13.1

I ran my FIRST HALF MARATHON!!!!! 13.1 miles! A race distance I said I would never run or EVER thought was possible! I still can't believe it! But my legs sure can! ;) 

My official time: 2:07:11

9:40 average/mile

Stats uploaded from my Garmin:

Lap 1: 9:37; Lap 2: 9:20; Lap 3: 9:15; Lap 4: 9:23; Lap 5: 9:24; Lap 6: 9:36; Lap 7: 9:31; 

Lap 8: 9:35; Lap 9: 9:50; Lap 10: 10:10, Lap 11: 10:09; Lap 12:10:03, Lap 13: 9:50

THE BIG DAY!

A group of us friends, including my running buddy, took off for downtown via the ubahn (train). The half was starting from the Commerzbank Arena here in Frankfurt. Those of us that weren't running the race, split up and would be meeting us at the mile 6 mark along the river and then again at the finish. It was a cold chilly morning and didn't take me long to question my chosen outfit: a t-shirt and shorts. Brrrrrrrr!! Once we got to the stadium, I had to go get my bib and running chip. Funny thing is the lines were formed (if you call it that...it was more like organized chaos and everyone was everywhere) by the bib number which I had no idea what mine was. After some broken up translation, I figured out that you had to look at this huge roster on the outside of the building first and THEN get into line. I put down my deposit for the chip (in case I didn't come back with it???) and went out to get my bib attached to my shirt.

{Hanging out before the race}

My friend and I hung out along the sidelines stretching and getting ready for our run with our husbands at our sides and our kids running around us on the grass/turf. I was such a big ball of nerves! I was also running this race for my Aunt, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I knew she was facing such a hard challenge and I wanted her to know that I was supporting her - even if it had to be half way around the world. I bought a shirt online and knew it would help me run this challenge I was facing as I thought of her. It wasn't honestly much I know, but it was all I could think of with living so far away. Unfortunately, a hug or visit wouldn't work. So I chose to run!

{Me + my running buddy}

Off to get ready for the corral. There was NO WAY I was going to get in the front of the mad dash! I left that for the pros and experienced! But, I did start in the same running time group as my running buddy. I think it was the 1:45 group? It might have been 1:30? I could be wrong...I have since forgotten. But I knew it was in a faster pace group than I wanted to stick with. I thought it would at least help me get out there and get moving. And that, it did! :)

I decided last minute NOT to take my iphone with me to listen to my playlist. They say not to change anything on race day. ;) But I really didn't want to hold it the entire 13.1 miles! So John let me take his mini ipod that clipped to my shorts so I could still listen to music. I would soon regret this decision! Haha Let's just say that we have different music styles! I don't really like the Doors, System of a Down.... I was fiddling with it as I ran through the industrial part of town and just couldn't find something I liked. It definitely helped me run fast! I couldn't WAIT to stop listening to it! Haha In fact, a mile away from the finish, I took out my ear buds and stopped listening. I wanted to enjoy the last part of the race. (And yes, I learned my lesson to not listen to his playlists again!) ;)

{Ready...or not! :)}

When it was time to go to the line up, my stomach was super nervous! I gave John a kiss and walked over to where I needed to wait. He took a photo of me standing next to the "European giants" as I called them and then the countdown began in German. This was IT!!! "Oh my goodness....what am I getting myself into?" This being my first half was making me very nervous! The farthest I ran in training was 12 so I knew I could do this!

After I crossed over the start line and pushed "START" on my watch, we ran in a huddled group in slow motion for the first quarter mile or so until people started to separate and find their own pace. I sure didn't enjoy being ping ponged between people. Being short in stature didn't help being pushed around and getting passed up like I didn't exist. And those elbows! Not fun! But I kept going and after the first 2 or so miles, got into a good rhythm and had more space.

Unlike a lot of people, it seems I can't remember what happened at such and such mile. I just saw things as I ran. :) But a little breakdown of the course, the first couple of miles had us running away from the arena through some woods that then led us through an industrial part of the city going towards the river, followed by a few miles along the river walk that got us to the first water station at mile 6. This is also where I saw my friends standing but couldn't get their attention until last minute as I was running past them. Seeing them though gave me a big boost to keep moving forward. From there, it curved us through some city neighborhoods to streets well traveled to a back road behind the arena that was mostly uphill for a few miles that took us to the second (and last) water station before the finish - around mile 10. Also this hill had us running up one side of the road while we saw the people in front of us running down the other side past us. Wasn't too inspiring but I kept putting one painful step in front of the other. After the uphill and downhill of that, it turned us through a wooded area as we ran towards the arena. We ran along the side of the arena, past the start line and around to where the opening was where we all ran to the finish line INSIDE the arena!! To see complete strangers out there all throughout the race genuinely cheering you on was a lot of fun!

