Me and The Boys

Happy Mother's Day To Me

Spring has finally, finally sprung, and I am so happy about it! Due to marathon training and post-marathon emotional upheaval, I was several weeks late in getting our veggie garden started, but last weekend I got most of our crops planted.

I took the easy way out this year and got mostly plants, rather than starting things from seed. A little more expensive, but still delicious and tasty homegrown veggies, so it's all good.

So far, I've planted several varieties of lettuce - red leaf, romaine, Boston, and arugula. I also got two 6-packs of spinach plants, because we go through a ton of spinach in this house.

Other things that went in were beets, swiss chard, cucumbers, broccoli rabe (never tried this before, but I hope it does well, because I love it!), zucchini, eggplant, and squash - and a few sunflowers, just because I love to look at them, and the boys love to see how tall they get.

In the coming weeks, I'll also be planting potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and pumpkins. This sounds like a lot of stuff, but we are very lucky to have a huge area for planting, and I also don't plant a whole lot of any one thing. I'd rather have more variety, and it's fun to experiment with a few new things every year.

I also finally put away all the mittens and hats and gloves - what was left of them, anyway - the dozens of pairs of gloves I bought at the beginning of the season gradually disappeared over the course of the winter, until each of the boys was down to one mismatched pair.

And while putting away the winter gear, I pulled out the sunblock and bug spray. As much of a pain as it is to coat everyone up with sunblock, I'd so much rather go through that hassle than the hat/coat/gloves/boots routine every morning. Our getting-out-the-door time is once again totally streamlined, and we can now pull it off in well under 5 minutes!

While I am loving the warm weather, I am also mentally preparing myself for running in it. It looks like I'll get my first taste of it at the half this Sunday, when temps are supposed to be near 70, with relatively high humidity. Since we're running early in the morning, it probably won't be quite that warm, but the humidity will certainly be a factor.

The first few runs will be rough, but I'll acclimate. And I'll continue doing as many early morning or evening workouts as possible, to avoid the worst of it.

With everything being so busy lately, and since it's still just barely 4 weeks after Boston, I haven't given this weekend's half much thought. I usually spend the week before a race consulting pace charts and past race results, to see where I might end up, and what I want to aim for.

But since this is a race I haven't really trained for, and I've just been running easy (aside from the super hilly 18K and the 5K the week before) my mind hasn't been terribly focused on setting new goals.

But I'm getting closer to that point. I'm definitely ready to start putting in some speedwork, and can't wait to get back to the track. And I hope to run a fast pace on Sunday, but although I've felt pretty good these past few weeks, I've also felt a lingering tiredness, and my muscles have held onto a tightness that I've had a lot of trouble shaking.

I will be the first to admit that I probably didn't pay enough attention to proper recovery after Boston, but I think that's understandable, given what occurred. I've tried, these past two weeks, to spend a lot more time stretching, and this week finally got out my foam roller - hopefully that will help loosen things up and leave me feeling a bit more refreshed for the race.

But if it doesn't, that's ok, too. I don't have my heart set on a PR for this one - I just want to go out and run my best, and I won't know until 8am Sunday morning what that's going to be. I was contemplating not wearing my Garmin, but I think I've gotten good enough now at not looking at it too frequently, so I think I'll wear it, but mostly ignore it.

I've had a few people seem surprised that I was running a half-marathon on Mother's Day, but to me, it's perfect -  the best gift I could ever get. That, plus a few handmade cards and hugs and kisses are all this mommy needs.

Happy Mother's Day to all the fabulous, amazing moms out there, including my own. I will never ever be as good at this job as she is, but I'll never stop trying!

Races, Soccer, Baseball, and Batman

Things are beginning to feel more normal now, three weeks post-Boston. I still cry at times, particularly when I see images from the day of the race. It's the happy images that make me cry, though - the smiling runners and the cheering spectators and all the elated faces. It just breaks my heart to think about how so much was taken away from so many that day.

The past few weeks I had been reading everything I could get my hands on, and watching news clips constantly. I'm trying to back away from that now, though. I know what happened, and I don't need to keep rehashing it. I think it was contributing to the fog I was in, and I'm happy to be coming out of that fog.

Part of my return to reality was standing at the starting line of a race again, which I've done twice now. Two weeks ago, I ran the RI State Police 5K Foot Pursuit in Narragansett. I ran it last year and really enjoyed it, and even though I wouldn't recommend running a 5K two weeks after a marathon, I've now done it two years in a row and felt fine, so.......

It was a beautiful day, and I knew I was just going to go out and run a good effort. I wasn't expecting to run a PR, but I wasn't planning on just running easy, either, so I lined up at the front of the pack. I had my Garmin, but I didn't look at it a single time during the race - just put one foot in front of the other and ran.

It's a great course - pretty flat, and lots of it run along the ocean, and for being just two weeks out from running 26.2, I had a great day. Ran a 21:40, with almost negative splits - 6:52, 6:58, 6:40, 6:25. And I was tired when I finished, but I felt pretty good - except for the itchy hands, which started as I ran the final .1. 

The second I finished, I took a Benadryl and sat down, and I never got the full-blown scary anaphylactic symptoms, which was good - and I think it was because I sat down right away. I never fully broke out in hives, either - just had some itchiness. So although I was a little frustrated, it wasn't anything more than just a nuisance, so I didn't get too down about it, and even stayed for a short while after the race to chat with friends.

And this past Saturday night, I did a Boston Benefit race put on by the running club, and although it was one of the toughest, hilliest courses I've ever run, I was so glad to be there. It was great to run with friends - all the chatting was a nice distraction from the hills. My god, the hills! 

There was even one insanely steep at mile 5 (the friends I was running with had run this course before, and were referring to this particular hill as "the mountain) that was up a dirt road, which was preceeded by a sign that read "Pass at your own risk," and which was littered with potholes. Fun stuff.

We made it up without twisting any ankles, though, and continued on through one rolling hill after another, until we got to the final hill, which I thought was far worse than the mountain at mile 5. But of course, I just wanted to be done at that point, so I ran as fast as my beat-up legs would carry me.

This is my attempt at a smile, which is more of a grimace, which is actually a much more accurate depiction of how I felt.

I do feel proud that I survived such a tough course, though, and am pretty happy with our 8:43 pace. I had no intention of racing this one, and although I probably could have run a little faster, it would have been utterly miserable, and that's not what I was there for, so I'm glad I ran it easy.

