Races

Lady Track Shack 2017 — Mother-Daughter 5K

January 31, 2017 by Michelle Leave a Comment

This weekend I got to share something I love with someone I love. Running….with my favorite girl. I signed up for the Lady Track Shack 5K on a whim — and decided to make it a mother-daughter affair.

I actually didn’t even tell L that we were running it until 2 weeks before. Surprise! I had heard really great things about this race and given everything going on right now — a women’s only race was perfect timing.

A friend picked up our race packets and we met outside the Orlando Science Center around 7:10. The race started at 7:30, so we took a few pictures and then lined up right as the race was starting. Kendra had a stroller so she had to start in the back (my only complaint) – even behind the walkers, so we all decided to start with her. We were some of the last people to cross the start — good thing we were chip timed!

Love these mamas and their kids!

My friend’s daughter was also running so the girls started together. Unfortunately, there was so much bobbing and weaving past the walkers that we lost them somewhere around 1.5 miles. They still finished though — it was their first 5K together!

For the past 2 weeks, L has had run club at school (finally – I can volunteer at something!) and she’s been running almost 2 miles, so I knew she could do this 5K without an issue. I wasn’t, however, expecting her to run the entire time — WHICH SHE DID!

What are they looking at here? I have no idea.

We did stop for water – but for less than a minute and she was back to running again.

Here is a fantastic picture of me running with my eyes closed.

I was most impressed that she didn’t complain about running or ask to stop AT ALL. The past two 5Ks she had run were full of complaints and declarations that she was never going to finish. This time she just kept going and even picked up the pace at the end. The weather certainly helped (it was 42 degrees out) and having a running buddy (Kendra’s daughter) with her helped too.

Speaking of the end – she insisted on holding my hand as we finished. It might have been because it was freezing (for this Massachusetts turned Florida girl!), but I’d like to think it’s because she wanted to finish like a team. I can only hope she feels this same way 5-10 years from now!

Ahhh — so happy!

We finished in 39:11 (chip time). That’s a HUGE PR for her (her last race was 50+ minutes) and to top it off she beat me by a second!

Our crew all finished around the same time and we were very happy to be done.

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Pretty — especially for a 5K!

After the race, we all grabbed plants that I’m sure I will kill in record time (#blackthumb) and then caught up with some of my fast and speedy friends who placed in their age groups! L ate 2.5 Krispy Kreme donuts and got attacked by a dinosaur…

We also received amazing shirts from Raw Threads that I never want to take off (I’m NOT wearing it now, but if I were laying around at home I would).

Speaking of age groups… L placed third in hers (of out 13)! I’m so proud of her. Of course, I had NO IDEA that they were giving out age group award for 7-year olds, so we left before the awards were handed out. Derp. She was very sad that she missed all of the attention! I still need to find out if Track Shack will still honor her award. I will have to make a big deal out of it if they do, apparently.

I did tell her that next year, she’s bumping up into a new age group (8-10), so needs to step up her running game if she wants to repeat. She says she’s all in — I guess time will tell!

New Year, New Goals, New Blog Post?

January 16, 2017 by Michelle Leave a Comment

So… I’ve considered shutting this blog down for the past 4-5 months. I, obviously, haven’t posted anything – mostly because I don’t know that I’ve had much to say. Instead, I started to go in and delete posts. In some cases the links were broken or the images weren’t loading, but really – I felt like I didn’t need to share certain parts of my life anymore.

I do want to geek out about running though. I have some big plans for 2017 — some of them already in motion. More on that in a bit.

Where have I been (asked the one person who reads this blog!)? Well, I struggled with another flare up of Plantar Fasciitis (PF) for most of the summer and early fall, which sucked. It happened after I tripped on the sidewalk during a 2-mile run (ugh, how freaking stupid of me!). I ultimately discovered that my injury triggered some insanely tight calf muscles (specifically my soleus) and it was killing my foot. I did everything under the sun to help and in the end the simplest thing in the world — stretching my calves — is what led to my recovery (I wrote a little bit more about that here if you are struggling with similar issues!). I also switched shoes again – and I’m back full circle to wearing ASICS. It’s not even funny how fickle my feet are.

