My 2nd Monumental Marathon

Well that was not the race I was expecting.  I haven't been updating well, I actually did about 85% of the training for this marathon.  I ran 4 times a week, a huge feat for a full time working momma of 2 and a wife of a busy construction working musician. We don't have time for me to be gone for hours at a time running, but we make it happen. I did most of my long runs, early on I had decided on Hal Higdon's novice plan I started with II but ended up switching to I. The group that I run with on Saturdays is amazing, a bit faster than I am so its hard sometimes to get the long runs in... Just because I don't like to be out running alone. 

Now about this training cycle, about 2 months in I started having some issues with what I assume is plantar fasciitis. I started waking up with some pretty good pain when I would get out of bed. It would always go away by the time I got to work and when I ran it never bothered me. My first 18 miler was amazing, I felt great, could've gone another couple of miles even. Of course the morning after more pain...the next weekend was a half and it was awful. I just didn't want to race. It made it hard to even do the 13.1 because I just didn't want to be there. Finished and went back to training. The following weekend was to be my one and only 20 miler. Started out feeling pretty amazing actually, somewhere around mile 13 I started feeling that Plantar pain...WHILE I WAS RUNNING :( 
I finished out 18 miles that day and iced and elevated for the entirety of tapering, I didn't stop running though. I still had two longish runs left and several short runs during the week. 

Race day...

I was feeling actually pretty good going into race day, even though I had mentioned to a person or two that I wasn't sure that I felt ready earlier that week.  I really felt great, I got plenty of rest and hydrated like a good girl.  We all met early that morning gathered our things and headed for the start line. I ended up running the first few miles with Stephanie, my sister, she was running the half. She kept asking if we were going to fast, but I honestly felt so good and didn't feel too fast at all. I had a tiny bit of discomfort for maybe a half a mile at the beginning in my heels but it quickly dissipated and I really had a good feeling about the end result. I had my Legend Compression Sleeves on and my legs were feeling strong and not tired at all. If you want to grab a pair at a discount let me know I will get you a special discount code!

At the halfway point I still felt good and was on track for a PR race, which I wasn't counting on.  I was hydrating at every water stop as it was getting warmer, it was supposed to hit mid 60's in November...strange for Indiana. Somewhere between mile 14-15 I started feeling like knives were being stuck into my heels at every step. There were tears, lots of them, several other marathoners stopped to see what was happening, whether I was okay, did I need a medic? I'm tearing up as I remember the feeling. It was so painful, it didn't hurt worse at this time if I was running or walking so I started doing both, about a mile at a very slow for me run and then a minute or two of walking. I did that until about mile 19 and then called my sister and told her to find me I was done. She said no...Then she had our other sister text me and tell me to keep going. 
Now I was doing more like 3 minutes run/2 min walk... a few minutes later she text me and said she and my husband were at mile 21.5, I got there and cried again... They asked what I wanted to do, by now my heels were on fire and still running and walking hurt, I decided to go on if she came with me. She's a trooper so she did. We walked most of those last 4 miles with little short bouts of running in there. By now it was hurting work and I was trying to keep the weight off of my heels so the balls of my feet were getting tired and sore. 

Somewhere around mile 24 the rest of the group text Steph and asked if she knew where I was, she said she was with me, they were waiting on me at the finish... more tears. Molly and Brittany met us with about .4 to go, I was running, it was so painful, but since it even hurt to walk I figured I should just get this over with. They ran me in that last bit we turned the corner and I heard my husband yell that I could do it. I am so thankful for the friendships we have foraged over the past two years and that these friends came and encouraged me over the finish. I finished 23 minutes slower than my first marathon, but I FINISHED and that is no small feat. 

I will do another one, I will conquer the Marathon the way that I want to. 

Marathon Number 2

Once I finished my first full Marathon back in November 2013 I wasn't certain that I would EVER do that again. Since then I've pounded out 2000+ miles, numerous halfs, 5k's (which I strongly dislike but more on that later.), a couple of 10k's and hundreds and hundreds of just because miles.

