Ramblin Rose

Since I was the first one to finish the 5K at the Cary Road Race (because I ran my 5K during the 10K race), I thought maybe I should move on to a slightly different challenge.

Today I registered for The Ramblin' Rose Triathalon to be held in Chapel Hill on Sunday, October 7th, 2012. Before you have me committed, it is a sprint triathalon: 250m swimming (5 laps in the pool=10 lenghts), 9 mile road bike ride and 2 mile run.

Running: check
Swimming: probably check
Bicycle: lots of work to be done here as I do not even own a bicycle.
Being able to do all three of these things one after the other, after the other: check.

I know I can finish this triathalon in October just under two weeks before I turn 40.



Who is with me?

Are you ready to run?

It is just a bit over 24 hours before the Cary Road Race 5k. The weather is supposed to be perfect just about 55 degrees at start time and sunny. I have not run a full 3.1miles since I hurt my knee, but between working out at the YMCA for 2 hours, 3 times a week and Physical Therapy for 90 mins 2 other days a week, I think I will be able to make it. I have invested in some real running shoes. Meet the Mizuno Alchemy 11. They are for people who need motion control and stability, i.e. overpronators like me.

After my first 5k in February, my goal for this 5k was to shave 7 1/2 mins from my run time. With the knee still in recovery, I seriously doubt I will be able to do that. I am still hopeful that I can improve my time a little bit. If I cannot then at least I can finish the race which will feel good, too. I also have some new incentive for not stopping during the race. When I start to run it really hurts my knees for the first 3/10 of a mile. Once I get going, I am not stopping until I absolutely have to.

I found this article regarding prep for your first (or second) 5K that I thought would be a good resource.
I am not sure who is running now.
The M.I.L.K. Ladies: Myself, Kati and Bonnie are the definites.
The Cookies (kids)running the fun run are: Addy, Vivian, and Oliver.
The most likelys are Elena and Jenny.

In case you want to train for another 5K, I am planning on running a 5k trail race on September 8th. More to come on that.

Tonight I am going to make sure I have some carbs and protein. This recipe from Rachel over at p.s. i quilt is quick and yummy. With the help of Bill, I am going to make sure I get a solid night of sleep.

Tomorrow I think I am going to have a Luna Bar and water and a

Zico Chocolate Coconut Water before the race. That is a bad picture. Sorry about that.

I have not decided what to wear yet? I am thinking running tights and short sleeve shirt. Or should I do tights and long sleeve short? Or shorts and long sleeve shirt? Or shorts and short sleeve shirt? What do you think?

I am going to load up my ipod with some running songs so I have some extra audio encouragement. Feel free to make suggestions. If I start feeling tired during the race, I am going to think about hearing my girls voices saying, "Go Mommy! Go!" They did that from the sidelines near the end of my first 5K. It was some of the best music my ears had ever heard and very encouraging.


What are you doing to prepare? Are you ready to run?

Does this make me a runner?

It has been a bit since I last posted, and I have a decent reason. My left knee started to hurt and swell. I had injured it two years ago when my daughter jumped on it while I was sitting cris cross applesauce on the floor. We used to call it indian style, but that term is not used anymore. A few trips to the Orthopedic Doctor, a cortisone shot, some Naproxen, ice and physical therapy later, it was good as new.

Right after Christmas 2012, I started to run. No problems. After my first 5K in February, I thought I would work on my speed. It sounded like a good goal to me. My right knee did not agree. I went to see Dr. Armour, the demi god of messed up knees, again Friday. He let me know that my knee was swollen a bit, but actually in pretty good shape. It was my quads, hip and glutes that were in need of strengthening. So in essence, my doctor told me I was a slack ass! Wow!

He told me that he would make me a fine tuned machine. What? I just started running and he is going to make me a fine tuned machine. I am in trouble. He asked me to do the following workout 3 times a week: 20 mins on the Arc Cross Trainer, 1-1.5 mile slow run, 1 mile faster run, 20 more mins on the Arc Cross Trainer. Plus ice two times a day, naproxen two times a day, 50 walking lunges daily, and some resistance band training when I am at the gym. Don't forget that prescription for Physical Therapy. We do not want the fine tuned machine to still have a slack ass, or slack quads, or slack, hips, do we?

I ask you: does all this make me a runner now?
Honestly, I am excited to start this regimen today. Wish me and my slack ass luck.

