2015 Akron 1/2 Marathon

Like every year for the past 13 years, the running community in Akron Ohio comes together in September with their eyes set on a blue line that weaves its way through our city.  Many of us consider the last Saturday in September to be the most wonderful day of the year! This year was no different. My social media accounts were blowing up with #blueline, and #runAkrun.  I love this weekend! In 2011, and 2012 I had my eye on winning the full marathon. In 2011 I raced well running 2:45, and met my goal.  In 2012 I had the flu and finished a heart breaking 3rd, running my slowest marathon ever in 3:00:02.  2013 saw me running with a small injury and finishing 2nd in the half in 1:18.  Last year 11 weeks after having the twins I went to the line knowing that I did this because I loved it. It is more than winning.  It is being a part of something huge in our community. I finished 4th in 1:24:3x, and was very very sore! I have run 6 total races since then, and still feel like I am finding my legs. Training has been going well, but with only 3 weeks to the Columbus Marathon, my main goal of the fall, I had to race smart.  I was nervous. Nervous that I would run too hard, nervous that I would feel uncomfortable at the "controlled effort" of 6:00-6:10, and nervous because I never want to let a running community that stands so strongly behind me down. My coach could see the nerves in my eyes and reminded me to relax and work with the other CED'ers that had the same goals that day as I did.  Ellie and Josh are both preparing for a marathon the same day in October so we all had the same instructions.  

As we warmed up the nerves slowly started to fade. Finally the race was here! As we lined up for the start, my heart was pounding, and per usual on this start line I had to do all I could to hold back tears. 14,000 runners around and behind me with a common goal of using their fitness to propel them toward their goals. My heart wells with pride for my city, and my race. I love this race so much it almost always brings me to tears. Finally I could see 7am approaching on the clock next to the start line. This race has NEVER started one second early or late.  So the countdown from 10 began, and we were off!  

Heading toward the Y-bridge, a very fast first mile sees nearly 170 feet of elevation drop, and really helps to get the race moving.  5:54 through the mile with Ellie, Kelsi, Nicole and Josh. Perfect. We all eased up a bit and began the climb to mile 2. 6:09.  The course was new this year and much hillier than the past 2 years.  So I knew our splits would roll with it. 5:53, Ellie, Josh and I were working really well together and keeping one another honest. 6:03 through mile 4. The 5th mile is fast and we were 5:45.  5:59 for the 6th mile brought us back downtown.  I looked up and we marveled at Beth Cruising about 60-90 seconds ahead of us!  I saw my family, and gave them a smile and a thumbs up, were right on pace!  6:07 for the 7th and one of the hardest miles on the course. miles 8 and 9 are both a bit down hill and we were 5:48, and 5:50.  At this point Josh had started to push and Ellie went with him.  I knew that staying closer to 6:00 was where I needed to be so I backed off a bit. 6:13 ooops too much! I could hear Ryan, my very undertrained husband talking to someone behind me.  He caught up to me and we ran together for about a mile and a half. 6:07 good back on pace!  6:16 was another oops, but it is coming back up the 8-9 mile so it was slow. 5:52 pace for the last 1.1 brought me into the stadium and a 4th place finish 1:18:45- 6:00.4 pace. I smiled knowing I had executed the race plan perfectly. Beth had finished in 1:16:3x for 2nd, Josh was 1:17:40, and Ellie was 1:18:20 for 3rd. Ryan was 1:19:04 and he says I beat him fair and square, but I think he was letting me win! We were all very happy with our efforts.  Kelsi and Nicole didn't have great days but finished 5th and 7th. 

Ryan and I running together around 11 miles I believe.  Enjoying the beautiful Blue Line.

Ryan pretending I am faster than he is. 

Having fun with Nicole and Jeanine Marks (race founder)

 The only issue I had was a weird thing with my shoe.  The insole moved during the early stages of the race, and made for a good sore spot on the ball of my foot.  I was happy this happened now and not in 3 weeks during the full! 

I don't think this is what it is suppose to look like. 

