30 days

Has it seriously been a MONTH?

Things have been steadily ticking along over here as I try to figure out what is next. As we still probably have a couple months of favorable running weather left before the heat and humidity monsters set up camp for a few months, I'm not quite ready to declare "off season" but I also don't have anything serious on the books before summer starts.

Lee Ann is trying to persuade me to come up to Nashville for the Country Music Half (last weekend in April) and I am training "as if" I have half marathon that weekend. Truthfully, of the 4 half's I have run it stands out as my most miserable race for a variety of reasons so it's not necessarily a course I'm really dying to repeat. However, it's only a 3 hour drive and with the company of a friend maybe it's worth a redeeming shot.

I'm going to make a statement that's probably not going to be very popular, but I'm not really a fan of the Rock N Roll racing series. Yes, they are big races (which I like) but I think something about the over-mass production is a turn off for me and I notice that a lot of their routes are long out and backs which I think (for this kind of distance and race experience...13.1 or 26.2) is a cop out. One could say the same thing about a double loop course with no variation on a 26.2. At any rate, I feel like there is so much more to a city than a one street out and back and it feels like the race itself takes a back seat to the perceived glitz of the event. I've noticed multiple complaints about RnR routes in race reports as well, so I can't be the only one. I just got an email this week that they are making Vegas a night race, which I LOVE and would love to do, but the fact that it's RnR produced makes me reluctant to sign up.

So essentially, I need to hammer down a spring race or two before taking a little break from an official plan during which time I plan to maintain a 15 mile per week base and add 3 days of bootcamp to the mix (along with a minimum 1x week yoga class which I am currently attending). If all the stars align, I will kick off training for marathon #2 (hopefully NYC!) on July 4. I know that sounds like a long time away but it will be here before I know it.

This is how the rest of the calendar is shaping up:

March 17: Shake Your Shamrock (virtual 7K)

March 26: Rumpshaker 5K (Volunteering as a course marshall)

April 9: Diamond Dash

April 30 (MAYBE): Country Music Half Marathon

May 15: Warrior Dash (GA)

October 15: Race for the Cure 5K

November 6: NYC Marathon (hopefully)

November 24: Moore's Mill Turkey Trot 5K

What's missing? For me, I would like to do at least 3 total half marathons this year and 1 marathon. Once I figure out if NYC is a go, it will be a little easier to fill out the fall schedule. It just feels weird not to have a hard date on a few longer races. I know other 5Ks and 10Ks will be available (I am still chasing the 5K PR) and I can add these as they come up and work with my schedule. I would have done Atlanta half this coming weekend and had wanted to take the RRCA certification but I originally thought I was traveling to South Carolina for an event for Matt's family; however, that is now a no-go and we only found out two weeks ago so certification was filled and I was not mentally ready to push another half after a hard effort last month. I would also really like to do a relay but with the absence of 11 running friends to join me in the insanity, I'm a little stumped. If Vandy does Ragnar again and if they have room, I have an invitation to join Lee Ann's van so we'll see. Any ideas for races or experiences I should add? If not 2011 maybe 2012?

Race Report: Mercedes Half Marathon

The Mercedes 1/2 Marathon was my very first half one year ago and there was no question in my mind that I would be running it again this year. After my marathon, just 2 months ago (!) while enjoying recovery and no pressure runs, I decided to set a goal to go after a 1/2 Marathon PR at this event. I missed a PR by just SECONDS at the Disney Wine and Dine back in October in the midst of marathon training and I KNOW I am a stronger runner than I was at this time last year but with a 7 week training plan, coming off recovery, I wasn't sure what was realistically within my grasp. I nailed my assigned speed sessions, conquered my local hills and even managed to work a weekly yoga back into my schedule but life got in the way towards the end of the cycle and my longest run since the marathon had only been 11 miles (I had planned to get in at least 1 15-miler) so I really had no idea what my day would hold though I knew I would give it my best shot.

