Tag Archives: races

Random Thoughts about Running in a Sauna through Sprinklers and Santana

Posted on by Run DMT
3

Lately, the thermometer has been sticking around the high 80s to low 90s and the humidity is sticking around with the heat and choking my running friends and me.  It’s brutal, like running in a marathon in a sauna.  No room to breathe.

I would like to thank my neighbors that illegally watering their grass at 5:30 morning.  You don’t think anyone notices, but I do.  I make a mental note of the days and times you run your sprinklers and I always run past your house on those days.

However, I’m not thankful for your push green grass or how you are selfishly depleting the aquifers to keep that plush green grass.  But don’t worry.  I’m not calling the water department to file a complaint.  Nope, I’m too busy running slowly on your plush green grass and selfishly soaking up the water sprayed illegal by your sprinklers and I don’t feel a bit guilty about it because it feels so damn good during my hot humid runs, like this morning’s 3 mile run.  So thank you.

3.1 miles

Time 35:03

Ave Pace 11:03

Max 8:13

After discussing with several running friends the number of weeks to prepare for the Space Coast Marathon, the consensus seems to be that it is totally doable. I have a few half marathons under my belt from early in the year and another one coming up next month, so I should be ready for the marathon if I keep at it.  So, there you have it.  I’m going for it.

Last Saturday, I ran 10 miles to get back in the training groove.

Time 2:11::01

Ave Pace 13:06

Max 8:04

The run felt good and I didn’t mind the miles, but once again, that damn humidity was a real bitch.  My friend, Faith, joined me for a couple of miles which it helped take my mind off the humidity and I was really grateful for her company.  Besides the humidity, the hours spent running alone can be a real bear too.

But, I came up with a plan to beat the long boring miles by myself.  I asked a few of my shorter distance running friends like Faith and Chrissy to meet at different times to help me get through the miles.  Even by running a couple of miles with me, it will keep me motivated and moving.

Speaking of miles and motivation, I registered for two races in October: the Race for the Cure and the Frakenfooter half marathon.  I love Race for a Cure (the course and the cause), but I’m really excited about the Frankenfooter.  I have wanted to do this race for some time, because it’s a Halloween race with costumes!  I even picked my costume before I registered…Santana from Glee!

How fun is that?!

I told my running girlfriends to dress in the same costume so we could be a whole group of Cheerios!  Of course, I’ve got a totally different costume for our adult costume party, but that’s under wraps until we get closer to Halloween. Muhahahahaha!

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Random Thoughts about a Dead Heat and Swamp Monsters

Posted on by Run DMT
2

Thanks to a nasty cold, I hadn’t run in over a week, but with the girls back at school this week, I was ready to get back into a regular routine again.  However, the heat is seriously killing me.  I’m usually one of those people not bothered by the heat, but I’m feeling it now and it ain’t got nothing to do with hot flashes, honey.

Anyhow, yesterday I woke up plenty early to fit in three miles before the back to school chaos.  I braved the heat and finished a sad, slow sweaty three miles.

3.1 miles

Time 33:18

Ave Pace 10:44

Max Pace 7:44

Even in the early morning hours, the humidity clings to me.  There’s no breeze only steam rising from the lakes and the storm drains, which is unbearable.  It’s like a swap monster or storm drain clown is breathing down my neck.

Besides the swamp monsters and storm drain clowns, I’m worried about my running because I haven’t been getting my miles in to be prepared for the Space Coast marathon which is only 13 weeks away.  The farthest I’ve gone is 10 miles and that was weeks ago.

My Garmin must have sensed my anxiety and couldn’t handle the stress and decided to check out.  Like a Monty Python sketch, my Garmin “is NO MORE.  It has ceased to be!  My Garmin is an ex-Garmin!”  But then, as I typed this post, I bumped its charging dock and it seems to be all right now.  I guess the heat is getting to my Garmin too.

A running friend, Larissa, is training for the Savannah Marathon and she mentioned to me the other day that she has been using the Galloway method to survive training in the heat.  She suggested I try it.  Following this method, I would run 3 minutes and walk one minute for recovery.

