Move-It Monday: 1 Year of Running

Saturday marked my the one year anniversary of my first 5k race. To celebrate this occasion, I ran the same race, the Sole Burner 2013 in Appleton with my cousin and her husband and her father-in-law. Her mother-in-law and sister walked the route with the kiddos.

Unfortunately the weather wasn't like 2012 and we woke up to chilly temps and overcast skies. 2012 started cooler, but warmed up with beautiful, sunny skies by the time we started running. Our 2012 times were: Trisha ran a 26, Steve ran a 27 Perry ran a 39 and I ran a 40:04.

2012 Sole Burner

We registered the day-of this year because we were questioning the weather. Unfortunately they were out of t-shirts by the time we got in the tent. A little bit of a bummer as it was my one-year, but that's what I get for registering late!

The overall mood of the pre-run area was a little calmer than the previous year as we were all trying to just stay warm before the race.

We wandered up to the front just in time for them to blow the horn and we started off. It was less congested of a start this year which was nice, but my Pandora app decided to not work at that moment and I was so pumped to run to the Eminem station. I just turned on my run iTunes playlist instead and zoned out to Dave Matthews, Alex Clare and P!nk.

2013 Sole Burner

I could tell I was going a bit quick at the start, but I was feeling great. I knew the route and pretty much what to expect because it was the same course. I remembered the year prior when I needed to slow down and catch my breath, and I made sure to power through those spots this year.

About a half mile into the course, I started feeling ran droplets on me. I figured it was just a little storm and didn't worry about it. When we turned to head to College Ave. just after the 1 mile marker, the wind came gusting up behind us and flipped over barricades used blocking side streets. I realized I couldn't be so zoned out and had to watch for things flying around. But the wind at my back was great. (No one was hurt by anything flying.)

We turned onto College Ave. and the gusting winds were pushing against us then. Hats flew off and it was like a wind tunnel. I couldn't wait to get up the hill on College and turn again.

I remembered the big downhill and huge uphill in the last mile and took advantage of the water station to rinse my mouth and prepare. I was still feeling amazing despite the wind and rain.

I powered up the last hill the best I could and it was really raining at this point. Icy cold water on my face made me have to stare at my feet while running through the finish.

But I crossed that finish with a smile on my face as I knew I beat last year's time. It was really raining and I headed right for the tent that we were meeting at. I grabbed a water and caught my breath. Look at that red face representing my red faced runners (#RFR5k)

We waited in the tent for the others to meet up with us. It was too miserable for them to walk the whole 5k with the kiddos, so they cut back and joined us in the tent after a mile. We ran to the car and headed straight to Starbucks to warm up. When we got in the car, it started to sleet and we could hear the ice hitting the car.  Seriously, it's May - where is our warm weather? (It's also Wisconsin so we have 4 seasons each week sometimes!)

A skinny chai tea latte was exactly what I needed. The drive-thru Barista said Starbucks was the place to be after the race and we thanked her for her hard work and yummy beverages.

From inside the tent

We got back to the house and while waiting for official results to be posted, I took a really warm shower.

Results were posted a few hours later and we found out Trisha ran a 25 Steve was 28, Perry was 40 and I was......

Listed as an Other Participant :(

My chip timer didn't read for some unknown reason: rain, a wrinkle or bad read across the finish are a few reasons listed on the website. Luckily I was using my MapMyRun app and I know that I ran 3.4 miles in 38:14. I beat Perry and I beat last year's time!!!!!!!!!!

I took some turns wide so that is why I would have done a longer route than what was marked. Check out my splits below! My first mile is the fastest I have ever run by over a minute!!! Hello adrenaline. I am so happy with my time and can't wait to run another race soon!

Move-It Monday: March Runs and Fitness

Move it Monday on a Tuesday? Eh, it was bound to happen :)  At least I'm still posting right?

Last month, I participated in quite a few runs. Running has never been anything that has come easy to me, but I'm sticking with it and raising money for great causes all at one time.

I am getting better at running overall and my time is staying decent, considering the Wisconsin elements that I have dealt. I know that the boot camp classes that I am taking at EnergizeZone in Waukesha are definitely helping me get stronger legs. You can't just run all the time and expect to get better - cross-training is key.

Another essential is the protein shakes that I have recently become obsessed with. I have found a way to make them where I don't taste the protein and can really enjoy them everyday! This is another thing I must thank Ken at the Zone for - proper nutrition information. Let's just say Peanut Butter Cup, Mint Chocolate, Strawberry Lemonade smoothies are my fave...it's like a treat after a workout! :)

In addition to these runs, I participated in Energize Zone's Spring Into Fitness event on March 23 - this was a day dedicated to showing the offerings of the gym and letting us try new classes for one price. We started with boot camp that was brutal but awesome as ever. I'm sure my classmates appreciated that I changed clothes before class 2 - I'm sweat when I work out!!!! LOL

During the break between classes we ate some healthy snacks including strawberries stuffed with vanilla yogurt and sliced almonds, protein deviled eggs, cheese, sausage, crackers and my mom's black bean brownies with Click Protein powder.

