The 25th Annual Shamrock Run

One thing I love more than running is racing (fast), but good lord they add up! So when my friend Jen wanted me to run  Indianapolis's St. Patrick's Day run and told me it was a mere $25, how could I possibly pass up that bargain! And was super stoked to get my first race in with Jen, a dear dark-thirty friend that I started running with this fall, (and a super fabulous Kindergarten teacher too : )

Even though it was two days post my favorite holiday, the St. Pat's spirit was surely in the air. Festive wear was a plenty and post race green beer was ready. Packet pick-up for this race was 'easy peasey' and gear check was conveniently located in the toasty Columbia Club on this balmy 38° morning. 

Getting to the front of the race was easy to avoid walkers, as this race hosted a 4 and 1-mile loop, with medals for the kiddo participants. The route was fast and flat, starting at Monumental Circle, south downtown, then to historic Fountain Square and back. So scenic, we decide to run in a second time for a cool down and selfies, stoping where Jen was married 😊 

All in all a fabulous race; a 4-mile PR for the both of us, 3rd and 4th in our age group! With our goal being 8 minute miles on tired legs, which we smashed with a 7:36 mile average and an 30.25 finish. And we even made negative splitting look pretty 😉

Shamrock 5K: sometimes you just have to "let it go"

I'm excited to say my 2016 racing season has started! And what a better way to start out with the Shamrock 5K, (even if the Garmin said 2.85). It's a 3 year tradition on the running, and what a better way for a couple former college swimmers and a diver to bring in St. Patty's day celebrations. Lord knows it's hard for me not to run a race hard, but this one is purely a social event with a little cardio mixed in. 

We added Jason into out three some, but we go waaaaay back to UINDY swimming. We do our best to catch him up on 18 years of inside jokes and he tolerates the many viewings of the 1998-2001 UINDY slide shows, so we include him the group texts from time to time. But I am so blessed to have Ward (aka "Uncle Ward" to our kids) and Bri still in my life, it's often as if nothing changed, but we are obviously way more mature and classy ☺️

Don't be fooled by our running attire, it's pretty much a walking/run tour of several Indiana breweries., (hence why I ran 10 miles earlier that morning). We could have walked, but it was way more fun to weave through people and try to catch Jason who was apparently going for a course record. And we almost made it to the first stop, but port o potties selfies came first. 

As we were mainitung our 10:55 pace, photo ops were still feasible. I loved that the course ran us through historic Foutain Square, and found the perfect pic for Ward's profile. 

Meanwhile, our kids were safe and sound back in the Burg with Gigi, doing photo shoots at the park for their new albums. Even if Jason's phone died, containing the number of our ride home. 

And most importantly, we had to re-enact the ever famous picture. As St. Patty's day always holds a special place in our heart, as the first time we ever exchanged numbers, (and huge props to my SIL) for capturing this picture.  Even we get old, this picture recreation, never does. I pray we are still doing this in our 90's, even if the cups are filled with Miralax!

Training and making #yourministory

Training pitfalls/hints leading up to up to the Indianapolis Mini Marathon

*Follow your training program-you are all here, so you are following one! Don’t overdo it, or try to play catch up. A missed workout is just that, a missed workout. Don’t beat yourself up over, sometimes we need a break. Don’t give up when life gets hectic or a minor setback. Even if it turns into a bad week, there is always the next.

*Trial your race day clothes, everything down to your socks! If something doesn’t seem right, adjust.

*Train with the fuel you plan to eat. There will be water and Gatorade on the course, Cliff shots at mile 10. Trial Cliff brand before-Kroger, Runners Forum both carry them. Make sure they work with your stomach. Bring your own, don’t depend on them still being there at mile 10.

*Practice your race pace, if you have a goal in mind. I personally will do 6X400’s the week of the race, every other race pace to feel my speed.

*Hydrate!  ½ body weight, ounces of water per a day. No matter if its race or training day, use this practice. Be very conscious of your water intake the week of the race.

*Take your rest day. Rest means no pounding on your feet! A rest day is an easy way to prevent injuries.

*Train in a variety of weather; you never know race day conditions.

*Practice eating and running on your race day breakfast.

*Lay your race day outfit out days before the race with a note for anything needed for race day. Walking past the layout several times a day before the race will help you think about if you missed anything!

*Make sure you are getting extra rest several nights leading up to race. Race day jitters can make the night before sleep challenging. 

Race day!

* Don’t try anything new!

*Trust your training. There is nothing you can do about training on race day, stay mentally tough.

