Space Coast Marathon Recap

Better late than never right?  It's been almost two weeks since I headed to Florida for the Space Coast Marathon on Sunday November 30th...and I think it has taken this long for it to actually sink in that I ran that far and lived to tell about it.

If you are looking for a more race review without all the personal info, head over to BibRave and read my review there.  If you like all the personal info, welcome aboard.

I will admit that I was a bit of a stress basket leading up to this race and I was the party pooper on Thanksgiving.  I also left the party early so I could go home and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Rather than getting up early to go Black Friday shopping, I got up early to make the 8ish hour drive to Cocoa Beach, FL.  I am usually a non stop road-tripper and only take breaks when I need gas.  Drinking sufficient water to hydrate my body for the marathon ruined that approach and led to many more stops.  The weather just kept getting better and better as I went though, so I wasn't complaining.

I stayed at the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, one of the recommended hotels, and had a great room with a fabulous view.

As a general rule I tend to think Hiltons act fancier than they are, but I had truly great service at this one and the private beach access was very much appreciated.
Friday night there was also a mingle event at my hotel for all runners in town early.  It had gotten a little chilly out so I didn't stay outside too long.  I was also tired from all the driving! However I did meet some really great ladies from Jacksonville and really enjoyed chatting with them.  One of my main concerns going into the weekend was that I was traveling alone and I was totally convinced it would make my first marathon less special.  I was so appreciative of this event because it gave me a reason to get out of my hotel room!

The next morning I woke up bright and early to grab breakfast and head to the expo to pick up my packet.  I had intended to go watch the sunrise on the beach, but it was cloudy so I watched fro my room.

As a Hilton Honors Diamond member I got free continental breakfast which made me very happy.  Sadly the whole Hilton ego kicked in and I was only able to get the cold breakfast and oatmeal. I would have to pay for the hot options.  So much for feeling special right? That said, the greek yogurt bar and croissants were fantastic. And really as long as breakfast comes with coffee I won't fuss too loudly.

I really meant to get to the expo right at 9 when it opened.  Then I started watching HGTV and left a little closer to 9:30.  The expo was held at the Radison just a few minutes down the road.  I had driven past it the day before so I was very excited to be able to drive there without needing my GPS. One road there and back for the win. The line to get my bib was non-existent and the line to get my shirt was also pretty short. Unfortunately they were out of my shirt size, but I was able to go up a size and it still fits pretty well.  They did have the option to have a shirt mailed to you, but I am a big fan of instant gratification so I went with the bigger size.  From what I heard later, they ran out of a lot more sizes as the day went on.  The expo itself was jam packed, especially in the licensed merchandise area.  I think they could have spread it out better to solve some of the problems, but the people working it were doing their best to manage the situation as best they could.  There were things that were selling out pretty quickly but I got a Tervis tumbler and a Brooks short sleeve shirt with the race logo so I was more than happy.
There were also local running clubs and area races at the expo which I enjoyed. I also had to stop by the My Soxy Feet table to pick up some new socks.  I was between sizes so I was excited that the vendor had samples I could try on.  I ended up picking a cat pair and a dog pair that benefit animal rescues.
Another highlight, for me, was seeing all the medals for the upcoming years.  I can't wait to go back next year and grow my own collection

The one downside to traveling alone is the lack of a photographer, so I was not able to make use of the photo ops.  I am sure one of the super friendly runners would have taken a pic for me, but I honestly wasn't that dedicated to wait in line haha.

After the expo I stopped and did a little souvenir shopping at Ron Jon then headed back to the hotel.  The road the hotel was on also had great sidewalks and plenty of other runners, so it made it easier to go out for my easy two mile shakeout run.

I wish I was more exciting, but the truth is that after my run I just took my textbook to the beach and studied in the sand and sun. As far as studying goes, it could be much worse so I was ok with it.

I got a fresh mex bowl from Chili's for dinner (because rice=delicious carbs!) and laid out sorta flat Jess.  It was another early night followed by a very very early morning.

The first shuttle bus was scheduled to leave Sunday morning at 4:30...I was puttering around getting ready and happened to look out the window around 3:45 and realized the bus was already there so I got hustling.  That was lucky since the first bus was full and leaving by about 4:00.  Parking directions had been provided, but the bus made everything much easier since I had no idea where I was going!

When we arrived, I sat on the swing set and ate my bagel and peanut butter for breakfast, put my Nuun in my water bottle, checked my bag, and got in line for the restroom.  There were lots of porta-potties open at the time, but I really wanted to be able to wash the vaseline off my hands as well.  By the time I got through the line it was almost time for the Half to start.  The Full started half an hour later so I worked my way over to the starting area gradually.

