The Drizzt Diary

the big day was sunday.  i was ready as i could possibly be with the knowledge i have.  this was my first race and the experience was awesome.  we ran a keyhole shaped loop around white rock lake in dallas, texas.  there were people there from as far away as calgary, alberta, canada.  i had two goals–first to run it in 2 hours and second to have a negative split.  i almost made the first goal and i definitely made the second.  my splits were 1:05 and 1:0.  the start was a little surreal to me.  because of the warnings of the announcer about heat and humidity and hydration i believe the pack stayed ‘packed’ longer to conserve energy.  i know the elite runners hit the trail hard but it seemed sort of claustrophobic for the first two miles.  i only passed up two water stations–they were out of water and had only gatorade and i didn’t want gatorade until later in the race.  i have never drank out of a cup while running–i think i liked wearing the water more than drinking it (i stopped when it was time for gatorade).  i felt strong at the end.  i was surprised to see the finish at the top of the hill at mile 12. but then, i forgot that we had to walk DOWN the hill to the lakes edge to line up. i swear the last tenth was straight up (lol).  there was a coach for the dallas running club at mile 13 telling his crew to push their shoulders back, look up and take a deep breath–the hill was coming.  sounded like good advice. we are told the same thing when riding dressage.  shoulders in your back pocket, chin up and breathe to relax.  i am so ready to do this again. i want to work on speed/time.  in my age group 45-49 i was 8th out of 18.  out of the 1000+- runners i was 250.  sei la vie. it was fantastic. i felt good after the race and into the evening. i did go to bed at 8:30 last night though after getting up at 4am. today i am a little sore in my quads and hip flexors but will jog it out tomorrow for a few miles.

Logbook Activity

• Type: Run
• Date: 08/25/2008
• Time: 14:46:58
• Total Time: 2:05:26.00
• Distance: 13.1 miles
• Average Pace: 9:34.16/mile

today’s run was awesome.  felt strong and light.  now i am nervous about the 1/2 this sunday!!!

Logbook Activity

• Type: Run
• Date: 08/21/2008
• Total Time: 00:47:00.00
• Distance: 5.5 miles
• Average Pace: 8:32.82/mile

actually, it was showers but felt so good. felt like the women marathoners in the olympics getting my own private spray. i will run one more time before my race. i am getting excited.

Logbook Activity

• Type: Run
• Date: 08/19/2008
• Total Time: 00:48:00.00
• Distance: 5.5 miles
• Average Pace: 8:44.02/mile

went to the track to figure out what my paces feel like.  somedays i get it right, some days i don’t. with the 1/2 coming up, i wanted to be able to feel my paces.  it was very foggy so i didn’t do much. there was no where for the sweat to go.

Logbook Activity

• Type: Run
• Date: 08/16/2008
• Distance: 3 miles

did my hillwork today in 15mph winds with 99% humidity (at least it was cloudy)–didn’t finish the last hill set for two reasons–it started thundering and raining (lightning is always a factor in s. texas) and my hips were still tired from the 20 miler on saturday.  positive thing about my run–the wind was in my face going down and pushing me going up!!! the run gods were on my side. a side note–just to brag a bit–my horse jumping coach that i trained under in canada is currently sitting 32 out of 70 in the olympic  three day eventing. she is the top canadian out of 5 team members.  we are so proud of her and her horse!!!!! he is home bred and home trained.!!!! way to go.

Logbook Activity

• Type: Run
• Date: 08/12/2008
• Time: 06:48:35
• Total Time: 00:42:20.00
• Distance: 4.8 miles
• Average Pace: 8:49.41/mile

The other day I was at the mall with my daughter–doing all that last minute shopping for university!! A woman walked up to me and asked “are you a runner”? I had to stop and think–”am I a runner”?  I hesitantly answered, yes–why do you ask? And she replied–”you are in great shape and have the nicest legs”.  I sheepishly thanked her.

Anyway–the point being, I started from ground zero ‘running’ in March with an idea to do a 1/2 marathon and am now training for a full marathon.  I go through all the steps and processes to accomplish this but not until the other day did I fully grasp who and what I am–I am a RUNNER.

i was so pumped for today’s group run.  the first 17 miles were great–i went pretty  slow on the first  5 because i knew with the sun coming up at 7am and the heat index at about 90 it would be brutal.  when i stopped for water at mile 15, i decided to pour some on my body. well, i sort of got water all down my left leg and into my shoe.  not good. i am running along with a ’squish’ step, ’squish’ step…bothered the hell out of me not to mention my poor foot wallering around in this wet shoe. besides dealing with some tightness in my calves–poor babies didn’t know what hit them–i had to deal with a squishy sock and shoe.  boy did i learn a lesson there.  be careful where you pour your water.  it was so humid today that sweat was pouring down my legs front and back–guess you could say i had sweat ‘365′.  i have never had that happen before.  the guys were taking off their shirts and ringing them out!!  we all survived.

Logbook Activity

• Type: Run
• Date: 08/09/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 3:12:00.00
• Distance: 20 miles
• Average Pace: 9:36/mile

Logbook Activity

• Type: Run
• Date: 08/08/2008
• Total Time: 2:08:00.00
• Distance: 13.5 miles
• Average Pace: 9:28.72/mile

the hurricane brought us much needed rain.  it was still raining this morning when i got up to run. so, i went back to bed instead knowing i would have to do my run on the treadmill.  i did some hill work–granted real hills are better.  i had that treadmill shaking!!! then i did some speed work.  i listened to classical music for the first time in ages–kept my mind engaged while stuck in one spot.  i used to play classical piano so know a little bit about the music. i have a 20 mile run this weekend. my 1/2 is in about 2.5 weeks.  i am ready for that and am continuing my training for a full marathon in october.  maybe it won’t be so bloody hot then.

Logbook Activity

• Type: Run
• Date: 08/06/2008
• Time: 14:00:00
• Total Time: 1:20:00.00
• Distance: 8.3 miles
• Average Pace: 9:38.78/mile

Logbook Activity

• Type: Run
• Date: 08/05/2008
• Time: 07:00:00
• Total Time: 00:48:00.00
• Distance: 5.5 miles
• Average Pace: 8:44.02/mile