Full Moon 5K

My running small group from church did a 5K together!  I usually just do a 5K by myself or with one other person.  But it was so much fun knowing many people!  My far off goal was to run the 5K without stopping.  I haven't been running that much (once, twice a week at the most!), so I didn't see that happening.  Again, I would have liked to run 2 miles w/o stopping, but i didn't really see that happening either.  Basic plan = run at least the first mile and walk as little as possible.

This was an afternoon race in a scenic park area.  The park is named after a picturesque pedestrian bridge.  The race officials had us walk across the bridge where we would be starting and coming back across to the actual course.  The timing mat was about 20 yards from the finish line, so we would run over the bridge then cross the timing mat.  Being the genius and serious athlete that I am, I decided not to start running until I crossed the timing mat.  Why waste the energy?

The bridge and the finish...majority of the run was to the left...timing mat just out of sight!

We stood around for a minute and the signature of this race company - a cannon blast, signaled the start and startled a majority of the runners as they did not mention it and it was not within our line of sight.  I did start jogging a bit before the timing mat, but only due to peer pressure from people behind me/fear of getting trampled!  I started my watch as I crossed the timing mat.  The route was an out and back on a paved path winding next to the river.  I was trying to stay toward the right in case others needed to pass me.  Before we were even a quarter mile in, a woman came up with a gigantic double stroller on my left.  I made plenty of space between us...I think runners with animals or strollers are annoying in races if you don't have the right tact/handling skills. 

The path was winding and some runners trying to pass walkers were 3 or 4 across, taking up the whole path.  As the stroller lady didn't announce her presence or intent and could not easily go around the pack, she simply said loudly "Excuse me!" to which the woman running in front of her slowed almost to a stop and turned around, causing stroller lady to run the front tire of the stroller up this poor woman's calf.  It was weird and embarrassing to watch.  The almost road kill woman looked shocked and just nodded at the apology stroller lady tossed her way.  From that point on, stroller woman could be heard from a distance yelling "STROLLER ON YOUR LEFT!!!!!".  I'm pretty sure my jaw was hanging open for a minute after that!  It definitely reminded me of the time I stepped on the world's cutest puppy while on a run.  A "did that really happen?" moment!

Stroller woman in the second half of the race, for the visual you need for that story!

I was enjoying the course, but running felt hard, as it often does for me.  The course had some curves and dips that would pop right back up that kept it interesting, but trees are trees and I wanted to walk...I knew I wasn't running the whole way or even to mile 2.  C'mon mile 1!  I was thinking "um, I think I've been running for like 20 minutes, maybe I missed the mile marker".  Cue 1/2 mile marker.  Seriously???  Running is the worst!  Ah, well, just remember that the first mile is always the hardest in a 5k.  (Those are my running mantras! haha.  I routinely think/say "Uuuuuugh!  Running is the worst!" But then it gets better.  Especially in triathlons when the "Brick" feeling wears off")

My watch ($5 sports watch from CVS! but I have ordered a Bia watch for all my training/racing needs) said 11:38 at the mile marker.  Ummm....wasn't that my time at one of the mile races this summer?  Felt like I took it out too  fast!  So I walked for a minute and arrived at the water station where I noticed my shoe was untied, so I drank my water and stopped for that. Around this time, the photographer caught a rather unfortunate shot of me! See below!  I started to see my speedy friends coming back on the course, which had opened up so I could see the turn around in the distance.  I started running again and kept an eye out for anyone I knew for high fives.  And of course high fives for any race volunteers.

Derp!

After the turn around, my mouth started getting filmy and I felt the need to spit.  I did the best I could to get ready hock it to the side, but the wind was against me and I am very ungraceful, so it ended up in a dribble down my shirt.  Put that on my list of things to practice for my next 5k!  Luckily, I had just passed a group of people and the there didn't appear to be anyone around me.  I was back at the water stop soon and walked while I had my water and thought of my strategy into the finish.  I would only let myself walk once, so I had to make it count!  My legs were burning and those small dips seemed a little bit bigger!  I focused on catching up to the person in front of me and then to the next person, if possible.