And I'm glad that the event raised close to $600 for the One Fund Boston. I've donated through a few other outlets already, but was happy to contribute more, and especially happy that I was able to do so in a way that was meaningful to me - by running.

This coming weekend is the Cox Providence Rhode Races half-marathon - the kickoff fo the United Healthcare Triple Crown Series, which I'm doing again this year. I'm not sure if I can pull off a PR at this half, but I'm going to give it my best shot. Hoping that my marathon fitness will equate to a speedy half-marathon pace.

It's funny, though - I haven't been doing any kind of speedwork or tempo runs or anything, and as I'm out there running my easy, 8:30 pace for most of my weekday runs, it seems impossible that I could ever under a 7-minute pace - but I did just that at the State Police 5K. And as I finish up a 10-mile run on the weekend, I can't believe that I was at the point where 20-mile runs were routine. And I know I'll be back there soon enough. It seems far away now, but the time passes so, so quickly.

Lots more races to come this summer, and after the Providence half, I'll probably start back up with track workouts and occasional tempo runs. I am thoroughly enjoying running just for the fun of it right now, but I can already feel little hints that I'm going to be ready to start working on building some more speed to get me through my summer races and put me in a good position to start marathon training again next winter.

And in the midst of all this, my three crazy little men are keeping us extremely busy, especially now that spring sports are in full swing. We have two weeknight practices, plus games on Saturday and Sunday, and that doesn't leave us with a whole lot of down time.

I'm thrilled that the boys are enjoying their sports, but it always takes some time to get used to the hectic schedules. This is Gabe's first time on a travel/competitive team, and it's definitely been a learning experience. He's rising to the challenge, though, and it's been really great to see him learn more and develop into a stronger player.

His team has yet to win a game, but they still get out there every week and play their little hearts out, and it's so awesome to cheer them on. I do hope they win at least one game, though. They try so hard! I'm glad he has a great coach, too. They work hard, and they're learning a lot of new skills, but the emphasis is always on fun and teamwork, which is how it should be.

Dante is LOVING baseball, and I have to admit, I'm kind of hoping he sticks with it, because I think it's a fun sport to watch. I love watching Gabe's soccer games, too, but there's just something about baseball games in the summer.....   

He's only 7, so the emphasis is definitely way more on the whole 'having fun' aspect of things, but he's learning a lot, too. And for only having played one season of T-ball two years ago, he's caught on quick, and is doing really well. All the kids on the team still have times where they're daydreaming in the outfield, or goofing around in the dugout, but they're only 7 - they're definitely allowed to still do that sometimes : )

Carmine spent a good week and a half wearing a Batman cape everywhere we went, which made for some really interesting outings.

He wore it to the store, he wore it to the gym, he wore it to my doctor's appointments, and he wore it for our walks along the ocean. It all started when he woke up one day declaring that it was Halloween. I didn't feel like arguing, so I grabbed the cape and he put it on, and that was it. I never thought it would last as long as it did, but it was pretty fun and entertaining, so we were all happy to indulge him.

He's pretty much potty trained, and is all registered for preschool in the fall, and I can't believe what a little man he is. He wants to do everything himself, and he flat out refuses to be pushed around by his big brothers, and is not the least bit shy about telling everyone how he feels - usually very, very loudly. 

April was such a strange month, with the pre-Boston buildup, and the post-Boston emotional roller coaster. In some ways it feels like it all happened months ago, but at the same time, I feel like the whole month passed in the blink of an eye, and I can't believe that we're heading down the homestretch of the school season and before we know it, will be spending our days at the beach.

I'm looking forward to the slower pace that summer brings. We'll be plenty busy with camps and day trips and activities, but it's all fun stuff, so it doesn't feel stressful.

Spring and summer also mean a lot less time on the computer and a lot more time outside - which is as it should be. I do my best to keep up with blogging, but I'd rather be out there enjoying the days with my little guys rather than inside writing about it.

There have been times I've thought about giving up the blog entirely, since I post so much of what we do on Facebook, but I still like having this outlet to really write about things, in more than just a couple sentences.

And I've gotten several compliments on my blog over the past few weeks, so I'm happy that I didn't give it up. I enjoy writing it, and I'm glad there are people out there who enjoy reading it - thanks for sticking with me!

You Never Know Until You Try

I wrote this response to someone on a running Facebook group the other day, and since then it's been running through my head repeatedly, and the more I see/hear it, the more I feel it's kind of become my motto when it comes to running and racing.

There's always plenty of reasons to doubt that you can do something, and plenty of excuses for why you shouldn't do something, but why wouldn't you at least try?

I never thought I'd be able to run a half-marathon, but then I did. I never thought I'd be able to run a full marathon, but then I did. I never though I'd be able to qualify for Boston, but then I did. I never in a million years thought I'd be able to run a sub-21-minute 5K, but then I did.

They weren't all instant successes, and there have been plenty of failed efforts along the way - but I never stopped trying, because if I stopped trying, I'd never know what I was capable of.

That became my motto during this weekend's 20-miler/half-marathon, too.

I set out to run 20 miles at an 8:30 pace. Since I had run 20 at an 8:23 pace a few weeks ago, I wasn't worried about maintaining an 8:30 pace. I was actually worried about going too fast, especially since I was going to be running the final 13.1 miles in the Ocean's Run Half-Marathon.

But I held back - for a good long while. My first 7 miles solo were nice. It was a chilly day, but as soon as I started moving, I warmed up, and felt just right - not too warm, not too cold. And I was doing great sticking with my 8:30 pace. A few miles dipped down to the low 8:20s, but mostly I was being very conservative, and enjoying running easy.

When I joined up with the race, I knew I'd have to really focus to stay at that slower, easier pace, and I intentionally lined up farther back than I normally would. And with the congestion at the race start, it was very easy to run the first mile at 8:24. To go any faster would have required bobbing and weaving, and I wasn't racing, so I had no interest in dealing with all that jockeying for position.

Once I found some open road, though, it was tough to not pick up the pace. There were two turnarounds in the first few miles, and as I saw the groups at the front of the pack going by, I wanted so badly to be up there.

But I reminded myself that I have bigger things waiting for me next month, and this needed to be a training run, not a race.

I did end up running most of the first 6 miles of the half at just under 8:30, though. The course is unbelievably flat and fast, and it was an effort to keep myself in the 8:20s, so I was happy I was able to do that.

