First Trip to the Gun Range

Last month, I posted about my goals for March (if you missed it: cooking and reading), and I forgot to post a follow-up. (Forgot or "forgot" is debatable, as basically the post was: "I didn't achieve my goals.") That also means I forgot to post goals for April. I was going to set new goals, but figured I should just carry over my March goals.

If I had made new goals, one of them would have been "try something new at least once each week."

Well this week, I tried two new things! The first was checking out a new running trail, but the second was going to the gun range. And firing a gun for the first time. Four guns, actually.

But speaking of March's goals, I sort of achieved one of them on the way to/from the gun range - I got caught up on Runners' World. Here's a tidbit for you: The Boston Marathon Race Director and I have the same birthday. (August 22. Which I also share with Tori Amos. When I was 13 and discovered that, I was the happiest Fan Girl ever.)

Anyway.

On a trip to the bathroom, I glanced in the mirror and realized I looked like a total badass.
Right? 

The Sailor said I did a good job shooting a gun for the first time.
"Really good on the rifles." Who knew??

The Sailor and his dad. 

There were brooms everywhere because you had to sweep up your own spent shells and dump them in a bucket. 

Oh and guess what else, Instagram finally came to Android! Hence my lovely hipster photos.

Redemption Run at Waterfall Glen

Many runners do redemption races. Maybe they did a race, and it didn't go so well ... so they set their sights on doing the race again the following year, and kicking ass at it. I'd like to eventually do that with the Palos Half Marathon, hopefully next year I won't have a wedding the night before.

Last fall, I ran Waterfall Glen for the first time with some other local runners. I had heard Waterfall Glen was tough, but I was surprised at how wiped out I was post-run, especially considering I ran it a little bit slower than my normal pace at that time. (It should be noted that it was also the day after Thanksgiving, so I was recovering from not only massive food and wine, but a 4 mile Turkey Trot race. Also, Waterfall Glen is hillier than my usual running routes.)

Amanda organized another group run for this morning at Waterfall Glen. Even though my office isn't closed on Good Fridays, I decided I could use a day off. I also decided this time I wasn't going to let Waterfall Glen get me down! Literally. I think last time I lounged around for most of the day and took a nap. Maybe I went to a Tribal Belly Dance Workshop that night, so I wasn't totally beat.

This morning's shiny, happy group ... who are these people?
No seriously. Thanks to social media, I have no idea who some of them are.
But who cares, they are runners, and therefore instant besties, right? 

Anyway, to prepare for today's run, I took a rest day yesterday, and packed port-run snacks to share. Bananas, peanut butter, pretzels, bagels, plus water and chocolate soy milk for me. I'm like a freaking soccer mom. I also planned to just focus on my heart rate and take it easy if I had too. Oh, and I definitely didn't run a 4 mile race or gorge on food and wine.

    

Last fall's run on the left, today on the right

BAM! The distance is around 9.4 miles. If you look at our moving time, we were about three minutes faster, but more importantly, my heart rate was lower. Not sure why the big difference in the elevation gain/loss, we ran the exact same route. I wonder if the GPS bounced off some trees or something. Based on the elevation charts, I think today's looked more accurate.

And post-run? I felt great! I haven't taken a nap but I could sure use some coffee. But I did get up around the same time I normally do and by now I would have had two cups of coffee.

Once I got home from the run, I took a cold water bath. I don't add ice, I just let the water run as cold as possible, get in the tub, close the drain and let it fill up and sit in it for about 15 minutes (or until I'm done with whatever Runners' World article I've started). I usually wear my running top while I'm in there just for extra warmth. Then I wait a bit (at least 15 minutes) before I take a shower. I know some people say ice baths do nothing, but I'll try any "natural" remedy that will help prevent injuries.

And now I have to take my cat to the vet to figure out why she likes to pee on the floor.

Another Post-Work Fun Run

Even though we don't work or live near each other, Kim and I were able to meet up for a run tonight that was actually convenient for both of us. We did five miles on the North Branch Trail, which was new to me. Even though we were in Chicago (or maybe just outside the city limits), we saw deer on our run! It's kind of funny to me to see wildlife so close to urban areas.

Another shot using my trunk as the tripod. 

It's always fun meeting a fellow blogger in person. Even though this was our second time meeting (although we didn't get to talk much the first time), it felt so familiar, but I guess that's what happens when you read each other's blogs :)

Also it's nice that even though my commute is long and terrible, the fact that is spans almost the entire Chicago suburbs means I can meet-up with new running buddies!

And, the official Chi Town Half Marathon photos are up! Another plus for the race: no watermarks! Ali is in the blue and white tops, her friend Eileen is in the red top. (Hopefully you recognize me.)

   

   

This one's definitely a keeper! I grabbed her had at the end for this shot. 

PS - don't forget to enter my 13.1 Chicago half marathon giveaway. I'll pick a winner on Thursday.

