2011 Savannah Bridge Run 5k and Runs since then (sadly, not too many)

The 2011 Savannah Bridge Run took place shortly after we moved back to Savannah. I can't remember if I did a "training run" before the race or not... Anyway, I ran the 5k race in 32:41, honestly it was better than I thought I'd do considering the lack of runs beforehand. This event is somewhat dear to my heart as it is one of the first races I've done and trained for, and is also the race that I have done the most. They have some of the best post-race parties: with yummy Brunswick stew and free beers!! Plus a lot of my friends have run it too. It's a great race. I posted some photos from this race in the Race Photos tab.

I only ran once after that in Dec 2011. And so far 3 times in 2012! My goal is to run at least every other day, with longer runs (eventually) on the weekends. I need to get in half-marathon shape by November!

Since Liam is in daycare now, I can use my lunch breaks to get a run in because I would not be able to otherwise. It's pretty awesome.

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1.
Wilson Bridge Trail
November 13, 2011, Sunday
7:46am
4 miles
44:10, 11:02 pace

2.
Savannah Bridge Run 5k
December 3, 2011, Saturday
8:19am
3.1 miles
official times: 37:19 (chip), 10:31 pace

3.
Newport (my Neighborhood in Savannah)
December 14, 2011, Wednesday
12:19pm
3.1 miles
32:03, 10:20 pace

4.
Tom Triplett Park
January 2, 2012, Monday
late morning
3 miles (approximate, I forgot my GPS watch)
n/a time unknown

5.
Newport
January 6, 2012, Friday
12:18pm
3.1 miles
33:25, 10:47 pace

6.
Newport
January 10, 2012, Tuesday
12:30pm
3.1 miles
33:25, 10:47 pace (NOTE: Exact same time as last run!)

3 miles - Wilson Bridge Trail x2

I got my Garmin GPS watch - the Forerunner 110! It was on sale on amazon.com for $40 less than retail price (it may still be on sale!). It's much simpler to use than Joel's Forerunner 405. It is also less bulky. It's pretty neat because  you can upload your runs to garminconnect.com, and it tells you just about everything you want to know about it! Check out this screencap from my run on Sept 24.
 

1.
September 24, 2011, Saturday
7:30 am
3 miles (measured using my awesome new watch!)
31:52, 10:38 pace

My normal Sunday morning run was pushed ahead to Saturday because I was going to my cousin's bachelorette party that night and knew that I would not be able to wake up the next morning to run.

I didn't stop at all and felt pretty good. I pushed myself to move up that hill at the end!


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2.
October 1, 2011, Saturday
7:50 am
3 miles
31:00, 10:21 pace

Another Saturday morning run. My cousin's wedding was that afternoon and with an open bar reception, I knew that I definitely would not get up early, let alone go running the following Sunday!

It was not the usual course, as I started a little further down the hill than where we normally park (the pull-off where we usually park was full, so I went to the next one down).

It was SO COLD!! 56 degrees that morning and it there was a light drizzle in the beginning. The downhill in the beginning was brisk, but after the first mile, my body warmed up and I was fine.

3.1 miles - Wilson Bridge Trail

September 18, 2011, Sunday
7:53 am
3.1 miles - measured using Joel's GPS watch (I need my own!)
31:42, 10:14 pace

mile 1 - 9:19 (half was downhill)
mile 2 - 10:53 (up and over the I-95 overpass twice)
mile 3 - 10:25 (mostly flat and half on gravel)

So I "cheated" on this run because I deliberately took a detour to avoid the steep uphill at the end of the 3.1 miles. I did, however, still have to make the uphill climb back to the car after I did 3.1 and I ran/jogged most of it back up but did not have the timer on.

Weather was awesome - cloudy and cool - 57 degrees! I wore my new Nike Dri Fit tee that was part of the race swag from last week's race -- very nice! Redemption for not getting a chicken sandwich!

My knee was bothering me a bit this week after last week's race. I did some rowing to make up for the loss of a running day. Knee was fine by this posted run.

4 miles - WIlson Bridge Trail

September 5, 2011, Monday
8:17 am
4 miles - unofficial (was not wearing a watch)
46 minutes (approx.)

I improved my time 4 mile time by 4 minutes - the last 4 mile run was in July (50 minutes - approx).

The weather was awesome. It had just rained that night and looked like it was about to rain again: it was cloudy. I took it easy because I knew I hadn't run this distance in a while and I just wanted to be able to complete it, not really pushing myself. I did not have to stop at all, I even tried to pick it up at the hard hill at the end. It also rained a little bit at the end of my 4th mile so that was a nice refresher/pick-me-up.

I will probably do a couple miles at the park tomorrow, and then the 5k is Saturday morning!

Thinking about getting inserts in my shoes, but I don't know if I will have time. I'd like to run in them before the race which means I'd have to get them tonight to use them on my run tomorrow. Maybe next time.

3 miles - Wilson Bridge Trail

August 28, 2011, Sunday
12:58 pm
3 miles - unofficial (was not wearing a watch, but probably almost a 5k)
34 minutes (approx.)

We didn't go in the morning because it was still raining from the tail end of Irene. We drove past lost of downed trees. Crazness, but at least nothing worse than that.

