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 Stopped Being Scared

My first Long Run of Dallas Rock N Roll Training. It was at this stage of training 3 years ago that I fell and busted my knee. A little closer to March, but I had just run my 8 mile training run..... on the treadmill. Wow, I remember the days when I did all my training on the treadmill because I was too scared to run outside alone. Scared to fall Scared of animals Scared of attackers Scared of people Just plain scared. All my spark peeps had faith in me way before I did. Y'all knew all along that I had this in me! Thank you for your positive force! Time and many more miles has changed a lot of things.... Sure I'm still scared... and yes I did fall and injure myself seriously. But I keep lacing up and heading out the door to log miles and smiles with my Sole Sisters! If you aren't part of a running club I encourage you to be a part of www.momsrunthistown.com You don't have to be a mom to join, You don't even have to be a runner. There are many walkers in our group. College kids. Women with no children. We ladies from elite runners to beginners. If you don't have a chapter where you are.... start one! That's what we did!!

The One Where I Stopped Being Scared

My first Long Run of Dallas Rock N Roll Training. It was at this stage of training 3 years ago that I fell and busted my knee. A little closer to March, but I had just run my 8 mile training run..... on the treadmill. Wow, I remember the days when I did all my training on the treadmill because I was too scared to run outside alone. Scared to fall Scared of animals Scared of attackers Scared of people Just plain scared. All my spark peeps had faith in me way before I did. Y'all knew all along that I had this in me! Thank you for your positive force! Time and many more miles has changed a lot of things.... Sure I'm still scared... and yes I did fall and injure myself seriously. But I keep lacing up and heading out the door to log miles and smiles with my Sole Sisters! If you aren't part of a running club I encourage you to be a part of www.momsrunthistown.com You don't have to be a mom to join, You don't even have to be a runner. There are many walkers in our group. College kids. Women with no children. We ladies from elite runners to beginners. If you don't have a chapter where you are.... start one! That's what we did!!

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 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'm Inspired to Do That

Sooo Sunday I had at least 20 friends running in the Dallas Rock N Roll Half. I was able to hitch a ride with some new running friends! WOOT 

I watched a several of my RRC buddies come by at the 3.5 mark, the 12.5 mark and the finish. 

I saw Jerome (fearless leader of the Dallas Spark Team) several times!! Was able to run out at the 12.5 mile mark and high five him!! Told him he was doing a great job and I'd see him at the finish soon! 

Near him at the 3.5 mark was my youngest sons homeroom teacher, music teacher and another RRC Friend. :) 

I saw so many runners who inspired me. So many.... 

But when the Wounded Warrior came by... in full tactical gear.... everyone cheering for him, tears streamed down my face. The guy running beside him carrying the flag!! WOW 

I saw him several times throughout the race. People would get on their feet cheering and clapping for him! 

I saw him finish.... there are just no.words for his accomplishment. 

Anyway, flash forward to Monday. I was talking with my kids teacher; she told me about her experience, how wonderful it was to have people she knew cheering for her along the way. Knowing I would be out of town for the Patriot, the first 1/2 to be in my home town, she asked me if I would run the Wounded Warrior Project Half. 

I told her I would look into it. 

I got home, I looked up the info, I just so happen to be available that weekend. 

I plan on running the DRC 10-Mile Race May 5th, what's 3.1 more miles 36 days later? 

I'm running 17-ish for the Capitol to Coast in October, I guess I'd better get 13 under my belt before then! :) 

Sooo.... I saw the Wounded Warrior Run Sunday.... in 75 days I will run with him!! 
I.will.run.with.him!