Please visit my fundraising page for more information: http://www.firstgiving.com/meredithruns
Thanks to everyone who supported this great organization!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Why I ran: Honor Flight Inc.
I think I mentioned in some earlier posts how I wanted to raise money for a non-profit organization. I chose Honor Flight Inc. I wanted to raise $500, which is the average cost of sending a veteran to Washington, D.C. Though I have reached my goal, I have no problem with exceeding it. Please help if you can!
Please visit my fundraising page for more information: http://www.firstgiving.com/meredithruns
Thanks to everyone who supported this great organization!
Please visit my fundraising page for more information: http://www.firstgiving.com/meredithruns
Thanks to everyone who supported this great organization!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
13.1 Atlanta Marathon
On Sunday morning, I raced my second half-marathon for Honor Flight, Inc. I chose to run the 13.1 Atlanta Marathon.
I wouldn't really say I trained for this half, as I took about a week to recover from my first half-marathon. Then it rained (and rained and rained) in Atlanta, and I was on vacation in D.C. Needless to say, I was lucky enough to get a run in during these past couple weeks. But the week before, I did try to buckle down.
I was quite nervous for this half. I knew I wouldn't have my brother, who was my pacer for the first race. I worried that on my own, I wouldn't be able to maintain my 10 minute mile. And I really wanted to because I was so close to it for the Asheville race. My brother told me since this race woudn't be as hilly, I should really be able to beat my time. I kept the same goal as before (2:10).
I should also say that my friend Kathryn is awesome! She came to the race with me, which means meeting me at my apartment at 5:45 so we could get to the race really early! And she took photos and kept my bag of warm clothes for me. Thanks Kathryn!
Race report
So I'm pretty happy with my race. Ultimatly, I'm thankful that I am able to run and am happy to just finish. But I really really wanted to break 2:10. My official time is 2:11:02 but this is where it gets sketchy. There were so many people at the start trying to get through a narrow gate (the entrance to Oglethorpe University) that we were all at stand-still even after crossing the official start line. So unfortunately, there's really no way to know my exact time. It wouldn't be a huge deal aside from the fact my goal was so close to that time. I did wear a wristwatch with a timer, but I didn't stop it during the stand-still in time. (I stopped it, but only after I realized we really weren't moving yet). I'm pretty sure I did not stand there for a minute, so I still didn't make my goal.
When I think about it, I guess I could have pushed harder. But my fear was going out too hard and not being able to finish strong. I stayed at just under 10-minute miles (I'm talking 9:58 here) for the entire race until Mile 11. I just got tired. But not nearly as tired as Asheville. I really felt like I struggled during those last 3 miles of Asheville. Totally not so this time. I pushed myself at the end, but I didn't feel like I was slowing down (though I guess I did in the last 2 miles). One thing I did do, though, was kick it too soon at the end. I could see the gate where we'd entered and assumed it was the finish line. Well, it was, but we first had to run past it and take a U-turn back... while going up a hill. That's correct. The finish was uphill. So I know where the time came from.
I'm happy the weather was a perfectly cool temperature. I also thought the Lay's Potato Chips we got at the finish were the best potato chips I've ever eaten. My face tends to always be covered in salt at the end of long runs, so salty chips were the perfect way to replace that lost sodium! Maybe I should start training with Gatorade?
So I'm done with half-marathons for a while, but not with running. I'm happy I can do the distance, but I really want to get faster. It's time for me to find a training plan and work on my speed. I know I can do it because sprinting was my favorite part of soccer!
I wouldn't really say I trained for this half, as I took about a week to recover from my first half-marathon. Then it rained (and rained and rained) in Atlanta, and I was on vacation in D.C. Needless to say, I was lucky enough to get a run in during these past couple weeks. But the week before, I did try to buckle down.
