Naples Daily News Half Marathon 2013

Well, the first race of the year is out of the way. That's quite a way to think of it, huh? K and I arrived early, which was good because it gave us time to do a warmup lap and use the porta-potties before it got busy. Hurray, toilet paper!

We found A, another one of our running friends, and her sister and husband. Her sister runs closer to my pace, so while A was aiming for a PR and K wanted to come in under 2:00, A's sister and I were able to run at a more comfortable pace together for the first five miles or so.

The course map.

The weather was pretty nice. Mid-to-high 60s, overcast. It was a little humid, and I found early on that I was dehydrated. I hadn't had enough water throughout the week, I think. Anyway, one of my old students was handing out water at the first water station where we stopped; it was fun to give him a little wave as we went by. I love knowing my old students are still involved in sports and community outreach.

I was feeling pretty good up to about mile 8. Then, some back pain set in. My knees were absolutely perfect during the race. My ITBS stretches have really been paying off; I'll make a post about them for those that are interested. But I must have been neglecting my core, because my shoulders and lower back were really tight and achy.

Because of the humidity, I stopped at each water station to drink. This definitely slowed down my pace. If I had been able to skip a couple, I think I would have come in around 2:20, which was my unofficial goal. However, pausing for water, and then slowing my pace afterward to avoid cramping up, paired with the long course (close to 14 according to my Nike+) really took a toll. I ended up feeling defeated and sluggish in the last mile.

R and K had my back as I finished up!

But finally, finally, I was at the quarter mile mark. K and her oldest daughter (my G-ddaughter) met me at the last corner and began running with me. Little R is just shy of three years old, and she kept shouting, "Look, I'm running!" Of course a million people wanted to take pictures of this and kept exclaiming how cute she was. (She tends to get that reaction a lot.)

At that corner, M and K's husband were taking photos/video, so I plastered on a smile and waved. I didn't have it in me for a final sprint.

I made it!

My time was 2:37:41. Not nearly my best, but this is only my third Half, and the first time I ran this race my time was 2:56, so I'm happy with the improvement. It's weird, because the course is tree-lined, flat, paved, and really lovely. It should be an easy race.

As much as I love the price of this race, especially for the amenities, I think it’s too quiet to keep my energy high. The main problem seems to be the time of year. After the holidays and the break for New Years, it’s hard to get back into real training. I didn’t feel prepared for this race, and it definitely showed. The lack of motivation to keep my running going bit me in the butt.

All done!

I’m glad I did better than last time we ran this course, but I’m not happy with my results. I don’t know if I’ll plan to run this one again. There seems to be too much working against me. Maybe my January race for 2014 needs to be just a 5k...but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Overall, I'm feeling happy with the race and to have another medal to add to my collection.

Here are my lowly stats: age group: 81/109, gender group: 670/896.

I have a whole year to show improvement. I'm not too bummed about the results, because over the weekend I decided to just take this race as what it was: the first of the year. I'm looking forward to the rest of 2013.

ABK

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is, I think, a holiday that doesn’t get enough love. Even those who like it are more focused on the abundance of food they'll get to indulge in, and then their minds shift quickly to holiday shopping. Like with Valentine’s Day, those who dislike the holiday tend to spout some bitter dictum about how we don’t need just one day to show our love – or in this case, gratitude – and that those who use the holiday as an excuse to do so are missing the point.

But I would argue that they are the ones missing the point. We don’t live our lives oblivious to those we love, or ignorant of the things that bless us. But taking a day to pause our busy lives and focus on those things can bring us fulfillment that, in our stressful world, we often forget to seek. It is important to feel fulfilled; it's restorative.

I couldn't have survived Proteach without you!

So in honor of finally having a break in schedule - a time when training is paused, school is out, and I can rest and reflect - I present a post on gratitude.

So often, the thing that causes me the most stress is a thing worth being thankful for. I am truly grateful that I have a career that makes a difference. One of the purest joys in life is watching a student's face light up as a connection is made, new understanding is reached, and they can say, "This makes sense now!"

I am grateful that after a long day of work, I can come home to a secure home with electricity, A/C, a comfortable bed, and a stocked fridge. So many go without these simple necessities.

