Turkey Trot 5k

Every Thanksgiving for the last two years I have always run the Space Coast Art Festival Turkey Trot 5k. And since my husband worked again this year I decided to run it again this year.

Since I'm running the Space Coast Half Sunday I wasn't planning on "racing" this 5k. It was all about having fun. That and there is no way of placing here. It's the first 10 men and women to cross the finish line. 

Woke up Thanksgiving morning and it was 44 degrees. YIKES! I don't like the cold. 

But I braved the cold, put my turkey hat on and away I went. 

Before the start some guy asked me what time was I aiming for. And I guess I hadn't thought of that. I've been slow lately so I said 30ish. He said he was aiming for 32-35 so he would stay close to me. After we started and I tossed my jacket to my official race photographer (Mom), he passed me. And since I had my shirt sleeves over my hands I couldn't see my watch, I had no idea how fast I was running. I was just moving my feet. After a mile I started to warm up and realized I finished my first mile in 10 mins. So I just kept up that pace. As I got to the house with the beer and jello shot water stop, which is almost to mile 3, I thought I still have energy left I could go faster. Turned the corner and saw the guy from the start line. So proceeded to run past him and finish before him!

I may not have been aiming to finish with a good time in this race, but I still have a competitive side to me that has the need to beat someone:) 

Last long run before the Space Coast 1/2

This morning I went for my last long run before the Space Coast Half! This will be my sixth half marathon. I've run many many 5k's. So one would think I would know what I'm doing right? One thing I never thought I would do is change everything a week before a big race. Well I did.

I got a new iPod yesterday. And since my old one had a clip and the new ones don't I had to wear it on my arm. I had new headphones, cause my old ones died. I changed from Clif shots to Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. Then the biggest thing, I ran with a timer. I've run on the treadmill using the Jeff Galloway run walk run method. I've just never done it outside. I decided to give it a try.

I tried this out on the treadmill just to see how it works. I had it on my SPI belt and didn't really like the way it felt. So since I got my new iPod and had to wear it on my arm I clipped it to my arm band and loved it!! I used a 3:1 run/walk ratio. It was great! 

I also ran with my Pace Band and I'm so glad I got it!! It kept me on track and I even finished ahead of time!

I'm really glad I went out for my run today. It helped me mentally and it felt great. What will feel better is later I'm scheduled for a massage!! 

I do have to add a couple of photos. While I was icing my legs, Alex came over to visit me. He's so cute!!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

10 Days Until the Space Coast Half

We are in the final countdown for the Space Coast Half!! With only 10 days left it's going to be here before I know it.

I wanted to PR at this again. Well that's probably not going to happen, BUT that's ok. All that matters is that I finish and get that sparkly, shiny, fabulous medal around my neck!

I got this photo from Space Coast Marathon Facebook.

Last years medal was fabulous. And since this is the first year of The Big Bang Series, this medal doesn't disappoint. I can't wait to have ALL seven of those medals on my wall.

Back to the point.

Since this isn't my "A" race I just want to have fun and enjoy this race. I do have a goal, but if I don't make it that's ok. The course runs right along the river. The view is spectacular. I just want to make it fun race! 

Yesterday I decided to visit the finish line. The finish line is in Cocoa Riverfront Park. 

This is what the last part of the run looks like. I will warn you it's narrow. I tried to pass a few people last year and couldn't get around them. 

And here it is the finish line area. Ok use your imagination and picture the clock and timing mats! 

I took a couple of other photos of the park incase you've never been here.

This is standing "on the course" looking out to where you can meet friends and family. 

And another shot of looking from the course to where you can meet family and have breakfast and also get BEER!! 

So in just 10 short days I'll be here getting my sparkly medal!!

Will I see you there?

And don't forget to download your RaceJoy app!!

18 Days until Space Coast Half

Getting a little nervous about my next half marathon. I haven't been this nervous about a race in a long time. 

Since my last half was just a couple days ago and my time wasn't the greatest, I'm a little nervous. Ok I'm VERY nervous. It's like my endurance is gone and my speed went on vacation. 

I decided that starting yesterday I was going to hit training hard! I ran 6 miles yesterday on the beach and today I walked 6 miles on the treadmill. I'm not planning on a PR for the Space Coast but I would really like to finish in 2:30. 

I'm trying to stay very positive and keep reminding myself that a finish is a finish. But damn I would really like to get back to were I was six months ago. I feel like I'm starting all over again.

Key Largo Bridge Run Recap

Over the weekend I ran the Key Largo Bridge Run Half Marathon. I will admit I hadn't really trained for this 1/2 and it showed. 

I took my mom down to the Keys with me this weekend for a girls weekend!! We drove down Friday morning. We checked into the hotel in Key Largo then drove down to Marathon. My mom hadn't been to the Keys before so I figured she should see more than just Key Largo. 

First stop was the Old 7 Mile Bridge in Marathon. I would post a photo, but I guess I forgot to take one. Oops...

Next stop was The Dolphin Research Center. My mom's friend works there and we wanted to stop and say hi. When we got there they had just started a show. The dolphins were swimming around, playing with toys and the trainers were giving us some info on each dolphin. 

We then drove back to Key Largo and I went to bed early since I had to get up early and run.

I woke up before my alarm which was set for 4:30. Got ready ate breakfast and went across the street to Starbucks to get coffee. I don't run without drinking coffee. And I don't drink hotel room coffee. It's gross. After I got my coffee we went back to the hotel and got on the bus which took us to the start line. 

Of course I had to get my pre race photo!

As we waited at the start line we were told that we were being filmed for a documentary. So we had a helicopter escort over the bridge. 

The National Anthem was sung and we were off. The only thing is that the 5k 10k and 1/2 marathon all started at the same time. By the time I made it to the top of the bridge some of the 5k runners had already turned around and had to fight traffic trying to get back. I think they should have staggered the races.

This was about half way up the bridge.

After about the first mile it got hot. It was 78 with 92% humidity. And on top of that I hadn't really run in the last month. It was a long race. And a little boring. I ended up texting my husband and mom while I was on my walk breaks. With only 172 runners I was usually all by myself. This was my 5th 1/2 marathon and smallest. There were no crowds cheering you on or characters (like at Disney). I think I like running with lots and lots of other runners. 

The hardest part of this whole race was running, or in my case walking, up the bridge at the very end. It was windy. 19 mph head wind up a bridge with 92 foot elevation gain. I walked up the entire way. I had nothing left in me to fight the wind.

 

These were taken at the top of bridge!

Now all I had to do run down the bridge. It took everything I had, but I started running down and before I knew it there was the finish line!!

Somehow I managed a jump at the end!

It was a good race. It sure wasn't my best time, but I knew going in that it wasn't going to be a fast race for me. I'm just glad I stuck it out and finished.

Now back to training for the Space Coast Half Marathon which is three weeks away!

One week before The Key Largo 1/2

One week from today I'll be leaving for Key Largo. A week from tomorrow I run. CRAP.....

Ok so my training hasn't been going as planned. After running the Tower of Terror 10 miler I haven't hardly run, because of my hip. Good news my hip is all better, bad news I run in 8 days.

Mentally I'm good. It's the physical part that is scaring the crap out of me.   

This is what I'll keep telling myself. Keep moving forward. Just one foot in front of the other. My time won't be good, but that's ok. I just need to get through this run then try and get back on track for the Space Coast 1/2, cause that is on December 1. 

Tomorrow I'm going to go for a long run. Let's hope all goes well!