Race Report: Fontana Days Half Marathon

About 53 weeks ago, I was dreaming of finally getting rid of the 2 in the front of my half-marathon times. That maybe that elusive sub-2 dream would finally become a reality. And it did! Sub-2 was mine, with a smokin’ 1:56:31, I finally got to check off a major running goal.

I missed Fontana's registration this year, as it sold out faster than before (early April), but thankfully on the same day it closed, Caroline offered her bib to me! Win. She was going to be just coming back from Canada that day, so I bought her bib and ran as a 45-49 year old female. Whatever. 

While I’ve done lots of races since then, I haven’t technically run a sub-2 half since. I ran 2:00:19 at the RnR LA and 2:00:22 at the San Diego Holiday Half race and everything since then has been about a 2:10 average. Fontana is a course that is just about set up for a PR, should you be in shape enough to pull it off. Frankly, I didn’t think I was, even with all the running I’ve been doing as part of this year’s #RWRunStreak… I just had a sub-2 in mind. That was all I wanted.

Saturday morning came, though, and I thought that maybe – just maybe – I’d have a go at a PR. Heck, even if it was a 1:55, a PR is a PR and I’d be happy knowing that I gave it my all to make that happen. I figured I’d put it all out on the line and just see what came of it. I left home about 5:20 and was in Fontana at the start line by 5:45. Because this course is a point-to-point, you park at the finish and are bussed to the top. While hanging around, I found Richard, Jessica and some other folks, all of whom were gunning for that PR.


Last year, we hovered around a campfire for warmth because it was freezing at the top. I was going to find a throwaway shirt or sweatshirt at home, but Richard had the genius idea of a trash bag instead. Lo and behold, tons of folks were rockin' their own plasticware... and it wasn't as cold at the top this year! Fontana is small enough (only 1,000 half marathoners) that there's simply a mat at the start. This year we all commented on, "Look! They at least have flags this year!" to spruce up the start line a little. Simple touches.

After finding all kinds of IERC people, Sandy, and others, we started to hover over towards the start line to get ahead of the crowd. 7:30 came and we still hadn't started... so a few minutes late, but again, the morning was cool enough and the crowd small enough that it doesn't super affect the race. We were just all freaking antsy and ready to get movin'. Finally... 'gun' time!

Sandy and I found each other not even a mile in and talked about our strategy - thankfully it was the same: push it on bulk of the downhill (mile 8ish) so that if we bottomed out once we got into town, it'd be okay and we'd still have time to spare. For some, this is the exact opposite strategy, but what did we have to lose?

We hung together a little ways, but being that this lady is speedier than me, I let her do her thing. I kept her in sight until well past mile 7, so I was happy about that for me - but also because it meant she must've been feeling good! With all her hip and body drama lately, I figured it was the oomph she needed, so fly with it, lady!

The course is far from exciting. Pretty scenery coming out of the foothills, but if you're the type that thrives on course support, this isn't for you. If you need scenic and landmark distractions, also not entirely for you. I flew - flew into mile 7.5 and walked for 10 seconds to get into a Gu and water and keep moving. I PRed my 5K split (by 10 seconds). PRed my 10K split (~4 minutes). And PRed my 15K split (~18 minutes). I felt amazing and though I pushed hard on the super downhill, I wasn't feeling it, I was feeling good! Last year, about mile 9 is where it start to hurt, bad. And I thought I was in better racing shape last year than this year, so that leaves me a little confused on the shape I'm in currently!

We pass the 5K start and then you know it's home from there - I shuffled for a bit through that start line, but once I got into the mile 11 banner, I knew this was it. Mind you, my goal was just a PR (I had 1:55 in my head as a happy point), and this point I was close to enough to hit close to a 1:50? WHAT. 

Photo courtesy Michael. 

Boom. And that's how it's done apparently. I flew through the finish, egging some guy on who was just sloshing his way to the finish so he passed me and then in the last .2, I pulled out my last kicks and flew by him. Sorry, guy. I found Sandy right at the finish, and was still huffing and puffing when I stammered out that new time - a near 6-minute PR! Holy whoa.

I went and found Michael and Richard (who was just a minute off a PR), hung out for a bit to chat last folks in. I finally got to meet Juliene who was snagging my Galaxy tickets for the night. Tons of IERC folks at the race - it's nice to finally see and meet faces everywhere that I know that are familiar. It makes racing all the more fun!