More than I deserve.

It seems like such a trivial thing, but I am so grateful for the freedom to set my own schedule, travel to see friends, plan my weekends as I want them, and pursue hobbies that make me happy.

I am grateful for the freedom to practice my religion as I see fit, and to have authority and control over my choices regarding my health.

Words cannot express my gratitude for my friends. Their kind words and actions, their lively discussions and debates, their vigor and energy add to my life abundantly. They challenge me, keep my brain sharp, commiserate, comfort, and bring me laughter that reduces me to tears and hiccups. They are a group of sharp-witted, intelligent, loyal people who I could not live without.

Distance is meaningless.

My family has given me support in all ways that they can, from the very basic needs of a child to the complex and demanding needs of an adult. My parents have encouraged me, been strict when necessary, led by example, and allowed me to follow my own paths and make my own mistakes. For their continued love, support, listening ears, and friendship I am forever indebted. 

My siblings have forced me to be my own self, to find a way to stand out from between their own bright personalities. Their presence in my life grounds me and connects me to a past that I can appreciate because it has made me who I am today. My brother's easy ability to shrug off the opinions of others and to let his own intelligence shine has been a constant beacon for me to follow; my sister's amiable nature and truly magnetic disposition have made her the perfect lifetime friend, confidant, and soul mate.

Up early in cold & wind...just to cheer me on!

I am grateful for a husband who strengthens who I am and whose values mirror mine. I am grateful for our disagreements, through which we grow, and I am grateful for the depth of understanding and willingness to listen that keeps our relationship strong. I am especially grateful for his support of my quirks and idiosyncrasies. I am grateful that he takes an interest in the things I love, and that if he's not running races with me, he's there cheering me on. I am grateful for the hour-long leg massage post-Half that completely eradicated my knee pain and reaffirmed my confidence in being able to run long distances without persistent injuries. I am grateful that he puts up with so much from me - constant messes, awful TV, ridiculous YouTube videos, muddled priorities - and still wonders aloud how he could ever deserve me. I am grateful for a love that demands equality, fairness, and respect from us both. 

And now, because this would be incomplete without a mention of the thing that, lately, keeps me sane and whole...

I am grateful for a sport that makes me feel strong and humble all at once. A sport that allows me to challenge myself in my own way. A sport that, even in failure, allows me to succeed. 

I am grateful to myself for meeting this goal of learning to run, and for dedicating time to myself despite my stressful, busy days. When I first decided I wanted to run, it was M who outfitted me with all the accessories and encouraged me to keep going - another thing to thank him for. 

From the first Half to the last mile.

Running has brought me friendships so strong, complex, and meaningful that I cannot doubt the bond itself is strengthened through the sport. Relationships that could have been surface-level have been made irreplaceable because of running. Even casual friendships, like those started through work or fractured by distance, take on a level of respect, openness, and connectivity that would often be lost if the love of running weren't involved.

I am grateful to the running community for the camaraderie and healthy competition it constantly provides. I am grateful for this amazing outlet for stress, anger, disappointment, and fear. I am grateful for the bad runs that remind me I have far to go, that I am a work in progress. I am grateful for the strong runs that rebuild my confidence and remind me of how far I've come. I am grateful for health in my mental and physical life. I am grateful for my body, which is strong and capable. I am grateful for my aching muscles, because they remind me of what I've accomplished. I am grateful for my mind, which is kept clear and sharp because of the reflective time running provides.

I am grateful for where my life is. Running and daily life are so intertwined these days that my gratitude for life and my appreciation of running must go hand-in-hand. Running has made me strong, mentally flexible, and has proven to me that there are only limits where I choose to set them.

Truly, there is so much, and I am so humbled by my good fortune. I hope everyone has a relaxing, fulfilling, and enlightening holiday.

ABK

St. Pete Women's Half Marathon

All my planning, preparation, and training paid off.

I know I'll regret not giving a play-by-play of the entire race, and if I don't write it now I'll forget the little details, so despite my exhaustion, here's a rundown of the race I've been training for...I can't believe it's over.

Pre-race. Chilly & ready to get going!

