rearview mirror:::: january 2013

running:::: 

i finished january with 137 miles. that's the most i've ever ran in a month! i ran my first 30k, my first 20 miler, and ran a new PR for the 10k. 

i've been very happy with my marathon training so far. i can't believe i only have a month left. i've missed a run here and there, but i've hit all my long runs, and even hit a little higher mileage earlier than what was on the plan [which allowed me to put in a second 20 miler, which i'm happy about]. 

weight training::::

i miss this... a lot. i made the decision to run this marathon back in the summer, before i started training with fitness poynters. it's really important to me and i want to see it through, but i do miss feeling strong  and toned. i know running burns calories, but for me and my body, i think lifting makes me feel better and gives me better results for my time. unfortunately i haven't figured out to manage my time enough that i can do both.

reading::::
i finished the matched series by ally condie. it was okay, passed the time and attaches you to the characters like most series do, but it wasn't a must read.

i started reading ulysses by james joyce, to get a start on one of my 2013 goals, and it might not have been the best choice, but i'm trying to get into it.

as far as Bible reading goes, i'm in isaiah now and i'm doing pretty well at studying beth moore's 'john.' the only problem is that i'm working in it when i'd normally been just reading the Bible, so my Bible progress has slowed.

2013 goals::::
i crossed off one thing here this month when i completed my 30k for my 30th birthday. i came thisclose to getting my sub hour 10k, but almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, right?

i'm doing terribly with the computer time goal, which may have been a 'bit' unrealistic. i did deactivate my FB profile halfway through the month to see if that helped, and while it did, it hasn't made as much of a difference as i'd hoped.

brad and i went to a new connect group at church last sunday and again today. we really like it so far and i hope we can continue to attend and make new friends!

life::::
january was a difficult month, for all the usual reasons plus some. i always fight the urge to get depressed in january, i think it's a combination of the holidays being over and the weather. the holidays are so busy, we're usually surrounded by family, have all the happy decorations up, then you have to take it all down and everyone goes back home... it can get depressing!

hot chocolate 10k:::: asheville, nc

.:race details:.

date: january 26
race day pick up? yes. there were 3 opportunities to pick up your packet, race morning, the night before at the pasta party, or the night before that when they had a chocolate tasting.
start time:  845 am [10k], there was also a kids hill climb and marshmallow dash
did race start on time? yes
adequate restrooms?  yes, there were porto potties outside and the bathrooms inside the school
aid stations:  4 or 5 water stations.
course spectator support: there were groups of people all over the course and the finish line crowd was great.
course terrain:  all paved, starts downhill, then flattens out... until the last half mile. holy hill.
shirts:  long sleeved cotton shirts
medals:  none
would i race again?  absolutely
any complaints? a couple of the water stations weren't really ready for runners, but it wasn't that big of a deal.
what you need to know:  get there early, they encourage you to park in one of the downtown garages and they bus you over [which worked great, we didn't wait long at all, and we were able to stand inside the library where it was warm].

my race:

i ran 2 miles to warm up [i had a little time before the race started and i figured i'd might as well use it to chip away at the 20 miles]. i've never ran like that before a race but apparently i need to. i was using this race to help me out with the 20 miler, not going for any time goals, so i wasn't looking at my watch. my ipod died for a little bit around mile 3 so i heard the split called out as i passed and it was under 30 minutes. whaaaat?

then the internal battle started... do i push it and try to PR [or get my goal of a sub hour?] or do i take it easy and set myself up for a better 20 miler. i decided to keep cruising and see how it went. when i got to mile 5 i started pushing it. i knew i had that sub hour and i wanted it really badly. i felt like i needed it for some reason. stupid? yes. but oh well.

then came the big @ss hill. holy pace killer.

according my garmin i ran 6.27 in 59:58... but gun time was.... 1:00:00.

i cannot believe i ran the whole race in the nines! i know that may seem glacial to some of you, but for me that's great! guess i'll have to break an hour some other time :) but a 6 minute PR? i'll take it all day every day!

Firecracker 5K/10K Brevard, NC

Yesterday I ran the 16th annual Firecracker 10K in Brevard, North Carolina. Brevard is about 45 minutes south of Asheville. The race was scheduled to start at 8am, with check in beginning at 630am.

I arrived downtown around 7 and found a place to park. The streets were blocked off for the 39th Annual Fine Arts and Crafts Showcase. I ended up parking completely across town from the start line. Whoops. It was a great warm up at least.

I got to wear my brand new American Flag Active Band!

Pardon that horrible picture! But let me just tell you, this is the first band I've ever worn that I did not have to adjust or even think about during the whole race. It was AMAZING. I didn't have to worry about my silly frizz ball hair, leaving me plenty of time to concentrate on not being last running. If you haven't ordered a band from them, you should go check them out now! They always have great deals and coupons on their blog too! I got this 4th of July band for free when I ordered my other band last week.

Aren't they cute? I may or may not have copied http://painprideperseverance.blogspot.com/ Sorry Julia, you have good taste!

The race check in was simple enough. They had booths set up and the volunteers were very helpful.

I picked up my packet and my chip.

I've never used the type of chip that they used. You had to wear it around your ankle, more on that later, but here's a pic.

You should be very jealous of my tan.

The 5K and 10K used the same start and finish lines, but the 10K runners started first. Which made sense in theory, but it also kinda sucked. Sucked in the sense that I don't like being passed, and all these people were passing me and I had no idea if they were 5K or 10K. My first mile was in 9:09. What the... I have no sense of pace whatsoever. I need to start paying more attention. I get so excited when I'm racing that I run too fast and wear myself out.

When the 5K split from the 10K I definitely considered taking the 5K route. I was on track for a PR. But I kept telling myself that I've never ran a 10K so I was gonna get a PR either way :) I was super bummed after we split when I realized not many people were following me. I was way in the back... And there were mountains... And that darn chip was rubbing my ankle like crazy.

But I sucked it up... And I finished my first 10K!!! 

My chip time was 1:09:33, which was weird because my Garmin was at 1:09 when I realized I hadn't turned it off (and I had drank two cups of water and a handful of grapes by then). But who knows.

What's important is that I did it!

I didn't get to check out the festival, I had to get home and get ready for work. But I had a little time to try out my new 2XU compression calf guards.

They make my legs feel amazing. Seriously, like a hug for your calves.Now I just need a full body suit. Or these. My thighs could use hugs as well!

Did you run a 4th of July race?
Have any new gear that you're loving?

God Bless our troops and God Bless America!!!