WARNING: This is a low self esteem post…
I wish I was as photogenic in my race photos as Zeddie Little is in his.
Oh Zeddie........
Zeddie looks happy, and effortless.
And then there is me……
I'm pretty sure those people in the background are judging me.
I look tired, and miserable. Also equipped with freaky legs.
As a note to myself – always look for photographers in races. And have a freakin’ smile on your face!!!
That is all for now.
-Ali
Rock the Parkway half marathon is a race I have wanted to do for the last few years. And yesterday, I finally ran it!
I had planned to run this race as hard as I possibly could. My overall goal was running this thing under 1:40, however I thought it would be awesome to run it under 1:36:30 (my 2011 best).
As race day approached, the weather forecast looked worse and worse. Come race day, the high was mid 70’s, with high chances of thunderstorms, as well as high humidity. Obviously these details weighed heavily on my mind…BUT I was still ready to bust my booty and run as hard as I could!
Saturday morning, Stacy and I left for the race. Stacy was a pacer for the 1:55 group, and I planned to run with the 1:35 pace group. The pacers use a Smart Pace Strategy, therefore I knew it would be a good idea to try to run with them. They would get me to the finish, and help me run a smart race.
Ready, Ready, Ready, Ready, Ready to RUN!
Awesome medals...that I was scoping out pre-race.
Obviously I was here very early...before anyone had even lined up for the start!
The first 6 miles, I was rockin! I felt good, and was truckin right along with my pace group. Then mile 7 hit…and I thought I might DIE. I started to lose my pace group, and also lose my mental strength.
The next few miles were TOUGH. I wanted to stop, I wanted to walk, I wanted to crawl on the curb and see if I could find someone to drive me to the finish (for real, no joke). But I didn’t. And I found my “dig deep” surge that I really needed.
I managed to finish the race like I started…STRONG. I gave that last mile everything I had in me, and didn’t give up until I crossed that finish line.
My final finish time was a 1:38:24.
That extra .05 could totally take off 2 minutes, right???
Check out 8, 9, 10, 11....obviously I was havin' some issues!
This time met my goal of breaking 1:40, but did not meet my goal of breaking 1:36:30. Therefore, I was let down.
Let down but still with a BIG smile on my face!
I appreciate everyone who so kindly tells me that the weather sucked, and that on a good weather day, I could have met my goals. I do believe that the weather slowed me down, but I do not believe that it would have helped me meet my big goal. Truth is, I probably didn’t train like I needed to, and I will be the first to admit that.
Next year, I plan to run Rock the Parkway again, if it isn’t too close to BOSTON (I say that in all caps because I am so freaking excited already). And next year, I plan to ROCK it even more than I did this year. The course was awesome, and the organization of the race was great. Anyone looked for a great Kansas City race needs to add Rock the Parkway to their list.
Thank you for all of your support before and after race day. It meant SO much, and I cannot wait to return the favor to all of you when you are working hard towards something!
XO,
Ali
PS. Not sure if you remember that I was running this race VIP status (bc I registered late and did anything I could to get in the darn thing), but I wanted to show you the amenities that came with VIP racing. I do not have a photo of my VIP parking spot, because I could not ever find the VIP parking lot.
Here are some additional photos for your viewing pleasure…
The VIP parking pass, that was never put to use
The VIP tent.........
OK, this might have made it worth the $150 registration fee.
WOW, I cannot believe it is already time to run Rock the Parkway half marathon!
I have been preparing for this race since January, with the hopes of running my little heart out. I never officially made a training schedule for this race, but I believe I kept myself on a pretty solid mental plan throughout.
With all the preparations I made for the race, I had planned on having a good day. But now, I am starting to freak out a little bit. I am NOT trying to make excuses, I am only talking through my pre-race anxiety on this post 🙂
There are two main things I am freaked out about…
Take a look at the weather forecast for tomorrow (source: Weather.com).
This weather is no bueno when trying to run a super fast race. I start at 7:30am, and it will be hot even then. It will also be windy, with a 60% chance of storms. I won’t even think about the humidity yet…
I have been running with asthma my entire life. I don’t know what it is like to run without it. Usually I can get by just fine, but every once in awhile I struggle. Right now, I seem to be struggling.
I am not sure if it is the change in seasons, or the warm weather, but I am a wheezin’ machine. I actually heard myself wheezing this morning after walking up stairs. Which is totally awesome considering I have to run a half marathon tomorrow.
Because of this current breathing situation, I will be forced to run with my inhaler tomorrow. The thought of having to give myself puffs of an inhaler while running 7 minute miles makes me cringe. But hey, I have done it before – and can do it again!!
………………………………………………………………………
So here is what I need from you all…I need you to give me some encouragement. I also need to hear some inspiring stories of people running great races in hot weather while not being able to breathe.
I am counting on you all…please don’t let me down!
And by the way, TGIF!!!!
xo,
Ali
Well, it’s about dang time that I update the blog with my spring race schedule.
It appears that I have been a little ambitious this year…but I am pretty excited for the next two months! Each race I signed up for has a story. So sit back, relax, and wish me luck!
I have heard this is a great race, so this year I decided I had to run it! Well, I went online to register (3 months in advance) and read ‘SOLD OUT’. I panicked.
I began stalking the website and harassing the race directors to let me in. Finally, they announced on their facebook page that they would be offering 50 VIP Registrations for the bargain price of $150 (when the race sold out, the registration cost was $50). So of course, I signed up. BUT on race day I get to potty VIP, and park VIP. So be jealous.
The Kansas Half Marathon will be my first adventure in Pacing. I will be pacing the 1:55 group with my dear friend and running buddy Stacy.
Although this race is the day after my 26th birthday, I am still excited to wake up in the dark (at the same time I would normally go to bed on my birthday) and head to Lawrence, KS to run.
If you are running this race, or know someone running, hit me up and come by my pace group!
I recently signed up for the Chicagoland Marathon. I will be running this marathon with Diana, and the goal is to get her a BQ.
The pressure is on to the be the best pacer ever and get Diana to her goal. The pressure is also on to ensure that I can run another Boston Qualifier time!! Eek!
Apparently the course for this race was just updated, and will basically be an out and back times 4. Yes, you read that right – TIMES 4!!! I hope we don’t get too bored. I think I might actually put together an Agenda of things to discus during this 26.2.
I ran the 5K of this race back in the day (like, way back…I think I was 10). This year I will be running the Half Marathon with my BFF, Nicole!
This race will kick off the week of wedding festivities for Nicole’s big day. Nicole will be getting married on June 9th, and I am Maid of Honor. This race will be wedding themed for Nicole and I…and costumes will be a must.
So what do you think about the spring race schedule? Do you have any tips or suggestions to keep my legs moving through June?
I would also love to hear about the races you are running this spring, so please share!
XO,
Ali
miles with style 