K and I arrived at the race venue about an hour before start-time. We had time to check our gear and use the porta-potties, but no real warmup time. It was chilly and extremely windy, but once we got into our corral (technically K's corral, but I sneaked in with her), all the warm bodies shielded us. I never felt the full-on butterflies that I expected. M and his mom were able to arrive just before starting time and actually found us, so I was able to say hello and they were able to take some pre-race pictures of us gearing up for the start. We picked out the pacers ahead of us that we wanted to try to follow.

We ran the first 10k together, and it was marvelous. I had prayed for cool, overcast weather, and somebody up there listened. The day was in the low 60s, nicely cloudy but rainless, and in most parts of the run the wind was unnoticeable. K and I kept remarking to each other how great we felt, even as we kept a brisk pace. We eventually grew annoyed with the herd of runners following the pacers, and we broke off to keep our own pace. Running the first six miles with K was a great way to keep my mind off the difficulty of the first four miles. We seemed to breeze through it without trouble, feeling strong and confident. I tend to let off some speed in the middle miles of any race, and being with K forced me to stay fast.

Crossing the line, big grin in place!

After we hit the 10k, K took off ahead and I kept my own pace. I still felt strong, and in my chest I could feel the certainty of a strong finish growing. I knew going in that this race would destroy my first Half, but I was concerned that I'd be tempted to walk. Once on the course, though, I just felt totally calm. I knew I would run the entire thing and be true to my own pace and goal.

Around mile 7.5, I crossed paths with SB, who was coming down the opposite side of the road waving maniacally at me. When I finally realized it was her, I waved back and was able to pick up my pace again, feeling great.

I hit the wall at mile 9, where I knew I would. I just kept mentally coaching myself. You will do this. You will not walk. You are running your own race here. Do not let the other runners get into your mind. By mile 10, the wall had passed and I felt ready for the final 5k.

I couldn't have met my goal more perfectly!

Mile 11 brought us to the Trop, which was really fun to run in. The turf took some pressure off my knees, and when I was back on the concrete my feet were ready for more sturdy ground. It was a great break. With only two miles to go, I was really feeling good. I was able to drop my pace back into the low 10s, and the cheering crowds at mile 12 kept me going.

Soldiers gave us our medals. So amazing!

My goal, as stated in my previous post, was a pace of 10:18. I was exactly on target! I was grinning like a lunatic coming down the final chute, and K was there shouting for me. As I crossed the finish line, I bent over to catch my breath and K gave my head a hug. She was exuberant for me, so excited that I had met my goal. My chip time was 2:15:01 with a pace of 10:18. Talk about perfect! K finished in 2:04, destroying her last Half time as well. Both our Nike+s put the course at over 13.1, but I'm not going to argue the timing/distance here.

I think if I could have kept my mind clear after K and I split up, I could have come in under 2:10, and that's definitely my goal for the next Half I run, which should be in January. My knees are killing me tonight and I'm ready for some rest days before my 10k Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving.

Mission Accomplished!

All in all, this was a really successful, awesome, beautiful race. The "cobblestones" and "bridge" we were preparing for ended up being perfectly even brick roads and a small road bridge with a mild incline. Basically, we were really well-prepared for it and were laughing about how easy it all was! We both indulged in massages post-race and relived/discussed the high points numerous times. Basically, K and I are both thrilled!

Apparently at-home spectators could input your bib number and follow you along the course. I received an email/text from my parents congratulating me on my time, and K's husband - at home with the kids - was able to track her splits and send her encouraging texts. What a brilliant addition to usual bib-tags!

I really can't believe that the race I put so much time and effort into training for is over now. Really, it's a perfect culmination of my year. I set out to be a more consistent runner, and it led me to a Half in which I beat my last time by 40 minutes. I can't wrap my head around how far I've come, and still how much further I want to go. 2:10 and below is within reach! I'm aching for a chance to get there.

Now it's time for recovery...until the next one.

ABK

Race the Roof 8k

I cannot get over the drastic change in weather we've been seeing! Something about the chilly air in the morning really sets me up for feeling confident about my race.

