I've been meaning to blog about this for the entire summer but with the craziness of summer school sessions and other things it of course slipped to the bottom of the to-do list. Last few times I've been on here has been in an attempt to help get my mojo back and try to rediscover my love of running. To be honest as the SJR race got closer and closer I grew more and more anxious and started to dread it in some ways. I knew that I really wanted to run it with April and another friend, Melissa...it was just a matter of what would happen after. I didn't really need to stress too much about it because just standing at the finish line I got my answers. The happy tears, the tears of pain, the cheers,...even seeing the pure joy on the kids running their race---it all summed it up for me. This is what I want to experience over and over again.
I took my little break after the race and jumped back into it with joining the local See Jane Run group runs. They had hired a new group leader who has several marathons under her belt and she used to teach cross-country at one of the local high schools. She was full of great ideas and advice from the get-go. I have now found myself going on these group runs every Monday and Saturday (if she's available). My other runs in between have been sporadic but at least I'm doing the two.
I won't lie in that it has been so nice to not have the pressure of training for a race looming over me. By just going with the flow of some of the other runners that meet up, I'm actually improving more than I ever thought I could. Hills? Getting more doable and tolerable. Pace? About the same but I can keep up with some of the faster ones, I just can't say anything more than a few words at a time. Strength? I can say that I have pushed myself to 5 miles a couple of times already and only once did I feel it the next day. Every other time I did that I felt like I had been hit by a truck.
So there you have it, I got my running groove back. I think it might stick around a little longer this time, too. :)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
What was I thinking?
In May, I went to The Woodlands, Texas to watch my now-Brother in Law compete in the Ironman. An Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run (yes, a marathon, after all that). To say I was inspired would be an understatement. This event was unreal. Normal people attempting this event and having to finish in under 17 hours.
**bragging moment* My Brother In Law finished in 11 hours, 45 minutes and 23 seconds. HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROCKSTAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So back to the inspiration. I saw these people, normal everyday people, attempting this event. Now, I am not a swimmer, but I know I can ride a bike and I can run. By the time I left Texas, I knew I wanted to attempt a duathlon (bike/run).
I came home, found a race and signed up.
September 25, I will attempt a 1 1/2 mile run, 12 mile bike, followed by a 2 1/2 mile run. I could not be more excited! Wish me luck!!!
**bragging moment* My Brother In Law finished in 11 hours, 45 minutes and 23 seconds. HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROCKSTAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So back to the inspiration. I saw these people, normal everyday people, attempting this event. Now, I am not a swimmer, but I know I can ride a bike and I can run. By the time I left Texas, I knew I wanted to attempt a duathlon (bike/run).
I came home, found a race and signed up.
September 25, I will attempt a 1 1/2 mile run, 12 mile bike, followed by a 2 1/2 mile run. I could not be more excited! Wish me luck!!!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
I'm back, baby!
One month and 12 days.
That is how long it had been since I was able to run.
Got up before the family today and headed out for an early morning run.
2.07 pain free miles.
I am back, baby!!
That is how long it had been since I was able to run.
Got up before the family today and headed out for an early morning run.
2.07 pain free miles.
I am back, baby!!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Injured
During the training for this last race, I started feeling a pain in my Achilles tendon. At first I thought nothing of it, tried stretching, using the foam roller, but the pain would not go away.
I consulted Dr. Google and diagnosed myself with possible Achilles tendinitis. Damn.
I decided I had come too far in my training to have someone tell me I shouldn't be running, so I put off going to the doctor.
I, obviously, ran the race and got my PR (woot woot!!), but knew I needed to be seen by a professional.
I went to my doctor, diagnosis confirmed, Achilles tendinitis. No running. Actually it was more of a "you shouldn't run because if you do, you might rupture your tendon and then you will most likely never run again". 'Nuf said.
So, here I sit. I have taken almost two weeks off. The pain has not subsided. I start physical therapy in a few weeks.
Running has become something I NEED to do. Not just want, but need. It is my stress relief, it is my first love (exercise related). Let's hope I am out pounding the pavement, pain free, very soon!
