Well, its done. Yesterday was the Race for the Roses 1/2 marathon that my sister, Ava & I have been training for for 12 weeks. I crossed the finish line in 2:13:24. A bit slower than I'd wanted but not too bad for the first time out. :) The beauty of running a new-to-you race length is that no matter what, you will set a personal record! So, my PR (that's runner speak for personal record) is 2:13:24.
The festivities began on Saturday when Ava & I went downtown to pick up our race-day packets. These packets include our race number, a timing chip that goes on our shoe, and of course, our coveted event T-shirt! We also got a fun little drawstring backpack to put everything in and lots of advertisements and coupons. Its like a little prize pack before the race even begins.
Then Ava hosted a pre-race carbo loading dinner party. We had rice pasta w/ a delicious pasta sauce, made from scratch by Ava, and an equally delicious green salad. Along w/ copious amounts of hydrating water. After sufficiently carb loading it was home to bed for a good night's sleep.
Ava & I headed to the race at 6 a.m. We were very excited and everything went smoothly. With so many people and a time crunch - to be at the starting line at 6:45 -- it can be quite hectic on race day.
The weather was great! No rain and not cold at all.
We were both concerned about the pain we'd been having since the Shamrock 15K four weeks ago. We decided to just take it slowly and hoped that it would work itself out.
The first two miles we ran together at an 11 minute pace. It was my plan all along to run slowly the first few miles and warm up my legs. After mile one I really wanted to go faster but I had to talk myself into pulling back, knowing that I had 12 miles left to go and not wanting to run out of steam too soon. At mile 2+ I realized it was time to pull ahead a bit and get up to my regular speed. I gave my sis a hand squeeze, "see you at the finish line sis!". From then on we were on our own.
At mile 6 I saw my mom and dad, Eric & Troy, waving and snapping photos. I smiled, waved, posed for a photo and kept running. Then I came to a table w/ little cuties (oranges) and gummy bears (my favorite!). I grabbed a cutie and a dixie cup of bears -- YUM!
Then I saw Corie standing on the corner waiting for me to come by. I think I saw her first and yelled "Corie!" and waived my arms around. After a quick hug, and handing off my gummy bears to her. I kept going. Even though I only got to see my family & friend for a moment it was a HUGE encouragement to keep me going. I can't explain how much it means to have someone there cheering for you. Sometimes I would even pretend that other people were cheering for me too AND each time I'd pass a dog, who was watching w/ its owner, I'd pretend that it was secretly cheering for me. Silly? Maybe, but it kept me going.
I prayed a lot too. Asking God for strength, both mental and physical and He answered by giving me strength.
Once we got to highway 30 (about 7.5 miles in) we had to run down and then turn and run back the same way we came....this was the opportunity to see who was behind you as runners were running both ways. I knew that I would get to see Ava and we'd have a chance to cheer each other on. As I turned the corner and headed back down the highway I checked my watch. Thinking she was probably about two minutes behind me I started looking for her. When the runners started trickling by, well past the 12 minute pace I knew something was wrong. I had either missed her running by or she hadn't made it this far. I prayed. I asked God to cover her, hoping she wasn't out on the course somewhere limping or hurt and alone. For a second, I considered running back down the course to look for her, but I knew I had to keep going - God would take care of her.
Once I hit the 10 mile marker, I knew that I would finish. I had three miles left and I knew that I could run three miles -- no problem. About mile 11.5, I started to get tired, "why am I getting tired" I thought. Then I remembered, "well, you just ran 11.5 miles". Aah, ok, I SHOULD be tired...keep going.
At mile 12.2-ish I had to go to the bathroom SO bad I stopped at a port-a-potty. Even though there was less than a mile to go, I was sure I could hold it no longer. I stopped my watch so I 'd have an accurate run time, put my ipod in my mouth so it wouldn't drop in the toilet, did my thing and got back on the race course. Feeling much lighter I took off, sprinting the last mile to the finish line.
As I rounded the corner to the finish I saw my Dad first, "go Sally!" as he snapped pictures, then Eric & Mom, "go Sally!" snap snap, more pics. Mom called out, "Look Up!" I looked up at the overpass above me. There was AVA smiling down, cheering me on w/ Troy! " Thank you Lord," I said, so glad to see her safe and sound.
I crossed the finish line and collected my finishers rose. I did it.....I did it!
