recent race and related photos







pre 10K, showing off my ridiculous pink glasses that match my race headband





6.2 miles later, ready to finish.



Checking out the finish line on Boylston in downtown Boston.  Someday!

a last minute 10K

Groton Road Race

Our weekend trip to NYC was cancelled last minute, so my boyfriend and I decided to take advantage of a local set of road races happening in his town.  He ran the 5K and I ran the 10K in keeping with our current stages of training.

With my Half just 3 weeks away, I really didn't want to race hard on this 10k, and in fact really preferred to treat it like a handy training run that came with company and some water stations.  In order to log the #of miles I had originally planned to conquer this weekend (so much for my chance to go for a run in Central Park), I instead ran from my boyfriend's house to the starting line of the 10k.  He drove there, and we found ourselves in the midst of quite a big community event.  These people put on a good race.  The 5K started at 11:50am, so we got him corraled and I took pictures of the start and then found my way to the finish and waited.  He ran a sub-30 race, which was better than he expected (and exactly what I thought he would do).  He cautioned me that it was MUCH warmer on the course than either of us had run in all year and advised me to carry water with me, not just wait for the water stations.  He's smart!

I gulped down a 12 oz water about 1/2 hour before my race started and began re-stretching as John did some post-race stretching.  When he was reasonably rested we walked over to the corral for me to get in and I had my pre-race Gu, handed over my windbreaker and let him head to the starting line for good photo op of me. :)

I was mostly unfamiliar with the course, but it was small rollers through the backroads of this small town.  I remembered my mission was to just get it done, not to risk injury or insanity by speeding along.  The competitor in me won out a little bit, but I kept a steady pace throughout and allowed myself a few small walking breaks to use my inhaler and swallow some more Gu.  Carrying water with me was great since I didn't need to get into the fray of the first water station and never felt desperate for "when is the next water/?" 

There was a time that I saw I could run a sub 60, but decided not to go for it since it would be very close and I wasn't used to this new-found spring weather.  I did make sure to PR though! (1:01.14 - official).  I will work on the sub 60 for my 10K on July 4th.

The finish was a half lap around a track, which somehow seems like the hardest part.  I gave it as much kick as I had left and even saw across the field my boyfriend waiting for me at the finish line, camera in hand. I gave him a wave and he waved back.  My mustard colored shirt and neon pink headband makes spotting me easier.  I even added hot pink sunglasses to the look - hopefully he will upload the photos soon.

So, I gorged myself on water, chips, pretzels and cookies after the race.  John even had a cold diet coke in-hand for me which I greatly appreciated.  We met up with some friends that also ran, so we joined them for a post-race feast (of healthier choices than pretzels, chips and cookies).  I look forward to seeing the same people again in two weeks when we will convene to bottle the beer we brewed a few months back.

Anyway, it was a nice surprise race for me, and I was pleased with my performance.  Gave me some good confidence as I head towards my half-marathon!

Training days are really here!

Finally, I have a race on the horizon!  I should never have let it go this long, cuz it's hard to get back into the swing of things once you've sat on your butt for a few months!

That's all in the past now.  On May 1st I will run my 3rd Half Marathon a few days before my 37th birthday.  What does that mean?  Nothing, really.  Not the birthday part anyway.  I ran my longest training run of the season yesterday, 7 miles and it felt pretty good.  I love when long runs give me confidence.  I'm struggling with some gear - trying to find the right waist pack to run with, but physically, I felt pretty strong.  I could have run more except that when I have a # of miles in mind it becomes very difficult for me to run MORE than that.  Plus I was cold towards the end. 

Anyway, I'm getting very pumped up for the Cox Road Race Half Marathon in Providence, RI.  I think being out to watch the Boston Marathon in a couple of weeks will have me bursting to get out and race, though I'm not expecting a PR in May...(would love to). 

I'm really hoping to PR in June.  Last year I ran the Worcester Half Marathon in hopes of running sub 2:30, and I ran 2:22.  I ran the BAA Half in October and despite being sick the week before, I ran 2:20.  I'm aiming for 2:15 in Worcester this year - got to catch up with my fellow Team Pink member Anamarie who just debuted in the Half at 2:15!

let's see if I can do a meme athletically... or not.

