2012 - Year of the Extreme Race!

A quick wrap up on my 2011 goals before I dive into 2012 (it's going to be quick because I should have done this long ago, but I've been too busy doing other things):

• I ACHIEVED MY GOAL OF RUNNING AT LEAST one 5K PER MONTH IN 2011
• That's it actually.  I raced every month, and I loved it!  The only month with a minor snafu was July.  And that's because Lifetime Fitness cancelled the race at the last minute.  I scrambled, but found a better race in Stillwater! 
• December 3rd was my last race of the year and it felt amazing to complete my goal.  I jumped up and down singing, "I did it!  I did it!  I did it!"

Moving on to bigger and better and more extreme things... 2012! 

My goal for 2012 is in two parts.  Part 1, race at least 1 race per month.  The race can be as simple as a 5k, as involved as a triathlon, or as long as a half marathon (more on that later).  Part 2, race EXTREME races!  Thus far "extreme" includes the following:

• Polar Bear Plunge (So I realize this isn't a race.  Unless you consider that I'm racing against NOT drowning!)
• Stair climb
• Triathlon
• Half Marathon (YIKES!  Seriously, this one is the one that scares me most!)
• Obstacle race (I haven't decided yet on Warrior Dash, Tough Mudder, or Muddy Buddy)
• Mountain Bike Race (I'm not sure yet how many of the series I'd like to do, or which race yet.  But after spectating at numerous races over the past couple of years, I know this is extreme!!!)
• Ragnar (duh, totally extreme)
• Salsa 24 (Although, we'll see about this one... mountain biking in the dark.  Uh, yeah extreme!)

So, there it is!  My goals for 2012.  I will never forget that feeling of achievement on December 3rd.  I'm so excited to tackle these head on in 2012!

Happy New Year!

I run, you cheer. Pretty clear, right?

This post is a request that anyone I know get up early on a Sunday morning, drive to Minneapolis, and cheer for me while I run 10 miles with thousands of other women! Sounds fun, right?!

In less than 2 weeks I will run my first 10 mile race at the Women Run The Cities (WRTC - http://www.womenrunthecities.com/) event. The race begins at 8:00am Sunday, September 25th. The Start Line, and more importantly the Finish Line, is at Minnehaha Falls Park just off of Hiawatha Ave (Hwy 55) in Minneapolis.

I have been running at least one 5k each month this year, and my goal is to complete one a month for the whole year. It is truly with the support of my friends and family that I've kept on pace (pun totally intended!) to accomplish this goal. In addition to pushing myself at these monthly races I've registered for additional runs as well. This 10 mile race is by far the longest race I've ever accomplished. Even my running in Ragnar was not quite like running this 10 mile race.

It is because this will be such a challenge for me that I am asking people I love to get up early and come cheer me on! The people in my life have been so supportive of me all year long and I'd love to see familiar and smiling faces along the way, and at the Finish Line!

If you're like me, then you'd be interested in cheering at a couple places throughout the race route. To help you figure out approximately where I'll be I've put a pace map at the bottom of this post. My goal is to run 11:00 miles, with an overall finish time of under 2 hours. These mile markers (the numbers circled) and the times at the bottom right are just an opportunistic estimate of where/when I'll be.

Who: You and me
What: Cheering and running (respectively)
Where: Minnehaha Falls Park and on the West and East River Pkwys http://www.womenrunthecities.com/WRTC-CourseMap2009.pdf
When: Sunday, September 25th at 8:00am
Why: Because you love me and I'm a wee bit crazy!
How: With all my might!
My plan is to have Hot Hubby take me out for bacon and eggs after the race and the more the merrier!!!

The Best Thing

Yesterday I ran in a 5k in Minneapolis called the Say Thanks Run which benefits the MN Military Appreciation Fund.  It was a beautiful morning with temperatures in the low 60's and the sun shining brightly.  But the weather wasn't the best thing about this race.

The run was in conjunction with the rededication of Victory Memorial Drive, a WWI memorial in Minneapolis.  There were veterans of all ages there admiring the new memorial and gorgeous parkway.  Two veterans played Taps, then sang the National Anthem right before the start of the race.  It was a very prideful and touching moment for me.  But the rededication wasn't the best thing about this race.

