Nike Women's Half-Marathon 2013

So, the inaugural DC Nike Women's HaIf-Marathon.  

First, the Expo or as Nike called it the "Expotique".  I thought about this for days.  It was in Georgetown. Great for Nike so that they can get people to go to their store nearby, but not so great when there is limited parking and no metro nearby (the closest about 1/2 mile away). I only had 4 hours during which my daughter was in preschool. Metro would have taken about 90 min each way.  A little close for my comfort.  I took my chances and drove. I found street parking but had no change and couldn't get the automated system to work. I ended up having to use a garage at the bargain price of $18.  

Anyway.

It was Friday morning and the expo had just opened.  I got my bib quickly (separate area) and headed over to the expo tent. I was honestly really disappointed.  Lots of empty space and a bunch of Nike displays and sponsors.  Bare Minerals doing makeup and some hair company doing hair.  Things that don't interest me. Luna Bar was there as well as a company that is new to me called Somersaults whose snacks I really liked. Besides that, no vendors advertising other races, selling gels or running gear like at other expos.  It was a big turn off and I took one quick walk through and left.  Kind of a waste, but I got my bib and took a couple pictures. 

My friend had been to the expo and told me about this sign on the side of the Nike store. From a distance this is what it looks like ...

... But up close it was the names if all the participants!  That was very cool. 

On to race day.  I got up at the usual ungodly hour, caught a cab to the metro and headed into the city. Upon arriving there were a ton of porta potties and they weren't busy so I took the opportunity to use one.  After that, I walked around a little found my corral, and checked out the finish line area before heading back to bag check and using the potty one more time. 

I was as ready as I was going to be but my knee was still achy. I expected to suffer but I was determined to do my best. Two friends I went with went to their corrals and I headed to mine.  It was chaos getting into the corral.  It was way too crowded but I made it in and I found myself right by the 2:20 pacer.  I started thinking. My goal had been 2:15, but I no longer felt like that was possible with the knee situation. On the other side of the sign the pacer held was 10:40.  A nice easy pace.  I looked for a 2:15 pacer over the heads of everyone but I never saw any other pacers. I decided to stick with 2:20. I could do 2:20. 

You can just see the starting line here and the Capitol way in the distance. 

Me. Ready to go. Shoe laces in honor of Boston. Speaking of Boston, there was a moment of silence before the race.  13,000 people so quiet that all you could hear were a couple of birds chirping. It was incredible. 

So the race. 

The beginning was a little crazy. They didn't space out the corrals. They let ALL the corrals go at once. It was a little slow, but nothing terrible. However, the pacer was really moving. I started thinking that the pace didn't feel like 10:40. Well, it wasn't. Her pace was 9:30!  I knew I couldn't maintain that.  I wondered if she would walk water stops and I kept up. The water stop came ... And went!  She never stopped and between trying to get around the mob at the water stop and trying to stay with the pacer, I missed the water.  What the heck was she doing??

I was irritated. 

I ran with her a bit more, then decided I was going to do this on my own.  I ran on and went with what I've always done. Run comfortably and walk through water stops. I couldn't deny that the pain in my knee was getting worse. I just tried to focus and keep moving. I got really hot and started regretting missing the water stop and thinking that I needed to get more at the next stop. 

Eventually, I got to Hains Point. There is so much hatred of this area from runners.  Granted, I've never done a marathon but my 2 experiences there have been good ones. I find it beautiful running along the water and this day I have never been so grateful for the BREEZE that came off the water. That saved the race for me. 

I was in a lot of pain and after Hains Point there were a couple of hills.  I swore under my breath and walked. My knee simply couldn't handle the hills. 

Made it to 10 miles. Thought - only a 5k left.  At mile 11, I almost started to cry. The pain was excruciating. I told myself to stay strong and not cry. What if an official saw me and tried to stop me?  What if another runner saw me and tried to offer support?  I didn't want anything to stop me or break my concentration.  2:15 was gone but 2:20 was still possible. 

I made a turn and I could see the finish line far off in the distance.  I was going to do this.  I thought of the blue Tiffany box waiting for me and it was so close.  I ran and ran and the finish line never seemed to get closer. It was further than it looked even though I could see it.  Still I kept running and gave it all I had. 