Our course for the 8k

Saturday, I ran the Race the Roof 8k. There were a million wonderful things setting this up to be an awesome experience: the race proceeds went to Habitat for Humanity, which is a cause I actually care about; the course took us through the paths and boardwalks of a gorgeous gated community; and my sister came up to run the race with us, to name a few!

This week, volleyball started. I coach the girls team at my school, so I've been doing all kinds of squats, jumps, and lunges with the girls. Needless to say, my quads have been killing me this week. This made me a bit nervous, but K and I had run an easy 2.5 the evening before race-day, so I knew I could run through the pain. Plus, since using my new foam roller and breaking in my new Kayanos, my legs and knees have felt truly awesome.

The race started out nicely except for a couple snags. We didn't have time to do a warm-up lap, so we started out a little stiff. Also, even though I used the bathroom twice before we ran, I had to pee within the first mile, and the feeling didn't go away until mile 3 or so. It was distracting, but I couldn't bring myself to peel off and pop a squat, so I just dealt with it; I do think it messed with my pace early on.

We actually got a shot running together!

 M and I ran the first couple miles together, keeping a nice mid-9 pace. As usual, I kept an eye on a few people running around/near us, and took particular note of Man in Orange Shirt, Man with Dog, and a couple who looked familiar from previous 5ks. S (my sister) had fallen behind us a bit, but at a corner turn at the 2-mile mark, I was able to catch her eye and wave, so I knew she was doing well. There was something exhilarating and satisfying about knowing my sister was running this race with us. There is something really rewarding in that. I know that those of you with siblings will kind of get it; finding something you both love and can really bond over together - something that is good for you - is indescribable.

The course was so beautiful, M took a pic while running!

M took off ahead of me at that point, and I ran the rest of the race pretty much alone. For the most part, it was an easy and beautiful course. We ran through tree-lined golf cart paths and over perfectly springy boardwalks. The foliage and slow sunrise made for a gorgeous ambiance. There was a stretch of road around mile 4 where there weren't many trees, and that was my hardest spot. The wind was intense; I had to cup a hand over my mouth so I could breathe. (I've always had trouble with headwinds; it's one reason I don't love rollercoasters.) It was at this point that a few runners who had been tailing me were able to overtake me, but I just told myself to relax and be true to my pace. I only had about a mile to go.

After this stretch, which only lasted about half a mile, we were back on the community streets with houses blocking the wind, and I was feeling great. I still wasn't experiencing knee pain, and my feet felt like they've never felt before. No fatigue, no tingles, no aches. I came to a second boardwalk with about half a mile to go, and it was here - with a nice change in terrain and the slight bounce of the boards - that I got my second wind. I was able to overtake Man in Orange Shirt with almost no effort.

K, me, and S pre-race

At the last tenth, K was waiting for me with her daughter. She called out, "It's a blind finish; you're almost there!" and that, as usual, got my sprint going. I passed a couple (the same I passed at the Dr. Piper race at the finish) and forced myself to catch up with Man With Dog just as we neared the finish line. He gave a laugh as he saw me coming, and I laughed back as he picked up his pace as well. I nearly cackled when I crossed the finish line, I was so proud of that final performance. We finished neck-and-neck; I wanted to thank him for the extra motivation, but I was too embarrassed.

My finishing time was 48:05 and my goal was 50 minutes or less, so I'm really pleased! I'm happy to see that I've been able to hold a steady, fast pace (for me) for the last few races. This is our last scheduled race before the Half on Nov. 18, so I'm glad it was a good one.

As far as placing goes, I was 87/154 overall, 40/88 women, 8/14 in my age division. Pretty average, but that's not surprising.  If anything, I'm once more showing my consistency.

S came in right behind me, just a dozen seconds later. She had been able to run the whole thing and felt good. It was a successful day for everyone!

This was also a good race because of the festivities afterward. K's daughter R ran in the tot-trot. She was definitely the youngest out there, but no one can resist a tiny toddler running her hardest, and she won the most high-fives and a ribbon, which she is very proud to display in her room. (M and I babysat for her last night, and she wanted to show me where she had hung the ribbon - she's sure to follow in K's footsteps!) There was a delicious breakfast buffet afterward, raffle prizes, and pumpkin painting. We stayed for some of the events and then headed home, happily revisiting moments from the race.