I walked for a minute with half a mile left and I was alongside a woman who was running her first 5k after knee surgery!  She said she wasn't fast, but she was getting it done - damn right you are getting it done!  That was impressive.  I could hear the finish and I kicked it in, and smiled a huge Cheshire cat grin while I passed my friends cheering for me.  I crossed the finish line and hit my watch as it said 39:31.  I tried walking immediately off the path to get out of the way and was pulled back to receive a medal and have my timing chip taken off.  Ha, sometimes I miss the obvious.  I grabbed some water, a cookie, and a banana and went to find my friends.  With the small amount of class I possess, I announced to my group a Goonies-esque "HEY YOU GUYS!!!  I THINK I JUST DID MY FIRST 5K UNDER 40 MINUTES".  Which was met with much congratulations.

I didn't have long to hang out as #1 it was freezing and #2 I had to get cleaned up for a dinner downtown that involved me and $56 steak and I wasn't the one paying.  Definite priority:  food.

I checked the website for my official time that night, the next day, that night, etc.  A couple of days later I thought to look and was scrolling down the 30s.  37....38...ooh...39...where is my name....oh...almost....there......why am I at 40....wait, what?  40:28 as my official time.  Um...no!

When my small group convened the next week, others agreed that their times were slower than their watches had captured.  The consensus was that it was a gun start and a chip finish.  Which is the biggest load of crap in my book!  Sooo....that means if I didn't walk at the start of the race I may have really, officially finished under 40 minutes?  Ah, live and learn, Melissa! It was PR anyway!

Alright sub-40 - I'm coming for you next time!!!  Oh, and the stroller lady?  Just 1 spot ahead of me.  Figures!

Has It Really Been That Long?

Yesterday, TeenSwimSis had her first high school swim meet! 

Geeez, has it really been 14 years since I was a freshman in high school?

Ah, but so, so, so fun to be a part of the swim team.

That year was the hardest we worked during my 4 years of high school swimming.  2 a day practices, "dry land" training in the morning and swimming in the afternoon.  Unless it was a Saturday or the odd practice out, in which we would do dryland followed by a swim.  Running, weights, taebo, aerobics...we sweated it out to all of that!  And it showed...the one and only year we won our sectional!  It makes me tired just thinking about it!  Swimming is a winter sport (LOL!), so we would NEVER see the sunshine during the week.  Go to practice when it was dark, go to school, go to practice and then it would be dark again! 

2002!  I am on the left in the back row.  SwimSis is in the front row w/the dark hair.  Stylin'!

TeenSwimSis was under a year old when I was a freshman in high school.  Don't forget, there is also SwimSis, who is 2 years younger than I am, and my brother is 3.5 years younger.  So when I would get home from high school practice, my parents (swim club president and secretary, respectively) would take the middle two to the pool for their practice and I would be left to take care of TeenSwimSis.

Thinking back on that makes me laugh.  I would feed her her baby food as fast as I could and eat my dinner so I could get on the Web tv (internet on your TV) and look up NSYNC websites.  I spent SO much time with that chick!  Same goes for the weekends.  If I didn't have a meet and they did, they would go to the swim meet and I would stay home with the baby.  It created a wonderful bond between the two of us and I only get crap every so often about putting her on the couch and she subsequently rolled right off (so swears my brother).  :)

Me and TeenSwimSis back in '98 (my 8th grade year!)

It also makes me sad.  When I was in high school, we had a wonderful pool.  6 lanes plus a deep end.  Perfect for the size of team we had!  The pool had a lot of problems, though.  For starters, it was on the second floor of the school!  It was over the auto shop/classroom.  It leaked - a lot!  A few years ago, they decided to fill in the pool and make that area a giant classroom with no plans to build a new pool.  And the team has really suffered. 

They have to travel to pools at other schools that are 15-20 minutes away to practice.  The quantity as well as quality of swimmers has suffered.  Last night at the first meet of the season, They lost to a team that we beat soundly every year.  They did not have enough swimmers to fill out all of their events/relays.  It makes me really sad that the program is not as strong as it once was.  Not that winning is everything, but when the outlook is losing everytime - I think it is just hard for morale. 

Let it be known - if I ever win the lottery (well, I would have to play first!) I will build a new pool in that town!  Don't worry, I have connections...my dad is on the zoning board! ha!




