We are celebrating this year! With Chelsea graduating from college and Zach graduating from High School, its been a busy and wonderful May!
So many changes and so much fun we have shared!
Zachary's high school commencement
mom turns 70
Zach and Camerons Senior Prom
12 in 2012
And so we have reached the 5th month and I have ran my 5th race at the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon! It was a good race, except for the heat and the flu bug that I came down with the night before which kept me from getting a good nights sleep.
This being my 3rd Rite Aid Cleveland half, I was able to see an improvement in my time over the three years.
Definetly an improvement, though I had hoped to do better. I think between the fever, sore throat and chest congestion, along with the high temps just really drained me quickly. Which concerns me for the upcoming race I have at the end of June? Is it going to be too hot? and how will I learn to cope with the hot weather? I'm hoping the bigger part of my slower race time was the onset of the flu that weakened my immunity.
We had a great time all weekend long! Spending Friday at the expo and lunch at 100th Bomb group with Chelsea, Kathy and Christy and then heading downtown by 3pm on Saturday to get checked into our hotel, which happened to be right next to the casino. Something I didn't even know at the time of booking the hotel.
We met some of the most amazing people at the pasta dinner, like one of our favorites.... Marathon Maniac Steve. Who was the sweetest, kindest, most inspiring runner I have ever met! He told us of his favorites of the almost 200 marathons he's completed, and here found us again when we were heading back to our hotel. I'm definetly looking up some of his favorites for next year, whatever my goals are...
And as usual, my gear of choice... Lululemon capri and top, Chica band, ifitness belt, a playlist made jut for Cleveland marathon and the only thing I wore differently... my Nike running shoes. I need new running shoes and I'm definetly going back to my Brooks!
Have you ever done something for a long time and not feel like there has been much improvement? Recently that's how I've been feeling with my running. I've been trying to increase my speed, which I realize now has improved dramatically, but sometimes looking back at where we were makes things a whole lot clearer.
This weekend I'm running the Rite Aid Cleveland half marathon. Number 5 in my 12 in 2012, and my friend Kathy is also running with me. She and I ran the Portage Lake half together, and she now has the race bug...
after Run to beach half
Since Kathy is running the half, she asked what my previous times were. While looking back in my running logs I couldn't find my times. Luckily you can find them on the site and this weekend after the race I will update all 3 years which I have ran this race. But for the last two, and my point... My time was only minutes apart from one year to the next, and I thought I haven't improved at all!
But what did catch my eye and showed my improvement was my tracking my speed, and I found this entry
It made me realize how far I have come since today my interval training is at 6.5 and 8.0 and increasing...
So I will keep logging those miles and times and slowly watch my progression over time and no matter what time I complete a race in, I will be proud of each achievement!
packet pick up for this years race!
This year I had planned to achieve many different goals, but somehow my running has been taking over the majority of my time, and right now, it feels good, I need it and I'm okay with it.
Reaching 400 miles run on May 7th was a positive to add to my achievements as well as the 5 miles that day being run in 41:03
Having a friend that runs is also motivation, especially when we challenge one another to do better! Recently I ran 5 miles in 42:02, which motivated Kathy to run it in 41:40, which then motivated me to push it and run it in my 41:03 time. Today I received a text from Kathy she ran the 5 in 37:30! I love it!
I've been told by Milt that I've inspired many to run in the gym, including him! Once you get a group of friends working towards the same goal, anything is possible!
The last race Kathy and I ran, Milt decided to cut some heads off pictures and make it like He, Dennis and Kristin had also done the same race! There is a sign under the picture in the gym congratulating them all on the race! Yep, we need some humor along with all these challenges!
medals since running
Completed number four in my 12 for 2012 this past weekend in Kentucky! I was excited to see the city and had no expectations for the race, especially since I had just ran a half the weekend before!
After Chelsea finished her last exam, we headed out to Cincinnati to pick up Jill and her daughter. After a four hour drive to Cincinnati, we only had two hours until Kentucky!
