My First Duathlon!

Those who have been following my progress know that ever since I got hired by Amtrak that my running/training has been cut by over 66%. I have felt this in all my few runs with slower speeds and higher heart rates. Distance running has gone from happy 8 milers to hard 4 milers. But, I love my job and I heard that once my student status ends, and summer vacations are over, my hours will be much fewer and I will have more time for training again. Just hanging in there for now.

I went into the GIRLFRIENDS and DUDES DUATHLON knowing that I was not fit and I told myself it would be okay if I had to walk some of the route. Yet, I can proudly say - I wasn't fast, but I finished without walking.

Here is a quick summary of the race:

ARRIVED:

It was a cold overcast morning which couldn't have pleased me any more than it did. I LOVE cold dry overcast days for races. It is my FAVORITE weather to run in.

The parking was adequate at the time I arrived. I took my bike and followed the crowds to the bike pen. There the volunteers were SO helpful and SO friendly. They helped me figure out everything I needed to know and did so with smiles.

Here is a photo of my bike after I set up my station.

Here are some other bikes.

The volunteers wrote my race number on the back of my left calve and my age on the right. I started watching right calves during the bike segment when that competitive mode kicked in. ;)

THE FIRST RUN - "2" MILES - 19:02 official time:  

We got a late start. So late, I hadn't noticed my Garmin shut down and lost it's satellite reception. It was when I our small group of just 29 competitors began moving and I passed over the start mats that I realized it and started it all over again. It found reception faster than I thought it would, and it didn't seem to take too long, but I have no idea how much I 'really' missed distance wise.

• My watch showed I ran 1.75 miles in 18:46 minutes with an average pace of 10:42 which is FAST for me at this time. I was running much faster 6 months ago. It will come back.

• The official race info says I ran 2.0 miles in 19:02 minutes with an average pace of 9:31. NEVER have I even run two miles at 9:31. Not even at my fittest last year so I am guessing the race distance was off a bit.

• Combining the info of my watch with the time recorded, the first leg was only 1.77 miles long. 

Note - These people ran FAST! I had imagined the participants were going to be similar to those in your local 5k and 10k runs. They were NOT. These people were fit and fierce. Even though I ran my fastest in a long time, I was 4th from last place in this leg. Not used to being so close to the bottom.

Here they all are pulling away from me! 

TRANSITION ONE - 1 minute 56 seconds: I ran in and found my bike easily. I took my time and drank some water, put on my helmet, then walked my bike out to the area for mounting.  

BIKE RIDE OF "18.5" MILES - 49 minutes and 2 seconds:  

This was my favorite part of the race and it was with all the Duathlon AND Triathlon participants simultaneously. The adjustments I made to my seat helped SO much. Other thoughts:

• Garmin says this was 18.3 miles - pace = 15.05 miles per hour

• There was a headwind for the longest straight part of the ride. 

• I couldn't get my water bottle to work with one hand so I went without fluids for that entire 49 minutes.

• At one point I realized I wasn't wearing my bike gloves and remembered I had stuffed them under my seat. I had to stop, step off my bike and (fortunately!) found them. 

• I DID notice I was passing people up. THAT was interesting. Yes, I was being passed by a lot of people but I was actually passing people. I went from being the bottom 14% in the running leg, to the bottom 27% in the bike leg.  One younger woman who I had followed out and passed the last 5 miles told me I was "really strong" on my bike. I let her know she was "really strong" when she ran passed me later. lol

• OH!!! I have to mention how AWESOME the participants were. I can't believe how many people were smiling at each other and encouraging others as we passed on our out-n-backs. Impressive! I of course gave out as many smiles and kudos as I could, too.

This is me coming at the camera. 

I noticed most others got angle shots. I hope I didn't scare him.

My proudest part of this leg was that other than when I stopped to look under my seat, my legs kept pumping hard the entire time. I didn't know I had that in me.

TRANSITION TWO - 2 minutes 13 seconds : When I stepped off my bike it felt like a muscle of tendon in my left butt cheek got pulled pretty hard and I cried out. Immediately an attendant rushed and asked if I was okay. I said yes, I was just really tight and would walk it off. The next attendant to see me asked if I was okay - coloring bad. Explained really thirsty (as I was downing my potassium drink). I took my time. No rush. Put my bike up. Took off the helmet. Ate some banana chips. Grabbed my water and WALKED to the start pads....took a deep breath and said, "Let's do it!" and ran out.

FINAL RUN - "3.1" MILES - 35:24 :  

My legs felt like lead and my feet felt like they were sinking into quicksand. People began passing me again. How on earth do they SPRINT after a ride like that? Then I looked at my watch and I was still running faster than my normal speeds. HOW?! Where did THAT come from?  Official leg pace: 11:23 

No headphones or ear buds were allowed....I had my player in my arm band speaker side up playing loud enough to hear it. It really helped. But....why was there so many others with ear buds???? Hmmmm.

