Roller Coasters

It's been a roller coaster of emotions deciding what to do about my upcoming race.  Full marathon or half marathon?  I just couldn't decide.  After sitting down to weigh the pros and cons, it became clear that I had to downgrade to the half marathon.  Even if I could push myself without injury, I was still looking at a brutal training schedule and would not have enjoyed the experience.  In the end, there is no need to risk injury or take the fun out of running just to complete a marathon right now.  I am young and know that I will run a marathon when the timing is right.  Thank you to all of my readers who helped me reach this decision.

Now that I have made the official switch, I am thrilled to announce that I will be running my third half marathon this October.  I'm picking up new shoes this week and am looking forward to starting my new and improved training schedule.  I have a full 7 weeks to finish building my miles, which shouldn't be hard with my new shoes.  For each race, I always try to set a personal challenge for myself.  My goal for my previous two half marathons was just to finish, which I did.  This time though, I'm going for speed.  My goal is to PR so that I can say that I ran a half marathon in under 2:45.  I know that I can do it.  So here's to my fastest half marathon time yet!

In addition to my roller coaster of emotions, I hit up some real life coasters yesterday.  Scott and I decided to take a day for ourselves and headed up to Cedar Point.  We could not have asked for a better day.  The weather was gorgeous: 80 degrees, lots of sunshine, and a nice breeze from Lake Erie. 

I haven't visited Cedar Point since I was a teenager so the park felt so new to me.  There were so many coasters that either weren't there the last time I visited or had too long of a line to bother with that I felt a little overwhelmed.  I'm a roller coaster fanatic so we needed a plan of attack if we were going to ride all the new stuff.  Luckily, the park wasn't very busy so the lines were short for many of the rides.  We even got to ride to best two coasters in the park twice:  Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster.

The biggest adventure of the day was riding the Top Thrill Dragster.  According to Cedar Point, the ride goes from 0-120 MPH in only 4 seconds and shoots you 420 feet in the air and right back down.  The whole ride lasts only 17 second but it was amazing.  I cannot even begin to describe the rush that I felt on this coaster as well as after the ride when I stood under it and realized just how tall it is.  If you visit Cedar Point, this ride is definitely worth waiting in line for.

Has anyone else set a goal to PR at a specific race during training or did your PR just come as a pleasant surprise?

What's your favorite amusement park?  Any other roller coaster fans out there? 

Heather

Bad Shoes = Bad News

Do you remember how I said that my feet were killing me during the Cap City Half in May?  I blamed the pain on my new Brooks Ghost 4 running shoes not being broken in yet.  Unfortunately, the shoes never felt right and I have been struggling with soar feet and shin splints as I have attempted to break them in.  After taking weeks off from running to let my shins heal, I have decided that my shoes are to blame.

I've been on the search for new shoes but have found that I like the Brooks Ghost 5 the best.  I know they are a new design so they aren't the same as the Ghost 4, but am I crazy to buy them since I've had so much trouble with my current Brooks.  They really do feel the best out of every shoe I've tried on.

At this point, I'm just dying to get back out there and need shoes now.  My running store has a 90-day run and love or run and return policy so I can always return them if I have the same problem.  My issue is that the Columbus Marathon is in 2 months and I'd really like to have my new shoes broken in ahead of time.  If I don't like these, I'm worried that I will be left with little to no time to break in the replacement pair before my race.

Another problem I'm facing is that I am so far behind on my training schedule that I don't think I'm going to be able to run the full marathon.  I'm scared that I will strain myself by trying to build the miles at this point, but hate the thought of downgrading to the half.  Realistically, I think I could finish a full with a 18 or 20 mile long run under my belt but would have to train hard to get there.  I'm not sure that I can push that hard coming off of these shin splints.  I have until August 31st to make my decision so I'm trying to weigh my pros and cons.

Any words of wisdom on shoes?
Has anyone else had to downgrade or drop a race?

