Gambler Half Marathon 2015

The poor Gambler must have some curse on it as every single year the weather is horrible. This year was no exception. My view as I gave myself a pep talk to get out and go running was this:

 

 

Not exactly ideal for a 13+ mile run. Especially a run I was highly highly unprepared for. As in my longest run was 6 miles, and a majority of my runs were of the 2-4 mile variety. But I really wanted to participate to support this great event in my community and figured it can't be that bad....

 

 

As you can see from my face it probably was that bad and then some lol. I actually wasn't all that sore or in pain running other than I unfortunatly got a cramp in my calf around mile 4 that stuck around the remainder of the run. Mostly I was just misereable wet and cold. The rain would not let up and it was cold and windy. Bad combo for a girl that hates rain and cold. The highlight of the race was seeing my mom and little brother twice. They graciously volunteered at a water stop (that we passed twice) and cheered me on. They were just as misereable in the rain I am sure.

 

 

I was crazy happy to finish and get out of the rain. Somehow my Garmin VivoSmart had me at  17.38 miles so I for sure have a horrible stride and/or dodge a LOT of puddles along the way. Regardless a full day of steps before noon!

 

 

I figured all that running the the awful weather earned me some after run treats. Chocolate milk for the nutrional value, a donut, and a shock top. Totally deserved and normal combinations right?

For real look at how soaking wet my feet were! Yuck

I also threw in a nice warm cozy bath with some awesome Arbonne products to help warm me up and work out at least some of the soreness that I knew was for sure headed my way later that day.

Overall my time was nothing to get excited about or brag about but hey I finished another half marathon in very less than stellar weather.

 

Official race time was 2.27.52 which was an 11.18 mile pace. For sure slow as a turle for most true runners but not as horrible as I expcted considered my lack of training. One of these days I need to really train for a race again and try for a respectable time :)



Color Vibe 5k

I love these color runs. I mean really what's not to love about running or walking through poofs of fun color and looking like a bright tye dyed explosion when you are done?

Luckily the forecasted rain held off until we finished or I might have been not quite a fan.

This was more of a walk, talk, and throw color on each other than true race so no times to report. Just fun colorful pictures.

Shamrock Shuffle 2015

Another fun 5k in the books. No idea what my time was this round as I didn't hear them call it off as I ran past. I think it was close to 30 or a tad under. Good enough for a fun run. The day started off with a slight chill but quickly improved to summer like gorgeous.

So gorgeous that a bunch of us snagged a patio spot and had a cocktail, or two.....It was just so nice out that next thing we knew we had been sitting around the patios all day long. Everyone was out roaming about and enjoying the weather, the atmosphere, and their companions. Perfect fun relaxed day.

Loved all the fun green swag we acquired throughout the day as well. I think it will certainly count Saturday as my celebration of St Pats and take today nice and easy.

All that sunshine and warm weather gets me excited for Spring/Summer without a doubt.

End of the Rainbow Run

 

 

 

 I realized I haven't done a race report in ages. Probably a sign I need to start making fitness more of a priority again! That and the fact I look like a chunk in half these pictures. But I am posting them anyway as it was a great morning. The Y hosted a free 5k run or 1 mile walk called the End of the Rainbow. It was gorgeous weather that morning and a beautiful run along the riverfront. My little brother ran with me which made it even more fun as we used to always run races together (even though he always leaves me as I am too slow). My aunt and uncle also ran. I had a 33 minute finish which is nothing to cheer about but we did more chatting than racing so I'm ok with that.

2014 Lincoln Half Marathon

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1

I think this is the 5th year I've ran this half marathon! My first first half was the Lincoln half in 2009. Pretty much always with the same great group of ladies - give or take a few.

This year I did NOT want to run at all. I had just ran the Gambler half the weekend prior and my legs were tired. Plus it was a busy weekend with a lot of other activities and a yard calling for attention. In the end I ran it and I'm super glad I did. Always a sense of accomplishment when done plus it wasn't as miserable as I expected.

 

Ran with some friends from school the first 4-5 miles just chatting away and catching up. Not worrying about my time, then the second half just kinda ran whatever felt comfortable without pushing it, stopped for oranges, gummy bears, all the goodies and stopped to use the restroom (which I never normally do). For sure my slowest race to date but at least I finished without walking right??

Results were 1:32:04 was total time. An average of 11:37 a mile. The best part is I have awesome friends and family that waited for me to finish and congratulated me even on my pokey time. Treated myself to a little shopping at Regency as part of Berkshire weekend afterwards and have a massage schedule for tomorrow for my poor sore body. Can't wait.