I felt exhausted and like this 5K would never ever end. When I got to a water table I had hoped it was the turn around. Nope. Grabbed a Gu and kept going. I was tempted to walk (like so many in front of me) but I got into a zone where I wanted to go until I couldn't. So I slowed a bit instead.

My heart rate was getting too high coming up the last hill/curve to the finish line. A young woman yelled, "This is it! Push! PUSH!!" so I sprinted.

Can you tell I was really happy to be going through that arch?

My heart rate got to 183 for a few moments but dropped like a rock after and I didn't feel ill or dizzy. I felt pretty good considering.

HOW I DID COMPARATIVELY

2 mile Run results = at the 14% line of all 29 persons in the two mile run.
Bike results = at the 27% line of all 178 females for the bike leg.
5K results = at the 22% line of all 178 females for the 5K leg.

This is me immediately after finishing.

This is me as soon as I got home, posing with my bike in a dry hat. 

My running visor above was SOAKED

Running Off Kilter

Working for the railroad is challenging on your running schedule. VERY challenging. The hours are CRAZY and long. Plus as a student, I am studying a lot between my 5 to 6 trips a week.  But mostly, it is the screwy hours that are causing my running problems.

• I am working more hours each week than I was before
• I am away from home during my off hours several days a week
• I am sleeping through daylight hours more than ever before

The good news about the job is:

• I am walking far more than before
• I am walking stairs more than before
• My upper body is getting fitter with railroading (lifting, climbing, etc)

My few daylight hours off are dedicated to spending time with my husband (because we rarely have the same hours off now!); getting my uniforms washed, dry cleaned and ironed; doing normal laundry; cleaning; shopping; chores; pets; recuperating from the hours; and the few hours for just ME seem to be now those minutes in bed when I read before going to sleep, or when I can actually take time in a hot shower. 

My runs now average between 3 to 5 miles each and are HARD. I actually pray for red lights at intersections now!!! That is HORRID. I used to pray for greens so my runs wouldn't be interrupted. Also, now even the slightest variations in the level of the route feels like mountains and on one route (on a work layover in Spokane) I often have to stop after these little hills to get my heart rate back down. Of course, the summer heat isn't helping either. Those high heart rates are also a part of hydration issues. I do bring water now on every run, no matter how short and it helps.

I am not hydrating like I used to.

HYDRATION IS IMPORTANT!!! 

But, when you are working on a train and are not given any actual "breaks", you have to take what you can (sometimes in just a spare minute or two) and you don't want to have to pee during those long hours. In fact, what most people don't realize is that a conductor is CONSTANTLY working - even on the 10 hour runs. You are not only loading and unloading passengers and baggage, you are walking the train, assisting people, listening to the radio, watching mileposts and communicating to the engineer. If you miss a transmission or mile marker, very bad things could happen. Things that could result in deaths at worst, or your being fired, or just making for issues you don't need.

Today, it frustrated me to feel so miserable running just 3 miles. I then ran/walked an additional mile. 

I have a DUATHLON coming up just NEXT month. I fear that I will be in last place, as I am NOT fit enough to do this without walking or stopping on the jogging portions (let alone adding a 12,5 mile bike ride between the two 5K's). But, I AM GOING TO DO IT. Even if I have to crawl. :)

HUGE HUGE CHANGES!!!

My race plans for the year were tossed out the window. It was painful, but....I was offered a job to be a railroad conductor. A job I have dreamed about since I was a very young child. I couldn't turn it down.

There was 8 weeks of classes in a town in north Delaware. The homework was CRAZY and I literally studied most weekdays from 6am until maybe 9pm (including class time). I tried to squeeze in 6 to 9 miles a week. It was a challenge to do so. I am still running just 6 to 9 miles a week with the training schedule here.

It was lonely running those 8 weeks in Delaware. The trail near the hotel was asphalt and wrapped around a small lake. In my 8 weeks there, I saw maybe 4 others running it. TOTAL. No repeats. Also, no cyclists other than one I met at a intersection. She was on her way to work at Performance Bikes and explained the area there isn't very fit conscious. People who buy bikes typically buy cruisers for the shore areas.

My first day back at home (May 4th) I went and ran 3 miles on my favorite trail here. There was more runners at the Padden/Andressen intersection in ONE signal, than I saw in my 8 weeks back east. Lots of waves and smiles from runners, walkers and cyclists. It was so good to be home.

My job is amazing. Hard, but amazing.  Unfortunately, I work weekend mornings now. 

They don't offer many races on weekdays. 

I did get told I could have a weekend off in the next few months so I chose a Duathlon weekend in July. I hope I will be ready for it. You see, I am now a 5K runner all over again. I lost a lot of cardio fitness, although my legs and hips are stronger than ever.

Trust me - walking the full length of a moving and rocking two level train throughout 7 plus hours builds strength!

Next weekend I am going to a one time temporary two week training schedule that will KILL my running times. I will be in Seattle working 6pm - 6 am shifts. Knowing me, running after that shift won't be likely. :(

Good news is some bad news. I might be furloughed (temporarily laid off) around the first week of July through mid August. That would be ideal for my duathlon training and to regain my fitness. It will just really hurt the purse strings.

