OH MY WORD. Can y'all believe the big race is only about two and a half weeks away?! I can't! It's now time to start tapering my training, which means lowering my long runs until race day! Yay! I'll probably do a ten miler this weekend, an eight miler next weekend, and then the half marathon.
Yesterday I ran the Greenway with two friends that have been training for the half marathon with me. Our run was somewhere between 6 and 8 miles (GPS kept losing signal) and it was a decent run compared to my average, but I'm SO slow. And running with my friends, while it definitely holds me accountable, can be so discouraging. I really should have done speed work in my training. But oh well. Next time.
Speaking of next time, my friends and I have been discussing a little whether or not we will keep running after the half. I really can't answer for sure right now, but it's definitely something I think about a lot. On one hand, it's still SO hard to me. It would be really easy to never run again after I cross that finish line on December 1st. But on another hand, I've come so far and I've never stuck with anything as long as I have stuck with running. (Sad, I know.) Plus I haven't gotten as good as I'd like to, so part of me wants to keep training after the half. There's also something really exciting about the thought of just going out for a run and not having to measure the distance to make sure I'm meeting my training requirements...you know, just going out to run for fun. I really do want to continue, so I guess the trick here will be taking a long enough break after the half to let my body recover, but not so long that I don't ever start back.
So, marathoners and half marathoners, how long of a break do y'all take after a big race like this? Or do y'all take one at all? Do y'all find it hard to start back?
Jessica
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Weekend Recap
I wanted to post a recap of my weekend because it was probably the best weekend for running since I started my training.
First, I got my racing singlet in the mail last week. That made me SO nervous, but also extra motivated!
.JPG)
Friday night I ran another race...the True Blue 5K at the University of Memphis. It was SO MUCH better than the one I ran the week before. I still ran it pretty slowly, but felt much better after this one than I did after the BWW 5K. I didn't even cry during or after this one...ha! Plus, we got to run through the tiger's mouth to cross the finish line...how can you be upset about that??
Saturday morning I met a friend at the Green Line and we were going to attempt our long run for the week...9 miles. My body nor my stinky attitude were going to let me do nine miles that day. In fact, they weren't going to let me do more than two. So I finished a little two miler and went on home completely mad at myself, but swearing I'd do nine the next day.
I may have still been a little bit unsure of myself on Sunday, but that evening I popped some Gatorade energy chews, met up with two friends and we set out for the nine miler. We started out at one of my friend's place and about 5.5 miles in were at my place, where we all paused slightly for a water/bathroom break. Also took a Gu packet at this point. (Note to self: no more blackberry gu...NOT good!) Leaving my place to finish it off I knew there was no way we weren't going to finish. See, my car was at my friend's house, which is exactly 3.5 miles from mine at the shortest route. We had no choice but to finish. The first and last mile were the hardest to me...and when we made it back to friend's house I wasn't in the greatest mood. But holy crap. We did it. We ran nine miles, which was the longest run for any of us. That's only 4.1 miles short of our half marathon! I left friend's house without saying much to the girls, but it was just minutes before I called/texted them freaking out about what we had just accomplished. I also couldn't wait to text Christin to tell her about it.
This nine miler included the tiny little mile Christin and I ran together on my very first ever run. Back then I think I had to stop and walk 4 or 5 times before I made it just half a mile. I hadn't run that stretch since Christin and I ran it together, so of that entire nine miles I think running that little piece without stopping may have been the most rewarding. (Yes, I'm a nerd.)
We shoot for 10 miles this weekend and I know now that I can do it. I'm pumped and super excited for the half marathon coming up in just four weeks! Now...let's just hope this motivation can last!
Jessica
First, I got my racing singlet in the mail last week. That made me SO nervous, but also extra motivated!
.JPG)
Friday night I ran another race...the True Blue 5K at the University of Memphis. It was SO MUCH better than the one I ran the week before. I still ran it pretty slowly, but felt much better after this one than I did after the BWW 5K. I didn't even cry during or after this one...ha! Plus, we got to run through the tiger's mouth to cross the finish line...how can you be upset about that??
Saturday morning I met a friend at the Green Line and we were going to attempt our long run for the week...9 miles. My body nor my stinky attitude were going to let me do nine miles that day. In fact, they weren't going to let me do more than two. So I finished a little two miler and went on home completely mad at myself, but swearing I'd do nine the next day.
