January 29, 2013

A fantastic long run

I saw this on Facebook today, and just had to share:
That's exactly what I was going to write about out today, so it was perfect timing!

I've been really tired of doing my runs on the treadmill--either the kids are home and I can't leave, or there is too much slush or ice to run outside. I'm always worried that I'm going to lose my fitness ability by doing the treadmill instead of running outside--that probably makes no sense at all. Basically, since I race outside, I feel like I should practice outside.

Anyway, the past two attempts I made at a 12-miler have fallen through. On Friday, my plan was to run the virtual 5K with my mom on the treadmill, then go home and run 9 more miles. I put every ounce of energy I had into that 5K, and was completely spent, so I decided to do the 12-miler on Sunday. Well, on Sunday, I did 8 miles on the treadmill, and my stomach was cramping really badly (no doubt from all the wine I drank on Friday night!) so I quit at 8.

Even though Tuesdays are 3-miler days, I decided to go for 12 today. I really needed to see that I could do it. The snow was completely melted, and it was 40 degrees outside. The only issue was that there was a 50% chance of rain, and it was extremely foggy. Since I really wanted to run outside, I decided to chance it and go ahead.

I was feeling pretty energetic--probably from my super healthy dinner last night:
Yesterday afternoon/evening was just one of those days where I wanted to cry and tear my hair out--my kids were driving me CRAZY with their constant bickering and tattling. I didn't binge, but I definitely did make the poor choice to eat ice cream for dinner. It was really yummy, and I don't regret it. All 18 PointsPlus of it.

Anyway, my goal today was to try and run the 12 miles at a sub-9:05/mi pace, which is about what I will need to run to reach my goal of a sub-2:00 half marathon. I started out going quite a bit faster than that, but I was feeling so good that I just went with it and hoped I didn't collapse halfway through the run.

I did my current favorite out-and-back route and about five miles in, it started to rain. It wasn't the "Oh, that feels so good!" kind of rain that I like when I run; it was the "Pouring down into my eyes so I can only stare straight at the ground" kind of rain. I thought about turning around and only doing 10 miles, but I was really determined to get 12 in today.

It rained the rest of the run. My hands were completely frozen, and my shirt was soaked all the way through, and was just clinging to me. I tried to wipe the rain off of my face, but my shirt was so wet that it didn't help. But I was keeping on pace!

At around mile 9, I decided that if someone offered me a ride, I would take it. I was that cold and wet and miserable. But nobody offered me a ride, which I'm sure is a good thing, because then I had to finish. Sometime after mile 10, I felt a new burst of energy and I picked up the pace a little. I finished really strong, and was SO excited when I saw my time!!
I ran 12 miles in 1:45 (8:45/mi pace). That means that even if I were to walk the next 1.1 miles, I would come in under 2 hours. I really hope that I can pull that off at my next half-marathon!
I felt SO good after today's run! Just like the description at the beginning of this post :)

Speaking of my next half-marathon... I think I finally decided which one to do. I was trying to decide between three--Rock CF Rivers, Martian, or Glass City. It turns out, my decision was made for me: Martian. My sister is going to be in town at the end of April, and we're going to do the Glass City Marathon as a relay team (5 people).

And I have very exciting news about why I can't do Rock CF Rivers. I can't believe I forgot to write about this, among the excitement of the 5K! I've been on an RRCA (Road Runners Club of America) mailing list for about a year, because I'm interested in taking a class to get certified as a running coach. Their classes are few and far between, and they are NEVER anywhere close to my house. Being on the mailing list means that as soon as a new class is available, they send me the info. I told myself a long time ago that if they sent one that was within an eight-hour drive from home, I would do it.

The classes fill up uber-fast, within hours. But they were always so far away, that I couldn't even consider it. Anyway, the day before my birthday, I got an e-mail--there were a few new classes. Hawaii, some other really far away place, and then DAYTON, OH. I had to Google quickly if Dayton was close enough to drive, and it's only 3 hours, so I called my mom to see if she could help with the kids that weekend, and she said yes. I immediately registered for the class, and it sold out just hours later.

I was SO excited to get in! It's a two-day course (Sat & Sun), from 8-5 each day, so I'm going to have to leave before five in the morning that Saturday to get there in time, and then stay the night in Dayton. It turns out Carly, from my Ragnar team, lives just 10 minutes from Dayton, and she offered for me to stay with her... which makes the whole thing even more fun! So hopefully, after the certification class, I will be an RRCA-certified running coach. :)

32 comments:

  1. Holy crap!! Congrats on the awesome long run!

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  2. Congrats Katie. I think you will make an awesome coach.

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  3. First of all, good gosh woman, amazing time on your run!! :)...I was also going to run in the Glass City Marathon, but since I am interning and this is my last semester I am jam packed with that, so I am waiting for a race towards the end of May after I graduate. I hope you enjoy Dayton, as a history nerd I LOVE the Dayton Airforce Museum :)

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  4. That's so awesome! The drive to dayton won't be, well, interesting, but it's certainly doable!

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  5. That is so awsome Katie! I think you'll be a fantastic running coach :)

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  6. Congratulations! You are going to make an awesome coach!

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  7. Damn girl, on your running time! Congrats on the coaching class too!

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  8. Running in the rain must be good for your soul - you look so happy. Congratulations on getting in to a class - you'll be an awesome-possum running coach.

