Powder Blue 5K

I know I know...I am really failing you guys on this blog!  I apologize--I promise that I will start blogging more often! I have some really exciting things coming up!  Therefore I will definitely be around more and more!! Plus, school is almost out therefore I will have a LOT more time on my hands!! :)

SO--How did the Powder Blue 5K go?  Well, it was crappy as far as time goes...but it was AWESOME as far as the race itself was concerned!! :)

Going into the race I really wanted to get under 33 minutes--but, when I got to the actual race site--and found out that well, there were crazy hills and a crazy head wind--I knew that I would NOT be likely to run that time.  And, since I hadn't really ran consistently in awhile--I figured finishing would be the best goal for me!

I started out probably a little toooo fast.  The race started out on a hill.  Lovely right?  Me--the person who trains on completely flat land!  Yep!  However, I was feeling alright the 1st mile in.  I managed to get that done in 11 minutes.  1/2 way in--I knew I needed to slow down and take a short walk.  That did me in really.  I shouldn't have walked--I should have slowed WAY down--but kept the motion of running going!!

I knew I wanted to give it my all--but into the 2nd mile the hills and wind were killing me.  I honestly thought I had a lot further to go--so I didn't push on the back run.  I should have....it would have proved myself a MUCH faster time--and the distance around the corner was MUCH shorter than I thought, which stunk because I would have TOTALLY pushed myself had I known that the finish line was SO close once I turned the corner!  Le sigh.  Live and learn!  I will know that NEXT year when I run it and will definitely push myself through the back part of the race!

BUT the best part of the race--the people I ran with!  These are such great friends--and such an inspiration to me!  We went to lunch afterwards and had a great time!  It was such a lovely race!  And despite my horrible time, it was great to race with such great friends!!  Maybe I will even see if they would have me up (to their hilly town) for some training runs! :P  Since, like I said--I have NO hills what-so-ever where I train!

Now--for the fun pictures! :P

The group before running! Me, Thomas' Mom, Rebecca, and Thomas (the race director! :P)

Heading to the start! :)  I posted this because you can see the back of my shirt really well here! :)  Love it!

At the start--I was ateempting to get my Pandora up and running...it didn't work!

This is me down the final stretch! Please excuse the horrible look--I was full out sprinting INTO the crazy wind!!!

Crossing the finish line! :) My mom and boys were in the car on the corner as I came across!

DONE!!  Crossing the finish line! (You can see Thomas with my "official" time!!) And is actually the picture Rebecca is taking in my previous picture! :P

Race #4 Tomorrow!! :)

I am excited and nervous about race #4 tomorrow!!! 

For starters--I haven't been training like I should have been.  I really haven't ran all week--although mid-week I got out for a good run--and yesterday my husband and I got out for a 5 mile bike ride!  So I have done SOMETHING to help keep my body moving--however, I haven't ACTUALLY ran in a week.  Le sigh.  It is what it is....I am just getting out there to run this race! 

2nd--I am just getting over this stinkin cold!  Its like God has this plan to make me wait all this time...its been 3 weeks since I have seriously done any training/running :(  That makes me terribly sad.  1st it was my teeth (which by the way--are feeling MUCH better!! Woot woot!)  Then last week I came down with a HORRIBLE cold, just as I was starting to feel better! 

HOWEVER--I AM going to get out there tomorrow and get my 5K in!  Its a measly 3.1 miles!  I CAN do it!  I KNOW that I can--I just have to make sure I am giving it my all--and know that I am not any worse than I started at the finish line!  My time might stink--but whatever!  It will be fun no matter what!

So here are my goals for tomorrow!
1) Survive :P  Really...I just want to cross the finish line!
2) Run the 5K under 35 minutes.  This shouldn't be TOO terribly difficult--just making sure that I am pushing myself! 
3) Give 110%--when I am ready to quit--keep going!  Just KEEP GOING!  I find myself wanting to quit--but when I push through--I tend to be just fine!  I am going to really push--and only take a break if I REALLY need it! :) 

And my "wishful" goal--to log a time under 33 minutes!  Which would be freakin fabulous!!  Yes, this is wishful thinking...but I gotta have a wish right?  I really really REALLY want to log a sub-30 5K in September!  So I gotta keep plucking away at my time!!!