Unfortunately, because the recovery took so long, I really didn’t have a chance to train for any of my fall half marathons (Lighthouse Loop and Space Coast). I did run with my friend Kendra as she PR’d the shit out of her half at Space Coast. It was such an awesome day! Kendra actually introduced me to our running group and I am eternally grateful to her for introducing me to so many fantastic people.

In December, I practically walked a half marathon (still not my Personal Worst though!). It was great bonding time with a few of my friends who were recovering from running the Ragnar Trail Ultra (I have some badass friends) — and it was also really challenging. I almost DNF’d at Mile 3, but my friends wouldn’t let me. Damn them! In the end, I finished my 30th half marathon. And it sucked. Which, yet again, proves to me that no matter how many races and miles I run – it’s never easy.

And that leaves me to 2017.

I AM going to PR in something. I’m hopeful it’s a half marathon, but it could be a 5K, a 10K, or *gulp* a marathon.

I am currently in the middle of training for the BDR Orlando Half (Pssst — you can still use my code CRAZYRUN for $5 any race — for NOLA too) — and I’m hoping to smash my current PR (1:54:something – from BDR Orlando 3 years ago) (ok, so even a 1 second PR would be awesome!).

AND I am registered to run the Chicago Marathon in October, again. Truthfully, I’m in a little bit of denial about this race — and I don’t even know if I CARE about PRing, but deep down, I know I can, as long as my foot can stay healthy.

So that’s where I am right now. Big(ish) goals. More (?) blog posts forthcoming. Maybe even some pictures in them (not this one though, I’m too lazy tonight).

And with that…. peace, love, and palm trees my friend(s). Happy (or scary) 2017!

Dusting This Thing Off

September 25, 2016 by Michelle Leave a Comment

I don’t even know why I stopped blogging, but… I’m back. Maybe. I want to be.

Race season starts in a month — and I’m not ready. Well, I was. I WAS killing my training this summer — I even managed a few sub-9 minute mile/negative split runs in 100% humidity. And then… I switched shoes (AGAIN, because I am FICKLE) and my Plantar Fasciitis came raging back with a vengeance. It sucks.

I took two weeks off from running completely, and it didn’t do much to help. So I said, “Eff it – I’m running anyway.” My chiropractor finally gave me some hope after some ART on the balls of my feet and my calves (basically, he applied pressure to various spots on my feet and legs — while I cried tears of pain). He is also making me roll my left foot out with a golf ball at home, which is a completely different type of torture. I also switched shoes AGAIN and it has made a world of difference. And now I am an ASICS girl (Gel Cumulus).

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Oh hey, Newport — you are amazing.

Last week, I was traveling for work (see above!) and ran back-to-back days with issue. Then, this Saturday was the first time I did not feel completely defeated after a long run (also the first time I’ve been able to run a 10-miler under a 10 min/mile pace).

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So, I feel like I’m on the mend. But, like I said — it just sucks.

I’m getting excited about racing again though – and hopefully cooler weather — and maybe, probably blogging more. In October I have Lighthouse Loop, November I have Space Coast, and in December Mt. Dora. So much racing!! I can’t wait.

Excalibur 10-Miler Recap (AKA That Time I Tortured My Husband)

April 15, 2016 by Michelle Leave a Comment

This is a long delayed race post from last month. I swear I will catch up on this blog someday. Maybe.

A few months ago, Dan started running. At first it was just a few miles on the treadmill. Then I convinced him that running outside is much more (it totally is). Then it progressed, mostly because I made it, and we started talking about racing. He thought that he might want to run a 10K. I was excited — yay racing — so I escalated things and decided that we should run the Excalibur 10-Miler. I mean, what’s a few more miles?

