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BOSTON MARATHON 117th April 15th 2013

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Annette

Terrible that this great race was marred with such tragedy, first I want to pay tribute to the victims and their families. Also commend the wonderful people of Boston, the expertise of medical, the authorities (law & medical) how they responded was magnificent I am truly impressed.

The horror to think something could happen to your love one in a flash. I really tried not to think about it while I was gone because of the emotions I not wanting to face. I can’t imagine the trauma that guy is going through Losing his son, his daughter’s leg and wife ritually injured. I try to be strong but in a flash it was terrifying, worried about my daughter who was near the finish line and could not communicate with her because of loss phone lines, finally relieved once I heard from her. It was a crazy frantic scene; it could if turned out worse. My accounts of those events are here. Once I came back the images tormented me at night the week, but on to the race.

Coming into Boston was exciting.

On the Finish Line the day before

I met up with some friends after I walked through the expo

Friends at expo: Marie, Judy, Me & Kat. Rachel already left

Daughter came in and we ate at the Atlantic grill, fantastic place and planned to come back after the race.

Bus ride

I was up early left about 6:30 to catch the bus. The walk to the buses was longer than I anticipated then the Line. Whoa it snaked all over the place and finally about 7:20 I got on the bus.

Bus Line: Long lines the snaked all over

On the ride to the start my sunglasses broke, my daughter said she would try to bring me another pair but I told her it will be too crazy there and I will be okay. It was a Long ride and I could not wait to get off to use bathroom.

Athlete village

Map of start area
compliments
http://mymarathonpace.com/

I was thrilled to get in the perfect line that went fast. Went to find some tape for my glasses (made the whole marathon without falling apart!) and for my drop bag that was falling apart. Later walk to another area, hmm there is more went to take some pictures.

I was in line to use the bathroom for one last time, then they started announcing we need to get to the corral area. I assume I had time, better to have a empty bladder.

The line was moving very slow, not like the ones on the other side. They announce no waiting in line off to the left so many of us took a bee line in that direction, and yes no waiting. So my last bathroom stop made me late getting to wave 3, the reason is because I had to go around corral 9,-8,-7, -6 and so on to get to 3. It was very crowded going to corral 3; I barely made it in time.

Course

Mile Splits: as always I try not to rely on my Garmin for distance per mile split. I hit lap at each mile marker and go by time.

Splits shown: Mile#– time

1-8:31.7 2-8:23.7, 3-8:28.7, 4-8:30.7, 5-8:32.1, 6-8:32.6

I know fast but it did not feel fast, I was just loving the crowds, they were absolutely amazing.

I just loved the start it remind me of Poconos trees and downhill I took it easy but was going fast. Decided to go by feel (not anaerobic just fast and easy) and enjoy the crowds. The support was great! There were kids having there with hands out to cheer; I’d go by high five all that I could. Families were having a big day, picnic tables and all, I cannot think of a better community that supports their marathons, well it traditional for 117 years. Throughout the whole marathon there was not hardly ever a bare spot, I turned off my ear phones to enjoy at least till it got tough. I once said I only want to do Boston once but this has been the best race I’ve ever done, I just Love Boston.

7-8:31.8, 8:38.6, 9-8:35.0,

Okay I was enjoying myself but reminded myself to dial it back a bit. At mile 8 I think is where the train was at. It was stopped and then started up. I had a blast running with it for quite some time, like racing a train.

10-8:54.7, 11-8:52.3, 12-8:41.6,

13-9:08.2 I am not sure why I slowed down, I probably knew I had time and got too caught up in the Wellesley College. Wesley college one more fun part they were all a screaming with signs from all over United states. I wanted to go and kiss one, it was that much fun.

14-8:27.9 I sped up probably because I knew I was about at the half way point. I was getting hot (I could not imagine running 2012 with record high temps), before I got to the hills I seem to heat up quick.

15-9:05.5 Starts to climb that tops out quickly, this is where the hills start really start.

16-8:39.8 Nice downhill entering town of Newton. I would love to come back and see the falls, and go to the lower falls wine company.

17-9:22.4 Ouch first hill, but I decided I was not going to beat myself up on the hills. Although I was already starting to heat up

18-9:49.3, 19-8:58.5

20-9:41.7, I think this is where my Garmin indicated it was low on battery and I thought to myself that I will not let it bother me. I told myself , just run your best and or enjoy.

21-10:10.0 I was suffering by now as the hills were getting to me plus the heat. My pace begun to suffer badly. I was so happy to crest that last hill
22-8:55.0

23- 9:15.6 As hard as I was feeling there was a sweet girl or two that would come along and cheer me on. Telling me how strong I looked, amazed because I was feeling hot and wiped at that point. I will remember those cheering words.

24-9:16.3 My ankles were burning of a strange pain I never felt before, also my calves were trying to cramp up. I tried to not think about it all and push through.

25- 9:44.7

Sir Speedy

26- 26.2 9.29 Saw the finish line and I kicked it up a notch. My daughter was at mile 26 and took this picture. I didn’t see her.

She also text me this picture so I would look for her, but I didn’t get it until after I started running.

April and balloon, taken before the race

Part of mile 26 my Garmin died time was 6:18.5 stopped at 3:50:06 I had 5 more minutes till I finishes so average I think for the 1.2 miles would of been around 8:27

PICTURES – Waiting for CD I ordered to add pictures

Once I past the finish line I was wiped. I need to sit down, I found a curb to sit and catch my breath. The gentleman ask me if I needed anything. I said no just stretch, which I did for a minute or two then got up after texting my daughter to proceed down to collect my medal, other stuff on the way to my drop off bag by the buses.

I really loved this Marathon, it is by far the best I have done in crowd support and organization. My third Boston Qualifier in a row. Who knows I may be back!

After math of the Bomb account go here….http://www.runrunrace.com/blog/boston-the-bomb-and-life-is-precious/

Boston: the Bomb and life is precious

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Annette

Life is precious

Life is precious, be blessed. I bought two of these bracelets for my Daughter and I to remind me how life is precious and how in a blink of an eye things could change.

I don’t want to dwell on the terrible experience of that bomb. I generally keep most emotions inside. When I looked at the explosion with the thought of something may of happen to my daughter it was an empty feeling but instead I tried to stay positive. But the thoughts of what if and the vision of that smoke haunted me for days, could not be denied.

It was 30 minutes till we had communication with each other. I try to be strong but in a flash it was terrifying until I finally heard she was okay. It was a frantic chaotic scene.

The FINSH Line
After I past the finish line I was just totally out of it because I believe to give all you got and leave nothing on the course. Accordingly after passing I was light headed and needed to sit down, all I could find is a curb. I sat there and stretch. A volunteer asked me if I need anything and pointed to the wheel chair they provide. No I told him, I just need to stretch. Then I texted my daughter as soon as I got my groundings and proceeded to get up. She was at mile 26 and took a picture of me and asked if I notice her with the balloon.If pains me to think this could of been the last picture of my daughter,

We text back and forth, she said she was heading my way, I told her no Hurry I am going to pick up my clothing bag (drop bag).

My drop bag was the 2nd or 3rd bus from the finish line, north side.

WHERE I WAS

I was at the bus where my clothing drop bag was according to bib number plus many others. I was next in line to get my bag and a big bang went off to my left. I saw the big smoke come from the bomb. The vision of that smoke forever haunts me. We all in the area were not sure what it was and kind of dismissed it as a cannon of celebration or the like. Then the second bomb went off. A silence was all over; obviously something was wrong. I got my bag and proceeded away. Asked an officer what was that, he said it was an explosion from a sporting good store. I called April she didn’t answer so I left a message of not to sound to alarming, but as cool and collective as I can. Being the positive thinking person I am, I really didn’t want to think something was wrong. She didn’t answer, I called about every minute no answer. I then decided to text, no answer. All I could do is go as things begun to get crazy.

