A PR!

It is a raining, pouring day in Maine.  But I am still on cloud 9.  I PR'd in the Maine 1/2 marathon today.  And not just a little PR - I shaved at least 15 minutes off my last half marathon!  I don't know exact numbers yet, but according to Runkeeper, I was at 1:55.  According to the clock as I passed through, it was 1:54.  They haven't posted official gun time results yet.  Regardless, it is at least 15 minutes.

Before starting, I set a few goals for myself.  First was to finish.  Second was to finish without any walking.  And third was to finish under 2 hours.  After the gun went off and the running actually started, I added a final goal to the list.  It was to make sure to beat the rude cutter and shover woman in gray and peach striped spandex.  I hate runners like that.  If you are that good, start all the way at the front and put some distance between yourself and the pack.  But, as usual, the ones who behave this way aren't premier runners.  She would take off in a sprint, bumping people out of her way, cutting right in front of them causing them to stumble and then I would shortly catch up with her.  I had her too, and then in the last 1/2 mile, she took off in a mad sprint again.  So goal 4 was not achieved!  But the other ones were, so I'm putting this in the victory column!

Awesome Training Run

Gosh, I love this meme.  It never gets old for me, I laugh each time I look at that little girl's face.  (Can I also finally admit that I have been pronouncing meme as 'me me' until just recently?  How embarrassing is that?)

I am quite sure that the reason I find it so funny is that it is based in truth.  I am not one of those few people who look good running.  I sweat.  A lot.  I turn red.  Very much.  I hunch over like someone who should be ringing a bell in a tower somewhere.  Overall, it is not pretty.  But I take comfort that I am not alone.

I check out anyone I see running or jogging.  And there are few of us who look great doing it.  There are some very awkward running forms out there.  Yet,  I admire anyone who is out there making the effort.

However, yesterday, yes, yesterday, I had an awesome run.  In fact, I am quite sure that the following is true:

I had grown concerned that I wasn't getting enough mileage in for my upcoming half marathon.  Between my daughter's soccer and youngest son's football starting in early August and my work and their school starting last week, I was not getting in any longer runs.  This week, I drove home from work and threw on shorts and shoes, grabbed the dog and headed out for some very fast 3 mile runs.  I knew I needed to be back in time for the bus.  One night, the dog and I were able to get a 4 mile trail run done when by chance, my daughter and son's practices overlapped.  I know that once my oldest son, Conor, starts back at the dojo this week, my time is going to be more likely spent in the van going back and forth between there and the practice fields, rather than on a running trail.  

So yesterday, I headed out for a 10 miler.  I figured if I could do it, adrenaline on race day would get me the other 3 miles without an issue.  The weather yesterday was perfect.  Sunny, in the lower 70's, and a very slight breeze.  I strapped on my iPhone, hit play on the playlist I had made up recently, hit record on Mapmyrun and off I went.  

At first, my achilles seemed to refuse to loosen up.  This is a chronic issue for me the past year.  It tends to swell to twice its normal size and look like a big, red marble.  I did PT for two months last year, but as soon as I started running again, it reflares.  I've done some online research and spent a lot of time in runner's blogs.  There seems to be a feeling in the runner's world that continuing to run may build up scar tissue, which in the end, will actually prevent a rupture.  And I am finding that the more I run, the less swelling and pain I have.  Fingers crossed!

Soon, after my second mile, I found my groove.  I stopped once to adjust the band holding my iPhone, but otherwise, I maintained my pace and before I knew it, I was knocking off one mile after another.  I did all 11 miles in less than an hour and forty minutes.  I averaged an 8:57 minute mile, even with the stop factored in.  

I'm thinking getting pulled along for 3 miles by my dog is the best speed work for me!  

While I am thrilled to know I will be okay on the 30th, and with the time I did it in and the form that I maintained, I am even happier to just get the miles done.  Because in the end that is what matters.

New Shoes

I just laced up my new running shoes.  After the Warrior Dash last weekend, I left my old shoes there with the organization Green Sneakers. They will clean all the shoes they collect and distribute them to people who need them.  Most of them will go overseas.  

That left me needing a new pair of running shoes.  For the last week I have been using an old pair I found in the back of my closet.  I am a Saucony diehard.  I can't wear Nike.  Or Reebok.  Or Adidas.  I can wear Asics, New Balance or Saucony.  But after many, many pairs of sneakers, I have found that this particular Saucony Cohesion style sneaker  works for me.  

Last year, I tried a different brand of running shoe.  While my feet were fine, I developed achilles issues and had to stop running for almost 2 months.  The only change had been my shoes, so I am certain that is what caused it.  Fortunately, the injury happened right before my surgery, so after completing 2 months of physical therapy, I was forced to rest for an additional 2 months.  Last winter, I returned to my beloved Saucony Cohesions.  

I tend to get super lucky and find Saucony Cohesions on sale.  They aren't expensive shoes and have a starting price point of around $55 on the official Saucony web site.  They also tend to be easy to find a size as many people don't even consider buying them.  The girl working at the box store handed them to me with a look on her face that would make someone believe she was handing me a cardboard box full of dog poop.  She even said to me "these are the least quality shoes we offer."  With a tone.  I'm guessing she is basing her opinion on what the cute shoe rep who was there at the same time explaining to her all the benefits of the new $150 Under Armour shoes he was pushing.  I kindly told her I disagreed and said shoes accompanied me on training for and completing a full marathon, two half marathons, two 25K trail runs and too many 5K's to count.  

