The One Where I Don't Push It (or push it real good)

Saturday was the first race of the year!  It was dreary and cold.  I didn't want to go, but I laid my flat mama out anyway.

I text my friend - made sure we were still on. Went to bed.  But not to sleep.

My sister was texting with me, I finally had to tell her I needed to sleep I had to be up early for the race.  Yea, it's just a 5K but still I needed to sleep.   I've been up late quite a bit over Winter Break.

I got up on time.  I got dressed.  I  made coffee and breakfast.  I picked up Holly.  I needed to be there a bit early because I forgot to register!  Yea, I'm that girl.  The one who knows I need to register and then don't thinking I'll have plenty of time.

We got parked, walked to Winfrey Point and made it there just in time for me to register.  I got my chip anyway, they ran out of bibs.  Holly and I tried to stay warm while looking for other friends.  I saw Mimi and Clay. 

I knew Shannon was coming but I hadn't found her yet. 

It was race time so we  headed to the start.  And we're off!  I felt good.  I was happy the wind wasn't whipping off the lake.  We were sort of sheltered from it.  I've been at races where there was a significant lake effect.

I made it to the one mile mark and decided to unwrap my hand from the jacket, glove, long sleeve situation to look at my garmin.  I was running comfortably with a bit of a push.  10.06! Wow.  That didn't seem possible. 

I kept going.  Saw a few runners I knew at the turn around.  I slowed down at the water stop, took a few sips and kept going.  Not much longer now. I see the familiar bend in the path and know I'm not too far out. Maybe a half a mile.  I picked up the pace a bit, but not really pushing it.  I didn't want to sprint it out.  Just see what a comfortable pace is.  Without the obsessing I've done in the past.   I wasn't out to PR.  Just trust the process of not obsessing on times and paces and foot counts.  Just running.

I see the finish and I'm see that I can make my goal for the run, under 33 minutes!  I looked at the clock as I crossed 33.03!  Gun time! Yay!!

I turn my Garmin off (32:47:51)  I found Shannon and waited for Holly.  She came in a minute after me.  We got some water, walked off the race, went to the club house for some snacks and walked back to the car.

Then Hypnotic Donuts!  You can't go to White Rock and not go there!  Yum!!  A little post race goody.  Although I know it's not good for me and it's way more calories than I need.  It's only once a month.  And I've committed this year to not obsess over the numbers.

