The One Where I Run In The Rain & Get 3rd Place!

First off I've been training with a new group of people. I am a member of the Dallas Running Club, but I don't live in Dallas. I travel there for races, but that's it. So I'm not training with anyone. 

This year I joined my local running club, I did that after the Renegade Run. I'd been hesitant to join because most of the people I know are fast... like elite runner fast. But I joined because I could receive coaching. Something I think I need now that I'm training for a Half. 

I'm part of an FB group of runners who meets up to run at all times of the day and night. 4:30am, 5AM, 6AM, 9:30AM, 5PM, 6:30PM. And to my great delight, all paces, even my pace! 

I've been meeting up with some running mommas who started a local chapter of Moms RUN This Town. While they say/think they run a 11mm, I assure you they don't! But this is a good thing because it's pushed me to be faster, to go further and train better! 

My first 5K of the year I ran a 34.75 race! 
My second race was a 5-mile, I ran a 56.95 race! 
My third race was the Renegade. 5.15 miles in 63:40, with a lot of hills, this was my first RRC event and I did really well!! WOOT! 
My fourth race I ran a 33.56 5K, just seconds shy of a PR 
My fifth race I ran a 33.02 5K WOW! 
My sixth race this year was a 5K. 32.07 

Given that I'm getting faster with all the training I'm doing with the RRC mommas, I was happy with my run Saturday. 

Friday I had a great day. I met the MRTT moms for a run around White Rock. It was a cloudy day but nice. We started out for a run and were only doing 3, but that turned into 5. When we got to the furthest point in our run, it began pouring rain!! This is the first time I've run in the rain... and been this far away from my car. 

We had no choice but to run back!! It was a hard run the wind picked up and the lake effect was totally picking up. It was cold pelting rain. We had to slow down and walk a bit because the rain hurt our body. 

Up until that point here are the stats: 

Mile 1: 

AP 11.40 
FP: 10.05 

Mile 2: 

AP: 11.21 
FP: 9.48 

Mile 3: 

AP: 10.23 
FP: 9.19 

Mile 4 - walking 

AP: 13.02 
FP: 9.56 

Mile 5 - walking 

AP: 16.03 
FP: 14.30 

Here we are soaked after the run: 
 

Came home, took a shower, rolled and headed out for errands. 

Laid my clothes out for the next day and got in bed early, couldn't sleep....grrrr 
The race was fairly local, so I didn't have to get up at 4:30 which was nice. I got up around 6, had my coffee and breakfast, double checked all my stuff and picked up Jessica! 

We were off!! WOOT It was a chilly morning and I was concerned about the wind. It could be a good run or a miserable run depending on the wind. 

We were a bit early, so we sat in the car for awhile. It's a small race less than 100 people. It was gonna be fun! Another RRC member was the race director. She'd been telling us about this race for awhile. I was excited for her! 

I didn't know the course so I wasn't sure how well I'd do, my goal was 34-33-ish. 

We lined up and off we went! I was trying to run with Jessica but wow, she shot out of the start with a flash, I knew i couldn't keep up with her, but I tried to at least keep her in my sights. After a few turns though I realized 1) I wouldn't be able to do that and 2) if I was gonna finish this race strong I'd better slow down! 

Mile 1: 

AP: 9.27 
FP: 8.17 upon hearing the number 8 in my ear, I decided I must slow down! I was amazed at my pace and really I felt fine, but I didn't think I could keep this up for another 2 miles!! 

Mile 2: 

AP: 10.39 What?? How did THAT happen?? 
FP: 9.28 Again upon hearing 9 in my ear I decided again, I'd better slow down, I didn't know the course or what was ahead, so I slowed down a bit more. 

Still feeling fine, running with ease, I had my water and took a few swigs, I was neck and neck with another runner girl. I'd pass her, she'd pass me. I couldn't tell if she was a new runner or not, but she had spunk and seemed to be doing really well! I encouraged her each time we'd be side by side. 