Oh, right, that time...

BAM.

Official: 1:50:39

Finisher 290/1058 (27%)

Females 110/591 (18%)

Last year, never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd finally have a half marathon time starting in a 1... and now I've got one with an almost 1:4... holy smokes. I love Fontana. Too bad this PR won't ever be registered under my name. :)

Did you run Fontana? How about PR?

Race Report: Fontana Days Half Marathon

First off, happy 300th blog post to meeeee!

And what better for 300 than a super-awesome race recap?

Fontana Days Half Marathon | June 7

Fontana, CA

This race is known as the fastest half marathon in the US, and it's little surprise as to why:

Yeah, you see that? You park at the bottom of the foothills at City Hall, they bus you to the top, and you run back down. Not only that, but it's a long-established race (59 years running is pretty impressive in my book), so you know they know what they're doing.

After scrambling at the beginning of the day to get to the start line to get my bib from Richard, I discovered the address I googled was wrong and that I was not where I was supposed to be at 5:30 am. Rough. What a start to the day! Luckily, my actual destination wasn't even 2 miles away and caught up to the group just as they were about to get on our bus to the top - talk about impeccable (though not on time!) timing. If you've run with me, you know the last thing I need on race morning is to be late. 

One thing that I didn't particularly appreciate was that the last half marathon bus to the top of the course left City Hall at 6:20 am when the half marathon didn't start until 7:30 am. Apparently the website and city hall told a number of folks the race started at 7, but I swear the only email I read mentioned 7:30! Regardless, we also didn't know they essentially do bag check on the bus, so you could have taken your sweatshirt at least on the bus instead of freezing - mind you, we were mostly in tanks and shivering already on our way up into the foothills. So, naturally, we did as runners do: we made friends.

Yep, found some campers and asked if we could borrow their campfire. They even brought us blankets! 

And like that, it was race time. After a last attempt for a real bathroom stop (this is important, people), I got angry at women taking too long and gave up. It was 5 minutes from start time! I knew I'd regret it later. But beyond that, it was start time. Let's go, Fontana... let's go. 

Now, Michael graciously offered to pace me to my dream sub-2 time. I had my watch, but decided that while I'd let it run, I'd turn it over, not pay attention, and rely on Michael to get to the finish. While he suggested an 8:45/8:30 negative split pace, I laughed, but whatever.. this was in his hands to keep me on track! I normally don't do split by split recaps, but frankly, my brain was all over the place. Note that I knew virtually none of these splits (save maybe two) while we were gliding downhill, so to see these after the fact feels a little unreal. Times and corresponding thoughts are unedited for your full enjoyment. ;) 

8:07 - Damn, I feel good. I'm doing it. Let's go. But I need that restroom. Stupid women's line.  
10:22 - Restroom found. Alright, we can focus. 

Michael reminded we definitely had time to make up at this point. Let's go. 

8:02 - Alright, feeling okay. Keep moving, keep moving.
8:29 - I'm pushing a pace here. I'm not sure how long I can pull this off. This morning is gorgeous, couldn't be more perfect, but the shade feels so much better than sun right now. But hey, feeling good. You got this! 
8:42 - Breathing is overrated. Wow, I suck at paying attention to my breath. Note to self: learn to breathe and run at the same time. It's highly recommended. 
8:43 - Wah. Downhill is catching up with my crappy running posture. I can hear Doug in my head, telling me to straighten up, hips forward, shoulders back. Michael reminds me the same thing. 

10K - 56:xx. That's a 10K PR split too. Holla! Shortly after, Michael stops and tells me to keep my pace, keep pushing forward. We're finally under the cloud coverage that's still hanging in and it feels sooooo good. Thank you, weather, for your cooperation.

9:03 - Michael says we're right on target, pace is perfect. I'm doing it! Keep going girl, keep going. 
8:54 - I'm tired. This sucks. Mile 8? Okay, so like really... 4 more miles. Because if I can run 4, I can run one more, right? I think of this article and realize how true-to-life it just became for me (see #3)... 

Somewhere in mile 8-ish, you end up totally out of the hills. It's nothing but flat asphalt from here to the finish. At that point, running on flat road hurt more than running downhill. My quads felt fine, my hammies were alright, but my back! Posture fail. Michael asks what my 5K PR is (26:12) and tells me that when I get to Mile 10, I have exactly 26:12 to get to the finish. How bad do I want it? 

