On November 2, I lined up to run my first half marathon (13.1 miles). I ran the City of Oaks Half Marathon. My goal was to finish in 2:15. I finished in 2:08:25!
Group placement: 83/252 (32.9%)
Gender placement: 492/1375 (35.8%)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
New 5K PR - 25:58
September 27 2008
The Women's Distance Festival 5K is a women only annual event to benefit Interact. The race started at 8:30 am. Temperatures were in the mid 70s with no rain.
Overall, I finished 24 out of 229. I placed 5th in my age group. If I tell you how old I am, I'll have to kill you. :) I will tell you there were 43 women in my age group. Pretty good - huh?
Mile one - 8:32
Mile two - 8:13
Mile three - 8:33
Last tenth - 6:47
By the way, I got a Garmin for my birthday. LOVE it. I was able to get instant feedback on my pace and distance during the race.
Monday, August 18, 2008
"I Like My Self!!"
Monday, August 18, 2008Summer is almost over. The first day of school is next Monday. Lauren and I have had a wonderful summer. Countless days at the pool, morning movies, visits to local museums, and the list goes on.
We celebrated Lauren's 6th birthday this summer! I am constantly amazed at how fast she is growing up. For a long time, I would say it seems like it has only been a month since we brought Lauren home from the hospital. Now I think, it seems like just yesterday we were celebrating her 1st birthday.
Last Saturday I was away from home all day. While I was away, Lauren did some drawing to pass the time. This was one of her drawings, "I Like My Self!!". How cool is that?! "I Like My Self!!" I am very proud.
Friday, August 8, 2008
New! Longest Distance Run PR
Sunday August 10 2008
Today I ran a new longest distance run pr, 10 miles. What a great experience! It was a new route with a new partner. I was lucky enough to run with a stronger partner today. She kicked my butt. In a good way... She did not beat me up too much. We averaged about a 10:12 minute mile pace. One of the neat things about this run was the terrain. We ran on lightly traveled roads, off road, roads under construction, a golf course, through many subdivisions, a lake trail, and a few good hills. I LOVED every minute of it!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Toy Lady Runs a Half Marathon
August 2
I registered for my first half marathon. The race is November 2. That is just 3 short months away. I am excited. However, now that I am on the hook to the tune of $45, I am nervous too. I started training in July. My goal is 2:15:00. That is 2 hours and 15 minutes. Ambitious. I know.
Stay tuned!
I registered for my first half marathon. The race is November 2. That is just 3 short months away. I am excited. However, now that I am on the hook to the tune of $45, I am nervous too. I started training in July. My goal is 2:15:00. That is 2 hours and 15 minutes. Ambitious. I know.
Stay tuned!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
New! Longest Distance Run PR
June 29 2008
I set a new pr (personal record) for longest distance run. I ran 9 miles. Again, I was not impressed with the actual distance. However, I was impressed with my 10:21 pace. That is very fast for me at this distance.
Of course it was another hot and juicy day here in NC. The temperature was 72 degrees. With the heat index, the temperature was 77 degrees. 82% humidity!
I wonder how much the humidity factors into my pace. I am sure the answer is "a lot" but I am dying to know how much a lot is. I would LOVE to run 7 minute miles at my half marathon this fall!
I set a new pr (personal record) for longest distance run. I ran 9 miles. Again, I was not impressed with the actual distance. However, I was impressed with my 10:21 pace. That is very fast for me at this distance.
Of course it was another hot and juicy day here in NC. The temperature was 72 degrees. With the heat index, the temperature was 77 degrees. 82% humidity!
I wonder how much the humidity factors into my pace. I am sure the answer is "a lot" but I am dying to know how much a lot is. I would LOVE to run 7 minute miles at my half marathon this fall!
5K Personal Record: 29:58
June 14 2008 - Komen Race For the Cure 5KAn event for breast cancer research held on the campus of Meredith College
The day before the race there was some concern over air quality. As the winds shifted, a forest burning in the eastern part of the state began causing some air quality issues here in central NC. Some time Friday, the wind picked up and overnight the smoke was blown across our region.
On race day, it was 72 degrees with overcast skies. With the heat index, the temperature was 76 degrees. 72 degrees seems hot considering the race started at 7 am. It wasn't. The last time I ran at 7 am and the temperature was less than 72 degrees was a month earlier in May.
This was the largest race I had ever participated in. The crowd made it challenging to run. In the first two miles, I was tempted to weave in and out of the crowd to try and make good time. I resisted. I am glad I did. I am not sure this would have yielded the result I was hoping for. :)
I finished 1250 out of 2177 overall. In my gender and age group, I finished 87 out of 207. My average pace was 9:39.
