It was a quiet birthday, as birthdays go. Preston was working, so I just watched some tv and read a bit and hit the sack when I got home from a long day at work. The long day at work was an accident. I was trying to only give myself fun stuff to do, but it didn't really work out... the coworkers brought yummy foods and stuff, and there is no dieting on birthdays, so I pigged out. Just after lunch I started feeling like I was going to puke. I thought perhaps I had eaten some bad food at lunch? The feeling has persisted into today... I feel terrible.
But back to birthday business... this one was a strange one. Usually I look back at the year and think it felt short. I was 26 and now I'm 27, where did the time go, and all that jazz. This year, I already felt 28. I looked back at the year and thought, "I can't believe I'm not 28 yet." I feel 28. I feel a little old.
It has just been a really heavy year. My first full year in management at work. My boss had some personal tragedy and I had to shoulder a heavy burden while she coped. Then Preston's VAD. Even training for the marathon. I feel my 28, this year.
(It isn't helping that everyone at work assumed I was 30!)
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
CB&I Triathlon Race Report
Or yes, I am still training/racing even though I'm not blogging. I'm not blogging because my husband had a vertebral artery dissection, was in the hospital for 3 days, and is now at a high risk for stroke for the next 3 months. Ok, so I wasn't training while that went on. But I'm trying for back to normal, here. (PSA re: VAD to follow, I hope!)
So, around New Year's I convinced my 'rents to come into town to spectate at their first tri, my first tri of the season, the CB&I.
4am on race morning came early, as always. I managed to empty my belly 4 times before we left the house, and another two after we got to the race. We left the house at 5:15, arrived to transition with plenty of time for me to set up, find the bathroom, set up some more, bathroom again, talk to P and Mom and Dad, and wait some. I brought my bike to check-in the night before, where the lovely dude from Bikeland fixed the grumpy shifting that wasn't wanting to go from the middle to the large chain ring, and where I was asked, as always, "Have you crashed this thing?" YES, people. I am a total spaz. The bike has scratched paint, a missing shifter-cover, and is slightly bent because I crashed it. Moving on. Thanks to the dude for fixing my girl!
Anyways, my wave wasn't taking off til 7:24, so we wandered down to the water to watch everyone else's. I hung out with the family until about 7:15 when I lined up. I had swum at the practice swim the weekend before, so I knew the water was cold, and remembered how not to freak out, etc. Good thing. It was srsly cold.
I lined up about 3 people back as close to the bouy line as I could. I took a good line, and I was glad for it. I felt like I was only passing people. I wasn't passed except by the fastest people in the wave following. I don't know why the swims always seem to take so long... Out of the water in 11:07. Faster than last year, but not in the 10's as I had hoped.
Out of the water and into transition. Tried something new this time: put a hand towel at the end of my towel. Used it to quickly wipe my face, then bent over and used it on the tops of my feet. Was really pretty effective. Put on my Drymax socks (I definitely like these better than my Asics for triathlons), bike shoes, helmet, skipped the sunglasses because it was so overcast, and I was off!
Ran to the mount line, then wasted probably 30-45 seconds trying to get on my bike. Even though I had set the pedals before the race, they were moved, so I was shaking, trying to edge forward, trying to clip in... (total spaz). Finally I took a deep breath, consciously told myself to calm down, managed to clip in, and then caught my biker ass-pad on my seat. Rode out of transition with my bike seat-nose up my butt, telling myself if I could just get my left foot clipped in, then I could stand up and get my ass on the seat. I was seriously graceful. Not humiliating at all.
Anyways, once I was finally aboard my bike, it actually went shockingly well. I was passing people this year!! Not a lot, but, still! I averaged over 17 mph. It was pretty windy, but I just tried to spin it out when I felt bad. My arms still bothered me a bit - I get stiff, my shoulders ride up and I have to remember to relax them, etc, but I'm working on it. The bike really seemed pretty much a non-event. I rolled in just under 53 minutes later, knowing I beat last year's time. What more could I really ask for?
Ah, I could ask that they not make the bike-in run any longer. I am astonished that my T2 time is faster than last year's. It is really a tribute to the Yankz, because I had so much farther to run with my bike to rack it I figured I'd have lost any gains I made...
And out I ran. Couldn't get my Garmin going right - whatever, didn't care. Just keep the legs moving. And the legs didn't want to move. I felt pretty terrible. Pretty quickly fell into the "just keep running, only walk the water stops" routine. Which was successful for me. I did only walk the water stops. But I didn't feel nearly as good as I wanted, nor did I run as fast as last year. It is ok, and I'm not beating myself up over it, but it wasn't what I wanted. I think there were a few factors in play: 1) I have decreased running speed this year. That is no secret. I am not as fit for speed as I was. 2) I have decreased running fitness this year. I've been lucky to run 3 times per week since the marathon. I've been working on my bike, etc. 3) It was pretty warm, and super humid. I am NOT acclimated to that yet. It didn't hurt my swim or bike, but I really felt it on the run. And finally, 4) I think I mentally checked-out there a bit at the end. That is my own fault. I didn't have fight in me.
