Runner's Tag

SO I didn't actually get tagged...   I did think this was super cool and I am lacking in things to say.  We unexpectedly lost our 10 year old Boxer girl on the 30th.  And I really didn't feel like writing about my last run, other than 34F felt balmy!!

SO here goes.  The questions and my answers.  Feel free to use this, I thought it was interesting and have enjoyed reading the answers to the questions from other runners!!

http://www.tips4running.com/runners-tag.html 
1. How long have you been running?

 
I've been running consistently since summer of 2011.  I started running in January 2010 with the C25K program and ran my first 5K in April  2010 with a time of 37:44, not too shabby  for starting out too fast and walking!!   After that I tackled a 3.6 mile trail run for a time of 48:19….   I started running in HS track, decades ago... but didn't stick with it.
 
2. Why did you start running?

 
I started running because walking on the treadmill got boring and I wasn't seeing much in terms of results in loosing the bulk I gained in my late 30's early 40's.  Ultimately vanity wins for many of us.

After running no more than a couple miles at a clip I decided, prompted by an eMail from my father to sign up for a ½ marathon running with the Lung Cancer Alliances, Team Lung Love, in May of 2011.  I figured I would walk and run and could make it the full way, no problem.  My mother was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in August 2007 and this would be to raise funds and awareness.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into or how much this would change my life.

3. What is the furthest distance you have ever ran?

I have run 26.2, twice.  I’m frothing at the mouth to try a 50K…

4. What is your best running memory?

Crossing the finish line of the first ½ I ran.  I crossed wearing the Team Lung Love jersey and holding hands with a fellow Team Lung Lover.  I did it.  I actually freaking did it.  I could call myself a runner now!!!

5. What shoes do you run in?


Asics Kayano’s  I want to try some minimalist shoes. But after running a marathon in Brooks Trance which were just a skitch stiffer than the Kayanos and fouling up my IT band for a month I’m a little scared.

6. What are your favorite and least favorite distances to run or race?


I hate 5Ks, they are painful… I need to work on my speed and they are the best competitive way for me to do this.  My PR is 27:27 for a 5K. 

I love marathons.  I know I only have two under my belt.  Honestly anything over 10 miles is a lovely distance for me.  I get in a grove and feel very accomplished.
 
7. Do you have a running partner?
 
I don’t.  I do have some virtual running buddies. 
 
8. What is your favorite place to run?
 
 
Trails.  There is one near where I work and a wonderful place to stop on my way home on Fridays.  There are a few near my home that I frequent on the weekends.  I love being outside and being in the woods and just the challenge of the hills and paying attention to where my  feet are going.  Sure I fall, that is all part of the experience. 
 
9. What is your favorite running accessory?

 
I love my iPod shuffle.  I know I know it is dangerous to run with music.  I put in only one ear piece on the trails and if I’m nervous.  The music just takes me away, either to think about the person that recommended the song, or the first time I ever heard the song or the first time I heard the song running. 
 
10. Do you like outdoor or indoor running?

 
Outdoor Running!!!  I've run on the treadmill when I first started and only a few times when the weather was horrible.  Now I’ll just run out no matter the climate. 
 
11. What is your favorite time of the day to run?

 
I love running mid morning.  My day has started and I get my tasks organized and take off about 10:30 and when I’m done, grab lunch head  back to my desk and get productive.  Most of the folks I work with don’t get into the office until after 10 and aren’t productive till after 11 so the a.m. gives me time to deal with their after normal working hours missives and set myself up for my day.
 
I also love running late in the afternoon in the fall, just when the weather has warmed up for the day and the smells of fall are so rich and plentiful. 
 
12. What races have you ran?
 
 
5K, 3.6M, 4M, 5M, 10K, 7.4M, 10M, 15K, ½ Marathon, Marathon.
 
13. What music do you listen to when running?

 
Pop.  As my friends say bad pop.  There are a couple bluegrass songs, some old rock n’ roll.  I’d call it eclectic.
 
14. What is the hottest or coldest weather you have ever ran in?

 
Hottest would be in the high 99F with 100% humidity.  That was miserable.  It was a race and it was miserable.  Coldest probably 4F.
 
15. What are some other exercises you love?

 
Yoga and TRX
 
16. Are you currently training for something?

 
Not really.  I am focusing on form and then on speed.  I’ll be running Marine Corps in October and will officially start training for that in a few months. 
 
17. What are your current or future goals?

 
5K sub 27
10K sub 60
½ Marathon sub 2 hours
Marathon sub 5 hours

I need to set some more solid goals. 
 
18. Advice for new runners
?
 
Goals! Goals! Goals!  Don’t skip running, your body needs it.  Don’t over train, your body doesn't need it.  You will find YOUR happy place.
 
20.  Who will you tag?
 
I choose Melissa!

Sincerely, Beth thankful to have something else to think about!!!

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!

Marathon Recap

It sounded like a great idea, a weekend with the marathon girls in Arizona running the Rock n' Roll Marathon.  What could be better to save us from a long weekend in cold and snowy Colorado, New Jersey, and Rhode Island?  Between injuries from Marine Corps in October, strained muscles from non-running activities, and "The Crud" crap going around none of the four of us were trained as we should be.  I boasted the best with a long run of 15 miles way back in the beginning of December.  We determined we were doing this for fun not for a PR...

Well two of us did PR:  G and B.  Woo Freaking Whoo!!  Interestingly the youngest and most untrained of us did the best, knocking 20 minutes off her MCM time.  Hmmm...  Unfortunately G could not finish her post race beer, so hmm I volunteered, surprised?  Didn't think so!!  A and M hit the wall and soldiered on.  Finishing as that is what counts!  Proud of them, always!

G - 4:17
B (me) - 5:01
A - 5:05
M - 5:35

It was a great race!!   One of A's friends took us to the start line, we arrived 10 minutes before the start, just enough time to jog to the start line, snap a picture and cross the start line to Joann Jett "I Love Rock and Roll"....  Absolutely Brilliant!!!

As it was a Rn'R marathon there were bands every mile or so.  They over powered the iPod, however the shuffle didn't let me down with songs as I needed them.  Each song brings back a memory of a run and/or a person and that image was with me for the duration of the song, egging me on, taking me to a different place.

Play List - Don't Judge!!!  (always looking for recommendations!!)

I started out a little fast as my 5K split told me, I felt good.  I wasn't in a hurry, and I definitely should not have been....  My splits went from fast to slow to fast.  Bell curve perhaps?

I need to graph this but I think it is sort of bell curve shaped, no?

All in all the Marathon was great.  I was happy to have completed #2, and being untrained wasn't as much of a hindrance.  I think I really know, now what I am capable of and fully trained for Marine Corps in October 2013 I am sure I can break 5 hours, maybe close to 4:30?  I know I need to push myself more, push myself to the edge and over the edge.  Truly finding out what is to much and backing off from there.

Post Race - the Fab Five!!

The four of us did manage to meet a fellow runner to add to our crew!  E's goal is to run 13 1/2s in 2013 and he is now two races in.  We will meet up with him again for a Rn'R 1/2 this year!!  So fun to meet new people.

The biggest difference between AZ and DC was the crowds and the energy.  There was a lot more alone time on this course than there was with DC.  I don't know which I liked better.  Which do you like better, running by yourself in a race or among other racers?


Sincerely,
Beth, not as high from AZ Rn'R as she was from MCM however feeling pretty damn proud!!