Run the Bluegrass 7 Miler

Saturday was the Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon and 7 miler.  I signed up for the 7 miler since it would be a good race for me and would hit about half way through my half marathon training.  This course is notorious for being hilly.  When the owner of the local run shop says it's hilly, you KNOW it's hilly.

The weather was cooler than I expected and I was regretting my short sleeve shirt at the start, but after we took off I was glad I had made that decision.  I started with my couch to 10K workout of run 4, walk 2.  I was planning on doing that through the whole race. However, I quickly realized when I was running up the first hill, that that was NOT going to work.  My new strategy became walk up the hills and run down them.  I did this for most of them.  There were some that were so steep it took a little while after them to recover.

The sun was actually shining and the course was beautiful going by many of the horse farms in the area.  Around mile 10, the half marathons had joined back up with the 7 milers and I kept looking for some of my friends.  I saw James, John, and Eric first.  I knew Jeremy would be coming soon. About mile 12 he caught up to me.  We had talked about him finishing with me if he caught me but when he got to me he said he was doing good and wanted to know if he could go on.  Of course being the good wife that I am I said "Yeah, go on" and off he went.  After he finished he came back for me and ran the last half a mile in with me.   My friend Emily had also done the 7 mile race and she did fantastic!  She beat her goal time by 5 minutes.  I was super impressed, especially considering those hills!

Me and Emily

 

Jeremy and me

 

 

 After the half and 7 miler was over, they had a kids race that was .9 of a mile.  Jeremy volunteered to run with Anika.  She was so excited about running in a race and winning her medal.  

Ready to run!

Showing off our medals

Orlando and a run of firsts

A couple days after the indoor triathlon my hip started hurting.  I tried to run a couple times, but would have to stop and ended up having to finish the distance walking. My 4 mile run became a 4 mile walk.  I went to the chiropractor and he got me all fixed up. 

Two weekends ago Jeremy and I went to Magic Kingdom and to Universal's Islands of Adventure to visit Harry Potter World.  Harry Potter World was great!  And Butter Beer (which is non-alcoholic I will add) was amazing! I had three!  We are already planning to go back!

I didnt run while we were down there. I was supposed to do 5 miles that weekend, but we seriously walked all day long for three days - one at Universal, one shopping, and one at Magic Kingdom. So I thought that made up for it.

This past weekend, my plan had me doing 6 miles since I have a 7 mile race this upcoming Saturday.  If you have ever read my blog or know me, you will know I HATE running in the rain.   I can count the times I've run in the rain during the past 3 years on one hand.  Saturday was going to be nice but we already had things planned.  Sunday called for a 70% chance of rain.  And of course we woke up to a downpour.  I looked at the map and it looked like it might be past us around 11am, so Jeremy and I decided to wait it out for a couple hours. 

11 o'clock came and it was still raining.  But I had told myself I was going to do this and with Lacey.  She has to be exercised or she is wound up all day and night long.  We started out and for the first mile I thought this had to be my worst idea ever and was planning on running a couple miles then I could go back to my house and do the rest on the treadmill.  After 2 miles though, the rain let up and it was just windy and cold.  I decided to continue on and even decided that as long as it wasn't raining I was going to do 7 miles, instead of the 6 that was on schedule.

Keep in mind since I broke my ankle I have not run more than 4 miles and as stated above that 4 miles ended up being a walk bc of my hip.  I ran/walked 7 miles and felt good! I wasn't concerned with my time.  On this run I realized I actually like running when I'm not worried about getting a certain time and I really like running with Lacey. She keeps my attention so I don't think about how much I don't like running in the rain or how slow I've become.

Lacey, finally worn out after a run.

 

 



Catching Up and Indoor Triathlon Recap

Sorry I have been away so long from the blogging world.  I have been running and have finished week 6 of my couch to 10K program. I got a little behind in February with a lazy week, followed by hurting my already bad ankle.  But it is better now, nothing broken, just bruised. 

Jeremy and I have been running with Lacey as much as we can.  She isn't quite ready to run in town yet, so we have to go to the park with her. Jeremy has taken her on a couple 5 mile runs and she has done really well and is tired afterwards.  We have figured that for now 5 is her magic number of what it takes to get her to wear out. 

Sunday Emily and I took part in an indoor triathlon, the same one we did last year.  Unfortunately this year I did not prepare at all like I should have.  I had not swam or biked since early last summer before I broke my ankle and as previously stated February wasn't a great run month for me.  The swim was ok.  I was the next to fastest person there. I alternated between freestyle and backstroke because my arm muscles were on fire! Switching back and forth helped to give some of the muscle groups a break.  The bike was not pretty. They were on spin bikes and I had already planned on setting the resistance easy and going slow so I could finish and have some legs left for the run.  The run was 21.13 laps around the indoor track.  I decided to help me keep count and to be able to do my run/walk method I would walk 1 lap and run 2 and do that 7 times.  Jeremy was there to cheer me on and keep track of mine and Emily's laps.  Emily finished before me on the run and did the last three laps with me and Jeremy ran the last .13 with both of us.  It was really sweet of them to finish with me.  All the other spectators thought Jeremy was adorable for helping me.  Of course I agree with them!

