Free Race Photos

The Fort Myers Marathon last weekend may have been brutally hot and a major strugglefest...but at least there are free pictures!

I think the pictures really capture the heat, our fatigue, and the general pain that was this morning.

Kristin and I still looking relatively happy at the bottom of the first bridge.

This is just before we went searching for ice at the Wendy's. We're pretending to be happy but too tired to run for the camera.

At the bottom of the last bridge, coming around the final turn to the finish line.

These finishing pictures make me laugh. I was too tired to raise my arms all the way, and my relief is tangible.

I think more races should offer free photos, because it's a motivator to share them, which is free publicity for the race. Honestly, I don't care to reminisce about this race enough to have considered buying/sharing photos otherwise.

Best Damn Race is hoping to provide free photos as well, and that makes me really happy because I think professional pictures of a full marathon are worthwhile keepsakes, but they're usually stupid expensive.

What determines if you'll buy race photos?
Are free photos a factor in whether you'll run a particular race?

ABK

A1A Half Marathon - My Birthday Weekend

I originally wanted to recap my birthday weekend separately from the race stuff because a post about both threatens to be really freaking long...but everything is kind of intertwined so one mega-post it is!

When I first signed up for the A1A Half Marathon, Matt and I were excited to spend the weekend with Oden, who lives in Ft. Lauderdale; this was made even better when we learned Rob would be in town from Atlanta and was going to join us! Then we convinced Mark and Shane to drive down and the next thing you know, birthday/race weekend became a mini-college reunion!

Friday

Rob, Matt and I arrived at Oden's and we went out for dinner. I had a fantastic burger with red onion jam and smoked Gouda with a flourless chocolate cake for dessert. I was all about indulging this weekend.

I knew I wouldn't be drinking Saturday, so I enjoyed a dirty martini with dinner Friday. I was trying to get some salt into my body to retain water and combat any dehydration

It was as good as it looks.

Saturday

Matt and I went to the expo Saturday morning and met up with Chris from Sub30. (She wasn't running the race but drove over just to say hi at the expo and offer some moral support!) The expo was really nice - large and spread out, not too crowded, and full of free snacks and goodies! We bumped into Meg while there and she and I confirmed that we'd meet at the finish line on race day.

Another Sub30 friend, Daniella, was running the race too.

After the expo, Matt and I went back to Oden's and we all went out for lunch at Blaze Pizza. Their gluten free crust was very good and I was impressed with their commitment to avoiding cross-contamination.

I had the Art Lovers - ricotta, mozzerella, garlic, and artichoke hearts. YUM!

From lunch we headed to the movies. We saw Kingsman: The Secret Service, which I had no idea was originally a comic book. Halfway through the movie I was thinking the plot was getting campier and campier; I won't spoil it, but I will say that if you like over-the-top ridiculous action movies and don't mind some gore, I highly recommend it.

Although it was out of character for me to go out the night before a race, it was too soon after lunch to have dinner and go to bed, so we spent some time of the Funky Buddha playing giant Jenga.

Clearly Matt couldn't pick just one beer so he had a flight.

Jenga before we got started on it.

Look how tall our tower got! (You can't really see it but the Jenga blocks had graffiti all over them and the one I'm holding said "Ali was here"...I swear I didn't write it!)

Then it all came crashing down!

Our night ended with PDQ for dinner (complete with free milkshakes) and some last-minute planning for race morning.

Sunday

I was up at 3:50 feeling well-rested and anxious. Oden's condo is very close to the starting line, but after some debate Matt and I decided to drive rather than walk. We arrived just after 5am. My biggest complaint about this race was the start; there weren't enough porta-potties and the starting chute seemed extremely narrow and packed.

While I was in line for the toilets, Matt ran into Sean, who gave him these really nifty hand-warmers for me to use, and then he ran back to the car to get the sunglasses I had left there. By the time he got back we were in the last couple minutes pre-race. I had the worst nerves I have ever had for a race. I don't know why...maybe my lingering cold or my lack of real training lately? But I was literally shaking as I prepared to start.

In the corral...I had cut-up tube socks for arm-sleeves and they worked perfectly.

I put on some mellow, enjoyable music and committed to running easy. I lined up near the 11-minute mile corral and ended up crossing the start line about five minutes after the gun.

At first, my legs felt a little cold and achy, but I was determined to enjoy myself and take in the atmosphere. It did take awhile to feel good, but around mile 1.5 I saw Meg ahead of me and then I felt better; just knowing I had a buddy on the course wearing our matching shirts really helped. Around mile 2.5, we ran up the drawbridge on Las Olas. People stopped to take selfies of the view and the burgeoning sunrise. Stretching my stride to eat up the bridge, I finally felt warm. 

Sunrise greeted us on the other side of the bridge.

From that moment on, I had a smile on my face. In fact, I choked up multiple times in the first half of the race as I realized that 1) my legs cramps were totally gone (my theory about Mucinex seems spot-on); 2) I felt downright good; 3) this was my first half of 2015! And then, around mile 5, I remembered it was my birthday!

