Running towards the sun (Daylight Savings week 3/9-3/15)

[michelem]

Ran the Shamrock'n 1/2 Marathon as a 2-person relay this morning. Yesterday, I rode a really hard 50 miles on my bike, which was not the smartest thing to do the day before a race. What made it so hard was the wind -- gusts up to 27mph. There were times where it was all I could do to go about 7mph and stay upright. I didn't have anyone to draft behind . . .

This morning, it was cold, drizzly, and still windy (today's gusts were up to 26mph). We got to Raley Field at about 6:20am, more than enough time before my brother and sister-in-law's 8am race start. Since I was doing the second 1/2 of the relay, I didn't have to be out at the transition area 'til about 8:45am. So, I stayed in the car and dozed. It was nice having indoor toilets to use at the field/baseball stadium. After "taking care of business," I walked over to the transition area, took off my sweats and got myself situated. Five or ten minutes later and my SIL handed me the "baton" (bracelet). I handed her my sweats and car keys and took off. Around mile 3 and I got a HUGE/PAINFUL side stitch. It lasted throughout the rest of the race. There were about 3 times where I had to stop and walk, it was so bad. I felt nauseous as well. It was all I could do to keep from puking. People passed me left and right throughout the race. I felt so defeated and crappy about my performance; like I was letting SIL down. Who did I think I was running a race after not running a step in over two months? Luckily the wind was not in my face the whole way, but when it was WOW! I felt like I was going SO SLOW!

Crossed the finish line at 1:50 and a couple seconds (8:24/mile). This was gun time as the relayers didn't get the luxury of chip timing at the start (only the second leggers got a chip). Amazingly enough, this was good enough to put us in seventh place out of 178. Not bad for an old lady like me (my SIL is 7 years younger, and I give her all the credit for our finishing time).

My brother crossed the finish just a couple minutes after me. We all agree that we'll never do this race again. It was not fun at all. Crummy scenery, for one. I guess we've been spoiled with the other races we've done (me SF, Folsom and them Reno, Truckee). After you've run across the Golden Gate, along the American River, Truckee River, Donner Summit, etc., West Sac is quite a letdown.

Anyway, not sure what I'll do next. Definitely the 10k here in Folsom in May, the Four Bridges Half here in Folsom in late October, and the California Int'l Marathon from Folsom to Sac in early December again. Other than that, who knows?

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!

[Susan Otcenas]

Urlea - Congrats on a great finishing time! I can feel the excitement in your post.

michelem - I'm so sorry you had a bad day. It can really be a drag to run in this kind of weather, eh?

We had rain - fairly hard at times - lots of wind, and cold temps here in Portland this morning. The Shamrock Run race start is down at the waterfront, so the wind was really whipping. There was very little shelter pre-race, except for under a bridge. Fortunately, Jeff brought along a large umbrella and we used it as a wind break. It was so cold that I was losing feeling in my hands and feet. I was doing jumping jacks to try to stay warm.

I placed myself in the 9-10 mile area, but it still took almost 5 minutes to even get to the start line. As teigyr predicted, it was a challenge to dodge people who were running very slow, or were walking, or were cruising along 4 abreast. But after a mile, it started to thin out *a little* and I could run more freely. I felt really good, even cruising up the grade on Broadway.

When all was said and done, I managed to run about 9:50/mile, which I'm absolutely thrilled with. My only disappointment for the day was that I had a cute little run skort outfit all picked out to wear, but the weather was so crappy that I had to revert to thermal tights and a Windstopper jacket.

My legs were tired during my swim lesson afterwards, but I was very happy I still had the energy for a lesson at all!

Susan

[eclectic]

Urlea - Somehow I missed your post or we were posting at the same time
Good job on the time! all your outdoor/miserable weather running is paying good dividends - and it will only get better from here!

Susan - That was a GREAT time especially having to jostle through people
Too bad about not being able to wear the cute outfit isn't that half the fun ?

michelem - That is too bad about the miserable run but great job on persevering through! And doing it after a hard ride the day before!

teigyr - Were you running today or did I dream that?

Crankin' let us know some of the things you are going to try! I will have to look that book up

Today was spin class - Although I don't feel like my running has improved a lot (I don't want my calves to hurt and I want to be faster) but I know it has helped a lot. I wore my HR monitor to spin class - It is getting harder and harder to get my HR up - I really have to work it. My monitor used to say I burned almost 600 cal in an hour now I am lucky if I can get it to 400. So progress is being made - and YES I am pushing it