Savannah Rock n Roll Half Marathon Recap 2014

My very first half marathon was from the Rock n Roll series in St. Pete, FL so I decide to give Savannah, GA a try.  A girls' weekend with my Suncoast Strider running peeps.

With a new marathon PR under my belt, I wanted to run a half marathon under 2:00 hours.  I wasn't sure if Savannah would be the place I'd try or if I wanted to enjoy my run.  Because let's face it, if I'm trying to PR or beat a time, I'm not enjoying the pace I have to keep.  I picked up a free pace bracelet from the expo incase I decided to go for under 2 hours...at an average 9:09 pace for 13.1 miles.  Yikes!

photo by David

I had a great time at the Savannah Rock n Roll Expo!  Some of the vendors had discounted shirts, jewelry and PB2 for only $5.  I loved getting deals at this expo instead of everything being full price.  After a little sight seeing, dinner and hotel drama, I settled in for a fantastic night sleep.  The start corrals were literally right in front of our hotel on Bay Street.



Pre-race team pic, photo by David

The weather was a cool 46 degrees and crisp with humidity.  I had another throw-away jacket from Goodwill to keep me warm while I waited in my corral for the race to start.  I decided to try for a 2 hour finish time.  I honestly didn't think I'd get close because my weekday runs sucked since Chicago and I didn't do any runs longer than 6 miles.  My friend, Patty, offered to try to pace me for a 2:00 finish time.

My corral started shortly after 7:00am.  After warming up, I tossed my jacket about a quarter mile into the course.  Patty and I were going strong, keeping a nice pace.  I wasn't used to running with Patty and knew she ran faster than me so that pushed me a little because I didn't want to hold her back.  At about mile 3 when I started to feel the effects of my exertion, I told Patty that she didn't have to stay with me if she wanted to take off, but she stayed.

I ate a vanilla GU with caffeine WHILE I RAN.  I finally mastered that task while running.  Yeah me!!  If only I could drink water without spilling or pouring it up my nose, while running.  That caffeine GU gave me a boost!  I felt great for the next couple of miles.

I loved the course so far with even streets and cheering spectators along the way.  Handmade signs always make me smile.  This race my favorite was "You've got stamina, call me".  The water stations were well managed and the GU station was clearly visible.  At about mile 7, Patty needed to slow down but she told me to keep going.  I felt great so I continued on the course.

I needed some energy around mile 10 so I tried the salted watermelon GU.  Not my favorite, nor will I try it again.  According to my free pace bracelet, I was more than a minute behind pace.  At this point, I stopped looking at my Garmin and pace bracelet and just ran the 5K I had left.  I knew I wouldn't be under 2:00 but thought I could still PR.

The last part of the course (it felt like a mile but was probably a quarter mile) was a continuous incline to the finish line.  I had a little bit of a sprint in me as I crossed the finish line with a new PR of 2:02:26!

photo by David

You can't see the chocolate milk in my right hand but it was cold and delicious after running 13.1 miles.  I drank two!

photo by David

photo by David

We ran in support of Friedreich's Ataxia, a progressive neuro-muscular disease, for Team Gavin & Team Mike.  With permission from his doctor, Mike ran the entire half marathon!  We were so proud of our fellow Strider and his accomplishment!

Mike in blue surrounded by his supporters

It was another beautiful day in gorgeous Forsyth Park where we got to see Phillip Phillips in concert!  We sang along, danced and enjoyed life.

5K: 28:55
10K: 57:36
10 miles: 1:32:53
Division: 187/1195
Gender: 1308/7327
Overall: 2709/10603
Avg pace: 9:20
Chip time: 2:02:26

My next half marathon is in 3 weeks at Space Coast.  Will I get under 2:00???

Best Damn Race Recap 2014

This was my first time running The Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, FL on Feb 1.  I ran the half marathon, my 9th half.  The half distance is usually my favorite distance.  I got this race done but it definitely wasn't MY best damn race.

Originally, I wanted this to be the race I finished in under 2 hours.  After my PR at the Space Coast half of 2:06, I thought this was a reasonable goal.  But come to find out, if I don't run regularly, the half marathon distance of 13.1 miles really SUCKS.  Hmm, who would have thought?!

