Rewind of my 1st 5K

After 8 weeks of training, the time had come for me to run my 5K.  I'd spent the first 7 weeks on a schedule that included two 20 minute runs, one long run, and two days of cross-training, so when that final week rolled around when it was scaled back to include one 20-minute run, one hour of XT, and one 10-minute run, I felt like I was going to go crazy.  I was so tempted to do more than the schedule directed, but after reading numerous articles about the importance of rest before a race in the weeks previous, I did my best to adjust my eating to accommodate the taper and just veg out pretty much.

Even though the goal of the training was simply to do easy runs, I pushed myself each and every time - of course, when it's just an extra bit nippy outside, the pace seemed to quicken all on its own.  I'd noticed an overall change in my pace from say a 10:00-10:30 minute mile average down to a 9 minute mile.  With the little bit of extra rest, I got down to an 8:30 minute mile average.  It was incredible!  I realize there are all kinds of people who run faster than this, but honestly, it doesn't really matter.  It's just nice to know that I CAN do this!

Toward the end of the week, my mind was consumed with the idea that I must have the perfect outfit as the words of a salesgirl at Fleet Feet in Ridgeland really resonated with me: "It's not how fast you run; it's how cute you look."  I knew that I wanted to wear my Skirt Sports Tough Girl Skirt, but I was a little unsure about the top.  Given that the weather had been so chilly those two weeks or so before the event, I knew I wanted something warm, but I knew that the event issued long-sleeved tee just wasn't going make me feel pretty.   I'd stopped in to a Dick's Sporting Goods store and wander around the women's Nike and Under Armour sections when I'd picked up our "race packets" on Wednesday.  This has become old hat for me - it's the point that I actually feel at home as I browse which could be a sad commentary on my life, but I try to veer from negativity like that. ;)  At any rate, I found the most beautiful white 1/4 zip from Under Armour - the photos on their website don't do it justice.  I really liked it, but as it was full price (as UA stuff generally is), I tried to shrug it off and put it on my Christmas list.  Well.... all I could think about Thursday night/Friday morning was that bloomin' 1/4 zip, so I resolved to seek out my beloved's mother-in-law's assistance in the matter.  Angel that she is - she picked it up on Friday and I washed it that night.  I know, I know.  I broke the "nothing new on race day" rule, but well, what can I say?  I sure did feel cute.

As for the event, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from a race packet, and to be quite honest, now that I've seen one, I still don't know if I've actually seen a typical race packet.  I was under the impression that we'd have a nice little packet of pertinent information (like a map of the race route, schedule, tips for staying fit/recognizing the signs of breast cancer, etc.) along with our number and t-shirt.  Instead (for individual participants), there was a crate of file folders with race numbers, filed alphabetically by last name.  There were four volunteers working the pick-up table, but only one was working with individuals while the other three were there to assist with group pick-ups.  I should note that the majority of the people who were in line when I stopped by were individuals...  But patience is a virtue that doesn't always come so easily to me.  Once our numbers were located, they along with our t-shirts were put in a plastic pink Bank of America bag.  The only other thing in the bag?  An advertisement for a Komen credit card. 

Our wee man kept waking up, as if he could sense the anticipation in the air.  I woke up around 5AM and did my best to get dressed in the dark before heading downstairs with hopes that Coop could sleep a little longer before his grandparents were called into duty.  I believe I had a banana and a piece of cinnamon raisin toast along with a bit of coffee before we headed over to the mall.  I'd been cool as a cucumber about my actual performance in the race up until that morning.  I mean I knew I could make it through the distance even if I wound up walking, but I was just nervous that I'd do something silly like fall out, trip on my own two feet.... 

We sat in the car for a few moments, just watching the other participants - trying to figure out what our next course of action might be.  We wandered over to where a mass of people were.  We saw the registration tents and then a few information/activity booths...  but the line to get into the booths was at least 50 people long, so no time before the race.  We proceeded to wander over in front of the impromptu stage where a dedicated fitness instructor was leading the aerobic warm-up, which soon turned into a Zumba demonstration.  Props to her for doing it in front of total strangers, but there's no way I would have been able to shake what my momma gave me like that in public without a heavy dose of alcohol involved. 

A few minutes later, we heard some mumble from the stage about lining up at the start - the runners up front and the walkers in the back.  We just sort of followed everyone else because we had no idea where the start line was.  Once we got into what seemed to be the line, I noticed that there were pace range signs up along side the road to help arrange the chaos.  Of course, there were only a handful of people who actually saw the signs.  We finally noticed someone on a lift with a shotgun (tend to notice such things) and we waited to hear the shot.  Finally, it rang out.

