Rock N' Roll Philly Half

Well, I just completed my 3rd half marathon.  Surprisingly it wasn't my worst time, considering.  My first was this past March and it was another Rock n' Roll 1/2 here in DC.  The hubs and I did pretty good training wise. It's also always helpful to have someone who runs with you.  I was really surprised with my time especially since we had some hills.  I think it was 2:19, no world record that's for sure.

In June I ran the Zooma Women's 1/2 and trained, but again not as well as I probably could have.  I ended up getting something like 2:35 or something along those lines.  There were a lot more hills than I had expected.

This last one was also a Rock n' Roll 1/2 and with summer's here being so hot and humid it made it difficult to run outside.  I have also quit the gym because I feel that it is a waste of money and if I want to take a class or go once in awhile it's cheaper to do it that way than to pay a monthly membership.  I only ran up to 7 miles while training for this 1/2 which is no where near what I wanted to get to.  My goal was to get to 10, maybe 11.  Thankfully we had BEAUTIFUL weather AND Philly is quite flat, HUGE blessing!

I didn't run with water this time just with my GU and iphone.  I did stop at every water station though.  I found that putting GU in my pocket makes it easier for me to take them because it warms them up and makes them a little easier to swallow.  They handed me an orange GU at around mile 9.  That was NOT good.  I have to stick to the chocolate and vanilla ones.  

 High School Friend, Abby, actually I've known her since 3rd grade! That's what like 22 years?!

 On your mark, get set....and major traffic jam

 Barefoot Runner

 Loving the run under bridges and along side the water.

Originally we planned on staying with my mother outside of Philly and then traveling in real early Sunday morning.  Thankfully Gary decided that staying in Philly in a hotel would be better for both of our sanities. We ended up staying at the Hilton Garden down on Arch and 11th right across the street from the convention center where packet pick up was and right next to Reading Market. There was also the added bonus of the Wawa right across the street.  It was prime location in my mind.  I also found a cheap manicure place right around the corner.  I got a $25 OPI gel manicure, usually in DC it costs $40. 

You could choose the comfort of your mattress....wish ours did that.

I didn't end up with the worst time in the world.  I got 2:26.  Next year I will definitely train harder.  I'm hoping that for the one in March next year I'll be much more ready, especially since I know the hubs will be running it with me.  

It was fun because I knew a few friends running it, all of whom are faster than I, but we didn't stick together.  My one friend from HS and I started together and ran a mile and then I told her just to go. This was also a special run because my mother was able to come with one of her best friends.  She's never seen me run and I thought it would be neat for her to experience a 1/2 marathon and all the participants.  

I felt good for the majority of my run.  I didn't hit a major wall until about mile 11. And...thankfully my feet didn't fall asleep as badly as they sometimes do.  It was really gorgeous running there along the river. 

Super sore

Yesterday was an active day- although I'm not as sore as you would have thought. Thankfully!

So, vacationing in by a lake enables all sorts of outdoor activities.  Instead of running through a concrete jungle filled with cars and people, I basically ran through the woods. No, I wasn't trail running, I was on the road. I will say that the gravel in certain areas made me go a little slower. I have to say that I do get a little worried about wildlife. It may be my overactive imagination, or stories that I have read.  During the weekends the lake is packed with boats and wave runners, but during the week, not so much.  I kept thinking what would I do if a bear came charging out of the woods.  I know I can't outrun it and I sure can't out climb it. I kept looking around as I ran, what could I climb on, what could I get under where the bears claws couldn't get to me. Would I be able to call Gary? Fortunately I didn't have to use any of my "emergency" plans.  

It's also a lot hillier here, they aren't awful hills, but hills non-the-less.  

The rest of the afternoon consisted mainly of reading down by the water while soaking in the rays. We didn't even go out on the wave runner. It was nice and warm today too.  This required a nice dip in the lake. I get a little paranoid when I'm swimming in the lake, I hope that all motorized vehicles see us bobbing there in the water. 

