Racing in the Rain

Saturday I had a new experience. It was my first long run with my running group. I was excited and a little nervous. It had been awhile since I had run over 5 miles. I was scheduled to do 7 miles but had decided to do 8 since it is easier to know when to turnaround.

We meet to run at 7:30 am. It is still a little dark at that time during this time of year. The weather was also very yucky. At first it was just raining a normal drizzle. Quickly it turned into a torrential downpour with some gnarly thunder and lightning. Many in the group turned around once they heard the thunder and lightning.

I kept going as I felt relativity safe on the greenway as it runs through the trees with no open fields. Only one other lady finished her 8 miles too. We laughed and talked awhile until she just wanted to get the run done and ran ahead of me. I would have loved to keep up with her but I just could not move any faster. I felt twenty pounds heavier with all the water. My feet were soaked. The funny part was that I felt pretty good and not at all miserable.

Coming back, the greenway was like a river. It was crazy and a little fun all at once. It was like training for a mud run or obstacle course race.

I'm proud of myself for getting it done. I felt like a true bad ass runner :)

Last Long Run

Well I did it. I finished my last long run in training for my first half marathon. It felt great! I set out to do 10 miles and around 5 miles decided to make it 12. I just felt really good and the day was a beautiful crisp fall day. The leaves are finally starting to change in North Carolina so the view was great. There were a lot of other runners on the trail. I ran near two ladies that ran the same distance as me which was cool. I wonder if they are running next weeks race too.

12 miles is the farthest I have ever ran and this was my second time doing it. I've read about a lot of people training to 10 miles and having the last 3 miles on race day be really hard for them. So I definitely wanted to get as close to 13.1 as I could while training. I think more for the mental aspect than the physical.

Yesterday's long run was a confidence booster. I ran around my goal pace and even impressed myself. I think I'm as ready as I will ever be.

After my run I decided to drive the half marathon course. I'm glad that I did because there are some nasty hills on the course and I'm glad to see where they are. I think it would be mentally hard not to know what to expect. Especially since a lot of the hills are in the beginning. I think I'd start to wonder if the whole course is like that. Luckily I drove it and know that it is not.

Last night my husband wanted to drive the course so he could scope out the best places to cheer me on. Which I found very sweet. While we were driving it he told me he was very proud of me and he can't believe how long 13.1 miles is. He joked that he was tired just driving the course, haha. He told me which hills he thought would be hard.

I'm really excited but starting to get nervous. I'm trying not to think of the hills and how they are going to affect my run. I just need to trust my training and go into the race with a positive "can do" attitude.

"I Can and  I WILL!"

Virtual Marathon: Running 26.2 miles in 31 Days!

This month I participated in the Joggermom Cancer Run Virtual Marathon. In October you have to run 26.2 miles in as many days as it takes you. Normally I would have thought that it would be hard to run 26.2 miles in a month, but with my half marathon training I finished it in a week :)

I had a great time! 

Marathon Breakdown:
10/01/2013 - 5.21 Miles in 49:56 (9:35 pace)
10/03/2013 - 6.18 Miles in 58:03 (9:24 pace)
10/05/2013 - 3.27 Miles in 32:14 (9:52 pace) <-- Women's Only 5K
10/06/2013 - 12.01 Miles in 2:05:30 (10:27 pace)

TOTAL: 26.7 miles in 4:27:43 (about a 10 minute mile pace)

Two of these runs were firsts for me.

1. It was the first time I ran a race pushing my daughter in her jogger. 
2. I did a 12 mile run, which is my longest run to date. It is the highest mileage I will run before my half.

Women's Only 5K, 1st time racing with my jogger :)

12 mile run! Longest run so far.

Today I am 3 miles away from completing my second marathon in October.

10 Days until my first half marathon! Yikes!!!!

11 Miles to Inner Strength

I have come so far!

Yesterday I ran the most I have ever ran, 11.19 miles (and yes the .19 counts). It was a little rough in the beginning. My left leg has been bothering me a bit. My left calf likes to tighten up in the first 2 miles. Then my foot goes numb for a couple miles and then eventually it all goes away. Then when I'm my done my ankle is sore. I guess I shouldn't complain. I think my body may still be adjusting to running so much.

I love the second half of my long runs. It's when the "runners high" kicks in. I feel like I could run forever. Until eventually my body starts telling me it's tired. Then I'm done and the accomplishment is overwhelmingly satisfying. 

I have to keep reminding myself I just ran my first 5K this past March. I can't believe I can run 11  miles now. My past self would have said "I only run if I am being chased." Now I run to reach my 13.1 mile goal and I have found I love the time to myself. I love getting to spend some time outside in the fresh air. I also love to challenge myself and push myself beyond what I have told myself I can do. I have found my strength within.

26 Days until my half. Things are getting real :)

Did I mention I hurt so good today? haha -- And yes I am rocking dorky runners compression socks under my work clothes, shhhh....

Princess Challenge Virtual Race Series II Completed

I finished my Princess Challenge Virtual Race Series II.

I vacationed in Cape Cod for a week and did my longest run yet. I did 10 miles with my friend Jess. It was also my first time running with a friend. I really enjoyed it. Running with a friend made the time go by fast. 

We ran the Cape Cod Rail trail. It was nice but I wish we would have seen the ocean from it. We ran the last 2 miles the fastest as we had decided to get Dunkin' Donut ice coffees when we were done. That was some good motivation :)

Ariel 10 Miler

 I ran my Pocahontas 10K on a Monday after work. The weather is getting cooler but it is starting to get darker earlier (always trade offs). In true Pocahontas fashion a buck ran across my path during the run.

Pocahontas 10K

 Sunday I completed my last medal of the series. I had to do 10 miles for my half training. I decided it would be great to earn my Tiara medal at the same time. I am pretty happy with my time. I can definitley tell I am getting stronger. It was a perfect end to the series.

Tiara 10 Miler

 If you have not tried a virtual race, I highly recommend them. They are a lot of fun and usually benefit a good cause :)

8 MILE

On Sunday I did my 8 miler. It was the farthest I have ever ran. I was surprised at how good I felt. The beautiful weather definitley helped. Plus I did the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway which is a great place to run. There is shade almost everywhere on the trail. I enjoyed people watching as I made my way through 8 miles.

I was actually surprised at my pace. I did 8.03 miles in 1:19:42 with a pace of 9:56. I am pretty proud of that :)

Next Sunday I tackle 9 miles!