Phoenix 10K

This past Saturday, I ran my first 10K.  It was an emotional roller coaster for me...and a learning lesson in many ways too.

I guess I should probably begin at 3:00am, when I woke up frantically because there were cars racing up and down my street.  It took me FOREVER to go back to sleep (in my irrational and delusional state, I kept thinking a car was going to come flying through my wall - it's not that irrational I guess...my room is right at the front of the house).  By the time I got back to sleep, my alarm went off about an hour later.  Needless to say, it wasn't the best sleep I had hoped for before a race.

The night before, I had laid out all my clothes for the race and left my water, armband case and bib by the front door.  Well on the way out, I apparently forgot my bib and didn't realize it until I was almost to the parking lot where I was supposed to catch my bus...I channeled my inner "fast and the furious" and bolted back home to get the bib, and made it to the race shuttle just before the last bus left.  Talk about a wake up call!  My adrenaline was definitely pumping.

I get dropped off at the starting line, and it's still pretty cold out for Arizona (it was like 50 degrees).  After fighting with by bib and pins for what seemed like forever, I looked down and my race shirt on backwards - I realize this as the singer belts out the national anthem in preparation for the canon start in less than 5 minutes.  Frantically, I tried to get my shirt switched around (I didn't want to the be idiot in the pictures with their shirt on backwards) just minutes before the race began.

I had also decided to wear my Under Armour ColdGear under my race shirt, which inevitably ended up being a really bad decision.  By mile 1, I was BURNING UP!  But I sucked it up anyway, because I didn't want to stop and take the time to try and get out of it.

The first two miles were brutal.  I assume because of everything that went wrong that morning (my mind was going crazy), I had a really difficult time getting my head in the game.  I also felt incredibly emotional.  The Phoenix 10K is part of the marathon and half marathon series, so there were many families out there to cheer on their loved ones.  There were also plenty of strangers with hilarious signs for all the "random" runners they didn't know.  Some of my favorites included:
-You thought they said RUM, didn't you?
-You're all Kenyans in our eyes.
-Worst Parade Ever
-You've trained longer than Kim Kardasian's marraige.
The whole race benefited AzBrainFood (http://www.azbrainfood.org/), an amazing non-profit that provides backpacks of food to feed hungry children over the weekend.  So along the route, there were signs with pictures of children, thanking the runners for supporting them.

The combo of my morning madness, seeing all the supporters out to cheer for the runners and the pictures of the children (seriously...pictures of adorable babies...really?!) created this huge emotional feeling for me.  I  started crying a few times.  I just couldn't control it, so I kinda went with it.  I think the few tears I shed the first few miles ended up making me run better.  I was able to get out some of that energy and for some reason, it kept me going, even though I really wanted to quit many, many times.

I finished up the race 11 minutes faster than I had anticipated (did it in 1:18:56), which thrilled me.  And two days later, I am still incredibly sore!  I will never forget my first 10K experience because I learned many things:

• Pin my bib on my shirt the night before my race
• Don't wear ColdGear unless it is actually, truly, really cold
• Recruit people to come cheer for me (it was such a great race, I just wished I had some supporters to wait for me at the finish line)
• Never plan a Girl Scout Cookie Booth sale immediately after a race
• Try to make the morning as stress-free as possible

So now I have successfully kept up with one of my goals for the year (a race a month).  I have completed 3 races.  I have an awesome medal from the Phoenix 10K.  This coming weekend, I have my Kiss Me I'm Irish 17K (Lord help me).  I've successfully run half the miles I need for my half - and I feel pretty good about it!

So as sore as I am today, and despite the fact that shin splints are killing me right now, I am very happy with my running progress.  I'm heading out tonight for a quick little jog, hopefully to loosen my body up and get me up and moving again.  

Oh...last little note.  I wore two strands of pearls for this race.  Don't ask me why, cause I have no idea.  But double the pearls, double the fun! :)

Recent Happenings!

Things have gotten a little crazy, and I have forgotten to blog!  No worries though, my running is better than ever.

