13.1 Dallas Race Recap

13.1 Dallas is in the books!

The crazy look on my face says, "Whoa! The world just tilted a little."

 We headed to Dallas Friday morning after getting the kids off to school and getting packed up. We stopped to look at Camping World (yes, that says we are officially old) and for lunch at Chick-Fil-A. We then picked up packets for my sister and me at Luke's Locker before heading to our hotel. We were a little worried about it because we got it on Priceline and had read some yucky reviews on it. It turned out to be not as bad as we expected.

Since it was just Chad and me, we enjoyed a date night at Boston's. I never really think about what to eat before a long run, but the race had me nervous. I think I did just about right with a flatbread and a caprese salad (and a little dessert shot).

Saturday morning, we woke up early to very cold weather. I haven't had a really cold training run this round and was a little worried about what to wear. The tights I had brought just didn't feel comfortable, so I decided to stick with the shorts and compression sleeves I've worn for just about every long run. I knew I was wearing my Team World Vision jersey and arm warmers but ended up wearing my running jacket as well...and my BondiBand hat with the hole for my ponytail...and gloves. I had some pants I wore over my shorts until a little before the start.

We had a team picture at the TWV tent before the race. We still had some time to kill so we went down a level into the parking garage where it was much warmer. It was a smaller race than the other halves I've run, so it was nice to be able to get to the start line just a little before race time.

We didn't all stay together as a team. My parents were there (both are injured and couldn't run even though they had signed up for the race months ago). My sister wanted to start with the 1:50 pace crew. I stayed back around the 2:40 group. My sister-in-law was run/walking the half with her best friend. There were a few others from our team there as well.

The first part of the race went really well. It was cold, but my running felt easy. Around mile 4, I started to think about how much farther I had to go and had to tell myself, "Don't think; just run." That helped.

Chad was able to take the DART trains to try and catch me on the course. He missed me a couple of times but did find me at mile 9. I was so glad he did! I needed that mental boost right then. From about mile 7.5 until that point I was worried about possible tummy issues and just a general yucky feeling. But after I saw him, I felt good.

The course was great...a combination of downtown streets, wealthy neighborhoods and an asphalt runners' trail on the Katy Trail. Until mile 12. Somebody had the bright idea to end the race with a .6-mile uphill on Ross Ave. They even made an event out of it and timed runners from the bottom to the top of the hill for a separate "race" and prize. I was just thrilled that I didn't walk up the hill. In fact, that mile was one of my faster ones at 10:18. Pretty happy with that.

I finished in 2:15:53! My fastest half has been 2:20, so I'll take the PR. I'm most happy with the fact that it just felt like a good race...mentally and physically strong for me.

The Team World Vision tent had breakfast from Corner Bakery for us and our friends/family. The hot coffee was great! Overall, I'm really happy with how the race went. Today, I'm a little sore. My kneecaps hurt...not really my knees, just the kneecaps. The tendons between my feet and shins are tender. Some muscles are tight and need to be rolled. But overall, I feel pretty good. I'll try to post some more pictures when I get them.

My newest endeavor

I'm doing it again! I signed up for another half marathon. This time I'll be part of my church's Team World Vision team to raise funds and run the 13.1 Dallas race in October. I'm excited to do this, as my brother and his wife are heading this up...and my mom has joined the team!

Did you know that women and children in developing countries walk an average of 6 kilometers to get to water, and even then, it's often not clean or safe? Think about how many steps (steps, not kilometers) it takes you to have a nice clean, filtered glass of water...and how many of those we drink in a day. Won't you conisder helping me in this endeavor to help communities have safe drinking water nearby? If you would like to help, visit my page and donate! I'd love to raise at least $50 for each mile I run...that would be $655. We can totally do this!

A little about Team World Vision...

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization and has been fighting global poverty since 1950. It is one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world with 40,000 staff in nearly 100 countries, all working to tackle the causes of poverty and injustice.

Team World Vision is a program of World Vision that enables YOU to help fight global poverty. When you join Team World Vision, you run and fundraise to help communities in need. The money you raise impacts real children by providing entire communities with things like clean water and sanitation.

My half marathon finish

Action Sports International Check out my finish at the Dallas Rock N Roll Half Marathon! I was thrilled to finish in 2:20:31!

***I come across the finish line at about :10 into the video right in the center (I'm wearing a tank with black arm warmers and black tights). You'll see me...I raise both hands in the air, and I'm pretty sure I'm the one you can hear holler as she crosses :)

Race Recap

I did it! I finished my first half marathon yesterday. The Dallas Rock N Roll Half Marathon benefiting Susan G. Komen was an awesome first race!

Let's see if I can do this race justice...

We got up about 5:30 and headed out about 6. I debated shorts vs. tights and finally settled on tights. Then I debated my new shoes (which I suspected were causing my big toe/foot pain) vs. my old shoes (which need to be retired) and decided on the trusty Asics (saying a prayer of "God, bless these shoes" as I laced them up). My parents, kids and hubby dropped me off in downtown Dallas close to the start where I made my way to the Aloft hotel to meet up with the Komen fundraisers/runners. I was so thankful for that warm lobby! It was quite chilly, especially that early. My hubby drove my parents and kids to Fair Park to wait at the finish line while he took DART to find me at the start and then again at the halfway point.

