Time to move on, time to get going…

Sooo.... about that race today. Yikes.  I woke up this morning and I just did not feel excited, nervous, anxious, all of the things I usually feel before a race that get me pumped up.  I slept on the way to the race and didn't even play my good luck songs. I was just 'off'.  It showed during the 5k today. I just didn't have the urge to dig deep, or push myself to move it.  I ran an 18:20 time. 30 seconds SLOWER than last months' race. Oh well, it just wasn't my day. I also ran 80 miles this week, so I think I was tired.  But, I  have to move forward and focus on AFC. Like my BF Ter reminded me, lucky I was feeling 'off' today and not next Sunday when it really matters! (Well, I am hoping I am not 'off' next Sunday too) Now  I get to taper for AFC. I will still run 64 miles this week, but the drop in mileage will hopefully freshen those legs up!

Arizona RoadRacers Summer Series #4

Last Saturday was the 4th out of 5 summer series races. It was SO hot and humid at this race. It was 95 degrees at 6:30am with the clouds keeping the humidity in. Oh well, at least the sun wasn't out! My goal was a 17:45 which would be a 5:43 pace. I ran a 17:50, a 5:45 pace for the 3.1 miles.  A new PR and my first time breaking 18 minutes! I am super happy with that considering the crappy weather!  My splits were pretty even, with my last mile being faster than the middle mile. And each time I race these shorter distances, I am feeling better and better during the race. (i.e. not feeling like I have to stop!)

Race results

Sally Meyerhoff came in first female with a 17:11! She is an amazing runner and is going for the Olympic team in the marathon. Now, not just the trials, the TEAM. I really believe she is going to do it, she is SO fast!  Check out her blog here! She is also just the nicest, most inspiring gal!

Sally and I

In other news, I had the dreaded 3 x 2 mile track workout yesterday. This workout has been my enemy. I mentally, have such a hard time with this workout and have not had a lot of success with it. However, yesterday I NAILED IT!!! YAY!! I had 3 x 2miles at a 6:00 pace with 4 minutes rest in between. Each set was  under my goal time! YAY!!!  Confidence in this workout is restored!

**NEW DRINK ALERT** I was getting a tad sick of having chocolate protein shakes, So I came up with this gem- 12 oz skim milk,  4 oz black cherry juice ( the pure stuff is proven to decrease tissue and muscle inflammation), a banana, 3 ice cubes just to chill it, protein powder. So good!

Happy running!

Most things I worry about, never happen, anyway…

At the Hotel Del with my ice cream! I haven't had ice cream since Boston in April! Yum!

Scripps Old Pros 10k Race Report

So, I ran my first 10k on the Fourth of July. Honestly, I was terrified. I was trying to play it cool and stay relaxed but I was pretty nervous. I knew that this race would wrap up my 5k and 10k summer training and I wanted to run really well so that my confidence would be up as I began training for the Chicago Marathon. MWC wanted me to run this race as there is usually a good showing of super fast females. It would be good practice for me to race with them. My goal was a 36:30ish. I predicted a 36:33 (see post below) I would have been super happy with that.

I woke up race morning and had my coffee, ultrafuel, and a banana cut up with honey on top. We drove to Lake Miramar, picked up our bibs and timing chips, (ok, don't know why they have these. The only timing mat was at the finish, so it was basically  a gun-timed event.)  I did 3 miles to warm up with some strides. I lined up and was about 3 rows back. A bunch of fast looking fellas came up and I was not about to be in their way.

The gun went off and by mile 1 I was the 7th female.  I was feeling good and hit my first mile at  5:51 per Garmin. The guy calling splits at mile 1 said 5:54- Yikes! Stupid gun-time! I knew I had to make up a few seconds. Mile 2 I hit at 5:45. The hardest part of the race for me was between mile 2-4. I didn't feel horrible, it was just hard. Mile 3 was 5:50, Mile 4 was 5:54. Mile 5 turned up to be a 5:52, Mile 6 a 5:38 (awesome downhill finish!) .2 at a 5:28 pace.  My official time was 35:52!! A 5:48 avg pace!

My results on video- they originally had me at 35:50- a 5:47 pace, I don't know what happened to add 2 seconds...hmmm... Oh well, I will for sure take it!

During the last 2 miles, I passed 2 gals and ended up being 5th female, 4th in my age group. I really wanted to make top 5 and I did. I am so happy with how I ran at this race.  It shows me that I could probably pick it up a bit in my 5ks! A little investigating and I found that the girls that finished in front of me have stellar marathon times i.e. 2:40-2:48. So I felt honored to be in such good company!

Finishing video- OK, I look real gnarly here, but its the humidity, I swear!!

The weather was perfect, the course was gorgeous, the Old Pros run a fantastic race, and next year I am staying for the beer garden! I HIGHLY recommend this race. It was just wonderful!

Line for the beer garden..they had to start kicking the Old Pros out! lol!!

My sis also ran with Matt! She did SO awesome, a 7:12 average pace!!

The rest of the trip we hung out at the dog beach, hiked Point Loma, and I enjoyed my last few days of eating unhealthy food (Mazara Pizza, Fish tacos!! yum!) and drinking good California beer and wine!

At Tent City with my Coronado Orange Ale

Now we are back in the heat. BOOOOO!!!! Here is what I have coming up!

July 17th- ARR Summer Series #4 5k-- Always a SCORCHER!!

August 8th- ARR Summer Series #5 5k- South Mountain

August 15th- America's Finest City Half Marathon

In closing, anyone want to take a gander at the song choice for this post?

ARR Summer Series #2- Cooler than a polar bear’s toenails.

Well, not exactly, but it was only about 85 degrees this morning instead of the usual 95! I am SO happy with this race! Yesterday I kept telling myself just to relax, just run against myself, and have fun with it rather than dread it. (after my debacle of a race 2 weeks ago) I told myself that I was only allowed to  turn on the nervous energy at 4:30am race morning, but other than that, there would be NO pre-race freaking. It helped me so much.

I woke up this morning, had my special breakfast (still need to share that!) and headed to the race. This is a trail race, so I wasn't exactly sure how I would feel while running, but I was just going to do what I could and HOLD back the first mile.

Mile 1- 5:48

Mile 2- 5:51

Mile 3- 5:51

.1- 5:50

Official time= 18:06- 5:50avg. pace

I finally ran a consistent race! I felt so much better and didn't feel like I was going to keel over and die during the race like I did at ARR #1. I didn't break 18 minutes, which I really wanted to do. I thought 5:50's would do it, but I guess I messed up on my math a little! (big surprise!) This race was a break-through for me more on the mental side of racing. I stayed strong, stayed relaxed, and didn't panic when it got hard. Making progress!!! I also earned top female, so that is pretty cool as well. There were 360 women, 441 men. I was 28th overall.

Official ARR results

Next up, my VERY FIRST 10k in San Diego on the 4th of July. I have been told it is a fast, competitive course. I looked at the results from last year and there are some super fast women that run this. I am very excited to run with them and practice racing with some speedy chicas!