So, after the Pittsburgh half in May which pretty much defeated me, I didn't know how I would feel about running distance again. It took everything I had to finish that race because of how bad I felt and really contemplated not ever running a half again. Several weeks went by of being out of the groove and not really having a good time on the clock or on fun! But something click recently...maybe it was the Butler Road Race. I don't know. But I realize that I can do it! I can! I am not going to let one race defeat me!
I met a friend on Saturday for a trail run. Linda is a friend of my other running buddies...the ones who inspired me to run, Joanne and Beth. I had never met her (but heard lots about her) until we met on the day I ran my first half. She was running the 8 mile run that day, so we ran the first 8 together. That was in March. I loved running with her. Our paces were pretty comparable and we had some nice conversation. Linda and I had planned on running the Pittsburgh half together, but she was injured and couldn't run. But she's back!
We ran on Saturday. Our plan was to do 5 or 6 miles on the trail. We started out slow, but funny at about 1/2 way to 6 miles, we got into a groove. Our pace picked up and it seemed like we were at ease. I learned a lot about Linda on Saturday and realized even more that we are perfect running partners. It did rain on us almost the entire time, but we didn't care. It actually felt good. And when we reached 6, we decided to keep going and we did 7! It was great! I think we both could've kept going and I look forward to the next time we run.
That 7 miles on Saturday reassured me that I can certainly run another 1/2! I have already signed up for one in October and there will be another one that I am signing up for today that is in September. As far as running Pittsburgh again, well, I have to think about that. If I do, it will be a mental race for me more than a physical one. But I have almost a year to think about it. Until then, bring on the half training! I'm ready!
My favorite running pic!
The Buffalo Creek Half
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
5 mile road race post-race thoughts...
About 2 weeks ago, Brady and I ran in the Butler Road Race. It's a 5 mile race that is held at the end of June. There is also a 2K race, which we have run several times. But this year, I knew I could run the 5 miles and as soon as I mentioned it, Brady said he wanted to run the 5 miles too.
As I talked about in a previous blog, Brady is really athletic. So he didn't need all that much training. He plays sports in nearly every season keeping him in great shape. We did go out running several times together. We made it to just over 4.2 miles on the last long run before the race. Our typical pace was just over a 10:30 mile.
I asked him what his thoughts were on the race. Did he know what his goal was? He said he really just wanted to finish the race and maybe come in under 1 hour. I told him that was fair and I could get him there. We just had to be sure to pace ourselves so we didn't burn out in the end. I bought him some new running shoes and a SPIbelt. He really needed the SPIbelt. His arms are sooooo skinny that an armband for his ipod doesn't stay up. Before we knew it, it was the day of the race.
At the starting line, Kip, Gianna and Nick cheered us on. They were all running the 2K. And we began...running the downhill. That's the best part of the race! At mile 1, we were running about a 9:30/mile. I figured that, as we ran about 1/3 downhill. Mile 2, we had a good 10 min/mile pace going. Mile 3, we were just under 31 min. Somehow, we lost time between mile 3 and 4...not sure how. But at mile 4, we were about 41:30. I figured that with the hill to the finish, we probably would be between 52-53 minutes. That was great! We did better than that! We came in at 51:15!! What a fabulous race for us!
I couldn't be more proud of him! He hung in there, we talked, we kept pace and we enjoyed ourselves! Not to mention, we blew away his goal of finishing under an hour! Woo-hoo!
Last year, I ran a 10K in November. I loved it! I think I'll let Brady join me in that race. After this 5 mile race, there is NO doubting that he can do it!
As I talked about in a previous blog, Brady is really athletic. So he didn't need all that much training. He plays sports in nearly every season keeping him in great shape. We did go out running several times together. We made it to just over 4.2 miles on the last long run before the race. Our typical pace was just over a 10:30 mile.
I asked him what his thoughts were on the race. Did he know what his goal was? He said he really just wanted to finish the race and maybe come in under 1 hour. I told him that was fair and I could get him there. We just had to be sure to pace ourselves so we didn't burn out in the end. I bought him some new running shoes and a SPIbelt. He really needed the SPIbelt. His arms are sooooo skinny that an armband for his ipod doesn't stay up. Before we knew it, it was the day of the race.
At the starting line, Kip, Gianna and Nick cheered us on. They were all running the 2K. And we began...running the downhill. That's the best part of the race! At mile 1, we were running about a 9:30/mile. I figured that, as we ran about 1/3 downhill. Mile 2, we had a good 10 min/mile pace going. Mile 3, we were just under 31 min. Somehow, we lost time between mile 3 and 4...not sure how. But at mile 4, we were about 41:30. I figured that with the hill to the finish, we probably would be between 52-53 minutes. That was great! We did better than that! We came in at 51:15!! What a fabulous race for us!
I couldn't be more proud of him! He hung in there, we talked, we kept pace and we enjoyed ourselves! Not to mention, we blew away his goal of finishing under an hour! Woo-hoo!
Last year, I ran a 10K in November. I loved it! I think I'll let Brady join me in that race. After this 5 mile race, there is NO doubting that he can do it!
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