The Not-So-Marathon

4 5K's +3 half marathons + 2 marathons =  104.1 miles 

As most of you have figured out by now, I didn’t run the Chevron Marathon instead I did the Aramco Half completing it for the 3^rd year in a row. Ultimately it was the best choice for me, although I was the die-hard captain encouraging everyone to train hard and do the marathon last year. I’m not sure exactly when I fell away from the goal of doing marathon maybe it happened in bits and pieces now that I give it more thought.

I have always been the poster woman for “running is awesome” “if I can do it anyone can” and I always would explain it this way – When I started running the closest gym to me at the time was about 20 minutes away and I figured a good work out would take 45 minutes (at least right?) so why go to the gym taking an hour and a half out of my evening when I could walk right outside my house and run for 30 minutes and end up at my own front door! Running is awesome!

Except at the peak of my training I would go out for an 8 mile run on a week night and take me over an hour and a half, come home stretch and shower and taking up almost two hours of my evening at home! or a Saturday morning for a 17 mile run?! Wait what? How did that happen?!

The answer is easier than you think, if you ever thought running was impossible and suddenly you train and realize you can run 3 miles, you feel invincible! You feel like you’ve accomplished something you didn’t realize your body could do, so if you can run 3 miles that must mean you can run 6 miles and if you can do 6 miles you must be able to do 12 miles and 12 miles is almost a half marathon, right? Of course if you can do the half marathon you must be able to do a full marathon. See easy right?

Not so easy, some of us take more work than others. In the end I knew I could do the marathon just not in the time allotted to do it (6 hours). I had become quite obsessed with the idea that I could do it too, no matter the time it took, or the pain (running injuries) or the stress. Then we went on vacation and it was the first time I missed two of my long runs, although I made a vow to run while on vacation I quickly gave into the fun and relaxation instead. I came back thinking I would make up for lost time but I found myself stressing out about it more not to mention covering up nagging injuries. I found that just a few years earlier when I first started running and when I was healthier and fit and full of energy I now was sore, tired and just plain worn out (and hungry)!!

One morning during Christmas break I woke up worried about not having gone out for a run like I was supposed to on my training plan, I made up my mind that I would bust out the jogging stroller and I would take my little bear with me on a run. Until that is, my little bear crawled into bed with me – I asked her about going with me on a run and she said yes and we both fell right back to sleep. Maybe that'e when I made up my mind...

One day I’ll meet that 26.2 for now 13.1 will do the trick :)  

Aramco ½ & Chevron Marathon Race Report

Another long overdue Race Report Part #2

 Pre-Race- I have to say that the Aramco half feels like such a big deal! I mean I did the La Port Half over the Fred Hartman Bridge in November and it pales in comparison to the pre-race jitters we all had going in to this race.  I think it’s just the enormity of it all - it’s the city of Houston standing out there and rallying together in support – it’s the thousands of people running vs. hundreds. Not matter why the reason (maybe our shoes were tied to tight…) we all had the butterflies in out tummies and we were as ready as anyone could be.

We meet up and in a flurry of making sure we had everything on our bodies (earbuds, gels,  phones, watches, etc…) that would carry us through the next 13.1 or 26.2 miles and meeting everyone we knew would be joining us in this run – somehow we managed to be set and in our corral ready to go. Ah and Guada showed up and although she didn’t feel 100% better – she dressed to help her fake it until she would make it!! I just love her attitude!

Mile 1-2 – We were off and running! Alma was running the full marathon and was gone like the wind bull’s-eye! Guada teamed up with a few ladies from the Chronicle. Cindy, Clari and I started off in step with each other with hopes to stay by the 12:30 minute pacer and Lety started off with us but somewhere in mile two had moved well out of my sight.  In mile two we found Joseph and Amina cheering us on!! She was so happy to see her momma (Clarissa) out there running and it for sure gave us a pep in our step!

Mile 3 & 4 – I see this as our first big “turn” onto the Heights and over Allen Parkway, the people cheering us on seemed to keep us moving right along, by this time it was the three musketeers – Cindy, Clari and I moving right along! Another turn and we were on W. Grey, which for me is always so nostalgic because of so many years that I worked in this area and everything seems so familiar – Kinda like “Oh hi Office Max remember me?!!”  :)

Mile 5 & 6 – Right where mile 4 ends and 5 begin we were surprised by Joe and Amina again! How cool, was that! I mean in such a huge race with hundreds of people cheering us on there was this tiny person with a smile larger than life smile cheering on her momma!!  Melted my heart each time, of course I would get so excited that I would run up to Amina too and give her some quick loving and crazy screams :) and then if that wasn’t enough Diana (friend and trainer from Fit4her Gym) was on the other side of the street cheering for us too!! She made a super awesome sign for us!! It was like “Hello?!” we belong here we even have our own signs and fans on the sidelines!! Whoop-whoop!!!!!!