I consulted Dr. Google and diagnosed myself with possible Achilles tendinitis. Damn.
I decided I had come too far in my training to have someone tell me I shouldn't be running, so I put off going to the doctor.
I, obviously, ran the race and got my PR (woot woot!!), but knew I needed to be seen by a professional.
I went to my doctor, diagnosis confirmed, Achilles tendinitis. No running. Actually it was more of a "you shouldn't run because if you do, you might rupture your tendon and then you will most likely never run again". 'Nuf said.
So, here I sit. I have taken almost two weeks off. The pain has not subsided. I start physical therapy in a few weeks.
Running has become something I NEED to do. Not just want, but need. It is my stress relief, it is my first love (exercise related). Let's hope I am out pounding the pavement, pain free, very soon!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Reflections on half marathon number 4
Like April, I have started and deleted this post many times.
When I signed up for this race, I had the utmost confidence I could finish under 2 hours and cross that finish line with April.
We had months to train, started a one month cross training class, I started taking a spin class, I started doing my own core workouts at home, all signs pointed to me achieving those goal.
Then life got in the way.
I got super busy at work, the husband's hours at work got ridiculous, the kids started having more activities and, slowly, all my time for training started dwindling.
But I woke up the morning of the race with a "can do" attitude. I was going to leave it all out there, bust my butt to try and reach the goals and still aim for that sub 2.
After some hiccups at home, I made it to the race location with even more motivation to reach my goals. I had plenty of time to use the restroom, find my running buddies and mentally prepare for what I was going to do.
Turns out I had more then plenty of time as the race organizers pushed the start time back. Not just once, three times. It was cold. We were freezing and starting to get HUNGRY. I have to plan my eating so it won't cause any negative effects on my system when I am running, pushing back the start time was not going to help this.
They finally started the race and I did pretty well keeping up with April and Melissa. Then I started to see them pull away. I tried not to get down, kept telling myself to "race my own race", I had my trusty Garmin and could pace myself using that. I plugged along the most boring race course in the history of races (who the hell thought it was a good idea to have the course run along a levee of a drainage canal for 13.1 miles?!) and, even though it was advertised as a flat course, it was not. There were many many many subways under road that we had to run down and up, I am NOT a fan of hills, big or small.
I saw April and Melissa somewhere before the turn around and seeing them helped lift me up. I also saw my Aunt Stephanie not too long after that, nothing like a high five to push you along!
I continued to check my Garmin and figured I was not going to reach my sub 2 goal, but still was aiming for a PR.
As I cross the bridge at mile 12 that brings you back into the park where the finish line was, I was ready to throw in the towel. There was a strong headwind, people walking their dogs off leash so you had to avoid tripping and the finish line looked to be about 13.1 miles away.
But I pushed on and as I got to the bottom of the hill that lead to the finish line (yes, you read that right, a hill, finishing on a hill, fabulous) I saw a streak of yellow out of the corner of my eye and someone yelling "GO RACH". It was my sister's fiance, Dave. He had rode his bike from Santa Clara to see me run, amazing. Then I saw April who said "GO RACH, ITS AT 2:04!!!!". I was shocked. I kicked it into high gear and cross that finish line.
Official chip time: 2:04:45. PR BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No big surprise, I cried after crossing the finish line. All my hard work and I did it.
While I have yet to start and FINISH a race with April, or get my sub 2, I knew, after all the challenges we both faced to get to that start line that Saturday morning, we were going to be smiling all afternoon.
When I signed up for this race, I had the utmost confidence I could finish under 2 hours and cross that finish line with April.
We had months to train, started a one month cross training class, I started taking a spin class, I started doing my own core workouts at home, all signs pointed to me achieving those goal.
Then life got in the way.
I got super busy at work, the husband's hours at work got ridiculous, the kids started having more activities and, slowly, all my time for training started dwindling.
But I woke up the morning of the race with a "can do" attitude. I was going to leave it all out there, bust my butt to try and reach the goals and still aim for that sub 2.
