Marathon Training – Weekly Workout Recap

Warning! This ended up being a little long and may be a little boring.

Another week, another long run.  Today’s run was great! My graph on Garmin is still all over the place, but it overall felt so much better.  The temp outside was 55 when I got started! How amazing is that.  Normally on my long runs, I allow myself a walk break at the end of each mile.  I didn’t feel the need for a walk break on two occasions on this run and it was just so nice for the run to feel good.  On the down side, my first 4 miles were just SLOW! I’m not sure why because I was running more, but my turnover was just slow.  I decided to just go with it and see how it panned out.  The first two miles were basically in the dark and it was so nice.  It’s almost like miles in the dark don’t count as much.  Due to the chilly factor that my body has not experienced since this past Spring, I layered an old long sleeved tee over my usual long run tank so that I could ditch it at one of my prepared water stops later.  It was nice to not be freezing, but still have the ability to de-layer when it got too warm.

My total run was 17.61 miles today.  It’s the furthest I’ve ever run before and I had to do it basically by myself.  Andy is also training for the MCM and even though we don’t run together (he’s faster), I know he’s out there and we see other sometimes on out and back sections.  However, his knee started bothering him on his last couple of long runs and he’s been put on a no long run status right now until the doctor can figure out what the problem is that is causing him so much pain.  He’s scheduled for an MRI tomorrow.  However, I could not talk him out of a short run this morning.  He said his knee wasn’t hurting at all and he just wanted to go out and push it a little, but I capped his run at 4 miles.

Around 4.25 I came around the corner of an out and back section and he and Yota were standing there waiting.  It was so nice and such an awesome surprise to see them.  I remember just getting this huge smile on my face because I totally wasn’t expecting them there.  They ran with me basically back to the house.  I went left to continue my run and they went right to run home, but it got me to almost 7 miles and it was just really nice to have the company.  We were able to get my pace back down to the normal range I like to keep it at for a long run (13 min/mile) and we were conversational the whole way.  Those couple of miles I had running with them were some of the best I’ve had in a while.  We stopped to walk at one point and I started drinking some water.  Yota saw me drinking and gave me this look like “where did you get that?!” I think if I didn’t share I was going to be tackled for my water bottle.  So we stopped so I could share the rest of that water bottle with him.

Throwback to See Spot Run 5k – 5/18/13…I think Yota’s first race

Once we split off I continued on.  I made a huge effort today to keep my pace back down where we got it and not let my mental game get the best of me.  My mental strength actually seems to get better and stronger the longer the run.  I did miles 7-10 uneventful and just kept telling myself that I couldn’t acknowledge any discomfort until after 10 miles.  Usually anything before that is just my mind being whiny.  Around mile 14, Andy and Yota popped by in the truck and that was a welcome surprise, but I was also in a focus mode so they didn’t hang around long.  Right before mile 14 was my fastest pace of the day when I hit 7:40 for a split second.  Where my legs found the turnover for that pace is beyond me.  I kept ticking off the miles and started doing a gu chomp between fuelings around mile 11 (I was STARVING).  I took my last GU gel at mile 16 and just kept telling myself that was going to push me to the end.  I felt so good and at that point I was determined not to hit a wall.  Yes, my legs hurt, and for a minute I was pretty sure my ankle was broken, but I just kept pushing through physically and mentally.  Mile 17 came and my pace was a 12:23!!! I’m still just shocked at that pace for that late in the run.

My overall pace today came in at a 13:02/mile and I’m absolutely thrilled by that because it’s 13 seconds quicker than my 16 miler last week and 8 seconds quicker than my 15 miler.  I don’t know if it was the cooler temps (which I’ll take any day of the week) or what, but it was amazing and I didn’t feel completely dead.  Granted my legs where pretty fried, but I felt like I could push to 26 if I really had to.  It was so nice to have a long run that was great from start to finish, no wall, no negative thoughts, nothing.  I didn’t even have to turn on my music.  It was just nice being out there, running, and talking to myself (show me a long distance runner that doesn’t look crazy out there singing and talking to themselves).

So I know this has gotten long and I’ll try to wrap it up, but I couldn’t help but elaborate on the long run this week because it was just so awesome.  I was sore enough though that I came home and took my first ever cold bath (too chicken to add ice, maybe next week).  My legs are probably the achiest they have ever been today.