Heather

Training for My First Marathon

I am excited (and a little terrified) to announce that I am officially registered to run my first marathon.  Holy crap, I am going to run a marathon!  Actually declaring my intentions to the world is a little terrifying.  I used to struggle with a single mile and now I'm voluntarily signing up to run 26.2.  While I do have two half marathons under my belt, I'd hardly say that I'm a running pro.  Running a marathon is just one of those things that I never thought that I could do, so this October 21, 2012 I'm going to attempt what I once thought was impossible.

I have been running but am definitely behind on my training schedule due to studying for the Bar Exam.  I'm doing a modified version of Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Guide since I had 14 weeks to train instead of 18.  However, now that I'm 10 weeks out from the race, it's time to push for those higher miles so that I can finish the race.  

As part of my motivation, I am running the race for the shelter that we adopted Ellie from; the Union County Humane Society.  I set up a fundraising page and can't wait to see how much I can raise for them.

Do you have a favorite charity that you run for?  Any advice on training with a modified training schedule?

Heather

I'm Back!

Sorry for the extended and unexplained absence from my blog.  I decided it was best to take some serious time away from the internet to study and prepare for the Ohio Bar Exam.  I am happy to announce that I completed the 3-day test on July 24th, 25th, and 26th.  I can now get back to a normal life while I wait over 3 months to get my results.  I will admit that some of the essay questions where extremely hard while others didn't seem so awful.  Overall, I feel like I did well but only time will tell.  Fingers crossed until October 26, 2012.

Now that I have free-time again, I have been enjoying every second of it.  The weekend after the Bar, Ellie and I went hiking at one of our favorite metro parks.  We love it because it features miles of beautiful hiking trails, as well as an off-leash dog park and swimming area.  Although Ellie is a lab/pointer mix, she's always been a little timid about getting into the water.  However, it was very hot when we went so she gladly splashed around but only let the water go up to her belly.  Maybe one day she will enjoy taking a nice swim.

Ellie, the adventure dog!

In addition to spending our days going on outdoor adventures, Ellie and I have been getting in a lot more runs each week so I am excited to start building our miles back up again.  This weekend we even attended the Run Fur Hope 5K to benefit the Union County Humane Society, where we adopted Ellie from.  However, we only acted as volunteers since I didn't realize we could run and volunteer :)  Either way we had a blast supporting my favorite non-profit. 

After spending the morning at the Run Fur Hope, I also ventured to the Dublin Irish Festival this weekend to enjoy music, dancing, booze, and amazing festival food.  I had never been before, but had a blast so we will definitely be going back next year.  Unfortunately fried foods and beer, means that I didn't get in a good weekend run so I'm hoping to hit the pavement tonight.

Do you have a local festival that you love attending each year?

Heather

National Running Day 2012

It's hard to believe that I started my journey as a runner almost a year ago.  It all started as a family challenge that my mom presented to my sister and I.  "Can we run a half marathon together?"  Little did I realize that by accepting that challenge, I would find a love for running during the process.

Since yesterday was National Running Day, I wanted to reflect on some of the reasons why I love running:

1. Ellie gets to come with me:  I love spending as much time outside with my pup as possible.  Running allows us to spend even more quality time together.  Since Ellie loves to run, she sees running with me as a treat so it's a good time for everyone involved.
2. I get to enjoy beautiful scenery:  I don't think I ever realized how beautiful Columbus and it's surrounding suburbs are until I started running.  Now, I get to enjoy the city, parks, and my own neighborhood every time I head out for a run.  I also love exploring new places to run so I'm constantly finding new routes.
3. Running is relaxing:  Hitting the pavement at the end of the day really helps me clear my mind and destress.  Whether it's a quick run to get out some frustration or a long run to really allow me time to think, running has been my outlet.
4. Running keeps me active:  I've always been a very active person and love team sports.  However, the past few years have been far too busy for me to commit to a team and specific schedule.  Running allows me to continue being active and I can fit it in where my schedule allows.
5. I love a challenge:  Running has sparked my competitive spirit.  I may not be running to be the fastest person in a race, but I'm still competing with myself.  With running, there are always new goals that I can set for myself and new races to conquer.

These are all things that drive my desire to run.

Did you celebrate National Running Day with a run?  What do you love about running?