In Honor of … I decided to run in Honor of Sara, Josh and Zori, who lost their lives 01/07/2015 … the days leading up to the run were very hard on our community and family, especially for my son. I was overwhelmed with my thoughts and the song “God’s not Dead” came on and in the middle of mile 6, and I wanted to drop to my knees and cry… why? Honestly? I am thankful that my son is here with me today; my heart literally hurts when I think about the parents and what they must be facing now. But also because God is not dead, not in MHS, not in Alvin ISD, not to my son who had to ask God the question why? I run in faith, faith that God gives me the strength when I have no more… and not just in running but in everything I do. 

Mile 7 & 8 – I was a little lost in thought at mile 7 but right before you hit mile 8, there is the split for the full marathoners to head out and away from us only half crazy runners. It get a little crazy right around here as volunteers start trying to guide the traffic one way or the other and that’s when I thought about Alma, I knew then that she had headed out before us and was taking on the challenge of the full marathon without training just on the simple notion that she knew she could do it. I didn’t doubt that she could do it but you know me and I was worried all kinds of ways that she might get hurt! So I mentally threw prayers out her way down the street hoping that they would catch up to her and keep her safe! In mile 8 Joe and Amina were there again and although it was fun and encouraging I felt myself starting to fade!!

Mile 9 & 10 – In the beginning of mile 9 I knew I was in trouble, I just wanted to walk! Being with Clarissa and Cindy kept me chugging along. Then at mile 10 Oscar (Cindy’s hubby) made his appearance! Ha we got a quick picture and off we went again! Right after our water break in mile ten, I knew I was in trouble, my legs were tired and I think that I had let my mind beat me into thinking that I was done…

In Honor of… Cindy dedicated her run to her mommy Estella who passed away 07/09/2014. Around mile 9 a wonderful lady came to Cindy and shared a very special moment with her, as her husband had passed away a day before Cindy’s mommy. Per Cindy’s own words “I felt this overwhelming sense of strength overcome me. It was game on after that!!”

Mile 11 & 12-  At the end of mile 10, told Cindy she would have to push me because I was done, in a state of delirium I might have told her that I would not walk anymore… just running from there till the end –HA! Cindy was the best ever for these last miles she carried me forward and never let me stop. If I slowed to a walk she would hook her arm in mine and say “are you waiting on someone??” “Who are you waiting for?” and “Come on, we are not stopping!”.  Clari fell back a little bit but Cindy would turn around and look out for her telling me “ I can still see her!!” We were both so proud of Clari and how much she had pushed herself for this half.

Mile 13.1 – When I would run with Cindy on the weekend I would tell her to finish strong, the last turn into my street we would run as fast as we could to the end. In mile 13.1 – I hate to say but I had no fast finish left in me, I kept thinking that I was holding Cindy back, but despite that she never left my side. Near the finish I saw my kiddo yelling for me and just as I passed him I saw my hubby and Hailey on his shoulders cheering me on! And just like that once again we crossed the finish! We met up with Lety and waited a couple of minutes for Clari and we were done!

Mile 13.1- 26.2 – Alma was a beast, she finished that marathon, her first ever, like a champ. I am so proud of her, if you know Alma you know there is rarely a challenge someone can put in front of her that she won’t fight to accomplish.  I think the 26.2 took a toll on her physically but  26.2 puts a toll on anyone who attempts to do it – she finished that 26.2 a little bruised (on her toe) and a little sore, but I would bet that she will never be the same again! They say you learn a lot about yourself in 26.2 miles…

ABB 5K Race Report

My very long over due race report... Part one. 

 

As always I have a hard time writing a race report when I have such mixed emotions about the out come of the race it self. So be it that I will be taking time to give credit where credit is due and praise where praise is due I have to be honest with you and with myself. 

 

The day before the Aramco half marathon, we all participated in the ABB 5K.  I was so glad that we all did it this year, we all got that wonderful satisfaction of bringing triple medals home at the end of the weekend and it gave us all a chance to warm up our race legs and as it turned out it gave us a boost of good vibes. 

 

Lety had (still is) been fighting an upper respiratory bug, that had her coughing up a storm and feeling very unsure of what was to happen with her very first ever 1/2 marathon- she ran the 5k just fine and just like it did for me last year, it gave her a better idea of what she should wear and how she would do the next day. Over all she left feeling much more confidant about the race the next day having tested out her lungs in the cold weather :)

 

Guada also felt like poop the days leading up to the race and actually switched from doing the full marathon to doing the half marathon because she felt so funky. I fought up to Guada in the last mile and could tell she was struggling, I stuck it out with her to the end and she made it but we all went home worried that day and lots of prayers were said for her in hopes that she would make it the next day.

