It is a good idea for me to wait at least 48 hours before posting about a long-distance run like a Half-Marathon. Because, at least for me, during the first 48 hours all I can think is, "Why in the world did I do it?" and I cannot even think about doing it again.
Though I have to say, the 14 mile run with Angie was MUCH different. I think the pace of every other long run has been too fast. 13 min/mile makes me hurt. 14 min/mile makes me feel on top of the world!
The feet have stop hurting. I can walk normally now. I even went for a 30 min run this morning. And so the pain is fading and the glow of "I ran a Half-Marathon" is lingering.
It was a fascinating race because it was a 5K, 10K & Half all at the same time. As you ran, you decided how far to go. There was a lady with sign that said, "5K -->" and you turned there if you were only running the 5K. After that point, we saw some fast runners coming our way and figured those were the 10K leaders. Later, we went around a loop and while all the 10Kers turned left, we turned right for the long stretch into the sandy desert. The lady said, "Going to go for it?" and it was an odd question to hear. Yes we were going to go for it. This is what we'd trained for. There was no question about it. We were not there to run the 10K. We were there to run the Half!
A few minutes after the turn, it got lonely. It was only us three (Todd, Angie and myself) and others in the distance. It got really lonely after the bicyclist joined us and told us we were it. Man, it never feels good to be last.
And then we passed all of the big condos and there was nothing to see but sand, sand and more sand. The wind blew hard in our faces. I wasn't mentally ready for a seeminly unending road stretching into the distance with no landmarks in sight.
We saw the lead motorcycle and the leader coming towards us. Yes! It was Mike McCulley - one of our group members. That was a great sight to see and encouraging somehow. (Maybe because I began to believe in the turnaround.)
But the people kept coming and kept coming - and I could see the line of runners stretching before us into the distance - and no sign of that turnaround!
Finally - after three of the longest miles I'd ever run, I could see the fence across the road, the truck and the time clock. It said, "1:21:00" when I turned. The bicyclist told them we were the last and they yelled, "Lady in the while shirt. What's your number?" I yelled back "492!" and then spent the next 10 minutes wondering why they had wanted to know that. Was there an award for the last person to reach the turnaround?
I asked - and Todd busted my bubble when he said, "No, they just are keeping track of who's the last person."
Actually - we weren't last. There was one lady running behind us. The bicyclist just didn't catch her at the turn for the Half.
It warmed up 10 degrees with the wind at the back. I took off my long-sleeve shirt. Now for the first time, I noticed the water and the waves. I began to see and even create landmarks in the sandy-desert: "the top of that hill", "the big pole with loudspeakers", "that stick poking out of the sand." Mentally, it's so gratifying to take step after step that you know you will never have to run again, to get closer to the finish and further away from that awful turn-around point.
Approaching the first condo, someone laughed when I said, "At last, civilization!"
By then, the cars were starting to pass us. Who could be driving down here where there is nothing? Then I realized - other half-marathoners who had finished and were coming to pick up the gear they'd dropped along the way. Another discouraging thought I hadn't anticipated. Little did they know they wouldn't find their gear. The bicyclist had been picking everything up as he rode.
The pace was tough to keep and Angie's knee was acting up. By this point, I was reduced to thinking numbers. "1..2..3..4.." I always stopped to walk 1 or 2 second before Todd's watch beeped. How did I know? Because every other step I counted. When I reached 20, I started over. The first 20 was pretty good as was the second 20. The third 20 was tougher. The fourth 20, I wanted to quit. After four 20's, the minute was over.
Later, I couldn't even count to 20. I counted to 10. And even later, I found myself counting to 2. That's when I know I'm near the end of that I can do.
3 miles left in the race, Angie set her watch to beep and Todd left to see how fast he could go. My hands felt wierd, and then I realized they were swollen! They were so swollen I was worried and nervous. After all, I am 5 weeks pregnant and I don't want to do anything dangerous! So Angie and I started walking for 2 minutes and running for 1. I asked the bicyclist and he said my leg muscles were acting like hearts pumping the blood up from my legs into the rest of my body. I started to hold them above my head and squeezing them to try and get the blood out of my hands. They slowly got better so that right at the end I could tell everything would be ok. (But it did have me scared.)