Still, it is all worth it. :)

1st race of 2013 - Woohoo!

It is a little 5K in Battle Ground, Washington put on by Get Bold Events, appropriately named the RESOLUTION RUN.

Weather was PERFECT for me since I always run hot - 38 degrees and dry. Overcast. No fog.  In fact, I was stripped down to just this thin T-shirt and carried my vest as other finished in the layers they started in. I can't do that. I get too hot. Must be all that extra insulation I have that they don't have.

I took 5 minutes and 15 seconds off my time from last years race!!! 

That made me very happy.

Funny, as I was only 4th place in my age group (50-54) of 13 women and it wasn't my fastest 5K pace to date. But, compared to this time last year, that is a HUGE difference and I am very proud.

DISTANCE: 3.09 miles
TIME: 32:47 minutes.
PACE: 10:35 minutes per mile
WEIGHT: 166.8 (yes, I gained 8 since October)

26.2 Ways You Know You Are A Runner

For all those people who know the true meaning of the number 26.2

1. You know how many miles there are in a marathon.
...
2. Your weekly mileage is how much you run, not your commute to work.

3. You know how many miles you get out of a pair of running shoes.

4. You can convert Kilometers to Miles in your head.

5. You measure your running route in your car to get the exact mileage.

6. When someone tells you their age, you automatically know their Boston qualifying time.

7. You know Grandma's as the route from Two Harbors to Duluth, not the person.

8. You can drink, blow your nose and pee on the run.

9. The problem with the treadmill is there's no place to spit.

10. You have less than ten toenails and that's normal for you.

11. Body Glide is your friend. (IMPORTANT for Clydesdale's!!)

12. Ibuprofen is affectionately known as "Vitamin I". 

13. Navigating walkers, dogs and baby strollers annoys you because it interrupts your pace.

14. When you participate in an organized event, you know not to run in your race t-shirt.

15. You have a favorite energy gel and flavor.

16. The "Picasso" above your fireplace is last year's TCM poster.

17. You have pre and post race rituals.

18. The journal you keep is in miles and pace not feelings or thoughts.

19. When you look at the weather conditions, you calculate how many layers to wear.

20. The pride you feel after a good run is worth the pain it took to get there.

21. You have more t-shirts than you could possibly wear.

22. When you hear the word "bib", you think of race numbers not babies and Gerber food.

23. The "no carbohydrate diet" does not apply to you.

24. You know that Fartlek is not vulgar terminology.

25. A hill is an opportunity just waiting to be challenged.

26. You know the phrase "you're almost there" only applies when the finish line is in sight.

.2 Your vacation destination is determined by your race schedule.

"...a marathon is twenty miles of hope, six miles of truth...."

anonymous??

Happy New Year!

2012 was fun and I did a lot of things I never thought possible. Trying to come up with a practical list of goals and hopes for 2013 wasn't easy.

Here they are: My 2013 Goals and Hopes

Note that I added not one but THREE half marathons for next year and added not just my first, but my first and second Duathlon's.

Why three half marathons? 

I am doing it for the shirt!

Other goals this year are to run about the same miles as this year, but to add 500 miles of cycling. I was told that cycling will help me with my hip strength and alignment. Things I need to combat my knee issues.

If all goes as planned, I will be adding another tattoo next year, after I finish my first Duathlon.  I might just add to the existing one. I might add a new one altogether. We'll see. First, I must finish one. The one in April looks very daunting and I truly fear I bit off more than I can realistically chew.

Albeit I am daunted by starting over, 
I am excited with this clean slate that is 2013. 

2012 Was A Good Year

2012 was a busy year. I learned and experienced a lot of neat things. I learned words I had never heard before and I did things I had only ever dreamed of doing.

NEW WORDS I LEARNED IN 2012:

• Fartleks (speed bursts/intervals in a run)
• 800’s (an interval of 2 laps around a track)
•  IT band (that awful hindrance on the outer leg that causes knee pain)
• Graston (very painful but rewarding physical therapy massage)
• DOMS (aka Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness – pain 2 days after a run)
• Snot Rocket (how to blow your nose while running without tissue)
• Periformis Syndrome (a real pain in the ass)
• Meniscus

THE 12 RACES I RAN IN 2012:

·            01/01/2012: Randy Earhardt Memorial Run (sunrise) – 5K

·         01/08/2012: Resolution Run – 5K

·         03/18/2012: Shamrock Run – 5K

·         05/27/2012: Rum Run – 10K

·         06/10/2012: Run Like A Girl – 5K

·         06/23/2012: Solstice Run – 6 miles

·         07/22/2012: Harvest Days – 8K

·         08/19/2012: Every Girls – 5K

·         09/29/2012: Color Run – 5K

·         10/14/2012: Girlfriends – Half Marathon

       11/17/12: Chicks Psuedo Fat Ass Relay - 4.3K *

·         11/25/2012: Hot Buttered Run – 15K

* 

*      * I was signed up to run a full leg but due to injury, I ran a partial leg and drove a relay van.

