Tuesday, August 28, 2012

going coast to coast.



the disneyland half marathon is upon us!  in just a few days i will be running yet another half marathon.  training this summer has been very lackluster, due to emotional and lack of motivation issues.  i did what i could (and ironically, a first ever for me in my entire 3 years of doing this, lost a little weight, even though i ran and  barely cross trained less this time around than ever before), but i know in my heart it was not enough.  i started out following the plan i have used for my other halfs this past year, but then i just got to the point to do what i could when i could. knowing i ran 13.1 back in may was a helpful building block, and hopefully it helped me keep an endurance level even though my training was less after that run.  it was just that sort of a summer of training emotionally.  i have done some long runs, all of which i think i walked at least once during, if not more, and i have already told myself that walking will happen with this race.  it is something i hate to do, but i know it is ok.  i just get all competitive with myself over running the whole thing, no matter the race or training run, but it will happen during this race for sure.  this race is not about time or personal records, it is about getting the medal, and the "3rd" medal.  i am excited to own the coast to coast medal.  it is really nice, i saw it on display back in february at the princess half marathon expo in wdw.  

the course has the parks mainly in the first 4 miles, so i plan to do my stopping and take my time going through there, along with the photos!  then once out of the parks, my dream would be to run the whole thing at least until angel stadium (we get to run inside the field!!), but i know that is unlikely.  i have consented weeks ago to doing a run/walk if i need to.  or even walking if all else fails to reach that finish line!  and that is ok.  the goal is to finish upright, and happy.  

this may be my  most emotional race, and i may even have tears, i have come near tears on training runs, as it  has just been an emotional 6 months for me personally, for a few different reasons.  if there are tears, they will be of happiness of getting the job done!  

i am so excited to share this trip with my aunt, mom, and dad!  it will be a fun time, and i keep reminding myself that i do have to do some running during this fun get away!  

coast to coast, here i come!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

escape on the lake.

my brother has caught the running bug and ran his very first 5k race with me!  back in july, my brother mike and i did this 5k.  it was nice to have a racing buddy, although i didn't actually run with him!

escape on the lake was a local (very local, 2 blocks away!) 5k race and we decided it was a great way for him to try out a race!  it was my first 5k race in over a year and a half!

i felt like it was a hard run, mostly flat, but i was struggling, but my finish time was pretty average for me, guess it just felt harder this time! it was pretty hot and muggy too.  i had to let mike go off on his own right away, as he was too fast at the start for me!  he was in my vision for most of the first half, and i used that as a way to keep pace, but i lost him in the trees once he hit them. 

it was a good run, and mike enjoyed it.  he is speedy man! he also won 3rd place in his age group!  way to go, brother!  our final times:
me:  27:32
mike:  25:50

congratulations, mike, on your first race and win too boot!!  :)

and thanks to our mom, dad, and aunt for coming out to cheer us on!
and annie dog too!

the before shot!


mike is behind the person on the right.  you can see a sliver of him!

me, feeling sweaty and worn out!  nearing the end!

me right at the finish, i didn't even see the cheerleaders!


2 sweaty messes!



mikey and his medal!  yay!  congrats!


hmmm, can a half be in his future?!!  guess we should aim for a 10k next!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

my kicks.

these shoes have gotten me through all of my training runs, and half marathons!  
that last pair, has gotten me through 3 half marathons and has racked up over 400 miles since january!
my newest pair has just arrived.  just in time to get me through my next half marathon!



Friday, August 10, 2012

grammy's birthday.

happy birthday, grammy!
we love you!