The course was a very simple "out and back" down the parkway.  The street was lined with gorgeous oak and maple trees, that I could estimate to be over 75 years old.  There was a very, very small incline on the way out, which made for a very, very nice decline on the way back!  There were less than 400 participants, and everyone was very encouraging.  But the atmosphere wasn't the best thing about this race.

Just after the turn I noticed a runner right next to me and he yelled some encouragement to one of the other runners who hadn't turned yet.  They must have been friends as the 2nd runner yelled back "Keep up the good work Jerry!"  I turned my head to see a gentlemen twice my age about to kick my butt.  So I say, "Go get 'em Jerry.  Kick my ass!"  He laughs and says, "I could be your grandfather."  I remind him that age doesn't matter when you're running less than 10:00 miles.  Jerry kept me going for just over a mile strong.  I didn't want to let that man down.  We bantered back and forth the whole way.  

My legs started to get cramps though, and I needed to slow down a bit.  Jerry told me to slow down a notch, but for not too long.  I would guess that he finished at least a minute before me.  When I crossed the finish line I was ecstatic!  I had beat my previous PR, and had finished in 30:09!!!  This was largely due to Jerry's encouragement!  I pushed myself like never before!  But achieving my PR was not the best thing about this race.

The BEST thing about this race was the fact that I got to run it with my friend, Captain Jackie S. Jaspers.  Jackie enlisted with the Marines shortly after her first year of college and has been on too many deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.  There were countless nights that I spent worrying about her safety, and the safety of everyone in her deployment.  But she is amazing, and is finally home, living in the Twin Cities!  She is no longer enlisted, but active in Guard.  

The best thing about yesterday was the fact that she was with me.  That I can thank her in person for her service to our country.  I get to make memories with her like running 5ks together, and beating PRs together.  Jackie beat hers yesterday too!  She is a kick butt runner and I love watching her succeed!  

Thank you Jackie.  Thank you MN military personnel.  Thank you to all of our troops!

Got... nothing

Ugh, creative genius, where have you been?  I've got nothing for ya folks.

On the upswing though, I'm still running those monthly 5ks!  AND I registered for a 10 mile race in September.

Wait, what?!  I paid money to run 10 miles?!  I thought I might be losing my mind, but now I'm certain of it.  Oh, and the other day I actually enjoyed running up and down hills in a quazi-figure 8 style on paths near home.  Seriously have lost my mind.

I'll come back soon.  Back from la la land!

PB/PR Me... ASAP!

I broke my Personal Best, my Personal Record, my ASAP!  On Sunday morning I went to Hamel, MN to run in the 8th Annual Super Bowl Sunday Freeze Your Buns Run.  I had stayed up late the night before with Hot Hubby, Mario Bros for Wii, and beers.  In the morning I got up for the run, barely made it to the start line on time, and started my 3.2 mile trek.

I mentally struggled throughout the run.  I didn't feel like my pace was spectacular, and I felt sluggish.  Conditions were about perfect for winter running; 24 degrees, mostly dry roads, no precipitation.  But for some reason my mind was sending me messages that sounded like this:

• You're slow.
• Why didn't you prepare more, and get here on time?
• Dude, that 13 year old girl just sprinted past you.
• Uh, you're still slow.
• And so on, and so on.

It was dreadful!  I felt like 3.2 miles was FOR-EV-ER.  My music wasn't motivating.  The wind whipping my face wasn't motivating.  It was even difficult to get excited for the promise of pancakes!

But somehow, someway, my body won over my mind.  I chugged along, and kept pushing through.  I climbed the last hill, and saw the finish line.  I started my sprint about 30 yards from the line I needed to cross.  I saw Hot Hubby and Rascal on the sidelines, and heard a good friend yelling, "Sprint it out Foo!" 

I crossed the finish line, and heard 31:51.  I clicked the stop button on my watch and slowed down.  I wandered a few yards, then started to head back to my cheering crew.  I couldn't believe it.  I broke my Personal Best by more than 3 minutes!  I ran those 3.2 miles in the fastest time I had EVER run 3.2 miles!  It was amazing, it was fun, it was emotional!  

I learned this past weekend that I need to trust (and listen to) my body.  Over the past several weeks I've worked hard on becoming fit, losing weight, and being healthier overall.  Through that time I've subconsciously listened to my body.  It's time for me to consciously listen.  To shut off that nagging voice in my brain that says I'm slow, and turn up the volume on my muscles, joints, and bones.  Because my body is telling me that this hard work is good, it's rewarding.  

