Half Fanatic – Every Mile Becomes a Part of Me

One Year “Run-versary”

One year ago today, I ran my first marathon – The Wisconsin Marathon – in my “transplant home town” of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

You would think that by now this might have sunk in – even the slightest bit – but one year later, it still has not.

Since completing this marathon, I have completed a few smaller distance races (10K or less), two Ragnar Relays, four half marathons, three more marathons, two 50Ks, & one 50 miler. Therefore, if I have learned anything, I have learned that “I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined” & that “limits, like fears, are often just an illusion”.

Even though I have accomplished so much, I still struggle to consider myself a marathoner or even an ultra runner. In my head, I’m still the every day, average Joe runner. Thinking about running any distance still stirs up all sorts of anxiety. Can I do this? What was I thinking when I registered for this? Am I insane? Why did I ever think this was a good idea? What if I fail? It is when these voices of doubt start that I have to make my own voice louder & stronger. I can do this . . . I have trained for months to do this! I like challenges – Courage to Start . . . Strength to Endure . . . Resolve to Finish! I am a Half Fanatic & a Marathon Maniac so I am a Secretly Insane Double Agent! And then there are some of my favorite quotes relating to failure: “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell . . . “Failure is success if we learn from it.” – Malcolm Forbes . . . “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely.” – Henry Ford . . . “In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” – Bill Cosby

I will be celebrating this “run-versary” by returning to The Wisconsin Marathon on May 7th & stepping it up a notch by completing The Kalamazoo Marathon on May 8th – thus completing The Mitten Challenge.

My goals for this weekend are to:

Have fun! There is no point in running these races if I can’t have fun & enjoy the experience!
Successfully complete The Mitten Challenge & level up as a Marathon Maniac!
Improve my time from last year’s Wisconsin Marathon.

Every mile becomes a part of me . . . & I am a DISTANCE RUNNER!

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly Race Recap: The Ugly Sweater 5K (12.02.2015)

Ugly Sweater 5K (12.02.2015)

Last night I ran my first official 5K in I don’t know how long!

Supportive volunteers!
First COLD race!
All of my gear worked fabulously – especially my Orange Mud Hydraquiver Vest Pack 2, & my Black Diamond Icon head lamp!

Here area my key “take aways” from this race!

THE GOOD: Another PR!

I don’t remember the last time that I ran a 5K, but this was a PR across the board . . . technically 35:43 for the 5K, but in actuality it was 3.43 miles due to a slight course issue. 😦

On the positive side, I did unofficially complete a sub30 5K & next time – it will be official!

THE BAD: Burrrrrrrrr Baaaaabbbbbbieeesss!

This was a slight wake up call to what I have to look forward to this Winter. Yikes! I’m not sure if I’m cut out to run in the snow & bitterly cold temps. Only time will tell, but burrrrrrrr baaaaaabbbbbieeessss!

On the positive side – I ran faster than I ever have for this distance, so my exposure to the elements was limited! 😛

AND THE UGLY: Slight detour.

When you have only 32 people running a race the odds of being on the course by yourself for some period of time is higher.

Add to it that the course was dark, not marked well, & that I was completely unfamiliar with it & the odds of me taking a slight detour increase tenfold!

At some point on the course I followed another woman within my age group & a young girl off course by ~0.5 miles. Waaa waaa waaa.

SUMMARY:

Although it was cold & I took the scenic route through Zion, I did pull off my fastest time for this distance & I took 3rd place in my age group! *Yay for PRs!!*

Maybe I’ll add speed workouts to my training for next year & give this 5K distance another try for the official sub30 time! 😀

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly Race Recap: Naperville Half Marathon (11.08.2015)

Naperville Half Marathon (11.08.2015)

Over the weekend I ran my first road half marathon since the middle of September (Fox Valley Half Marathon) & although I went into this race hoping for a PR, the over arching goal was to wrap up my race season & just have fun!

First time running in Naperville area & there were more hills than I anticipated!
Supportive volunteers!
Last race of the Chicagoland Triple Crown series done!
This race completed the criteria for me to level up as a Double Agent (3 Marathons + 3 Half Marathons within a 90 day time frame)!
All of my gear worked fabulously – especially my Orange Mud Hydraquiver Vest Pack 2!

Here area my key “take aways” from this race!

THE GOOD: Another PR!

As I said before – I was hoping for a PR, but this was not the goal of this race.

With that being said I was able to take 3 minutes plus off of my last road half marathon & an overall improvement of 37 minute plus from the start of this season! 😀

I feel great about how this year of running – The Year of the Marathons -has gone & I’m looking forward to 2016 “The Year of the Ultras”! 😛

THE BAD: Hills.

Hills. ‘Nuff said.

AND THE UGLY: Medic!

Today I left every bit of my heart & soul (plus some sole) out on the course!

This was the first time that I came through the finish line & a group of volunteers swarmed me to make sure that I didn’t pass out & / or require medical attention.

