05/25/2008 05:41
Time Extended
Since I only have 1 entry so far in my "guess Travel Girl's Half Marathon Finishing Time" contest, I'm going to extend the end time for guesses to 10:00 am EDT.
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- Name: Andrea N
- City: Boston
- State: MA
- Country: US
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05/24/2008 18:32
Guess My Half Marathon Time!!
I just now thought of this idea - and I think it might be fun.
In honor of my very first half marathon tomorrow - I want you, my loyal readers and friends - to guess how long it will take me to finish. The person who comes closest, without going over, will win a $25 gift card to Starbucks (or Borders, or something, in case you don't have a Starbucks near you) and I will also donate $25 in the winner's name to my Nike Marathon fundraising effort.
So, a few things to help you. According to the Runner's World pace calculator, based on my last 10K finish time (ran on 4/27/08) I should be able to finish a half marathon in 2:46:01. The course is fairly flat and the weather is supposed to be wonderful. However, I was sick earlier this week, and I am feeling more tired than normal.
All guesses need to be submitted by 7:00 am EDT on Sunday, May 25th. The race begins at 8:15 am EDT.
Let the guessing begin!!
05/23/2008 09:35
Feeling Better - Getting Nervous!
Thank you all SO much for your well wishes. I’m feeling better – although really exhausted since the last couple of nights I’ve woken up around 3:00 am and haven’t been able to go back to sleep until 5:00 am or so. Ugh – that really takes it out of you. I did pass my cold along to Jerel, who seems to have it much worse than I did.
On Wednesday night I made it to the gym and got in my strength training. My glutes are still aching from the squats that I did. I also took a BURN class since I have a few more sessions to use up before they expire. There were only 2 of us in the class, and Lauren truly kicked our asses. It was great though. We did a couple of 1:30 sprints – I was at 6.3 – and for the last :15 she had me kicked up the speed to 6.5. I really thought I was going to puke! Good times. I felt a ton better after the class too.
Yesterday I started getting nervous about my HM on Sunday. I mean – it’s on SUNDAY!! Its 13.1 miles!! There are going to be over 3200 runners!! I’m going to freak out!! I’m trying to remain calm, cool and collected, and just run my own race. It will be fun – it’s going to be a beautiful day – it’s a wonderful way to spend a few hours on a Sunday morning. These are the thoughts going through my head as I try not to panic!
Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend…and I will try to get a race report posted by Monday.
05/20/2008 16:43
Miss Me?
I'm sick. Been feeling like crap since yesterday (well, officially since last week) - went home from work at noon and have been here all day today. Not sure what it is - maybe a sinus infection. Aching head, chills, fever, exhausted. Sick enough that I had to miss my training session with Tara this morning. You KNOW I'm sick if I have to cancel on her. And I'm not getting my run in today. That sucks. I am supposed to run a 1/2 marathon on Sunday, so I'd best get to feeling better pretty darn quickly!
Just wanted you to know why you haven't seen me around. Hope you're all doing much better than I am!!
05/15/2008 13:12
Finally!!
I know, I know...I've been a slacker this week. I finally got around to posting my RR from Sunday. I would have done it earlier this week but didn't do anything with my photos until last night.
I have been productive though on the exercise front - especially since I started the "official" Nike Marathon training. On Monday morning I ran a mile on the treadmill and then took a Gravity training class. Ouch - soreness! Tuesday morning I ran 1.25 miles and then saw Tara for an hour of personal training. Um...more soreness! So, I treated myself to a massage Tuesday evening, which was FABULOUS!! Yesterday I walked to and from work - and also found the perfect dress for Carol's birthday party on the 31st at Macy's. Woot!!
Tonight I have to run 1.5 miles and also do my strength training. I can't kill myself though since I'm seeing Jane tomorrow morning. Luckily my knees have been feeling really good all week. I make sure to ice them a couple of times a day which I'm sure is helping.
The only downer is I think I have allergies. Every morning this week I've woken up and my head is aching, and I've been feeling more crangry than normal. I'm so happy tomorrow is Friday. At least it's been somewhat quiet at the office since my boss is in London.
On Saturday I have my first Team in Training run bright and early at 8:00 am. I think we are doing 2 miles. I should be able to handle that! No racing this weekend since I'm supposed to taper before the Boston Run to Remember. I'm wonder if I can switch to the 5 Miler? Just kidding - I know I can finish the half. I might be last, but by golly I WILL finish!
