North Shore Half Marathon (and Training Week 33 + 34)
I decided to post my half marathon recap with my training recap – since the training recap does not deserve a post of its own or really even need to be read by anyone (it’s just there for me).
Tori and I both signed up to run the North Shore Half Marathon when we were both feeling healthy, then we got injured/sick. Lesson learned. Don’t sign up for races in advance anymore. I had a lot of fun walking with Tori today, and don’t even feel very sore (just got one toe blister)… but do you know how long it takes (for me) to walk 13.1 miles? Three hours and 15 minutes. That is a long-ass walk. Like I said though, we DID have fun!
The morning started off a bit rocky for me. I was really tired (only a few hours of poor-quality sleep) and I managed to mess up the clip on the bike rack when putting it on the car. When we left to get Tori, we remembered we needed gas and I had to tell her we were running late. Then we left the gas station and I realized I did not have the Garmin watch. WTF? I would have just left it, but I needed it to make sure the course didn’t get closed on us. So we had to go all the way back home and get it. Sigh.
Luckily, we still got to the race course when we wanted to. Tori and I both realized we weren’t taking it very seriously because, as we said, “We’re only walking.”
We mostly just chatted it up during the walk. And we had quite a few adventures. We got to see Steven and Erin‘s husband on their bikes at mile 5 – I was trying to be funny and yell at them for looking at their phones, but they were actually looking at the course map, oops. Speaking of course maps, I gave mine to Steven because he left his in the car, and shortly after we saw them, we got off course. I am not sure how. We were paying attention, and they had volunteers at almost every intersection – they must have not been there where we were. I called Steven to discuss the course, and we used Tori’s iPhone map to get back. Gotta love technology. We ended up walking 13.29 instead of 13.1.
We were supposed to stay on the white path, going north. Instead, we went on the red one and re-joined the white path.
At the water stop just before mile 7, the volunteers told us they had a special show for us then one of the volunteers proceeded to dive across a table that was stacked two-high with cups of water. That was amusing. Then we saw some baby deer! I may have gotten a little too excited then…
Okay, can you tell I am tired just typing this? I am. And that is how I felt toward the end of the walk. By mile 10, my quads were just tired. I felt like I was dragging around 12. We got a pick-up though when Tori’s family joined us toward the end! I’ll admit, it was a bit disappointing to be walking through the finish all by ourselves… but at least Steven was there cheering us on (well, taking pictures)! And like I said, I did have a lot of fun walking and talking with Tori. It’s rare I get to spend one-on-one time with a friend! It’s just a long, long walk.
I have to say thank you to Tori for walking with me, and thank you to Steven for waiting so long for us to finish!
So, this recap does not say much about the actual course or race, does it? The course was nice – very residential, but a very cool area. There are two tough hills and a bit of up and down, but nothing bad. I think I would like to actually run it next year (here I go again). And you get a sweet bag instead of a t-shirt when you register. And… a sweet medal for finishing!
Time: 3:16:19 | Distance: 13.29 | Average Pace: 14:46 | Garmin Link
Again, the Training Recap below is pretty ho hum, feel free to skip it. It’s there just for tracking purposes.
Day 225 | May 31, 2010: rest
Day 226 | June 1, 2010: cross
Well, we left the house with all intentions to run. I even imagined running all day at work, and really thought I could do it. Heck, I thought I had remembered how to run!
But, when I tried running in the forest preserve near our house, Steven immediately said to me “How did you forget how to run?!” and we stopped right away. He tried to give me pointers on how my form was messed up – I looked like I was mall-walking/shuffling, my legs were too straight/I wasn’t bending my knees enough, I looked like I was in pain… I tried to figure it out. We did “run” a half mile, but decided it wasn’t good for me and I stopped. We walked 2 loops of the trail – about 2.4 miles, and he said even my walking looked off – my left leg is too straight.
My left leg is the one that has had pain on the outside, below the knee. I am not trying to compensate for it, but must be, subconsciously.
I am beyond bummed out (still).
Day 227 | June 2, 2010: rest
Day 228 | June 3, 2010: rest
Day 229 | June 4, 2010: rest
I went to see the sports medicine doctor, and he could not give me a definitive answer on what is going on with my leg. He did find some tender spots in my legs, and I told him about last year’s stress fracture, so he recommended a bone density scan. More info about the visit here.
Day 230 | June 5, 2010: 5K Walk
I walked the My Waterloo Days 5K with Steven. You can read the recap here.
Day 231 | June 6, 2010: rest
Day 232 | June 7, 2010: strength
I FINALLY made it back into the gym to do a strength workout. It had been three weeks since my last one! I guess that is what injury, travel, being too busy at work, and, okay, general laziness, does to you.
Rope Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb
Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 65
Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb
Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 70 lb
Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 70 lb, 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb
Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb
Obviously… it wasn’t the most intense workout. But, it’s better than nothing!
Day 233 | June 8, 2010: cross
I think I was more focused on reading the July issue of Runner’s World than the intensity of my lunch time bike ride. I better work on that, especially if I am planning on substituting biking for running. I kind of picked it up a bit for the last two minutes of the ride, and my legs definitely felt it.
Bike Time: 30:00 | Distance: 5.09 (Set on Resistance Level 4)
Day 234 | June 9, 2010: rest
Day 235 | June 10, 2010: cross
Steven and I went to the Grant Woods Forest Preserve to start our bike ride, and actually ended up exploring the area around the Forest Preserve as well, which included a huge lake! I wish we lived right on a lake!
