Patriots Run 2014

The Patriots Run is a run held on 9/11 each year to Thank and Honor those who Serve our Country. Thank you Veterans and current Military!

There are several different distances to choose from. A participant can do the 5k, half marathon, full marathon, ultra distance or compete as a team in the ultra. I chose to do the half marathon. I had completed a 20 mile run the previous Sunday as part of my training for the Chicago Marathon. Doing a half marathon so soon after that 20 mile run was a little ambitious and my legs would rebel. By mile 10 my quads were screaming and I was reduced to mostly walking. I made sure to run at least a portion of each lap and each lap it became harder to continue but I had already planned on this being my long run for the week and quit was not in my vocabulary that day. I ended up losing count of laps and completing an extra lap or 2. Oops! This was a pretty low key race and I ended up finishing first in my age group. That doesn't happen very often to me and I was quite surprised to hear the news. I later learned there were only 5 women in my age group, I was still surprised to finish first though. After all, I had been walking most of the final laps. Hardware is always fun to get so thank you to Patriots Run for the medal! :)

This year the event was held at a new location: Oregon Trail Park at 100 S. Robinson in Olathe, KS. It was a .66 mile loop with a few hills along the way. Temps were in the high 50's to low 60's throughout the event which made for great running weather. I am not sure who to credit for the pictures taken on race day but I wanted to share some of them here:

Loved all the flags and military present!

Thank you military!

Thank you!

Part of the motorcycle procession that got the race started! Military and Sheriff's Office participated in the procession.

Some of the military present in the procession before the race...

Johnson County Sheriff's Office had a couple motorcycle officers on hand to get the race started.

One of several who carried a flag during their run.

Kudos to all those who carried the flag during their run.

Always awesome to see our military participating in the run, many of whom wore full packs and/or were in uniform!

Another member of our proud military in uniform participating in the run!

Looking great guys!

This lady passed me countless times, she kicked ass!

This lady in yellow also kicked ass! I don't know how many times she passed me but it was a lot!

Here are some of the speedy men in the run.

This guy rocked it!

This little guy rocked it too!

I never look happy during a race....

I was pretty pooped with 2 laps to go and this guy took the time to chat with me. He asked how far I had left and provided encouragement. Runners rock!

Had this view every lap.  Nice little scenic park.

There was lots of food and drinks. Very well organized event. thank you!

These are some of the awesome volunteers! Thank you!

Those doing the ultra finished in the dark...

Overall it was a great event and I look forward to returning next year! 

I was getting stronger, running further then bam... Injured!

My running was starting to go well. I was getting stronger, running further and even getting my times down a little. It was nice to see a few miles in the 10 minute range instead of 11 or even 12. I even had a few 9 minute miles sneak in every now and then which although isn't fast it's better than I anticipated since I don't run consistent throughout the year like I did when I was younger. I will never be fast like I was in high school when I was a skinny less than 100 pound runt. But I'm okay with that! I run now more for my mental health than anything, and also so I can eat ice cream without feeling guilty! 

A few weeks ago during my long run I felt a twinge of pain in my left calve. It was like a cramp but it wouldn't go away. I managed to finish my 12 miles and with a little stretching, ice and ibuprofen as well as my normal rest day on Monday it got to feeling better without missing any runs. Then this week while running 5 miles it seized up on me again. Again I was able to finish my run but in considerable pain this time. When I got home I could barely walk up the stairs to my apartment. It was even worse after I showered and headed to work. Going back down the stairs was pure hell. I got to work and propped my leg up and iced it on and off throughout the day. The pain didn't subside and walking was a chore. I knew this time I was going to have to rest and miss some runs. The timing stinks as I was going back up in mileage this week and so far have missed my Saturday semi long run day (7 miles) and my Sunday long run which was to be 14 miles today. So bummed!

So what instead of running am I doing today? Currently using a heating pad to warm up the calve muscle then will foam roll it. That will be excruciating I'm sure! Then ice... And repeat! Hope this works or I may be depressed beyond depressed soon. Running is my anti-depressant.

I am hoping I can run tomorrow at least a few easy miles. I know I can't make up the missed miles but as long as I don't miss too many days hopefully no one will have to heed the following warning: 

Happy training!

What do bad runs teach us?

Some will say there is no such thing as a bad run. I'm pretty sure today was a bad run. I just didn't feel good from the first step to the last. I ended up walking...a lot! But... I got the miles in. 

