Running toward 2015!

"If you run, you are a runner!"

I have been in a bit of a slump so I keep reminding myself that I am a runner and I can do hard stuff.  I haven't been in a race since September and I miss having one to look forward to.  I would have run in the 2014 Run for Love and Honor this year but I was in Thailand during that time.  I had several friends who ran and they even got medals this year.  I hoped to run in the Cincinnati Thanksgiving Day 10K again but I just don't feel like I have a 10K in me right now and I didn't have any confirmed people to run with me.  I love the shirts this year and am a little sad that I am not in it.

But 2015 is going to be the year of my races!  I already have been thinking about my lineup.

Flying Pig Beer Series
Bockfest 5K - March 7, 2015
Little Kings Mile - May 1, 2015
Hudy Brewery Run - September 19, 2015
Gonna be a Brew Hog

Shamrock Shuffle
March 14, 2015

Red Legs Run
May 2015 (date isn't posted yet)

Meanwhile I am back on the track and ran over two miles at the Rec Center last week.  I'm sticking with my lifting plan as set up by a personal trainer at Phillips Gym.  And I'm moving forward and I feel good about that!

Hudy 7K 2014 - Did it again!

I'm so glad I ran this race. I decided to sign up just a few days before registration closed.

Emily was signed up to run but wasn't there at the start.

She caught up with me around mile 3.5 so we finished together.

My time was better this year, though I took a short walk break. That tells me how much I love Jody running with me and reminding me to run slower even when I don't think I need to.

And this morning it was a bonus to see this video by one of George's friends that allowed me to relive the race.  I'm not in the video but it reminded me what it was like.  And at 1:39 you can see the group that was just ahead of me crossing over the bridge.

Little Miami 10K

A 10K is quite a stretch for me right now because I just haven't been running as well as I would like.  But I signed up because Jody and her friends were doing the half and Emily said she would run the 10K with me.

The race was in Morrow, Ohio, a little town about an hour east of Oxford and the race was a flat and fast scenic bike trail along the banks of the Little Miami River.

I always study the course and visualize running during the days leading up to the race.  I decided I wanted to make it to the turn around which was 3.5 miles.  I made that goal and finished the rest walking and running.

And I have another medal to add to my collection!

Rock 'n Rollin' in Chicago 2014

I have always wanted to do a Rock 'n' Roll race and this was my chance!  I headed up to Chicago on the Megabus early and Matt met me there.

 

Jody and her friends ran the half.  

 

And Matt and I happily ran the 5K

  

 

  

I wasn't thrilled with my time and the fact that I had to walk part of it but I got this really cool sticker at the expo the day before and it makes me feel like it is okay because I'm out there.

My Shirts

The people who know me best will tell you I love swag, especially in the form of shirts and medals.  It was part of what attracted me to running races.  Unlike my children and my brothers, I never received a trophy when I was young.  They are my trophies.

I recently read this article in Runner's World (April 2014).  The first part made me sad that the author did not still have the shirt from her first race but this is the part that I think about often:

"I kept them all.  As unflattering as most of them are, each shirt is a testament to something: struggle, disappointment, triumph.  Each one tells a story.  Medals attract strange looks when worn around town, but race shirts are acceptable public statements of private accomplishments.  And on tough days I can slip one on and remember I can do hard things."

For that reason I will keep every shirt, no matter if I like them or not.  And when I wear them I am reminded I can do hard things.

And when I showed Jody a shirt a few weeks ago on the One More Mile Apparel website and she encouraged me to buy it, I did.  And I love it!

RedLegs Run 2014

I've still got it!  My kids think my lack of confidence is crazy but each time I run there is a part of me that is concerned I won't run the entire distance.  Sometimes I still can't believe that I am a runner.  Today's race was no exception.  I visualized the race for several days before and this morning before we left I looked up my time from last year.

And here is the story of the day (mostly in pictures).

We met up with Andrea before the race so we could all start together.

Matt ran with me although he could have gone faster.  I think he knew it would help me to keep running.

 

When we finished and walked through to get water and bananas to get our timing chips cut off, I was disappointed that there were no medals this year.  Just as I mentioned it to Matt, we saw a guy letting people know the medals were outside the park.  Yeah!!

After the race Andrea and I posed in front of the band before making our way to the goetta, pizza and ice cream.

The she spotted my favorite news anchor (Kathrine Nero from WCPO) so I introduced myself and posed for a picture (her idea because I was slightly starstruck*).

And as we were leaving we posed in front of the Johnny Bench statue at the Great American Ballpark.

I was really happy with my results (which they printed out for us after the race).

I compared my results from last year and was thrilled with the improvement!

2013

bib number: 340

age: 55

gender: F

location: Oxford, OH

overall place: 1424 out of 2202

division place: 10 out of 48

gender place: 715 out of 1283

time: 38:57

pace: 12:34

2014

bib number: 241

age: 56

gender: F

location: Oxford, OH

overall place: 1094 out of 2473

division place: 12 out of 81

gender place: 523 out of 1525

time: 34:23

pace: 11:06

---

*When I met Kathrine Nero I walked right up and introduced myself as if she should know me.  I did tweet her last week about the race, I guess I figured she would remember that.  She is so familiar to me because I spend every weekday morning getting ready for work while watching her on Good Morning Tri-State.

Below are the five things I would have said to her if I had thought of them.  They are not in any particular order except part of number one I did manage to say.  Number four is the one I really wish I had remembered to say because I think she would have been surprised.

