Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Post 1/2 Marathon!

It has been two and half weeks since my 2nd half marathon! Yikes!

I had planned on running at least a mile during the week following the race, but that didn't happen. My back ended up being pretty tight from not just running, but the crazy heat. Not that that was my excuse all week seeing how that only last two days.
But last week I got back onto the treadmill and did a mile, and I did pretty well. And that was it for the week. Well, I did do one Hip Hop Abs video last week as well.

Over the weekend I went to the Taylor Swift concert with my cousin, it was a good time! Carly Simon made an appearance to perform a duet, singing her famous "You're So Vein" which was awesome!!

This week was the beginning of a new week, at least that is what I have been telling myself. But I am off to a good start. Monday I ran two miles, slow...then did 30 minutes of hip hop abs. Today I only did 2 miles, and a few ab workouts, but nothing long or repetitive. Tomorrow I have to work both jobs, so there is no time for a work out. Thursday although I have some errands and cleaning to do, I am hoping to fit in a run and a video work out.

What I thought was interesting, was the difference in my runs from yesterday to today. I changed the route up a little, instead of doing two loops (Monday), today I ran part of the loop, down a hill then back up. I still did better today than yesterday.

Friday we leave for Cape Cod for the week (crossing fingers for the whole week). Since we will have to whole week instead of only a few days, I am definitely going to get some running in. My sister will be with us and will hopefully join me on a run, or going biking while I run. I actually have been thinking about trying a morning run, sometime before everyone else wakes up, then doing a couple things in the small gym at the resort we stay at then jumping into the pool! I figure that is a great way to end a workout before breakfast and a shower!

I am tempted to try running on the beach, but that might be a no-go, I might just stick to the leisurely walks on the beach, those seem to be more enjoyable. If I run on the beach, maybe I will go before sundown, it might be more scenic.

Have you run on the beach before? Did you like it, did you not? Barefoot or sneakers?

-Stephanie

Monday, July 15, 2013

Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon

1/2 Marathon #2 in the books! I have to say it was tougher than my first, but I finished and that is what really counts! As much as I feel bad about how I had to complete it, I know I am not alone and that makes me feel better, and I feel good about doing it and don't regret it! I have some thoughts to share and then some pictures I will share!

So once we arrived at the race, it was kind of a race to get to packet pick up and a bag check sort of thing, then to get in line! My friend Ben, who is a faster runner than I, was telling me that we were going to start together in the 9:30 pace group, I then replied by laughing in his face..but then found myself there anyways. I think that could have be a contributing factor to the way I felt...but whatever. So from the start my knee also was bothering me, both of them. Not in pain, but just a weird annoying feeling. Which when I asked the medical tent at the finish they said it was probably my knees spasming..which I have never experienced...at least not constantly for 6 MILES!
The worst was after mile two we began to ascend a huge hill that I will never be a fan of. Instead of walking, it felt more like a climb...



It is hard to tell a bit, but all up the road is only PART of the hill...the rest continues to climb up through that park up ahead.

But I made it up, got to a water stop and continued to walk myself through the fatigue and then run downhill at a point.

We then met up with mile 5, which thank goodness for a port-a-potty! Having to pee affected me a bit, but I didn't really have time when I first got to the race to go, so that didn't help either. While in line, I started talking to two girls who I had seen for a while. They invited me to run a 3min run/2min walk pace with them. I was all for it, but my knees weren't.

So this is where I feel disappointed. At mile 6, after passing the start/finish line area, I decided to walk to mile 7 in hopes of running again. Well...that didn't really pan out. From then on I was A LOT! I couldn't help it, it was so hot...and not having much shade along the course wasn't helpful. I did get to see some pretty sights, but I was feeling down on myself about walking, and tried to run here and there when I felt good enough too, especially if there was any down hill parts...that made things easier.

As I had said in a previous post, I was hoping to finish in 3 hours maximum, but I finished in 3:21:27. I will take it. I wasn't the only one who slowed down. People who normally finish in 90min, finished in 2 hours. I wasn't the only one who pretty much walked the last 4 miles either, which helped me regain some confidence in my wise choice, and I am glad I did and didn't end up being on of the 5+ people who were sent to the hospital for heat exhaustion! So I have to say that I am not disappointed, but only wished that I could have run more of the course than walked! And I am sure I am not alone in that thought!

I would have to say that if it is cooler, I would do it again! Which is a good feeling!

Enjoy the photos!

Laying out the night before!













 
-Stephanie

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Happy (belated) 4th of July!

So last week was the 4th of July, a very busy week I might add.
I will keep it as simple as I can. June 29th my parents, cousin and I flew down to Maryland to help my sister move back home. It was fun, tiring and a looong drive back to Mass from Maryland.
Monday, July 1st was Rich's birthday and then Tuesday was my parents 36th wedding anniversary! Yikes, an lot to celebrate! So we went to dinner on Tuesday to celebrate both.

I had my first chiropractic appointment on Wednesday, what a shock to a system that can be, and put a little more financial stress on, but I will make it ok. I had work that evening. Thursday, Rich and I went to his Mothers for a cookout/party for the 4th and to celebrate his bday with family and a few friends! it was nice!

Thursday morning before the cookout I decided to go for a run! I had purchased a running skirt to try out, and plus I needed to break in my new running sneakers! Unfortunately the picture I took of me in my skirt and sneakers wasn't able to be uploaded since I deleted it as I was uploading...woops!

You get my after shot! Boy was it hot, but I did it, and that made me happy. What I wasn't happy about was the running skirt, I thought I had found one that would have been long enough in the shorts area, but those rode up and I ended my run with a burn/chaffing on the inside of my thighs. So I washed the skirt, and even though I know I shouldn't, I am returning it, if I am not going to wear it again, I am not keeping it!

Saturday my sister and cousin came over for a little gathering...one which I cant explain now, but I will later! When they arrived, my sister and I went for a 2mile run, more like a jog I guess. We ended with a 13min pace, but it was just so hot out which made it more difficult to breathe and run easily and steadily.


Now to today. This Monday was back to work, shorter days, 5 days a week. Today I went to the gym for an easier run, and set the treadmill to the maximum time of 60 minutes. I was hoping to finish 5 miles, which would be at most a 12min/miles. And I did it! I was able to complete 5.2 miles in 60 minutes, which made me feel great. I don't think I will have that kind of stamina and endurance for the 1/2 on Sunday, but as long as I have others around me...even people I don't know running around me, I know I can do it, and the goal is to finish in no longer than 3 hours.
Finishing in 3 hours would end me with a pace of approx. 13:45min/mile. Which I think I can handle!

                                                                 Some running humor.
But you better believe that there is going to be a pretty fantastically awesome FB post if I finish in under 3 hours! And that wont be after 10 miles...but 13.1 hehe.
 
-Stephanie