race report: august

haulin' aspen was AMAZING! justin ran it with me, and i am happy to report that i did not trip him or sabotage his race in any way! he stuck by my side the entire race, even when that meant going waaaay slower than he would have normally ran. he encouraged me the whole way, at one point even complementing my race day attire...seriously! what a guy!

the course:

we started at miller elementary school on skyliners road. it was a cool, cloudless morning and even though the event was sold out, it still felt like a small intimate group. there was no one there to check us in and get our bib numbers, so we helped ourselves.

haulin aspen included a marathon, half marathon, and 7-miler, we had staggered waves at the start. even with the small group of 7 milers left, there still was a bottleneck as we all tried to funnel onto the narrow dirt path at the beginning of the race. we ran in single file for the first half mile or so, which made it a little slow as justin and i had started in the back of the pack. the path was lined with tall pines and was a combination of dirt trails, mountain bike trails, and forest service roads.

the first three miles were pretty flat (minus the mountain bike moguls), with only three monster hills to climb. i only tripped once (i saved myself before i ate it). there was lots of roots, rocks, and uneven ground to navigate around. however, i kinda liked that part. i had to concentrate on what my feet were doing, and that was a nice distraction.

the last four miles were flat or a steady decline which was lovely, and much needed to keep me going. the sun came out and i was HOT! because most of the run was through the forest they only had one water station to cut down on trash on the course. i was thirsty and knew i needed water badly. at mile six justin and i failed to notice the turn (the flags had been trampled down) and added on an additional .2 miles. after realizing our mistake and giving several other runners the heads up as they started to take the same course we had, we were back on track. we skirted a hill above shevlin park, the sun was beating down hard, i was thirsty, and ready to be done! i sped up and heard justin's voice, "nice job, love" making me instantly teary eyed. we trampled across the bridge, justin right on my heels, and loped across the finish line with big smiles!

loved this race! it was a beautiful course, challenging and fun! if i wanted to work on my time for this race i could have raced a little smarter (brought a water belt, started more towards the middle rather than the back, and been more aggressive in passing when in single file)...but overall i felt strong!

the race however, was only a small part of this weekend! i seriously have enough updates to fill this entire week! stay tuned!

inspiration

my august race is this sunday.

and i'm nervous. justin is running this 7 miler with me, which could be good or bad. justin is much faster than me...which might encourage me to pick up the pace....or, in a weak moment, cause me to curse his name and try and trip him... i'll let you know how it goes.

i've been working on my "mental toughness" with running. some running blogs i've read have these mottos or mantras that the runner tells herself... you know like, "you got this" or "you trained for this". i tried it...it didn't work. instead, i kept hearing my high school softball coach yelling, "get the lead out rasmussen!" which is what he would always shout as i was running the bases. and in the end i always think, "i can't fight it, i am a slow poke".

but then, while perusing pintrest (so addicting), i found myself "pinning" all these prints that were about running. and guess what folks...these little sayings were playing a track through my head in this morning's run...

Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells 'CAN'T", but you don't listen. You just push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper 'can'. And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are.

  (someone else wrote this part, and i loved it!)

 

 

 

 

(via)

 (via)

(via)

decision made...

October's race.....

Girlfriend's half marathon, Vancouver WA

YEAH, BABY!

Check it out:http://www.nwpersonaltraining.com/subs/events/event_details.php?event_id=142

let's vote on it!

dear friends,

    i have been searching and searching for a perfect half marathon to run this october. i cannot decide. i would very much love for you to weigh in on the subject. or perhaps you would like to run it with me? please give me your honest vote for which race i should commit to.

sincerely,

indecisive

1. columbia gorge marathon/half marathon (hood river)

pros: beautiful location, we could make a fun weekend of it (picking an apples and pumpkins)

cons: windy/hilly course, we could go there to pick apples and pumpkins with or without a race

2. girlfriend's half marathon (vancouver, wa)

pros: it would be cool to participate in an all women's race (especially one that supports breast cancer research), close by, sounds like a nice course

cons:?

