San Diego Rock n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon Race Review

lookatmommyrun — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:03:26 +0000

I did it 13.1 miles! I am not going to say it was easy but it defiantly wasn’t as bad as I thought. We spent Saturday hanging out in Old Town San Diego walking around taking in the sights. Then we headed to an early dinner and then attempted to get to bed early. Attempted would be the key word here. Two boys in a hotel room with two beds was a recipe for disaster! Needless to say I got zero sleep and 4:30 am came way to quickly. We decided to leave the hotel at 5:30 am so we would have 45 min to go 2 miles figuring we would have plenty of time. Boy was I wrong! it took 45 min to go just about 1 mile! I ended up having to get out of the car on the freeway off ramp and then had to walk up hill a couple of miles to get to the starting line. The race had already begun luckily I was in coral 34 and had a little time before they let us start. Then I attempted to wait in line for the port o potties which proved to be an interesting experience in itself! I was glad I listened to the tip about bringing you own TP!!!

Once we started running I soon figured out I was placed with the wrong pace group and had to quickly become skilled at weaving between walkers! The weather was perfect at the start I felt great and began to relax.

The first part of the course was kind of boring I was a little disappointed. Then we got to run through Balboa Park which was beautiful.

I was very happy that I paced my self because by mile 9 I still felt strong and knew I could finish!

The spectators were great I was surprised how many people came out to cheer on all of the runners. After mile 9 everything kind of became a blur to me all I could think about was seeing my husband, boys and my great friends who came out to watch. Once I spotted them it gave me the last little bit of energy I needed to finish strong. I even got a high five from my son which was great! I ran so fast to the finish after that I felt like I was going to throw up! Then I realized I was done and I had accomplished my goal that I worked so hard for. In 2 hours and 30 min I thought a lot about my life and all of the things I have to be thankful for.

My plan is to take some time off training for any races until summer is over. I will keep running a couple of times a week along with lifting weights. I will probably just be blogging sporadically since the kids are almost out of school and the summer is going to be busy. I am so thankful to all the people who supported me through this and hope to talk some of you into joining me in a few races in the future!

As far as doing The Rock n’ Roll event again I would probably say I am going to pass and save my money. The course was boring for the most part. The bands were not every mile ( I was glad I brought my iPod). The logistics for getting to the start line were crazy and the fact I had to walk 2 miles or more just to get back to my hotel after the race was no fun. The finish area was a mess and it was so hard to find my family. I am going to check into some smaller races that cost a lot less money and hopefully they will be a little more enjoyable.

Navy’s Bay Bridge Run Recap

lookatmommyrun — Mon, 17 May 2010 15:35:10 +0000

Yesterday was a good day for me I ran the Navy’s Bay Bridge Run. One year ago this was my first race and I can remember how scared I was. Saturday night I felt like I would not be nervous at all, I was defiantly wrong! I couldn’t sleep very well and I think I got maybe 3 hours of sleep. My alarm went off bright and early at 6am and I attempted to wake myself up ate some breakfast and headed to downtown San Diego. Once I got over there I realized that I had forgotten to take my medicine which defiantly didn’t help the race heart! I sat in my car for a bit because it was freezing outside then I decided to head over to the starting area. I got to stand in the dreaded port o potty line then I decided to take some pictures.

I stood in this line for about 20 min and it took me that long to figure out I was lined up in the walkers area. That is how nervous I was. Once I figured this out I went to find the runners area and waited for the race to start. It was very inspiring to see all of the wounded warriors start the race I cannot even imagine what they have gone through yet they still are able to run this race. I started to cry during the national anthem (I am a big cry baby) it always makes me think about what the men and women of the military have sacrificed for us. And of course how much my husband has sacrificed to be a Marine.

After all my nervousness and emotions I was glad for the race to start I turned on my iPod and began to rock out! Everything was good until we got to the mile of running up the Coronado Bridge. I stopped to walk for a min so I could get some video of the view and all of the runners. Then I pushed on determined to beat my time from last year. The rest of the race was a blur until I saw my boys and great friend Natasha at the finish line. I was so happy they came to cheer me on it makes such a huge difference. I sprinted to the end as fast as I could only to be stuck in a very long line to turn in our bib tags which was annoying because my official time was really off. I grabbed some snacks and went to find everyone.

