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!

Cherry Blossom 10 miler minus 6.9 miles

We signed up for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler.  So excited  - we made it into the lottery, we had 4 months to train and booked a hotel room.  Then winter hit.  And it never stopped.  There was snow on March 30th.

Really - March 30th

 I had to come to the realization that we’d have to switch to the 5k.  I was really disappointed.  A month before the race I actually thought that maybe I could get there.  I had run my first 10k (unofficial).  The next week I attempted 7 miles.  My knee really started to hurt.  Sharp pains.  I walked the last 1.5 miles.  I knew then if I tried for the 10 miles I would risk injuring myself.  No race is worth hurting yourself over.  My husband wasn’t ready either.  We switched to the 5k and decided we would enjoy our weekend in DC.   

When switching to the 5k, we still were going to have the 10-mile bibs, the instructions were, just to line up at the 5k start.   One of thing that the website said was that the amenities were the same for the 5k and the 10 mile.  We picked up our race packet and shirt.  Feeling a bit silly since the shirt says Cherry Blossom 10 miler but oh well.  Afterwards we had a nice dinner at Osteria Morini by the Navy Yard.

Our view from dinner

We had a quiet night and the next morning we walked over to the Washington Monument for the start.

The 10-miler had started an hour before and as we neared the race area we got to see some of the Elite runners come in.  Very cool! Unfortunately, we had to cross the race area to get the 5k start area.  Not great planning.  It was a lovely run.  The cherry blossoms weren’t quite ready yet (just like us ☺).   I had ordered medals for us because we were running 10 miles!!  We went to get the 5k medals and were told that we ordered the 10-mile medal so we had to go over to the 10-mile area and get the 10 mile medal.  We trudge over there.  As we did, many 10 milers were crossing the finish line.  As they did the announcer was calling them by name.  Wow!  We entered 10-mile town.  We had to laugh.  Same amenities my foot.  Okay, so these people did just run 10 miles, we were given Gatorade cups filled with water from jugs when we finished the 5k.  This is what they had.

We went to get the medal.  It was of course more of a joke then anything at this point.  At the 5k, there was a lady handing the people the medal.   At 10-mile town they put the medal over your neck and congratulated you.

I’m the first to realize what a big deal 10 miles is.  I also know as all runners should that 3 miles can be a big deal for some of us and was for most of us at one time.  In the beginning…
The Cherry Blossom 10 miler is about running 10 miles.  They are kind to give the 5k option especially for the people that just aren’t ready.  We had did have a great time and hope one day to actually do the ten-miler at some point. **On the back on the medal, I'm writing 10 - 6.9 :)

Prediction race: Precap and Recap

Precap – from the Captain’s Log (funny because I have never watched Star Trek)

11:37 a.m.

Getting ready to run the Sykesville Shiver Shuffle 5k.  This is a prediction race so there are no watches or GPS devices. 

Concerns:

1.  I haven’t run in 2 weeks because of the crazy weather included but not limited to snow, rain, thunder, lighting, extreme cold temperatures and ice. 
2.   I’ve had a stomach bug for the last few days or something.  Finally feel better today.  Over the last month I’ve had another stomach bug and a bad cold.  Enough!
3.  The Running Club that sponsors this race can literally run twice as fast as me or faster!!  You know that feeling of just don’t let me be last.  This could happen today. 
4.  My husband and I run our races together.  He has a huge work deadline and just can’t run today.  I’m sad to do it alone but I’ve been trying to keep up a race a month and maybe 14 races in 2014.  I think we’d both be more sad if I didn’t do it! 

My prediction is that I will run the race in 35.04.  Not a great time but it will be nice to get out there!  Today weather:  A high of 59 degrees.  Balmy!!

                                                                Making my prediction

Race Recap

9:35 p.m.

Time: 34.59

Wow!  This was the hardest 5k that I’ve ever run (or walk some).  The hills were unbelievable.  Just when I thought there couldn’t be one more hill  ~ there were 2 or 10!  I have never walked a 5k race but I did with this one.  I was sure I’d be way over my time.  NOT SO!!!  I was under by 4.9 SECONDS!!! 

Happiness:

1.    I felt great running except for all those silly hills.
2.    I met several new, really nice people although I wish my husband had been there too.
3.   I was not last!  Seven whole people came in after me. 
4.    I got an ice cube trophy for having the closest prediction time.  And I won a door prize!
   
5.  The beer afterwards was real beer of our choice in a bottle.  I had a Sam Adams!
6.   And we got to see this after the race!  That is one close train.

