mile / I can REST MY FEARS
Splits for the curious (see gamin details here): 11:56, 12:07, 11:44, 11:29, 11:50, 11:04, 11:19, 12:01, 11:17, 11:20, 11:48, 11:39, 11:2911:35, 11:36, 12:22, 11:30, 11:33, 11:13, 11:21 My average pace was 11:37.
You see, I had very specific goals for this run. And here's a little spoiler: I MET EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
When Kim asked me what my goals were, I said, "Goal number one: Don't shit yourself. Goal number two: Finish feeling strong." (An aside: later on facebook, Kim commented, "YAY! Can't wait to hear about your 20. Don't forget your #1 Goal! Or should it be your #2 goal...? :P" I laughed so hard I almost spit my drink at my computer. Really, I'm a 12 year old trapped in a 40 year old body.) I ended up posting my planned run on the running club website, but truthfully, I wanted to do this one alone. I wanted to see if I could get through it ALONE. I won't have a huge support system at Grandma's, and I crashed hard mentally in Chicago last fall, so I NEEDED to see if I could manage 4 hours of running by myself.
I hydrated really well in the days leading up to Saturday. I was planning on eating really light on Friday night, but instead gave in to my PMS craving for pizza. Oops. I took 1 imodium Friday before bed, and got to bed really early and slept really well. So far, so good.
Saturday morning, up at 4:00. I ate cereal and had 2 cups of coffee, which did the trick. I made it out the door, almost on time. I was planning on running my same route along the Des Plaines River Trail as I had for my 18, but just go a half a mile farther before turning back for each of 2 out-and-backs. I saw 2 running club peeps before I started, but I sent them on ahead.
I headed north along the trail. It was a humid, cool, overcast morning, threatening rain. It was really nice running weather. I decided to run the whole thing with my handheld, and I planned to refill at the halfway point. My achy calf was feeling decent, and I was looking forward to a good run.
Almost immediately, I was forced to change plans on the fly. About 1.75 miles up the trail (when I was planning on 5 miles up and 5 back) the trail was completely flooded. I couldn't see a way around it without potentially soaking my shoes, which I flat out refused to do this early on in the run, so I turned south. I passed my car and headed south for barely a mile from there when the underpass was flooded. This I could get around though, and I climbed up the hill and crossed the street. Another mile, and I had 3 pissed off geese blocking the trail. Really? This is NOT my day! I got hissed at a bunch, and went way off the trail to get around them. Finally, running again. but I only got another mile and a half before the trail was flooded and I was forced to turn back.
Now I am feverishly calculating in my head, trying to figure out the best way to proceed. I gu'd at 7 (since I was walking by the stupid geese again anyhow), and made it back to my car with only 8.5 miles ticked off the total. *sigh* I was feeling good, so I decided to head north again as far as I could go. I ran a road access both ways to add some distance on, gu'd at 11, and made it back to the car at 12.5. Just in time, too, because I needed a bathroom stop.
Took care of business (I never noticed a difference with the imodium - maybe I need to take it earlier? Or not eat an entire frozen pizza right before taking it?) refilled my handheld, ate a packet of salt, and tried to figure out where to go next. The pavilion I was parked at was right next to a lake, with an inner and outer path going around it. I decided to start running loops. I did the inner ring first, but it was only about 0.8 miles around, so I moved on to the outer ring. It was a little better than2.25 around. I can handle that. It was less covered, so a bit more windy, which was actually really nice, since it cooled me off nicely. It was also nice to have a bit more "company" to smile and say good morning too. One woman I must have met 6 times and we were encouraging each other.
After the second 2.25 mile loop, I had less than 3 miles to go, but I refilled my handheld one last time. I had gu'd and eaten another packet of salt again at about 15.5, and I was feeling strong. My feet never cramped up, my legs were tired but good, and my mental game was perfect. I hit mile 18 with the hugest freaking smile on my face, and I think I smiled the entire rest of the run. People on the trail probably thought I was loony, but I did not care. I was going to DO this. I started running faster, which made me walk more often, but my average pace stayed consistent. I hit mile 19, and Cinderella's "The Last Mile" came on my iPod. I LAUGHED. And maybe sang a little.
The last mile / before I sleep
It'll be awhile / before I get my peace
With the same style / I walked for years
On the last mile / I can REST MY FEARS
Splits for the curious (see gamin details here): 11:56, 12:07, 11:44, 11:29, 11:50, 11:04, 11:19, 12:01, 11:17, 11:20, 11:48, 11:39, 11:2911:35, 11:36, 12:22, 11:30, 11:33, 11:13, 11:21 My average pace was 11:37.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Getting Rid Of The Crabass...
I can't stand to have that crabby as hell post up for one more minute. Moving on...
First off, I want to plug a great giveaway that Michel is hosting in her fundraising efforts for autism, a cause that is most obviously near and dear to me. For the amount of loot she has to offer, there are relatively few entries so far, which means you have good odds. Go here for more info!
Last night, John came home early (after much begging from me) and I still couldn't seem to get my butt out the door. But after dinner and basketball practice, I noticed that the gale force winds had died down significantly, and at 8pm, it was still pretty light out. So I headed out for whatever I had in me. And it was a GREAT run. I got in a good progressive 5 miler with the last mile clocking in at 9:41, and more importantly, I felt SO MUCH BETTER.
The sun came out today, and I got the chance to run with Kim, one of the most positive people I know. We did a quick 3.57 miles, during which I went too fast and subsequently made her walk a few times, but she was patient with me. Then we proceeded to hang out and chat in the parking lot until I had to go get my son from preschool. It was so fun catching up with her, and so nice to run in the sunshine, that I came away feeling 100% better about life.
Here's hoping tomorrow's 20 miler continues the positive trend. Have a great holiday weekend everyone!
First off, I want to plug a great giveaway that Michel is hosting in her fundraising efforts for autism, a cause that is most obviously near and dear to me. For the amount of loot she has to offer, there are relatively few entries so far, which means you have good odds. Go here for more info!
Last night, John came home early (after much begging from me) and I still couldn't seem to get my butt out the door. But after dinner and basketball practice, I noticed that the gale force winds had died down significantly, and at 8pm, it was still pretty light out. So I headed out for whatever I had in me. And it was a GREAT run. I got in a good progressive 5 miler with the last mile clocking in at 9:41, and more importantly, I felt SO MUCH BETTER.
The sun came out today, and I got the chance to run with Kim, one of the most positive people I know. We did a quick 3.57 miles, during which I went too fast and subsequently made her walk a few times, but she was patient with me. Then we proceeded to hang out and chat in the parking lot until I had to go get my son from preschool. It was so fun catching up with her, and so nice to run in the sunshine, that I came away feeling 100% better about life.
Here's hoping tomorrow's 20 miler continues the positive trend. Have a great holiday weekend everyone!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Three Things Thursday: The Whiny Edition
1. My son is, shall we say, having a BAD week. Hence, I am having a BAD week. I am trying to remind myself that these are getting fewer and farther between, which is good, but honestly? That doesn't help much while you are in the middle of it. I am so so looking forward to my long run this week. Right now, 20 miles BY MYSELF sounds like heaven.
2. The weather sucks ass. Not helping my crankiness in the slightest. But the weekend is looking to be really nice, so the long run, birthday party, and housewarming for my sister should be fantastic. I just have to get through today, and it's all downhill. What are your big plans for the holiday weekend?
3. I have been reading about people who's kids are finishing up school right now. WTF?!? We have 2 whole weeks left. Uber jealous. I will be BITCHING about having 4 kids home this summer in about a month, but right now? I AM READY.
(To add to my frustration, I have clicked publish at least 6 times, logged out and logged back in to blogger, and it is being an asshole. Figures.)
2. The weather sucks ass. Not helping my crankiness in the slightest. But the weekend is looking to be really nice, so the long run, birthday party, and housewarming for my sister should be fantastic. I just have to get through today, and it's all downhill. What are your big plans for the holiday weekend?
3. I have been reading about people who's kids are finishing up school right now. WTF?!? We have 2 whole weeks left. Uber jealous. I will be BITCHING about having 4 kids home this summer in about a month, but right now? I AM READY.
(To add to my frustration, I have clicked publish at least 6 times, logged out and logged back in to blogger, and it is being an asshole. Figures.)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A Few More Thoughts On Splish Splash
Today I am not getting anything that I'd planned to get done accomplished, mostly because James has decided to vacillate wildly between super sweet and EXTREMELY EVIL. No preschool today - I think he's having belly issues.
