Goblin Gallop 5K: Take 3

Last Saturday, Mr. Marathon and I participated in the Goblin Gallop for the third year in a row!  We had a great time, despite the rainy, chilly weather.  This year, it was not only us on "Team Garcia."  We convinced a few other friends and family members run with us: my dad, Mr. Marathon's mom and nieces, and one of his good friends.  We all had a blast, but even better: we all won a medal!  All of us placed in our age groups, except for Mr. Marathon.  Because he placed second overall, duh.  He also won another award that I'm totally jealous of.  He won the costume contest!  And he wasn't even trying!  We decided to wear some striped tights to fit the Halloween theme.  However, the reason I am jealous is because we were pretty much wearing the EXACT same thing, and he won.... but I didn't....  RUDE! It must have been his orange shoes that matched his orange tights.  LAME.

Today we also hit the trail with my dad for a chilly, wonderful 4-miler.  We really really want to get back into our groove, which I lost because I have been so busy with my third graders and Mr. Marathon lost because of school and soccer.  The upcoming race for right now is the Patriot Trail Run 5K.

Mr. Marathon is signed up for this one, but I'm not sure about it.... trail running... hmmm.... Stay tuned!

Harvest Moon 10K, 2013

This past Friday, Mr. Marathon and I hit the trail for our second annual running of the Harvest Moon 10K here in Martinsville, VA.  We both ran it in better time than the previous year, which is a good start for our Fall 2013 running season!  Mr. Marathon cut his time down to 39:31, and mine was 1:10:45 (which still stinks, I know...).

We attribute our success (read about last year's race here).
to running the course multiple times before raceday.  We were ready, mentally and physically, for the run that was such a challenge to us just a year ago.

Also, we celebrated one major success last Friday night.  My dad ran it with us!  For the first time in longer than he'd like to admit, he ran a race!  And he BEASTED.  He finished in 1:05 and some change, so he beat me!  He ran once with us for training, and he managed to cut off 10 additional minutes from the training run.  I am so proud!  To quote a strange little boy from a trampoline park, "It's cool that an old guy can do that!"

Anyway, we are still looking forward to some upcoming races.  We have to register for the Paint the Town 5K next weekend.  This is like a Color Run, but a local equivalent.  We missed out on a Color Run that was near us in June, so we are really looking forward to this one!

Sunday Un-Slumper Run

A page from my favorite Dr. Seuss book, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

Today was a beautiful day for a comeback run.  I was hoping to run the Harvest Moon 10K that is in less than two weeks.  But since I have been in such a slump, I didn't think I would be able to make it the 6 miles.  However today, I proved myself wrong.  Mr. Marathon and I woke up and hit the trail and ran the course of the Harvest Moon Run and I did it.  I completed the course.  In time that was only 2 minutes longer than my race time last year, as well.  I was so proud that I could run the 6 miles, let alone in good time.  I was telling myself that if I could finish it, I was doing okay.  But I felt like myself again running that distance.  My feet hurt a little and I was kinda achy and really really really itchy, but I didn't care.

So I'm gonna get me a registration form for the Harvest Moon 10K and kick my hiney into gear.  I will be doing hopefully one more run of the course between now and September 6 (race day!), as well as other shorter runs and some speed training.  Also, I will be closely watching my diet (fruits and protein will be my focus), and doing some Insanity (remember when we used to do that? heh....) and hopefully it will all pay off on race day.

Also, we will be using the Harvest Moon as a warm up run to the fall 2013 season of our running.  Upcoming races include:

Paint the Town 5K: September 21

Star City Half Marathon: November 23

Danville Half Marathon: October 5

Richmond Marathon: November 16

Richmond Half Marathon: November 16

Helgramite Hustle Mud Run 5K

Last week, Mr. Marathon abandoned his normal road running for a new, more challenging terrain.  He registered for the Helgramite Hustle Mud Run that is held at the Smith River Sports Complex in conjunction with the Smith River Fest.  Oh, and he signed up for it on a whim.  He just thought to himself, "Oh!  This sounds delightfully fun!" and just went for it.  Little did he know what we was in for.  He says that running in the mud and completing all of the obstacles was very challenging.  He says he was SO TIRED during the run.  He says that he felt like he was slowing down.  Well I say WHATEVER.  I was watching him and did not see any of this.

