Race Recap: Leesburg 20k AND Race Goals: VA Beach Rock n Roll Half

Hey, I’m getting this recap in in under 2 weeks, so I figure I’m still with in the recap limit!

So, since it was such a last minute sign up, I didn’t really get the pre-race nerves.  It actually worked out quite nice.  Not something I would do on a regular basis, but it really did work out since it matched up with my training for the weekend and it was great to have the course support. 

June and July were super hot, but August hasn’t been too bad, weather wise.  That Sunday was beautiful.  Not too hot, too cold.  Actually, I had sweats on on the way to the race, and if my arm warmers were clean, I would have at least brought them to wear before the start.

I told J and O they didn’t have to come with me, since we had to get up super early, but my cheering squad was determined to join me!  And I’m glad they did.  J dropped me off close to the start while they went to park, and I found them right before the start.  I loved my last smile and wave before starting.

We look way to happy for getting up so early on a Sunday morning.

I started out slow.  I got a little antsy about that actually.  While I set out knowing this was a training run/race, and I was trying hard to keep my heart rate steady (or I guess, trying hard to not try to hard and spike my heart rate), having a slower first mile than any of my recent races was hard to see.  So, I did start a little discouraged.

The run was beautiful.  After mile 2, the rest of the race (until running up the chute to the finish, which was the same place as the start) was on the W&OD.  A few years ago, right before I got pregnant, J and I ran a 5k that started at the Loudoun Fairgrounds (they also had a half marathon that day, at that point I was all like, crazy people!).  That course also used parts of the W&OD trail, including a hill that just seemed monstrous at the time.  I think partially because it was windy, so I couldn’t see where it ended.  So, the 20k covered this same hill.  I think my second favorite part of this race was making it up this hill without a problem.  Once we passed the entrance to the fairgrounds, I knew what was coming, and I may have panicked a little.  But you guys, I just chugged on up and before I knew it, I was up and moving on.  For the record, favorite part was going back down that hill.  The second half of the race had more downhill action, so I felt much better after the turn around.  There were no huge hills, but I could definitely pick up an incline on most of the first half of the run.

As I said, I felt better on the second half, or at least for most of it.

10 miles down and no walking.  None.  Not even through water stations, which was probably one of the biggest accomplishments of the race.  I didn’t choke myself and shoot water up my nose while going through water stations, and I most definitely grabbed water at each station!  I bent the top of the cup so it was more like a corner instead of rounded, and the funnel worked!  I know it sounds funny to be so excited about not drowning myself with a dixie cup of water, but I can’t help it, I am.

This was the first time, I think, that I have run double digits without walking.  Around 10 miles I hit a wall.  All the sudden the easy pace I had been maintaining since mile two started getting slower and slower.  One man and I had been going back and forth with each other, passing one another.  The last time I passed him, he told me, “good job!” and when he passed me back, I cheered for him.  And then he kept going, maintaining his pace, and I soon lost sight of him.

Miles 10-12 were tough.  My hips hurt, my back hurt, I was tired, and I just felt like I would never be done.  But I made it so far without stopping, and I knew I couldn’t give up just then.  I had come too far and too close to a goal I thought unattainable.  I knew how upset I would be if I walked even a couple steps at that point.  That’s what kept me running.  Truthfully, at that point, I thought I was going to cry when I crossed the finish.  Mainly if I were able to keep running just a bit longer, partly because of the pain, and partly because whenever I know I’m going to reach a new achievement in running, I’m sure I’m going to cry (I have never cried yet while running, or at the finish of a race).

I saw my boys around mile 12.  The thought of reaching my goal got me through miles 10-12, but they got me through 12-12.4.  I had to smile and laugh when I saw them standing there for me on the last corner before the last hill to the finish. (I’ve said it before, but seriously? I ended a race going uphill again?  Why does this always happen?) J ran O in his stroller with me for a couple minutes and then pulled off to the side by the finish.

