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?

March recap of my 2015 goals

How are my 2015 goals coming along?  Let’s take a look

In January I wrote what my goals were for this year and I am trying to be more well rounded.  You can find that post here.

Joey says HI!

Read more

I can say that I am dominating this one!  So far I have read:

• January- It was me all along by Andi Mitchell, I give it an A+
• February - Dark spaces by Gillian Flynn, and I loved this as well!  I love how she captivates an audience and pulls you in with that “need to know more”
• March- Book 1 of Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson.  I really enjoyed this too, it is a teen book that a student let me borrow and hopefully he has more to let me read.

Run Faster

I am not too sure how this is coming along, so far I have ran a few halves with the fastest time at a 2:15:56 at the Best Damn Race Half in Safety Harbor.  My current PR is 2:12: xx.  The weather was just perfect, the stars aligned and it felt wonderful.  Allergy season is in full swing which is really effecting my running but once the pollen is off the floor, I will be doing more speed training.

Be Happy in my Body

This is a work in progress.  I signed up to be a Beachbody coach because I really like the product.  I started the 21 day fix and can’t wait to see the results.  It is really helping me with eating clean, portion control, and I am loving the workouts.  I have been sore in places I haven’t been sore in a while!  (so, if you need any products, send me a message or e-mail me )
I also plan to use my ClassPass this month to try new classes and tone up! I am looking forward to a little running break!  In case you do not know what class pass is, it is a membership for a month and it allows you to pop into many studios and try classes out!

Save Money

This is another reason why I signed up for Beachbody, I hope it helps pay for a wedding!  I am trying to cut down on the non-essential purchases and put more into saving.  This is still a work in progress.

Not go crazy

I think the only one who can answer this is Behn.  I am trying!

Blog More

I wanted to blog twice a month, fail.  I didn’t blog in Febraury.

Enjoy life and be spontaneous!

I am enjoying life..

How are you coming along with your goals?

In other news...

• I said yes to my wedding dress

• I just completed my last half and running race of the season and I couldn’t be more excited about that! It wasn’t pretty, or fun!  (Hopefully I will recap that)

For my locals, what do you think the best place in Downtown Tampa for a rehearsal/wedding welcome dinner is?  So far we are learning towards Jacksons.

Iron Girl 2013

I cannot believe my last long distance race of the season is less than a week away!  If you have been reading my last few posts, you would see that I am doing Iron Girl Clearwater next Sunday, April 14, 2013.   I originally wasn't going to do this race and was going to have Sarasota Half be my last race but I really wanted to set a new PR since the time I wanted for Sarasota I reached in November.  The Tampa Bay Bloggers were contacted to take part of this women's only event, and I am very excited to do so.  In addition to the half marathon distance, they also have a 5k.  After being contacted by Iron Girl, I knew this wasn't an opportunity to let slip on by.  Iron Girl's mission is "to empower women toward a healthy lifestyle".

I hired Mary back in February to get my to my goal time, I happened to reach that goal a little quicker than expected.  My goal was a 2:15, and wasn't even sure that was possible because of the new course which includes 2 bridges, ran twice each.  In Sarasota, I ran a 2:12:11 with two bridges.  Shortly after Sarasota, my ankles started to bother me, tendinitis.  I have been taking some time to relax and let them heel.  I am not sure the half marathon distance is in the cards or if I should stick to the 5k.  I went out for a short 3 miler and the pain isn't there that much when I run, (yes), but there afterwards.  I certainly do not want it to get worse, but this is also my last run.  The runs feel hard in terms of pace.  Where has my "speed" gone, but I guess that happens when you don't run.   My goal this week is to try and get some runs in to help my legs learn the meaning of running.  I am not sure how that will happen, I have an interview, and two doctors appointments on different days.  Either way, I am looking forward to seeing some great ladies out there.

I love women only races (yes, I love the sight of in shape men with their shirt off running), but the camaraderie of women is great!  Will I see you there?

Which medal will you earn?

