So I've decided to kind of take a break from running for a little bit. I just can't find the motivation to put on my running shoes right now.. I'll still go for a run here and there to stay in shape, but I'm not going to be doing any training or any races
My motivation is just spread among other things right now. I'm coaching, I'm a full-time graduate student, and I'm getting married in about 4 months! My motivation is spread between those 3 things. I'm excited for the coming track season! I've been enjoying coming up with training plans for "my children" and seeing them work hard this semester, but the track season is where they'll put that hard work into play so to speak. I have a pretty steep goal for grad school. I want to get a higher GPA than I had in undergrad, so I've been working pretty hard in my classes. Also, with the wedding only like 4 months away, I've been working on taking care of things such as invitations, wedding favors, dress alterations, and stuff...
So I'm taking a break from running which means I'm taking a break from this blog for now. Maybe I'll start blogging again in February about coaching stuff. I don't know, we'll see when the time comes.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
NC marathon recap
I did it! I completed my 3rd marathon. I was the 7th overall female, and I ran a PR by 4 minutes. My official time was 3:33:48.
A lot of people have been asking me how it was...well, quite frankly, it was hell. Why? because I ran 26.2 miles...it's no easy feat.
Ok, but really it wasn't that bad. I had a good time. There were less than 260 people in the marathon, and the spectators along the course were almost nonexistent. It was, for the most part, a very lonely course if you didn't talk to people.
I did meet and talk to some cool people along the way. For about 11 miles, I ran with a guy from Asheville who had only done 1 marathon. Then he slowed down and I kept trucking and some foreign guy started talking to me. I'm not sure where he was from, but just 4 weeks before the NC Marathon he had done a marathon in Beijing. I knew he was foreign because of his accent and he told me that he did his training and everything in kilometers. He, also, told me about how he vomited from drinking too much fluid during the marathon.
I met some other people along the way, like a guy from Maryland who was wearing shorts that were pretty much the Maryland flag (I thought they were awesome and I wish I had a picture). He was from Maryland, had attended the University of Maryland, and was a Terp fan through and through. And I met some older man who I met in the last 3 miles that told me where the rest of the hills were along the course. Those hills were really tough, especially the ones in the last 5 miles. I'm pretty sure there was a hill every mile. Oh the joys of the rolling hills of the piedmont.
If you click here you can type in my bib number (17) and check out pictures of me during the marathon. It was pretty chilly when we started. I wore gloves, home-made arm sleeves, and ear warmer headband all of which I threw off later in the race when I got hot. The home-made arm sleeves were just some knee-high socks that I cut the toe off and wore on my arms (Shout out to Alyssa Halter who gave me the idea).
Josh ran around and saw me 4 times along the course and coached me a little bit. The first time I saw him I was running with the guy from Asheville, and Josh was telling me that I was running a great pace. The guy from Asheville asked me if Josh was my manager. haha.
From the start to halfway, I was running 8 minute pace. My plan was to pick it up after halfway to try to run 3:25. I picked it up (a lot, probably too much), and was doing great until mile 19. I hit the wall hard....I ended up running 9 min pace for the last 7-8 miles. There was a hill every mile from 18 to the finish. It was awful. The last 3 miles were the absolute worst...because you're body hates you and you want it to be over, but you still have 3 miles left. It's the longest 3 miles ever.
I ended up with 3 blisters, and trying to walk after finishing was probably funny to watch. Maybe I'll do another one in the spring to try to get that 3:25.....i don't know. we'll see.
A lot of people have been asking me how it was...well, quite frankly, it was hell. Why? because I ran 26.2 miles...it's no easy feat.
Ok, but really it wasn't that bad. I had a good time. There were less than 260 people in the marathon, and the spectators along the course were almost nonexistent. It was, for the most part, a very lonely course if you didn't talk to people.
I did meet and talk to some cool people along the way. For about 11 miles, I ran with a guy from Asheville who had only done 1 marathon. Then he slowed down and I kept trucking and some foreign guy started talking to me. I'm not sure where he was from, but just 4 weeks before the NC Marathon he had done a marathon in Beijing. I knew he was foreign because of his accent and he told me that he did his training and everything in kilometers. He, also, told me about how he vomited from drinking too much fluid during the marathon.
I met some other people along the way, like a guy from Maryland who was wearing shorts that were pretty much the Maryland flag (I thought they were awesome and I wish I had a picture). He was from Maryland, had attended the University of Maryland, and was a Terp fan through and through. And I met some older man who I met in the last 3 miles that told me where the rest of the hills were along the course. Those hills were really tough, especially the ones in the last 5 miles. I'm pretty sure there was a hill every mile. Oh the joys of the rolling hills of the piedmont.
