Running with Friends (or without them)

Finding a Local Running Club

Continuing with my blog blitz into the New Year.  I really wanted to catch up with the things I wanted to write about but haven’t had time for the past few months. 

  

I have never really liked to run with people.  I was so excited when my husband wanted to start to run with me.  But when he actually ran with me it caused me great anxiety.  I guess my biggest reason not to run with people is I’m afraid I’ll hold them back or on the rare (rare) occasion they might hold me back.  I’ve gotten more comfortable running with my husband, good thing since I’ve known him for thirty years and we’ve been married for twenty.  But really when it comes down to it, we always say I meet you at the end whether it’s a training run or a race.  The last race we did, a 5 miler, we caught up to each other at then end and finished together, very unusual for us.

I found a local running group that are the kindest, most welcoming, nicest, (fastest), supportive group you’ll ever meet.  But the fastest part is a bit intimating.  They have these great things called Bagel Runs.  I’ve done a couple with them.  At first, I thought they ran to the Bagel shop, which would be cool, too. Each week they pick a different location and run 3-5 miles.  Then afterwards everyone meets for bagels and coffee and to socialize.  This is right up my alley!  The first one I went to, I was training for my 12-miler. One of the members (who I also know my church) ran some with me.  It was my first time running 8 miles.  It helped me to have someone do the last 3 with me.  My husband was on the mend from an injury at the time.  I got my husband to go with me to the next one months later. We ran with the group but I felt funny because I was so slow.  I’m not used to be last when I do things and when I run with them there is a good chance I’m last.  Let me tell you again, these people are super nice and would run at my pace if I ask them to help me. 

My husband and I also went to a Holiday Light Night Run with them.

Everyone was so gracious but again I had some nervousness running.  I didn’t like the dark and there was the last thing again.  These people are all ages but they are fast as lightning.   Lightning I say! 

But let me tell you what is great about running with a group. 

Beautiful Crisp Morning Run

They get you out the door.  We met them for an 8 a.m. run.  Would I have gotten out of bed for just me? Nope!  I met the walking group on Monday. Would I have walked by myself that morning?  I would not.  I for sure would not of run through the night looking at the Christmas Lights and will do it next year (I’ll be more comfortable or run the route ahead of time). 

There are so many opportunities.  They have a Tuesday running group, they just started a c25k group.  All good stuff!  I mentioned to one of the ladies that one of my goals for 2015 was to get faster.  She said she’d help me.  I might eventually like running with friends!  I’ll keep trying.

Tomorrow:  Reflection on 2014 resolutions.  Thursday:  2015 Resolutions

Across the Bay 10k Recap

The Bay Bridge Run

So, we decided to make another weekend out of a race.   We started by driving to Annapolis to pick up our packets at the Navy Marine Corps Stadium.   It was very cool to be in the stadium and very cold.  Packet pick up was very organizing as well as purchasing the parking pass.  The expo could have been better. It was in the narrow halls of the stadium.  And it was freezing.  I did snag hubby a long sleeve training shirt which I found out later was a good thing. By the time we got there the only men’s shirt they had left was large.  Bummer.  We scooted out of there pretty quickly. 

We headed to our hotel.  And had a nice dinner in Annapolis.  I wish we’d had more time and light to look around a bit.  We headed back and relaxed a bit then hit the sack.

Race Day

The race included 10 waves.  We were wave 6 which started at 8:30.  I was pretty happy not to start at 7:30.  We did head out to catch the shuttle at 7:30 at the Navy Marine Corps Stadium. We were unsure we to expect: we were actually expecting it to be chaos.  We were pleasantly surprised, it was so organized!  They were carefully checking bibs numbers and getting everyone on buses.  We arrived at the Northrop Grumman.  It was a beautiful crisp morning.  We had a lovely view of the bridge.   

Our start was about 10 minutes late, but no worries.  One of my concerns was there were no cups at the water stations so I bought a clip-on portable cup, the Hydra Pouch.  I was determined to use it.   I did.  The water stations had places to fill your water bottles but also water fountains.  Had I known about the fountains, I would have forgone my cup.  We started out.  It turned out to be a bright sunny day.  I was bit over dressed and wished I worn a thinner shirt and capris.  I was steady.  My husband and I ran together for the first mile, and then he went ahead (which is always fine with me).   Running across the bridge was very cool, almost breathtaking. 

