NEW 13.1 PR!!! Savannah Rock 'n' Roll 2013

Sorry for the lack of blogs this year, life gets hectic. What else can I say. I'm not a writer, so this stuff doesn't come natural to me. As my BFF Shonna put it, I'd much rather be living it than writing about it!!

Anyway, this race certainly deserves a post.

Long story short, I ran my ass off at the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll Half and I achieved my ultimate goal of getting a sub 2-hour half. Something that last year, I didn't think I would EVER be capable of doing. The closest I have ever been was at the Palmetto Bluff Half at the beginning of this year when I came in at 2:03 - but even that course was short (12.8 miles), so it probably would have been more like a 2:05 or 2:06. My goal for this race was to beat 2:05 at the very least.

First off, I have to apologize to MRTT – I didn't really participate in very many group runs this time around. I was very selfish in the way I wanted to train for this on my own, in my own way. I ran mainly on my lunch breaks because I didn't want to get up so early to drive somewhere to run (I am very spoiled since we moved to a house next to an awesome park. I got used to running alone again, but I didn't mind. Now that my big race is over, I hope to be more active in the group runs. :)

The week before the race, I had just completed a Whole Life Challenge with my awesome gym - the FTC. It was an 8 week lifestyle challenge. We did baseline testing and the final testing was a week before the race. My numbers didn't change THAT much in terms of weight or inches lost. The only significant improvement was that I was able to add 10# to my 1RM back squat (new PR of 160#). I'm proud of that, but the area that I thought I would improve on the most was the 1 mile run. I got a new PR, but only by 8 seconds (7:20). :( That was a bit discouraging as the race was approaching.

So since the challenge was over, I pretty much did what you should NOT have done after changing your diet... I ATE CARBS! You know, the BAD ones! It was glorious! I told myself that I'm just fueling for the race. Pasta, rice, white potatoes - in various forms. Oh baby. Shonna and her family came down Thursday and we had Mellow Mushroom pizza. YUMMMM. Then the night before the race we had ribeyes and potatoes. Oh and birthday cake and ice cream - it was Scarlett's birthday (Shonna's daughter)!

Birthday girl Scarlett, photobombing my flat mama!

On race morning, I ate an English muffin with peanut butter and chia seeds. I also had half of a banana on the way there. It wasn't as cold as I was anticipating. We took photos with MRTT and then went to get in a long port-a-potty line. We made it just in time to run over to corral #6, which was where the 2 hour pacer was. A couple minutes later, we were off! Woohoo! Then, oops, I forgot to start my watch... good thing it was only late by a few seconds.

just a few MRTT that were running this race of 18,000 runners!

Shonna and I ran together, following the 2 hour pacer as best as we could. The pacer was a fast little lady! A 2 hour half marathon pace is about 9:10 pace. My first mile was 8:35! WTF? I think I psyched myself out thinking there was no way I could keep up with that pace. The pacer did slow down for the 2nd mile - never quite to 9:10 though. It was so crowded with people all over the place that short lil me could barely push my way though people. I felt like I was saying "sorry" a lot to other runners that I bumped. Shonna managed to stay close to the pacer, but I was struggling to keep up for a while.

At about mile 5, the course entered downtown and the lanes opened up a bit, thank goodness. Shonna and I managed to run ahead of the pacer! I knew the downtown section would be fun with all the spectators and energy. Right after we crossed the 10K mark - the pacer caught up to us and eventually faded away into the distance. I swear, I think she was on pace for a 1:55, not 2:00. I ran into Shiloh's son who started in the same corral. I told him I'd try to follow him since we lost the pacer, but we eventually ate his dust too!

When the course left downtown around mile 8-9, I looked at our pace and we were still hitting high 8 minute miles - even without the pacer. I was surprised by this. I felt fine and thought I could keep that pace until the end. But it was here that I parted ways with Shonna. Though we didn't run the whole thing together, I don't think I would have been able to make it so far and keep that pace for that long. Thanks girl!!! xoxoxox! So from then on it was up to me, myself and I to make my goal!

The last 3 miles of the race was a blur. I remember grabbing an orange slice from someone, stopping for a split second to ring the Gordonston bell "for power" and seeing someone run to the side of the road and puke. Miraculously, I felt great, never had to breathe very heavily - but I told myself that I would push it on the last mile. On the final long straightaway, I knew there would be small hills (hills that I cursed last year!) but then the turn to the finish wasn't far after the last hill. When I crossed the 12 mile mark I looked at my time and realized that even if I ran the last 1.1 miles in a 10 minute pace, I would still get a sub 2!!! I think I got a bit verklempt for just a few moments thinking that I was about to achieve something I thought was impossible.

