Okay, refocus!

So, apparently I am a terrible blogger.  Or perhaps, I was so disappointed by my marathon attempt (yes, I am still talking about something that happened 2 years ago) that I didn't want it on record.  So, a quick recap of my last 2 years of running:

Marathon: Fail.  It was a fail by mile 6.  I think I had an okay training plan until Mid November, when I decided to just stop running and see what happens.  Well, disaster happens, people!  I finished, but barely, slightly under the 4:30 mark.  Eric crashed too, but he still managed to hit the Boston mark and beat me by almost 1 hour 15 minutes.  Ouch.  Well, we are somehow smiling here:

Don't let those smiles fool you.  Running marathons suck!

Major props to Maria Pruszynska for being such a great cheerleader and motivator.  Okay, enough about that.

2011

Took a while after the marathon off, and picked it back up in late Spring.  After meeting some great people in the Charlotte Running Club, I was invited to be on the Stache and Dash Blue Ridge Relay team with 11 near strangers.  I would have a great couple days of training and it would feel like I was making progress in training, and then I would get hit with shin pain and have to take a week off.  I could not string more than 3-4 days of consecutive running without leg pain.  By the way, this was the same type of leg pain I started having in college which made me quit running in the first place.  Crap.  Maybe I am just not cut out to be a runner.  Especially a good one.  Well, I didn't have a great race at Blue Ridge Relay, but I made some great friends that I have enjoyed training with.  Other than that, I raced minimally, and trained only when it was absolutely necessary.   

2012

More of the same.  Eric and I worked toward our lifetime goal of running a race in every state (more about that later).  Inconsistent training, no goals and pain after running for multiple days.  I met a friend at work, Lee, who was new to running.  Within the last 6ish months, he has become a great friend and an awesome training partner.  That's what I have been missing.  I am a lazy, lazy runner, and without someone to keep me honest and to count on to be on the track every week, I have 0 motivation.  And, the best part is that Lee is new to running, so he has no knowledge of training plans, so we basically whim every run and workout, rather than sticking to a regimented training plan that I set myself up to fail before I even start.  I have learned that my sweet spot is 4-5 days of running 25-30 miles/week with a track workout and plenty of trail running.  I backed out of BRR this year to save a vacation day, and focused my training on the Philly 1/2 Marathon in mid November.  

Although I never made a plan, I put in a couple solid efforts a week, mostly pain free, and for the first time since I was 19 years old, I had a PR.  My first 1/2 marathon, back in 2008 was 1:45:18.  I didn't think I would ever surpass that effort, which is pretty close to 8 min pace.  I was aiming for 8 min pace at Philly, but I decided to try and hang with the 3:25 (marathon) pace group, which would have me hit around 1:42-1:43 at the half.  I didn't know how reasonable that was, but I figured that I would try to hang on as long as possible.  My normal race goes something like this: remember your glory highs school days, set an unreasonable goal, start out fast, compromise, crash, burn, disappointment.  Not today.  I had a reasonable goal, started out at an even, almost slow pace (you don't really have a choice when 30,000 people are running around you) and kept an even 7:45 pace throughout the entire race.  My first two miles were my slowest... I dont think that has ever happened, even in a 5K!  So, result was 1:41:47, which breaks down to 3:30 minute PR. 

I still don't think that I will start shattering high school records, but I look forward to staying healthy and having fun.  Next planned race is a 1/2 marathon trail race!

 

20 Miles, what, WHAT!!?!

Holy crap Thunder Road Marathon is less than 3 weeks away!!! 

I think I am supposed to start tapering, but since I have never really had a plan, I think I will stick to running whenever I am in the mood, for however long I feel like.  I did my first 20 mile run on Saturday, and I could not be more excited for my marathon!  I was really nervous after I did my 18 mile run because I was having so many stomach issues, but Saturday could not have been a better day.  I had some good friends in town for the weekend, and it was really difficult to be disciplined the night beforehand since everyone wanted to stay up late and drink.  But I was going to get up at 5:30 and do my 20 mile run, and that is exactly what I did. 