Also, I am super happy to announce that Jenny and Cristina will be doing the 5K at the Cary Road Race! That is two more awesome Moms that will be running their first 5K. Woo hoo!

Finish

Masochist's log:  Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012

It was a freezing cold, windy, sunny day.  The perfect conditions for my first 5k. 

After a week of running very poorly...I could not run more than 27 minutes earlier in the week and the whole time it was a brutal struggle.  Something was not right with me.  I thought I must be coming down with something.

I had decided to rest and not run Thurs.--Sat.   Sunday morning came and I still was not feeling my best, but I was going to try and do this.  What was the worst thing that could happen?  If I had to walk some and run some that is OK, too.  I was number 128 for the 32nd Annual Run for the Roses in Raleigh.

 A few things I can tell you from running my first 5k.  Lots of people run and then walk, run and then walk.  Since my goal was to just run the entire distance, and since I did not know the course, I kept it slow and steady.  This served me well as the first two miles were very pleasant.  The last mile had a few larger hills.  Lots of people walked up those.  Since I was going my turtle pace, I was able to keep my pace running up the hill, in the freezing cold with the very gusty wind in my face. 

 Here I waved to Bill and the girls as I ran by.  The finish line was just a little bit ahead.  When I saw the timer on the clock at the finish line, I kicked it into high gear and made a fast break for the finish line.  I finished at 37.28. 

 Here is me with the finish line behind me.  All the ladies were given a rose upon crossing the finish line, thus the Run for the Roses. 

It felt great to run the whole race.  Being that neither the conditions nor myself were ideal, I fell like I can definitely improve my time for the Cary Road Race in April.  In case you were wondering the person who finished last took an entire hour.  Also, that something I was coming down with was an awful case of bloating, cramps and headaches.  Yall know what that is like.

I'll see you at the starting line at the Cary Road Race in April.  If I can do it, you sure can!

Who put those hills there?

Masochist's Log's:  Thursday, 10:18am, Cary,  N.C.  27511

Went outside to run today, as opposed to running about 50 times around the indoor track at the Y.  Everything was going along well until I realized the massive hill.ahead of me as I ran along side the MacGregor Downs Golf Course.  I had forgotten all about the hills until I saw it looming in the distance.  Who put those hills there?  
Good news, I made it to the top.  Bad news, about 5 minutes after the summit, I stopped running and walked a few minutes.  I was so disappointed until I realized that I could just start running again.   I made it all the way back to my house running.  Next time I will try to make the whole run, hills and all, non-stop.  Today certainly was not my best performance, but I still finished, so I will feel good about that.  Hopefully, the 5K race is on mostly flat terrain. 

I don't know abut you, but I am hungry all of the time now that I am doing this running stuff.  Also, I always feel dehydrated.  Where does one go when they are looking for solutions to such problems?  The local Whole Foods of course.  The woman recommended the following:

I have been using it for two days so far.  I'll let you know if it is any good for anything.  Has anyone else tried the "Perfect Food"?  Or other vitamins or supplements that work?

One thing I do swear by is this:

The best $1.99 you can spend at Trader Joe's.   It is like nature's Gatorade.  Yummy and good for you, too. 

Did you run today?  Any work out or training secrets to share?

with love,
patricia

Got M.I.L.K.

Hey there. I thought I would start a blog for us awesome Moms, in order for us to keep up without really long email threads. You can visit whenever you want or you can choose to subscribe/follow, etc. If anyone wants to post something for everyone, let me know and I can get it done. Other than that you can comment away.

First update is the Cary Road Race. There has been a lot of interest.

Running the 10K--Jen Hogan (God Bless Her)

Running the 5K--Elena Johnson, Heather Scott, Kirstin Neira, Bonnie Overton, Patricia Gooden, Kati Knowland, Becca Jones (if she is in town), Kirsten Lora

Running the 1 mile Fun Run--Vivian Overton and Addy Neira.

Cheerleader--Jennifer Fetterolf

On the Bench--Heidi Donahue, Lisa Hansoty, Teresa Gresham and Cristina Virsida

If I have missed anyone, let me know.

Second update--Mom's Night Out. Let me know your ideas for date, venues, etc.

Third question: What are you doing for training? I am running (at my turtle speed)for about 35 mins on Mon, Wed and Fri mornings at the Cary Y.

 For those into the Ryan Gossling mems.  I thought this one was good for us Moms.

patricia