Farewell 2013

Another year has come and gone......I am happy to say 2013 was a great year for me! 
First let's re-visit those goals & challenges I set back on 01/01/13:
1.  Lose 10# - this I did not meet, BUT....I have successfully maintained my weight at where I started the year at though.  I have lost several inches (which I prefer)!
2.  Gain muscle definition - this I have done with weights, bootcamp & running.....so proud of my guns!!
3.  Better my 5K time of 30:43 - I did...my new time to beat is 30:00
4.  Run my first half marathon - DONE.....at a time of 02:23:37!!
5.  Maintain clean eating - yes, this is just a lifestyle for me now.
6.  13 in 2013 running challenge - completed 22 runs for 2013.

All the hard work has paid off and I wouldn't have it any other way!!
I entered and completed 1 - 2 miler, 1 - 3K (with my dog, Frito), 15 - 5K's, 2 - 10K's, 1 - 10 miler, 1 - half marathon and 1 - mud run (3 miles).  I have discovered that I like running the longer distances better.  I have ran for a total of 460 miles this year. 

I have made some great new friends this year through my running group, blogs, and other social media sites.  Looking forward to new friends in 2014 that share the same goals and fitness aspirations! 

HUGE shout out to my husband, he has been my #1 supporter!!  He has been with me to almost all of my runs, with camera in hand, chronicling my journey.  He did the majority of cooking when I was training for my first half marathon (24 weeks)!  He is my best friend, and I truly cherish him!!   

 

Keep pounding the pavement and I'll see you in 2014!!

St. Nick Fun Run 5K

This was definitely a FUN run and my last scheduled race for 2013.  I participated in this run last year and really enjoy the route through one of the older neighborhoods in College Station....very nice period houses from the 1930's and up.  A few of my running group members also participated.  This is race coming exactly a week from doing my half marathon.  I just wanted to run!  It felt great to stretch the legs out at a faster pace.  A lot of us donned our festive Christmas attire to run in.  It was a beautiful sunny and cool morning for a run.  

Here I am upon arrival and waiting to start...

Standing around with my running group & chatting...

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And we are off & running.  My legs felt great!!  I was at a 9:40 pace......could I possibly get a sub 30 minute 5K??? 

Almost to the finish........

Well, the sub 30 time eluded me....finished 30:00 exactly!  I'll take it........AND, I placed 3rd in my age group!!  Have to wait on my medal though.........

Enjoyed the cookies from a local bakery afterwards!!  I look forward to this fun run again next year!!

My FIRST Half Marathon

On a very cold, 31 degree, Sunday morning, I ran my FIRST half marathon!!!  The week before held a range of emotion for me....nervous, excited, anxious, scared.  The weather was crazy that week.  I never checked WeatherBug so much in all my life!!  It was mild to warm temperatures to start the week out to sleet the night before the race.  The organizers kept everyone VERY informed with info on the race and weather throughout the days before and late into that night.  A lot of people were unable to make it to the race because of icy road conditions, and they were able to defer their entry to next year....at no charge!  Those spots were quickly grabbed up by others that missed out originally and others that were running the Dallas Marathon that was cancelled due to weather conditions.  Last total on the race was around 3700.
I arrived 40 minutes early to the starting line and met up with my USAFit BCS running group as they had a tent set up near the start.  We were all bundled up due to the cold.  I even met up with another blogger that was running the full.  She was such a joy to meet!  My husband was with me, of course, and my mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, 2 nieces and one's fiancee drove in to cheer me on!  I felt SO special.....my own cheering section!!
Excited waiting to head over to the starting line...

It was finally time to line up in our corrals.  I started off with two great people from my running group. 
Finally made it past the start banner....

 After about 3 miles, I was thinking why did I wear this jacket!!  Albeit it was a very light wind & water resistant one, I was sweating.  I had already made plans on stopping and walking at mile 5 and 9 to drink my water and re-fuel.  I also noticed I was making good time on my miles....going at a 10:30 pace......could I keep it up?!?!  Mile 5 finally beeped on my Garmin, and I slowed to a fast walk and promptly removed my jacket and gloves.  I clipped my gloves to my fuel belt and tied my jacket around my waist.  I knew I was going to see my husband at mile 7 so I wouldn't be annoyed with the extra dangling around my waist and I could give him my jacket & gloves.  I took in my water and my Pro Bar Bolt orange chews......and off again I go.  At this point, we are going through neighborhoods and a few people are out in front of their houses cheering us on.  One couple even had bought doughnuts and were giving them out to the runners going by!  Here comes mile 7, and I spot my husband on side of the road.  I wave for him to cross the street so I can hand off my discarded clothing.  I'm feeling really good at this point, and I'm half ways done!  

My time is still in the 10 minute range.  I had a goal of finishing at 2:30, and it is completely in sight!  Now we are going through the Texas A&M campus.....lots of cheering sections from the student organizations.  They really pumped up the runners.  They made all those turns through the campus enjoyable.  I got to see my husband again at mile 9......got a "woohoo" and a high five from him and "I'll see you at the finish"!!  

This is where we leave the campus and go through more neighborhoods.  I've stopped again to hydrate and re-fuel.  I'm saying to myself now "You are on the home stretch.....you got basically a 5K left to do"!  Back at it again.  These last couple of miles made me really anxious.  I was just anticipating what the finish line would be like with all the people.  At mile 11, my stomach started growling........yes I'm hungry...just 2 more miles.  I chugged the rest of my water to stave off the growling!  I put it in high gear to finish strong.  Once I rounded the last turn towards the finish and I could hear all the cheering, I was overjoyed!  And the final last turn to the DOWNHILL finish was a sight for my eyes..........lots of people cheering!!  I was so overwhelmed once I crossed the finish line....the race organizer was their greeting the runners and giving high 5's.  I received my medal from his adopted son, Famous, who was rescued from child slavery in Ghana.  Now, how awesome is that!?!?!? My finish time 02:23:37.....oh my, I am elated!!

I went on to get my space blanket, finisher shirt, water and to meet with my family waiting for me outside the barriers.  Lots of congratulations and hugs.  I was so proud of myself and my medal!!

I was feeling great and hungry!!  It was truly a great run for me....no cramps, aches or issues.  I kept a steady pace throughout and had negative splits....especially on the last 2 miles.  I'm already excited about my next half....Aramco Half Marathon in January in Houston.  
I promptly decided that I wanted pancakes.........off to IHOP we went, and this half marathoner downed a 5 stack of buttermilk pancakes with butter, no syrup!  Best pancakes EVER!!  My husband surprised me with a James Avery bracelet with a 13.1 charm too!  My day was complete.........and it was only 10 AM!!  Now home to take a hot shower and relax.  
Not much soreness the next day....thigh muscles a little tight, but I don't care....I just ran 13.1 miles the day before!  My running group had a celebration dinner planned on Tuesday at a local restaurant for us. We all wore our finishers shirts and medals...PROUDLY!!  We all agreed this was a great race and despite the frigid temps, they worked in our favor for great runs!  

Yes, I'm hooked on halfs!!  Until next time, keep pounding the pavement!!