AJollyHoliday with the Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2016~ PTR

[TeeterTots]

Hello! How did your half go last weekend? I haven't been running at all, but looking forward to getting back on schedule next week! Just wanted to say hi to all.

 

[AJollyHoliday]

Mystic CT Half Marathon
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I am so sorry for being behind! Things just got busy after our race, but it is all good stuff. The race weekend was perfect weather wise. It was on the cool side. We had all planned to wear tank tops because we were dressing up in a pirate theme and last year it was warm and humid. But it is the northeast and May can go either way. I ended up just swapping out my tank top for a short sleeve shirt and we still went with our theme. DH, DD, and I had a hotel room across from the start/finish. The rest of our running party were staying at my sister's boyfriend's beach house about 20 mins away. We went down the day before and had a nice day walking around Mystic and hanging out at the beach house. The only issue was we didn't really eat regularly timed meals which I think in the end messed with me a little. That night, DH did not sleep a wink. I slept soundly in part because I am use to races and I took a xanax to relax. He also took a xanax, but was too amped up for it to work. He woke up grumpy and I was worried he was going to back out, but he soldiered on.

We ended up having a really really rushed start. We stayed in our room until 5 mins before so we could use the bathroom in private. Then we had to meet my sister to hand off DD. We managed to find her during the playing of the national anthem. The gun went off right away and we were not in the proper spot at all, we were back with the 2:45 group and we were aiming for 2 hrs. Thankfully I knew we had 13 miles to get around people so there wasn't an immediate rush to zig and zag. The first half of the course is beautiful, running by the seaport, then into downtown Mystic, then up the other side of the river and around to the aquarium. It was rolling hills, but nothing crazy. The weather was nice and breezy and the sun was shining. I almost felt a tad bit warm. We got to the point where the 10k turns off and the half keeps going. That's when things got nasty. We had to climb this big hill in a neighborhood, just to turn around and run back down it. Then it was just steep hill after steep hill. My hip flexors were hurting and my hamstring was singing too. Meanwhile, DH's mood was drastically improved and he was having a blast which made it easier for me to trudge on. In my mind I was thinking that 2 halves within 2 weeks wasn't the best choice given my present shape. I could have done it because cancer, but then again I was training for years and marathon training. I am happy with halves as long as I come in close to if not under 2 hrs. It became apparent to me that we were getting really close to 2 hrs, but suddenly I didn't really care, I just wanted the hills to be over. Then we hit the last 1/2 mile which was down hill and then into the aquarium area. We saw my family and my mom and sister and DD were ringing cowbells and cheering! DH and I held hands as we finished and he was so happy. I was as well. We finished just over 2:01 so that is good for me! Afterwards we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel then met my mom and others at a pub. I had a HUGE mimosa and we just relaxed the rest of the day. It was cooler that day so we couldn't really hand out at the beach. I do love Mystic and will probably do the race again next year, but remembering that I will be better trained than I was this time.

Here is DH, DD, and I after the race:

Here is my medal and mimosa:

After the race, I was running and started having pain in my left foot right at the big toe joint. In the end, it turns out I didn't break my orthotics in well enough before running 2 half marathons in them and I irritated the joint. I have had to reduce my runs to about 3 miles, but it is getting better. I can still ride my bike too and crossfit is still going strong. I have a little break before training for my fall halves start. Now to decide what plan I want to follow for those!

 

[TeeterTots]

Congrats on another half!!! Way to go! Sorry about the foot/toe pain. I started running this week after taking 4 weeks off and ouch....ugh....how discouraging! I think I rushed it. My knees killed me! I'm assuming from poor stretching and no conditioning. I'm trying not to be too hard on myself and remember that before March I never ran! I need to get back on a routine/plan and keep my chin up! I'll be heading to NY next week for the summer so training along the lake won't be all that bad I suppose!

 

[AJollyHoliday]

I am so so far behind and went MIA for most of the summer. I am so sorry! How did training go for everyone? What is on the horizon in terms of races?

This summer was a whirlwind of travel and fun. We went to the FL Keys and then to Vero Beach. During that time I was in training mode for my fall races. I wasn't really following a plan all summer, but I new the formula. I would do a long run on the weekends, a couple of easy/normally hilly runs during the week, and speed work at a local track every Friday. It was a really hot summer up north, but I was not complaining! I have my first fall half marathon this weekend. I am running with my BFF's husband. It is the Manchester VT Maple Leaf Half. I ran it a couple of years ago and we were suppose to run it last year, but stupid cancer got in the way. So here we are all set to run....sort of . I did train and got in 4-10 mile runs which felt good, but last weekend I got a cold and just couldn't muster more than 8. I did 6 this weekend and my legs still felt like lead. But finally yesterday and today I started to feel normal again. We are taking the outlook that we are just going to go out and have fun, enjoy the course (beautiful mountain views) and do our best to come in under 2 hrs.

After this race, I have a month until my next half. Then a month after that, it is W&D time!!!! EEEK!

We are working on our costumes for the 10k. For the half we are going to be Remy (me), Linguine (DH), and Skinner (BFF's DH). For the 10k, we are thinking country themes. I think I will order DH and German themed shirt and I may dress like an Italian Gondola person. What is everyone else planning?

I am just so excited for the medals! Heck, I am excited for the whole weekend!!!

 

[TeeterTots]

Hello stranger!!! Welcome back! Training is going ok! I was at my lake house all summer in upstate NY and ran a 5K in my hometown in June and got first for my age (it was small...lol, but it was my PR pace 8:59!). I ran 12 miles Saturday and felt great, but my knee IT band started to ached at mile 10 and I had to practically walk mile 11! Heartbreaking for all the training I've put in. I plan to take it easy until I run the Diva half here in VA, Sept 24. and then nothing until W&D. Im thinking I'll run a few 10K? Idk? I'm new to this running stuff! Maybe walk/run and speed work?? I can go the distance but not sure if I continue to run longs between the two halfs? Suggestions?

My costume has changed a little. I'm wearing a pink sparkle skirt with a white tank. I'm having a local print shop screen print the dinner scene of Ariel with Eric and Sebastian on the platter. I was going to do chef Luis in the kitchen with Sebastian. So if I can get my procrastinating self to get my skirt ordered I should be good!

Oh, by the way, I'm at $50 for shopkicks! Not much, but fun. I didn't do perk tv at the lake bc we don't have unlimited internet data, eek! Oh well!

 

[TeeterTots]

I did it! I ran my first half! I was a bit slower than I hoped but I finished pain free! The course was a bit hilly too. I'm taking this week easy but think I'll start working on speed work before a 10K on 10/16. How was the Maple Leaf half?

 

[rteetz]

Yay congrats!

 

[TeeterTots]

Hello! How was your trip? How was the challenge? Just checking in to say hi and I hope you had a nice time at W&D!