TrainingTruths: Half Marathon #9 Week 6

What an emotional week!

It started Monday morning with excitement for the Boston Marathon and ended after a marathon week for law enforcement who worked non-stop chasing and capturing the suspects involved in the finish line bombings.

#TrainingTruth: "If you are trying to defeat the human spirit, marathoners are the wrong group to target"

#RunforBoston - With a heavy heart, I put on my BAA 5K race shirt Tuesday morning to show my support and love for the running community. After school my running partner and I logged a quick 4 miles before the rain came. It felt good to briefly zone out mentally, but also to be running for Boston.

It was not an easy run on Thursday. The sunshine disappeared not 20 minutes prior to heading out leaving only wind gusts behind and all through the five mile run my stomach was aching. The running world was still plagued with anxiety, but planning a #BostonStrong<city> event (details below) helped because I was doing something. The good part of the run was my shoes.

I woke on Saturday morning with a huge sense of relief and gratitude knowing that they had captured the second suspect. Maybe the weight off my mind was just what I needed to finally get in my first plank workout of the week.

Hoping for better weather, we moved our long run to Sunday. Although it was still way too chilly to be considered Spring, the sun was out and smiled down on us most of the 10 miles. My husband had an awesome run and is easily ready for the Newport 10 Miler next weekend. As for me, my legs felt good but I struggled with tight abs. It felt like a stitch at first, but even a rest break didn't completely alleviate the tension. Without meaning to, we donned Boston Marathon colors and hummed Sweet Caroline spontaneously throughout the run.

Here are the details for tonight's Boston tribute run in my area:

Location: Meet at Barnard Park -> Run Goffstown Rail Trail
Date: Monday, April 22, 2013
Time: 6PM
Distance: 3 - 4 miles
Facebook Event Page: RSVP here

Wear a race shirt, or Boston Marathon colors (blue & yellow). Bring a friend.

Are you participating in an event to support Boston? Feel free to link it in the comments.

#TrainingTruths is not just about me. We all like to see what everyone else is doing and use that information to assess ourselves. It's not judgement. It's a way to share and learn and make changes when necessary.

To participate all you have to do is share your #TrainingTruths:

1. Tag a Twitter post with the hashtag #TrainingTruths
2. Comment on the Running Escapades Facebook page 
3. Leave a link to your own blog post in the comments

I look forward to reading your #TrainingTruths! 

A Run for Boston: #BostonStrongGoffstown

While I wait for news that they have arrested the person(s) responsible for the finish line bombings, I continue to feel an array of emotions. Initially I was shocked that something so horrific could happen. It scared me when I thought about how we were just there the day before for a much smaller race, but a race nonetheless, that crossed the iconic finish line. I was worried for my friends in the running community that were there running, spectating, or volunteering. My heart hurts each time I learn more about a victim. 

Like many runners, I felt the need to do something after the tragic events at the Boston Marathon on Monday. I wore a race tee on Tuesday and ran some miles with my running partner who has run Boston twice. But it was the call from fellow runner and blogger, Brian @PavementRunner, that spurred me to action.

So, if you are in my area, I am inviting you to join me for a group run to honor the victims. 

Here are the details:

Location: Meet at Barnard Park -> Run Goffstown Rail Trail
Date: Monday, April 22, 2013
Time: 6PM
Distance: 3 - 4 miles
Facebook Event Page: RSVP here

Wear a race shirt, or Boston Marathon colors (blue & yellow). Bring a friend.

If you can't join us, consider organizing your own group run or joining one near you. 

We might run with heavy hearts, but we won't stop running.

BAA Distance Medley: 5K Weekend

Edited: I wrote this post on Sunday following my trip to Boston. On Monday afternoon I watched the news of the Boston Marathon finish line bombing in horror with my husband. It it very hard to process our emotions knowing that we were right there having the best time just the day before. It breaks our hearts to see the celebration of the Boston Marathon turn into pain and tragedy.

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After logging our long run on Saturday morning, we headed to Boston. It was Marathon weekend and the kickoff to the 2nd annual BAA Distance Medley Series. The 5K race is the first in the series and happens to be held the day before the marathon. 

The first thing we did was check into the hotel. I love that my husband can accumulate points for stays through all his work travel. The hotel was nice and the best part was the view!

Oh, hey Wave Creations! How'd you get there? More on that coming soon...

We made our way via the T to the Boston Marathon Expo being held at the Hynes Convention Center to pick up my bib and tee, and of course browse around. Although I thought the expo was smaller than last year, there was still a ton of inspiration to be found. We spotted Katherine Switzer, the first female to ever run the Boston Marathon wearing a number and Team Hoyt, the father and son duo who have been competing in marathons and triathlons since 1977.