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My dad happens to live about 15-20 minutes away from Viera, which is where the race takes place. I convinced Dan that it would be an awesome idea to sign up because we could stay with my dad the night before and not have to worrying about babysitting! I’m not sure he was 100% convinced, but I did sign us both up and he started training. Possibly begrudgingly.

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We drove over to my dad’s the afternoon before the race and picked up our bibs on the way (they also offered race-day bib pick up, which would have just as easy to do). It was quick and simple and before Dan knew it, he was running a 10-miler. Boom.

The morning of the race was HUMID. Ugh. It wasn’t hot (actually, I think I was a little chilly), but there had been rain the night before and the threat of rain was looming and air stealing. The worst running weather.

The race started with a duel from a few Medieval Times professionals. While it was a good idea in theory — we were standing in a grassy area of the high school and you couldn’t see ANYTHING b/c it was still dark outside. I heard a few swords clinking and then they announced it was a draw. Huh? Then they started the race and we were off.

But first…

The beginning race was pretty uneventful. I realized once we got to the high school that I had forgot my Garmin at my dad’s (grrrr), so I was just running based on feel. I started out fast and tried to stay in front of the 9 min/mile pacer (side note: I really hate pace groups – I’m sure I’m in a minority — and I always seem to get stuck near them). Around Mile 2, I saw Kindra – one of my MRTT ladies!

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Pretty sure this is the exact moment I realized she was next to me.

I didn’t realize she was running it, so I was SO HAPPY TO SEE HER. I lost her at a water stop a mile later, but found her again before Mile 5.

Miles 5 and 6 killed my race spirit (and Kindra’s too). It was on a dirt/gravel road. Some part of it were soft sand. I didn’t realize this was part of the course and it REALLY slowed me down. The 9 min/mile pace group passed me and I got a little deflated. While I knew the race wasn’t going to be a PR, I knew I could handle 10 miles at a sub-9 pace.

Kindra and I picked up the pace around Mile 7 and ran negative splits (according to K’s watch) until the finish — which could not happen soon enough! My finish time was 1:33:03.

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It was not my best race — and I can definitely say that I wouldn’t have enjoyed this race as much (or at all) if I wasn’t with Kindra. Sole sisters (cheesiest term ever, I know) get you through the good AND the bad!

I can fit her in my pocket!

As much as I was disappointed in my time, I was more worried about Dan. This were NOT ideal conditions a for first race! I felt bad because I didn’t know about the offroading at all. I probably wouldn’t have picked that as his first race if I had known better!

I ended up not having to worry much. As frustrated as he was about the gravely sand, Dan came pushing through the finish in 1:47:27. His goal was to finish before 1:50 — and he crushed it!

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Finisher!

I am SO proud of him!

Yes!!

I think a part of him really though that 10-miles was impossible — or maybe I was just putting too much pressure on him to run it. Of course, now I’m trying to get him to run a half marathon!!

After our race, it started sprinkling. Boo weather. Instead of grabbing any post-race food (there was a TON) – we headed to Starbucks and then back to my dad’s for a day at the beach.

We both decided (well, maybe I decided for the both of us?) that next year instead of the 10-miler would we do the relay. You each run 5 miles AND you get to finish together. The course itself was fine (you start and finish at a high school). The surrounding neighborhoods/golf course are very much like the area I run in every day – so it was comfortable (minus the 2 miles of dirt/gravel/sand, of course). It wasn’t the WORST race I’ve ever run, but it wasn’t my favorite.

I AM happy to report that while it’s almost been a month since this race, Dan is STILL running. I haven’t convinced him to sign up for any more races (not including the family 5K we are running on April 30th), but I’m sure there’s a race I can secretly sign him up for out there…somewhere.

Back-to-Back Half Marathoning {Best Damn Race Orlando and Swamp House Reviews}

March 22, 2016 by Michelle 4 Comments

Alternate Title: So Many Pictures.

