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

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*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.