Florida, here I come! In 228 days I'll be participating in the Walt Disney World Marathon, and I have a world of emotions running through my head. Most of all I'm excited, and pretty anxious. I have a training plan that, with some minor tweaking, should be perfect for me.
Overall I'm looking forward to my new adventure. I just need to remember that when I get into the long runs that take up half my day. :-D
More to come when training begins!
Friday, May 20, 2016
Monday, May 2, 2016
Run. Help a Child. Eat a Cookie.
Yep. That's me in a nutshell. I love to run. Half of my regular races have something to do with helping kids. And well, I'm a known cookie addict.
The sponsor that was putting on the Chip's Share it Forward 5k race this year had shirts for sale with this tag line, "Run. Help a child. Eat a cookie." printed on them, and I knew I had to have one. I was happy to be participating in the second Chip's run this year. This past winter was the first winter in four years that I didn't have to train through the winter months to prepare for a half, or a full, or both! And I was itching for a race. I hadn't raced since Soaring Wings in October. I wasn't looking for a distance run, just the excitement and adrenaline rush that comes with a group of people all running for a purpose.
The course this year was a little different from the inaugural race last year, but it was still just as beautiful. I had convinced Scott to run the 5k with me in hopes that he could set the pace for me and maybe I could PR. Or at the very least, maybe beat last year's time for this race. I felt good going into race day even though it was overcast and I felt the humidity sitting in the air. It wasn't bad, but I think it still affected me. I enjoyed the run but started to struggle a bit in the second half. The horses I knew we would see on the course did not disappoint and were a lovely distraction. Because parts of the course double back, we got to see friends a couple times along the way. It really is a fun run to be a part of! We finished in 28 minutes flat with an average pace of 9:01 per mile. That's not a PR, but it was just a few seconds faster than last year. Although, I'm not sure it counts if the course was different. :)
I love this race and I love the cause it supports. Because of the runners, and donations that came in, and the sponsors selling various things are the race, 42 kids from the local children's home and also low income homes will be able to go to summer camp this year! That's twice as many as last year! I'm already looking forward to next year.
The sponsor that was putting on the Chip's Share it Forward 5k race this year had shirts for sale with this tag line, "Run. Help a child. Eat a cookie." printed on them, and I knew I had to have one. I was happy to be participating in the second Chip's run this year. This past winter was the first winter in four years that I didn't have to train through the winter months to prepare for a half, or a full, or both! And I was itching for a race. I hadn't raced since Soaring Wings in October. I wasn't looking for a distance run, just the excitement and adrenaline rush that comes with a group of people all running for a purpose.
The course this year was a little different from the inaugural race last year, but it was still just as beautiful. I had convinced Scott to run the 5k with me in hopes that he could set the pace for me and maybe I could PR. Or at the very least, maybe beat last year's time for this race. I felt good going into race day even though it was overcast and I felt the humidity sitting in the air. It wasn't bad, but I think it still affected me. I enjoyed the run but started to struggle a bit in the second half. The horses I knew we would see on the course did not disappoint and were a lovely distraction. Because parts of the course double back, we got to see friends a couple times along the way. It really is a fun run to be a part of! We finished in 28 minutes flat with an average pace of 9:01 per mile. That's not a PR, but it was just a few seconds faster than last year. Although, I'm not sure it counts if the course was different. :)
I love this race and I love the cause it supports. Because of the runners, and donations that came in, and the sponsors selling various things are the race, 42 kids from the local children's home and also low income homes will be able to go to summer camp this year! That's twice as many as last year! I'm already looking forward to next year.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
A Caribbean Kind of Run
I love a good challenge. I'll pretend I don't but secretly it brings out a competitive nature I try to deny. When it comes to running, there have been multiple times that I have said "I'll never do _____ again". A half marathon, training through the winter, a full marathon, you name it, I've said that, but then of course I do.
About seven years ago Scott and I went on a cruise. I had only been running for about a year at the time and I thought it would be a neat experience to go for a run around the small track that was on board the cruise ship. Little did I know that it's not as easy as it sounds. Aside from the fact that 11 (ELEVEN :-O ) laps equaled one mile, and I have a hard enough time running laps on a normal sized track, there's also a major wind issue. Even on a calm day an upper deck on a cruise ship can be quite windy. So on this particular cruise I went up with Scott to enjoy a run and ended up having to walk the length of the track on one side every lap. It was so windy I felt like I wasn't moving at all. I can't remember how many laps I did total, but I don't think it was more than enough to make up more than a mile, maybe two, and I do remember being completely drained. Happy for the experience, but also saying I'd never do that again.
Fast forward to this past February. We went on a cruise with the kids and I was determined to try running the track again. I didn't really have an expectation for time, despite the fact that my pace per mile had dropped significantly from the last time I ran on a ship. I really just wanted to run and see what happened. And maybe I'd be able to do it without walking one side on each lap.