All the runners post-race.

I think it took me too long to warm up for this distance. I still prefer the 10k, but you rarely see an 8k so I'm glad we did it. Now it's back to real training as the Half looms less than a month away. I'm trying not to let my head get cloudy with nerves. No matter what, it will be more successful than my first, and I just have to remember that I'm not competing with anyone but myself. This isn't about friends and their times and their accomplishments; it's about me.

And right now, I'm feeling pretty damn good.

ABK

Breakfast of Champions

As I prepare for my 8k tomorrow, I'm preparing my race gear and facing down the age-old question of runners everywhere: what to eat? Most veteran runners have figured out their perfect pre-race meal, but newer runners often struggle with figuring out a filling (but not too much) and quick meal that won't make a reappearance of any kind during the race itself. We've all been there, right?

I'm experienced enough with shorter-distance races that I know what I can and should eat before a race. 5k breakfasts take almost no thought. I have a banana and part of a protein bar, plus a cup of coffee to get things moving along, intestinally-speaking. K and I call this our race breakfast tradition. I try to eat all this about an hour before the race. But as I only have one Half and a 10k under my belt when it comes to long-distance races, I'm sometimes still not sure what to eat.

Before a long-run, I have about half a protein bar. But that's a slow, easy run. So what's a good go-to for race-day foods?

If you have time to cook, eggs in a basket are good for race days.

The rule of thumb is to have enough protein to keep you full, and to eat your carbs the day before. Those carbs shouldn't be too full of fiber; we all know how our stomachs tend to react to the nerves and adrenaline of a race, and fiber can really make a mess, to say the least. This is a good time to actually eat your white pasta and white bread.

This article breaks down foods to eat or avoid depending on how much digestion time you're giving yourself, but for some reason there aren't many breakfast foods listed. Since most of my races are in the morning, this isn't really that helpful, especially now that I'm a morning runner. (Who knew I'd ever call myself that?)

While I have pretty much stuck to my banana-and-protein-bar combo, I've also had success with two egg whites (no cheese). Peanut butter toast is great, too, and oatmeal is a solid bet as well. (I really love eggs before a race, but cooking takes prep time, and I'm rushed enough as it is. Back to the drawing board.)

Eating more than an hour before a race allows for bigger meals.

Foods to avoid include high-fiber fruits or vegetables, anything with a ton of dairy, and nothing. The first is kind of obvious, as I've already touched on that. Dairy can be heavy, and depending on your tolerance for it, it can really cause stomach issues you didn't realize you'd be facing. I'm very tolerant of dairy, but if I have too much over a week, suddenly my body rebels. The morning of a race is not the time to spin that roulette wheel and hope my intestines aren't going to just decide to hate on the milk I've poured on my cereal.

Case in point, M ran a race with K and me last spring after drinking a protein shake. The weight of the shake, plus the dairy, left him feeling sluggish, over-full, and completely nauseated. He could hardly keep up a jog toward the end, and it was only a 5k.

Eating nothing before a race can be detrimental. You're more likely to push through your race strong, with energy to spare, if you eat something before getting to the starting line. I don't mind being hungry suddenly halfway into a race, but I hate starting a race feeling starved. There's a perfect balance I strive for.

Finding the perfect breakfast combination can be annoying; it's pretty much trial-and-error. The most important tip I can offer is to test new foods during training so that you're ready on race day. Eat, digest, run at race pace, and really monitor how you feel.

What are some foods you've been successful with? What were some bad choices that led to sticky situations? Be brave; share!

ABK

Sanibel Island 10k Race for FISH

Today's 10k was better than I could have hoped! My original goals for the race were to 1) run the entire thing and 2) finish in no more than 65 minutes.

The 10k Route

I've never run a race of this distance. I've run 5ks and the one Half, but have only covered 6+ miles on training runs, when we keep the pace much slower. I was anxious.

