Running to the races! 10/11/2009 to 10/18/2009

[indigoiis]

Today Indigoiis' race is happening in my town. My plan was to go out and cheer her on, but with 45-mph wind gusts and torrential rain, I'm staying in! I'm still routing for you, Indi! Hope you make it--it's ugly out there!

I did it! It was cold wet and miserable but I was properly dressed (thanks y'all), properly trained (thanks hal), properly fed, rested and hydrated, properly supported (thanks husband) and kept myself conservative at 9-10 minute miles, finishing at 2:10 (clock time, though the official times not listed yet.)

Oak, I know what you mean - I probably could have pushed a little harder too but this being my first, I wasn't sure where I stood. But when I got done, besides being cold, I felt great, which means I probably could have run a little faster.

But I am pretty happy with the job I did, considering the weather! It was crazy! But I actually love Newport most in this kind of weather, so, it was very beautiful and it being the town I grew up in, very nostalgic as well.

Happy to be home with the woodstove!

Full report later...

[mudmucker]

Congratulations! And also for feeling great after too. I don't run those distances. Sounds like you had a good time and yes, comforting wood stove. (It's snowing up here now in my part of MA again).

[redrhodie]

Yay, Indy! I'm not surprised you did it, but it is awful outside--a classic Nor'easter. I don't know about running times, but that sounds great for a windy day like this! Way to go!

I still haven't been outside today.

[indigoiis]

Okay, now that it's half time, I have time to post a race report...

Got up at 4:40 and right off had a bowl of cereal, which is my usual morning fare, and I figured with an 8 a.m. start it would be fine. And it was, so that's good.

I went out to feed the animals and it wasn't raining yet but it was cold and windy, so I knew I was going to have to alter my original dressing plan to add a long sleeved shirt (so, I am not so brave/stupid after all LOL. ) So I ended up wearing: a tank, a short sleeved wicking, an underarmor long sleeved on top of that, and my Pearl Izumi whisper jacket on top of that, thinking, if I de-layer, it will be like having the advantage in strip poker, right? On bottom I had underarmour tights, shorts, a pair of sockguy socks with a pair of smartwool socks over that. I thought at first this might be too much but it was just right, and considering the puddles I ran through, the sock pairs dried very fast, which was good.

I also wore fingerless polarfleece gloves, a buff over my head and a baseball cap. That was a good combo for the most part. I covered my ears with the buff because I hate having cold ears.


We got to Newport and parked on a side street and walked to the start. It was pouring, and cold. My husband (forwhomiamsograteful) carried my bag, pinned on my number, helped me off with my warmups, helped me with my D-tag - all while I watched solo runners checking their bags with the gear runners. I was glad to have someone to take my gear and stash it in the car instead of wet cardboard bins. Then I went to line up for the start with 3,000 others.


We started at 8:08 and so my goal was that at every mile marker my watch time would end in 8, giving me a ten minute mile. I am blind without reading glasses but I can read an eight, so I was glad for that nice round number.


In the first five minutes I watched many garbage bags land in the gutter. And sweatshirts. Strip poker time! But I knew the winds would be different out of town, so I kept it all on. It was drizzling at that point, and I set into a comfortable pace. I saw a friend of mine running and we chatted a bit - kind of weird that out of 3000 people you see someone you know. A couple other women who I knew would be there I also saw, but did not stay with them. The course came along Thames St. to Wellington and we got the first taste of salt air. The first brief hill at mile two separated the walkers from the runners. At Fort Adams (mile 4 and 5) I saw some of the elite marathoners coming back down the road from the loop and I knew I was in a good spot, in the first third, perhaps.


I felt pretty good through the first half and focused on how I was feeling and my form, and when I was hot I unzipped my jacket, when it got cold I zipped it back up. I drank at every mile marker from my fuel belt bottles and took water from two aid stations and one from a gatorade station, but didn't walk through the aid stations as I felt like it was too cold to stop.


It was beautiful at mile 7 coming around the ocean drive with the winds kicking waves up over the seawall. The road is full of potholes and people were trying to run around puddles which made no sense to me - you could not be any wetter. I ran through the puddles.


