New Orleans Marathon

Race: New Orleans Rock n Roll Marathon
Date: 24 Feb 2013

Location: New Orleans, LA

Distance: 26.2

Time: 4:39:35

Overall: 1570/2631

Female: 587/1202

30-34F Age Group: 117/223

Marathon # 13
Garmin Link: Not available yet

This was my slowest marathon, my time was only 3 minutes faster than the 50K I ran last month.  So many things went wrong before the race even started.  To start, I was sick the week before leaving.  After I started feeling better, I developed a sinus and ear infection.  The pain was so bad, I couldn't get out of bed, but I was still determined to run.  I spend the entire week taking decongestants and sleeping, but the pain would not go away.  I was very fortunate we decided to drive because there was no way I could get on a plane.  Mark and I made the 12 hour drive to my parents house the Thursday before the race.  By this point the pain had started to weaken, but the congestion was still a big issue.  I could no longer hear anything out of my left ear.  I rode the entire trip with my head back trying to get it to drain.  By the next day, I was starting to loose my voice and by the time we finished at the expo, I was a mute.  I went to bed early and was very thankful to be sleeping at my parents house and not a hotel.  I felt a bit better the next morning, but knew this was going to be a long race.  I started struggling at mile 5, but not for the reason I expected.  I made three visits to the porta potty between miles 5 and 10.  The stops accounted for about 20 minutes because of the lines.  I didn't mind, I wasn't going to finish strong anyway, so I decided to just enjoy the run.  The second half of the race went better, mainly because I didn't have anything left inside of me :)  I ran the last half at a decent pace.  I was so happy to finish!!  Later that night the OKC group went for a post race dinner.  Unfortunately by this time, I could not talk at all and had no hearing in my left ear.  Things seemed to be getting worse.  My ear was also bleeding.....not good.  I went to an urgent care clinic the next morning and found out my eardrum ruptured.  My best guess is that this happened late Wednesday or early Thursday before the race.  The doctor gave me antibiotics and by that night, I was feeling much better.  I was able to enjoy a night out in New Orleans!!!  Even with a ruptured eardrum, sinus infection and ear infection, I don't regret running the race.  I loved the experience and I'm happy to have shared the it with my friends and family.  Ten days later, I still don't have much hearing in my left ear, but it is improving.  I should be back to normal in a few more weeks.

At the start with Mark

Finishers Medal

Number and Finishers Medal

Reflection at night

St Louis Cathedral

Post run treats

Swamp

Post race meal :)

My favorite!!!

Stop at the cigar shop

Hotel

Go Short, Go Long, Go Very Long 50K

Race: Go Short, Go Long, Go Very Long
Date: 26 January 2013
Location: Tulsa, OK
Distance: 50K (31 Miles)....first race at this distance
Time: 4:43:24
Overall: 8/49
Female: 4/26
30-34F Age Group: 1/4
Marathon # 12
Garmin Link:  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/266335297

This may be my best race to date!!  I started out slow, ran negative splits and my fastest miles were at the end of the race.  Everything seemed to come together on this day, the weather, the wind and my legs.  I could not have asked for a better way to run my first 50K.

The usual question I get when I tell people I'm running 50K is "Why".  This question is usually followed by "Are you crazy".  My answers are always the same.  "Because it's fun" and "yes, I am".  My reasons for running are simple and the reward is something I have trouble putting into words.  Finishing a race this distance is not easy, and for me, that's the point.  If it were easy, it wouldn't be fun and I wouldn't be crazy for trying.  Like all crazy runners, I decided to run my first 50K a few weeks before the race.  A few friends convinced me running 50K was a good idea and in my wine induced euphoria, I agreed.  I liked this particular race because unlike most Ultras, the course was paved and in nearby Tulsa.  I also love racing with my friends, they make the experience worth it!! 

Going into this race, I didn't have any strategy and because I decided to run a few weeks before the race, I didn't follow any training plan.  I usually train for marathons year round, so I was doing 20 mile long runs every three weeks.  I'd just need to run another 11 miles, sounds simple enough, right?  Because I had never run a 50K and I didn't have any idea how to pace myself, I started out slower than normal.  I was happily running with a group of friends chatting at the start.  After about 5 miles, I decided to run a bit faster and it's about this time that I actually developed a strategy.  I'd run about a 9 minute pace to mile 10 then drop to just below 9 minutes.  That worked well and I finished the first lap feeling great, so I decided that at mile 20 I'd try and drop to about 8:30 pace.  That seemed like a good idea until about mile 27 or so.  By mile 29, I was ready for this experience to be over.  With 2 miles left, I pushed my body to the finish.  My legs, specifically my left shin and hamstring, were not happy with me, but I managed to finish strong.  YAY!!  My first 50K was officially in my past.

