Runapaloza 2011 is offically over for the weekend!
Yesterday I had the opportunity and privelage of giving back in some small part to the running community who has given so much to me. I paced a group for the quarter marathon 6.55 miles at Emerald City. It was an awesome race, well organized, well supported and a huge medal for all finishers. I had a blast sharing the miles with my friend Kim, who was the perfect pacing partner. We were able to encourage others along the way and that's what pacing is all about. It was so much fun to see so many first timers out there including Ben from Fleet Feet. He did great in his first half marathon finish. Congratulations Ben!
Then today I ran For the Health of It, Four Mile race in Westerville. The temperature sure had changed from Saturday- it was perfect running weather in my opinion. I was delighted to be able to run with my friends Hannah, Stacy and Libby. Libby was recovering from an awesome half marathon the day before, and we were all "supposed" to be taking it easy. Thanks Hannah for making the miles fly by!
Well apparently cooler weather makes me run faster because my offical average pace was 11:46 per mile. Not too shabby after having run 16 and 6.55 miles respectively the two days before. So run/walk is apparently the way to go for me, I haven't run a 4 miler for time in so long that I'm not sure if this was a Personal Record or not. I would guess close if not one. Add that to the PR I ran at the 5K in July, and I'm loving the run/walk method! I can hardly wait to see what happens at the Marathon in October.
And now I get to extend the holiday a bit longer. I've been enjoying the afternoon/evening here at my parent's house with my two nephews Braydan and Dylan!
Happy Labor Day Everyone!
Run on Friends,
Heather
"Life is for Participating, not spectating." Kathrine Switzer
Monday, September 5, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Scenes from Saturday
Let's see how many S's I can use in this post. :)
Sixteeen- As in 16 miles that is! Stacy and I conquered her first 16 miler today! We met early to beat the heat that decided to invade Columbus today. We actually had a great run- the heat only really started in earnest during our last 3 miles so I was glad we got out early.
Then it was on to breakfast at Scramblers no picture here because I left my camera in the car. Suffice it to say the breakfast was delicious and the company even better.
Then we headed on over to our favorite running store Fleet Feet so that Stacy could have the opportuntity to meet Kathrine Switzer. The courage she had to stand up the status quo brings tears to my eyes. And did today! The race that changed the world- I would say so. She really made the sport I love possible for us women. It was an honor to get to meet her this weekend. She is amazing!
After all that I came home and watched the Buckeyes in the 'Shoe beat up on Akron!
I have had the best day!! Running, friends and football! Life is good!
Sixteeen- As in 16 miles that is! Stacy and I conquered her first 16 miler today! We met early to beat the heat that decided to invade Columbus today. We actually had a great run- the heat only really started in earnest during our last 3 miles so I was glad we got out early.
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| 16 Miles DONE!!! |
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| The Race that Changed the World- Who says I can't run Boston- we'll just see!! Love her courage! |
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| Stacy and I with a Running Legend! |
I have had the best day!! Running, friends and football! Life is good!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Friday Happenings
Happy Friday friends! This week has seemed really long to me, I think it's because I've been anticipating my vacation week from work. Yes as of 4 pm today I'm offically on vacation for a whole week! Ahh delicious- sleeping in, hanging out with my nephews. Looking forward to it all!!
But first the long weekend and the beginning of as Amy was calling it Run a Palazo 2011. My MIT schedule is 16 miles tomorrow, then I'm leading a pace group for the quarter marathon (6.55 miles) on Sunday and then running 4 the Health of It- local race on Monday. (4 miles). This is either very hard core or very crazy or maybe a mixture of both. :)
Oh I almost forgot the best Friday happening- I got to meet Katherine Switzer- the first woman to ever Finish the Boston Marathon!! She is in town for a book signing event tomorrow at Fleet Feet (local running store) and I went in tonight to pick up the book and she was there!! I got to chat with her a bit, and WOW she is amazing. Truly a very courageous woman, took on the status quo and changed the sport.
Great ending to my Friday and a great way to start my running weekend!
Off I go for carbs, water and an early bedtime!
But first the long weekend and the beginning of as Amy was calling it Run a Palazo 2011. My MIT schedule is 16 miles tomorrow, then I'm leading a pace group for the quarter marathon (6.55 miles) on Sunday and then running 4 the Health of It- local race on Monday. (4 miles). This is either very hard core or very crazy or maybe a mixture of both. :)
Oh I almost forgot the best Friday happening- I got to meet Katherine Switzer- the first woman to ever Finish the Boston Marathon!! She is in town for a book signing event tomorrow at Fleet Feet (local running store) and I went in tonight to pick up the book and she was there!! I got to chat with her a bit, and WOW she is amazing. Truly a very courageous woman, took on the status quo and changed the sport.
