Taking the Plunge (Now What?!)

So, here it is. 

I'm putting it down in writing, so that way I can't chicken out and go back on my word.  I'm taking the plunge...

I, Stacy Dennis, have officially begun to train for my 1st half marathon EVER!  Which means, I, Stacy Dennis, will officially sign up for a 1/2 marathon come September of this year! 

There, I've said it.  I'm looking into completing the Rock-n-Roll series in Philadelphia, PA on Sept.18th.  I have a close friend's hubby doing it, so I wouldn't be alone.  And it's also my hubby's birthday that day.  He keeps telling me to "just do it" - no pun intended on Nike's slogan, as I usually wear Adidas.  I think I'd sign up today, but I must wait until payday for sign-up. 

Yesterday was my first day of training.  It was stretching and strengthening.  I was at the gym for about an hour.  It was strange not doing ANY cardio, as that's what I tend to do most of these days.  I worked my back, legs and core.  I made sure to stretch my body out more so than I normally do.  I read that post-race is the vital time for stretching, and this I NEVER do!  I tend to only stretch beforehand.  Obviously, this is still all new to me.

Now that I'm getting into running more seriously, I have come across a lot of questions.

1.  What's this about an "ice bath"?  Do folks really get into a cold tub?  Yikes?  How does that help the muscles?  Is it just cold water?

2.  What are the best times to refuel on long runs?  I've never ran more than 6.33 (not needing water/snacks, etc...).  What do I bring?  When do I refuel?

3.  What other stretches can I do for my calves?  This is what seems to tighten up on me the most.  I do the normal "lunge stretch" and stretch against a wall or step.  What else can I do?

4.  How can I mentally prepare for such a long run?  Running a 1/2 marathon seems SO FAR!  I'm not sure if it's the actual # or the pain that scares me.  I tend not to hurt much on runs but rather afterwards. 

5.  Is it normal to have your ears sometimes plug up when running long distance?  Maybe it's my breathing (which I feel I have quite under control most days), but sometimes I feel like there's pressure built up.  And my ears sometimes feel plugged.  Should I see a doctor?

6.  Should I be scheduling routine chiropractor appointments?  I've seen several of my runner friends book these appointments, along with massages and other pampering sessions post run (long ones, that is).

7.  Side question:  Does anyone know how to add a count-down to this 1/2 marathon on my blog page?  I'm technologically clueless.  Lol!

Again, obviously I'm new to all this.  I am hoping that someone can comment and guide my unfamiliarity with running a 1/2.  All I do know is this - I've said it.  I'm making the commitment, and I'm going to run!  I may experience things such as pain, fatigue, crabbiness, feelings of fear, exhaustion, and self-doubt.  However, I also may experience joy, triumph, the ability to accomplish something great, a fitter body and a determined mind-set!  This is what truly makes me want to do this.

And so, the journey begins...

Baltimore Women's Classic

Today was my first 5K run post-baby!  Whoot, whoot!  Started the day early.  We got the kids up before 6a.m.  I had a small bowl of oatmeal, and we headed on our way.  The hubs had double duty as I ran today, manning both our rugrats.

Got down to Baltimore about 7a.m.  We found a parking spot we didn't have to pay for - bonus!  I picked up my registration, and turns out they have a Kids Fun Run.  Dominic was super excited, so we signed him up.  He couldn't wait for his race (his was just after mine).  It was for kids 8 and under.  They split the race up in two (6-8yrs and 5 and under).  Dominic is 3, for those of you that didn't know. 

Anyhow, since I ran the Baltimore Women's Classic last year, I kind of new what to expect.  I went up top Rash Field early to get a good spot in the start area.  I had a goal of getting in under 30 minutes - making it a 10 min/mile.  I went up to the sign 8-9 min/mile to try to push myself.  The announcers were preparing everyone, and Matt and the kids went down to the finish line to wait for mommy to finish.  The horn blew, and off I went.

I know I started faster than I normally do, because I felt like I was flying.  I pushed it to gain a good spot in the crowd.  The route was set up different from last year, so the first turn sported a significant hill.  It was rough, but since it was early on - I made it through quickly.  There were moments during the run I thought to myself - I'm running in a race!  And I just had a baby!  I was feeling pretty competitive and proud all at the same time.  It felt great. 

I rounded the first mile and the guy shouted out times for runners to hear their pace - I was at 8:40!  That's fast for me, since lately I'm lucky to get in within the 9 min range.  The second mile was harder, because I pushed so hard the first mile.  Once I reached mile marker 3, I was on the home stretch. 

I crossed the finish line with a net time of 27:06!!!  That's running a 8:44 pace.  Overall, I took 229 out of 2689. 

Here is it in black and white.
http://www.charmcityrun.com/content/results/BWC2011complete.txt

Cool note - they declared June 26th BWC Day in the City of Baltimore today!  So awesome.  All women - all running!  Girls kick a%$!

