Halloween Halfathon Race Recap

On Sunday, October 28, 2012 I participated in another half marathon as part of my taper for the NYC Marathon.  Guess what, I PR'd but will get to that later.  I registered for the Halloween Half when it first opened and it was really cheap!  I knew for me, it would guarantee getting the miles in.  So, instead of doing 8 miles, I did 13.1.  Woops!

Saturday evening I was asleep before 10pm, but was up at 11:45 with a stomach ache, a throat that felt like there were shards of glass in it, a headache and my ears were killing me.  On top of that, my sister was in Hawaii with tsunami warnings.  She was texting frantically and freaking out.  It is safe to say this was going on till about 2:30.  The alarm was set for 4:10.  Guess who was not happy when that went off, guess who felt like death and didn't know if I was going to make it to run in the morning.  Luckily, I was meeting Meghan at 5:20!  I figured, if I still felt like crap, I would spectate or run the 5k. We met and headed straight to the race where we had to pickup our packet.  There I met up with Sarah and Brandi, used the restroom 2x (only #1), glided up, and was ready to GO!  It was so organized and we started right on time!  It was such a pleasure!  I loved the size of the race.  There were about 1000 participants!  We corralled by pace on our own.

Kitty Cat minus my ears post race

I went into this race with no expectations except two, to run slow and use this as a taper run, and make sure my first mile is not the fastest.  I definitely succeeded at the second goal.   The course was pancake flat.  The first has I was "flying", and it did not feel like it.  I didn't realize what I had in me.  I figured I had slowed down while training for this marathon as i did NO speed work.  I use the word flying loosely because for me, a 12 minute mile is good :)  By mile 8 I started to feel a little tired but kept on trekking along.  At mile 10, holy headwind.  This was the hardest I had worked all training season.  Because this was a taper, I took it easy, resistance training.  I haven't updated my Garmin yet so I do not have the race splits.  I do know I have as low at 11:04, very unlikely for me.  I do owe some of it to the cool, cloudy weather.  I am NOT complaining what so ever!  I stopped at every water stop for some gatorade and water.  I took a powergel at mile 6ish and probably should have taken one at mile 10.  By mile 12, I was ready to be done and stopped for water just so I can have a nice little walk break.

The coarse was beautiful and the spectators were great.  There were not much because this is a closed course along the beach so they were there cheering on their families.

I managed to pull off a PR during a taper run. WOOHOO.  I couldn't tell you my exact time becasue online it was about 2:36:XX which is the gun time, and being towards the back, I know it took at least a minute to get through.  My watch stopped 2x and at 12.87 is said 2:32:23 so I am going with about 2:35 leaving me a pace at 11:50!  That is a 4 minute PR.

This was a great race which I would do again next year.  There are many races at this park which I would look into as long as they go along with my training schedules.

Photo Credit Meghan

Thank you Sarah and Brandi for running with me for the first three miles!  It was great to have you as company!!  Thank you Tori for cheering me in :)

Weekly Workout Recap

Yes, this post is late, and yes, I am sorry!
My computer and internet are a little moody.  Sometimes it likes to work and other times, not so much.  This is what I have been dealing with lately as my computer is hardly working now.

Let's just say, the weeks leading up to a marathon are crazy, especially if you are missing work and have to have lessons prepared!  Man do I wish I had a job that wasn't harder to not be at work, and by that I mean, I have to work even harder when I am not at work because my students still need something to do.
Please do not take that as a complaint, I love my job, but sometimes, very often, I am very jealous of those who get to leave their work at work at the end of the day.

Let me just get started with this weeks workouts.


Monday I was so excited to get out there are run!  I had all this energy I wanted to release.  Well, this run was less than stellar as it was supposed to be a 4 miler on Tuesday but I moved it to Monday because I was bored.  This turned into 2 painful miles... As, I ran there and ran/walked back.

