Holiday Run - 12.11.11 {4 Miler}

I'd been running, just no races since Breathe Deep.  And by running, I mean 2 miles at a time.  On a treadmill.  Flat.  In the comforts of controlled weather conditions.  Cheater.

I'd never run Sharon Woods before.  I hadn't run 4 miles in God knows how long.  I hadn't run in 18 degrees since *last* winter.  I'm so going to rock this race.  

It was cold, but bearable.  I carried my small hydration bottle.  I didn't have a goal, but under 44:00 would be OK with me, but I had hoped for better.  Don't you always?

Just like usual, I took off too fast, but felt OK.  It didn't take long for me and everyone to start sucking air thanks to those hills.  This is when a LOT of people started walking and I started complaining.  I'm such a pleasure to run near :)  This is also when I started to hate other runners {I hate most people most of the time}.  Note: you are NOT cool sprinting down a hill and walking up 10 seconds later.  You are annoying.  mmmkay?  Is it just me?  Why do I care?  We just spend the entire race passing each other looking at each other's butts.  You judging me for running slow, me judging you for your sporadic run/walk.  

I felt alone for a lot of the race, it didn't seem that there were a lot of runners around me during the middle.  No, I didn't complain that much :)  I remember having a mile left, high five-ing one of the attendants because he was cheering me.  I also remember than moment when I ran out of powerade, I spent the final mile trying to suck the bottom out of the bottle for that last drop.  Not.even.kidding.  One day I will learn to hydrate throughout the day, not during the run.


Regardless, it was fun.  Plus, I got a long sleeve tech shirt.  Late, since I didn't pick up my packet beforehand and they run out, but got one.  And a medal.  Really, it's all about the bling.  And bragging rights, maybe a bit more about the brags.  Hello Facebook!

Judi, Lisa, and me

The Details

The Course:

My bib: 458

My chip time: 43:09, 10:48 pace

My Garmin time: 43:12, 10:46 pace, 4.01 miles

190 /284 overall

My splits:

1 - 10:08

2 - 11:28

3 - 11:17

4 - 10:14

See ya on the run!

Lungevity 5K - 11.12.11

When picking up my packet for the Columbus Half Marathon , I ran across Breathe Deep, a fundraiser 5K raising money for lung cancer.  I was instantly drawn to it, since I lost my mother to lung cancer back in Feb. 2007.  My BFF, Sara, who was with me turned to me and said "I'll do it with you". 

As long as my schedule allowed, I was in.  My boys would be with me.  Ever since Marie did a 5K pushing her trips, I had to try it.  Competitive? Maybe.  More like "I want those bragging rights".  Maybe this:

yeah, just a little :)


The race went fine.  Nice warmish day in November.  We didn't know the route before we started, but boy were those ittle bitty hills killers.  Even not pushing 100 lbs would have been trying.  I remember those during the Giant Eagle 5K.  I've haven't had a lot of experience with running with a stroller, well, I had run once with it.  But, it was only 3 miles, right?  


I forgot about the stress of having 2 little ones around.  Snacks, drinks, toys, potties.  I spilled my drink in their stroller trying to get it down a flight of stairs to get to the start line.  Then Keegan didn't want to sit in a wet seat.  I was instantly stressed.  I grabbed a shirt (sorry, Sara) and threw Keegan in.  We took off and immediately went up hill.  I heard behind me "already?" and it made me laugh out loud.  We had no time to warm up.  Speaking of warm, I overdressed.  I wanted to take my jacket off so badly, but I pinned my bib to both sides of the zipper.  Amateur.  Just one more reason I need a different fuel belt, so I can never touch a safety pin again.  Also, I was running with NO powerade since I spilled it before we started.  Insert panic.


Everyone passed me made a comment.  "Wow", "that's hard", "you rock", and my favorite from Sara's hubby "can I get in?".  I held my pace and was after a 40 minute finish.  I squeaked in.  Barely.


There were 2 other strollers in this race, including my friend Vicky, which also lost her Nanny (grandmother) to lung cancer.  Overall, the race wasn't too bad.  We dropped one toy, one drink, and got a little nascar at Mile 3 and got into the wall :)  But, we recovered.


Here are the photos from the day:

Team "Running on Memories" missing Vicky and Courtney.  

See the guy on the right?  That's Sara's father in law, Sam.  He was so inspired when he watched us run the half, he signed up for this race, trained for 25 days and placed FIRST in his age class.  He has never run a race before this day.  YOU ROCK, SAM!  

Balloons let off in remembrance.  Note: our balloons left early.  twice.

Vicky & Parker

The Details

The Course:

My bib: 1340

My chip time: 39:52, 12:50 pace

My Garmin time: 40:29, 12:32 pace, 3.23 miles

64/73 overall, 46/48 female.