So, this morning I tested the Galloway method for 4 miles. Well, it was more like “run a mile walk a couple minutes.”  Plus, because I was Garmin-less, I guesstimated the total distance to be about 4 miles, but when I mapped it out on Map My Run, it was more like 4.47 miles.  Whatever.  The bottom line: The Galloway method certainly helped.

4.47 miles

Time 47:00

Ave Pace 10:30

A couple of weeks ago, I was supposed to participate in the All Out Running 5K.  A few days before the event, the race coordinators sent out an email about the trail and included these photos.

Needless to say, I freaked out!  I expected a trail run, not a mud run. And look at the height over those runners!  I guarantee those gentlemen are much taller than little ol’ petite barely 5′ me!   And I’m sure there’s a swamp monsters hiding in those waters!  Not to mention, I hadn’t trained for any swimming and it’s possible I would drown, if a swamp monster didn’t grab me first.

But thankfully, the race gods heard my cries and postponed the race, however, I’m not sure when the new date will be.  At least I have some extra time to work on my breaststroke while preventing a heatstroke.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Random Thoughts About 40 Points and 40 Miles

Posted on by Run DMT
5

Last month, I visited my doctor for a third time this year for another round of blood tests to check my cholesterol again. yay.  Only I had forgotten about the appointment and I ate so poorly week prior to my appointment.

The week before my doctor’s appointment, it was as though my body craved fattening greasy fried food.  I ate a McDonald’s country chicken sandwich meal with fries.  Then, a few days later, I had a hamburger and fries at Prime Bar’s $5 burger night.  I believe some Hooters wings were thrown into the mix and then there was a big bad-for-you breakfast on Father’s Day.  And not to mention, I ate my way across Sanibel and Captiva the week before my doctor visit.

So after a really bad week of fatty foods, I was completely blown away when my doctor said my cholesterol dropped 40 points and I lost 2 pounds.  I wondered had eaten better if my cholesterol level would have been even lower.  No matter.  I’m off the hook for now and I won’t have to go back to my doctor until January for my annual physical.  WOOHOO!

My weight is still holding strong at 135 pounds.  I would still like to drop another 10 pounds, but I’m not going to stress about it.  It will come off.  It’s nothing some Spanx can’t fix.

Although I didn’t reach my desired weight goal of 40 pounds before my 40th birthday (which is next Wednesday hint…hint), I completed my goal of 40 miles before my 40th birthday.  I finished 3 half marathons (Gasparilla, Pasco Challenge and Iron Girl), a  5 mile race (Miles for Moffit) and three 5Ks (Crazy Sombrero, Oldsmar Tap House Run and Rap River Run) for a grand total of 53.6 miles.

Now, I’m training for my third marathon: Space Coast Marathon and a handful of races in between, but it has been hard to get motivated to do the big miles in the heat of summer.  I know it will get easier when the weather cools down and I’ll be faster too.  Race season will be here before you know it!

Speaking of my training, I’ve been so lazy since the Fourth of July and I’m finding it difficult to get back into a running routine.  I don’t know if it’s the summer heat, dehydration or a vitamin deficiency or too much fatty foods, but I’ve exhausted lately.   Between our vacation, Fourth of July and entertaining guests due to all the July birthdays this month in our family, it’s as though my motivation fizzed with the fireworks.  But I’ve got to get serious about running again because there’s only 18 weeks until the Space Coast Marathon.

For my marathon training, I’m putting my faith in good ol’ Hal Higdon again, however, I’m following a hybrid plan combining Hal’s Novice 2, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 plans.  I ran 8 miles yesterday and now this weekend I’m planning to go for 10 miles.  We’ll see.  Wish me luck.

As for my runs, like I said, they’ve been few and far between, but I’m back on track now.