Cold Water Bath

Overall not a great training week, but I think I’ve set myself up for better success this coming week.  I know I should be doing 7-10 milers during the week, but my legs are just not recovered enough for that even with foam rolling and compression.  So last week I did yoga on Tuesday night, a 3.5 mile run Wednesday morning, and a spin class (which left me crazy sore) on Saturday.

This week’s schedule looks like this:

Tuesday-Yoga

Wednesday-4 Miles

Thursday-Yoga

Friday-7 Miles

Saturday-Rest

Sunday-Rest

Monday – 19 miles!

Only 3 more long runs left until taper and then I don’t know what I’m going to do with all my time.  Obsess about the marathon probably.

Kristen Brumbaugh is currently training for the Marine Corps Marathon.  I am running under a charity bib for the Girls On The Run organization.  This will be my first marathon.  If you are interested in donating to my fundraiser for the Girls on the Run, please visit my fundraising page here.

Marathon Training – Weekly Workout Recap

So it’s weeks like this that I kind of feel like a fraud in this whole marathon training.  The week got the best of me and I didn’t complete nearly the runs scheduled.  My Sunday long run got bumped to Monday (Labor Day) and it’s kind of thrown this week into a tailspin as well.

I only ran twice in what would be considered last week’s schedule.  Wednesday I did 3.7 miles.  It was supposed to be 6.  I was going to do a lap out to get the 3.7, come home and get Yota and take him for the rest.  Well the closer I got home, the more I realized I was losing precious morning light that I wanted for a photo shoot.  So I decided I would go home, do the shoot and then run with him afterwards.  That didn’t happen.  We instead went on a relaxing walk around the neighborhood.

The long run was 16 miles this week and that’s what I did (16.05 to be exact).  My goal was to keep my pace under 13:30 and it came in at 13:15.  While it was under goal, it was frustrating because again I was keeping it under 13 and then I hit a wall.  It was a mile later this week at Mile 14, but still when it hit, it was rough.  I’m just not sure what I’m doing wrong.  We set out water the night before to refill on the route and I drank plenty (I refilled all 3 bottles completely at least once-2 water, 1 nuun), ate a clif bar pre-run, and took gu at 4, 8, and 12.  I feel like I’m getting plenty in my body.  I stopped to stretch at Mile 11 as well.  I’m hoping that I don’t hit the wall this early in the actual marathon.

I was proud that I did 16 though.  That’s a lot of miles in my book.  This week brings more though.

So this week’s schedule is already off to a rough start.  I was supposed to do 6 this morning.  I did about 3.5.  There were just not 6 miles in my legs or my cardio this morning.  It was decently foggy too and I just felt like all of the fog and humidity was hanging on me. I’m glad I got up and did something though.  So here’s this week’s schedule.  I’m organizing it Tuesday – Monday since the long runs are moved to Monday’s for the next few weeks.

Tuesday – Yoga

Wednesday – 6 Miles (planned)

Thursday – 6 Miles

Friday – Rest

Saturday – Spin class w/ a friend

Sunday – Rest

Monday – 17 Miles

Wish me luck..I’m aiming to get something done on at least every day planned.  Last week I didn’t and I felt it on my long run.  My legs just felt like lead.

The countdown is on to the marathon.  Less than 2 months to go (45 days from today).  Excited for it, but kind of wish it was here.  I don’t know if I would make it, but I feel like my mental game on long runs is decently strong right now and I don’t want to lose it.

Until next week, I hope everyone has a great week.  Looking forward to the forecasted cooler temps in the morning next week.

Kristen Brumbaugh is currently training for the Marine Corps Marathon.  I am running under a charity bib for the Girls On The Run organization.  This will be my first marathon.  If you are interested in donating to my fundraiser for the Girls on the Run, please visit my fundraising page here.

Marathon Training – Weekly Workout Recap

Good Morning! So this is a few days late, but such is life sometimes.  This week’s long run was a 15 miler.  My longest run to date.  It’s all distance records from here right?  Needless to say though, Sunday I was pretty much mush.  I did not feel nearly as light and bright as I did after last weeks run.  I made it through though and I’m still alive to tell the tale.