And if my body tells me to beat my own past accomplishments, then I am going to listen!

Part of the Cheering Squad - Rascal!

2 Foos after an awesome race, and awesome pancakes

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

I'm registered for my 2nd 5k of the year!  I'll be running in the Freeze Your Buns Run on Sunday, February 6th at 9:45am.  I'm really hoping for a nice heat wave of at least 30 degree weather!  So far I have one friend who is joining me, and she's bringing her pup too!

This race is not chip timed, so I'll need to make sure my watch is ready to roll with me!

I can't wait to eat FREE pancakes after the race!  I can't believe we're almost into February already!  Hooray

Songs for Run #1

A few people have asked me what was on my playlist for my first 5k of 2011.  It's listed below with a few comments.  One thing I'll say about every one of these songs is that the beat is just great for me to run to.

Enjoy!

1. Hey Ya! by OutKast - The line "Lend me some sugar, I AM your neighbor" puts a huge smile on my face.  What could be better than smiling through a run in 12 degree weather?
2. Country Grammar (Explicit version) by Nelly - "Hot Shit" opens this song.  And I'd like to think that I was hot shit for even beginning this crazy goal!
3. Poison by Bell Biv DeVoe - "Never trust a big butt and a smile"... well, I'd love to have the big butt minus the big midsection.  And I've been told my smile is a very nice ASSet.  
4. What's Your Fantasy by Ludacris - Because one of my favorite fantasies involves me looking smokin' hot.  Running is helping me get smokin' hot!
5. All These Things That I've Done by The Killers - Okay, here's the thing...  If you aren't running while listening to this song, then you're really not listening.  There's so much passion, and so many things this song could mean to you personally.  It gets my blood moving, and says to me "Seriously Lisa?  RUN!"
6. Game Over (Explicit version) by Doomtree - Doomtree is a new group for me.  But this song caught my attention with the line "It's all been done, it's all been fixed, it's all the same."  Has it all been done?  "Welcome to the future, rap won't save you."
7. The Next Episode (Explicit version) by Dr. Dre - Alright, I like Dre.  I love Snoop.  Dirty Rap is my thing.  But this song was a total bust for me on this run.  It was too slow for me, and didn't have a message to deliver as the other songs did.
8. P.I.M.P. (Explicit version) by 50 Cent - Again, I like the Dirty Rap.  But it was too slow for me, there wasn't a message that I could find, and all I wanted to do was sit down and enjoy drink!
9. Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam - Now this one is a little hard to explain.  Actually, I get a little emotional explaining this one.  It turns out, this song happened to be on my iPod shuffle last August.  I had put a bunch of rock songs on the device to listen to while running for the Ragnar race (which is an experience I STILL haven't been able to blog about).  Of the songs I dumped on there, Yellow Ledbetter was one of them.  I decided earlier in the day that I'd like to mix up my music for each 5k this year, but that I would do my best to have Yellow Ledbetter be the last song I hear.  

I got less than 15 seconds into Yellow Ledbetter last weekend.  Less than 15 seconds into the song I wanted to end my run with.  I'm proud of that fact.  I underestimated myself.  I proved myself wrong.

January's Run = DONE

I finished my first 5k of the year!  Yesterday evening I participated in the inaugural Kick Your Resolution 5K in St. Louis Park, MN.  I was excitedly nervous all day waiting for race time.  I kept busy throughout the day by picking up my awesome race packet, stopping off at Dick's Sporting Goods for a couple of new race items, and creating my race playlist.

The race started at 4:51pm, and the temperature was a balmy 12 degrees.  I started at the very back of the pack of runners.  My initial pace was slow and steady, and I was actually enjoying the cold air whipping across my face.  Slowly but surely I began passing people.  It felt GREAT to be running past the other competitors and feeling confident in my pace.  We ran around Louisiana Oaks Park twice.  There were some nice hills here and there, which I really enjoyed, and it wasn't too icy.  The trees were lit up with red and gold lights, and running through the winter wonderland was FUN!