3. run like hell half marathon (portland, or)

pros: no traveling involved, sounds fun,

cons: nighttime race???, i've run this course/similar course before

race report: july

daschutes dash...

so, you may remember i was signed up for the duathlon? i changed it to a 10k. much more doable considering i haven't ridden a bicycle in well over a year. 

here's the race day skinny...

prep: 

most training programs i have looked at have you run every other day. for me that isn't enough to build endurance. what has worked well for me is to do two days together, take a day off, then three days together, take a day off. i am not sure what you experienced runners might say to that, but for this race i really noticed a difference and felt stronger than my last 10k (read about it here).

also, i have been trying different breakfast foods before my long runs trying to nail down what works best for me. in may i ran an awful 5k after eating a HUGE breakfast of french toast. i had this silly idea that it was only 3 miles so no biggy....wrong!!!! so far what i like best is toast with peanut butter and some sliced banana on top. i also eat it about an hour and a half before my run. runner friends, what breakfast works for you?

i decided to run sans music and liked it. it made me aware i need a little work on my breathing, i sound like i am dying! 

(before the race)

race:

something is seriously wrong with me. i get really warm when i run. like hot, over-heated, red faced, sticky. it's not normal. so i was a super happy girl when race day brought overcast skies and cool temperatures. 

i also got to run this race with my best friend katie. she is someone i feel so comfortable with, and it turns out we are great running buddies. she is much more of a natural runner than i, and her pace is faster, but the conversation is easy and she knows how to make fun of my heavy panting without hurting my feelings.

the 10k portion of this race was a small group compared to the triathalons that most deschutes dash participants were racing in. it is a flat course along the deschutes river in the old mill. 

miles 1 and 2 were uneventful, kate and i found our stride. i told her i wanted to start slow and speed up as we went, and we did just that. 

and then i had to pee. i don't trust this mommy bladder of mine, and i became nervous when i started to scout out port-a-potties and noticed there were none to be found. kate distracted me and we carried on. by the time i did spot one, i decided to hold it and run faster...it worked this time, but maybe not the best racing strategy?

mile 4 was hard. mentally. i was tired and felt like i would like to stop. but i kept going, dedicating my run to addison in my heart, dug deep and kept trucking. katie kicked it up a notch and headed out. i hung back trying not to think of waterfalls, rushing water (hard to do with the river beside you), or toilets.

mile 5, i was almost there. i spotted mackenzie, justin, and addie cheering me on. mackenzie jumped into the race and grabbed my hand, running alongside me for a few strides. it was just the boost i needed to finish 'er up.

mile 6 i knew i was close, i lengthened my stride and started smiling. i was almost there. i felt good and proud and knew my family would be on the other side of the finish line. 

 (yay! we did it)

things to work on: 

• my breathing. keeping it even, not wearing myself out hyperventilating. 
• also, my mental toughness, how to stay strong especially around mile 4/5. 
• and of course, my pace...always wanting to speed it up. i don't have the official report but i believe it was right around 10:40 miles. my last 10k was 11:43 miles and i was hurting SO bad! improvement!

next month: hauling aspen 7 miler...

the year of races...

lately (finally!!!) i have some time on my hands. can you tell? i have been blogging more. 

anyways. while my girls sleep and i am here on assignment (more on that later) i have gotten way too into a few blogs (checkout runninghood & tall mom on the run). both are running blogs. and i am inspired. and i want to challenge myself. and it has to do with running. and i have a great idea... well i hope it's a great idea.

but first, a few truths about me and running. i have a love/hate relationship with running. i love the way i feel when i have found my stride, when i am lovin' my playlist, when my mind is focused, and the way i breathe when i am all done running. i hate the first three minutes, how fast i lose my endurance, and how hard i have to work to get it back. i am a slow runner. if i am going to do my below challenge...i need to do some extra work (more on that later) to make sure i don't kill myself or my back. my longest  race was a half-marathon, and for now that is as long as i want to train for. i love driving to a new spot to run, checking out different parts of the city, running in an unfamiliar location makes it feel exciting and new.

so this is the challenge: starting this month i will participate in one race (of varying lengths and locations) for 12 months. whataya think? i listed ones that i am thinking about doing...and have already registered for july and august's races. if you have any input please share! (and yes, i know this can get a little spendy, but my gym membership is currently on hold so i think it is a win/win)

why?-- i'm not sure if it is just one reason. i think the biggest reason is that for the past three years my body has either housed, or fed another being...and i would like to reclaim it. i also don't/won't workout just for the heck of it, i need a goal-something to work towards.

