Timp Half Marathon Recap

What?  I ran a half marathon?  I didn't even speak of training!  I know, my blog has been on a BAB (big ass break) and I have 3-4 half posts written but not posted. I'll get back to that another time.  For now lets get some feel-goods on the half marathon I layed down last Saturday.

First of all, after the Marathon I really needed a break from everything.  I wanted to sign up for at least one half marathon this summer to keep me motivated.  I choose the Timp Half.  It's a downhill half marathon that gets lots of good reviews.  But then I also wanted to mix up the training and I surprisingly found one I really liked through Shape Magazine.  (Weird....I know)  

8 week Intermediate-Advanced half marathon training.  

It was nice to do something different and the circuit training is nice.  It really worked my core.  My goal for the race was to be strong and feel strong. I wanted my legs to show up to the game and they did!  I was a little slow at the end, but overall I felt amazing! 

The day leading up to the race was just a comedy of "do not do before a race" things.  On Thursday night I flew all night long and Friday I didn't get near enough sleep.  I did get some sleep Friday before the race but I was behind and I was also dehydrated.  Dang work!

The morning of the race I realized I forgot my water bottles.  BAM!  So I spent more time at all the aid stations making sure I drank plenty of water.  

Here are my splits.

Mile 1 - 8:56

Mile 2 - 9:27

Mile 3 - 9:21

Mile 4 - 10:03

Mile 5 - 8:37

Mile 6 - 8:03

Mile 7 - 8:26

........and I ran out of the canyon......

Mile 8 - 10:19

Mile 9 - 10:31

Mile 10 - 11:06

Mile 11 - 10:51

Mile 12 - 10:42

Mile 13 - 10:30 

Mile .29 -  8:48

Total 13.29 miles/ 2:09:30

Official:

I feel confident I can beat my PR of 1:59 in the next year.  I just need to plan better and keep training!  

Peeps I ran the Ragnar with last year

I didn't even pretend up this hill.  It was a walker....

Not a horribly bad finish photo!  Yippee

My TomTom showed the race was a little long.  I did get a little slow on the last half of the race but dang I felt strong.  I still like to walk occasionally but some days I was feeling like my head would not get into the game because I was too busy concentrating on when my next walk break was.  In the months since the marathon I've really got my head into the game. A lot stronger.   

I ran with Amy, well we went together but ran separately.  She kicked some ass and PR'd.  Also ran into some friends.  It's always so much fun!

So happy to feel excited about running again.  It was edgy there for a bit.  Glad to have done the race.  It was well organized and I really enjoyed it!

Here's to another update this summer!!

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

Dino half recap and the Marathon countdown begins!!

One week before my first marathon I ran a half marathon.  Crazy?  Yeah buddy! But how could I pass on THIS medal?

Photo credit:  Tera Schatz

With these people

Photo Credit:  Kind stranger

The usual subjects.  Jason and his wives.  

Me, Jen, Ashley, Tera (real wife...we make her sleep with him) and Jill

Dream pants FOUND

I don't regret a minute of it.  I love traveling, going to dinner and hanging with these people so much.  We don't really run together but it's still a blast.  

Before we ran we sat in the car and I worked on looking really smart with my glasses on.

Photo Credit:  Jen Quarry

I was actually adjusting my glasses.  Maybe.  

The race itself was awesome!!  It was storming like crazy the day before but race day we had just a little light rain and cloud cover.  Nice and cool.  I bought a sweet zip jacket for the start and then dropped it off at one of the aid stations.  

My goal was very simple.  Run it slow and easy.  I stayed with or behind the 2:30 pacers.  I stopped at aid stations.  Ate a few oranges and drank water at each one.  I even stopped to pee at one point.  I kept my "run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute" approach.  Sometimes I had to run a little faster to get past annoying people.  Mean?  Well, there are people that annoy me and I'd rather just not run next to them.  Like the three girls all across the road.  One of them yelling at the pacer to slow down and why does her neck hurt.  I wanted to chime in something catty but I didn't.  I'm growing up so big!

OFFICIAL TIME:  2:27:44

The last mile I just eased in.  Ran almost the whole time and ran past the pacers.  I'm thrilled.  I wasn't too sore except the hammy on the right that has been tense.  I kept the slow pace and I had a blast.  

A beautiful course!  Easy downhill and lovely scenery.

photo credit: Me

I'm covering his scary face but it's a COOL medal!!

photo credit:  guy that works at the hotel the doesn't wash crotches.

We took the after pic at the hotel because it was freaking cold once you cooled down and we had tossed the jackets.

STINKY  (aka Jason) took second in his age group!!

WOOT WOOT

I took 6th.  Can you imagine if I actually ran it.  Dang, I love getting old!

So whats the marathon plan?

