Where I've Been and Where I'm Going

At the beginning of June, my husband and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.

The following week, we headed to the Outer Banks for the annual family vacation with his side of the family. We were married in Avon so dual purpose vacation!  I skipped vacation last year for a race.  That didn't go over so well  so there was no skipping this year and this vacation was very, very much needed.  

You know how the whole running thing hasn't been stellar this year?  Well, there has been a lot of job related stress that is partially to blame for that which isn't really discussed on the blog.  Shocking, running is only a sliver of real life, right?  On top of the increased pressures of work, we delayed another planned spring vacation due to something potentially job related.  I was three interviews deep for a job at my absolute dream organization.  I wanted the job...bad.  Then, I was rejected and we put vacation on hold for no reason.  So, yeah, the funk has been for a lot of reasons.

Anyway, while I'm normally the vacationer that likes activity based vacations planned to the minute to pack in as much as humanly possible, I was more than content to just get away, do absolutely nothing, worry about nothing and just waste the days away with no schedule, no responsibilities and no one needing me for anything.  I didn't have to solve any issues, answer any questions, sit in on any conference calls and the days were not packed to the max with work and non-work commitments.  It was wonderful!

Shortly before we left, my husband said we should bring one of the dogs with us.  So, we illegally smuggled this one for the week.  This would be him on the beach barking at a kite.  Who knew children flying kites were so threatening.

I think the old man needed a vacation too because he acted like a puppy on this trip and seemed to enjoy the time away and all the attention just for him.  Digging in the sand and chasing crabs were the highlights of his week.  I also didn't care one bit that he looked like this often since it wasn't my house he was running into with all this sand.

A couple days before we left, I noticed Lisa at Because I Can... mentioned vacationing at the Outer Banks the same week.  What are the chances of all the miles that make up the 'Outer Banks' between Corolla and Ocracoke that we might be near each other?  Well, I'm glad I sent the e-mail because we were staying at houses 2 miles apart from each other.  Running in North Carolina in the heat and humidity on all flat land is always rough for me but on Thursday, we met up and covered a few miles!  The time went by much more quickly than all the other days I suffered through major sweat fests! 

Back home and refreshed, I'm looking forward to a few things.  First, it's been exactly one year since my favorite race ever, Highlands Sky 40 mile (also the race that I skipped last year's vacation for).  I've been thinking about that race quite a bit recently.  First, I'm a little disappointed in the amount of fitness I've lost since then but more so because that race was a big, ultimate goal a couple of year's in the making.  I haven't really had another huge goal that seems completely unattainable that I've wanted to work towards since then.

That is, until now.  I think I found it.  But, like Highlands Sky, it will remain with just me for awhile.  It likely won't happen this year and maybe not even next but I think I found the next big race that I want to work towards and I can't stop thinking about it.

For now though, it's time to focus on the short term.  Because, Baltimore Marathon training is officially kicking off...guess I should actually write down some sort of 'plan'!  :)

Volunteering at the Sole Challenge 24 Hour Race

The long holiday weekend started with dinner out with a few friends before attending the Scott Jurek event at Wilson College.  Our local running store owner and race director for the Sole Challenge 24 Hour Race, brought Scott Jurek to speak to the runners before the event.  It was an enjoyable evening of stories and information.  After Scott spoke, he signed copies of his book, Eat & Run, and mingled with the runners.  I haven't read his book yet but my new copy is in my pile of beach reads for a vacation that will be here before I know it.

Obligatory photo and more proof of how short I am

The events of the Sole Challenge started Saturday morning at 10 AM.  Prior to the start of the 6, 12 and 24 hour events, there was also a 5K.  I had every intention of getting over to the park at some point early in the  day, but it never happened between trying to get in all my normal weekend chores and errands.

By the time I realized it, it was late afternoon/evening and I wanted to attempt to get some sleep before my midnight - 6 AM volunteer shift.  I'm not sure the last time I saw the hour of midnight and I certainly haven't stayed awake all night in a long, long time.  I fell asleep for about an hour but it looked like that was going to the be the extent of trying to sleep before the volunteer shift.  It could be a long night and I couldn't imagine how the runners would feel.