Here is me after the race! Only 3 more weeks until the 1/2 Marathon. Things I learned from this race were to make sure not to forget my meds I am sure I would have run much faster is my heart rate was not through the roof. Make sure I am very hydrated the day before, and defiantly sleep more! Overall it was a good day and good practice for the 1/2 marathon.

Monthly Progress Pictures

lookatmommyrun — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:39:31 +0000

February March

April May

Beautiful Morning

lookatmommyrun — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:51:59 +0000

So far today has been great kids are off to school and I enjoyed a nice run around the lake. I even beat my time from last week. I am surprised how good my body feels after 12 miles on Sunday stretching does wonders!

I think I have found the perfect spot to stop and stretch after my run it is so peaceful!

I am going to take it easy for the rest of the week so I can rock the Bay Bridge Run in Coronado, Ca this weekend it should be a great time. Then it is back to the training plan!

Happy Mother’s Day

lookatmommyrun — Mon, 10 May 2010 01:41:17 +0000

Well it has been a great Mother’s Day besides the fact that I am stiff and sore from doing this!

Thats right I ran 12 miles!! I am happy I completed it and feel totally prepared for the 1/2 marathon. I won’t say that it was easy by any means but overall it was a good run. I tried to talk my self out of running so many times this morning but I am glad I stuck to the plan.

This is what I look like after 12 miles happy I accomplished something I never thought I could do!

The weather was perfect this morning! After taking a long nap my kids and husband took me out to dinner for Mother’s Day it was so nice to have everyone together and the food tasted awesome! I then hobbled home and I am looking forward to a relaxing evening watching movies with the hubby. I hope everyone had a great day!

Twas The Night Before My Last Long Training Run ….

lookatmommyrun — Sun, 09 May 2010 01:40:01 +0000

…And all in my head are doubts of completing these 12 miles ahead. My iPod is loaded with a new playlist. New clothes are layed out so there is nothing I’ll miss. Now time to get ready for bed so tomorrow I can tackle this long run ahead.

I am excited that this is my last long run before the 1/2 marathon I can’t belive that I have made it this far! I am hoping for some cool weather and to make it through with no injures. Good Night!

Getting Closer

lookatmommyrun — Wed, 05 May 2010 23:42:40 +0000

So tomorrow will be exactly one month until the 1/2 marathon. If I said I was totally ready and not nervous I would be lying. That fact is some days I feel like I am totally prepared and others I wonder why I ever thought I could do this. I am dreading my last training run this weekend 12 miles of nothing but my iPod and my thoughts is a little freighting. After that run though I can start tapering down my workouts to get ready. On top of all of this I have finals and my family to take care of. When this is all over I know I will be proud of my self and feel very strong. Until then I will just keep on training!

11 miles = Ben & Jerry’s!!!

lookatmommyrun — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 22:50:26 +0000

Well I did it 11 miles in a little over 2 hours! I’m not going to lie at times it was miserable and it took all I had not to quit. But I feel totally confident that I will be able to complete this 1/2 Marathon. I didn’t take many pictures because I just wanted to get done! But as you can see it was a beautiful day.

Now it is time to try out our new BBQ and then I think I deserve some Ben and Jerry’s ice cream!!!

8 More Weeks

lookatmommyrun — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:45:15 +0000

Until the San Diego Rock n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon! I am excited and scared at the same time. I just have to get through these next 8 weeks of training. I had to change the plan a little bit.

My goal is to still love running when I am done so I defiantly do not want to over train I will see how it goes.

So far the 30 Day Challenge is going well I started the week @ 156.8 lbs and this morning I was @ 153 lbs!! That is totally worth giving up diet soda. The surprising part is that is the only thing I have changed so it tells me that diet soda does have an effect on your body even if it has no calories.

I’m off to go enjoy the last day of my kids spring break with my kids!

Wonderful Day

lookatmommyrun — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:28:29 +0000

So far today has been great. I feel so luck to be living here and that I am able to enjoy this

with my boys whenever I want! We packed up and had a picnic at the beach this morning. I can tell how much I have changed in the last year. Last summer I would just have stopped to get fast food before heading to the beach because it was just easier. But not now I packed a yummy salad for me and a healthy lunch for my boys.

I was so happy to find juices @ Costco the were organic and had no HFCS in them.

I am kind of sad that my boys spring break is almost over but it will be nice to get back in to my routine. I ran outside again last night which was nice but my calves are killing me so I will do some strength training today and hopefully spin class tomorrow.

Now we are off to soccer practice. Hope everyone has a great day!