Like Riding a Bike

Yesterday, I went for a bike ride. For the first time in probably ... 12 years.

And guess what, you really don't forget how to ride a bike. At least, when it comes to balancing and pedaling.

It did take me a little bit to figure out the gears. This is a "new-to-me" bike that my brother made for me a year and a half ago. (Yes, and I am just now riding it for the first time. I'm a terrible sister.)



For the record, Steve is a far better bike rider than me:





I made this "documentary" when I took Intro to Video Production my senior year of college (fall 2003, for anyone keeping track). Yes, Steve used to have dreadlocks.

Anyway, I ended up riding 8.4 miles in 55 minutes. Still not as fast as Ryan Hall. Even on a bike. But this was my first time out. So I'll work on it.

It only took me a few miles to figure out you should stand up when going over bumps. And I was glad I wore a hat with a visor and sunglasses. Bugs come at you a lot faster on a bike.

PS - don't forget to enter my 13.1 Chicago half marathon giveaway. I'll pick a winner on Thursday.
PPS - Amanda - Too Tall Fritz is giving away some Punkee Love Headbands!

Race Report/Review: Chi Town Half Marathon

I mentioned in a past post that the main reason I signed up for the Chi Town Half Marathon was because my college friend Ali was doing it. We don't see each other very much, and I was already thinking about doing that race, so when she mentioned she had registered, that made up my mind. And as I also mentioned, I decided I wasn't going to go for a PR, but rather have fun running with Ali and help her finish her first half marathon. And as a fun bonus, Kelly ended up running this race as well!

I obsessively checked the weather all day yesterday, and it was looking like it might be a rainy race, but despite the rain (and thunder and lightning) during our drive up, it stopped by the time we got there. And didn't rain again. In fact with the cool temps and overcast skies, it was perfect running weather.

The race started and ended in the southern end of Lincoln Park, so we were able to park in a pay lot ($28) right next to the start/finish. We got there around 7am, saw Nicole (who ran two half marathons this weekend) and also had a brief Chicago Running Bloggers meet-up, before heading back to the car so I could ditch my pants and jacket.

Me, Kelly aka "Kate", Nicole

I planned to run in shorts, a short-sleeve top, "arm warmers" (this time a pair of BFF Ultra Vera's old softball socks ... with the feet cut off), and a light waterproof jacket. And a hat, in case it started raining again. Ali and I met up with her friend Eileen right before the start and lined up somewhere between the 10 and 11 minute pacers. Kelly lined up near a faster pace group.

With Ali at the start

The sun came out right before we started, and I thought I might get too warm, so I ditched my arm warmers and jacket (Ali's friend Kate was with us, but not running). This was a good idea for the first half of the race, but the clouds came back and I got a little chilly near the end (it was 50 and we were running right next to Lake Michigan). Hard to believe we had temps in the 80s two weeks ago.

I thought the race was well done, especially since this is a fairly newer race (I think this is the second year of it). I've never done an All Community Events race, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Race day packet pick-up was easy, the port-o-potty lines were long but not ridiculous, and the start was spaced out enough so there wasn't congestion on the course. The course was also well-marked - it was on the Lakefront Path (heading north to Montrose), which was not closed to the public, so we needed all of the direction signs and on-course volunteers, which there were plenty of. There was water and Gatorade about every two miles. I stuck to water and went through a pack of Clif Shot Bloks.

Running with Ali and Eileen was fun. For most of the race, we just talked and had a good time, but by mile 9, Ali was feeling it, so she started listening to her music, as did Eileen. I never run with music, but I never feel like I need it. Honestly, it's nice to not have noise in my ears sometimes.

For it being her first half marathon, Ali did awesome. For the first 9 miles, our pace was around 11-12 minute miles. I think her music helped, because for the last three, we were around 10:20-11 miles, picking it up to around 9 for the last quarter mile, and passing people.

We finished in 2:30:05. Not a PR for me, but actually my second-best half marathon time (this was my fourth half marathon). Just for comparison, last August I ran the RnR Chicago Half in 2:34 and my average heart rate was 154. Today my average heart rate was 142. So even if I didn't PR, I still know that I'm improving!

Kelly and me post-race

After the race, they had pretzels, bananas and other snacks, but no bottled water (they had cups of water). That is my only complaint for the race. It's easy to stick a bottle of water under your arm as you eat your other post-race food, and then have something in the car for the ride home. With cups, we just drank what we could there and luckily I had a bottle of water in the car that we shared. Otherwise, I thought this was a well-run race with a fun course (very pretty - mostly along Lake Michigan, with a loop around a harbor), so I would definitely consider doing it again.

 

The shirts were nice - very similar to the Fort2Base tops that everyone loves.

Don't forget: I'm giving away a free entry to 13.1 Chicago half marathon on June 9. Enter for a chance to win today!