After some hiccups at home, I made it to the race location with even more motivation to reach my goals. I had plenty of time to use the restroom, find my running buddies and mentally prepare for what I was going to do.
Turns out I had more then plenty of time as the race organizers pushed the start time back. Not just once, three times. It was cold. We were freezing and starting to get HUNGRY. I have to plan my eating so it won't cause any negative effects on my system when I am running, pushing back the start time was not going to help this.
They finally started the race and I did pretty well keeping up with April and Melissa. Then I started to see them pull away. I tried not to get down, kept telling myself to "race my own race", I had my trusty Garmin and could pace myself using that. I plugged along the most boring race course in the history of races (who the hell thought it was a good idea to have the course run along a levee of a drainage canal for 13.1 miles?!) and, even though it was advertised as a flat course, it was not. There were many many many subways under road that we had to run down and up, I am NOT a fan of hills, big or small.
I saw April and Melissa somewhere before the turn around and seeing them helped lift me up. I also saw my Aunt Stephanie not too long after that, nothing like a high five to push you along!
I continued to check my Garmin and figured I was not going to reach my sub 2 goal, but still was aiming for a PR.
As I cross the bridge at mile 12 that brings you back into the park where the finish line was, I was ready to throw in the towel. There was a strong headwind, people walking their dogs off leash so you had to avoid tripping and the finish line looked to be about 13.1 miles away.
But I pushed on and as I got to the bottom of the hill that lead to the finish line (yes, you read that right, a hill, finishing on a hill, fabulous) I saw a streak of yellow out of the corner of my eye and someone yelling "GO RACH". It was my sister's fiance, Dave. He had rode his bike from Santa Clara to see me run, amazing. Then I saw April who said "GO RACH, ITS AT 2:04!!!!". I was shocked. I kicked it into high gear and cross that finish line.
Official chip time: 2:04:45. PR BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No big surprise, I cried after crossing the finish line. All my hard work and I did it.
While I have yet to start and FINISH a race with April, or get my sub 2, I knew, after all the challenges we both faced to get to that start line that Saturday morning, we were going to be smiling all afternoon.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Mermaid Half Marathon Race Report
I have started and deleted this post so many times...
I went into this race with completely mixed feelings: unsure of my training, not as confident as usual, excited to get it over with. Life proved to be a major training obstacle this go round. I knew that training for a race that fell immediately following the end of basketball season would be hard and it was.
I went into the training strong. Cross training. Strength training. Long runs early. And then our car broke down. Our sitter became consistently unavailable. Testing and evaluations really picked up for the big kiddo. Fundraising and end of the season events picked up for the Husband. The little kiddo decided he wanted to make the 2's fun for EVERYONE. It was a constant state of overwhelming obstacles and challenges with very little reprieve. And all the while I was trying to push my body and mind further and harder than ever before and REALLY train for this race. Naturally, it wasn't possible. Something had to give. It did. I got sick. Missed a full week of training only three weeks before the race. With the momentum I had gained in the weeks before went my confidence.
I picked up as much mileage as I could pre-race and woke up race day having no idea what to expect. Hoping Rachel, Melissa, and I could push through. Finish together. Watch Rachel get her elusive sub-2. It was COLD. And then the start was pushed back 5 minutes. Then 15 more minutes. Then 10 more minutes. I am not an elite, world record setting athlete but I time my meals and water according to the start time. Plan out my Gu stops and water breaks. It all helps the mental aspect of running. Type A personality: check.
Initially I thought I would hold back. Race for fun. Save the legs for the See Jane Run Half in three weeks. Put a bib on me, surround me with racers, and holding back isn't something I can easily do. I had a game plan: sub-2, average sub 9 min/miles, and attempt to pick it up at the end. I am a terrible pacer. Have no clue what the minutes feel like and often just run with my body setting the pace. My splits are typically all over the board.
