13.1 Atlanta Half Marathon

Well, that went well!!

As I think I mentioned in my last post, I was using this race to get ready for my marathon. No expectations, no pressure - I just wanted a race experience at distance - distance being 20 miles since I was adding a seven mile run to the front of it.

First, the start/finish line was at Oglethorpe University. Since I was running to the start, I wanted to leave my car there overnight - because I was NOT running back home afterward. I know at my illustrious university in the north part of Florida, say - around the Gainesville area, that would have taken an act of Congress - and it still would have gotten towed. I figured I'd give it a shot, and called security there. Wow. The woman who answered was unbelievably helpful and told me where she was pretty sure I should park. She wasn't positive, so she told me to call her again when I was on my way over and she would make sure I was in the right area. Worked out perfectly - major kudos to the host site - specifically one woman whose name I unfortunately didn't get.

Anyway, I planned on doing a 10/mile pace for the 7 miles in, keeping it nice and easy. That part of the run went really well and I timed it perfectly. I hit the starting area so that I had 3-5 minutes before it started. Just enough time to make sure I was in the right area for my pace and go. Can't say much about the facilities at the start since I wasn't there that long, but the directional signs were nice and easy to follow for bag check (which I didn't use), parking etc.

The start was a rolling start by your estimated pace, which was nice. Easy to hear the directions and what was going on. But this was definitely my one complaint about the race. It was a tight start, which is not a big deal. I started shuffling forward, then it opened up right before the starting line, which is perfect since the race was chip-timed. So I crossed the starting line and began to run...and stopped. Dead stop. And then we shuffled forward through a nice little bottleneck and stayed tight for a little bit before it finally began to ease. So I ran the first mile a full minute slower than the rest of the race (and even slower than I ran the 7 in). Oh well.

After that, I loved the race. It was a a nice scenic course, and really well managed. Crowd support was a little sparse, but everyone who did come out was loud, and encouraging. The volunteers were just fantastic. Full of energy, cheering, encouraging, giving direction in nice loud voices...great.

I felt great through the race - - kept about a 9:15 pace though 11 miles (or actually 18 miles, but who's counting?) and then increased to an 8:30 for mile 12 and a 7:40 'til the end!! Please let this be a precursor to the marathon.......

Great Expectations

Unlike Dickens, I apparently do not have enough of a drive to write....

With this blog being primarily about my running, I would have wished that I would have had a lot to say as I swung into the meat of my schedule, hitting an 18, a 20!, and then another 20 mile long run since the last time I wrote. Perhaps . . . I was too busy running . . .?? Sure, that works.

So, with a combination of run log and memory, I'' retrace the route a little bit. I did my 18 miler with CRR and had a pretty tough one around the Emory campus. I was completely wrung out as I staggered in the final mile. That was a little discouraging after feeling so good at the end of the 17 mile last weekend. The flip side is that I DID a 17 mile run last weekend I guess. That said, by the afternoon I felt good enough to climb Stone Mountain with my family. That got the ego pumping again.

The step back week was much needed and I worked my way back to a 20 miler. Yes, 20, TWENTY miler! That was an amazing feeling of accomplishment, especially since I did it on my own. And did I mention it was raining for the entire 20 miles? I didn't? Oh, well, it was raining for the entire 20 miles. There's something about being out running at the crack of dawn in the rain that either builds character or proves you're somewhat nuts. I'm a nut with character. The rain actually helped to some extent. I stayed cool and somehow didn't feel as worn as I would have with sweat dripping down my face. That said, I'd prefer a dry race day....

I do think that watching the puddles, the mud (really wanted to avoid blisters from soaked shoes), and the traffic extra carefully slowed me down. I put up a slower time than I was expecting, especially since this was another run that felt pretty good. I can't say I was ready to dance a jig at the end of it, but I wasn't dragging like I was after the 18 either. As before, I didn't really watch my pace through the run - I just seem to do better feeling it out as I go. It didn't work for me this time - I was about 15-25 sec/mile slower than I would have guessed. Lesson - if something is radically different about the run, watch my pace more.... Still though, hitting 20 (.05!) was a huge monkey off of the back. It's just a 10K after that....

The down week was a downer. I don't know what it was, but all of sudden, I was getting tired of it. I wanted a break, I wanted the training to end, I wanted to back off the 'have to run' feeling all the time. 18 weeks is a long time....