 It was pretty surreal to stand there and realize that this was actually happening.

 I started way to the back with the 5 hour finish group. Time would tell how optimistic that was.  The national anthem was sung beautifully and we started off to a countdown and a video of a rocket launch.  I was off and rolling with no idea what to expect.

For the first few mile everything felt great.  It was very exciting but pretty uneventful. I was beyond thankful for the gorgeous view and the wonderful volunteers at the aid stations.  I knew there was no GU until mile 9, so I was carrying one of my own which I took at the water station just after the 4 mile marker.  So far so good.

By about mile 8 my left hip was starting to give me trouble.  I had honsetly expected it, but had hoped it would hold off a bit longer.  Apparently luck was not on my side.

At mile 9 I took a GU from an aid station and for some reason my gag reflex kicked in immediately.  I trained with GU for most of the summer and fall with no problem. I had taken it on days hotter than this with no problem. I have absolutely no idea what went wrong, but it was very very wrong.

I kept plodding along though I very nearly called it quits at the half mark.  It would have been too easy and I would have just gotten my half time and all that jazz.  I think my ego kicked in a bit and I kept going.  According to the results, my half time was 2:48, which I am pretty happy with.

By about mile 16 my ego was nowhere to be found and all I wanted to do was sit down and cry.  I tried another GU around that time and had the same awful reaction and my stomach would just not settle. My back was also starting to remind me that this was a terrible life choice.  I was suddenly very aware of how completely under trained I was.  I was convinced I would never ever run another marathon again. I think I was even convinced that I would not finish this one. Up until then I had kept adjusting my goals slightly, aiming for just slightly slower times.  At that rather soul crushing moment I gave up on goals other than just making it to the finish line.

Then I met up with another runner who I am convinced is the only reason I finished.  She was going at it with a run about 10 steps, walk about 10 steps approach and I asked if I could just stick with her.  For the rest of the race I let her set the pace and just focused on keeping up.  We ran when we saw photographers and walked a lot more than I had originally planned.

The road seemed forever long, but when we finally got to mile 19 and turned back towards the finish line (with the sun FINALLY to our backs rather than blazing in our faces as it had since mile 7) I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It was still a struggle but it suddenly seemed possible. When we got to mile 25 I ran ahead as much as I could manage and told myself I would run at least the last .2 miles and give it all I had.  I had no idea if I had anything left to give, but it was worth a shot I figured.  Starting at the mile 26 marker, the road was lined with people cheering you on all the way to the finish.  My name was on my bib and it was so surreal to have all these people encouraging me by name and telling me not to stop.  I ran.  It may not seem like much to some, but in that moment it was like my entire world was narrowed down to the sound of people telling me I could do it and my legs doing everything they could to make that true.  I started crying somewhere in that time and didn't stop completely until I was probably halfway home. I got my medal and beach towel then headed over to the beer truck. Given my messed up stomach this was perhaps not the best plan, but I really like beer. The pancakes also looked amazing and I had been ready for them since I signed up to run! Unfortunately one sniff made my stomach nix that plan immediately. I was very thankful that the nice man at the Publix tent gave me a couple bananas which did help settle my stomach so I didn't repeat my post half marathon experience. That was a big relief.

When people think of major, life changing moments I doubt sitting on a towel in the grass, covered in sweat, a little chafed and nibbling on a banana tops the list. But that was exactly when I started to realize the scope of what I had just accomplished. It was also the moment I started to plan my next marathon primarily because I want to see how much better I'll do if I just train properly.
Then of course I tried to stand up and adjusted my thinking a bit ;)

The moral of the story: I ran a freaking marathon and I can't wait to sign up to run Space Coast again next year!

10 significant moments from my first marathon

I ran the Space Coast Marathon this past Sunday. I'll have a full recap to post soon, but here's a little taste in the form of ten significant moments from the race.

For details of the race you can also check out my BibRave review here.

1) The starting line- it was so overwhelming to realize that this was really it and I was really there. I don't think there are enough words for the million feelings in that moment.

2) Mile 6- This was the first split clock and I realized I was doing alright and keeping the pace I wanted.

3) Mile 9- My hip started to hurt. It has good days and bad days and this was when I began to realize it might be a bad day.

4) Mile 13.1 - I almost quit here. It would have been easy. But the people cheering and knowing I would have regretted it forever kept me going.

5) Mile 16 (ish) - I met up with another runner here and stuck with her for the rest of the race.  She kept me going and chatting made the time pass less painfully. Without her I honestly do not know if I would have finished.

