Lynchburg 10 Miler

Yesterday I ran the Lynchburg 10 miler which is a very historic race (37 years). I have the privilege of writing that I won the race. So awesome! I join the list that has Joanie and Greta on it as well as Catherine the Great. The race was awesome. It starts on a downhill slope so for the 1st mile you are flying. Then starts the pain. The hills of Lynchburg are hard. No lie. I was breathing hard by mile 2 and having a few doubts about my sanity. Around mile 4 a guy comes up and passes me. Every time we went down hill he would pass me and then we would go up a hill and I'd pass him back. He had me worried for a bit b/c I couldn't figure out if he knew something I didn't. After a pretty ugly hill that topped out at mile 5 he went away so then I was just back to cruising. The cool thing about this race was the support. Lots of people along the side of the road yelling and it is an out and back course so heading back there were tons of people cheering which was super sweet. Around mile 6 it occurred to me that 1st place girl was pretty close and I could catch up. It's amazing how your mind becomes totally focused and it's all so clear (b/c the only thing that matters is that one person). This was another race that where I don't remember ever feeling pain. I was just so focused. We took a left corner that would take us back to the finish line and this is where I passed her. The crowd actually went crazy which was pretty cool. So for the next couple of miles all I could think about was running hard. The last mile was pretty crazy. It really is a long hard mile up a pretty steep hill.
This race is one of these days that just makes it all worth while. The pain and the work. All the long hours of running, planning, lifting weights, and just all of it. It's just all worth it.

The Last Run

So my good friend (and amazing runner partner) is off to France. We had a wonderful morning run (20miles) this morning with Coach on his bike. It was a beautiful morning and we had an amazing run. Needless to say, I'm happy for Kelley but I'm sure gonna miss her.

Chicago Half Marathon

Hello all,
I'm in in the amazing windy city of Chicago. I love this city. The tall buildings are beautiful and it's just so cool. I'm in a wonderful hotel called The Palmer House Hilton which was built in the late 1800's. Very cool. I woke up this morning and the weather was in the 50's and it was raining. WAY different than our fair city of Va Beach. I've already wondered out loud if I could move to Chicago but I would miss my city way too much. IDK.
The weather tomorrow is suppose to be in the 60's in the morning. So the weather is definitely ready for racing, I've been to the Expo. It was small which is nice for trying to figure stuff out in a big unfamiliar city. But this is perfect for me figuring out Chicago before the marathon. Speaking of the marathon there are flags out everywhere with 10 10 10 on them. How cool is that!

Who knows what tomorrow will bring. I do know that I have a horrible head cold and my sinuses are draining (very attractive, I know) so that really sucks. I'm hoping it won't affect my performance for tomorrow. I feel that I've emotionally put RnR out of my mind and that I'm ready (emotionally and physically) to race tomorrow. Wish me luck!

pics to follow soon

RnR update

Okay so the race is over. The times are in the book and a personal record was achieved.
The race was truly wonderful today. I had an amazing time. From the first moment of standing on the starting line with the Great Constantina Dita our 2008 Olympic Marathon Gold Medalist from the Beijing Olympics to the finish line and seeing my wonderful friends David (Balance Therapeutic Massage) and Kathy (my Italian mother) and of course the amazing Andy and Coach Bill.
I started the race feeling very good and relaxed. Mile 1 was no problem with a smooth 6 minute pace. Realizing I felt great I picked up the pace to catch up with the next group. Then I totally just settled in and ran as hard as I could. I never looked at my watch. I remember seeing the 10mile time which was 59:00 minutes and all I could think was sweet I'm on target. The finish was amazing and I wish I had ran harder but that's easier said than done b/c at the time I felt I was running as hard as I could.
I've had people already ask me what my plan was or what was my strategy. Literally, it was to trust my training and my coach. Also, I planned on finding someone to run with and just sticking to her as long as possible. Basically, run hard.
So the race is over with. I'm going to enjoy this night and tomorrow it is back to business as usual. I have a massage at Balance tomorrow and an easy run. And this I will be off to run the Chicago Half Marathon on Sunday the 12th.

rock n roll half marthon

http://running.competitor.com/2010/09/news/songoka-ogi-claim-victory-in-virginia-beach_13096

Article about the race already posted online. short mention of me near the bottom.

Dear RnR

So tomorrow is Race Day and it's pretty huge. I've been invited to have an Elite Start and I take that responsibility pretty serious. My number is F14 so that means that there are at least 13 other amazing, fast women who all mean business. But I think I'm ready
I haven't posted anything in a while for lots of reasons. I've been pretty busy with work and training and sometimes it doesn't always cross my mind. But let's just say I've been running better lately than I have in the past 2-3 years. Things in my life have finally settled down enough that I can focus. Last week during a track session I ran a 5:04 mile on my own. Totally awesome feeling. Also feels great to have coach Bill so happy as well. A couple of weeks ago I ran the Lynchburg Half Marathon in a time of 1:20:22 which broke the course record of 1:25:36. I totally recommend this race b/c it's a challenging course and it's only 20.00. I got a cool shirt that actually fit me (how many times have you gotten a shirt that was way too big), everyone was nice, I was less than a half mile from the starting line, the course rocked, and did I mention it was only 20.00 bucks. And the city of Lynchburg is beautiful. (I'm actually returning on September 25th to run the Historical Lynchburg 10 miler)
So now that you are all caught up. LOL.
Tomorrow is race day. I've been blessed to have amazing friends who are gonna be on the course. And I can't wait to see you guys. Remember to cheer loudly!! I want to hear you. I'm gonna need it. I've also been blessed to have gotten my legs massaged (thanks David) and to have gotten an amazing Elite entry into the race (Thanks Jim Golden). And Coach, awh we are gonna have an amazing time tomorrow.

So dear RnR,
Tomorrow morning we are going to meet again. The weather will be amazing and the competition will be stiff. You will be (as you have always been) a very worthy opponent. But I am ready for you. And this time is like no other time before. We are meeting on under different circumstances and I am ready.
Your most devout servant.

Good luck to everyone running. See you out there.