tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55473581023475289262024-03-18T22:38:07.156-05:00My Running Journey...for better or worseSince 2010 I've run 3 marathons, 9 half marathons and several other races! I'm always looking for new ways to challenge myself...in running and in life. Where will the next journey take me?Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-55362005404886450962014-10-09T15:11:00.002-05:002014-10-09T15:11:48.648-05:00International Vacationing and Running: Compatible or not?So, here we are 24 days away from NYC. I have been running, training, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PureBarreRiverchase" target="_blank">LTB-ing</a> and... traveling!<br />
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Matt and I just got back last week from 13 days in Europe (France, Monaco, Italy) and had an amazing time. The food...the landscape...the architecture...the culture...I could go on for pages and pages (and may very well do this later if I can find time).<br />
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I alluded earlier that I had a significant trip planned---but did not mention that it was occurring very close to the peak of my training. I have really been busting it this training cycle (pulling more "doubles" than I would have anticipated and getting up for 6am barre classes and 6:30am running groups---who AM I?!?!) and having a big "X factor" in the middle of my training really concerned me. <b>Would I undo all the hard work/gains I had made over the past 11 weeks?</b><br />
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I am using the NYC Virtual Training Plan (which I LOVE and would use again) and so I posted a question to one of the coaches asking what I should do. Really, I just wan't sure what kind of facilities would be available at the hotels...if it would be safe to run in the cities we were visiting...if it would even be practical? I mean, let's be honest I knew there was no way I was getting in an 18-miler in Europe---but I could do my best to try and get in the shorter runs or interval sessions if there was a reasonable area or treadmill available. Coach Kim wrote back advising me to play it by ear, so I packed my shoes and exercise gear and headed overseas hoping for the best. I even bought and packed a Pure Barre DVD because some of the hotel descriptions advertised in-room DVD players and I thought that would be another good option.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0x_0FaB_t-Bqo1dAmZmoEgXi7FjR6VxVdcWL04XMJZXMfsxw-p-kIOCi3WHPVwv8oZJR82f4hPdgHrD7R5l61mDYVW2fSiaOxvh9v8QguI-KzY3b_86BCSS7NMkTwISsnMroT67VdlI/s1600/EU+2014+mural+Beaune+butcher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0x_0FaB_t-Bqo1dAmZmoEgXi7FjR6VxVdcWL04XMJZXMfsxw-p-kIOCi3WHPVwv8oZJR82f4hPdgHrD7R5l61mDYVW2fSiaOxvh9v8QguI-KzY3b_86BCSS7NMkTwISsnMroT67VdlI/s1600/EU+2014+mural+Beaune+butcher.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOT what happened<br /> (but a cool mural on a butcher shop <br />window in Beaune, France)</td></tr>
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<b>So what happened?</b><br />
Let's just say I am glad we walked A TON. EVERYWHERE. Literally for hours every day. I only wish I had worn a pedometer so I knew the insane amount of walking that took place. I'm not complaining, just saying I knew easily it was miles and miles almost every day. I actually didn't gain any weight while I was gone and honestly I can credit it to the constant movement in our lives despite daily wine/cheese/gelato/etc indulgences.<br />
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I think I probably could have safely run in Italy (we were staying in Sorrento and I saw a few locals running for exercise), but the timing didn't work out because we were already getting up early to go do things and we were also going to bed late-ish.<br />
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he DVD players? Invisible. Fitness Centers in the hotels? Non-existent.<br />
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<b>I "formally" worked out exactly ONE time while we were away</b> and it was the last day we were there! We finally made it to our one "Americanized" hotel near the airport (<a href="http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/italy/hilton-garden-inn-rome-airport-FCOAPGI/index.html" target="_blank">Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport</a>) before our early flight the next morning and at about 10:00 at night, I declared that I was "going to the gym". Matt looked at me like I was crazy but I told him I just needed a good "sweat" before a long day of travel the next day. And that was true. While I had been active, I really craved a nice cardio session so I headed down and predictably had the small, but adequate, gym to myself. I cranked up the one TV station that was in English and busted out 5K @ a 9:40 pace (oops, meant to take it a little easier but damn KPH conversion--haha) and rounded it out with a nice strength session with some free weights and body weight resistance. Mission accomplished.<br />
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More than anything it was nice to know that I didn't die from the effort and made me feel confident that I could jump back into training when I got home.<br />
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Since returning home, I've done exactly that and my body has felt really good.I even completed a "double" the day after we got home (a 5.5 mile run and a 1 hour Pure Barre class) and was fine the next day. My big test is the 20 miler this weekend but I think if I can get the weather to cooperate (because that's really in my control!) I should be fine. I felt REALLY good after my planned 11 last weekend. Granted 11 is not 20, but I'm pretty sure I could have done 20 last week if it was required.<br />
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<b>Moral of the story: </b>Traveling and missing a few runs in the middle of your training cycle isn't going to kill you, so stop stressing about it. Is it ideal? Probably not. But it's more important to be present in the great opportunity to travel. Be as active as possible and do what you can and know the roads (and treadmills) will be waiting for you when you get home!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLL1c9mgpW_sXN68yGH17VZIFQlU0ZWvvqu6y-Li6sUZx5wl7Ql7m4VeLFTb-NPT-xSTcAO-Pn27uHEqDIwZXMdZhINFoSdM5dtypBajRO20CUe6Q_u0ZSE1IIQKREehnn2tufiI26Bs/s1600/EU+2014+Eze+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLL1c9mgpW_sXN68yGH17VZIFQlU0ZWvvqu6y-Li6sUZx5wl7Ql7m4VeLFTb-NPT-xSTcAO-Pn27uHEqDIwZXMdZhINFoSdM5dtypBajRO20CUe6Q_u0ZSE1IIQKREehnn2tufiI26Bs/s1600/EU+2014+Eze+2.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From one of our walks in Eze, France (outside of Monaco)</td></tr>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-92203001441421225522014-07-31T12:20:00.001-05:002014-07-31T12:20:45.760-05:00NYC Marathon Training Week #2 Update<span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Delayed recap of week #2, fueled by a trip out of town and ongoing remodeling of my house which has essentially displaced us out of the main living level and into the bedrooms or out on the patio when we're home. I missed a run this week, partially on motivation factor, though worked out all 7 days (yes, I know, rest is my friend) and 9 in a row. Week #3's Monday rest day WAS taken for those who might read and think "over training". And believe it or not, I did get up for a 5:30am Pure Barre class (4:45 wake up!) which was worth it in exchange for the shenanigans of Thursday evening. I also kind of missed my "double days" this week (WEIRD). It's amazing what our bodies will do when we truly ask them to commit to the load and then also fuel them properly.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><u>In summary:</u></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Planned miles: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">24</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Completed miles: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">17.8 plus 3 Pure Barre classes (3 hours total), 1 Body Pump class (1 hour) and a few short walks with my dogs (not documented in the mileage above)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Training highlight: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Feeling like a total bad ass rocking out my 8 mile "long run" Friday <u>after work</u> (and before driving to Auburn) even though I was TIRED from Thursday's concert and my feet were still swollen from the heels/hours of standing and dancing. Mind over matter.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Non-training highlight:</b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b> </b>Thursday night Luke Bryan concert with my friend Nicole. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the main man to take the stage</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Some people really push back against "bro country" but I enjoy his music and the imagery it evokes (and let's be honest, he's <b><u>HOT</u></b>--though I liked his music before I knew what he looked like!). His radio stuff is pretty good, but honestly like with most artists the more you explore their albums the more good stuff you find. He (and his opening acts) gave a lot of energy to the crowd and I'm hoping to make it back to a "Farm Tour" concert in Auburn this fall.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Shut it Down" on piano (One of those "unreleased" songs I was referring to above)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, Trebuchet MS, lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Sorry for the blurry phone pic, I had brought my good camera (with the zoom) from home and then left it at work on my desk for the actual concert! Pissed. Oh well. Next time :)</span></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Favorite gear this week: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Without a doubt my smart phone. Internet radio (Pandora and Spotify both have uses in my world), You Tube and even my online Italian lessons got me through my running this week.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">To Do Next Week: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">I still need to order some more socks and continue stocking up on new/retiring my old sports bras. I've got a coupon and I keep leaving it at home in the renovation chaos.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><u>And the details:</u></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Monday</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">: Plan--OFF; Actual-- 1 hour Pure Barre, plus walking Roxy 1 mile.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Tuesday</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">: Plan--5 miles "Regular Run"; Actual--4.8 miles, avg pace 9:48. Jemison Trail plus add on segment. I realized that left my GPS at home so I was running mostly by feel and just clocked a start and end time. Could have tried to estimate .2 but really, why? Close enough. Plus, felt great about a strong performance despite 90+% humidity. I was saved by tree cover and overcast skies.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Wednesday: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Plan--5 miles run "As You Feel"; Actual--5 miles AYF. Met up with Amy for the Trak Shak run. Extremely small crowd because it has been monsooning 30 minutes before the start and we weren't sure if we would be totally rained out of our meet up. Light drizzle to begin but cleared up throughout the run. Felt good and kept easy, conversational effort. Walked Roxy when I got home (.6 miles)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Thursday: </b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, Trebuchet MS, lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Plan--6 miles Intervals; Actual--1 hour Pure Barre at </span></span><b style="color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">5:30am!</b><span style="color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, Trebuchet MS, lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> I ran this workout last Sunday and knew that with the concert Thursday night after work if I was going to do *anything* it would have to be super early before work. Not going to essentially "double" on runs within 12 hours (or run 4 days in a row), so I was happy to make an early PB class fit in here. Dare I say, the 4:45am wake up wasn't actually that bad but I was hungry ALL DAY and felt a little energy lag after lunch. On the half mile stretch to get out of my neighborhood I saw 5 runners (2 groups) and 4 walkers (2 groups). WTF?!?! I was really surprised to see that many people in a residential area out at 5:15am. </span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Friday: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Plan--OFF; Actual--8 miles "long run". Avg 10:33. I was headed out of town for the weekend to attend a memorial and knew that after driving late my motivation to get up and do 8 solo miles Saturday morning would be low--and then it would be hanging over my head Sunday. So even though I was exhausted from staying out until midnight and then working another full day--AND my feet were still sore/swollen from the heels I wore to the concert, I headed to the gym to just <b>GET IT DONE.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was fueled by the "post concert" high so to break up the time I listened to some LB on Spotify, watched a few funny videos on YouTube and listened to one of my online Italian lessons.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Mile 0-2.5: 10:40 pace, Mile 2.5-4.5: 10:31. Took a quick break for Gu and to towel off. Mile 4.5-6.5: pace varied between 10:00 and 10:40. Mile 6.5-8: 10:40 and gradually moved it up every couple minutes to finish the run at a solid 9:40.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Foam rolled for 15 minutes once I got to Auburn.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Saturday: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Plan--"Flex Day"; Actual--1 hour Body Pump. Took the class at my aunt's gym. Had a little celebrity/athlete run-in here, but I'll be discreet ;) since it's a private club and also some place I'll be returning to in the fall when I'm in town for football games. My right knee/IT band continue to feel a little "tweaky" so came home and foam rolled for 15 minutes after class. Also walked my aunt's dog (Duke) .6 miles.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Sunday: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555544; font-family: tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Plan--8 miles "long" run; Actual--1 hour Pure Barre. Walk Roxy and Bali .6 miles. I probably could have/should have made up the 6 miles today but I was BEAT. We got back from Atlanta (from Auburn) close to midnight on Saturday. Then Sunday I had to drive back to Birmingham. Upon return, found my living room knee deep in renovations. I passed out for a short mid-afternoon nap and basically drug myself to Pure Barre at 5:30pm--and really that was mostly because I'm just trying to make the most of my (expensive) unlimited monthly membership!</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-65183809351571547262014-07-20T23:25:00.000-05:002014-07-20T23:25:02.243-05:00NYC Marathon Training Week #1 Update<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqN8SaMImkshexMK40JFRTgfL3e0yDMDuFjkNppd5O520ZksmBU5yn44YaTmS4GnLX1bxbgeE53YiH68OIXa8sG0-Fv9tMbQyw16TVQ0nxILDVLeI9PN2nLB93KY1l_Bd8KC7A0mNyl70/s1600/NYC2014+week+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqN8SaMImkshexMK40JFRTgfL3e0yDMDuFjkNppd5O520ZksmBU5yn44YaTmS4GnLX1bxbgeE53YiH68OIXa8sG0-Fv9tMbQyw16TVQ0nxILDVLeI9PN2nLB93KY1l_Bd8KC7A0mNyl70/s1600/NYC2014+week+1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign that marathon training has resumed...</td></tr>
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Can't believe week #1 is in the books. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with how training turned out this week, though you'll notice flexibility with the plan already! The beginning of the week was brutally hot and humid and though we had a bit of "polar vortex" in the middle of the week, my schedule didn't line up for me to truly enjoy the mid-summer cool down due to some appointments and the way the schedule was prescribed. Doing "doubles" after work pretty much makes me useless in the evening productivity-wise, so on days in the future where I am trying to double up with runs and PB, I might have to get creative with the scheduling or try to move one of the workouts to the morning (and I am SO NOT a morning person).<br />
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<b><u>In summary:</u></b><br />
<b>Planned miles: </b>21<br />
<b>Completed miles: </b>21.8 plus 3 hours of Pure Barre and a few short walks with my dog, Roxy (not documented in the mileage)<br />
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<b>Training highlight: </b>Getting to take a Pure Barre class with my aunt who was visiting this weekend; <b>runner-up: </b>Rocking a 6 mile interval workout this afternoon and feeling <u>excellent</u> pretty much the entire time.<br />
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<b>Favorite gear this week: </b>It's a tie between...My blender (recovery smoothies in between double workouts were essential to keeping me going) and my foam roller (massage therapist identified that my IT band was tight before training even started so I REALLY REALLY need to make this my BFF in the coming days)<br />
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<b>To Do Next Week: </b>I probably need to order some more socks and continue stocking up on new/retiring my old sports bras. Laundry is a never-ending quest around here. I can't imagine if I had kids...<br />
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<b><u>And the details:</u></b><br />
<b>Monday</b>: Plan--5 miles "Regular Run"; Actual-- 5.1 miles, avg pace 10:13 (plus an untimed .5 w/u and c/d. Location: Lakeshore Greenway. Brutally hot and humid and I pretty much bargained with myself the entire time to keep going. Was supposed to be a progression run but once I dialed back, I couldn't find any "get up and go". So humid that my socks and shoes were actually "squishy" at the end and I took them off for the drive home!<br />
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<b>Tuesday</b>: Plan--5 miles "Regular Run"; Actual--5 miles, avg pace 10:17. After yesterday's soul crusher, I renewed my membership at the Rec so I could get access to the treadmill again! Better than outside but I'm pretty sure the gym's AC couldn't keep up today because my water bottle was "steamy" within the first half mile. Ran at prescribed pace (between 10:20 and 10:31) throughout the run and then finished the last .5 miles with progressive "kick" to the finish.<br />
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Went home for a quick outfit change and protein smoothie before hitting up a late (8pm) 1 hour Pure Barre class. LTB!<br />
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<b>Wednesday: </b>Plan--OFF; Actual--OFF. Wouldn't normally do this but had a medical exam on Thursday that prohibited working out for 24 hours prior. (I'm fine, just worth a bit more to Matt now in the event I die anytime soon...) Took advantage of this to get a needed manicure and catch up on laundry.<br />
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<b>Thursday: </b>Plan--4 miles run "As You Feel"; Actual--4 miles "AYF". I LOVE that this plan specifically sets workouts that are meant to be untimed/unpaced--hence the term "As You Feel". Not only is it mentally freeing but it also allows you to run with people who may not be at your training paces without feeling "guilty" (if that makes any sense). I don't normally (EVER) care about that but when in "training" I really do try to make the most of what I'm "supposed" to be doing. Met up with my close friend (and first running buddy dating back YEARS) Amy for a social run on Jemison trail (part technical, part paved). My runs with her are so good for the soul and I look forward to them always.<br />
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And like Tuesday, outfit change and protein smoothie before another 1 hour Pure Barre class.<br />
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<b>Friday: </b>Plan--OFF; Actual--1.7 miles EASY. Matt's idea to take one of our dogs (Bali) out for an easy run/walk while waiting for family to arrive. Would have been more but it started raining and there was no need to push this.<br />
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<b>Saturday: </b>Plan--"Flex Day"; Actual--1 hour Pure Barre. With Flex Days, the plan gives you mileage if you feel like running or leaves room for a day of cross training (XT) with no running. You can pretty much bet I'm always going to choose the XT option here.<br />