Finishing 10x400 at the gym, tough and sweaty post-work speed session

So without further adieu:

"A" Goal (STRETCH goal): sub 2:20

"B" Goal: sub 2:30

"C" Goal: PR (anything sub 2:38:09, for the record)

Pre-Race:

Since the expo was close to my office, I picked up my packet Friday afternoon. Pick up was easy, perused the booths and picked up a couple of freebies. I was actually intending to run this evening since the race was on Sunday but I ended up getting stuck at work until 7:30 so I deferred until Saturday.

Saturday, I got a text from my best friend from grad school, Lee Ann, who I knew was planning on running the race (she lives in Nashville now). She was in town and invited me to to join her and her co-worker, Jenny, and Jenny's husband, Greg (they were also running) to "carb up" at dinner...of course I said yes! My neck was actually really stiff which had me worried but I trekked over to the gym and ran a couple of miles in the morning, hopped on the bike for 15 minutes or so and called it a day. I was feeling really great and spent the better part of the afternoon relaxing...manicure, getting my eyebrows threaded, etc etc. We met up at a local Italian place for dinner at 6:30 and had THE best time. I had not seen Lee Ann in years and Jenny and Greg were hilarious and such great people. Carbed and hydrated, I headed home to add a few new tunes to my playlist and had no problem falling asleep.

THE RACE

The 4 of us decided to meet near the start between 6:15 and 6:30. Jenny and Greg were going to run together and I was going to run with Lee Ann...we were planning to stay together as long as the wheels did not fall off for either of us. This was Lee Ann's 1st half and I was so excited to be part of her experience.

Me, Lee Ann, Greg and Jenny before the start

It was a BEAUTIFUL morning for running, just above freezing with little wind and not a cloud in the sky. The sun can be both a blessing and a curse and I was a little nervous about the sleeveless base layer I had on (would I get too hot?), but it turned out to be OK. Before we knew it, the gun was fired and we were off. They reported that there were around 7,000 runners in the full and half combined this morning and while there were pace "corrals", there was no wave start so it only took a couple of minutes before we crossed the starting mat.

Lee Ann does not run with a Garmin, so I told her I would watch our pace to keep us honest. The first few miles clicked by effortlessly. My former "big boss" tapped me on the shoulder around mile 3 and then he and another of our colleagues were off ahead of us. Lee Ann and I chatted most of the time, pulling and pushing each other along. "Monster hills" I remembered from last year didn't seem nearly as daunting this time around and I could not believe how quickly the morning was going. There were a couple of EXTREMELY interesting sights on the course and we had fun pointing these out and eventually picking off the selected individuals. Having had absolutely HORRID race photos from last year that shall never be shared I made sure to point out the photogs for Lee Ann and we tried to pose for all that we saw. I told her if nothing else, I would save her from bad race photos :)

Jenny and Greg remained a few steps ahead and there were times we would catch up and run with them, and play mini-leapfrog. I usually walk through the water stops to catch my breath and use the time to lower my heart rate, but Lee Ann was running through them and so I was right next to her every step. There were a couple of times (non-water stop) where I felt TIRED and wanted to walk so badly but the wheels were not falling off so I zoned in on the task at hand or even started a conversation to distract myself. We hit the 10 mile mark at just over 1:51:xx and I knew that truly unless something horrible happened, I was going to make my "C" goal at the very least. We were kicking ass and I was having a blast.

Just before the finisher's chute, I hugged Lee Ann...we were going to DO this. We sprinted around the curve, just behind Greg and Jenny. "Hands up" I called out just as we were crossing the mat. Running. Every single step of the way.

Needless to say, I smashed my PR: 2:26:30 (official time) for an 11:11 avg pace. I am THRILLED. My "A" goal was a HUGE stretch so I am not disappointed with the "B" goal at all. Hello? I knocked nearly 12 minutes off my PR. So.very.happy.