The One Where I Crush Last Years Time

Wow! WOW! WOW! That's all I know to say. The day started with the alarm going off at 5:50.  I laid out my clothes the night before, so I was ready to roll. I got up, got dressed, made coffee, put my contacts in.  Well I put in my old pair and realized that they were indeed old and I wouldn't get another days use out of them. Text my friends for my ETA update.  Changed my contacts. I'm not the most gracious contact wearer, I drop them, blink them out of my eye while trying to get them in.  I normally don't wear them for weekday runs, but on Race Day it's a must!  Particularly because I'm driving! I got my quick breakfast and coffee, laced up and was out the door. I was picking up a Sole Sister on the way!  SO Excited for her!! It was her first DRC Race!! WOOT! We listened to 80's music on the way, I wore argyle socks to represent my age group.   This was an age handicapped race, so the older people got a head start, the younger you are the later your wave started.  Our age group was at 8:24 [caption id="attachment_52" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 80's all the way[/caption] We made it to DRC we met up with some of my running buddies and my older son.  We laughed, we chatted, we made future race plans. We walked down to the start, found our age group and were ready to race!  We didn't have to wait long... I think there were 1-2 waves in front of us.    We laughed about the way the age groups were divided, because we had 16 year old girls and 11 year old boys in our 40 year old age group as well.  Joked about how the 16 year old girls would smoke us. [caption id="attachment_58" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Swift Feet!! Great Running Friends![/caption] In true Running Pfuhl fashion as we started I didn't set my Run Meter!  We were about a tenth of a mile in before I realized that.  Oh well, I usually run about a tenth over, so this would be a good barometer for me. I have the run meter set to notify me of my pace every 3 minutes.  The first 3 minute notification said I was running sub-10!  Wow, that's kinda crazy.   I didn't feel winded or like I was going too fast or that I would fade out either.  I tried to slow down a bit, but keep a good pace. I knew my Sole Sister was a little behind me and I know she doesn't run that pace, I didn't want her to fade out either. The other Sisters I ran with are in a younger age group, kept razzing me that they wouldn't be able to overtake me.... I laughed because she's so much faster than me and I only had a 1 minute head start.  Yup Yup less than a half a mile in she passed me!  She's an awesome runner! We made it to the wonky bridge.... this thing may as well be made from rope and planks..... it moves when you run on it.   It's the strangest feeling.  The first time I ran it I totally lost my umph and slowed down considerably.  It messes me up for sure. I ran when I could on the bridge, slowed down when I felt the Earth Move Under My Feet! I made it to the water stop and was grateful for the drink and to get my bearings from the bridge.  Now it was the uphill climb to the turn around. I'll post last years race blog too, but it is at this point that I start looking for my running buddies and my son to pass me, although they started later!  5 minutes later. As I climbed the hill to the turn around, I saw a fellow RRC Member.  I cheered for her.   I saw my other Sister, running strong, we high five as she passes by.  I kept looking at the shadows behind me.... Looking for my son.  I made it to the turn around and he hadn't passed me yet... wondering if I'd missed him... then I saw him coming up to the turn around as I was going down hill.  We smacked hands, said I'll see you at the finish! A few other buddies passed me, running strong.  Before I made it all the way down the hill to the water stop, my son passed me! WOOT!  LOVE IT!! He ran a strong race! Now back over the wonky bridge and pretty much uphill all the way back.   Grrrr.... the bridge GOT ME!  It was more difficult that I remembered to go up that hill after the bridge.  I kept talking myself into running faster, because my average paced had slowed considerably.  Although I was CRUSHING last years time. On the slight downhill sections I'd speed up.  And try to keep pace on the uphill.   It's only 5 miles but it seemed like forever!  I made it to mile four and was psyched to get this race done! I sped up a bit, trying to keep my average pace to a sub-10.   I saw the clubhouse and knew I was close to the end and again tried to pick up the pace more, although I had extra miles to run after the race to stay on track with RNR Half Training. I ran to the finish, saw my friends and kicked up my pace.  I saw the clock and chuckled... it's age handicap!  It said 1:14 (and some change)  I wasn't expecting that! LOL Crossed the finish and stopped my Run Meter.  I didn't get sub-10, but a major PR nonetheless!  50 minutes 15 seconds!  WOW!! Great Race!!   Great Day with Good Friends! My Sole Sister crossed the finish, we got some water, talked to some other runners and headed out for our extra mile!  :)

The One Where It's The First Race Of The Year 2013

First race of the year. I laid out my clothes, shoes, sock, headphones, hat, everything I needed. I looked in my purse to make sure I had gum, headphones, running gloves. I was meeting some other peeps at the RRC so I went to bed early so I could be ready to get there in time to meet them for my ride. It was nice to get a ride down to DRC and be with a group. That's a first for me. I was meeting others down there, my son included. But in my years of DRC races, I've generally driven down there alone. We go there early, hung out, took a few pit stops. It was cold but I was prepared. I'd purchased winter running pants.... I know right... can you believe I said something like that! I generally spend November - February on the treadmill! I saw some folks I know. Jerome, David, Shannon and her friends as well. It was nice to see everyone. My son hadn't arrived yet and we were headed down to the start, so I put his bib back on the table in case he showed up he wouldn't have to hunt me down. I was sad that I didn't see him.... he wasn't responding to texts, so I didn't call in case he was sleeping. He drives quite a ways to get to the DRC, about an hour. The race started a little late and we were off!! I tried to hold back.... I try not to take off only to get tired. I was going along ok and was shocked at my pace. But I wasn't huffing and puffing. It was a comfortable pace for me. So I kept going. Shortly after that I feel a arm on my shoulder.... it's my kiddo!! YAY!! He came!! Late but he came and he ran ahead and said have a great race mom!! OH love that boy of mine! Shortly after that Jerome and David are asking me if I saw him and asked me how I was doing. I said Great!! Ran with them for a bit and then they weaved their way though the crowd to go on the 10K route. I made it to the water stop and got water. I needed a drink because although I had gum in my purse, I didn't actually put it in my mouth! LOL Made it to the turn around, felt great. Sped up. Got some water. And kept on!! This year there were no delusions about the finish line! Thankfully. And the mile markers were out for the 10K so it was easy to keep up with where I was on the path. :) At the 6 mile/2.90 mile marker, I kicked it up a bit.... Finished in 31.31!! 10.01/mm!! One Day Soon I will beat that!! ONE DAY! I met up with my kiddo his fiancé and my friends. The kids took off after a while and my friends were finishing the 10K. We waited for the results and awards. Three of my friends received an age group award!! And my son!! He won 3rd place!! 25.39 was his official time! That's about 4 minutes improvement from last year! WOOT! My time last year was 36.33 3.22 miles This year: 31.52 3.18 miles WOW!! we both improved about 4 minutes!! Just as a reflection: Here's last years blog