A few random follow ups on Sunday:
- At the luau, I got to meet one of the girls who dressed up as a barmaid from the WI half marathon! She was super nice and it was fun to chat with her. I felt like I was talking to a celebrity, haha!
(I stole this picture from Michel's race recap - she had an awesome PR that day!)
A few random follow ups on Sunday:
- At the luau, I got to meet one of the girls who dressed up as a barmaid from the WI half marathon! She was super nice and it was fun to chat with her. I felt like I was talking to a celebrity, haha!
(I stole this picture from Michel's race recap - she had an awesome PR that day!)
- I am definitely going to attempt the immodium for my 20 this weekend. If I'd continued to run hard, I would have had to stop. It was only all the walking I did at the end that saved me from that. As it was, I narrowly made it home in time. Frustrating.
- I've heard a lot of complaints about the race, but seriously, I had the best time. I have to wonder how much of that is attitude? Or simply knowing I had people on the course? Or not having race expectations? I may have been more frustrated with the hills had I been attempting a PR. I don't know. As it was, I just had so much fun!
- Last year I commented to someone at one point about wanting to be able to rock a half marathon without it physically affecting me for days post race. I believe I am at that point. I ran Monday to work out the kinks, and it's all good. It feels good to be in good enough physical condition that a half marathon, which is no small feat, is not such a HUGE undertaking.
- The medal. *sigh* They could have done so much with the theme to make it WAY cooler. LIKE NOT USE A STICKER.
- I ran the first 8 miles at an average pace of 10:15. I had a good 2 or 3 in me after that too, minus the foot cramping. Past that, who knows? But I see a new half marathon PR in my future - I definitely have more to give to that distance.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Splish Splash Half Marathon: Race Report
I will start out by saying this is LONG. Consider yourself warned...
Well, I hemmed and hawed about signing up for this one. I wanted to do it (10 minutes from home!!!), but was having a tough time justifying the cost of yet another race. I'd written it off, when I got a half price deal, and then said f*$# it. I signed up.
THEN I realized just how much I'd now smashed into this past weekend.
I glossed over it in my last post, but it was a lot. And by the time it was race morning, I was TIRED. And I hadn't started running yet.
Saturday was a full day, and we didn't get home until 11:30, so it was close to midnight by the time I got to bed. I didn't lay anything out the night before. I was completely not ready. But I was also completely laid back about it all - John was going to volunteer, so I had company in the morning, and this was a TRAINING run. No big deal. No PR attempt. DO NO DAMAGE 4 weeks out from Grandma's marathon.
John drank like a fish the night before, so I wasn't sure how he'd be come race morning, but he was good to go. I had breakfast (cinnamon cheerios) and coffee, and got my stuff together. I wore a skirt with pockets, so I didn't wear a belt of any kind. With John slated to hand out finisher's medals, I didn't even bring my phone. I chose not to carry water, something I'd regret later.
The weather report said mid 60s at the start up to mid 70s by the time we were finished. There was a chance of thunderstorms, but we got nothing but blazing sun.
The race started at Key Lime Cove, a local water resort. For an inaugural event, there was a really decent turnout. A few hundred half marathoners and a couple hundred running the 8k. We got there early to pick up my timing chip (ankle bracelet, ugh) and John left me with my running club peeps, to get started on his volunteer duties. I was still feeling laid back - just chatting with people. There's something really comforting about starting a race with a bunch of people you KNOW. It takes that "what the hell am I supposed to DO with myself for this extra hour besides pretend to stretch" thing out of the equation. Another plus of starting at the resort? Beautiful indoor bathrooms.
Here's the Grayslake running club crew ready to run. Let's do this!
The race started pretty close to on time, and we were off. I knew that John would be a course marshal right about the 2 mile mark, so I was already looking forward to seeing him. I had run into my neighbor (3 doors down) who was running the half too! I chatted with her early on, but then never saw her again. Right away, the hills started up, but I was feeling really really good.
The first water station was at the first mile. Why the hell do they do this? I don't need a drink a mile in. But I could sure use that extra water station shoved in at the end somewhere! I took a cup though, just because it was hot, and it looked like water but it was not. They were calling it Gatorade, but it was not. HEED. I'd never had heed before, and for me, it was some nasty nasty shit. Yuck. Note to self: FIND OUT WHAT THEY WILL BE SERVING ON THE COURSE. Oh, well...not a damn thing I can do about it now.
Mile 2, and John was right where I expected him to be. YAY!! It was such a boost to see him. He was also serving as my race photographer, and got some good pictures.
Here come the speedy runners!
A crew of grass-skirted runners.
This guy had a full flamingo costume on - wish he'd gotten a side view.
Coconut and shell bras abound, and more grass skirts.
YAY!! So excited to see him, even if it IS only mile 2.
I was still feeling good, and about this point, I decided to just go with it. I was running 10 minute-ish miles depending on whether or not I was going uphill or downhill, and I shushed the part of me screaming TRAINING RUN! REIGN IT IN DUMBASS! and decided that I was doing a DIFFERENT kind of training run. I knew I'd crash eventually, but I wanted to see just how far I could hold that pace, knowing it was a speedy as hell pace for me. We'll call it an experiment in, "how far can she go?"
Miles 3 and 4 had us going all the way aroung the Gurnee Mills Mall parking lot. The road here was not pretty - you had to really watch your footing for potholes and big rocks. And there were more hills. Really? I never noticed them while driving before! But I was still feeling good, and ran most of this section with 2 girls from the running club, so it went by fast.
Splits: 1)10:11, 2)10:00, 3)10:20, 4)10:07
Then we had to cross Grand Avenue, a pretty major street, and traffic was backed up. I saw people getting out of their cars to cheer on runners, which I thought was cool. Later, I heard that some people got HECKLED by drivers, but that was not my experience. Miles 5 and 6 had us going south through a kind of half residential half industrial area. We were mostly on the right side of the road with a decent pitch to it, and I was trying to stay on more level footing because it was the exact opposite of what I'm used to running on. My left leg started to complain a little here, but nothing major. I gu'd just before the water station at 5.5, and my stomach was behaving itself even though I forgot to take the immodium I bought. I drank water and heed at every stop, but I was having a tough time getting all the heed down. Blech.
Right at the mile 6 mark, we were going over the tollway and then up a really steep long hill towards the entrance to Great America. It was here that I started to lose my patience with all these hills. But I was still holding pace. We turned into the Great America parking lot for a slight downhill, turned a corner, and were going up again. I gave up and walked for a minute here, and my running club peeps passed me and asked if I was ok. I grumbled something about goddamn hills and salt in my eye, and picked it up again shortly. We ran around the parking lot, and it wasn't marked very well, and there were NO volunteers here, so people did a lot of cutting corners, with the herd mentality setting in and everyone just following the leader. After we got out of Great America (well, the parking lot anyhow - we were never actually IN the park), I was measuring short on the miles.
Splits: 5)10:03, 6)10:26, 7)10:30, 8)10:23
We were again on some busy streets for the next half a mile or so, heading towards the Des Plaines river trail. The cool part about that was that I saw a friend of mine sitting in the race traffic and she was yelling from her car for me!! So so cool, it was just the boost I needed at that point, and I was feeling good again. BUT. I turned on to the trail, and my whole right foot cramped up. The whole front of my foot was locked down tense, and I could NOT get it to loosen up. I walked for a bit, ran for a bit, stretched it out. Blah. I was mad, because I was feeling good, but my foot was hurting too much to run much. Pissed.
Splits: 9)11:01, 10)12:14
After we came out of the trail section, it was residential til the end. I was running some, walking some. My stomach was letting me know it was there. Somewhere in mile 11, I was crossing the street, directed by cops, and the cops had held up a group of about 20 cyclists so I could pass in front of them. When they came through after me, they were all congratulating me, asking me how far I had to go, encouraging me. It was really cool, and a nice boost at that point!
But after that, the heat started taking its toll on me, and I reminded myself of my original ONLY goal for this race. HAVE FUN. And you know what? Despite everything, I really was enjoying myself! I started catching up to other struggling runners, and chatting them up. The second or third woman I talked to, I ended up run walking the rest with her. She was super nice, and was having hip problems. I was on the "do no damage" plan, so I was content to hang out with her. It made the end much less of a slogfest than it would have been by myself.
But with a half a mile to go, I wanted to be DONE. I knew John was waiting for me, and I was so STOKED to see him. We ran it in.
Splits: 11)11:47 (last gu), 12)12:30, 13)14:08, 0.1)8:35
As short as the course had been running, I stopped my watch at EXACTLY 13.10.
Finish line photos!!!