I didn't run with my phone and Lee Ann's phone clouded over b/c of sweat, so we'll have to wait for Brightroom to come through with the good stuff. For now:

Home with my Bling :)

Take home: Gender-specific tech shirt, running hat and medal

Close up of the "hood ornament"...LOVE this medal

All is NOT quiet on the Southern Front

Warning: This has not been the greatest of weeks. I started drafting this a couple of days ago at the lowest of low and hesitated to share but this is real, so why should I censor?


I don't know how to even begin this post. I am having a horrible time stringing two thoughts together and earlier this week in a lunch meeting I was asked to give an elevator speech for THE project that has consumed my efforts at work for the last year....I could give this elevator speech IN MY SLEEP IN MULTIPLE FOREIGN LANGUAGES (okay, not really but you get the point)...and I had ZERO words. Could not string a sentence together. Had to stop and even say that I had to gather my thoughts!! (Embarrassing and certainly NOT my caliber of work...at least this was just to a group of students) But seriously. Distracted is not even the word for it. It's distracted coupled with exhaustion and then add in a twist of "funk" and that is me.


My uncle passed away on Saturday at the age of 48 after a very fast decline in his battle with colon cancer. He had been at home and was actively receiving treatment when he took a turn for the worse and ended up in the hospital last Tuesday. The doctors essentially came in and told my aunt "I'm sorry" and suggested that she make sure their affairs were in order. He went into a coma shortly afterwards and went in and out of consciousness until he died peacefully Saturday morning. I have mentioned before I am so very close to my aunt and cousin (quasi-nephew) and was close to my uncle. Our "nuclear" family was on pins and needles all last week and I would jump every time the phone rang though I did not travel "home" until Saturday at the advice of family members. (Probably good advice in hindsight and Matt and I said our final goodbyes via my mom which I am totally fine with) Really nice family time this weekend as we celebrated the life of my uncle (late nights though) with a graveside service on Monday morning followed by a luncheon and then receiving guests at my aunt's house. Drove back to Birmingham late Monday night and was at work at 6:30am Tuesday in prep for a 7:00 meeting. Le sigh. It's also bad when your boss tells you he is worried and thinks I am came back from the funeral/my family too soon. But what's a girl to do? My responsibilities/deadlines don't go on break just b/c I do not to mention that we don't get bereavement for aunts/uncles so I am also zapping through vacation/holiday time in the meanwhile.


Looking at what I wrote I can see why I am tired and foggy but I think my funk goes deeper than that, although I can't pinpoint exactly what is up. I'll get in these funks once or twice a year and sometimes I just need to sleep/wallow in my own depression and I will magically come out of it. However, this time I have been trying to force myself into social interaction since Matt was in the land of fruzen tundra this week (Minnesota) and it would be way too easy to otherwise sit on the couch and eat chocolate chip cookies and pass out. (He was also unable to be at the funeral and all of the activites over the weekend b/c of his travel schedule) So... I was hoping on Wednesday that a combination of yoga along with having a friend over that night would help. (She and I are co-hosting a "couple's Bunco" at my house later this month and we thought we would be "crafty" and create cute invites even though our Bunco group was involved with setting the date and we already have RSVPs)


Well, yoga was simply awesome. It's usually a modified "flow" class but our instructor detected a "low energy room" that night and we did an awesome restorative class with lots of opening of hips and back and very very deep stretching. Not so great for working up a sweat, but truthfully so very needed. Amanda came over, we went to Target for what ended up more than just invites (ALWAYS happens that way) and picked up a simple dinner of rotisserie chicken and some vegetables to eat at my house. All of the food was safely (or so I thought) on the counter and we left the room for a few minutes. I came back in and realized the ENTIRE CHICKEN (minus what we ate) was GONE. Every last scrap including ALL OF THE BONES and when I finally located the container, noticed holes in the bottom of that as well. Bali's poor stomach was distended and Roxy was growling at her as if to tattle.


Hysterical was not even the word for it. I frantically phoned Matt (who didn't answer) and then the emergency vet. We were instructed to stay at home and I was to watch the two of them like a hawk for any behavior changes throughout the night. I was up every hour on the hour checking for breathing and generally watching over both dogs. The emergency vet had recommended I take them in for observation at my regular vet but I had an early meeting (same time as my vet opens) so I crated them, drove downtown and then promptly back home to the 'burbs and then to the vet's office.