A = Age: 36, for a little while.
B = Bed size: queen, perfect for one or two people. :)
C = Chore you dislike: vacuuming.  I seem to avoid it like the plague, and would rather run 10 miles than do it.
D = Dogs: PJ, the best pug on earth
E= Essential start to your day: Carnation Instant Breakfast (chocolate), double skim milk
F = Favorite color:in athletic wear: black and/or neon pink.
G = Gold or silver: Silver or White Gold.
H = Height: 5′6.
I = Instruments you play(ed): I used to sing.
J = Job title: Sr. Development Researcher.  You don't wanna know.
K = Kids: um, cats.
L = Live: Greater Boston
M = Mom’s name: Gerry.  I used to joke that I was one of "Jerry's kids".
N = Nicknames: Sue, SueBee, Suzie, Auntie Sue, Snoozy, Skinny Bitch
O = Overnight hospital stays:birth, Gastric Bypass Surgery 11/08 (2 nights), Emergency Hernia repair 12/09 (2 nights), Abdominal pain 2/10 (1 night), Abdominal pain 3/11 (1 night)
P = Pet peeves:people who run races and run more than 2 abreast.  It's a RACE, we're going to PASS! make room.
Q = Quote from a movie: "You like apples?  I got her number, how do you like THEM apples?!" and the ultimate: “Nobody puts baby in the corner!”
R = Righty or lefty: Righty. 
S = Siblings: One biological sister.  Some other ladies I consider "sisters". and my Pakistani brother. Oh, and my mom's dog, Bella, is my "sister"
T = Time you wake up: weekdays - 7ish.
U = Underwear: often not when i run.
V = Vegetables you don’t like: most.
W = What makes you run late: need more sleep!
X = X-rays you’ve had: ankles, wrists, abdomen, teeth, knees
Y = Yummy food you make:  pot roast in the crock pot.
Z = Zoo animal favorites: big kitties (lions and tigers), penguins

sometimes it's not distance or speed, it's just doing it. (long and rambling, sorry)

So, I've been a runner for over a year now. Got a few races under my belt. After my last half, the burnout started. I know some of you have experienced that motivation decline once your "big event" of the season is complete. I had other races planned afterwards, but really didn't exercise much during the week, just a few weekend races here and there. And then there was all the snow, and I hate the treadmill. You know the drill. I haven't been shy about my lack of activity.
I got back into the swing of things mid-February. Treadmill, elliptical, building back my cardio, thrilled to discover that my legs still have some distance in them. Then my grandmother died. I missed the call that she was fading fast that day because I was at the gym doing intervals (and I'm ok with that). I didn't run again that week.... but i was back running the next week, finally able to run outside, and was finally getting some of that cardio back.

Then Thursday I found myself in horrendous pain. It started out as discomfort, and it progressed all day. I left work at lunch, went home, took GasExx, drank peppermint tea, put a heating pad on my belly, but finally called my surgeon to ask what to do. After explaining my situation, they advised me to go to the ER. I was Xrayed, CT scanned and given morphine (not in that order). They finally admitted me telling me that they could see gas and stool in my intestines. I passed gas finally and the pain resolved, but due to fear of a partial blockage or hernia, they wanted to observe me for a day. I left the hospital Friday at 5pm. I took it easy on Saturday, but frankly, felt fine.

According to my training plan, I was due to run 5 miles this past Sunday. I've yet to run more than 2 without needing to give my lungs a walking break, but I wanted to fit in as much mileage as I could, even if I had to walk it.
I decided to break up the mileage and run to a cafe where my boyfriend would meet me and have lunch, and then after waiting for digestion, I'd run home again. Total mileage: 4.5

I ran all but 1 minute of this 2-part run, and it felt as good to complete it as did my last race. It was raining, it was gray outside and I'm struggling to get my stamina back, but I KNOW I can do this. I WANT to do this. It's ok to take things slow and be SMART about pushing myself without hurting myself. I felt like a rockstar.

I'm COMING back people!! :)

You can tell how athletic I've been, since this is my first post of 2011

Taking a rest is good.  Taking nearly 3 months off...not so good, but what's done is done.  I'm well rested and developing a bad sleep pattern, so it's definitely time to exercise and see if that straightens me out.  It sure isn't going to make anything worse, that's for damn sure!

Part of the slacking was having a real lack of a goal.  Sure, J and are planning to run a Half and a Full in preparation for our 2012 Goofy Challenge, but without having pinned down events, we were just floating along doing nothing.  The weather (snowpocalypse every week!) and our dread of treadmills were not helping either.  So I picked a race and pretty much said "THIS IS IT".  We're slowly getting ourselves back on track, and even ran together this past weekend.  Just two miles, but we've got to ease our way back in.

Oh, and speaking of the Goofy Challenge, check out the cool shirt J had made for us for Christmas!