Overall, I'm pleased with this race. I went faster than last year. I went faster in 4 of the 5 split times over last year. I'm not thrilled with my fitness, but that is my own fault, and I still need to get a little of my mojo back. I'm working on it. I was hoping that this would help me solidify my Fall racing plans, but I'm still pretty up in the air. I'd definitely like to get a few Oly's under my belt this season, though. And I'm starting to think that maybe the fall running season should focus on doing half marathons faster, and then start looking at maybe the half iron down at the Lone Star Tri festival??
I'll publish the official splits and compare them to last year in the next post, when the results website is working!
So, around New Year's I convinced my 'rents to come into town to spectate at their first tri, my first tri of the season, the CB&I.
4am on race morning came early, as always. I managed to empty my belly 4 times before we left the house, and another two after we got to the race. We left the house at 5:15, arrived to transition with plenty of time for me to set up, find the bathroom, set up some more, bathroom again, talk to P and Mom and Dad, and wait some. I brought my bike to check-in the night before, where the lovely dude from Bikeland fixed the grumpy shifting that wasn't wanting to go from the middle to the large chain ring, and where I was asked, as always, "Have you crashed this thing?" YES, people. I am a total spaz. The bike has scratched paint, a missing shifter-cover, and is slightly bent because I crashed it. Moving on. Thanks to the dude for fixing my girl!
Anyways, my wave wasn't taking off til 7:24, so we wandered down to the water to watch everyone else's. I hung out with the family until about 7:15 when I lined up. I had swum at the practice swim the weekend before, so I knew the water was cold, and remembered how not to freak out, etc. Good thing. It was srsly cold.
I lined up about 3 people back as close to the bouy line as I could. I took a good line, and I was glad for it. I felt like I was only passing people. I wasn't passed except by the fastest people in the wave following. I don't know why the swims always seem to take so long... Out of the water in 11:07. Faster than last year, but not in the 10's as I had hoped.
Out of the water and into transition. Tried something new this time: put a hand towel at the end of my towel. Used it to quickly wipe my face, then bent over and used it on the tops of my feet. Was really pretty effective. Put on my Drymax socks (I definitely like these better than my Asics for triathlons), bike shoes, helmet, skipped the sunglasses because it was so overcast, and I was off!
Ran to the mount line, then wasted probably 30-45 seconds trying to get on my bike. Even though I had set the pedals before the race, they were moved, so I was shaking, trying to edge forward, trying to clip in... (total spaz). Finally I took a deep breath, consciously told myself to calm down, managed to clip in, and then caught my biker ass-pad on my seat. Rode out of transition with my bike seat-nose up my butt, telling myself if I could just get my left foot clipped in, then I could stand up and get my ass on the seat. I was seriously graceful. Not humiliating at all.
Anyways, once I was finally aboard my bike, it actually went shockingly well. I was passing people this year!! Not a lot, but, still! I averaged over 17 mph. It was pretty windy, but I just tried to spin it out when I felt bad. My arms still bothered me a bit - I get stiff, my shoulders ride up and I have to remember to relax them, etc, but I'm working on it. The bike really seemed pretty much a non-event. I rolled in just under 53 minutes later, knowing I beat last year's time. What more could I really ask for?
Ah, I could ask that they not make the bike-in run any longer. I am astonished that my T2 time is faster than last year's. It is really a tribute to the Yankz, because I had so much farther to run with my bike to rack it I figured I'd have lost any gains I made...
And out I ran. Couldn't get my Garmin going right - whatever, didn't care. Just keep the legs moving. And the legs didn't want to move. I felt pretty terrible. Pretty quickly fell into the "just keep running, only walk the water stops" routine. Which was successful for me. I did only walk the water stops. But I didn't feel nearly as good as I wanted, nor did I run as fast as last year. It is ok, and I'm not beating myself up over it, but it wasn't what I wanted. I think there were a few factors in play: 1) I have decreased running speed this year. That is no secret. I am not as fit for speed as I was. 2) I have decreased running fitness this year. I've been lucky to run 3 times per week since the marathon. I've been working on my bike, etc. 3) It was pretty warm, and super humid. I am NOT acclimated to that yet. It didn't hurt my swim or bike, but I really felt it on the run. And finally, 4) I think I mentally checked-out there a bit at the end. That is my own fault. I didn't have fight in me.
Overall, I'm pleased with this race. I went faster than last year. I went faster in 4 of the 5 split times over last year. I'm not thrilled with my fitness, but that is my own fault, and I still need to get a little of my mojo back. I'm working on it. I was hoping that this would help me solidify my Fall racing plans, but I'm still pretty up in the air. I'd definitely like to get a few Oly's under my belt this season, though. And I'm starting to think that maybe the fall running season should focus on doing half marathons faster, and then start looking at maybe the half iron down at the Lone Star Tri festival??
