Three Things Thursday: Crazy For Halfs

It's been awhile since I've done TTT.  It's been a challenge for me to keep up with the blog, but I hope to send a waterfall of posts soon.

So as you all know, I'm training for my first full marathon, Marine Corps Marathon.  I am now in the thick of it, having completed my first 15-miler last week (the longest distance for me to date!)!  I'm at Week 9 of 18, exactly halfway through my training!  I can't believe it!  The next couple of weeks are going to be up there in mileage, but I have a couple of weekends where I "only" have to do 13.1 miles.

So what to do when I'm running "only" a half marathon distance?  Whenever I do that distance, I always feel like I deserve a medal for the effort.  I know.  But hey, why not, right?  So that's what I did.  Here are three half marathon races I've signed up for - all 3 within 1 1/2 months.

Just call me crazy.

1)  

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Rock N Roll Half Marathon Virginia Beach - September 2, 2012.  It's coming soon!  Almost a week from now!  I'm excited about this one because a) it's flat, b) the finish line is on the boardwalk (thinking about a nice soak in the ocean after the race), c) racing with college friends, d) post-race concert featuring Train, one of my faves, and e) did I mention it's a flat course?

Of course the weather could be really nasty, hot and humid, but I've trained in that on hilly training runs around here.  Do I have a time goal?  It would be nice to get under 2:15, but I feel no pressure only because it's a marathon training run for me and the last I want to do is push myself to the point of injury which I don't want to do.  I'm going to enjoy it.  Every mile. Soak up some sun.  Run happy.

I'm still debating how many miles to do that day.  I'm suppose to do 17 that weekend according to my training plan.  Should I do a 2 mile warm up pre-race then a 2-mile cool down post-race?  Or should I just race it?  I follow my training plans to a "T" especially the long runs, so I HAVE to do 17.  I have 18 to do the following weekend and this weekend is a step down week to 13...soooo I don't know, I'm going to try the 2 pre and 2 post and see how I feel.

More importantly, still thinking about what to wear to this race, LOL!  Do I have my priorities set or what?!

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2)  Maine Half Marathon - September 30, 2012.  I'm more than excited about this one because of the course!  Gorgeous views!  By the water!  Cooler temps! (I hope!  Crap. I just jinxed myself.)  Yes, I'm going to be in Maine at the end of September!  This one I will truly enjoy because I have exactly 13.1 miles on the training calendar, and this race is perfect!

Don't know what I'm going to wear (LOL), but I know there will be Zensah compression leg sleeves with this one.  So giddy about this one!!!!

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3)  Heritage Half Marathon - October 14, 2012.  Let's just say that this race will kick off my birthday celebration which will continue through until Marine Corps Marathon in October 28.  Not saying when my birthday is, but I will be 40!  Yes!  Big. Four. O!!!!  The course is hilly a little, and it's a small race, but I'm looking to have a great time at this race with friends.  My training gals are joining me on this and so will The Hubs!  Last double digit mileage for us until the marathon!  Squeeeeeeee!!


So there you have it, my crazy half marathon race schedule.  I didn't count the virtual half marathon I have this weekend, nor the other one last month, but the three above would totally get me into the Half Fanatics group which I'm looking to join.  Just because.  Hee hee.

Are you half marathon crazy like me?  Are you a Half Fanatic?  

Thanks for hanging in there...waiting....if you are..for my blog updates.  I appreciate your following my blog.  More to come!  Happy running to all!

Not-So-Wordless Wednesday: Trains, Too Much Pink, And Another Race!

Today's post is late because I was busy building this with Little Man....

We have trains coming out of our ears in our house.  Tired of playing with Thomas the Tank Engine Trains?  Oh well let's just excavate the Geotrax trains from the basement and play with MORE trains!  The Hubs is going to flip and literally trip over all the trains that are out all over our floor right now.

Please do not look too closely at my unshaven leg!

This morning, I dragged my very sore self to my friend's exercise class.  I was sore from her Monday workout class and running 7 miles (2 miles for C25K coaching and 5 miles on my own) yesterday did not help to work off the lactic acid soaking up my body.  Today's class actually made me feel 200% better.  I was in this crazy endorphin high half-way through her class.  I was like, "ok, what else can we do?  More burpees?  SURE!  YEAH, ALRIGHT!!". I was so over-the-top-slap-happy I'm sure I pissed off the other moms who couldn't wait for the workout to end.  But I LOVE those kinds of workouts!  Awesome fuel for the rest of the day!  

When it came to cool-down on our mats, I got the "wow, how color coordinated you are" remarks from all the other moms.  I looked down at my mat and my shirt and man did I reek pink!  Like I threw up Pepto-Bismol-all-over-myself pink!  It was a much brighter pink on pink than the photo shows above.  Little Man even noticed, remarking, "Mommy, it's like you're camouflaged." 

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So in-between connecting train tracks and making lunch for Little Man, I learned that the Rock N Roll Marathon series was offering a great Leap Day deal, $29- off registration fee with the promo code, LEAP.  It was a deal I couldn't refuse!  I needed a tune up race for Marine Corps Marathon, and the Dodge Rock 'N Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon fit the bill. 

I'm VERY EXCITED because that means I get one of these babies after September!

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Oh and Happy Leap Day!  Did you do anything special on this Leap Day?  Anyone else sign up for another race?  Which one?