8:38 - 9 miles. Okay, that's like a 5K left. I'm really grateful I can't do math in my head. But really, my back hurts. And breathing still sucks. Michael suggests talking about how much his team (Rangers) is better than the Angels. I laugh, give out a breathless "Yeah, right," and he suggests that I don't do the talking. Insert jabber about the Rangers, blah blah blah, and I can't even reply because I'm short of breath as it is. Stupid running. 

Michael asks if I need a Gu. Yes, that's right, I forgot all fueling necessities at home. I hate Gu. It's vanilla bean. He says it tastes like vanilla frosting. Alright, I like vanilla frosting. Hm, this Gu isn't so bad. Maybe I'm just desperate... 

8:49 - Mile 10! Hey, I can totally finish this. Michael, what's my time? "You're on track. That's all you need to know." Fine. I guess I'll have to take that as an answer. Water stop, thank god. 

I get to walk through the water stop and Michael gives me 10 more seconds beyond that to focus, finish the last water, and get to work. He tells me to straighten up, shoulders back, keep breathing - "Hey! I need one of him!" We pick up another runner, Carly, who is looking to finish at 2:05. We tell her to stick with us and she'll run way better than that. Her half PR is here last year, at 2:11. 

8:43 - Carly's still with us. Someone else who wants this as badly as I do. If she can do it, I can do it. Mile 11. Alright, I can do this for two more miles. Surely... 

Michael tells me it's officially in my court. He's gotten me here, the rest is up to me and as long as I keep moving forward, I've got this. He stops to help a girl whose hip had her practically on the ground in pain. Calry and I keep moving and cheering each other on. 

8:45 - I want to quit. Or at least walk. My back hurts... no! No quitting now. 

I try and give it what I've got a little bit more. Too hard too soon after too long already and my knee cramps and tightens almost instantly. Alright, bad idea. 

Mile 12.5ish. Photo cred: Richard.

It was somewhere after that above photo that it sank it - and it apparently showed. Michael: "Yep, you feel it now, huh? That's what a PR feels like!"

8:57 - Was there even a Mile 13 banner? Why are those balloons so far away? I'm so glad there's people down at this end. 

Finish Line - Holy f%&#!

That's what a sub-2 face looks like. Hot damn, y'all, I did it! It wasn't until  I had crossed, grabbed my medal, stopped MY watch, and finally asked Michael how we ended up...

'Scuse me? Dude paced me even faster than I even thought possible, than I thought I was ready for, and that I didn't think I had in me. Mile 12 and 13 were the two hardest miles I've run pretty much ever. I've never finished a race before with literally nothing left in my tank, and here I was... empty tank. Full heart. I did it.

Official: 1:56:31

Finisher 451/1084 (43%)

Age Group 15/61 (24.6%)

After sitting and shaking out the legs, I went to go find Sandy who had just paced another friend of hers to a sub-2 finish too. What a great day for everyone - this course definitely does that for you! We had some fun with the photo background (hooray free photos!) and called it a day. I headed to breakfast with some fabulous new folks I've met this week and to celebrate. Of the 12 of us or so, I think 11 of us are celebrating new PRs. Holy moly!

Thank you. Whether you texted me, Facebooked, Instagrammed, commented here, or sent me some good luck vibes somewhere else on the interwebz or elsewhere, thank you for your support, encouragement, and love! I can finally call myself a sub-2er and my dream from the last year and a half is finally another check mark on the goals list. I couldn't be more proud, more grateful, and more encouraged than ever. And, of course, a massively huge thank you to Michael for encouraging me, distracting me, and keeping me on track. Thanks for volunteering to run a 'slow'(er) race with me and helping me make this happen!

Eff. I did it, y'all.

Race Day Is Here!

 First, a super huge big birthday to my sister! She's 26 - gettin' old sis!

(I'm the older one, it's okay to say that)

And secondly... ZOMG you guys. Race day. It's here. 

I mean, tomorrow. But still.

I've done the work - it's been a short time span, but I've done it. I've nailed nearly every run I set for myself in the last 6 weeks, and minus the one week I sat out thanks to my knee, I feel good.