FRONT:

and BACK:

We wore these on our first race of the year, a 5 Miler on New Year's Day.  Lots of the runners knew what it meant, and a few had plans to go to Disney the following week to run the Half or the Full.  No one had taken on the Goofy yet...  I did know someone who did the Goofy this year - He ran the Half in less than 2 hours and the Full in less than 4.  REMARKABLE.  I'm not entirely sure what my goals will be, but I sure as hell will not finish a marathon in under 4, even if I sleep the whole day before, nevermind run a Half!!  :)

Anyway, May 1st I hope to run a Half Marathon in Providence, RI, and possibly another one on June 4th in Worcester, MA.  I'll need to find some other races between now and then, but for now, I've got a training schedule to work with.  WOOT!  It feels good to have some real goals to work with. 

So I'll throw it out to the internet - I'd like to run a 2:15 Half this year.  My best was a 2:20 last year, so here's hoping!

2010 Year in Review!

I started 2010 with exactly 1 race under my belt and lots of goals and fears about what I might do.  I started the Couch to 5K program in August 2009 when my brother-in-law suggested we run a 5K for fun.  I was less than 1 year out from my gastric bypass surgery, and had secretly always wanted to run, so I thought I'd give it a shot. My first race was in October 2009 with a time of 34:59.  I was hooked, and then just ran for fun until my friend Anamarie talked me into my next race.

I had emergency abdominal surgery in December 2009, so that kept me pretty inactive in January, but I got back on the road/treadmill in February to start prepping for my first 10 mile race, the Cherry Blossom Run in Washington, DC.  I had no idea what a HUGE deal it is to get into and run that race.  20,000+ runners, superflat course and crowded as all get out!!  I loved the experience, but I don't think I want to run anything quite that crowded ever again!!  Anyway, my friend Anamarie told me about the race and it was my first big running goal for the year.

APRIL
I got to spend a nice weekend with her and run a pretty cool race, so it was a win.  Plus, we look awesome in our pink headbands!  We hadn't discussed the pink tank tops at all, but we happened to both wear them that day!

Somewhere during the training for this event, I decided that if I could run 10 miles, why not give a Half Marathon a shot.  Sure, right??  I had a few other surgery friends who also signed up to run the same Half in Worcester, MA, so that was my next big goal after the 10 Miler.

The week before the 10 Miler, I started feeling pain in my knee, and during the race I pretty much felt pain for 8 miles.  IT Band issues.  Physical therapy.  I didn't run for a month and was panicking.

MAY
I found a local 5K to run, which i was hoping would be a good confidence boost.  It was a charity run for the Hoyt running team, and I've been watching this inspirational pair for years since they always run the Boston Marathon.  Felt good to get out and run a 5K for my third race ever, 7 months after my first 5K.  I improved on my first race by about 7 minutes.  OMG.  That's quite a PR!! (unchipped 27:49)

At the start of the Team Hoyt 5K

This left me feeling pretty positive about the Half Marathon that was 2 weeks away.  The longest run I got in before the half was 7 miles (not counting the 10 Miler that I had done 2 months before).  I just believed I had it in me.  Worst thing that would happen is that I walked more than I wanted to.  I'm ok with that.  My rules for running in an event:
1. Keep moving forward (though stopping to stretch and use the restroom sometimes MUST be done)
2. Remember that I can do hard things
3. Drink water!
4. Finish strong.

JUNE
Anyway, Half day was a foggy, cool, muggy June morning.  58 degrees.  I was so nervous, so jittery and when I finished that sucker in less than my goal time (I was aiming for 2:30 and managed 2:22) I was proud and happy and TIRED.  The 45 minutes drive home sucked and I had to stop and stretch halfway!

my very first finisher's medal!

JULY
Because I'm a glutton for punishment, and cuz I'm a sucker for a cool finish, I talked my sister and a friend of mine into signing up for a July 4th 10K that finished on the 50 yard line at Gillette Stadium, home of the Patriots football team.  I hoped that a 9am start time would be early enough that we wouldn't die from the heat.  HA!  It was hot and muggy and then the SUN broke through the clouds.  it was a beautiful course through the town and not many hills or anything, but the weather was BRUTAL and continues to be the hardest race I've run.  I had hoped to run in under an hour, but it was just too damn  hard for me.  I walked what felt like a lot, I kept sucking on my inhaler.  I must not have walked too much, I did finish in 1:03 which is more than respectable.  My sister joined me for this run, as did my friend Jen and they both toughed out the horrible conditions in their 10K debuts.