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<b>Sunday: </b>Plan--7 miles "long" run; Actual--6 miles Intervals (1.5 w/u @10:30, 6x800 with 1 minute rest between sets--2 @ 9:50, 2 @9:40, 2 @9:31, 1.5 c/d @10:30) Yeah...sooooo..my own mental game got the better of me today. My aunt and I were supposed to run 5 of my 7 together and I kept waiting for her to wake up, but she opted to sleep in. By the time she was up, it was hotter than either of us wanted and she wanted to get a few other things accomplished while in Birmingham that we didn't get to yesterday. No biggie but they didn't leave until mid-afternoon and I really wasn't in the mood for a solo humidity fest or a 7 mile slog on the mill. However, I am always up for speed or intervals, so I checked out my week #2 training to see this on the schedule and subbed the workout. Felt <u>excellent</u> the entire time and while I know I can't make that a regular substitution, it was nice to end the week on a "win, so I'll take it this time.<br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-90571569844984667342014-07-14T23:46:00.004-05:002014-07-14T23:46:58.262-05:00Start Spreading the News...NYC Marathon training started today....<br />
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I don't even know where to begin after my silence from the past 18 months. All I can say is that 2013 was a CRAZY and AMAZING year both personally and professionally and after the spring, long distance training really dropped off while I focused on work and personal stuff.<br />
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No I didn't have a baby...but I <a href="http://blog.elledanielle.com/2014/01/21/melissa-matt-married-asheville-north-carolina/">did get married</a> :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was below freezing and if you look closely (above) you can see our hands are purple!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were thawed out by this point :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He got me unexpectedly!</td></tr>
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By no means did I stop running or working out but with working 50-60 hours/week (not including commute), planning a destination wedding (no coordinator) and traveling nearly every weekend during the fall (football season!), I needed to focus on QUALITY. HIIT and strength training became my go-to, mixed with shorter (3-5 mile) runs, yoga, zumba (and here in 2014...Pure Barre). I also started working with a nutritionist (NO, not for the wedding...) and have made some fairly significant changes to my diet (but I'll leave it at that for now).<br />
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So, anyway, after 3 years of striking out in the NYC marathon lotto, I finally got in this year via guaranteed entry and will be running the marathon on November 2nd. That's 16 weeks from yesterday in case anyone is counting ;)<br />
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I've seen some pretty decent improvements in my fitness and pace over the past year and entertained getting a coach but after doing a bit of research (and realizing that the coach I truly wanted was WAYYYYY out of my budget), I've signed up for the <a href="https://runtrix.com/NYRR/index.php">NYRR Virtual Marathon Trainer</a>. Not only was the price right ($49.99 for the whole program!) but I love that when setting up the program it took into account how I have recently been training, past running experience, and how I want to approach this training cycle. There is a place online to log each workout (paces, RPE, details, etc) and the trainer will actually adjust based on how I'm actually performing and translate this into predicted race day performance along the way. (For example, after logging tonight's miserable 5 miler in 97 degree heat/10000% humidity, the trainer has already adjusted my paces for tomorrow's run!)<br />
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Don't worry, you won't be getting a daily diary, but I will be posting a weekly log of training for others to use as reference or if you just happen to be curious.<br />
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I'll also try to update on some of my other shenanigans, including other fitness classes or experiences I'm getting into and reviews of some travels as they come up. (7 months later and we still haven't taken a honeymoon but one is in the works. We'll see how this may or may not impact my training!)<br />
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If there is anything else anyone is curious about, just leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer. I've missed this outlet and am happy to be back in action!<br />
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One more non-sweaty picture since those have consistently dominated the blog over the years. Yes, I wear real clothes (not just running shorts and wedding dresses...or running capris and high heels...)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I am a die hard CFB fan! Thanks to my cousin for the sign and for accompanying me on our CA adventure.</td></tr>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-71007922300555185752012-12-31T21:35:00.000-06:002012-12-31T21:35:02.172-06:00Running Capris + High Heels: Setting a Trend for the New YearHappy New Year's Eve! My house is absolutely <i>rocking</i> right now...Matt went to bed at approximately 6:30p (yes, you read that correctly) and the dogs decided that snuggling with him was more interesting than hanging out with me, so I have been left to my own devices (read: getting ready to have champagne for a party of 1 and updating ye ol' blog).<br />
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Anyway...I have to tell one on myself b/c this is too classic not to share with the someone.<br />
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This morning I got up bright and early to test out the <a href="http://www.redmountainpark.org/">Red Mountain Park</a> trails at our track club's<a href="http://birminghamtrackclub.com/2nd-annual-new-years-resolution-run-.php"> resolution run.</a> I ran late yesterday afternoon and debated whether or not to attend this morning (for various reasons) but am glad I did! In hindsight I wish I had done the 5 mile route (I did the 3) but I wasn't sure how soul crushing the trails were going to be (Ruffner bad?) and didn't want to kill myself given that I've been down out and with a nasty cold for the better part of this last week and am still not back to 100% even after 2 runs and a Zumba class to my credit since Saturday.<br />
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So, to be honest, part of my motivation for getting out to this particular run was driven by the fact that I needed to go to my office to retrieve a recipe that I had accidentally left in a folder on my desk. It's Matt's cornbread recipe that he is making for the New Year and I COULD NOT find it on the internet anywhere (turns out I was looking on the wrong sites but I digress...) My office is about 10 minutes from RMP and I rationalized that I would feel less pathetic about going downtown if I was practically there already.<br />
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I was on vacation today but the office was open. Without going into too much detail I work in a fairly conservative corporate office and running clothes are most certainly NOT on the approved dress code. I was pretty sure it would be a dead zone but knew there was a chance my boss might be in and was pretty sure some colleagues on my hall would be working. The plan was to pull a pair of jeans on over my running tights, slip on a pair of flats and wear my dressy, knee length coat (buttoned) and add some lip gloss so that I would at least look human and not questionable. To be clear, jeans are also NOT on the dress code, but given that I was not working today, it's practically a holiday and I would be slipping in and out quickly I knew it would be fine.<br />
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As I got back to my car after the run I quickly realized that while I had managed to grab my coat, I had apparently forgotten to pick up my jeans and flats after I set them down when I went to find my Garmin at the last minute. CRAP!!! I did not want to drive all the way home to drive all the way back downtown for a piece of paper...what to do? Pop the trunk...is there anything in here that can work? My trunk is pretty much empty...certainly no pants BUT a pair of black heels waiting to be taken to the shoe repair to be re-heeled. Did I dare?<br />
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I decided to suck it up and head to the office and press my luck/judge the situation when I got there. As I pulled into my building I noticed the exec lot was completely EMPTY!!! Score! So...in the parking lot of my building I changed from muddy running shoes to high heels, buttoned up the coat, added some lipgloss and hoped that my running capris would be hidden enough and might look like some kind of "legging" peeking below. As soon as I walked into the suite, there were 3 of my colleagues and admin assistant delivering some mail. "I'm not really here! Pretend you don't see me" No one really batted an eye and I actually ran into a colleague/friend at TJ Maxx this afternoon who said all they noticed was the flash of my white coat and then I was gone :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure this is fooling absolutely no one, but it was my best attempt</td></tr>
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However, I was NOT fooling Matt and when I walked in the door after this "excursion" he looked at me, laughed, and said "What the hell are you wearing?" LOL. Let me also add that at this point I also noticed a huge streak of mud going down the side of my right calf...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHumtLQLoNptNm-msR9BE_FaeScStNsmEK0JUb4iKviZE80k6h9IqzZ9qThnkcQLPMoBqA-UfPu0pe0j3VUCec81Q58ZC2xRltG39DsjPeE-zEIggqBHxrHi1NLayWbDDopfvx89emN_s/s1600/IMG_20121231_095710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHumtLQLoNptNm-msR9BE_FaeScStNsmEK0JUb4iKviZE80k6h9IqzZ9qThnkcQLPMoBqA-UfPu0pe0j3VUCec81Q58ZC2xRltG39DsjPeE-zEIggqBHxrHi1NLayWbDDopfvx89emN_s/s320/IMG_20121231_095710.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't think this is what people mean when they refer to "work-life" balance!</td></tr>
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<b>Anyone else ever have to do something like this or is it just me? :)</b><br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-6301524606867005282012-11-25T17:07:00.000-06:002012-11-25T17:07:02.433-06:00Electric City Gobbler 5K--Race Recap/ReviewFinally! A few minutes where I am not out of town/driving/working/running and the energy to actually write an update.<br />
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This Thanksgiving Matt and I (and the dogs) traveled to Anderson, South Carolina, to visit pretty much all of his extended family in a span of about 2 days. Knowing that I'd love to get a run in on Thanksgiving morning, I started googling for local races and quickly found the <a href="http://www.strictlyrunning.com/images/12electriccitygobbler.pdf">Electric City Gobbler 5K</a> hosted by the one of the local running clubs (the Electric City Running Club), which turned out to be less than 15 minutes from our hotel. Done!<br />
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Knowing that I would love the get the sub-30 off my back (don't laugh!) but also that I have been training for endurance...NOT speed...I decided to make it a fun run and sent a FB message to the running club to see if it was a pet friendly event. It was and so I decided to bring Bali along with me. She is small (~25lbs max) but an excellent runner and even at age 7 has puppy-level energy and endurance!<br />
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The race started and ended at Anderson Mall, with extremely easy access and (obviously) plenty of parking. The race started at 8:30 and I arrived at 7:35 to register and was done in about 5 minutes. The race advertised long sleeve technical shirts but I received a l/s cotton shirt--not sure if this is b/c I didn't pre-reg or not but I'm not complaining...this wasn't about "swag"...it was about getting in a fun run and supporting the local community.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt8HIwrInWKnCh7cZRCKMgo4_5oGkhVHQDH2VioSdtTeuIPi5ITiHKqqWnf5X5IRQzF1_i2Zi1J4iL3_x36YuXbxKg1e7nxSmEYRBu05AzetbaGy5MNZVVEQUqEGuI-vJ0qT4oaUcFRs/s1600/ECG+back+shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt8HIwrInWKnCh7cZRCKMgo4_5oGkhVHQDH2VioSdtTeuIPi5ITiHKqqWnf5X5IRQzF1_i2Zi1J4iL3_x36YuXbxKg1e7nxSmEYRBu05AzetbaGy5MNZVVEQUqEGuI-vJ0qT4oaUcFRs/s320/ECG+back+shirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of the shirt<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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It was in the low-40s and I had lots of time to kill (and knew no one), so I hung out in my car for a bit and then finally got Bali out and walked around, people watching. There were a few other dogs and though Bali loves people I could tell she was a little bit timid/nervous...maybe it was just b/c it was her first official 5K ;) haha!<div>
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The race started on time and Bali and I started towards the back (there were maybe 500 runners?)--more room for her and I didn't want to start in the middle of chaos. As for pacing, I figured I would just follow Bali's lead...no expectations on pace or whatever. The course was advertised as "fast" but I had no idea what to expect. There were a few small hills but it was extremely FLAT or even downhill, especially as compared to Birmingham. (This would be en excellent course to PR on)</div>
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After the initial start, Bali and I pretty much spent the entire race passing people. I'm not kidding or exaggerating but we passed pack after pack of people and even when I thought there would be no more passing, we just kept chucking along. Bali was actually a really savvy runner, setting into a pace until it was time to pass people and then she would create a nice little "lane" with room for both of us, not cutting people off or getting in the way (I tried to stay to the right as much as physically possible) It was pretty funny to hear all the comments too...mostly one of two things: "crap...I just got passed by a DOG!" or "hey...I need one of those, mind if I borrow her for the rest of the race" HAHA! It was an extremely friendly crowd and even afterwards people came up asking how she did, joking "did she get first in her age group?"</div>
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According to my watch, Bali and I finished 3.14 miles in 30:49 (avg pace: 9:48) which is only 15 seconds slower than my PR and I was working, but definitely not at "5K effort" (this is why I say it would be an excellent PR course). They made multiple announcements prior to the race to stay in order once we entered the chute so they could grab our bib tags but I finished right around several people...MANY of whom cut in the line and swarmed the area (read: NOT staying in order and I saw at least half a dozen who finished behind me cut in front of several people, not just me) so I have no idea how that's going to impact time and/or results. It looked like they were using select timing, as the race was not chip timed and there was a note on the FB page saying that this was the first time they managed timing themselves and they were having some difficulty with the results, so this may very well be part of it. This aspect was really the only negative of my race experience and since it was A. a turkey trot, B. I was a guest WITH A DOG and C. it's not like I was placing in my age group, I let it fly and didn't say anything. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirA2itzEJT3IDz48srWCx0jF0LbmbSQ7uTB0Fon6mJCe5xGBn3FJsCDLSss5oRcxxT1iHD7Bg171CqImpqvkKwiod7c8ODMH9e1XfWKRBj7ym-MX2XhtQeb9a6zwnLluALK9TatGGAaqY/s1600/ECG2012+post+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirA2itzEJT3IDz48srWCx0jF0LbmbSQ7uTB0Fon6mJCe5xGBn3FJsCDLSss5oRcxxT1iHD7Bg171CqImpqvkKwiod7c8ODMH9e1XfWKRBj7ym-MX2XhtQeb9a6zwnLluALK9TatGGAaqY/s320/ECG2012+post+race.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Bali post-race</td></tr>
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Overall, a really good race experience--easy and reasonable registration, a scenic and fast course and a beautiful day. If I was ever in Anderson on Thanksgiving in the future I would definitely run this race again!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-26200995124580287522012-11-08T13:09:00.001-06:002012-11-08T13:09:31.298-06:00My bags AREN'T packed but I'm ready to go...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tomorrow morning bright and early (or perhaps still dark and early...seriously...) I'm off to sunny Orlando, Florida, to run in the Wine and Dine half marathon!<br />
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I ran the inaugural race back in 2010 and actually never thought that I would be back to run it again. (Not b/c of anything specific but it's not cheap to get there, I've been there done that, blah blah). ANYWAY...I am SUPER excited to return this year because I will have the privilege of running with my very best friends from college and seeing each of them cross that half marathon finish for the very first time. (Believe it or not, but this was actually NOT my idea! but I am super happy that the group is doing this together)<br />
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I am so excited and proud of them and the nerves and excitement are almost palpable as everyone wraps up their plans to head to Orlando and the chatter on our little FB group has been so much fun. We've got matching shirts (with a logo designed for us by another one of my friends here in B'ham), and glow necklaces for the race and a little block of rooms together at one of the resorts.<br />
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My ONLY GOAL for this race is to get each of them over the finish line and I am not running for time. This has always been my priority for this race.<br />
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I am 75% sure I am carrying my camera b/c I did not do that last time and regretted not being able to get the character pics, etc. HOWEVER, I wonder if the bouncing over several hours will have any impact on the internal mechanisms? It's a "just" a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZSHNG8/ref=wms_ohs_product">Canon point and shoot</a> but I just bought it last September AND REALLY like the camera and don't want to risk damaging it. That being said, I have another p/s but it takes horrible pictures in low light and since this is a night race...Hmmm...this might be a game time decision.<br />
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Back with this (and another) race report soon!<br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-51465063671426103732012-10-24T01:29:00.001-05:002012-10-24T01:44:03.841-05:007 Bridges Marathon: Race Recap/ReviewWell, it's 2 days post-marathon and I finally have enough time/energy to put my thoughts to "paper". We drove back from Chattanooga right after the race and I was back at work bright and early Monday morning...no rest for the weary! Now I'm sitting here drinking green tea like it's my job desperately trying to keep my immune system from tanking like last time. But enough of that, let's back up to this weekend.<br />
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<b>Before the Race</b><br />
This is the first marathon/out of town race I've done that was on a Sunday, so it REALLY took the pressure off in terms of travel and logistics. I was able to sleep in (without an alarm!) on Saturday morning (side note: probably the first time in months that I haven't woken up with an alarm) and take my time packing and running a few last minute errands. My incredibly sweet and generous running buddy/friend MSN was kindly taking care of Roxy and Bali for us overnight which also took a huge load off. Roxy has had a rough past couple of months and I cannot express how much this meant to me.<br />
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We got on the road just shy of 2:00 for the 2hr 15min drive to Chattanooga. Packet pick-up was being held in Coolige Park (site of the finish line/party) from 2-6pm and I knew to expect a pretty chill scene so I wasn't too worried about crowds, logistics, etc even with a 1hr time change over to Eastern Time. We found pick up without incident and Matt dropped me off so I could go take care of everything. (Truthfully, we also didn't want to have to pay for parking since we weren't sticking around so he was staying with the car!)<br />
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There were absolutely ZERO people in the marathon packet pick up line and the volunteers were incredibly friendly, answering questions about the course, parking, and Chattanooga in general. The vibe from both the volunteers and runners was super relaxed and friendly; I chatted with a guy running the marathon who had just driven in from South Carolina, made small talk with a few others, purchased a couple items (marathon tank top...yes, please!) and headed back to the car.<br />