Unfolding event become surreal

It seemed to get very surreal then. People were going in all different directions. A mass of people were running screaming “RUN”. I looked at them confused in my dazed state. I started walking fast carrying my bag; which became heavy I also was afraid it would fall apart. There were people in wheelchairs everyone going in all directions. I got to this big tent knowing I didn’t need to be in there so I went around it by hopping around and over the barricaded that enclosed it. It was a chaotic scene, like a war zone. I was in Shock, mainly because I just ran 26.2 miles as hard as I could, then aimlessly trying to move about through the chaos and trying to find my hotel. I was cold (my hands were freezing cold), because I only had my tank top on and short and aluminum blanket wrap on. It seemed like forever. I’d go a ways and ask people how to get to the Copley Marriot, some shrugged in confusion as me, then some would give me directions that I only could take two steps at a time. I might have been frantically moving about in circles, because looking at the map my hotel was next to the Westin hotel . I think if someone was with me directing I would not have been in such a weird state of confusion. Finally I got a call from April, relieve I tried to slip in a hotel to warm up but it was locked. I asked again an officer how to get to my hotel he said I may not be able to get in because of the street being blocked, but he explained how to go around. Finally I made it.

Regrets

I regret that my daughter had to go through that. It was the most terrifying thing she experienced. I was more the relieved when I heard she was okay, I feel for the families of the victims of this bombing. I could not imagine having to live with that grief. To think in a blink of an eye you could lose someone dearly, it would have been very devastating.

Aftermath

We were in lockdown once at the hotel, resting and looking down at all the trauma unfolding below.

Dog bomb sniffing

next morning police was very present

Hungry nothing to eat my daughter did go down to plead with them the hotel I need something to eat and gave her some sandwiches. Later the hotel graciously opened up a complementary buffet for us all at 7:30 but it took about an hour to get through. We met up with fellow friends Marie and Kat and their family.

The next morning I was happy to wake up early and go to the spa to relieve my muscle, hot tub, them soak in cool tub. By afternoon we packed up and left. Strolling down the streets I look back and thought how ironic I do want to come back, this is a great city.

The next week we stayed busy visiting Martha’s Vineyard, then Cape Cod on the way back flights out by Friday we left early. Then I ran another marathon in Indiana. We were very busy and I refused to think about the event. Once home I was rested but all the visions and thoughts that I could not piece together haunted me. I think writing it down helps to let it all go

This is written from my daughter how she went through it:

I was excited to share this special moment with mom and to watch her pass the finish line at the Boston Marathon 2013. I really wanted to see her in two places. One at about the 15 or 16 mile marker and another at the end. Unfortunately, there was a Boston Red Sox game in downtown along with the Boston Marathon so the trains were backed up and that if I tried that plan I might not be able to make it back in time to see her at the finish. I ate lunch, walked around and remembered seeing a spot that I thought was picture perfect for capturing my mom.

I went back there and lucky me all the people that were in front of me (about 4 groups) were going to finish before my mom. So I decided to patient and I would get the front line spot before my mom would cross the 26 mile marker. It took about 1 ½ hours but I made it to front line. The remaining time while I waited on my mom I spent cheering on all the other runners.

Throughout the day, I had been updating my mom’s friends of her location on a map by connected to her iphone so her friends could cheer her on. About 1.5 miles away I no longer could get her update. I thought she had dropped her phone and was probably not in a good mood, later I found out that her phone was a-okay. I kept trying to get an update her on status and in the meantime almost missed her run right in front of. But I did get three shots including one great one! I was happy.

I turned to be people behind me and told them now you have a great spot and let another person get the front line. I proceeded to work my way through the crowd. We were packed in like sardines…barely moving. My mom texted me to tell me she had just passed the finish line. I saw the finish line and the grand stands, but was getting impatient with the crowd. I saw an alley way between the Lord & Taylor store and the Lenox building and decided I would rather walk around the entire block then just stand in ‘traffic’. She texted me she was on her way to a clothing drop, which at the time I had no idea what that was. I told her I just stepped into an alley and trying to make it there. She said ‘no hurry’.

I was looking down on my phone. My back was towards Boylston Street. I had just taken about five steps into the alley and was looking down at my cell phone.

It was at that moment I heard the loudest noise I’ve ever heard which shook the ground. Immediately I thought it was a bomb. At that exact moment I heard several people scream in terror ‘RUN’ ‘RUN!!’ RUN’. I took off running. I knew something was very bad. Almost immediately another BOOM went off. I could smell a strong burning in the air. I could tell the second blast was in a different location and I was afraid I might be running in the wrong direction or that the entire city was being attacked. I looked slightly over my left hand shoulder and saw smoke in the air. I became even more frantic. I thought I was about to die. I thought it was another 9/11 and I needed to outrun a possible falling building.

: Pink Bombs, Blue dot April -red the path running away,

To the left is a map where the bombs went off, where I was and direction I went.

I picked up my running pace and don’t remember anything until I reached the hotel. I knew my mom was a great runner so I figured she most likely out run the attack as well. Now that I was at a stopping point I tried to call her. It didn’t go through. I tried calling her again and again and again. I’m already shaken from the run and I start freaking out and thinking my mom was in the middle of the explosion. Someone on the street tells me there were to explosions at the finish line. My immediate assumption, since I can’t get a hold of my mom, is that she was there and I had lost my mom and I just break down crying. I finally did get a hold of my mom and when I heard her voice I was so happy however I could not stop shaking for hours.

Later I found out the spot that I was at when the explosions went off was almost exactly in the middle of the two explosions. I am so lucky and blessed I have my mom and we both have our health and were not injured or killed. There are so many split second decisions that I could have made to put me in a different place and possibly in more danger. I’m so glad that I didn’t wait for my mom at Atlantic Fish (one of my possible plans)…I probably would have been one of the ones injured or lost a limb. I’m so glad my mom did not run any faster. I may have made it to the finish line if she had and have been closer to the first explosion. If she had run any slower, I would have been closer to the second explosion. It’s amazing how such small changes could possible have changed my life forever.

This picture shows how close the two blasts were to each other. I was on the opposite side about halfway between each. The circled runner is one of my mom’s friends

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Boston bombing | 1 Comment

It’s ALL ABOUT BOSTON!!

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Annette

Time to get mental….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LccxeBMLibY

It’s been a journey from starting running for Charity before I turned 40 (TNT) feel in love with it. I did a couple more marathons, then triathlons, the cycling event / races. I decided before I turn 50 I wanted to BQ that was 2009 when I signed up for Houston and before my cycling accidents. They both were bad but the second the concussion that took me some time to recover (who knows maybe mentally never LOL). I had to cancel Houston and started training for signed up for Utah that was in June. I went hard and heavy, had shin splits and a half marathon before I made it worse, so by the time of marathon produced stress fracture. Life is about lessons. I decided to heal strong and smart, plus train the same way. Build up base easy and used Pftiz/Douglas book for Colorado 2011. I qualified 4:04:05 (BQ was 4:05) but the field was too big so I was not able to register, although happy I didn’t it was a record heat breaking year. For the next year Boston tighten the BQ standards by 5 minutes. I had CIM in December 2011 to try again. I hit at 3:58:14, ecstatic. I since did two faster event Jacksonville Bank 3:57:49 December 2012 and RnR New Orleans 3:52:35 February 2013.

Never give Up!! And keep succeeding!

All my medals from marahtons and Boston Runners pasport. The passport is important, can not leave home wiht out it, my ticket into Boston Marathon.

Why the unicorn is on the BAA symbol. I found this online…..

“Chosen by the founding members of the Boston Athletic Association in 1887 — ten years prior to the inaugural Boston Marathon — the Unicorn is believed to have been chosen as the organization’s symbol due to its place in mythology. In Chinese and other mythologies, the Unicorn represents an ideal: something to pursue, but which can never be caught. In pursuit of the Unicorn, however, athletic competitors can approach excellence (but never fully achieve it). It is this pursuit to push oneself to his or her own limit and to the best of one’s ability which is at the core of athletics. And for this reason, as the marathon matured, that the B.A.A. also decided that the Unicorn would be the appropriate symbol for the marathon” – per Boston Athletic Association

Yep I have gone Boston crazy, from the clothing to everything Boston!!

My journey to Boston summary below plus more info about my start to running see http://www.runrunrace.com/quick-info-about-me/

Getting close to the marathon I was thrilled when they came out with traditional colors when the jacket in December. Every year the colors change but I love this year’s colors. So I have really gotten into the colors

My amateur Nail Art:

If you saw me running my last Long run in Glen rose I had my new shiny bright yellow shoes plus a yellow and blue outfit.

I did wear some of it on my last marathon.

