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!

March Recap

So, I know that it has been forever since my last post.  I cannot explain how crazy life has been the last few weeks.  I have been slammed at work, and trying to keep my running going with all the other things going on in my life has been hard.  But I've done it!  After I do my run today, today will make day 80 of my running streak!  And on Day 62, I broke 200 miles!  I have wanted to give up so many times, but I haven't let myself yet.  And usually on the days that I really want to quit, I'll force myself out there and after the first mile, I am so glad that I did.

So for a very brief recap of my running highlights over the last couple of weeks...

On March 1, I ran the Beignet Bash 5K here in Huntsville.  A friend (you know who you are) was supposed to join me, but she had to cancel at the last minute.  It should have been a new PR, but I was not on my game that morning.  I have kept my new 5K time under 30 minutes though.  I finished that one in 28:46 for an average pace of 9:16.

Then, on March 15, I ran the Rocket Run 10 Miler in Mooresville, AL with one of my partners.  We finished in 1:44 for an average pace of 10:16.  It made me feel good about my upcoming half in a couple of weeks.

I followed that with a 10 mile run the following Friday night.  It was tough and required a couple of stops to catch my breath and not throw up.  However, I never stopped for more than a few seconds, and my running accumulated to 10 miles in 1:37.23 for an average pace of 9:44 (which probably explains my struggle.)  This was by far my fastest long run yet!  I don't want to get my hopes up for the half because I never know what sort of issues I may be dealing with on race day, but I am wishing this is a sign.

As I was finishing this particular long run, I had a welcome committee at my "finish line."

This particular track and park are where Fleet Feet does their fun runs and training, so there are markings all along the course.  This one is my favorite.

Sometimes the message is simple.

Finally, this past weekend, I was in Birmingham and participated with my friend, April, in the Mountain Athletics Running/Peak Bagging clinic at Railroad Park.  It was sponsored by the local Mountain High Outfitters and The North Face.  I thought it was going to be a clinic on running form, but they combined the two sports into one serious workout.  I could barely keep up.  It turns out that I am very weak (okay, maybe this is not a surprise).  April, on the other hand, has been doing cross fit for a year now, and she was killing it!  The clinic was Saturday afternoon, and I can still feel the pain in every muscle of my body!  There was no long run this weekend.  So, I guess my taper will start a little earlier than planned.  Hopefully the strength training will step up my game though!  And we got a bunch of cool swag at the clinic as well.

Okay, that should bring us up to date.  I'm sorry I let things go for so long.  I'm going to try to get back on track now!  

Finally at the Beach...

It's been a busy week leading up to the beach. First, I'm sick. Of course I am, right? It's a sinus infection I think, probably a result of this crazy weather. I'm not messing around, though. I'm taking antibiotics and trying to knock it out as quickly as possible. Fingers crossed and prayers please. 

I have managed to keep my streak alive. Tuesday after work, I slogged out a slow 5 miles. Right at about mile 2, a cramp set it. A knot just above my right Achilles. Ouch! I stopped and stretched it out for a minute and mashed on it like my physical therapist does. By the time I reached the 3 mile mark, it had subsided for the most part. So I finished out 5. 

Wednesday morning, Tully and I went for a muddy 2.5 mile trail run before physical therapy. I had plans with Holly after work to go to the Food Truck and Craft Beer Rally in Huntsville. So we hit the trail early, and it was not quite dry from the rain the night before. Between the technical "rock gardens" and the slick flats, it was a slow one. I almost busted it a few times. But it was a beautiful start to the day. (This bridge is extremely slippery when wet.)

Thursday morning, Tully and I ran a quick mile before my last PT appointment for the week. Work became much busier than expected, but I finally started my journey south around 2. After a few errands in Gardendale, I picked up Mom, and we were off. We finally arrived at the condo around 11:00 p.m. (Daddy has been here all week.) The storms set in right after midnight, and we slept to loud thunder, lightening, and heavy rains all night. 

We woke up to a beautiful sunny sky, though. However, the wind is brutal and cold. And the water in the bay is extremely choppy. Hopefully, as the day goes on, the air will warm up for a beautiful weekend. But either way, life is always better at the beach!

Good morning from Orange Beach, Alabama!