As I approached the finish line, I was struck by the incredible number of spectators lining the course.  Just days after the Boston, so many people there to  support us. It was wonderful.  I finally crossed the finish line.  Time 2:20:36. Not the time I had hoped for but a 3 min PR.  I did it with an injury and I fought for it.  I was proud. 

The finish line was mobbed but I collected my blue box from a man in a tux carrying it on a silver platter and walked on picking up some food and finally the blue bag to carry everything.  I made my way through the tables of finisher shirts picking one up and headed out of the finisher area. 

I started heading back toward bag check and found an information volunteer who told me where to find a medical tent. I went there and got a bag of ice and picked up a few snacks I'd missed weaving through the mob at the finish line. After that I picked up my bag and parked myself to ice my knee at the meeting point my friends and I had decided on prior to the race.  

There, I opened my box.  

Not the best pic, but the pendant is sterling silver and has a woman running through flowering trees on the front (very DC) and the back says NWM Half Washington 2013.  I love it more than I thought I would. I haven't taken it off!

I met up with my friends who both did great (they are both faster runners than me) and we headed back to the metro.  At our stop, we came upon a runner whose knee looked to be in even worse shape than mine so I gave her my ice. 

I hobbled to brunch where I had an omelette and a mimosa and it was absolutely delicious. 

I finally hobbled home and relaxed the rest of the day. The rest of the week actually. My knee was in bad shape for a couple of days so I took it easy and just did my session with my trainer. She mentioned to me how she had gone through a period of doing a lot of races and she had hurt her knee too. She is in great shape so somehow, that made me feel less pathetic. She also suggested trail running might be less stressful on my legs. Something to try. 

I had planned to do the Frederick half this past weekend but after trying a short run Saturday, I knew there was no way without going back to the pain from the previous weekend or worse.  So that's it. No more races until November (Wine and Dine Half in Disney)!

Rock 'n Roll USA

I had the greatest time at the Rock 'n Roll USA half-marathon yesterday!  

I spent the night with my running friend since we had to be up and on our way to the train so early in morning - 5:30 AM.  We were pleasantly surprised by how warm it was and that it wasn't raining given the expectation that it was almost certainly going to rain and we would probably have a very soggy race.  

We checked our bags, got some food and water provided (loved this!), and headed to the potty lines.  After that, we went to look for the pacers but couldn't find them.  We didn't actually want to run for time so we just decided to do our own thing and went to our assigned corral.  As the race started with corrals moving, we both wanted to use the potties one last time and finally found some that didn't have super long lines.  This is one of the things I always hate about races.  There are NEVER enough potties.

Once we crossed the starting line, we took a nice easy pace (this was more of a training run for us than a race).  I actually looked around to catch the sights and stopped at the Washington Monument for a picture.

Yes, those are socks on my arms.  I use them for almost every race.  They're effective and cheap enough to toss if I don't want to carry them.

We crossed the bridge and made the loop around to cross back over.  The best thing about this race was that it was such a great tour of D.C.  The only other race I had done in the city was the Army 10-miler but I really liked this race more.

The race started heading uphill around mile 4, but it wasn't anything terrible and I wondered if maybe the elevation map looked worse than it actually was.  Then, we hit some big ones after mile 6.  Luckily, we weren't going at a hard pace so it wasn't so bad, but my knee started feeling it a bit because of it.  Once we got to mile 7, it was flatter and downhill for a while.  We stopped so my friend could hit the bathroom and I took the opportunity to take in a gel, some pretzels and some water while I waited.  

A couple of things to note - At a lot of the water stations, you had to pour your own water.  This didn't bother me since I wasn't in a hurry but if you were running for time, this might have been a problem.  My guess is that they just didn't have enough volunteers.  What can you do?  Also, I can't say I was terribly impressed by the bands.  I liked a couple of spots on the course, like the pumpin' dance music at one of the tents (not a band) and there was a group of girl drummers that was great but that was about the only things that made an impression with me.  I didn't really care much because I had my own dance party going on with my iPod.