I loved how, despite the gale force winds and rain, people stood under umbrellas shivering and cheering us on. Awesome.


At mile nine I still felt good and started to pick it up a bit... klomped along Bellevue Avenue amongst all the peeps with their ipods - it's a weird cultural phenomenon when you are all together like salmon and yet everyone in their separate ipod worlds. One guy ran by singing a Doors song in a heavy growl, oblivious to all. I was startled by a high-pitched rendition of something like Mariah Carey and Madonna singing a nursery rhyme. To those who wear ipods: those of us without can and do hear you sing. They missed the sounds of gulls screaming along the seawall on ocean drive... they missed the sound of sheeting rain on the road and in the trees on Bellevue. They missed the quiet, squeegee-like hush of hundreds of sneakers klomping along. The missed the little kids yelling, "You're really really good at running!" at Halidon Avenue. They missed the conversation between two old ladies about their cruise. And they missed the singing.


I followed garbage bag man for a few miles. He had a nice pace.


A woman in a pink tutu passed me by... I thought of you, Urlea!


At mile eleven I realized that I could go all out because, what's the worst that could happen, right? I'd get tired and have to walk. So I booked the last two miles down to the beach. Of course, once the sea opened up again there was a bitingly cold wind directly against us and it was very cold. I think that last mile slowed me down.


I came under the clock and then walked around looking for the Mister... after pizza and gatorade I found him wearing a deluxe parka which he promptly transferred to me. Instant warmth. Thank gawd for husbands.


We walked back up the hill to where he parked the car a mile away... it was better than waiting for the shuttle. The lines were long and there were only eight school buses for 3000 folks - not good. I heard a lot of miserable wait stories.


Lessons for next year, when I will be running the full marathon:


1. Park at the finish, and make sure husband packs entire woodstove.

2. it's okay to eat. I don't get sick.

3. when I think I can pick it up, I should.

4. Lunch at the Wharf Pub was almost as expensive as a new pair of running shoes. What was I thinking??? Red, if I'd thought about it, I would have just called you and come over and raided your fridge.


Happy to be home with the woodstove!

Thanks everyone for all the useful tips, and awesome race reports, that helped me prepare for my own. You guys rock!

[Susan Otcenas]

Hi All!

So glad to hear everyone had a great race day today & yesterday! Congratulations all around!

The weather forecast for Vancouver, WA was for rain all week. But last night I logged on to weather.com and it predicted cloudy but dry. And lo & behold, that's what we got! I was soooooooo glad it didn't rain. I 've not trained much in the rain, and wasn't looking forward to a long wet slog. I might have been a fair bit grumpier about it than indigoiis.

I got up at 6am and made a nice big bowl of steel cut oats with raisins, coconut & sunflower seeds. Also had some cantaloupe. Yum!

Arrived at the race start at 8am. Scored an excellent parking space. Quickly found the other 4 gals I'd suckered into signing up earlier in the year. For 3 of the 5 of us, it would be our 1st half marathon. The most experienced person in the group was my friend Angela. I expected her to do really well, especially after she revealed (after much prodding) that her PR is 1:20.

After 2 waits on the portapotty line (ridiculous, I know), it was time to line up. Angela went off to start near the front, while the rest of us hovered near the 10min/mile sign holder. And away we went!

I spent most of the 1st mile dodging walkers (why don't they start themselves farther back in the pack??) until I could find some breathing room to run a comfortable pace. Around mile 4.5, we started seeing the race leaders coming back towards us on an out & back section of the course. I yelled to my friend Angela that she was in 2nd place!

I felt like I was running in my comfort zone, and yet the first 5-6 miles went by at a 9:30 pace! Zowie, that's much faster than my training pace. I knew that was probably not sustainable, so I tried to dial it back a bit. Good thing too, because by mile 8, I was feeling the effects of going out so quickly. My hips started to ache (this has never happened to me in training) and my quads started getting tight. (This usually happens, but not until 10 miles or so). So, the next few miles were a bit of a struggle, as I tried to concentrate on working through the stiffness.

The only hills on the course came after mile 9. Nothing big, but long enough grades that some folks walked, especially as we got closer to the finish. I managed to run all of them, though not very quickly.