NOTE: Here are our edits to the recipe. We used brown sugar for the sugar and for the protein powder and coffee, I used 2 oz Click & 1 oz 2 tsp vanilla protein powder (no instant coffee.) We did add 1 Tbsp of olive oil (extra virgin of course) because we wanted some form of fat in the recipe. And you will use a bit more water than the recipe calls for. These things bake thick but they are sooooo good!

Here is the recap of my runs.

Sporting purple  for Alzheimer's 

Reflectors just cuz :)

Not the worst roads I have encountered but pretty rough. 

Testing out the new ProCompression socks for recovery

My medal for participation

Lucky Leprechaun 7k - 4.49 in 56:54 - snowy, slick and COLD
This run raised money for the MACC fund

Didn't want to get out of the car - too chilly!

Shauna and I before the run in the warm-ish tent

Freezing at the start

So ready to get going!

Finally people were moving!

Guinness Beer even runs :)

Mom got me almost at the finish - yep I was still smiling

Didn't stay after for the beer and my banana was frozen so I couldn't eat that either. Getting my shoes and socks off in the car and have the heat blast on my legs was heavenly!

Happy 5k - 3.1 in 37:28 - cool but no frigid
All proceeds from the HAPPY 5K will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Only picture I took - It was snowing on me

Cool medal :)

Health for America #50states 5k - 3.1 in 40:17 - icy yucky

Brought my face mask for the icy stuff hitting me in the face

Dry roads but there was snowy/icy crap hitting me in the face

There is road somewhere under there!

I actually haven't signed up for a single run in April yet and I'm thinking that this month should be more focus on either distance training (if I'm ok running slower but farther) or speed training. I was hoping to get a 5k done in 30 minutes this year and I'm holding pretty steady in the 35+ right now. What do you think? Speed or distance?

Move It Mondays: Boot Camp

2013 is a year of great change and challenge for me. I have set a goal of running 5 5ks and a 10k, pending no injuries. I'm already signed up for the Lucky Leprechaun on March 16! This year will be the most running I have ever done and I know that I need to keep fit in other ways than just running.

I came across an ad on the Waukesha Patch for Energize Zone's Fitness Challenge. I hemmed and hawed for a week or so and then decided to contact Ken and find out what it is all about. He explained that it is a cross training workout paired with a nutrition class and weekly weigh ins. I decided to sign up.

My first class was last week Wednesday and I felt it through Friday! I'm not going to give away all the deets of the class, but it was one heck of a workout for me. Ken really works the group and has us challenge ourselves to work harder than we think we can. I'll write more on this after a few more classes.

Taking just that one class has motivated me to get moving more.

slushy neighborhood roads

I went for a run today when it was approx. 20 degrees outside with semi-slush-covered roads. I wasn't sure how to prep myself clothing-wise, but here is what I put together. And mind you, I am very frugal and shop for deals, so my clothing is quite a collection of brands and styles.

Funny ninja look?

Lower Half -

Fleece lined leggings from Anthropologie.com
Compression leggings from OldNavy Active line - high waisted - no longer sold. I recommend these. 
Regular socks and my old Adidas workout shoes. It was sloppy out, so I didn't want to splash up my good running shoes yet.

Top Half -

Danskin Active sports bra
Cuddle Duds reversible long sleeve
Tek Gear 1/4 zip fleece


On My Head -

Walmart Facemask
White Elephant 2011 Hat
SO smart touch stretchy gloves

All of this gear worked out well and I had no problems breathing the cold air so I highly recommend getting a facemask. I was able to get in 2 miles before my body told me to take it easy and since my injury, I listen to my body very carefully. I'm unsure of my pace as my Couch-2-5k app didn't record it properly but for a first time in the snow, I'm sure it was slow. But I beat everyone that stayed on the couch today!!!

I can't wait to get out for more runs and continue the boot camp classes for the next three months.

Couch to 5K Run #4

Getting ready to run with the weenies

Example of Racing Sausage Shirt from Brewers Blog

Last year was the first that I had heard and paid attention to the talk about the Famous Racing Sausage 5K Run/Walk at Miller Park. If you know anything about Milwaukee, you know that we love our sausages - brats, hot dogs, chorizo - we love our meat! At the 6th inning of any home Brewers game, there is a Klement's Racing Sausage race where people dressed as the racing sausages race from 3rd base to 1st base. This is definitely something that Brewers fans enjoy watching and place friendly wagers on with their game seat neighbors. I am partial to the Polish because of my heritage but its always a race to the finish.

