My Magical Journey to Running the Half Marathon TR Link! p.107

[carissanboys]

Happy Holidays!

Time is drawing near for the half marathon. This year has flown by! I can't believe it's been almost a year since I started this PTR and made the crazy challenge to myself to sign up for a 13.1 mile race. While I haven't reached one of my goals, which was to lose 30 pounds by the end of the year, I'm pretty happy with the progress I have made. Once the half is over, I plan to get more serious about working out and making better food choices again. I've come a long way, but I still have a long road ahead of me to get where I want to be.

As for training news, things are about where they need to be. I haven't stuck to the plan that I wanted, which included more regular short runs and cross-training, but I did complete 8 miles last weekend. This weekend I will do a 10 miler! That might be my last long run before the race, but I haven't decided for sure. It takes me a while to stop being sore after those long runs.

I found out my bib number for the race and it's 43920. That means I will probably be at the back of the pack, which makes sense since I don't think I ever gave an estimated finish time. I'm thinking about taking along my 10k proof of time, but I might just stick with my placement and deal. I'm averaging about a 12 1/2 minute mile (includes the average of my runs and walks), which puts me far ahead of the sweeper time, but I'd like to have a bit of a cushion from the last runners to cross the start line.

It's been so cold here in Virginia that I wish it was going to be warm in Florida, but I have a feeling that isn't going to be the case. Seems to be record cold temps everywhere.

I wish everyone the happiest of holidays, whichever ones you celebrate.

 

[DrMomof3]

Great job Carissa!!! I'm wondering about how long a run I need before the race, too. I totally agree that it takes me a few days to recover from the longest runs. Your times are faster than mine and I'm totally stressed about get swept. I'm pretty stubborn so I think that'll help!

Amanda

 

[OhMari]

Happy Holidays to you and your family too.

Florida is having their cold snap now, it has to warm up. Wisconsin is literally freezing too. We usually get this low of temps in January, if it does continue into January-I'll go stir crazy.
Can't wait to hear how the race goes.

 

[carissanboys]

Great job Carissa!!! I'm wondering about how long a run I need before the race, too. I totally agree that it takes me a few days to recover from the longest runs. Your times are faster than mine and I'm totally stressed about get swept. I'm pretty stubborn so I think that'll help!

Amanda

You'll do fine Amanda! Do you have your bib number yet? Have you done a race yet? I'm always faster during my races. That adrenaline is flowing!

Happy Holidays to you and your family too.

Florida is having their cold snap now, it has to warm up. Wisconsin is literally freezing too. We usually get this low of temps in January, if it does continue into January-I'll go stir crazy.
Can't wait to hear how the race goes.

I'm really hoping for warm weather when we get down there. I like to run when it's 50 or so outside, but I'm so tired of being cold right now that I want some warm temps!

 

[that's nice]

Happy Holidays to you too!!!!!

It has been great watching your progress over the last year+. You are going a great job, I know you will do awesome with the 1/2!!!!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Just wanted to say good luck and well done to you for coming so far. I've been following your progress with interest and cant quite believe how the year has flown by and how much you accomplished (including inspiring a whole bunch of us to take up running/get fitter so thanks too).

 

[MeMom]

Happy Holidays!
It's been so cold here in Virginia that I wish it was going to be warm in Florida, but I have a feeling that isn't going to be the case. Seems to be record cold temps everywhere.

I wish everyone the happiest of holidays, whichever ones you celebrate.

And the same to you and yours. Just a few days of cold makes me ready for spring! It can be cold a few days around Christmas, but after that, time for spring.

Good luck with all of your running pursuits, and congratulations on all you have accomplished.

 

[carissanboys]

Happy Holidays to you too!!!!!

It has been great watching your progress over the last year+. You are going a great job, I know you will do awesome with the 1/2!!!!

Thanks Tim. Looking forward to getting back and starting a TR. It's been 2 years since I was last able to write one!

Just wanted to say good luck and well done to you for coming so far. I've been following your progress with interest and cant quite believe how the year has flown by and how much you accomplished (including inspiring a whole bunch of us to take up running/get fitter so thanks too).

Good to hear from you, Moira. And thanks for the sweet words.

And the same to you and yours. Just a few days of cold makes me ready for spring! It can be cold a few days around Christmas, but after that, time for spring.

Good luck with all of your running pursuits, and congratulations on all you have accomplished.

Thanks MeMom! And yup - I'm about ready for spring too.

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

Carissa you have done so awesome this past year, you have so much to be proud of. You will do great at the 1/2....you put a lot of training and hardwork into it. Good luck if I dont talk to you before you leave. Gosh I cant believe how fast it is coming.

