planes, trains and automobiles...and running

Sunday was the Shamrock Run - 15K. I was supposed to wake up at 4am (my alarm was set for that time) but found myself wide awake at 3:15. I was so nervous for my race. I stayed in bed playing Candy Crush quietly on my phone as to not wake my husband. Finally 4am came and I was up getting myself ready. I showered and dressed super fast. I needed to eat my big breakfast and drink all my water by 5am. At 4:30 as I sat watching t.v. (there is nothing on that early in the morning) I sent a text to my running partner to make sure she was awake. She's never been up so early and I was afraid she would sleep through her alarm. However she had nerves too and was up at 4. I picked her up at 5:15 and we were off to Cascade Station Max Station. I decided to park there instead of trying to find a parking spot downtown and dealing with all the craziness of leaving after the event. The expected number of people were 35,000 so parking could be a bit dodgy.

We waited for our Max Train to come while listening to the planes fly overhead. The airport in just down the street a bit so you can pretty much see the people looking through their little windows as the planes come in to land. Okay not really but you get the idea of how close the planes are. They are loud. Needless to say we were awake. We boarded the train and found nice "comfy" seats next to the heater. By the time we got into downtown there was standing room only so we were lucky to have a seat. We got to the Waterfront and the start of the race at 6:55am. The race didn't start until 7:40 so we had some time to kill. We decided the best thing was to hit the port-a-potty. Scary as it was still dark and couldn't see in there! Hand sanitizer was used a lot! It was also freezing by the water and they didn't have any heating stations. So that was a bummer as we came in what we were running in since bag check was going to be crazy with 35,000 people about.

Our loading time came and we all gathered in our pace spots like cattle in a cattle chute. Since there were over 9,000 people running the 15K they released us in waves. It took forever to get to the starting line. Once I crossed that line I felt great. No more nerves. We had to run for a little over a mile to the turnaround to follow our course. Well I could see all the people who have already turned around - gobs of them! I was beginning to wonder how many people were behind me and if I was going to end up being last in this race. When I finally made it to the turnaround spot I saw that there were still thousands behind me - giving me hope that I would not be last! :)

The run was pretty smooth, I kept a faster pace than normal but felt great. I fueled and drank my water w/Nuun and it kept my energy up. The Irish musicians were great and the crowds (although few) were loud and supportive. Mile 3 came and the hills started. I knew about the hills in fact I work at the hospital at the top of the hill and we were going to run right past my building. Yep yep, we ran past it (and walked too). When mile marker 6 came I was glad to see her. I knew at that point it was all downhill. I picked up my pace on the down hill as I wanted to keep my overall average pace at around 12:30. Yes I am slow but hey I am running, better than sitting on my behind on the couch.

I finished in 1:59 with an average pace of 12:39. Now that was my Garmin watch telling me. My official race time was 2:06 and a pace of 13:35 but that was because my running partner had to stop and use the restroom, something I frowned upon but when you've gotta go you gotta go. So I will take what my Garmin said since that was my actual running and didn't include the potty break.

I felt great! I finished in less time than I had set my goal for. I wish I would have been able to run the hills more but hey I did what I could. Most people walked some of the hills so I don't feel bad at all. I am proud that I finished and finished feeling strong!

Now onto training and my next race is April 21st - a half marathon!

first day of training

So Tuesday was to be my first official day of my running plan from my coach. However due to an unforeseen migraine I was sidelined. Those things are horrible! I don't get them often but when I do my world crashes down around me. So Wednesday became my first day. Beautiful day for a run. I ran at 7pm so with daylight savings it was light out and wonderful! I didn't need my headlamp to see my feet. It was also warmish, around 57 degrees. I ran in a short sleeved shirt too! By the end of my run there was a slight breeze which made my hot self feel so much better. I forgot my to wear my water belt so I was parched by the time I got home.

Overall I did great. I ran 3 miles, only stopping for a crosswalk and to walk over the railroad tracks as I had a pretty good feeling I'd fall flat on my face if I tried running over them. The run felt great. Of course it was hard but I did it and felt good after.

Miles: 3.01
Time: 37:25.4
Pace: 12:26
Mile 1: 12:15
Mile 2: 12:39
Mile 3: 12:23

Tomorrow I run 2 miles then Sunday I have the Shamrock run in Portland. Fun times!

rain, rain go away

I don't like the rain, in fact I despise it! We have rain here like 200 days out of the year (more or less I don't really know) but if feels like it rains here ALL THE TIME! Days like today where my computer screen is barely visible because of the sun are rare and you almost forget what that yellow ball in the sky is. No joke - it's bad. But on non-rainy days, not necessarily sunny days, we get to go outside and have fun.

We get to walk the puppy without getting all wet!

Running in non-rain is great too! I don't like being wet or cold and hate being wet and cold. So I LOVE to run when it's not raining. Makes it much more enjoyable.

I start my training on Tuesday, my coach is making me a plan and I am going to stick with it and learn this running thing. I am going to be great!

I also have a week before Shamrock Run which is a 15k. I am a bit worried of the hills. Funny thing during packet pick up I overheard several other people feel the same way. Many people have been very sick over the last couple of months and their training sucked too. I am glad I'm not the only one.

Well have a great weekend! It should be sunny here (I hope) so that will make everything better and calm my nerves a bit.

running under the stars

I did it! Last night I ran 2 miles straight with no coughing, no wheezing and it felt great! Loved it. The best part was the night sky. The stars were shinning brightly and the air was crisp with a spring coolness that made my run feel so pleasant. The only distraction was the sound of the frogs! OH MY! They are loud! I have never noticed how loud they were before but man oh man they were noisemakers last night.

I was very proud with myself. I wish I was back to where I was in the fall before all my sickness came but I am not too far off. Two miles is better than none, right!

Only a couple more weeks before the dreaded Shamrock Run, a 15k nightmare. It would have been a pleasant dream had I not become horribly sick. Oh well, it is what it is. I will finish. I will make the best of it. I will be awesome no matter what!

meet Zeke...my new puppy

On Tuesday I went and picked up my little ball of fluff. Zeke in an Australian Shepherd and just the cutest thing on this planet! He is so sweet.

See, cute isn't he. He will soon be my running buddy. So far he is just a walking buddy and not a really good walking buddy as he is not sure yet if he likes his collar and leash. So funny watching pups learn leash walking. My children are in seventh heaven and he adores them as well. So not only will he be my running buddy but I will also be putting him in sheep herding classes! Yep, that's right...we are going to learn to herd sheep! Should be fun.

If anyone is interested in his dog tag I had it custom made by Island Top Designs. Paula is great and does amazing work! Her website is...http://islandtopdesigns.com/. Check her out - you won't be disappointed!

On a running note, I have been running this week and it has gone very well. No more hacking up my lungs - which is always a good thing. I felt pretty good as well. Have a 15k coming up on March 17th. I am a wee bit nervous. I was training for awhile but then got sick and more sick. I am not ready physically but I will be happy with finishing, I know I will finish and it will be great!