We’ll see how the rest of the long runs go, but I’ve realized that if I just focus on the mile I am in, I can get through it.  I did have one moment around mile 13 this week where I almost texted Andy to come pick me up whenever he got home from his run.  I started having this really bad pain on the outside of my left calf and it was brutal.  Even after the run, it was very sensitive to the touch.  Thankfully it’s pretty much gone away at this moment, but I’m a little concerned because I had no idea what it was.  It did’t really feel like a cramp or the general soreness that you feel and it didn’t hurt on the other leg.  I’m hoping it doesn’t come back this week.

As far the rest of the week, I did two other runs which isn’t great, but not awful.  Monday I ran 7 miles and Wednesday I ran 3.  The miles on Wednesday were tough.  I really didn’t want to go, but Andy helped motivate me and we got out the door together and knocked out 3.  It wasn’t the 5 I was supposed to do, but as Gary Vaynerchuck would say 1 is greater than 0.  The rest of the week didn’t go as well.  Also, we’ve moved our long runs to Sunday because we have more available time on Sunday mornings and we’ve got a few Friday night get togethers we don’t want to miss.

This coming week, my workout plan looks like this:

M-Rest

T-Rest

W-Run 6 Miles – Sub 12

T-Run 7 Miles – Sub 13

F-Run 6 Miles – Sub 12

S-Rest

S-16 Miles Sub 13:50

That said, I’m not sure Thursday’s run will happen because I have a morning meeting.  In regards to the pace goals, I did meet them.  My long run last week came in at a 13:10 and I really wanted to make sure I was under 14.  I was super bummed though because I was sub 13 for the first 13 miles.  Then that pain in my leg hit and it was downhill from there.

So I think that about wraps up this weeks workout recap.  Let me know in the comments below if you’d like more posts during the week about things other than my running.  I’m not the most interesting person in the world, but I am running a startup marketing company and that always has its excitement.  Otherwise, I’ll see next weekend.

Kristen Brumbaugh is currently training for the Marine Corps Marathon.  I am running under a charity bib for the Girls On The Run organization.  This will be my first marathon.  If you are interested in donating to my fundraiser for the Girls on the Run, please visit my fundraising page here.

The 2nd Time I ran 13 Miles

Yesterday I ran 13 miles for the second time in my life.  The first time was the Palmetto Half Marathon I did in April.  My pace is a good bit slower, but I feel like I was more prepared for it this time around.  After the half I was miserable all day and just dead to the world.  Yesterday I was functional at least.

I know it’s been a while since I’ve written anything, so I’ll update you on why I’m running 13 miles.

Andy and I are running the Marine Corps Marathon this coming October.  We both entered the lottery this past March and Andy got in.  I wasn’t so lucky, but I did sign up under a charity bib for Girls on the Run.  Speaking of, thank you to everyone who has donated so far.  If you haven’t checked out my fundraising page, you can check it out here.

As it gets closer we’re getting more excited, but it’s also becoming more real.  Every long run from here out is a personal distance record.  This coming weekend is 15 miles…that’s kind of scary.

Anyway, I wanted to post my workout plan for this coming week and I’ll recap it at the end of the week.

M-7 Miles (sub 13 pace)

T-Rest Day (I have an early morning meeting every Tuesday and it’s still too hot to run in the PM for me)

W-5 Miles (sub 12 pace)

T-7 Miles (sub 13 pace)

F-Rest Day – At home stretching and Yoga

S-Long Run 15 Miles (sub 14 pace)

 

I’m posting my pace goals for the runs because I’ve really struggled on pace and I’m trying to work on bringing it down.  My pace for my 13 miler was 14:14 and that’s not going to work for the MCM.  So I’m taking baby steps to bring it down.

I’m really trying to use this blog as a training tracker for those that have donated for the marathon.  You can also catch me on twitter where I usually post a quick tweet about the day’s run.

I’m also working on trying to eat better, but I’ll talk more about that as time goes on .  I know how important it is for my body to have the right nutrition and hydration to make me successful on my runs.  If anyone has any suggested reading, podcasts, or videos about running nutrition in every day life (not on the run), I would love to hear about it.

I’m definately seeing more foam rolling and stretching in my future, this day after soreness is no joke.  Until next time, I hope everyone has a great week.