 

Alma was our go go speed racer of course, about a mile into her race she thought she wasn't going fast enough until she found out she was booking a 7 something mile per minute!!! Needless to say she was happy with her run and was all smiles when the rest of us crossed the finish! 

 

Cindy Luu as normal knocked out her race easy peasy, I know ultimately her worries were not in the 5K but the the race that was to come. Cindy is my quiet one, although she was excited to cross the finish to "Gangnam Style" - LOL!

 

Clarissa was my favorite by far, she ran the fastest 5K yet! She was beaming when I finally caught up to her :) my bestie has come quite a long way since she started her journey and there is always that moment when your body shocks you and your given this awesome realization that you are capable of great things. 

Cindy Luu is missing form our picture!

My run was good, like I said before I was glad that all of us were together for this run. Last year Alma and I ran it and we were missing Cindy Luu. Unbeknownst to us Guada also ran it but we didn't know her very well at that time and she was there running solo. This time there was power in numbers and I said to her prior to starting "you won't run by your self again!" I meant this in so many ways, I mean I can't run every run with her, she is the crazy runner out of our group putting in a half marathon in every weekend leading up to this weekend since November!! But better yet she has us on her side now and hopefully we can join her more often and also we are here cheering her on and if she knows it or not she is now one of my Running in Faith girls! 

 

For the first time I didn't give this 5K too much thought, I got lost from the pack because I wanted to get rid of my hoodie and I moved away from everyone looking for Max (babysitter/cheerleader) so I could toss it over to him. By the time I got into the race I had lost the girls, for a moment I thought I found  Cindy Luu and right before I hugged a stranger I realized those were not Cindy's shoes!! So by mile 2 I was cruising along solo and then I spotted Guada, at first I thought if I try to catch up to her, I would burn myself out! I may have tried that once before, maybe ;) So I kept going at a good pace when suddenly I realized not only was I closer to Guada but she had started walking too. I knew then by the look on her face that she was in pain :( so I came up next to her and said "see you're not alone!" So we ran a while together and I could tell she was struggling because she would pick up her pace and slow down, pick up and slow down. I asked her if she wanted to walk, she said yes. When we slowed to a walk she said she didn't want to slow me down because she knew I like to keep up with my time, and I told her sometimes it's not about time... And it wasn't. She is one of the coolest people and she runs because she can she doesn't give it too much thought and she has such a great outlook on everything. She is right about me though, while Guada is as cool as a cucumber - I am normally having a mini panic attack about something running related. She realized we were close to the end and wanted to run again so we did and a little bit of "Gangnam Style" and I think the beginning of "Happy" and the whole thing was over. 

 

A group of girls that had just been out for a run :)

 

That night we went to church and thankfully Pastor Tim prayed for us and all the runners that would be heading out the next day. Lety and I went on a mission to have spaghetti for dinner and we all promised each other to go to bed early and get some rest...    

Goodbye November...

It used to be that February was the month of choice for me, being my birth month I would expect the greatest most life altering moments to occur in that month.  Sounds silly but it was almost a romantic notion for me, I could go down a list of things I would tell myself must be accomplished in February.  When I first started running I wanted to make sure that I could and would run 3.1 miles by my 34^th birthday, and I did, it wasn’t pretty and I was as slower than a heard of turtles stamping through peanut butter but I ran!  

Truth is that there is no magical power surrounding my birth month, no, I am a firm believer that things will happen in God’s timing not my own. With that being said I wanted to give a quick re-cap of my November 2014 – it’s not all running related or is it? For me running grounds me and helps me cope with all other crazy in my life.

November 4^th – my son (my baby) the first little guy that made me fall head over heal in love turned  18. Although I have nicknamed him “Gigantor” around the house because, let’s face it, he is bigger and taller than anyone else in our house…or anyone that visits our house…he is taller than his father, his uncles and to put things more simply we are all VERY short- he will always be my baby! This is his senior year and life is just way too harsh to let time fly by me the way it has been these past months and years.

November 16^th – I ran my second half marathon. I finished the “bridge series” with this run and gained a bond with my running girls that make us stronger together; although we run each race at our own pace we are never alone. I came to a deeper understanding of this during that cold and wet 13.1 miles where along the way we realized that knowing that the other was out there runnning the same race and waiting for each other at the finish is one of the best ever feelings a runner can have.