Just before the end, we actually passed a guy! The first person we'd passed since we turned off for the Half. I actually felt bad passing him so close to the finish. We ran with the finish line in sight. Nobody was at the finish except for the members of our running group (who were SO kind to wait for us.) I only had eyes for my little girl who was standing at the curb with Joe next to her. I saw him crouch to tell her that was mommy, and saw her hands go up to clap - but she was so excited she didn't even think to clap! I only had eyes for her and forgot all about what I'd endured in the excitement of seeing my little girl waiting for me at the finish line.
After I finished, she wanted me to hold her, and I wanted to - but I was exhausted. Unfortunately, Joe wasn't feeling that well and didn't bring the camera. I had wanted a picture of baby's first half-marathon. But that'll have to be another day. I am glad I did it. It is an achievement (even if no one waits for you at the finish line and there's no one to accompany you except the bicyclist bringing up the rear.) He rode off for the last few miles, and I actually missed him! But I can believe that there's something that Angie and I have in commen with Mike McCulley - running at the extreme end with no other runner to keep you company. :)
End Stats: 2:51:19 for a pace of 13:05.
Todd finished in 2:40:52 for a pace of 12:17.
My question is - what crazy pace did he have us running for the first 10 miles?
Monday, January 7, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Hurrah for working out!
Remember my cold? Well, I continued running and tested my theory that as long as I'm not sick below the neck, it's ok to work out. Well - I knocked that cold flat after only a few days and it's basically done! The idea is that as long as working out doesn't cause you to cough and be unable to breathe, it's ok and even good for you. In fact, it opened my sinuses and I was able to breathe easier while working out. The workout elevates your body temperature which I think mimics a fever and kills off the little guys. Yea!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Running with a Friend
On Sunday, the 23rd, boy was I tired! I slept through the entire family playing a ROLLICKING game of Pictionary from 8 until past midnight, even after taking a nap earlier! Monday, the 24th, I ran 45 minutes by myself in Huntsville, Alabama. Wednesday, the 26th, I ran another 45 minutes in Huntsville, Alabama - but this time I knew I was carrying along a friend...
Yes - I am pregnant. :)
I bought two tests on the 24th (and had to hide them from my in-laws as I had ridden to the store with them.) After I got home, I thought I was imagining a pink line after the full 3 minutes was up. So I couldn't count it. The next morning, after the 3 minutes was up... again. It was there. Faint, but pink.
So as we all opened our gifts that night - I gave Joe a card and told him to open it last. He was stunned. It was great timing.
My family just found out last night as we celebrated Christmas at their house. Eden was wearing a shirt that said, "I'm the Big Sister." No one noticed it until we were about done with all of our presents and Joe told Renee to read Eden's shirt. She squealed and came to give me a hug. My mom was puzzled but all I said was, "Read Eden's shirt." She couldn't believe it either. My brother and dad both had very confused looks on their faces, even after we told them what Eden's shirt said, so I finally said it, "I'm pregnant." It was a great way to share the news.
Now, if only I didn't have this darn head cold that is making me SO miserable! Time to google and find out what I'm allowed to take for it! :0
Yes - I am pregnant. :)
I bought two tests on the 24th (and had to hide them from my in-laws as I had ridden to the store with them.) After I got home, I thought I was imagining a pink line after the full 3 minutes was up. So I couldn't count it. The next morning, after the 3 minutes was up... again. It was there. Faint, but pink.
So as we all opened our gifts that night - I gave Joe a card and told him to open it last. He was stunned. It was great timing.
My family just found out last night as we celebrated Christmas at their house. Eden was wearing a shirt that said, "I'm the Big Sister." No one noticed it until we were about done with all of our presents and Joe told Renee to read Eden's shirt. She squealed and came to give me a hug. My mom was puzzled but all I said was, "Read Eden's shirt." She couldn't believe it either. My brother and dad both had very confused looks on their faces, even after we told them what Eden's shirt said, so I finally said it, "I'm pregnant." It was a great way to share the news.