I'll publish the official splits and compare them to last year in the next post, when the results website is working!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Is this thing still on???
Ok, I'm back. At least I think I am back. I hope I am back.
I DNS'd the Trolley Run last weekend. I had also planned on running the TLA Hetherington Fun Run the Thursday before. Not a DNS because I had never signed up, but definitely also a mental DNS. The reason? Sickness. I woke up sick on Thursday morning, not too shocking since Preston had been sick earlier in the week, but a little surprising because I haven't been sick in so long. I had to go to work on Thursday and Friday (TLA and speaking at TLA), and so I still felt crappy on Saturday. My entire focus for the Spring, blown in 3 days. And my first ever official DNS.
I'm not as upset as I thought I'd be. I really need a re-arrange on my priorities, and the fact that the CB&I Triathlon is a month out, and I have no more only running races planned means I can stop feeling like I always have to run (and like I'm cheating on running if I swim/bike/lift) and can just try and focus on getting my mojo back.
So, this week went really well. I was still a little tired from all the sick on Monday, but I didn't let it stop me. 5 miles run and 1900 yards swam. Tuesday I was exhausted because I had gone to the Astros Opening Day (YAAAAAY BASEBALL IS BACK!!!!) the night before, but I still got on the trainer for an hour. Wednesday another hour on the trainer. Thursday 4.25 miles run and 2700 yards swam. Gonne lift/core today, and want to brick tomorrow with Sunday off.
Swimming right now is going really really well. For the past several weeks, every time I've gotten in the water I've felt really good, and I've been going faster too. Less stress on my aerobic system, less need for rest on the wall, more yards, and faster. I couldn't ask for anything more. Every time I get out of the pool I feel emotionally lifted. It is awesome!!
Running and biking are a slightly different story. The run on Monday was great, but Thursday blew, and I think that that is because I'm not used to running on dead legs any longer. Gotta do some bricks. Gotta suffer through this period of adjustment.
Biking is ok. I'm really focusing on it, and I am pleased with the amount of time I am able to spend in the saddle (up to 90 minute sessions so far), and I am seeing improvements in my speed, too. Biking will never be my favorite, and improvements are coming slow, but I keep reminding myself that they are coming, and for that I should be happy.
Been neglecting my lifting and core a bit, but that was to be expected when I started tri training again. That was why I focused so much on it at the end of the marathon training... actually I'm taking an aerobic-free day today, but I do plan on lifting and coring when I get done with this...
I'm really trying here. Trying to be back in the saddle, and trying to get my head inthe game. I'd like to try to neglect this blog a bit less too. Just the other day I was trying to remember some stuff, and I came back here to look at my race reports. And I got all the info I need. Sometimes I feel like I lose sight of what this blog was for. I started this thing for me, and its purpose continues to be to help me. I need to use it more. Everything else is a by-product.
Ok, I'm off to the gym!
I DNS'd the Trolley Run last weekend. I had also planned on running the TLA Hetherington Fun Run the Thursday before. Not a DNS because I had never signed up, but definitely also a mental DNS. The reason? Sickness. I woke up sick on Thursday morning, not too shocking since Preston had been sick earlier in the week, but a little surprising because I haven't been sick in so long. I had to go to work on Thursday and Friday (TLA and speaking at TLA), and so I still felt crappy on Saturday. My entire focus for the Spring, blown in 3 days. And my first ever official DNS.
I'm not as upset as I thought I'd be. I really need a re-arrange on my priorities, and the fact that the CB&I Triathlon is a month out, and I have no more only running races planned means I can stop feeling like I always have to run (and like I'm cheating on running if I swim/bike/lift) and can just try and focus on getting my mojo back.
So, this week went really well. I was still a little tired from all the sick on Monday, but I didn't let it stop me. 5 miles run and 1900 yards swam. Tuesday I was exhausted because I had gone to the Astros Opening Day (YAAAAAY BASEBALL IS BACK!!!!) the night before, but I still got on the trainer for an hour. Wednesday another hour on the trainer. Thursday 4.25 miles run and 2700 yards swam. Gonne lift/core today, and want to brick tomorrow with Sunday off.
Swimming right now is going really really well. For the past several weeks, every time I've gotten in the water I've felt really good, and I've been going faster too. Less stress on my aerobic system, less need for rest on the wall, more yards, and faster. I couldn't ask for anything more. Every time I get out of the pool I feel emotionally lifted. It is awesome!!
Running and biking are a slightly different story. The run on Monday was great, but Thursday blew, and I think that that is because I'm not used to running on dead legs any longer. Gotta do some bricks. Gotta suffer through this period of adjustment.
