Throwing Caution To The Wind (Beaumont Half Marathon Race Summary)

Saturday was RACE DAY!!

From the moment I started packing my case on Friday I was a big bundle of nervous energy! I didn't know if I was excited, afraid, nervous or just plain scared of getting injured again (my last venture into a half marathon race ended up in serious injury and a lot of hopping). I also had no idea what time I was going to aim for and was feeling a bit lost. Even though I didn't want to put time pressure on myself I still thought I should have a rough idea of pace as a target.

I LOVE the marathon/half marathon in Beaumont, TX. It's small enough so that it's not a crowded race and they don't have to start you in corals but it's exceptionally well organised with an abundance of water stations along the way. I set off tucked in behind the 2 hour pacer as I knew that was a pace I'm usually comfortable with - not too fast, not too slow. Conditions were good (except for the mean head wind in the second half!) so I figured I could run with them for a while and see how I felt and could always drop back if I didn't feel good.

As it happened the pace felt great. However the group fell slightly off pace a few miles in and about the same time that they picked up the pace to catch up, I had to stop due to pain in the knee that I have IT band problems with. Luckily just adjusting my knee brace and doing a few stretches was enough to make me feel like I could carry on without discomfort. From that point on I mostly ran alone with a couple of stops to stretch out my knee when it started to ache. I had no idea how I was doing other than that I could see the 2 hour group not too far in the distance and wasn't caught up by the 2.10 group.

Source

Somehow I still had a sprint in me at the end and my final Garmin time was 2 hours and 3 minutes. I'm really happy with how the race went. I'm a bit like the tin man today (left knee pain and right hip pain are not a good combination!) but I'm feeling pretty proud of myself! I raised over $2000 for MND/ALS charities, got over my fear of half marathon related injury and proved to myself that I've bounced back after the illness and operations I had at the end of 2013.

If anything it's got me thinking... if I can do a 2.03 untrained.... what time can I get if I can keep healthy for a full training plan??!! Watch this space: I have a feeling I'm going to feel the need to find out!

Race Worries

I've been running for a few years and have run several half marathons and a full marathon. I usually train according to my plan and stand at the start line feeling quietly confident that my training will get me through the race comfortably and in the time I'd prepared for, if not a little quicker.

This is not the case for Saturday! I know that I can do the distance but I have no idea how to pace myself. I usually run with a Garmin and a virtual partner set to my target race time but if I don't know my target how do I approach the race? So I'd like your opinion....

Do I run with my Garmin and virtual partner? If I do, how can I determine my VP time if I'm not even sure myself?!

Do I run with a pace group and no Garmin, with the option to drop back to a slower group if I'm having a tough time?

Do I run with no Garmin at all and just enjoy the race whatever the pace?

Please leave any comments below... I need your help!!

Running For A Cure

This Saturday I'm running to raise money for people with Motor Neurone Disease (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Please check out my video below for more info:

Shona Noyola: Running For A Cure 2014 (US) from Paul Noyola on Vimeo.

If you would like to support me please click this link if you're in the UK or this link if you're in the USA

Thank you xx

A Change Of Plan (Twice)

When I got the all clear from my surgeon that I could run again, I immediately decided that I wanted to run the Beaumont half marathon on 8th March. I really wanted to do it not just because it would be a good sign that I was all better, but also because I LOVE that race! I did the half marathon in 2011 and full marathon there in 2012. I would've run it last year but I wasn't in the USA at the time.

I launched into a half marathon training plan, being careful to increase mileage carefully to avoid injury. However I'm a bit all or nothing and if I was going to race, I wanted to do the best I could. Unfortunately it seemed to be too much too soon as I kept getting run down and suffering from cold after cold. I comfortably ran 10.5 miles about 3 weeks ago but decided after that run that I wasn't going to race in March and that I should go back to just running two or three times a week without the pressure of performance and keeping up to a plan.

