WEEK 19: MY FIRST 8K!!!

Hello all,

I was on a brief hiatus but I'm back now...

WEEK 19 Recap:

• Monday: Rest
  
• Tuesday: 3 miles
  
• Wednesday: Rest
  
• Thursday: 4 miles
  
• Friday: Rest
  
• Saturday: 3 miles
  
• Sunday: 5 miles
  
• TOTAL: 15 MILES

WEEK 19 ended on a bitter sweet note with my first 8K. Keep reading to find out why.

Abridged version:

IT WAS FREEZING on the morning of the race, but I ran a phenomenal race even though my fingers and toes were numb during the first two miles. If it weren't for my $4 space blanket that kept me warm for an hour at the start, I would have definitely gone home with a DNS (did not start). My official finish time was 51:19 and placed #847 out of 1469 finishers.

Un-abridged version:

THE EXPO...I went to the expo on Saturday afternoon and pick up a few items without spending an arm and a leg:

• sun glasses for running on sunny days
  
• neck warmer (came in handy on race day)
  
• running skirt (so cute!!)
  
• 3/4-length running tights (hot pink...love them!!)
  
• sports tank top

THE WEATHER...On the morning of the race the temperature was 23*F and it was a bit breezy. I stepped out of the car and immediately stepped back in to open up my $4 space blanket. I figured if it didn't work as well as advertised, I would be going back home because there was no way that I was gonna stand outside for an hour waiting for the start in the freezing cold. But fortunately, the space blanket worked wonders!!! I also had a gang of disposable 'hand' warmers strategically placed all over my body and they also worked like a charm.

THE CROWD...There were thousands of people at the race: marathon runners, half-marathon runners, Rothman 8K runners, volunteers, race staff, spectators, police officers, etc. Offically, over 18,000 runners registered. Despite the crowd, the start/finish area was well organized in my opinion. Some of the volunteers were clueless but it was all good. The first 6 or 7 volunteers couldn't tell me where to line up or where to check my gear, but I eventually found both without a problem.

THE RACE...The race started in 3 waves for crowd control purposes and the Rothman 8K runners were part of the third and final wave. I was soooo glad to finally start running because I was very uncomfortable with the temperature. I had grown so attached to my space blanket that instead of chucking it when the race started, I folded it up as best I could and stuffed it in the back of my tights.

Anyway, I finally crossed the start around 7:25am and I was off. I kept the first mile really slow because my fingers and toes were numb, and my backside had started to get cold without my space blanket. People were passing me and I was tempted to run a bit faster to warm up faster but I just kept at my super slow pace. After the first mile, I had warmed up a little (fingers and toes still numb), so I picked up the pace a bit for the second mile. And it was during Mile-2 that I started passing people because a lot of runners had started to walk. I was pretty surprised. There was no way I was gonna stop now that the heat had started to kick in.

By Mile-3 my fingers and toes had warmed up thanks to my nifty hand warmers, and I was feeling pretty good, so I kicked it up another notch. At this point, I realized that I was seriously weaving in and out of people: runners and walkers alike. I felt awesome at the start of Mile-4, so I gave it a bit more gas.

Finally, when I hit the start of Mile-5 I felt like I could run a few more miles, so I kicked in to the highest gear I could sustain for a mile. I had to slow down just a tad during a slight uphill stretch around 4.5 miles, but I was still flying by people.

With the finish line in sight, I gave it all I had with a smile on my face. I was so excited to finish but I REALLY wanted to continue running just to keep warm. But I was directed to the food tent where I was given some water, snacks and some steaming hot chicken broth...nice.

Here are my mile splits:

• Mile 1 - 11:34 min
  
• Mile 2 - 10:52 min
  
• Mile 3 - 10:16 min
  
• Mile 4 - 9:19 min
  
• Mile 5 - 8:56 min (my fastest mile EVER!!!)
  

Talk about your negative spilts....

So, even though I spent an hour before the race and an hour after the race in the most uncomfortable weather I've ever had to withstand, I had an awesome time running the Rothman 8K and I've got the pictures to prove it!

Injury/Health Report: With all the rest days between WEEK 18 and this week, I was well rested and have no injuries or ailments to report. I felt absolutely fine.

Tech Report: In addition to the items I purchased at the race expo, I went to the Nike Outlet and picked up 4 long-sleeved winter running shirts: 2 base-layer shirts and 2 heavier mock turtle necks with super long sleeves and thumb holes. I also found a nice sports bra. They were all on clearance with an additional 30-50% off, so I made out well.

See you next week!

Almost Thirty

WEEK 18: UNPLANNED TAPER

Hello all,

This week I was out of commission Monday through Thursday due to a pesky little head cold. I felt like a serious sinus was approaching, so I fell back and rested. I really wanted to run, but I chose to rather be safe than sorry.

It worked like a charm. I ended up having three great runs at the end of the week, including my best 6-miler ever. I shaved 3 minutes off last weeks time, despite cold temps and wind gusts up to 30 mph. The wind was so strong, I swear I was running in place sometimes.

WEEK 18 Recap:

• Monday: sick & resting
  
• Tuesday: sick & resting
  
• Wednesday: sick & resting
  
• Thursday: feeling better
  
• Friday: 4 miles
  
• Saturday: 3 miles
  
• Sunday: 6 miles
  
• TOTAL: 13 MILES

Injury/Health Report: I feel completely fine. Even my hip feels fine. Those few days off really paid off. I felt strong on Friday, Saturday and especially Sunday.