Just as I got beyond the water stop I saw something shiny on the ground, I ran a step past it, but went back for it, I realized it's a DIME!! I knew that Coach Nancy would be proud!! 

I stopped during a race for a dime! 


Mile 3: 

AP: 10.44 
FP: 9.16 SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! This mile was particularly difficult because parents were getting to the school to drop kids off for soccer and track meets, I had to dodge quite a bit of traffic, cuz they were NOT looking out for me. I had a car nearly back out into me and a car nearly hit me navigating around our "route cones". 

I saw the sign for mile 3 and kept hearing my pace thinking this is KA RA ZEE!! I ran a little faster, but I didn't want to push it....grrrr I should have. It's like I have an invisible force that keeps me from sprinting to the finish! I have to change that, especially when I feel great!! 

Mile .13: 

AP: 9.52 
FP: 8.57 well I must have pushed some! LOL 

I saw the clock as I ran towards the finish 31:53 and some change! I tried my best to get across before it got to 32.... When I last glanced at the clock it said 31:55, but I'm to sure what it said as I crossed, that was a few strides beyond the clock. 

Jessica and I waited for the awards. Like I said, it's a small race and we had a little time to spare. 

They started with the mens stats and then onto the ladies. 

Lots of awards given out!! One runner girl won both overall female and first in her division. She's a high school athlete, so she didn't accept the award of free shoes, but picked up a medal! WOOT! 

Then onto the 20's, my friend won first place in her age group!! WOOT!!! She received a first place!! She ran a great race!! her time was 28.08!! Holy Smokes!! 9mm!! 

Then the 30's awards 

Then the 40's. First Place is announce!! She ran with a great time, something like 28-29. Second place is announced!! She ran with a great time, 30 and some change. Then is see Beth read the name and smile!! She looked right at me and said our third place winner is Shelly!! OMG!! I'm getting a medal!! I won!! I won!!

My official time was 32:00, that's a 10.32 pace!! 

I'm so proud!! So happy! Look how far I've come baby!! 

My very first race I ran in 38.01 12.29 pace. 
This weekend I have Bling!! Not customary handed out bling, but a medal I earned!! 


here I am with Jessica and Beth: 

 

here's my bling and my dime: 

 

The One Where I Found Out "This Is Your Pace"

Sooo, my regular group of girls aren't available to run yesterday and I posted on my local running board that I was running if anyone wanted to join me. (see previous race report for RRC details) 

So when one of the Elites posted she'd run with me.... I freaked out a bit. She said she'd run my pace (oh thank God!)!!! 

Another runner girl was coming as well, she's a high school/college track kid. But she's just getting back into running. 

The regular group of ladies says they run 10-11 pace..... really they run a 9-10 pace.... heavy on the 9! LOL It's nice to have them push me. I need the push. I'm gasping for air sometimes, but I still need the push. Look!! I really CAN run faster than 12-13!! I just need to get that through my head! 

So I meet up with the two ladies and we head out. Elite Runner begins running, I though well we'll see if she speeds up any cuz this was a slow-ish pace. But its a training runs and that's what I needed. 

As we got started Hazel saw a nickel she said it was so beat up though it wasn't worth anything, but I stopped and picked it up! Stuck it in my pocket! 

I thought we'd run the HM Route, part of it at least. It's a good stretch of road and is challenging. I thought we'd run an easy 3-4. Hazel just kept running and talking and coaching us. She's A-MAY-ZING! Before we knew it we'd run 3! Well we could keep going or we could turn around. We decided to head back. Darlene said she was surprised she'd run that far, normally she's struggling to get past 4 with our group. I laughed and said that's cuz our group doesn't run 11-12 pace! LOL 

A little ways down I saw a penny, picked it up and stuck it in my pocket. 

This course is hilly and hard. There are no two ways about it. On the hills I'd slow down a bit and shorten my stride.... Hazel would yell out "Just pull the rope" Pull The Rope up the hill!! I had never heard that before but those words helped me more than ever!! 

