In Dire Need of A Fresh Start

Ok, so the 16 Miler didn't happen this weekend.

Rationally I know it's ok because I really wasn't supposed to be up to 16 miles till next weekend but blowing the 16 miler blew my November Goal of running 120 miles, and of running consistently through my vacation.

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Rest	5 M	5 M	7 M	Rest	16 M	Rest

I bailed on 3 runs this week.

I am upset at myself but I know that my body probably needed the rest and I can now start the week off fresh.

Tonight, I will continue with this weeks schedule and keep pushing forward!

This weeks schedule looks alot like last week's so I can feel like I've made it up ;)

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
5 M	Rest	6 M	5 M	Rest	16 M	Rest

Happy Monday!

M.I.A. in MIA

So, I've been M.I.A. in the MIA.

I've been on vacation this whole week and with the addition of the Holiday Festivities it's been a pretty full week.

Unfortunately, all the festivities are wrecking havoc on my training.

In the last ten or so days since I've last written, I've only run twice. A 15 mile long run and a 7 miler, both less than stellar but still accomplished.

Today, I was supposed to do a 16-miler and a cold front hit but when I woke up it was in the low 50s and too cold for this Miamian to peel the covers off. (yes, I know that's not really COLD but it's cold for us down here :)

But throughout the day I was pleasantly surprised: Mr. Boyfriend and I went exploring throughout the city and founds some great free spots that were just fabulous on cool day.





Tomorrow, I intend to make-up my 16-miler.

Hopefully back on the wagon :)

Better Than Chocolate

I am now convinced that Recovery Runs are better than Chocolate. Alright, maybe a close second but still right up there.

Boy, do I feel better today!

I was a little scared apprehensive about heading out on my first run after the 13.1 but I knew the soreness would not subside without it and after postponing on what was going to be 3 days Mr. Boyfriend finally pushed me out the door (Thank goodness for him!)

I started out slow, as I knew I should, but about a mile in my knee started to complain so I decided to set my Garmin for 5:1 Run:Walk Ratio. Afterall, it seemed to work very well for a group of people I was stalking pacing with on the run and I lost sight of them after mile 4. So I decided to give it a shot.

My pace was right on for a recovery run and I felt terrific afterward.

and now for a few pics from the race itself:




Had to do a little Photoshopping on them but I still think they came out great. I ended up purchasing my finish pic which I will add to my wall of accomplishments :)

Today is my Friday being that I start a 10 day long weekend, boy do I need this!

Happy Thursday!

Recovering & Looking towards the future

Thanks to all of you for all the wonderful comments on my post 13.1 Afterthoughts: A Moment of Doubt, I truly appreciate the faith and motivation. :)

--

I am feeling better today.

My post-RACE-um Depression is starting to subside and I can go up and down stairs without feeling like my quadriceps have been set on fire.

I've also done alot of MULLING over (the last two run-less days) about the 26.2 and being that the 13.1 (i.e. my A race) is now behind me I am looking to 2010 and pondering what lies ahead.

Potential Race Schedule:

January 31, 2010	ING 26.2 Marathon MY FIRST MARATHON!
March 7, 2010	13.1 Miami Beach
March ?, 2010	Mercedes Benz Cooperate 5K Run
April 17, 2010	7 Mile Bridge Run - LOTTERY
May ??, 2010	Tour Of The Gables
May ??, 2010	She Rox - Triathlon
July 4, 2010	4th of July 5K
September 26, 2010	Escape to Miami - Triathlon
October 31, 2010	Halloween Half Marathon
November 7, 2010	NYC Marathon - LOTTERY
November ??, 2010	Space Coast Marathon back up in case I don't get in NYC
November ??, 2010	Waterford 5K
November 26, 2010	Turkey Trot 10K

Wow! I'm getting excited just looking at it.

Wishing everyone a Happy Hump day!

13.1 Afterthoughts: A Moment of Doubt

Training Completed.

Race Run.

Milestone Reached.

Bucket List Item Checked.

So now what?

It still feels too soon to start running again today although I know I should probably get out there for a short easy run to loosen up the tightness.

But I'm having trouble getting motivated today.