July 2

3.1 miles

Time 31:24

Ave Pace 10:08

Max Pace 7:54

 

July 11

4 miles

Time 42:45

Ave Pace 10:42

Max 8:17

 

July 14

4 miles

Time 42:00

Ave Pace 10:31

Max Pace 8:25

 

July 18

8 miles

Time 1:28:08

Ave Pace 11:01

Max Pace 8:20

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Random Thoughts about the Runs and My Jelly

Posted on by Run DMT
7

Every time I use “the runs” in my blog post title, it makes me giggle and admittedly, I’m using potty humor to catch my readers’ attention even though I’m talking about my running and training.  But this tongue-and-cheek title isn’t so funny anymore since all three kids and my husband came down with a stomach bug last week.  With all the vomit, the diarrhea, the never-ending loads of laundry and losing our Internet connection, it was truly a shitty week.

Thankfully, I managed to squeeze in some pleasant runs in between their not-so-pleasant runs because I’ve got two races to train for this month: Crazy Sombrero 5K and 5 Miles for Moffit.  I am trying my hardest to run 3 miles under 30 minutes again and as close to 50 minutes for 5 miles as I can.  The #aMAYaingabs and pushup challenge has really paid off, because I’ve definitely seen my improvements on my time.

Monday, April 25

3.1 miles

Time 30:56

Ave Pace 9:59

Max Pace 8:10

 
Wednesday, April 27

3.1 miles

Time 38:39

Ave Pace 12:00

Max Pace 9:17              
 

Thursday, April 28

4 miles

47:53

Ave Pace 11:59

Max Pace 8:55

I was particularly proud of my 6 mile run.  At 5 miles, I had clocked 51:35 and saved it as Lap 1 in my Garmin.  I feel pretty confident that I can finish the 5 miles for Moffit close to 50 minutes next weekend.

Saturday, April 30

6.2 miles

Time 1:05:18

Ave Pace 10:32

Max Pace 8:03

 

Tuesday, May 3

3.1 miles

Time 35:37

Ave Pace 11:30

Max Pace 9:06

We’ve had unusually warm, August like weather with temperatures near 90, so we started swimming to keep cool and soak the sun up and all the Vitamin D we can.

A couple of weeks ago, I took the kids to the pool for the first time this season.  I tried on two swimsuits: my before baby bikini and a tankini.  Out of the two, the bikini looked better.  Actually, it was the lesser of two evils.  So, I busted out my bikini at our community pool and while we were hanging out at the pool, I made the mistake of asking hubbie how I looked.

“Well you just had a baby.”

Um…not quite the answer I was hoping for! I decided to use Little Lion Man as a shield the rest of our stay at the pool, because I don’t think anyone is ready for this jelly.

Speaking of a jelly, I started a little early on my #aMAYzing abs challenge, because for Mother’s Day, I’m saying bye-bye to my Bingo arms and my flabby baby belly.  For about 2 weeks now, I’ve been doing 100 crunches every day. I’ve also thrown some push-ups, tricep dips and bicep curls into the mix. I can do 100 triceps, but as for pushups, I could only do 50 (girlie or alternative pushups) at the start.  In two weeks, I can already do 100 girlie pushups.  So the challenge isn’t quite so challenging and I need to step up my game a bit, like adding manly pushups and some lunges and squats, because I need to continue this challenge the rest of May and into the summer to be rid of this jelly before July.  I want nice firm arms by then so my chicken wing arms don’t wiggle and blow out the candles on my cake for me.

You know, it really is a small world.  While sitting in church Easter Sunday, a woman sitting next to me recognized me from the neighborhood.  We’ve past each other while running along the boulevard for 4 years now.  I told her how hard it’s been trying to get back into training after having a baby 9 months ago.

When I tell people that I had a baby 9 months ago, it would make me feel so good if they said, “Gosh, you don’t even look like you had a baby.”  So far, that’s not happened, but I keep holding out for that moment.  When you see me, could you say that to me?  That would be FANTASTIC.  My ego could use a bit of a boost.   Thanks.  You’re such a good friend.

