Monday, July 5, 2010

The Red White And Boom Race Report!

This is a picture of my running group after the Red White and Boom Half Marathon. We went to Hell's Kitchen for breakfast:)

I would like to take a moment to thank all of you for leaving me those wonderful and supportive comments! I was overwhelmed and tears came to my eyes as I read them. I really do love each and everyone of you and appreciate your kind words and well wishes. This is a hard time for me but having such a great support system makes it easier:)

I call this picture...me and the boys:) Arvid, Rick, me, Ron, Paul and Tim. Well, I survived the Red White and Boom Half Marathon! I got up yesterday morning at 3:30 AM so that I could get ready and have enough time to drive into St. Paul. I was planning on meeting my team for group pictures at 5:15 AM. I drove to St. Paul and found a parking spot in a lot across from a big ramp. I pinned on my racing bib, gathered my things and started walking down the street I thought that I was supposed to be on. After walking a few blocks it was clear to me I was not going in the right direction. Have I ever mentioned that I am directionally challenged? Seriously, I am the worst and I drive my hubby absolutely bonkers! I looked at my watch and started to panic because it was 5:05 AM and I needed to meet my group at 5:15! Yikes! I must of looked like a sorry soul because two cars drove up and the owner of the first car rolled down his window and yelled, "Hey, good luck today!" I yelled back, "Do you know how to get to the start line?" The nice gentleman in the second car yelled, "Matt, give her a ride!" Matt told me to get in and I was so happy to have a personal ride to the start:) It turns out that Matt and Sam were both pacers for the race! God, I love pacers! Matt dropped me off right at the Team Up tent and wished me good luck again. I thanked him and went on my merry way. Within a few minutes people started to show up and I saw my running team. After they picked up their racing packets we walked to the Team Up tent and had our pictures taken. It was pretty busy and the photographers were shuffling running groups in one after the other. I met Average A by the tent and spoke with her for a few minutes. We were both planning on taking it easy today. We decided to at least start out together by the 10 minute mile pacers.

Me and Tim.


Mark and me.

This is my view of the people in front of me about ten minutes before the start. It was 85 degrees and super humid already! I knew that this was not going to be a fun one and I was so glad that I brought my hydration belt. There were only four water stops and I knew that I would need more than that. After taking a few pictures I headed to the start line and found the 9:55 minute mile pacer girls:) I have seen both Tanya and Becca at several of the half marathons this season:) I met Tanya at Earth Day and talked to her for a long time at the Minneapolis Team Ortho expo. I met Becca at the pacer booth for the Lake Minnetonka half. I looked around for A and did not see her anywhere....I figured that I would eventually see her somewhere along the course.
Here is my view of the people behind me.

Tanya took this picture of me right before the start. My plan for the run was to take it easy and do a jog/walk program. I figured that I would stay with my pacer girls for a few miles and then walk a few minutes. I would just listen to my body and make sure that I never felt like I was pushing it. I stayed with my pacer girls and the 9:55 pace seemed so slow but it was nice.

This picture was taken a little after the start. Sorry about the crappy pictures but because of the humidity and my running, there is motion. The first two miles went by and it was so hot and humid. Yuck! It looked cloudy and we knew the rain was coming. It was somewhere between mile 2.5 and 3 miles where it started to rain. It actually felt good....I was thanking the running Gods for cooling me off!

