February 07, 2013

My impromptu half-marathon

This morning, I so badly just wanted to do nothing but sit around with some tea--basically a repeat of my rest day yesterday. I only had four miles on the schedule (I posted my running schedule on the right sidebar of my blog for reference, since a lot of people ask me what it is), but I was feeling lazy.

Since I had a Weight Watchers meeting at 10, I couldn't put off my run too long, so I finally got ready and headed out at 8:30. I didn't wear my IceSpikes, because I wanted to take my favorite out-and-back route, which is pretty clear about 1/2 mile into the run (my neighborhood is still ice/snow covered).

About 3/4 of the way into the run, I started thinking about how tomorrow is my long run day, and I would have to do it on the treadmill for two reasons: 1) My kids don't have school tomorrow, and 2) We're supposed to have a snowstorm. While I was running, these thoughts started running through my head:
"I could just run my long run (12 miles) today instead of tomorrow."
"No, I can't do that, I have Weight Watchers this morning."
"I could go to WW tomorrow instead."
"But I don't have to run 12 today--I only have to run 4!"
"But it be worse to run 12 on the treadmill tomorrow."
"If I can avoid the treadmill, I really want to..."
"I'm already dressed in my running clothes, and out running, so I could just go farther and get it done now."

I was seriously debating back and forth, and finally made it to the two-mile mark, where I would turn around to go back home and finish four miles. I didn't even hesitate to keep running, and I decided to do 12.

About four miles in, I thought, "I could just do 10 today--turn around in a mile and head back. Yeah, that's what I'll do." But then when I got to mile five, I thought, "What's one more? I'll regret it if I don't get in all 12 while I can."

At the six-mile mark, there was a car coming toward me. I always feel embarrassed turning around (I have no idea why) in front of a car, so I kept going. And then I just thought, "Might as well run a half-marathon!" So I ran to mile 6.55 and turned around.

I realized it then that I'd had a tail wind the whole way out, and now I was going to have a head wind all the way home--bummer! But after that, my main focus was keeping each mile under nine minutes. It wasn't too bad! I didn't feel like I was dying or anything, and my heart rate was good, so I just went with it.

At about mile 11, I was so ready to be done. But I was so close to meeting my goal of not only a sub-2:00 half-marathon, but having ALL of my mile splits under 9 minutes. I kept going, and the last couple of miles felt like they were taking a long time, but I finally reached 13.11 and pressed stop on my Garmin.

I'd run the entire thing without even slowing down. Someone on Facebook asked me what I do about water when I run, considering I was only planning on four miles today--I find that in the winter I can run about 14 miles without water; but in the summer, I can't do that! It helps that I drink an entire quart of water right when I wake up, so I'm well-hydrated when I start my run.

Anyway, I was shocked when I saw my time!!




I didn't just hit sub-2:00, I totally crushed it by 6 1/2 minutes! That may not seem like a big difference if you're not a runner, but each minute is "worth" quite a bit. I couldn't believe it! I sent out a few "OMG!" texts, posted this picture to social media, and just reveled in my excitement about hitting that goal.

To make it an "official" PR, I will have to do it at a race, but I'm VERY confident that I can do sub-2:00 now ;)

Stephanie asked me how I was going to celebrate, and only one thing popped into my head:


I haven't had anything from Mrs. Fields since my marathon in October, and it was due time that I truly ran for a cookie! When I got there, I couldn't decide between a Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bar or a frosted cookie slice; I ultimately decided on the Dream Bar, but I got a cookie slice for Jerry.

I planned to wait until Jerry got home to eat my Dream Bar but I only lasted about 10 minutes at home before I decided to eat it ;) It was SO good.


It was 19 PointsPlus. I'd earned 15 on my run, so it didn't even set me back too far. Definitely worth every bite. Jerry's cookie slice was in the box on the counter, and I decided to take just a little nibble.

Well, a couple of hours later, it looked like this:


I ate the bottom part of the wedge. I felt bad, so I sent him a text telling him I'm sorry. But I should never be trusted around cookies! Especially cookies with frosting. I looked up the PP in a cookie slice and estimated how much I ate, so I counted it. For the record, that was worth it, too ;)

Needless to say, I missed my Weight Watchers meeting today, but I'll just go to a meeting tomorrow. I'm wondering which would make a better explanation for skipping--that I was running, or that I was at Mrs. Fields? Hahaha.

Tomorrow, I may just take an extra rest day. If I feel up to it, I'll run the four miles I had on the schedule today, but if not, then I'll just skip it without guilt. If we get a lot of snow, I told Jerry and the kids I would go sledding! I haven't gone sledding since I was about Noah's age. Will definitely be interesting... ;)


49 comments:

  1. I just saw the picture from your "swing" book review in the "you may also like..." section, which reminded me that I'm curious - are you doing that still? Have you been doing the Wii or other workouts besides running? I really liked what you shared about the other workouts you were adding (I got a lot of ideas!) so I was just curious. :) take care!!

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    1. No :( I haven't been doing anything else. I really need to start something, but I just don't have interest in anything other than running! I'm thinking about doing another Wii Active challenge.

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  2. Wow! You ROCKED that run!

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  3. Whoa, girl! You WORKED for that cookie, great job!

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  4. Wow! You go, girl! That is amazing!!!

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  5. It's amazing how fast you are now!

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    Replies
    1. I've certainly improved a LOT since my marathon!

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  6. So impressed! Awesome job! That cookie cake looks so good!