I found a great Boston radio station so I lately been listening to this o most runs

http://www.myradio929.com/

not just because its Boston but I really like their choice of music

I info Bib and more

Wave/ Corral	Name	Age	M/F	City	St	Ctry	Ctz
20271	3/3	French-Bearden, Annette	52	F	Granbury	TX	USA	USA

http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/pre-race-information.aspx

I am in Wave 3 starts 10:40 a.m..

Goal: I will not be disheartened if it changes to I decide to enjoy it but here are my A, B & C goals:

A goal 3:55 or less, B goal sub 4:00,C goal once I get there and things are not feeling my way I’ll be happy just to enjoy the crowds what ever I do. Mainly because I already have a BQ for 2014, that is the gift of being a marathon maniac so many marathons you to got PR or can enjoy them.

Greg pace bands

http://mymarathonpace.com/

It got me through CIM and it’ll be interesting to see what it has in store for me at Boston

Only $5.75 very reasonable for all his work and plenty of info

Running so late, my corral does not go till about 10:55 late is late an early morning runner I will be running 4 hours around lunch. Will I be tired? Will I have enough nutrition to get me through? So many concerns. So I am adjusting some of my runs to start later especially my last 20 that I ran this last Tuesday at 10:30 and luckily Texas weather was sunny, with my start at 38d and end 58degrees mirroring Boston’s forecast: Taking this to heart:

Preparing for, and executing your final long run should be mostly about the simulation of race day. You want to put your body through a mental and physical state that will most resemble how you’ll feel on April 15.

Prepare for it much like you would on marathon weekend. Watch your nutrition in the 48 hours before the long run, with an amount of carbohydrates you feel appropriate.

To mentally prepare I watch Videos

The course in 8 minutes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDs1U0Haw90

since I am getting there Sunday and don’t have time for the Marathon tour this will do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4TT5T5Ux8U

this is good about how to run the race by coach jeff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKnPepyV80A

Four- time Boston Marathon champion Bill Rodgers gives us advice about running the Boston Marathon. First up, the start in Hopkinton. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyHo1fLNzdc

this one is even better by Bill Rodgers gives us tips on how to run the Boston Marathon. Here, Bill takes us up Heartbreak Hill.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yQQahUtfBA

and more…..

Daughter and son will be there, I am excited!! It will be a great day!

Okay this is a quick post I plan to edit with more pictures and info

Posted in Races on Tap, Training Tips | Tagged Boston Marathon, BQ, love to run, marathon maniacs, marathon training, marathons | Leave a comment

Rock n Roll New Orleans MarathonNew Orleans Rock n Roll Marathon, Feb 24th 2013

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Annette

New Orleans Rock n Roll Marathon, Feb 24th 2013, Marathon # 12

It was so nice to come to my home town of my teen years and do so well.

The day before was a mix of a mishaps. We flew in Saturday, Victoria (who lives next to the town I live in) and I both flew together, also my roommate in the New Orleans. We both lived in New Orleans years back, her the generation before me. Another friend Chris from the town I work in also came on the same flight with his friend Dana. Both Victoria & Chris were doing the half. The Plane was late; the four of us shared a cab to the expo and got there within an hour of closing.

Vicky and I walked to our hotel shy of a mile away. On our walk I got a call from the hotel and there was a water leak and it happened to be in the room we were to be booked in. The concierge had us another room at another one of their sister hotels. It turned out fine but the call had me one edge, at first I thought oh no what else going to happen.

We checked into out room then Vicky & I begun to walk to find a place for dinner, soon I was getting tired of being on my feet all day. We finally found a place not too busy. I just wanted something light so I had Gumbo with extra rice not much chicken, mostly broth. Late drink the muscle milk and in the morning had a small can of espresso and a light energy drink. Leading up I felt I really Carb load my best, being very strick to what I ate & drank.

I didn’t sleep well but that is not unusual the night before, even though I was exhausted from the day. I was so tired the night before I forgot to shower so I got up to shower by 4 to get ready. We went out about 5:45 to walk to the start. It was cold, windy and dark because Vicky almost fell right in front of the cathedral just starting out going down the steps of the walkway. Once we got close to the starting line everything started to get upbeat with the music and people. We got our picture taken here at the start line:

at the start my roommate and close friend Victoria Barton, looking fresh

We met up with the Marathon Maniacs (MMs) to take a group picture. The Marathon maniacs is a great club, nice to meet others of something in common, plus as you run if one has a shirt on you feel free to strike up a conversation; I don’t yet have a shirt because trying to cut cost, being just one more thing to purchase, I plan to get a hat it is cheaper.

Vicky & I proceeded to walk to the corals.

I lined up in the coral #5. I stood next to another marathon maniac and we struck up a conversation. He said he would love to go sub for, his PR 9 minutes over it, I hope he got it. I think his BQ time was 3:55. He asked about my times and he thought I was fast. He asked about my goal, I said sub 4 would be nice but the great thing about being a maniac no big deal, pressure is off because you always got another marathon around the corner.

Before leaving the start line I shed my throw jacket.

THE RACE

I decided to go by feel each mile no slower than 9:00 no faster than 8:45, and to go by each mile not worry about the time.
At the beginning I felt great and the 8:25 felt easy I tried to back off but didn’t want it to feel like a jog. The crowds were great down St. Charles, & love the homes.

Splits mile 1-5

1-8:27

2-8:45

3-8:54

4-8:24

5-8:38

Turn around at mile 4.5 and took a GU at mile 5. Saw my friend with her camera taking pictures of a band. I yelled hey Vicky, but she couldn’t hear. At mile 9 they were giving out GU I took a handful. Then tried handing some out. Ran down Decatur thru the Quarters funny brooks guy in balloon look more like Texas than New Orleans.

Picture courtesy from my friend Vicky

Then a country band played God Bless Texas, I gave them a big hooray! Before our next turn was the French market, I remember going there many times in my younger years. I also saw something I wanted, not the first time I window shopped while running but first in a race, I went back later to get it .
Took another GU at mile 10, turning left on Esplanade. One thing about running in New Orleans you have to be very aware of the potholes, other than that run fast.

Splits 6-10

6-9:00

7-8:27

8-8:47

9-8:44

10-8:46

I was thinking if Vicky made this far close to our hotel a block or so away 3 more miles she will finish. She has problems with her feet and was not sure if she’d make it all. She is very competitive and athletic, an accomplished swimmer of her time. Plus done a few triathlons this was her first half. When the 13 mile point split I got a low point. I Ran into another Marathon Maniac and talked a bit with him.

Splits 10-15

11-8:35

12-8:44

13-8:17

14-8:47

15-8:57

My new earphones I bought the battery went off, didn’t realize I suppose to charge them. I did not let it get to me just concentrate on my running.

Took GU at mile 15, 20, 24& 26 I seem to forget the order and when after the half.

Splits 16-20

16-8:52

17-9:05

18-9:11

19-9:16

20-9:05

There were some hills that went over streets or canals heading towards Pontchartrain Beach. My paces were slowing, getting hot and humid but kept charging the best I could. I’d say every uphill has a downhill, as I tried to charge my best up them. I would hear some say, “I thought this marathon was flat”. The last half was definitely harder, not only because less people it cease to be flat and no shade.

I really started to fade…

Splits 21-24

21-9:09

22-8:45

23-9:20

24-9:16

The last 2 miles I tried my best to race, trying up keep pace with anyone ahead and past a few. I kept telling myself the faster, if I go the faster I will get there sooner. My toes were cramped with pain and I was fading but tried to snap out of it, maybe music would be of some help at this point. The last mile I was hoping to see the finish line but no you had to go around a building then over a small wooden bridge over a small waterway. I missed the 25 mile marker, maybe that is why it seem so long and slow, then finally saw the mile marker mile 26 on that wooden bridge! I start to really kick it in. Still not seeing the finish line thinking oops maybe too soon to go that fast when a small cramp in calf tried to creep in. I ignored it when I finally saw the finish line about one tenth of a mile ahead! I did pass a few running in

25-9:45 OUCH!!

