Not sore??????

I am starting to get a bit confused, slightly frustrated and wondering if I didn't push hard enough.

For the race I did 13.1 miles which wasn't counting the long walk from Metro Link to the race start and walking around there that morning killing time trying to stay warm. Then the walk back to Metro Link after race and after walking around the post race festivities.
Drove over two hours home and getting out of the car was a bit rough because I was stupid and didn't stretch much after the race. Took a hot bath some tylenol and went to bed early. Woke up Monday morning shocked to find I could still move normally. My right hip joint was sore but quite a bit of that came from driving and being tense while driving (I hate city driving and large interstates).

Everyone at work was surprised I was moving Monday morning and I admit I was too. The receptionist and several friends were like oh wait until tomorrow it will catch up with you and you won't be able to move. Ok Tuesday came and went I was an idiot and wore heels to work and hundreds of trips up and down the stairs my hip was a bit sore.

So today I wake up feeling totally normal hip is back to its normal and still no muscle soreness. Now is when I am wondering if I didn't push hard enough on Sunday even though I was going as fast and hard as my legs would let me. Or if I am stronger than I thought I gave my self credit for. Either way I am ready to get back to training and get my schedule back on track. I like having my hour away from work to get a couple miles in on my lunch break and I haven't done that yet this week. But since I am not sore haven't been sore I think its safe to resume my workouts.

Now what to do...

Feels slightly strange to not have any goals ahead of me. This past year I started and finished EMT school and became a licensed EMT. Started training for a half marathon which took from July until last week now that race has came and gone. Been busy with fire department for auctions almost every weekend since March/April and last Saturday was more than likely the last one of the year.

Not sure what to do now I am so used to being crazy busy going non stop and now I am looking at the calendar thinking gee now what. This weekend I am taking the kids to a friends birthday party at a local pumpkin patch. Blake has only been to a pumpkin patch once when he was 3 and Nathan has never been. So I hope its a fun afternoon for all 3 of us and hope the weather is nice as well.

Next Wednesday is the last day of the month and Halloween where did the year go! Blake has his costume and well I am undecided on Nathans. I did schedule a vacation day so I can attend Blake's Halloween party at school as well as his Halloween parade. Then I will be able to get them both ready to go to the trunk or treat at the school and St. James Fire Dept. Blake has never been in to trick or treating so he is fine with one or two stops. Since we now live across from my grandparents I can make that the last stop of the night so they can see the boys.

Last year I took the boys to see their great great grandma at her nursing home. I don't plan on doing that this year. Unless my Grandma wants to tag along with me because otherwise my Great Grandma won't know who we are. Which could result in her being not very nice last year she was slightly grumpy and kept asking who I was.

There is a 5k/10k in Belle December 1st that I may sign up for so I can keep up with my running and training. And the money goes for a good cause.

Still trying to process Sunday's race and all the thoughts that come with it. I have had a few friends tell me they were impressed saying its a huge deal. I guess in my mind a half isn't a huge deal now if I would have won or placed or done a full marathon that's a huge deal.

The actual race!

Race day!!!! We woke up around 3:30 am and started getting ready. I was far from hungry but I went ahead and drank a couple glasses of water and ate a banana. We took pictures at her house before heading across the river to downtown St. Louis. It was quite chilly out we wore short sleeve shirts Capri's and then our team sparkle skirts. As we were walking towards the start line we had several race photographers stopping us wanting pictures because they loved our skirts. I honestly never thought that we would stand out that much in them. The whole day we had compliments on them and people wanting pictures and to know where I got them.

before leaving her house. Yes I hate this picture of me I think its cause my hair is all pulled back.

 

The race was to start at 7 am. We were corral 20 the last one in the race when we signed up we put a slow time in and maybe that was silly. I had never signed up for a race like that before so I wasn't sure what to expect. My only goal going in was to finish get that darn medal and not be the last one across the line. As we were standing there we talked with several other people who were racing saw many that were much older than us and then amazed at the ones who were in the single digit corrals. Really wondered how fast they ran. Several in our corral were first timers which was cool I was worried I would be the heaviest one there well that wasn't the case. I was surprised at how friendly everyone was. I am a super shy person so it was a bit strange just talking to complete strangers but they gave us good tips advice etc.

Freezing before dayligh and before the race started. I loved our hydration packs just didn't like where the chest strap went across.

