Race / No race / Gobble anyway!

This is the first time in a few years I will not be racing on Thanksgiving. 

I love a good Turkey Trot, (especially a flat, fast, race); but, my family wanted to stay home.

Scheduled Breaks, Races, and other Random Updates

• 5Ks happen on Thanksgiving!  Is this an American way of justifying gluttony?? I like my pie cheesecake, so I ran one--- Didn't come near cracking the top three, but I had a good race (report coming soon), and had a GREAT time playing with my boys afterwards at a swim park. Much needed fun together!
• This is a week off of running for me. FIRST time I have ever scheduled a week off (not counting after a marathon- but that has never been more than 6 days). Really, I have no idea if I can even make it that long. In the last few months I have been running steadily 6-7 days a week, but about 8 runs a week. 
• I plan to spend some time on my bike and took the boys for a ride today, (oldest on his bike, two youngest in a trailer). Five miles on a bike is just not enough to satisfy my adrenaline addiction! Still, I was thankful for a chance to get outdoors with NO rain.

Have I mentioned it's been wet in western Oregon? This part of Dorris Ranch is closed off until further notice.

• Looking at a possible winter trail race...Crazy people do that type of thing, don't they?
• Thanksgiving here was an AWESOME, multi-family feast. Our contributions were green bean casserole, rolls, 2 cheesecakes (chocolate/coffee & sour cream w/blackberry), and a veggie tray. My proudest moment was when my oldest son read his half-page report about why the Pilgrims came to Plymouth. God has been so good to us this year, and always.
• There is going to be a giveaway here soon. I've never done one before, so I'm kind of excited about it!
• I am on twitter now @Raina_runs.  Please come find me!!!!  Help me figure out what I am doing? J

Have you ever taken a scheduled run break? 
What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
Did you race in a Turkey trot or other Thanksgiving race?

Just a few pics, Turkey part 2

My oldest was asked (by Emily), what his goal for the race was. He wanted a 200M in under 1:30. I think he got it!

He also experienced his first watch malfunction during the race. Just need to note that I did NOT encourage the watch part! :)

I have to sneak this second photo because Nathan HATES it..and he is wearing the pants I packed for Matthew (who happens to be wearing shorts).
Priceless memories :)

My dad brought his camera. Thanks for the pictures, Dad!

Matthew really surprised me by being SO grown up, and seriously had fun in the race. I am PROUD.

4 Miler - Eugene Turkey Trot 2011

The night before the Turkey Trot 4-miler (Thanksgiving Day, 11/24/11) in Eugene, I decided that I might lace up --for fun.  I had won a free entry at a race in August. The Sunday before (11/20) I had raced a PR half marathon, but felt surprisingly good considering. Last year it had taken me almost a week for calf and quad soreness to disappear after the same HM. But free is free, and I like it.

When I found out that there was a 200M kids race, my hubby and I decided to have both older boys do that race instead of having the oldest run the 4 miler with me. Truly, I think that was a wise choice for their benefit. Maybe in a year, or two, Nathan (almost 7) will be ready for 4 miles.

I really did nothing special for food or hydration prior to this race, since I didn't know if I would even run it. Coffee with milk and sugar, and part of a cinnamon roll for breakfast.

My dad brought me about a half an hour early for the 9am race, and I registered quickly and easily, then did an easy mile to keep warm.

While warming up, I ran into Emily (who was also at the EWEB half, is training for an ultra, and also had won a free entry to this race). We finished warming up together and chatted and discussed race goals. Neither of us really was too sure about how hard to race after last weekend.

Finally it was time to line up and we headed near the front. It was a narrow start to a lollipop (with two sticks) route.

The start/finish is essentially in the same location as the Butte to Butte 10k finish, and the USTAF certified course follows a stretch of the bike path that the EWEB half uses. (Eugene has a lot of races that start and finish in the same locations, but may go in different directions on the river path.)

The RD had a few words to say and encouraged anyone faster than 5 MM to go to the front, but no one moved up. Someone dressed as a Turkey did, though. :) During this time I decided to go ahead and aim for the McMillan Calculator prediction 6:20 pace. I would know when I was running if that would be doable or not, and back off if I felt like it was too much for today.

And the gun went off. I tried (without much effort) not to make the first mile a dead sprint. Multiple tight turns and bridge crossings made this race a challenge. I tried to run the tangents, but evidently not very well!

After the first mile, a woman passed me. I knew there were at least 2 ahead of me now. She took the surge and got a good 20 yard lead.

 

Racers spread out and we ran over wet exposed aggregate covered in leaves. I was a bit nervous of slipping, but tried not to think about it. Finally we hit the hairpin turn right before mile two.

More leaves, more winding bike path, and past the Science Museum, and we were closer to mile three, with the other female still ahead of me by 20 yards. The first woman was too far ahead to see.

The race took us over the artistic DeFazio bike bridge twice. (Note the spiral on and off ramp.)

