Laugh and a Half Marathon - 1:43:33 - June 2014 - PR

Remember when I said I had NO idea what to expect out of this race?  And I wasn't feeling confident AT ALL.  You know how sometimes when you just relax, move any expectations, and just get out there, things end up working out.  I think back to last year how badly I wanted to PR this race, and how angry and frustrated I was when I didn't.  I think about this Saturday and how incredibly happy I felt because I was relaxed the entire time.  I had no pressure on myself, no high expectations, nothing.  Just get out there and run a race, and that was what I did!

Waking up in your own bed in your town for a race is the best ever.  I look forward to this race every year because the community support is wonderful, and it's just so easy to get up, run, and go home!  I got up around 5:15 to start waking myself up and stretching.  I had a MASSIVE bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios and a few bites of a Clif bar.  (I've been cereal-free all during and since my 24-Day Challenge, so this was a huge treat!  Cheerios have always been my go-to race and long run breakfast!)

Standard Advocare procedure, took my O2 Gold about an hour before the race, and drank my Spark/Arginine Extreme combo on the way to the starting line.  We met at a friend's house and walked up to the starting line at the high school.

I decided I was feeling confident, so I lined up towards the front...

5K, 10K, and Half Marathon all started at once.  Last year it was kind of a cluster, but this year the start seemed much smoother.  They didn't have pace markers, but they made more of a point to tell people to line up by pace.  Last year I did some serious bobbing and weaving and passing...

My mom came down and stopped along the route to take pics.  I like to wave in all of my pics.  I knew I was relaxed when I was talking to people in the first mile, and even a few miles after.  Again, a nice thing about a hometown race, you know who you are running with!  It was fun to chat it up a little.  This guy joked with me after the race about passing him!

More smiles, more waves.

I normally look like death while running, here I look alive.  Thanks to a friend for taking this pic!  I don't remember much of what went through my head during this race.  I do remember telling myself this is going fast, enjoy it!  It's funny how when you run 3+ hours in marathon training, a half marathon seems to fly by!

Here are my splits.  I ran a fairly consistent race, and dominated the last three miles!  My last mile was my fastest, and I'm very proud of that!  I'm typically a positive splitter all the way!  I was wiped out at the finish, but I do question now if I could have pushed it a little harder.  The thing is, I ran how I ran, I enjoyed it and smiled, and oh hey, I PR'ed!

1:43:33 was my official time, and it was good enough for 11th female overall, and second in my age division.

Someone asked her if she just had a baby, and she said no.  Just for the record.

I would be lying through my teeth if I said in the back of my mind I wasn't HOPING for a PR in this race and to make the podium in the age bracket for the third year in a row (out of three).  I definitely thought about both of these things, and deep down inside probably would have been disappointed if I didn't get either, BUT on the flip side that wasn't my goal at the beginning of the race.  Even during the race, I didn't look at my overall time on my watch, I didn't look at the women ahead of me, I just ran. 

It's taken me three years of running to finally get where I am.  I've learned SO MUCH.  I've made mistakes.  I've had highs.  I've had lows.  I've been proud of myself, and I've been disappointed in myself.  I'm competitive by nature, but the thing about running is you are only in competition with YOU!  If you start the race bound and determined that you have to beat yourself, it's probably not going to happen.  If you start the race focused on each moment and each mile, and smile along the way, you'll likely find the greatest reward at the finish line.  Not every race will be a PR, that's why the ones that are are so sweet.  There will always be someone faster, always be one winner, but you've won every time you laced up your shoes when you run with a smile on your face.

My Saturday - a treadmill half marathon

Happy February!  I kicked my month, and Saturday off, with my favorite distance.

It's kind of funny when you run a distance PR on your treadmill, and you have no idea at what time it decides you've been on here way too long and shuts off.  It's 100 minutes!  It goes without saying, this took me a little longer than 8 minutes and 20 seconds...

