Insane for Running?

Someone recently called me insane for running as much as I do. And I vaguely remember saying this to other people before I started running. But I'm not insane for running, running keeps me sane!

Miles logged: 3.25

The Texas Half Marathon 2012

This was the 10th Anniversary race of the Texas Half Marathon and it was the biggest race that I've run in a while, probably 1000+ runners vs. the 300 runners in the last 2 races. We ran a scenic course around White Rock Lake (similar to the DRC course, but backwards). The first few miles had some challenging hills, then from about mile 4 on, it was fairly flat. There were 2 difficult parts of the race for me. First were the 3 bridges--these aren't remarkable bridges, they were just not built to handle a lot of pedestrian traffic and literally bounce when you run across them. This is a somewhat disorienting and extremely painful experience, as you have no idea where your foot will actually land. I survived these by running on my tip toes, but told myself that I wouldn't be able to finish the race if I had to run across a fourth bridge. The other difficult part was the uphill run to the finish line. The last thing you want to see at mile 13 is a looming hill. But I made it up, and in record time.

Another race where I have PR'd. I guess my training continues to pay off as I get faster and faster. It was disappointing for me since the race time was based on gun time, not on your chip time. My official time was 2:22:52, though I know I was at least a minute faster than that. I timed myself and, as usual, forgot to stop my watch when I crossed the finish line. I didn't stop it until I had collected my medal and walked out to meet my husband. My watch said 2:22:02 at that point. I'm not going to lie, I care about my time, so I am disappointed to not know how well I really did. I officially carved 2 minutes off of the time I achieved 3 weeks ago, so not too shabby.

The weather was not ideal for me during the race--very cold, in the low 40s, with a whipping wind. I'm pretty sure it was in my face for the whole race, no matter which direction I turned! At least I've been training with the wind. I kept my gloves on the whole time and remember my ears hurting at one point. I envied all the girls with their fleece headbands. I'm going to get me one!

I noticed a few runners from the Bold in the Cold race. One woman in particular--I wrote about her in my BitC race report, the walker/runner that had a horrible habit of stopping to walk in front of me and others. I had to kick it into gear and left her in my dust at about mile 2 because I was having bad thoughts about tripping her.

Just to show you that I don't hate all other runners, I paced with another runner for about half of the race. The guy in the gray shirt and white compression socks became my unofficial running partner for a while. I wish I had introduced myself to him, because I lost him somewhere about mile 9. There was a big hill and I sprinted up it and was on my own again. I hope he finished well!

Despite the hill to the finish line, the end of the race was great. They called out my name when I crossed and had cold beer and food inside a small building (away from the cold and wind). I'm only 2 races away from Uranus!!!

 

Starting line video

Finish line video

Miles logged: 13.1

An Off Day

I had one of those days where I just couldn't get into my groove. I knocked out my miles, but it was painful. I didn't feel great when I got to the gym. I snacked a little too much this afternoon and I had a bit of a tummy ache. And it didn't improve much from there.

It isn't very reassuring to have a bad day this close to a race, but I keep telling myself I'm ready for this weekend. It has only been 3 weeks since my last half marathon, and I've been training steadily, so I should have a good race on Saturday.

Miles logged: 3

To Uranus and Beyond!

I just signed up for my next half marathon, which is on Saturday! Nothing like last minute! I'm officially going for Uranus-ification!

My bib and baby T (size small is TINY)

The Texas Half Marathon, my 6th, is now on my list of to-dos this week, making the Uranus level of Half Fanatics within my reach! In order to reach Uranus, I must run 8 half marathons in 365. My first anniversary of half marathon running is March 27, 2012. I've already signed up for the Dallas Rock 'n' Roll, so I need to get one more half in before then. This means that I will also be signing up for the Cowtown Half Marathon!

Wish me luck!

Miles logged: 0

Lack of Motivation

I haven't had any motivation to run lately. Over the weekend, I got up early, it was a good temperature for running outside (a bit overcast), but I grabbed a book and curled up with my Chiweenie on the couch. And I stayed there for 3 hours!

When I finally peeled myself off the couch and got dressed for a run, I was still completely unmotivated. Even after I ventured outside to the remarkably warm day for January, I still had no enthusiasm towards running and spending time in the beautiful weather. Maybe I waited too long to get outside?

I was tired, hungry and was frustrated fighting the wind. I swear there was a strong headwind no matter which direction I turned on the last 2 miles back home. I later learned that "windy" on the DFW weather forecast meant wind gusts of 50 miles an hour! No wonder running felt so difficult!

This evening I didn't make it to the gym either. A storm blew in and the rain started just about quitting time. I couldn't bring myself to go to the gym and walk in the rain. So instead I spent an hour commuting in the downpour. I did force myself onto the elliptical when I arrived home. But I didn't work very hard since I spent the whole time reading "Hunger Games"!