 

It took us 30 min for our corral to start and quickly after it began we were getting passed. I wasn't to concerned as I knew as long as we kept up with 15-18 min miles we would be fine. My friend was worried about everyone passing us but I told her just wait and mid way we will be passing them as most started out to fast. We stayed towards the back of the pack which was fine there wasn't people to try and dart around and not croweded. Plus it was nice getting to talk to others and cheer them on and we got several pep talks from other women that were around us. There wasn't as many bands along the way as they had advertised and most of the streets were empty no spectators which was a bit boring. But when we would come to places where there were people I loved reading the posters they had made and hearing them cheer everyone on.

 

The first few miles went pretty quick then we got out away from the downtown area and was in residential areas and that's when it got a bit boring. My friend was always a few strides ahead of me which was ok I just told her she couldn't lose me. I am not a city person so as long as she was in my sights I was fine. By mile 7 we had went up a few decent hills and my hips hated me with a major passion. I kept going slowed to about a 3.5 mph walk we had been walking at 4.0 and higher. We talked to several others that were walking about the same time which passed the time. I texted a few friends that I knew would be supportive and tell me to keep going. Mile 10 and 11 were my worst more hills and I could no longer feel my lower back and hips my feet were fine which that was what I was worried most about.

 

Mile 11 was my wall I wanted to quit let the sweeper van pick me up and be done. But I am not a quitter and I knew I would beat myself up for stopping for ever. Sent a couple more text and shed a couple tears but pushed on. I knew that if I made it 11 miles (twice as far as my farthest training I had done) I could go on to the finish line.

 

Around mile 10 or 11 we caught up with a lady who was walking by herself so I walked with her for a while and we talked. She had kids older than mine and her mom had brought them to cheer her on. It was so sweet her kids were so excited. I could tell she had lost some weight prior and she was struggling. I talked to her for quite awhile and she said don't let me hold you back. I said I came in to this with no other goal than to not be last and to finish and get the medal I don't care about the time. Her kids met up with her around mile 12 so I caught back up with my friend. Mid way thru mile 12 my friend sped up again and was with another lady who had been ahead of us for a while. Well I looked back looking for the lady I had walked with earlier and didn't see her. But saw another lady coming up who looked to be struggling as much as I was. So I walked with her and learned she was twice my age and it was her first ever half as well. I ended up walking with her and talking to mile 13. They had a photo thing set up over head so my friend and I ran hand in hand across that then I knew that I couldn't run any more unless I wanted to trip and fall. I sure didn't want that to be my official finish picture! My friend once again rain ahead to have the "awesome" finish picture she wanted. I still looked for that first mom I had walked with but still didn't see her. But found the last lady I had talked to and she was alone as her group had went ahead long ago. So I decided to go across the finish line with her. Once we crossed we told each other great job and did a high five she was almost to tears and I could tell she was very proud of herself.

 

I got my medal and wasn't prepared for the overwhelming emotion that came with it. I contained it but dang it was hard. My friend and I got a couple pictures after the race with our medals and she took off to get the free beer that each finisher got. I didn't want anything other than cold Gatorade and to sit on the curb. So while she went to go get her drink I called my husband who was shocked that I finished and texted several friends.

 

We were more than ready to head back to the metro link and back to her car. The 2 block walk to the metro link sucked I knew part of my weakness was from only having a banana and then half a bagel prior to race start. We made it back to her car and then she wanted to get something to take home and eat for her and her husband. We stopped at a sub place called Firemen's Subs and we walked in and still had our race outfit and bib on so more compliments and comments from strangers. Another group that had came from the race was behind us in line. I got my sandwich and a soda and planned on eating mine on my two hour drive home. We stopped at a cupcake place that's a few blocks from her house and well cupcakes are a weakness. Its two friends that opened up the place they make everything all organic and use less sugar than regular and were the best tasting cupcakes I had ever got. So I got some regular size and some minis to take home to my boys.

The ones on the right were neopalitan and very yummy! 

I loaded up my car and got on the road still in my race outfit. Got lost once trying to get back on the right interstate. Once I got back in to Missouri and on I-44 I stopped at White Castle and got a crave case to take home to my boys. They all love them especially the kids they think they are mini hamburgers and that they are super cool. I ate a couple on the way home since I decided not to eat my sub in the car. Was never so glad to see the exit for St. James!!

 

I wanted nothing more than to get home get out of my clothes and in a hot bath but had to drive on an extra 12 miles to pick up Blake from my mom's house. I was standing in the driveway when they pulled in and I noticed my mom laughing. I was like great do I look that bad!!! She got out and said that when they crossed the cattle guard and saw me standing at the car she told Blake who's mommy is here?? He goes I don't know cause that ain't my mommy! Of course he loved my medal and asked if I could enter him in a race so he could get his own!

