Quote of the Day

via Runner's World:

When you put yourself on the line in a race and expose yourself to the unknown, you learn things about yourself that are very exciting.

Doris Brown Heritage, Five-time World Cross-Country Champion

1/2 Training here we go!

Ok, so it's time to get a bit more serious about 1/2 marathon training. I have Lincoln 1/2 scheduled for May 1, and up until this past week have been mostly spinning and running just kind of whenever I wanted, and for however long I wanted.

But I'm thinking I'd better get to following a plan....officially. I have a pretty tough goal (for me) for this upcoming 1/2. But I'm a little lost about what plan I should be following.

For my first 1/2 I followed marathonrookie.com, but if I go back to that - I'd be going backwards on mileage. So I wonder if I just press forward and add mileage each Saturday like I normally would in training?

For example, last week I ran 3 on Wed, 6 on Thur, 11 on Sat. I have 2 1/2 months until this 1/2 marathon. I think I could do some speed work during the week, but I have no idea what to do on my long weekend runs?!

Anyone have tips?

Oh, and here is a pic from my long run last weekend - what a beautiful, perfect day.

Runners are freaking awesome

I'm always amazed...again and again...at how supportive and great runner friends are. Thank you all so much for the support & confidence on my Chicago post. Some from friends that I actually know....but for the most part, runner friends that I only know from blogging. So cool how strangers can come together with running. Runners are freaking awesome!

Yep.

Well....I did it. I registered for the Chicago Marathon in October.

Holy moly! I've waited a whole 15 days to blog about this - trying to get my head wrapped around 26.2 miles, wondering what I can even say about this decision!

When I first started this blog it was 'Countdown to 13.1'. After doing a few 1/2 marathons, I thought maybe I would attempt a full. Blog name change to 'Countdown to 26.2'.

After knee surgery, recovery, crappy first 1/2 marathon back....I said - screw that. Why would I ever run a full?! The thought of 26.2 miles is completely crazy.

My life would be consumed with training (1/2 training is hard enough to schedule)... everything else in your life goes second...every Saturday is committed to the long run...every Sunday recovering & limping down the stairs...no Friday night beers...not to mention the black toenails.

Two 20 mile training runs...tapering week consists of more mileage than I've ever done in a week - and that is tapering! 10 miles on a Wednesday? Really? Who has time for that???

I just didn't think it was for me. Blog name change to 'Happy with 13.1'.

But....here we are, back to the full again. I'm indecisive and kind of crazy.

$145 reg fee...hotel booked...I've told way too many people, it's done. And now the obsessive behavior begins.

I keep telling myself....
'it's your next natural goal'
'Four 1/2 marathons - you are ready for this'
'you're just scared of the mileage, but you were scared of 13.1'
'if you don't go for it, it will hang over your head forever as a wonder if I could have done it'
'when it's time, you'll be ready'
'all the miles, the crazy schedule, it will be worth it on raceday'
'oh lord, what if it takes me 6 hours?'
'you are strong enough to do this'

It is going to be a looooong 8 months my friends!

Groundhog Tunnel Run

This past weekend we ventured to Kansas City for the annual Groundhog Run. This was such a fun race! Seriously one of the best I have ever done.

Kansas City has these underground tunnels/caves whatever they are - I dunno - but I had never heard of them before. Strange. Apparently it is a place where businesses reside, storage spaces are kept, etc. Temps are a consistent 60-70 degrees all year long. Sounds like the perfect weather to run in when it's super stinkin' cold out!A race is always more fun with friends, so we got the gang together to run. There was a 5 & a 10K, we were all running with different goals.
* Russ would run the 5K with his sister Stephanie & nephew Joshua - his first 5K.
* Russ then planned to run with his wife Jaime for her first 10K.
* Rachel & I planned to rock the 5K - her graduation day from the Couch to 5K program.
* Scott was going for a big 'ol 10K PR.I have to say this race day weekend started off nice and calm - picked up Rachel on my way to Kansas City, stopped by the mall for a visit to Nike (that is a no brainer...my car just automatically turns off the interstate when I see the Legends Mall).

We got to Russ's house & got our awesome brand new Thunder Road Racing shirts to wear for the race. I had planned to just stay a few minutes....several hours later...we are still talking about running, diet, running, knees, running, shoes, running. I have a tiny tendency to talk too much.

