Shamrock Run 2012 Recap

Last year I ran the Shamrock Run 5k, and had a blast. (Read about it here)

This year I decided to up the challenge. My original plan was to run the 15k, but after a lot of thought and several drafts of a training plan, I decided to run the 8k instead.

I signed up in early January, did the math, and figured out how much running I would have to do to get ready in time. Now, when I say "did the math" I want you to know, that in my head 8k translated to 6.5 miles. So that is what I trained for. (Yea, 8k is actually 4.96 miles...I am very stupid...)

Luckily winter started out really mild here in Portland so I was able to do a lot of long runs outside. I pushed each weekend run a little longer outside to get more distance and closer to the 6.5 mile mark. I figured once I had the distance down, I would be fine. I was in no rush to win the 8k, I just wanted to finish!

I found out a few weeks before the race, just after my first ever 6.5 mile run, that an 8k isn't actually 6.5 miles and that I would only need to run 4.96 miles. I was SO excited!  I could run 5 miles easily! I could actually focus on speed and not stopping for walk breaks! 

I did my usual pre-race ritual of getting my clothes ready and in a pile on the couch the day before the race. And like usual, I laid in bed too excited to sleep and worried that I would over sleep my alarm.




I didn't wear the shirt. I wore something else. Green isn't my color.


I dozed off eventually and at 6:02 my eyes flew open in a panic wondering why my alarm hadn't gone off. (I set my alarm for 6:04 so, it went off 2 minutes later.)  I braided my hair, got dressed and the Man and I were out they door right around 7.

We took public transportation to the race because there is no way in HELL that we would be finding parking downtown.

The 8k was scheduled to start at 8:25. We got there just after 8. There were some delays due to Amtrak, so we had to stand in the cold rain (much better than the snow that was predicted) until almost 8:45 before it was even my turn to start.

I was so excited to get running because I was so cold. I knew once I got going I would get warm quickly.

The race itself went fantastic. I didn't feel the urge to stop. I really wanted to run faster but there were SO many people I couldn't get a clear path. (Why the HELL do people stop to walk as a GROUP in the middle of the road? Please, GO TO THE SIDE! Let the runners PASS!)

The night before I memorized the course so I knew that there would be a steep uphill the last mile, followed by 2 turns then a steep downhill to the finish. Knowing that the finish was at the bottom of the hill kept me running up it. I looked at my Garmin on the downhill and saw that I was doing an 8 min mile and actually laughed out loud. When I turned the last corner, I aimed myself for the left side of the road because I knew that is where the Man would be waiting with the camera. I gave him a HUGE grin when I saw him, and then some bitch ran in front of my ruining the picture.

I crossed the finish line in exactly 54 minutes! 6 minutes faster than my goal of 1 hour! I was wet and only a little tired. As I went to find water I tried not to be upset because I felt like I should have pushed harder. I was barely out of breath and I felt like I could keep running.

I snapped out of that quickly, put a smile on my face, and met up with the Man and headed for the beer garden for my free beer and chowder!

After I chugged that beer down, we headed to our fave breakfast place so I could eat my weight in blueberry pancakes. I then went home, showered and took a LONG nap.  Spent the rest of the day on the couch doing homework.

I still feel like I should have pushed harder. My muscles weren't sore at all the next day. I am a little disappointed in myself which I shouldn't be. I ran a mother effing 8k! Next year I will be doing the 15k. No ifs, ands, or buts about it!

Oh, and I may have signed up for a 10k in 3 weeks...Bridge to Brews

And I may have my eye on a half marathon in June...or I could puss out and just do the 10k version of that race. We will see.

Running my way

Two of my own personal struggles in life are comparing myself to others and worrying about what others think about me.  I do it all the time in all aspects of my life.

I don't think that I will eliminate this type of thinking completely but in the last few days I have removed it from one portion of my life.  My running.

Here's a little background:

I think I may have only started running because that is what all my online friends were doing.  I don't really remember what motivated me.  I do know that I hated it.  I hated it, but oddly I kept at it and wanted to be better at it.  All my friends were running 5k's so, dammit, I was going to run 5k's too!