The three of us started out strong. Holding on to our 8:30-ish pace. We lost Rach, boo, no team finish. Melissa and I fell into a comfortable pace. And ran, and ran, and ran. It had to have been one of the most BORING courses I've ever run. I find my home route more interesting. And more FLAT. I did, however, find it inspiring to be surrounded by so many women completing the same challenge. All different goals. All different levels. All different stories, I am sure. But we were all THERE. Doing it. We all made it to the start line, which is a HUGE victory in and of itself.
I know there are women who run in spite of circumstances far more difficult than mine. I know there are women who are running who have far less time: Rachel and Melissa inspire me daily. I know there will always be women who run faster and further. But I also know that today, for this race, I was among them, running with them, running as far as them.
I hit a wall shortly after mile 10. My longest run to date before the race was 10 miles. I had no idea what to expect. I immediately began thinking of my boys. Repeating their names over and over. Repeating to myself that I want them to SEE a strong mom, one who works hard to meet a goal, one who doesn't give up, one who can push through...and make it to the finish line. One who always finishes something she starts. I know they will face hard times, numerous challenges, they will have times when they want to give up and they'll likely turn to me. I want to be sincere and true when I tell them to keep going. I don't want to be a hypocrite. Running has given me immense strength. Training for months on end is not easy. Running itself is not easy. But the rewards, the feeling as I turned the corner to see the finish line...priceless. And worth the pain, sacrifice, and hard work.
It was a very emotional finish for me.
I knew I had PR'd. I was happy. And so so so sore. As we were shopping away at the shirt table, the age group awards were being handed out. NEVER in my wildest dreams did I ever think my name would be called. Sure enough I hear an award going to a 32 year old woman from my hometown. And she even has the SAME name. Get out. Third place in my age group. Unreal.
Half marathon number six in the books. PR. 3rd place finish in age group. Don't think I could have asked for more.
While I walked away giddy and excited, I also walked away mentally and physically drained. A long winter and fall at home, long three months of training...not sure what my next running move is going to be.
I went into this race with completely mixed feelings: unsure of my training, not as confident as usual, excited to get it over with. Life proved to be a major training obstacle this go round. I knew that training for a race that fell immediately following the end of basketball season would be hard and it was.
I went into the training strong. Cross training. Strength training. Long runs early. And then our car broke down. Our sitter became consistently unavailable. Testing and evaluations really picked up for the big kiddo. Fundraising and end of the season events picked up for the Husband. The little kiddo decided he wanted to make the 2's fun for EVERYONE. It was a constant state of overwhelming obstacles and challenges with very little reprieve. And all the while I was trying to push my body and mind further and harder than ever before and REALLY train for this race. Naturally, it wasn't possible. Something had to give. It did. I got sick. Missed a full week of training only three weeks before the race. With the momentum I had gained in the weeks before went my confidence.
I picked up as much mileage as I could pre-race and woke up race day having no idea what to expect. Hoping Rachel, Melissa, and I could push through. Finish together. Watch Rachel get her elusive sub-2. It was COLD. And then the start was pushed back 5 minutes. Then 15 more minutes. Then 10 more minutes. I am not an elite, world record setting athlete but I time my meals and water according to the start time. Plan out my Gu stops and water breaks. It all helps the mental aspect of running. Type A personality: check.
Initially I thought I would hold back. Race for fun. Save the legs for the See Jane Run Half in three weeks. Put a bib on me, surround me with racers, and holding back isn't something I can easily do. I had a game plan: sub-2, average sub 9 min/miles, and attempt to pick it up at the end. I am a terrible pacer. Have no clue what the minutes feel like and often just run with my body setting the pace. My splits are typically all over the board.
The three of us started out strong. Holding on to our 8:30-ish pace. We lost Rach, boo, no team finish. Melissa and I fell into a comfortable pace. And ran, and ran, and ran. It had to have been one of the most BORING courses I've ever run. I find my home route more interesting. And more FLAT. I did, however, find it inspiring to be surrounded by so many women completing the same challenge. All different goals. All different levels. All different stories, I am sure. But we were all THERE. Doing it. We all made it to the start line, which is a HUGE victory in and of itself.
