bustin' out that 10

We all know I had a plan in place for bustin' out my 10 miles while out of town this past weekend.  Let me quickly recap - I was going to run from my hotel to a park located 2.1 miles away.  The park had a 5K course at it, so I was going to run that twice.  Then, I was going to head back to the hotel - the final 2.1 miles - for a grand total of 10.4 miles.

On Friday, I received a text message from one of my cousins that she had heard from one of our aunts that there was a 38 mile course right outside our hotel.  WHAT?!  Surely she meant 3.8 miles, right?!  On Saturday when we arrived, I asked my cousin if she had typo'd that puppy and she said no - there is a 38 mile course that runs from the back of the hotel around the city.  Well...that didn't necessarily sound like it offered up the perks of a park - meaning bathrooms and water fountains, so I decided to stick with my original plan.

I had brought along my breakfast with me from Houston - a multi grain bagel from H.E.B., a packet of Justin's maple almond butter, and a banana.  I took a pack of Clif's Shot Bloks with me in my Spibelt for refueling during my run.  When we arrived in town on Saturday, we stopped at Walgreens to get some drinks, so I bought me a Powerade Zero for when I finished my run to replenish my electrolytes.  I headed out the door at 6:30am with my map of how to get to the park and walked out of the hotel.

Oooops!  I grabbed the wrong map - turns out I grabbed the map to the movie theater and I didn't want to disturb younger sister Linda who was still sound asleep inside our room, so I just decided to try to go off of memory and try to find the park.  About 2 1/2 miles into my run (running around in circles getting lost), I found a jogging/bike path.  Eureka!  I was just hoping this path would lead me to water because I needed it BADLY!  1.75 miles later, I happened across my park - totally accidentally along this path - go figure!  Yay - bathrooms and water!  I then had a decision to make - find the 5K course at this park, or continue on my jogging trail.  I had figured out at this point that I must actually be on the 38 mile path that runs throughout the city.  I decided to stick to my trail and I ran another 1.25 miles past the park before I turned around and headed back.  This meant I hit the water fountain again at mile 6.75.  I drank some water, stretched, and ran back on the path.  Since I knew where I was going this time, I knew it wasn't going to take me as long to get back to the hotel.  I got off the path at mile 8 and started running out of steam.  I knew I was dehydrated and I remembered where that Walgreens was, so I ran to it and went inside and bought me one of those zero calorie rehydration drinks - it had potassium and Vitamin B in it.  I drank all 20 oz. outside before I continued my run back to the hotel.  At this point I was at 8.75 miles.  I started running and got to the hotel and knew I was going to be short my mileage, so I ran around the block, then back to the hotel - running into the lobby and to my room and my Garmin literally turned to the 10 mile mark right as I hit the door to my room.  I then drank the entire 32 oz of my Powerade Zero.  For the rest of the day, I never stopped drinking...it was either water or iced tea until the Wedding and then it became champagne!  ha!

I almost forgot about my blister.  My right pinky toe decided to grow one.  I don't know if it's fair to say my shoe or sock caused it because I had some issues the night before with my heels at the rehearsal dinner and I did Vaseline up my feet before my run.  Oh well...  It was just another obstacle and I conquered it.

10 miles down - ran all of it - no walking breaks.  I stopped twice for bathroom/water breaks and then the Walgreens hydration break.  This Saturday's run is 11 miles and then I have my half on October 24th.  I'm really hoping to run the entire thing with the exception of the water stations.  I'm also hoping to shave 24 minutes off my previous half marathon time.  I'm on target to make that happen!

Next post will be a recap of the Wedding Weekend!

I run to be...

FREE!

It's true - it kicks my booty every time, the run does, but it never ceases to amaze me how freeing it feels to be able to do something I never thought was possible.  Lauren posted her weekly Workout Wednesday, Get Your Sweat On!  post asking the question how do I run?  It followed her post yesterday explaining how she started running.  Here's my story:

My friend Meliska trained for her very first marathon.  I remember being in awe of her mileage.  How could she do that?  When she actually completed the race (on 6/22/2008 in Alaska, no less), I was so proud of her - I mean there were literally tears of joy in my eyes for her accomplishment when I was sent the picture message of her proudly wearing her medal.   Could I ever do that?  No way, Jose.  BUT...it was in the back of my mind.