I may have still been a little bit unsure of myself on Sunday, but that evening I popped some Gatorade energy chews, met up with two friends and we set out for the nine miler. We started out at one of my friend's place and about 5.5 miles in were at my place, where we all paused slightly for a water/bathroom break. Also took a Gu packet at this point. (Note to self: no more blackberry gu...NOT good!) Leaving my place to finish it off I knew there was no way we weren't going to finish. See, my car was at my friend's house, which is exactly 3.5 miles from mine at the shortest route. We had no choice but to finish. The first and last mile were the hardest to me...and when we made it back to friend's house I wasn't in the greatest mood. But holy crap. We did it. We ran nine miles, which was the longest run for any of us. That's only 4.1 miles short of our half marathon! I left friend's house without saying much to the girls, but it was just minutes before I called/texted them freaking out about what we had just accomplished. I also couldn't wait to text Christin to tell her about it.
This nine miler included the tiny little mile Christin and I ran together on my very first ever run. Back then I think I had to stop and walk 4 or 5 times before I made it just half a mile. I hadn't run that stretch since Christin and I ran it together, so of that entire nine miles I think running that little piece without stopping may have been the most rewarding. (Yes, I'm a nerd.)
We shoot for 10 miles this weekend and I know now that I can do it. I'm pumped and super excited for the half marathon coming up in just four weeks! Now...let's just hope this motivation can last!
Jessica
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Dead Last
I ran in a race on Friday (two days ago) and it's taken me all weekend to decide that I would blog about it. Originally I thought to myself, "This is so embarrassing. There is no way I'm posting this for the whole world to see." Well, now I'm looking at it differently.
Ok, so. Friday was the Buffalo Wild Wings 5k for St. Jude and the best friend and I decided it would be great practice for the big race coming up. It was a night race which I thought would be great since I'm used to running at night. We got there and got all signed up and I got NERVOUS. Not really sure why, but I did. So we get outside to start the race, get a little instruction from the sponsor and then we're off. There was a little bit of confusion in the beginning as to where the actual start of the race was, so there was a lot of starting and stopping on our part. We finally get going and I'm doing well at first. We decided to start in the back just because we're not pro racers and it seemed most people there were. Plus I'm slow, so it just seemed like a good place to start. That just meant that from the start of the race we had the last police escort on our tails the whole time. That's a little intimidating. :) At one point I slowed way down for whatever reason. I just remember telling my friend that she didn't have to slow down with me and just to go on. Looking back, I probably should have stayed with her. I got to the halfway point and there were only two people behind me. TWO. And then the police escort car. At that point I lost it. I just gave up. I was embarrassed, discouraged, just stopped running. I walked the rest of the race. The two ladies behind me caught up and walked with me. (They were so nice, by the way, and didn't even make fun of me for crying...haha!) I got almost to the end and friend was waiting for me and walked in with me. Then I looked up and here came two other people I knew from running that also finished it out with me. (P.S. that's one thing I love about the running world. SO supportive!) One of the girls that came back to finish it with me probably won the whole race but she was still there to encourage people the rest of the way. The other person was my coach's husband. I just remember him saying, "It doesn't matter how you run the race. All that matters is how you look crossing the finish line." That may have gotten a tiny laugh out of me. Then we ran across the finish line, where my running coach was.
Y'all, I came in last place. DEAD LAST. I've run 3 miles plenty of times but it just wasn't happening this night. At that point, I was done. No more running. I was ready to sell my spot in the half marathon and be done. I've participated in a ton of 5k's, even as a walker, and had never in my life come in last place. I was devastated! I cried all the way home. The entire next day it was on my mind. Still so embarrassed and so devastated.
Today I've turned that around some how, and I'm glad I have. I'm glad I waited until now to post in my blog. I've turned the devastation into determination. I'm using this experience to push on. In fact, I'm already signed up for another race this weekend.
I'm glad I'm feeling better about it. Just hope I can keep up the positive attitude! Besides, if anyone can ROCK last place it's me, right?!