1:48 and some change was my official time, 8:16 avg pace.  Now keep in mind, I run with no incline, and other than my lovely fan to keep me half way cool, no resistance of any sort.  That said, I am still excited that I can run a 1:48 as a stroll in the park run, when my second best half time last year was a 1:47.  I'm really excited to race a half later in the year and see if I can crack out my 1:40!

I use my iPod nano with Nike + to track all of my treadmill workouts.  All of my runs are stored happily on the Nike + website.  My GPS watch is also Nike.  Go be my friend if you have it, I think I'm just Brittnee Weeder on there.

So how did I pass my 1:48 on the hamster wheel, as my friend Heidi calls it!  Uh, Laguna Beach season 2... duh.  I MISS these classic MTV "reality" shows so much!  Good thing I have them all on DVD!  Laguna, The Hills, Newlyweds...

Team LC!  Oh, and yesterday was Lauren Conrad's birthday.  Ironic!

I went about the rest of my day in Pro Compression calf sleeves.  And then this happened...

No better way to end your Saturday than with some Yogurt City!

Blessings in Disguise

I am so incredibly proud of the things I’ve accomplished this year.  I wish I didn’t have the lingering feeling of failure.  I hate feeling it, but buried beneath the half marathon PR and medals, there it is.  It makes its way out every once and awhile, when I least expect it.  That stupid marathon that should have been… It used to eat at me continually.  I would search races around the country within reach to still attempt to train and sign up for.  I considered running 26.2 miles around town just do say I freakin’ did it.  I’ve realized now how completely ridiculous that would be, and how to just straight up GET OVER what didn’t happen this year, reflect on what DID, and look forward to the year ahead.

So, this morning at 5am and 30 degrees, mid run, I finally compiled a list of POSITIVE things that came out of my training experience, and reasons why I’m thankful for the “failure”.

•        MOST IMPORTANTLY by NOT running the marathon, I HEALED and didn’t do serious, long-term injury to my hip.
•        I conquered my fear of long runs.  I gained so much confidence by doing those long runs.  I was pretty darn nervous the night before my first 20 miler.  Knowing that I’ve see that 2 as the front digit on my watch definitely gives me confidence as I start my 2014 training cycle.  It’s nothing to be feared.
•       I got what I really wanted.  I really, really wanted a 1:45 half marathon in 2013.  I was hoping to get it in June before I started marathon training.  I didn’t get it, but by not running the marathon, I was able to pick up the Omaha half and get my 1:44.
•      I gained speed and strength.  I felt pretty weak going into the Sioux Falls half, I had taken time off, and was doing no major strength training in my healing efforts.  I was SO SORE for a solid week after this race, but it was like my muscles rebuilding and gearing up for bigger and better.  I’m really proud of the paces I ran my recent 15K and 10K in.
•     I have more mental strength and determination than ever before.  Last year, I would never in a billion years dream of running at 4am or running when it was 29 degrees out.  This morning, I got out of my warm bed and ventured out with no real goal other than 7 miles.  No reason to HAVE to.  Nothing to train for.  I’ve learned how to take the pressure off of myself.  That is HUGE. 

    This morning I came to accept what didn’t happen this year, and embrace the positive things that did.  I reflect back on the whole Sioux Falls weekend in general, the circumstances surrounding the weekend, the heat… it wasn’t supposed to happen.  It just wasn’t my time.  But, I was supposed to try.  I was supposed to register, train, and focus on a marathon.  Every situation brings something to our lives, be it a lesson, a success, a failure, a blessing… The standard “everything happens for a reason” quote really does always ring true.

 Something random from me for the day... my new coffee flavor is Dunkin' Donuts Apple Pie.  PLEASE TRY THIS!  It's sooooo good!  I go on coffee hiatuses over the summer months, and when I come back, I come back strong!

