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Little Miami Half Marathon

The Little Miami Half Marathon and 10k race was Sunday August 12, at Phegly Park in Morrow, Ohio. The race is a fairly flat out and back course run on a shaded bike path along the Little Miami River. I signed up for the race just three days before as a last minute option to get in my long run for the week.

Two years ago, at the 2016 Little Miami Half, my goal for my fifth Half Marathon was to break 2:10 in the Half. Unfortunately, that day I missed my target by just four seconds because I was feeling tired and ultimately gave up towards the end of the race.

Returning to this race, for what would be my 24th Half Marathon, I did not quit and instead finished with a new PR of 1:52:38.

Packet pick up was held Friday or Saturday at Buckeye Running Company. There was also an option for pre-race pick up in the morning before the race.

Choosing to head to the Buckeye Running to browse around and take advantage of the 20% in store discount offered that day to race participants, I received a white, woman’s cut, tech shirt, and stocked up on a few gels for race day.

Race morning was fairly uneventful. Although a few of my friends and teammates were also at this race, I didn’t end up seeing anyone I knew. I started by myself and just ran.

Running in the heat of August, I had no expectations for finishing times. My previous, disappointing, experience at this race was in the back of my mind, but this time I would not be defeated . My goal was simply to run a consistent race.

After a steady and strong run, I finished in 1:52:38 with an even split and just over a minute PR, placing 108th out of 357 finishers, and 8th out of 31 woman on my age group. Here is the Bling.

After the race, I ate a banana, a bagel, and a cookie. I talked to a few people, and asked a random woman to take a picture of me in front of the train, before heading home.

Brooks Launch 4

As someone with a November birthday, I typically wait until Black Friday to pick out a gift for myself.  Last year I happened to find a year end holiday sale on the Brooks Website and scored a pair of Brooks Launch 4 on sale for $69.99.

Brooks Launch is a lightweight, neutral running shoe with a 10mm drop and responsive cushioning. I picked the Anthracite / Beach Glass color combination to match the Frost Blue band of my Garmin 235 watch.

After previously wearing the Brooks Pureflow 5, I transitioned into this shoe with no issues. In fact it never even felt like I was “breaking in” new shoes. I absolutely love the fit and look of this shoe, and the reminder on the teal ends of of the shoelaces to Dig Deep.

I like this shoe so much I recently ordered the next model, Brooks Launch 5, on sale of course.

1/2 Way to Christmas Half Marathon

All I want for Christmas is another PR, or two.

The 1/2 Way to Christmas is a fun Christmas themed race in July, with events including a 1/2 Marathon, 1 mile, 5k, 10k, and a Beast 3 race challenge. All races are on the Great Miami Recreational Trail in Miamisburg along the river, and include Christmas themed aid stations, finisher photos, and breakfast with Santa after the race.

This was my 2nd year running the Half Marathon. Last year at this race I attempted to break 2 hours in the Half Marathon for the first time, but it didn’t happen.

Packet pick up was Friday night at Star City Brewery in downtown Miamisburg, a block away from the race start. I received my ugly Christmas shirt, pint glass, finisher Christmas tree ornament medal, and race bib.

The morning started with a Christmas tree lighting at 6:30am, followed by the Half Marathon start at 7am. I lined up with the 1:50 pace group which is slightly aggressive pacing for me.

I had a strong first half of the race and an unexpected 10k PR (51:32) during my Half Marathon. I ran with the pacers Peter and Jen for the first 7 miles, before slowing down to my own pace. I finished in 1:53:43 which was over a minute PR.

According to Strava it was a 5 PR day! Merry Christmas in July.

The post race party was at Star City Brewery for breakfast. The food included Fruit, Bacon, Egg Scramble, and Christmas Cookies, as well as juice and coffee, and a free drink coupon.

Personally, I don’t believe in Santa Claus. I prefer to think my blessings are from God. Although it is fun to say these PRs are an early Christmas present, they are actually the result of nine weeks of consistent training, and waking up before 5:30 am, six days a week to run or cross train.