My vet was much more reassuring and examined both dogs (I was 99% sure it was Bali but would rather be on the safe side) The physical exams went well but she decided to do an x-ray on Bali to get the status of things. Let's just say when the x-rays came back the vet assured me that "mother's instinct" was correct. All sorts of chicken bones in Bali's stomach, most of the pieces small enough that they will be easily absorbed but some larger ones that may or may not be a problem. For now, Bali is on a high fiber diet (pumpkin with her regular food) and I am on puke and poop watch through Sunday. Good thing I am not squeamish!! We have a fenced in back yard so we usually just let them outside to do their business "in private" but now I have to follow her and examine it and also watch out for "phantom poop" (if that happens she will have to get re-x-rayed and likely have an enema...fun times!)


The whole situation is so NOT funny but now that I think she is likely to be OK, I can't help but laugh. (especially at myself). And here's an image for you: last night, Bali decided she needed to poop at 11:30 pm so I followed her into the rain/ice with a flashlight. She kept getting freaked out by me shining the light on her butt and was moving around in circles. I went to chase after her and ended up with my foot in an "invisible" chipmunk hole, stubbing my (bruised) toe(nail) and getting completely covered in mud. At least I was scraping mud out from under the toenail (I went outside wearing flip flops) and not poop! (And at least I didn't seriously hurt myself!) But seriously my right toe has been throbbing all day today. I'm destined to lose this toenail...it's just a matter of time.

Roxy and Bali a few years ago, Bali was still a puppy but she's not much bigger than that now. So you can see what size "glutton" we have! (Also, this was not "posed"; they would just lay on their little bed like that)

To say that training hasn't gone as planned this week would be an undertstatement. On a positive note would you believe that I actually ran both Saturday and Sunday for a total of 10 miles? I had 14 total on the schedule but still not too shabby considering it would have been VERY easy to log ZERO miles. However, since then, other than a 75 minute yoga class I haven't done jack. I was going to run last night but the ice had made the roads a wreck after work and our rec center was closed b/c of the bad weather/driving conditions. Plan B was 30 day shred but I ended up passing out on my couch around 8:00 only to wake up again at about 11:00. I'm thinking the Shred is on order for tonight; I've also moved my running date with Amy from Sunday to tomorrow so that I can A. further social interaction B. Sleep a little later (we always meet around 9) and I've moved my long run of 12 miles to Sunday. I feel so woefully underprepared for the half marathon NEXT WEEKEND. I've done really well with keeping my runs during the week on track between 4-5 miles and even worked my way through the "400s" series and completed 10x400 last week. However, it's been a mental struggle with the long runs. I think I need to find some longer distance running partners and join up with the Birmingham Track Club. It was on my list of "things to do" in 2011 and I think that time is here.

Call for Creativity--Half Marathon in Japan?

So...the Birmingham Track Club is yet again working with its sister city, Maebashi, Japan, to host a runner exchange. There is a contest of sorts to win an entry into the Maebashi City Marathon (actually a half marathon) as an official representative of the Birmingham Track Club. Included for 3-5 runners is not only entry into the race but lodging and all expenses paid for a 4-5 day trip to Japan at the end of April. The only thing the runner would have to pay is for a flight to Japan. The flight is no doubt expensive but considering the experience you get in return, it seems like a minor investment.

This is where you come in.

Other than this being an AMAZINGLY cool once in a lifetime experience, an opportunity to travel and learn about another culture...WHY should *I* be selected for this honor? I'm no speed demon (they say this doesn't matter) and I don't have a compelling story about what drove me to running. I just genuinely LOVE to run and I am grateful for the ability to do so. I do think I would be a great ambassador for not only the city but for the running community (we come in all shapes, sizes and abilities afterall) but it feels so generic and bland. What would make an application stand out if you were on the selection committee?