Make sure to visit Laura's blog and read all about her workout with Jillian Michaels! I've been reading her blog for the past few months and she is truly inspiring. She spends a lot of time in Boston for work so one of these days if I'm brave enough I might run with her - although she is pretty speedy!
Hope you're all having a great week!!
05/15/2008 12:53
Race Report - M.O.M.'s Run 5K - Somerville, MA
Sunday – May 11th
I found out about this race from a flyer someone was passing out at my first race, the Cambridge CityRun back in March. Oh so long ago! I thought it looked great (easy) and figured why not.
It was a fairly small race – only about 240 participants – so no chip timing. I placed myself closer to the start line.
For some reason I thought I had suddenly become super speedy and took off WAY too fast. That didn’t last for long and I eventually settled into my normal penguin pace. It was a perfect day to run – about 55 degrees, sunny, with a nice breeze blowing. The course wasn’t too bad – had a couple of hills – but since it was a smaller race the streets weren’t closed. There were volunteers at intersections stopping traffic, but it was strange to have cars whizzing by me.
This was the first race where I actually had some people annoy me though! During the first mile there were 3 people running together – 2 girls and a guy. Well, the one girl didn’t look like she ran very much (or at all). They would all sprint past me and then start walking. I would pass them, they would sprint again past me and start walking again. This went on for the first mile or so, until there was a nice downhill where I picked up some speed and got away from them.
Toward the end of the race there was another girl – she had her jacket tied around her waist so I could hear her coming – doing the same thing. She would walk, I would run past her, she would sprint past me, start walking, I’d pass her and on and on. When I saw the finish line she was behind me and I could hear her trying to catch me, so somehow I pulled a little more energy together and kicked it up a notch.
After I crossed the finish line and I was going through the chute so the timekeeper could mark down my time this other woman I had passed in the last ¼ mile or so actually tried to pass me. One of the race volunteers had to ask her to get behind me so the results would be right. One of the first things I read about racing courtesy is don’t pass anyone in the chute! Anyway, this chick was also wearing tight gray shorts – and I have a bit of advice. If you have cellulite, please don’t wear skintight gray shorts – not flattering!
Luckily, Jerel snapped a great photo of all 3 of us approaching the finish line:
Anyway, I didn’t do better than my time at Heels and Hills even though I really did try! My official finish time was 37:53, which still keeps me at about a 12:13 mile.
Next race: Boston Run to Remember Half Marathon - May 25th
Will I actually survive it?
05/12/2008 11:49
Great Weekend!!
Ah, Monday again...but I did have an awesome weekend. I will do a race report from yesterday once I get my photos uploaded.
On Saturday I was super sore from my workout with Jane, so I decided to skip going to the gym. I finally got motivated around 11 so Jerel and I headed over to REI since there was only one more day left of their big sale. I've been needing a better rainjacket - one that's breathable because I know one of these days it's going to rain when I have to run. After looking around and trying on a number of North Face jackets I finally found one that I love - surprisingly made by REI. Of course - it wasn't on sale, but with their card I still got 20% off.
I also picked up a couple pairs of shorts. As the weather gets warmer I know I'm going to be too hot wearing my capris at the gym or when I'm running. They look okay - of course they are pretty long - almost down to my knees. I wouldn't want to scare any onlookers with my wobbly thighs!
Saturday night we had an incredible dinner at O Ya. I took pictures of each course and will do a separate post about it when I have a free moment.
And last night I saw my middle sister for the first time in almost 4 years. She has been riding around the country with her semi-truck driving boyfriend for the past month, and they had a delivery outside of Boston this morning. Jerel and I met them at a service area so they could park the truck and we took them to the Cheesecake Factory in Natick. It was nice to see her and her boyfriend is a really nice guy.
This morning I was up early and at the gym because I have officially begun my Nike marathon training. I needed to run a mile according to my training schedule, and I was really happy I could do it and my knees didn't bother me at all. In the past I haven't been able to run 2 days in a row because my knees would ache. I think this means I'm getting stronger!
More later - hope you all have a wonderful day!!
05/08/2008 10:36
10 Miles is Long!!
Since yesterday was a beautiful spring day here in Boston I decided to get out outside and run along the Charles River after work. Considering the Boston Run to Remember Half is a mere 17 days away I thought it would be a good idea to see what 10 miles would feel like. I mapped out approximately how far I would have to go along the Charles to hit 5 miles, and then I would turn around. Map My Run estimated I would have to go out to Harvard’s football stadium. So, I strapped on my Garmin and I was off.