Also, I got a bike trainer and was sooo excited to set it up.  Apparently I'm not as handy, resourceful, or independent because I have tried at least 4 times (working on different problems each time) to set it up.  I have also conferred with youtube and a couple of different websites and the verdict is the same - I need a man to do this for me.  You know I'm desperate when I want to cry and drink over a stupid bike trainer!  Hopefully I can make it to our bike trainer group practice with my tri group on Sunday so that Tri Coach Jeff can help me out.  I just have to make it there in time! 


I started the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge again.  It was so wonderful to drop 8 pounds over the holidays last year!  My mini goal for this week is not to have brownie in a mug all week.  What a weakness! 

Random:  Just b/c I think its hilarious - my fb profile pic!  More forgiving that IRL!

This week's schedule has been a little jacked up, but that is okay.  Monday I found out yoga on Tuesday was cancelled, so I went to hot yoga with SwimSis.  I felt so strong, especially seeing other people struggle with a few things I was decent at (but there's not comparison in yoga, blah, blah, blah well it made me feel good!).  Tuesday, instead of yoga I went to YMCA D right by my work (opened in August!) where I did a 1 mile run and then lifted for about a 1/2 hour (most machines, a little resistance band work).  Then swimming was at its normal time (7).  I got there a little late, but Coach Ellen worked me!  I had one 50 left of my cooldown when i was doing backstroke and saw a kickboard fly my way!  Coach Ellen asked if I wanted to stay and swim with her.  Do I want more oxygen?  More Jesus?  The answer is YES!  :)  I did about 2000 yds with the tri group and 1600 with Coach Ellen.  I got out of the pool at 9:10!  Yikes!   A little over 2 hours in the pool, plus a short run, plus lifting - I felt AWESOME and invincible. 

Then today came.  I decided if I got my bike trainer working,  I would ride it, but if not, no big deal because my body is still tired from yesterday!  My shoulders and back are sore, my  legs a little bit so, and the arches of my feet too!  3600 is quite a few flip turns.  Flip turns are a little like horizontal jumping w/o shoes so my arches take the brunt of the pain sometimes.


What moments of nostalgia have you had lately?  Did you wish things were the same or different?

I Quit Pilates

Oh em gee, has it really been that long since I have blogged?  Well, the first week I didn't blog, we didn't have internet at the house and when I try to blog at work, blogger only lets me use html which is only one notch above nails on a chalk board on the annoyance scale.  Last week I was lazy took some personal time.  It was great to do things like finish a book that I started in 2011 (really!), start a candy crush addiction, and wonder where the I put all my winter clothes.

Every since my half marathon, a month ago, I haven't been working out like I was the 6 months beforehand.  I have been working out probably 3 days a week, 4 if I'm, lucky.  Which is fine, but when you let yourself eat halloween candy and have large portions, it's not so good!

Part of my workout rut is that my YMCA hired a consultant and she suggested we offer more things/shift practices around.  Before, my schedule looked like this:

Monday: Swim w/Tri Group
Tuesday:  Yoga at Work
Wednesday:  Bike w/Tri Group
Thursday: Misc or Run for God
Friday:  Rest
Saturday: Pilates + misc exercise OR Race
Sunday:  Work at the church/Rest

Look at that!  So nice and neat.  One thing a day except on the weekends when I choose to do more.  Well, here lately they've added more running.

Monday:  Running at the local track
Tuesday:  Swim
Wednesday:  Bike
Thursday: Group Run
Friday: Nothing
Saturday: Misc
Sunday: Bike/Misc

So, a lot of those are outside.  And this is the midwest so it's pretty cold!  The last time I biked was definitely a month ago!  I wore a long sleeve shirt and bike shorts and by the end of the night, I had to leave early because I was nearly frozen!  I don't have cold weather gear, and let's be honest, I only have enough $ for either a bike trainer or cold weather clothes.  Having lost 70 pounds, I can definitely say that I have less insulation and am cold a lot more.  I also wanted to start adding some strength training back into my life.  Oh, and Pilates - I hadn't gone in at least 8 weeks. I was either out of town/had races, etc.  I did not like that i was paying and not able to go, so I am quitting for the foreseeable future because I will be out of town for holidays/weddings, etc.  I definitely need to keep doing a lot of the exercises though...I was soooo sore after side planks in yoga the other week!   Here is what I want my schedule to look like, although it is still in a state of limbo:

Monday:  1/2 hr run, lifting @ YMCA
Tuesday:  Yoga at work/Swim w/Tri Group
Wednesday:  Bike - trainer OR Lifting
Thursday:  Run for God small group
Friday:  Rest
Saturday: Hot yoga/trail run/other adventure
Sunday: Bike on trainer w/Tri Group

Ugh, I need another rest day in there! 

