I have trained on my 2 mile course and 5k course with good results with both. This was after giving my body about a week of rest and having a massage too.
I have the Boulder Dash 5k this Saturday, I am planning on the Warrior Dash on the 23rd of May, the Peachtree Roadrace on the 4th of July, 13.1 Marathon (my birthday present to my self) on the 3rd of October, and Thanksgiving 2010 I will run my first Full Marathon. This will complete my year journey to a marathon.
Of course there will be more races, with many different distances on road and trial, that will be conquered. New goals set and met. Plus, new personal records being made.
Excited about it all!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Impossible Can Made into Possible by Removing 2 letters...
At age 4 I was told I would never be able to graduate from high school in a "normal class." I did with honors. I graduated from college in 4 years with honors. Now, I am going to start graduate school in August of this year.
I grew up with people telling me that I couldn't do it. Guess what? I did and I am on a journey to prove that the impossible can be possible. I am not the only person who does such. Watch or read anything about the crowd who accomplish or even attempt the Ironman, in Hawaii, and you will become a believer that if you want it...you can have it.
This past Saturday, April 17th I ran my first half marathon. Two of my cousins decided to run it too. One of them this was his 2nd go at the course. I knew it was going to be tough and I believe on a road race I could do the distance in about 2 hours, but this course I gave myself anywhere before 3 hours or a little after.
The whole week before this run I felt sick turns out it was mainly nerves. Lots of sleep needed and suppressed apatite, which does not help on race day. I also, missed the last day for registration on the net that is something I never do. I had every excuse not to do it, but I felt ready so I decided to "just do it."
This was my 4th weekend back to back of races: March 27th 5k at 30:05, April 3rd first 4.5 mile run and trail run (toughest in the Dirty Spokes series) 56:58, April 10th first 10k 1:06:00, and yesterday first half marathon and 2nd trail race 2:58:31.
The first 2 miles I paced with one of my cousins, which was his first time on trail, but he raced the ING half a month earlier that year and he ended up pulling out in front. When I reached mile 3 I felt strong and that felt great. Miles 3 to 4 was flat and sandy. A man in a bright yellow shirt ended up pacing with me and we chatted a bit. He told me that when he went on a mission trip to Africa the locals walked 6 miles to the nearest well and back. He told me if they could do that daily he can run half at least once. They are raising money to build a well that will be closer.
At about mile 6 we crossed another bag pipe player (first was around mile 2.5) and I realized I felt strong compared to what I expected, which lead to me crying and I picked up my pace. Around this point a woman in blue became my pusher. We would lose each other and catch back up and said "come on, we are good" to each other.
Around mile 8 I started to hit my wall and hard. Plus, little to my understanding was the hardest part of the course too. I lost the woman in the blue shirt. The meadows were hard, all in the sun and no shade with rolling hills and hotter than I am use to training in. I definitely felt the pain from my hips down and the fatigue setting in.
Around mile 9 a fellow passed me and handed me a goo, he said it had 2 shots of caffine in it and I be fine. That worried me since caffine is what caused my heart to act up about a year ago. I decided to use it, because I was at my wits in plus the granite was taking its toll on my lower body.
Around mile 10 to 11 I got the energy again, but my the pain was horrid, my heart started to race, and I felt faint. Around this point I was at lower elevation, near a swamp, and shaded I took this time to walk to get my self together again.
I was lucky I pulled myself together at this point, because the steepest and long incline lurked after that breather. The 2nd drumer and 1st saxaphone player played Jason Marez as I finished that incline.
I ran a little bit towards the last water station at 12.1 miles at this point I factored 3 hours was attainable or a little after. Reaching the station it was 10 minutes till 10. We started 4 minutes after 8 and that I forgot.
I walked unitl the last incline and started running and met up with 2 men with white shirts. I told them come on lets finish strong together. A second later I saw the timer it was 2:57: something and I took off. I sprinted with every ounce of energy left in me. Forget the pain I will finish before 3 hours.
Its easy to flip the pencil over and erase 2 letters. Its possible!