So there you have it!  :)  Tomorrow I shall survive a great 5K with good friends! An inspiration really--Thomas is the one who inspired ME to start running!  And I have been happily passing the inspiration along! :)  (Oh, did you know YOU can join in the Powder Blue 5K?  If you want to race--sign up here: Powder Blue 5K Website and comment on this blog post!!  Take a picture of you before, after, during your race--and finish up by giving Thomas your information and picture!  And poof--you have just ran your first 5K!)  Enjoy!

Exciting news...and not so exciting news!

Well...this past weekend I emailed the American Cancer Society person who is working on my website--just to check in on how things are going!  I am starting to get nervous about being able to raise the money I would like to raise before July 22nd!  I know its still a far ways off--but I really wanted to get started sooner than later!  Ultimately I have TWO races to raise money for (with an ultimate goal of 2,000.00+) so I really wanted to get a kick start with fundraising!  Anywho--she emailed me back saying there has been some big changes around their office and that there WILL in fact be a team racing the Marathon in October!!  So that is TOTALLY exciting!! She said she is just waiting on word from the designer's/other people that the website is a go!!  I am just excited to see it and can't wait to get things rolling!! :)

However, on another exciting note!  A good friend of mine (who also just happens to be the 2nd in command at the daycare with the boys!!) is also a great photographer!  AND I asked her if she would do some pro-bono (aka free) shots of me in my gear for some fundraising items (and my blog!!)  And, wouldnt you know SHE SAID YES!!  So look for those to be coming soon!! :)

On a training note--I haven't done any since last Sunday.  Yes--almost a week and a half without running :(  This, makes me miserable for one thing.  And I HATE that--BUT, I had the 2 wisdom teeth pulled last Monday morning (so--not this past but a week ago Monday) and I have been dealing with some crazy, intense, miserable, pain and complications.  I had a dry socket last week---and then over the weekend it got crazy worse!!  And it seemed as if there was something STILL in my socket.  WELL--went back Monday to find out that there was still a pretty big chunk of tooth still attached to the bone :(  So--they had to numb me up and pull that part.  SO I was back at Day 1 for recovery on Monday.  Yesterday was miserable--but today I woke up feeling a bit better!  I am hoping by the end of the week that I be on the up and up!  My dad is coming to town and we are planning a run for Friday!! Which I am REALLY looking forward too!  Although, it might just kick my tooshy--as it will have been almost 2 weeks since my last run!!  And he has been running several times a week--and his speed is really picking up!  Oh well I guess! It will be nice to just get out and go!! :)

Until next time! :)

New Runners!!! :)

I have been anticipating getting new running shoes for quite some time.  My current runners are Nike LunarGlides--and while they get the job done--I knew that it would be in my best interest to get myself fitted for the correct running shoes!  At the time I started running, money was tighter--and we couldn't afford 100+ dollars on a good pair of running shoes!  So I got what I could and they have served me well! :)  We had set aside money from our tax return for me to get my shoes--however, when our tax return came--we wanted to use that money for a few other things--and I knew that my Nike's were serving me well, so it wasn't a huge deal.  We have had the money several times over--I just hadn't gotten to the store before the money was allocated to other things (although the money should have been in a cash envelope...but that's for another day/blog!).  Finally yesterday Justin and I decided the money was there--so I headed up to Peak Performance!

However, yesterday when I went fitted I must have come at the perfect time! :)  Aside from the person helping me get fitted--his good friend was there to talk to him--who just happened to be a podiatrist.  SOO I got the opinion of someone who I value to be a professional in the sense of fitting people for running shoes--and someone who is a professional with how the foot works!!  Awesome right?!  Ya I thought so as well!

I went in not knowing what to expect--I figured I had a pretty "normal" gait and such--I have "pretty good" arches so I knew that wouldn't be an issue.  However, I walked out of there with a wealth of information!

