Belated North Shore Half Marathon Race Recap

1:57:40 (8:59 average pace)

Post race showing off my medal

This race was a course PR since I have never run it before and most importantly, it was the first sub-2 that I've run since the Big Sur Half Marathon back in November 2011.  So, needless to say, I was pleased with my performance and results.

The day, however, did not start out well.  It was cold and it was drizzling.  These are good conditions to run in, but having to wait to run was not fun.  Thankfully the wait was nowhere near as bad as the wait for the Soldier Field 10 Miler.  I only had to wait 9 minutes as opposed to 26 minutes.  My legs were definitely stiff since I wasn't warm.  I really have to do something about this in the future.  Maybe I need to get there earlier so I have time to run around some so I can warm up a bit.  I was also very worried that it'd start to rain harder, but thankfully, the rain held off.

While waiting, I could have sworn that I saw this guy my mom and I chatted with last year after we all ran the 5K.  He was waiting for his "lady friend" to finish the race and he brought his awesome dog with him.  I saw them in my corral for the half.  I wanted to say something since I think he noticed me, but didn't want to be creepy so I left it alone.  I never saw them on the course so I assume that they ran faster than me.

Anyway, I had no expectations going into the race.  The 10 miler went well, but my longest runs haven't gone over that so I didn't know what to expect.  I figured that I'd go for a sub-2 since the weather was good for running.  If all else failed, I really did not want to go over 2:05 and if even worse than that - just sub-10s.

Splits per Garmin:

Miles 1 & 2: 9:28 & 9:02: The first two miles of the course were run through part of downtown Highland Park and by Ravinia.  I recognized some of the paths I ran on when I raced a 10K there in 2011.  This was the same race where an overweight man flew past me on the way to the finish.  My boyfriend was shocked upon finding out that he had finished before me.  Running along that dirt trail brought back memories of him blowing past me, but eh, it happens.  I also ran past Baker Boys and I really wanted to pull off and shove my face with cupcakes.  Alas, a pit stop was not in the cards...

Miles 3, 4 & 5: 9:02, 8:52 & 8:48: Along the way, I saw a woman wearing a shirt that says "Stronger people are harder to kill".  I decided that I didn't want her to finish ahead of me.  (Spoiler alert: she didn't!)  At this point, I also decided that I hate Sheridan Road with a burning passion.  The course had these slight elevation changes that kicked my ass.  The roads were also a little windy so I wasn't sure when we'd get off the elevation and onto some flat roads.  I thought I was going to scream if I saw another incline.  Spoiler alert: there were more of them...

Miles 6 & 7: 8:57 & 9:01: I freaked out when I thought my Garmin wasn't working because evidently I can't read the signs correctly.  I saw the 1 Mile Maker for the 5K and thought it was Mile 6 for me.  My Garmin was way off so I was starting to panic since I've become so dependent on Garmin nowadays.  Thankfully I saw Mile 6 and knew that I was still on pace to go sub-2. 

Also, what genius decided to include a hill on the course after running 7 miles?!?!  That is just wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!!  I knew it was coming since I'm a 5K vet (2010, 2011 and 2012) and have seen this hill before.  But, I like to block it out since it kicks my ass every single time.  I tried with all my might to slow myself down on the downhill leading up to it, but I could only go so much slower.  I rounded the corner to meet my fate with the mother of all hills.  *BIG SIGH*  I knew that I had to trot up it even if it hurt since walking would cost me a lot of time.  I managed to "run" up the hill at a slower pace of 9:30 so I was pleased.

Mile 8: 9:05: Shockingly enough, the hill didn't slow me down that much.  Nevertheless, I was still desperately seeking some flatter roads.  I knew they would come as soon as I got to Fort Sheridan.

Miles 9 & 10: 8:54 & 8:56: The last split time worried me a little so I tried to speed it up some.  Along the way I saw a man running without shoes.  We ran past a group cheering and they cheered loudly for him.  He had his chip tied around his ankle.  First of all, that's got to hurt.  And second, I don't want a guy without shoes to beat me.  I think I was ahead of him, but I'm not sure.  I saw my dad entering the Fort Sheridan area as I was leaving.  We acknowledged each other and he told me to hurry.  It was nice to see him and get some support.