Now, if only I didn't have this darn head cold that is making me SO miserable! Time to google and find out what I'm allowed to take for it! :0
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Finished 14 miles feeling good! (plus - another wardrobe issue!)
Two are better than one...
Definitely! I know I would not have had the gumption to get up and get out there and run 14 miles by myself. Thank you, Angie, for being such a great running partner! I brought the map with satellite shots of our mile markers, and she brought the watch with the interval beeps. I used my iPod to time our mile paces and overall times. I stashed bottles of water along our route before our run which worked out great.
This was the first time I've run the same route more than once just to get the mileage in. We had a 7.1 mile loop and ran it twice. Part of the route is a service road behind the airport that only has trees on each side. I was a bit concerned about running that portion in the dark (we started at 5:30 am), but by running the route in reverse the sun came up before we got to the service road.
It's amazing how the exertion increases so gradually during the run. Much like a sunrise. The first several miles are no problem. We're chatting and talking during our walks and during our runs. After 3-5 miles, it's a little tougher, but still feels fine. After 7-9, it's a bit tougher and we're talking less during our runs. From mile 10 on, our conversations are definitely staccato. I'm zoning out during the running minute, not saying a word. Angie tries to talk but then says, "I'll (huff) tell you (huff) in a (huff) minute." And then she laughs and says, "That saying was never more true!" Meanwhile, I start to say something and the watch beeps to run. After running, I can't remember what it was I was going to say!
We finished 13.5, but decided to run 1/2 mile more for a full 14. Something changed during that last half-mile, and I was done. It went from a 7 out of 10 exertion for me, to a 9. There definitely is a wall, and I had found it!
But thanks to the Galloway training, my wall is safely past the 13.1 mark. And as long as I stay about a 14 min/mile pace, I'll be fine. I do hope to finish before 3 hrs, and I think I'll be able to do it at the Seaside Half. Meanwhile, I have the Pensacola Beach Half in 2 weeks to practice.
I did have another object lesson concerning wardrobe. I wore a tanktop and started chaffing under my arms about mile 8 which I have NEVER done before. I soon was VERY thankful for my printed maps for a very different reason. I had to put half my maps under one arm, and half under the other. They stuck to my arms and protected them from my shirt. By the end of the run, they were shredded, falling apart and I had ink tatoos on my arms and shirt. But without the maps - I would've had SERIOUS problems instead of a minor irritation. SO - I will definitely use GLIDE in those areas and "try out" my shirt choice before the Seaside Half. Heck, I may even put a few of those big bandages in my pouch just in case. :)
Definitely! I know I would not have had the gumption to get up and get out there and run 14 miles by myself. Thank you, Angie, for being such a great running partner! I brought the map with satellite shots of our mile markers, and she brought the watch with the interval beeps. I used my iPod to time our mile paces and overall times. I stashed bottles of water along our route before our run which worked out great.
This was the first time I've run the same route more than once just to get the mileage in. We had a 7.1 mile loop and ran it twice. Part of the route is a service road behind the airport that only has trees on each side. I was a bit concerned about running that portion in the dark (we started at 5:30 am), but by running the route in reverse the sun came up before we got to the service road.
It's amazing how the exertion increases so gradually during the run. Much like a sunrise. The first several miles are no problem. We're chatting and talking during our walks and during our runs. After 3-5 miles, it's a little tougher, but still feels fine. After 7-9, it's a bit tougher and we're talking less during our runs. From mile 10 on, our conversations are definitely staccato. I'm zoning out during the running minute, not saying a word. Angie tries to talk but then says, "I'll (huff) tell you (huff) in a (huff) minute." And then she laughs and says, "That saying was never more true!" Meanwhile, I start to say something and the watch beeps to run. After running, I can't remember what it was I was going to say!
We finished 13.5, but decided to run 1/2 mile more for a full 14. Something changed during that last half-mile, and I was done. It went from a 7 out of 10 exertion for me, to a 9. There definitely is a wall, and I had found it!