Me on the left, Jen in green and my sister waving

This finish line totally rocked!

This race left me decidedly unhappy with summer running.  I walked instead.  I walked A LOT in the summer, which was great.  I met up with some friends and we walked, and decided to form a team and walk the Boston Marathon route in a big event to raise money for the Jimmy Fund.  I'm not ready to RUN Boston, but I sure as hell walked it!

Training walk with the ladies (Cathy, Lisa,

 SEPTEMBER

Here we are at the end of 26.2 miles on the world's most famous route.

I followed this walking up with another 5K to get back into the swing of things (though I'd already started running again, in preparation for my 2nd Half Marathon).  I ran a 5K in Providence with my sister and nephew - his running debut!

 

My nephew won this one, with a come from behind surge to beat me by 1 second.  I was super proud of him for pushing through - he'd been suffering a side cramp for most of the race.  He's only gotten faster since then.  I think we ran a 28:something on this one.

One last event finished up September - a fundraiser "Walk Away from Obesity".  I joined team "Melting Mama's Bariatric Bad Girls", brought my sweet dog, PJ and walked with the bad girls (and my BF) for a lovely stroll along the river in Lowell, MA.  It was great to catch up with more surgery friends!

Hanging with my boy!

Most of the team. PJ is our mascot!

OCTOBER

Next up was my my last "big" race of the year, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) Half Marathon.  These are the folks that run the Boston Marathon, so I just felt so cool for managing to get a bib for this thing.  The race sold out in 2 hours.  My training was not as awesome I'd have liked it to have been, but I still felt pretty ready until I came down with a horrible cold the week before.  I was literally in bed for days before the race, sleeping 16 hours/day.  I kinda felt better Friday, and then ran the race on Sunday.

Fueling before the start of the BAA Half

maybe the last race my boyfriend was on the sidelines for!

No rest for the weary.  Two weeks after the half, I took on a trail race!  Never really did trail running before, but thought it would be a great way to challenge myself and combines my boyfriend's mountain biking and my running.  We even got friends to sign up and do this really grassroots trail run with us - none of us having a clue what to expect!

 

We completed a 3.4 mile course that had some NASTY inclines along the way, but as far as i know, none of us fell on our asses, and considering those inclines were followed by some devastating downhills with wet leaves, I considered the day a total success!

 NOVEMBER

November was a nice mellow 1 race month.  My BF and I were running a Turkey Trot 5K as his debut 5k on Thanksgiving morning.  I mentioned in my race report that I did NOT like the start - where there was no line, no horn, no gun.  whatever, it was fun.

Seemed extra chilly that day.

DECEMBER

I had two Jingle Bell races planned for December.  The first was in Providence, RI.  I ran with family and the BF, but had the pleasure of running into my walking ladies pre-race.  We hung out with them inside the Convention Center next to the start line to stretch, keep warm and catch up on all the gossip!

I served as the gold star atop the "Walking Snobs" tree!

One of the other highlights of the Providence Jingle 5K was that after not really running for over a month except for the Turkey Trot and a random Saturday run here and there, I nearly matched my PR (and perhaps beat it) with a chipped time of 27:51.  My standing PR is 27:49 - but it was not chipped, so it could be a few seconds more or less.  

Last race of the year:  Somerville Jingle Bell Run.  A well organized, fun 5K through the streets of this city that is home to a lot of fun college bars.  People came out and cheered on the racers who wore everything from a speedo to a full Santa costume.  This was also the perfect bookend race, since my friend Anamarie came up and ran with me!  It was both of our last races of 2010, and I ran with her on my first race of 2010, so it was perfect!!

2/3 of Team Missile Toes for this race!

After the race, the BF and I went over to a local BBQ place for post-race celebrating.  Redbones was a sponsor of the race, and completing entitled us to a free beer and food at the after-party.  We decided waiting out in the cold wasn't an option, so we got a table like regular customers and brought our free beer to that and ordered off the menu.  YUM!

yes, our finisher's medal is a bottle opener!

That winds down a year of running races and some walking!  I can't wait to see what I can do in 2011.  On the horizon right now is starting the year off with a bang, BF and I are running in a "freezer 5" on New Years Day - my first 5 Mile race (and his too!).  We are also working on picking a Half to run in the spring so that we can run a FULL in the summer.  That's RIGHT!!!  Next year at this time I will be recapping as a Marathon Runner!!  I am already a Marathon Walker!  

Hope any readers of this little blog enjoy their holidays and are thinking up great challenges to take on in the next year, athletic or otherwise!