Run for the Gecko 5K

I did not want to get up this morning. 4:30, the alarm goes off and I crawl out of bed. I had put all my stuff together the night before (except for the camera, which I forgot...UGH!) I plopped down in front of the TV and a very full DVR hoping to catch up on at least 1 show. Sueann texted me that she was up, so I got around and got dressed, then finished watching my show and had an english muffin with laughing cow cheese. She gets to the house right about 5:30. We pull out of my driveway and I realized I had forgotten my shoes. Um, how am I going to run in my flip flops? I run back up to the house and grab my shoes, again forgetting the camera and we were off. It's a long drive to Melbourne, but Courtney had texted to see where we were so she and I went back and forth for a few. Right as we are coming up on the race site Jeanine and CC call to see where we were, we let them know Courtney was there and we found parking. We picked up our race packets and our chips and went over to the table the girls were at. We met 2 more girls from the boards! Suezette and Gail were there too! We all chat, then go put away our packets and meet back up before lining up. Jeanine and CC lined up some where in the 8 or 9 minute pace group and I went back to the 11 minute group with Sueann, still not knowing what to expect with my hip. I noticed they had my age wrong on my bib and tried to figure out who did the math on that. We never even heard them start the race, someone says I think it started, there are people moving. This was a large race, over 800 people. It took a couple of minutes to get over the start line. We start running and I'm trying to jack rabbit through ALL the people that were bunching up. I finally get to an open area and I catch my pace. I ran for over the first mile, then started taking walk breaks. Here's the thing, the hip wasn't what caused them. My calves were cramping up from I believe dehydration, it was HOT! They'd loosen up, I'd run some more. My hip didn't start flaring until the end when I tried to crank it up. I did better than my last 2 attempts, 32:24. Jeanine and CC were there to cheer me on. We cheered Suezette in, then Sueann, then Courtney, Gail and Nancy (a friend of Sueann's) We all went back over and met up at the pavilion, got some pics together and then headed out to Mimi's Cafe for breakfast. Nancy had family coming in and Gail and Suezette had a previous engagement, so the other 5 of us went and had a nice time. Sueann and I ended the morning at Sports Authority buying some new running singlets!

I'm now home, showered, ready for a nap but probably going to head to the store when Brendan goes down for a nap and I'll take the boys to the beach or park for a little bit after!


Back: CC, Sueann, Courtney, Suezette Front: Jeanine, me, Gail. We will all be running Space Coast together along with a few more people from our boards!

So it's been a month...stupid IT Band!

It's been a month, a very hard one with very little miles run. After ETPS treatment to release my quads, hamstrings and IT Band, I'm feeling better and was released for very low mileage. I've run 4 miles this past week. I'm hoping to get a couple of miles in tonight, but pushing Brendan in 85 degree heat might be too much, so I may have to wait until morning. I was re-fitted yesterday at a new running store and found out why I was having issues with my shoes. The last place told me I needed to be in a 7 for the Sauconys and 7.5 for the Brooks, I should be in a 6 -6.5.

The Saucony 5s were the best shoe for me, but the wrong size. High mileage shoes, moderate neutral + shoes. Well, the 6s that were supposed to be an upgraded version were actually not as good, but my biggest complaint with them was I felt like I was always scuffing my feet. I was having a hard time with my kick and it interrupted my stride. That's when I was put in the Brooks Ghost, which ran smaller, so 7.5 they told me. The Ghosts while extremely comfortable caused some mechanical issues. The PT and the owner of the store who fit me think it could be a couple of things. The Brooks are "lower to the ground" than the 5s and have less cushioning which I need as I am very high arched. They were also too big. So, I'm buying locally this time, no more internet for best price. If my new Mizuno Wave Riders hurt me, I'm returning them!

I also have yet more running gear, a foam roller, to help with the IT band and a new hydration belt for higher mileage. I had a 21 oz Nathan fuel belt that sat a large bottle in the small of my back, a large gel bottle and a zippered pouch in back for my single pack gels, shot bloks and beans. It was hard to get to for the gels. It's great for runs under 5-6 miles where I just need fluids. I also have the hand held bottle, but it makes my hand hurt after 4 miles. I got a 4 bottle fuel belt with a gel pouch. I can freeze 2 bottles in the back so they are still cold 2 hours into my runs as I will be starting to greatly increase my mileage this summer.

On another note, I'm going to Key West in 3 weeks and OKC in July. October, we are going on a western Caribbean cruise with my in-laws. It's going to be very busy around here! My last race is Saturday, then it's all training until September 6 if we run Daytona's half marathon. The cruise, then several 5Ks and a 10 K and the Space Coast half. One of the drs at my office is running the Space Coast full to try and qualify for Boston, I'll be rooting her on. Following that I have the month of December for all that goes on, Christmas, my birthday, New Years, then I run Disney. I will only run a couple more races and focus more on training for the OKC Memorial marathon. My marathon debut will be in my home state which I am super excited about!

Well, it's time to head to the beach for a birthday party we were invited to!!