26-8:46

.2- 7:45

My friend Chris and Dana was at the finish line to take this video of me coming in; click on for video

NewOrleansFinishLine

I felt light headed and found a chair to sit down on. I thumbed through my Garmin (because I did not have it on scroll during race and did not want to be bothered by overall time just each mile) I looked at my Garmin it had 3:52:33!! I jumped up for joy and the volunteer said you sure recovered from that. I told him I was happy about my time going on Adrenalin

After sitting and talking to other runners I found Vicky. She finished her race! I was more than happy for her. We sat with our two beers wrapped in our foil blankets. I took my shoes off toes were killing me. The left toes that felt crowdedhurt but didn’t realize I compensate on the right because that toe was even sorer and that toes nail lookes as if it will come off

I thought I was wearing the same socks that I wore in Florida but now knowing I didn’t. These were too thick and being on my feet so much the day before didn’t help. A guy walked by and said nice shoes and gave me a Mizuno water bottle shown in the picture at the top. I was even more pleased to have it, those shoes have got me thru many races :) kinda of like the icing on the cake to get the bottle.
After thoughts:

I am glad I went by on feel, I decided last marathon that negative splits are not for me because I always fade at the end. I do feel that I carbo loaded the best this time as for training just lots of running using Pfitz/Douglas book Advance running, which has become my bible on training. I really did not think I could go faster than 3:55, so I am very pleased. I worked hard to get a sub four over the last few years I did at CIM Dec 2011 (3:58:14), then Florida last Dec 2012 (3:57:49) and now New Orleans (3:52:35) = 3 total under. At my age I am happy with small PRs this one was big for me.

Scary thing about my time can I improve on it?

Next Race is Boston April 16th!!!!! I plan on enjoying the race, maybe go sub 4:00 but no presure, I really don’t want to run with the feeling of blinders on but instead take it all in. Although Wineglass in October maybe my next PR race

Posted in Race Reports | Tagged love to run, marathon maniacs, marathons, marathons in fifty states, Mizuno, Mizuno running shoes, multiple marathons, race reports, Rock n Roll New Orleans Marathon, running | Leave a comment

Runner talk

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Annette

A lot of my friends who are not runners or are new runners wonder what is all those acronyms I use and runner terms. Hopefully this will help you all. First I will list the most common ones used that I get more questions on (or that funny look, “What are you saying?”) therefore I’ll add a bit more explaining. Mid way is is a quick list and below some more running terms and jargon.

AG: is Age group generally in a race there are award give to certain age group of the certain gender female or male. This helps us compete among our peers because we are all not at the same capabilities according to Ag and gender.
AG Time = Age-Graded Equivalent Time. This is an adjustment made according to your age, I’ve notice my last marathon that I BQed at time was 3:57:49 and marathon guide also show the AG times as 3:16:13 nice to know I could run that fast.
Age-graded times are calculated using the WMA AG Calculator

http://www.howardgrubb.co.uk/athletics/wmalookup06.html
It is based on tables of factors that take into account the natural slowing due to age alone (or at least as close as they’ve been able to come after eliminating all the other factors) and gender. There is also an AG rating that compares your time with a WR equivalent, e,g, a rating of 75 means that the standard for that distance is 75% of your time.

BQ = Boston Qualifier. Note, Boston Marathon qualifying times must be achieved on certified marathon course and are based on the age on the day of the Boston Marathon and not on the date of the marathon run. For table go to http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/qualifying/qualifying-standards.aspx

When you BQ on a marathon it is recorded and you have to register within the guidelines the following September, it can get complicated and expensive. I have BQ 3 times: BQ for 2012 (May 2011) old standards which they changed 2013, I didn’t get in because of the rolling registration. Glad I did not do 2012 because of the record heat they deferred a lot of racers. BQ for 2013 (Dec 2011) and doing that one. BQ for 2014(Dec 2012) but I got too many other marathons to do; it’s just nice to keep a status.

PR Personal record. When you run a race the next race you better your time as a result in a PR. I use this a lot because in a sport like running my biggest competitor is myself. I am always trying to improve my time in a races.

Marathon Is 26.2 miles!!! This is big because many people will ask how far you ran in that marathon. It is a measurement of distance, like one would not question how far is a mile, a yard a kilometer. Marathon is a noun a long distance running strictly 26 miles and 385 yards some people other than runners use it to describe a long enduring and difficult task, but to us it means only one thing 26.2 miles.

Half marathon is 13.1 miles there are halves and they are half the distance.

LR Long run. In our training we will do at least one LR to build up to a specific didtance called our Long run.

MP marathon pace is the pace we average (or wish to) in a marathon. Many training (LR) runs we will do some miles at MP. When we train we do not run all our miles at MP because we are training not racing.

GMP Goal Marathon pace you can figure this out by using a calculator entering in you recent races. There are many out there
Mcmillan is the most used http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/
Here is a whole bunch from Greg Maclin. He also does an awesome spreadsheet for a goal marathon which Iused for CIM.
http://mymarathonpace.com/Running_Calculators.html

Race and course terms:
AG: Age Group, see above
AG Time: Age-Graded Equivalent Time, see above
Athena: a catagory for the woman division over 150 pounds, Unfortunately that weight is not completely standardized. some can be 140 so check
Clysdedale: Male overweigtht division catagory for heavyweight male runners. The weight minimum for Clydesdales is 200 pounds, although it can vary from race to race. Not all races have Clydesdale divisions but, if they do, they’ll usually mention it on the race application.
BQ : Boston Qualifier, see above
CR: is course record
DFL: is Dead &$%&* Last
DLF: is Dead Last Finish
DNF: Did Not Finish
DNS: Did Not Start
DNQ: Did not qualify
HM: half marathon
PR and PB: is personal record or personal best.
PW: is personal worst
RR: Race Peport

Training terms: some of these terms are explained in more detail below
CD: Cool down
GA: general aerobic
GMP: Goal marathon pace
HR: heart rate
LR: Long run of the week, see above
LT: Lactate threshold training is a popular method of improving high intensity endurance performance. Generally at 15-20k pace, faster and longer than a tempo run. Go to http://www.pfitzinger.com/marathontraining.shtml
MP: marathon pace
MPM: usually minutes per mile, how we address pace terms not mph we are not htat fast.
MPW: Miles per week. Runners use logs to log in their miles and other notes
Pfitz: refers to runner/coach Pete Pfitzinger or his popular marathon plans; which I generally go by.
RHR: is resting heart rate
Tempo run: a training run done at 10k pace for 20 minutes or so, see below
TM: is treadmill
WU: warm up
XC: Cross Country
XT: Cross training

Distance (basic usual races):
Marathon = 26.2 miles
Half Marathon = 13.1 miles
5k = 3.1 miles
10k = 6.2 miles
15k = 9.3 miles
30k = 18.64 miles
Ultra = Any foot race that is longer than a marathon—which is 26.2 miles/42 km—usually either a timed event that cover a specified distances generally starts at 50k
50k = 30 miles
100k =62. 14
And there are also 100 mile ultras

Medical terms
AT: Achilles Tendon.
DOMS: delayed onset muscle soreness
EIA: exercise induced asthma
HRmax, MHR or HRM: means the maximum heart rate that one can reach while running. Training intensities are often determined by percent of HRmax.
HRR (HRres): means Heart Rate Reserve, which is the difference between HRmax and RHR (HRmax – RHR = HRR). Some runners base training on percent of HRR instead of HRmax.
ITBS: refers to the illotibial band syndrome, a common overuse running knee injury.
MHR: maximum heart rate
MTSS: Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome; another name for the infamous “shin splints.”
PF: plantar fascitis
PT: physical therapy.
RICE: rest, ice, compression, elevation
ROM: range of motion
SFX: stress fracture
VO2: VO2 Max, Maximum volume of oxygen (O2) that can be absorbed by the body

