Last race of 2015

I finished out 2015 by running the Santa Hustle Half marathon in Galveston yesterday. Not going to lie it was rough. I'm sure I am not anywhere fully recovered from the BCS Marathon the week before but I really think the weather played a bigger part in my struggle yesterday. It is really hard to stay acclimated to any type of weather when it is constantly changing. Saturday it was a cool 40, beautiful for running, Sunday it was 60 with 90 % humidity, icky conditions and currently it's 70 and raining. The plan was to be festive and run in the long sleeve tech shirt the race provided and be all "Santa'ed" up but there was no was I would have survived if I had. However if I had I wouldn't have a slight sunburn right now. 

It was a really cool race. One of my favorite 10'ks The Toughest 10k Galveston allows runners to run over the causeway heading onto the Island. This is the first time I have run actually on the Island and Galveston did not disappoint. 10 miles or so of the run are on the seawall. What does that mean to you, fantastic view of the Gulf of Mexico and the gulf breeze. The course is not shady so December is probably the correct time of year to run this course, any time after April and it would be a "found dehydrated on the side of the road" kind of race. Eeven with the unexpected warmer day it was worth it. Always being leery of enough on the course water support, I did bring my own but for those who didn't there was only one 2 mile stretch it might have been an issue. Otherwise there was more than ample hydration support for the day. They also had cookie and candy stations along the course which I felt was very festive.

2015 total race count: 1- 1k, 1- 3k, 4- 5k's, 1- 5 miler, 4- 10k's, 5- Half's, 1 - 25k and 4 Marathons. 

Total racing miles for 2015 230.48. Total all miles for the year (with 9 days left to go) 753.59. 

Almost 200 miles fewer than last year. I am going to have to take that into consideration when I make my goals for 2016. 

Until next time, may all your runs be merry and bright.

I'm still here

I know it looks like I may have abandoned my blog and maybe running since my last post BUT...I'm still here. It's just been a rough year. A few weeks after Little Rock, my boss of 8 years, my mentor, my pseudo-father killed himself. As you can imagine all of this, this blog and my running and what ever goals I had for the year were put on hold. I was going thru the motions but not really connecting to anything.

By the end of March I had pounded out so many miles trying to make sense of what happened I managed to give myself quite a knee injury. I would like to say I took enough time off to heal it properly but I didn't. In fact in April I ran the Hog's Hunt 25k and ended up face down covered in mud on the trails wondering how I had even gotten there. I guess you have to move on. I pushed thru running a little here and there until June came when I started back up running with the Cyfit group. My little group of me and 4 other dedicated runners saved me. Week after week they were there, in the heat, mile after mile. Our coach, bless her she's one of a kind, told me after I spilled all that had been going on since we last ran together said to me, "I'm not going to give you my number, that way you can't skip runs on me." She knew being out there with them was just what my soul needed. 

Nutrabolt Half medal.

So now this season I have set a goal, my first 50k. The Miracle Mile Match in Waco on January 31st. Along the way now that racing season hit Houston I have run 3 half marathons, the Buffalo Stampede, the Nurtabolt, and the Harbor Half (which ran out of medals and still owes me one) and the BCS Marathon last weekend. Still on the schedule before Waco, I have the Santa Hustle and the Kingwood Marathon January 1st. 

I would like to mention a few things about a some of the races listed above. The Buffalo Stampede is a nice small home town race, it was a repeat for me so nothing new to report on it. The Nurtabolt race is put on by the same folks who do the BCS Marathon. In fact if you plan on doing BCS I would do Nurtabolt as a warm up since. It will give you a good feel for how to run the hardest parts of the marathon. The Harbor Half was a beautiful run along the Corpus Christi bay water line. Only complaint is that they ran out of medals and promised they would send them out to those who didn't get them. They said they were shipping on Dec 3rd but I have yet to receive mine.

As for BCS, I have now run both the half and the marathon they put on. This years race was in horrible weather, again, rained pretty much the entire time. I couldn't feel my toes, pretty much the entire time. In the end, I really had quite a fantastic time. It's a marathon so yes there were some rough spots but keeping going is the name of the game and that's what I did. One of the head coaches for the Cyfit group told us this story about how the Navy Seals have a 40% rule, your mind gives out at 40% effort but your body still have 60% more it can go, and it stuck with me throughout the race. In the tough moments, even if that 60% was me telling myself I could do anything for a minute and then running for that minute, it helped me get to the finish. 