Beginning of the race.   He is wearing the white shirt, jumping.

First of all, there was a big mud puddle to start out the race.  He "accidentally" ran around it.  He tippy toed around the puddle and then took off while others were wading through the mud and water. Then, he was off.  I decided to spectate only, and so I went across the festival to about mile 1.5 or so, where he would be running through shortly.  I was poised and ready with my camera.  We heard people splashing down the creek, and there he was, coming in first, speeding around the curve and I saw him climb up the rope out of the creek and he was gone.  So, I ran back to the starting line (also the finish line) and waited.  And waited.  It was so hot, and I was in suspense.  The finish line was on the other side of a field that the runners would be coming through.  They were going to pop out of the woods and then run through the field so I was watching the woods for a muddy Mr. Marathon.  I continued to wait, and then I saw a lone runner emerge.  I was so excited!  I couldn't tell if it was him at first, but then I realized that he was prancing, umm, I mean, running, in his usual style.  He was the first one, by a long shot.  He came running through the field over and through the final two obstacles with time for a quick dip in the puddle before victoriously crossing the finish line with a time of 22:45!

After he finished and  soaked up all the glory (and mud), the Axton Fire Department hosed him off so he could be camera-ready for an interview with a local news station.  After his interview, he went for a swim in the Smith River to cool off.  SO PROUD!  Even though he was muddy for days.... oh well!

EMBARRASSMENT.

I've been trying this lately....

Ahh, embarrassment: an emotion most of us know all too well.  Embarrassment is also the reason for the delay in this blog post.  I haven't posted in months for a multitude of reasons and excuses, but I know that you don't care.  So I'll skip all that and get right to the point.  I get embarrassed.  A lot.  And currently I am embarrassed because I have hardly been running this summer.  I keep telling myself I need to kick it into gear before the school year starts (I'm starting my FIRST YEAR as a third grade teacher... SO EXCITED!!), but somehow, I just can't find the motivation to just run.  I have taken a few 3-milers and quick 1 mile loops around my neighborhood, but past that, I can't seem to find it in me to really get back to my training.  Mr. Marathon has been biking
and playing soccer and staying active other ways, and he recently started running a little more.  So he's at least better off than me.  We are both (supposedly) training for a few upcoming events, including (but certainly not limited to): the Danville Half Marathon, Richmond Marathon/Half (respectively), and the Star City Half Marathon.

My new kicks....
yes I am modeling them in the middle of the road

I bought new running shoes in hopes that I would become a little more motivated.... let's see if it works.  I've run a grand total of 4 miles in them in the past two weeks.  HAH.








So now I know I have some loyal readers out there.  I have a favor to ask of you: either comment here, on Facebook, or email me your mantras for when times get tough.  I need a little extra motivation to overcome my embarrassment.  Can't wait to hear from you!

Blue Ridge Marathon: America's Toughest Road Marathon!

Today marks the fourth annual running of the Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke, VA!  Today was also the fourth time I, Mr. Marathon, have run the Blue Ridge Marathon.  What a coincidence!  Well not really, because I've run it every year.  But anyway!  I would like to tell you why this is the most awesome marathon ever.

First of all, this year's race was dedicated to Boston.  Runners were running in honor of those affected by the tragedy that occurred earlier this week.  It was very touching that the community came together even stronger in the midst of such a sad event.  This shows
you that runners are just one big family, coming together from all the nations of the world.

The, there's the most obvious reason:  this is officially AMERICA'S TOUGHEST ROAD MARATHON, and this year's course was EVEN TOUGHER than years past, thanks to Mother Nature.  Flooding earlier this week caused parts of the course to be inaccessible so they had to add extra elevation to make the runners happier.  Or more miserable.  Whichever you prefer.  But speaking of Mother Nature:  she couldn't have been nicer to us this morning!  Considering that yesterday there were tornado watches and severe thunderstorm warnings all over the place, we got pretty lucky this morning.  It was all cleared up.  It started off a little chilly and really breezy at about 48 degrees and ended up warming up to about 55 degrees (but still really windy!) by the time that I finished.  So it was awesome in my opinion!  I LOVED the weather.  In addition to perfect weather, they had awesome volunteers as well as residents from the Roanoke area setting out tables full of yummies for the runners (which was totally awesome!) all along the course.  Sorry for sounding prissy.  Not really.  Anyway, police were also patrolling the whole city and all along the course throughout the whole race.  This made me feel safe, which was nice.

