Belleair Sunset 5K and more marathon musings

I have raced the Belleair race since its inception (whenever that was) and now it's on a Saturday evening which I normally hate but it is what it is.  And, the Dane (and I, by solidarity) gave up beer for Lent, so no weekend/breakfast beer after the morning workout!  Anyway, went into this race very tired but it fell on a recovery week on my program (from a book) so thought it would be a good workout.  Haven't run an open (non-triathlon) 5K since April, I think, so I knew this would be painful!  Given the mileage in my legs, didn't think a fast-ish time would be possible.  Then around noon, when the wind really kicked up, I told the Dane that a fast-ish time would be impossible.  We swam and ran in the morning, like normal for a Saturday.  Went to the race which is such a fun atmosphere!  Long-ish warm-up (gotta get the miles #marathontroubles) and toe the line.  Went out and felt horrible in the legs, not unexpected.  Felt very strong on the few hills on course and the headwind last mile was treated like a hill.  Yada yada yada was first female overall but the sub-19 on this course on super tired legs was a definite bonus!  Back into bigger marathon mileage this week and topped off with a solid 22-miler today that was good.  Next race is Suncoast Classic 10K, great race in the heart of St Pete and usually very competitive!
Running some weekly mileage I've never done now, exciting!  7 weeks til Boston and my major goal now is to stay healthy!
Cheers

Clearwater Halfathon '13

Since I've only done (now) 6 half marathons in my whole life, running two of them in a 6 week span is pretty significant!  I started the "marathon program" after recovering from the last half marathon so there was absolutely no taper for this race.  I was willing to get beaten badly and live with it.  No foot speed - one of the things I really don't like about marathon training!  Actually, I'm not really sure the whole marathon distance is for me.  I long for speed!  But, since I'm in this boat, I'm going to row it!  Since the Dane has been dealing with an ongoing injury, the long runs have been mostly solo which is fine except I don't like spending time away from my Dane (when this is normally our time together).
But, I digress.  I will mention that there were two half marathons to chose from locally (St Pete/Clearwater area) but since this one is close, and usually very competitive, I chose this race.  It proved to certainly be the more competitive race of the weekend!  Not really what you want if you are me and not tapered!  Got the race I wanted and pushed hard the whole way but definitely felt stronger in general despite the four bridges on the course.  I finished in 5th overall, second Master.  Got a great workout for sure!
On to the marathon training, it just keeps going.  I love doing the mileage except during the week, when I'm running after work until nearly 8pm, it loses the luster!  I will get through this and through Boston but may not run another marathon for a while!  Not sure, just my legs talking after running 21 miles today, 15 of them solo.  No luster.  No glory.  Just me and my thoughts.....

Motoring along

So, started "official" Boston marathon training after the long recovery from the half marathon in early Dec (see prev post).  I chose to try Pfitzinger medium mileage program as I feel more mileage may make the marathon "seem" shorter.  Who knows.  I have been able to string together a lot of it but have had to be flexible with the recovery days.  The only issue I have developed is with my left soleus getting really tight and downright sore with the medium long/long runs.  Trying to work this out and may need to seek out the ART guy but will see how this week goes.  Took a week off of work between X-mas and New years and got in the mileage along with quite a bit of swimming (including wetsuit open water polar dip!) so not totally out of multisport world!  I am committed to a relay (as swimmer, funny I know) for St Anthony's Tri two weeks after Boston so I HAVE to keep swimming!  

Put together a solid 18 miler that felt a LOT easier than last year so I see that as progress.  Keeping healthy is my main priority but getting in the miles is a close second.  The Dane is running some now so hopefully my lonely run days will be numbered!
Next race will be the Clearwater Halfathon in two weeks.  Haven't done this race in a couple of years and looking forward to the brutal bridges!  I hope to do a bit better this time around as I have spent quality time on the bridges going in!  We shall see....
Go Broncos!

Holiday Halfathon 2012

pre-race, faking not being nervous!