Heather

Let's Talk Safety

I have always felt safe on my running routes.  I live in a nice town, run during the day, and stay on well-traveled sidewalks/trails.  If I do run when it's dark, I always have a running buddy or Ellie with me and only run in areas that are familiar and well-lit.  I also think it's important to run with only one earbud in.  This way I can listen to my music while still being aware of my surroundings.  I, for one, never let my guard down so I'm always paying attention to anything out of the ordinary.

I recently noticed a man parked in the guest lot at our condo complex.  I noticed him last week as I left for and returned home from an evening run and again yesterday morning.  He just sits in his car which I find highly unsettling.  Regardless of what he was doing, his presence served as a wake-up call.  While I know calling the police is the first step in ensuring our safety here, the second step is reminding all of you to be careful out there.

I think that I will be adding mace to my running belt.  What do you do to keep safe?

Heather

Hello Training Schedule

I know I was supposed to start my new training schedule today. However, the weather forecast was looking super crappy so I went for a run last night instead.  A storm was slowly rolling in so it started to get dark a little earlier than usual last night.  I quickly put on my new 'Race Ya' tank and headed out the door with Ellie.  Luckily, the first run on my training schedule called for a quick 1.5 mile run so that we could make it home before the storm.

We ran down a few neighborhood streets since it was such a short run.  I don't normally run the neighborhood streets because Ellie gets distracted too easily by all the people and dogs that are usually out.  Surprisingly, we only passed one person.  Of course it was a neighbor that I know so I gave a quick wave and was on my way.  Then I felt a sharp tug.  Apparently, Ellie didn't get the memo that we were just giving a passing hello to our friend and her dogs.  Although Ellie is pretty good with the 'leave it' command, she seemed to lack self-control when she saw her friends.  After two attempts and my stern voice, she finally gave up and decided to continue on the run.  Am I the only one with this problem?

The rest of the run was pretty uneventful: just how I like it.  Once we arrived home, I had a slight pain in my left knee so I iced it.  I've never had knee pain so I will have to keep an eye on it.  My knee felt fine this morning so I'm hoping that it was just a little soreness from taking such a long break.

I also have found that I might need an armband to hold my cell phone.  I found this awesome giveaway on Karen's blog so hopefully I win.  You can enter too, just head on over to her blog.

Heather

The Scenic Route

After my less than impressive performance at the Capital City Half Marathon a few weeks ago, I decided that I wanted to have some time off before starting my new training schedule.  I thought that it was really important to allow my body some time to bounce back from a month of sickness.   Although I have really missed sticking to a running schedule, I know that it was the right thing to do for my body.

Even though I haven't been on a training schedule, that doesn't mean that I still haven't gotten in some of my favorite outdoor activities.  It's been way too nice to just stay inside so  I've been taking it easy with some short runs, long walks, and trips to the dog park: all with Ellie of course.

Since our runs and walks are meant more to enjoy the weather rather than to train, we have gotten to enjoy the amazing scenery in our area.  I sometimes miss how beautiful it is around us so these past couple of weeks have certainly reminded me to stop and look around.

While taking it easy was good for my body, I am ready to get back out there.  I have decided that tomorrow will be the first day of my new training schedule.  I've taken a few training plans and modified them into a single schedule to fit my needs.  I am still tweaking parts of the schedule, so hopefully I work out the details soon.  I do know that since I didn't adequately train for the last race due to being sick, I want to start slow on my new training plan so that Ellie and I can both avoid straining ourselves.  We will be starting this week with a few short runs.  I hope to have an update on my schedule as soon as it's been finalized. 

Heather

Twenty-Eight

I've noticed that holiday weekends always seem to go by faster than our normal weekends, even with the extra day off.  Granted, long weekends are usually filled with friends, family, and amazing food, so it's worth the craziness and lack of sleep.  This Memorial Day Weekend was no different.

After looking at our wedding venue on Saturday, Scott and I loaded up the car and headed to my hometown to spend time with my family.  Per usual, Ellie came along for the trip.  She has always loved riding in the car so she settled in for the long ride.  The first half-hour is always a little crazy because she thinks we are going to the dog park so she was jumping around the back seat, unable to contain her excitement.  However, once she realizes that we are going on a longer trip, she usually calms down and enjoys the ride. 

