Mini Heart

I have been to a few races in the past, but there were some distinct differences between them and the Mini Heart. First, I was running alone. On the surface this might not seem like a big deal, after all there were thousands of people with me. But all other races I had someone there to push me or talk to. It just made the previous races seem easier. Second, this race was the longest racing distance I have run, a 15 K. Along those same lines this is was the first race that I have ever run that was really two races, the 15 K followed by a 5K. I will get to the set up a little later. Third, the hills! I have run on some hills and have run using incline function on the treadmill. All that training was nothing compared to actually running hills during a race. The uphills are tough. And the downhills are a breath of fresh air. Lastly, I have been training. All the previous races I have run, I never had marathon training under my belt.

The forecast called for rain and 45 degrees for the entire race. Luckily the rain held off for the most part with some drizzles here and there. The precipitation ended up being more of an inconvenience than anything. The 15 K started under cloudy skies and cold weather. I arrived an hour early and was all set to get going. Prior to arriving, about two hours before the race, I ate a runners breakfast of oatmeal, honey, brown sugar and a banana. Like I said, I was all set. I started my warm-up. I never understood running before a race, but I get it now. You really do loosen up and it helps a lot in the long run, especially on cold days. I ran for 15 minutes or so at a nice slow pace and then stretched out. I visited the bathroom before the race to get the pre-race "jitters" out. Then I made my way to the starting line. There was a lot of people and once the cannon went off, it took over 4 minutes before I passed the start line. I forgot how long it can take to get your pace set. Once I did have my pace, I held steady for pretty much the entire race. I felt good running too; always a good thing.
The 15 K time broke down as follows:
5 K split 28:06
10 K split: 55:15
15 K event: 1:21:09
Pace 8:44
Division Place (M 25-29): 141

When I finished the 15 K, I had a little over one hour before the 5 K started. This was a little bit of an issue. That is a long time on a cold day. I grabbed some water and used my Gu (energy gel). I went over to my car and dropped off my first medal. Then I started up again. I jogged for about 10-15 minutes and then stretched again. I still had some time left so I jogged some more and stretched some more. Once again, I used the bathroom and then lined up. I was much closer to the front of the pack this time. It only took about 30 seconds to start the race from when the starting gun went off. I started off strong with a sub 8 minute mile pace. That paced slowed as the race went on. I believe too much time lapsed between races and I was feeling a little fatigued, even after the Gu. Still I pushed on and despite a stitch in my side half way through I ran the entire race. Not only that my pace was quicker than 15 K.
5K Event 26:02
Pace 8:24
Division Place (M 25-29): 40

All and all, it was a good run. I made my goals for the race. Moving forward, next weekend I will run my long run (18-20 miles) then start to ease up. I must say, I am ready for the marathon to get here.

Mini Heart

There has definitely been a lapse in posts, but fear not. It is due to a lack in running, rather I have been very busy. The week after the rainy run, I had an average running. Definitely got out and put some miles under my blistered, calloused feet, but it was nothing special or outstanding. The came Sunday. I saved my long run for Sunday afternoon and was pushing for 10 miles. Time restraints got in the way and I ran for one hour and ten minutes which translated to 8 to 8.5 miles. I purposely cut back my miles because tomorrow I will be participating in the mini heart marathon. By the days end, I will have run a half marathon, but not all at once. And here's why. The race has two components a 15K and a 5K. The former begins at 8 am while the latter starts at 10:30 am. There is an option to run "2beats," that is run both races. At the pace I run, I should finish the 15K in well under one hour and 30 minutes. This would leave a solid hour before the next race begins. Therefore I have a strategy in place. I am going to run the 15K at marathon pace, but I will run the 5K at a fast pace. I am not sure how this will go or how I will feel and things are always subject to change. But that is the plan for right now. Also, the weather tomorrow will be a factor... a cold wet factor. There will be a repeat of the post "rainy run." The forecast is currently calling for rain and high forties. Luckily I know I can run in these conditions. I am not sure how well I will be able to handle the gap in time. I am sure they have something set up but come on. This is not ideal conditions. My main defense is going to be under armor. It should be cold enough that I will not overheat. I will also be wearing shorts as I did the last time I ran in these conditions. I feel by the time the 15K is finished I should be drenched to my soul. Not sure what I am going to do about changing clothes between races or just toughing it out.

