Race Recap - OctoRun

Yes, I'm still alive. Yes, I'm still running. I have no excuses for not posting...other than the traditional...been busy.

On Sunday, I ran the OctoRun 13K (8.04 miles).  It was the final race in the Hatfield Hat Trick Race series.  Sunday's weather was perfect...50 degrees and sunny.  I knew I was second in the points series for my age group going into the run.  My two goals:  I really wanted to medal and finish sub 10 minute miles for all 8 miles.  I stayed warm in the car until 3 minutes before race time.  I got out, synced my watch, started my ipod, and waited the last minute till the gun fired.

I took off at a comfortable pace.  We hit mile 1 before I knew it and I checked my pace.  9:20.  Sweet...but probably a little too fast for me.  I kept running (with no one in particular) and was enjoying the crisp, cool chill, changing leaves, and just the feel of racing again!  It had been awhile since the Rock N Roll Half.  Mile 2 came up quick and I was at a 9:30 pace.  At Mile 3, I started chomping on my honey stinger waffle.  Those things ROCK!   I finished the rest of it at mile 4.  The miles were ticking by so easy...I wasn't hot, nothing hurt, and I was really enjoying the run.

Miles 5 and 6 were uneventful.  Coming out of mile 6 you come off the trail and end up in an industrial park.  I missed exiting the trail (I must have been looking at those leaves again) and went about a minute out of my way before I realized I was alone.  I backtracked that minute to get back on course.  GRRRRRR....if this costs me my personal goal of under 1:20....I was going to be pissed.

I got back on course and was just mad at myself.  I put my head down and told myself I had to catch up with the group I was running with.  I buckled down and kept running.  There is a spot where you have to turn around and back track.  I started counting people behind me to distract myself.  That really helped take my mind off trying to catch people.

When I came into the home stretch and saw the clock ticking 1:18 51, 52, 53, etc. I knew I had done it!  I finished at 1:18:59...a full 1:01 below my goal!   WOO HOO!!

Oh yeah, I got first in my age group for the series!!

A truly great day!!


 

My 5th Father's Day without him...

I had hoped it would get easier with each year.  Sadly, that's not the case.  Trying to focus on remembering the positives as opposed to crying. 

damn cancer.


 

DE 1/2 Marathon Report!

Of course, the night before my big run I sleep like crap.  I always do.  I did manage a few hours of sleep; but I swear I saw the clock every hour last night.  I gave up at 3:51, got up and dressed, and headed downstairs for coffee and my bagel.

Given the early rise, I had plenty of time to check FB, catch up on twitter, and enjoy my coffee and bagel.  I had so much time, I brewed a second cup in a TO GO mug to enjoy on the hour long ride to the race.  I met my group at the running store at 4:45 am.  The three coaches were there first which I thought was kind of nice.  We talked a bit about our trainees and reminisced on the 12 week program we led them through.

We left the store at about 5:15 and began the caravan to DE.  We got there by 6:20 and had an hour to kill before the gun for the 1/2 marathon.  We got in the port-o-potty line and then walked back near the start to watch the marathoners and relay teams go.

I was excited and ready when the gun sounded.  About a 1/2 mile in, I realized I needed to pee.  I said mind over matter and keep going.  Around a mile, one of the program participants, Kristin, pulled out.  She's been having IT band issues and wasn't sure if she could make it.  I kept going strong and clocked splits of 9:24 and 9:31 for miles 1 and 2.  I'm doing great...but I really, really have to pee.  Damn that second cup of coffee.  I push through miles 3 and 4 and rationalize that if I can find a bank of port-o-pots with no wait, I'll do it.  Miles 3 and 4 splits were 9:42 and 9:49.

I caught up with a woman who was wearing a shirt that said "Always in Memory of Dad".  I talked to her for a while.  She lost her dad to pancreatic cancer.  He was 63.  She wished she would have ran with him (he was a runner, she was not).  She started running in tribute and memory of him.  I wished I could have stuck with her but I saw port-o-potties with 1 person waiting.  I said my goodbyes and dashed over.  I waited about a minute and saw Heather (my friend) go by.  I finally got in and estimate I took another minute to pee.  So, in total, I think the pee break cost me 2 minutes. 

