Sunday Raceday Runday

It was so much easier to blog after every run while training for Marine Corps Marathon because every run was a new experience, a new distance, or a new route. Kind of like running itself sort of lost its oomph after MCM.  A girlfriend warned me that it would never be the same, it would never be as grand and that is why some people stop running after that first marathon.  I can totally identify with that.  So if you dear reader are one of those people I get it, I really do.

When I first started running seriously I read anything about training I could get my hands on.  It wasn't until I stumbled across  "Chasing the Runner's High" by  Ray Chaebonneau that I found out about books about running written by runners.  This book took me to a new place.  Now, I totally get that chase for the runner's high.  I had highs through out my training, each time I conquered a new distance or a new PR in a race, they were amazing.  I had such a strong buzz from MCM I was high for months afterwards, feeling rather invincible; and to be truthful a little full of myself.  One of my ex-boyfriends and I keep in touch and he asked what it was like and I said "Honestly, better than the best sex I've ever had."  he snickered and said, "Probably not something you should share with your husband."  Pretty muchly...

So here I sit, in this nice sunny room after running probably 1.5 miles on a trail in 2' of snow.  (I'll check the Garmin later)  Feeling good, every run since Wednesdays has given me more and more of that runner's high, and that passion for the run. Feeling like I actually want to blog about running.

The race:

Those first few steps into the woods on the trail were breathtaking.  There was a collective gasp as about 40 runners entered the woods.

Today was race #4 of 5 for the Off Rhode Racing 4th Season Race Series.  The race was billed as Brrrrlingame 5 or 10 mile trail race.  With the snow (thank you Nemo, who names a blizzard Nemo?) the original course was not going to be reachable so the race director plotted out a total course of just under 5 miles.  There would be three options:  1) short 2) long 3) insane.  One of the gals I met at the last race was at this race and we lined up at the back of the pack of no more than 40 runners and decided, short course for sure, if it doesn't seem as bad as the RD is making it out to be then the long course.  Definitely no go on the insane option, the RD said he only ran that twice and it was really more appropriation for snow shoes...

There were 5 of us on the short course, I came in 2nd (I think).  After the race the last four gals off the course, me and three others, were talking to the RD he recommended we at least check out the first part of the long course it is really beautiful, up on a ridge.

After hiking part of the long trail I hiked back to the main camp road and took a run on the snow covered, yet plowed asphalt.  Love the YakTrax, definitely noticed a difference and felt much more sure on my feet in the slippery snow.  Did another 5K on that and as I neared the group I could feel the nice burn in my thighs and pop pop pop of the endorphin's in my head and blood.

I did start this blog post as I meant to go on.  Tying this up with a nice little bow, it is nice to have something to blog about and pictures to share and to be reunited with my friend the runner's high.

Sincerely,
Beth hoping someone is still tuning in!!

10K Trail Race

With the weather lately (barely reaching 20F) I REALLY needed a reason to put on the layers and get out there and run. Besides it was high time I stopped the "I'm in rest mode from the Marathon." crap.

Reason #1 - 10K trail race (today)

Reason #2 - Colorful running clothes!  Found a great waterproof and wind proof PURPLE jacket and some new colorful pony tail beanies.

Reason #3 - 5K virtual race (yesterday)

I kept up on the race director's posts.  He said there really wasn't a need for traction, the trails were pretty packed.  I left the YakTrax at home.  I would have done better up the hills WITH them.  Oh well.

Today was race #3 in South County Fourth Season Trail Race series.  It is a series of 5 races.  Last year I ran in all 5 races.  This year I will only make 4 of them due to thinking the start time of race #2 was the same as race #3. Oh well, this did prompt me to start recording the start times of the races I am interested in running and have registered for in my racing spreadsheet.  Geek much?  Anyhoodles, last year you received a mug with your race photos for competing in all 5 races, that was really sweet.

My time last year was 1:02, on a completely clear 10K course, with a long (0.2 mile) section of open area.  My time this year was 1:09 on a snowy, hence the need for YakTrax, nearly all single track woods trail.  I felt so bad for one of the younger runners who wore his racing flats and was slipping all over the place on the uphills and downhills.  Although I think he kind of enjoyed sliding down, I know I would have!  He muttered, I left my spikes at home, that was dumb.

I remember this kid from the Old Mountain Field race.  His father is an uber-competitive runner and was egging him with about a mile left to go in the course.   In later discussions I found out he instructed his team to run the 5K trail as a warm up and then as a warm down.  No wonder this poor kid got beat by two women in their 40s...

I kept pace with a couple gals in my age bracket, one way ahead of me, I rarely lost sight of her and another who drafted me for the first 5 miles then took off.  Drafting me as in it was like she was breathing down my neck the whole time.  She really only gained 40 seconds on her over all time, but really?  I offered a couple times for her to pass, even when I fell she declined passing me.  I'm hardly a substantial wind break, but hey any port in a storm right?

Awesome Purple Coat and Hat!!

I was still smiling as I was coming up on the finish line.  Guess that means I didn't work hard enough?  Feh, I ran a marathon last weekend!