When I started my new healthy lifestyle back on July 6, 2009, I got the diet part down easily.  I mean there was a list of food I could eat from and a list of food I couldn't eat from...with a little bit of creativity and sometimes some gray area, I made it work and was very successful.  I exercised, too, but I wasn't really challenged.  I started off trying to do Zumba.  Zumba and I didn't get along very well.  I then headed over to the pool for some water aerobics.  I started off doing it twice a week and then moved onto three times a week.  Occasionally I would throw the elliptical machine into the mix for good measure.  Once 2010 was coming into view, I knew I wanted to change the game.   Silly me was thinking spin class initially, but apparently there was a bigger plan for me brewing.

Younger sister Linda started training for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in July '09.  In December, I started wondering if maybe I should consider training for that very same race for '11.  I had this grand plan of running as many 1 miles as possible in January and as many 2 miles as possible in February and as many 3 miles as possible in March and...well, you get the picture.  Come December I would be running 12 miles and that would put me in perfect position to run a half marathon in January 2011.  It was just a thought...

Linda ran the Aramco Houston Half on Sunday, January 17th.  I was so extremely proud of her.  I kinda got the running bug.  Meliska kinda preyed off of this.  That's when she hit me with the Rocket's Run.  I told her there was no way.  It was a 5K on January 31st - that meant 3.1 miles.  How could I do 3.1 miles when 3 miles were reserved for March???  BUT...Meliska can be persuasive, so...I signed up and ran it with both Meliska and Lauren and...it was amazing.  I cried at my triumph!  I had no rhyme or reason to my run/walk - I would just run as much as I could, take a walk break, and then start running again.

Melissa spoke to me about using an interval method - this is what she employed and she had a PR for her Rocket's Run.  I decided to do 3/1s. 

I had The Rodeo Run in February, the HEB Bayou City Classic 10K in March and then I started thinking that maybe, just maybe I could sign up for the full marathon in January.  It was around this time that I signed up to run my first half marathon.

I did the Tomball Bunny Run in April.  This time I had a Garmin Forerunner and I had a 4/1 interval method which made for a PR - yay!  My next race was the Chicago Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on 8/1.

Upon returning from the race, the very next weekend, I began training with Marathon Team Nam - a running group associated with a non-profit organization.  We train every Saturday.  My coach has encouraged me to drop my interval method to build my distance endurance.  This past weekend, I am proud to announce that I ran 9 miles without any walking breaks.

I have two more half marathons scheduled this year - The Houston Half on 10/24 and RunGirl 13.1 on 12/12.  My next race after that will be the Houston Chevron Full Marathon.

Now, ironically, Melissa had to take a step back from running when she found out she was preggers with Baby-D, so we were only able to do 2 races together.  We have big plans, however, for reuniting in many races to come once the baby is born and she is able to get back into the swing of things.

I've posted before about what a difference a year makes with regard to my weight.  What a difference a year makes with regard to my fitness!  I may not be anywhere near my goal weight YET.  I may not be anywhere near the speed I would like to be (total turtle right here, y'all), BUT I'm doing something I never thought possible.  It's the hardest thing I've ever done - physically, emotionally, and mentally, but I'm doing it step by step, mile by mile. 

When the run is complete, it feels like I balled up whatever was haunting me...whether it was fear, anger, sadness, loneliness...whatever...and squashed it.  For just a little while, nothing else seems to matter.  I am free of the stresses.  That's why I run.

What's the hardest thing you've ever done?
If you run, how did you start?  Why do you continue?

Check out this iPod Shuffle and iTunes giftcard Giveaway on Shut Up & Run's Blog:  http://twentysixpointtwoormore.blogspot.com/2010/10/commit-to-fit-and-ipod-giveaway.html

proud planner

I'm practically a girl scout cuz I'm so prepared.  Oh wait...are girl scouts well prepared or is that what the boy scouts are known for?  I get confused...It's cuz I'm an Aggie and because I was born blondish baldish.  It happens.

I'm not much of a planner, so this is a BIG deal.  Saturday is my 10 miler.  Well, Saturday should be my 10 miler, but alas...I'm flying to Scottsale, AZ for my cousin Rachel's wedding.  This makes running 10 miles out of the question since my flight is at 9am and there is no way I'm getting up THAT early to run 10 miles in enough time to get myself on a plane by 9am.  This means I will have to do my 10 on Sunday morning...in Scottsdale...in unfamiliar territory...in unfamiliar weather conditions.  Sure, it will no doubt be hot and I know hot, but it will be dry.  What the heck is that?  I only know humid.  This concerns me a little bit...especially considering my hydration issues, so I'm going to be very careful.