Apparently I'm a little out of the loop because fourteen years ago the Brewers started hosting the Racing Sausage 5K at Miller Park to raise money for the Brewers Community Foundation that helps many local organizations annually. I say apparently because I have only known about it for two years. But with my new found love of running and my home team Brewers pride, I knew that this race would be a blast.

I signed up with two of my friends months and months ago. It was good that we did because between the runners and walkers, this run did sell out - 4,000 spots! I drove with my friend Tory and we arrived to the Miller Park parking lots about an hour before the race started to make sure that we wouldn't feel rushed. Apparently an hour is a bit too early unless we needed to pick up our race packets (which Shauna nicely did for us earlier in the week). We had plenty of time to stretch out and see the die-hard runners getting in their pre-runs.

This race start was well organized by pace. Volunteers held signs that read different paces and the pace that you fell into, you went by. This is a better way to do it than just runners/walkers and helps keep the runners a little more organized and less likely to trample each other.

The 5 taller blobs at the front are the Racing Sausages

I was towards the back with a pace in the 12 - 14 min mile area and Tory stayed with me. Shauna is an 8 - 10 min/mile runner so we said bye and wished her luck. It was a much smaller cattle call this time because we were organized but my adrenaline was pumping greatly when I stepped on the timer mats and took off down Canal Street.

The horn sounded and the runners started

The route headed east and then north around the general parking lots. We then followed the road towards the stadium and went over the Milwaukee River. It was just west of this river that the winner passed me heading towards the finish already. He was followed by two others but not super closely. I couldn't believe how fast he was. I then went under the bridge to the first water stop. I was very happy for water at that point because I had done 11:13 for my first mile and was pretty parched.

Preferred lot heading into the shade

It was a little bit of an uphill from the bridge and we still continued around the outskirts of the preferred parking lot. I got pretty warm at this point because I was running with the wind and the sun was pounding on my head :( As soon as I made the turn over by the I-94 entrances/exits to the stadium, I felt the wind against me and cooled down a bit. There was a little girl running in front of me on her tippy toes and I just couldn't imagine the pain that I would be in if I ran a whole race like I was in heels. Then I thought that another child was coming up on my left and was about to cheer both of them on to keep up the pace. When I turned to cheer, I realized that it was actually a really, really short woman in her 70s with her poofy permed hair. I just smiled and continued on. That would have been embarrassing.

Serenaded by Navy men at Miller Park

Miller Park Tunnel

I was pretty excited to get around the side of the stadium because I knew we were heading onto the field soon. When we got to "right field" on the outside of the stadium, there were four Navy guys sitting in chairs playing music for us to motivate us. A few people stopped to take pictures by them, but I was too excited heading onto the field to stop there. We entered the stadium through a tunnel that smelt of hot dogs and headed onto the field.

Everyone taking in the view at Miller Park

I was instantly thrilled to be on the warning track and as much as I wanted a good time for the run, I wanted to enjoy my time on the field and take it all in. I pulled out my phone and took a ton of photos as you can see. People were stopping by the bases and behind home plate. Brewers players and staff were talking to us on teh jumbotron motivating us and saying things like "hey you in the red, this is a race - pick up the pace." It was some good humor.

Brewers dugout

Setting homeplate

DO NOT RUN ON THE FIELD

looking at my 10-pack seats WAY up there

Time to leave the field - that was fun

I left the stadium in left field, went through the tunnel and back under the bridge where we got the water stop on the other side. Again a welcome relief. Here is where I started setting mini goals - run to the tree, run to the port-o-potty, run to the dumpster, run to the turn in the road. By breaking it down, I was able to continue running and not focus on how far I still was from the finish line.

When we turned into the middle of the lot, I took some nice deep breaths and prepped myself to run to the finish. I started about 3/4 of the way back in the lot and ran up the sidewalk and over the bridge to finish.

After run party

The finish was mass chaos as the water and food wasn't far enough away and large crowds looking for people were everywhere. I found my friend Kathy while trying to get water and then followed them to get a beer. My stomach wasn't ready for food, so I gave my hot dog ticket away to Jack and just enjoyed my water and sipped my beer. 

Red Faced Runner

All in all it was a good time and I finished with a time of 40:33:18. The goal was under 40 and well I stopped to take those pictures so that's why I wasn't under 40. I was number 2,076 of 4,000 so I'm pretty much the middle of the pack. Too bad there were only 2,500 runners and the rest were walkers. I still didn't come in last and I have another run under my belt. Gotta love my Red Face after I was done - but that smile is pure joy and runners high!  Any something I learned after the race - the sausages ran the whole thing in costume!