See Julie Run

Time: 1:16:49 | Pace: 7:41

I was excited for this race because I was doing it with my sister, who’s 2.5 years older than me.  We’ve done two other runs together before, but both times I was not near in as good of shape as I am now.  Since I joined the running group in January and have been running races on a regular basis, my times have been dramatically improving and I was excited to see the change in time from the last race Cherry Blossom race that we did 2 years ago.  

This is a love/hate race for me.  I love it once my feet start hitting the pavement, it’s a very pretty course, but getting to that point is rough.  The DC metro is absolutely packed the morning of the race and the lines for the bag drop-off and bathrooms are crazy.   But enough about the hate.  I’ll talk about why I love it.

The hoards of people running and the spectator-friendly course give the course an energy in itself.  Add to that a scenic run with views of the monuments and endless roads lined with cherry blossom trees and it makes for a great race.  I really enjoyed the run, and my sister and I talked the whole time (mostly to each other, but from time to time we’d pick up conversations with other runners around us).

The finish for my sis ended up being a little rough.  The last 800 meters were a steep incline (go figure) and the heat had broken out around mile 7.  I am all about a big finish, so I started to come down the big chute to the finish line with my hands up.  I noticed that she wasn’t staying with me and kept trying to get her to join me, but she had had it.  I crossed the finish in front of her and immediately turned around to look for her and finally saw her cross about 6 seconds after I crossed.  She was a little green, almost fell over, but we got her some water and shade and as typical runners go, she regained composure quickly.

I was very happy with my finishing time.  My last time two years ago was a 1:23:46 with an 8:16 pace.  This time, I held onto a 7:41 pace.  

Next race…Sun Fun Run 5K in Murrells Inlet

That's me crossing the finish (that's the clock time, not my chip time)

Saturday morning’s 4-miler went very well.  I got a few of my coworkers at Fuel Interactive involved in the race and I was excited for a solid finish, which I achieved.  My goal for this race was 28 minutes flat.  I am perfectly fine with falling 2 seconds short.  I knew there was another race on Sunday and that I had my choice between a 5k and a 10k, but I wasn’t set on doing either events.  I went out Saturday night trying not to think too much about it, but made the decision (with the help from some people in the running group) to do the 5k before going to bed that night.  Sunday afternoon, I walked up to the registration table, and without even thinking, blurted out “one 10K registration”.  I just couldn’t sign up for the “wussie” 5k.

It’s important to point out that on Saturday night I stayed up until after 1, did at least 3 shots and drank at least 7 beers.  I also drank a lot of water but needless to say, that’s not the proper pre-race diet.  Fast forward to Sunday afternoon just before 3pm where I was crossing the finish line at just after 46 minutes and wanted to absolutely die.  The reason I didn’t slow down was because I was in first place and regardless of who my competition was, I had never felt this before.  I was the clear winner, and I just felt that no matter what my physical state was, no matter if I had pain in my knee, I had to bring it in. 

While I did that,  it didn’t feel quite as good as I thought it should.  I didn’t really train hard, I just pushed myself too hard on race day.  I realize now the day after when I sit here with a sharp pain in my knee that I can’t ignore the fact that there’s a right way and a wrong way to achieve goals.  While the right way may take longer, it will pay off in the long run (and then I’ll actually be able to do the long, long runs!).  I’m taking this entire week off to go on vacation and when I return, I’m going to start hitting the gym, pool and using my bike to cross-train.  I’m also going to work on slowing down on my post-race parties

Next race…Washington DC Cherry Blossom 10-miler on 4/5/09

The group after running with our "awards" - a pint glass that you took to the local bar for a FREE BEER!

I’ve recently started doing track workouts once a week, and hope to bring up to two eventually.  One problem that I have is that I’m not sure how fast I should be going and what kind of workouts I should be doing.  I did some research online, and found this really sweet tool called the “Mcmillan Running Calculator” where it allows you to put in your times from your races and get a good work out.  I’m sure many runners have heard of this, but I’m new, and I was really excited about finding this!

One thing that I found very interesting is the difference my times were when I compared my best 5K (21:34) to my best half Marathon (1:45:37).  Using the 5k time, I should be able to do a half marathon in 1:39:45, or at a 7:36 pace.  Obviously, that’s not extremely far off from 1:45, but it’s still seems significant.  