Biking is ok. I'm really focusing on it, and I am pleased with the amount of time I am able to spend in the saddle (up to 90 minute sessions so far), and I am seeing improvements in my speed, too. Biking will never be my favorite, and improvements are coming slow, but I keep reminding myself that they are coming, and for that I should be happy.
Been neglecting my lifting and core a bit, but that was to be expected when I started tri training again. That was why I focused so much on it at the end of the marathon training... actually I'm taking an aerobic-free day today, but I do plan on lifting and coring when I get done with this...
I'm really trying here. Trying to be back in the saddle, and trying to get my head inthe game. I'd like to try to neglect this blog a bit less too. Just the other day I was trying to remember some stuff, and I came back here to look at my race reports. And I got all the info I need. Sometimes I feel like I lose sight of what this blog was for. I started this thing for me, and its purpose continues to be to help me. I need to use it more. Everything else is a by-product.
Ok, I'm off to the gym!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Something's Gotta Give
I ran a PR at the Bayou City Classic 10K. I'm really pleased - it was by over a minute-twenty.
But I still can't seem to get up in the mornings. It is Friday, I've only run once this week. The rain has proven too easy an excuse. And I don't feel like working out today, at all. I never do on Friday. And then I never end up doing it on the weekends. And then each week starts over where I swear I'll be better and I am good on Monday and Tuesday, but fried by Wednesday and barely hanging on by Thursday.
Beyond the working out, I'm not happy. Work has been stressful (hence the lack of blogging). I'm to the point where it is difficult for me to give a shit, and that isn't a place I want to return to. To top things off, my normally wonderful boss is suffering from grief that is beginning to look like depression, and she needs me, but I can scarcely lift myself from this funk.
In my personal life, I tell my husband what I need, but he doesn't seem to be willing or able to provide it. I take refuge in books, and it pushes him farther away. And so we circle, like fighters in a ring, each feinting, but never closing the distance between us.
I think I may be teetering on the edge of depression myself. Something MUST give. But I don't know what. I don't know. I feel powerless to choose or change my path, and frightened to let the chips fall where they may if I do nothing.
But I still can't seem to get up in the mornings. It is Friday, I've only run once this week. The rain has proven too easy an excuse. And I don't feel like working out today, at all. I never do on Friday. And then I never end up doing it on the weekends. And then each week starts over where I swear I'll be better and I am good on Monday and Tuesday, but fried by Wednesday and barely hanging on by Thursday.
Beyond the working out, I'm not happy. Work has been stressful (hence the lack of blogging). I'm to the point where it is difficult for me to give a shit, and that isn't a place I want to return to. To top things off, my normally wonderful boss is suffering from grief that is beginning to look like depression, and she needs me, but I can scarcely lift myself from this funk.
In my personal life, I tell my husband what I need, but he doesn't seem to be willing or able to provide it. I take refuge in books, and it pushes him farther away. And so we circle, like fighters in a ring, each feinting, but never closing the distance between us.
I think I may be teetering on the edge of depression myself. Something MUST give. But I don't know what. I don't know. I feel powerless to choose or change my path, and frightened to let the chips fall where they may if I do nothing.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
From Park to Park to Mutt Strut Runway Race Report
After the Park to Park 5 miler, I felt a little lift in my extreme lack of motivation. I mean, that wasn't much slower than my PR, so maybe there was hope for me...
In the following week, I focused on getting in good runs, including a nice little 6 miler on Saturday that felt *good*. Got in 3 runs in the next week, and we were up to the Mutt Strut 5K race on the runway at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
Mutt Strut: I'd like to say that this will be my last year doing this one, but since it is on the runway and my hubby loves him some planes, I doubt it.
I'm just fed up with it, though. To start, they advertised on their website that if you didn't want a T-shirt it was free to run, or you could make a donation. I asked for no T-shirt (got a pretty full drawer anyways!), but was charged the full fee (which I was going to donate anyways, thank goodness, or I may not have had it on me) and the volunteer seemed totally confused by my lack of wanting said T-shirt. Not the volunteer's fault, but if you are going ot advertise it on your website, train your volunteers, please.
Then, they totally underestimated the number of people they'd get. They went on sort of a media blitz in the weeks leading up to the "race" and the mutt-strutters were out in force. Because of this, they decided to start the race a half hour late, when it had gotten quite warm on the runway.
They started the runners first (SMART!!), then walkers, then anyone with a mutt. I had forgotten my Garmin, so was just going to try to run by feel. It was almost 80 degrees, and windy. First mile on my watch was 8:11. I was pleased with that. Second mile 8:22. Also pleasing. I was running with the second chase pack, which for me, is waaaaay farther in front of a race than I'm used to. There was the leader, then a fairly large first chase pack, then a little gap, then the pack I was in. Unfortunately, we turned into the wind for the last mile, and I died. Oh, and also, most of the mutt strutters decided to turn around at the 1/2 mile mark, and made a huge crowd to run through, slowing runners down. Final time was 27:06 (gun) by my watch.
