Best. Day. Ever.

Wow!  I'm not quite sure where to start.  I'm sure you all really want to know about how Mark popped the question.  But I'm going to make you listen (well, read really) all about the race first.  In yesterday's blog, I rambled about my deep affection for New Orleans, so I'll spare you that - except to say now I love it even more.

The weather couldn't have been special ordered any better.  I didn't look, but I'm guessing it was 50ish when we started. A little chilly, but it felt good once we got going.  I stayed pretty close to Erin, Gail and Mark at the beginning.  At about mile 1.5, Mark told me I was going too fast for him.  I offered to slow down but he told me to keep going.  Not essential to the story - but it's good to know for later.

I wasn't sure I could PR much less hit my goal time of 2:30.  But after some encouraging words from Joe a couple days ago and several pep talks to myself, I decided to try. Before leaving the hotel this morning I looked at the chart for what pace I needed to keep to hit 2:30.  11:26 per mile.  Wow, that's almost a minute faster than I normally go, and faster than I've ever run any race, including a 5k.  It seemed hard but not impossible.  I've always read your long runs should be a minute slower than your race pace.  I thought I could reverse the logic and try to run a minute faster than my long run pace.

I felt great nearly the whole race.  I finally found the elusive runner's high.  I think I floated from mile 6 to mile 8.  I ran longer than the 3/1 intervals my watch was programmed for.  I couldn't have ask for it to have gone much better.  At mile 11, I started to feel tired and achy...and had to continue my pep talk to myself.  It was great to see Lou and Byron near the end.  The course was very flat.  But it was also uneven and full of holes and cracks.  Let's all be glad that I managed to stay upright and not fall during the race.

I rarely keep track of my average pace or total time during a race.  Usually it depresses me.  Today I watched it like a hawk.  I did great through mile 10 but slowed down a few seconds per mile the last 3 miles.  The end result.  2:30:49!!!  I was on top of the world!  Or so I thought.  I went to where I had seen Lou and Byron to see if anyone else had finished and hopefully to see Mark come in. 

Mark set a new personal record too - 2:45.  When I saw him about to cross the finish line, he asked me to meet him at the end.  If you ever done a Rock n Roll race you know it's nearly impossible to get back into the finisher's area after you leave.  If you haven't done one, once you leave it's guarded and there's no getting back in.  I'm not usually much of a rule follower, but I also don't like conflict, so I wasn't terribly excited to argue with the guard to get back to the area. 

I stretched the truth just a little to get back inside.  The lady was not letting me in, so I said my boyfriend might be in the medical tent, and I needed to check.  I mean, he could have been there, I didn't know for absolutely sure he wasn't.  She was still telling me no and lecturing me when I just walked on in. When I found Mark, he wanted to get our picture made in front of the Rock n Roll backdrop - something I ususally skip.  But I thought it sounded sweet.  At this point there's a huge line of finishers waiting to get their picture made.  Luckily, Mark had already talked to the photographer and asked if he would make our picture - I'm sure he'd told the photographer what his real plan was.

As we move in front of the background, Mark drops down to one knee and pulls out a ring.  I'm shocked!  I'm pretty sure he asked me 3 times before I could say something besides "oh my gosh!"  Of course, I did say yes.  Luckily, Chrystyna and Nicole finished soon after Mark and were able to take pictures of us.  Something else you should know about this race series...the pictures are ridiculously expensive.  But I'm sure I'll be buying the one from today! 

Mark told me he wanted to ask me at mile 5, but I was too fast.  Which is not something I hear very often!  Mile 5 was to signify the 5 years we've been together.  Yes, I am a very patient person.  I hate that I messed up his sweet plan.  But now I'm engaged and I have a stellar new PR plus there were camera's there to catch our happy moment.  Now I'm really on top of the world.  Best day ever! 

Pre Mardi Gras Half



I Ran Bourbon Street Sweaty Band



I love, love, love New Orleans.  I've loved it since my first visit here in 2000.  It's so rich in history and beautiful.  Today we took a walking tour (not exactly sure that was my best idea ever) in the garden district.  Everything was so gorgeous and we learned so much.

We've been here since Thursday.  We went out Thursday night and stayed out very late...and had a fabulous time!  Going to bed early tonight since the race starts at 7 am. 



race number and shirt



Participating in the race are me, Mark, Gail, Chrystyna, Erin, Nicole, and Karen.  Joe we thought was just going to be cheering us on, but our friends Lou and Byron surprised us all and came down tonight.  Lou and Joe are going to run the half relay together.

The course is flat.  And unlike some "flat" courses I've done before, everyone says this one really is flat...well there's one hill.  Elevation of that hill is 35 feet.  Sweet!  I'm not even sure we'd call that a hill if it was in Nashville.



cute little tattoo sticker for the race



Originally, I was hoping to break 2:30 in this race.  But during December, I didn't train like I should have, so I'm not exactly where I hoped to be.  My current PR is 2:38.  I really want to beat that tomorrow...but I also really want to enjoy the race and take in the sights.  I guess we'll see how I'm feeling in the morning. 



