Half Marathon Update

Sunday I ran my first half marathon in San Diego with my mom (she actually ran the full) and two of my sisters!

This was for sure a day to remember!

Once we pulled up we took some pictures and let's just say my nerves started getting the best of me.  I wasn't really nervous until then.  After awhile of standing around, eating, going to the bathroom multiple times, I just started to get extremely excited and anxious.  We had to wait quite awhile before we even got to   line up to run.  The whole be there 90 minutes early is for the birds!

 This was a rather large marathon with over 25,000 participants between the half and full and about 60,000 spectators so it was crazy!

I was in Corral 5 to start and this is still how far we were from the Start line.

And this is the never ending people that were behind us.

Starting out was hard with that many people moving around.  It took awhile to get to where I could run my own pace and not be constantly cut off by someone.  I will never forget that feeling of starting and running amidst that many people.

I also started out with a 2:00 pace group but knew I wanted to be ahead of them because I wanted to finish under 2 hours.  I ran the first few miles with them then tried to run ahead a bit.  I never saw the next pace group which was 1:45 so knew I never got that much ahead.  My bladder stinks and I had to try and take a bathroom break twice which killed my time.  I couldn't believe there was a line at every porta potty stop.  It was torture standing there waiting while everyone was running by.  Next time I will really try to avoid that time waster!

I couldn't believe how many water stops there were and all the random people who had set up tables with food and snacks for you to grab.  I only got one cup of water and at one point grabbed a Gu pack  they were handing out which was perfect because I got it in right before a little section of hills.

I loved reading all the signs but honestly didn't take in much of the scenery.  I  was a little too focused on running and watching the people around, I had no idea where we even ran.

Some of my favorite signs were
 Mind over Matter
Pain is temporary- Internet stats and race times are forever
This is the worst parade ever!
 I'll be honest, this is not your last hill.

There were lots of creative ones but those are ones I remember!

I felt great until about mile 10 where my calves really started to hurt, and they did hurt the rest of the way.
When I saw that mile marker 12, I was ready to get to that finish line and really pushed that last one.  The last section I even tried to sprint.  Crossing that finish line was AWESOME!

Now that I've felt that feeling.  I understand.  I understand why runners push themselves so hard for these marathons.  I understand why they run over and over again.   I know why  they go through the training.  I've felt the runners high.  I've ran through pain and oddly enjoyed it!
It's fun.  It's unexplainable.
And I for sure plan to do it again, and really thinking about going for the full marathon!
It's in my blood now!

After the race we changed into clean clothes but kept those sweet medals on, haha I wasn't letting that go yet.  Since it was a Rock and Roll Marathon they had a concert after the race inside Petco Park and we were lucky enough to score some VIP tickets so we got to go to an inside area ( perfect because we were freezing) in the park and enjoy some awesome food for free!  Inside we snapped a picture that I just love, because we worked hard and earned those medals and had a great time doing it.  I've looked up to my mom for years for running and always wanted to be a part of that area of her life and we all got to at the same time.  She may of ran the full but we got to be a part of the day and accomplish goals of our own!  Unforgettable!

Speaking of goals, I wanted to finish in under 2 hours, which I did but was really hoping to beat my dad's time on one of his halves which was 1:56, and I got so close with a time of 1:57:28.  Those darn bathroom breaks ruined it!  That's okay though next time, I'm breaking that one!

My average mile pace was 8:58
I finished 3756 out of 17983 overall
My gender overall was 1305 out of 10988.

For my first half marathon and just starting running earlier this year, I'm proud of the results!

I've learned a lot through this experience and plan to continue running and figure out which race to do next!  

The Week Before

I cannot believe I will be joining around 30,000 other runners next Sunday for the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon.  I've never been a runner but magically became one this spring.  I ran a few times in January, then started working on it from February on.  I can't believe I have worked up to 11 miles in the last 12 weeks and am about to break that by doing 13.1 on Sunday.

My emotions are everywhere.  I watched a marathon video this morning and cried.  Running is a challenge.
It's a mind game.  My mind always wants to quit before my body.
My first few miles are a challenge every time I start hitting the pavement.  I usually want to stop because starting those first few is hard.

 Then I usually find my groove around mile 3 or 4.  Each week I haven't given up and have met all of my goals thus far.