I've decided, thru some crazy runner logic, to do it again. Somewhere along the way I've lost my "want to" in the PR department, I just get out there in a race setting and decide that whatever "thing" that's working against me (weather, feeling, gumption) wins and I run just and only to finish. I'm hoping that accomplishing this Full will give me back the desire to get better. 

The first time I tackled the beast that is the full marathon I ended up doing it alone. I was running it with my sister and she ended up injured mere weeks prior to the race and the last 8 miles (which are the hardest anyway) were just excruciating to me...I honestly felt they would never end. That being said, there is the possibility that I'll be completing this one by myself, but not alone. There are 6 of us training together and while we may not all run together we will start together and cheer each other in. These people 😊

So with that, training starts on Tuesday, it's all written out and planned. I will be wearing my Legend Compression for long runs, they are fantastic and look good too!  During the next few months (18 weeks) I'll run literally hundreds of miles and I'll enjoy the journey. The last 26.2 is just the icing on the cake. 

Blogging again

Wow! It's been a minute since my last blog post. I have had an eventful year personally, I lost my paternal grandparents within 6 months of each other, so we've been settling the estate and getting ready to put the house of my childhood memories on the market. I know everyone goes through this, that doesn't make it easier for anyone. I still have my memories tucked away in my banks for later, but watching the "stuff" go still makes my heart ache.

Running through all of this has been...challenging. I've done several halfs since last writing but no new PR's at any distance😳. I just haven't been ready to train to be faster. I can, however, run with my Saturday morning group at a PR pace, I just can't seem to be able to keep that momentum into race days. This group though, they are a blessing. We meet Saturday's and run our long runs, usually 7-10, usually. These people are so very motivating and the positivity that comes out of them is nothing short of amazing! I'm so happy to call them all friends. This group though...one of them is ready to run her first full, so I've signed up for full marathon number 2!! We are all training together! Yay!! 

One more thing today, I've become a Brand Ambassador for LEGEND Compression, a great newer compression company! They have a wide selection of socks, sleeves and recovery. I'm excited to share this discount with you, I've tried these and they are fantastic!! 

Here is a code for 15% off AmbFriend2016 

http://legendcompressionwear.com

Happy running!!! 

Rachel

Blogging again

Wow! It's been a minute since my last blog post. I have had an eventful year personally, I lost my paternal grandparents within 6 months of each other, so we've been settling the estate and getting ready to put the house of my childhood memories on the market. I know everyone goes through this, that doesn't make it easier for anyone. I still have my memories tucked away in my banks for later, but watching the "stuff" go still makes my heart ache.

Running through all of this has been...challenging. I've done several halfs since last writing but no new PR's at any distance😳. I just haven't been ready to train to be faster. I can, however, run with my Saturday morning group at a PR pace, I just can't seem to be able to keep that momentum into race days. This group though, they are a blessing. We meet Saturday's and run our long runs, usually 7-10, usually. These people are so very motivating and the positivity that comes out of them is nothing short of amazing! I'm so happy to call them all friends. This group though...one of them is ready to run her first full, so I've signed up for full marathon number 2!! We are all training together! Yay!! 

One more thing today, I've become a Brand Ambassador for LEGEND Compression, a great newer compression company! They have a wide selection of socks, sleeves and recovery. I'm excited to share this discount with you, I've tried these and they are fantastic!! 

Here is a code for 15% off AmbFriend2016 

http://legendcompressionwear.com

Happy running!!! 

Rachel

️Running Vs. Jogging?

It took me a long time to convince myself that I was a runner. I didn't feel worthy, fast enough, experienced enough...

Then one day I realized: IF you run, you ARE a runner. It's that simple. 

Let's step back and put a bit of perspective on this argument. If I'm running a 10 minute mile and that's as fast as I can go, like even if a bear is chasing me, I'm running. To my neighbor who is a Boston Qualifier with a sub 8 min mile, I may as well be standing still. But Wait!! Let's put my neighbor, who is blowing me out of the proverbial water, next to Shalane or Kara maybe Meb? Suddenly they are standing still at that crazy fast pace we just spoke of, of less than 8 min miles. 

Who are you to judge my pace? I'm racing me not you, just as you should be racing you. (Unless you are one of the aforementioned runners above, then race each other!) Pace is relative, you don't know my struggle, just don't tell me I'm jogging...

