Race Recap: Lincoln National Guard Half Marathon

Twelve weeks of training, 400 plus miles, average of 5 run's a week, plus five classes a week and a full time job, it all came to an end Sunday. This was the race that Cervical Cancer stole from me one year ago...would I, could I, take it back?

The adventures to the Lincoln (Nebraska) National Guard Half Marathon began Friday afternoon with a my running BFF Jess and the mind numbing drive across Iowa into Nebraska. With a late arrival on Friday night, Saturday morning was the perfect pre-race day, with no rushing, carb loading and relaxing. The expo wasn't too shabby, plenty of booths but really all I care about is getting my bib, shirt and an expo photo, done, done, done.

With Bry (our hostess with the most-est) and Jess at the expo.

From there the afternoon continued to be relaxing with some reading and a nice little afternoon nap, ahhhh. I have to admit I tried to stay awake, for fear it would keep me from an early bedtime, but it couldn't be helped the eye lids were just to heavy to fight. After waking up I felt refreshed and energized so Jess and I took just a quick 20 minute walk around Bry's 'hood to losen up the legs before we were off to the Project Purple banquet. Bry, is PP runner and was kind enough to get us invites to the dinner.
 

At first I was a bit worried about the dinner because normally my pre-race  meal is pizza but as we got there the wonderful aroma of pasta just called my name. Turns out it was FANTASTIC the lasgna was amazing and they had CUPCAKES. In fact the moment we walked into the door I saw those wonderful frosted treats and my eyes began making love to them.

Yes, I took too, and Project Purple sent me home with two more!

Once we got back to Bry's house it was late and time for B-E-D!I had a very specific race plan for the day, I was to wake up grab my Manderin Spark (Advocare) like always, chill and wait for my body to do it's thang (you should know what I'm getting at) and then it was prep time. During training I must have my electrolytes but I'm not a fan of the Gatorade used on the course so I always train with 3Plenish (Complete Nutrition) and since I can't carry it with me I decided that I was going to sip on that in the morning and have only a little bit of water. I didn't want to over due it and have to pee during the race but I also wanted to ensure my hydration/electrolytes.

Once we arrived at the start of the race we had time for one quick pic with the three of us, a not so quick bathroom stop (why can there never be enough bathrooms?) and then it was a jumble to try and get to the start. So many people trying to get to the same place with not so much maneuvering space. Luckily the race started in waves, I planned to jump in just ahead of the 1:55 pace group which turned out to be a GREAT decision. I wanted to finish between 1:50-1:55. The start at this race does well trying to accommodate the amount of runners (13,000) but takes way too long, took like 17 minutes for me to start. That's why it was a good thing I jumped in front of the 1:55er's or I would have to had wait longer.

Jess suggested that we wear purple to support Bry and PP, so naturally I had t pair it with gold!

As soon as the race started it was smooth sailing, my plan was to keep miles one and two at a 9 minute pace, which I did nearly exact, then after I'd pick it up and aim for negative splits. However, as soon as I picked it up my pace jumped to an 8:40 and I then decided if I could hold it stead anywhere between 8:30-45, I'd be golden. A few miles in I changed the plan again because I kept wanting to go faster, it just felt right, so I adjusted it to 8:25-40. Nearly every time I looked at my wrist I was somewhere in that range. I actually felt like I was constatnly telling myself to slow down. I probably could have ran faster but there was still some lingering doubt, could I keep it up the whole run? Will I tank at the end? I couldn't answer those questions so I just kept telling myself to dial it down some and finish strong.

Honestly, I could tell you absolutely nothing about the course or the miles. I didn't notice any of it, I was so focused and dialed in, I saw nothing. I wanted this race, I worked for it and dammit I needed it. There was a portion of the race where we do run on a trail, it was a bit small for this race and Bry warned us about it so I was prepared, luckily I had no problems. Only twice did I have to step to the side to pass someone. Only a few times during the entire race I felt like I was dodging someone, each pass came easily and effortlessly. One major thing that helped me in this race is I didn't have to walk trhough the water stations, which is normal for me. I just cannot master the pinch the cup, run, drink, I always wear the water, but this race...had lids and straws on their water cups! Yes, lids and straws...man it was heaven in a cup and through a straw for me!