My suggestions: they really need to go to chip timing. They need to start the strutters 30 minutes or so after the runners to avoid the congestion. They need to anticipate the size of their race better, and train their volunteers better. And finally, they need to post the friggin' results!! It is now 11 days after the race, whose website promised results would posted "shortly" after the run, and no results. NOTHING annoys me more than a lack of results.
Again, if you are looking for a flat course, you couldn't find a flatter one than the runway at the airport. This event could just be having growing pains, but I'm not convinced... not sure I'd recommend this one any more, unless you just want a jaunt with your dog. In that case, it would be great!
In the following week, I focused on getting in good runs, including a nice little 6 miler on Saturday that felt *good*. Got in 3 runs in the next week, and we were up to the Mutt Strut 5K race on the runway at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
Mutt Strut: I'd like to say that this will be my last year doing this one, but since it is on the runway and my hubby loves him some planes, I doubt it.
I'm just fed up with it, though. To start, they advertised on their website that if you didn't want a T-shirt it was free to run, or you could make a donation. I asked for no T-shirt (got a pretty full drawer anyways!), but was charged the full fee (which I was going to donate anyways, thank goodness, or I may not have had it on me) and the volunteer seemed totally confused by my lack of wanting said T-shirt. Not the volunteer's fault, but if you are going ot advertise it on your website, train your volunteers, please.
Then, they totally underestimated the number of people they'd get. They went on sort of a media blitz in the weeks leading up to the "race" and the mutt-strutters were out in force. Because of this, they decided to start the race a half hour late, when it had gotten quite warm on the runway.
They started the runners first (SMART!!), then walkers, then anyone with a mutt. I had forgotten my Garmin, so was just going to try to run by feel. It was almost 80 degrees, and windy. First mile on my watch was 8:11. I was pleased with that. Second mile 8:22. Also pleasing. I was running with the second chase pack, which for me, is waaaaay farther in front of a race than I'm used to. There was the leader, then a fairly large first chase pack, then a little gap, then the pack I was in. Unfortunately, we turned into the wind for the last mile, and I died. Oh, and also, most of the mutt strutters decided to turn around at the 1/2 mile mark, and made a huge crowd to run through, slowing runners down. Final time was 27:06 (gun) by my watch.
My suggestions: they really need to go to chip timing. They need to start the strutters 30 minutes or so after the runners to avoid the congestion. They need to anticipate the size of their race better, and train their volunteers better. And finally, they need to post the friggin' results!! It is now 11 days after the race, whose website promised results would posted "shortly" after the run, and no results. NOTHING annoys me more than a lack of results.
Again, if you are looking for a flat course, you couldn't find a flatter one than the runway at the airport. This event could just be having growing pains, but I'm not convinced... not sure I'd recommend this one any more, unless you just want a jaunt with your dog. In that case, it would be great!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Park to Park 5 Miler Race Report
I seriously contemplated DNSing this race. It really shows the extreme lack of motivation I've suffered from since the marathon. Preston couldn't go (had to work), it was semi-chilly and I was worried that I'd have clothing/temperature issues without P there to give me a coat at the end, I was going to have to drive myself, find parking, pick-up my packet, run, ride the Metrorail back, and drive home... it just started sounding like too much.But I did it. Thank goodness that I am such a tightwad that I can't stand to waste money, and thank goodness I almost always pre-register!
I left the house around 5:30, hoping to hit downtown around 6. I am still a little grumpy with the race director on this one - participants could park free in the Toyota Center garage, but they didn't put that on the website, so if you picked up your packet the morning of, chances were that you had already paid $10 to park in a surface lot (as I had). Annnyways...
Discovery Green park is actually pretty nice. I've been hearing about it for awhile since my place of work has a facility there, but I've never been there.
Got my packet. *Thrilled* to notice that there was a bag check. No freezing for me at the finish line!!! (Another thing that would have been well-advertised on the website.) Went back to my car, stowed my stuff, then waited around until about 20 minutes before start before checking my jacket and lining up.
The start was a little different from last year, when we were coming from Minute Maid. I was using this race as a test of my fast fitness after the marathon. I knew that I'd be slower than last year, when I ran a 44:14 for 8:50 miles, but I harbored a vague hope that I wasn't terribly slower, despite my lack of training since the marathon, so I decided to go out for anything sub 9's, and see how long I could hold it.
The first two miles came rather easily. At 3 I was starting to struggle to hold my pace just a bit, and I remember thinking that if I was in a 5K I'd be done already! I also remember glancing down at the Garmin and knowing that I'd have been pleased with my 5K time (27ish minutes) if I was done. This gives me strong hopes for some of the 5Ks I'm going to be running for the rest of the spring season.
