Let Training Begin.......

I was going to write a recap of the last 4 years but why live in the past when the present and future are right in front of me. The past is in the past and parts of it of course made me who I am today but some I don't know that I want to go back to. So lets just leave it there, and I am sure in conversation parts will come up. But lets focus on today and beyond!
So lets focus on today! And today and this week I am focusing on Bayshore Half Marathon! It is 16 (short) weeks away!! And I am starting a new training cycle. I have learned that running and training are different now that I am a mother. Motherhood changes many aspects of life and its true for running as well. But everyday I learn to make it work, some days better then others. Last year after I had Brody I returned to running and I had (training) plans, but I was a bit to optimistic when I had them laid out. And looking back I set my self up for disappointment, but not this year. This year I am being smart and training for where I am today not where I was 3-4 years ago. I may have the same drive but physically I am different. And it has taken me some time to accept that, but I am at peace with that now. Again, something to be addressed just not today. Let's focus on one thing at a time! Right now, this week it is getting on track to train for Bayshore Half Marathon. It is just 16 weeks away, and I am going to work hard and work on new life/post baby PR.
I have never been to Bayshore, but for most runners in the state of Michigan it's one of the "Must Run" races in the state. It is up in Traverse City, which is a beautiful area of the state. And one that I have sadly not spent anytime in. So we are going up for the whole weekend with our camper. Oh and the race is Memorial Day weekend.....Bonus!! So after the race my husband, son and I can enjoy and explore the area.
As for training, I mean this is supposed to be somewhat of a running blog, I am back to using a coach. I had been using a coach prior to pregnancy and then well, took a break. Along with pregnancy there was a little burn out as well, but thats for a different time. But I am back to using a coach, and actually I am reconnecting with an old running buddy from down in Alabama. I am excited to be on a schedule and to see what he's got in store. Along with a little be a little nervous as I want to do well and not disappoint.  So I hope that you will follow along with my journey either via the blog or Instagram or strava! And I will take any encouragement and pushes along the way.

My running partner

as for the blog moving forward, if I write it down it makes me accountable right?! So I hope to write at least 1 weekly recap of my week of training and 1 post of something interest to me that I hope will interest you.

Keep running or Strolling.....

What the Pig Taught Me.....

The Flying Pig marathon was a race that humbled me and made once again realize that running a marathon is work! Not only physically but mentally as well! 

Before I go into what I learned let me say that I really loved this whole event!! The expo was amazing!! It was huge, and even though I didn't spend a whole of time there, it had everything you ever wanted! The swag that came from the race was awesome! A great shirt (that fits!), the annual poster that goes with the race, & nice big cooler that will be nice to hold cold adult beverages! But it was the crowd support that was amazing! There were people everywhere and that was so awesome! It made me get a feel of what Chicago will be like. These people go all out for this race and that was so cool! The best water stops were on the long stretch of the highway....Michigan fans were handing out Gu nice to yell Go Blue! and right after them was the Parrot Head club..Fins Up! __/)__ And after crossing the the Finish Swine the after party was amazing. Even though I couldn't focus to much it was easy to navigate to where to go. 

Would I do this race again? ---> Yes! Maybe only half of it. 
Would I recommend anyone to do it?---> Yes!! 

So what did I learn:

• Running a marathon is work! You can do all the training you want but come race day "it just doesn't happen"
• Seeing that I know live and run in the flat land of Michigan find a race that is not so hilly! The hills would been 'easier' had I still lived in Alabama where you can't get away from the hills.
• Maybe look for a spring marathon later in the spring, to allow for more time to get adjusted to the weather change. 5 days of above 40 degrees is not enough time for your body to get adjusted to warmer temps come race day! 
• I learned how to hydrate during the race a whole lot better then my time in Detroit! 
• I learned that oranges never tasted so good! 
• I need to try something other then Gu, I couldn't suck down a whole packet.
• I need to keep my brain in it! It was brain that quit before my body....but I still finished and I was not going to Quit!!!
• And 12 hours later, the main thing I learned is that it is OK to not reach your goal, as long as you come away from it learning something!

No I did not reach my goal time, but I FINISHED my 3rd marathon!! Something I thought I would NEVER be able to say.

Medal and Beer...well earned!

I now have a big chip on my shoulder and ready to Dig Deep and Dream Big for the Chicago Marathon in October. 

 Coach Alex is well aware of this and I'm ready for what ever he throws at me!

So no the race didn't go as I would had liked, but I am at peace with it and ready to tackle the next one! I still have the drive to finish the next one, Stronger and better then ever!!