I unofficially ran my first back-to-back half marathon weekend in December, just to test out the waters. I ran a virtual 13.1 for the Cape Coral Best Damn Race and the Mount Dora Half Marathon (that I apparently did not write about). I ran both races at relative similar paces (despite Mount Dora kicking my ass with its hills). I was sore, but I think more so from the hills than the back-to-back running.

There must be some kind of crazy drugs in my water, because I decided to try back-to-back races AGAIN. This time though, I was trying to PR in the first race (which definitely makes the second race more interesting). The reason? This medal:

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The flamingo is wearing sneakers — and even though I’ve never been a big medal person, I needed to have it.

So it was decided, I (and a few of my equally, if not crazier, friends) were going to run Best Damn Race – Orlando and Swamp House.

The good news is that I survived. However, even weeks later my liver is still questioning that statement.

Best Damn Race – Orlando

BDR started on Friday when I went to pick up my bib and ran into about a million people I knew. I also spent more money than I should have on workout clothes I probably didn’t need, but…

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OK!

Race morning started early. I picked up Paula and Melissa around 6:15 and quickly found parking downtown. I then ran into many of my coworkers…

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(Pic Cred: Stolen from this lady because I apparently did not take any pictures that morning!)

Around 7 we headed to line up and I managed to find my crew.

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Yay claustrophobia!

The race started on time and wasn’t too crowded. I don’t really remember doing a lot of bobbing and weaving, which is always a bonus for a race start. The first 2-3 miles are cobblestone, which it my LEAST favorite part of any race in downtown in Orlando. It’s hard to avoid though, there is just a lot of cobblestone. It’s awesome to drive on too.

As far as I can tell, BDR does the best they can to put the cobblestone in the beginning and not at the end like other Orlando races (there is another half mile of cobblestone around mile 8-9, fyi). Around mile 3, the crew I started with broke into groups. Some sprinted ahead and others fell slightly behind. Jaime (my fellow tall girl and “palm tree” as we have been dubbed) and I ended up sticking together, because it’s just what we do.

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Here’ s the part of the recap where I admit I like to start half marathons fast. Well, fast for me. It’s my thing. It’s probably NOT the best racing strategy, but I just have a lot more mojo at the end of the race, if I start faster. Around Mile 3, Jaime started to pull back because she saw 8:30-8:40 on her Garmin and told me she thought, “I can’t do this!” and I had to shout back to her “You ARE doing this!” And spoiler: She did it. She kicked ass.

Around Mile 6, I saw my co-worker, Leah, up ahead. Two weeks prior, Leah and I spent the week together in Mississippi and managed to get some running in together.

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Mississippi — where running dreams come true (actually, the day this picture was taken it was really pretty!) Also — that’s Brian with us who happened to score a KILLER PR at BDR Orlando!

So, when I saw her, I told Jaime “We’re catching up with her.” Have I mentioned I’m slightly competitive? Well, I haven’t mentioned that Jaime is even MORE competitive and was like “GAME ON” when I mentioned it. Seriously, she started sprinting. So, by mile 8, we caught up with Leah — and we continued to run together until the finish.

Speaking of the finish… it was rough. Mile 10-11 is a steady incline, and it started to get WARM. I almost COMPLETELY lost my shit, but I managed to pull my it together in time for the downhill run into downtown (Mile 11-12) and then turn back towards Lake Eola (12-Finish).

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“Hello! I do awkward things with my hands while running!”

At one point Leah said to me, “If you want to sprint – go ahead.” and I’m pretty sure the only words that I could form were “No way, I’m going to die.” I did manage to muster up a minor “Tom Cruise” sprint at the end.

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Funny story — the guy in the orange behind me is the same person I beat 2 years ago in this same race.

And…I finished in 1:56:40. Not a PR, but I have to say I felt really good about the time. Especially considering I finished last year about 6-7 minutes slower! (Bonus: Sub-2!)