Yes, in the anxiety and excitement of the race morning, I totally forgot that it was my birthday.

We ran down the beach and into a park. Everything seemed beautiful and perfect. I took off my "arm sleeves". I thanked volunteers. I ate my Gu. I began to push my pace as I realized my lungs and legs were holding up well.

The park was shady and cool, but a little congested in spots.

Around mile 8 I saw Sean and, not far behind him, Meg. At mile 10, I couldn't believe how quickly the race was passing by and how painless it all seemed. I pushed a little harder.

Around this time the route narrowed and walkers were eschewing all etiquette and blocking the path; I slowed down as I dodged around them.

Around mile 12 my Nike+ began to malfunction, but I caught it in time to avoid having to stop/restart it like I did for Space Coast.

Then I was near the finish; I could hear shouts of, "Happy birthday!" and there on the sidelines were Matt, Oden, and Rob...and my sister! Steph had planned to come for the race but I wasn't sure if she'd make it. It was the perfect surprise!

They wore birthday hats!!!

Near the finish! I wore my skirt and was so happy that I didn't have to wear a belt or armband because of all the pockets...I carried my Gu, inhaler, iPhone, tissues, gum, and lifesavers and still had room for more!

My goal for this race was somewhere around 2:30. I finished with a chip time of 2:18:00 (gun time 2:22); of the 226 women in my AG, I placed 100th. I was beyond ecstatic!

The finishing chute was ridiculously crowded; there were booths set up to hand out free swag, but it just seemed like a terrible place to put everything. I escaped as quickly as I could to meet my cheersquad and take photos.

Sean raced this one on little training and finished around 1:53. I could only dream...!

Meg's "something crazy"? A finish-line engagement!!

Me and the newly-engaged Meg post-race!

I know spectating a race isn't the most exciting thing and it involves waking up early, so I was extremely grateful and downright verklempt that Oden and Rob joined Matt at the finish line.

The boys did a good job with the signs and totally surprised me. They said quite a few runners laughed out loud and thanked them!

Best surprise of the day!

Kristina and I had been in touch throughout the weekend and we were able to meet up at the HOF sign just as planned! It was really nice to meet her in person. We're not all that far from each other; hopefully we can run another race together someday!

After a shower, we walked to Las Olas for food...so yes, my actual distance today was around 15 miles. Post-race food was brunch at Rocco's Tacos before our drive home.

Now THAT is a good birthday brunch!

I cannot tell you all how relieved I was after the race. Last time I ran a half while sick, it was 90 degrees out and I was so dehydrated. That was a really rough experience. Considering I haven't been running long at all since the full, and I've been sick for two weeks, I was expecting a repeat performance...I'm so glad I was able to race well and genuinely enjoy myself the entire time.

Thanks to cool weather and an adjustment in how I was treating my cold, I was able to run a race I felt really proud of! This half is actually my third-fastest time, and I wasn't even aiming to be competitive today. Honestly, the race felt almost easy...If I had been healthier, I would have decided to go for a PR. (My lungs just weren't up to it yet.) I never hit the wall or struggled at all. I just ran.

I loved everything about it - the course, the weather, the location...I will definitely plan to be back!

This medal seriously puts even the Space Coast medal to shame! I mean, those marlins spin and everything!

Last year I ran a half for my birthday and PR'd. This year I ran one and proved to myself that I am, finally, a seasoned runner. I think I like this half-on-my-birthday tradition!

ABK

All Over the Place

This week has been super weird. Our schedule at school was off because of a field trip Monday (to the Holocaust Museum here in SWFL...it's always an exhausting and rewarding trip), half-day Wednesday, and our big Fun Run for our fundraiser and carnation deliveries for Valentine's Day on Friday. Needless to say, it's been a little chaotic.

My homeroom thought up this brilliant name for our "band". Get it?

Still, I was able to get in my planned runs plus volleyball practice for our faculty volleyball tournament!

It's totally weird how one run can be perfect and the very next run can be awful. I experienced that this week and I think I've finally nailed down one of the main causes. Tuesday's run, after the pain-fest that was this weekend's 5k, was really excellent. I felt like I was flying and my lungs felt pretty good the whole time.

I was so exhilarated to run 4 in under 40! I miss the days when I did this all the time.

Volleyball was Wednesday, no run, but Thursday's run was terrible from the start. I got really bad shin splints (which I never get) and my legs started cramping and aching like they had during my marathon. And that's when I put two-and-two together.

My pre-run smile clearly says, "I was expecting better." At least I had a nice view for some of it.

I've been taking Mucinex for this cold, too, but I felt better Monday so I didn't take any Monday night or Tuesday...and Tuesday's run was fantastic.

I took it this afternoon after work...crampy legs.

I know Mucinex and other medicines like it are made to dry you out, and it's clear I haven't been drinking enough water to counteract the effects! (I've been drinking tons of hot tea for my throat and congestion; Meg [who is also running the A1A - we're wearing our matching Ragnar tops!] suggested I drink NUUN leading up to race day this weekend and that may help.) I'm so glad to have figured out what's probably causing my occasional  leg cramps. 