                                                                    All done!  For now

Anxiety when Running

Here’s something new…having a panic attack while running.  I was running in Florida and got through 2 miles and had to stop then cried.  I’m sure my husband thought I was crazy.  I caught my breath and did my last mile well.  It happened one more time like a week later.  Then we ran a one-mile race on New Year’s Day and I had a panic attack when it was over.  I’ve been trying to get to the root of it.  I have a couple of ideas and I’m working through them. 

New (awesome) Nike+ Watch

My husband got me a Nike+ watch for my birthday.  Although I know it is accurate, it making my mile time longer.  I used Map My Run for along time.  The Nike+ culminates your times.  I just feel so slow.  Also its gives a little map of your course.  The greener it is, the faster you are going.  Mine is always yellowish-red.  I am going fast for me!!  Give me some credit, Nike!  I can do a 10.30-mile but lately it’s been more like 11 according to the watch.  I’m trying to not look and I do want to wear it.  Frustrated.

Watching sites with Runners that are fast and maybe a little bit crazy

I’ve joined two local running clubs and I have mostly been watching them through Facebook.   The race on New Year’s Day was sponsored by one of them.  A mile  - no problem  - but these people are serious!!  I had a PR of 9:02.  Ha!  The fastest person finished in 4.40 – What???  I was 55^th out of 72.  The last person that came in was an 82 year-old women who ran  a 11.46.  These people are robots.  I should of felt so proud put was overwhelmed and had a slight panic attack.  Not fun!  My sister-in-law did point out that if you are running on New Year’s Day, you’re probably serious about running.  Fair enough.

I watched these people, who seem super nice, planning 8 mile runs, runs in the snow and night time runs.  I just know that my husband and I can’t run with them (yet).  I feel like we would slow them down.  We signed up for a 5k with one of the clubs in February.  I have started to dread it because I fear that we might be like 5 minutes after everyone else. 

Running with my husband

I love, love, love that my husband and I running together.  It sometimes stresses me out.  He’ll be like are you ready to go??  Not yet.  Running is something I like to have control of and when someone else is involved, the control is compromised.  I know marriage is compromise but I kind of have to do running my way. 

The 10-mile nightmare

My husband and I signed up for a 10-mile race in DC the first week of April.  It’s the Cherry Blossom 10-miler.  It’s kind of a big deal.  There was a lottery for entries.  There is a strict 2:20 hour time limit.  It’s like a 14 minute-mile.  That doesn’t seem like a big deal but I fear the 10 miles.  The most I’ve ever run outside is like 5.2 miles and on the treadmill 6 miles. I continue to train and increase my distance.  My husband says what happens if we can’t do it in that time.  I told him a bus picks you up.  He said, who cares – we’ll get on the bus.  I started having dreams/nightmares about racing.  This is not okay.  Runs are supposed to be fun! 

So, it seems obvious, stop looking at the watch, don’t run with intense runners, run with my husband when I want to and not sure about the 10-mile thing. It IS getting better.  My husband is supportive and I know others runners would show support.  The Women’s Running Community( WRC) on Facebook is amazing!!  I know folks would say, great job, you are out there doing it.  I know I’m just competing with myself at this point.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Resolutions - 2014 edition

A friend of mine once suggested that when making resolutions you choose things to do instead of stop doing.  I have a mixed bag.  Also, write them down – where people can see them.  I don’t know how many people will see them here but …Yikes!  Here they are:

    Run 10 miles  - this needs to happen by April 6^th.  This is causing me some anxiety. 

    Run a ½ marathon – less anxiety  - not until October

    Eat out less/ make dinner more – I make dinner a lot but some days after working all day – I’m like let’s go to Chili’s, Friendly’s, anywhere that I don’t have to make food.  Having children that are 13 and 16 means no more kids meals.  A typical dinner at Chili’s is like $75.  That’s one drink for the hubby and I, chips and salsa and meals.  Getting crazy!

    Lose 14 pounds – I was going to say 10 but being 2014 and all plus it gives me some wiggle room

    Make my children more responsible for chores around the house – really, they need to pony up!  Chore list??

Happy Birthday to Me!!

It’s my birthday! It's my birthday!

I had a great day!  My husband got me the Nike+ Running Watch.

So happy!  I can’t wait to run and try it out!  It’s snowing tonight so it might have to wait until Friday when it’s going to be 50 degrees – Heat Wave.  I got gift cards to Athleta and Dick’s Sporting Goods.  Wahoo!  Our family went out for dinner and ice cream and are now watching our Ravens on Monday Night Football.  Can it get better?  YES!  This morning we got confirmation that we got into the Cherry Blossom 10 miler.  I was thinking maybe we wouldn’t get it.  That would give us more time to get ready for our ½ marathon in October but we did get in so now it is on!!  I printed out Hal Higdon’s 15k training program today.   Here we go!!