Then we got to mile 7, which was mile 14 for me. Six miles to go, and I was feeling better than I have ever felt on a 20-mile run.

And I gave myself permission to have a little fun and push the pace a bit. And I ran mile 14 in 8:18.

And I was still feeling amazing. In awe of how great I felt. So I ran mile 15 in 8:09.

Then I stopped trying to slow down. I didn't really make a conscious decision to run faster - it just kind of happened, and I was no longer preventing it from happening. So I ran mile 16, 17, and 18 in 7:52, 7:53, and 7:51.

As I was running - and smiling, because I honestly felt so awesome, and couldn't believe I was pulling off sub-8-minute miles at the END of a 20-mile run! - I kept thinking that maybe I shouldn't be doing this. Maybe I should slow down to at least an 8-minute pace. Maybe I shouldn't be pushing myself so hard at a race that I wasn't supposed to truly 'race.'

But my legs kept turning over, and I kept checking in with my body to see if it was ok with this pace, and I kept getting a resounding "YES!"

And then I only had two miles to go, so of course I reasoned that I had made it this far, I wasn't going to slow down now. Mile 19 - 7:36.

One mile to go, and finally I was starting to feel a little tired. But that only motivated me to go a little faster, so that I could just get this thing over with. My body was happy to oblige with a 7:19 for Mile 20, and a 6:49 for the final .1 to the finish line.

Crossed the line in 1:45:08. An 8:05 pace for the half, and an 8:11 pace for the full 20 miles. (Sixth in my age group out of 55 - not bad for having run a 7-mile warmup prior to the race!)

A few friends had run the 5K and stayed to cheer me on (especially nice, since I wasn't even really racing), and I hung out at the finish line to see a few of my own friends finish the half, which was awesome, as always.

The sun had come out, and we were in a beautiful spot by the ocean, and I was with friends, all celebrating each others' accomplishments - there wasn't much more I could have asked for at that moment, and I'm really glad I signed up for this race. (have to mention, too, that it was a fantastic race - my first TriMom Productions event, and I was definitely impressed with the overall organization, the volunteers, and the fun - and plentiful - food at the finish line.)

A part of me still wonders if maybe I shouldn't have run so fast in those final miles, but when I finished the race, I still felt great. And usually when I do a long training run in the morning, the adrenaline keeps me buzzing for hours, but then I totally crash late in the afternoon.

But this time, that didn't happen. Later in the afternoon, and even that evening, I was still a bundle of energy - and truly less sore and achy than I've been after all my other 20s.

So it was kind of an accidental progression run, but I'd say it was a very happy - and successful - accident.

As I sit back and process the whole thing, I realize that I am extremely thankful that I decided not to race this one. I was thinking in those early miles about how fast I could have run on such a flat course - I'm fairly certain I would have been guaranteed a half-marathon PR.

But at this point, what I did yesterday was way more valuable to me than a half-marathon PR would be. Because what I did yesterday was prove to myself that I can run really pick up the pace at the end of a long run.

And to know that I can do that - that I can pull off that many miles under an 8-minute pace at the end of a 20-miler - gives me so much confidence that I can pull off the 3:30 I'm shooting for in Boston.

In fact, I've never felt so confident. I'm brimming with confidence. It's put a spring in my step and a smile on my face since I crossed that finish line yesterday morning.

Because I never would have thought I could do that. But then I tried - and now I know : )

Philly Marathon Weekend

I went into this weekend knowing that racing the half was almost an afterthought - I wanted to be there to support my friends and see them finish their race, and in my eyes, getting to run my sixth half marathon of the year was just the icing on the cake.

And now that it's all said and done, I'm really glad that was my outlook, because even if I hadn't run the half at all, I'd still count this as one of the most fun race weekends I've ever had.

I had another fabulous race weekend away just a few months ago, with another great friend, and I still can't believe that I was able to turn around and do it all over again this past weekend - thank god for supportive husbands : )

This was also the farthest I've ever traveled for a race, and certainly the biggest group of people I've ever gone to a race with, so I couldn't wait to get on the train and get moving.

Once we arrived in Philly, we hit the expo, where I was really happy to discover the Flip Belt, which a few of us purchased. I haven't tried mine yet, but two friends wore theirs for the marathon and loved it, and I think it's going to be the perfect solution for carrying my epi-pen and phone on my runs!

We ate dinner early and went to bed early, since the race start was at 7am, so our alarms would be going off at 5.

Race morning was chilly (in the 30s), so we bundled up in our pre-race throwaway clothes, and took this picture of us looking pretty comical -

After checking bags and waiting in line for the porta-potty, it was a mad dash to the corrals, and I actually had to climb over the barricades to get into my corral.

This was by far the largest race I've ever run - about 22,000 runners total. I think it's really good that I did it - a good way to prepare myself for the crowds of Boston. And although I'm obviously really excited to run Boston, and will gladly put up with the hassles of the overcrowding to do so, I also decided that I'm not really a fan of the super-big race. It was all just a little overwhelming.

But that atmosphere does definitely intensify the experience, too, and of course it means a lot more people cheering you on, which has its benefits. And two major pluses for Philly - it may have been very large and overwhelming, but it was very well-organized, with great volunteers - and as a bonus, everyone's bib had their name on it, so as you ran, people were actually able to cheer specifically for you, which was awesome! I've never had so many people shouting my name during a race!

My corral wasn't too far back, so I was over the finish line in just about 2 minutes, and the first mile was crowded, but it thinned out fairly well after that. It was relatively crowded the entire race, but not so bad that I felt stuck. And even the more-crowded first mile didn't slow me down too much. First three miles were 7:32, 7:14, and 7:13.

I was trying not to focus too much on my time, but I did wonder if maybe I was pushing it too much with those 2nd and 3rd miles, but since I didn't have any serious goals, I also felt like I wanted to just go with it and see what I could do. If it worked out, great - and if it didn't, so be it.

I did end up slowing down a little bit, though, and miles 4, 5, and 6 were 7:27, 7:26, and 7:24. At that point I took my gel, and kept trucking along - 7:18, 7:37 (one of the two hills on the course - the rest was flat as a pancake), 7:22, 7:35 (the other hill).

