This year was the inaugural Hop Hop Half and 5k race. I'm typically a little nervous about new races, but this one was inexpensive, nearby, small (under 1500 runners total), flat, and scenic (along the river). AND came with a tech t-shirt, a medal, a mimosa, yummy snacks and egg decorating! 

It was just above freezing as the race started, but we did get a pic with the Easter bunny!

My goals for this race were to beat my PR of 2:04, and finish under two hours. I started out a little fast but felt good for about the first nine miles, although I did start to slow my pace a bit. The last 4.1 miles were a bit tough since we were running into the wind, and I was tired. My hips and calves were getting a little tight.

It was the last mile that was the worst. I could see the finish line. I knew I was close to making my goal. But I suddenly got very very nauseous and had to throw up. I'd feel fine for a bit and then throw up again seconds later. I probably threw up about eight times during that last mile. 

I ended up finishing in 2 hours, and 15 seconds. Sixteen seconds too slow. 

I'm really, really disappointed. But the afterparty was fun (there was also free beer!) and I bought myself a cool sweatshirt because I was freezing and I felt like my PR/barfing fiasco warranted a souvenir.  ;) 

Overall, it was a great race. It was well-organized, there were TONS of very helpful volunteers (a special thank you to all of the police officers!), and really fun. I'm already looking forward to next year!

Readers, how was your weekend?

Holiday runs are all about cold toes waiting for the race to start and warm drinks at the end! :) I haven't done a race in a long time. I did Hood to Coast relay in August, but the last race I ran as an individual runner was in July 2011! Wow, time flies.

My good friend Cari convinced me to sign up for Hot Buttered Run 12K, since we love hot buttered rum, and we haven't run a race in awhile, and this was a nice sized event in our own city. I had been doing pretty well with the training until the last few weeks--all of the delicious holiday treats and  The conditions weren't ideal, but I just wanted to have a good run. The weather was cold but dry, and I listened to Pandora while I ran. MapMyRun gave me my pace while I was running, which helped keep me motivated from mile to mile. I was able to keep a consistent pace, ran pretty quick, and felt good when I crossed the finish line :) Not because I won anything (I didn't), but it's just that runner's high when you ran hard and just put your all out there. 

I forgot how much I missed races. I had a long stretch of disappointing ones, and then just stopped running altogether after an injury. I still set goals during regular running workouts, but there's something about a race that just really gets me going. It's fun being with other runners, it's fun competing, it's fun getting a race t-shirt, and it's fun having HOT BUTTERED RUM! :)

Have you done any races this season? Do you have any coming up?

I meant to update from my iPhone during the race using the Weebly app, but coverage was spotty to nonexistant for most of the race. So here's what happened to Team 518 - the Trail Nuts.

Our van felt pretty good after our first set of six legs. All of us had run strong and fast. We grabbed dinner and took showers at a teammate's house, and then went to meet up with Van 2 near OMSI for the exchange.

I ran Leg 13 (4.21 mi) through downtown Portland around 7pm. The temperature was just right and it was a nice, fairly flat run. My legs were a little tired and stiff, but I managed to finish in 39:45 (9:22 min/mile pace). I got a little sleep in the van while my teammates ran their legs, and on our way to the next major exchange. A fire had shut down part of highway 30 and caused a couple of changes. Traffic was pretty bad along other parts of the course anyway, so it got a little stressful in our van. Everything was kind of a blur until I had to run my last leg at 5am.

Leg 25 (3.75 miles) is in the middle of nowhere on a country road (technically from Mist to Birkenfeld, OR). It was dark and I was tired and just wanted to sleep and eat and sleep some more. I ran as fast as I could make myself run, which ended up being kind of slow (10:30-11:00 min miles I think?). I was really glad to be done, and slept some more until our van finished our last set of legs and could head to the beach to wait for Van 2 to finish.

Once Van 2 arrived at the beach, and the last runner came in, we all crossed the finish line together. Our team was 350th overall (out of 1070 total teams), and 77th out of 362 teams in the Mixed Open. We skipped the beach party in favor of the food and drinks that were waiting for us at the beach house we rented, where we ate and drank and fell asleep by 9pm. 

