{Rails to Trails Half Marathon}

Posted in Race Reports by sneaksandstilettos

Signing up for this race was a last minute decision. I’d been back and forth about running this race as I have a specific race entry fee budget to stick to, so I carefully choose which races to run. I also have a marathon in Kansas coming up on Saturday. Thursday night in my Twix coma after watching a movie far too scary for me, I signed up for the race. I blame the sugar.

Some of my sweet logic involved the following:
-The race is a low key event that allows you to show up, park, and get to the start line in minimal time.
-Ryan’s grandma lives in Norwalk and it would be a chance to visit her.
-I’ve walked, ran, and biked these trails since I was introduced to them when I met Ryan 11 years ago.
-I had actually ran this course a few years ago when they held it in the spring. This race was less than stellar for me as I learned the important rule of how many adult beverages are safe to enjoy the night before a race. Lesson learned and never forgotten. I wanted to redeem myself.
-I was also curious about how fast I could run if I started out fast rather than easing into the race like I’d been doing for the past six months. I did not train for a half (i.e. no speed work) and have been only running 20ish miles a week so I really wasn’t sure.
-I knew the course would be gentle on the legs with the old railroad beds.
-I anticipated some good fall colors.
-The weather looked to be near perfect running temperatures.

So maybe it wasn’t just the sugar?!

Saturday night we went to a haunted house (something I don’t do) and then we went out for Mexican with some friends. I enjoyed my delicious enchilada verde with a strawberry margarita. Ryan and I were the first to leave as I mentioned I was running the next morning and wanted to get plenty of rest. Someone proceeded to say “ohhhh, Mexican the night before a race. You’re brave.” Way to scare me even more. Let’s just say that is a myth. If you know your body, then you can eat whatever you like. Before your first few races DO NOT eat new foods!

Sunday morning was bright and sunny! Packet pick up was a breeze. I had a mental goal to run a 1:49. I wanted to run my second fastest time. I was going to run 8:30 for four miles, 8:20 for four miles, 8:10 for the last four miles, and the fastest last mile I could.

The horn sounded and we were off. This race is flat, but has some gradual inclines that will make you say to yourself “Why does this feel so hard all the sudden?” I expected this and tried to race through the feeling. It is sort of a confidence buster when you feel it early on though.

mile 1-8:20

mile 2-8:19

mile 3-8:23
It was around this point that I saw a friends mom who was handing out Powerade at an aid station. Funny how just a smiling face can make you smile. Smiling while running does make your perceived effort and pain seem less. Try it! You’ll be smiling a lot more when your running in the future. I also think it makes non-runners think you are even crazier. Definitely smile when running! 🙂

http://www.railstotrails.com (Source)

Mile 4 takes your through the 3/4 mile tunnel for the first time on this out and back course. Of course your Garmin will not be able to track you which is mildly frustrating when you have a time in mind. Personally, the tunnels always slow me down some. They were very well lit for being tunnels, but it is an adjustment to the eyes. I struggle with this anyways so I think it is more me than other people. The surface is also uneven at times and wet. My main focus was slow down a bit and DO NOT RESPRAIN your ankle. So I did just that. Running through the tunnels is a cool experience though.

mile 4-8:00

mile 5-7:24 (GU-Salted Carmel…YUM)

mile 6-7:51

Reaching the half way turnaround always gives me a surge in energy. The second half of the out and back was so beautiful. The trees still had their colorful leaves that looked like an arched canopy at times. The leaves were magically falling. I was starting to worry I was going way too fast, but chose to ignore the signs my body was sending me and push on. I readjusted my race goal to 1:47:something.

mile 7-8:00

mile 8-8:12

Before I knew it we were running back through the tunnel. I slowed my pace again giving my body a break and preserving the ankle. I planned to pick it up a bit when I got out of the tunnel.

mile 9-8:10

mile 10-7:50

I looked at my times and realized I had been running around 8:06 pace for the entire race. WAY faster than I’d expected. For some reason I just didn’t want to slow down. I wanted to run fast. I knew I had a chance to PR, but I had to hold on.

mile 11-7:42

mile 12-7:33

There was a whole lotta mental self talking going on for the last two miles. I so wanted to be done running, but kept telling myself I had a choice. I could cave to the rough feeling after working hard for the past 10-12 miles or I could hold on for one more measly mile. Come on! Don’t slow down. You will not be happy with yourself later on. Hold on!

I saw a familiar face or two the last quarter mile which was just what I needed. 150 meters from the finish was Ryan and his Grandma. I wanted to die, but we all know that is just a feeling. That doesn’t really usually happen. I crossed the finish line with a new PR. Totally unexpected until mile 10, but never the less exciting. PR’s never get old.

mile 13-6:45

I saw so many people I knew running today. I love to see others out there doing what I love, too. Several of them PR’d out there today, too! Enjoy the sweet taste of beating yourself and running faster than you ever have before. And really, congrats to all of you who ran! Each race is something to be proud of. It looks like eating lots of Twix bars and signing up for races is a good thing!

