Just Enjoying the Run

So I have not really run very much since my last race.  I've done a few smaller races (8K Irish Run, 5K Helping Hands and Run for Ryan House 10K) and just taking it easy.  I'm starting to want to get more miles in just when it starts to heat up here.  Of course!  ;-)  I was planning to take the summer off, but I don't know.  I guess I'll see how it goes...

I am quite the running blog lurker and just starting to think about commenting, joining in more with the online community.  There are some great people and awesome giveaways as well!  Why not!? 

Race History So Far

I realized that I have not been putting my times on here and there are some prior races as well.  I'd like to keep track on here so I'll start that with the next one. 

Here is a list of half marathon races/times/average pace that I have done so far:

1. 2001 Lake Mary Half Marathon 2:28:05/11:18
2. 2004 Tucson Half Marathon 2:15:34/10:20
3. 2004 Phoenix Rock & Roll Half 2:11:11/10:00
4. 2005 Phoenix RNR Half 2:16:27/10:24
5. 2006 Tucson (Penguin) Half Marathon 2:21:03/10:46
6. 2006 Phoenix RNR Half 2:23:32/10:57
7. 2007 Phoenix RNR Half 2:20:51/10:45
8. 2008 San Diego Half 2:39:32/12:10
9. 2009 Nike Women's Half Marathon 2:35:58/11:54
10. 2010 St. Louis Half 2:26:44/11:12
11. 2010 Portland Half 2:32:39/11:39
12. 2010 Women's Half Marathon (Scottsdale) 2:29:02/11:22
13. 2010 Runner's Den/Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon 2:28:08/11:18
14. 2011 Carlsbad Half Marathon 2:31:22/11:33
15. 2011 IMS Arizona Half Marathon 2:35:38/11:52

So now there is full disclosure.   Yep, definitely getting slower after my peak in 2004.  I'm hoping that if I train more that I will see an improvement in my times.  Right now, I'm working to stay under 2:35:00.  I'll adjust that goal if I start to see my times do better.  I do not plan to do another half marathon until November so I have some time after resting during the summer to get in some good training (hopefully)!

IMS Arizona Half Marathon Race Recap - Don't Get Cocky

Arizona weather is sometimes unpredictable.  Lucky me, after a week of beautiful weather, it rained on race day.  The first few miles were not bad, but the last two had stinging/hard rain.  Yeah, not a fan.

The "Don't Get Cocky" reference in my title is because I had Mexican food the night before the race.  We tried to go to Old Spaghetti Factory, but it was too busy and we were with some friends that had three kids past their bedtime.  I thought it would be fine.  I mean, c'mon this was my 15th, what was the harm in NOT doing pasta the night before a race?  Oh boy, did I learn my lesson.  About mile 7, I had awful stomach cramps, the kind where if I ran, it felt like someone was punching me in the gut with each step.  So I started to walk more.  I do not like port-o-potties, but when I saw the one at mile 9, I swear it was like there was a light around it and angels were singing.  Yeah, an exaggeration, but that was the relief I felt in seeing it.  

I was able to finish and it was not my best time, but I was just going for the finish and it was not too far off my other slower times.  I'm going to start posting my times on here - 2:35:38.  I plan to do a list of all my half marathons so far in another post.  Sometimes, you have to have a bad race to appreciate the good ones. :)  It's also good for me to remember that a bad race is nothing compared to battling the illnesses and challenges in life.

So #15 for Gary Guntli is done and I'm looking forward to giving him the medal in March!  A little bonus is that I posted a photo that I took at the expo with the leprechaun from the Kiss Me I'm Irish Race that will take place in March and they donate $1 to fight prostate cancer for posting it on Facebook.  I plan to donate more too.

A big thank you to Karl for driving out to the west side, cheering me on and having an army blanket in his car.  I'm very lucky he supports my running habit.  :)  I also appreciate Pelle for driving us to the race and waiting an hour after he finished to cheer me on as well. I do not plan on doing another half marathon until November, but have some other smaller races (10K, 8K, 5K) which will be fun!

IMS Half Marathon - #15 - in honor of Gary Guntli

So #15 is tomorrow!  I'm so not prepared for this one.  I got sick (sinus infection and bronchitis) so it meant pretty much taking off the last few weeks.  I'm hoping just to finish.  I am dedicating it in honor of K's Uncle Gary who battled prostate cancer and is doing well.  He's an awesome, positive guy that does so much for his family.

Carlsbad Race Report

So this is pretty late, but Carlsbad was awesome!  It was a little hilly, but not too bad and I have no shame in walking up the hills.  :)   It was one of the most beautiful courses I have done and I could not believe that I was lucky enough to run most of it with a view of the ocean.  I even saw some dolphins!  San Diego was one of Di's favorite places so it was a perfect race to dedicate in her memory.  Now I just need to drop off the medal to her husband!

Half Marathon #14 Carlsbad, CA - For Diane Whitehead

Wow!  I can't believe this will be #14.  I have not trained well for this one, but it should be a really pretty course and I have no issue with walking more of it than usual.  It's all about having fun!  I'm dedicating this race in memory of Diane Whitehead.  She would have been 47 on January 10th, but she passed away suddenly last March.  We used to meet weekly for margaritas and had done it since about 2002.

We met at SCT in 2000 and found an almost instant bond in that we were both raised Lutheran.  :)  We stayed friends as we both went onto different jobs and we always valued our monthly happy hours. She was always so positive, loyal and a good person.  People say that all the time, but she was truly GOOD.  She was an awesome listener and one of my most supportive cheerleaders in life.  Anyone that was able to get to know her is better for it.  I know that I am a better person from being her friend.  I miss her and find comfort in remembering her.  This one is for Di!

The tender friendships one gives up, on parting, leave their bite on the heart, but also a curious feeling of a treasure somewhere buried.  ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Southern Mail, 1929, translated from French by Curtis Cate

Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon (#13) Review

This was a great race!  I liked that it was smaller.  It was easy to find K and had a great medal.  Beautiful course and awesome support as well.  I definitely would like to do this one each year.  I think Michelle will have a great medal ornament to remember Arizona too.  :)