Boston's Run to Remember Half Marathon

Going into Boston's Run to Remember Half Marathon, my goal was just to have fun. Running in Boston would be a one-time deal for me. I love Boston, but traveling is pricey. Once you add up the hotel, travel expenses, food and any shopping done is quite a bit of money. My husband traveled with me and we had a fun weekend getaway.

Before the star of the half marathon Sunday, the race announcer said it was 60 something degrees with 89% humidity. He was reminding everyone to drink fluids and often. When the starting horn went off, I shuffled along the course with everyone else. For the first few miles, no mile markers where to be found. If they did have them out, I missed them. I was unsure as to how we I ran. I knew the first water station had to be somewhere nearby. I totally missed it. I was running on the left side of the course and the water stop was on the right side only. There was no way to cleanly make it over to the water stop without running into people. I missed it. I told myself another water stop would be two miles away.

I was ready for the second water stop. So was everyone else. I arrived at the first table and it was chaos. The glasses of water were not ready for the runners. The volunteers were pouring them as we arrived. It was like all of us were fighting each other just to get a drink. All of the water stops were like that. After the second water stop, I finally waited to grab a cup near the end. More cups of water were available because most of the runners were stopping at the first table.

I mentioned above that this half marathon was just for fun. But it is also nice to run well. At the half way point, I was at 64 minutes. I knew that my finishing time would be over two hours. I wanted to get it as close to two hours as I could. I increased my speed just a little. It was probably at when I finally knocked off some time. The rest of the race, I was just holding onto that.

Coming in towards the finish, we had to run over a bridge. It had an incline of course. The best thing about it was it was all downhill to the finish line. Nearing the finish line, completely drenched in sweat from head-to-toe, I gave it my all. I finished in 2:03:59. I was pleased with my performance. I ran a half marathon on a very humid and warm day in Boston. Until Monday, Michigan hasn't had that type of weather. I enjoyed running the streets of Boston. It is something I'll never forget.

Place: 2225/5236
Division: 353/1068
Net time: 2:03:59
Pace: 9:28

Books read in 2011

Usually when I'm on vacation, I buy books. This trip was no different. Made a stop at a couple of book stores and I found a few books to read. I bought Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons by Bryon Powell and Eric Grossman and Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss and a Record-Setting Run by Marshall Ulrich. I read Bryon Powell's book in a day. I really enjoyed it. So many tips how to train for an ultra, training plans and a couple of essays written by ultramarathon runners. Today I will be starting Marshall Ulrich's book. I've heard it is a good book. It should probably take me a day or two to read it.

The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton
Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Origins, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Bloodlust, L.J. Smith
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, Dean Karnazes
The Kennedy Detail, Gerald Blaine with Lisa McCubbin
The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After, Steven M Gillon
50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathon in 50 Days, Dean Karnazes
The Brotherhood: A Precinct 11 Novel, Jerry B. Jenkins
127 Hours, Aron Ralston
JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, James W. Douglass
My Life on the Run, Bart Yasso
On the Trail of the JFK Assassins, Dick Russell
Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss, Dean Karnazes
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Steig Larsson
Second Wind: One Woman's Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents, Cami Ostman
The Scarpetta Factor, Patricia Cornwell
Dual in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley and America's Greatest Marathon, John Brant
Born to Run, Christopher McDougall
Iron Heart, Brian Boyle
Running With Joy: My Daily Journey to the Marathon, Ryan Hall
Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell
Predator, Patricia Cornwell
Port Mortuary, Patricia Cornwell
Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons, Ryan Powell & Eric Grossman

Currently Reading: Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss and a Record-Setting Run, Marshall Ulrich
Up Next: Book of the Dead, Patricia Cornwell

Boston

My husband and I flew to Boston Thursday. We are in Boston because I'm running a half marathon Sunday.

My plan for the half marathon is just to have fun. If I run well, great. If I have a so-so day, that is fine too. I know that running a half marathon in Boston is probably just a one-time deal for me. Traveling to races, especially flying, is a bit pricey. I'm just going to soak up the sun and have a great time doing it.

