Reflections on Running and Races in 2012

Last night, I went to an ornament exchange party and ran into a friend who ran a race I was running in September. She told me she hated running and wondered if something was wrong with me. I just replied that I like torture but that is not necessarily the true reason. . .

This urge to run and race happened in January 2012. On December 27th 2011, I lost a huge part of me. My best friend, sister-in-Christ, and mother passed away. I did my first race on April 2011 and I called her after my 5 mile trek and told her I finished even when I got shin splints right around mile one. She praised me and consoled me. I was probably never going to run again because I did that one experience and all the "races" I did after in that year were walks or run/walks.

In January of this year after all the memorials and travel came to a halt I was in the bed. I didn't want to wake up. I didn't want to continue forward. Prayer was not an option. Nothing was. My husband said something out of the blue that snapped me out of my mourning funk- "Hey, are we still doing the Shamrock Shuffle together?" We then went to purchase running shoes and began to train for the Shuffle. I got back into the training circuit and did Yoga Sculpt two times a week. The month before the race, my husband pulled his muscle and I had to go on my own. After that, the flood gates opened and I was determined to get in 8-9 races.

Nine bibs and a medal

Shamrock Shuffle 8k

Cinco de Miler 8k

Chicago Women's 5k

Terrapin 5k

Bucktown 5k

The Color Run (5k)

Hot Chocolate 5k

Run for Obama 11.6k

Santa Hustle 5k

Mourning the loss of my mother, running seems to be a refreshing way to start. After these races I am now more fit, building back my relationship with God and more into fitness than I was a year ago. There is truly something to be said about 2012. Thus far, I am not sure of my goals of 2013 but I am still in a "honeymoon" glow from the fact that I did NINE races. Each one was individually different and special. A poster will be created for my nine bibs and a slot for my "first" piece of bling as one may or may not be made for my husband's two bibs and will include my first ever race- The Shamrock Shuffle 2011.

Full running circle

Race #9 was "Santa Jolly"

As the Autumn season is dwindling down there is one more race I just had to complete and for good reason. . .

Now, THAT is a lot of Santas!

As I detest trying to get a ride to Soldier Field I regret asking my husband to drive me because we had a "blast" driving around downtown and the South Loop trying to get there. As I walked to the line, I jumped into a corral not knowing which one it was. I asked some nice Santa's and they told me 12 min/mi which is not usually my time but oh well- what can you do? The race route was similar to that of the Terrapin 5k. . . 

So, I knew when I should take off to the finish line.

Here are more pics that I took  WHILE RUNNING ( this time) to show all the running Santa's!

The volunteers were dressed as elves, there was a cookie station and a candy station which might not have been the best for me because as I raced into the finish line I caught a cramp right before the 3mile marker. It got worse as I ran and ran into some family members. I kept pushing to the finish and when I got there I so wanted to vomit. I took deep breaths and walked it out and eventually got way to more people to take pics with and all the lovely costumes and decor of the post race events.

How adorable were these runners! Santa and his reindeer! Now, Fleet Feet did NOT disappoint. . .

Yup, this is a pic of REAL reindeers. They were oddly calm as I would be freaking out if I were one of these reindeer.

I thought this was highly amusing! Especially since I am a Bears fan and formerly a Packer gal!

Me catching up with some BGR! ladies that for many of them this was their last run in 2012- same as myself.

How this race was different? I did not use my runkeeper app on my phone. I did, however, use the phone to take pictures and listen to music as I ran. I pushed myself a little more. If I felt tired I would slow my run but for the most part I ran the majority and walked for a few seconds before taking off again. I should not have had a cookie because my mouth was already parched and I slowed down towards the end for my candy which I still chucked because it was slowing me down not trying to let them spill. All in all a very fun race and a great way to end my running season! Another post about my experience of all these races will come up soon!

Stay jolly and bright while you run!

One side note- there are a few other locations that this race will be. If you live near the Chicago area- Milwaukee is having there Santa Hustle on the 22nd of December. Ho ho ho!

* New Side Note- official time- 30:12:53 which beats out my PR of 31:44*

Race #8 went VIRTUAL!

Last minute decision to run a race right before the last one of the year. This race benefit the campaign for Obama and gave people who wanted to run but could not a chance to race. The actual race was on November 3rd but I ran it. . . yesterday!

My bib which was mailed to me.

The race was actually an 11.6 k because the election was on November 6th which is translated to 7.2 miles. This was actually the longest race ever for me since I cut it off at five miles. Well, after five miles I was getting ready to stop and just walk the entire way. Something kept telling me to keep going and I ended up running a little tour around Wicker Park neighborhood and see all the classic Victorian mansions that reside there. I even got waves from some of the kids there. Very cute! All in all I went past the 7.2 miles and I am a little sore but I did a demonstration Sun Salutation A sequence for my husband and I actually am not as sore anymore. So, this week is going to go pretty interesting since the last race is in two weeks. Luckily, it is a 5k so now, this should be no sweat. My focus is to beat my PR so my training will be focused on speed walking and fast sprinting to a slow jog. After this race begins my training for a possible 10k in January. Might as well keep going with running since it has been such a big part of me right? 

   So the race was interesting because it was just me going at my own time. The race was virtual. The race was 7.2 miles. This race also delivered me my first medal or Bling as I am learning from BGR! I am quite proud to have it. Would I want another one? Well, I am going to get more anyway with next years race schedule. Here are some pics that I took before, during and after my race.

3 minutes before running. Because the person who created this race is one of my BGR sisters I decided to wear a BGR shirt I just got since I didn't have an Obama shirt.

Me and my first "bling". Good thing I voted for Obama. This would have been a frustrating race! LOL!