Gambler 2014 Race Report

 
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1

 

To say the weather was miserable is an understatement. Worst weather of any race. It started off raining pretty solid (I actually contemplated not leaving the jeep and driving home) and continued to rain essentially all 13.1 amazing miles. There was a slight tease for about a mile where the rain gave me a break. Only to have the skies open up and quickly turn into a torrential downpour with thunder and lightening the last 4 miles. Sweet.

I was VERY under trained for this race and knew it would be bad. I had one long run for a whopping 9 miles. The rest of my runs where anywhere from a mile to maybe 5 on a good day. Too much travel, too much work, too much fun, not enough running. Somehow I trudged through the puddles/lakes and managed to not walk and finish with an ok time all things considered.

 

Overall time was  2:24:290, so an average of  11:02 a mile. 32/39 for age group, way to close to the end of the pack for my liking. My slowest ever but I’ll take it.  I can use this time  as motivation to actually train for the next race. I did motivate myself by purchasing a cute new Lululemon running outfit. I really should buy stock in that company!

I  recovered with a beer, a long hot bath , and my first try at compression sleeves.

I can't say thank you enough to all of the volunteers who stood in the rain to hand out  water and the CB police officers  who kept us safe - you all make this race my favorite every year even in miserable weather. Your high fives, huge, and words of encouragement keep me going. Thank you!!!

Lincoln Half Marathon 2013 Recap

I will admit I almost didn't run this race. It was cold and drizzly all day Saturday and I had a lot I wanted to accomplish in a very short time frame. I had just ran the Gambler Half two weeks prior and had no burning desire to prove I could run another. Luckily several runners in our group - thanks Brandy and Christine! - encouraged me to run. Totally worth stepping away from tasks and "to-do" lists to spend time with this great group and force myself to tackle goals.

"I run because I can
When I get tired
I remember those who can't
what they would give to have this
simple gift I take for granted
and I run harder for them.

I know they would do the same for me"

I wasn't expecting anything stellar - last year I had a HORRIBLE time for the Lincoln half and I truly wasn't motivated. It sadly was way way too cold for my cute running skirt pictured above but at least it wasn't raining. I decided to just run and give it my best without torturing my body and call it good.

I got lucky and had a pretty decent race for me. Nothing for the record books but considering my lack of training and motivation it wasn't awful (those other girls pictures above were beyond speedy with times like 1:36, 1:46, 1:47 wowza and kudos girls! The boys both finished their first half also deserving of kudos). Overall time was 2:11:50, an average pace of 10:04 a mile. Far from my fastest but also a lot better than the last few races I ran. Splits were as follows:  5k, 30:01, 10k 1:00:30, 15k 1:31:56. As always I started off a lot stronger than I finished but I finished.

I truly do feel blessed that I have this ability and opportunity to run as I know so many others do not. It is without a doubt a gift. I celebrated the finish with Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting fun - mimosas and shopping??? Sounds perfect to me!

Now if only I could find some time for a massage to reward my tired muscles from two Half Marathons in the last month! Probably wont happen considering that "to-do" list is still quite long.

The Gambler 2013 Half Marathon Race Report

Yesterday was the Gambler Half Marathon in Council Bluffs, I think this is my fifth year running this race! Crazy to think I have been running half marathons for like six years now.  I was very very unmotivated and less than enthused for this race. I let life get in the way of training and my longest training run ended up being 8 miles, probably a solid month prior to the race. Not ideal. We also had my little brother's engagement party the night before so I decided several glasses of wine were a great idea since my running time wasn't going to be anything to write home about. Regardless I really wanted to support this race since it's local, benefits a great local organization (Jennie Ed Breast Health Center), and I always know a lot of the race volunteers. I attempted to add some motivation by splurging on a new Lululemon running outfit - that store is danger I tell ya!

Managed to show up at the race about ten minutes before start time, find a few friends racing,  and trudge through 13.1 miles. I could tell about half way through the race I would be sore but other than that it really wasn't bad. I never felt like I was dying and enjoyed each water station and finding volunteers and racers I knew along the way. As you can tell below I was super excited to see my mom at the finish! Thanks mom for always showing up to support me at these crazy races.

We tried to go to breakfast afterwards but nothing was sounding good so instead enjoyed a free bagel and beer and took a nap. Score. Had to take a self portrait with the medal for proof I finished. Overall it wasn't my slowest race but certainly not my fastest either. I ended up finishing in 2:18:14. So about a 10:34 pace which seems slow compared to my friends and family that run but isn't horrid. Kicking myself now for not training a bit better or at least skipping the several glasses of wine Saturday night as maybe I could have had a decent time. Another run in the books anyway and without a doubt a great very organized fun race. There was even a moment of silence and prayer for the victims of Boston to start the race along with a dedication that today we run for Boston.

The race was followed up with a much needed nap, some time working on my brother's awesome house, and then a Creighton Baseball game with my mom and dad since the weather finally almost cooperated (still some sprinkles). Turned out to be a great day!