The spectators were a lot of fun - the most fun I've experienced to this point.  Below is my favorite race pic ever.  It really captures the fun mood!

We started heading towards a gorgeous view of the Capitol but the hills started again. I was fine, but since it was the later miles, I could feel it more.

My friend and I stopped chatting the last 3 miles.  She was feeling it and I tried to let her run her race.  As we approached the finish line there was a heck of a hill going up.  She just said, "We aren't walking this." and we didn't.  We finished together and got our medals!

Post race, we got quite a lot of food and drinks - water, Gatorade, chocolate milk, bagels, chips, Powerbars apples, bananas and a bag to put it all in.  I was really hungry so I was happy to have food.  Then, we headed to packet pick-up.  Some of the lines were insane, but luckily our lines were short and we made it through without a problem.  

Here's were the bad part comes in.  The signage wasn't great so we went the wrong way trying to leave.  We had to walk quite a way to get out.  Then we got to the Metro.  It was a mess.  There was a giant mob just trying to get into the station.  We decided that rather than wait in that, it would be better to keep moving and try to find another station or find a cab.  Cabs were scarce.  Lots of other runners were looking for them too.  So while we tried to figure out which way to go, we were joined by another woman who decided to join us for the long walk to the next Metro station.  I think we walked a couple of miles.  My hips, knees and feet were killing me.  I was dying and miserable but we finally made it and I've never been so happy to sit down.  Once we got to our stop, more walking back to my friend's house to retrieve my car for the drive home.

I have to say, I would do this race again because I felt that it was well supported and I didn't think it was as crowded as some people said, BUT I would pay for parking next time.  The Metro situation was just unacceptable.

All along, we had planned to go to Shamrock Fest afterwards, but we lost HOURS due to the Metro mess. My family wondered where I was and I wasn't even sure I wanted to go anymore.  I just wanted to go home, shower and die.  Once I got in my car (more sitting) I felt a little better and finally getting a shower and a little more food made me feel like a new woman.  We decided to head out to Shamrock.  

Shamrock was pretty much the drunk-fest I expected it to be and we got there so late that we missed some bands we'd hope to see, but we had a really great time watching CelKilt.  I'm not a beer drinker at all, but I had been saying all along that I was going to celebrate with a Guinness.  They actually ran out at one point, but my running mate came through and found some for us!

It was really cold so we went to the DJ tent to warm up for a bit.  We all wanted some food, and none of us were interested in carnival food, so we decided to head out and hit a restaurant on the way home.  After that, we were all pretty beat so we headed home.  My parents (who had been babysitting) headed out, my friend crashed on the couch and I went to bed.  I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.  All-in-all, a really great day.

I had a wonderful night's sleep that I really needed.  Today, it's all about my girls.  Taking them out to see Wreck it Ralph.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  

2012-2013

Ah, 2012 ... So much happened.  My goal was to run 12 races and I just barely made it.  Why?  Well, injury and illnesses.  But let me back up. 

I didn't run a lot last summer.  I don't enjoy running in the heat and my kids are out of school, so it's not the best time for me.  Still, I did what I could to semi-train for the Tower of Terror 10-miler in September.  I wanted it to just be a fun run and a nice weekend for my husband and myself.  We really did enjoy our time away together.

The race itself?  Meh.  I had a good time with my friends, but the course was really boring highway miles and not so much fun.  Also not much fun was the fact that I spent way too much time on my feet trying to get in as much as possible in two days.  Every step I took after the race was pure pain, but I came away with this nonetheless ...

The next weekend, I did the Run for Parks 10k.  I finished in 1:03:17 which beat my previous time.  Happy camper!

Next was the Army 10-miler.  I was having leg issues at this point and didn't want to push it.  No big race time for me, but I finished it and that was my only goal.

After the Army 10, I was signed up to do the MCM 10k, but I got really sick that weekend and unfortunately, had to skip it.  Maybe next year.  This is an issue with having small children.  They're major germ carriers and bring home every virus imaginable from school!

Shortly after this, I had to confront something I'd been avoiding since I started running a couple of years ago.  Shin problems.  I have a pretty serious pronation problem despite support shoes and inserts.  I finally went to an orthopedist and he pretty much told me that there wasn't anything I could do that I hadn't already done (stretching, ice, etc.).  He said I needed 6 weeks off.  He also suggested custom inserts but he didn't seem to have much hope.  I went home heartbroken.