Jessica
Ok, so. Friday was the Buffalo Wild Wings 5k for St. Jude and the best friend and I decided it would be great practice for the big race coming up. It was a night race which I thought would be great since I'm used to running at night. We got there and got all signed up and I got NERVOUS. Not really sure why, but I did. So we get outside to start the race, get a little instruction from the sponsor and then we're off. There was a little bit of confusion in the beginning as to where the actual start of the race was, so there was a lot of starting and stopping on our part. We finally get going and I'm doing well at first. We decided to start in the back just because we're not pro racers and it seemed most people there were. Plus I'm slow, so it just seemed like a good place to start. That just meant that from the start of the race we had the last police escort on our tails the whole time. That's a little intimidating. :) At one point I slowed way down for whatever reason. I just remember telling my friend that she didn't have to slow down with me and just to go on. Looking back, I probably should have stayed with her. I got to the halfway point and there were only two people behind me. TWO. And then the police escort car. At that point I lost it. I just gave up. I was embarrassed, discouraged, just stopped running. I walked the rest of the race. The two ladies behind me caught up and walked with me. (They were so nice, by the way, and didn't even make fun of me for crying...haha!) I got almost to the end and friend was waiting for me and walked in with me. Then I looked up and here came two other people I knew from running that also finished it out with me. (P.S. that's one thing I love about the running world. SO supportive!) One of the girls that came back to finish it with me probably won the whole race but she was still there to encourage people the rest of the way. The other person was my coach's husband. I just remember him saying, "It doesn't matter how you run the race. All that matters is how you look crossing the finish line." That may have gotten a tiny laugh out of me. Then we ran across the finish line, where my running coach was.
Y'all, I came in last place. DEAD LAST. I've run 3 miles plenty of times but it just wasn't happening this night. At that point, I was done. No more running. I was ready to sell my spot in the half marathon and be done. I've participated in a ton of 5k's, even as a walker, and had never in my life come in last place. I was devastated! I cried all the way home. The entire next day it was on my mind. Still so embarrassed and so devastated.
Today I've turned that around some how, and I'm glad I have. I'm glad I waited until now to post in my blog. I've turned the devastation into determination. I'm using this experience to push on. In fact, I'm already signed up for another race this weekend.
I'm glad I'm feeling better about it. Just hope I can keep up the positive attitude! Besides, if anyone can ROCK last place it's me, right?!
Jessica
Monday, October 15, 2012
When does it "click"?
I can't believe I'm going to run a half marathon in a month and a half!
It's been a while since my last blog post, so I felt like I needed to post something. I don't really have any updates on my distances. My hip is finally feeling much better. Whatever was going on there REALLY slowed down my training, so I'm a bit behind. I should be running 8 miles by now and I'm not, but that's ok. 8 miles...wow. That's a lot!
Running is still SO hard for me. I feel like I keep waiting for that moment when it just "clicks." I've heard so much about that moment...but haven't exactly gotten there yet. I definitely have times where I want to get out there and do it. I sort of crave a run, but when I get out there it's still so hard. Every time I go out it's still a struggle. Whether it's a short run or a long run, it's always tough. But what is it they say? If it was easy everyone would do it, right?
When did it "click" for you? Or did it ever? Anybody else feel like I do?
Jessica
It's been a while since my last blog post, so I felt like I needed to post something. I don't really have any updates on my distances. My hip is finally feeling much better. Whatever was going on there REALLY slowed down my training, so I'm a bit behind. I should be running 8 miles by now and I'm not, but that's ok. 8 miles...wow. That's a lot!
Running is still SO hard for me. I feel like I keep waiting for that moment when it just "clicks." I've heard so much about that moment...but haven't exactly gotten there yet. I definitely have times where I want to get out there and do it. I sort of crave a run, but when I get out there it's still so hard. Every time I go out it's still a struggle. Whether it's a short run or a long run, it's always tough. But what is it they say? If it was easy everyone would do it, right?
When did it "click" for you? Or did it ever? Anybody else feel like I do?
Jessica
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Why I Run
Tonight I felt good about my run for the first time in a few weeks. It was a short one...a little over three miles...but it felt good. My hip still hurts...icing it now...but tonight just felt good.
Don't get me wrong, it was still tough. I had to continue to remind myself why I run, which may have been what made it feel so good. Over and over in my mind: "I run because I'm 33 and my dad started with heart trouble in his mid thirties (died at 38)." "I run because I'm blessed with the ability to do so and so many others aren't." "I run because I'm training to run a half marathon in support of sweet little beauties with cancer that don't have the same ability (by the way, have to throw in my fundraising pitch :) You can click here to sponsor my half and donate to St. Jude)." "I run because I love my body and I want to take care of it." Over and over...this was what was running through my mind as I was running down the street.
I'm a little over two months away from the big race. Hoping for another good run tomorrow and then upping to seven miles on Saturday. Holy smokes! SEVEN miles. That's insane!
Jessica
Don't get me wrong, it was still tough. I had to continue to remind myself why I run, which may have been what made it feel so good. Over and over in my mind: "I run because I'm 33 and my dad started with heart trouble in his mid thirties (died at 38)." "I run because I'm blessed with the ability to do so and so many others aren't." "I run because I'm training to run a half marathon in support of sweet little beauties with cancer that don't have the same ability (by the way, have to throw in my fundraising pitch :) You can click here to sponsor my half and donate to St. Jude)." "I run because I love my body and I want to take care of it." Over and over...this was what was running through my mind as I was running down the street.