Another place I get lucky to buy my beloved Cohesions is at Marshall's.  As stated above, Cohesions get overlooked.  I think people mistake price with quality.  As such, stores get stuck with many leftovers in last season's colors.  These find their way to Marshall's and I stock up when they do!

The important thing to keep in mind is to find a shoe that works for you.  These work for me, but may not be the right shoe for everyone.  If you are a seasoned runner, you probably have a go to brand and style of shoe.  If you are new to running, I highly recommend going to a running store to buy your first pair.  They will not only analyze your stride and strike of your foot, they will find the shoe that works best for you.  AND, even better, almost always a running store will stand behind their recommendation.  If you aren't happy with the shoe, even if you have used it, they will take it back and help you find something that works.  Be sure to ask if this option exists and what their time limit is for taking the shoes back.  You may pay a little more for this first pair of shoes, but you will find the shoe that is right for you. 

Remember that following any major change in your body, you may need to go back to the running store and make sure you are still in the best shoe for you.  During my pregnancies, my foot grew an entire size and got wider.  I switched to New Balance shoes during each of my pregnancies.  (I ran into the 9th month with my first, into the 8th with my second and third.)  I also stayed in the New Balances for a period of time after I had given birth, until my feet returned to their pre-pregnancy size and width. 

Also, please don't ever buy shoes for running based on color.  The fit is absolutely the most important criteria.  It won't matter if the color looks good if you are limping due to a blister or worse, a run ending injury.

Running is a budget friendly way to get and stay healthy.  Cut corners on the clothing.  Shorts and t-shirts are fine.  You don't need expensive, matching outfits.  Spend the money on shoes, socks and a good sports bra.  You may get lucky like me and find an inexpensive running shoe.  You may need something that costs more.  But get what works for you.  Socks is another area not to cut corners.  I like Nike's Dry Fit socks.  They are a bit expensive, but again, I wait for sales and coupons and then I stock up.  

Finally, take good care of your shoes by doing the following:

• Wear them only for running/walking.  Don't use them for mowing the lawn, completing errands, or hanging around the house.  
• Put rice in an old pair of socks and tie off the top.  Place these in your shoes after a run.  They will absorb excess moisture and keep your shoes from getting stinky.  If your shoes start to smell, consider an anti-bacterial spray in addition to the homemade rice bags.
• Make sure you are lacing your shoes correctly. Lacing your shoes based on your own needs will allow your shoes to maintain their proper shape.
• Wipe down the outside of your shoes after any muddy runs.  
• If you have to wash your running shoes, put them in the top rack of your dishwasher.  It does a lot less damage to them than the washing machine.  This will address odor issues as well.

Warrior Dash 2012

I did the Warrior Dash this past weekend.  It was awesome!

Actually, I take that back.  It was awesome doing it with the girls, but the event itself was not as enjoyable as last year.  First, the arrangement of the obstacles seemed to not be very well planned.  After running up the side of a ski slope for .8 miles, 500 to 700 runners bottle necked at a tunnel that counted as one of the challenges.  Luckily, we were the very first heat of the day and we knew enough not to run up the hill.  We power walked that son of a gun and left people dry heaving in our dust.  Meaning, our bottle neck wasn't so bottle necked.  We also left behind us the chick that didn't want to get dirty (what did she think she signed up for??).  Because of her aversion to dirt, she didn't get down low enough on the ground to avoid the barbed wire.  She took it right to her face.  Ouch.  Dirty hands and knees would have been the better choice I think.

There weren't as many obstacles this year.  The ones they had were all too similar.  3 walls to go over and lots of muddy water to traverse.  Then there was this:

That my friends, is one very large, very fast, ghetto slip and slide.  (You will either have to trust me about its size, OR use the back hoe for scale.)  Black plastic stretched across hay bales with just enough room between for one slightly chubby house frau to achieve extremely fast rates of speed.  I owned that thing.  I also owned the pain in my shoulder from crashing at said speed into the hay bales at the bottom.  But is was fun, so it all worked out in the end.

The entry fee was reasonable.  I think we even got a break for signing up early.  But then, they charged $20 for parking.  This is double what they charged in 2011.  I thought that was ridiculous.  However, as a founding member of Team "Meh", I ponied up and let it go.

And then this:

Sure, I'm sort of smiling drinking my free can of Miller Lite Beer.  But you know what?  I was smiling a lot more last year drinking my complimentary Yuengling.

See? I'm smiling behind that cold cup of GREAT beer!  And how in the world did I look so good after last year's event?  I keep scrolling back and forth looking at this year's photo and then last year's.  I'm at a loss as to what happened differently.  Yowza.

It was all worth it though.  We all ran together and helped each other conquer our fears (heights, balancing, fire).  The vibe at these events is great.  People talk to each other, assist and encourage strangers, and the costumes are always fun to check out.

Do you want to know what else makes it all worth it?  The guacamole at Pancho Villa's, in Tannersville, NY.  Last year, we ate there the night before the race.  And I thought the guacamole was the best I ever had.  Ever.  But then, I thought, maybe it was just because I was really, really hungry and it wasn't the best ever.  I had it again this year.  Best. Ever. Ever.  Now I'm wishing I had purchased some to take home with me.  Instead, I'll have to wait until next year.