Books read in 2011

The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton
Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Origins, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Bloodlust, L.J. Smith
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, Dean Karnazes
The Kennedy Detail, Gerald Blaine with Lisa McCubbin
The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After, Steven M Gillon
50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathon in 50 Days, Dean Karnazes
The Brotherhood: A Precinct 11 Novel, Jerry B. Jenkins
127 Hours, Aron Ralston
JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, James W. Douglass
My Life on the Run, Bart Yasso
On the Trail of the JFK Assassins, Dick Russell
Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss, Dean Karnazes
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Steig Larsson
Second Wind: One Woman's Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents, Cami Ostman
The Scarpetta Factor, Patricia Cornwell
Dual in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley and America's Greatest Marathon, John Brant
Born to Run, Christopher McDougall
Iron Heart, Brian Boyle
Running With Joy: My Daily Journey to the Marathon, Ryan Hall
Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell
Predator, Patricia Cornwell
Port Mortuary, Patricia Cornwell

Currently Reading: Book of the Dead, Patricia Cornwell
Up Next: The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight, L.J. Smith

Ironman

Over the weekend, many people participated in the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas. I enjoyed reading the tweets from people that had friends participating. The athletes had a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run.

I asked someone on twitter how far they had to go in each discipline. I was given the answer, then another person that I talk to on twitter told me to "back away from the Ironman." I thought that was funny. I have never had an ambition to ever do a triathlon. I can swim, but not very fast. The only time I go swimming now since I'm adult is when my husband and I are on getaway vacation. Which is once a year. I have a bike that is at least 15 years old and I haven't rode in two years. I got my bike out over the weekend and went for a ride. The ride turned out to be really short. There was something wrong with the chain. I took it to the local bicycle store to get fixed. While I was at the bike store, I saw beautiful Trek bike that I would have loved to have. It only cost $1000. And of course, I can run.

I'm in the process of turning myself into an ultra runner. All of my free time is spent on running. I replied to the two ladies I was chatting with on twitter that I have no plans to do an Ironman. That ultra running is enough for me. One of the ladies said, "Never say never." That is so true. I said a couple of years ago that I would never run a marathon. I still haven't run a marathon, but I will be running two ultra marathons this fall. Who knows maybe when I have my fill of ultras, I can start training for an Ironman 70.3 (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run). But right now my one true love, besides my husband, is running and I have a feeling it will be for a long time.

Tour of California

I've always enjoyed watching sports on TV. It really doesn't matter what it is. I like to watch any type of running (road, cross country, marathon and track), triathlons and cycling.

On the Versus channel last week was the Tour of California. I recorded the last few stages of the race to watch. Stage 7 was really interesting to watch. This stage involved huge climbs up to Mount Baldy, which has an elevation of 7,930 feet. The entire 75.8 mile course had the cyclists climbing more then 15,000 feet. I bet they were so happy when the stage was complete. The cyclists were trying so hard, but the huge inclines were getting to them. Two RadioShack teammates, Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner of the USA, worked together to finish first and second.

I noticed something during the race that made me shake my head and laugh. The spectators at cycle races are crazy. If I was riding in these events, I would want to stay far away from them. Spectators run next to the cyclists. I think most of them just want to be on TV, but maybe they are cheering the riders on. Besides running beside them, some of them dress up in costumes. I got a huge laugh at the people who wore a Pope outfit, a Richard Nixon mask while wearing only a Speedo and the two guys wearing sumo wrestler outfits.

The cyclists that compete in any stage bicycle races are amazing athletes. They ride for hours everyday, make huge climbs and endure time trials. What can be said about them. I'm just in awe of them.

Future races

It is never too early to start thinking about next year's running season. Well at least the longer races. I will be running plenty of short races (5Ks, 10Ks, 5 mile trail) around the county in 2012. No need to plan for them. These are a couple of races that I would like to do. I don't know if I will run them or not. Like I said, just something to start thinking about.

I would like to run the Caumsett State Park 50K in New York on March 4, 2012. This 50K is also the 2012 USA 50K Championship for the USATF. I am a member of the USATF this year. I plan to renew my membership in 2012 also. According to the Caumsett State Park website, the course is a measured 5K loop on a paved path with two small inclines. The path runs through the historic Caumsett Park with stunning views of the Long Island Sound. That sounds really pleasant.

I'm interested in running the Mad City 100K. A 100K is 62.137 miles. This past April, the Mad City 100K Road Race served as the USA 100K Championships for the USATF. The 100K race is 10 laps of a 10K loop that takes runners by the shore of Lake Wingra, some scenic neighborhoods and through the University of Wisconsin Arboretum.