November 24^th- my little bear turned 5, and I still can’t wrap my head around the quickness of these years. At 5 years old she walks around and will suddenly move or act in such a way that catches my breath because I can see a glimpse of her older self.  Knowing that she is growing up in the culture that we are surrounded by today makes me think… many more miles will have to be run through  the upcoming years if I am to keep sane and clear headed to keep up with this sassy little one.

Of course – November 27^th – We had Thanksgiving in our home and although in my family probably slightly more than others consist of family that was born family and family that is chosen family, somehow this year it rang more true and more vivid than it has in the past. I am so very Thankful for that!

November 30^th – on the morning of the 30^th I ran 10 miles with my sole sister, Cindy, and I was grateful to have her by my side. Would it be too much to say that for a brief moment I thought she might not run with us again?  Running and training is mostly done alone… opening us to a floodgate of emotions and time alone to process those emotions… I am happier than ever to have her running again – 13.1 here we come!

Oh but there is more… November 30, 2014- my mother was married that evening. If you know anything about me personally then you know my mom and you might cringe or giggle or both at the thought of coming across her. She is strong willed; she speaks her mind and is very independent. Although she was a single mom, that didn’t speak English, she is proud owner of her own home, her own car (s) throughout the years), and much more than that her own life. Not letting limitations limit her. Not allowing society to dictate what or when she did and how she overcame.  My mom and I are not always on the same page but I attribute that to the simple fact that we are very much alike :)

That being said. Good luck to her husband!! LOL just kidding. I do wish them both much happiness, and years of love and a future that will envelope them in blessings.

Aramco Houston Half - Second 1/2

Aramco Houston Half  - Second Half

 

 

I’ve written and re-written this post now quite a few times… and am yet to capture my true experience somehow. Here is another rough draft that I hope makes it to the cutting board.

I will fill you in at another time and bored you with the details of what I wore and how everything worked and what didn’t. For now I will just tell you the cut and dry of how this race went down moment by moment. Really it’s only 13.1 miles so it shouldn’t take too long :)

Once we had gathered and gotten ourselves as ready as we could be, we headed out. At some point we decided to go out in corral "D" which was Cindy’s assigned corral, how could we not all start at least in the same corral?? For the past year any race done together was started together, this was no different.

Somehow, yet again, I managed to spot Jim in our corral! He was assigned to corral “C” but because of over crowding had been bumped to "D", of course when he is dressed in orange and is twice my height it’s not that hard to spot him –haha! But when you are talking about 25,000 people what were the odds? I found myself excited to get to see him before such a huge moment in my running lifetime, it would be non-existent if it would not have been for him encouraging me to start! So crossing that start along with the man who started all the craziness seemed quite fitting :)

The gun went off at 7am! Bang! We didn’t move. We didn't get to the start line until about 30 mins later!! There was lot of ~ we’re moving!! No we’re not… we’re moving!! Wait not yet. Okay now we’re moving!! And just like that folks we were off!!

Now I hadn’t really told anyone but I was certain I could run the race at a 12:30 pace but Cindy told me she wanted more of a 12:00 pace and I was wasn't sure I could do that, so I told Cindy we would start at a 12:30 pace and then see if we could pick it up. Within the first mile everything starts to sink in… so many people are out there with you, there are spectators cheering and things are getting a little real at this point. Soon enough team Snowdrop (Jim, his son and few others) passed us, Jim yelled out to us and we said our goodbyes! GOOD LUCK!!!! They had sooooo much farther to go than we did.

Mile 2 and 3 got us out of downtown Houston and into the Montrose outskirts, I used to work close to this area it felt really weird to be running the streets that I’ve driven through so many times! Through most of these first few miles I felt good, Cindy and I had fallen into a good system of staying right next to each other, we would weave in and out and find each other again.  Our pace was good between a 12:00-12:30 pace.

Mile 4-5 were also pretty good, it was a nice part of the route and we run through W. Gray and Shepherd, again I felt like hey I used to buy our office supplies there!! And ooohhhh La Madeleine! Yum! Turning onto San Felipe was nice, people that lived there had come out to their lawns and were cheering us on, we had passed people in costumes, live DJ's, a couple of bands, and the best part was the signs! So many of them made me laugh out loud! It was nice. AND then we hit Kirby. Here our pace started to drag behind the 12:30 pacer. I could tell Cindy might be in pain (her back had gone out just a week before the race!) and I was worried she hadn’t fueled enough before the race.  Thankfully some Kind Bars were being passed out and I turned to tell Cindy to grab a bar, she was already making a beeline for them – good. 

