Grand Island Trail Half Marathon Recap

Well, it's amazing how differently you can react to a race, simply because of different expectations put on it.  In May, I was unjustifiably disappointed with a 2:05-something finish at the Kalamazoo Half Marathon, because I had put a lot of pressure on myself to break two hours.  Yesterday, I was (and still am) over the top thrilled with finishing the Grand Island Trail Half Marathon in 2:32-something.  What was different?  Oh, a number of things, I suppose....First of all, I expected yesterday's trail race to be slower for the very fact that it was on trail.  Secondly, after dealing with my sore piriformis for a month or so now, I knew that that would slow me down, and I set my expectations accordingly.  In fact, I took my run/walk interval timer so that I could do a run/walk, and - for the first time ever on a major race - I took my camera phone (even though it is bulky), so that I could take some pictures along the way.  Also, coming off of a 10-day vacation with my mom and the kids, I really just wanted this event to be fun for me - no pressure.  And it was!

So, first of all, the Grand Island Trail Half Marathon is a beautiful event.  The scenery up on the Lake Superior shoreline of Michigan's upper peninsula is breathtaking.  Having been to the Denver and Colorado Springs regions of Colorado twice now, I was struck by the similarities....Okay, so there were no towering peaks, but the hills were high enough and pine-covered enough to fool me at least some of the time.  And, with the crystal waters of Lake Superior and perfect weather, I really was bowled over by it all.

I had been looking forward to this event for quite a while, ever since Great Lakes Endurance, the outfit that puts on the Grand Island races, had come to talk to our running club a couple of years ago.  I wasn't sure that this was the event I would end up doing, but I knew I wanted to do one of their events.  Their premise of eco-conscious racing and sourcing everything, inasmuch as they can, locally and/or organically is what got me initially intrigued.  The fact that I could finally fit in one of their events at the tail end of our Michigan vacation this year made me very happy and I looked forward to this race with much anticipation.  Plus, this would be the first longer distance destination race that I would do on my own - without Hubby by my side - and for some reason that was important, too.

Sunrise over Grand Island

Getting into town the night before the race, we had gotten lucky and were able to stay overnight at the Holiday Inn Express in Munising, which happened to be where the race "expo" and packet pickup were set up.  (We had been waitlisted.)  Besides being the center of race activity the day before the race, the hotel also offered a fantastic view across the water to Grand Island.  From our balcony, I enjoyed looking out at the island where I would run my second ever trail Half.  The hotel staff was very accommodating, having welcome bags for the runners which included a Larabar, water, and some trail mix, and breakfast was set obscenely early at 4 a.m. for runners.

Packet pickup was easy.  There wasn't really anything in the way of goody bags or swag, but you could buy some items if you wanted.  With the race bib, you got a nice, orange, short-sleeved technical shirt.  They were selling some wood medallions that said Grand Island Trail Marathon, I believe, and if I had known then that there wouldn't be any race medals handed out at the finish, I might have purchased one.  But I didn't, so I didn't, and that's a minor regret.

Getting over to the island the morning of the race was made very easy.  Shuttles were scheduled to pick runners up at a number of area hotels, as well as the local high school, and deposit them at the ferry dock throughout the morning.  The dock happened to only be a half mile from my hotel, but the shuttle arrived just as I stepped out, so I took advantage of the lift and rode to the dock in style.

Waiting at the ferry dock.

Waiting for the ferry was fine too.  I was only there for a couple of minutes before one puttered up to pick us up for the short, five-minute hop to the island.  Being in the half marathon, which was slated to start at 8 a.m., I was kind of impressed as I waited for the boat at about 6:45 that the folks there had the presence of mind to call out for any marathoners or marathon spectators trying to get over for the 7 a.m. marathon start to jump the line.  A couple people took advantage of that.  There was plenty of room on the boat, though, so most of us were able to hop on board.

After the short ride, I got to the island just in time to see the 7 a.m. marathon wave (the first wave had gone off at 6 a.m.) get their final instructions and start.

7 a.m. Marathon start.

That left me with an hour to wander around the welcome center, read the historic signs, and get myself ready to go.