Goals, Goals, Goals!

The best way to be successful in anything you do is to set goals.  The goals need to be written down and reviewed often.  At work, I have monthly goals, that are then broken down into daily goals.  Daily goals means I always know where I am...and more importantly where I need to be.

I have lots of running goals - some long term and some short term.  I've always wanted to visit every state.  Since I've started running, I've altered that goal.  I want to run a half marathon in every state.  This goal will take at least 10 years to accomplish.  Registration fees and travel expenses really start to add up.  Short of winning the lottery, it'll take me at least 10 years to be able to afford to do one in each state.

For 2011, I have several goals.

1. Finish a half marathon with a time of 2:30 or better.

2. Complete my first full marathon in Dublin, Ireland.  I'm thinking this accomplishment will need to be celebrated with a tattoo.

3. I have the standard issue "lose weight" and "improve fitness" goals.  I'd like to lose 30 pounds.  And before anyone says that I don't need to lose that much, trust me, I've seen the scale and the ideal weight range for my height...and yes I definitely need to lose 30 lbs! 

4. Run 11 races in 2011.  Originally, I was going for 11 half marathons, but with the addition of the full, I'm changing it to 11 races. 

Here are the races I'm thinking of now:

February 13, Rock n Roll Mardi Gras Half New Orleans, Louisianna

March 12, Tom King Half, Nashville

April 30, Derby MiniMarathon, Louisville, Kentucky

May 1, Flying Pig Half, Cincinnati, Ohio

August 7, Rock n Roll Providence Half, Providence, Rhode Island

September 5, Franklin Classic Labor Day 10k, Franklin

September 17, Warrior Dash, Manchester
September 24, Women's Half marathon, Nashville
October tbd, The Middle Half, Murfreesboro
October 31, Dublin Full Marathon Dublin, Ireland

November TBD
December 4, St. Jude Half, Memphis

As for the 28 day challenge, I'm still on track!  This Sunday is the first race of 2011.  I love the city of New Orleans.  I'm so excited about this trip.  I promise to blog before and after the race!

Day 1 - 28 Day Challenge

I am so excited so many of my friends signed up to do this challenge with me!  At the end of the month, you will feel so good about yourself.  On the hard days tell yourself it's just one mile.

Speaking of hard days, I always think the first day of something new is the hardest...much like I think the first mile of a long run is the hardest.  When I gave up soft drinks and all sweetened drinks, the first day nearly killed me.  Now almost 7 weeks later, it feels easier.  Knowing this I expected the first day of this challenge to be difficult.

What I hadn't planned for was being sick the first day!  In the middle of the night when I was wide awake and struggle to breath without coughing fits, I questioned why I had even signed up for this challenge and if I'd be able to do it.  Before I (finally!) went back to sleep, I'd pretty much decided I wasn't participating.  As you can imagine, I felt totally different about it when I woke up this morning.   

Sadly, I wasn't miraculously better this morning.  But my attitude had changed (does anyone have a good attitude in the middle of a sleepless night?).  I knew I could do it and that if I'd convinced so many other people to do it, then I need to step up.  As soon as I rolled out of bed, I put on my running clothes, laced up my shoes and headed out the door before I could change my mind. 

I was also cursing myself for deciding to further challenge myself by making my one mile for the challenge each day a continuous mile with no intervals.  What exactly was I thinking?  This is pretty much the same feeling I get the morning of every half marathon.

I started my mile out slow and steady and gradually increased my speed.  I finished the mile in 11:15.  Wow!  My average pace with intervals is 12:30ish.  Now before anyone starts to think I've been converted, I'm not sure I could have done another continuous mile.  But that one felt good!  Well good minus the large coughing fit that ensued after the run...but I'll spare you guys those details.

It's looking like I'll still be feeling icky for tomorrow's mile.  AND it's going to be a lot colder!  But I know I'll feel great about myself at the end. 

28 Day Challenge - who's in?

I’m an interval runner. Usually it’s 2 or 3 minutes running and 1 minute walking. Sometimes I have to remind myself that running intervals makes me no less of a runner. In fact if Olympian Jeff Galloway runs intervals, then it should be good enough for me. But I can’t help daydreaming (usually on the couch in my pj’s reading Runner’s World) about running without intervals.


Occasionally, I will take my daydreaming so far as the first 3 minutes of a run before I decide I’m not ready to give up my intervals. It’s an almost constant internal debate. Give up the intervals...run longer. Keep the intervals...run faster. Sometimes I think I use the intervals as a crutch or a reward. I’m sure I’m conditioned enough to not actually need them. However, I enjoy them. They make running more fun for me.

I would love to tell you I’ve come to some brilliant conclusion. Sadly, I haven’t. But I am going to challenge myself.

Christopher McClintock is the half marathon coach for Fleet Feet’s Half Marathon training going on right now. He also writes a running resource section for the Brentwood Home Page. On Saturday, I discovered his 28 day challenge for the month of February. The challenge seems simple enough. Run 1 mile everyday in February. Accountability is key, so there’s a website you sign in on daily and record your mile.