  

Winter Grays: Staying motivated?

In all honesty I don't know how on earth these die hards are running when it's below 20 plus 20-30 mph winds!! I've managed a few outside runs, snow covered bike trails, cold noses, wind burnt cheeks...and we know how I feel about treadmills.  

It was a blast running in the snow and a great workout for my quads, lots of high knees;) 

However, since my last 9 miles in the snow it's been down right frigid.  (Yeah most of the country knows what I'm talking about.) Negative windchills, gusts of wind in the 30 mph range, it's just nasty. I don't have proper cold weather gear for one and really being outside for anything if it's negative 10 does NOT appeal to me. I do make snow angels if it's above 20 though;) 

I've been cruising pages on FaceBook and listening to my twitter folks who are out there running in the cold and I envy them, I do...but I'm not going out there.  I found a new page called RunVine and it's pretty cool, race reviews done by racers, the goo the bad and the ugly.  Check it out!! http://www.racevine.com

How do you stay motivated in the negative temps? I want to know!!! 

Happy Running!!!

Also don't forget once our FB page reaches 250 we will have a give away!! 

https://m.facebook.com/ThisRunningMomma?__user=697585014

2014's Goals:)

BEFORE HEADING INTO 2014's GOALS I WAS ABLE TO FINISH MY GOAL OF 13 in 2013 WITH A FINAL 5k YESTERDAY WHICH I PR'd:) 31:05 

Now into 2014 I venture:). Happy New Year!!! One fun piece of news, I was selected to be a Feetures! Ambassador so heads up for a possible giveaway on Facebook;) (@marathonsisters) 

I'm ready for new adventures and a better me! I have several running/healthy related goals, realistically they should all make us healthier in some way.  

1. As you see I PR'd my 5k at the last possible minute, but am still a minute plus away from the sub-30 I'm looking for. So goal number 1 a sub 30 5k;) 

2. I came close to my half marathon goal finish of 2:30 but didn't quite make it, however I'm re-vamping and going for a 2:20.  

3. I ended up with 800 miles in 2013 and this year I'm determined to hit the 1000 mile mark! 

4. To be more present with my kiddos, put down the phone, run earlier, play more:) 

5. To keep a cleaner home...it's a thing I let slide because it's not as important to me as spending time with my kids or keeping myself healthy...but it stresses me out that it's not as clean as I think it should be. 

I've tried to make my goals for the year attainable but not easy.  I'm excited about them and ready to get started!! 

2013 recap: How I feel about failing😌

Wow!! I can't believe that 2013 is almost over, it seems like I just wrote my goals for the year and now it time for next year!! My how time  flies when you're having fun!! I've had a great year; set some PR's, had some fun, made new runner friends & started a local chapter of MRTT (Moms Run This Town).  Looking back has it advantages:) 

I set a new 5k PR (32:15) this year in March and chased it sheepishly throughout the year.  Though I really yearn for a sub 30! My half marathon record fell as well at the Indy Mini my new 1/2 PR is 2:31:12 this is a full hour faster than my prior PR and that makes me ecstatic! I set a PR in the full marathon as well, it was my first and so far only, 5:59:13.  I REALLY wanted to finish in 5:30 but it was my first and I was so unsure of what to expect after mile 22, I'm thrilled to have finished!! Since the full I've been working on getting faster, I'm excited to write out my goals for next season and can't wait to share them.  In the meantime a breakdown of 2013's goals and outcomes.  Happy Reading, Happy Running!!! 

My goals from last year: 

1: Run 13 in 2013 

I ran 12 races, I was injured for 6 weeks and missed 2 scheduled races and 1 I kind Of slept through:-/ 

2. I wanted to log 1000 miles (running) this year. 

Being injured or 6 weeks really took a toll on my mileage.  I'm going to end up just over 800, considering the year I'm very happy with that!! (Considering my total for 2012 was no where near this I am thrilled!) 
3. I wanted to eat better, I've never been a believer in diets but nutrition. 

I did fantastic with this during the first half of the year...and then I started Marathon training! Wow that makes a girl RUNGRY. 

4. More sleep

I am so very bad about getting good sleep.  