Run For Your Life was hosting a preview run, featuring the second half of the Thunder Road marathon course, so I joined the group 4 1/2 miles into my run, and running with a group makes long runs so by so much more quickly.  Throughout the course of my run, I met 2 interesting guys that had some great training tips and inspiring comments.  The first guy I met was in his mid 60s and had run at least 5 marathons that year!  He usually runs about 3:40, which is what I was secretly hoping to run.  At one point during my run, I checked my watch and we were running 8:15 minute miles... I had no idea we were running so fast!  The second guy I met was an executive coach who had also done several marathons.  I expressed how nervous I was about my race and he assured me that I was prepared and would be able to finish the marathon.  He pointed out that if I pushed too hard, it might be hard to PR on my second race.  He suggested that my first goal for the marathon was to have several interesting conversations during the race, rather than worry about time.  Although I really like his idea, I think that I will still shoot for running under 4 hours.

This was my second run using Honey Stingers, and I have been really happy with them.  They are much easier to eat, and I feel like I am getting enough energy from them.  This is also my second long run without drinking coffee beforehand.  I had thought that I was running better with caffeine, but I think I might have been full of crap before.  I think that I will try to keep running without drinking coffee.  It's not like I am addicted or anything!

18 Miler... Success!

I completed my first 18 miler last Saturday!  I was extremely nervous about being able to run this far, because I attempted to do an 18-er 2 weekends previous at McMullen Creek, but cut it short at 12 miles because I was running like 9:30 pace, and probably doing more harm than good.  I think that that run was so painful, because although it is a beautiful greenway, it can be extremely boring running on a flat course by yourself.  The worst part about McMullen (although to some, it might be the best part) is that there is a marker for every quarter mile.  I anticipate every quarter mile, and do math equations in my head, as to how much farther I have to go on this dreadful run... only .25 into a 16 miler... that must mean I am 1/64th done... eek!

I was also worried about how I would stay fueled on my long run.  Since Gu is the most disgusting condiment (yes, I consider this a condiment) on the face of the earth, I decided to try a more natural energy fuel, and our runner friend Catlin suggested Honey Stingers.  The Gold flavor is basically straight honey, which is exactly what marathoners used to use before all of the artificial fuels were developed.  So what about water/gatorade?

By a lucky coincidence, the Dowd YMCA 1/2 Marathon was also taking place on Saturday morning.  The race starts and finishes exactly 2.5 miles from our house, which would be a perfect way to get an 18 miler in!  I timed it perfectly.  I missed the start of the race by about 5 minutes, so I was playing catch-up for the first 2 miles.  I kept getting suck at intersections that had been closed during the race, so police were letting all of the traffic clear up, which is why it took so long to finally catch up to the runners. 

Stuffing my face with a Honey Stinger!

I had bandited races before, but I felt really guilty about banditing such a long distance race, drinking their Gatorade and water and sneaking in their photos, but the motivation from getting to pass people during the entire race (since I started late), and having people along the course cheer for me, overcame my guilt pretty quickly.  I was cruising at a nice, steady pace and wasn't looking at my watch every quarter mile, dreading the next couple hours.

Only after I broke off from the runners and started my journey home, did I start feeling the pain.  I was having some serious stomach pain, and after I finished my run, I was not regulating my body temperature very well, and I could not get warm until I was suddenly soaked with sweat and freezing again.  I finally got my body under control and rode up to Durham to watch an old runner friend from high school get married... congrats Candy!

I guess that means I only have 8 miles to go.  Yikes!

Race Report: Denver Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon

I was really looking forward to seeing how hard my training has paid off and I was expecting big things from this race.  My first two half marathons were 1:45 and 1:47, pretty respectable times considering I did not train very hard for either of them.  Actually for the second one, I don't really remember training for it at all.  I have been running consistently since June, so I was secretly thinking I was going to come in at least under 8 minute pace, hopefully around 1:40.

