Dueling Races...Part 1

It seems slightly ironic that as Erin and I have been struggling (states apart) with running and our motivation that we both signed up for races on the same day...today. My race was early so I took on part 1 of this blog entry and I'm sure that there will be a full-fledged blog-errific recap of her 03.31.12 race experience soon.

So, I ran the 4 mile Race to the Rocker in Cuba, Missouri this morning at 9am. In case you weren't aware, it is logical to insert the tidbit here that Cuba, MO is home to the world's largest rocking chair. Impressive...I know, but I had to look past all of the allure and excitement that surrounds the landmark itself to focus on the task at hand. Now, I have run just a few 5k races in the past, but nothing formal and no actual timed/chipped/formal "race." So, today was my first REAL race experience. I was not prepared for all the formalities of wearing a number, being timed, hearing my name announced as I crossed the finish line (which I missed because I had my tunes too loud - thanks Neon Trees), and everything else that comes with a real race. I'm glad I didn't realize all of this would happen ahead of time otherwise I would have been nervous about that part as well as wondering whether I could even cross the finish line running.

But...I did! I ran the entire 4 miles and it felt GREAT! It was perfect weather, a really nice course, well organized, and great company too. (See picture of the Salem Running Club ). And afterabove) today's run I feel excited again about beginning the actual 1/2 marathon training. I'm ready to be able to say, "I just ran 6, or 7, or 9 miles" on a random Saturday and then eventually after the ultimate goal has been reached, to buy a super awesome shirt that references something about 13.freaking.1 or I'm only 1/2 crazy or... you get the picture, but I need a t-shirt to mark that accomplishment forever.

Anyway, a couple of things I learned about today's run that I should/could reference later:

1. I actually did carb-load last night (not entirely on purpose) with a bowl full of whole wheat cauliflower and sausage pasta. And this morning, stuck to a whey protein shake, banana, and a plain piece of toast. That could be my go to pre-race meal plan. I felt extremely relaxed and had lots of energy and no pain through out the run or afterwards.

2. I got to wear my new Garmin watch today to see how accurate it was and to test how good my estimates of my time/mile were. What I learned was that I have shaved about 30 seconds off my mile average. Now, granted my pace was averaging about 11min/mile, but my official 4 mile time today was 41:29 so I paced slightly under a 10 1/2 minute/mile. I placed 48 out of 148 in my age group....woo-hoo! All of that aside though, I LOVE the watch. It's small, lightweight, easy to use, and functional too!

3. Other random thoughts that are somewhat appropriate to insert here...*need bigger running shoes when I wear current shoes out...*must wear exact same outfit (weather permitting) to run 13.1 as I wore today - comfy!....*remember to stretch post-run; somehow I currently find this part unimportant, but I can imagine it will become more so as I add length to my runs.

Until next time...happy running!

Mojo M.I.A.

So, for about the last 2-3 weeks, I have been freaking out every time I run because all of a sudden it's a huge struggle for me just to be able to run 2-3 miles where I was fairly comfortably running 4. My goals at this point in the year, although I'm not really into a set training schedule, were to be running 4 miles by the end of March (along with at least 2 other 3 mile runs each week), 5 in April, 5.5-6.0 in May and then really start adding distance once a week when it's time to get serious about 13.1.

So, you can see how this set back has really taken me by surprise. I, in typical OCD fashion, have scoured the internet, asked other runners I know, solicited help on myfitnesspal.com (which is an awesome "FREE" website for tracking calories in vs. calories out if you ever need such a site), etc, etc. People I regularly talk to are probably really tired of hearing me complain about this issue. In the end, I have decided it comes down to 1. the change in weather from running in cold, non-humid conditions to typical Missouri "skip the Spring, head right to Summer" temps and humidity in the late afternoon and 2. Lack of rest - as in sleep and not taking a complete day off from working out for over 2 weeks and 3. A few serious weeks of strength training that left me sore all over for days at a time.

If these are correct assumptions, what's a girl to do? So, I took Friday off and relaxed - NO working out at all (and a couple of glasses of wine after dinner - for good measure). I would like to say I did in fact sleep well too, but no bueno there. However, I did run this morning when it was cooler and 3ish miles felt good, easy almost - so I'm ready to go for 4 this week and be back on my own personal track. AND...get my running mojo back.

Also, as extra incentive, (and because there is never a bad reason to buy "jewelery - whether just for vanity or for actual functionality) I purchased my very first Garmin watch to hopefully motivate me to push past my mental and physical anguish and finish longer distance runs. I'm super excited about this new addition to my collection of actual runner's equipment - makes me feel legit. Too legit to quit!

When Does the Gun Show Start?

I’ve been on my post-breakup workout schedule for a week now and have to admit how amazingly frustrating it is not to see results yet. As someone who’s worked out fairly regularly since high school, I realize it’s just cuckoo to think I’m going to look a lot fitter by now. But, there’s also that crazy part of me who feels that my arms should at least slightly resemble Linda Hamilton’s from Terminator 2.

I’m not saying that people should be lining up for tickets to the Gun Show when I wear a tank top, but I’d just like to see a little bit of change from all of the running and the squatting and the bicep curling. Sadly, it’s going to take a little bit longer for me to see results and even longer for the rest of the world to see results!

Just know that no matter how much I work out, or how much I want my arms to look like they could take down a Terminator sent from the future to kill me and/or my son, I never, ever want to have Madonna’s scary arms!

(image)

Breaking Up - It Does a Body Good!

I got dumped last weekend. Sharing that may be venturing into TMI territory for a blog, but when Dru & I started this I wanted it to be a documentation of what the year was really like leading up to our half-marathon. The relationship was important to me and since Dru already hears about it from me via many, many emails, I figured I’d share it here, too. Besides, it does have something to do with my half training. Because I figure what’s a girl to do after getting dumped?

1. Make the world’s most epic breakup playlist (see below).

2. Get serious about swimsuit season, which means more running & training for the half!

Swimsuit season comes early in Dallas (we’re talking April, people) so this dumping could not have come at a better time. I guess I should thank the dude who dumped me, but right now I think he kinda (really) sucks…so no thanks for him!

This past weekend I decided to shake up my workout routine (with visions of swimsuits dancing in my head) with some ideas Dru had shared with me. First, I started off with a 5K-distance run on the treadmill because it rained for approximately 33 hours on Saturday. I kicked up my mile average a bit and it felt awesome. Then, I got down to the business of lunges & squats.  And more lunges and squats.  And finally, you guessed it, more lunges & squats. Let’s just say that two days post-workout (and 9 days post-breakup) my heart is feeling better but my booty is still aching!

Erin’s Epic Post-Breakup Playlist (a sampling)

Cake – I Will Survive

Britney Spears – Stronger

Adele – Rolling In the Deep

Alanis Morissette – You Oughta Know

Ke$ha – Blind

Jason DeRulo – Ridin’ Solo

Katy Perry – Part of Me

Gotye – Somebody That I Used to Know