Race Training Challenge

So I've got a LITTLE conundrum.  I finally decided on what my new goal is: two races for the summer.  That's it.  CRAZY low number considering I ran 12 last year.  But I picked my favorite race of all time {Go HERE to read about me running it last year}, the Jackson Hole Half.  And I am positively GIDDY about running it again.  And the other is my mecca race {go HERE & HERE ; it was my first race since high school, my first 5K, my first full marathon.  And apparently I've got a lot of family who will be running different races this year!  It's dually sentimental too, this year is the 35th year since the break of the Teton Dam.  

Doesn't sound like much of a conundrum does it?!  Well the challenge comes in this fact.  The elevation of St. Robert Missouri is 831 feet above sea level.  The elevation of Rexburg Idaho is 4865 feet!  And the elevation for Jackson Hole?!  That would be 6237.  The air down here is THICK!  I have a hard time breathing when I run here {strange I know considering the oxygen content is so much higher}, it's hard to explain but it really feels like it's HARDER to take in this thicker air!  Now how will it affect me to transition from running HERE and racing THERE?!  Will I immediately get in to my groove and breathe easily or will I be acclimated to this air and struggle to get enough oxygen up there?

I've tried reading up on the subject and I've gotten conflicting messages.  Some say that after a couple days at the higher elevation it should be fine {I will be home for about a week before race #1}.  Some say it takes a month.  Some say it doesn't make a difference unless your running over 8000 feet.  There are the die hards that sleep in altitude tents for 6 weeks at home before traveling to the race.  Ginkgo Biloba regiments.  Breathing hypoxic gas mixtures while training at home.  The list is pretty endless and obviously I'm not at THAT level of competition.

My game plan?  Well.  Nothing really.  I'm going to train here.  When I get home I have some runs planned, one is a long one {11 miles on my 11 year anniversary... Remember LAST year?}.  But this year isn't about breaking any PRs.  I am ONLY running to ENJOY the run.  So if it's harder to breathe, I'll back off so that I can still ENJOY the run!  On the same note... if it's EASIER... well, maybe I'll blow the doors off!

Running in the RAIN!

 Today was a big day!  Two of my kids ran a race with me.  Not so new; they've ran a few races now.  But this was the farthest we've let them run.  Prior to this we've only let them run up to 1 mile.  This was a 4 miler.  They were so stinking excited!  For WEEKS!!

And would you know it?  They did AWESOME!  We crossed the finish line in just over 46 minutes.  They learned so much about racing and running.  They have good technique for an 800m or 1600m but this was their first real distance run.  We talked about breathing.  Pacing yourself.  About keeping your upper body relaxed.  How to run hills {because I am YET to see a stretch of road here that is flat}.  Hydration.  Encouraging other racers.  It was so fun to run with them and see them do so well!  I am so proud of them.  They did better than I imagined and I am thrilled for them to experience running and racing for the rest of their lives... I hope! 

1/2

I ran my first half marathon this weekend and I am SOLD! I picked this half specifically for the view. It's right up against the mountains, running from one ski resort to another. The bus ride out was a little nerve wracking due to the RAIN! But the minute the bus stopped, the rain stopped!

There were A LOT of REAL runners out there that morning! EVERYONE I talked to has ran a BIG marathon {New York, Denver, Boston, Houston...} or qualified for one already this year. I was a little intimidated but luckily I had predetermined that I was NOT going to push myself super hard, I was going to ENJOY this run! And enjoy it, I DID! The rain made everything smell SO good! The lilacs were in full bloom along with wild flowers all along the course. We crossed the river at least 10 times. It was absolutely stunning.

To finish it off they had the best after race everything I've experienced so far! Finisher's medals were cool {they matched the sweet shirt}. The printed off a paper at the finish that had your official time and standing; I came in at 2:00:48, 29th in my age division. The food was stellar: bagels, fruit, protein drinks, water, granola, granola bars and PIZZA! Raffle prizes were AWESOME {wish I had won one}.

Definitely a race I will be doing again.

I'm half way done with all the races I want to do this year! The hardest half lies ahead though! I've finished 3 5K's, 1 10K, 1 Half and 1 Full. That leaves 2 10K's, 2 Halves and 2 Fulls!! This Saturday I have a 10K {a Freedom Run} and two weeks later will be my second full marathon. I'm kinda nervous about that one; lots of hills, on gravel roads. But it's sentimental and I am way stoked for it!

