Pumpkin Run 5K

One of the many reasons I love to run is to EAT!!! The Pumpkin Run 5K is a local race in Pensacola that is put on by Sacred Heart Cathedral School. This was the 27th year of the race and it was rather large, with about 1,200 runners. At the end of the race, you are assured plenty of homemade pumpkin bread. Yummers!

My faithful running buddies, Cathy on the left and Jennifer on the right,

 who have been running with me since June. My college friend, Melissa

(who I was suppose to run the Marine Corps Marathon with), thinks we are so goofy.

She just can't understand why we think it is fun to dress alike. Yet another reason I like to run:

to have fun and be silly with friends. Although, it appears that Jennifer thinks she is special

and had to wear her purple shorts instead of black. Our shirts say BOO! and our socks

are spiderwebs. Fun, right? It's almost Halloween. Live a little!

I digress, back to the race. Cathy's husband, Ben, was put in charge of taking pictures during the race. Oh, how I long for that perfect picture of me looking like a "real runner". I gave Ben strict instructions to run ahead of us and then get on the sidelines to capture some action shots. Ben was running the race to support his wife, little did he know that he would take on the job of photographer. Well, he did great, it's just the sun didn't cooperate and it appears as one big shadow, but I think you can tell that we are having a blast!

Shortly after this is when we decided we were overdressed. It was one of those cold mornings with a low about 40, but once the sun came out, so did the sweat. Hence, Jennifer commenced to stripping while running. She is pretty good at it actually. Myself, I'm not that coordinated. With the Garmin and I-pod attached and two layers on, I'll just suffer.

The race went through the East Hill area of Pensacola which I was not familiar with beforehand. We basically ran through some neighborhoods, up and down a few mean hills, by the water (YAY!), and beside a park. About mile 2, I had a military retiree running near me and he was chanting the left, left, left, right, left. It helped to pace me a bit since I was not trained at all due to injury. It also made me pout a bit knowing that I was not going to be able to the Marine Corps full.

The good news is that I felt pretty good and the leg held up well. I finished with a time of 31:46, which isn't bad considering my lack of running. Afterward, we were able to meet up and spend a few minutes with some other S2S Sisters that ran the race.

Left to right: Jennifer, Susan, Sharon, the Great Pumpkin, me, Nina, and Cathy

Below: The 5:00 a.m. faithful





Injured again

I sure wish I would have kept up with my blog during my training for the Marine Corps Marathon, BUT, I didn't. Training was going wonderful. I was so committed that I got up three or four days a week to run at 5:00 in the morning due to the extreme summer heat here in the Pensacola area. Most mornings it was still in the high 70's with a zillion percent humidity. My friends, Jennifer and Cathy, were so faithful to come run at this time as well. We had to finish before the sun made it to high in the sky. This means that most mornings, we did have the blessing of watching the sun rise.
On August 20, I had steadily and faithfully built my mileage up to 13 miles. I tried to run my long runs slow to lower my risk of injury. I ran the 13 miles in 2:28:39, which is an 11:26 pace. Very conservative. I came in from the run feeling accomplished. I drank some chocolate milk as my post race fuel, did lots of stretching, sat with my legs straight up in the air against a wall to allow the blood to not pool in the bottom of my legs.
I naturally felt tired the rest of the day, but nothing unexpected. UNTIL, I watched about 30 minutes of TV lying in my bed that evening. When I got up, I felt a horrible feeling in my lower left leg. The next morning, I could barely walk into church. Long story short, and after a bone scan, I had yet another fracture. This time in my tibia.
Pouting commenced, depression set in, and the realization that I would not be able to run the full marathon with my friend Melissa was SLOW to accept. I still got up many mornings with my friends and would bike instead of run.
This lasted until September 27 when I "tried" my leg on a 3 mile run. A fracture is a tough injury because there's really no way to know when the bone is going to heal. I ran again later in that week and just decided that I wasn't ready.
I didn't start really running again until the Pumpkin Run 5K on October 22.

Bryant's first 5K-Riverwalk Run

Bryant has been running some here and there just to get some exercise. He does not do any kind of organized sport anymore. He is one of those big brain, musically inclined souls. Not sure where that talent came from, but he is a treasure. He is in the Pace High Marching Band, which is so much more involved than I could have ever imagined.

 This was a spur of the moment decision for him to run the race. It is held in a nearby town, Milton, along the river. I thought Bryant might enjoy the process of running in an actual race. The good thing about this race is that it is held in the later afternoon, which meant he didn't have to get up early. I wasn't running this one as I was suffering from a fractured tibia, but it was lots of fun to cheer him on.