This race went so fast, before I knew it there was just 3 miles to go, then all of a sudden two, I think my last mile was the hardest mile for me. Although I felt strong; my legs weren't hurting, my breath wasn't labored, I kept thinking how I was finally running the race I was denied a year ago. That thought was on repeat in my head, with 1200 meters to go, 800 meters. I couldn't stop thinking; this was the race that cancer stole from, this is the race that I was meant to have. I felt the lump in my throat begin to rise and the urge to let the tears come to my eyes for that last mile, but first, I had to finish.

Recovering in my hospital bed one year ago.

As I made my way inside the stadium and to the finish line, I saw the clock (which of course was gun time) and by the looks of it I thought I was finishing very near my last PR of 1:55:40 something. When I crossed the finish and saw my time of 1:51:34, I was elated, I couldn't believe it! A PR of 4+ minutes!

I didn't just PR I rocked that bitch! A volunteer with medals must have seen something in my eyes because we made eye contact and her face light up so brightly and she said "Come here, you earned this" and put the medal around me neck.

You're dam right I earned that!

Final Stats:
Finish PR 1:51:34
Avg Pace: 8:30
Overall: 1334 out of 7175
Gender: 478 out of 4347
AG Place: 89 out of 817

I Made It To Taper Week!

Always love running with Jess

A week and a half to go and the Lincoln National Guard Half Marathon will FINALLY be here. Really it seems like forever ago that I convinced Jess (yes THE Run With Jess) to go to Lincoln Nebraska and run with me. She has a quest to run all 50 and when she said that race was on under consideration, I threw the dice and said “I’ll go with you and my BFF lives there so she’ll provide a place to stay!” Jess replied with a simple “Done”.  

When I started the training for this race I knew right off I wanted to be aggressive with training because this race is just 9 days shy of my one year cancer free anniversary! I know the marathon was like my big comeback but it didn’t feel like. Everything about that race was hard and it sucked and I hated all of it! Now here I am one year later, I’m finally back at my pre-hysterectomy weight (when they say it takes a year to heal, they weren't joking) and I’m feeling like the strong runner I was a year ago. To say I wanna ‘rock this bitch’ is to say the least. 

Last weekend was my last long run and I wanted to test my limits so I asked my boyfriend to pace me about an 8:45 pace, after an easy warm up mile. I knew he would push me, I was terrified of it but I was ready for it. My time trial splits were: 8:40, 8:35, 8:37, 8:35, 8:30, 8:30, 8:25 & 8:24! With  just a few miles left I was tired but each mile I knocked off my confidence grew and when I hit my cool down mile I was spent but I knew I could finish the half very close to that pace. 

I have a few short runs left this week and next, my longest being 8 this weekend and 7 on Tuesday. All I can say is I’m ready! Let’s do this!

10th Half Marathon In The Bag: Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon

This past Saturday I completed my 10th Half Marathon in Springfield, Illinois at the Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon!!! Wooo hooo!!!

Race Shirt and BAD ASS BLING!!!

How about that medal eh? In years past they normally give out a giant penny (which I have two) I had planned all along to run this race but when I saw the medal this year, a $5 bill, I signed up right away. Every year I always secure a PR at this race (1:55ish last year) but then I end up tanking for the race I'm actually training for.

I decided that I didn't want to ruin my PR chance for the race I'm actually training for, the Lincoln Half Marathon (Yeah ANOTHER 'lincoln' named race), so this was going to be a training run...that plan changed quickly. Last weekend I was in St. Louis and I thought I had got food poisoning but instead I may have picked up some bacteria/virus from the food I ate (I fell ill about 3 hours after eating and so did Matty). This week I haven't felt right, run down, bloated, nauseous and just uggggh. When I woke up Saturday my tummy just wasn't right.

 

Pre-race photo with the Sole Sisters...hey I finally made a 2nd picture!!!!

