Baltimore Running Festival

The Baltimore Running Festival was a great experience.  We chose to spend the night in Baltimore the night before. And what a good idea it was!

The hotel was great.  They had gift bags for the runners with water, fruit and energy bars.  It was a nice treat.  They also offered a pasta bar dinner at the restaurant.  We had to opt out because we were running (ha, running) a little behind.  I’m not really sure if you need to carb load for a 5k away. We headed over to the expo to pick up our packets.  It was well organized.  I could of spent much longer shopping in the expo.  It had everything that I had seen on-line when looking for running gear.  It was like a runner dream.  I got myself some headband wraps so the sweat doesn’t seep into my eyes when I run and a FlipBelt.  This is the best invention ever.  I have had a running belt for years. The one I had much resembled a fanny pack but it was in the running section!  The FlipBelt is so awesome, much more comfortable.  This is going to be great for traveling, too.  I highly recommend it.  I showed my husband.  He wanted one.  I order two more on-line.   I’m going to allow more time next year for shopping. But we had to go because we had tickets see Animal Crackers at Centerstage.  Our buddy, the fabulous Bruce Nelson was playing Groucho.  The show was hilarious.  We got to see friends there that we haven’t seen in years. 

We headed back for the hotel a good night rest.  I was really excited but I did sleep well. 

We got up and got dressed and headed over.  It was seriously like a 3 block walk.  That was amazing as well.  No stress of driving down or parking and the added bonus of getting to sleep a little longer.  Right away we ran into parents from the school where I teach.  Then we headed over to the start.  We didn’t realize at first that the Marathon was starting before us.  The Marathon was at 8:00 and the 5k was at 8:15.  I’m glad we ran into another friend who gave us the 411.  So for about 5 minutes we were standing among the marathoners. It was really amazing to look out at all of them.  They were average people, all shapes, sizes and colors.  I guess I expected to see really in shape, lean men and women. There were lots of those people, too.  It was amazing to see them start and to think about their journey of 26.2 miles.  That can be like 5+ hours of running. Unless you are from Kenya then it's like 2 hours. 

My husband was running with me.  This was his first 5k and although we signed up months before he really only started running like 2 weeks prior.  Our race started.  The first mile was uphill. Great!  I always use Map My Run.  The first mile seemed so long that I thought they weren’t going to put up mile markers.  I pulled out my phone to check and I was almost a mile one.  And low and behold in front of me was mile marker 1.  My husband had not run a whole 2 miles in a row so we had decided that we would meet at the finish line.  Plus, I really don’t like to run with people.  It freaks me out.  I’m afraid that I’m going to hold them up or by some miracle they might hold me up.  Every time I looked over my hubby was close by.  I even saw him walking a some points and still he was close.  Hmmm…

I finished the race in 33.26.  I was a bit disappointed because I finished the Color Run in 31.04.  That was, of course, before a sprained ankle and that was with Map My Run.  When I finished and checked Map My Run it said I had run 3.25 in 33.38.  But it’s all good.  My husband came across the finish line a minute and a half behind me.  It was pretty amazing.  I was really proud of him.  There was a little part of me saying, really?? But mostly I am so happy that we are running races together!  

We rounded into the after party – I’m sure it has a different name and were given our medals.  Very cool.  Got our pictures taken and headed for the beer.  We skipped the food although it looked like they had plenty.  The next area had shopping, beer and music.  I heard someone calling my name and it was my girlfriends from work. We ran the Color Run together. 

We all hung out for a while.  It was really a lot of fun.  I forget to tell about the weather.  It was overcast all day with a sprinkle here or there but it had rained for 3 days prior and we didn’t know what we were going to get.   We were pleased that it was just overcast.  We said good-bye to our friends and headed back to the hotel to pack up.  Which was also great.  We were able to take quick shower and head to lunch.  We had a grand idea that we head over to one of our favorite restaurants, Little Havana’s until we realized that was smack in the middle of the marathon route.  We headed over to another part of time, had lunch and headed home.  It was great.  My husband loved it, too!  We can’t wait until next year!  Thanks Baltimore Running Festival!!!

And p.s. ~ we just signed up for the Half Marathon!  What???

Laterblog - you know like a latergram

This was actually was before October 12th because we did the Baltimore Running Festival 5k that day. More to come on that race plus 2 more up coming 5k's (Turkey Trot and Girls on the Run), a 5 miler in December and signing up for our first half marathon.  Wheee!!