I'm experimenting with gels and hydration with my long runs and I think I have it down. Going to stick with the gel every 45 min, NOT carry water, but hit every H2O stop, and add in Gatorade on the back half.

And I'll test it out this coming week - I've decided I'm running the 13.1 Atlanta as a training run. Not tapering - I'm sticking with my schedule - and I'm going to run the 7 miles to the start and go right into the race if I time it right. My plan is to go nice and slow - 10/ml for the 7 miles and then try to keep a 9:45 pace through the race. Ah, the title of this little excerpt. I have whole-heartedly scrapped my plans for a sub 4 marathon as I realize just how optimistic that would be. Beating my half marathon time - on both sides of the marathon - realistically isn't going to happen. My current plan is a 9:30 pace for the whole thing, which is still pushing it a good bit. I want this to be a training run, not a race, hence the 15 sec/mile slower than my planned pace. We'll see how it goes.

If you Don't Mind, It Don't Matter

Followed up the 17 with an 8-mile pace run today. On the plus side, I averaged 9-minute miles at the end. (I'm shooting for just under 9:10s, so that's good!) On the negative side, I think I was getting close to a 5K PR at the 2 mile mark....which doesn't say much for my consistency. The initial speed was a little bit purposeful actually, although that was faster than I wanted. I chose a course that has a nasty 5th mile, BIG rolling hills, so I knew I was going to lose some time there.

Again, the end was the best part of the run, but for a different reason this time. I was dragging hard at the 7 mile mark and bonked at 7.4. I thought I was done and I was....aggravated. Yes, I had to go retrieve my water bottle after I threw it in disgust. Then I just..reached deep is the only way to say it. I told myself, 'you either want this or you don't' and just kept repeating that over and over as I churned out the final half mile at an 8:37 pace. That was a HUGE mental victory. Yesterday was a great final mile because I was tired and still managed to kick into a higher gear to finish. Today was getting my body to go when my mind had already decided we were done. That's training!

Step by Step, Inch by Inch

Yesterday I did my first 17 mile run. That's s.e.v.e.n.t.e.e.n. miles. Yes, I'm a little proud of this one!

It was another solitary run ...we had somewhere to go that day, so I started my run at 5:30 in the morning - a couple hours before any of the group runs got going. I got in the car at 5:15 and dropped off water along the route, then kicked it off from the Starbucks up the steet. (No, no coffee before, it was just convenient.) In my head, this really became three runs - a five miler and then two six milers. Mainly because of where the water stops were, partially because those were just manageable distances, but that mental trick made a huge difference. I really felt strong and consistent through most of the run and having those intermediary 'endings' helped keep it real.

The best part was the end. I was definitely dragging in the 16th mile, talking out loud to myself to keep my motivation up, looking forward to the end. Then I saw a runner (well) up ahead of me and thought, 'Can I reel him in?' I knocked out an 8:22 mile that final mile (averaging 9:44 the rest of the run) and yes, I passed him. What a rush!!

And the best part was, I really felt great almost immediately after finishing. That was a big mental boost as I continue training. I can do this......

P.S. Ice baths suck.....but they sure help the recovery!!!

Life...is Good

Last night, 7 miles at an 8:51 pace. I'm in a Happy place...

Still Running....

Scratch the feeling of my training not going well! Last Saturday I ran the furthest distance I've run yet - 14 miles, an ultra half-marathon. :) It's a really great feeling to break a barrier.

Kind of humorous - as I've mentioned, I like the group runs because they help so much with the motivation. So, I went to West Stride for a group run, but almost everyone was only doing 5 miles or so. I had printed out a route, just in case, so I ended up doing a solo 'group run'. It was still great. Chatting in the store before we started, a water stop perfectly positioned so I hit it twice on the run, and then coming back to the store for Gatorade, water, and food. Have I mentioned how much I like West Stride? Such great people...

Then today, I went to a group run held by The Chattahoochee Road Runners Club. Holy cow were there a lot of people there! This was the 'Go the Distance' part of the club, so everyone there was there to run anywhere from 12 miles on up. There were easily 60 people there! It was almost overwhelming at 7:00 on a Saturday. Water stops with both water and Gatorade every couple of miles, route sheets for all the various distances ... Great set up. I'll definitely be joining them as often as possible. And today...15 miles!! I certainly wouldn't say it was an easy run, but now I've got 15 under my belt. Onward and upward!

