Gulf Coast Lulu's Half Marathon

I don't know why I'm like this but every race I do I get butterflies the day of the race.  With longer races, it begins the night before.  Well, this one was no different regardless of the fact that this was going to be a training run [and I needed to get in an extra 5 miles AFTER the race in order to get the 18 I needed].  With that in mind, it made no difference because I think a race is a race...no matter how you want to run it.  If you race, it's hard to separate intentions from adrenaline.  Right??

I knew my friend, Mo, was going to be there as we picked up our packet at the same time on Saturday. We are heavy competitors; we are in the same age group and run about the same pace. She had said that she was running real slow now and I told her that I was doing this one as training for a marathon coming up. With all of that said to one another, the stress seem to be off for the race...at least that sounded good.   

I was super excited about having my friend Deleica come join me on this one.  We've not raced together before [except for the marathon] and she's just now getting her running legs back from having been off for many medical reasons.  She's such a trooper and a great motivator!  She's, also,  a great runner and will be outrunning me soon...as she should being 10 years younger.  With that in mind and the fact that I wanted to keep a slower pace to get in all the miles I needed, the thought was that we'd be a good partner. 

Two things were new to me.  I'd never done a training run in a race before nor have I partnered up to run "with" someone except for the marathon.  And, NO...I'm not calm...anxious and excited but, by no means, calm.  So we got the day started with a pic before the humidity had time to take its toll on us...AND IT DID! 

The race hardly started before we started up and over the bridge over the Intercostal Waterway.  Man, that was a tough incline.  This gave the humidity a great opportunity to attack.  Needless to say, the "anticipation" to see this thing one more time when we returned was not the way you want to think throughout the entire race.  After all, running is a lot mental...right?? 

It wasn't long after we got off the bridge that I KNEW we were going way to fast for my training.  I kept looking at my watch and we were about a minute faster and all I could think about was I'm not going to make it 18 miles today if I don't slow down. 

Off and on I'd told D that I needed to slow down so I could do this...BUT...it didn't happen.  It's so hard to run slow when you're racing.  Racing mentality just seems to take control no matter how hard you try. 

The humidity was probably one of the toughest I've run in.  It was 98% and the temp was 69!  We could hardly breathe.  I was struggling quick into the race.  Close to the 5 mile marker I told her that it looks like I may have to stop and walk some but would wait til I got to 5 miles.  When I got there, I felt the same and told her to go on.  I stopped and took 2 steps and ran again.  When I caught up with her [shortly], she laughed and I told her that I just couldn't do that!!!  Walking is just not my thing especially since it was so early in the race and I was running about a half marathon every week in my training already.  I mentally grabbed hold of facts, refocused and kept going.  Little did I know that we were getting into a very bored part of the race.  I'm so thankful for my iPod!! 

About 2.5 miles left to go, a change was made in my race.  I settled into my training pace, which was a little slower, and I began to feel strong again.  Many people had stopped to walk all along the way but it seemed to increase as we got to the 11 mile marker.  I caught up with one lady and she said this was real tough.  Said she trains in Chicago at 10 degrees and this was real hard.  Within a few steps, she was walking.  Then...the bridge appeared and reminded me of the challenge that laid in front of me.  It was here that MANY more people decided to stop and walk up the bridge to save strength.  Everyone was worn down.  It got harder and harder but then I began to think "it's not going to beat me!"  As it got tougher and tougher, my mind was telling me to walk a little because everyone else was doing it; but it made me stronger.  My thought was "it's not going to bite me in the butt!!!"  Push after push, it wasn't long before I reached the top.  Finally relief and all I could think was "I did it!!"  Everything from here on out was easy peasy. 

As I got a half mile from the end, my friend Mo came up on me.  She was huffing and groaning really bad.  I asked if she was okay and she said, "yes", but kept going.  I was not interested in racing so I let her go on by though she was only a few steps ahead.  She finished right in front of me.  As she crossed the line, she bent over double and I went to check on her.  She had almost overdone it.  Here are pics of me, Deleica and my new friend, Jeff, as we crossed the line.  Thanks, Honey!

The medal was great and I was so thankful to have one handed to me after this hot race.

Oh, and this is the shirt front and back. I LOVE the colors!  They are neon, but it appears as though they're pastel. 

Here is our post race pic and meal pics.

When I found out I was getting an award we hung around for the ceremony.  I still had to get in 5 more miles and soon.

I'm so glad Kent felt like coming. He's getting stronger now and I'm so appreciative of the pics he took.

Chicken and sausage jambalaya was great! It was spicy and so good. And, I couldn't get enough oranges and Coke. It was so hot all I wanted was some cool relief.