Then the pushing and shoving commenced.  Had the start line extended the full length of the road in which we were lined up, it might have been a bit easier going.  As such there was a bit of a bottleneck, so when I finally approached the line, I followed the example of some other runners and ducked under the tape (didn't have a timing chip so it didn't matter).  Then it really began.  I did my best to hold back as it's so easy to speed up to an unsustainable pace at first for me, but I couldn't help myself.  I was passing people left and right.  Brad kept close for the first little bit, and when I pulled away at about the half mile mark UNINTENTIONALLY, I just figured he'd catch up with me eventually.  Somewhere around the first mile and a half, I fell in step with the runners around me.  At any moment, I just knew I'd have to walk, but I figured I'd keep going just as long as I could.  I was running alongside real runners.  I mean how cool was that?? 

The last mile seemed to last an eternity.  I knew the finish line existed somewhere in the vicinity of where I was, but as I rounded the familiar stores, it seemed it had to be moving farther and farther away.  I found myself turning to look for Brad, as his words of inspiration had gotten me through those last seemingly impossible minutes on our training runs many a time, but alas, he was no where to be found.  If I was gonna make it across the line, I was gonna have to pep myself up to do it. 

Just keep picking 'em up and putting 'em down.  That was all I could think. 

When I saw the timer as I crossed the line, it read 28:36.  Brad crossed about 15 seconds later.  I'd set my phone to track my time, but I forgot to stop it when I crossed the first line - however Brad was a bit more diligent with his tracking.  According to his phone, he's finished in 28:14, which would put me right about 28:00!!!  I'd never been able to maintain that sort of pace for the distance!  Yee haw!

We celebrated with friends by having brunch. :D

What Comes Around

On Friday, a friend of mine pointed me in the direction of a book, The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women.  After reading through the snippets available for preview on Amazon, I can say that it looks like a pretty funny read.  I can definitely see where a sense of humor would help you go the distance when your muscles were struggling. 

At any rate, it got me thinking again on running a marathon.  After reading a few of the reviews of this book, I started looking at marathon training schedules as several of the reviewers seemed to voice concern over the very idea of tackling such a task as a marathon with a mere four months of training.  I started by looking at Hal Higdon's plans.  After looking at some other plans in the course of surfing, I checked out the website for the Walt Disney World Marathon.  As part of the site, they include a couple of training plans and in at least one of the plans, they mention running at a 16:00 minute/mile pace.  I couldn't help but scoff.  I mean I typically WALK fast than that.  I felt smug - I mean if I take on a marathon...  I'm gonna take it on.  It's not gonna take me.... Right?

Well if my long run on Saturday was any indication...  the sport is quite capable of putting me in my place.  We ventured to try out our new jogging stroller and I was excited that it was just cold enough to try on my new tights.  My hubby selected a new route to try, too.  He took the stroller from the start as we were going to be tackling some hills.  I ran the first mile and a half with wild abandon - on the winding path shaded by trees up and down the rolling hills.  Then, I found myself struggling for the next mile or so.  It was all I could do to walk - my heart was pounding out of my chest.  I tried to take the stroller for a bit to add a bit of a challenge to my walk, but my chest muscles were shrieking.  I did manage a jog for the last little bit, but my overall pace was about 2:30 off my typical one.  Completely dejected, I would have normally sentenced myself to some make-up time on the treadmill, but I figured I might make up for it the next day after lunch after my mom issued a challenge to see how long it would take for us to run 4 laps around their neighborhood.

Let me just say....  having two cups of coffee and a big meal without a reasonable amount of water...  is not the best prelude to a run in the sun.  We managed two laps before we decided to call it for the day.  The overall pace was a little better than Saturday, but it was still off.  I wasn't the master of the run...  just a humbled participant of the sport.

With a better understanding of my place, I took to the road once again this morning.  Needless to really say... MUCH better run.

On a brighter note, I was glad to see the Preds play this past Saturday.  Hockey season is such a LONG one, so a loss here and there doesn't spell the end of your season (unlike say college football - or at least they like to pretend that a loss in CF is just that), but it was nice to see the Preds win their first game.  Will be interested to see how things go against the Blackhawks in the next game.

Crash into me

It's official.  The regular season of professional hockey is under way.  Yee haw.  And to think... had it not been for the 2010 Winter Olympics...  I would never had taken to this smashing game.   I mean part of what's so appealing about football for me is how aggressive it can be...  Mind you, I don't like when people get hurt, but I can't deny that I like to see big hits (unless it's against a Manning boy or my team).   Hockey is actually more aggressive than football... more scrappy.  That's appealing to me.  Hockey has also given me an appreciation for video games in the sports genre.  I mean I learned so much just playing NHL 10.  Defenders rock.

The hockey team I follow?  The Nashville Predators.  Looking forward to going to a game or two this season.  Shea Weber and Ryan Suter are awesome - even if Weber DID play for Canada in the Olympics.

