Race recap, and then some

Remember this post?  When I decided my "comeback" race was going to be the Santa Claus Shuffle?

Well it was great!  We had a lot of fun, and felt ridiculous wearing those silly Santa suits.

My friend Ray opted to wear my warrior dash helmet instead of the traditional Santa hat.

All together there was about 1400 people, about roughly 1000 of them were Santas.  We were quite a sight, I'm sure.

And I'm pretty proud of how I did!  I've been having some hip flexor issues, and was worried that is was going to significantly affect my time.  Turns out, I did have to stop to stretch/walk a few times, but I still managed to run the 3 miles in 34:38.  I'm not going to break any world records, but that's pretty good for me!  In fact, I played with the numbers, and figured what my time would have been if I had needed to run the extra 0.1 miles to made it a full 5K- I would have PR'd!  Especially since I used my average pace for the entire race, and I know my last mile was by far my fastest.  Not too shabby for gimpy Katie!

My goal for this year was to run a 5K.  I've decided to step up my game for this upcoming year.  The company who organized the Santa Shuffle has released their running schedule for next year.  Everything from a short, one mile downhill speed race, to the epic NH 10miler.  My goal for next year, is to run each and every single one of them.  And you know what?  I'm not going to stop there.  Since the 10miler is in September, I figured that it would only make sense if I push myself the extra little bit and run the Manchester half marathon in November.  I mean, at that point what's another 3.1 miles, right?  So between those races, the 1/2, the Warrior Dashes, and the local races I did this year, I've got a busy year planned.  This is what it looks like as of right now:

January

1/1 Millennium Mile (1 mile)

March

3/25 Shamrock Shuffle (2 miles)

June

6/9 Warrior Dash NE

6/17 RibFest 5 Miler

6/? Goffstown Gallop (5 miles)

 July

7/3 HASLAW Manchester Mile (5k, 1 mile speed race)

August

8/? CIGNA 5K

8/11 Warrior Dash NY

September

9/1 NH 10 Miler

November

11/? Manchester City half Marathon

11/22 Thanksgiving Day 5K

December

12/1 Santa Claus Shuffle

I know it looks crazy, but I think this is the best way to ensure that I keep going!  I tend to slack if I don't have a race to push towards.  Easy solution- always be registered for an up coming race.

Beyond excited

I am officially registered for TWO Warrior Dashes next year!

Bring it on.

What? A race?

Thats right! 

Watching George run the half marathon reminded me what I was missing.  I may have my moments where I hate running, but I love racing.  The crowd, the adrenaline, pushing myself to beat my previous times- its just such a great experience.

So I looked through my 5K training program, guessed where I was, and went for a run!  I'm happy to report that I haven't lost as much as I thought I did.  I think my problem was that I didn't have a set plan of action.  When  I run without a route/distance in mind I tend to quit once I get tired.  I can do so much better if I know I'm going to run X miles or take a specific path.

So now I'm on track to run the Santa Claus Shuffle on Dec 3!  Go ahead and laugh, but all the runners will be dressed as Santa.

With registration you get the suit, a long sleeve tech race T, a pint glass and two free beers at the local bars.  Not too bad for my first race back.

Manchester Half Marathon!

Are you ready for a gush-filled, picture heavy post?  Good.  Because George ran his first half marathon!!!

I'm so beyond proud of him.  He's only been running for about six and a half months, so this is an amazing accomplishment.  He started running with my 5K group, got the bug and just never stopped.  He worked his but off for this.  The training group (same trainers as the 5K one) met 3 times a week, often running long after it got dark.  They even ran through that freak snow storm we had a few weeks ago.

I honestly can't say how proud I am!

Ready for pictures?  Here we go!



Frost!  It was COLD!




Team photo



Obligatory "before" picture

Fueling up.  Pre-race Gu.



Starting line!

 I tried to get a shot of them actually starting, but there was just too many people.  After the start gun, I ran like hell to get across town to beat everyone to the 8mile point.  I figured they could use some cheerleading!


Looking good 8 miles in!

I waited until most of them has passed, then I ran back across town to catch everyone at the finishline.




Strong finish!




Finish line!  Note the Rocky victory dance.



It's kind of hard to see, but there he is crossing the finishline at 2:02:31 gun time.  Net time was 2:01:48!  My boyfriend is a freakin rockstar! 

 

"After" picture


I think it says a lot that he can run 13.1 miles with a smile on his face.

I have a confession to make.

I haven't gone for a run in a month.

It was horrible.  I had a bad day, and I couldn't go more than a few minutes at a time without having to stop and walk for a bit.  It really got inside my head and made me feel horrible about myself.  Not to mention, I was with George who just happened to be training for his half marathon.  I let myself be jealous, embarrassed and started that horrible self defeating cycle that always seems to happen when I start to "fail" at something.

The thing is, I should know better.  I KNOW I'm capable of running.  I don't think I'm ever going to run a full marathon, but I know perfectly well I'm capable of a 5K.  Maybe not at the moment, but I'm not going to get better/faster if I let one bad run defeat me.

I need to remember this.  It doesn't matter if it's a 14 minute mile with walking breaks or a 6 minute mile.  It's still a freaking mile.  Something I wasn't capable of 6 months ago.  I need to stop thinking of all the things I can't do, and focus on everything I've over come already.

I had some health problems in High School, and at my followup my surgeon told me I'd still be able to walk, but never do anything too intense- certainly no long distance running or power squats.  Well, I did squats and lunges last night at the gym, just to remind myself I could.  Now I'm going to go for a run.  Just to remind myself I can.

Photography Challenge Days #25 - 26

#25 Something pink

Right after my very first 5K!  Stretching it out while enjoying my complimentary finisher's beer.  One of the perks of running a brewery sponsored race.  I ran with a whole team, and we had these extremely bright shirts so we could find each other easily.  I have to say, it was great motivation to be able to look into the crowd, see your teammates, and have a set location to run towards.


#26 Close up

Murphy is such a little ham.