Eight days ago I ran the Holiday Halfathon for the first time.  Great race, pretty much flat, strange time of year.  Never did this race before because we are usually coming off a full triathlon season and needing a break.  But, in my new run focus, this was going to be a good test of current fitness.  I hoped to get a fitness boost from Turkey Trot 10K two week prior and had a few longish (not marathon long) runs under my belt so felt it wouldn't be a disaster anyway.  The top gals overall were returning and I mostly focused on trying to run with Terri Rejimbal, whom I consider to be the best masters female in the state (and she runs a lot of half marathons!).  This was to be only my 5th 1/2 marathon in my career so the experience level is lacking a bit!  So, my goal was to try and pace myself off someone a lot more experienced than myself, Terri.  I realized this could be a really bad idea if my fitness wasn't where I hoped but figured I was going to give it a go.  Weather was seasonably warm, very humid with light winds.....kind of perfect.  Gun goes off and, boy, some of these girls were out very fast!  I had to go along and not let my goal trot up the road without me.  I stalked and stalked and the pace (6:3x at the time) felt ok but I knew I wouldn't be able to hold this the entire time!  Yada, yada, yada, I caught up with Terri on the later miles heading up the Pinellas trail.  I sat on her and just let her dictate the pace which was likely very annoying but it's the only chance I had!  I made a move on a short overpass a couple miles (or so, it's foggy now) and got a little bit of a gap, good stuff.  Felt pretty good with this until about 12 1/2 miles when suddenly, my damn feet were glued to the pavement.  Terri went around me fast and I had no response and just trotted in in third overall.  Not a bad result all in all but was hoping for second (first place gal was way ahead, she ran Olympic Trials marathon last Jan).  Reviewing my heart rate data showed I really went as hard as possible so no disappointment here.  I do recommend this race, it was a lot of fun!
Started Boston push this past week once I recovered from the soreness of the Halfathon!  So far, so good with 17 weeks to go!  Plan on racing Clearwater Halfathon in Jan.

oh boy, I'm hurting now!

Wishing all a peaceful Christmas and lots of running........oh, that's just us!
Cheers!

Turkey Trot 2012

So, another Turkey Trot comes and goes.  Man, time really flies!  I only really started running regularly at the end of September/early October so I didn't really know how Turkey Trot would go this year.  Last year, we were well into marathon mileage so the result was more expected.  This year, I was just trying to string some decent weeks together, toss it against a wall and see what falls out.  That's how I felt going into it anyway.  Got healthy enough late October/early November to do a couple of tempo runs, problem is, the pace was way slower than 10K pace!  But, progress is progress so I felt positive about any pace action I could get.  Had been feeling about as healthy as possible coming off an achilles problem (since Feb) and a hamstring/adductor strain, so I would race the 10K as hard as possible, hoping these issues won't resurface.  Unfortunately, my training partner, the Dane, was down with an injury of his own so all my running miles were solo, sort of boring.  He had to miss Turkey Trot for the first time since I've known him, bummed for sure.  But, ever the positive influence, he poured his efforts and hopes into me, love that!  Anyone who has run with/against me knows, when I pin on a number, it's on.  This year was no different.  Went out harder than I should and felt it later for sure.  Got into a real battle with two 20-somethings well into the race and I went for it at mile 5 (into the shitty headwind).  I got a gap and tried to hold it, hiding behind any guys I could find at that point (the top 3 gals were long gone!).  I was really dying but trying to tough it out and hit the track unaware of the stalker behind me!  The gal that finished 3rd last year (and beat me by 20+ seconds) came around me in the last 50meters like Usain Bolt and I, obviously, couldn't answer.  Back in the day (read, when I was her age), I never lost in a sprint.  Well, today, in my mid-40's, is a new day.   I must be able to read the future because this was why I tried to break them at mile 5!  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but only one of these youngsters caught me!  And, I got a Hell of a workout!  More importantly, defended my Masters 10K title which, going in, wasn't a given considering the injury issues the past several months!
Next up, Holiday Halfathon (half marathon) 11/9.  We have never done this race even though it finishes in the park little more than half a mile from the house.  Point to point, fairly flat, familiar surroundings.  I'll go til I drop and see how it washes out.  Competition not terribly deep unless you are at the pointy end, ugh!  I sense another extremely painful adventure!  I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Cheers.

Still rolling...

Putting together some run mileage while repairing some niggles is part of marathon life, I'm finding out. Nothing special, just trying to string together some 40+ mile run weeks prior to the Fall run race season.  The usual, long run/tempo run/hill reps/lots of other filler runs.  The body is holding up so far.  The thing I'm missing......my run partner.  The Dane has been hampered by an achilles/heel problem of his own since racing Suncoast Tri.  He will hopefully (likely) be back in Dec for our Boston Marathon push so not all is lost!!  I've been doing a lot of lonely run miles without him!  I, however, have no problem pushing myself when solo so all is not lost!  Nearly 15 miles today along the Tri Rock course so I could cheer on some friends (actually, my regular route, they happened to be there!).
So, next up, Turkey Trot 10K.  I've done next to no speed stuff so this will be painful and interesting!  Will plan the rest of the  run race season after that hoping the body holds up!  Plan is Holiday halfathon then Say No To Drugs 10K but will take it as it comes.  Then, big marathon push.  Hope the body cooperates (and I get my run partner back?).
Cheers