P.S. You can't see the island we swam to, it's just that
far away, it's beyond that last dock....and some

I am not a strong swimmer at all.....however today we, Gary, Jess(SIL), Chris(someday to be BIL) and Tim(FIL) all decided to swim to a "nearby" island.  I swam from a closer dock while the rest started from our dock.  Oddly enough I kept my flip flops with me and put them on my hands. I guess they may have helped with paddling a little. It ended up being probably 1/2 a mile....which gives me hope for a future triathlon. I will most certainly not be the fastest swimmer out there, but maybe the biking and running can help me.  I've never tried to combine the 2 before. Perhaps I will try and duathlon, that doesn't sound too bad, run, bike, run.  

Anyway, I don't know how long it too me to do the 1/2 mile back and forth swim, but I felt like I was in the water for awhile, swimming on my back was also very helpful.  Thankfully the hubs stayed with me and kept asking me if I was ok. I think the thought at any moment I would capsize.  I am quite proud of myself. I didn't swim today, but if its sunny tomorrow you better believe I'm gonna tackle that lake again.


Oh also, I am a friend of wild animals. Unlike my "someday" BIL who is killer of them. I was very tempted to try and grab one.

Back in the Saddle

 

Well, I just signed up for my third 1/2 marathon and my second Rock N' Roll.  It's in Philly(home sweet home) on Sept 16.  Hopefully it won't be this awful heatwave, or the "dog days" of summer. I don't know if I'll survive.

I've started training again. I really haven't run since June 2, well nothing long. I've had a few short runs, but I've been sick for over a week which put a whole damper in the exercise thing.  Prior to that I hurt my knee at step class. Grrrr...so frustrating.  My goal this summer was to hit the gym a lot, but it's hard to do with all this obstacles to overcome. Then the gym lost AC due to our wicked storm we had this past weekend.  I'm so thankful we didn't lose power like so many who did.  Our wires are all underground and because we live on Capitol Hill we rarely lose power.  I couldn't imagine not having AC this last few days of pure evil humidity.  

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 I know how you feel bud!

Today I returned to the gym to begin training.  I've got a lot of work to do in a short time. I have a little over 2 months to get ready and who knows what will happen between now and then.  I've started out slow, can't start pounding away at the ol' body even though I desperately want to.  I would rather run outside, but these temperatures are certainly not optimal conditions in my mind.  

I did some weights at the gym, triceps, biceps, back....then I ran on the treadmill - I ran an easy 2 miles then hopped on the elliptical and did another 30 minutes.  My knee hurts a little I really hope this isn't going to be a continual nuisance. Time to ice.... Tomorrow I'll probably repeat and then up the miles on Sunday.

Afterwards I ran a bunch of errands, Target, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Home Depot.  You'll see what I'm up to, when I'm finished:-)  Don't let the suspense kill you! 

For dinner, because I got home so late I had steamed broccoli with cheddar cheese (steamed in my wonderful tupperware).  I also had these weird little chicken croquettes they remind me of the ones I used to get in Spain, or at a Tapas restaurant.  Someone brought them over for international night and ended up leaving them, WIN for me!  They are yummy and three fill me up plenty though I'm sure I could scarf down more.

Olympic Trials

Have you been watching the Olympic Trials?

I have, swimming, track and field, gymnastics....quite enjoyable. 

I watched the final heat for the women's 1500: .

1) Ridiculously fit!

2) Ridiculously fast!

3) Amazing!

(I always think the 1500 meters is weird since it's virtually a mile, that being said my 1500 would probably take me 10 minutes to run LOL)

Do you see the World Record time? 3 minutes and 50 seconds?! Insane.

I was rooting for Jenny Simpson(P.S. I also love her hair) to win the final heat, but am very glad she made the team.  Overall I'm just glad that we have three amazing women representing Team USA.

 Morgan Uceny= FAST

 When I raced in High School, this was always the most nerve wracking part, it isn't the race it's self, it's the On.Your.Mark.Get.Set.GO! Or gun shot....how you get off the line can have a big impact in how you do.