5. Patience 

I have really been working on this and when I'm getting regular running in I am a much more patient mom and wife. 

6. Spending time with friends 

I did manage to make some new friends and spend some time with them and some of my oldies as well:) it's fantastic to make new friends with similar interests!! 

7. Time with the Hubs

I (and he) still really need to work on this!!!

All in all I think personally that I had a pretty stellar year, for me. 😆

 

26.2 I'm A Marathoner!

WOW!!
Where to begin?  First I want to say, even though she ended up injured and unable to run, my sister was/is the best running partner!! We really push each other and help get where we want.  As upset as she was about not being able to run in this Marathon she still went to the Expo with me and got up and got me to the starting line.  She is awesome and I can't wait to do this again, WITH her! Second my husband and kids are AMAZING they sacrificed time to let me train and even if I did miss a few runs here and there without their support I would NOT have been able to finish this!

M-Day
Woke up to my alarm at 5:45 after restless sleep, as usual on race days.  We left my fabulous and hospitable friends home and headed downtown to Indy.  We waited in the Convention Center to stay warm because it was chilly outside. 
While we were waiting we met a young gal named Carmen who was running her 3rd Marathon, she was from Chicago and this was the smallest one she had run.  She said her goal was 6:30 as her previous 2 were around 7 hours. She had her husband and kids there but was fearful that they wouldn't be able to stick around because he may get called in to work.  We wished her luck at the start line and I went on to find a friend who is in our local Moms RUN This Town Chapter who was running the half.  Steph left at this time to go check out the starting line.  
I ran the first 5 miles with Lisa, this was her first half and it was good to have someone to run a bit with, even if it was a short time. Her goal was to finish in under 3 hours and when we split she was on track to be around a 2:30!! You can imagine my excitement when I saw she finished in 2:39!! Way to go LISA!! 
At mile 13 my family was waiting on me: husband, kids, sister, brother in-law and my dad.  (My mom was supposed to be there but my 8 year old informed me that my grandpa had been taken to the hospital so she was with him. Totally understandable!!)

 At this point in the race my projected finish time was somewhere between 5 hours 15 min and 5 hours 30 min.  I knew at this point that I would slow down some because my adrenaline was starting to wain and pushing myself is harder than my sister pushing me.  
Around mile 17 I was getting tired, I knew that in another mile or so I would see my family again so that kept me going. They were FANTSTIC, they ran the Indiana Museum of Art parking lot with me and told me all the things I needed to hear.  By now I was about 8 miles away and was projected to finish in 5:54 according to the timing mats.  I knew I had to keep a steady pace to keep my time under 6 hours and I KNEW that would be hard.  

During these miles I met some GREAT people, including a 68 year old named Carol who was running her 251 marathon and her 35th this year!!! WHOA!!! Her goal is 300 by her 70th birthday.  
For some reason the fuel I had was not working, nothing was different than on my training runs.  For some reason though it was not working for me today so I was hungry and hitting the preverbial wall.  
Around mile 21 I started running 3/4 mile and walking 1/3-1/2 mile and when I saw the 24 mile marker and thought oh wow only 2 miles and the timer looked like I could actually make the under 6 mark...in my head I kept seeing the number 5:58:58. 
Just a few blocks after mile 25 a finisher was standing and cheering us on and she said you've got this only 3 more turns.  Was she kidding 3 more turns!!! I ran the rest of the way about the last mile and when I got to the finishers shoot my kiddos came out and ran me in!! So sweet and so emotional!! And my time? 5:59:02 
Not what my plan was, but life rarely is:) I'm happy, proud, excited... 
Oh, and Carmen from before the start, I ran into her on the way to the car with her husband and kids in tow, her time 5:58!! 
Yay for Marathoners!!! 

Eeeekkkkk it's 26.2!!

Its been a while since I've had time to write a post...Being a full time mom with a full time job and training for a full Marathon leaves me with very little time, as those of you who live like this know!! 