Miles 11 & 12: 9:02 & 8:59:  My inevitable crap out started around Mile 11 and the course just seemed to keep going and going.  However, I knew that I would break 2 hours even if it took me 20 minutes to run 2.1 miles, which I hoped would not be the case.  I bumped into two guys who were trying to keep their pace at sub-9.  We chatted for a little bit and they said I could try to hang on with them.  I tried, but they surged ahead of me.  Part of me thinks they sped up so I wouldn't chick them.

Mile 13: 8:49 & 0.12 sprint to the finish was completed in 48.30 seconds for a crazy fast pace of 6:37: On the way to the finish, I see J from my marathon training group this summer blow by me.  I was pretty much fading.  I wanted to keep up with him, but there was no use.  I finally saw the mile marker for 13 approaching and then I gunned it to the finish picking off a bunch of people with my trademark epic sprint.  Sub-2 accomplished!

After the race, I bumped into J and another runner from my marathon training group (R) as I was trying to get my finisher picture taken.  I was super excited to see them again so we took pictures together and chatted for a while.  They're both training again this summer with CARA in Libertyville.  J's moving up to the 9:30s, but R is still going to run with the 10:00s, I think.  I was excited to see familiar faces.

R and I post-race!

Unfortunately, it was not my dad's day and he took longer than he intended so I had plenty of time to wait for him.  In retrospect, I should have taken the time to stretch and get warm.

Funny/Cool things I saw while spectating:
- I saw two men finishing the race wearing Running Sucks shirts.  My first thought was to wonder why they are running the race, but I found them more hilarious than anything.  I really want to get one and run the Chicago Marathon wearing it.  But, I think it would be bad mojo... and goodness knows I need all the good mojo I can get for that one.

- Runners in matching outfits finishing the race together.  Tutus always make me smile for some reason.

- Little kids helping their parents run to the finish line & a sprint off between a kid and his dad.  I think the kid won too.


Bottom line: great race and I'd consider running it again (especially if the weather is nice and cool like this year).  The course is pretty and challenging, which made finishing it in under 2 hours feel a lot sweeter.

Post Race Week:

My legs hurt really bad post race.  Normally, they aren't sore and I can do something two days later.  However, it took me a long time to recover.  My legs hurt really bad Tuesday and my right hamstring was spasming - probably because I was dehydrated as well.  Stretching pre or post race and hydrating pre, during and post race unfortunately have never been my fortes and I definitely was paying for it.

So, I decided to enjoy the stress-free life of a runner not training for a marathon.  I decided to blow off the last week entirely and will start up again this week.  I'm using this training program.  In addition, I need to sign up for CARA's marathon training and get an injury screening so I can see what's going on with my legs.

Would someone like to lend me theirs for the summer so I can run the marathon??  I promise I'll give them back to you and I'll try to keep the black toes/ ITB issues to a minimum!

Alexian Brothers Fitness for American Sports Festival Half Marathon Recap

First, the past two years have been terrible weather wise.  Thunderstorms hit the area the day before the race so it was very wet and somewhat cold.  This year, the weather was hot.  So the weather can be a bit strange for this race!

This race was my second time running a race with a pace group and I was pleased with the run and my results.  My physical therapist told me to look at the run as a training run instead of a race.  So, I immediately put aside my ideas about a PR.  Plus, I wasn't feeling good about my running this week so I decided to take it easy.

Ideally, I wanted to run 10 minute miles, but the pace group was for 9:55.  5 seconds wasn't a big deal to me so I figured that would be my pace group.

Our pace group leader Kerl was awesome!  He has run 19 marathons and is a coach for Chicago Endurance Sports.  He also has paced the Chicago Marathon and will be the 4:00 hour pace leader.  So, he definitely knows what he's doing and what's he's talking about.

