American Bank Half Marathon Relay

Team Two of a Kind

I was so nervous for this race and I am not sure why. I think I get nervous for the 10k's because they are the challenging races for me right now. The rain finally stopped but it was in the mid 40's the whole race. We started on Shoreline and went down to Palmetto Park on Ocean and then headed back. I ran the second the leg. 

Results:

My leg time - 1:08:11.9

Total team time - 2:19:16.2

Average team pace - 10:53 (however I was more on track at 10:30 for the most part of the race)

My partner Becky coming in for the hand off

Finish strong!!

Team Two of a Kind!
I met Becky a year or so ago now I guess at an IronMan competition a local fitness guy put on.
I switched over to her CrossFit box until it closed last May.
Now she is one of my fave running buddies!

I didn't PR like I was hoping but overall I am very pleased with how I ran. I didn't walk near as much as my Carrera Race last fall.....Maybe .15 of a mile up a hill this time around. The new New Balances held up well and I think the sleeves helped too. I have been battling shin splints so I think both were needed by now. 

Breakfast because I was HANGRY! Whole30 compliant - potato hash, two eggs, cherry tomatoes, sauteed greens, and leftover fruit from my drive to Corpus for the run. I ate everything on my plate!

New Kicks!

Since my FleetFeet gift card was burning a hole in my wallet I went got some new shoes! Going to try out the New Balances since they didn't have my size in my Asics that I have been wearing since May. I also picked up a pair of calf sleeves hoping that might help with the shin splints I have been getting. That could also be from my shoes being almost 7 months old too. 

Tomorrow is my first 10K of the year and 1 of 6 I have set to run for myself as a goal. I am relaying the American Bank Half Marathon with my friend Becky. Fingers crossed the weather isn't too crappy and the soreness in my legs from HIIT class on Tuesday will subside so I can get in a good run. The course is simple, out and back on Shoreline Drive next to the bay so as long as the weather holds up it should be a great run!

I'M BACK!

I have been a little MIA I know but there were some family things I had to tend to and then with Dave still out on location it has been up to me to get all the Christmas stuff done as well as pack for my trip to California tomorrow. 

The American Bank Half Marathon & Relay is in two weeks! I know I can finish 6 miles...I am just hoping I can do it in less time than my first one! Need to beat 68 minutes!

My friend Sara who just had a baby about 3 months ago wanted to get back into the swing of working out. So she convinced me to go to a spin class with her at our local 24 hour gym. Boy did she go from turtle pace to jaguar! I am pretty sure she might be regretting that decision this morning but either way it was fun to have someone to try it with!

My legs surprisingly don't hurt however the seat was not very friendly to me! The instructor said once we get past the first 30 days we won't even know its there....hope she is right!

Motivation Monday

Or lack there of. After the weekend I had of helping my parents do a garage sale and move stuff I was exhausted. And sitting in front of a computer out in the shop all day for work doesn't exactly get my blood flowing to want to run unfortunately. I have a habit of wanting to go home, cook dinner, and hang out with my dogs after work but I didn't. I actually left work early so that I could get in a road run. With the sunset at 5:22'ish and then only having about another 30 minutes of light after that I have to time my road runs just right if I want to try to get in some decent mileage. 

The best part about running on Monday is that I feel like I started my week off right, regardless of how my day went. My plan is to run everyday and beat my mileage from the day before. I have 2 1/2 more weeks until the American Bank Half Marathon Relay and I am just hoping to PR on it. I leave for California on Christmas Eve day to spend Christmas and my birthday with my sister and I am truly looking forward to running in Southern California, especially with her. 

JUST....wow!

Reading through my blogs this morning and I came across Mile Posts aka Dorothy Beal's

blog post - There Is No JUST In 13.1

It could not have come a better time. I am so guilty of this. I call myself a beginner runner because I know there are so many people that can run faster and farther than I can. I constantly compare my abilities to others. In her post she asks what a long distance is for us and for me, right now, running 10K's is my challenge. I have run 2 or 3 registered 10K's and just over 6 miles around the small town I live in so I know I can do it but they are still challenging for me. 

I have also been bad about comparing my average mile times to others instead of focusing on the fact that I am completing the mileage I set out to do. I am not a fast runner.....in comparison to the people I consider fast. I guess it is all a matter of perspective. I am sure some folks consider me fast. 

I am trying to focus on being consistent and more positive when it comes to my runs so that I will not get frustrated and give up for weeks at a time. I know if I had a running buddy that would help however I just can't seem to find anyone that has a similar schedule as mine to be able to that. 

Thanks Dorothy for the post! It was definitely the motivation that I needed to know that any mileage I get in is better than nothing and it still makes me a "runner". 

My first 10K for 2015 is January 3 and I am part of a two member team relaying the American Bank Half Marathon in Corpus Christi. My second 10K race is at the Cowtown Marathon at the end of February. I know I can complete the mileage however the challenge I know I will face is the weather. I am not used to running in cold temps. I live in a small south Texas town where the high tomorrow will be 71!

Dorothy if you ever make your way to South Texas I would love to meet you!

Training for the American Bank Half Marathon (relay of course!)

Its been a few weeks since I have been running since I was so preoccupied with the wedding, friends, and family and such. But I am around 7 weeks out from the American Bank Half Marathon and Relay that will be taking place here in Corpus. I have a buddy who is going to run it with me who has a few halfs under her belt solo. I am really looking forward to reconditioning my body and spending my little bit of free time doing something good for me again.  

As always I use my Nike+ coach app on my phone to help me with my training program and send me reminders. It helps me if I get little nudges like that of how much I need to run. Plus I can always check out the weeks and prepare my schedule around how much mileage I need to get in.