Once I reached the last turn to the finish, I knew I was golden. I ran it in pretty strong with a huge smile on my face. After I crossed the line, stopped my watch, looked down at it and saw this:

1:57... OMG!

I screamed a scream of joy and badassness, the guy next to me did too and we gave each other a high five! His hand actually slipped off of mine and he kind of slapped my face, but I didn't care!! I was so damn excited!!! I found Joel in the madness of the finish line and he PR'ed too - a redemption for his run last year. Shonna came in shortly after with a shiny new PR! PRs for everyone!

Me, sandwiched by my BFFs!

In this race, I hit a 10K PR as well as 10 mile PR!!!

Things that made this possible:
1. Fueling at miles 4, 7 and 10 (thanks Hammer!)
2. Running with a pace group and running buddy (thank you Shonna!)
3. Fleet Feet Savannah CREW's intermediate half training plan (Thank you CREW!! I ran 3x/week: speedwork one day, tempo day, long run one day)
4. Strength training and conditioning with crossfit at the FTC!!! (Thanks FTC!! I cross-trained on my running off-days)

Holy crap, how'd I do that?

With all those things, I knew I could trust my training and just go for it. I knew my lungs and body would be able to handle it because of crossfit -- I've pushed myself to what I thought were my limits, but realized I had more power in me to dig deeper. I actually never really got to the point where I wanted to quit. The only thing I was really worried about was my feet. I knew the pounding would kill my feet. Luckily they didn't really start hurting me until mile 12. I also knew that I'd probably have to hit the bathrooms pretty hard after my running effort. I was right. As soon as I sat down to rest my feet, the cramps started and I had to take my wipes with me to the port-a-pots! LOL I never forget to pack my Immodium!!

So what's my new goal? I told myself that if I ever hit a sub-2 half, I would start training for a marathon. So Marine Corps Marathon 2014, here I come!!!

New Goals / Shooting Stars / Running Groups [[randomness]]

After the Rock 'n' Roll, I realized I need to make new goals for myself.

For the time being, my goal is to continue to train for the half marathon distance and stay injury free!

Racing goals are to be able to run a half in 2:10 or less. Hopefully I will be able to attain that in 2013. My goal for the upcoming bridge run on December 1st is to break 30 minutes on the 5K - I have come so close, but have never done it! My fastest bridge run 5K was 30:02 in 2007. And since I'm doing the Double Pump, I'd like to beat the time I did for the bridge run 10K in 2008 - which was 1:08:19... I'm in so much better shape that I was for both of those times, so I'm sure I will be able to do it!

Long term, I would like to train for a marathon, and then run one at sub 4:30 (Oprah's marathon time - which would be the same pace I did for the RnR half).

But before I get there, I would like to be able to run a half marathon in as close to 2 hours as possible. That's a nine minute mile, for 13.1 miles. Am I near that? Hell no. I was in the low 10s for the RnR. But, I also had no idea how fast I'd be able to run 13.1 miles when I signed up for it last year. I estimated 2:30 - based on the fitness level I was at the time. When My little sister ran her first half in 2011 (the RnR in San Antonio), I was amazed by her finishing time of 2:20!! So I sort of secretly changed my goal time to that. So, If I am able to crush my original goal time by 15 minutes, what is another 15 minutes?? If I continue to train like I have been doing and keep challenging myself to get faster, I'm sure I can do that. I gave myself until my 35th birthday to get there... so, 10 years should be enough time... LOL ok, just kidding. I'll be 31 this December, so 4 years to a 2-hour half... I can do it!!

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Getting up to run in the morning before dawn has it perks (just a few). Other than being able to get your workout out of the way first thing in the morning, the next best thing I love about getting up so early are the shooting stars. I'm a wanna-be stargazer: I love space and the idea of an infinite universe all around us, I just don't ever have time to sit and stare at the sky at night (I'm so tired these days). For living right next to a major interstate, my house is actually in a great area for stargazing - it gets pretty dark and you can see a ton of stars at night if it's clear. Anyway, on a number of my morning runs, especially this time, late in the year, I am sometimes greeted by a quick beam of light passing by in an instant. I saw one yesterday morning before I got in my car to run downtown - it was super long and bright too - I took that as a sign that I'd have a good run that morning (which I did). On another run (my first 12 miler), I actually saw THREE of them!! It's pretty awesome.