Yesterday I went out for a 5K virtual race.  Anywhere 5K hosts a monthly race, run your own course, they provide a bib you can print and a place to record your results.  Sometimes there are even prizes!  I have an at work 5K course and one in my town that I use for these virtual races.  It is kind of fun to get out there with a purpose other than just feeling fantastic running.

The Anywhere 5K was Run Fur Fun to benefit the Humane Society (if you chose to donate) and to have a chance to run with your canine family member(s).  I chose to run solo, none of our four boxers are focused enough to run a race!  I did run in memory of our Diesel who we lost to Cancer in 2010.  He survived nearly 2 years with a hemangiosarcoma on his spine.  We only discovered the cancer because he could not stand up one day.  The tumor closed off his spinal cord. From what the vet said during the progression of the cancer he was constantly re-learning how to walk as the tumor cut off more and more signals from his brain to his hind legs.  During his cancer experience he re-learned to walk twice.  Amazing the will and strength of our big guy.

At the beach!

First time with the wheels, he re-learned to walk after this and a second time!!

Sincerely,
Beth, running for fun!

Perspective

Jackass came in this morning with the usual Monday morning banter. Of course, he asked about my race this weekend. I said I thought it started at 10 it started at 9. And like with anything he pull some Seinfeld reference! Yep, you guessed it Jean-Paul!!

Jean-Paul The Marathon Runner

Friends just put things into perspective, don’t they?

I’m still incredibly bummed to miss race 2 of a 5 race series and be out of the running for having competed in all of them like I did last year. Now I will put the race START time on the calendar also and be more diligent about checking the start time BEFORE I go to bed.

So to answer the question, Will she break a running rule? Nope! No race no new stuff. Although I am going to look for the Run Yaktrax for trail running. Those look a little better for running and I’ll run in them before attempting a race.

I did have a nice, yet slow, 6 mile run and followed that up with a trip to the beach with Hubb and 3 of the 4 dogs. The beach was nice, not too many people, we missed the get up and go for a walk on the beach crowd and were early for the let’s go for a walk on the beach after lunch crowd. Don’t worry too much about the one left home alone. He had a special treat, going hiking with me, which he LOVES his ‘mommy and me time’ plus I let him wander and he just likes to be doing something. He was a little disgruntled that Hubb was joining us. The look on his face when I had him get into the truck was one of “Really? Do we have to bring HIM with us?” We went out to a local trail where Hubb could work on some things with his mountain bike and Gizmo and I could hike. Gizzy was happy when Hubb took off in one direction and we went in another.

The trails were nice with a fresh covering of snow to clean everything up.  The hunters were out so we donned our orange!



Safety Dog!!

Sincerely,
Beth, who will be writing the START times on the calendar!

Sandy Hook 5K

My run this morning was going to be a quick one, or rather a short one  I was going to a get together to meet a friends baby and had a limited amount of time. I determined two steps out the door this would be my Sandy Hook 5K Virtual Race.  I needed motivation and something to think about.  I'm still not at 100%, I hope that the three weeks from start to finish for 'the crud' holds true.  This gave me goal mileage as I really didn't have a plan.  I reflected back on the tragedy and a friend who experienced the NIU shootings, first hand, and knew two of the students killed.  I wonder how those children are going to be able to deal with this as they grow up.  Hearing what my friend, as an adult, deals with nearly 5 years post the shooting I cannot imagine how children will manage.

The race is put on by Mena Shaw racing.  If your interested check it out lasts until the end of the month!   The proceeds go to the SW CT United Way Sandy Hook School Support Fund. I think this is wonderful.  There is a race in Newton, CT on the 19th of January check it out here.  I'll be running the Phoenix Rock n' Roll Marathon in Arizona, so this was a great option for me!!

I had to pay a lot of attention to the sidewalks.  Krikies people shovel your damn walks!!!  So there was some times I needed to run in the street. Oh well. Live and learn some people shovel some people don't, those of you who do:  Thanks!  Love ya!

Tomorrow is race two of Off Rhode Racing Fourth Season series.  It is a beach and trail run, in Narragansett RI, beautiful course on the ocean!  The race director posted that the snow is nearly gone however it is icy, additionally snow is expected and temps won't be going much above 25F; so you may want to arrive early and check things out to determine appropriate footwear and clothing.

Knowing what I experienced this a.m. and knowing that a trail doesn't offer as much latitude, hell ANY latitude, in avoiding things I had no idea what to do.  Last year we really didn't have a true winter, there was little snow and what snow we had was gone in a day.  One of my running buddies posted that she had an 11 mile trail run and it was icier than she expected and wasn't prepared.  I asked what she did  She said YaxTrax!  I scurried out to the local sporting goods store hoping they had these things.  They did!!  So this will give me a little more security for tomorrows race.   Yes, yes I know I am violating a sacred running rule "nothing new".

I'll run that and then put in another 10 later in the day.  I have to get in some mileage for this Marathon.  Definitely won't and shouldn't get in 20 miles tomorrow, too close to the race to risk injury.

My stats for the Sandy Hook race aren't great, it is so much easier to push when you are racing WITH people (see Frosty 5K stats) 

Frosty 5K Stats, the competitiveness comes out! (this was day 11 of  'the crud')

Sincerely, 

Beth, looking forward to the trail race tomorrow, and will do a warm up lap with the YaxTrax so technically won't be violating any sacred running rules.