The day after the Flying Pig Marathon

One hard earned Medal!

I had signed up for the Flying Pig Marathon months ago, as one of those races I just wanted to run! Then I trained all winter long! And was it a long winter!! It was a challenge going out in the cold (really cold) the snow and the ice! But I was out there. All for this race. At the beginning of the year I had told myself and coach Alex I was going to use this race as a training run, to learn more about the marathon. But as the training went on, I kind of forgot all about that statement, I was now looking for a PR and that Sub-4hour marathon. But as the race progressed the goal changed quickly from the sub-4hour marathon to just finish! 

My Story of the Flying Pig....

I originally was going to drive down to Cincinnati Friday night, and have the whole day Saturday to rest, see friends, go the expo and rest. But due to a change in my husband's work schedule plans changed. I was lucky enough to have my friend, Chelsea, drive down with me on Saturday and then drive me home on Sunday. We got up early and drove to the expo Saturday. And the expo was massive! But we only spent a short amount of time there, trying to stay off my feet! I did get to meet up with one of the girls I used to run with in Alabama. We had lunch and got to get caught up a bit, which was nice. After lunch we checked in to our hotel and took a power nap before dinner with friends of mine whose parents live in the city just off the marathon route. Dinner was great and home made! After wards it was back to the hotel and sleep time! 

I woke up at 5:15am to get ready for the 6:30 start time! I put on the clothes and checked the weather...Rain!! Good thing I packed a hat just in case! Because there was a big green cloud of rain on the radar! I packed up my bag, as Chelsea was going to check out of hotel for us. No late check out---boo to that! I headed downstairs to catch a cab over to the start line, a mile and half walk did not seem exciting before running 26.2 miles! I got to the start area and into my corral, and the nerves and excitement really hit me. It was that magical time of waiting and seeing the startline and all the excitement that goes with it! The air had a crisp feel to it, if only it stayed that way! In the corral I did see Erica and we were going to try and run together, but she wanted to wait for the porta potty line, which still had about a 15min wait after the start. I figured we would see each other on the course again, but little did I know we would not only see each other, but I would watch her crush the uphill she passed me on! Oh the hills...

As for the race.....I felt really good at the start, I was on pace, a little fast, but felt great and I slowed my self down. At mile 3.5 Chelsea jumped in for a few miles. I asked her if she checked to see if the rain was still going to come, because it got humid!  Then the hills started around mile 6-7 and this girl who now lives in the flat land did not enjoy! I knew going into it was going to be tough, and the hills were going to be there...but I didn't realize how much they were going to effect me. When Chelsea was getting ready to cut off and meet me at the finish line, I told her this was getting really hard and I didn't know if I had it in me. The hills & humidity and started to beat me down, and this was at mile 10. And while going up the "last" hill people around were saying it was the last....not sure what they were smoking because they just kept coming and coming! And when I was on flat ground, my legs and brain had slowly checked out. I tried to get back on pace but it wasn't working. The only time I know I got back on pace was the final half mile, because I was not going to allow myself go over 4:30...so I cruised in at an 8:50pace and finished at 4:29. Not the goal time I had hoped but then again, I did originally sign up and plan to run it as a training run. And that is how I felt about it....12 hours after the fact!! 

I was humbled and I learned a lot from this run, and because I learned from it It was not a complete fail! 

What I learned will come in another post...this one's dragged on long enough! 

Back of Medal from Marathon #3

Have you run the Flying Pig Half or Full Marathon?

& would you run it again?

(my answer is yes....it was a great event and I would recommend to anyone!!)

If a Race doesn't go as plan, did you learn anything from it? And did it make you stronger at your next race?

My thoughts on the Lansing Half/Full Marathon

Today I ran at the Lansing Half Marathon. I am not one who usually would write about the event itself usually I write about my experience, but I guess this will be a little of both.

My Garmin time, but not official time.....

I ran this event to be with the crew that I run with, plus it was less then 10miles from my house! I went into this run as a training run, Flying Pig marathon is 2 weeks away! So I went into calm and not on a mission to PR. I also was going to try and help a couple others run a sub-2. All and all is was a fun event, but that was more because of the people I was with and little to do with the actual event itself. 

Little fun before the run

So here are my Pro's and Con's of the race.....

Pros:

• Location, close to home
• Time of start, 8am! I got to wake while in 6am hour not earlier!
• The people I ran with!!
• Ease of packet pick up, (even though many would say this was a con due to some issues with pick up and running out of shirts!)
• The medal (again was an issue with some runners as they ran out of half marathon medals)
• Volunteers, there were a lot of them and did a great job
• post race food
• Course (except one area, to be discussed) I liked being on the road, I think the crowd support would had been less if we were on the River Trail. 
• Seeing so many of my friends get there first Sub-2 half and/or set PRs!!
• Seeing my friend and (Team RR team mate) Crush her Half marathon PR

PR For Chlesea!!