My splits:

1 - 12:25

2 - 12:33

3 - 13:00

4 - 11:03

I look forward to doing Breathe Deep again.  This is a new race and I would love to support lung cancer research while running.  Next Race: BREATHE DEEP NEWARK on May 12, 2012.  Who's in?

See ya on the run!

Columbus Half Marathan - 10.16.11

I wonder if I will ever update this blog at a point when I remember what happens on race day?  I need to embrace the concept of draft posts.

Race Day - October 16, 2011

I went into this race hesitantly confident.  I knew I could finish, but was afraid that I wouldn't meet and/or beat my last half marathon time.  You see, this go 'round I didn't train with MIT.  There were 5 of us, we could do it alone.  Well, notsomuch.  All of us have kids, therefore, unpredictable schedules.  I didn't get in any "great" LSDs and my training really slacked off toward the end.  Oh, then the heat.....oh my god, the heat.  I started running hard core on the treadmill, just so I could breathe.

I met Sara early to carpool.  I always have this sense of urgency about me and am constantly reviewing and checking things that I knew I forgot.  OCD much? We had to park several blocks away and among the sold out participants, we had to find our friend Vicky with her hubs to hold my bag.  {insert panic here} It was at that time, I misplaced my bib.  Yeah, it was on the dash, but I freaked for just a sec.


We got to the corrals and couldn't find James, Vicky's husband.  Finally, several phone calls and the realization that there are TWO Tim Horton signs on that building, we found him.  Vicky had already made her way into the corrals, we never found her.  Starting the race, I realize that I forgot to put on my fuel belt.  Herewego....no nuun, no sportbeans.  #ohshit 
I did have my ipod though. #sighsinrelief

The race went well.  No complaints! I was able to spot some people that I knew throughout the race.  I ran into Amy around mile 3, where I spilled the beans about my monthly friend because that's appropriate "hey--how ya doing" convo for a race.  

Sara's Mother in Law took specific instructions to jump out in front of me so I would see her.  She did.  She.is.awesome.  Deb's husband caught this gem at Mile 8:

I was actually in the process of waving and saying "hi" to a three year old.  I promise I won't eat your baby.  

Here are the photos I lifted from the race:

The Details

The course:

Again--I have zero sense of direction, most of the time I wasn't really sure where in Columbus I was.

My bib: 15220

My splits:

1 11:16

2 10:59

3 10:51

4 11:20

5 10:54

6  10:51

7 11:17

9 11:01

10 11:08

11 11:10

12 11:19

13 11:08

14    9:1


The Swag:

What I learned:

I didn't need my fuel belt.  The water stations and GU they distributed was enough :)  Ps...I only ate half since it was new to me Clif Shot.

Sara and I after the race.

Vicky and I after the race.

The day wasn't over for me.  I went home, picked up kids, showered, packed, and drove for five hours to Michigan for training the following morning.  About half way there, I stopped for a dozen iced sugar cookies.  I didn't eat them all.  That day anyway.

I am so happy that I went from not being able to run a mile, to running TWO HALF Marathons in 2011!!!!!  Thank you MIT and all the wonderful friends I have met.

I really, really want my next half marathon at a 10 minute pace, but I don't think I can get there this time.  I don't have the time, effort, or ability to cross train like I should.  Or maybe I'm making excuses?

Hell Run - 9.17.11

Jason seen a flyer for Hell Run in one of my race packets, we decided to do it.  Once again, my ego got the best of me.  Jason was really nervous, he runs for cardio, but never outside and for any distance over 2 1/2 miles.  He kept saying things like "I'll let you pace since you're used to running", "I've never run 3 miles in my life", " my face in my finishing photo will just look defeated".  I felt confident, I mean, I was about to run my 2nd half marathon this year.  Yes, there were hills and obstacles, but they couldn't be that hard.  We weren't running for time, but didn't want anything over an hour.  My plan was to take it easy, the worst thing at this point was to destroy a knee.

We took off, straight up hill.......Jason's idea of letting me pace didn't last long.  I have no idea on pace since I didn't wear my Garmin, but we were passing people left and right.  That being said, this is a fun race so most people entered didn't run on a regular basis.  1/2 mile in and I was stripping my base layer.  Did I mention it was cold that day?  

We got to the first obstacle and I said "What if I can't do it?", Jason nudged me toward the 4' wall.  Since I had been running a lot and fail to stretch {ever}, I'm not flexible.  So while most were jumping over this wall like you do when you get out of a pool, I did the fat girl roll over.  Whatever, I did both of them without falling off or embarrassing myself.  