It really was so cool to have John at the finish line. Loved it! Final time was 2:24:36, which I was COMPLETELY happy with, all things considered. It was still 10 minutes faster than anything I did last year, even with all my issues at the end.
Afterwards, they put on a really good luau, with the best post race food I have ever had, by far. I wish I'd have taken a picture, but I was too busy shoving it into my mouth. It was a tad disorganized with a water table WAYYY over to the right, that I almost didn't find (and later learned that a lot of people never found), but seriously, the food was so so good. Pork, fish, fresh fruit, rice, roasted sweet potatoes, salad, bread, cucumber salad, chicken, just a crazy amount of food.
Overall, I had a great time. They needed more volunteers. They could have better managed the volunteers they DID have. The finish line was a bit chaotic, and way after you thought it should be (you ran through the start line and around the corner before the actual finish). The medal is cheap with a STICKER on it. Really?!? And the 8kers had to wait a really long time for the luau. But for a first run? I thought it went really well.
Well, I hemmed and hawed about signing up for this one. I wanted to do it (10 minutes from home!!!), but was having a tough time justifying the cost of yet another race. I'd written it off, when I got a half price deal, and then said f*$# it. I signed up.
THEN I realized just how much I'd now smashed into this past weekend.
I glossed over it in my last post, but it was a lot. And by the time it was race morning, I was TIRED. And I hadn't started running yet.
Saturday was a full day, and we didn't get home until 11:30, so it was close to midnight by the time I got to bed. I didn't lay anything out the night before. I was completely not ready. But I was also completely laid back about it all - John was going to volunteer, so I had company in the morning, and this was a TRAINING run. No big deal. No PR attempt. DO NO DAMAGE 4 weeks out from Grandma's marathon.
John drank like a fish the night before, so I wasn't sure how he'd be come race morning, but he was good to go. I had breakfast (cinnamon cheerios) and coffee, and got my stuff together. I wore a skirt with pockets, so I didn't wear a belt of any kind. With John slated to hand out finisher's medals, I didn't even bring my phone. I chose not to carry water, something I'd regret later.
The weather report said mid 60s at the start up to mid 70s by the time we were finished. There was a chance of thunderstorms, but we got nothing but blazing sun.
The race started at Key Lime Cove, a local water resort. For an inaugural event, there was a really decent turnout. A few hundred half marathoners and a couple hundred running the 8k. We got there early to pick up my timing chip (ankle bracelet, ugh) and John left me with my running club peeps, to get started on his volunteer duties. I was still feeling laid back - just chatting with people. There's something really comforting about starting a race with a bunch of people you KNOW. It takes that "what the hell am I supposed to DO with myself for this extra hour besides pretend to stretch" thing out of the equation. Another plus of starting at the resort? Beautiful indoor bathrooms.
Here's the Grayslake running club crew ready to run. Let's do this!
The race started pretty close to on time, and we were off. I knew that John would be a course marshal right about the 2 mile mark, so I was already looking forward to seeing him. I had run into my neighbor (3 doors down) who was running the half too! I chatted with her early on, but then never saw her again. Right away, the hills started up, but I was feeling really really good.
The first water station was at the first mile. Why the hell do they do this? I don't need a drink a mile in. But I could sure use that extra water station shoved in at the end somewhere! I took a cup though, just because it was hot, and it looked like water but it was not. They were calling it Gatorade, but it was not. HEED. I'd never had heed before, and for me, it was some nasty nasty shit. Yuck. Note to self: FIND OUT WHAT THEY WILL BE SERVING ON THE COURSE. Oh, well...not a damn thing I can do about it now.
Mile 2, and John was right where I expected him to be. YAY!! It was such a boost to see him. He was also serving as my race photographer, and got some good pictures.
Here come the speedy runners!
A crew of grass-skirted runners.
This guy had a full flamingo costume on - wish he'd gotten a side view.
Coconut and shell bras abound, and more grass skirts.
YAY!! So excited to see him, even if it IS only mile 2.
I was still feeling good, and about this point, I decided to just go with it. I was running 10 minute-ish miles depending on whether or not I was going uphill or downhill, and I shushed the part of me screaming TRAINING RUN! REIGN IT IN DUMBASS! and decided that I was doing a DIFFERENT kind of training run. I knew I'd crash eventually, but I wanted to see just how far I could hold that pace, knowing it was a speedy as hell pace for me. We'll call it an experiment in, "how far can she go?"
Miles 3 and 4 had us going all the way aroung the Gurnee Mills Mall parking lot. The road here was not pretty - you had to really watch your footing for potholes and big rocks. And there were more hills. Really? I never noticed them while driving before! But I was still feeling good, and ran most of this section with 2 girls from the running club, so it went by fast.
Splits: 1)10:11, 2)10:00, 3)10:20, 4)10:07
Then we had to cross Grand Avenue, a pretty major street, and traffic was backed up. I saw people getting out of their cars to cheer on runners, which I thought was cool. Later, I heard that some people got HECKLED by drivers, but that was not my experience. Miles 5 and 6 had us going south through a kind of half residential half industrial area. We were mostly on the right side of the road with a decent pitch to it, and I was trying to stay on more level footing because it was the exact opposite of what I'm used to running on. My left leg started to complain a little here, but nothing major. I gu'd just before the water station at 5.5, and my stomach was behaving itself even though I forgot to take the immodium I bought. I drank water and heed at every stop, but I was having a tough time getting all the heed down. Blech.
Right at the mile 6 mark, we were going over the tollway and then up a really steep long hill towards the entrance to Great America. It was here that I started to lose my patience with all these hills. But I was still holding pace. We turned into the Great America parking lot for a slight downhill, turned a corner, and were going up again. I gave up and walked for a minute here, and my running club peeps passed me and asked if I was ok. I grumbled something about goddamn hills and salt in my eye, and picked it up again shortly. We ran around the parking lot, and it wasn't marked very well, and there were NO volunteers here, so people did a lot of cutting corners, with the herd mentality setting in and everyone just following the leader. After we got out of Great America (well, the parking lot anyhow - we were never actually IN the park), I was measuring short on the miles.
Splits: 5)10:03, 6)10:26, 7)10:30, 8)10:23
We were again on some busy streets for the next half a mile or so, heading towards the Des Plaines river trail. The cool part about that was that I saw a friend of mine sitting in the race traffic and she was yelling from her car for me!! So so cool, it was just the boost I needed at that point, and I was feeling good again. BUT. I turned on to the trail, and my whole right foot cramped up. The whole front of my foot was locked down tense, and I could NOT get it to loosen up. I walked for a bit, ran for a bit, stretched it out. Blah. I was mad, because I was feeling good, but my foot was hurting too much to run much. Pissed.
Splits: 9)11:01, 10)12:14
After we came out of the trail section, it was residential til the end. I was running some, walking some. My stomach was letting me know it was there. Somewhere in mile 11, I was crossing the street, directed by cops, and the cops had held up a group of about 20 cyclists so I could pass in front of them. When they came through after me, they were all congratulating me, asking me how far I had to go, encouraging me. It was really cool, and a nice boost at that point!
But after that, the heat started taking its toll on me, and I reminded myself of my original ONLY goal for this race. HAVE FUN. And you know what? Despite everything, I really was enjoying myself! I started catching up to other struggling runners, and chatting them up. The second or third woman I talked to, I ended up run walking the rest with her. She was super nice, and was having hip problems. I was on the "do no damage" plan, so I was content to hang out with her. It made the end much less of a slogfest than it would have been by myself.
But with a half a mile to go, I wanted to be DONE. I knew John was waiting for me, and I was so STOKED to see him. We ran it in.
Splits: 11)11:47 (last gu), 12)12:30, 13)14:08, 0.1)8:35
As short as the course had been running, I stopped my watch at EXACTLY 13.10.
Finish line photos!!!
It really was so cool to have John at the finish line. Loved it! Final time was 2:24:36, which I was COMPLETELY happy with, all things considered. It was still 10 minutes faster than anything I did last year, even with all my issues at the end.
Afterwards, they put on a really good luau, with the best post race food I have ever had, by far. I wish I'd have taken a picture, but I was too busy shoving it into my mouth. It was a tad disorganized with a water table WAYYY over to the right, that I almost didn't find (and later learned that a lot of people never found), but seriously, the food was so so good. Pork, fish, fresh fruit, rice, roasted sweet potatoes, salad, bread, cucumber salad, chicken, just a crazy amount of food.
Overall, I had a great time. They needed more volunteers. They could have better managed the volunteers they DID have. The finish line was a bit chaotic, and way after you thought it should be (you ran through the start line and around the corner before the actual finish). The medal is cheap with a STICKER on it. Really?!? And the 8kers had to wait a really long time for the luau. But for a first run? I thought it went really well.