{Pictures at the halfway mark - along the Frankfurt (Main) river}

I was feeling great most of the time! Right IT band wasn't giving me problems like it did starting the week before on my training run and didn't start hurting until mile 8. A week of rest and no running really helped I think. I guess at that point I was in denial and pushed through the uncomfortable pain. It wasn't so painful that I couldn't keep going. So that's what I did. I ran. 5 miles in pain.

The arena was back in view about 1 mile away. I ran to the sound of my feet and focused on the end of the race. Just tried to focus on anything but the pain. I didn't know where John and the kids would be afterwards so I was also scouting out the crowds as I rounded the arena. I couldn't locate them. I did however spot my friend, Jen, who was there cheering me on at the end and took my picture. That gave me more energy to run towards the finish line. :) As I entered into the arena, I heard some people cheering for me. I looked up to my left and saw my family in the seats yelling "Go momma!!" It was really great! I loved having them there to support me! And for John to take the backseat this time so I could run meant a lot!

{Picture Jen took when she saw me towards the finish}

After I crossed the finish line, I felt not only a huge relief and sense of happiness that I was done, but the pain in my right leg hurt so bad I couldn't move for some time. I just stood along the guard rail towards the exit of the stadium where a lot of people were stretching. I was in tears and couldn't move. I finally hobbled out to go find John and the kids while grabbing a banana and water from the volunteers. I was famished and couldn't wait to eat! John found me without much of a problem and broke the news to me that my running buddy wasn't able to complete the race because she got hurt. It was good to see her at the end though; I was still really proud of her! We were out there running with 4,000 other runners. As for medals or souvenirs or anything like that, they don't really do that a lot here in Germany. This race was only 15 euro...so not too bad for finishing the run inside the stadium that's home to Frankfurt's soccer team.

I feel like I'm living proof that if I can do this, anyone can! Just a year ago I started out running. And before that...I always said never. So never say never!! You'd be amazed at what YOU can do if you put in some effort and believe in yourself. It doesn't even have to be running. It can be anything! If it's something you want to do, go for it!! ;)

{Almost to the finish line...}

{My family greeting me after I finished!}

{My running buddy and me}

{Frankfurt friends!}

After turning in our timing chip, it was time to hobble (quite literally!) off to the train to go home. It felt so surreal to have the race over and done with. So much time and dedication was put into running this half marathon that it feels strange to just be "done." So what's next? Rest! And physical therapy! I have a feeling I'm going to have to grow some extra patience of not being able to run for a little while while I figure out what's going on and to heal. But I'll be back and running strong again in no time! :) Now it was time to get back home and put on a party for my cute 2 year old! Today is his day!!!

{Our amazing cheering section!}

Hoping to give the Frankfurt Lufthansa Half Marathon another go next year! :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Roughly 136 miles and too many hours to even count went into training for this half. I started training around Thanksgiving with a few weeks off in the midst of training when I had the flu. Otherwise, a few times a week and every Saturday morning, I was out there running and training for this race. Frankfurt was showered with so much snow this year that we were out there running in the snow most of the season. It was cold but so peaceful! Some good memories were made for sure!

This is what I wrote in my exercise log:

"Today I start my 16 week training program to get ready for the Frankfurt 1/2. This Saturday I'll be running a 6 miler. Haven't gone that far at once since June's 10K race. After I thought this through...I realized I'm picking quite the week to start this training with Thanksgiving and all.  Here goes...day 1/week 1/ of 16 weeks!!!"
November 19, 2012 at 11:04am near Ginnheim

Post race update: 3 days after the race, I can assure you that I've never been more tired in my life except for the weeks after having a baby. I feel like I've been in a sleep coma since the race ended. Just now I am starting to feel normal again and no longer sore.

"Back to School" Dinner

In honor of the Shields' children starting another year of school, we adapted the lovely tradition from NieNie to have a "Back to School" dinner to celebrate the event. I had so much fun with this! The girls really enjoyed having this special dinner made just for them! :)

After coming up with the dinner menu, I printed it off and inserted it into a frame for the sideboard where the food was going to sit. I also thought some crayons placed around a candle with a ribbon would be a nice touch to go along with the school theme. 

 Dinner: Corn Chowder Soup, Sliced Ham and Herbed Cheese Rolls.

 I also printed off some cute prints and framed them for each daughter to be displayed in their rooms. This year's school theme we are going to focus on is: (Shine Bright and) Choose Right.