 

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Unwritten

Posted on by Run DMT
17

Yesterday, I ran my third half marathon of the year and I met my goal of 40 miles (39.3 to be exact) before my 40th birthday.  

 

As I ran the last couple miles of Iron Girl, I flipped through my MP3 player to find a song to carry me through to the finish line. I decided Unwritten seemed fitting song, because although I met my 40 miles goal, I still have more races and so many more miles to go.

 

Rather than play the original video starring Natasha Bedingfield for Music Monday, I’d like to share a video I created 2 years ago after I finished Disney’s Goofy Challenge.  The lyrics still hold true for me with each step I take.

 

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it

 

 

Visit Amanda, Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

 

Random Thoughts about Surgery, Starbucks and Spring Break

Posted on by Run DMT
6

I drafted this post while sitting in the waiting room if the surgery center.  After weeks of suffering, Hubby finally went to the doctor and learned his gall bladder no longer functioned.  After an ultrasound to confirm his diagnosis, the doctor informed Allan that he needed immediate surgery to remove it.  Now he’s gall bladder free and feeling happy on painkillers and I’m feeling like a Starbucks for some liquid energy.  Would it be wrong to leave my husband for a latte?

 

Speaking of caffeine, I think I’ve been drinking too many caffeinated drinks during the day because my sleeping pattern has been a disaster lately.  For the past week, I have been waking up around 3:00 a.m. and I’m unable to go back to sleep.  By 7:00 p.m., I’m exhausted and ready for bed.  I am probably the only person grateful for the recent DSL time change so at least I am ready for bed at 8:00 p.m. now instead of 7:00 p.m.

 

The girls have off for Spring Break this week and Allan is off from work to recover from his surgery.  We don’t have anything planned for the week other than building bigger and better leprechaun traps.

 

I didn’t weigh myself this past weekend so I don’t know if I lost any weight.  With the half marathon on Saturday morning and a beer binge goodbye party that night, I didn’t want to cry the scale to yell at me.  Honestly, I am not so concerned with the numbers on a scale any more, but more concerned with toning and building muscle because these bingo arms have got to go!  It would be nice if they didn’t wave hello before I actually greeted someone.   But besides ridding myself of bingo arms, being able to wear a bikini again is my ultimate goal.

 

I am so glad I decided NOT to run the Florida Beach Halfathon because my legs were so sore during the Pasco Challenge half marathon.  (I’ll blog more about that race in other post.)  Yeah, three half marathons in three months is plenty and I’ll tell anyone who disagrees to “Shut the Front Door!”

 

My legs were hurting pretty badly on Sunday, but thankfully they feel fine today.  I think I’m ready for an easy 3 miles tomorrow morning.

 

Proudly submitted at The Un Mom’s Random Tuesday Thoughts, because when I blog about my runs, it’s usually pretty random.

randomtuesday

 

 

Raising Runners, Part 2

Posted on by Run DMT
11

When Suncoast Running offered a children’s running class, I enrolled the girls.  Over 6 weeks, Coach Lynn would teach the kids how to run a mile by demonstrating how to pace and the difference between a fast pace and an easy pace.

 

 

For the last class, the kids ran a ½ mile race…

 

 

 

and all the young participants received a medal.

 

 

The running class and the medals prepared the girls for the Gasparilla Jr. Race the following weekend.  Based on their age groups, Emmalynn ran 1/8 of a mile and Allana ran one mile.

 

 

 

Both girls applied what they had learned in their running class and paced themselves beautifully.  Coach Lynn would have been proud because Allan and I were definitely proud of our girls.

 

 

But I think Emmalynn and Allana were the proudest of their achievements.

 

 

PhotoStory Friday

Random Thoughts about Races, Pounds and Pounding Down the Pancakes

Posted on by Run DMT
11

Today is Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday, and my family celebrates the occasion by eating stacks of pancakes all day long.

 

For years now, I’ve visited the girls’ classes to cook pancakes and afterwards, we read and write pancake stories and partake in other pancake related activities.