Marathon Training Week 14
I want to get this out of the way quick - I'm working on a race report that should be ready by tomorrow...
Monday: 3.5 easy recovery miles with Sarah, a friend of mine who is training to run the F.A.B. 5k with me in June. Average pace = 11:20
Tuesday: 5.48 miles of speedwork with the running club. Average pace = 10:18
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 5.75 music-less miles. Average pace = 10:24 (I was surprised to find that I went faster without music - I kept having to consciously slow down.)
Friday: No running, but I headed to WI to clean my Mom's house top to bottom. Crosstraining? My biseps hurt...I spent the night to finish in the AM.
Saturday: Finish cleaning. Haul ass back to IL. Packet pick up. Then out to our school raffle party, where I drink lots of WATER but stay out way too late. TIRED!
Sunday: Splish Splash half marathon. 13.1 miles in 2:24:36. Race Report to come.
Week Total Miles: 27.83 Step back week is over - 20 miles on deck this weekend. Then it's TAPER TIME.
Monday: 3.5 easy recovery miles with Sarah, a friend of mine who is training to run the F.A.B. 5k with me in June. Average pace = 11:20
Tuesday: 5.48 miles of speedwork with the running club. Average pace = 10:18
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 5.75 music-less miles. Average pace = 10:24 (I was surprised to find that I went faster without music - I kept having to consciously slow down.)
Friday: No running, but I headed to WI to clean my Mom's house top to bottom. Crosstraining? My biseps hurt...I spent the night to finish in the AM.
Saturday: Finish cleaning. Haul ass back to IL. Packet pick up. Then out to our school raffle party, where I drink lots of WATER but stay out way too late. TIRED!
Sunday: Splish Splash half marathon. 13.1 miles in 2:24:36. Race Report to come.
Week Total Miles: 27.83 Step back week is over - 20 miles on deck this weekend. Then it's TAPER TIME.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
That Was FUN!
Speedwork = SUCCESS! And it was way more fun than I expected. I kind of dreaded going around and around a track for that long, but lots of club runners showed up, and breaking up the distance made it go by super fast.
We'd all emailed the organizer letting him know PRs and average paces for different distances, and from that information, he assigned the workout. We were all doing 8X400 with a 200 recovery between each. I was aiming for 2:15 per 400 (or a 9 minute mile pace). I did a 1.75 mile warm up, and then we got started.
Right off the bat, I was going TOO FREAKING FAST. It was funny, since I wasn't sure I could GO that fast - I was actually nervous about holding a 9 minute pace for 400 - and here I look down to see a pace starting with 7?!? Reign it in, kid! I also screwed up my garmin to start, so my first 400 got lumped in to my warm up. But after that, I got it all figured out...
I ended up just hitting the lap button (without turning off autolap or anything) at the start of each 400 and 200. It was less complicated than I thought it would be.
I pretty much NAILED this workout! And I discovered that I am faster than I think I am. I walked the first half of each recovery, and jogged the rest, and it felt comfortably hard. I think I could have done them faster (!!!) which made me smile big.
The club does this every week all through the summer. I am really looking forward to more!
We'd all emailed the organizer letting him know PRs and average paces for different distances, and from that information, he assigned the workout. We were all doing 8X400 with a 200 recovery between each. I was aiming for 2:15 per 400 (or a 9 minute mile pace). I did a 1.75 mile warm up, and then we got started.
Right off the bat, I was going TOO FREAKING FAST. It was funny, since I wasn't sure I could GO that fast - I was actually nervous about holding a 9 minute pace for 400 - and here I look down to see a pace starting with 7?!? Reign it in, kid! I also screwed up my garmin to start, so my first 400 got lumped in to my warm up. But after that, I got it all figured out...
I ended up just hitting the lap button (without turning off autolap or anything) at the start of each 400 and 200. It was less complicated than I thought it would be.
I pretty much NAILED this workout! And I discovered that I am faster than I think I am. I walked the first half of each recovery, and jogged the rest, and it felt comfortably hard. I think I could have done them faster (!!!) which made me smile big.
The club does this every week all through the summer. I am really looking forward to more!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
I Feel The Need...
Tonight, I am embarking on a NEW journey in my running career.
Speedwork.
I'm a bit nervous, since this is something that I've never even attempted before. I'm heading to the track with my running club. I'm a bit LESS nervous since there will be a lot of people there who know what the hell they are doing, and therefore, what I SHOULD be doing.
I also need to figure out what to do with my Garmin during speedwork. Can I just hit the lap button after every interval? Do I need to disable autolap for that to work?
I guess I'll figure it out soon, huh?
I did a few recovery miles yesterday with a friend who is training for a 5k. We did 3.5 miles at a super easy pace, well for me anyhow. It's funny, because it's a pace I ran most of the time last year, and yesterday even after running 18 Saturday, it felt so so easy. She did great, and while we slowed at the end, she ran the whole distance. Super proud of her!
I still have no clue as to what might have set my stomach off the other day, but I wasn't at all surprised that it was acting up, since it had been bothering me for a day prior. I'm going to try immodium on my next couple longish runs and see how I handle that...
Speedwork.
I'm a bit nervous, since this is something that I've never even attempted before. I'm heading to the track with my running club. I'm a bit LESS nervous since there will be a lot of people there who know what the hell they are doing, and therefore, what I SHOULD be doing.
I also need to figure out what to do with my Garmin during speedwork. Can I just hit the lap button after every interval? Do I need to disable autolap for that to work?
I guess I'll figure it out soon, huh?
I did a few recovery miles yesterday with a friend who is training for a 5k. We did 3.5 miles at a super easy pace, well for me anyhow. It's funny, because it's a pace I ran most of the time last year, and yesterday even after running 18 Saturday, it felt so so easy. She did great, and while we slowed at the end, she ran the whole distance. Super proud of her!
I still have no clue as to what might have set my stomach off the other day, but I wasn't at all surprised that it was acting up, since it had been bothering me for a day prior. I'm going to try immodium on my next couple longish runs and see how I handle that...
Monday, May 16, 2011
Marathon Training Week 13
Monday: Rest - Julia was home sick
Tuesday: 6.05 super speedy miles (ave. pace of 10:13 and negative split)
Wednesday: 3.6 mile walk with a friend
Thursday: 4.21 hot sweaty miles (ave. Pace of 10:43)
Friday: 5 pre-dawn miles (ave. pace of 10:41)
Saturday: 18 miles!!! (ave pace of 11:17)
Sunday: Rest - pajama day
Week Total Miles: 33.26 miles run
I have another half marathon on deck for this weekend (race plan is HAVE FUN). Happy Monday!
Tuesday: 6.05 super speedy miles (ave. pace of 10:13 and negative split)
Wednesday: 3.6 mile walk with a friend
Thursday: 4.21 hot sweaty miles (ave. Pace of 10:43)
Friday: 5 pre-dawn miles (ave. pace of 10:41)
Saturday: 18 miles!!! (ave pace of 11:17)
Sunday: Rest - pajama day
Week Total Miles: 33.26 miles run
I have another half marathon on deck for this weekend (race plan is HAVE FUN). Happy Monday!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
A SUAR Kind Of 18-Miler
So, as you may recall, yesterday was my 18 miler.
I was anxious, but not freaking out. I ate my usual pre-race food the day before, and had a really pretty pre-dawn run Friday morning. Friday night, I was feeling good. I went to bed early, more concerned with the weather forecast than anything else.
Saturday morning I was up at 4:00. I had my breakfast, coffee, and got "things" moving. I was struggling with what to wear - it was 47 degrees and windy and showers were predicted. I settled on capris and a short-sleeved tech shirt. I packed up my stuff and threw a long-sleeved shirt in for good measure, and then I headed out to Independence Grove to run the Des Plaines river trail.
I got there only a few minutes later than planned (success!!) and immediately knew I'd need that long-sleeved shirt. I threw it on over the top of the other one and headed out for my first nine.
My plan was simple - and out and back route which is 4.5 miles each way. I was doing 9 solo, and then meeting my running club for my second nine. This way, I could go out slow and manage my pace without feeling like I was holding anyone back. I was determined to run my own run.