 

[carissanboys]

Carissa you have done so awesome this past year, you have so much to be proud of. You will do great at the 1/2....you put a lot of training and hardwork into it. Good luck if I dont talk to you before you leave. Gosh I cant believe how fast it is coming.

Thanks so much, Lindsay! Your turn will be here before you know it.

 

[carissanboys]

I had to post about my run yesterday. I tackled 10 miles and rocked it! Took me about 2 hours and 6 minutes which averaged about a 12:38 pace. I stuck with a 5:2 run/walk interval schedule and that really seems to work for me. I'm hoping to finish the half-marathon in under 2:45 and I'm starting to think it's a possibility. I finished the first 8 miles more than a minute faster than my 8 miles last weekend. And my final 2 mile pace was faster than the first 8 miles. I finished strong despite being tired and sore.

My only concern at this point is a pain I've been having in my right upper/inner thigh. It's pretty much right where my thigh meets my torso. I think I might have a groin strain. I've been trying to do some research, but it seems it could be any number of things. I've had the pain for a while now, but it's steadily getting worse. Yesterday it started bothering me just a couple of miles into my run. By the end, I was thinking it might be smarter to just run and stop walking because every time I had to go from walking to running, it hurt. It hurts the most when I have to lift my leg such as going up the stairs. I'm hoping icing and rest will be enough to get me better. I am bound and determined to complete the half. I've been working for this all year. If need be, I can take a break from running after the race to let whatever this is heal. But, I'm not sure how much running I should do between now and the half. I'm still supposed to do 8 miles next week and 5 the following, but I think the 8 might be too much if I'm trying to heal whatever is wrong.

 

[dismagiclover]

Carissa that is so awesome! Negative splits too! That is what all long distance runners shoot for, but it's tough to get. As far as the injury I'd probably not do any runs longer than 5 miles. You've done the biggie and you know you can do it. There is no reason to risk injury at this point. Stick with shorter runs and give the leg plenty of rest. I can't wait to hear about your race!

 

[carissanboys]

Carissa that is so awesome! Negative splits too! That is what all long distance runners shoot for, but it's tough to get. As far as the injury I'd probably not do any runs longer than 5 miles. You've done the biggie and you know you can do it. There is no reason to risk injury at this point. Stick with shorter runs and give the leg plenty of rest. I can't wait to hear about your race!

Thanks Jenny. That's what I was figuring, but wasn't exactly sure what to do.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Way to go Carissa!!!!! I hope your injury gets better and fast. You've been working so hard. Truly an inspiration!

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

great run carissa. Your times are awesome. I hope the leg feels better. It does sound like a groin strain. I had one of those years ago when I played hockey. I played through it but then again I was 17 years old Take it easy and see how it feels as you start to run. If it becomes painful its probably more beneficial to cut the run short vs. pushing yourself and causing more injury. Another idea is to take the week days off and rest it. Try again on sat or sun. Missing 1 or 2 shorter runs wont cause too much distruption.

 

[DrMomof3]

Great job!!!! I'm so impressed with your times! My goal is to finish in 3 hours but you're times have always been better than mine...

Amanda

 

[DisMomAmy]

You are doing great Carissa!!!

I hope your leg feels better & doesn't cause you any problems during the half!

 

[carissanboys]

Way to go Carissa!!!!! I hope your injury gets better and fast. You've been working so hard. Truly an inspiration!

Thanks Cherie!

great run carissa. Your times are awesome. I hope the leg feels better. It does sound like a groin strain. I had one of those years ago when I played hockey. I played through it but then again I was 17 years old Take it easy and see how it feels as you start to run. If it becomes painful its probably more beneficial to cut the run short vs. pushing yourself and causing more injury. Another idea is to take the week days off and rest it. Try again on sat or sun. Missing 1 or 2 shorter runs wont cause too much distruption.

That's a good plan and I had considered skipping a midweek run. I think I'll just rest and see how I do running 5 miles on Sunday. Worst case I have to walk more of the half than run.

Great job!!!! I'm so impressed with your times! My goal is to finish in 3 hours but you're times have always been better than mine...

Amanda

Thanks Amanda. With the 10 miler, my pacer on my Garmin was going a bit nutty. Think the cold was affecting it. So, I just decided to ignore it and do my thing. That might be part of why my time was faster.

You are doing great Carissa!!!

I hope your leg feels better & doesn't cause you any problems during the half!

Thanks Amy - me too!

 

[MRYPPNS]

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

I just finished reading your entire report and although I'm a bit late in joining in I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it and also to wish you good luck! I can't wait to hear how the race goes! You'll do great I'm sure!