After a pre-race photo opp with the Peoria Sole Sisters I dashed off to find a bathroom but the lines were stupid crazy (which is my only complaint this year, I swear in the years past they had more port o pottys).  Matt and I ended up at the VERY BACK of the line ups cuz it was so congested but I figured this was good because then I was forced to start easy.

Mile 3 on I had stomach cramps and felt nauseous, miles 5-7 I debated taking at "DNF" (did not finish) because it was so bad, in fact I couldn't GU my tummy was so upset. With about 4 miles left I finally caught up to Heather and Cassi but I really had my sights on catching Jessica. Who I finally saw just ahead of me at the bottom of one of the last hills so I just chucked it down and was able to catch her half way up another hill. At this point it helped me take my mind of my belly and I just kept moving along. I had forgotten about pace so long ago and now it was a 5k to go, then before I knew it only a mile was left and it seriously was a blur it flew by so fast. It was my fastest mile the whole race.

Overall I'm super happy with the race, it was a training run...while sick and I still managed to pull off a finish in 2:07. Averaged a 9:46 pace which is a lot slower than my previous training runs but I was sick. Placed 63 out of 209. Also to give you any indication of my health...I've lost about 5lbs in one week! Granted my weight is FINALLY where I was pre-surgery I wouldn't recommend this kinda diet to anyone lol.

Last note, I decided I was just going to be a goofball for the camera and make silly faces and stuff. Usually I always try to look like this cool runner chick and end up looking like a jackass. I figured no matter what I always come off looking stupid so lets just be stupid...here's the results, what do you think?

Completed the look with duck lips!!!

Add caption

I did have a litter seriousness going on!

Altering Your Training Plans

This weeks training plan 

 

GASP! NO!!!! I can't alter my training plan!!!

Yes...you can!

Let's face it life gets in the way, trust me, it's OKAY to change your training plans. From doing your fartleks on Tuesday to Monday, your tempo from Thursday to Friday and yes even...GASP...cancel your long run! Now, don't get in the habit of axing your runs all the time but sometimes, you have to, there's no way around it. Guess what? The rest could even do you good!

Welcome to my next 3 weeks of training. First there is training, that's #1 in my world but I'm running anywhere from 5 to even 6 days a week and that is on top of a full time job, a house to take care of and a part time job teaching fitness classes (5 classes in 4 days to be exact). Sometimes, I gotta adjust and more times than not.

Training is going excellent, each run I'm so happy at how well my body is responding. I'm challenging myself but not killing myself either. However, this week is NUTS. First I was in St. Louis for a Blues game (they won woo hoo) so I had to change my Monday rest day to my Tuesday Fartlek run, then on Saturday I'm going to Chicago to partake in the Les Mills Quarterly (I'm a LM instructor) so I'll be doing all of the LM classes from like 8AM-5pm, then coming home Sunday. That means I have NO weekend to hit my 12 miler! I could do it Friday but then I'd have to find a sub for my RPM class but I'm already doing that NEXT WEEKEND because I'm going back to St. Louis for another hockey game and that's a 14 miler.

So...I cancelled it...my long run...yes...I'm axing this weeks LR. I am adding a 5 mile progression run to the mix today and following the program the remainder of the week, so I'll run each day this week but skip the long run. And honestly each week I usually have to cut a mile or more from my training schedule because I just don't have the time or energy sometimes to complete them all.

Will this hurt me? Absolutely not. Will it benefit me? Absolutely!

Let's face it, I'm not going for gold, I'm just going for MY personal best. Training shouldn't be difficult and shouldn't stress you out, now if your cancelling LR after LR, then we need to talk but once or twice, wont hurt and like I said the extra rest could even do you some good.

Keep it simple, have fun and just get out there and run.

Does This Mean 'I'm Back'?

Here I am two weeks and two days into training for the Lincoln National Guard Half Marathon (and Marathon but I'm not in for 26.2..at this race or any others for that matter) on Sunday, May 4th in Lincoln Nebraska.

