Ocean Drive 10 Mile Race Recap

I have started this race recap a few times over the past few days and then deleted it.  I did not even want to think about the race because I was disappointed.  This is the third year I have run this particular 10 mile race.  Last year I ran it in 1:43:51 according to my Garmin.  The race is not timed electronically so I pushed the start button when I crossed the start line.  Because I did that last year, I wanted to stay consistent and do the same this year.  I was really hoping to get under 1:40:00 but that was sadly not the case.  I PRed by right under 2 minutes and I am happy about that.  My finish time according to my Garmin was 1:41:52. 

The weather was better than what I expected.  Race start was 9 and the weather report was 32 and 30% chance of snow.  There were some flurries but for a half mile at the most.  I was concerned about what to wear because I did not want to overdress.  I ended up wearing my Brooks long sleeve running tee, a short sleeve tee on top, my tights, throwaway gloves, and my hat.  I tossed my hat to John around mile 8 but could have lost it sooner than that.  The gloves were tossed somewhere between mile marker 2 and 3.  I am glad I bought cheapie gloves at the expo the day before. 

I ran with my Ipod which I have never done before while running on the road.  I plan on having it with me when I run the Delaware marathon in May so I wanted to try it out.  Now I am working on what songs I want to have on the playlist.  I don't plan on running with music the whole marathon but I know Delaware will not be the Philly marathon and I will not have a ton of spectators to get me over the wall!

On the positive side, I felt strong.  I feel like my training was much smarter going into this race than it was last year.  I also recovered a lot easier.  I took Monday as a rest day, ran Tuesday for 35 minutes, and a 40 minute tempo run this morning.  My legs were heavy yesterday morning but I felt back to normal this morning!  John also commented that I looked better at mile 8 than I have at any other race!

Next up.....Delaware Marathon on May 15th!!

Taper week

I am running a ten mile race in 6 days so I guess this is a taper week for me.  My coach is decreased the time and intensity of my runs this week.  My schedule for the week goes like this:

Today - rest of a 30 minute easy spin.  I am going to take the rest day.  My legs are beat from the 11.3 miles yesterday.
Tuesday - 40 minute run with intervals
Wednesday - rest or spin.  I am planning on an easy ride.
Thursday - 35 minute tempo run
Friday - 30 minute recovery run
Saturday - rest
Sunday - 10 mile race with an easy 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down.

I went crazy on my taper for the marathon but that was a huge decrease in miles and over two weeks.  I hope this week is better for me!

This is the third year I am running this race and the first with a time goal.  I have yet to set that time goal but I have some thoughts on it. 

I am loving this running coach thing.  I love knowing that someone else is working out the pace, crunching numbers, and all that fun stuff for me!  I do enough number crunching at work.

Officially a bad ass!!

A few months ago I decided it was time to HTFU and I think I officially did that last weekend.  Last Sunday I had 9 miles on the schedule.  The weatherman was calling for rain, pouring rain that is.  Two months ago I would have banged out the 9 miles on the treadmill.  Not last weekend!!  I hit the road a little after 6 in the morning to beat most of the rain.  I ran 5 miles before it started to rain.  Miles 6, 7, and 8 were in light rain but 9 was in pouring rain.  I could have continued on home right after I hit mile 8 and would have been in the downpour for less than a quarter mile.  At that point I was already soaking wet and did not want to disappoint my coach on my first long run with her.  I turned right instead of running straight to go home and finished my 9 miles. 

I felt tough the rest of the day.  My 10 miles yesterday felt easy compared to the 9 the previous!

Three Things Thursday

1.  I am rotten to the core!  A friend texted me a picture of her positive pregnancy test this morning.  I decided to mess around with my dad/boss this morning.  I had my oldest son at the office before taking him to school.  As soon as I left to take him, I sent the picture to my dad.  I am still laughing about it but I don't think he is.  I thought I was going to have to pee on a stick to prove I am not pregnant!!

2.  I tried in the sample for my tri club's tri suits.  They are going to be great and I can't wait!!

3.  All of a sudden I am freaking out about my May 15th marathon.  For some reason I am afraid I don't have the time to get my long runs up there.  I think having a coach now has kinda freaked me out.  I don't see my plan layed out in front of me for every week between now and then.  I now have to trust someone else!

First race of the year and I hired a coach!