The One Where It's My First 10-Mile Race

Soooo I guess when I wrote that down on my race schedule this year I didn't really think I'd make it to May. I swear May got here much sooner than I thought it would. 

I have trained and trained for this day. And while yes, this is a race, it's a training run for me. My "real race" the Wounded Warrior Half Marathon isn't until next month. 

Nevertheless, I've been training for this race since March. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Weekend Long Runs. 

I ran running errands Friday. More Fuel, More Protein Powder, another iPhone Arm Band. 

I got all my stuff ready. I typically put all my things into my hat, so it's all together: 

Hair Tie 
Sunglasses 
Sunscreen 
Arm Band 
Earbuds 
ID 
Race Bib 
Fuel 
Fuel Belt 
Gum 

I lay my clothes out: 
Shirt 
Bra 
Shorts 
Socks 
Shoes 

I set two alarms, just in case. I text to anyone I might be meeting and hit the hay! 


For the first time ever, I slept through the night. I woke up once to see what time it was, ended up dropping my phone on the floor. Didn't pick it up. The alarm would go off and I'd get up when I got up. :) 

Indeed both alarms went off. I jumped up, made coffee, got in the shower. I like to take a hot shower before long runs to loosen things up. 

I got dressed and double checked my race day items. It was gonna be hot, so I took two waters. My water pouch for the race and my liter for after the race. 

I knew that the race would have several water stops as well. 

I didn't eat breakfast. Normally I eat breakfast, but I opted to skip that and use my fuel instead. I drank my coffee, got my small back pack out to put all my stuff in. I was riding with a running club member so I needed to pack my things up. It's not like I would be going back to my car for supplies. 

I hugged my hubby and was on my way to the RRC. Met Kathy and we were off!! :) We made it down there in great time and we got a good parking spot too! I saw some people I know and we made introductions. I ate my Honey Stinger for a few calories to start the race. 

It seemed like time was flying. I made a pit stop and before you know it, it was 10 minutes to race time! :) Told Kathy I'd see her at the finish, she's a bit faster than me. 

The gun went off and it was time to race. I made sure to go slow.... there would be no darting out of the start and being too tired at the end. 

I made listened to the RunMeter carefully saying my pace. I wanted to keep it around 11-12. My goal was to finish in 2 hours. To walk through all the water stops and over the bridges. The White Rock Bridges have a lot of give. It's like running in jello! Not that I'd done that, but that's what I imagine it would be like! 

I ran with some great people around me! Talking, Excited, Feeling Good. I saw a few folks I knew running ahead of me and for a moment thought to pick up my pace to catch up to them, but didn't. I decided I'd save my energy. 

I was feeling great! I was a little concerned that morning because my right ankle was sore, it's been achey lately. It was achey today too. Drats! But I was feeling ok, I kept doing a 'soreness check' along the way. And thinking should I slow down, speed up, based on how I felt. 

