February 2013 Goals

My goals this month are centered on getting back on track. These past few months (November, December and January) I've been plagued by illness that has really halted my fitness goals. 

I haven't suffered from anything serious, just the annoying common cold. But when you're sick you can't get out there and it starts to catch up with you.

This week, for example, I haven't been able to do anything because the antibiotics I'm on won't allow me to sweat. 

I have one of those strep throat infections that I blame on the germy kids I have to teach everyday.

 So Friday I take my final pills and that's when I'm getting back out there. I really miss running and it's only been a week. However, because of these non-planned hiatuses (is that a word?) I won't be running the Seville Marathon this year.

I am simply not ready and if I run it again I want to improve my time from the one I ran in Ciudad Real. I also don't want to get injured by running that much distance when the last time I ran (after the 25K) was only 8 miles. I don't need to prove anything to anyone and I'd rather be injury free.

One thing I have been doing is looking tentatively at ultramarathon training schedules and tips and tricks. For this month I want to mentally, and physically, prepare myself for running longer distances. I don't have a particular race in mind or timeline but I need to get back on a regular running schedule.

My first run on Friday will be 6 miles and then I'll build up from there. I want to start running 5 times a week, which will be adding on a day from my previous running routines. 

Right now I'm sticking with my own manufactured running schedule. Once I feel like I'm back at my marathon fitness level I'll start seriously pursuing my ultramarathon investigations.

In a nutshell: February goals are to stay healthy, stay running and stay injury free. I've put together a new legs routine to strengthen my quads as I don't usually pay much attention to them. I'll share that workout routine soon.

Half-marathon Recap: Córdoba

Here I am about 30 minutes before the start of the race.

Getting my warm up and stretching in.

There's my bib number. I almost didn't sign up for the race on time!

As you can see, the race is starting to fill out. This is about 30 minutes before the start.

I have a lot of space now but soon I won't even be able to move!

These are the people who run it in 1 hour and a little (or 1 hour 15 for females).

It was amazing how many people were there. It was such a nice day as well.

Here's a shot probably 5-10 minutes before the start.

Here's the track where the race ended.

There I am. My best time was 1 hour 39 minutes in North Carolina.

As you can see from the pictures above, I decided to run the half-marathon. Even though I had been sick all week and even though I'd only run twice (30 minutes both times) after marathon #2 in Ciudad Real.

It was an interesting race because I didn't experience any of my usual nervous-ness before or leading up to the race. I didn't bother taking pictures of my race pack or my running gear. Honestly, my husband had to remind me to even pick up my race pack! I know, crazy right?!

I woke up on race day relaxed and rested and ready to run. I had no preconceived notions or goals. It was just to run the race and have fun doing it. I felt under-prepared and way below my usual level of fitness...but what the heck, I ran anyway.

To me, I ran an abysmal race. But I actually came 3rd in my category (yes I have a trophy!), 10th in local results and 30th out of the 303 women who ran. I didn't think I would win anything so I left before they gave out trophies. 

We'd waited for the results for like 90 minutes. I was smelly and sweaty so we left. I looked online later that evening and saw I won a trophy! I called this morning and I should be able to pick it up this week sometime.

The race was exciting for the simple fact that there were TONS of people there. This year the race had record participation in that it was sold out! There were 4,000 people there ready to run Sunday. 

It was a really amazing sight to see. I also was able to position myself in the front. There aren't many women who run so all these males were trying to push me around.

Of course I stood my ground! It was cool to actually be in the front! I'll definitely have to do that for next year. Actually, Chema (the hubby) said he might try to run it next year. Now that would be an amazing sight to see!

My next race will probably be December 31st, a 9K...unless there's another race before that. I've never run a 10K before so this should be a lot of fun.

Today I plan on running a bit just to stretch out my legs. Although it's raining... This week I plan to run M/W/F and then do weights Tuesday and Thursday. I'm trying to get back into shape!

Overall, I'm happy with the results. Especially since I didn't feel at all confident running this half-marathon. I guess I'm more fit than I think! 

The last time I ran the half-marathon in Córdoba (2010) was my first ever "important distance" race. I had trained but I came in 20-something in my category. So go figure.

New month, New goals

I'm feeling great after the marathon. My legs were killing me Sunday night. Monday and Tuesday were bearable but I woke up on Wednesday morning feeling good as new.

October is over and I'm already thinking of new fitness goals for the month of November. I like the feeling of aiming towards something and accomplishing it.

For the start of the month I'm going to get back on track with my strength training. I fell of the proverbial wagon back in August and I'm anxious to get back to it. So I'll be searching the web for something a bit more challenging than I'm used to.

I've been wanting to try some of those new workouts like CrossFit Endurance. (Those people's bodies are sick!) Plus, it's supposed to help runners run better and more efficiently. So I might buy myself a DVD as a Christmas present. For now I'll browse the world wide web for some free options.