Well...yesterday I recieved an e-mail that freaked me out! It was from the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and it said there were only 30 days left until the BIG day!!! THIRTY DAYS!!! Well I guess I should start with saying that my training hasn't gone exactly as it was written, which I'm guessing is normal? Longest run to date is a 16.4 mile run that was split due to inclimate weather, it was done within 8 hours so I think it counts;). This weekend is a 17 mile long run followed by 20 next weekend and then we start to taper...whatever that means. All I KNOW is I've heard it makes runners go mad;) 

I've also been worrying about my finish time which will be over 5 hours. That is a long time to run and seems really slow, but I've been researching and have found that the average time for female finishers is 5 hours and 10 minutes, so I won't be far behind;). It seems that I need new shoes as well so that's on my within the week list. I've already wracked my brain with ideas for what to wear and haven't been able to decide.  But I digress, I will finish and I will be proud and excited! A sticker will be bought and placed somewhere:) 

Run Happy Everyone:) 

Catch up:)

Wow, it's been awhile!! I know I was injured and I was feeling blah about running because of it.  Well good news for me:). On August 2 I started running again!!! Slowly and with walk breaks but run I did!  I had a 5k on the 10th that I really wanted to do, it is put on by my dad and the Gaston Lions Club during the local fair, so my goal was to be able to finish the 5k not fast and not in search of a PR.  

(I also had a plan to start a run streak on the 10th of August, depending on how I felt.)  

I ran about every other day until the 10th, 2-3 miles each day and surprised myself by only being about a minute slower on average. The morning of the race I always help with registration and making sure everyone knows where to go so I was there at 6 A.M.  The race started at 9 so I was good and tired by then.  It was hot and the course was sunny the while way, I finished and I didn't have my worse time!    

I have had a great week this week, I win a Camelbak during RunChat, a pair of sweat pink laces and a pair of Swiftwick socks from 0to26point2!!! I am stoked to train:) I've got one race before I concentrate on "the big one" the Indianapolis Womens Half on August 31.  

And then it's time to train for a Marathon.  It's going to be hard and hot and long and I'm certain I'll have days that I don't want to do it.  I also know that I can!! 

More on that later:)

Run Happy Everyone!!!!

A 2 mile Run

WOW!!! I have never been so excited to complete a 2 mile run!  

I mean that smile is ridiculous, over 2 miles:). But let me tell you, after 30 days with 0 mileage I would've grinned like the Cheshire Cat at one mile.  If you've read any of my other posts you know I've been dealing with hip trouble, my hip flexor was all sorts of out of whack.  I've been biking and using the elliptical, icing and foam rolling, strength training and squats and I think it's all helped!! (I also started drinking tart organic cherry juice.) Before, when the pain started it was sharp and pretty debilitating.  Yesterday there was NO SHARP pain, I won't lie there was some discomfort after about a mile and a half but still not any sharp pain.  I got home and iced and stretched.  Today I can feel it, the fact that I ran, my hip is sore.  It's sore in an I used it kind of way not particularly painful.  I've got 96 days until my Full so I'm hoping beyond hope that the soreness today is a result of use and not still an injury.  

On an aside I have a new pair of shoes, Mizunos, and I've only gone 2 miles on them so I'm not sure what I think yet.  I love my Brooks and typically am loyal to the brand, but the Mizunos are so flipping cute!!! 

Anyway, I'm on a rest day today, don't want to over do it:). My plan is not to run 2 days in a row for at least a week and then I will get back on my training schedule.  

Happy Running everyone!!! 

Sidelined~Temporarily

It's been a rough few weeks, I have literally ran .75 of a mile since June 29.  

My hope was to run with my Moms Run This Town girls last weekend for their 5k, I walked it.  Well I ran 7/10th's of a mile and walked the rest.  The ONLY time my hip hurts is while I'm running!!! See previous post for injury. 

It turns out that I didn't run AT ALL the first week, my hip was so very sore.  I haven't done any running since the injury other than the attempted run last weekend.  

I've been doing lots of strength training and this week I've spent several miles on the elliptical.  My hip is feeling a ton better!! I saw my massage therapist and upon manipulation she feels it's a strain in my Iliopsoas and that it's likely from OVERTRAINING ugh...  The good news is that at the same time she also told me 3-4 weeks off and that means this Saturday I'm going out for a RUN.  

I can't wait, and it's funny because just a year and a half ago I had to talk myself into going out to run a mile! 