I got to the first water stop. WOW, these folks had a lot of energy! It was awesome! They had water and gatorade. I took some of each. I walked through the stop and stopped to drink the water rather than pour out what was left. I was making good time, so I wasn't concerned about actually stopping. 

I headed out again. Two runner girls in front of me where discussing whether or not they would run the 10 or make the turn at the 5 mile race. The girl in the purples says to the girl in pink, I think I can make it for the 10, so they made the turn to the left for the 10-mile race with me. 

And off we went onto the first bridge. I was thinking along this route, this is the furthest I've been in this direction around the lake. :) Normally I race in the other direction because its a shorter distance. I wasn't sure if this was an out and back or if we were going all the way around the lake, but it was gonna be interesting since I haven't seen this side of White Rock... not while running anyway. 

The first bridge was ok until you got to the middle, so I walked when the bridge began to move, run when it stopped. 

At this point I've gone about a 5K, maybe a bit longer. There was another band and another water stop. There was a great volunteer who was cheering for us as we went by. He stood there the entire race! 

I was getting everyone messages throughout the race on my app, Coach Nancy, Jerome, a few of my runner girls too. Lots of woo hoos! Run Shelly Run! You can do this! Then I got this message: Good Luck, All of your hard work is about to pay off! And I honestly welled up with tears. I thought, yes! Yes it has! I'm really doing it!! 

Taking Jeromes advice from my 8 mile training run: 

How did you run your 6 mile training run? 

Me: ummmmm 

Jerome: One foot in front of the other! This is just 22 more minutes of running. :)

So when I hit the 2 – 2.5 mile mark I thought: Now it's just 8 miles, I've already done this distance and I can do this too! I'm a fourth of the way done! 

I made it to the 5K point in about 32-33 minutes and I was feeling good. There was another band playing and a water stop. Again I walked through, grabbed the water and gatorade and drank them both. I walked to the last trash bin and finished drinking before I headed off again. It was gonna be hot, it was already humid. I would need all the water I could get! 

It was a nice run. I felt good. I was keeping a good pace. Sometimes shocked with the 11mm pace I was keeping. And I wasn't concerned about the time I was taking at the water stops. I wanted to make it in under 2 hours, but if I didn't that was OK. Yes it was a race, but also a training run. I wasn't racing to train! I was training to race! 

I was going over everyone's advice; Mary's, Jerome's, Wendy, Becki, Nancy, Barbara, Kyle.... 

Take my time, don't rush, I can do this, Becki said she'd always known I could do this, it was just convincing me that I could. 

And I was really doing it. And I wasn't hurting, I wasn't injured, I wasn't limping, I wasn't dragging myself along, I wasn't walking. 

I finally started to see people turning around and realized it was an out and back and we wouldn't have to go over the hill at the spillway or the other hills around the lake. So I knew it would be relatively flat the rest of the way. YAY! 

I high fived the people I knew as we passed each other. It was nice to see them as we passed and get a “you're doing great” as they went by! :) 

I got to the turn around (FIVE MILES!! Half way done!!) and took my Honey Stinger Gold out of my pouch; At this point in the day I've run 5 miles on the calories of the Stinger Waffle and coffee! Maybe 200? 250? 

I felt a lot better after that. Still walking through the water stops and drinking slowly. I had my water pouch with me that holds 2 cups and I was taking sips from it as well. I don't swing my arm though when I'm holding it and my shoulder was getting tight. I began reminding myself to check my form. 

Chin level with the ground, Should Down and Back (Cuz I was wearing my shoulders for earrings!), Stand up straight, hips over the knees, One foot in front of the other! Breathe!! Kyle told me to do it like this: 

Breath in (one two three) Breathe out (one two three) to slow my breathing down and gain control. 

In light of the death of MCA Original Beastie Boy, I downloaded several of their songs. One funny Beastie Boy moment of the race was after the turn around I hear: 

NO SLEEP TILL!! 

BROOKLYN!! 

Just what I needed!! HA!! 