Great ending to my Friday and a great way to start my running weekend!
Off I go for carbs, water and an early bedtime!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
End of August
Today is the first day of September, but it sure doesn't feel very fall like outside right now.
August was a great month! My very first nephew and my Goddaughter's birthdays are both in August, so the month both started and ended with birthday celebrations.
Looking back on August, things I am proud of:
1. I didn't miss any scheduled runs! Logging 122 miles towards my marathon goal this month and bringing my total for the year to just over 600 miles! I didn't really GO anywhere, but my Dad pointed out to me tonight that I could have ran to his childhood home in Alabama, pretty amazing when I look at it like that.
2. I ate well most of the time this month, with treats thrown in and I actually managed to lose some weight!
3. I enjoyed and really tried to savor every momement with my friends and family.
Oh and my friend Amy at http://www.amyaroundthecorner.blogspot.com/ nominated me for a
Award, so sweet of her, I'm honored!
So here are 7 things about myself:
1. I hate to clean, loathe it! I would rather do most anything else but that.
2. I love being called Aunt Heather, being an Aunt is a great gig if you can find it.
3.I have a huge sweet tooth, in fact my usual response when someone asks my favorite dessert is "Yes please!"
4. My Daddy and I are the closest personality wise in our family, at times equal parts endearing and frustrating.
5. I love reading and don't find the time to do it as much as I would like.
6. I am tone deaf and can't carry a tune. But I still love to sing along to the radio or in church anyway.
7. I have to have a cover on at night-even just a sheet, can't sleep without it!
Thanks again for the nomination Amy!
Okay off to my first Bible Study of the fall!
Run on Friends,
Heather
August was a great month! My very first nephew and my Goddaughter's birthdays are both in August, so the month both started and ended with birthday celebrations.
Looking back on August, things I am proud of:
1. I didn't miss any scheduled runs! Logging 122 miles towards my marathon goal this month and bringing my total for the year to just over 600 miles! I didn't really GO anywhere, but my Dad pointed out to me tonight that I could have ran to his childhood home in Alabama, pretty amazing when I look at it like that.
2. I ate well most of the time this month, with treats thrown in and I actually managed to lose some weight!
3. I enjoyed and really tried to savor every momement with my friends and family.
Oh and my friend Amy at http://www.amyaroundthecorner.blogspot.com/ nominated me for a
Award, so sweet of her, I'm honored!
So here are 7 things about myself:
1. I hate to clean, loathe it! I would rather do most anything else but that.
2. I love being called Aunt Heather, being an Aunt is a great gig if you can find it.
3.I have a huge sweet tooth, in fact my usual response when someone asks my favorite dessert is "Yes please!"
4. My Daddy and I are the closest personality wise in our family, at times equal parts endearing and frustrating.
5. I love reading and don't find the time to do it as much as I would like.
6. I am tone deaf and can't carry a tune. But I still love to sing along to the radio or in church anyway.
7. I have to have a cover on at night-even just a sheet, can't sleep without it!
Thanks again for the nomination Amy!
Okay off to my first Bible Study of the fall!
Run on Friends,
Heather
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
7 Miles before dawn
Yes this morning I joined my running girls and we completed 7 miles before the sun was even completely up. A good way to get the day going I would say!
Yet in thinking about this mornings run, I thought (not for the first time) about how far I've come in my running journey. Back when I started running, 7 miles seemed crazy in my best moments and an impossible dream for me in my worst. I had no desire really to ever run any further than a 5K or 10K distance, and even those were a stretch.
Even after 3 half marathons (that I trained for on my own), I still wasn't so sure about this full marathoning business. Sure it was a great accomplishment, sure people did it, (I only knew one person at the time who had completed a full marathon), but that was for "real runners", of which I did not count myself as one.
But then came the decesion that changed my running journey and in no small part my life forever- I joined MIT! And suddenly that dream I had held quietly in my heart for a long time of being a marathoner didn't seem so impossible anymore. Thanks to my first MIT coach's (Julie) encouragement I signed up for that very first marathon- I always joke that Julie forced me to run a marathon against my will, but really she just believed in me, as did so many other people at MIT- they believed I would cross that finish line. Even when I wasn't so sure, they were postive I would finish, they believed for me when I didn't.
So today when I ran that 7 miles in the morning, pretty much without a second thought, I thought of all those coaches and friends who helped me take each step in this incredible journey!