I started the Couch to 5k program, signed up for my first race, got about 6 weeks into the training and quit.  Walked 80% of my first 5k and was ashamed of myself. But I kept signing up for races and I kept running, albeit on a random basis. For 2 years I never ran more than a mile without stopping and I never ran more than 3.2 miles at once. 

In September I ran the Race for the Cure and only walked twice.  That was a record for me.  I also ran that race faster than any other I had done before.  It turned a light bulb on in my head and made me want to run even more.

When I signed up for the Shamrock Run in March of this year, I set my goal to be the 15k but quickly realized I didn't have the time or motivation to train that hard, so I settled for running the 8k.  In my head, that translated to 6.5 miles.  I don't know why I thought it was that long...I am not very bright, I guess.

All of my runner friends run several times a week and they run long distance.   On Twitter I see updates like "XXX just finished a 200 mile run in 86 minutes and felt GREAT." It would make me feel like crap every time.  Why can't I run that far or that fast? Why am I not that amazing?  Why am I only running 3 miles in 45 minutes once a week and calling myself a "Runner"?

That guilt actually got me motivated to run more, so I guess it worked.  I bought all the running gear I could get my hands on -- GPS, compression pants, cold weather gear, warm weather gear, iPod running apps etc. Each time I would go out for a run, I would push it a little further when I felt like walking.  I noticed that if I ran slower, I can go longer without stopping.  The first time I ran for 3 miles nonstop I averaged a 13 minute mile.  I cried big fat proud tears of joy when I got home.  When I bragged about my run, I only said how far I went...not how fast. I didn't want anyone to know that grandma's could walk faster than I run.

Since that run, I have managed to push myself to 5 (almost 6) mile runs outdoors without stopping, and 3 miles on the boring ass treadmill.  I finally love running.  I feel so much better after I pound out some miles.

On my last run I let my brain wander and I thought about 2 people that I really look up to regarding running.  Both of them run long distances on a regular basis.  I automatically assumed that they run them quickly and without stopping. I learned recently that both of these things wasn't true about them.  It really blew my mind.  Why had I wasted so much mental energy berating myself for not being as good as I thought they were? Why was I only getting satisfaction when I did something better or equal to someone else? The act of running brings me so much joy, why do I let others squash that joy by comparing my success to theirs? My running, is MY business and no one else's.  I run for ME. No one can bring me gratification from my runs but ME so therefor I really need to only be concerned about how I feel.  From that moment on, I decided that I needed to reframe my thinking.

When someone jumps on the treadmill next to me, I try not to glance at their feet anymore to see if they are running faster than me.  I try not to make a mental list of who started running before/after me to see who stops first. When I see other runners outside I don't adjust my form or go faster until we cross paths (yes, I still wait until they can't see me if I want to take a walk break...). When I run past the freeway I don't wonder if the people in the cars are looking at me and thinking negative things about how slow I am. Instead I think that maybe that person is wishing they were out running too. When I see a friend ran 10 miles, or ran a 7 minute mile, I refuse let that make me feel like less of a runner. 

I am a runner.  I am amazing.  I can do anything. And I my opinion is the only one that matters!
Now, my friends, I want to leave you with a quote that has really inspired me lately. It resonates with me in a lot of ways, and I hope it does the same for you.
 

To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.

~Thich Nhat Hanh~

Random post about my husband...

So, this is totally random, but I wanted to share how hilariously perfect for me my husband is.

We have been together for 6 years, and married for 5 of them. He is super great.

Anyway, his job is aweful and it stresses him out a lot. He calls me frequently just to talk to me until he can relax. A lot of times I can't come to the phone or I don't have time to just chat.

So for Christmas I got him a cute picture frame that he could put on his desk to remind him of me and help cheer him up.

Due to some shipping errors and delays the frame didn't get to my house until recently.  (If you follow me on Twitter, you may recall some crying and cursing regarding USPS right around Christmas...This was why.)

I had had some pictures printed of us that he could chose from to put in the frame.

Here were the options I gave him that were taken on our 5th anniversary trip to the Oregon Coast (our favorite place)....

Some from my birthday party back in May...

Pictures of us from Disney last year...

