A-Day, Easter, Law Day & Crazy Weather

I had a great time Easter weekend.  On Saturday, my friend, Stephanie, and I went to the Alabama spring football game, affectionately known as "A-Day."  We met up with my friend Holly and the great folks she was there with.  It was so much fun to be back to Tuscaloosa for a game day, especially one with such beautiful weather!

Me and Steph

Me and Holly

Hanging out at the Houndstooth

On Sunday, we meet my parents and nephew at church for service then went to Tannehill State Park for a picnic lunch with my husband's family before desserts at my grandmother's house back in Mt. Olive.  It was another beautiful day!  We were exhausted by the end of it, though.

Owen and I at Church

After such a busy weekend (full of eating), I had to buckle down on Monday.  I ran 5.2 miles downtown after work on Monday.  It was hot and tough, but it felt good to get some miles in.  The spring flowers are so pretty, and I was especially enjoying running under the dogwoods!

Tuesday, I new that I needed to get Tully some exercise.  So I picked him up after work, and we ran a 5K around the neighborhood.  It was another very warm afternoon, which I love, but Tully doesn't too much care for the heat.  I guess I wouldn't either if I wore a fur coat and couldn't sweat!  I think it's almost time for him to be relegated to only short runs near water.  We still had a great afternoon, though!

Wednesday and Friday consisted of a 5 miler and a 3.25 mile run respectively.  Friday, April 25th, was Law Day, and the Madison County Courthouse and most law firms closed early.  Holly and I went to the Law Day party that night and spent Saturday lying in the sun at Ditto Landing on the Tennessee River.  It was such a gorgeous day!  I learned from my last trip with Tully and took him some shade this time!

He was so happy!

Monday brought some pretty severe weather across the State of Alabama.  We were lucky enough not to get hit too hard in Huntsville, but friends and family in Birmingham and surrounding areas were not so lucky.  Tornadoes ripped through the area just north of my in-law's house.  Yesterday, I was able to get a 4 mile run in before the storms started, although a few raindrops threatened to start early.  

One thing that I've noticed since my half is how much that bout of bronchitis affected me.  It has been a struggle coming back from illness and a week off.  My breathing, endurance, and speed is not where it was just a few weeks ago!  I've got two 5Ks scheduled in May, though.  So I hope I can build back up and set a new PR!

Well, I guess that gets me up to date!  I've got to get on here more often!

Bridgestreet Half Marathon

So... Last week was tough.  My running streak came to an end after 85 days.  I was so disappointed.  I wanted so badly to make it to 100 days on Easter, but I was hit with a brutal case of bronchitis that culminated last Saturday (April 5).  This was one week before my scheduled Bridgestreet Half Marathon.  I had been training so hard for this race.  I wanted to beat my business partner's half time as well as set a new PR for myself.  Therefore, I made the decision to take a break and rest my lungs and body.

I had gone for a short one mile run that Saturday morning, and it was my last until a brisk run this past Saturday to test my recovery.  After 85 straight days, I went a solid week without running.  I was not happy.  (I guess that's why I haven't written in a while.)  On Saturday, I went for an easy 2 mile run just to see where I was before my race.  It wasn't great, and my lungs were still weak, but I felt like I could do it.

My parents came to Huntsville for the race, and I was super excited about this.  I was finally going to have someone to be there for me on race day!  (They were also there for the Gulf Coast Half, but we know what happened with that race.)  They came up Saturday afternoon, and we went out for a delicious dinner and a stroll around Big Spring Park.  Then we went back to my apartment for an early bedtime before a very early race.

My alarm went of at 4:00 am, and I quietly drug myself out of bed to start eating breakfast and hydrating.  We left the house at 6:00 am and headed to Bridgestreet.  It was packed, and everyone was excited for this inaugural event!  The weather was perfect - sunny and beautiful!  There was a slight nip in the air in the morning, but it warmed up significantly during the race!

My goal was to stay ahead of the 2 hr. 15 min. pace group and fall in line with them if I had to.  My partner's half time was 2:19, and I wanted so badly to beat it.  I did great for the first four miles, staying well ahead of the group, but mile 5 killed me.  I started losing momentum quickly.  I had forgotten to use my inhaler before the race, and I was suffering.  I had a "rattle" in my chest - fluid in my lungs that vibrated every time I inhaled and exhaled.  I texted my mother, and she brought me my inhaler around mile 7.5.  After a couple of puffs, my rattle started to subside, but I just could not recover.  I was so angry with myself as I had to keep taking walk breaks to catch my breath.  I was still doing okay on time for a while, but the last 3-4 miles were brutal.  I watched as the time ticked by, and I realized that I was not going to beat my partners time.  I was furious with myself and cussing myself for being so weak.  I won't lie - I wanted to cry.