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Next stop was the hotel, which was less than 2 miles from the start/finish. Hotel options in the downtown Chattanooga area were really limited/expensive (read: more expensive than staying in downtown Atlanta and this is a MUCH smaller city...) which was pretty surprising to me, though Matt had already warned me of this since his job is actually home-based out of Chattanooga. We opted for the <a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chadt-chattanooga-marriott-at-the-convention-center/">Chattanooga Marriott at the Convention Center</a> which was just OK considering the price. Don't get me wrong, everything was clean and the beds were comfortable but the bathroom was TINY and the walls were paper thin. I would have rather stayed at the Hampton Inn but the downtown location was more than $200(!!!!) so at $150 the Marriott was a better deal. (There were some lower cost host hotels...Delta Queen and Chattanooga Choo Choo to name a couple but neither had a TV in the room and that was not cool with me)<br />
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View from our room</div>
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After we got checked in (and were denied a late check out...boo...no post-marathon shower for me), I checked out the swag bag:</div>
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Gender specific tech tee, a couple gels/snack items, the pink tank I picked up in addition as well as the shot glass (classy, I know). Not too much paper which was a ++</div>
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They also had a pretty cool photo/small poster printed that might make a nice addition to our "workout room" (which is where all my race stuff is displayed)</div>
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After getting moderately settled, we headed out to find dinner. Thanks to Urban Spoon, we ended up at <a href="http://terminalbrewhouse.com/">The Terminal Brewhouse</a>...a seemingly hip local spot that had options for any palate. Food was great, Matt enjoyed the beer and prices were REALLY reasonable. Should I ever find myself back in Chattanooga I would definitely return as there was a ton of stuff on the menu I would like to have tried.<br />
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After settling in back at the hotel to watch the FSU/Miami game and try to rest, we were clued in as to how thin the walls really were in the hotel. Let's just say that our neighbors were very...ummm...amorous...multiple times...and I was actually woken up at 1am with their theatrics. That not withstanding, I had a hard time settling down and woke up many times during the night, also paranoid that I had slept through the start despite setting my cell phone, the hotel's alarm clock and putting in for a wake up call. It was one of those nights that seemed to be a million years long if you know what I mean.<br />
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<b>Race Day</b><br />
With a race start of 7am, I wanted to head out by around 6 since we had been warned of potential parking/traffic concerns (Matt was just dropping me off) and since I knew we had to cross a bridge to get to Renaissance Park I didn't want to get stuck in bridge traffic. Luckily, we had absolutely ZERO issues and even with leaving a few minutes late and having trouble getting out of the parking deck at the hotel, I was there within minutes. This was actually the first time Matt has brought me to the start at any longer distance race and in keeping with the theme of the week, I got a little emotional. I calmed down quickly though and felt mentally ready to tackle the day. While eating my PB&J waiting for the start I actually saw a shooting star and it made me feel good about the day to come.<br />
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I ended up wearing a throw-away cotton l/s shirt on top of my tank and arm warmers but no gloves and this ended up being perfect while waiting around in the 40 degree temps. Especially since the start was delayed by 20 minutes (pet peeve and no explanation from anyone other than the DJ who was already announcing at 6:30 that the race would be "starting a little late").<br />
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After the unexplained delay and the movement of the start line (?), they played the national anthem and we were off in the dark! I had asked at packet pick up how many had signed up and they said ~500 for the full and guessing by the size of the crowd I would guess the same or a few more were running the half. There was a 4:30 pacer and a 6:00 pacer (and a few faster) so I tucked in a bit behind 4:30 not ever intending to stick with him.<br />
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I mentioned that I had been undecided in my race day strategy and I pretty much didn't know what I was going to do until I started running. I had trained with intervals on my long runs but know I am also capable of running longer distances without breaks. I really didn't want to start with the intervals, feeling that if I ran conservatively I would at least give myself a bit of cushion to use later. Truthfully I was afraid that if I went with intervals from the start I would still end up tired later and not feeling like I had pushed to my full ability. Based on the outcome of the race, I'm still not 100% sure I made the right decision to go "off plan" BUT I know I absolutely left it on the course for that day and I don't regret how I handled myself.<br />
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So...once I started running I was feeling really good and my goal was to run by feel and not let my heart rate get elevated. Since it was dark it was easy to do this without obsessing over the Garmin readings but when I did look down I saw I was running in the 10:30s with pretty much zero effort. The course was also really flat at this point which was in my favor. As we crossed the first bridge in the dark with steam/fog coming off the river it was truly breathtaking. Several people were taking pictures but I was focusing on not wasting energy and just being present in the moment. I think I said out loud "we are so lucky". And we were (and ARE). I mean, as runners we get to experience things that others will not and the ability to see this landscape from the vantage point(s) we were afforded was not lost.<br />
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The first several miles ticked by QUICKLY...I lost the l/s shirt around 1.5-2 miles and I hit 5K around 32 minutes. There was an out and back section at this point and while I am not usually a fan of out and backs it was a really nice distraction and pretty much occupied my mind with people watching for a good 2 miles. After this we started to hit some hills and I was still maintaining said pace with little effort. I adopted an impromptu mantra "BELIEVE" as I knew I was off plan and needed something positive to focus on so I would not doubt myself/psych myself out and would end up chanting this out loud at several points on the course. Feeling good, I was also a little worried b/c my watch was off the mile markers by .15 at MILE ONE and I am pretty darn good at running the tangents so I was afraid of how much extra length I was going to end up running. Pretty much everyone else's watches were doing the same but it turns out the half course was long (according to race directors) and I did notice the margin of error started to decrease in the later marathon mile markers...<br />
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We were now headed back to the park and the sun was rising and I could not BELIEVE how quickly 10K was gone. I made the decision that at the 1 hour mark I would start on my 6-7/1 intervals knowing that while I felt good now I had a LONG way to go and I had absolutely not trained to run this marathon at a 10:30 pace and I needed to watch my energy. You cannot afford to get tired early...that would lead to disaster in the end. I do remember hitting the 7 mile mark at 1:14 and I said out loud "you're either going to thank yourself or regret that later" haha! There had been regularly spaced aid stations to this point (22 total on the marathon course!) with water and powerade but the one right around this point was totally out of fluids. Not sure what happened there and made me super glad that I had my handheld. (Side note: After having a bad experience at RnR Nashville in 2010 with inconsistent aid stations and fluid availability I carry my handheld in pretty much every race for this reason. It allows me to remove one more variable that is out of my control and spend my energy focusing on the run instead of worrying) I'm pretty sure I had already removed my arm warmers by this point too as the sun was out in full force with not really a cloud in the sky.<br />
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We now headed away from scenic downtown on an ugly/boring stretch of road. The half marathoners broke away around mile 9 to head back along the river walk and we stayed on this industrial, boring, exposed highway for MILES. Runners ahead and orange cones marking the course/protecting us from traffic as far as the eye could see. I just focused on keeping the same company in my sight and on my intervals. There was zero shade and we must have been running due east b/c I was running straight into the sun. Somehow though despite the sun it never really got hot AT ALL for which I am so very thankful. At some point between mile 11 and 13 a food truck serving Argentinian cuisine drove past...huge Argentine flag and "Taste of Argentina" painted on it. And...I fist pumped the driver who in turn honked. Yes, I have a slight obsession with Argentina and that totally made me happy :)<br />
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Chugging along some winding roads, I was trying to run straight and not necessarily follow the curve the best I could but truthfully the curves were sometimes so deep gravity would literally pull you in. It was really odd and unlike anything I had experienced before.<br />
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I was surprised at how quickly the miles were continuing to tick by and was mentally in a very good place. And then we were running along the dam (maybe?) and I saw an impossible looking bridge above me...and then I saw runners on it and knew I would be there soon.<br />
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See mile 15.78 for reference...</div>
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And it felt pretty much as bad as it looks on that elevation map. I knew I could EASILY walk that entire bridge but dug up my mental reserves and bargained with myself to run 1/walk 30 seconds for as long as it took me to feel in control. Only had to do a couple of those before I was back to my planned intervals, but man that took a LOT out of me. My secondary goal was not to get passed on the bridge either. I had been only passed by 2 people (men) after the half split between 9-10 and I didn't want to start giving up ground here. And I succeeded and was rewarded with a second wind and a nice downhill to follow.</div>
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Around mile 17-18 though I started to get horrible leg cramps. My quads and hamstrings and glutes started to seize up on me, forcing me to stretch on the side of the road and walk more than I wanted or "needed" to at that point. I was actually kind of scared that this would not go away and I was still feeling pretty good otherwise (eating and drinking, no nausea or otherwise). I got passed by 2 more males and 1 female during this stretch BUT not again for the entire race after that and I ended up later picking off over 12 men and 4 women (yes, I was counting...the mental math kept me preoccupied) so it didn't turn into a total death spiral.</div>
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The river walk sections offered flat terrain and shade and beautiful/peaceful views. Around mile 20/21 I saw that the aid station had coke (real Coke!) and I deliriously asked these very attractive guys manning the station if I could have some. Ummm...yes, it's for the runners. It totally made my day though and on that note, post-half marathon split the aid stations were something that you would expect at an ultra...besides the normal water/powerade/gels there were pretzels, various types of candy, pickles, pickle juice, goldfish crackers, coke, fruit, and cookies. At almost every aid station! I didn't really partake of anything other than the coke but it was SO thoughtful and awesome to have all those options. Plus the volunteers were helping fill our water bottles and I think we were all getting a lot of individual attention b/c there was never really a a crowd at that pace. At the mile 23 station I was smiling again and one of the ladies said "you are really polite and happy for having run 20 miles. You are the happiest person I have seen come through here today" And you know what my bitch self said?, "thanks! but it's 23 miles" HAHA It was just total gut instinct! Oh well :)</div>
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You can see above what greeted me at mile 24 at which point I said some very foul words out loud! And then at mile 25 there was a mini "split" with a course marshall. One way was a ramp (longer), the other way was stairs (shorter but ummm STAIRS at mile 25). I asked the marshall which way and he said I could go either. I told him I was taking my chances and I took the stairs backwards :) I had turned on my music at mile 21 but unplugged again when I got to the final bridge (pedestrian only) over the park. I ran pretty much the entire last mile and I know this is going to sound corny but it was almost like coming into a dream sequence. There were a couple runners in front of me and people on the bridge (some formal spectators, some marathoners who had recently finished, others who were just checking out the area) were cheering for each and every one of us. It was sincere encouragement and human interaction at some of its most pure and I thanked each one and congratulated each marathoner. I have NEVER been part of a race where the energy was so sincere I could hear the music from the post race party in the park below and as I rounded the corner into the final stretch Katy Perry's "Firework" was on, which was actually a huge part of my first marathon "sound track" back in 2010. I could feel my calf muscles cramping up as I entered the finisher's chute and I actually worried that I might fall over but there it was I done and smiling :)</div>
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Yay!</div>
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I was immediately greeted with a medal and a "7 Bridges Marathon" water bottle filled with water (nice extra perk!)</div>
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And then promptly found a spot not far away to totally lay down on the grass!</div>
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Matt seemed overly concerned about my use of sunscreen at this point which was seriously sweet but even being out in the sun for all that time I just ended up with a little additional tan, no redness or burn...so no worries!</div>
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I went in search of food/drink shortly after this but the choices available did not really appeal to me: water/powerade, pizza, apples, bananas, oranges and then these packets wrapped in foil. I asked a volunteer what it was (biscuit maybe?) Nope. Wait for it. BREAKFAST BURRITO. barf! I made a face, told her I was sorry and then took two orange wedges. I'm not one for much solid food after a run anyway but given the awesomeness of the aid stations I guess I was expecting a little more from the finish.</div>
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Matt agreed to pose with me but I don't blame his reluctance as I was pretty stank at this point!</div>
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<b>The Aftermath</b></div>
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We headed home shortly afterwards but not before stopping at a random gas station so I could change (thank God for the<a href="http://showerpill.com/"> Shower Pill</a>) and pick up both a chocolate milk and a fountain coke. Now THAT is post-marathon nutrition, people! I napped for most of the afternoon after we got home and have been hobbling around work for the past couple days but have otherwise felt pretty darn good. Got a massage scheduled for Thursday night and been trying to keep my immune system boosted and plotting my training schedule for Wine and Dine Half Marathon just under 3 weeks away.</div>
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Oh and the time goal...you didn't think I wouldn't come clean about what happened did you? Well, despite being on pace for oh so very very long, I did not meet my "A" goal. I'm not sure if it was the first hour of running (I suspect NOT given that I felt very very effortless during that time) or the leg cramps that forced me to walk more than I wanted...but I did come in faster than Chickamauga and I very much crossed the line happy and with a smile...so "<b>B" and "C" accomplished. </b>I haven't looked back at my Garmin for confirmation pretty much b/c I think it might make me sad right now and I actually have pretty much nothing but love for the race on Sunday. (Well, maybe not mile 15.78 and 24...) It's gotten me thinking though about what's in store for the future and I do think it's going to be focused on improving on the half for at least the next little while. I truly love the long run and the feeling of accomplishment but the solitude of the marathon is very very challenging for me. I'd also like to break 1 hour in the 10K and I think it's definitely a possibility with the right course and the right training. Will there be more marathons in my future? <b>Absolutely. </b>But my feeling today is that it may need to be a "major" race (NYC <i>please!) </i>or a race I ran with a partner.</div>
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<b>Thank you</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>for sticking with this marathon of a post (pun intended) and for all the support and encouragement both online and off. I'll be back soon with official pictures and details about my plans for Wine and Dine and beyond.</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-70610031431667283302012-10-19T15:20:00.001-05:002012-10-19T15:20:51.263-05:00May the odds be ever in your favor...One thing that's looking pretty nice is the weather forecast:<br />
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The low from Saturday going into Sunday is 44, so a pair of toss-away gloves and some arm warmers to start should be more than adequate I think (hope?). A toss-away shirt is likely easier but I'm not really looking to warm my core even more than usual and I know from experience that I can easily tie those to my shadow pack and will not notice them during the run. I'll pack for both options though b/c thinking as I type this, standing around in a tank top in the dark may not be my wisest move. With a start time at 7:00, I LOVE that my first hour will be in the dark though, as it should make time pass fairly quickly.<br />
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I completed my last run this morning. 2 miles with no Garmin. Truthfully I was probably going faster than I should and I had wanted to use this run to try and zero in on pace for the marathon. But I walked outside in the mid-40s temps (shorts, s/s top, arm warmers) and realized my Garmin was inside. I just didn't feel like going inside to get it, wait for it to pick up signal, etc. So off I went...conquered a couple hills (no way around it) and felt great.<br />
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My goal for the first half of the race is really to run by feel as much as possible. Trying not get my heart rate too elevated or get more tired than needed. I've been able to do this in my training and I need to TRUST IT and stop doubting myself. I've gone back and read my previous race reports where the wheels just flat out CAME OFF at the end and I am determined not to let that happen here. I would love to get the 5 hour monkey off my back (and I was on pace at Chickamauga hitting mile 20 at 3:50:00 but totally lost it later on coming in more like 5:20? <a href="http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/08/31/paul-ryan-says-hes-run-sub-300-marathon/">Is it sad I don't know my marathon time?</a>) but I don't want to put undue pressure on myself so that I feel like a failure (a la Mercedes Half Marathon 2012...my 13.1 PR but I look at the race as utter failure b/c I didn't make my time goal) Anyway, 90 minutes for a 10K is totally wheels coming off and breaking apart!! (Especially when <a href="http://runningforbetterorworse.blogspot.com/2011/11/chickamauga-battlefield-marathon-race.html">I never got passed after mile 15.5</a> and continued to pass people until there just were no more people!) and I just don't want that to happen again. I guess all in all I just want to run a smart race and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery...and there will be a medal waiting for me at the end.<br />
