Back Home (WW # 38)

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

This linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia at MissSippiPiddlin.    The purpose of this link is to connect with and support other active women. You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  Race recaps are also encouraged!  {See rules}   

We are thrilled that we continue to have a record number of linkers each week.  Thank You!  The support and camaraderie are truly priceless.  Please return later in the week and interact with more women.   It's an excellent way to make new friends and gain invaluable support, all while holding yourself accountable!  Don't forget to comment on each blog that you read and remember to support your hosts.  

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I didn't recap the Destin Half last week and I'll try to keep it short.  As you know, Tricia was by my side for half #40.  I wanted a 2:05 or less, a slight improvement over my last one.  My plan was to average a 9:30 and speed up in the last few miles.  The course was out and back, directly west and then east -- not a loop, a straight line.  The bridge over the bay was stunning, although I did a lot of weaving on the first pass.  Most miles (4 out plus 4 back) were through the Gulf Islands National Seashore with the bay on one side and the ocean on the other.   My plan was working OK and I could feel the wind at my back.  It was warm and I thought "that's going to feel good when I turn around".  {Bahahaha.} 

At the turn around, I knew I was in deep trouble.  Hello, wind!  I saw Tricia coming my way and we high-fived for luck.  My plan quickly changed from 9:30 to "don't go over 10".  I did this for 2 miles...and was utterly exhausted.   I was now back at the section with the bay on the left and the ocean on the right.   For 4 miles, there was absolutely nothing to break the wind.  Watching the kite surfers was very entertaining, however!   I ran so closely behind a pair of ladies, I know they wanted to smack me.   I was tired of the roar in my ears as my Yurbuds amplify wind noise.  {Anybody else?}  My plan changed to "just hang on".   My feet cramped in mile 10 but after two quick stops to stretch, they were OK.  

When I reached the bridge again, this time I walked across the peak.  The view was spectacular as fishing boats were coming out from underneath to head into the ocean.  The sky and water were a stunning blue.  I took a few seconds to reflect on the scene, the ability and opportunity to have run 40 of these things, and just take in and appreciate the moment.  My time didn't matter.  I picked it back up going down the bridge and smoked my two wind buffers in the final mile.  {Sorry ladies, but thank you!}.  I finished with a hard fought 2:14 -- a far cry from the original plan.  I was 13 out of 54 in my age group

Was I upset?  Heck, no.  Part of why I love doing this is because every race is different.  You never know what you will get.  I conquered the wind on this day!  The race direction was excellent.  The expo exceeded expectations as well as the after party at beautiful Harbor Walk.  We even got to pick out a pair of flipflops at the finish line.  I would definitely do it again, sans wind of course.  The medal?  HUGE!  It also can be mounted as a bottle opener.  {Hands off honey, it's going on my medal rack!}

The weekend with Tricia and her husband was a blast.

To see our pictures and read about our shenanigans >>GO HERE<< !

Weekly Wrap



M -- 4 miles beach recovery run
T  -- strength (a plank PR!)
W -- 5 miles progressive
        (10:02 / 9:52 / 9:27 / 9:15 / 8:49)
T  -- strength
F  -- REST
S  -- 3 miles (5k race) 
S  -- 6 miles

Total -- 18 miles

I received exciting news on Thursday.  I was selected to run the Chicago Marathon again.  If you are new to my blog, this is the race I had to DNS after developing a stress fracture in my left foot just two weeks before the race.  That's right...after all the training was done.  It was a hard pill to swallow.  I'd like to finish what I started. 

In continuing with my "run more 5ks to get faster" plan, Saturday I participated in the CCAD 5k benefiting autism.  It was sunny and 65 degrees (warm in my book).  I went out too fast (8:39) hung on during mile 2 (8:54) tanked during the last mile (9:18) and sprinted to the finish (7:56).  My overall official pace was 8:55.  Although I'm happy with anything that starts with "8", I was disappointed I allowed myself to walk in the last mile.  Why.did.I.do.that?  I placed 2nd in my 10-year bracket.  A huge shout out to Debra from HappyRunningSole who placed 2nd overall female!  The awards were cute bobble head trophies. 

Sunday's scheduled long run was not great.  I had no energy whatsoever but I chugged along until mile 6 and called it a day.   Afterward I felt sick to my stomach for a while.  It was just one of those runs you sometimes have.  It's possible the heat and humidity are already a factor.  Please say it ain't so...

And that's a wrap!

There was a lot of racing going on this weekend!  Did you race?

What was the most exciting thing about your week?

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