I had quite a wait but got to down a granola bar and enjoy real bathrooms before we paraded past all of the corrals to ours...corral 11. There I was able to meet up with Marsha and Margie, two of my Team BFF's from the walk in November. My hubby got to stay with me until the start, and I really appreciated having his calming influence there with me (plus I got to keep my fleece jacket and gloves on as long as possible). Shad and his buddy Rusty joined us in our corral as well. I've never run with anyone, but Shad said he'd run with me at my pace...so I took him up on it. It was great to have company on the run, especially knowing he'd done this 18 times before!

We started off pretty easy. I tried not to watch my Garmin too much, knowing I can get too focused on how slow I am and how much farther I have to go. We did a pretty good job of keeping the pace between 10 and 11 minutes/mile. I felt great the whole time!

Chad made it to the stop at around halfway (right at 6.8, I think). I was so happy to see him! I ran over and gave him a kiss and kept on running.

I was thrilled when we hit 10 miles, knowing I'd only run 10 or more twice before. And I was just as thrilled when we passed 11, knowing I'd now gone farther than ever and was still feeling great. My legs were getting heavy, especially my right quad/hip area, but thankfully, my big toe/foot never gave me an issue.

Right at the end, Shad backed off and let me finish...and finish I did! I did get to see my mom and kids at this point (although it was kind of a blur, but I did wave). I need to plug in my Garmin to see how much faster I was going, but I felt amazing nearing the finish line. An announcer was telling the first-timers to cheer, so I did :) I was completely pumped crossing the finish line! I'll share that link in another post.

The finish line was a little confusing. I'd done the wave start at White Rock for the marathon relay, but I didn't have to maneuver the finish area. They had all the food/drinks set up right at the end. I did make sure to get my picture taken!

I connected with my parents and texted my hubby so we could all meet up at the Komen VIP tent, where I scarfed down a piece of a turkey sandwich. I was so ready for a shower, so we didn't stay too long, but I did run into a college classmate who also ran the half for Komen.

Overall, it was an amazing experience. After having such a horrible run last weekend, I was terrified...but I kept telling myself that this was a mental thing and that I had trained right and trained well and had this...and I can't get over how good (no, make that amazing!) I felt the whole way! I'm pretty sure I smiled the entire time (ok, maybe not every second...). And to top it off, I finished in 2:20:31...under my goal!

I'm sure I'll think of things I left out and add a few things, but here it is in a nutshell.

Speedwork

This morning (at 4:35, mind you) the alarm went off and I knew what was coming...speedwork. My Runner's World Smart Coach plan called for 3 1600 repeats, but I wasn't going for that. So I looked at the Hal Higdon plan and followed it. It called for 5x400 at 5K pace (which I altered to mean 7mph on the treadmill). It was a good workout, but I'm not sure I like 400's for a half marathon training plan. Next week will be a tempo run so I have a couple of weeks to figure this out. I may just modify my speedwork. I liked when I did increasing speeds for 400s or 800s. I also like intervals. And I really need to add hills somewhere. Still, the plan is to use Wednesdays as speedwork alternating tempo runs with something else (whether hills, intervals or flatout speedwork).

On a different note, I found this: http://www.ragnarrelay.com/biggestloser And I'm seriously considering entering. Granted, the likelihood of me actually winning a spot is a million to one, but man, what if I did? How cool would that be? And would I be able to get the time off work? And would I be able to "hang with the big boys"?

A relay would really be awesome though! I've looked at and considered this one: http://www.texasindependencerelay.com/ Of course, I like that it's a Texas thing, but it really looks like a lot of fun. The logistics of a relay are mind-bogling to me, but I'd love to give it a shot!

Anyway, I'm back to counting calories (although I may skip counting today's...not good...not good at all). I'm hoping I can see some sort of change in the right direction. I'd really like to tone up before the half. Of course, that comes down to doing that darn strength training again...which I forgot last night...again. I even took the "plan" to school with me thinking I could do it on my conference period. Wrong!

And I signed up for these Choose You! contracts for weight loss and strength training, and I'm failing miserably. I think I've gained weight instead and I haven't done my strength training. I'm just glad I didn't tie a monetary amount to mine. I'm sure that's motivation, but I'd be losing some serous money at this point.

Let the training begin!

Today marks Day 1 in my half marathon training...and it's an easy day, which is good, since I haven't run but once a week since the White Rock Marathon Relay at the beginning of the month. I'm debating on whether to run outside (where it's really cold) or on the treadmill (where the garage isn't quite as cold). I do have some new running gear from Christmas gifts: a SpiBelt, a long sleeve compression shirt (with thumbholes!), a fleece vest, two new BondiBands, and The Stick. I ordered myself some running sleeves last night as a Christmas present to myself (because I obviously didn't get myself enough before Christmas...heehee...a 3-in-1 jacket, a running hat, iPod speakers...lol). I do get to order myself some Phiten gear as well thanks to a sweet hubby's gift. I'm planning on the blue Air necklace and a 2nd generation bracelet and the stickers. Can't wait!

