Amendment to the Race Recap

Did I mention that the 2:58 time included 2 bathroom breaks where I continued to demonstrate my skill for picking the slowest line possible, as well as a stop at all but one water table, the orange slice stop, the Luna bar stop, and the chocolate stop.

Isn't it funny how after the dust settles, your mind works over time rehashing the details. The ego is a cruel friend.

Race Recap - I Ran Like An Injured Girl

I forget why I don't like big races until we start and then remember, crap the crowd. I think it was something like mile 4 before the masses started to thin out and you weren't running into people. It's so hard for me to get a good pace going.

Pre-race, my 13 mile runs came in at just under 2:15. Not fast but with walk breaks I was happy with that. For the race I was hoping to beat 2:30 with the crowd and the hills. At mile 7, when I pulled a thigh muscle I was just praying to finish. Pain for 6.1 miles. I was disappointed because I wasn't tired and I was handling the hills well but the pain, ugh. I finished in 2:58:39. Under 3 hours, injured, well I can't be disappointed in that. Pain and all I enjoyed every single minute.

I think Nike did a great job with the race. I was disappointed with most of the race merchandise. Note to Nike - Not everyone has a long, thin torso and wide shoulders. Some of us are a little shorter and thicker, just saying.

I was told I would be hooked on the race and want to run it again. But I wasn't, could be the pain talking. It would be nice to have a pain free do-over. If I ran it again, I would want to be part of the Team in Training because that was where the excitement was on race day.

Probably wasn't wise to keep running but I came for the necklace and I wasn't leaving without it. I am still hobbling today but it's a small price to pay to say I finished.

Oh and Note to Self - if you run it again don't spend 6 hours walking around sight seeing the day before, just saying, might not have been a good idea.

Ready Set Go

Heading to the starting line. Going to enjoy every mile.
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Checked in at Expo . Plan to go back to expo sans husband =)

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All Set

Packed and ready to go. Hope to leave the pre-race jitters at home.
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Ice Ice Baby

The ice seems to be working. Just a little soreness left.

The sitting on my butt at home after work and skipping workouts has also probably helped the injury but not the size of said butt.

One thing at a time...

Going Going Groin

I believe I finished my 7 mile run yestrday with a minor pulled groin muscle. Not sure how I did it. Currently working on stretching. No problem. I have at least 5 days to stretch it out.

It was all a dream

I dreamt that I was late to the half marathon, I was running with a friend who isn't a runner, and we kept getting delayed visiting people's houses. We were only three miles in and it was getting dark because it was getting late and I kept thinking I am not going to get my necklace. Either it was too much beer before bed or I am experiencing a little anxiety about my upcoming trip to San Fransisco.

Race Ready

13.1 miles yesterday. I am now mentally ready for the race.

12 Plus Concrete

Equals a little over 6 miles. My plan was 12 miles but I thought I would venture from the neighborhood for a little less hill and different scenery. I didn't take into account having to run on concrete and at about mile 5 my left shin really started to hurt. So I called it a 6 mile run and a lesson learned.

Stay in the neighborhood

I have trouble pacing my walk/run ratio if it's not caused by a hill

Stay off concrete

Right now I am resisting the urge to panic. It's about 3 weeks till the Nike Half and I was hoping for a somewhat easy 12 miles. It just run, tomorrow could be a how different game right?

New Shoes

These are my new shoes. We're having a little problem with rain here in the Atlanta area so I haven't tested them outside yet. I did test them on 4 mile treadmill run and they passed. Thank goodness, last thing I need is shoe issue so close to a half that I may only be semi ready for.

I am having some pain issues with the bottom of my foot which I think has less to do with the shoe and more to do with standing at a career fair in flats for 6 hrs last week.

I thought the shoes were kind of cool but if you see them attached to my pasty white leg they're anything but cool.

Rain, Rain Go Away

Non-stop, thunder included.

One Month

One month till the Nike Women's Half Marathon. I am hoping to get in 12 miles this weekend, if I can find a block of rain-free time.

It's also probably time to replace my running shoes soon. Any helpful tips or hints for anyone who's run this race....

Penny for your Thoughts

I finally made the time committement and did an 11 mile neighborhood run Monday. I'd like to take credit but the credit really goes to Penny who was in head through out my run. Thanks Penny!

Fear of Commitment

Why I'll never really be a long distance runner - time commitment. It's not that I am too busy, although I am busy. It's the anxiety of knowing that I will need to spend the next hour or two running rather than cleaning, doing laundry, getting to work, sitting on my butt watching tv, or just being accessible to the world at large who may need something at any given minute. An hour, that's all I have to give. That's my time threshold. I'd love to change it and I hope to chip away at it because everyone should be able to dedicate time for themselves to do the thing they love.

With the Women's Nike Half quickly approaching next month I am not feeling so great about this time issue I am having. I hope to do better with this weekend's long run, because the last two weekends there were no long runs. Wish me luck...