If anything, the last 6 weeks have taught me that when I see a goal ahead, I do what it takes to get it done. I've fought the last nine months with apathy, some laziness, a whole lot of excuses, and almost zero motivation. And all of a sudden, after Ragnar, and after Redlands, I found it. Maybe because I finally saw this as a real opportunity to make it happen. I CAN make it happen.

I feel ready.

I feel able.

I'm ready to crush it.

I know I've got this.

Sub-2, I'm coming for you.

Fontana, you will be mine!

I'm hoping Monday's post will be the good news that I did just that. ^^

On NRD, I also set out for a super awesome social run with iRunMB and met a whole bunch of the #sa2lv crazies, like these folks:

Nancy, Jessica, Bill, me, and Michael.

AND, lucky for me, after talking about PRs and my whopping goal for Fontana, Michael volunteered to pace me. He's crazy enough to suggest I run 8:45s the first half and 8:30s the second half, and I'll hit well below that 2-hour mark. I laughed. I'm not so sure about that, dude... but I'm still stoked about whatever he has me do because the first time ever, I've got a pacer. That's gotta count for something... 

Race goals? Just to put it out there.

Run smart. I haven't done that in awhile.

A) Sub-2. I don't care if it's 1:59:59. Just sub-2.

B) 2:01-2:03. That'll tell me that I'm not as far off as I think I am, and that I've got it coming. With my current PR at 2:01 on a flat course, if I can pull off 2:01 on a downhill, I've got work to do, but I've got it coming.

 

So here it is. 24 hours out and #sub2orbust comes to the fore-front again. Let's go, Fontana. Let's go.

What mantra gets you through a tough race or when you have a big goal ahead? 

Fontana Days Half: Week 3

Training: Week 3

Overall, this week was pretty fantastic - tough, but I felt good. After an extended rest day last weekend thanks to graduation at the University and Mother's Day fun at my parent's house, I was ready to tackle the week. And for the most part, I did!

Monday: 3 mi easy (10:24)

3.01 miles (10:01)
Much like last week, I tend to wimp out at the end of a work day. For whatever reason, this day felt difference and I just wanted to get out and go. Who knew?! I tried keeping it slow and relaxed, but as normal (to this day, I can't pace myself) I went out real hard in the first mile and then had no other way but to slow down for the last two. But I killed the four beastly hills on my 3-mile loop, so I was super pumped and pleased with my effort.

Tuesday: 3 mi easy (10:24)

2.0 miles (10:33)
Morning miles with the puppy - legs felt unbelievably tired after Monday evening's run, so I took Molly along to keep it slow(er). Shorter than planned, but enough to get moving with the pup to start the day!

Wednesday: 6 miles, 4 @ tempo (8:54)

3.23miles (9:34)

Despite two earlier awesome runs, this morning was really hard to get up for. Like really hard. So I finally made it out of bed at 7 am and on the day when it was supposed to be 105 degrees inland, that was a bad choice even for me on the coast. Set out for a loop and would call it a victory, whatever it was. Partial fail.

But my Wednesday night ended with a soccer game date with my daddio to see the Galaxy's reserve team in the first round of the Open Cup. Not a bad way to end my day! :)

Thursday: 3 mi easy (10:24)

2.00 miles speedwork (4x400)
After a late night out at the game, I was already planning on NOT making it up for a morning run, but figured since I had GOTR practice anyway, I'd run with them. Figures that the lesson plan for the day involved hardly any running! Bummer.

It was crazy hot on Thursday, but I wanted to stick around and at least do something. I knew there was no way I was going to last 12 loops on our sidewalk track, so I thought I'd experiment with some speedwork. First true speed workout in almost a year - and I felt it. The heat didn't help, but I managed to squeak out a 1 mile warm up (10:00) and 4x400 (1:34, 1:44, 1:43, 1:43). This time last year, I'd laugh and be angry about such a workout because I knew I was capable of better, but frankly after a year off the track... I'm quite pleased. Work to be done, but it's a start!

Friday: Rest

Rest
Happily!

Saturday: 5 miles LSD (10:24)
2.25 (9:37) + 3.33 (13:47) + 2.05 (10:06) = 7.63 mi
Woo! I thought I had more than 5 miles on the agenda (and left my calendar at home, so that's what was in my head). Going to bed on Friday night, my goal was to do the 2-mile block as a warm up, do my first-ever trail race (!), and then run another block when I got home.