His leadership was a big relief for me.  I knew that all I needed to do was follow him and not worry about anything else.  He gave us tips on how to handle any inclines and declines.  Also, he got us to focus more on our form, breathing and staying relaxed during the run.  It was so nice because normally, I would have my music blaring in my ears and a PR as the only thing on my mind.

I was able to stick with Kerl the whole time.  If I wasn't running side by side with him, I was no more than 2 rows behind him.  Parts of the path were a bit tight, but somehow our little pack managed to stay together for most of the run.

And honestly, the run was more difficult for me mentally than physically.  Physically, my legs were feeling pretty good.  My left ITB was a little sore prior to the run and I was debating on getting it taped since there were people taping people with Rocktape.  I decided not to do it since I've never used that type of tape before and also that I have never taped my left knee.  I didn't think that a long run like that was the time to start trying new things.  In the end, I'm glad I didn't tape it.  My left ITB did not pull during the run.  I taped my right ITB per my physical therapist's instructions.  The tape held up well and the ITB did not hurt during the run.

Mentally, I had a hard time from mile 11 to mile 13.  The heat was starting to get to me, my hydration was running out and I wasn't efficient about getting any/enough during the hydration stations.  And, I wanted to be done.  I didn't have my music on to distract me.  But, I was able to focus and get the run done.  Kerl's positive motivation definitely helped out.

I finished in 2:11:01.6 for an average pace of 10 minutes per mile.  I successfully achieved my goal and hope to duplicate this success during the Chicago Marathon in October.

Website for Race: http://www.allcommunityevents.com/gfasf/gfasf_home.html

You Always Remember Your First...

In Honor of Father's Day!  He is my Dad's half marathon race recap:

Dad proudly wearing his medal!

After my usual light breakfast of a banana, yogurt, orange juice and coffee at around 05:30, my daughter, my wife and I headed to the race. They were running the 5K race and I was doing my first 13.1. We walked the 3 blocks from the parking lot to the staging area to stretch our legs and to sort of warm up as well. I did a few strides and a slow jug in place to get ready; no need to warm up as there would be plenty of time to do that in 13.1 miles. I got a little apprehensive when I realized that I forgot to take the 60 mg Naproxen pill that would have kept my muscles relaxed so my legs would not cramp up. I would just have to gut it out now, and the temperature has already reached 80 degrees by the time I crossed the start line. "Here it goes!"

I took the first mile at about 10:40, according to the Endomondo app on my iPhone, and I thought that was too fast for me, specially in the sweltering heat. I dropped it to an 'airborne shuffle' at 11:01 on the second mile and kept it around that pace until I hit what I call the "cardiac hill"past mile 5 on Waverly Road. Climbing up that hill on tired legs and a body that seemed to be running out of gas already was just impossible if I were to go the distance. So I walked the remaining 25 feet to the peak until I got to the aid station where I ate my first GU, drank some Gatorade and splashed water on my face.  A few feet after that, I drank from my own water jug; the first of many more to come.

I kept on tracking at just past an 11:00- minute mile pace while singing old Army cadence in my head for another mile or so:
 "C-130 rolling down the strip,
 Airborne daddy's  gonna take a little trip;
 Stand up, hook up, shuffle to the door,
 Jump right out and count to four.
 If my main don't open wide,
 I got another one by my side....", and soon, keeping a nice steady jog, one foot after the other.

 "I can run to Saigon just like this..."

When I passed mile 8, my feet seemed to be on auto-pilot that I could not seem to control, and any sudden change of direction to avoid a car or a crack on the pavement threw my gait off. My breathing was good and my rhythm was fine, but I could sense an early onset of cramping on my left calf muscle. I altered my gait by running on my thighs instead of my feet and kept my pace.

By the time I reached Fort Sheridan and the beginning of a 1.5 mile stretch of straight away road without a tree, I could feel the heat draining every ounce of energy I had in reserve, so much so that when I passed mile 10 my calf muscles were on full cramp mode and my thigh muscles were sending signals that they, too were aching. Amazingly, my feet that were on auto-pilot were not about to slow down.

