8K--Charlottesville 8K Race

We had a race today!  Chris and I got up early (4:15 am) and suited up, made coffee, and grabbed a small breakfast, then headed out.  It was still somewhat dark when we got to downtown Charlottesville, but found a parking garage close to the race.  The garage was across the road from a farmer's market that was setting up for the day. We gathered our things and then followed other people to race starting point and pass the finish line.  When we passed it to pick up our packets, it really looked like a small finish line--more like an alley.  But when we ran through it, it seemed much larger than that!

Once we got to the packet pick up, it was funny to see a 3 or 4 foot high pile of snow left on both sides of the entrance.  We got our numbers and checked our shirts at baggage check...I have got to remember to bring one of the bags that we get free with us...it would make baggage check much easier!  I had my Princess one in the car, but didn't bring it with us.  The marathon and half marathon people walked out for their start, and the arena was pretty empty.  Then they did a call for the 10K racers.  We followed the group to the starting area...which was uphill!!  Wow.  There weren't a ton of people--I found out later there were 195 people, but it didn't seem like that many.  

We started and joked a bit about the hill, then turned the corner.  The race took us through part of UVA (University of Virginia) and downtown Charlottesville.  It was a much hillier race than I had imagined, but luckily, I run a few hills here at home.  I really tried to push myself a bit, and walked a few times.  There was one water/gatorade station in the race, so I grabbed water at this one.  The most interesting place to see was an old Coca-Cola bottling plant--a brick building with the name on the top and 1939.  It was sad to see it was abandoned.  I talked for a short bit with a lady pushing a stroller, uphill...past me!  This was the first race she was pushing one--it was for a friend.  I was impressed.  

I finished the race in 55:31--averaging 11:11 per mile!  I was shocked that I kept my pace up.  We walked around the mini-expo after the race and visited some vendors.  Imagine my surprise to find out that we were walking around on top of an ice rink.  I knew it was a rink, but I had assumed it was a roller rink, not ice rink.  I figured this out when I removed my VFF to do some stretches and found out the floor was freezing!

We didn't stay for the awards, since it wouldn't take place until 11 am, and our race started at 7:00.  Plus we really had no reason to do so.  Imagine my surprise when we got home and my husband checked our times to find out I had placed!  Not overall, but in my age group--I had placed 4th out of 11 of women 44-49, and the top 5 in each group were announced and awarded something.  I emailed the contact and she has since let me know she will mail my award.  (I did offer to go pick it up)  Wow.  My first time EVER placing in running.  What a cool memory. 

Bad to the Bone did a great job on this race.  Ending in Downtown Charlottesville was very cool, the runners were energized and excited, and the overall experience was great.

5.33 miles--still cold!

Ok, it is April 4, and I am still wearing gloves, a hat, and jacket when I run!  I thought I wouldn't need them in April anymore!  I know that when it is 90+ degrees in the summer, I will long for these days, but right now it is tiresome running and having cold toes, cold fingers, labored breathing, and chapped lips.  Plus, figuring out how many layers to put on without being frozen or getting too hot is frustrating.  

I was able to run 5.33 miles, which was great since 5 was my goal.  I have an 8K (5ish mile) race on Saturday in Charlottesville planned, and I wanted to make sure I could do 5 miles before then.  It was supposed to rain tonight, so it was lucky that it didn't rain while I was out running.   I kept a 12:12 mile pace which was surprising since I felt a bit sluggish while running.  I couldn't seem to get in a good rhythm and get my legs to work as they should.  But somehow I made it 5.33 miles--pure determination and perseverance.  Sometimes that is what makes a run possible.  

4.1 miles--started with a headache...

I got home from work today with a slight headache, so motivating myself to run took a lot. I took some Advil and then suited up and took my inhaler and headed out.  I think one reason that I might be getting these afternoon headaches is lack of sleep.  Chris and I have figured out that I probably need at least 7 hours if not 8 or 9 hours of sleep every night.  So if I am getting 6 hours for several nights, then I start to really show the effects.  I need to make an effort to get a good night's sleep every night.  Of course, that is not always easy to do, I tend to work on the computer, clean dishes, do laundry, read, watch TV or many other things instead of getting to bed.  Even though I need it.  I guess I am a bit stubborn.  

It is hard to decide what to wear right now because it is still cool--in the 40s to 50s--but not super cold.  And of course you warm up while running, so mainly the first mile is the coldest. Luckily, while I was running, my headache seemed to fade away.  I have been fortunate in that respect lately.  I thought running would jog and jumble my head and make the headache worse, but it doesn't normally do that.  I was able to run 4.1 miles, about a mile more than I had planned, which was nice.  My pace was a bit slower, but I was just trying to make sure I ran, and not really worrying about speed or improving.  My goal was just to get out there and run.

4.62 miles ~~ COLD breeze but sunny

Okay, it is March 29, almost April, and I was COLD on today's run.  Of course, Chris says I am always cold, but that is beside the point.  It was sunny, but the breeze was very chilly.  

It is spring break, so after working on projects around the house, I hit the road. I should have worn a jacket, but I didn't.  Luckily I warmed up a bit as I got running.   I wanted to go 5 miles, but the wind makes it a bit harder.  I logged 4.62 miles and kept an 11:32 pace.  That is faster than the last two runs--I think I was trying to get home to warm up!  

