5:37 and change. AKA The marathon recap!

Deeetroit Mar-a-thon!

Oh hellz yeah I rocked Detroit!  I ended up 7 minutes over my time goal of 5:30, not too shabby. At all.  The last two miles were ridiculous, but that is OK with me.  I finished happy, I finished strong, I finished.  And now, I get to do it all over again in January.

So, the recap.

Myself and my friend Annelise seeded ourselves behind the 5:00 pacer.  I wanted a 5:30 or better and was afraid of potty stops, so I figured seeding myself ahead of the 5:30 group would allow some time to be banked.  It worked out for the most part, but next time I want to run a pace I will just start with them.

The first 10 miles or so flew right by.  The bridge, Riverside park, the tunnel, Cobo, Campus Martius, it all just blended together into one large jog around Detroit with Annelise.  After we passed the break off point for the marathoners, the running crown thinned out.  I was expecting that.

Truth. 

Up until Belle Isle I felt really good.  At mile 19 I decided to stretch and gear myself up for then next 7 miles.   I started to get emotional and cry a little and I told Annelise that I will NEVER quit a marathon again.  The stretching actually brought on pain, so I was starting to feel nervous about the last bit of the race.  We decided to walk to a point ahead and that is when we saw the 5:30 pacer pass us.  Um, no.  I asked Annelise, "do you think that we can hang on to him?"  And then I just started to run after him.  Once we caught him I told him that I needed him and that I was going to attach myself to him and not let go.  I held onto that man until mile 24.

Gary got me through the wall, Gary got me through my personal wall at mile 23 - the mile I will never forget - and he got me all the way to the point my calf muscle just would not cooperate.  I started to walk and watched 5:30 slip away.  Typically this would have been at mile 10 or 13, so the fact that this was happening at mile 24 was great.  At mile 25 I called in the calvary.  I dialed Anne and she was wondering where I was.  I was crying and that made her bust into tears.  I told her that I was going to finish.  I was at mile 25 and had to walk as my calf had completely seized up.  I needed someone badly to assure me that I was going to finish this race.

Anne, myself, Jim rounding the corner to the finish line

Anne and Jim ran out to meet me at mile 26, and then ran me all the way in to the finish.  5:37 and change.  An amazing 20 miles ran with an amazing woman, Annelise, and 0.2 miles ran with my running club.

Anne and I running in to the finish!

I conquered the race.  I did something that just 7 years ago I told myself that I was completely incapable of doing.  I needed this.  I so absolutely needed this experience, and not just the 26.2 miles in Detroit that Sunday morning.  I needed to meet the people I have met in the past few years to clear my head of the bad things and lift me up.  To better allow myself to become the woman I was meant to be.  These people, the Annelises and the Annes and the Vickies and the Jims... it is these people that I love and that I know love me back.  I am such a better person for knowing them.






I have never worked so hard for a piece of medal on a ribbon before.  But this was not the end of a journey.  This was not the final destination.  This was the jumping off point.

In 1 week myself and Annelise are driving to Panama City beach, FL to volunteer at Ironman Florida.  In just over a weeks time, the day I have dreamed of for two years is becoming a reality.  We are signing up for 2012.  That day I became a bonafide marathon.  Soon, I become an Ironman.  

http://journeytoimfl.blogspot.com

It is happening.  It is on.  And I CAN DO THIS!

Did running just become... dare I even say it?

Did running just become fun and.... gulp... enjoyable again?

I do belive that it has!

Today's schedule was for 3 miles at a 12:47 pace, I completed 5 at a 12:32 pace. I have decided to really work on taking it easy on the easy runs. That is a lot harder than I had imagined! I am a two speed girl - run and stop. I am getting closer to taking longer runs at a truly easy pace. And for fun, during some of the miles I kicked it up a notch just to see what happened. What happened is that I ran faster, but did not get tired. The numbers for today are here.

You know that you are enjoying something when you cannot wait to get out for the run. I decided after fooling around with the Smartcoach (TM) on Runner's World online that I really want a good solid running base for my Half Marathons. I don't purely want to finish. I want to finish STRONG. I want to be able to say - "wow that was fun!"

I do think that is possible.

So with that I am upping my weekly mileage, and my short run will be 5 miles per the plan. Occasionally I have a 4 miler in there (down weeks, etc.), and on my own I may do a few 2 to 3 mile shorties for fun, but I feel strong and am ready to take my running to the next level both mentally and physically.

To that end, in my world there have been two personal truths that held for running.

1 - I can call myself a runner if I ran 10 minute miles (sub 11's to be more technical).
2 - I can call myself a serious runner when going out for a 5 mile run is fun and easy to me.

