Date Night!

Last night we headed to Perth Ontario for the 2012 Perth Kilt run. It was SUCH a fun night for SO many reasons. Those involved know what I'm talking about ;)

There were over 2000 participants and we made the Guinness Book of World Records for the most people running at the same time in a kilt.  lol 

It was a well organized race and a lot of fun. I've never been to a race that gave out a free beer at the end, and I have to say that for this non drinker.... it made for the beginning of an interesting evening to say the least ;)    The beer also distracted me from stretching afterwards which I am paying for as I type this.

Running with my husband and friends was the best part.  We did not set out to win anything or compete against each other. Everyone just wanted to do something fun with their husbands. I have to admit that I went ahead of my hubby and regretted it. I would much rather run by his side. 

It was SUPER hot, and at around the 3km mark I was asking myself why I torture myself with hard runs. Especially since I have no chance of actually winning any races or placing. I was even going to stop and wait for him so we could finish together (he was only a minute or so behind).

THEN!!!

When I finished I found out that I came FIRST in my age! 

It was a reminder that I love to run and push myself to my limits. I do it for the personal challenge and I don't think I have it in me not to give it my all.

This prize makes me smile. After the marathon I said to my husband... " I just want to come in first once. Just once in a race ".    Well I certainly did not WIN the race, and they gave a cool bath towel to all the first place finishers in their AGE so there were about 100 1st place prizes... ( I was first overall for 34year old females...just 34year olds...lol) 

I don't care. It was fun having my wish come true. It was fun running with my husband and good friends, and it was really fun drinking a complementary beer after the race.

Made for the beginning of a super fun date night. A sweaty good time.


My Stats:

Chip Time       41:16
Overall            211/1727
All Women      54/1001
F20-39              17/311
Age 34              1/22

It's Official.. I'm a Marathoner!

I'll blog about the experience later. I'm pretty incredibly tired but thought I would post a few pictures for you all to see. Today I ran the ING Ottawa Marathon. My first and only. This is me at the 9km mark. I'm feeling great and super happy. I am waving to the amazing Team Mito cheering station here.

This is me at the 38km mark. My face is EXACTLY how I felt. No longer smiling, wishing I didn't have another 4.2 kilometers to go, and a little baffled that my legs were still turning over..lol

But I made it!!! This picture is post ice bath at the hotel, shower and super strength Motrin. Yes super strength.

So....been there, done that, got the t-shirt, medal and black toenails to prove it.

If you are curious about my stats here you are:

42.2 kms

Chip time 3:49 26

Gender place 256/1456

Age cat  52/215

Overall  1473/5290

10k split  51:01  avg pace 5:10

21k split  1:49:15 avg pace 5:43  ( I will tell you later what happened) 

30k split 2:40:17 avg pace 5:40

I did NOT qualify for Boston but I'm very happy about my time. Again..I'll tell y'all about it later.



1/2 Marathon Pace Race Complete

That's me today running the Smiths Falls Half Marathon. See that chick behind me in the red hat? I'm smiling because I passed her and held her off after she had the audacity to pass ME at the 3km mark. bahahahahahah sucka. Just kidding. Well sort of.

Anyway I had a great run today. I tried to look at it as a training run to see how my pace is coming along for the marathon.  It went just as I expected and I'm pleased with the results. I made a classic runners mistake and went out WAY too fast in the beginning.  I tried to start slow but I got swept up in the crowd and had a hard time taming my adrenalin.
The annoying part about that was getting passed by about 10 people (the lady in the red hat included), at the 3km mark. I tried to brush it off and just hold my pace.

I felt strong and decided not to take a walk break or stop and stretch. I normaly stop for a second to stretch my hamstrings. I felt like if I slowed that lady would pass me again and I just couldn't let that happen! ;) 

I also decided to hold a tiny water bottle and get the weight off my hips. It worked out really well with Adam handing me a new one around the 11k mark.

I have to say that I gave it ALL I HAD and left it out on the trail. I could not have gone any faster than I did and I'm o.k with that.  I feel pretty good right now. My hamstrings are tight but that is the extent of my aches and pains. 

My results:

Time:  1hr 44mins 49 secs  (1:44.49)
Avg Pace: 4:59 km/min
Age Cat: 3/15
Women overall:  8/40
Overall: 20th place.

I have 2 more runs in the 30k range, and I begin to taper for the marathon. I feel like I'm doing everything I should be and I feel strong and confident at this point that I can make my goal time.

A good day overall...
Happy Running.

Alyson