My First Half: Complete! Rock N' Roll San Jose

Who knew that running for 2 hours and 44 minutes while suffering from dehydration would be fun... but I am here to tell you that it was.

I have to admit there were a few times during the race I was a bit concerned.  Around mile 10 I could feel myself slowing down, not necessarily my feet since I was already at a snails pace in the running world.  Around mile 10.5 I walked a bit to get my GU (I stole 2) and hydrate.

Gavin was able to run the first 5 miles (the Mini Marathon) with me so that made it even more fun! I also had the best cheerleaders in the world.  Although there were local high schools and college teams present my sister and brother in law came out and watched me run by them at 3 different spots along the course!! The local cheer squads had nothing on them.

The course was a great way to see San Jose, my family has lived out there for more than a decade and I still get confused within the City limits. My sister's neighborhood was very close to the first neighborhood we ran through and the people there were so into watching the runners go by.  Although there were a decent amount of people that seemed surprised that so many people were so excited to run that early in the morning. There were band stands within each mile marker playing, but in this neighborhood people just came out and played with their bands. It was really fun to see the community get involved and they were excited to be part of the race. 

The other part of town that was nice to run through was the Garden District, the houses and yards were very impressive, although the community support was a little less impressive. 

Although I saw lots of the city, I am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to give anyone a tour. My sister tried to ask me questions about the course the next day and I had no answers, I guess I was in a zone. Or it could have been when I started seeing stars. I was trying to stay ahead of the thirst, drinking at every hydration stand.  I think my chances of over-hydration were slim... definitely need to work on the electrolytes in the future. 

The course was for the most part flat, an underpass or 2, but nothing that I couldn't handle at the time. It was also amazing how many people I had to run around. Around mile 7, my Garmin was giving about .5 mile more than the mile markers, you don't think about how much more your run. 

Was so nice having Gavin to run with for the first 4.5 miles. 

Gavin finishing out the 5 miles

Honestly this is just a happy face, the guy was standing there with a camera and I felt the need to do something! 

I am ready for the next... Mentally maybe, physically I need to get on my training shoes!

Sunday FunDay's for Running

With a new pep in his step Gavin is volunteering to run with me outside! This weekend we parked in Cambridge and ran along the Charles River for a little change  of scenery and a relatively flat training ground.

I started out great and about 4 miles in I realized that the shorts I had chosen has very irritating seams. Not to get into too much detail, but I made it to 5 miles and change but had to cut the run short, walking back to the car was not great. Gavin of course kept running, I was so impressed for a guy that hasn't been out running in a while.

Running along the Charles is so nice, there was a great breeze and always something to look at, even if it is just to people watch.  There is no shortage of scenery, the Cambridge skyline on the first leg and the Boston Skyline on the second.  The other great thing about it at least the course we took, is there is rarely a need to stop for traffic.

It was nice having a running buddy.

The Running Bug has Biten

Gavin has the opportunity to run the "Mini Marathon" in San Jose along with my half. He is also currently waiting for his new job to start and feeling a bit antsy... maybe. He has been all about going out for runs with me, and for a guy that has taken about 3 months off from the gym, I am very impressed.

He was able to run almost 4 miles his first time out and then almost 6 the time after that. Too much too soon could have gotten the better of him, because the next 2 runs were not as long.  It has been a great motivational force for me in my "training" (I say in quotes because it is more about when I feel like running or guilt that I have a half to run and need to step up my game).  Running with someone really does make a huge difference, I even don't mind running without music.

After the Half... I will be working on speed.

Now that I have my Garmin I don't need to carry my phone with me on runs to track myself. This results in less pictures, which makes me sad.  I love pictures, even when they are a bit shaky from taking them while running.

Blogging Hiatis

It has been a while, but things got a little crazy in my life. I am not going to lie, my half training hasn’t been what it should have been.

There has been a lot more of this than running.

Of course when one of these opens down the street you have to check it out!

There was also a lot of this... 

Then feeling like this...

And who wants to run when you slept on the rock solid ground all night? (Should have packed the air mattress)

Camping at the beach... very nice, only wish the weather had been better.

I finally got the Garmin, splurging on the Forerunner 610 and so far my only concern/complaint is scratching the face. It keeps me off the treadmill, only problem has been finding a trail to run on.



Soon after the Garmin entered my life I figured out that Marathon Sports will honor a gift certificate without the physical piece of paper. IF only I had called before… wha whaaa...  These shoes make so much difference.  I have already noticed certain aches going away.

The people at Marathon Sports were super helpful, and they ask just the right questions to make sure you don't leave the store with something that doesn't seem right on your foot. It was a little tricky because after they figure out what support you need base on how you pronate and your support needs it is up to you to make sure you feel comfortable. I have been wearing New Balance for so long they just felt natural, but the cushion in the Asics and Saucony just made me feel like I was floating. I must have tried on 8 pairs of shoes. The best part, for those of you who are similarly large footed, they really didn't seem to have a problem with finding shoes in my size.  (I have gone to other stores where a 10.5 or 11, I have big feet, was just not easy to come by.) They also have a great return policy, make sure you get the most use out of the shoes as possible in the first 15 days and if you find that they are not the shoes for you, full refund.

I ended up with a pair of Saucony's so far so good.

Week 7

With only 7 weeks left of training time, I went on vacation. I was all geared up to go running while on my vacation.

What I learned about running in new places, specifically the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Whether you intend to or not, you will be doing hill training.  When the lake you are running around was formed by glaciers, it will be very hilly. I managed to get out to run twice while I was there. (or all of last week total)

This is pretty much the terrain you are working with... if only I could run on water.

Summer weekends are not my own. The good news is the rest of this summer (what little there is left) I have full control over my schedule. Which I will need to kick into high gear and get out to some nice scenic running spots to make things interesting.

My Garmin is my new best friend... I think I am still working on a learning curve.

Don't you hate when life gets in the way?

Things have been a bit hectic in my life... and I feel like it isn't even my life that has caused the chaos. Gavin has been on a job hunt.  He found a new job but had to pass a personal lines insurance licensing test. One would imagine with the TV off for a whole week I would have plenty of time to blog... nope, when I take on other people's stress (sympathetic stress-er, that's me!) I find television very comforting.  Retreating into other/mind numbing entertainment really makes everything fade away.

My first adventure to Duxbury Beach with my friends

Good news is with 5 days of intense studying, he has passed and gets to move forward with the job training.

My television watching hasn't kept me from the training schedule, if only my runs at week 8 were as long as Hal has indicated they should be. So if you run on the days that you are supposed to but don't go the distance, seems like only half the battle.

FYI, Starz new period drama The White Queen... already hooked after one episode. If you don't like a bunch of people in costume running around without any for of technology and British accents, this is not your bag!

Recap: Ladies Night Out 5K

Such a good idea in theory and executed well by the B&S Fitness Management.  My ability to execute a 5K at 4pm on a Saturday afternoon was not impressive.  I would like to state for the record the event was well done and the only disappointment stems from my lack of ability to run the entire course. I also found a wine that I really enjoyed, Barefoot Summer Red! They also gave out super cute T's and a wine glass to all the runners. How could I forget the carnation at the finish line?

Some days are better than others and usually I can pull myself together for a race.  This was not one of those events. I lost all momentum, I am not sure if was the heat or the microwave burrito I had eaten early or that I found the need to organize my whole apartment that day, but once 4pm rolled around, running was the last thing I wanted to do.  So there was some walking.

There was wine and chocolate at the finish line!!

Oh how unflattering race photos are. 

Someone decided that let us take pictures of people tired and sweaty and they can remember the event forever. Joy me! Oh and completely bootlegged, my bad.