Loving a challenge, I signed up immediately. I also posted it to Facebook and asked my friends to do it too. Physically, one mile a day will be easy for me. The harder part will be mental. My brain is really good at cooking up reasons for me not to do things. But it’s just 1 mile....12 minutes or less.

Today on my rainy run, I decided to make it a little more challenging for myself. I will run 1 continuous mile each day in the month of February. To some of you this will still seem like a piece of cake, but for me it will be a mental game. And I will prove to myself I can run without intervals...even if I choose not to give them up.

Who’s up for the challenge of 1 mile a day for 28 days? Make the challenge your own, but sign up to do it! Oh and did i mention there are prizes?

Spring Training - Day 1

I love new beginnings! The start of a new spring training program is like Christmas for me. Everyone is so excited and ready to get started. Lots of people were starting their very first training program for their first half marathon! I can remember exactly how I felt on the first day of training last year - terrified!

Our running group from last year’s training has divided up, and this year we are all pacing interval runners. While I’m a little sad not to be running with my peeps, I’m very excited to be running with new people, a lot of them training for their first half. I’ve learned so much in the last year, and I’m excited to share it with my group. Mark, Erin and I are pacing the 3/1 group.


Pacers for 3/1 Erin, Mark and me



Much like last year, our first run this year included snow! Not a lot of it stuck, but the wind was fierce. Personally, I think a snowy run is the perfect way to start training. Once you’ve run in the frigid weather with snow blowing around you, you have little excuse to skip a run.



Tosha, Katy, Kim P., Taylor & Jack
before we started the run



Our group started small today. Kim P., Kim, Taylor, Tosha, Jack, Alissa and Katy were the first runners to start with us. We quickly started picking up runners from the 4/1 group. By the end of the run we were more than 20 strong. We had a fabulous 4 mile run! Everyone should feel really good about their run today - we rocked it! Even though it’s the shortest, the first one is often the hardest.

Because several of us are running the Rock n Roll Mardi Gras Half Marathon on February 13, Gail, Erin, Delaina, Mark and I met at 5:30 (yep it was really freaking early) to run 4 miles before our group run. We had a great run. After 8 miles today, I feel closer to being ready for the half in 5 weeks!

Hopefully, it won’t snow too much and we’ll be able to run at Tin Roof 2 on Monday night. My goal is to run a couple more times this week. I’m already looking forward to our group run next week - minus the strong, chilling wind.



Here's our group at the water stop after 2 miles



What a Difference a Year Makes...

2010 was a good year, I would even go as far as to say it was a great year. But I have high expectations for 2011. It’s going to be the best year EVER!


Sadly, I’ve neglected my dear little blog lately. I’m sorry for that. One of my goals for 2011 is to post on here every week. I know what you are thinking, but I will post weekly. And if I don’t someone please call me out on it.


Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of my blog and the one year anniversary of when I started training for my first half marathon. It’s amazing how far I’ve come in a year. This time last year a half marathon was a big, scary dream of mine. Now it’s an accomplishment I’ve completed 6 times! Tomorrow I will be pacing a group of interval runners, instead of being the extremely frightened first timer.


I have so many goals for my running in 2011! One of my long term goals is to run a half in every state. So far, I have completed 3 states: Tennessee, Illinois and Georgia. I’m going to add at least 4 states in 2011, starting with Louisiana on February 13. I want to get faster this year and maybe run longer intervals.


By far my biggest goal for 2011 is to run the full marathon in Dublin, Ireland on October, 31 with Team in Training. I’ll turn 30 just 8 days before the race. Running a full and going to Ireland are 2 things on my bucket list. I think it’s the perfect way to celebrate turning the big 3-0! I’ll need help raising the $5,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, but we have plenty of time for those details in a future blog post.

The best thing about running in 2010 is the friends I’ve made. I’m not sure if I’d get up (very) early and run no matter the weather (freezing, extreme heat, sleet, snow, rain, and everything in between), if it were just me. I can think of many times I wanted to give up running because I was sure I wasn’t a runner. But having my friends running with me (or in Karen’s case way ahead) has made all the difference. I’m sure I’ve left someone out, but Gail, Chrystyna, Carol, Nicole, Erin, Joe, Karen, Lou, Byron, Victoria, Delaina, Jeanie, Kelly, and all the rest of you who I’ve run with THANK YOU! You have no idea how much each of you mean to me. Thank you for always encouraging and supporting me. Of course none of us would be where we are without the amazing people at Fleet Feet...best store and people EVER!

The other best thing (yes there can be 2 best things) about 2010 is that Mark started running with me and joined our little group. I hated leaving him to go run all the time, and now he’s there with me. It’s a great feeling to share the sport I love with the man I love! (yes I know it's a little mushy.) One of my favorite moments of 2011 was running across the finish line with him in his first half marathon!

I can’t wait to start a new training program tomorrow!