I only ran once since the Disney Marathon back on January 12.  It was hot and humid on race morning.  I'm used to running on flat trails and the BDR course was anything but flat.  Yes the max elevation was only 82 ft. but the multiple little inclines were killers for me with my lack of training.

 

 

Because I registered for BDR early, I got free race photos! I thought it was only one race photo but it was ALL of my race photos.  How cool is that!  Thanks BDR and J Ryan Photography.

Thumbs up and still smiling for the camera but certainly not feeling this race.

 

 

I surrender!  Can someone carry me to the finish line?

 



 

 

This looks more like a shuffle than a run.  I was near the finish line and probably at about mile 11.

 



And this face about sums up how I felt at the end of BDR.

I earned a cool sailboat medal with a spinning sail, ate a Jimmy John's sub as part of the post-race food and hung out with friends.  Awesome!  My friend Mica even PRed with a time under 2:30.

Age Group Place: 59/117
Gender Place: 368/736
Overall Place: 705/1190
Chip Time: 2:19:49.8
Average Pace: 10:40/M

Starting this week I'm back to a regular running and workout schedule.  I can't run half marathons without proper training....well I can, but I hate it the whole time.

12 Weeks of Revolt Fitness

I completed 12 weeks of the Revolt Fitness program.  Go ME!  Other than running, that's the longest I've stuck with a fitness program.  Revolt really does make it easy with short workout videos lasting about 30 minutes and an easy to follow meal plan with normal food.

This is my last week blogging about Revolt Fitness but I plan to stay with the program. I do love it and have everything I need at home.

I really don't want to post before and after pictures.  Those just don't need to be out there for the world to see.  But I will post my total stats.

 

 

I'm afraid this is the most you'll get as far as an after picture goes...one half of me in a 2 piece bathing suit. This is from July 12 when I was in Jamaica.  I can say that after my weeks with Revolt, I'm ok with having bathing suit pictures "out there" which was not the case before Revolt.

I hope you've enjoyed learning about Revolt Fitness and following my journey over the past 12 weeks.

Revolt Fitness costs $10 a month. There are no sign up fees or contracts and you may cancel at any time. That's cheaper than a gym and you workout in the comfort of your own home.

Sign up for a FREE week at Revolt Fitness.  Find out if Revolt is the program for you!  You will have access to a start up guide, 1 week of workouts/videos with 3 different fitness levels, and 1 week of meal plan with 6 different calorie levels.

Sign up for your free week at Revolt Fitness.


Disclaimer: I was given a free membership to Revolt Fitness in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Revolt Fitness Week of July 8

For the week of July 8th, I was on vacation in Jamaica.  I had every intention of doing my Revolt Fitness workouts, really I did.  I brought workout clothes, shoes and my tablet to watch the videos.  This was a kid free vacation so I knew all my time was my own.

What's the saying about best laid plans....  The resort did have a gym but only the lobby had Wi-Fi.  Our room didn't even have Wi-Fi.  I could have printed out the workout sheets but that didn't happen.  Oh well!  It was a much needed break!  I did use my tennis shoes....to climb Dunn's River Falls (instead of renting water shoes).

Like I said, this was an all inclusive resort, including alcohol (YEAH!).  On about the third day, I thought about how many calories might be in the pina coladas I was drinking.  I'll just add that to the desserts I had at every meal.  Seriously good food!!

Here are my numbers from a week of poor eating and a lot of laying around on the beach.

I'm hoping that's just extra water weight and it disappears this week.  I'm back to the workouts and clean eating (almost).

Do you eat well while on vacation?

Revolt Fitness costs $10 a month. There are no sign up fees or contracts and you may cancel at any time. That's cheaper than a gym and you workout in the comfort of your own home.

Do you want to try Revolt for 1 week....FREE?  Find out if Revolt is the program for you!

Sign up for a free week at Revolt Fitness.  You will have access to a start up guide, 1 week of workouts/videos with 3 different fitness levels, and 1 week of meal plan with 6 different calorie levels.

Sign up for your free week at Revolt Fitness.


Disclaimer: I was given a free membership to Revolt Fitness in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Revolt Fitness Week of June 24

Just a real quick update that I didn't get posted before vacation last week.  I was still going strong with Revolt Fitness and eating well. 

Here my numbers for the week of June 24.

Then I went on vacation to an all inclusive resort and it all went to hell!  More on that next week.