Mo found out that she got second place. Not shooting for a time in this race, I figured I got third since I came in right behind her. But as it turned out, I got first and she got second!! Having chips recording the times, it showed that I beat her by ONE second!  I must have started before her.  I couldn't believe it!  It was a bittersweet win though. She had run so hard and almost overdid it just to beat me and it was all for no good. The good part is that this is the first time I got First Place in a half marathon and my time was terrible...but woo-hoo!!

Here's my award.  Had to put in a white paper towel so you could see it.  It has the same turtle on it that is on the back of our shirts. 

And, here is what got me my first place!!  The chip on the back of this little ole bib...

As soon as this was over, we headed out to the beach to get in the rest of my miles. And, yep, I was stoked after receiving First Place even though my legs were getting a little heavy.  Eighteen, here I come.

A hot shower never felt so good as it did today.  Wish I could have stayed in it for a loooong time.  Now, off I go to work on this training.  Until later, go

Run 4 It

2013 Goals

Well, this is really a hard post.  Personally, I haven't "settled" on firm goals yet.  And, there will be more off and on throughout the year that will be met as they are completed.  You know, when you decide to put it all in writing, it seems like it is in blood and can't be changed.  It is, also, disheartening when early on you're goal is missed.  Well, that happened to me last year when I contracted bronchitis in late February.  Don't know if I've ever had bronchitis before but feel this was gotten through my bad allergies.  It caused me to drop two half marathons [which would have surpassed my goal of 3 for the year].  Another goal missed was when I didn't get in the Marine Corp Marathon...I was heart broken, to say the least!  I've been wanting to do this one for a long time.  I don't know that I'll be able to ever do this one since I had plans to stay with my nephew and his wife who lives in the area but he will be transferred next May and won't be in the area.  The cost is primary in this race and is so over my head.  It is still on my bucket list but not as appealing as before.  So sad...

There are some goals I want to achieve in 2013 and there are some goals that may be dropped, added or revised as time goes on.  But, for the most part, I want them to stay in place.  These "numbered" goals are not necessarily in order...just numbered for distinction.  So, let's go...

Goal #1:  Run the Rock 'n Roll Marathon in New Orleans.  Yes, I want to do another one.  I am in training right now and, so far, all is going well.  I ran 16 miles on December 31 and was pleased.  My goal this time is different than the first one.  This time, I want to finish strong, uninjured, and a better time than the last one.  As long as I cross the line, this will be a great accomplishment, regardless.  As a matter of fact, I'd love to shoot for doing one in Disney at the end of the year, but not sure that one will come to fruition due to the distance and cost.  I would LOVE one of those medals!!  I'll have to depend on someone else to share expenses with me.  We'll see how that one comes out.

Goal #2:  Three Half Marathons.  I hope to do more but I feel three is achievable for the entire year.  Maybe I should be more aggressive in this goal.  I was ahead of the game last year until I got sick and it caused me to cancel two, which actually made me short of my goal of three.  Guess I'm a little humbled by that experience.  Half's are nothing to snivvle at.  I am NOT a summer/hot weather runner so those months are out as far as training for long distance races.

Goal #3:  Maintain a weight in the 130's.  Last year my weight stayed in the low 140's but I was not pleased with that because I KNOW I can do better.  In my best weight loss year [2009], I lost down in the mid 120's but felt that was too small for me and my frame.  I'm more comfortable in the 130's, which is what I'm shooting for as an average for 2013.  Thankfully, the weight has not been enough difference to constitute a different clothes size.  It was more a redistribution of where my weight went. 

Goal #4:  A new goal for me is to shoot for running 1,000 miles this year.  That will be approximately 21 miles a week or 83.5 miles a month.  I feel that is a very, reasonable goal for the year.  This is exciting.  My first year to put down a yearly mileage...woo-hoo!

Goal #5:  Being consistent with weights each week as well as with cross training.  This is a real challenge for me.  I have to push myself to doing anything other than running and will talk myself out of it any way I can.  I'll have to find something that keeps my interest for this to work.  Maybe monthly workout challenges will help.  Being on my own didn't work last year.  I'm just a cheater if I can get away with it, ha!!  Gotta work on this goal. 

Goal #6:  I hope to get a piece of fruit in my body every day.  It doesn't matter what it is, but dried and juice does not count...which I rarely have those anyway.  Summer is so much easier than the winter months. 

Goal #7:  I want to run a new [for me] half marathon.  I have several I'd like to do and hope I'll be able to include these in my goal of three half's for the  year.