In January I sold my car to Jeremy's mom and thus had to take off my tri magnet and 13.1 sticker off.  I didnt want to put either back on my new car until I had competed in one again and now I can put the tri magnet back on!  May 19th is my half marathon in Green Bay and I'm looking forward to getting a new 13.1 sticker.

"The Ultimate Beginner's Running Guide: The Key to Running Inspired" Book Review

A few weeks ago Ryan Robert contacted me about reading and reviewing his book The Ultimate Beginner's Running Guide: The Key to Running Inspired".  I was thrilled to be asked to do this and quickly accepted!  Unfortunately, it has taken me longer than I would have liked to actually get this post written.

The Ultimate Beginner's Running Guide covered many of the aspects that first time runners wonder about such as what to wear, what kind of shoes do I need, what to eat before and after a run, and what to do if you just really don't want to run that day.   

I really enjoyed the visualization strategies that the book gave. I have used visualization when I was in high school  and even when I've coached my highschoolers on the swim team and really believe that it works.  However, I had never thought about using it for running. 

The book had 4 training guides in the back: already active people, non-exercisers, over 50, and one for weight loss.  Looking through them, I felt that the guides for beginner's were advanced for a newbie runner and that trying to run 5 days a week might be a day or two too much for someone just starting out.   It suggested switching your off days for when you wanted them, but to make sure you ran 5 days a week.  My husband who runs marathons and is constantly training for something doesn't run 5 days a week. In my opinion I don't think someone just starting would be able to start with that frequency and enjoy it. I know I wouldn't. I'm doing good to get in 3 days a week.   

I would recommend this book to anyone that is thinking about running or a new runner that has recently started.  There was a lot of information, but it wasn't overwhelming. Several times throughout the book, it said if you feel like starting, go to the back and select a plan.

Couch to 10K, Lacey, and the treadmill

Last week I registered for a 7 mile race at the end of March and a half marathon in mid-May.  So it's time to get back to running!  A couple weeks ago I started the Couch to 10K program.  It's 13 weeks which is perfect because the 7 mile race is in, yep 13 weeks.  I chose to do it instead of the Couch to 5K to start back because the 10K actually started slower with less running and more walking which is what I need getting back in to it.

I have taken Lacey with me on 3 of the workouts.  I'm training her early to be our running buddy.   She does really well on the leash when it's time to run.  On the last workout though she was a little pooped out towards the end and needed a rest. But after a minute or two she was back to her normal spunky self. 

She desperately needs to be exercised every day, so I'm also going to start training her to run on the treadmill.  I watched a few youtube videos on how to do it and have worked on this twice with her so far.  Both times she has done well  She loves walking for treats!  We need to build up her walking intervals between treats. 

Have any readers trained their dog to run on the treadmill?  Any tips? 

Looking for Shoes

 

I have been looking for new shoes over the past month.  My ortho doctor told me to train on the treadmill. But with the new puppy needing walked every day what better way to kill two birds in one stone?  It gives her exercise and trains her to run with us. Unfortunately running on the blacktop  leaves my ankle tender by the end of the walk/run. 

I want shoes in a color that I like as well as some that are very cushioned.  I have worn the Nimbus and Ghost in the past but none of the current styles are in colors that I really want to wear which has left me searching for a new shoe. I also need a neutral shoe with a lot of cushioning for my ankle. 

I have tried on the Mizuno Creation and Rider, as well as the Ravenas and the Glycerin.  I have finally decided on the Glycerins and will order them tomorrow hopefully.

 

 

2013 Goals

C Goals:
-do a half marathon in 2+ states (Green Bay Half in Wisconsin is already on the schedule)
-do 2+ triathlons
-lose 5-10 pounds and maintain
-5-10 miles per week average
-re-break 45 minute 5k

B Goals:
-lose 15-25 pounds and maintain
-re-break 3 hours in half marathon
-11-15 miles per week average
-match 5k PR time or faster

A Goals:
-lose 30-40 pounds and maintain
-2:45 or under in half marathon
-16+ miles per week average
- break 30 minute 5k


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Starting back in 2013

2012 was not what I had anticipated. My broken ankle definitely caused a lot of unexpected twists to the year. But now I have complete physical therapy and am ready to officially start back.

Tomorrow I will be starting the couch to 10k program by doing a 1.5 mile race. Most of the workouts will be on the treadmill as per my doctors orders.

I have a couple races on my schedule already - a 7 mile race at the end of march, a half marathon mid May, and part of a team for a 27 hour triathlon.

There's no way to know how my ankle will do, if I'll be able to run as much as I was or if I will have to do the majority of it walking, but I'm excited to start back. I'll be posting 2013 goals soon.

Jeremy and I do have a new running partner. We named her Lacey and got her the Thursday before Christmas. We took Lacey on her first jog with Jeremy. We ran with her 5-6 times over the course of our walk. She did great!






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