Warm up block was an awesome way to get moving for the morning - it was still cool then, and felt good to get the legs shaken out. The trail run was HARD - oi vey! But more on that tomorrow! And then, despite it being stupidly hot at 10:30 am, dropped my stuff off in the house and set out for that last block. Holla. 7.63 miles on the day. More than thrilled!

Week 4, here we come! Week 4 culminates in my longest long run for this #sub2orbust attempt. Nervous, but allowing myself to go with the flow and make what I will of it. Feeling good heading into this week, so let's hope that sticks around!

3 weeks until race day!

Fontana Days Half: Week 2

I realize I never posted Week 1, as I honestly wasn't sure how far I'd get. Now that I can say Week 2 is down (and then some), I'm pretty excited about where I'm headed with this!

Heeeere we go! 

The Fontana Days Half is my new target race. As you may or may not remember, Nike last year was my goal race. I trained. I worked my butt off. #sub2orbust was everywhere - and after 90 seconds at the first aid tent at mile 7, I finished at a 2:01:33. I had it in me. I know I did. But enough about that - you can rehash it here, if you really desire.

Fontana is coming up on June 7 - so close! I'm working hard, in the six weeks I have between races (Redlands and this one). And so far, feeling good. The course looks like this:

I'm not going to lie, I'm looking forward to that helping me out. However, I've nailed most of my runs so far and am looking forward to tackling this guy. So... with that, Week 2, here we go!

Monday: 4 mi easy (10:30)
4 miles, 9:33 pace
I usually wimp out on post-work day runs, and come up with every excuse in the book. Finally got out and did this, ready to rock. I tried slowing down. I just couldn't! I turned this into a time test and did 2 miles with the pup (19:21) and then 2 on my own (18:53). Monday afternoon success!

Tuesday: 3 mi easy (10:24)
2 miles, 9:40 pace
Nothing remarkable? Legs were a little tired after Monday night's run, but pushed through and got a solid 2 in at least.

Wednesday: 5 miles, 3 @ HMP (9:09)
5 miles, 3 @ tempo (8:59)
This run was aaaaaaah-mazing. I was targeting just getting in a solid 5 miles and was going to try and push for 3 solid HMP miles. After mile 2 clicked by and hit an 8:58, I thought that maybe there was a way to pull this off and make it a solid tempo workout too - boom. Done and done! I love my 5-mile route because it is a rolling downhill, which will mimic Fontana well and get my knees and quads ready for the difficulty. Boom.

Thursday: Rest
1.14 miles, Girls on the Run practice
Moved my long run up to Friday, so was gonna go for zero, but went for a little shake-out before practice started with the girls. Easy peasy.

Friday: 8 miles (10:30)
4.79 miles, 9:08 pace

Saturday: Rest
Rest
Graduation day at Marymount! That was plenty effort for the day. :)

Overall, a successful week. Several runs were at the end of the day, and while the last few months have been nothing but excuses, I feel like I'm finally moving past that self-wall and getting out there and just doing it. And it feels amazing. Week 3, I'm ready for ya! Leggo!

Any tips as I head into Week 3? Sub 2 or bust! 

April Recap

april!

Total run mileage: 57
Highest weekly run mileage:  21
# Runs: 14
# Rest days: 15

# Cross-training workouts: Like 3. Whoops.

# Races: 1

     - Nike Women's DC Inaugural Half Marathon { Expo | Race }

Favorite run: Despite not meeting my goal, I'm going to go with Nike DC. Beautiful course (even if at times I apparently had no idea where I was), amazing spectator crowd, and obviously a great weekend with my sister, sorority sisters, and the same women I'd consider some of my running besties. Wonderful weekend overall, but I definitely loved running DC!
  

Current obsession: Finding the next goal race. Suggestions welcome: fast, flat, and sub-2-able. 

Most hardcore run: This speedwork session the Wednesday prior to Nike. I knew I'd been making progress through our Wednesday sessions, but this was the one where, first, I really dragged myself out of bed in the morning, and then magic happened. Fastest 5 400s ever - all five of them!

Current need: Re-focus. Finding some mellowness again and allowing myself a little re-coup time before I focus on a race again. Not an easy thing, given that 

Current song: I love this. It's obnoxious and catchy and the lyrics crack me up. If you haven't heard it yet, where have you been?