By mile 12, we'd topped out and it was flat all the way to the finish. I checked my watch and realized I'd likely make my 10 min/mile goal. I picked up my pace as much as I could, and managed to cross the line at 2:10:03 (by my watch. haven't seen the "official" results yet.) which put me at 9:55 per mile.

Then, I burst into tears.

Poor Jeff. There he was with a huge bouquet of flowers for me, and there *I* was, bawling like a baby. I couldn't help it. It was such an emotional moment for me. He kept asking what was wrong, and I kept assuring him they were HAPPY tears. Really, it's no wonder men have such a hard time figuring us out sometimes.

It was a very good day. We three newbies all finished with times that made us happy. And my friend Angela was 2nd in 1:30. Oh, and today is her 39th birthday. The crowd sang happy birthday to her when she stepped onto the winner's podium. Very cool. That nearly made *her* cry!

Pictures to follow.

Susan

[Susan Otcenas]

From Top:
Me, Linda, Laura & Gretchen, pre-race
Me & Angela, post-race
Me, crossing the finish line.

[solobiker]

Congrats to everyone!! That is great. Maybe next year I will try for one. I did one about 10 years ago so why not give it another try

[Urlea]

Indi & Susan, Congrats on two stellar 13.1s today!!! So proud of you both, that is awesome.

I remember how amazing it felt last ssn when I ran/finished my first 1/2. Enjoy it, you have accomplished a lot friends!

Susan, beautiful flowers! I am jealous.

[OakLeaf]

Race weekend started yesterday afternoon when DH and I headed into town to pick up my race packet and take in the expo. There was no race-day registration. Despite having to wend our way past every single vendor before reaching packet pickup at the rear of the exhibit hall, I emerged with my wallet only mildly scathed and only one purchase I hadn’t planned (a long-sleeved hi-viz jersey that I really did need). Rather than drive the 50+ miles home and then back at oh-dark-thirty into a mob scene, we opted to stay the night in town.

I was really unsure what to wear. My taper runs on Wednesday and Friday were, respectively, the coldest weather I'd ever run in, and this morning was projected to be even colder by some 10 degrees F. Putting off the decision until the last minute, I'd packed two pairs of tights and a pair of gloves in case I couldn't find what I wanted at the expo, and four different wool tops, plus an ancient shiny parachute nylon track suit (with shoulder pads!) that I planned to discard if I wore it.

I don't know what I was thinking, but I didn't pack anything for breakfast. Luckily, there was a Kroger's right next to the hotel. After dinner, I bought a box of cereal, a bag of pecans, a carton of hemp milk, and a few bananas. I pinned my bib to my Spi-Belt, which I’d stocked with three gels, and affixed my D-tag to my shoe. Not without incident, the latter: the adhesive pulled off the tag. Luckily they now have a hole in each end, and I was able to lace my shoelace through the holes. I set my alarm for 5 a.m.

Dressing for a race always reminds me of the arming scenes in epic poems, where each piece of armor and each weapon is described in detail as the hero prepares himself physically and spiritually for battle. My new insulated CW-X tights, bought yesterday. Aloe gel on the electrodes of my HR strap, then bra. Compeed and Blister Block on my feet, then socks. Micro-weight SmartWool tank (which I'd already run in once and slept in twice this week, but being wool, it didn't smell too bad); and over that, my mid-weight SmartWool long-sleeved T. Race belt. Wristband and Garmin. Track suit. Shoes, cap, new convertible gloves. Orange polyester hibiscus lei. I was ready to roll.

We scraped a thin layer of ice off the windshield and headed out. As it turned out, I had plenty of time. While a handful of runners warmed up, hundreds more mobbed the lobby of an office building where the Starbuck's had opened early for the race. Some were getting coffee, some getting pastries, some just trying to stay warm. I don't drink coffee except before a big event - hoping it will give me some performance boost that outweighs not being able to sleep tonight. I had about half of a small cup (whatever they call that size ), gave the rest to DH, hit the portajohn and went to line up. I would've liked a minimal warmup, but in that crowd, it wasn't going to happen.

