Racing Lately...

Racing Lately..

Since the new year I feel as if all I have been doing is running and racing. I have finally hit the dreaded “burn out”.  I have no interest in doing any physical activity even though I have goals.

Over the last few months I have done the following races:

Celebration Half Marathon: 2:20

The Clebration Half marathon was a lot of fun because of the friends that ran it that day.  This race was harder than it should have been.  I really struggled the last few miles. I never felt properly fueled or had a lot of energy.  I am not sure to why that was, maybe because it was just over a month after my full, maybe it was that I hadn’t been as well trained as I should have been because I sprained my ankle 3 weeks or so before hand?  Some races are better than other as you can see through this recap.

Chris, Kristen, Marci, Me, Beka, Patricia

Best Damn Race: 2:15:55

I have no idea how this happened but all the starts aligned for BDR! The weather was perfect and I just felt great.  I wish I didn’t start as slow as I did but was scared to bonk like the time before.  This is my fastest half this year, and fastest half since my PR in March of 2013.

Gasparilla Muchelob Ultra Challenge:

15k, 5k, Half Marathon, 8k

This was such a great weekend!  I found day one harder than day two, but also unintentionally ran faster day one and was so very sore day 2.  I walked the 8k with my friend and still finished the half under 2:30!

Sisters that run together, stay together :)

Finishing the Gasparilla Challenge!

Take Stock in the Children 10k

This race I did for fun with my mom, sister, and friend.  I did Gasparilla the weekend before so I wanted to keep it slow.  It was also the first time I put any miles of my feet since Gasparilla and felt it!  Whoops!

Sarasota Half Marathon 2:42:25

I signed up for this race right when it opened for its blitz pricing.  I scored a spot for about $45.00 and was hoping I would PR it.  That did not happen, I actually didn’t even want to run it when the time came.  I only ran it because I wanted to wear the jacket.  In the corrals before it started I almost left.  It was the first hot and humid run this season and I was not ready for that.  I thought I had more in it that I did, when I saw how “slow” (for me) I was going the first three miles I mentally beat myself up and once that happened it was all downhill.  I walked at mile 4 which normally doesn’t happen and once I started to walk, I didn’t stop..  I am happy I finished this but it was not easy.  This is the first time I almost DNF’ed.

Run Tampa Crew Before Sarasota Half

And a little Joey picture added in "fur" good measure :)

Practically every other week there was something going on running related.  This weekend I did not physical activity at all.  It was so nice to sleep in.  I really want to get back on my bike and back in the pool and hopefully I will find the motivation to do that.  I just signed up for a 5k that is in a little less than a month. That should give me some motivation.  After that, my next race is not until October and I do not plan to race a lot next season with the wedding but hey, you never know!

When was the last time you were burnt out and how did you recover from it?  How did your racing season pan out?

Gasparilla Volunteer Recap

After cheering on great friends Gasparilla Distance Glassic Saturday morning, that afternoon I headed back down to the convention center to shop around and Volunteer for the Team and Training Tent.  I was there with Cody and George and we had tons of fun!  We got to speak to people interested in joining.  If  YOU have any questions, let me know!

Sunday morning, my roommate and I woke up very early.  Maybe around 4:30 to be out of the house at 4:55 to be down at Bayshore Blvd. by 5:30 to start setting up for a water stop.  We were going to be handing out water for the half marathoners.  The weather for Saturday was ridiculous.  On the way there, it was pouring and 25-30 mile per hour winds.  

In the rain, we started setting up our 10 mile water stop.  The wind was terrible the cups kept getting knocked over.  We were not only drenched from the rain, but from the water blowing on us.

 When the race started I was all ready to start handing out my cups of water!!  Next time I volunteer, I am going to post my phone number on my shirt or bring a stamp so I can give it to all the sexy runner men.  I have high hopes :)

 We waited for the runners to approach up.  You can see how fast the first place runners are.  The above pictures are at the mile 8 stop.

It took a while to figure out how to give the runners the water.  You have to cup it a certain way so they can just grab it from you.  I have never realized this because when I go through a water stop I walk so it is not an issue.  I know I m not breaking any records except for my own.  We did have a little mishap with the water/gatorade cups and it confused all the half marathoners.

 I learned it is great to wear rain boots while volunteering at a water stop.  Water spills when runners grab it from you, or it spills over from the wind.

 At mile 10, the leader's time was 51:52.

 yes, this is how windy it was.

As a "runner" I am always thankful of the volunteers at the race.  This was my first time volunteering after many times wanting to.  Thank  you Team in Training for giving me the opportunity to volunteer.

What I loved more than anything, seeing my amazing friends, bloggers, and the "slower" people like me rocking on!!!!!

I will be volunteering at the Irongirl half marathon in Clearwater next month!!

Woohoo

Gasparilla Spectator Recap

I am finally getting ready to tell you about my amazing time spectating at the Gasparilla Distance Classic that took place here in Tampa, Florida.

The main reason for heading downtown for the Gasparilla Classic 15k and 5k was because many of my friends were running, but Carol was running her first 5k and my friend Nicole was running the 15 k earlier that morning.

Friday night, Carols roommate Justin and I made fun posters for her.  I am sad I didn't take any pictures but also glad because I am not artistic and he is much more creative.  His rocked much more than mine.

Saturday morning, him and I headed downtown and saw Carol and her Boyfriend.  They went to pick up their packets, we got free samples and shopped a little.

We somehow got suckered into holding their stuff, which was no biggie expect for the fact we were told the race started 30 minutes before it actually did and Justin needed to be back home to take his dog to the vet way before we did.. WOOPS..

Anyway, we hung out with Carol before she was off then I moved over to watch Nicole finish her 15k.  I snapped this picture of her where she was pretending to be me.  Incase you were unaware, I LOVE to smile for cameras and do funny things..

Nicole and her mom always come to cheer me on and I figured it was my turn to pay it forward.

Carol and Scott before the race began

Carol rocked her first 5k!!  

I loved spectating!  It was great to see the super duper fast people win the 5k!!  The energy in the air was outstanding.  It really motivated me to continue with my "rehab" to start running again.  I originally wanted to run the 4 races this weekend but was so happy just to be there.  I love to be around runners.  It is so motivating.

I can't wait to spectate more races in my area!  Next time, bring silly signs :)