Post Race

I am so proud of Caitlin, she did great!

Pastor ended up running with her, as Shaun ended up having to work. Her first 2 miles were 10 minutes miles and her third was nearly 15 minutes. She struggled. But Pastor encouraged her and kept her going. She ran the entire race in 34:52 and placed 10th in her age group. This morning she is sore and tired, but says she is going to keep running. She is awesome!

I did great my first 2 miles as well, I paced exactly 11:30 each one (those intervals are already paying off). And like Caitlin, I struggled that third mile. I did very briefly walk 3 times during that last mile, but I am still very happy with my race. I finished in 38:38, a personal record for me, by a minute and a half.

I think we both struggled that last mile because we have only been running 2 miles. I am going to start running 3 miles each time I go out instead of 2. And it won't be long until I am ready for my next race!

The race itself was a blast! It was very well organized and had a Halloween theme. Tons of great post-race snacks, hot apple cider, fun music, fabulous door-prizes, and the trophies were a hoot. People were dressed up in costumes. It was a great race for Caitlin's first, she had a lot of fun! Kudos to the organizers, we hope to do it again next year!

Tomorrow is Race Day

I am pumped! Tomorrow is the Trek or Treat 5k. I am going to run the whole thing. Pastor has helped break down that wall that makes me want to walk. Between watching the Chicago Marathon and the interval training last Monday, I have confidence. Witnessing the marathon itself and how Pastor struggled with his training over the summer, made me realize how wimpy my 3.1 mile struggle is. A 5k is nothing. As for the intervals, Pastor definitely pushed me far beyond the point where my brain is telling my body to flip to the "Off" switch.

I can do this. I am ready.

Caitlin will be running in this race as well. I talked Shaun into running with her so I don't have to worry about her wimping out on me. I know she will struggle. Tomorrow will complete Week 6 for her (25 minute run). And the way she complains and cries about every ache and pain during her training, she will end up walking part of it.

Don't get me wrong, I am proud of her, she is doing great! But she needs to toughen up a bit. I told her the other day that running is hard, there will be pain, that she needs to get past that in order to enjoy it. I think this race will be pivotal for her, she will either decide to continue running and yearn for more, or she will decide she is done and it's too hard. Either way, I am still proud of her. She had a goal, she worked hard for it, and she will meet it.

Chicago Marathon

It was awesome! Pastor finished at about 5 hours which I think is phenomenal considering a month ago he didn't think he would make it at all due to injuries. Great job Pastor!

It was awe-inspiring. We were waited for Pastor at just before the 26 mile marker to cheer him on. It was crazy watching the steady stream of runners, hundreds of people passing by every minute. It would not surprise me in the least if someone told me I watching 10,000 runners go by in that hour. We cheered them on, we gave high fives. We saw Spiderman and Buzz Lightyear running, as well as 2 cavemen. It was really cool!

Was I personally inspired? Yes, I couldn't wait until my next run. And after watching those guys run 26.2 miles, my measly 25 minute run didn't seem so hard anymore. And....I am tentatively considering a half marathon in Columbus next fall. If I can talk myself into it.

On a side note, my heart goes out to the family and friends of the runner who collapsed and later died at the Chicago Marathon. Say an extra prayer for them.

You know you're a runner when......

You fall asleep while visualizing yourself doing interval training around a track!

Yes, I did that last night. The weird part is that I have never done interval training. Maybe this means I am ready for it.

I was a little sore after the Race for Education. I had some minor ToFP just below the base of my toes. And my calves were a little tight. I feel pretty good today and want to go for a run, but I won't have the time. I have to get everyone packed, we leave for Chicago this afternoon. Between errands, packing, work, kids, no run today. Bummer.

But Chicago will be so fun! We are stalking Pastor up there for the Chicago Marathon on Sunday! Actually, we are going to lend some moral support; he has admittedly struggled during his training for this race. So we want to cheer him on! And it will be cool to hang out together over the weekend.

Maybe I can get my run in tomorrow in the big city......That would be awesome!