On race day, it was 72 degrees with overcast skies. With the heat index, the temperature was 76 degrees. 72 degrees seems hot considering the race started at 7 am. It wasn't. The last time I ran at 7 am and the temperature was less than 72 degrees was a month earlier in May.
This was the largest race I had ever participated in. The crowd made it challenging to run. In the first two miles, I was tempted to weave in and out of the crowd to try and make good time. I resisted. I am glad I did. I am not sure this would have yielded the result I was hoping for. :)
I finished 1250 out of 2177 overall. In my gender and age group, I finished 87 out of 207. My average pace was 9:39.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Longest Distance Run
Today I set a pr(personal record) for my longest distance run. I ran 8 miles! I am not too impressed with the actual distance. I ran 7 miles during a run last week. So, technically I ran an additional mile today. Big deal...
It is a big deal because it was 80 degrees and 98% humidity. It was so HOT. Unfortunately, most of my run was in the blazing sun today. I usually map a mostly tree lined route. However, in a effort to mix it up a little and challenge myself, I decided to map a totally different route today.
Did I ever pay in sweat for that decision... I was literally melting!
It is a big deal because it was 80 degrees and 98% humidity. It was so HOT. Unfortunately, most of my run was in the blazing sun today. I usually map a mostly tree lined route. However, in a effort to mix it up a little and challenge myself, I decided to map a totally different route today.
Did I ever pay in sweat for that decision... I was literally melting!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
On Mother's Day...
Did you know that the woman responsible for Mother's Day becoming a legal holiday was not a mother? It is true. She was a daughter who wanted to honor her mother and all mothers. She fought hard and won to get the legal holiday Mother's Day.
However, she later regretted her efforts and tried to get the holiday cancelled after hearing "Happy Mother's Day"and seeing greeting cards and store bought flowers purchased for Moms. She really wanted Mother's Day to be a non-commercial holiday to honor mothers. She envisioned children and spouses writing letters to mothers expressing appreciation and gratitude. Imagine that! Taking the time to write a letter instead of signing your name to a greeting card.
I was reminded of this woman's journey as I ran 7 miles in the rain on the morning of Mother's Day. During my rainy run, I observed a man with a basket very carefully selecting the perfect flowers from his yard. I am assuming he lived there. Even though it was raining, he remained selective; picking only the perfect flowers for his bouquet.
Remember next year, "on Mother's Day".
However, she later regretted her efforts and tried to get the holiday cancelled after hearing "Happy Mother's Day"and seeing greeting cards and store bought flowers purchased for Moms. She really wanted Mother's Day to be a non-commercial holiday to honor mothers. She envisioned children and spouses writing letters to mothers expressing appreciation and gratitude. Imagine that! Taking the time to write a letter instead of signing your name to a greeting card.
I was reminded of this woman's journey as I ran 7 miles in the rain on the morning of Mother's Day. During my rainy run, I observed a man with a basket very carefully selecting the perfect flowers from his yard. I am assuming he lived there. Even though it was raining, he remained selective; picking only the perfect flowers for his bouquet.
Remember next year, "on Mother's Day".
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
First 8K Race - 51:14 PR
On May 3 2008, I participated in the MS Run For Research 8K Race. For all of my friends who don't run, an 8K is a 5 mile race. :) I know two very special women who have been diagnosed with MS so this race was significant to me. I dedicated this race them. In their honor, I decorated my race hat by ironing on their names and gluing on sequins.
It was a beautiful day for a race. Sunny and 66 degrees for the 9:30 am start time. It was windy! At times, I was being blown sideways as I ran the course.
There were a total of 42 runners doing the 8K race. There were hundreds of walkers doing a 1 mile and 3 mile walk/run on part of the 8K course. Each group had a different start time. Our 5 mile group started first. The 3 mile group was starting as I was finishing. To help us all navigate, there were color coded signs for the 1 milers, 3 milers and 5 milers. Still I was nervous about getting lost...
I am not good with directions. I have gone out for a 4 mile run and ended up running 6 because I got lost. :) So, at the race check in when she was explaining to me that the 8K course was a modified loop, my first thought was I might end up running my first half marathon today.
To add to my navigational challenge, the 8K race was made up of such a small group of runners, I was concerned that I would not be able to keep up and just follow the crowd like I typically do in races. Luckily, there were volunteers standing on the course who were paying attention to the runners. When I came around the second time, one of the volunteers waved me in so I didn't miss the turn.
I ran most of the race alone but I did not finish last. Out of 42 runners, I finished number 24 overall. There were 15 women in my age group. I finished number 7 in my age group.
The course was very flat overall. However, there was one very long hill that we had to run up twice. I was loving that hill the second time around. I passed 1 runner walking up the hill and another runner who had slowed her running pace dramatically on the hill. Then at mile marker 4, I passed two other runners (who were unable to recover from the second trip up the hill). Thank you hill!