 Looking forward 2016 is going to be a big year. I have booked the follow, so far:

Kingwood Marathon Jan. 1
Abb 5k (part of Houston's marathon weekend) Jan 16
Volunteer Houston marathon Jan 17
Miracle Match 5k Jan 30
Miracle Match 50k Jan 31
Katy 5k and hopefully volunteer Feb 6
The Woodlands 2k March 4
The Woodlands Half March 5
Seabrook Half day one March 19
Seabrook Half day two March 20
Clear Lake 10k June 5
Cypress Half Nov 13
Route 66 Marathon Nov 20

I'm tired just reading that.

Happy Running

Little Rock Marathon

A few months back I won entry into the Little Rock Marathon via a Twitter trivia contest. Before that Little Rock was just another bucket list race for me. And now I am happy to say I have crossed it off my list. I am so glad I made the journey to run it.

First off the weather. I would be driving up from Houston where it was cold and drizzly but still extremely tolerable. Unfortunately a storm was heading south and I was driving up into the storms drive line where not only was it in the 20's but there was a good chance of frozen rain or some sort of rainy icy mix.  I made good time, making the 450 miles in 6 1/2 hours. I was lucky there was snow on the ground in some spots but the roads for the most part were clear and I was able to drive fast enough to keep ahead of it.

Bib, shirt and swag

My first stop, of course, was the expo. No issues getting my bib, checking my chip and switching to the early start. Houston's expo is my gauge (only because it's my home town) so I would say that Little Rock's expo is about half it's size with about the same number of speakers. Later in the day as the weather became a bigger issue for runners traveling in, the RD's made the decision to keep packet pick up open to 10 pm and then worked things out for those who still wouldn't get in by then. I love when races make these last minute concessions. It shows that they really care for their runners and want everyone to have the best experience possible.

In the morning, I was lucky that my hotel was only 1/2 mile walk to the start. It was fantastically cold

Flat Joules, all the gear 

and drizzly out and warmer than it would be later in the race. We started with Bart Yasso on the mic and a recording of the National Anthem. It was a bigger crowd than I expected for an early start. The race wound snake like thru the Little Rock downtown area before branching out towards the Governors mansion and then on to Central High and then just after mile 11 we ran back into downtown into the crowd of regular start runners who were on their way to mile 3. The first time thru here I read the signs, right to mile 3 straight ahead to mile 12, it was an unfortunate split for at least one guy who asked somewhere on the way mile 13 which mile I was on when he realized he missed his turn and was only at about 4 1/2. This is the point where the route takes the major up hill climb. My feet were beginning to burn due to a combination of cold and rain soaked socks so I ducked into a bus stop and changed them out with some dry ones. That was better for the time being. 

The course up to this point has been rather boring but on the back side of the hill it turned into a small street that wound down along a bayou on one side and interesting old houses on the other. The lead runners began to pass us along this point. We headed to the a long stretch that would be 3 or so miles out and then back. As part of the rules for the early start crowd we not allowed to go any faster than the 6:00 pacers but at this point in the course with regular start runners coming passed us they were allowed to let those who wanted to run ahead of them go. So I went. These miles from 16-23 were really nice, it was along side the water in a park setting and probably the best part of the course. When we popped back out of here the course once again became an up hill battle and my feet once again began to revolt on me. On the last up hill around mile 25 I swapped out my intervals and instead of running 1:1 I ran 1:3 so I more or less walked the last mile until the final turn where I could see the finish. I was able to run to the finish where once again Bart Yasso was on the mic and giving high 5's to runners as they finished. Officially 5:57:47. 

Highlights from the race. The course was fully open for the early start crowd, some races don't have support for the early crowd until the regular runners start. The course aid stations were fantastic, this seems silly but there were more than 2 port-a-potties (more like 6-8) at every other aid station. The support from spectators in between the aid stations made it really no more than a 1/2 mile with out a cheer section. There are a few more notable in between spots on the course, such as the couch potato mile, the runners blessings and the lollipop stop. The full medical tent at mile 20 which was covered and dry. Also the super (no longer secret) secret hush hush boozy aid station handing out bloody mary's and "adult" fruit and moon pies. The lipstick spot on the way to the finish is something new for me too. 

Replica medal

This is not a race I would do for the Half distance. Unlike the Louisiana Marathon just running the Half distance would be worth doing, on this course I think you would miss so much just running the Half. The course doesn't really get interesting until that 3 mile/12 mile split and the part before there is really nondescript. I am giving this race an 'A'. I am not even really disappointed with the replacement medal. Sure the real medal would have been great but the fact the weeks before the race we were notified it wouldn't be there and the CIC's got the medal company to come up with something was really better than nothing. In all honesty it's better than some race medal I have earned. 