 There's one thing I want out of this race and training and that's for running to feel "easy again" and to feel like I did before the whole cervical cancer BS, OK so that's two things and yes I did just refer to cancer as BS because it is. hahaha

In case you missed it I'm following a little more aggressive plan this time around because I believe it will help me achieve the above. I'm following the Nike Coach plan on the Nike Running app and doing the advanced program. Week one considered my "warm up" with 5 run days and a long run of 8 miles, all done indoors on the tredy because winter sucks in Illinois this year. Week one was a nice re-introduction into my sport and I finished the week feeling good where this was going.

Week two was considered "fundamentals", again I finished the week feeling good where things were going and finally got in a run outdoors. Did a little ice patch walking but I was pleasantly surprised to see a pace exactly where I hoped it would. I don't know if it was because I ran with my guy, because I was outside or because I finally am starting to feel normal when it comes to running.

This week is week three where I "build a base" for the rest of training by maintaining the fitness/distance I've built so far. Today I took on my first progression run and after finishing yet another boremill run I was very happy because my "easy" pace was exactly the 9:20ish pace I want and my progressions went 9:05, 8:50 & 8:25 and I gotta tell ya the last mile was challenging but not out of reach. I finished my 6 miles feeling like my old self, mostly because for the first time since that "cancer BS" (yep I said it again) I finally feel where I left off. My weight may not be where I left off but my fitness feels like its that and that's a step in the direction I want to go in.

I have 10 miles on tap this week and I'm a little doubtful only because its been a very long time since I've done a double digit but I cannot wait to try and I pray Mother Nature isn't to hard on us this weekend and I can get it done outside.

PS: I'm still far from my donation goal for the St. Jude Chicago To Peoria run, please donate HERE and remember the only donation that is too small is no donation at all!

Training Begins Soon For the Lincoln Half

Although I already knew it Nike kindly reminded me that training for my next big race, Lincoln National Guard Marathon and HalfMarathon, begins in one week! 

My BFF lives in Lincoln, NE and has tried to get me to do this race for a few years, stupidly I’ve always had an excuse why I couldn’t, I’m a bad friend. That comes to end this year and I’m bringing along another friend for the ride (Run With Jess).  This whole thing actually came about when I saw that Jess was debating this or another race. I mentioned if she did this one, I’d do it with her and we can share the drive, then I mentioned the above BFF had free room and board, Jess simply replied “sold”. 

The BFF

This is a big race for me; its nearly a month to the date that I beat cancer (May 13^th) and had my hysterectomy. From the get go everyone has said it takes nearly a year to recover completely from this surgery (and I did the old fashioned abdominal way too) so I am really hoping that this will be my true “big comeback”. 

Run With Jess

I’ve decided I really want to push for this race and to follow a more aggressive training plan so I’m going back to my trusty Nike plan. The Milwaukee Marathon beat me up bad, I was only just recovering and running was HARD-the hardest its ever been and it always left me exhausted. I want to be disciplined with my training, my diet and give this my 100% focus.

Yeah what the shirt says!!!

Now, that I’ve hit that year mark I want to be that athlete I thought I was going to be in 2013 before cancer turned my life upside down. I’ll try to not compare myself. I’ll try to not be hard on myself. I’ll simply try my best.

If I happen to PR in the end well, that will be a bonus!

~Anna

Recap: Mankato Half Marathon

There's a reason I keep coming back to Mankato; it's the home of my first half marathon and they just do it PERFECTLY! The race is small but put on like a big city; well organization, scenic (but challenging) route and spectacular volunteers. This is a point to point that starts at begins with a bus ride Mankato State University and ends in downtown.

Out of the four years this race has been running I've ran each year, with the exception of last, my goal wasn't lofty it was just to have a "Mankato PR" which should have been easy considering but it wasn't! Running is hard for me still but I know my body is still healing (from the hysterectomy and the full marathon two weeks ago) so I'm not taking it personally.