 

But this week, I’m eating pancakes twice and I fear I may resemble a round golden brown shape and not the silver dollar kind, either.  After the Pasco Challenge on Saturday, the local IHOP is serving pancakes to all the participants and their families, which makes running 13.1 miles totally worth the effort.

 

On the subject of breakfast foods, I keep forgetting to eat breakfast in the morning, which is such a bad habit.  Don’t you hate it when people say they “forget to eat”?  As much as I love food, it’s hard to believe that I would ever miss a meal, but I get caught up in other things in the morning instead of sitting down to eat something.  I know that’s the worst thing to do when trying to lose weight and yet, for the past week, I keep skipping breakfast.  Then at lunch time, I’m starving and lightheaded from not eating which is the WORST.  But today is a new day and I PROMISE to eat breakfast today.  But then, it will be easy to remember to eat today because after all, it’s PANCAKE DAY!

 

Eating or not eating, I lost 4 pounds last week.  Thanks to the Gasparilla Half Marathon, I’m sure.  I doubt this week’s loss will be as monumental with all the pancakes I’ll be putting away.

 

As for my attempt to complete four half marathons, I’ve decided to stick my tongue at my friend, John with just 3 half marathon which is 39.3 and close enough to 40 miles.  But like my friend, Chrissy, said, I can always add in a couple 5K races which will put me over 40 miles before my 40th birthday.

 

After researching how to train for multiple half marathons, the internet running experts advised against it.  With each half marathon, I need at least a week to recover from the race.  With races back to back, like a half marathon March 12 and another on March 20, I would spend the week between races resting instead of easing back into running and while resting, I would be missing out on good work-outs.  That is EXACTLY what happened last week!  I only ran once and it is only 3 miles and not a very good 3 mile run at that.  Lots of walking.

 

3 Miles

Time 37:55

Ave Pace 12:13

Max Pace 9:30

 

And now, because I have another half marathon this Saturday, I am supposed to rest before the race which means another week of little to no running followed by another rest week post-race.  So the experts seem to be correct.  With races back to back, I am missing out of days of good runs due to resting pre-race and post race.

 

Therefore, I’ve decided to not run in the Florida Beach Halfathon, as much as I really wanted to because the course looks spectacular.  Instead, I’ll be getting back into a regular running routine again to train for the Iron Girl Half and I’ll be saving $70 in the meantime.  And I’m o.k. with that.  After all, I need beer money for St. Patrick’s Day next week.

 

Proudly submitted at The Un Mom’s Random Tuesday Thoughts, because when I blog about my runs, it’s usually pretty random.

 

randomtuesday

 

Random Thoughts about Races and 40 Miles

Posted on by Run DMT
5

One night while we were hanging out with our friends John and Erika, I mentioned that I would be running 3 half marathons before my 40th birthday.   John was quick to point out that the three do not quite equal 40 miles (39.3 to be exact).  I thought it was close enough, but I also took John’s words as a challenge to squeeze in another half marathon.

 

I had already planned to run the Pasco Challenge Half Marathon on March 12, Iron Girl Half Marathon on April 10, but now thanks to John’s prodding, I may also add the Florida Beach Halfathon on March 20.  I haven’t decided about the Florida Beach Halfathon because 1) It’s $70, 2) It’s in Fort Desoto which is quite a drive from here and I don’t know anyone else running the race to carpool with and 3) I don’t want to injure myself by running several half marathons in such a short amount of time.  The Pasco Challenge and the Florida Beach Halfathon are a week apart.

 

Later this year, I would like to run another marathon, like the Space Coast Marathon, but I also applied for the New York City Marathon lottery.  If I get selected to run the NYC Marathon, then I won’t do the Space Coast Marathon.  My confirmation email stated that the race organizers would be making their selections mid-March.  Not much longer now! To amuse myself while I wait, I’ve been singing lines from A Chorus Line.

 

God, I hope I get it.
I hope I get it.
How many people does NYC need? 
How many people does NYC need?
God, I hope I get it.
I hope I get it.
How many boys, how many girls? 
How many boys, how many…?

