Park City Trail Half Marathon Recap

Despite the rain and mud I decided I was going to run 13 miles Saturday whether it was at this half marathon or somewhere else.  I choose the half marathon for the challenge.  My first half since last year and my first trail race.

Right away it became very clear I was undertrained.

Up early to get a parking space.  I didn't know anyone running so there was no carpooling.  I got a great spot close to the start and was able to get my stuff AND take a short nap.

The weather was moist (hehe) but not raining.  I really struggled on what to wear.  I ended up wearing my shorts with a tank and then a long sleeve over it all.  The long sleeve came off pretty quick but it's a lightweight shirt and easily ties around my waist.

Pretty misty

After the first loop.  Looking one way.

Then the other.  

and at myself!  haha

The great thing about being extra slow is that the crowd thins out nicely.  

Closer into the single track area.

Not a bad view

Trail was mostly dry but had some pretty gnarly mud areas and rocky areas.

Done!  Had to ask some guy to take my picture. 

Recap:

I knew that I hadn't trained enough.  I had my long runs but didn't get in any speed work or tempo runs.  I was slacking on my PT exercises and I have gained a few pounds.  Add that to running my first trail race and my goal turned to slow and steady with a finish.

The slow and steady turned out to be a requirement for finish, not a choice.  The first half mile is uphill and it hurts.  Maybe I should have warmed up better.  I was walking within 3 minutes of the start up that damn hill.  I had a few miles of feeling great and running steady but I ended up walking most of the hills.  I felt pretty good between miles 2-9 and at 10 I was pretty sure that the miles were taking forever.  I fueled nicely.  They had some energy chews and nuun at the stations.  I took the chews twice plus I had one Honey Stinger goo right at mile 7.  I took my handheld because there were so many water stations I knew I didn't need to worry as much about water. 

I trickled in at a pathetic 2:55 - according to my Garmin but the finish time was closer to 2:49.  I saw it at the finish printout but I can't find the exact time today on the internet.

I still got this sweet medal.

I love the little footprints.

I'm sure you will see that my faster times coordinate with the downhills.  Look at that first hill!

Miles 10 was the mile that I questioned all my lifes choices up to this point.  Did I really need to finish?

Yes, or I would be stuck in the mountains alone.

Yes, the course was long.  They told us it was.  Although I was told it was 13.3..so that .20 takes FOREVER!

I'll take it!!  First trail race, first long race after my surgery and my lack of interest in just about everything and yet I still finished.  My foot doesn't feel any worse for wear either!  It's a little sore this morning, but it always is.  I'm a little exhausted 24 hours after, but I plan another day of hydration and maybe I'll jump to the gym for some easy elliptical.

I've put together a better plan to train and get to the point I was before the surgery.  Yeah, it's a pain sometimes but racing and feeling so bad feels worse.

What do you do about those runs that are just crappy?

Motivation?  Where do I find it?

Blog on..............

Pre Vegas Ragnar

TRIPLE MEDAL BITCHES

These two extras and then a 

Las Vegas one similar to this one:

My song list:

I usually put it on shuffle, but I will probably play in order for the first leg.

***************

Leg 1 - 5.4 miles

 

Sweet elevation loss! 

Leg 2 - 6.2 miles

Leg 3 - 4.5 miles

I'm runner 3 in the sinner van...hehehe

Oh there is going to be shenanigans!  I don't quite know if I can actually come up with sinning, you know with racing and being a decent person and all.  Sinning is so subjective so lets just say I'm going to just sin away!  I'll be drinking coffee, swearing like a sailor and saying many inappropriate things but never to hurt any feelings, because that is just rude!  

Next is my packing list!! 

Anyone else trekking to Vegas for some good times next weekend??

Blog on...................

Running tomorrow

I have been cleared to run an easy slow run by the podiatrist.  I'm really excited!  Silly, but true.  I am feeling pretty good about my heel and I need to get on it for my half marathon!  More then anything I'm excited to wear my new running outfit!

What does 190 bucks look like?

I really like Lululemon's running clothes.  The crop pants and white tank were on the clearance rack.  I paid full price for the pink tank.  I am going to wear the crop pants and the pink tank tomorrow.  You can't tell me that having a wonderful running outfit doesn't make you faster.  

I plan on going to liberty park and just jogging around for 3 miles.  I'll wear my Saucony Hurricane's so that I'll have great support and hope for the best!

I also had to go to Costco today.

My very very favorite candy/snack and stress reliever.

It's delicious.