So after I passed mile 11, I slowed down to virtual crawl for about 100 feet before I dropped to a walk. I walked somewhat sideways, favoring my left leg. I kept thinking of the finish line which was barely over two miles away and kept moving forward while trying to ignore the aches and pain on my feet, legs and shoulders. Got to finish this, no matter what.

After a few more feet, I ate my last GU, took more Gatorade and water, and started drenching my head with water from my own jug. Then I started on a brisk walk that turned into a slow strut and then a steady jog again and kept that up until I passed mile 12.

By this time, my shoulder muscles were really screaming of pain, together with my leg and thigh muscles while my feet felt like they were on fire. But there was no stopping now; not with the finish line almost in plain sight already.

That was when I finally realized what a marathon is all about: a true test of physical fitness and mental fortitude.

I made it to mile 13 on pure will power and not much more, and I simply had to drop to walk once again, out of gas and on dead legs.

Then I saw my wife and daughter who have been waiting for me for about 2 hours since they finished their 5K run. They were less than 100 feet from the finish line and were yelling encouragement for me to finish the race and get my medal. So with that and whatever else I had in the tank, I strutted and shuffled all the way across the finish line and claimed my finisher medal for my first 13.1 mile race. All the pain seemed to have gone away as I walked around eating a banana and gulping water like a very thirsty camel. What a relief!

I still cannot believe that I put every ounce of my 65-year old body through that grueling test and survived it. 

2012 Race Schedule

Here's a glimpse of my 2012 race schedule.  This may change, but for the most part, it's set in stone.  So, I'm running the Chicago Marathon this year and it will be my first.  I'm training with CARA in Libertyville at 6:45am on Saturday mornings starting on June 9th.

With a heavy heart, I decided not to race because I want to focus on marathon training.  I thought maybe I could run a race and then run more miles after, but I know myself too well.  I'm going to want to run a PR at the race and I will run my hardest and probably be too wiped out to run more later.  Plus, racing may throw off my marathon training if I have to go easy on the week of a race.

Here it is:

April 28, 2012: Loop the Lakes 5K in VH (as always):  DONE (an update will follow)

May 28, 2012: Jubilee Jog 5K in Wilmette
- My dad and I were eying another 5k an a 10k that happened around the same time frame, but with the weather being awfully hot, my dad coming off a calf injury and my volunteer work we decided to run this one.  Plus, neither one of us has run in Wilmette.

June 8 through June 9, 2012: Ragnar Relay from Madison, WI to Chicago, IL
- A 200 mile relay race with 11 other women that I have never met before
- 1st relay race ever
- More on this to follow

June 10, 2012: NorthShore Half Marathon 5k
- Was thinking about doing the half, but don't want to risk it and injure myself before marathon training, but didn't want to sit around and do nothing while waiting for my Dad to finish his first half marathon ever (at the age of 65 no less) so I signed up for the 5k and figured that it would be manageable even if I have to run slow
- I will do the half at some point I swear!  This year's medal looks sweet!

October 7, 2012: Chicago Marathon

November 18, 2012: Big Sur Half Marathon (TBD)

Also, I may run a half marathon during my training since it does recommend that I run one - I'm just not sure which one.  Perhaps I will run the Rock and Roll Half Marathon again, but it's very pricey!

2011 Running Season and Race Recap

Hi all,


I meant to try to keep up regularly with my blog posting about my races and my goals to get my half marathon time under two hours comfortably, but I sort of fell off the face of the planet with that.  Maybe it's because I've seen SO MANY blogs about running out there.  What's going to make mine any different than all the rest?  I'm just your average runner.


But anyway, the 2012 season is just beginning for me so I'm going to give this thing a go and see how much I can blog about.


It'll be good for me to have a place to save my information about my races anyway.  