The rest of the day and evening were spent catching up with friends, enjoying the beautiful September day, and having some fun!  Another great Akron Marathon was in the books!  It was a fun weekend to remember!  

3 weeks until Columbus!  I am excited to line up with Ellie and chase after the Olympic Trials standard that morning!  Wish us luck!  

Update Blog! Big races on the horizon.

I haven't posted since Grandma's Marathon in June because we have had a lot going on around here.  A few days after the race we closed on a new home in Hilliard Ohio, celebrated our twins turning one year old, went on vacation, and started the moving process!  Moving is a stressor for sure!  Ryan and I fought about way more than necessary and 99% of that was just me being stressed out.  We made the final move the first weekend in August.  We replaced 2 bathrooms, and went through a lot of paint.  But the house is really staring to feel like home.  Leaving Akron was a big struggle for me. I had my mom and Diane there to help with the kids, a job I loved working at Second Sole, and my friends and teammates of CED. The first couple weeks I really struggled to fit in running and not feel stressed about every step of it.  As I have discovered places to run, and learned to enjoy them, the running slowly became more and more fun, and the miles began to feel like they were effortless again. 

These 2 have turned into real little people (see below)

They walk, run, talk, feed themselves, and love to be read to!

Ryan got my hammock up on the swing!

So that pretty much gets us up to date!  I have been running 80-90 miles a week and getting in some pretty solid workouts.  This morning Ellison and Josh were in town for various reasons and I had company for 19 miles. We were suppose to run 19 @6:50-7:00 average, and we were 6:56 so it was a solid run.  Tempos have progressed and week depending the 5:50-6:20 pace efforts feel more and more relaxed.  Ellie and I are 5 weeks out from the Columbus Marathon on October 18th and Josh will be racing Grand Rapids Marathon the same day. 

My past 2 weeks looked like this.

Monday Aug 31-Sept 6

Mileage total 88 miles

Workout 1-14 miles with 1x1.5 miles-8:27, 1 mile@5:32, 2x1000 @ 3:24, and 3:22, 1 mile @ 5:27 all with 2:30 jog between.  This went pretty smooth despite hot, humid, and heavy legs. 

battle--food poisoning knocked me out on Tuesday late, and Wednesday was a .5 mile run.

Workout 2- 14 miles with 4x2 miles with 2:30 recovery jog--12:01, 11:58, 11:52, 11:38  very controlled, and effortless on the first 3. 

Long run- 22 HOT and HUMID miles.  10 of it with Ryan and my legs felt very good until about 3 miles to go. 

Monday Sept 7-Sept 13

Mileage total 88

Workout 1- 12 miles with 5x2k running 7:04, 7:05, 7:05, 7:02, 7:15 all with 2 min jog. This was a 90 degree morning, and I was nervous the times wouldn't come. The last one was a struggle, as indicated by the time, but I got the work in. 

Workout 2- 15.5 miles with 11.13 tempo 8@ 6:20 then 10x1 min on 1 min off.  splits were 6:15, 6:11, 6:13, 6:15, 6:10, 6:14, 6:12, 6:11, (start min on/off), 6:36, 6:20, 6:18.  Solid workout, and felt pretty good throughout.  My legs were heavy and I was happy with the effort. 

Long- 19 miles @7:00-6:55 with Ellie and Josh! 2:11:53 for 6:56 ave. 57 degrees made this run very very fun.  It never felt like a long run, and the miles passed quickly. 

I have added some extra sleep to my regimen and it really seems to be helping with staying healthy.  Ryan insists on me taking a nap post long run, and he usually gets up to get the kids a drink and back to bed an hour prior to me getting up so that I can get in 9-10 full hours of sleep a night. I think this is a huge step in keeping me healthy, with all the stress of mom-ing, and training! 

In 2 weeks I will be using the Akron Half Marathon as a tune up/run with your brain, and in 5 weeks I will be towing the line with Ellie at the Columbus Marathon with the goal of sub 2:43.  If you are in the area come out and cheer!  If you aren't all fast vibes sent our way are appreciated!  

Hoping for legs as fresh as these on the start line!