6) Mile 19 - We turned around and started running towards the finish line.  I knew there was still a long way to go, but it was mentally a huge boost to know we were going the "right" direction.

7) Mile 23 - knowing that there was only a 5k left to do was another huge boost.  I wasn't moving any faster but this was the moment when I realized I was actually going to be able to finish my first marathon. I almost started crying. Or maybe I did.

8) Mile 26 - I told myself I was going to run the last .2 miles but I really had no idea where the energy was going to come from.  When I hit mile 26, there were suddenly people on both sides of the course cheering me on by name (yeah I had no idea how much I would appreciate having my name on my bib until then) and they gave me the power to get through to the finish line. The many photographers didn't hurt either.

9) The finish line- it's cheesy, it's cliche, I am still going to say it.  This was a life changing moment. I cried. A lot. Off and on for quite some time.

10) Sitting in the grass after - this was the moment I started wondering what would be different if I actually followed my training plan. It was also the moment I started wondering when I could do this crazy marathon thing again.

then I tried to stand up...

That marathon thing

Four days from now I will be running in my first marathon. Insert a lot of expletives here.

I have mixed feelings about it really. I am excited to do it. I am not expecting spectacular results because my training has been awful. But I believe I will be able to finish it.

Then there is the part of me that's just a little sad and not that interested in going. Things worked out so none of my friends were able to go and my guy can't leave North Carolina. Not because he was arrested, promise ;) So it is turning into one of those events that you plan out so much in your mind that you really aren't sure what to do when it doesn't go according to the plan.

And that's where I will end the pity party. At least I can be thankful that I got my replacement phone in time for the trip...oh and the drive is easily diverted to make me past the Orlando outlets on Black Friday!  Lululemon and Kate Spade here I come!

Happy Thanksgiving eve everybody!

A little thing called life happened

I’m going to go ahead and be very honest here for a moment: life happened and my marathon training totally derailed.

In addition to all the fun and exciting things that I knew were coming, there was also one major surprise.  

 

Last Monday I was supposed to go to lunch with my boyfriend.  I walked out to the parking lot at work thinking about cheeseburgers and onion rings and wound up with a very different kind of ring!

Yup, this girl is getting hitched!

Gratuitous ring pic...conveniently taken after I went and got an emergency manicure.  He asked if I was surprised or if I had been suspecting he might propose...I told him if I was expecting it my nails would have been painted and all one length!

The day before, I also went on an awesome hiking trip with Hank and some friends (both two and four-legged) which I justified as replacing my long run even before we started. Halfway through I realized that hiking was actually way more exhausting than any run I have ever been on.  

We got some pretty great pictures though :) By which I mean I got good pictures of Hank. I looked like a goof.

I also started my MBA last week. Because I totally needed one more thing to add to the list of activities!  My book didn't get here this weekend as planned so tonight I will be doing lots of homework.  I really hate to start the class this way but I don't have much other choice.

But before homework it's time to go do a little running (on the treadmill because the weather has turned brutal!)

Hope you have an amazing Monday evening!

 

Breathing life back into the blog

Can a blog die of neglect?
Oops.  Life got a little nutty and I couldn't keep up with everything anymore...and I ran out of data on my phone which was pretty much the death stroke.

To attempt to breathe some life back into this space, I am kicking off with a ten things Tuesday post. Mostly because that is the level of thought my brain is capable of creating at this point!

This one is pretty random:

1) I was pretty sure they were going to come find me and tar and feather me when the cleaning people went in my hotel room last week.  I am usually very good about leaving things tidy, but I made my tutu for my Halloween costume and there was glitter everywhere. Like really everywhere. It was awful.

2) I am kinda freaking out because I think I have a minor calf strain and my half marathon is this weekend.  I can work through the pain and I know I can do it, I just don't want to do more damage before the full in a few weeks.  Tomorrow will be a test run of a few easy miles to assess the situation.

3) I am obsessed with an online store that a new friend introduced me to.  Apparently it is soon to be a real store in Nashville, TN as well.  It is www.vinnielouise.com and she seriously has the best stuff.  I am ordering this llama sweater as soon as it restocked!

4) I tried Nuun for the first time yesterday. Jury is still out on that one. My stomach tolerated it well though, so I will try it on a run next time.

5) I finally did Meatless Monday for the first time! This is partly due to the fact that I lived on coffee and donuts for a large portion of the day...but I did pick all veggie things at Panera for dinner so I call that progress.

6) Speaking of Panera, I have a new favorite! The autumn squash soup has been my go-to lately, but yesterday I tried the mozzarella and tomato panini and  was pretty blown away. Of course I also ate the pecan roll.

