This past Saturday I ran in my sixth 5k race. I decided at the last minute to run this race. When I was working at the school, the teacher I worked with told me she was going to run this race as her first 5k. I had told her then that maybe I’d run too. I wanted to see how I felt after the Pig before I committed.

I had almost forgotten about the race until I saw she posted on Facebook that she registered. I looked at the weather forecast and it was perfect. I told her on Friday that I would see her at the race in the morning!

I got to the race early since I had to register. This was the first time I signed up for the race the day of.  It was fun to be around people who were running their first race. It’s hard to believe that was me just three short years ago!

I went into the race with a goal of setting a new PR. Andy had predicted my finish time of 22:30. I was shooting for anything under 23:00.

The gun went off and I broke my first rule. I got caught up in the excitement during the first mile. I ran a 7:06. I knew that was too fast so I backed off for the second mile. The course took us through a park that went into the woods and around a lake. I hit the second mile at a 7:17 pace. It was after that mile that I could feel the humidity. I couldn’t see the first place female anymore but I made sure to keep the second in my eye sight.  I really wanted that third place finish! I hit mile 3 at a 7:20 pace. As I rounded the corner a spectator had told me I was the third female. I quickly asked him if anyone was behind me to which he said ‘nope, it’s all yours’. I’m pretty sure I crossed that finish line with a huge smile on my face.

Top & skirt from Lululemon

New PR by :30!  The Pig didn’t go as planned so setting a new personal record gave me the boost I needed.

Check out my age group award. As a coffee addict, I truly am excited to drink my cup o’ joe from this mug!

I was impressed with this race even though it was small. First Watch supplied fruit cups and muffins post race. I was also happy to see full bottles of Gatorade and water to grab. They also had over 50 door prizes. This summer I plan on running a few more small races. I forgot they can be just as fun as the larger races. I already have my eyes on a Fourth of July race!

Anyone else run this weekend? Do you enjoy small, local races?

Happy Friday everyone! What’s the best way to end a long work week? Well, with an awesome race giveaway of course!

Recently I have seen more obstacle course type races popping up around the country.  I even have participated in these types of races and enjoyed them. But I have never seen a more challenging, test your limits, can I make it to the finish line kind of race until I saw the Spartan Race.  This race isn’t your normal “mud run”, you are up against the clock! During the race you will face fire, mud, barbed wire, and occasionally Hell on Earth. The Spartan Race offers four types of races, the Spartan Sprint (3+ miles /15+ obstacles), the Super Spartan(8+ miles / 20+ obstacles), the Spartan Beast (12+ miles/ 25+ obstacles ), and the Spartan Death Race (click the link to read more, that race is CRAZY!). 

Check out the Events page to find a race near you! I have my eyes on Indiana for next spring. I already downloaded my copy of the free training book.

The Spartan Race website states that this race will test your strength, stamina, and sense of humor. After seeing this video, I can see how that is true! Spear throwing!? Spartans with jousting sticks?! Jumping over fire?! Sounds awesome!!

Think you have what it takes to conquer the Spartan Race? Enter to win a FREE race entry below!! AROO!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don’t worry! If you’re not lucky enough to win the FREE race entry, just follow this link to receive 15% off when you register for a race.

Disclaimer:  The Spartan Race team is providing one lucky My Life as a Wife reader with a free registration to any open heat Spartan Race in the continental U.S.  I have not been compensated for writing this post.  Only entries through Rafflecopter will be eligible for selection.  Giveaway ends 6/13/13. Winner will be announced on 6/14/13.

The official kickoff to summer has begun! Our weekend was a whirl wind of events, which is why I slept 10 hours last night.

The long weekend started off with a game of softball. We have been playing co-ed for two years now. I admit that softball isn’t my favorite sport but I play because it is something Andy and I can do together.

Normally my Saturday mornings start with a run with my friend Vicki, but she is still recovering from a plantar fascia tear that happened at the end of the Pig. Instead we met up for coffee and chatted! We went to a new-to-us coffee shop and I really liked it!

That evening we had Andy’s cousin’s wedding! Kari and Ian got married at a really trendy spot and was far from traditional, it was a blast! Kari met her husband while studying abroad in Australia 13 years ago! They are still living in Australia (that is where Ian is from), but have plans to move to the States soon!

Sunday morning, we slept in and it was heavenly. I decided to go for a run. Andy suggested we have lunch at Bruggers so he met me there right as I was finishing up my run. They are known for their bagels but I’m not sure how many people know about their fresh salads. I did the create your own with chicken, sprouts, tomatoes, cranberries, and almonds.