Last week I received some very sad news. My Godmother who has been fighting Motor Neurone Disease (Lou Gehrig's Disease) passed away. She was the reason that I was inspired to run 2011 in 2011, my first half marathon and full marathon for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and York Against MND. With news or her passing my heart told me I should run again in her memory and try to raise money for the charities that are trying to find a cure for this terrible disease.

So watch this space.. I'm signing up and will appreciate any support you can give. I don't plan on going back into the full training plan, I'm just focussing on staying healthy and running shorter runs. I'm looking forward to running a race without the usual pressures that I put on myself to perform :)

Advice About Audiobooks

This isn't the first time I've considered the benefits of listening to audiobooks but usually I give them some thought, see the price of them and then end up looking at clothes on Zappos. However I'm back in training for a half marathon and feel like the time spent on long runs could be well used listening to podcasts or to something other than music. Which brings me back to Audiobooks.... (for me it sounds like the perfect combination of two of my favourite hobbies!)

Pic Source

I have some queries though and am hoping you can help:

1. What are your experiences with audiobooks?
2. Is it worth buying into a subscription service such as audible.com or just buy per book from amazon or itunes?
3. Bearing in mind I like mostly legal thrillers, mysteries, police procedural, (and the occasional fantasy book if it's not tooooo weird) have you got any recommendations of audiobooks that you have really enjoyed? 
4. Is there anything I should be cautious or wary of? 

I know I'm not the only running crazy girl that loves to read ... I'm hoping one of you can shed some light on the subject and help me make a sensible move into awesome multitasking.

Help Please!

I started running a few years ago and absolutely love it. I learned so much about running, form and nutrition through the challenges I gave myself... 2011km in 2011, half marathons and also a full marathon. However due to a ITB injury followed by several surgeries I've been out of action for so long that I feel like I've forgotten everything I learned.

I have a wonderful place to run and the winter weather here is perfect but I need advice, motivation and kind words about not being mean to myself for losing speed and stamina!

What's your favorite advice you give to your fellow runners when they're getting back into running after a break? What's your favorite running mantra? Please share with me and help me get back out there without giving myself a hard time!!

I'm Only Half Crazy #3

I thought when I decided that I wouldn't be able to run the Windermere marathon that the chances of me running 13 half marathons this year was also becoming less likely. However this weekend I may have proved myself wrong with a strong, pain-free 18 miler on Saturday morning.

Even though I've reduced my weekly training back to a more reasonable amount, I continue to run a few times a week and also with Lou who is still sticking to the marathon plan. This weekend's long run called for 18 miles so I thought I'd join her. I don't know if I fancied the challenge or wanted to prove to myself that I still have distance in me!

I can't deny I felt tired over the last few miles though I wasn't completely worn out and I could've gone further if I'd needed to. We finished the full 18 miles in 3 hours exactly, not including a few drinks and stretch stops. It was a beautiful day which made a welcome change after so many icy, windy runs over the last few weeks! Plus I am happy to say that's my third 13.1 this year.

Only 10 more to go....

Not this time...

This week I made the difficult decision not to run the Windermere marathon in May. Even though it's a couple of months away I don't feel able to put in the training that I want to due to work commitments and injury.

I'm sure I could squeeze in the training runs but at the expense of time to rest which I know from experience is equally important in the training plan. I've also been struggling with IT band problems, and while I was keeping them at bay (just), I haven't been confidently running more than 8 miles before I start to get some pain. I'm aware that I should be running 14 miles on Saturdays as well as several 5-8 milers during the week and to be confident on race day I know I have to have put the miles in now.

Racing is the fun part; it's the reward of all the hard work.

-Kara Goucher

So taking into consideration all things as they are at the moment I had to be honest and admit this isn't the race for me. Despite the fact that I'll be envious of all the runners, I still plan to travel to Windermere for the marathon to support my training buddy Lou and all the other runners too. This race I can enjoy being a supporter. There will be more races for me in the future, and hopefully another marathon along the line when I'm healthy and able to commit, so that I arrive at the start line confident in my training.