I was torn between keeping going and looking at everything.  I caught up to hubby about mile 4.  We got this amazing shot.  My husband put it on canvas for my birthday.  It is one of my favorite pictures of us. 

At that point my husband was slowing down a bit.  He told me to go so I did.   We were heading off the bridge at this point.  A bit of a let down because I still had about 1.5 to the finish.   My official time was 1:09.27 which was a PR for me.  Hubby came in two minutes after me.  We got our medals and headed toward the race party.  They gave us a bag of food and we grabbed our beers and had a seat on the grass.  At this point I wished I’d grabbed one of the silver blanket thingies, it was getting a little chilly.  We walked over to the Paul Reed Smith booth.  Honey played a little guitar then we listen to the band for a bit.  

Paul Reed Smith Band

Post Race Medal Selfie

Then we were ready to head on out.  Getting back to the other side was well organized but took a little bit of time.  As we rode back on the shuttle we got to see the last people on the bridge.  Behind them were police and some of the race day equipment.  We headed back towards home and stopped in Columbia for some post race grub at Uno’s. 

My husband and I were so impressed with the organization of this race.  There were so many things that could of gone wrong and didn’t.  It is definitely a race we would do again!

First Half Marathon

Baltimore Half Marathon

I’ve run a ½ marathon.  Here’s how it went ~

I have a new position at work, which I love.  It has taken toll on running, actually work in general, takes it toll on running.  Ahhh, Summer, run when you want early morning, late at night – any time – just beat the heat.  The sun is out all day and all night.  I truly didn’t appreciate it when it was here. 

My training was less then stellar for the ½ but I was determined to go forward.  I felt like I had conquered the 12-mile race in August.  I knew I could do this even if it wasn’t going to be perfect.

I always get crazy nervous the night before a race. We made arrangements to stay downtown.  We did it last year when we ran the 5k.  It was so awesome to walk out the door and the race is right there.  It also allowed us to go to the expo the night before and not have to go to Baltimore twice.  My husband could of picked up the packet for us but then I couldn’t shop.  We arrived at the expo.  I love looking around and my husband is usually done in 5 minutes and patiently waits for me.  I think I bought six 13.1 magnets and ½ zip for each of us, oh yeah, and some finisher glasses.  If I was going 13.1 I wanted proof and souvenirs. 

After we got done we went to dinner at a nice little Italian restaurant near the hotel.  Now I am usually wound pretty tight before any race and my husband usually takes it in stride.  I am  careful about what I eat before a 5k but a ½ marathon – very careful.  I ordered some pasta  - not creamed based which I would of love, a salad and a glass a wine, although if I don’t think I even drank half.  My husband on the other hand, he ordered and gin and tonic (fine) and that creamed based pasta.  Then he ordered another G & T.  You’re having two?  Okay…  I was anxious just looking at his food.  He totally enjoyed everything.  Then, he got dessert.  A big, giant dessert and enjoyed every morsel of it.  Gulp.  I was hoping it would be okay for him. 

There he is, enjoying it all!

Here’s the thing, when you’re running a race the next day it’s not like you are going to go out and party the night before so we went back to the hotel and rented a movie, A Million Ways to Die in the West with Seth McFarlane.  It was pretty funny and kept my mind off the next day.

Then sleep, sleep, sleep.

As I said, we walked right out to the start of the half then had to walk like a ½ mile to our wave.  My goal was to make it to the lake with mile 7-8, all running, then rest I would see how it went.

The first 6 miles were okay.  My husband and I usually don’t run together but he was recovering for an injury and we took it slow together.  Then my left knee start bothering me.  I had to walk some and around that beautiful lake.  Then it kind of worked it self out.  I ran most and walked some.  When running the Charles Street 12, there were lots of landmarks.  I’m sure there were landmarks just none that I really knew.  After lake we went through Charles Village, that was cool.  There were college kids out cheering us on.  At one point there was a table with Natty Boh shots.  I thought it better that I did not indulge.  I some how caught up to my husband around mile 10.  Meghan Trainor’s All About that Bass came on my iPod, went over what I call the Artscape bridge (really, it’s the Howard Street Bridge) and I pushed through for the last 3 miles. 