Yep. We were pretty tired. 

We came home from the beach mid day, and I'm going to try and get back on track with eating healthy (basically the past two and half days have been nothing but eating and running. And more eating. And more running.) 

I almost didn't run Hood to Coast this year, but my team pretty much made me do it. Who you run/live with in a van for three days makes all the difference in the world, and I'm lucky to have such awesome running buddies. We all ran hard and had a good time, in spite of all of the crazy stuff and lack of sleep. We were all pretty disappointed by how Hood to Coast was run this year (although the volunteers did an awesome job, as always--thank you so much!), so we're considering finding a different relay for next year.

Have you run a relay? Or is it too crazy to even think about? :)

Until recently, I'd LOVED races--loved the camaraderie, the swag (t-shirts! medals! Jamba Juice!), the energy. I looked forward to them, and that anticipation made training somewhat fun. I would just go out there and give it my all.

After having done two marathons this year (Seattle Rock 'n' Roll and Eugene), I've been kind of burnt out on running. The stress of months of training and several VERY disappointing races had taken a lot of the fun out of it. I felt like my body and I were at odds with each other, and I became really critical of myself because I wasn't meeting any of my time goals. I decided after my last race (Lacamas Lake Half in July) that I was going to take a break from racing, and just run for fun. I wasn't going to worry about time or pace, just run when I felt like it, and spend more time doing other kinds of exercise.

The only kink in my plan was Hood to Coast--a 200 mile relay with 12 person teams. I'd committed to doing it a year ago, and couldn't back out on my team so close to the race. I dreaded the 200 mile relay for weeks, but didn't want to be a Debbie Downer for my team, and reminded myself that if I gave my best, my friends would be proud of me no matter what my pace was, and that we had decided to run H2C a second year because it was FUN--we weren't going to win any division, but we had a great time doing this crazy relay anyway.

Sooooo... I ended up running the full. Here's how it went down.

FRIDAY: My bf and I rrived in downtown Seattle around 4pm, got parked around 4:30. Ran into the expo, grabbed my packet, t-shirt, and swag bag. I was pleased that this year's shirts were cuter than last year's. I was also pleased that they hadn't run out of RnR Seattle Brooks running jackets, unlike last year. I limited myself to that ONE merch item (although I pondered buying a souvenir pint glass also).

Walked along the Seattle waterfront w/the boyfriend, founda delicious restaurant where we ate dinner (we were a little underdressed...oops). We crashed at my brother's and cousin's condo for the night. Only got a few hours of sleep.

SATURDAY: Woke up at 6. Got all my stuff on, ate a little breakfast. Rushed out the door. The starting line drop off point was less than 4 miles away from the condo, but traffic was CRAZY and I got to the start line way after my corral starts. Fortunately, since the race was chip timed, I just jumped in line and got started.

Within moments of starting the race, I had a weird pain in my upper left leg that I haven't ever had before. I started to get worried that I wouldn't even be able to run any distance, or even drop down to the half and walk it. I decided to stick with it and see how it goes. It got better within a few miles. My tendonitis in my left food started acting up within the first mile as well. And I dry heaved on the side of the road around mile 5. Not a good start to the race--I did ponder if it was a sign that I was supposed to quit, then decide I'm too stubborn to not race. I decide to wait and see how I feel at the fork where the half marathon and marathon courses split around mile 9/

Ended up feeling alright at the split, and I decided to try for the marathon. I hit the wall at mile 11, because I had been so nauseous that I couldn't fuel. I started eating running gummies like mad, and downing water at every post. Slowly started to feel better, but ended up taking a lot of walking breaks between mile 11 and the end of the race. Saw my bf at miles 15 and 22.

Mile 24, started getting calf and thigh cramps. Tried to stick out the last part and finish strong. Managed to run across the finish line, not in too much pain. Although my time was slow (4:50:26), I consider it a decent race given the mental and physical circumstances. And my bf bought me flowers from Pike Place Market, so I can't be too upset :)

I think I'll take a break from running marathons for awhile. I'll still run, but I need a break. Mentally and physically. Just focus on overall fitness.

