Almost Half Marathon time and Blarney Blitz recap

It is now less than one week until my half marathon.  Hard to believe that 6 months ago my husband and his friend talked me into this.  The shirt I bought to possibly wear says "This sounded like a good idea 3 months ago".  On the back it says Race Official, Do not pass.  My last long training run was 10 miles and I was hurting when it was over.  I realized when I got to the trail I was going to run on I had forgotten my gel.  Which turned out later I didn't forget just fell out of my purse and I didn't see it.  Luckily I had a snickers egg in the car which was a better than nothing choice.  It was a lovely day for a run.  I put on the outfit that I am planning on wearing to see if I feel comfortable.  In addition to my new shirt I bought a capri running skirt combo.  I liked it but it felt just a bit big so may have to go and buy the next size down (woo hoo).  I ran the trail in East Peoria and there were several other runners out.  I ran my 4 miles and back to Morton and then decided in going the other direction I would tackle the "hill".  It's a great hill to run down but not to run up especially when it is the tail end of your run.  I miscalculated and ended up going farther then I needed to get back to my car.  I didn't add miles to my run, just walked the remainder to the parking lot.  I'm not sure I feel prepared for this half marathon but everything I've read and heard is it's better to feel underprepared than over-prepared.  Since it's my first anytime I finish in will be a personal record.  So my goal is to finish and not have to be taken away in an ambulance.

On to another race.  A few weeks ago I participated in a local race called the Blarney Blitz.  It was a 5k the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day.  It was the first time for this race.  I ran with my friend Stacy.  It was nice to run with someone, I haven't been able to do that for awhile.  It was a chilly day but not freezing cold.  Stacy had bought us some cute shamrock bondi bands.  It was a nice course, slight uphill but not bad.  The course offered a glimpse of the Illinois river from high up and some nice houses.  We finished about in the middle of the pack which was great.  I look forward to doing it again next year.

Michelle's Miles: Training run fun

Michelle's Miles: Training run fun: Well it is now about one month until my first half marathon.  I am sitting here waiting for the rain to stop so I can go do my long training...

Training run fun

Well it is now about one month until my first half marathon.  I am sitting here waiting for the rain to stop so I can go do my long training run.   A few weeks ago I officially completed the training program I had chosen for my first half.  The longest run in that program is 10 miles.  Since I didn't feel confident that I could run 3 miles past that without training I decided to increase up to 12 miles.  I want to save the 13.1 for when I cross the finish line.  In case you don't know 12 miles is a long freaking way on your feet.  I have found this 4 mile loop in my town that I figured I would run three times.  First lap felt good, 2nd lap felt fine and was glad to be done with the last lap. Of course it was cold and windy that day when I ran which made it worse.  I bought some GU energy gel to try and it wasn't bad.  I prefer my Clif bars but the gel is easier to carry. There is going to be a gel station at our half so wanted to make sure it didn't upset my stomach.  It seems so long ago when I signed up for this thing and now it's right around the corner.  Not only that but I have also picked out two other half marathons I want to complete.  One is in October and will be local.  It is for Susan G. Komen memorial affiliate.  This is the first year this race is held.  It has an option of being done as a relay so may try that if someone wants to be my partner.  The other is the Disney Princess Half Marathon next February.  On my running "bucket list" is to do a Disney run and this one looks like fun.  I am hoping to have some friends to do this one with as well.  Maybe I should get through my first before I start planning for others.

Frosty 5K recap and other fun

Yesterday I ran the Frosty 5K.  This race was for a child welfare agency that I used to work for.  In fact my first job out of college was as a caseworker for that agency.  I feel I learned a lot working there and wanted to give back.  On Friday I went to a local running store and picked up my packet.  I was in need of new shoes so got a pair as well.  They are probably the least costly pair I have bought since they were on clearance and the store has a program that allows you to earn store credit.  Between my husband and I we had earned $25 in credit which I put towards the shoes. 

It was going to be a cold morning for a run.  I got to the starting area about half an hour before race time.  This was going to be a pretty small race compared to others I have been in so wasn't to concerned about finding a place to park.  As I sat in my car with the heater going I saw some of the other participants warming up.  Immediately I felt out of place.  There appeared to be quite a few "elite" runners signed up.  Which made sense because who else signs up to do a race in 14 degree temperatures. My goal for every race I do is to finish, improve my time and not get last.  This time I thought I might get 2 out of 3 due to the other runners I saw.  I am also still trying to figure out what to wear on cold run days.  Today I decided on a long sleeve tech shirt, short sleeve tech shirt, leggings, a pair of sweat pants, fleece jackets and my tiara bondi band.  At the start I saw people in shorts, t-shirts, those are usually the "serious"runners who are only going to be outside for 15 minutes or so and won't feel the cold. 

