4th of July Race Recap!
Before I begin this recap, I have to say something. Highland Park, Illinois is the town where I grew up. I wish I could say I’m shocked and horrified that a shooting could take place there, but sadly the 2018 shooting in Parkland, Florida occurred in the town right next to us. My son has friends who attended Stoneman Douglas and my coworkers have kids there. Unless something changes, we’re all eventually going to be saying that it happened in the town next to us, or in our hometown, or directly to us. The second amendment to our constitution says “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Well regulated! Can we PLEASE do something to regulate guns in this country? Now, on to the race. Yesterday my husband and I ran the Weston July 4th Hometown Celebration 5K. We run this race every year… unless there’s a pandemic, or I’m injured. Let’s just say I haven’t run it in several years, and I was happy to be back! The race started at 7:15, and we got there early to pick up our bibs and get warmed up. I wore my festive shirt, but only before the race- I ran the race in shorts and a sports bra because it was a HOT day. I ran a mile to warm up, and then I employed a trick which has served me well in the past- I brought along ice in a cooler and put a handful of ice cubes into the front of my bra. It cooled me down SO MUCH. My husband obviously didn’t have this option, and he said he was extremely hot waiting for the race to start, while I was comfortable. They played the national anthem, and I tried to focus on the good things about our country. It’s getting harder and harder (and this was before the Highland Park shooting, of course.) In spite of everything, we’re incredibly privileged to live in America. Compared to other parts of the world where people live in unstable and dangerous situations, we have it pretty good. Really good. And then the race started! My goal was to hold a steady 9 minute mile pace throughout. I don’t want to go on and on about it, but it’s still a little frustrating to me that my current 5K pace is 9 min/mile. In recent races, I think I just wasn’t accepting that’s where I’m at right now, and I would go out too fast and then completely crumble in the last mile. For this race I really wanted to be realistic, run the correct pace, and hold that pace till the end. My first mile felt hard-ish but under control, and my Garmin beeped at 8:57. Considering how hard it is to hold back at the start of a race, I thought that was an excellent beginning. The second mile was 8:54. The third mile was where it truly got hard. I’ve been working on my mental game for that last mile, and I pushed myself- and my third mile was 9:07. Now, I’m no math whiz, but it seemed to me that whether or not I averaged a 9 minute/mile pace would all come down to that last .1 mile. Somewhere in the second mile I had become aware that I was running behind a young girl- maybe eight years old? Nine? Ten? For a while I was determined not to let her get too far ahead, but in the third mile I realized I was gaining on her. I resolved to pass her in that last tenth of a mile- but as the finish line came into sight, the MEDDLING announcer shouted “You’re almost there! Sprint to the finish!” She sprinted! I sprinted! And she crossed the line just ahead of me. In spite of the fact that I didn’t even know her (and she beat me) I felt incredibly proud of that girl. She’s just a little kid and she ran a great race! Such a consistent pace and she even had a kick at the end. Great job-although I’ll be back next year and you’re going DOWN, Missy! I figured with that ending sprint to the finish, I was surely under a 9 minute pace… but my official time showed this: I PROTEST!!! My Garmin says that I ran 3.15 miles and my average pace was 8:58, so I’m going with that. That’s how it works, right? When there’s a discrepancy between your chip time and your Garmin time, you go with the one you like better! Ha ha. Let’s just say that overall I was happy with my effort. And come on… I can’t take myself TOO seriously. I was battling an eight-year-old to the finish! In the end I can say I honestly had fun, and that’s what really matters. There was the annual fire hose “shower” at the end, which felt amazing. We didn’t stick around very long afterwards. Instead of having the finish line food and festivities outside as they usually do, this year they had it all inside the YMCA. I went in to get a banana, and because I was wet from the shower, the AC was FREEZING COLD. Good thing I didn’t win an AG award (ha ha) because I wouldn’t have been able to stay to get it. Just keep everything outside next year! All in all, we enjoyed this race, as we always do. Now I’m looking forward to the next one! Did you race this weekend? I’m linking this post with Kim and Zenaida for their Tuesday Topics, as well as Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs for the Runners Roundup. Thanks, ladies!
