Category: Running


Nov
2012

2012 Holiday Running Streak

categories: Running

Yes, I “signed” up.  I have pledged to run 1 mile every day from Thanksgiving to New Years Day.  Today was day #7 and I was at the gym at 5:20 am.  I ran one mile and cooled down for .20 of a mile.  Why didn’t I run after work like I normally do?  I had a meeting after school till 4:20 and then met a friend at 5 to grade papers.

Tomorrow is a 6 mile run, 3 easy and 3 at short tempo pace based on the book “Run Less Run Faster”.   I got my book on Saturday and spent Sunday working on my plan.  The ideal plan for a half marathon is 16 weeks.  I don’t have 16 weeks.  My first half marathon next year is in Mississippi on January 5th followed by Rock ‘n’ Roll  1/2 Marathon in Arizona in the 20th.  Let’s see how I do.  🙂

Run Happy!


Nov
2012

Magic City Half Marathon (part of the Ruben Studdard Celebration Weekend)

categories: Race all 50 states, Race Recap, Running

Done, state #10.

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This race had an awful course with a lot of headwind.  I was so happy when I was done with it.  My finish time was about 2:41:06.  Am I happy with it?  No.  However, I have no one else to blame but me.  I did not run smart.  I did not train properly.  Anyway, it is done and I can’t do anything about it.

I did not get into Birmingham on time to pick up my packet so that meant I had to pick it up on race day.  The hotel was nice enough to give those that were running the race a ride to the start line.  I picked up my bib and dropped off my bag and it took less than 5 minutes.

The race was supposed to start at 8 am but due to some complications/problems it did not start till 8:30 am.  Yeah, not happy about it.  I was chatting with another runner whom I met in the hotel lobby as we were waiting for the hotel shuttle.  The announcer mentioned that Ruben Studdard had arrived but I did not see him.

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MagicCityHalfMarathon3

The race started and off we went.  The first half of the race took us through the “not so nice areas” of Birmingham.  There was zero crowd support.  If it weren’t for the cars that were stopped at intersections by the cops to let the runners through, the city of Birmingham would not have known there was a half marathon going on in their city.

The headwind was awful.  I thought it was never going to end.  It lasted till about mile 10.  Terrible!!  By then I was running with another girl and we were motivating each other.  She told me that we only had a 5K to go.  Hmm, so simple but yet difficult.

Finally I saw the sign for mile 12.  I was so happy to see it.  I was struggling.  My neck was bothering me and I could feel some blisters forming on the bottom of my right foot.  I was annoyed about it.  I rarely get blisters on my feet.  I was wearing compression socks with my Brooks Glycerin.  In the past I’ve worn the same socks with my Brooks Connect.  Hmm, maybe the shoes?

I saw the finish line and picked up the pace.  Not a good idea.  I stopped for about 10 seconds to catch my breath and took off again.  I heard the announcer mention my colorful shoes and my name.  That made me smile!  🙂

I got my medal, picked up some food (pizza and chips with salsa) and walked back to the hotel.   It was a gorgeous day to walk plus I think it helped my legs.

MagicCityHalfMarathon4

The race was blah.  Next race on my calendar is the Run 3.14 Pie Race on Thanksgiving and the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon in Jackson, MS on January 5th.  That reminds me that I still need to register.

By the way I loved the hotel and my room!!

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Run Happy!


Nov
2012

Run Less, Run Faster

categories: Running

I received an email to purchase this book.

runlessrunfaster

I want to run a race (marathon or half marathon) in all 50 states.  However, not only do I want to finish each race but I want to finish in a decent time.  Almost all of my finish times have been between 2:20-2:50.  My ultimate goal is to do a sub-2 or as close as possible to 2 hours.  Is it possible?  I believe so.  I might have been training the wrong way.  Time to rethink the training plan.

I am going to purchase the book.  I will read it carefully and take good notes. This book will help me get my sub 2 and run all of the Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathons next year thanks to the Tourpass.

airplaneWant to join me as I travel across the country next year to run a race in different cities? Please contact me.  Click here for a list of my upcoming races.

Upcoming race this weekend is Magic City Half Marathon in Birmingham, AL.  Wish me luck!


