Race Recap: Coastal Delaware Running Festival

We took off from DC on Fri evening for Rehoboth Beach.  We spent Saturday morning playing at the beach and Saturday afternoon at the expo.  I knew what I had to do at the expo- transfer down to the half marathon.  My training just wasn't there this winter with being so sick which I recently found out was due to being vitamin D deficient.    My mileage for the months of March and April were what I should have been doing per week!  I just didn't think it would be so hard emotionally.  I knew it was the right thing to do, so I gave up my personalized full bib for a generic half one.  

I was disappointed because the full course runs the trails of Cape Henlopen State Park, but the half doesn't.  Those trails are always part of my training runs when we hit the beach!  

We purchased tickets at the expo for the runners dinner at The LightHouse restaurant.  It was a buffet of pastas, salads, breads, desserts....we were impressed.  

We went back to the hotel to prepare for the early wake up call.  In the morning, I had some cold brew coffee and instant oatmeal and we headed out. I had my husband drop me off on Route 1 at the point where it was closed and I walked to the start line.  The bathroom line was really long and I chatted with a woman whose son is a chef at ChurchKey in DC...we love that place!  I barely made it to start in time!  

The course was nice and familiar to me since we often do beach weekends in the Rehoboth, Lewes, Dewey Beach area.  The course was beautiful.  The footing on the boardwalk wasn't my favorite as I feel it made me push off differently and use different muscles.  

My watch died mid race so I couldn't tell where I was in the final miles.  By mile 11.5, we were running down the breakdown lane of Route 1 in full sun.  It was feeling hot, no views and the monotony was getting to me.  At that point, I was ready for it to be over.  As I approached 12.5, I passed a runner then as we got closer to the finish line she sped up and was stride to stride with me.  I sped up and so did she...we ended up racing each other to the finish line!  Then we high fives at the end.  I would not have pushed that hard without that!

I met up with BeckStarRuns and congratulated her on her race.  She didn't stay long as she had to get back to a sick husband and daughter.

Then I proceeded to ice my legs in the bay....ahhhh bliss.  

We stayed and enjoyed the finish line festivities.  There was a finish line BBQ for all finishers, but nothing vegetarian.  

We enjoyed the sun and the sand for a while.  Avery was able to play and there were lots of other kids.  

We then headed out for an early dinner in Rehoboth Beach and a quick play session on the beach before heading back to DC.  

Overall, a good race.  I will do it again.  It's a great excuse to get to the beach for the weekend to relax and celebrate in the sand, sun and salt water?  Even better!  

Annapolis Running Classic Discount!

I am happy to announce that I have been selected as a member of the A-Team for the Annapolis Running Classic!  I'm very excited to be back running this one for the 3rd year in a row.  It is the BEST finish line festival I have ever experienced.  I will not kid you about the hills-  it's a very challenging course, but that makes the unlimited brews🍻, oysters and band that much sweeter!  

I hope to see you there!  If you do register, save money with the code CDREF15.  AND be sure to come find me at the after party!  

Check out my race recap from 2013: http://www.livefreeandrun.net/2013/11/race-review-annapolis-running-classic.html?m=1

And the hits keep coming...

I mentioned in my last blog post that I learned through a blood test that I was vitamin D deficient.  That leads to weakened immunity and lack of energy...which was me basically from Feb on.  I went to my PCP because after many visits at urgent care for various things- flu, colds, cough, sore throat, weakness, ear pain, etc and not getting better...I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.   I finally had to break down and get a sub to go see my PCP...doctors hours and teacher hours don't line up well!  

While at my PCP I mentioned the symptom of hoarseness of voice that was happening mostly in the evenings for about 3 months (the entire sickness ordeal).  That raised a red flag and she said you should not have that for so long....i want you to see an ENT.  Once again, getting a sub to go to the appointment so I didn't actually go for about two weeks.  I knew I had to because the hoarseness was really affecting my life...evening hoarseness, tiredness and throat pain was causing me to get a sub more often than not for my mid-week evening spin class I teach.  

I finally saw the ENT this week and stuck a crazy tubular camera up through my nose and down the back of my throat.  It was nuts.  While in there he said...yup you've got nodules.  Think of them as callouses on your voice box and prescribed me a steroid.  

I'm instructed to come back after I take the medicine if I don't feel better.  I'm thinking I will...tonight's pain is bad.  I definitely experience the body fatigue as well.  Combined with my vitamin D deficiency lack of energy, I'm really winning right now.  

So in the short term, I may try and rest my voice this weekend.  Unfortunately I talk all day for a living.  But it says not talk or whisper AT ALL for a few days....I guess I have an exciting weekend of carrying around a notepad to communicate.  Ugh.  And I'm thinking I should take a big ole DNS for the Columbia Triathlon and Warrior Dash this weekend.  

Maybe I could still do the Tri silent?  I won't be able to yell, "on your left!".  

I had a really rough winter...and I finally know why.

It's been no secret this winter was horrible for me health wise.  Cold after cold, the flu, lack of energy, and daily headaches.  My training suffered terribly.  I would participate in the races I had already signed up for but complete only about 1/3 of my training miles and workouts.  I got subs for the spin class I teach.  I am still signed up for a full marathon next weekend, but will be dropping to the half.  

After not feeling good, or like myself since January, I finally went to the Dr.  Doing a search of my symptoms I was assuming that I'd be told I had an iron deficiency.  Lyme disease also ran through my mind as my daughter has suffered from it.  I had blood tests done last week.  My results came back this week and everything came back good except for vitamin D.  I was deficient.  