Pick A Title

Four Races in Thirty Days, Running in the Cold, The Longest I’ve Ever Run, The Post that Never Ends! or Birthday Girl!

Over the 30 days, I’ve run 4 races.  With the cold and the dark it’s been hard to get training or practice runs in.  My husband and I are running together.  This makes me so happy.  He’s been such a great sport.  I keep saying, do you want to sign up for this or that race, and he says sure!  Having a running partner is really helping both of us. 

In November, we decided to do a spur of the moment race.  It was to benefit our son’s high school.  It was the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This was their version of a Turkey Trot.  It was close and inexpensive.  We thought it would be a good practice run for our Turkey Trot at YMCA on Thanksgiving.  It was very unofficial.  No chips.  There were probably only about 200 runners.  It was a hilly little course and cold.  Notice a reoccurring theme – Cold, cold and more cold.

My husband and I ran most of it together. I’d get a little ahead then he’d catch up and vice versa.  At the end we were heading towards the finish line and we started to get faster then he smoked me.  Boom.  He was gone.  I was like what happened? He said there was a guy in front of him and he wanted to beat him.  Yeah, he’s got the running bug!  I drove my husband home and decided to go back for the awards and door prizes.  We only live a mile away.  My husband won a door prize, $25 to Charm City Run.  Score! They let me take it home for him!  Then he gave it to me. 

The next race was the Turkey Trot for the Y.  It was bitter cold on Thanksgiving morn.  My husband and I got up and got to it!  There were running chips and lots of people.  There was ice on the road so we had to be careful.  Also, lots of hills.  You don’t realize how many hills there are where you live until you start running them.  This course has seemed to outgrown itself.  There were too many people for the space allowed.  I was way ahead of my husband.  It was hard to run together.  It was so narrow.  I’m not sure when I lost him.  Then towards the end he was right there beside me.  We finished together.  It was so cold that we headed right for the car.  Then enjoyed a delicious meal made by my mother-in-law. 

Girls on the Run was my next adventure.  This was with my daughter.  Girls on the Run is a fabulous program for girls between 3^rd and 8^th grade.  It promotes healthy living and building self-esteem.  The cumulating activity is to do a 5k.  It’s a ½ of year journey.  My daughter had struggled a bit with the running.  I was so proud of her the day of 5k because she almost ran the whole 5k.  She was such a trooper.  And guess what?  It was so cold!  It was an honor to be my girl’s running buddy!

The last race for 2013 was today.  It was the Celtic Solstice 5 miler.  Until today, I’d only run 5 miles three other times, once in July, the day before I sprained my ankle and twice recently.  I was talked into this because of the shirts.  Everyone loves it because of the shirts.  And I thought this would be our next challenge.  It was touch and go whether we would be able to go.  They were calling for bad weather and snow and mixed precipitation.  In Maryland, you never know what you will get.  I’m happy to say we didn’t get anything in the morning.  We went to the race and only saw a few snowflakes.  And yes, it was cold! Just saying…it seemed like a really long 5 miles.  The course was tight in the beginning.  I was tripped or pushed or something and fell like .25 into it.  The guy said sorry and some lady helped me up and I keep going.  I feel like I won just for that!  My husband hadn’t run 5 miles so he was pretty sure he’d need to walk some of it.  I saw the one-mile marker.  Yea!  Keep going.  There was a turn around with water.  I assumed that was ½ but not sure.  We headed to the lake.  It just seemed so big.  I was running beside a woman for a couple yards or so.  We hit the 4-mile marker together.  We high fived!  I can do one more mile!  As I rounded the lake and started down the hill, I could see the finish time to go!  Another lady was beside me and said Let’s go and we ran together hard to the finish.  My Map My Run said I actually ran 5.20 miles.  I told my husband later for an individual sport, running certainly has a lot of camaraderie.  My husband finished about 5 minutes after me.  I was so proud of him for trying this.  He, of course, said he can’t wait to do it again next year. 

Monday is my birthday.  How I have changed in the last year in running.  Never did I think I’d pay money to run 5 miles or 3 miles in the cold and look forward to it.  Nor did I think Dick’s Sporting Good would be become on of my favorite stores.  I’m looking forward to my next year and running more races with my husband.  And yes, I am hoping for some running gear for my birthday!!

My husband just looked over at me and said I’m totally in for the ½ marathon thing!