Hey Everyone!
Wow - Thanksgiving is past, which kicks off my favorite time of the year, and now a feww weeks before the next holidays remain.
Before talking about Thanksgiving, though, I am so pleased I got to meet Anna Weber and so mnay fun people (Tara, Jessica, Emily, and more) before running the Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon. I was not feeling the best and so my inclination/drive/will to meet anyone new was at an all time low. I am so glad I did, though, and it is delightful to hear that Anna is back to running!
Post-Half Marathon, I got a "little bit of pneumonia" and I was almost recovered by the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving. How did I know this? Simple - going shopping and working on projects was not "fatigue inducing" and instead it sounded exciting.
My family began to arrive on Sunday and the weekend kicked off with a "surprise" party of 18 people including me. Yeah, I was so surprised it took me nearly 45 minutes to warm-up and be hospitable. It did not help that I forgot to eat (bad me). We had so much fun that I think doing this yearly (sans Surprise factor) might happen.
Thanksgiving - 38 people - it was smaller than usual but fun.
Friday - we visited family friends and popped in at the "second pop-up" party of the holiday.
Saturday (aka Christmas for this crew) - brunch, football game watching, and the great gift exchange, which I quit doing because I enjoy watching the antics rather than trying to figure out a good gift and what I should steal or open from the table.
All-in-all, it was one of the best holidays I have had in many years and it was so nice to hangout with my immediate family and extended family members.
Happy Sunday!
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Looking for a Window - Yep, I am feeling better
Hi All,
It is late and I will keep this short. I found out, just a week shy after completing my half marathon, that I had "a little bit of pneumonia" in my lungs. Thankfully, I had a new and observant doctor, who discovered this on a chest xray, when I told her of a sore spot on my left rib cage area. I was not coughing much, but breathing was not so fun.
I took the Zpac - starting a week ago - and suddenly, I started feeling better. Am I still tired? Yes - it is improving, although mornings are not fun. Also - I figured out how to counteract the Zpac side affects by taking lots of Pepto Bismal. This is the least awful experience I have had with that medication, but I could pass on taking it anytime in the near future, thanks!
Ironically, the same day that I saw my doctor (a week ago today), I learned that an opportunity I was thinking would be great was closed completely. Professionally, this was hard to take, especially since it was my first attempt. So today I settled on an alternative plan and got in some good work towards fixing the issue. Am I scared? Yes. Do I think my "window" will solve all the problems? No. As a person who does better with a goal, though, I am pleased with the progress I made and, most importantly, that I am feeling more like me.
To all those who dealt with whiney, grouchy, dark, and sleepy me; thanks for hanging in there and remembering that things are really bad, when I hit that stage. Seriously - make me go to the doctor, because that is so not me!
Also - the first of my many "prepare for Thanksgiving holiday" things arrived yesterday. I am so excited to be hosting folks and my immediate family will all be staying with me. Yes, this does mean that I will panic about not having it perfectly ready, but they are troopers. If I am healthy and ready to explore, complaints will not be uttered.
Happy Thursday, All!
It is late and I will keep this short. I found out, just a week shy after completing my half marathon, that I had "a little bit of pneumonia" in my lungs. Thankfully, I had a new and observant doctor, who discovered this on a chest xray, when I told her of a sore spot on my left rib cage area. I was not coughing much, but breathing was not so fun.
I took the Zpac - starting a week ago - and suddenly, I started feeling better. Am I still tired? Yes - it is improving, although mornings are not fun. Also - I figured out how to counteract the Zpac side affects by taking lots of Pepto Bismal. This is the least awful experience I have had with that medication, but I could pass on taking it anytime in the near future, thanks!
Ironically, the same day that I saw my doctor (a week ago today), I learned that an opportunity I was thinking would be great was closed completely. Professionally, this was hard to take, especially since it was my first attempt. So today I settled on an alternative plan and got in some good work towards fixing the issue. Am I scared? Yes. Do I think my "window" will solve all the problems? No. As a person who does better with a goal, though, I am pleased with the progress I made and, most importantly, that I am feeling more like me.
To all those who dealt with whiney, grouchy, dark, and sleepy me; thanks for hanging in there and remembering that things are really bad, when I hit that stage. Seriously - make me go to the doctor, because that is so not me!
Also - the first of my many "prepare for Thanksgiving holiday" things arrived yesterday. I am so excited to be hosting folks and my immediate family will all be staying with me. Yes, this does mean that I will panic about not having it perfectly ready, but they are troopers. If I am healthy and ready to explore, complaints will not be uttered.
Happy Thursday, All!
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon Recap: Running 4 Real Meet Up!!!
On Thursday, November 2nd, I left work early (shocker, I know!) and I drove down to my half marathon destination. I got my packet, checked in at my Air BnB, and started prepping for the race.
On Friday, I did my shake-out run, got some food, stretched - lots, got my race gear ready, and then met a group (new to me) for lunch. It was fun and then I walked around the expo with several others. I found a spikey ball (yes, it has a real name, but I think that one works) and my lovely muscles rejoiced!
Then, I got to meet Tina Muir, who I started following in 2014, for the first time along with some of the Superstars. It was by far the highlight of my weekend. Tina is personable, kind, and even allowed me to purchase a Running 4 Real vest. I added it as a layer to my race gear for the following day. Without it, I would have been a bit miserable.