+++++

I just wanted to mention that joining running groups has really changed the way I run and given me so much more motivation to run. I would not be signing up and getting excited for all these races if it was not for my running buddies. I signed up for the Savannah RnR thinking that I could totally just pick a training plan and do it myself. All by myself. Running is a one person sport, after all, right? Yes, and no. True - you are your only competition in running (unless you are an elite...), but with a group, you have your support team, cheering squad, running buddies, friendly competition and coaches... it's totally not a one person sport. I honestly would not have had such a great time and finish time at my first half without being a part of my 2 running groups (MRTT and CREW). I was skeptical at first because I was used to training on my own and running by myself before this year, but having people to run with and to push you to go faster or run longer, really helps. REALLY. So if you are getting bored with running... I highly suggest joining a running group! Best decision EVAR!

Daniel Defense Pooler 5K Recap

Official Time: 29:53
My GPS Watch Time: 29:01

Proof! ...Of my fastest 5K for 2012, so far...

So I stopped my watch well after I crossed the finish line. I didn't even notice the small time clock at the end. I just sprinted my way to the finish. It was not a chip timed race, so the clock started when the gun went off – not when I crossed under the starting archway. Also, the course was a bit more than a 5K, my watch registered 3.19 miles. My goal was to get a sub-29 5K time... which I JUST MISSED by 2 seconds (by my watch...LOL), oh well, maybe next time!

Beginning of the race, waving to Liam

About to cross the finish line... I totally sprinted past this one gal I was trailing the last quarter mile... sneaky!

It was a hot race. It started at 8am, not the ideal time to run in these parts. I definitely started out too fast, but tired to slow it down... it's hard in a race setting. I guess it's something I need to mentally train myself to do, but the only way to do that is to enter races! On my training runs, I usually keep a steady pace throughout the run until the very end where I try to kick it up a notch to the finish because I have that saved up energy (which I have learned is not good for my knees, lol, but I have toned it down). I probably could have pushed myself just a bit faster at the end, but I was pretty wiped. That mask didn't help either!

There was a costume contest for "Most Patriotic" male and female runner. I ran in a silly costume that I put together the day before the race. I made the cape from an old race T-shirt that was too big for me, and I spray painted the star on it, as well as the red stripes onto the white shirt. I bought a cheap mask and spray painted part of that too and bought the star "race legs" from Team Sparkle! I wore my awesome blue MRTT Bondi Band to represent my mommas and my awesome pair of red Aspaeris Pivot compression shorts! Turns out I was pretty much one of the only few people in costume! I wasn't expecting to win, but after seeing the lack of patriotic costumes, I was pretty sure I had a good chance... and well, I did win!! Too bad it wasn't a cash prize! :)

A few of my fellow mommas from MRTT ran this race and so did about half of my CREW training group (our group long run that morning was actually cancelled due to low participation). It was a great small race that wasn't super crowded, but still had a great turnout. I think about 600 runners participated. The race proceeds went to the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Stewart where wounded soldiers go to heal. They raised $20,000 for them!!! Woohoo!

Me and fellow CREW mate, Janet

Liam and Mom (me) running the Kids race! Notice the matching capes!

This was also a special race because it was Liam's FIRST race!! They had a kiddie run right before the actual race started. I ran alongside Liam and he was doing AWESOME! He ran ALMOST the entire distance until he tripped and fell right before the finish line! :( It was so pitiful, but cute... he of course cried when he fell. I dusted him off and asked if he still wanted to run, but he shook his head, still crying. I held his hand and asked if he still wanted to finish and he nodded. So we walked into the finish line with everyone cheering him on! It was a pretty awesome feeling, even though he had a little fall -- I'm sure part of the crying was due to embarrassment. But I am glad he wanted to finish because that's what it's all about -- getting back up after you fall and NOT QUITTING what you start! I was so proud of him! :)

Me and Jen

Thanks to Jen at Running Our Way for my free entry into this race!

Jen's 12-year old son Morgan ran the 5K in 21:27!! He got FIRST in his age group! He's such a talented young runner! The MRTT moms are very proud of him!!

Katie also had her first table set up for MRTT at the race which was pretty awesome. We are trying to attract more members... so if happen to be reading this, are a mom (even to furbabies), live in the Savannah area and want to join an AWESOME, free running group, come check us out!! http://savannahmrtt.wordpress.com/

Oh, I also want to thank my husband JOEL for watching Liam and carrying my purse while I ran. :D

Awesome MRTT Running Moms!

Up next: the LoCo Motion 10-miler on the 29th. Woohoo!!

New Kicks and 10 More Weeks Until my First Half!!