Coming up a few the Bayou City Classic, Law Week 8k and the San Felipe Shootout.

I should have updated this months ago. I did finally receive my actual Little Rock Marathon medal and it was all they had promised. 3 pounds of I can't wear this thing around my neck for very long. As you can see it dwarfs every other medal I have earned this year.

February so far...

So the month has been crazy!

Starting with the Sugarland Marathon and now 2 weeks later I am have run 2 more races.

The first one was the Katy 5k. It was put on in conjunction with the Katy Half Marathon put on my

ONUR Mark. They are a very well know race group in the Houston area. And as I  always say if you want more local races you have to come out and support and for me that meant not only running but volunteering prerace.Yep if you were there that was me along with two other girls manning the volunteer check in/let's fix your issue tent. Which honestly was a lot of fun. You get to be at the race site extra early, 4:00 am, you get the best parking, because there aren't too many people there yet and you get to see all the behind the scenes action. Well I would have gotten to see all the behind the scenes stuff if it weren't for the fog. It started out slightly foggy and before the Half started you could no longer see the start line arch from the 100 feet away from it our tent was. At one point you could barely see the lights that were at the startline, it turned out to be a crazy foggy day, in fact it cause about a 10 minute delay to the start. It was a good morning, I managed to PR my 5k time so no complaints. 

My 3rd race for the month was more of an impromptu decision to run. I needed 15 last weekend and am training for the San Felipe Shootout (5k, 10k, and 13.1 all in the same day) so I decided to run 2 miles and then run the Rhythm & Blues Half Marathon. Ok. So I ran the 5k of this race the first year it race, that was 4 years ago so I figured they may not be so disorganized this go round. I was kind of wrong. The Pros A) there was a bonus medal option and I happened to qualify, B) 2 loops this year instead of it's previous 3 C) the on course cheering groups and bands were FANFRECKINTASTIC!

The Cons A) It's a double looped course on the worst part of Allen Pkwy, the dreaded "underpasses" which meant hills not just out and back but out and back and out and back again. B) late start I know it's February but an 8:30 start for a half marathon is kind of crazy any time of year in Houston C) it was more humid than normal for February and the finishline ran out of water and so did the beer distributor D) the food was at the bottom of the hill (which after that hilly mess was dreadful) and all that was left for us back-of-the-packers was warm water, bananas, and stale mini bagels. I got dizzy so I left. Always. ALWAYS bring what you need to any race.

Would I do them again, Katy Half next year HECK YA! Rhythm & Blues, Nope.

Coming up Little Rock Marathon is 2 weeks away.

USA FIT Sugarland Marathon

Yes that's right marathon #2 for 2015 already!

First off after training with USA Fit Cypress for most of 2014 I have to be honest and say that signing up for this race was a no brainier. Seriously. Everything you are about to read is totally bias.

Since I just ran the Louisiana Marathon 2 weeks ago I decided to not shoot myself in the foot time wise and switched to the early start for this race. How early is early? How about 4:30 am early. But since I was looking at a 6 hour finish it was warranted. I expected a no frills start and I didn't expect as many people there as there was, maybe around 100. We got the full start line treatment, National Anthem and all! 

Having read previous reviews of the race I knew we were on our own until about 6 miles in. Which was ok for the first loop. The sun was still hours away and it was warm than usual but we had a real funky fog keeping things cool so by the time I got to the first set up water stop at mile 4.5 I was still ok. I would like to give a big shout out here to the crew at this stop, these were my peoples. So many runners and family members of the USA Fit Cypress group came out and put together a really AWESOME aid station. They seriously had the best energy and much needed encouragement, not just for me but for all the runners out there. My hats off to them. Volunteers really can make or break (as I will get to later) a race and this group, as well as the others out there really did amazing! So a HUGE THANK YOU to all the volunteers out there on Sunday.

The first loop up until I ran into the 5k turn around was great. I don't think the 5k group realized that they might encounter marathon runners while they were on the course. Those who did get in my way seemed quite startled by not only me but the few runners I was grouped up with. At this point had I known what had happened to the 1st water station I would have stocked up on water before I came to the end of my first loop but I didn't so....So miles 12 1/2 to about 16 were without support. The thing is someone put the supplies out for the aid station but the group that was manning it never set it up so as things were getting hotter and the sun came up there was a long stretch without any water. Next thing I knew I was out of water but still had my Tailwind but at mile 15 I needed to GU and for me it doesn't mix well with Tailwind so here is where my day went to shit. 