Seeing as I have had issues with my piriformis, I had brought my trusty softball in my drop bag.  I took a few minutes to roll that out.  Then I swapped my sandals for socks and my New Balance 101s.  Clif Blocks were placed in the appropriate pockets, as was my plastic-baggied cell phone.  I sucked down a Roctane (cherry lime for the record) and mixed my Gu Brew in my handheld.  (Funny how after I belittled that beverage so much for the Kazoo Half, I have taken to running with it for longer runs. Hmm, there is a lesson there somewhere, I am sure of it.)  I dropped my bag under the tent they provided for just such a purpose and then walked to the start.

At the start.

We got our last minute instructions - follow the blue flags, not the orange - the horn sounded, and we were off.

With trail races, as with trails, I find there is a wide variety of what qualifies as trail.  This race was no different, and we ran a gamut of different terrain. Starting off we headed down a hard-packed dirt road (or maybe it was paved?) with a fine covering of sand over it.  The footing was very good and heading through the woods was pleasant.  There were some mild ups and downs, but mainly it was pretty flat.  Overall, the course was mainly shaded.

First couple of miles of trail was more like a dirt road.

At four miles, we reached the first aid station.  Volunteers there were very solicitous and helpful, filling our water bottles with our choice of Heed or water, and then asking if we needed anything else.  I hadn't really drunk too much yet, so I didn't need a refill at that point. In addition to the liquid refreshment, they had Hammer Gel and Endurolytes on hand, neither of which I required.  The volunteers were super friendly and complimented me on my choice of pink attire, which was fun.  (I no doubt had some witty reply to that, but I can't remember what it was anymore.)  There were no cups at the water station.  In keeping with their eco-friendly philosophy, the event required everyone to carry their own hydration units with them and carry out their own trash.

Coming out of the first aid station, we emerged onto the shores of Lake Superior.  This was where I would run what for me would be the hardest part of the race effort-wise - the beach.  For fully one mile, the course took you through the sand.  Trying to run on the harder-packed wet sand was easier but I found myself constantly dodging the waves that were breaking on the shore.  Opting for the squishy sand just out of reach of the waves ensured dry feet but meant struggling with the footing and turning your ankle a few times.  I mixed it up as best I could, and by the time I got to the end of this stretch, I felt I had gotten pretty good at judging which waves were going to get my feet wet and which ones were not.  I did get wet a couple of times and turned my ankle a couple of times, so obviously for me neither sand option was ideal.  The breathtaking beauty of this stretch of the run, though, made up a lot for the difficulty.

Coming onto the beach was breathtaking.

Hmmm, dodge the waves?

Or brave the deeper sand?

Coming off the beach, we headed back into the woods onto a single track trail that would lead up the bluffs.

A runner behind me was nice enough to offer to take
my picture.  I get the feeling a lot of people were being
running tourists that day.

The climb had been described as the most difficult part of the race, but I found it gradual enough to not be that tiring or problematic.  Much to my hamstring's dismay, I even managed to run most of it.  From mile 7 to 9, we were back on the dirt road with a gradual downhill into the Mile 9 aid station - the second and last one.

Getting out of that aid station, we turned again onto single-track trail.

It's also here that we started merging with the marathon runners for the first time.  I am not sure who exactly we were seeing, but most of them still seemed pretty fresh.  (I got more compliments on the pink socks, but I don't mean "fresh" in that regard.)  That first mile after the aid station was very pleasant with good footing and soft, pine-needle covered ground.  From about Mile 10 to 12.5, though, the trail took a turn along the top of the cliffs.  While the views were beautiful, my recent tumble two weeks ago on the trails had me running very cautiously.  This stretch was littered with half-buried roots and rocks.  I only had to flex my fingers opened and closed to remind myself that another fall would be very unwelcome.  (Unfortunately, my hand is still sore from that fall.)  So, for better or for worse, I slowed down a lot.

Trail along bluff.

View from the top. The water was crystal clear.

Coming down off the bluff is a gradual event and before you know it, the finish line appears around a curve.  Crowds were cheering, a surprise after a fairly - although not completely - spectator-free run.

Finishing in 2:32 was a bit of a disappointment for about a tenth of a second.  It only took one good mental headslap to remind myself that I should be very happy with that time.  Sore piriformis, trail run, stopping to take pictures - I should be pleased that I finished so well.  Indeed, this is a trail half PR for me.  (The first I finished in about 3:15 after being sick.)  Finally, I am not 100-percent sure of the accuracy of the course, as my Garmin clocked 13.34 miles, rather than 13.1.  Although I trust its accuracy under ideal conditions, I know that woods and bluffs have a tendency to mess with it - so I take the exactness of the results (both my watch's and the race's) with a grain of salt.