The starting corral and a block in either direction was packed for the combined marathon/half marathon start. I raised my arms above my head to loosen up my shoulders, back and torso, and didn't think I was going to have room to put them down again. The band played "Born to Run." Somewhere in there the gun went off. No one around me heard it either, but we started to move. For as tight as the corral was, traffic thinned out remarkably quickly, and within half a mile I was running the pace I'd planned. Maybe it was just sleep deprivation, but I started to get really emotional. Three weeks ago I'd finished the Columbus Fall Challenge, one of my two big goals for the fall. Now I was embarking on the second, and whatever my time, I was sure I would complete it. Everyone's eyes and noses were running from the cold anyhow, so I dabbed at mine. The first band after the start was playing the Chariots of Fire theme. Okay, that’s corny. I stopped crying.

I’d set my Garmin to hold me no faster than 9:10 for the first 11 miles. It did a good job of keeping me from getting too excited early on. The new watch has vibrating alerts, which is great – although in the noise of the day, I don’t think anyone else would’ve noticed audible alerts. I’d dressed perfectly for the day. I’d left my track pants in the car, started unzipping my jacket around mile 3, and discarded it around mile 5. The wind-mitts came on and off my fingers several times. The sun shone bright after several gloomy days, raising everyone’s mood and accentuating the beautiful fall colors. The course runs past the Governor’s Mansion between mile 3 and 4, and traditionally the Governor stands at the curb to greet the runners. I don’t agree with all his policies, but I voted for the guy, so what the heck, I snagged a high-five. Not too long after that, I did a double-take as I saw one of my cycling buddies who’d come out to cheer on another friend. He’d brought his mountain bike and leapfrogged from point to point on the course; I’d see him twice more before the finish. DH, having only the car, cheered me on just past the halfway point.

Around mile 9 my watch started alarming that I was exceeding the pace I’d set. I checked the display, and I was only going a little bit faster than I’d planned. I felt good – I was starting to feel some fatigue, but I felt like I could sustain the pace – so I ignored the alarms and went with it. Because of a small firmware bug, I’d set my watch to display speed, not pace, but that actually turned out to be a good thing. I couldn’t remember the exact pace zones I’d set, and couldn’t do the conversion from MPH in my head. I think it would’ve freaked me out if I’d known that at that point I was running a sub-9 minute pace.

At mile 11, just after we’d turned onto High Street for the last long stretch to the finish, the “brakes” came off and I picked up the pace. I was starting to feel the distance, but I was feeling strong. Crossing the I-70/71 overpass, I saw a lot of runners flagging, so I turned on the power. I can’t run a loop from home without at least three 12% grades. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t notice the overpass, but it wasn’t anything my legs weren’t ready for.

It wasn’t long after that that my feet started cramping. It was just uncomfortable, not really painful, it didn’t seem to be affecting my body mechanics, and I knew it wouldn’t be long. I could smell the finish. There was one more gentle grade to climb before we turned off the full marathon route and ran the final quarter-mile to the finish. I saw 2:04 and knew that my gun time was going to be even better than my hoped-for 2:05 chip time. I opened it up and gave my best imitation of a sprint, with a huge grin on my face.

First stop in the chute was space blankets, which I definitely needed. I’d have been severely chilled without it. Water, banana, potato chips, more water. Of course there were bagels, donuts and chocolate milk for those who can tolerate them. The chute had to be a quarter mile or longer. I was wondering how DH was going to find me, since I hadn’t carried my phone, but he met me at the end of chute. Apparently my hi-viz cap and orange lei weren’t too hard to spot. It was too cold to hang around at the post-race, I was already getting chilled, so we just got in the car and rolled home.

In all, I think I got water at 5 or 6 aid stations – two cups at several of those. I was really, really glad for the water practice I’d done in August. I never had to slow to less than a jog; got most of the water in my mouth, not too much on myself, and none that I know of on anyone else; and only choked once and not too badly. I knew the one gel station wouldn’t be enough for me, so I had two of my own in addition to the chocolate Clif Shot from the aid station (mmmm, frosting). Fueling seemed to be just right – I definitely felt a boost from each gel, but don’t think my stomach could’ve handled any more.