Bryant, ready to run his first 5K.

 We were ready and watching for him, but he came several minutes ahead of what

we had anticipated. All of the sudden, Blake was screaming, here he comes, here he comes!

I think he actually enjoyed the race aspect of the run. He was booking it at an

8:51 pace. Wowzer! He went into it a little reluctantly, but I feel like it was a

boost of confidence for him. So, there we are, the proud family!

October 1, 2011

Firecracker 5K

The Firecracker 5K is held the weekend around July 4th and benefits the Ronald McDonald House. Bryant and I did volunteer work with the Ronald McDonald House here in Pensacola last year. Bryant was working on his Citizenship in the Community for Boy Scouts. It was such a rewarding experience.
The race is always very large, well organized, and has a fun after party with lots of good food and a band.

 Jennifer and I pre-race and then a group shot with lots of Sole2Soul Sisters

before the race. Naturally, it was super hot and humid. I think we were just all hoping

to survive and not have a heat stroke.

 

 I felt pretty good during the race. I love running these races held downtown as you get to run by the water, which is always motivating to me because the sight of water and sun just makes my spirit happy. I was so excited when I found this picture on the Ronald McDonald website. I never seem to have a decent picture of me running.

Jennifer having fun!

Above: Dana gives a wave.

Below: Mary completes her first 5K. She trained with us, but was unable to do

the Fiesta because she was working to restore power after the tornado in Alabama.

 Above: Fatma is all smiles headed to the finish line.

Below: Tally, who was Blake's third grade teacher, is focused

and booking it to the finish line.

 More friends join the fun: Andrew, Ali, and Theresa above, Afsaneh below.

Above: Cathy sure looks happy to have the finish line in sight.

Below: I met a new Sole2Soul Sister from Daphne, Jackie.

 Below: Regina was completing her first 5K. She is the media center specialist

at my son's school. She didn't start training when the intial group of S2S Sisters did.

She was inspired to do it on her own, which I think takes extra commitment. Congratulations!

 Above: My friend Dana from Mobile came over to run. We have been friends

since I began teaching in 1996. What a wonderful blessing to still be friends, even

though I have moved all over the state of Alabama (and now Florida) since then.

Below: Missy and I after the race. Missy found me through dailymile.com. She is so much

fun and has been a wonderful support for our Sole2Soul Sisters group.

 Above: Scott surprised me by coming down to the race. He loves to sleep in so I was

pleasantly surprised to see him. I was thrilled that he could help me get water

 and cold, wet cloths to thewomen as they came through the finish line.

Below: Cathy, Fatma, me, and Jennifer

I'm so thankful to have faithful running buddies!

 Most of our group after the race, we survived the heat.

So, all in all, this is such a super fun race, despite the heat. Only one HUGE disappointment, the race was only 2.88 miles. There was some construction going on downtown, so the route was a little different. It shocked me though that one of the biggest races in town would not make sure to be accurate. My time was 29:40, perhaps one day I'll get under 30 minutes, but in an actual 3.1 route.

Bear Lake Trail Run

I believe in always having a goal in order to keep things fresh and something to work toward. Well, no sooner that the Fiesta 5K was over, it was time for my next challenge, The Bear Lake Trail Run. Considering I wasn't fully healed from my hip fracture and I had NEVER done ANY trail running, I knew this would be just for fun.

Missy, Jennifer, and I before the race.



Let's just say it was an adventure. Trail running is suppose to be much easier on your legs, but I was so apprehensive. Altough they were marked, there were so many twigs and stumps sticking out everywhere. I never stopped looking down and worrying about my next step. Sure enough, poor Missy took a tumble, but got back up and kept trudging along to the finish.
Bear Lake is a gorgeous area for camping, hiking and outdoor family fun. It just so happens that Jennifer and I had recently taken our children out there for an afternoon trail walk. We walked out to the beautiful lake (I wish I had a picture. I now run WITH my camera.) and as we started back, a snake slivered past us. I don't do snakes!
No matter what, it was a PR for us as this was the first time we had done this race. I ran the 4 mile trail run in 50:15. Perhaps if I do more trail running to prepare for 2012, I will have a much improved time.
Something great happened after the race. We had a few women come up to us to talk to us about the Sole2Soul Sisters. Jennifer had worn her shorts and these ladies wanted to know more. After telling them more about our ministry and giving them information, this eventually led to yet another S2S Sisters group starting in a new community.

Jennifer and I after the race.

