Looking Back and Looking Ahead.

Ahhh... those rolling hills did a big number on my hamstrings and quads. They are S-O-R-E!
It felt as though I did a gazillion lunges. A good pain. Ooooh ... It hurts so good.

Saturday, after the half marathon, I contemplated a massage.
Saturday night, I believe I needed a massage. I got the boyfriend to do it because I just don't like stranger touching me. But he wanted to play chiropractor instead. Ugh!
Sunday was spent calling up friends and boyfriend's stepmom to see if she knows of any massage therapist within an 1-hour drive time radius.
And today, after work, I went and got a nice massage. It felt good. I feel like a new woman!
I am ready for a nice easy shake-out-the-stiff run tomorrow with Ms. M and Mr. R. :)

My next half marathon that I had registered will be on Feb 2011. I'm already itching to do another one before the year is over. I am looking at one in Northeastern Arkansas where we'll run along the White River. I don't know. We'll see!

With Saturday's half marathon, I have officially fulfilled my birthday wish I made last year when I turned 30. Here were the goals and (what I accomplished):

1. Run a half marathon before I turn 31. (And I just did that.)
2. Run 3 races before I turn 31. I ran 4 races (Three 5Ks and 1 half. One of the 5Ks was actually a trail run).

I feel pretty good now. I made my birthday wish come true! I feel quite powerful.  I feel I am ready for more running.

Before I end today's post, here's a quote I read a day before my half marathon and it gave me a different perspective.

When you don't think you can do something,
sometimes things just fall together really well on race day
and you totally surprise yourself.
So it's worth it to put yourself out there and take some chances.

Lisa Koll, U.S. distance runner and four time NCAA Division One Champion

My birthday is coming up soon. Stay tune for a celebration and more goals!

My First Virtual Race

I tried to complete this virtual race earlier this week - all 7.something miles of it. But because of a poor prerun hydration and nutrition, I struggled every bit along the way.  I logged 6 miles and also refrained from begging the boyfriend to drive me home.  Today, I wanted to finish the rest of it.

So, I started running this morning. About 1.8 miles into it, I knew I had completed that race distance. But I kept on going. I hated how I had to call the run off earlier this week, and I wanted to run nonstop, the entire race distance. And I did, plus a little bit more.

I am glad I did because I felt good after the run. Above is a picture of me, not wearing a blue top for a change after my 9 miles.

Here are the splits for this run:
Total Time: 1:53.39  Total Miles: 9:27 miles
11:51
11:50
11:51
12:10
12:18
12:20
12:34
12:39
12:42
3:21.91 (.27 mile)

It wasn't fast and I know I can do better. But I just don't really know what was going on with me. My legs felt a little heavy. My ankles just a tad tired. I felt like I could use a good massage - and I am not the kind of girl who likes to be massaged by strangers. Maybe I am a little tired?  Maybe I will continue running shorter distance (like 3 or 4 miles), but at a faster pace this coming week to give myself a little rest?  Ok, I have to laugh at myself when  I say 3 or 4 miles is a short distance. Haha. Six months ago, that would be my LONG RUN! Anyway ....  Do you have moments like these? Do you take a little break from running longer distance?