For some reason, 5 miles is the magic number. Odd.

Well both of those two things have happened this year. The pace is coming along, although now I am focusing on endurance not speed. But the distance is coming along much quicker than I thought as well! Today personal truth #2 happened.

Today's 5 miler seemed both fun and relaxing. Never once had I thought, "oh jeez when will this end?" I enjoyed it. Could this be my new base?

Amen for strength. Amen for ability. And amen for being able to do slow for miles.

})i({RunnerGirl - Remember - The road belongs not to the swift, but to those who keep running!

Back in the saddle again!

I am back! Sunday I did a little 5K on the treadmill in 33:20. Pretty good!

Do you know what they call people person who runs in a thunderstorm?

Jennifer and or Lana.

Because that is what we did tonight.

We had a nice little run with sub-11 minute miles baby! Mostly in the rain, part trail, part sidewalk, all fun. So this makes two runs in a row that I did sub 11-minute miles consistently. I feel good that my treadmil run was close to my actual street run. This was on a course that I am usually a good solid 12+ minute miles on. Today I ran faster, with more humidity (100% lol) higher temps, and rain. My fitness is definitely improving!



The bike was slow as there were only three of us out there and I had cranked out a good run. Took it really easy heading out for just shy of 9 miles, then on the return got hit with headwinds and a few gentle upwards slopes (not really hills) and decided to keep my speed up around 17mph if possible. I did it, and still averaged just shy of 16mph for the entire 17+ mile long ride.

I am back!

TTFN,

})i({ RG - Running sub-11's like there is no tomorrow!

Big Fish Triathlon Race Report...

... is up here: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=120268

Wee!

I got 4th in Athena, even though 3D's timing was way off and had me first. Crazy people, I did not finish in 1:24! I finished in about 1:41 according to my polar watch. No results posted as of yet (mine were WAY wrong, so I need the official posted online tonight). I will have to update my RR once they are posted.

So with this, I came to the realization that I need to be a bit more realistic in my aspirations for the end of this season. I am still new to tri's and have a ways to go to improve. I want to do my best in each race, and right now I am still growing and learning. With that I have decided two things:

1 - Sprints only this year.

I nixed the idea of completing an Oly for my 30th b-day. I need to improve my sprints before I even think of moving on up right now. Mentally for sure. Physically I can do it and am almost there - but mentally... wow. I saw what I did today (I rocked it!) but seeing what the Oly triathletes were doing... I am just not mentally there this year. 2009 will be the year I step up my game after a long winter of base building to the extended endurance level. 2008 sprints, 2009 sprints and oly's. I am completely cool with this. Today solidified that I am capable of achieving what I put my mind to, I just have to be realistic in how much time I can dedicate to training right now.

I am in love with the sprint distance for now- and see that I can do really well if I put a little more effort and focus in my training. Heck - only 8 months ago I hopped into the pool for the first time. Now I am swimming biking and running in triathlons!

2 - No marathon for me this year!

Mentally I am training alone for this. I have never trained for a marathon solo - I always have trained with TNT or Jer. OK - for alittle while with TNT then the rest with Jer. Since I run with neither of them anymore and no one else is up to the marathon challenge this year, I decided that I am happy with trying to improve my half marathon time. Also, I have not had the best string of half marathons lately, my best being back in 2004... that was 4 years ago!

Until I am confident in my half marathon, I am not going to attempt the mental feat of the marathon. I am lacking the consisntency I need for the 26.2, and honestly - I want my next 26.2 to be freaking fun! I woul dlike to travel for my next 26.2, and Detroit, while I love the half, may not provide the atmosphere I need for the mental hurdle of MARATHON.

Houdini has struck again! LMAO - Thank you Che! ;)


So Detroit will be the half - and Lansing will be a sprint.

HOWEVER - there is this one crazy thing I am doing for my 30th b-day.

Drumroll please......


The TRIfecta for 30!

Lansing Legislator Sprint - 8/10
T-Rex Tri - 8/13
Island Lake of Novi Sprint - 8/17

:) Yes. That is 3 triathlons the week of my b-day.


This year is going to rock in a big way! Coming to grips with the reality of the time that I have vs time needed to train for these events... I am absolutely happy with my decision.

KEEP ON RUNNING!
})i({ The happiest RunnerGirl ever!

Masters Swim #1, AKA how I got my groove back.

Last night after taking a nap due to still feeling ill, I decided to see if I could manage the master' swim class.

I headed out to Milford HS, and walked into the pool building.