I was quite nervous for this half. I knew I wouldn't have my brother, who was my pacer for the first race. I worried that on my own, I wouldn't be able to maintain my 10 minute mile. And I really wanted to because I was so close to it for the Asheville race. My brother told me since this race woudn't be as hilly, I should really be able to beat my time. I kept the same goal as before (2:10).
I should also say that my friend Kathryn is awesome! She came to the race with me, which means meeting me at my apartment at 5:45 so we could get to the race really early! And she took photos and kept my bag of warm clothes for me. Thanks Kathryn!
Race report
So I'm pretty happy with my race. Ultimatly, I'm thankful that I am able to run and am happy to just finish. But I really really wanted to break 2:10. My official time is 2:11:02 but this is where it gets sketchy. There were so many people at the start trying to get through a narrow gate (the entrance to Oglethorpe University) that we were all at stand-still even after crossing the official start line. So unfortunately, there's really no way to know my exact time. It wouldn't be a huge deal aside from the fact my goal was so close to that time. I did wear a wristwatch with a timer, but I didn't stop it during the stand-still in time. (I stopped it, but only after I realized we really weren't moving yet). I'm pretty sure I did not stand there for a minute, so I still didn't make my goal.
When I think about it, I guess I could have pushed harder. But my fear was going out too hard and not being able to finish strong. I stayed at just under 10-minute miles (I'm talking 9:58 here) for the entire race until Mile 11. I just got tired. But not nearly as tired as Asheville. I really felt like I struggled during those last 3 miles of Asheville. Totally not so this time. I pushed myself at the end, but I didn't feel like I was slowing down (though I guess I did in the last 2 miles). One thing I did do, though, was kick it too soon at the end. I could see the gate where we'd entered and assumed it was the finish line. Well, it was, but we first had to run past it and take a U-turn back... while going up a hill. That's correct. The finish was uphill. So I know where the time came from.
I'm happy the weather was a perfectly cool temperature. I also thought the Lay's Potato Chips we got at the finish were the best potato chips I've ever eaten. My face tends to always be covered in salt at the end of long runs, so salty chips were the perfect way to replace that lost sodium! Maybe I should start training with Gatorade?
So I'm done with half-marathons for a while, but not with running. I'm happy I can do the distance, but I really want to get faster. It's time for me to find a training plan and work on my speed. I know I can do it because sprinting was my favorite part of soccer!
Waiting my turn at the post-race massage table.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
P90X Photo Results: Part 2
My results:
I don't think you can see much of a difference, but I do really feel stronger. I have more endurance for my long runs (probably due to core strengthening). I do think you can see the results in my back the most, which is pretty cool. I'm happy that I did the program.
Click the photos to enlarge.
I don't think you can see much of a difference, but I do really feel stronger. I have more endurance for my long runs (probably due to core strengthening). I do think you can see the results in my back the most, which is pretty cool. I'm happy that I did the program.
Click the photos to enlarge.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The day after my first half
Knees.
My knees were sore yesterday, and they're still sore today. I'm not surprised and it's not debilitating pain or anything, but I do wonder how long they're going to be sore. I started feeling them around mile 9 or so during the race... maybe a little sooner, maybe a little later. It's hard to remember. But my knees are always the first part of my body to hurt, so at least they're predictable!
This afternoon (back at our house), my parents and I went on a brisk walk around the lake with our dog. It felt good to do some fast walking. I know it's good to recover by moderate activity, so check that off the list for today!
Note: Since P90X is over, I will no longer be labeling these post by day. But I will still write about it (especially the results) so stay tuned!
My knees were sore yesterday, and they're still sore today. I'm not surprised and it's not debilitating pain or anything, but I do wonder how long they're going to be sore. I started feeling them around mile 9 or so during the race... maybe a little sooner, maybe a little later. It's hard to remember. But my knees are always the first part of my body to hurt, so at least they're predictable!
This afternoon (back at our house), my parents and I went on a brisk walk around the lake with our dog. It felt good to do some fast walking. I know it's good to recover by moderate activity, so check that off the list for today!