The temperatures during the day were cold and the runners were faced with constant, brutal wind.  The park where the event takes place offers no shade and they had to battle the wind all day.  Knowing it was going to get cold overnight, I threw lots of layers in the car.  One friend, Nikki, said she was up for volunteering overnight so I picked her up and we headed over to the park at midnight.  She had already volunteered for during the day but it was great to know I was going to have more company for the overnight hours.  When we got there, the only runners left on the course were those going for 24 hours and they were 14 hours into the day.  Some were showing signs of fatigue, but others, including the front runner, looked great and was just chugging away at the 1.5 mile loops (he went on to complete over 122 miles).

Nikki and I manned the aid station and by now most everyone wanted warm stuff so lots of soup, coffee and hot chocolate were being dished out with the occasional request for warmed up pizza, grilled cheese or a hot dog.  There were also plenty of requests for Tums and Ginger Ale at this point.

As the night wore on, runners were becoming more and more fatigued.  A few people started to drop.  The lead female runner, an amazing, inspiring local runner, Laurie, was just plain tired.  At one point, I was having trouble understanding her when words were becoming slurred.  You could just see the exhaustion but she was determined to break through 100 miles.  She said she was going to slow down once she hit her goal.  We saw her hit 100 and she continued on finishing with over 113 miles.  Several people took breaks to catch a few minutes of sleep, either in cars, tents or like Ray (my JFK savior), who slept in the bathroom for awhile.

Volunteering at this stage was difficult because you really had no idea what to say to people.  When morning came, we encouraged people by saying it would soon be light out and that would help but in the dead middle of the night when people were cold, cranky, and exhausted, there was nothing to say other than just keep going.  It was also hard to play mind reader and know what people wanted.  You'd start rattling off the options we had and get a reply of 'Yes' to a multiple choice question.  I know from the races I've done that you go up to the stations and have no idea what you want or what your stomach may be able to handle so it's nice to have people going down the list of everything we had.  Usually, we'd find something for them.

Night wore on and I was tired and cold...and all I was doing was volunteering for a few hours.  The time went by quickly but the later it was, less people were on the course and the longer it was taking for them to go around the loops.  I should have pictures but when it's pitch black, except for the full moon which illuminated the course, this is the extent of what I could see:

The aid station!

After 5:00 AM, the first hints of light started to appear.  By the time it was light out, those who were sleeping were back on on the course to finish their day.  No additional volunteers arrived at 6 AM so I stayed until 7 but at that point was ready to go since my husband was expecting I'd be home.  Part of me really wanted to stay until 10 AM to see the finish and also help with tear down.  After getting home, I slept for an hour or two but was still just incredibly cold and couldn't fight the chill from the night.  I ate breakfast, took another short nap and woke up feeling inspired and headed out for a run.

While I've learned to never say never, I can honestly say I still have no desire to run a 24 hour race.  The mental toughness to just keep going around and around the same loop is not something I possess at this time.  The day left me inspired to get back out there and tackle long distances...but I'm going to still need some interesting scenery.  For 24 hour races, I'll stick to volunteering.

Congratulations to all those who ran any of these races, just amazing!  I personally knew four people out on the 24 hour course and all hit and surpassed their goals.  Amazing!

Paws on the Pavement 5K

The sub-title for this race recap should be: The 5K fun run I took way too seriously!

The Paws on the Pavement 5K is a run/walk to benefit the Humane Society of Washington County.  It's close in proximity and dog friendly which means - I'm there.  The information was a little lacking on the run and I've done enough races with dogs now to know what works and what is a little chaotic.  When I saw a blurb that said over 300 were pre-registered, I had thoughts that it could be chaos (the others I've done are more in the 100 range) so I e-mailed to ask a bunch of questions, specifically, was the course a loop, were there any awards for dogs or people and did runners with dogs have to start in the back.

They replied with a map of the course, said it was a loop, indicated awards were for top three M/F overall only and that the race was chip timed.  The next day, they sent out an e-mail to pre-registrants that people walking with their dogs were asked to start in the back.  There wasn't mention about people running with their dogs and by now, I looked at the map and had already concluded that I did not want to start in the back.  While the course was a loop, there was one park path section that you ran twice so you were going to have to pass people towards the back and people with dogs (the reason I asked the question in the first place).

At this point, I'm wondering if I'm completely crazy for thinking a lot of people love running with their dogs and actually love running races with them.  Are dog owners only interested in 'walks'?  First clue that perhaps I'm taking this 'race' way too seriously.