I slowed down a bit in the 4th mile, but still kept it under 9. Then we made that big right hand turn that I remembered from last year, the one that basically means 1 mile to go. I kept trying to tell myself to push it because I was almost done, and it worked until I hit the gravel in Herman Park, but then I just didn't have anything else left to give. That was combined with the extra caution that the surface change caused in me - I'm not sure why, but the gravel felt really slick to me, and I was vaguely afraid of falling.
Finished in 45:03 for 9:00 miles. 51 seconds slower than last year. 15th of 39 in my age group.
Looked at last year's splits, and I basically started slow and sped up through the race (despite a vague memory of slowing on the gravel). This year I did just the opposite: started fast, and slowed down. I'm sure that I ran a better race last year, but ultimately I think I could run a faster race if I could just find my pace and peg it like I did at the Trolley Run last year. That is what I was trying to do this time around, but I just didn't quite have it in the legs to pull off.
Over all, I'm really quite pleased with this result 5 weeks off the marathon. More importantly, I feel like I've got a little of my mojo back. I don't think that I can break my 5K PR or anything on March 7th (my next race), but I don't feel like I'm going to run a 30+ minute 5K either. And after I run that 5K, I'll have 4 weeks to the Bellaire Trolley Run to train for speed so I can really bring it to that race.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Chevron Houston Marathon Race Report
The Blow-By-BlowI had set the alarm for 3:30 so that we could leave the house for the convention center around 4. Drank my coffee to get things moving, got all ready (everything was laid out the night before), loaded Mom and P-stone into the car and went.
I love how the Houston Marathon gets the use of the Convention Center the morning of the race. Had Preston drop me off near the entrance and just walked right in around 5am. I wandered around for just a bit looking for anyone I knew and getting my bearings, but then went in search of a restroom, which I found on the second floor. I decided to hang out in that general vicinity (there are these really cool windows where I could watch what was going on in the main holding area below). It was really quite interesting because it was near the elite athlete area, so I got to watch the elites run up and down the hall warming up. Very cool.
Used the restroom probably 800 times... oh, this was interesting (in a human study kind of way). There were two women's restrooms within about 20 feet of each other (both very clearly marked). There was a line out the door and halfway into the hallway on the one closer to the stairs. I just walked right into the second one and was completely alone. Humans are funny
sheep.
Anyways, I finally decided to head down to the start around 6:15. It wasn't as cold as I had hoped (high 50's, maybe even low 60's), so I just wore one long-sleeved tech T that I got on sale at Target so I'd be warm at the start. My plan was to discard it as soon as I was warm.
I placed myself with the 4:30 pace group. My plan was to go out, try to stick with them, but if I needed to let them go, not to sweat it. Before long, I saw a few Yellows from Woodlands Fit. (Apparently 4:30 is the pace group of choice for Yellows.) They told me I looked nervous. I was!!
I placed myself with the 4:30 pace group. My plan was to go out, try to stick with them, but if I needed to let them go, not to sweat it. Before long, I saw a few Yellows from Woodlands Fit. (Apparently 4:30 is the pace group of choice for Yellows.) They told me I looked nervous. I was!!
I ran with them for the first 3 miles, discarding my shirt on the Elysian viaduct only about a mile in. I knew then that we were in for a hot day. I left my friends around mile 3 to go high-five my Mom, Preston, and Billy who were screaming like crazy! I'm not sure what happened, but I just never saw the WFitters again.
I kept running along, walking the water stops, almost in a sort of daze. I had one problem at the 4.5(ish) water stop - there was only one table for Gatorade!! My nutrition/hydration plan was as follows: the water stops were 1.5 miles apart. Every 3rd water stop, I'd take a Honey Stinger and water. All other water stops I'd do Gatorade and an Endurolyte pill. My much more experienced friend from WFit warned me not to veer from my plan, and not to miss any water stops, due to the heat. So, I ran past the Gatorade table thinking there'd be another (the first few tables are always super crowded, but then usually there is a table fully loaded down the line... again, humans are funny sheep), but in this case there wasn't another Gatorade table, so I actually had to turn around, reapproach the stop, wait for the ONE volunteer there to pour the Gatorade, etc. I probably actually lost a few minutes in that mess. That grumpified me, but I reminded myself that I'd lose a lot more minutes if I didn't hydrate, and also that this is my first marathon - I shouldn't be worried about time anyways!!
I also got a rock in my shoe somewhere in the Woodland Heights (maybe 5 miles in?). I wanted to take it out the entire race, but never did.
Shortly after that, I looked down at my Garmin to see how it was going, and noticed salt crusting around it. Already.
Then the strangest thing happened: I stopped thinking. I am almost always thinking when I'm running. Worrying about stuff in my life, working out problems, fighting the urge to stop, etc. But suddenly I looked down and I was 10 miles into the thing, and I thought, "Where did the time and miles go?" Very surreal.