We headed to my friend's house for dinner, then settled in for bed. I was feeling a little bad because it seemed to be complete chaos from the time we got to Kansas City (which is what I love about race day and my friends) but this was Rachel's first race, and it was really....well....kind of alot to take in.

Bedtime. Only after an hour of obsessing over what to wear.

5:30 am, wide awake & ready to get going.

I was feeling excited....but confident about this race. There is something strange about running a race as kind of the coach (even though I am NOT a coach!) but I knew going into the race what my time was going to be. We had a goal of 30 minutes and that was what we would do (secretly I was hoping we'd pull in just a *tad* under 30).

If you know me at all....you know it's completely against every fiber of me not to get super competitive on race day. I spot someone in front of me, and it's not over until I have passed them. Holding back was going to be a little hard - or at least I thought it would be. It wasn't. I was so happy to be running for Rachel & so proud of her for this accomplishment.

We hussled over to Russ's for breakfast, then onward to the tunnels. My goal was to contain my race day excitement....settle in, get Rachel ready to go, get my head on straight and RUN.

There is something I love about standing in a big group of runners, all anxious, awaiting the start of the race. I can't describe this feeling, but it's special. I think my very favorite part of the day is standing in complete quiet listening to the National Anthem. Brings tears to my eyes every time. I feel so lucky to be healthy, running, have such an amazing group of friends, and my family is beyond awesome for supporting all this crazy running. All of that comes to my mind in those few seconds before the gun.

The race was awesome. We had a little trouble at first finding enough room to run - it was really crowded. It was hard to get a pace going, but that's pretty much like any race.

Mile 1 - right on track. Mile 2 - right on track. We were right on pace, but not a second to spare. I knew mile 3 had to be dead on for us to make the 30 minutes.

That's when we passed someone barfing....that's pretty normal to see....but Rachel lost a little gumption there.

At about 2.5 we passed a volunteer that told us we had a mile left. Rachel looked at her watch....(dang it, I should have NOT let her wear that!) She knew at that point that if we had a full mile left there was no way we were making 30 minutes...and she lost a little more.

I KNEW we didn't have a whole mile left - dang that person whoever you were! I KNEW we could still pull this off, but only if we kicked it a bit. It was hard for me to know at this point how to push her. You know, what kind of encouragement did she need? I know what works for me - I need someone to be a little mean - what, are you going to quit? What are you, a sissy? Geez, you're acting like a girl. Yeah, that kind of 'encouragement' lights a fire in me. But I didn't know if we'd be friends if I said that to her....so I just tried gentle encouragments :)

We got to mile 3 and I knew it was over - no way we were making it. I sprinted to the end with Rachel right on my tail - but there were lots of people crossing at that time - I couldn't get passed them. I about mowed a few over right at the finish (I'm sure those finish line pics were BAD! My face was pissed I'm sure)

When we crossed, my watch said 30:22. I'm not sure what is worse - missing the goal, or missing it by 22 stupid seconds! But here we are, all smiles, after the race.Ok so we're over it. We had such a great day. Scott killed his PR, Joshua ran his first 5K, Stephanie had a PR day, Jaime finished her very first 10K, Rachel is now an official raceday addict -- overall a race day filled with awesomeness!

When's the next race!?!? I wish it was next weekend!

Groundhog Run!

This weekend my friend Rachel & I will venture to KC to meet up with our TRR friends (Thunder Road Racing) for a super fun race. Apparently (news to me) Kansas City has these underground tunnels. Weird. And a little creepy. And damp? But kinda fun to run in? I would think maybe - a balmy 68 degrees in January in Kansas? Yep, I'll take it.

This is Rachel's first 5K, and I'm super excited for her to experience race day. Oh I'm getting all giddy just thinking about it :) We're going to 'just have fun', 'just do our best' (but we all know a time goal is there!)

Awhile ago, a fellow blogger gave me some super awesome advice. Pick 3 goal times.

So here they are:
31 minutes. Proud of us.
30 minutes. Really proud of us.
Anything less than 30 minutes. I'm buying the beer after the race.

Rachel, we're going for the beer ;)

Daily Kick in the Butt

I love this. From Runner's World's Daily Kick in the Butt today :

I don't rate myself as a fantastic, talented athlete. I just have perseverance. I'm a cart horse. I work hard.
Colleen DeReuck, Four-time Olympian

Happy Monday!