CARA lakefront 10 miler RR

I had every intention of being awesome at this race... until the weather forecast went from drizzly to awful in the matter of a couple of days.  It was supposed to be cold.  And rainy.  And overall nasty.  Gross.

But I love this race, and I wasn't about to skip it... especially since I hadn't yet picked up my packet!  So I woke up early Saturday morning, put on my TIGHTS, grabbed a windbreaker, and at the last minute, wore my old Mizunos (part of the race would be run on grass, and I didn't want to ruin my pretty shoes).  I was ready for whatever Mother Nature had planned.

So I drove in the POURING rain from my house to Montrose Harbor.  Got a sweet (free) parking space about .25 mi away from the start line.  I went to get my packet and use the bathroom.

Race shirt.  It has gray stripes down the side... too cute!

After waiting until the absolute LAST minute, I bravely got out of my car and walked to the start.  The rain had let up.  The wind was blowing nasty off the lake.  But, you know, I'm already here, might as well run 10 miles.

So after a (taped, creepy, Whitney Houston) version of the national anthem, we were OFF!

Mile 1:  I'm cold.  I could be complaining, but instead I start to think about positive things.  Like... I'm glad I wore tights.  I'm glad I have on thick socks.  I'm glad I looked at the course map.  Oh, and I'm glad I'm running fast, because it's only the sooner I can get back to my nice warm car!  Best mile of the day.  7:37

Mile 2:  Running a little on sand, which is kind of like mud, and OH MY GOD THIS WIND IS TERRIBLE.  I should have worn a parka.  And gloves.  Good God.  7:52

Mile 3:  I actually run into someone I know on the course... the lady who complimented my shoes at the Egg Shell Shuffle 3 weeks ago!  She's not going for a PR, as she has a marathon next weekend.  I tell her I have #doubletrouble next weekend.  She says I'M the crazy one.  I don't even tell her that I want a PR today.  Because that would just be ridiculous.  8:05

Mile 4:  Crap on a cracker, it's time for that hill.  I'm scared.  It remind me too much of mile repeats during cross country season.  I swear, I can see my crazy high school coach at the base of the hill with a stack of cones and his whistle.  *shudder*  But you know, just up and over and then it's done.  Oh, and don't fall in a hole.  Success all around!  That wasn't TOO bad.  (Although I am quite grateful that it's at this point in the race and not at the end!)  8:01

Mile 5:  I want to be done.  NOOOOWWWWW.  8:02

Mile 6:  Here's where the doubt monster comes to visit.  I keep telling myself that I'm insane for attempting to do this double half marathon next weekend.  That I can't do it.  That I don't have enough.  Then I decide that the doubt monster is going to lose this one.  Enough whining, I will get this PR, be ready for next weekend, and crush them.  No more pity party.  8:10

Mile 7:  FINALLY heading back towards Montrose Harbor.  I'm cold, and tired, but I still have some juice.  The conditions are SO TOUGH.  The wind is at my back, but only for a little bit.  Finishing this beast in any form is going to be an accomplishment in itself.  8:02

Mile 8:  The math says that I am going to get a PR, as long as nothing catastrophic happens in the next couple of miles.  I grit my teeth, crank up the tunes, and rock it.  7:59

Mile 9:  Almost done.  Just keep running... 7:51

Mile 10:  Stopped at the aid station for one last glass of Gatorade, and now it's time to go.  I run my absolute hardest.  I swear the wind is getting me from all ends, like it's changing directions every time I do, just to hit me in the face.  I know that given another chance, I can be better than this.  But I am giving it everything as I sprint to the finish, and I have a PR by a little less than a minute.  Job well done by me!  *pats self on back*  7:47

FINAL TIME:  1:19:28
AVERAGE PACE:  7:56
LESSON LEARNED:  Tough conditions only make you tougher.  I wanted a PR, so I went for it.  I'm better because I didn't phone it in.
NEXT 10 MILER:  Run for Recreation, 5.19.2012

After I crossed the finish line, I got my medal, Gatorade, and some granola bars, then headed to the beer tent.  It's amazing that if you are a cute girl standing by yourself in the beer tent, you can make new friends in 2 seconds.  After 2 sips of my beer, I had 3 new friends.  It was great.  We swapped bad weather race stories, and I enjoyed my 312.  (Gotta love races with REAL beer at the end!)  I had a great time.  This is one of my must-dos for a reason!

Medal!

Back to my warm car, with a shiny new PR and some cool bling!

today's chuckle

So ever since Blogger changed to the new format, and we have access to traffic stats, I've been keeping track of entertaining search terms.  Sometimes I post them on Twitter.  But I hadn't checked all weekend, so today I figured I'd see what I had.  Holy amusing.  I had to share.