With about a half mile left of the race I had come up behind a lone runner.  It seemed the two of us were the only ones around by at least 25 yards.  I set my sights on her and kept up with her pace.  My strategy was to keep right on her heels until we were about 50 yards from the finish line.  Then I would kick it down, blow past her, and sprint to the finish!  We were running about 10 and a half minute miles.  My lungs felt great, my legs felt strong, my thoughts were clear.  I heard a runner behind me, and decided to begin my sprinting.

I turned on my mental power boost, engaged my legs into moving faster, and blew past the woman I had been pacing with.  I rounded the corner to cross the glorious finish, and heard my time... 35:23!!!  I ran my first 5k of 2011 in 35 minutes and 23 seconds!  I was ecstatic, I was high on endorphins, I was collapsing into the arms of a dear friend and her family!  I had fans cheering for me!!!  My Hot Husband was there with our pooch!  They came out to support me, and all of the mental and physical work I had done was celebrated!

Post Race Picture with one of my fans!

Thank you to everyone who supported me over the past week!  All of the encouraging blog comments, Facebook posts, texts, and phone calls made a huge difference.  Thank you!

I now have my sights set on February's race!  I'll post as soon as I am registered!

New Year - New Goal!

Happy New Year!!!  We rang in the New Year celebrating the marriage of two amazing people!  It was a fun night to reflect and hope for the future!

One of the things I reflected upon was the fact that I did not meet my goal of running 250 miles before 1/1/11.  I was high on just finishing Ragnar.  It was summertime in MN.  And I put out a lofty goal for myself.  In all honesty, I really believed in myself and thought I could do it.

I was motivated and excited.  I started out a bit weak by just walking the dog every day.  But around 30 days into it, I realized that I needed to get my butt in gear (literally).  I stepped it up a bit, then ended up with shin splints.  So, I altered my methods to include "miles" on the elliptical machine and stationary bike.  But still, I didn't work as hard as I should have worked.  In the end I was 68 miles short of making the goal.  I missed my mark.

On the positive side, I have hope for the future!  I worked hard towards the end of last year, and that propelled me into working hard at the beginning of 2011.  I've come up with a new goal, and I'm even more excited about this one!

My goal is to run at least 1 5k every month in 2011!  There will be some months that I run more than one race (for example, in August I'll also be running Ragnar).  And I'd also like to run a 10k this year as well!  But the goal is to run at least one 5k each month.

Below is a list of possible races.  I'll update as I register for each one, and hope some of you will join me!  You can be sure that I'll be wearing a boa from time to time, because after all... Everything is better with a boa!!!

• January: 
• Saturday 1/15 at 4:45pm - Kick Your Resolution Run in St. Louis Park.  REGISTERED!!!
• February: 
• Sunday 2/6 at 9:45am - Freeze Your Buns Run in Hamel.  (I've been told this is kind of a lame run, but FREE pancake breakfast... uh, yes please!)
• Saturday 2/12 at 9:00am - Hearts 'r' Running in St. Paul.
• March:
• Saturday 3/12 at 9:15am - 100% Irish for a Day.  I've done this one before, and it's a blast!!!  
• April:
• Saturday 4/9 at 8:30am - Run the Valley. 
• Although it is a GREAT race, I'm more than likely NOT going to run the Get in Gear on April 30th.  I have cheered at this race a couple of times in the past, and I think I'm going to continue cheering for this one!
• May:
• - Nothing I saw immediately caught my attention in May.  Will need some suggestions here!
• June:
• Saturday 6/11 at 8:45am - Lederhosenlauf 5k.
• Saturday 6/25 at 8:00am - Plymouth's Music in the Park.  It's so close to home, I'd walk to the run!
• July:
• Saturday 7/9 at 8:15am - North Memorial Whiz Bang Run.  Doesn't the name sound fun?!
• Saturday 7/9 at 8:15am - Hackensack Sweetheart Days.  Ahhh, so sweet!  Out of town, but could still be fun!
• August: - Nothing I saw immediately caught my attention in August.  Will need some suggestions here!  
• RAGNAR!!!
• September:
• Saturday 9/10 at 10:01am - James Page Blubber Run.  I've heard this is AWESOME!
• October:
• Saturday 10/29 - Monster Dash
• November: - Waiting for more race info to come out!!!
• December: - Waiting for more race info to come out!!!

I'm open to race suggestions!  Please let me know about fun and interesting races in or near the Twin Cities!!!  

And remember... I'd L-O-V-E for you to join me!