11.2 miles and Ready for the Chicago Monster?

After writing my last post I thought I might actually go out for a 10 mile run with gals I'd never met and if they ran faster than me then I could 1) push myself to run faster or 2) fall back and finish on my own.  When I found out these girls tend to run 9.5 - 10 min/mile, I backed off the plan to run with them and decided to run on my own time.  I also had an invite to run 9-10 miles with my friends Lisa and Mike but quickly backed away from that invite when I remembered they tend to run 9 min/mile.  I thanked them for the invite and let them know I'd slow them down another day.

Fast forward to Saturday morning.  I slept in a little bit, had some coffee and a breakfast burrito, and suited up for an 11 mile run.  It was pretty much perfect running weather when I started out - not cold enough to wear gloves, but crisp enough to warrant capri tights rather than shorts.  My Garmin showed me being over 11:15/mile which wasn't exactly what I wanted, but I didn't want to push myself too much.  I realized several miles in that I turned off the auto-pause and hadn't been hitting the start/stop button at stop lights, which made my average pace much slower than I really was.  I think I actually averaged about 11:00/mile when I was running.  The stop lights were a nice break from the pace and I'm curious how fast I'll actually end up running next Saturday at the Chicago Monster. 

I posted on facebook and twitter that I didn't feel like death until mile 10, which was kind of a lie.  I actually felt pretty good during most of the run.  When I got to about mile 9.5 I realized I only had a mile to go to get to my house and I really wanted to run 11 so I took a little detour near and cut through a neighborhood across the street from mine.  It was during that time that I really didn't feel like going the extra 1/2 mile but my mind was made up and I did it anyway.  I ended at 11.2 miles right in front of my house and pushed it a little faster for the last 1/3 mile or so. 

11.2 miles in 2:08:04
Average pace 11:26/mile

Overall, it was a good, solid run.  I fueled with Clif Shot Bloks at miles 6.5 and 8.5 and in between there I had Nuun in my water bottles (I stopped along the way and bought some so I didn't have to carry my hydration pack.)  I stretched at home, ate almost an entire footlong sandwich, and after taking a shower, I slept for about 2 hours on the couch during the Boise State football game. 

I ended up with an extra workout (so it seems) that night when I went to the Matt Nathanson and Scars 45 show.  The venue took the tables out of the front and we had to stand for the entire show.  My legs and feet were tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiired!  It was a fun show though!

I spent a bit of time last night doctoring my Mario costume for next week.  I think it might actually look kind of cute by the time I'm done with it!  I think I'm ready for next weekend.  The weather is supposed to be nice and I'm hoping the lower elevation will help my pace!

4 miles at lunch

I had initially planned to run to bootcamp yesterday and have Josh meet me there with extra water and my HRM but Tuesday night when I told him my plan, he turned to me and said, "do I really have to go?"  "No," I responded and immediately started thinking about what Plan B should entail.  Six miles, I decided.  I'd get up early and do 6 miles.  And then that didn't happen.  No 6 miles.  No bootcamp.  I had a hearing for work at 8:00 AM which meant I had to be to work before that time (and that is a rare sighting) so I skipped all forms of exercise before work.  Thankfully, my hearing that was supposed to take place after that settled and I got to head out the door early for lunch.  I went home and put my running gear on and decided on 4 miles as I walked out the door.

It was an OK run, nothing special.  I wanted to run it under the 10:44 from the 8 miler on Monday morning, which I accomplished.  In the end, I finished with this:

4 miles in 42:24 - 10:34/mile average pace.

The Chicago Monster is coming soon!  I have plans to get in 10-12 miles this weekend.  The gal I ran with a few weekends ago is running with a group of girls on Saturday morning who are all running 10, so I might tag along with them.  I fear they run faster than my typical 11:00 - 11:30/mile for long runs.  I suppose it's worth a shot.  It could be a really good way for me to meet some new folks and possibly have a few future running partners.  For now, the plan is 3 miles tomorrow plus bootcamp....but we'll see how that all works out!

Ex-ch-ch-changes

A few weeks ago I was lacing up my running shoes to go for a run and noticed that the stitching near my (former) bunion on my left foot had come loose.  I've only that the shoes since what, June, and they were coming apart.  Needless to say, I was a little bummed about this since the shoes cost about $130.  And then I remembered what the guy over at The Athlete's Foot said when I asked him about returns: anything within reason.  To me, this seemed within reason.  I didn't have all that many miles on the shoes and I've had other running shoes last much, much longer than 3-4 months.  So, when out and about to find a reflective vest for my early morning pre-bootcamp runs, I took a trip down to TAF in Eagle and rediscovered why I never want to shop in a different running store.  The owner took one look at the shoe and said he'd take care of me.  In this case "take care" means replacing my shoes with no questions asked after running over 150 miles in the old shoes.    