7) Are there support groups for veg-curious people?  Now that travel is winding down I am considering going at least part-time vegetarian.  But I struggle to get enough protein as it is, so I want a veggie coach. Or something of that nature.

8) I wanted to run today to test out my leg...but I started getting dressed and realized I did not pack a sports bra.  Go figure.

9) It's really interesting to be signed up for two races in November and seeing the difference in the way they are coordinated. Today I (finally) got an email about where packet pick up will be for the half marathon this weekend.  Two weeks ago I got my bib number and race info from the marathon that is at the very tail end of November.

10) Boyfriend can't go to the marathon with me. The Army won't let him go that far away.  So yes, I am pouting a bit, but life will go on.  Now it is time to find a friend to be my one person cheer squad/co pilot.

10.5) I am an awful blogger because I am total crap at taking pictures throughout the day!

Hope you are having a marvelous week!

Marathon training confession

I am going to have to go ahead and admit that my mileage lately does not look like I am training for a marathon. Last week I logged about 12 miles total. That is not okay. Admittedly work has been crazy and life has been happening, but I can't let that be an excuse. This week I am going to get turned around and hit my mileage. I have to.  At this point I am terribly unprepared and I can't waste any more time.
Anyways, that's my bummer of a post for the week. Tomorrow I am getting my butt back on track!

in other disappointing news, my shoe is already wearing out!

Marathon Training Monday: week 8 recap

After my long run last weekend I was feeling on top of the world. This week started with the same feeling but fizzled a bit at the end.

Monday was supposed to be a rest day, but I met up with a group run going out of thru Fleet Feet in Mount Pleasant, SC for a 3.5 mile run and had a blast.

Tuesday was a long travel day so I used my Monday rest day. I also walked many miles around Charleston so I got plenty of exercise in that way.

Wednesday was 7 miles which I did on the treadmill. I couldn't remember if it was supposed to be at race pace so I did it that way just to be on the safe side. Turns out it wasn't, but I felt great finishing up at a 9:58 pace!

Thursday I picked playing with my dog over the 4 miles I was supposed to run.

Friday was rest day... which I completed successfully.

Saturday I worked all day and took my dog back to his sitter so I used all the walking at work as my cross training and figured I would do my best to fit the long run in on Sunday morning.

Sunday I woke up and decided to run the dirt road by my house for the first time.  I had no idea how long it was, but it beat dodging cars and it was close enough to my house that I could get back home in a hurry.  I got 8 miles done (of the scheduled 15) before I realized I was not going to have enough time to finish the run. Yay for traveling to college fairs on weekends lol. I tried to convince myself to finish the rest of the run last night on the treadmill when I got to the hotel, but by the time I found dinner I just wanted to go to sleep!

This week I am scheduled for 4 miles Tuesday, 7 miles at race pace on Wednesday, 4 miles on Thursday, and 13 miles on Saturday. I am considering trying to fit 4 in tonight so I have a bit of a buffer. But I don't get done with work until 8 so that might not be a real option.

This weekend will be another challenge with getting all my miles in, but I am going to try a FlyWheel class on Sunday for the first time, so I have that to look forward to!

Hope everybody is having a wonderful Monday!

Long Run: Short Weekend

Today was my last day off until October 11th I think...so I went to bed early last night and didn't set an alarm.  I figured if I woke up with time to run outside that was great, if not I would have time to log those miles later in the day on the treadmill.  No 14 miles on the treadmill did not sound fun, but setting an alarm also sounded awful.

I woke up at about 7:15 all on my own so I put on some running clothes and headed out...into the rain. Woo. The rest of the run just went downhill (except literally uphill a lot) from there.

I was running a new trail and the rain was coming down so hard I totally missed the parking lot for the trail access, got totally lost, and finally found another trail access down the road somewhere.

I filled up my new hydration backpack...and it leaked all over my lap because apparently the tube wasn't screwed in all the way.

My Nike app would not start.  After three attempts I finally gave up and thanked the good Lord I also have RunKeeper on my phone.  As a side note it was remarkably accurate, even in the awful weather, so it will possibly be my go-to running tracker from now on.  I really just need a watch.

In other news about disappointing Nike products, my "rain jacket" was compltely soaked through in a matter of minutes.  Running with the sleeves of your "rain jacket" plastered to you arms is great fun. I totally recommend it.  Only not really.

I started out the run on some super fun and muddy downhills.  I wallked a few because it was just way too slippery and I don't really like red mud on all my clothes. It stains and just sorta feels gross. But it was nice to know that even if I was walking, I felt good enough to be running.