*gasping in awe*

They have two pools... one with a tiki hut, slides, and water guns mounted on plastic animals... basically an aquatic wonderland for the little kids... and one for diving and laps. Their competition pool.

Unfortuntely the class for me was being held in the competition pool. Of course.

I got changed into my super speedy swimsuit and headed out to meet the group. After talking with the coach (Gunnie as they call her... and yes she is militant) I start to worry. "What if I am so bad at this that I am ridiculed, or she gets frustrated with my lack of freestyle experience?"

You see my friends, as I have said before I can swim. No problems. I just never got down the freestyle. As a kid I think that I had a bad swim teacher because I never understood what to do on that stroke as far as breathing goes.

I informed my master's coach that while I can swim and go back and forth lapping the pool from here until Sunday, I may not be so good at the basic stroke of freestyle.

I am glad that I informed her, as there were two other newbies to the group, so she put us all together in a lane so she could get us up to speed on the drills.

I will not bore you with the details of the drills we did, but let me tell you - I am in love. The warm-up was brutal for me... but the drills were so smooth.

I felt slippery. I felt graceful. I felt fluid. I moved freely through the water focusing on the poitions and stroke mechanics (NERD!). By the end of those 1.5 hours I felt so much more confident in my freestyle ability.

I got my groove back. *boom-chicka-wah-wow*

The Master's class is Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30PM - 8:00PM. Right now I am going to be going on Wednesday's only because I will be short changing my Detroit Half training if I miss too many days during the week.

As it stands, every Saturday from now until 2008 I will have from 7AM-8:30AM my tri-team swim practice, which makes 3 days a week of swimming practices. Yes, I am really pouring myself into the swimming portion right now, primarily becuase I do have a ways to catch up. But once I do... watch out! I tend to flow like mercury.... quick!


On the health front I am feeling better today, so hopefully I will be able to make it through a whole day at work.

One more day until we are working for the weekend. Take care!

})i({ Jenniferlyn, the swimmergirl.

PS - I finally caught the trainwreck of a performance that Britney Spears put on at the VMA's. Poor Britney, when will the criticizing every stop?

Done!

Just got done with my 6 miles for the day!

Here is today's tally:
Miles ran (slow): 6.01
Avg pace: 13:30/mi.
Best pace hit: 9:30/mi (up hill mind you!)
Calories burned: 987
Cyclists seen: 20,
Runners seen: 4,
Bugs that flew into my eye: 1. (ouch)
Rest time for said bug incident: 00:01:10
Total Running Time (including bug in eye and hydration stoppage/walkage): 1:21:13

And here is my recap. ;)
Todays point was to take it easy and slow, enjoy the run, and get out in nature. I accomplished those three things.

Mile 1- 11:20
I really pushed up all the hills and ran pretty slow down them. Once I saw the time I new I had to slow down. I wanted to try to tay at an even pace, but hortly there after I started to heat up and could not cool down. However, the pace felt really nice. I want to run an 11:20 all the time! It feels wonderfully freeing!! So I guess I better start working towards that, eh?

Mile 2 - 12:17
I slowed it down a bit on this mile, and actually took a hydration walk break at around 1.5 miles. My strategy in the race is going to be to run all the way through, but walk at hydration stops. So that is what I am doing today. I always get queezy when I try to run and drink.

Mile 3 - 13:58
Wow. I knew that mile was slow as that is when I hit a patch of cloudless, shadeless, breezeless hills. The hills at KMP are very manageable, so they were not the issue this time, this time it was pure core-body overheating. I felt like I was swimming in sweat and could not cool down. I pulled out my waterbottle filled with accelerade, and chugged for a while. When I was hydrated and cooled, I ran again. Wrapping up the mile in just under 14 minutes.

Mile 4 - 14:16
So much for trying to keep a contant pace! Again, heated up - walked through hydration. However this time, I stopped to help a mother who's child had a bike accident and wrecked his bike. OUCH! poor kiddlet. And poor bike! The mother ended up having to ride her bike back with his bike lying over her frame. Difficult on those paths. Thank goodness it wa a kid's bike and not full sized!

Mile 5 - 14:03
Walked through hydration breaks, slowed down on the up hills this time. Took my time enjoying the breeze off of the lake... niiiiiiice. I love KMP. I adore Kent Lake. :)

Mile 6 - 14:35
Again, walked through hydration break, this time walked up the long slopping hill back to start. Bug flew into my eye... hocked the heck out of me. Darn bugs. Thi leg, thoguh, is where I pulled the 9:3o/min pace out at the end. Uphill. Strong finish!

Total time : 1:21 and change.

