Friday Expo Day!

Posted by hellyontherun in Half Marathon, Race, Running and tagged with Expo, Friday, Half Marathon, Race, Running January 17, 2014

It’s Friiiiiday!!!!

I’ve been looking forward to this day all week–first because Fridays are an early get-off-of-work day for my husband and second, it’s EXPO day!!

We’ll be making the trek downtown as soon as my husband steps through the door. I already have diaper bags packed and ready to go! Granted, I still have about 5 hours before he comes home but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared : )

When we signed up for this race months ago, I wrote 2:30 as my expected finish time since I had no idea how prepared I’d feel 5 1/2 months postpartum. I’m hoping I’m able to change my corral so that I can move up to the 2:00 hour mark. I can’t believe I’m saying that!

So the goal is to get there early, find a nice volunteer to change my corral, pick up my swag, take pictures, and get pumped for Sunday!!

–What are you looking forward to this weekend? Do you have a race going on? A long run?
—If you’re running tomorrow, consider dedicating your miles to Meg. My 1/2 marathon will be for her.

Pre Race Jitters

Posted by hellyontherun in Half Marathon, Race, Running, Uncategorized and tagged with Determination, Goals, Half Marathon, P.F. Chang's Rock n Roll Half Marathon, Personal Record, Pre Race Jitters, Race, Running, Training January 14, 2014

The P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 marathon has been my Eleanor (catch that Gone in Sixty Seconds reference?)

I’ve ran it twice, the first being my first 1/2 ever and maybe because it wasn’t my best showing, I had forgotten my time and had to look it up! 2:42 at a 12:25/mile pace.

I registered again a few years later having done some more prep work but then discovered I was pregnant a couple of months before the race. I finished at 3:20 with a 15:17/mile pace (I was around 14 weeks).

I’m not ashamed of either time and don’t make any excuses for them; my times are what they are.

All I know is that I finally feel truly prepared for this 1/2. I’ve actually trained and have altered my diet and am mentally ready.

I have a pretty lofty goal this time around.

Okay, here it is.

I want to finish under 2 hours.

I totally get that this is considerably faster than my previous two halves. I’ve done a little math on what I’d have to pace to get that time and also considered the other possible times I might get. This is the range I’d like to be in with of course 2 hours being my main goal:

Time Pace
1:55 8:46/mile
2:00 9:09/mile
2:05 9:32/mile
2:10 9:55/mile
2:15 10:18/mile

It’s so crazy how big of a pace difference it is from 2:05 to 2:00. Like I totally feel I could do a 9:32/mile pace but 9:09 seems so daunting! I think back to my 15K a month ago; I ran those 9.3 miles in a 9:11/mile pace so I know I’ve come close but still….

I think with this particular race, what always has me a little nervous is this

You see that? That thing that happens around mile 10? Yeah, near the END of the race?! It’s already going to be a challenge maintaining my goal pace but to have that to look forward to–well, that gives me the jitters. It helps (a little) that the very end is a decline but I’ll already be running on fumes by then anyway lol!

I’ve done hill work in my training. I know I’m about as ready as I can be for this. I think what’s left is to just trust what I’ve done. Believe that I can do it. I also know that if I don’t meet that goal time, I’m confident I will have improved from my previous two. And that’ll definitely be a win : )

Do you get nervous before a race?

Do you study/memorize the course and elevation map like a crazy person (me)?

Time for a Giveaway!! {The Color Run 5K}

Posted by hellyontherun in 5k, Fitness, Giveaway, Race, Running and tagged with 5k, Fun Run, Giveaway, Running, The Color Run January 6, 2014

So I’ve mentioned before that I’m part of an online healthy mommy’s group and many of the moms in the group are new runners. Part of what we’ve encouraged them to do is sign up for a race to train for and by far the most popular race chosen has been The Color Run.

When the moms would report back, they had nothing but positive comments about the race. They loved that it was a 5k, a great distance for beginners; it’s untimed, so no pressure; they loved the atmosphere, and they loved the swag. We’re talking a headband, a sling bag, a t-shirt, and a bracelet!

Because I saw how much fun my healthy mommas had with this run, I decided to contact The Color Run people so that I can give away TWO FREE RACE ENTRIES to my readers. They were able to hook me up and now I want someone to win these and report back with how it went!

All you have to do is comment below with what your favorite color is–mine’s purple but you don’t get extra entries for agreeing with me 😉

If you do want an additional entry, go to my Facebook page and give me a like.
Want another entry? Follow me on Twitter at @hellyontherun
Still want to increase your odds? Find me on Instagram at @hellyontherun

If you don’t win, all is not lost. Go to the website http://thecolorrun.com/events/ and use this coupon code, COLOR5OFF, to get $5 off your registration! ( Make sure you type in the code and not copy/paste.)

I’ll be announcing a winner Friday, January 10th!!

Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway