Tag: running

13.1 miles of misery

13.1 miles of misery

by Hannah Schwartz ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
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Why am I doing this?

Well, I just finished my second half marathon. It wasn’t fun. All of my dreams of PRs and easy runs went out the window as soon as I felt the humidity at the start line.

I never got in a groove on this run. The first three miles weren’t bad, but usually I’m golden for miles 4-6, and this time it was a STRUGGLE.

This was the first run in months that I had to deal with humidity. I had gotten so used to running in the cool, humidity-less winter air that I forgot how much harder wet air makes running. It felt like I was running through a swamp.

I was doing “okay” through 8 miles. It was a struggle, but I was making it. I was chugging NUUN like it was my job. I was slogging along and every mile was getting slower. Finally, at mile 9, I just stopped. I couldn’t run anymore.

I had a GIANT, NASTY blister forming on my pinky toe. I couldn’t breathe. I was tired. My neck started hurting. My back was hurting. I sent Leah on her way, since she wasn’tdying as much as I was.

By this time, I was running along the Strip in Myrtle Beach. There was fun and games and roller coasters and seagulls. It started to be fun to just look around.

I was feeling very down on myself for failing. I had a plan, and I wasn’t going to make it. But I literally didn’t know how to quit. I had no idea how I would get back to the finish line unless I finished the race. I knew I just had to keep going.

I mostly walked for the last 4 miles. I still wanted to finish under 3 hours, so there were portions that I ran. I pushed myself to run to the next street sign, the next stop light, just over that last hill.

I found a pack of other people who were pushing to finish. I laughed with them. We made fun of ourselves for paying to do this. We pushed each other. We made snide comments about the very loud person with her obnoxious cheering behind us. Therewere people dressed up like the Knights Who Say Ni, including the coconuts to sound like horses. There were people cheering for us.

I could finally hear the finish line. I saw mile 13. I started running. I crossed the finish line running and smiling at 2:59:04. It was under 3 hours. I finished. I completed 13.1 miles.

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Oh yeah. For the medal.

My toe was like 10 times the normal size, and I was sweating through all of my clothes. I was also freezing because the sun decided to disappear. But I finished.

At the end of the day, it wasn’t the race I wanted, but it doesn’t matter. I still went all 13.1 miles and that’s all that matters. I finished.

 

Goodbye, Trusty Shoes

Goodbye, Trusty Shoes

by Hannah Schwartz ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Well, it’s officially time to retire my Brooks Ravena running shoes.

These are the shoes that got me through my first “real” 5k.

They were the ones that I wore when I ran for 5 miles straight without walking.

They were with me for a freezing cold 5.5K at midnight on New Year’s. They were with me for a rainy 15K that I was terrified to even start.

We’ve had a lot of ups and downs  together (Literally. We’ve been up and down a lot of hills together. And stairs.)

But now it’s time to move on. Look at these new shiny babies! I’m looking forward to more miles, more hills, more rain and more sunshine. Let’s start this adventure together, shoes!

Shamrock and Roll!

Shamrock and Roll!

by Hannah Schwartz ♥ 1 Comment

img_0599OK, remember when I said I was back on the wagon a couple of weeks ago? Yeah, I lied. But now I am. I think.

Saturday was another race – Shamrock 4 Miler. Since I had barely run at all since the 15k, I didn’t have very high expectations. My sister and I had already agreed that we wouldn’t run the whole thing. We were planning on taking walk breaks. The last time we attempted to run, we weren’t even able to run 2 miles without taking a walk break.

Flash forward to race day, when our friend Victoria informed us she was planning on running the whole 4 miles. We started off running, and we were able to finish the whole thing without walking. It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to something.

img_0601This race served as a reminder that I am stronger than my excuses. My body is capable of more than I give myself credit for. I’ve worked hard for several months, and I need to remember to keep pushing myself.

It’s so easy to fall into old traps and old habits, but I can’t do that anymore. Every race this year is going to be better than the last, and by November 3, I WILL be able to run the whole Half Marathon.

Back on the horse!

Back on the horse!

by Hannah Schwartz ♥ 1 Comment

It’s been over a week since I’ve written, and during that time, I’m basically just gone off the rails. I have eaten everything in site, existing on cookies and soda. I haven’t

exercised. I’ve gone back to watching mindless TV and I’ve stopped writing.

That ends today. Well, not the eating part. I ate like doo-doo today. But I did go running again, and it felt awesome. I ran for 1.35 miles, which is nothing compared to the 4 miles I’m running in less than 3 weeks, but it’s a good start.

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That face when you run for the first time in almost 3 weeks

It’s amazing how much of running is mental. The last couple of times I’ve attempted to go out running, I’ve convinced myself I couldn’t do it. I ran a few steps, then I gave up and went home. There was no reason for it, but I let my mind overtake my desire to be better.

Today, my entire focus during my run was the idea that my body was made to move. It was made to exert energy. It was made to push the limits. It was made to get off the couch and get into the fresh air.