Each Wednesday I do my "long runs" and they have been increasing by 1 mile each week for awhile now.

Each week I felt like I was about to my max, but the next week I have made it one farther.

Next Sunday I will be running 2 miles farther than I ever have.

That makes me nervous but so excited to cross that finish line.  I know I can and will do it!

I know I'm about to feel a runner's high like I have never felt running in the midst of thousands of people and seeing the 60,000 spectators that come to watch.  

That moment is going to be emotional.  I'm also sad that when I cross that finish line my hubby won't be there to see it.  He is flying home from Honduras that day so I most likely won't even be able to talk to him until later in the day.  I already decided if I do another it will be closer to home so that  I can have someone there waiting for me.

I'm hoping I will not only have pictures to share afterwards but an awesome race time to share as well.  My last few runs my pace has been increasing so I'm hoping that's it's just a bad week and I can get it back down for the race.  I really want that time under 2 hours, but trying to tell myself 2:15 will be okay as well!

Thursday, my mom, sisters and I will be flying out to have a few days of vacation before the race.  Since I'm a single mom all week while Matthew is gone  I know I am going to be ready for some time away and  am so looking forward to spending some quality time with just us girls!  We are going to have a blast!

Wish us luck!

 

It's Friday and this is Random

This week has been a weird one.
 I have slacked off from the blog big time.    Usually every night after boys go to bed, I work online but this week just pretty much went straight to bed each night.  Monday I had a great day with my boys and decided  I should probably quit blogging ( I have a lot of random thoughts each day)  but then by Wednesday I circled back to realizing how much I really do enjoy it and I shouldn't quit.  However, I still went to bed the last few nights and neglected writing.

Do you ladies ever get in a blogging funk?  One where you feel it's pointless, you are wasting time?  Then you quit writing and reading for a few days and feel like a lost puppy and miss your blog world?
Yeah, that's me, this week!

Anyways onto some randomness about my week!

Here is a picture from my awesome Monday with my boys.  We just had a great day, I love when that happens!  Little screaming, fighting, and lots of smiles, laughter and sweet moments!

Tuesday I planted the first flowers of the year, may be the last who knows.  Noah helped me pick them out. He wanted yellow, I didn't.  I wanted pink, he didn't,  so we got white instead.  Once I planted them he let me know "mom the flowers are beautiful!"

If you aren't friends with me on facebook, then you didn't see that I ran this on Wednesday.
I met my mom at 5:45.  I got plenty of sleep the night before.  Weather was great!  I had my Genesis Pure Energy.  The week before our 9 miler went really well.  I was ready.  Until we were a few miles in and I was already tired ( did I mention my mom took me on a new route for me and it was HILLY, yeah on my longest run to date, not a good idea! )  I remember hearing her phone tell us we hit 5 miles.  I was like that has to be wrong, I'm already done.  If I would of been alone I probably would have given up around 8 but I ran through it and finished and in good time too!  It was just one of those off running days, where it was HARD! Adding 3 more seemed impossible so hoping my 11 miler this next Wednesday goes better!  It will be my last long one before race day.  Did I mention that, this run also caused me to loose 3 pounds?  Yeah it was awesome until the next day when it had come back, haha!

Yesterday I was still thinking about my junky run and finally remembered to stop by our bike store that sell the sports fuel goodies and bought me some stuff for next weeks run, and Marathon Day.

I bought Gu Gel and some Shot blocks.  I have been using my moms the last two runs so I owe her some.  

I haven't tried the Gu yet but will try it next week so that way race day isn't my first try.  

I felt like buying this stuff made me a "real " runner.  It was weird, because I have always wanted to be one and I feel like I actually am now.  

I feel like I should start this paragraph...

You know you are a complete dork when??

You don't have music on your iphone, ( I actually still use my mp3 player)

You still buy CD's

Better yet, you buy a NOW CD

When I first started running I bought Now 44 to have some new music to run too because the music I had on there was all from like 2006-2007 it was sad.  

It also made me feel old because the last Now CD I bought I had on my mp3 player and it was Now 19. 

Today on my 5 miler, I jammed out to this baby, it was fun! 