I was way above my time goal, finishing in 2:24: something (apparently my bib didn’t register, my official time didn’t show up in the results).  But I met what I thought would be my hardest goal and didn’t walk at all.  I’m so happy and proud of myself for that.

Goals
1. Finish under 2:15. Nope, but that’s ok.
2. Only walk through water stations. Surpassed
3. Run the full race. CHECK!

Finished sweating pink and showing off the guns.  I’m actually really proud of my arms in this picture, but please ignore the funny face.

And this weekend is a planned race, the Virginia Beach Rock n Roll Half Marathon.  One year anniversary of my first half, and one year anniversary of J having meningitis.  This is the same race I ran last Labor Day, and it feels like so much has happened in this year.  A part of me knew once I ran one, I would sign up for other halves to see how I improved, but outwardly, I felt like this distance was a one and done type thing.  I have been kind of on the fence with how I felt about running this again this year.  I haven’t been stressed, I really haven’t thought much about it, because, really, how is it September already?

But this week, I started to get really excited about it.  And nervous.  But like excited nerves.  Though, also like, um, I hope I can do as well as I want because I feel like I haven’t been as consistent with nutrition and training as I would have liked.  But mostly excited.  Last year, we didn’t really get to celebrate or enjoy the after party.  I didn’t realize how much this race would take out of me.  I was so incredibly sore and exhausted afterward.  I just wanted to sit and do nothing.  We thought J was getting over meningitis, but on our way down, started getting worse again (he ended up in the hospital again for a week the following night).  It was kind of a mess.

This year, we’re both healthy.  We’ve both come so far in our training, and it will be great to run this with J (and by that I mean, see him before the race and have him waiting for me at the end, having finished much earlier than me.  But I’m so excited to celebrate at the end and just relax after and enjoy the post race festivities.  Goals aside, that’s really my plan for this weekend.

But, it wouldn’t be a race if I didn’t set goals.

Goals

1. Walk only through water stations.  I’ve proven to myself I can run at least 12.4 miles without walking, but I want to feel stronger at the end this weekend than I did at the 20k.

2. Beat last year’s time (2:41:28)

3. PR (under 2:19:23)

Back to vlog

Hi!  Hopefully I'll be vlogging more often, I really enjoy doing them!  So, you guys will just have to put up with my babbling and giggling and funny faces that I catch myself making because it's kind of awkward to watch myself talk.

I just want to say I am so very sore right now from the ab ripper video.  But, still got some planking in! 2 day streak woohoo!

I talked about my race this weekend, goals to come.  I'm really excited, but I'm not sure how it got to be September already!

So, let me know, where should the pink go?  Yes, these are the pressing matters right now.

Weekly Chase 4

Oh my goodness, I’m starting this week with a round of Ab Ripper X (from P90X) and whew, I will be feeling this!  The first few exercises, it’s not so much my abs that feel it as much as my hips, so if I’m waddling the next couple days, that’s why.

I did also get in a run this weekend, getting in a hill workout.  But I’m not waddling from that.  That actually went pretty well.  The first couple miles were kind of a mess actually (well, there were some sweet downhills, but aside from that).  I set up my water so I would pass it a few times, along with a snack, since I was intending to do 14 miles.  I started a bit sluggish, the day was threatening rain and it was humid.  Not so much hot, there was actually a breeze and the weather has been quite nice for running.  I knew I would be doing some walking in such a long run, and what I need to do is look up where the water stations are so I can plan my walk breaks at those miles during training (or around, I should probably switch it up a bit so I’m not used to taking breaks at certain points).  But I didn’t this time.  I figured I would walk where I set up my water, and then if necessary in between water breaks.