I know there are women who run in spite of circumstances far more difficult than mine. I know there are women who are running who have far less time: Rachel and Melissa inspire me daily. I know there will always be women who run faster and further. But I also know that today, for this race, I was among them, running with them, running as far as them.
I hit a wall shortly after mile 10. My longest run to date before the race was 10 miles. I had no idea what to expect. I immediately began thinking of my boys. Repeating their names over and over. Repeating to myself that I want them to SEE a strong mom, one who works hard to meet a goal, one who doesn't give up, one who can push through...and make it to the finish line. One who always finishes something she starts. I know they will face hard times, numerous challenges, they will have times when they want to give up and they'll likely turn to me. I want to be sincere and true when I tell them to keep going. I don't want to be a hypocrite. Running has given me immense strength. Training for months on end is not easy. Running itself is not easy. But the rewards, the feeling as I turned the corner to see the finish line...priceless. And worth the pain, sacrifice, and hard work.
It was a very emotional finish for me.
I knew I had PR'd. I was happy. And so so so sore. As we were shopping away at the shirt table, the age group awards were being handed out. NEVER in my wildest dreams did I ever think my name would be called. Sure enough I hear an award going to a 32 year old woman from my hometown. And she even has the SAME name. Get out. Third place in my age group. Unreal.
Half marathon number six in the books. PR. 3rd place finish in age group. Don't think I could have asked for more.
While I walked away giddy and excited, I also walked away mentally and physically drained. A long winter and fall at home, long three months of training...not sure what my next running move is going to be.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Facing the hard truth
It's not easy admitting you're wrong or have failed. Look through my latest blog posts and you'll see that behind each one I'm hiding something. I hid behind accomplishments and kept from you and myself the truth that I wasn't doing what I set out to do. I thought that if I just kept up the optimism and enthusiasm I had at the beginning of the year through all my hardships then it can only get better, right? But I was wrong. There needed to be more than that. There needed to be an ongoing change. So I lied to myself and didn't accept the changes--the positive or negative ones. And here I am, less than a month away from another half marathon race and I have failed. I have failed in that I was not consistent. I was not dedicated and I didn't accept any of the changes that came my way. So what do I do now? I've owned up to the big mistake of slacking. There's no turning the time clock back but I can keep moving forward. I will do my best with what I have given myself. I already know that a PR is highly unlikely and it will be disappointing but I know that not even starting that race will be more disappointing. I will continue to follow the mileage that's been planned out for me via my Runners World SmartCoach app, but beyond that I think my future as a runner is uncertain. What I do know is this: I love running. It gives me a break from my every day craziness. But there are many days where I don't love it. It's those days where I face my biggest fears and some harsh truths. I just don't hate it enough to give it up. Will it need to more races in my future? Who knows--but I think the first step is to set the goals that will help me succeed in being a dedicated runner.
I just finished reading John Bingham's No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running. Quite honestly the timing of me opening this book and reading it in one sitting couldn't have been better. Everything he writes about was basically right where I have been stuck at for probably pretty much the entire time I've been running. I was moved to tears many times throughout the book. In such a short time I have already taken so much away from his advice. I may not hit that goal I set out months ago, but there is another goal ready to take its place. And that goal should be celebrated just as much as any other. This has been a long process for me and quite possibly a never-ending one. One of his many passages have stuck with me, but for today this is the one that is keeping me focused:
I just finished reading John Bingham's No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running. Quite honestly the timing of me opening this book and reading it in one sitting couldn't have been better. Everything he writes about was basically right where I have been stuck at for probably pretty much the entire time I've been running. I was moved to tears many times throughout the book. In such a short time I have already taken so much away from his advice. I may not hit that goal I set out months ago, but there is another goal ready to take its place. And that goal should be celebrated just as much as any other. This has been a long process for me and quite possibly a never-ending one. One of his many passages have stuck with me, but for today this is the one that is keeping me focused:
"When we reject the obsession with what we wish we were and focus on what we are, the joy will follow."
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