Changing my mind on races

Originally, I was planning on the Grand Rapids Marathon to be my big race for the year.  I did a lot of research on a few marathons.  I looked at time limits, pace times, location, reviews people post. I made a list of pros and cons.The Marine Marathon was my #1 choice.  However, being a lottery system it wasn't a sure thing I would be picked and thought I would have to do the transfer or charity bib route.  One big factor was the GR Marathon is a few hours away from me and didn't have a time limit so that appealed to me.  I was set on the GR Marathon until March when I started thinking about the Marine Marathon again.

Just for the heck of it I put my name in the Marine Marathon and I got picked in the lotto.  I didn't think I had a shot and would have kept my course with the GR Marathon.  I have a few options, I can see about deferring my GR Marathon to next year or transfer it to someone.  I haven't decided on that yet.

The Marine Marathon has been on my bucket list and my fiance is a former Marine so I really want to do this.  I've heard so many great reviews and people loving the race.  I even remember reading an article on Runner's World how 1/3 of the runners are first timers.  I'm also freaking out: what if I don't finish, what if I should have just stayed with doing the Grand Rapids Marathon, will I even be able to handle a full marathon,  will the pin in my foot hold up, etc.  This will be my first full marathon.  I have a few half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks under my belt, but a full is completely different.  I know if I don't make an attempt, I'll never know.  There is a chance I could fail, but it's a challenge that excites and scares me.

The first time I started training for my first half, I thought why did I sign up, I won't be able to finish.  As I trained I went from barely running a mile to running 10 miles for a long run.  My two friends who were supposed to run with me backed out last minute so I considered quitting, but I realized I am doing this for me and completed the race.  I'm doing my best to changing my thinking to this will be extremely difficult but NOT impossible.  I've never quit a race, I've had some bad runs with horrible times but always made it to the finish line.  I have also gotten new PRs and improved my pace.  I just need to trust my training and do the best I can.  

I've been reading articles on how to tackle the Marine Marathon, read blogs from runners who have ran the race, and went on BibRave for tips too. I won't be changing my mind a third time. My training plan doesn't start until the end of June so I'm not behind.  I've been working on my base miles and strength training since January.  Hopefully it goes well and I can write a blog entry about completing my first full marathon.  Stay tuned!

2 Races in 2 Weeks

I normally do one race a month.  I wasn't sure if I would be able to do 2 races in 2 weeks, but I did!  This time I wasn't sick so that helped with training.  I did a combination of the treadmill, running outside on the track, and running/ walking my dog.  For the Kona Shamrock 5K, I beat my Paczki run time by 13 seconds.  I didn't want to push myself too hard because I knew I had another race in a week so I ran at a moderate pace.  The course is flat, but there were a few icy spots so I had to be careful.  I finally got to test out my Garmin Vivoactive and loved it.  I could see my current pace, time, and distance instead of pulling my phone out of the arm sleeve and struggling to get it back in.  After my activity is complete I can see a breakdown of my mile times, best pace, etc. The weather was great for that race.

I had been dealing with some hamstring issues on my right leg so the day after the race I took a rest day.  I iced it, kept it elevated, it seemed to do the trick.  A few days before the race I used the hydromassage at my gym on my legs and it felt awesome!  The week of the second race I alternated between running on the treadmill and outside with my dog.  I got Pasha a harness and leash that had a belt so I could be hands free.  I also brought a drawstring backpack so I could have her regular leash, dog waste bags, water bowl, water bottle, and some dog treats.  

Another first for me was volunteering at packet pickup for the Corktown Race.  They had satellite locations so people could pick up their packet early instead of on race day.  I really enjoyed talking with other runners and answering any questions they had. 

Finally, the day of the Corktown race was rainy.  I'm not a fan of running in the rain, but I knew we had to do it.  Pasha and I got downtown early so we could get a good parking spot. My coworker Dave told me about the Corktown race and he does it almost every year.  He did the Dublin Double: 1 mile run, then the 5K.   Pasha and I just opted for the 5K,  I didn't want to overdo it because Pasha has never ran a race before.

The Michigan Central station finally has the windows back in.  The top is a photo from last year's Corktown Race to this year.  It looks a lot nicer now.  

Before the race I made sure Pasha went to the bathroom so we wouldn't have to stop as much while running.  Pasha loves meeting other dogs, but some weren't so friendly.  We ended up waiting in the car for a bit so we wouldn't get drenched before the race.  When we finally headed back outside and made it to the start line a bigger dog did not like her so another runner put an umbrella between the two of them and they both calmed down. We were in the last wave and once we started running, Pasha saw a different dog and both started to get really agitated so I had to pull her away so they wouldn't fight.  I've taken my dog to a hockey game, dog parks, and she's been able to have a lot of dog play dates.  We have taken her to a few dog training classes and she's improved a lot.  Sometimes I think she just gets scared.  I will just have to get her more socialized.  Pasha only got in the way of a couple runners, I kept apologizing.  We were able to pass a few people so we could go at a good pace.  Near the end there were too many walkers in a row so I gave up trying to do a final push to the finish line.  I got really close to my 5K PR, but didn't break it.  I did beat my Kona 5K time by 2 minutes and  3 seconds.  Every race this year I've improved my time.  With the rain and Pasha getting distracted a few times I was happy we just made it to the finish line.  I think if I take her for a race again, I might bring her the Paczki Run, it was less people and that might be easier on her.  She's really good running with me when we go around my neighborhood.  

I ordered a 5K dog tag for Pasha's collar for completing the race.  I got two things checked off my list for running this year: have my dog complete a 5K and do some volunteered  My main goal is completing a full marathon, that's not until October so I have time to train and get myself mentally ready.    

My selfie in the St. Patrick's Day Red Wings shirt won Healthy Selfie so I will be going to the Wings game this Saturday!!!  I put the link below.

Red Wings Healthy Selfie tweet