San Antonio Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon Report

This is the second year that I have done this race.  And after looking back apparently I did not do a race report last year.  This is shocking considering how consistent I am with blogging.......  Well a quick recap of last year is in order to set this year up correctly.

In 2010 The weather was perfect in my eyes.  I do not remember the exact temperature, but I do remember it was cold enough to warrant me wearing a sweatshirt before the race, and to start the race with my arm warmers.    Jeff was not running, and along with him my mom, dad and some other friends and family were tracking me online.  The race started, I was off to a good start, and then not even into mile 2 a train crossed over the race course.  Yes, you read that correctly, a train crossed the race course.  Now, it really only held us up for about 30-45 seconds.  A minute at the longest.  But in my head it was 5 minutes.  All I kept thinking about was how slow Jeff would be thinking I was running.  I had to make up time!!  Which is exactly what I did and I finished in 1:55:32, according to my Garmin.  Because of the train we all submitted a time correction form.  I did't think they gave me a correction, but I just checked and the time said 1:53:52??  My first half before that was done in 2:01:56  Not too shabby either way.

Now to 2011.  The weather was not perfect.  It was about 70 degrees and humid (yes this race was just yesterday in November)  I did not have on my arm warmers!!  We headed over to the corrals around 6:30 with the plan to meet up with some of our running friends, including my friend Beth who is an awesome runner and was going to pace me for the race.  However there was only one other person there, our friend Garrett.  But no Beth!  We waited and waited but no other running buddies and no Beth.  I had kind of had counted on her pacing me so I quickly had to change my mindset. This race had a late start, 7:30, so it was a long hour before the race started, but it was time to get going.  Jeff was in coral 1 and I was in coral 4, so it was time for us to part ways.  A quick kiss good luck and  I headed into my coral. I circled around once in the hopes that I would run into Beth, no such luck.  But then at the last second I felt a hand on my shoulder and it was her!!  We talked about our plan, which was going to be to try to hit between a 1:45 and 1:50, and then were off.  We were off to a good start and were making our way through the crowds.  Mile one I was breathing pretty heavy.  I looked down at my watch and we were running a 7:50 pace.  A little fast for my pace, but I held on.  We ended up averaging about a 8:00 pace for the first 4 miles.  Unfortunately this was a little too fast for me, especially with the humidity.  I waved Beth on and slowed to about a 8:30 pace.

Also, I forgot to mention that we ran through the first 3 water stations, which I never do.  I just can't drink and run very well, and end up not getting much hydration.  Though I did dump a lot of water over my head!  Anyway, after I waved Beth on I made the decision to walk the rest of the water stations.  I think this decision helped me to keep pushing through because it ensured that I was getting enough water to stay hydrated.  However about mile 6.5 I was feeling rough.  My legs were tired, I was breathing heavy, I just didn't think I had enough left.  I started looking around and saw two pugs on the side of the road with some spectators and  seriously thought about stopping and petting them.  But right behind them a spectator was holding a sign that said "Can't stop, won't stop"  At that point I knew I could keep going, that I had to keep going.  I picked my pace back up and kept on running.  Once I hit mile 9 I was feeling halfway decent again, and was trucking along a little behind the 3:40 pace group for the full marathon.  We split off right before mile 11.  I skipped the next water station to make up a little time, but did hit the last one so I could grab some Cytomax for a final boost.

I hit mile 12, put my head down and ran as hard as I could.  I don't know what I was running, but just kept pushing as hard as I could.  I knew there was a hill coming at the finish and then it would be over.  I ran up the hill, saw the finish and gave it a final kick.  When I crossed the finish the clock said 1:56 and some change.  And my watch said....................1:53!!!  I was so psyched.  I beat my time from last year, with no train for motivation, in weather that was at least 20 degrees warmer!  My official chip time was 1:53:01.

I am hoping the motivation I had to dig in this race and push pass the same is an indication of how I am going to do in Hawaii.  I am pretty sure the weather will be the same!