October running

Still progressing with the run mileage.  I've now been able to string together a couple 30+ mile weeks which is good coming off the hammy strain.  I am about 95% totally well but still some awareness of adductor on same leg.  I'm hyper-aware of that leg so likely it's just in my head.  Otherwise, feeling well and wanting to do a bit of tempo work to get some fitness for Turkey Trot - may try this week doing some tempo, we'll see.  The aerobic run fitness is coming along, the body just wants to go faster now which is encouraging.  Unfortunately, I've temporarily lost my run partner as the Dane has been dealing with some heel pain that he needs to get resolved.  He raced Suncoast Tri yesterday and did great but it left him hobbled today.  He'll be out for a week or two but it is something that really needs to be addressed now, 6 mos out from Boston.  My run race goals now are to get in some sort of reasonable fitness to defend Masters at Turkey Trot 10K then maybe Holiday Halfathon (half marathon) in early December.  I ran 10+ today so should be able to swing a half marathon by then provided there are no setbacks.  We are still putting in 3-4 swim days per week as well which is good cross-training with fun Masters group.  So, onto another week of staying healthy and building mileage.  Luckily, Fall has finally arrived!  Cheers.

Moving along

So, I have been hamstrung for several weeks.  I think I have fully evaluated the root of the cause and I am tackling that now (pelvic strength instability, mostly).  Got in 23+ run miles this week and feel about 95% healthy with the hammy/adductor (more the latter now).  I am on rehab highway and ready to take a left onto mileage mountain if all goes as planned.  I do want to be good for Turkey Trot in November as defending Masters champ so would really like to get going.  I know I have to be very careful with escalating the mileage as my "A" race isn't until April.  So, all seems to be going well for now.  Fingers crossed, I may be able to cram in a 5K somewhere prior to Turkey Trot!
Rolling.....

Boston Chronicles....

I've decided to change the tone of the blog a little.  My plan is to chronicle my journey to the 2013 Boston marathon.  We have signed up and paid the Man so April 15th waits for no one.  I am still finding my way out of a wacky right hamstring/adductor (more the latter now) injury sustained 5 weeks ago but my head and heart are ready to push on.  I am doing some slow jogging on the tready and now also barefoot on the beach (which, btw, seems to be great for my formerly injured achilles).  The injury is 95% gone now but I have to be cautious about pushing too quickly.  There are a lot of great Fall run races coming up that I want to be ready for and it's hard to keep from going out and killing myself but, in my later years I have learned to be more patient.  So, if you wish to follow how one goes from where I am currently (jogging 2 miles) to racing Boston and vying for an AG podium spot, grab a glass of red and follow along.  A great friend of ours who ran many fast marathons gave me great advice to write down all the things I could recall from Jax marathon (12/11, our qualifier), so I did (many thanks, LB).  To be open, I ran a very painful 3:13 there.   The last thing I wrote on my recall from Jax (dated 12/23/11)  was as follows:  "keep my head up because I KNOW I can run faster than 3:13 (need sub-3:10 for top 10 finish at Boston W45-49 according to results).  I know I can do this....".   I still believe this is possible for me.  A lot of hard work has to happen but I've never seen a hard workout I didn't want to tackle!  For the record, I am swimming quite a bit now, riding very little (any hard riding seems to aggravate the hammy/adductor), and starting to run slowly.  Hopefully, the swimming will have maintained some aerobic fitness but we all know running is another story.  So, I hope to blog more frequently about my journey but you won't find any triathlon stories here!  I've done my tri's for 2012 and don't plan to do any more but you could find my in a local sprint just for kicks!
Cheers.

