13.1 in memory of my Dad...

In 13 hours (check out the irony of the timing), I will be running 13.1 miles in memory and honor of my Dad.  In case you've forgotten why I run or what he looked like, let me remind you with some of my favorite pics of him.  The first one is on the front of the shirt I'll be wearing tomorrow.  The second one is from the winter (he always grew a beard in the winter).

Monday (9/19) would have been his 68th birthday. We'll be sending our balloons to heaven as we do every year.

Love you and miss you dad...please give the courage and strength to get through these miles tomorrow.  Wish you could be there to high 5 me at the finish...

Oktober Lauf Fest 1/2 Marathon Recap

Quick Version: 

Beautiful, crisp, fall day in upper 50's.  Gorgeous, scenic course in PennyPack Park with no traffic, but beware of hidden rocks on the trail.   Finish time of 2:13:33...12 minutes faster than my last 1/2 marathon!!

Long Version:

My goals for this half marathon were to finish the race, run the whole race, and seek redemption from my failed 2:20 goal in the Rock N Roll Half Marathon on 9/19.  I was disappointed in my 2:25 time at the Rock N Roll half...recall that I had a horrible side stitch and right side quad cramp and walked most of mile 11.  As a result of my cramping issues at the Rock N Roll half, I adjusted my race strategy for this 1/2 by drinking electrolyte (NUUN) from the beginning of the race and doing shot blocks at the half way point.  I guess it paid off!

We started out in grass and quickly moved onto a paved trail.  It was a small field of about 170 runners.  The field thinned quickly and I never felt like I had to jockey for position like you do in larger races (like Broad St and the Rock N Roll Half).  I settled into my happy pace pretty early on and was quite comfortable rockin' out to my newly created playlist.  The course has some really steep hills (although quite short).  I was cruising nicely up (and down) them and was feeling great.  I was thanking my running buddy Jeff for all the hill training he drug me on...especially when I was passing folks who were walking the hills!  I caught up with two women ahead of me and were chatting with them as we approached 1/2 way.  At 6.5 miles I was at 1:03 which is PHENOMENAL for me.  I chomped my shot blocks and continued on.  At about mile 7, there was an aid station.  I refilled my water bottle and headed off into the trail portion of the course.  And then the hell began....

They warned us at the start that there were lots of rocks on the trail and that the falling leaves were covering them.  I slowed down immediately on the uneven ground.  I HATE unstable footing.  I kept focusing myself on watching my feet and trying not to get lost in the music or the beauty of the scenery.  I rolled my right ankle twice with bad foot placement.  Somewhere after mile 8, my left foot hit a rock in a bad way and I fell.  I got up, brushed off, winced in pain, and realized I needed to keep going.  Those first few steps were painful until the adrenaline & endorphins kicked in and my body realized I was going to run through the pain.  I paid extra careful attention to my footing the rest of the trail.

I was never so happy to see a paved path again.  I put my head down and took off.  At mile 10, a woman next to me told me we were at 1:42.  WOW...again, much faster than I anticipated.  How could this be with a fall and a sore left ankle?  For comparison, my Broad Street time was 1:50 and my 10 mile time in my previous 1/2 marathon was 1:45.  At this point, I'm smiling because I know I have 2:20 in the bag. 

I plowed through the last 3 miles.  As I approached the finish, I smiled ear to ear when I saw Mike and the kids had decided to come and surprise me at the finish.  2:13:33!  WOO HOO!  So proud.

The foot was pretty swollen and red yesterday and I had quite a limp.  Today, it seems noticeably better.

One Word....REDEMPTION!

2:13:32.  12 minutes quicker than my previous half on 9/19/10. And, I even fell on the trail part of the course.

I couldn't be more proud of myself.  Full race recap (including the fall) coming soon...for now, I'm going to sit in the hot tub.


All for my Dad who is smiling down on me today.  He continues to inspire, lead, and motivate!

What am I thinking?

I signed up for another 1/2 marathon. 

It's on October 31...26 days from today.

It's a fundraiser for lung cancer, so I couldn't resist. 

So much for enjoying my leisurely runs...my runs that were when I wanted to go for whatever distance I felt like.  Back to the schedule...back to the training.

Why do I do this to myself?  (You know I'm smiling as I right this...this running bug has really got a hold of me.)

I did it!! WOO HOO!!

Philly Rock-n-Roll 1/2 Marathon Recap:

The day started off uneventful...just how I like race mornings to go.  We got to the city early, I met my 1/2 marathon training group with no problems.  I didn't have to wait in any porta potty lines or go in a gross porta potty since I had access to the VIP Brooks "Potty Like A Rock Star" trailer.  These bathrooms are freakin' awesome!  Hard wood floors, real toilets that flush, running water to wash your hands...I loved it!  Definitely worth it to buy Brooks gear to get the sticker that gets you in!