I’ll be rockin’ my Rails to Trails shirt in honor of my PR all day!*

Rails to Trails Half Marathon
Time-1:44:34
Pace-7:59
Overall-32/319
Gender-11/216
Age Group-2/28

*Yes, I am wearing navy capris, a black shirt, and a brown vest. This is a horrendous fashion sin I’ve never committed prior to today. Also, I wore this into Kwik Trip to get coffee after the race and felt no shame. Funny the things an awesome race will cause you to do.

18Oct2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

TGIF!

{#1-The Great Gatsby}

Ryan and I watched this movie a couple of weekends ago. I had never read the book before and LOVED the movie so much I watched it again the next day while grading papers. Just as good as the movie is the soundtrack. I’ve had some of the songs on my running playlist for the past two weeks. Definitely check both out. I just got the book in the mail and am hoping to get some reading in this weekend.

{#2-Autumn Beer}

I’m a big fan of seasonal beer. I love Blue Moon’s Harvest Pumpkin Ale, but had never tried the Caramel Apple Spiced Ale until Monday. The fresh apple juice with cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel malts is fall all the way!

{#3-Honky Tonk Half Marathon}

Sunday I’ll be heading to the Honky Tonk Half Marathon. I know a few of you are racing this weekend. Will anyone else be racing there or elsewhere this weekend?

{#4-Hitting the Trails}

After racing this weekend, I hope to continue my goal of hiking somewhere new each weekend this fall. So far, I’m 4 for 5 of hiking in new places each weekend.

{#5-October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month}

Now that it is getting colder outside in the mid-west, I am back to wearing hats often. All of my favorite hats are from Under Armour. One of them happens to be hot pink and has a breast cancer ribbon on it because part of the purchase price goes to breast cancer research and charity organizations. Under Armour has some very cute ways to support the cause. There are also many local races to support the tas’!

Happy Weekend!

17Sep2013

{Monday Motivation…err, Tuesday Motivation-Go Big!}

Posted in Motivation Monday by sneaksandstilettos

This weekend at the Big Cottonwood Marathon I came face to face with someone who has been an inspiration to me over the past few months-Nadia Ruiz. I love her story and her approach to life. I also love how her running inspired her parents and siblings to become more active and turn their health around. Maybe she can be an inspiration for you to push yourself to reach goals that are challenging-something she is all about.

You can read more about Nadia who is featured in this month’s, well really October’s, Runner’s World because of her accomplishment of running 100 marathons by the age of 28. She was set to be the put in the Guiness Book of World Records for the most marathons by the youngest female…until just before she did it someone beat her to it. She is now known as the youngest Latina to run 100 marathons. Simply put…WOW! Big Cottonwood was her 103rd marathon and its theme-Go Big was perfect for her story. Of course when we passed by each other near the port a potty, I said a meager “hi” and that was the extent of our conversation. Oh, well! It was still cool to see her.

Nadia’s message isn’t just for running. After all it really doesn’t matter if your passion is Cross Fit, yoga, running, or some other great sport. The point is to set high goals and go for them. Let no one tell you that you can’t. I believe more and more that setting these difficult goals make us grow both as people and in our relationships. Setting and reaching difficult goals in life provides a satisfaction incomparable to other achievements and makes us into the people we are supposed to be.

Who are you supposed to be and what are you waiting for? Go Big!

Happy Monday…err, Tuesday!

4Sep2013

{End of Summer Thoughts}

Posted in Travel, Uncategorized by sneaksandstilettos

Back to school. Back to school to prove to dad I’m not a fool. Well, sort of. ~~Today~~ ,~~Yesterday~~ Two days ago was the first day of school and the return of the crazy life. Before things get too busy, as you can see in the prior crossed out words things have already started to get busy, I wanted to take a few moments to savor my many great summer moments and memories while also reflecting on my 2013 goals.

This summer I had the chance to run some great miles in great places before and even after hurting myself. In June I was ramping up my mileage in what I was planning to be a new PR attempt in September. I was putting in some great mileage weeks and even ran a few two a days. I met goal #2 on my 2013 list by running my fifth half marathon this year; this is the most I’ve completed in a year. In October I will look to add on to this goal at the Honky Tonk Half in Wisconsin Dells. June also brought the chance to run in several locations in Houston, TX while visiting my sister.

The month of July began on the road with chances to run in more beautiful places (with more great people) like…
Mustang State Park-Padre Island,

Ocean Drive Corpus Christi,

And…
St. Louis, Missouri!

I got to visit some great places (and people) in Texas such as…

and

I, well really we, but you know whatever Ms. K. wants is what Ms. K gets, so I got to visit New Orleans…

And Memphis.

Then came the injury of the summer during what would have been my sixth half marathon this year, the Dances With Dirt Half Marathon. Little did I know it wouldn’t be a simple two or three weeks off. I’m still dealing with swelling after each longer run and when standing on my feet all day. The injury though was responsible for me doing something I hadn’t done in far too long-biking!

