I love spring weekends

The weather is perfect and there is so much to do.  Friday night – layed low and finally watch Django Unchained.  It was a movie we were meaning to watch right when it came out, but life was just too busy.  Then Saturday morning I got up and ran the Las Colinas Half Marathon (recap below).  After that, I took a nice long bath, relaxed, read a book.  Then it was off to Pilot Knolls to camp.  Well, we didn’t actually camp.  Tracey and folks were camping, I just went out there to hang out, cook out and sit by a campfire.  Played horseshoes for the first time and did pretty well – won both games I played!!  Sunday I met up with my friend Vanessa for an easy 2 mile run.  Then it was yard work, cooking for the week and laying out with my book.  Weekending doesn’t get much better than that. 

Las Colinas half marathon –

It was the inaugural event and it was a mess.  We ended up starting 20 minutes late because of parking issues.  They had a 5K, 10K, half and full marathon all starting at the same time all going in the same direction.  Which is OK, but the course starts going one direction, run out 4 miles and turn around and run back for the half and full.  You cross through the finish line and head the other way for an out and back to finish the 13.1 miles.  (The full marathon was 2 loops of the half course).  The water stops were only on one side of the road.  So you head out and at the first water stop, the fast 5Kers are already on their way back.  So you have people heading out and coming back trying to get water on the same side of the road for water, which leads to massive collisions and confusion.  I saw several people hit the ground getting tripped or knocked down.  That happened at several water stops during the first 8 miles.  Out and backers trying to get water from the same side of the road.  They also did not have enough water jugs at the stations and ran out of water early on.  They did have people on vehicles bringing new coolers, but there was one time I hit a water stop that had no water. 

Once we got on the other side of the finish line it was just half and full marathoners and a bit more spread out at that time.  Another issue was crossing the finish line mid race.  When the half and full people were at mile 8 (crossing the finish line) there were some 5K and 10Kers finishing, so they just crossed the line and stopped to get their water and such causing problems for the half and full runners trying to get by.  Then at one point you are running 1.5-2 miles on an unpaved path.  It was a ‘path’ made by trucks continually driving the same spot of land.  AKA – two tire paths to follow.  The people heading out on one side and the people heading back in the other tire track.  It was hard on the body, there was minimal room to pass people, and lots of congestion.  Because to one side was a hill/drop off, so you really couldn’t run around people.

Overall the day was gorgeous and the paved trail is a very nice trail.  I ended up running a 1:55:32 which is a very average time for me.  It was a good run considering all the issues everyone had to work with.  I was fifth in my age group and definitely could have placed.  I did like the medal they gave out at the end.

 

This group is holding another half marathon in the summer.  That race will only have a half and 5K, which is probably how they should have done their first race to get things straightened out.  I’m not sure I will do that one, but if they have future events I may give them another shot. 

Went to Walmart last night to get groceries and such for the upcoming week.  I saw something that just made me want to cry.  A little boy following his mother around.  I saw them multiple times in the store and every time she was on her cell phone.  The little boy was quite round, definitely overweight and probably even obese.  He was following her around munching on a bag of chips.  And I am not talking about an individual bag of chips, I am talking about family size.  Every single time I saw them, his hand was going further and further into the bag.  This boy was not more than 6 – and I am over guessing, he was probably closer to Kyla’s age. 

I really wanted to take that lady’s phone and chuck it and then hand the kid an apple, but I didn’t.

Five for Friday –

1.      Spin class – I FINALLY went back to spin class!!  The only evening spin classes offered at my gym are Tuesday and Thursday.  Since those both used to be volleyball nights, I was unable to go.  Now that I am not playing volleyball on Thursdays, I decided to go back.  It was my first time taking this instructor so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  And the verdict – two thumbs up.  I will definitely be going back and going to as many Thursdays as I can.

2.      CPR and AED certified – Work offered us the opportunity to take CPR classes and I signed up. I think it is beneficial for everyone to have some working knowledge of general first aid and CPR.  As a runner, you almost always see someone go down at a race.  Whether it be tripping and falling, passing out from fatigue or heat exhaustion, etc.  You never know when this information might come in handy.

3.      Spring cleaning – this weekend is consisting of some major cleaning.  I did a lot of prep work during the week such as getting all laundry done, buying Rubbermaid containers, and deciding on a plan of action.  My OCD-ness is starting to kick in.

4.      Running – no racing this weekend, next up is the GE Irving Marathon.  It is their inaugural marathon/half marathon/10K/5K.  I am bit worried they bit off more than they can chew, but we’ll see how it goes.  It is on a paved running trail that I have done several halfs on.  They have capped it at 1,000 and decided on to do staggered releases (thankfully).  Not expecting much.

5.      Food – I think this weekend I will make some steak fajitas and a pot roast.  That should get me through the week!!

What I won't eat Wednesday..

Big D half marathon –

Sunday was the Big D half marathon.  I had the flu Tuesday and Wednesday and was pretty good Thursday and Friday.  I was able to eat, but kept it light and healthy and didn’t do much.  By Saturday, I was feeling pretty good, or so I thought.  During the day, I went over to the Little’s to help get the volleyball court set up.  That night, we went to Yucatan to throw some darts (I’m getting better)!  I had two beers and some chips and queso….