The rest of the obstacles were ok.  Jason attacked them like it was his fuckin' job.    He waiting for me.  A lot.  The running was almost all hills.....down may be equally as bad and running up for me.  And I'll take pavement over a rocky surface any day.

 The only real challenging obstacle was the rope wall.  It isn't mentioned on the obstacle course, I don't know if the race varies from location to location.  This one scared me.  It was 20'+/- high, plywood wall with a 2x4 every 2 feet or so.  You had to use a rope with knots tied every 24" to climb over.  I got to the top and Jason reached for my hand to help.  My only reply was "fucking go, don't touch me".  So, I don't like heights.  He's an avid hunter that is 20' off the ground all.the.time.  Here I am, 20' from the ground standing on a 2x4 (did you a 2x4 is smaller than 2" x 4") trying to get over.  My legs are tight from running so I can't get my right leg over, I look to the guy next to me and told him "I'm scared".  He didn't say anything.  Dick.  But, I switched legs and figured got down just fine.  The back side resembled a ladder, I can handle that.

Jason was ahead of me at this point, we were almost done.  Enjoy what photos were able to steal:

I take the WORST race photos

So I was afraid of falling or losing a shoe, not afraid of mud. 

I ran into a twin mama that I know, she took this photo {before clean up}:

Speaking of, there was no water pressure, so clean up was a joke.  I changed in the plain view in the parking lot and went home just like this.

The Details

The Course:

The Schwag:

Our bibs: 1494 & 1495

My chip time: 47:52, I can't find the race results anymore online (again, why do I wait so long to blog?) but Jason was about 3 minutes faster than me.

They had a problem with the timing devices and mud, so a lot of finishers didn't get a time, so our rank was irrelevant {not that I can find it anyhow}.

Another Super cute {& comfy} tech shirt to add to my collection!

See ya on the run!

Giant Eagle Multisport 5K - 7.31.11

I was feeling overly confident and *thought* this race started at 8:30 a.m.  Since my LSD (long slow days) weren't going so well, I decided I needed to meet up with some friends at 6:30 a.m. and run 4 miles.  Those 4 went great. I left Sara & Marie, changed, age a protein bar and fueled my belt.


I pull into the parking lot only to find out they are cash only.  Who has cash? Ever?  Not me, so I sprint to the ATM.  I see runners rounding the corner.  I think "Oh God, please tell me that's the family 2 miler or something".  Nope.   The race just started.  I sprinted to back to pay the attendant, then sprinted to the start.  Mind you, I already have 4 miles under my belt for the morning.  I get to the start....it's not there.  The timing device has already been removed.  Perfect.


I laugh and say "oh well, here I go anyway".  I paid my entry fee....I'm getting this race.  Every police officer I passed I would yell "guess who was late".   Tri-athletes were passing me about 3 minutes in.  I really didn't know what to do running beside them.  I yelled "great job" a few times....not sure what was proper.  All I know is I wanted to stay out of their way.  I could hear their footsteps and could tell they were all business.  I didn't want to catch the wrath of a shaven (yeah, I noticed) tri guy.  So I kept trucking along.....


I ended up passing 5 runners, mostly walking.  It's funny how fast you can be when you are embarrassed.  I'd much rather be around other people, I don't like to run alone.  And to be honest, I saw a homeless guy, which freaked me out a bit.


The course was difficult due to small but steep inclines.  The sun was beating in your face for the entire route as well.  How's that for a big fat whine-fest?


At the ending stretch, a female tri flew past me wearing just her swimsuit looking fit and cute as ever in her pigtails and said "great job girlie, keep going".  Me?  You're encouraging me?  Sometimes I don't hate people afterall.


I don't have any photos to share but here is the schwag: 

Unlike every other 5K, no one seemed super fast since I was ALONE.  Nonetheless, I feel good about this race.  They had a kickass afterparty and awesome snacks.  Thanks, triathletes, I'm sure those were mainly for you :)

  

The Details

The Course:

Note: if you wait to update your blog 3+ months later, the course map may no longer be online.

My bib: 87

My chip time: 40:02, but complete bogus since the timing device was gone when I started

My Garmin time: 32:42, 10:31 pace, 3.11 miles

86/89 overall, 46/48 female.  bogus.

My splits:

1 - 9:46

2 - 10:42

3 - 10:59

4 - 1:10

Another Super cute tech shirt to add to my collection!  

See ya on the run!

Beerathlon 5K - 7.16.11

I had been looking forward to this race for quite a while and I almost missed it.  Jason had to have a last minute surgery.  While outpatient, I wasn't sure if he'd be able to be left alone the next day.  I guess you can tell, I left him.  

This 5K started at Buffalo Wild Wings on Bethel Road, Columbus, Ohio.  Mid-July, hottest week of the year, 7 o'clock, no shade, street race.  Recipe for disaster.