Revolt Fitness costs $10 a month. There are no sign up fees or contracts and you may cancel at any time. That's cheaper than a gym and you workout in the comfort of your own home.

Do you want to try Revolt for 1 week....FREE?  Find out if Revolt is the program for you!

Sign up for a free week at Revolt Fitness.  You will have access to a startup guide, 1 week of workouts/videos with 3 different fitness levels, and 1 week of meal plan with 6 different calorie levels.

Sign up for your free week at Revolt Fitness.


Disclaimer: I was given a free membership to Revolt Fitness in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Revolt Fitness Week of June 17

I still love my Revolt Fitness!  It's Wednesday and time for my weekly results...no real change from last week.  I've really slacked on my meal prep since I'm home with the boys for summer.  I did so well when I had to take my lunch to work with me everyday.  Now that I know my problem area, I must fix it!

Revolt Fitness costs $10 a month. There are no sign up fees or contracts and you may cancel at any time. That's cheaper than a gym and you workout in the comfort of your own home.

Do you want to try Revolt for 1 week....FREE?  Find out if Revolt is the program for you!

Sign up for a free week at Revolt Fitness.  You will have access to a startup guide, 1 week of workouts/videos with 3 different fitness levels, and 1 week of meal plan with 6 different calorie levels.

Sign up for your free week at Revolt Fitness.


Disclaimer: I was given a free membership to Revolt Fitness in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

50 Fun Things to do with your Kids this Summer

1. Go to the beach at Honeymoon Island
   
2. Have a movie marathon day at home
3. Spend a day at Adventure Island
4. Make snow cones
5. Play balloon volleyball in the house
6. Have a pool party!
   
    
7. Go get frozen yogurt
8. Take a bike ride on the trail
9. Make homemade ice cream
10. Go fishing
    
11. Complete a summer reading log for Barnes & Noble
12. Take our dog to a dog park
13. Make cloud inspectors and watch the clouds
14. Have a sleep over at your cousins' house
    
15. Play LEGO zip line games
16. Go bowling
17. Have a water gun fight
18. Go roller skating
19. See a movie
    
20. Have a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's house
21. Play in the rain
22. Make lava lamps
23. Run a 5K race
    
24. Find dandelions (do they really produce cool colors when on fire?)
25. Make mini volcanos
26. Star gazing at night and look for shooting stars
27. Read some of the Sunshine State books
    
28. Built a fort out of blankets and pillows
29. Make cookies
30. Go out for lunch
31. Play Guitar Hero World Tour and learn a new song
32. Go canoeing
    
33. Play board games
34. Go swimming
35. Microwave a bar of Ivory soap and see what happens
36. Take a nature walk at a park
    
37. Have breakfast for dinner
38. Play in the sprinklers
39. Visit the zoo
40. Watch fireworks
41. Fly a kite
42. Paint a picture
    
43. Stay up late
44. Tie dye t-shirts
45. Make popsicles
46. Make an obstacle course for our pet rats
    
47. Visit the library
48. Build a sandcastle
49. Go on a treasure hunt
50. Plant flowers

 

What fun things do you have planned for summer?

Revolt Week of June 10

I was off track with my Revolt diet for the past two weeks.  It all started with the stomach bug week when I didn't feel like eating and lost 3.5 lbs.  Then when I felt like food, I wanted bland things like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and toast and cinnamon bread.  I ate a lot of bread and not the healthy wheat kind.

I'm back on track now and have committed to myself to stay on track!  It's summertime in Florida so that's lots of time in a bathing suit.  We're also going to Jamaica in a couple of weeks where I imagine I'll be living in my bathing suit and not always sober enough to remember to suck in my stomach.  It's an all inclusive resort!

I've started running again too.  I don't have any big races until the fall but I want to increase my pace.  I will be participating in a couple of sprint triathlons including Coteeman and Iron Girl Clermont.

Here are my numbers for the last two weeks.

There are really no changes from my slacker weeks.  A little weight gain but I'm ok with that after my unhealthy 3.5 lbs loss because of the stomach bug.  The important thing is inches and body fat loss.

Are you working on your bikini body for a special summer trip?

If you need help, consider joining Revolt Fitness!  It's all online for only $10 a month...check it out!

Disclaimer: I was given a free membership to Revolt Fitness in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.