Surf CIty Race Report - My inside OH MY GOODNESS moment!

Last year because of a injury (bruised knee bone) I had to walk 90% of the Surf City half. This year I got a whole new feel of the race running it, and also running with great friends. Here's how my day went!

My morning pretty much goes the same every time before race day, 4:30 alarm, shower, lite breakfast of oatmeal and tea, nothing to exciting. I lay out everything I'm going to wear the night before. My gym bag is always packed and waiting by the door ready to go. I was able to purchase the new Ifitness hydration belt at the expo, so I decided to try to use it for this race instead of my handhelds, I need something new for LA Marathon. I have to say...best thing ever, highly recommend it. No bounce and it actually fit my Iphone! YAY!

Penny and I met at the farthest parking lot we could find. I need to get in 16 miles this weekend for my LA Marathon training, so we ran to the start line then back again after. If it wasn't for her I would have parked allot closer and took a shuttle. THANK YOU PENNY!! However before we could even start our run Penny was having a wardrobe malfunction. Apparently she didn't realize with all the running she's been doing lately she's lost inches, so she had to safety pin her running skirt for a better fit. After about 4 safety pins on each side Penny and I were back on the strand heading over the start. People we looking at funny probably thinking "Why on earth are they running before a race"

Penny fixing her wardrobe malfunction!

We got to the start line area to meet up with Lauren and Ali. Everyone seemed ready to go so we headed over the corral to start and to our surprise we found Lori and Candice. We chatted for a bit wished each other good luck and off Lori, Ali and Candice went into the corral. Ali was there to PR, which she did by a whole 30 mins..AWESOME WORK ALI!

Lauren, Ali, Penny, Lori, Myself and Candice

Before the race started we discussed what we had "planned" for the run. Because I had PR'd 2 weeks before at Carlsbad Half Marathon I was there to run with them and have fun. I didn't feel like I wanted to put as much pressure on myself and I needed to have a fun run to break up the training I was doing. The race started and we all stayed together enjoying ourselves. Lauren was doing a little rapping along with her music, and I was giving Penny a singing audition so one day I could be on Glee...Penny I'm still waiting for that call from your people!

Lauren was on intervals for her training, so we decided stayed with her and do them as well. Around mile 5 Penny and I somehow lost Lauren. Not sure how this happens but I always seem to loose someone during races.

I have to say this year there were tons more spectators and supporters on the coarse then last year. Not sure if it was because I was in the back of the pack walking last year and everyone was done cheering by the time I got to certain points, but the vibe was great. The sign below made us laugh so I had Penny take a photo of it.

We were doing great up to mile 6 keeping a pretty fast pace between 9:30-10. I was feeling really comfortable and had a feeling we were going to get good time. I kept asking Penny if she was feeling okay because she had been sick the week before. She assured me she was fine a few times however at mile 8 Penny wasn't feeling fine. She started to have a mild asthma attack. I stayed calm on the outside for her because I knew if I freaked out it wouldn't help out the situation. But on the inside I was doing the "OH MY GOODNESS, what do I do if this gets worse". Penny always carries a inhaler with her, so I knew if I had to grab it for her that's what I was going to do. We took a small break so she could get her breathing back and I made sure she was perfectly fine before we started again. At this point if we had to stop running for her sake I was okay with it, I wasn't going to leave her alone. She took a few minutes and we headed out onto the coarse again. We slowed our pace down and did as much walking as we could. I'm sure I turned into that annoying person that kept asking "are you okay". We also found Lauren coming up on the turn around, we did a quick check up on everyone and headed off. Miles 9-11 came pretty quickly. A little after mile 11 Penny realized that I might have a chance to PR again, so she told me to just go. I made sure she was fine AGAIN, and ran the last 3 miles with all I had. As I cam up the finish there were TONS of people and the cheering was great. I hit the finish with Mr. G saying 2:30, and official time has me at 2:32. I was very happy with that until I realized I had to now run back to the car, another mile to make my 16 for the day!

Surf City Half ...done

I really did enjoy running with the girls today and can't wait for many more races with them. I learn a few things during this race, how to stay calm when I really want to freak out, that I have great friends, and the most important how to have fun..and how delicious a Slurpee is after a long run!!!!

My congratulatory Slurpee on the way home!

Okay so I have to get mushy for a moment.....I want to give a shout out to my boyfriend Robert! I can't thank you enough for staying at home and getting our house ready for our Super Bowl party. You did everything from picking up food, to making sure the balloons we ordered were set in the right spot in the house. I didn't have to worry about anything when I came home from the race because it was all done! THANK YOU SO MUCH..I LOVE YOU!!

