See Cara Run

For my third 10k I decided to participate in the Dexter to Ann Arbor race weekend events! That makes it sounds real fancy doesn’t it? The premise behind the DXA2 race is that you run a half marathon from Dexter, Michigan to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Well, I’m not that cool… yet. So I opted for the less awesome version of that and just ran 1/4 of the way to Dexter, from Ann Arbor. 

The 10k took place entirely in Ann Arbor and was an out and back race that was full of epic hills and a beautiful river view. At some points, it also smelled of garbage and human waste, which if I didn’t run faster would have induced vomit. June 5th was also a ‘hot as balls’ kind of day, and it really got to me. On top of my ankle giving me issues, the heat really added to my crankiness during the race. I made sure to take it easy for both the heat, and the ankle, I stopped and walked at every water station to let my body take a rest of a hot minute, but it all seemed for naught. 

When I crossed the finish line I was wrecked, not only because of the epic uphill at the end, and the fake finish line, but I was severely dehydrated and almost passed out. Luckily I was already in the first aid tent getting my ankle wrapped when that tingly light headed feeling hit me, so I enjoyed the comforts of a cot for a minute while I rested my body. 

Once I was feeling better I had a job to do, I had to go spectate my ass off! I found the perfect spot for me to wave my sign in people’s faces, at the top of that epic uphill at the finish. It was the perfect spot for people to get a little extra push of motivation to get them past the fake finish line. 

I guess I got a prime spectating spot because I’m in the background of about a hundred race photos on runmichigan.com, like this one below of my runner friend Becca (who is awesome by the way).

You can even see the Jankle wrapped up snug as a bug in that photo. 

After the race we had a dailymile meetup with everyone from the DXA2 area, where we ate and drank our weight in beer and burgers! Yes, the sign had a prime seat at the table. It was actually nice because those new to the meet up knew they were in the right spot, because of the sign. 

I’ve been putting this update off for a while. I secretly didn’t feel like I ran it because my name wasn’t listed in the results, due to a malfunctioning D-tag timing chip. BUT, yesterday 5/3 e-mailed me to tell me they ‘found’ my results. Not really sure where they found them, but I’m glad they did. I was all bummed because I started my watch early, and stopped it late, and then found out I wasn’t even timed. I mean I’m not one of those people who’s obsessed with time or anything, but I do like to know how I did one way or the other so I can evaluate my progress. 

For my second 10k, a time of 1:02:50 is something I’ll allow. Considering the rain, and the crappy weather, it’s pretty good! I knocked off another 2 minutes from my last P.R. I read somewhere that if you lose 10 pounds, just that alone can take off 20 seconds per minute to your pace. Well, hate to say it, but I totally lost 10 pounds, and I just about took off 30 seconds off my 10k pace (10:23 compared to 9:58) and 30 seconds off my 5k pace (9:44 compared to 9:14). 

That last paragraph was so wordy, and I’m to lazy to fix it. Sorry for that. 

Anyways, it was a great race, despite the weather. Everything was so organized, and the course was amazing! The spectators were amazing, the beer was delicious, the bagels were nomalicious, and the typeface orgasmic! After we finished the 10k we went back to the car to get the epic ‘P.R. that shit’ sign and cheered on some of the 25k finishers. I could tell by the smiles that we were brightening the last .4 miles of the race for them. Some even had a second to comment on the sign, which made me feel pretty awesome. Me and Mary Beth probably shouldn’t be allowed to spectate together, I’m surprised the other spectators didn’t have us arrested for awesomness in public. We also decided that we should spectate more, because it’s fun, and it encourages other runners. So look out for two crazy girls screaming, jumping, and just generally being awesome with giant glitter signs at your next race. 

Oh yeah, look at that perfect mid-foot landing! 

Sweet Finisher’s Pin!

Apparently knocking 2 minutes off my previous personal records is what I do in the month of May, because it just happened again.

This past weekend marked another first for me, my first 10k race. It also marked the longest distance ever ran. I chose my first 10k to be a part of the Martian Invasion of Races happening in Dearborn, Michigan. It was an amazing day, with high 30s warming up to low 50s and a constant stream of sunshine! Mary Beth was there to run her third half marathon, with a goal time of under two hours.

Friday started with a crappy day at work but ended with an amazing meet up with new friends at the Martian Expo! Morgan, of Caution: Redhead Running, was kind enough to organize a little meet up with everyone before the race. She hooked us up with some sweet swag too! A bag full of goodies and a Bondiband that she apologized for it’s hideousness. We also met up with Bob at the expo to, and wandered around talking about our plans for the race. I even conned him into taking a photo of me and Mary Beth with the Martian! 

