Cub's first 5k

Just like mommy!

I am so proud today! My most memorable race to date.  I finally got to run a 5k with my son, Cub.

  We'd plan on running one last fall after the Columbus Half marathon but since I was injured that was out.  It was hard to be a cheerleader when I wanted to be running it with him.  But finally I got my chance, it was a fundraiser that my running partner had organized.  It was pretty low key and I'd planned on running 9 on Saturday so I ran 6 before the race and then the 3.1 with Cub.

We showed up an hour early-which in a way was good since I got to show Cub how to do a sprint start on the track for one of his Cub Scout arrow points.  Then he got his soccer ball out and practiced running down the field and kicking goals for about 30 mins. 

When the race started, I had to hold Cub back a bit, since he wanted to sprint after the other kids who'd gone out too fast.  We managed to pass all of them in the first mile or so as they slowed down or stopped.  He was so cute since he kept wanting to look back and see where his competition was.  I told him to always look ahead and focus on the next runner.  He was such a trooper.  I think he was getting almost annoyed with me since I kept asking him how he was feeling or if he wanted to slow down.  I'm glad I had an extra water bottle so he kept hydrating since it was a hot one! 

Here were his/my splits:
1 mile:  8:06
2 mile: 8:38
3 mile : 8:56 (hill)
overall time: 26:30 for Cub
Overall:  9th overall/ 61 finishers
Age Group: 1st!

I'm so happy/proud of him.  It was so much fun running with him.  I can't wait for many more races in the future.  He wants to do a 10k next, but I think were going to wait  awhile for that.  The only training he did was soccer practice/games.

Here are some pictures from the race.  Enjoy!

  Hydrate!

Love how in sync we are in this one

Leaving mommy in the dust

Victory!

Crazy busy

Quick post since this week has been crazy and so will this weekend!

Air Force Marathon training- Week 2

Monday- Ran 3 easy- felt great after running 8 on Sunday

Tuesday- XT Spinning-  20 miles in 55 mins/ 600 calories- intense

Wednesday- quick 5- dashed out after my youngest decided to tag along to Cub's soccer practice leaving me a free hour.  Managed to keep almost the same splits as last week.  Pretty cool.

Thursday- planned 3 miler after work, then remembered Cub's self-guided conference at school at 3:30, then dh had cub scout planning meeting until um, now- and it's now 9pm, so I'm thinking the run is not going to happen-especially since I'm having a beer while I write this. :-)

Friday-?? 3 miler? I'm not an early morning runner, but if I'm going to do it, it will have to be around 5am... since after work my mom will be visiting, and we have a soccer game at 7 pm

Saturday-6 early, then 5k with my Cub!  Run with the big dogs 5k9 
I can't wait actually to do this. It will be our first race together. Get ready for pictures!

The rest of the weekend I'm going to be painting! Living room, dining room? and hallway.  Probably should be picking my colors...

Other stuff:

1.  Signed up for the Inaugural Canton Marathon well, the half marathon.  It's in a few weeks, on the same weekend I have to run 12 so I figured might as well run 13.1 and visit my mom.  I'm a bit worried about the weather being too warm but I'm not going to race it. Just a training run, just a training run.  Must keep saying that!


2. Compared 2 of my runs for the hell of it.  I was surprised to see how consistent my times were from week to week. It was the same course, I started my Garmin a bit late on my most recent run.

3. Is it bad that I've lived with a ring from a wallpaper boarder that I took down probably 4 years ago, and I'm finally painting this weekend?  It's so hard to paint when we're so busy and the kiddos were younger and its the main room of our house, hard to be elsewhere. 

Murphy's Law for runners

Thanks to pinterest and theRUNiverse.com for this gem. Enjoy

What have I done?

I've been toying around with running a marathon again for sometime.  My running partner, Carrie, has been not been sold on the idea. I was waiting to see how I felt after the Flying Pig Half marathon (which was last Sunday).  I had a great run, it was hot, and hilly and even with those conditions I ran 1:51.  It's 2 mins slower than my PR but considering the tough course, I am completely satisfied.

Add caption

Imagine my surprise when Carrie tells me a few days ago that she's up for doing a full marathon but wants the summer to train for it.  The only one that is at the end of summer around here is the Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson AFB.  I'd already signed up for the half.  She went and signed up for the full, so of course, now I had to as well!  So, I'm 18 weeks out from my first full marathon in 11 years!  I must be crazy!

I'm actually curious to see how this goes.  The last time I trained for a marathon, I was doing a charity training group in Washington DC.  I had to fund raise and I had Sunday morning runs with the 12min/mile pace group from beginning of May until end of October.  I completed the Marine Corps Marathon in 5hrs 56 mins.  It was slow, but I finished. 

Now, If I finish this, is I'm going to have to the Army 10 miler and is there a Navy road race that's big?  I might as well try for all the branches.

But now.... what could I do a marathon in?  According to  the McMillan Calculator I could finish in 3:50 with a 8:47 pace.  That pace seems kind of slow, but then better to go out too slow than too fast and fading.  This is definitely going to be a challenge. I've tended to go on feel during races, and my natural pace seems to be around 8:20 for longer distances.  I have a feeling that I'm going to be learning a lot during my training this summer. 


Any marathoners out there who can give advice on marathon pacing to a newbie? 