 

How to make your next race a PR

The weekend is the Market to Market Relay but Nebraska weather means the major race season in this area has passed. Unless you are packing up and racing somewhere awesome, you are probably done for the year, or done after M2M. 

So now what? You could sit and feast all day on candy corn M&Ms and look and old race pictures… 

Go on a total running cleanse and just veg out and watch soaps for a while… 

OR start planning ahead for your NEXT race. It’s never too early to check out the 2014 race calendar and start making plans and goals. Sometimes it’s hard to keep yourself motivated when there are no major events on the schedule in the near future. I’ve found that it’s actually refreshing, and has boosted my motivation. The ultimate goal is to go out there and beat yourself at your next race. (Not literally…) 

 


Tips for making your next race your best yet: 

* Have a goal. Whether it’s general, like simply get a better time than I’ve ever had, or more specific like a sub 2:00, sub 1:40… so forth. Your new personal best goal could be for a 5K or 10K as opposed to a half or full. I know I would like to bust out a new 5K PR! 


* Follow a guide. Some people hate training plans, or don’t want to use one. If it’s your first race at a set distance, I would seriously recommend following one. I don’t follow plans anymore for half marathons, but I follow a workout plan (tempo day, hills, easy, long, etc.) Make sure the training plan suits your GOAL. If you goal is just to finish at a set distance, stick to a beginner or novice plan. If you are working towards that PR, make sure your plan is incorporating workouts that will help you achieve this. 

* Run further than you have to. This worked for ME. It may not work for everyone. But I truly believe adding in long runs to half marathon training will be to your benefit on race day. Do you have to a 20 mile run for a half? Heck no! I would recommend adding at least one if not two longer runs (12-14 miles) along with your standard 9, 10, 11 mile long runs in half training. Take these slow and EASY. Do it just for endurance sake. 

* Do SPEED work. Ugh, really? Yessss. Make yourself uncomfortable. I find it easier to do true speed work on a treadmill. It’s easier to slack outside, and the tread, well if you slack you get chucked off the back. Just sayin’. 

* KEEP IT REAL… not every race will be a PR. (I still struggle with this!) Some things will be out of your control, such as weather, or maybe how you feel that day. My two best races of 2013 were in the early spring and later fall when it was actually not 98% humidity and cooler out. No magic secret to success there, just Mother Nature giving me a boost. Don’t get discouraged if you didn’t make your goal. Let that be fuel to keep trying! 

Papillion Half Marathon - May 2013 - 1:47:44

This recap slipped through. This is my last recap of the races of I’ve done so far! Papillion was my second half of 2013 and the race was the middle of May. This was my favorite race weekend because I got to spend it with my cousin Michele! But it was probably my least favorite race of any I’ve done.

Michele and I at her sister Crystal's wedding

 
Saturday afternoon I headed to Omaha to stay with Michele. We went down and picked up our packets and ate at the free pasta dinner. This was the first time I’d ever eaten at a pre-race pasta dinner. You know how they say “never try something new right before a race…” It didn’t turn out in a bad way for my tummy, don’t worry, but I do think I over carbed… The meal was amazing, so we loaded up with pasta and salad, and then hit Hy-Vee on the way home for Powerade and frozen yogurt! 
 
I didn’t sleep much at all that night. There were thunderstorms going through, and I was pretty paranoid about the weather for race time. (Think waking up every hour and checking the hourly forecast on your phone paranoid). I got up early to have a cup of coffee and have some breakfast. We made our way to Papillion in time to wait in the porta potty line and then get lined up for the race. Michele was running the 10K, which started about 15 minutes after the half. Michele is crazy fast, and she ran the River Rat half last year, but decided to stick to the 10K for this race. 

Black Pro Compression, Nike tank and shorts both from Gordmans!

 
It wasn’t raining when the race started, but it was really humid. The course started with a patch of gravel, and then winded through residential streets and park trails. It was HILLY. I really wasn’t a fan of this course… at all. I had some pacing issues, blame it on the hills? 