I'm planning on the Glass City Marathon in Toledo, Ohio to be my first marathon. The marathon will take place on April 22, 2012. I ran the half marathon this year and set a new PR. The course was nice and flat. That is just how I like them.

This September, I'm running the Run Woodstock trail half marathon. I hope next year to step it up to the 50K or 50 mile trail run.

In October, Tussey Mt. Ski Area in Boalsburg, PA hosts the USA 50 Mile Championship. It is a 50-mile single loop on mostly unpaved roads in the Rothrock State Forest. The terrain includes uphill, level and downhill grades.

Weekend plans

I was so busy last weekend. A couple of long drives in the car, a 25K race and my sister's bridal shower. This weekend is very different from last week. I have nothing big or exciting planned for this weekend. This weekend will be nice and relaxing. My plans include running, cleaning my house, going to the grocery store and church. It is nice to have a busy and fun weekend once and a while. But I'm glad it is not every weekend. It would definitely wear me out. I'm looking forward to a nice and quiet weekend.

Boston

My husband and I will be heading back to Boston, MA next week. We will be there for a long weekend. I will be running a half marathon next Sunday.

We will arrive in Boston a few days prior to the race. Our plans so far are to visit Lexington and Concord. When we visited Boston back in 2009, we did go to these locations. But we were disappointed. We rode a bus to get there and a trolley took us to Lexington and Concord. We really didn't see much because we had to be on the trolley schedule. And we had to be on the trolley. They were are ride back to the bus stop. This time around, we are renting a car. With the car, we will be able to take our time and actually see things.

Besides visiting Lexington and Concord, we are unsure of what else to do. I suggested to my husband that we visit the Museum of Fine Arts the day we land. They have a photography exhibit by Lee Friedlander that I would like to see and we always go to museums on our trips. I guess that is the art major in me. Besides the museum, we will need to find something else to do that day. We land pretty early in the morning.

When we were in Boston before in 2009, we visited most of the tourist attractions. We would like to find something else to do or see. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment.

Axed

Four out of the five new TV shows that I watched this season have been canceled. The TV shows not coming back for a second season are The Good Guys, The Chicago Code, Detroit 1-8-7 and Mr. Sunshine. My husband and I liked all of these shows and were disappointed when we heard that they were axed. The only new show that my husband and I both watch that didn't get canceled was Blue Bloods.

When the new TV season starts, I don't think I'll watch any new TV shows. It is better not to watch them, then get disappointed when the networks get rid of them after a couple of episodes.

Peace Officer Memorial Day

USA 25K Open Championships

I ran in the USA 25K Open Championships Saturday. The USATF championship was part of the Fifth Third River Bank Run. The Fifth Third River Bank Run the largest 25K road race in the United States.

The day of the race, it was cold and raining. Doing a warm up run to the staging area, I got all wet by the rain. The rain was coming down so much, it drenched my waterproof jacket. After the jacket was wet, it really didn't keep me warm. Before the race started, I couldn't stay warm. My teeth were chattering and it had me wondering if I could finish the race. By then, it was time to line up and start the race.

At the start of the race, I stayed with the 9 minute mile pacers. It felt good to run at that speed and I was keeping up with them. The course was packed. I heard runners around me saying that it was worse this year. So many more runners participating in the 25K. For the first 6 miles, everyone was bumping into everyone and stepping on the back of everyone's feet. I have to agree that it was crowded.

The water stops were disasters. So many people crowding in to get water, Gatorade. I got what I needed, but not without nailing someone else in the process. I hung with the pacer group until mile 7. It was a water stop that separated us. I moved over to the left of the trail to get something to drink. When I did that other runners got behind the pacers. It got so crowded behind them and I couldn't catch up and get closer. When I couldn't catch up, I could feel myself slowing down. I tried to pick myself up, but I couldn't do it. I continued at the slower pace for a couple of more miles.

When I passed the 10 mile mark, I felt better and picked up my pace. I even started passing a couple of people. Around this time, it was only sprinkling and starting to warm up. Everything I was wearing was soaked. I told myself I only had five more miles and I have run that plenty of times. It was time to go.