Marathon Training Recap: Lots of weeks

Training is going great.  Knock on wood over and over and over again.  I actually knocked on a tree during one of my training runs this weekend.  I was running with a friend and we were talking about my training and my goals for Hawaii and Houston.  I was talking about how good my training is going and then freaked out.  99% of my runs have been strong.  I had one off day where I was suppose to do 14 miles but could only squeak out 5.  But other than that they have been good.  I feel great during them and after.  My pace is at least a minute faster, if not more, than it was at this point last year.  Yesterday I did 17 and threw in a little tempo in the middle.  Again, my legs felt great afterwards.  I even went and walked around for a few hours that afternoon.  Have I mentioned that this is FREAKING me out?  This did not happen last year, or the year before.  There were issues, knee issues, hip issues, sickness issues.  This year no issues.  I have even jolted awake during the middle of the night with a panicked feeling, or the feeling that I forgot to turn the oven off.  Only I don’t ever turn it on, so I know it isn’t that!  I am guessing the jolting awake has to do with how well my training is going.  Not that I am complaining.  It is awesome, and I love running more than ever this year.  I am just the kind of person that is waiting for the rug to be pulled out from underneath me.  Hopefully it will stay in place until January.

So what are my goals?  Well, I haven’t’ figured that out yet.  Honolulu is only 54 days away.  Everyday I waiver back and forth.  Should I try to race HI?  Should I just take my camera along the course and enjoy the scenery?  I just don’t know.  I would love to get my goal time at this race, but I don’t know how my body is going to react to the jam-packed winter schedule I have this year.  I don’t want to risk not being able to run in Houston in January.  And my run I mean at all.  Especially since I have a bone to pick with that marathon from my race last year.

Should I just go by how I feel on race day?  Plus let's not forget about this little gem I found to describe the Honolulu marathon:

 "Who wouldn't want to take a 26.2 mile trek through Hawaii? Hot, humid weather and MASSIVE HILLS are a small price to pay for the draw dropping views, firework displays and shell leis"

Sounds.............challenging to say the least.  So I am still not sure of what I am going to do.  I am hoping the answer will magically come to me.  Maybe in my sleep instead of the feeling of panic I have been having!

So I don't really have my official number recaps for the past few weeks, but I have been doing 30-40 mile weeks.  This week is the start of some high number long runs over the next few weeks.  That is about it for now.

Oh, and as far as music goes  I haven't really been using my ipod too much.  I went without for most of my 17 miles.  Mainly because I really don't feel like I need it anymore, and also because my playlist is three years old and I need some new music!  

Happy Training

Travel and Training

 Well I have two more weeks of training under my belt.  It is weird, this time around it really doesn't feel like training, rather than just something I am doing?  I wonder, does that mean I am not working hard enough?  I don't think so.  I am following a more intense training program than the past two years, and am pushing myself pace wise.  I could probably   need to improve on my diet a bit.  Still eating healthy but am having a lot more slip ups than I am happy with.  Still haven't figured it out, but I guess it is working so far.

For weeks 5 and 6 of training were good.  During week 6 we were in PA and OH to visit family, meet internet stalkers, ride some rides, oh yeah and Jeff did a 70.3.  I was able to get in both of my weekend runs while we were there.  The grounds of Cedar Point were huge, but I only had about a 2.5 to 3 mile (If I ran the parking lot) loop to get my 6 and 12 miles in.  I could have gone out farther, but the road that I would have had to follow had  no shoulder, and was curvy.  Plus there was a sign posted that clearly stated no pedestrians.  I am a rule follower.  Saturday I got up and got the 6 in while Jeff did his practice swim and Sunday I got up early and got the 12 in before his wave of the race started.  I was really dreading the loop for the 12 miles, but overall it wasn't as horrible as I thought it was going to be.  First off, the weather was awesome, second I was running in a new place, and thirdly I told myself to suck it up because it was the anniversary of 9/11 and worse things could be happening to me.  Plus there was a whole group of people who were going to be racing 140.6 miles that day.  It actually turned out to be an awesome run.  Here are the numbers for the two weeks.

Week 5:
Total Distance: 29.17
Total Time: 5:40
Total workouts:7 (including one cross training day of spinning)
Treadmill runs: 1 (6 miles which had two be broken into two b/c the power kept going out at the gym)

Week 6:
Total Distance: 30.33
Total Time: 4.52
Total workouts: 5 (Including 1 bike ride in PA on the trails)
Treadmill runs: 0

There were a few songs that got me through when I ran this week, but the Foo Fighters stand out again:

Our trip "out of the country" was awesome.  We met some fellow creepy internet stalkers, and everyone was so nice.  I have decided that all of you need to apply for passports and move to the great country of Texas.  I had a blast spectating with Colleen.  It was so awesome and inspiring to watch MattyO and Heather cross the finish line together.  We for sure need to have a few more of these meet ups a year, and I can't wait till IMMT!!  Here are some pictures from the trip:

View from behind our hotel to Lake Erie

Jeff rode this.  I wimped out.