My first nine was beautiful. It was not raining, just a light mist that would come and go. The weather said the winds were at 17 mph, but there was so much tree cover that I never struggled with the wind at all. I was just enjoying the peace of the trail. My shin never even announced itself. My only weirdness was a shooting pain on the bottom outside of my left foot at mile 2.75. It really really hurt, and I was worried that I was done so soon, but it went away in less than a mile. It's still a little sore today, but no big deal. Splits for the first nine: 11:45, 11:14, 11:17, 10:58, 10:41, 11:00, 10:54, 11:14, 10:48. These were a little faster than I was trying for, but my effort was consistent and I was feeling really really good.
I got back to my car, took a salt cap (I had never done this before, and I feel like my legs appreciated it), filled up my handheld, used the bathroom and we were off again. I ran the first couple with a guy from the club who'd done the full marathon in Kenosha last weekend. His legs were feeling it, so he was happy to run slow with me. It was nice to chat for a while. After a couple miles, he turned back, and I gu'd and kept on. On this trail, there's a bathroom, a permanent portopotty really, 3 miles up the trail, so I knew I had a potty every 3 miles, which was reassuring, because now my stomach was getting wonky. I stopped to go, but couldn't poop, even though I felt like I had to. So I kept on.
I met up with a couple other runners shortly after that, and one of them decided to turn around and run with me for a while. Miles 13 and 14 were punctuated with me needing to stop to walk off my stomach cramps. Lovely. We hit mile 14 and it was getting bad, but I knew that the toilet was just a mile up the trail. What I DIDN'T know was if I could make it there in time.
I sent Sarah on ahead, knowing that it was going to be the mother of all potty stops. I was WISHING I had some TP or something on me to wipe with - I'd have squatted in the bushes. Finally, FINALLY I could see the bathroom and I booked it.
Alas. Not quite in time. I was forced to run the last 3 in one less article of clothing than I started with. Ahem. I was extremely glad to NOT be among the crew of commando runners - not sure what the hell I'd have done in that case. As it was, after a bit of contortionist maneuvers in the bathroom, and probably half a roll of TP, I was on my way, and the only thing I suffered was ass-cheek chaffing.
I was still feeling strong, albeit a little mentally defeated by the whole deal. I walked a bunch of the last major hill, but I was still moving well. About a half a mile from the end, I spotted a couple of running club buddies coming back my way. Sarah had been worried about me and sent out search and rescue! I told them what happened and we laughed and ran it in. DONE! Splits for the last nine: 10:45, 11:25, 11ish (stopped my garmin for a mile - DOH!), 11:52, 11:11, 11:47, 11:41, 12:44, 11:18, 10:27. Overall pace was 11:17 or so.
While my stomach frustrates me, I was SO HAPPY with this run. I felt so strong at the end (we were running 9's the last half mile!) and I could have gone farther, even if I was glad to not need to.
Afterwards, no rest for the weary - we got everyone dressed up and headed out for a First Communion. It was a really nice evening, and I was super tired, but proud. It was nearly 11 by the time we got everyone home and into bed, and I crashed soon after. I'm feeling good today - a bit tired and sore, but nothing major. All in all, SUCCESS.
I was anxious, but not freaking out. I ate my usual pre-race food the day before, and had a really pretty pre-dawn run Friday morning. Friday night, I was feeling good. I went to bed early, more concerned with the weather forecast than anything else.
Saturday morning I was up at 4:00. I had my breakfast, coffee, and got "things" moving. I was struggling with what to wear - it was 47 degrees and windy and showers were predicted. I settled on capris and a short-sleeved tech shirt. I packed up my stuff and threw a long-sleeved shirt in for good measure, and then I headed out to Independence Grove to run the Des Plaines river trail.
I got there only a few minutes later than planned (success!!) and immediately knew I'd need that long-sleeved shirt. I threw it on over the top of the other one and headed out for my first nine.
My plan was simple - and out and back route which is 4.5 miles each way. I was doing 9 solo, and then meeting my running club for my second nine. This way, I could go out slow and manage my pace without feeling like I was holding anyone back. I was determined to run my own run.
My first nine was beautiful. It was not raining, just a light mist that would come and go. The weather said the winds were at 17 mph, but there was so much tree cover that I never struggled with the wind at all. I was just enjoying the peace of the trail. My shin never even announced itself. My only weirdness was a shooting pain on the bottom outside of my left foot at mile 2.75. It really really hurt, and I was worried that I was done so soon, but it went away in less than a mile. It's still a little sore today, but no big deal. Splits for the first nine: 11:45, 11:14, 11:17, 10:58, 10:41, 11:00, 10:54, 11:14, 10:48. These were a little faster than I was trying for, but my effort was consistent and I was feeling really really good.
I got back to my car, took a salt cap (I had never done this before, and I feel like my legs appreciated it), filled up my handheld, used the bathroom and we were off again. I ran the first couple with a guy from the club who'd done the full marathon in Kenosha last weekend. His legs were feeling it, so he was happy to run slow with me. It was nice to chat for a while. After a couple miles, he turned back, and I gu'd and kept on. On this trail, there's a bathroom, a permanent portopotty really, 3 miles up the trail, so I knew I had a potty every 3 miles, which was reassuring, because now my stomach was getting wonky. I stopped to go, but couldn't poop, even though I felt like I had to. So I kept on.
I met up with a couple other runners shortly after that, and one of them decided to turn around and run with me for a while. Miles 13 and 14 were punctuated with me needing to stop to walk off my stomach cramps. Lovely. We hit mile 14 and it was getting bad, but I knew that the toilet was just a mile up the trail. What I DIDN'T know was if I could make it there in time.
I sent Sarah on ahead, knowing that it was going to be the mother of all potty stops. I was WISHING I had some TP or something on me to wipe with - I'd have squatted in the bushes. Finally, FINALLY I could see the bathroom and I booked it.
Alas. Not quite in time. I was forced to run the last 3 in one less article of clothing than I started with. Ahem. I was extremely glad to NOT be among the crew of commando runners - not sure what the hell I'd have done in that case. As it was, after a bit of contortionist maneuvers in the bathroom, and probably half a roll of TP, I was on my way, and the only thing I suffered was ass-cheek chaffing.
I was still feeling strong, albeit a little mentally defeated by the whole deal. I walked a bunch of the last major hill, but I was still moving well. About a half a mile from the end, I spotted a couple of running club buddies coming back my way. Sarah had been worried about me and sent out search and rescue! I told them what happened and we laughed and ran it in. DONE! Splits for the last nine: 10:45, 11:25, 11ish (stopped my garmin for a mile - DOH!), 11:52, 11:11, 11:47, 11:41, 12:44, 11:18, 10:27. Overall pace was 11:17 or so.
While my stomach frustrates me, I was SO HAPPY with this run. I felt so strong at the end (we were running 9's the last half mile!) and I could have gone farther, even if I was glad to not need to.
Afterwards, no rest for the weary - we got everyone dressed up and headed out for a First Communion. It was a really nice evening, and I was super tired, but proud. It was nearly 11 by the time we got everyone home and into bed, and I crashed soon after. I'm feeling good today - a bit tired and sore, but nothing major. All in all, SUCCESS.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Friday Five
1. 18 on deck tomorrow. For whatever reason, I am NOT freaking the hell out. This is so unlike me!
2. I am at a very weird place mentally in my training. I am so so pessimistic. I feel like some injury is going to take me out at ANY SECOND. I know I'm 5 weeks out, but this is not something I've experienced before, and I don't really get it. Even after my knee went all wonky last fall, I always knew I'd finish. Maybe it's because I want to WAY MORE than *just finish* this time, or maybe it's because of number 3.
3. Left shin. Very achy. Very disconcerting. I think that tomorrow will either give me a boost of confidence or be horrible. I can't decide which. The good news is that the weird feeling GOES AWAY while I'm running.
4. I spent all my birthday money yesterday. I am going to run cute this summer.
5. FINISH LINE PHOTO OF BLISSFUL JOY.
That smile was there the whole dang day, I swear!
2. I am at a very weird place mentally in my training. I am so so pessimistic. I feel like some injury is going to take me out at ANY SECOND. I know I'm 5 weeks out, but this is not something I've experienced before, and I don't really get it. Even after my knee went all wonky last fall, I always knew I'd finish. Maybe it's because I want to WAY MORE than *just finish* this time, or maybe it's because of number 3.
3. Left shin. Very achy. Very disconcerting. I think that tomorrow will either give me a boost of confidence or be horrible. I can't decide which. The good news is that the weird feeling GOES AWAY while I'm running.
4. I spent all my birthday money yesterday. I am going to run cute this summer.
5. FINISH LINE PHOTO OF BLISSFUL JOY.
That smile was there the whole dang day, I swear!
Monday, May 9, 2011
WINNER and Marathon Training Week 12
First up - the winner of the Auria Exceed Sport Earphones...