As I approached the finish line, I had nothing left. That was great! I am disappointed when I end a race feeling like I could keep running forever. Not this time. I remember literally just putting one foot in front of the other. I had total tunnel vision and no sounds. All I could see were the balloons arched over the finish line. Then, like being awakened with a start, I heard Lauren cheering "Mommy!".
Right on time, she and Matt were waiting for me at the finish line. It is a great feeling to have my fans waiting for me at the finish line. At every race, they wait for me. Lauren cheers "Mommy!" every time. I never get used to it. Every time it feels special. I get goose bumps.
It was a beautiful day for a race. Sunny and 66 degrees for the 9:30 am start time. It was windy! At times, I was being blown sideways as I ran the course.
There were a total of 42 runners doing the 8K race. There were hundreds of walkers doing a 1 mile and 3 mile walk/run on part of the 8K course. Each group had a different start time. Our 5 mile group started first. The 3 mile group was starting as I was finishing. To help us all navigate, there were color coded signs for the 1 milers, 3 milers and 5 milers. Still I was nervous about getting lost...
I am not good with directions. I have gone out for a 4 mile run and ended up running 6 because I got lost. :) So, at the race check in when she was explaining to me that the 8K course was a modified loop, my first thought was I might end up running my first half marathon today.
To add to my navigational challenge, the 8K race was made up of such a small group of runners, I was concerned that I would not be able to keep up and just follow the crowd like I typically do in races. Luckily, there were volunteers standing on the course who were paying attention to the runners. When I came around the second time, one of the volunteers waved me in so I didn't miss the turn.
I ran most of the race alone but I did not finish last. Out of 42 runners, I finished number 24 overall. There were 15 women in my age group. I finished number 7 in my age group.
The course was very flat overall. However, there was one very long hill that we had to run up twice. I was loving that hill the second time around. I passed 1 runner walking up the hill and another runner who had slowed her running pace dramatically on the hill. Then at mile marker 4, I passed two other runners (who were unable to recover from the second trip up the hill). Thank you hill!
As I approached the finish line, I had nothing left. That was great! I am disappointed when I end a race feeling like I could keep running forever. Not this time. I remember literally just putting one foot in front of the other. I had total tunnel vision and no sounds. All I could see were the balloons arched over the finish line. Then, like being awakened with a start, I heard Lauren cheering "Mommy!".
Right on time, she and Matt were waiting for me at the finish line. It is a great feeling to have my fans waiting for me at the finish line. At every race, they wait for me. Lauren cheers "Mommy!" every time. I never get used to it. Every time it feels special. I get goose bumps.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The Hills Are Alive?
Who can forget that famous opening scene in the musical The Sound of Music when Julie Andrews sings The Hills Are Alive? The Sound of Music is one of my favorite musicals.
Besides the breathtaking scenery and careful scene choreography, I love that Julie Andrews' character has trouble fitting in at the Abbey. She means well but is constantly getting in trouble. I also love the fact that some of the characters are faced with completely unexpected challenges and must make important choices.
The latter happened to me recently during a "hill" run. My current training schedule recommends once a week I run 2 miles to warm up followed by 7 to 10 minutes of climbing hills. Then a 2 mile run to cool down.
Week One: I ran the 2 mile warm up. Then, I died on the first hill. So, I called it a day. I was completely surprised at how challenging that first hill was. It seemed to be alive. Moving under my feet. I felt like I was running in place.
Week two: I was dreading the "hill" workout day. I laced up anyway. Guess what? I survived! The first hill was just as hard as it was the week before but I did the other hills anyway. After the first hill, I felt myself improving with each hill I climbed. I believe the improvement was mostly mental. An attitude adjustment... A confidence that the hills weren't alive and that I could make it to the top of a hill every time I decided to go for it.
What "hills" in your life do you think are alive?
Besides the breathtaking scenery and careful scene choreography, I love that Julie Andrews' character has trouble fitting in at the Abbey. She means well but is constantly getting in trouble. I also love the fact that some of the characters are faced with completely unexpected challenges and must make important choices.
The latter happened to me recently during a "hill" run. My current training schedule recommends once a week I run 2 miles to warm up followed by 7 to 10 minutes of climbing hills. Then a 2 mile run to cool down.
Week One: I ran the 2 mile warm up. Then, I died on the first hill. So, I called it a day. I was completely surprised at how challenging that first hill was. It seemed to be alive. Moving under my feet. I felt like I was running in place.