Miles logged: 0 (elliptical was too easy to count)

A mile is still a mile

Miles logged: 9.25

Not Only am I Obsessed with Running...I am Obsessed with Aqua Socks

A picture is worth a thousand words, and in my case, completely explains the title of this blog entry. Yes, there are 6 pairs of wonderful Wal-Mart aqua socks jammed into this picture. Only 2 of them have been used. The other 4 are brand new, still with tags on, just waiting to be run in!

I started running in aqua socks last summer as an inexpensive test to see if I wanted to buy a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. After battling a stress fracture in my left foot and cartilage damage in my right hip (boy was I a sight for sore eyes!), I was looking for any and all options to help prevent injuries. And my barefoot running husband suggested I try out aqua socks. Actually, he suggested I start running barefoot, but I wasn't ready for that.

I had to re-learn how to run with different footwear and ended up buying a pair of Vibrams after about 2 weeks of running in aqua socks. After about 8 months of running in Vibrams and aqua socks, I much prefer the aqua socks.

I have a pair of the Bikila LS Vibrams. I don't really have anything to say against Vibrams, except that they stink. I must tell you, I have midget toes. I mean no offense to little people, but I really do have tiny toes. Toes so short that I cannot wear a pair of Injinji socks with my Vibrams; they are about an inch too long on each toe. No socks and a lot of sweat (I'm running here people!) equals smelly shoes.




But there is something about a $5 pair of aqua socks that makes me a happy runner. I had to toss my first pair a few weeks ago (they should have been thrown away a few months ago, but I couldn't bear to do it, so they sat under our kitchen table until recently).

So if you are interested in more minimalist running, I would highly recommend starting with a cheaper option before you decide to take the leap into mainstream minimalist footwear. This type of footwear isn't for everyone, but you won't know it until you try it.

Miles logged: 3.25

Running is an Epidemic

Running is turning into an epidemic (of which I became sick with long ago) that has begun to infect those around me. My friends and family are all catching the running bug and joining in this sickness.

My sister-in-law ran her first half marathon in December. My best friend ran the furthest she's ever run on Saturday while training for a 10 mile race. My brother is talking about running the NYC Ing marathon, because he's not getting any younger (his words not mine). One of my coworkers ran his first race (half marathon) last month and is signed up for another. And a neighbor of mine and another coworker training for the Rock 'n Roll half marathon in March.

I'm so happy to see that there are others that have discovered the joy of running too!

Miles logged: 8.5

End of an Era?

I feel like I need to comment on the news of today. My beloved Twinkie (and my employer) filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy this morning.

I think that this filing is a disappointment to all Twinkie lovers, but we all hope that the Twinkie is here to stay! What else would I eat to fuel my runs???

Miles logged: 0

A Little Laugh

I hope you all see the truth (and humor) in this!

Miles logged: 3

Bold in the Cold Half Marathon 2012

The race lived up to its name--it was cold this morning. Mid 40s, overcast, and a chilly breeze blowing off of Lake Grapevine. It was one of those: I need gloves, I don't need gloves, I need gloves runs. But the first Bold in the Cold Half Marathon was a great race! The course was beautiful, water stations were perfectly placed, mile markers at each mile, friendly volunteers AND I had a supportive husband and puppy to cheer me on!

The course followed the trails around Lake Grapevine, starting at Oak Grove Park. Most of the trails were in good shape, nice and smooth for those of us in minimalist shoes. Some parts had broken asphalt and were a little hard on my feet, unfortunately these parts I had to run over 4 times (out and back twice). Since there were only 328 half marathon racers and 238 in the 15k (we ran the same course most of the way), the trail was not crowded.

I also PR'd in this race! I took off fast, mostly because it felt like everyone was passing me. When I looked at my watch at the 2 mile turn, I realized that I was running at just over a 10 minute mile pace--much too quick for me to maintain for a half marathon distance. I tried to pull back a bit, but got fed up with a walk/runner that kept cutting in front of me (no reason to, there was plenty of room) and stopping to walk. So left her in my dust! I definitely did not manage to make negative splits during this race, but I'm happy to have run as well as I did.

Miles logged: 13.1

Only a few miles in and still smiling!                                           

Do I look faster from behind?

Post race with my freezing cold puppy!

Race bling!

 

Short video of me running

Click here  http://youtu.be/BZLcJYpXNaY for a full video of all the half marathon and 15k runners at the start of the race. I show up at about the 1:25 mark.

It's almost race day! (Half #5)

12 hours until the Bold in the Cold half marathon! I'm excited an nervous at once! I'm a little scared that I might be the last race finisher-with only 400 racers, it is entirely possible!

I'll post my race report this weekend and hopefully have some pictures too!

Miles logged: 0

New Year's Resolutions are Stupid

I'm just going to say it: if your New Year's resolution is to get fit/work out more/lose weight, I hate you. I don't hate you because you are trying to better yourself and I'm not (I never make NY resolutions), but because you fill up the gym and clog up the locker room and make me wait for a treadmill.

I have a race this week people! I need to run on a treadmill after work (it is too cold and dark to do it outside). I am a gym regular and have been going for over a year. I hate the first few weeks after the new year when the gum is over crowded. By February, everything should be back to normal.

Miles logged: 3