It turned out that Ava was forced to stop at mile 6 because of her hip pain. She was limping and would not have been able to safely finish the race. Thankfully, she was able to stop when she got to our family so she didn't have to limp off of the course alone. I'm glad Troy talked her into stopping, because I know that she wanted to try and finish -- but it wouldn't have been a good choice. There will be other races.
What's more is that yesterday wasn't really just about yesterday. It was about the last four months, planning and training and rewarding and encouraging one another. Working "together" with one common goal. I would not have done it if it hadn't been for AVA.
I think that Bette Midler said it best when she said, "you are the wind beneath my wings".
Stay tuned for pictures.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Ecclesiates 4:9-10
"Two are better than one because they have a good return for thier work.
If one falls down, his friend can help him up".
When we started our training the countdown clock was at 84 Days! The days have ticked by, and now the clock diplays only hours.
Tomorrow at this time our parents and husbands will be celebrating with us Gloria's Secret Cafe. Though we will be sore and tired, we will have accomplished what we set out to do.
Run, Sister! Run!
If one falls down, his friend can help him up".
When we started our training the countdown clock was at 84 Days! The days have ticked by, and now the clock diplays only hours.
Tomorrow at this time our parents and husbands will be celebrating with us Gloria's Secret Cafe. Though we will be sore and tired, we will have accomplished what we set out to do.
Run, Sister! Run!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Pre-Race Injuries
I'm usually one of those people who isn't too tolerant of folks and their sports injuries. "Really", I would think to myself, "suck it up and train already".
That is, until I started running. First was the silly IT band thing which miraculously went away after 10 days of stretching, icing and rolling. I had a great long distance run on Saturday. Felt Great Sunday, went to yoga. Felt great Monday. Tuesday, "BAM!" woke up with a painful hamstring and limped around all day.
Was able to run 4 miles on Tuesday. Today it's excruciating. Got a sports massage on my lunch hour to knead it out, stretched like gumby and then tried to run. Got about 4 steps and had to stop.
I refuse to have even one negative or self doubting thought in my head about this. My plan is to cool it on the running the rest of the week, I'll cycle, stretch and hydrate, meditate and pray. Hopefully all those things are enough to make me feel strong at the starting line.
That is, until I started running. First was the silly IT band thing which miraculously went away after 10 days of stretching, icing and rolling. I had a great long distance run on Saturday. Felt Great Sunday, went to yoga. Felt great Monday. Tuesday, "BAM!" woke up with a painful hamstring and limped around all day.
Was able to run 4 miles on Tuesday. Today it's excruciating. Got a sports massage on my lunch hour to knead it out, stretched like gumby and then tried to run. Got about 4 steps and had to stop.
I refuse to have even one negative or self doubting thought in my head about this. My plan is to cool it on the running the rest of the week, I'll cycle, stretch and hydrate, meditate and pray. Hopefully all those things are enough to make me feel strong at the starting line.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
"REWARD", a matter of perspective
It was 5pm when I stepped out of my warm jeep onto the cold wet pavement of Farimount Loop. I zipped my fleece jacket snug around my neck and pulled down my cap to ward against the 42 degree windy rain. "Okay, Jew-bert, let's see what you're made of", I muttered as I set out on my 10 mile run.
As I often do during my runs, my mind wanders to my sister and how blessed I feel to be on this adventure with her. When we first planned this little tour de force, we decided that after every 4 weeks of training we would enjoy a reward together. Very quickly the training schedule was pushed to the side of the table as we discussed the type of reward we would get.
"How about a massage?"
Yes, definitely!.....
"What do you think of pedicures?"
We will need them after our long runs....
"I'd like a new running outfit"
And you will certainly deserve it.....
And so it went. Today I wondered what we would do for our encore... a memory of a conversation I had with Troy several years ago came to mind. I was setting out on a new weight loss program and he was helping me set my schedule. "What do I get when I loose those 10 pounds?" I asked eagerly. ~ He just stared at me, incredulous. "What do you GET?!? (pause for dramatic effect) You GET to weigh 10 pounds less!"
One of the reasons I married this man; he will always tell it as it is.
Okay... Now, back to me. As I was running today, thinking of my sister and our upcoming reward it dawned on me that THIS IS the reward.
REWARD: Being healthy enough to run 10 miles comfortably.
REWARD: Filling my lungs with fresh air and oxygen for almost two hours (even if it was cold air)
REWARD: The 14 beats per minute my resting heart rate has dropped since I began training.
