Day 56 -- Run 4 The Light Race!

This was the day of the race. I ran 5 miles in 1:08:56.

Here is how my standing is showing on the Run 4 the Light pdf document:

89 Rooke‐Meyer Shauna F 41 1.08.56.63 3F:40‐44 82

I ran the entire time and placed 3rd in my age category of 40-44! Woo hoo! Not only that, I won a long sleeved running shirt! It was part of a raffle and he held it. I immediately said, "Oh, I want that" and then 1 second later they called my number (82). How cool is that???

Here's what happened:

I got 1/2 hour of sleep last night after getting only about 1/2 hour of sleep the night before so I was not in the most positive, cheery mood when I was getting ready. My husband and son were tired and not in the best of moods either so I really was not looking forward to the race.

When we got there, I had to wait just a few minutes until I could register. When I did, I got the number 82. 8 + 2 = 10 which happens to be MY number so I was considering it to be a good sign. Not that I was going to win because I really thought I was going to be the last place person, but that I would enjoy myself.

I met a very nice couple from British Columbia who were very positive and had very good energy. As a matter of fact, this was her second race. They were very pleasant to talk to and were talking me off the bridge in a matter of speaking because I was still Miss Woe Is Me. So, to them, thanks so much! (Sadly, I got no pics of them)

We all lined up and they gave us our instructions. My husband and son were going to be riding their bikes keeping pace with me and occasionally riding ahead to take pictures. I knew, because of what I had read, that I needed to start towards the middle or back as I have a slower pace. Problem is, all the other slow people obviously did not read the same books or websites as me, because when the race started I was having to weave and bob around multiple strollers and walkers. Oh well, not such a big deal. I also knew to not start off too fast as I would poop myself out too soon and would probably end up walking the last half of it so the obstacle course that was the beginning of the race, worked to my advantage.

As we neared 1/4 mile, I was putting a piece of tissue back in my Nathan belt and was looking down as I did it and ran right over a cone. Which henceforth, will be named The Cone Incident. Not only did I kick the cone, I did it in such a fashion that it flipped over, and I stepped INSIDE of it. Sigh...this after only 1/4 mile. Got my husband and me giggling, though.

I also was initially running next to someone who was power walking faster than I run. I told her it was fabulous that she could do that! Unfortunately, a very nice relationship ended quickly when she sprinted ahead because my husband and son were arguing...again (my husband is not a very nice easy going person when he does not sleep) and I asked them to please not ruin this for me and she was off like a bullet!

I pretty much kept a slow and steady pace for most of the race. Judging by my watch, I think it was between 3.82 and 4.25 mph. I initially thought I would be able to run for the first 3 miles, walk/run the rest especially after encountering a small hill that I had not encountered in my training. I remember saying to someone, "They said there were no hills!"

Around 1 1/2 miles

Around 2.5 to 3 miles done!

I cannot say enough about how grateful that I am to my son and husband for making the trip with me and racing with me. They were so positive and were giving me the motivation that I needed to run this race. I kept a slow enough pace that I was talking to them throughout and it was nice. Often times when training with my son, I had been so miserable that I didn't want to talk to him or anyone as I was so focused.

Sadly, again, my husband took all the pics so I do not have any of him with my son or me. :(

I did notice that, even though I did look at my watch occasionally, I was not stressed about it. I just kept going with the flow. I remember when I was passing 57 minutes, I really knew that I could run the entire race! After mile 3, I said that I wanted to run the whole race but to know deep down that I was really going to was a major power boost.


The weather was perfect! It did not rain, was very overcast so I did not have to worry about the sun and overheating. The view was wonderful! I got to run by the beach for a bit and I made myself LOOK instead of being too focused. My husband got some pics of the view as well.

Mile 4!!

When we got off the trail, we hit one end of the street that led the last 3 -4 blocks of the race. I told my son that I was going to run faster for the last bit of it and when I got to 2 blocks to go, I really picked up the pace. Did I sprint? Nope, I have not trained for that and did not want to tire myself out so I went about 2 mph faster than what my race pace was. The lady called out, "Keep it up number 82, you are almost there!" I knew to tear off the bottom part of my bib so I had that in my hand when I ran through the finish line. What a great feeling!!!

13 seconds before I finished!

I did it and I am smiling!!

My race time was 1:08:56 and I thought I probably was one of the first 50 to cross....ummm, no...I was 89th. That did crush me for a bit as I really don't remember that many people in front of me! I thought there were that many BEHIND me! I think there were about 125 racers. When I watched the rest finish, it did occur to me that I was, in fact, one of the last runners...sigh...oh well. I am gosh darned proud of myself for running the WHOLE time and finishing!! The winner completed the race in 27 minutes and the fastest woman ran it in 33 minutes. Yee ha!

We waited until 12 noon for the raffle to start and a few people were still coming in. The gentleman running the raffle, held up a red long sleeved running shirt and I immediately said, "Oh, I want that" and then 1 second later they called my number (82)!!!! I let out a loud gasp that had people cheering for me. How exciting!

The raffle continued on for another 10 minutes and then they took a break to tabulate the winners. My son had already figured out that based on the red oval stickers that signified my age class, I was going to place 3rd. I thought I counted one more ahead of me, but went back and confirmed that I had placed 3rd. My son immediately burst my bubble by telling me that there were only 3 of us in my age group but I got over it really quickly as I realized that, not only is this my first race...that I ran the entire time for...that I finished...won a shirt...I was going to get a ribbon...seriously, soooooo cool for me!!!