Running Selfie on the Bridge

Getting Closer!

Zaching towards the finish

Hubby finished a couple minutes before me even with that big meal.  He still is teasing me but I’m still not eating a big meal before a race.   My official time was 2:48.53.  

I’ve signed up for next half.  It’s in May.  The St. Michael’s Half Marathon.  It supposed to be incredible flat because the Baltimore Half was not.  

One of my favorite running slogans is "I love running...when I'm done!"  Look how happy I look!

KISS!

I could of used this guy about mile 7!

My Evening Run

Best. Weather. Ever

Today was the best weather for running all year.  Yep, on November 30, 2014 at 4:00  it was the best running weather.  Perfect.  I hadn’t run in two weeks (yes, I said it two weeks – hangs head in shame).   I had tons of reasons why I couldn’t and today I really wanted to get out there but suddenly had a terrible headache.  I pushed myself and got out there.  Boy, it was worth it.  Perfect weather, beautiful sky and my times were bad considering my lack of get up and go.  Here are some pictures from tonight (with no filter). 

I still need to circle around and write about my first half marathon, the bay bridge 10k and a post of running with a group.  They are coming…I hope sooner than later.  

Excuses, Excuses

I know everyone can think of excuses of reasons not to do things.  Excuses for not doing schoolwork, working on reports, practicing an instrument, not cleaning (really I don’t need an excuse for that) or any undesired activities.

My excuses have been stacking up for my lack of desire to run.  Lately, it has been because of my new responsibilities at work.  Here are some excuses that I’ve used in the past and will probably use again.

1.   It’s too cold
2.   It’s too hot
3.   It’s raining
4.   It’s snowing
5.   It’s a bit windy
6.   It’s too early
7.   It’s too late
8.   It’s getting dark
9.   I need to clean (today, I vacuumed while procrastinating)
10.   I ate too much
11.   I haven’t eaten enough
12.   I’m getting my …
13.   My iPod, watch is out of juice
14.  I’ll have more time tomorrow
15.  I have too many meetings
16.  I need to make dinner for the family
17.  My kids need a ride
18.  I need to go to the grocery store
19.  My body hurts (pick a part  - knee, hip, bunion)
20.  I think I’m getting a cold
21.  I am having some allergy thing -  Ah choo!
22.  Ohh, this movie is really good.
23.   FACEBOOK
24.  I’m tired
25.  I just don’t want to!



So after, I got through excuses #3, #9, #21 and #22, #22 was a problem because Shall We Dance with Richard Gere and J Lo was a quite enchanting and I want to believe motivating.  I ran 5 miles in the rain.  Looking back, not changing into my contacts was a mistake.  I needed windshield wipers for my glasses.  As, I started running, Bruce Springsteen’s Viva Las Vegas came on. Good sign.  And as I trudged through the last mile, a song that my son introduced me to came on, I’m Ready by ARJ.  I knew I had it!  I would really prefer to not be ½ marathon training but I am.  It’s less than a month away.  It might not be pretty but it’s going to happen.

Listening to your body and new shoes

It’s back to school.  And that has put a slow down to my run time.  I have new responsibilities at work and it has consumed me for the last few weeks.  All the while the thought of my upcoming ½ marathon is looming.  I ran my 12-mile race (which I will repeat is almost a ½ marathon!!) and it went well.  But…I got to get back out there with some long runs.

So, Sunday, I got 6 miles in.  The first 3 were pretty good.  Then my body started talking to me.  My right hip start to ping.  It has been bothering me on and off for the last month.  Then my left knee start to tingle.  I usually wear a knee brace/wrap when I run longer runs.  Oh wait, now my arch of my right foot is starting to hurt.  Maybe I just need to stretch out.  Breathing is still good but that appears to be the only thing that might be because I’m going so slowly.  Here’s where I know that I have grown as a runner.  I stopped and walked.  It wasn’t for long but I knew I could do serious damage and not be able to run for a couple days or weeks if I didn’t put the brakes on. I got through the 6 miles. 