Don't mind my hair.  It hasn't been washed in a while and today wasn't the day.  I took a Pilate's class, got my ass kicked, shopped with Tera at Lululemon, had lunch with her and then went to Costco.  Once I got home I worked the rest of the day on paperwork.  What is paperwork?  It's taking care of all the receipts and payments making sure our family life moves along smoothly.  I even had to do some work email and update the family calendar.  Whew!  Didn't even have time to wash my hair.  

Looking at races for next year.  Hoping for at least these three:

Thelma & Louise Half marathon, Moab Utah in June

Bay to Breakers in San Francisco in May

Chicago Half Marathon in September

It feels pretty sparse.

Does anyone have a favorite half marathon that has a great medal?  I'm a medal whore, but I also want to travel around and experience running in other states and good courses. 

Blog on...............

Just this side of lazy

Sunday night we went up to my friends property in the mountains and spent the night. Even my daughter went, which was a miracle!

We had an awesome time time with great weather.  We sat around a fire until it was dark and then Gary put a sheet up and we watched a great movie while sitting on comfy camping chairs and sipping a cocktail and eating his dutch oven peach cobbler.  Not bad eh??

In the morning, my husband broke out all his favorite camping gear and stove and made us a yummy egg breakfast.  What a wonderful time to get some fresh air!

In other exciting news:

TODAY I saw the UPS guy pull up to the house and I knew it was going to be AWESOME!!

My new stable Saucony Hurricane 14's.   I immediately took a picture and posted it on Instagram and Facebook and then slipped them on to check them out as I worked on some housework stuff.  Comfy as can be and although they didn't really match my jammie bottoms, I was willing to make that fashion mistake to have these bad boys on.

Speaking of running, I haven't ran since the race on Saturday.  Taking my time to really working on my foot by taking regular ibuprofen, stretching and elevating it.  I ice it about once a day and do some stretching.  I finally found a file that had enough grit to smooth out my insert (I had to use a rasp!) and right away it felt a little better.  I can't really go without running until the Ragnar, so I'm going to get up and while it's cool put in a 5 miler'ish and then on Saturday I'll get a long run in.  My first Ragnar I did with a bum knee and not a lot of training.  I didn't break any records but I feel pretty confident I can give the team 10 min/miles average this time even with a big let up on training the last two weeks.  It's slow down time anyway!

But don't worry, I've been sweating.  I have taken a couple of core Pilate's classes this week and I have to say, ouch.  It's amazing how my core muscles are so sore sometimes.  But I love doing it because I can definitely see the improvement.  

Next week I leave for San Francisco for the Napa Ragnar!!  I am very excited!  I am the captain of this team that we call, "12 deadly Zins".  I don't know if this happens to everyone, but I'll get 10 people to talk me into being captain and then only about 6 can commit.  I don't know if it's the cost or the time.  I try to be upfront about the cost, especially with being from out of town and having to drive, hotels, etc.  I was lucky to have found enough people to fill the spots and I look forward to meeting them and making new friends from around the country.  They all seem to be kind, compassionate and hilarious.  We are in it for the experience and the medals!

I'll definitely keep posted on that one!

Blog on.................

Recap: Salt Lake Half Marathon Relay

Pre race.  Feeling strong.  Me, Nicole and Tera are running the relay and Jason was running the full half marathon.

I took the first leg and it was 4 miles up, up and up.  We have run it a few times (Jason, Tera and I) so we could get a feel for it.  I knew what I was in for and I was pleased with my speed considering I'm a crappy hill runner.  

Coming up the hill looking strong.  As soon as I high five Tera, she took off and apparently I was going to walk into the mountain.  All that form I was working on all the way up just vanished as soon as I finished.  It was a great run and I was exhausted!!  

We must have done something right because we took 3rd in the women's relay.  I averaged 11 min/mile and Tera averaged less then 9 min/mile (she was ALL downhill) and Nicole, we figured averaged about a 10 min/mile.  We aren't a fast team but it was a great time and we had matching leg sleeves!

Mmmmm  Delicious 

Oh how we love a medal!  These were etched glass.  I've got to get me a medal holder!

During my run I was really trying to put the things that I have learned about form to work.  When my cadence was fast and my form was good my foot didn't even hurt.  I feel great knowing that I'm finding the tools and information I need to work out this injury.  Podiatrist and physical therapist are great and they give great advice and feedback but in the end I have to take responsibility for my running and my body.  

Off to spend a night in the mountains.  Hope there isn't any rain or flash flooding!

Eeekk

Blog on..............