Due to sick child craziness, I chose a winner via random.org:
Comment number 17 came from RoseRunner, who said:
After posting my review, I was informed by Auria that the reason the button didn't work for me WAS because my iPod is so old. (I have a 2005 2nd generation nano. Ancient.) So hopefully, it'll be fully functional for you! Congrats! Email me at bandthejs @ yahoo.com with your mailing address and I'll get them out to you. Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks to Auria for the opportunity to review a great product.
On to my training week wrap up.
Monday: 5.01 recovery miles at a 10:35 pace.
Tuesday: rest - while I felt good during Monday's run, afterwards I felt pretty sore.
Wednesday: 5.33 miles at 10:36 pace. Tough run.
Thursday: unscheduled rest. I decided to give my legs a break before racing.
Friday: rest and packet pickup
Saturday: 13.23 miles at a 10:26 pace. BEST RACE EVER. I ice-bathed it up after getting home (which was SO TOUGH because I was already so cold) and then Saturday night, I had a date with the hubs. We had Mexican food for dinner and went to watch a friend's band play in Naperville. We didn't get home until 1:15am. It was a LONG day.
Sunday: Happy Mother's Day! Thanks to my kids for getting up SO FREAKING EARLY! Ugh. But I had a lovely day. Instead of running I took a nap on the couch. I know, I know. But I didn't regret it for a MINUTE.
Week Total = 23.57 miles
My step back week is over, and I have 18 on deck for this weekend. Grandma's marathon is in less than 6 weeks. Ack! My goal for this weekend's run is to SLOW DOWN (I have been running my long runs too fast, I know this, but it's tough to rein it in) and get through it. I have a jam-packed week, culminating with an equally jam-packed weekend, so I'm not sure how much I'll be around. Happy Monday everyone!
Due to sick child craziness, I chose a winner via random.org:
Comment number 17 came from RoseRunner, who said:
After posting my review, I was informed by Auria that the reason the button didn't work for me WAS because my iPod is so old. (I have a 2005 2nd generation nano. Ancient.) So hopefully, it'll be fully functional for you! Congrats! Email me at bandthejs @ yahoo.com with your mailing address and I'll get them out to you. Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks to Auria for the opportunity to review a great product.
On to my training week wrap up.
Monday: 5.01 recovery miles at a 10:35 pace.
Tuesday: rest - while I felt good during Monday's run, afterwards I felt pretty sore.
Wednesday: 5.33 miles at 10:36 pace. Tough run.
Thursday: unscheduled rest. I decided to give my legs a break before racing.
Friday: rest and packet pickup
Saturday: 13.23 miles at a 10:26 pace. BEST RACE EVER. I ice-bathed it up after getting home (which was SO TOUGH because I was already so cold) and then Saturday night, I had a date with the hubs. We had Mexican food for dinner and went to watch a friend's band play in Naperville. We didn't get home until 1:15am. It was a LONG day.
Sunday: Happy Mother's Day! Thanks to my kids for getting up SO FREAKING EARLY! Ugh. But I had a lovely day. Instead of running I took a nap on the couch. I know, I know. But I didn't regret it for a MINUTE.
Week Total = 23.57 miles
My step back week is over, and I have 18 on deck for this weekend. Grandma's marathon is in less than 6 weeks. Ack! My goal for this weekend's run is to SLOW DOWN (I have been running my long runs too fast, I know this, but it's tough to rein it in) and get through it. I have a jam-packed week, culminating with an equally jam-packed weekend, so I'm not sure how much I'll be around. Happy Monday everyone!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Race Report: Wisconsin Half Marathon
I've only been running for a little better than a year, and I still consider myself a newish runner. I've learned so so much in the past year - how to train, what to wear, what to eat, what NOT to eat, when to push myself, when to back off. But I think that the biggest lesson I've learned over the course of my racing career is that you NEVER know what race day will bring you. You can do everything right, and sometimes it just is out of your control. Sometimes, everything just goes wrong.
But SOMETIMES, everything goes wonderfully RIGHT...
After my 16 last week, my legs were feeling pretty beat. I took a run off last week, just to give my achy shins a rest before Saturday's half. I was pretty excited about this race, mostly because I knew SO many people running it. There were more than 30 from the running club signed up for either the half or the full, lots of my daily mile friends, and as I said in my last post, lots of bloggy friends were going to be there too.
I had a really nice send off dinner with the club Thursday night, when I finally started to think about the race itself. I was still itching for my 2:20 redemption, and after hearing more about the race and course from runners who'd done it more than once, I was starting to think I could pull it off.
Friday I picked up my bib and shirt while James was at school. The race was held in Kenosha, WI which is just a short drive for me, and I was in and out of there super quick.
I hydrated with nuun all day Friday, and decided to go back to my standard Taco Bell pre-race dinner. Don't judge - it works for me, and with my stomach issues at races and runs lately, I wanted to go back to what has worked for me in the past.
Saturday morning started bright and early and went off without a hitch. I ate cinnamon cheerios and had 2 cups of coffee. The weather, which had rain predicted all week long, was STUNNING. Gorgeous sunrise and warm at the start. I wore my running club singlet for the first time, and capris, since my chaffage from last weekend is still healing. I made it up there, parked and found everyone with no problems. I porta-pottied twice before the start, just for good measure.
This race is touted as the "cheesiest," and in keeping with that theme, they have what's known as the "Cheese Corral." That means that if you sport some sort of cheese, you are allowed in the very front.
This is one of the running club peep's photos. I'm a couple people back in the center with the pink hat. That caution tape in the lower right corner is the very front Line. I think my chip time and gun time were off by maybe one or two seconds. It was fun to be way out in front! Well, for a minute anyhow, until the planet passed us. Don't worry - we stayed way to the right.
With a 2:20 finish in mind, I was aiming for 10:30 miles. I was determined to run my own race and not let the club or crowd pull me or push me. I spent the first couple miles watching the club people I was going to run with pull ahead of me, and really NOT worrying about it - RUN YOUR OWN RACE was my mantra in the early miles.
Once we all settled in though, I was running strong with a group of 3 other runners from the club. I felt really good and steady. We passed up the first water station, but after that I took both water and gatorade from each one. After a few miles, our group was down to 2, and Kate and I ran the majority of the race together. The middle miles seemed hillier than the course elevation shows, but we were handling everything well and motivating each other and just enjoying each other's company. It was super nice to run with someone who's pace so closely matches mine.
After mile 10 or so, I was still holding strong, and Kate was feeling really good too. Her goal was always to make it to 10 and then kick it in. I just wanted to make it to 10 and not die. So when she kicked in her afterburners, I tried to hold on for a bit, but I had to let her go. I walked up one hill at the end, and I could never catch her after that. But it was motivating to try, and that kept me moving for a while.
During mile 11 I started to struggle mentally for a while. I was pulling out all my tricks, and thinking of Emz, and mentally pushing myself. I started looking at the numbers and realizing how close I was to smashing my goal. And then? I looked up and saw my WHOLE cheering crew heading towards the finish line, and that was such a huge boost for me! I started screaming (they weren't even looking for me at that point) and they all waved and yelled and then I was smiling again, just like that.
I hit the aid station at mile 12, and I decided that I wasn't going to walk again. I kept saying, "you don't have to run fast, but you have to keep running!" I knew I was going to make my goal, and I was smiling so huge! The closer I got to the finish, the faster I got. I was going to make it!!
Coming down the home stretch - I promise I was running, even though it doesn't look like it.
Crossing the line, I saw 2:18 and change and I was so freaking excited! I finally ran a race where nothing at all went wrong. I made zero potty stops. I felt GREAT. The weather was outstanding during the race. It was all SO GOOD.
While the weather was perfect for running, the clouds showed up and without the sun, it was NOT perfect for hanging around, so I sent my freezing family home. I got my gear, put on my jacket, and went to get some food. In true WI style, there was beer, brats, and polka. The beer was good, I 'll say that much :)
We huddled in the tent and took some more photos, and then headed out to try to see some more people cross the finish. I unfortunately didn't get to meet any new bloggy peeps that day, and it was WAY too cold to hang out as long as I was hoping to. Bummer, but the only one of the day for me.
Later when I got home and uploaded my data, I was even more excited about it all. I called my husband in, and asked him what, if anything, he noticed about THIS:
He glanced at it, and in his best Spinal Tap voice, said, "These DON'T go to 11!"
My official time was 2:18:12. It's not ever going to win me any age group medals, but it sure as hell made my day. That's a 4:23 PR, and I'll take it.
But SOMETIMES, everything goes wonderfully RIGHT...