My new Honest products finally arrived!  I had thought I ordered them weeks ago, went to check and realized I forgot to checkout my cart, whoops minor detail.  Anyways got them really ordered.  They arrived today and I can't wait to use them.  You bet I will have a review on them up once I do.  This cleaning freak gets excited about weird things like this!

I made these delicious cookies today!  Saw them on Pinterest and have been wanting to try them.  I got them a little more on the done side than I normally do but they are still good.  I will be making these again for sure and baking them for a little less time.  You can find the recipe here.

Will be busy tonight and tomorrow getting ready for my hubby and his twin brother's 30th birthday party cookout at our casa  on Saturday night!  We really are getting old! Then Sunday onto Mother's Day festivities!  It will be a busy but fun weekend!  

Have a good one! 

Attention Runners

I used to want to be a runner so bad.

Tried it.  Hated it.

Couldn't breathe.

Calves killed.

Would quit working out, walk or try something else.

Then for some reason this time around everything is different.

(Side note:  In case you are new around here, I'm running a half marathon in June in sunny San Diego.  It will be my first one and I'm running with my two sisters and my mom is running the full 26 mile marathon.    I just started running/ training for it in January.  Before that I hadn't ran since maybe late last Spring. )

I am loving running.   I can breathe.  My calves aren't generally a problem.

Hitting the pavement is therapeutic.  It relieves stress and I always feel much better after a run is finished.

I have already ran farther than I ever thought I could.

When I haven't got to run in a few days I crave it.  I completely understand the runner's high.

This week I ran this....

I ran with my sister for a little bit and ran the whole thing with my mom.  Running with people makes it so much  better, but for short runs my music is great too!

Did you see that run total?  I can't believe I'm up to 9 miles and I didn't feel like dying, I felt like I could handle a little more.   I love ending like that, it gives me encouragement to keep going.    Race day is exactly one month from today and I'm getting pumped.  I will get a few more longer runs in but won't be going past 11 or 12 miles until the race.

I couldn't do these runs alone.  Before my runs I take my Genesis Pure GPS E 2 which is the sports energy in the Genesis Pure sports line which is amazing.  I also take the Moomiyo Edge supplement  which is explained here.  When I was having knee problems I also started taking Mangosteen to help with pain and inflammation and this last week have been running knee brace free!  I know these products have helped changed the game for me and truly helped me become a runner and find a new healthy hobby to enjoy and I am so thankful for that!

Now I have mostly good runs, but I have also had bad runs.  Runs where I felt like I was hardly moving, runs in the freezing cold, wind, rain, runs where my my knees and hips killed, days where 3 miles seemed really hard even though I had already ran much farther and ones where I was just not in the mood.  Through it all I have kept training and am proud that  I have already made it this far.  I didn't have a goal when I started training I just wanted to finish but now that I'm this far into it, I would love to finish in under 2 hours but am being more realistic with a solid goal of 2 hours 15 minutes!

I have been talking to my mom lately about race details and thought I would see if any other runners had any good tips/advice.

I'm thinking of running with a pace group to help keep me on target to finish.  If you have ran with a pace group, would you suggest it?

Also what's your favorite race item to help keep you going?  Energy beans?  Gu?  Shock Blocks?  Glucose Tablets?

I know I'm only doing the half but I do plan to take my Genesis Pure products before but will probably also bring a little something to take during the race and need your help in decided what to take!  120 minutes of straight running is a long time!

Half Marathon Training

Half Marathon Training is officially starting this week.  Sunday marked 12 weeks until race day.   To read more about my decision to run my first marathon go here.  

I still have a long way to go and in the last two weeks have developed some knee issues.  I bought a brace today  so this week going to try to run in that and ice after runs and see if that help..  I also ordered a Genesis Pure product Mangosteen that I don't normally use but it helps with inflammation so will try taking that as well.  I'm hoping I can get rid of these knee issues because I have enjoyed running so far minus the aching and soreness in my knee after.  

I had looked at a bunch of different training plans and needed to adjust them a little and where a lot of them had you do cross-training I decided to pre-plan those workouts as well.  I really want to do this and want to do the best I can.  I don't want to leave it up to what I feel like that day so I will be doing my best to stick to this plan!  

Here is my plan, feel free to use if you are looking for one!  

Have you ever ran any races or marathons?  If you have and you have advice I would love to hear it!