Pretty. Freaking. Sweet. 

Catching up

I've been running, I swear.  I even had a running partner for one and did some speed work another day.  See, this is what happened after the amazing Pocatello 1/2 Marathon: I ran my typical crappy post-half run (2.14 miles at 11:28 avg pace) and then we went on a week long vacation on the Middlefork of the Salmon River where I did nothing but fish, row a boat, and sit around and drink beer.  It was awesome.  We came back from vacation a day early, so I laced up my running shoes and took myself out for a 7.7 mile run (avg pace 11:33/mile) the day after we got back.  It was a little rough and there was some walking, but I did it.

And then I didn't run for 8 days.  I will say that Josh and I did start going back to bootcamp at Warrior Fit during that week, so I wasn't completely lazy.  I was, however, rather sore.  So the running took a break while my muscles figured out how to function.  It was then that I got the bright idea to run to bootcamp.  Bootcamp starts at 6:00 AM.  We live 3 miles from Warrior Fit which means I need to leave the house by 5:25 to get there in time to cool down before I push myself to the max for another 20-25 minutes.  And that means I need to be out of bed by 5:10 so I feel just the slightest bit awake for the run.  Here are the dates I ran to bootcamp (all at 5:30 AM unless otherwise noted):

9/26 - 10:34 avg pace
10/1 - 10:40 avg pace
10/10 - 11:17 avg pace (after work)
10/12 - 10:52 avg pace

The kid was not doing particularly well with school stuff and there was a lot of lying going on, which is one that that really, really pisses me off.  On 10/3 I couldn't handle being in the house stewing about how much lying was happening that I decided to go out and do some speed work to take my mind off it.  This was what I did without any planning.

1/2 mile run @ 9:55
1/4 mile walk
1/4 mile run @ 8:26
1/4 mile walk
1/4 mile run @ 9:10
1/4 mile walk
1/4 mile run @ 9:11
1/4 mile walk

Josh went rafting the weekend of 10/8.  I wanted to run to bootcamp but that meant I would have to borrow a huge hiking fanny pack from the kid to stuff my boxing gloves and water into it.  I did that once earlier this year and swore I'd never do it again.  Instead, I loaded everything into the truck and drove to Warrior Fit.  Then, I went for a run in that area (2.29 miles at 9:57 avg pace) before heading into punch and kick some stuff.  I drove home and did pretty much nothing for the rest of the day.

On 10/9, I made plans to go for a run with a gal I know.  Tamara has been injured lately, so I figured it would be a nice easy morning even if we had 7 miles planned for the morning.  We walked quite a bit because her doctor demanded it, but even with the run/walk business we averaged 11:37 mile.  It was nice to have a partner for the morning!

On Friday I took my running gear to work and took a long lunch so I could get in 5 miles.  I averaged 10:29 for that run and it was a fairly warm day, so I was surprised at my pace.  I had plans to run 10 miles on Saturday morning but that just didn't happen because it was lefse-making day at our church and I promised my mom I would come help.  Of course, there's always a party after lefse, so Sunday was spent 1) hungover and 2) not running.  I needed to run more than 7 miles and I hadn't.  So today I did something I've never done: I did a long run on Monday morning.  Today's 8.12 mile run felt fantastic!  I was well rested, well hydrated, and took some Clif Shot Bloks with me (I had 2 at mile 6).  I finished in 1:27:11 and an average pace of 10:44/mile.

Maybe what I haven't mentioned is that I have another race planned - the Chicago Monster Dash on 10/29 with my favorite running friend, Jamie!

This is officially the longest post in history and I'm cutting myself off.  I'm promising myself that I will not let my running blog get backed up like this again because the thought of anyone actually reading through this whole thing without falling asleep makes me cringe fall asleep.

No. Freaking. Way.

I started this post the day we relinquished Seymour to the Idaho Humane Society a few weeks ago and didn't publish it until last night.  It might have been some sort of subliminal thing with not wanting to post it because posting would mean he's really gone, etc. but I have no idea.  All I know is that I posted it and then tonight I got a phone call from a lady stating her family adopted him!  Now, you might be wondering how in the world the lady who adopted Seymour had my number.  It's because I'm crazy.  What actually happened was that when we went to IHS to fill out the paperwork, I lost my wallet.  After making several phone calls I ended up taking one last trip to IHS to see if they had it (they don't return phone calls all that well).  Prior to making the trip to the shelter I decided to type up a quick letter about how much we loved Seymour and really didn't want to give him up but that we couldn't care for him, etc.  At the bottom I put my phone number and e-mail address and encouraged them to contact me if they had any questions whatsoever.  