July: deschutes dash 10k (i changed my duathlon. i just couldnt' get the time to train on the bike)

August: haulin aspen 7 miler

September:

October: half marathon?? (i was going to try  a half in august but that wasn't realistic)

November: maybe a turkey day race

December: maybe a jingle bell run

January:

February:

March: shamrock

April:

May: thinking either the rock n roll half or the avenue of the giants half

June:

July: I think I would like to redo the Deschutes Dash 10k and see the difference a year would make  :)

so......here we go!

playlist

here are a few music confessions:

when i was little i would pretend my life was a movie and i would pick songs to go with different scenes, you know like a soundtrack...oh don't tell me you didn't do it too

i still have all my fresh prince and jazzy jeff cds and have been known to break out "parents just don't understand" on a whim.

when i was in the third grade, at least twice a week i would wear overalls with only one side buckled...inspired of course by my fav boy band, new kids on the block



which brings me to what's really on my mind...

what's on your playlist? do you have "go-to" workout songs that find their way onto every new playlist you create? me too. there are a few standbys that i simply depend on to get me through a hard workout. and it's funny, because as soon as the song comes on my whole stride changes...

for example:

when this song is playing i literally have to clench my fist to keep from doing my own drum solo mid run. my running starts to resemble dancing and i am 5 years old again dancing in the living room with my mom.

or this one. straight faced, running hard, feeling tough and hardcore.

and of course this one makes me smile...and cop a little attitude

recently i have fallin' in love with this song and have been skipping ahead to it just to get me going. love love love it.

i'm curious. what are your go-to songs that get you through?

challenge

"are you crazy????"

that is a direct quote from my dear ol' mum when i explained to her what justin and i had just signed up for. and for the record, she did call back and promise to support all my efforts even if they are a bit loony. 

the decision in question is the deschutes dash. all my bend friends have probably heard about it. justin and i both have competed in it in the past, but this time i decided to take on a little more.i signed up for the duathlon...olympic distance. 

that means that i am going to be getting this postpartum booty movin'! a duathlon for this race entails a 3.1 mile run, followed by a 25 mile bike, finished with a 6.2 mile run. no sweat! errrr...

but this is one of my core truths, one of the things that defines my very being, i like me a challenge. seriously, i live for pushing myself, not just physically. i like to push the limits to see how much i can handle, which is funny because then there are other areas of my life that i refuse to take one step out of my comfort zone.

in truth, the reason why this is so rewarding and such a challenge is because this june marks the 7th anniversary of my L4, L5 bilateral fusion. at 20 i got four screws in my back. not only was that real painful, and a sluggish recovery, but i also had to face that there were just some things my body simply could no longer physically do. that's a hard pill to swallow at 20 when you have your whole life ahead of you. but this is a happy ending, because each time i cross a finish line, or meet a goal i've set, it is the sweetest gift. so stay tuned as i whine and complain and celebrate my way through this training time. (which i can't even start for another few weeks but still half of the battle is gettin' my mind ready, right?)

eugene half marathon

so brit, mackenzie and i had a little road trip down to eugene saturday afternoon. the boys came later. we checked in to the hampton. i put it in italics cause we pretended it was fancy. after, we went downtown (caught the tail end of awesome eugene-hippy-saturday-market) for dinner at ambrosia. yum! the food was awesome. my mom and mike stopped by to wish us luck and partake in a little food as well. mackenzie got a hit out of the oil to dip the bread. she was dipping everything in it, including her binky. we ate until we were stuffed. and even though we were a little uncomfortable with our engorged bellies and all, we still hit up the drive-thru tcby. brit and i both love tcby and it isn't everyday there's one with a drive-thru!