Current triumph: Finally achieving the point where I can say "Holy crap, I ran a 7:36 PR last weekend." That my friends, is almost a full mile's time in a race like that for me. Pretty substantial. And I suppose that's something to really be proud of - and I guess that does go to show that Track Tuesdays are working, running with some faster folks at group run Saturdays is working, and that I'm definitely making progress. More to come for fall for sure!

Current goal: Finding some races for the fall, and re-establishing a new sub-2 goal race. 

Another goal is to really let myself recoup and find some peace within my own head before jumping into anything. Allowing myself a super easy week (aka I haven't run at all or hit a gym since Sunday, and only plan on running 'easy' at tomorrow's group run). I want to get into some cross-training and weight training so I can get back in a routine before jumping into a full out race plan over summer. Wheels are a-turnin'! 

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? Goals for May?

NWMDC | Race Report

 (And if you missed, it, Saturday fun here)

This post is hard to swallow. I wish this the recap I'd been dreaming of writing for the last six weeks - that I could tell you I sub-2ed finally, at the magical tenth half marathon I've run. That I ran strong, solid, and smart and I achieved my goal and more. But I can't.

What I can tell you is that I ran a 2:01:33, which (and I'm trying to be real) is nothing to scoff at, given that it's a 7:36 PR for me. I can tell you that I ran strong (up until 10K), I ran pretty smart, and I ran solid (again, until about 10K). I can tell you that squeaking by my goal is the most defeating and humbling experience, especially once you've put it out into the universe as much as you have. I can tell you that while still fighting with some anger, or frustration, or disappointment, or whatever you might want to call it, that I am coming to terms, that I am accepting a pretty killer PR, and that yes, I am on the hunt for a new race to call my sub-2 goal race.

But with that, I bring you the race day full story.

Me, Kasey, Heather, Carly, Trista, Amanda & Brandi.

With an early alarm clock of 4:20 am, we rolled out of bed and got to work. Pre-race rituals, bib placements, band aids, Gatorade-ing and snackage were a blur as we were out the door at 5 am to walk to Dunkin for coffee and donuts (HP's new PR food of choice) and a bagel (for me) and then on to the Pentagon City Metro stop into the city. I think my sister was taken aback at how early race day really begins with such large races. Thanks for being a great sport, sister! We met up with Kasey, Carly, and Brandi by 6:10, just in time for our pre-race photo shoot and shenanigans to take place, get our stuff to bag check and get to our corrals.

I had thankfully put the correct time pace on my registration (9:00-9:59 minute miles), as you couldn't move up corrals, but you could move back (at registration). What was annoying was that with all the emphasis on this, there was no one checking wristbands at all. In my corral, I talked to a few folks, most of whom were with Team In Training and running their first half, some were running their umpteenth half, and some were just talking about their 2-hour goal. I wish I had actually made an effort to connect with one or two for real, as I could have used a friend on the course when I was starting to lose it. Shalane Flanagan and Joan Benoit Samuelson were introduced where we found out they'd be running with us! We had a moment of silence for Boston, the national anthem, and then we were off!

I've read that further back, corrals were crazy crowded (I don't think it helps that the corral behind me was 10-11:59 pace, whereas every other corral was only a minute at a time). My corral was busy, though not crowded, and I found it manageable. There was a tunnel that we went through not even two miles in, and I came out of that with my Garmin being off - somehow, it ended up a tenth of a mile faster than what the mile marker signs were. I didn't think much of it.

Miles 1-2: Despite not facing terrible crowds, I struggled getting into a groove. Loved the crowd support, the band in the tunnel (it echoed and it was awesome), and generally kind of struggled, but that's not atypical for me. The band-aids on my right ankle were already flapping around before mile 2 (yes, this is pertinent).

5K Split: 28:32, just about a minute behind. While I was concerned, I didn't freak out, as I was trying to hold back and conserve just a little bit so I could bust it out at the end.

Miles 4-5: Russel and my sister were planning on hanging around Lincoln (which we really passed by like three times, depending on the area you were in), so I was hoping I'd see her. Just before the 10K split, she found me! I was so excited to see somebody familiar! It was somewhere in here that I realized those pesky band-aids were gone (very pertinent).

Mile 5-ish. Photo cred: my sister!