RACES I VOLUNTEERED AT IN 2012:

• Vancouver USA Marathon 
• Every Girls Half Marathon
• North County Wine Run
• Girlfriends Half Marathon (day prior to the race)

2012 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS THAT I KEPT:

1: Complete the Get Fit Live Fit 20 Week Course. Not only did I finish it, I signed up for and completed the summer course as well!

2:  Weigh 169 by Valentine’s Day. Done!

3:  Run a 5K with a sub 11 pace. Done!

4: Run a 10K race.  Done! 

5:  To run at least 50% of the Girlfriends Half Marathon: Done!  Ran most of it and due to injury had to race-walk just under a quarter mile of it.

6:   Lose enough inches in my hips to fit into a Woman’s Brooks Running Jacket. Done!

7:  Run 500 Miles. Done! I ran 601.35 miles. 

OVERALL:

Running in 2012 kept me sane during some very crazy and challenging times.

But it was sometimes an added stressor in itself.  My ultimate goal for the year was the Half Marathon. I had run a beautiful and fast 12 miler just two weeks prior and then on race day I struggled in pain from mile 5 on just to finish it. That was both a source of pride, and disappointment. I made it, but it wasn't what it could have been if I hadn't had an injury.

The October MRI results showed ‘fissuring’ of the cartilage behind the right knee cap and a ‘slight tearing’ of the lateral right meniscus. 

The Sports Doctor prescribed a fancy knee brace which resulted in tearing the skin off my upper thigh in two places. The scars are still red and angry over a month later.  So, I tape the heck out of my knee and focus really hard on not letting my knee turn inward when I run. No more cutting and dodging through runners at races, and I walk on tight turns now.

Weight was an issue for me. I lost a lot of inches, but I ended the year still overweight and fluffy. Jiggly. The problem with running is that it is too easy to make excuses for that extra helping now. I still need to work on that.

I have learned a lot about myself, my weaknesses, and my strengths this year and I will be posting my 2013 Goals in a few days. HAPPY NEW YEARS, EVERYONE!!

Photos from 2012 races

 Me *after* the Color Run

 Solstice Run 

(made the podium!)

Every Girls Run

 Run Like A Girl

Me and the Captain at the RUM RUN!

Herd Of Turtles relay team
(I am third from the left)

Me and Christine at our first Half Marathon

Holiday Blahs

Not getting enough miles in this time of year, especially this week.

Eating too much - holiday food, celebration food, stress eating etc.

Rain, rain and more rain.

Motivation is low - but I have a LOT of goals for next year.

I did so well this year in meeting my resolutions (8 of 10 accomplished this year!) that I hope to do just as well next year. And to add a challenge, I made my goals even bigger for 2013. MUCH bigger.

More to come on that. ;)

Hoping I will get out and get some real miles in tomorrow before or after our family plans.

Have a great weekend.

It's Coming Back!

Today I decided to try my favorite 4 mile route here. It has some challenges to it and I just wanted to see how I would do on it.

The first few steps resulted in pain on the outside of my right knee. More than any other time since the October 14th inflammation/injury. I told myself to just try until it affected my gait and hoped like crazy it was just my IT Band flaring up and not the lateral meniscus!!!

At a quarter mile it was easing up. At half a mile, my knee was a non-issue and I was off! At .62 mile I was warmed up and rolling up my rain jacket's sleeves. And off I went!

I took the pedestrian bridge up over the 205 Freeway just like old days. It is the second most steep incline that I use for hill and it wasn't as bad as I expected. I didn't need to stop at the top to catch my breath. I turned around and headed back.

It never felt like I was going fast. There was not one, but TWO times that I had a runner's high moment. I was there in my day-glow clothing, running in the rain giggling and smiling. At one point I was fist pumping and quickly learned the importance of insuring your fist isn't any where near the earbud cord. OUCH! LOL!

When I got home and downloaded my stats I found that I beat ALL my prior workouts (over several months worth) on that exact 4 mile route. WOW!!! I checked the GPS data to insure it didn't add miles (with elevation spikes or weirdness) and it didn't. That was a clean tracking on the map.

YAAAAAAAAAY!!!!

Those hills didn't slow me down today and hours later, I still feel great.

This appears to be one of those freak runs that make it all so worth while. I'll take it. :)

It Takes Courage to Lose

I have only been back to running a short time, after that four week post-injury hiatus. My longest distance since the Half Marathon was a little over 5 miles and it wasn't pretty. Tomorrow is a race that I signed up for long before my injuries.

Yesterday, I ran 3 miles and my running brace tore the top layer of skin off in two places of my upper leg and left a ring of bruises on the lower leg.

The distance tomorrow is 7.5 miles.

I seriously considered dropping the 12K for the 5K, but my friend Shelly convinced me last weekend to give the 12K a try and to just do what I can.

It won't be a 'race' for me. I saw the finish times women in my age group did last year. I will be going into this run fully expecting to be last in my age division. If I do, it will be a first for me to be in last place as I usually finish in the upper 33-40%. It is kind of sad. A part of me doesn't want to go. It doesn't want to LOSE!!! After all, online race results are forever to anyone searching your name.

