Which outfit do you like?
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Virtual "Half & Half" Race - Half Marathon
One of the running blogs that I follow, Mom of 3, hosted a virtual "Half & Half" Race this week. The distance was either a half marathon or half of a 10K (5K). I choose the half marathon since it flowed with my training plan.
My alarm went off at 5 am and I'm sorry to say that I hit the snooze button. I wanted to be out the door early to beat the temperature, but Lots of Hair was up most of the night. I think she has more teeth coming in because nursing her wasn't working and 'magic milk' usually works.
When I did get up, I ate a G1 bar (Oatmeal Raisin) and drank some water before getting dressed. I had my Camelbak waist pack ready to go with GU Chomps and Berry Nuun. Thank you Teamarcia for the GU Chomps that I won in her giveaway, among many other fabulous prizes. Thank you to my little sister for the Nuun.
At 6:23, I was running. I set Gunner, my virtual running partner, at a 11:00 pace. I wanted to attempt a PR (Personal Record) even though the course was much hillier than my first half marathon.
Since I am the only one running this course, I though that you would enjoy viewing what I saw at each mile.
I didn't come up with this idea on my own; a super cool runner had the idea.
Mile 1: 10:14
Mile2: 10:17
Mile3: 11:07
Mile 4: 11:11
Mile 5: 11:37
Mile 6: 11:11
Mile 7: 11:28
Mile 8: 10:56
Mile 9: 11:13
Mile 10: 11:03
Mile 11: 11:18
Mile 12: 10:42
Mile 13: 11:24
The 'finish line' is at the top of this hill. Needless to say, I had a hard time sprinting to the finish. I ran and didn't walk until after my garmin read 13.1 miles.
Home:
Cooling off with the family in one of our local lakes and soaking my tired legs:
My alarm went off at 5 am and I'm sorry to say that I hit the snooze button. I wanted to be out the door early to beat the temperature, but Lots of Hair was up most of the night. I think she has more teeth coming in because nursing her wasn't working and 'magic milk' usually works.
When I did get up, I ate a G1 bar (Oatmeal Raisin) and drank some water before getting dressed. I had my Camelbak waist pack ready to go with GU Chomps and Berry Nuun. Thank you Teamarcia for the GU Chomps that I won in her giveaway, among many other fabulous prizes. Thank you to my little sister for the Nuun.
self portrait before the run
At 6:23, I was running. I set Gunner, my virtual running partner, at a 11:00 pace. I wanted to attempt a PR (Personal Record) even though the course was much hillier than my first half marathon.
Since I am the only one running this course, I though that you would enjoy viewing what I saw at each mile.
I didn't come up with this idea on my own; a super cool runner had the idea.
Mile 1: 10:14
Mile2: 10:17
Mile3: 11:07
Mile 4: 11:11
Mile 5: 11:37
Mile 6: 11:11
A good spot to turn around. Don't you think?
Mile 7: 11:28
Mile 8: 10:56
Mile 9: 11:13
Mile 10: 11:03
wild turkeys crossing the road
Mile 11: 11:18
Mile 12: 10:42
Mile 13: 11:24
Home:
I did it!!!
Thank you to Mr. T for the afterglow photo.
Time: 2:25:16
The proof:Cooling off with the family in one of our local lakes and soaking my tired legs:
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Run Your Bass Off 10K
My small town has a race entitled, "Run Your Bass Off". There's a 10K, a Half Bass (3.6), and a 2 mile walk.
Quite a few months ago, I invited my parents and siblings to stay at our house and participate in the race. It was to be a family reunion of sorts; our closest family lives eight hours away.
My mom, little sister, and I signed up for the 10K.
My brother-in-law complained of sore knees and therefore signed up for the 5K.
My brother and his girlfriend joined the family in the event by signing up for the 2 mile walk.
My other sister wasn't able to join in on the fun. =(
My stepfather was willing to stay at my house with all of the children: 11 yr niece, Lil' Chef, Mr. T, Squeaker, 5 yr niece, Trouble, 2 yr nephew, and Lots of Hair. That's eight children! I'm so fortunate to have a dad like him in my life. Plus, he's never had children of his own ... I was praying that no diapers need to be changed. Luckily, the race was five minutes from my house.
I had two goals for the race: beat last weekend's 10K time and finish ahead of my mother.
In last weekend's 10K race, my average pace was 10:35. I set my virtual partner at 10:30. Should I name him Gunner??
Mile 1: 9:50
My mom stayed in front of me for the entire first mile.
Mile 2: 9:55
Ate a bug. I passed my mom on the descent. I truly enjoy flying down hill. I guess with my long legs I can really open up my stride. I'm way in front of Gunner.
