Sometimes plans don't work out the way you thought they would. I've noticed life in General is like this. You plan for one thing, and something different happens. I am learning to flow, to just go with life, trust God knows my plan better than me and do the best I can.
I really wanted to do a couple races this fall, but it's not in the cards. Something better came along. Right now, I get the opportunity to utilize what is available to me. We get free classes in the athletes weight room at work. So four times a week, I will be marching my butt down to the gym for strength and cardio. I need strength, I know it will make me a better runner. So that's my plan. To work really hard on what I need to do to become a better runner.
Something else came up, I thought about it, and along side some sorority sisters I will be running the Phoemix Marathon this February. I'm ecstatic. I always knew I'd still do a few more marathons. This one will be a challenge because I will have to train in Pullman during the winter, which will consist of snow, ice and below 0 temps. It will also be a great reward. Two dear friends who recently got married, one is my big sis from the sorority, will be competing in their first long distance race. They are both running the full marathon. I cannot WAIT for training to start and to be able to see their progress. To see the trials and triumphs and agony and finally, when they cross that finish line. The pure joy they will have when they get that medal. Course, it could go the other way and they could take me out for suggesting such foolishness. But I anticipate the former :) I also anticipate they, like so many others, will quickly be hooked.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Training for races 12 & 13
Started training this week for a couple of races for the rest of the year. I am planning on a half near Denver last weekend in September and a full in Tucson, Arizona first weekend in December. Hopefully Elyce will join me on both of these! It's getting extremely hot out, so I've started running in the morning before work. It feels so good! I love starting my day with my shoes and the road before I get into work. There is something to be said about jumping out of bed and getting out there. I know training in the summer heat is hard, but if I can survive summer running in the summer in New York I can survive dry heat in the Palouse!
This week I ran 9.25 miles. I did miss two workouts, but that won't happen again. I'm ready to jump in fully and do even better on these next few races. Every week I'm going to put the amount of miles I ran in a savings account, so if I miss a run I'm only cheating myself! This account will fund my future running adventure s, I have to pay for London 2015 somehow!
This week I ran 9.25 miles. I did miss two workouts, but that won't happen again. I'm ready to jump in fully and do even better on these next few races. Every week I'm going to put the amount of miles I ran in a savings account, so if I miss a run I'm only cheating myself! This account will fund my future running adventure s, I have to pay for London 2015 somehow!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Week 7 thoughts
Sitting at week 7 of training for the St. Joe River Half Marathon coming up June 8th. Training has been fairly decent, better than past races, just following the training plan and actually getting out and doing it. A lot easier to train in the spring/summer when football/basketball isn't hovering over my schedule. The biggest thing I've noticed is my pace. As of right now, I'm averaging 9:30 per mile and that's been pretty consistent the past several weeks. I ran an 8-miler a few weekends ago with Irvin and Tucker, and we rocked that pace the entire time, if not a little faster. Since after my first race, I've wanted to finish a half at 2:10 or under. Currently my PR is 2:20....but if I could keep a pace under 10 the entire race, I know I could hit it!
We drove out to the race course on Sunday to check it out, I was nervous of the elevation chart I saw on 'mapmyrun' so I wanted to see what we needed to prepare for. The course itself isn't as hilly as I thought, it's more rolling hills. What did stand out was the quietness of the course. The majority of the race is going to run through farmland and back roads next to the river and in the woods. It's been raining a ton, and after the winter we had, there are a lot of potholes on the course. I'm hoping those get filled in before the race! There will be approximately 1,000 people running this thing, so at least it will be better than the Greater Portland half!
This weekend is Bloomsday in Spokane, and Corinne, Javier, Irvin and I are all running it. Corinne and I will run it, but I know the boys are going to want to race, which is fine. 50,000 people in the event, I'm not sure how much 'racing' I'd get to do anyway! To me, it will be a fun time to enjoy a race, like the St. Pats Dash Irv and I do every year. I think it's important to throw some fun races in there between the big ones, to liven things up a bit! We'll see how this goes!