When I finally got thirsty I tried to drink out of the little mouthpiece and nothing happened.  I was peeved and paused to take the whole thing apart (which meant spilling probably half my water in the process) and still couldn't get a thing to drink.  Until I finally (accidentally) pulled the mouthpiece out and it worked like magic.  Go figure, it closes so it doesn't leak.  Score one for the smart kid over here.

Oh and did I mention my dinner the night before was two tortillas and a can of tuna?  It tasted good but was doing about nothing to fuel this run.  Hooray for margarita shot bloks and their deliciousness.

At some point I gave up and strapped my rain jacket to my backpack because it was doing me no good at all.  And my earbuds were slipping and sliding all over the place and bugging the heck out of me.  I was terrified I was going to have to go most of the run with no music.  I just don't have that much willpower. Luckily the rain stopped and they dried out enough to stay in place a little better.

Other than the many many stops to adjust my stuff, I was actually making pretty good time.  I didn't pause RunKeeper so this is not a scientific fact, but it felt good.

Then I got to mile 7 and got to turn around.  The perk of out and backs is that as long as you can will yourself to go the first half, it is pretty easy to convince yourself that it's just plain easier to run back than it is to walk back.   I was very glad for this fact because I ran out of water at mile 7.

I tried to convince myself it was all good and it would be no big deal, but the rain had stopped and the humidity and heat were kicking in.

At mile 10 I hit the Wall.  I was pretty sure this was the worst idea I had ever had.  Then I met a nice couple and their dog.  The man asked how far I was going and when I said 14 he asked if I was crazy.  I didn't even pause before I said yes.  This carried me through a little longer, but somewhere around 11.5 miles I took hitting the wall to a level I have never experienced before.  I was dehydrated and convince I would probably die in the woods. Yes I am very dramatic when things get rough.  I hit Twitter and got some awesome encouragement.  I walked most of the last 2 miles because it was uphill in slippery mud...and also because I was dehydrated and couldn't get my heart rate down.  I did run the last quarter mile because I am stubborn like that and felt like I needed to finish strong for it to really count.

I could have kissed my car when I finally got to it.  Instead I chugged a ton f water, changed clothes, and headed home to shower and crash in bed for a bit.  It was the best shower of my life.  And crashing in bed for half an hour after might have been even better.

I finally drug myself out of bed (by promising myself iced coffee from Dunkin) to meet a friend to do a bit of gift shopping.  Now I am at Starbucks pretending I don't need to go home and pack my belongings.

Tomorrow I head to Charleston and it feels really good to know that my long run for the weekend is done!

The greatest thing about this run is that I finally feel like a runner.  I got up early. I ran in the rain.  And I powered through 14 uncomfortable miles.  And even though it was rough, I was happy and actually enjoyed it. Ok, until mile 12. But it counts :)

Happy weekend all!

Marathon Training Monday: Week 6

Today I drove over 420 miles through a ton of rain and traffic. Hoping for more running and less driving tomorrow!

That said: here is a recap of marathon training last week.

I finally finished moving all of my darn belongings last weekend…can I get an amen?  The weight room/fitness center/place with the treadmills finally opened again this Thursday.  This all means that I am FINALLY getting back on track with marathon training. Much more slowly than I would lie, but I am getting there.

The best part about going to the gym is that there is also an elliptical. I love these because I need to amp my cardiovascular fitness back up in a hurry and they let me do that without worrying about getting shin splints or just hurting myself in general by adding miles back too quickly. I know a mile on the elliptical does not equal a mile running, but I find them useful for getting my heart rate up and my body working.

Monday through Wednesday I did nothing (training wise).  I am just going to blame the weather. It has been hot, humid, and there has been a lot of rain and even more lightning.  Also I was just plain tired from moving

Thursday: 1 mile warm up on elliptical, 3 miles on treadmill at 10 min/mile, 1 mile cool down on elliptical.

Friday: 2 miles on elliptical, 1 mile on treadmill averaging a 9.25 pace, 2 more miles on the elliptical. (Side note: this was supposed to be my rest day but I was just really excited about running again!)

Saturday: 2.5 miles on the treadmill averaging 10’23” per mile. (Side note again: this was supposed to be my long run day but I ended up working all day.)

Sunday: no running. More rain, even more lightning.  Does babysitting a 2 year old boy count as cross training?

Here's to some sleep and many more miles to come!

Happy new week all.

Training: Week 2 update

Well week 2 is in the books.  Again it did not go according to plan, but I am not terribly disappointed either.  Ok, I am a little disappointed.