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In the spirit of A, B and C level goals:<br />
<b>A Goal: </b>5 hours or bust!! Woo hoo!<br />
<b>B Goal: </b> PR--most specifically doing so while not having a mental breakdown somewhere on the course ;)<br />
<b>C Goal: </b>Finish uninjured and with a smile on my face<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-16490054847975476822012-10-16T12:10:00.003-05:002012-10-16T12:10:47.734-05:00It's Marathon Week!Otherwise known as "operation: hydrate like it's your job"<br />
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But seriously, I can't believe that the time is actually HERE! My lack of posting hasn't represented a lack of training, or wanting to post but has simply resulted from lots of LIFE "stuff" (some good, some not-as-good) and some changes to the routine as a result of the above.<br />
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That being said, it's amazing to me that the emotional anticipation of race day is still so big for me. Not as much in the day-to-day obsession pre-marathon (or half marathon) #1 but really starting last week thinking "wow...I will be running 26.2 miles in less than 2 weeks" (cue nervous butterflies in the stomach at that point) In fact, as I was driving back from Tallahassee (FSU) this weekend I looked at my cousin Jimmy around 12:00 and said, "well at this time next week I should be done running...the marathon will be over" It actually made me a little sad, but also putting it that way made it feel very "do-able" at the same time. It's funny... going into #3 I know what I need to do to get myself across the finish and there is no doubt (barring serious on-course injury) that I can do THAT... but there is still the voice that wonders if I can beat my personal best, since my training has taken a bit of a different focus that has certainly made me stronger and has allowed me to bounce back after long runs as if they were almost nothing but has not necessarily made me faster and has me questioning how I should attempt to attack things on race day. I am not fast but I want to attempt to leave it all out there on the course without blowing up. Lots of things to think about before Sunday.<br />
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It's also been marathon/ultra-marathon central in my Google Reader the past couple weeks and I will say that reading race recaps (especially those new to a particular distance) NEVER gets old for me. It's so inspiring and refreshing and makes me truly believe that I can push through and make the race my own.<br />
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That ALSO being said, I have been a bit overly emotional (even for me) the past couple weeks and I'm going to totally blame it on the taper. Maybe being tired (and who knows what training does to hormone levels) but I can hardly read the new marathoner recaps without tearing up and holy hell, I went to Skull Session at FSU this weekend (it's where the marching band puts on sectional and full band performances 2 hours before kick off) and (<a href="http://mommywiferunner.wordpress.com/">Laura</a>--you will appreciate this) I freaking teared up at the "Charlie Carter warm up music" I mean, I was this.close to moving to a full on sob. WTF people?!?! Thank God for dark glasses...seriously.<br />
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I'd like to wrap up some other thoughts prior to the marathon, so hopefully with a renewed sense of "free time" this week, I might actually get some other posts up.<br />
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Weekly schedule looks like this:<br />
<b>Monday:</b> Run (3.5 miles)--no watch, but done with Matt so I was "working" but not dead at the end (hilly neighborhood route)<br />
<b>Tuesday:</b> Massage (yay! I'm not trying to cram this in 2 days before the race as per the usual)<br />
<b>Wednesday:</b> Run (Track Shack 3 miles)--easy run with friend MSN<br />
<b>Thursday:</b> Rest/Yoga/Stretching<br />
<b>Friday:</b> Run (2 miles)--hoping to get this in before work and take Bali along, just trying to shake my legs out and clear my mind<br />
<b>Saturday:</b> REST!! Drive to Chattanooga.<br />
<b>Sunday: </b>Seven Bridges Marathon...26.2 :)<br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-30349039933526803812012-08-07T14:11:00.001-05:002012-08-07T14:11:26.217-05:00You've Got MailGuess what just arrived?<br />
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So excited to take these for a spin this evening! I swear, getting new running shoes makes me feel like a kid at Christmas!</div>
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-57334702470845391862012-07-31T14:16:00.001-05:002012-07-31T14:16:19.091-05:00Running for Time vs. Running for MileageI guess I am going to start by saying that while training has officially (and belatedly) kicked off for the <a href="http://www.sevenbridgesmarathon.com/">7 Bridges Marathon</a> I REALLY need to get my a** in gear. This would mark week #3 in a 14 week plan and while generally things have gone according to "plan", that "plan" really only exists in my mind (also why it's not a traditional 18 week plan). I keep going back to last years training plan and making sure I am generally "where I should be" mileage and workout-wise but I am the type who loves to analyze/mix and match various training plans, create detailed logs of planned/actual, so this "wing it" mentality is not sitting well with me.<br />
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I know, I know, Melissa...just sit down with Excel and prior training notes (and the 3 books on marathon training that you checked out from the library 2+ weeks ago) and DO IT already. For some reason, I'm just finding myself zapped when I get home and not wanting to focus on this. I'm not sure if it's a motivation issue or the heat, or what though I suspect it's the latter feeding a bunch of negative thoughts. I'm not having any problems getting out there and getting my workouts done but I am feeling SO UNinspired by my pacing right now. The heat and humidity (which I should be used to, right?) just seem to be sucking the life out of me and I feel like any progress I had previously made on my already slow (to me) pace has been reversed. I'm sure if I could manage to get my weight under control (read: lose the 15 pounds that I have been talking about for a year now) it would certainly help, but I'm pretty much nailing my treadmill work/"speed" and have been more consistently active during the off season that prior years (with both running and cross training) so I know I'm not totally out of shape. I probably just need to not pay super close attention to pacing right now but it's really hard when you feel like you're the only one suffering.<br />
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That being said, the point of this is to discuss a potential long run strategy that gets me more focused on time on my feet and less on true mileage at least during the excruciatingly hot and humid month of August...and that is to run my long run based on "time" versus distance. It's something I did a bit of last fall when I was trying to juggle road trips to Auburn/early kick off times/return trips to Bham on Sundays which often left me time crunched. Sometimes my plan would call for 13+ but I would really only have time for "2 hours" (I don't run a sub-2 HM, closer to 2:20 when all things are firing) so I would get out there and run for an hour one way and then turn around and run back. Sounds pretty simple though purists might argue that I am selling myself and my training short. However, I managed to run nearly 30 minutes faster than my 1st marathon (though it would have been harder to be much slower!) so doing "something" rather than beating myself up for a variety of other reasons was probably better than setting myself up for failure, which is kind of how I'm feeling right now.<br />
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I don't think I want to build a plan with only time-focused LRs though...I think for me it's key to hit a 13.1, 15, 18 and 20, at least mentally, knowing that I have covered the full distance before. <b>Does anyone reading have any additional experience with running on a time-focused plan? </b>My M-F workouts ARE distance based, just for the record. (And yes, I ran 90 minutes for my LR on week #1 and 1hr 50 mins last week...the plan was 2 but I was back at my car...woo hoo massive negative split!...and I was just spent)<br />
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I am challenging myself to get my training plan up and "out there" (here) this week. I know training logs are not the most interesting read, BUT they are one of the things that people have searched and spend time looking at so if my training for "xyz" marathon can be of help to someone down the road then I am happy to at least put the info out there!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-53672411932668824782012-07-04T18:16:00.003-05:002012-07-04T18:16:46.660-05:00Happy 4th of July from the "other" side of Peavine FallsHappy 4th of July! I hope everyone (in or from the U.S.) has had a wonderful day celebrating in whatever way you see fit!<br />
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It's been a pretty chill day here so far, though I did start the morning bright and early volunteering for the <a href="http://www.annistonrunners.com/event-calendar/?eventID=343&date=07/04/2012">31st annual Peavine Falls Race</a> I would say the race is pretty well known throughout the Birmingham running community though I have never actually run it as (I won't lie) the elevation gain combined with Alabama heat/humidity on July 4 (for 8+ miles) scares me just a bit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojXmR8lUfHOVBsiS4V2ob3Hoxi2bXT0kgru_8b237Lp3dOx3LBXm4w_-LcDOIL2IvsszqMtG1XAc7g97yFLHMvK-5daWrvy6D6JLmZH6X497c_akgE5lv4scDgIQuO-nkiYmiShkWuw0/s1600/Peavine+elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojXmR8lUfHOVBsiS4V2ob3Hoxi2bXT0kgru_8b237Lp3dOx3LBXm4w_-LcDOIL2IvsszqMtG1XAc7g97yFLHMvK-5daWrvy6D6JLmZH6X497c_akgE5lv4scDgIQuO-nkiYmiShkWuw0/s320/Peavine+elevation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, that's the course elevation</div>
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The race director (Rick) and I frequent the same Starbucks and he has encouraged me to come out and run it on more than one occasion (ahh, the benefits of sporting the 26.2 car magnet) so when I saw the Birmingham Track Club put out a call for volunteers, I didn't hesitate since I knew we didn't have any specific plans today. (Side note: why is it so easy to be up at 5:15 to volunteer for a race, but getting up at 5:15 for work seems like torture?!?!)<br />
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I got to Oak Mtn around 6:10 where there was already a huge line to get in but made it to the race area no problem. I wasn't exactly sure *what* I would be doing today but no matter. Well, I got assigned (to me), a really cool job...I got to enter everyone in the timing system and then run the finish line timing with Rick :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zyX0_44T7u0N1JOKpaV602edjQOH1EiBaFbyYmXSe7KGdA-qZEZNQ9qywQi62aGFbHFmNUlBouf8EpmuB99V_T-06fcEOJwUiXP3kNyXaajc4ggLxMrWTPwZtxzZH3FT-r8wpmLDtVY/s1600/IMG_20120704_072821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zyX0_44T7u0N1JOKpaV602edjQOH1EiBaFbyYmXSe7KGdA-qZEZNQ9qywQi62aGFbHFmNUlBouf8EpmuB99V_T-06fcEOJwUiXP3kNyXaajc4ggLxMrWTPwZtxzZH3FT-r8wpmLDtVY/s320/IMG_20120704_072821.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Pre-race...499 registered participants</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXA8FMVTMTMbNXb9PUCsaKu3m8dEhQyx1FIxJ5bB1rFHT96I7_kcljI2ES8OHJlO_UOd2TzLl_vDPm5Un6zOq-sHPgzHtD4ji_d9-8WbWkee-GyikbpS5MwCiQV2ZVOb_f5gdt8XI4Sg/s1600/IMG_20120704_153529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXA8FMVTMTMbNXb9PUCsaKu3m8dEhQyx1FIxJ5bB1rFHT96I7_kcljI2ES8OHJlO_UOd2TzLl_vDPm5Un6zOq-sHPgzHtD4ji_d9-8WbWkee-GyikbpS5MwCiQV2ZVOb_f5gdt8XI4Sg/s320/IMG_20120704_153529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I looked so official for a while...but had to take this off after the bees started swarming all over the shirt and computer...yuck!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">There is no mat timing on this course, they tear off the bib stubs once you get into the finishing chute, but Rick and I were the people synching each finisher with the clock. We used the<a href="http://www.marathonguide.com/features/Articles/RaceTiming.cfm"> select timing method</a> (you can read about it in the link) and I have to say I had a LOT of fun watching all of the finish line action and even learning about timing. I loved watching the super competitive sprints to the finish, watching people get "chicked" (woo hoo!), and watching the last minutes 'passing' right before the chute.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">And toward the end of the race, I got to meet L. from <a href="http://yomommaruns.blogspot.com/">Yo Momma Runs</a>--congrats on placing in the top 10 females! (I hope I did not freak you out with my weirdness!)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Anyway, all in all a great way to spend the morning. Matt and I enjoyed some coffee and lazing around watching re-runs (but new to us!) of the Olympic Track and Field qualifiers and I met up with a relatively new running friend at 4:00 (brilliance, I tell you) at Jemison to run an efficient progression run with a couple of sprints thrown in for good measure. I was having a really strong day today and wish all runs could feel that great.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Now I'm drinking a glass of this (so good!):</span><br />
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and snuggling with Roxy</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">and waiting for Matt to get home from playing golf to see how the rest of the evening shapes up!</span><br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-46518459686408276312012-06-17T12:07:00.002-05:002012-06-17T12:07:47.533-05:00Father's Day<div>
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When I was running this morning I was thinking about my dad. I really don't want to say that we have a complicated relationship because that makes it sound like the relationship is BAD or fraught with drama or resentment and that's not the case. It's more that my dad is *somewhat* of a stereotypical Italian male and in many ways I am NOT your stereotypical Italian female :) (As a side note: I generally dislike stereotypes but there are too many stereotypical shows out there right now re: Italians--Cake Boss, RHONJ and of course the older but much-loved Sopranos...) Anyway, I was actually thinking that I am not a stereotypical (Italian) female because of my dad which is actually kind of funny/ironic. My dad nurtured my sense of curiosity from an early age and never made me feel that I couldn't or shouldn't do anything because I was female. Among other things, he taught me how to read a map, use tools/assemble almost anything, work on my car, understand the stock market and to love sports (notably, Auburn football and Atlanta Braves baseball).</div>
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We don't talk on the phone all that often, but I know that I can call him at ANY time and for anything. We actually have talked a bit on the phone more recently and had some wonderful conversations, but I know not something likely to materialize on a regular basis. That being said, my dad has never met a stranger and he has an amazing ability to relate to people from all walks of life.<br />
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My dad and I are both highly emotional/sensitive and either of us are more likely to tear up at the little things in every day life than at a funeral (though we both cry at those too). I am highly driven and much of my early drive stemmed from not wanting to disappoint my dad in any aspect of my life. I am sure I have disappointed him many times anyway, but I know he is incredibly proud. School programs, dance recitals, band concerts and everything in between he was ALWAYS there. He is the dad that would introduce himself to my band directors/college professors/other random people who were in a superior role to me, and with tears in his eyes, thank them for the role they serve, not only to me but to the group at large. Used to be soooo embarrasing but now I know, that's just my dad. And now? I actually find it kind of endearing.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDgeoLk5_sDSM-u0eLUnbjXdeKrZn3hjF1mtFoV58hDJxudWmXIidKQMV8SkrDfd25BZJIHk84ivyg9WNcNYn4cZnBF32gMpKIWmWFbSG0WGkEPR8x_LwF__kxvaM9k7rze9-Zx9uDaU/s1600/MMandDad1981.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620124586118023506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDgeoLk5_sDSM-u0eLUnbjXdeKrZn3hjF1mtFoV58hDJxudWmXIidKQMV8SkrDfd25BZJIHk84ivyg9WNcNYn4cZnBF32gMpKIWmWFbSG0WGkEPR8x_LwF__kxvaM9k7rze9-Zx9uDaU/s320/MMandDad1981.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></div>
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At the "Monkey Park" (1981)<br />
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He took me to the park and to get ice cream as a child (a Sunday tradition); taught me the transactional value of the dollar and the rewards of hard work; paid my out of state tuition even when times were tough; reminded me that at the end of the day, we only have our "name" to fall back on...to treat others with fairness and respect and usually the favor will be returned.<br />
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To say that I love my dad is an understatement. Our relationship may not always look like a Hallmark card, but it's OUR relationship to nurture and grow and for that I am grateful.</div>
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Happy Father's Day!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLw6asVg-S25t6xT2gH9gm-Fs59T5fdWVmJ_7mPxJ_NRbM4M5jA6_fIU4H-VEMPEPbrYNmrCE0JMsLF5HmWWq7oFC_xgXZesp6cu9vbYR_SB9uRkED2yPP7Rm6eevBb05-oQ6-N9JdvY/s1600/176.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620132940722910434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLw6asVg-S25t6xT2gH9gm-Fs59T5fdWVmJ_7mPxJ_NRbM4M5jA6_fIU4H-VEMPEPbrYNmrCE0JMsLF5HmWWq7oFC_xgXZesp6cu9vbYR_SB9uRkED2yPP7Rm6eevBb05-oQ6-N9JdvY/s320/176.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
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Auburn Football Game (2009 or 2010)</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-83650415612105663482012-06-08T13:50:00.002-05:002012-06-08T13:50:59.759-05:00Impromptu racing...and a streak ends...and begins againAfter a whirlwind week of "maid of honor-ing", work travel and catching up back at the office, I think I know my name again. But seriously...holy shite this has been a rough 7 day stretch. Total FWP, I know, and I am grateful for all that I have, but I'm pretty tired and ready to curl up on the couch tonight catching up on "Sister Wives" and other really bad TV.<br />
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That being said, <a href="http://runningforbetterorworse.blogspot.com/p/2012-summer-running-streak.html">"the streak"</a> ended and began again in DC after I arrived too late to make it to the hotel gym (11:15p) though I picked it up the next morning with a 4.6(ish) mile run (according to g-map pedometer since I forgot to charge my Garmin) and then another 6+ miles of walking later that day. I had actually planned to run at home that Sunday morning but I woke up nauseous with a horrible migraine and went straight back to bed with just enough time to get packed and ready to head to the airport for my (delayed) flight to DC. I really would have hopped on the mill at 11:15p but I was staying at a boutique hotel and the gym truly was closed (I couldn't just access through a key card.) Anyway, not one to let a single day lost stop me, I'm back and committed to moving on through July 4.<br />
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A few cell phone pics from DC...<br />
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This is what happens when you ask a nice stranger to take your picture...he only gets the FEET in the background. Oh well!</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">View from WWII Memorial looking towards the Washington Monument</span></div>
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I was zoomed in from across the street. I was originally trying to run where those tourists were and got yelled at by security/the Secret Service! I have probably never run so fast the other direction in my life!</div>
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So now, my latest "dilemma"...I got a notification Wednesday (either from BTC or Active or some such) about a 5K this weekend <a href="http://www.active.com/running/vestavia-hills-al/steel-strides-point-to-point-5k-for-mda-2012">"Strides for Steel" </a> that advertised itself as all downhill (point to point) and FAST. I pretty much decided that I would probably sign up and do it and even though I haven't been doing any specific speed training and that it might be hotter than hades with a 9a start it might be a good place to try and FINALLY get my sub-30 5K. I know, maybe not particularly fast for most but it's still a 9:39 pace and fast for me and given course conditions maybe I could pull it off?<br />