BUT!!!! A runner at Dailymile named Jill said this - "It's not where you've been but where you're headed."

I need to quit lamenting what fitness I don't have this week, and celebrate every mile I am making that brings me closer to where I was before the injuries. Even if coming in last place occurs. Even if I end up walking the last miles across the finish line.

I am going out there tomorrow to get fit. Not to win against others....but to beat the weakness out of my body that set in during my 4 weeks 'off' the road.

Just do it!

1st Run in 29 Days

I was told by the doctor to wait until I was fitted with a knee brace before running. Well, it has been taking a LONG time and today was the appointment. I woke up so excited! But, the woman I had the appointment with cancelled just 2 hours before we were to meet, stating she forgot it was a holiday today and she can't make it.

This made for a lot of frustration. If she reschedules for tomorrow (it is 5pm and she STILL hasn't called back) I wouldn't be able to run tomorrow night - it is my 2 yr wedding anniversary.

It HAD to be TODAY.

So, I put on a cheap blue neoprene knee brace I got at Walgreens.

I put on my Nike running pants, my beloved Saucony's, and my wonderful Brooks dayglow vest with the pockets. I put on my matching dayglow Nike cap, Garmin and grabbed my headphones and iPhone.

I could feel the adrenaline in me even as I stood in my court waiting for my GPS to catch the satellites.

The skies were gray, the ground wet, and a heavy mist (not quite a rain) was coming down.

I turned on the iPhone to my 'faves' playlist and off I went.

The only goal I had was to move until moving hurt, or 2 miles. Whichever came first. So, I went nice and slow on streets slick with fallen leaves and just enjoyed and reveled in the moment. The breeze on my face, my legs stretching themselves, my heart rate settling in at a nice low 160 bpm. Okay, low for ME. ;)

The course I chose was the flattest anywhere near my home. It is mostly just staying on the top of our hill, and going to the little neighborhood park that has a nice loopy asphalt quartermile track. The track has some changes in elevation as it wraps up and down and around the children's play areas. There was a young man throwing tennis balls to his black lab, and another young man shooting hoops in the mist. I did 4 laps at the park.

My cardio fitness has suffered from the 29 days without running.

My legs remembered how to move, but they didn't feel as strong as they used to by the 2 mile mark. In fact, my left quad was trying to convince me the couch was a better place to be. HA! I told my legs to suck it up and get me home so they did....another half mile.

My knee is a little cranky right now but it didn't hurt running. It will get over it.

It felt SO wonderful running again!!!!

Heart broken and STRESSING

I haven't ran since the Half Marathon. I want to run. I need to run. I feel like I am wound tighter than a cat suspended over a raging river. I feel like I am ready to blow at clients, coworkers, pets and family.

I didn't realize just how much running helped me in combating day to day stress.

It isn't just the ability to eat more.

It isn't the escapism.

It is the doing for myself. It is being selfish in a world with a million eyes and hands reaching out for me to fix their lives, their cases, their dinner or their errands. It is filling the tank so there is more of me to give.

And I have run dry.

That pain I felt August 23rd? That made me cry and hobble home? That same pain I felt on occasion after and that tore me up from mile 5 on in the Half Marathon? That pain led me to the REAL sports doctor. I drove far away to see him. He then had me get an MRI.

First, let me tell you MRI's for a knee are NOT an ideal way of spending your early evening. It was 45 minutes long and for someone who likes to spread out, that confined space had me stressed. My mission was to breath deep. Relax. Get lost in the music in the headphones. The music helped. It still wasn't pleasant.

My doctor called me yesterday to say he didn't have the images yet, but he did get the report. He sounded sad. I had never heard him sound sad. That scared me.

He said that his suspicions were confirmed. I had a small tear on my lateral meniscus. He said that would explain the hammer-to-the-knee pain when stepping down, or making left to right motions with my knee. It might be best if I opt for the surgery.

He said there was a few other surprises, too. By then, I was crying. I was at work and at my desk. I was trying hard not to sob uncontrollably and it took a lot of effort not to. I regret I didn't catch, understand or hear all he said. There was something about 'fissuring' and 'small tears' in a cartilage behind the knee cap. Something about my IT band. Something 'dysfunction' and something scary sounding. And a lot of medical sounding words.

Doctor said he would be getting the images soon and will call me when he does to confirm our plan of action. He suggested I might want to find a surgeon.

I came home and cried to my husband. Then I called my physical therapist, Bryce as he had asked me to tell him as soon as I heard anything. I felt like an idiot saying I didn't catch or understand much other than TEAR and FISSURING. I asked if HE could ask the doctor the next time they spoke so we would know what PT steps to take. He was very kind and didn't mock me for not understanding it all. He reassured me we will get through this. I will run again. Then he said, "You're still young!" hahaha

I do know the doctor was going to have a Brace representative call me to go over knee braces. Supposedly these aren't the ones you find at the market. They are very very expensive but my insurance should cover it.