Something that has not been fun is gaining about 2-3 pounds!  I was at 218 for a week or two, but I've been at 220-221 for about 2 weeks. I'm cool w/maintaining, but gaining = yuck!

I do have to say, I have been eating out more and when I "cook" it is always large portions

Peas, asparagus, red onion, white onions, mushrooms and scallops over cheese grits + bacon (cuz duhhhh bacon is delish!)  Definitely a new favorite comfort food!

Yogurt + banana + walnuts = dreamy breakfast

One of my staples - hummus, chicken, and cucumbers. 

I was supposed to work out at the ymca today, but I had a tour of the new hospital in town tonight, so I was all "nah, i'll exercise later".  Wow, didn't know I was such an excuse maker but apparently I am. 

This week I'm also trying to work on getting enough sleep + being more productive at work.  Oh, and needing less caffeine!  That being said...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

First Half Marathon!

Whew, I'm going to write this now...if I wait for a free night, I might be waiting a couple of weeks!

To address a few questions about my half marathon, here are a few facts 1. No, it was not a last minute decision. 2.  No, I did not train for it.

You're probably thinking "Well, that's a dumb move" and you'd be mostly right! :)  This was a race that was only happening once.  It took place on a highway that has been built, but not opened yet.  Only one chance at something?!?  I had to do it!  The race options were a 5K or a half marathon.  And the drive is over an hour - I'm not driving all that way for a 5K!  So a half marathon it was!  I knew I had a busy couple of months before hand.  With 3 tris, 2 long bike rides and a 3K open water swim, there wasn't really time (nor interest!!!) to train.  I had one Saturday open for a "long run" and did my run/walk for 6.8 miles before I went home and got ready for an afternoon of heavy drinking (aka bourbon bar crawl...the most delicious recovery!).  The half marathon was one week after my Wet & Wild Triathlon, so I didn't really have time to over analyze it either!

For the race day, I decided to wear this jersey I got on clearance from the bike shop I go to, mesh bike shorts with adidas short over.  I went with the biking jersey because it had built in pockets in the back, which proved to be invaluable.  I wore a hat I got at one of my tris and my race belt as well.  It was my first time wearing that jersey, so I didn't want it to put holes in it w/safety pins.  I used tri slide all around my sports bra and arm holes of the jersey.  I used my hoo ha ride glide down below.  The one thing I forgot was sunscreen! 

They had sent emails that week to get there early because parking was limited.  It was a 9am start and I arrived around 7:15am.  I got my packet (which contained my timing chip, tshirt, and visitors information for the city it was in - lol!) and went to the restroom, where there was no waiting!  I went back out to my car, rearranged some stuff, and decided to hit up the bathroom again a little while later.  The day before, I had a pork chop and salad all ready to go for my lunch, then i dropped it on the break room floor. :/  so then I went to Taco Bell.  Yes, taco bell the day before my half marathon.  Another bad decision!  luckily, I was able to remedy the situation during that trip to the bathroom and was fine the entire race.  Pretty soon, it was time to go to the starting line!

The race course was shaped like a t with only one arm.  We started on a side street and ran up the ramp to the highway.  At this point, the 5Kers went north and the halfers went south.  The halfers went south to mile 5.5, turned around and went north past the ramp to the highway and up to the 5K turnaround, then the halfers turned south, again, to the exit ramp and back down that side street to the finish line.

I started in the back of the pack and was dodging a lot of people on the side street and the ramp to the highway.  Once the 5K split from the half, there was a lot more room!  I ran my first mile in 13:39.  I was worried about the 4 hour time limit, so I ran for the first 20 minutes before starting my run 4 mins, walk 1 min routine.  The lead runners came back our way when I was at the 3 mile mark!  So speedy! This part before the first turn around was so, so good.  I felt great!  My 5K time was in a good range and at the hour mark, I was at mile 4.5, which was great for me!  The scenery, albeit a bit boring, was very pretty with the sun coming up and a little fog over the many, many corn/soy bean fields.  I took a hammer apple cinnamon gel, which was delicious, at the 45 minute mark.  I was sipping camelbak elixir in lemon lime from my full size water bottle too.  During this time, I had written the names of people or things on my arm that I wanted to pray for.  I dedicated each mile to someone different, so that helped pass the time and made me feel like I was helping out my family/friends. 