Scott and I got started and I was feeling pretty good. I didn't have RunKeeper going so I couldn't tell what my pace was. I did have the stop watch app and would mark each lap as we passed our starting point. I can't do math in my head well to begin with, let alone while I'm focusing on running around a small track and not running into other people so I didn't bother to try until we were completely done.
The track on this ship was a bit bigger than the last one I had been on. Only 7 laps per mile instead of the 11 before. It's still monotonous, but better for sure. Even though I felt good at the beginning, that feeling began to fade with each lap. Maybe it was mental, maybe the windy side of the was starting to affect me again. Somewhere near the end of the first mile Scott and I decided we would pause the stopwatch and do a fast walking lap. I hadn't walked yet so I knew I had made progress. In the end we had done 3 miles total, with a walking lap between miles 1 and 2, and 2 and 3. I was thrilled to feel how much stronger I was. It was still windy on one side of the ship. I still had to watch out for people as we ran (which makes me think we could have gone even faster actually), but I was faster and I didn't have to walk every lap. We averaged a pace of 9:13 per mile. Definitely faster than the first time I ran on a moving ship. :)
It's runs like this that I have to go back and remember when I have a bad run. I know they can't all be my best, but when they are bad, they affect me mentally and I start to question my ability. There's no reason for that though. I make new progress every day. Even seven years later.
There's something about running on a cruise ship, in the middle of a vast and overwhelming ocean, that challenges me. It's amazing. And wonderful. And difficult. And I WILL be doing it again. :)
About seven years ago Scott and I went on a cruise. I had only been running for about a year at the time and I thought it would be a neat experience to go for a run around the small track that was on board the cruise ship. Little did I know that it's not as easy as it sounds. Aside from the fact that 11 (ELEVEN :-O ) laps equaled one mile, and I have a hard enough time running laps on a normal sized track, there's also a major wind issue. Even on a calm day an upper deck on a cruise ship can be quite windy. So on this particular cruise I went up with Scott to enjoy a run and ended up having to walk the length of the track on one side every lap. It was so windy I felt like I wasn't moving at all. I can't remember how many laps I did total, but I don't think it was more than enough to make up more than a mile, maybe two, and I do remember being completely drained. Happy for the experience, but also saying I'd never do that again.
Fast forward to this past February. We went on a cruise with the kids and I was determined to try running the track again. I didn't really have an expectation for time, despite the fact that my pace per mile had dropped significantly from the last time I ran on a ship. I really just wanted to run and see what happened. And maybe I'd be able to do it without walking one side on each lap.
Scott and I got started and I was feeling pretty good. I didn't have RunKeeper going so I couldn't tell what my pace was. I did have the stop watch app and would mark each lap as we passed our starting point. I can't do math in my head well to begin with, let alone while I'm focusing on running around a small track and not running into other people so I didn't bother to try until we were completely done.
The track on this ship was a bit bigger than the last one I had been on. Only 7 laps per mile instead of the 11 before. It's still monotonous, but better for sure. Even though I felt good at the beginning, that feeling began to fade with each lap. Maybe it was mental, maybe the windy side of the was starting to affect me again. Somewhere near the end of the first mile Scott and I decided we would pause the stopwatch and do a fast walking lap. I hadn't walked yet so I knew I had made progress. In the end we had done 3 miles total, with a walking lap between miles 1 and 2, and 2 and 3. I was thrilled to feel how much stronger I was. It was still windy on one side of the ship. I still had to watch out for people as we ran (which makes me think we could have gone even faster actually), but I was faster and I didn't have to walk every lap. We averaged a pace of 9:13 per mile. Definitely faster than the first time I ran on a moving ship. :)
It's runs like this that I have to go back and remember when I have a bad run. I know they can't all be my best, but when they are bad, they affect me mentally and I start to question my ability. There's no reason for that though. I make new progress every day. Even seven years later.
There's something about running on a cruise ship, in the middle of a vast and overwhelming ocean, that challenges me. It's amazing. And wonderful. And difficult. And I WILL be doing it again. :)
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Soaring in the Rain
When training for a race, I like to be prepared for just about anything. I am a planner. It's a part of who I am. Sometimes though, it just doesn't matter. Or maybe, if I'm being honest with myself, it's not possible. That's something I have to learn to let go of. But, why? Why can't things always be perfect on race day?? For growth, Heather! That's what I tell myself. How can I grow as a runner, if I don't learn to go with the flow? There are way too many things that could happen that are definitely out of my control. I'll grow by learning from experiences, rather than beating myself up when my race doesn't go how I planned.
Case in point- I participated in my 6th Soaring Wings Half Marathon yesterday. My good friend, Amy, told me she was going to be running the race also, and asked if we could run together along with two of her friends. This would be a first half marathon for all three of them. I was thrilled to be able to run it with them. Knowing what I know now, I went in overly confident. I badly wanted to be the "experienced" half marathoner who supported and encouraged my friends.
