Morning everyone! Congrats again weekend racers!

RR- well, we got snow,not a ton but enough that the sidewalks and some roads are still covered... I'm going to do Ripped in 30 this morning then a short run on the TM at the gym over lunch. probably 3. I have a half this weekend. 5 miles of that is on trails so I wonder if they'll be snowy or muddy.

Lucy- I did get a fit bit! I got fit bit one. I really like it so far. It's interesting since I walk a lot to see how many steps it records, and it syncs to MFP. I like also seeing my elevation I've climbed converted into stairs, lol.

NRR- just going to catch up at work, then going to PA Wednesday and Thursday. DBF is off this week so he's home. We'll probably just make dinner tonight and watch a movie. My eating has been a little crazy so getting back on track with healthy food today!

have a great day!

Tobacco Road Half Marathon Race Report
I had three goals for this race: PR (which was 2:07:30), OR get a 2:00 time, and not stop to pee! I had to get up at 430 to get to the parking lot and catch the shuttle bus to the race start on time. The race started at 7:00. I got to the race start at about 630 and waited for my friend S to arrive. We had talked about running together at a 9:05 pace, but I know she's a lot faster than me so I said we should feel free to drop one another if it doesn't work out. We started out way too fast, and my first three miles were around 8:45. I knew that wasn't sustainable so I waved her on and tried to dial it back. She ended up finishing about 4 minutes ahead of me. The race was an out-and-back course, and it started out on a suburban road for the first 2.5 miles, then ended up on the Tobacco Trail, which is a rail-to-trail. It was packed gravel and so flat and nice to run on! I took a Gu at mile 5.5 and drank some water, and I made it to the half at 59:20 and I thought I could maintain that pace the rest of the way. I was well ahead of the 2:00 pace group, so I thought I was doing well. Then I hit mile 8. I was totally not into it at this point. Miles 8 - 10 were rough. My pace dropped from 9:00 to 9:40 for those two miles. The 2:00 pace group passed me and I tried to keep up, but I started to think I was not going to make the 2:00 cutoff so I decided I'd just aim for 2:02. Once I finished mile 10 I started to feel better and we were back on the road that led to the finish line. I took another Gu. Mile 11 was rough. A lot of other runners were stopping to walk, so I took one 30 second walk break. I started to get my pace back and did mile 11 at 9:20, and mile 12 at 9:10, but it took literally all I had to maintain that. I got into the park at 12.9 miles and someone said "It's all down hill from here!" so I tried as hard as I could to gun it, and but was only able to muster an 8:25 pace for the last little bit. I crossed the finish line at 2:00:52 on my garmin and 2:01:39 on the clock. My official chip time was 2:00:50. I'm really happy - that's the first time I really pushed myself into discomfort to finish with a goal time in mind. And now I know I totally have a sub 2:00 half in me, if I decide to do another one this spring or summer. I'm signed up to do the Richmond Full marathon in November, but if the training doesn't work out with my schedule I can drop down to the half and see how much faster I can get this fall.

The funny thing is that the thing I thought about the most when I was running was whether I should stop to pee. It was consuming my thoughts! I kept noting where the portajohns were on the course, and I was like, OK I'll be back here in 3 miles and I can stop then. Once I slowed down in mile 8-10 I decided I was not letting my bladder hold me back from my goal.

Morning!

ER: Nada. I had a horrendous day of work yesterday and last night we got snow. Maybe a walk later if the roads look ok.

NER: Was seriously so exhausted after work yesterday. I was on the phone with my replacement for FOUR HOURS going over a huge list of changes so he could see how to do them. I never talk that much in a day. Phew! Hoping today is a much easier day. My last day of work is supposed to be Friday. I really don't want to work Monday if I haven't had this baby (I'm due Sunday) but I'm torn whether I should hang in there just so I don't use my time before he's here...

Jewel - Yikes, 5 miles on trails should be intersting this weekend! Either way, I'd plan to be messy! lol Good luck getting back on track to healthy eating.

Sassy - I think those late middle miles are always tough in a half. It's like you are so far from the finish, but once you get to 10 there is just a 5k left and mentally it's easier to pick it up. Way to hang in there and reach your goal! So proud.