However, the day started out beautifully. The weather has been in the lower 70s in the mornings this week, and today was no different. By the time the race started at 7:30, the sun was peeking over the trees. It promised to be a cloudless, sunny day. Still, the route on the island was tree-lined and shady. I never felt overheated, swamped in humidity, or like I was burning.

K and me pre-race

I was nervous before race time, but when we finally lined up at the start, I was filled with confidence. After all, last weekend we had had our 8-mile long-run. I could do 6.2, even if I kept the pace slow and steady instead of "racing".

K and I stayed together for the beginning, but the crowd was tight and eventually we ran on our own. I'm always fine with this, because it allows me to follow my own pace and it allows K to be as competitive as she wants. Anyway, I've been having some IT band pain this week in my knees, and I had to wear both braces today. Around 2.5-miles my knees started to feel better, but I was also starting to have that weird mental-block that comes up in races. I knew I was nearing the 3-mile mark, and if this were any of my previous races, that would mean I was done. But really, I was less than halfway to the end!

Luckily, when I passed the 5k sign (which had a clock and an actual mat to check your time), seeing 29:16 spurred me onward. The race took us over a hard-packed sand road for the turnaround, and I saw K when she was around 5 miles and I was coming up on four. The middle of the race was the easiest for me. I found my stride, felt strong, enjoyed my surroundings, and was so overwhelmed with a feeling of strength and positivity that I could have cried. Especially after how I've been feeling this week, it was just so wonderful to be out there in the sunshine on this beautiful island, surrounded by nature. It was running at its best.

K helping me finish the race

After the turn-around, I was having conversations in my head. There was about 1.25 miles left to go and I had to urge myself not to drop down my pace. I had my watch on and was able to keep a pretty good eye on my goal, and seeing that I was on pace to come in at an hour kept me going.

The best part of the run, though, was the last half mile. The end of a race is always hard for me until the last quarter mile, where I usually pick up the pace for me finishing sprint, but this time I kept pushing myself to pass people. Then, with about a tenth to go, K met up with me. She ran with me, yelling for me to catch this guy in front of me, urging me to push harder. I think my finishing sprint was the fastest I've ever done. It was ugly - I know, because M recorded it from the sidelines - but I crossed the line at the same time as the guy she wanted me to catch. I could hear her over the crowd yelling, "You did it!"

Pushing toward the end

I really cannot express how much it means to me to have such an amazing running partner. I mean, there are a million reasons she's a great friend, but as far as running goes, I couldn't ask for more. K has always come back to get me at the end of our big races to push me more than I can push myself. I'm not naturally competitive, and she gives me that extra boost I need. I never finish a race alone. In a crowd of screaming people, I can always hear her voice over the rest.

I was exuberant at the end. We got finisher's medals and were both completely jazzed. K finished in 53 minutes or so, and I slaughtered my goal by 7 minutes! This race has left me with a good feeling about the Half in November. We've come such a long way from just a month or two ago; I can hardly wrap my head around it!

Post-race with our medals!

The day was made even more special when I saw that my sister had competed in her first 10k today, too. She signed up last minute, so this was a nice surprise. We ran our first 10ks together, in spirit, in a way. I was feeling so overwhelmed and happy with everything that I was a little teary-eyed as I washed up post-lunch. Everything was just...perfect. I couldn't have asked for better circumstances, weather, route, or companions.

My stats for this race are as follows: 58:41 (58:27 adjusted time), 214/357 place overall (not my best, but whatever), 95/199 women, 5k time of 29:16. The successes of this race and last weekend's race leave me feeling exhilarated and totally, completely just...happy!

I think I may be in love with this distance! Our next race is at the end of this month. It's an 8k, so I'm really excited to see how well we do on a shorter distance, especially with a few more bridge and long-runs under our belts.

ABK

Weather

K and I took two days off this week...Tuesday because we woke up to an absolutely torrential rainstorm, and Wednesday because it's our scheduled day off and we didn't want to mess up the rest of the week. We have a race Saturday (5k), and then we're running that same evening (5 miles) to get a full long-run's worth of distance in.

Anyway, we ran a new route this morning, and while I enjoyed it immensely, I encountered an interesting phenomenon I'd never dealt with before. Usually, changes in humidity from road to road feel subtle. K or I may comment that it feels more or less humid after we've made a turn, but usually it's only just noticeable.