I left a lot out there, which is a little nerve wracking given the time (48 days to CDC!!), however today was not a go all out run - it was a slow and steady run.

I have settled on some things because of this run today. (Yeah!!!)

1. Accelerde is THE hydration option for me, but I need to carry two waterbottles now - 1 with Accelerade, and 1 with good old H2o. I started to get a headache at mile 4, and then it stayed with me until the end. I wa dying for some clear water, no flavor, but the Accelerade kept me strong and filled, just still a little thirsty. Maybe I should dilute it a little. I will try that Tuesday on my 4 miler.
2. I need to run in my Waverider 9's with socks that have extra coushining in them. When I wear lighter socks I have arch pain. This is the first run without any sort of leg pain Quad, hammy, shin, or arch/foot!!!! I found a winner combination! About time!
3. I need to run in a sports bra only. I wore a bra and a singlet out there but still heated right up. Ugh.
4. I need longer shorts. My thighs be rubbin' together, and even with my Addidas running lycra's on, OUCH. I had to stop no less than 4 times to adjust the legs so I wouldn't chaffe. And you know what? I still chaffed! *pout*

One thing I did confirm is that I definitely have a core temperature issue - which is odd given that it was 80* outside. I mean come on... perfect running weather! I did rock it when there was shade or a breeze - but when the sun was beating right down on me, I had some issues with heat management.

I need to find the right clothing options for me to get the best results. Thsi week I want to try some of my run in the AM on the rail-to-trail system I walk at lunch. The time and temps will be more reflective of CDC, as well as the fact that the ground is flat. I wonder hwo that will go! ;)

Well enough recapping of a training run, lol. Go off and read some race reports... that is where all teh good stuff is!

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend out there. I am so ahppy that Summer is finally here!

~})i({~

First mini-goal nearly acomplished!

I am officially at 19lbs lost since April 1st. My mini-goal was to be at 20lbs gone by the start of June, but I jut missed that - by just a few days.

That is motivation to me. I managed to shed 20lbs by simply altering my state of mind. I do not deprive myself, I eat smart. I am more conscious of my decisions now. I am eating whole foods, not produced foods, and foods with very high nutritional value. I eat a lot of veggies every day. And it is showing! I am staying OP and not having a problem with it this time. I may finally bust through this 27-point plateau.

My next mini goal - 20lbs by 8/11/07.

There are two reasons for this. First off, 8/11 is my 29th birthday. And I tell you - I am ending my 20's in better shape, and mental clarity, that I started them. Which is hard for me to grasp because I was skinny back then. But health is not size. Health is holistic. The 2nd reason I want to loose my next block of 20lbs by mid-August is because 8/12 is the Chicago Distance Classic.

Running has gotten easier with this first nearly-20 gone. I know what it feels like to run 20lbs lighter than this even. And it feels good. And that race is just 10-weeks away. I need to keep up with the 2lb a week loss. But you know what? If I get down 17-18 lbs by then I will feel good. ;) I will still feel accomplished.

My last goal for major weight loss is to be down a third 20lbs - yes for a total of 60 - by Christmas Eve. I want to give myself plenty of time to shed that weight, as I have lost THIS 20 lbs before. And I have lost the NEXT 20lbs before. I have never lost that last 20lbs.

That last 20lbs will put me close to target weight range. And that is something that I have not been since, oh, high school? I was not fat in the latter days of high school - in fact I was a size 6. But I still weighed 15lbs out of the range for my build. I honestly carry weight REALLY well.

So after that last 20 I have a few straggler pounds to loose. 14 to be exact. If I can shed those last 14 lbs by June 1st 2008, then I will have lot a total 0f 74lbs. And I will have accomplished something I really had my mind set that I would never be able to.

I am only just over a quarter of the way there - but I know that I can do it.

If you are wondering why I have aggressive goals up front, but have put more time into the last 20, and then a lot more time into that last 14lbs - the reasoning is this. I expect to hit plateaus. I expect to hit some bumps in the road. And the simple truth is the more you loose, the harder is to loose. I have a LOT to loose, so right now it is cake as my body was not meant to be this heavy. So it likes shedding the weight. But once I break the 40lb mark - we are entering territory my body has not been in in a decade. I am preparing myself for it to be resistant!

Heck if I kept on with 2lbs loss every single week without fail from here until Christmas I will loose 75lbs this year alone. It is possible - but highly unlikely that my body will do that.

Here is to a beautiful day out there. I will be running my 2-miles at lunch today I think. If nto run it, then I will be walking the 3.4 miles instead. ;)

Have a great one!
~ })i({