The biggest difference was the marathon times.  With the 5k time, my marathon is listed at a 3:29:46 which I would be ECSTATIC with!  My half marathon time leaves me with a more realistic 3:42:45, just 2 minutes and 45 seconds shy of qualifying for Boston. 

Pretty neat to play around with and get your track workout speeds as well as realistic goals to set for races.  Check it out here.

 Distance – 13.1 miles
Time - 1:45:37 (Pace – 8:09)

Who needs romance on Valentine’s day?  Apparently, 5,000 in Myrtle Beach people throw this Hallmark Holiday to the wind as they lace up their running shoes and hit the road in Myrtle Beach.  I was one of these people at 7am taking off for 13.1 miles.  The weather was expected to be cold and rainy, but it held off for the most part for those who ran the half.  The people running the full were not quite as lucky, unfortunately, but all in all it was a good day for running.

I was surprised at how good I felt considering I had just run the 5k the night before.  I was able to jog to the start line from my house and barely stretched before the gun went off.  About six miles in on Ocean Blvd, I started talking to a guy who was running the full and who kept me at an honest 8 – 8:10min pace.  It paid off in the end and I had my fastest half marathon time to date (I’ve run three so far).  Most importantly, if I use this pace as a basis and I’m able to keep it for a full marathon in the fall, I will achieve my goal of qualifying for Boston – something I hope to do in 2010 or 11. 

For the record, there were a total of 6 proposals at the finish line this day.  One guy even brought a banner and dropped to his knee right BEFORE his girlfriend crossed the finish line for the marathon!  I’d be ticked!

The most important part of any race...crossing the finish line!

I went into this race with the goal of getting at least 3rd in my age group.  This race was particularly challenging because it’s part of the Myrtle Beach Marathon weekend, and a lot of people come in from out of town to run.  I was totally hyped up for it all week leading up, and tried to drink only water and eat healthier than normal.  Can’t say that I really stuck to that religiously but I think I get an “A for effort”. 

I was excited that this was a night race because I feel that I run better at night.  The one thing I was a little unsure of was the fact that the race immediately followed a day at work, and I sit at a desk all day.  So I tried to counter that by doing stretches in my desk, standing and walking around more than I normally would, and trying very hard to not cross my legs as much to ensure my legs wouldn’t be stiff.  I like to think all of that helped!

When it came time for the race, I was nervous!  I made sure I got to the front of the start line to ensure that a “bottle neck” start wouldn’t affect my times.  I HATE IT at smaller races when slower people crowd to the front of the line because they want to show off and be the first to kick off the race.  Yes, I’m just a tad bit competitive.   Anyways, the gun went off and I took off a little faster than I probably should have, but I’m sure runners know the feeling of nerves and anxiousness building up to a fast start!

The course and weather were both awesome.  I loved running along the outside of Broadway at the Beach and ending up in the baseball stadium to a cheering crowd.  The race was sold out to 1,000 particiapnts so it was by far one of the bigger races I’ve done to date.  I ended up coming in 4th place female overall, first in my age group and I was surprised by a very nice plaque from HTC, the local cable and Internet company, for being the fastest local female. All in all, it was an awesome experience and I won’t hesitate to do it again next year. 

I didn’t waste any time scheduling my next race…February 14th – the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon!

My award for being the "fastest local female". Really cool of the local "high speed Internet" company to do!

Distance: 6.2miles  |  Time: 47:10  |  Pace: 7:36

This race was by far my most exciting race I’ve done.  I felt awesome in the morning when I had my usual coffee (yes, I drink coffee before I run).  I warmed up with an extra “hop” in my step and I was just in a great mood which many athletes can tell you, immensely impacts your performance.

The weather was a definitely a little chilly but that was to be expected for a late January run.  The course did not run along the ocean much, rather, it curved around many residential streets in Surfside.  There were a few sharp turns which may affect some serious runners, but overall the course was flat and enjoyable.

This race meant a lot to me because it was the first time I ever felt like I could achieve something in a race.  I did cross country my last two years in college and unfortunately because of my late start, I never even came close to winning, despite my constant personal improvement with times.  Girls that I ran against had been running since their freshman year of high school, and because of that, I don’t think I put nearly as much effort into running races as I did this race.