I've been stretching, strengthening, icing and foam rolling, hopefully all of this will pay off and I will be back up and running...literally.  

Have you ever been sidelined? What did you do to keep your sanity? 

Ugh...taking the week off

Right in the middle of training to PR at the Indianapolis Womens Half in August and my hip is acting foolish.  It's my own fault I think, from upping my mileage to quickly.  I rested this last week without doing any stretching or anything to make it better (other than the rest).  Yesterday I did complete 4 miles in the morning with just slight issues the real trouble started today during my 12 mile long run:-/  At about mile 2.5 it really started to talk to me, I could tell I wouldn't be finishing 12 miles of anything today.  Mile 3, turn around and head back home.  :(

I stopped and stretched and tried to continue on but it wasn't going to happen today.  And so, I walked...2 miles back to the car, it was slow and I hated every minute if it.  A couple of times during that 2 miles I attempted to jog very slowly but couldn't keep my pace down and was afraid of injuring myself further.  

I'm making crazy decisions this week, including taking most of the week off.  Just a couple of 2-3 milers this week in hopes that I'll be able to do 13 next weekend.  I'm planning on living in KT tape and investing in a foam roller...any other fantastic ideas!!??

Marathon Training here I come!

It's almost summer, which means its almost Marathon Training time!!  The closer it comes to time the more nervous I get.  I've done 2 Half Mary's this spring and am planning on at least 2 more in the fall prior to the Full in November, but I still feel overwhelmed by the prospect of being on the course for close to 5 hours...  My "plan" consists of training to PR in August for my half, I want to finish in 2:15, I'm not a fast runner.  I feel like if I can do that I will be able to do the full.  

I've made out my training schedule and I think it made my apprehension worse!  From June 9 to November 2 (Marathon Day) I have 656+ miles projected!! That's a HUGE number!  I've laid out my plan and kept most weeks at 4 running days with Sundays as my long run, there are a few weeks that have 5 running days in them (mostly when there are shorter speed work days).  The original plan I was thinking of following had a long run of only 16 miles twice, this made me incredibly nervous, so I combined two plans and now have two different 20 mile long runs.  I haven't decided if that makes me feel better or worse.  Running a Full Marathon is no easy undertaking, if you've done it, you amaze me.  I'm not running until November and I'm already stressing about what kind of fuel I will need and where I will carry said fuel.  I'm stressed about the training and missing things with my family.  They are super supportive and want me to succeed.  It seems that once the longer runs start, the ones that go past the half-marathon mark, I will start to feel better about this endeavor.  

If you have advice feel free to leave it!! 

Geist Half Marathon Re-Cap

Wow! So many things to say about this course.  I have only been a runner for about a year and a half, but I have heard about this course a couple of times from people I know.  Most if not everyone I've ever talked to about this course says, if you're a runner you should do it, but you'll only do it once.  This course is basically up and down hills the entire time.  This year my lovely and beautiful sister works for one of the captain sponsors (Ameriana Bank) of the race and we had the option to do it, and for no cost.  It just so happens that the Geist Half is always 2 weeks after the Indianapolis Mini, of which we were already signed up.  So there you have it, 2 half marathons in 2 weeks.  

We debated for a couple of weeks whether we would/should/could do this and finally came to the conclusion that if the day came and we weren't feeling it we could always back out. Ha!! I had told too many people about this race and backing out was not an option. 

Pre-race 

I couldn't sleep and ended up with probably 4 hours of restless sleep before having to get up bright and early at 5 a.m. I went into this run with no expectations of doing well, I just wanted to finish:). We arrived and walked approximately a half a mile to the start line, this is so much smaller than the Mini (35,000 at the mini not quite 3000 at this race.)  The time started promptly at 7:00 and right off we are headed uphill.  

At mile 1 we were running our pace that we started the mini at and felt really good.  I checked again at mile 3 and somehow through the hills we were still keeping our flat course pace on these crazy hills.  (There was basically no running between the mini and today so as I said before NO delusions of doing well.)  When we reached the halfway point I checked our pace again, yep, still keeping up with the Joneses.  At this point I mentioned to Stephanie that it was possible that we were going to be close to our mini time (which was a PR for both of us). 