My weight is already increasing and it is SO INCREDIBLY HARD to stop eating the amount of food I had been the last year. It is awful. I failed again today in staying under 1600 calories. It sucks,

I walked two miles and rode the recumbent bike for 3.5 miles. A total of 500 calories. that is NOTHING. And no cardio.

I am depressed.

Girlfriends Half Marathon

How do I do this? How do I write a gazillion thoughts and feelings in one succinct blog entry?

All week we had been told there was rain coming. Some predicted over an inch of rain to fall on us Sunday. Some predicted strong winds to be there with that rain. This scared me as I never ran a wet race and had no training for 13 miles in rain.

Sunday morning was overcast, cool and DRY. Do you hear me? DRY!!! Not one speck of water fell on us or our course the entire morning. Talk about beginners luck! I still have yet to run a wet race. I am thinking that will occur on one of my two races next month. That is okay. They are much shorter at only 7.45 miles and less.

So, back to Sunday!

Christine and I were excited and nervous. We decided to try and run together as it was our first time and we made a PACT. If either of us cries injured, the other is to continue on. I was nervous with the taping on my bad knee. It never felt supportive like when I do it myself. Not at all. I almost tore it off that morning and replaced it but figured that since it was done by a physical therapist that maybe he was on to something I wasn't aware of. I left it. As a note, other than for this race, NO one has taped my knee but me, since April.

This race is a woman's race to raise funds for breast cancer research and aid. However, men were allowed to join the thousands of women, ONLY if they raised at least $1000 and....promised to wear pink. Here are some of the amazing men that raised a LOT of money and ran with us that morning.

(as a note - this runner supposedly told the contributors 

THEY got to choose his outfit if he met his goal)

This one reminded me of my friend Josh. 

You can put him in pink but you can't question his toughness.

At the start, there was four corrals (sections of the road at a four way street junction). We were at the back of the second corral to start running. Then the next corral of slightly slower runners was to start after us, followed lastly by the last corral of walkers. Made sense. And it would have been great, if it worked that way.

When we hit the start line, it became obvious that a lot of walkers had snuck in to the corral with us. And no, this was not just start line congestion. These women appeared to have no intention to run. These walkers continued for the first two miles - even when there was wide open room for them to run. Again, this was not start line congestion.

By mile three we were past the walkers and I was able to keep a nice pace of 10's-11's. The picture above is us running with #1980. We saw her A LOT throughout the race.  In fact, she and I finished 26 seconds apart.

Here is a scene shot while running

So, what happens to a knee that had no real tape support, that was cutting and dodging from left to right and making sudden stops through walkers and slower runners for two miles? The knee gives. And it gives hard.

At mile five, I began to feel knee pain that was threatening to alter my gait. So, I stopped. Stretched. Manipulated my knee cap. And went off again. Christine was a saint and stayed with me.

At mile six I saw my husband and pointed to my knee to let him know there was trouble.

The knee continued to cry out though. The only relief I got was stopping, stretching, massaging and yelling at it. But, I had to do that more and more frequently. I didn't really do any walking until the over-pass hill. Then, I race-walked and slogged intermittently.

At mile ten, I saw Elba from GET BOLD events. He recognized me as the photographer that was at his event (North County Wine Run) just weeks before, and he ran in front of me and said it was HIS turn now to photograph ME. I was laughing. It was hilarious. Here is his photo of me.

At mile ten and a half I saw my hubbie again. Christine and I were coming up to the approach of a hill and I had told her to please, go on. She is really strong on hills, and I knew I was going to have to do some race-walking up it. I ran/race-walked/ran my way up it. This is a shot George got of me just before I turned to face that hill.

Notice the slouching? Yeah. My back really hurts from that. 

I have to start doing a lot of sit-ups the next 6 months in preparation for the next Half in June.

As a note, I put on my headphones and music now that I was alone and could. not. stand. it.

Seriously. The music made me want to go FASTER! I had the energy and it was egging me on. But, I couldn't. My knee wouldn't let me. It ended up being sensory overload and I turned the music off.

At mile 11 or so, I saw Elba again. He again, was making me laugh taking photos and telling me to run faster as he ran BACKWARDS away from me. He and Karen are SO fit. I wouldn't mind having them as trainers but the drive to their city is not practical for my schedule.

Shortly after that, I saw #1980 again, and told her to take the lead. She laughed and said, "Oh no! Too much pressure!". So I said, "Okay. Don't take the lead. How about I just follow you for a little while." She alternated her runs with walks. I alternated my runs with all out stops (but no walking other than race-walks on the three inclines). This caused her and I to leap frog all the way in on the flat stretches.

Just before mile 12 we began our ascent up another hill, though less steep than the first. I stopped at the base of it, hanging on the fence railing stretching my right leg and for the first time in my running experience - wanting to throw up. I hurt. I hurt bad. My heart rate was so nice and low. My left leg had TONS of life left in it. But I couldn't do what I had trained all this time to do. It wasn't fair! 
I then made my way up through the diagonal trail cut to Officers Row. Run/Race-walk/Run/Race-walk. It broke my heart. It didn't help that I didn't see a single person running the entire section while I was going up it. Everyone was walking or doing walk/run combo's.  I wanted to run it non-stop!! (Can you tell the pity train was gaining steam?)

