Summit's Tacky 10K: A Birthday Miracle

When I first received news that the next installment of the Summit Racing Series was on my birthday weekend, I thought to myself that "ooh!  That sounds like a fun way to celebrate!"  So, I signed up, early bird style!

Next time I decide to sign up for an evening race at the end of August in the North Carolina heat to celebrate without knowing what the course would be, someone kick me.

If anyone wants to ever do some challenging hill work, come to Davidson and sign up for a Helfrich Brother's Special.  Then throw in high 80s/low 90s temps with close to 100% humidity just for kicks.

I've run half the course numerous times as it's in our group's route arsenal, but the second half was new to me.  I had never been on that side of town, so I looked at it as an adventure.  I didn't go into this race with any real strategy (not that I really do with any race!).  I was using this as my long run for the week by adding a 2mile warm up and a 2mile cool down.

I knew the hills on the front half and decided that the hills on the second half were going to be just as bad if not worse.  So, at the start, I decided to just take it easy.  Starting at the mid to back of the pack, I was getting passed plenty!  I looked over my shoulder and realized that I was close to bringing up the rear.  It was so tempting to pick up the pace, but I knew I needed to play it safe in order to face the unknown, and was able to keep myself reigned in.  There was still LOTS of race to go!

The first mile brought me to our first hill.  It was one of many that I run week after week, and oddly I felt like it was my old comfort blanket!  I was able to hold steady and as people tried to bite off more than they could chew, I picked them off, slowly but surely.  I was feeling confident that I could hold a comfortable 9:15-9:20 pace through this part.  And that was my first three miles.  The next three brought me into the unknown.  I was welcomed by a very nice down hill.....but where there is down, there is an up.  Lots of ups. It was like I was in the belly of the earth and I had to climb my way out of hell!  Okay, I may be exaggerating slightly, but folks, it seemed like a constant climb without much relief.  Thank goodness for the spectators and the volunteers, and friendly familiar faces at one particular water stop (Randolph family, you were a sight for sore eyes!!!!).  Two more hills, that's all needed to get through before the last .5 and the finish.  On that last climb out, I looked at my watch and saw an alarming heart rate.  Holy hell.  I would expect to see that in a 5K running all out, but not now.  I needed to get that down.  So I brought it to a walk for what seemed like forever but I think it only lasted for about a minute?  I saw it come down 20+ points, I smiled and said "Okay, now get your arse in gear and finish this thing out!"  And so I did.

Somehow, I PR'd!  It was a birthday miracle!
Old:  01:02:00 (September 2011)
New: 00:59:39
I didn't shed that much time off, but on that course, in that heat?  I'll take it!

And as a bonus, Jyl threw me a little birthday party with mini cupcakes and everything!  Once I no longer felt like I was going to toss my cookies, I grabbed that little chocolate and peanut butter bundle of scrumptiousness and ran.  Well, no.  I just sat there and ate it, but I was really stealthy with the grab!

Thank you Jyl, Graham, Thomas and Lori for my birthday celebration!  And Helfrich Brothers, though I'm cussing at you, it really was a great race, a great post-race party and thank you for hiring a band for my birthday :)

Run for Green 2011 - Race Recap

Saturday, September 17, marked a busy day in Davidson, North Carolina.  Not only was it Green Day, where the Davidson Lands Conservancy brings together vendors and booths that highlight sustainable practices on the Town Green AND featured a release of a red shouldered hawk from the Carolina Raptor Center; it was also the Run for Green - 5K, 10K and Half Marathon.  Over 650 runners on a beautiful morning in the Piedmont.  What a great way to start the day!

Yours truly ran the 10K.  6.2 miles.  This was my first attempt at that distance and my first race since my stress fracture.  It was odd.  I wasn't really all that nervous.  I ran the route the previous week, so I knew I could make the distance.  I think that was a huge confidence booster right there.  It was a little chilly, around 52F, and I was questioning the no-sleeve shirt I had on.  I stuck with it though, just kept my jacket on until the last possible moment!

You could feel the electricity in the air.  Everyone was chomping at the bit....ready to get on with it!  You see, we were all chasing something; a place in the top 3, winning an age group, chasing a PR, running down a nemesis or as one of my friend's boyfriend enlightened ...sometimes girls in skirts makes boys run faster ;-)  Regardless...it was time to go!  On your mark, set........BANG (or whistle in this case)

So, my running pal, Ellen, and I ran.  Fast at first, with everyone else down the quick hill to the 1st greenway, and then we steadied the pace a bit.  Faster pace for me, slower for her ;-) The first two miles went by like a blink of an eye.  Easy, fun...golly I felt great!  Some slight inclines here and there, but nothing dramatic.  We then got a nice big downhill to catch our breath...unfortunately, that nice big downhill will end up being the uphill from hell around the 4.5mile mark.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

We started the 2nd greenway, and I think we both were feeling pretty good.  Every once in awhile I'd catch a peak at our pace.  Sometimes I saw 9:30, sometimes 8:30...there may or may not have been a 7:15 in there for a split second, but that didn't last long!  Passing mile 4, I began thinking that I should slow down or I wasn't going to make it to the end.  Around 4.5 or so, we met Patrick Johnston Lane (aka: uphill from hell) head on.  Or for me, it was head down and truck my big 'ol butt up it like the Little Engine That Could.  And I did!  Maybe I could have walked it faster, but I wanted to RUN the whole distance.  It was my own personal goal!

