Women's Half Marathon

For those waiting on the race report for the Womens Half Marathon Arizona, sorry it has taken me a few weeks to get it together.


This was a really great race and I would highly recommend it.  You should also really consider getting a group of girlfriends to run it with you.  

 We hit the expot on Saturday.  I was not too impressed with it.  It was really small.  I like to be a little overwhelmed when I get to an expot, but that is just me.  My favorite part of the expot, we made the cover of Women's Running Magazine.



We made the Cover



We also stayed at the Host Hotel which was awesome.  We received an EXTRA Swag bag, t-shirt and a warm chocolate chip cookie on check-in.  They had me at Chocolate Chip Cookie!


After the expot it was time for manicures and pedicures to help us relax.  AWWW!!!  Then off to dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  Back to the hotel to set out all our running gear. 5 am comes early.

my outfit for the morning

Since we stayed at the Host Hotel we were shuttled on a bus to the start line.  And then shuttled back the finish... Another great perk!



waiting on the bus

There was a lot of energy at the starting line.  That always makes me a little nervous.  My game plan was to start out slow and pick it up in the later miles.  It was a beautiful day for a run.

 And off we go!!! 

We had open roads the whole race.  I never felt like it was cluttered up with runners.  The volunteers and people cheering us on where amazing.  So many of the women running where so supportive also.  You have to love runners for that.  I kept my plan of start slow and it was working for me.  J & S wanted to run a little faster so they took off.  C stayed with me, we were pretty comfortable.  I was able to start picking up the pace a little around mile 4.  When I hit mile 6 my shoe was rubbing.  I just ignored it and kept running.  I did have to take a few walk breaks but not longer then 2 minutes.  We were just plugging right along.  Feeling Great!  Well except the dang rubbing of the shoe.  Around mile 9 I had to walk a little and C did not want to stop, she was afraid she would not start to run again.   I walked 1 min and ran 4 min.  The shoe was really bugging me.  After I hit mile 11, I was in the home streatch.  I could see C in front of me and just kept my eyes focused on her.  My legs were getting a little tired but I was feeling pretty good.  I could see the finish line and that just makes you want to run faster.  YEA!!!! I finished in a time of 2:38

C, me, J and S at the finish

I am very happy with my time.  It's not a PR.  But it has been a long road back.  We all did amazing and are so Proud of ourselves.  Running with girlfriends is the best.

Oh and that dang rubbing in my shoe... Well here is what I had when I took my shoe off...


2 blisters



I had 2 blister on the bottom of my foot.  NICE!!! 

If you are going to Run, Run Half Crazy!

Water Tag

Running Water Tag

If your going to Run, Run Half Crazy

A Day Without....

Please fill in the blank

A Day Without Running is                       .

If you are going to Run, Run Half Crazy!

National Running Day!



Today is the day that we all must run, like it or not!

Why you Ask??  Well Duh it's

National Running Day!

I will be hitting the pavement today after a 6 week break due to injury.  I have mixed emotions but know that I will be feeling awesome when I am done. 

I am starting from scratch,  I had really good intentions of cross training through this injury but it did not happen.  What can I say  I love to RUN!   And a little bit of feeling sorry for myself.  I have 3 half marathons planned, starting in September and ending in December. Training has officially started.  Slow and Steady!

I am going to leave you with a little bit of Why I Run:

I RUN...for the love of it, for sanity, for ice cream, to keep up with my kids, to be fast, for my health, to eat, to hurt, to find myself, to be happy, to be fit, to look darn good in my jeans, for wine, to stay young, because I can, for chocolate, to be outdoors, to sweat, for inspiration, so my butt does not grow, to rant, to get places, to feel the wind on my face, to feel skinny, to be a role model, to appreciate life...FOR MYSELF!

Why Do you Run?

 

If your going to Run, Run Half Crazy?

Runner's Survey

I read this runner's survey on a few blogs I follow and thought it would be fun to do and pass on so you can share it on your blog.  I love learning more about all my running friends.  SO GO!

 What is your favorite type of cross training? 
Spinning!  I picked it up a few months ago due to an injury.  What a workout!  I live in a small town so there are no classes offered but my gym has a spinning bike that has a trainer on the bike.  I just plug my earphones in and turn it on.  Someday I would love to take a real class.  I love to sweat, and this really does it for me.  And I feel incredible when I am finished.

What is your favorite song to run to? 
 I love a good hip hop song.  Dynamite by Taio Cruz is keeping me motivated right now.

