The Chocoholic Frolic

Everything came together again nicely for today's run. I got a great night's sleep, and because it was a late start, I didn't have to rush out the door this morning despite the long drive to get there.

But, conditions were far from perfect, which always makes it interesting.

The good news is that it didn't rain. Actually, that was probably the best news ever because the temperatures were hovering at just around almost unbearable for a run that could have turned out much worse. I was going to hike back to my car after I picked up my packet to drop off my coat, but I'm glad I didn't because I needed that coat up until last minute. I found the pacer table and started chatting with them...then they offered me the space to keep my coat with their gear. I just felt very unprepared for this run for some reason. But I really shouldn't say "unprepared". Rather, I didn't take it seriously. So I guess the led me to think I was unprepared. To tell you the truth, I spent most of the time wondering if I should exchange my small tech-top for a medium because it looked a bit too short. Funny how these things can occupy every corner of one's tiny mind.

The run was around a frozen pond. I don't think this helped the "feels like" temperature. The 5K-ers did one lap. We had to do two. And, I started out way too fast. I fell in behind the 44-minute pacer, as the next pacer was the 47-minute guy. And I waited at the start line with two friendly gals who were looking to finish faster than 45-minutes. Of course, they were both in their 30s so I quickly started to feel very out of place and questioning my 45-minute goal.

I knew immediately after I started and hit the first hill that I wouldn't be able to keep up this pace for the entire 6-miles. But instead of scaling back, I attempted to settle in and convince myself that I could actually pull this off. But there was this other hill at mile 3. It was short-lived but as steep as three flights of stairs. I handled it well the first time, but the second time it about killed me. At mile 4.5, I developed a sharp side stitch which almost made me pull back entirely. But the 47-minute pace guy came up beside me and said, "You're almost done. You are doing great! Don't let me pass you!" So I sped up and refocused. But the damage was already done. He passed me with about a tenth of a mile left. And I sputtered into the finish chute.

I swear, though, that I ran this much faster than the Polar Dash. But there were hills on this run, and the wind was brutal as I headed south twice on each round. It slowed me down.

What did I learn? You really can't compare one race time to another unless it is the same course and the same conditions. Considering the hills and the wind with this one, I need to be proud of what I accomplished. And I need to pat myself on the back for a great run. It was, after all.

And I got a medal. And a really nice shirt...and some chocolate. (And found a sweet young girl to take my photo for me in front of the sign!)

Chocoholic Frolic 10K Race Results

Did you run today? How did it go?

The run that almost wasn't

Yesterday afternoon around 2:00, I started feeling like crap. I wasn't sure if it was something I ate, drank, or if I was just getting a bug of some sort. I'm still not sure. I knew it wasn't nerves or anything despite this morning's run. I was kind of bummed I had to go alone, and not knowing what the weather was going to do, nor knowing what the parking situation would be like, I really wasn't looking forward to going. But, I had signed up...I had a jacket, which I vowed I wouldn't wear until I ran the race, and I paid cold, hard cash to run...so dang it, I got up and ran.

My queazy stomach took me right through the overnight. The only good thing was that I knew I wouldn't have any trouble going to the bathroom before I left. The only trouble was wondering if I could STOP going to the bathroom before I left. I did...and I got out the door a little later than I had wanted to. But it proved not to be a problem because I got there early enough to get a great space.

The surprise was the amount of people running the race. I was quite shocked. I guess I expected a lot, but I have never actually been at a race where the turnout was greater than three or four-thousand. Even when the announcer said that there were 10,000 there, I was floored. Really? I set myself up at the 7:30 start gate because I didn't want to run any slower than that. But the only corral in front of that one was entitled "elite". I'm far from elite. And I immediately started questioning if I should be at the front of the line.

It wasn't necessarily cold. I dressed well. I was very prepared. Except I left my ice trekkers in the car. I really hoped I didn't need them. I didn't see any other runners wearing them so I went along with the crowd. I think if I had worn them, I'd have had a much faster finish time.

But despite the icy patches, I didn't fare too badly, running at a 7:54 pace, at least according to my chip time. Runmeter had me clocked at 7:37, which felt more about where I ran. I only say that because that is about what I did at the Polar Dash, and I felt like I put the same exact effort into this run...minus the icy patches.

It was cold and lonely when I crossed the finish line. And as I headed back up the road to fetch my banana and water, I saw a whole slew of people still progressing to the start line. Are you kidding?