As I mentioned earlier, I was a bit surprised to see there were no finisher's medals, as I thought someone else had said there had been some in years past.  I didn't sweat it too much, though.  I am happy with my shirt and the memories of the experience.  If you happened to be fast enough to win an age group award, though, you would have received a beautiful blown-glass medallion, a worthy match for the surrounding area's natural beauty.  It makes me wish I were faster.

I couldn't resist cooling off in the waters of Lake Superior after the run.

Getting back to the mainland after the event was as streamlined as arriving had been.  A constant stream of ferries ensured runners didn't have to wait long to leave if they didn't want to.  Once back at the ferry dock in Munising, a line of shuttles clearly marked with different hotel names waited to take runners back to their cars.

So, all in all, I have to say I really enjoyed this event. I am already thinking of how to get back next year to do it, too.  It was well run, well organized.  The scenery was amazing.  The people were friendly.  My only regret is that we had planned to drive the several hours home afterwards, opting not to stay the night after the race.  I would have been more than happy to hang out for another night, enjoying the amazing weather, going swimming in Lake Superior and maybe having a glass of wine or two on our balcony overlooking the lake.  Oh well, that is why there will be a next time.

Despite the piriformis, I was pleased with how I ran.  I really felt good overall.  The piriformis was a disappointing thorn in my side. It twinged at the start, but then was basically good until about mile 6 or so.  Then I could feel it tightening, and eventually it started sending those shooting pains down my hamstring.  Despite that, I was happy that my overall conditioning felt really strong.  I never did go to the run/walk.  And although I did walk a couple of times, the breaks were kept brief.  That's how good I was feeling.  In fact, for much of the race I felt that I was just gliding along.  I don't feel like I really hit any sort of wall, and for that I am grateful.

As to not having Hubby along,...standing on my own two feet, as it were?  That was kind of a bust.  I found that in the end I missed having him there to share the event with.  So, next time the plan is to drag him there too!  I wouldn't want him to miss out again!

Kalamazoo Half Marathon Race Report - and Cryocup Winners!

Okay, so it has been a week and a half since the Kalamazoo Half Marathon, and I still owe myself and anyone else who cares a decent race report.  So, much has happened since then it is almost hard to get back to this, so I realize now - whether a race goes well or not - spit it out.  Sitting on a race report doesn't make it any easier to write, especially when the race didn't go your way.  Of course, on the positive side of things, I have mostly sorted through my feelings on the whole thing, so this probably won't sound quite as whiny as I originally had it.

So, the Kalamazoo Half Marathon... The short version is that I ran it, I got a new Half PR of 2:05:22, and I wish I could have done better.  You see, I had hoped beyond hope that I would come in under two hours.  I dreamed, I went for it, I failed.  I really wasn't ready for sub-2:00, but that's another story and you can read about it here.  On to the report...

Kalamazoo Half Marathon Race Report

First, I will start out by saying the Kalamazoo Marathon and Half Marathon are AMAZINGLY well put on events.  From the expo, to the race, to the post-race hoopla, this was FUN and WELL ORGANIZED. Really, I can't say enough about it.  So, my own disappointment aside, I really had a good time doing this race.

For us, everything started with a long drive to Kalamazoo on Friday.  Without traffic in Chicago, the trip should take about six hours.  With traffic, potty breaks, lunch break, etc., it took closer to eight.  The kids were happy as clams with about a week's worth of snacks and videos to watch.  Hubby, my mom and I were happy rotating the driving and reading.  For the most part, the trip was uneventful, albeit long.  A prolonged lunch break in Chicago at a vegetarian restaurant called Victory's Banner was delicious (highly recommend!), however traffic heading out of Chicago caused much internal cussing and teeth gritting.  Eventually, though, we made it.

The race stuff for us started on Saturday with a trip to the race expo, which was located downtown at the Radisson Hotel.  Although on the smaller side, the expo was well-organized, had a ton of freebies, and a lot of race excitement going on.

After the expo, some lunch, and window shopping downtown, it was on to visit with family for the day.