But back to the training...I am really going to try and stick to my training plan so that I'm ready to go when March 27 rolls around. That means that I HAVE to fit in strength training...I just know that it's going to make a big difference in my running.

It is so hard on Christmas break to fit in my running. It should be easier, especially this week when my husband's home as well, but it just isn't. Probably because I let myself sleep in (you know, all the way to 7:30). But by then, the kids are up and I haven't run. It's just too easy to get busy with them, the house, chores, being lazy, having fun, eating, etc.

But I AM going to run today...oh, yes, I am...even if I have to do it after Christmas #5 tonight!

***Update: I did manage to fit in my run after making a quick run to the store for ingredients for the dishes I took to tonight's Christmas. I was scheduled for an easy 2 miles, but the Garmin died at 9/10 of a mile. I had to guess the rest. According to MapMyRun, I ran 2.5 miles, so not too bad. I have a feeling I'll be a little sore tomorrow (but a good sore) just because it's been so long. It felt great to be outside. I wore my new long sleeve shirt (with thumbholes!), new fleece vest, long tights and my new BondiBand over my ears. It was just about right. I did get a little warm and figured out a way to cool off without too much trouble. I unzipped my fleece vest most of the way and pulled my arms out, leaving the top part flapping across my rear. It worked though. The run put me in a little bit of a rush to get everything ready to go tonight, but that's ok...totally worth it.

I'm at it again

I'm at it again...fundraising for Susan G. Komen, this time through the Marathon for the Cure program. In addition to running the Dallas Rock 'N' Roll Half, I'll be raising $250 for this worthy cause. You can find me here: http://www.info-komen.org/goto/cmjohnson. I hope you'll check it out.

It's been a while...

Oops. I just haven't gotten around to this blog in a while.

Let's see...my Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure was this past weekend. I think I'm just now recovering. It was an amazing weekend. Quick rundown:

Thursday: SB wakes up in the wee morning hours throwing up. That means little sleep for me. Not a good way to start this adventure. DH takes the morning shift with her; I take off the afternoon. She seemed ok, so I left as planned that evening for the hotel with DH and the team. I knew her grandparents could handle it, but she was ok. Got a decent night's sleep in the hotel and got up super early to get ready.

Friday: We head to the Opening Ceremonies. I lose a glove before we even start as I try to put my credential on my lanyard. Opening Ceremonies were emotional, but exciting. We head out walking. The cheering stations were amazing, and I loved seeing my hubby and parents at them. My hubby covered the beginning stuff for our local news station where he works. My parents met us at all the cheering stations Friday...very cool! Half the teams walks fast...the rest, my half, walks quite slowly. We finally make it back to camp, find our gear, shower. I visit the medical tent and get my feet taped up to try and keep the blisters at bay and get my hip worked out...thank goodness for those sports medicine folks. Her name was Linda and she was awesome! Sleeping in a tent in sub-40 weather was chilly to say the least. My sleeping bag/fleece liner combo proves quite warm, although the porta-potty trip is cold. Waking up in cold weather isn't good for sore muscles (which is why two team members headed to a hotel).

Saturday: We head out for Day 2, our longest. Once again, half the team is speedy...finishing by 3:30. The rest of us are almost last and come in at 6:30. Jessica and I battle blisters all day, hers much worse than mine. But we make it! And we promptly eat dinner and head to the hotel. Ahhhhh...a warm shower, carepted floors and a soft bed.

Sunday: Day 3. A short one, but ouch. I hurt so much worse. I self-cared my feet after the bandages came off in the shower. It worked. I learned a lot of tricks. I did visit one medical tent at lunch. Our team tried to stay together. I could tell the rest of the team struggled to go so slow. We loved seeing our kids and families in West End. The sight of those black team shirts was wonderful! Closing Ceremonies were good, but nothing beats connecting with our families again. The Favers and our family headed to Razoo's for dinner. Poor Jessica and I could barely walk. The best sign ever? "Limping is still walking"!!!



I took Monday off, and to be honest, a good night's sleep did wonders. I ended up weith a couple small blisters that healed very quickly and two sore spots, my left knee and my right Achilles. By Tuesday when I went back to school, I was pretty good. My left knee's still talking to me some, but it's not bad.

I actually ran 2 miles yesterday. It went ok. Nothing hurt too bad. It took a sec to get into a good form, but it worked. I need to get a long run in tomorrow...five miles maybe? I just have 24 days until my family's marathon relay. It turns out I am running a 10K leg. I thought I had a 5-miler. Oh, well.

And...the big news? I signed up for the Dallas Rock N Roll Half Marathon through the Susan G. Komen Pledge Program. I have another $250 to raise. My idea? I need to find a coroporate sponsor to pay the money...and I'll gladly airbrush tattoo their logo on my shoulder for my run! It's either that or I sell my miles...I'll run each mile for someone for $20 a mile. Hmmm....