Weekly Rundown- Almost Race Week
Ever noticed how it’s really confusing to have a race that’s NOT on a Saturday or Sunday? I’m running a 5K tomorrow (the 4th) so that affected my workouts this week- kind of. Throw in a little shin pain (eep!) and the week took some twists and turns. But it’s all good. Thanks to Kim and Deborah as always for hosting the Weekly Rundown. Let’s just see how pre-race week went! Sunday Ah…. back on the trail. Several weeks ago I decided the trail was too hot and un-shaded for long runs. So I did a couple long runs out on the roads, but I missed my trail. I decided to try it again and hope for a few clouds to cool things down. As luck would have it, it was a bright, sunny day. Perfect for just about any activity other than running on a shade-less trail. But you know what? I loved it anyway. I ended up going 11 miles, and even that last hot mile was fun. In a weird, twisted way, of course. Monday I was feeling that trail run in my quads, so I did a 5 minute core class and a 30 minute yoga flow. All classes were on Peloton, and the yoga classes were with my yoga bff, Denis Morton. This particular yoga class is one of my favorites- a twist focus flow from 12/6/20. I always feel amazing after this class. Tuesday I had planned this as a cutback week, so I started the day with a short 2 mile run… …followed by a glutes and legs strength class with Matty Maggiacomo, “Lunge-a-Palooza.” This is one of my favorites- I like lunges! Followed this class with a 5 minute core class. Wednesday One last speed workout before my race. After a warmup run, I did a combination of 400 and 800 repeats, ending with a mile at 5K pace. I figured it would be good practice for that last mile of the race- 5Ks are always painful. Followed this with a 10 minute core class. This, by the way, is the same class that hurt my neck last week. I still like the class, but now I sub something else for the v-ups. No more v-ups for me. Now- funny thing. After my shower I was rubbing coconut oil (aka my moisturizer) on my legs and I noticed a VERY tender spot on the inside of my shin. It felt like shin splints (or in more specific terms, medial tibial stress syndrome.) I didn’t feel it while I was running, but it was sore enough to the touch to raise a big red flag. Arg! Thursday In addition to the tender spot on my right shin, that calf muscle was also very tight and sore. What the—? I didn’t feel any of this while I was running???!! Anyway, I decided to take it easy on my legs. I did a 5 minute core class, and then a 20 minute upper body strength class. This was only the second upper body class I’ve ever taken on Peloton. Crazy, I know. I’ve been doing pull-ups (assisted, with a band of course) and counting that as upper body. This was with my favorite strength instructor, Matty, and oh boy… was I sore. Note to self: you need more upper body classes. Followed this with a 20 minute yoga flow. Friday I decided to take an extra day off running, just to be safe. Because guess what- I’m not missing that race on Monday. So I did another 5 minute core class, followed by a 20 minute glutes and legs strength class with Matty. This one is from 12/14/20 and is another favorite. He incorporates a lot of balance work, AND there are NO plyometrics. Bonus. Again, followed by a 20 minute yoga flow. Saturday I started with a 10 minute barre class. This was my first time trying a barre class, and it was a GREAT warmup for running. I also walked a little extra to further warm up, and then did a 3 mile run. The whole time I kept asking myself “Does my shin hurt? Was that a twinge?” But overall everything felt good. Phew. I planned to do a core class after work, but I completely forgot and took a nap instead. Later on I was sitting on the couch sipping a beer and thought “Wait a minute! I was supposed to do a core class.” But I think it goes without saying that once the beer comes out, workouts are done for the day. Sunday On tap for today… It’s a mystery! I usually do my long run on Sunday but I have a race tomorrow. I would do a short run, but I want to give my shin the extra rest just to be on the safe side. I’m thinking of a core class (to make up for the beer situation yesterday) and maybe a power yoga class. And pancakes. Heh heh. Are you doing a race this weekend? Do you have anything special planned for the 4th? – Other than our race, we don’t have anything planned. People in our neighborhood set off so many fireworks, we can have a nice show just looking out our window (while the poor cats hide under the bed.)
