Tag Archives: race season

1:56:41

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I still can’t believe I did it!  Not only did I meet my goal of doing a 1/2 marathon in under two hours, I improved my personal best by over 6 minutes!!  My official time was 1:56:41 and I placed 8th in my age group.  Not bad for a girl who used to run a half marathon in 2:30:00!

When I first started the race, my Gamin decided it was going to choose that specific moment to not work appropriately.  Rather than panic, I kept running at what I thought was a decent pace and turned it off then back on about 3 times.  Finally, just as I approached the first mile marker, it started giving me a reading that looked like it could be accurate, 9:30 pace, so I left it alone and hoped for the best.

The weather could not have been better.  It was in the 50’s in South Florida which was a rare treat.  I attribute a lot of my success to how cool it was and how little fatigue I felt as I ran.  Another bonus was that the majority of the race went through areas that I frequent when I’m training.  Being familiar with the route gave me the edge to really push when I knew I was close to the finish.

All in all it was a great morning and I couldn’t be prouder.  What’s next?!  What should my new goal be?!  I’m shooting to break 1:50:00 by the end of this season.  Lets see if I can do it!

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Don’t Go Bacon My Heart… I Couldn’t if I Fried

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wpid-img_8536.jpgOn Saturday, I ran my first official race of the season… the Great American Bacon 5K!

While I didn’t plan on taking the race too seriously, I do take my bacon eating pretty seriously so I had to BRING IT with our team name and jerseys!  And despite the gimmicky theme, the course was not easy.  The park in which it was held is a converted trash mound and had some serious elevation changes.  (For all you non-Floridians, trash mounds are the highest points of elevation when you live at sea level, lol.) What’s more, the race didn’t start until 8:20 which made for an uncomfortably hot run.

Team “Don’t Go Bacon My Heart” was comprised of some pretty kick ass runners of all different levels!  The newbies got Personal Records, the sprinters had a blast and a new mommy got her first post-baby 5K under her belt!  And the best part?… Good conversation and some nice cold beers to celebrate at our impromptu tailgating after-party at my car.  Let the race season begin!

 

 

Do… Epic… Shit

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doepicshitI consider October 1st to be the official start of running season here in South Florida and I’m so excited I can barely contain myself… This is evident to all of my friends and co-workers who are just about at their wits end listening to me squeal with excitement each time I register for another race or realize how few days are left until my first 1/2!!!!

I have been training HARD this summer and its payed off because I’ve gotten FAST. Well, faster than I have ever been personally at least.  I’m both scared and excited to begin the season and often wonder… Will I achieve my goal?  Last year, my goal was simply to improve my time by a minimum of 2 minutes each race and I achieved this. Actually, I not only achieved it, I surpassed my goal by decreasing my time by 3+ minutes a race, ending my season with a 2:03 half marathon at the Orlando “Best Damn Race” 2014.  This, ironically, WAS the best damn race I had ever done.

What this year, then?

This year, I’ve decided that I want to achieve what one of the strongest and most knowledgable lady athletes I have ever met, Nicole, taught be about this summer as I took a class with her at a triathlon training center.  Its a little something she calls “Epic Shit.”  Yeah, that’s right… I want to achieve some Epic Shit this season, people, and I have decided that I will be doing this by breaking a 2 hour half marathon.  I want to run with the big girls and I only have to shave 3 minutes off my best time to do it.  But what a long, tedious and frightening 3 minutes it is!    

Just as I fear injury, I fear failure.  But, my excitement and belief in myself are stronger than any fear that I may have.  Let the season begin!!!!

P.S. I have also decided not to just run for myself this year.  I’ve put together a page with a great organization that I’ll tell you all more about on October 1st!!

 

 

Goals I’m Committed To!

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race goals
Goals I’m Committed to Achieving Next Season (in order of importance and obtainability to me):
  1. Sub-two-hour half marathon
  2. Do a triathlon
  3. Do most of my training runs under 9 minute miles
  4. Paris Marathon in April 2015… I’m not quite sure if I’m committed to doing a full…  Have I forgotten how much a full marathon hurts?  Do I have the commitment to train for that many miles?  Do I have the money to do this?  Lol… all of this remains to be seen.
Steps I’m Taking Now:
  1. Good bye Galloway:  Although I started running using the Galloway method 5 years ago and still using it loosely during races, I have stopped doing this during my training runs.  For any of you that may not be familiar with Jeff Galloway’s run/ walk method, it’s a great way to ease yourself into running.  Running and walking at timed intervals gives you the ability to run faster and recover more quickly.  I may not be able to run a full 13 miles without taking a few walk breaks to lower my heart rate but, doing all of my training runs without walking has helped me build a lot more endurance.  As the saying goes “I run ‘till it hurts so that tomorrow, it’ll hurt less.”
  2. Biker Chick: So, I may not know how to ride it very well but, I have the most important tool necessary if I’m going to attempt to do a triathlon… my awesome new road bike.  I’m taking it out for short 7 mile rides until I can coordinate to go a little further with a friend for support (yeah, I’m a chicken, so what?!) I’m pretty psyched.
  3. Flying (running) Solo:  Although being part of a group has been a huge contributing factor to getting me active and involved in athletics, it is only now that I’m doing most of my runs alone that I am truly coming into my own.  It’s fun socializing with others but if you really want to get faster, you’ve got to be able to push yourself… and only YOU can feel how far you want to be pushed.  You can’t push someone else and no one can push you.
Steps I’m taking Soon:
  1. Sink or Swim: I’m signing up for swimming classes this summer.  I can do a mean froggy and doggy paddle but, I’ll admit, that my swimming form is pretty pathetic.  If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it right!
  2. High tech: Although I’ve been kinda “winging it” with calculating my pace during races up until now, I got a taste of what it’s like to use a Garmin watch during my last half and got hooked.  My sister let me borrow hers at the “Best Damn Race” we did together and it was pretty amazing.  Not only did it tell me what my current average pace was at all times during the race but, I was able to print out my pace per mile afterwards.  I couldn’t believe that mile 12 was my fastest at an average 8:32 a mile!  (did I want to get it over with or what?!)  I’ll be asking my family to get me one for my b-day this summer!!!
  3. Extra Income:  I need more mullah to support my racing habits.  Rather than sit under the laurels (or the palm trees at the beach) this summer, I’m going to have to get myself a little part time job to fill in my spare time and make some extra cash for these entry fees and possible travel expenses.