General Training Terms:
10% Rule: is a general guideline that says don’t increase your weekly mileage by more than about 10% each week. An alternate rule is Coach Jack Daniels’ rule not to increase more than the number of workouts you do per week; i.e. if you run five times per week, then you can increase by five miles a week.
Aerobic: means simply that something requires oxygen. Aerobic exercise requires the heart and lungs to work harder to meet the body’s increased oxygen demand. Contrast with anaerobic.
Anaerobic: means simply without oxygen or not requiring oxygen. This is exercise performed at a high intensity and requiring a rate of energy production greater than that supplied by aerobic respiration.
Base: is how many miles you are running; for example if you run 30 miles per week, that is your base. This is somewhat simplified, but gives you the general idea.
Carbo Loading: basically this just means trying to maximize the storage of glycogen (a form of energy) in one’s muscles before a race.Doubles: refers to doing two runs in the same day. Singles would be doing just one run. So if someone says “I did 50 miles this week, all singles” they are saying “I ran 50 miles this week, all as once-a-day runs.”
GU: is a type of energy gel. It’s a brand name, but it’s often used as a generic for gels generally. Gels are a semi-liquid sugary snack used for a quick energy burst. For long distance running you loose energy and have no sugar in your blood.This will help you keep the energy going.
Master: is usually an athlete 40 years of age or older.
Out and back: means a course you run out a certain distance, then turn around and run back. A loop is simply that — you start in one spot and run in a big circle.
Personal Record: or Personal Best: means you ran your best time at the distance. Can be used as a verb “I PRed this weekend at the local 5K.”
Road Kill: – You become road kill when during a race you are passed by a faster runner.
Runner: is a person who RUNS. Period. Every two weeks or so we have a thread about who supposedly qualifies as a runner. Simple answer: If you run, you’re a runner. Please stop asking what is the difference between a runner or a jogger. If you’re interested enough in the sport to come here, the chances are excellent that yes, you’re a runner no matter how slow or fast you are or whether you ever enter a race or not.
Runner’s High: is a feeling of happiness and euphoria following running. Seems to be caused by endorphins. Not everyone experiences it.

Types of Runs: More on types of runs Go to http://www.pfitzinger.com/marathontraining.shtml

Sprints: are usually the races 400 meters and below in track and field. To sprint means to run as hard and as fast as you possibly can, usually for a relatively short distance.
tempo run: is a run at around your 10K race pace and genally ran for 20 – 30 minutes continous along with a warm up and cool down.
fartlek: is a fun word that you can say and make non-runners snicker. It simply is an informal way of doing speed work. It’s a Swedish word meaning “speed play.” In a fartlek, you would run hard to say the next telephone pole, then slow down, then run hard again to the next object. It’s just basically bursts of speed in the middle of a workout. It can be easy or hard. There’s no set distance or speed, it’s very loose and informal. Fartleks are good for a beginning runner who wants to dabble in speedwork.
Long Runs: are typically 25-30% of your weekly mileage or so and are usually done once a week. These are usually done at a comfortable, fairly easy pace. We often refer to them here as LSD — long, slow distance. An appropriate long run distance is determined by your goals. A long run might be anywhere from 5 miles to 25 or more (for an ultramarathoner).
The easy run: or a recovery run is simply a run at an easy pace done for recovery purposes or just simply enjoyment. Most of a beginners runs should be easy runs.
You will also hear about hill repeats: — these typically are runs up a hill to build strength
Strides: are short, controlled bursts of running of 50 to 150 meters designed to improve efficiency, work on form, etc. Often done at the end of a run.
Warm Up: is a period of slower running prior to faster running. Cool down: is slower running at the end of faster running. This is also sometimes called a warmdown.
Intervals: (sometimes called “repeats“) usually refer to track work, though you can do them elsewhere. Usually intervals consist of a set distance (say 400 meters, 800 meters, a mile) that you run at a set, usually fast pace. Between the intervals, you would recover by either jogging slowly or walking. People often do them on the track because the track is obviously measured. An example of an interval workout might be 4×800. This means you are going to run four sets of 800 meters (or about a half mile) at a certain pace. Between those faster runs, you will walk or jog to recover. Often an interval workout will give you the pace you’re supposed to run and the time you should take to rest. Usually rest time is roughly equivalent to how much time it takes you to run the distance. So in our 4×800 example, if you were doing the 800s in 4:00 minutes (8:00 mpm pace), you would take about 4:00 rest. Intervals build your pace and speed.
Some types of intervals …
Repetitions which are a form of intervals those are faster and shorter than VO2max intervals with full recovery between them (usually 4-6 times as long as the repetition). These are used for improvement of anaerobic capacity, running form and running economy.
Ladder which means an interval workout of increasing interval lengths, such as 200-400-600-800 meters. A Cutdown which is the opposite of a ladder or an interval workout of decreasing interval lengths, such as 800-600-400-200 meters.
Pyramid: is a combination of a ladder and a cutdown, such as 200-400-600-800-600-400-200 meters.
Just a brief word about the track …. If you visit the track to do a workout, know that most tracks are 400 meters in length. (There are some quarter mile tracks, but most are 400 meters.) A mile is roughly equivalent to 4 laps around the track. A mile is actually a little longer than 1600 meters. If you want to do a true timed mile, find the common finish line. (It’s usually located at near the end of the straightaway in front of the home stands. Usually has numbers painted there.) Go back 9 meters and there should be a line; that’s where the mile would begin.

I hope this all helps everyone

Posted in Training Tips | Tagged running, running talk, running terms, running tips | Leave a comment

Jacksonville Bank Marathon race report Dec 16th 2012

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Annette

Saturday the day & night before

Flew in, packet pickup almost spend money but I was strong and walked away saying this is about economizing, felt like patting myself on the back because it was hard not to pass something up at 50% mark down, but I really did not need them.

Meet up with fellow marathon maniacs at a cool Italian place downtown Jacksonville called Carmine pie house.

It was a great group; I am not much on meeting before a marathon. I got there early so I left early because I had a marathon to run!

One of the Maniacs Bryan was going to pace a few of us for sub 4, no telling what he did because that morning he reported he only got 2 hours of sleep. I got up early meet charlotte first one.

She was unmistakable great gal it would have been fun to run with her but I really wanted to race this one

We all grouped to take a Marathon maniac group picture then I ran to the portal-toilets soon found the group I was going to run with

Bryan, Bambi, Kuldeep & me

At first we started at an even pace. Bryan & the group started going way too fast around mile 2 or so. I did not want to go that fast and tried to stay between 8:50 and 9:05 no faster no slower. It was hard to keep within those parameters but I knew it was best. I saw Bambi at mile 6, I screamed hi to her but she was going off to the side to stretch or something else and didn’t hear me. Between mile 10-12 I chatted with this son and father group they were trying for sub four but I may have been going too fast for them, they dropped back.

Course was flat which was fantastic was not too hot at first had brief breeze at times which I enjoyed, except coming back around mile 20 it started to heat up

5k——–10mi——-1half——–20mi——Chip———Gun—-difference

27:26—- 1:28:23— 1:55:58— 2:58:42— 3:57:49– 3:58:36–47sec difference in gun time

Gun time adjustment

26:39—1:27:36—-1:55:11—-2:57:55(8:54p)—–3:57:49 –9:05 pace

My goal was to stay within 8:50 and 9:05 pace on my Garmin. Now my Garmin may say 8:50 I know I am not running that fast because it is generally off by about 3-5 seconds, which is why I picked those parameters. Also I set the auto lap to 1:05 and lapped the mile markers myself. Clock page off because I didn’t care what time it was but my actual time.

I had my Garmin scroll three screens:

Pace__ current lap (time) Timer

Lap pace cadence Avg pace

I did not need the distance because there are mile markers and also I did not have actual time on because all that matter is the time I was on the course.

I am listing the actual time and pace in my splits to show the variance between the two. I gauge by looking at pace but relied on the lap actual time and timer.

Lap-distance- time –pace

1-.98-8:42-8:53

2-1:05-9:13-8:53-93 – had a -GU

3-.97-8:31—8:48

I forgot or didn’t see the mile markers at mile 2 so that messed up my time base one miles. I know my Garmin is not right on so I set it on 1:05 and push lap at the mile markers.

4-1.00-8:56-8:54-

5-1.01-8:51-8:45

6-1.00-8:42-8:42 (amazing right on!)

7-1.02-9:03-8:53— had a Gu

8-.98-8:43-8:52

9-1.00-8:43-8:42

10-1.02-8:57-8:49

11-1.00-8:44-8:45—there was a father and son from Tennessee I talked to here they were going to sub4 also, I must have been going to fast they decided to drop back.

12-1.01-9:00-8:53—had a Gu

13-1.01-8:53-8:48

14-1.01-8:59-8:55

15-1.01-9:08-9:02- I was feeling pretty good, I usually slack around mile 15

16-1.02-9:06-8:56-had a GU, it was getting hot and I begun to pour the water over my head.