Merry Early Christmas! Happy 1/2 Way to Christmas. 🙂

Brooks PureFlow 5

I was first drawn to this particular Brooks model for its bright colors and brilliant teal green laces. While I admit appearance should not be the deciding factor in choosing a running shoe, this is an attractive design and the color scheme caught my attention. While looking for trail shoes, at the annual spring sale at Runners Plus, I couldn’t resist picking up my first pair of Brooks.

The PureFlow 5 is 7.8 oz with a 4 mm drop and extremely comfortable to wear. The sizing is slightly smaller than usual and I would have preferred to go up a 1/2 size.

This shoe is lightweight and well made. As someone with sharp toenails prone to poke through the top of a shoe, I was especially impressed with the durability of the upper, which is a no-sew, 3D print construction.

My Brooks have travelled with me to Michigan for a 7 mile run, and to Alabama for the Mercedes Half Marathon. They have run over 600 miles with me and participated in numerous races. In the past 10 months my PureFlows have run PRs in the 1 mile, 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, and Marathon.

As a first time Brooks wearer, this shoe did not disappoint. I think I may have found my new sole-mate. Today I attempted to order another pair, of the same shoe in a different color. I look forward to continuing to run in Brooks.

One thing I love about big races are all the awesome signs spectators hold up with funny quotes.

Here is my collection of Pig themed quotes from the Flying Pig Marathon.

“Pig Up the Pace!”

“May the Pork be with You”

“Running on Bacon & Legs”

“Go Pig or Go Home”

“I like Pig Butts and I cannot lie”

“This Little Pig Chaffed All the Way Home”

“PIGnore the Pain”

“Bacon Ahead”

2018 Americana 5k

A great way to celebrate July 4th is to start off the morning with a 5k race with over 1000 other runners. This was my first time running the Americana 5k. I signed up because my daughter wanted to run.

Packet Pick Up was at Up and Running on July 2nd or July 3rd. I was eating dinner the night before the race when suddenly I remembered we needed to pick up our packets. Fortunately it is only a three minute drive to the store, and we got our shirts and bibs with just minutes to spare.

The race started at 7:30 at Centerville High School. We arrived by 6:45am before the road closures.

This is an out and back run starting at the school and finishing with a loop around the Centerville Track.

I finished 24:12 which was 214 over all and 7th in my Age Group. My daughter Jaina finished in 26:25.

Although we didn’t win we stayed for the awards, and ended up each receiving one of the random door prizes including samples of a UCan Cinnamon snack bar, UCan hydrate, and UCan Simple starch.

After the race my daughter took a few pictures of me. Then I took my kids to the festival and we literally walked another 5k.

We used the Chipotle coupons, that we received with registration, the next night for dinner.

When people first hear that I have run a marathon they often respond by telling me that they “could never do that.” This is usually followed by a list of reasons why they can’t run, including numerous health issues, previous injuries, medical concerns, or simply a lack of time.

As Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you are right.”

I happen to really enjoy running, but I don’t assume everyone else shares my passion for marathons.

Each of my marathons takes months of training and includes running between 300 to 400 miles, often waking up early to train or run, and sacrificing time that could be spent doing something else.

Running is my jam, but maybe it isn’t yours. If you choose not to run a marathon or any other distance, you don’t owe me any explanation. If you are not currently training for a Marathon I wouldn’t expect you to run one anyhow.

2018 The Glo Run Night Race 5K

On June 23rd at Welcome Stadium, runners light it up at the 5th annual Dayton Glo Run. New options for this years race distances included a 5k, 10k, or Half Marathon, either a chip timed event or fun run.

After finishing 3rd overall female at the 5k the past two years I came back to improve my time, and attempt another top finish.

Packet Pick Up was at Up and Running, where I received a t-shirt, headlamp, and bib. I did not pay extra for any extra Glo this year. Instead I bought my own rechargeable LED shoe clips on Amazon.