Anyway, back to my planning...So, I decided to look at the area of our very cool swanky hotel (which will no doubt be discussed further in my post wedding weekend blog) to see if there are any parks nearby.  Yes, there are!  There are at least 3 parks within a 2 to 3 mile radius - gotta love the West coast!  I found the perfect one called Eldorado Park - it's about 2.1 miles from the hotel and it has a 5K course inside the park.  So, let's do the math - 2.1 miles to the park + 2x5K + 2.1 miles back to the hotel = 10.4 miles = PERFECT!  A park is exactly what I was hoping for because it means restrooms, water fountains, people, and safe running.  I also think it's just plain fun to run in a new place - adding a bit of excitement to something that can get a bit monotonous if you don't shake it up a bit. 

So, look at that - a plan of action for foreign territory running - who is this girl that stares back at me when I look in the mirror???

A runner?  A planner?  Both ideas are just plain cRaZy, but they just may fit the profile...

Vampire Running

I'm running with the Vampires now - I mean who else is out before the sun comes up???

This morning I woke up at 4:20am to do my first crack of dawn run!  It wasn't so bad!  I have to get up THAT early because I have a thyroid pill I have to take 30 minutes before I eat and I have to eat something before I run.  I also need that time to do my stretching, to wake up, get all my gear on, etc.... 

So, I ate a 150 calorie whole wheat English muffin with some light cream cheese and I got to wear this cool little gadget for the first time:

It's a cool nifty clip on headlamp and I bought it from Amazon.com for $10.99. 

My plan was to go 3 miles and I ended up hitting 3.2.  Yay me! 

Thoughts:  Early morning running is more peaceful...there is something to be said about being alone on the streets in the dark.  It was also significantly cooler outside.  What a difference that makes.  I love knowing that my run is done - no matter what happens in the day, I have that out of the way. 

When do you like to get your exercise in?

weekend recap

It was a good weekend - much better than last weekend - THANK GOD!  After my 9-miler on Saturday morning, I came home to be lazy for a bit.  I eventually took a muscle soaking bath.  I know, I know...ice is better, but I just wanted to read and be cozy and I can't imagine an ice bath being cozy.  Then again, I can't imagine taking one at all *shivers*.  We'll see...I may have to once I start getting into the big mileage.

We didn't have family lunch because we were doing a joint celebration of older sister Cathy's bday and my dad's bday that evening at Pappas Grill.  This meant I had the afternoon to run some errands and finish birthday shopping for them.

Of course I had to return to the library to get another audio book.  I'm almost done with my current one and I couldn't risk being without one since it makes my car rides bearable!

After all my running around, I got ready for dinner and headed over to the parental's house.  My dad drove Cathy, Jay, my mom, and I to the restaurant.  Linda and Craig met us there.  We had a wonderful meal - I ordered the horseradish crusted filet and then, because it was a special occasion, I went ahead and had some garlic mashed potatoes (not South Beach friendly).  One of the reasons we love Pappa's Grill so much is because of their salad bar - pure deliciousness!

After dinner, we all headed back to my parent's house for dessert (a cake from Rao's bakery), presents, and a fashion show.  We apparently do the fashion show thing a lot, huh?!  This time Linda was trying on some dresses Cathy and my mom had picked out for her to wear to next weekend's wedding and Cathy was trying on some clothes that she had received as gifts.  It was a great family night!  I love my family!!!  =)

I went to bed way late on Saturday (shocker) with the hopes of getting a good solid 8 hours of sleep.  I woke up at 5:30am.  Blech.  I went back to bed and the dogs woke me up at 6:45am.  I fed and watered them, let them go potty, and then I played Mafia Wards, Rummikub, and Sorority Life for a bit.  I went back to bed at 7:30am and didn't wake up until 11:20.  Yikes!  I had lots and lots of sleep!  I must have needed it - I'm thinking it was recovery from my run!

Today I did something really cool - I went to a Pampered Chef party hosted by LaShaune.  I bet you are wondering who LaShaune is, huh?!  Well, it just so happens she is a blog friend who I now have met in the real world - she's actually the first one I've met in the real world!  I had the best time today hanging out with her and her friends and even her mom!  We ate great food and sangria!

The plan is to go to bed NOW so that I can get up early in the morning for my first crack of dawn run - since I have my gear.