We drove out to the race course on Sunday to check it out, I was nervous of the elevation chart I saw on 'mapmyrun' so I wanted to see what we needed to prepare for. The course itself isn't as hilly as I thought, it's more rolling hills. What did stand out was the quietness of the course. The majority of the race is going to run through farmland and back roads next to the river and in the woods. It's been raining a ton, and after the winter we had, there are a lot of potholes on the course. I'm hoping those get filled in before the race! There will be approximately 1,000 people running this thing, so at least it will be better than the Greater Portland half!
This weekend is Bloomsday in Spokane, and Corinne, Javier, Irvin and I are all running it. Corinne and I will run it, but I know the boys are going to want to race, which is fine. 50,000 people in the event, I'm not sure how much 'racing' I'd get to do anyway! To me, it will be a fun time to enjoy a race, like the St. Pats Dash Irv and I do every year. I think it's important to throw some fun races in there between the big ones, to liven things up a bit! We'll see how this goes!
Friday, March 21, 2014
Training with coworkers!
Thought I'd finally get some races on the schedule for this year. Right now, I have June 8th in St. Marie's, Idaho on my calendar, the St. Joe River Half Marathon. I thought it'd be fun to ask some coworkers if they wanted to try it, and got an overwhelming response! Not only are two coworkers in the ticket office running it (for the FIRST time!), two of our student workers are. Plus a coworker in the basketball office...and some Young Life College kids! It's great to have such a fun group, reminds me of when I prepared for my first race and had all the Knight Runners as support.
Most of these will be first time half marathoners. I think back to four years ago (FOUR YEARS???) when I began to prep for my first half. The daunting task of running, 'gasp' three miles. The distance of the running gets easier, the preparing involves more knowledge. Having ran 10 long distance races now, I feel less like a newbie, and more like someone who has a tiny bit of knowledge on how to train for a race, however there is still SO much more to learn. I want to pace myself better. I want to pay attention to my nutrition, and how best to fuel my body for 13.1 I want to fully training, not missing a day because of laziness, or using an excuse, but truly focus on training the best I can, so I have NO EXCUSE on race day. I don't want to finish, disappointed at my time, knowing I didn't do everything I could. I want that 2:10 time. It's what I've been aiming for since my first race. I've gotten my time down to 2:20, last year, and I know knocking 10 minutes off my time, at age 30, will be a challenge. Gladly accepted!
I can't wait till 12 weeks from now....to see my coworkers finish this race, to see that shiny race medal around their neck, to get that awesome post-race picture, to congratulate them on such an accomplishment. This will be a fun, challenging, hard, worth it 12 weeks for all of us.
Most of these will be first time half marathoners. I think back to four years ago (FOUR YEARS???) when I began to prep for my first half. The daunting task of running, 'gasp' three miles. The distance of the running gets easier, the preparing involves more knowledge. Having ran 10 long distance races now, I feel less like a newbie, and more like someone who has a tiny bit of knowledge on how to train for a race, however there is still SO much more to learn. I want to pace myself better. I want to pay attention to my nutrition, and how best to fuel my body for 13.1 I want to fully training, not missing a day because of laziness, or using an excuse, but truly focus on training the best I can, so I have NO EXCUSE on race day. I don't want to finish, disappointed at my time, knowing I didn't do everything I could. I want that 2:10 time. It's what I've been aiming for since my first race. I've gotten my time down to 2:20, last year, and I know knocking 10 minutes off my time, at age 30, will be a challenge. Gladly accepted!
I can't wait till 12 weeks from now....to see my coworkers finish this race, to see that shiny race medal around their neck, to get that awesome post-race picture, to congratulate them on such an accomplishment. This will be a fun, challenging, hard, worth it 12 weeks for all of us.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Strength Training
I finally purchased the medicine ball, rolled out my yoga mat and booted up the Nike Training App on my phone for a lunchtime workout today. Since it's the holidays, and I have a deep love for anything with Christmas sugar, the Ab Burner seemed like a good one to start with.