Hamstrung

Damn.
Never thought I would be here again.  You ask, where is "here".  Hamstrung.
Please recall, I spent most '09 and '10 racing time healing/rehabbing/being completely frustrated with my left hamstring tear (yes, by MRI) leading into IM Canada '09 & IM 70.3 WC.  Never thought (and hoped) I would ever face this horrid injury again.  But, without over training, Ironman, marathon, I found myself walking 3 miles home from a planned 12 mile run with, you guessed it, a hammy pain.  But, not the "bad", aka, formerly torn left hammy, but the "good", right hammy hurting in a way I didn't expect or see coming.  WTF!!!  Still not positive on how this occurred but have some thoughts in hindsight.  4 weeks ago from today.  Was swimming a lot with fins, wanting to make fast sets and no plans for anymore tri racing so not trying to get "swim" fit anyway.  Also, still healing a hurting left achilles - but, this was definitely getting better/gone.....ironic.  So, thinking a likely combo of errors with favoring achilles and lots of fin work in pool.  Either way, I freaked four weeks ago, having been here before.
Good news, four weeks out now, I'm on the treadmill jogging, alternating with walking.  Trust me, this is good compared to '09!  No fins in my swim bag but I'm swimming a lot!  The achilles is great!  Coming back and hoping for a fall running season.  Boston marathon registration is tomoz and the Dane and I will be in!  That is big goal....Boston AG podium.  That's it, I said it.  Gonna go from jogging on the tready to Beantown podium.  Stay tuned!
Don't dream it, train for it.
Cheers.

It's been a while....for a reason

So, I've been in a blog fog for a while.  Truth be told, I came out of St Athony's with an achilles problem.  Took 4 weeks off, blah, blah.  Decided, when I can get back to running, that's all I want to do.  Problem is, we already signed up for Top Gun sprint triathlon 7/28.  No problem, I thought, I'll be over that injury with a little down time.  Well, took longer than that.  Of course, I'm not 18 anymore (thank God).  I really just started making progress with the achilles within the last two weeks.  Problem is, I found that riding the triathlon bike (hard) seemed to seriously aggravate the achilles, so......I stopped riding.  All riding.  All we have been doing since late April is swim (three times per week, nothing crazy here), and base running.  By base running, what I mean is easy, slow runs ranging from 4 miles to (now) 12 averaging from 8-9minute pace.  Yup, BASE running.  No speed work.  Trying to get the achilles to be happy with easy running, that's my only goal.  Doing my rehab (self-prescribed) compliantly, I have improved by afraid to push pace.  Put it clear, not ready to race.....at all.  Physically mostly, or mentally.  But, I did.
Top Gun Sprint Tri.
Haven't done this race in at least four years, guessing.  Summer race, hot, slow, not in shape.  I'm less injured than I was which is very good!  Racing a sprint tri when not trained is extremely painful!  Its one thing to do when in good shape - swim, bike, run; entirely different when none of the above has actually been trained.  No worries, willing to take my place on whatever step happens, I toe the beach.  Lovely day to race, nice and hot!  Love the race, directors, course!  Went out on the swim and tripped over the sand bar that I knew was there but, again, lack of preparation!  Short swim (1/4 mile) and got out second in wave (female 45+) so, good start, I thought!  Worried about the achilles the whole run to bike.  Felt it, for sure but not enough to pull the pin so, kept moving on.  The bike for me was not anything to enjoy.  Torture, in fact.  Running base pace mileage does not prepare one for riding at redline pace in a sprint tri......just wanted to make sure that point was put across.   So, anyway, got off the bike without complete meltdown and off I run.  And run.  Didn't know I could run the way I did but I guess instinct takes over.  Second best run split in the female race, won overall Masters.  Crazy and unexpected.  Happy that my body remembered how to race.  But, will plan to be better prepared in the future.
Goal.....Boston Marathon '13.  All I can think about now.  Long ways away but need to get there healthy.  That's the plan.
I also want to mention one source of motivation for me is my big sis who has just done her first 5K!  She loved it so much, she did another!  The genes, baby!!!!
Cheers!

St Anthony's 2012 race report

                                       

Hoping my little horse is ready to ride fast!

Like I said, I was suffering!

The Dane and me representing Outspokin with our loud shirts!  Anything for our sponsor!

                                                   