Cons:

• Race shirt....would had been nice to gender specific shirt. Not seeing myself wear this shirt on any runs as the co-ed small is like a large.
• Hydration choices on course- water which is fine. but the electrolyte drink was something I had never heard of. It was called Shaklee, I did not try it and after hearing from others I am so glad I didn't! If you are putting on a race, have a beverage that most runners have drank before, such as Gatorade or Powerade! Rule number 1 of racing, don't try anything new on race day....
• Start of the race.....No Pacers or any type of corral system. It really is not fun to start a race running and right in front of you are walkers. If your not going to have pacers at least have signs that say pace/per mile. 
• Post race atmosphere...or the lack of it! No post race party. So instead of being around all the runners who finished you are off to go 'discover' Lansing. Which is a nice idea but not much is open prior to 11am. & runners like beer and that was not available until noon. The other downside of no post race is that everyone is gone that could had been around on the race course at the end to help cheer on the others. 
• No Gu on the course. I know that this should not be a given, and most runners supply their own type, but Most Full Marathons do provide some thing at the higher mileages. Not here! and the reason I read on their Facebook page was because it was a "green" race and wanted to limit the waste.....
• The Train!!! Yes....we got stuck behind a train for 3 minutes! If I was trying for a PR and got stopped I would had been 1 pissed off runner! Living in the area there are ways around the tracks!! I didn't even know that getting stuck by a train could had been a possibility...

Really a Train!?!? Had to have fun with the issue!

• Double loop. No I did not run the full and finding out they made it a double loop I am so glad I didn't! The worst part of the double loop was they made the full runners run past the finish line in starting their 2nd loop. Maybe that was there were only 400 full runners of the 2,100+ total runners??!

  

  another shot of finish

  

  start 2nd loop... but don't go to finish!

These are just my thoughts on the event. I do hope they can make some improvements, as this was only there 2nd year. But next year, I will set up my own little cheer station and have fun cheering on my friends and other runners. And yes I will have beer to hand out to runners and other important runner fuel such as oranges, pretzels, Coke, all the things us runners crave at mile 18 or so!

Fun Group to Run with!!

I am still happy to have run it...but now its taper time and flying pig in 2 weeks! 

Did you run the Lansing full or half marathon? what did you like or not like?

Have you ever gone to event and felt a little let down from what they offered for what you paid?

Mercedes Half Marathon, fun times with a PR on the side!

So how did that race go, well......It was Awesome!!

Finish Line in Sight, and yes that is a smile! 

I had signed up and decided to run the Mercedes Half Marathon back in October. It was to be a weekend to race but more importantly a weekend to see friends down in Alabama. This would be the 1st half marathon that I had actually trained for. The past few half's that I have run, I was in the middle of training for the Detroit Marathon, so they were at training pace plus additional miles before or after. And the half's that I had run before were before I knew some proper ways to train, I just went out and ran.

I started my training plan for Mercedes from Coach Alex back in December. And in December the weather was not horrible, yes it was cold. But there was no snow/ice like there has been the last couple months here in Michigan. Mother Nature has not been so nice since my return back to Michigan after being gone for a few years, I guess payback's a bitch!

Saturday morning Long run in Feb.

But even with the crazy not so great weather, I still was able to get in my runs and tried as hard as I could to stick to the plan that was given. Some of the speed works outs were tough! And not the workout, the actually conditions, one of the runs it was -8 with the windchill, and that was at 2 in the afternoon! Yes, I could had gone on a treadmill, but I really really dislike the treadmill, 3 miles is .5miles to far on a treadmill! But I still got out there everyday, and every weekend to get my runs in, and some were not pretty! But at least I got them done.

Needless to say, I was nervous when I got down there. Race weekend was here, and I did not feel ready. And then on Saturday am while doing a nice and easy 3 miles with Vann and Tanya, I forgot about the hills. I didn't really forget about the hills, but I don't know what hills are anymore living in the flat land of Michigan! So I then got a little nervous about the race even more! Plus I was nervous of how I would do, I had high hopes about this race, and I was in town with a bunch of people I knew!

Race morning, was the most relaxed I have ever been. Actually the whole weekend, I was very relaxed! It helped being in company of great easy people! And a huge thanks to Allison for opening her home for the weekend. As well as to Abigail and Allison for inviting me for cake I mean lunch at Olexas, in Mountain Brook. I still think it was the vanilla cake that brought the PR on Sunday!