I think it's safe to say that RACES keep me running; what keeps you motivated?

Biggest Race Day of the Year

The 4th of July! There are Freedom Runs, Firecracker Races... in nearly every community you will find one! They seem to be mostly family friendly races. I will be running a 10K Freedom Run. What are you going to run?

Family Affair

This past weekend was yet another race. This time, a 5K. My Mother-in-Law got in on the fun too! AND she even signed my oldest 2 up for the 1 mile fun run! It's pretty awesome to have this kind of thing be a family event! I LOVE sharing these experiences with loved ones!
I didn't blow any doors off but I did manage to get 2nd in my age division. I came in with a time of 23:54. I'm cool with that!After I finished we went and found Gramma and walked with her until just before the end. She did great!The two rug rats did a great job in their little race! They loved it, which is what matters most, right?! The pushed themselves and did their best! I am super proud of them!Showing off our medals!I haven't had much luck finding another fun run for these two but I hope to find them one more, maybe two!

**I am going to be hit and miss on the blog for the next few weeks. Lots of fun stuff planned, stay tuned for all the details!!

My First Marathon!

One year ago I ran my first race in my adult life. Last September/October I started mapping out all the races I wanted to do in 2010. It wasn't long before I decided to run the a full marathon! I started training for it just after Thanksgiving.

Initially I was going to run this race with my man. It was going to be a very sentimental thing for us. Unfortunately in February he was set back by an ankle injury. He opted out of the race entirely and gave his spot to his brother. And luckily I found myself with a group of friends who all decided to run it as well! We started training together and soon dubbed ourselves the "Marathon Mamas"! What an awesome experience it has been to train with these women!

Last night we all got together for dinner! Here we all are! We had a blast!Last night I slept better than I usually do before a race! For that I was very grateful!! I woke up at 4:10, just before my alarm went off! I could not have done all this training without the support and help of my little family!! Travis gets up early for those long runs and makes me oatmeal, drives me to starting points, helps me get all my gear together... he's there 100%. He's my biggest fan! We met at the bus pick-up at 5:00! Nicole wasn't there quite yet but I had Travis get a picture before he hurried back home. Don't you love our matching shirts? We decided that we look like a pack of Skittles!I felt GREAT for the first 15 miles. My knees were sore {from the get go} but not unbearable. The weather was good for running and I was sure to stay hydrated and fuel with GU. When we came in to Sugar City Annie and I stopped at an Aid Station to see where the rest of our girls were. Stopping was the worst thing I could have done, my knees were incredibly sore after that and even slowing down made running very painful.

At mile 17 or so Annie and I made friends with a fellow runner, Jentry. We ran the next couple miles together. From 17.5-21.5 is a very difficult stretch of hills; one after the other with little to no relief! We had ran that stretch 3 times in our training though and I know that it helped us physically and mentally. The last 4 miles were slow going but I felt strong, as long as I didn't slow down or stop!

Travis met Annie and I with just about a mile to go. He was encouraging and took a few photos.
And then he ran back to wait...
Annie's husband met up with us with about a half a mile left so I let them run together and headed for the finish line! Rounding that corner and seeing my cheer section was so great! I was torn between finishing the race and just running over to them and giving them all big sweaty hugs!! It's hard to run and fight tears by the way!My little girl grabbed my hand and we finished it together! What a way to finish!!
There were some issued with my time but I'm pretty sure we worked out the kinks. I came in 5th in my age division with a time of 4:48:33.3!

We all made it! Nicole placed in her age division! Tiffany surprised us with a poster that said "Running for TWO Future Marathoner INSIDE"!!! She is 10 weeks pregnant!!! YAY!!! Love you girls!!!Overall this race was pretty emotional, sentimental and fabulous! I have a bone to pick with the lack of promised HammerGel {good thing I brought my own GU}, piddly awards & raffle afterward {last year ROCKED}, a lot of timing issues... but those things aside, I had an amazing time. It was all I hoped it would be. I'm already super stoked for my next marathon in July!

Bring it ON!

The BUSY race season has begun!! I am oh so excited for this sumer! This is what my SATURDAYS are going to look like for the next little while:

June
12-Marathon
19-5K
26-Half

July
3 -10K
10-Family Reunion
17-Marathon
24-Family Reunion
31-Vacation

August
7-Half
14-Distance Training Run
21-Distance Training Run
28-Marathon

I am really REALLY looking forward to these races, for very different reasons. For example:

My first ever marathon is next Saturday with my girls. We have been doing all our long distance runs together and we're sticking together for this race! It is going to be an amazing feeling to cross that finish line together.