Grandma's Marathon Recap

Running is my passion.  If you know me, I don't have to tell you that. It makes my heart beat, my lips smile, my legs burn, my eyes well, and my head reel. I love it. I love the amazing people that are a part of my life because of it, I love the sound of feet pounding on pavement, I love the feeling of turning left on a track, I love the feeling of my heart pumping, and my legs begging me to slow down. I LOVE IT! 

Grandma's Marathon was this past weekend in Duluth Minnesota. It is a beautiful course lined with smiling, coffee drinking spectators, that rolls along Lake Superior for nearly every step of 26.2 miles into Canal Park in downtown Duluth.  The race is a well organized machine that leaves you feeling so lucky to just be a part of it. But my goals in Duluth were more than to be a part. I wanted to qualify to the Olympic Trials. I have had this race on my radar since before my kids were born. I wanted a fairytale ending to my past year. I trained with these hopes in my heart everyday since July 21st when I ran 2 miles in 18:15.  My first run back after a long six months and 2 days of no running.  On November 16th I had a flare up in my back that knocked me out until mid January when I could finally resume training. I was nervous this would set me back too far since my fitness was still a far cry from good.  As the months went on I got stronger, running 17:42 for 5k in February, 28:38 for 5 miles in March, and 1:33:58 for 25k in May.  In the weeks leading up to Grandma's I knew I had worked hard enough, and I was ready to go.  

As the rain came down hard at the start line I enjoyed the anticipation of putting my fitness to the test along side my teammate, and former athlete of my own while coaching at Wright State, Kelsi Nutter. I knew she was more fit than I was, but I was so happy to have her by my side. After a few shivering minutes waiting for the start the air horn blew and the sea of 6000+ people were on there way to the finish line in Duluth.  6:03 through the first mile made me happy, I thought "calm down, and settle in closer to 6:10".  6:07 through the 2nd mile right alongside Kelsi.  And then it happened, I had a complete crisis of confidence. My mind began to spin with thoughts of "what if I slow down to 6:15 pace and I can't get back under?", "I have to keep pushing, I know I can do this!" Mile 3- 6:00 too fast. I calmed down and found Kelsi again miles 4 and 5 were both 6:10.  I came through 6 in 6:07 and Kelsi said "Beck, don't get greedy", I knew she was right.  But I pressed on like she hadn't spoken. Mile 7- 5:57.  Calm the hell down!! mile 8-6:07 I was still feeling great, as most do at mile 8 in a marathon.  Mile 9 is the "slowest" mile on the course with the most incline and Kelsi and I were comfortably side by side in 6:17.  This should have been a HUGE confidence boost, knowing that one of the slowest miles on the course was behind us, and we were still feeling good, and well under pace. Mile 10 is a large downhill, and at this point I should have made a smart decision, tuck behind Kelsi, and relax...Nope I pressed on 5:43, 1:00:46 through 10 miles.  The miles were passing quickly, and I was enjoying it. 11-6:11, 12-6:04, 1/2 marathon 1:20:20.  I felt so excited. We are going to do this! 1:22 for the next 1/2 marathon and our tickets will be punched to L.A.!

Still smiling mid race. 

I missed mile 14 but it was something like 6:10.  Mile 15 my left calf started to tighten up, more than likely just from the water and being a little chilly 6:14.  16-6:23 I was starting to really struggle. 17-6:51 the wheels were off. 18- I stretched momentarily while taking in my fluids 7:08.  I remembered my goal as thoughts of qualifying to the trials felt hopeless.   I reminded myself of my secondary goals.  To run the best MARATHON I could even if things weren't going to plan, and to enjoy being able to be out here racing.  So I tried to pull myself together again 19- 6:37.  I can still run well I told myself over and over.  DO NOT THROW IN THE TOWEL!! 20-6:41.  My stomach started to give me issues and 21 and 22 were ugly 7:22, 7:15.  Mile 23 I felt ok again and tried to push with all I had left to give 6:41, 24-6:27, 25-6:08.  I saw Nicole and asked if Kelsi was going to make it.  A huge smile of pride covered my face when she assured me Kelsi would be well under 2:43. Mile 26 was 6:35 and I could see the finish line. 2:47:34 was on the clock as I passed under it.