 Dinner seemed to be a success! Most wanted seconds but still saved room for some delicious Caramel Apple Bundt Cake. Mmm! So good! It was definitely worth the effort!

Here's to a great year of school, girls! Have fun and choose right! We love you and are SO proud of you! xo

{Jocelyn (5) Kindergarten; Aubrey (12) Seventh Grade}

Happy ONE YEAR in Germany!

One year ago today, we waved "goodbye" to our sweet friends and family as we set foot into a new country we'd be calling home for the following 3 years. Definitely a hard time. But it just got better and better with each passing day. Well, for the most part. We still have moments of homesickness. We love it here though. The food, markets, pretty laid back lifestyle (a lot slower paced than what we were used to in the States!), trails to walk and run on, the incredible amount of history and it's beauty...so much we have come to love here! It really is hard to believe a whole year has already gone by! We have soooo much we still have yet to do and see but boy have we been having a good time - meeting some amazing people and developing lasting friendships, creating some great memories and simply loving life (besides some occasional bumps here and there)!! I'm excited to see what this next year brings. Year #2 in Germany...here we come! :)

{our family on the fourth!}

Our first year in Germany, we have (to name a few):

*Eaten some really good food!

*Seen both Frankfurt area zoos

*Met some awesome friends who have made this journey bearable and worth it

*Gone to the Alps twice

*Found our ward family at church

*Had my brother and his family stay with us over Christmas
*Been to not only Germany but to England, The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Austria 

*Seen Pres. Uchtdorf in person during his visit to Offenbach

*Been to the Black Forest to visit friends

*Seen a handful of castles

*Gotten our first speeding ticket
*John's been to Turkey & France for work

*Gone to Rudesheim and rode on the cable cars above the vineyards

*Took a trip to Wurzburg for Mother's Day

*Went to Heidelberg for my Birthday

*Ran in my first race

*Stopped in Stuttgart for a brief moment to see John's old neck of the woods

*Started learning German

*Experienced 2 emergencies....thankfully both didn't require immediate hospital care and no stitches were needed

*Gone to the Frankfurt Christmas Markt and LOVED it!!!

*Had our van working and not working I don't know HOW many countless times

*Got our German drivers licenses

*Had my new sister and her husband come stay with us for a day

*started the ride of John beginning his Masters Degree program

...and many more!

(many I need to still write about!)

We look forward to having more family and friends come visit us and see Germany!

We love and miss you all!

The Frankfurt 10K

{June 3, 2012}

I DID IT!!!! I survived the Frankfurt 10K run! ;) It was intense with the amount of rain we had to run in but thankfully it was still a fun experience! The week leading up to the race, I started to get a bit nervous and apprehensive. Especially since I hadn't been doing a whole lot of running the previous two weeks leading up to the race. The only time I ran in Garmisch was the day after we arrived and the air was much too hard for me to run again at it's higher elevation. It was nice to have a vacation and relax though! And then during the last week before the race, I ran a few 3 milers and that was it. I still figured that if I could run these distances, I could do 6 miles too. It would, without question, be a bit more tiring. (And it was!!!) The day we received our race packets, it felt more real than ever! I knew there was no time to turn around and back out now. It's so hard for me to believe that just 5 months ago, running wasn't even a thought. My how things have changed!!! :)

{Race shirt}

The morning of the race, I got up and randomly checked the weather. It looked questionable outside and I wanted to have an idea of what to prepare for and what to wear with my race shirt. There on the screen it showed that we were facing 100% chance of rain. Lovely! And thunderstorms were predicted right on time: when the race was to begin at 1pm! Go figure! This news did NOT help calm my nerves one bit but I just prepared mentally the best that I could and went along with it. I figured if they felt the need to cancel the race, then that's what would happen. But I wasn't going to make the decision to not go on with the race! This rain was NOT going to stop me! And like John always tells me when I want to go for a run and it's raining, "the rain isn't going to make you melt!" :)

After a hearty breakfast, I had John take a quick picture with me and the children. The very children that have helped me get to this race day to begin with. I owe a lot to these cuties - for Aubrey watching them many times after school so I could get a run in and their never failing support and encouragement! Just love these guys of mine!! We then headed straight over to our friend's house. They were so sweet in watching them for us while John and I ran. I don't know who was more excited to spend the few hours together - them or the kids! :) And if it weren't raining, they would have likely been downtown cheering us on. I have to say, with it raining, my excitement was starting to fade. I was sad that they couldn't be there!