My husband is just back to running after a stress fracture.  He really needed to get properly fitted for shoes and my shoes were showing wear even though I got them at the end of February.  I checked the store I usually go to and they closed at 4.  I googled the next nearby store and discover Road Runners.  I had been there once or twice.  Well, holla!  They were serious business, very professional and excited that we were getting shoes.  I also got re-fitted and was pleased that I was in the proper shoe.  I wound up getting the same shoes I have.  I was happy!  I got in a short two miles on Wednesday and tried my new shoes on Thursday for 4 miles.  I’m hoping they will break in quickly or they are going back.  Even though they are the same shoe they were bothering my bunion.  This will not due!

Tomorrow is a 5k race, a special one – it benefits, Zaching for Cancer. 

What a difference a year makes.  Last year, at this time, if I was preparing for a 5k in the morning I would be nervous and slightly panicking.  Tonight, I’m wondering what time I have to get up.  I’ll save my nerves for the morning. 

Charles Street 12 - A Recap

My husband and I began running together last September.  We were getting more excited about running together and signing up for more and more races.  We had completed the Shamrock 5K and the Sole of the City 10k, and we were training for the Charles Street 12 miler as the third leg to the B3 race series (cool backpack and extra medal).  Then in late June my husband suffered a stress fracture near his ankle on his right leg.  He was okay but it of course was going to take time to heal and get back to running.  Should I continue to train?  Should I wait for him?  We decided I should continue.  So for the rest of the summer I did a 3-mile run, a 5-mile run and a long run on the weekend.  The long runs were not pretty. I built up 8, 9, 10, and finally 11 miles with lots of stopping in between.  Towards the end of my training I was my own worst enemy.  I sometimes couldn’t run more then 2 miles without stopping.  I couldn’t figure out what was wrong.  I decided to incorporate some on the Run/Walk method.  The last few runs I ran 3 minutes and walked 1 minute.  This was supposed to be a 10-minute mile.  Ha!   I thought this would be the only way I could get through the 12 miles.

The weeks prior to the race I was a mess.  I was a bag of nerves and all I could think about was getting through this and would I get through this.

Race Day

My husband, graciously, drove me to the start.  I felt terrible for him because I knew how much he would love this race and terrible for me because I was petrified.  The weather could not have been any more perfect.  It was cool, but not sunny.  It was certainly not like August in Baltimore.  Good omen – and the night before the Orioles had won 12 to 2.  Twelve: I thought that was a good sign, too. 

I almost started to cry as we started – I just keep thinking – I’ll just go slow, if I have to walk, I have to walk, just keep moving forward. 

Running toward Towson University - my alma mater

My plan was to run the first 3-6 miles before having to use my walk run method. 

I was expecting the hills because I had read everything there was to read about last year's race and talked to several people.  

 I ran the first 6 miles without walking.  What??  I did have little water breaks – they had lots of stops- the first one was around 1.5 miles and the second was about 2.5 miles, and then it seemed like a long time till the next one. 

1/2 way done!  

I couldn’t believe I had gotten to mile 6 without stopping, and then I got to mile 7.  I think one of things that really helped me was seeing all the people walking.  People were walking by the first ½ mile.  I wasn't competing with these people, but I knew when I did have to walk there would be others walking.  My pace was about 11:20 for the first 7 miles.  I was happy as a clam. 

Mile 8 to 9 was hard.  I walked a minute during that mile.

Getting close to Hopkins

33rd Street

Runner who (you can't tell) but was juggling the whole time!

Encouraging Smiley Face building

Man/Woman Statue - Follow it on twitter @manwomanstatue

The Belvedere - getting closer

I'm thinking - okay only a 5k left!

The back of the leg behind my knee was starting to hurt.  I was in the city now.  I was beginning to walk up hills and slow down, but I knew I would finish.  My slowest mile was 12:26.  For me, this is good! 

I keep thinking I have to be close to the Monument.  Where's the Monument?  Aww. Man.  It's all jacked up!!!

