It's Not Always About the PR

If I would've written this post immediately after the race it would've been a rather negative post, about how disappointed I was, how I was NEVER going to run the Pear Blossom again, how much I hate this race etc.  But I have since had a change of heart and perspective.

What the Pear Blossom Race means to me:

1) Sentimental: This is the race I used to cheer for my dad for years, and years, and years; and one day decided I was going to run it with him.  I have now been doing races with my dad for 5 years and I cherish everyone of them, and look forward to many more.

2) A Family Tradition: A couple years ago, my cousins came down for the Pear Blossom {that year it was the same weekend as Easter}to cheer & "cowbell" with my mom.  It has been a tradition ever since for them to come down, and this year, more family came down and RAN the 5K.  

3) Celebrating others' accomplishments: For many people, the PEAR is their first run. The first time they take on the challenge of running a 5K or 10 miles. They overcome their fears and doubts, and celebrate a huge accomplishment. For many, the feeling of victory when they cross the finish line opens the door to even bigger possibilities; those who run the 5K decide to sign up for the 10 mile the following year, those who run the 10 mile decide to sign-up for a half marathon.  The finish line is bursting at the seems with an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and excitement. Nothing quite compares to cheering people on to a personal victory. 

3) A major mental block: For whatever reason, this course, which I have not only raced several times, but run parts of quite frequently, is a HUGE mental barrier for me. 

Daughters who run together!

The twins

Coming into the finish

A fight for the finish...I told Whitney she better win {and she did, by a second}! 

I was one proud sister, my brother ran his first 5K

A huge part of the Pear Blossom race is the Mayor's One Mile and Two Mile events...These events are a fundraiser through the schools, and the school that has the most participants sign up receives a scholarship. I love watching the kids run their little hearts out for a mile.  If you want to see determination, smiles radiating with joy, and  a genuine feeling of accomplishment, watch a kids' race. 

His reaction says it all...

It's a FAMILY tradition

My dad's running friends..this is a great community event

I decided to run the race by myself and not meet up with any friends, etc. My race plan was to break it up into 3-5Ks...the first 5K was going to be a comfortable pace, I would push the middle 5-K {which has one hill, which you go up and over twice, once into the turn around, and then coming out of the turnaround}, and then really kick it in the last 5K and into the finish.  

I felt good the first few miles, picked it up at mile 3, felt strong going over the hill the first time, but things didn't go so well after that.  I went over the hill the second time, and was TIRED {why?? I train on hills all the time!?}...normally when I am running down hill, I catch my breathe and my legs have a chance to recuperate, not this time. My legs felt heavy and weak. I kept telling myself to relax and regroup, because once I turned the corner at mile 6, it was game on. Well I turned the corner, and rethought my plan...now I was going to make it mile 7, and then kick it in. Mile 7 came, and I was going to make it mile 8, and kick it in. You see the pattern here. For the last three miles my only focus was to keep running and maintain my pace.

I was relived approach the corner to the finish line and hear people cheering & shouting my name

While it wasn't a course PR, it was a PR from the last three years...I will celebrate that victory. I will celebrate a fabulous weekend with family.  I will celebrate people running their first race, people knowing what it feels like to accomplish something that they thought was impossible, people becoming aware that they are capable of far more than they realize, a community coming together to support one another, and crossing the finish line after another 10 miles with friends and my dad {there is victory in every finish}

Celebrating in style

Sometimes it's more than a PR...

{almost} Half Way to Eugene

One of my running rule of thumbs is that {other than local races} I don't run the same race twice, because there are so many that I want to do! Well, I am making an exception to that rule this year, and running the Eugene {half} marathon again this year {I ran it in 2011}.  I was on the verge of signing up after my two running partners signed up, and then when I heard that Beth Moore was going to be in Eugene the same weekend, I was sold.  I already had my mind set on a sub-2 half in 2013, and I couldn't think of a better place to achieve that goal than in Track Town USA. I hired a coach and am on a journey to achieving my goal. For some reason, I always had it in my mind that I was on a 12-week training plan, so when I saw Jess' week-#6 email, I was excited but also a little nervous that I was half way there. Then I realized 6 weeks wouldn't put me at Eugene, so I took a closer look at my training schedule {I prefer to take it week-by-week} and saw that it is in fact a 14-week plan, and I have 8-weeks to chase down my goal.