It was at about mile three where I noticed Speedo Steve out on the sidewalk taking pictures. I yelled Steve and waved. He yelled, "Go Julie!" I attempted to take his picture but it was just a blurry mess! After I saw Steve I told the nice woman next to me that Steve is a famous Minnesota blogger. I told her what a Tri stud that he is and that he has an awesome blog with a huge following. She noticed my St. Cloud River Runner's shirt and asked me if I knew Kathy. Kathy is also a member of the St. Cloud River Runner's. I told her that yes, I have met Kathy. She then asked me if I was the Julie with the running blog. It turns out she has read my blog too:) At mile five there was a water stop and I decided it was time to rest. This would be my first walking part. I took my gel and drank my water slowly. It felt great to stop and walk for a few minutes. Eventually, I continued on and within a few minutes I spotted A running with her friend Pablo! I pulled up next to her and we chatted, slowly running together. We jogged for a mile or so and then took walking breaks. There were two big ass hills....we walked up both:) It was so much fun chatting with A and her friend Pablo. The time and the miles just flew by and I was totally relaxed! It was at mile eight where I realized that I did not once have the need to use a Biffy or felt like getting sick! Mile nine rolled along and Pablo needed to slow down but urged A and I to continue on.
Here is a shot of A as we were running through a tunnel. A and I moved ahead continuing with our slow pace. At mile ten A needed to stop at the Biffy. There was a line but we were hoping that it would move quickly. I continued on knowing that she would catch up to me. I looked down at my Garmin and I think that I might of accidentally stopped the timer! Crap, why am I always having issues with my Garmin durning races? Whatever! Does it really matter anyway. I started to run with a man who looked like he could of been a football player. He was twenty something and listening to music. He was at least 6 feet 2 inches tall:) We ran side by side for the next two miles. I kept looking back to see if A was on her way. I did see a few runners with the same color shirt as her but no A. Mile twelve finally came and I was feeling good. I decided to turn up the speed a bit. I left my football player running companion waving and wishing him good luck. He nooded and smiled:) I took it up to a 9 minute mile pace and ran steady and relaxed. When I reached the last 400 meters I turned it up a little more running strong and steady. I would not say that I was sprinting but I was moving. I could see the finish line and I was smiling:)
My final time was 2:17:33. This turned out to be a 10:30 minute pace....not so bad considering I walked so much of it:) It took me 23 minutes longer than my PR! This was my slowest half marathon in the books but I am okay with it. I did not ever feel like I had to stop and use the Biffy or did I feel like getting sick! I would say that this was a successful race! Finishing is winning....right Jill?
After the race I went to the Team Up tent for some watermelon and ice cream! Good stuff:) I met A again a little later....turns out she finished shortly after me! I took her over to meet my running team and she took a few pictures. Unfortunately, I am not able to open the file:(

This picture was actually taken this morning. I needed to have at least one picture of me with the bling:)
Do you remember a few posts back how I mentioned that I had gone through a bit of good luck with winning blogger giveaways? I won a few blogger giveaways again! My socks arrived from MCM Mama and I also received a Starbuck's giftcard from Shannon! Thanks ladies!


I am going to leave you with a picture of my boys. Here is my college boy and my little guy. We went to the Como Park Zoo on Saturday and we all had a blast! This was at the end of our day and little guy is a little tired, crabby and sugar maxed:)
Also, a big thank you goes out to my St. Cloud River Runner's team! Thank you so much for being so kind and not being worried about my time. You are all such amazing runners and I am proud to run with you ! You have made me feel welcome since day one and I appreciate it! I had a so much fun at both the race and the breakfast! Never a dull moment:) You all rock!
Happy running, biking, swimming, and lifting! Cheers to you all:)
Anne is hosting a $60 CSN giftcard giveaway!

58 comments:

  1. Way to go Julie! I am so proud of you. Having such a good attitude will get you through this tough spot. You did so well, taking it easy and still doing a great job on the race. You rock it girl! Keep staying relaxed and healthy. Please!

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  2. Yes- Finishing IS winning...even more so when you are being healthy :)

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  3. Great job! Sounds like it went well and great that you felt great during it!!

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  4. That's a great race shirt! Sometimes it is a nice change to slow the pace and enjoy the race. Congrats.

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  5. Yay, Julie! I'm so proud of you for listening to your body and taking care of yourself! It's wonderful that you didn't have any GI problems during this race! Finishing definitely is winning, especially when you are doing it in a way that will enable you to keep running!

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  6. Great race report Julie! You did awesome and I am glad you slowed down and listened to your body. Looks like a fun race.

    I am just getting caught up with your blog and just read the news. I am so sorry! I will keep my fingers crossed that it is nothing serious. Through it all you have the best attitude. Hang in there!!!

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  7. Great race report Julie! I am bummed that I didn't bump into you at the race. It can be very enjoyable to take it easy and run with friends sometimes during races.

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  8. Boy did you ever have a good attitude! Glad it went so well and you felt so well! You always have great pics.

    I am going to take a page from your book when I am in a race on Sat. My friend I am visiting said to call it an experience! I am going to take pics along the way and enjoy myself!