Our first stop once arriving was to hit the expo. We always feel better once we've collected our bib and packet for race day. Now its time to eat, since the city seems so busy, we thought it best to head towards our hotel and find a restaurant nearby. Using my Urbanspoon app, we located several restaurants. Unfortunately we learned that you needed reservations...
We found restaurants, drove to them or called, only to find they too were busy or needed reservations. By this point we are all starved and cranky and trying to figure out just where we were going to find a pasta meal that would fill us up for race day? Finally Blu Restaurant could squeeze us in, but we had to get there quickly. After driving in circles, we end up right back in the city where we had left some time earlier...
Finally, with a pasta meal in us, we were ready to get to our hotel for some much needed prep time and rest time.
This was the most unprepared I have ever been for a race! Thinking dinner wouldn't be an issue, not finding the start line the day before the race and having no idea where we were going to park were just a few of the things I never want overlook again...
Once we arrived at the start I still had the nervous feeling in my stomach like I usually do before a race. It was colder, but seeing the sun coming out convinced me to leave my coat at baggage check, and try and stay warm until the race began.
The race itself... amazing! I felt the best I ever have running, as each mile approached I thought "wow how did I get this far already?" Even having some left at the end to be able to sprint to the finish. Although it made me question did I keep too much in reserve during the race. After all I finished with an official time of 2:11:33 still shy from beating my PR of 2:11:25 yet coming in a few seconds sooner than my race from the weekend before of 2:11:38
Running through Churchhill downs was amazing, probably my favorite part of the run! There were many bands and drumlines that made the route entertaining as well. And I ran this entire race without my headphones. It was a nice change, to listen to those around me breathing, talking and sharing stories with others!
As always two of my race day requirements aided in my successful run... My ifitness belt and my Chica band! Finally, in the fourth month I am done with my 4th half marathon.... time to get back to the list and plan for what is next!
Here we go again! Heading out on another adventure. This time to Kentucky for the Kentucky Derby half marathon! I've been excited and counting down for this one for many reasons.
With only a week since my last half, I'm not sure of my expectations for this race, except to run hard, do my best, and enjoy the sites and sounds of Louisville!
Next week I need to review my race schedule, see what I need to sign up for, what I need to eliminate and make more hotel and travel plans since Chelsea and I got into the NIKE WOMENS HALF MARATHON IN SAN FRANCISCO! I can't wait to tell my aunt since she's been bugging me to find a race near her since the last time we were there!
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My 3rd half marathon in my 12 for 2012 series...
I watched the weather for the entire week, until finally I said it will be what it will be and there is nothing I can do about it but plan for the worst, and well.... we kinda got the worst!
With all these spring like temperatures we've been having since February, I thought a race in April would be perfect weather. But look at Boston marathon at 80+... you just never know.
Kathy and I went the day before to get our packets. It was her first half marathon in years and she was so excited, then when we got the cute jackets we were even more excited! What is it about work out clothes?
All the things that Kathy expressed concern over the day before, didn't seem to bother me. She thought for sure she wouldn't be able to sleep, not be hydrated enough, not be able to run without injury, etc. Me, I've done this before, its no biggie... right?
Yet, I did not sleep well the night before and within the first few miles of running I'm feeling sore and winded? What? This is supposed to be easier for me, I've done this before. Then I realize, this is NOT easy, it is not meant to be. For some reason, after a race I feel so good and forget pain it took to reach my goal!
Kathy and I stayed togeether for the first 5 miles, but slowly she started getting ahead of me and I just didn't have the breath to keep up. The body ached, sure... but it was the tightness in my chest that prohibited me from pushing it harder than I already was.
It rained on and off throughout the race and there were times when the rain was quite welcome. Then we had the wind and rain pelting you in the face as you ran by the lake. This became quite trying. I was so cold, I would pull my hands into the sleeves of my jacket, only to be over heating moments later and pull them out. As I approached mile 13 my hands were tingling and I was losing feeling, they were so cold! I continued to push myself and run harder, I needed to finish!
The sweetest thing besides seeing the finish at the end of the race was seeing my husband there to surprise me! Kathy's husband came as well as her two kids and we all gathered at the finish!
