Thursday, December 20, 2012

Jingle Bell Run Recap

I big thanks to all the volunteers from Salvation Army, from Columbia High School NHS, from LJFAT, from Brazoria REACT, and all the others who came out and made the Jingle Bell Run such a huge success.  We had 119 registered for the 5K and 1 mile walk and 27 kids finish the 300 meter kids run.  With a fast finish, Xavier Jimenez took first place in men's division with a finish of 16:09.  Journey Hartung led the women's division with a finish of 20:11.  Sponsors of the race include BASF, Lone Star Bank, Krogers, Wal-Mart, TJ's Lube, Elite Appraisal, Chili's, Academy, Lowe's, and Bleu Roots Salon.  Santa Claus made a guest appearance and cheered our little runners on.







2012 Jingle Bell Race Results


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

San Antonio 2012 Race Report

We rocked it!  That's one way of describing the great time we had at the 2012 San Antonio Rock n Roll Marathon.  San Antonio is an awesome city to visit and the over 50,000 visitors there all seemed to enjoy themselves.  We went to the Riverwalk Friday night and had drinks at MadDog.  Saturday morning we found Starbucks and then breakfast at Blanco Cafe, very yummy.  We headed to the expo to get race packets, check out the booths, and shop for running must haves. We talked to booths about our upcoming Jingle Bell Run and asked for participation.  We had reservations at Roses on the River at 7 pm and had some great Mexican food and Ritas.  Saturday night was an early bed time, so we could be ready to wake at 6 am.  We walked to the start line around 7 am and wished each other luck while we separated into the designated corrals. There were 33 corrals going off every minute.  I lined up in Corral 8 and stretched what little I could with a mob of people all around.  Our corral moved up and by 7:38 we were off.  The first mile was congested and slow as my garmin told me my pace was a 9:41.  The runners around me were not going the 9:10 pace I was hoping for.  I gentleman in his 70's came flying by me in a red ball cap and a red race shirt from 2009.  I decided to tuck in behind him and visualized a rubber band that encircled the two of us.  Mile 2 was a 9:24, mile 3 and 4 was a 8:56, and mile 5 was a 9:10 pace.  Somewhere after mile 5 I lost my running hero at a water stop and felt the heat and humidity affecting me.  Mile 6 and 7 were around a 9:25 pace, but after that I slowed even more.  Mile 8 and 9 were at 9:47, mile 10 picked up to 9:27, then mile 11 and 12 were 10:06 and 10:09.  I found Suzanne and we ran the last mile in together at a 9:43 pace, then the last .2 miles we attempted to sprint in at a 8:36 pace.  Overall time was 2:05:47.  I had hoped for my first sub 2 hour half marathon but new that the weather wasn't cooperating.  It was 80 degrees when I finished the race.  I got my medal, my food, and my free beer and headed to find my friends.  I videotaped some of the awards ceremony, and listened to country music star Jo Dee Mesina sing on stage.  She had run the half marathon and followed it by performing as the headliner at the concert just minutes later.  Fantastic.  I had a blast with the 14 friends that traveled to this race.  I think I prefer the smaller races with less participants but I had a great time overall.

  

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Ready to Rock San Antonio

The San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon is this Sunday.  I will be running the half marathon.  I am really looking forward to a fun weekend with my gal running pals.  I've ran this race in 2009, 2010, and 2011.  It's a fun course with lots of crowd support and great stuff to see.  Running in front of the Alamo is amazing.  I ran the full last year which wasn't great as it got hot and boring, but the half is a good race.  I'm hoping I can break the 2 hour mark and PR at this race.  I don't think the weather is cooperating with that plan though.  I run much faster in very cool temps, if every race was in the forties, I'd be one happy runner.  So far the high this Sunday is the eighties, so it may kill any chances of a PR, but we will have to wait and see.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Race Report- Gator Run