Below are my 10k stats (previous week) and my race outfit for the half marathon:
My pre-race fueling was simple peanut bread on a piece of bread and then some additional pieces of bread. 3 total of wheat bread, I think, and then lots and lots of water. I debated about the peanut butter, but I had not fueled enough the previous week and felt it close to mile 6.
Fueling - I used Cliff Bar fruit roll-up things. After starting to train with them and eating them in April, I am over them. No more, no more will I eat this. I will find something else for the next round.
Start - mile 10: I went a out a bit slower than I probably needed, but I was determined to not go out overly fast. I also got to speak with two first time half marathoners and I coaxed/pushed one along a bit at mile 10. Overall, I hit most of the water stations, actually ran the tangents (this means your overall distance is close to the course distance!), and only had a few spots where I was not thrilled to be surrounded by people making running the pace I wanted tricky.
Mile 10 (go time!): I had started picking up my pace a bit, but then this person, who looked familar, just stopped and started walking. This was so me two years ago, under different conditions, and I said something to her, only because we had chatted for a bit at the beginning. I basically said, "Don't give up on yourself. You have a 5k to go. You can do this." I ended up leaving her in a pack of folks and I just hope she ended up finishing the race running with a smile or at least sense of satisfaction.
Then - until the end - I was trying to pick up the pace. Overall, it went ok, but I cannot say that I loved this half marathon. It was pretty flat, but it also had tons of turns and lots of people. I would do it again, but I am going to see what next Fall looks like before determining what to do.
In many ways this was my redemption or come back race. Yes, I did it in 2:20:16, which is much faster than my previous half marathon 2 years ago. My coach, training, family, and the Running 4 Real grow are all major contributors.
I won't say I enjoyed the half, but I got closer than I ever have to finishing and saying, "hmm...when should I do my next!" Like the 5k, the distance is easier to handle if you train properly.
On Friday, I did my shake-out run, got some food, stretched - lots, got my race gear ready, and then met a group (new to me) for lunch. It was fun and then I walked around the expo with several others. I found a spikey ball (yes, it has a real name, but I think that one works) and my lovely muscles rejoiced!
Then, I got to meet Tina Muir, who I started following in 2014, for the first time along with some of the Superstars. It was by far the highlight of my weekend. Tina is personable, kind, and even allowed me to purchase a Running 4 Real vest. I added it as a layer to my race gear for the following day. Without it, I would have been a bit miserable.
Below are my 10k stats (previous week) and my race outfit for the half marathon:
My pre-race fueling was simple peanut bread on a piece of bread and then some additional pieces of bread. 3 total of wheat bread, I think, and then lots and lots of water. I debated about the peanut butter, but I had not fueled enough the previous week and felt it close to mile 6.
Fueling - I used Cliff Bar fruit roll-up things. After starting to train with them and eating them in April, I am over them. No more, no more will I eat this. I will find something else for the next round.
Start - mile 10: I went a out a bit slower than I probably needed, but I was determined to not go out overly fast. I also got to speak with two first time half marathoners and I coaxed/pushed one along a bit at mile 10. Overall, I hit most of the water stations, actually ran the tangents (this means your overall distance is close to the course distance!), and only had a few spots where I was not thrilled to be surrounded by people making running the pace I wanted tricky.
Mile 10 (go time!): I had started picking up my pace a bit, but then this person, who looked familar, just stopped and started walking. This was so me two years ago, under different conditions, and I said something to her, only because we had chatted for a bit at the beginning. I basically said, "Don't give up on yourself. You have a 5k to go. You can do this." I ended up leaving her in a pack of folks and I just hope she ended up finishing the race running with a smile or at least sense of satisfaction.
Then - until the end - I was trying to pick up the pace. Overall, it went ok, but I cannot say that I loved this half marathon. It was pretty flat, but it also had tons of turns and lots of people. I would do it again, but I am going to see what next Fall looks like before determining what to do.
In many ways this was my redemption or come back race. Yes, I did it in 2:20:16, which is much faster than my previous half marathon 2 years ago. My coach, training, family, and the Running 4 Real grow are all major contributors.
I won't say I enjoyed the half, but I got closer than I ever have to finishing and saying, "hmm...when should I do my next!" Like the 5k, the distance is easier to handle if you train properly.
Alger Heights 5k/10k - Halloween (Brr, Brr, Brr)
On October 27th, I flew from a conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, pictured above, dropped a few things off at home, and then drove in the wind and rain straight to Grand Rapids, Michigan. I arrived around 10 pm and yes, I was tired!
I signed up for this race on a whim with a goal of testing out my fitness before doing a half marathon on November 4th.
Pre-race - my sleep and fueling were not ideal but I deliberately ate some of what I planned to eat the following week.
Pacing - I wanted to be consistent and feel good. After mile 1, I did not look at my watch. I had no specific time in mind, since many of my solo long runs were on the slow side. I always run faster in groups and at races.
Course - it had a few hills, but it was well marked and support was good. I ended up running at the back of the pack for the 38 of us who chose to do the 10k.
Overall, I am happy with it and I was about 1 minute and 12 seconds or so slower than my 2009 10k. Was I happy? Yes. Schocked? You betcha.
I have decided to do a 10k in future training cycles to get a feel for where I am, especially if I continue to do most of my speed workouts and long runs on my own.
Happy Thursday
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