I did all the miles the training plan recommended. I ran hills to prepare for the course. I ran in 100 degree weather and 50 degree weather. I felt ready and I was excited. Then I looked at the forecast. For ten days leading up to race day I watched the low for Friday night (which actually happens around 6am on Saturday) climb each day I looked. The chances of rain also climbed. And then storms were being forecasted. While the temperatures were not freezing as they ended up being at the Little Rock Marathon, I was still having flashbacks to when I did that one and there were rumors flying of the race being cancelled- WHILE the race was still in progress. I started to get anxious that after all our training, this race would be cancelled before it even began. Or we would be somewhere on the course and the officials would tell us we had to stop and take shelter. I was prepared to run in the rain. I LOVE running in the rain. I just prayed any storms would hold off until the afternoon.
The morning of the race arrived and despite the forecast for 100% chance of rain, you could feel the excitement buzzing in the air. Based on our training, Amy and her two friends, Dawn and Kayla, and Scott and I placed ourselves in between the 2:05 and the 2:10 pacers. We were only waiting a few minutes before the director of Soaring Wings Ranch said a prayer, and then the Star Spangled Banner was sang. We were in the second wave to start and it came quickly. There was a light, hardly there, drizzle that disappeared within the first mile. We kept with the 2:05 pacer for about a mile and then we passed him. It always feels good when you can pass a pacer. :) Dawn and Kayla were a little ahead of Amy, Scott, and me. I had a feeling they were going to stay that way. I was happy they felt good enough to keep ahead.
For the first couple miles I kept waiting for the settling in to happen. Usually it takes me about 2 miles to get my breathing right and feel comfortable in a pace. It never really happened though. The air was so thick from the humidity. The forecasted rain seemed to be just sitting in the air. I found it hard to breath. So hard that somewhere in the 4th mile I had to stop running and try and catch my breath. Only I got so frustrated that I got worked up, which in turn made it even harder to breath. And that just made me more frustrated. It was a stupid, vicious, circle. I took a couple minutes to calm down and then started running again. Amy was ahead of Scott and I now. I knew she didn't want to walk. She said she would slow down her pace if needed, but she didn't want to walk. So we caught up to her and when she asked if I was ok, I got upset again. All I wanted was to be HER encourager. Like I said earlier, I was overly confident. However, I love that Amy was the one to encourage me! Over the next almost 9 miles I had to walk much more than I wanted in order to make sure I didn't lose control again. Dawn and Kayla were far ahead and I knew Amy could be with them, but instead she stayed with Scott and I, slowing down her pace anytime I walked, but never walking herself. Every time I apologized she told me she never cared about her finishing time, only that she finished without walking. Scott was also so patient with me. I'm positive he could have PR'd this year, but he chose to stay with Amy and me through the whole race.
Every once in a while the moisture in the air would turn to actual rain and it gave me hope that I could breath better and maybe finish strong. In the last mile it almost did. There was only a little over half a mile left and I had a short walk. I hate walking with so little to go, but I was still having a hard time breathing and I really wanted to finish without feeling like my throat was closing up. We could hear the finisher's names being called. We were so close. I heard Scott telling Amy about the finish line. "There it is!" I heard him say to her. I made sure to stay with Amy. I wanted to walk so bad. And then we turned the final turn. We picked up the pace a little. I saw Amy's husband and kids along the side of the finisher's chute. I was so thrilled for her that they had made it to see her finish. It fueled me. And just like always I got a final burst of adrenaline. As the rain really started coming down Amy, Scott, and I flew across the finish line at exactly the same time!
Our official finishing time was 2:18:15, with an average pace of 10:33. That may be my second "slowest" time (next to my first half marathon time of 2:19:20), but I'm still proud of myself. It's not a slow time at all, and beyond that, we still placed close to the top third of all the half marathon participants. I think that's pretty stinkin' awesome!
I hugged Amy and high fived Dawn and Kayla who were waiting at the finish line (huge thanks to them for catching a great finish line picture of us!). They finished in 2:04:17! All three of them did amazing!
So what did I learn? I need to LET IT GO! I'm a control freak planner that needs to stop beating myself up over things I can't control. Like humidity that causes me to not be able to breath. It's so hard, but next time, whenever that may be, I'm going to remember my race yesterday and remind myself that I am not the one that is in control. I'm tempted to sign up for another race that happens soon just to prove to myself that I can do that. Oh wait... That's me still trying to control things, isn't it? :)
Until next time...
Case in point- I participated in my 6th Soaring Wings Half Marathon yesterday. My good friend, Amy, told me she was going to be running the race also, and asked if we could run together along with two of her friends. This would be a first half marathon for all three of them. I was thrilled to be able to run it with them. Knowing what I know now, I went in overly confident. I badly wanted to be the "experienced" half marathoner who supported and encouraged my friends.