One race down, 11 more to go for the year to meet the challenge of Run for the bling of it.  I ran a 5k this morning and was more than pleased with my performance.  I have said before that I don't enjoy running 5ks because I am not a fast runner.  I have not ran a stand alone 5k since June and I shaved 3 minutes off my 5k time!  I uploaded the run this evening and realized I finally achieved negative splits for the first time in a race!

My finish time according to my Garmin was 28:47.76 but my official time was 28:51.  Either way, I was very happy.  My splits were 9:34, 9:33, and 9:18.  I just barely did a negative split for mile 2 but it was by a second! 

It was a fun morning and I am glad I did the race.  It was geared towards high schoolers but open to the community.  There was no mistaking the high school students because quite a few of the girls had full make up on!  We figured we would get creamed by a bunch of kids and I did.  At the same time, I ran past quite a few kids huffing and puffing as they walked or ran.  I had to laugh at the two boys who complained that they are not long distance runners. 

I decided last week to contact a local coaching company.  I know I will never BQ but it is not stopping me from trying to get faster and stronger.  I feel like I am not getting anywhere on my own and decided to check out the coaching company.  I was going to start working with a personal trainer again and went for the coach instead.  The coach decided to run the 5k this morning and we met up before the race.  I really like her and I am excited to start working with her. 

My next race is 4 weeks from today and will be the third year in a row I am running this 10 mile race.  Can't wait!!

A sad day for me

A very important man in my life passed away today.  This man was my parent's best friend.  I won't get into the details but he has been in critical condition for the past week and based on his deteriorating condition, the family decided today it was time to let him go. 

Last Sunday I hit the road for 9 miles early in the morning.  I told my husband not to call me if my mom called to update us on his condition.  We were not sure if he was going to make it through Saturday night.  I prayed for the first mile of my run.  All of a sudden, I heard him say "I am ok Megg.  I am with Jesus now."  He said it 4 more times and then I wiped my tears, ran the next 8 miles and did not give it another thought.  I fully expected to walk in my front door and John tell me he did not make it through the night.  My response was going to be "I know.  He told me he is with Jesus now." 

We had some ups and downs over the next few days.  I did not tell anyone what I was told on my run because I desperately did not want that to be the case.  I wanted to think maybe a bus drove past me and I inhaled the fumes.  Tuesday afternoon we got the bad news that he may be brain dead due to coding before surgery on Saturday.  When my mom gave me the bad news, I shared my experience with my parents.  She told me if he does pass away, she wants me to tell his wife what he told me. 

He was taken off support today around 2:30 and passed shortly before 3:00.  It is believed that he has been brain dead since Saturday.  If that is the case, he was with Jesus Sunday morning when he told me that.  I don't understand why he was taken from us so soon but I am having an even harder time understanding why he chose me.  There were so many people praying for him.  Why did he decide to tell me that he is ok and with Jesus?  What does he want me to do with this information?  I feel incredibly honored that he spoke to me but I have to be honest and say I also feel burdened by this information.  My mom has her thoughts on why he chose me and she believes I am supposed to pass this information on this his wife.  She thinks his wife will find it comforting and will also understand why me.  I hope it is clear to me someday too.

Has anyone else ever been spoken to like this?

Three Things Thursday: Race Edition

1.  Sunday will be my first race of the year!  I am running a 5k in the next town over.  I learned the other day I will most likely get crushed by a bunch of high school runners.  No big deal.  I always expect to be crushed!

2.  As of 15 minutes ago, I am registered for marathon #3 in my running career!  I just registered for the Marine Corp Marathon on October 30th in DC!  Cannot wait.

3.  I still need to decide on some tris for the season.  I tend to be very noncommital about the summer months because we are at the beach so much.  Because of this, I have not done many tris but I really want to get some in this year!

Why Hello There Friday!

Fridays are not typically the end of the week for me these days as it is tax season.  However, I don't have much work in the office as of this minute so I have an unexpected 2 day weekend!  This makes me a very happy mama! 

The weather is supposed to be perfect running weather this weekend too!  I might just get out for both my runs this weekend.  I have 8 miles between today and tomorrow and then 10 on Sunday.  I could not be more excited about this. 

Three Things Thursday

1.  I am loving this weather in NJ right now!  It is in the 60s today and just perfect.  I tossed L in the BOB yesterday when I got home from work and went for a quick run.  It only ended up being 1.5 miles because it got dark really quick.  I had to finish the run on the treadmill but L was a perfect boy in the stroller.  He did keep yelling "Faster mommy!"