Welcome Back...

Wow. I spent two weekends ago in Valdosta, Georgia. We met up with my sister's family - -halfway between their house and ours, hence the destination. It was a great time, and I managed to get in a long run on Sunday. (Saturday's run just didn't happen.) It was a good run, but the flat route made me feel like I wasn't getting quite the workout I should.

Came back home Sunday night . . . and left Monday morning for Tampa. I did get in my runs there as well, again by myself, and got home Thursday late night. Again, very flat, very tough to push myself . . .I've gotten too used to the group runs.

Saturday, home again, I just couldn't get up in the morning to run. I was just too worn out from the trip. Like that, I'm now 12 miles back in my training. Tack on a really lousy run on Sunday . . . and I started this week feeling like I've really taken a step back.

Well, today, I went for my Wednesday run with West Stride . . .and all I could think to myself was 'Welcome Back Cotter.' Whew! Faster pace, tough hills - ate me up! And I felt great afterward. I think I needed that to get me back on track. Now I just plan on a great run Saturday....which incidentally will be the longest distance I've ever run at 14 miles. The fact that I'm running with West Stride has me a little worried. At that distance, I don't know if I really need the hills that neighborhood will throw at me, but I'm excited to find out.

Oh Canada.....

Just got back from a week-long training jaunt to Canada. I felt I had peaked with my coaching in the U.S. and could learn some new techniques in the Great White North. You know, really hone my craft with a variety of tips and styles. . . . or was it that I just went to visit my in-laws in Toronto for a week and got some runs in while I was there? I forget which.


Anyway, it was a different feeling running there. First, what a temperature difference! It was unseasonably cool (even for Toronto). End of July and it was actually a little chilly at times. Not great for swimming, but it was perfect running weather.

I did all sorts of different routes over the course of the week - one that was all city streets, one that was in a city park, one that followed the Beltline (thank you Kay) - which is a nice wide wooded trail, and even one that was primarily through a (huge) cemetery. Got significantly lost twice....one on my long run, which was mentally painful. To realize at mile 9 that I've gone a couple miles out of my way. . . . oof. Running along the waterfront was great though. One of these days I'd love to climb the CN Tower (the steps, not the outside); I think you can do that.

I missed running with other people - I've definitely gotten used to that. I looked up a running store in the area to see if I could at least get one run in with a group. Unfortunately, their run on Sunday didn't start until 8:30 in the morning and we had plans that morning at 10:30. I stopped in there to get some gels on Friday and while chatting with the girl at the register, mentioned that I had wanted to run with them, but it was too late a run.

Cashier: Too LATE? It's at 8:30! (imagine a nice thick Canadian accent here, eh)
Me: Yeah, I guess you don't have the temperature problem here. In Atlanta, the runs have to start a lot earlier, or you get laid out by the heat and humidity.
Cashier: Our runners go out Saturday night. It's all we can do to get them in here at 8:30...

So Canadians are apparently not as hardy as their American counterparts.... :)

Another odd thing. In Atlanta, as in every other place in the States I've run, runners acknowledge each other as they pass on the streets. Usually a wave, maybe a nod, but a shared spirit type of gesture. In Toronto, at best runners completely ignore each other. A couple times, my smile was met by a flat-out scowl. That said though, when I got completely lost (as I tend to do whenever I leave...oh, my bedroom) and walked up to some unsmiling Torontonian and asked for help . . . . it completely changed. They were super nice and super helpful (each time). I guess you just have to ignore the facade.

Glad to be back to my groups and my hills though...

P-ache-riotic 4th

Interspersed with the 4th of July festivities this weekend, I worked in a 5 miler on Saturday and a 9 on Sunday. I enjoyed the BBQs and the fireworks...but I can't say I enjoyed the runs. It was a tough weekend running-wise.