I was in Coral 14 to start.  I ran into one of my daughter's friend's Dad.  It was nice to talk to him to take my nerves off waiting to start.  I crossed the mat with 17:14 already on the clock.  I like to keep this number in my mind to get a more accurate idea of my chip time as I start clocking off the miles.

Mile 1 was right at a 10:14 pace.  I was fine with that.   I really get paranoid about going out too fast.  Mile 2 was a 10 minute pace.  Two really nice people offered me inspiration and commented on my shirt between miles 1 and 2.  For those new to following my blog, I was running today in memory of my Dad.  He passed away after a short battle with lung cancer on 4/29/08.  Today, 9/19, would have been his 67th birthday.

Miles 3-6 were very uneventful.  I was keeping a nice 10 to 10:10 pace.  My 5K split time was 31:31.  My 10K split time was 1:04:14.  I was feeling strong and really good about my progress.  I kept going strong miles 7-10.  I stopped to refill the water bottle at the water station after mile 7.  I crossed the mat at 10 miles at 1:46:17.  This made me smile as I shaved 5+ minutes off my Broad Street finish (10 miler) back in May!

Between Miles 11-12, I had a horrendous side stitch on the left.  I had to slow down, walk, and breathe through the pain.  I started to run when I thought I had it controlled.  However, the walking didn't help my right quad which then cramped up.  It was hard as a rock and I was really in pain and mentally feeling down.  I was walking  a good bit...My Nike+ chip tells me I clocked a pathetic 16 minute miles between 11 and 12.  Lovely.

I started running again when I saw the Mile 12 sign.  That's when the nicest guy started talking to me.  He was encouraging me and getting me to talk about my Dad.  He left me for a little bit commenting that "he had to go back and check on his other girlfriend who he noticed was walking again".  He came back to me again during mile 12 and kept encouraging me telling me how proud my Dad would be, how proud he was of me, and to keep going...we had less than a 1/2 mile left.  This guy is my hero...he was so nice and offered so much encouragement.  Wish I had gotten his name...

My hubby was right after the Mile 13 marker and captured this great pic:

I finished with a finish time of 2:25:02.  Not quite the 2:20 goal I had in mind...but not bad for my first 1/2, either.  Did I just say that...my FIRST 1/2?

How's this for some bling?

I came home and sat in our hot tub for a bit.  Now, I'm gonna sit down and relax before we have to head out for our fundraiser dinner tonight.  Our family is hosting an event to raise money for our team, Team Charlie's Angels, for the Nov. 7 Free To Breathe 5K.  All proceeds benefit the National Lung Cancer Partnership!

Happy Birthday Dad...Love you...Miss you!  We're working hard to keep your memory alive and help others afflicted have a better shot at survival.

12 hours from now...

I'll be waking up and getting ready for the 1/2 marathon. I cannot wait!  The weather is supposed to be perfect! 

I'll post a race recap tomorrow afternoon!  Till then...wish me a good night's sleep, a focused & positive mindset, and strong legs to carry me 13.1 miles!

Remembering my Dad!

Next Sunday, 9/19, would have been my Dad's 67th Birthday. I'm running the Philadelphia 1/2 marathon that morning in honor and memory of him.

We're hosting a fund raiser dinner that evening for the PA chapter of the National Lung Cancer Partnership that evening at one of his favorite restaurants in Allentown, PA.  If you are local, please consider joining us.  10% of your check will be donated back to the Lung Cancer Partnership.

Email me or leave a comment if you would like a copy of the invitation. 

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. We are having a blast!!  The kids are especially having a good time...between playdates, parties, sleepovers and several hours on our blow up water slide, they have really had a great weekend. 

I ran 4.5 this morning.  The heat and humidity was brutal (even at 7:30).  I am really not sure how I am going to train for a 1/2 marathon in heat.  Lots of sweat...that's for sure.

I'm officially a registered runner in my first 1/2 Marathon!

OMG...am I crazy? Why do I think I can do this?  I signed up today for the race and signed up for a training program with fleet feet, too.  I can't believe I am going to do this.  INSANITY!

I ran this morning...5 miles on a hilly course.  I walked two parts of it (yes, it was that hilly).  Then, we took the kids to the circus.  It was HOT!  Some neat stuff...including one very talented 11 year old.

Off for a nap...with the run and the sun...I'm tired!