If you click here you can type in my bib number (17) and check out pictures of me during the marathon. It was pretty chilly when we started. I wore gloves, home-made arm sleeves, and ear warmer headband all of which I threw off later in the race when I got hot. The home-made arm sleeves were just some knee-high socks that I cut the toe off and wore on my arms (Shout out to Alyssa Halter who gave me the idea).
Josh ran around and saw me 4 times along the course and coached me a little bit. The first time I saw him I was running with the guy from Asheville, and Josh was telling me that I was running a great pace. The guy from Asheville asked me if Josh was my manager. haha.
From the start to halfway, I was running 8 minute pace. My plan was to pick it up after halfway to try to run 3:25. I picked it up (a lot, probably too much), and was doing great until mile 19. I hit the wall hard....I ended up running 9 min pace for the last 7-8 miles. There was a hill every mile from 18 to the finish. It was awful. The last 3 miles were the absolute worst...because you're body hates you and you want it to be over, but you still have 3 miles left. It's the longest 3 miles ever.
I ended up with 3 blisters, and trying to walk after finishing was probably funny to watch. Maybe I'll do another one in the spring to try to get that 3:25.....i don't know. we'll see.
Friday, November 18, 2011
game plan
There are less than 24 hours until I am on the starting line of the NC Marathon in High Point, NC. It's important to have a "game plan" with any race that you do, and it's ok if your game plan changes during the race. Having a game plan on how you'll tackle different things in the race will give you the mental edge over others, and will help you to push through to the finish.
I think that the marathon is the hardest race to come up with a game plan and stick to it. When training for a marathon, you don't run that distance in training, so you can never be sure of how you expect to finish. The most that people will run in training for a marathon is 20-22 miles like one time, maybe twice. My longest run while training for this marathon was like 15 miles, so I'm not really sure how I'll do. But what I can do is look at my past experiences with the 2 marathons I've done previously. What I did right, what I could've done better, etc.
My game plan for this marathon is to start out easy, maybe find somebody to chat with along the way to make the time go by better, and then hopefully run some negative splits by running faster the 2nd half. This plan might change though if I get a cramp or hit the wall really hard or if I'm just not feeling it. I know that the course is kind of hilly with some rolling hills, but I'm ready to tackle those. I actually have a mantra for hills, and it's pretty simple, "Get up that hill." haha. It really does help...
Some people have been asking me what time I'm looking to get. I have a time in mind, but you know...whatever. My main goal for this marathon is to just have fun. It's going to be a beautiful day, and my mom and Josh will be coming out to see me run. I'll be looking forward to eating some Lexington BBQ afterwards. mmmm
Get ready for some post-marathon blog posts with pictures (hopefully)!
I think that the marathon is the hardest race to come up with a game plan and stick to it. When training for a marathon, you don't run that distance in training, so you can never be sure of how you expect to finish. The most that people will run in training for a marathon is 20-22 miles like one time, maybe twice. My longest run while training for this marathon was like 15 miles, so I'm not really sure how I'll do. But what I can do is look at my past experiences with the 2 marathons I've done previously. What I did right, what I could've done better, etc.
My game plan for this marathon is to start out easy, maybe find somebody to chat with along the way to make the time go by better, and then hopefully run some negative splits by running faster the 2nd half. This plan might change though if I get a cramp or hit the wall really hard or if I'm just not feeling it. I know that the course is kind of hilly with some rolling hills, but I'm ready to tackle those. I actually have a mantra for hills, and it's pretty simple, "Get up that hill." haha. It really does help...
Some people have been asking me what time I'm looking to get. I have a time in mind, but you know...whatever. My main goal for this marathon is to just have fun. It's going to be a beautiful day, and my mom and Josh will be coming out to see me run. I'll be looking forward to eating some Lexington BBQ afterwards. mmmm
Get ready for some post-marathon blog posts with pictures (hopefully)!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
running nerd
I am a running nerd or as flotrack likes to say "run junkie". I follow the sport like it's my job...oh wait?! It kind of is my job now that I'm a G.A. coach!
I enjoy following the sport, analyzing the pros, and keeping up with the news of what's going on. Any time there is a race or track meet on TV, I'm watching it. I'll even watch races and track meets live online or even just race videos online (bet you didn't know that stuff existed). Heck, Josh and I once paid to see the NYC Marathon live online instead of waiting to see the highlights on TV. Josh and I even make predictions about who will win and stuff, and we're pretty darn good at it. In fact, he did it as part of a contest once and he did so good that he won a USATF fleece pull-over and hat. USATF = USA track & field.