The feeling while running is so hard to describe. It’s an amazing love/hate thing that my body does. It’s painful and exhausting, but it’s proof that I’m alive and capable of more than I ever thought.

Tonight, I’m reupping my commitment to working out, to running, to myself. This is it. Welcome back to the new me.

What I learned from my first long distance race

What I learned from my first long distance race

by Hannah Schwartz ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

OK, I did it. I completed a 15k. In the rain. Here are a few things I learned along the way:

1 – Don’t do a long distance race. Hahaha…just kidding. Actually, running across the finish line in this race was one of the proudest moments of my life. I had accomplished something, and it was big. All of my training, all of my stressing, all of my whining and excuses had finally come to this moment.

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FINISH LINE!

 

2 – That brings me to my next thought. An event like this requires a LOT of preparation. I knew I wasn’t actually ready for running this distance, but I gave it my best. I ran my first 5k in November. My longest actual run (without walking) was 5 miles on December 1. Since then, I’ve done several distance runs with walking breaks, so I knew this race would be a run/walk. I completed an 8 mile run/walk with just over 15 minute mile pace and I did a 10 mile run/walk with just under a 15 minute pace. The minimum pace for this run was 15 minute miles, so I knew I had to bring it. Luckily, I wasn’t alone so I brought it.

img_05173 – FIND FRIENDS TO RUN WITH! This was important for me. Since I’ve started this little running journey, I’ve been running with my sister. It’s great when we both push each other to keep going, but it’s not so great when we help each other make excuses. Overall, we’ve done a good job keeping each other on track getting ready for this race. Luckily, we had two co-workers who also wanted to run this race. One of them finished an hour before us (but waited for us at the finish line!) and the other stuck with us. It was awesome to have friends there encouraging, cheering me on, and keeping me going.

 

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Will run for chocolate!

 

4 – Most importantly, have fun! Everyone got into running for a reason, and I’m sure fitness was in there somewhere, but if you aren’t having fun, then why are you doing it? This particular race was awesome because it was the Hot Chocolate 15K. That meant awesome fuel during the race and an AMAZING post race snack. This race had the best swag of any races I’ve seen. All of the volunteers and staff were all friendly and happy to be there. It was such a great experience running with my friends and enjoying the day.

I am so glad I did this race, and I can’t wait for the next one. I have a 4 miler coming up in March, but no more long distance races until my half marathon in November. Let the training continue!

Tapering?

Tapering?

by Hannah Schwartz ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Ok, so now I’m 4 days out from my longest race yet, the 15K. I’ve been thinking a lot about tapering.

Since it’s hard to find anything about a 15K, I decided to read up on tapering for a half-marathon. I found this article from the Chicago Half Marathon that gave some good tips.

I did my long run 2 weeks prior to the race, but since then I’ve been slacking off majorly. It was my birthday. The weather was bad. It was Super Bowl Weekend. All kinds of excuses piled up and kept me from actually running.

Today I’m planning on running two miles and then I’ll run again on Thursday. Other than that, I’m not going to do much exercise. I’ll focus on stretching.

Nutrition wise, I’m really trying to focus on eating whole grains and protein. I made some chicken salad from rotisserie chicken, Greek yogurt and some spices which I’m going to eat with some whole wheat pitas. I’m also trying REALLY hard to avoid eating out and eating a bunch of greasy crap. Last week, I did horribly with that goal, so I’m hoping I do better this week.

Mostly, this week is about resting and getting mentally prepared for my longest race ever. Here’s hoping I don’t die!

Anyone have any brilliant advice for me on this?

One more week….

One more week….

by Hannah Schwartz ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

A week from today is the big day. The 15K I’ve been looking forward to (or maybe dreading…) is almost upon us. Now it’s time for tapering and preparing and possibly freaking out a little.

I can’t believe it’s almost here. I feel like it’s been forever since I signed up for it. I’ve been working hard to towards this since November, so I should be ready. Why don’t I feel ready??

Last week was my final long run before the race. It was a total of 10 miles, 7.75 of which was actual running. Or at least what I consider running. Other people may consider it jogging. Or somehow walking with both feet off the ground at one time. Whatever. The important part is I finished. And I think I learned a lot about what to expect next Saturday.

First of all, chafing is REAL, y’all. Like, Oh Em Gee. They weren’t kidding about that part of it. I scurried myself right over to the running store to buy some body glide stuff. That should make next Sunday much better.

I also realized that I need more fuel if I’m going to run that far. As a very slow runner, a 15K is going to take a long time. I went a little crazy at the running store buying some different energy things – gels, beans, sports drinks. I need to try them out, but I’m scared! I’ve heard all kinds of horror stories. I don’t think it would be a good idea to try them for the first time during the race, so I’ll need to figure that part out.

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Buy ALL the stuff!

Last, and most importantly, I realized that I can do it. I know it sounds cheesy, but I needed that long run to convince me. I’ve been working towards this for a long time, and on Saturday, I get to prove to myself that it was all worth it.

Besides, there will be chocolate at the end, and isn’t that worth running for??