Pics from my fans

As I said in my Run Like Hell race recap, my parents surprised me by showing up Sunday to cheer me on. I heard my name and looked to see Mom and Dad on the sidelines!

Mom just sent me a couple pics from mile 3.5ish:

Feeling good :)

They didn't quite make it back to see us finish, but they found us right away:

Such a fun day! And we're so thankful for parents who support us and think running is a worthy spectator sport :)

One more

I just can't say no.

Eryn and I are thinking about recycling our awesome hotdog costumes for Saturday's Run for your Bones :)

Join us?? :)

Run Like Hell - PR!

Sometime last year, we received an e-mail for very early registration for October's Run Like Hell... $10 for the 10K! 

Let me think... a holiday race for just $10? Yes, please!

I hadn't run a 10K since March when I missed PRing by just 1 second per mile at the Race with a View in Long Beach, Calif. 

So my PR, from February's Heart Breaker, stood at 57:48, a 9:15 average. I knew I could beat that, and Brad, still recovering from his marathon just two weeks ago, offered to run with me and pace me. SWEET!

I haven't been training specifically for the 10K - actually going easy the past month since our Giant Race Half Marathon. And I knew we had a band competition all day Saturday at the University of Oregon, meaning that I wouldn't get proper rest, fuel, hydration or sleep.

SOOOOO... we set the goal of simply coming in under a 9:15 average. Any PR would be great. Brad worked out a realistic plan with specific paces for all 6.2 miles.

Then came race day. It was a super-hero theme, but I didn't have time to get fancy. We opted for Halloween colors: 

You love my runner tan lines as much as I do?? :)

The race started and ended at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland. It was cold and raining when the half marathon began, but the precip stopped before our race. For some reason unknown to all of us, the 10K started 20 minutes late. Boo :(

Waiting... cold... waiting...

My pre-race gel exploded all over me. Sticky and chocolatey!

There were some truly awesome costumes out there. I was so jealous that I wasn't at least rockin' a cape :)

When we finally got under way, the crowded course knocked us off pace. So after it cleared out, we had some time to make up. No problem!

Check out the kid next to me on Natio. He had a full blue suit with a mask and cape. Very cute :)

I heard my name and looked over to see my parents standing on the side of the road! Didn't know they were coming to cheer us on - super cool!!! We passed them twice on the out-and-back portion.

We made up the time plus some, and Brad kept telling me we were right on our target pace. (I wasn't looking at my Garmin)

I was feeling great - pushing a little but very comfortable. Brad said we had it - just had to maintain to the end. So at about mile 4.5, I said that I'd like to speed up when we got to 5 and see what I could do. 

And speed up I did! Gas pedal down :)

Picking people off one by one. Almost done... gonna pass that girl in the blue tights:

The last couple blocks were up hill - Broadway from Burnside to Pioneer Courthouse Square. It was really tough to hang in, but I did. Not much kick left - because I'd already been kicking for a mile!

As I saw my pace dropping, I tried so hard to get to 9:00. If the end hadn't been up hill, I think I would have nailed it.

I think I emptied my tank. Oh, and that cow was one of the runners I picked off:

Ok... no longer dying. Time for a smiling picture:

Thanks for pacing me and carrying the camera, Brad!!

Bless you, chili makers! Fresh, hot, yummy vegetarian chili at the finish line:

Our personal cheer squad! Thanks, Mom and Dad :)

I finished in 56:38, a 9:02 average. That's a 1:10 PR - 13 seconds per mile.

Here's my splits:
1 -  9:19
2 - 9:02
3 - 9:11
4 - 9:10
5 - 8:57
6 - 8:43
.27 - 8:26

I am so pleased with this race! I had fun, I made my goal, I beat my goal.

Next time I'm going for 9:00! :)

The colors of fall

You know those wonderful stories of neighbors trading baked goods, celebrating holidays with barbecues and parties, children playing together in the cul-de-sac?

I would love to say that's exactly our experience. But... we're sorta the opposite.

For some reason, with all the really great people in the world, we drew the short sticks. Between the neighbor who threatened to kidnap and kill our cat, the neighbor who won't talk to us after we built a fence (on our property) to keep their big dog out of our yard, and the neighbor who would rather we run over her children than give a warning honk, we are surrounded by winners.

We keep to ourselves and pretend they aren't there. It's much easier that way.

One of our neighbors has a HUGE patio boat. In the non-summer months, it sits right behind our house - with the biggest, bluest tarp you're ever seen.

I came home Friday and laughed right out loud when I saw that it has returned to its hibernation spot. It was one of those laughs that you do so you don't cry.

The view of my beautiful garden from my bedroom window:

Tint up just a bit:

Oh, the colors of fall! Sigh.

Fortunately, my endorphins were flowing from my short shakeout run. Nothing could keep me down :)

I almost skipped my after-work-run but decided to brave the bluster.

It was a slow shortie to prepare for Sunday's race. I wore a jacket for the first time this year:

In motion:

Ah, the good colors of fall:

Finished up 2.5 miles at a 10:05 pace:

Just what I needed!

:)

Gratitude - 10/19

I am grateful for a downpour before my bicycle commute.
I am grateful for a slower, but productive, day.
I am grateful for an evening of organizing.
I am grateful for the promise of a fun weekend ahead.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" James 1:17 NIV

Long sleeves

It was chilly last night when Brad and I went for a short run around the neighborhood!

We both opted for long sleeves - haven't done that in a while.

Brad's re-entry plan called for just 2 miles, and I'm tapering, so that sounded great to me.

We ended up with 2.17 miles at an 8:58 average:

It's nice to have a running partner for accountability! Otherwise, I'm certain I would have skipped the run and stayed inside my warm, cozy house :)

Time to wax the skis!

There's not enough to ski on yet, but Mount Hood got its first dusting of snow yesterday!!!

It will be awhile before we have enough for winter sports, but I'm excited for the coming season :)