*Know the course, drive it before if needed. There is a great map on www.indymini.com I would recommend downloading. Also have your parking figured out prior to the day of, (keeping the road closures in mind). If you are person who needs that last minute bathroom break, also be aware of where those are located. Those lines will get long, so make sure you leave plenty of time to get there!

*Dressing for race day…early May seems to heat up pretty quick. Personally, I dress for 15 degrees warmer. So if its forecasted 50, I dress for 65 degrees. Also bring a “throw away” shirt to put over your race shirt. It will keep you warm while you are standing around waiting to start. Also beware of the first mile: those throw away shirts to be thrown at your feet or face!

*Headphones, technically not allowed. They will just make you take them off at the track. There is SO much entertainment and encouragement, personally I think it would be a disappointment to miss!

*Post race: Military Park is beyond crowded-have a meet up plan established with friends and families. Also don’t forget to bring a change of clothes. If it’s a cold day, your sweat soaked clothes will start to turn cold after you stop moving. A towel, and a change of shoes, sandals if your feet swell, area also good to bring.

*Have fun, enjoy the experience! If things get tough, make a game out of it (catch a person, predict your time to a landmark).

*if applicable, ring the PR bell at Military Park!

People who race together, stay together

 Kids, jobs, and life in general put spouses on the back burner. The person who you couldn't imagine your life without suddenly becomes your tag team wrestling partner in the game of life, trading off and collaborating to somehow and someway to get everything done. And when that date day you have waited for a month for finally comes, somebody throws up, a babysitter cancels, or some another mini-crisis occurs. This is the story of our lives. 

So... back to running. Rewind to October 2015. When I approached my husband about running the mini, (this would be the Indianapolis Festival 500 Mini Marathon I so lovely refer to as simply, the "mini.") I believe his exact words were simply "no." (Rewind also to the 2008 mini, Jason's first and only 1/2 Matathon, where his longest training run was 6 miles. This had a huge influence on his answer: ) But as an ambassador for the year's mini, it is my job to promote and recruit for the mini. So I was relentless, and when he said he would do it if I ran with him, I agreed. And for those who don't know me, I will admit that I'm way selfish about running, but I felt if it's my job to promote and recruit, said my obvious reply was yes. So I will forgot my level 2 seeding and a hopeful sub 1:40 time to make this a successful and memorable experience for us. (Although I totally think this guy can go sub 1:40 if he trains rights!)

So intstead of the weekly "sit down", we have a weekly "run on." Of course we start out reviewing our week thus far, what's to come, and plans for the weeken ahead, (our runs are every Wednesday after work). Our runs work on many components of marriage-coprimise, communication, and supporting each other. We compromise a on route and a pace, we communicate on how we are feeling, and we support each other when we are struggling on those last miles. When we are done, we feel like we can accomplish anything in our marriage, and most importantly reminding ourselves who blessed we are to still get out there and get after it at 37 years old.

I asked my husband what his thoughts were on our new weekend runs. He told me that they reminded his of back to the summer of 2007, when we ran together and cooked dinner EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT religiously. And we fell in love over that. These runs are the time when life is perfect, all is good, and we can accomplish anything together. And how fitting was it he proposed to me in the middle of a 5K in 2008. 

But at the end of the day, a seasoned runner with a career ending injury, told me this week, "it's not about the miles or the pace, it's ability to get out there and run." It with my nagging IT band and my husbands pending asthma flare up this week, we remembered that on yesterdays run. We simply "enjoyed the run."

Haters gonna hate

Yes. The weather has been less than optimal. Which has resulted in running in sub 10 degrees windchill, ice, and snow. These runs have been described as "crazy" by some. They are half right, because I instead feel we are "dedicated," so haters are welcomed to say "crazy dedicated."

This is an ongoing word thrown around at dedicated runners and triathletes, (well all athletes). I have been told it was "crazy" that I work out at 4:45 am or run right after work. In fact, once I was leaving on a run from work (on a 40 degree day), and someone told me it was crazy that I was going on a run. At that point, I was so put off by this comment, I simply replied, "it would be crazy not to."

It's frustrating and annoying to hear this, because most these people have never tried. Why not run? You can do it anywhere, anytime  Why not workout at 4:45? Less traffic, my kids are sleeping, start my day out right. Why run in the cold? Or even heat? As long as you are smart about it, why not. You never know race day conditions, as "a smooth sea never made a smooth sailor." And as an added bonus, it's the cheapest way to prevent cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cerebralvascar accidents. #nobrainer 

So I will continue with my crazy 4:45 workouts, because that's the only time nobody needs me. Because God gave me a gift, (actually to many of us), two good legs to run. As a result, I will run till I can run no more. 