My dog had other ideas. He thought the 6 pound ball was a new toy (more funny for me since he obviously couldn't do anything with it). I pushed him away and began my work out. TOUGH when strength training is not a normal part of the routine. The first times of anything are always hard, then it gets easier as time goes on. The Nike app has 15-60 min workouts and you choose the areas you want to work. There are 30 second or 1 minute routines that it filters through.
Side plank: each side 30 seconds...except when your dog pushes you over because he thinks its a game.
Swivel Frogger: push up position, swivel the legs under you (hard to explain without the video) and then frogger the legs close to your hands on the ground. Hard to do. Hard to do when your dog decides this position MUST mean he wiggles his 80 pound fuzzy body under you. I must have looked like I was in the dog is ready to play stance.
Got through 10 minutes of the workout before I was both sore, and tired of pushing the dog away. Next time, I'm getting a bone to occupy him while I attempt this again...
My dog had other ideas. He thought the 6 pound ball was a new toy (more funny for me since he obviously couldn't do anything with it). I pushed him away and began my work out. TOUGH when strength training is not a normal part of the routine. The first times of anything are always hard, then it gets easier as time goes on. The Nike app has 15-60 min workouts and you choose the areas you want to work. There are 30 second or 1 minute routines that it filters through.
Side plank: each side 30 seconds...except when your dog pushes you over because he thinks its a game.
Swivel Frogger: push up position, swivel the legs under you (hard to explain without the video) and then frogger the legs close to your hands on the ground. Hard to do. Hard to do when your dog decides this position MUST mean he wiggles his 80 pound fuzzy body under you. I must have looked like I was in the dog is ready to play stance.
Got through 10 minutes of the workout before I was both sore, and tired of pushing the dog away. Next time, I'm getting a bone to occupy him while I attempt this again...
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Vegas Half Marathon
Sunday I finished my 10th race in 10 states when I ran the Vegas Rock n'Roll Half Marathon. I am officially 1/5 of the way to my overall goal! I've realized every race I've done its been with at least one friend, I feel so blessed I can share the experience with people! It was Elyce's first half marathon, so it was a double bonus to be able to encourage a new runner to the sport! She said beforehand she was either going to never want to run again, or get hooked. She text me on Monday saying she was looking at marathon training programs, so she's officially hooked!
It was my first time in Vegas, so Saturday we did a little touring around the Strip. What an unique and amazing city. So many different things to see and do! It feels like you're touring around the world in just a little four block radius. We made friends with an Italian man on the shuttle from the airport, his name is Roberto and he's from "Roma". So fun to meet an international runner and learn of his running travels. He actually ran in the Chicago Marathon in 2012 as well! I love small worlds like that, it makes the running community feel like family.
The race started at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, so Elyce and I got on the shuttle from The Mirage to the start line. The starting area was really secure, they were checking to make sure everyone had a bib going in, and were checking all bags. It was a hassle, but a welcomed one. I'd rather be secure than annoyed about the 'wait'. It was still well before the start time anyway. We wandered through the runners area, saw lots of "Elvi" around...oh Vegas.
Elyce and I at the start of the race!
We finally get to our starting corral, #23 and stretch out and wait, making friends with other runners around us. Since it's Vegas, they were conducing some weddings at the start of the race! There was also a Rock n'Roll in San Antonio that morning, and a collection of people had ran that race, hopped on a plane, and came up to run the Vegas race! Talk about hardcore, there is no way I am in enough shape to do that!
The race finally started, and as a corral we moved along toward the start line. In the corral in front of us there was a lady with a push stroller. Now, push strollers are not allowed in Rock n'Roll races. This is for safety and such. The lady was gripping about the volunteers moving 'too fast' with the rope holding our corral, so some people started mentioning about the stroller rule. She finally moved over to the other side of the corral where it was more open, then turned around and flipped everyone off. Very classy.
Overall the race was good, it was so amazing to run through the Strip at night! With the lights, and all the fan support along the side, it was so much fun! Irvin was at about mile 6, and got a sweet picture as we were running toward him!
I ran up and gave him a kiss as we went by. I was so happy he came out to support us in our race, what an amazing man he is!