For the third year in a row, I had the best DAMN time at Best Damn Race. I don’t JUST say that because I’m an ambassador (BTWs — I’m in for 2016-2017 too!), I really just enjoy them. It helps that almost every runner I FREAKING KNOW was running it in some form or fashion. Ok, and the after party is sweet, judging from the cider, Best Damn Root Beer, and Mich Ultra (umm – is that REALLY beer) that I drank. We all definitely had A LOT of fun!

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A lot of my friends ended up PRing — including Jaime who KICKED ASS and finished a minute before me (when I was bonking, she got some kind of crazy ass second wind).

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The rest of the day I spent mostly in the car – driving two and from Tampa for my nephew’s 2nd birthday party. It was worth it, but after almost 6 hours of sitting, my legs were like…

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Onto the 2nd half!

Swamphouse Half Marathon

I really did not want to get up at 4:15am on a Sunday, but alas, I did because I am idiot who paid to run two half marathons in one weekend. I picked up one of my fellow mamas at 5 and we met up with the party crew at 5:15.

Did I mention that we dubbed this race #mimosarace2016?

We arrived in DeBary around 6 (race start was 7:15), but waited a millennium to park. I’m glad we arrived early because if we didn’t I would have been stressing out – even though this was considered a “fun” race.

After we (quickly) picked up our bibs, we head back to the car and mixed up a few cocktails, because… why not? I’ve never drank BEFORE a race before, but it made me very, very confident. Very.

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God, I look like an idiot.

The race started on time, and while it was a pretty good sized crowd, it wasn’t a crazy start. And then I looked down at my watch and was like, “Holy Shit, I’ve only run a half a mile. THIS RACE IS GOING TO TAKE FOREVER.” Yeah.

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Look! I actually ran!

The race continued to go well as you can imagine. At the 1 Mile Mark, we decided to walk for a few minutes at each mile marker and then run in between. This was a pretty good plan until my friend’s knee started to give her problems (she probably shouldn’t have been running) and we couldn’t find any Biofreeze. Then the race turned into run as fast as we could between water stops asking people if they had BioFreeze. It was a different kind of race than I imagined. At Mile 9 we finally found medical (maybeeee there should have been a medical stop sooner?) and then we proceeded to walk… a lot. Like the most of the rest of the race.

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And take selfies.

At Mile 12 we hit the beer mile. It was amazing. I personally think every race should offer craft beer at mile 12.

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At mile 12.5 we saw the photographer, so we decided to run for like 30 seconds… And then again at the finish.

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Photo cred: Dave Mari, Race Photography Ninja

Our finish time was 2:45 (confession, I haven’t looked up the exact time, but my Garmin says 2:45:53) and it surprisingly was not a personal worst (running a half marathon when you are 6 months pregnant pays off!).

After the race, we celebrated with more drinks — first ones we brought with us (Prosecco, Sangria, Cider, and more Bloody Marys) and then with the awesome craft beer offered post race (PS – I did not drive).

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It was hilariously fun time. I have discovered that I while I prefer to run competitively (with myself) — it’s great to take a break and experience a FUN run. The key is to not get in anyone’s way and ruin THEIR fun. I’ve also discovered there there is only so much drinking and running I can handle — and I officially maxed out on it.

As far as the race itself went, it was Swamp House was more hilly than I thought it was going to be. It also wasn’t the most exciting course — a few of the latter miles are on this oddly paved trail – and then you hit this undeveloped neighborhood (aka Beer Mile) before running towards the finish. That said, I would definitely do it again. The after party was lacking in food, but definitely made up for it in beer and hijinks — and that was by far the best part!

When it comes to back-to-back half marathons — will I do it again? Heck yes! I think one of them will always be a “for fun” run, but I should really never say never.

Up next… More races! I am so behind.

Do you like running back-to-back races? What’s your favorite way to celebrate post-race? Did you realize I haven’t posted anything in almost 2 months??