The BEST ways to get to my blog (apparently) -

"47671060" - not sure when I have blogged this series of numbers, but ok.  Kinda looks like how I have to save the island, a la Lost.

"i hear pikermis" - is that like I see dead people?

"i flashed my boobs" - I did not do this.  I'm confused.

and my personal favorite...

"i maybe poop into my pants but i drive like a boss" - my poop post is awesome, yes, but it's titled Bowels of Fury, and you can find it in Runner's World's Loop.  (In case you were looking for it.)

(Why yes, my driving IS pretty boss...)

april in review

Miles run:  115.71

Miles biked:  0.  I give up.  If I so much THINK about it, I come down with a terrible cold and am confined to my couch.  I can't help but believe these are related.

Races run:  2

Races registered for but didn't run:  1  (I stand by my decision.  Not only was the weather crappy and the start delayed, the promised race shirts actually didn't exist.  I would have been SO PISSED.  I'm only out $27.  I win.)

PRs at said races:  1

Medals earned:  2

Age group awards:  1

New thing done:  Double training runs!

Book read:  14 Minutes: A Running Legend's Life and Death and Life by Alberto Salazar and John Brandt  (Currently writing the review... will post by tomorrow for sure).

Biggest achievement:  Doing double long runs every single weekend this month.  I didn't let sickness, or hangovers, or bad weather, or general laziness get in my way.  Even when I was tired, I was just SO GLAD to be out there, dare I say, achieving!

Biggest disappointment: Looking at the calendar and realizing that since I skipped the Crossroads of Indiana Half Marathon, my 50th half marathon ever will not take place at the same race as #1.  Unless I can find one the first Saturday in June within a reasonable driving distance.  Sigh.

Things I'm loving this month:  Stanley Cup playoffs (even though my beloved Blackhawks are out), Bell's Oberon, the return of the greatest sport ever (BASEBALL), a homer-less Albert Pujols, REVENGE IS BACK!, buying smaller pants, the greatness that was American Reunion... oh, and the END of the #raceshirtchallenge!  Freedom to wear whatever you want is AMAZING!

Things I'm hating on:  The return of winter, I think Jerry Angelo may still be running the Bears draft, Marian Hossa's devastating injury, allergies, people who use social media to be douches,  the 2 toes on my right foot that are essentially giant blisters.

Things (races) to look forward to in May:  Indy Mini Marathon, Flying Pig Pikermi, Lake Geneva Pikermi, Run for Recreation, Rockford Pikermi, Soldier Field 10 Mile... yep, I have a busy May.

Where are we on the shoes?

wordless wednesday

Filed under: Dumb (but awesome) things I did last week.

it's over... it's finally over #raceshirtchallenge

This past Sunday, with my double run day, I completed the #raceshirtchallenge.  It took 83 days.  More precisely, 83 runs (since I had a double day).  It's entirely possible I skipped a couple of numbers, since counting is hard.  More likely, there are 2 poor shirts out there with the same day label.

I had fun with it, for the first couple of months, but once the stack lessened, I was sure glad the end was near.  It was SO LIBERATING today to be able to go out and wear whatever I wanted.  I wore a plain gray Brooks shirt, and some obnoxious shorts.  It was fantastic.

I wore shirts from races I DNS'd.  I wore shirts from races where I DNF'd - those were tough to wear.  I wore 2 of the most ill-fitting shirts in the history of the world... each one went practically to my knees.  I wore shirts with sleeves that were way, WAY too short.  I wore ones with sleeves that were too long.

I realized that I really, really love race shirts.  Unless someone has a cool idea of what to do with ill-fitting or retired ones (that's your hint to leave some suggestions in the comments!), then I am stuck with them.  I tried to think about each race as I wore its shirt, the good and the bad.  I have a lot of running memories, and I could never part with these things.  I know, it's stupid, but I feel like the race people worked hard to give us something nice, and I am grateful.  (I also may or may not be a running gear hoarder.)

I saved a bunch of my favorites for the end, in case I was racing a lot, and also so that you can take a walk down memory lane with me. 

In no particular order, my top 10 favorites... enjoy!

Bank of American Shamrock Shuffle 8K (2010)

Madison Mini Marathon (2010)

Soldier Field 10 Mile (2011)

Frontier Days Stampede Run (2010)

Frontier Days Stampede Run (2011)

F^3 Lake Half Marathon (2012)

United Run for the Zoo (2010)

Bank of America Chicago Marathon (2009)

Windrunner 10K (2010)

Cinco de Miler (2011)