Tech Report: Nothing to report, but I'm looking forward to getting some goodies from the Philadelphia Marathon Expo. Things to scope out (and possibly buy of the price is right):

• Fuel/hydration belt
  
• Headband/ear-warmer
  
• Long-sleeved Under Armour
  
• Sports bras
  
• Post-long run slip-ons
  
• Running sneakers

Did I mention that I'm totally stoked about my 8K this weekend? Well, if I haven't...I'm REALLY excited about the race this weekend!

Run Well,

Almost Thirty

WEEK 17: KEEP IT MOVIN'

Greetings,

This week was a test of my commitment to running. Despite being crazy busy at work and hanging out with co-workers at happy hour, I managed to get all my runs in this week. I was really surprised at myself. I even worked 11 hours one day, then sat for an hour in traffic, THEN hit the gym for a few miles even though I was exhausted. I thought to myself, nothing is gonna keep me from getting my miles in...gotta keep it movin.' So that's what I did.

Unfortunately, I didn't eat much better this week. I have absolutely NO control when it comes to dieting. I've always eaten what I wanted with virtually no consequences, but now I need to be conscious about what I eat and when I eat it. Again, I'll continue to work on this. Suggestions are definitely welcome.

WEEK 17 recap:

• Monday: Cross training


• Tuesday: 3 miles


• Wednesday: Rest


• Thursday: 4 miles


• Friday: 3 miles


• Saturday: Rest


• Sunday: 6 miles


• TOTAL: 16 MILES

My 6-miler was much better this week! It was still tough, but at least I could walk straight afterwards. This distance is a real challenge for me but I know it will get easier.

Injury/Health Report: My hip has still been acting up, sporadically. One day I actually had a few almost painful strides, but it didn't last. It's usually fine after I stretch, so I'm not stressing over it...yet.

Tech Report: Still on the market for a hydration belt. I tried a few this week, but I'll shop around for another week. I definitely want to get one before my next long run. Also, I ran in my new Champion tights from Target and the verdict is out....they were actually pretty comfortable. And cute. I think I may get another pair in a different color, especially now that they're on sale.

Run well,

Almost Thirty

DAY 116: RUN FIRST, THEN GO TO HAPPY HOUR

Hey All,

A long time ago, I learned a very valuable lesson in math class that can be applied to other areas of life called the order of operations. I was reminded of its importance today...

NEVER go to happy hour, have a few drinks, eat a plate full of nachos, potato skins and fries and THEN go run 4 miles. Always run first, then go to happy hour.

I made this mistake today and I paid for it by struggling to keep the contents of my stomach/intestine from coming out of either end of my digestive track. But I was determined to get my run in. Thanks to a great outer sphincter muscle, some level of voluntary control of my gag reflexes and channeling the image below, I was able to finish my run on the treadmill without making a mess.

So much for adopting a runner's diet...oh, well.

Run well,

Almost Thirty

WEEK 16: BYE-BYE JUNK FOOD, HELLO RUNNER'S DIET

Greetings,

Through my research on running, I've read about the importance of a runner's diet. However, I felt all that runner's diet stuff should be reserved for real runners.....WRONG!!! I learned all about it first-hand during WEEK 16.

My gross underestimation of the importance of a runner's diet came to a head during my first 6-miler on Sunday, but I got a preview on Halloween during my 4-miler. Let's just say that a bucketful of Halloween candy, especially chocolate, is NOT good running fuel. It ran through my digestive system faster than I could run 4 miles.


Sometime during the week, I got a craving for Cap'n Crunch and that's pretty much all I ate leading up to my 6-miler on Sunday. The good news is that I made it through the entire 6 miles a lot faster than I thought I would, 1:06:08. On the other hand, I could barely walk when I finished. My legs were so wobbly, a woman on the trail actually stopped her workout to ask me if I was OK. I felt fine from the waist up, but my legs were completely done. I wasn't really in pain, my legs just didn't want to move anymore.

Therefore, I've come to the realization that I may actually be a runner now and I may need to start eating like one. So long to the Junk Food Pyramid!


WEEK 16 Recap:

• Monday: Rest


• Tuesday: 2 miles
  
• Wednesday: 4 miles


• Thursday: Rest


• Friday: 4 miles


• Saturday: Cross training


• Sunday: 6 miles


• TOTAL: 16 MILES
  
  

Injury/Health Report: I feel fine now, but my legs were a mess after Sunday's run. I'm guessing it was a result of eating poorly all week and not hydrating properly during the run, which leads me to the Tech Report.

Tech Report: I've been shopping for a hydration belt in order to hydrate on the run. I'm getting into longer runs now, and there aren't too many water fountains on the paths I frequent. I'm still in my research phase, so I haven't purchased one yet. But I did buy some more running gear. I decided to try the Champion C9 line from Target again, but with better luck this time. I got some sports bras, moisture wicking shirts, a pair of running tights, and a wicking zip-up jacket. The sports bras are a no-no: those have to be returned. The short-sleeved tops serve their purpose and I haven't tried the running tights yet, but they look good when I tried them on.

I'm really going to try to get through this week without eating any junk food, but I don't know if I can do it. I definitely need a better plan to eat healthier without depriving myself of the treats I love. Any suggestions?

Almost Thirty