Time Flys

It’s amazing how quickly time goes by.  It seems the older I get, the quicker things go.  Each year seems to go by faster than the last and each day/week is the same way.  I can’t believe it’s been 10 days since my last post on here.  I have a ton of posts started and I need to set them up to post, but time just got away from me.  Before I jumped into those though, I just wanted to pop in with something a little more relevant and updated.

Tomorrow we are running the Get to the Green run (5k/10k) in Five Points.  This was the very first 5k I ever did.  I had high hopes for this to be my sub 30min 5k.  That is not going to happen though.  Training has been tough with everything else going on in life and I’ve been fighting a nagging injury in my left arch that kept me down a bit.  I’m hoping I’ve figured it out though.  I removed my inserts and put back in the factory inserts this week.  *Knock on wood*..my foot didn’t hurt after my last run.  Keeping my fingers crossed though.  That said, I’m planning to take Yota.  Maybe he’ll pull me fast enough to get a decent time.  Andy is doing the 10k (actually kind of jealous he is doing the longer distance).  This year both races get a finishers medal which is new and I’m really excited about adding some more hardware to our bib/medal holder.

My sister Taylor, myself, and Andy at last years Get to the Green race

On another running related note: Today, we signed up for our first half marathon and entered a lottery for our first full marathon.  We signed up for the Palmetto Half (which is in exactly one month..crazy I know, but I think I can make it work) and entered the lottery for the Marine Corps Marathon.  I’m way geeked out about both events and am super pumped to train and accomplish them.

Also, I’m doing a #30daysofYota photo a day project on my instagram.  If you don’t already follow me, head over and follow me: https://instagram.com/blonde_designer/

There is so much more I want to share, but I have to get some other posts out first before sharing those details..and NO I am NOT pregnant (I know there are those of you thinking that).  Until next time!

Weekly Update

Hey Everyone! I’m dropping in quickly. I had all intentions of catching up on race recaps and posting one tonight..but I have just hit a wall tonight. We were out of town and outside for most of the weekend, I think I’m fighting off a sinus infection (can’t I just be healthy for once), and I’m scheduled to get up early tomorrow for an 8 mile run. So this is going to be a quick one and then I’ll get back to race recaps tomorrow.

Last week I did a little over 7 miles on Monday and they were a hard 7 miles. It was my first long run since the Ray Tanner 12k and it hurt. Mentally I felt good, but physically my body felt every step. I made it through though and am glad I did it. Tuesday I did my second RPM (spin) class and loved it. I love the way I feel after a spin class. I’m taking them to get used to riding again and get used to using my new shoes for the bike. Currently when I try to ride the bike in the neighborhood, I am scared to DEATH! I don’t know why..but something about trying to hold my balance, being so high up, and being so wobbly just makes me so uneasy. So I am doing spin on Tuesdays and then doing practice rides around the neighborhood on Wednesdays. It’s hilarious (and SCARY!) because sometimes when I need to turn, my arms just lock up and I can’t turn. I’m also trying to get used to getting started and stopping..needless to say it has been interesting.
Thursday we were out of town and I ran 2.37 miles at the race track we were at near Atlanta. I was planning to do more, but after doing this hill…

…followed by about 5 more “rolling” hills…I was hurting and headed back for base. I was supposed to do a hill work out Saturday, but with feeling like crud and already feeling like I had done a hill workout of sorts..it didn’t happen. It wasn’t a great workout week, but it wasn’t completely awful. I’ll take it. Alright..I’m headed to bed..I’ll catch up with everyone later. Good night!

Running Updates

So in the past few weeks, my running has been on a weird roller coaster.  I’ll just go week by week of giving total miles and then any comments I have about that week.

September 1 – September 7

Sunday: Rest Day
Monday: 6.2 Miles – Blythewood Labor Day Run
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Rest

Actual Weekly Mileage Total: 6.2 Miles

After having a frustrating race…I took the rest of the week off.  Mentally I was beat and needed to get out of that slump to get motivated to run again.  It was a dark time that we

ek for running and I.

September 8 – September 14

Sunday: Rest Day
Monday: 6.99 Miles – Outside Run
Tuesday: 3.63 Miles – Outside Run
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 7.14 Miles – Outside Run

Actual Weekly Mileage Total: 17.8 Miles

This week was better, but I was still struggling to get to my 7 miles.  Whether it was time or motivation..either way…I was struggling  Saturday morning we had to leave the house early.  I was determined to get a decent run in though.  I wasn’t sure how far I was going to go and I allowed myself to leave it open so that I didn’t put the added stress on myself.  Secretly I wanted to hit the 7 mile mark, but I wasn’t ready to commit and tell anyone that was how far I was going.  I went out and did it though and my pace was really good.  Up to that point, my average pace for the longer runs was 11/mile or above.  This run was a 10:18 pace.  It was just really nice out and the run seemed to come easy.