I ran the 5 with a friend who is definitely a faster runner than I am. We just came out way too fast, especially on a very hot and humid day. It wasn't his doing though; it was all me acting stupid. I think part of it was not wanting to slow him down, and (a big) part of it was misjudgement. I've been running mostly on hills and this was basically a flat run, so I figured I could really turn it up. Between the heat and a day that I had already spent mostly in the sun... I didn't get the run I wanted. Not that bad though, I got in the mileage and hit the average pace I wanted - even though it was heavily weighted toward the first part of the run! The bad part was I was really aching that night; both my legs were just tight and throbbing. I was also exhausted - I don't think I was such good company for fireworks. In hindsight it makes sense. I was running late, so I skimped on the stretching - and then took off too fast right from the start. Not a recipe for bouncing back afterwards.

I got up early on Sunday and was still feeling the effects of the Saturday run. The first couple of miles I was working out the kinks in my muscles. After that, it was just a plodding type of run. Parts were good, parts were bad but I got in the miles, which is what matters. I had a scare when my knee twinged, funny enough almost at the exact spot in the run where I had a real problem back in November, that ended up with me taking off almost all of December. I stretched it out and it was fine though.

That's my biggest fear right now; I do not want my training derailed by an injury. I can come up with enough excuses on my own, I don't need a real one! I'm glad this is a back off week; I think it's coming at a good time for me.

Wednesday Mini Breaks

Man, it was HARD getting out of bed this morning for a 6:00 AM run! I briefly considered pulling the covers over my head and going back to sleep...but that's the beauty of a group run. Knowing there would be other people there gives me that extra tiny bit of motivation to get dressed and going.

Despite the pain of getting out of bed that early, I look forward to these Wednesday morning runs more and more. The neighborhoods around West Stride are really hilly, so it's never an easy run, but the people are just awesome. Just when I'm thinking that I need to stop and walk, I'll get involved in a conversation and the miles churn off. Plus, there's something wonderfully relaxing about hanging out and drinking coffee outside after a hard run first thing in the morning. It's like a mini-vacation right before the day starts. I come into work in a great mood. Am I becoming one of THOSE people?

The other benefit of these runs is I think it's helping my time - and that's definitely a good thing. I'm really trying to stick with the conventional wisdom of not setting a time goal for my first marathon - finishing it should be satisfaction enough. That said, I know me . . .by the time it rolls around, I'll have a goal. OK, I do have one now, but I'll keep it to myself since it isn't at all realistic...

The Early Worm Gets Caught by the Bird

Another EARLY morning run. I knew I wouldn't be able to run during the day . . . and despite myself decided to do it in the morning versus at night after the girls go to bed.

I'm amazed at how awake I feel after I do that. And, for those who don't know, I am NOT a morning person. But get up and going, a Clif bar (Yes, always Chocolate Brownie), and a run...then finish it out with an iced coffee and a shower....seriously, I feel much better than if I had gotten more sleep. Odd. It's also really nice to get it out of the way - I don't have to worry about something getting in the way of my run later in the day.

That's it - nothing earth shattering...just an observation.

Marathon Training, Take One

I've officially completed week one of my training program. 17 more weeks doesn't seem like much time AT ALL to get to 26 (point two!) miles. . .

I've already altered it a bit, running five instead of doing the cross training on Sunday. I think that will be a week to week decision depending on how I'm feeling. Given the choice, I'd rather get in 5 days of running, but I am hyper aware of how an injury will throw off training. We'll see.

I still need to figure out how I'm going to manage the group run. I love the West Stride group, but I know I'm going to need to train with people who are going the distance. This blog will be a good measure of just how big a procrastinator I am...

HBTM.

Back in the Saddle Again

OK, as I think I've admitted, I've been dogging it a little bit since the half marathon. Coming off of that dedicated training, my workouts since then have been a little lackadaisical, especially my willingness to skip a run...or two...or three.

Well, as of Monday, I am 'officially' on a new training schedule (hopefully) culminating with the Marine Corps Marathon on October 25th in D.C. I'm registered, flight/hotel booked...the whole nine yards, so it's time to knuckle down!

Lately (the past couple Wednesday and Saturday mornings) I've been trying to do just that by joining group runs with West Stride, a running store I think I've mentioned in a previous post. If not, they're just awesome. Laid back really nice people with a ton of knowledge. Everyone I've talked to there has a serious running pedigree, and yet is able to offer sound advice that isn't elitist or deprecating. (And they had free waffles and bacon after the run last Saturday for Father's Day - that's how you hook me for good!)

