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.

End of the month check-in

The plan was to do my henna gloss treatment this past weekend. So I left my hair out so that I wouldn't have to worry about taking out a bunch of twists. 

I wore my hair Monday-Wednesday as shown in the above photos, last week. Then I just put them in chunky twists for the rest of the week. (By Wednesday the puff was humongous!)

Saturday I had an all day conference to go to in another city (Seville). I got up at 6:15am, took the train at 7:55am and didn't get back home until 9:00pm. The plan then was to do the henna treatment the following day.

However, I got sick while at the conference. Go figure. I still am sick actually. I didn't want to sit around with a wet head while sick so it's been postponed. I guess with all that recycled air on the train and in the conference rooms...I caught something.

It sucks because it's just bad timing. The last time I was sick was this time last year! Plus it does have me worried about the half-marathon on Sunday. 

Of course I'm not even going to attempt to run this week until I feel 100%. That might mean that I have to run the half-marathon after only running twice after my full marathon.

That's completely unimpressive, but what can I do? It will be a bummer but I don't plan on running the half-marathon either if I'm not feeling better. Yes, this super sucks.

I also wanted to try this new workout I found on youtube but I guess it'll have to wait until next week:

My wish is to feel better by Wednesday. (As if I could control it, right?) But I have a feeling this decision is going down to the wire...

My whole body hurts...in a good way

 So yesterday was Day 2 of getting back to weight training and it was such a good workout. Right now every muscle in my legs are sore along with my arms and shoulders.

A friend of mine gave me a link to a blog that had a pretty good workout featured on it. I also subscribe to Active Insider and they had a "leaner legs" workout that I also tried. It took me about 40 minutes to complete both workouts.

I was sweating up a storm but I felt great afterwards. I will probably do some weights on Saturday as well. I'd like to do weights 3 times a week.

Hopefully it's not raining cats and dogs next week so that I can run. I signed up for the Córdoba half marathon today and I'd like to get some running in before the big day. (I ran this race back in 2010).

The only goals I have this time around is to enjoy myself...ok, and to run it faster than I did last time! Hey, I like to improve each time I run!

The weather should be more accomodating next week. At least I hope so! The plan is to run a little everyday during the week as I want my weekends free. That is one of the joys of not training. After a long and hectic week I can really chill on the weekend without worrying about waking up early to run.

I'd better be careful though...I might get used to this...

Exercising after the marathon

Today I did some weight training. I wanted to run but it's raining (it rained all weekend too). It's supposed to continue to rain until Saturday. So instead of braving the rain I decided to do some weights.

I'd like to do a short run tomorrow morning but if it's pouring out...I'm not pressed at all.

What I did today was very basic. I just did some squats, lunges, wall sits, one-legged squats, butt exercises, back exercises, abs and pushups (diamond and normal). It felt good to do some strength exercises again.

Thursday I'll do something else. I wanted to start CrossFit Endurance but I've decided it's way too complicated for me to attempt right now.

First off, I'd need steady access to a track for the running portions and I don't. Plus a lot of the exercises require gym equipment, which I don't have. Then the majority of the strength training exercises are not new to me.

I've done the same things for so long that I want to try something completely new.

Yesterday I was thinking that for Christmas I need to buy some DVDs and maybe even some new workout equipment. Specifically a bosu ball, a kettlebell and a medicine ball. With those tools I can do the same type of exercises but with a whole new challenge.

This stuff I've wanted to try since forever but with me moving around from country to country every five seconds it hasn't worked out. My goal is this Christmas to get at least a couple things on my list.

However, I still need a routine for now. So I will do some more searching on the web. I think I'll probably hit Runner's World first and then figure out a game plan from there.

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.