Running Buddy
There have been many studies that say running with friends improves your training and I completely agree! I need to share with you the amazing people that have come into my life that I have met through running. I am confident that many of them will be in my life until the end.
But before I do that, I need to give some credit to my dog. (!!??!!) You must really think I have gone off the deep end! But seriously, as I was sweeping up the dog hair that was multiplying before my very eyes today, watching as he was putting his wet nose against the windows I had just cleaned, and ruing the day he was born, I realized that I sure do love that little fella.
You see, he gets up with me at 4am every day. Tail wagging, happy to be alive. Even without coffee! He eats his breakfast, then comes into the office where I am sucking down coffee, checking my email, and 'waiting for nature to take its course' (as my friend Mark says). Tank curls up on the chair next to me and waits.
Until......Beeeeep! The Garmin is on and he's off! The dog is acting as though he has just gotten a shock of electric current as he bounds through the house knowing its 'go' time! Leash is on and we are off through the cold, dark, morning. Tank is my protector on these runs. He runs with his head up, constantly scanning for anyone or anything that 'dares' cross our path. I have to admit, I feel very safe with him by my side.
Sometimes I need encouraging and he pulls in front of me begging me to quicken up. Sometimes he needs encouraging and through the silent 5am dark you can hear me call "Come on old dog!" We are quite a team, Tank and I. So to him I raise a Gatorade. Without him, I would not be able to get all of my running in so early in the morning as I just wouldn't be safe. My pal, my 4-legged bud that is always up for a run. Thanks Tank!
Runningly Yours,
Ryan House Run practice
Happy Sunday! This morning for my long run, (16 miles) I decided to get this bootie into gear for the Ryan House Half Marathon on March 6th. I have heard it is a pretty tough course, so I wanted to get some practice in. It was difficult, but very beautiful! Here is the course elevation chart. Matt was kind enough to take some video of me (some embarrassing moments I'm afraid!) Enjoy!
I ran 16 miles (8 uphill, 8 downhill) and my average pace was 7:23. I was really happy with it, but I know I need to get faster on this course, so I will keep working on it! This ends my week with 70 miles!
I was so done after this run! It really just beat me up. After church and a soft pretzel, I took a much needed nap. It felt sooooo good! Now to tackle this week, wish me luck!
Runningly Yours,
Update and PF Changs Expo Pics
Hello friends!
Arghhh! This week has been nuts! (Rain and no recess is the perfect recipie to make Phoenician kiddos 'fun'!) My upcoming week will be even crazier as I head into parent-teacher conference week, and try to run 80 miles as well. After Friday at 1:45pm I will finally be able to breathe. Until then, its go, go, go!
Tuesday's track practice was insane! There were only 6 of us from my group there as it was POURING!!! I ran 9.8 miles with 12x400m in less than 88 sec. each with 1 min. recovery in between. I was soaking wet and freezing by the time I got home. It was so nuts!! The rain just got worse as the evening went on. Who runs 10 miles in the rain? I do. 
Do you run in the rain? Here are some pics from our rainstorm, big deal as we hardly ever get rain! Second picture has a drenched coyote!! Poor little fella!
Wednesday I had 6.5 miles recovery, Thursday's run was 10 miles with 10x100m strides. I actually had to go to the gym for this one. One workout of crazy-rain running is enough for the week! The treadmill wasn't too bad. I don't have an ipod that works, so I just zoned out for the 10 miles. I never did do the strides as they are pretty much impossible on the treadmills at my gym. I ended with a 7:30 pace. Not bad. Friday I had recovery 6 miles that I ran with Tank. It was just 'misting' outside, so we ran all around the park. Matt and I went to the gym after work to do some core exercises.
Saturday's run was 10 miles with 2x2miles in 13:00 (6:30 pace) I felt really good and hammered those all out under 6:30. 7:03 average pace for the 10 mile run.
Here are my pics from last Sunday's expo! Our camera is still not turning on, time for a new one.