This is the first I've tried running early on a weekday - the run leaves at 6:00 AM on Wednesdays - and I'm amazed at how good I feel going to work afterwards. (after showering of course.) I was afraid I would be sleeping at my desk by 10:00. I'll definitely keep going with that, but I'm not sure how I can keep going with the Saturday run as I get into the miles on the weekend. I guess I could run with them and then just keep going, but that means losing the group when I'll need it the most. I've also considered joining a marathon training group, but we'll see.

Highs and Lows

OK, not really highs and lows as much as motivation and lack thereof.  Coming off of a half marathon training plan, I had a really hard time sticking to a 5K training plan.  It was just too easy to skip workouts knowing I only had to run 3.1 miles as the ultimate goal.  With the half marathon, I was petrified to miss a long run - because if I missed even one, I'd never be able to finish the race (or so I convinced myself).  This, not so much.  It's also the reason there is a big gap in this blog...

That said, I was really excited to run the race.  When I ran this same race last year (The Scan Foundation Save Our Skin 5K), it was the first race I had ever run.  So I was excited to see how I had improved - a lot had happened in a year. 

I also invested in the race (in a matter of speaking) - I volunteered to help the organizer with all of her e-mail merges for the race.  It's a good feeling helping out.  This is my second stint of volunteering - my daughter and I went down to a 5K a little while ago and passed out t-shirts and race packets.  That was a blast - mainly because she was so excited to be doing it.

So between those two things, and the fact that this was the first race my family came down to see me run...I was excited for this one.  

It worked out well too - I PRed, shaving almost five minutes off of last year's time.  As I said, a lot has happened in a year!  Aside from my daughter deciding I was a very slow runner because I didn't win it . . . .a great race.    

Dodging the Jab

I was watching a UFC fight the other night.  One fighter came out strong, looking good, and then got tagged hard with a right hand.  He was rocked pretty good, but he did all the right things.  He covered up, stayed cautious, and took his time engaging until he was back at full strength again. Then he waded back in, back to full confidence, and promptly ate another right hand.  At this point, he looked more aggravated and frustrated than hurt.  

That's me right now.  My back started giving me problems about 2 weeks ago and I did all the right things.  I cut way back on the running, iced it, went to the chiro, etc. etc. I knew I wanted to take care of this so it didn't linger and continue to affect me.  Finally, I felt I was back to normal and was eager to pick up my training again this weekend . . .and I got a lousy cold.  (The funny thing is that I had just realized last week that since I started running, I haven't been sick - at all. So much for that.)  The usual annoying head cold/lassitude/tons of tissues cold.  Enter the aggravated and frustrated feeling.  

I said to heck with it on Sunday and went out for a run anyway - and felt better during the run than I had all weekend.  So that was pretty cool.  I purposefully emphasized the 'slow' part of the LSD with a plan of just enjoying the run.  It really worked.  I also focused on my breathing a lot more than I have in the past and that seemed to really make a difference.  It's amazing how someone's offhand comment about something they do during their run can spark an epiphany.  Now, that I did that, I think I tend to hold my breath at times, which obviously isn't good.  

So, on the plus side, good run and no back pain at all.  Bring on the second round . . .        

Back Talk

I've had a really lackadaisical training schedule this past week or so.  My back started bothering me out of nowhere - a weird tightness, semi-spasm thing.  It's all right when I run, but I seem to pay for it afterwards, so I've basically laid off.  Did an easy 5K yesterday, but nothing at all over the weekend.  It's annoying!

So, with my free time since I'm not running, I'm naturally reading about running.  I'm about halfway through "My First 100 Marathons: 2,620 Miles with an Obsessive Runner" by Jeff Horowitz.  It's a great easy read.  Jeff explores the question of 'why we run' interspersed with training tips and descriptions of a multitude of marathon courses.  It reads like sitting down with a good friend and having a long heart-to-heart about running and how it has touched his life - complete with humorous stories and intimate details.    As, I said, I'm only halfway through it, but I've already jotted down a few exercises, a few tips, and nodded my head more than once over what he has said.  

I've also just started, "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" by Haruki Murakami.  Very different fell to it than the previous book, and yet still seems to attempt to answer that same question, "Why do we do this?"  Just starting it, so I'll talk more about both of these once I get through them.    