I was still doing better that day than I was in Louisiana. I hit 15 miles in 3:15 and still had no leg cramps. As I continued I finally reached an aid station refilled all my bottles. About mile 17 is when the problems started. My legs began to cramp, I popped two Motrin and continued on...on to rumblings of Tailwind and GU hitting my stomach. It's all a blur from there. I tried to hit some port-a-potties but another thing this race lacked was toilet paper. I had to skip two set because there was no toilet paper in either of them. I stuck the mantra "Don't poop your pants" in my head and kept at a  good pace until I hit the last set of port-a-potties. I think I lost about 4 minutes there. I did  manage to make it to the 25 mile marker and then ran in short bursts to the finish. Finishing my second marathon in 5:54:57. 

Injuries, other than my pride, I now have 2 hurt toes. My little toe on the right foot has a huge blister on top of the blister it got in Baton Rouge. And the toe next to it, which I call my mushy toe since I mangled it in Seabrook last March, the same one I thought I broke when I dropped a 3lb weight on it a few months ago, is back to being nothing more than a mushy hurt mess. Other than that so far so good. The 2015 goal of making it to the end of March on two feet is still in the works.

Things I learn this go round. Don't take GU's with Tailwind. I already knew this lesson and should have stuck to it. Stick to the plan, as in the reason I run with water and Tailwind is so I don't take GU's with the Tailwind. I am not sure if the Morin at mile 17 worked or if my GI issues kept my mind off how my legs felt but it is something I am going to keep in my race pouch for Little Rock, that and some chewable pepto. I am thinking about switching to PowerGels since I have had better luck with them mixing with Tailwind. I am going to use February training to see if this works.

Up next just a few races for February, the Katy 5k (I am also volunteering at) 2/7/15 and the Rhythm and Blues Half 2/15/15. This will be my first half marathon for the year. Then of course 2 weeks after that is the Little Rock Marathon.

And to top my weekend off I am anxiously awaiting my Marathon Maniac number. 2 races in 15 days. I am proudly adding Maniac/Fanatic Double Agent to my running resume.

The Louisiana Marathon

This race was so much different than any other I have ran. Why? 

First off it would have been easy for this experience to have gone the same way as my first half marathon. What a fiasco that was. In the past few years I have learn a lot from it. Like over training is bad and tapering even if just for 2 weeks is good. And sometimes going at things alone isn't the best idea. 

A year ago when I set my goal to run a marathon in place I knew it wasn't going to be easy but in the end it was a lot of fun. I am really grateful for the coaches at USAFit Cypress for their support and just general "you can do it" attitudes. 

So the race: 

The expo had a good amount of vendors and the packet pick up was very smooth. Being a Half Fanatic, our group packet pick up was held by the Marathon Manics/Half Fanatic pace team. These guys are amazing and if you every get a chance to run with their pacers DO IT!

Front & back of the 5k medal

I ran the 5k the day before the bigger races. I am so glad I did. The route to the finish is the same both days so I got a preview of what I needed to have left in the tank for the marathon finish. The last 1 1/2 included one serious up hill via highway overpass and then some smaller rolling hills to the turn for the downhill finish.

But let's go back to the start. We started on time with a rolling wave start, every 3 minutes or so. I hung back behind the 5:30 pace group. The first 1/2 mile was a bit unfortunate since the roads were torn up but the announcer was really good and letting us know about it. The first turn to the left lead us up our biggest hill for the day and then some gentle rolling hills on tree shaded roads that lead to the highway over pass at mile 2 (the downside of the finish hill). I noticed right at the top the 25 mile marker. This point of reference became a good visual on my way back.

The course continues on to the LSU campus, thru the Greek Houses, around Tiger Stadium, passed Mike the Tiger and then around the lakes, still on tree shaded roads. As the course ran the winding road I was able to keep the 5:30 pace group in sight helping keep me on task to my goal of an under 6 hour finish. In this area you got a real glimpse of what is to come. Every few house there were people out cheering on the racers, offering water, fruit, beer, tequila, whiskey, bloody marys, all kind of stuff. The locals are really what made this race. Music blasting from house to house, signs everywhere. Some towns (BCS) treat runners more like we are a nuisance, but Baton Rouge really turned on the Southern Hospitality. This kind of support lasted the entire race! AND it was on top of the truly amazing aid stations the race had put together. All of them full stocked and manned.

I was rally enjoying the race until about 18.5 miles in when my hip began to give me a bit of an issues. I kept on. About the 19 mile mark I switched from running 3:1 to 1:1. I was still able to maintain about the same pace during my run portions and truth is the walking parts began to hurt more than the running ones. At mile 20 I took my last GU and a pair of Motrin. By the time I hit mile 22 and it kicked in I was back running 3:1. As the miles ticked to 23 I started to really get into it. 5k to go. I made a right had turn and I knew that down at the end of that road was the left that would lead me straight up that overpass to mile 25. I went for it. 

