"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race." Jay Foonberg



Sunday, December 31, 2017

2017 Recap

ADDENDUM: Miles Run/Walked - 616.35
                              Miles Biked - 334.92

This year has really been different than what it was intended to be. At first thought, I want to be quite negative about it but as I look at the year as a whole, I see a lot of positive. I am VERY hard on myself and this is hard for me to work through when issues present themselves or I don't live up to what I expect of myself.

I had such high hopes to jump back on the "lose weight" wagon and hit the races like I did 25 pounds lighter leaving smoke in my path. High ideals just didn't translate like I thought they should.

Signing up for a series was to motivate me, making me stronger and get my running back on track. January and February were the first two of the three half marathons in the series.

As late spring came, I began riding my bike a little more. My like for riding increased. Getting my friends onboard was nice, too. We all rode together many times. We did the Good Life Ride in May. Boy, did I realize that the bike I had was not going to work any more if I wanted to go further than 5 miles. I decided that maybe biking wasn't my thing. I was so much slower than my friends and it became more like work than fun...very frustrating. They all kept asking me to ride with them after this but I really didn't want to. Something inside me wanted to get back on my bike but I couldn't take the embarrassment my rides were giving me. Come July, Kent talked me into purchasing a "good" bike. Now, it's hard for me to want to spend more than my Walmart bike but I knew if I was going to enjoy riding, I needed to take the plunge. After a test ride at Infinity Bicycles and a bit of a push from Kent, I ordered a bike. It was a Trek in beautiful sparkly blue with red/orange accents. When it came in a week later, I rode it on the Backcountry Trails. I was immediately "in love". There's no comparison with a good bike against a big box store's bike.

Ain't she the purtiest thing?? I never knew there would be so much difference in a ride on a good bike. It was smooth as butter. I'm in love!! Before I knew it, I was adding better pedals, lights, riding gloves, a better tire pump and getting new biking shorts and shirt. It's addictive. And, yes, I want a few more things.

Then for eight months, I struggled finding some balance. It was fall that I decided to join a Boot Camp and was scared to death. My body began to change and my running faltered off and on. For the first time in FOUR years, the range of motion of my left shoulder I broke years ago improved drastically. Who would have thought that!

As the end of the year approached, several of my friends were doing the MS. Gulf Coast Marathon Double Down races. I've wanted [for some time] to run back-to-back races...not two long ones but to say that I did two. You know, one of those check-off-the-list things. Knowing I had the last of the three half marathons to do to finish the series, I knew that I would be trained to do this half just two weeks later. So, I signed on. It was so much fun, too, and I'm glad that I did them. I do plan to do this again.

I want to say that the only thing mentioned to accomplish for 2017 was the Run The Beach Half Marathon Series. I felt "DOWN" so much this year but as I look it all over, I find that I accomplished way more than I realized. Here are a few things that was unplanned:

1. Back-to-Back running races
2. Two official bike rides
3. Joined a boot camp [and LOVE it]
4. Ended the year with FOUR half marathons! 2016-1;2015-0; 2014-1; 2013-4. Way excited about this!

I'll end the 2017 year with this:

1. One of my goals was to NEVER give up. I must say I exceeded at this, fighting negativity and depression all through the year. VERY, very proud of keeping on!
2. I didn't quit after a terrible fall in my third half marathon with more than half to go. [See #1]
3. Quitting processed sugars for almost four weeks was huge. Then came Thanksgiving! I will start over again next year in hopes that I can control/stop this 90% of the time.
4. I did not lose the weight.
5. The 1,000 miles goal was not achieved.
6. I joined a boot camp, scared to death, and found I loved the workout, ha!

All in all, it was more successful than it was not. Therefore, I will keep on keeping on and continue to

Run 4 It

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Double Down

I've been interested in doing a back-to-back race for a while. Several of my friends have done them but I thought they just weren't "right". I mean, who wants to put their bodies through this, right? It still drew me to want to put it on my bucket list...I know...I'm not "right" either...probably wouldn't call these friends if I WAS right. Anyway, some have done back-to-back long races and I applaud them even though I have no interest in doing that. But I did want to try a short race with a long race. When I saw several friends signing up for the Double Down at the MS. Coast Marathon, I just couldn't resist giving it a try. There was a 5k on Saturday and a Half or Full Marathon on Sunday. Here was my chance. I mentioned it to Kent and he was okay with it and told me to go for it. After all, I would have done a half marathon a couple of weeks before so I should be trained already. Almost immediately after that, I signed up. I was so excited to do this and with friends.