Either way, tomorrow I will complete a 20 K.

Rainy Run

If ever there was a run that needed a montage it was this one. Nothing special or overly exciting happened but it was a solid run, or three if you want to be technical.

First a quick recap of the week. Back earlier last week, on Saturday, I went on a long run. The run was not as good as I hoped. I was shooting for 12 miles, only ran about 9. This was my first run outside in a few weeks and my joints were not feeling great. I was going to make up the miles on Sunday, but went to the zoo instead. I just didnt wake up early enough and the day got away from me.

Monday, I managed to run a mere 2 miles, took off on Tuesday, Wednesday was back at it and ran 4-5 miles. Sometimes it is difficult to judge miles, so I go by minutes. Thursday I wasn't able to wake up in the morning, so that day was a bust. Friday I ran a few miles. It was not the best week, in fact it was a little embarrassing. But today, I was going to make up for it.

It was supposed to be 65 and raining. The weathermen got it half right, it was definitely raining. But the temperature was severely under-reported. It was a chilly 45 degrees. I was determined to go for a run. The first leg of the run I decided it would be a good idea to run with the Scooter, my dog. Scooter was a little anxious and after 15 minutes I brought her back into the house. By this time I am mildly wet. I went back out into the elements and solidered onward. I managed 1 hour and 8 minutes before the wind started to pick up and it was a little much. As a lovely sidenote, a car splashed me but I was so wet already soaked, it didn't matter.

I was tired and drenched when I cam back into the apartment. I ate some lunch, took a nap and even started my taxes. I thought about staying in and finishing the miles tomorrow, but after last weekend, I was compelled to do it. I went back out, back into the rain and the cold and started running. I admit it, the first 30 minutes were miserable. It was so cold and I was so hungry and my legs felt like bricks encased in lead with cement shoes attached. And I was soooo hungry. I felt as if all my energy was zapped out of me by some sort of energy zapping ray gun. Anyway, I was going to call it day, but somehow in my jog back to the house I got a second wind. I decided I can do this, and sure enough I ran an additional 30 minutes at a very decent pace. All in all I ran for 2 hours and 10 minutes. Both times, I end up sopping wet and exhausted, but I did it. A day like this give me hope that I will be able to finish the marathon with my head held high even if it is raining.

Still Running

I realize a rather long length of time has lapsed since my last post, but I assure you all that I am still running. At first I felt this past week was a bust, I had meetings all week and that meant crazy hours and wayyyyyy too much free food. I came home everyday feeling mentally exhausted and physically bloated. Needless to say, the first few days were an adjustment period. I managed to run 4.5 miles on Wednesday, 2 miles Thursday morning, and interval training 4.5 miles Friday. All in all, I would say that is a good week and today (Saturday) the time as come for a long run.

Today I am looking to run 16 miles with only stopping once. I say once so that I can grab a drink of water out of my car half way through. I am also going to try to break the run into 4 parts. I want to get into the habit of not facing the race as a full 26 miles but rather in 3-4 mile sections. Today will be a good opportunity to test that to see how well it works. Four miles seems like a reasonable time frame. From what I have been reading (on Runners World) that is the way to go.

There is a park close by. I don't think I can run there, which would be awesome but it is close. I think the sidewalk disappears for about a mile and while I would rather run, I would much rather live. Anyway, the park has a half mile loop. I use my abacus to find out that would mean I would run around 32 times. Not the most exciting run, but it will work. Also, it is someplace different.

As a side note, I might be signing up for a mini-marathon at the end of March. It would be a 15K run (9.3 miles). Nothing I can't handle and from what I have been reading (Runners World) running a shorter race before the marathon is a good idea. It supposedly gets the jitters out. So we'll see.