I'm done! You haven't started? Oh, I felt bad for them. They have been standing out in this cold weather for that long, in their crazy but great St. Patty's Day outfits. Ugh! 

I was happy to grab my bag and get out. I was immediately chilled. And I stumbled upon a coffee shop almost instantly, but was discouraged when the line went clear out the door and around the corner. Oh well...just get in the car and go, I thought.

Then my husband started texting me...and my sister...and I just wanted to get to my car. I got a little turned around and had to walk longer than I should have walked, but it was probably just as well to loosen up a little before I sat down.

As always, I'm glad I ran. Now I can say I ran a "Get Lucky"...the most attended organized race in the Twin Cities. I may never do it again.

And I can wear the sweatshirt without guilt.

Get Lucky Results

The Polar Dash, revisited.

What a hell of a day! If you would have told me I'd PR on a sub-zero day, I'd have spit milk in your general direction. Well, maybe not milk, since I don't drink it. Coffee, maybe?

I didn't sleep well last night. I'm so on and off for sleep the night before these runs. Sometimes they don't affect me and I sleep like a baby, or sometimes I get a night like last night where it seemed like I didn't sleep hardly an hour. All I can do is thank goodness that I have slept so well the last three nights. That probably saved me.

I got up at 6:30am for a 9am race. I needed the extra time to go to the bathroom and maybe shove some food down my throat. My husband suggested we leave between 7:15am and 7:30am. I'm glad we did because we were able to get a primo parking spot right near the start/finish line.

I have to admit, I was getting nervous when the temperature refused to get above 0° while we made our way north to the cities. But at least it did rise. It was -12° when we left the house and rose 11 degrees along our journey. I waited until the last minute to dress completely before stepping outside the car. When I did, I was amazingly comfortable. I knew I had dressed well. I had on a pair of compression capri's and compression knee socks under 2 pairs of long pants, one pair was my UnderArmour Base 2 pants. On top, I had three shirts, including my Base 2, and then my Polar Dash Fleece jacket. I also had my Turtle Fur Totally Tubular on as a neck wrap, and my ski mask which allows my breath to aim downward instead of upward, consequently fogging my glasses. I had glove liners, and my heavy ski mittens on as well.

We arrived at the starting area about 30 minutes ahead of time because I had to pee. Trust me, you haven't truly lived until you have peed at 0° in a porta potty. The only bright side is that it didn't smell, because everything froze on contact. But it did make for an icy toilet seat.

Then my husband managed to help me crawl under a tent flap so that I could stay warm pre-race with the other unfortunate cold souls who decided to undertake this rite of passage for Minnesota runners. The crazy ones, mind you. In there I managed to get my iPhone situated since I didn't have my tech-gloves. The only part of my body I noticed getting increasingly uncomfortable were my toes. Somehow, I had forgotten all about my toes. I never had a problem with them before, but then again, I'm not lollygagging around for 30 minutes before I run.

Eight minutes pre-start time, we headed to the starting line. My husband went off to position himself as the videographer, while I looked for my pacer. I decided to go with the 7:38 pacer, thinking that was my best bet to at least get me a good start. I failed to realize, however, that he continued on with the half-marathon folks. I was basically on my own for the second half of the 10k.

The start was delayed about 7 minutes. This was not good for my toes. They were far from happy. The concrete below my feet was so bloody cold, I could feel it through the soles of my sneakers. I glanced over at a gentlemen who had actually duct-taped the toes of his shoes, to keep the heat in! Why the hell did I not think of that? The newest running sneakers are so light, that they are more mesh than sneaker. And I was paying the price. All I could do was hope the run would bring the feeling back to that extremity, and fast!

It did come back, but it wasn't fast. And it was probably the worst pain ever as it did come back. It is safe to say there were completely numb. It felt like I was stepping on a rope everytime I took a step. At mile 3, the pain finally subsided in my left foot and the feeling came back. It took the right foot an extra mile. I had a strong urge to quit between miles 3 and 4 because of this. I can't tell you how much it hurt. But I'm glad I didn't because once I got the feeling back, the race was pretty much history. I was able to keep pace. I did have to remove my sunglasses because they had fogged over and then froze. The face mask really doesn't do the job when you are huffing and puffing. And I had to keep lifting and lowering it along the route.

