The road to redemption

After a nice two week break, I ran the Newburyport GreenStrides Half marathon today. Similar name, definitely not a similar experience to Newport.  In fact, so different that I almost titled this post, SUCK IT NEWPORT.  But, that wouldn't be very adult of me, now would it? So I opted for a more mature title, even if I am still thinking the other in my head.  Actually, I thought that a lot on my last few miles this morning.  Because it turns out, it wasn't the hills or the weather, it was just a bad day last time.  Finishing this half in 1:49 has given me a good sense of redemption and I feel better about the whole running career thing again.  Don't you worry, I'll stick in my official results and my Garmin map so you can see my pace, which matches up in the splits to be a lot more consistent than it looks on the map.  Seriously, if I went by the graph, it looks like my pace and heart-rate were doing their own thing but it didn't seem like that.  I'd also like to take a moment to point out that someone told me recently that 176 BPM is not a sustainable heart rate for a long distance run. To that person, I'd like to point out that you were wrong.  It may not be the BEST choice for a heart rate, but it was sustainable.
There are a couple of things I would like to say about this race.  Number one, the porta-potty situation has got to get under control.  Sure, I used them when the lines were short, but by now you would think that there would be an endless row of potties for the amount of people that are expected to show up.  I'm fairly certain that most of the people in the lines did not make it to the race start on time.  Number two, this course was a lot better than I remember it being.  Last time I ran it, we were a week out from doing MCM and I wasn't aiming for a PR or anything.  I do remember not loving the course though, and thinking that there were more hills than necessary.  This time around it didn't seem nearly as hilly and honestly, the miles flew by.  There were crowds in helpful places too.  The worst part was the finish.  This didn't change from 2013.  You come around a bend and suddenly you're on a wooden walkway, surrounded by cheering people on both sides. Lovely and inspiring, but tight if you're trying to beat it to the finish line.  Nearly impossible to pass, even though I managed it.  Sure, I smashed into someone's elbow, but when you're trying to get across that line before the clock hits 1:50, anything goes.  (Sorry unknown lady, hope your elbow was ok.)  So, I wish they would have a wider finish area.  I was in a pretty good clump of people, so there was a bit of a bottleneck effect going on, which is not ideal when you just want to be done.  I'm definitely going to have to go back to 2013 and read my original thoughts on this race now, but I really did enjoy the run.  Oh and I got my free slice of pizza afterwards, so that's a double win.  We also watched an adorable proposal at the finish.  The girl came around the bend with her friend and the boyfriend was waiting just in front of the line.  He proposed, she said yes, he carried her across the finish line, the friend puked 3 times, it was really romantic.  Ok, maybe not for the friend, but at least it's a story she'll never forget.  I'm probably going to have to get another new pair of Hoka's soon, but I suppose that's the price you have to pay for wanting to run Boston.  Plus, the shoes are totally worth the money as far as impact absorption goes.  As far as running goes, that's about it for now, nothing else new to report.  I'm working on that fundraising, so keep on DONATING if you're feeling generous. To all the Gibbs' and other family members that have already donated, thank you so much!
And now, pictures and my map

Official time. 

Best race swag this year

And my after run lunch.  Sure, I probably should start eating breakfast BEFORE the runs, but this worked too.