Again. I need to up the speed on the bike!
Bike Time: 54:27 | Distance: 7.26 | Average Speed: 8.00 mph
Day 236 | June 11, 2010: rest
I got my bone density scan on the 10th and got my results on the 11th – three stress fractures.
Day 237 | June 12, 2010: rest
Day 238 | June 13, 2010: cross
Tori and I walked the North Shore Half Marathon. Recap above!
Summary: 0 miles
Not being able to run turns me into a lazy bum. I am not sure how to tackle that. I am pretty worried about gaining even more weight, as I exercise less and eat more because I am upset (about not being able to run). Someone please slap me.
Themocracy
Good for you for walking it! Honestly that sounds tougher to me than running it–ouch! Yes we lucked out with the weather didn’t we?
I was thinking today would have been a nice day to run! We had a bit of a mist the whole time! I hope your half went well!
Not many walkers in this race? Too bad! The course was lovely. I wish I could have seen that guy dive across the water table. Too funny!
Sorry I wasn’t there to cheer for you at the finish. You rock for toughing it out.
The North Shore 1/2 was my first half marathon several years ago. I need to get back to it… maybe next year. Good for two for walking 13.1 miles! I think walking that distance is almost tougher than running because you are out there for so long.
So is the gym that you go to only at work? If you go to one that offers classes, maybe spin would help you keep the endurance up more? I know for me it would be really tough to keep up a quick pace on a stationary bike all on my own… it’s more mind-numbing than the the treadmill is for me, and that’s saying something! Also, I think 3:15 for walking a half marathon is a kick-butt time – seriously! When I walk 15 minute miles (just judging by my Garmin pace when I’m warming up or cooling down) Chris is always asking me to slow down ;).
I do only have a gym at work – and no spin. I wish I could afford to go to a gym as well. Do you think I can get something similar on the old stationary? Even close?
Wow, I’m totally impressed that you walked an entire half. That really seems like it would get rough by the end of it. On a related note: I was contemplating doing that race. Maybe next year?
Mica, I think you should run it! It’s a small race, but on a nice course. And it was pretty shaded. I really wish I could have run it!
Congrats on walking your half! You are one determined woman 🙂
Congrats on walking your half! You are two determined women 🙂
I’m glad you were able to walk (presumably without pain or you would have mentioned it). Hang in there, Kim!
Maybe you need to copy my kickass workout mix for your stationary bike workouts! http://chezjulie.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/chezjulies-workout-mix/
I had the best time walking with you. Seriously, I am sad that neither of us was up to running but it was SO NICE to get to talk to you for over 3 hours. That almost never happens in my day to day life, having uninterrupted time to talk to a friend. I won’t be signing up on purpose to walk another half marathon but at least now I know if I have to walk, it isn’t awful and that there will always be someone behind me pretty much no matter what.
Glad you still got to participate! I totally agree, I’m definitely going to wait to sign up for races until the last minute now.
I am glad you participated!
I have had to bag three races this year, but I still sign up early. Too many close out early and I would hate even more to miss out.
YAY for you!!!
I ran the 5k – we got lucky with the weather! Great job walking!!
Thanks for commenting bobbi! I love meeting new (especially LOCAL) bloggers! Which marathon are you running?
(I tried to leave a comment on your blog – did it go through?)
Wish I had my head out of my ass so I could’ve joined you. Boo. But, you clearly did great on your own … and I agree, getting that one on one time with a dear friend is precious … enjoy it while you’ve got it!
3 stress fractures?! Boo 🙁 I hope you make a speedy recovery!
And congrats on the 13.1! People seem to think that walking a 1/2 or even full marathon is “a breeze” but it’s STILL a lot of mileage!
what an accomplishment and great race shwag!
13 miles is impressive, no matter how fast you went!! Congrats lady!
Great going! That is pretty good foot work walking 13 plus miles. You deserve the medal. Hope your injuries didn’t get any worse after that trek.
Nothing wrong with walking when you can’t run — at least you didn’t give up!
And that’s a pretty good walking pace 🙂
Thats awesome you stuck it out and walked the whole thing i’m not sure I would have been able to!
I am trying to work through an injury and it is making everything just.so.hard. I am moody and bratty and getting fatter by the second.
I am completely impressed that you walked that half!
I second your second sentence. 😉
What happened to you HP? Where are you injured?
Nice!! way to get your money’s worth. I’d do the same thing.
Although, when I walked the pat tilman 4.2 mile run I got crazy blisters on my feet!
Let the biking begin!
I’m glad you were still able to get out there and enjoy the course and good company. I hope you are making a speedy recovery!
first great job on finishing. now there are lots of things to do while not running! I was injured for awhile and definitely didn’t gain weight by doing weights, yoga and lots of walking
That’s awesome you still went, walking it, shows dedication. Get better soon 🙂
I love that picture of you and Tori next to the slow sign. Very clever.
That’s great. I don’t know where you get the motivation to do all this but good on you! 🙂
Did you get a picture of your “special show” at the water stop? What was the thought process behind this stunt? Was it funny?
We didn’t get a picture because we had no idea what he was going to do before he warned us! It was very funny though. I think he was just a funny guy!