How was your weekend?

I both thought I was better prepared for this marathon than my first, and I also knew the last month of training had been pretty shoddy. I still felt like I was a faster runner overall, and hoped to beat my previous time of 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Unfortunately, the Eugene Marathon was a bust in a lot of ways.

Saturday (packet pickup):  The website promised three different parking locations at the expo, so I figured parking wouldn't be a problem. NOPE. "Wicked" was playing in the venue next door, and we had to find parking elsewhere. Fortunately, it wasn't too far away. Once inside the expo, I found out that they had run out of t-shirts in every size except L and XL.The other merch with "Eugene Marathon" on it was ugly. I was upset, and about to rant about how I paid for this race months ago, and they should have my t-shirt, when my boyfriend placated me by promising a stop at the outlet mall on the way home from the marathon. Went to dinner with some friends--it was difficult finding a place with less than an hour wait!

Sunday (race day):  Woke up nice and early, 5:40 am! Threw on my clothes and choked down a little oatmeal. My boyfriend attempted to drop me off near the start, only to find that the road was blocked. I jumped out of the car, thinking I had everything... but realized later that I'd forgotten my iPod. Walked and jogged to the start area and tried to find my friends. Eventually found both of them, and ran w/my training buddy. We started out a little faster than our goal pace, but held steady. Then things went downhill, and fast. Our pace continued to drop steadily. By mile 13, I realized I wouldn't make my goal time of 4:15, nor would I beat my previous time of 4:30. I continued to run with my friend until mile 19, when another friend joined us as a bandit. I took off, hoping to minimize the damage, but mentally, I was beat. My feet were blistering, and I felt sluggish. There were many times when I wanted to give up, to stop and walk. I told myself that the only goal I could meet was that I would RUN the ENTIRE race, and that I hadn't trained this hard to walk, or give up.

Entering Autzen Stadium, approaching the finish line, I wanted to cry. Not in the way I did with my first marathon, which was a feeling of overwhelming amazement that I had actually run a marathon. It was a feeling of humility. Of failure. I tried to remind myself that I had still run an entire marathon, that I had just finished my SECOND marathon, that it was still an accomplishment.

I didn't get any pictures at the race either. I really wish I had, since it was the first race that my boyfriend had gone to.

Do I want to do another marathon? No... and yes. I'm still dealing with my disappointment from Eugene. I probably wouldn't do this particular race again. But I really want to hit 4:15. I'm toying with the idea of doing another marathon in two months--the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon, the same marathon I ran last year. But it'd be nice to be out of training mode for awhile, to refocus on the other areas of my life.


Did anyone else race this past weekend? Any good marathon stories?

That's a quote from Clarence DeMar, seven time winner of the Boston Marathon. That's pretty much how I feel about races. You can't move the finish line any closer, but you can get there faster!

Over Thanksgiving break, I had two races. The first, on Thanksgiving morning, was a 10K Turkey Trot. Although I'd been training, I didn't think I'd PR because it's a crowded race and I hadn't really focused on speed during training, just maintaining my current fitness level. And it was 30 degrees that day, so I told myself to just run my best, and try to come in around an hour. I pushed it pretty hard, and tried to stay with two of my faster running buddies. Even so, I was really surprised when I ran across the finish line and saw that I'd PR'd! YAYYY!!!

Then today's 12K race. I felt emotionally drained from a confrontation with a friend the day before, I was physically feeling ill (I hadn't eaten dinner because of the stress, and was having GI problems), and I was considering dropping down to the 5K distance. But I hadn't trained for speed. I'd trained for distance. And so I decided to tough it out. There were several points during the race when I seriously thought about quitting. (I always think about quitting, but for once, it seemed like the most logical plan). I just kept running. I just wanted to be done. And I ended up running a pretty good pace (almost the same as my 10K pace).

So now I'm going to take the rest of the day to rest, and get stuff done around the house.

How was your Thanksgiving break?