I am living in an exciting period in my life.  Having only started running since September of '08, I've done more than I ever thought I would at the ripe age of 52!  Yeah, it's not the ideal time to "start" this great sport.  After all, your better times and races have passed you. BUT, I'm so glad that I finally joined the team.   I've acquired so many trophies, awards, recognition AND State Records.  I, also, started at a great time.  Trophies/Awards are now being done creatively; hence, I have some really special ones like a jeweled Mardi Gras mask, beautiful beveled glass ones, handmade clay ones [made by handicapped children and some from clay artists], handmade pinecone ones, ALL of my half marathon medals and many, many more that don't come to my mind right now.  I'd have never guessed in a million years I could have participated in so many races.  On top of that, when I began running in half marathons, I was just excited to participate in them and try to improve my time in each race, but I've placed in several of those, too!

I've met so many wonderful people.  One I see every year in the Gulf Shores area.  She comes down for the winter and is from Canada.  She told me the other day that she is 75 and she looks great AND is still running.  She had gotten in 7 miles the day before.  This is nothing as she has run so many marathons all over the world.  I'm thankful I met her as she inspires me soooo much.  And, thanks to Facebook, I have friends all over this country that enjoy the same sport and we share our ups and downs.  I love when I meet them in person.  It is like getting with friends that you haven't seen in a long time yet you've never met.  And, one more thing about FB...my friends there encourage me so much and give me just what I need to continue, push, or rest.  I love them all!  Now, that I turned 57 a couple of weeks ago, I'm excited to say that I'm training for my second marathon in February.  Marathon...did you hear??  26 miles!!  It's still surreal to me!! 

It seems impossible that this sport has become so important to me.  I feel great and healthier than I have in years.  If only I could get some of my friends to get out and do "something" even if walking is all that interests them.  Once running became a constant part of my life, their interest waned more and more and now have resorted to their "age" and "that's the way it is" status and our relationship has become further apart.  It's like a guilt thing and it's easier to not associate with "the guilt" than it is to wallow in it where you have a lot of company.  I'm here to tell anyone that they have believed a lie!!!  YOU have control of your life and unless you are crippled or confined to a wheelchair or can't walk or have any medical reason, you are cutting your life shorter than it would be if you'd make just a little bit of effort.  There's nothing like feeling good because you work hard.  Life is not given to us to become weak, lazy and overweight...stand up and take control!!  I say that emphatically!!!  Because I love you!!

One more thing before I end this post.  There is one friend that I depend on when I have ANY question.  She never thinks it's not important and is ALWAYS willing to help out a newbie, one MUCH older than her.  Thank you so much!!!!!!  I think you know who you are because I bug you all the time...lol.  I hope to inspire others as I have been inspired.  So many have played such a signifcant role in my life.  And, I couldn't end this without saying my biggest cheerleader is my husband!  He is amazing and I couldn't do it without him!! 

Without further ado, it's really easy...just go

Run 4 It!

2012 - Year in Review

As I look back over my running for the year, I chose a variety of things that stood out each month I wanted to share with you. 

January:  Got a PR in the Pensacola Half.  1st time since 2009!
February:  Did the Double Bridge 15k; new distance race and loved the hard bridges.
March:  Bronchitis invaded my body and kept me from doing my first trail race BUT got to meet 3 FB friends in TN that I'd not met before.
April:  Ran the Color Dash with my granddaughters [their first race ever].
May:  Began learning how to swim...yay!
June:  Bronchitis came back again; more treatment followed.
July:  Received the #1 race bib, got 1st place and set state record!
August:  Back-to-back bridge runs two days apart.
September:  Swimming is improving.
October:  Realized just how blessed I am as I do the 5k for Kaitlyn.  Also, PR'd again in the Jazz Half!!!  And, finally got a pic of me running "off the ground".  Great month!
November:  Barely won 1st at Jingle Bell 10k in Pensacola
December:  Feeling stronger as I continue to train for my 2nd marathon; ran 16 pain-free miles on 31st.

The year ended with 16 races [several canceled due to bronchitis which caused me to miss my half marathon goal for the year], 988 running miles which would have reached over 1000 had I not gotten sick and, finally, getting a PR twice in my half marathon races.  I'm pleased that I never gave up though I was discouraged a lot.  Pushing through ALL the challenges is what makes a runner, a runner.  In looking back, I see my running has not been as bad as it seemed at the time.  I tend to focus on the negative because the issue is IN MY FACE right then, so in 2013 I'm going to do my best to review things correctly and set my mind in a positive state. 

These are only highlights and hope you've had a great 2012, too!!  Thank you for being a part of my life here in "Blog World".  Looking forward to seeing more of you.  Thank you, also, for praying for us as Kent had his prostate surgery in December.  We are so blessed and you are, too!!  Be thinking of your 2013 goals.  I'm getting mine ready to share with you.  So for now, start the year right and

Run 4 It