The lo down--I over-pronate.  And my current runners do nothing to help correct this--and allows my foot/leg to twist all crazy--and in turn locks my big toe from moving smoothly.  The podiatrist said he knew this simply by the wear on the toe of my running shoes. (It is significantly worn)

So what does this mean for shoes?  This means I spent 117.00 on a "transitional" pair of shoes.  Basically--I need a shoe that is going to support my foot completely through my gait.  I need a "structured cushioning" shoe.  However, to go from what I am currently running with (My Nike Lunarglides) to the Asics Kayano shoes would mean a substantial, potentially miserable adjustment period for me.  So instead of making the "leap" they put me in Asics GT-2170's.  I tried on a pair of Saucauny's--but they felt much "stiffer" and they were very very bulky, in my opinion--the Asics were much "softer" and felt much smoother!  Plus, I like the looks of the Asics a LOT LOT LOT better!  The Saucauny's were pretty darn ugly :P  I know that shouldn't sway my decision--but it did! :P 

So here they are:

Cool right?  Yep--I like them too :P  The "next" shoes I will need to get for serious running--and which from what I can gather will be "my" shoe for a long time to come--are the Asics "Kayano" shoe.  The price for those babies are 160.00---ya, my eyes about popped out of my head as well!!  Never in my life have I spent more than 100.00 for a pair of shoes--let alone 150 dollars!!!!!!  The 2 guys helping me suggested I log about 250 miles in these, and then make the final transition to the Kayano's.  I am not so sure we will be able to afford it when I hit the 250 mile mark--but I will purchase them when we can afford them.  I figure even if I can't buy them when I am "supposed" to--by the fall I am thinking we will be able to get them--and I may actually see if the Expo's at any of the major races I will be running in are selling them!  That might be a way to get them slightly cheaper (even if they are the "older" model!)

In all--I am glad I went!  They said that the Asics should prevent my foot from rolling/twisting-allowing my big toe to move freely rather than lock.  Oh, and the podiatrist said I was a "great example" of over-pronation! :P  Made me giggle!

Leprechaun Chase 10K

Last Saturday Justin, my Dad, and I raced in the 3rd annual Leprechaun Chase 10K!  Man was it a blast--and I am looking forward to running it again next year!! :)

 

Things started out about 12:00 for us!  We (Dad, Justin, and I) headed to Omaha!  It was a seamless ride--and despite the fact that we got out a little later than planned!  We arrived in Omaha with PLENTY of time to spare--in fact, we got there with so much time we were able to go to Sports Authority to return/exchange a few things! :)  We couldn't exchange one thing--but we did return the other!  They didn't have what I wanted--so I hung onto the gift card and we headed out to the Space Museum!  

We actually got there VERY early--one of the first people--and we were glad we did!  It made packet pick-up seamless and we were able to relax and have a good time before the race!!  We got ready--I put my tutu on--and we went over to stretch/get ready!

Tutu on--jacket on! :)  It was warm and windy that day--so I didn't actually need my jacket!

Dad with his shirt! :) He got a technical shirt!

All ready to run! :)

Dad and I at the start!

My dear darling husband, Justin, and I at the start! :)

One of the "cons" of this race was that there wasn't really any space to run/warm-up beforehand.  So--we were basically running cold.  Which, in reality isn't the greatest--but it didn't effect my run to terribly!  I made sure to stretch at least a little bit ahead of time.

About 4:15 or so we were allowed in the start corrals!  Now, this was another "con" in my opinion.  Because I decided to stay back about 3/4 of the way through the gated area--when in reality I was no any where close to the back of the pack (where I knew I needed to be).  It just made me feel bad for those faster runners who I knew were behind me!  I know how it feels to have people who are a lot slower in front of you!  I tried my best to stay on the very very right side of the path-but I still had people passing me on the right :(

The 1st mile was interesting--I knew I didn't want to push myself tooo hard--as I wouldn't ever finish.  The wind was a big factor--as well as the crazy hills that were in the course!  I must remind ya'll--I train on flat land--the biggest "hill" in my usual trail is an overpass.  So--needless to say the hills were tiring!  Thankfully--I had ran a HORRIBLE 10K the weekend before in the coldest, strongest wind ever! So, the wind for this race was really nothing in comparisson--the biggest "trouble" I had was that it was extremely dry wind--with some dust mixed in--making my mouth EXTREMELY dry--and me really thirsty!

As we got through Mile 1 I was feeling alright!  There was a drink station somewhere in the 2nd mile (but before the Mile 2 marker!) that I decided to go ahead and walk through to get a drink and catch my breath!  This was a great breather and just what I needed as I was feeling a bit defeated when I reached the Mile 1 marker.