The race started at 7:03 am, and we got down to Boutwell (startline area) around 6:15. There was time for pictures and a little race prep. Of the Resolute Running team, there were only a handful of us racing, the others were running in relays (the relay teams were for the Bell Center) as they were off to New Orleans the next weekend for their races.
And even once I got there, I had nerves, but not really that bad.

Thanks Michael for getting some time in the Bank

I think the company and everyone being so relaxed helped me not get so worked up about what I was about to do. So the plan was to run and shot for a 1:49:59. Keep the pace at 8:20. Michael was leading off his relay team, Team Daniel The Dynamites, and was kind enough to pace me for the 1st 6 miles. And we were a bit faster then pace I was going for, but it was some time in the bank for when the "real" hills would arrive. And I have to say, those 6 miles felt great! if only the hills didn't come....

Vann helping me be Powerful

After his 1st leg of the relay, Vann was nice enough to help pace me for the next 4 miles before his relay leg! And those were some tough miles, the hills came...but having Vann reminding me to be Powerful was a huge help! Well he ended up doing almost 6 miles, and almost missed his relay leg, but he did get a ride to his relay leg! So somehow I ended being lucky enough to have 2 great people help me get me to my goal time and actually crush that goal time! I can't thank them enough!
I actually crossed the finish line with a smile on my face, and I held back the tears. I was beyond shocked and happy with my time. My goal was 1:49:59 but official time of crossing the line....1:46:55!! I was a bit happy!! (Then of course, those damn hills, had they not come into play I would have been in at least 1:45 or better! but I can do that in another time!)One of the 1st people I saw after crossing the line was Coach Alex! And that was when the tears were actually in my eyes!

Me, Alex, & Emily. (Emily also ran a huge PR)

 It was true, I really had accomplished yet another goal!

This whole weekend was a blast, and the half marathon PR was just icing on the cake! I hope to make it down to Alabama at least once a year, either for a race or just a fun weekend with some running involved!

Now onto the next race....Flying Pig Marathon in May. But the big one Chicago in October! :)

Don't Stop Believing......

So as I did my run today after I voted....yes I ran from my house a whole .2miles to the voting center... and then I finished a 6 mile run.

Today was the longest run I have run with my headphones on since the Detroit Marathon and I didn't realize I had made such a good play list! When I ran in Detroit I had only 1 earbud (ok..Yurbud). And I was running with a partner and my brain was focused on the run and the music was just kind of there. But I do remember 1 song and the place I was at when it played....

I was actually in Canada when this song started and to my left across the Detroit river was Joe Louis Arena! I promise not planned at all, I use a shuffle! And as a Michigander and a hockey fan.....we all know this is played at every Red Wings Hockey game and every fan "is just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit" 

But as the song played again today, it made me think I don't want to stop Believing in the goals I have for running! Last week I wrote out my goals that I want to achieve in my life as a runner. I made them realistic and hopefully achievable. I am looking forward to 2013 and hope to cross of my goals as completed! Now the question is to make the public or not!...haha!! 

Did you get out there and vote today?

Do you make goals a year in advanced or race by race?

the week after Detroit Marathon

It is now over a week post the Detroit Marathon. And I am able to walk with out a gimp any longer and I have even gotten a few runs in! On Saturday I went on my 1st run back, and yes it felt slow and the legs a little heavy but no pain or discomfort! So I was happy to be able to run seeing that I had the Wicked Halloween 10k race to run in on Sunday. Yes it was a race, but I was not racing it, it was for yet another easy recovery run. It was fun I traveled with one of my friends, Kristen, from East Lansing and meet up with Sharry who I met via twitter but finally in person at the Detroit Expo. & we got into the full occasion of the event! I also go to finally met Megan from Watch Me Go Run.

Megan as the Bee, me as Dorothy, Sharry as Pippi, & Kristen as Minnie

It was a really nice route and great set up for a race. Next year the running company who puts this on is doing a Triple Crown with their races! Run all 3 get an extra medal! It's all about the bling right!!

But since the real race has come and gone, I have time to reflect on the race. And think of what I did right and wrong.

I feel that my training was spot on! With a huge thanks to my coach Alex with Resolute Running. My carb loading was spot on as well, and this was the first time I did it the proper way. Eating a bowl of spaghetti the night before is just not enough I found out! My hydration was great ---the day before and the morning of the race. Where I went wrong was during the race! I kept reminding those I was running with to get water at the aid stations, but I who was holding my own water bottle did not drink enough. I think that is why my nausea/vomit issues came into play. At least I have learned and will improve on the next one! As for the next one (Marathon), it will be at Flying Pig Marathon. I have other races starting to get lined up...but that's another post to follow next week sometime! 