September 15 – September 21

Sunday: Rest Day
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 6.2 Miles – Run to Irmo – Dam Run

Actual Weekly Mileage Total: 6.2 Miles

I don’t remember what happened or what was going on this week that made it so I didn’t run all week.  It’s just the way it worked out.  However, we did do the Dam Run that Saturday and it went

better than my first 10k.  I’ll recap more on that soon.

September 22 – September 28

Sunday: 3.7 Miles – City Run
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Rest
Friday: 2.91 Miles – Recovery Run
Saturday: Rest

Actual Weekly Mileage Total: 6.61 Miles

After the Dam Run we got cleaned up and drove to Charlotte to hop a plan to Pittsburgh.  I’ll post more on this experience and this trip soon.  The first morning we were in Pittsburgh, Andy and I got up and went for a short sightseeing run.  The pace was awful..but there was a lot of walking and stopping to see sights.  It was fun, but I was also coming down with an awful cold so it was starting to feel a little miserable.  That cold fed into the rest of the week.  I had the most awful congestion, felt feverish at times, achy, and just overall sneezing, coughing, etc.  I felt like death.  I didn’t start feeling remotely better until Thursday evening..so that’s why I attempted a run Friday morning.  My body wasn’t ready and I turned around sooner than planned.  It did help in getting stuff up and out of my chest though..so that’s a win.

September 29 – October 5

Sunday: Rest Day
Monday: 7.29 Miles – Outside Run
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 8.01 Miles – Outside Run
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 3.1 Miles – Palmetto Health 5k

Actual Weekly Mileage Total: 18.4 Miles

This was an awesome week.  From having 2 down weeks basically, I was ready to get up and run…and run I did.  I ran Monday’s run at a 11:14 pace and Wednesday’s run at a 10:58 pace.  They both felt good and left me feeling strong afterwards.  Saturday we did a 5k with a friend of ours and I had a great race! I’ll recap it soon, but it was just full of all kinds of positive things.  I can’t wait to recap that one.  Saturday we also spent the day working on our new lot though, hauling trees and bricks.  By Sunday I was done and my legs were toast…I really needed a pair of compression socks for that day.

October 6 – October 12

Sunday: Rest Day
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 7.5 Miles – Ray Tanner 12k

Actual Weekly Mileage Total: 7.5 Miles

I was planning to get one more long run in before the 12k, but when we were working on our new lot the Saturday before, I pulled a muscle in my lower back.  There were times through the week that I couldn’t walk hardly.  I was really worried about running the race.  I just kept applying ice and heat, having Andy massage my back, and doing gentle stretches and exercises to encourage the healing process.  I finally made the decision mid week that I was just going to go do my best and deal with the consequences after the race.  This was supposed to be my big race for the season, the race I have been training for, I wasn’t going to let this pulled muscle keep me from starting.  I’m really glad I didn’t because that race was AWESOME! I’ll recap it soon.

So that’s the running catchup.  I’m taking this week to work a new training plan.  The plan I had only took me to the Ray Tanner 12k.  However, there is a half I’m eyeing in December.  Once I can work a plan and do my research..we’ll see how realistic it is.  I’m ready to get running again.  After a great race, the bug has taken hold and my body want’s to get back out there.  I’m trying to give it a few days to rest though and trying to take a few days for my back to really heal.

I’ve included a screenshot of my 2013 running chart from map my run.  I am happy at the amount I’ve increased my running this year and I can’t wait to take it further. I will be back with regularly scheduled running updates next weekend.

Catching Up on Life

Good afternoon!  I figured my first post back from my blogging hiatus would just be a life catch up.

September has been a very busy month.  It started with a bang with the Blythewood Labor Day 10k which I’ve also blogged about.  You guys allowed me to pour out all of my pitifulness and offered back nothing but support and encouragement.  For that I am so appreciative and want to thank you for your words of kindness. Writing the post alone really helped in moving past the bad race and get back into the swing of running.  That said, September has been a pretty good running month.  I’ll do another post specifically on catching up on running.