Hannah and I arrived at the park and ran a mile to warm up and settle her down.  Another clue that you are taking a 'fun run' too seriously, there are zero other people 'warming up' in any way.

We head to the start line and try to line up near the front but not close enough to the front to look like a complete a-hole.  We take off and the start was great!  We could get into our pace quickly and Hannah did not take off like a bat out of hell to get around other people and dogs.

We head into a turn onto a park path and a border collie with a guy passes us.  I assume our first place dog title is now out with the high energy border collie passing us.  But, from what I can see, I think I'm third female so I try to keep it up.  Another girl passes us, darn, top three might be gone.  But, then, border collie seems to be slowing down so we pass them, back as first dog.

Soon, we head into the 2nd lap where I start passing more of the walkers.  They announced at the start to have walkers stay to the right so runners can pass on the left.  We all know how well Americans listen.  Luckily, it wasn't bad, just required some weaving and Hannah was being an angel going past all the other dogs...I guess it's only if they pass her that she doesn't like it.  I found myself in a bit of a competitive mood though so I was warning people I was approaching that I was coming up on their left with a dog.  I probably sounded like an a-hole but it was really only those with dogs I wanted to warn.  I can just imagine their dog getting spooked and wanting to take off with us running past them.

Soon enough, we were off the lap portion of the race and less than half a mile to the finish.  I passed a younger girl who stopped quickly to walk.  This race is the 5K that the Washington County Girls on the Run groups run and this girl was part of that group.  I felt bad and if we were closer to the finish, I would not have done it.  This put me as 3rd female and first dog.  Luckily, I looked at the results and saw that another woman was between me and the girl so I didn't feel terrible about my competitiveness to try to keep up the pace.

Soon enough, we were finished.  Time was 24:46, still slower than I've been but getting a little better!

I waited around for awhile and eventually had to ask someone about the awards since I knew I was third and knew from my e-mails they were doing something for top three.  I found the right person and he said they couldn't find me?  A couple minutes after I finished, I went to the car to get my phone but otherwise had been in the finish line area the whole time so not sure how I missed it but I was able to collect a pretty sweet gift basket full of dog goodies from Hearty Pet.  They didn't have any awards for top dogs but several people told me we were the first dog and yes, this was really the whole reason I wanted to be competitive in this race.  I wanted Hannah, my shelter dog mutt, to claim the first place.  I'll admit it!

So, yes, at this race, I asked way too many questions, started where I was asked not to (though I can claim ignorance on this since we weren't walking) and took out a 10 year old to claim a gift basket of dog treats and say my dog was first.

What I Did in the Off Season

My whiny posts about running make it sound like I've done nothing related to physical activity over the past few months.  This isn't entirely true.  While I ate my fair share of chocolate cake, I tried some new experiences which I failed to mention here, specifically three months of small group personal training and trying out Cross Fit.  Yep, I stepped outside of the running box.

In the past, this has been my 'gym' and my 'personal trainers'.

They always told me the same thing over and over again and never corrected my form on any exercises.  It was easy to slack off if I wasn't really interested in working out or just leave for the day in the middle of a workout.  But, they were my comfort and they worked for me.  When I was in my losing weight phase before running, workout videos were my source of exercise.  I prefer working out solo and have absolutely no desire to go to a gym.  Since I'm a major homebody who already works from home, working out from home seems to work for me.

After last year, I was burnt out on running and the workout videos were becoming monotonous as well.  A friend asked me to join her small group for a 3 month/21 session personal training sessions.  I'm pretty sure she was surprised when I said sure, sign me up.

At the very end of January, we started our sessions at Believe & Achieve.  I was uncoordinated to say the least and the lack of form correction by my previous 'trainers' was evident in several of the exercises.  I also realized how little upper body strength I have.  Luckily, while a lot of the exercises were foreign to me, there was a good mix of all the stuff I'm used to - like burpees (although one-legged burpees were a new challenge), push-ups (so many push-ups), Russian twists. etc.

The day of the 1 to 10 and 10 to 1 (one push-up, one shoulder press, then two of each up to ten and back down) was memorable.  Or, the few days when we had one specific trainer who basically left us gasping for breath between circuits.  Did I mention that our 'small group' was three women who have all done up to 50 mile races and the freaking owner of the business?  I wasn't really in the 'beginner' classes!

It was perfect timing because shortly after we started, my gym closed for good.  This means, I broke my laptop while in Chicago and my laptop is what I use to play the workout DVDs in my home office (don't ask me why I didn't think I could use my desktop computer for the same purpose).