Dailymile says I've logged 318 miles this year so far - which means that I am WAY overdue on getting a new pair of shoes. I only have ONE pair of running shoes in my inventory - my trusty Brooks Adrenalines. I got my last pair back in {looks back in blog...} OMG... July 2011!!!! Holy moly, I AM way past due!!! I wasn't running as much, but I'm sure I got at least 40 miles on those shoes in 2011. They say you should change your shoes out when they reach 300-400 miles, but closer to the 300 mile mark for smaller runners. Check out the wear and tear on these "old soles":

Pretty FLAT

Inner heel of my right shoe

So after my 7-miler this weekend, I decided I was going to buy a new pair of shoes. I was originally going to wait until the Fleet Feet CREW sale on the 8th, but I don't think my feet can wait that long... I have an 8-mile training run (as well as shorter training runs) and a 5K race before then! I tried on some other (cool) flashy shoes that are similar in style to my Adrenalines - a pretty sea green Mizuno pair (can't remember the model!) and a dark grey/bright magenta pair of Asics 2160 (I think...). Damn, I wish I took a pic of them (oh wait, I couldn't because a kid by the name of Liam was playing with my phone the whole time!) The latter of those I think I will try to save up for when the CREW sale actually happens. I really, REALLY want pretty bright shoes (and a second pair of shoes to train in)!! Neither of the other 2 I tried were as flashy and bright as I would have liked, but better than the subdued Brooks colors. I ended up getting a pair of the new model Adrenalines - in a half size smaller than I usually wear (my older ones had a little too much toe space). They are quite pretty, actually:

After watching me try on shoes, Liam wanted to try some on...although they didn't have any his size. :( But the sales associate was nice enough to put some big shoes on him to make him happy. He also found some smaller kids shoes he decided to try on himself...

Oh wait, here's a  photo of the Sea Green Mizunos (on Liam)....Pink is his favorite color!

Oh, we also picked up my free pair of YurBuds that I won in the Fleet Feet Savannah FB trivia contest a couple weeks ago!! I let Joel pick some out and get fitted because I don't use headphones/music much while running these days. I did try them on, though, and they felt pretty cool.

Speaking of winning stuff, I won a free race entry into the Daniel Defense Pooler 5k on September 8!!! This was all thanks to my great friend and fellow running mama Jen of Running, Our Way!! Thanks so much girl!!! Yeah, Woohoo!!! I actually found out that I won the race entry AND the earbuds on the same day!! I felt so lucky!! :)

I was going to blog more about this being the halfway point in my half training, but I think this is enough for now... I need to eat breakfast...

Happy running!

Hot Mama Half Marathon and Relay 2012

Kaite, me and Jen after our run last Saturday - with our medals! (I love my Bondi band!) Thanks for the pics Katie!

This past Saturday, me and a few other of my fellow running momma buddies ran our Hot Mama Half Marathon and Relay - a virtual race put on by momsrunthistown.com. We ran it out at the Rails to Trails trail and Fort Pulaski with the Savannah CREW training group. My group's distance for Saturday was only supposed to be 5.75 miles, but in order to do my leg, I had to complete 6.55 miles (half of a half). It was pretty dark and humid by the time we got there around 5:30, but it seemed a lot less humid than my normal weekday morning runs due to the breeze from the river and ocean nearby. The Savannah CREW team is much larger than my Pooler CREW group - which consists of about 10 people! The nice thing about the larger group is that there are plenty of different paces. I think the whole time I ran, I was with someone or at least caught up to another person going my pace at the time. It's a good break from the Pooler neighborhoods my group runs during the week!

Anyway, we started out on running on the roads of Fort Pulaski and ended up on the Rails to Trails - which I'm not sure if I liked or not - it seemed to go on forever because the path looks the same all the way down. It was a nice path, though! Cute little crabs would run across the path every now and then! And it was shady for the most part. I miscalculated my distance to where I was supposed to turn around so I ended up running over 6.55 miles before I got back to the start. I decided to just go for 7 since I was feeling good and also, I like round numbers! It wasn't such a great run for my running mommas Katie and Jen, but we all have our off days... At least we got it done! :) Looking forward to the next Virtual Half! Maybe I will be able to do the entire 13.1 next time! [[I want to note that the day before, I had a spaghetti lunch and a French bread pizza dinner... and of course lots of water throughout the day. I also stretched out my hips, foam rolled my IT bands, and iced my right hip the night before...]]


My average pace for the 7 miles I did was high 10s - which was what I was aiming for on this long run. I think it was 10:47. Based off that run, I think I could probably keep that pace for 13.1 miles. And I'm sure I will only condition myself to get faster by the half in November. For 10:47 miles, I would be on pace to do a 2:21:15 half.... which is above my goal time (sub 2:30), but not quite my "secret" goal time - which is 2:20 (the time it took my little sister to run her first half last year). LOL! I'm excited to find out how I will do.