Runningly Yours,
PF Changs Race Report
Post-race picture: Dan, Me, Matt, Terri, Mark, and Cute Little Lynne!
Here is my race report from this Sunday's 1/2 Marathon...
On Saturday, I was not feeling very well, funky tummy and a cold. After a quick 6 mile shake-out run, we went to Orange Table to get my lucky monkey cakes. I sat around pretty much the entire rest of the day to get some much needed rest. I didn't taper at all for this race, so I was going to be heading into racing on a full training schedule. (60 miles for the week)
Sunday morning I awoke to a nice surprise..ladies, you know what I am talking about. Men, I am sorry. Second year in a row this happens. Unbelievable!
Anyways.. I ate my rice with rice milk and honey and got ready to go. Terri, Mark, Matt, Dan, and I drove down to the start line and of course did the obligatory port-o stop. I had to do a 2 mile warm-up with strides so I headed up to my corral to warm up. The gun went off about 5 minutes after I entered my corral, so it was perfect timing!
My goal was a 1:25:xx half marathon, or a 6:30/mile pace.
Mile 1- 6:18- A little fast, to be expected though!
Mile 2- 6:24
Mile 3- 6:26
Mile 4- 6:22 Took first Gu- Jet Blackberry. It was really hard for me to choke down with the cold going on, hard to breathe and swallow with all the phlegm. Yum.
Mile 5- 6:28
Mile 6- 6:31
Mile 7- 6:37- I was trying to draft on these miles as I could feel the wind. The guys I used for drafting off of slowed down, so I made the decision to break off and fend for myself.
Mile 8- 6:23- Fending for myself. Felt REALLY good here.
Mile 9- 6:24-Took second Gu- Vanilla Orange Roctane, still feeling really great.
Mile 10-6:39- Uphill here, ready for it to be over.:)
Mile 11-6:24- Trying so hard to pass these 2 girlies that were about 20 yards ahead. Never did catch 'em. Nuts!
Mile 12- 6:17
Mile 13-6:16
.15- 5:46 avg/pace
Finish time 1:24:17! YAY! I am really happy with my time so early in my training. It felt hard, but doable. This is a 10 minute PR for me in the 1/2 marathon! It was very fun and challenging to run in such a competitive field. I really enjoyed myself.
By the numbers:
I was the 15th female finisher out of 13,490
I was 4th in my age group out of 2,224
I was the 146 finisher overall out of 21,462
After I crossed the finish line, I got my picture taken, grabbed a bunch of food, and headed to use the restroom. Stomach was not feeling too hot. Postrace Matt and I met some of my DailyMile friends out for some food and drinks. We had such a great time!
Yesterday, (Monday) It was back to the grind as I had 7 miles recovery with some weight training at the gym. My legs were burning! Today I had 5 miles in the morning and I am leaving for track in a bit to do 8 miles with 12x400m in the rain!! Yikes!
Thank you for all of your continued support! I have a new race schedule that I can't wait to post, stay tuned....
Question: Have you done a Rock and Roll event? What do you think of them?
Runningly Yours,
Perspective
Christa Brelsford, the young woman who was doing mission work in Haiti and was there during the earthquake is a close friend to our buddy Bradford, and was with many of our running group the night before the Tucson marathon at dinner. She was injured in the quake but remains in good spirits- what an amazing and inspiring woman. I know this is just a running blog, but I can't help but feel a little helpless, this disaster is just so unbelievable. Times like these make running seem so unimportant.
Terri and I were thinking of something we could do as we run this Sunday in honor of Christa. We were thinking of possibly a care package for her...need to get some ideas together.
Right now all of our prayers are with Christa, her family, and all those affected by the earthquake.
When my friend Mark emailed all of us this morning, he made such a good point. "As I head out for my run this morning on very tired legs, I'll be grateful to be out there anyway." Never take anything for granted, always be thankful and appreciative of your health and safety.
Read the story here.
Runningly Yours,
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