Mile 6-7 were tough, we lost the 12:30 pacer.  I was torn because part of me wanted to stay at our pace but the other part wanted to speed up and find the pacer again. At this point I didn't know where I was with my time, I wasn't sure I could finish at my 2:45 goal. At mile 7 I looked back and Cindy was slightly behind me, so I ran back a little and told her that we were officially more than half way there. We were now running down through a residential area in Rice, lots more people set up with more entertainment some even passing out their own snacks and water (how awesome!?) Just before we hit mile 8, the full marathoners split from our route, no way to find my pacer now, the pacers were for the full marathoners only.

Mile 8-9 here is where I lost Cindy :( I turned to tell her we were at mile 8 and I could not see her!! ah! I knew that around mile 9 my friend Patti would be there to cheer me on. I kept going and I kept looking for her, it was cool to cross over the Montrose bridge over Highway 59. This is a street that I drove down many, many, many times on my way home from work... very cool to be running through these streets. I was starting to worry that maybe Patti had left the side lines... we started 30 mins after the start and I had slowed down, so maybe she had left thinking she had missed me? Just about the time I felt like I wouldn't see her, I heard my name! Now a lot of people call your name when running because they read it off your bib, but I just knew it was her :) I had just passed her so I turned around and went back to give her a sweaty hug!

Mile 10-11 were the worst! I started off feeling great because of Patti, I felt like I was on top of the world! Woo-hoo!! and then I was alone!! It took me a while to figure this out, why did it feel so hard? I'd run for the past few months alone, but this race so far had been fun and I had someone to share it with all a long. I started to do what I've trained to do, I checked my breathing, kept tack of my pace and focused on my music -  a special thank you to Clarissa and Connie who sent me tons of music to fill my MP3 player for the run. I played my own game of guessing which song came from which friend- HA! I wasn't alone! I started trying to keep it closer to 12:00 minute pace. At mile 11 the only time we really had to deal with an incline - yay! Still I pushed through it - I may have picked up a quick cup of beer around mile 11 ;) I couldn't find water!

Mile 12-13.1 whoa! Around this time you are so close to downtown!! I check my time and something clicked, could I make it very close to my goal time. I started to pick it up a little. I started to pick it up a lot. It was very possible that I could make it!! The closer we got the more people started walking, I could not believe it, all this way there was no way I was going to stop now. I checked my watch again and there was only .5 miles to go - So I did. GO! GO! GO! I rounded that corner, spectators were cheering us on and then I spotted my family!! BOOM! It was done. done. done. YAY ME!! 

Official time according to my chip - 2:44:58! Awesome!

So many emotions when you cross that finish line. You get your medal and people are taking your picture you follow the others into the GRB, you get water. You're supposed to take pictures, get your Finisher Shirt and get snacks or breakfast, I went back to where the runners were coming in hoping to see Cindy. After a few minutes I started to think she had somehow gotten past me! I didn't have my phone so I hurried to get my checked bag and grabbed my phone and called Cindy. She answered, she was finished! YAY!! Pain or more pain she had kicked the finish lines butt! We took pictures, I got a double medal for doing both the 5K and the half and then we got our FINISHER shirts!! We went out to the reunion hall and met up with my family - it was awesome :) This race was such an experience, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who loves hates loves running. I went for my first run on January 12, 2013 - I was hoping to do my first ever 5K and I ended up doing a 1/2 marathon a year later. Just like when I crossed that very first finish line after my first 5K and I thought I could totally do 13.1!!!! I crossed the finish line and thought I could totally do 13.1!!!

Thank you - for reading my blog for following my journey throughout the year. For telling me how proud you are of me and for cheering me on along the way, not just the 13.1 miles but every mile I've run all year round. At times when I felt I couldn't do it any more your encouraging words are what got me through it. Thank you.

Oh and yes, I think I just might take on the full marathon :)
 

Race Report: Aramco Half Marathon First 1/2

Part #1 ~ All the pre-race stuff!

As promised! A race day report for my first ever half marathon!! It’s official I can now slap a 13.1 sticker on my truck! Of course I sorta failed to get one BUT I will and I will do the slapping of said sticker at some point.  I can’t really wrap my head around it quite yet, so I hope that everything I share with you today can really express all of those crazy emotions that runs along side of you during a race like this one.
 

I’ll start by a quick recap of the days leading up to this weekend. It started with my little one coming down with the flu on Monday and as the great mother that I am, I just knew that I too would get the flu and that my run would totally be ruined for ever and ever! Thankfully that didn’t happen -phew! My little bear bounced back and made things very interesting and little hectic but thankfully she was back to normal by the end of the week. Wednesday I went out for my last non-race run, I did 3.5 miles and I felt really great :) My legs felt strong and full of energy! I think all of those runners who talk about tapering might know a thing or two about conserving race day energy after all!