The Good and Bad of my run today

Bad

·      Hot as all get out

·      Hills 7 to be exact

·      Bugs in my mouth

·      Wanted to stop WHOLE time

·      Terrible time per mile – Slow, slow, slow, slow, slow

·      Had to pee the whole time

·      Had to use a porta pot after run- see above

Good

v Teeny tiny bits of shade

v I ran up every hill

v I ran the WHOLE thing 3.1 miles

v Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas

v Crunchy leaves under my feet

v The trees starting to change colors

v My ankle didn’t hurt

The return to the run

Today was the NFL run series for our Baltimore Ravens.  I was supposed to run it.  My ankle did not cooperate.  I’ve been in physical therapy for about 4 weeks.  It’s getting better.  Soooo slowly.  Last week, I went to the trail at my son’s skate park.  My PT said I could walk and then run for a minute and repeat.  I ran a little and felt great.  Just to be outside again, running just a little bit made me so happy that I could have cried.  I didn’t over do it and just enjoyed the moment.  

Yesterday, at physical therapy, I ran on the treadmill for 6 minutes.  I felt like a rock star and was happy that I did not have to stop – not because of the ankle, but because I was worried that I would have to stop after not running for so long. I was able to go the whole time…sign of relief.  I didn’t want to embarrass myself in from of all the PT people. 

I was told that I could run tonight.  I was looking forward to it all day.  As the day wore on and I was getting tired, and I thought that maybe I’d wait.  My ankle was a bit tender.  Funny how much you want to do something and at the same time how much you don’t.  I got on my running clothes (half the battle with me for any run), got out my much-missed running belt and iPod.  I asked my daughter if she wanted to go.  We just signed her up for the Girls on the Run.  This is a program for girls from the 3^rd to 8^th grade. They learn how to run a 5k.  At the end of the program all the girls participate in a 5K.  I get to be my daughter’s running buddy.  The 5k is in December.  I hoping I’m ship shape by then. 

But back the run, my daughter and I drove to track.  The PT suggested not running more than 10 minutes for the first go.  We walked to the first lap.  Then I ran the other 3 laps.  The ankle was a little tender but afterwards felt fine.  I’m icing it right now!!  I didn’t get to run with friends tonight and end in Raven’s stadium but I was pretty happy with my achievements.   I was hoping to be signing up for a 10K by now.  Injury and perception can change things quickly. 

My next 5K, The Baltimore Running Festival, is scheduled for October.  I hoping I’ll be able to run the whole thing.  As badly as I want to get back to it, I have also promised myself not to push it.  Unless it Salt and Pepa…then it’s a dance/running party!

76 and holding

Injury Derails 100 mile challenge

Last Monday actually, it’s been a month now, I went out to start my 76-mile. The day after I had run 5 miles for the first time.  I was just going to run a "quick" miles.   I got .40 of a mile, fell and sprained my ankle.  We went to the ER.  They prescribed R.I.C.E., Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.  They gave me crutches to use for the first 3 days.  I did.  I even used the special Wal-Mart scooter.   The first two days all I could think about was when am I going to be able to run again?  Then I realized the immediate problem that was in front of me was that we leaving for Prague exactly a week from the time I fell.  I went from when would I run - till I hope I can make it through Prague.  I hope my ankle doesn’t re-swell on the plane.  I hope, I hope, I hope. 

Made it through Prague with the ankle holding on.   It was absolutely beautiful.  Amazing!  I could write many a blog post on beautiful Prague.

The day we got home I called the Orthopedist.  My ankle was still slightly swollen and sore. I got an appointment (a week later).  He gave me a better brace and sent me to Physical Therapy.  I have Googled everything about sprained ankles.  How long does it take to heal?  Running after a sprained ankle.  Recovery of a sprained ankle.   Treatment.  I really got no great answers.  Honestly, the ER lead me to believe I would be good to go in about 2 weeks or maybe that’s is what I wanted to hear.  Now they are saying 4-6 weeks.  I’m doing my exercises; icing it, take my ibuprofen and going to therapy.

I took me a while to get the words down for this.  I sound dispassionate writing this but I was so devastated.  Running is a release for me as I am sure it is for many.   It helps keep me grounded as well as my weight in check.  I was running and getting better each day with longer runs - then BOOM!  