I had crossed the halfway point at 46:09, and was on pace for a PR of at least a few seconds. And I was feeling tired at mile 10, but with only 3 miles to go, I figured I'd maybe push it a bit and see what I could do.

And then, as we rounded a turnaround, out of nowhere, I felt like someone had stabbed me in the side. I've gotten maybe two side stitches in my whole life, and apparently the one I got on Sunday was making up for lost time, because it was a doozy.

I could barely breathe, I was in so much pain. Maybe I should have stopped, but I was afraid if I stopped, I wouldn't start again. So I continued, kind of shuffling along as quickly as I could. I felt like I was running a 9-minute pace, but somehow managed to stay at 7:27 for mile 11.

But it wasn't getting any better. And mile 12 slowed to what felt like a glacial pace of 7:52. My side was still killing me, and I was hunched over as a result, so my back and shoulder muscles felt like they were seizing up. It was not a pretty sight, and I really contemplated stopping. 

I do NOT like to quit, though, so I fought on, and finally the pain let up just enough that I felt like I could actually run again, rather than just shuffle. I was able to pick up the pace to 7:41 for the final mile, but there was no smile on my face when I crossed that finish line. I just wanted it to be over.

My PR was gone, as I crossed the finish at 1:39:07 (which I was pretty happy to find actually put me 8th in my age group out of 708 - not bad at all, for what was kind of a crappy day for me). 

But at that point, I honestly did not care one bit what my time was. My race was done, and now it was time for the real fun - spectating!

After a quick shower at our hotel (conveniently very close to the start/finish line), I made it back to the start to see the first of the NRA members coming down the chute. I had my cowbells and my signs, and I was screaming my head off, and I was able to see everyone as they approached the finish.

It was, without a doubt, the most fun I've ever had at a race. The finish line of a marathon is an incredible place. Seeing the expressions on the faces of the runners - some grimacing, some grinning ear to ear, but all completely and utterly determined to finish what they started - it's inspiring and humbling all at the same time.

And having been through it a few times now, I knew what they were all feeling. I know that mix of elation and exhaustion and even how surreal it can feel to be just steps away from crossing that line.

Watching the crowds was just as amazing, too. There were cheers and encouragement for everyone, but when someone spotted their runner, it was just an explosion of screams and waving and happy tears.

Which is exactly what it was for me every time I spotted one of my friends. I teared up as I saw them coming, and tried to lean out over the barricades a bit so they'd be able to spot me, and I screamed for all I was worth.

I joined these ladies for many of their long training runs, and some of their track workouts, and heard all about their goals and their plans for this race, and it was so incredible to be able to be there and see them do exactly what they had set out to do.

As I stood there waiting and cheering and almost crying, my race was completely forgotten. This was what I had come here for, and this was what mattered.

I used to run alone all the time, and I was fine with it. And I still do run alone several times a week, and that's ok.

But now that I know what it's like to be part of a group of runners who are there for each other, who inspire each other, and encourage each other, and celebrate each other - it's completely changed my outlook on running - and it's also given me an amazing group of friends, for which I am truly thankful.

So proud of these women, who set PRs, got BQs, and ran some blazing fast times this weekend, and so happy that I could be there to share in the excitement : )

Newport Bridge Run Done, Next Up - Philly!

The 5-days-a-week running experiment is proceeding without incident. (knock on wood, fingers crossed, and all that good stuff) I love being able to run more, and my body, thus far, is cooperating.

As a result, I'm actively seeking a Boston training program that has me running 5 times a week, with both speedwork and tempo runs incorporated. Gotta find one soon - training will begin at the end of next month, so the clock is ticking.....

I ran across the Newport Bridge again this past weekend. I loved this race last year, and knew I'd do it again, so had signed up almost as soon as registration opened.

Up and at 'em at 4:15am, and at the start in Jamestown at 6am - painful for some, but not that much of a problem for me, since I often get up for 5am workouts. And the view at the top makes it totally worth it. (very glad I took my phone this year, so I could snap this pic from the top - worth the 10 seconds it cost me!)

I had no plans to really race this one, and was fighting a head cold, so went into it with zero expectations. But as usual, once the gun went off, the adrenaline kicked in.

I was at the front of the pack, but I knew that with the first half being all uphill, there was no danger of me going out too fast. Ran the first two miles in 7:17 and 7:34. The climbing was tough, but I managed to pass quite a few people on the way up.

And then, of course, it was all downhill (or flat), and I took full advantage, running miles 3 and 4 in 6:43 and 6:40, crossing the finish line at 27:31, which was definitely a PR for me at the 4-mile distance - and also good enough for second place in my age group! My fifth age-group award of the year : )

Running 4 miles didn't really feel like that much of a workout, though, and since I was done at 7am, I had time to grab a bite to eat, get my award, and then head back over the bridge to meet up with some friends for a few more miles. It was a beautiful morning, and even though I had raced those early 4 miles over the bridge, the additional 7 felt easy - that was a nice surprise.

And now I'm shifting gears and getting ready for Philly this weekend! Half-marathon number 6 for the year.

It still seems kind of hard for me to believe that I've run six half-marathons over the course of the past 9 months. It seems even harder to believe that in that time, my half-marathon time has dropped as follows: 1:43:43 in March, 1:41:26 in July,  1:38:07 in September, and 1:37:28 in October.

It would be great if I could shave a few more seconds off and finish off the year with one more PR, but given what I've already accomplished at this distance this year, I'll be happy just to come in right around the 1:37 range. I'll be racing it, for sure, but it's going to be a 'don't look at the Garmin and just run what feels good' kind of day.

I've been told that Philly is a flat, fast course, and as of right now, the weather looks like it'll be pretty decent, so hopefully all will go well.

I'm really looking forward to running in a city I've never visited, and I'm also really looking forward to three whole kid-free days. Five hours on the train. Alone. Each way. I have a stack of magazines, a new book, and my iPhone. It's going to be bliss. I'll miss my crazy boys, but I will enjoy the taste of freedom, too.

And honestly, what I'm looking forward to most of all on Sunday is returning to the finish line after my race, so that I can cheer on all my friends who are running the full. I'm beyond excited for all of them. They've worked so hard for this race, and I know they're all going to do great, and I can't wait to cheer them on!

So in addition to my own running gear, also on my packing list are: cowbells, poster board, and sharpies : )  I've been scouring the internet for ideas for good race signs, and I've definitely found some favorites. If anyone reading this has any good suggestions, though, I'd love more ideas!