I learned a lot from this race and hopefully can apply these strategies to future marathons.  First, I started slow and finished with my fasted miles at the end.  I never imagined I could do this in a long race, but I was wrong.  Second, I fueled!!  This is a very new concept to me, my marathon PR was a race I used no GU or food.  During this race, I had Gatorade chews every 6 miles and ate a protein bar at miles 12 and 20.  I felt a huge difference in my energy level late in the race.  Finally, I realized I'm in much better shape than I thought.  Training is paying off!!!

Now it's time to take it easy be for the New Orleans Marathon on February 24th.  Hopefully the running gods will be on my side again!
 

Pre Race Picture with Friends

The Start - We look so happy.

Pausing around mile 11

Overall Time

Cool Medal

Happy Runners

Age Group Award

Pre Race Dinner in OKC

Mile Splits:

Mile	Avg Pace
1	9:14
2	9:24
3	9:38
4	9:32
5	9:35
6	9:16
7	9:16
8	10:16
9	9:15
10	9:01
11	9:28
12	9:13
13	8:54
14	9:10
15	8:57
16	8:53
17	8:48
18	8:53
19	9:02
20	8:46
21	8:56
22	8:37
23	8:43
24	9:45
25	8:29
26	8:21
27	8:31
28	8:22
29	8:25
30	8:48
31	8:48
32	8:39
Summary	9:02

Baton Rouge Marathon

Well, It's better late than never.  I'm finally posting about the Baton Rouge Marathon on December 1, 2012.  The route was a scenic 2 loop course around the LSU campus.  I grew up not far from this area, but have never taken the time to visit.  I was impressed with the tree lined streets that provided shade in the warm Louisiana winter and the flat course.  Overall, the race was a success.  I ran well until about mile 22, then faded quickly.  My time was about 30 seconds slower than my PR and I placed 3rd in my age group.

Baton Rouge Marathon: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/248781330

Thanks to Chuck for the pictures.

OKC Landrunners

Mom and Dad met me at the finish

Replacing all the calories

Post run Cajun fool

Finishers Medal and Age Group Award

Finish Time

Post Race

Malibu International Marathon - Running Along the Pacific Coastal Highway

The Start

Packet Pickup

There a places that take your breath away and there are things that take your breath away.  Sometimes you are lucky enough to find both in the same place.  I was fortunate enough to run the Malibu International Marathon on November 11, 2012.  What could be better than running through beautiful country side to the Pacifical Coastal Highway, seeing dolphins swimming along side the course and collapsing on the beach at the finish?  In my world, it doesn't get much better than that.  

Mile 8 - Beautiful view of the farms

Mile 1 - Watching the sun rise 

Mile 12 - PCH

I would recommend this race to anyone that doesn't mind a challenging course with great views.  The marathon started in Ventura County at a local school.  The start was much colder than I expected (around F 40) so I decided to wear a light jacket (not so smart).  After a delay waiting on busses to bring the runners to the start, we got going.  We ran along county roads surrounded by green fields with Santa Monica Mountains in the background.  The sun was beginning to rise behind the mountains creating views I can't describe.  Which is exactly why I ran with my GoPro strapped to my hand.  This part of the course was flat and I felt great.  By the time I hit the first mile maker, I regretted wearing the jacket.  Lesson learned, suffer a bit at the start to be happy during the race.  I happily trotted along for the next 8 miles, enjoying the view.  I even started looking forward to a few hills, after all, I was using this race as a training run and had no expectations for a PR.  Little did I know how crazy that would sound at mile 23.  

Mile 12 - Another great view

The race curved around and finally hit the PHC around mile 13.  I was still feeling good and averaging 8:30/mile, then the first hill hit.  I was getting hot, so I stopped to take off my jacket and take a few pictures.  I realized how much CRAP I run with.  I had a jacket, gloves, ear warmer, GU, iPhone, GoPro and Camelpak.  GRRRR, I had to tie the jacket around my waist and put the CRAP in my Camelpak.  Oh well, at least the view was great.  I was back in business until I saw the next hill and this wasn't even the "big" one.  I decided to walk up it (which would be my new strategy during the race).  I was just in awe of the coast line and the dolphins swimming near the shore.  I also was amazed at the beautiful houses in the hills.  I love the California coast, it has become one of my favorite places to visit.  

Midway point

The second half of the race was much slower than the first.  I think I averaged 11:00/mile.  Partly because I walked up a few hills and partly because I just wanted to enjoy the area.  We entered the city of Malibu and I was near the end.  The finish was small, but great.  There was not much of a crowd.  After I received my medal and finishers beach towel, I walked to the sand and laid in the sun.  I have to say, that is the best way I have ever ended a race.  Warm weather, sound of waves and sand.  

The dolphins are out there!!

I couldn't leave the area without visiting a few tasting rooms.  After every marathon, I get one treat.  This time I went wine tasting and bought a nice bottle to enjoy.