Race day dawned cloudy and cool, for which I was grateful.  For 10 days, like a nerd, I had been watching as the weather forecast flip-flopped from 66 and dry to 76 and t-storms.  What we ended up with was somewhere in the middle.  The high for the day was to be 77 with t-storms later.  However, the morning was mostly cloudy and cooler with temps mainly in the 50s to low 60s - at least for the Half. In other words, darn near perfect.

We got to the Nazareth College campus an hour before the start, so that we could do the gear-check, warm-up, coffee drinking thing.  The start/finish area had everything a runner could need, and it truly lived up to its name of Tent City.  There were tents for everything: gear check, massages, results, post-race food, anytime food to purchase, beer tent, and then - sans tent: a ton of porta-potties.

Parking was easy, as the venue had parking lots galore and attendants with flags made choosing the perfect spot easy.  (It was perfect, because you didn't have to think about it.)

Gear check was seamless with a tear tag from our bibs.  Coffee was free at the table next door.  Volunteers were cheerful and helpful.

Right on time, the marathon started at 8 a.m.  Immediately after their start, they started announcing for the half marathoners to line up for our 8:20 start.  There was no corral system, but runners were encouraged to find their spot in the crowd by lining up near the appropriate pace group. Wending my way through 2,200 runners to sidle up to the 2:00 pace group was no easy feat, but with a lot of "excuse me, pardon me's," I eventually made it.  From there my plan was to stick like glue to the chick holding the sign.

The pacers were well outfitted with super bright pink and orange shirts (pink for the gal, orange for the guy), so it was easy to keep them in sight.  Of course, it was easier still because - as stated - I insisted on running right on their heels.  In fact, I am pleasantly surprised that I didn't trip one of them up in the first couple of miles; I really was determined not to lose them.

As I have never run with a pace group, I didn't know what to expect.  I have to say that the hardest part of running with them for me was the crowd.  There were a LOT of people on this course, and seeing as I was trying to stick with the pacers, there wasn't a lot of wiggle room to just move out on my own and find my own holes.  The pacers would see a hole in the crowd and then dodge through it.  Then the hole would close and those of us following would find ourselves cut off.  So, then we'd have to find a hole and catch up.  To be honest, I found that fairly stressful.  The other challenging part of following the pace group is that we ran through the water stations.  I have never done this before.  I won't go through the details of the mess I created, but suffice it to say that there was a mess.  To be honest, I don't know if I would do a pace group again.  I guess I would have to see what their strategy was beforehand and decide from there.  Our pacers weren't particular chatty or personable with the group - actually not really at all - so that didn't help.  Aside from a cheerleader type, "who's going to come in under two hours?  Rah!" to which a couple of us responded with a nervous, half-hearted "Maybe," they really didn't invest a lot of time in talking to the group.

Being as close to the pacers as I was, of course, I could hear them talking back and forth to each other comparing pace times.  I know that for those first three miles we went back and forth between 8:55 and 9:09 pace.  They sounded pretty happy with that and seemed determined to come in to the finish line about a minute ahead of 2 hours.

So, my race...

Mile 1: 9:07

Mile 2: 9:01

Mile 3: 9:02

So, the first few miles flew by fairly quickly.  As I said, I was holding a pretty decent pace with the group, and it felt comfortably hard.  I found it difficult to dodge through holes on their heels and run through the water stations, but I was doing it.  The first couple of miles were on regular road with there being an ever-so-slight downhill in the first mile.  Somewhere around mile 3, we got into downtown Kalamazoo, and with that came the red-brick road.  That was a bit tough to run on, because the brick wasn't too tightly packed together - a lot of ankle turning potential.  But check out this cool billboard:

Mile 4: 9:17
Mile 5: 9:15
Mile 6: 9:15

Somewhere around mile 4 is I believe the start of my personal downfall.  Listening to the chit-chat between the two pacers, I gather that they somehow fell off pace a bit.  That is supported by the split times on my Garmin.  Pacer #1 had the GPS watch, while Pacer #2 had just a regular watch, and at one point Pacer #1 mentioned that she had lost the satellite.  At least that is what it sounded like they said.  In any case, it is apparent that we weren't going quite the 9:09 we needed to maintain for two hours.  This is pure speculation on my part - to soothe the part of my ego that needs to be soothed - but since I started fading from the pace group around mile 6, I am assuming they picked up the pace a bit to make up for lost time.