This year's expo location put visitors right at the finish line of the marathon. A few years ago we spectated the start of the marathon in Hopkinton, so I have seen the beginning and this weekend I was able to see the end. I love that the BAA closes off this part of the street so running enthusiasts can get such an up close and personal view of things.

We milled around for a bit, had dinner at the Cactus Club, and then made our way back to the hotel to get organized for our early morning trek back to Boylston Street. And, I had to figure out what I would be wearing when I passed under the marathon photo bridge.

We arrived about one hour prior to the race start and found some warmth in a large white bib distribution tent. The weather report predicted sunny and 45 degrees, but I could see that wasn't going to happen. Fortunately I brought along my MPG capris and found a friendly restaurant that let me use their large restroom to change. Thanks Boloco! A last minute long sleeve tee purchase finished off my new outfit for the day.

After properly layering my outfit, we made our way to the corral where hubs said he would hang with me until the start. We missed meeting up with a group of runner-blogger-FitFluential friends on Saturday and I didn't think I would ever find anyone in the crowd, but then there was Michelle! She was hanging out with her cheering section too.

This 5K was a crowded race. More than 5000 runners participated and in the short 3.1 miles, it was hard to find an "opening" to settle into a regular pace. This is not the kind of race that I attempt to PR. There's just no room to move when you're in the middle of the pack. A glimpse of the finish looks a lot like the crowd at the start.

After crossing THE finish line, I made my way through the finish coral, received a 5K medal, a bag of snacks, and an energetic congratulations. I'm happy with my finish time of 28:34, but even happier to get negative splits (939, 905, 841)! I'll be back in June for the BAA 10K.

Congrats to all the finishers of the 5K!

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Edited: The events at the Boston Marathon finish line are heartbreaking, but the running community will not let it diminish what the runners accomplished that day and the world will never forget the acts of heroism that followed. 

“If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon” Kathrine Switzer

Boston Marathon: All In For Boston

I'm horrified by the tragic events of the Boston Marathon finish line bombings yesterday.

Today I will run for Boston. I will run for the running community. I will run for me.

Join me.

TrainingTruths: Half Marathon #9 Week 5

Another week of half marathon training is in the books. 

We've been progressively adding miles to my husband's weekly long runs and gearing up for the Newport Ten Miler that will be a little test of his fitness level. Two years ago I ran my first ten mile run ever in Newport while training with hubs for my first half marathon, so it seemed perfect for us to run this race together.

#TrainingTruth: Good running means getting comfortable with the uncomfortable

Solo Tuesday - It was a good, yet solo out and back run after school while waiting to pick up my step daughter from tennis practice. (Hubs had the morning off, so he got in his miles earlier.) It was windy on the way out, but I think it helped me keep my pace in check. Felt heavy at the end, but got a negative split! (846, 912, 912, 845, 853) Did I mention it was a gorgeous Spring day?

Core Workout Wednesday: I did my standard three pose plank routine (front forearm and both sides) before school for 45 seconds each. After school I strapped on my Polar heart rate monitor and spent 30 minutes doing basic hula-hooping. I didn't burn as many calories as I expected, but I like the high percentage being fat!

Thursday: Finally teamed up with my running partner for the first time since the New York City Half Marathon. We did an out and back at a pretty good pace (845, 855, 1008, 833, 840) and even stopped for a brief stretch break at the turn around. The chilly weather returned so I was back in capris and a long sleeve, but I enjoyed matching up with my Cincinnati themed SweatyBands.

Saturday: It was long slow distance day for my husband, so I led him on a 9 mile out and back. This was the same route from last weekend, just extended. Not only is the route long, but it also has a challenging hill (166' climb in .50 mile) that is helping get our legs ready for the Flying Pig. 

*On a side note, it was still a little chilly, so I wore my MPG capris for the first time on a run (because they are really yoga capris that I lounge around in) and they were awesome. They were so warm and snug. I don't know why I haven't tried them on runs before.

Strength Training: I am proving to myself that if you want something bad enough, you will work for it. This week I completed my plank workout 5/7 days. Considering that the workout takes about 3 minutes to complete, I should be able to do it every day. Nevertheless, I'll take it because it is a huge improvement.  

What improvements are you making?

#TrainingTruths is not just about me. We all like to see what everyone else is doing and use that information to assess ourselves. It's not judgement. It's a way to share and learn and make changes when necessary.

To participate all you have to do is share your #TrainingTruths:

1. Tag a Twitter post with the hashtag #TrainingTruths
2. Comment on the Running Escapades Facebook page 
3. Leave a link to your own blog post in the comments

I look forward to reading your #TrainingTruths!