Oct
2012

ZOOMA Florida Half Marathon

categories: Running

This summer I began the “journey” to run a race in each state.  Well, I didn’t exactly begin but more like decided to actually do it.  I searched various races and put them in my calendar (I already had a few under my belt).  One of them was the ZOOMA Women’s Race in Florida.  I registered at a discounted race.  Yay!!  I like saving money!

Fast forward 3 months later and now I cannot race this race.  🙁  Just like most races, I cannot get a refund.  However, I can transfer my bib.  That makes me happy.  Interested in my bib?  Registration now is $105 but of course I will not sell it to you for that price.  Please contact me and we can work out the details as well as the price.

These races are being held in various states across the country.  Just recently the race was in Wisconsin.  I’ve read some great reviews about it from Run with Jess and Skinny Runner.

Hope to hear from you!


Aug
2012

MIA but I am back!

categories: Running, Travel

No, I am not in Miami.  Although, it does sound like a good idea to go at the moment.

My last post was exactly 2 months ago.  Time sure flies by.  I am still enjoying my summer vacation.  However, first day back is the 27th.  I can start setting up my classroom as early as the 20th.  I plan to do that.  It takes me about 2-3 days to get organized enough to teach for a few days.  Then I work on my classroom throughout the year.

So many things have happened since my last post.  Let’s see.  I went to Boston and Hartford.  I had so much fun!!  My favorite things were the whale watching and day trip to Salem.

In Hartford I stayed with a friend a mine and together we went to a rose garden in Elizabeth Park.  There was a wedding taking place and it just looked so beautiful!

 

My nephew was in town from San Antonio so we went with another nephew many times to the movie theater.  We also went to the beach, Six Flags Great America, and bowling.  The boys loved it!!  I love my two boys!  He went back home on Thursday so it is a little quiet in the house.

I live in an apartment with my sister that is owned by my younger sister.  I have lived here for three years and have dealt with pure misery during the hot summer months.  Two years ago I invested in several window units that helped a bit.  However, this summer was just HORRIBLE!!  Well, apparently my sister had applied to some city program that “gave” her new windows throughout the building AND central air!!!!  Such a happy moment.  We had workers in the building for two weeks.  First, the new windows were installed.  The window units were gone.  Then the work began for the central air.  They worked from about 7am-3pm.  Furniture had to be moved and there was dust everywhere!  I took this opportunity to go through my stuff to decide what to keep, throw away, or sell in a garage sale.  Of course it was during these two weeks that temperatures were in the 100s so I was miserable here.  I told myself that it would be worth it at the end.  Sure enough when the workers were done it was pure joy and heaven to have cool air in the house.

I bought two new pairs of gym shoes, Brooks Glycerin and Brooks Pure Connect.  I LOVE, LOVE the Glycerin. So comfortable!  My feet finally don’t hurt anymore after I run.  As for the Pure Connect, I have yet to run in them because I was planning to use them for speed workouts and it so happens that I am taking a break from speed workouts.  Why?  Well, I have issues with my IT band, right hamstring, and weak gluteus maximus.  It hurts to run fast.  I can run but only for a short distance and slow.  I took a two week break and then ran on the treadmill.  My first run was 2.5 miles and then my second one was 3 miles.  Felt good when I was done.  I am going to physical therapy two times a week to deal with these issues.

I decided not to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October.  It was a combination of lack of motivation and injuries.  I know, excuses, excuses.  🙁  Instead, I decided to focus on the smaller races, in particular half marathons.  I am still on a mission to do a half in each state.  I am on the road to recovery and am planning a few races before my bunion surgery in November.  Well, that is the plan.  I will know more once I go back to school and look into the required time off.  My doctor told me a full recovery takes about 6-8 weeks.  The longer I am off my feet, the better I will recover.

I got into a car accident two week ago.  Not my fault.  I was rear ended.  I am OK but have pain in neck and lower back.  I am seeing a chiropractor for the pain.  I have been rear ended so many times.  I think at least 5 times with the car I have now (Honda CRV).  I am convinced it is cursed and I need to get rid of it.  My next car will be a Nissan Rogue.

Well, that pretty much summarized my summer break.  I am not doing everything I was planning to do but that is OK.  I am still having fun.  So how is your summer coming along?