The good news is that she loves to sit and look out the window which makes her a great travel companion once we get going.  You may notice that she is buckled in the backseat.  I take wearing my seat-belt very seriously no matter how short the trip, so Ellie's safety is no different than my own.  We bought her the Kurgo travel zip line and harness to keep her safe on all of our car rides.  I am completely in love with this travel system and even use the harness for our runs, so it has been well worth the investment.

Upon arriving to my parents' home, we spent the next 24 hours celebrating my cousin's high school graduation, visiting with my aunt from North Carolina who was in town, and ringing in my birthday with a family cookout.  That's right, this Sunday was my 28th birthday.  Man, I'm getting old!  I did get some amazing presents this year, even though I thought I was getting too old to receive gifts.  One of my favorites is this dress.  My sister, Christina, bought this for me for my rehearsal dinner next year.  What do you think of it?

While time with my family was great, we still had a lot on our plates this weekend so we headed home Sunday night to prepare for another busy day.  Scott's mom came over before bedtime to drop off my birthday present.  I know I mentioned recently that I have been looking for running tanks that are a loose-fitting for my runs now that it's getting hot outside.  Luckily, I have the best future mother-in-law ever and she found this gem for my birthday.  It's an Under Armor running tank that says "Race Ya".  I love everything about this tank.  The fit and weight is perfect and the bright colors are fantastic.  I'm dying to wear it out for a run and will definitely be wearing this in my next race.

We got up early again on Monday for another whirlwind day.  We attended a cookout at Scott's dad's home but our visit was short since we had to come home to prepare to host my birthday cookout with friends.  Many of our closest friends came over to celebrate.  It was the first time many of them had been in the same room together so it was nice that they could all meet.  In all it really was a wonderful birthday.  I am truly blessed with so many wonderful people in my life.

Turning another year older did get me thinking about what I have accomplished and what I have yet to do.  Therefore, I am creating a list of goals this year that I want to accomplish before my next birthday.  Please join me as I create my list of 28 goals and check them off before my 29th birthday.  Many of the goals will be running related but I will have some personal goals as well.  If you have suggestions for goals that I should add to the list, I would love to hear them.

Heather

Wedding Venue Visit

At our meeting last week, the coordinator at our wedding venue told me that there was a wedding set for today at 1:00pm.  She told me that I was welcome to swing by before that time to see how everything would look all set up.  Upon arriving at the country club, I actually made friends with the father-of-the-bride before finding the coordinator.  After explaining that I was taking a look at the venue in preparation for my own wedding he invited me to take a look around at whatever I wanted. 

My new friend told me that they were expecting around 90 guests which is perfect because we are hoping to have around 100 guests at our wedding.  Seeing the ceremony space set up for a similar amount of guests really helped me visualize what it will look like on our wedding day.

I was relieved to see that even an hour before the ceremony started, the reception was already perfectly set up.  It seems like the club has a great system going to make sure events run smoothly.

I feel so much more at ease and can't wait til next April.

Heather

We Set a Date!

Scott and I officially booked our venue so I can finally announce that we will be getting married on April 27, 2013.  We are having our ceremony and reception at a local country club.  Weather permitting, we are planning to have an outdoor ceremony, then move inside for the reception.

The ceremony will take place in front of the stone wall fountain which will have water running down it.  The firepit will be covered, so that the aisle can be placed down the middle to line up with the fountain.  We are also bringing in white chairs to add a touch of elegance. 

The reception will be held right inside from the ceremony location.  I'm obsessed with the ceiling and chandeliers in the ballroom.  The ceremony site will also be transformed into it's original state so that guests can return outside during the reception.

Photo copyright: Kevin Keefer Photography

There is a wedding at the country club this weekend, so I'm going to swing by before the ceremony to see how everything will look once it's all set up.  I'm so excited to see it and will try to get more photos of the space.

We are also booking our photographers this week and  I need to decide on my colors.  I just love color so it's hard to decide on only a few :)  It will be nice to get some big things off my list.  It's all so exciting but I have so much left to do.  Any wedding planning advice from those who've been through it?