A couple quick notes on the past few weeks:

--I've been running about 3-5 times a week, which is so much better than I had been doing before.

--I ran my second 5k of 2013 last Sunday February, 17.  It was the Helping Hands Run benefiting Hospice of the Valley.  The race went great!  I pushed myself and felt pretty good throughout.  And I ended up shaving just under 6 minutes off my previous 5k time!  I finished in 38:18 and was SO proud of myself!

--Monday after my 5k (Ideally, I really should have taken a day off, but it just didn't work out that way), I went on my first "long" run.  I was uncertain how well it would go.  I strategically placed my route along the way to a few friends' houses in case I felt like I was dying.  I ended up running 6.7 miles.  That's right - 6.7 miles!  I couldn't believe it.  I didn't stop to walk once, and I was beyond proud of myself.  For the first time, I really experienced what willpower can do.  I don't think that I mentally thought I could do it.  I just kept telling myself I could make it, and not to quit, and I did it.  I almost cried afterward, and then called my mom, dad and Bebo (grandma) because I was so excited!  Did I mention I was really excited? ;-)

--After my long run, I took a few days off.  Holy Cow! did my legs hurt!  But a good hurt.

--Last night, I went for a run with my friend Jackie.  I had a really busy night and was glad she encouraged me to go run (I had a lot of stuff to get done, and the time didn't seem like it was going to work out).  We did a brisk 2.5 miles and I felt great. At the end, I felt like I could have gone a few more miles (if I only had enough time!).  This was the first run I actually kind of enjoyed and wanted to keep going.  Could it be?  I might be starting to enjoy running?!  Crazy talk right there :)

Those are my updates for now!  Today, I head to Cali for the weekend.  Going to get a longer run in tomorrow (anywhere from 4-8, we'll see what I'm feeling).  I've got my first 10k next weekend and a 17k the weekend after!  We're getting closer and closer to the half-marathon.  For the first time since signing up, I actually feel like I can do it!

First Race of 2012!

For the most part, I have gotten out of my funk.  I went on a couple runs last week and had my first race this past weekend.  Between friends and their amazing words of encouragement (including a quasi freak out with Megan via gchat), a couple short runs last week, and the Color Run on Saturday (in the rain - FYI, it doesn't rain in Arizona), I feel a lot better about getting myself motivated.

So.  Saturday was the Color Run, "The Happiest 5k on the Planet" and it was a blast!  It was pouring rain and cold (it doesn't rain in Arizona), but such a good time.  I half walked/half jogged (it was so freaking packed, I really couldn't run/jog much more because of the amount of people in the way).  Considering I've been struggling, I am very happy with my time (that, and parts of the course were flooded out, so I was running in shin deep water - did I mention it isn't supposed to rain in Arizona???).  

The Color Run, January 26, 2013: 44:18 (average pace 13:53).  

Post Color Run, I went for a massage yesterday to have Jason work on my aching calves and shins.  Tonight after work, I hit the pavement again with clean, not soaking running shoes (PS - it's STILL raining!!!) 

Next Monday, I (full blown) start my training plan.  For now, I continue my runs to build a base.  I am feeling much better than last week about training for the NWM DC in April!  Bring it on!  

Baby, It's Cold Outside/Hello, Texas!/I've Been Slacking

Sooo, I skipped my weigh-in last week (January 15).  I've been slacking lately, which is not good at all.  Last week, it was the coldest weather I think Arizona has seen in quite awhile.  I know all the East Coast people I know will say that 45 degree highs and 22 degree lows really isn't that cold, but for an Arizonan (particularly in the Phoenix area), that's almost an unbelievable weather forecast.  I'm honestly surprised that schools and state government didn't shut down.  Just kidding, but seriously...

So I didn't run.  For a 6 day stretch during that weather time.  Which wasn't good.  I need to be running.  And after the weather got better, I left for Texas.  I packed running gear for my trip, and while in Texas, my excuse became, "well, I'm not getting any sleep, so I won't be able to run."  So I didn't run while in Texas for 5 days.