Note: Since P90X is over, I will no longer be labeling these post by day. But I will still write about it (especially the results) so stay tuned!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Day 90: Half-Marathon (and last day of P90X)
Today I ran my first half-marathon!
I ran every step of the 13.1 miles (my brother wouldn't have let me walk knowing I can run). I am so thankful that he helped set my (10 minute mile) pace. My goal was to finish in 2:10, but we actually crossed the line at 2:13:34 and 2:13:35 (with me following him).
I am really happy with this finish because let me tell you: Asheville is hilly! Correction: Asheville is mountainous. We literally ran up a mountain for about 2 miles (around miles 8-10 I believe) at a steady incline. That was definitely the most challenging part of the course! (Aside from the 45 degree -if not steeper- incline at the end of the last mile... can we say close to tears? Thanks so much to the woman who cheered me on right there. She really helped me feel like I could do it when I needed it most).
My brother kept me motivated and engaged the whole race. Every time we started a new mile, we dedicated that mile to someone (our list included: all three grandfathers in honor of Honor Flight, Michael Jordan, the characters of the television show Rugrats, President Obama, Amelia Earheart, Jimmy V, Tyler Hansbrough, a famous runner I can't remember (help bro?) and our parents).
Neither of us ran with an iPod, but we did have two songs in our heads.
1) Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
2) It's Time for the Perculator (I've just searched for the best YouTube video of this song/dance and think this version is best. Even though it's blurry, you can hear the music and see the dance well.)
My mom is awesome and had pieces of pumpkin bread with raisins in it waiting us after we crossed the finish line. I devoured that bread. It never even had a chance. I would've eaten my brother's too if my mom hadn't hidden it from me (he didn't want it at the time).
After the race, we headed back to the hotel for showers. Then we went back downtown for some delicious eats (Asheville is known for being a foodie town). We had sushi and pad thai for lunch. Then more walking and hanging out with my aunt and cousin. We made it back to the room around 6 for naptime. My dad woke us at 7:30 so we could make it to our dinner reservation on time!
More chowing down at dinner. I have never been more ravenous.
I ran every step of the 13.1 miles (my brother wouldn't have let me walk knowing I can run). I am so thankful that he helped set my (10 minute mile) pace. My goal was to finish in 2:10, but we actually crossed the line at 2:13:34 and 2:13:35 (with me following him).
I am really happy with this finish because let me tell you: Asheville is hilly! Correction: Asheville is mountainous. We literally ran up a mountain for about 2 miles (around miles 8-10 I believe) at a steady incline. That was definitely the most challenging part of the course! (Aside from the 45 degree -if not steeper- incline at the end of the last mile... can we say close to tears? Thanks so much to the woman who cheered me on right there. She really helped me feel like I could do it when I needed it most).
My brother kept me motivated and engaged the whole race. Every time we started a new mile, we dedicated that mile to someone (our list included: all three grandfathers in honor of Honor Flight, Michael Jordan, the characters of the television show Rugrats, President Obama, Amelia Earheart, Jimmy V, Tyler Hansbrough, a famous runner I can't remember (help bro?) and our parents).
Neither of us ran with an iPod, but we did have two songs in our heads.
1) Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
2) It's Time for the Perculator (I've just searched for the best YouTube video of this song/dance and think this version is best. Even though it's blurry, you can hear the music and see the dance well.)
My mom is awesome and had pieces of pumpkin bread with raisins in it waiting us after we crossed the finish line. I devoured that bread. It never even had a chance. I would've eaten my brother's too if my mom hadn't hidden it from me (he didn't want it at the time).
After the race, we headed back to the hotel for showers. Then we went back downtown for some delicious eats (Asheville is known for being a foodie town). We had sushi and pad thai for lunch. Then more walking and hanging out with my aunt and cousin. We made it back to the room around 6 for naptime. My dad woke us at 7:30 so we could make it to our dinner reservation on time!
More chowing down at dinner. I have never been more ravenous.
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