RLAM - 10 Running-Related Personal Questions

I love to oblige in running questions, especially when the request comes from Dimity and SBS from Another Mother Runner.  So here goes :

1.  Best run ever:  I think my best run was the Mission 10 Miler race, this past March 2012.   I had just run a Half Marathon the weekend before, so I went into this race as “this will just be an easy training run” while I was there to support a couple friends who were running their 1st 10 mile races.  I felt great, PR’d for the 10 miler, and got to go back and bring in my friends as well.  It was a “feel-good” race day!    
2. Three words that describe my running:  Therapy Energizing Sanity 
3. My go-to running outfit is: a pair of Champion compression shorts under my running shorts (because you don’t want chafing ;)), a tank top, and my UA hat! 
4. Quirky habit while running:   I always carry my phone and a fuel belt....always.
   
5. Morning, midday, evening: Morning, just to get it done!  
6. I won’t run outside when it’s: icy and frigid cold on one end, when it’s super hot and humid on the other!  I am really a Spring/Fall loving mother runner ;)
7. Worst injury—and how I got over it:   Hip bursitis.  I’m working through it still, but I actually  took a ChiRunning class, have improved my form, and am working out the kinks with my Ortho! 
8. I felt most like a badass mother runner when:   I ran a 1 mile race this weekend and took 2nd place in my age group!  My 1st running trophy ever!  And a new mile PR of 7:23.  That was HUGE to me! 
9. Next race is: a couple small races, but the Marine Corps Marathon is my BIG upcoming race on October 28, 2012.
10. Potential running goal for 2013:  For 2013, I want to get back my love for running, my pure enjoyment and fun of it!  No more marathon training unless it’s of the “Half” variety! 

The Run, Mama, Run ladies! (I'm far right :))

Market Street Mile

Let's just say I didn't go into this race in the right frame of mind - see post below LOL   But I decided to make sure I warmed up and stretched just to make sure I didn't injure myself for a 1 mile sprint down Market Street (ok, I don't really sprint, but you get the picture)!!

All ready to go with some of my favorite running buddies !!

And the women's race getting ready to start!

Women's Race Start

I felt good right into the race, went out a tad fast for me, so came back to comfortably fast (for me), and just focused on a "decent" mile time.  In the last 100 yrds, I saw the clock, but could only see the "minute" number because someone was blocking it.  Well it had a 7 as I was coming in!  What? 7 min something??  So I ran faster and finished with a 7:23 minute mile!  A new PR by 27 seconds!  I was so excited !!! 

After all the race heats finished, I was about to head out, but was reminded to stay for raffles.  Although I usually never win one of these things, I figured why not?   I won a lovely Outback Steakhouse gift basket with a certificate for dinner!  Awesome!  Glad I stayed now :)

My raffle winnings - Outback Steakhouse dinner

 So once again, I was about to head out, but they were getting ready to do age group awards.  Ummm, I don't place in age group......well, wrong.... I placed 2nd for my age group (35-39).  Woot!  Seriously try to wipe that smile off my face.  My first running trophy !  OMG awesome!!

2nd Place Age Group (35-39) :)

This was seriously what I needed to get my running mood back on track! 

The men's winner ran that mile in 4:27.... he was smokin' down Market Street!  The women's winner in 5:26!               
Watching people with speed like that is amazing!!

26.2....I CAN do this......right ?

Well, here I am ... ran 18 miles this past Monday!  Many people are saying "great job, keep it up, you've got this" etc.  I sooooooo wish I could share their enthusiasm for my craptastic run that morning!   This Summer has been the death of my running enjoyment.  The heat and humidity have set my state of mind into a very negative place about being able to complete the training and get to the starting line for the Marine Corps Marathon!!

So I have some serious thinking to do.  Why do I WANT to run this marathon ?  Unfortunately, the marathon was not my personal goal in life, but my running buddy's.  I knew I would train with her anyway, so why not run the marathon too?  Probably not the right reason for embarking on this journey, and now my mind is more about not wanting to let her down.   I need to find reasons that this marathon is for ME and that I only have something to prove to ME!  Selfish....yep.  In running, I only have to prove something to myself, no one else!

After 18 miles, my knees and hip were not happy, to say the least.  After 2 days of complete rest, my knees still hurt and after only a short 1 mile run yesterday, they're aggravated yet again!

Running is mental, and right now, I'm not in the right place with this race.   So, hopefully this weekend will let me find my happy place again.  Weather is showing signs of cooling off, it's a step back week in training, and I have a 1 mile race to run with my boys.  I need to find the love of running again in order to finish what I've started!!

I mean, I ran 18....only 8.2 more to go ??  I won't go there today.....I'll just pray for recovery for my knees and that they'll forgive me and let me keep going :)