My legs were wobbly, rubbery noodles . . . BUT it was worth every bit of it! 😛

SUMMARY:

I feel like this race was the best close to my race season & I’m thoroughly happy with this year of running with numerous PRs!

Time for some well earned rest prior to 2016: Year of the Ultras!

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly Race Recap: Bank of America Chicago Marathon (10.11.2015)

Bank of America Chicago Marathon (10.11.2015)

Over the weekend I successfully completed my fourth marathon & the second marathon to qualify for Marathon Maniacs!

Overall this was an awesome race . . .

Fun course!
Amazing crowd support!
Second race in the Chicagoland Triple Crown series done!
All of my gear worked fabulously – especially my Orange Mud Hydraquiver Vest Pack 2 (VP2)!

Here area my key “take aways” from this race!

THE GOOD: A Marathon Maniac is born!

This was my fun marathon for the year! *I know, I know – I just said fun & marathon in the same sentence . . . I need my head checked . . . BUT it is the truth!*

After running the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon last week – this weekend’s race was purely for the fun, the experience, & to top it off to qualify as a Marathon Maniac!

This has been a mission of mine ever since I found out about the Marathon Maniacs & this weekend – I successfully marked this bucket list item as completed!

THE BAD: Crowd Support.

I don’t think I have ever said this & I may not say it again . . . this is a positive & a negative . . . WOW there was a ton of crowd support!

I never thought that this could be a bad thing until they started crowding the course so much so that it caused numerous runners to trip over each other & in some places caused us to completely stop. YIKES!

On the other hand – there wasn’t a single inch of the course that didn’t have someone cheering on the runners. I have NEVER EVER seen so much crowd support.

In addition, to being amazing cheerleaders – several people gave out water, bananas, beer, Coca Cola, etc. That was awesome! I stole a banana that was strategically placed on a sign that a guy was holding up in front of him that said “Wanna have a taste of my banana??” How can a girl pass that up? I needed some potassium. *hee hee*

AND THE UGLY: Expensive Experience.

WHOA was this marathon expennnnnssssiiivvvvvee! Normally a marathon runs about $75 – $100 . . . this one has taken the cake!

Registration Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $185
Expo Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25
Race Day Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25
Once in a Lifetime Chance to Run this Marathon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Priceless

SUMMARY:

Overall, this was a great experience & I’m glad that I did decide to make this one of my marathons! And I qualified for Marathon Maniacs to boot! And as a Double Agent . . . shhhhh . . . I’m secretly INSANE!!

Half Fanatic #: 12734

Marathon Maniac #: 11670

Double Agent #: 1775

Marathon Maniac Sign

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly Race Recap: Fox Valley Half Marathon (09.20.2015)

Fox Valley Half Marathon (09.20.2015)

Over the weekend I ran my first road half marathon since the end of May (North Shore Half Marathon) & although I went into this race hoping for a PR, the over arching goal was to start my taper for my upcoming third marathon.

First time running in Fox Valley area & it was surprisingly beautiful!
Supportive volunteers!
My first time running with a pacer!
First race of the Chicagoland Triple Crown series done!
All of my gear worked fabulously – especially my Orange Mud Hydraquiver Vest Pack 2!

Here area my key “take aways” from this race!

THE GOOD: Another PR!

As I said before – I was hoping for a PR, but this was not the goal of this race.

With that being said I was able to take 9 minutes plus off of my last road half marathon!

I feel great & well prepared to head into my next marathon – The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon.

THE BAD: Bees.

My family has a history of reacting poorly to bee stings & the warm fall weather had the bees out in full force.

To me there is nothing worse than bees swarming the aid stations & the finish line goodies – especially, after running my fastest half marathon & my legs responding like limp spaghetti noodles.

AND THE UGLY: Rebel in disguise.

This was my first time ever running with a pacer & it was a learning experience.

Apparently, I respond better to positive versus negative encouragement. *This was not surprising to my Mom – at all!*

Ian (my long-time friend & pacer) was great sport about it all & by mile 11 we had it figured out with our friendship still intact. Although, I think he will think twice before snapping his fingers & telling me to quit dragging ass again! *Disclaimer: There may or may not have been expletives involved in a snarky response. LMAO.*

Every time I started to fall slightly below my target pace – Ian would either say or motion for me to pick up the pace – sometimes there were “positive” tones & other times there were “not so positive” tones. It took me a good 3 or 4 times of it happening before I figured out what was going on (& I was more than slightly amused with myself), but every time some “not so positive” tones were used, I subconsciously slowed down slightly more. And the exact opposite happened when positive tones were used! 😛

As I said – we figured it out by mile 11, a new PR was reached, & I now know how to tell pacers how best to manage me! 😉

SUMMARY:

I feel like this race was the kick off to the last part of my race season & I’m thoroughly happy with this year of running so far!

In the next two months, I will be running two more marathons & at least one more half-marathon before taking some time off to rest prior to 2016: Year of the Ultras!