Here is a look at what was done:
Monday: rest day - accomplished with great success
Tuesday: 3 miles at 9:46 pace (a bit behind my 9:30 goal but not terribly)
Wednesday: 5 miles was the goal. Zero were run.
Thursday: 3 miles were planned, I ran about 1.5 with the dog.
Friday: rest day - but I did that HIIT workout instead and ran about a mile
Saturday: turned into cross training day with lots of walking
Sunday: 9 miles planned, 8 miles completed (see below)


So what happened?
I am going to blame part of my failure on my ankle and wanting to give it a bit of rest since it has been acting up lately.  A very large portion of the problem has been the weather though.  I don't enjoy running in the rain but I will do it, however we have been having terrible storms with rain so hard you can't see anything accompanied by thunder and lightning. I don't play with lightning.
While I am worried that the weather is holding back my training, I also know I will soon have access to a treadmill on a semi-regular basis so I am feeling okay still.

I also realized I have been lazy with posting so I figured I would share a little more about my week!
Monday night I went to the dog park and met up with the boyfriend.  After Hank wore himself out we went for a walk.  It was a super pretty path that I need to go back and run eventually!  There was shade pretty much the entire time as well, so that alone doubles the amazingness.  Tuesday was nothing special but my run actually felt really good and I was happy to get close to my goal pace.  Wednesday I worked late, changed into my running clothes, and stepped outside just in time for the storm to roll in, so I came home and watched Netflix instead. Because I am a responsible adult.  Thursday Hank really wanted to join in on my run so I took him thinking it was cooler than it actually was.  He was a trooper and would have kept going, but by a mile and a half I could tell he was getting way too hot and panting harder than I was comfortable with.  We walked the rest of the distance so I suppose I really did get in three miles, I just didn't run them all.

We run together and post-run relax together.  I stretch while he lays on top of the AC vent.



 I posted about Friday already :)


Now for the weekend!  Hank's lesson in Raleigh got canceled (again) because of these darn storms so I planned on getting up to run...or sleeping in and running later.  However, my friend called me at 7 a.m. needing me to pick her up from the airport (in Raleigh) because she had been in an accident.  Of course I was out the door in record time.  I talked her into a stop at Trader Joe's because I was out of cookie butter and needed my fix. I also picked up these delicious snacks and apparently the peanut butter is a new item.  It's very sticky and very addicting.

That afternoon we hung out and went shopping for her son's birthday present from me.  He's only turning two and I am not a baby expert, so I took full advantage of having her input on what he actually needs!  We walked the mall for a few hours which I am sure adds up to at least a couple miles!

Finally today I went for my run!  The only good thing about this crazy weather is that I was able to run at 4 in the afternoon without dying of heat exhaustion!  Which is probably good because I forgot to pack my water bottle and shot bloks.  Oops.  I also forgot my KT Tape so I was a little concerned about my ankle but I figure if it started to hurt I would just walk back to the car.
I went to the Cape Fear River Trail again so I tackled a lot of really steep hills but also had some great views!

 There is even a covered bridge and lots of this wooden boardwalk stuff which is actually pretty nice to run on.  The trail is 4 miles one way and well marked, which is great since my Nike+ app decided to crash halfway through. Again.  I planned to double back a half mile at some point to get to my planned 9 miles, but the rain was moving back in very quickly and my knees and hips were starting to complain from all the hills.  Basically I am falling apart already!  They are all old just problems that flair up occasionally and are pretty manageable if I just take care of myself.  Weather changes never help my case though!

My running selfies obviously need some work, but I did find this sign in a very convenient location. Also can I just say how much I am loving that mesh shirt from Brooks? It's reversible and beyond comfy. Plus I think I got it for about $10 at TJ Maxx!

There is a (heavenly) water station around mile 3 that I was so happy to stop at, but I was really impressed that I made it without my own water or any kind of fuel. I don't think I'll intentionally try it again, but I am really glad to know I can do it if I need to.

I refueled with a pepperjack bagel and hazelnut swirl iced coffee from Dunkin.  They were out of cookie dough iced coffee which just about broke my heart.

Overall it was a great week despite the rain and storms!  Hope you all had time to enjoy your weekend.

Proper Planning...and whatnot

The problem with life is that there is a big gap between planning and implementation. I am an excellent planner and I can, on paper, make a day that has time for everything. Then the next day I'll oversleep by nearly two hours and blow the whole thing before my feet are even out of my cozy bed.

This little munchkin wanting to snuggle also does not help.
And yes he really is that dingy in real life. We went to the dog park last night. Which is probably why the plan for the week post was not even written on time. Go me haha.

So here is a brief summary of my training plan for the week.

