Thankful 13 Half Marathon 2012

Happy gobble, gobble day!!!  I started the day off the best way I could possibly think of.  I paced the 1:45 group for the Thankful 13 Half Marathon.  The temperature was perfect, it was a bit windy but at least it wasn't raining or, heaven help me, snowing.  The race started at 8 which meant that I got to sleep in, woo hoo!  Nine plus hours of sleep does a body good...REALLY good!

 Let's back up a little to yesterdee shall we?!?  I did EVERYTHING in my power to make sure that I was ready to keep my assigned pace.  Usually an 8 minute pace is easy for me but after Saturday's practice run I was a little nervous.  I foam rolled, did the P90X stretch DVD, drank my Nuun, had a carbilicious meal, ate not 1 but 2 chocolate cake donuts :) and slathered my legs in Deep Blue.  Deep Blue is from doTerra and my neighbor just happened to have some.  I begged and pleaded with her to let me use some, just kidding she is the nicest gal in town and was happy to pass it along.  I also slept in my Pro Compression stockings.

Holly and Jorge picked me up at 6:45 and we headed to the race.  We sat in the cozy car and watched a man fighting with his head dress, it was awesome!  There were a few people who were dressed up which was fun to see.  We got all lined up and we were off.  I wanted to try to bank a little time seems how I had ran the course and knew that the last couple miles were going to be a little tough. 

At about mile 3 some guy caught up to me and said "You're going a little fast for 1:45 aren't you?"  People can be pretty rude to pacers.  I wasn't that far ahead maybe one minute, relax dude!!  I decided to slow down a little, your welcome crabby patty, which made me nervous, I like to bank a little time so I can walk through aid stations.  Refueling while running can be somewhat difficult and I like to make sure that I give my followers a chance to grab a drink and such.

I had a number of different people who were trying to stick with me but this course was a little harder than I think people were expecting.  Did I mention that it was WINDY?  Wind can really put a damper on things.  At one point when there was a really strong headwind I tried to draft off a couple of fellers.  Apparently the wind was slowing them down too though so I had to try to pass them...they wouldn't have it.  They saw my sign and got in front of me again.  I wanted to chat it up with them but I could tell that they weren't the chatty Kathy types.  They were obviously friends and they both had earphones.  There was no talking going on between them and I didn't want to bug them.  We ran alongside each other for a while and then a little downhill came so I zipped past them.  That was my one chance to try to bank a little time for the hill that I knew was coming.

Not only did the hill come but a really ugly headwind...RUDE!!!  My Fuelbelt had been driving me crazy the entire time and I had dropped my gloves twice already so at around mile 11 or 12 I threw them both to the side of the road.  I needed all the help I could get, I was going to be cutting it close and I knew it.

Thankfully the last mile was slightly downhill so I was able to make up a little time that I had lost chatting with a guy at around mile 9.  I don't know my exact time but I think I got pretty dang close to 1:45, maybe a few seconds off.  Unfortunately none of my followers made it in with me, that blasted wind was brutal.

This race was amazing.  I ran with my Fuelbelt because I was nervous about there being enough volunteers along the course.  I have heard stories about races running out of water or not having enough aid stations along the course (I have not experienced this myself though).  I figured with it being Thanksgiving and all that I had better carry my own fuel just in case.  There were plenty of volunteers and they were amazing!!!  I am so grateful for all the volunteers!!!

The finish line had pumpkin pie, hot chocolate and cake.  Too bad for me I didn't feel like eating anything.  I grabbed a couple cups of water and called it good.  This race was so well organized, it went off without a hitch.  I'm so glad that there is finally a half marathon on Thanksgiving Day.  Sorry but a 5K just won't cut it on a day of feasting ;)  The course was beautiful and did I mention that the volunteers ROCKED?!?  Yes, they were awesome!  On this day of thanks giving I am very thankful that I was able to run this race.  LOVED IT!

Now it's time to head over to Mama Jex's house for a delicious feast.  I hope you are all having a wonderful day.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

And for your enjoyment, check out my post from last Thanksgiving, just in case you are bored and need a chuckle :) Your welcome!

How To Properly Prep For 20 Miles!

Do you want to know how to properly get ready for a 20 mile run???  I thought you would.  First, after your workout for the day you do the P90X Stretch DVD.  I desperately wanted to share my favorite part of this DVD but with all the laws and such I wasn't sure I could do such a thing.  If you have the P90X videos, PLEASE for everything holy, put one in and watch the little thing at the end of the workout.  There are people talking about being a BeachBody Coach and some kind of nonsense.  Watch for the buff man who says he wants to "Have the ability to move large shrubbery!" then comes the magic.  The little lady who does a HILARIOUS laugh :D  Oh, how it brings me such joy!  If you don't have access to these I am truly sorry because you are missing out.  I do the DVD just to see my favorite funny lady at the end and YES I do wait for it EVERY TIME!!

If you can you go to Holly's house to do the DVD because she mixes you up a special concoction...Nuun and Zip Fizz!  I love the benefits of Nuun but lets be honest...it's gross!  Mix it up with some Zip Fizz and it's not to shabby!

After you are done stretching and drinking you go home and take an hour long nap.  Then after being in your disgusting, sweaty, nasty running clothes for hours on end you can finally shower.  I was too tired to shower before, those stretches take a lot out of a girl.

You have to have a chocolate cake donut. this is important so don't skip it...trust me on this one!

Proper carbo-loading is a MUST!  My kids and I went to Brick Oven with a friend.  Our husbands went to Moab and left us husband-less so why not?  We had a great time and the best part was that my garlic bread was perfect!  The salad and pizza were quite delicious as well...and the cookie!

With Jake being out of town I was able to go to bed early without feeling guilty about it and I had my big ol' bed all to myself.  That paired with NyQuil equals a good sleep, almost 9 hours to be exact.  I LOVE sleeping in my compression socks, especially the night before a race or a long run.  I slathered my legs in "Magic Stuff" before bed as well, that stuff is amazing!

This was my last 20 miler before the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco on October 14th.  I am thrilled to the gills to be doing this marathon.  Who wouldn't want a firefighter...in a tuxedo...waiting for them at the finish line with a Tiffany & Co. necklace.  Having Jake and my kids there will be pretty awesome too!  I'm sure Jake doesn't love that our second vacation of the year is for another race, but I sure do appreciate his willingness to come and cheer me on. 

My 20 mile run went pretty well considering that I have had a HORRIBLE cold for the past week.  Other than hacking up a lung every once in a while I felt pretty good. 

While I was out running all over town Papa Mike took my kidlets to breakfast, what a great grandpa!!  Then I got out of the shower to see that McKenna was going on a cleaning spree.  I LOVE when she does that!!  She vacuumed the whole upstairs, steamed the hardwood floors, dusted, wiped down the bathrooms and even cleaned the toilets!  I knew buying her a vacuum at the age of 1 would pay off eventually :)

Man, I have cute kids!  Why did I ever stop having babies?!?  She was so tiny, she only weighed 15 lbs at her 1 year old check up...same with Kobe.  That was just a little side note of nothingness but oh well!  Have a great day!!