First Duathlon

Official Times:
7th in AG
First 2 miles: 19:36.2 9:48/M
T:1 1:30.4 (I was 8th in my AG on this transtion; took way too long trying to make sure the camelback was working)
10 Mile Bike: 35:37.6 16.1avg pace
T:2 0:54.0 (I was 2nd on this transition... :)
Second 2 miles: 20:01.2 10:01/M
Total Time incl transitions: 1:17:39.6

I have to say that I am VERY happy with these times! I didnt think with the heat and the humidity, plus the fact that I felt the way I did on those last 2 miles, I just didnt think I had it in me to pull those times out...Seriously.

First Run: I didnt wear my Garmin so I had no idea what my pace was but I just kept it nice and easy, as I knew that with the added run before the bike, I wasnt sure what I was going to have at the end. I just basically got in a groove, watched my HR and kept it there. I hated the fact that part was through grass as they had just recently cut the grass and with the morning humidity it was just globbin up everywhere on you. When I made it to transition, I looked at my watch and saw 20 min...Guess I was off as they show me at 9:48per mile. As I was nearing the chip mat I pulled out a gel and began eating it...

Transition 1: I went straight to my bike and was glad it was open rack cause I got to pick a spot midway and on the end. I put the Camelback on and tried to see if it was working and I fiddled with it way longer than I should have. Tore off my patella bands and because of the time with the CB I opted to not try and put my biking gloves on with sweat pouring out of me and all down my arms. I would just deal with the slippery on the bike ride. took a swig of Accelerade and off I go....

Bike: No problems hopping on and heading out. It was an out and back and flat till you got to the turnaround at 5 miles and then it was just a small hill to top...no problem.. I was passing people left and right on the bike and that helped my confidence. I had one or two pass me, one being Penny but I knew she was stronger than I am on the bike and fully expected her to catch me. She caught me just after the turnaround, somewhere in mile 6...I just kept thinking, you'll catch her on the run :) ... On the way back, there was a spot where it was all open and thats when I felt the headwind. On the way out I was going about 17-19 mph, but when I hit that, my speed fell to about 15mph...shit...Then after about 2 miles Im guessing when I hit the trees to the right, it was fine and I was able to recover back up to my original speed. I knew I couldnt go faster as I had that run coming up and I needed to save some in my tank. Then I saw the tents and such coming up on my right and I knew I was almost there...35 minutes for the 10 miles...I'll take it.

Transition 2: Wow. When I got close to the dismount line, some chick stopped in front of me and I had to stop about 20 ft away...and when I hopped off I almost felt like I was going to fall...legs were pudding...All I did was take off the camelback and took off the helmet. No time to put the patella bands back on. It was 2 miles afterall...no need. 54secs..and 2nd in my AG in this transition. Me like that.

Run 2: Holy shit. I still cant believe my time came out to 10min miles. Seriously. I felt like I was BARELY moving. Especially the first half mile. I even walked the water station to make sure I got all the gatorade in me. 1 other time I took about 20 seconds to just let my legs recover. It really was hard throughout this 2 miles. I just kept thinking about the movie I watched last night about Fred Lebow and him running that NYC marathon pretty much on his death bed, and if he could run 26.2 miles in that condition, then by God I could freaking run as best I could in the condition I was in...I had NO idea what my pace was at all...At whatever point it was I knew I had a sub 1:20 in me...I could walk it in and do it...Secretly I had 1:15 as a goal, but I have no idea where that came from since I hadnt done one before...and when I knew it was gonna be in the 1:17 range I was especially elated. yeah not 1:15, but for the effort and how hard it was, I was very happy indeed.

As I was coming up to the Finish line I saw all my Strider buddies there cheering me on and Dixie and Evan!!! I could not believe I had done it and done it quite well in my opinion. After it was all said and done, I felt fine right after and actually still do...

So having said ALL of that...I signed up for Du the Bear in October....and am gonna swim some this week...I might, MIGHT...give that Tri a go in August in Clear Lake...

Bayou City Classic 10K

4 minutes and 3 seconds PR!! 58:32 for 10K
It was colder and windier than last year...although the wind was not a factor past the first 3/4 of the first mile and then I didn't really feel it again till at the end of mile 5...great just what I need, headwind in the last mile AND going up that damn ramp back into downtown!! At least the rain held off...

Splits:
Mile 1: 9:32
Mile 2: 9:17 (had to stop and tie my shoe here)
Mile 3: 9:22 (tossed the gloves off!!)
Mile 4: 9:38 (walked the water stop to drink; I wanted ALL that water in that cup!!!)
Mile 5: 9:26
Mile 6: 9:26
.2: 7.5 mph

Average pace: 9:24 (43 seconds faster per mile over last year)

The four of us started out relatively together, although Robin was a bit in front, but we caught up to her and passed, and then it was just Bonnie and I till I had to stop and tie my shoe. I caught back up to them but had no idea where Dixie was...just past the 3 mile mark was a water stop and I needed water so Bonnie got ahead of me and I never caught back up to her so up till the start of mile 6 I was running alone...Then as we started mile 6 I heard a familiar step behind me, quickly turned my head and sure enough it was Robin...AND DIXIE!!! We went stride for stride till we hit the on ramp and I slowed down thinking I would catch them on the downhill...they were only seconds in front of me really and I just decided to cruise it on in. We crossed literally almost at the same time in the end. All our watches said 58:32 and Bonnie had finished about a minute ahead of us. We were all thrilled with our times and our PR's!!

