rock n roll USA

Well yesterday I ran my first half of the year, Rock n' Roll USA.  It was perfect running weather for a half.  Overcast and 50's.  As the guy in front of me at the portapotties said before the race "This is PR weather."  Wish I could have, but it wasn't my day.

On the way to the metro at 5:30 in the morning 95N was down to one lane for road work!  What?!  Are you freakin' kidding me?  And the amount of cars on the road on a Saturday at 5:30 was crazy.  I was convinced that 75% were also heading to the race.  I finally got to the metro a bit after I originally thought I would but no big deal.  I then ended up waiting for what felt like forever for a very crowded metro train.  Finally we were on our way to the start.  I met a lady that lives very close to where I teach.  We had a great chat and I wished her luck on her race as we left the metro.  I quickly headed over to bag check.  Last year bag check was a mess.  School buses and runners checking bags do not mix.  This year it was UPS managing our bags.  I am pleased to say it went much better than last year, both checking and picking up my bags.

I had on cut off shamrock socks on my arms along with my horrible hot chocolate wind breaker that I have been trying to get rid of at a race for the last few years.  Well this wasn't the year to drop it off..I ended up checking it because the weather was not that cold.  I figured the socks on my arm will work until we start running.  Those socks didn't even make it to mile one, but they did help keep me warming waiting in my corral.

I then headed over to the long portapotty lines. I figured I had time because I was not in the elite corrals so it would be some time before my group made it to the start line.  I loved my portapotty line.  I was chatting to the girl behind me about races and the people in front were huge tri people.  They were talking about all of the places that they have ran Ironman's.  Love it!  I am secretly in awe of Ironman people.  They also were talking about all of the pro Ironman people they have seen and met.  Very interesting conversation to listen in on while waiting to use the bathroom.

I headed over to the start and had a bit more time to wait. We took off and I was having problems with my ipod.  I could get it to play four or five songs and then it would crap out on me.  Really?!  Ugh.  I thought when it did that last week I just didn't charge it enough, but I am going with it is time to purchase a new ipod shuffle.  I got it to play once more and then I gave up.  I didn't want to mess with it every five songs.  So I was now on to running and listening to all of the conversations happening around me.

I knew this was going to be a hard race.  I was feeling so tired.  Which shouldn't be the case because I felt like I got more sleep than normal Friday night.  Oh well.  Nothing to do when you are four miles into a run.  I just had to wish for the best and that meant that I was hoping not to hate life for most of the race.

We finally hit the horrible hill up Rock Creek Park.  Last year I remember having such a great run that this hill didn't really suck to bad.  This year it sucked big time!  I actually think that they made the hill BIGGER!  I'm convinced that it doubled in steepness and length!  :)  I made it up the hill and just kept plugging along one mile at a time.  I new I wasn't having a PR race.  I was trying to use the down hills to get back some time that I was losing on the uphills.

There were some great signs.  One girl had a sign that simply had the word Penis on it..not quite sure what was up with that one..but it did make me laugh a bit.  I also missed the damn juggler!  How could that be?  I feel like I always see him when we run the same race!

I enjoyed a shot of beer at a homemade aid station.  I figured if I am hating life I should embrace what the course has to offer.  Too bad I didn't stay on the other side of the course though..a few houses down they were offering margaritas...I would have enjoyed that a bit more. :)  During one section some college students were yelling out stuff to try and keep us moving and trying to give us reasons to keep running.  They started with "Run for the Children!" Then another "Run for Brunch"  And then they decided to put them together, "Run for the children so they can have brunch!"  Don't know why that just made me laugh.

My ten miles really was not that far off from my normal 10 mile time..maybe 4 minutes slower.  But then I just started walking more.  I tried to tell myself that it was just a runclub run away.  But my legs didn't really care.  I think they were just done.  I was done.  Those last three miles featured a lot of walking!  I mean a lot!  I finished.  It was a bit tough but I crossed the finish line.

I then ran into some half fanatics.  We chatted a bit and talked about upcoming races.  They were very nice.  Two of the girls were heading down to VA Beach to run the Shamrock half the next day. 

I then called Megan to see if we were all up for meeting for brunch.  Megan and Jen were working a water stop at a 4 mile race.  Looks like everyone was up for food.  I headed over to the metro to meet them.  The metro was packed.  Trying to get into the metro was crazy.

We stood around for awhile.  Then finally we moved a bit.  I finally made it on a train and a very nice guy offered me his seat.  So nice.  I was debating on just sitting on the floor, but figured that wouldn't be good if it was a packed train.  I told him that I loved him and kindly took his seat.  :)  Ah thank you stranger!

I basically changed on the train once it was less crowded and I had a seat to myself.  Socks and shoes off, compression sleeves and flip flops on.  Sweaty shirt off and dry hoodie on.  Face wipes to take off the salt from my face.  I was starting to feel a bit human again.

I made it to brunch.  French toast, eggs and bacon.  Yum!!