10K Split: 56:23, just about a minute and a half behind, but this 5K was faster than my first 5K. I knew I had really picked it up on the bridge.

It was just after the 10K split that I veered over to the water stop (my first stop), grabbed a drink, and was promptly caught up in everyone stopping in their tracks to get through the stop. No, people. With that, my shoe dug into the back of my heel, opening up the tender spot I'd originally covered up. I sprinted to the med tent across from the water stop, yelling "Band-aids!" as loudly as I could. Thankfully, there was no one else at the tent, and both women jumped on ripping open band-aids; they were so sweet and worked as fast as they could, while laughing, "We don't get trained in speed band-aid-ing!" I didn't look at my watch while I was there, in fear of freaking out, but as soon as they were done, I bolted on my way.

Miles 7-9: I was trying to find my way back into the pace I thought I had finally been able to settle in on in that second 5K. I managed to find Krissy, which was really exciting, and held on to run with her for just a few minutes (they were going for an 'easy' sub-2) and dropped back. As we headed into mile 9, they passed me again, so I have no clue when y'all stopped!

15K Split: 1:26:28, which is just about where I should have been (goal pace would be Mile 10 at 1:31:31), I just had to keep it up. Mile 9 was rough for me, as I finally felt the fatigue I thought I'd feel earlier - but it came on hard. My sister missed me at mile 10, as the online live-tracker lagged a bit, so they didn't get there in time, so instead she bolted to the finish to make sure she got me coming in (best sister ever).

Miles 11-12: Mile 10 was up the "hill" (read: a 52 foot incline over the course of the full mile) and Mile 11 was back through the tunnel, and my watch actually lost reception - when I came out, the mileage continued but my pace started over so I left the tunnel running a 0:42" pace (yeah, fail Garmin). We turned the corner, where we were then running against those speedy kids ahead of us, and did the full loop road in front of the Capitol building. Mile 12 just made me angry - I knew I'd have to push it to squeak in, I knew that I'd bolted too fast in the beginning, and I was angry about the wide, big round loop in front of the Capitol. I was angry - and just wanted to be done.

20K Split: 1:55:44, so close and yet so far. I'd have to sprint like there was no tomorrow to make that 1:59:59 clock time at this point.

Hi from the med tent!

The Finish: I kid you not, I hit the Mile 13 banner and all I wanted to do was ... walk. Who walks to the finish of a half? Not me. I waited until I had an eye-balled 400m run left, and pushed with all I had to make it like the end of a (really long) speed workout on the track. Gave it all I have to see the clock read 2:02:xx. I'd crossed the start about 55 seconds after gun time, so I knew I didn't have it. I hit stop on my watch and didn't even look.

I moved forward, gathered my Tiffany's necklace from the cutie, grabbed a banana and a bagel and marched waddled my way to the medical tent because really... I didn't know where else to go. I hurt, my tummy was on fire, and I just wanted to cry in frustration. My sister met me there, where I was iced and Tums-ed, and with a handful of Bengay, we were off about 15 minutes later to find my way to bag check and eventually the finish line to see the last of the girls in.

Trista looking alive at Mile 13!

HP's goal was sub-3, and Brandi had vowed to get her there. This was Trista's first half, and while she just wanted to finish, she also really wanted that sub-3 too. Many thanks to the live-tracker, we knew they'd be there any minute. Sub-3 acquired! 2:59:08 and goal made. I am ecstatic for them - admittedly, it's hard to be ecstatic in the moment when you're the only one who didn't make yours. But they worked so hard on Sunday and I am so proud of Heather for attaining her goal even when going in, she wasn't sure if it was reachable, for Brandi for sticking with it, and for Trista in finishing her first half! I found my sister after running them in back at bag check, and we waited for them to come through after collecting their goodies.

And then it was time for post-race photo shenanigans...

From top left: all of us rocked Nike DC; sorority love; more sorority love; half marathon #10 for this kid!

... and then a speedy trip back to the hotel for showers and packing to get to Founding Farmers in time for brunch for Amanda's birthday. And then  it was DCA time. And like that, the weekend was over. Why do they always go fast (never mind that this trip was about 48 hours long). Heather and I were first to leave (sister left before we even got to brunch for her bus ride back to NYC), and made our way to Reagan to be greeted by a flight delay for my trip back to Atlanta. Lucky for me, after she left, I got to meet up with Amanda who'd just run NWM with her sister (sister's first half!); company always helps delays feel not so brutal!