When I heard my Runmeter gal say "4 miles in 30:28 minutes", I knew I had a fighting chance at a PR. I just had to keep the pace up. The final 2 miles were a good combination of uphills and downhills, and I know I made up a lot of time on the downhills. At mile 6, I sprinted, at the best of my ability, to cross the finish line. I looked for my husband on the right, but did not see him, and after I gathered my Polar Dash Commemorative award and my cup of hot chocolate, I called to find out where he was. It ends up we just crossed paths, and he didn't expect me to cross as early as I did. How early? I wondered. Because although I hit STOP on my Runmeter, I never looked at the time. When I did at this particular time, I saw it read 47:07. Wow! That itself is a PR. And I knew I had hit the start button prematurely at the starting line because I had to get my glove liner and mitten back on before the horn.

It wasn't until later that I discovered my actual time was 46:04. Amazing! Stellar! SO DAMN PROUD!

I learned today that I have become a true Minnesotan. As much as I hate to admit it...

And I'm so grateful to my husband who acted as my Chauffeur and my cheerleader. He didn't have to...but he did. And I love him for that!

Yep! What a hell of a day. And what a start to the new year!

The Last Minute Half Marathon

I ran the Belle Plaine half marathon today. I got plenty of sleep, and woke up at my regular time. This race had a 9am start time. Perfect for me! I was unsure how long it would take me to get there so I left early. I arrived about an hour pre-race so I picked up my packet and sat in my warm and dry car until 10 minutes before the gun sounded...and enjoyed my banana, while I pondered what to wear. I brought a few jackets with me and a pair of pants, but ended up in shorts and compression socks, short sleeve top, and rain jacket.

It wasn't raining, but it was threatening. This is what held me back in the first place as it was promising to be a wash out. I've done this before...been caught in a downpour without anything to keep my somewhat dry. So I was pondering how to go into this run. I decided the rain jacket over top was the best bet.

I finished well, somewhere between the two other previous half marathons I ran this year. 1:45:19. I'm pleased with that! And since I went alone, I was able to stay until the times were posted. I actually finished first in my age group and was pretty shocked, since I swear I saw a few women pass me and thought for SURE they were older than I.  But, I got that medal AND a beer mug! I even could have had a free beer post run, but somehow coffee sounded better to me. No bagels, though! Bummer.

It was an extremely hilly run. I got kind of nauseous at times. This was a first. I have yet to get sick on a run. This was the first time I felt that it could happen. I definitely did NOT hydrate enough pre-run, post-run or during the run, for that matter. I kept thinking "...as soon as I get past this hill, I'll take a sip...", but it seemed like I never got past that hill! However, no pains, no aches, and no residual soreness.

Note to self: Do NOT wear Fila rain jacket again for a long run. All I did was sweat, and the jacket filled with water. I chafed along my waist where the jacket fell against my skin. Ouch! That jacket does not breathe correctly. I'll save it for fishing.

Still need to attempt some metronome training this week. That would be the only chi-component I have not attempted.

Here is the link to my Belle Plaine run.

Weather: Cloudy and misty. Temps near 50°.
Clothing: Fila shorts, sports bra, short sleeved shirt, Fila rain jacket. Brooks Ghost Sneakers.

Did you ever attempt a race run in a new piece of clothing?

Farmington Dew Days

This was such an exciting day for me, despite the pouring rain. I couldn't round up any of my running buddies to tackle this 4-miler with me, so I ended up going alone. But, I love these small town runs. There is just the right amount of people running through the back streets of the main section of town. A gun start, too! And just pulling the tabs off your race number and handing it to the tally person at the end. So much fun! No pressure, and there were bagels at the end (and cream cheese)!

But, as soon as the gun fired, the rain started. And it rained harder and harder and harder. The water was just pouring over my head, and into my eyes. Off came the sunglasses (prescription, I may add)! I was cursing now that I didn't wear my visor. I hopped, skipped and jumped over newly formed, raging streams in the roadways, yet still tried to keep a 5K pace. Not easy. And I felt it the next day in the form of sore calves and shins. By mile 3, it began to let up, and I passed a group of cross-country high school boys. I heard them say as I passed, "Hey! That lady just passed us! We better pick up the pace."

And they did, passing my up just as we crossed the finish!

But, despite being soaked and now chilled, I went back to my car, changed out of my wet shirt, and I awaited the posted results...one benefit to going alone. I was surprised to see that I was first in my age group! WOW! And I stuck around long enough to get my medal. Totally worth it. So worth it, in fact, I had a second bagel!

Farmington Dew Days - 4 mile run

Weather: Pouring rain. Temps in the 70s
Clothing: Fila Shorts, Sports Bra, Tank Top, Brooks Launch Sneakers

Have you ever run in the pouring rain?