It's going to be a fun race, and a fun weekend, and I'm so happy that I was able to work this one into my schedule. It'll be great to close out the 2012 year of racing with a bang!

A Blustery Day, and A New PR - Newport Half, Triple Crown Finale

Sunday's weather forecast called for "breezy" conditions. That was the understatement of the year.

I could hear the wind howling as soon as I woke up, and I knew it was going to make for an interesting morning.

Luckily it wasn't a cold wind - temps were in the 50s. Not hot, but certainly warm enough. But the wind. Yikes!

As I got ready, I reminded myself that I just needed to go out and run the best race I could, and if the wind slowed me down a little, so be it. It was something that was out of my control, so there was no use in getting all worked up over it.

I was a little disappointed it was so cloudy, though - I had been hoping to see the sunrise as I drove over the bridge. Instead, it was still dark when I pulled into town just before 7am. I had no problems parking and catching the shuttle bus, and was at the start line shortly after 7 - plenty of time to check my bag, wait in line forever at the porta-potties, and get in a quick warmup.

I headed over to the start at 7:45, and got a spot right in between the 7- and 8-minute pace signs - exactly where I wanted to be. The street the race starts on proved to be rather narrow, as we were quickly jammed in like sardines.

The combined field for the half and full (which start together) was about 5,000, I think, and I'm pretty sure that's about the same size as Hartford was last year, but I do not remember feeling anywhere near as claustrophobic at Hartford as I did in Newport yesterday morning.

And I knew that claustrophobic feeling was going to give way to a very, very congested start, with much dodging and weaving during the first mile in an attempt to find clear space in which to run.

And when the race finally began (a good 5 or 10 minutes late, and with no gun to signal the start - or at least not one that I could hear ???), that was in fact the case. I knew that, for once, I was in no danger of going out too fast - I couldn't have even if I wanted to. I doged, I weaved, and I ran soooo much slower than I wanted to be running.

But I didn't get stressed out. I figured that holding back now would turn out to be a good thing later on.

That being said, I wasn't terribly happy when I saw mile 1 beep at 7:54, and now that the field had finally spread out enough that I was able to really run, I ended up running mile 2 in 7:11. Probably a bit too fast, but I knew I wasn't going to keep that up, so I wasn't worried about picking it up too much for that one mile. And I really couldn't help it - I had a lot of pent-up energy from not being able to run the way I wanted for the first mile.

We had now gone through town and were heading out towards Fort Adams State Park, and up to this point, the wind hadn't been too much of a factor. It was windy in spots, to be sure, but it wasn't constant, so I didn't feel like I was struggling. In fact, I felt pretty good, and was resisting the urge to check my watch. I had checked it a bit after running mile 2 so quickly, and I now seemed to be settling into a pace in the range of 7:20 - 7:30, and it was feeling great, so I figured I'd stick with it.

When we hit Fort Adams, the wind became much more of an issue. It seemed to be coming from all directions at once, and the short loop we did through the park also included some small inclines, so that little stretch was somewhat challenging.

Miles 3 - 6 went pretty smoothly, though - 7:26, 7:25, 7:23, 7:23.

Then came mile 7. This was the part of the course that turns around a bend and leads up to a long ocean stretch. It's beautiful and scenic, but it's also completely exposed, which meant that when we came around that bend, it honestly felt like walking into a wall. And it was a wall. Of wind.

I am not exaggerating when I say that for most of mile 7, I was struggling just to stay upright. I honestly felt like I was in danger of being knocked over by the wind. It was that strong.

I also stopped during that mile to eat my gel and drink some water, and some of the water got blown out of my cup. Seriously. It was insane.

I managed to drink what was left, and sucked down the Gu before the wind ripped that out of my hands. As I chugged along, fighting the wind, I just reminded myself that I was already halfway done (and the first 6 miles had seemed to pass very quickly).  And I also told myself that eventually, we'd go around another bed and this wind would be at our backs.

That bend didn't come soon enough, but it did come. And when it did, I felt like I was suddenly running along a conveyor belt. Mile 7 - 7:31. Ugh. Miles 8 and 9 - 7:11. 7:13. Thank you, tailwind!

The wind was still blowing for the rest of the race, but the effects were moderated somewhat as we finished the last of the ocean stretch and headed back towards town. We ran past the mansions, and I kept thinking about how amazingly flat this course was compared to Jamestown and Zooma. It was so refreshing to not be constantly climbing hills! I was feeling tired, but it was very different from the kind of tired you feel in a really hilly race.

Miles 10 and 11 passed pretty uneventfully - 7:23, 7:26.

As we ran past the mansions and made our way back toward the beach, I could remember so vividly running that stretch 4 years ago in the full marathon, and I thought about how at that time, I was running more than 2 minutes per mile slower than I was running right now. So unbelievable to think about how hard I've worked and how far I've come since then : )

With that in mind, I thought I'd try to pick it up a bit for mile 12, but only got down to 7:22.

But after that, all bets were off. I was getting really tired, I wanted to just be done, and as I attempted to do the math in my head, I was pretty sure that I could actually pull off a PR. So I pulled out all the stops and ran as fast as I could, without so much as a single glance at my watch for the final 1.1 miles.

And oh my god, it sucked. I knew I was close to the finish, but it seemed painfully far away.

Then finally I was heading down the big hill we climbed at the start, and then back into the beach parking lot. And then, I was still running. And still running. And still running some more, along the length of the ENTIRE beach!  The whole time, I just kept thinking 'My god, how long IS this beach anyway?????'

As I fought for every last step of that final .1 miles, I watched the full marathon runners veering off to the right to continue on out of the parking lot, and I was so, so happy that I was not one of them.

Then finally, finally, the finish line was there, and as I sprinted across, it read 37:28!!!!

Complete and utter exhiliration, and complete and utter exhaustion. Two signs of a well-run race.

After I caught my breath, I checked my splits on my watch and saw that I had run mile 13 in 6:52, and the final (never-ending) .1 at 6:49 pace. No wonder it hurt so bad.

I knew I wasn't in contention for any awards at this race, and for the first time in quite a while, I actually didn't have any friends who had run, so I didn't hang around long.

I got my Triple Crown medal and goody bag (which was one of the best goody bags I've ever gotten - tons of great energy gels and bars) and shirt, and grabbed a quick bite to eat, and then I was off, basking in the glow of a great race and a 30-second PR.

