Hyde Park Blast

The only thing that got me to the finish was the cute t-shirt. With a DNF (on a 4 mile race at that) I wouldn't have allowed myself to wear it.

The Hyde Park Blast is a 4 mile pre July 4th road race, block party, and bike race in a day-long event that begins at 8:00AM with the 4 mile run/walk. Hyde Park is one of Cincinnati's hilliest neighborhoods and it is also one of the oldest and most scenic so you get the good with the bad. For example, here's the elevation chart -- notice for every up there's a nice down.




I totally love this race for the goodies. This year, because Hyde Park is such a trendy spot, the race went "green" and the "goody bag" was actually a reusable grocery bag filled with bars, coupons, and hand sanitizer. The finisher's gift was a green beach towel which is another reason I was glad I finished.

Today was the second day of my period which is usually the day that I'm incapacitated. But a friend was picking me up and I was nothing if not committed to giving it a try. We went for a little warmup run before the race and I had cramps right from the get-go. My friend suggested we just take off our chips and run an easy 4 miler, but I told her "no way." Heck, as long as we were here, we might as well race the thing!

So, I sucked it up and got going. With no ipod (I don't wear it to race) I only had two thoughts going through my head: 1) the t-shirt is cute so I've got to finish, and 2) the only bathrooms are back at the start/finish. I felt like my insides were falling out, but otherwise, everything else felt really good. I didn't push it so I probably could have finished faster, probably even my goal time or under, but for this race on this particular day just having that knowledge is enough. I was 7 seconds slower than last year and the course was different. I didn't feel spent at the end and I'm fairly satisfied. I'm definitely happy with my last fast mile which was up a .3 mile hill. I cranked up that hill!

If this race were tomorrow instead of today, I'd been posting about a PR I'm certain.

Mile 1 8:35
Mile 2 9:12
Mile 3 8:57
Mile 4 8:46
.17 7:25

Final Time: 35:49

Retrospective

My goal for 2007 was to improve. Improve overall fitness and become a better, faster runner. Since 2006 was a year of personal worsts for me, both fitness and running-wise, I knew I had nowhere to go but up. But how far I could go was the real mystery. Since the time I started "running" in 2003, and then running my first long distance races beginning in 2005, I always ran and trained conservatively and fearfully. When I raced, even in a 5k, I was afraid of going too fast. When I ran half and then full marathons I was afraid of injury and bonking. By the time I ran the Flying Pig in May 2006 and The Disneyland Half in September 2006 I was overweight (by my standards) and pulled off my slowest finish times in those two distances. I was going backward and I wanted to go forward.

2007 (or rather Fall 2006) came with a new attitude. I was going to go for it. I was going to conquer my imagined fears and see what I was really capable of accomplishing. When I turned 44 in February, I vowed to PR in every distance I raced this year. As it turned out, not only did I PR, but I PRd my PRs!

My races and times:

More Half Marathon: 2:10
The Cleveland Marathon: 4:39:10Redlegs Run For Home 5k: 26:19
Racing to Read 5k: 25:59
Hyde Park Blast 4 Miles: 35:42
Conquer the Hill 10k: 56:56
State-to-State Half Marathon: 2:03:10
ING New York City Marathon: 4:31:10
Thanksgiving Day Race 10k: 54:25

In the course of the year, I lost 15 pounds and have managed my weight and eating in a healthy way. My body fat is less than 16% which is excellent.

I've run a total of 1480.65 miles this year, averaging 123 miles per month and about 30 miles a week.

Next year, my goal is to run a 4:15 marathon and to break 2:00 in the Half. Most likely, my spring marathon will be the Kentucky Derby Marathon on April 26th and the Columbus Marathon in the fall. I tend not to make specific race plans in between but race when and where I can.

Here's to setting goals and achieving them!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Zero Week

Tea says it is time to change the music on my ipod. After all, the NYC Marathon is yesterday's news. I've basked in the glow of my 8 minute PR long enough.