Five Things to Look Forward to- July Coffee Date
There’s an old Peanuts cartoon where Linus explains the secret to happiness: having “five things to look forward to and nothing to dread.” Sounds good to me! Grab a coffee/tea/beverage of choice and I’ll tell you five things I’m looking forward to right now. Thanks as always to Coco and Deborah for hosting our monthly coffee date! 1. My next race On Monday I’m running a 5K! For the first time in a long time, I’ve actually been doing some speed work. I’m definitely not going to be setting any PRs, but I’m slowly emerging from the molasses I’ve been running through for the past couple of years. I’m not looking forward to that last mile- 5Ks hurt- but overall I’m looking forward to the race. Races are fun! 2. Having a real holiday Where I work, we’re closed four days a year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and July 4th. Other than those days, if a holiday falls on a day we’re scheduled to work, we’re expected to be there. Since I work Mondays, I always work on Labor Day, Memorial Day, President’s Day, Juneteenth… all the bank holidays some people have off. So it’s an extra-special treat to have July 4th fall on a Monday and have a real holiday! 3. My trip to Chicago At the end of July I’m flying up to Chicago for a few days to see my sister! I haven’t seen her in over two years. She actually lives in a suburb of Chicago, and I’m not sure if we’ll make it into the city or not. That doesn’t matter to me- I’ll be happy to relax at my sister’s the whole time. 4. Another road trip In the middle of August, my son and I will be driving to Texas again. Last summer we made the same trip prior to his freshman year at Baylor. That trip was bittersweet for me- we had fun, but all the way there it was in the back of my mind that I would be leaving him at school and returning alone. Many tears were shed on my solo drive back! Now that I’ve adjusted to the whole college thing (more or less) I think I’ll be able to enjoy this trip more, AND since the purpose of the trip is to get his car there, I will be flying back this time! I think it goes without saying that flying is better than driving twenty hours by myself. 5. The Ink Black Heart On August 30, the sixth book in Robert Galbraith’s (aka J.K. Rowling) Cormoran Strike mystery series comes out. I’m SO EXCITED. I’ve come to the conclusion that J.K. Rowling is my favorite author of all time. After reading the Harry Potter books twice (now just waiting another ten years so I can read them again), Casual Vacancy, and the first five Cormoran Strike novels, I know that I’ll love everything she writes. I originally put a library hold on this book, but it’s 1000 pages long (yay! The longer, the better.). I don’t want to rush through it in order to return it to the library on time, so I pre-ordered it from Amazon instead. Seriously- I’m counting down the days. So that’s it! Five things to look forward to, and nothing to dread. Linus was right- I do feel happy! How about you- can you think of five things you’re looking forward to?
Mid-Year Reflections
Last week on Gretchen Rubin’s “Happier” podcast, they reviewed their one-word themes for 2022. That’s a good idea! Wait, what was my word for 2022 again? I actually had to think for a moment, but then I remembered my word for 2022 was “Start.” When I chose that word, I thought that it might seem like a great word for January, but not as great for June or July. Guess what? I was right! I haven’t thought about my word in months, so I went back and read my post from January. Oh yeah… boy, did my life suck! A direct quote from that post is, “I spent all of 2021 wishing I were running faster and farther.” Yep, I really struggled with my foot. In November and December I was getting shockwave treatments, and in December I got custom-made orthotics, which I was slowly getting used to. Then, as a final, crowning blow, I got Covid on Christmas and spent seven days lying on my couch. Things pretty much hit rock bottom- no wonder I chose “start” for my word of 2022! So how’s it going? Well, I can honestly say that I’m in a completely different place now. I have a consistent strength training/yoga schedule going, and, more importantly, I’m running four days a week, with a Sunday long run of ten miles, and speed work every Wednesday. I still wish I were faster, but at least now I’m able to work at it. I thought about changing my word to “Continue,” as in, continue on with what I’m doing. But then I decided a better word would be “Appreciate.” Too often I go barreling through life, and only appreciate the good times in retrospect. I’m in a place right now I was longing for in 2021. I’m signed up for races and actually have time goals. I’m able to get out there every Wednesday and do speed work, and every Sunday I’m out on the trails, which I love. My foot isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t hurt while I’m running, and I’m never worried about it limiting my speed or distance. Furthermore, it’s summer! There’s plenty of daylight, both my kids are doing well, and life is good. I don’t want to be like Woody Allen’s character in Hannah and Her Sisters when his assistant reminds him that he was miserable yesterday, and he says “I was happy! I just didn’t realize I was happy!” I’m glad I did this mid-year checking in. My one-word theme isn’t as important now but it gave me a chance to see how far I’ve come, and adopt my word for the second half of 2022- Appreciate. I’m linking up with Kim and Zenaida for their Tuesday Topics! What about you- did you have a word for 2022? Does it still fit? Would you change or modify it now?