I neglected to do a report about Escape From Fort Desoto sprint tri two weeks prior likely out of pure laziness but suffice to say, I did reasonably well.  I was third overall, first Masters on a fairly breezy day, even for the Fort!  I was excited to see how that race went as I have been doing all bike training on the turbo and I literally hadn't ridden outdoors since Chilly Willy Du in early Feb.  I swam pretty well, rode as well as could be expected and ran great so I was really looking forward to a good result at St Anthony's.  I have been racing Elite Amateur at St Anthony's since they began that division, not because I feel "elite" in any way, but more because of my fear of too much bike traffic on the course starting out of the AG wave.  I had had enough getting my ass kicked in Elite Am so switched back to AG again this year, mentally prepared to deal with the bike course best I could.  Overall, this year's experience was far more fun as I felt engaged the entire race instead of depressed about my crappy mid-pack race!  It was a blast!
The swim was wetsuit and a brand new course for this year.  It was still somewhat rough but that is standard here.  We had an in-water start which was new, not my personal favorite but that's life.  I lined up next to super-fish Mandy and hoped to stay with her for longer than I did (which was about 3 strokes) so settled into a moderate pace which I couldn't break out of.  No top-end swim speed and will need to work on that!  I wasn't touched the entire swim and really did enjoy it but as always, happy so see terra firma after 25+ minutes (4th out in AG).  T1 was uneventful, my Orca Alpha wettie came off like a charm and I was off.
On to the bike.  I really started bike training six weeks out (after Gate River Run) so didn't know what to expect, really; 40K is a big difference from the 10mile rides in the previous races this year.  My legs were still feeling fatigue from the bike training I tried to cram in between Escape and St A's but I figured I would have that so just dealt with it.  One, of many, great things about training on the turbo exclusively is you really get comfortable with being uncomfortable, which is generally not my strength when it comes to riding.  I did have to dial down the running during this phase to get some power back on the bike but felt the run would come to me.  I actually remember thinking how much fun I was having during the ride which, if you know me, is highly unusual.  Dead legs but kept them churning.  Had a lot of company but mostly single-file traffic I passed folks the entire ride......Fun!  It was hard but it was fun.  Not the crappy, nobody around me because I'm way behind/in the middle rides I've had racing Elite Am!  Now, the key was can I run off this? (?3rd off bike....no race age on legs this year so just racing hard and hoping for the best).  T2 uneventful and slow as usual.
The run got warm but I love warm so I wasn't having any issues.  I could definitely feel the ride in my legs as soon as I tried to run with any pace so just ran as hard as I could.  No idea where I was in the AG (or Masters for that matter) so ran has hard as I could for as long as I could.  I really was hurting and breathing hard!  Another great thing about racing from the AG wave is a lot of people I know were also racing and have the heart to cheer people on while they are racing, very cool!  I heard more cheers than I can remember!  I suffered but pulled out a good run.  Not quite the sub-40 10K I was hoping for but my best run split ever on this course.
Ended up winning my new AG (45-49) with a sub-2:18 race and I'm happy about that.  I was second on Masters to a totally stellar Lauren Smith, no shame.  It was a really fun day and weekend!  I can't remember another St A's that was that much fun but I look forward to many more!  This race is so great because of the competition and all the people that we get to see and hang out with, a real social event (with a race attached)!   Got the Hy-Vee 5150 US Championship qualification and hope to get there this year (got injured last year), big goal to race well there.  I have some serious work to do on the swim and bike and will, as always, keep working the running.  I just have to shout out to the most amazing crew that put this race together especially Susan and Phillip, totally first class!  We are blessed the have one of the biggest, most competitive races right in our backyard!
If you need me, I'll be in the pool.......
Cheers!

Gate River Run, aka US Championships 15K, aka biggest run race I've ever done

AKA, how to return from a hamstring tear and get to the front.

The seed for this race was planted after we ran Jacksonville Marathon in December by my college roomie and former All-American runner/Olympic Trials competitor/home stay/BFF, Cathy. I knew about this race and was intrigued for sure. I've never really raced the distance but wanted to try it out. We started out, if you follow this boring blog at all, doing a 10K race 4 weeks out from Jax Marathon, it wasn't pretty. We had 7 weeks to train from this point which wasn't much to build any speed. I was fully aware of last year's results and had an idea what an AG win might take (which was the dream goal), time-wise. I got in most of the training plus we ran 2 x 5K races, one duathlon, and another 10K race - clearly, I like to use races as training! I was nursing an achilles niggle all along but the Dane was really getting hobbled with a hammy strain he accrued along the way. Anyway, the race date doesn't move when you want to push it back so we head in full beans!

Got to Jacksonville the Thursday before, driving thru Deliverance country along the way! Get to our "homestay" which was better than any posh hotel ever! We got to spend fun times with Cath and her energetic two-year old twins which was so fun! Race check-in went super smooth, top shelf organization here!

