I have done some great runs since my last post including the 12 K's of Christmas through Kirkland. I planned on running with my BRF's (best running friends) and in fact did start the race with one of them.
I let her know before the start that my legs were feeling a little itchy like they wanted to just go and she let me know her legs just were not feeling a PR race. We decided to just go with it and see how we felt.
I should have known better...
We started in the 10-11min/mi corral. I promptly lost my BRF within the first half mile! I was so irritated by how slow the herd was moving! I felt like I was either going to run over one of them or trip myself on their feet. So I did the old bob and weave and started going at a ridiculous pace. I never even got to see my BRF on the turn. I was too busy getting around everyone else!
Then at about mi three I ran into another BRF who had started in a faster corral. She was dealing with a stitch in her side so was running a nice comfortable pace. I hung out with her for a bit and got control of myself. But, as I am known to do, the next big hill I hit it again.
Let me explain, there are two times you Never want me setting the pace...on a hill or at the finish, no matter what finish! I attack both like it is my business. In both cases, I want the pain to end. So of course in my twisted brain the faster you run the quicker the pain will be over...no matter how much more pain you put yourself in in the meantime. Good Lord I am messed up!!
Then I hit just about midpoint of the race and I hit my first wall. This is the point were I learned my first lesson in racing more than a 10K, always bring energy!! I went out with nothing not knowing any better and I guarantee I will never do that again! Luckily, the aid station was not that far away! Silly me didn't even know where or if there was even going to be an aid station. As I said, I was lucky and there was water. I can tell you water has never tasted so divine in my life! I of course chug two cups (if one is good two must be better) which seemed like such a good idea until about a 100yards away when I got a side cramp. Nothing major, and luckily I remembered reading recently to run through that pain instead of stopping. It quickly was gone and my race was back on. You may have guessed that was my slowest split, a 1030 min/mi if I remember right.
The rest of the race was fairly uneventfull. I got into a nice grove and found myself in the pack of what seemed to be the very fit 50/60year olds. I felt good just being in a pack of anyone looking fit at that point.
I did eventually run into another mommy runner I had met at my running retreat. Her group kept me at a 930min/mi pace for around 2mi. We chatted for a few minutes and then TOOL came on through the headphone with about a mile and a half to go. Clearly it was a sign from MJK (my other boyfriend) that I needed to kick it into a lower gear and dig! I found my legs and just as I was about to run out of steam I saw my amazing husband and my two beautiful babies! I had an instant rush of endorphins that made my legs go just a little faster than they had been going.
It was truly a magical moment for me!! Good Lord how dramatic!! Imagine what I am going to be like after 26.2!!!
The Babies and I after my 12K's of Christmas Finish
The day after the big race was the first day of marathon training. YIKES!! This would be scary except I am doing the Hal Higdon plan which starts on Monday a rest day. Praise God!!
A pretty uneventful running week but it was Christmas week so busy busy busy.
I was able to talk my BRF's into a Christmas Eve early morning run. It felt great to start the day active! My poor friend Michelle was not feeling quite so good so she did not finish with us. She sent us forward so she could work out her stomach issues alone. Can't say I don't blame her. She is such a rockstar though. She finished the loop not too far behind us. We were still in the parking lot when we saw her run around the corner. I was so proud of her!
Not much to report right now. I am still on pretty short midweek runs and I have seven scheduled for Saturday. We will see how the cross training goes on Sunday seeing as though it will be New Years morning!!
One last thought...Mike and I were just saying that it is almost 2012, I reminded him that it will be the last year of our lives and I wondered if he had any big plans. Of course we were joking, but it got me to thinking...what would be on your realistic list of things to do if you knew this was your last year of life?? I have accomplished so many goals the last few years, and now with the half and full marathon in sight, my bucket is getting pretty empty. Time to start dreaming big again!!
I would love it if you have any thoughts on your last year of life list, just jot them down in the comments. Maybe we can all inspire each other...
Me, Michelle, and Melanie after our Christmas Eve run
Me, Megan, and Melanie after our Christmas Eve run
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