17-.99-9:11-9:16 starting to struggle here took that last endurance it helped, I fear how my system would react to it but did good, maybe ought to have had one at mile 22

18-1.01-9:00-8:57- back on pace

19-1:02-9:10-9:01

20-1.03-9:02-8:49 strange how the mile splits are not as close to 1.00 as in the beginning. I crossed the 20 mi marker on pace for 3:55I knew I had it then fell apart!

21-1.02-9:09-9:01- had a gu I think, or not

22-1.01-9:22-9:15 losing it again, went over the small bridge overpass of a canal to the river, was not too big of elevation but enough to slow us down.

23-1.00-9:21-9:20- I was passing some try my best to stay on pace.

24-1.00-9:44-9:42 OMG my worst split!!, it might have been the water station I tried to get a cup but a collision was about to happen so I went on. took another GU

25-1.03-9:47-9:33 and not better, really suffering to focus. I would wish I could latch a elastic belt around someone to pull me through, I felt I was going in slow motion.

26-1.01-9:44-9:36 I really tried to push, calves started to cramp I tried my best to use MindOverMatter and not let it happen, at the same time I could not kick it in, disappointed that I couldn’t. These last two miles felt like I was up on a mountain suffering from lack of oxygen hardly could get my legs to move.

.2 .26(I forgot to turn watch off till a couple seconds afterwards). Once I was on the course I tried to push myself I was able to pass the guy in front of me, we were both suffering.

It shows 9:30 pace avg but it would be wrong because of the stopping afterwards

My Son and Grandson Silver was at the Finish line, I gave my finish shirt to Silver. I was exhausted wish I took pictures with them but last thing on my mind, but here they are at the restaurant we ate in St Augustine on the way to their place.

After thoughts

Positive splits are the way to go for me, still keeping my pace at avg 8:50-9:05 goal worked well. Or always fade wish I didn’t, I ran well till the end.

2438 calories burned per Garmin, that is more than I eat in a normal day, It took about 5 Gus so that was about 500 Cal. I carbo load the best I ever had done, last 3 days about 80% carbs, 5% fat and 15%protien. I wish I knew what could get me over that fade.

Lost focus a little at mile 17 which usual is mile wall part but was able to get back on track. Then at mile 20 on I really lost pace. I tried my best to keep on pace watching the person in front of me trying to stay with them although I did pass some but then mile 23 it got worse. I hated it I wish I could have pushed harder I knew I had this but was looking at a big PR (for me 3:55 is big) at mile 20. At the end I tried figure I had enough water in my bottles left I did not pause at the stops which helped till the last one I was low and tried to get a water but turned into a cluster pluck.

As leaving I was talking to my son thinking about the next race whether I should race it or use it as a training run and have fun. He didn’t understand the concept he thought just have fun and if you run faster for a PR. Well I explained racing and enjoying the run as a training run is two different things, one either pushes their self to the best or just cruise and have fun. It is like college you can go there and not put in 100% and have fun partying being social get a C, or put more effort to get an A in the hard classes, well at least for me.

Posted in Race Reports | Tagged marathon maniacs | Leave a comment

Route 66 Marathon, Tulsa OK 11-18-2012

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Annette

It was a fun race and I did my first Ultra! By taking the extra .3 miles option to the center of the universe I accomplished my first unplanned Ultra. I looked at the definition, “Ultra is defined as any distance greater than the marathon distance”.

Race

Having the pressure taken off as to race for a certain finish time made it fun and enjoyable. It was fun to have no stress on running, not to meet a certain goal time other than push my friend to a PR. The pace was easy for me so I would cheer along the race, stop and talk too many; hug a dog, giving people the high five for being out there, and more. Lots of support on the half course and was fun. The weather continued to be windy and cool, which was nice.

Start

The starting line was right out our hotel which was a plus! It was a late start for me 8am still I was up at 4am, about 7:30 we decided to go down. It was burr cold so we waited as long as we could in the warm hotel looking straight out where the corrals leading up to the finish line. We were no hurry to stand in the corrals.

Waiting to go all dressed in Pink x 3
Me. JuneMary & Christina (from left to right)

Like I mentioned it was an easy pace and I was just having fun.

Once we got to mile eleven I could clearly see we got to my friend goal of 2:15 and probably better. We slowly picked up the pace, she told me I was killing her (but was thankful). The last mile I want her to kick it in and pushed her harder, I would go back and pull on the things dangling on her belt, then at the split I told her to give it all she got because she is almost there.

She got 2:11:48, about a 13 min PR Previous Pr 2:24:33Congrats to JuneMary for a great PR!!

Scenery & course

Overall scenery was not much to write about. It was mostly city wise, in some nice neighborhoods with nice homes. Also on 15th street where a lot of good places to eat is a; which we had no clue coming into Tulsa where to eat, now we knew before we left. Ran through a beautifully architect catholic school, ran along a river (mostly dry) from mile 8 to 13 . Then the last half ran through the University then back to the city. The course was hilly and more so at the end see graph below.

mile 14

The other half

Once we split there was a table of beer I stopped to have one, there were also jello shots but I decline. The race became sparser once the half runners left us. I started to pick up pace but told myself no wait till I get to the center of the universe. I took the detour and it went up hill then up some stairs. I got my coin and smiled for a picture then down the stairs I stopped again for beer, why not!

206 out of 891 center of the universe 26.5 mi 4:30:37 Marathon 4:28:38, center 2:49:10

When I turned back onto the marathon course there was the guy that we were talking to at the start. He had a camera, and I am talking a big SLR camera with lens. We thought at the beginning wow that would be hard to run with. We talked a bit, he took my pictures and we ran. Soon he lagged behind, he had more to carry and pictures to take.

elevation

Then the hills that never stopped began. There was one guy we would play leap frog, he would get me on the up hills I would catch him on the down. Total hills if someone says last hill again they may get punched! I was hoping I would do some MP miles but the hills were too much.

I don’t often race with a smile, but this race was fun!

Leaving out of the university area at mile 22 I saw the poster of Hey runner Girl… Ryan Gosling at mile 27! I told them he could pace me anytime, a younger lady said no I am going to beat her to him, although she dropped back I think she had some injury going on. The statistic shown at the last 7.5 mi I passed 174 runners and 3 passes me, I am sure one of those that passes me was the guy beating me on the hills.

At the .5 a police officer said last hill, and I go I have been told that the last 10 miles. She said really and so I let it go. My last mile was 9:05 and last .2 was 7:28 pace. Although I could not or would not hit the GMP on the hills glad I did the last mile.

Finish

Once I past the finish line they told me I would need to go to the Marathon Maniacs tent to get my medal.

Well I had to walk about ¼ mile to get out then a ¼ mi back to the tent. Felt as if I ran to the Center of the universe then had to walk to the edge and back to get my medal. The tent was a nice touch; we had food, beer and clean bathrooms. Talked to a few people then realize I better get to hotel to shower so we may leave…

206 out of 891 center of the universe 26.5 mi 4:30:37 Marathon 4:28:38, center 2:49:10

After thoughts

It was a fun race, I was using it as a training run and went well. Great support well put on race. The hotel was a great deal and being at the start line was a plus.

I knew it was hilly but didn’t realize it would get me so over all pleased to run a fun marathon or should I write Ultra.

As for my next race in 4 weeks from this one I hope to pace it better. My goal is to race that one, the problem is it is really hard to specifically train for a fast race doing so many together.

Posted in Race Reports | Tagged love to run, marathons, marathons in fifty states, multiple marathons, Oklahoma, race reports, route66marathon, running, Tulsa | 1 Comment

For the love & Joy of running

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Annette

As I run the freedom, the independence of thoughts and life flowing through my body, are just some of the many reasons I love running

Last Sunday I went for a hike after a run with husband Ricky and Blaze my pup at Dinosaur State Park. In the mist of the hike we sat down to snack. Ricky takes his iphone out of his pocket and puts in on the big rock that he was setting on. Later after we got home Ricky realized he forgot his phone and hope that was the place where he left it. The next morning I went at sunrise to find it. I use to run trails there when training for Imogene pass and knew exactly where he left it. The trails go up and around three mountain knolls cut by creeks flowing into the Paluxy river that I had to cross to get to trails; it was down so crossing on rocks made it possible without getting wet.