Village to Village 10K: Race Report

In a recurring theme of the past SEVERAL weeks, I have thought of multiple blog entries and even started a few but between 60+ hour work weeks (not counting commute or even time spent working at home in the evening), half-marathon "training", limited social interaction--including time spent with Matt, and minimal sleep, there has been ZERO time for anything else. All that being said, with work closing in around 70 hours over the past week and averaging 4-5 hours of sleep a night, I wasn't expecting much from this race. In fact, I was worried about embarrassing myself. We already knew I wasn't planning on making this a PR attempt and despite already being registered I almost didn't get out of bed on Saturday morning for fear of completely bonking out on the course from sheer exhaustion.

Backing up, I picked up my race packet Friday afternoon at Fleet Feet and was stoked to find a cool t-shirt and a loaded goodie bag.

You can't really tell in the pic but the "V"s are actually sparkly and it's a nice quality tech fabric. Loot included: Packet of handwarmers, Decent size sample of Community Coffee plus 2 coupons for $2 off next purchase, sample of Biofreeze, sample of "Elta MD" sunscreen, $5 coupon off sushi at Maki Fresh (yummy), $1 coupon off frozen yogurt at 32* yogurt bar, Coupon for a free class at Grand Jete --I am looking forward to trying this!, 20% off Women's only bootcamp (I am going back to bootcamp in the 'off season'), the requisite flyers for upcoming race and The MOST RANDOM goodie bag sample I have EVER received: sample of "Tiramani" perfume! What is the weirdest thing you have ever received in a race goodie bag?

Matt and I had a yummy dinner at Firebird's (I LOVE their shrimp and strawberry salad), came home and watched "The Town" on Netflix and I settled in to SLEEP.

The race had an 8:00 start and the over achiever in me thought I might go out a little early and log an extra mile or two to help me warm up. However, it was CHILLY (around 27 degrees) and I did not want to get out of bed when the alarm went off at 6. I knowingly hit snooze after snooze and finally at 7:10 I decided it might be wise to get up! (How many of you are freaking out at this thought?) I think you know you are getting too comfortable at this when you are not even out of bed an hour before the start! I was out the door by 7:25, banana and half of a (plain) whole wheat bagel in hand to eat on the way there. Managed to score an awesome parking spot at 7:40, collected my stuff and started jogging to the start. About halfway there, I realized I had left my iPod in my car, so I jogged back and collected it. I was wearing my longer running tights due to the cold and realized at this point that they were falling down from being too large. Not good but really had no other options at this point; I hoped that once I started to sweat they might stick in place and if I had to spend the majority of the race pulling them up, so be it.

There was a good crowd (I've read approx 1000 runners) and the race director thoughtfully had heaters placed around the parking lot for people to stay warm. Business had also opened their doors for runners to get out of the cold. Knowing I didn't have long to start I actually stayed away b/c I think it's easier to acclimate by staying in the elements prior to race start so that it's not a shock to the system.

Everyone started making their way to the start "line" and I positioned myself in the middle of pack. People were especially chatty this morning and based on observation I seemed to be around people of similar pace. Suddenly the crowd started to move forward and those around me were equally surprised. Historically this race has not been chip timed but this year they moved to bib-timing which I am not familiar with (chip is a strip on the back of the bib). I knew where the start was supposed to be according to the course map (started at an intersection) but when I got there, there was no timing mat. A bit concerned about how this timing was going to work, I started to Garmin and off we went.

The chattiness did not last long as we were faced with this:
This is the first 1.4 of the race. You actually start climbing this monster and when you think you are at the top you turn left and keep climbing. I actually looked at the girl next to me and said "Oh no". She smirked and rolled her eyes and at that point it was ON. I really and truly believe it is so important to run your own race and not get caught up in other people's paces or games and I remind myself this often during races if I feel like I am thinking negatively, but as I watched her blond hair pull away from me, I resolved that I WOULD beat her in the end.