REWARD: The way my favorite jeans fit now, with room in the bum.
REWARD: Endorphins from running don't leave you hungover in the morning.
REWARD: I feel healthy, fit and focused. I think I might even be a nicer person.
Things we do along the way to stay motivated are small celebrations of milestones passed. This entire experience has been the best REWARD, I could think of.
Author's Post Script: But ABOUT that encore.....What do you think of Cirque's KOOZA or the Bare Naked Ladies concert???
As I often do during my runs, my mind wanders to my sister and how blessed I feel to be on this adventure with her. When we first planned this little tour de force, we decided that after every 4 weeks of training we would enjoy a reward together. Very quickly the training schedule was pushed to the side of the table as we discussed the type of reward we would get.
"How about a massage?"
Yes, definitely!.....
"What do you think of pedicures?"
We will need them after our long runs....
"I'd like a new running outfit"
And you will certainly deserve it.....
And so it went. Today I wondered what we would do for our encore... a memory of a conversation I had with Troy several years ago came to mind. I was setting out on a new weight loss program and he was helping me set my schedule. "What do I get when I loose those 10 pounds?" I asked eagerly. ~ He just stared at me, incredulous. "What do you GET?!? (pause for dramatic effect) You GET to weigh 10 pounds less!"
One of the reasons I married this man; he will always tell it as it is.
Okay... Now, back to me. As I was running today, thinking of my sister and our upcoming reward it dawned on me that THIS IS the reward.
REWARD: Being healthy enough to run 10 miles comfortably.
REWARD: Filling my lungs with fresh air and oxygen for almost two hours (even if it was cold air)
REWARD: The 14 beats per minute my resting heart rate has dropped since I began training.
REWARD: The way my favorite jeans fit now, with room in the bum.
REWARD: Endorphins from running don't leave you hungover in the morning.
REWARD: I feel healthy, fit and focused. I think I might even be a nicer person.
Things we do along the way to stay motivated are small celebrations of milestones passed. This entire experience has been the best REWARD, I could think of.
Author's Post Script: But ABOUT that encore.....What do you think of Cirque's KOOZA or the Bare Naked Ladies concert???
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Power of Ten
It was a dark and stormy morning when I pulled into the Nike World Campus. I knew I had ten miles ahead but I still had not decided how to accomplish such a challenge on a day such as this. My gym bag was packed with many layers of clothing so either way I was "covered". I didn't want to run outside in the rain mainly because I didn't want to ruin my running shoes -- which are cute and kind of space-age looking. Also, it wouldn't be a good idea to buy new running shoes one week before the big day. Its suggested by veteran runners to run one's event in the same shoes one trained in.
Well, this story could get longer but since I'm too tired to be creative I'll just tell you what happened.
I ran the first five miles on the treadmill inside the gym. It was so boring and I hated every minute of it -- but I pushed through each mile knowing that I'd be glad to have them behind me when I hit the pavement outside for the last five miles. When I got outside and the cool air hit my, now-beginning-to-be-sore legs, it felt great and reinvigorating. I ran around the campus twice to complete 5 miles (first the big loop then the small loop, for those who are paying attention). With each mile that ticked by I encouraged myself aloud. When the tenth mile was complete I lifted my arms in victory--Rocky Balboa style. I wanted to run back into the gym and announce to the whole world that "I JUST RAN TEN MILES!" But instead I warmed myself for a long time underneath the shower and then took myself out for a bowl of soup.
Hi, my name is Sally and I just ran ten miles.
Well, this story could get longer but since I'm too tired to be creative I'll just tell you what happened.
I ran the first five miles on the treadmill inside the gym. It was so boring and I hated every minute of it -- but I pushed through each mile knowing that I'd be glad to have them behind me when I hit the pavement outside for the last five miles. When I got outside and the cool air hit my, now-beginning-to-be-sore legs, it felt great and reinvigorating. I ran around the campus twice to complete 5 miles (first the big loop then the small loop, for those who are paying attention). With each mile that ticked by I encouraged myself aloud. When the tenth mile was complete I lifted my arms in victory--Rocky Balboa style. I wanted to run back into the gym and announce to the whole world that "I JUST RAN TEN MILES!" But instead I warmed myself for a long time underneath the shower and then took myself out for a bowl of soup.
Hi, my name is Sally and I just ran ten miles.
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