Polar Dash 10K... Nothing like running in Blizzard Conditions

2012 turned out to be as adventurous as 2011.

I realized I found a great, not AWESOME, group to run with. Our Coach Dave and Judy really worked with me to improve my running skills and improve my form.  My team rocked in helping me push thru my runs and helping me get to a level in my running I thought never possible. I don't think I could've gotten anywhere without the support of my team and Rich.  Rich was very patient during the season, more than I ever expected, with all my training and again a crazy race schedule. He even made it out to a couple of my races, regardless of the fact that he wakes up early during the week, he was up and there for me at the finish line.

2012 meant more race, longer races and finally triathlons.  I couldn't wait. I had the itch and started my season early. Only giving myself what was left of December, 2011, after the Vegas Half, as an off month, I started my race season in late January with a blizzard 10k. It was so much fun!!!  Not to shabby for running in a blizzard :)

This was just the start of the fun of 2012 and I couldn't wait. If I could run a 10k in the snow, than almost anything is possible.

Official Time 1:21:01

2011 - Highlight Photos

Bike the Drive

LaGrange Rocks 5K

LaGrange Rocks 5K

LaGrange Rocks 5K

4 on the 4th

Women's 5k/10k

L.A.T.E. Ride

4 on the 4th

Terrapin 5k

Terrapin 5k

Hot Chocolate 5k

Hot Chocolate 5k

Pie Run 3.14K

Pie Run 3.14K

Year End Picture

2011 Race's In Review

Below are my races in review (official and unofficial Times)

4/16/2011 - Race to Wrigley 5K - 45:00
4/27/2011 - Chase Chocolate Rabbit Race 5K - 41:45
5/15/2011 - Get Your Rear In Gear 5K - 39:55
5/26/2011 - Chase Corporate Challenge 3.5 Miler - 42:33
6/8/2011 - LaGrange Rock's 5K - 37:39.3
4/4/2011 - Four on the 4th - 51:59
7/17/2011 - Fleet Feet Women's 5K - 39:23
8/8/2011 - Terrapin 5K - 36:57
8/26/2011 - DeKalb Corn Classic 10K - 1:17:45
10/1/2011 - Itasca Oktoberfast 5K - 35:51
10/15/2011 - Baltimore Half Marathon - 2:54:39
10/29/2011 - Monster Dash 5k - 37:48
11/5/2011 - Hot Chocolate 5K - 37:42
11/24/2011 - Run 3.14 Pie Run
12/4/2011 - Las Vegas Rock N Roll Half Marathon - 2:55:35

Not too shabby for someone who could barely run a block around March of the same year :)

How this all happened....

This year is my year of opportunities. 

In March of 2011 I took the plunge and joined a Couch to 5k class, in hopes to complete a first sprint triathlon. Little did I know that I would find a new love in running. It was a new challenge to compete in a way I never knew before. Plus it helped that I found a great group of friends and an awesome coach, both of which knew how to push me to a point I never knew physically possible. I don't think I could've accomplished what I have done without there help and support.

On April 16, 2011 I completed in my first 5k only weeks into my training. I knew I wasn't prepared but I just had to do it.  So I ran the Race to Wrigley 5k, finishing in around 45 minutes... It was rainy cold and plain icky, but I pushed thru it and walked when I wanted to and finally hit the finish line.  WOW I still remember that day, it felt so great to say I did it, especially since the first day of the C25K class I couldn't even run half a block without feeling winded.  After that race I knew I could do this... A sprint tri would be just around the corner for me.

Little did I know that my triathlons would have to wait a little longer, at least until 2012.  This year I would focus on my running. I started to register for races left and right, letting the sport, almost consume me (well if you ask Rich he would say it did). I just enjoyed the thrill of the challenge and the fact that I was finally getting fit was amazing.

I had my ups and downs, injuries and accidents, but I managed to get thru all of them.  The highlight was when I did the DeKalb Corn Classic 10k.  I couldn't wait to be back on campus, run the race and enjoy some beer nuggets at Corn Fest.  This race taught me the importance of paying attention before the start of the race. I was so busy trying to get my RunKeeper started and deciding on the music to play that I didn't pay attention to the pot hole just before the start.  I fell right into it, rolling my ankle.  I was like YIKES hope no one saw that.  I got up and hobbled off to get this race going. It was so hot and humid that I just wanted to finish. They had volunteers on there bikes spraying us with water bottles so we could keep cool. When we went thru the residential area, the families had there sprinklers on in the street and had fruit and water for us. It was nice and a great experience. At about mile 5 I remembered that I fell and my ankle started to throb. Thanks to the NIU basketball team, high-5ing them was a challenge, but they cheered me on and helped me get over that little hill and to the finish.  Once I crossed the finish, I realized that Nunn is not my friend and I puked. Then I went to medical to get hydrated and had them look at my foot. The minute I took my shoe and sock off I could see that the damage was done and now I had to deal with the consequences. (3 days later after a doc visit I find out it was a double sprain, high and low, and I was off from running for the time).  But hey I finished my first 10k in 1:17:45. I may have not reached the time Dave wanted me to, but I factored in the sprained ankle so I was happy :)

So 2011 was definitely a year of first for me...

my first 5k
my first 10k
my first half marathon...

Yes you read that right, I finished the year with not one but two half marathons.  By the time summer rolled around, I was planning a trip to see Christin in Baltimore, and the trip revolved around the Baltimore running festival. So I asked Coach if he thought I could do it, he said he did and gave me my training plan and I was set. This race was a definite challenge, there were hills, rolling hills, that I wasn't use to but I conquered them, walking but I got it done.  I finished my first half marathon in a 2:54:39. I was so happy since I gave myself a 3 hr time limit. 

This was my biggest feat/highlight of the year. I never thought it could be done but I did it. So when it came to visiting cousin Kevin and the kids in Vegas for Rich's birthday and the Rock n Roll Half, I couldn't resist but to sign up.  That was a big mistake. They had over 44k runners, I as in corral 26 and had over a hour wait in the drizzling rain at night to get to the start, that's after standing and watching Cheap Trick perform as the pre-race show.  This was not fun. I came with the idea that I would PR (Personal Record) being that it was flat an all, but it turned out that I walked more and just hated it!!!

In the end, 2011 finished with 
2 half marathons
1 10k
1 4 miler
1 3.5 miler
10 5k's
Bike the Drive
L.A.T.E. Ride

WOW what a start on what is turning out to be a really awesome road I'm traveling on.