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
Monday, May 7, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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:
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!!
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!!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
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!!
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!!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
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!
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!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The One Where I'm A Renegade
Soooo.... I opted out on the Trinity Levee Bridge Run so I could do the Renegade Run:
Unscheduled, Unplanned, Unofficial, Unsupported, Unsponsored- Un-Marathon from Greenville Tx down Historic Rt 66 to Rockwall Tx
For the record State Highway 66, isn't part of US Route 66.
The race route was intimidating, considering we'd have no police support. 3 miles would be on 66 a narrow two lane blacktop mostly uphill. Some steady inclines, some just straight up! Half of the race would be on that section. I was worried about that.
Wednesday I ran 6.15 miles I ran part of it on 66, and because of the narrow road and the cars on the road I dodged a few times, I rolled my ankle... so now I was doubly worried.
I did my usual routine from then on. Hot Shower, Foam Roll, Ice every hour.
Thursday I worked out, Friday I went to the Jump Rope for Heart event at the school. I didn't jump rope too much. I was worried.
Saturday I did a lot of errands and I bought new shoes, cuz wow, I had no tread left on my shoes and I wasn't gonna be a good road runner without some tread!
I got the same shoes Brooks Ghost 4. That felt so much better. :)
Saturday I got all my stuff out, ready to go. I checked it and checked it double checked it. I added some new tunes to my iPod
Renegade in particular for the Renegade Run.
I bought all kinds of stuff Saturday Honey Stingers, Clif Gels, some electrolyte gel, I wasn't sure what all I would need. But I knew I would need water, so I got a freezable lunchbox ready to go with 2 additional waters and some fuel. Other than training runs where I can stop by my car for water and fuel, I've never run a "non-race" so I was concerned about having enough water.
I had my Vapur Water Bag that holds 24 ounces, then in my lunchbox I had two more bottles that hold 32 ounces each.
I also had gum. Which I will explain later in this blog..... Trident comes in two different "sugar types" One that I'm allergic to and one that I am not.
Saturday I got in bed early but I didn't sleep. I finally got to sleep about 11:30-ish... closer to midnight.
I woke up at 3:41. THREE FORTY ONE! I tossed and turned. I checked Facebook. I saw all my runner girls getting ready to run. I got a few text from running buddies wishing me well.
I tried to go back to sleep. Couldn't.
I got out of bed at 4, got on the Mac and though a little PC time might help me get the energy out of me so I could go back to sleep. I went back to bed.
I got up at 5, for good. I started doing housework.... folding laundry, doing dishes.
Because this race started in Greenville (the 26.2 portion) at 6AM then at 8-ish the Royse City (13.1 portion) my part wouldn't start until 9. I had four hours before my race started.
I checked all my stuff, I got dressed, I tried to eat breakfast and couldn't. I chewed gum to just keep my nerves at bay. I drank water, I drank coffee, I drank herbal tea.
And I was experiencing some not so pleasant bathroom issues. I've never had this problem before a race, but I was pretty nervous about this race so I chalked it up to nerves.
Around 6:30 I got my bag together to take to the drop off site, wanted to make sure I had my things in place just in case they got to the 10K mark early. I started texting the race directors wife about 7AM and she said they were running behind. hrmp
more bathroom issues.
I tried to eat and this time was really sick. Like I thought I was gonna throw up sick. I was getting very worried about being able to do this race. With no stops, no bathrooms, no medical aid. Just me and the road. What would I do?
They were still pretty far out and I had a long time to wait, so I would decide as it got closer.
I dropped off my lunch bag and saw some of the runners that started at 6AM at the 13.1 mark, they were all in a group and were going great! So I was encouraged. They were alone and looked good, happy, no one had hit them, there were all accounted!!
I got home, woke up my hubby cuz he was gonna drive me to the race start and follow me if he needed to, cuz he was very concerned about me running with no police support.
He was lolly-gaggin and I was about to throw up!
I checked and rechecked my stuff, got all my thing together and either in my pocket or in my car. Made a few more trips to the bathroom when it DAWNED ON ME...
It's the gum!!
I checked the package I purchased saturday - it has splenda. The previous package used xylitol! Splenda makes me sick.... very sick. The kind of sick I was beginning to experience. Glad I caught that before we headed out the door.
EDIT!!!
Seriously I didn't hit post... not sure how my blog posted!! I'm totally not done!!
I was still texting with the RD wife and she told me to meet up with Papa Turtle. :) Otherwise known as Jim. He was at the race start when I got there and I was very encouraged when he said we'd be taking a different route. A little discourage when I realized we would be shy of the 10K mark. Where we met up and where the 10K start was was about a mile difference.