Reality hit when we got to Fort Collins.  We arrived on Thursday, so we had over 3 days to acclimate to the increase in elevation.  I was really worried about my breathing, but I did not really notice the change in oxygen.  When you are on vacation, it is hard to concentrate on being prepared for a race.  We were in Colorado... of course I wanted to go walk around everywhere.  So we did.  On Saturday before the race, we walked ALL over Denver, probably at least 8 miles.  Not the best way to relax and rest before a race, and my feet and legs were sore from walking in flip flops all day.  Well at least I will go to bed early and get a good nights sleep, right?  WRONG!  When I went to bed, the hotel next door was having some kind of party, literally outside our door, with some obnoxious boombastic rap music.  Well it was only 9:30... I bet they will be done by 10.  Well the rap music was technically done at 10... because that is when the live mariachi band started playing.  After two phone calls and some choice words to the hotel employees, who assured us there was nothing they could do because the party had paid a lot of money for the room, we finally called the cops at 11:15.  I was so pissed I could not fall asleep.

 

The course was a 2 mile walk from our hotel, and the race was not providing any shuttles.  Which was not the worst thing in the world, since we missed the start of the San Antonio race by 45 minutes because of the shuttle bus.  The start line seemed a bit disorganized, nobody knew where the bag check was, and people were hopping the fences because they could not get to their corral.  I thought that we had left plenty of time in the morning, but we barely made it in time.

I thought that the course was pretty hard, a bit hillier than I expected and as usual, I started off too fast.  I felt good, so I trusted my body that I was going a good pace.  I was so obsessed with trying to best my 1/2 marathon time from 2007 that I was trying to stay under 8 minute pace, rather than just run a smart race, controlled race. When we entered the city park, around 7-9 miles, it was pretty clear that this was not going to be my best race.  I fell way off pace, and miles 10 and 11 were just plain awful.  I also noticed pretty early on that the course was measuring long, and I was pretty annoyed by that. I was having some nagging knee issues, but I was able to pull it together for the last 2+ miles and finish pretty strong.

According to my new fancy pantsy Garmin watch, the course ended up measuring over .2 miles longer than a normal 1/2 marathon.  I don't know if it was because I was running zig zags the entire time, but my recorded time for the race was 1:48:49, but I have chosen to disregard the extra 1:33 that it took to get to the finish line after my "measured" half marathon was complete, so my pretend finish time was 1:47:17.

Eric ran a great race, finishing 52nd overall with a time of 1:25:26 (6:32 pace).  I always get so annoyed when he runs races with me, because at a certain point in the race (this time was around mile 11), I know that he is finished running and I become EXTREMELY jealous!  But aside from the fact that my very smart husband ran the race in racing flats and was having some ankle issues afterward, he did a great job and I was very proud of him.  Sadly, the Broncos were not as victorious later that afternoon.

Take Flight Triathlon

 

Eric and I had a blast yesterday at the Take Flight Triathlon in Huntersville.  We had some great friends compete in the Sprint Distance Triathlon, consisting of a 250 meter swim, 10 mile bike and 5K run.  Sydney had been talking up the triathlon since July and all she wanted was MORE COWBELL!  After our 5K on Saturday, Cody and I decked out these amazing cowbells for all of the tri participants in our party!

 

The relay team "Old Rams" consisted of some great Harding University High School alumni: Cody Elder starring in the 250 meter swim, Detra Euland rocking out on the 10 mile bike, and the infamous Maria Pruszynska finishing up the race with the 5K run.

Due to an unfortunate road closure, I was 5 minutes late to the start of the race, which was just enough time to miss Cody's entire leg of the race!  Yup, it only took him 3:28 to complete the swim... what WHAT!?!  Detra took off on the bike and never stopped!  She completed the bike in a mere 38:05, averaging just shy of 16 miles per hour, on an extremely hilly course!  Maria brought it home on the 5K, running 29:12 on a very difficult course:  apparently there was an extra part of the run that was not listed on the original course map... and the course consisted of a series of out-and-back dead ends and hill after hill after hill.  Overall, the Old Rams were 8th out of 27 relay teams, with an overall time of 1:12:54.