So, I managed to stick with the pace group for six miles, and I am happy with that.  I would have thought I could stay a bit longer, but I guess it just wasn't my day.

Some highlights from this part of the race: Around mile 5 a couple of things happened, one is we cut over onto a paved trail that ran alongside the river.  This was a very beautiful part that involved a bridge or two.  (See how memory fades when you don't write the race report right away?)  Also, still hanging with the pace group, we ran through a GU station.  Since I hadn't taken any GU until now, I decided to snag one as we went through, and - yes - I did try to ingest it while running - another new thing for me.  That went better than the liquid refreshment, but it still didn't make a pretty sight as I bobbled the GU and my water bottle around.

Around Mile 6, I had a first, as we went over a shaky wooden foot bridge.  Picture running on a trampoline for a couple hundred feet.  The only thing that made that worthwhile at all was the collective Whoa that went up from all the runners around me.

Mile 7: 9:32
Mile 8: 9:31

Miles 7-8 saw me giving up a bit.  I was feeling sorry for myself for losing the pace group, and I was getting tired.  I decided to walk through the water stations, as I had nothing to prove anymore.  Seeing my family at this point did a lot to recharge me but then I was faced with The Hill.

Mile 9: 10:34

Big slow down here, as the first of the two only really big hills presented itself.  I ended up walking the first half of it, mostly again because I was pooped and a bit down on myself (yes, I can be that childish apparently).

Mile 10: 9:58
Mile 11: 9:37

Whew, reached the top!  The next couple of miles were uneventful, as we wended our way through some nice residential neighborhoods.  I was happy that we were getting close to the end, but - again - feeling really tired.  The only nice thing was that I was actually passing people at this point.  Hey, maybe it's not all bad!

Mile 12: 10:01 
Mile 13: 10:03
.1: 9:19

Miles 12 and 13 presented me with the expected fade as I ran into uncharted territory (having only run 12 miles in training).  Really, I am happy with my split times here, as they are a lot more modest of a loss than what I normally see.  Right towards the end, too, there was - insult to injury - the last massive hill.  By then I was annoyed that I had given up so easily on the first hill, so I decided to take this one on.  With folks cheering me on, I pumped up the hill as fast as my tired legs could carry me, and then - once that was done - I rewarded myself with a walk break, just so I could choke back the lung that was threatening to come up.  The fact that that all averaged out to a 10-minute pace makes me feel pretty smug.

Then it was just through one more very scenic residential area and on to the finish.  Lined with spectators, the last half mile was something to remember.

So, that's basically the race.  Afterwards, I headed straight to gear check to get my bag and then on to the massage tent.  There, I got not so much a massage as a compression and stretching session.  That was nice, although I would have preferred getting one of the folks doing more of a traditional massage. After that, I headed to the finish line to catch my husband finish the marathon.  I cheered finishers on for over an hour before I got a call saying he was already done and waiting for me near the reggae band.  (Apparently, he had crushed his previous marathon PR and I had missed him while I was being compressed.)  Oops.  We always seem to miss each other at the finish line.

So, other random thoughts from the race

Nutritionally speaking, I think I had a brilliant plan for carrying my Clif Bloks for "quick release."  What I ended up doing was cutting the Block packets in half and then storing them upright in my compression short pockets as is.  That way I could just pull them out and pop them into my mouth mid-run like tic-tacs.  The unfortunate part of this system is that it doesn't work if you don't utilize it.  Running with the pace group, I don't know if I was breathing too hard to contemplate chewing, or just concentrating so hard on following their lead (and they weren't doing GUs or anything until closer to mile 6), but I never took the time to eat the Clif Bloks until much later in the race.  I ended up taking a GU around mile 5.5, and then two Clif Bloks at around Mile 10.  That's it.  Not exactly what I had planned.

Aches and pains speaking, I did great!  This is the first longer race I have done in a while where I didn't feel like I had to nurse one pain or another throughout the event.  I take that as a huge positive.  Unfortunately, I still have a lot to learn about race recovery, because I now feel I am nursing aches and pains incurred during post-event exercise this past week.  Ah well, I'll figure it out someday.