I wasn't sure if she knew I was getting closer to her, until we hit the wet aggregate again. And a BIG leafy, loud puddle. That was a giveaway and I had lost my chance, as she picked it up a bit from there. Up, around, and over the bike bridge heading to mile 4. Only one big turn left and an uphill and downhill to the finish.

My watch beeped at 4 miles a little before the finish line, and I headed into the shoot strong, in 25:52. Not perfect, but very good for the day, all things considered.

splits: 6:23, 6:27, 6:19, 6:20, last .07@ 5:53 (Gun time 25:51, 6:28 average (also my 10k PR pace, slightly irritating) :/ )

I congratulated the woman just ahead of me, made my way towards my dad, and looked for Emily at the finish line.

A short while later we were all in the Lamb Cottage eating cookies and hot soup or chili. It was a nice spread, perfect for a cold day.

I spotted Jon and the boys, who had just arrived for the 10am kids race. My kids were dressed ridiculously for 40F, since they had packed their own bags and had not packed jackets or long pants. (My fault for not doing a better inspection or leaving the backup clothes out for Jon.)

My kids packed their "racing clothes"- shorts and T shirts for a 200m race. :) , so we borrowed warm clothes from grandma's stash and also put on pajama tops.

Luckily there wasn't much time between their arrival and the kids race. It was just long enough for us to visit a bit.

It brought me great joy to see Nathan and Mathew run the 200m race and cross with SUPER HUGE smiles. All of the children seemed to have a great time and there were ribbons for every kid there!

The 4 mile award ceremony went quickly, as there were few people left to receive an award. (Most had left to join their families). The top male and female each won a frozen turkey, and the top 3 each got a pie, a day-glo sweatshirt and glass race medal. Age group winners (top 3) received a glass medal as well.

I was honored to place in the top three with such ladies as Jane Rudkin (23:58), and Colleen Carter-Cox (25:44). Top males were Zachary Holloway (21:57), Shane land (22:02) and Ben Harter (22:26).

A few thoughts:

• Though I prefer to approach each race as a "goal race",  it was nice to race without any "real" expectations.
• This is the closest together I have ever ran two races. I was surprised at how resilient I was from the half, but know I am capable of a much better 4 miler. I would like to try this some year during a 5k training period.
• Although there were some factors that slowed the course down, I enjoy the bike path in Eugene. Skinner's Butte park and this section of path is scenic, and parking and play areas make it a great location for a race/start finish.
• This was a GREAT cause for a race: fighting hunger through Food for Lane County. Registration fees were donated, as were other food items racers brought in.
•  It was a very special race to have my husband and kids, and my dad, there.

Sorry! Beezus didn't show. And... exciting plans!!

On Thanksgiving I tried to upload a video of Beezus, a beloved neighborhood pet. It was funny, but the darn thing just wouldn't load. Could it be that my computer is antique outdated? Perhaps. Or it could be a possible user malfunction? Anyhow...sorry if you were disappointed to miss the big appearance. I'll save that for another time.

It's been a while since I posted. Mostly because I haven't had much to write about I have been too busy getting ready for Thanksgiving and recovering from it. The plan was to go up to my parent's house for the big day and enjoy dinner cooked by my mom. Prime Rib. (WTHeck?) We had to postpone it due to illness.  We stayed home and Jon worked. My oldest was bummed.

I more than made up for it on Sunday. My parents came down and I cooked a turkey with all the extras. When the bird was about 20 degrees away from done, the handle of my oven fell off! Oh yes! This will make a great memory. The year we scrambled to put the oven door back on while the turkey kept a-cooking. It actually took an hour longer than I had planned, but was fantastic and juicy. Worth the wait. Blessed again!!



My middle son (Matthew) was VERY proud of his loaf of bread. (I didn't give him a lot of dough to work with =D .  He loves to bake, though)

About running...

November is almost done and I am patiently trying to rebuild my mileage after an extreme taper (totally worth it!) and half marathon on the 20th. I'll just say that it's hard to be patient sometimes. My quads are still rebuilding and I definitely won't be doing any speed work still for another week (at least!) and then hope to get back to two days- one tempo and one interval/fartlek.

Does anyone else have trouble in the post-race recovery time frame? How do you get back into your regular training?  Last half I did (in June, before this one) I was too anxious and I think it cost me- calf strain or tear.

I have a lot of exciting things ahead in the next few weeks! There are approximately two more weeks to weigh out my options for Boston training. By then, I hope to have a solid plan and be able to get started with 16-18 weeks of training for the race. Possibilities include: 

• Pete Pfitzinger 18/70 (I plan to buy his book this week, regardless) 
• Revisiting SmartCoach (I used it for Eugene in may- but tweaked it) 
• Making my own plan (Scary! It would have to be ON PAPER)
• Something I haven't thought of yet...?

What about you? If you are training for Boston (or any other spring marathon), what are your plans? I'd really like to know!...