Anyway, after the storm passed, the sun came out. The run was HOT (this time of day had no shade at all on the trail), but not too bad. Not as humid as I thought it would be, but it was windy at least. I felt good the whole time and did not have to stop. I was tempted on the long uphill at the end, but I kept going, as slow pace, as it was.

Knees are fine and still keeping away from those sweets!

3 miles - Wison Bridge Trail

August 21, 2011, Sunday
8:15 am
3 miles - unofficial (was not wearing a watch)
33 minutes (approx.)

It was later than I would have liked to started, but it wasn't bad. I felt great in the beginning, but then there was a charity walk taking place at the National Harbor which went almost the same route as mine. There were lots of clusters of people scatted throughout the trail that I had to maneuver around (the trail is not that wide), so that added to the work involved. It made me feel like I was in a race, even though everyone else was just walking. You know when you pass people, you get that extra pep in your step to make yourself look better and faster. haha

I had to walk for a few steps near the end before the huge hill. It was getting hot at that point and my legs were pretty tired.

It was a good run. I think I am getting a little faster.

In other news, I am still sticking to my no-sweets diet! :)

4 miles - Wilson Bridge Trail

July 31, 2011, Sunday
7:30 am
4 miles - unofficial (was not wearing a watch)
50 minutes (give or take)

Did 4 miles this morning, which meant that we ran on the bridge. It was long and hard. There was a breeze on the bridge, but although it felt nice, it was probably making it a bit harder with the resistance. I had to stop once to fix my shoe - my foot was going numb and started to hurt around my toes, so I loosened the laces quite a bit. I also had to walk twice during the 4th mile at the really steep hill parts.

I was surprised that my time was not noticeably faster than the first time we did this mileage (on July 4th). But I guess my week off (yes, ANOTHER week) did not help!

One great thing is that this is the first run this year that I didn't experience ANY gastrointestinal issues (haha), so that must be some type of progress! I chugged a Metamucil cocktail before we left, so I'm thinking that may have helped.

Also, no knee issues this time, but I am feeling some oddness in my kneepit on my right leg. I stretched, but it still seems to be there. Never felt this before.

3 miles - WIlson Bridge Trail

July 24, 2011, Sunday
7:49 am (86˚ - felt like 93˚ according to weather.com)
3.01 miles (via Joel's watch)
35:26

- First mile: 9:43! (over half was downhill)
- 2nd mile: 11:30
- 3rd mile: 14:00 (over half was the steep uphill back to start)

We parked a little further down the hill this time. :)
Took the trail up until I hit 1.5 miles, then turned back around.
I kept pace with a guy who was run-walking (we'd keep passing each other - as I did not stop to walk). It was good to have someone to follow who was going at somewhat the same pace. Heat/humidity did not bother me too much -- it reminded me of our Georgia days (pre-kid) we used to run at the park in the summer after work. (sigh)

Also: Knees feel fine!

So I actually took 2 weeks off. I didn't really do any other form of exercise other than the pushups... my excuse this time was a freelance project I had to work on at nights. And this week I have another project to work on at nights...

3.1 miles - Wilson Bridge Trail

My new Brooks Adrenaline GTS (my 3rd pair of these)

July 10, 2011, Sunday
7:50 am (approx)
3.1 miles (via Joel's watch)
? didn't time it, but most likely between 37-43 minutes

This time we parked close to the top of the hill, meaning we had a difficult last mile. The turn-around point wasn't even on the bridge - 1.5 miles out was at the start of the bridge. It was humid and there were no clouds out. I could tell my pace was pretty slow. I didn't stretch well in the beginning, either. I did not have to walk at any time, even on the hard hill at the end, although I was probably going at a walker's pace! haha I wore my new running shoes! No digestive issues after this run, thank goodness, but I did notice a slight knee discomfort at the bottom of my left knee afterward.

At yesterday's free physical therapist consult, the doc said that my knee issues seem like tendinitis. She said that I should work on my leg/hip strengthening. Also to stretch out my calves and shins. She said my feet were flat and that I need a motion control shoe (which my old Brooks are), and possibly an insert to support my lack-of-an-arch. She suggested new shoes - I tried on 3 pairs: New Balance (nah), Brooks (the ones I ended up getting) and Saucony (VERY comfy, but seemed too roomy). I may try the Sauconys next. I can use these for a while and then decide to come back later and get the inserts, which I will probably do. She said that I should not rule out running!

I will see if she is on our insurance. But I might just try the other, closer physical therapist that I already found who is on our network.

4 miles - First Run on the Wilson Bridge Trail

July 4, 2011, Monday
7:30 am
4 miles - not officially measured, just based off Joel's GPS watch (that he wore, not me)
50 minutes

Started on the MD side by the National Harbor. Did not quite make it to VA, the MD part before the actual bridge was longer than expected (over a mile). The bridge section is long (and not shaded - thank goodness for clouds!) - I think the entire bridge is a mile itself! 2 miles out was around the drawbridge's tower. We turned around at that point and went back to complete 4 miles. I ran/jogged up until maybe beginning of mile 3. I had to walk due to some cramping. Ran-walked until back to start to complete 4 miles. There is a steep hill at the beginning that is difficult to climb up at the end!