Track Practice

Well, my Quinn's running was a little bit short lived. We started track practices again tonight. Don't get my wrong, I'm very excited to be running track practices with the team but darn, I really wanted that t-shirt. Ben said that he's make up a track practice training shirt for me - let's see if he pulls through! It was darn cold tonight at practice - it's supposed to snow tomorrow so it was bitter cold - that's so hard to run it. It really didn't help that I grabbed my capri pants instead of my tights from my closet so my shins were a bit chilly. We did a pretty easy track workout - 1600(T), 800(I), 400(R) with 400(E) in between. It was so amazing to get back to our strength training afterwards - it had been so long since I'd done a squat and doing them next to Jim was even more motivating! I was a little sad to see everyone with their head lamps running by us doing Quinn's run but maybe once I get in better shape again, I'll do that run before coming to track. Jim did it .. Ben says we're not supposed to but we'll see. I want that shirt :)

Today's Miles: 4.5
Total Miles: 16.0

The Dreaded ... High Chaparral

I was successful in avoiding it all of last season but now that I'm a "leader", I couldn't continue it any longer ... I had to attend a training at High Chaparral Open Space, home of the worst hills in Team in Training history. It's an absolutely beautiful spot, with great views of Pikes Peak and Garden of Gods off in the distance, as you can see by the picture below.




The physical beauty is an absolute distraction from how killer the hills are. Coaches bring participants here in the beginning for some early hill workouts to build strength. Three hill runs are all people can handle. I was truly planning on running with the group this morning and pushing myself but a head cold really prevented me. I had been knocked out for the last few days and just didn't feel up to it. I went out and helped out and "mentored" the group and walked but honestly, didn't have it in me to run. Still got some time in on the feet but a little disappointed. Maybe one day when I really need a good workout, I'll drive myself down there and run the hills on my own .. maybe ..

Today's Miles: 2.5
Total Miles: 11.5

Gobble, Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving! Since I'm a "runner" now, I participated in my first ever "Turkey Trot". I was excited to be able to join the masses on Thanksgiving morning - and those people being those running a 5K around neighborhoods instead of those at an arena watching college basketball. Okay, please don't get me wrong, college basketball is what pays the bills but I'm enjoying not working on Thanksgiving. I was excited to be running a Turkey Trot. I got up on a BEAUTIFUL Thanksgiving morning - 50 and sunny - and ran with some buddies from Team in Training. I thought it was pretty enjoyable to run in capri pants, tank top, and long sleeve shirt - yes, that's it - pretty bizarre for the morning in late November. So, it wasn't my best 5K run ever due to the strike of the migraine around mile 2, as well as the most hilly course ever, but I crossed the finish like 38.05 minutes later. After spending a little bit of quality time with the running buddies, I went home to skype (video chat) with the family in CT for Thanksgiving dinner, stuff my face with cranberry sauce and apple pie (without feeling AS guilty because I burned 300 calories this morning) and watch the Dallas Cowboys win another amazing Thanksgiving Day football game. :)

Today's Miles: 3.0

Total Miles: 9.0

Jack Quinn's

Finally, after months and months of watching them run by us while we were at track practice, I was finally able to run a Jack Quinn's run!! Jack Quinn's is an Irish Pub downtown (yes, I love it!) that sponsors a weekly 5K all year long. It starts at the pub, runs around downtown, along the trail near the CC track and then finishes at the pub. If you get back early enough, you're greeted with pasta dinner and there's always half price beer. Yes, half price beer :) After you run 10 races, you receive a Jack Quinn's Running Club training shirt - the almighty coveted shirt. I've been wanting to do this all summer long but it's the same night as our TNT track practices so I haven't been able to. Well, we weren't sure if were going to be able to use the track at CC quite yet because of the lights and definitely weren't going to be able to tonight so a bunch of us decided to take advantage of it and run Quinn's. Jim, Sonja, Kelly, Russ and I ran it. Okay, not running for a month and trying to run a 5K with what I call "super runners" was a bit tough for me" but it was still fun". We set off with our head lamps and Jim and Sonja even walked with me for a bit. It was a lot of fun! Jim even treated me to beer afterwards ... I even strayed from Bud Light to a wheat beer ... but only by force :)

1 run down .. 9 to go. I'm hoping to have that shirt in my possession by the end of February!!!

Today's Miles: 3.0

Total Miles: 6.0

Timed Mile!

Yes!!! It's time to get started again. Today's the first official day of the Inaugural Spring Season of Team in Training. As we do with every season, we start off with a timed mile. It was nice to have the whole group together (huddled around the heater in the tent because it was only 25 degrees). They were excited and nervous and I definitely remember being in their shoes 6 months ago. We did our standard warm-up walk to the bridge and went to the track. One of the turns of the track was covered in ice so we had to modify - I have a feeling that we will be doing that a lot this season. We ran the mile - I ran a 10:50 - I think it's the fastest timed mile I have ever run. I was feeling pretty good, especially since it's the first time I've run since the half marathon over a month ago! I'm excited to get training and running again. I learned so much last season that I can use to my advantage this season and I'm looking forward to improving so much. I feel like I'm starting at the beginning again right now but I'm sure that will come back really quick. Day 1 to the Nashville Country Music Marathon done! :)

Today's Miles: 3.0
Total Miles: 3.0

Team in Training ... Part 2

As you've probably heard or read about, I had such an amazing experience with Team in Training as I prepared for the Denver Half Marathon. I had started off the season with the intent to run a full marathon but needed to adjust my goals mid-way during the season which is why I ran the half marathon last weekend. Well, I still have "running a marathon" on my "Life List" (aka my Bucket List) and I can't imagine doing it alone or without the love and support of Team in Training so I've signed up for another round. In fact, my mentor Jim has such a huge impact on my experience that I want to be able to have the same impact on future participants. Finding a cure for blood cancers and participating with Team in Training has become such a passion of mine that I know I can be such a positive influence on other people. I may not be the "super" runner that the current mentors and coaches are but I have such a positive energy and can really relate with those "brand new" runners because it was a position that I was in just 5 months ago. With all that said, I've signed up to be a mentor for the Winter/Spring Run/Walk team and I am so excited! We start training November 21 and I'm excited to meet the new group of runners and to keep up my running program. Despite the fact that I think it's going to be a very nasty winter (in fact, I'm writing this during our 5th snow of the season and it's not even November yet!), I am really excited to keep running. In fact, our new coach Ben (one of last season's captains) said that he will not allow me to train for another half marathon - it's time that I cross that full marathon off my list. I already have a great running base that I can keep building on so that running the full marathon will be "easier". I'm nervous - I've seen how hard it can be and how much effort it takes but there is no better time to do it than right now ... and I'm going to have the great support of the team again! Knowing that other people are looking up to me and relying on me is going to be even more inspiration for me to push harder.

Now I can say ... Nashville Country Music Marathon in April ... bring it on!

Notes of Congratulations

I received so many texts and phone calls after completing my half marathon that I thought it was only proper to write some of them here to have as a reminder of my accomplishments ...

Brian Smith: "You are my hero!  Good luck!"

Ashley: "Justin and I wish you all the best today!  You are in our thoughts.  Love you lots!  Go team goofy!"
Ashley: "Wow!!  You go girl!!  I'm honestly a little teary eyed right now .. I've been thinking about you all morning.  Be proud of yourself!"

Frank: "WAY TO GO DAWNIEPOO!!!!  I'm proud of you man ..."

Cara: "Man oh man, you rock girl!!  I love you so much and am so proud!"