2.  My 4 year old wants to go for a run today when we get home from work.  Ugh...50 pound kid in the stroller for a run is gonna be interesting.  It will be a short run again and then I will finish up my run after bedtime on the treadmill.

3.  I cannot wait to get outside more to run!

I wish I could buy willpower!

If only it were that easy!  I would pay good money for it.  I have the exercise half of getting healthy and losing weight nailed.  This week I am focused on healthier eating!  My goal is 20 pounds before my next marathon on May 15th.

I finally took my friend up on her offer of the Bod Pod.  It was frightening.  I can't even say it was eye opening because I was not surprised.  My body fat percentage was right about what I expected but it sucked seeing it on paper.  I know where I am and where I want to be.  Now I WILL get there!

Weekend was tough because L was sick and we were housebound.  I got my training in but was stuck inside on the treadmill again.  I making it a priority to get outside to run this coming Sunday! 

My training plan for the week...

Today - Lift - DONE!
Tuesday - 10 miles
Wednesday - Lift/Bike
Thursday - 6 mile base run
Friday - 5 mile run (3 of those miles will be intervals)
Saturday - Lift
Sunday - some run but not sure the distance

Month one down!

January 2011 is done and in the books.  My month went like this...

Runs planned 16
Actual runs 17 90.4 miles

Strength Training sessions planned 8
Actual sessions 10
I am following New Rules of Lifting for Women.  The plan calls for 2-3 sessions a week.  I am being conservative and planning 2 sessions a week.

I had 1 hour and 3 minutes on the trainer tossed in there too.

My February goals...

16 runs for a total of 105 miles if I follow the plan exactly.
8 Strength training sessions
2 hours on the trainer

Love is...

New sneaks!!!

I should be embarrassed to say this but I am not.  I sat on my couch and sniffed them for about 10 minutes the night I got them!  I wore them a few times and my feet love them.  I am not putting them in my sneaker rotation quite yet.  I still have some mileage left on the two pairs I have been rotating but this was a sale I could not pass up!

Getting ready for chaos!

Some changes are happening and I am not ready for it!  I am not ready for the chaos that is about to begin.  L is unexpectedly starting daycare/school next week because my mom is having surgery and won't be able to watch him for at least 6 weeks.  I have the next few days to pick up some things he will need for school.  John is working 5:30 am every day next week so that means I am on my own getting the kids up, dressed, fed, and out the door to wherever they need to be!  I have to be honest and say I am not looking forward to that aspect of these changes. 

In all of this, I need to make sure I am going to bed early so I can get up super early and run!  It is going to be interesting!

Run for the Bling of It!

I have decided to join a challenge for bloggers this year...Run for the Bling of it!  The idea of the challenge is to participate in 12 races in 2011, ideally a per month.  I am already behind because I know I will not be doing a race in January.

Right now I am registered for a 10 mile run in March, a marathon in May, and a half marathon in August.  I definitely have some planning to do!  I hope to run another fall marathon and 2-3 triathlons this year.  I will fill the rest of the races in with 5ks.  I am excited about this because I have stayed away from 5ks in the past since I am not a fast runner.  I hope to get involved more with the local running community this year and this challenge will push me to do it!

What a week! And three things Thursday!

I cannot wait for it to be Friday!  We are going out for dinner tomorrow night with my husband's parents, and his brother and wife.  We are leaving the kiddos at home.  I may even pour myself a glass of wine before the babysitter arrives at our house.

We have a lot going on right now and some of it is too personal to write about here.  Here are my Three Things Thursday...

1.  John is a restaurant manager and will be losing an assistant next week.  He has no idea when the assistant will be replaced.  His restaurant is on University of Pennsylvania's campus so he is pretty busy right now.  Losing a manager means more nights, longer days, and weekend shifts.  Loads of fun!  I am also gearing up for my busy season and will work some longer days and Saturdays.

2.  My mom had a hip replacement three years ago.  Back in December her hip popped out and she hit the ground pretty hard.  My dad called 911, took her to the hospital, and they popped it back in.  She has been recovering but sore.  Well, hip popped out again.  My poor little 2 year old was there both times and watched Nana fall and not be able to move.  My sister thinks he reenacted her falling this morning for her.  He fell to the ground, got up and said Nana went to the hospital and is all fixed.  Yesterday was rough because we were unsure what was going to happen and if they would need to operate.  Thankfully she came home today fitted with a brace and no surgery!

