Running Forward After 50: June 2017

I can't believe how long it has been since I have written anything in my Blog. I guess I just haven't felt like it lately, nor have I had the time. I think when I do have the time, I have been too tired. I have been meaning to write about the Skirt Sports 13er since June 4th, and I am finally getting around to it. No one really reads my blogs anyway, so it really doesn't matter when I write about it.

So, after my poor and struggling performance at the Greenland race, I looked back at my mileage. When looking back, I realized that I hadn't really done many long runs, and only 3 runs over 7 miles. a 9.25, 11.0, and 13.2 miles. I was really under trained, but that was due to my MCL injury. I am OK with that, but I needed to move forward with longer distances and change a few other things. First I felt it was time to regularly run 8 miles or more, and to try and jump start myself to run a little faster. I started doing Fartleks twice a week in the morning in my neighborhood before my gym class, and starting running longer distances twice a week or more. Sometimes its good to look at where you've been to figure out where you want to be. I trained hard in those few weeks between races, and when June 4th arrive, I felt comfortably ready.

The day before the race Tom and I drove over to Skirt Sports in Boulder to pick up my bid number, and to check what Tom was supposed to be doing for volunteering. I also was lucky enough to find a Lioness skirt on sale that fit me, so that was a bonus. I am also unfamiliar with the area of the 13er, so we wanted to go check it out, so there would be no mistakes getting there the next day when I had to arrive at 5:30am. I guess it was worth it, but next year I may skip picking up my number. There really wasn't a large amount of women running this race.

The next morning I was nervous. This was my first Half that I had done on my own, and Tom had to leave to get to his volunteer post at mile 7, so I was alone. Well, not really alone. My friend Renee was there running as well. She isn't a Skirt Sport Ambassador, but lives 2 miles from the start! And then there were all the other Ambassadors that I had "met" on-line that I got to meet! Wow, it was great.

The race started on time, and at 6:30am, off we all went. The couple of miles was pretty much up hill - yeah. The first mile was on a hardly used road until it met up with the bike path, and then onto a main road. The road was really nice to run on, and the view was great. The temperature at that time was wonderful as well. I found myself surrounded by friends, even though I knew hardly anyone that was running my slow pace. After about three miles we turned north onto another road, which was also beautiful, and had shade! I had a good pace, and was really happy with how things were going. The aid stations didn't have much except water and Nuun, but that was fine as I had brought my own nutrition and electrolytes in my Camelback Marathoner vest. Around mile the course turned to the east, and started up this really long, long hill. It was never ending. I did hear in the distance a cowbell! That meant that Tom was up ahead somewhere. He was at about mile 7.5, stopping traffic. I only had about 2 more miles to the top of the hill. Ugh, that was long, but when I got to the top, I turned around and looked at the view. Beautiful. I had to walk the last quarter of the mile up the hill, as my left piriformis was nagging me, so decided to give it a break. When I got to mile 10 I felt like I was doing well, but getting a little tired, and I was getting hot. We then had to take a little mile long loop around a lake, that was warm, but nice. Then came the top of the Mesa. It had a great view, but it was HOT. It was awful. I had had a great pace up until then. I ended up walking several times, it was just hot, and I struggling for the first time in the race. I had been passing, and then passed by another runner and about this time we were both struggling, so we joined forces. We ran together and encouraged each other. This was amazing. Because to joined forces, we kept up a great pace. Even thought I thought I was too tired to keep it up, we did, and I "sprinted" the last .25 miles to the finish line.

The Finish Line. Wow, I thought I was going to cry. What a great feeling it was. I got my medal, and I went to sit down on the curb in the shade for a bit to recover. Then it was time for something cold to drink, cake to eat, and to celebrate the achievement. This was the best. This was the best Half I have ever done. I was tired, but felt good for most of the race. I hydrated well, kept up on my nutrition, and found ways to motivate myself. I was proud of what I had accomplished and how I had gotten myself to train better and to work with my injuries. You have to find it within yourself to make your own goals happen. Sure, Tom was there to help me condition, but I had to WANT to do it. You have to WANT it. Sure, I am slow, but I ran my pace, my race, and I got there. I am proud of myself.

Notes about this race. I loved it, except the Mesa. I loved the other women running it. I have never been around such a group of motivating women. I got to meet Anasthisa, she is also a My Soxy Feet Ambassador. I got to meet several other women I had met on Facebook, and got to know them better. Everyone was nice and friendly. Not one person was rude. The race was really well managed, and even Tom commented how organized it was for the volunteers. He even enjoyed himself. It was a very good morning, and it was a very positive experience. Once again, Skirt Sports made me feel positive about myself. The owners Nicole and Noelle are very motivating women, and I have the highest respect for them and what they are doing for women. I hope to be an Ambassador again next year, but even if I am not, I will run this race again.

Notes about me. I achieved something I hadn't done before - raced on my own. I surprised myself by doing it. I even managed some PR's for this year: fastest mile, fastest 5k, fastest 10k, fastest Half Marathon. Even with my MCL injury. I iced my knees and took anti-inflammatory afterwards (and before). Some pain, but not bad at all. I took care of myself because no one else will.

Now the training for the Dizzy Goat 12 hour Trail Race continues. The next weekend I had the Endurance Race Series East/West Trail which I will Blog about soon.