At the top, we turned westward onto a very narrow asphalt trail that was lumpy from tree roots and age. Had to take care with the ankles. Here, I tried to listen to music again. Nope. Wasn't helping. Turned it back off. However, now there was people cheering out there. All down that stretch were signs and people. Our bibs had our names and I was shocked how many people pronounced my name correctly. The cheers and signs were so wonderful. I had to smile through the tears at this point.

THANK YOU DEAR STRANGERS!!!!!! 

As I approached the finish line, with only 2 tenths of a mile to go, I wanted to stop. I wanted to walk. The crowds cheering brought me in. Seeing Cheryl clanging that cowbell made me SO happy. The crowd support and sheer determination got me through that section. I only remember PAIN, and quietly muttering "fuck - fuck - fuck" in cadence to the pounding that my right knee was receiving. I doubt anyone heard it over the cheering and the live band. Hopefully there was no lip readers out there. hahaha

I remember seeing George to the left on the other side of the finish line and going towards him.

I remember when my feet hit the first mat and a 'beep' sounded loudly, it startled me.

I remember a woman coming up from behind me, putting her arms around me and asking if I needed the first aid tent. That confused me. I told her I didn't think so, but I could REALLY use some ice for my knee! I remember that is ALL I wanted at that point.  George said I was wobbling like a drunk sailor.

They directed me to get my timer taken off my shoe and in that short time, I was handed a cold pack. That was amazing to me.

I found Christine. Or did she find me? I don't remember. I do remember sitting on a curb icing my knee and getting up and hugging her.

We walked pretty far to go get into dry clothing. This photo is of us after we changed. 

We came back and I tried the curry soup. YUCK. I then grabbed a banana and bagel half with cream cheese. YUMMM. But, stupid me didn't realize I had cut a line to do that? I swear, I saw no line. There was no one there. :(

The line for chocolate was toooooo long. We all agreed to leave and went to an ice cream shop that sold cookies and cakes. I got a slice of Irish Oatmeal Spice cake. George had a cream cheese/chocolate cake. Christine also had a chocolate decadence.

OFFICIAL TIME :
Distance: 13.1 miles (all ran or race-walked).
Time: 2 hours 46 minutes and 26 seconds
Pace: 12:42 minutes per mile

I am NOT going to beat myself up for an official pace of 12:42.

I ran 13.1 miles FASTER, even with all those stops to stretch, and the three inclines that had some race-walking, than my little 3 mile runs just 7 months ago!! That is AMAZING!!


If you want to look at my actual time NOT stopped, and count only the time my body was moving forward, my Garmin watch says I had an average pace of 11:58 minutes per mile. Again, that is including three inclines that had race-walking mixed in.

I am sore today. Much sorer today than on Sunday or Monday. I have my annual appointment with the sports doc in Tigard this Friday. I just want to have x-rays to confirm the knee pain is still just tendon related, and that I am not trashing my knees as my mom has had two knee replacements.

Taper week one - Overthinking

Tonight I ran just 4 miles. Last Thursday I ran 6. Next Thursday it will be even less. The tapering has begun for the BIG RACE. My first Half Marathon.

It is just 9 days, 12 hours and 20 something minutes away as I type this.

I am wearing brand new shoes this week. My left ankle is wondering what is up with them. I am not sure. Might try the laces differently. Maybe the socks were too thick. SOMETHING is different than my other new pair.

So where is my other new pair?

It is in the spare room....waiting for race day. They were PERFECT last Sunday with just 60'ish miles on them. I am not adding another mile to them until the planned '20 minute run' the day before race day. I already have the pants set aside that I will be wearing, and the socks that fit those shoes best also in the spare room.

I just need to decide what shirt I will be wearing that day.

Why not the same one I wore last Sunday for good luck? I am thinking of it. But also, I am thinking of the weather. It is a long way off but the extended forecast is showing RAIN expected that weekend.

We haven't had RAIN in months. My experience with running in it is ever scarcer. You see, I began running on the treadmill when I started running last August. I told myself I HAD to because of bad knees. Then when the rain came, I had all the more reasons to stay on it. A lot.

All year I stressed each race - "What if it rains?"

Then at each race, I ran dry. I had beginners luck for sure!!!

• 11/2011 Turkey Trot - Threatened to rain all morning. Not one drop until walking back to the car
• 1/1/2012 Randy E. Memorial Run - Ran that night, but at 7:00am, the sun was shining for us
• 3/2012 Shamrock Run - Light drizzle as we stood waiting to run. I wore a plastic rain cover. When it was time to start, it had stopped. By the end of the first turn on the road, I saw blue skies coming through the clouds. I was dry all the way.
• 5/2012 Rum Run - It was overcast. It was also dry.
• 6/2012 Vancouver USA Marathon - VOLUNTEER - sunny and dry
• 6/2012 Run Like A Girl - Partly cloudy. And dry.
• 6/2012 Solstice Run - Had a few drops of drizzle on my arms the very last quarter mile. But by the end of the finish line, it stopped. We sat, ate and drank in dryness.
• 7/2012 Harvest Day Run - Overcast, but dry.
• 8/2012 Every Girl's Run - ran 5K and VOLUNTEER (HM) - Overcast, but dry.
• 9/2012 North County Wine Run - VOLUNTEER - Partly sunny and dry
• 9/2012 Color Run - Partly cloudy, and dry.