Monday: rest day
Tuesday: 3 miles (goal pace 9:30)
Wednesday: 5 miles (goal pace 11)
Thursday: 3 miles (no goal pace)
Friday: rest day
Saturday: 9 miles (goal pace under 12)
Sunday: cross training (hot yoga?)

Wait it's only Wednesday?

How is it only Wednesday?! Every day this week has felt forever long and I am beyond ready for 5 o'clock on Friday to just be here already!

I'm 2 for 2 on my scheduled runs for week though, so that's a good feeling. Today I really wasn't feeling the whole running thing (mostly because my heart was set on the napping thing instead) so I basically bribed myself into running.

I went to my favorite trail in the general vicinity to get my miles in. I would run this path every day if it wasn't an hour away!
But if you are ever in Fayetteville, NC definitely check out the Cape Fear River Trail. It's 4 miles and super well marked. I don't know why I love it so much because it actually has some pretty crazy hills for,this area! But the boardwalk at the beginning/end has railings that are perfect for stretching your legs. For reals, I need,to document my post run leg stretching routine. I'm sure it looks absurd but it's quick and pretty much makes my hips love me again after I torture them!

Then I got to go have dinner at Texas Roadhouse, because steak is always a good option and my boyfriend and I have pretty much made that restaurant our go-to.  Also this one is next door to a frozen yogurt shop. So that's basically all you need in life!

In other news, I've been fighting yt? ing with WiFi routers lie a maniac this week but finally have things sorted, a least for now, so hopefully life and this blog will get a little less sporadic by the end of the week!

Hope your week is moving faster than mine!

Are you there groove?

I fell off the wagon. Hard. But I'm here and I'm back to making plans. Which is a great first step I think.

I am a perfectionist and I am competitive. In some ways this is great, but it poses a real challenge other times because if I don't feel like I am meeting my goals I get overwhelmed and burnt out pretty quickly.

So here I am after a rest, ready to create new and more manageable goals!

Besides, I love love love mega planning Monday!

On the food front I have pretty much nothing planned. I am moving soon so I'm really just attempting to live off my pantry stash so I have less to pack and carry.

Running: this week my marathon training plan officially starts! I'm using the Hal Higdon Novice plan. With a few tweaks here and there of course.
The week:
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 3 miles
Wednesday: 5 miles at race pace
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: rest
Saturday: 8 miles
Sunday: cross training

Now for the particulars. I am aiming for a 10 min/mile pace. This might be a little overly optimistic but we will see what happens. I'm going to try it a few times and reevaluate at the end of the month.

Tuesday I am going to keep trying for a 9:30 average pace and Thursday will be more of a recovery run.

The big plan for this evening is to go check out my new place! Tuesday will probably be date night. Then the rest of the week should be uneventful until I head to Raleigh again Saturday morning for Hanks last lesson then watching racing Saturday night in Rockingham.

My biggest accomplishment this past weekend was (sorta) teaching Hank to take a selfie.

It's a work in progress.
Hope you have a wonderful Monday!

Battling the Runnning Blahs

I'll admit I go through phases - I will go for periods of time where I never want to stop running and it is the thing that makes me happiest in the world, but there are also times when I don't want to run and I can't talk myself into lacing up.  I've been in one of those slumps lately but I think I am finally overcoming it!
So today I've got ten things that help me get back to running happy. (If you have awesome advice please share!)

1) Take a day off from life.
Remember last week when I had a mommy-doggy day with Hank? That was a big step in the right direction for me.  It was a no pressure day just hanging out with the best four-legged friend I could ask for.  It helped me get my mind back in a better place.

2) Run somewhere new or somewhere special.
I went for a run in Tampa and had a great time seeing new things and running through different challenges. Then this weekend I went back and ran part of one of the trails I used to run all the time but will never stop inspiring me.  (No pictures because it started pouring buckets!) Both places made running feel more like a special adventure and less like a chore

3) New clothes/shoes
I like pretty things, it's no secret. I also think shopping is fun.  And I just feel more motivated to go for a run when I have something new to wear.  It's scientifically proven...or something like that.

The shoes are not new, but the skirt is. And I love love love wearing it so that gives me a little extra push to get out the door (and to do laundry lol).

4) Evaluate your goals and expectations
Many times when I am in a slump it is because I have set my expectations way too high and I get overwhelmed with trying to accomplish things.  Despite having never run a marathon I somehow mentally went from wanting to just finish my first to wanting to finish in less than four hours.  As great as it is to have goals, I was trying to progress way faster than what I could reasonably expect.