  
What brand of shoes do you wear? Asics.  I loved the Gel Nimbus 11.  I need a stability shoe.  Tried the Gel Nimbus 12 and did not like them so much.  I am in the Kayano and testing the Brooks Adrenaline

Do you wear a hat when you run? Always!  I love to run in a hat, it keeps the sweat out of my eyes.  I have short hair so I don’t have to fix it in the morning when I run.  I might scare some people in the morning without it. 

What temperature is your favorite for running? 60-65 degrees is perfect.  Cool enough to start in a light jacket and warm enough that I can wear my skirt or shorts.

Do you have any big races coming up?
September 11:  Denver Half Marathon
November 6:  Women’s Half Marathon, Arizona
December 4:  Las Vegas Half Marathon

What is your favorite distance? 13.1... Love, Love, Love the Half Marathon - enough to require adequate training, but short enough to not consume your life.

 Are you a morning, noon or evening runner? All of the above...  I am all over the place when it comes to getting a run in.  I love to run in the morning but some days it just does not work.  I love my bed more!

Do you run solo or with a buddy? I do my Long Runs with a buddy.  But usually all the rest I do Solo.
  
What's your favorite post run snack? Green Protein Smoothie…

What's your FAVORITE race?  I did the Disney Princess and the Disneyland Half those 2 would have to be my favorites.  They were so much fun!  I got my PR in Florida and them my daughter ran her first Half with me in California.  I was so Proud!



Kittee, Kylee(daughter), JL(running buddy)



Are you a fan of GU?  I do like GU, Vanilla or Chocolate is my favorite.

Do you wear a Garmin? If not, how do you track your runs?   Yes I run with a Garmin 405.  Her name is LoLa…  I love it!!!

What is your least favorite race?I didn't necessarily ENJOY running in 80 degree Heat and finishing in 90 degree Heat.  I was sunburned and on the verge of Heat Stroke I am pretty sure.  Miserable… What do you drink to keep Hydrated? I drink water, but on long runs I have been using Nuun.  Not a big fan of Gatorade.

What race is your favorite medal from?   Disney World Princess Half , it’s a Princess Crown!

Who is your running idol? 

All my friends in blogland!  Some days when I don't "feel" it, all I have to do is read a couple blogs and I'm Inspired and Motivated...

How long have you been a runner? 

I was a Sprinter in High School,  Then moved on to running 3-4 miles a day while in the Navy.  Took a few years off to raise kids. Started running Loooong 3 years ago to find myself again.  I am hooked!

Do you run with your engagement/wedding ring on? 

Yes I do!

What's your favorite workout? repeats? long runs? tempo? fartleks?  

Love Speed work!  But I do enjoy the Long Run probably just as much.  What is a fartleks?

How do you Fuel before a Long Run?  I eat a bagel with peanut butter at least an hour before my run and drink Nuun.    

If you are going to Run, Run Half Crazy!

Motivation Monday #5

Motivation Monday

The Ultimate goal should be, Doing your Best and Enjoying it.

Unknown

"To me, the real test of one’s character isn’t defined by completing the marathon on race day, but rather by having the self-discipline and dedication to commit, sacrifice, and endure the months of training required to complete such an event."

Kimberly Pasienza

Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of great opportunity.

Unkown

"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things."

Joe Paterno

             

"... run with patience the race that is set before us ..."

Heb. 12:1-3              

"Those who say it can't be done,  should not interrupt the ones doing it"

Unknown

"We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon."

Emil Zatopek  

"Channel your inner Kenyan!"

Unknown

     "There is no glory in practice, but without practice, there is no glory."

Maggie      --- HS cross Country Runner

The Race

If your going to run, Run Half Crazy

You Know You Are A Runner When....

A BIG hello and welcome to my new blog followers.  Thank you for stopping by and reading about my journey.

Runners come in all shapes and sizes.  We have traits or habits that only other runners could even begin to understand.  Runners definitely share a special bond!

I was talking last night with Mr. Incredible and trying to finish up some vacation plans for the year when I started laughing to myself ( I do that pretty regular) because all I could think about when we were planning was...  I wonder if there will be a race that weekend while we are there?   Make sure and find a hotel close to a park or someplace I can run.  I hope the weather will be nice so I can run while we are there.  Maybe I can find a running outlet.  

I kept thinking the rest of the evening and into this morning about how we characterize ourselves and how others characterize runners by what we do, think, say and even eat...

I can think of so many ways to finish the sentence below, but I thought it would be fun to see what you all had to say...

You Know You Are A Runner When.....

If your going to run, Run Half Crazy