Mile 10 things got hairy. I just ran out of gas. I completely stopped to eat some sport beans and gulp some water, hoping that would get me through. Then it started to rain. Down pour actually. I could barely see where I was going at one point. I sucked wind hard all the way to the finish. The last mile contained one more lovely hill on your way back to the high school. The finish line was on the track of the high school. I spotted Michele as I came back into the stadium, as she had already blazed through her 10K, and had gone back to the car to get our bags and a blanket. 
 
We grabbed some food and waited under an awning in our blanket for the awards. Michele WON HER AGE GROUP in the 10K! She’s FAST and awesome. They called her name on the field, she got her award. Her time was 46:52

A picture frame… we were standing there giggling because we are that mature, when a lady came up behind me. “Hey, can we ask you a couple questions?” Right as I said “well sure” BAM a CAMERA in my face. News camera. She was a reporter with one of the local news stations, and they were doing a story on the race. Great day to not wear makeup and run in the rain right?! It was pretty cool to be on the news though, and the video link was online so everyone could see it. I felt pretty important. I gabbed about the race support, which was great. The aid stations and volunteers were great, and it was a very organized race. 

It was great to be able to spend the weekend with Michele and it was fun, but the course wasn’t memorable and the hills sucked. I would recommend this race since it was smaller and was still really well organized. It’s a great May race option if you couldn’t get into the Lincoln half. I don’t think I will make this one a regular race, but I would do it again eventually.

Omaha Half Marathon Sept 2013 - 1:44:05 Current PR

PERFECT day!  Temps were in the 50s at the start, little breeze, overall perfect running conditions.  I had every intention of breaking my 1:47 PR today, and I did just that!  

This was my first time running Omaha.  This was also the first year that the Omaha Marathon was put on by HITS Endurance.  The route was brand new for 2013, and was labeled fast and flat.  In prior years, the Omaha course was infamous for being hilly.  This year the course started and finished at the TD Ameritrade Ballpark.  Runners actually ran the outfield on the last maybe half mile to loop back out of the park to the finish line on the street.

My thoughts on the event.  Um, pricey.  Maybe not worth the $$.  I don't know, of course every race is worth it, especially PRs.  But this half (I signed up late too) was $85.  Plus the processing fee at the checkout put this in the $90 price range.  For a HALF.  In the past the race wasn't as expensive.  They plan to grow this race over the next few years.  I think they have several kinks to work out before this can happen.  And they should look at the price... So for the price, you didn't even get a packet bag.  Just your shirt and bib.  I was really bummed, my shirt was hella small.  They offered both men's and women's sizes... oops.  Pasta dinner I believe was extra... (not positive)  Parking was not free.  There were some major issues at the starting line as well, getting everyone lined up.

ANYWHO, onto MY race!  I lined up with a 1:45 pacer.  I ended up ahead of him the whole race.  I decided to make sure I went with my pace once I got in the groove.  I felt great, took a GU at 7.5 only because I made myself.  I carried my beloved hand held Nathan shot bottle this race.  I missed it dearly in Sioux Falls when I went without it.  I didn't stop at any aid stations, which helped my pace, as I always have to stop to drink my water out of the cup, otherwise it's on my shirt and not in my mouth.

Heading to the starting line!

Mentally and physically I felt strong all race.  There was good crowd support and entertainment along the route.  The course was an out and back.  I personally was thrilled about this.  All of my training runs at home are outs and backs, mentally that is how I run best.  The loop through the stadium was cool, but I was huffing pretty hard by this point and just wanted to get out to the finish line! 

Waving to Mom in the stands!

I was pretty darn happy with this race, in the PR sense.  I worked hard all of 2013 to fall short of the marathon.  This was my fifth half of 2013, and I finally had something to show for it!  I am more driven than ever to a) get faster and b) burn down that spring marathon.

Posing with my awesome glass finisher's medal!