I have posted a few pictures from the race to show what I couldn't describe.  

Almost done :)

Still happily running along

Malibu, CA

Number :)

Pre Race Pic

Driving the course

Along the course

Done!!

I'll take it :)

Very nice alternative to a shirt

Santa Monica Mountains

Above is my finish video.  Beware, it is very bouncy.  

Wichita Prairie Fire Marathon - Not Everything Goes as Planned



Overall time

Months ago I registered for the Wichita Prairie Fire Marathon with hopes of a PR.  I started with a good training plan, 50 mile per week base and great training partners to keep me on track.  I ran all summer in the 100 F temperatures hoping to get stronger.  When race day finally arrived, I was feeling great.  I tapered, got plenty of sleep and ate well; I even avoided wine and spicy food.  So what happened, where did I go wrong?  Sometimes things just don't go as planned.  Sometimes you fall short of your expectations, by a lot.

 

Great company for a road trip



Back in late June my plan was simple, I started speed work on Tuesdays, tempo runs on Thursdays and long runs on Saturdays with short easy runs on the other days.  I also cross trained several days a week.  I was diligent about keeping up with the Tuesday and Thursday runs and was getting faster.  But, as I look back at my training logs, I can now see I fell short on a few of the long runs.  I managed three runs at over 20 miles, but only two of them were within six weeks of the race.  I also skipped the last 20 mile run to race in the Redman 70.3 triathlon.  This is problem # 1, don't skip long runs.   

Training partner Justin





Problem # 2 is one of those hand to the forehead moments, douhhh.  At the start of the race I took a five hour energy.  I have taken these at races before and not had any problems, but on this day, it was a mistake.  Unfortunately at mile seven, I started having gastrointestinal issues..... and all runners know that is not a good sign so early in a marathon.  I started to drop back and walked through the next water station.  At mile nine, I spotted a few porta potties, but they were occupied.  GRRRR.  At mile 11, I finally found an empty one and was back in business.  I started happily running along, feeling much better. 



Ouch, Ouch, Ouch

While my body was feeling better, my foot wasn't doing as well.  I recently bought new shoes that gave me problems during Redman.  I switched back to my old shoes a few weeks before the race, but this may have contributed to my foot pain.  Problem # 3, take care of your feet.  By mile 21, I was walking.  My foot hurt so bad that I couldn't start back at even a trot.  At one point I was hopping along on the good foot.  Toward the end, the crowds were cheering for me to run the last few miles, but I couldn't.  It was so frustrating to have my body feel good, but my foot hurt.  I did manage to trot the last 10-20 steps across the finish line.  Two things I could not let happen were a DNF and walking across the finish line.    

 

BEST GROUP EVER

At the start line walking was far from my mind.  My training partners and I decided to run with the 3:45 pace group a few days before.  The pace group leader planned on starting out slow and progressively get faster.  I stuck with a pace group even though I did not feel comfortable going out so slow.  My normal strategy is to go out slightly faster than the goal time to compensate for feeling tired the last few miles.  Every time I've done that, I've PR'ed.  Once I fell behind the pace group and realized how far off I was, I gave up too easily.  I think having a specific goal time and focusing so hard on reaching it was a bad idea.  I need to be more flexible so I don't get discouraged and slow down.  So, lets add problem # 4 to the list, pace groups aren't a good idea.  

 

Jen and Lisa!

Finally, I could be suffering from burnout, I've done a lot of races the last few months, problem # 5.  This was my 14th race (5K, 10K, Tri, ect.) in four months and 28th is year.  By this time, I wanted a break.  The last five miles were pretty depressing, I even updated my facebook status to distract me from the reality of walking.  I've never felt so disappointed during a race.  Even when races aren't going as planned, I usually love the atmosphere and being part of the event.  All the problems started rushing around in my head.  How could this be going so bad.....walking five miles takes a really long time, I've never actually walked five miles before.  I had plenty of time to reflect and think about what was going wrong.  I guess there is a first time for everything.  

Hobbling to the end

When the finish was in sight, I saw my friends cheering for me!  This reminded me why I run, the friends I have made along the way are great!  I had a fabulous time in Wichita despite my poor performance.  I run for the love of it, I run for the friendships, I don't run to win.  Sometimes I forget to relax and have fun.  If this isn't fun, I shouldn't be out there.  The weekend was a blast, I spend time getting to know other runners and enjoyed a great post run meal at the brewhouse.  I also finished my 9th marathon and eight of those nine marathons were in the last 12 months.  That's an accomplishment on it's own.  Sometimes things don't go as planned and you learn something unexpected, sometimes you need to have things put in perspective.  Each race teaches you something and hopefully I can use what I've learned.  One bad race won't discourage me from racing again or keep me from getting back to training hard.   





Bling

 

I'm so excited



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