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    1. Both desserts were really good! But the Dream Bar was better ;)

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  7. Great job, Katie! You look sooo happy in your post-run revelry pic. :)

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  8. As soon as I saw the 1145 calorie burn, I thought, " Now THAT is truly worth a cookie or two!" When I scrolled down and saw Mrs. Fields I smiled. GREAT run Katie. How amazing is it that you can go out for a 4-mile run and do an impromptu half marathon?? It truly blows my mind that you are in such great condition. It shouldn't surprise me. I read about your hard work every day.

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    Replies
    1. Refueling with a well-earned treat is the best part about running!

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  9. Great job! And don't feel bad, I get embarrassed turning around too, like I am giving up or something. Same with stopping when I am done with a run when there are people around, it is like I am giving up. I want to tell them "look, I just ran eight miles, okay!" ;)

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    1. The worst is when it's time to stop, but I am a little distance from my house or my car--I don't want to look like I'm giving up, but I'm ready to be done!

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  10. Replies
    1. I sent you a text when I was done, but I have like 3 different numbers for you, so I don't know if you even got it!

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  11. I would have totally picked the dream bar, too. I don't think anything trumps chocolate and peanut butter!!

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  12. Loved reading your post! Way to go! Amazing you did a Half just like that!
    I've not run that distance before...but have set out for my long run...( 8 miles)...4 out and back....and I do that same mind game....lol I like the feeling of not committing but then I bargain with myself...and at times feel strong and go longer....GREAT FEELING!
    Yahoo....YOU DID GREAT! :c)

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    1. I think mind games are a necessity when doing a long run! ;)

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  13. Super-fast splits! And you really earned your blog title!

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    Replies
    1. Definitely--and dessert tastes so much better when I've worked hard for it!

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  14. Your post just embodied everything that is good and balanced! You went out for 4 and ran 13. Faster than you could have hoped. You had a cookie. And counted the Pts! I don't know that I have heard of a day that gets much better than that!

    The Kidless Kronicles

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  15. You are so inspiring, Way to go!!

    Enjoy sledding, it's a perfect day for it! We got dumped on here last night too :s

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    1. It ended up raining all night :/ But it's snowing really hard right now, so maybe we'll go sledding tomorrow!

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  16. *yuummm*

    How on earth do you figure out your training schedule when you aren't training for anything? Do you just make it up?

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    1. Well, I AM training for something--a sub-2:00 half marathon in April! :)

      But yes, I make up my own schedules now. I've followed enough schedules to be able to make my own. It wasn't until I did this that I really started improving my pace!

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  17. Awesome job!! I hope I can run that fast some day!

    You earned every tiny bit of that dessert... And what you ate of the cookie. And what a delicious looking cookie!!!

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    1. You certainly can--I never imagined I would work up to this pace, but I'm excited that I did! :)

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  18. How do you figure the WW activity points for running? When I use the tracker on my phone I come up with higher numbers.. I was just curious.

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    1. The tracker uses your weight and age and other personal info to calculate points, so ours would be different from each other. However, since I use a heart rate monitor and have a very good estimate of calories burned, I take my calories burned and divide by 80, then round UP to the next Point. For today's run, 1145/80=14.3125, rounded up to 15. (The app would have given me 17)

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    2. I was just coming on to ask the same question about activity points! How did you come up with dividing by 80? I know that a long time ago, WW had said it was OK to go with calories/100 - but then when they changed the program 2 years ago, the would not commit to that figure and said that you had to use the WW conversion. Just curious!

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    3. Katie, just as I came back to this I realized that it's personalize per person just as the daily points are. On the app I would get 17 as well which is why I was curious... But With the Garmin I also have the heart rate numbers too so thank you for the points conversion!

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  19. That's really awesome! Good job!

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  20. So awesome!! I can't wait until I can turn a 4 mile run into 13.1 on a whim! congratulations!1

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  21. Fantastic! Both the running AND the cookies. I cannot be trusted around sweets either. Rare treat. Isn't amazing what we can push our bodies to do? I'm running my first half marathon in March, after years of being an off and on runner. I think I'm hooked!

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  22. Great job! I always feel embarrassed to turn around in front of a car, too, lol! t

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  23. If you can go from an easy 4 miler to crushing your sub-2 hour half goal, then I think you are going to have a very fast half race!!

    I would like a dream bar and cookie w/ frosting STAT! have you ever had the double layer chocolate chip cookie w/ white frosting in the middle from Sam's club? OMG! the best thing ever made.

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  24. I have been reading for awhile now. Your posts make me smile! I trained last fall for my first half marathon and ran it in September. Then some difficult life situations took over my life and more over my brain. I have been crosstraining(crossfit-etc.) but hardly running. However, I keep reading your posts-your honesty about not wanting to go-yet you do!

    For someone so young you really seem to have gained a grasp on what it takes for you to maintain your health.

    I hope that you keep writing. It is a bright spot in my life!

    Way to go on the sub zero!

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  25. Ahhh!! That is so exciting! That is my goal this year and you have totally made me think I can do it! Great job!

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  26. Omg you're amazing! I hope I can be that fast one day :)

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  27. Kick Ass! Way to go! I start training for my next three half marathons tomorrow. I'm doing one in April, May and June (the Raleigh Triple Crown).

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  28. Katie this is awesome! I would LOVE to get a sub 2 hour Half-marathon. I have to cut 30 minutes off of my time so I have a ways to go. I read your blog everyday and I am so happy you are sharing your experiences/adventures with us all. Keep up the awesome work.

    P.S. I run for tortillas and guacamole!

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  29. Wow that's just awesome to sub-2 hours and not even know it! I tried in my last HM to sub-2 but stitch intervened and I lost those oh so precious minutes ending in 2:04. None runners won't understand ;-)

    I hope to achieve 1:50 by my next HM in Dec. 14 minutes to shave off...Better keep running!

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