Uberthon's Run for Boston 5k

Hi! 

Saturday was such a full day and by the time we all got home we were exhausted.  We started the day with all of us heading into Portland for the Doggie Dash and ended the day at Champoeg Park for the Run for Boston.  Yesterday I had originally planned as a rest day but Friday wasn't in the cards for my long run so it was moved to Sunday.  I have found that the more flexible I am in my life the happier and less stressed I've become, funny how that works.  I had planned on 10 miles but cut it short about 3/4 of a mile because my feet hurt and I was just done.  Jess surprised me with a stop at the Portland Running Company on Saturday for a new pair of kicks, points!  I tried on 3 different pairs of Mizunos ranging from minimum control to full on foot don't move control.  I am always in the mindset of avoid injury anyway possible and to me that means a solid pair of shoes.  I decided on the Alchemy 12's and for me they have too much stability, does that even make sense?  

I felt like I was running with blocks on my feet and afterwards my feet hurt like I had been walking for days.  Normally after a run in a new pair of shoes my feet feel great so I am going to exchange them for this pair instead.  I have about 300 miles on my current shoes so I'll start switching back and forth and using my Wave Rider 16's for shorter runs.  

*The picture is sideways because I am technically challenged, sorry*

Saturday night was the Run for Boston I had really been looking forward to and it was a really great race for me, wanna know why?  Oh I just PR'd!  YAY!  I cannot really tell you why I wanted to make this race a race against my old PR but I just felt like I should at least try.  Probably because I knew I would have Katie running with me and she could pace me.  I knew she wouldn't let me slow down and would try and distract me by talking about double sided tape and eating bugs.  

She looks so perky here and I am apparently getting my fists of fury ready for a fight!  Please don't ask what is happening with my face, it was rare moment when I ignore a race photographer.

I guess I thought I would try to double high five the photographer?  Um...I dunno...

I honestly just wanted it to be over at about mile 1.5, but that is just a guess because there was not a mile marker to be found.  Maybe I have my thumbs up because I just feel so awesome, ya that is it.

Here is the thing, I don't run hard in races.  I think I am running hard but I ALWAYS finish with way too much left over in my tank.  This has been disappointing for me and I decided I was going to just see what I could do this time.  I finished with an official time of 28:31, 9:10 average pace and beat my old 5k PR of 30:12.  I feel really good about this PR and I am so grateful to Katie for getting me there.  When we saw the finish line clock she said "OK Dani go for it get under 30" and I said "OK, ya I can do that" then she said "Under 29! Under 29!" LOL!  So I really just pushed with all I had, that girl is always pushing me to do better :)  The conditions weren't really there for a PR either, it was hot and muggy and not a breeze to be found.  Thankfully they had 2 water stations for us runners which was so appreciated by all I am sure.  I am an almost 100% morning runner and this race started at 6:00 pm, so I really had no business gunning for a PR.  Needless to say but I am saying it anyway, I feel pretty stoked!  Thank you Katie, seriously if you hadn't paced me and kept me at an extremely uncomfortable wanting to hurt someone where the hell is the finish line pace I wouldn't have came close.      

Do you have someone in your life who pushes you to be better?  

- Katie pushes me a lot both in running and in other areas she probably doesn't even realize

What is your PR you are currently most proud of?  

What is coming up that you are super excited about?!  Doesn't have to be race related!  

- I am really looking forward to the Rock and Roll Half this weekend and my first run with my favorite teenage neighbor in a couple weeks :) 

ShamRock 'n' Roll Recap

Hi! 

Yesterday I ran the ShamRock 'n' Roll 10k in Plymouth and I was able to shave 5 minutes off of my last 10k PR.  My chip time was 1:01:30 with a 9:54 average pace.  Since I actually have splits that resemble that of an actual runner I'll share them with you! 

It was really cold Sunday morning (think 20's) and then it started to get windy, really universe?!  Our rental is about a mile from the start so I decided I would run to the starting line and avoid parking.  I am glad I did because there was about 4100 runners and not that much available parking.  When I got there I headed into Panera to avoid the wind chill and use their bathroom.  The line stretched all the way to the back of the building and I knew I only had about 20 minutes to wait so I headed out to find an alternative.  They had 4 porta potties total, 2 in the park and 2 by the public parking plus they opened the public restrooms.  There was a line at all of them but they moved quickly and there was plenty of toilet paper!  Advice to all runners, go to the bathroom before any race even if you feel you don't need to, you'll be glad you did.

There were 2 starting waves for the 10k and I started with the 2nd wave since the 1st wave took off while I was in line for the bathroom.  I jumped into the start towards the front because I felt super fast!  Actually it was because I saw there was a 65 minute pace group behind me and I knew I wanted to break that time at this 10k.  The gun went off and away we all went!

I felt strong starting off and just listened to the sound of the runners and stomping feet.  I was really cold and it took about 2 miles before I warmed up.  I am so glad I brought my cheap Target gloves, they were just enough to keep my hands warm and I didn't end up taking them off till the 4.5 mile mark.  I really worked at paying attention to my body during this race, concentrating on how my legs felt and my stomach.  I also did something kinda silly and really talked myself up during this race, I would say things in my head like "Feel how strong your core is right now", "Your legs are really on their game today."  If I focus in on how I am actually feeling and ignore my own mind games I notice that I am stronger than I realize.

I prepped myself for this race and knew at the 4.5 mile mark I would turn on my music and start to push.  Saving my music for the last part of a race is a trick I learned during the marathon last year.  It gets me out of my body and focuses me on something else.  Looking at my splits I see I could have ran harder and I am going to remember that for next time.  I know I held back in the last mile more than I should have and if I would have pushed it I could have gotten my "A" Goal which was to get a time of 1:00:00.

Running is all about learning what our bodies can do and I learned that this year will be my year to push it.  I am determined to improve on my times and become a stronger runner.  Yesterday I allowed myself to compare to other runners and found myself in a funk.  Then FitFluential posted this on Facebook last night and it pushed out all of the self doubt that was festering.

 

I wasn't allowing myself to savor my new 10k PR because I was to busy focusing on what others accomplished and comparing it to mine.  I cannot compete with other runners, I can only compete with myself and I did just that on Sunday.  I shaved 5 minutes off of my 10k PR from last year and that is awesome!  When I came home with my medal Katherine shouted "Mama, you won!".  Yes Katherine, Mama did win :)

Overall it was a good race, the course was well marked and they had 3 aid stations which I thought was great.  Afterwards you could go into a tent to get a Panera bagel, banana, granola bar and a bottle of water. I didn't stick around much after that because my body temperature was quickly lowering and I was getting really cold.  I walked home along the course so I got to see a bunch of runners out there doing their thing.  I am glad I signed up for this race, even though it was sort of  lonely.  Doing races with your buddies is so much better then going at it alone!  We are 17 days from our flight back to Montana and I am so excited to see some familiar faces.  I really miss my family and friends and I can't wait till we are all reunited.  Homesickness is at an all time high right now!

  Where do you call home?  

What do you do with your race medals and bibs?  
- I hang my medals in my closet on the hat rack hooks and I am debating on what to do with my bibs...thinking garage in front of my treadmill might be a good spot.