It's been awhile since I have blogged and I apologize! But get ready...cause I am gearing up again for another 13.1 miles, possibly 2...September-October 2012.
Yes, I signed up for another Half Marathon! The Akron Half Marathon to be exact. This is my hometown. There is a blue line in the streets for the route. I have seen this line many times. It's permanent. Everyone knows what that blue line is. This year, I am going be in that blue line. Running.
So I have recruited Shirley and Amy. The original "cult". To get me going in my training. Write my plan. Teach me. Mentor me. Coach me. Whatever it may be. I am pretty psyched. I think they are too. Especially since they aren't necessarily training for one. I want to be fast. Fast like them. Well, close to fast like them.
Since the Cap City 1/2 I have done many runs...here is a quick breakdown...
- 5/19/12 Mad Run...This was a trail/mud/obstacle course race. The craziest thing I have ever done. Would I do this one again...ask me later!?
- 5/28/12 Lou Cox 5k...My dad came down for this race. That was really nice. I really enjoy running with him or seeing him run and all the encouragement he provides! I actually ran this race with Nate. It was really nice. I was a parent first, a runner second. That was very satisfying. We finished in 45:18. I let him cross the finish line before me. That's what parents do (wink Dad!)
- 6/9/12 Caring for Carrie 5k...Again ran this one with Nate. We got him some new shoes to run in. We did better together. 44:03. Again, I had him cross the finish line before me. Still a gratifying moment. I really do enjoy running with my son!
- 6/12/12 Woody's Dash and Bash 5k....Shelly the Swedish Trainer (Inge) did this one with me...All I can say is HOLY HILLS! Sucky finish time...44:29. Whatever. HOLY HILLS! My goodness. And it was at 6:30 in the evening. Hotter than Haiti. Running in the evening and in the summer heat suck. But running a RACE in the evening in the summer heat AFTER YOU HAVE WORKED ALL DAY AND HOLY HELLISH HILLS suck even more. Enough said. I will go back to this park though and run this route again JUST BECAUSE.
- 6/16/12 Super Strides for Safe Haven at Tawawa Park...this was a really nice run. Deanna asked me to do this one and as I have said in previous posts, I really don't know how to say no (although I am learning ;-) ). AND! I had a PR at this race!!!! 39:26! Placed 3rd in my age group! YAY ME!!!!!
So that's the summary.
Now to tell you where I am going...
Back to training...well, it doesn't actually start "hardcore" until mid-July but between now and then I am going to practice tempo runs and speed work and some easy runs i some cross-training so that when I do actually start, I will be better prepared and go out of the shoot with a blazing fast start! HA! So this morning, Shirley and Amy met me at the HS track to do some 4x400's. I was scared. A bit terrified. I had told Shirley Saturday not to go easy on me. Dumb me. But in all seriousness, it wasn't as bad as I thought. It was, dare I say it, E-A-S-Y! I mean, it wasn't easy like walking, but it was easier than I had thought. Granted, 4x800's and 3x1600's will not be easy; but at least I know what to expect. And I know what not to expect. I know that I will need music to get me thru the 800's and 1600's. I know that the track will NOT be the place for the 1600's. I know that I can do this. And I know if I want help or someone to do it with me, Amy and/or Shirley will be there for me.
The Akron Half Marathon has so much more meaning to me. I have a time that I want to complete it in....but I am not publishing that until I am certain I can realistically do it.... I have "more" time to train. I am better prepared mentally to take on this challenge. I weigh 40 pounds less. And I continue to lose. But it's not the loss...it's the gain in my self-esteem that is really getting me to this next adventure.
So stayed tuned! I promise to blog more and keep you all posted on my pre-training, training, all my thoughts and fears and excitement. This is going to be great.
Oh, and check out what BFFAE (Jen) and I did as a reward for our 1/2!!!
Run my friends. Run. Strong.