I listened to what he said though and took the 6 weeks off.  During this time, I decided to join a gym so at least I could cross-train.  I didn't have the best attitude about it.  Well, guess what?  I loved it!!  I started taking Body Pump, Cycling and using the Elliptical.  I also went to get fitted for those custom inserts. 

After 6 weeks, I threw in the new inserts and did a 5k PR.  My goal for the year was to do a 5k in under 30 min.  I knew this course was flat and I had a chance.  I came in at 29:41 at the Run for Shelter 5k.  I almost puked and fainted at the finish, but I was ecstatic!  I'm sure I shouldn't have run that hard so soon after the break, but my spirit needed the boost and I don't have a single regret about it.

I did another 5k in December and that wrapped up the year for me.  12 races in total.

This brings me to 2013.  My plan for this year was to do Disney Coast to Coast.  One half-marathon in Disney World and one in Disney Land.  My Disneyland race was the Tinker Bell Half in January.  I had never been to Disneyland (or California) so there was that incentive as well. 

I also signed up for the Neverland 5k.  A crazy mistake knowing that I would be on my feet too much (again) but whatever.  I actually had THE BEST time during this 5k.  It was untimed.  No chip.  No pressure!  My friend and I just ran and took pictures.  It was a good lesson for me to not always be so hard on myself and remember why I started running.  Because it's FUN!  We decided to dress up as Winter Fairies.

                                 At the Start ..                                                  After the finish ...

We had some fun in the parks and the next morning bright and early we were at the half.  I will likely never be in a front corral for any other races, but I was lucky enough to find myself in corral A at Tinker Bell.  This was great because it meant I wouldn't have to deal with the weaving that hurt me so much at the Princess Half when I started in the last corral (H).  It was bizarre to be in that corral and actually be able to see the starting line.  A much different experience from my last race.

I should also mention that besides the injury that had me out of training for 6 weeks, I was also sick with a terrible chest cold for 3 weeks.  My training for this was a giant failure, but I tried to run as much as I could when I was well, especially that last month.  I knew that starting in that front corral meant it was possible for me to beat the Princess time that was a huge disappointment for me, so that was my goal.  I knew cross-training and strength training had made me stronger.  I just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. 

Oh, I suffered.  I had trouble keeping a consistent pace because I usually rely on the crowd to hold me back.  In the A corral, there was no one to hold me back.  I wonder if it would have helped to start at the very back of the corral, but I couldn't have known what to expect.  I may try this for my next Disney race though.  My feet were numb by mile 4, but I kept on.  I also had to pee and I was melting in the tall socks, gloves and arm warmers.  The arm warmers and gloves were easy enough to toss.  I finally found a bathroom at around mile 5 and took the time to peel off the socks and remove the final shoe pouf that barely clung to my shoe.  They were fun to start with but I was done with them.

I was pretty miserable, but I finished in 2:23:24 which beat my Princess Half time 2:32:something.

SUCCESS!

Next up, I'm doing the Rock 'n Roll Half D.C. in March.  This race scares me a little because the course includes some serious hills in the first few miles.  I will likely walk a lot because I can't risk hurting my legs.

Then in April, the Cherry Blossom 10 miler, and GW Parkway 5k (It was my first race and now tradition to do it every year) and the NWM 1/2.  However, I'm focusing my training on the NWM 1/2 on April 28.  For both halfs I've done, I've been pretty miserable, so my hope is to finish strong and not in so much pain.  I'm sure that not spending days on my feet like I have at Disney will also be helpful.

I've struggled a little bit with direction after races.  Over the weekend with the help of my running friend, I spent some time trying do decide on a plan and I've found one that I think works for me so I'm hoping this should keep me on track.  I'm tring to be really careful with my legs and so far, so good.  The inserts have really helped.  Just hope it stays that way.   

After the last April race, I hope to take a break from running races for the summer since I prefer running in cooler weather.  I'll start up again in September to start training for the Wine & Dine Half in Disney World.

