Magic City Half Marathon (part of the Ruben Studdard Celebration Weekend)

Done, state #10.

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This race had an awful course with a lot of headwind.  I was so happy when I was done with it.  My finish time was about 2:41:06.  Am I happy with it?  No.  However, I have no one else to blame but me.  I did not run smart.  I did not train properly.  Anyway, it is done and I can’t do anything about it.

I did not get into Birmingham on time to pick up my packet so that meant I had to pick it up on race day.  The hotel was nice enough to give those that were running the race a ride to the start line.  I picked up my bib and dropped off my bag and it took less than 5 minutes.

The race was supposed to start at 8 am but due to some complications/problems it did not start till 8:30 am.  Yeah, not happy about it.  I was chatting with another runner whom I met in the hotel lobby as we were waiting for the hotel shuttle.  The announcer mentioned that Ruben Studdard had arrived but I did not see him.

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The race started and off we went.  The first half of the race took us through the “not so nice areas” of Birmingham.  There was zero crowd support.  If it weren’t for the cars that were stopped at intersections by the cops to let the runners through, the city of Birmingham would not have known there was a half marathon going on in their city.

The headwind was awful.  I thought it was never going to end.  It lasted till about mile 10.  Terrible!!  By then I was running with another girl and we were motivating each other.  She told me that we only had a 5K to go.  Hmm, so simple but yet difficult.

Finally I saw the sign for mile 12.  I was so happy to see it.  I was struggling.  My neck was bothering me and I could feel some blisters forming on the bottom of my right foot.  I was annoyed about it.  I rarely get blisters on my feet.  I was wearing compression socks with my Brooks Glycerin.  In the past I’ve worn the same socks with my Brooks Connect.  Hmm, maybe the shoes?

I saw the finish line and picked up the pace.  Not a good idea.  I stopped for about 10 seconds to catch my breath and took off again.  I heard the announcer mention my colorful shoes and my name.  That made me smile!  🙂

I got my medal, picked up some food (pizza and chips with salsa) and walked back to the hotel.   It was a gorgeous day to walk plus I think it helped my legs.

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The race was blah.  Next race on my calendar is the Run 3.14 Pie Race on Thanksgiving and the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon in Jackson, MS on January 5th.  That reminds me that I still need to register.

By the way I loved the hotel and my room!!

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Run Happy!

Run Less, Run Faster

I received an email to purchase this book.

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I want to run a race (marathon or half marathon) in all 50 states.  However, not only do I want to finish each race but I want to finish in a decent time.  Almost all of my finish times have been between 2:20-2:50.  My ultimate goal is to do a sub-2 or as close as possible to 2 hours.  Is it possible?  I believe so.  I might have been training the wrong way.  Time to rethink the training plan.

I am going to purchase the book.  I will read it carefully and take good notes. This book will help me get my sub 2 and run all of the Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathons next year thanks to the Tourpass.

airplaneWant to join me as I travel across the country next year to run a race in different cities? Please contact me.  Click here for a list of my upcoming races.

Upcoming race this weekend is Magic City Half Marathon in Birmingham, AL.  Wish me luck!

Carrera de los Muertos 5K

Yesterday I ran a fun race.  Fun because it is close to where I live,  I LOVE seeing the participants dress up, and I get to see and run with my favorite running buddies.

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It was weird that no one sang/played the National Anthem.  Maybe because it was only a 5K?  Mental note:  Pay more attention to it at the smaller races.I was tired that morning.  I went out to dinner the day before and got home around midnight.  I woke up at 6am (but did not want to get up) to get ready.  I had some stomach trouble and made sure I was OK before leaving for the race. I arrived a little before 7 and waited in my car till about 7:30 to meet up with my friends.

The race started and I took off.  I was not aiming for a PR but just to have fun.  I was cold at the beginning but then quickly warmed up.  As usual, I started off too fast.

Mile 1-8:06 – I was shocked when I saw this!!!
Mile 2-10:27 – Stopped to get some water and catch my breath.
Mile 3-10:19 – Walked a little bit.
.25-2:16

Garmin official time for 3.25 is 31:10.  That’s a 9:35 pace!  🙂

Run Happy!

October 2012 in Review

I cannot believe there are two months left in the year.  It is going by so fast!!

This month I ran 58.81 miles compared to 57.25 last month.  Very slow month.  Need to work on motivation.

I ran two races in October:  Baltimore Running Festival Half Marathon and the Indianapolis Half Marathon. They were back to back on two weekends and kicked my butt.  Despite the hills, they were great and beautiful courses.

Upcoming races in November include.
11/3      Carrera de los Muertos 5K
11/10    Chicago’s Perfect 10K
11/18    Magic City Half Marathon, Birmingham, AL
11/22    Rotary Run 3/14 Pie

I’ve been busy planning the various half marathons I plan to run next year.  It is not an easy task.  I need to check flights (preferably Southwest since Midway Airport is about 5 minute from my house) and hotels.  So far I’ve purchased a ticket for the races in Washington, DC and Nashville.

I was planning to have surgery in November but I’ve postponed it.  Because of the surgery I was going to stop running after the race in Birmingham.  Now that it is postponed, no need to stop.  Now to look for other races in December, January, and February.  Any suggestions?

I have a bib to the Zooma Florida Half Marathon in January that I need to transfer.  If interested, let me know.

Run Happy!!

ZOOMA Florida Half Marathon

This summer I began the “journey” to run a race in each state.  Well, I didn’t exactly begin but more like decided to actually do it.  I searched various races and put them in my calendar (I already had a few under my belt).  One of them was the ZOOMA Women’s Race in Florida.  I registered at a discounted race.  Yay!!  I like saving money!

Fast forward 3 months later and now I cannot race this race.  🙁  Just like most races, I cannot get a refund.  However, I can transfer my bib.  That makes me happy.  Interested in my bib?  Registration now is $105 but of course I will not sell it to you for that price.  Please contact me and we can work out the details as well as the price.

These races are being held in various states across the country.  Just recently the race was in Wisconsin.  I’ve read some great reviews about it from Run with Jess and Skinny Runner.

Hope to hear from you!