Mile 3: 11:06
Major hill ... see elevation:
Mile 4: 10:27
I was thirsty. I felt that there wasn't enough water stations on the course. I made a note in my log to bring my handheld water bottle next year. I'm still in front of Gunner, but he has closed the gap some.
Mile 5: 11:08
The last big hill. I noticed that many women in front of me started walking. Since I've practiced this route many times, I kept running knowing that it was going to start tapering off soon. I gained considerable ground on them.
Mile 6: 10:36
I really tried to pick up the pace. I'm in front of Gunner, but not by much. I just need to keep the pace and I'll beat him. My legs were like rubber from the hills and part of this stretch of the course was sand. Have you ever tried running on sand at the beach with shoes on?
Last 0.2: 8:30
My little sister was yelling at me to pick it up. I am so fortunate to have wonderful family members who support my running. Sometimes, you need a little "Jillian". (Think of Jillian Michaels yelling at you)
Coming into the finish:
I look like I'm going so slow...but I'm running a 8:10 pace at this moment.
The Runners:
Brother-in-law, 30:06 Half / Mom, 65:57 10K / Me / Sister, 53:47 10K
My brother-in-law placed 2nd in his age group!
The entire group:
Quite a few months ago, I invited my parents and siblings to stay at our house and participate in the race. It was to be a family reunion of sorts; our closest family lives eight hours away.
My mom, little sister, and I signed up for the 10K.
My brother-in-law complained of sore knees and therefore signed up for the 5K.
My brother and his girlfriend joined the family in the event by signing up for the 2 mile walk.
My other sister wasn't able to join in on the fun. =(
My stepfather was willing to stay at my house with all of the children: 11 yr niece, Lil' Chef, Mr. T, Squeaker, 5 yr niece, Trouble, 2 yr nephew, and Lots of Hair. That's eight children! I'm so fortunate to have a dad like him in my life. Plus, he's never had children of his own ... I was praying that no diapers need to be changed. Luckily, the race was five minutes from my house.
I had two goals for the race: beat last weekend's 10K time and finish ahead of my mother.
In last weekend's 10K race, my average pace was 10:35. I set my virtual partner at 10:30. Should I name him Gunner??
Mile 1: 9:50
My mom stayed in front of me for the entire first mile.
Mile 2: 9:55
Ate a bug. I passed my mom on the descent. I truly enjoy flying down hill. I guess with my long legs I can really open up my stride. I'm way in front of Gunner.
Mile 3: 11:06
Major hill ... see elevation:
Mile 4: 10:27
I was thirsty. I felt that there wasn't enough water stations on the course. I made a note in my log to bring my handheld water bottle next year. I'm still in front of Gunner, but he has closed the gap some.
Mile 5: 11:08
The last big hill. I noticed that many women in front of me started walking. Since I've practiced this route many times, I kept running knowing that it was going to start tapering off soon. I gained considerable ground on them.
Mile 6: 10:36
I really tried to pick up the pace. I'm in front of Gunner, but not by much. I just need to keep the pace and I'll beat him. My legs were like rubber from the hills and part of this stretch of the course was sand. Have you ever tried running on sand at the beach with shoes on?
Last 0.2: 8:30
My little sister was yelling at me to pick it up. I am so fortunate to have wonderful family members who support my running. Sometimes, you need a little "Jillian". (Think of Jillian Michaels yelling at you)
Coming into the finish:
I look like I'm going so slow...but I'm running a 8:10 pace at this moment.
1:04:32
(10:27 pace)
(10:27 pace)
new PR!!!
10/11 in age group; 33/39 in women; 68/78 overall
The Runners:
Brother-in-law, 30:06 Half / Mom, 65:57 10K / Me / Sister, 53:47 10K
My brother-in-law placed 2nd in his age group!
The entire group:
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Family that Runs Together, Stays Together
Forgive me for the play on words which Father Peyton promoted (The family that prays together stays together). I couldn't resist.
In celebration of our country's independence, our family participated in the Bessemer Hometown Run. I ran the 10K while the rest of the family ran / walked the 2 mile. We left the house at 6:00 am; two hours later, we arrived at a quaint little town.
We were just having too much fun before the race.
Mile 1: 10:15
The entire first mile was a gradual incline. Hill work is paying off! I had set my virtual partner at 10:20. Yahoo! Ahead of the little man at the end of the first mile! Any suggestions for a name for my virtual partner?
Mile 2: 10:17
Still ahead! Wondering if I started out too fast. A lady passed me pushing twins in a stroller. You go girl!! This stretch was out in the country with a gradual incline. I caught sight of a runner ahead of me and made her my "target".