Half Marathon + 8miles...& taper begins

The final long, long run is in the books, and taper is about to begin! Detroit Marathon is only 16 short days away!! And can I say I am excited and ready!! 
On Sunday I went to one of my old 'home' towns to run in the Brooksie Way Half Marathon. I say 'home' because I went to Oakland University and lived and then worked in the area for many years and it was only 30mins from my actually home. The Rochester area is a very nice and pretty area! I actually had 21 miles scheduled for today and yes I did get all 21 miles in! But before getting into the run I guess I need to start with the expo. The expo was on the campus, and oh how the campus has changed since I was there!! So many new buildings including the rec center! Such a nice change from what it was when I was there, and I was a swimmer when I went to Oakland so I huge change! I have to say I did not expect to see the expo I saw! It was a lot bigger then I had expected and had a huge variety of vendors! I wish I had gotten then earlier then 6:30pm on Saturday! But then again my credit card is happy I didn't get there to early... But I did make one stop at a vendor that had a charms and I finally got a 26.2 charm for my Pandora Bracelet!

& he did let me know that he will be a Detroit with a special Detroit Charm!! So will have to hunt his booth down when at Detroit Expo, and no I do not remember the name of the vendor! I also saw a sign saying that Desi was going to be there..but I was in a time crunch never got to read the details...I guess I should have! So I got my bib and my very bright green shirt! and off to my Mom's to stay for the night. She lives 20mins from Oakland a whole lot closer then East Lansing so didn't have to get up super super early. 

The day of the race I had 21 scheduled! So I had to get in 8 miles prior to the actual race. I was not racing this race it was just a run and run down memory lane! So I got to Oakland and with the help from Matt at Faster than a Turtle found a great parking spot away. Plus I had been talking with him and he helped me make a pre-race/run route! He lives in the area and it has been many years since I have been out there so a little help was needed! But once I got out there running, it all came back to me of where I was at! So I started out at about 6:10am and made it back to my car little after 7am where I meet up with Matt and his wife Janet. From where we were parked we jogged to the start line which brought my pre race run at 7.75 miles. Yes I was .25 miles off but don't worry I will get to 21! Once we got the start line we dropped off our bags, and I put my long sleeve into bag check, at first I was worried but 4 miles into the run I was happy I got rid of my long sleeve. But I did keep my gloves on the entire time! 

I also used this race as a 'dry run' of what I would do or not do for the actually race in Detroit. I ran with out my water bottle. Something I have been doing on all of my training runs since moving to Michigan. I don't have any pre-arraigned water stops up here like I did back in Bama. So I did this race to see what it would be like to run with out and take advantage of the water stops. What I learned, is that I will run with my handheld until its empty. I will work on running and drinking out of cups for the next race but for this one I am going with my handheld. At the end of the run I was thirsty and felt like I never could get a real gulp down. So I am happy about having this trial run! I have ordered a replacement handheld so if or when I dump my handheld I will have 1 in reserve. 

As for the race itself, I put myself in the 10min/mile pace group. I was scheduled to be at a 10:15 pace, but ended up closer to 10min pace. But felt great the entire time, ok not the entire time....the hills! It is called Rochester Hills for a reason! They were not horrible, they were very close to the ones I ran on a daily basis in Bama, but when I have been running in the flat land of East Lansing they were a bit of shock to the legs. But I did not walk any of them, and I only got off pace by 15sec or so on each of them. So I was proud of myself. 
The race itself was a great scenic tour of the town and a huge trip down memory lane for me! I enjoyed every minute of it! And yes, will most likely go back next year. As for that .25 I had to get in! Well....I crossed the finish line, graped my medal and heat sheet and just kept running! Let me tell you it's a bit hard to keep running when you have to weave through people who are done! and then I made to the parking lot and just did a few circles and I'm sure the people where looking at me like I was a crazy person! But oh well...marathon training got to get it in!!

Having fun at the end of  a 21mile run!

My reward for a 21mile run with a 13.1 during it!

Keep running happy!!! 

Questions of the post......

Do you train with a hand held or fuel belt? If so what do you do on race day?

Have you ever ran a race plus more miles??