I kept thinking I saw a friend of mine ahead of me, she was walking and I thought something was wrong. I ran to catch up with her and it wasn't my friend but it was a sweet runner girl. About that time another runner caught up with me and said: I've been trying to catch up with you! I thought she meant the other runner, but she meant me! 

Said she'd been chasing my heels! WOW! Then she and I helped the other runner. We would say: We're STRONG women!! We can finish this!! We can do it! And she would run with us. :) 

We got about to the 10K point and she was fading and needing water. I asked her if she wanted some of mine, but she said she thought there was a water stop before the bridge. There wasn't, but there was a water fountain. 

So she stopped at the water fountain and said I could go on with out her. I said NOPE! I'll stay with you. We'll walk across the bridge and then we'll finish strong!! 

As we got on the bridge the Dallas Fire and Rescue Golf Cart was crossing the bridge too, so we had to yield a bit to them. After the bridge we made it to the next water stop with less than 3 miles to go. WOOT! We were making good time. 

This particular water stop was run by the White Rock Running Co-op. These people were a hoot!! They were super energetic, they high fived everyone! They said “this is the best looking runners we've seen all day!” I said yea I bet you say that to all the women! LOL 

Oh wait... I forgot a part before the water fountain and the bridge.... the same volunteer was in his spot cheering everyone on and he said this: Here they come, the long distance endurance runners... enduring, running strong. 

If I hadn't been with those other runner girls I probably would have stopped right there and cried and hugged that man! 

The ladies I was with saw two of their friends, noticed they were taking some walk breaks. I was talking to them about these ladies that had decided to do the 10-mile distance instead of the 5 and they looked like they were doing ok. I was telling them how awesome it was to overhear that conversation and how it encouraged me. Turns out... it was their friends! One of them is the pacer for the Dallas White Rock Half! 

We got to the last stop and they caught up with their friends and they were walking. I said I'm running in, we have less than 2 miles, are you coming? They said they were gonna stay with their friend. I said OK I'll see you at the finish. 

About this time around mile 7.5-8 my instep/ankle was getting sore and I noticed that I was really swollen. My fingers were like sausages and I was out of water and there were no more water stops. I kept thinking of what Jerome said: It's just 22 more minutes! :) 

And about that time I got a message from Nancy that said “you're doing awesome!” I kicked it up a bit, not too much, I didn't want to run out of steam and I didn't know if this was an injury or just soreness. But I didn't want to aggravate it since my Half is in 5 weeks. 

So I ran at about a 10.5 pace for a quarter mile and walk a bit (10-12 steps), then run more. I'd get my pace update, I had about less than a mile to go... and at least 12 minutes to get to the finish!! And cue the Beastie Boys: Paul Revere! Love that Song!! 

There were people lined up at the finish cheering!! Two ladies in particular said, you're almost there, you're doing good! Finish Strong! 

When I heard my pace update I had about a ½ a mile to go, I ran it in at 10mm pace!! WOOT!! I finished strong!! I looked at the clock as I ran past. It said: 2:00:20 

I was happy to have made the 2 hour mark! I did it with water stops and all!! I looked for my friends and didn't see them, I got some water. Much Needed Water! And made my way up to the clubhouse. 

I found Kathleen and Lynette found me. I made my way to the pizza and ate banana. Stretched and kept moving. I was sore but not hurting, so I was happy about that. As I'm eating and talking to friends one of the ladies I ran with the one who was struggling, came up to me and said she really appreciated me running with her. She was so glad that I came along at that time to help her through! 

WOW. I was well speechless. I said you're welcome! Anytime. It was my pleasure. I hoped we got to run together again! 

I hugged necks of friends and miss sweetpea and then we left. Kathleen needed to run a few errands and that was fine by me. We went to Lukes Locker and Starbucks! No run is complete until there's been coffee!! 

We drove back to my car and I went to the kiddos baseball game! Then home for a nap! I know there are so many other details I don't remember right now. But I'll leave you with some memorable music moments...well the ones I can remember! 


Good Vibrations – began the race with this!! 

Desperately Wanting – about mile one! 