But, I should know better than to leave things so vague.  I should know planning for the walking is helpful.  If I just walk “whenever” I wait until I’m overtired and getting started again is just hard.  Around 40 minutes in, I realized my plan was not working, and I went back to my intervals from last year, run 9 minutes, walk 1.  After that, I really got into a groove and my run was going great.  I was also on a slightly flatter part of the run, but my energy, physically and mentally, was up.  The weather yesterday was so, so weird though.  It started drizzling, which felt nice, then I’d be burning up in the sun, then a little heavier rain, but just for a minute.  When I reached my water station at 6 miles though, it was a complete downpour.  So, run cut short, but hey, still 6 miles down for the weekend!  I do need to get a longer run in sometime this week though…

So, last week’s goals.  Eh, they went ok.  I mean, I could have done better, I  could have done worse.

1. Plank a day.  I missed one week day and Saturday and Sunday.  So, I got in 4/7 days, with a record setting (1:35) day on Friday.
2. Plan snacks.  Cookie Butter from Trader Joes might have been discovered last week.  It’s not terrible as long as I’m not spreading it on everything, right?
3. Cut the alcohol.  I did fairly well.  Just a couple cheats.
4. Eat clean(ish).    Please see Cookie Butter (you guys it is SO good.  Like gingerbread cookies in peanut butter form).


My goals this week are just repeats.  But it’s a race week and I’m not concentrating on anything new.

1. Plank a day.   My core is still a priority.  This will be a recurring goal.
2. Cut the alcohol.  Just until Sunday.  I have a race Sunday with a free beer at the end calling my name.  But I can make it until then.

I also just wanted to say thank you for all the support and comments.  I might not always reply back, but I really appreciate all the love and motivation!

Weekly Chase 3

I might have taken a week off from the Weekly Chase.  And a lot of things.  Really, I didn’t do much last week.  I’m trying to think, but between Sunday to Sunday (6 mile long run and 20k race), I did pretty much nothing.  Oh, I enjoyed food and beer.  Hm, yep, that’s about my week last week.  And I slept.  Glorious, glorious sleep.  Oh! I did start planking! (speaking of, I need to plank today).  I did need the sleep though, and I think I did need the break.  So, I had to go back a couple weeks to revisit my goals.

1. Try Yasso 800s. I actually tried this out the following Wednesday.  It went well!  Definitely a challenge, but I think the bigger challenge was that I spent so much time on the treadmill to get them done.  I just don’t like the treadmill.  30 seconds feels like an eternity, and no matter what I do (shake it up, watch TV, read, listen to music), nothing really makes the time go faster.  Any suggestions?  Intervals do help, but only if I’m changing speed every minute or so, which defeats the purpose of the work out I’m doing.  I do need to figure out getting 5x800 in sometime this week.

2. Drink more water. Despite partaking in delicious beer (pumpkin beers are out and I’m loving it!  I can’t wait for fall.), I did well with this.  Still room for improvement, but having my water jug at my desk at work helps so much.

And this week.

1. Plank a day. I need to work on my core.  And I’m not saying that from a “I’d really like nice abs” stand point (I mean, I would like that, I get excited when I see the start of lines).  I mean from my race yesterday.  My lower back started aching.  I’m working on my posture while running so I’m less of a hunchback, but I really need my core to be stronger.  I mean, I’ll have enough to worry about while running long distances without my back hurting too!

2. Plan snacks. I’ve gotten really good at planning breakfasts, much better at planning lunch, and so-so at dinner (but improving!  And, we had our second meatless meal tonight!).  But in between meals is where I really fail.  It’s so easy to let myself go too long and then binge on whatever is easiest and the fastest sugar intake (hello, vending machine!  Actually, it’s a good thing I don’t normally have change).  I need to plan for these times.

3. Cut the alcohol.  Yes, there's nothing wrong with the beer or two I've had with dinner the past few weeks.  But this week, I would like to cut back and cut out..  I know the beer at dinner has not been helping with my bloating.  I also know that I have a half marathon in 13 days (ok, I'm not sure how that happened, is it seriously almost September?).  So, I would like to cut back for the next two weeks.  