Also of great importance ... In August, I will make a decision on whether or not to register for the Paris Marathon.  I want to do this as a gift for my 40th birthday.  Whether or not I think my legs and feet will hold up for this is to be determined.  I need to see how the next few months go for me before I decide.

To be continued ...

No post since last August!

So much has happened. Most recently this ...

Not sure why it uploaded blurry, but it's me running the Tinker Bell Half a couple of weeks ago.  Will be back with a recap.

Hello, Tower of Terror Training

Why am I being laughed at in my own home?  Not only does this look good, but it feels great ... especially with my matching blue shirt.

It's been a while since I blogged, but I'm still running.  I've officially started training for the Tower of Terror 10-miler in September.  More importantly, I signed up for 4 other races nearly back-to-back including the Army 10-miler in October that I'd do with a friend. probably carrying me on her back.  I honestly wasn't paying attention to how many races I signed up for and didn't do it intentionally.

Anyway, the sleeves above are now necessary with the increase in mileage and occasional circuit training I'm throwing in there.

It's going to be a busy summer.

P.S.  Love my "Villain" shoes!

Disney Princess Half-Marathon 2012

The alarm went off at 1:50 AM.  For the life of me, I could not figure out how to set the time on the hotel alarm.  At 2AM, my back-up alarm on my phone went off.  I got up, dressed in a blue running skirt and blue t-shirt, did my hair adding a “Jasmine” headband and make-up … oh, yes, make-up!  I headed downstairs at 2:30 and it was pretty deserted.  I decided not to head to the bus stop since it was pretty chilly. Around 2:50, I saw 2 other runners leave so I followed.  The first bus pulled up shortly after that.  We were the only 3 on the bus. 

The bus driver looked lost and pulled into a parking lot.  Then, he seemed to meander around the parking area before finally dropping us off.  I was glad to get off the bus.  Other busses pulled up behind me and I found my friends who were at a different resort.  We headed over to the Race Retreat together and found a table.  We ate, used the bathroom and chatted for a while.  We took a few pictures, checked out bags and headed towards the corrals around 5:00 AM. 

The crowds were amazing with thousands of runners descending onto the start area.  We were moving slowly and I eventually realized that the slow-down was caused by all the people standing in line for the port-a-johns blocking the path to the start.  We finally got around them and to the corrals.  One of my friends headed off to her corral (A!) while my other friend and I were way back in the last corral (H).  We fought our way through the crowds to the front of the corral.  I had to fight my way out again to use the restroom one last time.  Had it not been for the national anthem, I wasn’t sure how I would have gotten back to my friend.  Later, I realized people were climbing over the corral fences.  Oh, well!

The race finally started with a blessing from the fairy godmother and fireworks at the start which we couldn’t see and on the bridge where all the action was being televised for us.  Standing and waiting in that hour, I could feel the aching in my knees from the days I’d spent walking the parks.  I was worried.  A few minutes later, more fireworks as the next corral headed out.  This happened for every single corral.

As we edged closer to the start, I took off my throw-away sweatshirt and tossed it to the side.  As we got even closer, there were PILES of clothing all over the sides of the corral all going to charity.   Finally, it was our time to start.  With the last blessing of the fairy godmother and fireworks, I wished my friend well and headed out.

The first couple of miles, I was ok.  Ran a slow pace near 12 min miles which was what I was aiming for.  At mile 3, I started having to really weave a lot around walkers.  My pace got better, but it was tough.  I don’t think I ever got better than 11 min miles.  I couldn’t understand it when a week earlier I was running 9:40 min miles!  To complicate matters, the course narrowed in sections and it was a bottleneck of runners trying to get around and walkers in between.  It really never got better.  My legs just felt heavy and I could never get into my normal pace.  I decided to adjust my expectations and run the best I could.

I sipped sports drink a little here and there and at 45 min. in (maybe around mile 5), I took a gel with some water just as I’d trained with and planned.  Shortly after that, I wasn’t feeling well.  I couldn’t believe it!  I was so annoyed and knew I’d not only have to stop but that it would affect my time.  On the other hand, I already knew I wasn’t going to have the race I’d hoped for.  I didn’t start feeling great, all the weaving through runners, my slow pace, and now this.