The Dreaded Iliotibial Band Again...

Just as I dared to think I was back on track with running and starting to make plans my dreaded knee pain/IT band problem is threatening to return. The first time it really became a problem was in April last year but I thought I had got past it and was running quite good distances again comfortably.

I can only think it's because I've neglected to do my exercises this last few weeks while things have been too crazy at home. I'm also running in my trail shoes a lot but, while they're brilliant for the muddy off road bits, we spend quite a bit of time on roads too and they probably aren't the right support for it.

So for now I have to go back the basics: RICE

Rest

Ice (cream)

Compression

Elevation

However I'm also on the lookout for tips and recommendations of how to overcome this injury. I know the problem isn't really in my knee even though that is where the pain is right now. My trainers are right for me (maybe not my trail ones admittedly) as I had my gait checked only a month or two ago.

I'm going to return to my regular exercises that helped last time but please suggest exercises or websites you have used and recommend as I really want to put this behind me once and for all! Also feel free to share success stories to let me know that I'm not going to be out of action forever!

Thanks :)

Mental Fatigue vs Physical Fatigue

This week has been a tough one. Extra long work days, very little sleep and lots of stress and worry left me struggling. But wait!... I'm not here for sympathy, I'm coping and everything will be back to normal soon so I'll be able to take some time to catch up with myself.

What I am here for is to share something I read earlier in the week from this post on Runners World...

'Don't confuse mental fatigue with physical fatigue. Researchers from Bangor University in Wales report that short-term mental fatigue doesn't impact the physical function. So it's your mind - not your body - that craves downtime. And running is the perfect antidote.'

I'm pretty sure I was both mentally and physically exhausted this week, though this did encourage me to get out and run. I have to admit that from the moment I woke up on Wednesday I was thinking of excuses not to go, but I'd arranged to run with Lou and didn't want to cancel so I had a word with myself, manned up and went. Would you believe it was the BEST run I've had in ages! Similarly on Saturday, feeling pretty shattered, I still put on my trainers and ran some trails. I'm so glad I did as it was a great day to be outdoors and I ended up running stronger than I had expected

What I've realised is that I'm physically more able to cope with all of this than I thought, and that for the most part it's my mind that's struggling with the sheer volume of things I try to do at the same time.

Now, as I write this post, I think about the times when I've been the most under pressure and that somehow I always end up lacing up my trainers to escape for a bit even when I don't really feel like it. Most people I know think I'm bonkers, they assume the best use of that hour or two would be to sleep instead of doing something that will make me more tired. But what they don't realise is that the time I get to myself is invaluable. I can clear my head of things that have wound me up and by the time I get back I feel like a different person who is refreshed, energised, positive and able to cope with whatever I need to do.

All in all I think it's important to recognise that there's a balance. Sometimes that hour might be best spent sleeping (like today!), but sometimes fatigue is more mental than physical, and a run or brisk walk might be just the remedy to turn a tough day around.

At Least Two Halves Crazy!

I totally surprised myself last weekend and somehow ended up on another 13.1 mile run to add to my half crazy challenge to run 13 half marathons in 2013.

I was surprised mainly because I headed over to Lou's for a trail run that she estimated would be 'about 10 miles'. I should've known better because the two of us rarely manage a run without some sort of adventure. This week's 'adventure' included gale force winds, big hills, flooded roads (bbrrr snow melt water = cold toes) and getting (very) lost.
Our 'about 10 mile' run turned out to be 14.5 (ouch!)

Don't get me wrong, we get a bit lost quite often but it rarely takes us 4 AND A HALF MILES away from our intended route! Believe it or not we weren't actually lost in the photo above... we were just having a look at the trail we were going to run which unfortunately had disappeared under several feet of flood water!

This shows you what we were up against on a fairly regular basis....  Just as your feet were warming up from the last paddle, you'd be faced with another one! Then there was the wind; rough does not even come close to explaining the two steps forward three steps back feeling we had. And how is it never behind you??