Getting the phone call tonight stating this family adopted him made my night!  It turns out the mom of the family is a stay at home mom to two kids (soon to be three) and Seymour has already made their house his home.  The dad asked a few questions about him and then thanked ME for being so good to Seymour and raising him up to be a good dog.  Seymour has been really gentle, yet playful with their little kids and they got him to be a companion for their little girl with epilepsy.  I am thrilled that Seymour has a home with people who will love him and be home with him. They even offered to let us come to visit him whenever we want (though I'm not sure I'll take them up on this offer any time soon).  

Maybe now, knowing that someone is taking care of Seymour and loves him, I'll start to get out of this funk...

Seymour, my wonder dog.

Seymour is gone.  He got out of the Hannibal Lector cage and was picked up by animal control one Friday afternoon a few weeks ago.  After some discussion, Josh and I decided that we really couldn't care for Seymour any longer and that he couldn't return to our house.  I was heart broken.  I cried and cried and cried when we went to the Idaho Humane Society to relinquish him and fill out paperwork so they could try to find him a new home.  My spontaneous crying about the subject has diminished a little bit, but I still get a little teary-eyed thinking about him at the shelter and not laying around our house.  When will I stop hearing phantom collar and dog tag jingles?  Anyone know? 

Things I do not miss:

• Seymour destroying all of the carpet in our house
• The 10x10x6' kennel on our back deck that never kept him in the yard
• Getting phone calls from random phone numbers stating Seymour is running around in busy intersections
• Carrying bags of poop 2-3 miles after only running one mile 
• Seymour taking up all of the space in our king-size bed
• Giving Seymour anti-anxiety medication every morning and evening that didn't work
• Not being able to leave the house for more than a few hours at a time 

Things I do miss: 

• Seymour running incessantly around the house when we first get home
• Snuggling with Seymour on the couch while we watch TV
• Snuggling with Seymour on weekend mornings in bed
• Watching Seymour chase things in his sleep
• Seymour's flapping lips and snoring while he sleeps
• Taking Seymour for runs and watching how crazy excited he gets when he sees me put on my running shoes
• Watching this video of Seymour being terrified of Santa
• Seymour allowing Brooke to dress him up in her doll clothes without any whining, barking, or showing of discontent of any sort. 
• Seymour, in general.  His goofy side, his lazy side, his energy, his desire for treats, and everything else that defined him.  

It seems that no amount of running or exercise lately has helped with the funk I've been in since he's been gone, but I'll move on...eventually.  Man, that dog and I were bonded.  He was my dog and is really irreplaceable. He was my running partner and my comfort for lonely days and I am a little lost without him. 

Running the Gap - Pocatello 1/2 Marathon Recap

I spent my junior an senior years of college in Pocatello, Idaho at Idaho State University.  I almost just said I studied there, but that would be a pretty big lie since I mostly spent my time eating junk food and drinking a lot of alcohol.  A. LOT.  I was pretty big before I moved to Pocatello, but nothing compared to how fat I was when I left.  So when Team Beef announced the Pocatello Marathon events would be a part of the program, I was glad to join the crew to run a half-marathon in the city that made me fat.

I was able to make arrangements to stay at Josh's uncle and aunt's home in Pocatello on Friday night, even though they weren't going to be there.  At first I was a little anxious about staying in someone's home alone but when I got there I quickly realized what a blessing it was to be able to tweak my playlist, sprawl my things out across the living area, curse at my non-working iPod shuffle charger, and be quiet for awhile.  I couldn't get my shuffle to sync or charge with my computer, so my minimalist plan to run with only my shuffle and Garmin was thrown out the window pretty early in the evening.  I was glad I threw my running belt (ok, it's a small fanny pack) into my bag before leaving Boise, because I was forced to run with my iPhone for music and I'm not sure how I would have pulled it off without the belt.

The buses were scheduled to load at 7:00 am with the first one leaving as soon as it was full and the last departing no later than 7:20, and I wanted to be sure I got on the bus as early as possible to get myself some time at the race start.  I awoke around 5:30 to be sure I got enough coffee and water in my system with plenty of time to let it run through me and to apply my Body Glide for the first time ever.  This was my first half not wearing tights, and I was concerned about the possibility of chaffing, so at the recommendation of a few female bloggers out there, I tried out the Glide, and it was a worthy investment. 