Never Going Back To OK – this one was next. That's right!! I'm never going back to okay! :) 

More Than A Feeling – I laughed a bit at this... I woke up this morning and the sun was gone? Nope, it was beating down on me guns blazing!! LOL 

Run To You – why yes! I will run to you....and back in the day... run to you! Bryan Adams – Yum-O! 

Leaving Eden – the background words in this are “one more step away” and I was indeed one more step away from where I was the day before. I was really doing this!! “it's like I'm further away with every step I take and I can't go back....” there was no going back; no turning around, I was further and further from the start and closer to the finish with every step! 

Courageous – We were made to be courageous!! We were made to be courageous! Taking back the fight! We were made to be courageous and it starts with us tonight!! 

Let The Sparks Fly – There's no such thing as Maybe! Burn it like your fading! No more hesitating let the sparks fly baby! Drive it like you're racing! You can call me crazy! I'm just tired of waiting let the sparks fly baby! 

No Surprise – I've practiced this for hours, gone round and round, and now I think that I've got it all down, and as I say it louder I like how it sounds, cuz I'm not taking the easy way out!!! I'm not wrapping this in ribbons, I shouldn't have to give a reason why.... It's no surprise I won't be here tomorrow!!! …. you and I will be a tough act to follow, but I know in time we'll find this was no surprise!! WOOT! LOVE IT!! 

Our favorite place we used to go, the warm embrace that no one knows, the loving look that left your eyes, that's why this comes as no, as no surprise! - for me, there's no going back now!! It's onward! I've put 13.1 off too long. This should come as no surprise.... I'm going forward! 

Boys of Summer – always makes me think of Wendy! :) 

September – my birthday month!! - do you remember on the 21st night of September! :) Oh Oh Oh... On and On and On and On!! (or as jerome would say one foot in front of the other) 

My Desire – you wanna be real, you wanna be emptied inside, you wanna be someone, laying down your pride, you wanna be someone some day, so lay it all down before the King.... You wanna be whole, you wanna have purpose inside, you wanna be set free today... This is my Desire, This is my Return, This is my Desire, To be used by You! ….and I know my heart is to feel you near and I know my life is to do Your Will. It's to do Your Will! This is my desire!! 

Walk by Faith – From the first guitar riff I was about to bawl! Would I have believed you when you said Your Hand would guide my every way.... Help me to rid my endless fears.... your grace covers all I do... yeah! I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see.... Love the ending of this song... I will walk by faith! I will walk by faith!! I will walk by faith! 

Lost at Sea – Love this one!! I'm going your way, even though I can not see in front of me and I'm going your way even though I feel lost at sea! ….. Ride the wave, wave goodbye, by the way did I mention today that I don't know the way home! 

We R Who We R – Thanks Michellene for the suggestion! Great running song! :) Let's GO!! Tonight we're going hard! Just like the world is ours! We're tearing it apart! We are super stars! We are who we are!! :) 

Burnin' up – not sure this was such a good one since I was indeed burning up from the heat! LOL I tried to not think about that as I ran! And at this point was out of water! 

The Beastie Boys were a big player on the ipod, it was good to hear those old songs, it gave me a chuckle! :) As well as Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC And Push It! 

Anyway here are my stats..... hope you've made it this far! LOL 

Here are my run stats: 

Mile 1: 11.09 

Mile 2: 10.08
 
Mile 3: 11.09
 
Mile 4: 11.08
 
Mile 5: 11.28
 
Mile 6: 11.39 

Mile 7: 11.47 

Mile 8: 10.58
 
Mile 9: 12.05
 
Mile 10: 12.11
 
Mile .36: 11.11 

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 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!! 

