Making changes...

We all have disappointing runs or training sessions from time to time.  Your head hurts, your body hurts, your mind is distracted, you've got too many other things to do - regardless of why, those workouts just leaving me feeling down and wanting something better afterward.

What I always hope doesn't happen is a body or mind crash during a race.  Unfortunately, I had just such an experience this past weekend at the Disney Princess Half Marathon. 

I've lined up at that start line four other times. I know the twists, the turns, the ups & downs.  I even know the speed bumps.  I keep coming back because it's predictable, I enjoy the atmosphere and I am always seeded well enough to end up in a starting corral that gives me space to run my race (as opposed to getting bottled up with the 24,000 other runners).

Coming out of the race, you would think I was happy with my performance.  I finished in the top 6% overall and the top 7% in my age group.  But I went into the race with a submission time that placed me in the top 1% of the race field....and, in all but a few races, I tend to compete against myself and the clock rather than the race field. 

So this weekend I was chasing 1 hour, 48 minutes.  That was my verified submission time for a half marathon finish in the past couple years.

In my heart of hearts, I know that my fitness still isn't back to that level, but 1 hour 55 minutes should have been achievable.

I felt good moseying up to the start (at 5:00am) in corral A (right behind the elites....which always gives me an extra boost of speed).  I didn't really do anything different in my race prep.  I didn't wear new shoes or a new piece of running gear.  I was hydrated.  My back felt good.  Everything pointed toward a good race.

At the start, I was pulling 8:30 miles, which would have landed me below my race goal of 1:55.  I was in to watching the costumes, enjoying the cooler air.  Then, almost like smacking into a wall or trudging through a bog, at mile 5 the wind went out of my sails.

I felt like there was nothing I could do to make myself move any faster, and my time began to degrade pretty dramatically.  I refueled.  I gazed at Cinderella's castle.  I smiled up at Anna and Elsa trying to gain some new momentum.  Nothing.  THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO MAKE MY LEGS TURN OVER FASTER.  That is as frustrating as it gets.

So now I'm looking at that 2:03 finish and trying to figure out what I need to do to get back down to that 1:55 (or even better, break that 1:48).

I've recently increased my strength and flexibility training, returning to yoga and pilates twice a week.  But I know that my frame is still caring 20 extra baby pounds and I've got to get my diet under control.  Which means, next step is cleaning out the kitchen and convincing my family to hold me accountable.

A Stacie who meets her goals is a happy Stacie.  Here's to the sweat and tears and all the hard work it will take to regain that fitness level.  Happy trails!!!


2015 Miles to Date: 137.14

Observations:  While it would be easy to let a bad performance go to my head, I can control the impact said performance has on my morale and I refuse to let it get in my way.  Just another hurdle to overcome....

Around the world....

Not literally, well possibly literally.   Friday I returned to training with the Disney Royal Family 5k at Epcot Center (though I haven't officially been cleared by the doctors since it's only been 20 days.  It's hard to keep me down...did you read my last post about how stubborn I am?). 

Why yes, Baby K was born on February 1, and so I am back to training.  Today's story won't really include Baby K (he's a little young to actively participate as yet), but  not to worry, I'm sure I will have many stories to share of time on the roads with my newest running partner.

So my return to pounding the pavement brought mixed feelings - but we'll get to that - first the course.  I've run a few different Disney races and have experienced different courses.  Though only a 5k, it has to be my favorite Disney course yet. 

The start was out in the Epcot parking lot. It was a different group than I'm used to running a Disney race with.  More kids, more families.  A festive environment to be sure.  The first mile continued through the parking lot and access roads, though it was too dark to really see.  Then, with the beginning of mile 2, we entered the Epcot Center World Showcase and took a jaunt around the world.  Each of the countries in the showcase was well-represented by the Disney character from that country (or at least one dressed in traditional costume from that country).  It made me smile.  I like to smile while running.  The final mile was back through the front end of Epcot Center, around Spaceship Earth and the memorial plaza and back out into the parking lot.  A grand return to the race scene for sure.

The run felt awesome.  Muscle memory kicked in and everything worked the way it should.  No walking...the running felt just fine (though not particularly fast).  That said, it was sad to be at Princess Half weekend running something other than the half marathon (I've run it every year since 2011).  I went back and forth with regret for not pushing myself to run the bigger distances this weekend, but knew in my mind that I was already biting off more than I should.  I'll take the finish, though.  Definitely can't complain (and I even scored a pair of the New Balance Run Disney shoes in the Cinderella motif).

Saturday we were right back at Epcot Center for the kids races...Diva's turn on the course.  This was officially her second time in a Disney kids race.  The first one was for 100m, but she's a bigger girl now, and so was registered in the 200m.  It was also special because she got to run with one of her good friends.  I'm a very proud mama....last time she had to be carried but today she ran the whole thing herself (with me running right beside her of course).  Perhaps this girl is headed to a running career of her own.  She was smiling ear to ear when she finished.  And then of course we headed straight into the park so the Diva could meet some Disney princesses.

