I Survived

I ran my second ever half marathon on Saturday- and I'm proud to say I survived.

As you all know, I've been disgustingly absent from the blog world due to work, family issues, etc. Well, my training was significantly absent for this race as well. I managed to get in a 10 mile run/walk before the race, so I at least knew I wasn't going to die (always a plus). I managed to finish in 3:29:34, 16min/miles exactly. I felt good up until mile 10 and then charlie hrses started to threaten me every time I did more than walk- so i slowed WAY down for the last 3.1 miles.

The weather was freezing in the morning for the start of the race- a chipper 34 degrees at gun shot. I have never run by SO many clothes as I did those first 3 miles. People were stripping like crazy! Anyway, I had gloves on to protect my hands and a light, wicking jacket over my tech shirt. I also had on capri pants so I was comfortable the entire run- temperature wise.

I tried very hard to jsut relax into a rhythym and enjoy the course- I made some new friends with a few people as we chatted while we jogged. The only time I really felt down on myself was when my legs began to hurt- but as I jogged across the finish line, I reminded myself that if you finish a race and you're not worn out- then you didn't push yourself hard enough. So, at least I know I gave it my all.

Yesterday, I downloaded my new training plan for the Disney Princess Half. I'm using Jeff Galloway's plan from the rundisney site- with a goal of "finishing in the upright position". It paces out the run/walk breaks I would need to strive for for different min/mile sets. I'm shooting for a 13min/mile, but will definitely settle for 14min/miles. I just don't want to get swept!! I'm actually now terrified of being swept off of the Disney course. In any case, my new training starts next week and runs for 19weeks. I have already gotten my family and my boyfriend copies of the training schedule so they can stay on top of me and make sure I do what I need to do.

I can't promise I will be blogging much but I'm going to try and get on here every once in awhile to give an update. If you really want to keep in contact with me, like my page on Facebook- it's easier to do a status update there when I'm on the go. I miss all of my fellow bloggers! I hope everyone is doing well in their own training- if anyone is headed to Disney in February, give me a shout out and maybe we can meet up!

Plateau Busted!

It's time to CELEBRATE!!

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I have FINALLY broken through my weight-loss plateau! That's right ladies and gents, I'm officially back to 205. This is the weight I was when I ran my half marathon last year! Woohoo! I still have 2 months until my next half marathon, so I'm hoping that as I continue with my training, I will drop those last remaining 5lbs (plus one or two more). That will put me under 200lbs for the first time in about 10 years. Crazy!!! I'm so excited and proud! As you all know, I had just about given up because I had been stuck at 210 for so long- but thanks to everyone's support and motivation, I managed to keep muddling through and it paid off. So, THANK YOU!

On another celebratory note, I decide to follow some of Kara's advice the other day and went out for a run. There was no mileage goal in mind, no set time limit- I just went out to run and see how far I managed to go. I did set my watch timer, but only so I could log my run. I started the stop watch and then put it in my SpiBelt so I wouldn't be tempted to check it. I maintained a steady pace for most of my run, extending or shortening my route as I felt. When I finally hit my street again (I did and out and back loop), I stopped my watch to see that I had been going for 1:20:07. Not too bad for "just going for a run"! I went inside and logged into my DailyMile account to put in my route. Turns out I did 6miles! 6 miles in 1:20:07?! Holy crap crackers, Batman!! Apparently, I need to run without my watch more often. I think I get so stuck in trying to beat my time and speed up my pace that I actually slow myself down by psyching myself out. Anyone else ever feel like this?

Anyway, it's a great feeling knowing that I'm back on track with losing weight and that I had such an awesome long run. Gives me motivation to keep going! Did anyone else have any amazing achievements this past week?!

Thank You, Kara Goucher

I ran yesterday. And, boy, did it feel nice. I went out and did a nice, easy run of 2 miles. Took a slow pace for most of it. The only exceptions were when I pushed my pace up the two hills on my route, and then when I sprinted the ends of each mile. I was pouring sweat when I was done, but it felt great! And, I finished under 30minutes. Woohoo!

I've been lacking motivation again lately (surprised? I didn't think so.) It's so hard for me to get back into a routine when work is killing all of my energy. I work with kids all day, every day. I love it, but it is EXHAUSTING. Being high-energy all the time is great- it's almost like a workout in itself, but by the time I get home, I want to curl up in bed and just sleep. It's also hard to wake myself up early to try and run, but this is nothing new. I'm just not a morning person and I'm okay with that.