Actually, I've been feeling a little different since I crossed the finish line ... and not in a good way.

It was very anti-climatic.

Now, don't get me wrong. I know what I did was a great feat of traveling 13.1 under my own power. It's taken me alot to get here and I am darned proud of getting it done! The race was challenging but it did not break my mind or my spirit! I can now say I am stronger than 13.1 Miles!

But as soon as I finished, I realized there was a monster that looms around the corner.

It remained hidden behind the 13.1 because this race came first and I needed to stay focused but now what lies ahead is:


This one I am pretty much doing alone.

My running buddies are excited about doing the ING too but the Half Marathon, they don't think they are ready for the Full yet.

AND WHAT MAKES ME THINK I AM!?!

I do know two people who are doing the Full, both acquaintances. One has done lots of marathons before and the other signed up last year and turned at the 13.1 cross over and he has been running and doing TRIS for a while.

WHAT MAKES ME THINK I CAN DO THIS!?!

I keep telling myself if the day comes and I don't think I'm ready I can take the turn at 13.1 and live to fight another day ... BUT I DON'T WANT THAT!?!?!

Then I remember:

I have never been the ATHLETE!
I have never been the Lithe Thin Svelte one!
I'm the RUNT OF THE LITTER!
The Chubby Chic!
What am I doing here? Standing at this point, signed up for a Marathon in 11 Weeks.
I HAVE NO RIGHT!?!

... and of course in your darkest moments the light reaches you:

I AM A RUNNER!
By John Bingham, aka “The Penguin”

I am a runner because my runs have names. I do tempo runs and threshold runs and fartlek runs. I do long, slow runs and track workouts. My runs are defined, even if my abs are not.

I am a runner because my shoes are training equipment, not a fashion statement. The best shoe for me is the one that makes me a better runner. I choose the shoe that goes with my running mechanics, not with my running outfit.

I am a runner because I don’t’ have running outfits. I have technical shirts and shorts and socks. I have apparel that enhances the experience of running by allowing me to run comfortably. I can say “Coolmax” and “Gore-tex” in the same sentence and know which does what.

I am a runner because I know what effort feels like, and I embrace it. I know when I’m pushing the limits of my comfort and why I’m doing it. I know that heavy breathing and an accelerated heart rate – things I once avoided – are necessary if I want to be a better runner.

I am a runner because I value and respect my body. It will whisper to me when I’ve done too much. And if I choose to listen to that whisper, my body won’t have to scream in pain later on.

I am a runner because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway.

I am a runner because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far.

I am a runner because I say I am. And no one can tell me I’m not.

Still have my doubts! I am still afraid! But this CHUBBY CHIC is going doing FIGHTING!?!?!?!

Race Report: 13.1 Fort Lauderdale

I was Nervous (with a capital N) to the point where I was being a little Neurotic (also with a capital N)!

My race ritual of setting everything out the night before helped to calm me. How can you stay nervous when you can see everything is ready, right, right?

Well, I was still Nervous!

My Night Before The Race Ritual

That's where Mr. Boyfriend stepped in. He suggested a nice leisurely walk to the restaurant and a wonderful dinner. I ordered a terrific Pasta and Scallops dish which very much hit the spot. Then we walked back to the hotel and I got some rest.

I was terrified of oversleeping so I set the room's alarm clock, requested a wake up call and set up my Garmin's alarm and was finally able to get to sleep.

The next morning.

Everything was set out and ready which was a great relief and I set out for a .7 m walk from the Hotel to the start line which I considered my warm-up.

Ok, I admit it, I love South Florida!

The weather was a chilly 69 degrees at the start but I new as soon as the sun started to rise, the day would be beautiful. The highest it was expect to rise (during our run) was 75 degrees making it wonderful race temperature.

The race course is B.E.A.utiful! You run past Las Olas on the A1A and the finish line is right on the beach. I just wanted to take my shoes off and jump in! But it's not completely flat. There are a couple of bridges and a tunnel to contend with. But still a great course.