I think my main problem with this half marathon was that I did not run enough prior to race day.  Stupid winter!  My next half marathon is Pittsburgh half in May.  I have plenty of time to keep up my miles and have a great Pittsburgh race!

Dear DC

Dear DC,
I'm not sure if you are aware that there is a race happening on Saturday.  Thousands of people will be running your streets and admiring the beautiful views of the city.  Please be kind to those runners.

Today it is super windy.  People do not really enjoy running in the wind so please if you can blow all of your wind around today and take a break on Saturday you would make a lot of runners very happy.  Also I saw this weather report today...

Now the weathermen have been wrong more than they have been right this year.  Please let this be one of those times when they predicted incorrectly!  I do not want to run my first rain race!  I promise that the next time it is raining (but not torrential downpours..I'm not crazy) I will put my shoes on and run outside.  If you must rain on Saturday, please make it during the evening or even during the afternoon.  I do like the 57 degrees, thank you if that happens.  

Just in case I may bring an entire change of clothes for french toast after the race.  I know this may sound like I'm asking a lot..but please remember that I am not asking just for me, but thousand of other runners too!  

Sincerely,

Running Librarian

next up...RnR USA

So this weekend is Rock n Roll USA!  I hate to write this but I'm going to anyway..I have a good feeling about this weekend.

I feel pretty good about my running lately.  So fingers crossed.  This weekend was not the best for mileage, but I am ok with that.  I have felt like I have been more consistent with my running so that can only lead to good things I would think.

 I've been stalking the weather..yeah not exactly what I want to see.

I don't think I have ran a race in rain..except for a little bit of it during Kentucky Derby but it was so brief I wouldn't even count it.  The only good thing is that it is only 30% and it is a few days away anything could change (for the better not the other way around)  Temps look pretty good.  

I think I have my outfit all ready.  I am going to head out to find some shamrock socks to cut off and make arm warmers. I may be running in a tutu.  I figure if it bothers me I can always ditch it.  Since I have a green tutu I might as well wear it right?  

I ordered a bic band

It has not made its way to my house yet.  I'm hoping that it comes in the mail before Saturday's race.  I really do not have anything to keep the hair back that would be great for a St. Patrick's Day weekend race.  Please mailman deliver me some hair goods.  :)  

As far as my goals are concerned..they really are the old stand by..

A goal - PR..beat my 2:43 time

B Goal - have a good race and enjoy less than 3

C goal - finish without dying.  (which is always a great goal)

And as always I look forward to some french toast..all great races end with french toast right?  

What did I do on National Running Day? Start my 2013 race calendar of course!

I didn't do much running on national running day.  I know..how dare I!  I just haven't felt it this week.  I start on my 2013 race calendar thanks to the Rock n Roll national running day discount!

Here are the first two races on my running calendar:

March 2013





 August 2013

Hard to believe that I'm already thinking about 2013 when 2012 still has six more months left. :) 

lessons learned after every race

When you race, no matter the distance, you can usually learn something.  Yesterday I ran the Rock n Roll Suntrust half marathon in DC.  It was a great day for a run and a great day to learn some more running lessons! 

Megan and I started off bright and early heading off to RFK stadium in plenty of time to start to race.  We made it to the metro in Clarendon in plenty of time.  While on the metro more and more runners were hopping on making for one sardine felt ride.  A few stops before our destination, the train cars were really full, so much so that one of the doors would not close.  There were multiple pleas for people to step away from the doors and check to make sure that your bag is not blocking the door.  After what seemed like a good 15-20 minutes (I'm sure it wasn't that long)  We were told to empty the train.  Ugh!!  We have a race to get to people!!  So we all rushed off and were expecting to re-board when the train took off.  Of course the next train was jammed packed and not many people were able to push there way on.  Luckily we were able to squeeze into the third train headed our way.  We started out at 6:30 on the train and didn't make it to the race until around 8:10..yeah the race starts at 8:00.  Luckily I'm slow so I knew that it was a good thirty minutes until my corral left. 

We did some bag check, headed to the bathroom (used the Amory bathrooms with flushing toilets and running water!  Yea!)  We also made sure that we knew where we were meeting after the race.  And we were off.  We ran right into the corral as it was moving up..I guess one good thing about arriving late is you don't have to stand that long in your corral.  I yelled a quick "Good Luck to Megan" and we were off. 

Well I was off.  It was a beautiful day for a run.  I knew it was going to be rough going.  I was sick for most of the week and  I really didn't do the running I needed to do to have a great running time.  I knew I was in for a bunch of run/walking.  I just didn't realize the amount of walking I would be doing. 

Now most of my races in DC have taken place around the title basin, which is pretty flat.  I have ran the Cherry Blossom ten miler (flat course) and the Race for Hope (flat course).  Because of this, I just assumed that DC is flat for running.  Everyplace that I have ran has been pretty flat.  Around the monuments..flat..Well I now know that DC has some hills that can kill you!  If you haven't figure it out yet, I hate hills!  So running through some of the neighborhoods around DC was pure torture! At one point I looked at the girl beside me and ask "Who put this mountain in our race?!" 