I crossed mile 13 right around two hours. I was OK with that. I wasn't too far behind of where I wanted to be. My goal time for the race was to finish between 2:20-2:25. I felt if I kept up my pace I was going to make my goal. The finish was on a slight incline and I surged up it. I crossed the line in 2:24:30. I finished within my goal. I was pleased with my first effort for a distance longer then a half marathon.

I will probably run this race again next year. I hope I will be able to hold my pace better and top this time.

Weekend

I can't believe how busy this weekend will be for me. I'll be driving two hours west of my house Friday afternoon to run in the Fifth Third River Bank Run. I will be running the 25K Saturday morning. As a member of the USATF, I will be running in the USA 25K Open Championships. The USATF members who win and finish near the top will be able to represent the United States in international competition. I know that won't be me. I just want to have fun and run well. This race will be my first one over the half marathon distance.

After the race, I will be driving back home. Once I get home, my husband and I have to go shopping for my nephew's birthday. Later that evening is his birthday party and we need to find him a present.

I will have another busy day on Sunday. Sunday afternoon is my sister's bridal shower. I will be riding to the shower with my Mom and sisters. The shower is about 45 minutes away, so that means another car ride.

Books read in 2011

The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton
Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Origins, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Bloodlust, L.J. Smith
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, Dean Karnazes
The Kennedy Detail, Gerald Blaine with Lisa McCubbin
The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After, Steven M Gillon
50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathon in 50 Days, Dean Karnazes
The Brotherhood: A Precinct 11 Novel, Jerry B. Jenkins
127 Hours, Aron Ralston
JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, James W. Douglass
My Life on the Run, Bart Yasso
On the Trail of the JFK Assassins, Dick Russell
Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss, Dean Karnazes
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Steig Larsson
Second Wind: One Woman's Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents, Cami Ostman
The Scarpetta Factor, Patricia Cornwell
Dual in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley and America's Greatest Marathon, John Brant
Born to Run, Christopher McDougall
Iron Heart, Brian Boyle
Running With Joy: My Daily Journey to the Marathon, Ryan Hall
Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell
Predator, Patricia Cornwell

Currently Reading: Port Mortuary, Patricia Cornwell
Up Next: Book of the Dead, Patricia Cornwell

Half Fanatics

When I still planned on running the Run Woodstock trail marathon, I thought I would have a change to join the Marathon Maniacs. I would have met the criteria to join. I would have run a trail marathon and two ultra marathons in the span of six weeks. I could have joined at the bronze level of two marathons within a 16 day time frame and three marathons within a 90 day time frame. But it is not meant to be this year. Following the advice of the friend that is running my first ultra marathon with me, he suggested switching to the half marathon.

I looked up the Half Fanatics website because I'm running a bunch of half marathons this year. I believe I meet the criteria for the Neptune status. I don't know if my 25K that I'm running this week will count, so I'm skipping it in the count. I will be running a half marathon in Boston on May 29, a half marathon in Ann Arbor on June 5 and a half marathon in Pinckney on September 9. The criteria for Neptune is two half marathons with a 16 day time frame. I'm running two half's on back-to-back weekends. The second is three half marathons within a 90 day time frame (Boston, AA and Pinckney).

It will be exciting to join this group. Hopefully I'll be able to meet some fanatics at some local races.

I guess that decision wasn't final

I made my decision on Friday to run the Run Woodstock! Trail Marathon. Over the weekend, I talked to my friend that will be running Dances with Dirt 50K with me. I asked him which race would be better to run as a training run for DWD, the half marathon or the marathon? He told me that I should go with the half marathon. The reason for running the half marathon is that parts of the race are run on the DWD course and he said my legs would be fresh after the half. Since he is running DWD with me, I am going to follow his advice.

I will be registering for the Run Woodstock Hippie Half Trail Marathon on September 10. I guess The Glass City Marathon in 2012 will be my first marathon after all.

Panther Road Race

I ran a 5K on Saturday morning. Going into the race, I just wanted to take it easy. I knew I wouldn't be trying to run a PR. I have never run the course before, but it was a nice one. The course was a hilly country block. We ran on pavement and dirt roads.

