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Comments: I cannot believe I made it all that way.. and under the 2:40 goal I had. Michael?s hints from the run clinic the day before were in the forefront of my thoughts, and really helped me get thru. I think Sheila came in first of the tribe, followed by Tammy then Renee and I ? but all within just 2 to 3 minutes! how cool is that?? What would you do differently?: I am still mulling over what I needed to do differently for fuel. I thought I had a good handle on the fueling from the race in AZ last January?. but a few key differences in the 2 races (in retrospect) played into that strategy not being so good (apparently). The AZ race was done at a training pace. It truly was a comfortable walk pace for me, and I was concentrating on 2 other new runners. The course was basically flat, and my effort was just not so much. ok.. so.. looking over my fuel. 1. my electrolyte drink is a 10 calorie drink ? electrolytes but no cals.. hmmmm 2. total usage of beans and bars ? 225 calories total. 3. post race, banana, ? bagel, a little later, apple and 1/3 bag of chips. Sounds like more than enough, but I think DURING race not so much. hmmmm working on it.  Post race
Warm down: at the finish line, we continued through the recovery area. I had some water, a banana, and ? bagel. I grabbed an apple and a bag of chips for later. I should have grabbed an additional water. Almost through the lines, I heard Michael and Tricia calling. So we were able to hook up with them. Renee, Tammy and I stopped at the picture spot and had our pic together. how fun that was!! Then we waited for everyone to come in. I was getting texts the entire time to let me know where everyone was. LOL? goodness.. I was not feeling well at all post race, and my legs were continuing to cramp up. my feet were not liking my shoes either. I am glad I had a mylar blanket, as I quickly started getting cold. I put the blanket on, but then got hot, took it off, got cold? uggghh.. just no pleasing me!! I didn?t have the energy to go to the busses and get my bag that had lots of water and electrolytes for myself. but that is what I needed. I did manage to get in another bottle of water, thanks to Renee. My gut just was not settling down, and the bathroom would prove to be my best buddy. I do believe the gatoraide had a lot to do with that. My legs REALLY hurt!! but going up the steps to head to lunch ? well ? it actually helped! LOL We went off to change into dry, clean clothes, then meet up at a restaurant close to the expo center. Lunch also helped settle the stomach a little. I added a bottle of electrolyte drink from my bag.. By the time lunch was over, I was feeling a ton better! goodness, what fluids and food can do for the body. A nap a bit later in the day also helped a ton! The dinner that night was with Amber, Chris and Tammy, and was a total delight once again. Event comments: All in all, this weekend was the most fantastic race weekend! Meeting up with the online runner?s group, and seeing a few of my online challenge group blossom into runners.. who could ask for anything more?? It was amazing to see everyone?s accomplishments. I am very proud of the time I had for the race: 2:39:42. I know I gave it my all, and I am very happy with my efforts and accomplishments. I am so very happy to have shared this weekend with total strangers, yet my dearest friends. It is hard to explain how though we only knew each other from posts on a thread for runners, yet we felt like old friends when we met up here. And then to have the support of Michael for the weekend.. Priceless!! Monday ? my quads are tight, but my shoulders are not.. usually I have such a headache post race due to very tight shoulders. But from the clinic, I got an awareness of not clenching fists, keeping the posture, and relaxing a bit? I kept reminding myself of that.. and trying to correct my posture. I was also able to implement the counting to 8 to keep me on que. The more I drank (water) and the more I walked around on Monday the better I felt. I do have several very nasty blisters, but shoes are going on ok this evening. That was not so good Monday morning.. LOL I also usually have very tender and weak hamstring muscles after the hill repeats in my training, but post race this time ? even given the hills ? I have no issues with the HS, just tight quads. :D I do have a little muscle discomfort in my right foot (the one bunion surgery was done on last fall), but nothing in the bone ? just muscular. I am icing and stretching that, and the calves. It seems to be helping. My plan for this recovery week: today (Monday) I had no choice but to do a little walking in the airports.. but other than that ? total rest. Tuesday I will start with a very easy swim, and follow with a very slow, easy walk. Wednesday or Thursday I will throw in an easy bike. Saturday will still be a rest day ? but I will be working the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon Sunday I have a 5k planned and will do more of a recovery run. I will continue icing my foot, and Sunday?s run will be based on that not being in pain. Race stats: Max HR = 213 Avg HR = 168 placing: Age group 50 to 54 = 144/428 overall 5827 / 8581 sexpl: 3196 / 5456 6.8 time : 1:22:16 final: 2:39:16 pace 12:12 Profile Album Last updated: 2009-01-04 12:00 AM
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United States
Flying Pig Marathon
58F / 14C
Precipitation
Overall Rank = 5827/8581
Age Group = 50 to 54
Age Group Rank = 144/428
I feel I need to give a little history on how I got to where I was for this Flying Pigs race. This is the one year anniversary of my very first Half Marathon. One year ago, Renee and I met up to do our first at the Lincoln, NE National Guard Marathon.
I walked that one, (I was not to the point of believing this old lady could actually run ? walking was my thing and there was nothing wrong with that) and completed it with an amazing time of 3:03.
In that year, so much had evolved for me. I went from the walking into being a runner.
At the time of the Lincoln half (May 4, 2008), when I asked myself if I would be able to ever run or better yet, if I would ever DESIRE to run, my answer to myself was NO WAY!! ain?t happening!! This old body will NEVER run!! LOLOL?. little did it know. hahahaha
Slowly through the summer, I found I almost had no choice but to start running. At a certain point I found I could not walk any faster, and it was easier to break into a light jog. Thus started the RUNNING career of Roxann! Goodness that sounds so very weird.