3.  I have three runs left for the week.  One run will be tonight on the treadmill.  The last two will be outside this weekend in freezing cold weather.  It is supposed to be 21 degrees on Saturday and 23 on Sunday.  I will be out there running!

23 degrees is CHILLY!!!

I did it!  I ran this morning in freezing cold temps.  I can't say I enjoyed it but I did it and will do it again.  I was out the door right at 8:00.  I wanted to be home by 9 because I had to leave the house around 10 to get J to karate.  It was a slow run due to the ice and snow on the road but it was a run.  I am sitting here hours after my run wishing I could run outside tomorrow.  I might be able to depending on what time my husband gets home from work.  I have to wait until naptime at 2 to run anyway.  It might just work.  I can't believe I am already thinking about another outdoor run in this cold weather. 

Time to HTFU!

I have said it before and I will say it again, I hate running outside in the cold.  Actually, I hate the cold in general.  I have always hated the snow but this is the first year that I hate everything about winter and the cold.  I am more than happy to just hibernate in my house. 

I do all of my running from November to March on the treadmill in my basement and I am ok with that but I think it is time to HTFU!  I will still have to do the majority of my runs on the treadmill because of timing issues.  I will not run outside in the dark by myself and I run early in the morning or late in the evening.  My goal for the next three months is to get one weekly run done outside.  Unless I find a running partner who wants to run at 8pm, that one weekly run will be a weekend run. 

I will start this weekend!!

Mandatory Bike Registration Proposed in NJ Legislature

It looks like an Assemblywoman in NJ has lots of free time.  She has introduced Bill A3657 that if passed would require all bicycles ridden on public highways or public land in NJ to pay a $10 biennial (24 mo.) registration fee or face a $100 fine for each offense.

This bill would require bicycles ridden on public highways or lands to be registered with the Motor Vehicle Commission and display license plates.  Bicycle registrations would be valid for two years, and the commission could charge up to $10 as an annual registration fee to defray the costs of the program. The bill specifies that if the owner of a bicycle is under 15 years of age, the owners parent or guardian may register it in their stead.


A person who violates any of the bicycle registration provisions would be subject to a fine up to $100 for each offense. In addition, the bill authorizes the chief administrator to suspend or revoke a bicycle registration for any violation of the laws, rules, or regulations regarding their operation.

I am bothered by this for several reasons.  A bill like this will actually discourage people from doing something active and good for them.  Let's face it...people are going to consider not buying a bike and exercising because this is just another thing they have to do.  We all know it. 

I own 2 bikes, my road bike at home and a hybrid at the beach.  My older son has a bike at our house, my inlaws beach house, and my parent's house.  My younger son will have the same amount of bikes when he learns to ride a bike.  I am sure at some point my husband will own a bike.  If this bill passes, my family will have to pay $90 annually to ride our bikes. 

What about a low income family that can't afford to pay $10 for each of their kids to ride a bike legally? 

I do think it would be amusing to see the license plates on bikes at triathlons!

I want to know how us cyclists will benefit from this!

And the Countdown Begins!

18 weeks until I run my second marathon.  I just registered for the 8th Annual Christiana Care Health System Delaware Marathon Running Festival on May 15th!!

A few Friday thoughts

1.  It has been a rough running week for some reason.  I have had a hard time getting out of bed in the morning to run.  I ran 7.35 Tuesday night, rest on Wednesday, and then slept in yesterday.  I did not feel like running last night so I went to bed early.  I was actually up and getting dressed to run this morning when J started sobbing in his sleep.  He was having nightmares and it was just me home with the boys this morning.  I climbed back into bed with him.  I nailed my run tonight!

2.  I am really itching to run another full marathon.  I am looking at a few in May because I really do not want to wait until November to run another.

3.  I think we are potty training L starting tonight.  He looked so cute wearing little boy underwear tonight.  This kid is dangerous and has already peed on me.  Pointing down while peeing is clearly not fun.  He needs to point it all around and giggles when he pees all over the place, especially on me.  Gonna be interesting!!

4.  I am on the third book of the Hunger Games series and I can't stop reading.  I am afraid to even think about how late I may be up reading tonight. 

5.  I will be deciding this weekend if I will be doing a marathon in May.  I will have decided to wait or I will be registered for one!