Free from Bondage!

Happy days! I was diagnosed today with a neutral gait!

When I got fitted a year+ ago, when I was first getting into running, I had a fairly decent degree of overpronation. (There is something weird about talking about this in a internet blog - - it feels like chatting at a cocktail party about a colonoscopy. Not that I'm stopping, mind you.) So, my last three pairs of shoes have been motion control (specifically the Nike Structure Triax 10/11). I have liked them, but they've always felt a little hard and a little clunky, and just not easy to run in. Neutral shoes were cool, fast, hip. Motion control shoes are for the guy struggling along at the back of the pack. Yes, I know there's no basis in reality for that comment, but it's my blog. My feeling was though, if they are preventing me from having pain though, I'll take it. Then I had a setback in December with Runner's knee/tendonitis, and also got a custom insole (which sounds better than orthotic . . . because between 'orthotic' and 'motion control', I felt like my next step was a walker and a hospital gown flapping in the breeze).

So, I'm back in business and running again. Because of the knee, because I think too much anyway, I pay way too much attention to how things are feeling from the knees on down. Yes, while I'm running, I'm thinking about how my feet are striking the ground, how well I'm rolling from back to front, am I heel-striking vs midsole striking, kicking up in back, etc, etc. Well, lately, it just hasn't felt right; it felt like I was on the outside of my feet much more than I should be. Now, when I got my insole, the doc said that maybe I should look at other shoes. I was getting close to my half marathon though and didn't want to change anything. Maybe what he said just stuck in my head and I imagined the whole bit about the outside of my foot, but I'll humor myself and pretend that I really am THAT in touch with my stride.

So, today, race over with, I went in and said, "Am I wearing the right shoes?" We went through the whole thing again with the treadmill etc. and the answer was pretty clearly, 'no'. Even without the insole, my overpronation was all but gone. It was actually a little freaky. Anyway, she said that between the insole and the motion control shoes, I was probably being forced too far out, which could aggravate my knee, my IT band, my hips. . . (I TOLD YOU!!! It's so much fun writing in hindsight.)

Quick comment regarding where I went. West Stride is a fairly new running store in Atlanta. Jenny (who may choose to spell her name differently than I have) spent a ton of time with me going over the mechanics of my stride, discussing how the motion control shoes affect it, how the orthotics affect it, and ways to continue to develop strength and prevent injury. She went through the strengths and weaknesses of the various shoes, and her personal experiences with them as well. If she is any indication, this is going to become a store with a very large, very loyal following.

So, I now have a new pair of shoes, which compared to the Triax, feel like they are made of clouds, feathers, and trampoline springs. I can't wait to go for a run tomorrow.

"Don't forget the break in period though . .."

"What? I didn't hear you."

What a Pain in the . . .Shins

Bleah. I'd forgotten that feeling.

I did intervals yesterday for the first time in a long time. I've just come off of the half-marathon training program (Hal Higdon) and it basically had no speed work in it. That was perfect for me because I had some problems with my knee back in December so I wanted to just gradually work up on mileage. Good choice apparently because I was really happy with my race. Thanks Hal.

Well, now I'm looking at the summer 5K and 10K races and trying to up my game a little bit. So, back to speed work. That said, the speed wasn't the problem. In fact, I kind of enjoyed it. What I DIDN'T enjoy was the nasty pain in my shins that gradually increased around the 4th rep. I made it through the speed interval, then all but collapsed on the slow jog. I was frantically stabbing the slow down button, practically holding myself up with the bar. I don't think it's shin splints; it feels more like the muscles tightening up unbearably. It relaxed after I walked and stretched, then came right back again by the end of the next speed interval.

And . . . this has happened before when I was doing speed work. I don't know what it is emanating from. Not stretching enough? Not stretching the right way? Misalignment of the planets?

It's really frustrating when pain, as opposed to lack of endurance or training, is causing a slowdown.

Home is Where the Heart is

I was talking with my dad recently and I mentioned that he was one of the reasons I finally started running.  