At the start of the 5K, I was surrounded by women that were in my age group. We mostly all ran together for the first half mile. Leading up to the mile was the first hill. That is where I dropped them. It was nice to be out front of them. They were no longer running right next to me. My first mile time was 8:15. The second mile was just like the first. We were off of the pavement running on dirt. I stayed in the middle of the road to avoid potholes that could twist my ankles. Mile two also had a hill. Still no one around me, I charged up the hill. After running up the hill, we turned a corner and had a slight downhill run onto pavement. It felt really good to be running downhill. I passed the second mile mark in 16:30.

The last mile didn't have any downhills. It was basically a steady incline leading up to the finish line. I didn't look at my watch, but I could tell I was slowing down. I told myself to get going and catch the father and daughter running ahead of me. I started to catch them within a half mile to go. I think the incline was getting to her. At this point I was really thankful that I included hill intervals into my weekly runs. It was really coming in handy during this race. When we turned the corner into the parking lot leading to the finish line, I picked up my pace. I was running hard, but I failed to catch the girl. Yes, a 10 year old girl. She beat me by 14 seconds.

I finished the 5K in 26:23 with a pace of 8:29 a mile. I was happy with my finish. I didn't catch the 10 year old girl, but I did run well on the hills and finished strong. I finished the race as the fifth overall female and first in my age group. Not bad for a run on hilly country roads.

Decision

I decided I'm going to register for the Run Woodstock! trail marathon on September 10. It will be my first marathon ever. This marathon will be my training run for trail 50K that I will be running two weeks after the marathon. I don't plan on running this marathon too fast. I just want to get through it without any problems and get a feel for the trails.

I really didn't expect to be running a marathon this year. My plan was to have The Glass City Marathon in Toledo, Ohio be my first ever. Well it will be my first, my first road marathon.

Clean

A couple of weeks ago, I was pulling out from a parking spot that was near a concrete island. I don't know the real name of it, but the island is an area for plants and a light pole. I thought I pulled out enough to get around it. How wrong I was. I hear a loud noise and then heard something fall to the ground. I parked my car and got out. I saw the damage. The concrete lip of the island ripped off trim that ran along the bottom of the passenger side of my car. I was not happy. I picked up the trim, put it in my car and drove home.

I wasn't going to fix it. That was until I opened my passenger side door. When the trim was pulled off the car by the concrete, it pulled up my right front fender. When I opened the door, the door rubbed on my fender. Not good.

I waited until I received our tax return before making an appointment at the body shop. I took my car there last week and had it looked at. The body shop guy gave me an estimate. I wasn't surprised at the price. It was what I was expecting. My tax refund paid for it. He asked me if insurance was paying for it. I told him I was. He was surprised. I said it was my fault because of my stupidity and I would pay for it. He asked if I was sure. Yes. I was. I later found out from my husband that our insurance wouldn't even covered it.

I dropped off my car earlier this week and received a loaner car. The loaner car was the same car as mine just four years newer. I loved that car. It had great pickup and different options then what I have in my car. I really liked the radio buttons that were on the steering wheel.

A day later, I dropped off the loaner and picked up my car. The body shop did a fabulous job with my car. When I sat in the drivers seat, it was all the way back. My feet didn't even touch the pedals. The seat was also really low. It took about five minutes to change all the mirrors and get my seat back to where I had it. I noticed something else was different about my car. It took a couple of seconds, but I figured out what it was. The body shop guys dusted the inside of my car. I've owned my car for six years and never dusted. It looks like a brand new car. It was awesome. They also vacuumed my car out too. I need to go to the body shop more often. (Not really). They really know how to clean. This morning on my way to work I noticed something else. They cleaned the inside of my windshield! I was blown away. I've been wanted to clean it forever. Now it is done and it is crystal clean.

As you can tell, I'm very satisfied with the job that they did on my car.

Training run

I just thought about this the other day. I think I know which way I'm going to go with it too. I will be running my first ultra (50K) at Dances With Dirt in Hell, Michigan on September 24. DWD is a trail run and I need to prepare for it.

Two weeks before DWD is a Run Woodstock! Run Woodstock! is many races held in one weekend. It also takes place in the same area as DWD. They offer a 100M/100K, 50M/50K, marathon, half marathon, 5 mile, 10K and 5K races over the course of three days. I was thinking of running the marathon or half marathon as a training run for Dances With Dirt. I am currently leaning towards the marathon. If I can finish the marathon, I know I will be able to run another five miles.

My decision about which race I'm going to run should be made by the end of this week.