I want to run it under 5 hours.  I want to keep it easy and slow at first.  I would rather finish and be ultra slow then kill myself trying to make some fast time.  It's my first one.  I want to take the time to learn my own do's and don't of marathon running.  I will be doing my walk/run that I hear lots of "poo poo" about.  Like it's cheating or something.  It's easy for me to start running again and get in a groove.  Towards the end I just run how I feel.  I don't force the walk breaks after the first half.  I have some negative split numbers that I'll be looking at during the race.  

I'm most nervous about fueling.  I don't think it's going to be hot so I'll be wearing my capri's with the pockets.  I did take one Clif GU and had it at mile 9.  No stomach upset.  I think I'll take some applesauce (2 with stuff mixed in) and then have GU's also (provided at aid stations).  Thinking about taking a packet of hazelnut butter.  Jill told me it helps with that feeling that you are just REALLY hungry.  It happened in my 2 long runs around mile 17.  

I also had a new fuel belt to try.  

Nathan Mercury 2 hydration belt

I've had a tough time finding a belt I like.  Finally the belt makers have figured out how to put a little stretch into their belts instead of just clips.  I had to make a few adjustments but after that it stayed put and felt great.  I have 2-10oz flasks.  In one I put some SKRATCH hydration in lemon/lime and the other water.  I also took water at the stations and drank some Skratch every 45 minutes.  I switched to Skratch when I bought a small pack to try on my long runs.  I like the taste and it appears to work.  I do use my go to NUUN before the race and drink one the night before and anytime I think I need some extra electrolytes.  

Plan for this week:

I have some great aches and pains that I'm ignoring ala taper.  Stretching, rolling and hydrating.  I'll do a short slow run.  I'm trying to eat healthy and good carbolicious.  Did I mention I'm hydrating?  I had my pre race illness already, hopefully.  I had a headache from HELL last night.  I blame Rock Springs.  Heehee

I'll end this ridiculously long post with my favorite Marathon/running memes.  Laughter will get me though....or not. 

Then I'd be dead.  Fear.

 All the great memes.  I hope thats what my race looks like.

Bulls would make me run faster.  FACT.

I'll consider it.

I do NOT want to chafe mid run.  I'll be properly lubed. Trust me.

Hope I don't start a crotch fire.

What do you carry for hydration?

Always asking for Marathon advice?

Is it really Saturday?

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

Quit Marathon Training.....almost

I am training for a marathon.  Surprise!  The bad news is that I haven't felt very good about it.  The ultra left me feeling pretty down and super bloated.  Luckily I have some great pals that have given me the "you can do it!" and I have continued to train.  

Last week I didn't feel good.  My body couldn't commit to the flu but my stomach hurt and I felt dizzy.  SO I missed a couple of runs and the run I did do was FAN-CRAPPY!  

Then I did my long run on Monday.  The thing about my long runs is that the entire time I'm planning them, laying out my clothes, charging my gear and getting my fuel I am in total denial of going on the actual run.  On my 18 miler 2 weeks ago I was pretty sure I wasn't going to do it up to about mile 15.  Some sort of trickery so I don't give it any REAL thought.  I can't deny my fear of the marathon and up until Sunday I was sure I wasn't going to be able to finish it.  

Let's get to the down and dirty.  

My long run Monday was fan-effing-tastic! 

I planned a course that included some uphill at the beginning then downhill for most of the rest.  I'm running the Ogden marathon and the course is mostly downhill.  

Ogden marathon elevation charts.  The top one is from the website.  Pretty lame.  The bottom one is from my MapMyRun route that I added, hoping it's pretty close to the real route.  Mile 17-22 looks a little sketchy with all those little bumps.  

Long run

Recap or picture share.

The first 7 miles of hills was a little tough.  Some of the hills are really steep.  

Here is the route.  I had my son meet me at where mile 13 would be and I left my car there with fuel and more water.  Then he drove me to the other side of the mountain to start by Mountain Dell golf course.  

Thanks Daniel!!

I started out pretty smooth.  Realized I didn't have my HR monitor.  After a brief panic attack I decided I was actually enjoying the freedom of not having a double chest squeeze.

Sweet Jebus!  It's a miracle.  A clean bathroom that was OPEN at mile 3.5.  Fact:  In Utah a lot of bathrooms are closed from Labor day to Memorial day because of the winter, I would guess.  I'm finding that more of them are opening earlier.  I almost peed my pants.  I guess I hydrated well.    Yes those are shoes in the picture.  Someone lost their slides.

It was a shoe-a-palooza for the first 4 miles.  The poor lone shoe at the start.  Then in the same parking lot 2 pairs.  Abandoned.  Shoe abuse I tell you.  

The miracle bathroom was here.  In Bear country.  Awesome.  I then proceeded to run down the road that was gated off to cars and I was alone.  Thank goodness it was only about a mile and then I turned around.  Great running area....scary to be so remote.  I didn't even think about bears until I saw the sign!