So, here's 2011's races and results for you:


Race 1: Loop the Lakes 5K in VH: 23:03 (1st in age group, 2nd woman overall)
- I always do this one because it's in my hometown and is literally a mile away from home.  This race means a lot to me since it got me back into racing after I posted a 22:46 (my PR) in 2010 and won the women's race.  And, I can usually win my age group and score some sweet prizes so that's nice.  Hey, I don't cherry pick on purpose, but this gives me confidence going into the racing season.
- I felt good about this especially since I was out of running from October 2010 to February 2011 with a knee injury and a blood clot - see more on that in the above post.


Race 2: NorthShore Half Marathon 5K: 23:01 (3rd/65 AG, 73/795 OA and 16/482 W)
- I'm beginning to always do this one.
- The weather for June was awesome - nice and cool and in the 60s!
- I stuck with the 5k despite really wanting to run the half. I hadn't been able to train as much w/ the injury so I felt like the half would be a safer choice.
- I achieved a course PR which is good because there is a killer hill after mile 1 on this.


Race 3: Frontier Days 10K in Arlington Heights: 49:33 (PR) (7/32 AG, 38/233 sex, 151/545 OA)
- I ran this race with Jared who was my running buddy before he moved to Michigan.  He helped get me motivated especially coming off my injury.
- I ran with my iPod for the first time at this race.
- I went WAY too fast in the first mile (7:01 I believe), but still got a PR by a lot (52:40 in 2010)
- Fun Fact: it always seems to be hot, which makes sense since this is run in July.
- Fun Fact: Met the woman who writes the blog that I follow at this race.
- Fun Fact: My old mortgage loan officer runs this race every year.  He's in this 50s and throws down a 5K in the low 20s.  Talk about bad ass.


Race 4: Alexian Brothers Half Marathon: 1:57:25 
- The 2 hour time goal was broken.
- Like the year before, it was rainy (thunderstorms), but that helped me run faster.
- I saw the woman at this race and beat her because she was having a bad race. :(


Race 5: Rock and Roll Half Marathon: 1:53:32 (PR)
- This was my first race in Chicago.
- It was awesome and part of it is run on the same course at the Chicago Marathon.
- See more on blog post on old site.


Race 6: Buffalo Grove Stampede 10K: 51:16 (BOO)
- Course PR by 2 seconds at least
- Hard course: part residential and part trial
- Good post-race party - all you can eat pancake breakfast


Race 7: Chicago Half Marathon: 1:59:04
- Almost did not break 2 hours.
- Course was super hot and it was boring (think: LSD - NO SHADE WHATSOEVER).
- Ran it on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 which was awesome, but I will probably not be running this one again.


Race 8: Highland Park Fun(d) Run 10K: 50:21
- At least I dropped my 10k time from the DISASTER in BG.
- Got to run along the Ravinia Trial - super cool and will be running here again on my last leg in the Ragnar Relay
- Got beat in the sprint by a guy w/ a belly.
- BF goes, "Wow, that guy ran it?!" when he saw the guy.  I gave him the dirtiest look and I said, "Yep and he beat me."


Race 9: VHHS 5K: 22:47.3 --> almost a PR
- Went back to my high school and got to finish up on the track (nostalgia at its finest) and saw my younger sister's swim coach since he was one of the timers
- Was on my way to becoming the 1st woman overall, but got passed up toward the end by a girl who is not even in high school :(
- Was super excited about almost getting a PR, but was told by another racer that the course was short by .1, which bummed me out a bit


Race 10: BIG SUR HALF MARATHON ON MONTEREY BAY, CALIFORNIA: 1:53:51 (almost a PR)
- THE BEST RACE EVER.  You run along the ocean, which is super cool in and of itself.  There are no clocks along the way which actually was good for me since I wasn't freaking out about my mile times, etc.  You get soup and beer at the end.  And, this was my very first destination race.
- My family lives in Salinas, which is about an hour away from the course so I stayed there for a week and got to hang out w/ my family before and after the race
- My aunt, her husband and my two twin cousins volunteer at Mile 5 (and 10) which is a Lovers Point and I got to see her both times. :)
- I'm planning on going back this year if I can.  It's 6 weeks after the Chicago Marathon and I think I should be in shape to run it.