A new half marathon PR of 2:01:25 and an age group award.  I am surprised and thrilled.  The Brazos Bend Gator Run was a great run, many thanks to Matt Ney and Powerhouse Pilates for putting on such a great event.  They had great race swag and yummy food, as well as hot coffee and hot cocoa as it was in the 40's and cold this morning.  I definately had a negative split at this race.  I started the race at a 9:45 pace and saw an 8:45 pace towards the end with an overall average pace of 9:16 min/mile which is much faster than all of my training runs.  January 27th they have an ultra- a 50K that I may have to go for.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Cold Front, why yes thank you

The first real cold front is blowing in today, and this one will hang around more than 24 hours.  Just in time for all the great races this weekend!  The Monster Dash 5K at MacLean park is 10/27 at 8 am.  I have 2 medals from prior years and won the costume contest last year.  League City has a 5K event on 10/27 as well.  I will be running the Gator half marathon on 10/28.  Looking forward to a low of 48 and a high of 60.  Between these three races, I have 350 flyers for our Jingle Bell Run going out in race packets so hope we have some additional participants sign up this weekend. 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Brazos Bend Gator Run

My next big race is coming up, the Gator Run at Brazos Bend State Park.  This race is a half marathon trail run and will be my first time to participate in it.  I'm looking forward to this race for the soft trails, the pretty scenery and of course the race medal.  Trails are a little more technical than road running which will be a nice change.  So far my longest run of late has been a 15 miler so I feel like I am ready for the distance.  And hopefully the cooler temperatures of the fall will have kicked in by then.  I cooler it is the faster I run!  Hope everyone is having a great time training for this race season.  Race date is on October 28, 2012, come out and run with me.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Awareness

So this is day 15 of my food log using the Lose it app on my Iphone.  I don't think I'm overweight or have a distorted self image that makes me believe I'm fat while wearing a size 4.  I just want to be aware of my nutrition and have a lean racing weight for the upcoming marathon season.  My BMI is currently 20.66 This number is awesome when compared to my BMI in May 2009 of over 33.  So relatively speaking I am very happy with my current health and fitness.  Female Elite athletes typically run at a BMI between 18-19.  Will I ever be an elite athlete?  Well heck no, not in this lifetime.  But it couldn't hurt to try to lower my BMI while training for the marathon season and see if it helps me hit a new PR, personal record.  Mostly I compete against myself, to try and improve myself.  It's fun, challenging, and has lots of positive rewards.  So the Lose it App is very helpful and tracks your nutrition as well as goals.  I review it all, calories, protien, carbs, and fat.  I really enjoy putting in the exercise and watching a 10 mile run subtract 1000 calories from a day.  I'd definately recommend this app.

Monday, October 1, 2012

JINGLE BELL RUN TIME!

http://www.raceit.com/search/event.aspx?id=15201

Fall is in the air, and these cooler temps are perfect racing weather.  Make a 5K your fitness goal.  Already an avid runner?  Get your new PR at this fun race supporting the Salvation Army!



Thursday, August 23, 2012

San Bernard Wildlife Refuge

Found a new place to explore while running.  The San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge has miles of gravel roads set up as an auto tour.  There is a 3.8 mile loop around Mocassin Pond.  There is Bobcat woods trail along a slough with boardwalk running boards throughout the trail.  There are restroom facilities, more like really nice portacans as well as a pavilion.  There's a large lake with a deck overlooking it which gives you a nice veiw of sunset over the water.  Saw 2 alligators so I would suggest staying on the designated paths, especially around the waterways.  Had a 5 mile run that turned out a little faster than normal as I was running against the dusk coming in.  I was also trying to out run the large biting flies that look like horse flies.  Looking forward to going back to explore the rest of the Refuge and scout out a possible group run.  Directions:

Take FM 2004 south from Hwy 36.  This turns into FM 2611.  Cross over the San Bernard river, turn left on FM 2918, turn right on County Road 306.  Follow the gravel road past the Refuge Headquarters, and turn left into the entrance of the refuge, enjoy.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Mosquito Chase 5K