As far as nutrition goes Chema and I are still vegan but we are going to try and cut back on the amount of wheat we eat. (Another one of Chema's ideas) I need to do some more research but, apparently, it's not very good for you. As I said, I will do some research and give you the results on the blog.

There are many people out there who can't eat wheat because they have celiac's disease so it can't be that life-altering to cut back on wheat. Especially since there are tons of grains out there that can substitute.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an expert.I know it will be hard but I'm willing to try it and monitor how my body feels.

I'll come back to the blog with my finalized weight routine and the results of my no-wheat research.

Marathon #2: Ciudad Real -- Recap in Pictures

We left Córdoba at 4:30am and arrived at 7:00am...no GPS or nothing! We did it old-school! Actually, we got there even before the organizers started setting up so we were able to get the best parking space ever.

It was also nice to use the restrooms before they started getting dirty. Not sure why but my stomach was all bubbly that morning so I had to use the restroom a couple of times!

All in all it was a fantastic day. The race was small but organized really well. I had a blast. I would definitely run this marathon again.

The only bad news is that I didn't make my time. I came in at 3:39. I was devastated. I actually saw Chema at the finish line and almost broke down! Seriously. Oh well, next time I know I'll make my target.

The good thing is that I won 2 awards! 

I came in 7th for total women and 3rd in my category! I was on the podium people! It was amazing! So look below at the photos. I hope you enjoy them!

This is where the race ended.

Here's what part of the track looked like.

My goal!

This is the guy that won first place for men.

He won second place for men.

Almost time now...

These are those that were in front at the start.

This was at 21km (13miles).

This guy (Ramón) stayed with me for 18km (11 miles).

Some food energy after the race!

The guy in first place and his time.

There's the second place guy who was only 10 seconds slower.

She won first place for women.

You can see her time. It was amazing.

She won second place for women.

There I am finishing the race!

After the race...my legs and feet were burning!

Here I am on the podium with the top 10 women. I was 7th.

Here I'm receiving my trophy for coming in 3rd for my category.

I was given some cheese that region is known for as well.

My buddy Ramón!

Me and my awards!

She is so cute! She's from Ethiopia. She won 2nd place.

These are some in-laws. We gave them the cheese I won since Chema and I can't eat it!

Well thats's it! I hope you enjoyed my recap. Right now I feel great but my legs are still super sore. Last night I stretched and went to bed at 10:30pm. I was that tired. I got up at 8:30am because I simply couldn't sleep anymore. I stretched again and had breakfast.

I figure I'll be in pain for a few more days but I should be fine by next week. My next race will be the Córdoba half-marathon on the 25th of November!

Marathon #2: Ciudad Real -- Final Thoughts

Tomorrow is marathon day. 

It's funny because I don't really feel like I'm running a marathon tomorrow. As I type this post I'm in my pijamas and about to eat lunch. There are no nerves and I'm not over-thinking everything. I'm pretty much going with the flow. 

It's not as if there are guidelines as to how one is supposed to feel the day before running a marathon. However, my mindset and my emotions are completely different from my first marathon in Seville. It kind of worries me, though, that I'm not all nervous.

It will take us about 3 hours to drive to Ciudad Real from Córdoba. So we are leaving at 430am and should get there at 730am. At 8am I will get my race bib. This is the first time I've run a race without getting my bib beforehand.

Here's what I plan to wear for the event.

All tried and true race gear. I'm also bringing clothes to wear after the race as well.  As for food I plan to bring:

• Almond butter sandwiches
• Dates
• Clementines
• Tons of water and sports drinks
• Bananas

There is usually food provided after the race but I find it's hard to find something I can eat being vegan. It's just easier to bring my own food.

The weather will be sunny and around 37 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celcius) while I'm waiting for the race to start. It will warm up to around 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celcius) once the race begins at 930am.

This is it. By this time tommorrow I will have just finished my race...if all goes well! (I'm counting on it!) Wish me luck!

I will definitely post my marathon recap as soon as possible so check back on Sunday or Monday for details!

Hair of the Day

I had a little bit of free time today so I decided to do a hair-of-the-day kind of post. Nothing special but I just bought two very cute hair accessories that I wanted to show off.

They are hair combs. The other one was in my hair. ;)

My hair is in about 4-5 big chunky twists and the front is in smaller, individual twists for my bang. I just pinned the bang up and pulled the other twists back. Super duper simple. It takes me five minutes in the morning. I just spray my hair with water and smooth it back with my Cantu leave-in. I put on a scarf while I get ready and then put in my hair comb and go.

 

After my henna process this weekend I didn't feel like twisting my hair up. So the twists that are in are what I put in to go to bed after washing. This will hold me until the weekend. I will just put my hair in a ponytail for the marathon. When I get back I will rinse my hair and then decide whether I want to twist it back up or leave it out.