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  9. Congrats on finishing the run, and nice mindset. You did great! Finishing IS winning, and it sounds like you had a relaxed fun day...which is all that matters really.

    Also great pic of the boys at the zoo!
    Have a great week
    -Derek

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  10. First--what did I miss? I am trying to find your archives to see what's going on with you. I hope all is ok!

    Another 1/2! You rock. And you look lovely in your cute white dress.

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  11. Julie, I'm really proud of you. After that devastating GI news you did incredibly well - getting up at 3.30am, driving goodness knows how many miles, running in 85ยบ heat and finishing in that respectable time - you really are a Wonder Woman!

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  12. Great job Julie!!! It may not have been your fastest time, but it sounds like you enjoyed it and thats awesome that you didn't have any troubles during the race! Sounds like slowing down was the right thing to do.

    PS-I love Como!! I haven't been there in a couple years, but my aunt and uncle live 2 or 3 blocks away so I went all the time when I was younger (and every once in awhile when I make it back to MN)!

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  13. Hooray for a great race! I'm so glad it went well and you didn't have any problems! :)

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  14. Hey Julie -

    Just catching up after the long weekend....I'm so sorry about your GI issues and having to pull out of the marathon. If anyone could do a distance like that, it would be you. I'm glad you're putting your health first, although I know it's hard. I think the bike is a great idea, you're going to have to give it a name. : )

    Glad you had fun at your race, and love the pictures of your boys!

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  15. So I just have to ask... do you make it a habit of getting into the car with just any man who offers you a ride? LOL

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  16. Congrats on the race - so glad you were able to run comfortably! Love the pic of all the river runners, your coordinating outfits look awesome. :)

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  17. Finishing is DEFINITELY winning - especially since you didn't have any GI trouble this race. Hooray!! What a great race and I'm so happy you had such a good time running it.

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  18. Nice finish! I think that some of the best races are when we finish despite all odds. 20ish min off of your PR isn't TOO bad either in spite of your recent diagnosis.

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  19. Hi Julie,
    I just read your last post. Sorry about the health issue. I wanted to tell you that I had a similar incident and had a colonoscopy which showed hemorroids (I still have bloody stools sometimes). They don't bother me, so that is fine. I did not have the runs as well, but a friend of mine had to stop running for a while because she would feel like she had to go to the bathroom, but she could not, and then she'd have the runs with blood. All her tests are normal. She is now over this, by the way. SO, try not to panic, it may be something very simple! Doctors do tend to panic us sometimes. Take care of you!

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  20. I can't tell you how much I admire your positive attitude in the face of adversity Julie! Great job and continued positive thoughts going your way!

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  21. Excellent attitude Julie...you did an amazing job and I'm glad to hear that there were no GI issues at all :) :) YAY!!!!!

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  22. Way to go! You did a fantastic job considering all that has gone on this week. You got some very nice goodies at that race too. The medal rocks!

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  23. Look at you all Patrioticly dressed, even your water belt if blue :). So very cute!! Wowzie girl, considering all you've been though, I'm so impressed by that time ...I'm sure I'd still be laying in my bed now on my 66th carton of Ben and Jerry's. You are so totally studly. Hope your tummy is behaving now. Oh, and that is really a cool shirt, I like the words going up the side. Yay to you!!!

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  24. Congrats, Julie! I would say that half marathon was WONDERFULLY successful, especially if you didn't have any stomach issues. I just can't seem to get away from those!!
    I love your pictures, as always, you are so cute and I always like seeing your running group photos too.
    Congrats and have an awesome week!

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  25. Oh no! You can't open the files!? :( I tried compressing them since there were 9 pics total (and they were big.) I can send you a couple if you want them for right now!!!

    Great report -- I'm so happy we got to run together, and I'm really happy to hear that you didn't get sick!! :) :) :)

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  26. Good job with the race and sorry to hear about the GI stuff sidelining you from really pushing hard and far.

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  27. Awesome race Julie! So glad you felt good the whole time : ) I love the Como, it's been a while since we've been there. Nice pictures!

