January 2016 – Its Just Lisa

Sat, Jan 16, 2016

First race of 2016 – yahoo! This race is such a fun race, sponsored by Western Reserve Racing. It is a 4 mile trail race starting at the ledges in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This is my second time running this race. It is so beautiful over there. We hike there during the summer, but it has a different sort of beauty this time of year. Last year it was covered with snow (and 2 degrees) so it was really peaceful and cool. This year it was a balmy 32 degrees, no snow – just mud and had lots of icy spots along the way. As a prediction run there is more of a chance for runners like me to actually win since it is based on people coming closest to their predicted finish times.

My good gal pal, Marilyn joined me again this year so that was awesome. Here we are for our pre-race selfie

Even though Marilyn is much faster than me, she decided to stick with me which was so sweet. It was fun to chat and get caught up (well, she chatted up a storm and I just concentrated on not killing myself!). I actually did slip and fall once, but just enough to get a sufficient amount of mud on me to feel legit.

It was a really good workout! The terrain is much different than a treadmill!! I have been wimping out and doing treadmill runs lately and this race just reinforced how much I enjoy outside running more!! I just have to do it!! My feet felt great and so I was happy about that too. I was really glad that I decided to leave the warm running coat at home. My windbreaker and a long-sleeved shirt was all I needed.

Oh, how did I do? Interesting story. When I signed up, I had submitted 50:44 as my predicted time. Last year I ran it in 55:34, but that was in the snow. But after I got there they were talking about how the trail had some icy patches so I bumped up my time to 52 minutes even. I ended up running it in 49:39 so I was 2:22 off. If I would have kept my original time (or even better my hubby’s suggestion of 50 even) I might have won!!! As it was I came in 28 for women in terms of closest prediction. Hey, I did better than last year in terms of speed AND prediction time!! I’ll take it!!

So much fun to challenge myself on the trails and enjoy spending time with my sweet friend.

Next year will be even better!

Race swag – tech gloves!!

One of our fave things about this race – the raging fire!!

Post race pic

Shoes

Dec 31, 2015

Well, last race of 2015 in the books!! This is one of my favorite races to run. SARC has well organized races and this one if no exception. It is nice because you can wait inside (bonus) and they have lots of food including soup, bread, etc. I never usually eat more than a banana, but it is nice that it is offered. I had signed up for this race in like mid-January of this year because 1) I was making my plan to run 15 Races in 2015 and 2) they had a sweet hoodie and a discounted entrance fee if you registered in Jan of this year.

I was running a bit late for the race this year as I was right in the middle of cleaning my basement (such a good thing!). So I was surprised when I heard someone yell my name as I was scurrying from my car. It was Alise and Chris and their friend, Rebecca! I was so glad to see them! It is always nice to hang with people at a race, plus it was good to see them.

Pre-race selfie!

I had just gotten my orthodics the day before so I was anxious to try them out for a first run. The run was pretty good. I felt like I gave my best effort, especially since my running the last couple of months was spotty due to my injury. I walked the one hill for just about 10-15 seconds, but I’m okay with that. My feet felt pretty good and supported with the inserts. I think any discomfort is just getting used to them. My unofficial time (from my new sweet watch) was 33:58 which is 10:56/per mile. It turns out that I came in 37/61 of females in my age group and 505/700. I feel good and happy that I am back running and that my orthodics seem to be doing the trick to help alleviate the pain.

Oh, and let me finally address the elephant in the room, so to speak. 15 Races in 2015??!! Yeah, I didn’t achieve that goal. I think I bit off more than I could chew. I started out great, but slowed down through the summer, busy with activities and vacations and then the fall was really busy with work and then finally my blasted injury in late fall. All excuses aside, I’m happy that I achieved more than half my goal with 8 races. Plus I ran 2 more races than last year! And, I went out of my comfort zone and ran a couple trail races that were absolutely freezing cold!! All that being said, I have set a different sort of running goal for 2016. I have decided to run a total of 800 miles for the year. The cool thing is that my new watch is consistent and accurate AND has a setting to track treadmill runs so I should be able to have a much accurate tracking mechanism. I’m excited to continue in my Challenger facebook running group, run by Coach Jenny Hadfield, which provides so much support and inspiration. Here are all my goals for 2016:

1. Run 800 miles in 2016. To make this I need to step up my “regular” run distance to 4 miles. This will take work, but I like a good challenge!
2. Add a home yoga practice to my yoga along with once at work and once at the studio in town. So, yoga 3x a week.
3. Make time for writing one sentence of gratitude every night in my new journal.
4. Move/organize the treadmill and yoga stuff into the new “fitness” room at home.
5. Finish and self-publish my marathon journey book that I started in 2011.
6. Eat a fruit or veggie with every meal.

Happy New Year to all!

Month: January 2016

Dirty Snowflake Prediction Run

15 Races for 2015: Great New Year’s Eve Race – Race #8 & 2016 Goals!