I'm a little over two months away from the big race. Hoping for another good run tomorrow and then upping to seven miles on Saturday. Holy smokes! SEVEN miles. That's insane!
Jessica
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Worst Runner Ever
Either running is the most frustrating sport there is, or I'm the worst runner ever. Or maybe a little bit of both.
Let me start by saying I've had this hip pain (I'm an old lady) for about 2 weeks. At first I was able to run through it and be ok, but this passed weekend I was supposed to up my run to 6 miles and made it about 2.5 before I had to stop. The pain was excruciating and I just couldn't go any further.
I spent Monday night with a runner friend and a few of her runner friends and got some good advice, was shown some hip strengthening exercises, took a couple of days off to recover, and thought tonight I'd be able to make it. Now keep in mind, my long run is only 6 miles right now, so during the week I'm only supposed to run between 3 and 4 miles. Tonight was just awful...hip was hurting, I had no drive, no stamina...I just didn't even want to be out there. It was almost like I had never run before. Ok, that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but not much. I have two and a half months before I'm supposed to run 13.1 miles. Can someone please remind me what made me think that would ever be possible?? I'm just so disappointed in myself.
I'm going to give it a go again tomorrow and I have another chance at the 6 miles this weekend. Fingers crossed...
Jessica
Let me start by saying I've had this hip pain (I'm an old lady) for about 2 weeks. At first I was able to run through it and be ok, but this passed weekend I was supposed to up my run to 6 miles and made it about 2.5 before I had to stop. The pain was excruciating and I just couldn't go any further.
I spent Monday night with a runner friend and a few of her runner friends and got some good advice, was shown some hip strengthening exercises, took a couple of days off to recover, and thought tonight I'd be able to make it. Now keep in mind, my long run is only 6 miles right now, so during the week I'm only supposed to run between 3 and 4 miles. Tonight was just awful...hip was hurting, I had no drive, no stamina...I just didn't even want to be out there. It was almost like I had never run before. Ok, that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but not much. I have two and a half months before I'm supposed to run 13.1 miles. Can someone please remind me what made me think that would ever be possible?? I'm just so disappointed in myself.
I'm going to give it a go again tomorrow and I have another chance at the 6 miles this weekend. Fingers crossed...
Jessica
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
First Race!
So. Yesterday I ran my first race since I started training. I ran the Chick Fil A 5k in downtown Memphis and I was awful! Ha! It was a very last minute decision...literally decided Sunday night that I was going to run it on Monday morning. So Monday morning I got up (late), threw my running clothes on and was out the door. The whole way downtown I was trying to talk myself out of it. I was tired, I was going alone, there were millions of reasons for me to turn around and go back home. But I didn't. And I'm so glad! What an experience! It was exciting from the time I walked into Auto Zone Park to register. There was a band playing, tons of runners, and we got a fun little goody bag.
So I got registered and headed to the start line. I read online the day before that if you expected to win anything to make sure you make your way to the front of the start line. So I stayed at the back. Literally the back...behind 2000+ people. The start was a little tough. It was hard trying to make my way through the walkers, finding a hole so I could get in my groove. But I got there. Finally got in my groove. And then quickly fell out of it. I didn't run the entire 3.2, which was frustrating, since I've run 3 miles straight lots of times. It was HOT and I'm not used to running in the day time. Since it's been so hot I've been running at 8p or later. I also had to carry my goody bag with me the whole time. Like I mentioned earlier, I was running late, so I didn't have time to make it back to my car before the race started. Oh well. Lesson learned. Get there early or take a friend to hold your stuff! I can still tell you the best part of the race and the worst for me. Best was turning the corner onto Riverside Drive and feeling the incredible breeze come off the river. Ahhh. Worst would be turning the corner onto Beale and heading straight up hill. Lord help. At the end of the race we came into Auto Zone Park (Redbirds Stadium) and crossed the finish line right at third base. That was pretty cool! My time was ridiculously slow. So slow that I'm not going to share. :) But I'm happy to at least have a time to beat at the next race.
After the race Chick Fil A provided free chicken sandwiches (YUM!) and people just hung out in the stadium. So fun!
I'm such a nerd, I know, but the most exciting part to me was getting my very first racing bib!
Can't wait for the next race!
Jessica
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