There was some crazy stuff going on in the running world last week. When I was in class last week, Josh texted me to tell me that Lukas Verzbicas was rumored to have left Oregon (It has since been confirmed that he did leave). I was so excited and perplexed about the news, but I had nobody to talk to about it. I did tell some people in my class and they were like, "what? who?" I bet you're thinking the same thing right now.
This past weekend was D1 xc regionals, and oregon's men's team did not make the cut to go to nationals. Why is this big news? Because Oregon is like the most well-known running school, duh. I like to think that everyone knows about Oregon's track team, Coach Bill Bowerman, and Steve Prefontaine but I know that's probably not true.
Everyone knows who Steve Prefontaine is, right? Well, if you don't know who he is then you probably know his famous quote, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." How about Bill Bowerman?! No?! He's the co-founder of Nike Inc. and he's probably most famous for using his wife's waffle iron to create a new sole for some shoes.
Well, even if you don't know these dudes, everyone knows Usain Bolt. But there are SOOOOO many more runners and track athletes out there than just Usain Bolt. How about Yohan Blake? Ryan Hall? Geoffrey Mutai? Trey Hardee? Shalane Flanagan? Queen Harrison? Paula Radcliffe? Do you know anybody other than Usain Bolt?!
I'll take track and cross country over football, basketball, and any other sport any day of the week. Did you know that track and field has their own "Heisman Trophy" so to speak? Yeah! It's called the Bowerman award after Bill Bowerman. I bet you've never heard of it.
Now, I have plenty of friends who are runners, but I can't even talk to them about stuff like this because they would have no idea what I was talking about. In fact, I think I scare some of my friends when it comes to running stuff....I don't mean to, it just happens. Luckily, I have Josh to share my running nerdiness with.
The 2 biggest websites for running nerds like myself are letsrun.com and flotrack.org. I know I mentioned flotrack earlier...I'm not even that big of a run junkie as compared to some people....
4 days until my marathon & D2 xc nationals....and 6 days until D1 xc nationals!! WOOO!
I enjoy following the sport, analyzing the pros, and keeping up with the news of what's going on. Any time there is a race or track meet on TV, I'm watching it. I'll even watch races and track meets live online or even just race videos online (bet you didn't know that stuff existed). Heck, Josh and I once paid to see the NYC Marathon live online instead of waiting to see the highlights on TV. Josh and I even make predictions about who will win and stuff, and we're pretty darn good at it. In fact, he did it as part of a contest once and he did so good that he won a USATF fleece pull-over and hat. USATF = USA track & field.
There was some crazy stuff going on in the running world last week. When I was in class last week, Josh texted me to tell me that Lukas Verzbicas was rumored to have left Oregon (It has since been confirmed that he did leave). I was so excited and perplexed about the news, but I had nobody to talk to about it. I did tell some people in my class and they were like, "what? who?" I bet you're thinking the same thing right now.
This past weekend was D1 xc regionals, and oregon's men's team did not make the cut to go to nationals. Why is this big news? Because Oregon is like the most well-known running school, duh. I like to think that everyone knows about Oregon's track team, Coach Bill Bowerman, and Steve Prefontaine but I know that's probably not true.
Everyone knows who Steve Prefontaine is, right? Well, if you don't know who he is then you probably know his famous quote, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." How about Bill Bowerman?! No?! He's the co-founder of Nike Inc. and he's probably most famous for using his wife's waffle iron to create a new sole for some shoes.
Well, even if you don't know these dudes, everyone knows Usain Bolt. But there are SOOOOO many more runners and track athletes out there than just Usain Bolt. How about Yohan Blake? Ryan Hall? Geoffrey Mutai? Trey Hardee? Shalane Flanagan? Queen Harrison? Paula Radcliffe? Do you know anybody other than Usain Bolt?!
I'll take track and cross country over football, basketball, and any other sport any day of the week. Did you know that track and field has their own "Heisman Trophy" so to speak? Yeah! It's called the Bowerman award after Bill Bowerman. I bet you've never heard of it.
Now, I have plenty of friends who are runners, but I can't even talk to them about stuff like this because they would have no idea what I was talking about. In fact, I think I scare some of my friends when it comes to running stuff....I don't mean to, it just happens. Luckily, I have Josh to share my running nerdiness with.
The 2 biggest websites for running nerds like myself are letsrun.com and flotrack.org. I know I mentioned flotrack earlier...I'm not even that big of a run junkie as compared to some people....