Our small group usually met twice a week but I never got into a good routine.  My creature of habit status is run T/W/Th/S/S and some other kind of workout M and F.  This has been the routine since 2010 and works for me.

With these sessions, I was thrown out of routine.  The days we went weren't set in stone and neither were the times.  It was incredibly hard to coordinate our somewhat very different schedules to set up our sessions.  I was still trying to run but I had no plan, no races scheduled and just kind of ran whenever I felt like it.  At some points, I discovered I'd be running 11 or 12 days in row, though all really short distances (2-4 miles at a time).  Then, I'd skip some days if we had a really hard workout during one of our evening sessions or just put everything off since I knew I had a class scheduled.

Were the sessions fun?  Yes, absolutely.  Did I get better and stronger?  Maybe.  Did I work new muscles in different ways.  Definitely.  Overall, did it work for me?  Questionable.  If I could have gotten into more of a groove with the schedule, I think it would help my overall fitness significantly.  I decided not to renew but could see myself doing it again in the future.

At one point, the center was closed for spring break so our group decided to try out the local CrossFit gym.  I expected I would hate this.  It seems way to 'trendy' for me.  The WOD (see, I know the lingo!) included a warm up and then a 12 minute AMRAP (more lingo!) set.  I was sore for two days after it.  This means, I enjoyed it...but I haven't gone back.  It goes back to the creature of habit thing, nothing bad about the type of workout or the business at all.

For now, I have a new laptop so I'm back with the repetitive trainers and my 5 day a week running plan.  This seems to be working and it's a lot less expensive...and also, for the first time in months, the scale is starting to move in the correct direction.  Guess I should know what works for me by now.

5Ks, 24 Hour Races and Scott Jurek

Longer days, warmer weather (until today), things seem to be going in the right direction over here.  I've been more willing to get out to run lately and a few humbling runs are helping with my motivation.

Two a day runs are starting to make a re-appearance in my life with a short morning run and a short lunchtime run with one of the dogs.  I hear there are 300+ people signed up for the race I plan on running with the dog this weekend.  Considering our last race had, oh, about 50 people, the start should be very interesting.  I've been making the effort to make Hannah be a little better behaved during our practice runs.  She knows how but I have to actually make an effort to get her to listen as well, imagine that.  

While getting back to a more normal routine is helping, I still feel a long way off from where I wish I would be but am hopeful that my motivation is going in the right direction.  The extra weight I packed on over the winter is more evident than ever with tight clothes and slow runs.  Getting beat by the golden retriever at the last 5K was a bit deflating.  Then, on Saturday, I ran a few miles with some friends.  I ended up running 8 miles and struggled to keep up with someone who is training for a 24 hour race.  She ran 42.5 miles that day.  Um, yeah, can't keep up with someone who is doing a very, very long training run?  Also a bit depressing!  

Speaking of the 24 hour run, the Sole Challenge 24 Hour Race (along with 6 hour and 12 hour options) is happening in Chambersburg in less than two weeks.  I plan on volunteering during the race.  The weekend kicks off the 24th with a Scott Jurek event.  He'll be in town speaking about his ultra events so come on over any semi-local folks!  

Running an endurance event like a 24 hour run is honestly something I have no desire to do.  Perhaps my mind will change while volunteering.  The loop is a 1.5 mile loop.  I ran the loop for a total of 8 miles on Saturday and was already ready for some different scenery!  

Finally, while I'm a little depressed that we suddenly had another cold spurt roll into the area, it may give me a chance to try out the new arm sleeves from Gypsy Runner that I won from Kim's contest a couple weeks ago.  I've never tried arm sleeves but am looking forward to trying them!  I fell in love with the paw prints, for obvious reasons.  I may have already placed an actual order for some more paw prints stuff (in the tie dye) as well.

Any desire to run a 24 hour race?

5K-9 Recap

On Friday evening, I ran the first 5K of the year with my furry sidekick, Hannah.  It's the second year for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter 5K-9 run and I ran it last year as well.  Hannah was adopted from this shelter two years ago before they moved into the new building.  The new shelter building is the location for the race and was just opened a few months ago.