Heather

Warm Weather Running

Memorial Day Weekend is almost here, which means this beautiful Spring weather is going to be replaced by hot, humid days.  Personally, I love Summer because I get to wear cute sundresses, go boating, attend festivals, cookout with friends/family, and enjoy all that the season has to offer.  However, as a runner, I'm not a fan.  The thought of running in anything over 65 degrees sounds absolutely miserable to me.

Since I only recently started my running journey (I started last Fall), this will be my first Summer as a runner.  I know that I need to add early morning runs to my schedule but won't be able to avoid the heat forever, especially with my long weekend runs.  I have the basics for warm weather running such as shorts and a few tanks but realized I have several things that I still need.  Here is the list that I have compiled so far:

• Spandex shorts - I learned during the Cap City Half that my current running shorts are not good for long distances, especially in the heat.  New spandex shorts are a must so that my thighs don't chafe.
• Water bottle or Hydration Belt - My current fuel belt only holds 2 bottles so I'm debating on whether I should buy a 4 bottle belt or if I should get one of those handheld hydration bottles.  The bottles seem like they would hold more water but I don't really like carrying anything when I run, especially over long distances.
• Sunscreen - I'm religious about wearing sunscreen anyway but need to find something that is easy to apply, won't run into my eyes when I sweat, and will protect me for the duration of my run.
• Running tanks - I mentioned that I have a few running tanks but they aren't super lightweight.  I want a lose fitting tank that will allow for air flow.  Unfortunately, all the tanks that I have found so far are either form-fitting or have too much extra fabric at the underarm.  The extra fabric look ridiculous but I'm also worried that it will cause chafing so I will continue that search too.  If I could get my abs in a little better shape, I would just run in my sports bra.
• Sunglasses - I cannot wear hats.  I think they are uncomfortable/hot and feel like they really impair my peripheral vision.  I'm thinking a cheap pair from Target should do the trick.

Am I missing anything?  This list is still a work in progress so hopefully I can be prepared as the weather heats up.

Heather

Capital City Half Marathon 2012

I had the bright idea to sign up for the Cap City Half Marathon in an effort to motivate myself to continue my training once the cold weather was gone.  However, I didn't anticipate that I would be sick for the entire month of April though.  So, after battling a nasty stomach virus and a sinus infection that lasted for weeks, I braved my second half marathon with a stuffy head and virtually no training.  Was it hard?  You bet it was but I found the strength to finish the race anyway.  

Part of my strength to race came from the fact that my best friend, Aaron, was running the race as well.  He lives a few hours away so we had planned on training together from afar by keeping each other accountable when it came to training workouts.  However, with me being sick, I did a lot more encouraging than I did running.  This was Aaron's first half marathon so I knew I wanted to start the race with him even in my sick state.

Aaron and I at the starting line.

The Cap City race is host to a 5K, quarter marathon, and half marathon.  Total there were 13,000 runners. The quarter and half marathon runners start in the same corrals and even run the first few miles together.  Aaron and I parted ways early on since he was running for time and I was running just to finish.  When I came upon the split for the two races, I was VERY tempted to take the route that said "quarter marathon".  At this point I had been coughing up flem every few minutes and thought that a 6.55 mile run sounded much better than 13.1  As tempted as I was to cut this race short, I continued on my path knowing that I still had 10 painful miles ahead of me.

The crowd before we started.

As the miles inched on, I was finally able to breathe.  The flem was gone, the snot wasn't constantly dripping out of my nose, and I felt pretty good.  The middle of the race seemed to zip by.  I remember enjoying the beauty of the course and wasn't focused on how many miles I had left to go since I wasn't miserable anymore.  Unfortunately, this nice run didn't last.

Remember how I said I hadn't really trained?  Well, that lack of training caught up with me at about Mile 9.  As we were heading back into the city, I noticed that my feet were starting to hurt.  "My feet out of all things?  They never hurt!"  Then I realized something.  I was running a half marathon in shoes that I have only ran up to 5 miles in at any given time.  Sure I've had them for several months, but with my lack of training, I'd never taken them out for a long run.  How could I have been so careless?  I guess it didn't really matter at that point.  There wasn't anything that I could do to fix it now and I still had several miles to go.  I sucked up the pain and continued on my way.  The way I see it, my feet were going to hurt whether I was running or walking so at least running would get me to the finish line faster.

