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My Feet in Motion

On the run with a dietitian

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1 mile run Fundraising Girls on the Run racing running

John Anderson College Ave Mile

Me: “I’m waking up in the morning to do a short run if it’s not raining.”
Kat: “Do the mile run!! I think doing a race could give you confidence and motivation again.”

So I ran the John Anderson College Ave Mile and I did gain motivation and confidence.

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There wasn’t a moment prior to the race that I thought about actually running it. I didn’t have my inhaler, I was wearing a short sleeve GOTR shirt and I’ve been battling an injury.

Then Kat told me she didn’t want me to run with her and she wanted me to actually try. I would be lying if I said the mile was easy because I hit half a mile and already was winded and having difficulty breathing without my inhaler. But seeing all of the kids and a group up ahead, I attempted to make my way up to them and try to motivate them along the way and use them for motivation as well. I found a little girl to run the rest of the way with and she outkicked me in the end. It was such a great race to watch after I finished as the Mizzou Cross Country and Track team volunteered their time to run with the little kids. I was glad Kat convinced me to do this race.

I was also extremely shocked with my time. Like I said, after half a mile, I lost my momentum and just started to shut down and run with the kids. I expected a 7:45 finish time because I thought I slowed down a lot.

I crossed the line with 7:00 on the clock and a chip time of 6:54. What?! That’s where the confidence and motivation returned. If I can run a 6:54 mile without my inhaler and messed up tendons in my foot and on cold legs, then just think of what I can do when I’m healthy and trained. 10689463_10202895663177543_8139678543136704453_n

If you are close with me or follow me, you’ll know that this year was spent to training and running half marathons. I have ran 2 so far this year and have 2 left. One is coming up this Saturday but I will most likely be walking a bunch of it because of my tendon issue.

I am being optimistic in thinking I can run the whole Rock N Roll St. Louis Half marathon in October. Then after that is straight 5k training. I’ll dedicate 2015 to 5k’s and will attempt to finally break that 20 minute barrier I never could in undergrad.

Be sure to continue to follow my running journey and if you are feeling generous, please donate to the Girls on the Run charity I am raising money for. Thanks!

http://www.active.com/donate/GOTRSTLSoleMates/Samthierry

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half marathon racing running running recap

Rock N Roll St Louis 2013

So, I didn’t train for this half marathon at all. I thought I would have a lot more time but my job overwhelmed me and I finally got the hang of when I could fit in my runs toward the very end of my ideal training schedule. I determined that if I want to run, it has to be over lunch break because it’s way too dark before and after work.

I did run a 10k a few weeks prior to the half marathon, just so I knew I could guarantee a 6 mile run. This was my longest run of my training before I did my half marathon. Yes, I’m not joking. I wish I were.

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So going through my mind as race weekend approached:

  1. Just have fun with this! Get an idea of the race to see if you want to run it again next year!
  2. Try and get a good picture at every photographer on the course
  3. In fact, be as goofy for the pictures as you can and then try and be the most photogenic runner
  4. Appreciate the crowd
  5. Take advantage of the fueling stations
  6. Don’t worry about time
  7. Just finish

It was really cold on race morning and I dressed in capris, a long sleeve and then my brand new “We are Unstoppable” Boston shirt. I had a hoodie and gloves on, as well as a blanket up until 5 minutes before the race.

As the sun started coming up, I was way overdressed and wished I hadn’t worn a long sleeve. As I watched people shed their layers, I almost thought about grabbing some girls super cute pullover that she threw off. But I didn’t see where it went ha!

Favorite Moments of the race:

  1. The scenery. It’s always a blast running through the streets of St. Louis
  2. The music! I absolutely loved the entertainment!
  3. The signs! Examples: “You are running better than the government.”  “Faster. Faster. Faster. (That’s what she said)”  “Naked cheerleaders in the next 3/4 mile.”
  4. Punching a woman’s poster that had a lightning bolt on it and said “get energy here”
  5. High fiving a little boy sitting on his dad’s shoulder cheering
  6. Grabbing a peanut butter cookie from a random lady on the side of the course, even though I wanted a twizzler but the other lady wasn’t ready for me.
  7. Seeing people I knew!
  8. Discussing with a man how it would’ve been nice to have more downhills instead of the uphills in the course
  9. Having my parents cheering me on at the finish line
  10. Posing for all the photographers and the one on the corner to the finish line said “that’s what I’ve been waiting for!” as I flexed to the finish

Honestly, I fell in love with this race and want to do more Rock N Roll half marathons!

I expected to have a terrible race time, but I was only 1 minute off from my first half marathon and I stopped at every fueling station and did all of the above acts. So I was completely content with running a 1:46:08 considering I didn’t train at all for the half marathon and had a blast!

Here are the half marathons in the series that I would love love love to race in. I definitely would train for them this time, that’s for sure. Just because I know I can break my PR easily!

Close enough to possibly have a chance to race in:

  • Nashville, TN: April 26th, 2014
  • Seattle, WA: June 21, 2014
  • Chicago, IL: July 20, 2014
  • St. Louis, MO: Oct 19, 2014

I can’t afford to purchase my race photos because they are extremely expensive, so you’ll have to deal with these beauties and their marks.

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Race Splits:

8:15, 7:40, 7:56, 7:47, 7:49, 7:47, 7:58, 8:24, 8:34, 8:12, 8:29, 7:40, 8:07, 1:33(.2) can you tell when it got hilly and where I took drink/eating breaks?

So in conclusion, if you ever get a chance to run a Rock N Roll half marathon, TAKE IT!! I know I will!

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