On to race morning. We caravan with Cath's running friends/tailgate party participants which worked out perfectly! Parking here can be quite stresso if you don't know where to go, we had local tour guides! The Dane and I finally found our way to the start area (sounds easy, not here) and our "seeded" corral which was nice. In a race of nearly 20,000 competitors, you want to be in front (especially if you're me and a bit claustrophobic in crowds)! The race starts and we're on our way. I haven't mentioned the weather yet, lets just say cloudy, coolish and windy! The wind was a factor for everyone today. I got out good, knew the pace I had planned to run and went with it. I didn't feel particularly good in the opening miles but I was committed to this pace and stuck with it early on. The wind was a factor for sure. I tried to make sure I had some guys around me the whole time to block the wind; great thing about running with some ego-guys, they ALWAYS want to be in front! Fine with me! I was moving up among the AG women as the race went on and, mentally, committed to running this pace until the green monster (Hart Bridge) even though I didn't feel very good. Got to the bottom of the climb of the green monster and got totally isolated.....with dead legs. Suboptimal! I had an echelon of guys about 10 meters in front (to block the wind for me) but I couldn't for the life of me catch up to them. Cooked. I did catch up to and pass eventual 3rd place woman in overall Masters (Sue O'Malley) going up the the Monster but I was really dying. Crest the bridge and I know, from what I've heard, there is 1500meters downhill to the finish. Says easy, does hard. I'm not known for my speedy downhill running! I try and charge down even though my stupid hamstring is actually screaming at me (first time since injuring it)! Sue gets back to me, looks at me and blasts down this decent of the Monster. I made a huge mistake in thinking she started with the Elite women 7 minutes ahead of us so I did not go with her.......rookie mistake. Getting down the bridge onto the finishing straight was really cool! So many people cheering it felt like you were winning the race! Such a cool experience!

I did end up winning the 40-44 AG which was my ultimate huge goal for this US Championship race. I didn't feel I was in the shape I needed to be in to run the time necessary to win but I knew I was in pretty good shape. I am supremely happy to have this win. I am also pretty disappointed to lose the Masters by 4 seconds with a rookie mistake. Live and learn. I ran my heart out for the conditions given and cannot be disappointed with the results. I am super motivated to do more USATF road races and put myself up against the best. I'm mostly happy that my hammy tear in 2009 didn't ruin my running career as I seem to be transforming a bit back to my roots of running, and loving it! I have committed to Escape from Fort Desoto tri and St Anthony's tri for the remainder of the Spring so triathlon is still looming large in the future! Gotta get on the bike!

The Dane ended up having to jog Gate River Run but finished in the top 10% still! Cath ran as well and enjoyed her day. I have a ton of respect for a former All-American and top 5 placer in this race who can go in as just one of us and have no excuses. I've learned a bit on this trip.....all good!

So, onto tri season which will be a challenge for sure! I want to do another US Championship road race later in the year just not sure where. Stay tuned!

Cheers.

Chilly Willy Du '12

Yay, always good to get hardware

The Dane and his comps!

Me and Linda, still Queen of the Fort!

Oh, how I have a love-hate relationship with this race. First, the love:

1. Best race directors on the planet - these folks really take care of us athletes!

2. I've won overall (female) several times (in my younger days)

3. makes us do some multisport before we maybe really want to

4. it hurts...builds fitness

the hate: (not much to hate, sorry)

1. I don't care who you are, run-bike-run hurts!

2. run-bike-run hurts more in early February, just not in shape!

3. it is usually cold.....not this year baby!

4. it hurts, builds fitness

So, there is a pattern here. I love Chilly Willy and as we say, if you aren't injured or out of town, there is no reason to not toe the line here. Hell, aint nobody in shape on the 5th of February so we race to build fitness. At least that's how we think about it.

We are officially base building for Gate River Run in March so haven't done any speed/tempo/hill work since prior to Jax Marathon. Base building with a miserable 10K and 5K run thrown in. We ran a 5K last weekend and it was really painful but a great rust-buster for us for today. Still on the 40+ miles running per week program with Gate River run 15K as the main goal for early spring '12. I have not been outside on my triathlon bike since July so that was really special. I have done a few trainer sessions but have been having some knee (patella) issues so have backed off of that for the most part so today, the bike was going to be a real struggle for me (more than normal). We lucked out with unseasonably warm temps (super cold the past two years).