Finally got home and in the bath and then Nathan and Kenny came in from their walk in the woods. Nathan was excited to see me and liked my medal too but was more fascinated with the cupcakes and white castle burgers. By 8pm I was ready to fall asleep and tried watching the Cardinals game but slept thru most of it. Kenny got back from taking Blake to my in-laws house and was like how was the game. Uh well I slept thru it don't think I missed much they lost.

 

Was shocked that when I woke up this morning I wasn't sore only place that hurts is my right hip joint and that's common for me after a lot of walking or hard workout. Midway thru the race I was like never ever again will I attempt this I will stick with 5ks etc. Well today I have decided yes I will do another just make sure to learn from this one and train a bit different. But I do want to do some 5ks and 10ks as well as a warrior dash. I hope to find some semi local races that have the kids race so my oldest can come along and run that to get his own medal.

The race shirt that we were given was pretty cool

Its short sleeved and I like that it has the year on it. The purple ones we wore didn't have the year just the race place and distance.

I also bought myself this shirt at the expo really wanted it in short sleeve but they were out of them must be a popular one. But I think I may order one next spring. They had tons of shirts with some really cool sayings. My friend got one that said will run for beer.

My first Half Marathon recap!

What a weekend and what a race. This post will have lots of pictures from pre race. I will do another post of just the race day.

Saturday morning I got up early and went to help set up for an auction. I stayed until Kathy showed up and really the only reason I went to help that morning was to see her before I left to head to my friends house in Illinois. I left my pink tongs for her to use in case she wanted to help cook. The drive to Lesley's wasn't to bad there was quite a bit of traffic but I was excited and just ready to be there. After arriving at her house we went to a running store that was close by. I had never been to a real running store before (joys of small town life) They watched me walk barefoot and told me what kind of shoe I needed. In total me fashion I picked out a pink pair and of course they weren't the "right" ones for my feet but we found a pink and grey pair of Nikes and as soon as I put them on I was in heaven! Who knew shoes could be so great, so I wore them out of the store.

My new shoes :) 

Got to have my first ever real Starbucks experience and while it was great I don't think I could for see myself spending that much on cappuccino daily.

 

We went on over to St. Louis to Americas Center to the Expo for the race. It was so awesome walking in getting your bib number then going in to see all the booths. We found matching purple brooks running shirts that had the St. Louis Rock N' Roll logo on the bottom. We shopped and looked at all the cool stuff. Found lots of products that I had heard about on other blogs so it was nice to see them in person. My friend was surprised knew so much about how the expo worked and all the vendors etc. I was like well I have been reading lots of running blogs for the past several months. Guess it paid off.

I think seeing this clock made it very real that the race was close! 

After we went thru the expo we walked a couple blocks to a fancy pizza place called Pi. I am far from a city person but was willing to give this new place a try. Wish I would have took pictures of the inside it was pretty cool. Our appetizer was great but I wasn't to impressed with the pizza. My friend loved it but I ate it but doubt I will have it again. It was called East Loop and had onions, mushrooms chicken and cheese all of that I was fine with. But they had pesto on the top and well it looked gross and I realized I am NOT a fan of pesto.... I had two slices and 3 glasses of water. While sitting there several fire trucks kept pulling up right across the street. I counted 8 in all so I was fascinated in watching them and probably the only one in the place that noticed it. We went outside and I made her walk an extra block so I could look at the trucks and see what they were doing yep I think I am crazy.

On our way back to her house we decided to stop and buy hair color and do each other's hair. I hadn't had anything done to mine since June and I was ready to go back all brown for the winter. She had tried doing hers a while back but wanted to go a bit darker and make it more even. So we spent the evening coloring each other's hair and both turned out great. Her little girl was so cute she kept coming in the bathroom watching us and then run back out. We went to bed around 9 since we had to be up by 4 to get ready for the race. I slept fair between nerves and hearing all the city life.. dogs barking next door, neighbors talking at 2 am and traffic.

Less than 2 days to go!

Less that two days.. More like 46 hours and some odd minutes until the St. Louis Rock N' Roll Half Marathon. Yes I am still petrified and yes I still haven't found a shirt to wear but I do love my sparkle skirt and my under armour carpi's I bought.

Need to pack my stuff all up tonight and hope to find a shirt tomorrow either at the expo or when my best friend and I go shopping after the expo. I am really looking forward to some good quality time with her tomorrow we will have the whole day just the two of us shopping and having girl fun. After the long stressful crappy week I've had I think its much needed.

