Sole to Soul 5K

So yesterday, I decided to race in the Sole to Soul 5K on a whim. It was a fundraiser for one of the local Catholic schools, and I just felt like testing my legs one last time before my upcoming marathon.

It was a cold morning, with just a mild breeze. I opted to wear shorts, a long-sleeve tech shirt underneath my No Meat Athlete shirt (http://www.nomeatathlete.com/shirts-new/). Gloves and a hat were necessary accessories as well.

The course started and finished in Schwartz Road Park (http://www.cityofavon.com/EZ_Locations_Detail.aspx?id=25&d=15) and was an out-and-back course through a quaint residential area.

The first mile was COLD! My goodness, my nose was frozen solid, I couldn't even breathe through it! This was a sensation that I have never experienced before. Despite this handicap, I managed to run a 6:29 first mile. I was able to warm-up by mile two, and ran a 6:50, and my final mile was a 6:48. My overall chip time was: 20:35!!! I tied my all-time 5K PR, which I ran back in 2002 during my first collegiate cross country season at Muskingum (http://www.muskingum.edu/home/). I placed 4th overall for women and won my age-group!

This was the confidence booster that I needed! Now I have one more week of high mileage before I begin the dreaded taper, then race day will be here before I know it!!!

Salsa, Hummus & Strangers.

So, back in 2007, I chose to run the 30th Annual Chicago Marathon. It was the WORST running experience of my life. I finished, in 5+ hours, after having set a goal of finishing in 3:40 or under. It was a death march, and literally hell on earth...

Well it just so happens that the cotton long-sleeve shirt from this race is one of my absolute favorites. It was a little chilly today on my easy 3 miler, so I threw on my Chicago Marathon shirt, and headed out the door. After my run, I decided to run some errands, I hauled my recyclables to the recycling center, and then popped into Trader Joe's to grab a few things.

After I parked my car in the Trader Joe's parking lot, and began to walk into the store, I noticed an SUV with 3 white oval stickers depicting the following: 26.2, BT50K, and JFK 50. I thought 'Whoa! There are some serious runners snagging some groceries inside!' As soon as I entered the store, I didn't give this car, or its potential owners a second thought, because I was mesmerized by all of the beautiful produce sprawled in front of me.

After filling up my cart with my favorite fruits and veggies, I began walking through the aisles of the store, and I passed a VERY fit looking couple. I knew instantly that they were the owners of the vehicle that caught my eye. For some reason I felt like they were staring at me, which made me very uncomfortable, so I grabbed my salsa and hummus and scurried off to the next aisle, where I eventually crossed their path again. UGH!!! I was kind of freaked out, because they were STILL staring at me!!! Finally, they mustered up the courage to ask me if I ran Chicago in 2007, the year it was hell on earth, as they motioned to my t-shirt. I immediately relaxed and smiled, and had a wonderful conversation with the lovely couple, before we parted ways and resumed our shopping excursion.

Isn't it funny how things happen in this world? I chose to run a race 3 years ago, and today I chose to wear the t-shirt from this race, and then out of all of the grocery stores in northeast Ohio, I chose to stop by Trader Joe's, at the same time as these total strangers, who ended up being peers of mine in the wonderful running community. Awesome!

Everybody's Workin' for the Weekend...

I just had the most ridiculously long week of work EVER! BUT today was absolutely beautiful, after work I put in an easy 7 miler, sans gloves AND hat! :) I LOVE ending the work week on a sun-shiny day! The weather is calling for 40+ degrees all weekend up on the Lake, and I'm pretty excited!!! I have a 16 miler to do on Sunday, I'm looking forward to this run, and the possibility of rockin' my favorite pair of running shorts.

Another thing I plan on doing, is finishing the book 'The Kind Diet' by Alicia Silverstone. I have been a vegetarian for 2 years or so, and this past year I have come to the realization that my body does not appreciate dairy products. I have known for years that I can not have any sort of latte using skim or 2% milk, I always have to pay the extra 40 cents or more for my soy milk. But I was always able to consume cheese, yogurt, ice cream, chocolate milk and skim milk, no problem. Just this past year, I have narrowed it down that every time I consume dairy, I feel AWFUL, I can't even begin to describe it, it is utterly horrible and disgusting. So, I have decided to cut out all dairy from my diet, and I have felt great since doing this! 'The Kind Diet' encourages an animal-free way of eating, and is filled with some fabulous-sounding recipes that I can NOT wait to try! Check out Alicia's Kind Life blog, it is wonderful! (http://www.thekindlife.com/)

Last Chance for Boston Half Marathon

Today I raced the Last Chance for Boston Half Marathon. When I am training for 26.2, I like to run a Half Marathon at some point to test my level of fitness. I hadn't really thought about a goal before today, other than just running at a comfortable and consistent pace. I was nervous because the last couple of days I have experienced some shin splints in my left leg, and was debating on whether I should just take the day off or not. I chose to go ahead and race and was pleased with the results.

