5K recap

I ran the Omar Shriners Cowboy 5K over the weekend. I am slightly partial to the Shriners, as my husband is a Shriner and has dedicated himself to and for this organizations cause. This was his unit and these guys did what they could to set up their first ever 5k to raise money for the Shriners Children Hospital.


It was a small race, with around 50 or so runners that showed up on race day. (there were 6 other races held that day). My husband and oldest son got there early to help set up then me and the rest of the clan got there about 8:30.


The weather was about 73 but with 100% humidity. It was going to be a sloggy run!
I see a couple runners from the Wednesday night track crew, which its always nice to see people you know. I knew I had to keep Jon in my sights and try to stay as close to him as possible.


The race starts promptly at 9am.
(The course was different than initially thought-it wasn't the certified course they had planned on. Rather it was mapped out the day before. The good part is that it only had 2 turns and I knew I wouldn't get lost. The bad part is that it wasn't closed off for traffic and we had to run with traffic for about half the course. Not only did we had to battle regular downtown traffic,  the farmers market was going on as well as Oktoberfest so the streets were triple as busy as they usually are....)


The gun goes off, and my plan was to keep behind Jon, but 2 females take off like their britches are on fire, so I felt I had to keep up. (My kids had the impression that I would win overall female, so I couldn't let them down, right?....)
The first mile I was playing cat and mouse with the lead female. I would catch up to her and pass her, she would catch me and pass me. The 2nd female joined this game as well but she dropped out about a half mile in. Somewhere before the first mile I pass her for the final time and just hope she doesn't catch back up. I hear footsteps behind me, and Jon has caught up to me and breezes by me. I knew I had gone out too fast.


I didn't know how much of a lead I had on the other gals until the turn around point,and when I made the turn, the 2nd place gal wasn't too far behind. I knew she could catch me if I didn't pick up my pace. I focus on Jon and try to keep a good cadence. I was in 5th place overall and could only see 2 runners in front of me. The more I try to close the gap between me and Jon, the farther away he gets. When I make the first turn back to the finish, I spy the other gal behind me and she has fallen back quite a bit.The last stretch of the course seems to take forever. I know I am close to the finish, but I swear I think they moved the finish line a good half mile down from its original place! I make the final turn, see the clock, hear my kiddos cheering their lungs out, and sprint in to the finish to come in 9 seconds faster than last race
: )


I do a brief cooldown, grab an amazing peanut butter granola bar type thing from Oscars( which was the PERFECT recovery food -it had a mix of PNB, honey,oatmeal, nuts, cranberries, raisins, chocolate chips and a few other ingredients I couldn't quite identify but wow, it was GOOD!)  and then me and the kids hang around to cheer everyone else in at the line.

When it was time for awards, everyone's heart melted in a big puddle on the pavement. One of the children that my husbands unit "adopted" showed up to hand out awards. Its always a breath of fresh air to physically see those who receive the proceeds of races, and this tiny little girl stole the show for sure! She has a rare medical condition that effects her growth and cognitive abilities. When she was born, she wasn't given a fighting chance to survive, much less be able to walk or talk. But thanks to the Shriners, all her medical care and expenses have been taken care of and little Monroe was able to walk, run, gallop around and hand us our awards. Totally made everybody's heart smile!!!


I did manage to walk away with overall female award and since there was so much food left over, all the participants were asked to take everything home with them. So pretty much everybody left the race with large bags of bagels, bananas, apples, grapes, oranges and Oscar bars.
Win/ win for all, eh?
Hopefully next year, this race will expand and get more vendors/sponsors/ runner participation. It has a lot of potential!


After the race my youngest daughter had her first soccer game. She ended up scoring 3 goals and her team won 11-5! Afterwards, me and my daughters headed up to Oktoberfest to see what all the fuss was about. While the event was crowded,it was manageable so the girls had a great time in the bouncy houses/obstacle courses, slides, games etc. It was nice to just walk around and check out all the venders there as well.


The next day I did mange to get a 9 mile run in with the Onshore running group. I am so thankful I had Amy, aka The Tiny Terror to run with me. We ran all over parts of Charleston I have never seen before. It was quite scenic. And if I didn't have others to run with me on this route, I would have gotten lost in a New York minute!!!!


Heres hoping for a good week of running and lifting.....and hopefully fall temps with less humidity are around the corner!!!!

