Finding my kick

53:25.  It's not an official 10K PR.  I didn't sign up for a race, nor did I start the run aiming to race it.  It just sort of evolved into that.  Let me explain.

Neither I nor my running partner felt like waking up at 5 am to run in the freezing cold.  We decided to swap kids and run a little later in the day.  Perfect!

Mile 1, 9:20-
I dropped my babies off at Em's house and started my run.  I did my first mile at an easy 9:20.  I had decided to run the middle miles at a comfortably hard pace, so I moved my arms a little faster and my legs seemed to follow.

Miles 2-5 8:32, 8:22, 8:29, 8:42 (I had to stop at a light)--
 My legs just started to go.  It felt hard.  Not exactly a race pace, but definitely not easy either.  I told myself I could ease up at mile 5 and bring it home easy.  But then I changed my mind.  I haven't ever raced a 10k.  My normal runs settle somewhere around 5 or 8 miles, or are super long.  My watch chooses my records from those miles.  So they aren't exactly my fastest miles, and my previous garmin PR was around 59 minutes--taken from an 8 miler I believe.  If I kept moving, I could really see what I could do.

Mile 6 and .2, 8:19, and 1:40 (7:35 pace)--
I'll admit, mile 6 was not easy.  I wanted to slow down, but I also knew I only had eight more minutes of running to go.  I could do it.  I knew I could.  I kept my arms going and brought it home.  I wanted to jump for joy when I saw the 53:25 final time.

I can go faster.  I can see lots of room for improvement.  I always have a hard time two miles before the finish of a run.  I mean, I'm not almost there.  I'm just closer to the finish than I was in the beginning.  I need to change my thought process when I get to that point.  It will serve me well in the long run.  Running is a mental game as much as it is physical, if not more so.

Overall, I'm happy to get my running legs back.  Since Christmas my times have been steadily falling and I am so happy about that.  I don't want to push it to hard during these taper weeks, but after this marathon I can't wait to hit the track and start some hill work and see what these legs and lungs really can do.

You smell like a monkey, and you look like one, too.

My two year old is about to turn three!  Hurray!  Dutifully, I've been asking her what she wants for her birthday.  We don't want any tears on the big day.  So far her answers have been quite doable.  She wants a cake and jello.  Done and Done!  Whoo-hoo, no crazy expensive, impossible to buy presents for this little chica. (Just try to find an Elsa nightgown, it's nearly impossible.)

 Just yesterday, after I asked what she wanted for her birthday (again), she said, "I want to go to the zoo and see the animals.  I like the zoo with Daddy and the kids."  As I recited our conversation to my husband he pointed out that I was not invited to this party.  Seriously, kid?  You don't want me, your own mother, the one who gave you life, to go to the zoo with you?  Well, kid, we are done.

Happy Birthday, Rosie!  You are loved!

20 miles and more to go

A few months ago I thought I would never make it to a 20-miler.  I am so glad I was wrong.

I did have to adjust my goals coming into the training season.  I cut out a run a week after I realized five days of running was too hard on my newly healed body.  I've been able to keep the rest of the schedule, occasionally throwing in a few extra miles here and there.  Overall I've been really happy with my training.  I've powered through the hard days reminding myself that days like that are what prepares me for the final 6.2.

This training season, I've gone a little crazy preparing for the race.  I mean, there are so many socks out there.  Who knew?  I thought I'd share a sampling of my favorite gear.

Zensah Calf Sleeves.

As an injury prone runner these have saved my life.  I now have several pairs.  They have alleviated calf pain, shin splints, and tendinitis in my ankles.  I don't know if I will ever  be able to run without them.

I can't go on a run without my trusty shoes-- Mizuno Wave Riders.  I love the cushion in the forefoot.  The bright colors are bonus.

This Saucony Transcendence Jacket has been a lifesaver during the Texas winter.  Winter in Texas is not always very cold, but it is often windy and a bit rainy.  Today I ran a 5-miler in sleet.  This jacket kept me at the perfect temperature.  The windproof front blocks wind and rain, but the sleeves are thin enough to let my body breathe. The zipper front pockets are also waterproof. After a run in an unexpected storm, I took my phone out of the pocket and was pleasantly surprised to see that my valuables were safe and sound.   I bought this jacket from Amazon for $15--a steal!  I'd buy another one full price without question, it is that essential to my running wardrobe.

Spending money of running gear is arguably the best way to get out a running slump.  If you feel a little down about your performance, do as I do at hit the racks!  There is bound to be something that will make you excited to hit the streets again.

Happy Running!

I did the impossible

I ran three miles.  I feel so good.  Just last week, one mile was difficult due to my injury.  Today, I ran three. Whoo-hoo!  Tomorrow five is on the schedule.  I'm praying for an injury free marathon training schedule.

In other news, the characters in my new book are rounding out nicely.  The plot is coming together and I am excited for the nurturing of this new "baby."

I really need more hours in the day.  There is so much I want to accomplish and too little time to do it.

Impossible

After writing my last post I immediately thought of this quote.

Change of Plans

I was supposed to start marathon training on Monday.  The week called for 26 miles.  Instead it is Saturday and I have run 1.5 miles. Total.  I probably shouldn't have even done that.

Sometime the week after Ten for Texas I pulled one of my deep gluteal muscles.  For two weeks, I had a knot the size of a golf ball preventing me from sitting down, standing, walking, and of course running without pain shooting down my injured leg.  One week off became two and now three.  My dad (a specialist in this area) thinks I should make it at least four.  I don't know if I can sit out that long.  The cooler temperatures are calling my name.