Around 11:30am, John and I met up with a group of us Marines and Marine spouses that had signed up to run the race. We got our running chips strung onto our shoes and this is when the rain began. My first race ever was going to be interesting! I hadn't run in the rain and cold weather really at all, I was a bit sad my children wouldn't be at the finish line waiting for me and cheering me on and I was planning on taking my iPhone to the race with me so I could take photos. John didn't think it was going to be a good idea to do that with the heavy rain. And I knew he was partly right. But being the stubborn person that I am and still insisting on some photos....I found a quick and temporary fix: a ziplock bag! Just shoved the phone inside the bag and viola! Problem fixed! :)

{Off to the train station! Just 5 stops or so and we were there!}

And this pretty much summed up what the path for the race looked like...Rain and slick!

And more rain...

And some MORE rain!!!!

BMW was one of the main sponsors - I love how all the balloons were tied to the bikes.

Me before running my FIRST race ever!

To escape the rain, our group ran inside McDonalds and sat and talked until it was time to head to the starting line. Not only was it pouring down rain but it was getting really cold too. These next few pictures were taken before the race on the way to the port-a-potties and before the rain started to come down really hard. 

Here's the start and finish line. The 10K route started from here, ran through the city to another point, came back here and did another round finishing up here.

The white BMW drove around with the clock time on it. Before we ran, there was a 5K race going on.

SportScheck was the company that oversaw the race - lots of emergency personnel out to keep an eye on all of us runners.

Our group!

Another sponsor for the race: some yummy tomatoes!!! We ate some after the run and they were so so good! (Along with the delicious apples and pretzels. If it hadn't been raining, I would have taken a photo for sure!)

So my nerves were all over the place before the race began. It wasn't really that I was nervous per say...I was just extremely excited for a race I had never run before. Especially six miles I had never run before! We left McDonalds about 20 minutes before the race was to start. Last minute bathroom breaks and getting to the lineup area to stretch and get ready. Oh how I wonder how this day would have been had it NOT been raining! I will say I was a bit concerned with the path we were scheduled to run on. It looked slippery and very wet! I made sure I wasn't standing at the front of the line. I'm not one that wants to hurry and go too fast at the start. They counted down from 10 in German and then we were OFF! Well, 30 seconds later we were actually moving and going somewhere! :) Before the race started, I had stuck my ziplocked phone into the back zipper pocket of my pants - but after running a short distance with it bouncing up and down and being uncomfortable, I ran a bit slower while trying to get it out of my pocket. That was interesting! So I have learned not to put anything heaver than a key or ID card in there ever again! :) 

I had heard before race day how fans cheering for you on the sideline can often times help keep you pumped up and moving - but we didn't have that experience this time. And I don't blame them for not being there! I wouldn't have been either if I wasn't scheduled to run. It was cold and terribly wet! And as the weather had been predicted, it didn't take long after we started the race for the rain to come down in buckets! I am not exaggerating! We were soaked from head to foot! Initially, I was glad I had slipped on a dry-fit shirt under the racing shirt. But I sort of regretted that decision when it was making me extra cold and wet!!! 

Running in that extreme amount of rain was challenging to say the least. I started to shiver, my breathing was not steady as I was breathing harder than normal to compensate for being cold and my feet were drenched with all the puddles I couldn't dodge! I remember John mentioning to me that his feet were squishing around in his shoes and I told him that being a true Oregonian, that he should be used to that sort of thing! Hahaha

When I signed up for this race, I also signed up John to run it with me. I of course had his full permission and consent in doing so but being a newbie in running, I felt better knowing he'd be there to run it with me. I mentioned to him that running the race with me didn't mean he actually had to RUN the race WITH me. But he insisted on running the race at my pace and by my side every step of the way! I felt happy and sad at the same time. Happy he wanted to be with me and encourage me and sad that he wouldn't be running it at his own and much faster pace! So with that said, I gave him many chances to change his mind if he really wanted to run ahead...that I really would have been fine. But he stuck by me the entire way! xo

Running with my phone in hand and not in my pocket made things go so much easier. (Especially when John ran with it!) I didn't have music to listen to which I normally do while running but I at least had John to talk to. And thankfully, I had a piece of gum to chew (thanks, Christi)! :) Things were going well and I was running past people at a comfortable speed. I think with it raining, I was actually running a little faster. Maybe to get done quicker? Maybe because I wasn't getting as warm? I honestly don't know. From time to time, John would ask me how I was doing. So sweet of him, I know. But after he kept asking and talking about the race, I had to ask him to change the subject so I could focus on something more pleasant. I don't think I hydrated myself very well before hand and was starting to get a side cramp. I was a little edgy but I kept quiet and made small talk. When we were close to the point of making our first turn to head back, John said, "I don't think it's raining hard enough, do you?" And not too much after he said that, it began to come down even HARDER! How that's even possible, I do not know! 