I did all the miles the training plan recommended. I ran hills to prepare for the course. I ran in 100 degree weather and 50 degree weather. I felt ready and I was excited. Then I looked at the forecast. For ten days leading up to race day I watched the low for Friday night (which actually happens around 6am on Saturday) climb each day I looked. The chances of rain also climbed. And then storms were being forecasted. While the temperatures were not freezing as they ended up being at the Little Rock Marathon, I was still having flashbacks to when I did that one and there were rumors flying of the race being cancelled- WHILE the race was still in progress. I started to get anxious that after all our training, this race would be cancelled before it even began. Or we would be somewhere on the course and the officials would tell us we had to stop and take shelter. I was prepared to run in the rain. I LOVE running in the rain. I just prayed any storms would hold off until the afternoon.
The morning of the race arrived and despite the forecast for 100% chance of rain, you could feel the excitement buzzing in the air. Based on our training, Amy and her two friends, Dawn and Kayla, and Scott and I placed ourselves in between the 2:05 and the 2:10 pacers. We were only waiting a few minutes before the director of Soaring Wings Ranch said a prayer, and then the Star Spangled Banner was sang. We were in the second wave to start and it came quickly. There was a light, hardly there, drizzle that disappeared within the first mile. We kept with the 2:05 pacer for about a mile and then we passed him. It always feels good when you can pass a pacer. :) Dawn and Kayla were a little ahead of Amy, Scott, and me. I had a feeling they were going to stay that way. I was happy they felt good enough to keep ahead.
For the first couple miles I kept waiting for the settling in to happen. Usually it takes me about 2 miles to get my breathing right and feel comfortable in a pace. It never really happened though. The air was so thick from the humidity. The forecasted rain seemed to be just sitting in the air. I found it hard to breath. So hard that somewhere in the 4th mile I had to stop running and try and catch my breath. Only I got so frustrated that I got worked up, which in turn made it even harder to breath. And that just made me more frustrated. It was a stupid, vicious, circle. I took a couple minutes to calm down and then started running again. Amy was ahead of Scott and I now. I knew she didn't want to walk. She said she would slow down her pace if needed, but she didn't want to walk. So we caught up to her and when she asked if I was ok, I got upset again. All I wanted was to be HER encourager. Like I said earlier, I was overly confident. However, I love that Amy was the one to encourage me! Over the next almost 9 miles I had to walk much more than I wanted in order to make sure I didn't lose control again. Dawn and Kayla were far ahead and I knew Amy could be with them, but instead she stayed with Scott and I, slowing down her pace anytime I walked, but never walking herself. Every time I apologized she told me she never cared about her finishing time, only that she finished without walking. Scott was also so patient with me. I'm positive he could have PR'd this year, but he chose to stay with Amy and me through the whole race.
Every once in a while the moisture in the air would turn to actual rain and it gave me hope that I could breath better and maybe finish strong. In the last mile it almost did. There was only a little over half a mile left and I had a short walk. I hate walking with so little to go, but I was still having a hard time breathing and I really wanted to finish without feeling like my throat was closing up. We could hear the finisher's names being called. We were so close. I heard Scott telling Amy about the finish line. "There it is!" I heard him say to her. I made sure to stay with Amy. I wanted to walk so bad. And then we turned the final turn. We picked up the pace a little. I saw Amy's husband and kids along the side of the finisher's chute. I was so thrilled for her that they had made it to see her finish. It fueled me. And just like always I got a final burst of adrenaline. As the rain really started coming down Amy, Scott, and I flew across the finish line at exactly the same time!
Our official finishing time was 2:18:15, with an average pace of 10:33. That may be my second "slowest" time (next to my first half marathon time of 2:19:20), but I'm still proud of myself. It's not a slow time at all, and beyond that, we still placed close to the top third of all the half marathon participants. I think that's pretty stinkin' awesome!
I hugged Amy and high fived Dawn and Kayla who were waiting at the finish line (huge thanks to them for catching a great finish line picture of us!). They finished in 2:04:17! All three of them did amazing!
So what did I learn? I need to LET IT GO! I'm a control freak planner that needs to stop beating myself up over things I can't control. Like humidity that causes me to not be able to breath. It's so hard, but next time, whenever that may be, I'm going to remember my race yesterday and remind myself that I am not the one that is in control. I'm tempted to sign up for another race that happens soon just to prove to myself that I can do that. Oh wait... That's me still trying to control things, isn't it? :)
Until next time...