Fall is arriving and a Half Marathon

So the weather has begun to change here in Michigan. Fall is slowly but surely making it’s appearance. This is my first real fall in over 8 years! The crisp cool weather in the morning and evening, with a slight bit of warmth in the afternoon.  But with this cooler weather I am slowly learning that my blood has also became very thin from my time living down in Alabama. Most of the runners here in Michigan are starting to love the cooler weather, and probably still in their shorts and t-shirts for their runs, me I am starting to break out my cold weather gear. I actually enjoy running in the 60’s, I am one of the odd people! I would much prefer to run comfortably in shorts and tanks then gloves, and 3 layers of tops! I will say I am happy that the cooler weather is starting now, so that I can start to get adjusted to it well before the Detroit Marathon in October. But don’t worry I am very aware I live in Michigan there is always a small chance of warm October day that can occur!  The one sad thing of fall and winter weather is that all the cute Lulu summer running wear must go into the bottom of the drawer. 

Kristen, Chelsea & I prior to race. Can you tell who the cold one is!?

Over the weekend, it was a fun and great running weekend. It was the Capital City River Run half marathon . It is 6 weeks out from Detroit Marathon so I get to race to see how I am feeling going into the marathon. The scheduled actually called for 22 miles on this day, but got the approval from the coach to get at least 20 in for the day! So I started with a 1.75 mile warm up prior to the half marathon. I had hoped that warm up would had actually made me warm, but not so much! I was still a fridged soul at the begining of the race.  The plan for the race was to plan for a 2 hour half marathon. It was also my 1st race running with my new running buddy's!!  Chelsea and Kristen were hoping to break the 2 hour mark for the 1st time! So we got into the 9min pace group. And we set off at 8:30am. It was great weather for racing, after the 2nd mile I was warm enough and very happy that I went with tank and shorts. Over the first few miles I was happy to be in the pace group, it did not allow me to go all out as I sometimes do at the start of any run, the rush of starting! So we kept great strides and conversations through out. At mile 4 Kristen had to make a porta-potty break, but told us to keep on. So Chelsea and I kept on. We both kept with in the pace group, conversation pace, and both had said to each other "this feels great". So at mile 7 we decided that if we still feel like this towards the end we would pick it up a bit. At first I thought ok, pick it up at mile 11 or 12. But by mile 10 as I looked at my Garmin we already started to pick it up to an 8:45 pace, so we just kept with it. And the last 2 miles went in between 8:30-8:45 pace. She had an awesome sprint to the finish!! 

Into the finish

We finished at 1:56 and some change. She had busted the 2hour mark, and had almost 8 min PR (or more!) as for Kristen....She didn't catch up with us, but once we crossed the finish line, we had a chug of chocolate milk and water, we went back up the course to run the finish in with Kristen! She may not had broken the 2hour mark, but she did have a 10min PR and came in at 2:06! I was very happy and proud of them!! 

As for me, I was very happy and pleased with how I ran. This was my 2nd fastest half marathon since I started running! And it felt easy! And that's how I had hoped that running at 9min pace would. I feel 6 weeks out from Detroit I am right where I need to be! I feel that all the training and guideness that I have been doing and given from Coach Alex is paying off! I am really excited to get to the Detroit and get into the 4hour marathon pace group! 

After the race, there were still miles to get in! Chelsea who is also training for Detroit had more miles to run as well. So we started off to get our extra 6 miles in! And let me tell you those were some slow slow miles! But we got them done!

With 5 weeks until the Detroit Marathon I am feeling great and ready for it! In 2 weeks I am going to go run in the Brooksie Half Marathon +8 miles! Marathon training doesn't stop just for a half marathon. But with that one, I will be at training pace no race style pace that day! Plus it will be a hilly route which will be good seeing that I have been in the flat lands here in East Lansing. And I get to meet some new running, twitter Friends,! But, I did get to finally meet Jen @redheadrunning even if it was for a short meeting...those silly marathon additional miles got in the way of talking longer! But I think for my next race I need to run with her a few times....she's got speed!!


How was your running weekend?

What is your favorite season to run in?

........until next time always Run Happy :)

1st race back in Michigan, Ann Arbor Half Marathon

When I found out I was moving back to Michigan, one of the first things I did was look for a race! I figured why not, might be able to meet some new people and it would keep me motivated to keep running! So the first race that I signed up for was the Ann Arbor half marathon. It was in the inaugural year for this full and half marathon event. Which didn't bother me, it was a race being ran through Ann Arbor one of my favorite cities. 
Over the past few weeks I had kept my running up, and I had been feeling great! When I ran as part of the Dixie 200 relay race I had some of my best runs! I felt ready, I was aiming to make a PR, I wanted a 1:50, and I had felt ready for it! But then race day occured.....