5) Set new goals if you need to
Expecting to suddenly be able to run several 8 minute miles in a row was doing nothing good for my confidence or motivation so I knew something needed to change.  I've started setting smaller and more reasonable goals for my weekly runs that I can easily monitor and change as needed. I set goals for a gradual progression rather than a super-human leap in skill level.


6) Make a new playlist
Although I am slowly learning to appreciate running without headphones, I am very much a music lover and a new playlist can make a world of difference. I get sick of songs and my tastes change (sometimes rapidly) so it's great to give the playlist an overhaul.  I use Spoitfy and love it to bits because it is so easy to change things up in your playlist (for free because you aren't buying all the dang songs!) or use a premade playlist.  I tried out the Bollywood Workout one the other day and it was so much fun and totally different from my usual.

7) Sign up for some fun races
As soon as my work schedule for the fall is set I am signing up for a half marathon series and a Halloween 5k in Transylvania County. It's ok to be jealous...but the better option is to come run with me :)
I love running in races so this is an awesome way to get my motivation back.

8) Bring back the "star chart"
 You know when you were little and you had a list of chores to do and when you did them you got a star and after so many stars you got a prize? Ok my family didn't do that and we just had to do our chores or get in trouble...but I'm borrowing the concept here.  I am not above bribing myself to complete my runs.  For example, this week if I do all my morning runs I am taking myself to a yoga/spin/barre class.  I don't go often due to distance and cost so it's a fun reward and healthier than ice cream (which, ok, I eat all the time not as a reward).

9) Find some friendly competition
I love using the Nike + running app because it shows you how you are doing compared to your friends.  I am competitive in a majorly huge way and will do anything to beat my friends at this game (or any game really) so it is awesome motivation to get at least a few miles in.

10) Don't run. 
In the past when I have been in a slump, I let myself stop going for runs but kept going for walks. The secret was to always dress like I was going for a run though.  I did this day after day until I finally just felt like running.  If I have tried everything and still can't find the willpower to want to run I will resort to this.  While it might feel like giving up, it has always brought back my love of running over time.

Missing the Mountains Monday

This weekend was exactly what I needed.  I will go ahead and confess that I totally skipped out of my long run, but I cross trained like a champ.  I also ran about two miles because I wanted to for the first time in a very long time.  Yay for kicking the slump in the face...finally.

I went for long walks up and down mountains every day and I have to admit that my legs on booty are still feeling it! I also rode four horses in two days.  This would not have been a big deal about 3 years ago, but now I am out of shape and don't have the same muscles I used to.

 

One of the ponies (ignore my super profesh riding with a halter abilities) and part of the driveway I walked)

Of course I refueled with awesome food.

If you go to Brevard, NC you have to go to Dolly's for ice cream and Julies for breakfast. It's a rule.  Also Pescado's (which I missed out on this time!) and Jet's Pizza (which I grabbed for the drive home and ate today for breakfast and dinner).  There are more too..so if you are going to Brevard hit me up. I will give you the very thorough list of awesome things to see and do :)

I also got to hang out with Duchess (the cat) and Luigi (the goat). They are pretty cool critters.

I even got to see one of my old campers and it almost made me cry...or maybe it did a tiny bit.

Now I'm back home and I have to confess I already miss the mountains terribly.  The weather down here stinks...and can literally make you stink! I have been sweating from the moment I walked out the door this morning. I think the heat index was around 105 today.  I got to give two campus tours and two barn tours, so I was walking around in the heat for nearly five hours. Super fun.

Now that I am back, it is time to plan for the rest of the week!

Food
Tomorrow night I have to cook a real dinner so I am thinking maybe stuffed peppers. Wednesday is work travel so that is a mystery...except I know I will be searching out a Dunkin Donuts for iced coffee because I am addicted! Friday is a picnic/BBQ at work for lunch and boyfriend is insisting on a date night.  So I didn't cook anything ahead this week. I have muesli and almond milk, turkey sandwiches in pita, and leftover pizza to get me through.

Workouts
Monday: Rest (which turned into walking about 4 miles in hot hot hot weather by the way!)
Tuesday: 3 miles, goal of 9:30 per mile
Wednesday: 5 miles, goal of 10:30 per mile
Thursday: 3 miles, goal of 10:00 per mile
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 12 miles, long and easy
Sunday: Cross training (TBD)

Saturday and Sunday will probably be switched because the dog has a lesson at 11 which means leaving the house by 8:30.

My goal is to do my run in the morning every day this week. Wednesday it is going to be necessary since I will be away until late and totally exhausted when I get home I am imagining.

Now it's off to SweetFrog to round out my nutritious pizza dinner haha.