Finished!

The race was rough, it shouldn't have been, but it was. All the conditions were a perfect setting for an amazing race: temps in 40's at start, up to mid-50's in morning, flat course, tons of people on every inch of course cheering on the runners. If properly trained with no injuries this would have been the perfect race. Yet nothing in life is truly perfect.

About 6 weeks out both Irvin and I were struck by injuries. Him with an IT band and shin splits, me with a hamstring. Both injuries kept us off our feet for a while during a pretty critical time in our training.

I got through most of the race fine, around mile 20 or so pain started to kick in and I started walking a bit more, although I ran quite a bit. Came in around 5:33, 10 minutes slower than my hilly Marine Corps Marathon last year. But I finished, I accomplished something not a lot go out and do. I wasn't just someone who's done one marathon, I was now a marathoner and that feels pretty darn good.

Poor Irvin started out strong, with the 3:05 pace group but started dropping back around mile 9...and walked from 13 on. He finished, perhaps not in the time he wanted but he refused to give up and made it to that finish line. I am so proud of him for that, through all the pain and suffering and thoughts of quitting he powered through. He had a goal, he aimed for it and even though he was rough he finished. What a strong willed man I have!

We both have said we'll stick to shorter races for a while. I think it's a good decision, but I still wouldn't change the outcome of the race for anything because it shows if you have enough determination to complete something you will, and that's all that matters.

Injuries suck

Well, I have been laid up since about August 11 (think that was my last real run). Prior to my half marathon August 4 I had some pain in my hamstring, so taking full advantage of working in College Athletics I hobbled over to our athletic training room to see what advice they had. Stretch, ice...the norm. Said it should heal soon and I'll be back on the trail training for Chicago before I know it. This has been a SLOWER process than I anticipated. I hate not running. I didn't realize how much until I wasn't allowed to do it. All I want is to throw on some gear, crank some tunes and get out there. Patience is key....but mine is seriously lacking. I know in the long run its better, better than permanently injuring myself or having a nagging reoccurring injury. Whatever, it still sucks. Hoping to get back out there shortly, start off slow with a short run and work my way back up to finish off the last 5 weeks of training. I will finish the Chicago Marathon. One way or another I am determined to get that finishers medal and bragging rights, even if I have to walk. Course, after watching the Olympic Marathoners, I know the smart thing would be to stop if it’s so bad I can’t put pressure on it. I look up to Ryan Hall a lot; he is an amazing man both as a runner and in his faith in God. His first DNF was the Olympic Marathon, and I know that would take a lot of guts to know you have to stop and not finish something so monumental. Sometimes it is better to be smart I guess…

Race and training!

Chicago training started a few weeks ago...and in my quest to run 50 races in 50 states I also ran the Seattle Rock and Roll half marathon on Saturday. Since I was suppose have a long run anyway I figure I might as well get a medal for it!

Was worried about the weather, but the rain held off and it turned into a great climate for a race in Seattle! I was kind of worried since my training has been somewhat slacking lately, but the race went better than expected and my first four miles or so I was actually running under a 10 min pace, which is great for me! I ended up finishing in 2:22:52, and my former PR was 2:23:25 so I PR'ed again! Still aiming for that 2:10 mark, but I'll take any PR I can get.

My favorite parts of the race was when I ran past a bunch of high school cheerleaders and they turned out to be from my former high school! That gave me a boost of energy for a stretch. The second part was toward the end when I saw my dad and my puppy! Probably wasted a few seconds giving puppy a kiss, but totally worth it.

Right before the end my boyfriend jumped out of the crowd and ran with me for a few! What a great feeling to have him support (even though he DID finish the race almost an hour before me, ha ha). I was focused on getting to the finish line before my time, but always happy to have my manfriend keep me company.

FANTASTIC photo of me crossing the finish line, I need to order it still, but I'm giving the thumbs up with a cheesy grin on my face. Better than a grueling face I guess!

This week is a 3, 6 and 3 during the week and 11 miler this weekend. Did my 6 today during lunch and it was about 10 degrees hotter than I was expecting....but no humidity so I won that one! On to the weekend and just keep runnin'

Week one

And it begins again. Chicago training started this week, which was a little tricky since I was on vacation on the east coast. This morning I got up and ran 3 miles on the Burke-Gillman trail in Seattle. It was about 45 degrees outside so not too bad! My boyfriend got me the Garmin 610 so I get to play with a watch again. Hopefully this one won't stay in Ohio.
Tomorrow I will try to run 5, then 3 again on Sunday. I have a half marathon in two weeks in Seattle, nervous since my training hasn't been up to par, but it will be nice to get out and race again! This move and transition has been quite the learning experience, but hopefully I'll slip back into my routine.
I go a puppy a couple months ago, can't wait till he's old enough to run with me. Right now it's mostly entertaining because he's 3 months and a bundle of energy, so he gets puppy training soon. I don't need to be pulled on the trail. Actually, now that I think about it that doesn't sound too bad after all!

May - 4 weeks till first race

This year is getting pretty busy as I start to settle into a running routine. Having all my races and training flow into each other is great to keep me consistant with my motivation, and as I realized the Seattle Rock n'Roll half was looming upon me, and I'd like a halfway decent time (or at least to be my PR), I should actually be running. Makes sense! Doing my long runs on the weekend, but not running really during the week is not a smart decision. I believe to be a great runner and to just be in decent shape you should be running more and just getting your legs and feet and body used to the pavement and the motions it takes to move forward. Running should be a routine thing, just the same as making coffee every morning. For me anyway, coffee is just something I do every day. I get up at the crack of dawn with the new puppy, so I might as well take advantage of the early morning wake up call. Four weeks until the first race! And Chicago training starts before that, which is just crazy! The countdown to the race is just 135 days....that are going to fly by. We bought our plane tickets last night, so everything is coming together!

Registration for the year

So I've planned out my major races for 2012 and registered for one, with another registration on the way February 1st. June 23rd I will be running the Rock n'Roll Seattle Half, day before my 29th birthday! Next up will be the Greater Portland Half August 4th with my friend Allison, we've already ran one half together and it's been a great adventure to get to run races with her! I love having someone else standing there to cheer you on, someone you can motivate as well. Plus whenever we get together it's entertaining for everyone else too.

The big race of the year will be the Chicago Marathon on October 7th. This is the giant race, the one I will focus all my hard work and energy on. I have big plans for this race and I hope all goes right to accomplish. To complete one of the five major marathons in the world will be such an experience, the others are NYC and Boston, London and Berlin. We'll see beyond Chicago; course I've caught myself saying that on here a few times in regards to the "we'll see's"....

I am sure there will be some smaller races thrown in the mix this year, but these are my 'majors' for 2012. Kind of want to run Vegas in December if I can work it out, that would be the fun one of the year. Since when did I think running 4 races in a year was FUN?

2012 goals

I like to write my goals down, I think there's something about accountability in that. New Year's day I sat down and planned out my training schedule for the year, races I plan to run and how it's all going to work out. My main goal is to run in the Chicago Marathon. It's one of the fastest courses, so it would be WONDERFUL to get under 4:30 as a time. Hopefully closer to 4 hours, and with proper training that should be possible. http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/chicago_marathon/

Other races include the Seattle half marathon in June, and as part of my Chicago training, the greater Portland half in August. Aside from these, I've written out an extensive training plan starting this week. Excited to be in Pullman and start running around the campus and hang out at the Rec Center! Great opportunities and travel are in the near future...