After my drink I was feeling good--ran a good while, and then everyone in front of me started walking!  Like waves of people!  I was amazed by this!  It made it hard for me to push through and run!  I kept running--but then came to a huge hill and decided to walk (as it seemed like EVERYONE in front of me did!)--I am glad I did!  It was perfect for prepping me for the next bit!

Through-out the rest of the course I took a few walk breaks--but really did feel confident in my run! I walked way less than I had anticipated--with the hills and the wind!

Justin caught up to me about 3.5 miles into the race!  I got farther than I expected!! :)  I could tell he was hurting when he reached me--so I walked and talked with him for a few minutes!  It was nice--and I loved that part!  Such a plus! :)

I reached the finish line feeling confident-and even sprinted the last .2 miles! :)  AND--I finished BEFORE the clock hit 1:16!!  My goal was to finish under 1:15!!  So I was pretty pumped with how things went!

The after-party was so-so.  The lads won, so Justin and my Dad got a free beer--and we hung out just for the fun atmosphere! :)

Then I had my time printed out and was SOOO excited!!!  Below is my print out! :)  I was STOCKED to see that I had finished in UNDER 1:15!  In reality I could have/should have pushed myself a little bit harder--although I am proud of finishing the race!!  I ran a lot more than some of the people around me--but I still could have managed to push myself a bit more!  Le sigh! Next race! :)

Overall, it was a fabulous race with a few minor "cons"--will we do it again next year--heck ya!! :)  It was a lot of fun--and I loved the "chase" format!  I will however, start WAY back further than I did this year! Although next year that pace will be closer to 11 minutes than 12!! (Or even lower!)

Dad, myself, and Justin at the after party! :)

 

 

 

 

Coming Soon!!

So I am excited to announce that my American Cancer Society website should be up and running very soon!!  I will be fundraising for the American Cancer Society--a foundation that is near and dear to my heart--for both my 1/2 marathon in July and the full marathon in October!  At this point--I am unsure of the fundraising "goal" but I am going to aim high!  Because Grandma never did anything halfway!  She fought with every ounce until the very last moment and I can only do the same for her! :)  In hopes, that I can give someone "just one more."  Something we won't have with Grandma, but those "Just one more's" we did have will forever live in our memories.

I look forward to sharing with you once I get things rolling with my website!!  I can't wait to support such an amazing cause!! :)

Training...or lack there of.

Sunday I ran another 10K!  It felt really good (although it was on the treadmill) and I managed to shave a few minutes off of my time--but considering I was on a treadmill vs. outside--its a totally different ball game.  I find treadmills a LOT harder to run on--but considering the wind was CRAZY and it was chilly out--I opted for the treadmill!  I enjoy running outside better because I actually have a goal to go to.  I am not just in the same place for over an hour.

This week---there has been no training besides Sunday's 10K.  I have my lower left wisdom tooth pulled on Tuesday evening--and it has had me out for the count.  Thankfully the pull was WAY easier than my 1st--but it still hurts--and I have a pretty massive hole.  Tonight I was going to go biking--but I forgot headphones, took the wrong exit, and ran into an old friend--therefore resulting in me foregoing the biking.  I may go tomorrow and do a few short miles--but I am not sure.  My plan is to do 1 final 10K OUTSIDE before the race next weekend!  I am feeling confident I can finish--even though my time will likely be in the way bottom 1/2--I am just hoping to cross the finish line in under 1:20.  My lofty goal is 1:10.  We shall see.  My Nike+ had my 10K last weekend at 1:10ish--but the treadmill said I still have like 1/2 a mile to go-so I started running again and clocked it in at 1:17.  Slow--but steady.  And it felt good!  So that was what meant the most to me! 

Here's the plan for the next week: Sunday--10K, Tuesday an easy 3 miles, Thursday an easy 2 miles/Group Centergy, Saturday RACE DAY!  I LOVE Group Centergy--and I was AMAZED at how STRONG I felt after just one class!!  So I am hoping that doing that on Thursday (and resting on Friday) will help me feel lean and strong!! :)

But--I gotta survive this tooth pain and silly cold thing I have going on.  Pushing through is what I am doing!