 

Instead of those options he picked this one....

...I love that man.

2011 In Review & 2012 Goals (Updated...)

Now that we are a few days into 2012 it is time to wrap up 2011 and start making plans for the next few months.
In January of 2011 I came up with a short list of things I wanted to do during the year.  Lets see how I did...

#1) Maintain a B average (3.0 GPA) - DONE!!  Actually got straight A's and a 4.0 GPA


#2) Maintain my goal weight and weigh in at a Weight Watcher's meeting once a month.  - Semi-done and done. I weighed in every month and got my gold key in December for 12 consecutive weigh-in's.  It just so happened to be on the same day as the launch of the new Points Plus 2012 program so I got a lot of stuff that day!

Regarding my weight...well...I stayed a Lifetime member by not going over my goal weight more than 2 lbs.  Yep, that is ALL I accomplished.  I should be happy about that, but I am not.  I am 10 lbs heavier than I was at this time last year and that sucks.


#3) Shamrock Run in March  - Done


#4) Go to Seattle with friends in February - See #5


#5)  Take my husband to a fancy restaurant for his birthday and wear something tight, short, and sexy in March. - Combined his birthday and the Seattle trip into one big event.

Nothing says "classy" quite like a drunken photo of your reflection in an elevator door!

 #6)  Show my mom around town and party like I am not turning 27 for the 3rd time in May. - Done!

#7)  Starlight Run in June. - Not Done (Did a different race instead)
#8)  Celebrate one year at Lifetime in July. - DONE!! Wore a super short skirt to my meeting!

#9)  Portland to Coast in August. - Done!

#10)  Race for the Cure in September. - Done!

#11)  Something super romantic for my 5 year wedding anniversary in October. - Not done.  We went to the Coast.  It was cold. And raining.

I got a lot done that wasn't on that list too! Went to the Bruno Mars concert and got to meet him. Went to see my girl Britney Spears in concert. Completed a an additional 5k in May (Race for the Roses) and April (Race for the Roses). And signed up for a gym membership.

Overall it was an okay year.  Not the greatest, but not the worst either. If 2012 was a repeat of 2011, that would be okay with me.

But, in an effort to make 2012 better...here are some monthly goals for myself.


2012 Goals:

1)  Get back to my "Happy Weight" and stay there! None of this up and down shit.
2)  Maintain my 4.0 GPA
3) Run the 8k Shamrock Run (not the 15k like I really want, I am just not ready...maybe 2013) - March
4)  Race for the Roses 5k- April (Found out they have a 10k...thinking on this one...)
5) Personal - May
6) Portland to Coast - August - Maybe...I don't have a team this year.  I need to find one
7) Race for the Cure 5k - September
8) Graduate from College - December
9)  Go to Cleveland for Christmas - December
10)  Race for the Cure - September
11) Blog at least once a month
12) Finally convince the folks at Weight Watchers to fly me to New York and make me an official Success Story. (yea,yea, this one is a LONG shot...but a girl can dream, right?)

Added...
13) Attend a Weight Watchers meeting AT LEAST once a month, earning a new Key in December.

Well, that sums it up for now!

Here's to making 2012 a great year!

I Believe!! (Do you?)

Can I run a 15k?

So I have been pondering running a 15k in March.

I know, it sounds crazy.  I have only done 5k's up until this point so why triple that lenght?

Well, the Shamrock Run is is in March of 2012 and they offer 3 lengths: 5k (which I did last year), 8k, and 15k.

I could do an 8k with only moderate effort.  Adding a few miles would be some work, but totally doable.

However, a 15k would be a MAJOR stretch for me and a SUPER challenge.  PLUS, finishers of the 15k get a medal!  (Yea, I want the medal...I am a sucker for shiney things...)

For the last few days I have been staring at an Excel spreadsheet calendar that I created and have been stressing about how to add training to my routine without having to sacrifice fun/school/work/sleep.

I would love some feedback from experience runners on if this is doable (and feedback from non-runners too wouldn't be a terrible thing either). 