I have done 2 other half marathons since that first one in 2008. September of 2008 I did a St Charles, MO half (that was called at 10 miles due to hurricane Ike) which I ran 9 of the 10 miles!!! 2:07 for that 10 miler. The other half was in January 2009 AZ Rock ?n Roll. I walked that one as I was in rehab post foot surgery. That race was a sounding board to be able to get back at the training to run.. it went well, got the blessing of my foot surgeon and the walk to run training resumed.
that brings us to today ? May 3, 2009 ? Flying Pigs Marathon, Cincinnati, OH.
Training prior to the race was a bit disjointed. I used a plan out of the Women?s Running Magazine that called for 3 focus runs each week of various intensities.
One run would be a Tempo run of some sort, the second was a speed work or hill repeat run, the third being the long run. I had to vary this a bit as running was not ?easy? and still is not, but the training went fairly well. I had mixed in some swim/bike training also that sometimes cut into my run times, but focusing on just 3 runs per week was a sweet plan that allowed for the cross training much easier.
I trained several long runs on hills that had a similar gain to those that were to be at the Flying Pigs. This ended up helping a LOT when it came to the ?big hill?!
The Friday before the race, I flew out of MSP very early. Slept a little on the plane, and upon arrival met up with several of our Runner?s Unite Tribe. Renee, Chris, Amber and I all got in about the same time. We talked a while at the airport, then went our separate ways to our hotels. Jen came in shortly after and joined us at the hotel. I am so glad she chose to stay with 2 crazy women she had never met before! ;)
by the end of the day, Sheila and Susie had also arrived. Sherry and Annette were there and waiting for us. We all decided to meet up at the expo to get our race stuff, and shop. We also met up with almost the entire runner?s Unite group at the expo, and we found Michael there. We sat around talking for quite some time, then split up to do dinner and rest for the evening. What a fun evening, just getting to know everyone. We set forth a strategy for the next day ? the 5k, the run clinic and then dinner.
After Dinner, Jen, Renee and I headed out to a grocery store for supplies, and then back to our hotel to get some sleep? but sleep wasn?t happening very easily, LOL. I prepped my clothes, and plan for the 5k in the morning. I would be walking the 5k with Annette, so needed to make sure I knew where to go and when.
Saturday morning. Didn?t really consider this as a race day morning, though I did need to be there for Annette. I wore my Brooks running shoes that are still good ? but on the way out. I had my oatmeal and berries, and drank plenty coffee and water.
The morning was lovely! I met up with Sherry, Katie, Annette and Hope. Hope had just run her own 1mile, but wanted to do the 5k with her mom (Sherry). Sherry was going for time, and worried that Hope would impede that possibility? so Hope walked with Annette and I. (yup, I was a BANDIT as was Hope, LOL!)
The walk with Annette was very enjoyable. I had to miss Sherry going over the finish and setting HER personal best? but I was so thrilled to talk Annette through this first experience. I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did.
After the 5k, we walked over to the car to gather our stuff for the clinic, then headed to the expo to meet up with Michael and the others for the run clinic.
we spent a good deal of time at the clinic. We got a lot of information. It was an excellent clinic, and Michael was so very good about getting the information into our heads. We spent a lot of time again, just talking after the clinic, then headed out to eat some lunch.
Saturday evening we had dinner as a group at Buca de Beppo. Pasta, chicken, broccoli, green beans, and the works was the meal of the night. Definitely more than enough food, with water for my beverage. Pennie and Nancy both FINALLY got in so everyone made it and was able to be at dinner. Susie was there with her lovely sister Barb, and Pennie had a lot of family support! What a very lovely evening, and what an amazing group!!
Sherry and Annette both presented me with wonderful gifts. I was very honored! and so humbled by this gesture!
After dinner, there was a celebration of Sherry?s birthday ? so a little cake had to be eaten. LOL
Saturday night I prepped my supplies for the race in the morning. The Half Marathon was starting at 6:30 am!! goodness!!
I set out my oatmeal for the next day. Then prepped 2 water bottles with electrolytes and water, put in freezer, and these would be used post race.
I also prepped my fuel belt with 20oz of electrolytes (Power Bar brand drink), and 20oz of water. I also packed ? of a banana bread Clif bar (125 cals), 2 packs of sport beans, and some pretzels. Bandaides and a few other essentials were also in the belt.
Then I put together some pita pockets with PB, chocolate and banana for post race. I know ? kind of weird, but it would keep better in a post race bag than a meat sandwich!
My clothes for the day were set out, then off to bed. Though it was honestly way too late, and sleep just was not coming easy.
Sunday morning I was up before 4am, I had my oatmeal, 16 to 20 oz of water, and some electrolyte drink. It was raining, and memories of the St Charles Hurricane run came to mind. I made a few adjustments to what I brought along ? to include some warm clothes for post race so hypothermia would not be as much of an issue. Then it was off to the races.
We found our parking spot easily. We had an Oro Wheat eng muffin with PB, water, Stretched, then walked several blocks to the start line. The rain had turned to a light mist, so before we let the bags go, we stripped down to our base running gear. The temp truly was pretty comfortable, so the rain poncho, the jacket and the under armor all were handed off to Sherry and the gang. We were able to meet up with most of the group. Renee, Tammy, Amber, Chris, Jen, and Sheila all started together. Sherry, Katie and Annette were there to cheer us to our start. How nice it was to have that support.