love 2 run 4 miler - recap

Sunday morning, Valentine's Day, I ran the Love 2 Run 4 Miler with The Running Worm. I was planning on leaving my house at 6:45 AM in order to be at the Worm's house by 7:30ish and then at the race location by 8 AM so that we could get checked in. My alarm was set for 6 AM....or so I thought. I woke up at 4:30 AM, looked at my clock and fell back asleep. Awhile later I woke up again and laid there for a few minutes thinking that surely it must be close to 6. When I looked at my clock it said 6:18! So, I had to opt out of taking a shower before the race which was ok, but I really need a shower to wake myself up and get my blood flowing. Luckily, I made it to the Worm's house in plenty of time to get to the race start.

When we got there, we checked in and went back to the car in attempts to stay warm. The temperature outside, including wind chill, was -3 degrees. I made a promise to myself to not run outside if the temps are below zero with the wind chill, basically b/c I didn't want to freeze to death or lose any fingers/toes. But, in the name of "Love", I had to break my promise. I had on two layers of running tights, three shirts (one of them fleece-lined), smartwool socks, a neck gator (I think that's what it's called) and a stocking cap.




















I know...I look pretty effing sweet, don't I?! Oh, did I mention that black is my favorite clothing color?




















Here's the Worm sporting her favorite color, Pink!

I seriously think we laughed for about 10 minutes straight at our outfits and how bundled up we were. It was fun since we had about an hour of time to kill. Note to self: do not get to a race that early again when it's sub-zero. The race took place at the downtown airport in KC. It's mainly just used for private planes now and there is a 3.6 mile track around the perimeter of the airport. It was such a boring route and I had absolutely no concept of where I was the entire time or how far I had run (other than I had my Garmin on) b/c it was just one huge circle. I didn't even try to PR or anything b/c based on my current 4 mile PR, I really didn't think it was possible....especially b/c of the winds that day. So, I'm a wimp and didn't even attempt it.

Overall, the race was OK. They didn't have much for entertainment....just a little music at the end and b/c it was so cold, we pretty much just finished the race and then went out to brunch:)

Here's a pic of us after race. You can actually see our faces...LOL.

























On another note, this past Saturday, I met up with a couple of friends to get a run in. Normally, I wouldn't run the day before a race, but since I wasn't wanting to PR on Sunday I really didn't care. Actually, let me back up even more. I met my friend Katy for a short run last Friday after work. I basically wanted to get some sort of running in since I had been sick with the flu last week and hadn't run in over a week. We ran 2.5 miles of mostly hills and I was completely winded at the end. Also, my pace was only 9:33 which is slow for me on that route. So, I was feeling very defeated after that run. I didn't know whether my body was still fatigued from having the flu Tuesday and Wednesday or if I was just slow and out of shape already from not running for a week.

When I met up with Katy and Kerry on Saturday morning to run, I told them I might not run as far as they were going to run or I might run slower as I didn't know how my body would feel. I started off ok and after about three miles was feeling really good. I was a little bit slower than Kerry (we normally run about the same pace), but I tried not to let it bother me....I can get a little competitive :) At the round-about in the trail where we normally turn and do our last mile of the 6 mile route, Kerry decided she wanted to keep going straight to add on about 1.3 miles to our usual route. At that time, I still felt pretty good so I continued with her while Katy headed back. She had an injury a couple months ago and really didn't want to overdo it. Once I hit about 6 miles, however, I completely ran out of gas. I know that had I known I would be running 7.3 miles I would definitely have eaten breakfast and probably carried a GU with me just in case. I ended up running a 9:21 pace which isn't bad and actually was quite surprised I was that fast because of the last mile, but I was still frustrated with how I felt after the run.

So, as you can see, this is why I was really not in the mood to even try for a PR on Sunday. And, my confidence with running and getting ready to start my half marathon training program in a week as definitely been put in check a little bit. I guess we all need that from time to time, but enough already!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

what a nightmare

Last night after I finally fell asleep, I had the strangest dream. It started off with me getting ready to run my half marathon. My friend Cookie was in the dream with me, running, so I assume this was supposed to be at our STL half marathon.