There was a last minute pre-race pick up option well, for those who needed it, but it was not recommended.

I opted not to wear my headlamp, because I didn’t like the way it fit. I did, however break the rule of not wearing new gear, with a new tank top and the led shoe clips I had not previously tested.

The 5k and 10k race started at 9:40 pm at Welcome Stadium, where runners lined up according to pace. First in the chute were the 6 and 7 minute milers. There were only a handful of guys in this group and I did not see any other woman. I can run a 7-1/2 minute pace so I lined up with the 7 minute group and ended up toward the front. Next the 8 minute milers were called to line up, followed by the 9 minute pace, and so on until everyone was lined up and ready to go.

Runners turned on their headlamps, for a quick instagram video of everyone at the starting line. After a countdown the gun was fired and we were off.

I was the leading woman for almost half the race with a 7:11 first mile. I was passed by 2 woman right before the turn around, and a third woman who seemed to cut me off at the turn around and may have cut the course.

This is an out and back course that exits the stadium and runs across the bridge and down the street, before returning and finishing with a loop around the track.

With a time of 24:15, I was the 4th Overall Female finisher. I was pushed back to 5th place, by another woman with a faster overall time who finished behind me.

The top three finishers were not announced this year. I received a finishers medal and a second medal for 2nd place in my age group.

The Glo run is put on by a Chicago based company All Community Events, and markets this race on OhioRuns.com. In my opinion it is slightly overpriced for a 5k and each year seems to include less Glo. There were glowing arches that we started and finished under, and a glowing mile mark at mile 1.

I will most likely run this race again simply because I enjoy running at night, and of course there is always the possibility of another top finish or win.

I was reminded of this Cross Country quote earlier this week when one of my athletes mentioned training through a heat wave. Focusing on this positive mental mantra is very helpful to get through summer training, withstanding the heat and humidity that often slows down runners.

After only a few weeks of heat exposure, the body can acclimate. Heat training increases blood plasma volumes which helps muscles get more oxygen and delays muscle fatigue.

Training through the heat of summer will lead to faster finishing times in the fall. So let’s run summer miles, and allow them to bring fall smiles.

2018 Heights Half Marathon

May 19th was the 7th annual running of the Heights Half in Huber Heights.

This is a relatively flat out and back USATF Certified course, starting at the Huber Heights YMCA and running through the residential neighborhoods of the Huber Heights community.

I first learned of this race through the running in the USA website, which is one of my favorite resources for finding races. It is a great tool, and can be used to search for events by distance or location all over the country.

A few friends of mine from my local running group also recommend this race, stating it was a flat course and there would be age group awards.

I stopped by the packet pickup held at the Huber Heights YMCA on Friday afternoon during my lunch. It was approximately 15 minutes away from work, and by heading out on Friday I would be certain of where I needed to be on race day. The pick up was quick and I received a technical shirt and bib for my race.

Race Day

The Half Marathon started at 7 am, followed by a 5k at 7:30.

I started off the the race with one of my Five Rivers Teammates, Brian, but after the first mile realized he was a bit faster than me, and I intentionally slowed myself down. I was running almost the exact same pace as my last Half Marathon.

One thing I especially enjoy on an out and back course is seeing and passing the other runners along the course, and counting each runner to determine my current rank. At the halfway point I was in 20th place and 5th Overall Female. I was running strong and fairly consistent 8:45 pace. My goal was to stay at a steady pace and try to hold on to a top 20 finish. I passed a few people along the way and finished 1:55:43 for 16th overall and 4th Female. I also won 1st in my Age Group and received an additional medal.

According to Strava this was a PR, however my official time for my last race was 1:54:59. Perhaps the two races were not the exact same distance, or I didn’t hit the tangents just right. I will simply have to run even faster and get another PR, that way I won’t have to wonder which one of these is my real PR.