She's right, of course, but the truth is, I can't seem to motivate myself to write anything down anymore. Since it's "zero week" I don't have any immediate goals. I'm going to run in the Thanksgiving Day Race this month (guess when it is) and I want to beat 55 minutes. Last year was a PW (personal worst) for that race at 1:02. But that was the beginning of my Natalie Gets Her Butt in Kick Ass Shape year. After that, the next big race I train for will be the More Half Marathon in Central Park. My goal is 2:00. That will be a biggie, because I tend to think of 2:00 as a breakthrough time for a half marathon. But that's not until April.



I won't be training for a spring marathon because I'll be chaperoning for March of the Living. I'm feeling a little wistful about The Flying Pig. It's the 10th anniversary and I still have some revenge to take on that one. Plus, you can't beat the hometown marathon!

But, in honor of Tea, and a training year that's almost come full-circle. I give you a new song.

State-to-State Half-Marathon

The State-to-State Half-Marathon is a race I swore I would never do. I'd heard it was hot and boring. Also that it was boring and hot. It's a good thing I have an open mind about these things.

This is a wonderful small (less than 600 runners) race that begins in Oxford, Ohio, heads straight out of town through a couple of little subdivisions, back to the main road, across the Indiana state line, and then ultimately turns around and heads straight back to where it starts. The course is one rolling hill after another, the first half net downhill and the second half net uphill. The course is extremely well-supported; water/gatorade stops are plentiful, port-a-potties are abundant both at the start and every couple of miles along the course. Entertainment is entertaining, if not abundant. My favorite was the "gourd band" which consisted of about ten people playing various percussion instruments including gourds and coffee cans.

This morning brought with it perfect weather for running. The temperature was a chilly (ok, it was freezing!) 50 degrees and overcast. There were a few drizzles when I was about at mile 10. Walkers started at 7:30, runners at 8:00, and the 5k began after that. Both sides of the road were closed to traffic. This race was chip timed and included a (men's) technical t-shirt. All finishers got a medal and there were plenty of water, gatorade, bagels, and other goodies available after the race, including Little Debbie Oatmeal Cookie sandwiches. I wasn't in the mood to eat so I didn't take anything.

My stated goal was 1) PR with 2:08 or better. My strategy was to run 9:30s until mile 10 then pick it up for the final 5k. I did not even bring my ipod with me as I wanted to completely focus on achieving my goal. Did I succeed?

Mile 1: 9:19
Mile 2: 9:14
Mile 3: 9:08
Mile 4: 9:10
Mile 5: 9:06
Mile 6: 9:19
Mile 7: 9:39
Mile 8: 9:13
Mile 9: 9:30
Mile 10: 9:29
Mile 11: 9:32
Mile 12: 9:23
Mile 13: 9:14
Mile .21: 8:44

Six Minute PR: 2:03:10

Hyde Park Blast

Can you PR in an off-distance race?


Yes, if you have run it before!


The Hyde Park Blast is a 4 mile point-to-point race through one of Cincinnati's more beautiful urban neighborhoods. I ran this race two years ago and finished with the not-so-impressive time of about 44 minutes. At least that's what I think. I've tried to block it out of my mind and swore I'd do everything in my power to be out of town every July 4th weekend so I wouldn't have to run this race again. This weekend, I find myself in the unusual position of being the only person in my family who is in town so off I went to the races!


The goodies for the Blast, by the way, are awesome. The shirt is a TOTALLY cute women's cut cotton t-shirt with the slogan "Bust a Hump up these Hills." Ha! Ha! At least they're honest. Also, I got a cute pink running hat embroidered with the little Blast spaceship logo that says "Cancer Sucks" on the back, a Nike nalgene-type water bottle, and, the best thing -- a coupon good for a $25 coupon to the sponsoring running store if I test drive a Toyota (which I did on Thursday). I made money on this race people!