After my 16 last week, my legs were feeling pretty beat. I took a run off last week, just to give my achy shins a rest before Saturday's half. I was pretty excited about this race, mostly because I knew SO many people running it. There were more than 30 from the running club signed up for either the half or the full, lots of my daily mile friends, and as I said in my last post, lots of bloggy friends were going to be there too.
I had a really nice send off dinner with the club Thursday night, when I finally started to think about the race itself. I was still itching for my 2:20 redemption, and after hearing more about the race and course from runners who'd done it more than once, I was starting to think I could pull it off.
Friday I picked up my bib and shirt while James was at school. The race was held in Kenosha, WI which is just a short drive for me, and I was in and out of there super quick.
I hydrated with nuun all day Friday, and decided to go back to my standard Taco Bell pre-race dinner. Don't judge - it works for me, and with my stomach issues at races and runs lately, I wanted to go back to what has worked for me in the past.
Saturday morning started bright and early and went off without a hitch. I ate cinnamon cheerios and had 2 cups of coffee. The weather, which had rain predicted all week long, was STUNNING. Gorgeous sunrise and warm at the start. I wore my running club singlet for the first time, and capris, since my chaffage from last weekend is still healing. I made it up there, parked and found everyone with no problems. I porta-pottied twice before the start, just for good measure.
This race is touted as the "cheesiest," and in keeping with that theme, they have what's known as the "Cheese Corral." That means that if you sport some sort of cheese, you are allowed in the very front.
This is one of the running club peep's photos. I'm a couple people back in the center with the pink hat. That caution tape in the lower right corner is the very front Line. I think my chip time and gun time were off by maybe one or two seconds. It was fun to be way out in front! Well, for a minute anyhow, until the planet passed us. Don't worry - we stayed way to the right.
With a 2:20 finish in mind, I was aiming for 10:30 miles. I was determined to run my own race and not let the club or crowd pull me or push me. I spent the first couple miles watching the club people I was going to run with pull ahead of me, and really NOT worrying about it - RUN YOUR OWN RACE was my mantra in the early miles.
Once we all settled in though, I was running strong with a group of 3 other runners from the club. I felt really good and steady. We passed up the first water station, but after that I took both water and gatorade from each one. After a few miles, our group was down to 2, and Kate and I ran the majority of the race together. The middle miles seemed hillier than the course elevation shows, but we were handling everything well and motivating each other and just enjoying each other's company. It was super nice to run with someone who's pace so closely matches mine.
After mile 10 or so, I was still holding strong, and Kate was feeling really good too. Her goal was always to make it to 10 and then kick it in. I just wanted to make it to 10 and not die. So when she kicked in her afterburners, I tried to hold on for a bit, but I had to let her go. I walked up one hill at the end, and I could never catch her after that. But it was motivating to try, and that kept me moving for a while.
During mile 11 I started to struggle mentally for a while. I was pulling out all my tricks, and thinking of Emz, and mentally pushing myself. I started looking at the numbers and realizing how close I was to smashing my goal. And then? I looked up and saw my WHOLE cheering crew heading towards the finish line, and that was such a huge boost for me! I started screaming (they weren't even looking for me at that point) and they all waved and yelled and then I was smiling again, just like that.
I hit the aid station at mile 12, and I decided that I wasn't going to walk again. I kept saying, "you don't have to run fast, but you have to keep running!" I knew I was going to make my goal, and I was smiling so huge! The closer I got to the finish, the faster I got. I was going to make it!!
Coming down the home stretch - I promise I was running, even though it doesn't look like it.
Crossing the line, I saw 2:18 and change and I was so freaking excited! I finally ran a race where nothing at all went wrong. I made zero potty stops. I felt GREAT. The weather was outstanding during the race. It was all SO GOOD.
While the weather was perfect for running, the clouds showed up and without the sun, it was NOT perfect for hanging around, so I sent my freezing family home. I got my gear, put on my jacket, and went to get some food. In true WI style, there was beer, brats, and polka. The beer was good, I 'll say that much :)
We huddled in the tent and took some more photos, and then headed out to try to see some more people cross the finish. I unfortunately didn't get to meet any new bloggy peeps that day, and it was WAY too cold to hang out as long as I was hoping to. Bummer, but the only one of the day for me.
Later when I got home and uploaded my data, I was even more excited about it all. I called my husband in, and asked him what, if anything, he noticed about THIS:
He glanced at it, and in his best Spinal Tap voice, said, "These DON'T go to 11!"
My official time was 2:18:12. It's not ever going to win me any age group medals, but it sure as hell made my day. That's a 4:23 PR, and I'll take it.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Three Things Thursday
1. Yesterday, I tested out yet another pair of new socks. While I LOVE my balegas for shorter runs, I have seriously jacked up feet, well foot anyway, and I wanted to try something that would prevent my big toe and my second toe from rubbing together so much.
Since my left foot just goes along with whatever the right foot wants, my new solution is injinji toe socks. What, you think I'm exaggerating?
I took them for a spin last night, and my toes were SO SO HAPPY. These socks are my new bff.
2. This Saturday, I'm running the Wisconsin half marathon in Kenosha. There are a ton of people from the running club participating in either the half or the full, so I'm stoked about that. Michel is running it - I'm hoping to meet her - and also Geekgirl and Sweet Baboo as the 3rd leg in their "double double" adventure (2 marathons a weekend for 2 weekends in a row). I will see Kim and Erin there too. So I am super excited for this race, but my legs really aren't so much.
I am tired and sore lately. I know that this is probably normal for this point in marathon training - really, I have only 2 major long runs left before the race - but since I missed this whole part last summer with a jacked up knee, I am having a tough time deciphering the difference between "normal" tired legs and when I should back the hell OFF. I do not want any sort of injury to take me out of the game, especially with how well everything has gone to date. So tell me - how tired and sore are YOU at this point in a marathon training cycle? I have 6 weeks (eek!!) to go, and the last 3 will be tapering.
3. Since my legs have been protesting lately, I did what any sane person would do. I signed up for another half! *sigh* I will be running the Splish Splash half marathon in Gurnee on May 22. It's an inaugural event, it's 15 minutes from my house, there's a luau at the end, and I got the entry for half price. I just couldn't pass it up!
Since my left foot just goes along with whatever the right foot wants, my new solution is injinji toe socks. What, you think I'm exaggerating?
I took them for a spin last night, and my toes were SO SO HAPPY. These socks are my new bff.
2. This Saturday, I'm running the Wisconsin half marathon in Kenosha. There are a ton of people from the running club participating in either the half or the full, so I'm stoked about that. Michel is running it - I'm hoping to meet her - and also Geekgirl and Sweet Baboo as the 3rd leg in their "double double" adventure (2 marathons a weekend for 2 weekends in a row). I will see Kim and Erin there too. So I am super excited for this race, but my legs really aren't so much.
I am tired and sore lately. I know that this is probably normal for this point in marathon training - really, I have only 2 major long runs left before the race - but since I missed this whole part last summer with a jacked up knee, I am having a tough time deciphering the difference between "normal" tired legs and when I should back the hell OFF. I do not want any sort of injury to take me out of the game, especially with how well everything has gone to date. So tell me - how tired and sore are YOU at this point in a marathon training cycle? I have 6 weeks (eek!!) to go, and the last 3 will be tapering.
3. Since my legs have been protesting lately, I did what any sane person would do. I signed up for another half! *sigh* I will be running the Splish Splash half marathon in Gurnee on May 22. It's an inaugural event, it's 15 minutes from my house, there's a luau at the end, and I got the entry for half price. I just couldn't pass it up!
Monday, May 2, 2011
May!
I keep coming here and staring at a blank screen, but the words won't flow. So I have been quiet. Do you ever feel like you don't have anything NEW to say?
To get the goal stuff out of the way, in April I ran 106.42 miles. That is a new monthly mileage PR for me, so YAY! I didn't lose any weight, but I didn't gain any either, so I'll take that as a WIN since April is a notoriously horrible month for me, with my birthday and Easter all in there. Everything else is pretty status quo.
Last week (Marathon Training Week 11, for those who are keeping track) I ran Tuesday (6 miles, 10:29 pace), Wednesday (6.11 miles, 10:12 pace) and Sunday (16 miles, 10:57 pace) for a week total of 28.11 miles. For the first time since my shin weirdness in week 5, I actually missed a run. That's one run missed in 6 weeks. I'm pretty proud of how well I'm doing so far.
