Boston qualifier

Small Improvements

January 31, 2012 by Kristy 13 Comments

I have to focus on the small improvement here or else I would cry. This morning was another set of 3 x 1-mile repeats. Oy. This was the same exact speed workout I did 4 weeks ago.

Week 1: 7:10, 7:08, 7:11
Week 5 (today): 7:04, 7:10, 7:10

OK, so the 7:04 was a small improvement. All of these were effort based (Week 1 and Week 5) and I was sucking wind hard today. Unfortunately, I can’t say this is my 5K pace. Unless I want to die during the 5K.

So…even though I said I wouldn’t do this anymore…I took a peek at my training cycle for the Lehigh Valley Marathon (same week, same workout) — 7:11, 7:08, 7:05. Hmmm. I’m starting to think of my last training cycle (my BQ cycle) as the one where I constantly improved and this training cycle as the one where I constantly remain stagnant. Maybe I’m not meant to get any faster? Maybe I maxed out my speed? Maybe I should forget mile repeats (or any track work for that matter) and just run hill repeats? They are more fun anyway.

Moving on…

My favorite part of Runner’s World is the “I’m a Runner” feature on the back page. It’s like US Weekly for runners. I’m highly disappointed with the March issue. Kate Gosselin?!?! Jeez, were they desperate? I would like to knock her off the kitchen counter she’s sitting on. Her interview was obnoxious. Thanks RW…I’ll stick to Running Times.

Did you watch Jon & Kate Plus 8? I did, during its height…before she went crazy.

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

December 31, 2011 by Kristy 12 Comments

I debated about whether to write a 2011 recap post. Last night I decided not to but then today I had this nagging feeling like I should. 2011 was a good year so I should do it justice!

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time you probably already know what I’m most proud of in 2011 – qualifying for Boston at the Lehigh Valley Marathon on 9/11/11.

3 weeks later, I found out that I would be running Boston in 2012.

There were other PRs too. Cherry Blossom 10-miler (1:19), a hot and humid 5K (23:22 – I need to revisit this!), and a not-what-I-wanted-but-a-PR-nonetheless at the Philly Half Marathon (1:47).

I can’t forget our travels in 2011 either. San Francisco in February. Ireland in May.

Other good stuff: I started a blog and “officially” started my own little coaching business.

Instead of resolutions, I prefer to make goals. I want to document them here on the blog so, one year from now, I can see my progress (or lack of). In no particular order, here’s what I’d like to accomplish in 2012:

1. Run a sub-3:40 at Boston and BQ again (more on this later).

2. Study and pass the CSCS exam.

3. Revamp the blog and switch to self-hosting.

4. Grow my coaching business.

I think that is enough! I also don’t like to be unrealistic!

Happy New Year!

Tell me something you would like to accomplish in 2012 (it can be anything)…

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24, 2011 by Kristy 10 Comments

This morning I did my own version of a Turkey Trot – 6 miles with a super tight hamstring. So yes, I definitely was trotting. I left my Garmin at home and instead just enjoyed being outside on a beautiful morning. I thought about what I’m thankful for, big and small, and noticed 2 distinct groupings: people and running. Here goes…

My family: they are wonderful and healthy. I won’t get to spend today with them but I will see my parents next weekend.

My in-laws: Matt is the youngest of seven so there’s lots of them! I have never met such nice, genuine, and welcoming people.

Matt: see above about in-laws; the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

My friends: I’ve been friends with some for 25+ years (eek!); others surprise you at Mile 25 of a marathon.

Hawk: every day he makes us laugh.

Qualifying for Boston: 9/11/11 was the second best day of my life.

Running: it has changed my life and I cannot imagine my life without it.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I need to work on my race face…

October 5, 2011 by Kristy 11 Comments

The plus side to a small marathon (or down side, depends on how you look at it) is there are plenty of pictures of just you running the race. From all timepoints. Looking oh so fabulous.

I rarely like race photos. I look miserable (even if I wasn’t during the race) and always appear to be race walking.

Because we can all use a good laugh on this Wednesday, I’m sharing my Lehigh Valley Marathon race photos. Even the horrendous ones. You are welcome.

Smilin’ and overstridin’ during the early miles.

Things are getting tough as I enter yet another towpath…but I manage a half-assed wave.

Still on that towpath and not looking happy.

I’m en route to a BQ here, seconds away from the finish line. Do I look happy? No. I was trying desperately to hold it together (i.e., not cry) so I guess that’s the reason for the pained look.

How about a fist pump though?

This is a typical Kristy crossing the finish line photo – obsessed with stopping the Garmin at the precise time and never looking at the camera.

Now I’m beginning to cry and I’m just overwhelmed with emotion but there were no tears.

This one takes the cake…doesn’t it scream BQer? 😉 No wonder the volunteers rushed over to me!

Got any good race photos to share? And fess up…do you actually buy any of your race photos? I never have…just because they are so awful!

I’m Running The Boston Marathon (it's official)!

September 30, 2011 by Kristy 27 Comments

OK, OK…I know…enough of the Boston talk! But I promise this post won’t be whiny.

It has been a long 2 1/2 weeks since this happened…

Thanks Amanda for the video! Pay no attention to my bad form.

But I finally received my acceptance email from the B.A.A. on Thursday (at 2:11pm, not that I was waiting or anything). What did it take?

6: emails to the B.A.A. from me
4: phone calls to the B.A.A.
1: fax to the B.A.A.
1: email from the LVM race director* to the B.A.A.
1: email from the LVM race timer to the B.A.A.
*this email came from Gerry Yasso (yes, Bart’s brother). Bart designed the LVM course. I love Bart Yasso and now his brother is pretty awesome as well.

I cannot believe it’s finally official!

AND, I cannot believe how lucky I am.

After the NJ Marathon (May 2011), I knew I could BQ. I was lucky enough to get another shot at BQing and found a marathon within driving distance the day before Boston 2012 registration opened. Talk about down to the wire.
There was hurricane Irene, then more flooding, and 90% humidity leading up to the race. I was lucky enough to get a cool and overcast day with little to no mud.
Then the unthinkable happened, Boston registration was still open on September 19th and I was lucky enough to register.

Little did I know that I was about to get even luckier…

One second slower (say I had a violent sneeze during Mile 24) and I would not be running the Boston Marathon.

This is a dream come true! There are no words to express how happy I am right now!

Boston will be my 10th marathon. What a way to ring in the double digits!

PS – My running twin, Cindi, is going to kick ass at the Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday. Stop by and wish her the race of a lifetime!

Boston Update: Thursday Edition

September 29, 2011 by Kristy 13 Comments

If you want to hit “mark all as read” in your Google Reader because you are sick of hearing about Boston, I don’t blame you. I’m pretty damn sick of it myself.

The update is that I still don’t know. I make daily calls to the B.A.A. (I swear there is an audible groan when they hear my voice). I send emails and faxes. Has it helped speed up the process? Nope.

Yesterday I was told there were 300 runners in my situation (most of them ran international races) and they hope to get through them yesterday and today and let us know on Friday. I was told they are not giving away my spot; just checking that my finish time was not falsified. They have 2 emails (which I also faxed to them) from the LVM stating that my finish time is 3:43:46. What the hell more do you need?

Maybe I’ll hear today? I’m not holding my breath. Take your damn time, B.A.A.

In the meantime, I’m trying to focus on other things. Like the fact that I’m running a 5K this weekend with my niece, Sarah (her second 5K!).