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I was texting with Amy yesterday and we were trying to reschedule our running plans for this week and she mentioned that she was doing this same 5K this weekend. Hmmm....she is a great sport at letting me push her but I know her training hasn't been where she wants it lately and I don't know if she would be game for this.<br />
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So the question is: <b>do I run with my friend or do I try to PR? </b> I have run many races with friends where the goal between us was clear (stick together no matter what, stick until someone needs to drop, run at different paces and meet at the end) and I always say there is a place for social running and goal running and it's important to have both. I would like to hang out with my friend but I also really want to get this sub-30 monkey off my back so I can move on for a little while! <b>Thoughts?</b>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-9823643412373434612012-05-29T22:10:00.002-05:002012-05-29T22:10:51.659-05:00Gone StreakingWell <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaking"><em>hell-o </em>there</a>! You didn't think I meant THAT type of streaking did you? I'm not trying to scare the children! (or get arrested)<br />
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What I'm referring to is the <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267-269-14350-0,00.html">Runner's World Summer Running Streak!</a> The idea is that one commits to running at least 1 mile every day between Memorial Day and the 4th of July. I'm in a training lull right now (active but without a defined goal in mind) and still searching for a fall marathon to <em>really</em> commit to and thought this would actually be a great thing to get me re-energized heading back into training season. After all, it's only ONE mile! If I don't feel like doing anything else (or don't have time to squeeze in a longer workout) I know that I will have at least gotten in my mile for the day.<br />
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I've gotten my miles in after 9:30pm both of these past 2 nights (yesterday we got back from the beach and it was late after getting settled/grocery shopping/etc and today I worked, ran errands and had rehearsal for a wedding I'm playing in this weekend--I am also the MOH so doing a little double duty there...) but they ARE done. Honestly, if it weren't for commiting to this streak (and telling Matt about it) I would have not made in the effort to sweat it out the past couple of evenings!<br />
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I've added a page to my sidebar for accountability and seriously would encourage anyone out there who is interested to join in. Who cares if it's already started? It's just for FUN and every day we are given a chance to start something new.<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-14299013889744763122012-03-17T22:47:00.002-05:002012-03-17T22:47:31.619-05:00St Patty's Day 5K: Race Recap/ReviewHello out there! I apologize for my silence but I have been kind of bummed out since Mercedes (more in a future post) and have a lot of things going on in my personal life which have been preoccupying my thoughts and keeping me away from the computer during my free time.<br />
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Anyway...moving on to today...<br />
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I FINALLY officially joined the Birmingham Track Club and noticed that the <a href="http://www.trakshak.com/">Trak Shak</a> was having a "St Patty's Day 5K" this morning in Homewood and thought it sounded like a nice way to kick off a Saturday morning. Plus, I love a themed race and though I am pretty conservative in my daily life, love dressing up in my "running life". While driving to Bunco this week, I managed to talk Amy into joining me and was now committed!<br />
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Before I get into "reviewing" I want to say that I had a GREAT time but in all fairness, if I was not having a great week mood-wise, all the "little things" might have soured my opinion a bit.<br />
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Early packet pick-up was held Friday from 11-5 at the Trak Shak's Homewood location. I told Amy that I would go down and register for us since I was going to be out for a work meeting anyway and also so that we didn't have to go early (and pay more) for day-of registration. I printed the reg. form off the website in advance and made it to Homewood just shy of 1:00 pm. The form they had (and still have) online stated that reg. was $15 in advance, $20 on race day and so when I asked who to make the check out to the guy told me and (for some reason) I said, "that's $30, right?". He looked confused and I pointed to the form and he asked where I had gotten that from. He then proceeded to show me a new form and tell me that the race was $20 in advance, $25 race day but he "guessed" that he could honor the price since I had "somehow" printed it out. I didn't want to be a total ass and I figured the $$ was going to go to charity anyway, so I insisted that I pay the new prices. I'm not going to throw a fit for $5, obviously, but that's the form that was online! THEN, he told me that the t-shirts had still not arrived but should be in after another hour or so and that I would need to come back if I really wanted one. He said I could try to get one on race day by standing in the registration line but they would probably have run out by then. WHAT? I'm certainly not hard up for another race tee but the whole t-shirt thing was basically asking for a logistical nightmare (how would you keep track of who had received one..and they were not even ready til 1/2way through packet pick up? Poor planning!) I ended up going back after I left work at 4:30 (I work 5-10 min away and it's on my way home so no biggie) and picked up our (cotton) shirts.<br />
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This morning, Amy picked me up at 7:45 for the 8:30 to start and we found street parking easily just after 8:00. It was already warm (upper 60s/low 70s) and sunny and I probably should have hydrated a little bit better before the run. (I had grabbed a half-full bottle of water out of my car right before we left my house that I ended up nursing before and during the run)<br />
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Excuse my glowing white fat!</div>
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We stood around enjoying the people/costume-watching and listening to the DJ. Glad that we opted to pick up our stuff in advance as the day-of line was LONG. I completely forgot my Garmin at home so I wasn't really paying attention to the time (I had also left my phone in Amy's car). At 8:30 someone came over the mic and said that the race was going to be delayed by 10 minutes or so while they got all of the race-day registrants imput into the timing system. (As an aside to this: The race was not chip timed. They just tore a little stub off of the bottom of your bib for time, placement, etc. They probably did not need to delay the race start until all of this was finished b/c even your 1st place is not going to come in before 15 minutes and it's not like they were dependent on mat timing at the beginning. Just a thought...)</div>
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Around 8:45 we started making our way to the start (with several hundred other runners) and then we were off. We settled nicely into the VERY CROWDED middle of the pack and I told Amy that this was definitely not the race to try and PR! I was not trying to PR anyway...this was about a fun run with a friend...but between the crowds and hills, it would have been disappointing if I was expecting something different. I felt really relaxed and chatty and checked in with Amy on pace a couple of times. Even with the hills we were staying just below 10min/mi and I was really pleased, though starting to get VERY warm as it seemed all sun and no breeze. There were a LOT of runners around and ahead of me taking walk breaks, sighing heavily, bemoaning the heat, etc which I have not really seen in that pace-area of my local 5Ks.</div>
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Just shy of 2 miles there was a water stop...but it was on the left side of the road on an out and back part of the course and it would have meant cutting off oncoming runners to get to it. I decided to skip it (though most people did veer off) and kept going. We hit the 2 mile marker just shy of 20 minutes and I thought "for a non-PR attempt this is actually pretty good time!" Amy needed a walk break at some point shortly after this and when I asked her if she was ready to pick it up again, she told me to go ahead...that she was going to walk it in. I asked her if she was sure and she told me to go, so I did. I REALLY REALLY wished I had my watch at this point b/c I have no idea how long that walk break was or any idea of what my "actual running pace" was for the last mile. I was BROILING in the sun at this point and hoping the water stop had gatorade. Nope...just water...so I took a cup and poured the majority down my back and chest on another brief walk break. My legs and breathing felt great but I was so HOT at that point and just wanted to be done. I started running again and passing people left and right. We turned back into the park, across a bridge and through a field (where I passed more people but did not want to go into an out and out sprint b/c I didn't want to look like an ass) and it was done. 32 minutes and some change. </div>
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Interestingly enough, this is only 90 seconds or so off my recent PR, so maybe I was off on my "PR assessment" early in the race b/c with 2 walk breaks for undetermined time and feeling pretty relaxed while running, it might have actually been possible (or close). But again, that was NOT my intent today...I wanted a fun run in "costume" and I felt pretty bad about leaving Amy but I also didn't want to walk.</div>
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Once in the finisher's chute, they had multiple volunteers telling people to stay in order so they could get placement, etc correct. Just as we got up to the person taking the bib tags, the chick behind me cut in front of me and tried to give the person her tag. WHAT??? I said "Excuse me, I was before her..." The person taking the tag said "Are you sure?" Uhhh...YEAH. I mean, it's just my middle of the pack placement but it is MY placement and we were standing there for a couple of minutes...so really, WTF runner-chick behind me!?</div>
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We got a ticket for a free drink from <a href="http://zoeskitchen.com/">Zoe's Kitchen</a> but I went back to the finisher's area to wait for Amy. After she came in, we went to the Zoe's booth/line and they had run out of drinks! (There were still lots of runners coming in, too) They were selling food and instead were now offering free fruit or pasta salad to runners, so we each got a fruit salad and hit up a water fountain instead. We roamed around for a bit and ended up sitting in the grass listening to music until almost 11:00 enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful, warm day.</div>
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Overall, it was a pretty course and a fun morning with my friend celebrating a light-hearted holiday. Logistically things could be improved but everyone (save cut-me-off runner chick) was really friendly and in a good mood so it all evened out in the end!</div>
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(On a side note: <b>Does anyone know how to get texted pics off of a Droid phone? </b>I can't seem to save or move any pics that others send me via text and Amy sent me a cute one of us post-race and I can't get it off my phone!)</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-8401907500813774182012-01-30T16:15:00.002-06:002012-01-30T16:15:58.893-06:00How do you admit when it's not working?This was one of the many thoughts swirling around in my brain as I completed my 10 miles yesterday. 2 weeks until Mercedes and not at all confident that I will hit my sub-2:15 goal. Feeling that while overall, I know my fitness continues to improve and I am able to withstand tougher and longer workouts, I am still nowhere near where I need to be to hit my goal(s).<br />
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It's no secret I have been struggling and struggling with my training plan pretty much since its inception. I used my 5K race time in December (which took place after I had cooled down from the peak of my marathon training benefit and recovery) as a gauge to set my tempos...but holy crap, nearly every single run left me sore, zapped and doubtful.<br />
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Workouts that I would normally welcome as a challenge had me physically and mentally defeated. There were a couple of times I skipped running altogether because I was too sore and tired to even attempt what I had put on deck for myself. And I couldn't even get in "junk miles" because I was too sore and tired to even run with proper form. Matt pointed out to me that my phrase of "I'm not usually in so much pain" was becoming almost a daily utterance...thus I was actually walking around in pain for much of the last month. And when he pointed that out, I realized that he might actually be right.<br />
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So, FINALLY last Monday I had the courage...yes, courage...to admit that this plan was NOT working for me. 3 weeks to go until my "A" race and I was abandoning ship.<br />
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No...not giving up my race...not even totally giving up on my time goal...but giving myself permission to stray from this plan that I was imposing on myself. I laced up my shoes, headed out in my neighborhood for a blissful UNTIMED 3.1 mile run (about 3 miles short of "the plan" and who knows how far off on pace) and truly...it was the best and most freeing run I had done in weeks.<br />
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As "type A" as I am (and I'm sure many of you are the same way), it was really hard to "quit" something or admit "defeat". Though I am trying not to look at it that way...I am trying to tell myself that I am listening to my body and my heart. Burning myself out or getting injured wouldn't be any good and I'm pretty sure I was on the express train with a stop at one of those two destinations.<br />
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Bottom line: If a training plan is leaving you unhappy, constantly in pain, dreading your workouts and generally zapping the enjoyment out of the sport, it's probably time to reassess why you're following that plan to begin with. AND...if you change your mind or direction, it's OK because hopefully there is a lifetime of running (or whatever) ahead of you and you can try again another time.<br />
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Now here I am, less than 2 weeks from my goal race...soaking in the energy of my friends who are tackling the distance for the first time...planning fun costumes with my relay team...looking forward to going for a run tonight after work. I know in my heart that I've made the right decision...now here's to hoping I'm not going to end up with a PW either ;)<br />
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<b>How do you deal with altering goals when you training plan isn't working for you? Or do you just plow through and accept the misery?</b>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-63863146409274872432012-01-20T16:23:00.002-06:002012-01-20T16:23:25.121-06:00Take 2<span style="background-color: white;"><i>"<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">You have successfully applied for entry for the ING New York City Marathon 2012, Your entry number is </span><strong style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">910470</strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">. Please write down your entry number or print and save this confirmation page in your records as you will need this number in the future. "</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">No time like the present to get this ball rolling. Luckily, the guaranteed entrance changes are gradually being implemented, thus b/c I was denied last year if I am denied again this year and next, I WILL be guaranteed entry in 2014! LOL...that is so far away and hard to think about it...let's hope I am not posting a "Take 3" next year!</span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-25434384436995642032012-01-12T13:06:00.002-06:002012-01-12T13:06:49.513-06:00Three Things ThursdayOtherwise known as my lazy excuse for getting in a post today :)<br />
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1. I got a text from Matt that I have a package waiting for me at home. What does this mean? NEW SHOES!! When I was out running this weekend I realized that my shoes were officially dead, so after price-comparison-shopping, I hopped onto Amazon Sunday night and ordered new ones. I am a HUGE lover of the Mizuno Wave Nirvanas...so much so that this will be my 7th pair! This time around I got the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mizuno-Wave-Nirvana-Running-Blue-blue/dp/B004G60662/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326394496&sr=8-1">Wave Nirvana 7s in blue/silver</a>...which happens to be the exact style and color of my current shoes. BUT I have found that there can be variances in fit with colors in the same model (oh, pink Nirvana 6s I really did <i>want</i> to love you...), so even though I was tempted by the yellow ones, I decided to be extremely boring and stick with what's working. It makes me tempted to lace them up and take them for a run tonight, but...<br />
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2. My legs (and body) are SO sore. The intensity of my workouts right now using the FIRST half-marathon PR plan is kicking my ass. I honestly feel more beat up than I felt during marathon training. There are almost no "easy" runs or paces and almost every run feels like I'm running for the first time. So even though I had a rest night last night because of Bunco, I feel like I really need to get a massage tonight so that I can face Friday-Sunday with productive workouts. I need to pay attention to recovery and given that work has been insane AND I have not been sleeping well but it can be really hard to admit that I need to rest sometimes. (Let's not even get into the fact that I also will be bringing home work this evening...)<br />
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3. Another reason to stay healthy? I have convinced 4 of my friends into joining me and running the <a href="http://www.mercedesmarathon.com/">Mercedes Marathon Relay</a>! One month from today!! I will be taking the first leg (10K) and then going on to complete the half marathon before turning into a mobile cheer squad. I am really excited for this and to share more details soon!<br />
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Happy Thursday!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-62266146435357748732012-01-06T13:16:00.000-06:002012-01-06T13:16:35.904-06:00Food Journal FridayI told myself BEFORE my most recent marathon, that AFTER the marathon, I would not continue to eat like I was in high mileage training. And for about the first week, I was pretty good at keeping that in mind. However, the road to hell is paved with good intentions and quite frankly, my eating went to shit...especially during the latter part of December. Too many carbs, high fat items, portions out of control and late night snacking (the latter being my greatest down fall...Amy and I call it the late night feeding frenzy).<br />
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So...It's not surprising that I got on the scale after the New Year (after avoiding it for the entire month of December) and DID NOT like what I saw. I've only "recently" (within the past 6 months) even started weighing myself again because there was a time in my life where I was quite unhealthy and obsessive about it and I'm only now to a point where I think I can handle the number and react appropriately to it.<br />
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Even before "the weigh in", I had toyed around with signing up for Weight Watchers with the idea of reteaching myself healthy eating patterns/portions but wasn't totally in love with that idea initially. I also know how to count calories and can tell you the calories of most everything I eat (a throwback from my obsessive days) but truthfully, it's not the system that works best for me (I can manipulate around it too well, if that makes any sense). Around this same time, Amanda from <a href="http://www.runtothefinish.com/">Run to the Finish</a> invited people to join her on a 30 day Food Journal Challenge for the month of January. PERFECT TIMING.<br />