The woman from BC that I met in the beginning also placed 3rd in her age class and she didn't even realize it until her husband had to convince her of it. How cool for her!!

(Still sad that I didn't get a pic of her!)

Wow, what a great day! Obviously, I no longer hate running (OK, OK for today...=O} ) and plan to keep this up. There is a 5-Miler which is part of the Portland Marathon, which will be held on October 4, 2009 and I am now going to train for that. My only job, beat my time! The next race after that I would like to do is a half-marathon so I will need to increase endurance for that as well but after I pick up my pace. According to my Runners World Log, my pace is 13:48. How cool is that? I thought it was in the 16 minute category.

OK, I am beat and really want to shower. As I stated earlier in this blog, I will be adding pictures to this post and may have more to add. OK, I have added the pics and it took FOREVER to do!!

Thanks so much for reading!

Day 35 -- French Slam...bad!

I did 30:06 for 1.88:

1 @ 3
4 @ 3.5
5 @ 4.5
3 @ 3.5
5 @ 4.5
3 @ 3.5
2:30 @ 4.5 -- I pooped out here really badly!
2:30 @ 3
2 @ 3.5
1 @ 3 - 2.5
1 @ 2 - 1.5

OK, so note to self and anyone else, do not attempt a run a few hours after having a French Slam at Denny's! On my ‘off days’, I am trying to increase my speed but with that crappy breakfast in my belly, my body said, “ummm….no!” Normally this is my actual day off but I did not get this run in yesterday as my brother and his wife had a beautiful baby girl and I was at the hospital for about 12 hours. She is perfect!!

So far, I have ran 57.7 miles. That's pretty freaking awesome to quote my son! I have also worked out for 16:36:26. This does not include the 54:12 and 40:00 of cross training activities that I have done. All of this since I started on 05/23/09!

I performed a wedding today on the docks in Westport for a great couple. I was worried that it was going to be too windy or cold as it had been for the two days I headed there to check it out. It was so pretty and did not start getting windy until we were finished. Great, great day!!

As soon as I can figure out how to put pics in my blogs, I will add some of my new niece to my other blog, seekermommy.blogspot.com with all the details.

Day 25

I did 30:11 for 1.71:

1 minute @ 2.5 mph
4 minutes @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 4 mph
3 minutes @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 4 mph
3 minutes @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 4 mph
2 minutes @ 3 mph
1 minute @ 2.7 - 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph

It's funny that the more I run it seems the shorter the distance! I know it is because I have slowed down my pace for the running and walking but I am successfully completing these runs so I am TOTALLY OK with it, I just think it's humorous.

I did not exercise on Friday or on Saturday and feel guilty. I did work out 5 days last week but still feel bad even though I was down for the count. I have this weird rice cake addiction that finally caught up with me. Apparently when you eat waaaayyyyy too much fiber in the form of a rice cake it does not allow your body to absorb any of the nutrients from the other food that you are eating and your body starts to shut down. NOT FUN at all....so, not only am I not sleeping more than 3 - 4 hours a night (and barely more than 1/2 hour at a single stretch), my body also decided it was done with the rice cake thing.

I actually went the whole day yesterday not eating a single rice cake! I also could not raise my head from the pillow but that is beside the point!

I have a decision to make. I am training for the 5 Mile run in Westport on the 8th of August. Someone I used to work with at the CU texted me on Thursday to see if I could perform her wedding. I asked her the date afraid that she was going to say the 15th which is when we are planning to go to Silverwood in Idaho but she didn't...she said the 8th. I told her that the run starts at 10:30 and I know it will take me a few hours, maybe less, and she told me it is at 4:00. I asked her where and she told me a place in Aberdeen. I didn't respond back yet as I had to give this some thought. I am training for this run that I am looking so much forward to...it inspired me to start taking care of myself (OK, not with rice cakes but with the running) and I was hoping to meet some people and just hang out and do things that runners do after a race. I have no idea what that is, just that I am going to be there. My son and husband are going to be there cheering me on. Sigh...I probably could be done and home in time to shower change and head back into town but what if I am not? I would feel terrible and I would never be so gauche to ask her to move her wedding to a later time. Wedding venues don't like change and neither do brides.

When we last discussed her wedding over 8 months ago a relative was going to do it...would it be selfish of me to say no? What if I am done in plenty of time and had said no...I would feel terrible! I definitely have some thinking to do!

Change of subject...I am thinking of either training longer on my off days from running or adding a 30 minute brisk walk about 4 hours after my run as if I was training for a marathon. The reason is that I am following The Couch-to-5K Running Plan and I am actually doing a 5 Mile race. I don't think that I will burn myself out. I am feeling really good about my pace and endurance at this point. Another thing to think about! =O)

Day 8 or Day One, Week 2

I walked 30 minutes back and forth on the beach in Westport. I could feel different muscles in my calves and thighs working. It was great! My son climbed up and down the dunes for 30 minutes.

Before that we took a tour of the Westport Lighthouse, otherwise known as Grays Harbor Light. We climbed up then down 135 steps.

After the beach, we went into Westport and climbed the rocks. My son climbed down farther on the rocks which I have video of.

It was a great day!

I didn't get a chance to walk today

I didn't walk today as we headed to Westport for a family day and it is too late to walk tonight. It is OK as I went 7 days straight so today will be my rest day and Sunday will be my day 1 for next week.

I am only feeling a bit guilty...