I have actually done the Iron Girl Half Marathon the first year they had the half.  I must say, it was one of the hardest halves.  I was not training because I was interning.  All I remember is that I couldn't imagine ever doing another half again if this was my first race.  Right now, besides my leg, I am in the best running shape I have ever been.  I am hoping the heat stays away (it is going to be 80) and the wind is at our back.  I hope my ankles cooperate and have a fabulous race.  Christa and I will run together, but I hope she breaks my PR!!  

Have you done an all women's race?  

What are your tips for running the bridges without training too much on them?

**I was given free entry for this race, all opinions are my own**

Friday Letters

Happy Friday Readers!!!

Are you as excited as I am for this weekend?  This is the first week back after spring break so there is a lot of catching up on and I am beat.  This is also the first weekend I am going to be staying in town in 4 weeks!  I have plenty of exciting plans but nothing beats being home!  Birthday parties, running, and family coming into town, oh my!

As much as my blogging is off and on, Friday Letters are one of my favorite things to do.  So here they are!

Dear Friday, once again, I am so happy you have shown your face.  Every Monday I can't wait for you to come around.  You are seriously my favorite day of the week!  Dear Toes, you have been in pain for the last week since you PR'ed the Sarasota Half marathon.  You need to get your act together so I can continue training for the Irongirl Clearwater Half marathon.  Trader Joes, you rock!  I was able to find such yummies this weekend, they are all gone.  Dear Irongirl clearwater, you were originally my last goal race.  I am very excited I can go into you enjoying you, not worrying about a time and being happy just to be done for the season.  I am ready for a break before NYC Marathon training begins.  Dear Sleep, you are mine this weekend!  Dear 2013, you have been pretty good so far.  I hope it stays that way and I am hoping opening my big mouth doesn't jinx me.  

Overachieving and harsh realizations

I have these big dreams and goals of completing and accomplishing certain races.

I tend to take on more than I can handle, especially when it comes to training for events.  I have race after race, run after run until March.  I didn't really realize how much I have planned until someone mention, are you racing every weekend?  Well, sort of...

I had these BIG dreams of doing the Croom 50k and Augusta HIM 70.3

I have been toying with these ideas for about 6 months now, and I have no doubt I can physically complete them.  I then realized how much more training would need to go into a HIM.  I would need to do two a days.  When did I ever think I would have time for that?  I can't even complete my scheduled runs now.  

Right now, my marathon training plan was given to me through team in training and I believe was a little too ambitious for my schedule.  I have two medium long runs during the weeks, which now, are 9 miles.  I think to myself, this takes me almost two hours.. so coming up at 7, impossible.  Next training cycle, more realistic plan will be made and will incorporate speed because one day, I would love to qualify for Boston!

Back to Croom and Augusta, I think I am officially burnt out.  I want a social life!  I want to run because I want to, not because I have a training run.  I think I am saying goodbye to running Croom and doing Augusta in 2013, but there is always 2014.  Not to mention, a tri is very expensive and I certainly do not have the money at this time to invest in the proper training and equipment.  I am so thankful for the friends along the way to help me out this far.  

I want to be proud of my race and know I have done all that I could do :)

Will I have a change of heart in the next few weeks once Goofy is over?  It is possible, but I am staying away from the "Register Now" button for a while, until I am 100% sure I have the time and the energy.  

So what is up next?

Dec. 15 The color run

December 21- 10 miles

December 22- 20-22 Miles

January 12 DIsney Half Marathon

January 13 Disney Full Marathon

January 27 ING Miami Full or Half Marathon

February 9- Mud Run

February 17 Donna 26.2 or Half?- Possible with Meghan

February 24 Disney Princess  Half Marathon with Meghan, Tori, Caitlyn

March 9- Gate River run with my best friend Jamie

March 17- Sarasota Half Marathon (Hoping for a PR)

What runs are you planning?  How do you get motivated again?

National Running Day

Did you know National Running Day was June 6?  I found out just a few days before the day and was ready to get some miles in, so I thought.  For some reason, either being weather or being held up somewhere, I was unable to get my miles in.  

So instead, this is what I did:

The Sarasota Half Marathon was the perfect excuse.  It was on "sale" with a code for $45.00 and I did not have to pay processing because I am an Active Advantage member.  My parents are moving to Sarasota so hopefully I will crash with them as long as they are down here before the date.!

How did you celebrate National Running Day?