After picking up our number, I spent the time waiting for the start to attempt to calm Hannah down before the 6:30 PM start.  All the people and dogs of course makes her a little crazier than usual because it just seems so exciting to her!  Our pre-race jogging around the area seemed to do the trick...until my husband shows up which just sent her back into her crazy behavior.

We took off and as usual for a race with the dog, it was a bit of a chaotic fury to start and most of the people around me are just commenting about how she was pulling me all over the place.  I'm sure it looks like I have absolutely no control over her.  As good as she is to run with, I'm not sure the start of any race with her will be easy since all she wants to do is get to the front until people spread out.  We start passing people to hopefully figure out what pace we need to be.  Except, of course, there is a golden retriever just steps in front of us which Hannah is convinced she needs to be either playing with or in front of.  My sizing up of the lady running with the golden retriever concluded that we should be able to beat them so I decide to go barreling past them.

Shortly thereafter, we are going up a pretty good hill.  When I ran this race last year, this hill was killer for me.  I was also only 5 days out from a marathon.  This year, certainly no marathon the weekend before but I'm also still attempting to get back into shape after my extended lazy season.  The lady with the golden retriever passes me on the hill.  Ego deflated.  I tried to let it go and just continue on my way once we reached the top of the hill.  This was just a race to enjoy anyway.  I had no watch, no expectations.  Heck, I wasn't even supposed to be running it.  We were planning to be out of town but something last minute came up which forced us to cancel our plans so I decided to sign up since it's one of the few locally where I can bring the dog.

Around the two mile mark, a loose dog from a nearby house looked like he was going to make things interesting but luckily he decided to stay close to his yard.  Down a hill we went and either the golden retriever lady was starting to slow down or I was starting to speed up around 2.5 miles because our gap seemed to be decreasing slightly.  The course has you run in front of the building where the finish line is then down another side street and back up into the parking lot to finish.

We ran past the building and once on the side street, I was trying to pick up the pace because I thought maybe, just maybe I could pass the golden retriever again.  I just didn't have it in me (pretty sure Hannah did even though she was a bit distracted by the people) so we ended up 5 or so seconds behind them.  Insert sad face.  Our official time ended up being 25:22.

The race was incredibly small so I stuck around for the awards because my husband said I was the third female (and also seemed impressed by the ground I attempted to make up between me and golden retriever lady toward the end).  Hannah was also the 2nd dog.  We were oh so close to being top dog!  I desperately wanted my adopted mutt to beat the pure bred, if only the race was a bit longer.  If I had been a little more motivated this winter and could have been more in last year's 5K shape, we definitely would have had it without any issues (I was 2 minutes off my PR.)  I'm pretty sure this was good, positive motivation unlike the pity parties I've had recently!  Either way, still earned the 3rd place female overall and 2nd overall dog awards!

Oh, and I have another 5K with the dog in two weeks.  Better get cracking!


  

Race, Run, Ride and Ramble

I ran a 15k well over a week ago but failed to recap it here.  It's probably a good thing because it would have been extra whiny if I was prompt in my recap of race day.

Race, Run, Ride and Ramble is a 15K (the race part) that takes place at the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, where we take the Miles and Mutts dogs to run each week.  Since the race benefits the rail trail, I wanted to support it and cancelled the dog runs for the week to encourage people to participate in one of the four events of the day.

I ran this race two years ago but I had the brilliant idea to make it a 20 mile long run.  The race is one-way and they transport you to the start line at the other end of the trail and head back to the Shippensburg park area where I parked.  Looking back, it seems like two years ago I was dealing with the same lack of motivation that I'm having this year.

It was one of those days where I had no clue how to dress.  I've been constantly cold for the last three months (part of why it's been hard to force myself out the door).  I definitely overdressed and warmed up quickly after starting to run.  The race itself wasn't very exciting.  It's flat and somewhat boring but on a good day, can be seen as peaceful and enjoyable.  I was pretty much just angry at myself the entire time for not being able to run any faster and feeling like I was going in slow motion the entire way.  I can't say I was enjoying myself for much of it.  I basically just thought of the finish line and the BBQ meal they have at the end.

The finish line finally arrived 1:25:21 after I started.  I guess it's not too bad considering I haven't run more than six miles at a time since the half marathon over a month ago.

    
The run took it out of me and I felt a little off the rest of the day.  It's a race that starts at 1 PM so not eating lunch until after it could have been part of the issue!  I felt fine the next day and was back to short distance running and the conclusion of our small group personal training workout sessions.