As we were pulling the rope, I found another nickel! WOW!! I was so excited. I knew Nancy would be sooo proud!! :) 

I stopped a few times for a drink and it was beginning to warm up. They were a little bit a head of me on the hills, but I caught up on the down hill side. :) We had a great run and great conversation afterwards!! 

I took Marys advice and didn't put my headphones in or listen to my pace. Since it was a training run and on the slower side of things, I was still surprised by my performance. 

Mile 1: 

AP: 11.36 
FP: 9.32 
$$: .06 

Mile 2: 

AP: 11.04 
FP: 9.33 
$$: .00 

Mile 3: 

AP: 11.09 
FP: 10.19 
$$: .00 

Mile 4: 

AP: 11.23 
FP: 10:00 
$$: .00 

Mile 5: 

AP: 11.14 
FP: 10.18 
$$: .05 

Mile 6: 

AP: 11.23 
FP: 10.19 
$$: .00 

Mile: .37 

AP: 11.46 
FP: 10.56 

I was tired but exhilarated!! Sore but happy!! 

This is my 4th over 4 mile training run this month!! WOOT! 

This weekend bring on 8.5!! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! For Real Though, I've GOT THIS!! I've GOT This!! 

The One Where My Glasses Fall In The Toilet - Race Report

Race Day is here!! WOOT!! 

I had trained hard over the past few weeks. And in fact over trained. As I type this I'm icing my left ankle. I'd run 3.1 before this would be a breeze.... but I'm ultimately preparing for the 10-miler in May and the half (my first) in June and the Capital to Coast in October. 

So I'm seriously racking up the miles. Race week, not a good idea.... it is what it is.... I can use the rest! 

I laid out my clothes. I made sure I had everything. I put most of my smaller items in my hat so I don't forget them. earbuds, sunglasses, fuel, gum 

, 


Soooo, as always I can't sleep through the night! I tossed and turned. I got up and down. I drank more water. I used the facilities from all the water. I finally got up about 4AM! 

Saw the text from my cousin that she chickened out... BOOOO She wasn't coming with me after all. Oh well. That means I would get to the race site a little early and find out about my volunteer duties after the race. 

I took a shower, got dressed and began to re-check my things. 

I ate my breakfast. I drank my coffee and water, took my supplements. Made me a to-go cup. Filled my water pouch. Filled my water bottle so I'd have extra water. Checked and Re-checked my things. :) 

 


I made a pit stop before I left and how this happened I don't know... but my sunglasses fell into the toilet. O M G! I fished them out and put them in the sink with some soap and scalding hot water. Found my back up paid and headed out. Hoping this wouldn't be an indication of how the day would go! 

I drove to the race site, not in a hurry but a little anxious because they changed the parking around on us. I don't like that because now it's about a mile walk to the site and well, I'm a woman concerned about my safety quit honestly. 

I made it down there, got turned around and actually saw Jerome (www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=JM
ERLAU ) walking with David to the race site. 

I found a place to park and saw some other runners.... walked to the site with a new to the DRC runner, wish I would have gotten her name, and made it to pick up my bib and my sons bib without being assaulted or abducted. Which I consider to be a miracle! (just kidding....) 

I found Jerome... well he found me while trying to abduct me! LOL And my son found me as well. Jerome was talking with David and Amy and another Sparker came up as well. 

My sons fiancé was there and that was a treat because she's typically not available for race day due to her work schedule. 

We walked down to the start and talked for a bit. I lost Amy and Jerome somehow. :( 

I lined up with my son and had every intention of running the first mile with him, but they shouted GO and he took off! to the left and I went to the right. I was stuck behind the crowd. Bummer. I weaved in and out. Trying to find a place to "pick a pace" but it was just so crowded. And I didn't see the runner girl I normally pace with.... she doesn't know it but we generally end up running "together". 

All the while I'm listening to the run meter tell me the craziest thing. 

Your current pace is and it would say something sub-10!! WHAAAT?? This isn't right! 

But I wasn't through the first mile yet and figured this thing was wrong, I mean I was still trying to get out of the crowd. 

