Siena Francis House 5k Run and 5k Walk

 Today was the Siena Frances House 10k, 5k Run, and 5k walk. I entered to run the 5k and my Step Dad Dave, who is here visiting from Louisiana, entered to do the 5k walk. The day started off pretty hot and humid and I had CB Half flashbacks for a bit. Boy did that make me nervous, especially since this was my first race since then! A cooler breeze did make it bearable and the temps did not rise during the run.

Clearly I need a new hot weather running outfit. That white top has just about had it.

It was the largest race I have been in except for the CB Half and I bet the numbers were pretty close! I think there were about 400 people and Dave guesses 500 including the walkers. I wasn't sure how it would all work since it was held at Lake Zorinski which meant out and back and a not very wide jogging path. That's a lot of people on that type of course. Except for a few out of control kids and a crazy chick who tried to ride through the people on her bike while yelling "on the LEFT!!" it worked out well. They staggered the start times for each group and the 10k did not have an out and back.

I have been on a quest to find the right combo for hydration during a run. I can't drink Gatorade or other sports drinks like that, the GUs and I don't get along, and the Shot Bloks make my teeth feel like they are wearing sweaters. I stumbled upon a running blog where the guy was raving about coconut water. He swore it was the best thing ever since it has something like 15% more potassium than sports drinks, there is no HFCS, and nothing else added. Out of curiosity I tried the pure coconut water and have to say it was terrible. It is a taste I cant even describe and flavor I  cant even get down. I didn't give up though and tried the coconut water with acai juice and then tried the one with mango. Both were winners! I have been drinking it while running and it has really helped with the heat cramps, my hydration issues, and I even think my tempertaure. I drank the one with mango during this race and I did not seem to be as hot as everyone else and I felt fantastic the whole time. I had few double takes at my bottle but no one was brave enough to ask me what I was drinking.

 When you gotta stretch you gotta stretch, right?
There were a whole lot of 'when you gotta's' going on in this race along with other entertaining things. At about the two mile mark there was a bench where quite a few of the walkers stopped for a smoke break. I have never seen so many people at an athletic event smoking.Funny and yet gross.When you gotta smoke you gotta smoke.
At about 2 1/2 miles I saw a guy peeing in the bushes. When you gotta go you gotta go.
There was the previously mentioned crazy chick that tried to ride through the runners all while yelling at us. She yelled at one guy that he shouldn't be running while she was trying to bike. The course was not closed so there were  few other bikers that got caught up in the race but they were honestly  doing their best to get out of the way.
There was a group of women that decided to cheat by walking across the parking lot, cutting out the loop, and cutting off a mile of the route. They were all walkers (the walkers had bibs but no numbers) so I didn't say anything but I did give them the massive Stink Eye as I ran past.

And the best of all - As I cross the finish line I look around trying to find my family expecting them to be cheering me on and spot my Mom and Daughter picking flowers out in the field in front of the 10k finish line. I ran the 5k and the finish line was on the other side... All of which we pointed out to her before the race began. The photo we did get is of me and my daughter in front of the 10k finish with someone else's time on the clock. LOL

Dave said the walk was a good one, he felt great the whole time, and that he really enjoyed it.

Signing the mural that an Artist, standing next to us, for the Siena Francis House. It was really beautiful and how neat that we all got to sign it? Addison and I signed next to each other along the bottom

Overall it was a great race! I did the Jeff Galloway method, had zero pain, passed people along the way, and felt great the entire time I was running. I could have pushed it a bit more and shaved off 20 or 30 seconds but I didnt want to over do it. I wont know my exact time since I didn't really see the race clock and my watch has gone all wonky again. It did show 37:10 and that seems about right. Compared to others that is pretty slow but with coming back from injuries and with the heat and humidity I am pleased with it. Best of all I was pain free! I'll take a slow time and a good race any day!

3 5ks and Jeff Galloway

Over the past week or so I have run 3.1 miles 3 times using the Jeff Galloway method and I must say I am in love. Well, maybe not love since it does require a bit of effort and can be a bit tedious, but I am certainly in like.

I knew about the Galloway program but it totally went against my 'Type A, I am a runner not a runner who walks part of the way' way of thinking. Then I got over myself and realized that whatever I was currently doing was just not working. I still have IT band issues, my hips hurt, and I have lost a lot of cardio from not running as much. So I figured I might as well give it a try. My first run was slow but with a little pain, my second run was a bit faster with less pain, and my third run was the same speed as the second but with no pain at all. My lungs felt fine for the first time in a long while, even in the 90 degree heat.

It did have some cons to it.. it is a bit tedious to check your watch to see when you are supposed to run/walk and the thought of running 4 minutes and then walking 1 for 13.1 miles seems maddening but I think the pros outweigh it at this point. I was able to run and still feel good at the end, I had little pain, and most of all I liked running while doing it.

Some runners look down on this and I know a few will look at me funny when I run/walk run/walk but hey, if they don't like it they don't have to run that way!

13.1 miles is still 13.1 miles! ;)

Hail and Farewell

According to Wikipedia: A Hail and Farewell is a traditional military event whereby those coming to and departing from an organization are celebrated. It is a time to honor those who have departed the unit and thank them for their service. At the same time it is a welcome to those who are joining and introduces them to the special history and traditions of their new organization. This celebration builds organizational camaraderie and esprit de corps. It supports a sense of continuity through change.