Mile 6-7 is one giant hill.  I ran up part of it with my friend David.  My time on that mile was a 9:52 which wasn't bad for the hill.  I guess I was just so happy to be relieved of the bladder stress!

You run around a few neighborhoods up at the top of the hill.  I was really not happy at that point because of all the twists and turns.  You kept passing other people and I just wanted to be over on the other side of the street with them.  I did see Leah again (lost her Dad) and passed her.  I said "Hey...c'mon....the Dad's are watching, we can't disappoint."

Mile 10-11 is the hill in reverse.  I should have been flying...but I don't like running downhills so my pathetic split time was a 10:33.  Many, many people turned it on and flew by me.  I finished strong with a 2:13:46.  That's 1 minute 30 seconds from a PR.  That damn second copy of coffee cost me a 2 minute pee break.  Do the math...I would have PRed if I hadn't had to stop to pee.

I caught up with Leah at the finish festival.  She said my comment really made her kick it into gear.  We talked about our great Dads, hugged,and said good-bye.

Despite not PRing, I am pleased with my time on this hilly course.  It was certainly a challenging run.  I am so proud of all the Fleet Fleet program participants who ran it.  They all did great today!  Finishing is winning.  And also (to Kristin), getting out of bed and trying is better than all those who didn't try.  You will be back stronger and better than before in no time!


'Coach'  

My 4th 1/2 Marathon!

On Sunday, Mother's Day, I will be running my 4th half marathon!  I can't believe it's #4 already!  Time flies when you are having fun (and clocking miles)!

I have been coaching a group who signed up through Fleet Feet Sports.  They have all done very well.  I can't wait to see how they do on the course!  It's a hilly course, so I am not expecting a PR.  Plus, I may end up running with a few of the group members.

One more 3 mile run to go...and then lots of rest before the weekend!


 

More from the mouth of JAL...

My husband took my son to a Flyers game this weekend. He cheered and yelled quite a bit. When he got home, he said his throat was sore from all the screaming.  He then proceeded to talk for 15 minutes straight about the game.  Detail after detail...non stop.

I finally got a word in and said, "I thought your throat hurt from all the yelling...you sure are talking a lot."  He replied, "Mommy, I said it was sore...I didn't say it was broken."

"Donate Dad"

I own a small business called Eternal Memory Candles.   These candles are labeled in memory of "Mom" or "Dad", etc.  A friend of mine asked me to donate a candle for a charity fundraiser and I happily obliged.

I left myself a post it note in the office that simply read "Donate - Dad" to remind myself to record the candle in my inventory tracking spreadsheet and to record the donation for tax purposes.

My 7 year old son was in the office and asked me what the post it note meant.  I asked him if he knew what donate meant.  His response was "give it away to someone who needs it".  I told him that was correct.  He said, "Are we giving Daddy to another family that needs a Dad?"   After doing my best to stay straight faced, I said we were not giving away Daddy...it was just a note for the candle business.  He was so relieved and said that it was good...because he really likes his Daddy and wants to keep him. 

I can't believe my son thought I could give away my husband!!

What would you change?

My husband and I had an interesting conversation the other night. We were discussing our lives and how they have unfolded thus far.  The questions we were pondering were...

-Do you have any regrets?
-Is there anything you would have done differently if given a second chance?

Thankfully, we both agreed we still would have married each other and had kids when we did.  We believed in all of our major life decisions to this point (homes, financial, parenting styles, etc).  Mike had just one regret concerning a job he turned down early in his career.  I have no regrets...the worst thing that has happened to me in this life has been the death of my father.  Sadly, there is nothing I could have done differently to prevent that.

How about you?  Any regrets?  If given a second chance, what would you redo?