I found Kelsi, Beth, Ellie, Nicole, and Greg in the finish area, and felt the strangest wave of emotion I think I can ever recall feeling.  I felt overjoyed for Kelsi, who had finished in 2:41:35, and thrilled to be back out racing and finishing a marathon 11 months postpartum.  Still yet I felt incredible sadness for missing my goal, and the fairytale ending I had played over and over and over in my head for the past year. I learned that Beth(1:15 for 3rd in the half), Ellie(1:17 for 7th in the half), and Greg (1:24) all ran PR's in their races. I smiled and I cried. I felt so conflicted. 

In January if you would have told me I would run 2:47 at Grandma's and would consider it a poor race, I would have more than likely thought you were crazy. I may have even cried in true joy to know that in June I would be back out racing and doing so in a decent time. Following the race I believed I had done all I could. But after further evaluation I can see the error of my ways.  I was too aggressive. I ran a stupid, and reckless race. I don't know if I would have run under 2:43, but I do know I could have run faster. So this fall I will lace my racing flats again, and try to run with my mind a little more, and my heart a little less...at least for the first 15 miles.

So it is back to the beginning for me. I will work to train with passion and race with intelligence. 

Kelsi and I after the finish! I am so proud of her!  

Through Murk and Mire

My blog largely depicts the sunny side of life.  The truth is, even in the dark times there is sunlight, but it doesn't always feel that way. The past year of Ryan and my life has not been easy. Being a new parent is HARD!  Just under a year ago we were blessed with two healthy babies, that we adore.  Everyone says that it is such a blessing, but there are days were it felt anything but.  The first 3 months of being a parent were the hardest. Neither of us got much sleep, and I felt in a daze all the time.  I would cry at the thought of Ryan leaving for work, and wonder how I would get through the day.  My family, Ryan's family, and DT, a close family friend, were and are so helpful. Still, knowing I had to go home and feel so overwhelmed after a run, or some time away, left me near, if not in tears most days. I cried because I was tired, I cried because I was fat, I cried because I was alone, I cried because there was too much going on.  I cried, and cried a lot, for something, for nothing. I didn't matter, I cried.   After becoming injured and not being able to have running as an outlet for 7 weeks starting in mid November, I finally saw a doctor and was diagnosed with postpartum depression.  I felt terrible.  How could I be so lucky to have two healthy, adorable, wonderful kids, and be depressed?! 

I mean, look at these faces!! So precious! But I couldn't shake the immense feeling of sadness. People had told me that once I had my own kids it would all be different than I had expected, and I would love it.  But I still felt trapped, and longed for my simple life, where running reigned supreme, and I could come and go as I pleased.  

As the months passed I wondered if it would ever get better. I felt like I had lost so much. No one tells you this part of being a parent when you become pregnant or when they talk about their incredible kids. Why was I so messed up!? 

 My two little ones were not only growing, but thriving!  Yet still I felt stuck, and relatively worthless. I no longer brought home any income, my running was anything but going well, my body was a stretched out, awkward version of what it once had been, and I felt so wore out mentally. I thought of my friends and how they all seemed to take this whole "being a parent" thing in stride.  My mind swirled with questions of why I couldn't enjoy it. 

I am here to tell you that when people say "it gets better", that one is the truth!  About 9 months after the kids were born I finally felt the fog had lifted. It wasn't a slow moving thing. One day I was out on a run, and I thought..."Holy crap, I feel like myself!".  IT WAS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE FEELING!!  I simply felt mental clearness that I had not felt in over a year. I had to battle to get here. I had allowed overwhelming worry to seep in and ruin many of my days.  I began to combat the worry with living in the moment.  Telling myself to let go of the things I couldn't control, and choose to deal with the irrational fears. It was hard at first, but then became a habit, and a few months after making this choice, I was finally seeing it pay off!