But thanks to the Galloway training, my wall is safely past the 13.1 mark. And as long as I stay about a 14 min/mile pace, I'll be fine. I do hope to finish before 3 hrs, and I think I'll be able to do it at the Seaside Half. Meanwhile, I have the Pensacola Beach Half in 2 weeks to practice.
I did have another object lesson concerning wardrobe. I wore a tanktop and started chaffing under my arms about mile 8 which I have NEVER done before. I soon was VERY thankful for my printed maps for a very different reason. I had to put half my maps under one arm, and half under the other. They stuck to my arms and protected them from my shirt. By the end of the run, they were shredded, falling apart and I had ink tatoos on my arms and shirt. But without the maps - I would've had SERIOUS problems instead of a minor irritation. SO - I will definitely use GLIDE in those areas and "try out" my shirt choice before the Seaside Half. Heck, I may even put a few of those big bandages in my pouch just in case. :)
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Here it comes!
Tomorrow - at 5:30 am... 13.5 miles. Alone. with Angie. She'll have to sing her 1980's sitcom lyrics by herself because I'm not familiar with them!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Jingle Bells
I can't believe I actually did TWO CrossFit WODs (Workouts of the Day) last week AND my two Galloway week-day runs. My Thursday run was only run 3 lightpoles, walk 1 lightpole instead of the 4:1 I was doing before - AND I stopped after 35 minutes instead of going 45 or 55. Thankfully, I have a 13.5 - 14 mile run coming up on FRIDAY MORNING, so I begged out of any CrossFit workouts this week so I can be ready!
Saturday I knew not to expect a PR because of the past week. Running 3.5 miles with the Galloway group before the race was still harder than normal - so I was especially glad that I had signed up for the race. The energy at the start is so invigorating! It's always great to start a race with the mass of people around you. :) You feel like you're a part of something bigger than yourself!
Naturally the group spread out quickly. I saw one father with an empty jogging stroller. His two girls were running at the time. "I'll be doing that soon with my two-year-old" I said. He responded, "I consider it to be a run / ride." That made me smile. Maybe I will not only take Eden to a Fun Run - but also consider bringing her to a few 5Ks when I'm not concerned about my time at all.
There was one teenage girl with her father who was having a rough time. I always see people, especially kids, suffering and I want to tell them all, "I'm running for 1 minute, walking for 1 minute. Do you want to run/walk with me?" But I never do. Well, this time, I mentioned run/walk to the young lady - and she took me up on it! A minute later, I heard her dad say, "ok... your minute starts... now!" And they started running. She kept it up to the end of the race and did pretty well. :) Consider recruiting people to the run/walk intervals during a race! It just might work! :)
There was a girl dressed up as a Christmas tree - and I was determined she wouldn't beat me. I caught up with her fairly easily. But once I did - she kept passing me again and again! I don't know if she sped up or if I had slowed down. But I decided she wouldn't beat me - and began to leave her behind. I always pick one person mid-race to catch or pass which makes me do better. Another reason to sign up and run!
I finished in 37:14 which is not a personal best. (Turkey Trot was 35:xx) But it WAS a decent time. At least - it was a 2nd best if you don't count my first ever race over a year ago. :) Races always encourage me that even if I'm not #1 at the moment - I'm a lot better off than not running at all. So I'm happy with my time.
Time to hydrate and sleep and prepare for my Friday morning run! I'm a bit nervous - but I suppose I have to take it 1 minute at a time! If anyone wants to join us - even for a portion of the route - let me know! It'd be a great encouragement. :) (Bikes are welcome too!!!)
Saturday I knew not to expect a PR because of the past week. Running 3.5 miles with the Galloway group before the race was still harder than normal - so I was especially glad that I had signed up for the race. The energy at the start is so invigorating! It's always great to start a race with the mass of people around you. :) You feel like you're a part of something bigger than yourself!