Anyway, at the start of the race, I realize I forgot my Garmin....I was pissed. Then, we started running and about a mile in, Cookie needed a bathroom break. Again....pissed. Then, while on the restroom break, we noticed some shops. So, we shopped. Then we ate lunch. Then, in my running gear, suddenly I was at the Gynecologist's office...receiving my annual exam!!!! After that, I decided I better start running again so I could actually finish the half marathon, but it was dark. It was already night time!

This is a random post, but I seriously hope this is not a foreshadowing of what the real race day will be like.

under the weather

Today, I am staying home from work---sick. I'm having some stomach issues, the details of which I will not disclose. We got snow on Friday - Monday and now are having frigid temps. Needless to say, I haven't gotten outside to run since last Thursday and I'm feeling it. Whenever this happens I start stressing that I'm going to have to completely "start over" and work my way up to easily running 6 miles. To some, this may not sound like much, but I felt pretty accomplished getting to this point.

Also, the STL half marathon filled up last week, so my two friends who were also running this race didn't get in. One of them just signed up for the full marathon and is going to run the half. The other one can't decide whether or not to do that (you're "strongly" discouraged to do this by the race committee and this friend doesn't like to break rules:) I tried to convince her to sign up for the full and run the half, but she informed me that she was told her chip timing wouldn't be accurate if she did this, nor would she get a medal. And, this being her first half is really a bummer.

Hopefully next week, I'll have some running updates for you. Other than that not much is going on. Coach is taking me out to dinner on Sunday night for Valentine's Day in Kansas City and neither one of us has to work on Monday, so that means I'll get to enjoy a glass of wine...or two :)

ellipticals, running and VD

Coach and I went elliptical shopping Saturday and after a slow start finally ended up making a purchase. I love it when you're looking at exercise equipment and the employee helping you is an overweight 50+ year old man trying to show you how to use the machine. He started in on how ellipticals keep the impact off your knees unlike running on a treadmill, blah, blah, blah. Apparently I looked like I had never worked out a day in my life! I was utterly annoyed, but got over it. I ended up ordering my elliptical online and it won't be delivered for three weeks max, but with free shipping (which would have been over $200 for an overweight item) it's worth the wait. I'm sure it will be in about a billion pieces when we get it too. Good thing Coach is handy!

I started a new goal a few weeks ago to run at least three days per week up until my half marathon training starts on March 1st. I ran three days the first week, but only two the second week which was last week. So, to make up for it, I've already run three days this week with another run planned on Thursday (hopefully 6 miles or some speed training. I haven't decided yet) and 7 miles planned on Saturday afternoon. So, I feel that more than makes up for it. I've been logging 6 miles fairly regularly now, which used to seem daunting when running alone. Now it seems that the time flies by and after the first couple of miles I get into my groove. That being said, I have this notion running through my head that if I'm easily running 6 miles when not even doing a training program right now...and since that's about half of a half marathon, maybe I need to train for another full marathon???? Maybe Chicago???? I'm really scared to do the training alone as I cannot imagine running up to 22 miles alone during training. Also, I'm nervous about doing over half of my training during the summer here in the Midwest. The humidity kills me when running and I'm just not a warm weather runner. So, I still have a lot to contemplate on whether or not to do it.

Also, I've started a spreadsheet logging my miles, total time, average pace and my time during each split so that I can see if my time is improving. I'm hoping that it does and welcome any suggestions of how to speed up :) For the most part I average anywhere between a 9:00-9:20 average pace/mile and each mile is pretty all over the board. I'd love to be able to pace myself better, but I think that will just come with practice.

The Running Worm and I just signed up for the Love 2 Run 4 Love four mile race on VD (Valentine's Day). It's at the downtown KC airport and completely flat. Should be a good run and I'm looking forward to it. I didn't realize it, but when I signed up it's actually a couples run and you can run it with your spouse or a friend. Had I known that, the Worm and I could have signed up as a lesbian couple and saved about $5 on registration. We talked about crossing the finish line holding hands, which would be hilarious. The Running Worm is running at least one race per month this year, so although I didn't run anything in January, I'm signed up to run a race in Feb, March and April already and am looking into another half marathon (of hills..eek) in June. Guess I need to find something to run in May too!

On an unrelated note, please share your favorite running/workout songs on your iPod. I need to add some new stuff to my running playlist.