A little bit about the Girlfriends Half Marathon: "When girlfriends get together they can accomplish anything! There’s nothing better, more beautiful than a bunch of strong, powerful, passionate women on a mission! And that’s why collectively, as a group of determined gals, we can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Plus when you cross the finish line, you can’t imagine how that positively impacts YOUR entire life."

Girlfriends Half Marathon benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the fight against breast cancer. It's a women-only race, and was capped at 2300 runners and walkers this year. In addition to your race shirt (well, this year it was a vest), you get a reusable bag with goodies inside, a piece of jewelery given to you by a handsome fireman (instead of a medal), fudge, massages, sweaty up-dos, cookies and tea. Sound like a good time? It is!

But mentally, I was in a bad place the night before the race. I was really down on myself. I thought to myself, "Why am I even running tomorrow? I won't PR."

I PR'ed at every race this year. And this would be my second attempt at a sub 2 hour half marathon this year, and it would likely be my second failure. I hadn't trained enough or hard enough to PR.And my body just wasn't feeling great--I was tired, I fighting off all the germs at school, and I hadn't been eating nutritiously.

But I HAD to run Girlfriends. I couldn't just decide I wasn't going to run the race because I wouldn't PR. Not PR-ing wouldn't take away from my successes this year. And this was a great race, full of great women, for a great cause. I decided to "woman up" and "grow some ovaries," and just go and have a good run. My good friend and I would pace off of each other, and just see where things would take us. We decided a reasonable goal would be 2:10.

My friend and I started off at a 9:30 pace, thinking we'd run negative splits and pick it up during the second half. We did pretty well maintaining that through mile 11. Then it got a little rough. Two gradual uphills took a lot out of me.

So, a PR didn't happen. I finished in 2:06, two minutes shy of my PR, and six minutes shy of my sub 2 goal. But it was still a good experience. And it was the first half-marathon for two of my friends--they did great, and had fun!

So maybe in the spring, I'll finish in under two hours... Or maybe I'll sign up for another half before the end of the year...

Did anyone else have a race this weekend? Have any of you gotten discouraged by the prospect of not getting a PR?

Things had been rough this week. My calves were finally starting to feel better after getting beaten up by Hood to Coast, and I was doing weightlifting classes at my gym, but I hadn't been running much, and I definitely hadn't been sleeping enough or eating well. But Pints to Pasta 10K is one of my favorite races, and several of my awesome Hood to Coast teammates were going to run it as well.

I haven't run a 10K race since last November, so I really wanted to PR, even though I wasn't sure if my body could handle it. I tried to pace with some of my friends for the first three miles, but realized I couldn't keep it up for the last three. One of my friends paced with me for the last three miles, and we managed to keep each other from walking. I knew that I was close to PRing, but I was feeling kind of nauseous. (Having three drinks the night before and quesadillas was probably not the best idea...)

I threw up about 100 meters from the finish line. Fortunately, I was next to the edge of the road, and puked without getting it on any other runners, or on myself, and while still running! (You know you're a runner when you keep running while puking, so you can PR). And I managed to PR, finishing the 10K in 57:56. My running friends thought it was all pretty hilarious... I think I'll be getting ribbed for awhile. (I told my non-running friends and they said, "That is DISGUSTING." Sometimes I forget that runner talk is not appropriate for most audiences...)

We had a great time at the post-race part too. Beer, Jamba Juice, pasta, bread and salad were all in abundance :) And it was sunny! What more can a gal ask for?!

Overall I was in the top half, and I was in the top third for women and my age group. So I'm pretty pleased.


Why Pints to Pasta is my favorite race ever:

• I love the fact that they have real food at the end (not bagels! They have pasta, salad, and a roll).
• I love the fact that the entry fee includes TWO beers!
• I love that Jamba Juice hands out free mini smoothies. And I love that they had plenty this year (last year, they ran out pretty quickly).
• I love that the course is fairly flat and fast. And it's a nice course that goes along the waterfront.
  
• I love that they always have male and female shirt options, and the women's shirts actually fit! (I hate women's shirts that are too short, too small, etc). And the shirts are cute.
• It's a 10K. I don't have to train that much :P

Anyone else run a race this weekend?