When Race Season is Over…

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ing 2

Since my epic race-season finale, I have no other scheduled half marathons in the near future.   And, to be honest, there aren’t many (if any at all) to register for in my neck of the woods anyway.   They probably won’t start up again until September or October.

Although its been cool and overcast lately, in about a month or so, Florida’s summer weather will kick in and it’ll be unbearably hot and humid by 8am every morning.  Rather than start running indoors on a treadmill (the equivalent of Chinese water torture for me) I keep doing my thing outdoors but adjust times to avoid the dangerous conditions.

Here are 5 of my humble off-season tips to help you hit the ground running (pun is completely intended, of course) when you’re able to race again:

  1. You may not have to run as far but don’t stop doing your long-runs.  I honestly don’t significantly lower my weekly mileage during off season.  Maybe my long-runs will be 8-11 miles while I’m training but only 7-9 when I’m not.  No biggie…
  2. Increase your cross-training to strengthen hips, legs and core.  (something you can do indoors and in the air conditioning is always a plus.)  You want to protect those knees and hips by staying strong!
  3. Sign up for shorter races.  They usually organize these year-round.  I’ll be doing a 10K in a couple weeks with one of my girlfriends just for fun.  It may not be a half but, it keeps you motivated and honest about your conditioning.
  4. Start thinking about your goals.  Do you have a specific time goal?  Do you want to do a full?  Do you need to save money to support your addiction to racing out of town?  Start preparing as of now.
  5. Get social.  Join a group through your local running store or meetup.com.  Knowing that you have people waiting on you to run will keep you honest about getting out there even when its really, REALLY hot out…

I’m doing 7 or 8 tomorrow… 🙂

 

 

February 24th: 5 days to go!!

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swamp and best

My crazy 1/2 marathon double-hitter weekend is quickly approaching, folks!  This Saturday, I will be running the “Best Damn Race” followed by Sunday’s “Swap House 1/2 marathon” in Orlando!

Crazy?… yes…. Crazy Awesome!  What better way can you think of to end an amazing running season?!  I’ve had some amazing runs, some disappointments, hit some personal records and over-all feel that I have finally come into my own as a runner.

My sister and I are psyched but a little freaked out to say the least!  We will be doing Saturday’s race for time but Sunday’s race for fun…  The Swamp House race has a really fun after party we are looking forward to the entertainment, food and endless FREE BEER to celebrate our hard work!  (We are also planning on celebrating Mardi Gras in one of Orlando’s many great hot spots so, the weekend will be a non-stop thread of manic running and shenanigans.  Just the way we like it!)

Check out the Best Damn Race and Swamp House web sites!:

http://bestdamnrace.com/orlando/

http://www.swamphousehalfmarathon.com/

What amazing ways are you planning on ending your race seasons this year??!  Please share!

 

Decreed to the Universe

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intention

OK everyone. As I mentioned in my post after my last half marathon 2 weeks ago, recent personal events have led me to make some changes to my running schedule this season. I promised myself I would only be changing dates, not changing the amount of races, and really focus on achieving my goal to p.r. at every event by at least one minute. So far, I have been beating my times by two minutes each race!!

My little sister, who will be doing her first FULL MARATHON the Sunday after Thanksgiving, asked me casually last week if I would be available to do the “Best Damn Race” half marathon http://bestdamnrace.com/orlando/ with her on Saturday March 1st. I was originally scheduled for the 13.1 Allstate Miami Beach that weekend and jumped at the chance to change my schedule and do a race with her instead… but then she dropped the bomb on me: She was also scheduled for a SECOND HALF MARATHON THE FOLLOWING DAY and wanted me to participate in both with her. http://www.swamphousehalfmarathon.com/

Back to back half marathons in ONE WEEKEND?! This is the stuff that only lunatics (like full marathoners) come up with. Now, my girlfriends might try to convince you that this whole break-up had me on the verge of an Elizabeth Gilbert-esque Eat, Pray, Love life-crisis for a couple of days but… Im not THAT crazy. So, I told Georgette she was nuts and declined.

A couple of days later… I thought of my friend Madelyn. While I may not see Madelyn very frequently and I can’t say that I know her too intimately, my interactions with her are always positive and impactful. She has good intentions for others, is sincere with her words and is always spiritual, positive and up-lifting. She’s a pretty amazing vehicle for the messages I need to hear at the times I need to hear them and I’m always a willing listener.

Madelyn shared some of her personal intentions on Facebook that week and claimed that they were “Decreed to the Universe”! It made me smile because I realized that thats the only way that anything really happens: we must decree our desires, believe that they are possible and be receptive to them when they arrive. There are many things I need to decree to the Universe at this point of my life, especially those things that I thought I had, those that I have lost and and those that I fear I will never truly create.

I’ve decided that I will start “small” and make my first decree this: I will take the challenge of running two half marathons in one weekend with my wack-a-doo sister as the finale to my running season this year. It is Decreed to the Universe!!

Next step: Decreeing Happiness, Love and Family