Deficiency causes muscle weakness and decreased immunity especially to respiratory infections which was spot on for me.  

I am now taking a vitamin D supplement and trying to spend as much time in the sun as possible.  I'm starting to feel a little better, but still weak and will need to build back up to full racing speed and stamina.  I'm so happy winter is finally over!  

Maybe it's time to move back to California?  😜

Race Recap: BAA 5k

The BAA 5k was an overall great experience and I'm really happy I did it!  The race started and finish at the Boston Common and our hotel, The Park Plaza was steps away.   I love the Boston Common!

I didn't do gear check since I had my husband.  There were plenty of porta potties, but they had run out of toilet paper.  

I found the 7:00 minute corral and hopped in.  It was definitely a crowded race.  There were 10,000 runners and it was self seeding, so the first mile was very crowded and full of many different paces.  This made it very difficulties maintain an even solid pace.  I felt like a Ping pong ball bouncing back and forth looking for openings.  I was getting really stressed out but then decide to just relax, back off the pace and enjoy the sights.  

It was a beautiful course and so neat to run along the same path that the marathon would run on Monday.   So many businesses had signs out supporting the runners...it was amazing!  

As we made the left onto Boylston with the slight downhill and the Boston Marathon finish line ahead, I envisioned how that would feel for Mondays runners (my hubby included).   

I finished without a PR but still happy.  I ran without a phone so I had a hard time finding my people at the end, but luckily we all did.  Was so great to see my friends Laura and Christine who live in the area.  Great race ladies!  

I also ran into fellow blogger, Pavement Runner!  Thanks to him for the pic!  

The course was redesigned this year to be faster and American 5k records were broken that morning.  Molly Huddle pulled ahead to take the record and Ben True took the men's.  Both ran the fastest 5ks on American soil....ever!  My husband was spectating and said the cheers for Molly and Ben were deafening... Avery was covering her ears!  Way to go Ben and Molly!  

I couldn't stay in the finish area too long, as I had a 10am group run with Team Nuun.  So I ran the mile or so down Newbury Street to meet up with them.  

We met at the Tracksmith pop up shop and took a 3 mile loop out to the water and back.  Thanks to Jody from CrossMyHeartFitness for the photo.  

After the run, I headed back to the finish line to eat lunch with the family at SweetGreen and look who I ran into there?  I was in heaven!  

What a fun time!  I will be back next year!  

Exciting Announcements!

So many exciting things going on in Live Free And Run land!

First, as a member of Team Nuun....I am being given the opportunity to run the Ragnar Wasatch Back in Utah.  Go #TeamNuun




I am runner 9 in Van #2.  My legs:

7.60 miles | Very Hard

9.00 miles | Very Hard

4.10 miles | Moderate

Total Miles:20.7 miles

Very excited and nervous!  I have a pretty long leg and very difficult elevation profile.  I am hoping that this will make Marine Corps Marathon seem easy!  Have you done a Ragnar before?  Any tips to share with this Ragnar Virgin?  

I was chosen as an ambassador for The North Face #TNFlocal.  They are sponsoring November Project style workouts right here in DC!  Come join us!  

I was also chosen again as a Women's Health Action Hero for 2015.  I am excited to run the Run 10 Feed 10 again and support this amazing cause.  

I am will the at the RRCA Run Coach Training all weekend and will come back as a certified running coach.  Wahoo!  

In 8 days we head up to Boston for the Boston Marathon!  I will be running the 5k and the hubby the full!  We will both get to cross this very special finish line!  

As a celebration of the exciting things....I am giving away a FEED foundation bag and lots of goodies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Life Lately.....

So I got the flu (real full blown Type A flu) AGAIN this year in mid Feb.  Yeah you have got to be kidding me.  I got it last year AND this year....what are the chances?  and yes I did get my flu shot....both this year and last.  (Thinking there should be kindergarten teacher hazard pay... but I love my little munchkins!). 

To say that the flu has affected my training would be an understatement...it has KILLED my training.  It took over a month to normal again.  The flu than most have turned into secondary infections with a lingering low grade fever, chest congestion, viral pink eye, sore throat and mild ear infection that just wouldn't quit.  Was finally prescribed a z-pack at urgent care last weekend because I just couldn't take it anymore.    I did not teach spin for the past six weeks. I did not work out or run unless it was a race I had already signed up for (with a few exceptions).  I am feeling pretty down in the dumps and trying to get back into it.  I was nervous to teach spin this Weds because it had been so long and I was feeling so out of shape.  I am nervous to run again for the same reason.  But I need to get over that fear of feeling like a failure and now I can get back to where I was....it will just take a few hard weeks of motivation and discipline.  And realizing that every little bit helps.  So when I was early for spin class?  Jump Jacks!  Every little bit will help.  Did walking lunges too. Now as I sit here writing this on Friday...sore.  Just goes to show how far I have to go!  

I need to get back into shape and quick.  I have the BAA 5k, the End Homelessness 5k, Pike's Peak 10k that I was hoping would be my new 10k PR, I have a full marathon at the Coastal DE  (that will be scaled back to the half because of this) and the Columbia Triathlon all coming down the pipeline in the next SIX WEEKS!  So super scary with where I am at right now. 

Have you ever had a break from training due to illness?  How did you deal?  How did you motivate and push yourself to get back into it without the feelings of discouragement?