Sunday morning I got up and wasn’t feeling great, but headed down to the race anyways.  Walking from the car to the packet pickup – puked 4 times.  Dang queso, apparently my stomach was not ready to handle that.  I knew this race was going to be a rough one.  Had I gotten sick at home, I would have just went back to bed, but being I was already down at Fair Park, I figured why not.

Found Megan and her family before the race and Megan and I started off together.  She left me around mile 2 and I started some walking around 2.5.  By mile 4 I contemplated having my first ever DNF (Did Not Finish).  Being the stubborn a$$ person I am - I WILL complete this half.  So, I started doing a run walk.  Walked any hills and walked for a minute or so at every mile marker.  At mile 6, my legs were exhausted and I tried to take an energy gel.  Yup – my stomach didn’t like that one bit.

Overall I finished with a time of 2:05:50 (9:35 pace).  Based on how I felt, I am happy with that time.  It is my slowest time in almost a year, but probably the most difficult run I have done.

Two weeks I have the Las Colinas/Irving Half Marathon – I will be back in the under 2 hour group.

Three Things Thursday

1.      Sprouts – Oh how I have missed you!  I haven’t been in a really long time, and I have no idea why.  I stopped there yesterday on my way home from work and was immediately happy.  Got tons of fruits and veggies, but most importantly – Chia seeds. I have tried them a few times in the past week and decided I liked them.  I would have jumped on the bandwagon a lot sooner had I know the iron component – 3 times more iron then spinach.  Easy way to sneak in iron.

2.      Whatever bug I picked up in Illinois is almost completely out of my system.  For Tuesday and Wednesday all I was able to keep down was a half a bowl of soup.  I woke up this morning and was HUNGRY.  Yep, I’m feeling better.

3.      Weekending – the weather is hopefully going to be (consistently) nice from now on.  Little’s are opening up their volleyball court on Saturday and the Big D half marathon is Sunday. 

Easter

This past weekend was my first trip back to Illinois since Christmas.  My family pushed Easter back a week to accommodate my schedule and it worked out great.

Some highlights:

·        Played at the park

·        Flew a kite

·        Colored Easter Eggs

·        Slept on the floor 3 out of 5 nights

·        Ran a great half marathon

·        Saw a lot of family and friends

Run Abe half marathon – I have ran this half the past two years and it is probably one of my favorite races.  It is not all that far, but we still stay in a hotel, so it is a mini vacation.  Very low key and always a great time.  Since the hotel we stay at is right near the start line, there are no logistical issues for the morning.  The people there are always fun and the course is scenic with a bit of a challenge of 4 decent hills during the second half.  We run by Lincoln’s house, the capital, the cemetery/Lincoln’s tomb.

After RNR – Dallas and hurting pretty bad during that run, I wanted to redeem myself.  I wanted around a 1:55, but more importantly I wanted to feel good.  We may have had a few (or 6) beers the night before, so I had no idea how it would go.  I started off strong and quickly got ahead of the 1:50 pace group.  I stayed ahead of them through the first 7 and had the crazy idea that I could break 1:50 on this course.  Then mile 8 and 9 I hung with them and after the second hill in the cemetery I knew it wasn’t going to happen.  I just settled in and ran out the rest of the course.  Last year I ran a 1:50:27 and this year I ran a 1:50:47.  I felt good and was extremely happy with the run.

Getting some good luck before the race

Lincoln's house

Successful races for all - Penny Medals!!!!

Workout summary for the trip:

Friday – 2 mile run

Saturday – Abe Half

Sunday – 3.44 miles

Sit Ups: 100

Push Ups: 50

Lunges: 100

Monday – 2 mile run

Sit Ups: 130

Push Ups: 100

Lunges: 30

Overall it was a great trip home until Tuesday where both Kyla and I got sick.  I am still fighting off the remaining digestive issues, so no gym for me tonight.

Exercising on Vacation

I always say I am going to workout while I am home.  I may get in 1 workout or sometimes 2, but nothing like I planned hoped.  If I put it out there, I will be more inclined to actually do it.  There is no reason for me not to get in some extra running.  Even if the weather is too cold for my wimpy self, both Amy and the parents have a treadmill.  Got to quit making excuses.

Running: 3 days

Sit-ups: 600

Push-ups: 150

Lunges: 500

Maybe I should dress Kyla up as my trainer.  Clip board and whistle, and maybe a hat or visor.  I am sure Amy and Aaron would love me giving their 3 year old a whistle (insert evil laugh here)! 

April Goals

Although I didn’t hit most of my goals for March, I am pretty happy with how it went.

March Goals –

~Mileage 80 – Fail, only 76

~Gym Unicorn 12 days – Fail, only 7

~Biking 4 times – EPIC fail

~CPCU Pass Test – Check!! (at least I got one)

April Goals –

 ~Miles: 85

 ~Gym Unicorn: 10 days

 ~Sit-Ups: 2000

 ~Push-Ups: 1000

 ~Lunges: 2000 (1000 per leg)

 ~CPCU: All vocab typed

As for most people, April is get summer/swimsuit ready.  I have 3 half marathons planned which should keep my running up.