Another exciting thing going on is something I’ve been keeping quiet lately.  However, I think it’s time to let it out.  We are building a new house! Those that know us personally, know this already and are probably sick of hearing about the new house, but we are so excited.  I’ll also do another post dedicated to the new house and provide lots of pictures of the house up to this point.  We are really hoping to be moving in by Thanksgiving.  The house in itself takes up a lot of free time.

Because we are planning to move soon, we have been working on our current home to get it ready to rent.  We opted to try and rent it out versus selling it.  Wish us luck on that new adventure.  However, I feel like I’ve been painting for months.  Before I was painting some of current furniture to better go with the theme of the new house and now we are painting some of the rooms in our house to better neutralize the colors and pallet of the house.  I will be so happy when we are done painting!

Mid September we ran another 10k and you can expect a race recap for that race soon.  That same weekend we also took a mini trip to Pittsburgh to see a Pirates game and a Steelers Sunday Night Football game.  Another dedicated post coming for that trip.

I spent a good solid week with a horrible cold that pretty much made me worthless for most of the week.  By the time I was getting better, we were starting to roll into October and I realized that I hadn’t posted in forever!  Last Saturday we ran a 5k and did some major underbrush clearing at the new house.  Now here we are today!  Like I said, I really just wanted to do a quick life recap.  I’ll get into the nitty gritty details in the dedicated post of each topic.  Look for more coming soon!

Blythewood Labor Day 10k – Recap

I’m really struggling with this post.  I’ve never had such a roller coaster ride between two runs.  That’s what it was though.  My last post was about this unbelievable 6 mile run I did and how great it made me feel.  I was going into my first 10k feeling strong and confident.  Then Sunday afternoon, my stomach starting hurting and cramping up badly.  Nothing I ate was agreeing with me and I started to worry about race day.  I got up Monday morning and ate my normal pre-run/pre-race food..a banana.  My stomach was still cramping going up to the race.  I tried to smile through it and kept telling myself that it would go away when I started running.

I was stressing a little as well because this was the first race my family was doing.  My mom, brother, and sister were all doing their very first 5k race.  I’ve been running with my mom once a week to help get her ready and I was excited to see what she thought.  I did have to come to the conclusion the few days before the race that I couldn’t make her or the rest of my family like running.  I wanted them to be just as excited as I was about the race…I think they were excited..just not as excited as me.  So..we (Andy and I) got to the school where the starting line was around 7.  Our race started at 7:30 and the 5k started at 7:40.  My family showed up at like 7:25…talk about stressing me out!  So I tried to situate them real quick and then lined up for the 10k start and tried to get in my zone.

The horn sounded (I actually remember seeing and hearing a horn at this race) and we were off.  I quickly lost site of Andy per usual and began to focus on my race.  I got about a mile into the run and my stomach really started to make itself known.

I’m not going to get into the nitty gritty of each mile because it wasn’t pretty.  I was hurting bad and running was just miserable.  There was definately some walking in this race.  There was actually thoughts around mile 4 that if anyone I knew drove by at that point..I would seriously consider a lift back to the school..yea a dnf…on my first 10k.  However, no one drove by and so I just kept moving.  I took water at every stop and even though I didn’t really need to fuel on this race..I ate the last shotblok I brought with me for just in case.  It didn’t help.  Nothing helped.  I got to the point where I was about a half mile to the finish..it was also the most visible portion of the race…everyone at the school would be able to see you..I knew I couldn’t walk the last half mile..although by that point I was doing run 1/walk 1 intervals.  My pride wouldn’t let me walk where everyone could see me though.  So just before I went around the corner for that last half mile, I stopped.  I literally stopped during a race and allowed myself 20-30 seconds to breathe, pep talk, and pull it together for half a mile.  Then I ran…I ran the last half mile to the finish and as I turned the final corner to the finish line I ran harder.  I pushed with everything I had.  I opened my stride to try and pick up speed and I just pushed.  I wasn’t going for a time at this point, I had way passed my hard time and was just past my slow time.  No..I was pushing because I knew the faster I went, the quicker I would get to the finish line and could stop running.