Of course I had to represent

With Tom and Colleen

The family came up to watch the race

Amazing tribute to the anniversary of 9/11/01

Jeff bringing it home

Bike ride


Happy Training!

Just a quickie

Jeff and I have been in in PA and OH for the past five days, and we have had a blast.  We have had the chance to see family as well as meet some great new friends.  Cedar Point was awesome, well watching Jeff and Tom ride the roller coasters was fun.  I am way to much of a wimp for that.  It was so awesome to meet fellow bloggers and cheer everyone on during the half and full triathlon.  But I am ready to get home and I think this song says it all :)

Some training and a rant

Wow, I am already in week 4 of training.  Honestly, there really isn't a lot to report on weeks 2 and 3.  Except that I am training for a marathon in Hawaii!! And yes, I will mention this every chance I get.  This is a big deal, not only because I am going to Hawaii, and I get to see a great friend who I haven’t seen for years, read her blog here, but I get to do all of this in December!!  And why is going in December a big deal? Well my friends, because for the last 6 years I worked in retail.  Talking about, no, even thinking about leaving to go anywhere away from my store (even the bathroom) in August-January was unthinkable. 

Why August you ask?  Well, that is the start of the Holiday season in retail.  First, there is tax free weekend, which is almost worse than Christmas. 

This isn't even really that bad.

Plus, we were already loading up on fall and holiday shipments. Hiring for the holidays, running get rid of summer crap sales, planning holiday floor sets, having lots of meetings, stressing about numbers, and so much more.  It.was.miserable.

Then before you know it Black Friday arrives.  Oh, do I have some stories about black Friday…………Last year I got to my store at 4am and there was already a line of about 50 people outside of my door, and we didn’t even open until 6:00am.  Or the year I got yelled at because of where a customer had to park in the parking lot.  Believe me lady, I parked a lot further away then you did.  Oh yeah, let’s not forget that during this time period there were plenty of days with extended hours, so we could open early and stay open late for people who treated us oh so nice.  It was the season of joy after all.  My favorite thing about this time of year was people who did last minute shopping, and then yelled at us for being out of sizes.  Yeah, it’s my fault you waited till the 23^rd of December to shop.  I’m telling you, I could go on forever about this topic.  I truly believe that everyone should work retail for a short time period of their life, just to see what is like.  But if you aren’t going to do that, then please read this book.

And then, 12/26 arrives.  Worst.Day.Ever.  Returns, returns, and more returns.  All those amazing sales you had the months and week  before Christmas go right down the drain.  And the holiday spirit is long gone by now.  And just when you think it is over along comes inventory.  This is where you get to count every piece of everything that is left in your store.  It is also where you get to see just how ripped off you got by the people you have to give customer service with a smile too.  These events usually take about 3 weeks of prep work, then an overnight shift to complete.  Awesome times I tell you.

Just a portion of what we had to count.

So anyway, yes, I am super excited that I get to go somewhere in December!!!!  And I might even decorate for Christmas this year.  (That stopped about 3-4 years ago at my house).  I can’t freakin wait!!!

So my numbers for weeks 2 and 3 are:

Week 2:

Total Distance: 27.17 Miles

Total Time: 4:34

Total workouts: 5 (Zero treadmill runs!)

Week 3:

Total Distance: 22.17

Total Time: 4:23

Total workouts: 6 (Zero treadmill runs, 1 cross day of spin)

  I didn't have any treadmill runs, but did wear my IPOD a couple of times to get me through the heat.  And weird enough, both weeks the same song pepped me up:

Week 4 is off to a good start so far.  However I am dreading my 11 mile run planned for Sunday.  Not because of the distance, but because of the temps.  But that is another post…..

Happy Training!

Training time

It's official, no more practice weeks.  I am training for my third AND fourth marathons.  As some of you may know, This year, I am attempting two marathons 4 weeks apart from each other.  I am super nervous about this, as after each of my other two marathons my recovery has been painful and long.  I usually wait a few weeks before I start running 3 miles again, much less 26.2.  But I am also super excited about it.  One reason being that the third marathon is the Honolulu marathon in HAWAII!!!  Not only do I get to run a marathon there, but I get to see my long time friend Deanna-you can check out her blog here  I am so excited!

Week one was pretty uneventful overall.  I was able to wake up and get all my runs done in the morning.  Even the dreaded treadmill run.  There was even one day when it was only 80 degrees at 5:00am.  Maybe we are going to get a cold front.  