Tuesday I had a sports massage and I think she did wonders to my leg!  I wasn't taking any chances running my heart out

Wednesday I had a dentist appointment and thought I would go swimming or biking afterwards.  That changed once I got there and had to get work done and couldn't eat or drink after.  There goes my cardio to stay hydrated :(

Thursday I had a busy day and was headed to Meghan's for a jewlery party.  I normally would NOT run on a busy day, and just get ready.  Guess who was a big girl and ran?! Yup, this one here!  I cut it a mile short because of time, but I did 3 hard miles!  By hard I mean, wow, keeping that 12 min mile pace was tough.  My body just didn't want to move, at all.  But I powered through

Friday and Saturday were much needed rest days!

Sunday, I completed in my who knows what number half marathon!  That race was a great race for me.  I didn't have stomach issues till I got home and I PR'd by a few minutes.  I will hopefully do a race recap on that as soon as my computer wants to work.  I met Meghan and we carpizzled there.

This upcoming week! NYC MARATHON :)  Just sayin'


Oh, and link up :)

2 weeks to go + Weekly Workout Linkup

Less than 2 weeks till the New York City Marathon and the Weekly Workout Linkup!

Can you tell I am just a bit excited?!  Well, I am.  I head to NY in a little over a week so life is a bit crazy these days.  On top of that, I have an observation this week, 2 doctor appointments, a Jewelry Party, and it goes on!

Since my miles are getting lower I have a few more minutes of my hands and it is nice.  Knowing I am in taper mode, I am not too concerned about missing run, or the pace (not that I ever cared).  I know that the next few days are to help my body recover and rest for the big 26.2.  It might sound silly, but I am more excited for the race to be over so I can increase the miles again to train for Disney's Marathon and Half Marathon.  

After the 22 mile run on Saturday, I ventured out Sunday for a bike ride with some great people!  It was certainly not what I expected.  I intended to try to do 14 miles, which would have been my longest bike ride to day, but we started late and 22 miles the day before didn't mix well.  I managed to get through 8 before my butt went numb.  Meeting people was amazing, it really helped me mentally because I was terrified to put on those damn shoes.  I managed to make it the whole way without falling and it really boosted my confidence.  I know I can make it out there alone.

Monday was a much needed rest day, I couldn't walk.  Simple as that!  I also worked 11 hours. 

Tuesday I was home early and had 5 miles on the schedule.  I was ready to get out there even though I was so sore.  Once I laid in bed for a few minutes, I was ready to call it quits.  An email popped up from the Leukemia and Lymphoma society with a very generous donation from Rachel (go check out her blog!).  Because of her donation, I powered through those 5 miles.  It hurt, I was going faster than I thought and powered through it.  It was beautiful out, and the first time running without stopping for water.  

Wednesday and Thursday was homecoming festivities.  I was at work for 13 hours Wednesday and 15 hours on Thursday.

Friday is normally a rest day but Team in Training was having a nighttime run for the Wine and Dine peeps, I figured I would join in because I had a wedding to go to on Saturday.  My coach convinced me to go swimming.  It was an awesome swim.  I did a mile in the pool in about 35 minutes.  After swim time, I napped and for ready for my 11 mile run.  That 11 mile run ended rather shortly after I wanted to puke at mile 1.  Yup, and there went that.

How did your workouts go this week?  

I was happy with mine, although lower numbers that it should have been, I was able to get in some swimming.  I was sad my run sucked because I thought taper week is supposed to make you feel more confidant?

LINK UP and THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY:)

I found this on the ING NYC Marathon Facebook page

Friday letters

Happy Friday!  Oh boy am I excited it it Friday!  I am even more excited I am off today! This week has been long, I cannot imagine having to work today! With it being homecoming, I was at work yesterday until 9, and that is past my bedtime!

This weekend I have so much fun awaiting me, run inning, wedding, concert, and I could keep going but I won't bore you, but now it is time for some Friday letters :)

Dear Self, hair, grow faster so you can chop it off and donate it!  Dear Leg, stop hurting so I do not look like a gimp! Dear NYC Marathon email, keep them coming!  I get more and more excited Dan time I check my email.  Dear Halloween candy, you are the devil! But I love you so much! Dear mom and dad, I am so happy you live an hour away and closer to work, it feels so nice to be spoiled again!  Dear room, you will be cleaned this weekend! I will own you!

If you wrote letters, who would you write them to?
What are your exciting weekend plans?
And do not forget to link up on Sunday for your weekly workout recap!