I loved participating in this Triple Crown series this year. I think it's a great concept, and I'm pretty sure I'll be signing up for next year's. Focusing on the half-marathon distance this year has been a great experience for me, and has definitely taught me to maintain what are - for me, anyway - some pretty fast paces over a long distance, which has really boosted my confidence for Boston.

And I was very happy with the organization for all three races, and for the Triple Crown series itself - great communication from the race organizers, good support on the course, and nice courses, too. I don't know how many people participated this year, but I have a feeling the numbers will grow with next year's series.

And speaking of numbers -

1:37:27

7:27 pace

5 of 503 in my age group !!!!!!!!!!!!

23 of 1991 females

149 of 3300 overall

And, I noted as I was running that I crossed the 10-mile mark at just over 1:14 - a full two minutes faster than I ran the 10 miles at the Blessing a few months ago. I'll definitely be looking for a big PR at that race next year!!!

First things first, though - a little recovery, a few more track workouts, and then on to Philly to close out the year in style - running 13.1, and then cheering on all my friends who are running 26.2!!!!

Triple Crown Finale, Anaphylaxis Update, and More Boston Blathering

When I signed up for the Triple Crown series last spring, I decided that the Newport half-marathon was going to be my big race for the year. I was going to spend my summer and early fall working toward what I thought, at the time, was a blazing fast sub-1:40.

And then several weeks ahead of schedule, I went and ran a 1:38; which of course I was thrilled with, but which definitely left me wondering what I should now be aiming for in Newport. 

In the end, I decided not to really aim for anything. That was my 'plan' going into Jamestown, and going into Zooma, and it panned out very, very well, so I see no reason to change it.

That's not to say that I'm not racing, though. I still see this as my biggest effort of the year, and I want to make sure that when I cross that finish line, I have emptied the tank completely. As always, it will be interesting to see what that equates to on the race clock.

I'm excited to get out and race again, too. I have had so much fun racing all these half-marathons this year, and each one has been a slightly different experience, and each one has taught me something new.

In New Bedford, I learned how much it sucks when you pick up the pace too much too soon; in Providence, I learned how awesome it is to pace someone. In Jamestown, I learned that I am much better at pacing myself than I thought I was. In Cape Cod, I learned that I can run 13.1 miles at a 7:29 pace! Can't wait to see what I learn this weekend in Newport : )

Hopefully I won't be learning anything new about my mysterious anaphylaxis episodes. I returned to the allergist and described the Labor Day reaction to him, and in addition to making it clear to me that the 'sense of impending doom' that I felt that night is not just a feeling - it really is impending doom, and that's my signal to use the epi-pen.

He also diagnosed me with Idiopathic Anaphylaxis, which is just a fancy way of saying that my body is freaking out on totally random occasions for no apparent reason.

It's a very unsatisfying diagnosis, but I basically agree with it - I don't really feel that there is a trigger, aside from (sometimes) running. I've been keeping a very detailed food journal, and after I had another post-run outbreak of hives yesterday (no impending doom this time - just itchiness), I looked back at my journal and saw nothing at all out of the ordinary.

I'm frustrated, and mystified, and annoyed, but also not really sure what else I can do at this point, besides bring my epi-pen everywhere I go and hope for the best. 

And I'm doing my best to try not to dwell on it too much. The days that I have a reaction are kind of crappy. It puts me in a funk, which is then exacerbated by the fact that I also get completely loopy from the Benadryl that I have to take to get the hives under control.

But after a good night's sleep, I attempt to just put the whole thing behind me as best I can. People live with far worse issues than this, and I have to remember that and keep it all in perspective, and keep moving forward. 

And on the theme of moving forward - every day that goes by, I get more excited to start training for Boston. Seeing all the Facebook posts from friends who just ran or are about to run their fall marathons, and seeing all the updates about the Hartford marathon, and remembering all the excitement and anticipation I was feeling at this time last year......  I'm experiencing a little bit of marathon envy, which I think is a good thing - it means I've had enough of a break. I definitely feel ready to tackle a tough training plan again, and to get a little more serious and purposeful with my runs. 

That enthusiasm will undoubtedly fade after about 10 weeks or so, but then it will return tenfold as April 15 draws closer. I fully intend to race Boston, but I also fully intend to enjoy and savor every second of it. I feel pretty confident that I could requalify to run it again in 2014, but if I have the choice, I'd much rather come back and run Gansett again.

Maybe I'll run Boston another time, too, but in case I don't, I plan to soak up the experience completely - starting with the 16 weeks of training. Eight weeks and counting..... !!!!!

A Weekend of Mother Runner Awesomeness - Zooma Cape Cod

I love when so many exciting things happen that I don't even know where to begin.

The short version -

- Went to "Another Mother Runner" house party last week and had a blast

- Ran the Zooma half-marathon on Cape Cod, and shaved THREE minutes off my PR

- Won 1st place in my age group, and came in 6th overall

- Enjoyed a lovely, kid-free weekend on the Cape with a friend

- Met (and had dinner with) several awesome mother runners from the RLAM Facebook page

- Spent time (at last week's house party, and at this weekend's race) with two of my running idols

- Got my official Boston 2013 acceptance email

First, the house party, which I knew would be awesome to go to, and which became even more awesome when I found out an old friend from my Wheaton College days was going to be there.

I've heard Sarah and Dimity talk about the house parties on their podcast, so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect, but I have to say it still caught me a little off guard when I knocked on the door and Sarah opened it!

I've read both of their books, and spend a great deal of time on their Facebook community, chatting with them and other runners - commiserating about bad runs, celebrating great runs, swapping advice, and sharing stories. It's an amazing group, and I was so excited to meet at least a few of the members in person.

Meeting Sarah and Dimity was, of course, incredible. They are two of the nicest, funniest, most down to earth people you'll ever meet. And just as I expected it would be, it was so easy to talk to them. I honestly felt like I was chatting with old friends.

The party itself was great, too - awesome giveaways, Sarah and Dimity reading from "Train Like a Mother," and lots of fun conversations with other mother runners. And as a bonus, one of those mother runners just happened to be an old friend who I hadn't seen in nearly 20 years, and it was fabulous to finally have a reunion and catch up with each other.

All in all, a very fun night, and I'm so, so glad I was able to make it.