Open Letter to Jesse the Personal Trainer

Dear Jesse the Personal Trainer (Hereafter to be known as Asshat),

First let me thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me for the free personal training session that came with my brand spanking new gym membership.  While I appreciate your effort and understand that it is your job to sell me additional personal training sessions, you crossed the line several times and I would like to take a moment to mock you publicly for it so I can move on.

I understand you are young and trying to make a good impression at your new job, but constantly repeating that you are 25, just recently promoted to Director of Training after only 4 months with the company and that the first thing you did in your new role is fire two people, makes you sound like a total Asshat.  (Hence, why that is your new nickname.)

I also understand that it is your job to sell me additional personal training sessions, however, telling a potential client...

1) She will not achieve her fitness goals with out you
2) She should spend less money on shoes and more money on her physical fitness
3) She is a "skinny fat person"
4) That not only do you have multiple degrees, minored in Psychology, were in the Navy, but you also drew and designed all your tattoos, including the one written completely in Latin
5) You have turned away at least 100 paying customers because you felt they wouldn't be dedicated to your program enough
6) You are the #2 sales person in the entire company and if you really wanted to you could turn on the charm and make me buy 100 sessions with him but you won't because that isn't how you roll

...makes you a total and complete Asshat.

Now, you mentioned several times that you found me very funny, admired my dedication to losing weight and even commented on how obviously stubborn I am. Which means it will come to no surprise to you that I think you are an Asshat and I want to punch you in the face numerous times.  I won't be punching you in the face though, for several reasons.  Mostly because I have never punched anyone and I doubt I can do it with the amount of damage I am hoping for, but also because I have a better form of revenge planned for you.

Because you told me I couldn't do it and because you noticed that I am a stubborn bitch, I will now be making it my goal to prove you fucking wrong.  I will be working me ass of in the gym at least 3 days a week until I am in the exact shape I want to be in.  I will lose the last 12 vanity pounds I am struggling with.  I will run a 10k.  I will tighten up my ass so that it looks even better than it currently does in my expensive 5-inch platform stilettos.  And then, I will saunter over to your desk, politely ask you to retest my body fat percentage with your little gadget thingy.  Once you have recovered from the shock of seeing my results, I will rip the gadget from your hands and beat you over the head with it.  (Okay, maybe not...that would be Assault, which is illegal.)

I am pretty sure you will be fired soon from your job as the company you work for might not like it if you continually talk to your potential clients like you do as well as turn away business.  However, if you could just keep it long enough for me to prove my point, I would be grateful!

Have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

Rizzle

I'm Struggling...

I have been writing this post in my head for a while now.  I just haven't had the guts to actually write it and announce that I am struggling. (Hence why I haven't posted since April either.)

A lot has happened in the last few months which has led up to my current struggles.

School kept me really busy, but I managed straight A's.  

My birthday was the end of May and I turned....30...ugh.  

I bought myself a fancy running nerd-bag to hold water bottles and my inhaler, and my husband got my a fancy Garmin 305.  I spent a lot of June outside running, but didn't improve my time or distance so I got discouraged and haven't gone on a serious run in weeks.

Needless to say, my eating has been total garbage.  I am out of control.  If I see it, I eat it.  ALL OF IT.  In the beginning of June my weight hit my "Scary Number" so I signed back up for Weight Watchers E-Tools so I can track my eating.  Since then, I have been excellent at tracking Monday thru Thursday.  Then Friday hits....and....all Hell breaks loose.  I am not kidding.  Two weeks ago, I tracked on Monday the damage I did over the weekend and ended up being 67 Points Plus in the whole.  I haven't tracked what I ate this weekend, but let me tell you, it wasn't good.  (Friday night was a BAG of Milano cookies, a JAR of salsa with chips, and HALF of a Family Sized Papa Murphy's D-lite pizza.)

 

The Red line is my "Happy Weight", the Green line is my "In My Dreams" Weight.  My current weight is 0.6lbs over my "Goal" weight.

I am miserable right now.  I don't know what my problem is and I don't know how to fix it.  I used to be the queen of not putting things in my mouth I didn't have the points for.  And now it doesn't even seem o matter to me.  My pants are tight.  I feel gross.  And yet, I can't stop myself.  

I don't know what to do.  

I am scared.

I am struggling.

I need help.