Those last miles are a painful blur.  My feet hurt, some of the water stations didn't have water ready, and my thighs were starting to chafe.  I tried to focus on the positives.  I didn't really need water every mile, my iPod was still playing my run mix, and I had almost completed my second half marathon.  I pushed forward and climbed the last hill of the race knowing that after that I had a nice, straight half mile left to the finish.  Before I knew it, the finish line was in sight and I heard my fiancé, Scott, cheering me on.  I did it!  I had successfully completed my second half marathon.  

Aaron and I at the finish.  Congrats on finishing your first half!

After crossing the finish line, I quickly grabbed my finisher's medal and ice cold water before heading out to find Aaron in the crowd.  The funny thing is, I felt great immediately.  My legs weren't sore, my feet felt fine, and the chafing was minimal since I was walking.  The only thing I could think about was how hungry that I was.  Scott suggested we head to Rooster's for food and beer which was the best idea ever.  I ended up completely stuffing my face.

Amazing finisher's medals.  They are so heavy!

At the end of the day, it may not have been the most graceful race but I crossed the finish line.  I'm proud to have made it that far and have another medal to add to my growing collection.  I also learned a few running lessons along the way: 

1. don't run a half marathon in shoes that haven't been broken in; and 

2. don't run a half marathon in shorts that ride up if you value your inner thighs (spandex will be my new best friend).

Heather

Running Wear Giveaway

I have been looking for some loose fitting tanks to start running in now that the weather is warming up.  After a quick Google search, I found this blog giveaway.  The blog features a half marathon training tank that I am absolutely in love with and hope that I can get one for my marathon training.  You can find the seller Nutrition Snob on Etsy if you want one too.

Heather

Running with Ellie

Having a running partner seems to really motivate me.  My running partner just happens to be a rambunctious pup named Ellie.  We adopted her in February 2011 from the Union County Humane Society in Marysville, OH.  Since that day, she has brought so much joy to our lives and has grown into a wonderful running companion.  She is always ready for a run so she keeps me on my toes with her seemingly unlimited amount of energy.

Ellie's first week home.  She is 11 weeks old here.

Despite the fact that she is technically a mutt, her mix of labrador and pointer makes Ellie the perfect running companion for all of my runs whether they are long or short.  Her endurance continues to amaze me so we will have to see what her limits are.  Currently, she joins me for all of my runs that are 6 miles or less as long as it's not to hot out.  

Although Ellie loves to run with me, she is not without her quirks.  Despite taking a bathroom break before each run, she always wants to make a stop in the first mile or so.  Since we generally run on routes without trash cans, this usually leaves me running with a little bag of doggie poo until we get home.  It's bad enough that poop stinks but holding the bag always seems to make my hand sweaty to make the experience just a little more awful.

Ellie after a 3 mile run this week.

Winter Run

When I first started running last Fall, it didn't take long for me to realize that I had the running bug.  After my first half marathon in October, I knew that I wanted to keep up my training and complete more races.  However, training for my second race in November made me realize that I am not a fan of running in the cold.  Aside from the fact that being cold in general sucks, running on cold days is miserable because my nose won't stop running.  When my nose runs, I can't breathe and have to carry tissues or else I end up wiping the snot on my sleeve (gross!).

To remedy this dilemma, I decided that I was going to take the Winter season off but run whenever the weather was nice.  Ohio weather is crazy so I knew we would have some beautiful days during the cold months.  Yesterday was one of those days, reaching into the low 60's, so I knew I had to take advantage of the weather.

 

This was my first run of 2012.  Although the air was still cold, the sun felt very warm.  My black leggings were actually making me hot until the sun started to disappear on the horizon.  I was racing against what little daylight was left in the day but managed to get in a 4 mile run and this photo of the winter sky all under an 11 minute mile.  In all, it was much easier than I thought it would be after taking nearly two months off.  I know that Spring is right around the corner so hopefully these nice relaxing runs will start to be the norm again soon.

Heather