So on track. Played catch-up after Mile 7, and I have no clue what happened in Mile 11. Ugh.

Overall, not bad.

Weekend over. Emotions still here, front and center. More thoughts to come. But that's it. Suggestions for a new goal race?

How have you gotten over goal heartbreak? Struggling with where to move forward from here. 

NWMDC | Assessing My Training

A few weeks ago I put it out there that NWM DC is my goal sub-2 race for the year - that was just about a month ago and I've been thinking long and hard about the feasibility of achieving this coveted half-marathon race time. Come next Monday morning, can I call myself a sub-2er?

My training plan was a modified (for the sake of time) Runner's World sub-2 plan: their version was 12 weeks, mine was 5. Yeah - but minding the fact that I was coming out of marathon recovery month (as it were), and have run two halfs in the last six weeks come race day, I've done the work. Let's look at how this plays out:

Week 1: March 25-31
Scheduled miles: 21
Completed miles: 23.7

Week 2: April 1-7
Scheduled: 25
Completed: 7.54

Week 3: April 8-14
Scheduled: 24
Completed: 13.76

Week 4: April 15-21
Scheduled: 20
Completed: 14.96

Total miles scheduled: 90
Total miles completed: 59.96

If you look at this solely based on miles, I'm far from completing the plan to its fullest, and certainly haven't put in the miles to make a 1:59:59 clock time happen. However - I'm looking at this from a different light: speed and endurance, two things I never really thought I had. My speed workouts each week have been amazing and have certainly helped me push beyond what I thought I was capable of - both physically and mentally. My long runs (6-7 miles) have all held under a 9:40 pace, which is a lot faster than any of my long runs prior (usually in the 10-10:10 average range), so I know there are a few factors making a difference!

The running coach I've been working with has said repeatedly that if I complete a full training cycle (unlike I did for the last two halfs, Clemson especially) and allow myself a taper week (a what? You're silly, Al) that I've got the endurance and the speed to certainly make my goal happen.

Running a 5K-PR in a training run during week 3 really showed that when I put my mind to it, and can mentally push myself all the way through, that I am as capable as I think. Running that PR run (a full minute shorter than my 5K race PR) was not easy, but knowing that I pushed as hard as I could all the way through showed that work coming to life.

5K PR in a training run!

So here you have it. I'm in my last week, ready to make it count. Taper week, as recommended/knowing that I need it to allow myself to really get revved up for Sunday! I'm running our #BostonStrongATH run tonight, one last track day on Wednesday, and 3 easy miles on Thursday. And that's it - resting until Sunday morning and putting this #sub2orbust plan to work.

More NWMDC fun to come this week!

Last advice, words of wisdom, things to remember? 

Track Tuesday 15

It's hard not to think about Monday's events. I sit at a computer most of the day, and either via Facebook or Yahoo or CNN or Twitter, there's a reminder that people are hurting. Runners are hurting. Their loved ones, those strangers cheering them on... they're all hurting. But I'm trying to move forward - after all, that was the point from my post yesterday - keep moving forward.

And today, I tried to do just that. When my alarm went off at 4:50, I promptly hit snooze. 4:59 rolled around and the last thing I wanted to do was get up and walk out the door - but something hit me that said I needed to run for people who couldn't.

Today's group was really small - only 3 of us - and I was worried that I had missed an email cancelling, considering I was the only one out there until 5:30 on the dot. Thankfully, Coach Al rolled in just after two other people I didn't know and we got to work - a lap set of 4-3-2-1 (mile, .75, .5, .25, respectively), at which goal was to increase pace through each lap set. Woof.


And here you have it:

You can ignore those two little lap mess-ups. :)

Fastest mile ever (actually timed in at 7:54), followed by some amazing lap sets. They hurt, for sure, but it felt good and, as always, I didn't regret rolling out of bed. I'll feel these, for sure, so I'm super glad tomorrow is a rest day. Also serves me right for running Monday, Tuesday, and putting myself in this workout today! Sorry, legs.



Joining us for Track Tuesday this week? Make sure you link up!

PS. Also make sure you share your #runforboston miles - now it's up to 600+ runners, 1000s of miles!