Late recap/Marathon Training--COMMENCE!

In spite of everything last week, I decided, instead of to sit down and write something about my feelings about it like a lot of folks, I'd just keep to myself-do my running and keep up with everything in my own time.  To me, it didn't feel right to promote my blog with a post about the tragedies.  I don't judge the people that did, to each his own--everyone has their way of working through situations like this.  This is just how I dealt with it.  I'm am simply happy that those responsible are being dealt with, my friends and family there are safe, and that there is the hope to move on from this. 

That being said--onward.




Super cute Maria, and no make-up woof-worthy me.

Last (last, last) Sunday, I took part in the Austin 10/20!  10 miles (well, 10.3ish per my Garmin, damn tangents) and every half mile was a live band! No joke, pretty great.  I met up with a new friend and co-worker at the start and we ran together for about 2 miles before I felt "in my groove" and took off.  I had warned her, don't worry--I didn't just bust a move on her, haha.  The first mile-ish was pretty packed and we had to do a little dodging, but it opened up after that.  It was a fairly easy course that actually had some of the 3M Half course in it--so some of it was familiar.  The best part about this race were the ice-y towels near the 10k mark--I was already throwing some water at my head at the water stops, but these were something else--the little things, kids. 

I'd planned for under 2 hours--was hoping, anyways.  At mile 9 I realized I was at 1:35ish--and I said to myself, "SHIT, I can do this under 1:45!"  So, I swear one of the only hills on the course was the one JUST BEFORE the finish line (really, guys? really?), but I booked it and crossed the line in 1:44:01!

Stolen, sorry. Not to stoked after the last hill, not worth the money!

After I crossed the line there were more of those delightful iced towels, and I just plopped it on my face, like a collapsing tent.  Then deliriously walked what I thought was in the right direction to my car--which turned out to be the wrong direction, and then back tracked...so I ended up running 10.3ish, and walking another 2ish.  So almost a half that day...Nice.

Finisher medal, woot! Squinty sun face, FTW. 

 I'll be honest, though the time was a good one for me--recovery was a little tough this time around for a distance shorter then the half--well, just my left hip, really. Come to realize that without thinking about it, I've worn out my purple Pure Flows! OH NOOOOoo!  First it was my Kinvaras, now this.   I've got my blue Pure Flows and my Pure Connects left, but this girl is going to need to new sneaks SOON.

This all said--marathon training starts!  Yeah, it's early, but I would rather start early then get behind late in the game.  I've had some great runs in the past week, so I'm feeling really motivated.  All the training plans I've seen run somewhere between 4-5 months, so I'm kind of just tweaking and making a hybrid program.  I'm also trying not to make this marathon about time--the goal is to finish.  So, when it comes to tracking my runs, I find the best thing for me is to omit my timing.  It stops me from comparing myself to everyone else, and has me really focus on the distances.

Anyone with tips on this 26.2 stuff--send it my way--posts, articles, anything--I want it all!

Everything else has been good, really.  Pool is getting warmer by the day--I've already been in a few times freezing my ass-cheeks off, but soon it'll be at optimal temps-yay! Work is crazy, but that goes without saying, really--but, there are really good things on the verge of happening there.

Hope everything is well on your end of the world, my people.


Go Fork Yourselves,

Krissy

I'm not a prayer person, but...

Thanks for putting it so well, Saucony.

Krissy

Do it anyway.

It's like I couldn't pull my hand away from grabbing my wallet.  I don't know what happened--it was like a runner's rufie.  When I got the email confirmation, I had realized what I had done.

Woke up with black eye and a male genitalia drawn on my face, too.

I'd been looking into signing up for a full marathon for months now.  Since my first half in January.  With every double-digit run I felt more and more compelled.  I held off because I couldn't find anything that would work monetarily.  I can't afford a ton for travel and hotel expenses.  

LO AND BEHOLD...The Baystate Marathon.  A "fast" marathon in Lowell, MA--a short drive from my folks house in New Hampshire.  Not a ton of people, I think it's capped somewhere around 2000, lots of people trying to qualify for Boston in 2014 (not me).  That all being said, I'm like 99.9% sure I'll be last over the finish line--BUT DAMMIT, I'M GOING TO FINISH.  Last summer I started running, and I could BARELY jog 2 miles straight-and since then I've finished a bunch of 5ks, 5 Miler, 10k, will do a 10 miler race this weekend, and two half-marathons.  All those I thought I'd never do.  When I did finally do my first half-I thought for sure I would finish 3+ hours, and I killed it (well, for me) at 2:25.  The second one I didn't do so well on--it was hot, humid, we'd only slept an hour and a half, and ate WAAAY too late.  It was fun, don't get me wrong--but to be turtle-heading half the race is not a good feeling.  A learning experience with a best friend, you can't party down in Disney and expect a PR the next morning--worth it, though.

