Today I’m a Half Marathoner

Yesterday, I was able to finish my second Half Marathon. That’s 13.1 miles. In a row. On foot.

Last time I raced this distance, I suffered great muscle cramps which meant walking the last 5+ miles in order to finish. This time — I was properly trained, well hydrated, ate a banana the day before race and the morning of the race. I even sipped some pickle juice to help prevent cramping. Good news: It worked. No cramps. Bad news: All that did very little to prevent heat exhaustion. Temps in the 80s and high humidity, so I simply adjusted my game plan: Start “slow” then back it off to “even slower.”

Already feeling the ill effects of the heat, my spirit was crushed when we came upon a hydration station at approximately Mile 6 that was “out of water.” SERIOUSLY!?? At that point, I prayed for anything to help me enjoy the rest of the event, because quitting was not an option.

Within minutes, I was greeted with a nice breeze as I exited the wooded area. Further along the trail, people were handing out wet cloths. And by Mile 7, a man with a cooler offered me an icy cold bottle of water. Feeling a bit better, I ran when I could and walked when I had to… all the way to the end.

Hats off to my running buddies, for encouraging me through training and cheering me on at the finish. Best of all, my parents were there to see me RUNNING STRONG to the finish line.

Today I’m a Proud Mom

Although my son and I completed a 5K race together last Spring, I’ve never been so proud of his accomplishment as I am today.

We entered this charity 5K several weeks ago and did not train together. He has been doing track in PE class for past month and I have been training for an upcoming Half Marathon.

This morning, we were greeted with exceptional weather and a perfect day to race. Turns out, he’s got some wheels. We were able to finish in just over 42 mins

Hats off to my son … for getting out there, trying something unfamiliar and going for it!

Today I’m an Injured Runner

So this was the year I truly got the bug. The running bug. I ran a few 5K races last fall and immediately knew I needed to set some running goals for 2010. I was hooked!

Here it is, mid-July and I look forward to my HOT, long runs every weekend. But I recently revisited the doctor for her take on my persistent pain in my right foot. Ugh. Clearly plantar fasciitis. Course of action included a cortisone shot in the heel, stretching routine and 4-5 days of rest. No walks. No runs. Stay off of it as much as possible.

Today is Day 5 and I have never wanted to go for a run more.

Looking back to January, I set out to accomplish the following running goals:
1. Finish at least 4 races
2. Finish a 10K race
3. Finish a 5K race in under 30 mins
4. Run throughout the heat of the Texas summer

With the help of the folks at Run On and a new podiatrist, I found a pair of new shoes and set my sights on two 5K races in the spring. I completed the Wish for Races in March and the America’s Run at Cowboys Stadium in April. Two goals down, two to go!

In April, I joined a running group that would help me run through the summer. The group follows Jeff Galloway’s method of Run-Walk-Run. This not only gave me support and encouragement to keep running in the heat, but also refocused my priority on distance, endurance and to have fun finishing.

My group was to complete 9 miles today. Instead, I slept in and made breakfast. I know in the end it’ll be important to give my foot time to heal, but it’ll be a long, slow road to get there. If all goes well, I’ll still be able to complete the 10K and at least one more race this year — hopefully a half-marathon.

Hats off to the athletes out there who have endured injury and come back strong. I want that to me one day. But in the meantime, I’ll just have to be patient.

Today I’m a Texas Runner

It all started months ago when I first spotted a posting for America’s Run. It was promoted as the inaugural run and included a half marathon, 5K and fun run. Best of all, it was going to be at Cowboys Stadium. And as a Cowboys fan, it was a perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with this extraordinary structure.

I knew I wouldn’t be ready for a half marathon by April, so I immediately signed up for the 5K. A goal race for sure. Little did I know how great this would be.

Friday, I was able to see the stadium for the first time — packet pick-up day and fitness expo. The Stadium was awesome. The expo, not so much. But I was able to get many pictures from the stands and see the much-talked-about BIG screen. And yes, it’s BIG.

Then today, was race day. I met up with a couple of fellow-runners from my training group and had an exciting race — including another runner unfortunately stumbling right in my path. Starting just outside Cowboys Stadium, we took off at 8 am, ran past The Ballpark in Arlington and could see Six Flags over Texas just a short distance away.

After over 2.5 miles, I neared the Stadium again. This time, I was going inside. The route took us all through the tunnel deep into the fortress until we were greeted by an endzone. The blue and silver painted grass made me find more energy than I knew I had. I kicked into high gear and found myself sprinting the final 50 yards to the mid-field finish.

Overwhelmed with the view from the field, I scanned the crowds to find my family who watched the jumbotron to see me finish. A fantastic morning. A great race. A spectacular running memory. Will you join me next year?!

Today I’m a Lazy Bum

Ever have one of those days when you just didn’t want to do anything? Well, at least not anything very productive? That was today.

Officially, the kids were on spring break this week. They spent the first two days at grandpa and grandma’s, then I worked from home for a day and half, while my husband was home with them for the last day and a half. In hindsight, it might have been easier to plan a vacation.

In the end, it was a messed-up-schedules-are-wrong-stupid-time-change kind of week. I just decided to take the day off — watching movies/TV, listening to my son practice piano, working with my daughter in her KidWalk, reading a book, going for a chilly run/walk, and ordering in pizza.

Oh, and for the record, I’m actually wearing a hat today, too!

Today I’m a Runner

I had a great time today running a 5K race for charity. I’ve been training since the end of September and hoping to get hooked on racing. I’ve never been a runner, but always wanted to be. In fact, when I ran track in junior high, I was the one who ran anchor on the 4×4 relay team. Sounds good, right? Not so much. Because of the 3 relays teams we had, we were #3. And as the last event of the track meet, that meant I was the lone runner on the backstretch of the track with 200 yards left go when all my friends were packing up their gym bags. (Thanks, Mom for staying the stands to cheer for me!)

Last January, however, a small group of us began running for recreation. We came to the group with all kinds of backgrounds – walkers, runners and marathon-hopefuls. Our goal then was to run together in a 5K race in March. Several of us did it and I was hooked! My goal was to run the entire way without walking and wanted to finish under 40 minutes. Well, I finished in 00:41:51 but DID run the entire distance.

That said, the Texas summer rolled around and by mid-June, my Adidas were not hitting the pavement anymore. I’d pretty much abandoned the running “thing” altogether. But when a new group of people at work started up again this fall, I couldn’t resist. I joined them about 3 weeks into their training. I consistently ran twice a week with the group and ran on my own every weekend. I set my sights on a 5K in November.

After a brief falter with troublesome shin splints, I was ready. And today was the day. I had 3 goals:
1. Beat my Personal Record: 00:41:51
2. Finish under 00:38:00
3. Finish RUNNING strong

I was able to accomplish them all and I’m very proud of my progress. Not only did I come in under my goal time, I shaved 6 minutes off my PR with a time of 00:35:50.9! Having my family at the finish line made it all that much more spectacular!

OK, enough rambling, boasting and patting myself on the back. I guess I’m still jazzed about the adrenaline rush. Thanks to everyone who has supported me, trained with me and encouraged me along the way. I can’t wait for my next race! Will you join me?