I was running with ease. I wasn't going fast and I wasn't going slow. I wasn't struggling and I wasn't sucking air. I was OK. I felt good. Nothing hurting and just a stroll in the park. 

I made it through the first water stop and got some water and walked through. Drank it, didn't gulp it. Still feeling fine, still hearing this unbelievable information in my ear about my time. 

As I kept going something happened....something bad!! I couldn't hear my updates. I messed with my headphones. I looked at my iPhone in the arm band it was a blank screen. So I tried to mess with it while I ran. Get my tracking back on and get my music going again. I'm not sure why it wasn't working but it wasn't. I've messed with this thing on the run before but for whatever reason I wasn't pushing the right thing and it was about to delete my run!! OMG 

Just as I got it fixed... my arm band unraveled and my phone fell to the ground with a pack of runners behind me!! OMG!! I'm scurrying to get my phone and water and get back going without injuring myself or other and protecting my phone....when I Jerome and David see me. Hollers out some harassment and we run together until the turn around for me! Jerome talked about how we never get this honor, he's normally ahead of me. But for about a quarter of a mile we ran together!! LOVED IT!! 

I turned around, shook off the crazy fall situation and made it back to the water stop. I walked through the water stop and still this run meter thing was telling me was running a lot faster than I thought. 

I got to the 2 mile mark and found a runner girl that was just about my speed. We paced together for a while. The weather was great. The runners were all doing great. The course is beautiful in the spring. I felt awesome! There were hills but I seriously have never run them so smoothly. It's like they didn't exist. Really. 

I heard the tracker say you're at 2.39 miles. WOOT and my pace was something stupid like 9.24! really this thing HAS to be wrong! 

I see the green tent just around the bend at the finish and pick up the pace a little. The lady beside me lets out a sigh and starts holding her side.... I stopped for a bit with her and told her to breathe deep and keep moving!! She was soooo close!! she could finish strong! 

I ran to the finish and tried to turn the thing off so I'd have a little better accuracy. 

This is to my amazement and a PR at that! 

 

WHAAATTT??? SHUT UP!!! That can't be true! 

I walked thru the water stops. I had a "fall" of sorts. I stopped with another runner. 

I found Erin and we moved into a better position to see Alex finish. I looked at my splits with awe! 

Mile 1: 
AP: 9.57 
FP: 9.16 

Not EVEN!! 

Mile 2: 
AP: 10.47 
FP: 9.00 

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! I don't run 9mm?? 

Mile 3: 
AP: 10:30 
FP: 9.24 

Negative split? KA-RA-ZEE!! 

Mile .20: 
AP: 10.25 
FP: 9.26 

And I stopped for 40 seconds getting my phone off the ground. 

This app has "zones" so here are those stats: 

8-9mm 
Run time: .04 
Distance: .03 

9-10mm 
Run Time: 9.13 
Distance: .90 
AP: 9.44 
FP: 9.16 

This is what it calls my "comfortable pace" 

10-12mm 
Run Time: 21.32 
Distance: 2.04 
AP: 10;34 
FP: 10.00 

12-14mm 
Run Time: 1.56 
Distance: .16 
AP: 12.35 
FP: 12.01 

14-16mm 
Run Time: .14 
Distance: .02 
AP: 14.42 
FP:14.09 

16-18mm 
Run Time: .20 
Stopped: .40 
Distance: .05 
AP: 17.32 
FP: 17.32 

I waited for my kiddo to finish. I ran in with Jerome and David. I stayed to help clean up after the race. I ran back to my car!! WOOT! Total Milage: 4.38 

Here's my kiddo: 

 

Here's me, Jerome, David, Mimi, her hubby and another sparker: 

 

I need to write a training blog about my runs this past week. Cuz I've been keeping a right at an 11.5 pace in training runs. Now that I found this Zone thing, I'll have to look more carefully at my "comfortable zone"!! 

I have to say... I do look comfortable and wow, if I do say so myself. I LOOK GOOD!!