Goal was to run all out for first 5K and hang on. The race goes off in two waves, under 40 then 40 and over in the second wave. Felt I have enough speed to be up front in the first 5K (second wave) so lined up appropriately. Well, I ran a little smarter than the 5K last weekend but suffered still. Rachel C. (racing as pro duathlete still, she rocks) got ahead of me after a couple miles and I didn't have the fitness to hang so just tried to maintain second (in the second wave, racing "ghosts" in early wave). Got to the bike (10 miles) and was a complete retard in transition and trying to get on the bike --- note to self, practice this more! The bike was hard but I rode within myself. We had great conditions with as little wind as I can recall at Fort Desoto in recent memory! Got passed earlier than I would have liked by Celia D. but I knew she was going to come after me as she is a great cyclist (and second in AG at duathlon Worlds). I just continued to race my race, knowing what (little) training I put in on the bike. Off the bike, another horrid transition, off on to the second 5K run, yay. Haven't run off the bike since Florida 70.3 in May! Awkward but not horrible. I set on course to catch Celia (sorry girl :-(. I knew Rachel was gone so I was thinking Masters win here. I went out hard and felt it for sure but managed to move up and place second in the wave so I was happy on the day. The overall put me in third (one gal from wave one ahead) so not disappointed with this at all! I have aged up to 45-49 now so won that and super happy with this. The Dane also won his age group!

We love this race as it is an early multisport rust-buster and motivator. I will pack the bike away for five weeks (yeah, I know, I need to keep riding) for Gate River Run 15K US Championships. Will be back at multisport training after this for Escape from Fort Desoto Sprint tri and, of course, St Anthony's Tri.

For now, cheers!

Marathon hangover

That's us "elites" just before race start...I'm hiding :)

I read someone say, I think it was Frank Shorter, once you forget about your last marathon, you're ready to race. Well, thinking we were "ready to race", we toed the line at the inaugural Polk County Komen Race for the Cure 10K on Saturday morning. Many thanks to Susan Daniels for thinking of me to attend! A great cause and a surprising number of runners for an inaugural event! Well done, just wished we had done something, anything, to prepare for it. For this year, they had an Elite start. Always up for a challenge, I sheepishly agreed to race elite. I forgot that I really haven't "trained" for about the past 6 weeks when you count marathon taper, marathon, marathon recovery. A long time, lots of cobwebs. And add on to that, I managed to somehow injure my foot on a shake out run the night before. I wasn't in a good place heading out to Lakeland. The Dane had been nursing a niggle in his achilles also so we were a real pair! We took it like true warriors and showed up. We are nothing to the true warriors and survivors of breast cancer that were reminders all morning long, so our issues seemed very small indeed! Warmed up and the foot was not happy but I had set a threshold for what I would tolerate and would pull out if I hit that point. The elite start ended up being somewhat of a who's who of local runners so my anxiety level went up! Not being sure whether I would even be able to race, I made light of the situation with the gals at the start. It was a small field and chilly (about 41*) and breezy so, if you got exposed, you ended up in no man's land! Gun goes off and I ended up in no man's land pretty quick! Reminding myself of the possible paycheck at the end ($100 for third), I had to fight like Hell to bridge back and pass the third place gal, Laure. Dropped a 6:15 fourth mile and got back up to the Dane and that damn near killed me! So, again, it was the Dane then me (he had to sprint to get me) but I managed to finish in 3rd. It was hard to do this off of no speed work or real training in the past six weeks but we are super motivated to move on! Time wasn't great but I didn't even know if I would be able to race. The foot is feeling better, it's a marathon sequelae sort of thing so will be watched closely. This will be a run focus year heading towards Boston Marathon 2013 and I'm super excited! Especially after watching the incredible performances in the Oly Trials Marathon yesterday after our rough race. Still doing some multisport but focus is on running for me in 2012. I can't wait!

Cheers

Marathon recovery

Early on in Jax Marathon, still together!

Well, marathon recovery pretty much sucks! We were pretty much incapacitated for a couple weeks. Then, we begin to forget how terribly painful the race was and, as per my usual, I want to start training again. I want to correct my weaknesses. I want to get faster. I want to get stronger. But, just like the marathon, I have to be patient and wait to start building. I am going back to being a triathlete for now although getting back on the bike and back in the pool (in the winter) is not proving easy. That's part of what I love about running. It's pure. It's simple. It doesn't require a great deal of time. I can do it alone. Let's face it, I'm a runner who has been competing as a triathlete for the past couple decades. I have loved and still love triathlon. I have accomplished more in triathlon than I thought I ever would. I want to explore how well I can compete running this time around. It's a bit late, turning 45 this year but I feel the passion and that's important to me. I'm not talking about qualifying for Olympic Trials or anything but competing at the pointy end of my AG in big races. Staying healthy is the name of the game and the key at this stage. Hopefully, I can have it all!

Cheers.

Jacksonville Marathon rant

To begin with, if you want to run a marathon, especially a first marathon, this one is ideal. I've been racing for most of my life and have seen a lot of shows. This is top shelf. Sort of small but really well run and enjoyable on all levels.....well, until about mile 18 but that's my story.