Really random observations on the event, in addition to what was already stated

1) There seems to be a huge support for minimal running in Kalamazoo, because I have never seen so many people run minimally in a race before.
2) I saw a ton of people in Vibrams.
3) I saw one man finish the marathon barefoot.
4) I saw one lady RUN across the finish (either the half or full event) wearing a boot (like from a stress fracture), and she had a decent time so she wasn't walking the whole race only to run the finish.
5) I saw one man run into a lamp post (honest!).  He came away with a bloody nose.
6) I saw one person being supported on both sides around Mile 7 heading to the med tent - completely exhausted.
7) There were a ton of bands on the course, which made things festive
8) Volunteers were amazing
9) Crowd support was phenomenal too.

Overall, my impression of this race was super positive.  Bottom line:  This is a race put on by runners for runners, and there is a ton of community support and input.  You can tell that the whole community has bought into this event.  There are plenty of water stations and friendly volunteers.  Porta-potties and signage on the course were well represented.  And the spectators were great.  It's been a while since I have run a race that was so well cheered by folks.  The course wasn't the most scenic I have run, but it wasn't the worst either.  In the end it was a nice, urban race, and I would definitely consider doing it again.

Cryocup Winners

Congrats to Yo Momma (you're right; that joke doesn't get old) and Running on Cloud Nine for winning the cryocup giveaway!  Contact me at ShannonAverageRunner@gmail.com to arrange delivery!

Random thoughts on a "long" run

Scary self-portrait before run - when hope
still sprang eternal.  Like the running medals?
Yeah, they're not mine.  lol

So, my half marathon is in six days, and my last "long run" was done yesterday.  I can't say too much good about it, except that I got it done.  It was only 7.2 miles long, and my pace wasn't too bad overall - generally around 9:45 per mile.  (One longer walk break in the middle to suck down a GU pushed it to 9:52).  Generally speaking, I am supposed to be keeping my long runs to between 10 and 10:30 pace, but I cannot seem to do that.  The result?  I think I am training at what will end up being my race pace.  A real bummer, considering I want to go faster than that by a good 45 seconds per mile.

So, because I am tired and my brain is not firing on all cylinders this morning .... here is a simple list of random thoughts I had from yesterday's run:

1. I am not trained well enough to get that sub-2:00 PR that I have dreamed about.  Oh sure, I have had a lot of runs - even up to a 10K - with a sub-9:00 pace, but I don't believe that is enough to carry me to a 9:00 pace for 13.1 miles.
2. I hope the excitement of race day negates what I wrote in #1, but I am not counting on it.
3. Although I feel I have trained smartly this time around, there is still serious room for improvement.
4. As soon as I am able after this run, I am going to re-visit the whole speed work thing.  I think it's the key to my improvement and I should not be afraid.
5. I really regret letting my strength training slide the past couple of months.  I am starting to notice old aches and pains creeping in.  They generally subside with strength training, but come back when I neglect it. I KNOW this, but still find it hard to get into a routine with it all.  (It's hard enough to find time to do the cardio!)
6. I really need to work on eating more healthfully again.  Veggie burgers and sweet potato fries - while healthier versions of not-so-good food - are still not so good for you, especially the night before a run.
7. I really need to concentrate on getting good sleep this week - and not burning the candle at both ends, as I seem to be doing a lot lately
8. I really prefer Clif Blocks to GUs, but GUs are so much more convenient to suck down on the run. I wonder if it would be too gross to just load my running skirt's pockets with Clif Blocks sans bag or packaging - to make for quicker access.  Even putting the Blocks in little baggies still calls for a good deal of fumbling to open the baggies.  Would that get sticky after a while?  Or be too gross to contemplate eating?
9. Why is it that with the temp at 50 degrees, I still get hot?  Ugh.  
10. I need a massage.  My muscles are so tight right now that I feel I am walking around like a body builder on steroids (and not because of huge muscles getting in the way - more just from being stiff).
11. I wonder if I could run in my running skirt commando.... Are they made for that?
12. I hope the Kalamazoo Marathon knows what it is doing with GU Brew.

Regarding that last one, on yesterday's run I decided to try GU Brew, the beverage they will be serving on the Kalamazoo course, and I have to say that I am a little concerned.  The taste was okay, and I suppose it did what it is supposed to do.  However, mixing it was a PITA.  I admit I did not follow the instructions to a T.  They said to pour the powder into a half filled water bottle and shake.  I poured the mix in first, added the water, and shook...