I grew up with people telling me that I couldn't do it. Guess what? I did and I am on a journey to prove that the impossible can be possible. I am not the only person who does such. Watch or read anything about the crowd who accomplish or even attempt the Ironman, in Hawaii, and you will become a believer that if you want it...you can have it.
This past Saturday, April 17th I ran my first half marathon. Two of my cousins decided to run it too. One of them this was his 2nd go at the course. I knew it was going to be tough and I believe on a road race I could do the distance in about 2 hours, but this course I gave myself anywhere before 3 hours or a little after.
The whole week before this run I felt sick turns out it was mainly nerves. Lots of sleep needed and suppressed apatite, which does not help on race day. I also, missed the last day for registration on the net that is something I never do. I had every excuse not to do it, but I felt ready so I decided to "just do it."
This was my 4th weekend back to back of races: March 27th 5k at 30:05, April 3rd first 4.5 mile run and trail run (toughest in the Dirty Spokes series) 56:58, April 10th first 10k 1:06:00, and yesterday first half marathon and 2nd trail race 2:58:31.
The first 2 miles I paced with one of my cousins, which was his first time on trail, but he raced the ING half a month earlier that year and he ended up pulling out in front. When I reached mile 3 I felt strong and that felt great. Miles 3 to 4 was flat and sandy. A man in a bright yellow shirt ended up pacing with me and we chatted a bit. He told me that when he went on a mission trip to Africa the locals walked 6 miles to the nearest well and back. He told me if they could do that daily he can run half at least once. They are raising money to build a well that will be closer.
At about mile 6 we crossed another bag pipe player (first was around mile 2.5) and I realized I felt strong compared to what I expected, which lead to me crying and I picked up my pace. Around this point a woman in blue became my pusher. We would lose each other and catch back up and said "come on, we are good" to each other.
Around mile 8 I started to hit my wall and hard. Plus, little to my understanding was the hardest part of the course too. I lost the woman in the blue shirt. The meadows were hard, all in the sun and no shade with rolling hills and hotter than I am use to training in. I definitely felt the pain from my hips down and the fatigue setting in.
Around mile 9 a fellow passed me and handed me a goo, he said it had 2 shots of caffine in it and I be fine. That worried me since caffine is what caused my heart to act up about a year ago. I decided to use it, because I was at my wits in plus the granite was taking its toll on my lower body.
Around mile 10 to 11 I got the energy again, but my the pain was horrid, my heart started to race, and I felt faint. Around this point I was at lower elevation, near a swamp, and shaded I took this time to walk to get my self together again.
I was lucky I pulled myself together at this point, because the steepest and long incline lurked after that breather. The 2nd drumer and 1st saxaphone player played Jason Marez as I finished that incline.
I ran a little bit towards the last water station at 12.1 miles at this point I factored 3 hours was attainable or a little after. Reaching the station it was 10 minutes till 10. We started 4 minutes after 8 and that I forgot.
I walked unitl the last incline and started running and met up with 2 men with white shirts. I told them come on lets finish strong together. A second later I saw the timer it was 2:57: something and I took off. I sprinted with every ounce of energy left in me. Forget the pain I will finish before 3 hours.
Its easy to flip the pencil over and erase 2 letters. Its possible!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Its Personal
Moving my month of madness of running was a great idea, because I have ran a race each week from the 27th of March to yesterday. My lowest placement has been 5th and the last 2 races I placed 3rd in my age group. My last race of my month of madness of running is next Saturday, which will be a half marathon trail race.
This past race was my first 10k race. Some reason that was a big milestone marker for me. I was more nervous about that distance than the half marathon. To make matters even more interesting I decided to give myself more room to sleep since the race was only about 40 minutes away. Once I got in the car the GPS didn't really recognize the address. My mom and me were already running late so I couldn't go back and get the full address. I picked one that seemed similar and hoped for the best.
As we came close we ran into construction, which slowed us down big time. According to the GPS if we did find it I would only have about 15 minutes to spare before the race and I had to use the bathroom before it. I told my mom at this point if we do not find it by 7:50 I am calling quits because I am not going to pee on myself during the race. As I finished we found the church.
With 10 minutes to spare I found the restroom as my mom grabbed my bid. I went back to my car to put my running shoes on and found my doors shut and locked. I paniced for a second, because I thought my mom locked my keys in the car. She didn't. I suited up and got ready to run.