So, I did put my "if everything goes well" goal out there in my last report. It was 3:10 which I felt I had to have a great day for. I was healthy going in which is quite a feat for this old gal with all the injuries I've had just the past few years (just torn hammy, calf and broken ribs in 24 months). The morning dawned quite cool, for us, and breezy. Wind was evident and we were aware it was going to be in our face on the return trip (out and back course). I didn't commit enough to my early pacing (I was warned this would be my downfall. Hate when people who know me are so right!). I felt like I needed to make good tracks early on in the tailwind to make up for the headwind we were sure to face coming back. I felt great. It felt easy. Got through the 1/2 marathon in like 1:31:xx. Ok, I thought. I was catching people pretty steadily. I started being pretty aware of my quads and calves around mile 15-17. My wonderful college roomie and family were at mile 16 cheering loudly and I was re-inspired. That lasted awhile mentally, less so physically. My legs were not holding up to the distance at all. I really started to crack around 17-18. Tried to pick it up between 19-20 as people (gals) started catching and passing me (was 5th female overall for a while, ended up 9th). Eventually, everyone began passing me. This was extremely humbling. I had to walk just to prevent falling in a heap on the road several times the last 5K. I stumbled onto the track for a 3:13 finish. Got passed in the last 1/2 mile for Masters title, that stings when there is no response from the legs. Won the age group as did the Dane so we were super happy with that. He had a super race in 3:09 - didn't collapse quite like me!

The early pacing mistake was not ego. It was fitness. I've studied the Garmin file, contained for your entertainment (no posers here) and I think if I would've held back a bit earlier, I would not have had to walk later. I guess. My first marathon, I have a lot of questions and lessons. I will say this was harder than any of the six Ironman's I have completed. A way different being, racing a marathon. I respect this distance on a different level now. We will plan to register for Boston 2013 and I will plan my training differently for Boston. Jacksonville Marathon was conceptualized sitting on the beach with the Dane and Linda M while I was injured during the summer (torn calf). Linda ignited something within me to do this distance because, I am a runner after all (?posing as a triathlete?;)). She inspired me to want to experience Boston. So, onto Boston we will go, 2013. We are very glad that we don't have to do this again until 4/13. Totally crippled!

The good: (in no order)

-I can run and train for a marathon and not get injured (few close calls!)

-The more I look at my Garmin file, the tougher I knew I was - should've walked in the last couple miles, ouch!

-Stayed healthy through the training (most miles run post-college)

-Hey, I won my AG in my first marathon!

-Got to spend quality time with my all time BFF from college and her killer 2-year old twins/family

-I was tough, see above

The bad (lessons learned): (also, in no order)

-Eager early kills!

-Missed a couple aid stations early, likely not a factor but one never knows

-Maybe peek at the heart rate now and then to see how HIGH it was

-Need to build high-end aerobic engine more

-The household marathon trophy goes to the Dane......until 4/13 :)

-I cannot walk today and may, in fact, tear the towel rack off the wall in front of the toilet...think amongst yourselves

-Walking is NEVER acceptable when race number is attached to one's attire

The ugly:

See bad, above

The offy is in full effect. Bring on the holidays........and getting back on the bike and back in the pool. But, I digress.

Cheers!

Marathon week

I've never uttered those words in my life.....weird! I'm excited......and scared! It's gonna hurt, I know it. I'm good at hurting. We'll see. Goal is BQ (Boston qualifier, Mother). I think on a perfect day I can go 3:10. Gives me a LOT of wiggle room for BQ. My first open (non-Ironman) marathon should be interesting! I'll let you know!

Cheers.

Turkey Trot and Autumn Fest fun!

Oh boy, did I have a couple of races I didn't train for! And they hurt a ton. I got my hurt box well prepped for Jax Marathon in two weeks and glad for it. Great

Turkey Trot 10K pain

Autumn Fest 5K pain...(2 days after the above pain)

Oh boy, did I have a couple of races I didn't train for! And they hurt a ton. Won Masters for Turkey Trot which was big goal (and 4th overall with winner being Oly Trials Marathon qualifier). I got my hurt box well prepped for Jax Marathon in two weeks and glad for it. I am healthy and ready to hurt for 26.2 which I am expecting. Don't want to jinx anything so no race plan or pacing gonna be seen here but let's just say I plan for 20 miles of patient and 10k of PAIN! Wish me the best, I'll need it!! Burgers and beers afterwards, for sure!

Cheers.