We waited for others to show up and we had a pretty good group going!! The early 13.1s came by to wish us well and took our picture. The RD wife came by too to check on us. I was feeling really well.
I was running with The Turtles and I was happy about that because I don't have the "moves like becki!" HA!! I set my RunKeeper to 13.5 and would be happy if I kept that pace considering the hills.
I tried out another run app as well, tried to see if RunMeter, iPod and RunKeeper would all work together. This would be the test. The RunMeter lets people send me messages on Facebook and also emails my hubby at every mile, if I stop for more than 5 minutes, if I start up again and the like. I certainly wanted that for this run.
We headed out at 9. two by two.
A man and woman in front. (the head of the turtle)
Runner girls next (the neck)
Me and two others (the middle)
And Papa Turtle in the back (the tail)
I felt good. I was running at a good pace. We started on the incline and I just kept going. My apps were acting weird though and my music wasn't shuffling.
So.not.happy about that. Hubby drove ahead and moved my refuel point since the route changed. And then caught up with me along the way. He stopped and took a few pictures and the RD had some folks following us as well taking pix and video! I'm so excited for that to be ready!
It seemed we got up to the first intersection with ease.... the lady who was running with me though was having some complications, not sure if she was overheating or what... but she asked me to take the lead, so I did. Plus I knew the route so that helped the other too.
We made the first mile and I was feeling great! Wasn't hit by any cars so far!
We made the corner at the first intersection and I was going strong! Still jacking with my apps and music though.
At least for a while it was stuck on Renegade. :)
We crossed the FM road to the next road that was under construction. We devised a plan to be able run through or around the construction if it were going on.
It wasn't so we were able to run on the incline they built up for the new road!! WOOT! It was dirt and nice to run on! By the end of the construction point we'd gone 3 miles.
And what do I see my husband with my fuel and my friend!!! Kat!! My sweet friend Kat, she came to run in with me!!
I was feeling Great!! No pain, no soreness. My shoes felt fine. Surprisingly I wasn't tired! I was over the hills... literally... and now I was on the downward stretch. I had about 2 miles to go! I refilled my water, stopped to tie my jacket around my waist and kept going!! it was so nice to run with Kat... we hadn't run together in a while.
We made the bend onto the the next street, no one in front of us, and the slower turtles were behind us. Still having technical difficulties with my apps.... the only sound I could hear was our feet on the road.... ahhhhh the sweet sound of running!
We made the next turn and we were about a quarter of a mile out. Kat was cramping up...
We walked for a bit and then started running again. We made it to the parking lot and we ran in!!! WE MADE IT!! I felt like I could fly!! I felt so good I probably could have run back!!
Hubby was there; all the other runners that had gone before me were there cheering us on!! There were lots of pictures and hugs! We got some
and some 
and some muffins. 
:) This was a great event with some awesome runner guys and gals. And with people who run my speed!! The Turtles!
I joined the RRC and now I'm on their Facebook Page so we can meet up for runs and go to events together! Several of them are running in the Dallas Rock N Roll!! I was already attending for my Spark Dallas Peeps to cheer them on.... now I have more people to "yell at"!
I felt great, I seriously could have run back home!! I didn't but I felt like I could.
I came home, showered, hubby rented some movies, made me some popcorn and I chilled for the rest of the day! Ahhhhhh.....
Kiddo came home from grandmas and then I went to bed early.
I DID IT!! I ran a great race with the goal of finishing. I finished. Not last either (like I thought)!
Miles: 5.15
Minutes: 63.40
AP: 12.21
Feet Climbed: 227
Calories Burned: 535
I survived!! I'm so excited!! I feel like a real runner. I feel like it's ok to start preparing for C2C, now that all the planets have aligned and I can go! :) I can run on the road and on the grass and on gravel and in dirt all in one race and do well!!
I SURVIVED!! FEAR FACED!! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Nothing that I built up in my mind happened!! No animals chasing us, not even a close call with a car, I didn't need to fuel as often as I thought, I had enough supplies.. heck at this point I could run my own mini-race! LOL
It's not the distance I wanted to run, but that's ok. I know I can run that distance. Which means I can run farther too!!
My hubby seemed to be inspired as well.... he told me his workout days are Tuesday Thursday and Sunday. And he walked on the treadmill 30 minutes Tuesday night.
******* END RACE REPORT******
But the pride, the puffed up chest, the accomplishment lives on!!
I ran a seriously quick 3.07 yesterday!! A little sore, but I'm looking forward to another run tomorrow!
I've had multiple emails, texts and 3 phone calls in-between the first "accidental post" and now.... I really should keep y'all hanging again!! LOL
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