Week two: I was dreading the "hill" workout day. I laced up anyway. Guess what? I survived! The first hill was just as hard as it was the week before but I did the other hills anyway. After the first hill, I felt myself improving with each hill I climbed. I believe the improvement was mostly mental. An attitude adjustment... A confidence that the hills weren't alive and that I could make it to the top of a hill every time I decided to go for it.
What "hills" in your life do you think are alive?
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Chased by a Cat?
Last night, I was online ordering some dog repellent spray to use the next time I am chased by a dog. Recently, I have had some scary situations with neighborhood dogs. Some not on leashes. Others contained by their Invisible Fence product.
Yes. There are leash laws in my community. If one more dog owner stands by and watches their unleashed dog chase me while saying "he doesn't bite", I am going to SCREAM.
I am not afraid of dogs. I LOVE dogs. I have been a dog lover all of my life. What these dog owners need to understand is that not everyone is like me. I know people who are terrified of dogs because of traumatic incidents from their past. So while your dog doesn't bite, not everyone is comfortable being chased by Fido. Poor Fido can't help it. It is instinctive for dogs to chase.
This morning, I set out on my run before the school buses arrived to pick up the neighborhood kiddos thinking the family pets would still be indoors or too groggy to give chase. There were a few dogs outside but I was right they weren't interested in chasing me this early.
I was halfway home when a cat crossed the street and started to 'chase' me. It was so strange. My neighbor is my witness. The cat crossed the street headed straight at me. I thought the cat would jump on me. So I dodged his path and looked back to see the cat running along behind me. My neighbor seemed to startle the cat when he laughed out loud and said "That's strange. I've never seen anyone chased by a cat." The cat stopped 'chasing' me.
Did my neighbor save me from a psycho kitty? Was a friendly neighborhood kitty just looking to get a little exercise? What do you think?
Yes. There are leash laws in my community. If one more dog owner stands by and watches their unleashed dog chase me while saying "he doesn't bite", I am going to SCREAM.
I am not afraid of dogs. I LOVE dogs. I have been a dog lover all of my life. What these dog owners need to understand is that not everyone is like me. I know people who are terrified of dogs because of traumatic incidents from their past. So while your dog doesn't bite, not everyone is comfortable being chased by Fido. Poor Fido can't help it. It is instinctive for dogs to chase.
This morning, I set out on my run before the school buses arrived to pick up the neighborhood kiddos thinking the family pets would still be indoors or too groggy to give chase. There were a few dogs outside but I was right they weren't interested in chasing me this early.
I was halfway home when a cat crossed the street and started to 'chase' me. It was so strange. My neighbor is my witness. The cat crossed the street headed straight at me. I thought the cat would jump on me. So I dodged his path and looked back to see the cat running along behind me. My neighbor seemed to startle the cat when he laughed out loud and said "That's strange. I've never seen anyone chased by a cat." The cat stopped 'chasing' me.
Did my neighbor save me from a psycho kitty? Was a friendly neighborhood kitty just looking to get a little exercise? What do you think?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
You Do the Math!
Once upon a time, I volunteered for a well known organization called Big Brothers, Big Sisters. If you have an opportunity to participate in such a program, I would highly recommend it. That experience changed my life forever as well as the life of the child I was paired up with.
My then little sister (now she is a wife and successful real estate agent in a large metropolitan city), stated on her application that she wanted her big sister to be "pretty and smart" among other things. Once she selected me, it became an inside joke in our household that I was pretty and smart.
With that said, I am having a lot of trouble with the 'mathematics' of running. Maybe you can help me? As part of my training, I run a "long run" once a week. My long run is currently 6.2 miles. I usually run that 6.2 miles between 52 and 54 minutes at a very easy pace. I could chat the whole way.
So, let's do the math together:
If I can run 6.2 miles (10K) in 52 to 54 minutes, how long does it take me to run 3.1 miles (5K)?
If you said 26-27 minutes, that is the same answer I got!
But apparently running math is not the same math we all learned in school. My current 5K pr is 31:06! Am I the only one who missed the running math class?
My then little sister (now she is a wife and successful real estate agent in a large metropolitan city), stated on her application that she wanted her big sister to be "pretty and smart" among other things. Once she selected me, it became an inside joke in our household that I was pretty and smart.
With that said, I am having a lot of trouble with the 'mathematics' of running. Maybe you can help me? As part of my training, I run a "long run" once a week. My long run is currently 6.2 miles. I usually run that 6.2 miles between 52 and 54 minutes at a very easy pace. I could chat the whole way.
So, let's do the math together:
If I can run 6.2 miles (10K) in 52 to 54 minutes, how long does it take me to run 3.1 miles (5K)?
If you said 26-27 minutes, that is the same answer I got!
But apparently running math is not the same math we all learned in school. My current 5K pr is 31:06! Am I the only one who missed the running math class?
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