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  28. yah!!!
    love it! and for your 1/2 in Sonoma in 2 wks...when do you come in/leave up here in Slow-noma;-) we could maybe hook up on sat afternoon/eve??;-)

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  29. Very happy that your run went well (no issues!)-Great job! It can be discouraging when there are "issues" but don't panic. Keep your chin up and keep up the great work. As usual, you looked lovely! :-)
    K

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  30. Nice to see that lovely smile doing the thing you like to do best even with the news I read in your last post. Great pictures of the boys! I love family photos!

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  31. Congrats, another race "under your belt". I think you have a BIG log-book. A half in this period is very tough. As usual, great report with beautiful amazing pictures.

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  32. Nice one Julie! I run most of my races like that and I think I enjoy running more that way. Yes, I use them to train for ultra runs, but I can run a lot more races by doing it this way. I can see how you enjoyed this race and I’m sure there’ll be many more like that. Take care! Your kids are lovely!

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  33. Only four water stops? Ridiculous - this is USTAF's fault by virtue of their wording in the rules.

    Good job on the race. It's amazing how an attitude can make time irrelevant.

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  34. Girrrrrl.... do you always get in cars with strangers? LOL... Nice job on the race! There's a message in there for you someplace, and I know you're listening :-)

    Such fine young men you have there!

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  35. Well done Julie! You are so dedicated as I first notice the 3:30 AM start to the day. Sounds like slowing down made for a great day, no potty, no sickness, lots of visiting = success! Congrats for being so smart and taking a step back for a while, but also smart for staying involved. We just love ya!

    And yes, any day you finish a race - you are a winner!

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  36. great job! I think it is wonderful that you have the some running is better than none philosophy. I tend to be an all or none kinda girl and love that you are embracing your challenges and making the most of it.

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  37. Wonderful RR and race Julie ... your positive attitude is so inspiring!

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  38. I'm so glad you're still able to run and do it with a smile on your face, even if the marathon is out of question. Looks like a great race to do. Super cute pics! :)

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  39. I love all the red white and blue so patriotic.

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  40. Yay! So glad you had a good race, feeling good, and no tummy troubles! What a good sign! Good for you for taking it slow and listening to your body, sometimes I think that can be just as hard or harder as pushing for a better time.

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  41. Rockstar like always, congrats and I am glad to hear no stomach issues.

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  42. I didn't know you were considering the Colorado race. I'm glad I didn't or I would have been really disappointed you weren't going! Yes, we do have to meet one of these days!

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  43. Congrats on an awesome race, and awesome race report! No Biffy for 13 miles definitely counts as a success! It's so great that you're so famous among your Minnesotan bloggers. Everyone reads your blog because it's so awesome! Anyway, have a great week, Julie! (P.S. Just for you I'll try to post more pictures...maybe not of me but of faces/things around me?)

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  44. Great race :-) I loved all the pictures too!

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  45. Awesome job on this race Julie!! Sometimes taking it easy and not pushing too fast makes for a nice relaxing fun race! Great pictures!

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  46. Nice to "see" you out there! ;) And thanks for the shout-out on your blog!!

    My photo of you KINDA turned out. Here it is. Steal it if you'd like:

    http://www.stevestenzel.com/photos3/red_19.jpg

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  47. p.s. You're the one directly under the chimney....

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  48. Great Job on the race. You should be so proud! Funny story at the start about getting lost on the way to the race. That sounds like something I would do! Haha.

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  49. Good Job! and I hear it was a trillion degrees!
    Either way, you looked Fabulous with your outfit (as always!)

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  50. Do you think you can fit in one of the MDRA fun runs before your next half!!? I think we should do it, even if it's one of the shorter distances. :)

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  51. LOL, you're so fast. I'm working so hard to get comfortable with a sub 10 minute mile pace for a half. Even if I hit 10 minute mile the whole way I'd be thrilled.

    Want to come to DC while you're waiting for the check up? This might be the only time our paces are similar :)

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  52. *My LOL was because this seemed so slow to you ;)

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  53. Nice report Julie and great image of your running group. Seems that you enjoyed your relaxing fun race. Perfect, That's important. We wouldn't have to run crazy races as always.
    Have a nice running Sunday!

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  54. I had to go back a few posts to catch what was going on! Not sure how I missed it! Stay positive and things will work out! Love your great attitude!

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  55. Great race report. I felt like I ran the half marathon *with* you! Thanks for taking us along on such a wonderful journey.

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