But the course was beautiful, and the participants were so happy, and my family was there.  I had posted to Facebook just before the race started, and several of my friends had been sending me wonderful, inspirational texts.  Then, two of my friends (a married couple with the wife 8 months pregnant) texted me to say that they were waiting for me just before the finish line.  I pulled together whatever I had left inside of me and forced myself to keep running.  Sure enough, they were there, shouting and cheering me on. It was wonderful!  I ran through the finish just in time to beat my previous half record (2:31.09) by about three minutes for a final time of 2:27.54.  It was bittersweet because I know I could have done better.  I have been running so much faster.  But sometimes life throws you curve balls of bronchitis, and you just have to accept it.  However, having my family and friends waiting for me at the finish line, so proud and supportive, was a feeling that could not be beaten!  Here are a few pics...

A not-so-great pic during the race.

My Parents and me after the finish.

My friends, Tracy and Scott, with me after the finish.

Bib and Finisher's Medal

Running is a funny thing.  Especially in a long race like this, I go through so many emotions.  Frustration and disappointment are not uncommon.  And a long push like this is usually followed by a fair amount of pain (Sunday night and Monday were rather sore).  So people often ask me why I do it.  It's simple really - because I can.  Because when it's all said and done after I cross that finish line, I experience the most amazing sense of accomplishment.  I just ran 13.1 miles!!  And all of the frustration and disappointment immediately turn into determination.  Within an hour, all I could think about was when the next half would be so that I can really kill this time!

I snapped a picture of this lady running in front of me for a bit.  Her shirt says it all...

"Today I Will Do What Others Won't So Tomorrow I Can Do What Others Can't."

I couldn't have said it better myself!

After a quick shower at home, my parents and I packed a picnic and went to Ditto Landing on the Tennessee River for lunch.  Tully and I had spent the afternoon there the day before, and it was beautiful.  We had a great time.  

Here's a pic of Tully from Saturday.

And Mom and Tully on Sunday.

It was so wonderful to have my parents visit.  I think I may have mentioned that I have the greatest family ever!  A big thank you to Mom and Dad for making the trip to support me and to all of my friends for your motivation as well.  It means so much to me!

I hope everyone has a great week and a Happy Easter!

Spring is Here

Spring is finally making a real showing in North Alabama.  Warm weather and sunshine area  welcome relief from the winter weather.  And I love running in shorts again!

Monday, after work, I took Tully for a run on the old closed highway that goes up Monte Sano.  It was tough and very painful after my weekend workout.  My legs were still so tight and sore.  But we enjoyed getting out and enjoying some fresh air.

Tuesday was even warmer!  Tully and I ran down the mountain from my apartment, then around our neighborhood, and even into downtown.  We racked up a 5 mile run in 48:19.  I'm afraid it was almost too much for Tully.  I haven't run him since then.  He gets his summer haircut tomorrow, so hopefully that will help.  But he also turns 7 Tuesday, making him officially senior.  (I can't believe how fast time has flown.)

Wednesday, I ran (alone) back up the same closed highway.  I ran before work, and it proved especially difficult.  I wasn't sure if it was because I was still tired from 5 the night before or because it was so early.  But when I finally made it to the top, the sunrise was beautiful!

I love living next to a State Park!

Thursday, I ran straight from the office, downtown and around Big Spring Park.  Again, this run was was a real struggle for me.  And at only 3 miles, it shouldn't have been.  Work has been busy, and I've been dealing with some stress in my personal life.  But usually running makes those things better.  After I suffered through 3 short miles, I felt awful.  I went home and took Tully on a short walk around the apartment.  Then I lied down for a while, and that's when it hit me... I'm getting sick!  Of course I am because I have a half marathon next Sunday.  Ugh!  Why does this always happen before a big race?  I gave myself until this morning to feel better.  I still felt awful this morning, so I started taking some amoxicillin.  No chances!  We've got to get rid of this and fast!

Even sick, though, my run through the park was beautiful and full of spring and life!

I'm trying to trust my training and listen to my body.  I don't want to push too hard and still be sick and not ready next Sunday.  So today I just ran one easy mile.  These days I feel like I'm cheating somehow when I only run one mile.  But since I'm still running my streak, one mile serves as a "rest day" I suppose.

Oh, and I have had one more running development, but this one is not for those who don't like gross stuff... I have my first black toenail.  I know it sounds crazy, but it's like a badge of honor. 

Can you see it?  On the inside of the second toe?

Okay, maybe it's not that bad.  But I have pretty tough feet!  I almost posted this to Facebook just for all of my cross fit friends who post their bloody hands, but I thought the better of it.

Now I'm off to Birmingham to celebrate the gender reveal of one of my best friend's expected baby.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!