I packed up the truck and headed out around 6:30, since I wasn't entirely sure where I was going.  My real first excitement for the morning came around 6:45 after I parked the truck (and then moved it when I realized I was sticking so far out into the parking lot) when two middle-aged women accused me of backing into their truck and taking off some paint.  Of course, they were wrong and I proved to them that there's no way my truck could have hit them in the place they were saying it did.  I didn't hit them, and I'm certain of that because I got out to see exactly how close I was to them and how far I was sticking out into the parking lot and saw there was room between our vehicles (they did a stellar job of parking too....so stellar that the bed of the truck was at least 6 inches over the line).  It was no way to start the morning.  I loaded the bus shortly thereafter and all of the buses left at 7:20 to go to the start line, which meant a lot of full port-a-potties at the race start.  I dropped off my duffel (very cool race give-away, by the way) at the UPS truck (seriously, this was the BEST bag check EVER - more later) and stretched a bit.  And then with little warning, it started.

I crossed the start line, started my Garmin, and was on my way.   I don't remember much about the first 4 or 5 miles, mostly because it was pretty uneventful.  I tried to keep my pace between 11:00 and 11:15.  There were a few downhill stretches, which were awesome and made me feel super fast without zapping all of my energy.   Every so often a Team Beef runner would pass me (or in a few cases, I passed them), and it was fun to yell out "go beef!" or "Team Beef" to them and to hear it in return.  At mile 6 I ate 3 Clif Shot Bloks and chased it with a gulp of water.  There was a ridiculous hill between miles 7 and 8 that a lot of people walked, including me....I walked the 2nd half after realizing I still had 5+ miles to go once I got to the top, and I think that was a good decision.  The aid stations came almost every mile thereafter.  I ate 3 more Clif Shot Bloks at mile 10 and felt way better than I did at mile 10 on my last long run on the Greenbelt.

It was shortly after that when I descended into a recognizable part of Pocatello, and I grinned from ear to ear.  There was something about the moment that changed me.  I was running in to Pocatello.  I was running in a place where I had been so inactive and allowed myself to be slovenly and gross and fat.  I was running there and proving to all of Pocatello (and myself) that I am no longer that person. 

At mile 11 I looked at my Garmin and realized I had been running for just over 2 hours.  I grabbed a cup of Powerade at the aid station and powered on.  I passed a guy walking on my left, slowed, took out my headphones, and yelled, "I have to tell someone - I'm totally going to meet my goal!"  He cheered me on and encouraged me to keep up my pace.  Thanks for being there, random middle-age man, because I'm starting to think if you hadn't been there for me to say it out loud, I wouldn't have had as much ambition to actually meet my goal of running the half in under 2 hours 30 minutes.  I had 25 minutes to go 2.1 miles and I was certain I could do it, given how great I felt.

The 11th mile was fine, but mile 12 hurt.  I walked for a few seconds after drinking my water at the aid station and then pushed on.  When I got to the mile 13 marker, I took out my headphones and tucked them into my shirt.  The number of people along the side of the race route grew as the finish line came into view, and I kicked it into high gear.  I didn't look at my watch, but I felt so close to failure and didn't want to let Pocatello and the old me win.

I crossed the finish line, stopped the time on my Garmin, gathered my medal, and looked down to see 2:29.  I almost burst into tears on the spot.

Instead, I looked to my left to see a woman hand me my race duffel with my extra water, Nuun, flip flops, and some other post-race clothes.  There was no standing in line waiting to get my gear, just a lady handing it over the makeshift fence to me.  Some guy (who did not look official at all) handed me a cold bottle of water.  I found a clear spot near the finish line and stood there for a minute.  I was out of breath and thought I was going to vomit and the thought of that made me want to cry.  I didn't do either.  I held it together as I stretched and shared the good news via text message to Jamie in Chicago and then wandered around until I found the official time check.  I stood in line in front of a couple whose daughter ran the half that morning and when I got to the computer to check my time, I turned to them and said, "I just want you to know that if this says I'm over 2:30, I'm probably going to cry."  They nodded their heads as I turned to punch in race bib 1404.

2:29:32.

I turned around and high-fived them before walking away to find my car.

There was no intense celebration at the park, nor did I partake in the free beer and food; it's not quite as fun to drink a beer at 10:30 am without someone standing by your side.   (Don't worry, there was much celebration afterward with the in-laws.)

For now, all I have to say is this: I win, Pocatello. I win.

Bib	1404
Gun Time	02:30:22
Chip Time	02:29:32
Pace	11:25
Gender-Age	F-32
City	Boise ID
Division	Half
Division: Half	270 / 350
Division: Half - Gender: F - Age Group: 30 - 34	50 / 60
Division: Half - Gender: F	164 / 231
Division: Half - Age Group: 30 - 34	61 / 73