Finish line before and after the 5K & Discovery Green after 5K

Thursday night I snuck out with my girl-friend Connie for a GNO (girls night out) at the Houston’s First Baptist Church, at first I had been a little hesitant to go on such a crazy week, but in the end it was just what I needed. I was able to relax, laugh and talk without thinking OMG! I have a half marathon to run in 3 days!

By Friday I felt excited more than anything else, I picked up my race packets and went to the Chevron Houston Marathon Expo and I was in runners heaven! I picked up goodies along the way and I had the chance to do some shopping and I even had the opportunity to listen to a great speaker! Which I was hoping to get a chance to do all along. Truth is if you are an elite runner or an ultra runner or basically a runner who has been running longer than me - I’d like to pick your brain. Please and Thank you!

Swag! Races anyone??

Speaker Robert Key, has run several half-marathons, marathons, Tri’s, Ironmans and completed an Ultra just a few weeks ago. I was sure there would be a lot to learn from listening to him!! He touched a few runners points, he reminded us newbies not to try anything crazy before the race - if you have trained all this time you should know what to eat the day before, the morning of and during your race. Don’t throw something crazy into the mix and risk the possibility that something might upset your stomach or slow you down. MORE importantly he spoke about the experience, “The Story” that you carry with you through out your run and not only your story but all of the ones that are lined up with you behind that start line. He gave me a new perspective of what to look out for during the race. He also made me realize that if and when I came out of this half, I knew I would be doing another one.

Hangin' with the guys!! Jim Abney, Kevin Kline & Robert Key.

Saturday - ABB 5K - Yes I did indeed sign up for a 5K race the day before my ½! More than likely because I was crazy at the time :) The night before I slept like a baby, I didn’t feel nervous for the first time, running 3.1 miles didn’t seem like such a daunting idea, of course all my runs in the last couple of months have been 3.5 + miles. The plan was to run and take it easy and enjoy. Of course when I got in my car that morning there was ice on the windshield and it was cold.  Good thing I had everything needed to keep me nice and cozy! Of course cozy only last about a mile in and then you are burning up! I meet Alma at the start line and as in all my races so far, it’s been a huge blessing that I’m not out there alone! Running with Alma, Cindy, Jim, and my family all year long has been awesome, especially when you are there in the middle of hundreds and sometimes thousands! The 5K was fun, I started out slow but somewhere around the halfway point I just ran! I didn’t check my time or my pace :) As soon as I crossed the finish, which by the way is the same one you cross when you do the half or the full (eeek!) I found Alma! By the way (not getting side tracked at all!!) I found it quite interesting how all weekend I found my friends and family although there were thousands of people all around trying to find their friends and family!? SO, after that I got my first ever medal. Tee-hee! Some how out of all the races we’ve done none have awarded you a medal just for finishing. Alma and I got medals after the 10K Monster Mash but we had to go get ours IF there were any left overs from the ones who did the half-marathon - BOO!  Anyways here as soon as you finished someone placed the medal around your neck and said congratulations! Isn’t it funny how a year after I started running I got my first real medal? It was for a 5K that didn’t stress me out and that I never wondered if I was going to make it or what my time would be! I find that to be quite funny :)

 

After the race, we meet up with Cindy who was there to pick up her packet for the half and my hubby and Hailey met me there so we could do some more looking around at the Expo and I had a chance to sit and listen to Kevin Kline speak too! Yay! He spoke to us about hiking Rim to Rim at the Grand Canyon! What a way to remind you that what we would be taking on the next morning would be no biggie, ha! Just kidding he didn’t make it seem that way at all but it was quite a story. Jose and I plan to one day hike the Grand Canyon, at least thats how we felt after hearing Kevin!!

Saturday night was the best way ever to end the day, I went to Saturday night service at our church. The message was good and I appreciated more than ever that we have Saturday night services, because this way I wouldn’t be missing it the next day. Pastor Tim gathered all runners that would be running the next day after service and he prayed for us! Again, he has run a couple of marathons and if I could pick his brain I would. Instead he offered some of his advice (without having to do any picking) , asked others what advice they would give, made us laugh, and asked us to have fun.
Roger that Pastor Tim!

Don't worry folks...I'm okay!

Really I’m fine… I know I've dropped off the face of the earth again but in my defense it is a crazy time we live in right?? I mean really who on earth would think of training for their first ever half-marathon during the busiest time of the year??? Not I says me…but then again me would be wrong! HA!