Being a mom is still hard for me.  It lacks the freedom to just do whatever I want, whenever I want, and there are still many times I wish I didn't have to feel worry. I know that worry is a wasted effort thinking of things I can not control, and much of the time aren't even a reality.  I try very hard to combat those thoughts and enjoy the moments I have with my little nuggets! As the tiredness of new parenthood wears off, I feel more and more like the person I loved being. I am able to enjoy the time I get to spend with our kids, I am learning to be kind to myself through the challenges, and my feeling of self worth I once had is growing again. 

Our kids are growing into little people!  They are full of sass and laughter.  When I am not with them I miss them, and I look forward to the fun we get to share together!   

Check out that sagging skin.  Being a parent isn't easy! It is hard on so many levels.  For the first time in your life, you have to say no to what you want, and give up things for someone else. You feel like a shell of who you once were. You will look at your body with disgust, you will look at your kids and feel overwhelmingly tired. But I do promise you this, it does get better! The fog will lift, and you will smile a smile of happiness you almost forgot existed. 

I am writing this now while the feelings of trudging through the first year of parenthood are fresh on my mind. While my proverbial parenting shoes are still muddied, and damp. To tell others that it is ok to feel inadequate, to feel anger.  I promise you that many many parents out there feel these things!  Despite our best efforts on social media to show the sunny side, we are working through murk and mire too.  

I am excited to watch my kids grow through their second year of life, and to get back to more and more of being myself.  Thank you all for your support this past year!  Your kind words often meant more than you could know!  Also a huge I LOVE YOU to my incredible husband, Ryan, for putting up with me in the tough times, and being so strong.  I am so glad I have all of you in my life!

I love you Ry! Thank you for being an incredible husband and Daddy!

USA 25k Championships

This past Thursday, I traveled North to Grand Rapids Michigan. The drive there was a long 8 hour drive, but I arrived safely, met my awesome roommate Terri, and got some not so great sleep in the beautiful Amway Grand Hotel.   Terri and I ran together in the morning, and I quickly noticed that Grand Rapids has a charming downtown with a nice area to get some miles in along the river.   At the elite meeting, and press conference I had a chance to catch up with Dot McMahon.  She always has great advice, and cracks me up.  I always enjoy a chance to chat with her.  I met a few other ladies this weekend, and it was great getting to know them a little.  My typical pre race dinner of choice is easy to find.  So "Flanagan's" fit the bill for the burger and fries I was looking for.  After dinner, I painted my nails, did some foam rolling, set out my race gear, and reminded myself of my race-day goals. 

It is incredible how little I really need on race day, especially if you were to see the size of the suitcase I took for this 2 day trip!

My goals were as follows; 1. Don't be an idiot, this is the longest race you have run in 3 years. PR though 10k = bad idea! 2. 6:00 pace. Find it and make it yours. 3. Stay 100% mentally focused on the race for the entire duration. I will be strong and smart.  I drifted off to sleep thinking of those goals. 5:30 am showed up, and after 1/2 a bagel, a cup of coffee, and some Nuun, Terri and I dropped our stuff off at the tent designated for us.  I warmed up 3 miles along the river, changed into my racing flats and we were taken to the start line. It was humid, and raining, but I love the rain, so I was happy with it cooling the temps down a bit.  I felt some anxiety, and nerves, but as soon as the gun went off, I felt calm and confident. 

The Elite Women's Start
(Photo: Rudy Malmquist)

Close up
 I am behind Katie Dicamillo (#26) and the aforementioned Dot McMahon is to my right (#41)