Here we are before the race:

I ran at what I thought was a comfortable pace. I often watch my Garmin but don't do a whole lot of adjusting, I just like to see where I am, every 2 seconds.  Just 1/2 mile in, it took a major pep talk to keep going.  It was hot, the sun was beating in our face, no sign of shade in site.  

Just like every other 5K, everyone seemed super fast.  Again, I started off too fast.  While I carried Powerarde and used sportbeans prior, this race was the hardest ever, ever, ever.  The only glimmer of hope to finish running was a property owner in the area turned his sprinkler on into the street.  Those drops were 2 seconds of heaven

I crossed the finish line (uphill, thanks Ultra-fit) and was greeted by Sara's Mother in Law and our friend, Marie.  I'm not sure what I said, but I remember "it's too hot" and "I want to cry".   I also wanted to go back and finish with Sara, but I didn't have it in me.  What support would I be if I could barely walk?  I needed something, but I wasn't sure what.  I settled for a granola bar and gatorade.  While choosing my recovery meal, I missed Sara's finish.  Of course I did, I felt terrible.

While I was pressed for time, we managed to get a beer.  I mean, it had "beer" in the title, it only seemed right!

  

The Details

The Course:

View Buffalo Wild Wings 5K in a larger map

My bib: 575

My chip time: No Chip!!!  Gunstart, handed a card at finish.  Totally weird if you ask me.

My Garmin time: 33:10, 10:33, 3.12 miles

108/179 overallThere were more runners, but they didn't turn in their time.  Let's just say I was faster than them...

My splits:

1 - 9:50

2 - 10:56

3 - 11:07

4 - 1:15

Race Packet goodies:

Another Super cute tech shirt to add to my collection!  

See ya on the run!

MoveMMore - 6.19.11

My BFF and new running partner, Sara, just completed the Couch to 5K running program and was ready for her first 5K.  Our other BFF, Marie, was on board too.  Even though it was Father's Day, all of our hubs were in full support.  

Sara chose this as her first due to some personal ties to Myeloma, I loved the idea that the money raised went to the James.  Unlike some bigger fundraisers, money sent to the James stays local.  If you'd like to read more about MMore, visit them here.

Here are few photos before the race.  

We got our shirts from HERE, a shop set up by the authors of a book that has inspired all three of us run, Run Like a Mother: The Book. 

Close up intended to show the shirts, not just a boob shot.

Here is Marie giving her girls a pep talk before the race.  Yep, she ran with them.  Yep, she's a little crazy.  Yep, I wanna do it with my 2 guys.

I love this shot of Sara finishing her first 5K.  It wasn't easy, the weather was not fun.  The terrain was challenging.  She is flanked by her husband and myself, there is no way she would finish this alone.  Marie and her trio were at the finish line chanting "go Sara go".   Who needs more motivation than that?

Here's Marie finishing.  This wins picture of the day for all I'm concerned.

Had I created this post soon after the race, I would have remembered some of the details.  I do remember some.  The race was hard.  We started in the back, then was forced to weave in and out of walkers to get up to our pace.  We started way to fast, all that green lane passing caught up to us.  I was sucking air at .61 miles and took at least another mile to feel as if I wouldn't die.  I carried powerade in a handheld, which was a lifesaver for me.  In these high temps, I need to remember to do that even on short runs. 

Overall, no complaints.  This wasn't a PR for me, nor did I ever set out for it to be one.  I'm happy with my pace and would have been happy at a slower pace and not nearly killed myself {by accident} due to bad pacing. 

The Details

The Course:

My bib: 213

My chip time: 31:43, 10:14 pace, 3.1 miles 

My Garmin time: 36:27, 10:32 , 3.46 miles

{I circled back to finish with Sara and restarted when I caught her}

13/47 female in my age group

118/151 overall

My splits:

1 - 10:10

2 - 10:37

3 - 10:00

4 - 5:39

Race Packet goodies:

Another Super cute tech shirt to add to my collection!  

Now, the reason I was glad this post wasn't done sooner.  A few weeks after the race, I was wearing my tech shirt running with my boys in their jogger in my neighborhood.  A car passed me and turned around to stop me asking me "did you run?".  I thought, is he kidding, I'm about to die and my face it beet red.  He meant, did I run for MMore.  He is a survivor that lives in my neighborhood.  Still fighting, but surviving.  He was so appreciative that we took the time to participate in this successful race.  More than $40,000 was donated to the James on behalf of MMore and I couldn't be more delighted to have contributed.  It feels good to give, feels better when it's personal.  Before he drove off, he kept saying "that made my day".  No sir, it made mine.

{someone help me with this sign off}