It has been a true mess these past 4 weeks, the holidays alone make it so that moms everywhere are busy with Thanksgiving and Christmas and the shopping and family and parties and eating! But trying to keep up with my running has made it even more of a challenge, SO just to be clear and we all understand - I am still running. I've missed a run or two in the process but that’s it. I’m still on board. I've eaten like a cow and for a couple of weeks and I felt almost like I did in the beginning when I would run…sluggish and heavy and exhausted. I understand more than ever that eating sooooooo wrong for even a short time can take a toll on your endurance and overall feeling or well-being.  Yes I know you think I sound like some cheesy commercial or something but really and truly it makes a BIG difference!

So just one week of better eating – mind you not great eating- I’m still at war with some of those wonderful awful habit of eating carbs and sweets. I naturally love me some carbs and sweets – especially chocolate! NOM NOM NOM  I can eat that stuff allllll day long if you let me…. chips and salsa are another yummy treat for me. If you take me to a Mexican Restaurant I will be full before my meal comes – NO JOKE!  SO with all this said I’m on the right track, my running felt MUCH easier this past week and so I’m good.

Of course the half-marathon in only 5 days away… eek! So my last big run was this past Sunday and I ran 11 miles just to be on the safe side!!! Here is a picture and link to the map we will be running… you see there where mile 11 is??!! I can run all of that! From there on it should be a straight shot to the finish!!

Although a wise man said to me once “it ain’t nothin’ but a thang!” I may have a couple of times when my nerves have gotten the best of me…. I try not to think about it too much and I know this, even if I walk across that finish line I will finish. SO here is what they tell you to do” set three goals”  the best case scenario, the simple and understandable scenario and the okay if all you do is finish scenario. Or something along these lines :) So my goals have been set, I would love to finish at 2:45 time frame, if that is not going to happen then a few minutes more will be okay, and of course if I were to get hurt or at some point feel as though I can’t run anymore then I will walk, limp or crawl to the finish. I know that to you crazy runners (ahem no names mentioned here) think this is not a big deal but I guess the bottom line is that it is a big deal to me.  I am going to commit to keeping you posted -  I will write a race report and I am going to keep a journal of the happenings before and after. I promise.

NEW YEAR – NEW ?? I don’t know. I have an idea of what my NEW YEAR RESOLUTION might be but nothing has set off a spark for me I have not had the ah-ha! moment where I know without a shadow of a doubt where I will be headed this year. This past year has been greatness. I have met my goals all year long, for a little while I was disappointed with myself for losing more weight but the truth is simple I’ve packed on the pounds and become addicted to eating habits throughout  my whole life. This past year was the beginning of something that I hope will take me into a whole other lifetime. Way of life, life style change….whatever you want to call. I am happy with what I’ve started and I hope to continue it :)

10 milers...

There has been so much going on lately that I have not been able to slow my brain down and get something worth reading typed out! So finally I have decided to just throw it out there, it’s funny how I think I don’t have anything solid to write about until I start writing…

Running: First things first right? How’s the running going? Good, great and border line awesome! Saturday before last I hit 10 miles and I did 10 miles again this Sunday! A lot of training plans for a first timer’s half marathon will tell you to get to ten miles and that you are ready for the half, so with that said I feel REALLY confidant that I’m ready! This last month will be for fine tuning and preparing. This is my plan; I will run my longs – while trying out my running gear – while trying out different type of re-fueling to see what works and what does not – while trying to improve my time.

·         GEAR- I have some thought on what I’m going to wear the day of, the thought that it will be VERY Cold is a GOOD possibility so here is my game plan- I bought some cold gear tights and I tried them out the on both 10 mile runs when it was 38 degrees – not bad didn’t get hot in them and I felt like it could have been colder and I still would have been just fine. First time I wore a short sleeve dri-fit top with a hoodie over it- not bad although I did get hot with the hoodie, I was able to ditch it at my friend’s house along my run. Although it was around the same temps on both runs one was sunny and the other was not, second run I kept the hoodie on the entire time!! So as many runners recommend I think I’m going to buy an inexpensive hoodie that I can ditch along the way and not have to worry about, maybe I will hit up some thrift stores and see what I can find. I didn’t mind the short sleeve top too much, if I felt cold I just speed up a bit and normally didn’t get bothered by it much.  I will try a long sleeve and see how that works out… I did find a cheap pair of gloves and I ran with them on my second 10 miler, I’m glad they are cheapies I think I’d need some I can dispose of if I need to. Lastly I think I’ll need ear warmers… it’s a good thing I have a month to work out the details, plus it’s gotten cold here so, perfect weather to try things out!

·         FUEL- When running there comes a time to refuel. This time varies for everyone but here’s the deal… can you run a half marathon without re-fueling? Yes but it’ll be a better run if you do re-fuel. But how and when? For each of its different, how fast you’re going and your digestive system has lot to do with it. So glad I have some time to sort this out a little better for myself :) But when should I start to refuel? All I can say is I’ve read and asked other runners and a rule of thumb is to start to re-fuel about 45 minutes in and then every 45 minutes after that. According to my pace I’ll be out there somewhere between 2.5-3 hours!! Yikes!