The only grips I have about the race is there were not many volunteers to hand out liquid, I'm not sure if its because it's a night race on a Sunday evening, or Vegas in general, but I was definitely appreciative of the volunteers that did make it out. There wasn't any Gatorade until about 6 miles in, which was a little rough. The other thing was after we turned off the Strip to head into some neighborhoods before we hit Old Vegas, it was very dark, only one light, and there was no support or security in a sketchy area. Thank goodness we were in a pack.
Elyce and I ended up running the entire race, and came in at 2:21, almost a PR for me! Which afterward when I realized if I had ran 10 seconds faster per mile I could have hit that, but considering the most I had ran since July was 4.5 miles, I was pretty impressed. Thank goodness for Elyce! As we finished, the volcano at The Mirage went off, what a sweet way to come into the finish line! I had a blast with the race, and it was a good way to end my running year!
It was my first time in Vegas, so Saturday we did a little touring around the Strip. What an unique and amazing city. So many different things to see and do! It feels like you're touring around the world in just a little four block radius. We made friends with an Italian man on the shuttle from the airport, his name is Roberto and he's from "Roma". So fun to meet an international runner and learn of his running travels. He actually ran in the Chicago Marathon in 2012 as well! I love small worlds like that, it makes the running community feel like family.
The race started at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, so Elyce and I got on the shuttle from The Mirage to the start line. The starting area was really secure, they were checking to make sure everyone had a bib going in, and were checking all bags. It was a hassle, but a welcomed one. I'd rather be secure than annoyed about the 'wait'. It was still well before the start time anyway. We wandered through the runners area, saw lots of "Elvi" around...oh Vegas.
The race finally started, and as a corral we moved along toward the start line. In the corral in front of us there was a lady with a push stroller. Now, push strollers are not allowed in Rock n'Roll races. This is for safety and such. The lady was gripping about the volunteers moving 'too fast' with the rope holding our corral, so some people started mentioning about the stroller rule. She finally moved over to the other side of the corral where it was more open, then turned around and flipped everyone off. Very classy.
Overall the race was good, it was so amazing to run through the Strip at night! With the lights, and all the fan support along the side, it was so much fun! Irvin was at about mile 6, and got a sweet picture as we were running toward him!
The only grips I have about the race is there were not many volunteers to hand out liquid, I'm not sure if its because it's a night race on a Sunday evening, or Vegas in general, but I was definitely appreciative of the volunteers that did make it out. There wasn't any Gatorade until about 6 miles in, which was a little rough. The other thing was after we turned off the Strip to head into some neighborhoods before we hit Old Vegas, it was very dark, only one light, and there was no support or security in a sketchy area. Thank goodness we were in a pack.
Elyce and I ended up running the entire race, and came in at 2:21, almost a PR for me! Which afterward when I realized if I had ran 10 seconds faster per mile I could have hit that, but considering the most I had ran since July was 4.5 miles, I was pretty impressed. Thank goodness for Elyce! As we finished, the volcano at The Mirage went off, what a sweet way to come into the finish line! I had a blast with the race, and it was a good way to end my running year!
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Wounded Warriors
Last Sunday was the Wounded Warriors Half Marathon and 10k near Dallas, TX. It was my eighth race, sixth half marathon, and my mom and little sister's first race! They did the 10k, and I couldn't have been more proud. My little sister is 18, she is my sweetheart and had just graduated from high school the Thursday before. She's an short-distant athlete, and played lacrosse a little but had never done a big race.
My mom is my inspiration. My mom has always been on the heavy side, she hasn't been too active or healthy, although when I was a kid we'd go on bike rides, or hike as a family a lot. In the past two years shes started to exercise more, and just recently started to really watch what she was eating. When I told her I saw there was a half marathon/10k the weekend I was going to be in Dallas, she decided to sign up for the 10k and committed to walking it. I have her a training guide (Hal Higdon of course!) and she started her new adventure.