Any glitches in this race? Just me and my run keeper app. A friend called that I really needed to talk to so instead of walking and hearing the GPS I paused my race and the phone froze and crashed. Luckily, runkeeper kept my time thus far which was good but I have two times for the race. My time was pretty slow because I was intimidated by the fact that I had to run 7.2 miles. I was running at like 12.30 min/mi. Could I have done more? Probably because I was not as sore as I was after I did the Shamrock Shuffle and that was only five miles. Man, I was sore for two-three days after that race right in the knees and thighs. I thought my shoes would do some serious damage to my feet and they actually held their own so me walking around the neighborhood when I was not training was good for my tootsies and shoes. So, my end thought- can I do a half marathon and a ten mile race? ABSOLUTELY! BRING IT ON!

You can run it! Just believe.

Run for Good Days

This was the temperature at the Chamber of Commerce building in the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood this Saturday morning during my run. I had to stop and take a picture. Mind you, it was 7:15 in the morning. So, today was def a great time to run. There is also the package I received in the mail earlier this week.:

Complete with a Dri-fit shirt and a

I even posed with a leaf I snatched off a tree on my run

Also, to add to my last run cloth reusable menstrual pads are so much better than the disposable ones. Have a good run day!

run happy

Moon Cycle Running

"Moon Cycle" is a neat term I learned for menstrual cycle without all the menses into it. Menstrual cycles were known a long time ago to be in sync with the cycles of the moon. Here is the reason for the post. . .

For years, I dealt with dysmenorrhea which is a disorder filled with not knowing when my cycle was, extremely painful cramps and extreme bleeding. Once I became a vegetarian, my cramps went away and I my moon cycle regulated itself. I still have the heavy bleeding but it has dramatically decreased. But, this still makes me a little sensitive when going for a run or in a room with 25 people sprawled out in three-legged downward facing dog.

I have consulted with the internet about working out, running or yoga during my cycle and they all say the same time: it is okay. Actually these articles encourage working out while on your moon cycle Some people choose not too while others still work out but to their tolerance. I think I will listen to the experts and not let this affect me. Hopefully, I will report back on my exercise while experiencing my moon cycle.

So, here are some articles about it.

Exercise and Menstruation- Shape Magazine

Exercise while menstruating- Livestrong article

Hot Chocolate- Race #7

So, thus far I have completed seven races!

This has to be the "sweetest"!

This is also the race where I learned the most. I learned that RAM racing is not the best on organizing large races. 

I learned to talk to myself to "tough it out" when I think I am going to stop running when I can still hang in there longer. I learned that when you are cold and running you will get warm soon enough. DON'T remove your gloves- the hands will freeze while the rest of the body is still hot. I also learned that running with about three layers should do it- not four shirts, a tank top, a long sleeve shirt, a sweat shirt and a puffy vest makes you not want to run. Drink water- the gatorade will run out. Breathe but not as you would with summer running. Mouth closed unless you want a big heaping serving of cold air because that tends to make you cough.

I got a finisher mug but the words are already running together and it has been washed once.

Race #8 has already been determined. . . The Santa Hustle 5k- December 1st. After the Santa Hustle there are some decisions to be made- should I do an 8k to make nine races or do I just ignore that and sign up for the Polar Dash which is in January and have a great holiday? I have already signed up for a virtual 11.6K for Obama so I will receive my first ever bling. It will also be my longest race to date. December will also be a time for crafts as I will make a collage for all my bibs for this year. My race goal for this year is really coming to an end. 

Being tired and sore is temporary. Saying you did this is FOREVER! Keep running!

Chinese Laundry for New Balance

So, I have not been running at all. The reason for this: when I ran in my Reebok shoes, I would be sore in my feet and legs for about a week. My last running shoes gave me headaches and misaligned my spine to where I would need some really good chiropractic adjustments. I wanted to get $115 pair of shoes (the prefered pair from the store I had my feet fitted for) but I am so funny about my training that I decided to go from the bottom up. I went to Kohl's and spent $54 (with tax) for a pair of New Balance all terrain shoes.

I think about ten years ago and my preference for shoes have changed. Matter of fact, five years ago my preference has changed. I used to buy workout shoes because they were the cheapest thing in my fave stores like DSW or even when I graced the Maxxinista stores of TJ Maxx and Marshall's.

 Now, I am more into looking into running shoes. I want shoes that are light, flexible and airy on my feet and fit like a glove except in the toes.

Apparently, when I got fitted for running shoes I can go for shoes that you would normally get from the basic stores and my running gait is pretty good so purchasing shoes for comfort work the best. They said I had a little excess pronation but it was because of the treadmill. I tend to over pronate on the treadmill because it is a belt instead of you moving over the ground.

Wish me luck on my nice, non-expensive running shoes. May they have good wear on them.

God "run" speed

Colorful Me!

Race #6- although it did not seem like a race at all. . .

Pre-race photos. . . .

While in line, a lady took a picture of my bum. LOL! The color run is def the happiest 5k on the planet. I think it is almost insane to run around and have people throw color on you but I ran it all the way except for the color stations where I got good and colorful. I even got old friends running with me!

Of course this was before the race. . . here we are after running and stopping in order to embrace the colors. . . 

I even hacked up some blue this afternoon. LOL! May be some candeling would work.

Yup, I was a dirty girl.

After cleaning up skin and hair. Close up of the necklace. . .

I so earned that!

colorful race #6- The happiest 5k on the planet!

Color Run

Am I overcompensating for something?

http://thecolorrun.com/chicago/

Time to buy some white clothes. . .

Am I ready? (color run is this weekend by the way)