What do bad runs teach us? Well I learned today to keep moving even when I feel bad. The next mile might be better than the previous and that was true today. I had some bad miles today but I had some decent ones too. I wouldn't be able to say that if I had quit and not tried to finish the run. 

I also kept working on my nutrition. I started using NUUN a few weeks ago and it seems to be helping. I previously used Gatorade which is loaded in sugar. My main issue is losing too much electrolytes so I am trying NUUN and salt tablets although I didn't use salt tablets today.

I also learned today that my calf is doing ok. It didn't bother me during the run other than a little discomfort. It is a little sore after but it's not getting worse and that's a plus! 

So, can we learn from our bad runs? Yes, yes we can... I am still on target for Chucago Marathon! Happy training! 

Four on the Fourth Run

Completed the Four on the 4th run on July 4, 2014. Completed it in 43:58 which is 10:59 pace. I didn't try to push it. Was glad to be under 11:00 pace without knowing my pace the entire run (there were no clocks on the course). I didn't decide to run it until the day before. Thought it would be nice to run on Ward Parkway again. Used to run that road a lot when I ran cross country in high school. While I'll never run as fast as I did while in high school it was still fun to run familiar roads from long ago again. 

Nice patriotic race bib. and what more appropriate shirt to wear for this race?

Me heading up the last hill before the finish.

Almost there... 

Gun time is shown in the pic. Chip time was 43:58. 

Tech shirt and medal. 

Gah... I hate seeing pics of me running! I really hope to drop some extra pounds and look more like a runner again! Mileage is going up this week in preparation for Chicago marathon. Surely my weight will go the opposite direction? Getting old sucks! It's harder to keep the pounds off. I never was a skinny minny but I wouldn't mind dropping about 10-15 lbs... 

Finally did a race in 2014

Completed Miles for Meals 5k June 21, 2014. I wasn't fast but that's ok. I'm just trying to become more consistent. Finished 3rd in my age group (F40-49) but considering how small the race was that isn't saying much. I'm slow as a turtle! Plus I needed to get a few more miles in afterwards.

The start...

Almost there...

Me finishing the 5k...

If you look closely you can see I am heading back out the opposite direction to get a few more miles in...

Overall a good day. Nice weather. Nice low key race. Had a nice chat with a fellow competitor while munching on a banana before heading out for a few more miles. Now to keep the momentum going I need to find a few more races leading up to the Chicago Marathon!

Still slacking...

Wow I can't believe it's June and I haven't completed a single race this year. In my last post I had high hopes I would do several spring races and I did not do one of them. Pretty disappointed in that!. I am however registered for the Chicago Marathon which is in the fall. I have started my training plan and it's going ok. Will do the Miles for Meals 5k this weekend. It's a fun run/walk benefiting food pantry's in Johnson County. After that I am not signed up for any other races but now that I am running more regularly that will likely change. I want to complete Chicago and the only way to do that is to get out and RUN. Races help motivate me so I need to find some fun runs to sign up for.

5k June 21, 2014

Chicago Marathon 2014 is set for Oct 12, 2014

Slacking... Time to get my mojo back!

I have been very inconsistent with my running since pulling out of the Marine Corps Marathon last year. I was unemployed and injured (hamstring) and honestly... not very motivated. I couldn't justify going to the Marine Corps Marathon (financially) and really didn't think my hamstring would hold up for 26+ miles so I scratched it. Just took a peek at my training on dailymile and wow have I been slacking! I am now employed full-time again so it's time to get back to a routine. I always feel better when I am running regularly so it's time to pick some races and start working towards some goals. I didn't get in to MCM this year. They switched to a lottery and my name wasn't chosen. While I am disappointed about that, it might be for the best. I am way behind on bills and it will take me some time to get caught up financially so maybe I will consider KC Marathon in the fall. For now I think I will just look at spring races and see where my motivation takes me.... Here's what I am thinking for Spring Races:

5K - 4/5/14

Will be volunteering only. 4/12/14

Half-Marathon - 5/10/14

8K - 5/26/14

Half-Marathon - 6/7/14

Once the spring races are complete I will evaluate where I am at and think about a fall marathon. Ok, I will likely think about a fall marathon before the spring races are done but depending on how my body feels at that point will determine if I actually do a fall marathon!

Happy Training Y'all!