Friday, November 9, 2012

October Running

The month of October found me 2 weeks away from the half-marthon and a dental surgery on the horizon.

I started second guessing myself, again, about why in the world did I sign up for a half-marathon,
and then schedule a dental surgery before it?

I actually scheduled it between two races.

THE BEAST (which you can read about ----> here) and the half on Sunday the 14th.

On Monday, October 1st, I ran 8 miles not sure if it would be my last long run before the race.

On the 2nd, I had the 2nd surgery in a 3 step process for this broken tooth.
(really, take care of your teeth people....it's nuts what has to be done for ONE TOOTH)

The doctor told me to take 3 days off and then "ease" back into running,
with the instructions to STOP immediately if I felt anything funny in my jawbone.

I ran two miles on the treadmill on Friday and felt fine.

On Sat. I ran in the STRIDE FOR THE CURE 5K in honor of my amazing grandmother,
Geneva Duke, a breast cancer survivor.













On Sunday,
one week before the race -
I logged a 9 mile run
and that was the last long one.

The days following involved some
hill training and speed work, short distances -
and then race day.
race bib and timing chip (loop?) on my shoe....night before the race
A little encouragement from my brother Derrick -
personal motivation .....

I actually looked at this on my arm several times during the race.

The great news is:  I felt good.

I had learned the hard way about "hitting the wall" during a few training runs and played with my nutrition and what I would drink / eat during long runs.

Thankfully, it all worked out on race day.

According to my timing chip:  I ran the course in 2 hours 1 minute and 35 seconds.

I don't know how long this link will be available:  but try to click here  for photos.

It was a Sunday morning and I was singing at church -
so I ate 2 bananas and walked to the van and headed home.

Looking back, I wish I had time to hang out with friends that ran,
laugh together,
tell our stories
and take photos,
but even without the photos,
I am thankful for each and every one of my "running friends" and how they support and encourage me to be my best.

My total mileage from October was 81
(*less than other months - but I took some time off after the race)

a total for the year is 962 -

so close to my goal of 1000 for 2012, and looking ahead to running in 2013.