As cold as we were at the start I think we can all agree it was perfect weather for the run!

We had a beer then headed to Barnabys for green eggs and post race trash talk!!!

I heart heart heart my KW girlie running buddies!!!

Last year (2008):
Time: 1:02:35 (Garmin time)
Last 10K time (2007) was 1:08:52

PR difference: 6 minutes, 17 seconds
Average pace: 10:05

Splits:
Mile 1: 10:15
Mile 2: 9:52
Mile 3: 9:34; at this point, there was a water station just past the 3 mile marker and I took Powerade and walked to drink it
Mile 4: 10:16
Mile 5: 10:01
Mile 6: 9:53
.2... whatever it is to make it to 1:02:35

Two Photos from Park to Park

I remember those peeps and I remember turning on some speed to put distance between us. You can clearly see how much distance I put between us by looking at the photo on the right compared to the one right at the finish there on the left.

Good stuff. I love it when the photog's get me so airborne (as in the pic on the left).

Park to Park 5 Mile

5.08 miles
Course long by everyones Garmin (new route but only at the beginning) Mile markers were only slightly off though compared to last years...

average pace: 9:22
Mile 1: 9:15
Mile 2: 9:33
Mile 3: 9:29
Mile 4: 9:21
Mile 5: 9:14

This was by my Garmin at 5 miles a 46:5+ which equates to a 3 minute PR off last year. Last years average pace was 10:02, so yay me! I ran a 50:+ last year.

Chip time with the overage was 47:3+ which I will take in a heartbeat. Was warm and WINDY...headwind till the last mile where we turned off just before the start of mile 5. Was underhydrated (didnt drink hardly any water yesterday for whatever reason)...but still felt OK today. Started picking people off in mile 3 which is customary for me at this distance. Maybe 400 people out for this run which always surprises me at the lack of people out for this one as its a great course and a great after party!! Budweiser Select was yuuuuummy...

Ran the longest distance in my Adidas Boston racers and was very happy with them...

Only thing is I left something out on the course and for that I am kinda beating myself up...will NOT leave anything out there at the Bayou Classic 10K though so Dixie BE READY!!! :o)

5K Time Trial - Texas Med Center

I wanted to run this race as a time trial to see where I am as far as 5K shape. I haven't run a 5K since I think last April...there hasn't been any speed training, only training for NYC and then the half here in Houston (which of course did not happen). I wanted to see where I was before Spring/speed training started.

It was a perfect morning; about 42 degrees and sunny. My previous 5K PR was 28:32. This morning I ran a 28:31. The course was long, and that proof is in the times posted by the top runners. About 200m I guess, which isnt that much but can make a big difference in the faster runners times...

I did a mile warmup and kept doing strides to keep the legs warm beforehand.

Splits per the Garmin:
Mile 1: 8:47
Mile 2: 9:11
Mile 3: 9:20
Last .15: 8:06 pace

I will take it considering as I said, no speed training whatsoever in months and months. I got REALLY hot in the 3rd mile and my knee started bothering me (first time I didnt wear my patella band; bad decision). Thankfully I had some encouragement in the last 1/2 mile and that certainly helped ;o) And then in the last .1 there was a woman in front of me I wanted to catch and pass (which I did) but she came back just a bit, and I had to make DAMN SURE she didnt beat me...she didn't. ;o)

Now I have speed training coming up and we'll see what kind of improvement I can get through the Spring.

OK off to worky work!

Auld Lang Syne (Bring on 2009)

I think that the majority of people go into a new year with high hopes and cautious expectations. We never ever know what good times will be bestowed upon us and we certainly never know what bad times will fall our way.

At times throughout 2008 I often said "it can't get any worse", but at times it indeed did. At least 2 times I thought seriously that it really couldn't get any worse, and it also seemed that my eyes were going to fall right out of my head from the tears.

But it always got better, one way or the other. Sometimes I found solace in myself. Sometimes in a few DEAR to my heart friends, and sometimes only through prayer, forgiveness and the grace of God.

And always, ALWAYS I managed to find some good in the bad, and held onto my mantra of: everything happens for a reason. We may not always understand the why or the how, but it does indeed come to find its way to let you know.

Lets review.