Now, from here on in, it seems there is nothing but inclines until the finish line.  And I'm not really making this stuff up.  Good news?  I only had one "omigosh-I'm-gonna-die" moment and that was with only like .75 to go.  At around .5-.25, I can't help but speed up.  I mean...that's what I do.  My legs just go faster. I don't tell them too.  I think they just want to be done, so they go as fast as they can go.  So they did.  I even passed someone going UP hill.
So a public apology:

 I'm sorry gentleman in black, I don't know what happened, I just started going fast.  It was a little rude of me, especially since I was behind you for pretty much the whole race.  But, I guess it is a race, and you were between me, the finish line and free beer.  Thanks for understanding. -H

Here are some pictures coming in for the finish, which came to be 1:02:11 at a 10:01mile pace.  Not fast compared to the rest of the field, but a PR for me, and better than my last 5K pace of 10:35. I'd like to take this moment to direct you to check out my leg muscles.  I now have some!  Awesome.

All in all?  A fantastic day!  Probably one of my best runs.  Ever.  And what makes it even better?
You guessed it....free beer.  Cheers!

It's almost tomorrow, already?

Rewind to July 16, 2011.  I believe I was in San Francisco at the Google Geo Summit, and I was stylin' and profilin' looking pretty sexy with my peg leg.  I was 2-3 weeks with my boot, looking forward to when I could walk without sounding like a creeper in a B horror flick.

On July 26 and still a creeper, I met with Kelly to go over my "come-back" plan.  "Kelly, I'm supposed to run a 10K in September, but I don't know how realistic that is."  With neither of us really knowing, there it was on my calendar for September 17.  5K or 10K.  On August 1st, I ditched the peg leg and started my way back to the gym, but according to Frank (the doc), still no running for 3-4 more weeks.  September 17 seemed far away, yet it was around the corner.

On August 21, I hit the track.  Now, 4 weeks and 38.5 slow miles later, it's almost tomorrow, September 17.

Tomorrow.  September 17.  Run for Green.  Time to get excited!

Tomorrow.  It's you and me, Mr. Road. 7:40 a.m.  I got your 6.2m.  You can try to stop me, but I'm coming after you and you're goin' down.

Progress Update

So.  Today marks the third week back to running after that pesky little injury.  I had a nice 4 miler on Saturday morning.  North Carolina is still a little muggy, but it was a pretty day in the Piedmont.  I'm not one for personal photo ops, but I recognize that they add a little somethin' somethin' (and I'm secretly beginning to like it but don't tell anyone).  So I may look it, but I'm really not in pain.  My hand was all sweaty and almost dropped my phone.

Today?  I'm up to 4.5 this morning! (and the crowds roar with applause and cheers).  The goal?  To run this dag nabit 10K next Saturday slow, steady, healthy and happy.  Feeling pretty good people, feeling pretty good!

Now...it's possible that I may have picked up (I hope) a few readers over from the Do Lifers (LOVE THEM) on Facebook.  Which would really help since I feel like I'm talking to myself all the time....

So, I'd like to take a moment to say: Welcome, laugh, tell me I'm dork, laugh more, and let us all Do Life together...because THAT my friends, is what it's about, don't you think?

Today I leave you with my Top 5 random thoughts (in no particular order)

1. Tornado warnings are interesting on a college campus.
2. Do those Tempur-Pedic pillows really help? 
3. Stability balls are still dangerous.
4. Did you know that you can make clothes out of thread recycled from plastic bottles?  
5. I love Jelly Belly Jelly Beans.  (citrus mix to be 100% exact in case you wanted to send some)

TTFN!

Time flies.....

I happened to look at my Google calendar and almost had a panic attack. Just as soon as I got used to the In-between (and loving it!), this "10K Madness" training starts in five days. FIVE! Inconcievable. That means only one more run-whatever-the-heck-I-want-too day left! I am beginning to question this decision. Seriously, what in the world was I thinking?! Am I going to be able to handle this Fartlek thing? Can I really increase my speed and do I really want to? I'm kinda liking my turtle speed right now. Hill training? WTF. Am I sane?

Regardless of all the questions and hesitation I have right now, bottom line...I got myself into this, now I have to finish it. I've already put my money down and opened my mouth; and since I said I was going to do it, I have to follow through. I'll keep reminding myself this will bring me one step closer to running the Boilermaker in July 2012 with Mr. Cross Country Runner Extrodinarre, otherwise known as my nephew, Adam (and any other Dunlaps and relations that may want join in the torture fun).

While I still question my sanity, training starts with an easy 3 on Monday. The bright side? That's pretty much what we've been doing already, so that's a plus. Bad news, the following Monday is a 4 mile Fartlek. Once I figure out what that is, I'll let you know.

Wish me luck...and stay tuned. This might be entertaining...