Then I started fighting, though. I got blessed by the sweet smelling holy water near Rice. I saw Robert from work around there too. But I was already starting to hurt, and it was too early to be hurting. I kept telling myself to just get to Rosa from work, who was supposed to be at about 15.5, and then I could sit down and get the rock out of my shoe. I did get to her, but I didn't get the rock out. After I passed her, though, is when I really started tanking. Somewhere in that
area, too, I stopped sweating. By mile 18 (Around 3:30), I was in so much pain that it hurt just as much to walk as to run. I would run half a mile, walk 'til I felt a little better, then go again. I called Preston, who was supposed to be with my mom at 22, and asked if he could walk towards me. Then I just kept telling myself to get to Preston. He found me around mile 20. I was running so slow that he could walk beside me. We talked a little, but mostly he just stayed with me.
Somehow this was very comforting. I had psyched myself out about the not-sweating, and I knew I was very dehydrated despite all the gatorade I was drinking, and I was starting to panic and think I should go to a medical tent. I knew, though, that if I did that I would sit down, and I knew that if I sat my run was over - I wouldn't be getting up any time soon. With Preston with me, I stopped worring about all the medical stuff, because I knew if something bad happened, he'd get me help. It really eased my mind (which clearly wasn't all there, at that point). We saw Laney from work at 22 working the water stop, and then my mom, and then shortly after that Preston left me. He said, "Amber, walk, but don't quit." I picked that up as a mantra and sang/hummed it to myself for the next several miles: walk, don't quit.
When I got to the Shepherd crossover, I saw my boss and gimped to a run to high-five her. That was a nice pick-up, mentally. Then on Allen Parkway my strategy was to run the downhills and flats, and walk the uphills. That was just brainless enough for me to accomplish. Then I ran to
the library. Then I walked Louisiana (big wind tunnel), then I ran/walked every other stoplight until about 3 blocks from the finish, where I decided to run it in. I saw a lady from work around 25.5, unexpectedly, very cool (and I was running!). Then my mom and Preston had made it to about 26, so I saw them one more time. And then I was across the line.
the library. Then I walked Louisiana (big wind tunnel), then I ran/walked every other stoplight until about 3 blocks from the finish, where I decided to run it in. I saw a lady from work around 25.5, unexpectedly, very cool (and I was running!). Then my mom and Preston had made it to about 26, so I saw them one more time. And then I was across the line.
I had no emotional outpouring at the finish (5:22:49), surprisingly. I got my medal, then walked up to a volunteer, and stupidly said, "What do I do now?" I know it may seem strange, but I had been focusing on moving forward for so long, I didn't even know what to do. She was *wonderful*. She squeezed me to her side and explained what to do next. I went into
the GRB and got weighed (2.5 pounds down from my fully-clothed pre-race weigh-in two days before. On my home scale I was down 5 pounds from that morning after 2 pounds of water went in!). Then I got my finisher's shirt (no more smalls, boooo!) and mug, and called Mom and P to come get me. I had to walk almost 5 blocks to the car, and it hurt!! I was still humming
as I walked to distract myself.
When we finally got to the car, I climbed into the back seat, and let me tell you, it was the BEST sitting I've ever felt in my life!!!
I perked up in the car as the pain subsided, and by the time we got home, I was ready for food and a shower. I sent P to get Crispy Honey Shrimp from PF Chang's (One of my favorites that I don't allow myself because it is like 1300 calories!) while I showered and it was THE BEST FOOD EVAR!!
The Aftermath
I took some time off running, and all residual soreness was gone by Thursday morning. I went for a little 2 miler on Friday morning.
It was fun for everyone to ask/care how it went.
Lessons Learned
I was on track for a sub-5 finish until just after 18 miles when I slowed to a 15 min/mile pace and struggled through to the end. The problem wasn't that I couldn't run fast enough, rather that my body gave out too soon. With that in mind, I think that next time I need to do a few more looooong runs (Ideally, 2 30Ks, and at least one 20+ miler, maybe 2). I also did my
last long run 4 weeks out, and I think 3 (meaning only 2 weekends of taper and then the weekend of the big day) weeks out would be much better. Also, if the temps are slated to go over 60, I need to wear my hydration belt, despite the fact that it adds about 5 pounds.
This marathon was the single most painful thing that I've ever done on purpose. The only thing that hurt like this that I ever had the option to quit and powered through. I am proud of myself for finishing. But it only proved to me that I can do more, better. I will do more, better.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
2009: The Plan
My final 2008 tally looked like this:
Swim: 125,000 yards (71 miles)
Bike: 725 miles
Run: 730 miles
Weight: up 1 pound
So, what's on tap for 2009? What are my resolutions? My goals?
I resolve to try to do what it takes to be happy, whether that be swim, bike, run, rest, work hard, or have fun.
My mileage goals are as follows:
Swim: 141,000 yards (80 miles)
Bike: 1000 miles
Run: 1000 miles
Lift: 50 times
Core: 50 times
My weight goal? Get back below 130 (damnit), and then maintain 125-130lbs.