The mile mark came quickly, and 5:46 was a bit faster than planned, despite feeling comfortable at this pace, I backed off a hair.  Mile 2- 5:52, Mile 3- 5:54 (5k-18:14), Mile 4-6:00 (took 1/2 a GU), mile 5- 5:53, I still felt very good, my legs felt fresh and the pace felt very marathonesque. mile 6- 5:57 (10k- 36:43), mile 7- 6:06, mile 8- 6:02 this is where the course begins to roll. Never any killer hill to speak about, but some continual ups and downs. mile 9- 6:05 (took another 1/2 a GU), mile 10-6:11. Mentally I was still running very strong, and when I saw this split it jolted me out of my daze. Mile 11-5:58 I smiled at how easily I was able to get back on pace, and feeling like my pre babies self out here!  My stomach started to give me some trouble, but I knew I would be ok, possibly embarrassed, but ok! Thankfully the embarrassment stayed at bay! Mile 12-6:08, oops slow again.  Mile 13- 6:03, and through the 1/2 marathon in 1:18:40- right on 6:00 pace. Mile 14- 6:14 I started to struggle a bit physically here. Mile 15- 6:23, I thought "oh shoot! If I don't do something I will be passed!" I reminded myself, "I am strong"  I closed the last 1k in 3:19--1:33:58. I finished in 11th place, and averaged 6:02 pace, and knew the mission had been accomplished this weekend!  I wanted to run a longer race, and feel good at below goal marathon pace, and I did!  I had mentally prepared for my body to rebel since I haven't raced this far in nearly 3 years.  I was so happy  it cooperated, to have met my goals, and run a strong physical and mental race. 

A huge "thank you" goes out to Fifth Third River Bank Run!  You put on a great race and I was thrilled to be a part of it! And Oiselle for the never ending support, and great race gear!

I drove back to Akron happy to have met my goals, and I am feeling good about where my training has taken me.  Now it is back to training, gaining a little more fitness to carry me 10 miles longer.  Before I know it I will be getting ready to race on June 20th in Duluth! I am excited to get there!  It has been a fun spring thus far.  On to more miles!

Training Update 9 Months Postpartum

The past few weeks have had some ups and downs, but all in all have been a step or two forward!  Training has progressed, and I have been getting in some miles that give me confidence I can tackle USA 25k, and Grandma's Marathon over the next 7 weeks! My training has looked like this over the past 4 weeks. 

March 30-April 5

90 miles 

Track workout of 3x[1 mile (90 sec), 4x400(30 sec)] 

-Felt easy running 5:30's and 81 ave. 

Tempo of 13 miles 

-Ran faster than I did in my last half marathon by 2 minutes.  HAHA! Ok my last 1/2 was 12 weeks after having the twins!  But still, step forward! 

Long run of 20 miles
-longest run in about 2.5 YEARS!!!

The kids turned 9 months old!

Corra 9 months

Nolan 9 months

April 6-12

89 miles 

Track workout of 8x1200 with tired legs!  

-Held on ok, had 2 slower than the prescribed pace. 

9 mile tempo averaging 6:10

Long run of 22 with miles 19 and 20 @ 6:40's

April 13-19

69 miles 

Track workout of 2k, 1k, 1k, 2k, 1k, 1k 

- went great, 80's felt very fast for the 1k's. 83's felt incredibly comfortable for the 2k's.

That was it for the week.  The little ones both got sick with fevers, diarrhea, and need for lots of cuddles, and I woke up with it Friday morning.  Felt run down COMPLETELY until Tuesday the following week. 

Long run 

- mistake of 16 miles I should have rested.  I think this cost me some extra "I just want to lay down on that bench instead of do this run" on Monday.  Yes I really thought about laying down on a bench in the park.  That was about the time I decided I needed to get over my pride and go home.

Getting the sickies out for some fresh air!  

April 20-26

86 miles

Track workout of 400, 800, 1200, 1600, 1600, 1200, 800, 400
-Still very run down so hit this at just under goal marathon pace.  Hopeful to feel better soon!

Tempo
-10 miles averaging 6:09

Long Progression Run
-22 miles averaging 6:55 7@7:12, 9@6:59, 5@6:29, 1 easy.

The past week has left me feeling like my fitness is coming along well!  I am excited to test it out on May 9th in Grand Rapids Michigan at the Fifth Third River Run/USA 25k Championships! I am excited to race and eager to get to the start line! 

Shamrock Shuffle and Training

March has been good to us here in North East Ohio!  The weather is beginning to come around and that means good footing, and more daylight for me to run in! I still have to use the treadmill on my shakeout runs while the kids sleep or join me.  But I am happy to be outside for the vast majority of training. 