Next up was Zooma Cape Cod - the reason I was awake at 4am Saturday morning, and on the road at 4:30am to pick up my friend Deb.

As with the Jamestown half in July, I went into Zooma without any real specific goals in mind, so I had virtually no pre-race jitters. I knew I wanted to try to finish somewhere in the vicinity of my Jamestown time, but beyond that, I had no expectations.

The weather was gray and damp, but a good 10 degrees cooler than it had been in Jamestown, so I knew I'd have that in my favor. But I also had heard that the course was pretty hilly, so I wasn't sure how that would play out.

The hills started right away - two decent-sized ones in the first mile, and a few more good-sized rollers in miles 2 and 3. But that was nothing compared to miles 4 to 5 - almost an entire mile of climbing; no exaggeration.

The good news is that I am apparently a good hill runner, because I found myself passing a lot of people on those hills. And thankfully, after climbing nonstop from mile 4 to 5, we were treated to a huge downhill on mile 6.

Also like Jamestown, I was not listening to music (I really never do anymore), and barely looking at my watch. I glanced down a couple times the first few miles, but after that, I think I only checked it two or three more times for the remainder of the race. And I was fine with that. I knew that I was running as fast as I could, and that was my only goal for the day, so all was well.

As the miles ticked by, I knew I was definitely up near the front of the pack. It was a small race - only 230 participants - and there were not a lot of runners nearby, so I spent most of the race alone, but that wasn't a big deal for me. I like having company, but I'm ok with running solo, too.

There had been a small group of runners ahead of me for the first six miles, but somewhere between miles 7 and 8, I started picking them off one by one, and by mile 10, I had passed a good 6 or so people, and as I passed one of the aid stations, someone told me that I was in sixth place. That was a nice thing to hear : )

Two of the people I passed were two women who were running together, and had been since the start. They looked pretty strong, but I felt like I had it in me to get past them, so I sped up just a tiny bit, said "good job" to them, and moved ahead. After that, there was one other woman who had been just ahead of them, and I really hadn't intended to try to pass her, but I came up on her heels on one of the hills, and we chatted for a minute and then I moved past her, also.

There was a moment shortly after the 10-mile mark where I felt suddenly and completely exhuasted, and I worried that I was going to crash and burn during the last 3 miles. But it passed, and although I was definitely feeling tired, I managed to keep my pace up.

The last three miles, as they always are, were tough. I really wanted to slow down. But I knew if I bailed now, I'd regret it. So I just focused on getting to each mile marker. Mile 11 was a very welcome sight, and Mile 12 made me blissfully happy.

There was a weird spot where we had to turn off onto a side street and loop around for about 1/4 mile, which was incredibly annoying, as it came at about mile 12.5, but I looped around, saw that the three women I had just passed were still a few hundred yards behind me, and vowed that I would not let them catch me in the final half mile.

And I didn't : )  It was really, really nice to cross that finish line, especially since the clock read 1:38!!!!!!!!! 

Deb wasn't able to run the race due to a nasty case of plantar fasciitis that's kept her from running for 4 months, but she was volunteering at the finish line, and it was awesome to get a congratulatory hug from a friend : ) 

I was kind of in a daze after that. I chatted for a minute with the three women who came in right behind me, and we all complained about how brutally hilly the course had been, and I kept glancing at my watch, still kind of astonished that I had set a 3-minute PR in just two months time.

Sub-1:40 had been my goal for the Newport half next month, and 1:38 was my 'secret goal,' so now that I've jumped ahead to my secret goal already, I have no idea what to plan for in Newport. I think the best plan is to not plan, since that worked so well for me at Zooma and at Jamestown.

I'm going to assume that I can run at least a little faster in Newport, since the course is definitely flatter. But since the race is in just a few weeks, I'm not really going to be getting in any significant training between now and then. I'll try for a couple track workouts and a tempo run or two, but mostly, on race day, I'm going to trust my body and just run as fast as I can. That seems to be working out pretty well for me so far.

The final numbers -

1:38:07 - 7:29 pace

1st in my age group

6th of 230 overall

Splits - 7:29, 7:20, 7:28, 7:27, 7:47 (hill from hell!), 7:31. 7:17, 7:33, 7:26, 7:06 (!!!!), 7:15, 7:27, 7:21, 6:34

This race was also the first time I've had the luxury of finishing a race, and doing absolutely NOTHING for the rest of the day. Scott is always very, very helpful after I have a big race or long training run, but it's not the same as being away from home, and having zero responsibilities.

It was great to see Sarah and Dimity again at the post-race party, and after all the festivities had wound down, Deb and I went out for some shopping and lunch, then came back to the hotel and spent a few hours just lounging on the beach before heading out to dinner with some new friends (from the RLAM Facebook community).

Before the race -

 

Post-race bliss : )

 

LOVE these women!!!!

I don't know if I'll do a Zooma race again, but I think I'm going to find room on my calendar at least once a year for a girls getaway race weekend.

Oh, and about that whole Boston acceptance thing?  I'll save that for another post, because it's BOSTON - it deserves its own post!!! 

Falmouth, Newport, Philly, and Hopefully Boston

After my awful swim at the Naval Station tri this year, I vowed that I was going to redeem myself at the Y Not Tri in September. I bought a wetsuit. I tried on the wetsuit. In the course of trying it on, I tore the wetsuit.

What I did not do was swim in the wetsuit. Not once. I did go for a few eensy-weensy quick open-water swims while we were at the beach with the kids, but as the month of August progressed, my enthusiasm waned.

I kept pretending I might still give it a go - right up until the week before the race. But then I admitted to myself that it wasn't going to happen.

I thought I'd feel disappointed and upset with myself, and I did feel that way a little bit, but mostly I felt relieved. The drive and the desire just weren't there this year, and I know I would have just had another race with a crappy swim, and regretted it. 

I really do want to work on this next year, though. At the beginning of spring this year, I considered getting some coaching help for swimming, and never did it. But now that I've seen how well I can do on the bike and run (at both the tri and the biathlon a few weeks ago), I am pretty motivated to get the swimming thing figured out once and for all, because I could post some really good overall times if I could get through the swim more quickly. 

So next year is the year of no more excuses. Next year I'm going to conquer the swim, and figure out how to be comfortable swimming in the ocean.

In the meantime, I still have plenty to keep me busy.