Pssst

Shh...I know I said I wasn't going to update anymore until after the marathon.  Then, on Saturday morning I realized how many nerves actually come along with a marathon, so here I am.  Honestly, I didn't think it was possible to be this nervous/excited/anxious/ready/not ready for one race.  If you don't follow current events you wouldn't know that just one week ago, there was a distinct possibility that the marathon could actually be cancelled, due to the government shutdown.  Luckily for the 30,000+ registered runners, that got resolved (for the moment) re-opening national parks and monuments, and freeing up the course.  So now the threat of cancellation is gone, the marathon is just 6 days away, and I am READY! OOH-RAH
At least, that's what I keep trying to tell myself in between my moments of panic.  Maybe it's crazy, but I keep thinking of all the what-if moments.  What if I miss the start time, what if I can't find my running group, what if I get injured, left behind, picked up by the straggler bus....  I have a hundred more what if's too, they just keep running circles in my head.  I've been doing my best to ignore these swirling thoughts, but it is HARD!
I know I'm as ready as I can be.  I ran the 20 miles, I did the long runs, the short runs, cross training, everything the experts say you should do.  Perhaps I didn't follow the best diet, but I didn't go too crazy, eating junk all the time.  When I ran, I ran with gels, gus, gummy bears, belvita, and anything else I thought would give me the extra kick when I was starting to slow down.  I carried water, timed my runs, and ran in all types of weather.  From an outside point of view, I couldn't be more prepared.  Yet I still can't get rid of the nerves. Sunday seems so close and so far, so exciting and so scary.  Honestly I never knew one person could feel so many conflicting emotions at the same time, and not explode.
In preparation for Sunday I ran a few races last week.  On Columbus day I ran a 5k around Lake Quannapowitt with Cynthia and Murdock.  We ran for time but didn't really make it.  I keep telling myself that's because we haven't been speed training, so it's not a big deal.  But still, I felt kind of pathetic not being able to make a 5K in under 25 minutes, when I've done it before.  Just yesterday I ran one more half in Newburyport.  The race officials said it was flat, but I disagree.  There were plenty of hills to be found throughout the course.  Overall it wasn't bad, but there was a stretch between 11 and 12 that was all industrial park which killed the scenery.  Usually we run together for runs like this, but Murdock decided to run for time, so he took off, and Cynthia got stepped on and fell behind.  I didn't realize I had lost Cynthia until long after she fell back, so I ended up running it alone.  Not a big deal except that it was sort of boring and I only had myself to talk to.  When I needed an extra push I had to talk myself through it in my head, which really made the last 3 miles long.  Since I wasn't really running for time, I wasn't pushing extra hard.  However, when I was close to mile 6 I realized I might be able to beat my best 10K time, so I pushed it just a bit.  Unfortunately, I still missed my best time by a few seconds.  Again at mile 12 I realized I was right on the cusp of hitting another sub 2, so I tried to power through, but still ended up coming in at 2:01.  Considering this was only my 3rd half, it wasn't a big deal, but I was kind of bummed that I didn't make the 2.  This was the first course where I had spectators on the side lines cheering me on, so that was nice, especially since they were at the end, miles 10 and 12.5 respectively.
Of course I've been keeping up with boxing as well.  Even though I have no idea if it's actually helping, I try to go to at least 3 classes a week.  Last week I went to 4, which I think was a mistake when I was planning on running a half.  Since the marathon is on Sunday, I'm planning on only going to the Tuesday and Thursday classes.  I really like the Thursday afternoon class because the trainer makes us work real hard, but the kickboxing has been leaving giant bruises on my shins.  That part I'm not a fan of.  And of course, I'm panicked about breaking a toe or some other crazy mishap that would take me out of the marathon at the last second.  Basically, I want to lock myself up in a padded room until Sunday, but I want to stay overly busy to not think about Sunday at the same time.  At least the boxing helps channel some of the nerves into power, so there's that.  Anyways, I'm trying my best not to over-think this whole thing and remember to enjoy the experience when I'm there on Sunday, but it's proving very difficult.  In the meantime, here are some pictures from the past few weeks.

The Electric Run at Gillette.  That wig did not stay on long.

Handing out water at the Stone Tower 5K/15K

5K around Lake Q

Pre-race, all pumped up.

Post-race, all tired out.

Post race.  I know I look like a 12 year old.

kickboxing bruises. Owwwww

A note from a 5th grader, always nice to hear when you're turning 29. 

Birthday flowers from Ryan! (I mean, Nala and Stella, according to the card) They smell and look awesome.