I ended up walking the last 5K..my shoulders were tightening up during the race and killing me, along with my hamstrings and calf..I was slowly falling apart!  I knew that I was going to finish, it was just a question of when. 

The lesson on today's run?  Well the lesson that I need to learn over and over again..training always helps.  But the bigger lesson...check out the elevation map before you hit the start line.  That way you are not surprised when around every corner there seems to be a hill popping up!

My goal for this one was to finish without dying!  I made it!!  I am alive.  And I'm feeling pretty good today.  I will do some stretching, but all in all a great day for a run!

Megan made her goal and PR'd!  Go Megan!  Looks like one down in the road to becoming  a Half Fanatic!  Now on to the Kentucky Derby Mini with some Cherry Blossom Ten Miler thrown in for fun. 

First half Marathon on the Road to a Fanatic coming up!

Three days an I am running my first half marathon of 2012.  Am I prepared??  Heck no!  This week I've been plagued with the plague..stupid head cold and lack of breathing.  Prior to this week..umm wait a minute while I come up with a multitude of excuses..too cold, too hot..too rainy..too busy..too lazy..you name it I could come up with the excuse for my lack of mileage.  Unfortunately I'm going to be paying the price on Saturday for my lack of preparation.   Hello Rock n Roll DC!  That's ok..I'm prepared for a rough run.  I just keep telling myself if I could run while sick with what was probably the worst stomach bug known to man and still finish the Rock n Roll Philly two years ago, I can get through this race too.

So  here is my plan for Saturday:

1.  look cute in some green running wear
2.  enjoy the hotter than normal running day
3.  just enjoy the run..no time goal for this one
4.  use this one as a step towards Cherry Blossom ten miler in a few weeks and the next two half marathons on the road to becoming a half fanatic.
5.  not to die (I feel this is a really important)

Wanting to be a Half Fanatic

So not much running lately means I can look up random running ideas online.  Megan and I have decided that we want to be a Half Fanatic.  We are going to go for 3 half marathons in 90 days.  We already have the RnR DC on March 17th and the Derby Mini at the end of April on the calendar.  All we need is one more half and we are golden!  I guess we will see if this helps my "I don't want to run after a half marathon" problem that I am having right now. 

Megan also found out that if you run 2 RnR races you get an extra medal.  I love medals!   We are both bling whores so this is very enticing to both of us.

I love bling so we are going to do this one too.  I was thinking of maybe doing the RnR Montreal.  We get extra bling, I have never visited Montreal, and I have never ran outside of the US.  So much to check off with one run :) And as another added bonus I could practice my high school french.  Well we haven't decided on anything yet.  We will see what fits with our schedule and what sounds good too. 

Am I crazy??

Not sure what some people look for when they are choosing a race to run.  I like races that are on the smaller side.  I love races that have door prizes (who doesn't like the chance to win something).  I like races that have some yummy food and a fun vibe.  I also have been looking at races that are in states that I have never ran in.  I know I am never going to be the girl that ran in each of the 50 states or even the just the lower 48 but I figure I can see what I can knock out while I am having fun running.   So when the Hershey Half marathon fell through I was obnoxiously obsessively looking for another race to take its place.  Well I didn't get to check off any new state, which is fine, because I wouldn't have checked off a new state with the Hershey race since I ran in Philly last year.  I just loved the idea of a chocolate aid station and enjoying the park the day before the race.  So now I am running the Heritage Half closer to home.  My next race that I was looking forward to was the Derby Marathon and Mini.  That one goes on sale on August 8th.  After the sell out for Hershey Megan and I were worried about not putting this one off too long or else we could have a repeat of Hershey.  Well after some digging around I have found out that it sold out in March last year.  So we will register for that one soon.  It doesn't seem like it is the hellfire rush that we were imagining.  Who wouldn't want to run the track at Church Hill Downs? I also get to check off Kentucky.  As a bonus I get to see Louisville. :)  Another thing that is on my big running checkoff sheet is to run an inaugural race.  Well folks it looks like I have found that one.  Even though it used to be the Suntrust National Marathon, I figure new name, new organizers, so it is an inaugural race!  The Rock N' Roll series is coming to DC!  Yep  I signed up today.  For the next two days it is only sixty dollars so Megan and I will be running the Suntrust Rock N' Roll National Half marathon! 

After paying for 2 halves in the past 48 hours I think that will be it for awhile on the half marathon front.  First off I think Megan is going to start to disown me as a friend if I nudge her toward any more running events.   We still have some 5K sprinkled in among the bigger races.  I am going to run the 9/11 run in DC since this is becoming an annual run for me.  Along with the Will Run for Chocolate run in Dec. (I get to finally check of Maryland) and the Love the Run your with in February.  I also need to squeeze in a 5k (maybe a turkey trot) for the Girls Run with Pride group at school.  I haven't even started to look at that projected schedule.  I feel like I have ran a lot more races this year or rather this upcoming year.  I might have to sit down and figure that one out.