Me with my fellow Pooler CREW training group members - Chris and Amanda - after our Mock 5K

In other race news, my training group did a mock 5K last Thursday. I didn't do as well as I had hoped. I planned to do it in sub-30, which I did, but I BARELY made it! The night before, I had a rough bootcamp session, plus I had a couple beers without water after dinner AND I had not been getting much sleep at all last week due to a crazy deadline on a freelance project (very late-nights, and then getting up to work regular job at 8am). So yeah, I was in no position to be running any PRs. It was still fun though. :)

Time for sleep! Wake me up when it's August...

June Summary

June started off on a low note, as I was still in "rest mode" to let my hip heal. I tried to stay active by rowing and starting some bootcamp classes. Upon the followup with my PT, I was told that I could run again, but to take it easy and to continue with my routine of stretches he gave me. I did start of with a few low mileage runs building up to a trial 5k to see how I would do back at my normal distance. I felt fine afterwards and decided that I was ready to join the Fleet Feet C.R.E.W Half Marathon Training Group.

My first run with the group was on Saturday, June 16. Saturdays are our long run days. This Saturday we were scheduled to do 3.75 miles. I ended up doing 4.4 miles due to some course confusion! We start and end all our runs with lots of stretching, but when I come home I still feel the need to ice and stretch my hips and IT band out some more. I feel that by doing this, I am preventing any more issues from arising. It's been working out well so far. I love the group and the dynamic and it really motivates me to get up and run in the mornings!

I am proud to say that in June, I have run a personal record amount of monthly miles: 45! Not bad for coming off a hip injury! I am looking forward to increasing that number each month until my half in Nov!

In the beginning of the month I had started a Jillian Michaels 30-day DVD. I am sad to say that I have only done a few days of it, BUT I do plan to continue to do it until I actually do 30 days of it. I think with the bootcamps and running, I am getting enough exercise throughout the week. I go to bootcamp every Wednesday night and I am thoroughly sore the following days after! I love that feeling! I can tell that I am getting stronger.

I am also sorry to say that I have not been to yoga this past month due to my yoga buddy moving away and well, just not having enough time to go. I still have 5 classes left on my one punchcard with one yoga studio and I just have not been to any Bikram classes at all this month.  I love Bikram, but I think I will have to put it off until the off season. I have way too much stuff going on as it is and $20 a class is a bit much right now!

This month I have a few things going on, such as my 4-mile Race in Atlanta with my coworker on the 14th, and my first (virtual) half marathon RELAY on the 28th. Then in August, I am starting a 5 week Crossfit class with Jen – who has quickly become a great friend and running/workout buddy!

All that PLUS a few other trips and fun things sprinkled in between that I am pretty excited about. This half of the year is starting off on a high note! Hopefully it will continue like this until the end of the year! Happy Half Year!

I ran a half marathon!

...in the course of one week! :) It's a record for me, anyway. 13.6 miles to be exact (really more like 14 miles - see below), from Sunday to Saturday.

I'm excited to have started my official RnR half training with the Fleet Feet CREW Training Group! I had my first run with them last Saturday morning, which was a 3.75 mile course though some neighborhoods in Pooler. There was a little confusion as to which way the course was headed. I thought I studied the course pretty well before I left, but I ended up following the 2 leaders (maybe about 1 minute behind them) and they seemed to get a bit lost! I caught up with them for a while and we realized that we were off course and already reached 3.75 miles with a little more back to the start! I decided to break off and stop my watch at 4, and just slow to a jog to cool down instead of going with then to the end. I was probably pushing myself harder than I should have to keep up with them, coming off of my injury. That's one of my weaknesses... pushing myself too hard. I'm too stubborn and I think I can get back to my 9-10 minute/mile pace right off the bat. 2-3 weeks off from running really regresses the training. :(

Anyway, the course we ended up doing was a total of 4.44 miles! Next run is Tuesday for 2. Then Thursday for 3 and the long run on Saturday for 4 miles. I hope I stick with the course this time!

image via This Princess Runs

In other news, I found an awesome etsy shop that makes running costumes! This Princess Runs makes custom running costumes out of Under Armour... I ordered myself a Wonder Woman one! I love a good running costume and I plan to wear it for the RnR in November! And maybe again for the bridge Run in Dec. She is a fellow mother runner who mainly makes princess costumes - I think she started by making herself a princess costume for the Disney Princess Half. Check out the other costumes she has made!I am pretty darn excited about mine!