When we reached our halfway mark, I was starting to lose my energy. I was running still at a good pace and making good time according to how I felt and from what my watch was showing. My watch that didn't work the minute the race began because it didn't find a satellite in time. Thank goodness my running chip detected my overall time! :) Volunteers were holding out water cups and a half of a granola bar. I grabbed both. Drank the water quickly and disposed of the cup. And then tried eating the granola bar. I had gum and because of the rain, it wasn't staying in my hand and I didn't want to liter so I swallowed it. Yeah. I know. Gross. It reminded me why I don't do that. But eating that granola bar wasn't worth losing my piece of gym, let me tell you! And do you realize how hard it is to chew and run at the same time? Boy, that was another interesting experience. I ended up choking on my one bite of the granola bar. I didn't care at this point...I threw the bar on the ground over to the side so no one would trip on it. And it was then that I realized I had another 3 miles, while coughing and choking, without gum! 

John asked me if I was okay. I told him, "yes, I'm just choking!" And he laughed and said, "it's hard to run and eat at the same time, isn't it!" No sooner he took a bite of his own granola bar and started to choke as well. He now knew what he was talking about and we both chuckled as we ran. 

As I said, I hadn't prepared for this race as much as I would have liked. As I started running the second lap around, I let doubt creep in. I was starting to get fatigued and I began wondering "why on Earth did I sign up for this thing???" Tears started to fall down my cheeks but I was trying to fight them back. My breathing started to go out of whack as I was trying to hold back the tears AND the coldness from the rain was making me hyperventilate a little bit. My teeth were chattering and I was shivering from the rain. John noticed that I was starting to struggle with the run and coached me into focusing on my breathing and getting it balanced again. So I focused on that and then laughed about crying and being ridiculous - but part of laughing was because nobody could see that I was crying with all of the rain that was going on. John then said, "and nobody can see the snot running down my face!" Ha!!! Guess the rain had it's advantages! :)

We were heading back towards the finish line when I told John that I needed to slow down a little or....And he said, "or....what?" And I said, "stop!" He said, "stop, what?" And I said, "no....the word STOP!! I will STOP if we don't slow down!" So he started chanting, "Go Go Go!!!" And I said, "stop!" We both laughed. It was good he was keeping up the jokes and making me laugh so I could take my mind off the run for the time being. We then heard loud music up ahead so I knew the finish line was getting closer! I started running a little faster again knowing that the run was almost done and that really carried me to the finish line. And then we did it...moments later, we crossed the finish line and were greeted by our friends from our group!!! I was so happy I about cried again! :) Especially when I saw our time. I ran without having a goal other than to finish. Maybe deep down, my goal was also to finish before an hour. So I was really pleased with how I did. John crossed the finish line 1 second sooner than me....here's our stats:

Leslie

Placed: #81/305 women

#14 of age group/ W30

Time: 53:10 

(About 8 1/2 minute mile)

John

Placed: #424/603 men

#58 of age group/ M30

Time: 53:09

We made it!!!

I had such mixed emotions after crossing the finish line. 

Relief.

Happiness.
Emotional.

I completed a goal I set out to achieve! What a feeling that is! :)

At this moment, I'm not sure I'll sign up to run another race but I may consider it at one point so I can continue making running fun and something exciting! And to help a cause.

After greeted by friends and warm hugs and high fives, we immediately walked over and got in line for some drinks and food. And they didn't disappoint! While holding my phone, I had room to grab a water, a few cherry tomatoes and a pretzel. John grabbed, well, I actually lost count. 5 apples (1 he gave me and it was the best tasting apple I've ever had!), maybe 5 pretzels, a few waters....yeah, he was feeling pretty blah after that! :)

{Me + Christi! We rock!! - she finished #10 of our age group (4 before me)}

{Friends!}

{All of the guys}

{All of the ladies}

I'm so happy we did this! A few from our group were getting ready to move back to the States so it was one of our last fun times out together. So....we shall see what's next! I can already tell you I will never run a marathon. But a 1/2 marathon is doable. Anything less than a 1/2 will be fine by me! Today I'm not considering anything. But tomorrow's a new day so who knows! I really never thought I'd ever see the day that I would run. And enjoy it nonetheless! But I'm glad I started it at 32. I probably would have done really well starting in my 20's but averaging 8.5 minute miles right now is pretty good in my book! Running is definitely still happening though - race or no race! :)