So here is what my Hal Higdon's Novice 2 Marathon training plan for week 1 looks like:

Monday- Rest Spinning 20 miles√
Tuesday- Run 3√
Wednesday- Run 5 at marathon pace (ummm- I did it in 8:30 pace- a bit quick but we'll see)√
Thursday- Run 3
Friday- Rest
Saturday- XTrain (Spinning)
Sunday- Run 8

Race Recap: Cincinnati Flying Pig Half Marathon

Saturday:  The Expo 

 Last year when I did the Pig 10k I didn't go to the expo.  A friend of mine when down and got our packets.  I'd heard it was pretty good expo, plus lots of swag in the race packet...so saddled up the boys and dh and headed off on Saturday afternoon.  I wish I'd had more time, and frankly, the boys hadn't come.  They were being typical 5 & 8 year olds (not the ideal shoppers- or good in crowds in general).  I did manage to swing by the Proctor & Gamble swag table and pick up some nice toothbrushes, loads of Dawn dishsoap, and Olay lotions.  

Sweaty Bands- RunCincinnati

Stopped by the Sweaty Bands booth as well.  I've eyed them for a while, but since I have a small head, I needed to try them on. They are awesome, definitely see why people like them.  Picked up 3 cute ones and hinted to dh (my birthday was coming up) on some other ones. 

So after wondering through the expo and talking to the Air Force Marathon people (more about that later) and Canton Marathon people (just maybe...) finally got to the shirts, bags and posters.  The PIG is known for giving out good swag.  The Asics athletic bag is awesome, definitely worth having around.

Sunday:  Race Day 

Race time: 6:30 am

Temp at start:  not too bad, but the humidity looked bad

Time to get up: 3:00 am

Time to leave the house: 3:45

Time to pick up Running partner:  4:15

Time to get to Cincinnati: 45 mins

That left us 1.5 hrs to park, potty and stretch/warm up (get nervous)

Our drive down was one I don't think I'll ever forget.  We came across a police car on I-75 that was in the left lane and a car that had run into the median and was blocking the road.  Between the car and the police cruiser was 20ish looking man, laying on the road.  No one was helping him, and it looked like he was dead (RIP). I think the policeman had just gotten there, since he wasn't covered up.  The ambulance was coming down the other side of the highway after we passed. Needless to say, it was a somber moment.

So, on a happier note...the race.

Carrie and I were in different corrals.  I was in B she was in D so we decided to place ourselves in C.  It was a pedestrian cut through as well, so no one was checking bibs there, so that was pretty easy!  

Miles 1-6 were uneventful.  I went out at the pace I'd thought I could do, little slow the first mile but I was weaving around everyone, trying to find my spot/pace.  I did run into the 1:50 pace group but there were so many people surrounding the pacers it was a traffic jam.  Generally I don't get claustrophobic in races but I had to get around them or to the side.Too many people and too close for my liking.  7th street was a long stretch looking into the sun.  There were tons of people cheering us on.  Refilled my water bottle along the way.

Miles 7-10  Holy Hills!  This was worse than I expected.  I had seen the elevation chart but I never really grasped how many and how big those suckers were!  First hill, I was thinking " this is like a standing hill  w/ resistance about 16" on my spin bike, but then you'd turn a corner and there was another hill, etc. The crowd support was great thank goodness.  When we got near the top, there was a spectacular view of the Ohio River and Kentucky.  

Mile 11- all downhill- just let the legs go! Note the time difference for mile 10 and 11.

Mile 12-13.1- sunny, hot, and I'm tired.  The finish line could not get there soon enough. I thought for sure I was shuffling along.  I realize I really should have had another Cliff Blok on at mile 9.  

Love the instant gratification of race results right after you finish!

Overall, it was a great race.  I didn't PR but I'm pretty darn proud of my time. It was a tough course. Even better, no foot problems what so ever!   Will I do it again?  We'll see. Now, time to tackle 26.2 in the fall. 

Pre race goals and worries

Flying Pig 1/2 marathon is tomorrow!  I'm so excited yet anxious at the same time.  I signed up for this a week after my plantar fasciitis seemed to be gone.  So far, it has been tamed... My foot still hurts but it's different closer to my toes and arch not in my heel. It's not all the time So...I'll take that as a go and that I'm healthy! 
So this is what my last week of training for the PIG  has looked like:
Sunday- 12 miles
Monday- 18 miles in Spinning class
Tuesday- 3 miles in the heat- yuck!
Rest of the week- resting.

I'm feeling good.  My only major stresses are what to wear and dealing with parking on race day!

 I had planned a tank I bought a while ago, but I've only wore it once in April since it's been so cold.  It's a pretty sweet looking Adidas lime green tank.  I got it at the Adidas outlet and they only had small and extra large.  I tried the small and I thought it fit.  I've run it but when I did, it was freezing and I had a top over it.  Now, I'm wondering if it is too snug. It's not super soft. I don't know how forgiving it will be.  We'll what ever I where it will be a running skirt and some form of a tank.  Starting time temp is supposed to be 63 degrees.  Should be good- perfect would be in the 50s. 

As for my goals for time:

Goal A:  1:45
Goal B:  1:49.07 (current PR)
Goal C:  Break 2 hours

It is a hilly course (another worry of mine) I won't be surprised if I don't PR-I'll be ok with that - really.
BUT...at the same time...I've PR'd in the 5k, 8 seconds off my PR 10k  time  both this spring...so maybe?