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<a href="http://www.runtothefinish.com/2011/12/food-journal-v-food-log.html">A food journal is more than just a food log</a> and 6 days in, I'm really enjoying the exercise and the awareness it's bringing me. There are no specific "rules" to this challenge other than to try to log every day, so if it's something that you're interested in doing, please jump in! I'm doing the daily log and once a week, taking pics of what I eat for my own accountability. And I will tell you, the day I took pics (Wednesday), I was SUPER aware of my portions and I do think it influenced my decisions.<br />
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For now, I'll share my Wednesday (food) in pics and will be checking back each week with a Food Journal Update. Will make a decision on my next big action at the end of the challenge. Could be counting points for a while or maybe regular logging will bring me enough awareness to make the changes needed to drop the holiday weight plus the 15 or so pounds I've been looking to shed for a while now.<br />
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<b>Food Journal: Wednesday, January 4, 2012</b><br />
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General: Working today, woke up absolutely exhausted. <b>Busy</b> schedule at work today...5 meetings!! Lower body (esp. hips) sore from yoga last night.<br />
Ate a couple pieces of honey dew melon as I was fixing my to-go container because I knew that I would be hitting the ground running when I got in the office.<br />
Aiming for 64oz of water (min) daily; so when at work will be drinking a glass of water (12oz) before I allow myself my daily diet coke.<br />
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<b>~10:20 a.m.</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Honeydew melon and a diet coke</b><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
Really hungry! I would not normally be eating for the first time this late, but such was the schedule. Came back from my meeting across campus and was grateful for the caffeine. </div>
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<b>~11:00: </b>Hungry again. We are having a staff meeting at lunch and the office is getting food from the delicious and tempting Shindig's Food Truck. They have great hamburgers and the BEST fries and dipping sauce but really, even if I wasn't journaling and taking pics today, that does NOT fit with trying to detox my body from the holidays. I'll be walking to pick up the food with L. and will get a closer look at the menu when we get to the truck.</div>
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<b>~11:45</b></div>
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<b>Faro Salad</b></div>
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I can't believe I was able to sneak a picture, even though it is blurry and does not really express how dense and filling (and delicious!) this was. Local greens with pomegranate arils, kumquats, roasted beets, goat cheese, walnuts, grilled chicken and a homemade vinaigrette. Not my diet coke...I was drinking water! (Bonus: Walked .5 miles to/from food truck!)</div>
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<b>3:00 p.m.</b></div>
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<b>Lindt Truffle</b></div>
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Another co-worker brought this to me after lunch and I'm surprised I was able to wait this long to eat it!</div>
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<b>~5:00</b></div>
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I am very hungry but my snacks that I brought with me today...an orange and a container of Greek yogurt...are not conducive to eating on the go. I am getting ready to meet Amy at the gym for some strength training and I need to eat something. And that something does NOT need to come from my assistant's candy bowl. While I am at it I throw away some chocolate covered short bread cookies that someone gave me...they are not that good and not worth the calories. I remember I have some almonds in my desk drawer and even though that's not what I feel like it, it's that or the candy.</div>
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<b>10 Emerald Cocoa Roast almonds</b></div>
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<b>**After work, Amy and I do 1 hour of strength training at the gym...upper body, back and abs at the gym. </b>We use machines and do 3 sets of 12 on each of the following: lat pull downs, chest flys, shoulder press, row, bicep curls and triceps. Then use the stability ball to do: 60 crunches, obliques with a center lift between sides (20 each side) and 40 back extensions. I am really glad that Amy texted me to see if I would join her. I want to incorporate more strength into my routine and I'm comfortable with the moves but find it SO boring if not in a class format or with a friend.</div>
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<b>~7:15 </b></div>
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Matt cooked dinner (this is usual during the week) and decided to go to a movie while I was at the gym. I came home to find this plate waiting for me</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ppx7QOojWNt5KwHys-_HqOdElrDLnsW_ZWdGHzzIYscVkUMIe7ReoC9M23cNMja-M2za-6wfSQ4MbJvIsaTu6OeYRFnOiITeRA8jLRtvlWxLjZV-fNii9AgzfWYwF9y7aV_PkOofJSE/s1600/food+1-4-12+v5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ppx7QOojWNt5KwHys-_HqOdElrDLnsW_ZWdGHzzIYscVkUMIe7ReoC9M23cNMja-M2za-6wfSQ4MbJvIsaTu6OeYRFnOiITeRA8jLRtvlWxLjZV-fNii9AgzfWYwF9y7aV_PkOofJSE/s320/food+1-4-12+v5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>3oz herb crusted pork loin (I measured on the food scale and I promise this was cooked even though it looks otherwise in this picture!), roasted asparagus seasoned w/salt, pepper and crumbled feta, pasta w/roasted veg and light tomato sauce (this was from a Bird's Eye Steamfresh pouch!)</b></div>
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I was a bit water logged, so I supplemented with this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQcq_7RA0OGLcIM0KJ42cWJFgQe76dw1ywGGycL3UrF57KFvw293GyROZ8yHiwhcNagjmwLdQmyoXin4rJXoADXoMJiNOfSxDhg4-9EZYFo1HdZZdRDDXvorpVNoC0gzLn7wj9KwBnCw/s1600/food+1-4-12+v6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQcq_7RA0OGLcIM0KJ42cWJFgQe76dw1ywGGycL3UrF57KFvw293GyROZ8yHiwhcNagjmwLdQmyoXin4rJXoADXoMJiNOfSxDhg4-9EZYFo1HdZZdRDDXvorpVNoC0gzLn7wj9KwBnCw/s320/food+1-4-12+v6.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>No, not the entire 2L bottle :)</b></div>
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I found this while I was shopping last week and I really like it. It says it's a limited time flavor...go figure.</div>
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<b>And later in the evening:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrl2SLGLAvC_itn1d-tNfjJMhEaZx2VQdtwXMs5vdQZl6eAJe1__QrpYEFsR4xKDAQxyBb70YQnNZuVH6aX3Yx6YJ31UMsrNLP2sLFP1CFGlvnjQw7_4DG2fUyrP2Izcyy_DdhiZFv5M/s1600/food+1-4-12+v7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrl2SLGLAvC_itn1d-tNfjJMhEaZx2VQdtwXMs5vdQZl6eAJe1__QrpYEFsR4xKDAQxyBb70YQnNZuVH6aX3Yx6YJ31UMsrNLP2sLFP1CFGlvnjQw7_4DG2fUyrP2Izcyy_DdhiZFv5M/s320/food+1-4-12+v7.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>A Euro or two...</b></div>
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2 milk chocolate Euros stolen from Matt's candy stash. Plus a big glass of Arizona diet Blueberry green tea and more water.</div>
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<b>Total ounces of water for the day: </b>60</div>
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Would usually have more fruit in my diet as a snack, but 5 meetings doesn't leave a whole lot of time for snacking!</div>
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I ended up with a migraine on Thursday, so I will keep logging to see if any of these foods were a possible trigger. Please don't say it was the chocolate!!</div>
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<b><br /></b>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-63005950196494196842012-01-02T01:10:00.002-06:002012-01-02T01:10:45.705-06:002011: A Year in ReviewHappy New Year!!<br />
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I truly hope that each of you has had a wonderful holiday season. Matt and I traveled to see my family for Christmas and I've enjoyed a little bit of time off work this past week. I've been reading and catching up on everyone and while (as usual) I've had quite a few thoughts swirling around in my head, I have not prioritized sitting and putting anything down "on paper". I'm not really a resolutions type of person--instead choosing to make change as I feel ready--but this is one thing I am aiming for in 2012...regular posting. Ideally, at least 3 times a week. I think I'm at a place where I can commit to this and look forward to sharing more in the year to come. I actually have a couple of fun announcements coming up that I look forward to sharing with you :) (And NO, I am not pregnant)<br />
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For now, I thought I'd take a month by month journey of 2011. I have the opportunity to share some things that never made the blog and it's fun for me to look back and see how the year has evolved.<br />
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<b><u>January</u></b><br />
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We started the year with<a href="http://runningforbetterorworse.blogspot.com/2011/01/snowmaggedon-2011.html"> "Snowmaggedon"</a> (turned into more of an ice storm) that resulted in a day off work and then the next day, Auburn won the BCS National Championship in football!<br />
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Later that month, I <a href="http://runningforbetterorworse.blogspot.com/2011/01/village-to-village-10k-race-report.html">ran the Village to Village 10K</a>, setting (at the time) a PR in the distance. I got my ass kicked by the beginning of the course, but by about the 5K mark I was already scheming how I was going to attack this race in 2012.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsCk09ZFhsE/TwEdMm4B75I/AAAAAAAAAQg/xxRfLkhsKVE/s1600/V2V+finish+pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsCk09ZFhsE/TwEdMm4B75I/AAAAAAAAAQg/xxRfLkhsKVE/s320/V2V+finish+pass.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Yes, I am about to be a jerk and pass that chick right before the finish. I had been reeling in the man and woman behind me for a while too, and finally passed them.</div>
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Matt and I enjoyed primo seats at the UAB/Memphis basketball game later that night. My first UAB B'ball game actually and it was really fun. We actually have tickets for this year's match up which is later this week.</div>
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Unfortunately, the month ended up on more of a somber note, as my uncle who had been battling colon cancer passed away on the 29th. Matt was in Minnesota for work and was unable to attend the funeral with me. It's been a tough year, especially for my aunt and cousin, but we have gotten extremely close over the past year and I am thankful for my relationship with them.</div>
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<b><u>February</u></b></div>
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Mercedes Half Marathon time!! I absolutely LOVE my big hometown race and it holds a special place in my heart since it's where I ran my very first half. This year was special too, as I was able to reconnect with my very best friend from grad school, Lee Ann, and <a href="http://runningforbetterorworse.blogspot.com/2011/02/race-report-mercedes-half-marathon.html">we ran every step of the race together</a>---I PRed (still my current official PR) and she crossed the line of her very first half. (On a side note, she has been rocking the running world the past several months and is getting ready for her very first full next weekend at Disney. I am SO PROUD of her!)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpF04Bm2XNI/TwEhHM_1v5I/AAAAAAAAAQs/mWFXkf3kDsI/s1600/Mercedes+Highland+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpF04Bm2XNI/TwEhHM_1v5I/AAAAAAAAAQs/mWFXkf3kDsI/s320/Mercedes+Highland+4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Coming up Highland Avenue with her friends Jenny and Greg</div>
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Still smiling at mile 10 somewhere in Forest Park</div>
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Happy Finishers with our Bling!</div>
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The month finished with Matt and I hosting "Couple's Bunco" at our house. So hilarious to watch the guys learn and get super competitive with random dice rolling. Unfortunately I promised I would not post any pictures from this event :)</div>
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<b><u>March</u></b></div>
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It was a busy month with family birthdays (my dad and aunt, Matt's grandma...#80) and anniversaries (Matt's parents #35). In between all of the celebrating, my cousin Jimmy (from above) came and spent several days of his spring break hanging out with Matt and I. I also had my first official "race volunteer" experience.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLUmllGEHfI/TwEkSZG66nI/AAAAAAAAARI/QjRxeCPcP94/s1600/Rumpshaker+mile+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLUmllGEHfI/TwEkSZG66nI/AAAAAAAAARI/QjRxeCPcP94/s320/Rumpshaker+mile+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was a time sentry for the <a href="http://www.rumpshaker5k.com/">Rumpshaker 5K</a> and had an absolute blast. I was stationed at the 2 mile marker and called out the official time, as well as the placement for the top 5 men and women. The race benefits colon cancer which is obviously dear to my heart but the course is ugly AND difficult, so it was much more fun to be on the "other side" this year.</div>
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<b><u>April</u></b></div>
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This was a BUSY month! Matt turned the big 3-0 and we celebrated low-key here in town before he jetted off to Vegas to celebrate with another friend who was also turning 30 just days after him. Upon his return we ran the<a href="http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/03/brombergs_diamond_dash_scaveng.html"> Diamond Dash</a> again, though this time in hotter than hell temps and we left feeling defeated and deflated.</div>
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The next weekend, we traveled to South Carolina to see his grandmother for a belated birthday celebration. My first intro to the full South Carolina clan! </div>
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The month ended with the <a href="http://runningforbetterorworse.blogspot.com/2011/04/tornadoes-and-devastation.html">devastating tornadoes</a> in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. I ended up escaping to Nashville and running the Country Music Half with Lee Ann and her friend Meredyth. L & I were admittedly under-trained and it was HOT day but at least it wasn't a PW for me!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRQ5h0KbbMU/TwEp4I273rI/AAAAAAAAARU/x02zQ-oUkss/s1600/CMM+wave+at+5K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRQ5h0KbbMU/TwEp4I273rI/AAAAAAAAARU/x02zQ-oUkss/s320/CMM+wave+at+5K.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Waving to the camera around the 5K mark (I am in the turquoise, L in green)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wxwZ9HkXUM/TwEp6_54KNI/AAAAAAAAARc/NWsptzCUKkI/s1600/CMM+solo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wxwZ9HkXUM/TwEp6_54KNI/AAAAAAAAARc/NWsptzCUKkI/s320/CMM+solo+1.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
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Funny thing about this outfit..I had never worn it prior to race day, much less even a running skirt before! But because we were without power for so many days, I did not have an opportunity to do laundry before I left. Luckily, the skirt worked out just fine!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrZjn0rAHN4/TwEp-ei49FI/AAAAAAAAARk/J3y0OJScEfI/s1600/CMM+solo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrZjn0rAHN4/TwEp-ei49FI/AAAAAAAAARk/J3y0OJScEfI/s320/CMM+solo+2.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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Must have been around mile 4, as Meredyth is fueling. (pink tank to right)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3HckHcHgYe0/TwEqA0pmSxI/AAAAAAAAARs/nr6pnYL0qpQ/s1600/CMM+solo+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3HckHcHgYe0/TwEqA0pmSxI/AAAAAAAAARs/nr6pnYL0qpQ/s320/CMM+solo+finish.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
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We all separated somewhere after mile 7, but finished within 1 minute of each other.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAUNJ5_gFS8/TwEqDcURhvI/AAAAAAAAAR0/GJsPLUCEay8/s1600/CM+Half+2011+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAUNJ5_gFS8/TwEqDcURhvI/AAAAAAAAAR0/GJsPLUCEay8/s320/CM+Half+2011+finish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And met up in the family reunion! </div>
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Later that night, L & I went to a "Royal Wedding" party where we were supposed to dress up as if we had attended. We had fun shopping for our hats (and rings!) that afternoon :)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8q-gTfEEzms/TwE9lu-AotI/AAAAAAAAASA/B7WUjyTNabg/s1600/Royal+Wedding+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8q-gTfEEzms/TwE9lu-AotI/AAAAAAAAASA/B7WUjyTNabg/s320/Royal+Wedding+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We found replica rings at Wal Mart for less than $10!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EEaF9kJf7fY/TwE9n-8v0eI/AAAAAAAAASI/BEN3qU_GLPw/s1600/Royal+wedding+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EEaF9kJf7fY/TwE9n-8v0eI/AAAAAAAAASI/BEN3qU_GLPw/s320/Royal+wedding+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>May</u></b></div>
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I started off the month attending a<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/173927375989423/"> "Zumbathon"</a> with my friend Nicole. It was supposed to be 90 minutes, and 2 hours into the event, the house was still rockin'! I had actually signed up to do a 5K the next morning and I was so sore and tired that I couldn't even force myself out of bed. At least the Homewood band got a nice donation for their Macy's trip!</div>
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Two weeks later, I did my first trail race...a 5K mud run with the Xterra series. I love trail running and loved the atmosphere of this event. The race was tough though! Trail running/racing is something I would like to do more of in the coming year.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yb_QzsSbmD4/TwFCPDqpoUI/AAAAAAAAASU/F_VTH2xOhvk/s1600/XTerra+pursuit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yb_QzsSbmD4/TwFCPDqpoUI/AAAAAAAAASU/F_VTH2xOhvk/s320/XTerra+pursuit.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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In hot pursuit of the women in front of me. We would leapfrog much of the remainder of the race. One really bit it in the mudpit and I passed her, though I did go back and try to help. I'm not a total beotch!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CqYX2wGPR_M/TwFCROVZJHI/AAAAAAAAASc/n4pJgc5HwRk/s1600/XTerra+wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CqYX2wGPR_M/TwFCROVZJHI/AAAAAAAAASc/n4pJgc5HwRk/s320/XTerra+wave.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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Double wave for the camera</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KePXobx33z8/TwFCSwdaDzI/AAAAAAAAASk/zlnY-4J0sQw/s1600/Xterra+mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KePXobx33z8/TwFCSwdaDzI/AAAAAAAAASk/zlnY-4J0sQw/s320/Xterra+mud.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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Enjoying the knee deep muddy water and trying to stay upright! After I finished, I came back and spectated here for the 5K runners behind me and the 10K-ers. It was quite entertaining to see how people would attack this! Many sneakers were sacrificed to the water this morning!</div>
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One of Matt's best friends got married in Antigua this month and held a reception at home in Auburn over Memorial Day weekend. We traveled to that and then headed to the beach for our annual vacation with Matt's parents.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6hgdLG28Id4/TwFGBhpzB-I/AAAAAAAAAS8/h77clJ_r8NU/s1600/Memorial+Day+Pcola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6hgdLG28Id4/TwFGBhpzB-I/AAAAAAAAAS8/h77clJ_r8NU/s320/Memorial+Day+Pcola.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><u>June</u></b></div>