During the 1st 3 miles I passed a dead squirrel on the road inside the cones on our course. Also, the 1st 3 miles was flat and down hill which I found hard since I am use to training on hills. During this 3 miles the top finishers separated them selves in front of me and the slower runners were a good bit behind me. Most of the race I spent by myself. The only other person in the race was this older gentleman who ran/ walked the course.
The last 3 miles were full of all different lengths and intensities of inclines, which I liked and also I ended up picking up my pace.
Ironic moment of the race: approaching on mile 4 the timer person was smoking a ciggerate. I found that very rude and opposite from what we were doing.
By the time I hit mile 4 also I knew I could run the whole race, which at the pace I was going could do right around an hour. Hitting mile 5 I almost thought about walking, but I talked myself out of it. With the sun shining in my eyes and my desire to keep pushing on I looked at my clock and told myself only about 10 more minutes to go. My hips and lower back has been sore feeling for the majority of the race, but nothing to horrid. Seeing the 6 mile marker felt amazing. I picked up my pace for the 200 meters and sprinted my heart out on the last 100 meters. My time was an hour and six minutes.
I placed 3rd in my age group and 29th overall for the women!
On the way home my mom was debating if she could or wanted to go to my race next Saturday. Its far away and I will also have a family member racing too. I ended up stating it doesn't matter who is there, because its about me. Its a personal sport. Its your time, its your goal, you depend on your training, and that is all it is. It is yours and yours only.
This past race was my first 10k race. Some reason that was a big milestone marker for me. I was more nervous about that distance than the half marathon. To make matters even more interesting I decided to give myself more room to sleep since the race was only about 40 minutes away. Once I got in the car the GPS didn't really recognize the address. My mom and me were already running late so I couldn't go back and get the full address. I picked one that seemed similar and hoped for the best.
As we came close we ran into construction, which slowed us down big time. According to the GPS if we did find it I would only have about 15 minutes to spare before the race and I had to use the bathroom before it. I told my mom at this point if we do not find it by 7:50 I am calling quits because I am not going to pee on myself during the race. As I finished we found the church.
With 10 minutes to spare I found the restroom as my mom grabbed my bid. I went back to my car to put my running shoes on and found my doors shut and locked. I paniced for a second, because I thought my mom locked my keys in the car. She didn't. I suited up and got ready to run.
During the 1st 3 miles I passed a dead squirrel on the road inside the cones on our course. Also, the 1st 3 miles was flat and down hill which I found hard since I am use to training on hills. During this 3 miles the top finishers separated them selves in front of me and the slower runners were a good bit behind me. Most of the race I spent by myself. The only other person in the race was this older gentleman who ran/ walked the course.
The last 3 miles were full of all different lengths and intensities of inclines, which I liked and also I ended up picking up my pace.
Ironic moment of the race: approaching on mile 4 the timer person was smoking a ciggerate. I found that very rude and opposite from what we were doing.
By the time I hit mile 4 also I knew I could run the whole race, which at the pace I was going could do right around an hour. Hitting mile 5 I almost thought about walking, but I talked myself out of it. With the sun shining in my eyes and my desire to keep pushing on I looked at my clock and told myself only about 10 more minutes to go. My hips and lower back has been sore feeling for the majority of the race, but nothing to horrid. Seeing the 6 mile marker felt amazing. I picked up my pace for the 200 meters and sprinted my heart out on the last 100 meters. My time was an hour and six minutes.
I placed 3rd in my age group and 29th overall for the women!
On the way home my mom was debating if she could or wanted to go to my race next Saturday. Its far away and I will also have a family member racing too. I ended up stating it doesn't matter who is there, because its about me. Its a personal sport. Its your time, its your goal, you depend on your training, and that is all it is. It is yours and yours only.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
I Am a Mountain Goat
This morning I awoke at 5:15 am to prepare to drive about an hour for a race, my first 4.5 mile run and first trail race. My parents drove me, but I had to use the restroom on the way there and 3 times once we arrived. My stomach was TORNED UP. I can not tell if it was caused by nerves or not, but 2 nights before I woke up my mom and sister yelling "turn right! Turn right!"