Here are some photos!

Pinning Dominic's bib #80 on him.

Getting myself ready.  Bib #570

Running Family

My cheering section

Dom's 1st Race (he was actually happy, but he didn't want his photo taken)

He's so bad-ass!

All in all, a great day running.  I am so glad to be back in the swing of things.  Now that I have tackled my first 5K back, now onto contemplating a 1/2 marathon.  Still chicken to do it, but I have the bug!

Rainy Run!

Well, it's official.  I finally ran IN THE RAIN.  Now that I've been actively running outdoors, it was bound to happen.  I have been reading my runner-friends' blogs, and everyone seems to have encountered all types of weather.  Me, I've been avoiding it!

But lately I've made the conscious decision to keep running outside to mentally prepare me for a possible 1/2 marathon one of these days.  Well, this morning at 5 a.m., I laced up and kept with this mindset.  I ran my normal 3 miler.  However, today was different. 

It began to rain.  At first, it just sprinkled.  It felt good, as I was just starting to get warm from running.  I was half way through when I turned my usual corner onto the main road when the skies opened up and DOWN CAME THE RAIN!  It poured!  I continued on.  It was a little distracting at first, because I was concerned about my Ipod and cell phone getting soaked.  I ended up sticking my phone in my sports bra.  Ipod would have to get wet.  But then I set back into the groove.  Yup, finished my morning run completely soaked.  Thank goodness I wore a baseball cap, because my hair would have been dripping.  I had to peel off my clothing to jump in the shower and get ready for work.

At least now I can cross another running experience off my list.  It makes me wonder if I had to run a long time in the rain, whether or not my wet socks would give me blisters.  Something to consider for a 1/2 marathon.  Note to self - pack extra socks.  Anyhow, all in all a good run.  Now onto racking up more miles! 

Condoms and Hubcaps

No, the title of this blog is not a new country song.  It's just some of the things I encountered while on my run this morning.  Here are a list of items I had to dodge.

Condom
Hubcap
Flattened snake
Dead frog
Nails
Broken glass
Plastic water bottles
Links from a fence
Plastic bags (garbage kind and shopping kind)
Broken safety glasses (2 pair)
Cigarette butts
1/2 smoked cigars
Beer bottles
A pair of rubber gloves
Alcohol mini bottles
Dog poop
Packet of BBQ sauce (most likely from McD's)
Metal pieces (unknown use)

Two things I realized.  1.  I kicked butt today - 6.33 miles (no stopping).  2.  Our roads needs to be cleaned up.  Man, folks are lazy.  Can't people just wait until they get to their destination and throw their trash out?  I don't get it.

Other things I noticed (in a positive light), I enjoyed running in the morning.  I was up just before the real heat kicked in.  Here's a list of things I appreciated experiencing on this morning's run.

The smell of the flowers/trees (so sweet)
The cooler morning air
The other active folks that acknowledged each other (biker and runner)
The memorial someone created for a lost loved one
The crickets chirping (so loud I could hear them over my music)
The green grass and trees
The beautiful cardinal
The cool biker dudes on their motorcycles
The folks setting up for their garage sales
The fact that I ran my longest distance yet to date

These are the things that make me get up and go.  Today's run was a great run, for sure!

Am I a Real Runner Now?

Tonight was a different run than other nights.  Tonight I ran...wait for it.....


IN THE RAIN!!!


I haven't done that since high school.  Yes, I only had an intention of going to the gym this evening and working out on the elliptical and doing some weights.  I walked up to the complex gym, and for whatever reason my swipe card didn't work.  I was super bummed and quite crabby.  I came back home, and said "Screw it!  I'm running, even if it IS raining".  So I put on a long sleeve shirt and a baseball cap and left.

Does that officially induct me into the "I'm a true and die hard runner"???  It sure felt good, too.  The air was quite warm, so when the drops of rain came down it cooled me off.  All in all, a good run.  My breathing was great, and I think I could have kept going.  The only reason I didn't is I had my hubby and kiddos waiting for me at home.

Ahh...it's good to be a runner!

The Truth Prevails...

After a long day of work, the last thing I felt like doing was coming home and working out.  I had to pick up the kids from daycare, and then I planned on making dinner.  The only thing that may have enticed me to run was the beautiful weather.  It was, in fact, in the 70s and partly sunny.  Great for running - finally the humidity was gone.

I picked up the kiddos, and my 3 year old was super crabby.  And my 3 month old was squirmy and vocal as well.  The car ride home was long.  Rush hour traffic, whiny child and a hungry and tired mommy.  I got home, and hubby was home waiting for us.  I came in, unloaded my daily stuff and looked at my man (thinking do I really want to work out?).

Below is the breakdown of my "head-game"...