1. (I've always been a Channel 9 girl since the days of Al Schottlekotte) and later Walt Mayer and I still remember the intro. I watched him after the Uncle Al Show which I loved and still know all the words to all those songs too!
2. Channel 9 is my "go to" station for news, weather and sports.  I even have the Storm Shield App.
3. I love channel 9 so much that I was mad when CBS dropped them but I like ABC now anyway.  Being a marketing person, I also was mad that they they were forced to change all the "eye" references.
4. I remember when your husband Bob co-anchored with you for several days and his family watched from their home!
5. I love "TMI" and want to always be informed of the issues.

And I could also add that I hope she doesn't think I'm a stalker.  I have a really good memory but I just don't think fast on my feet sometimes.

"Taking Steps" Award

Even though I missed the Red Brick Run AND the Team Miami Celebration, I received this award.  A little motivation was definitely needed and this did that!

It so nice when people recognize the effort.

Back in the... running shoes!

I'm fully recovered from my trip and am now back on track to run.  I skipped the Red Brick Run last week with Team Miami which makes me feel a little disappointed but the race was at 10:30 a.m. which was the same time as my niece's first holy communion.

So last night I ran for the second time since returning from Thailand.  I ran 3 miles which made me feel like my upcoming 5Ks will be no problem (hopefully!).  A little knee pain is telling me that I need to really hit the gym and do my PT exercises but I've done it before and can do it again.

 

Most of all I am going to try to remember where I have come from and that I'm pretty darn accomplished.  Sometimes I beat myself up for not doing more and more but I'm going to stick with 5Ks, throw in a couple longer races on special occasions like Thanksgiving, and be proud of myself!

Running around the world!

While visiting Thailand and specifically the Island of Koh Lanta, I put on my running shoes and went for a short run.  I ran on the main road which was a bit challenging because traffic is in the opposite direction.  I ran from one end of the area we were staying to the other and back however going beyond those boundaries was intimidating since I'm unfamiliar with the area and cannot speak the language.

The best part was finishing my run on the beach.  The tide was too high to go far but imagine this!

Unfortunately I do not have pictures on the actual road but it is similar to this.

The next time I go I will take a picture while running... all the more reason to return.

Keeping the faith

I have been struggling again with my knee pain so I'm back to work on cross training.  Meanwhile it has been difficult keeping my spirits up.  This particular article in April 2014 Runner's World was helpful in reminding me that I can do hard things (and that I love shirts and medals!).

We did it again!

Shamrock Shuffle
March 8, 2014

2nd year doing this 5K!  And my best 5K time (PR)!

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 50 - 59
Place	Name	Age	City	State	Time	Pace
19 out of 135	SUZANNE CLARK	56	OXFORD	OH	34:02	10:58

Training for the Shamrock Shuffle Take 2

In a little over a week I will be doing my first race of 2014.  Between Team Miami, running at the Rec, and running in the neighborhood on the few nice days, I'm getting ready to do the Shamrock Shuffle.  It was my first race ever and is a great memory for me since it was the culmination of hard work for the what was a huge accomplishment.  I think it will get me motivated to keep running longer distances so I can start doing more 10Ks and possibly a half marathon.

Team Miami

I signed up and went to the first  night of Team Miami. I've been looking forward to it after not doing it last year.

Team Miami is coordinated by Miami's Employee Health and Wellness group and helps employees get motivated and get moving to complete the Red Brick Run 5K in April.  They provide weekly training and encouragement for runners and walkers.  The program fee is $30 but includes a shirt and registration for the Red Brick Run.

I really like the group and it is new for me to be involved with a running group.  The leader will send out maps of different routes (various distances) before each training.

I was disappointed however to not be able to run the first night because of it started sleeting in the afternoon.  The sidewalks were slightly slick and not worth the chance of an injury.  Darn weather!

Today was a good day!

I finally got to run outside after so many weeks of going round and round at the Rec. The sidewalks still have a lot of ice but it was manageable. It wasn't too cold, around 35 degrees and it is staying light later in the evening. So there you have it, a good day!

It does appear to be short-lived as another big snowstorm is on the way. So I'm very glad I snuck in an outside run tonight!

And meanwhile I'm preparing (mentally and physically) to run in the Shamrock Shuffle in March!

2014 Races, here is the wish list...

Shamrock Shuffle
March 8, 2014
https://www.theshamrockshuffle.com/

Team Miami / Red Brick Run

Sunday, April 27, 2014
http://www.rec.muohio.edu/intramurals/registration/specialevents.html

Red Legs Run

Saturday, May 31, 2014
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/community/race.jsp

Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon / 5K
Sunday, July 20, 2014
http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/chicago

Hudy 7K

Saturday, September 20
http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/beer-series/index.shtml

Ohio State 5K
http://ohiostatefourmiler.com/

Hot Chocolate 5K
http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/

Columbus - November 16

Chicago - November 2

Accidentally Faster

I ran today around the two mile loop (Sandra to Dana to 732 to Chestnut to Locust).  My knee has been bothering me so I was it going to run but I saw Michael out running and it motivated me. 

It was my first outside run since New Years Day because the weather has been so cold. It felt good to back on the road. Running on the Rec track is okay but boring. It is hard to measure distance with RunKeeper. And the direction is playing havoc with my knees. As it happens I usually run on the clockwise days so running counter clockwise once on a while isn't enough. 

Anyway I ran two miles. The weather was about 39 degrees and I actually dressed too warm. I ran it at a pace of 10:30 which is a lot faster than usual.  My running streak paid off as a lot of short runs help increase pace.

So I got faster without even trying. Looking forward to the first 2014 race!