The following week is a 5K. I am running this one with a very dear friend of mine. She and I are kindred spirits and we're going to have such a good time running together! I love your guts Medusa!!

After that is my first half marathon. It is ALL about the scenery!! This race has been calling my name for such a long time and I seriously can not wait to run it. I am hoping to feel very much at peace during this run; I'm not going to push it. I'm JUST going to ENJOY the run!

Then the following Saturday {I've never ran more than two races in a row, four is definitely pushing it} is a 10K. I have high hopes for this race. I want to push myself hard and see what I'm capable of. The 10K is probably my favorite race. And I'm very much excited for this one!

I'll keep you posted; wish me luck!

First is the Worst of all the Game

This morning was race #2 of the year. My second 5K. I was super excited for this one though! I had a bunch of friends there running too AND it was a FREE race!! That's right, FREE! Because running was meant to be FREE!!

Here I am with a few of the Marathon Mamas!! Without these girls I really don't think I would be ready for our Marathon in 4 weeks! They have made those long runs not only do-able but ENJOYABLE!! Thanks girls! I love ya!My neighborhood girls!! A few of us have moved away from that neighborhood but I will forever be grateful that we moved there and I had the chance to meet these women. Great friends. Period.An old valley friend was there too!! Isn't this chick just GORGEOUS?!! When I run, I look like crap! She makes running look GOOD!!!I am still floored by my race this morning! I was planning on running it with a friend; it would have been her first race and she was nervous. But she hurt her knee and couldn't make it. So I really had to get my head in the game and decide what my game plan was. I don't think I had it figured out until after it started!! Annie caught up with me and basically said, LET'S DO THIS THING!! Okay. Let's do!!
Here is my little fan club! My kids made "Go Mom" signs and I literally almost cried when I ran past them!! It was an amazing feeling to have them cheering me on!!And I REALLY can't believe the results! FIRST in the woman's division! Holy Smokes!! I didn't quite beat my PR. I should have looked down at my watch!! I KNOW I could have beat it!! There was a guy who was trying to sneak up and pass me at the end but there was no way I was going to let that happen!! So I blew him out of the water!! {Oh, sorry... that's my competitive side talking. I try not to let her out very often}

I got a certificate and a loaf of super super yummy bread!! Wow. I am blown away!! Next Saturday I have my first 10K of the year. I REALLY want to beat my PR and I really think I can! Is there a stronger word for addicted?

Feelin' Fine!

Today I had my first race of the year!! I have been anxious all week with my knee being tweaked and all. But I iced it and tried to stay off it so I was hoping that by the time this race came around that I'd be able to at least run it. My friend, Annie, let me borrow her knee strap and I am ever so grateful that she did!! I think it made a world of difference!

I went into this race without a time in my head {a first for me}. I just wanted to finish and I kept telling myself, "Run SMART". I seriously did NOT want to make this knee injury worse! I BLEW THE DOORS OFF!!! My first mile I ran in just under 7:00!! But my knee felt great! So I just ran! I think I was NEEDING a good run SO BAD! I shaved off an awesome 3:04 off my previous PR from September of last year! Final Time ~ 23:28!! Official places haven't been posted yet but we are pretty sure that I came in 9-10 overall and as the 3rd overall woman! I am THRILLED!!

Plus I won a pair of sweet new socks! I am far from 100%; but I am pretty psyched!! BOO YEAH!!

It's Official!

I finally paid our dues for our big marathon this spring. I hate that they cost so dang much; especially when we've got to register two of us!! I am so excited though. It's a tough course; all the hills are at the end! But it's going to be an amazing experience that I am going to relish every second of.

I haven't been able to run as much the past few weeks due to moving and being sick. Well, I guess I've only missed one run a week {and it's never been the long run} but I haven't been doing very well on cross training the other days. Now that we're more settled in I am sure that things will get into a rhythm now. I am not quite finished unpacking, down to 1-2 boxes... tedious office/scrapbook/computer stuff that I am having a hard time finding places for. I'm just glad to finally have an inkling of normalcy!!