Saturday, October 17, 2015
When a Sub-30 Minute 5k is a "Relaxed" Run
When I registered for the competitive run for Race for the Cure this year (and last year) I thought that in order to get a medal I had to place in the top 300. I love supporting the cause and I'd be happy to participate and not receive a medal. However, I also love the added challenge of the goal that comes with signing up as a competitive runner. In the past I've felt like I'd have to get a PR in order to finish within that top 300 goal. Well a few weeks before the race this year I found out that ANYONE who finished in 30 minutes or less would get a medal. When I read that I felt a pretty big weight lifted. I knew I could do that one. So I set a secondary goal of finishing in 29 or less minutes. I was 90% sure I could meet that goal. I've done it plenty of times. My only reservation was that I'd been pretty relaxed in my training this year. I hadn't run many hills even though I knew this course was very hilly. I had also only done a couple speed runs, both went very well, but I was not confident. So I felt like a goal of 29 minutes was reasonable, but knew there was a chance I'd not quite make it. In the back of my head I set a third goal- to finish with an average pace of 9 minutes per mile or less. I figured I'd get started at the race and see how I feel before I decided for sure.
Race morning arrived and I was nervous without reason. I kept reminding myself that I could treat this like any other run. I felt like I had something to prove to myself though, so the nerves continued while I made my way to the starting line. I was so anxious, that I had left my friends as soon as we parked, and ended up standing in the coral waiting for almost 30 minutes. I fed off the energy around me while responding to some encouraging texts I had received and before I knew it, it was time to start. A woman led a heartfelt prayer and with best of luck wishes the gun sounded and we were off!
I started off fast. Too fast. And I knew it. I also didn't care. :) I felt good and I hoped I'd settled in to a comfortable pace. My first quarter mile was averaging an 8:15 pace! I knew I couldn't maintain that, but I figured I'd just keep going until I had to slow down. The slow down happened gradually, but at one mile I had still managed an 8:43 pace. It was here that I decided to try and reach my third goal of a sub-9min average.
The hardest part of this course is going over the bridge that crosses the river, and we have to do that twice. The first time I went over I was almost to the top of the hill when I reached 1 1/2 miles. It was hard and I knew I had slowed down, but I hoped to regain some of my time going down the other side of the bridge. We went down a couple blocks and then circled back around to the bridge again. I was working my way up the hill on the bridge, had just reached 2 1/2 miles, and I had to walk. I felt the beginnings of how I feel when I start to lose control of my breathing and I figured it would be better to not make the pace I was hoping for, than to break down completely and not meet any of my goals. I only let myself walk long enough for three deep breaths and I picked it back up. I reached the top of the hill and passed the last person doing the competitive run making their way on the other side. I badly wanted to say something encouraging to her, but as I was having trouble breathing, I couldn't say anything and hope a smile worked just the same.
For the last half mile I just kept chanting in my head, "Almost done" and counting down the turns I had left to the finish line. Even with the short walk my pace was still under a 9 minute average, but I knew I couldn't go any slower. I was determined to reach that goal. I made the final turn and there it was. The finish line... up a short hill. Not even a hill, but it was definitely an incline. Who puts a finish line on an incline??? :)
I crossed the finish line and stopped Runkeeper, but didn't think to look at the information until after I had received my medal and found some water. It was then that I finally looked and saw that I did meet all three of my goals. The chip time stats are different from Runkeeper, which is not very unusual, but I like my Runkeeper stats better. :) (And since it's what I base my training on, I feel like I'm justified in using it as a way to base my progress in official races.) I'll mention both just for the sake of being candid.
Runkeeper:
Distance- 3.16
Finish Time- 27:58
Average Pace- 8:51
Official:
Distance- 3.1
Finish Time- 28:08
Average Pace- 9:05
Usually the stats between chip time and Runkeeper aren't so different. It's only a matter of a second or two. I don't really understand why it's that much this time. Ten seconds (or 15 if I'm talking about my pace) may not seem like much, and it's not, but when it comes to making a goal, every second counts.
I really enjoyed doing the competitive race this year. With less stress about reaching difficult goals, I was able to enjoy the sideline support more than I did last year. I even snagged a bead necklace from a firefighter as I passed one of the many trucks on the course. (The beads are a big deal. No one knows why. :) There are a few different places along the course where there are firetrucks with the firefighters throwing the beads from the top, or standing and passing them out from below. It tends to cause a lot of congestion along the way if you're a walker, but everyone seems to enjoy it anyway. :) )
I'm glad I've reached a point where I can do the competitive run but still take in the exciting things that are going on at the same time. I feel like I get to experience the best of both sides. And since I started at 7:30, I was still able to get over to where the 2k finish line is and watch my good friend and her mom cross the survivor's finish line and also see the Survivor Parade after that.
I LOVE the whole experience. It's so special. I'm already looking forward to next year!
Race morning arrived and I was nervous without reason. I kept reminding myself that I could treat this like any other run. I felt like I had something to prove to myself though, so the nerves continued while I made my way to the starting line. I was so anxious, that I had left my friends as soon as we parked, and ended up standing in the coral waiting for almost 30 minutes. I fed off the energy around me while responding to some encouraging texts I had received and before I knew it, it was time to start. A woman led a heartfelt prayer and with best of luck wishes the gun sounded and we were off!