The morning started out with me following all my pre race rules. Getting up early, getting everything ready, leaving early, not eating anything new (except that delicious power bar I got at the Marathon station), arriving early, finding prime (and cheap) parking and doing a quick warm up. We met up with a lot of dailymilers at the packet pick up area including Sharon, Morgan, Jessica, Becca, Bob, Joanna, and a lot more! Me and Sharon decided to try and pace off each other since we’re VERY close in pace. It turned out to be a great idea! She and I are both very quiet runners, no talking about nonsense, just shut up and run!

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Until I run my first 10k. 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things are going smashing with my 10k training plan I made for myself. Last week I completed all my runs, except the interval training because the strength class the day before kicked my ass. Seriously, it was hard to sit afterwards. But, it’s what I needed so I’ll roll with it. 

I got my long run in on Sunday this week, since my mother was in town some things got a little switched around. I actually achieved 4 miles instead of 3.7, hung over with no breakfast. Win, if I’ve ever seen one. 

This week is looking pretty good, if the weather cooperates, I do not want to do my runs on the treadmill. 

• Today: Bike for 30 minutes or more. W1D1 of 100 pushup challenge, and Yoga.
• Tuesday: Run 4 miles
• Wednesday: I have a rock climbing class! W1D2 of 100 pushup challenge
• Thursday: Intervals on the treadmill + some strength training.
• Friday: Normal Bike/eliptical/whatevs. W1D3 of 100 pushup challenge
• Saturday: Run 4.4 miles yay! 
• Sunday: Rest and be awesome

Besides that, not much else going on. I have the St. Patrick’s day race in Traverse City March 12th that I’m looking forward too! It will be my first race without Mary Beth, and that will make me sad, but it will still be fun! I did get some sweet socks for it at Target the other day. 

Heck yeah Argyle Shamrock Socks. 

I’m going to start posting my training weeks here so that I can be held responsible for when I don’t do a day’s worth of training. 

• Sunday: Rest (oh I rested all right)
• Monday: 30 minute bike + stretch, usually Yoga but today is Valentines Day and I’m going to spend time with my man. 
• Tuesday: run 3.5 miles outside
• Wednesday: Rock Climbing or Strictly Strength class. Or both - screw it I’m strong.
• Thursday: Interval training. 4x 1/4 mile @ 10:09 pace 4x at more relaxed, practically walking, pace/
• Friday: 30 minute bike + yoga/stretch/core/rest/beer drinking
• Saturday: Long run of the week, 3.7 miles. 

My mom is coming down to visit for the weekend on Friday so I’ll have to get my work out in the morning. Probably the same thing with the 3.7 mile run on saturday. Wish me luck!! 

I’ve set my sights on something, and when I do that it’s near impossible to get me to stray them. Trust me, people have tried, and failed. 

April 2nd is my first tentatively scheduled 10k, part of the Martian Invasion of Races in Dearborn Mi. I decided that since I’ve ousted the shin splints I should starte increasing my mileage slowly to get up to 6.2 miles. Since I use Nike+, I logged on to their site and checked out their training plans, and they have some decent ones. Their 10k plan looked like a good base for me to start with, but I needed to modify it. I can’t go from only running 3 miles to running 5 miles then next run, I have a deep fear of shin splints now!! 

Here’s their week one: 

Not bad, except that saturday says 5 miles. FIVE miles. So I modified it to be: 

• Day 1: 2.5 miles (was actually 2.7 that I ran)
• Day 2: 3 miles
• Day 3: 3.5 miles

I think this will work out better, and I’ve had bad luck with increasing mileage too fast before, so this time I want to take it slow. I’ve got until April to get to 6.2, no sense in hurting myself!! 

Last night I ran with my best friend Mary Beth. We started out at her place (her streets are nice asphalt), and ran 2.7 miles. We thought we had taken the right night safety precautions, but apparently Birmingham drives don’t share the road. I was sporting an obnoxiously yellow (like caution yellow) shirt, with a reflective vest, and Mary Beth was wearing a head lamp. I volunteered to run on the outside so the cars would see me first, but there were still a few drivers who seems to be barreling towards us! 

This photo doesn’t show the amount of yellow that is in that shirt. It’s a Free Press Marathon volunteer shirt that is meant to make the volunteers stand out in the crowd, and it works great for night running! Sorry about the blurry photo, my glasses were starting to fog and I apparently can’t hold the phone still. 

Happy Wednesday!!