My official time, 2:11:38... I'm proud of my time, I'm proud of every race I run and that I push myself to new limits...I know now that I need to run more trail runs and sandy beaches so it doesn't hinder me in my next race.
All in all it was an awesome experience. My first race in the cold and windy rain, and I survived and was 14 seconds from a PR. I Arrived home in need of a long hot shower, the time and warmth to shrink my swollen hands and feet and then I was basking in the glow of another 13.1 completed!
After checking results I found out I won 3rd place for my age group! I get to pick up another award this week, since we left shortly after we finished race. This is my first placement in my age group! I don't care if it is a paper ribbon, it has me giddy!
Joel and I met up with Kathy and the group from Milts for dinner after race and shared our tale and medals!
Recently someone asked me, "do you always see yourself running and would you run without a goal," and it got me to thinking.
I love running, some days more than other days. But those days when I love it, it is such a mind cleansing powerful experience. Especially with all the stressful things I'm facing right now...
But... can I run without goals? Can I just run for the fun of it and not track my miles, distance or time? It's never been a competition with anyone else. In fact, that is one of the things I love about running, its a competition with ones self.
I really want to PR with my half marathons this year, my training has been including a lot of interval and speed runs to help reach that goal. And aren't we always supposed to be trying to improve ourselves, reaching for goals... isn't that what keeps you going?
I also enjoy all the places I get to see because of running. With this weekend a race in Ohio, next weekend a race in Kentucky and soon to find out if we got in the Nike Womens in San Francisco are nothing but exciting to me!
So is it always a competition?
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With so many graduations coming up this spring I have a lot of planning, creating and preparing to do! With Chelsea and Ben's college graduation, Zach and Camerons graduation and party and then of course many of my friends kids graduating, its going to be a busy summer!
In 2008 when Chelsea graduated high school I found the orange bottle of bubbles and made the label for them.
For Zach and Cameron I found the bubbles at Target and they are even cuter!
Once I get their pictures I'll be adding labels to these
After reading this quote by Dr Seuss, I knew it had to become subway art, so I created this
once I print it I will add it to a frame
I still have a couple scrapbooks and favors to make for upcoming events so I better get back to playing!
Checking in on running and race totals...
So here we are in the 4th month of the year already... my how time sure does fly! I'm feeling good about my race schedule and while close with my miles, I'm a little behind there, so before I head out for a run I thought I would do a little update.
Cherry Blossom shirt we fell in love with at Lululemon in DC!
Busy working on my speed and miles and actually seeing improvement! Excited to what this racing schedule has in store for me!
Miles for 2012
January total 120 miles
March
April
Race Schedule
2/28/2012 Sentara Colonial half marathon Williamsburg VA
3/10/2012 Columbia South Carolina half marathon
4/01/2012 Washington DC Cherry Blossom 10 mile
4/21/2012 Run to the beach half marathon, Akron Ohio
4/28/2012 Kentucky derby half marathon Louiville KY
5/20/2012 Rite Aid Cleveland Half Cleveland, OH
6/24/2012 Columbia Station half marathon Columbia Station Ohio
8/12/2012 Ultrafit Columbus half marathon Lewis Center OH
8/21/2012 Little Miami Half Cincinnati, OH
8/26/2012 Emerald City half marathon Dublin Ohio
8/28/2012 Buckeye Half marathon & relay Cuyhoga falls Ohio
8/29/2012 Columbus Half Columbus, OH
9/15/2012 USAF Half Dayton, OH
9/29/2012 Road runner Akron half marathon
10/07/2012 Towpath half marathon Peninsula OH
10/14/2012 San Francisco Nike women’s half (signed up, awaiting lottery picks)
10/16/2012 Nationwide Columbus Marathon Columbus, OH
11/5/2012 Stomp the grapes half marathon Hartville Oh
11/5/2012 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Indianapolis, IN
11/5/2012 Mason Half Marathon Mason, OH
11/21/2012 Cleveland fall classic Strongsville OH
12/2/2012 Tour de Ashland* Ashland, OH
12/3/2012 Las Vegas Half marathon
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