400 repeats

So I was able to get in 12x400's around my neighborhood this morning.
It is exactly 0.25 miles from my mailbox to the stop sign at the end of the street.
I broke them up into 3 sets of 4x400 with 2 minutes between sets and 55 seconds rest between 400's.
weather was 71 with 80% humidity with a nice breeze with a few occasional gusts...


set 1       set 2     set 3
1:38       1:37     1:41
1:38       139      1:42
1:40       1:41     1:43
1:39       1:39     1:43
mile paces per set
(6:35)    (6:36)   (6:49)


I felt pretty good the first 2 sets, but that last set my legs didn't want to turn over!
Im still pretty upset my times aren't dropping as fast as I want them too at this point.
But I got it done and it was better than my Saturday 6 miler on the TM
: )


5k coming up this weekend, I am just hoping to shave a couple seconds off my last race
and then hopefully I can get in a nice slow long run the following day with the running group.

embrace the run that sucked

we've all had those workout days that are just flat out horrible.
the ones that leave us questioning WHY we do this....
Saturday was that day for me.
After missing a 10k that morning, I thought i'd be slick and get a 10k done on the treadmill later that afternoon.
My intentions were there.
I was thinking just keep it at tempo pace, an easy 7:30 the entire way, in order to get around a 46ish 10k
ha.
I forgot that maintaining a 7:30pace for longer than 3miles isn't easy for someone who hasn't held that pace over distance in a long time.(ie out of shape)
mile 1 7:40
miles 2-5 7:35
mile 6 7:30
6miles in 45:25
and then I stopped it there and didnt make the 0.2


sounds ok on paper, doesn't it?
what fails to be seen is the mental battle I had during this run,as well as the physical struggles I had.
I actually stopped at mile 3, mile 4.5 and mile 5, which is something I have rarely done. ever.
I was even going to stop running at mile 5 and not finish the 6.2 I had planned. But I knew I needed the distance at a faster pace. so I didn't quit even though I desperately wanted to.


My body felt like crap,( the steak and potato I had for lunch didn't help that out)
I felt miserably out of shape, I could never catch my breath, and I felt like I was doing race pace and not a tempo....
I was beating myself up almost the entire run and while I was relieved when I was able to slow down a bit for the cool down, I cut the cool down short by half a mile. My body was done.
and I was pissed off because my body didn't cooperate the way I had envisioned. I was pissed off because I have a half marathon is less than8 weeks and based on this run, in my mind I was thinking that there is NO way I can se the 1:30's for a half.
: /
BUT if there is anything I have learned over the many years I have been running is that you must embrace the runs that suck in order to appreciate the runs that go well.


yes, running is hard sometimes-if it were easy then everybody would do it!
I have to remind myself to be patient as my body is trying to get back in shape.
I have to accept that it if I expect to run faster over longer distances, I have to train faster over longer distances. And the longer runs at faster paces will not be enjoyable and will hurt  at times.
That's when its time to dig deep and just embrace the suck!















I have a couple links below from Beth, a runner with a blog titled SUAR (Shut Up And Run)
Here is her insight that I think any runner can relate to:


http://www.shutupandrun.net/2012/06/how-to-dig-deep-when-you-want-to-quit.html
http://www.shutupandrun.net/2012/10/when-running-pisses-you-off.html

My first P.R

Nope not a Personal Record
but  Pub Run-
not the kind that you just feel like going to a pub and just go,
but the kind that involves showing up to the local running store with 20-30 other people and literally running to a pub (after a few miles of running the downtown streets).
I was fortunate enough to have a soccer practice free night and was able to meet up for the run. The group ran about 3 miles and then went to a local pub.
Every month the running store will be hosting these pub runs, with different themes,prizes and raffles as well as different pubs that will host the running group.
even though the run was short, I tried to make it a tempo but it turned out to be progressive miles at a pace that was a controlled effort but not as fast as race pace. Since I have NO sense of direction whatsoever I stayed up front with the boys. This turned out to be a good thing bc I never slowed down on account of me not wanting to get lost
: )
I didn't stay for recovery beverages, even though a handful of runners went across the street to another place that sells both food and spirits (this place just sold spirits).
My mommy senses were going off and by the time I got home I knew my youngest wasn't feeling well. he woke up with a fever yesterday and is still feverish and cranky today and has developed a cough.
tis the season for the crud.
ugh.
I had a 10k planned for in the morning but I wont be able to go.
Hopefully I can get in a TM 10k sometime tomorrow during nap time-and maybe I can do a zombie run on Sunday and then throw in an additional  5 miles
OR drive a little bit and meet up for a group run?
Gotta make time to get the speed and distance in-
8 more weeks until the half........