Shuttles and Toyota Hybrids drove runners to Ault Park at the top of Hyde Park. There were several starts: Cliff Bar Chase for the Cash (whatever that is, but it involved some guy getting a head start) 7:50, women's elite start 7:55, Men's elite and main field start 8:00, RUNNERS WITH DOGS AND STROLLERS START 8:04, walkers 8:05. Of course, everything went off schedule with all those starts and we didn't actually start until almost 8:15.


I'll give you my splits, but first I just have to say that I could easily run 7:00 minute miles if my dog was pulling me the whole way. You should have seen how quickly the dog people went past! Honestly, I don't think they waited 4 minutes after the main start. The dogs probably pulled out when the main field started running. Can you picture it: "Sit Spot. Wait for the gun boy!" Yeah, right.


Wait, wait... the course! Elevation at the start is 760 feet and at the finish is 666 feet (let's call that 665 LOL). But the journey down those 100 feet is like a roller coaster ride. All that's missing is the loop-d-loop. Just when you start to enjoy the downhill momentum, it's back up to the top and higher! And the worst punishment of all comes just a mile from the finish. Look at your watch at the 3 mile mark and you think you're right on target... A quarter mile later, you've got some catching up to do!


There's a nice little festival at the end that includes donuts, scrambled eggs and Christian Moerlein beer. (Well, this is Cincinnati).


How'd I do? Awesome baby! Another PR in the books and revenge is mine! These are Garmin times. The race was chip timed, but results aren't yet posted:


Time: 35:41 Laps: 8:49, 8:57, 8:45, 8:47


I am very pleased with this performance. My goal was 35:xx which I felt that my training supported. When my husband asked me what my strategy was to achieve it, I said I would try to run 4 consistent laps a little under 9:00. Without even taking into account the hills, I did exactly what I said I would do. I didn't go out too fast which would have ruined it for me and I maintained a very consistent pace. Yeah,me!


Check out this elevation:

Racing to Read 5k

It was hot. I thought I was going to die. I felt like my feet were floating. I talked to myself (outloud). I thought about 212 degrees. I met my goal of 25:xx. Another PR!

Ok, here's the race details. This was a large race for a 5k. There were probably 500 or so. Nice technical t-shirt, men's and womens styles. I ran about a half mile warm-up before the race and a couple of strides but really, how much warming up do you need to do when it's already hot outside? There was some confusion at the start as no one seemed to know which direction the race would start. Some stood facing north, some facing south. Anyway, it was sorted out and as I was adjusting my Garmin, the gun (yes it was a gun) went off without any forewarning. I looked up and realized we were starting to run!

My goal on these 5ks is to go out fast and try to hold on. So far it seems to be working for me although it inevitably results in positive splits that don't look as pretty as the negative ones. The course was incredibly pretty. The race was in Covington, Kentucky. We ran North down to the riverfront (Ohio River for the geographically challanged among us) past some beautiful antebellum houses. Gorgeous! Then back uptown on an pretty old tree-lined street that reminded me of parts of New York. When I saw the finish up ahead about 200 meters, I literally thought I wouldn't make it. But I told myself I couldn't walk to the finish, how lame would that be? For a time I thought I might beat 25:00 but when I saw the clock said 25:55 I started a new mantra that went like this: "Oh, s***! Oh, s***!" It must have worked, because according to my Garmin, my finish time was 25:59. Not much margin of error there, so I hope my official time is something similar.

Here are those lovely splits:
Mile 1 7:58
Mile 2 8:29
Mile 3 8:3
1.12 8:11

AVG PACE: 8:19 Yee! Haw!

Sometimes I Feel Like a Childless Mother

All three kids gone to camp. Boo Hoo! LOL. What will I do for 3 1/2 weeks? Will I ever get this huge smile off of my face?