I started off fast. Too fast. And I knew it. I also didn't care. :) I felt good and I hoped I'd settled in to a comfortable pace. My first quarter mile was averaging an 8:15 pace! I knew I couldn't maintain that, but I figured I'd just keep going until I had to slow down. The slow down happened gradually, but at one mile I had still managed an 8:43 pace. It was here that I decided to try and reach my third goal of a sub-9min average.
The hardest part of this course is going over the bridge that crosses the river, and we have to do that twice. The first time I went over I was almost to the top of the hill when I reached 1 1/2 miles. It was hard and I knew I had slowed down, but I hoped to regain some of my time going down the other side of the bridge. We went down a couple blocks and then circled back around to the bridge again. I was working my way up the hill on the bridge, had just reached 2 1/2 miles, and I had to walk. I felt the beginnings of how I feel when I start to lose control of my breathing and I figured it would be better to not make the pace I was hoping for, than to break down completely and not meet any of my goals. I only let myself walk long enough for three deep breaths and I picked it back up. I reached the top of the hill and passed the last person doing the competitive run making their way on the other side. I badly wanted to say something encouraging to her, but as I was having trouble breathing, I couldn't say anything and hope a smile worked just the same.
For the last half mile I just kept chanting in my head, "Almost done" and counting down the turns I had left to the finish line. Even with the short walk my pace was still under a 9 minute average, but I knew I couldn't go any slower. I was determined to reach that goal. I made the final turn and there it was. The finish line... up a short hill. Not even a hill, but it was definitely an incline. Who puts a finish line on an incline??? :)
I crossed the finish line and stopped Runkeeper, but didn't think to look at the information until after I had received my medal and found some water. It was then that I finally looked and saw that I did meet all three of my goals. The chip time stats are different from Runkeeper, which is not very unusual, but I like my Runkeeper stats better. :) (And since it's what I base my training on, I feel like I'm justified in using it as a way to base my progress in official races.) I'll mention both just for the sake of being candid.
Runkeeper:
Distance- 3.16
Finish Time- 27:58
Average Pace- 8:51
Official:
Distance- 3.1
Finish Time- 28:08
Average Pace- 9:05
Usually the stats between chip time and Runkeeper aren't so different. It's only a matter of a second or two. I don't really understand why it's that much this time. Ten seconds (or 15 if I'm talking about my pace) may not seem like much, and it's not, but when it comes to making a goal, every second counts.
I really enjoyed doing the competitive race this year. With less stress about reaching difficult goals, I was able to enjoy the sideline support more than I did last year. I even snagged a bead necklace from a firefighter as I passed one of the many trucks on the course. (The beads are a big deal. No one knows why. :) There are a few different places along the course where there are firetrucks with the firefighters throwing the beads from the top, or standing and passing them out from below. It tends to cause a lot of congestion along the way if you're a walker, but everyone seems to enjoy it anyway. :) )
I'm glad I've reached a point where I can do the competitive run but still take in the exciting things that are going on at the same time. I feel like I get to experience the best of both sides. And since I started at 7:30, I was still able to get over to where the 2k finish line is and watch my good friend and her mom cross the survivor's finish line and also see the Survivor Parade after that.
I LOVE the whole experience. It's so special. I'm already looking forward to next year!
Friday, August 14, 2015
Goodbye, Summer... Hello, Routine!
What a crazy summer break we have had! My running has been erratic, and at one point, I feel, non existent. I picked it up just enough to be somewhat ready for my beach 5k, but mostly I've been fairly relaxed about it. However, it occurred to me that I'm behind in my training for Soaring Wings. Well, not behind. Just not where I normally prefer to be.
This week I began my official training for the half marathon and while it's been nice not having a structured plan, I'm very much looking forward to the routine my training will bring. Saying goodbye to summer, unfortunately , does not mean goodbye hot weather. Last year about this time I wrote about sleep, the heat, and how one of them had to give. This year I'm choosing sleep and praying the hot weather doesn't last. :) Until then, I go out and do what I can with very little expectations.
I haven't set a time goal for Soaring Wings. I just want to go out, enjoy a couple hours running with Scott, support the children's home, and get my beautiful medal. :) I'm sure once I get further in to training I'll set a little goal. Maybe. lol I really just want to have fun. No stress.
The race is in 10 weeks and my training plan has me running 4 days a week, cross training one day, maybe two if I choose, and a rest day. The second cross training day can be a rest day. I plan to take that a week at a time. It's a fairly busy plan, but like I said earlier, I believe I need this structure after so much time away. I think it's going to be great!
I also have Race for the Cure a couple weeks before Soaring Wings. I am hoping to do the competitive run again, and because of that, I will use one day a week for speed training. I'm not looking for a PR this year, but I do want to make top 300 again. The last two years I have done that, I was trying for a PR though. So we'll see. It's a goal. A loose one, but a goal nonetheless. :)
I have a lot to look forward to in the next couple months. Hopefully with all the regular, real life stuff that I have going on, the routine of my training plan will keep me grounded.