I saw my chiropractor and she was able to give me some relief.  Actually, since my visit with her I have had little to no pain.  I am still scared, though.  What if this happens again?  What if I start running too soon and I make my injury worse due to my impatience?

Long story short, I don't know if I will  be able to run the marathon.  My base training was interrupted by a majorly painful muscle pull.  Recovery for this type of injury 3-6 weeks.  Three weeks have passed and I am just barely thinking running two miles might be possible.  Eight miles or more seems impossible.

Change of plans?  Maybe.  Hopefully it is more a change of strategy.  I will just have to take it one mile at a time.

Ten for Texas 2013: Race Recap

I started running again late July after a two and a half year hiatus.  I quickly signed up for a local 10-miler called Ten for Texas.  I needed a goal, so I wouldn't quit exercising in the crazy Texas summer heat.  My primary goal for the race was to finish.  However, I quickly realized that I could do better than that and pushed my goal up to 10 minute miles.  Training was going well and I finished several six milers at a 9 min pace so I decided to make my goal finish time 1:30.  This was maybe a little too ambitious.

Race day started early.  I woke before my alarm at 5:15 am.  I dressed, ate a breakfast of Nutella on toast and drank about 8 oz of gatorade.  I left the house at six.  I brought both my arm band for my iphone and my hydration belt.  I didn't intend to use my belt, but lightening and thunder made me change my mind.  I didn't want to risk my phone in a downpour.  I took all the water bottles off my hydration belt (I can't run fast with them in--too much sloshing and bouncing) and walked from the parking lot to Market Street.

Upon exiting the portapotties, I ran into my running buddies.  Serendipity.  We hadn't planned a meeting spot.  More friends joined up with us, too.  I guess the portapotties is just the place to be.



After taking pictures and chatting, we lined up in our designated zones.  I lined up at the 9 min spot, hoping to make that my goal.  The race hadn't even started yet and I was already soaking wet.  It was so hot--75 degrees already and the humidity was about 95%.  Why, oh, why, couldn't the race have taken place on Monday when the weather was perfect--50s and no humidity? Oh, well, it is what it is.  I live in Texas.



My stats aren't perfect, I started my phone early and I forgot to turn it off when I finished, but I'll put out the best numbers.

Miles 1-5:  9, 9, 9:39, 10, 9:30 I was sweating a lot, but my heart rate was good.  I was really happy to see my husband and kids just after the two mile mark!

These miles, I didn't feel like I pushing it too hard.  At mile four I realized I was slowing a bit, I worked a little harder and got my feet to turn faster and brought my pace back down a bit.  The heat and humidity were really getting to me, though.  I knew this meant I would probably have to go for my plan B under 1:40 or ten minute miles.  Woodlands Parkway has a slight uphill grade and I could feel it by mile 5.  I couldn't wait to turn the corner and start the slight downhill.

Mile 6 and 7: 10:13, 10:30--Ugh!  The sun came out as I turned the corner and I was having a hard time with the heat.  I took my Gu at mile 6 water stop.  I think this was my downfall.  I should've taken my Gu earlier, like mile 4.  The Gu helped a lot, but with the sun and humidity was wearing me out sooner than if it was a cooler morning.  I had never ran more than six miles at my 9 minute pace and that was on a much cooler day.  I started to get discouraged.  Even though I had changed my goal around mile 5, I still harbored a secret wish that my adrenaline would kick in and I would be able to give it my all.  Instead I was talking my feet into turning over. And, by the way, where was that rain that the heaven's promised earlier!  Seriously, I could have done with a little of that downpour now.

Miles 8, 9, and 10: 11:20, 11:13, 11:30  I did not want to run.  My feet felt like they were in a sauna.  I don't know why.  It's not like I'm new to running in the humidity. I was wearing the same socks I always were.  Honestly, when I finally took my shoes off at home, they were all wrinkly--like I'd been swimming.  That has never happened to me before.  It is now hours later and my shoes are still wet.  I don't get it.  I  must have stepped in a puddle, though I don't remember it.  Or maybe it was all the cups of icy cold water I poured on my head that dripped to my feet, but I digress.  My sauna feet hurt and I couldn't move them.  Just after mile 9 we had to climb a very short hill to get over the overpass.  I ran over it and let my feet fly down the other side.  That felt good, but the momentum didn't keep.  I had to go back to talking my feet into turning over.

At last I entered Market Street.  I couldn't see the finish line because it was in the courtyard.  Someone yelled out, "Just three more turns!"  This gave me a little bit of a boost and I was able to pass a few people.  After the third turn, I was able to see the finish line.  I don't know where it came from, but I did those last 50 yards in a sprint.  My ap put my speed at 6:20 min/mile for those last 50 yards.  I passed a lot of people on that stretch.

I crossed the finish line at 1:43:40, or at 10:22 average pace--most of those extra minutes were logged in the last three miles.  It's okay, though, because next year I'll have a time to beat.

I am very proud of myself.  I had a baby eight months ago.  I started running three months ago.  At the start I couldn't run a mile at 11 minutes and now I ran ten miles at less than that pace!  I didn't get my goal number, but I gave it all I had today.

I loved this race.   It was such a fun atmosphere and the race food was divine.  I loved that my husband brought all five kids to the finish to cheer me on.  He is a special guy.  I am very lucky.

And, I can't wait for my first marathon in March!