Better Late Than Never-Maybe

I never was good at keeping a diary when I was young. I am the ultimate procrastinator. I always regret it though. So, many month later, I must share with you one of the best parts of being a runner. If you know me at all, you know I am a social creature. Although I don't talk too much while I'm running (I seem to be focused on things like breathing and putting one foot in front of the other), I love all the social aspects of running.
With Scott out as my running partner due to miniscus surgery, I decided I needed to find some new running buddies. While looking for race results, I came upon Mindy's blog: mindyrunning@blogspot.com. Mindy happened to be running some of the same races I had been and lives in a town about 30 minutes from me. To make a short story long (I'm good at that you know), we became FB friends, we met, and I soon learned of a wonderful ministry she and friends had started called Sole2Soul Sisters.
Since I was already contemplating starting a running group, I met with them and started this ministry here in Pace. I did not do much in the way of advertising, mostly word of mouth. We had our first meeting in February of 2011. My friend Jennifer said our first meeting was like a scene from the movie "Field of Dreams" since women just kept on coming. I spent the next 10 weeks training women in the Couch to 5K method. We prayed together, walked and ran together, and encouraged each other. In the end, 36 women ran the Fiesta 5K on April 30, 2011. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Below is a picture of my "graduating class". We had a carb-loading party at my house the night before the race.

There are so many wonderful stories that I can tell you related to this 10 week journey with these women. So, let's just see if I can keep up with this blog and recollect some of them for you. 

Until next time...which better be tomorrow because I have a lot to catch up on!

Still a Luxury

It's been so long since I posted that I couldn't even remember my password to log in. That's bad. So, why the absence? I suppose I have to admit that I have been disheartened by my injury. As of my last post, I was running with MUCH pain, but had not received the MRI results. I went back to the doctor on March 10 and was told that I had extreme bruising and a stress fracture (a small break) in my hip. It's in the bone that runs from my hip socket to my pubic bone. Of course, he told me NO running for 6 weeks. I have tried to be good since then and really did limited running. The only running that I have done was about 20 minutes each week at about a 13:00 minute mile pace with a group I am training in the Couch to 5K program. (I promise another post on this very soon)
So, I had signed up for the Gulf Coast Half Marathon way back in December. Well, the time was here and I had to participate. I told myself I could atleast walk the 13.1 miles. The most walking I had done was on March 26. That was the day of the Azalea Trail Run, which is a very popular run in Mobile. I was having a pity party for myself since all of my friends were running and I couldn't. I set out to walk 6.2 in my neighborhood. I made it about 5 miles and had a TERRIBLE blister building on my right foot. Ding, ding, ding, I should have known the same thing would happen when I tried to do 13.1 just a few short weeks later. Note to self: Running shoes are NOT meant to be walked in!
That brings us to the Gulf Coast Half-Marathon weekend. I was determined to walk it and not miss the fun. I told my family they didn't have to come cheer for me since it would be a little less than exciting. I went to pick up my race packet and was a little disappointed by the lack of excitement being generated by the event. We picked up our packets at a local running store and literally all it had in it was the race bib, safety pins, and a bracelet for the after party. The t-shirt is super cute, but it's not a wicking shirt, which a lot of people had a problem with.
The race was 1,500 people, which is about the same as the First Light Half that I did in Mobile in January. I would have expected a little more energy and a "swag bag". Then I got to thinking about it, really, what is usually in those bags is kinda like getting a goody bag for your child at a birthday party. You might get one little treasure, but for the most part, it's just junk. The other good part about no expo is that I didn't spend any extra money on unneccesary "running stuff". Now, my expectation is for big expos at big races.
I have also been seing a chiropractor, which I can't really tell has made a difference. I do like that he has a massage therapist there and that I can get a mini-massage of about 10 minutes. I have also continued in boot camp during this time I am suppose to be healing. Well, I think I have done JUST ENOUGH to keep my hip irritated. For lower body, we do things like jog, goat trails (running up and down the football stadium bleachers), squats, and all different kinds of lunges. Possibly, I'm my own worst enemy.
On to the Gulf Coast Half-Marathon, which was held on Sunday, April 10. Here's a picture of my race day gear:

The weather was HOT and HUMID!!! I know it was over 70 when we started and I think it was about 84 when we finished.

 The sun was trying to come out from behind the haze and humidity. Thank goodness, it didn't make too much of an appearance. The people volunteering at the water stops were wonderful. They were having a blast, playing music, and providing lots of encouragement!