I had no doubt in my mind that Sydney would finish the triathlon, but she was worrying herself silly about the race.  Although the night before the race, I dreamed that she would not leave the transition after the swim.  Also in my dream, Maria overslept for the race, Detra's spokes fell off her wheels, and Dana completed the swim in 1 minute!  None of this actually happened.  Apparently when she went with Cody to pick up her packet, she punched Cody hard and said "What the HELL did you get me into?!"  I think that Cody was quite frightened and the race staff were equally worried for the boy's safety.  Every small detail was making her more and more nervous.  Cody strategically coordinated with Sydney and Dana's friends and family to arrive after Sydney started the bike because if she saw them before the race started, she would be even more worried.  I briefly spoke to Sydney during her bike to run transition and I knew she was golden.  She saw smiling and waving and having a blast... and looking great all at the same time!  It was very emotional to see Sydney finish the race.  She is 63 years old and has been working her butt off since July.  Training was hard work, but it paid off!  After the race, she RAN up to me and gave me a hug and said how much it meant to her that we were there supporting her.  I have no idea what she was doing still running around, but she was glowing with happiness... finished her first triathlon, was surprised by family and friends, who came all the way from Virginia to support and cheer her on, AND SHE GOT HER COWBELL!!!
Sydney's Results:
250 meter swim: 8:59
T1: 3:14
10 mile bike: 47:58
T2: 2:26
5K run: 44:35
Overall time: 1:47:10

Sydney also got to take home some hardware (apart from the cowbell), because she was 1st in her age group 60-65!  Okay, so she was the only one in her age group, but I think that is saying what a beast Sydney is!  We are so proud of her accomplishment!

Dana had a different theory about why Cody talked his parents
into doing the triathlon: he was after their life insurance policy!  Dana had some nagging knee and ankle problems flare up during his training, and I think that he had to adjust his training schedule to accommodate his ailments.  Dana was using the back stroke strategy for his swim, and Eric was really scared he was going to bump his head.  With one lap left on the swim, he was still hollering and being the same silly Dana.  When he got to the first transition, he was just hanging out, taking his sweet time, but finally got his bike gear on and took off!  Dana had a solid bike and was still smiling when he got back from the run.  At the start of the run, he was still joking around and even acted like he was going to sprint the 5K... for the first 10 feet at least.  We were worried that Dana was going to miss the awards ceremony because they were scheduled to start before all of the athletes had finished, but I think that he purposefully timed it to get in right at the start of the ceremony.  It was perfect, because there was a large crowd right at the finish line and the emcee encouraged everybody to cheer him through the finish.  If he would have finished before the start of the ceremony, he would not have had the crowd bringing him home, and if he had finished halfway (or more) through the awards ceremony, half of the crowd would have been gone.  Dana finished strong, with enough time to get some ice on his ankle and collect his medal... 2nd in his age group!!!  Cody usually brings medals back for his papa, bu not today... this one was for Cody!
Dana's Results:
250 meter swim: 10:15
T1: 6:58
10 mile bike: 47:35
T2: 4:05
5K run: 47:45
Overall time: 1:56:35

Sydney had the bragging rights this time, but it was truly an inspirational morning for every body involved.  I might be a total wimp for saying this, but I was tired after cheering for 4 hours, and my bicep was actually sore from ringing my cowbell...pathetic, eh?  I am so proud that they both were able to train hard and achieve a very impressive goal.  There was about 20 friends and family out to support "Team Elder" and I am so thankful that I am part of the extended family.  I hope to still be as enthusiastic and active when I am in my mid-sixties!

We finished off our morning with a well-earned breakfast from Bob Evans.  What a great day to spend with friends!

The Elder Family after the race... and still standing!

Showing off the hardware!

Race Report: Hopebuilders 5K

Course map/elevation profile

After several weeks of decent mileage and some productive workouts, I was looking forward to seeing what I was capable of.  I have been in the 22 minute range all season.  Last night, Eric and I previewed the course and it seemed like it was going to be a tough one.  Last year's times were pretty slow, so it was pretty obvious that I was probably not going to have my best race.  Cody was in town for the Take Flight Triathlon (his parents are participating tomorrow), so we thought it would be fun to do a 5K... Cody's first ever!