We took a team of 5 to Shamrock Shuffle 8k on March 29th in Chicago, and we had such a fun goofy time together!  We left early Saturday morning, and got to know each other a little better on the drive! It was a lot of fun and the trip went quick.  After dinner, and picking up our packets my nerves started to get moving.  I LOVE racing, but as I get fitter, I don't really know where my fitness is, and I really want to see the improvements I have made show up on race day.  I struggled to get to sleep despite feeling very tired.  But once the morning showed up, and I had a couple cups of coffee I felt ready to get this thing started.  I promised myself no regrets, and that had to start the first mile.  I didn't want to go out in 5:20 and suffer a terrible death for 4 miles.  My goals were the following.  1. Top 20,  2. come through 5k around 17:40, 3. last mile my fastest, 4. Be in a position to help my team if I am needed (I was 4th on our team and 3 score).  Ellie had a dream she wore spikes to the start line, I tried to get her my flats, but she wouldn't take them.  She then got disqualified for jumping in in the middle of the race...and I beat Kelsi!  None of that happened! Shew! 

 

As we warmed up, my nerves were really getting me going.  I hate not being sure of what I am capable of! But the gun went off, and I felt right at home. I stayed calm, and let people go that I wanted to be near, feeling that they were out too fast.  I hit the mile split in 5:43, and felt great.  I started to pass a lot of women from here.  I passed 2 miles 5:33 later, and heard a man yelling places, I was 24th.  So I needed to catch at least 4 women.  I tried to push this mile and grabbed on to the back of a group of guys. 5:44 for the next mile split.  I tried to push again, and came through 5k in 17:41. This mile the wind proved to be stronger than I had given it credit for, and 5:55 for mile 4 was slow.  I remembered what I told my teammates and started to really push up the last hill on the course about 800-1000m out. I finished and Kelsi, Jess, and Ellie were smiling and waiting for Lizzie and I!  We had all run great! 

Kelsi was 5th in 27:30, Jess 8th in 27:38, Ellie 9th in 27:45, me 18th in 28:38, and Lizzie 78th in 31:36.  We finished 2nd in the team competition to Hansons, and we felt good about that.  We knew on paper they were a faster team than we were, but we had hoped to mix it up, and sneak away with a win.  Over all their top 3 were 45 seconds total faster than our top 3. But we were all smiles!

Jess, Kelsi, Ellie, and I all smiles! (wishing Lizzie was in this)

Another step forward, and another day closer to chasing down my goal race in Duluth on June 20th! I am happy about the improvements I have made in the past month, and look forward to a 5 week training block going into USA 25k Championships on May 9th.  Time to get in some miles and build some more fitness! 

Coming up the bridge to the finish.

Finishing up!

Training March 2-8th 

80 miles 

Track workout on treadmill due to ice - 1k, 2k, 1k, 1k, 2k, 1k splits were 3:26, 7:10, 3:25, 3:24, 7:06, 3:23.

Tempo on the treadmill due to weather again- 10 miles 1:02:11 -6:16 ave.

Long run -18 miles OUTSIDE!!

March 9-15

80 miles

Track workout indoor track- 5x1 mile with 2 min recov. 5:40, 5:39, 5:38, 5:37, 5:33

Tempo outside 2 mile loop- 10 miles 1:01:44 -6:10 average

Long run 18 miles AP Riverview loop last 8 @6:59 pace

March 16-22

76 miles 

track workout outdoor track- 2 miles, 1.5 miles, 3x800, 1 mile.  Splits were 11:24, 8:29, 2:43, 2:42, 2:41, 5:32. 

tempo 4 miles 6:02, 6:00, 6:00, 5:54- hard effort for me.

long run 14 miles 

March 23-29

63 miles 

track workout outdoor track- 3x1000, 2x600, 4x200.  Splits were 3:19, 3:19, 3:19, 1:55, 1:56, 35, 36, 35, 35.

Race - Shamrock shuffle 8k- 28:38