Quote of the day

This morning the leader of my girl running group in McKinney sent me this quote for the day. Thought I would share it!!

Winning has nothing to do with racing. Most days don't have races anyway. Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up.

I just loved this quote!! Thought it was really appropriate especially since after completing the Hottest Half!!!

The Hottest Half

This morning I woke up at 5:15am to get dressed for the Hottest Half. The babysitter came at 5:45 and the hubby and I headed out the door!! I had our pre race breakfast packed to eat on the way. We ate my regular pre race meal (banana and peanut butter cliff bar). My hubby signed up to run the 10K. This was going to be his first race. I was really excited for him, I just wish I could have seen him start and finish. He did really good though (Im not surprised) he ran the 10 k in 59 min. He is awesome, not training to run and just went out there and kicked butt!! My mom and her boyfriend and his brother were also running the 10K. It is awesome to see family member running races. My mom has never workout before and the last 3 months she has been running a lot and wanted to try a race. I am very proud of her and my hubby!! This is a picture from my phone showing the weather this morning. Can we say Humid!!!

Pre race photo: Charisma, Victoria, Kristi and me

Gary, Mom, Hubby, and Steve

(We are looking good!!)

Love this pic of me and my wonderful hubby!!

So my initial plan for this race was to go out and run and not think about time. Well I think that is impossible for me. My second plan was to get a sub 2 half!! I don't know why I wanted to go for that on the Hottest half!! But being the overachiever I am that was my plan. I was feeling great until mile 10, then I started to get tired. I was really tired lung or leg wise. I was definitely tired mental wise. I have got to find me a running partner to run with so we can push each other. I was starting to get bored and ready to be done. I think it was at mile 11. This lady was holding up a sign saying "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!" That just happens to be my favorite scripture. I pushed hard after that. I ended up running the race in 2:00:33, (09:14 pace) When I saw that I was think really are you serious, 33 seconds. If only I would have not stopped at that last water stop!! It sucks to be that close but hey I am not going to complain. I finished the race and didn't have to see the medic!! I would have know how close I was if my garmin would have located satellites faster. I turned on my Garmin way too late and the gun went off and my garmin wasn't ready. Oh well lesson learned!!

This lady rocks! I passed her in the marathon and she was just a running!! I thought there is no way this lady will finish this race. She looked like she could just pass out any minute!! She is hardcore! She finished the marathon in 2:22!! Thats crazy, maybe I will (hope to) be like here when I get old!!

New Running Gear

Well it is my favorite thing to do.... Buy running shoes!! On tuesday I headed to Run on and got some new shoes. In the past I have always ran wearing asics. I decided to switch it up and try a new style. The last running shoe that I bought were Asics Kayona! They are structured cushioning shoe. So I got the Brooks Ravenna 2 shoes. I ended up getting a half size bigger than my last pair of running shoes. I was having trouble with the toes on my left foot getting blisters. My toenails were also falling off on that foot. So I decided to try a half size bigger. Its funny because I wear a 7.5 shoe and run in an 8.5!! Tonight was my first run with the shoes and so far I like them a lot. I really like the dark mess, they will stay clean longer!!

I also got a new pair of Saucony running shorts. I am wearing them on my race so you can see pics later!!

Week 10 of marathon training

Well this week begins the 10th week in my 18 week training program for Tyler Rose marathon!! Last week was a big week at 41 miles! Overall it was a goo week!! I really enjoyed running the trail run with NTX runners!! It's always good to socialize with other runners!! This week is a step back week in training! Every third week I have a stepback where I drop a little in mileage!! It ended out working perfectly my training program called for a half marathon this weekend!! It just so happens the Hottest Half is Sunday!! So here is the plan for this week:

Monday: cross (yoga and strength)
Tuesday: 4 miles at race pace
Wednesday: 5 miles easy run
Thursday: 4 miles at race pace
Friday: 6 miles with McKinney running club
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: The Hottest Half

Today I am going to look for some new running shorts!! I need to get them now so I can try them out before the race on Sunday!!

Long run with the fast guys!!

I was reading a blog the other day (Racing it Off) and she was talking about if some things people do are dumb or hardcore!!! Well this morning I woke up at 3 am and ate my pre run snack ( a protein bar and a bottle of water). I went back to sleep until 4:45. He alarm went off and i was feeling like I had not sleep at all!! I was really tired but I knew that one I put on the running shoes I would be good!!! So after getting all the gear on I headed out the door at 5:10! I decided to run ad far as I could and then meet the McKinney running club at 6. I ran 4.1 before I met up with the group!! The temperature was warm 86 degrees but there was a light breeze so that helped!! There were about 15-20 people that met up to run. I still had 13 miles left to go. The only group that was running a long distance were. The fast, experienced runners!! They were planning on doing 8-10 miles. They usually run at a 8:30 pace so of course i was telling them there is no way I can keep up with you guys!! But i wanted to run with someone and thought it would be a good challenge!! Well they were fast and took me on two really big hills!! (Which is a good thing because I need hills to help prepare me for Octobers marathon!!) I left the group at about mile 12.5!! The headed in one direction and I headed the other way!! AT this point I was tired, but I had to keep going!! I hce to see that 17 mile mark on my Garmin!! So I ended up doing 17 miles in 2:40:16. That is a 9:25 pace!! Overall it was a good run, challenging but doable!! I think I I keep training with the guys I could maybe make it to Boston before I die!! I love running my long runs on Saturday's because the running club drops water at multiple different spots along the way!! This helps so you don't have to carry all your water, especially in this heat!!

Oh yeah I forgot to say that when I was running those first 4 miles I had a crash!! There is the long stretch of side walk that is really dark. It has a lot of uneven concrete!! Well my foot hit one and down I went!! Luckily my hands caught the fall and no injurys to report!! That is the second time I have fallen on that stretch!!

Am I ready??

Ok so its only 9 days until the Hottest Half!! It is going to be so hot!! I am praying for rain everyday!! So I am in week 9 of my marathon training. This week I am running a total of 41 miles, including my sat long run of 15. I have been running mostly in the early morning, around 5, or on the treadmill!! I am worried that the heat is going to killed me. The race starts at 7:30. The temperature could be at 100 degrees at the end of the race!! That is why I am running this race not expecting a good time! I'm running for completion!! (really hard for me to do that!)
I have another friend running the race too so at least ill have done company. I'm still trying to decide what I am going to wear on race day. I wanted to be able to just wear my running shorts and sports bra since it will be so hot. I dont know if I feel that confident to do that but we will see!!