 

The One Where It's The First Race of 2012

Yeah, Week 1. Although I went right back into my routine December 26th. Last week was really a better gauge for me as far as exercise. Monday I walked on the treadmill and I was within calorie range. Tuesday I went to FitKick and I was within calorie range, but barely because I was starving! Wednesday I ran on the treadmill and I was way under calories! I know that's bad Thursday School was back in session, I went to FitKick and got my butt kicked, it was a hard workout! Again I was way under.... Friday Rest Day, I managed to stay under although I had my usual pre-race meal, In-N-Out Burger! Friday Night I wasn't really nervous. I guess I though I would be or should be because it's the first race of the year. My usual peeps wouldn't be at the race, so I was gonna be alone. Going to Dallas alone sometimes creeps me out. But later that night I learned my oldest was coming to run! WOOT!! Soooo happy he's still running and that we get to run together! I got my race clothes out, a couple of different options depending on the weather. I got my water bottle filled up and ready, I got my sunglasses, my hat, my hair band, my socks, my shoes, my purse, my snacks, made sure my phone was charging, my alarm was set. I went to bed on time, I didn't lolly-gag around. I slept well. I drank a lot of water and herbal tea. The alarm went off, I jumped up, grabbed my pile of clothes and headed to the bathroom to get dressed. All dressed out I made coffee and taped up while it was brewing. Then I made breakfast. Oatmeal with walnuts and protein powder I put all my stuff in a pile on the counter, to be sure not to leave anything. I drank some coffee, made me a to-go cup, stuffed my purse full of my things and headed out. It was foggy. I was hoping it wouldn't be like this all the way to Dallas, and it wasn't! The sun was out it was warming up a bit. I made it to Winfrey Point and still was able to get a good parking place. I went to grab my things and realize two vital things are missing! 1. I didn't grab my water off the counter; and 2. No Headphones!! O M G I was worried about the water because there would only be 2 water stops around the mile point.... and I generally require more water when I run. I drink anywhere from 2-3 cups of water on a 5K run. So that dixie cup was gonna have to carry me through! I know what caused me to leave it. My future DIL left her jacket at my house over Christmas and I stopped to get it....saving me a drive to Denton. :) The Headphones.... Well, in my old car I kept a stash of headphones for talking while driving and for races. I have a new car. It's all technical and I don't need my headphones to use the phone..... so there are no headphones in my glovebox! Another thing I would have liked to have and thought about brining but didn't. Gloves. I'll explain more in a bit. I get out of my car a little disgruntled and head up the hill with the rest of the runners. I get in line to get my number.... the DRC has a new system for tracking and they this is the first run though. There was a long line. But I was in good company with the other runners, we became fast friends as we huddled together waiting our turn! I saw a friend of mine and we chatted, caught up. Then my oldest showed up just as we were getting to the porch and getting our instructions! They announced that they were pushing the race time back to 8:15, which was good cuz runners were still in line. It was gonna be a while before we could get through the line and get our number as well. He needed to get someone out of his car and we headed back down the hill. Got our gear on and ready to head to the start. The sun was out which was nice because i was a little chilly. But Hey, it the Frigid 5K, what did we think the weather should be!? We get there and I'm thinking....did the race start? Where are the runners? They delayed the race to 8:30. We notice this interesting cloud formation, it looks like mountain peeks, we're all discussing how odd it looks but enjoying the sunshine. We all get lined up again, most of the runners are ready to go. They announce we're just about ready, the computers are syncing with the bib tracker thing and we're gonna start!! YAY!! It's about 8:35. And the mountain peaked clouds are now hovering over us, the temperature has dropped about 10 degrees..... the wind off the lake....wow. Yes. This is what they mean by Lake Effect. Something as a Texan I don't have to deal with much. :) Annnnnd they announce the computers have crashed, it will be about 20 more minutes. If we want to have race results we'll have to wait until 9. They ask us if we want to ran anyway, we all cheered!! So they said if you wanted your race results to stick around and wait for a "second start" otherwise 3, 2, 1 GO!! Alex runs much faster than me so I told him "I'll see you at the finish!" My goal I guess was really to run it in under 40. I thought I'd do a bit of a run walk action, but