So you see, at 11 events here in the Pacific Northwest - I have beaten all the odds. Now, here comes THE race. The one I have been training for much of this year. And it is too far out to say for sure, but in the last 24 hours the forecast has gone from 20% chance of rain on race day, to 40% chance of rain, to 40% all that weekend and before, to just now, 20%.

So many questions.....

• Will my heart rate monitor be okay in the rain? 
• Will my Garmin watch be okay in the rain? 
• Will my Foot Pod be okay in the rain?
• If not, will they be functional in a plastic bag? 
• Should I wear a form fitting singlet or maybe a compression shirt in case it rains? I own neither....maybe I should be shopping this weekend? Try it on my 5 mile run?

So far away. So close. So excited. So nervous. 

My first 12 mile day

I was nervous about today for several reasons. Would my left periformis act up? Would my right IT band and knee hobble me? Would Heather be bored with my slow pace? Would we have to walk?

It was a cold morning there at the park. I had a short sleeve running shirt and Heather wore long sleeves. I had goosebumps. She didn't. I think she is more experienced at this than I am. ;)

We ran the route and found all the bathrooms open. Always a good thing to know when you are out there. There was a group of 5 other women running and I assumed they were from one of the many training groups out here. They explained they weren't a group. Just a few girls who run Hood To Coast together out for a run. We saw them a few more times and at one point (at 7.4 miles) they were pulling out in cars as we came running by. The driver of the one car asked how far we were running today. Heather told her "12" (I felt so proud) and she said they had done 10 miles as a group, but two of them had done a little over two miles before that.

The weather was BEAUTIFUL out. Clear deep blue skies. Cool breeze. We ran along the Columbia River a few times. Lovely.

Heather was right. Running with someone else really DOES help time fly! I remember at 3 miles being happily surprised we had gone that far. It wasn't always easy talking, but she assured me I talked the entire time coherrently. I could have sworn I was just grunting at the end.

Heather is also a saint. She runs fast. She runs very fast. She had me doing fartleks a few times but she always sweetly came back to my turtles pace. The results of my running with her?

My BEST running pace of ANY road distance over 7.50 miles. 

I have never ran a pace on an 8, 9, 10 or 11 mile road run 

as fast as today's 12 mile pace.

Note the sweat on my shirt on this shot taken by Heather at the end of  our 12 miles. 

We worked hard, my body held up and we never walked. YAY!!

THANK YOU HEATHER!!! I am so excited and ready for the race. Too bad it isn't next weekend and that we have to go through the Taper period for 13 days first.

Is it superstitious that I am NOT running in today's shoes or running pants again until the race? Nah. Just ensuring they are in the same wear they are in today. I won't be using my water back pack until the race either, because frankly, I won't be running the distance to warrant it. I am dreading the taper period and bet it messes with my head. Maybe I should warn hubby I am about to become a basket case stressing that my body is going to forget how to go long.

12 Miles Tomorrow?

My training plan says I am to run 12 miles tomorrow. Today, doing three on a small 69 foot elevation gain I pulled my hamstring or periformis again. It has been throbbing on and off all day.

I would rather hear my Half Marathon was tomorrow, than do 12.

I hope I don't hold Heather back too much, and I hope I remember to stay slow and easy as that is a LOT of mileage. I have never ran more than 11 miles.

Here are photos from today's run at the Portland Color Run.

Ran the poisons out

I had my colonoscopy yesterday, and went for a 3 mile run this morning in the 89% humidity.

Oddly, when I began sweating, I became uncharacteristically itchy. Very, VERY itchy. My back, my chest, my stomach, my legs and even my face. I was frustrated and scratching as I was running. Weird.  Then I figured out what was happening when I found that the sweat on my upper lip tasted FOUL.

Surely, all that work and sweating was helping me eliminate toxins from the last few days.

Goodbye nasty prep meds and anesthesia!

When I got home, I looked like I had a rash everywhere. I showered really good and the rash disappeared.

The nurse called me at lunch to see how I was doing. I told her that I had gone for a run this morning and I believe that it flushed out some lingering meds from my system.  She was incredulous. "You ran?!" "yeah".  She said that wasn't something she normally hears on her 24 hour check-up calls. She asked how I felt. I said, my stomach was still queasy (almost fluish) and I couldn't shake a bad taste in my mouth but I felt okay otherwise.

It wasn't a fast 3 miles. My pace was 11:32. But, I am glad I did it. I recommend a good sweaty run to anyone the day after this procedure.