It's going to be a good training season. :-D
This week I began my official training for the half marathon and while it's been nice not having a structured plan, I'm very much looking forward to the routine my training will bring. Saying goodbye to summer, unfortunately , does not mean goodbye hot weather. Last year about this time I wrote about sleep, the heat, and how one of them had to give. This year I'm choosing sleep and praying the hot weather doesn't last. :) Until then, I go out and do what I can with very little expectations.
I haven't set a time goal for Soaring Wings. I just want to go out, enjoy a couple hours running with Scott, support the children's home, and get my beautiful medal. :) I'm sure once I get further in to training I'll set a little goal. Maybe. lol I really just want to have fun. No stress.
The race is in 10 weeks and my training plan has me running 4 days a week, cross training one day, maybe two if I choose, and a rest day. The second cross training day can be a rest day. I plan to take that a week at a time. It's a fairly busy plan, but like I said earlier, I believe I need this structure after so much time away. I think it's going to be great!
I also have Race for the Cure a couple weeks before Soaring Wings. I am hoping to do the competitive run again, and because of that, I will use one day a week for speed training. I'm not looking for a PR this year, but I do want to make top 300 again. The last two years I have done that, I was trying for a PR though. So we'll see. It's a goal. A loose one, but a goal nonetheless. :)
I have a lot to look forward to in the next couple months. Hopefully with all the regular, real life stuff that I have going on, the routine of my training plan will keep me grounded.
It's going to be a good training season. :-D
St Pete Road Runners 5k
Who schedules a race while on vacation? Well, me apparently. I can only assume I'm not the only one. :) Back in the spring after we settled on vacationing at the beach in July, my friend Jenny (who I had run with in the Princess Half) asked if I'd be interested in doing a 5k race while we were there. Our families were vacationing together and there happened to be a race at St Pete Beach the night before we would be heading home. It didn't take any convincing and we signed up as soon as registration opened. I didn't realize at the time that the race was actually ON the beach. I thought it would be on a boardwalk along the beach or something like that.
There's not really a good way to train for a run on the sand. Unless you live close enough to a beach for regular runs, of course. So I went in to it knowing that it would be difficult and that I'd likely be sore. I didn't set any strict goals. I really just wanted to enjoy the run. However, once we got to the beach I did try to get in a couple short runs on the sand. Early in the week Scott and I went out for a 2 mile jog and I made it about 3/4 of a mile before we found access to the sidewalk. The next day Jenny and I went out for 3 and did 1 mile in the sand before getting on the sidewalk. And that was it. Two short jogs in the sand and I had to call that my training.
Jenny and I got to race central about 30 minutes early. It had been raining most of the day and we were watching a storm roll in. All the while hoping it would roll in slowly. There was a light, off and on, drizzle when we got to the starting line... Which was not a line, but an area of beach marked by cones.
There was a buzz among the runners. Jenny and I were towards the front (somewhere I definitely did not belong :) ) and we were making conversation with some girls around us. It seemed most of the runners around us had not run on sand before. This gave me a glimmer of hope that I wouldn't do terrible. Because it IS possible to enjoy the run even if it's a terrible one. :-D At that point I set a couple very loose goals. I wanted to try to keep my pace under a 10 minute average, and if I was feeling good, maybe even try to get it closer to 9:45 which would give me a small, very small, possibility of placing in my age division. I based that pace on the results from the first race in the Road Runners Beach 5 series that happened in June. I had no expectation for the second goal, but it was in the back of my head.
With a short countdown we were sent on our way. Jenny took off, and rightly so. She is much faster than me and I knew she'd be able to place if she didn't wait on me. I ran a short distance on loose, unpacked sand before turning around at a cone and heading back the way I had just come. Once I turned around I was able to run on the packed sand near the water. It was easier, but not easy. I settled in and kept my eyes ahead, admiring my awesome race course.
I made it a mile and a half before I gave myself a chance to take a short walk. I can't remember how much more I ran before another walk, but after my second one I didn't walk again. Just before I hit two miles we turned back around to finish in the same location we had started. Along the course I ran through some unavoidable waves. At first I was trying to avoid them, but once it happened, it was so fun, I almost stopped trying. :) Between the waves, and the rain that had picked up in the last mile, I felt energized. I finished as strong as I felt possible, with Jenny cheering me on. There was a small flagged off area that served as the finishers chute and as I ran through it I checked the clock to see how I had done. I was pretty sure I had made my goal of keeping my average under 10 minutes. Runners received a card as they finished and it was the way the coordinators kept track of placement. I filled out the card, turned it in, and then stopped to enjoy the view.
We were getting rained on pretty good, but I didn't care. It felt great! Jenny and I took our version of a finishers photo and then headed over to the buffet dinner that was included with our race entry.