At 25 on the way down I caught myself ready to let loose with still more than a mile to go. I wasn't ready I told myself you still need some in the tank. It's mostly up hill at this point until the last right turn, the finish line is then right in front of you, as is the Louisiana State Capital building. Still about 1/2 mile to go. Time to give it a little speed. Block by block the crowds came back. The shouts, the "YOU GOT THIS", I start to be able to see the clock. My eyes welled up and just as the clocked clicked the 6 hour mark I crossed the finish line of my first marathon!

OH MY!

The Green ribbon is 5k medal
The Purple is the Marathon Medal
The Blue and Gold is my Half Fanatic Medal
And the Crawfish platter is for running a race on both days

Immediately after I crossed and I was out of the photographers view I was scooped up by this guy at the finish line. The race had "finish line angels" as I like to call them. He grabbed me and then I really let loose. The tears, oh my how they flowed. "Is this your first?" he asked, all I could do is nod. He put his arms around me and let me have my moment in his shoulder. He walked with me the 100 feet or so to get my medal, asking me all those important questions, are you hurt?, do you need medical attention? are you here alone? and then "You did fantastic" and they put that medal around my neck and as quickly as he came to me he was gone, long gone before I could thank him. I have never seen that kind of after care at any race I have run. 

The finish party was good too. Jazz playing, happy runners everywhere, tons of food. If I had run the Houston Marathon I would have been treated to soggy eggs and sausage but not here. Their was so many different food options, I wish I was in a better condition to actually eat something at that point. 

In the end it took 4 Gu's, 40 ounces of Tailwind and 40 ounces of water, along with 7 months of hard work and dedication to get me across that finish line. My new marathon PR time 5:50:41.

If you get a change to put The Louisiana Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon or 5k on your schedule DO IT! You will not be sorry. 

Up next for me USAFit Sugarland Marathon and Marathon Maniac status.

MERRY NEW YEAR!!!

I know we are bit into the New Year but I have finally found the time to reconcile how well I did on my running resolutions for 2014 and set some goals for 2015.

So how did I do?

I think I did well. My main goal of getting out and being more social of runner was very successful. I ended the year with 2 really good running partners. Both have rather busy lives but I know when time permits for all of us I can message them and they will be willing to run with me. Having company really makes the miles go faster.

I also cracked open my runner's shell by joining a running group. The USAFit Cypress group has done some much for me. It really gave me something to look forward to besides just adding on more miles as I trained for my #4 goal for 2014. And how about that marathon goal...I not only have 1 on tap for 2015 but 3. By the time the beginning of March rolls around I will have qualified for the big leagues, the Marathon Maniacs.

My goal to get my family involved was a bit more challenging. I did get my eldest daughter out for 3 5ks. And I have roped my husband into running the Advocate 5k, as part of my first marathon weekend.Yes, my first marathon. YEA! I am running the Louisiana Marathon on Jan 18th. A week and a half from now I will be a marathon runner.

So now what, going forward in 2015.

#1 I am going to volunteer more. I have already signed up to help out with the Bayou City Classic. (look for this race to go on sale Houston Marathon weekend, Jan 16th-18th use code BCCEXPO during those days to roll the price back to the early bird pricing.)

I am also looking into helping out with the Green 6.2 or the 4 the Park races in April. I loved helping out at the Houston Half in 2014 so much I will do it again in 2015.

#2 I'm going to stick with the Cyfit group thru the winter 2015 season. I am not sure what I am going to be running yet in the fall/winter but I think I would really like to get to know this group better. I have learned so much from them and I know there is so much more for me to learn.

#3 this one is simple a sub 2:30 half marathon. I mean if I can get to 2:31 in Beaumont in May...

Here's the line up so far for 2015:

Jan 17 Advocate 5k, Baton Rouge La
Jan 18 Louisiana Marathon, Baton Rouge La

Feb 1 USAFit Marathon, Sugarland Tx
Feb 7 Katy 5k

March 1st Little Rock AR Marathon
March 14th Bayou City Classic 10k, also volunteering in some manner
March 28th San Felipe Shoot Out, 5k, 10k, Half Marathon all on the same day, some state park in TX.

April ? volunteering for either the Green 6.2 or the 4 the Park race.
April 25th Brazos Bend 25k? (new course, same medal as last year only w/a different ribbon)

What are your goals for 2015?