PO - UGH! Omg I would not be ok with the changing of plans like that! It's one thing if they are popping in for a few hours, but not when they are staying over! Yikes. Good luck getting everything all set for them.

Have a great day!

hi ladies!

RR: 3.8 this morning at 38 min. guess I took it easy.  legs felt pretty good

NRR: stressful days ahead at work. boo that. but what else is new? premarital counseling last night. went well. and it gave me an excuse to get out of work. we're beginning to get responses back to our invitations for the wedding! it's getting more and more real. we're about 2.5 months to go. eek! busy day at work, then home. I'm thinking I might work a little late to get as much as I can done. so maybe home by 6 or 6.30?

some responses to yesterdays post...

outwest: no idea about fixing the leak but we'll try! we have a bucket under the drip now...

mel: what's the pre cana like? M and I had another premarital counseling session last night. it was about active listening and a little bit about conflict resolution.

taylor: sending you great vibes about the interview! glad it went well.

pumpkin: dang girl with those miles! take it easy!

norcal: you rocked those 17! that's a lot of miles!

then today...

OJ: boo about the snow! I'm sooooo sick of winter!

sassy: glad you're loosening up after your race! way to take control of your bladder! love it!!

po: good luck with the inlaws!! that would drive me nuts if I couldn't at least prep a little.

MA: hope today is easier for you!

gotta go! meetings start at 10 and I have tons to do before then.

later!

But I don't WANT time to fly!  I only have five more months in Indy!  Aaaaand I can build a bridge and get the heck over it.

Hi, friends.  Hi, brides-to-be.  Especially enjoying your updates as of late!

MA and Lizo, sorry you've been stressed.  Been there, totally . . . Serenity to all of us!

Eek, not much time.  I am a sucktastic poster.

RR:  Operation Get Even Faster is going OK.  On Sunday I was able to crank out 8 miles at a 7:16 min/mi pace.  Today I did 12 miles at 7:51 min/mi.  Might bike easily and read on my break.

NRR:  Book club tonight.  We read The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan, which I would rate as "potential that resulted in mehhh."  I don't know that I'd recommend buying it.  But a book read is an investment in the noggin.

Happy Tuesday and happy running.    PEACE OUT!

Hey ladies quick one from me today, but I have to say, Sassy, awesome job on your race. I have run on the Tobacco Trail before, and it’s so lovely there. Lol at the thoughts on having to pee. Every single mile from mile 5 til the end of the Chicago marathon I felt like I really had to pee. Many times there were port o potties around, so I told myself I could stop if I really needed to. But I didn’t want to do that and lost time, such I just put it out of my mind and moved on. And then somehow I didn’t even go until about 3 hours after the race ended

RR: nice ST session yesterday. My arms are feeling it today, Probably going to do some speedwork on the indoor track today since it’s really windy and cold out

NRR: as I wrote yesterday, my interview went really well. I answered all their questions thoughtfully and fully and had some good questions to ask them about the program – I even asked about what they thought the strengths and weaknesses of the program were since I was asked that same question about myself. They said I will hear back by the end of the month, so I will cross my fingers til then

Morning ladies!!!

Ojewel- Hope the trails aren't too bad for your race this weekend. How was your LR this past weekend? I can't believe our Marathons are in less then 6 weeks. EEEEEEKKSS! 

Sassy- Great RR! You should be super proud!

klmc- Hey lady! Nice job on the hilly 13! When is your marathon?

Athena- Sweet job on the half this weekend!

Taylor- I'm so glad your interview went well yesterday. Fingers crossed for you!

OWR- OMG, my cats are driving me NUTS too! In the middle of the night and super early in the morning, T gets up on the bed and DEMANDS attention. Last night, at 3am, he actually licked my face! WTF? We leave the door open for them to go in and out, but no, he just has to torment me!

MA- I think you should totally make your last day on Friday, even if you don't have the baby over the weekend! Just my opinion! You need some rest, lady!

PO- Ok that is totally something my In-laws would do and it is SO NOT OK! Ugh! Good luck with them this weekend...

Lizo- Sorry work is stressful! Hope the marriage counseling is going well! It's so close, very exciting!

PFace- Did you know that now you're officially FAST?! Like your pace is about where my DH runs, and he is fast! And wow 5 months! So excited for your new adventure!