My plan for race day was to power walk the first 10 miles and then if I felt terrific, jog in the last 3.1. Well, of course, so much for my plan. Here's how it actually happened:
I started off walking at a 13:30 mile pace. That's booking it pretty good for short little ol' Leah. I kept my friend Leslie in sight. She was jogging and walking. Neither of us had properly trained for different reasons, but we knew we were going to finish and have fun doing so. We walked together from about mile 1.5 to about 6.5. We were Creative Memories buddies when I lived in Mobile and I have been gone now for 8 years. It was great to catch up and hear about all of the exciting things happening in her life. Below is a picture of us after the race. Believe it or not, they gave us a water bottle in the finishing chute, but after that, the only drink option that I could find was BEER. I see people drinking beer after races all the time, but that always sounded horrible to me, even though I love beer. Well, when there was no water to be found, that ICE COLD beer went down pretty easy.

The blister on my right heal was gradually building and becoming unbearable. Guess what, the only thing that made it feel better was to jog. Remember, running shoes are meant for running! Ligthbulb moment again! Somewhere after mile 6, I started passing my buddies who had made it through the turnaround at mile 7 and were heading down the home stretch. It is so exciting to see those super speedy runners booking it. Leslie and I started to notice that even the most seasoned, lean, mean running machines were struggling in the heat and humidity. Pretty soon, my friend Ali Penton passed me. He is my son's Cub Scout leader and always has that sincere smile on his face:

Obviously, he is the one on the right, waving and smiling. He placed number 74 out of 1,500 runners. Top 5%-very impressive! Do you believe me now about the haze, heat, and humidity. It was a thick covering as you can see.
Next, I saw a familiar face coming, it was one of the Sole2Soul Sisters, Laura Morris and another friend of hers, Angela. I am so impressed with their times considering the conditions.

Then came my friend, Mindy, my blogging buddy. Before my injury, we had such good intentions of running this race together and setting PR's. She is the one that I ran with in New Orleans when I was injured and she had the flu. Our day will come, but this was not it. She had a great run!

Then, I kept looking and looking for my other Sole2Soul Sisters from the Eastern Shore area. When I came upon them, they were having such a good time, but were walking. You know, not everyday is a perfect race day. From lack of training to bronchitis to low blood sugar, they all were just making it. They had to make sure to act like they were running, so that is why they are laughing so hard.

So, finally, I made it to the turn around spot at mile 7 and this group was having an absolute blast!

I did a few things this time that I have never had to do before in a race. I stopped just before mile 7 to re-tie my shoes in hopes that would help the blister issue. Just before mile 10, I finally gave in and used a porta potty. I spared you a picture of that, but I'm telling you, it was some kind of hot in that miserable, stinky place. So, now it was on to the finish. I pretty much jogged about an 11:00 minute mile with a few walk breaks for the rest of the race. The hip pain was not as bad as I thought it might be. I did manage to get a few more scenic shots. The views were tremendous and I'm sure would be even better on a clear day. We even had a para-glider come flying by around mile 8. By this point, I was running some and wasn't able to get out the camera fast enough.

In miles 11 and 12, I started thinking that maybe I am crazy for having registered for the Marine Corps Full on October 30. When you are trudging along alone, you have a lot of time to think. Then I started rethinking, here I was able to complete 13.1 without really working on any training for over two months. When I get ready to run in October, I will be prepared. I realize it is going to be a huge difference than running a half, but I am up for the challenge.
Here are a few pictures from the afer party. It was so gloomy and overcast that I put my sunglasses in my car, not thinking about the reflection from the white sand. I love this picture of me, Paige, and Mindy!

 Half-Marathon number 3 is in the history books. It was a fun day!

Still a luxury? My beginning runner friends think I am totally nuts. And well, maybe I am. I guess I do have an addictive personality. Addictions run deep in my family and I can certainly think of worse things to be addicted to. On days like today, when I wake up to a bright, beautiful day with a temperature of around 50, there's nothing I want to do more than just go for a run. Right now, I'm not able to, and I sincerely miss it. I will heal and I will get back out there. I will have to regain some of my lung capacity. It's amazing how quickly your lungs and heart muscle can start trending backward. Since Sunday, I have registered for two more half-marathons. One is on October 9 in Mandeville, LA and the other is April 15, 2012-the same race as this past Sunday. They are both being hosted by the same group.

One of the definitions of luxury is: a pleasure out of the ordinary allowed to oneself. I guess a love for running isn't ordinary. I feel a sense of accomplishment that I haven't felt in a long time. Even though I walked most of this race, I was still able to finish. It may seem a bit silly to pay money to run up and down the road, knowing that you are not going to place. But it is just a mental and physical challenge that I enjoy. The best part is the emotional boost that it gives me. I enjoy this journey with fellow runners that I have met along the way. It's a way to build relationships and celebrate successes. I love my running friends! My next blog post will tell you even more about building relationships through running.

By the way, my official time was 3:01:50, an average pace of 13:53.

Until then,

Leah