That night, we had a couple shower for our friends who are getting married this fall. After the party they invited some friends back to their new house for a grill out. It was fun to just hang out and catch up!

Monday we walked up the street to watch the small parade that goes through our town. I then met up with a couple friends for lunch.
That afternoon I got a call from Lauren asking if I wanted to join them for a bike , and of course I said yes!
I don’t know how I did it, but I somehow talked Andy and my mom into joining us! We loaded all the bikes up in my brother’s truck and headed out!

None of us really ride, so most of our bikes are from middle school, including mine! I could use an upgrade

The before!

We rode 9 miles to a park and rested for few. I was so proud of my mom. I don’t think she had been on a bike in over a decade! We hopped back on the bikes for our 9 mile ride back!

18 miles done!

After! Everyone had a great time! I hope this is something we all can do again soon!

We got home around 6:30, ate dinner, then we crashed! Even though we rode our bikes at an easy pace I was worn out!

What did you do this weekend? To those who ride bikes-what’s a good brand/style for a beginner?

Well, I did it.

It wasn’t pretty.

It wasn’t easy.

I talked myself out of quitting more than once.

Instead of giving up, I finished. 

I ran my second marathon. 

It was a beautiful morning in Cincinnati. I really couldn’t have asked for better weather. The sunrise at the starting line was breath taking.

My friend David took this photo before the start

The training group made us all great friends!

 After a tribute to Boston (that included a bagpipe- cue instant tears for me), the National Anthem, and the official countdown we were on our way!

{note: Last Sunday my peroneal tendon decided to hurt. I went to the doctor on Tuesday and had been going to physical therapy all week. I was unsure if I was going to be able to run or not. I had felt better by Friday so I made the decision to run. I didn’t give myself a goal time per say but I was after last years time of 4:18}

Miles 1-5: The gun went off and we waited a couple minutes to cross the start line. As soon as we crossed I saw the TV cameras and darted toward them to wave at them. My brother and his family couldn’t make it to the race so they watched the beginning from home and saw me on TV!  These miles included three bridges. We were pretty consistent with our 8:35 pace. My leg was feeling good and I was happy that I was staying on pace. I knew we had the dreaded hill climb up ahead, though!

Here I am on TV! I am in the grey shirt and orange skirt  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFNUg8ocExg

Miles 6-9: At the start of the hill climb my quads were burning. This was new to me. We had trained on many hills and I would do just fine.This is when I knew my 3:45 finish time wasn’t going to be that day. Mile 6 is when I lost my two running buddies because I had to slow my pace down. Once we got into Eden park I actually had to walk some parts of the hill. I tried not to bum myself out. I was focusing on small goals and making sure I was eating my sports beans and getting water. 

Miles 10-14: I was relieved to have made it through the hill climb. I wanted to pick up the pace but my legs were still feeling tired. Mile 10 is when the full and half splits and I really debated on making the turn with the half group. I talked myself out of it because I knew Andy, his mom, and my mom were at mile 11 waiting for me. I continued walking through the water stops to make sure I was getting enough water and Gatorade in my system. I was more than excited to see my crew at mile 11. I filled them in on my legs and told them I would see them at mile 20. A quick kiss from Andy and I was back on my way. There was a small hill up ahead that I walked up. It felt better on my quads to power walk. I made it through the half still ahead of the 4:00 pace group. I loved going through this area because I think it had the most orange slices handed out! At mile 14, I felt a calf cramp, aka my worst enemy, come on so I made my first stop to stretch.  After a quick stretch I thought I was feeling better. 

Miles 15-18: Yea, the calf cramps were constant. So constant that I had to walk more times than I could count. As soon as we got into Mariemont, I cramped up so bad that I let out a scream. I hobbled over to a pole to stretch them again. All I remember thinking at this point was why me and 11 more miles seemed like a million! A super nice lady and her son had Flavor Ice Popsicles that they were handing out. I grabbed an orange one and it made me feel a little better. My dad was at mile 16 and I told him to call Andy and have him bring my compression socks to mile 20. I couldn’t believe all the police I saw in SWAT gear. I felt safe and I was thankful they were out there, but it was very surreal.  Miles 17 & 18 were similar, run, cramp, walk, try to run, walk. It was awful. I thought about giving up at this point. I knew I could walk right to the medical tent and be done. I dug down deep and kept on going. I knew how much this race meant to me and I decided I’d be way more disappointed with a DNF {Did Not Finish} over a worse finish time than last year.  

My dad took this photo of me. I think I was trying to run here. My legs look weird.