My road to Eugene has re sparked my passion for running! I look forward to every run and finish each run with an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment, as my average pace is now about :30 faster {and some of my runs have several miles in the low-8's}! In addition to increasing my mileage and training intensity, I am focusing on my mental strength and BELIEVING that I WILL finish in less than two hours.  I like to journal, and have really enjoyed journaling about my goals and progress in my Believe I Am journal. 

I recently made the switch to Saucony, and my feet are IN LOVE with the Suacony Kinvara 3s. After my marathon I was ready for a new pair, and these are the ones I decided on; don't they look fast!? 

As part of my decision to hire a coach, I was committed to give it my all throughout the entire 12 14-weeks, and I have been very diligent about sticking to the plan and doing all of the workouts as prescribed! I am so thankful and blessed to have running partners who are on this journey with me and are willing to do the dreaded  speed workouts, push the pace at the end of a 12-mile run, and meet me at 4:30am for a run before work because I am unable to run on the weekend. A huge part of the reason I run is because of the social aspect; and nothing compares to the friendships that develop throughout the miles. 

Our Saturday running group has grow and now includes runners training for their third marathon, last marathon, 10 miler, half marathon, or just out for the fun {therapy} of it. We all run at a different pace, and even do varying distance, but the one thing we all have in common is a love for running, which forms a special bond between people. 

As I approach the half-way mark on my journey to Eugene, I am overflowing with a passion and gratitude for the sport of running and those in my life because of it! I am also tapping into and realizing my TRUE potential, and am looking forward to not only reaching it, but exceeding it!

Why I Hired A Coach

I get asked the question a lot, "Did you run in high school?" And the answer is NO! In High School I was a competitive {year round} swimmer and played volleyball.  In college, while I no longer competed in swimming, I still spent quite a bit of time in the pool. I also took up a new sport, Snowboarding! Whether it was swimming, volleyball, snowboarding, OR golf {which I didn't have much success at} I had a coach {or instructor} to help me improve and reach my goals.  When it comes to running, I have received very little instruction, and don't spend much time researching did running techniques, plans, theories etc., so I finally decided it was time to hire a coach! The ironic part, is that my coach is basically "virtual."  She lives on the East Coast, so all "coaching" comes in the form of texts and emails! 

Jessica, of PaceOfMe, isn't running along side me working on my gait, stride, cadence etc...but what she IS doing is so much more important and valuable {for me!}.  She is encouraging me to push myself to the next level, to take my running from a casual runner to a competitive runner.  For those of you who know me, I am competitive :) but not necessarily in the training aspect of running! I get in the miles, but am was not incorporating the things that {I know} will truly make me a better, stronger, faster runner! Jessica is challenging me to reach my true capacity as a runner, which I know I am not even close to! Whether she realizes it or not, Jessica is keeping me accountable to my training schedule {I don't want to text her and let her know I was a big slacker & didn't do the prescribed run for the day; and I will always be honest}, motivating me to continue to pursue my goals, encouraging me to reach my true potential, and forcing me to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I always get a little nervous when I  see what lies ahead for the week, but I always end up texting Jess, "I DID IT!!!" And she always has the most positive, encouraging response! 

So with the help of Jessica, I am on my way to accomplishing goals and finding my true running potential!  Do you have a running coach? If not, have you thought about hiring one?

You Too Can Be A Runner!