So, taking those lessons, we press on to 26.2.  Like I said, I've got my 10 miler this weekend, in May I signed up for 5k just to keep my juices going.  In July, my husband's family has a yearly reunion at this camp-like resort (think Dirty Dancing without Swayze-esque drama) and they do a 5k--which I'm so up for this year.  Goal is to PR at these 5ks.  So, under 28:00 ish.

Late April, early May starts the 26.2 training.  I'm tossing up using Higdon or Galloway--I used Higdon for both 13.1s, but I keep hearing amazing reviews for Galloway and surprising times with his method. I've been asking the twitter #runchat peeps for what they feel is their fave--leave it below, though, too...you know, if ya feel like it.

You know, it kind of scares the crap out of me, but I feel like it's a good thing.  There are far too many things in this world we don't do because of fear--whether that be of failing, of what people will think, or of change itself.  And it's bullshit.  We all have to get over ourselves (legit, mind over matter) or you can live with regret no matter how small.  Like I said a post or two ago---time passes no matter what you choose to do, so instead of not---Do it anyway.

I feel like this has been the "Krissy Runs" theme.  This song came on randomly on my iPod when I was driving home and thinking of the marathon and whether or not to do it.  Question = answered.

Peace, Love, Distance, Speed, AND

Go Fork Yourselves,

Krissy

FUTURE MARATHONER (uh, nah nah nah nah.)

Catch up time, kids..

Holy hell--hi, guys.

It's been way too long, and I'm so so sorry. 

So, I got this promotion at work--which I suppose should be a good thing, but it's just been bananas.  Between being short-staffed and having to run between back and front offices, AND do interviews with people...it's just like..Ugh.   My writing has suffered for it--but let's try to let go of that negativity and move on here.

We picked our random winner for the Chobani giveaway!!  Jeffery (follow him @FireRunner2379)!  That was a great giveaway--the two week build-up was getting intense for me--but it gives more people more chances to get in!  I have two more giveaway lined up--I will pull the trigger on one of them at the start of next week.  This one will be yummy....Lara Bars.  YEAH DUDE--stay tuned for that action :)

We have about 10 days left until the Austin 10/20 (10 miles, 20 live bands on the route!).  I'm totally stoked.  I wish it was a half--but the 10 miles will do.  The third double-digit race in 2013--yeeeees.  The only downside is that I've had to really push the running into high gear to be ready for the race--so yoga has had to strap itself into the back booster seat.  After this race, it will be easier to implement a better running/strength plan.

So, guys, I'm a genius.  And a nerd.  Annnnd kind of a dude.  But, I have found a way to make my treadmill runs insanely fun:

Videogames.

...and while running. It doesn't get anymore badass.

No joke, I used to do this kind of this with our old elliptical a few years back, and wasn't certain I could pull off all the button mashing with grace while running.  Turns out--I can :)  The past couple weeks, pretty much any time I want to play games, I get my ass up and go to the treadmill with my controller in hand.  I racked up 10+ miles on the treadmill the other day--just leveling up and watching a bunch of cut scenes.    If anyone wants to know--it's this great RPG I'm playing called 'Ni No Kuni." Totally addicting--and really awesome for putting up big miles (well, big on my scale).

The hubs and I are pretty into videogames...Nintendo, Playstation, Xbox--We've got multiples of each in our house..did you think we sat around waiting for each other to SHARE A CONSOLE--gtfo.

On another note--the folks over at Today's Miles talked to me a few weeks back, got my favorite racing distance, picked a color--and sent me an awesome shirt out of the blue! 

Neon Yellow--13.1--Awww yeah.

 

 

Thanks again, folks--it's so soft and sweat wicking--love it!  Head over there for your customizable distance shirt!

 

Let's see--Easter peaked it's head in on us last weekend.  I make my husband and my brother-in-law a basket every year.  I generally don't eat tons of candy, it was pretty easy to restraint myself.  Back in those 230+ pound days, I would eat a bulk bag of those Mini Eggs (thin crunchy coat, delish chocolate on the inside...) in a day.  THOUSANDS of calories in one day.  This year I took a handful of those, a handful of jellybeans, and washed my hands of it.  Since I've started running, I know how to use simple carbs as instant energy (instead of pleasure eating and melting into the couch), and that's exactly what I did--use it up in a nice run :)  Granted you can exercise out a bad diet, this is beyond true.  But, if you're like me and rarely eat the stuff--your body goes into sugar-rush mode and all you can think to do is burn it off.

 

Also, this April Fools'--my baby sister turned 21.  Way to make me feel old.  Joking aside--she's such a strong girl(woman)--so smart, hilarious, my mini me.  She doesn't put up with bullshit and I love her. 

Me on the left, my now grown up sister in the middle, and my brother--Circa 1993.

 

That's all for now, folks--just wanted to touch base with everyone.  Keep your eyes peels for my Lara Bar giveaway next week! 

 

 

 

Peace, love, and go fork yourselves.

 

Krissy