Top 3 reasons this race was not meant to be:
1.  The term "5K" was left up to interpretation.  The course actually measured about 3.16, which adds about 25 seconds to the overall time.
2.  Inconveniently placed hills.  Although I always start my races way too fast, it was impossible to get a good stride going because the first mile was almost entirely uphill.  One would think it could work to their advantage because it must mean that the end of the race is downhill, right? WRONG!  The last .2 miles were uphill, past where the race started.  For the first ever time, my slowest mile was the first one.
3.  Lack of restraint on my part.  Eric had prepared such a wonderful lasagna for dinner, it seemed appropriate to have a glass of wine (or two) with my meal.  I don't know if it actually effected my race, I felt completely fine, but I am sure there were more appropriate beverages I could have chosen to accompany my meal.

So the best part of the race was all of the children lined up at the start of the race.  It was a benefit for the Levine Children's Hospital, and there were several teams walking and running in honor of special children.  At the start of the race, several of the children bolted from the start line and stopped before they even reached the first .1 mile... out of breath... TOO SOON!

I panicked when I came through my first mile at 7:20.  Although it was pretty much entirely uphill, my first mile is usually about 6:45.  I thought I was running pretty aggressively, but it was a toughie.  Mile two felt better, once it leveled out and started tending downhill, 7:09.  Mile 3 started uphill, but went downhill on the second half, 7:16.  The last "tenth" of a mile was back uphill for the finish.  Not the ideal course, but my overall time was 22:37.

So although I am not actually improving, I think the race was a moderate success, given the hills and length of the course.  I was really hoping to break 22 today, but given Eric and Cody's finishing times, I think that I can legitimately say that my time does not reflect my performance.  On the bright side, after the race, I ordered myself a fancy Garmin watch, and I look forward to having more accurate feedback about pacing and distance!

Results:
52/776 overall, 5th female overall, 2nd in age group with a time of 22:37 (7:18 pace)

Eric- 2nd overall and 1st in age group with a time of 17:51 (5:45 pace)

Cody- 6th overall and 1st in age group with a time of 19:01 (6: 08 pace)

Glad we could all be winners today!  Looking forward to watching the big triathlon tomorrow morning!

Oh no... A workout!

Until very recently, the smell of stepping on a track made me nauseous.  I think it is the smell of rubber on a hot day.  Luckily the track at Alexander Graham Middle School is not rubberized.  It is also not a true 400m track, which is annoying since you have to run in lane 2.  Doing track workouts without a coach is a very difficult task for me.  Workouts are not fun on your own, and I do not have the discipline to stick with it the whole way.  To me, the most difficult part of a workout is not the speed of the intervals, or even staying at or below a target pace, but actually completing what I set out to do.  In high school, when a race always felt too difficult, I always envisioned how nice it would be to "accidentally" trip and fall or I did not have to complete my race.  Luckily, I never actually brought myself to do that, but when it got too difficult, I almost always wussed out.

I have completed three track workouts since coming back to running, but today's workout was by far the most successful.  With the help of the CRC track meet-up, mainly Dusti (coached by Chris), I completed a track workout that I am almost positive I would have cut short or slowed down on my intervals.  Dusti is getting ready to run her 6th marathon (at age 27) and we run at a very similar pace, and I was extremely happy to find a running partner around my pace.  I usually end up doing workouts or tempos with Eric, which usually turns into a disaster because I do my first interval super fast and then drop back significantly.

Tonight we did 5x1 mile with a 2:30 recovery.  I was pretty nervous about sticking it through to the end, but I also didn't want to embarrass myself at my first group workout.  Dusti's target pace was supposed to be 7:22.  The first mile felt pretty wretched, and I knew we were too fast, but I stuck by her the whole time.  After the first mile, I felt more relaxed and started to find my stride.    Here are our mile intervals:
1- 7:06
2- 7:06
3- 7:09
4- 7:07
5- 7:01

I am going to call our workout today a definite success!  I am having some pain behind my left knee, and one of my toes is bruised (from the 16 miler on Saturday), but overall I am feeling pretty good... except for the greasy pizza I decided to eat afterwords.  Time to make some hot chocolate!