Overall Place: 1644 of 2030 (19th Percentile)
Age Group Place: 165 of 201 (18th Percentile)
10K Finish Time: 1:12:41
Finish Time: 2:35:59
Net Time: 02:33:44
Average Pace: 11:45

Well considering that my Garmin was off by a half mile, my goals were less than accurate but I am still very happy with my finish time.

I stuck with the Firemen. I was on their tails the whole time :)

Our Celebratory Pic

Yoga Class in the Sand after the Run

Sand Castle Celebrating the Race

Now on to some rest and relaxation before I get started with my ING 26.2 Training!

Today is a rest day before I start my ING Training tomorrow!

Here we go again :)

Event Notes:

• The Event Website said "NO IPODS" but on the day of they just requested that you wear one ear only or keep the volume down so you can hear what the volunteer's are saying. I still perfer to run without ipods but I know some people who don't.
  
• The Event was very well put together and organized.
• The had a special breakfast of Pancakes and Pina Coloda's ... I didn't really feel like eating but I still thought that was cute!
  

Race Report: Waterford 5K

I started with my Race Prep Ritual the night before. I layed everything out and made sure I had everything I needed (and of course took advantage and snagged a picture).

I was nervous because the weather was dropping and was expected to hit 59 degrees and I worried about the race weather. I've never run in the cold and to me the high 60s are already considered CHILLY!

To my Surprise, Race Weather was actually FAB-U-LOUS!


I focused on staying IN THE BOX:

The Box: all day long you are going to race inside a box defined by what you can control. Ask yourself "What do I need to do right NOW to create the conditions for success at The Line? Is what I'm doing right now counter to this goal?

I am not partial to afternoon races, especially now that I am FINALLY able to run in the mornings mostly because it leaves too much time during the day for the build up of excitement ... on second thought that may be a good thing.


As soon as the pistol went off and scared the mass of IT Geeks that frequent the Waterford area, a central hub of offices and software companies and the Miami headquarters of 3 Fortune 500 companies, and the crowd was off with a YELP!

A couple of my co-workers passed me right at the start some I thought should and some I thought shouldn't but I was not going to let anyone distract me. I was going to run my race and not let anyone stop me.

(side note: I later found out that co-worker was DNF because she was trying to keep up with me and went off way too fast)

I picked out a runner to chase for the moment and stayed on him. I looked at my watch in the waning light and noted he was doing 6.0 MPH. It scared me but my breathing was good and the adrenaline was flowing so I figured I'd ride the wave as far as I could.

I surprised myself and stayed on him for the entire first mile at the end of which I saw I had run it in 10:19.37.

Then it hit me! I might just be able to do this!

I didn't want to get too excited and blow it! I reminded myself to stay IN THE BOX. By the time I noticed again I had lost my runner so picked out a couple with flashing bicycle lights attached to the backs of their shirts. I checked the Garmin and they were doing a respectable 5.6 MPH. I wished I could go faster by my breathing was becoming labored and I new I needed to dial back a bit.

I stayed on them until the end of mile 2 which I completed at 10:52.23. But then I started to get a side stitch .

Yikes, I've never had a side stitch before! Am I running too hard? Will this ruin my Half-Marathon Race? But my goal was within reach! I just needed to keep it steady.

I lost the couple but I wasn't going to let them make me falter. I was nearing the final leg. I remembered a tip from Discom-BOB-ulated Running about picking a word and repeating it in your head while your running. It distracted me long enough to make it within sight of the finish line.

I didn't think I had a sprint in me. I wanted to leave it in this race, I wanted to make a full effort! But I REALLY didn't think I had a sprint in me.

My eyes focused as the clock rolled over into 34:02.0

I CAN MAKE IT! I CAN MAKE IT BELOW 35:00.0

Something possessed me and I WAS SPRINTING A FULL SPRINT!

I even flew past my co-worker who was slowing down for the finish! :)

Overall Place: 368 of 693 (47th Percentile)
Age Group Place: 23 of 53 (57th Percentile)
Finish Time: 34:41
Net Time: 34:23
Average Pace: 11:04

I made my A-Goal and a NEW PTR!

What a way to start this two-fer race weekend!

Stay tuned for the 13.1 Fort Lauderdale Race Report this Sunday :) Now, I'm REALLY EXCITED!