 

You get the idea.

 

When I train for races, I take it all very serious.  I cut back on all the drinking and junk food, because I worry about dehydration and shitting myself loose bowels during a race.  With having a baby, it takes a toll on your body and things just aren’t the same in the lower end department if your know what I mean, so my fear of loose bowels is quite possible.

 

But more importantly, with being pregnant and having a baby, it had been a while since I was serious about training and I guess my girlfriends forgot how disciplined I become when I’m training.  A few times when we were all hanging out, I hadn’t been binge drinking with the rest of them and they all thought I was pregnant!  BITE YOUR TONGUE! Not that I wouldn’t love another child, but that would really put a damper on all my plans to celebrate turning 40 this summer.  I’d like to do so without a hiccup, unless it’s an alcohol induced hiccup.

 

Speaking of hiccups, my friends and I celebrated our Gasparilla race achievements by throwing back a few beers at our local watering hole. I completed the Gasparilla Half Marathon at my goal of 2 hours, 30 minutes and burned 1, 349 calories in the process.  I definitely earned my beer!  (You can read more about the race and look at pretty pictures here.)

 

 

And on the topic of calories, I lost another pound last week which is a total of 21 pounds since January 1!  After burning over 1300 calories on Sunday, I can’t wait to see what I lost this week.  I hope I didn’t undo it all with the beer I put away.

 

Proudly submitted at The Un Mom’s Random Tuesday Thoughts, because when I blog about my runs, it’s usually pretty random.

randomtuesday

I’m a Mom on the Run Again!

Posted on by Run DMT
3

Well, I’m more of a wogging (walking/jogging) mom again.  I was seven months pregnant the last time I ran and Wednesday was the first day I ran since the baby was born two months ago.  So, technically it’s been over 4 months since I last ran.

 

And it felt so good to hit the pavement again!

 

Since Baby Run DMT isn’t sitting up, I can’t dust off my jogging stroller just yet.  Therefore, I had to improvise and I ran with my UPPAbaby stroller with the bassinet attachment.  For not being a jogging stroller, I was really surprised how smooth it was to run with, although the hood of the bassinet caught the wind and slowed me down.  Well, I blame my pace on the wind. ;-)

 

I think Liam enjoyed all the bouncing while lying in the stroller because it reminded him of the jostling he felt in utero when I ran during my pregnancy.  Or maybe it was the fresh air?  Either way, he was quite content and cooed in his stroller while I ran. And I was content with the fact that I burned off enough calories equivalent to three Corona Lights.

 

Wednesday, Oct. 6

4 miles

Calories 321

Ave  Pace 17:10

Max Pace 10:28

Time 1:08:37

 

Thursday, Oct 7

4 miles

Calories 315

Ave Pace 15:53

Max Pace 10:26

Time 1:03:27

 

Thirty pounds and two months later after my pregnancy, I realized that I may need to invest in a new pair of running shoes.  With the extra baby weight, my balance is a little off and I believe my gait has changed which effects how my foot hits the ground because I had that all too familiar strange pain along the side of my foot again.  I tried to loosen my laces across the top of my foot throughout my run and tightened my shoes around my ankles but it didn’t seem to help.

 

While running, I also realized that I need to trim my toenails.  I can’t believe I forgot how uncomfortable long toenails can be.  It’s not like my toenails are Howard Hughes in length, but they could use a little filing.  At least, that’s what my running shoes reminded as my toenails kept hitting the meshy tops.  I guess I should have thought of it sooner since it’s been a few weeks since I had my toenails trimmed.  After all, the whites of my nail beds are such a stark contrast to the hot pink polish.  My gnarly toenails could have certainly used a trim.  And maybe a new color and bubbly foot spa and a massage as well.

 

Despite the weird foot pain and long toenails, it felt good to be out running again.  To keep me running, I’ve decided to register for two races in November: Women’s Running Magazine 5K and Redefining Refuge 5K Fun.