How was your weekend?

cloud 9

I'm on cloud 9, y'all.  I just had the best run EVER!  As I whined in my past couple of posts, my September mileage has royally SUCKED with this past week being no exception.  I had little hope for today's 9 miler.  I don't know what happened to this once glass-half-full girl.  Apparently you take me out of my comfort zone and stick me in my running shoes and I lose all confidence.

I still didn't get the 7 or 8 hours of sleep I had hoped for, though I did at least turn my ringer off early on in the evening so as to not be disturbed.  I'm just terrible about getting proper sleep.  BAD KIM!  I did get about 6 1/2 hours.  For breakfast I ate a hard boiled egg, a whole wheat English muffin with reduced fat cream cheese, and a banana.  I brought along some Clif's Shot Bloks with me in case I needed a pick me up, and I headed out the door.

I wasn't sure where we were headed on this run as it was our first time hitting 9.  When they described the plan, I expressed concern over getting lost since I'm so much slower than everyone and since I have a penchant for getting lost.  A lot of my running mates have been on this team in the past, so they know the route.  Everyone was supposed to run a warm-up lap at the park before heading out, so my coach suggested that I run that warm-up lap later and go ahead and head out of the park so that by the time the rest of the group catches up with me, they will be able to guide me through the tricky areas.  It was the perfect plan and it worked!  I only got a little lost after they passed me, but I figured it out and made it work!  ha!

Here's the best part of it all...I ran the entire 9 miles without walk breaks!  I stopped once at mile 6.25 for a bathroom stop and then I had a couple of water stops, but they were quick sips and go...NO WALKING!  I averaged 13:29 - not great, but below the 13:45 marathon pace cap.

My last lap was a timed one, as always.  One of my teammates was still hanging around and offered to run it with me.  I warned her how much slower I was and she said no worries...she would use it as a cool down, so we talked...or rather I tried to talk while she talked normally for my last remaining 1.27 miles.  I actually managed to take 12 seconds off my time from last week.  Not bad for having added 2 miles since last week, either!

Confidence temporarily restored!  Cloud 9 feels pretty darn good!  I hope this weather sticks around as I suspect it had a lot to do with my success.  It's yet another reason why I need to make the transition to morning weekday runs.

Helloooooo October

So, September wasn't a good mileage month for me.  It all started with the headaches that plagued me for a week in the beginning of September.  Then I was plagued with the food poisoning for a week in the middle of September.  Then I was plagued with the depression for a week at the end of September.  So much for September.  Bye, Bye, Bye in the infamous words of *N Sync.

I used to be a fan club member.  It used to be a joke...sorta...maybe, well perhaps I liked to pass it off as a joke, but my friend Laura and I knew the truth.  She was a member too cuz I gifted her the membership.  We were both closet card carrying members.  Oh how we loved our boy bands.  It all started with Boyzone - a barely-known-in-the-U.S. Irish boyband that we had a slight obsession with after seeing them on a PBS special tribute to Andrew Lloyd Weber.  Then we moved onto *N Sync.  Those were the days...

One thing is for sure...October is gonna blow all other months out of the water where mileage is concerned.  I will have 55 miles accumulated in my long runs alone.  This is already 12 miles more than August and not taking any weekday mileage into consideration.  Let's go ahead and set a goal for me, shall we?  Let's make it an 85 mile month.  I am training for a marathon, after all!  I know this isn't a lot compared to some of you out there, but as a wise woman (That Pink Girl) pointed out to me on my last blog post - how many miles was I running this time last year?!  Uh huh...Exactly!  I've come a long way, my little lovebugs, so I'm gonna start focusing on that achievement and stop being such a negative nelly when sTuFf happens.

You know what else?  I have my second half marathon this month - October 24th!  How exciting is that?  This time I know what 13.1 feels like.  This time I have a time to beat.  This time I'm on my home turf!  Bring it Houston Half - I'm so gonna be ready for you!

I also have a little trip thrown in the mix.  My cousin Rachel is getting married!  My family is flying out to Scottsdale, AZ next weekend for the celebration!  She picked out a super swanky hotel for the festivity, but more on that later!  Yes, yes...since I will be missing my 10-miler with my running group, I will need to run it in Scottsdale.  No worries, though, as I have already started working on my plan of action for that puppy, but more on that later, too!

One more fabulous thing is happening this month...do you know what that is???  Meliska and Greggy-D will be welcoming their little bundle of joy!  I, personally, can't wait to meet the little fella!  I remember when they first told me the news that they were expecting - it's one of my favorite memories of our friendship!

So cheers to October - I just know it's going to be a fabulous month!

What's going on for you this fall???