·         Time – So far, my time has been okay. I have not speed up drastically but I’m okay with that :-)  I am going to set my ultimate goal time to finish my Half Marathon in 2:45, I will ultimately be happy if it’s with a few minutes of my goal. My other goals for this race to give it my best and finish a Half Marathon!! LOL! I have taken a break from really speed training for some time, focusing more on my distance than anything else, I think that these final weeks I will try to work on speed and see how it goes!

 Lastly, I have some notes for what’s to come this New Year, by the time I run my Half Marathon I will have officially be running a year and a week! Wow… I’m looking forward to that anniversary!  I have some fun ideas on some pictures I’d like to take just to show what a difference a year will have made. Running in 2014 will consist of hopefully doing more runs for a cause, I have done runs for fun and runs for a cause and by far nothing feels as great as knowing that you are bringing awareness to something greater than yourself.

 These last few months I felt overwhelmed and I have felt pressed for time, training for this half during some of the busiest months of the year has been challenging. I could feel the pressure coming from my family for time, or so that’s how I felt.  The other night talking to my husband and my son while cooking a quick dinner, they asked me if I was ready for a full marathon, I was shocked! I told them I didn’t know if that would ever happen, and they both were shocked!  They both answered “You’ve come this far and you could totally do a full!!” So after much pondering here’s the deal, I will commit to doing a few more half’s this next year and if all is good I will start training for a full the following year. I think. LOL! I trained to do a 5k and then throughout this year improved my time and my endurance to do a better 5k each time, training for the half came up in such an off the cuff idea, that I don’t think I have had time to breath. To be honest my family has been understanding all year long, I’ve just taken on a lot this year! SO I will run, and I’m going to focus on improving my time and endurance for longer runs, hopefully doing better in my half marathons along the way…and we will see where the miles take me :)

Blog what Blog?

Oh yes this blog! Sorry about that … I have been MIA going on week three! There really is no excuse although I might be throwing a few out there anyway.  Really and truly I have just been having a hard time lately, ever since coming back from vacation I have not been able to get back on track like I should be, regardless I have not stopped running – mind you it’s been really hard to run. Sometimes just getting out the door is hard and other times getting through my run is hard. Either way I’m in the slumps.

I don’t know if it’s just summer time laziness that has not just crept up on me but it seems to have come up to me and covered me in a huge lazy blanket. Poop. I should be training for my half marathon but I can only get half way there and I have been eating crazy too. I am not eating a lot just not the right foods... bread has been really friendly as has been ice cream – oh a chips especially if there is homemade salsa close by (yum!).  So now I am going to stop focusing on the bad and ugly and I’m going to fill you in on the good stuff that has happen despite my ill efforts to be good.

First and foremost I hit the 30lbs mark! Woo-hoo!!! No lie this time LOL! I feel kinda bad though because I feel like I don’t deserve it! I’m like yeah, hum how did that happen? The important part is that it did happen and I’m a happy camper :) Oh! And this means I am also no longer considered to be “obese” anymore – go figure. I am though “overweight” (no way? really??) and according to the lovely BMI calculator I need to lose about 25-30 more pounds to be “normal”.  So, I think that answers the ultimate question people ask me all the time “how much more weight do you want to lose?” I guess I’d like to be “normal” or as close to it as I can be.  Now seriously the idea of losing another 30 pounds is overwhelming, I am in a place where I don’t exactly know how possible it its. Although losing the first 30, has not been easy I have been here before and it felt doable. The thought of losing another 30, now that is unchartered territory with the exception of maybe some 18 years ago?!  So how do I tackle this? A little bit at a time. My next goal will be to lose another 10 pounds, then we will see from there what happens!

I also was able to run 6 miles last Saturday! I could not believe it!! The week before I was able to do a repeat of 5 miles,  then on Saturday I started off by telling myself, anything over 5 would be good, and slowly but surely I just kept going until I hit 6 miles – wow for me!  6 months ago I could not run for more than a few minutes without feeling like I was going to die.  I have the map for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon on my wall at work, it has each mile numbered and each time I go a mile further I feel closer to the finish line. I think I will get half way there this weekend! Each time I go for a run I am stretching out the distance by adding a new street or neighborhood to my trail, each time I finish just about half a mile away from my house, this way I can walk and cool down while on my way back home BUT also I challenge myself to run an extra block or from one stop sign to the next, this seems to be working for me so we shall see how far it gets me… on another thought eventually I will be running through each neighborhood in my subdivision. Pretty cool hu?