And now for the plan. The goals have actually been really difficult for me, what with the marathon coming up in 12 days... but the planning, well, my mind needed to move past the marathon about a month ago, so here it is. Right after the marathon, I want to do a swim focus. As in: swim 4 days per week for the month of February. As soon as I can walk/run again, I'd also like to start working on my short-distance speed. I'm running after some PRs and maybe some age-group placings this spring. I intend on racing the Mardi Gras 10K, Park to Park 5 miler, Mutt Strutt 5K, Bayou City Classic 10K, Law Week 8K, and Bellaire Trolley Run 5K.
At some point in the spring, probably April, I need a hardcore bike focus.
Then in May, I'll do the CB&I sprint tri to open up the tri season. I've got this crazy little notion of one tri per month from May-November, but we'll see if it really pans out. I also want to try a longer tri, an oly for sure, and possibly (if that and training go well) a half-iron. Oh, and I want the longer ones to not suck. I think I learned what I needed to from last year to train smarter this year.
I've got 3 potential end-of-the-year plans: either a half-iron in November, in which case I'll take an easy off-season in December; a series of one Texas half marathon per month from November-March (Houston, Dallas, Austin, Ft. Worth, etc.); or train for the Houston Marathon again. A lot of this decision rides on how I feel after January 18th, naturally.
And, even though this post is supposed to be about this whole year, the marathon is heavy on my mind right now, so I'd like to say a bit about it. I'm not feeling that confident. I am actually confident that I can finish it within the time limit. I mean, if I can run 18.6 miles in 3.5 hours (as I did in 70 degree weather a few weeks ago), then I'd have 2.5 hours to walk 7.6 miles at a pace of just under 20 minutes per mile. I can do that, and that is a worst case scenario, because I could have kept running at the 30K. It would have sucked, but I could have done it. So, I believe I will finish. Beyond that, though, I have zero expectations. None. I just want to finish. I just want to finish. I just want to finish. Uninjured would be nice. Smiling would be super nice. Less than 5:59:59 would be sweet. No expectations. This is my first one of these, my first time going the distance. This is just to see what I can do, to create a baseline for me to beat next time.
With all of that said, I'm excited for 2009!
Swim: 125,000 yards (71 miles)
Bike: 725 miles
Run: 730 miles
Weight: up 1 pound
So, what's on tap for 2009? What are my resolutions? My goals?
I resolve to try to do what it takes to be happy, whether that be swim, bike, run, rest, work hard, or have fun.
My mileage goals are as follows:
Swim: 141,000 yards (80 miles)
Bike: 1000 miles
Run: 1000 miles
Lift: 50 times
Core: 50 times
My weight goal? Get back below 130 (damnit), and then maintain 125-130lbs.
And now for the plan. The goals have actually been really difficult for me, what with the marathon coming up in 12 days... but the planning, well, my mind needed to move past the marathon about a month ago, so here it is. Right after the marathon, I want to do a swim focus. As in: swim 4 days per week for the month of February. As soon as I can walk/run again, I'd also like to start working on my short-distance speed. I'm running after some PRs and maybe some age-group placings this spring. I intend on racing the Mardi Gras 10K, Park to Park 5 miler, Mutt Strutt 5K, Bayou City Classic 10K, Law Week 8K, and Bellaire Trolley Run 5K.
At some point in the spring, probably April, I need a hardcore bike focus.
Then in May, I'll do the CB&I sprint tri to open up the tri season. I've got this crazy little notion of one tri per month from May-November, but we'll see if it really pans out. I also want to try a longer tri, an oly for sure, and possibly (if that and training go well) a half-iron. Oh, and I want the longer ones to not suck. I think I learned what I needed to from last year to train smarter this year.
I've got 3 potential end-of-the-year plans: either a half-iron in November, in which case I'll take an easy off-season in December; a series of one Texas half marathon per month from November-March (Houston, Dallas, Austin, Ft. Worth, etc.); or train for the Houston Marathon again. A lot of this decision rides on how I feel after January 18th, naturally.
And, even though this post is supposed to be about this whole year, the marathon is heavy on my mind right now, so I'd like to say a bit about it. I'm not feeling that confident. I am actually confident that I can finish it within the time limit. I mean, if I can run 18.6 miles in 3.5 hours (as I did in 70 degree weather a few weeks ago), then I'd have 2.5 hours to walk 7.6 miles at a pace of just under 20 minutes per mile. I can do that, and that is a worst case scenario, because I could have kept running at the 30K. It would have sucked, but I could have done it. So, I believe I will finish. Beyond that, though, I have zero expectations. None. I just want to finish. I just want to finish. I just want to finish. Uninjured would be nice. Smiling would be super nice. Less than 5:59:59 would be sweet. No expectations. This is my first one of these, my first time going the distance. This is just to see what I can do, to create a baseline for me to beat next time.
With all of that said, I'm excited for 2009!
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