We rounded off the "return to running" weekend cheering for my good friend, Ann, in her Disney debut at the Princess Half Marathon.  The diva was so excited to hold up a sign for Ann that another lady asked the diva to hold her sign up so she could take a picture with the cute, enthusiastic kid.

All in all, I'd say that I couldn't have asked for a better way to get back in action.  I mean really, if this is just the beginning, then the rest of the year must bring great things.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles: 3.16
Time:  37:59 (pace of 12:01 per mile)
Location:  Epcot Center, Walt Disney World
Feeling:  motivated to get back in the game

Transitions = blogging delays....

Transitions can be exciting.  They can also be very disruptive to your routines.  This year I've changed jobs, moved offices (twice), traveled a lot and am still working on perfecting my role in a family of three while keeping on target with my personal fitness goals.  Is it any wonder I haven't updated the blog as regularly as last year?!?

Anyway, my March endeavor is to get back on track (and write several of the posts I skipped) and blog as I go, like last year.  I've been having fun in my running shoes the past six weeks and I don't want to miss the opportunity to share.  While I'm not breaking speed barriers (as evidenced by my lack luster showing down in Florida last weekend...finished in the top 5% but I was disappointed with my time), I am building new friendships, exploring new terrain and working hard to make this a great running year.

Today's run was simple.  It was a muscle shake out.  I'm trying to be better at resting after bigger races and so I took two days off after the half marathon last weekend.  My legs were definitely stiff...more along the lines of "feels like hardening cement."  But the day was beautiful and the run was good for my mental sanity.  Plus, I got to see the sun peering around the top of the Capitol Building...that just makes my day. 

I also got to laugh to myself for half a mile.  I know I would do this if it happened to me, but still, its amusing to watch it.  I came up on the left side of this women who was moving a lot slower than me (I'd guess her pace was a good 30 seconds/mile slower) and as I passed her she dug deep to find the energy to ensure she passed me up again.  I was running to shake out to cobwebs, so I didn't chase her down.  But anyway, it was a good smile.

I'm slightly behind in mileage for the month of February, but am certain I can grab the extra few needed to be on solid ground by the end of March.  I had two 30+ mile weeks this month (and one abyssmal week of travel overseas that didn't lend itself to much running).  March will be better in so many ways - more running, more blogging.  Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles:  4.72
Tine:   41:52 (average pace of 8:52 per mile)
Location:  I'm permanently removing this stat for personal reasons, but message me if you want to know specifically where I'm running...you'll be able to get a general idea otherwise, from the landmarks I talk about.
Feeling:  Sluggish, but mentally awesom

I'll update the mileage calculator later tonight, but i've completed 180.21/1245 so far.

Looking for a scary good time...

Continuing my post from last night...the universe got one laugh after another at my expense. After insanely running in the middle of the day so that I could go to yoga last night, I get to the gym with 15 minutes to spare before class only to find a sign at the check in desk stating that the 7:30 class was cancelled. Are you kidding me? That's just how it went. Luckily today was not a collosal repeat of yesterday.

First of all, let's chop a whopping 15 degrees off the temperature at run time. God that makes a huge difference when you aren't yet adjusted to summer temps. Second, run 6 hours later...ahhh, nothing like washing the day from your brain with a nice 5 mile jog. So, overall, there are NO complaints from me today. I even felt decent enough to really cruise (for me) during the run. It's also a big boost to pass several other joggers on the sidewalk...especially those of the male persuasion. Makes a lady feel good.

After my jog, I was checking out my facebook page and was scared into shape. That's right, the runDisney status update told me that the Disney Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Ten Miler was 95% sold out. Yikes, I really wanted to get in on that action this year. A) I love runDisney events (go back and check out my post on the Disney Princess Half Marathon back in February if you want to know the antics that take place on Disney courses), and 2) who wouldn't want to run around Disney World at night with glow sticks (I may just be compelled to fashion a running costume made of multi-colored glow sticks) followed by a midnight bash at the Tower of Terror with Disney's most famous villains? This girl is jumping up and down waving my arm with enthusiasm like a school girl with the answer to the question. Tonight I rectified the situation and you are now acquainted with at least one of the 20,000+ runners who will be at that start line at 10pm on 29 September. Who's going to join me? Until then, happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles: 5.14
Time: 41:24 (average pace of 8:03 per mile)
Location: Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling: Fast, legs were really good, now if I could only get the upper body back in muscles to carry me through times when my legs are less than great

Magical moments....

It's time for the Disney Princess Half Marathon recap...It was a fantastic weather weekend for running in Orlando. This time of year can be iffy and boiling hot or freezing cold. It was a perfect low-50's kind of morning for a nice jaunt between Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

So now for race day. This is an early morning event, so not for the weak hearted. You have to park by 4am and be in your starting corral by 5am...in a perfect world. We left our hotel at 3:30am to ensure we had plenty of time to make it by 4am. Ended up in massive traffic for the race, but got parked by 4:15am. Went straight to the port a potty line

and stood there until 4:45am. Now mind you, its a 20 minute walk to the starting corrals and we are supposed to be there by 5:00am, so I'm already behind again. Somehow made it to the starting corral through a mass of people by 5:10am...after seeing some fantastic costumes. Props to the guys for really stepping it up this year! Especially you, gentleman with the mermaid tail and at least 300 hundred individually glued sequins designing your naked torso. And then, at roughly 5:50am, the first wave was off! (Oh yeah, that was my wave...I was number 395.)