Peabody

Coming toward the finish 

Running around Cross Street Market and Fed Hill was a bit of a blur. I was tired.  I saw the 11-mile marker .  Almost there: still really tired.

As we turned the corner to the Aquarium we only had about .60 mile to go - A little slice a heaven – one last water station!  All the water stations and there were plenty had sport drinks, too!  Very helpful.   This one last water station gave me a minute to regroup and finish strong.  On to the Inner Harbor.  This was great and strange because as the runners were thinning out it was hard to tell where to go – tourists were walking around.  Then I saw some of the photographers!  Big Smile!   Rounded the World Trade Center Building and I spotted my husband cheering me on – almost cried again and wanted to stop there!   I rounded the last corner with the hubby running with me a bit and crossed the finish line!!  2.21 minutes with a pace of 11:47.  My secret hope was to finish under 2:30.  My hope was under 2:45.  I was very pleased. 

On the way down to the race, I said to my husband – I’m not doing this anymore.  After the race – I couldn’t wait for our ½ marathon in October. 

It was a really great race.  Lots to look at and very organized.  Lots of hills but I was ready for them.  Thanks Charm City Run!  

5k on National Running Day!

Often people reflect on why they run on National Running Day.  I know why I started running.  I was turning 40, I wanted to loss some weight and check a 5k off my bucket list.  Why I still run is a bit of mystery.

I would really like to be one of those people that loves the whole experience but really running is hard for me.  I feel like I struggle in some way each and every time.  It is the one thing that has truly challenged me and yet I keep doing it.  Hmmm.  I am often frustrated with myself yet my numbers show that I am improving.  It just seems like it should be getting easier.  The improvements are so tiny they are hard to see but I know they are there.  Why do I run?  I think I run for how I feel afterwards, no matter how bad the run, I always feel better when I’m done!

I planned on running a short 2 miles today then I thought I just go for the 5k.  I had some motivation tonight.  I decide to treat myself to some post run crabs.  My whole family does not care for this Maryland delicacy but I LOVE them and they were delicious!

I get ½ dozen big guys.  I set up a little table in our garage and enjoy them all by myself!  And as an added bonus, I saw the first lighting bug of the season.   Good Day!  Happy Running Everyone!

Great Weekend!

PR's and a long run

We had our daughter’s softball game Friday night under the lights.  Very cool and they won.

I needed a race for May so in a spur of the moment decision we signed up for a 5k – The Twilight 5k as part of the Frederick Running Festival.  I’m trying to run a race each month with a totally of 14 for the year (I did two in April).   As we began the race it started to drizzle and became very windy but then it stopped quickly and then the weather was great.  It was a hard race for me, I’m not sure why.  There were a few hard hills.  I DID officially PR.  But my husband, he PR’d by like 3 minutes.  It was amazing.  He was off.  This is one of the first times he has crossed the finish line before me.  I think it’s going to happen a lot more often. We bumped into a former student/parent, my cousins and a family from softball.   And seriously, they had the best beer I've ever seen at a race.  The whole race was very well organized and that always a plus.  I'd love to do the 1/2 there next year.  We also found a great new restaurant, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewpub.  All very spontaneous!

And today, we did our long run.  Seven miles for the first time! It was a beautiful day for run.  We broke it up 2 miles around the trail, then 3 miles on the road, then back around the trail for the last 2.  This was my view when I got done.  I might have rested for a minute afterwards.

After dinner, my husband said, this was really a great weekend.  It really was!  I’m ready for the week if I can walk tomorrow and it’s Cinco de Mayo.  ¡Olé!

The highs and lows of April

When our kids were younger we would do our highs and lows of the day at dinner.  Now that they are teenagers it would be like pulling teeth but it was nice while it lasted.  

So here are my high and lows for April:  

Highs:

Ran my first official 10k

Ran 50 miles this month

My pace is beginning to improve

It has finally stopped snowing

Lows:

Had to drop out of the Cherry Blossom 10 miler and switch to the 5k

Weight Watcher and I have begun to see each other again which meant Starbucks and I had to break up

Can't wait for May!