Looking down from trail at Paluxy River

Rock steps to run up.
Pictures can not do the trail justice, but I did stop to take a few at the end wanting to share; I missed a few great ones.
Up the Trail

Roots on trail not to trip on

I went straight to it and there it was so off to run to trail running and had a blast. Running up and down the trails, jumping onto rocks, over big roots I felt like a Kilian Jornet wanna be or just a kid running about even at my age. Trail running fun trails with some technical stuff thrown in you need to use eye to feet coordination as you plant each foot just right. I got to admit I love my Salomon trail running shoes and I don’t even get endorsed by them, yet at least. Hopping and jumping over things. I think it is a great cross training by using other muscles in your legs than usual road running also it strengthens the ankles.

I need to find more time to add trail running into my schedule the problem is running those trails take longer than road, my 4.5 miles took about as long as 6 mi. But then that is where the Love & Joy of running comes in. For years one (like myself) will be so stringent about training schedules and pushing to get certain goals. Well BQ I did, two times last year, one at old standards for 2012 then new standards 2013. I decided to embark on multiple marathons because I love running but at the same time do not want to get slower and still hits some PRs. Nonetheless I need to slow down and enjoy the process, with so many opportunities of running PRs along with joy & love of running will happen.

Running log & Daily mile conversion

Running log is something us runners must do. It helps to know our progress and nice to look up the past. I use an running log app for years but looked at dailymile since it has more bells and whistles plus it has an widget for my blog. I decided I am going to try to change over; although my miles in my old running log have a history since 1-3-2010 (almost 3 years worth!). It is going to take me a while to get all that data in but I guess 2 months before the end of the year is a good time, plus my old app went from sun to sat not like others Mon to Sunday. So I am inputting old date and working with two apps for my log right now, hopefully by the end of the year I will fully input by Daily mile

last week Oct 28th – Nov 3rd
10-28 Sun 5 mi recovery at park with Blaze
10-29 Mon 6mi on TM 56:41 9:27pace, double: 4.3 behind gym to soccer park
10-30 Tues 8mi tired hard to get moving
10-31 Weds Track 10mi w 4x 1600m @ 5k oal pace 9:21
11-1 Thurs 12 miles easy and last 2 at MP oal pace 10:50
11-2 Fri-SRD
11-3 Sat- 21 mi LR
out I had tired legs and a big mpw 66.5

This week Nov 4th-11th
Sunday 5mi recovery run with DP
Monday double 4.5 trail & 8 later with a friend
Tues a 6 mi 10:05 pace with DP
Weds URD lil sick to tummy but good to purge LOL
Thursday double
AM 9 with 4@ LT but turned out faster 4mi avg 8:03 OAL 9:42
PM 4.4 felt good for a double did 9:20 pace (GMP is 9:06) wanted to run more but had to get to work
Friday run 6.1 with Blaze
Saturday 6 miles in the Davis Mountain on dirt gravel with gusty wind
Miles per week 49 month 82.2 year 2140.2

Training leading up to next marathon
Having a cut back week even though next weekend marathon is a training 26.2 miles. I plan to run with a friend who is doing the half to help her stay on pace 10:30 for a PR of 2:15. Then I plan to gradually see if I can speed up. Over all I should finish around 4:20.
Florida I should be ready to go sub four but marathons are a gamble at times; everything needs to be just right. One thing working against me is I run better in the cold and this will be Florida not up north. All I can do is my best as another marathon learning comes my way.

Posted in Training Tips | Tagged love to run, marathon training, marathons, marathons in fifty states, multiple marathons, route66marathon.com/, running, Salomon trail running shoes, trail running | Leave a comment

Prairie Fire Marathon, Kansas State #9

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Annette

Date: October 14^th, 2012

(Picture from FB Prairie Fire Marathon page taken from above)

The Prairie Fire Marathon in Wichita City, Kansas was a very charming course that displayed the character of the city well. I thought at first should title this Lack luster of a performance but due to my week leading up maybe I won’t. In my quest of doing multiple marathons no matter how hard one may be I have never done one I disliked and this was had charm and spirit.

Leading up to race I was sick with some strange ailment of a UTI coming on, terrible rash around my eyes and sick to my stomach. I only got in 12.5 miles of running last week. I felt fatigue and sickly. Started to feel better by weekend but I don’t think enough to boost my immune system. I felt better by Friday, not too much itch around my eyes. I could have ran but didn’t find time with working, getting the car ready then having to pack; I thought by now I should have that packing down but still took me a couple hours.

Saturday morning I left about 4am, I had to stop in town to get cash and a few other stops along the way to stretch the legs out and break the drive. The drive there was misty cloudy although nothing beautiful driving thru Oklahoma, so that didn’t change my view. Got there (400 miles) in a bit over 7 hours, went to packet pick up and drove the course. At first I thought just city boredom but it turned out to be better than I thought. As I drove the city the neighborhoods and trails along the river reminded me a lot of Fort Worth.

Did you know this is where the first Pizza hut started?

Then settled in for the evening, had my usual chicken noodle soup, plus baked sweet potato and pineapple. I packed my food on the trip and ate on the way up plenty carbs, little here a little there.

Summary of the course:

The course was charming; they did a great job portraying the charm of the city. When I first drove into the city I thought hmmm city boringness but running I got a different feel. I think the course was design to represent the highlights of the city, they nailed that. The runner surface was uneven at places and the brick road is never something I enjoy but that is part of the town. The neighborhoods were older with nice size homes. Although flat it did go up and down at times not drastically but not flat like Houston. It went along trails a lot, which is why I could not follow the course when I tried to drive it. The town support was great. The authorities had the roads well protected and great supported. I did enjoy how they had us going on the center lane on the main road downtown so not to stop all traffic (suicide lane is what we call where I live) at the beginning in middle part and end.

The race

Summary- I went at a easy talking pace at first and hoped after the half I could have picked it up, although it went the opposite way I lost all steam by mile 15. I took a GU at every 5 mile and sipped on it thru the mile. Total 4 GUs, maybe I should of at mile 25 but I felt I was toast and nothing was happening or going to help. Fluids I had two bottle of water on my belt, and a bottle in my hand with electrolytes and another in my belt. I was doing better when sipping on my bottle of electrolytes.

Official time time 4:10:42 (9:34 pace)

Details

I did wear as much pink as I could fur Breast Cancer Awareness; pink compression socks, arm warmers, bandana (that I soon lost on the run and sorry no pictures the race pictures cost too much) and breast cancer pin. I also has pink baby socks for my GUs and drippy nose. Started easy keeping at 9:05 GMP pace which felt easy. I started way behind any pacers because I was late getting out of the bathroom, they did not have ample port a toilets like CIM; which is the best I have ever came across when it came to plenty port a toilets. I eventually caught up with them and they were going too slow like 9:20 pace so I did my own run.

I try to push lap at the mile markers because the garmin is always off.

Mile 1-4: 1-8:47,2- 9:08, 3-9:19, 4-8:54

The course at mile three turned off the main road into a nice older neighborhood. It rainedr the night before so I was very aware of looking at the lows where water ran across and jumped across. Some partsthe water ran cleaccros, the park area around mile 22 the whole street was buried across in water about 20 feet long, I went to the side on the grass. My nose was being a drip as usual so I used thesoft baby sock to wipe my nose that I put GU in that I had pinned to my belt. It was getting hot quick and took off my sleeves by mile 4 and tied them to my back strap.

Mile 5-8: 5-9:06, 6-9:03, 7-9:28, 8-8:25

I was staying at a good pace, we crossed a busy street 0nto another neighborhood and that when the 4:00 pace was back on pace and caught up. I just stayed within them. Gamin was on alerts of a cadence less than 90 I think, it was going off at times and I thought I better turn it off so it would not drain the battery. Some strange reason I thought of doing that this time breaking the cardinal rule of not trying anything new. It was a bothersome slowing down trying to figure that out to turn it off. Then around mile 7 we funneled onto a sidewalk like going into the hourglass effect. The side walk was uneven and we all were within steps of each other. A guy fell down right in front of me, lucky it did not trip me, I quickly side stepped him; poor guy I hope he was okay. After we got off the side walk we went into another neighborhood. I realize the 4:00 pacer were going too fast, when I looked at my watch at 8:00pace or less I was not ready to go that fast. I didn’t understand why they were going so fast then, maybe making up time from going so slow earlier; nevertheless I didn’t want to be part of that pack. I let them go they can play too much on the mind.