The reviews I have read of the race described the first half of the course as "brutal" and I would have to agree. Up, up, up with a short downhill here or there followed by another climb. After the 5K mark it seemed to flatten out a little bit but as suspected, Vulcan has NOTHING on this course. The course is largely through residential neighborhoods and the mansions are just gorgeous. At one point, there was this HUGE mansion on top of a hill with some intricate glasswork and someone behind me said "Oh look...a church" and her friend responded with..."No that's someone's house" to which the reply was "Oh shit" LOL The race is actually in Mountain Brook which you may be familiar with because of the Natalee Holloway Story. The police a great job of blocking intersections and directing traffic flow and the few spectators that were out were great...friendly and cheering for everyone. I made sure to say good morning to each of them and to thank them for coming out. Fluid stations at miles 2 and 4 but since I was carrying my handheld I didn't partake. I did, however, say a general thank you as I ran through. It amazes me to see so many runners around me NOT speak to or thank anyone (I run one earbud out so I can hear what is going on). We all know how important that these things are to us and I'm not intending to get on a soapbox but we can all muster a thank you now and again. Have you thanked your volunteers and spectators lately?

Throughout the race I kept looking down to see "10s" and even "9s" and I was unbelievably ecstatic but realistic. I am happy to report that I did pass blondie at 2.5 never to see her again and there were a few other people that were running around me during the race that I vowed to pick off when the time was right. (Nothing rude, just a personal goal to keep me going as I was tired and COLD). I realized at 5.5 I was definitely going to PR unless the wheels fell off and after seeing the mile 6 sign (when my Garmin read 5.9) I kicked it in with everything I had left. Turns out we had a little more than .2 to go as Garmin read 6.26 when I crossed the mat and then I forgot to turn off my watch(!) as I was so relieved to have given it my all and PR-ed despite personal obstacles and course conditions. It was only after accepting my rose, picking up a bottle of water and stepping aside to drink did I realize I had not turned off my Garmin! I fumbled for the stop...it was probably 30-60 seconds after it was all said and done. Aughhh!!

Long stemmed roses were given to all of the finishers when we crossed

They had a huge post-race party in the parking lot area of one of the supermarkets in Mountain Brook village: bottled water, Gatorade/G2, Coffee, beer, Krispy Kreme donuts, pastries from a local bakery, bagels, bananas, orange slices, pizza(!), minestrone soup, massages, a DJ and other vendors offering giveaways, etc. I actually don't do well with solid foods after a run and was really craving a chai latte anyway, so I just grabbed water, G2 and orange slice before heading back to my car and subsequently, Starbucks. Did not stick around for awards and have still not seen final results posted anywhere but again, in the reviews on active it looks like we are dealing with a clock/gun start with a chip finish which I think is CRAP and if this is true, definitely needs to be FIXED for next year.

I don't usually talk about times on here b/c I compete not for AG awards but against myself but I am proud to see the improvement and KNOW in my heart that this is a PR. I have no reason to lie!

For fun (and proof), let's compare against Vulcan:

Vulcan (11/6/10) V2V (1/22/11)

Mile 1 11:07 11:35

Mile 2 11:02 10:55

Mile 3 11:12 10:11

Mile 4 11:08 10:38

Mile 5 10:46 10:41

Mile 6 10:51 10:22

".2" 2:40 (9:38 pace for .28) 2:24 (9:17 pace for .26), if you take off a conservative 30 seconds that's 1:54 for .26 (7:18)

Net time 1:08:43 1:06:16-1:06:46

Anyone else struggle with funky or inaccurate timing from races?

Nice day for a PR :)

10K PR in the books...no idea of my official time yet and I forgot to stop my Garmin for AT LEAST 30 seconds after I was done (put it this way, I had time to accept a rose, a bottle of water and start drinking before I thought...I should stop my watch now...) and even with that I'm showing 2 minutes faster than Vulcan on a MUCH harder course. Race report to come!

WAR EAGLE!

I would like to interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to say...

WAR EAGLE! 2010 National Champs!

Unbelievable :)