My long run this week, as I said above, was 16 miles. I was planning on doing it on Saturday, but I just couldn't bring myself to fight with the god-forsaken WIND. Wind gusting 30+ mph. Wind that blew my great big basketball hoop that sits next to my driveway DOWN. So, yeah, I declared a wind delay on my long run. (I was also planning to do a recovery run on Sunday, but with my long run pushed to Sunday, I got no recovery run in last week, which is why I missed one).
I didn't want to run in my neighborhood on pavement, since my legs have been feeling the pounding lately - I'm sore. I opted for a local trail loop in Rollins Savanna, where one loop is ~5.5 miles long, so I figured 3 loops - done. Easy. I posted it up on our running club site in hopes that I might get some company.
Sunday morning, I was up early, had my coffee and breakfast, and I was feeling good. I packed a small cooler, figuring I'd stop between each loop to refuel and fill my handheld. I packed up all my stuff, remembering sunscreen even, and bodyglided up my feet and my bra line (got some chaffing there in my 14 miler). I was wearing my new favorite outfit on its long run debut.
The top is fila, with a pocket for my ipod, and the skirt is my gym girl ultra from skirt sports. I'd worn it on shorter runs and been happy with it, and the weather Sunday was supposed to be warmish and sunny. I also wore a new hat that I'd won from Marcia last year, but not yet worn before.
I met 3 people from the club for my first loop, and it was nice to have the company early on. It felt chilly at the start (mostly due to the wind) but I warmed up as soon as we got going. I had hoped to start slow, because I tend to bonk later if I don't, but with all the chatting, I wasn't paying a lot of attention and it was definitely faster than I meant it to be. That said, I never felt like I was pushing, and I was talking a lot, and I never once walked or felt like walking that first loop. (1 - 10:44, 2 - 10:26, 3 - 10:28, 4 - 10:18, 5 - 10:20, 6 - 10:39)
After the first loop, I said goodbye to my running buddies, filled up my handheld with half powerade (what they're using on the Grandma's course) and half water, took a GU, put sunscreen on, and headed back out. I was still feeling really good, but I vowed to try to slow it down. I also started to take walk breaks every mile or so to drink - I am so bad at running and drinking at the same time. On this loop, I got high-fived twice from a runner, who shouted encouragement. This made me smile - I could have really used him on the 3rd loop! I also felt the beginning of some thigh chaffing at the edges of my compression shorts under the skirt. I adjusted the shorts, and didn't feel it anymore. (7 - 10:38, 8 - 10:18, 9 - 10:49, 10 - 11:48 (more GU))
At mile 11, after the second loop, I used the bathroom and realized I had MAJOR chaffage happening. Stupid. I am so out of practice with summer clothes, that I had forgotten to body glide there. Luckily, I'd brought it with, so at least I could minimize any further damage. I did that, refilled my handheld, emptied my shoes of rocks, and hit the last loop. I was tired, for sure, but still feeling ok. I was taking more frequent walk breaks now though, and feeling the wind SO much more. I'm not sure if that was because it picked up, or if I'd just HAD it at that point. But the wind on the last loop beat the shit out of me. Still, it was great to look down at mile 13.11 and see 2:20 on my watch (that's still my half goal for this weekend) but shortly after that, the bottom fell out of this run. My toes on BOTH feet (not just my wonky right foot) cramped up so badly that I was forced to walk several times because it was agonizing. It was a huge slog until about 15.25 when I started to fell better in my feel, but had mentally checked out. Gah. Of course the last mile was STRAIGHT into the wind too. I DID have a woman tell me how cute my outfit was, but all I was thinking was that at least I LOOKED good. (11 - 10:50, 12 - 11:02, 13 - 10:55, 14 - 12:00, 15 - 11:33, 16 - 12:35)
All in all, I got it done. The only other stupid thing I managed to do was to sunscreen everything except my neck, so I am sporting a lovely pink v-neck today. I'm hoping to get a recovery run done tonight, but my right foot is still sore, so I'm going to play that one super super easy.
Congrats to all the runners this weekend - I'm going back to reading race reports!
To get the goal stuff out of the way, in April I ran 106.42 miles. That is a new monthly mileage PR for me, so YAY! I didn't lose any weight, but I didn't gain any either, so I'll take that as a WIN since April is a notoriously horrible month for me, with my birthday and Easter all in there. Everything else is pretty status quo.
Last week (Marathon Training Week 11, for those who are keeping track) I ran Tuesday (6 miles, 10:29 pace), Wednesday (6.11 miles, 10:12 pace) and Sunday (16 miles, 10:57 pace) for a week total of 28.11 miles. For the first time since my shin weirdness in week 5, I actually missed a run. That's one run missed in 6 weeks. I'm pretty proud of how well I'm doing so far.
My long run this week, as I said above, was 16 miles. I was planning on doing it on Saturday, but I just couldn't bring myself to fight with the god-forsaken WIND. Wind gusting 30+ mph. Wind that blew my great big basketball hoop that sits next to my driveway DOWN. So, yeah, I declared a wind delay on my long run. (I was also planning to do a recovery run on Sunday, but with my long run pushed to Sunday, I got no recovery run in last week, which is why I missed one).
I didn't want to run in my neighborhood on pavement, since my legs have been feeling the pounding lately - I'm sore. I opted for a local trail loop in Rollins Savanna, where one loop is ~5.5 miles long, so I figured 3 loops - done. Easy. I posted it up on our running club site in hopes that I might get some company.
Sunday morning, I was up early, had my coffee and breakfast, and I was feeling good. I packed a small cooler, figuring I'd stop between each loop to refuel and fill my handheld. I packed up all my stuff, remembering sunscreen even, and bodyglided up my feet and my bra line (got some chaffing there in my 14 miler). I was wearing my new favorite outfit on its long run debut.
The top is fila, with a pocket for my ipod, and the skirt is my gym girl ultra from skirt sports. I'd worn it on shorter runs and been happy with it, and the weather Sunday was supposed to be warmish and sunny. I also wore a new hat that I'd won from Marcia last year, but not yet worn before.
I met 3 people from the club for my first loop, and it was nice to have the company early on. It felt chilly at the start (mostly due to the wind) but I warmed up as soon as we got going. I had hoped to start slow, because I tend to bonk later if I don't, but with all the chatting, I wasn't paying a lot of attention and it was definitely faster than I meant it to be. That said, I never felt like I was pushing, and I was talking a lot, and I never once walked or felt like walking that first loop. (1 - 10:44, 2 - 10:26, 3 - 10:28, 4 - 10:18, 5 - 10:20, 6 - 10:39)
After the first loop, I said goodbye to my running buddies, filled up my handheld with half powerade (what they're using on the Grandma's course) and half water, took a GU, put sunscreen on, and headed back out. I was still feeling really good, but I vowed to try to slow it down. I also started to take walk breaks every mile or so to drink - I am so bad at running and drinking at the same time. On this loop, I got high-fived twice from a runner, who shouted encouragement. This made me smile - I could have really used him on the 3rd loop! I also felt the beginning of some thigh chaffing at the edges of my compression shorts under the skirt. I adjusted the shorts, and didn't feel it anymore. (7 - 10:38, 8 - 10:18, 9 - 10:49, 10 - 11:48 (more GU))
At mile 11, after the second loop, I used the bathroom and realized I had MAJOR chaffage happening. Stupid. I am so out of practice with summer clothes, that I had forgotten to body glide there. Luckily, I'd brought it with, so at least I could minimize any further damage. I did that, refilled my handheld, emptied my shoes of rocks, and hit the last loop. I was tired, for sure, but still feeling ok. I was taking more frequent walk breaks now though, and feeling the wind SO much more. I'm not sure if that was because it picked up, or if I'd just HAD it at that point. But the wind on the last loop beat the shit out of me. Still, it was great to look down at mile 13.11 and see 2:20 on my watch (that's still my half goal for this weekend) but shortly after that, the bottom fell out of this run. My toes on BOTH feet (not just my wonky right foot) cramped up so badly that I was forced to walk several times because it was agonizing. It was a huge slog until about 15.25 when I started to fell better in my feel, but had mentally checked out. Gah. Of course the last mile was STRAIGHT into the wind too. I DID have a woman tell me how cute my outfit was, but all I was thinking was that at least I LOOKED good. (11 - 10:50, 12 - 11:02, 13 - 10:55, 14 - 12:00, 15 - 11:33, 16 - 12:35)
All in all, I got it done. The only other stupid thing I managed to do was to sunscreen everything except my neck, so I am sporting a lovely pink v-neck today. I'm hoping to get a recovery run done tonight, but my right foot is still sore, so I'm going to play that one super super easy.
Congrats to all the runners this weekend - I'm going back to reading race reports!
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