Let's first start with the night before...
         Usually the night before I try to have a nice peacefully relaxing evening. And it had started out that way, my husband I spent the afternoon looking at houses after I got back from helping out at the expo for the race. We were about to decided on dinner, I was looking forward to having a small meal and then going to bed. 

Brady after surgery

Bo & Brady on a normal walk

That all changed when I took my 2 Boston's outside after their dinner. For some reason our walk did not go as planned....a fight between brothers occured and a trip to the Emergency Vet and then onto the  Michigan State Vet School. Some how during the fight, eye trauma occured and Brady is now a one eyed wonder dog. So needless to say my night was filled with a lot more stress then I typically would like the night before a race. It wasn't till after 10pm did I hear that he was out of surgery. But he is all better now, and Bo and Brady are slowly getting back to normal. I think once the e-collar goes away that will make life easier!

Brady telling Bo he forgive's him. 

So onto the actually race....after 6 hours of sleep I got up with only needing one of my three alarms I had set just in case! Onto Ann Arbor I went at 5:15am. I was able to easily find a parking spot, just across from the Big House!! If only it was Football Saturday...aww but that will be here soon enough.

When I got there, I had driven though some rain showers on the way, but on radar it looked like it was going to miss Ann Arbor! But the humidity did not miss Ann Arbor! It was a lot more humid then predicited! But I still felt ok. As I lined up, I had the usually pre-race nerves, the same ones I would get when I used to swim in college and highschool. I felt ready! And off I went at 7:05am. I felt great....i kept looking at my garmin and the avg.pace was just where I wanted it to be (8:20min/mile). And then the Hills that I kept hearing about came and kept coming. I was not worried about the hills at all, I had been running in Birmingham, AL, where I couldn't get away from hills. But since I have been in Okemos, for the past 3 weeks it is flat as can be. And after 7miles or so of hills, and still more in sight, they took their toll! I was just over it! And then I got tired. The hills started to piss me off, and the humidity didn't help and stressful night from the night before and lack of sleep all caught up to me at mile 9 or so. I now truley believe that running is just mental as physical, because I checked out! I hate that I did it, i was on track to do great and I had felt great. But I mentally checked out.  

Even though it was not the race I had wanted I still finished, it was my 4th marathon, and my second one under 2 hours (1:59:29). So I have to stop beating myself up about it. I have to remember the day when I said I would never run a marathon and here I just finished number 4 in just over a year! 

Finish of Half Marathon #4

Did you race this weekend? how did it go?

Have You ever checked out of a race?

to Run with Music or Not?!

To run with music or not, that is such a big question some days! And most everyone has their own opinion on it
I personally enjoy running with music! I feel that with what ever type of music I have on will help the tempo of the run. If I am out for an easy run, I make sure to have a playlist with slower paced songs, if I am out for speed work or tempo run I make sure to have a fast beat, faster music on the playlist. 
There are even websites out there that can recommend songs for what pace you are trying to set: http:Songs for 8:15min/mile pace 
There are many Studies showing the benefits of music and activity, whether it be running or cycling. 
In the current study, published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 30 subjects synchronised their pace to the tempo of the music which was 125 bpm. Before the experiment, a pool of music was rated using a questionnaire tool (the Brunel Music Rating Inventory) which then selected the most motivational pieces for the treadmill test. The subjects were given a choice of either pop or rock music.

When compared to a no-music control, the motivational synchronised music led to a 15 percent improvement in endurance.

"The synchronous application of music resulted in much higher endurance while the motivational qualities of the music impacted significantly on the interpretation of fatigue symptoms right up to the point of voluntary exhaustion," Karageorghis reported.

When I am out running with a group or a running partner, I do not feel the need for music, because the conversation is usually better then music! But now that I am back running most of my runs alone, I will enjoy my iPod and Yurbuds!

In 2 days I am running at The Ann Arbor half marathon and my goal for this race is to get a PR!! And this will be my 2nd race that I will be running where I will not be with a running partner, so headphones will be on!! And seeing that the race will be starting at the Big House I think it would only be fitting that the first song on the playlist is The Victors! Go Blue!!




Do you run with or with out headphones?


What is your "powersong" that makes you dig deep?

What I love about Running

I saw that #runchat was having a contest and it is an interesting one....write 10 things you love about running. So that made me think what do i love about running? Let's see if I can list 10....
10~ Clothes...
 I know it's not high fashion but it can be! Any time I can go into a store and look at new running clothes it does add a smile to my face. I am a big fan or Under Armor, Nike, Brooks and now if I could afford Lululemon I would be in Heaven!!

Lululemon How Cute?!