4 days until my marathon & D2 xc nationals....and 6 days until D1 xc nationals!! WOOO!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
7 days...
The time has come to start the countdown to the marathon I'm going to do.
7 days til the NC Marathon in High Point, NC. That's right people, I'm doing the NC Marathon in High Point, NC.
This will be the first marathon I've ever run in NC, and I would love love love love for people to come out to see me run, make signs, and cheer for the other runners too.
The NC Marathon is a small marathon. Last year, they had only 302 runners in the marathon. I'm really looking forward to running in a smaller marathon because if people come out to support, I'll actually be able to pick you out in the crowd and hear you cheer.
Check out the sweet medal I'll get when I finish the marathon.
7 days til the NC Marathon in High Point, NC. That's right people, I'm doing the NC Marathon in High Point, NC.
This will be the first marathon I've ever run in NC, and I would love love love love for people to come out to see me run, make signs, and cheer for the other runners too.
The NC Marathon is a small marathon. Last year, they had only 302 runners in the marathon. I'm really looking forward to running in a smaller marathon because if people come out to support, I'll actually be able to pick you out in the crowd and hear you cheer.
Check out the sweet medal I'll get when I finish the marathon.
Monday, November 7, 2011
october update
So it's been a month since I've blogged, but I feel like my life has been going non-stop with no time to blog. Between office work, track & cross country practices, graduate classes, homework, marathon training, and seeing Josh....there's not much time for anything else.
Here's a quick update:
There you have it. The month of October is gone, it is no longer daylight savings time, and cross country season is officially over. For now, I'm looking forward to my marathon, Thanksgiving, and the end of this semester.
Here's a quick update:
- I did four 5ks in October.
- I got to run on an airport runway.
- I got to run at the ESPN Wide World of Sports (previously the Disney Wide World of Sports)
- I broke my college PR by 10 seconds. (I always knew I could run faster than what I did when I ran at Catawba. I just needed to train differently.)
- I won $50 from running in a 5k that I had no intention of running in, but registered for 10 min before it started (no warm-up and still won. haha)
- Josh and I picked out and ordered our wedding bands. (Yay!)
- I had a set-back in my marathon training, but I'm back on track and have less than 2 weeks til my marathon.
- I was the sundrop girl for Halloween and won 3rd place in a most creative costume contest.
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| drop it like it's hot |
Monday, October 10, 2011
I'm a has-been
When Josh and I first started dating, I used to call him "has-been." He used to run cross country for Pfeiffer University, but when we met and started dating, his college running career was long gone. Even though his college career was over, I was still running in college, and he would call me "wanna-be."
Well, now my college running career is long gone, and I'm a "has-been." It hit me like a brick when I started coaching, but I'm ok with being a has-been. I still run in races, and I still consider myself to be competitive. Since the end of my college running career, I've done plenty of other races and plan on continuing to run for several years.
Being a coach and a "has-been," watching college races makes me want to race in college races again. In college races, the competition is higher and race strategies are more important. I miss it.
Luckily for me, this past weekend I had the opportunity to race in a college race unattached. I got to run in the disney xc classic. The weather was rainy, the course was super muddy, wet, and pretty flat. It was awesome! I got pretty muddy. The only problem was that the whole time I was racing, I was wondering how the team was doing. I just wanted to cheer them on.
I'm a has-been and I'm proud. My college running career is over, but I'm still competitive and still have goals to continue racing for a while. I've already got plans to race again this coming weekend, not to mention a marathon in November, and I'm trying to find a half marathon to do a few weeks before the marathon. This has-been can still bring it!
Well, now my college running career is long gone, and I'm a "has-been." It hit me like a brick when I started coaching, but I'm ok with being a has-been. I still run in races, and I still consider myself to be competitive. Since the end of my college running career, I've done plenty of other races and plan on continuing to run for several years.
Being a coach and a "has-been," watching college races makes me want to race in college races again. In college races, the competition is higher and race strategies are more important. I miss it.
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Luckily for me, this past weekend I had the opportunity to race in a college race unattached. I got to run in the disney xc classic. The weather was rainy, the course was super muddy, wet, and pretty flat. It was awesome! I got pretty muddy. The only problem was that the whole time I was racing, I was wondering how the team was doing. I just wanted to cheer them on.I'm a has-been and I'm proud. My college running career is over, but I'm still competitive and still have goals to continue racing for a while. I've already got plans to race again this coming weekend, not to mention a marathon in November, and I'm trying to find a half marathon to do a few weeks before the marathon. This has-been can still bring it!
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