Whoops - catching up - 2 race reports!

Looks like I got behind again. I've been doing great with my workouts. I have been fighting dehydration tho - which has me lethargic (more than usual) so I'm slipping on some things - such as updating my blog. Naps are my friend. On the positive side, my husband has lunch with me more. With all the liquids, I'm not hungry. He thinks not getting enough solid calories (he doesn't care that I'll drink ensure or instant breakfast or high calorie drinks) so more meals with him! :) hee hee! Went to Kobe for lunch today. Fried rice, ocean scallops - YUM!!!

Let me try to catch up here..

Hard workouts: 6x1000, hill repeats, 3 x 2 miles, 3 mile tempo w/a 5 minute rest then 1 mile at race pace.

Long runs: up to 15 miles

I've been feeling pretty good other than the dehydration thing - that really messed me up for a couple workouts, but I still pulled off the times. I should buy stock in pedialyte. Cherry & Fruit Punch (not tropical fruit) flavors are best. Apple is good, but salty taste.

9/19 - Race
The course was long, I knew that going in - long, over a bridge, pain in the butt.. but free entry, free beer and most importantly - awards are beer mugs and I needed a spare for when last year's is dirty. Well, I worked so freaking hard on that humid, hot, miserable race - but I actually did pretty well. Only goal was to win a beer mug. I got 2nd in my age group (there is overall prize money so this brings out serious competition from Kenyans to runners that were in the Olympic trials - first female 17:51, first male 15:45 - race was 3.25 miles long). So I get the awards and would you believe - they got cheap and gave out medals!!! Medals are normally cool - but not when you busted your butt in the heat for a beer mug. haha!

10/3 - Race
Last year I didn't get to run this as I was pacing Bob in the JJ100. This year the race is earlier. The year before I won overall. Again - no real expectations. I thought I had a shot at winning, but who knows. The course is good - it looks flat because the area is not developed, but it is full of inclines yet the finish is a nice decline! My goal was to go under 22. I'd like to go under 7's as well, but as long as I was under 22. Four of my runners were in the race. Three were guys, two had a good shot at beating me, one I didn't think would. From the start only one was near me and I thought we would run together, I'd keep him running smart and he would beat me. Well, he wanted water at the stop around 2.5 miles in and fell off pace. We did a u-turn and he didn't catch up. I left a space for him and goated him to catch up, but he didn't respond and with my friends cheering me on and yelling that I was in first, I snapped into race mode and although I hadn't slowed for him, I now began a chase of the guy in front of me. I got close and as I was making my move, my friend in the wheelchair flew by. I cheered him on as he leaned over and said - "nice day" as he was cruising down hill - haha! The other guy then saw me and worked on holding me off (we spoke after the race and he said I helped him run faster.. heck, I just wanted to beat him!). I caught him for a few strides, but he pulled away. I worked to gradually catch him again, but he turned it on as well and had a lot more in the tank than I did. I remembered my strategy of run the first mile fast, pick it up on the 2nd (I had) and go even faster on the last mile. I turned it on and cruised down hill, passing strollers and walkers from the 1 mile. I got close to the finish and decided the clock must be wrong, but enjoyed my finish of winning the race - except the dang announcer said I was second. haha! It turns out I did win and the clock was correct - 20:45!!! I just wanted to go under 22, instead I went under 21 and ran my fastest 5K since I started back!!! The course was not certified, so I'm not changing my 5K PR, but I now know what is possible and where I'm at!! Woo hoo!! I was no where near this fast this time last year! I won 3 more months at my gym, a plaque, a rose bush and a crepe myrtle tree. I got home and my husband laughed - he said - you win a race and they give you foliage?!!? HAHA! I laughed so hard. I gave away the crepe myrtle, it was a Charlie Brown size tree. The Rose bush comes up past my waist, so we are planting that! :)

Also - my friends came to cheer!! What a race to see as well! One of my friends is very sick and for her to come just meant the world. I have some very special friends. :)