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This was a much more low key month! I was mostly at home, working and trying to survive the heat--running trails, and <a href="http://runningforbetterorworse.blogspot.com/2011/06/more-than-walk-in-park.html">taking bootcamp and yoga</a> in Railroad Park.</div>
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<b><u>July</u></b></div>
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Matt and I visited the Birmingham Zoo over 4th of July weekend and watched fireworks on the golf course in our neighborhood.</div>
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Feeding the Australian Lorikeets</div>
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More trail running, lots of after-work walks with the dogs and kicked off official training for marathon #2!</div>
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<b><u>August</u></b></div>
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The dog days of summer were kicking in and my schedule, both personally and professionally, started ramping up again. We celebrated Matt's dad's b'day, I attended the MSHA incoming class orientation dinner out "in the sticks", babysat a sweet friend's little girl and helped throw a bachelorette party all in the span of less than a week.</div>
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I walked with my company team in the Birmingham Heart Walk and the Argentina trip started to get real...</div>
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Matt getting all kinds of shots to prepare for our trip </div>
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<b><u>September</u></b></div>
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I was away more than I was home this month, between <a href="http://runningforbetterorworse.blogspot.com/2011/09/chickamauga-training-week-8-recap.html">football season</a>, traveling to Minnesota for work (which included a flight on 9/11)...</div>
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Hey, look...I have hair and wear real clothes!</div>
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And of course, our beyond fabulous trip to Argentina which also included a<a href="http://runningforbetterorworse.blogspot.com/2011/10/urban-running-tours-buenos-aires.html"> fun running tour in Buenos Aires</a>...</div>
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<b><u>October</u></b></div>
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Thankfully I had built up a pretty good fitness base before we went on vacation, but I did have a hard time mentally getting back into the peak of training right away. Being tired, catching a cold and...more football trips...contributed to this, but in the end, I just shut up and got it done.</div>
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We also took the girls out for a nice walk on Halloween :)</div>
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<b><u>November</u></b></div>
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Maybe the theme of 2011 was <i>busy?</i> I started the month with a 10K PR at <a href="http://vulcanrun.com/index.php">Vulcan</a>...very happy with the way I ran the race and felt like it was a good tune up for the next weekend...</div>
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<a href="http://runningforbetterorworse.blogspot.com/2011/11/chickamauga-battlefield-marathon-race.html">Marathon #2</a>!!!!</div>
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4 days later I celebrated my 32nd birthday...</div>
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Guilt-free cake? Oh well, it was still beyond delicious!</div>
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And then the following weekend, Jimmy and I traveled down to Tallahassee for my first trip back to a game in several years.</div>
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I love this kid beyond words!</div>
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A trip to Atlanta to celebrate Thanksgiving...</div>
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And of course, attending the Iron Bowl...</div>
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With a random "super fan"</div>
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A pregame tradition</div>
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Team entrance</div>
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<b><u>December</u></b></div>
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December brings with it the official start of the holiday season, and while we were busy, we also found time to ourselves and to relax.</div>
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I loved my "Christmas light runs" in my neighborhood after work...</div>
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Not my house, but one that was on my route</div>
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This guy always made me smile :)</div>
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I hosted my Bunco group again...this time, it was the girls only and instead of a gift exchange, we did a treat/recipe exchange.</div>
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Yummy! </div>
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The girls, minus Emily (who had already left) and Michelle (who was sick)</div>
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back (l-r) Kristen, Nicole, Cassie, Jamie, Amanda, Lauren, Kathryn</div>
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front (l-r) Meagan, me, Amy and Tess</div>
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The following weekend, Tess and I ran in the Meadowbrook Runs 5K where I debuted my tutu (thanks to <a href="http://destination262.wordpress.com/">Linzi</a>)...</div>
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And set a new official PR (30:33)...<br />
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I am still chasing an official "sub 30" finish</div>
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Matt and I went to the<a href="http://www.alabamatheatre.com/"> Alabama Theater</a> for a "fancy" showing of Christmas Vacation and I got one more use out of the tutu this season, as Amy and I met up for the Trak Shak's "Tacky Christmas" run on Christmas Eve...</div>
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Before Matt and I exchanged gifts...</div>
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I got my travel map! (With a personalized inscription on the left)</div>
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and loaded up the dogs and headed down to my parents' house for the weekend.</div>
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Bali is terrified of the Santa Hat!</div>
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My sis modeling her new hat from Argentina</div>
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And after a couple of lazy days, we went to Matt's sister's New Years party last night, ringing 2012 with friends old and new!</div>
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<br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-1665930532990782092011-12-08T13:46:00.001-06:002011-12-08T14:06:58.522-06:00UninspiredWell, isn't that a lovely title?<br />
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But in the spirit if being totally authentic, it's kind of how I've been feeling these past couple of weeks. I've managed to hammer out a few decent workouts, including my 1st spin class (not sure I get the hype but would try again), 3 yoga classes with my favorite instructor, a running date with Amy and my first "Christmas light run" of the season, but I'm still feeling kind of blah.<br />
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I'm not in a full blown funk, but my diet has also included wayyyyy more JUNK than usual and it's only fueling crappy workouts and a poor body image. Even despite some half-assed efforts at cleaning up my eating, I'm finding the mindless late night snacking and treats at work are winning out far too often. I've started being vocal about this and am hoping that by letting others know it is NOT OK to bring me baklava at 9am (seriously! And having it around makes me want to eat it *right.then*), that maybe I can get myself centered and back on track.<br />
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10 weeks of training to half marathon PR-glory supposedly started Monday with an unplanned rest day, followed by yoga on Tuesday and possibly the worst run I can recall to date last night. (Multiple factors at work there including but not limited to: lack of sleep, jacked out diet and user-error treadmill SNAFU) I was planning to run tonight and "race" a 5K on Saturday but feeling a bit deflated from the horrible bomb last night, I'm resting tonight, running tomorrow and running with Amy this weekend...I will "race" a 5K next Saturday instead when I have my confidence back. Normally I wouldn't be worried but I want that official sub-30 5K PR (which I know for many is not a big deal but I have not run a 5K for time in over 18 months--I blew up at that attempt due to poor decision making--and I KNOW that I am beyond capable of busting through my own barrier) and my confidence could not handle a race day bomb right now.<br />
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It would also help if I actually PUT TOGETHER my training plan for this half. I need to really hone my paces and make this training purposeful. I thrive on seeing a nice Excel sheet with a plan for the week and look forward to checking each challenge/workout off the list. And even if I don't follow it exactly (and I rarely do) it's nice to have a road map for where I'm going.<br />
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Sorry that this is so rant-y but I just needed to get this off my chest so I could acknowledge it and then move on from it. I actually do have some fun things planned that I'm looking forward to sharing, but I'm not going to log-in here and pretend that life is all unicorns and rainbows when indeed it is not.<br />
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Running for better or worse...<br />
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MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-22651680853171649702011-11-17T21:36:00.000-06:002011-11-17T21:36:48.062-06:00Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon: Race Recap/ReviewBefore I get into the nitty gritty I just wanted to say that this race deserves all of the kudos that it gets. A well-organized event, beautiful course, great volunteer support. Truly could not have asked for more. Sooo...if you are looking for a marathon in the fall...in the southeast (GA, for you 50-staters)...skip the overcrowded RnR Savannah and get thee to Ft. Oglethorpe, GA. I do not think you would be disappointed.<br />
<strong>Before the Race</strong><br />
This was probably the *least* stressed I have been leading up to any longer race that I have done (13.1 and above). Don't get me wrong, it was a BUSY week leading up to the race, but knowing that the expo was open until 9pm Friday and that packet pickup would also be available Saturday morning before the race, eased my mind tremendously.<br />
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I worked until about 2:30 and then we dropped off the dogs at the vet for the night and finally headed out of B'ham around 3:45 Friday afternoon for the 2.5-3 hour drive to Ft. Oglethorpe, GA, which is actually just outside of Chattanooga (the race is sponsored by the Chattanooga Track Club). We actually "lost" an hour going from CST to EST which had me a tad concerned about the wake up call the next morning, but it turned out to be no biggie.<br />
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We got to Ft Oglethorpe no problem, they had a marquee at the entrance of town welcoming the marathoners which I thought was nice. We headed to packet pick-up/expo which was being held at the local HS...nice and easy to navigate through. Not that this is a bad thing, but it had a VERY small town feel to it and I was surprised to see more than a few vendors set up...including one with TONS of race day nutrition (Gu, honey stinger, etc) and another very creative booth that sold cowbells :) I have never seen/noticed a cowbell booth at an expo before and thought that was pretty cool.<br />
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Checking through the swag bag, I was quite impressed given that is a small race (capped at 700 half and 700 full marathoners). In addition to the l/s gender specific tech tee, there was a nice neoprene waist pack branded with the marathon info, key lanyard, mini-moon pie, muscle cooling stuff, and a couple of discount coupons ($10 off at Dick's? yes, please)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-1VOc-sgqUb7pPMxlpMxDI6GatP4ozCK5WreAVstEYV7ZoPiX2aImt-OYfD7MV4HGGCEkVDfwFPPUSWcP_jNMUf_kV9Qoh7Gh4q45wHINzIWAYv3TvCRty5wrNiOelrqZhe9BaNtgoA/s1600/Chickamauga+swag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-1VOc-sgqUb7pPMxlpMxDI6GatP4ozCK5WreAVstEYV7ZoPiX2aImt-OYfD7MV4HGGCEkVDfwFPPUSWcP_jNMUf_kV9Qoh7Gh4q45wHINzIWAYv3TvCRty5wrNiOelrqZhe9BaNtgoA/s320/Chickamauga+swag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After the expo, we were on a mission to find dinner. Yes, we were not far out of Chattanooga, but we did not feel like driving back that direction so we decided to see what was available in town. Let's just say...TONS of fast food, plenty of Mexican, and about 3 sit down chains that we could identify (Applebees, O'Charley's and Logans) Each of the chains was equally packed so we finally settled on Logan's where there was not a pasta dish to be found. There WERE however, rolls the size of my head, so I had more than my fair share of those and then tried to pick the least stomach-averse dish on the menu.<br />
After dinner it was on to the hotel. We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Ringgold, GA (which is basically the same town) which was actually a really nice Hampton Inn, IMO. Hampton Inn was one of the "host" hotels where the race would have free shuttle pick up in the morning which (among other reasons) made it especially attractive so Matt would not have to get up at the ass crack of dawn to drive me to the start. They also offered a marathon discount which seemed to be $25 or so off the published/Priceline/etc rate which was another bonus.<br />
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I set my alarm for 4:45, put in a wake up call for 5 and had no problem crashing soon after we got checked in.<br />
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<strong>Race Day</strong><br />
I slept incredibly well and woke up easily with my alarm. A(nother) check of the weather revealed that it was right around 32 degrees outside, so I was definitely going to need some extra layers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15EojguiN0K9x8n2DEUo6QbdtVAVcD0xdHMMw_c5O_WUJ-uI-6mnATpcHoNSKZ5y8R73h4fufAR8B27q0lwU7CGm0Ak-Hm5i7ZW4xR_ZPnU0FeFNmyMRj-2c22O64psD1F4Ji5TDoaD0/s1600/Chickamauga+pre+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15EojguiN0K9x8n2DEUo6QbdtVAVcD0xdHMMw_c5O_WUJ-uI-6mnATpcHoNSKZ5y8R73h4fufAR8B27q0lwU7CGm0Ak-Hm5i7ZW4xR_ZPnU0FeFNmyMRj-2c22O64psD1F4Ji5TDoaD0/s320/Chickamauga+pre+race.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tired but not overly nervous this time around</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div>I wrapped up a bagel with PB, grabbed a banana from the hotel breakfast buffet (which opened an hour earlier than normal to accomodate the runners...so very nice!) and hopped on the 5:45 shuttle with no problem. I read actually read blogs on the way over to keep any nerves at bay, the bus was generally pretty quiet at that hour.<br />
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We were dropped off with no real instruction, at the edge of what was a dark (and frozen) field which was a bit freaky until we were finally able to glimpse the start line and the tops of tents at the other side. The ride over had not taken long and the start was not until 7:30, so we had a LOT of time to kill and it was really cold. In addition to what I had on in the picture above, I had a l/s cotton shirt that would be my "toss away", along with gloves and a bondi band. Considering I also had on capris, that is not a recipe for warmth while you are standing still. Luckily, there were heaters inside the main info/reg tent and the ground was warm (and dry) in there so I found a warm seat and hung out for about an hour chatting, eating b'fast and relaxing. There were plenty of portapotties and I got in line before the lines got incredibly long and found out at some point that they were going to be delaying the start until 7:45 b/c of traffic being a major cluster. I guess it's nice that they were accomodating but this is a 30+ year old race and I would think that they would have figured out how to route traffic by this point (it's not as if the battlefield has changed locations!!!) Maybe I was just pissy b/c I was absolutely frozen and could NOT feel my feet at all.<br />
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FINALLY it was time to line up and get ready to run. There was a presentation of colors, the national anthem and then a cannon start...and we were off!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzihlGNaSZCMtKECkJJdYD4Q0qbiZqM08tvBAIF92M3v91s2in27qJ6WjF1TLe7lCDNougOcV-mCX19L4YIbcDactmJWv0IrGBNKvRjxC0HGGovhZwrh9AfTyJU_QN7ON1S1ojnzDn0U/s1600/Chickamauga+start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzihlGNaSZCMtKECkJJdYD4Q0qbiZqM08tvBAIF92M3v91s2in27qJ6WjF1TLe7lCDNougOcV-mCX19L4YIbcDactmJWv0IrGBNKvRjxC0HGGovhZwrh9AfTyJU_QN7ON1S1ojnzDn0U/s320/Chickamauga+start.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(borrowed from the Chickamauga FB page)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9ZNYGcj7NplEvQF3bQNYxnIZhrv3mtXuVbOJQV0E717VRys49eNYcN2QchaQw56XFzNVDz2kWrD_V-pCxdqyw-4eMvzndo6UWNZ3pM9ESPRIXVX1ATi5vvsUyBQ4lSYO0gUslfEDhZo/s1600/Chickamauga+cannon+start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9ZNYGcj7NplEvQF3bQNYxnIZhrv3mtXuVbOJQV0E717VRys49eNYcN2QchaQw56XFzNVDz2kWrD_V-pCxdqyw-4eMvzndo6UWNZ3pM9ESPRIXVX1ATi5vvsUyBQ4lSYO0gUslfEDhZo/s320/Chickamauga+cannon+start.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(borrowed from the Chickamauga FB page)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Aiming for a 5 hour marathon, I tucked myself right behind the 2:30 half pacers hoping that this would keep my pace in check. Given that I'd run a brisk-for-me 10K the Saturday prior I was wondering if my legs were going to default to that pace...which is definitely not something I could sustain over the long haul. (Side note: they had various half and full pace groups but in the full it went from 4:30 to a 5:30 Galloway group with nothing in between, kind of a bummer but for such a small race, I was surprised to see pace groups at all) I kept creeping up on the pacers and by mile 2 I was right alongside them. I told them I was trying to stay with them and why, and made some small talk but little by little I pulled away and never saw them again after about 3.5 miles. Maybe against my better judgement? I'm still not sure. I was averaging in the low 11's at that point and did so comfortably until the half way point even considering that I was taking 60-90 second walk breaks every 2 miles. (I actually forgot to walk at mile 2 and started this at mile 3, so I was walking on the odd miles for a while)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFJuRh0HJlUguh6yXj5Q9IhdrrXnafUJM7zH_bFEdqFdG-Ts1opPjn-9T_kKuuh2rnGwo42gumMraAyi7p4M5WQOkPplLgNIlWJCgKbKRAOZmFJbsW3co4ln6KyBkCDqOeoo_5KzVzwk/s1600/Chickamauga+battlefield+entry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFJuRh0HJlUguh6yXj5Q9IhdrrXnafUJM7zH_bFEdqFdG-Ts1opPjn-9T_kKuuh2rnGwo42gumMraAyi7p4M5WQOkPplLgNIlWJCgKbKRAOZmFJbsW3co4ln6KyBkCDqOeoo_5KzVzwk/s320/Chickamauga+battlefield+entry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Just after mile 1 about to head into the national park/battlefield (borrowed from FB)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGikgbO24n64DMerbqxZ41VMe2RwAFOp2edpHRt14kiiQq0lA6y8dj2Qtiq90uxG866QY-kjx5UGtzRraYPBB9-Tw2nVkhYm7llifC92_FvKytinPmBQnY9swHWAhCWSMbpaC2BbePe8/s1600/Chickamauga+battlefield+entry+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGikgbO24n64DMerbqxZ41VMe2RwAFOp2edpHRt14kiiQq0lA6y8dj2Qtiq90uxG866QY-kjx5UGtzRraYPBB9-Tw2nVkhYm7llifC92_FvKytinPmBQnY9swHWAhCWSMbpaC2BbePe8/s320/Chickamauga+battlefield+entry+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Headed onto the trail</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div>It took nearly 2 miles for my feet to totally unthaw and we were seeing frozen breath for at least 5 miles. I tossed my l/s shirt at mile 4, gloves around mile 8 and tied the arms sleeves to my fuel belt around 12-13. I was trying to shed layers when I felt comfortable but before I actually started to feel warm. The miles were ticking by and I felt really great. We came to our first half/full split and I got a surge of adreneline (the course would split and converge at different times) but that first one made me realize that there was no "going back".<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJmG7PVdjb_xu4W2NOGq4_o_lDH8sqBlg3_-Nimkxix_FtUU_JgdJzt47zoeJH7zwJuZlcRxN2H1LPwbwsy8J9ugx8oJwAN8IrHdPXTPgCoPwq6WNLk1As0AHZB-ORlMnjiiHrSzC-sY/s1600/Chickamauga+marathon+split.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJmG7PVdjb_xu4W2NOGq4_o_lDH8sqBlg3_-Nimkxix_FtUU_JgdJzt47zoeJH7zwJuZlcRxN2H1LPwbwsy8J9ugx8oJwAN8IrHdPXTPgCoPwq6WNLk1As0AHZB-ORlMnjiiHrSzC-sY/s320/Chickamauga+marathon+split.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">First split (borrowed from FB)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-99tsWUrrwYGT6gPUxWKsA7JH1u6DX_KeelMOYtMyam8OfNcjGvU3gK5oJ1IOeBlub1lbRONcYXyzEFTJsqcTQZC8EAWOOTN2uLaQn7eDB5asnDQ2tKSAma064ejjMX3vdIY-tXn-fEc/s1600/Chickamauga+Loop+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-99tsWUrrwYGT6gPUxWKsA7JH1u6DX_KeelMOYtMyam8OfNcjGvU3gK5oJ1IOeBlub1lbRONcYXyzEFTJsqcTQZC8EAWOOTN2uLaQn7eDB5asnDQ2tKSAma064ejjMX3vdIY-tXn-fEc/s320/Chickamauga+Loop+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pLsOB1LjCH5XU9lpxJVzqaDVEqNOPByjZlrT3PiL1DQ_fpWxw4x-8smaGkNO43GcSKon6vNZjUPEz6x7qyJat7YOGdBM8XQaAD100we1q7ff3_5aUm46veuirVN0PVvD94gHmpboTMY/s1600/Chickamauga+Loop+1+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pLsOB1LjCH5XU9lpxJVzqaDVEqNOPByjZlrT3PiL1DQ_fpWxw4x-8smaGkNO43GcSKon6vNZjUPEz6x7qyJat7YOGdBM8XQaAD100we1q7ff3_5aUm46veuirVN0PVvD94gHmpboTMY/s320/Chickamauga+Loop+1+close.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div align="center">Sometime within the first loop (before mile 8...I still have the gloves!)</div><br />