I can't believe after the fairly challenging runs I've been encountering recently that I'd have another hard one so soon. I'm happy that I kept with it though (not that I had much choice.. I had to get back to my car) ;). Surely I must be due an easy one soon, but if not, I hope all these experiences might prepare me well for races in the future!

High Knees!

I wanted to post a couple of photos from yesterday's run just because it was so awesome! I hadn't planned to run locally but I couldn't make it to my friend's house as the roads weren't clear. I still really wanted to run though so I laced up my Cascadia's and headed out...

Several people took time away from snow shovelling to mention that they thought I was completely mad which just makes me smile and run further! I have to admit it was really hard work and felt like 5.5km of high knees to get through the snow but I enjoyed every crazy, stupid minute of it!

At Least One Half Crazy!

It's taken my almost a week to post this update but I've got here finally! Last Sunday I did my first 13.1 mile run of the year as part of my Half Crazy challenge to run 13 half marathons in 2013.

I hadn't originally planned to go that far for two reasons: Firstly it's been snowing making conditions a bit tricky and secondly I was wearing my Cascadias for the first time so thought a shorter run might be wise while I get used to them. But it's hard to stop me and Lou from getting giddy so 13.1 it was! We set off on the trails to make the most of the pretty scenery. It was a great route over open fields, through woods, over little bridges, past frozen lakes and by rushing water. Thank goodness for my trail shoes as I have no doubt I'd have fallen on my arse in my adrenalines!

Despite the gorgeous and varied scenery, it was by far the hardest 13 miles I've run in a long time! I think the churned up mud that had frozen and then been covered in snow made such an unstable footing that I was constantly fighting to keep my balance and not go over on my ankles. Add into that a few hills and hey presto... ouch!

It was totally worth the effort though and I'm happy that Lou and I could keep each other going and encourage each other to do the full 13.1, especially when there was a short cut that would have got us home in 10!

We made sure we rewarded our efforts with a hot cup of tea and some cake afterwards along with cuddles from all of these sweet puppies!! And who can resist puppy cuddles?!

Especially 5 week old puppies... 

All in all it can't have been that terrible as I've arranged to run with her again in the morning! Wish me luck!!

Choices, Choices...

Such is my busy day that this is the biggest dilema I've got! 

I'm buying some Brooks Cascadia 7 Trail shoes online for some of my muddier runs 

but I can't decide... Red or Blue??

Please comment below on which you think will suit me most :)

I'm Only Half Crazy...

Thanks to Heather at Diary Of A Running Mom I've signed up to another challenge!

To be honest I really wanted to do something like 12 half marathons in 2012 but I never signed up because I wanted to go without any pressure to run for a bit after doing the 2011 in 2011 challenge. (It's a good job I didn't as between my ITBand injury and (unrelated) surgeries I wouldn't have been able to do it).

However it's a New Year and I'm feeling pretty good again. There are two reasons that I didn't announce that I'd run 13 races on the 1st January...

1. I wasn't sure that I could afford 13 half marathons in a year. 
2. I don't know if I could sign up for 13 races because I don't know when I'm going to be in England or Texas so making plans and signing up for races is difficult

This challenge sounds great to me as Heather is keeping it pretty informal and more achievable. The only deal is that you must run 13 half marathons in the year. Here are her rules:

• You must run 13 half marathons in the year 2013. They don't all have to be official races. These could be training runs too (that can be an run 13.1 or over). We know that races get expensive
• Keep track of your races/runs and times. Email Heather them at the 1st of each month (heather.m.winkler@gmail.com). She'll post them along and link to your blog/race recap. If you don't have a blog that's fine too!
• Post a link to her blog on your blog. She'll post links to bloggers who are participating
• Have fun and at the end of the year you'll get some type of award - or at least bragging rights!

How do you enter?

Leave a comment on Heather's post with a link to your blog. That's it! Happy halves everyone!!