Tomorrow night I'm driving up to Massachussetts to attend the "Another Mother Runner" house party, where I will get to mingle with a whole bunch of fabulous mother runners (including a dear friend from college who I haven't seen in ages!), and meet the amazing Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell, authors of "Run Like a Mother" and "Train Like a Mother," and creators of one of the greatest Facebook communities ever. It's going to take me nearly 2 hours to get there, but it's going to be totally worth it. I can't wait!

And Saturday is the start of a fabulous girls' weekend getaway on the Cape with a close friend, which will include my 4th half marathon of the year - Zooma Cape Cod. We're staying at the host hotel, which is right on the ocean, the weather looks perfect, and the post-race party looks amazing. And to top it all off, we're meeting up with a bunch of other women from the AMR Facebook page for dinner Saturday night.

Just a few weeks after that, I'll be heading back over the bridge to run the final leg of the United Healthcare Triple Crown - the Newport half marathon.

This is the race I've been working up to all summer, and the reason I've been doing regular track workouts and tempo runs. I feel confident that I can run the 13.1 in under 1:40, based on my 1:41 in Jamestown, and on the paces I've been hitting in all my training runs, and based on the fact that it's bound to be cooler and drier, and the course is much flatter. 

I had initially planned on that being my last half for the year, but caved to peer pressure and signed up last week for the Philly half-marathon in November. There's a big group from the running club going down, most of whom are running the full, and they've been trying all summer to convince me to do it. I knew the full was not an option for me, but I hemmed and hawed about the half, and when I found out it was almost sold out, I finally got my credit card out and made it official.

More than the race itself, though, I'm really looking forward to a weekend with friends, and hanging out and running in a city I've never been in.

And I am SO looking forward to being able to finish my race, and then come back to cheer on all my friends who are running the full!  Whenever I do a race, I always circle back to the finish for at least a few minutes (sometimes longer) to cheer on other finishers, but I'm usually pretty exhausted and out of it, so it'll be nice to have a little down time to catch my breath and recover a bit before going back and cheering everyone in.

And after that, my plan is to take some time off from racing. I've had a pretty busy schedule ever since Gansett last April, and it's been great - some really fun races, and some huge PRs - but my focus now is definitely shifting to Boston.

I submitted my registration Monday morning, and should hear back next week as to whether or not I'm in. All indications are that there are still plenty of spots left, and I feel fairly confident that I'll be standing on the starting line in Hopkinton next year. But I'll feel much, much better once I know that for sure.

And if I am running Boston next April, I'll be back in full-on training mode at the end of December, so I want to give myself some real down time. I haven't been on a training schedule this summer, but I've still been working pretty darn hard, and I think it will be good for me to back off for a month or so, so that I can go into my Boston training feeling refreshed and ready. 

I'm already getting excited just thinking about it. As soon as I sent in my registration, I started exploring the BAA website, and perusing training plans. I have a pretty huge goal in mind, but I'm still a little nervous to say it out loud.

And even though I know my name isn't going to be there yet, I still keep checking the list of entrants, hoping it's going to pop up. Hopefully, in a few more days, it will.

I was so burned out after running Hartford and Gansett just 6 months apart, and last April, the last thing I wanted to think about was training for another marathon. And not being beholden to a training schedule like that all summer has been so wonderful, and so freeing.

And it did exactly what I wanted it to do - it gave me a break, and made me enjoy running again, and gave me enough of a rest that I'm now really looking forward to being back on a schedule and checking off my workouts as I complete them, and counting down the days to April 15.

I've got the schedule, I've got the plan - now I just need the official registration. Keep your fingers crossed for me.....!

The Year of the Half

After my bizarre, out-of-the-blue allergic reaction Saturday night, I was really hoping to have a great run Sunday morning - one of the ones where I felt healthy and fit and strong the whole time. I needed that validation.

Luckily, I got it. I planned to run 10 miles, but was feeling so great that I ended up running just over 12. And I ran an 8:09 pace. And I felt fabulous the entire time. Good stuff.

Since I raced last week, and am racing again this weekend, it'll be a while before I do track work again, and I feel like I actually kind of miss it. I think I do miss the challenge a wee bit, but more than that, I miss my track partner. Now that school's back in session, and soccer has started, it's becoming more difficult for me to get out to group runs, and I'm missing the company.

Hopefully when I'm back in marathon training mode this winter, it'll be a little easier to meet up with people at least for my weekend long runs. I've done plenty of 20-milers solo, but I'd rather not do it too often, if I can help it.

Last year at this time, I was a bundle of nerves, counting down to Hartford, and wondering if I was going to be able to pull of my BQ time. And this year, I'm a bundle of nerves again - I've got my qualifying time, but since I'll be the last group to have an opportunity to register, it remains to be seen whether or not I'll actually get in before the race fills up.

I'm also a bundle of nerves thanks to the next race on my schedule - the Shoreline Biathlon in Westerly. Back to the race that started it all, 10 years ago - the first time I ever pinned a race bib to my shirt.

I fully anticipate a PR, and I think I even have a shot at an age-group award, so I'm excited to get out there and see what I can do. A little nervous, too, but it's more excited pre-race jitters than anything. I'll never get tired of those : )

I'll be feeling plenty of them come October - the race I've been working up to all summer - 13.1 in Newport, the final leg of the Triple Crown, and what will be my 5th half-marathon for the year.

I have one more half before that - Zooma Cape Cod - but I'm not planning on going all out at that one. The main reason I'm doing it is so I can have a weekend getaway on the Cape with a friend, and get to meet Sarah Bown Shea and Dimity McDowell, the authors of Run Like a Mother, as well as meeting up with some of the fabulous women from the Run Like a Mother Facebook community they've created.  The race is just the icing on the cake : )  I'm not going to run it at an easy pace, but I am going to save the real race pace for Newport.

Since Newport was my first full marathon, 4 years ago, this race is even more special to me.

Not only do I get to go back and run almost the same 13.1 miles that I ran in 2008 (the first half of the course is a little different now than it was then, but does cover much of the same territory), but I get to do it as a now three-time marathoner, a Boston qualifier, and a Gansett finisher. I've come a long way in those 4 years, and I think I'm going to reflect on that as I run in Newport again. 

And I'm also going to reflect on how happy I'll feel when I turn off to the finish chute at the 13.1 mile mark, instead of having to run twice that distance!!!  I'm excited to run 26.2 again next year, but happy to not be running it next month!