Miles 19-25: At mile 19 a coach from the training group saw me and ran on the course with me for a few. I told him about my cramps and he gave me salt tablets to take at the next water stop. After hearing some inspiring words I was back on my way. I think what made this so tough was I was alone. I normally run in a group and chat with everyone. I felt like this really challenged me. Finally I got to mile 20 and I saw my crew again. I pulled off the course to switch socks. As I was taking my shoes off I cramped so bad I practically fell into Andy. I sat on the step and finally was able to get my socks on. I told them I wasn’t upset about what my finish time was going to be, I just wanted to finish. After about a 10 minute break I was back out on the course. Mile 21-23 I set up a system of running and walking. I gave myself small goals of running to a cone and walking for a shorter time. I think the compression socks helped with the intensity of the cramps, but it didn’t make them disappear. I had been looking forward to the Hog Wash station at mile 24. Nothing feels better than an ice cold wet towel at this point in a marathon. My feet were killing me. Suddenly I remembered last year at this point. All those same pains and aches. I knew how much further I needed to go. I encouraged people as I ran or walked by them. One girl was hobbling and I told her just 1.5 miles to go and she looked at me and said tearfully that she couldn’t put weight on her heel. I tried my best to tell her to keep going, but I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for her. 

Mile 26: I really tired to run this entire mile. The sidewalks were covered with people. My cramps got super intense and I had to stop and stretch. I love having my name on my bib because a group of random strangers told me “Allie, keep going! The finish line is right  there!”. I sucked it up and ran and they cheered. I needed that! I was hurting really bad, but I wanted to finish running. My calf cramp was moving up my entire leg. I saw my family and I started crying while telling them how bad I hurt. I heard my mom say it will be alright and just finish. 

Mile 26.2: I painfully crossed the finish line at 4:35:05. I got my medal that I worked so freaking hard for.  I found my family and hugged them. I was so happy to be done.  The first thing Andy said to me was “I am so proud of you, you just finished your second marathon”. 

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This race taught me things about myself that I didn’t know. I am so much stronger than I think I am.  My mind was playing a cruel game with me by trying to talk me out of finishing. My legs were telling me something else. Maybe I am deficient in something {I never cramp on training runs}, or I didn’t train enough, or maybe I just work myself up the week before the race and stress out. Sunday I could have been a quitter*, it would have been the easy way out. Instead I decided to become a two time marathon runner. 

A marathon tests ones true self. I remember last year being disappointed with my finish time.  After this race, I am not feeling that same feeling. Sure, I would have loved to finish with my friends David (3:47:20) and Vicki (3:50:10) but it was not my day, and I am okay with that. This was just one race and not every race has to be a PR.  I still have the rest of my life ahead of me to run a third marathon. I am not sure when that will be but I know it will be a flat course!  I will be a stronger runner because of this race. 

Thanks to everyone who cheered for me on Sunday, either in person or online. Your support was much appreciated! 

*I am not knocking anyone who ends a race with a DNF. If I knew I would have been injured if I continued racing I would have pulled myself. I knew it was mental. I had to finish to prove I could to myself. 

Ugh, week 17 was not a good one.  It started with Sunday. I felt achy all day Sunday and just rested. I slept terrible that night and woke up with a fever and a sore throat. I actually used my very first sick day and called off work (not too bad for being there 6 years!). The pollen count has been extremely high here and it got the best of me!

Monday: Sick

Tuesday: Since I was dealing with sinus congestion I decided to run instead of going to the gym. I felt good on the run and took it easy. 

Wednesday: Met up with my run group for some intervals. Still had the nasal/sinus thing going on. I ran 6.5 miles in 54:08 {8:19 pace}.

Wednesday was also a good mail day! I used my gift card to Road ID and picked up a new band, this super comfy twentysix.two shirt, and a new blinky light. 

Thursday: I was finally feeling better and would have went to the gym if it wasn’t for my hair appointment. It’s taper time any way

Friday:  We finally got to play softball! The past two Fridays have been rain outs. Andy and I play on a co-ed team. I’m not the greatest at softball but it is fun to play a sport together! 

Saturday:  The nasal congestion had moved into my throat/chest. That made this run TERRIBLE. I couldn’t get a full breath in, felt nauseous, and my legs felt heavy. I’m not too stressed out about this run. After 17 full weeks, this was my first bad run. I only cut a half mile out of the planned run. Maybe my legs are just saving the good stuff until next weekend!  

Even though I didn’t get all my cross training in, I felt good that I was able to get all my miles in. I know it’s taper time so I am letting my body rest up and get ready for the 26.2 mile run on Sunday!!

If anyone is interesting in tracking me via text or email,let me know and I will email you the info!

The next time I write a marathon training post I will be a two-time marathoner!

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