Of course, there were a ton of people out running and riding their bikes. I felt pretty good most of the time – of course, there was much walking along with running. I made out to the football stadium and turned around. I felt okay up until around 7.5 miles and then noticed that my small toes on my left foot seemed to be smashed into the side of my shoe. By then I really needed to use the restroom, and running was making it worse, so I walked the rest of the way home.
I didn’t know what to do first when I got home – drink water, pee, stretch or eat!! I think I had some water, went to the bathroom, stretched and then had dinner. My legs were killing me though – I shuffled around the rest of the evening. They are feeling okay today.
So, I can almost visualize running/walking a half marathon. I did feel like I could continue on last night a little longer. The actual half will be better since I won’t have to wait for traffic lights when crossing the road, plus I won’t have bikes zipping past me on narrow walkways.
Next week I’m going to add 2 more miles, and I need to wear my wider shoes. I’m also going to need to get some sort of belt to carry water with me. I took a bottle of water with me but it’s annoying to have to hold it in my hand. I’ve been looking at the Nathan products and have been thinking about get this one. I’m a little wary of it though, due to the fact that I don’t really need anything to else to weigh me down – LOL! However, the ability to quench my unrelenting thirst is a little more important. Not sure what I can do about the bathroom issue. Hopefully there will be port-o-potties on the Run to Remember course (according the race website there will be aid stations every 2 miles – what a relief!).
Tonight is the Team in Training Fall Kickoff Event. Jerel is going with me - it’s at the Good Time Emporium – never been there, but it looks fun. I believe they will hand out the training schedule tonight – not sure if we start this week or next. When I spoke with the running coach she said we would be running at 8:00 am on Saturdays and at 7:30 am when it starts to get warmer. Luckily I’m a morning person!
I’m taking the day off from the gym, but I have a training session scheduled with Jane tomorrow. Saturday I may have TNT training, but I also have Pilates at 11:00, and on Sunday I’m running in a 5K in Somerville. Saturday night Jerel and I are going to O Ya to celebrate his graduation. I am ready for the weekend though - this week seems like it's gone on forever!
Have a great day!!
05/06/2008 12:16
Race Report - Heels & Heels 5K - Dallas, TX
I am back from Big D and had a great weekend with Txlass!!
So a 5K is a pretty easy race – and fast too! I was very happy to finish under 38:00, which was my goal. My Garmin came in at 37:39 making my pace 11:59/mile – WOOT!! Official race results have me finishing at 37:58 and a 12:13/mile pace. Not sure how my Garmin could be that far off since I stopped it a couple of seconds after I crossed the finish line. Obviously I like my Garmin time better!
I ran with a friend of Txlass that I met over the weekend, Susan. She really helped keep me going and she said I helped keep her going too. I did walk a little mostly to help slow my heart rate down – and up a couple of the hilly areas. The race took place on a service road – it was out and back – and we had to cross a bridge, which was the biggest hill. Other than that it wasn’t too bad at all. There were official photographers at the end of the race so I took a couple of photos in front of the “Finisher” screen. Hopefully they will turn out well.
I have my next 5K this coming Sunday – the M.O.M.’s Run in Somerville, MA. Hopefully I will be a little faster than last week. This race isn’t chip timed, so Garmin it is.
I’m feeling a little crappy (and crangry) today, but wanted to let you all know how I did on Sunday. If I get a chance I will elaborate more on the mighty fine weekend I had in Dallas.
Have a great day!
05/01/2008 21:54
Off to Big D
Well, I'm leaving for Dallas in the morning to spend a wonderful weekend with Txlass, and I am looking forward to seeing KimQuilts and meeting her daughter Tiffany. I love my EP get togethers!!
I had a good time at the Team in Training meeting last night. They are quite "get up and go" - almost sorority-like - but I think I'll be okay. I met the running coach and she seemed great, and there wasn't any issue with me making my own plans to get to SFO since Jerel is coming with me. In fact, I can be reimbursed for my flight and my hotel (up to what they would pay) from the money I raise. So - I went ahead and signed up - and I signed up to do the WHOLE marathon!! I wanted to wait and see how my first half goes in a few weeks, but thought what the heck - why not? I have 6 months to train - and I know I can do it!! So - get ready to hear all about it between now and Rocktober!
I also signed up to run the Stowe 8 Miler in Vermont in July. Jerel and I are going to drive up on the 19th and stay overnight at Topnotch. This will also cross Vermont off my list of states visited! In fact, I think another goal of mine will now be to race in every state at least once!
Have a great weekend - hope to give you a good race report on Sunday!!