At the very top of the hill is some great views!!!  I fueled a little here and used the bathroom there.  I do love this view.  I always get a kick out of the historical marker that says "The Road to Zion".  I have no idea why it amuses me but I don't question a giggle.

From a little over mile 7 to mile 13 it was a nice downhill.  It wasn't so steep that I felt out of control but just felt NICE.  I ran according to effort and tried to keep it easy so I'd have enough energy to finish the run.  

Sitting on my car snacking.  I drank an electrolyte drink and ate part of a Picky Bar and one of those blended fruit baby foods.  (perfect fuel!)  I also refilled my water bottles and took off!

At miles 14.5 my friend Missy pulled over and I got a hug and a little run with her!!!  It meant so much to me.  She had been texted me good vibes and it really helped!  Thanks Missy!  Your teaching me to be a good runner friend!

Didn't get a pic.  Bummer.

Bathroom again at mile 15

Rotary Park.  Just east of the zoo.  I love this park.  Clean bathroom and a little hand wash station.  

Oops.  Heehee.

I didn't read the sign.

From mile 15 to 20 I zigzagged my way downhill to Liberty Park.  I planned a stop at my favorite gas station that I use for long runs.  I don't always stop but I like to run past places I can get water or use the bathroom.  I stopped a few times to take pictures of houses.  I'm looking for paint ideas that goes with red brick.  

The last 5 miles were pretty good but I was tired.  At mile 17 I was starving.  I'm not sure how I'm going to fix that during the marathon.  It wasn't like I felt that I needed energy I was just HUNGRY.  I could have stopped and had a full meal.  By mile 18 I was pretty much on the down hill homestretch.  Mile 19 my knee started to twinge and my feet were sore.  I was so happy to be done that I didn't take any more pics.  

My son picked me up at the park and took me back to my car.  

Cool, I wasted almost a full 45 minutes with picture stops, food and bathrooms.

Overall I was thrilled with the run!  I wasn't watching my pace too much but running by effort. I was also running on tired legs.  I had done speed work with heavy weights on Saturday.   When I saw that it was just over 11 min/miles and I still felt ok it FINALLY gave me hope that I can finish a Marathon without walking half of it or dying.  

I refuse to back out of this Marathon.  I'm still nervous about it and that's OK.  I remember my first race - a 10K - I was almost in tears I was so nervous.  A couple of things I need to work through.  

Fuel.  I took some Clif GU because that is what they are offering on the course.  I didn't even use it.  I was too nervous that I would get sick.  Yeah, brilliant I know.  I know I can't carry the usual fuel so I've got to figure that out.  

Bathroom.  I usually don't need to use the potty during a race.  I'm assuming I'll need to use it at least once but hoping that not more then that.  

Outfit.  Well duh.  

Any and all recommendations and advice is wanted.   

A picture recap. Del Sol Relay.

That picture I posted of those toes are really gross.  Every time I see it I want to pop all the blisters.  And it makes me a little nauseated.  SO it has forced me to write another post.  

Spending some time at the SL Hangar for work so until we get a fixed wing call I'll do a little rambling.  

LAME PICTURE RECAP

I didn't take very many

Stayed at Heathers house.  It's huge!  I got some serious steps going from my room to the kitchen.  She also has 3 dogs. 

And they are awesome!

The Van/Night before

We removed one seat out of the FishBowl and it was perfect!  

Love these guys!

Showing them how to do a selfie with a nice camera

John and Jeffrey hanging out while John hooks the van up

HOOKED!

TEAM 55

The Young and the Rest of Us

 Race Start

Beautiful morning

Ragnar

Jeffrey may or may not have been in the crapper when the rest of the 7am's left.  Better late then never!!

My arms look cool in this selfie.  I was using my new camera I bought for Bali

Happy to be running!!  teehee

John and I

After sending John off for the last leg.

We are all done!  Well, except for John.

Another selfie.  Just to bug the boys and show off the awesome headband that Heather let me borrow.  It was a lifesaver

Dang it's night.  

Now its day!!  I think this is before Ken's run or after.  I don't know.  I think he's hopped up on the GU.

The Fishtanks

"We are in the white van over here"

Never gets old.

John and I

Waiting for someone

Steps I took that day......BAM

 The MEDAL!!

As soon as we share all our pics I'll post some team pics.  It was a great time and I've already started planning for my marathon.  I have a lot of ideas and plans to increase my miles and speed. (Thanks Heather!)  I think the last two years of stress have really taken a hit on my body.  I'm feeling so much better I think it's time to start fueling my body better and improving my training.  

AKA.....I'm going to do my best!!

Marathon 5/16/2015

Any training help would be most appreciated!!

Blog on.........