Mile 3: 10:43
This is where my brain was giving me troubles. Negative Nelly was saying to walk. The right side of my face felt numb and my right ear kept popping. It was hot; well, relatively hot, since I'm used to running in the early morning hours.
Mile 4: 10:55
Did I start out too fast or do I need some fuel?
Mile 5: 10:34
A little bit of a descent was in front of me. Focused on my "target" and used the descent to my advantage. I could tell that I was closing the gap. We turned the corner and a hill was in front of us. Step by step, I gained on her. By the end of mile 5, I passed her. Kicked Negative Nelly out!
Mile 6: 10:31
Acquired a new "target": Guy in the red shirt. For the last three miles, I was passed by a couple multiple times. I finally said hi. They seemed to be doing the sprint / walk method.
Last 0.2: 10:15
All up hill to the finish! Can you see the gentleman in the red shirt behind me?
My virtual partner beat me ... this time.
In celebration of our country's independence, our family participated in the Bessemer Hometown Run. I ran the 10K while the rest of the family ran / walked the 2 mile. We left the house at 6:00 am; two hours later, we arrived at a quaint little town.
Our race faces
I found #1 & #2
Wait ... there's #4 and #5!
We were just having too much fun before the race.
Mile 1: 10:15
The entire first mile was a gradual incline. Hill work is paying off! I had set my virtual partner at 10:20. Yahoo! Ahead of the little man at the end of the first mile! Any suggestions for a name for my virtual partner?
Mile 2: 10:17
Still ahead! Wondering if I started out too fast. A lady passed me pushing twins in a stroller. You go girl!! This stretch was out in the country with a gradual incline. I caught sight of a runner ahead of me and made her my "target".
Mile 3: 10:43
This is where my brain was giving me troubles. Negative Nelly was saying to walk. The right side of my face felt numb and my right ear kept popping. It was hot; well, relatively hot, since I'm used to running in the early morning hours.
Mile 4: 10:55
Did I start out too fast or do I need some fuel?
Mile 5: 10:34
A little bit of a descent was in front of me. Focused on my "target" and used the descent to my advantage. I could tell that I was closing the gap. We turned the corner and a hill was in front of us. Step by step, I gained on her. By the end of mile 5, I passed her. Kicked Negative Nelly out!
Mile 6: 10:31
Acquired a new "target": Guy in the red shirt. For the last three miles, I was passed by a couple multiple times. I finally said hi. They seemed to be doing the sprint / walk method.
Last 0.2: 10:15
All up hill to the finish! Can you see the gentleman in the red shirt behind me?
My virtual partner beat me ... this time.
10K official time
1:05:49 (10:35 pace)
3 / 4 in my age group
29 / 42 in women
83 / 103 overall
Hubby 2 mile 25:47
3 / 4 in stroller division
Lil' Chef 27:59
7 / 11 in age group
Mr. T 30:02
4 / 5 in age group
He was a bit humbled, being beaten by both of his sisters.
He was a bit humbled, being beaten by both of his sisters.
Squeaker 25:41
2 / 6 in age group - awarded a medal
Notice that we are both wearing Road Ids.
When I ordered, they gave me a coupon that I could pass along to my friends. Here's the coupon number:
Coupon Number: ThanksCheryl783197
The coupon is good for $1 off any Road ID order placed by 08/04/2010. To order, simply go to RoadID.com or click the link below:
http://www.RoadID.com/?CID=ThanksCheryl783197
If you prefer, you can call them at 800-345-6335.
On the way home, we ate a picnic lunch that I had packed. After driving for one and a half hours, I was restless. An ice cream shop was 0.4 miles ahead of us. So I pulled the van over and asked who wanted to run with me to the ice cream shop. Hubby thought I was crazy. Didn't you just run 6.2 miles?? Lil' Chef and Mr. T joined me for the 0.4 mile run. We averaged a 12:09 pace. LOL!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Beautiful Blogger Award
I received an award from Jenn's Journal.
I have to now write seven things about myself and pass the award along to seven bloggers.
1. I'd rather use a circular saw and a cordless drill than bake cookies or mop the floor.
2. I read and follow directions well.
3. My favorite saint is Padre Pio.
4. I could not run more than 3 minutes last November.
5. I've never had an epidural. Too scared of needles.
6. My favorite color is purple.
7. I'm not very organized, though many of my friends think that I am.
And I pass this award onto:
Barefoot Angie Bee
I Run Because... I Can
I wonder why
Let Mercy Lead
Racing With Babes
Running Off at the Mouth
Twelve Fit Feet
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