New Year, New Endeveours

 I have never liked New Year's. Something about new year gives me anxiety. It's the pressure of finding new things to conquer when you're still feeling guilty about the things you didn't do. But I'm proud to say 2015 was a success. My husband and I wrote our 2015 goals over a fancy bottle of wine, and he said the times were lofty. Looking back at them, taped in the mirror up every day of 2015, I can say we successfully got them. Even the crazy fast times we set for ourselves.

This year we did not set goals or "resolutions." I'm instead trying to live by three simple rules. Strengthen my marriage, strengthen my relationship my children, (FYI LOVING the Pope's Top ten resolution revs on his blog Word on Fire, Catholic or not, worth reading,) and help others.  I did not set PR goals. If they happen, they happen. And it was a TOTAL honor to be one of the 33 Festival 500 Mini Marathon ambassadors, a sign to help others PR this year. So that's the plan.

1) I'm running with Mini with my husband. I DO NOT run well with others. But the hubby is not a fan of distance, but he runs a mad 5K. So with the right training, he can conquer this. We already have three FAST runs together under are belt this year, and loving it. He's faster and stronger the he thinks and not does it give himself credit 😊

2) I hope to have a training run, if possible, with every referral I got for the mini. So far, I have 18 referrals, and 18 friends to get a training run in with prior to the race. And for those who haven't signed up, go to Indy Mini to sign up, and use me as your referral! I can't wait to run with all of you and have fun along the way.

3) Leading a pace go up for Connection Pointe Mini Matathon Program. With 10 Indy Mini's and a few other half marathons under my belt, I'm excited to share my experience. I'm never seen a better program that focuses on the physical and emotional aspect of training. This program is a MUST if you are struggling with any aspect of training. 

And to help some of my newbies (or oldies) get on track, here are a few of my favorite app's to help:

• Nike running. Before I got my Garmin, my personal favorite. Tracks your runs, pace, training PR's, and time/pace. I've done a lot of apps before and this seems most accurate. Cost: free. 
• Map my Run: I've only used the free version. I don't find the miles/pace as accurate. However, I use it to map longer runs out before directly on the Internet, not the app, which has been pretty accuracy. The paid version app lets you map within the app. Cost: free, 2.99. Several other version I have not trialed also available. 
• Walk, Jog, Run: suggested by a friend who used it to track her 1000+ miles in 2015, (BTW-way to go Jen). Tracks workouts and does stars for weeks, months, years, per workout. (I may have to get this one). Cost: 4.99. Apple only 😔
• My Fitness Pal: Best. Food. Tracking. App. Ever. Have everything. Including the Starbucks Cake pops you have no business eating. I finally lost all my baby Jude weight when I used this religiously. And if you have a Garmin with Garmin Connect, (another great app), your calories burned automatically upload.

As for my race plans in 2016...with a family and kids, nothing can really be set in stone. Kids sports and my husband still taking classes, family is always first and foremost. But the Festival 500 Mini Marathon and Monumental Marathon are registered for as my big Spring and Fall training. I am really hoping to do my first half Ironman in July, and will make that decision by April. Aside from that, I will fit in a few spring or Olympic Triathalon and shorter races, depending on my familily's schedule. I typically have do Tri-Insanity, Eagle Creek, and Tri-Indy, but we shall see! I am proud to say I have qualified for Age Group triathlon nationals again, I'm not sure if it will be in the cards.

Looking forward to great things in 2016-Happy New Year and Training to all!

XC is no joke: Dirty Sants recap

Easy peasy 5K-right? Atleast that's what the husband and I thought. But with uneven terrain, mini hills, and sharp turns, we gladly accepted a little challenge. And as usual, RaceMaker Productions never disappoints, with fun swag and a post race beer. #score

Here are a few highlights:

• 9 am start. With my husband a first shift nurse and my 4:30-4:45 AM runs to accommodate his schedule, sleeping in until 7 AM is a dream.
• The swag rocks. RaceMaker Productions puts out the softest T-shirts ever! And if you do two or more races in their cross country series you get a sweatshirt-Which rocks even more than the T-shirt.
• Location, location, location. With this park located in the outskirts of downtown it's a easy in and out. Postrace at the IUPUI Stacked Pickle is just a stones throw away.
• Just right challenge. With my husband and I training less than stellar at the moment, a 5K with extra challenge was perfect. Some sharp turns, uneven terrain, and tiny inclines, kept the race interesting. 

Even though it wasn't a super fast 5K for us, we totally appreciated the challenge, as we kept saying "we felt lazy ONLY doing 3.1 miles." It was a great "date race" for us, as the post-race beer topped off our favorite type of date...a race and a drink.