It's been about 2 weeks since my last run.  And I feel crappy about that.  Actually, it scares the crap out of me.  I have so much training to do, and such a short amount of time to do it in.  I feel like I have been making excuses, and I am not sure how to get out of that terrible habit.  I need to just force myself to get out and do it, but can't seem to convince myself of that.

Basically, I'm feeling crappy.  The only thing I'm not feeling crappy about is my weigh-in this week.  I only gained .3 pounds (January 22 Weigh-In: 188.4).  I've stayed relatively active this week, just not doing great with the running.  Time to change that -- I am running tonight.  I need to for many reasons.  For me...for my race this weekend...to not feel like I am failing this endeavor.  I don't want this to be a "I was really gung-ho about this for a few weeks, then I gave up" situation.  I refuse to have it be like that.

So send me words of encouragement.  Shoot me a text and tell me to get my butt to the gym and run.  I would definitely appreciate it!

First Weekly Weigh-In, First Week Training

Thursday of my first week of training.  Things are going pretty good.  Just a few quick updates:

--First weekly weigh-in was Tuesday, and the scale showed what I hoped it would...I lost 3.5 pounds.  Yes - I attribute most of this to water weight, but I'll take what I can get.  January 7 Weigh-In: 188.1 (3.5 pounds down)

--Monday: Bootcamp. Was. Brutal. Like seriously...brutal.  I am still sore today.  But regrettably, I found out that Monday was my last day of Bootcamp for awhile.  I am having shoulder issues, and until my doctor's have figured out what the issue is, I am not to do strenuous exercises with my arms/shoulders.  Unfortunately, this messes up my training plan a little, but nothing that can't be fixed.  I am going to sub in some bicycle cross training and potentially yoga (although that requires some shoulder usage...we'll see how it goes).

--Tuesday: 2 mile run.  Traffic was terrible on the way home Tuesday, which put me in an incredibly frustrated mood.  In turn though, I ran pretty well.  I felt great doing it, and it really helped me focus my anger and frustrations into something.  Very productive run (although in the dark, which I don't like.  Took my taser with me...a girl's gotta be safe!)

--Wednesday: Rest Day.  I should have done some cross training, but my legs were still killing me, so I decided to listen to my body and take it easy with some compression calf sleeves and a West Wing marathon.  I think I made a good choice.

--On schedule tonight: 2 mile run and some cycling.  Then some Grey's Anatomy and Scandal.  It's going to be a good night.

Any suggestions on additional cross training in lieu of missing Bootcamp, send 'em my way!

First Run of 2013

On Saturday, I did my first run/jog of 2013.  I only ran 2 miles (I mostly went to test out some new gear).  It was a pretty good run.  I was very proud of myself for only stopping to walk for about 2 minutes during the whole time.   Halfway through, I wanted to quit - but I started internally chanting, "Tiffany's necklace...Tiffany's necklace," and it helped me persevere (Did I mention at the end of my half marathon I get a Tiffany's necklace?  Right?!  Super awesome motivator!).

Today, January 7, marks the first day of my 12 week training program!  Tonight is stretch and strengthen, so that means....BOOTCAMP!  I haven't been in a few weeks, so I'm sure it is going to be brutal!  As much as I'm looking forward to it, I am also not looking forward to the pain I know I will be feeling in the morning.  But that's ok - I just need to remind myself, "Tiffany's necklace..."

Impact Fit Group

I do my Bootcamp exercises with Steve Fischkin and crew at Impact Bootcamp in Chandler.  I love Bootcamp and the way it makes me feel (even though most days it takes an act of God for me to actually get there).  Once in the atmosphere, I always have a great workout.  

Last night, I attended "Impact Fit Group", a new group through Bootcamp to help with accountability, nutrition and support.  It was a great class!  We took weight/body fat percentages, made goals for the new year and talked about our biggest struggles.  It was a great support group, and I look forward to attending every month.  

I have updated my blog pages to include my 2013 Fitness Goals and my 2013 weigh-ins.  

Hoping to get my first run of 2013 in tonight (even before full blown half-marathon training kicks in next Monday).  Wish me luck!