I was talking with my boyfriend the other night about how I feel I have been slacking WAY too much for my upcoming race in October and how I'm considering not doing it and just using the extra time to prep for the Disney Princess race in February. I hate that I even thought that- it makes me feel like such a quitter. Ugh! Anyway, my boyfriend told me not to give up just yet. He said to wipe the slate clean, get back on the wagon, and see how I do over the next few weeks. If, by the time I hit September, I'm not feeling ready, then to wait till February. But, if I work through my road blocks and get back in the game, he would be there to cheer me on (for both races).

So, I pulled out a book I had almost forgotten I'd bought- Kara Goucher's Book: Running for Women.

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I cracked it open and started reading. I eventually got to the pages where she talks about her set backs and how she sometimes has periods where she has a hard time doing her trainings. Then, she put in a great list of suggestions to help make training a little less cumbersome. One thing she suggested was to change wording- instead of saying "I'm going to do 4 run days this week,", change it to "I'm giving myself 3 rest days this week,". She said it's almost like reverse psychology. I'm going to start trying that possibly. If not aloud, then at least in my own head.

Another thing she suggested was mixing up your training a bit (especially when you find it hard to stick to a particular schedule). For instance, I know I have to do 3 runs and a cross training/walking day. However, instead of making it every Tuesday is a short run, every Thursday is a tempo, etc, to try and mix it up as it fits into my week. That way you don't stress as much or get so down on yourself if something unexpected happens on Tuesday and you can't make a run.

One last thing she advises is to give yourself a break! (Seriously!) If you are scheduled to do an 8 mile run, but you feel you can't do it- just go out for a one mile run. First off, one mile is better than no miles, and , secondly, once you are out and running the chances are you will start to feel better and extend your run a bit on your own.

I've only read like 5 chapters in the book, but it made me feel so much better about my training road blocks. Just knowing that Kara Goucher hits some hurdles herself makes me feel that what I'm going through is perfectly normal. And that's comforting. It makes me think that maybe I can get back on the bandwagon and do ING Hartford in October afterall. 

Final Thoughts

Well folks, the time has arrived. 

Tomorrow morning is THE DAY.

I will be running my first half marathon and, as you all know, I've felt a lot of varying emotions leading up to this point. The best emotion happened today though- EXCITEMENT!!

Chris and I drove to the XL Center to pick up our race packets and walk around the expo (can we say SWAG heaven?!) I snagged a bunch of Gu, a spibelt, some awesome Larabars and tons of other stuff. The whole atmosphere was just intoxicating and I loved every minute of it.

We also drove the race course so we could see what we have in store for us tomorrow. I have to say that the course is gorgeous and it seems like a pretty good race. Not too many drastic inclines, thank goodness! As we were finishing up our drive of the course, my phone rang with some even more exciting news! The amazingly wonderful people at ING had sent out an email a few months ago asking people to submit their stories about why they were running, so I submitted mine. Apparently ING loved the story and got in touch with my local paper who then decided to do a human interest piece on me! SWEET! So, the phone call was from a reporter who did a rather in depth phone interview about myself, my training, my running for my mother, etc etc. Then, they sent a photographer over to my house later in the day to do an hour long photo shoot of myself and my mom. CRAZY!!! So, supposedly the story is going to run tomorrow! I am beyond thrilled! It's so flattering to know that people actually care about what I'm doing, you know? I mean, take all of you readers for example, what would I do without all of your advice and support?! You guys are the best!

Anyway, I had a lengthy conversation with Kurt @ Becoming an Ironman (he's running the full marathon to my half) and we discussed water stations, GU choices, hydration techniques, etc etc. He got me super pumped and I feel a bit better about running tomorrow. I truly feel like it's going to be an amazing experience.

However, in the slight case that I do not cross the finish line, I am leaving my last will and testament here so there should be no questions about who gets what.

Final Will and Testament of Kristin

I, Kristin, do hereby leave all my worldly running belongings as so stated below/.

My various running skirts (sparkly and non-sparkly) to the following people:
Amy @ Pumpkin to Princess
Wells L @ My Story... Chapter 2
Stephanie @ Running to Health

My awesome pink running shoes go to Chelsea (as I know she fully appreciates their awesomeness).

I leave my hefty collection of GU gels, Chomps, and Brews to the following people:
Kurt @ Becomin an Ironman

MrsQ @ A Duck on the Run
Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner

Everyone else can pick over what is left (sunglasses, iPod case, ear buds, compression sleeves, so on and so forth). All I ask is that you please be gentle with my destroyed body as you shove it aside on the road to pass me.

In all seriousness though, I'm psyched for tomorrow and I can't wait to get there and blast this race out of the water! It's going to be amazing! Wish me luck everyone! And good luck to everyone else who has a race this weekend!