There is a reason why it's always said to lay your race outfit out the night before and that is because if you have forgotten something you can remedy the situation. Well in all my races I have never had this problem; until this race. I left my favorite running hat at home, in Illinois, in my dryer! So what was to be a quick trip to Hyvee or Walgreens to buy a new ball cap, turned into a quick trip with no such luck in finding a hat and then a not so quick trip across town to Wal-mart to buy a new one! Hey, I cannot run without a hat, I just can't, it's some sort of security blanket thing for me I guess.

The new hat!

Race day started pretty chilly but armed with a throw away hoodie and my new running hat I was ready to go! The race started with a very light mist but died off quickly and the first 6 miles flew by. I felt decent but rain came back to the race around the 5 mile point and I was grateful to have went out for that hat to keep it off my face but that didn't help my fingers from getting cold and once that happens I'm pretty miserable. Eventually I started to get sore, began walking a little longer through the water stops and eventually stopped to do a little stretch to release some back pains.

Once I finally broke through the country side and was on the home stretch I stopped for a walk break and as I did I herd "just keep moving-your doing good" and those words stuck with me and kept doing just that, moving. I even returned them to a woman who also started walking but it must have motivated her too because she instantly picked it back up and we ran about a half a mile together. As she slowed to walk the last hill she shouted encouragement and gratitude back to me to and I felt like I had to keep it strong till the end, it was just over a mile away now. As I headed in I heard Matty shout out a "good job baby" and with that I smiled as I finished and achieved my goal.

About to cross the finish!

Finish 2:08:14
Pace 9:48

As icing on the cake after the race it was a short drive north to a BBQ with my family! Got to see my aunt, cousins, sister, nephew and loved ones!

Race Recap: St. Louis Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon

The last two year's in a row I've been plagued with injuries left and right yesterday was my 6th half marathon and my second to last of the season. I was hoping for a PR and instead I bit with another injury, the dreaded Planter Fasciitis!


I finished the St. Louis Rock N Roll Half Marathon (13.1 miles) but far from my goal, so I'm a bit disappointed. I know there are many runners, male and female, would kill to run in the times that I do. I was aiming for a 1:55 finish or at least a 8:40 pace per mile, instead I ran a race more like a training run.

I knew as the gun went off this wasn't my race! First, I had to pee, I really hate my bladder and need to run in depends! By mile marker 7 I could bear it any longer, I had to stop! But that was the least of my problems, I've been having some light nagging heel pain on my right foot. The last few day's it's felt fine but by mile 4 I was contemplating dropping out it hurt so bad, of course I couldn't do that so I forged on and slowed my pace to a training pace and then disappointment took hold and hasn't left me since. The first 4 miles I was on goal to hit my mark and I felt great, I even knew I could push myself faster. I'm fairly certain I have Planter Fasciitis, which means no more running, rest, ice, stretching and rolling out my foot on golf/tennis ball. And lots of praying that it can heal in time for my last race in San Antonio on Nov. 11th.

On the flip side my confidence is high because I know I can smoke my goal in Texas. I felt so good before the foot pain kicked in; my muscles were strong, my cardiovascular side wasn't labored and I have absolutely no muscle aches today. I know I can push my pace and hold it for 13.1 miles at an 8:40 or better, I know I can finish in 1:55 or less. Unfortunately its been year of injuries, let's pray the good ol' time tested remedy of "RICE" works for me.

So what else went wrong? Got a rock stuck in my shoe (had to dig it out at mile 10-11ish) which caused a blister on my heel, had to wait at the bathroom when I finally stopped, then my mind checked out and then when I finished I had chaffing on my leg-where I NEVER chafe and by the time I was done I could hardly bear weight on my foot. Good times, don't ya wanna start running now?

I hate to end a race blog on a negative note so there were some wonderful wonderful people at the 10-11 mile mark handing out beer. When I saw the sign that said "PBR in .50" I decided I was going to drink. Schmucks were only handing out a small sip but then 400 yards away some very fun and drunk college boys were handing out big glasses, so I stopped twice for beer during the run, which was a first for me. I always drink the free beer at the finish, so I enjoyed that too!
Final Stats:
5k-28:05
10k-56:13
10 mi 1:33:47
Finish: 2:02:33
Pace: 9:22


Half Marathon #6 in the bag!