4. Eat clean(ish). On the same token, I would like to keep the eating clean over the next two weeks.  I know how much cutting overly processed foods helps my performance and just makes my stomach feel better.  Not saying I won't treat myself after a 14 miler this weekend, which is where the -ish comes in, but for the most part, it's time to be good.  I know I'll beat my course PR (which is also my slowest half time), but I want to PR in 2 weeks!

So, most of my goals are food and fuel related this week.  I have my standard exercise plan laid out, so I think it will help to concentrate on this one aspect for the week.

Any snack suggestions?  I love sweet after lunch, 3pm is my downfall!

Race Goals: Leesburg 20k

Last year, right around this time, J and I ran the Leesburg 10k.  It wasn’t pretty.  It was our first O free weekend, and we took advantage.  Guess who was a cheap date after 9 months of pregnancy and a year and a half of having a baby?  So, yeah, we passed out without setting an alarm but somehow woke up on time.  I took at as a sign that we still needed to run, even though we both felt awful.  But we made it, made it through the race, and I even PR’d!

But despite my good time, perhaps that memory is why I just ignored all postings about this year’s race.  The race has been traditionally a 20k/10k, though this year, the 10k was changed into a 5k due to permitting issues, and while I still need to work on my 5k goal, I just didn’t pay this race any attention. 

For some reason though, this morning I was on facebook, looking at the Potomac River Running post about packet pickup, and said, “hey, I should do that tomorrow!”  My training was set to be a 12 miler this weekend, which works out really well with the 12.4 miles of the 20k.  I suddenly put that together, and made J and O go down to registration with me.

Now, I’m all set to race tomorrow!  I’m actually so glad this worked out with my training.  It’s my longest run in a while, and it will be nice to have water stations and crowds, and even though I was ready to run 12 miles by myself this weekend, I’m now really excited about the idea.  Plus, I haven’t run a 20k race before, so automatic PR!  And, also plus, it’s my first race since becoming a Sweat Pink Ambassador, so I get to rock the Sweat Pink gear tomorrow!

We also happened to go to registration while I was starving, so I stocked up on goodies.  I grabbed a couple Cliff gels (chocolate) to test, since they will be on the MCM course, GU peanut butter (because yum) and vanilla (I’m really curious), puts some gummies and sports beans.  I also bought a Honey Stinger chocolate waffle, but that’s already gone, as I was starving, and as it was delicious.  I’m not sure it’s something I would eat during a run, but any other time, definitely.

So, I guess I need to set some goals for tomorrow.  Not something I really thought about, since I wasn’t planning on racing.  And while it is technically a race, it is also part of my training.  I’m going to work hard, and would like a good time, but I do need to remember I am training, and going at my slower, training speed is ok too.

Goals
1. Finish under 2:15.
2. Only walk through water stations.
3. Run the full race. 

Goal 3 will be challenging.  Especially as last time I tried to run through water stations I poured water up my nose.  And while I won’t be upset if I don’t meet that goal, I’m really curious if I can.

Technorati Tags: Race Goals

And the winner is...

My alarm clock!  Congrats, snooze button, you have won extra time with me this week!

Yeah, I've done about nothing this week.  I've gone to bed early and stayed in bed as late as possible.  I haven't blogged, I haven't run, nothing.  I feel like I'm really starting to fall behind in my training, but that hasn't been enough to get me to get up in the morning.  The fact that it is dark out when I wake up now does not help in the least.  And it's been a long couple weeks at work.  Even with being off Monday with O (poor thing twisted his ankle!  I was on keep toddler on couch duty Monday - but he's good now), it feels like this was the longest week ever.

Excuses, I know, but sitting like a lump with a beer or two has been just what I needed all week.  So, when I made my sticker chart the other week, I was way up, and, even though I knew some of that was bloating, I used that as the starting so I could get stickers faster.  I was 2lbs down earlier this week, but after this week, I decided I wouldn't be surprised if my starting weight was where I'm at.  I was a bit scared to get on the scale this morning, but it's official, I earned 2 stickers this week!