I was began running with two older people from my running group at a very steady 8-ish mile pace.  I ran with them for about 3.5 miles until they pointed to a girl who was less than a 1/4 mile ahead of me.  They told me to stay steady, as I still had 2.5 miles to go, but to go with her and catch up.  I ran hard, ended up passing her and two other girls in the last mile and a half and took 3rd place overall female.  I was thrilled!!  I left that day feeling very excited about my decision to join a running group and pursue my passion for running.

Time: 1:17:13  (8:13 pace)

The Weather for this race wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but it wasn’t exactly perfect either.  The rain stuck around the entire duration of the race but the temperature made it bearable at about 50-55. 

The course started on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach and ran down Ocean Blvd, zig-zagged through streets with houses along them, and finished up the 9.3 mile race coming up ocean Blvd back towards the starting line.  My favorite part (go figure) was the long stretch during the last two miles down Ocean Blvd next to all of the beach houses that lined the street.

This was in the North Myrtle Beach newspaper the day after the race. I'm pseudo-famous

The race was well done, even with the lack of spectators along the course.  I can’t say I blamed them for not being out there with the weather the way it was.  I was happy with my finish, although I did have one little chip on my shoulder. 

I’m the type of person who kicks it in hard at the last mile mark.  I don’t wear a watch.  I know it’s odd for a semi-serious runner but I always just run how I feel and it’s worked to my benefit thus far (but I do plan on breaking down and getting one very soon).  Anyways, the last mile on this course was NOT marked.  Now, mind you, I did kick it in somewhat when I saw the 8 mile marker, but I was waiting to see that 9 so that I could really push it to the end.  The 9 never came.  I turned a corner, and there less than 50 yards in from of me was the finish line.  It seemed a little anti-climactic.  But enough pessimism!

I ended up with a solid 5th place overall female and 1st in my age group again!

 Half Marathon – 13.1 miles Time: 1:50:37 Pace: 8:27 Awards: 1st in age group (20-24)

I joined the North Myrtle Beach Running group on Tuesday January 6^th with a base of about 25 miles (give or take a few!) a week My cap was probably about 7 miles, and that was on a really good dayI ran cross country for King’s College in Wilkes Barre, PA my last two years at the school and had some fairly decent times (a 6:55 pace for a 6K was my fastest), but the last time I ran competitively was in November of ’07.  I wasn’t sure what to expect from the running group, but I was fairly confident that I’d be able to keep up.

Turns out, I was right.  The group ran at a good pace and I was able to keep up with them steady for 5 miles.  What I did not expect was an invitation to a half marathon going on that Saturday.  I’ve always been the type of person who’s up for anything so without really stopping to think, I accepted.  I signed up for the race the next day and was on the road bright and early on Saturday to Ocean Isle, North Carolina.  I had never been before, and was pleasantly surprised at the beauty and quaintness (if that’s even a word) on the island, and not-so-pleasantly surprised at the steep bridge leading over to the island that I was told we had to run over twice. 

The weather was awesome, the course was beautiful and bridge wasn’t nearly as bad as it looked coming over it in the car. It was a small race with less than two hundred people running, and I ended up taking first in my age group with a time of 1:50:37.  I ran side by side with a woman in our group who has run over 25 marathons in her lifetime and was actually an Olympic qualifier at one point with a 2:40 marathon.  It was a great first race to do and gave me a lot of confidence in my running skills.  Another cool thing is that I carried my cell phone along with me and tweeted the miles along the way to help the time go by faster. 

This was my trophy for coming in 1st in my age group.

This was the first mile. We went over it, turned around and came right back over it again!

I decided my 2009 new year’s resolution was to start a blog about my running, to run more in general and to start running competitively.  In order to gain some more motivation, I joined the North Myrtle Beach Running Club. They run every Tuesday night around the Cherry Grove beach.  Running with a group has made a world of difference.   I’ve always enjoyed running, but it does get boring when you’re on the road alone.  The conversation and laughs are nonstop in this group and the energy before and after each run is just awesome.  After our runs on Tuesdays, we head
over to Buffalo Wild Wings (in N Myrtle) for wings and beer because after all, we DID just run! If you live in the Myrtle Beach area and are looking for fellow runners, check us out.