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Yesterday, I ran the PF Chang's Rock-n-Roll Arizona 1/2 Marathon...again. Good ole' PF Chang's has brought me much luck every time I've run this race. In 2006, it was my first full marathon. In 2008, it was a 1/2 marathon PR. And yesterday, it was another 1/2 marathon PR!!
Yesterday was my 7th 1/2 marathon. I've come a long way since that first one (Baltimore 2004, with Jen). I remember Jen starting her marathon training, me thinking she was insane, and being absolutely awed and inspired by her marathon finish in Vermont in 2004. I also remember numerous training runs I accompanied her on that spring as she trained (and kicked my ass). I also remember doing some 5 and 10 ks with her to tune up. Jen's first 1/2 marathon was the Allentown 1/2 in the spring of 2004. It was also the morning after a Pi Phi reunion. Needless to say, while the rest of us slept on her floor, blissfully hungover, Jen got up and ran the race. My first 1/2 marathon was not pretty. My time was ok, but I went out way too fast for my fitness level and was in pain from mile 8 on. My calves were cramping up, I kept having to stop and stretch along the last few miles. I remember hearing a man tell his daughter "See that girl? She's hurt" as they watched me limp and wince my way to the finish. Thank God they all weren't as bad as the first one...
Yesterday's race has basically marked 6 years of continuous running for me (not counting running to get/stay in shape for other sports or my first 5k ever, at Lehigh in the spring of 2000). PF Chang's has become quite the popular event. Over 30,000 runners were there to run either the full or half marathon. Elite runners Ryan Hall and Deena Kastor ran the 1/2. Perfect weather (cloudy and cool for Phoenix), a completely flat course, and bands along the way make for a great race atmosphere. As much fun as I had traveling here in 2006, it is so nice to live 10 minutes away from the start line. Nothing beats sleeping in your own bed the night before, not having to go out to dinner the night before, and not worrying about parking the car/traffic. Keeper got up with me, dropped me off at the start area, and met me at the finish line.
My goal was to split the race in 3 segments: 5 miles, 5 miles, and the last 5k. The first 5 miles were fine. I was right on a good pace but did feel a little tight and could definitely tell I was hungry at mile 3. I ate the GU I brought at mile 5 and then the free GU they were handing out at mile 10. The 2nd 5 miles were ok; I felt a little better after the 1/2 way point and by the last 5k; I knew my time goal (and PR) were in sight so I just buckled down and pushed. My last mile was my fastest and I finished the race in 1:48:32. I definitely can attribute such a jump since my last PR (8 minutes ) to training the past year with the kids. The hills, speed workouts, etc have definitely kicked my ass into great shape for running. I also think it has a lot to do with Keeper and naturopathic medicine. I get regular acupuncture treatments and back adjustments whenever I need them and that has definitely helped keep me injury free. I also broke down and paid for another deep tissue massage about a week before the race. Painful? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
So another 1/2 marathon down and... not sure what's next... guess we'll see what else 2010 has in store for us...
We are back in warm, sunny Phoenix after our 2 week jaunt on the east coast. I flew into BWI Friday night (the 18th) just in time for the big blizzard. Luckily my flight got in ok, but the drive home was very treacherous! Saturday (the 19th) we had a girls' spa day planned for Jen's bday but the blizzard interfered with our big plans. Instead, we stayed inside except for a little time outside with Blake. By Sunday the snow had stopped but the roads still weren't the greatest. Instead of running, I tried snow-shoeing for the first time with Mom and Joy on the Rail Trail. Very fun!
Monday, I had to get my long run in.... I strapped on the Yak Trax and was out for a slow 2 hour run. The main roads were plowed but had no shoulder so I didn't feel too safe running into traffic. People do not drive slow on the windy country back roads! The neighborhoods were not plowed, hence the Yak Trax. It was a very frustrating run but at least I got it in. Tuesday was spent relaxing and Christmas shopping. I made my mom take me to a gym so that I could run on the treadmill. At this point, I really started missing my winter AZ running weather :)
Wednesday, I bundled up and headed outside again. The roads were fine by this time but I stayed close to home on our little street and just did laps. Afterwards I headed down to Baltimore to spend the day with Eric. We had a blast doing some last minute Christmas shopping, eating a fabulous sushi lunch, and checking out some of the local businesses in Eric's neighborhood. Wednesday night, Keeper flew into to BWI to join me :)
Christmas Eve was spent braving the crowds at Target and the mall for some last minute shopping with Keeper. Then Keeper helped my mom out with Christmas Eve dinner by roasting the turkey. Jill and James came over to join us for dinner and then we all headed to church and then Grandma and Pap's to see the extended family.
On Christmas morning, Keeper and I were up bright and early to drive up to Boston for a few days. We picked up Corbin in New York and made it to Winchester in about 6 and half hours. We joined Keeper's mom and Derek and Kara and the kids for the weekend. It was great seeing everyone! On Sunday night, Keeper and I met up with Jeanmarie, a Pi Phi sister of mine from Lehigh, in Boston's North End for dinner. It was good to catch up with an old friend. On Monday morning, I got a quick run in, and then we headed back down to Brooklyn. We met up with some old friends for dinner and a few drinks and spent that night at Corbin's.
On Tuesday, we drove back through New Jersey and made a stop to see one of my teacher friend's from Morris Hills, who just had her 3rd daughter a few weeks before. Again, great to catch up and meet the newest addition to their family :) Then we headed out to Hackettstown to stop and see the cousins and the boys (Aidan and Owen) for lunch and to hang out for the afternoon. We made it back to PA (Macungie) in time for a late dinner at Jen & Andrew's house.
Wednesday was spent doing a little shopping with Jen and Blake and then once again Keeper roasted a turkey for Jen's dinner party that night. We took Blake to see the Christmas lights at Lights in the Parkway (driving tour) and then had a fabulous turkey dinner. Jen had invited 2 couples over and I invited my Lehigh friend/sorority sister and her husband who are expecting their first baby in April.
On New Year's Eve we awoke to another few inches of snow. The temperature warmed up and we headed back to York later in the day. We spent a low-key New Year's Eve at Mom and Dad's and did the now traditional Chinese take-out for dinner & Balderdash. It is with great sadness (pathetic, really) that I admit that I did not make it to midnight this year. I was falling asleep on the couch and decided to call it a night at 11:40. LAME!
Keeper and I headed down to Baltimore to fly back on New Year's Day. We got to stop and have a great lunch with my grandmother and visit before Mom and Dad dropped us off at the airport. We made it back to Phoenix and were in bed by 1am. We were so exhausted and happy to be back in our own bed. We had a great trip and enjoyed seeing everyone, although now I feel as if I need a vacation from my vacation.