The Countdown Begins

So my Sister-In-Law did it. She convinced me to run a marathon. GASP! I've had my reasons for putting it off. And despite the fact that the requirements I've given myself haven't all been met, I'm going to go for it anyway. This is going to be my "MARATHON Year!" Stonewall and I are going to run one together before he leaves too. It will help him be tip top shape before heading in to Basic.

SO... I am starting Jeff Galloway's Marathon Training Schedule TODAY!! On the rest days I will be doing a variety of strength training workouts... pulling from P90X, Wii Fit, Jillian Michaels workout DVD's and the like. I like to mix things up, keep my body {and mind} guessing!

I have already identified my BIGGEST HURDLE: the darn treadmill! I hate the thing. I hate that I'm not outside. I hate that the speed isn't the same as running outside. I hate that time & distance seem to EEK by. I hate how it's so noisy {I don't like to listen to ANYTHING while I run, well except for my feet hitting the street & other outdoor noises!}. UGH! There is more BUT I have GOT to change my attitude.

I picked myself up a couple books on tape: Hitler Youth {I am a WWII geek} and my M-I-L brought over The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze and Lisa Nieme. I am REALLY hoping that they keep me occupied enough that I forget I'm on the treadmill or at least make it bearable.

Got any pointers for my first marathon?

World Run Day

I love this!! Go HERE and sign up NOW for World Run Day! You download your bib. You pick how far you run. You pick where you run. You can run for charity. You get a t-shirt. It's AWESOME!! You better hurry though; it's THIS SUNDAY!!

Run For The Cure

Today I ran in a really fun race: Run for the Cure! I am happy with my performance though I know I could have done better, so that's a little frustrating. My legs were spaghetti from all the clogging and my light run on Thursday ended up being more than I should have done. Then to top it all off I slept like crud last night; I was up all night sick, lovely. So I'm a little ticked that I wasn't 100% but at the same time, I'm thrilled that I was able to get another PR despite those things!!

I hate pictures of me "in action", I don't like to leave ANYTHING on the trail so I always look completely spent... which is good but it's just not all the glamorous or photogenic! Yet here I am in all my tired glory! It was a really pretty run, following the river down half way, crossing a bridge and running upstream on the other side. I managed to come in 9th overall and 4th woman!! Pretty good way to end the year!! I may try to squeeze in one more race but winter will be coming soon here and it likes to stay for awhile!

10K

Saturday morning I ran my first 10K! I sent my 3 oldest kids with my parents to go camping and I had my friend watch the baby. It was FABULOUS to do this all on my own, just for myself. It was a good little run and I'm feeling great! I remembered to REFUEL and STRETCH and it made all the difference!

Feet... Meet Street... It's hard to tell but 4 of my toes have to be wrapped in SOMETHING before every run. I have resorted to using duct tape; it's a lot cheaper!!! If I don't tape them, my toes are covered in blood; not so fun. You've got to take care of your feet!!!
Here's my little self portrait before the run! It was a little harder for me to find my rhythm; I didn't get into it until nearly 2 miles in. The race started at 9:00; too late in the day if you ask me!! It got too hot! But despite those minor annoyances, I was able to run it in 60:47!! My goal was to keep my pace at about 10 minute miles; I averaged 9:43 minutes per mile!!! It was GREAT!!!

I need to remember for next time:
* REFUEL & HYDRATE WHILE RUNNING {I drank water &/or Gatorade at each station but it wasn't enough to keep me fueled. The last 1.5 miles I could feel the lack of circulation in my arms and head. I think I'll try a trick one of my friends uses; HONEY STICKS! I think I also will try taking my water bottle along with me.
* KEEP CONSISTENT PACE! I need to forget the other runners and not push myself too hard at the beginning.

All in all it was a great race and I'm proud of myself for doing it. I've been invited to run with my neighbor {she's training for a half marathon} this week. Wednesday is a 5 miler and Saturday will be a 10! BRING IT!!!

Dam 5K

Yesterday was the big race! Our first competitive 5K; part of the Dam Marathon!!

"On June 5, 1976, the collapse of the Teton River Dam unleashed a savage flood which caused $500 million in damage, took eleven lives, and made thousands homeless in Wilford, Sugar City, Rexburg, Salem, Hibbard, Firth, Blackfoot, and Roberts. This tragedy was turned into triumph by the victims own faith and courage and by an outpouring of aid by many volunteers from Idaho and nearby states. For this reason over a thousand runners flood the streets to take on their own personal challenge of running a race."