Negative splits all the way. 58:42 at 10K, 1:40:59 where my watch said 11 miles (more like 10.8 on the official course), 2:00:41 to finish (that’s @ 8:33 for the final 2.3 miles ) I’m thrilled that I was able to finish so much faster than I’d expected, I really don’t feel like I left too much out there, but pretty chagrined that I was so close to the sub-2 hour finish I’d hoped for before my training got sidelined by two colds, five of the last nine weekends on the road, and having to ramp up training on the bike. If I’d known, I think I had another 42 seconds in me.

The bands, the crowd, the level of support, it was all just amazing. I was grinning for way more of the race than my body gave me any good reason to. I know one thing for sure, my first full marathon will have to be at least this big. Anything less would be a disappointment. If I don’t try for Disney or Miami in January (which, realistically, is probably too soon), then probably Columbus again, the whole thing next time, next year.

Now, I just have to figure out what I’m going to do with them in my aerobics class tomorrow.

[tjf9]

Nice job, everyone! Susan, I think I saw you at one point, but didn't know you were you - those SkirtSport tops are cute! (I saw a few of them out there).

I spent the first 10 miles pacing my friend - first 10:00s then 10:30s then down to 11:00s. I took off at 5K to go and made up a little time, finishing in 2:13-ish according to the Garmin. Went back and ran my friend in - she did awesome too! It was a fun day!

Then I went and raced CX. Came in DFL in my division with a flat tire and missing the pits for a change. Oh well. Still had a great time!

[Susan Otcenas]

Then I went and raced CX. Came in DFL in my division with a flat tire and missing the pits for a change. Oh well. Still had a great time!

Sherwood?

Seriously, you went & raced cross after that? Wow. I went to lunch. Then, I went home, had a shower, and went for high tea in town with friends. (Did you know we have a fabulous kiwi-owned tea house in pdx?)

On another note...

I hate to admit this (being the apparel person and all), but I got a wicked chafe mark from the bottom band of my sports bra. In all my years of athletics, I've never had this problem before. But for the past month, no matter what bra I wear, I've been getting chafed at the bottom band. I have several parallel lines at different heights now, depending upon the bra. I've never been one to use Bodyglide, but I think I'm going to have to start. Drat. I wish I could figure out what's causing it suddenly. Today's is the worst ever - about 4 inches long. Hurts like a son of a B#$%.

[Susan Otcenas]

Nice job, everyone! Susan, I think I saw you at one point, but didn't know you were you - those SkirtSport tops are cute!

Thanks! I had at least 4 different women ask me where I got it. Ummm, well, as a matter of fact....

[OakLeaf]

Then I went and raced CX.

Holy smokes! So when are you entering that Ironman?

Susan, do you wear a HRM? Mine sometimes chafes a little bit, but not like you're talking about - ouch! You've lost so much weight, when's the last time you dropped a band size?

[indigoiis]

Congratulations, Oak and Susan! I was thinking about y'all as I was running yesterday.

Today I am walking at lunch, tomorrow I will do my half commute.

Plan on running Weds., Thurs. and Friday, 2.5, 4 and 2.5. The weekend I will be taking my daughter to see some schools in Philly, but I may get a run in early Sun. a.m. Anyone know any good 4-5 mile routes in the art museum district?

My next event is a 10 mile trail race November 22nd.

[Susan Otcenas]

Susan, do you wear a HRM? Mine sometimes chafes a little bit, but not like you're talking about - ouch! You've lost so much weight, when's the last time you dropped a band size?

No HRM. I sometimes wear one on the treadmill when I'm doing a speed workout, but that's about it.

Band size - I think the best size for me is a 32C. Very hard to find (in sports bras or regular bras.). Most Cs don't go below 34. Moving Comfort makes some - I have the Fiona in a 32C. Unfortunately, I've not been very good about keeping track of which ones are chafing, but now that it's become such a big problem, I'm going to start keeping track of it. Most of my bras are 34s at this point.

Today I have an angry red/scabbed over slash in front. Last night, when I went to bed, I discovered that I also have 2 one inch long chafe marks on my back, on either size of my spine. Again, from the bottom band. Sheesh.

Susan