The gun went off and away we went.  I felt good and the crowd really helped to push me even as several people passed me.  At the first mile my run app told me I was going at a 10:37 pace which is fast for me.  This was also the time when I saw the first group of runners heading back towards the finish line.  Anyway the course was nice, fairly level and ran along the riverfront.  I finished the race with a time of 34:38, I was happy with this as it gave me a new personal record and I wanted to finish in less than 35 minutes.  The company that did the registration even put it on my facebook page so my friends and family could see.  My husband knew my average place before I did.  However, I was not finished running for the day.  On my half marathon training schedule I was supposed to do a 10 k race.  I had decided after I finished the race I would go to the post race party for a little bit and then go back out and finish 3 miles.  Only thing I didn't count on was how sore I would feel after pushing it for the real race.  I did manage to squeak out the last 3 but not without pain and suffering.  I spent a lot of time limping when I got home and sitting with my feet on a bag of frozen vegetables. 

River Trail Classic recap

Okay so it's been awhile but now the holidays are over and I can get back to my blog.  I thought I would do my first race re-cap blog.  On the Saturday after Thanksgiving I ran the FOLEPI River Trail Classic in my hometown of East Peoria, IL.  This is a four mile (downhill) race on a paved trail starting at one end of town and ending at the park district building.  It so happened that the start of the race was practically in my parents backyard.  In fact when I was a kid I used to bike, walk and rollerblade on this trail.  I never ran on it because I didn't start running until this year.  The way it was set up is people would park at the finish line and take a bus to the start.  I on the other hand parked at my parents house and walked over to the start and had my husband pick me up at the finish line.  Originally my parents were going to pick us both up at the finish but my husband was nursing an injury and decided to sit this one out.  So he my mom and I headed over to the gear check area which was in my old grade school which is now a church building.  I wanted to look around and find my old classrooms but it was crowded and they started having people go to the start right after we got in the building.  We walked over to the start where we saw a friend of my husbands and a friend of my mom's.  I recognized some faces from previous races and my gym but no one I knew well.  This was going to be my first solo race.  In my 2 previous 5k's and one 10k I had run with either my husband or a friend. Eventhough my husband usually passes me up after the first mile or two.  Did I mention this was my first cold weather race. I ended up wearing leggings, long sleeve shirt, workout pants over the leggings, pullover and my cool new tiara headband.  Now the start of the race was a little confusing it just seemed that people started running, no gun or start line.  So I turned on the nike plus and away I went.  It was so funny being on a trail I haven't been on in years but seemed like it hadn't been that long.  I remember as a kid not noticing that the trail went downhill because it's such a gradual slope, unless you were riding your bike back up the hill.  I had set a goal of doing the race in 45 minutes which would have been an average pace of 11:15 a mile.  After the first mile nike plus told me my pace was 10:53, WHAT!  Okay I can do this I crossed the finish line at 43:51 according to the offical race time.  My husband was waiting for me and took some pictures.  I have to say I am proud of my race pictures but hate how I look.  Anyway we went inside where there was Avanti's pizza and gondolas, yum.  I have to say this race had the best food and got my first race hoodie instead of t-shirt.  I will certainly do this race again and hopefully husband will be able to join me.

Pain, pain go away

 For the last week my husband and I have both been dealing with different pain.  I have been having heel pain and he has had something with his hip muscles.  He has been dealing with it for a couple of weeks.  Mine has been going on for about a week.  Last week it started hurting during my 5 mile training run.  This run was one of my worst in a long time.  I had to stop several times which I HATE doing.  Then after the run I had trouble putting weight on my right heel.  So what does one do when they have pain, straight to the internet to research the cause and treatment for pain.  Mine was most likely due to the increase in my miles and flat feet.  Off to Running Central husband and I went for new shoe inserts.  While they are pricey I do love the people at Running Central, they are very helpful and it's great supporting local small businesses.  I then gave myself a week off from running which was harder than I thought it would be.  It does become an addiction.  Anyway my goal for today was 3 miles and I did it.  Was harder than I expected.  My heel hurts a little bit but nothing like last week.  I think I'm still going to try to take it easy this week especially since I have a race next Saturday.  Now hopefully husband's pain will go away.

What the Heck!

 I've decided to try this blogging thing.  I don't expect it to be interesting or for anyone to read but as my title says "What the Heck"

This year I started running.  Well technically I started running last year but it didn't stick.  I hurt my calf badly and started later than planned and then when cold weather hit I stopped.  So I tried again this year and so far it has stuck. 

I started with the goal of running a 5k, which I did.  My first 5k was Race for the Cure which I ran with a friend.  I loved the crowds and the feeling of crossing a finish line.  Since that time I have run two more 5k's (Zoo Run Run and Cupcake Classic virtual race) and a 10k.  At the time of this writing I have signed up for a 4 mile run and a half marathon. 

I invite you to follow my journey.