9~ GU...

Peach Tea!

I never thought I would say that, but GU Chomps are so yummy at 4:45am when about to go out for a run. Peach tea is my favorite, plus has the most caffeine! Then off course how could you not like Chocolate! Chocolate brownie taste in a packet!! Now if Chocolate and Peanut Butter could combine...that would be heaven!!

8~Sweat..
Not something many people may love, but the feeling of being done with a work out and seeing the sweat you know it was a great work out!!

7~Garmin

Yes a gadget, one that I have only had for a week now, but I do love it!! I had the Nike+ sports band prior to this and it worked great! It was great for me being a beginner. But this Garmin has already taught me so much about my running! I see it being very helpful!!

6~ Shoes
What girl doesn't love shoes!? Just never thought I would enjoy running shoes as much as my flip flops and heels! and just me i have few pair of heels that I love! I am currently running in Asics GT-2170 but I am thinking of changing to Brooks..have to visit my favorite running shop, Fleet Feet to try it out!

5~You Tube Videos about Running.

just watch no need to say anymore!!

4~Beer

After Montgomery Half

Yes...beer as soon after running a race, I am not usually a big beer drinker, I enjoy captain and coke zero myself, but never thought beer at 9am would taste so good..especially after a great race!!

3~Accomplishment
The amazing feeling after finishing a run and knowing it has become of your longest runs yet! Yes there is some pain involved but such a amazing feeling knowing that you set out to run #miles and finished all the #miles!!

2~Medals

Me & Husband after 1st Half-Marathon!

This kinda goes along with accomplishment! Its a piece of hardware that gives you a daily reminder of the hard work that you have done to meet the goal you have worked so hard for!! I remember almost crying when I crossed the finish line at my 1st half-marathon. Now I wonder will I really cry when I cross the finish line after doing my 1st full Marathon in 5 weeks? I am guess so!!

1~FRIENDS!!

HERG running group 

Without finding the group that I currently run with I am almost certain that when I finished that 1st half marathon that would have been my only one! I am so happy that I have found a great group of people to run with. And along the way I can call them my friends!! I also have fun everyday that I am out there running!! If I start not having fun...i will have to find something else to do!


Well finding 10 things I love about running was a little easier then I thought! some may be silly, but it is a true passion in my life and i am so happy to have discovered it and stuck with it!!

Sinus infection, half-marathon, and lighting

A week with a sinus infection...uggg!! I got sick for the 1st time late last week for the 1st time in many years! Looking back, the 17 miles I ran the past Saturday was probably not a good idea! Rest would have been better, but my brain said I could do it! Well...as the week went on the body felt worse and the head was so stuffed! I even broke down and went to a doctor when all the OTC meds were doing nothing anymore. That is where they told me I had a sinus infection and started antibiotics. And from Tuesday on I did something I have not done in a while as well...Rest!! Seeing that I have been running for 2 years now, going more then 3 days with no run was difficult!! But I went 5 days with out any running, I did squeeze in a strength training day at the end of week, when I could actually breath a little better.
But not running all week when there is a race planned for Saturday, I was nervous and not sure I really was up for it! Especially because I told myself 3 weeks ago I was going to race it and try for a PR..1:50. But seeing that I was sick all week, I knew a PR might not happen. Then as it got closer I wasn't even really sure I was all into the run!
So the weekend was a planned Half-Marathon down in Auburn, AL. So a group of us from the Helena Endurance Running Group (HERG's) made the 2 hour drive south on Friday night. We meet for a nice carb loading pasta dinner at a very nice local restaurant... Provino's, which if your ever in the area I do highly recommended!! Very tasty salad, rolls and everyone had empty dinner plates. We finished dinner and went back to the condo we were staying at for the night. And we looked at the weather.....
well...it looked like rain! ok..i could handle that (i think) you see I have never ran in the rain and I used to say i will NEVER run in the rain! But it's a race so...get ready to get wet!

AORTA Medal

Well...the weather made quite a change overnight...I woke up not to my alarm clock but to my Weather App on my iPhone...iMapWeatherRadio with a tornado watch!!! and then the lighting started...So checked facebook and emails and the race had posted the race has been cancelled! Saftey First!! So in a way I was a bit happy, because I was just not feeling it! We did get our packets the night before, so a new shirt! Plus they were nice enough to still give our medals!! So at least a story!!

I did go and get a run in, after all the storms did pass through. First run after being out all week! It was a bit rough, 12.5 miles but the lungs and head were still trying to recover!

Now back to feeling better this week and get my last 6 weeks in for training for my 1st Marathon in Atlanta!