Fast forward to race day: up at 5 to be out of the house by 6. Mom and Haley followed my lead on what to eat before a big race, I've never thought about the fact that I guess I'm a 'seasoned' runner now, that I am not so much a newbie to the sport. I know I have still so much to learn, but kind of cool that I have a routine now! We left for the race, got to the parking garage and walked out to the hotel. As we were walking there were drops of raining appearing, and by the time we got to the hotel it was an all out downpour! Quickly followed by flashes of lightening and the monsterous booms of a true Texas thunderstorm, the race was delayed.
This is us waiting for the storm to pass!
An hour later, the race was back on. Us half marathoners lined up to the start, sang the National Anthem and were on our way. It was still raining, but at least it was warm. Reminded me of my first half where it poured the entire time! About two miles into the race, they diverted us up this muddy hill to the road, and when we were crossing the bridge, we looked down and the trail we had been running on was completely covered with a waterfall. It had rained so hard so fast the stream overflowed and quickly hopped the trail. It was crazy! Back to the trail, we continued on. I was running under a 10 minute pace to about mile 8 and was feeling great! The rain stopped and it started getting warm, my fingers started to swell so I made sure I grabbed powerade at the next stop.
At about mile 10 1/2, the was a little under a foot of standing water on the trail we had to ford through, so sadly that really hit my time. Back running, I knew I needed to hurry up so I could PR. Coming up to mile 12, I walked for a sec then started up again, coming up on the finish line, I pulled on the little Coug flag I had stashed away and got ready for the end. One of my former YL girls from West Point, was at the finish and called out to me! Got a real great picture too:
I finished at 2:20:04.....which means it's an official PR for me! If I hadn't walked through that standing water, I would have been under 2:20, but you can't never predict a race so it is what it is. Taylor ran to me after the race, so good to see her. Found my momma and little sister after the race and teared up a bit, I was overwhelmed by pride and happiness that mom had done it! Best moment of my running career by far.
My mom is my inspiration. My mom has always been on the heavy side, she hasn't been too active or healthy, although when I was a kid we'd go on bike rides, or hike as a family a lot. In the past two years shes started to exercise more, and just recently started to really watch what she was eating. When I told her I saw there was a half marathon/10k the weekend I was going to be in Dallas, she decided to sign up for the 10k and committed to walking it. I have her a training guide (Hal Higdon of course!) and she started her new adventure.
Fast forward to race day: up at 5 to be out of the house by 6. Mom and Haley followed my lead on what to eat before a big race, I've never thought about the fact that I guess I'm a 'seasoned' runner now, that I am not so much a newbie to the sport. I know I have still so much to learn, but kind of cool that I have a routine now! We left for the race, got to the parking garage and walked out to the hotel. As we were walking there were drops of raining appearing, and by the time we got to the hotel it was an all out downpour! Quickly followed by flashes of lightening and the monsterous booms of a true Texas thunderstorm, the race was delayed.
An hour later, the race was back on. Us half marathoners lined up to the start, sang the National Anthem and were on our way. It was still raining, but at least it was warm. Reminded me of my first half where it poured the entire time! About two miles into the race, they diverted us up this muddy hill to the road, and when we were crossing the bridge, we looked down and the trail we had been running on was completely covered with a waterfall. It had rained so hard so fast the stream overflowed and quickly hopped the trail. It was crazy! Back to the trail, we continued on. I was running under a 10 minute pace to about mile 8 and was feeling great! The rain stopped and it started getting warm, my fingers started to swell so I made sure I grabbed powerade at the next stop.
At about mile 10 1/2, the was a little under a foot of standing water on the trail we had to ford through, so sadly that really hit my time. Back running, I knew I needed to hurry up so I could PR. Coming up to mile 12, I walked for a sec then started up again, coming up on the finish line, I pulled on the little Coug flag I had stashed away and got ready for the end. One of my former YL girls from West Point, was at the finish and called out to me! Got a real great picture too:
I finished at 2:20:04.....which means it's an official PR for me! If I hadn't walked through that standing water, I would have been under 2:20, but you can't never predict a race so it is what it is. Taylor ran to me after the race, so good to see her. Found my momma and little sister after the race and teared up a bit, I was overwhelmed by pride and happiness that mom had done it! Best moment of my running career by far.
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