"Man, I don't wanna work out.  But I should go and get it over with.  But I'm so tired.  It IS really nice out.  I could just go for a little bit.  Still, I could seriously lay down and fall asleep right now.  Just quit complaining and go.  You know you'll feel better."

So I ended my silly, internal dialogue and sucked it up and went.  The hubby was happy to let me have my mommy-time.  He's good like that.  I started out a little slow, but I soon found my groove.  At the middle of my run, I felt energized (like I could run forever).  I envisioned myself running the 1/2 marathon that I'm so reluctant to sign up for.  I pushed on and ran further than I expected to today.  I didn't clock it, but I guesstimate I ran 3.2ish miles today. 

So as I've entitled today's blog, The Truth Prevails...

Just go and workout, you know you'll feel better if you do.  I did, and I do! 

Road I.D. Necessary!!!

Today's blog is a story of today's run and why I need to apply for a Road I.D. (i.e. in case I die out on the street somewhere).

Today was my half-day at work (every other Friday I have a 1/2 day - a great perk!).  I ran to Target, came home, started laundry and decided to have lunch.  Of course, I've been eating quite healthy doing Weight Watchers, so I had a salad (mixed greens with cucumbers and light dressing) and a Yoplait fruit smoothie.  Very delicious.  I also had a few small slices of Swiss cheese while checking my email and posting on Facebook.  A relaxing afternoon to myself.

Then Matt called and asked if he or I would be doing "pick-up" for the kids.  I thought, well, I better go workout now and have him do pick-up.  That way it's done and out of the way for a nice evening home as a family.  Matt agreed, so I got dressed (in the very last pair of running shorts, sports bra and tank top I own - as it IS in fact laundry day).  I put on my sneaks and headed out the door. 

I chose an outdoor run today, as I haven't been lately.  The weather's been sooooooo HOT that I couldn't bare it the last few days (been running treadmill or doing elliptical).  Today, however, was overcast, so I thought I'd take the chance.  BOY WAS I WRONG TO DECIDE THIS!

I put on my I-pod armband, locked my front door, tied my key to my shoelace and pressed play.  Off I went (listening to Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind).  The first 10 minutes, not so bad.  I quickly realized, though, that it was hotter than I thought.  Very muggy, stuffy and humid outside.  Why didn't it seem this hot earlier?  (Oh yeah, because I wasn't running!)  Soon, I was half-way through my run, and I was coming up to the hardest part of this particular run.  THE DREADED HILL. 

This hill and I have a love/hate relationship.  I hate doing it going up, but I get a total adrenaline rush on the way down.  Love that part!  At the middle of this hill, I pass a church which today I found quite symbolic.  As if I need to be reminded I must keep the faith (faith that I can continue running, beat this hill and press on).  It was almost comical.  Not only does this church land at the center of this hill, but it also has a huge marquee sign out front.  It lists the time, date and temp.  Well, as I passed it today, the temp read 95 degrees!  Ick!  Really?!

So here I was huffing and puffing.  My legs began to feel wobbly.  My heart was racing.  My head was hurting, and I began to feel dizzy.  This was NOT good.  I decided STOP!  Today was the first time I really needed to walk.  I needed to take my time, catch my breath and swallow my pride (I hate stopping on a run - makes me feel like I failed in some ways).  This got me to thinking...what if something were to happen to me?  What if I passed out right here on the side of the road?  Would someone stop?  Would someone help?  Would anyone notice?  OMG!  This freaked me out. 

This herein determined my title for today's blog.  I now need a Road I.D.  If I'm going to continue running outdoors on busy or even not so busy roads, I better be prepared.  Today, all I had was my I-pod.  No phone, no I.D., no water!!!  This does not make for a good running experience. 

Note to self:
Be better prepared!  Drink more water.  Don't run in extreme heat.  Apply for Road I.D.  Be safe. 

Note to my Runner Friends:
Learn from my mistakes.  :)

Longest Run Post-Baby (so far)!!!

After a long day and long week at work, the last thing I wanted to do was to come home and workout.  Thankfully, I got my butt in gear and did it anyways.

First goal was to be sure to run 3 miles.  Once I reached that mark, I decided to shoot for 5.  No one was at the gym, so I had the place to myself.  It was great.  I had my breathing down, and I believe if my legs and body didn't get so tired, I could have run forever.  My lungs and chest felt awesome. 

I ran 5 miles and walked .26 to cool down - totaling 5.26 miles.  My longest run post-baby!  I am super pumped.  Now all I can think about is truly making the decision to sign-up for a half-marathon.  A bit intimidated, but I am definitely thinking about it. 

To top off my run, I wanted to make sure my speed was up to par.  I've been a lot slower than I used to be, but I know this will come with time.  I wanted at LEAST a 10 minute mile for my longer runs.  This meant I had to make 5 miles in 50 minutes or less.  Goal met tonight - made it in 49 minutes 52 second.  Sweet!