I made it to the Magic Kingdom and found a bathroom.  I had read that it was much better and faster if you could use the bathrooms in the parks and it was so true.  I never thought I would actually have to use the advice, but I was In and out and back on the course in no time.  I stuck with water and used honey instead  for the rest of the race and luckily, that was the end of my tummy troubles.

By this point, the weaving had taken its toll.  I’d never felt so awful running.  My legs hurt from my hips down to my toes, but I just kept running and took solace in the fact that my friend would be waiting for me at mile 7.  Again, I didn’t think I’d need the support, but I did and was so grateful to her for it.  She was cheery and happy (that’s just how she is) and we ran on and even chatted (another thing I never do).  We stopped a couple of times so I could take her picture at certain spots and she took mine along the way.

Mostly, I was really in my own little world and it felt like we were only together 15 minutes or so.  We ended up running to mile 11 together and I was shocked to realize later that what felt like 15 minutes was more like 40.  She snapped a picture of me at the mile marker and went back again for our other friend as I ran on alone.

I made it to mile 12 and got a little emotional.  I was going to finish the race.  Then, something frightening happened.  I started having trouble breathing.  I felt like all I could do was take small breaths.  I didn’t know what to do.  I walked for a few seconds but it didn’t help so I just kept running figuring I was almost there.  I didn’t want to give up now which in hindsight was probably ridiculous given what could have happened to me.  Luckily, whatever it was, suddenly just passed as quickly as it came on.

The last mile was torture.  I was back in Epcot and just kept thinking to myself MY GOD WHERE IS THE FINISH?  Then, there it was.  I saw Minnie standing to the right of the finish and I ran by her giving her a high five and crossed the finish line with a  time of 2:32. 

I kept walking to where the medals were being distributed and paused for a minute.  My knees were throbbing like I’d never felt before and yet I wondered if it was bad enough to go to the aid station.  I saw quite a few people with ice strapped to their knees and decided that might be a good idea so I headed over.  I sat down and texted my friends to know where I was and called my husband to let him know that I’d finished and that be back soon.

I sat at the aid station for a short while and started to shiver so I got up and tried to find the Race Retreat.  I went through a picture taking area but I just wanted to be warm so I skipped it.  Then, I went through an area where boxes of food were handed out.  I eventually found the area with the tents for bag check and the Retreat.  However, everything looked the same in the huge area and it took me a while to find it.  I finally found it and it was a lot more crowded than it had been in the morning.  I got a pair of flip flops that were distributed (WAY too big) and a cooling blanket (didn’t need that!).  I just sat on the floor and iced my knee before getting up to change in the changing area.  Then, I ate and just waited.  My friends showed up about an hour later and they took some time to eat.   By this time the last busses were leaving and we took one last picture and rushed to catch our busses. 

When I got back to the hotel my husband was out with my kids and it was nice to be able to relax and shower alone and reflect on the day.  I was in pain and didn’t have the race I’d hoped for.  I wasn’t sure it was worth it.

I’m (finally!) finishing up this recap 2 months after the fact.  It WAS worth it.  The friend that ran with me put it in perspective to me.  She told me that I’d run a distance equivalent to running from my house to Washington D.C.  That helped me stop beating myself up.  I’m not done.  I have more races ahead of me.  I signed up for the Tower of Terror 10 miler with 2 friends and I’m planning for a no pressure run.  I think it would be good for me.  Not that I've given up pushing myself!  I also plan to do the Tinkerbell Half-Marathon and hope that will be my redemption for Princess.  I have a time for a much better corral and hope to avoid the weaving and park trekking that doomed me last time.

Since Princess, I've done 2 5ks including one that was my very first race ever last year.  My time was 30:07 and last year it was 34:52.  Can't complain about that improvement!  Today, I was denied entry to the NYC Marathon, but I'm ok with that.  I take it as a sign from the universe that I'm not ready but I'll try again next year.  Next up is another 5k in May just before my birthday and I can't help but wonder if I'll have a PR.  After that, I'll start no-stress training for the 10 miler.

That's all for now.  I think that's quite a lot!