Mile 9-13: 9-9:09, 10- 9:11, 11- 9:19, 12- 8:58, 13- 9:03,

At the half split I was under 2:00 1:58.xx, maybe too fast. The race had mats but I never saw the splits yet.

We cross the busy road again back into the same neighbor hood; the police support was great. After mile 13, it was tough run out of the neighbor on the bricks I went to the side walk when I could. I thought, “Red brick road, Red brick, I wondered why not yellow? This is Kansas, at least a stripe of yellow”.

Mile 14-17: 14-9:19, 15- 9:16, 16- 9:39, 17- 10:06,

Then back onto the main road going back towards downtown I begun to feel fatigue about mile 15 like I had no ump or go. I was really hoping I could of picked up pace by now but the opposite happened I had no steam. All the mantras were not helping; a headwind there also may have played a part. Mile 16 we gradually went on up into another part of town full of parks that went along the river trail at times: again reminding me much of the Fort Worth trails along the Trinity river and surrounding parks.

Mile 18-22: 18- 9:59, 19-9:42, 20-9:33, 21-10:06, 22-9:52,

After mile 21 we left the park area into Old Cowtown museum. I thought this was quaint and kind of fun. There was a band playing also had people dress in the area looking as if there was about to have a shoot out.

(picture taken from web site) http://www.kansastravel.org/wichita/oldcowtownmuseum.htm

23-10:21, 24-9:44, 25-11:17,

I really thought my ump would come back but it just got worse. Mile 24 it went down and I totally lost my energy maybe I should of taken another gu, I just thought I was toast. Before mile 25 we passed over the river again and saw the Keeper of the Plains monument. It was so beautiful I had to go back and take pictures.

Last mile: 26-11:26, 2:16 (10:11 garmin pace)

I had no zip, no energy at all for the last mile and felt like a slug at the slow pace.

The finish line:

When I past the finish line I got the medal & water, looking for a chair but none in sight so I plop down right there before go further. The lady kept asking me if I was ok is there something she could get me, blanket or banana. I was hot and didn’t need the mylar just needed to rest, stretch to gain my energy back. I must have sat there stretching about 10 min. Then told her I was okay (she was sweet to be so concern) and went on to get my shirt and other stuff.

Official time time 4:10:42 (9:34 pace)

It was tough driving back; my hamstrings felt strain and I was tired. I left at 3 and made it home around 10:30 with plenty stops and stretches.

Reflections:

You got to enjoy every marathon to some degree. I am learning and experiencing each one. I’ve got many more to do so as Aristotle put it:

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act but a habit -Aristotle

I sure hope so for this lady with so many to run

Although not a great performance but the experience is always worth it. Poor race performance could it have been because:

1. Sick leading up—- 3 ailments, afraid to take usual vitamin supplements because didn’t want to tax the kidney. Could of had iron deficiency and calcium.

2. Multiple marathons are hard on the body; just hard to get in the specific training in short time. My best time was CIM as my training was my all time finest, all the cards was played out well and mentally focus to each mile pace ( credit to mymarathonpace.com)

3. Weather was windy coming back, and heated up the last couple miles.

4. Course not a PR fast one, at least for me not to say it was not for others because others did. I kind of known no PR going in because the course had lot of turns although flat it did have some ups & downs, red brick ugh, but I was going to try anyway. also the different surfaces, some dirt trails, bricks and sidewalks -lots of uneven surface. Okay, not the best of PR course but I still liked it. If you we’re not trying to go real fast, apparently I wasn’t, enjoyable course to get a feel of the city

Posted in Race Reports | Tagged Kansas, marathon training, marathons, marathons in fifty states, race reports, running, Wichita City | Leave a comment

Taper week, breast cancer awareness and 15k race

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Annette

I am dedicating this month to Breast cancer awareness by wearing pink!

By doing so I am wearing pink to my races (two this month). Anyone who knows me would know pink is an unusual color for me, I feel more comfortable in neutral colors. I think because I grown up with boys and never been a girly girl. But I have tried to cross over to the pink clothing at times though never felt fantastic; you know that great pink girl power feeling. But I will try it again with hopes of the pixie dust and pinkness I spread awareness that breast cancer is everywhere and affects many.

I have quite a few ladies in my yoga group either experience or have a love one that has been touched or fallen victim to this disease. Two of my Ladies are doing the 3 day walk this November!!! What strength these ladies have!

** October is Breast Cancer Awarenes Month. Need info? Click Here! **

This http://www.warriorsinpink.ford.com/ is a great site 100% net goes to the cause

What does it mean to be diagnosed with cancer?

- It does not mean that a person has been handed a death sentence
- It does mean that the person has a serious illness that needs immediate attention
- It also means that the patient must act quickly yet carefully to promote a more positive outcome

So go Pink!!! Stomp out Breast cancer, get your mammogram and fight for a cure!!!! for more info click on national breast cancer month

On to running…..

My week in review:
Taper week so I need to stop running as much and let me muscles heal
Sunday- hike with Blaze & Ricky. Not an unusual thing. Generally done after a run
Monday -Run with Blaze 5.6 mi
Tuesday -12.2 miles last one at GMP
Wednesday –3.20miles all I had time for 3 mile repeats@ 9:25, 8:43. 8:36
Thursday -5miles in the park with Blaze easy
Friday -SRD did a trail run hike with Blaze early morning at the SQR
Saturday- DRC 15k in Dallas 1:20:34 (unofficial time) 1st AG and PR I really did not realize it was a Pr till I looked back at my notes last PR was on 12-2010 1:22:34

Mile per week 35.67 –month 36.7 –year 1892.7

The DRC 15k race
Technical difficulties
I started the race fumbling with my Garmin not working correctly; note to self when Garmin read full the night before do not plug it back up especially if training pages are on! Then on my Playlist the songs did not play to the next, instead loop to the same song over and over for the entire time. Generally I would have turned it off but I was afraid I would start to think and lose focus. I thought the melody would keep me focus on my running being that it was only instrumental. Also I did not feel the racing feeling full of pep. When driving to Dallas I told Junemary my fellow running friend who does a lot of the DRC race with me that I just did not feel in race mode. It may have been a good thing because I didn’t go out too fast and tried my best to keep pace. My goal was to go about 8:30-8:40 the first half and then pick it up.

Weather and clothing
It was cold the kind of cold that when I woke up I wanted to crawl back to sleep: this is unusual for me. We had a cold front blow in that morning and the wind on the lake did not make it better. I wore pink as intended pink compression socks, pink shorts and a long sleeve pink tech top over another. I took the top off about mile 4 and left it hang around my neck. I am not sure about the pink shorts (no pockets) so I may rethink my clothes for next week. I felt comfortable other than the strange music going over and over.

The race
There was a father like figure about my age running with his daughter. I mainly kept them in my sight for a pacer. About mile 6.6 when we did a small out & back I didn’t see them anymore, I really was not sure if they were in the race being the White Rock lake is a popular running area. I was able to pick up my pace but decided till I got over the Hill by the dam, that I name the Damn Hill because it is always tough I let it go.
Splits: My Garmin is always off so I lapped at each mile marker
Lap-time pace -cadence
1-8:48-94
2-8:47-93
3-8:54-92
4-8:33-91
5-8:29-92
6-8:41-92
7-8:36-91
8-8:48-92
9-8:39-92
.4-7:53-103
Total time 1:20:53

Thought on results
I am not overwhelming happy with the numbers I see for my splits, it should have been faster they look like my Half marathon pace numbers. I am hard on myself because I really don’t think I went fast enough. It is a Pr and a 1st AG place but it does not compare with the times I look for in the predictor sites. But I need to acknowledge that I am faster and the predictor sites are not always right. When I plug in my times I do not see the results of a sub 4 marathon. What does that mean? Well I am in training and do not always run fast races especially the shorter ones that compute to predictor times. Like when I did CIM 3:58:14 I never had a training race with times that predicted it. Or I am just lucky I can pull in all the tricks when needed. It seems to be all a learning experience of trial and error.

Posted in Race Reports, Training Tips | Tagged Breast cancer, marathon training, marathons, marathons in fifty states, running | Leave a comment