Naturally the group spread out quickly. I saw one father with an empty jogging stroller. His two girls were running at the time. "I'll be doing that soon with my two-year-old" I said. He responded, "I consider it to be a run / ride." That made me smile. Maybe I will not only take Eden to a Fun Run - but also consider bringing her to a few 5Ks when I'm not concerned about my time at all.
There was one teenage girl with her father who was having a rough time. I always see people, especially kids, suffering and I want to tell them all, "I'm running for 1 minute, walking for 1 minute. Do you want to run/walk with me?" But I never do. Well, this time, I mentioned run/walk to the young lady - and she took me up on it! A minute later, I heard her dad say, "ok... your minute starts... now!" And they started running. She kept it up to the end of the race and did pretty well. :) Consider recruiting people to the run/walk intervals during a race! It just might work! :)
There was a girl dressed up as a Christmas tree - and I was determined she wouldn't beat me. I caught up with her fairly easily. But once I did - she kept passing me again and again! I don't know if she sped up or if I had slowed down. But I decided she wouldn't beat me - and began to leave her behind. I always pick one person mid-race to catch or pass which makes me do better. Another reason to sign up and run!
I finished in 37:14 which is not a personal best. (Turkey Trot was 35:xx) But it WAS a decent time. At least - it was a 2nd best if you don't count my first ever race over a year ago. :) Races always encourage me that even if I'm not #1 at the moment - I'm a lot better off than not running at all. So I'm happy with my time.
Time to hydrate and sleep and prepare for my Friday morning run! I'm a bit nervous - but I suppose I have to take it 1 minute at a time! If anyone wants to join us - even for a portion of the route - let me know! It'd be a great encouragement. :) (Bikes are welcome too!!!)
Thursday, December 13, 2007
As If Running Wasn't Enough...
As if running wasn't enough, I have to add CrossFit workouts to my routine! My husband is starting this new method of training and I did my first two CrossFit workouts this week. I'm not sure what the neighbor thought as he pulled out of his driveway to see us in the street at 9 pm while I was performing kettlebell swings! Monday's workout was good: 10 rounds of run 50 m, 10 medicine ball squat & throws, run 50 m, 10 kettlebell swings. I did it in 20 minutes and was sore the next day - but it felt good to be sore.
Tuesday night I did my run - and felt like someone had pushed me back 4 months in my training! I couldn't run for 4 lightpoles. I had to start with running 2 lightpoles and worked up to 3 lightpoles. I could really tell the effect of Monday's workout on Tuesday's running. This is when I realized with this change in my routine, I'm probably NOT going to get a PR in Saturday's 5K.
Wednesday - well, it was tough. Joe wanted to put me through 75 air squats and 75 pushups - but was stunned to discover I can't do a single pushup and can only do 3 - 5 knee pushups. Plus, with all of the extra weight I carry, I can't do a single air squat or I fall over! So he had me do as many pushups as I could, then had me hold one as long as I could. It hurt. Then he had me hold a squat and do high-knees. That was repeated three times. It was only 12 minutes but felt like 20. When it was done, there were spots on the mat from my tears. It made me think, "Crying? There's no crying in CrossFit!" But yesterday there was. And the crazy thing is - Monday evening, I'll be doing it again.
Tuesday night I did my run - and felt like someone had pushed me back 4 months in my training! I couldn't run for 4 lightpoles. I had to start with running 2 lightpoles and worked up to 3 lightpoles. I could really tell the effect of Monday's workout on Tuesday's running. This is when I realized with this change in my routine, I'm probably NOT going to get a PR in Saturday's 5K.
Wednesday - well, it was tough. Joe wanted to put me through 75 air squats and 75 pushups - but was stunned to discover I can't do a single pushup and can only do 3 - 5 knee pushups. Plus, with all of the extra weight I carry, I can't do a single air squat or I fall over! So he had me do as many pushups as I could, then had me hold one as long as I could. It hurt. Then he had me hold a squat and do high-knees. That was repeated three times. It was only 12 minutes but felt like 20. When it was done, there were spots on the mat from my tears. It made me think, "Crying? There's no crying in CrossFit!" But yesterday there was. And the crazy thing is - Monday evening, I'll be doing it again.
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