Lincoln Half Marathon Recap

First things first, the medal this year? So great! Much cooler than the past 3 years. It has the State Capitol building on it. The past 2 have looked like a penny (Abe Lincoln). Not as impressive. I’m pleased.

2nd of all, can we talk about men’s running shorts for a second? There were A LOT of short-shorts happening. This dude (the blue shorts without shoes on) had slits up the side of his. The breeze caused them to flap. I was staring, entranced as to whether I would get a free show! (no dice on that one. But a girl can dream, right?) When did guys running shorts get so short? I kept getting distracted along the route by them. I suppose its better than running skirts (right trivialbob?)

But I digress.

Let’s do this, bullet point style:

  • Gorgeous day, 50’s, sunny, and a bit of a breeze. Perfect running weather. 
  • My goal was sub 2:25. I started with the 2:20 pacer and they passed me at the 4 mile point. I didn’t get passed by the 2:25 pacer until 8.5 miles. The 2:30 never passed me. So how did I finish with a time of 2:33:53? The world may never know.
  • Lincoln is hilly. Nebraska is not a flat wasteland as some might think. Lots of hills and rises along the route. An elevation gain of 223 feet.
  • I got good luck texts (at 6:30am!) from becky-balances and later from xfitlibrarian and two-o-nine and other IRL friends. My friends Freakin’ rock! That made my day.
  • I’m currently seeing someone (we’ve had 3 dates) and guess what? He WAS THERE TO SUPPORT ME! At mile 9.5, when I needed it the most. I didn’t think he’d be there–it’s only been 3 dates and a month since we’ve been seeing each other, but he surprised me. Big time. Major points for that guy!
  • Ex Man Friend was there too…except he overslept and he and his friends went to a bar a block off the marathon route. So I didn’t see him or he me (they were there for another friend who was running the full.) 
  • My awesome parents came out and made 2 signs “May the Course be with you!” And, “Slow down, I’m trying to count everyone!” So, so great. I needed to see them.
  • Mom and dad at mile 3, my dear friend Tracey at mile 4, lindsaydoeslife at mile 7.5ish, New Guy at mile 9.5 and my friend Kristen at mile 11. It helped so much. Support matters.
  • I didn’t follow through with a lot of weekday training for this race. Whoops. It matters. I have 6 weeks until I go to Canada for the Manitoba Half with Brooke. You better believe I’m kicking my own butt these next few weeks. I’m thirsty for a new PR and Brooke says its flat and fast. I’m banking on it.
  • I’m sore today, but not overly so. I’m planning on a few miles tomorrow morning. Active Recovery…or something like that.
  • Tacos tonight with the New Guy. Should be fun.

Happy Cinco De Mayo Friends!

Not every race is a PR. And that’s ok. Because 2:33:53 is still a darn good time.

The 2014 Lincoln Half Marathon is in the books. My friend Wesley and I are pleased.

I’m sore, tired and need a nap. There are so many things I want to tell you guys about this race. People who came out to support me, messages from dear friends, the signs, so much to say.

But for now, I’m going to take the world’s best shower and relax.

Scenes from my Saturday.

I hit the Lincoln Marathon Expo and picked up my bib and my friend Wesley’s (he’s driving in from Kansas City and stay with me tonight.) I proceeded to spend way too much at the Expo! The shirt on the left is the Official Shirt everyone got. Very patriotic here in Lincoln this year. Brooke suggested that I wear it for the Half she, Ginni, Holli, and I are doing in Brownville, Nebraska on the 4th of July! Good call, lady.

I saw the 2nd photo while driving home from the errands I ran after the expo this morning. David needs to get personalized plates like that for his car! Everyone should know it’s actually BOO’s car! 🙂

I went to Omaha last night for the Benson neighborhood’s first Friday open houses/gallery walks. My BFF, her husband, 2 other friends AND Ex Man Friend and I did dinner and hung out for awhile. (Yes, ex man friend and I are talking/friends. Or something. That relationship is very, very, very, very complicated.) I bought the shirt in the 3rd photo at a vintage store. I couldn’t pass it up–even though it’s a man’s shirt! 🙂

Got my bib for the Marathon! Easy number to remember! I’m pumped. 

And the last pic…I always like what phrases they have on the pacer bracelets. I’m aiming for a sub 2:25 PR. 