5K recap and training

I was able to run a small local road race over the weekend.
The sky was overcast with some light drizzle, the temps were cooler (72ish)and in general was a welcome relief in comparison to the last race I did in July!
 I was actually looking forward to the race because
1) The event offered FREE child care for kids ages 2-12
2) PANCAKE breakfast afterwards
3) I would be able to test the waters to see if summer training would pay off


The original plan was to take all the kiddos with me, as my husband had practice for his highland games ( next weekend). Practice ended up getting cancelled so even though I woke up my oldest daughter to see if she still wanted to go, she said yes but was too tired to wake up. I suggested she sleep in and I promised to bring something back.... she said OK and went back to bed as I slipped out the door while everyone else slept.......
 10 minutes later my husband called and said I had a very upset group of kids who were disappointed I didn't take them with me.....
talk about mommy guilt!
: /
 But when I arrive at the venue I am pleasantly surprised to see a handful of runners from our Wednesday night track crew. A few were running and a few were volunteering. It is always nice to show up to races and see familiar faces
: )
the race starts and I have 2 goals in mind
1) be faster than last race
2) keep  JF from the track group in sight. I know he is faster than me but I still wanted to keep him in my line of vision.
the race itself was pretty uneventful.


I felt pretty good the first two miles, but lost steam on the 3rd mile.It was a small race of about 50 or so, and sometimes smaller races can be harder to get faster times. Its easier to place well but harder to pace myself and get in a good groove (at least thats what I tell myself).
As it turned out, I was  highly disappointed in my time, as I thought I would be significantly faster than summer
It totally sucks getting back in shape, especially when progress is slower than what I am used too. Its time like these I am humbled and I am reminded to be patient..
*sigh*
 But I did manage to meet the 2 goals I had in mind. While my time was pretty slow, it was fast enough for overall female.
I won a large trophy,a gift certificate to a local oyster bar, an oyster shucker and a beer cozy that had S.O.B on the front ( Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar ) and "Get Shucked" on the bottom.
Other swag that came with race included a sweat towel, and a water bottle...and a pancakes
: )


It was nice to socialize a bit after the race
and I actually met a few people from the Tri Club,who are all just as nice as can be. When I mentioned the idea of eventually doing another triathlon I was immediately engulfed in encouragement and given several avenues of resources. I left the race wanting to join in the fun and sign up for a tri!
But I think I'll just focus on getting myself back in shape first!


Fall temps are on the horizon so im looking forward to get some more outdoor running in!
last weeks track workout was 8x 0.40- on the road in front of the track.
we had to improvise due to middle school football scrimmages taking over the field.
while the workout itself was challenging and sucked, I did enjoy it because the road had inclines and declines in it,which will simulate an upcoming race
: )
the weather was hot and muggy but not as bad as has been in the past
my times for the .40 (some were 0.38 or 0.39) weren't very consistent and ranged from 6:44 to 7:23 pace
2:46,2:43, 2:40, 3:15 (swallowed and choked on a bug halfway through this one)
2:42, 2:53,2:45, 2:59


Gearing up for another 5k in 12 days.....
By then, Fall will officially be here...
and soccer season kicks off this week!!!!
Ill be one busy mamma getting all 4 kiddos to practices and games but its always awesome to see the kids play and grow as athletes
: )
Happy Monday!

wednesday track

 After 2 weeks off due to sickness, it was a rough start to getting "back on track"
but I was glad I was able to make it to the group track run.
12x400's were on the agenda and while I could really feel the effects of being sedentary for 16 days, I enjoyed being able to run again!
 (3 x 4x400's)
times were slower than last month but it was expected. The weather was slightly cooler (89ish) and humidity was lower (60%) which was a welcome relief!


1:52
1:41
1:41
1:45
1:44
1:43
1:42
1:37
1:41
1:38
1:37
1:43
3 miles in 20:25


yesterday was a 3 mile tempo at around a 7:40ish pace
today is an easy 6 miles


5k this weekend
10k the week after that and another
5k the week after that....



10 weeks until the half marathon......


here's hoping for cooler temps and faster running ahead!!!
: )

The moomah monster (from my fathers childhood)

With today marking the 70th anniversary of the ending of WWII I thought it seemed fitting to share this story about my father:


When i was a kid, my father had this horrible ugly mask that he always got out around Halloween.  (He may or may not have scared hundreds of trick or treaters over the years into dropping their bags of candy and running away from our lawn.) He still has this mask to date,with the hollow eyes,pale skin that seems to just look like a dead mans face. He has always called it the Moomah mask....




I never thought much about why that mask was named the Moomah. It was just an all around phrase to be used like "boogyman" or "monster under the bed".
BUT about a year ago my dad opened up to me about his childhood,(which he rarely speaks of),and I finally found out where the Moomah monster came from-






(Brief backstory- my father was born and raised in Germany during WWII. His father was a German soldier who was captured by the Russians and was thought to be killed. After my father his little brother and Mother lost literally everything they owned  due to bombings, they spent 3 years as refugees before moving to America to start a new life. 37 years later my father discovered his biological father was not killed but was held in a concentration camp for 5 years. They later reunited. My father and I are currently working on writing a book about his unique life which is full of unbelievable stories and adventures)


Here is an excerpt from my fathers childhood...


April.
1945.
Egar,Germany.
A low rumble was in the air, the Americans were coming!
A young mother and her two sons have seconds to debate which bomb shelter to run towards. the oldest boy runs ahead to the right, towards the new shelter that was supposedly 100% bomb proof,while the mother and youngest boy turned left. After seeing her oldest take a different path, the mother picked up the youngest boy and ran as fast as her legs could carry her to her oldest child.
The new shelter was nice, with wooden benches and separate cubicles for families. This young family chose a compartment closer towards the front of the shelter. It didn't take long to hear the bombs. They could hear them from a distance at first and as they came closer the sounds were deafening. The entire shelter reverberated with awful sounds.




It got louder,and louder until  the bombs were directly  on top of them. The first thing that went out was the light. The mother had an instinct to move off the benches and kneel on the floor while covering her sons. Seconds later, a bomb came through the section where the terrified family was.

The bomb came through on the other side, and it blew the wall in from where the family was. The bench behind them broke. Everything around them collapsed. The initial impact was so loud, it deafened any type of sound. there were no lights and so much dust and rubble consumed the compartments it was hard to breath. The mother was able to think quickly. she pulled out sanitary napkins from her pocket, doused them in some water and placed them over her childrens nose and mouth so they could be able to breath. She had already lost her husband to the war and she was determined to keep her children alive,as they were the only  pieces of her husband she had left.

And then there was silence, as well as a feeling of being trapped. How could they get out? The entrance and exit of the shelter had collapsed, there was no light to see. A sad realization spread across the minds of those left inside the shelter. This was their grave.

But somehow, after 24 hours of darkness, screaming and very little air to breathe, the  few remaining survivors were finally pulled from the rubble. The mother and her sons were 3 of these few who had been able to make it back to the surface.
When the family got out of the rubble, there was nothing standing for miles around. Nothing but holes, piles of brick,  fires and smoke everywhere. The small family felt disorientated and didn't know where they were at. Everyone seemed lost, and couldn't get a bearing. What was once called home, was now a complete wasteland. Everything was destroyed. Every possession they once owned, was gone.The family's home, the streets, all buildings. Everything was gone, even the bomb shelter they were pulled from was nothing but a hole. 

There were no land markers, nothing to tell which direction to go.

After getting herself mentally composed, the young mother grasped her children's hands and started walking in the direction of the sun which was dimmed by the smoke and debris. All they could do was carry the small suitcase the mother had packed, and start walking. Walking away from everything they knew, into something completely unknown.

 After a few miles of silence, a few miles of walking the wastelands, the children saw a building on top of a hill. It was a church. Everything around this church was destroyed, but there it stood, almost like a beacon, calling the family towards it.
The boys decided to race up the hill to the church and on the way up the hill, the oldest boy saw a wounded German soldier. He had lost a leg during the war, and was walking towards the boys. As the soldier came closer, he didn't speak, didn't make a sound other than a gurgled breath. When the oldest boy saw the soldiers face, he became frightened and knew it had to be something straight out of nightmares. He saw the black hollow eyes of a face that had been partially blown off during the bombings. The face looked like that of a dead man, a man that didn't realize he was dead. His body was moving, but he didn't know where he was going. The soldier was oblivious to anything around him.......he was the Moomah monster.....

Frightened, the children ran towards their mother and they walked together  up towards the church. When they  made it to the small sanctuary, not a window was broken or a thing out of place. They would spend their first night as war refugees there. In the morning they would continue on a 3 year journey that would eventually lead them to America.......a place far away from the Moomah......




I'll probably re-write this from a first person narrative when I am able to get all the recordings my dad is working on.
I am so proud of my father for finally being willing to share his life story. To be honest, some of the stories I have heard are heart breaking. Some of the things he has seen and experienced from his childhood in Germany, NO child should ever have to witness or be a part of. How my father turned out so normal from all he has experienced in his young life is a mystery.
( However, his young adult life is full of crazy adventures that could easily have been the inspiration for agent 007--seriously I think my dad thought of himself as James Bond at points in his life-there isn't anything this man hasn't done!)
This past year dad  has been more open about his life, even being asked to speak at local War Veteran facilities. There was even a brief story published about him in the local news paper about how he survived growing up during WWII and how he made his way to America to start a new life,  how his family was separated by war for almost 4 decades yet was able to have a happy reunion. I think finally sharing his stories is helping him to heal some and has been a cathartic process so far....


stay tuned for more snippets!