In other news, after another 40 degree run this morning... I decided it might be time to get a hold of some Under Armour coldgear tights.  Was a bit surprised by the fact that our local stores didn't seem to think it was important to have much in the way of coldgear stuff (at least yet).  The store I eventually purchased some from had exactly ONE pair of tights that just happened to be the size I'd determined I needed.  On my home, I noticed exactly how small the openings for my feet were...  I kept trying to stretch it between my thumb and middle fingers, and it just didn't want to give an inch.  I began to question my sanity for not taking the associate's offer to let me try them on, but I made up my mind.... no matter how it might cut off my circulation... I was going to fit into these tights.   I envisioned a battle, but what I got was like butter on a hot skillet.  Just that smooth.  Granted they WILL NOT ride up, but I don't think I'll have to worry about them falling down either, so I'll be able to run in the cold with confidence. 

Crash and burn....

For at least the past couple of days, I have been ready to crash out in the afternoon.  I'm pretty sure that this is due to the fact that my carbs are a bit low, but I'm having a little difficulty actually making adjustments.  Today, I tried something a bit different and took a little nap...  Definitely feel more rested, but I'm not sure I'll be able to stay awake until bedtime.  Perhaps SOMEONE needs more sleep, but I reckon we'll just have to see.

Last night was the big man's first night in his "big boy" bed.  He hasn't attempted to crawl out yet.  We figured out that his bed could be adjusted to be a crib even at this lower height, but I'm not quite sure that would work out long term as it was hard enough to put him down sometimes when the crib was up a few inches.  So we will just see...

We went to the doc's this morning for his check-up...  He's 25lbs. and 32 in. tall, which is a bit taller and a little heavier than his daddy at the same age.  Even though he was exhausted, that child was just running in circles trying to stay awake.  I was just impressed that he stayed still long enough for the doc to check him out and thankful that my hubby decided to come with us.

Old T's and New Adventures

Yesterday, I pulled out an old game day t-shirt which I thought was destined to line the bottom of one of my drawers.  Picture it - Oxford, MS, on November 22, 2003...  the entire campus was charged up for the last home game of Eli Manning's college career, but the stadium was absolutely electric.  We watched one hell of a game, but in the end, the Rebels came up short to the eventual National Champs.  Still have flashbacks....

At any rate, that t-shirt has always reminded me that the Rebels came up short that night when I first experienced the outright hatred Ole Miss and LSU fans have for one another.  Makes me so glad that I passed on the opportunity to first experience it down in Death Valley the year before.

Well desperate times call for desperate measures...  As I prepared to run yesterday morning, I noticed that the temperature outside was down to 38 degrees.  I'd been trying to decide what the cutoff temperature would be, but my mind finally made itself up at that revelation.  I grabbed a super nice pair of Under Armour Coldgear pants that my in-laws had given me for Christmas last year and cinched them up tight.  Then I reached for this game day t-shirt as it is one of two long-sleeve t-shirts I own AND there are fewer LSU fans around these parts than Alabama fans (the other LS T).   The ensemble certainly helped me to keep warm and toasty as Jack Frost nipped at my nose and toes...

Apparently my boy has decided to really go wild.  Today I heard him stir after about 20 minutes into his afternoon nap, but I figured he'd just nod back off to sleep.  Then I heard a thud.  I ran into his room and he was sitting on the floor beside his crib.  I scooped him up and I held him close.  He cried for a few minutes, but after I checked him over pretty good, he appeared to be just fine... even though I was still really upset. 

Then later this afternoon I was tinkering around on my laptop and I vaguely heard him messing around Toby's pen.  I stood up to see what was going on...  and he had crawled into it.  As soon as he got wind that I'd seen him, he rushed out as if nothing had happened. 

Laissez les bons temps rouler?

Hips don't lie...

Carrying a baby on your hip is much easier when you actually have hips....  This statement is the result of my experience after a quick run into Kroger to check out the specials on produce while I attempted to carry my 20-something pound one-year-old on my incredible shrinking hips.  I found just what I was after in the form of some butternut, buttercup, and acorn squash.  However, being the rambunctious little fella that he is, he was unable to really help me out as I was doing my best to hold him with my left hand on my left hip as I attempted to put the squash into three separate bags.  I almost found myself putting him down, but in no time he'd have taken off to the bakery I'm sure.  I was lucky we made it over to the check-out with my baby, my squash, and my pants still up. 

That would be the one side effect of losing weight.  It's really a nice problem to have, but I do hope that I can make the necessary adjustments before any indecent exposure.   Just mad that Levi's doesn't appear to believe that longer lengths are necessary in sizes below a 6.

For the record, we finally got a chance to run the full 5K distance together this weekend...  managed to get 3.11 miles in 29:00 minutes - super exciting.  Still remember when it was a pipe dream to consider running even ten minutes at a time outside....