The Mosquito Festival is a pretty big event for Clute, Texas. They do a great job of putting together a fun filled weekend, with activities for everyone.  Check their site out at http://www.mosquitofestival.com/ Lin Richey is an awesome event coordinator, and put flyers for the West Brazos 5K in the 156 race packets that went out to the participants of the Mosquito Chase 5K.  I brought the kids out for the free kids run that started at 7:15.  They did much better than at the Firecracker kids run.  They also were they to cheer me on for my 5K.  It was hot and humid, but I expected this.  I forgot to wear my sunglasses which did bother me during the race even though we started at 7:30 am.  I also had issues with my music.  I listen to music via my iphone and voice control would come on in the middle of my song and stop my music.  I haven't figured out how to disable this, but it was irritating.  I finished the race in 28:43 which is no where near my best time.  I know I've been slower lately and haven't spent the time doing speed intervals like I should.  Plus the heat does account for some of it.  I was 4th in my age group.  Took the kids to ride rides after the race.  I came back that evening to eat barbeque from the Cook Off and listen to Keven Fowler play some country music.  A good day.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

49 medals came in for the race, which medal will you leave with August 18th?

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Running with Spiders

I've been wanting to check out a new location to run.  The Justin Hurst Wildlife Refuge area is right off Sally Lake Rd.  Sally Lake is a beautiful lake where high end homes surrounded by trees have their own peice of waterfront.  The refuge is open during daylight hours, has trails that surround Scoby Lake (not near as pretty as Saly Lake) and a gravel road that leads into County Road 29.  After spraying the 100% deet mosquito repellant, I was off on a new adventure.  I ran down a wooden boardwalk that took me to a overlook onto Scoby Lake.  At this point, I followed a grassy trail through the trees which hadn't been mowed recently, probably due to the recent rains.  After taking out several spider webs, I started to question my common sense on this journey.  Finally the grass trail lead me to the gravel drive and I was able to continue my trail run spider free.  The trail was nice ands shady and I came to a gate that separated the refuge land from the county road.  I jumped the gate and kept on my journey.  I came across several horses in a neighboring pasture before the gravel road ended on FM 521.  I decided to back track back to the refuge.  After jumping the gate again, I saw other wildlife along my route, rabbits and even 2 deer that waited till I was almost upon them before running off.  Glad I didn't have to race them, they are fast.  Overall, a really nice run.  It will be even better after they mow the miles of grassy trails that completely surround Scoby Lake, so I have something to look forward to next time.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Running off the beaten path, this "lost bridge" is near the San Bernard river and connects Pan Am road to a few river properties.  The road isn't well maintained, which is just fine for a runner looking for a change of scenery. Sometimes a change in route and scenery is just what we need to get a fresh perspective on life.  Running can be a great time to center one's self and work through problems that have been eating at your subconcious.  I usually come out with a great plan of action after a long run that helps solve life's problems. 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Jingle Bell Run

West Brazos Runners Club have collaborated with the Salvation Army to present the Jingle Bell Run.  On December 15, 2012 we will hand out bells to ring while completing a 5K Run and a 1 Mile Walk in Brazoria.  Sign up online at https://www.signmeup.com/85732

West Brazos 5K

West Brazos 5K in Brazoria, Texas benefits the West Brazos Soccer Club supporting youth soccer in Brazoria, West Columbia, and Sweeny.  The event is on August 18, 2012 at the race starts at 7:30 am.  You can register online at https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/84303/SMUCalendar

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Being the Race Director

I've been an event coordinator in a previous position, so when the opportunity came around to use my skills as an event coordinator along with my passion for running, I said yes to being the race director of an inaugural event, the West Brazos 5K in Brazoria on August 18, 2012.  Putting together the event is a fun challenge that I am really passionate about.  I have ran in many other 5K races, so as a spectator I know what I like.  Now I get to see the behind the scenes coordinating first hand. 

To register go to http://www.westbrazossoccer.org/
or http://www.signmeup.com/ and search West of the Brazos 5K