Running: I have had the best year of my running 'career'. I managed to PR after PR after PR after PR in the Spring. I managed a PR at the half in Houston in January after coming off an injury that sidelined me from the full. I won the lottery and made it into NYC Marathon. I trained my heart, soul and left my guts on the roads and 'hills' of Houston in the searing heat of the summer in training for NYC. I wasn't going there for the 'experience' of it, although yes that was indeed great (although the experience wasnt the race itself but the time I got to spend with my sister and my niece). I went to NYC and RAN that marathon like I meant it.

I strategized long before I got there, but always kept my confidence at bay realizing that nothing ever goes as planned. In my case, it went better. Since NYC I haven't had much time to recover (really not at all) and I've had to make the difficult decision to run the half instead of the full in just 3 short weeks from now. There were times that I have almost (almost) thought of not doing it all. I've just had some setbacks in training, but they too, will subside (as they always do). Running in 2008 has been perfect. There really isn't much more to say than that.

I am (at the moment) in the best physical shape and health than I have ever been before. But just wait...it ain't over. This last statement should come as no surprise. I have big goals for 2009.

Family (those that I was born into): I can't say much more than this year has been phenomenal in this respect. My family has grown into something that I cherish more than ever, and I do have the regret that it took this long in my life. But I am forever grateful for my growth and maturity and that I can now say my sister is indeed my life long best friend for life. Never did I think we would get to this point, but I thank God every day for it happening.

Family (those that I choose to be): While there are fewer than ever before, the ones that I call my friends (family) now I feel like were brought to me for reasons I will not disclose here. There are um....3 from my past that I feel are still with me everyday and I respect and miss them dearly but our life paths have drifted us apart, but again they are in my heart everyday (HJ, SS and LTT), I love you more than words can say). To those new but dear, dear friends (DE, BB and AH) you have brought me tears of joy and helped me through some of my toughest times this year. I think of you as sisters and my heart jumps for joy when I think of the happiness your friendship has brought to my life.

To the one that I consider my best friend, we've certainly had our share of hardships, but you, and only you are the one that makes me happy and thankful every. single. minute. of. every. single. day. that you are a part of my life.

To those of you who are my blogger friends, and who have provided inspiration, hope, messages and emails of encouragement, I think of you as friends as much as those that I can actually see and hear.

I lost Harley this year...I still miss him so much, but I know I did the right thing and he's in kitty heaven and at least I had 17 years with him. Some ask if I want another kitty. No, I don't think so. I can't replace him, nor do I even want to try.

Career: I won't dwell on this too much, but I am indeed thankful for the uprise in my job (and financial) situation. It has made me open my eyes to new possibilities and to the realization that loving what you do every day and excited to get out of bed and go to work, CAN BE FUN and rewarding. While I have never had to worry about money or ever having to budget, bah! I am doing alright and while I don't have that 'security', did I really ever at all anyway? No. I absolutely adore my job and what I get to do and contribute every day to like minded individuals, old and new runners alike. And when you have those people constantly come back and thank you SO MUCH for your advice, whether on nutrition, clothing or training, it makes the long hours on my feet every day worth that much more.

Love: Ah yes...the love category. Its been a roller coaster, there is no denying that. I am not going to dwell on this either, as it doesn't need dwelling. As I said, everything happens for a reason...why some people come into your life, why some of them leave and never come back, why some never leave, and why some leave and do come back. I may have made some mistakes along the way this past year, I am mature enough to have learned from (some) of them... but when it comes right down to it, love conquers all. It might not always make sense, and if it did it wouldn't be near as fun I don't think.

All I know is that I feel grateful that I have the heart that I do. That God has given me the emotion(s) to feel what I feel...sometimes so much so that it overwhelms me. And right now...at this moment...I don't think of 'what if'. I am just loving every minute of happiness, regardless of the consequences if something doesn't always go right.

So all in all, in so many categories, I have thought of the percentage of good vs bad. Some had higher percentages in the good and some had higher percentages in the not so good. What I intend to do is flip the percentages where they were higher in the bad and make them higher in the good in 2009.

I have my plan (and goals) for 2009 and I will post that later...

The Uptown Turkey Trot was a huge success! I hate not running though... :o)

When I got there to check in, I was told I was going to be at mile 4 instead of mile 3. What was cool was we got to ride in one of the lead vehicles at the gun and be dropped off at our respective miles. Riding on the back of a tailgate ahead of the runners is cool.

However, 37 minutes into the 10K, my dang stopwatch, stopped. Boo!! Oh well, at least the lead runners all got their times called out. And people...its GUN time that I am calling out, not your INDIVIDUAL time ;o), so don't go postal on me...One girl actually wanted to argue with me. Sigh.

The winner was so far ahead of everyone else, it was incredible. If I remember right he passed me at mile 4 at about 20 minutes. Figeroa was his name-o...

I loved being out there because I got to see so many people I havent seen in a while, plus all the Lukes customers were shouting and waving and saying hi!

Congrats to EVERYONE that ran such a good race in not so perfect conditions this morning!! Now its off for Thanksgiving food and probably a movie or something this evening...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!