Note several things:

1) Schmidt, far left is MUCH taller than the rest of the gang

2) Those girls have -% body fat

3) I hate wearing a bathing suit, let alone run in one, BUT, if I had their bodies or work ethic I could!

 Home stretch

First, Ucheny, then Shannon Rowbury and the Jenny Simpson

Here's your 2012 Women's Gymnastics Team

 They got out of order, from left to right, Gabby, Alexandra, Mckayla, Jordyn and Kyla

I like that the men's team congratulates them.

I have to say that I was never a huge fan of Nastia Lukin because I loved Shawn Johnson, however.....that being said, I would have like to have seen her on Team USA for this Olympics. She IS an amazing athlete and it's sad when someone that great makes mistakes in the Olympic trials, however it does make them human and we all make mistakes. It's sad that this will be her last competition. 

Swimming

Was really hoping that Dara Torres would be joining Team USA at age 45! But, c'est la vie, she has had an AMAZING Olympic History.

Michael Phelps- the Human Torpedo will be competing in 7 races. He would have been competing in 8, but just dropped out of the 200m freestyle.

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Zooma Women's Half Marathon

Hobby of the Day: Running

Race: Zooma Women's Half Marathon in Annapolis, MD

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Goal: Sub 2:19 (which was my last time, for my first ever 1/2)

Problem: Haven't trained as much as I should have...whomp whomp, might come back and bite me

Hoping: That my husband would be at the 10/11 mile marker to finish the race with me, if allowed....

Official Time 2:34 


Feelings: Sad and Disappointed, but pleased that I finished

Smiling before the Race

I am overly disappointed with my time.  I added 15 minutes to my time, instead of subtracting. No PR there.  I would have been happy if I had even taken off a minute.  Like I said, I did not train as regularly as I had before.  Gary wasn't running this race with me so I didn't have a training partner.  It really helped last time when we both trained together.  

Last time we drove the route we were running, but not this time so I didn't really know what to expect.  And.....Holy Hills Batman! I mean I thought that DC had some, and there was one long one, but Annapolis was like hill and then hill and then more hills. Ugh and of course they are right in the middle.  I know what I HAVE to work on now, hills.  


 



I had Gatorade on my refuel belt, but it ended up being too sweet for me and left me just wanting water. Funny thing is that I usually run with Gatorade.  I didn't have any sports beans or gels on me. I thought I would try swedish fish this time. I only was able to get down one, that was an epic fail, the vanilla GU that they handed out worked MUCH better! 




My friend Jenna and I had signed up to do this race and we had matching outfits, even though we both did poorly, at least we looked cute, HA. I would have rather looked gross and run better though.  We started off together, but we each gave the word that if one of us was faster to just go.  I just kept plodding along at my turtle like pace.  It was nice because our husbands weren't watching, so they ended up being at 5 places that we ran by.  Good sports waiting that long in the sun.  Truthfully we couldn't have had better weather.  
In the end I didn't ask Gary to run with me.  Having him cheer me on and support me was Wonderful!!

We ran over several bridges, past the Naval Academy, and then through a park, which was nice and shady, then looped back.  They had plenty of water stations and plenty of port-a-potties. Most of them never even had lines at them.  This race was no where near as big as some of the races I've run.  This one was mostly female. The last like .1 was over grass.  I was not a fan of that.  They really could have made it go over sidewalks/road, but instead I plodded over grass and then up a little hill to the end. I swear that all races end on an uphill, why is that?!

Still smiling after=survived.  

I thought we were going to be getting a medal, but we got a necklace instead. At first I was a little disappointed because I like having that medal, but then I realize, I don't wear it and we don't have room to display them, so the necklace was nice and different touch.  

Snow-balls, great idea! 

Girl Power!

 Barefoot Wine- cheers

So, even though I didn't get my PR, I am proud that I finished to the best of my ability.  My next half probably won't be until Sept. It seems that big races tapper off during the hot summer months and I'm not complaining. I'll look up some shorter ones maybe I can find something good and not too expensive. 
* If you know of anything, let me know!*