I made it to the 5.5 mile turnaround in 1:16 (the winner of the half finished in 1:15!).  There was a timing mat there plus some music, which was a nice break.  I took a margarita shot block at this time, and could barely wait for the next mile to get to the water station.  Too much lime flavor going on in my mouth!  After that, I had water the rest of the time because I was SO over the lemon lime flavors :)  I looked over because i heard someone run up behind me, and wouldn't you know it.  The longest mullet I have EVER seen!  Oh man, that made my day.  The kid was about 12 and he was struggling, but still going faster than me.  I told him he was doing a great job and he quickly high tailed it out of there.

I was feeling alright, but needed to eat some more so I had 3/4 of a honey stinger waffle around mile 6.5 and drank the rest of my camelbak elixir.  I told myself to keep up the 4 min run, 1 min walk ratio at least till mile 7 because that had been my farthest run thus far, so I knew it was possible.  When mile 7 came up, I switched to run 3 walk 1.  Between mile 7 and mile 9, things really went downhill fast...and unfortunately, not literally downhill.  I downgraded to run 2 walk 1 and by mile 9.5, I just couldn't run anymore.  I took a couple more shot blocks and had them refill my water bottle at every water stop.  At one point, I touched my face and it felt like sandpaper with all the salt on it - not sure that was supposed to happen, but I didn't like it!  I had popped in my ipod - borrowed from my brother in law, Coach, around mile 8.  It was a needed distraction.  I didn't care what was on the ipod!  It ended up being rap and hip hop. Then, just before mile 11, I had been running a downhill where my toes in my right foot had been cramping up and trying to curl with every step, such a weird sensation!  I was tired and just wanted to be done, when a song came on.  Not any song, but a really moving song from my mom's funeral 3 years ago.  I had forgotten this song even existed, but it is a really beautiful song and I like it, so I kept it on.  And then the tear started!  I put my head down through a water stop as I was just sobbing and walking.  Love and miss that woman SO much!!!  The song was over and a hip hop song started in with the swearing and sexual references again, but I was still crying :/  

At the next turn around, there was 1.5 miles left and I wish I could have run more, but it was not in the cards for my ill prepared legs!  I probably ran 2 times for 3-4 minutes each in the last 5k, plus the last 200 yards of the race.  I made it to the finish line with my finishing pose ready to go, but there was no camera :/  My time ended up being 3:22.  There was also no medals because they ran out (we knew this beforehand), but they said they would mail us our medals.  I hopped right over to the refreshments line and grabbed a granola bar, pretzels, a water, and four apples (they were in bags from the orchard - they looked and are delicious!).  I skipped the chocolate chip cookies because they looked super oily and the paper they were on had grease stains.  Must have been bad because I don't turn down cookies!

I found a patch of grass and stretched, drank my water, and sent some texts alerting family and friends that I was done.  I had asked (begged a few) that no one come watch me because spectating was limited to overpasses.  I had not planned on taking my phone because 1. I didn't want to carry it and 2. I knew my family would be calling me asking me where i was, how to get to the overpass, etc I didn't need that!  Really I would have liked someone to drive me home!  I got in my car and headed straight to an amazingly delicious mexican restaurant.  Their taco salad is my favorite, so I headed to the bar and chowed down.  That may have been the best salad of my life! There was a place across the street that touted an indoor swimming pool with a swim up bar.  I was intrigued, but I also think that is superbly creepy!!!

I am very happy I finished and am proud of myself for doing a half marathon.  It is a long distance that not a ton of people can say they completed.  However, I didn't/don't think it is that big of deal.  My first tri was so special because I had been training for it for many months.  All that time and effort had an amazing result!  Tri Coach Jeff said that he was impressed that I did it because I hadn't trained for it.  Made me go "Awww...he always often sometimes once in a while says the right thing!"  The half marathon was more of a thing I did just to do it.  It was an experience I'm glad I had.  People were asking me if I was planning on doing another one.  I'm not going to say no, but I do know I don't really like running that much to begin with!

Have you ever done an athletic event just because you knew you could finish?