Mile 11.5

The rain came and I must say I've never been happier to see or feel rain!  It was so humid and hot this morning I felt like it was raining before the rain started.  It rained for about a mile and that gave me a little rejuvenation.  Stephanie took off at mile 12 but I wasn't quite ready, at about 12.5 I upped my game and hightailed it the last half mile.  I finished a half marathon made up entirely of hills in 30 seconds longer than it took me to finish a flat course!! 

Question: 

Does this mean that I didn't give my all at the Mini in May, or that I just had a really great run day today?  

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon Recap

I spent most of the week leading up to the Mini agonizing over the weather forecast that I, if course, have no control over. Up until the day before there was anywhere from a 50% to a 70% chance of heavy steady rain all day long. I ran through snow, ice and even some drizzle while training, but hard rain for 13.1 miles?! I had been reading recaps from the Country Music Marathon all week and running in the rain did NOT sound like any fun. Alas, race day came and the skies were gray but the rain never came! It was actually pretty perfect, 55ish temps, overcast, not a lot of wind. Dream running weather for this gal.

I came into this Run with a couple of goals for myself. My second 1/2 marathon ever, I wanted this one to stand on its own. I finished my first half, this same race a year ago, in over 3.5 hours at over a 15.5 min mile pace. So my goals for this were simple:
Goal #1: Don't walk
Goal#2: finish in 2:30 or better
Goal #3: don't get injured
Goal #4: finish strong

I ran all but about 60 seconds of this race! At mile 11 I had a searing side stitch under my right rib, maybe it was dehydration, maybe it was exhaustion, maybe it was my imagination. All I know is it was incredibly painful. I tried to run through it but had to finally walk it out, I decided 60 seconds was all I was giving it, if it still hurt I was just gonna run with it and deal later. I ran 13.1 miles and only walked for 1 minute!!! WHAT?!?! So proud of me:)

2:31:12
You see those numbers right? One minute and 12 seconds off of my goal time! That walking really did me in. Grrrrr!!!
But seriously so close!!! Another shot in August and I'm planning a PR for that:)

No injuries!! Other than that silly side stitch that stole my goal time from me;)

A strong finish. I felt great! I felt like I finished strong. I felt like I sprinted out the last 3 tenth a of the race. Maybe if I had started my sprint a but sooner I could've beat that goal, but I still felt and feel great! My last mile was right around a 10 minute pace, which is huge for me.

All in all I am so proud of myself and what I was able to accomplish at this 1/2. I can't wait to try again and just have fun. As much as I like to challenge myself getting a PR is not why I run. I run for fun.

Run Happy

What Boston means to Me

Where do I even begin?
Boston is so iconic and even before I was a runner I would listen to see what the winners time was. Last year when I started running I paid closer attention, what was the pace, when did the "non-elite" runners finish? (To me they're all elite.) I had a voice in the back of my mind telling me I could maybe run a marathon. Fast forward to this year and I am signed up for my first (and maybe only) full marathon. So on Monday I was at work, I had the TV on in the background and was checking twitter between patients to see when Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan finished. I was getting ready to turn off the television when the "special report" came breaking in and rocked every runners world. It was surreal, a bomb? At a marathon? At Boston? I was more emotional than I thought I would be, but I've grown to love this community, this tribe of runners. I haven't ever met most of the people I correspond with and follow on twitter or Facebook, but I'm proud when they PR and upset for them when they are injured. You've seen how motorcyclists wave as they pass one another, it's the same with runners. We understand, it's demanding, fun, mind clearing, and we pour our sweat and tears and sometimes blood into it.
Some of the folks I work with said that's why you shouldn't run, bad things happen. I said that's why you should, be united, be strong, be one.
My first half of the year is in 2 weeks, perhaps the biggest 1/2 marathon in the country, the Indianapolis Mini and I'm excited! I'm excited to be with my tribe, the people I don't know but that would help anyone. I am not fast and I won't ever be, I will never BQ. However, I will always run.
I think my mom is nervous, two of her daughters are running that race in Indianapolis, but we can't stop now. That's what the evil wants, they want to instill fear and paralyze us. We won't stand down we won't stop running! I run for Boston, how about you?