And that’s what I did.  As soon as I crossed the finish line I stopped running.  However, I couldn’t stop walking.  Andy said that he and my family were waiting at the finish line, but I didn’t see them.  I was in too much of a zone of pain, disappointment, and embarrassment.  So I kept walking past the crowds at the finish line.  At some point someone handed me a bottle of water…I don’t remember seeing who it was..I just kept walking.  I walked closer to the school and leaned against the wall to stretch.  I needed some sense of privacy and facing a brick wall was the best it was going to get.  I knew I needed privacy because I was angry and upset.  As soon as I started to stretch, the tears started falling.  I don’t know why I was crying, but I couldn’t stop.  I was so upset over my first 10k being such a failure.

Andy came up after a few minutes to check on me and as soon as he placed his hand on my back, I felt fresh tears starting to fall.  He always has that effect on me when I’m upset.  I think that when he holds me or comforts me..it opens up a whole other level of vulnerability that just makes me cry harder.  Anyway, I told him what went wrong and how bad my stomach was hurting.  I was trying to calm down, but I could tell that I still probably looked like a red face cry baby.  I could feel my family somewhere behind me, but I just couldn’t stand to turn around and face them looking like such a mess.  I was embarrassed by my race and embarrassed that I broke down so publicly.   I wanted to motivate them and set a good running example and make their first race experience a happy one where everyone had a great time.  Not one where they saw me in tears after a grueling race that I almost didn’t finish.  I felt defeated.

Eventually I was able to gather myself though and join the group.  We hung out for the awards and for the times to be posted.  I’m so proud of everyone.  Andy for doing his second 10k race and still having a good time, my mom for doing her first 5k and finishing in 10 minutes less than any time we did during training and my brother and sister for actually waking up early to race and for both finishing 2nd in their age groups.  I tried to smile and laugh my way through for the sake of not being a total dud..but I just really wanted to go home.  I wanted to wallow in my defeat.   Thanks for everyone for not making a big deal out of it though.

I wish I could say that I’ve moved past it.  I understand that everyone has a bad race every now and then and that I can build from this.  Mentally, I know that…I know that it’s just one race..but emotionally..I’m still defeated and hurting.  Emotionally, it’s still too raw and it’s uncomfortable to talk about the race.  It was my first 10k and it totally sucked.  I was miserable the whole time and I don’t even want to think about reliving it.  Writing this brings tears close to the surface that I struggle to keep down.  I haven’t moved on yet and I don’t know when I will…it was my first 10k and it went very poorly.

I know I have the opportunity to redeem myself in a few weeks at the Dam run…but it won’t be my first.  I have no doubts I’ll have better runs..but they won’t be my first 10k.  I think I’ll remember this run for a while.  I think it’s going to take longer than a minute for this run to not feel so raw.

My First 6 Miler

Last Monday I ran my first run over 6 miles.  To say I was nervous was an understatement.  However, I was also very excited.  I was doing a completely new route as well and I was anxious to see how it went.

Normally I wouldn’t write a post just about one run, but this run was different.

The run started out pretty nice.  The weather was gorgeous.  I perfect cool temperature and the sun wasn’t really out for the first half of the run. Other than some small inclines…the run was predominately downhill it felt like for the first couple miles.  I was in for a rude awakening though around mile 3.  That’s when the hills started.  There must have been like 5 up and down hills between mile 3 and 4.  Having really only done gradual inclines…these hill’s were brutal! They definitely added some spice to my run.  Once I got to a point that I knew was going to be pretty flat until I got home, I was starting to get a little pumped.  I was doing 6 miles…WITH HILLS.  I finally felt like I was going to be okay with the 10k.

This run felt pretty special to me all week.  It felt like such a huge milestone and it had me on a running high all week.  I felt like no run was too long now.  I know it’s only 6 miles and I have a ways to go before the half and full marathons..but I’ve never run 6 miles in my life.  I don’t think I’ve even walked 6 miles in my life.  I am just so excited and pumped still.

I feel like I will actually make it on my 10k on Monday and I feel like I can go  in with time goals instead of just the goal of finishing.  I can’t wait to recap my first 10k next week.

Thanks for sitting through this self-indulgence post.  I’ve just never gotten that kind of high off a run and it felt blog worthy..so here it is.  Have you ever had a run that really sticks out to you as an awesome run?  Do you remember the run that really felt like a milestone to you?