Run On Friends,
Heather
"Running keeps me in touch with what is outside, both outside of myself and outside in the world, and I need that." Kristen Armstrong
Yet in thinking about this mornings run, I thought (not for the first time) about how far I've come in my running journey. Back when I started running, 7 miles seemed crazy in my best moments and an impossible dream for me in my worst. I had no desire really to ever run any further than a 5K or 10K distance, and even those were a stretch.
Even after 3 half marathons (that I trained for on my own), I still wasn't so sure about this full marathoning business. Sure it was a great accomplishment, sure people did it, (I only knew one person at the time who had completed a full marathon), but that was for "real runners", of which I did not count myself as one.
But then came the decesion that changed my running journey and in no small part my life forever- I joined MIT! And suddenly that dream I had held quietly in my heart for a long time of being a marathoner didn't seem so impossible anymore. Thanks to my first MIT coach's (Julie) encouragement I signed up for that very first marathon- I always joke that Julie forced me to run a marathon against my will, but really she just believed in me, as did so many other people at MIT- they believed I would cross that finish line. Even when I wasn't so sure, they were postive I would finish, they believed for me when I didn't.
So today when I ran that 7 miles in the morning, pretty much without a second thought, I thought of all those coaches and friends who helped me take each step in this incredible journey!
Run On Friends,
Heather
"Running keeps me in touch with what is outside, both outside of myself and outside in the world, and I need that." Kristen Armstrong
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| First Marathon Dream Come True! |
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Happiness
Things that are making me happy today:
1. "My" running girls- seriously these ladies are such a blessing to me and my running! They are there every morning with smiles and good conversation that make the miles fly by. Even if it IS at o'dark thirty.
2. A quiet day at work- My boss was a training and meetings all day and my co-worker was off sick, so I was able to get lots of things done.
3. Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at Starbucks- I love fall, it's my very favorite season, and pumpkin returning signals the offical beginning of the fall season to me! Never mind the little fact that it's supposed to be 87 on Saturday!
4. Football!! Ohio State Football to be exact, as a proud alumni I love all things Buckeye, and I love all things college football! The season starts Saturday- GO BUCKS!!
5. Hawaii 5-0- Discovered this show this summer and can we say addicted! I love it!, which brings us to the last one..
6. My DVR- it is critical for those early morning runs, I can DVR and watch later. And without commericals, seriously how did I live without this.
Okay off to bed now for the aferormentioned o'dark thirty run!
1. "My" running girls- seriously these ladies are such a blessing to me and my running! They are there every morning with smiles and good conversation that make the miles fly by. Even if it IS at o'dark thirty.
2. A quiet day at work- My boss was a training and meetings all day and my co-worker was off sick, so I was able to get lots of things done.
3. Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at Starbucks- I love fall, it's my very favorite season, and pumpkin returning signals the offical beginning of the fall season to me! Never mind the little fact that it's supposed to be 87 on Saturday!
4. Football!! Ohio State Football to be exact, as a proud alumni I love all things Buckeye, and I love all things college football! The season starts Saturday- GO BUCKS!!
5. Hawaii 5-0- Discovered this show this summer and can we say addicted! I love it!, which brings us to the last one..
6. My DVR- it is critical for those early morning runs, I can DVR and watch later. And without commericals, seriously how did I live without this.
Okay off to bed now for the aferormentioned o'dark thirty run!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Happy Monday
I want to start off by say a HUGE Congratulations to all my friends who finished the Ironman Kentucky race yesterday! Each and every one of them is an inspiration!
My Sunday was good- I saw "The Help" with my best friend, it was great!! I really enjoyed it, now I just have to finish the book.
Today has been good- it started out with a run with the girls- awesome to have all of us together again-it's been over a week since our runs got cancelled twice last week due to storms. And then Stacy was out of town over the weekend.
And work was work, but I got lots of things checked off my to-do list.
Ahh Monday it comes every week, so I've decided that Monday will be my thankful day!
Today I'm thankful most of all for my wonderful friends! I'm so blessed to have them!
My Sunday was good- I saw "The Help" with my best friend, it was great!! I really enjoyed it, now I just have to finish the book.
Today has been good- it started out with a run with the girls- awesome to have all of us together again-it's been over a week since our runs got cancelled twice last week due to storms. And then Stacy was out of town over the weekend.
And work was work, but I got lots of things checked off my to-do list.
Ahh Monday it comes every week, so I've decided that Monday will be my thankful day!
Today I'm thankful most of all for my wonderful friends! I'm so blessed to have them!
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