See ya after the race friends!

Words are powerful

I forwarded this article to my co-worker who is also running the Lincoln Half on Sunday. She’s a runner too. She gets it. I read her what I wrote on here..how I had I never thought I could do a Full, how successfully running a Marathon changed me, and how I cried when I finished, and how they were threatening to fall once again, just by reading that article.

She told me that SHE was about to cry and had chills from my words. It surprised me. Something I wrote did that to her. Later, I was talking to another co-worker about the Marathon and the article, and read her what I wrote. She said the same thing; she had tears in her eyes and told me how inspiring I am. 

It’s so easy for me to brush that off; to not see the impact that we each have on each other. But we do. We all do. And that’s awesome. 

@keepgoinggreen said: Its so interesting – because we met the day before your marathon. I did not know any of your back story and I already saw: an athlete, a runner, someone with a great attitude and someone who I never once doubted was going to finish the next day!

Rich- Thank you so much! This made my day! That you saw/see me as an athlete and someone with a great attitude? I love that! Thank you.

earlybirdnow said: This makes me want to do a marathon…

Sharon-It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but so incredibly worth it. If you like distance running and want to challenge yourself, then I highly recommend it. It is amazing what the human body and spirit are capable of.

The Marathon

The Marathon is not about running, it is about salvation. We spend so much of our lives doubting ourselves, thinking that we’re not good enough, not strong enough, not made of the right stuff. The Marathon is an opportunity for redemption. Opportunity, because the outcome is uncertain. Opportunity, because it is up to you, and only you, to make it happen.

This one hit me right in the gut. I experienced all of these feelings when I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2012. The fat girl that thought she’d always be fat. The girl that lost the weight but thought 26.2 miles was too far for her to go. She didn’t think she could do it. But I did! I put in the time, did my training and was rewarded with a decent finish time.

It’s true what they say, “the person who starts the Marathon is not the same person who finishes it.” Those 26.2 miles changed me. When I crossed the finish line and finally was able to sit down and call my mom, I did so with tears streaming down my face. 

They’re threatening to fall again right now. 

The power of a Marathon.

The Marathon

I have followed your blog for so long. I am originally from lincoln and still follow “the ocho” on facebook. Guess whose face popped up on my facebook news feed today? Mean Girls post. It was funny. Seems like a fun place to work. Anyway, so weird for me. But irrelevant to you b/c you don’t know who I am. But, trust me, in my head we are friends b/c I’ve followed along for so long!

This is fantastic. Anon, I wish I knew who you were! I’m sure we would be friends! The Ocho is a fun place to work—albeit inappropriate sometimes! 🙂 Its weird how our lives can intersect without us knowing, too. Thanks for following along! I hope I keep you entertained! 

Anon is talking about this picture:

Since it was the 10th anniversary of Mean Girls yesterday, and Wednesday, a good portion of the station got in on wearing Pink. We posted the pic on the station FB page. 

How to feel decadent in 5 Easy Steps

  1. Call to make an appointment for a pre-half Marathon Sports Massage for this week.
  2. The masseuse tells you she only does them during the daytime hours, so how does 12:15pm sound?
  3. Agree that it sounds good, and go over your lunch hour for an hour long Sports Massage today.
  4. Make a follow up appointment for a post-run massage next Tuesday after the Marathon. Also during your lunch hour, because YOLO?!
  5. Bask in the awesomeness that is a massage. During your lunch hour. During the week. 

Serenity Now.

Runnin’ Down A Dream turned 3 today!

I got this in my email today. I had been wondering when my blogiversary was! I can’t believe it has been 3 years of posting here!

6 Half Marathons (4 more scheduled for this year, including one in 5 days!) 1 Full Marathon, and countless 5ks and 10ks later, I’m 150 pounds lighter, and I’ve made so many amazing friends here. 

You’re the best people I’ve met online! Thank you for sticking with me the past three years! Cheers to the next!

10 miles//11:58 pace with 20mph wind gusts in my face and a fair amount of walking.
I don’t allow myself to walk that much during a race so I’m feeling pretty good about this run.
Also, post-run I’m a sexy beast! Look at those strange sweat lines and dried salt on my face! Sexxxxxxxyyyyyy!

Happy Saturday friends! Thanks for all the love, support and encouragement! I couldn’t do it without you!