Let me start by saying I didn't think this one was going to happen. Read my last post and you'll definitely know why I said this.  After my fall, it took me a while to get to where I could walk again. The entire week after, I was so sore and beat up. My chest hurt every time I breathed and couldn't lay down to sleep, my knees were painful and my face still looked awful as well as pain over my brow. The second week [and the week of the Double Down] I was feeling better...except that my knees still hurt. I guess I fell flat on my stomach on that bridge because everything hit it and everything was so sore. I've never gotten hurt like this.

I decided that I would go ahead and walk the 5k with Kent, as planned anyway, and see how the ole knees would do. I had basically done NO running with only a very little walking before this weekend. This would determine if I would go ahead with the half on Sunday. Friday a cold front came in with rain and wind. The temperature dropped so much that it actually snowed! Yep, on the coast at the beach...SNOW! It was so pretty even if it didn't stick.

Saturday we headed out to do the 5k. It was an absolutely gorgeous day!! Clear blue skies and temps at 32 with a wind chill of 28...yikes!! Yes, it was cold! We hooked up with several friends and took some quick pics. Here are a few of them:


Nestor, Kent, me and Pete. Photobombed, by who?? LOL 

The Professor, me and Kent after the race.

Me and Diane. Brrrrrr..... 

Alabama running friends. Love these guys! 

Kimberly, Marsha and me. 

Justin, Jojo and Michelle

Heading back to the truck we saw a great photo op. 

5k Finisher's Medal

Sunday was another gorgeous day. I am so happy the rainy weather came in on Friday. The half proved to be another dang cold day but clear, blue skies. I think I was the only one without earmuffs of some sort. Yes, I was cold but I didn't want to worry about carrying it around when I got warmed up so I decided to wear a hoodie and I could pull it up over my head when I got cold or slip it off. I was SO glad to find my hometown friends. I knew they were there but hadn't seen them yet. And, we just "happened up" on each other lining up before the race began.

Deleica, Krista, Frank and me.

Here are some end and after race pics. I was "lucky" enough to get blisters all over the bottom of my feet...again!!! I am really struggling with this. It makes me walk when I don't want to and my gait is completely off. The last mile of the race was going up Interstate 10 curving around and over Highway 90. The grade was tough at such an angle causing me to put all my normal weight on the areas of the blisters!!! I was totally in pain!! All I wanted at this point was just to finish and an Alleve. Needless to say, it was mostly walking at the end for me.

I had on so many clothes but layered just perfectly. 



Here's the Finisher's Medal for the Half.

Several of us connected again afterwards but I didn't have a camera of any kind with me. It was still pretty cold. I found the booth where I picked up my Double Down Finisher's Tray. I am so excited that I could do these races considering the injuries from just a couple of weeks ago.

This was really a nice weekend of running and friends. I LOVED the races! When I get back to running good again...and I WILL...I'd like to return and do this series again. Next time, I hope to see more buddies. Until then,

Run 4 It

2019 Races

  • 05/11/19...9.38 mile Good Life Ride
  • 04/13/19...Raven 5k
  • Dec. 15 - Mar. 8 2019...175 Mile Challenge
  • 02/16/19...Sweetheart 5k
  • 01/19/19...Casio Bridge 5k...DND

2018 Races

12/09/18...MS Gulf Coast Half Marathon
12/01/18...Honeybee 5k (cancelled-weather)
11/17/18...Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5k
11/11/18...Battleship 12k
10/20/18...Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
10/13/18...Shrimp Festival 5k
09/29/18...Don McCloskey 5k
09/01/18...Bloody Mary 5k
01/27/18...Casino Bridge 5k

Through December...200 Mile Fall Challenge
Through August...175 Mile Spring Challenge
Through June...150 Mile Spring Challenge

2018 Goals

Bike 500 miles.
Improve gear shifting.
Strength training 2 hours/week.
Run 600 miles.
Improve running without walking.
No processed sugar 75% of time.
Improve positive thinking.
NEVER give up!

2017 Races

  • 12/10/17...MS Coast Half
  • 12/09/17...MS Coast 5k
  • 11/25/17...Kaiser Half
  • 11/18/17...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/11/17...Rotary Oyster 5k
  • 10/14/17...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 02/18/17...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/04/17...Double Bridge 15k
  • 01/29/17...Big Beach Half

2017 Bike Rides

  • 10/01/17...Southern Magnolia Ride [25.85]
  • 05/13/17...Good Life Ride [26]

Series

  • MS Coast Double Down...5k & Half
  • Run The Beach...3 Half's

2017 Goals

  • Back-to-Back Races [Done]
  • 3 Half Marathons [Done +1]
  • 1,000 Miles-No
  • First Half Marathon Series [3 Done]
  • Work on core/strength 2-3 times a week-No
  • Lose 25 pounds-No
  • NEVER give up! YES!!
  • Control/Eliminate refined sugars-Good

2016 Races

  • 10/15/16...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/16...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 03/19/16...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/13/16...St. Pat's Leprechaun 5k
  • 03/05/16...Bay to Breakfast 12k...1st trail race
  • 02/20/16...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/13/16...Double Bridge 15k

2016 Goals

  • Run 1,000 miles-Done
  • Bike 300 miles
  • Half Marathon-Done
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Push through the hard times-Done
  • Cut back on refined sugar

2015 Races

  • 12/19/15...Make It To The Line 4 Miler
  • 11/21/15...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/14/15...Oyster 5k
  • 10/10/15...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/15...PHind a Cure-W/D
  • 05/02/15...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 04/18/15...Zydeco 5k - W/D
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Remember the Fallen 5k
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Boston Strong 5k
  • 04/11/15...Magnolia 5k
  • 03/28/15...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/07/15...Circle K 5k
  • 03/01/15...Gulf Coast Lulu's 10k
  • 02/28/15...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/07/15...Double Bridge 15k

2015 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Overlook past failures
  • Push through the hard times/things

2014 Races

  • 12/06/14...St. Jude's Half Marathon
  • 08/16/14...Pinky 5k Virtual
  • 08/15/14...Howl @ the Moon 10k Virtual
  • 02/15/14...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/01/14...Double Bridge 15k

2014 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • 700 Running Miles
  • Strengthen my Upper Body
  • Recuperate, Recover, Renew
  • Get active in WW
  • Eat Fruit Daily
  • Start Clean Eating
  • Begin Eliminating Sugar from Diet

2013 Races

11-30-13...Stennis 5k
11-23-13...Turkey Trot 5k
11-08-13...Run For The Kids Virtual Half [St. Jude's]
10-12-13...Shrimp Festival 5k
09-22-13...Talladega Half
07-04-13...Wesson 2 Miles
06-29-13...Emz Liverpalooza 5k
05-18-13...Pursuit of Fun 5k
04-20-13..Warrior Dash
04-07-13...Gulf Coast Half-Pensacola
03-23-13...Azalea Trail 10k
03-10-13...Leprechaun 5k
02-24-13...NOLA Marathon
02-02-13...Double Bridge 15k-Pensacola
01-13-13....Gulf Coast Half-Lulu's

2013 Goals

  • 3 Half Marathons-Done-Plus 1
  • 1 Marathon-Done
  • 1000 Running Miles-No, due to RC Tendonitis & Broken Shoulder
  • Eat fruit daily-A little aggressive but better
  • Maintain weight in 130's-Did NOT happen!

2012 Races

12-08-12...FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k
11-24-12...Jingle Bell 10k
11-17-12...Turkey Trot 5k
10-27-12...Jazz Half
10-20-12...OS Rotary 5k
10-13-12...Race for Grace 5k
09-29-12...5k For Katlyn
07-04-12...Wesson 2 Mile
04-15-12...Gulf Coast Half...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
04-14-12...Diversity Dash 5k
03-24-12...Azalea Trail 10k
03-03-12...MS50 20k...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
02-25-12...Kids Need Heroes 5k
02-11-12...Sweetheart 5k
02-04-12..Double Bridge 15k
01-14-12...Pensacola Half



2012 Goals

  • 1 Full Marathon-Marine Corp filled up
  • 3 Half Marathons-2 Down-Sick had to drop 2
  • 20 Miles-Wkly Mileage-Bronchitis kept me from this
  • Cross Training 2x Week-Poor Commitment
  • Weekly Weights W/O-Again Poor Commitment

2011 Races

  • 11-26-11...Kaiser Half
  • 11-19-11...Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11-11-11...Thumbs Up for Bill 5k
  • 11-05-11...Senior Bowl 10k
  • 10-22-11...Running the Streets 5k
  • 10-15-11...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 10-08-11...Mullet Run 5k
  • 09-24-11...Waiting for a Cure 8k
  • 09-05-11...Labor Your Legs 5k
  • 07-04-11...Wesson 2 Miles
  • 06-04-11...Bay Fest 5k
  • 05-14-11...Stargazer 5k
  • 04-30-11...Fiesta 5 Flags 5k
  • 04-16-11...St. Benedict's 5k
  • 04-10-11...Gulf Coast Half
  • 03-26-11...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03-19-11...St. Patrick's 5k
  • 03-05-11...Eco 5k
  • 02-13-11...Mardi Gras Marathon

Secrets to Running a 5k

Here is an excellent site for those who have thought about running a 5k race but just hadn't made that move yet. There's tips, directions and even a section on what to wear. If you have never run a race, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You will have support from most everyone you meet. Now for the site...click here to change your life and get started!

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