There were really a few things that got me started.  The first was watching my friend Matt at work get involved (nay, immersed) in running.  I casually tossed out my tried and true, "I hate running.  Always have."  and he just nodded and said he understood.  Then he would occasionally mention things he was doing to gradually work in to running.  Run/walk combinations, even when he felt like he could just run.  Going into the run slowly so his body had a chance to get used to it.  Not running to exhaustion and pain so he wouldn't dread the next run . . .  All of these came as 'aha' moments to me.  Every time I had tried running in the past, I had gone out and  . . . ran.  Not sprinted, but a good fast jog until I couldn't do it anymore.  Then I'd stop.  And try it again the next day.  In my slightly too small running shoes that I got off of the clearance rack.  And I'd usually get shin splints, and I wouldn't increase as fast as I wanted (meaning at least a mile a day or some other such random stupid thought) and I'd quit, because 'I hate running.  Always have.  See, I even tried it again and still hate it.'  

So, I continued to listen to him, never preachy, never pushy, just sharing things he was doing . . . . and finally took a trip with him to Big Peach Running Company and got fitted for a pair of running shoes.  

It's a revelation when the saleswoman looks at you and says, 'you were running in THOSE?'  She put me on the pressure pad and showed me how high my arches were, and explained what that could mean with regards to how my foot strikes the ground.  Then she took a video of my stride on the treadmill, and showed me how it compared to a neutral stride.  Then she put me in shoes that made a difference.  So now, I've got the immediate boost of knowing I'm in the right shoes and Matt's given me the tools to start correctly.  Because I don't just like, I require, gadgets, I went out and got the Nike+ so I could track my runs from day to day.  Now I don't have to measure the distance beforehand, calculate my pace while I'm running, record it afterward; it's all done for me.  And all of a sudden, I'm running, and I'm enjoying it.  Life is good.  

So back to my dad.  One of the things that helped push me to actually start is memories of my dad running when I was younger.  I told him that I remembered my sister and I going to the track with him and he nodded fondly.  I remember going out running with him (one time) and it was fun just to watch him set off.  Another fond nod.  And I ultimately wanted to get to the point where I could run the Peachtree like he did, at least once . . . and he got a quizzical look on his face.  

Dad: "I never ran the Peachtree."

Me:  "Yes, you did; I remember at least twice!"

Dad: "Noooo.  I only ran one 5K race and that was it.  Remember that t-shirt with the heart on it?  That was the one."

Me:  "Really?  Huh.  Oh well, thinking you did got me running."

ING Half Marathon

I've finally given up on my home-grown blog at flipya.us (not that I updated it that often anyway) and moved to this infinitely easier one.  Because while I do enjoy running, and I do enjoy sticking my thoughts out there, I don't feel like spending too much time doing it.

As has been said many a time, I'm posting this for me - to remember, to train, to dwell on later; and if you get something out of it - fantastic.  If not, hopefully I will at least . . . .

For a variety of reasons, laziness being the primary one, I have skipped posting anything about my training leading up to the ING Georiga half marathon on March 29th.  Maybe I'll talk about it in comparison to other training I do in the future, but it seems kind of silly to go back now, because...

I finished my first half marathon!!!!

What a fantastic race.  Major kudos to the race directors for this one.  It was beautifully organized, plenty of food, water, gatorade, great crowd support - I just had a blast running this one.  The only negative was the temperature - it was 40 degrees and windy, which was miserable for the hour before the race started and just unpleasant after it ended.  On the plus side, it is impossible to be tired at 6:00 AM when you're that cold!  Also, it was great weather for running once the race actually started.

As I said, the crowd support was fantastic.  I hope everyone out there supporting the runners realizes just how much it matters to have someone cheering.  Not just the ones in costumes, with instruments, with signs, with music . . . it's also the kids sticking their hands out for a high five, the woman walking her dog that keeps stopping to clap and exhort us on . . .what a major lift.  

    

I was shooting for a 2:11, 10 minute miles, or that is what I told everyone.  Naturally, I had a personal goal I kept a little quieter about; I was really hoping for 9:45s.  Well, how 'bout me, I crossed in 2:02:43, a 9:22 pace!!  I was ecstatic when I crossed the finish line.  I took about five steps beyond the finish line and this smile spread across my face that I honestly could not stop.  It was a great feeling.  (Of course five minutes later, I was thinking, "If I could only have cut 2 minutes and 44 seconds off my time, I could have had a sub two...." 

 Sad, so sad.