Carlsbad Half Marathon Race Report - A PR & Beating Dad!

When I went running with Lauren, Penny, and Jordan the Sunday before Carlsbad I told them “I want to PR in Carlsbad”. For a quick second I realized what I said out loud and wanted to take it back. You know that exact moment when your brain has you say something you really didn’t want to but it happen anyway, that was that moment. Should I have said “just kidding” after my statement, or just go with it and wish for the absolute best run I could possibly push myself to. Now I had that hanging over my head in giant letters P……….R……

The weekend started with a 1 ½ hour drive into Carlsbad from the O.C. Robert and I packed up the car and head south to the expo. It was allot bigger then I expected, and Robert enjoyed eating all the free food samples from all the booths (you should see him at Sam’s Club its amazing). I picked up a new held hand bottle that I’m absolutely in love with, thank you Penny for the recommendation. Then we headed out to meet the puppies that Penny was running for, “The Labrador Rescue”.

Entrance to the Expo

To make a donation to “The Labrador Rescue” for Penny please click here

That night my parents, Robert and myself met up with Penny, her dad John, Beth and Fern, Jenny and Cullen at Gregorio’s Italian restaurant for our pre race dinner. We planned out what time to meet in the morning and talked a little about races. It was Beth’s first half marathon so everyone was giving her words of wisdom for her first race.

Robert and I at dinner

Waiting with Penny & Beth in line for the restrooms

My alarm started jingling at me around 4:45am. I was up, showered, and standing in the lobby of the hotel for the breakfast to open at 6am. I found my dad doing some warming up in the parking lot, and shortly after Penny came to get us. Race didn’t start till 7:30 so we had plenty of time to use the restrooms, and just take some time to get ready. We finally headed over to the start line and I kept thinking about the famous letters I had spoken the weekend before. There was the usual pep talk from the announcer, and then off we went.

Miles 1-4 had a few hills, and miles 5- 10 hit the beach area. I was doing great the first 6 miles, making sure to keep a good pace between 10:30- 11. I wanted to hit 6 miles under my usual 10k time which is around 1:15 or so. I kept my eye on Mr G to make sure I wasn’t going to slow yet to fast for myself. I found Penny and Beth several times throughout the coarse, they were both doing great.

All ready at the start line!

I noticed when I hit the 6 mile marker Mr G told me I was at 1:05! Just the time I wanted, this PR business was looking pretty bright! The last couple of miles were a blur, my ipod was playing my favorite tunes and I was just going. I loved that there were so many supporters on out the coarse cheering us on. Made the miles go by so much quicker. The hills we hit at the beginning of the coarse were now on the last few miles of the coarse. I tried to run up hill but my legs weren't letting me, so when I needed to walk I made sure to keep it at a fast pace, and under a minute. Before I knew it I was between miles 10 & 11, took a look at my watch and thats when it hit me that I was going to do what I said. I had a few more miles left and I was just a little over 2:00 hours. I ran my little heart out, hit finish look at Mr G......2:30!! YESSSS!!!!!

My dad and I after I beat him!

I knew my dad finished way before me cause he always does. I couldn't wait to tell him my time because he has been pushing me for a 2:30 race for so long. I finally found him at the end of the finish and that famous question got asked "What was your time", I replied "2:30!" Instead of "I'm so proud of you" I got "Are you sure" and my dad laughed.. A bit confused on why he was laughing at me, I asked him his time and he just kept saying "Are you sure you got a 2:30" I finally got it out of him that he ran a 2:31...I BEAT MY DAD BY ONE MINUTE AND PR'D!!!! The day couldn't have gotten any better!

My number one supporter!

I was so happy with my time, then to find out that I beat my dad by a minute! What a day!! I know a minute doesn't seem like much, but to me its huge! His excuse to me for not running this race faster (his last half was 2:05) was that he's shoes hurt so he had to barefoot from mile 8 on....Ok dad!! I know I will never beat my dads time in a Half Marathon again, so he's letting me gloat and rub it in for the whole minute that my little feet hit the finish before his.

Carlsbad Half Marathon...Done!!

I learned something at this race about myself. I now know I am capable to push myself when I need to. One year ago if you were to tell me I was going to run a 2:30 I would have told you that you were crazy. I'm not a fast runner compared to some, but I do what I can for myself....oh and did I mention that I beat my dad in this race by a minute!