Saturday was my treadmill run of the week.  This was my tempo run, which I have to do on the treadmill because I just can't get the pace I need in the heat and humidity outside right now.  It wasn't a bad run, and I felt pretty good at my race pace.  

On Sunday I did my long run, which was only 8 miles this week.  It was hot and humid for this one.  Wow, what a shocker.  Luckily two of my running friends joined me for the run, which is always a nice distraction.  We took it slow, but got it done.  And I got to get my first have to pee in the woods out of the way, which was nice.  I really need to stop drinking coffee before I head out.

Here are the totals for the week

Total Distance: 24:05 Miles

Total Time: 5:03 Hours

Total Workouts: 6 (Only 1 strength training session this week)

Total Treadmill runs: 1

And the song that got me through on the treadmill this week is  Tik Tok by Ke$sha.  Just because it is fun.

Happy Training :)

Marathon Training Week 1, again, Recap

This was the second week of my practice, or warm up to marathon training.  I officially start my training tomorrow, which happens to be a cross training day.  Overall I had an ok week.  I had to switch some of my days around, kind of inadvertently.  Monday I slept in, which is going to be my cross training day.  I was going to go to spin after work, but go stuck late and wouldn't have made the class in time.  Instead I went home and did some laundry and cleaning and had some wine.  Kind of like cross training I guess.

Tuesday and Wednesday I ran outside. Tuesday's run was outside and I didn't really want to go, but  got up and got it done.  Wednesday was five miles and was easier as I met a friend to run.  On Wednesday's we have been meeting at the Lifetime Fitness to run together and it is great motivation to get my butt out of bed.  The worst part about it is getting all my stuff ready the night before, like clothes for work the next day ect.  I have forgotten, let's say.....very important pieces to ones wardrobe for the day and it really sucks.

In my training plan I am suppose to run Tues, Wed, Thurs, off Friday, and then Sat, and Sun.  Well Thursday our alarm didn't go off in time (though I think someone in the house didn't REALLY want to go to swim in the morning) so I ended up taking Thursday as my off day.  We had dinner plans with friends that night, and I really wanted to keep them because I know once I am a few weeks into training that is just going to  be pretty impossible to do.  Well, let's just say there was some wine involved with dinner, so a Friday morning run didn't work out.  However, I was determined to get it done, and we have a treadmill at work that I haven't taken advantage of yet.  Well, now I know why.  I ran at lunch, just a short 3 mile run.  About a mile in I knew it was a bad decision.  I was doing about a 9 minute mile pace and was already sweating profusely.  I didn't want to stop though.  It was bad.  We don't have a shower at work, so I had to towel off and get back to work when I was done.  The other people I work with didn't chat with me as much as they normally would on a Friday afternoon when I got back to my desk.  That is something I will not being doing again unless it is a desperate situation.

On Saturday's we usually get up and meet our run club for our long run.  However this weekend we weren't able to to that.  There was a Spring Tri being held about an hour from us on Sunday that a few people from our Tri club were doing.  And on Saturday there was a Kid's Tri that one of our friend's son was doing.  So Saturday morning we headed out to watch the kids and drop off our club tent for the Sprint the next day.  It was just to hot to do our run outside by the time we got home.  Plus we had to get our weekend nap in.  So we headed to the gym Saturday night to run on the dreaded treadmill.  I had to do a 5 mile tempo run.  The first two miles felt like FOREVER.  However I am learning that after that two mile mark it isn't as bad.  I had to focus on my music a lot to keep me distracted.  Though I did watch the infomercial on the TV in front of me, and am totally convinced I now need a Ninja.  This thing is totally awesome!  Around mile 3 my legs were hurting as I haven't done a true tempo run in a long time.  I was very tempted to slow down the pace, but knew that continuing on with the pace will only make me stronger.  So at mile 4 I bumped up from 8:57 to 8:45 so I could push myself.  And let's face it, so I could get of that thing faster!

Sunday I just didn't have it in me to run.  We got up super early again to go cheer on our friends racing the Sprint.  It was hot and humid out and that just sucked the life out me.  Sometimes I really think spectating is harder than racing!  So overall it was an ok week for training.  Here are my final numbers:

Total Distance: 16 Miles
Total Time: 2:35
Total Workouts: 4 (Ahhh, and 50% of those were on the treadmill!)

And the song that got me through on the treadmill this week is

I plan on doing all my tempo runs on the 'mill until the temps go down a lot.  I want to be consistent with those runs, and I know I won't do it in the humidity.  So that being said, please share.  What songs motivate you and get you moving?

Tomorrow starts the real thing!  18 weeks until Hawaii!!