Since my Husband is in the Navy and Hail and Farewells are a big part of my (our) life I figured it was fitting to honor something very near and dear to my running heart.. my shoes.

It is time to honor the pair that are now departing my life and welcome my new ones.




Farewell to the beloved Saucony Omni 8.
You have been such a good shoe and have treated me well. Running with you always felt like I was running on marshmellos. You protected me and never betrayed me with hot spots or blisters. You put up with the many miles I put on you, being drug through water and mud, running on all different surfaces, and the misuse after runs.
You have been my savior during many races - my first 5k, my first 10k,and many races inbetween. You were a great travel companion to Virginia, Louisiana, Illinois, and even the Bahamas. You have served me well and you will be greatly missed. Gone but never forgotten.





Hail and then Farewell to Mizuno Elixer 5.
You are so light weight and feel so good on my feet. You have classic but stylist lines and such a low profile. I hate that it did not work out between us since I did have high hopes for you. Unfortunately you being lightweight means that there is very little support for my type of feet. You just were not a good fit, so to speak. But please know that it is not you and is all me. I am sure you will make someone else very happy.




Hail and then Farewell to Asics Foundation 8.
What a beautiful shoe. I fell in love with you the instant I saw you. The gray hides dirt well and the maroon gives you such a good look. You remind me so much of my first love, the Ominis, but you are a tad bit lighter. I have always loved your brand and see so many people wearing you that it must mean you are a good shoe. And I think you are a good shoe and will be keeping you around but not as my primary running shoe. There is something about you that just doesnt quite work with my feet, again it is me and not you. But I will not forget about you and promise to bring you out of the closet every once in awhile.





Hail to the beloved Saucony Omni 8.
Hello my old friend. It is nice to see you again and I guess the grass really isnt greener over there in shoeworld. I look forward to a very happy 300 - 500 miles with you.


(Yes, I have purchased 3 pairs of running shoes in about 2 weeks. I think I may have a running shoe problem)




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3.25 miles.

So last night I went out and ran/walked a total of 3.25 miles. I started off walking .50 and running .50 then moved up to running a mile and walking a bit. Overall it was not a great run but it wasn't terrible either. My knee did not have the stabbing pain at it usually does but it did feel hot and heavy. It looked normal but felt huge.
The stabbing pain in my rear end/hip area of my right leg returned although not as bad as during the half marathon. My PT wanted me to quit as soon as it started to hurt so I stopped running, even though my lungs could have gone on.

I have lost a lot of the cardio and endurance and I am not use to running in the heat and humidity so it will take awhile to get back on track. But it did feel good to be back out there and I look forward to running again!

On my way back I passed a little boy peeing on the side of the road. He didn't have a care in the world and actually waved to me, while peeing, as I ran by. Laughing about that may have been what got me through the last part of the run. Whatever it takes, I guess.


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3 weeks ago..

Its been 3 weeks go that I ran the Council Bluffs Half marathon. It has taken me 3 weeks to come back here and update this blog.. 3 weeks to really want to run again.. 3 weeks to realize that leg straps wont work and that I need professional help for my injuries.. 3 weeks to sort of find my mojo again.

This is the email I sent out the day after the run, which sums it up pretty well..
**

Well, I actually completed a Half Marathon!

It was ugly and painful but also a lot of fun! My knees did not hold up and my right leg had shooting pains and numbness at about mile 8. I was able to run to about 6 miles but then had to shuffle from that point on. My time was terrible (I was passed by a speed walker at one point! Lol) but I finished it!

Although, at the finish line (in my delusional state) I yelled out “I am never running again!”

I was checked out by a Doctor after finishing due to not being able to walk and he said there is no damage to my knees but it will take a while to recover. He said the heat and humidity had a lot to do with my leg issues and caused the cramping. Apparently about 200 people combined from the 5k and HM did not finish because of the temps and humidity! Your body changes 20 degrees when you are running so with it being 78 degrees at the start we were operating at about 98 degrees with a ton of humidity. By the time I finished it was 85 degrees and I felt every bit of it.. especially since I have never trained in temps over about 55 or 60 degrees.

Race results:
I was 604th of 734 people total
68th of 69 in my age group
329th of 407 females

I am a bit disappointed that I didn’t do better but for my circumstances I did as best as I could. There is always next time ;)
**

I am surprised what a toll it took on my body and my mind and how my finishing line yell of "I am never running again" wasn't too far off. I struggled the past few weeks with knowing that I should be out there running to keep up my cardio and just flat out not wanting to run all. I have run 3 or 4 times with short runs of 2 to 3 miles but my body still hurt and my mind was not in it.

This past Saturday I started Physical Therapy hoping that will help. Saturday after PT I felt fantastic and that lasted most of today until I went to Flyball class. I know it will take bit to be fixed but I am hopeful since I did see a difference after the first time.

There is a 5k in two weeks that I would really like to run so I am going to get back into it tomorrow. Hopefully having a race to look forward to will help get the mojo back!