So last weekend I told my husband how far the race was and this week he has bounced back and forth between saying I won't be able to do it or finish it to last night saying it would be tight if we had to walk a lot to get the 13.1 done in 4 hours. Then he told me that he told his Grandma (who is a grumpy very opinionated woman) that I was doing a race and how far and I told him I didn't want to hear what her snide remark was. After a whole week of several people saying I am crazy, dumb, stupid won't be able to do it etc. I have decided if we have to crawl we will finish this race to prove everyone wrong and prove we can do it.

I know it will by far be the hardest thing I have done ever but I also think it will be one of the most rewarding things. Second to the birth of my boys :) Over dinner last night I told my husband that my friend and I were signing up for a race after Thanksgiving and told him he should join us. He thought about it and said maybe... Then I told him that I had been eyeing a race that I wanted him to do with me because you needed a partner. I want to do a Warrior Dash race and I have heard its easier to do those with someone you know so you always have help at the obstacles if you need it. I think they look like tons of fun and would love to do one.

Can't wait for the race Sunday to take pictures of it and get some good pictures of me and my best friend all sparkly in our race skirts. And to make some more awesome memories with her before she moves away.

Less than a week!!!!!!

When I registered for the St. Louis Rock N' Roll Half Marathon months ago oh probably around May or June. October 21 seemed so far away well that's less than a week away now! I am so freaked out about the half this weekend that I could almost throw up. Am I ready for it um probably not haven't gotten quite all the miles in I should have but my friend and I aren't going to let that stop us. I hadn't told very many people that I was trying to train for a half in fact my husband didn't even know the distance until yesterday. I knew that if I had said the distance I would have got negative feedback and well I had that battle in my own mind didn't need anyone else chiming in. I have several friends that knew about it and were in my corner telling me I could do this.

So my friend and I ordered sparkle skirts to wear mine is of course pink and hers is teal. I haven't decided on a shirt to buy yet since the weather forecast keeps changing. I may wear my cupcake classic race shirt I got in the mail last week that is hot pink and black. We got hydration backpacks to use oh and yes they are pink as well. I still need to figure out a good pair of socks and which shoes I will wear.

Our only goal is to finish the 13.1 before the 4 hour cutofff I will be hacked if I worked this hard and we don't cross that finish line and get our medal. For my local readers 13.1 is like going from Vichy to Rolla as I was driving to town the other day I was like dang that's a long way. I know that we will be side tracked by all the bands and spectators along the way. Just hope that is enough to carry us thru all those miles.

This may be the only half that my friend and I get to do together as she is moving to Hawaii the first part of the year :( so we have to complete this one way or another.

Another beautiful wedding

Wow its already Thursday and been almost a week since I last made a post :(

Last Saturday I went to a very beautiful wedding and reception. As soon as I can get the pictures from my phone to my computer I will post some. I had never been to an outdoor wedding which was amazing and all guests got to wear jeans boots and a nice shirt. Which after freezing that morning at the auction and knowing it would be cool that night I was glad for jeans. The bridesmaids rode down the isle on horses that were led by the groomsmen. I loved loved their dresses they were bright pink and they all wore boots with them super cute. The bride came down on a horse as well led by her mom and well needless to say the whole group of girls I came we were all crying a river by the time the bride came down. She had the front of her dress cut higher than the back so you could see her new boots as well. The ceremony was fun they each wrote vows for each other which I thought was very sweet.

The food was awesome oh and we were at a winery so we got wine and beer for free then the shots and mixed drinks cost extra. I admit I felt a bit out of place yest I knew most of the guests, but I knew them from doing ride alongs in the ambulance so it was weird seeing them out of their work scene. They included me in like I was part of their "family" which was great. At one point I walked across the road to where I had parked to make a call and to get away from the constant taking of shots that the wedding party and guests were doing. No one saw me walk away so I figured they didn't notice I was gone. Oh was I wrong I came back over and got stopped twice by two of the guys concerned about where I was and then the girls I had came with found me and had been worried. Was a bit strange but nice all the same.

I don't dance anyone that knows me knows I am to shy to dance. I can count on one hand the number of times I have danced (not counting slow dances). But I had promised the bride that I would dance the night away with her and well I did just that there were about 10 of us out there dancing the whole time. Pretty sure there are pictures of me dancing just not sure who took them or how to get them or if I want to get them. It was lot of fun and a lot of fun seeing the fun non work side of everyone.

I think this is the last wedding for me to attend this year and this was one that I was not expecting to get an invite to but so glad I did and glad I put my shyness aside and went and had a awesome time.