Anybody who's run a Disney race knows that these are about the experience not the time. You cruise past every imaginable Disney scene set up along

the roadside, get the opportunity to take pictures with just about every Disney character ever created, and of course, run through Cinderella's Castle, which is why I love this race. Last year I didn't do much of the photo safari aspect of the race, this time was different. Disney had more photographers out on the course, so I took full advantage...plus being in the front of the race meant no lines. I was able to pop off course, have a photo taken and resume running in less than 15 seconds each time :) Hopefully the photos don't look too goofy.

Anyway, the run felt pretty decent, though I was really concerned on the front half of the race because my left hamstring and right quad were really giving me fits and starts. I applied biofreeze and sucked it up. The course was better managed this year than last, I think. You could

breathe easy without worrying about sucking in diesel fumes from the generator's lighting the otherwise dark course, and believe me, you definitely did not need to bring your own hydration - 9 water stops over 13.1 miles. And, of course, there is nothing quite as awesome as crossing that finish line well ahead of where you thought you might on the timer. The race was fast and fun.

So here's the down and dirty - Overall, I finished 878 out of 15, 784 women, 151 out of 2,543 aged 35-39.

Happy trails!

Stats-
Miles: 13.29 (plus 1 mile to the start and 1/2 a mile sprint in airport)
Time: 1:56:48 (average 8:47 per mile)
Location: DISNEY WORLD!!!
Feeling: Really awesome!!!

Tick tock, tick tock...

That's the sound of the countdown clock. It is less than 12 hours before I head south to get my bling on at the Disney Princess Half Marathon. What am I most looking forward to? Another run through Cinderella's Castle as dawn breaks over its turrets :) Truly, this race is worth getting up and in your starting corral by 5am.

But turning to more immediate matters - today was GORGEOUS!!!! (Yes I meant to use that many exclamation points) I absolutely could not let a day like this pass me by, so I did not one but two runs this afternoon. While I've combined the stats below, my first run was a little leg stretcher over my lunch break. It was so nice to cruise through the Capitol Hill neighborhoods and see the daffodils poking through the ground and all the colorful spinning pinwheels. It kind of puts an added spring in your step and smile in your heart...though not in the hearts of DC drivers apparently since I was neary hit by three or four while in crosswalks (DC law says a car is supposed to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, but many ignore the law). So this little venture was an added bonus to the day.

My real run came after work when I could really get out and move around for a while. As I stated on Monday, my goal for the week is 28 miles, in part to make up for a very slow February start. To stay on target I really needed to put in 10 miles today if I want to be able to relax Friday and Saturday and just play in Orlando pre-race. Alas, I'm 1.5 miles behind and will take in a leisurely jog to loosen my legs tomorrow or Saturday to fill that gap. But back to today, the afterwork run looked a bit like a traffic jam on the sidewalks with so many runners taking in the great weather. It's rather inspiring to see so many folks enjoying the weather in running shoes. Here's to many more wonderful weather days this February :) (or at least 6 more since that's all standing between us and March). Happy trails!

Stats-
Miles: 8.54
Time: 1:13:30 (average pace of 8:36 per mile...though my first run average was actually 8:19 per mile)
Location: All over Capitol Hill
Feeling: Fantastic! Great leg stretch before the half marathon

7 days to go...

Last year, for the first time, I decided to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Now, that sounds like it should be a relatively simple endeavor, right? After all, I've run a few marathons, a couple 50Ks, and many ten milers. It's not. Last year was the first time I ran the half marathon distance, which is distinctly different than is shorter or longer brethren. That said, it's an easier half marathon than most because it is basically a 13.1 mile photo safari through the grounds of Disney between Epcot and the Cinderella's Castle.

Well, I had such a good time last year that I'm running it again this year. Next Sunday to be exact. At first I thought I'd set an ambitious goal for myself after running a 1:53:31 half last fall. I thought "why not shoot for 1:50:00 or even 1:45:00?" Then, as I was doing my long run today I thought better of it. After all, the point of the Princess Half is to enjoy the course, stop at the photo ops all along the course, and soak in the dawn breaking over Cinderella Castle. We'll shelve the more ambitious half marathon goal for later this year and just have fun next week.

Now on to today's run. There's little to say except that it was remarkably uneventful. With one exception that is...I was WAY under-fueled for a ten mile run. I got a bit weak about 7 miles in because of the lack of calories consumed during the day. Reminder to self - next Saturday night carbo load and put a sleeve of gel shots in my race gear for Sunday. I can guarantee a much happier run that way. Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles: 10.03
Time: 1:27:17
Location: Cape St. Claire and Woods Landing
Feeling: Worn...fuel next time