I actually ran my second mile in 10:59, just under 11 minutes!  If I could do more of those, it would be great.  Of course, I am still running on the roads around home and the hills are the killers.  I keep telling myself that the hills are strengthening my muscles and making me stronger.  I sure hope it is true!  (It is)

3.75 miles after work

I am back to shorter runs after I work.  Even though I work pretty close to home (half an hour) I just can't seem to get longer runs in after work.  I think part of it is just being tired from working all day.  I really do enjoy getting out and doing something different from my work.  Running helps clear my mind, solve issues, and destress.  It is the motivating myself to come home, deal with the animals, check mail, then suit up and get outside that is hard.  Once I am out there, it is easy and I enjoy it.  It is getting out there that is hard.

I ran 3.75 miles today and kept an 11:47 pace, very similar to last run's pace.  If I can just keep this pace up for a longer time, or speed up some on the shorter runs, I would feel like I was making progress.  Of course, when I look at what I was doing a year ago, I have definitely made progress.  I downloaded a spreadsheet created by David Hays that I adapted to my use.  He has an incredible amount of information that you can track, but I started small and just created a spreadsheet that tracks my races.


Here is the link to his spreadsheet: David Hays spreadsheet

  

5.53 miles ~~ weekend run

I like running on the weekends, because I can usually fit a longer run in than I can during the week.  That is, if I don't plan too many activities or jobs to do.

It was a beautiful day today with the sun shining.  I've missed the sun and the warmth.  Sometimes it seems like spring will never really get here...but I guess spring is the ups and downs in weather.  I ran 5.53 miles near home and tried to push myself a little more than usual.  I kept an 11:46 per mile pace, so it was better than the last time I ran.  I've been wearing my Vibrams most days I run and having very little pains or aches.  I've also been trying to stretch a lot after I run, and that seems to really help.  My breathing has been great, if I take my inhaler before hand as I should.  

I haven't been in a race since the Disney Half Marathon, and I am starting to miss that.  I do like the excitement and energy that races and events have.  Luckily, we have one planned in a week or so.  I just hope the weather is nice!  

3.1 miles

Well, I have been a little lax in blogging lately.  No real excuse, except life jumped in! I had spring break, but as usual, I planned more things to do than I actually had time to do.  But I did get a lot done.  So the next couple of posts are posted late, but I've put the correct date for my runs.

I ran 3.1 miles today in 38 minutes.  Not my best time, but I never seem to do as well with my runs around home as I do when I am in an actual race.  I guess the excitement gets my adrenaline going and I just do better in races.  I averaged 12:27 per mile.  I have been tired lately, but that is probably because I just finished Book Fair last week.  That is an exhausting week and takes a lot out of me.  I am almost back to my regular schedule, so I can get back to my regular running.  Snow days seem to be interfering too.  It is hard to be motivated to run when it is 30 or 40 degrees outside and wet and slushy.  

Even though I was slow, I ran!

5.46 and sunny!

Work this week has been very hectic and busy.  I had Book Fair this week, so my days were much busier and longer than normal.  I came home  every day exhausted, so thinking about running was not a real option. 

 It was supposed to rain and thunderstorm all day today, so it was very iffy whether or not I would be able to run. It rained pretty hard in the morning, but then the sun peeked out.  I was able to dress quickly and get out there and run.

I ran a total of 5.46 miles with a little slower pace than my last run, keeping it at 11:58.  I wore a rain jacket in case it started to rain, but ended up having to take it off and tie it around my waist.  I haven't had a day at home that was that warm, so this was weird!  I did push myself and ran as hard an fast as I could the last 3-5 tenths of the run at a 9:45 pace. But I don't think I could keep that up for a whole mile!

I was so glad I could get out and run.  Waiting a whole week to run was hard--I didn't like not running all week, but that is how it is sometimes.  So long as I get out there and can pick it back up, it's good.

5.21 miles--great pace

This has been an interesting week.  I've been busy at school with Read Across America and activities for the students, then we had a heavy snow on Tuesday night, closing school for two days.  We also lost power for three days, making running almost unthinkable.  I couldn't imagine running and then not being able to take a shower!  While we have a generator that powers our well water pump, it does not power the hot water heater, so cold showers would be excrutiatingly painful.  

Luckily, we were able to get power restored on Friday night, so I could run today. I ran 5.21 miles and kept an 11:36 pace.  It was still a bit cold but it felt good to get out and move.  The house had been pretty cold without power (we have a wood stove, but it doesn't heat the whole house).  Knowing that I could come home and take a long warm shower after running was satisfying and motivating.

At this point in my current running career, I have logged 450.3 miles on the road.  Amazing.

5.55 miles

I was able to get out and run today for a 5.55 mile run.  It has been a week since my "big" event, so this seems like a short run compared to 13.1 miles!  I tried to push myself a little more and was able to run at an 11:37 mile pace.  I wore my Vibram Five Fingers (and just learned that you say it Ve brums, not Vi brums...) and toe socks and felt great.  

My breathing has been doing great so long as I use my inhaler before I run.  I have been so lucky and not gotten so sick that I've been down for days.  I had the one week bout that kept me from running for a few days, but it didn't get so bad that I had to call into work or anything like that.  So running has done one of the things I wanted it to do, it has made me healthier.