I know I shouldn't be tied to a number on the scale, but I won't lie and say that didn't give me a boost today.  

So, who's up for 12 miles this weekend?  Strangely, I am.

I'm Vlogging

So, I've decided to give vlogging a try (first vlog here).  Today's vlog is a little bit about my long run this weekend.

No matter what, it's always the most awkward screenshot...

I also wanted to include a video of O riding J's bike this weekend.  He loves bikes, especially daddy's.  He also tried to get on anyone's bike he could, so I got in a bit of a sprint workout this weekend too!

Weekly Chase Week 2

Ready for week two of goals?


Quick recap of last week:


1. Get eating back into check  Getting there.  Big improvement over the week before though, so I'm going to build on that.


2. Get training back into check  Also going well!  I got out for a good few (and a few so-so)runs.  This weekend was the first long run in a while (9.6 miles), which had it's ups and downs.  But, mostly up.  Building my confidence and excitement back up for 26.2!


3. Make a sticker chart  I think it needs more glitter, but it's functional.  Now to fill this baby up!  I decided on three goals, first is every one pound I lose.  I like more round numbers like 5 for goals, but I feel like 1 will give me more opportunity to fill up my chart, and if I have to wait for every 5 pounds to put on a sticker, I might get a little defeated on the whole thing!


The second goal is a sticker for every 5 miles I run.  That shouldn't be too hard to reach (I'm supposed to run 5 miles tomorrow).  The third is a sticker for every strength workout.

And now on to this week.

1. Try Yasso 800s  I read about Yasso 800s right after I signed up for my marathon, and I have been looking forward to trying it out.  This week is the week!  I'm not going to share my goal just yet because I'm not terribly sure of it.  I have an idea, but I'm just not ready to say it out loud.

2. Drink more water  I'll do well on this for a day or two and then not so good the next few days.  I have a jug at my desk at work to keep me on task, and I'll also need to tackle home this week.

July wrap up

First things first, I'm a Sweat Pink Ambassador!

You guys, I'm super excited about this!  I'm sure I've mentioned my love for the color pink once (lamenting about not getting pink shoes) or twice (hey, I should dye my hair pink for a race, which is SO still totally happening this fall!!).  Or, you might have noticed most my accessories and gear being pink.  The word catches my eye as much as the color.  And so the hashtag #sweatpink stood out on Twitter.


I had to look into this. I love a good sweat (during exercise, the sweating that has been going on just walking from my house to the car is not cool).  And, well, we discussed part two.


Turns out, #sweatpink is an ambassador program for Fit Approach, whose mission is to "sweat hard, play hard, and inspire those around them to achieve that best self."


I started this blog to keep myself on track with losing weight and race training, as well as a way to show family and friends what I'm up to when I have to wake up even earlier than my two year old on the weekends.  What I've learned is how much I enjoy running, not just for an end goal, but to just run, and also, how much I enjoy sharing that love with others.  I know I said just the other day that there are times I don't feel confident giving advice, but I do feel confident encouraging others to get out there, running or whatever activity you prefer.  I do feel confident in the cheerleader role.  I can't wait to get to know the other Sweat Pink Ambassadors and expand my cheering network!


And on to the goals.


July
1. Get to under 150
2. Run 3 times a week
3. Strength train 2 times a week


Basically, I didn't meet any goals this month.  I gained weight, I took time off from everything (as I've already mentioned).  

Here's to August!


August
1. Lose 5lbs
2. Run 3 times a week
3. Strength train 2 times a week.
4. Find a race for August


Oh, hi repeat goals.  They're good ones.  Especially number four.  I just realized that I have run some kind of race every month starting in February, and I have races every month through November.  Except for this month.  And I'm on my under 30 5k quest anyway, so I need to find something to keep the streak!  I'm cool taking December and January off. I did a December race last year (Hot Chocolate 5k, which was with its problems aside from the weather), and December is just too cold for me.  Unless someone wants to send me some where warm.  I'd totally reconsider for a free vacation!