I signed up a week before, the day of my 5k in the ATL, on March 27th. Actually I just found the results from the race: I placed 34th out of 213 females (it was co-ed, but the results are written disorginzed/ segarated) and I estimated about 20 in my age group, which I placed 5th in.
Back to this morning, I ran into my pacing partner from my 2nd 5k, who I started the race with and she beat me by a minute. She is a rock star! The 1st mile or so was on the gravel trail than we started up through the woods. They called for 3 steep hills, but well they LIED. Just kidding just it was a tough course.
The trail had a hill called the wall, which I thought we hit before we even really hit it. Everyone had to walk it, because it was so steep. The river crossing was through a 18 inch place and the other 2 were leap worthy. So, were the logs and roots sometimes.
At reaching 2.7 miles I decided I just wanted to be done. Plus, I should mention that I did not use my Ipod this race. Right before hitting the water station at 2.7 miles it was flat and easy. My mind got bored. Lucky for me the course became a challenge again and the Ipod was not missed anymore.
At this point I realized my time should be at an hour or a little after. I was short of breath and worn about half way through the course. By the time I reached the 3rd mile I decided I was going to finish with runnng the rest of the 1.5 miles.
While accomplishing this I heard someone creeping up on me. I decided to let him pass, because I found a comfortble pace (even though I had a horrid stitch in my side). He told me to go on and he was just trying to stay up with me. That pushed me harder and stronger longer than I expected.
As we were closing in on the last 500 to 400 meters I started walking and this woman behind me yelled "keep going! We are almost done! Your my pacing makers! Don't give up on me now!" I loved that feeling that I was being used to set a pace for 2 people so I started up again and pushed a little faster as I inched down the last bit of trail. As I hit the gravel I sprinted as hard as I could. I saw the timer clocking me in about 57 minutes. I was stocked and extremely proud of myself.
The annoncements of the results were occuring and I told my mom it be funny if I placed 3rd. I did and my offical time was actually 56:59 recorded by the time chip I wore. I was about 3 minutes faster than I figured.
I signed up a week before, the day of my 5k in the ATL, on March 27th. Actually I just found the results from the race: I placed 34th out of 213 females (it was co-ed, but the results are written disorginzed/ segarated) and I estimated about 20 in my age group, which I placed 5th in.
Back to this morning, I ran into my pacing partner from my 2nd 5k, who I started the race with and she beat me by a minute. She is a rock star! The 1st mile or so was on the gravel trail than we started up through the woods. They called for 3 steep hills, but well they LIED. Just kidding just it was a tough course.
The trail had a hill called the wall, which I thought we hit before we even really hit it. Everyone had to walk it, because it was so steep. The river crossing was through a 18 inch place and the other 2 were leap worthy. So, were the logs and roots sometimes.
At reaching 2.7 miles I decided I just wanted to be done. Plus, I should mention that I did not use my Ipod this race. Right before hitting the water station at 2.7 miles it was flat and easy. My mind got bored. Lucky for me the course became a challenge again and the Ipod was not missed anymore.
At this point I realized my time should be at an hour or a little after. I was short of breath and worn about half way through the course. By the time I reached the 3rd mile I decided I was going to finish with runnng the rest of the 1.5 miles.
While accomplishing this I heard someone creeping up on me. I decided to let him pass, because I found a comfortble pace (even though I had a horrid stitch in my side). He told me to go on and he was just trying to stay up with me. That pushed me harder and stronger longer than I expected.
As we were closing in on the last 500 to 400 meters I started walking and this woman behind me yelled "keep going! We are almost done! Your my pacing makers! Don't give up on me now!" I loved that feeling that I was being used to set a pace for 2 people so I started up again and pushed a little faster as I inched down the last bit of trail. As I hit the gravel I sprinted as hard as I could. I saw the timer clocking me in about 57 minutes. I was stocked and extremely proud of myself.
The annoncements of the results were occuring and I told my mom it be funny if I placed 3rd. I did and my offical time was actually 56:59 recorded by the time chip I wore. I was about 3 minutes faster than I figured.
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