...And watched as the mix sat on the bottom like sludge...  

...Even after several minutes of working the sludge with a fork to break it up, I was still left with a little chunk that I ended up throwing away, because I was afraid it would clog my water bottle.  Anyway, the stuff just didn't dissolve easily.  I have visions of no electrolyte replacement beverage on the course, because it is sitting like taffy on the bottom of the dispenser buckets.  Oh well.... I am sure I just did it wrong.

So, that's it.   Any thoughts on the above? Please share!

Happy Running!

Picture of the day:

It's kind of nice having E.
be the only girl on her flag
football league.  She's easy
to spot in all her pink.

Another race, another taper, another two weeks of my life where I go slightly crazy

Here we go again.... Taper.  Why is it that tapering for a race seems like such a big deal?  Is it because it means the race is imminent?  The thing you have been focusing on for so long is now right around the corner and in a way the excitement becomes untenable?  Or, is it because it's an excuse - after a lot of hard work - to finally slack off completely relax a little bit?

Like most people (at least from what I have heard from friends and read from other bloggers), I go a little crazy during taper time.  I get a bit superstitious and I have this whole list of do's and don'ts that I follow for the duration.  So what's going on?  Am I giddy with excitement that the big day is almost here?  Or just happy to soon have this all done?

I don't know if there is a blanket reason for the taper madness, but I know for this particular race I am excited.  For the first time ever, I think I have actually trained well for a race.  I truly feel I have done all I could do to prepare, and I have no regrets about should've, would've, could've.  I have hit all my key training runs: done the long runs, done hill work, and even thrown in speed work.  I have cross-trained for general strength, done yoga for flexibility, and even done the elliptical once a week to keep things loose after the long runs.

The only thing I haven't done....wait, no, don't say it..... IS....stop - no regrets, remember?....strength training.  Ugh.  Okay, I said it.  I did fall off on my strength training a bit, ... a lot, ... pretty much altogether the past couple of months.

So, I guess I do have one regret.  But, honestly, despite that, I feel pretty good.  I still feel this is the strongest (ha! that's funny given the lack of strength training!), that I have ever been.  My runs have felt good!  No niggling pains, no feelings of having to work around something, even the shin has behaved.  (Knocking on wood.)  I am STRONG!

Really, I am excited to see what race day will bring.  I am open to all possibilities.  I will go into it knowing that I am ready, and accept that anything that happens from here on out is most likely beyond my control.  Will I get sick or catch a cold before the race like I did last year?  Not going to worry about it - beyond my control.  Will I pull a muscle getting out of bed in the morning, as has been known to happen once or twice before?  Not going to worry about it, beyond my control.  Will I trip on a trail as happens before almost every race?  NO!  I will not be running trails or cracked sidewalks or streets littered with debris.  (Some things I can control.)

So, what are my goals for this race?  I have been thinking a lot about that.  Originally, I had signed up to run the full marathon, but when my shin sidelined me for so long, I downgraded to the Half.  As things started perking up, however, I started thinking about how I could possibly run this hard.  So, my goals are as follows:

1. Ultimate, pie-in-the-sky goal - Sub-2:00
2. Realistic goal - PR in any which way (so, Sub-2:06:55)
3. If-all-else-fails goal - As always, just to finish, not get injured, and have a good time

I have found out that the Kalamazoo races have pace groups for the Half, so I think I might try to hang with the 2:00 pace group and just see what happens.  I have never officially run with a pace group before, so this would be a new experience.  So, if nothing else, it might offer fodder for another Tale to tell.

In the meantime, I am working on visualizing the race in a positive light - happy thoughts, happy feet.  Or, something like that.  And, I am working on tapering well, i.e., not doing anything stupid.  I am kind of flying by the seat of my pants on the whole taper thing, since I really haven't researched it and am still a bit unclear on the concept.  So, this week, I am doing 70 percent of my latest, greatest effort, which is what I would do every three weeks anyway.  Next week, I will cut back to 60 or 50 percent of last best effort.  I am not sure which yet.  In any case - yeah!  The big race is almost here!

Happy Running!

Do you have any tapering advice for me?  What has worked for you in the past?