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  9. I've been a silent-reader for quite a while now... I LOVE your blog... your food and fitness motivation is absolutely amazing. You'd be an AWESOME running coach! I started running about 1 year ago and signed up for my first half-marathon in San Francisco this June. I just moved to Colorado so I am terribly out of "running shape" right now and I was just thinking today how I miss that "long run bliss" feeling that you explained! Time to get back into the routine! WAY TO GO on such an amazing time today! My goal for my half is to break 2 hours as well. You can do it!

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  10. Wow! I'm amazed by your pace today! You've inspired me to get my sub 2 hour 1/2 this year! I'm going to stick to my speedwork!

    Glad to see the treadmill hasn't slowed you down one bit!

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  11. That's awesome, Katie! Congratulations on getting in the class! It sounds great.

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  12. That's awesome, Katie! Congratulations on getting in the class! It sounds great.

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  13. Congrats! And good luck with the certification - not that you really need luck. You're already inspirational, well informed and passionate about running. I believe you'll be a fabulous coach.

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  14. You are a true inspiration! Congrats on an awesome run!

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  15. Congrats on the class!! I am glad to hear you will be running the Glass City, maybe I will run into you as I have just started running myself to lose my weight and have chosen that venue for my first race. I will only be doing the 5k but it is a start!!

    Deano78
    NWohio

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  16. Congrats on your time!!! I'm super excited because I did my 5K on Sunday in 39:22! 4 minutes faster than 8 weeks ago!

    You will be an awesome coach! Hope you have a great time at your class! :)

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  17. Congratulations on your run and one your pending certification. Your awesomeness has no bounds, does it?

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  18. Hey Katie,

    Congratulations on getting in for that class! That sounds like a lot of fun. I've never heard of the RRCA before, but I live in Canada, and have only been running for a month now, so that's probably why!

    I've been going through some of your older posts, and I think you've convinced me to try oatmeal for the first time (EVER.) I plan to check out your recipe blog to find a good way to prepare it that doesn't involve peanut butter. I'm going to say some bad words here, so don't hurt me. (I hate peanut butter.)

    I said don't hurt me! This just leaves more pb in the world for you, right?

    Please wish me luck with the oatmeal. I've been a picky eater all my life, so there's a good chance I'll wimp out. :D

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  19. Congrats on getting into the class! You will be a great coach! I'd sign up for your class for sure. Too bad we don't live closer. :) Good luck to you.

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  20. That is an amazing time!! And congratulations on getting into the coaching class and your goal to become a coach!

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  21. Congrats on the run. And in the rain makes you a bad ass! And I think we all have ice-cream-for-dinner-days. It sounds like you have a good handle on it.

    The Kidless Kronicles

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  22. What an awesome opportunity! You are going to be such an inspiration as a running coach! Good luck!

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  23. This was a really uplifting post! Potentially PR your next 1/2 marathon and becoming a certified coach!! My heart is screaming a big yippee for you!

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  24. I just want you to know that you motivate and inspire me more than any of the other blogs I read(and I read alot of blogs;two extremely popular ones). You journey seems so similar to mine, your starting point was just about where I am. It inspires me to see things like you eating ice cream for dinner, it makes it real for me. It makes me feel like even if I make a bad decision it's not the end of the world. It's inspiring that you can write about not making it 12 miles and having to dig deep on the next run to get it. You make me feel like I can do it and I can reach my goal. I get so much positivity and encouragement from your blog, so thank you very much.

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  25. yay for long runs like that! I only get to run outside once or twice a week due to my schedule and feel the same way about treadmills :)

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  26. Awesome run time! Look at you, and your big, happy smile :) And, that sounds like a great fit, for you to be a running coach!! Congrats!

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  27. Oh my gosh Katie !!! That is so awesome. What does that mean actually? You should do a blog about it so we know. Would there be anything you could do for a client On-line? Or would we have to actually "meet" with you? When you go to this class make sure you find out specifics for working with the older crowd as well lolol Not that I would know anything about that :) Girl i would hire your butt in a heartbeat! I am so excited for you. this will open up a whole new world for you. The days of asking yourself "I wonder what I should do now?" are pretty much over lol You will EXCELL at this.......It will change your life......it will change others lives as well. Congrats! Draftlover

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  28. I have the worst eating days when I'm home with the kids (about the same ages as yours). It can be stressful-especially with the bickering and tattling! Congrats on not bingeing.

    You'll be a great coach. You've even inspired me to consider adding running into my workouts in the future, and that's quite a feat.

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  29. How exciting! You'll be a great running coach. You already are to all your blog followers. Now it'll be official" ;)

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  30. Wow, what an exciting post! GREAT job on your 12-miler and that's awesome about the running coach certification! Sounds like a fun undertaking and with your inspirational story you are sure to inspire many others through your coaching.

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  31. That is an AMAZING 12-mile run!! I'm in awe!! I hate rain so very much, I'm uber-impressed at your determination to stick it out! I wouldn't have waited for someone to offer me a ride, I would've been calling everyone I know to come get me!! ;)

    I'm so excited for you to become a running coach--congrats!! Can't wait to hear all about it! :D

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  32. I know this is an old post, but I just wanted to say that I live about 45 minutes south of Dayton! :) I didn't realize that you were as close to me as you were :)

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