We stood in the rain eating and waiting for the awards ceremony to begin. I had no doubt that Jenny would get an award. They announced the overall male and female winner, and then as they were getting ready to do the next set they got word that the storm was much closer and coming in much faster than anticipated. The awards would have to be mailed to the winners and we were all told to clear out.
I so badly wanted to watch Jenny win her award. We noticed a couple people talking to a guy with a clipboard so we quickly went over to him. After a quick check we knew, sure enough... Jenny placed FIRST in her age division!! (5th overall for woman!) I'm so proud of her!!!
With award in hand we ran to the car and drove slowly the 30 minutes back to our condo.
It took a while for the official stats to show up, but eventually I found mine. Out of, I believe, 137 runners I placed 81st (31st out of 72 women) with an average pace of 9:52. First goal was met. :-D There were only 6 ladies in my age division and I wasn't very close to the lady who placed third, but that's ok. I did have fun. It was a wonderful experience, and overall, a very well organized race.
And now I can I can cross off "Beach Race" from my running bucket list. :-D
There's not really a good way to train for a run on the sand. Unless you live close enough to a beach for regular runs, of course. So I went in to it knowing that it would be difficult and that I'd likely be sore. I didn't set any strict goals. I really just wanted to enjoy the run. However, once we got to the beach I did try to get in a couple short runs on the sand. Early in the week Scott and I went out for a 2 mile jog and I made it about 3/4 of a mile before we found access to the sidewalk. The next day Jenny and I went out for 3 and did 1 mile in the sand before getting on the sidewalk. And that was it. Two short jogs in the sand and I had to call that my training.
Jenny and I got to race central about 30 minutes early. It had been raining most of the day and we were watching a storm roll in. All the while hoping it would roll in slowly. There was a light, off and on, drizzle when we got to the starting line... Which was not a line, but an area of beach marked by cones.
There was a buzz among the runners. Jenny and I were towards the front (somewhere I definitely did not belong :) ) and we were making conversation with some girls around us. It seemed most of the runners around us had not run on sand before. This gave me a glimmer of hope that I wouldn't do terrible. Because it IS possible to enjoy the run even if it's a terrible one. :-D At that point I set a couple very loose goals. I wanted to try to keep my pace under a 10 minute average, and if I was feeling good, maybe even try to get it closer to 9:45 which would give me a small, very small, possibility of placing in my age division. I based that pace on the results from the first race in the Road Runners Beach 5 series that happened in June. I had no expectation for the second goal, but it was in the back of my head.
With a short countdown we were sent on our way. Jenny took off, and rightly so. She is much faster than me and I knew she'd be able to place if she didn't wait on me. I ran a short distance on loose, unpacked sand before turning around at a cone and heading back the way I had just come. Once I turned around I was able to run on the packed sand near the water. It was easier, but not easy. I settled in and kept my eyes ahead, admiring my awesome race course.
I made it a mile and a half before I gave myself a chance to take a short walk. I can't remember how much more I ran before another walk, but after my second one I didn't walk again. Just before I hit two miles we turned back around to finish in the same location we had started. Along the course I ran through some unavoidable waves. At first I was trying to avoid them, but once it happened, it was so fun, I almost stopped trying. :) Between the waves, and the rain that had picked up in the last mile, I felt energized. I finished as strong as I felt possible, with Jenny cheering me on. There was a small flagged off area that served as the finishers chute and as I ran through it I checked the clock to see how I had done. I was pretty sure I had made my goal of keeping my average under 10 minutes. Runners received a card as they finished and it was the way the coordinators kept track of placement. I filled out the card, turned it in, and then stopped to enjoy the view.
We were getting rained on pretty good, but I didn't care. It felt great! Jenny and I took our version of a finishers photo and then headed over to the buffet dinner that was included with our race entry.
We stood in the rain eating and waiting for the awards ceremony to begin. I had no doubt that Jenny would get an award. They announced the overall male and female winner, and then as they were getting ready to do the next set they got word that the storm was much closer and coming in much faster than anticipated. The awards would have to be mailed to the winners and we were all told to clear out.
I so badly wanted to watch Jenny win her award. We noticed a couple people talking to a guy with a clipboard so we quickly went over to him. After a quick check we knew, sure enough... Jenny placed FIRST in her age division!! (5th overall for woman!) I'm so proud of her!!!
With award in hand we ran to the car and drove slowly the 30 minutes back to our condo.
It took a while for the official stats to show up, but eventually I found mine. Out of, I believe, 137 runners I placed 81st (31st out of 72 women) with an average pace of 9:52. First goal was met. :-D There were only 6 ladies in my age division and I wasn't very close to the lady who placed third, but that's ok. I did have fun. It was a wonderful experience, and overall, a very well organized race.
And now I can I can cross off "Beach Race" from my running bucket list. :-D
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