It was AWESOME!!!! It was amazing to run with my family. At the very finish my dad came and we pushed through to the finish line. I knocked over 8 minutes off my previous PR!!! I was totally blown away!

It's a tough little 5 K. It start on an uphill and stays that way for a little over a mile where it dips down and around before it hits another uphill. After that it's all strait downhill!! It's a fun run! Travis' course starts out with about 1.5 miles of flats before it meets up with the 5K course. It follows it on the first uphill part but continues strait ahead for another 1.5 or so before coming back and finishing on the 5K course.

I started out with Dad & my sister. She dropped back with Dad after 1/2 mile or so. I thought I was on my own. Not long after my brother came running up and told me that he had WALKED with his wife already!!! I told him not to wait for me, so off he went. Right at the last turn my Dad came up and we pushed it to the end together {he was RIGHT behind me the entire time}! I think he let me beat him by 2 steps!!! It was really cool for me to finish with my Dad!

Here we all are before the race.
And AFTER!!My BEAUTIFUL familyMy Mom & Dad each got 1st in their age divisions. My husband and I took 2nd in ours. And my little brother took 3rd in his; though he came in before the rest of us! I came in with a time 28:38.8; only 24 seconds behind the girl who got 1st in our age division!!! My goal was 35 minutes!!! I am so PROUD of myself; I've been working hard and it's paying off! I am AMAZED at what our bodies are capable of. It's AWESOME!!! With my Dad and my sisterSilver MedalistsIt was a GREAT day! I learned a lot about racing and will be better prepared for next time! two major things I have to remember is #1. REFUEL and #2. STRETCH! I am HOOKED; I am hoping to get signed up for some more races this summer!

5K

I am running my first 5K of the summer in about 6 weeks. LUCKY ME I got to go with my neighbor again to the gym and try out that nifty 5K setting on the treadmill. I haven't pushed myself that hard for a long time; possibly since I ran track in high school! It felt GREAT!!

I ran it in 32:15 or something. I didn't look at the final time, SHEESH! That was DUMB! But it's good to have a number in my head. Something to shoot for. I'm curious to see the difference between running on a treadmill and road running. Oh MAN that felt good!

I am really excited to be able to go again!! I don't want to wear out my welcome but I will DEFINITELY go every chance I can!! It's FANTASTIC to have someone to workout with; she pushes me and she says that I push her too so it's a WIN WIN situation!!!

What to Eat While Training

I had a request. Yea, my first request!! My friend Nellie asks, "Do you have any tips on what to eat while training?"

Earlier I posted some AWESOME eating habits and tips so check those out HERE. I also went on a search and this is what I found. Go HERE & HERE for the full monty:

*TRAINING. It's SUPER IMPORTANT to give your body the fuel it needs. {Not doing so can slow your metabolism} so be sure to eat lots of fruit & nuts {great snacks} and also lean meats, granola, and veggies.

*PRE-RACE. The night before make sure to have a CARB LOADED dinner! I loved the idea of a PASTA PARTY. Drink LOTS of water {can that be stressed enough?} Have something light the morning of your race, something with peanut butter maybe. Second site suggests 200-400 calories 2-3 hours before the race. NEVER experiment with a food or drink on race day!

*DURING RACE. Stay HYDRATED!! For those longer runs you may need to experiment beforehand with some power bars or gels. They even suggest practicing drinking & eating during weekly runs.

*POST-RACE. Sometimes bananas or pretzels are offered {apparently}, GOOD IDEA! Make sure to have a carb & protein rich meal after you've cooled down. It's CRITICAL for recovery!

HYDRATION is SO IMPORTANT!!! Probably deserves a post in of itself!!

Hope this helps Nellie & thanks for the request!

5K

Did I mention that I'm running a 5K this summer? Not a HUGE feat by some people's standards but it's my first so I'm pretty excited {and nervous}. 3.11 miles right? It's not THAT far! I ran track in high school; the 800! Oh I LOVED that race!!!

What I'm most excited about this 5K though is the fact that I'm running it with so many of my family members!!! My husband is running the 10K; which starts 30minutes before the 5K. But there are 8-9 of us running together! My Mom & Dad, 2 sisters, sister-in-law, brother {and hopefully the other brother} and his girlfriend! WOAH! How cool is that?! There is just one of us who won't be there {my x-country running brother who is over seas serving a mission for the LDS church}. I am SO EXCITED!!!

The race is in June! WAHOO!!!