On Sunday, following my long run of the week, I ran into a friend at the coffee shop and she said, "I've been trying for 3 years to do the Couch To 5K program"....which inspired this post.  People are always asking me, "How do you do it!? I could never run that far!" And my response is always the same, "You CAN run that far {If I can do it, anyone can}, you just have to start slow, and build up." No one {or at least most people} is going to be able to run 10 miles on their first run.  And I couldn't either...

But, what motivates me the most is having a race {that I am signed up for!!} to look forward to! For me personally, the energy and excitement of a race is so inspiring & motivating, and keeps me going back for more.

Here are a few things I enrouage everyone who is thinking about running to do:

• Find a race that looks FUN {There are a lot of holiday & themed runs like the Turkey Trot, Couple Truffle Shuffle, Monster Dash, Shamrock Run, Pints to Pasta, etc}! The run that I think looks the most fun, and is bringing in a lot of new/first time runners is The Color Run!

• SIGN-UP: with no race on the schedule, you have all the excuses in the world to not train. 
•  Find someone {friend, family member, work colleague} who will train and run with you {or at least do one of two}.  A lot of times, the best part of my day is running with all of my running friends. 
• Use a training plan: A great plan for first time runners is the Couch To 5K

• Trust the process and believe in yourself!!!

GET OUT THERE AND RUN! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Sisterhood of The Traveling Skirt

For those of you who know me, you know I have a new favorite running accessory, a Team-Sparkle skirt! When I was perusing their site, I noticed that they have a traveling team-sparkle skirt {the skirt is sent to women all over the country to race in!}so I quickly contacted the girls of Team-Sparkle and let them know my race schedule.  The skirt was available on April 14th, and I couldn't of been more excited to wear it for a local race, the Pear Blossom.  

The Pear Blossom truly is a community wide event {with a 1 mile fun run, 5k, 10 mile & a parade}and is a race that I look forward to every year.  I ran it for the first time in 2006, and have participated every year since.  I love how everyone comes out to support, encourage and cheer on one another one.

Nicki: Such an inspiration to me! And we meet before the race every year :)

It's a tradition for us to take a picture together every year!

My dad: The reason I started running

"The Group"

I went into this race feeling confident, and was aiming for a PR, which would mean beating my time from 2 years ago {which I was really proud of!!!}

Megan & I: 1:29:35 in 2010

Heidi, Lindsey and I all smiles and excited for the race!

I started off the race with Heidi & Lindsey, and told them my goal was to negative split, so we were going to   go out at about a 9:15/9:30 pace and eventually be right under a 9:00 min pace. We were holding that pace and I felt great!! At the 5 mile turn around, I was definitely feeling tired, so I took some sport beans, drank some water, and hoped that once I went back up and over the only hill in the race I would feel good again.  Well that never happened! At this point, I was going to keep the same pace, and wait to kick it in until about mile 7, but I completely hit a wall...legs were tired and I had nothing left! I continued to push, and remembered that I was wearing the travel team-sparkle skirt and didn't want to disappoint.  While I do believe sparkle = speed :), on April 14th sparkle = stamina {power to endure fatigue}

To say I was disappointed would be an understatement {I was fighting back the tears}, but I never gave up and another Pear Blossom is in the books! I can sit here and list several excuses {I ran 35 miles the week before, had an extremely busy/stressful week, etc} but bottom line is that not every race is going to be a PR and some days just aren't made out for it.

Love his expressions!!!

Dana passed him at the very end...just like she said she would!

So happy to see the finish line! 

The BAD: I have managed to add almost 6 minutes to my Pear Blossom time in 2 years

The GOOD: In those same 2 years, I have taken 8 minutes off of my half marathon time & I loved hearing people yell "Nice Skirt" as I pushed through those 10 miles.

The BEST: After the race I received a call from a friend to thank me for encouraging, challenging {after dragging her feet for quite a while, she finally gave in and started doing speed work!} motivating & helping her to reach her goal of finishing in the top 100 females.  

I WILL redeem myself at the Portland Rock N Roll Half Marathon!!!