really I had no plan. I know, did I really just say that? I had no plan. As I ran, weaving through some of the runners and walkers to be in the space I wanted to be in, I found that I was pacing really well with a woman about my size. She has a long dark pony tail coming out of her cap, she had a white running jacket on, she had headphones and water! I was matching her step for step. Sometimes in front of her, sometimes behind her, sometimes beside her. We were like a machine. Because I had no headphones, I had no idea what my/our/her pace was, I just kept running. I know I run much faster outdoors than on the treadmill though and was comfortable with this pace. It wasn't too fast or too slow. I decided to keep pace with the runner girl! We made it to the 1/2 mile mark and I wasn't tired and I wasn't feeling like I needed to walk. We made it to the water stop and well I lost her in the crowd, cuz I really needed a drink. Ahhhh the water was so cold and I was warmed up by now. I walked through the stop and drank the water....I didn't swish and spit. I drank it. And kept going..... now her comes the hill, not a giant hill, just steady. I kept looking for my pacer girl but couldn't find her. Bummer. But I just kept going. Listening to the conversations going on around me. I was near two couples who were doing C25K during the race. One who was doing very well, the other ummmm not so much. Which was a little frustrating for me. The woman was running too far ahead of the man, then would stop right in front of me. Clearly someone needs to explain some running etiquette! I made it past them and back to the water, I had a water AND a gatorade cup this time. I was thirsty. I walked thru and back to my comfortable pace. I was practically alone and I heard my run keeper say something. I thought it said 2.90 miles. I kept telling myself just two tenths of a mile to go! I was making good time! Then I saw around the bend this white tent top looking thing in the distance and was thinking, again not much further now, that's the finish! I kept running and running, thinking this is the LONGEST 2/10's of a mile I've ever run, when I see my pacer!! YAY I found her! But she was walking. She looked worn out. I tried to run to catch up to her, but there were too many other people around me to do that. She started running again and I matched her! :) That one couple came by and said to one another, how much longer it this! I said look at my phone....it'll say how many miles I've run. She said 3.02! YAY! I said, we're almost done now!! As I said that I look up to see the "tent thing" was an RV! LOL I had a chuckle to myself about it, cuz the tent at the finish is Green!! I'm really close to my pacer as we come across the finish, but I lost her in the crowd, bummer. I see my kiddo and we head to get some water and to buy some shirts!! :) Still I'm not tired. More importantly, I'm not hurting anywhere!! I feel good!! I could have kept running! :) Here are my stats: 3.22 miles 36.33 minutes 11.21 AP 5.28 AMPH Mile 1: 11.19 Mile 2: 11.36 (water stops) Mile 3: 11.11 Mile .22: 11.11 At 3.1 I was at 35.13! WOOT! The timing thing never worked so I have don't know what my official time was. Alex ran it in under 29! We got a snack and some muscle milk and headed back to our cars. He went home to denton and we made plans for next months race! :) I got home just in time to get ready for the scout hiking/service project. There is a great walking/biking trail near our house. It's 6 miles! Ups and downs, great place to run....but I'm a little leery of doing that alone, since is it wooded and secluded. I found my water bottle and packed some snacks for the hike! Went out to pick up trash and get some more exercise in! I went 1.87 miles with the boys, at a Much, MUCH slower pace! Week 1: I lost .80 pounds I ran 13.2 miles I burned 1753 calories I stayed on track nutritionally I read my bible Feeling pretty successful with week 1! Week 2 Sunday is a rest day, Monday I spent the day cleaning the house. After the long school break it was time for me to get things back in order. I mopped, dusted, vacuumed, wiped down baseboards, threw things out, did 3 loads of laundry and made Pad Thai for dinner! YUM-O The kiddo left this morning for 5th grade camp, it's bitter-sweet, Neither parent is with him. This is the first away from home trip he's taken without relatives and without a way to contact us. No electronics. No phones at all. :( We won't see him again until Friday late afternoon. I left the school about 7:20, headed home to get ready for FitKick. I got a good workout, but I still feel like I need something more. Crazy I know, but I'm thinking of hitting the elliptical here in a bit. Or a nap, Or more laundry, or well..... I do have a sink full of dishes to tend to. Better get started! To keep with the thankfulness of last week: 1. For a great run during the race 2. For the rain, we need it desperately 3. For the week (somewhat) off.