Not so today. Today, our run took us down two roads. It was an out-and-back, so you can imagine the roads intersect a bit like an L turned on its side. It was warm and humid this morning from the start, but manageable. As we left the first road (the straight shot up from the cars) and made a right turn onto our second road, I felt a change that was so obvious and thick, it really was like running into that proverbial wall.

Within moments we were both drenched in sweat. It felt like we were running through the heat of a summer night, instead of an autumn morning. Of course this kind of weather is challenging, and after two days of rest I had to really mentally beat myself up to keep my legs moving.

But here's the weirdest part. The first road had felt humid and warm on the way out, but when we came back to it on the return trip, turning the corner literally felt like breaking through some kind of barrier. It was as if we'd exited a stifling room to venture into the cool outdoors. The first road was downright refreshing!

I've never experienced such a pronounced change in humidity just from taking a right turn. The second road is tree-lined and only two lanes, so I think that has something to do with it. But let me tell you: the last mile of the run felt amazing. I'm so grateful for this weird phenomenon, because it really gave me the second wind I needed.

ABK

Working Through Self-Doubt

This week was one of potential setbacks and self-doubts. After my last post, we had a rest day. It also happened to be Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement. This high holy day is observed by fasting from sundown to sundown. After dinner Tuesday (my last meal for 24 hours), I went to the gym for weight-training. Needless to say, I spent Wednesday weak, grumpy, tired, and dehydrated. But I ate dinner Wednesday night and planned to run Thursday as scheduled.

I didn't necessarily feel weak Thursday, but once more I just couldn't get a handle on my run. My stride and pace seemed off and my breathing wasn't smooth. I had planned 4.5 miles (three times around the outdoor mall we ran on Tuesday), but stopped at three, and hardly shambled through another half mile after a ridiculously long walk break (during which K finished the loop a third time). I left the run discouraged and upset. Was the run bad because the route bored me, or was I still recovering from Yom Kippur? Or, worse yet, was my body over-taxed and suddenly regressing? Would this inability to even complete a normal run continue?

In the past, issues like this have led me to take time off, which of course leads to a long hiatus...really, it leads to quitting. I turned to the Sub-30 Club on facebook, which is comprised of other runners of all levels who struggle with completing a 5k under thirty minutes. The members of the group are so helpful and non-judgmental, and they offered all kinds of great advice. (Honestly, just being able to rant about my disappointment in my performance seemed to help!) I decided to suck it up and go back to a tried-and-true route to boost my confidence before our long-run Saturday. Also, I wore my headphones so that K could pull ahead of me and run her own pace, and I would have my music to keep me company.

This worked really well for me. We ran a route I like, and I was able to complete the full 4.5 miles without a walk break. My pace was much slower because I was being more true to myself, but of course the downside here was that K enjoyed the run less and didn't get to run as a fast as she wanted the entire time, either.

(We are working on finding new routes to combat boredom and motivate both of us equally; I wish more streets where we live were well-lit and had wide sidewalks!)

Today we had our long-run, and it went very well. We kept the pace around 10:30, although we took the first mile or two a bit fast and ended up slowing down a bit in the end. We did a little over 7 miles. Friday's run helped improve my confidence again, and I'm feeling ready to conquer next week.

Today after the long-run, K's family, M and I had breakfast together, and then M and I went kayaking. I am horribly terrified of manatees, but luckily none were out today. The bad part of the day was that I had exerted myself so much in the morning - and without a nap in between - that I ended up exhausted. M had to trail me behind him some of the way back! But we stopped at a nice inlet and took a break in the water, and when we finally got home I took a long, indulgent nap.

Overall, a nice Saturday. And as for this week...I still got in my 20 miles, so even those two rough runs in the middle of the week ended up showing me that I'm at a point in training where I can have a few bad days and still bounce back.

ABK

PS: Our 5k on the 6th is on a golf course...more than half of the race is on grass. I HATE running on grass! I always lose my footing. It will be a nice run to train on, but now I'm thinking this may not be the time to test my sub-30 potential.