My splits:

Mile 1.1 - 7:44

Mile 2 - 7:28

Mile 3 - 7:42

Mile 4 - 7:47

Mile 5- 7:56

Mile 6 - 8:02

Mile 7 - 7:55

Mile 8 - 7:56

Mile 9 - 7:46

Mile 10 - 7:45

Mile 11 - 7:24

Mile 12 - 7:28

Mile 13 - 7:07

Final time: 1:40:07, Pace: 7:39

I was disappointed with mile 6, the course was especially congested at this point and I kept getting stuck behind groups of people. My pace was thrown-off for sure, and I was pretty frustrated, but I recovered and finished strong. The LCFB is a 1-mile loop, races can choose to walk or run either: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, or a Marathon Relay. I was bummed that I didn't break 1:40, but it was my second fastest 13.1!!! I was the fourth overall female, and first in my age group! Whoop!

After my race and cool-down, I refueled at Serendipity (http://www.myspace.com/serendipityicecream) with my mom, yum! If you enjoy paninis, and are ever in the Westerville, Ohio area, this place is for you! :)

Fuel of Choice...

When I first began running marathons, I was completely oblivious to all of the various nutrition products available. I thought that all I needed was some water and maybe some gatorade...boy was I wrong! I didn't realize during training for my first marathon that I actually would have to eat something while running, that was such a strange concept to me! After many failed experiments with food and nutrition products such Clif Shots, Clif Shot Blok, Jelly Belly Sport Beans (all of which gave me severe GI distress), I stumbled upon the GU line of products. I have yet to have a negative experience with any of the flavors of GU. My favorites are Mint Chocolate, Vanilla and Sublime Lime. It is important to experiment with food and hydration products throughout the duration of your marathon training so that you can find what works best for you, you don't want to try a brand new product on race day...TRUST ME! :)
http://www.guenergy.com/products/gu-energy-gel

20 miler? Check!

I spent the weekend in Columbus, OH, visiting family and friends. I was supposed to do my 20 mile run around the Westerville area with my friend Amy, but she is unfortunately injured at the moment :(. So instead, I headed to Sharon Woods. My mom came along and walked while I ran (not the whole time, she walked for about an hour and a half and then sat in the car and read the rest of the time). Sharon Woods is a 3.8 mile loop, if you don't include running on the nature trails, which was basically impossible due to the insane amount of snow that was on the ground! So I ran 5 laps, and then ran an additional 1 mile to make my even 20. According to my training schedule, I was supposed to aim for 9:12 pace. I ended up running at 8:51 pace! I felt GREAT!!!!! :) This morning I was a little sore, but I went for an hour walk with Amy this morning and I feel just fine!!!! :D

This workout was a definite confidence booster! The entire time I ran, I visualized myself at the Earth Day Challenge Marathon. I truly feel that this is my time. I just need to stay healthy and injury-free, and I will get my BQ!!!!

22nd Annual Chili Bowl Classic 5K

On Friday February 13th, I raced in the Chili Bowl 5K. I wanted just to test my speed and gauge my fitness level. It was a very cold and windy day in Cleveland, not to mention the race course was covered in a nice layer of slush and even had ice in some spots. This course was not exactly the flattest I have ever seen either. It was kind of scary, especially at the start. It was quite the challenge, attempting to run a fast pace, but to also be cautious and maintain my footing. I surprised myself and finished in a swift 21:14!!!! I won my age group, and I believe I was 6th overall female. Not too shabby!!!! :D

The next day, I went out for an 18 miler. OUCH! My hip-flexors HATED me! But I got through the run at 9:00 pace, and was very grateful to spend the rest of my Valentine's day going out for a chocolate chip pancake breakfast, and an afternoon movie with my hubby. :)