I'm really working the lodging thing for NYC. I have a couple of backup reservations at the Helmsley and the Millenium UN. They're expensive so if we have to, we'll leave Sunday evening after the marathon. Not my first choice, but the practical one considering the Helmsley is $345/night and that's cheap for the weekend. I'm working on getting something from Priceline, but so far, no luck. I think my mouse experience in March left me leery of bidding for a 3 star NY property, so I'll just keep trying. I'm in no hurry to book the airfare because we've got a credit with Delta that we'll use. So, now that I know I'm going to NY, I'm really excited. I don't know if I had trouble falling asleep last night because I was excited for getting into the marathon or because all the kids were leaving today. I wish I could bring the whole family to New York. Unfortunately, there is this thing called school (and we would need two rooms -- yikes!!). I love to have a project and finding a nice hotel room at a reasonable rate is my new one. I'm vigilant and have total faith in my "skills" (as my kids would say).

***************
Not so good on the run today. After dropping off the kids and waving goodbye to the bus and trying (and failing) to look appropriately sad to see them go, I went to the gym for a 30 minute tempo run on the treadmill. I was dismayed when I saw "Out of Order" signs on three out of four of the Cybex treadmills, and a slow walker, er, shuffler on the fourth one. That left me with a Landice which I don't like. I warmed up for a mile then set the darn thing for 8:20 pace. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. After about 10 minutes, I needed to walk. Two minutes later, I kicked it back up but only to 8:30. I lasted five more minutes. Total workout: 3.5 miles. Better than nothing.

Just for fun, here's a picture of the view from our seats at the Reds game last night. We used the vouchers we got running The Redlegs Run For Home a couple of weeks ago.

First Times the Charm

Well, who'd have thunk it? I'm going to NY to run the ING New York City Marathon on November 4th.

This means that Columbus is out. It'll be tougher to meet my goal of 4:20 in a field as big as NYC, but I'll still try. There will be alot of weaving, but I'll just have to get into a faster groove earlier in the marathon.

I still can't believe I'm in!

Redlegs Run For Home 5k

When I turned 44 I set a goal to PR in every distance I raced in honor of this being my last year in the 40-44 age group. Since I made that vow, I've PR'd in the half-marathon (More) and marathon (Cleveland). Today I not only PR'd in the 5k, but I came in 10th in my age group (out of 68) and 122 out of 836 women overall.

Now, on to the details: The Redlegs Run For Home 5k benefits the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund. It starts right outside Cinergy Field and finishes inside the stadium on the warning track. I signed up for this race with my sons Adam and Freddie. Adam has sort of been training and made this his goal race. Freddie didn't train at all. Miraculously, they both woke up this morning without issue and we were out the door and downtown with plenty of time to park (for free!), use the porta-potty, and warmup. Well, I warmed up. They thought I was nuts.

Of course, you're wondering what I wore. Today's attire was "Reds Festive" consisting of a red New Balance running skirt, red Nike top, red running hat, and red nail polish. Hair was in "Kathy Niles pigtail braids."

My goal for this race was to finish under 28:00. I wanted to see 27:xx. Last night, Scott told me I could do this if I ran my first and second miles at 9:00. I thought that was doable and sometime in the night I thought I could probably hit the first mile even faster.

Tale of the tape:
Mile 1 8:14
Mile 2 8:28
Mile 3 8:41
.12 7:49

For a finish time of 26:20(according to Garmin... see any irony here?)
Official time 26:19.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THOSE NUMBERS MYSELF! I'M FLOATING TODAY!

Planning

I'm taking today off instead of cross-training. My daughter is off school and we're going to a movie. I think it's called "The Land of Women." I don't think it's about dinosaurs.

In the meantime, I'm still thinking about my next marathon(s). I'm intrigued by the Breast Cancer Marathon (26.2 With Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer). I know too many women and families whose lives have been effected by breast cancer, so I imagine it will be a pretty emotional race. Plus, it's cool to do an inaugural event.

If I do the Columbus Marathon on October 21, the Breast Cancer Marathon is exactly 18 weeks after. February in Florida sounds like a winner.

Obviously, I'm not counting on getting into NY this year. But the More 1/2 is definately on. I can't miss out on my women's weekend in NYC.