August snuck in faster than I care to admit, but brought more chances to travel and run in fun places such as NYC! My long run walk route is detailed in the photos below.
Midtown Manhattan to…

To Union Square Park,

to Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment, to…

Greenwich Village to…

the Hudson River Trail to …
to
Battery Park to…

the Statue of Liberty to…

Financial District to…

the Brooklyn Bridge to…

Brooklyn to…

the Manhattan Bridge to…

Manhattan to…

Chinatown to…

the Subway to…

eat this yummy cupcake for a famished runner!

Then of course there was the miles of walking to take in the sites like…
Grand Central Station,

Times Square,

Central Park,

FAO Schwartz,

And so much more!

I have a lot to be thankful for. Despite the ankle, this summer was awesome! When life gets stressful this school year I need to come back to this post to remind myself that life won’t always be like that. There will be a chance to catch my breath, run in great locations, and visit amazing cities again.

Until then I’m gearing up as best as I can for my marathon NEXT (insert major freak out sound) weekend. I’m so unprepared all I can do is laugh and hope I don’t fall down the canyon to an untimely death. Or maybe at that point it will be a welcomed break from the pain this race is going to ravage on me.

What summer memories will you cherish in the years to come?

28Jun2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

I’m writing from the road (i.e. from my iphone in the middle of Iowa on Thursday), so this will be short and sweet!

{#1-Road Trip}
Ryan and I hit the road yesterday for a 14 day road trip to see family and have some fun as a duo, too! One of the best parts-new running route and places to share with you! I’ve got two high mileage weeks coming up, so lots of running in this trip!

{#2-Spanish Flatbread Pizza}
I made this on the grill and it was a healthy way to shake up boring old pizza. I never actually get bored by pizza but…Make homemade dough, put on grill until toasted. Toasted side up spread salsa like you would pizza sauce. I used organic black bean and corn salsa. Then add cheese and any veggies. We only had peppers left before our trip, so it was red, orange, and yellow peppers. Grill until cheese is melted. Yum!

{#3-Goals}
I’m nearly 1/3 of the way to my running goal for the year-1500 miles. Too bad I didn’t track my runs February to May hardly ever. I’m back to it now though! What were your goals for the year? Now that we are nearly half way through, what progress have you made?

{#4-Nuun}
I’ve been looking for an easy to travel with electrolyte beverage to take on the road that tastes good and is low calories. I’ve always liked Ultima in the past, but powder seemed too messy. I’ve heard a lot about Nuun and bought the mixed fruit box (grape, tropical, strawberry lemonade, and fruit punch). I’ve only tried grape so far, but awesome. Tablets are great, flavor good!

{#5-Luna Bars}
Another perfect for the road favorite to eat pre or post run with nutrients active women need. Love this summer favorite!

Happy Weekend!

20May2013

{Motivation Monday}

Posted in Motivation Monday by sneaksandstilettos

Source: eckerled.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

As I embark on a new marathon training plan for the Big Cottonwood Marathon in September, I need to embrace the above message. In order to accomplish my goal, I will need to recognize and be prepared for all of the above. Sacrifice, dedication, and willpower will get the goal in the end. Whatever your goals are remember this message. Embrace the sacrifice and hurt. Reaching your goal WILL be worth it.

Happy Monday!

30Jan2013

{2013-Goals}

Posted in Uncategorized by sneaksandstilettos

Perfect day to set some goals!

So, I’m a little behind in setting these. It’s not that I wasn’t thinking about them. In fact, I’ve been thinking about them like crazy. I just haven’t had the chance to put them down until today’s snow day. I don’t believe in resolutions, but I do believe in making goals and working to accomplish them no matter the time of year. Most of these goals involve fitness and running, but not all.

1) Cross train at least one day a week. I finally signed up for that spinning class I’ve wanted to do, but always said I was too busy for. Who’s busy at 5:15 a.m. any way? At least I’ll have somebody to do it with. Nothing motivates like a workout buddy.

2) Beat my yearly half marathon number. Last year I ran 4. This year I’d like to run at least 5.

3) Explore local races I’ve never done before. There are many hidden gems out there. I like using the website Running in the USA to find races from 5k to marathons by state and date.

4) Continue lifting one to two times per week. I don’t like doing it, but I like it after.

5) Do bodyfit five days a week. It is 12 minutes. Everybody has 12 minutes in their day. Stop making excuses!

6) Complete my double weekend (1/2 marathon and full marathon on Sat. and Sun.) in February with minimal setback in training.

7) Start making smoothies with veggies and fruits.

8) Read more.

And the one I’ve been going back and forth about. To be honest, I’m just not sure about #9. Do I have the heart to take on another high milage and intense training cycle? Do I want to put in the time it takes to run fast and long? I guess we will find out.

9) Qualify for Boston.

10) Enjoy the simple things.

What are your goals this year? Do you want to finish your first 5k? Set a personal best in a certain distance? Commit to walking four days a week? Whatever they are write them down and go for it. We can all do more than we think we can if we just begin! Putting your goals on paper and sharing them is the first step in reaching them. So go grab a pencil or sign up for that race!