The Blue Ridge Mountains, morning of the race

The scenery of the race was so beautiful!  The scenery, along with the beautiful weather, was a nice distraction from the challenging course.  The whole course was in full bloom thanks to the great spring weather.  Finally.  'Bout time, spring!

Mr. Marathon being awesome after the race!

Also, there was one part of the course that I liked the most:  MILE 17.  Mrs. Marathon was waiting there for me with a smile on her face and a camera in her hand.  It was a nice, pleasant surprise.  I was doing so well that she wasn't expecting me just yet, but I was ROLLIN'.  Which I could not believe!  But that just goes to show you that when you take your own advice (for once!) and put it into play, it can do a lotta good.  I did not want to take off this year like previous years, when I took off from the starting line quicker than a bunny rabbit on crack (if you can imagine what that would be like...??).  This year I took it slow, even though it was tough.  Although I was feeling tired from going slower, I knew that I wasn't wearing myself out in the beginning and throughout the hills.  Well, mountains.  No biggie.  I also carried my water bottle that has a compartment big enough for storing my snacks smorgasbord (two different types and flavors of energy chews, GU, energy jelly beans, and salt pills to prevent cramping).

All of these factors, in addition to my positive attitude going in (and coming out!), I managed to accomplish two of my goals that I set specifically for this race: 1) I ran the WHOOOOOOOOLE THING (whoop whoop!) and 2) I finished in under 4 hours, which would mean beating last year's PR of 4:03:45 (and my time today was 3:31:14, to be exact!).  Not to toot my own horn but...........

TOOT TOOT!

All in all, today was a great day, and I even got to meet a record-setting running legend and got interviewed by a Runner's World reporter while running uphill (so it was a nice distraction).  And of course it was nice to see a bunch of friends and familiar faces from our running community and previous races.  I know I already said it once, but I'll say it again:  this was the best race I have ever run!  I couldn't have asked for a better day!  Thank you, Blue Ridge Marathon staff, volunteers, and spectators, for an amazing day!

Bridge to Bridge 10K

This past Saturday, Mr. Marathon and I traveled to Danville, VA, for the Bridge to Bridge 10K.  This run took place through Downtown Danville and along the Dan River.  It was a beautiful course and a beautiful day.  Prior to starting the race, Mr. Marathon and I set goal times:  he wanted to beat his pre-standing 10K personal record of 43 minutes, and I wanted to beat my PR of 1:07.  (I'm really working toward my ultimate 10K goal of under an hour, but I'm still not quite there.)

Anyway, we both did very well.  I finished with a time of 1:04, and he finished in 39:46 (according to his watch, since the timing was somewhat unreliable)!  We both enjoyed the run, but the awards were kind of disappointing.  He placed third overall, and they were giving out these really nice trophies to everyone who placed.  They somehow didn't have the male overall trophies for the 10K.  Those were the only trophies missing too.  So we both left empty handed (because I didn't place at all... so sad!), but we left feeling mostly accomplished.  I am still not quite to my 10K goal, but I am 3 minutes closer!


Also, in light of the tragedy that occurred yesterday, April 15, a.k.a "Marathon Monday" Mr. Marathon would like to make a little side note:


About a year ago, I decided to pursue the ultimate marathoner goal:  to qualify for BOSTON.  I was really trying to make it to run in the 2013 Boston Marathon.  It was what I really wanted.  But due to a lack of training, I was unable to make the 3:05 qualifying time.  Although I was not there running and competing, I was definitely there in spirit upon hearing about the incident.  It really makes me think that I can no longer feel safe doing what I love.  But that's not going to stop me.  I may not have qualified for Boston, but this makes me want to qualify even more.  Maybe in 2014, or maybe some time in the future.  We'll just have to wait and see!  As for now, I will keep on running whatever I can, whenever I can.  And I will dedicate each mile of my training to those who ran and to those spectated the 2013 Boston Marathon.