(my mom and mike at ambrosia, she is always talking when her picture gets taken)

we went for a little dip in the hampton's pool. kenze loved it, after she got over being a afraid. back at the room brit and i carefully laid out our clothes and race day things. then we tried for about 2 hours to put mackenzie to bed, but i think she was having too much fun. she kept popping up her head and peeking at us over the top of her porta-crib. she thought it was funny. so did we. so we got her up and she ran around like a banshee until justin and tom arrived. then we turned out the lights. then kenze started screaming. justin, lovely man that he is, took her downstairs and out to the car. he drove her around (tom went too) until she fell asleep. but when he brought her back in, she woke up. she was all hyped up from her midnight nap. we brought her to bed with us thinking maybe she would cuddle up and sack out. instead she crawled all over us, kicking and sucking loudly on her binky. she took another nap. at 3 or so justin took her to the lobby where she entertained the late night receptionist. 

(still half asleep, boarding the shuttle)

we got up at 5. after a minor detour (justin thought he knew where he was going, luckily i had memorized the route from our hotel to the expo) we caught the shuttle to hayward field, drinking our red bulls along the way. brit and i hit up the honey bucket and found our place at the start.

(ready....set....go!)

brit had told me that the first five miles would be a blur and she was right. i was caught up in the excitement. for the first ten minutes, when we were still packed tight, i just listened to the sound of breathing and pounding feet. oddly, everyone was silent that first mile. when i looked ahead there were bobbing heads for as far as i could see, when i looked behind it was a mirror image. we passed by houses playing music for us, people in lawn chairs yelling. we ran next to a 74 year old woman for about a half a mile, before she passed us. at about 3 miles we caught up and ran with a blind runner. my eyes filled as we trudged behind him. he was attached with a rope to a running partner, it was such an act of faith and i will never forget it. i was impressed with all the different walks of life that were there. 8,000 people from all over, varying in every way possible, sweat it out on the streets of eugene.  i was cracking up at the variety of outfits of the participants. my favorite was a man, maybe 65 or so, wearing a red sweatshirt with the sleeves cut off and red shiny spandex pants.

(mackenzie cheering on the runners)

(mile 8. still smiling!)

this was by far the biggest, longest, most exciting race i've ran in. i trained for four months. during that four months i was sicker than i had ever been, i lost my grandfather, i went on a cruise, had crappy runs, lost ten pounds, gained back ten pounds, had amazing runs...it was quite the journey. i had goosebumps as i funneled into the last half mile down agate street into hayward field. i spied my mom and mike cheering (she was easy to spot as she was spastically hopping up and down) right at the entrance into the field. i ran my hardest the last hundred meters, the crowds cheered, my eyes teared, and my name boomed on the loud speaker.

(crossing the finish line)

(future marathoner)

running.

on sunday our pastor talked about how it is silly to say spiritual life. as in there is only one part of your life that is spiritual. we were studying the passage in mark 12 where Jesus explains the most important commandment. loving God. and not just to love Him but to love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. this message changed my thinking. i love it when that happens, i can almost feel the tracks in my brain being moved and a new thought is there. it is lovely and reassuring to know that we can change like that isn't it? we aren't stuck...

anyways, this passage specifically has changed my running. random right? i never thought about running being an act of worship. i thought it was a way to get my buns in shape...literally. but the idea of loving God with all my life, with all my passions, with all my time, and every facet in between is brilliant. it wasn't that i was intentionally not sharing it with God, more like i didn't think he'd be interested. how ridiculous. he created my body, gave me the gift to run. although...let's be honest, he probably does shake his head at some of my running songs. 

so today i am headed out into the rain, a little jaunt to loosen my mind and body. and as i run i will acknowledge that it is a gift, and i will thank Him.