The course was so incredibly beautiful...and for me, the best of both worlds. I had "trail run" scenery but with the benefit of running (mostly) on pavement. Open fields, woods, cannons EVERYWHERE, tons of monuments and signs that would point to "XYZ general died here", "Union guns captured here". I am a sucker for that kind of stuff and wished I had the time (or extra energy to expend) to read more of the details.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_E57sp39FbqxO7oVles6ijuN46uIqTHzHU286nQ6DDn_zrUly6AGQGrwjc3BZqpIVdrFI0YU5ZbO695hBz32JBpYn8LOQelSio8xRlM1Gi2F4Jlr4gUaYiA6rRd91h8Z7Sm-0H7aVbQ/s1600/Chickamauga+scenery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_E57sp39FbqxO7oVles6ijuN46uIqTHzHU286nQ6DDn_zrUly6AGQGrwjc3BZqpIVdrFI0YU5ZbO695hBz32JBpYn8LOQelSio8xRlM1Gi2F4Jlr4gUaYiA6rRd91h8Z7Sm-0H7aVbQ/s320/Chickamauga+scenery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Borrowed from FB (again) :)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZHStOYkcCkKYOlya4K7rUWtzwJT8j6GKy_55BPhkItYE0LIt6ka3M0TdNLBmzoADhn_frIKfy8aXDTbK_lRIe3qZ2lqllLYEVi-Bzc4cZbd0Y7Q1WSIyzjku5aWWxgtxMpX9lQbqPXI/s1600/Chickamauga+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZHStOYkcCkKYOlya4K7rUWtzwJT8j6GKy_55BPhkItYE0LIt6ka3M0TdNLBmzoADhn_frIKfy8aXDTbK_lRIe3qZ2lqllLYEVi-Bzc4cZbd0Y7Q1WSIyzjku5aWWxgtxMpX9lQbqPXI/s320/Chickamauga+tower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I actually saw a runner run up to the tower and go in...love it! (yes, again from FB)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div>The middle miles are kind of a blur and got pretty lonely. The marathoners around my pace were so spread out, sometimes I felt like I was on a supported training run. I got REALLY sick around mile 15.5 and felt better after that (amazingly, my pace wasn't really affected by that stop, lol) and actually never got passed after that point. I would come up on little clusters of runners and for the virtue that I was pretty much still running most of the time (I was now on a run 1 mile, walk .1 cycle), I was able to pick people off one by one. Volunteers and other runners were really encouraging to each other...I have never experienced so much genuine camraderie on a course before. Also, I should mentioned that the course was HILLY and really took its toll. I knew it was not "fast and flat" but I don't know that I fully anticipated the rolling nature of the course. However, I felt like I was really well prepared for it, given that I had specifically incorporated hill training into this cycle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHyUX8lpIMkjUQeE3w0ynrDwi8XvMH91Lx9vxKCkRf9ii028NBc9NzL8J15v_YI77ajLuj-iVhppdrXWzZ8WNZEAjDH0J3mszzjzsS-qkKzgoein8RGL-MZleundi-pwrTBp-J7pju8U/s1600/Chickamauga+Loop+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHyUX8lpIMkjUQeE3w0ynrDwi8XvMH91Lx9vxKCkRf9ii028NBc9NzL8J15v_YI77ajLuj-iVhppdrXWzZ8WNZEAjDH0J3mszzjzsS-qkKzgoein8RGL-MZleundi-pwrTBp-J7pju8U/s320/Chickamauga+Loop+2.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div align="center">Missing a few layers! (That's an arm sleeve hanging off my hip)</div><br />
I must admit, I had a mini break down at mile 23. I called Matt to let him know I had a little more than 5K left and he told me he was proud of me and I was really wanting to be done at this point (I'm not sure if this was my "wall" but I know I did not hit one the way I did in Memphis) and I almost started crying and told him how much I loved him. I was TOTALLY alone at this point (no runners in sight in front or behind) and in between aid stations (they were every 2 miles after mile 4 and had water, powerade, fruit and Gu at each one!) and Matt told me I needed to focus on getting it done. I found a second wind within a few minutes and got myself together. (Consequently, mile 23 was my slowest mile of the race).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1l8MxDhyphenhyphenG0UTK_BpDUjSCfd_Q5jvL9BMiJzxxHrQvHmWARSxTwbfAMuprqA1VnhPRtw2dGNKxW1ecOAHFAJ5S9RXzRkL9n6cwivanGJHn9b4S2VZDRyR8sseV2CaMsI-fvgJ3Zxd1QA/s1600/Chickamauga+water+stop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1l8MxDhyphenhyphenG0UTK_BpDUjSCfd_Q5jvL9BMiJzxxHrQvHmWARSxTwbfAMuprqA1VnhPRtw2dGNKxW1ecOAHFAJ5S9RXzRkL9n6cwivanGJHn9b4S2VZDRyR8sseV2CaMsI-fvgJ3Zxd1QA/s320/Chickamauga+water+stop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">One of my fav signs (FB)...another was a giant Justin Bieber cut out</div><br />
The photographer I had seen on the first 2 loops (the marathon was 2 loops of the battlefield plus the entry and exit roads) was now at mile 24. I joked him it was cruel to be there and he laughed and said that his battery was dead because he had been blasting his music at the other spot and his wife was the finish line photog so he had to wait to get someone to come jump his car. HAHA! Then he took some highly unflattering pics of me and wished me luck...I thanked him for being out there. That gave me an added boost to the end.<br />
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I passed a few more people (mostly men at this point) and then came to the gravel trail. I saw a male/female duo ahead (I had noticed them on prior out and backs and they had seemed to be keeping pretty good pace ahead of me until now) The woman was tired and mentally done and the man turned around and saw me and I could tell did NOT want to get passed. I was actually cracking up a bit because he told her "Bri, we HAVE to run...NOW" She had NO CLUE what was going on and he took her water bottle and said "I'm leaving!" And she was forced to chase after him! (I felt so bad for her!) I was getting ready for a scheduled walk break anyway, but once I started running again I caught right back up. Dude, KEPT turning around and I kept a few paces behind. I probably COULD have passed them, but it would have been a struggle to maintain to a strong finish and I did not want to be a total bitch, b/c I knew he was bothered and there was no need to do that. I had lost my 5 hour goal by this point too so it's not like I was fighting for that and I knew we would be looping the post-race party and wanted to save my energy for that kick to the end.<br />
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Thankfully it was downhill to the finish and the spectators were very encouraging. I could see Matt waiting at the finish and I was so happy to see him and be done :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mxhuCx1OadoRNi8dRqkKzpwYR3GYkeqXvcesXxLYDM5NNJ_zxRxJ32fc7gPkxqmqUwwIRQ_RkUqtJX4gQtHxZMU-5FaV-mm_ERV6iRqJd4aanMfku0GbDtbgyhSferS2gNq3uuCxsmI/s1600/Chickamauga+finish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mxhuCx1OadoRNi8dRqkKzpwYR3GYkeqXvcesXxLYDM5NNJ_zxRxJ32fc7gPkxqmqUwwIRQ_RkUqtJX4gQtHxZMU-5FaV-mm_ERV6iRqJd4aanMfku0GbDtbgyhSferS2gNq3uuCxsmI/s320/Chickamauga+finish.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Coming in to the finish</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PhMumeOYYGA2Fhko5QoOrksKkvUbls_tRsykSvyvuODD3rJ9qSFd2EyWW38mvN2KgOJO4SeoeH1mfxTG8YTrhGAtagBez-0o4zOSZqLaab_Ik0Qjwgq5WpE8dDR70Cbo0Rur2zkAu_0/s1600/Chickamauga+finish+leg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PhMumeOYYGA2Fhko5QoOrksKkvUbls_tRsykSvyvuODD3rJ9qSFd2EyWW38mvN2KgOJO4SeoeH1mfxTG8YTrhGAtagBez-0o4zOSZqLaab_Ik0Qjwgq5WpE8dDR70Cbo0Rur2zkAu_0/s320/Chickamauga+finish+leg.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">How the heck did Matt actually miss me crossing??? It's not like there was a crowd! LOL I do have toned calf muscles though, if nothing else!</div><br />
After chatting with Matt for a few minutes, I headed over to the runner's food zone where I got a REAL fountain coke (no diet right then), a bottle of water, and some snacks to go (an apple and granola bar and a couple of cookies). They also had pizza, homemade soups, banana pudding, moon pies, bananas and of course more sports drink but I'm not one for tons of solid foods after a long run anyway, and if I never saw anything that resembled marathon hydration again I would have been happy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4hgn7phnyi_o31vkGOGsNzT3U4vGg_ArB-dJM6DF1c5RU9Hmp6UZlVmYHIyAL8I0BRbwStTMMZcrq5TeDAQXIRTedOh61Gq_EZTEyWN59e_CShYt_dw-XTVBrwGiHpTBEaoMt6dzFwA/s1600/Chickamauga+finisher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4hgn7phnyi_o31vkGOGsNzT3U4vGg_ArB-dJM6DF1c5RU9Hmp6UZlVmYHIyAL8I0BRbwStTMMZcrq5TeDAQXIRTedOh61Gq_EZTEyWN59e_CShYt_dw-XTVBrwGiHpTBEaoMt6dzFwA/s320/Chickamauga+finisher.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marathon #2 in the books :)</div><div align="center"></div><br />
<strong>The Aftermath</strong><br />
We headed back home immediately after the race. We stopped at a gas station so I could change clothes and I got violently ill while in there. Forget a post-marathon splurge meal, I got the largest fountain Sprite known to man and nursed waves of nausea the rest of the day while laid up on the couch :( I fueled exactly according to all of my long runs (powerade/water, honey stinger chews, basically the same pre-run meal), so I am really not sure what happened here. My only guess is that is it was much colder than any of my training runs and that maybe my sweat rate was lower and that my electrolytes got imbalanced.<br />
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My hips and achilles held up much better than last time and this time the real lasting soreness was in my quads (likely due to the hills). I can't avoid stairs in my home so I had some creative ways of getting up AND down for a couple of days following and a couple of times while I was out and about running errands/at work, it actually felt like my legs were going to buckle underneath me. But that is totally better right now and I'm feeling ready to get back into some low impact cardio...<br />
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BUT, Sunday night I started coming down with a sore throat which turned into a full blown cold by Monday. At first it was just my nose/sinuses and now it's turned into a lovely hacking cough. I haven't missed work but I have been exhausted and have actually had to get this post up in segments due to my energy levels. I feel maybe I'm finally on the mend and I feel ready to ease back into things. I guess being sick made really took away any guilt I may have had for lounging on the couch and catching up on much needed sleep.<br />
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<strong>Thanks for sticking with me! Please feel free to ask any other questions about the race or experience or even my training...I am happy to answer the best I can :)</strong>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5547358102347528926.post-81814645736649460912011-11-07T23:07:00.000-06:002011-11-07T23:07:08.399-06:00Race Report: Vulcan Run 10KI ran this race last year as my first "official" 10K (and as part of a longer training run) and knew that as long as I could fit it into my schedule, I would be back again in 2011.<br />
<a href="http://www.vulcanrun.com/">Vulcan</a> is Birmingham's oldest race and has the reputation for being difficult. Miles 2.5(?) to 4.5(?) are run on part of the Mercedes Half/Marathon course but in the opposite direction that is not as favorable to the runner (read: a gradual uphill). It's basically a grind uphill on Highland Avenue (beautiful area) with a teaser downhill and then a long, achilles-busting downhill onto 20th street which flattens/rolls into the finish. I get it, it's not easy but I really don't understand the hype (we live in a hilly city) and I still maintain that V2V is a tougher course. ANYway...<br />
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Even though I knew I would be running the race, I procrastinated on registering and finally did so at packet pickup the night before the race. Swag bags were pretty mundane (lots of paper plus a coupon for free Yogurt Mountain and a mini-Snickers energy bar) and we also received a s/s tech shirt. Shirts came in mens and womens sizing but the women's ran ridiculously small so I opted for a men's small (like last year) which fits just fine.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uxfBQOrKKkuNEH4fKhuzyOylU0aaJVoFMBkN8_R7cj0J8BcGq66E9Xx94jMlGEzh8OZIokHJUHIP4_0kfSKYg6f651bqmdZygaOnfSJik7mREND3PdC3GEhr5VPpZrRKnpVnppAifL8/s1600/run+vulcan+shirt+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uxfBQOrKKkuNEH4fKhuzyOylU0aaJVoFMBkN8_R7cj0J8BcGq66E9Xx94jMlGEzh8OZIokHJUHIP4_0kfSKYg6f651bqmdZygaOnfSJik7mREND3PdC3GEhr5VPpZrRKnpVnppAifL8/s320/run+vulcan+shirt+2011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A little more orange, less "melon" than this picture would suggest</div><br />
I had 8 on the schedule for Saturday so I ran 1.3 before the race and figured I would make up the rest by running back to my car (I intentionally parked further away with that plan in mind). I hesitate to say I had ZERO expectations for the race because of course I wanted to do better than last year but I have not been training with 10K paces in mind. The closest thing I have come to thinking about my 10K pace is this: my tempo runs. <a href="http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/MaraAdvanced1.html">HH</a> advises to run the tempo portions "at or near 10K race pace". Well...my last official 10K time was in January and when I set my paces for marathon training I thought "maybe I should subtract 15-20 seconds per mile...that's probably closer to my current ability level given the training load". So that's the pace I have been using for my tempo training. It's pushed me for sure, but not to the point of being stupid, so I've felt good about targeting that for my zone.<br />
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The weather was in the upper 40s at the start. I was wearing my usual capris, Buenos Aires tech shirt and new arm warmers that I had picked up the night before for 20% off. I have been wanting to try these for a while and not quite sure why I haven't just bitten the bullet. Let me just say...it's some of the best $25 I have ever spent. I warm so quickly and hate having an extra layer...and then these are so easy to push down. I am totally sold...but I digress...Garmin and handheld in tow but no shadow pack (or phone) and no iPod. My first race without an iPod...but I have been training without one and love it, so no need.<br />
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We were off with a bang, and I told myself to hold back. It's so easy to take off too fast and (as always) I could pick out the people that I knew I would be seeing later...<br />
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Having done the race before, I knew what to expect and this time the 1st two miles ticked by quickly (for me).<br />
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1: 10:38<br />
2: 10:38<br />
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I started to feel tired running down the flat industrial stretch before heading into the Highland Avenue part...where I knew the real work would begin. I could tell others were starting to feel the same way...I was hearing a lot of sighing and grunting...people trying to pep up their running buddies "we are not going to walk...we've got this!" and I was starting to worry that I would fade. And given that I had not set any hard goals for myself, I wasn't sure what I was shooting for. I realized I was warm and pushed my arm warmers down to my wrists which instantly felt better.<br />
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3: 11:00<br />
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Once we got into Highlands I set my mind to staying with the pack of people around me and began looking for people to pick off. I felt like my hill training was paying off and began to feel stronger and stronger. Any dips/slight downhills during this part, I took advantage of loosening up my stride and not holding back..shortening back up when I got to the next hill. I felt like I was running a smart race.<br />
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4: 10:47<br />
Once we crested upon the fluid station just past mile 4 (thankful I did not have to stop or slow since I had my handheld), I decided to take advantage of the net downhill before the HUGE downhill and left the main pack I had been with, following one girl who had been with that same pack the entire time and seemed to be running a similar strategy. She would be my pace bunny the rest of the race...never caught her, never actively tried to do so either though because while I was pushing it, I was not going to do something stupid and jeopardize my marathon this coming weekend.<br />
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5: 9:53<br />
One mile and some change left, roads I run during my normal downtown runs. Slight uphill the rest of the way and I was going to push to discomfort. I did feel a little woozy at some point during this last stretch and backed off a tad, but picked people off (men and women) right and left. Got a kick out of watching the Yogurt Mountain "mascot" running on the course pepping people up. (Wish I had a picture of THAT!) So proud, my last mile was my fastest and yes, uncomfortable but not "puke threshhold" uncomfortable.<br />
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6: 9:47<br />
.25 : 2:15 (avg 9:10 pace)<br />
Final time (Garmin): 6.25 miles, 1:04:58, avg pace 10:24 which is almost the exact tempo pace I have been running during my workouts!!! It's also almost 4 minutes faster than my time at this race last year and nearly a 2 minute <strong>PR!!! :)</strong><br />
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However, I'm a bit surpised but my official time is 14 seconds SLOWER than my Garmin time and I'm not sure how/why? We used B-tags (bib timing) but there was a timing mat to cross at the start (so it's not gun to mat like V2V) and I hit the button as I crossed that and then actually the second (third) mat at the finish. I didn't take any breaks or stop my watch during the race so I'm not sure where that large of a discrepancy would come from. <strong>Any ideas?</strong> Regardless, I'm going with my watch here since I have no viable explanation. <br />
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<strong>Fun fact: </strong>Before I knew there was a timing discrepancy, I actually asked one of the volunteers which finish mat was the "official" one since I never know which one "counts". Turns out the first one is for the announcers (they announce name and city when you officially cross), the second one is the "official" time and the third one is "back up" in case the official mat fails. Hopefully someone learned something there...I thought it was interesting :)<br />
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After I caught my breath, I grabbed a bottle of water and a bottle of powerade and headed back towards the final turn to cheer runners in. There was a "one woman volunteer cheering section" here so I stood opposite to her and joined in the "great job...finish strong" chorus for about 15 minutes before jogging back to my car and heading home. I completely forgot about the post-race party and free massages inside Boutwell until after I got home and saw the FB messages, but I was alone/didn't know anyone there and I was riding high from my PR anyway so no matter.<br />
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I am beyond pleased with my race and so happy that I could finish with 2 strong, solid miles in the 9s without feeling like death. I keep saying I know I am capable of "more" and I am excited to dial in on paces that will get me there. This performance also suggests I am close to being able to go "sub-5" at the marathon on Saturday...a performace which I would be thrilled with. More on those goals in another post :)Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920256842347863670noreply@blogger.com2