I’m starting back to school tomorrow.  Summer vacation is over!  I am going to do everything I can to get this ankle better.  I know there are thousand of worse things than my little sprained ankle.  I’m just trying to positive.  

5 Miles

My first time running 5 miles

It wasn’t pretty.  I stopped a couple times and took a water breaks with my new water belt.  That took a little getting used to.  The first ¼ mile water keep splashing on me because I didn’t know the top could close more.  It's nice, right?

BUT I RAN 5 MILES!!!!!  It must be something about putting your goals in writing.  Last night, I actually had trouble sleeping because I was thinking and mapping my route to get to 5.  I fell a ½ mile short when I got to my house so I stopped and ran another ½.  I’m now at 75 miles.  I’m ¾ of the way through my goal.  There are lots of fractions going on here.  Wouldn’t be awesome if I could finish my 100^th mile in Prague?  Another secret goal.  

70 miles, losing weight and a kale smoothie

I’ve run 70 miles as of today.  Today was two outside and one on the treadmill.  We are having a major heat wave.  It was so hot and humid and I ran before 7 a.m. Yesterday, I accomplished a lot.  I ran 4.25 miles.  My longest to date.  I ran from my house to the high school (at 6:30 a.m.), ran around the track for a mile than ran home.  I am usually not a road runner (scary).  

I have lots of mini goals.  I also have secret goals.  Shhh!  My one secret goal is to run 5 miles.  My secret secret goal is to run 6 miles!  I’m proud of myself my getting myself up in the morning and running.  It’s summer, I’m a teacher and it’s super hot - it would be pretty easy to sleep in and take it easy. 

Next subject, weight gain.  Last summer I was thinner, skinner and my clothes were fitting better.  I have been running like crazy for the last couple of months. I have not been losing anything and actually gaining. What the heck?  People say oh, maybe it is  because muscle weighs more than fat.  Not in the booty!  So…back to Weight Watchers Online. Darn.  Funny, when you start writing down everything down, it does make a different.  I’ve lost 3.5 pounds in two weeks.  GO DEB!  We’re leaving next week for Prague.  Can I run in Prague??  So excited for a wonderful trip with my husband.  Going to try to stay reasonable with food.  Maybe, but how often will I be in Prague?  I’m going to eat whatever I want!   But while I’m still here…

This morning I made a kale, peach, blueberry, and banana Greek yogurt smoothie.  I’ve been thinking about a kale smoothie for a while.  I know weird, right?  I stopped at a local produce stand yesterday and they had a huge bag of kale of for $1.50.  I took it as a sign.  I may have used 3 leaves.  There might be lots of stuff with kale this week.  Pasta with kale, kale chips… who knows?  Pinterest may be involved.  The results of the smoothie:  Tasty!  I might try a little more kale next time but I was a little scared. 

Here’s what I did:

I used my magic bullet and put in

5 ice cubes or so

¾ cup Greek yogurt

a handful of blueberries

one banana

one peach (could have been a bit ripper)

3 kale leaves

Mix, mix, mix.  Pretty good.  

As I continue my challenge, I can see 100 miles and probably more.  It has been one of the best things I done for myself to keep my motivated.  

1/2 Way There! 50 of 100 miles

I got to 50 miles tonight!  Wahoo! Yippee! And Hallelujah!  I had a little difficulty around mile 33.  I hurt my back vacuuming.  Vacuuming, I say.  I could have been playing some Candy Crush, reading a book or really anything but I was vacuuming.  I was out for a couple days then onward!  I got to mile 33 right before vacation.  I was 1/3 of the way done.  My goal was starting to seem kind of attainable.   I have all kinds of mini goals.  My next was to run 10 miles while on vacation.  We went to South Carolina:  flat land and beautiful.  I rose early each day and even set my alarm.  I had to get out early before it got too hot.  First day: 3 miles. Second day: 3 miles. Fourth day: 4 miles!!  Four miles in a row without stopping. (The flat part really helped.)  So, I thought I was cool, super cool.  We got home and I had 43 miles under my belt: my running belt. Ha!  Only 7 more to go.  I got up early on Sunday and went to my to one of my favorite trails.  It’s 2 miles around.  Yep, I did it twice.  4 more miles.  It took me awhile and it was hard ‘cause there are lots of hills.  Now for the last 3 miles of the 50.  I went to my to another place I love but the hills, oh the hills.  I was slow but as my dad would say, I got’er done.  So here I am, with 50 more to go!  Bring it!