The big take away here is that I finally feel like I understand how to avoid the cramps I had during my marathon. I had never had cramps in training, but I was taking Mucinex the entire week leading up to the race!

Anyway, my runs were all over the place this week, but I don't feel too worried about Sunday anymore. I'm excited to enjoy it and to ring in my birthday with a crazy-cool race medal, fun experience, and lots of friends. I'm looking forward to meeting Kristina and some more Sub30 buddies!

Speaking of birthdays, I got a few cards in the mail today and I can't decide if I should open them now or save them until Sunday! What do you guys think? I already know Meg's opinion!

In other news, this week Matt picked our pineapple! It turned yellow overnight, which meant picking-time! I chopped it up and planted the top. It's delicious.

Just kidding...I know how to eat a pineapple.

Sweet, homegrown goodness.

And to top it all off, my new Pro Compression sleeves also came in the mail...perfect timing for the half this weekend! (And Valentine's Day, of course.)

All in all, I'm going to chalk this up to being a pretty fantastic week!

 

How has your training been this week?

Do you like pineapple?

Do you open birthday cards right away, or do you wait?

ABK

Paradise Coast Half Marathon

I didn't actually set any goals for this half. It was so soon after Ragnar that I wasn't sure what my legs would allow me to do, despite my awesome runs this week. So my goal was simply: run it. Really run it. Ragnar has taken some of the easy-going attitude out of my runs lately and has reminded me that pushing myself can feel really freaking good.

So I went into the race knowing I'd push myself and embrace the discomfort. I also kept in mind a question recently posed by Kristina over at Blog About Running. Some studies suggest that starting slow is best, while others say that starting fast will win you a faster over-all time, even if you slow down in the end.

Pre-race: the crazed look just comes naturally. I wore the BondiBand to keep my ears warm. It worked!

This morning it was 48 degrees before race time. This was a definite reprieve from last week's brutal heat, but it was a totally different kind of pain. Matt and I arrived at the venue around 6:25, which gave me just enough time to use the bathroom and mentally prepare myself to freeze for the first mile of the race. (I warmed up nicely at that point, and by the end - even though it was only 60 when I finished - I was uncomfortably warm.)

The full moon was still high and bright when we began, but of course you can't really see it in the pic.

A little after 7am, off we went! The course took us through a beautiful community in Naples; having just run a half through my parents' golf community, I was excited to have gorgeously manicured lakes and topiaries to distract me.

Meg and I ran into Rachel, another teacher at our school who was running her FIRST HALF EVER today. So exciting!

Excited to get going!

Meg left me in the dust not long after this picture was taken. Speedy!

I decided to gun it in the beginning and see where it got me.

Around mile 4, when I ate my first Clif Bloks, I was beginning to feel the pain of the fast start. My legs were tired!

In the past, feeling tired this early would have completely shut me down. I would have walked, felt stupid for taking an unplanned walk break so early, and thrown the rest of the race. But my mind is a better friend these days, and I refused to listen to any kind of negative self-talk.

Pretty much every photo I took was wobbly or sideways, so here are some pictures from the race's website.

Another from the website.

The ONLY passable picture I took during the race.

At this point, I changed over from music to the Savage Love podcast. I needed a distraction if I wanted to keep pushing the pace. It worked! I was able to keep my pace a little more comfortable without slowing down too much. I knew by mile 6 that I was heading for a PR, and I refused to let up on myself.

A change in tunes helped me get back on a steady pace. From this point on, the positive splits show where I ate/drank.

Matt met me at mile 7 for a quick photo, and then I was in for the homestretch! The route was a nice loop, so once we were back on familiar ground I felt my energy rev back up.

Mile 7, still happy!

My splits are all over the place, but I couldn't be happier!

I noticed a girl tagging behind me, and she apologized. "This is my first half, and I just really like your pace!" We struck up a conversation and ran most of the last two miles together.

Almost there...!

8/20 AG, 184/351 OA, chip time 2:11:38!

The last half mile was on gravel, which I didn't love, but when I saw the clock I knew I'd made it and all the struggle was worth it. I kicked in the last of my energy to beat 2:12, and I did.

Finally at the finish!

I PR'd by 4 minutes. I never thought I'd be able to break my previous PR. It took over a year to do it, but I did! I just needed to change up my training and my mentality to do it!

I cried a little after I crossed the finish line. I was just so happy to finally have broken that PR.

Elated.

Matt and I found Meg at the massage tent. She had met her long-term goal of beating 2:00, coming in at 1:56. We both enjoyed the free massages, and then it was time to go home.

The Tiger Tail: my new favorite torture device EVER.

All smiles with our shiny new PR's!

I really do credit Ragnar for the success of this race. Learning to embrace discomfort, knowing I can do more than my mind thinks I can, realizing that (relative) speed is still something I can achieve, remembering the feeling of a great race...All this fed into my determination to just kick butt today.

And yes, this was my first race of my new age, the race I ran in honor of my birthday, and I couldn't have asked for better. Best. birthday present. EVER.

ABK