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! :)

Back At It Again

Today marks two weeks since I injured my right ankle while running. Apparently I had tied my shoe too tight which resulted in a pulled ligament. Never had an injury while running before. But then again, I've never ran before! I took two weeks off of running to let it heal by slowing down, elevating my leg and icing it when needed. Motrin helped too, but I used it sparingly and mostly the first few days to help with any pain and swelling. Last week, I started up walking again - at the gym as well as around the neighborhood with my friend in the evenings. Not trying to baby it, just playing it smart.

So today it was much too cold out so I ran 2 miles at the gym at a slower pace than I was at previous to the injury - a 10 minute mile. I walked at 4 mph for 5 minutes, ran at 6 mph for 10 minutes, walked at 4 mph for 3 minutes, ran again at 6 mph for another 10 minutes and then cool down for 5 minutes. Did some leg and back and ab exercises and then called it a day! Overall, the run went well. My leg did feel a bit tense though and started to cramp towards the end. I will continue to slowly get back into my normal routine or running as soon as I can but I'm really afraid of re-injuring my ankle. It's hard to balance it all out but my thinking at the moment is to just get out there and do something - no matter what the speed or time may be. 

The week I injured my ankle, I was beginning week 9 of Couch to 5K. The very last week of the training! I was so bummed I wasn't able to finish that last week. Up to that point, I was running 28 minutes (or 2.75 miles) without walking. Now there is only 7 1/2 weeks until the 10K race here in Frankfurt! To say I'm nervous and a little overwhelmed would be an understatement! I really have no goal for this race other than to finish it! With that said though, I would like to finish within an hour's time. But I really just want to cross that finish line and say I've completed my ultimate fitness goal. We will see! First I need to take it week to week so I can eventually go from running 3 miles....to 6 miles!

On March 15th, I ran with John outdoors for the first time. Actually, this was the first time I have ever ran with him. And I knew that my pace was nothing even close to his usual 7 minute mile. I kind of felt like I was doing him no good to run with me but he insisted. He's been so great at helping me and encouraging me to focus and obtain my goals. So we set out for a 2.5 mile run. Aubrey stayed with the kids and while Landon was napping. Up until the halfway mark of our run around a nearby park, I felt great. John was keeping me focused and running at a good pace. More like he ran at my pace. :) It was around the halfway mark though that I started to feel like I wanted to throw up the small snack I had eaten an hour previous to the run. But I pushed through it. I passed a few other runners and he asked if I felt good knowing I had passed someone and I said, "No...I'd like to walk like all the other people walking by us." hahaha I didn't even want to run anymore. Up until now, I have also only ran on a treadmill at no incline. This park had hills everywhere on the path we were on so I was breathing a bit harder and trying to push myself even further. I also didn't have music to listen to (thought it would be rude to do that while running with my husband) and thought that we could talk while we ran. Nope! I couldn't even carry on a mild conversation if I had tried! So all I heard and saw was running. It really was tough! I had nothing to distract me - not even the birds chirping helped. I must say though that the scenery was nice and I really enjoyed being outdoors more than at the gym on the treadmill!

When we got about 2 minutes out from being done, he encouraged me to push myself a bit more and run at a faster pace. As soon as we started crossing the bridge, he said, "Time!" Ugh! I was DONE!!!! And I felt happy and horrible all at the same time! I felt hot and on fire, still felt like throwing up, thrilled that I made it through the run without stopping or walking. The instant I stopped running, I started to cry! I think because it was such an overwhelming experience for me. I found out when we were done that I had ran at a 9:50 pace. 30 seconds per mile faster than I have so far! So now John says that once I start running at a 7-8 minute mile, we can run together more often. Oh boy! Not sure when that'll be!!! :) For meeting my March fitness goals, I got myself a Garmin running watch that will track my runs with distance and time. I love it! This will hopefully encourage me to run outdoors more often.

Some motivational sayings I have found on Pinterest that I have really liked are:

* Have fun when you workout and it won't feel like work!
* Focus on how far you've come not how far you have to go.
* Exercise to be fit, not skinny.
* Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.
* The stronger you are, the better you feel.
* It took more than a day to put it on, it will take more than a day to take it off.
* Just run. "It's very hard to understand in the beginning that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quite."

and...

Source: saysomethingposters.com via Leslie on Pinterest

Heavy Heart

So this is my personal journey. 

Never in a million years did I ever think I'd hear the words "I'm a runner" escape from my mouth!

Ever!

 I have always been an avid walker...but running??

 My previous thoughts on running have been, " I will run only when being chased!!" Hahaha! I think many factors have caused me to change my mind.

Since moving here and getting back into exercise postpartum, I have hit a plateau if you will with walking. Don't get me wrong - I still love to walk and still DO walk! But it really wasn't challenging my body to progress anymore with walking alone. I started doing something called a "bust-buster treadmill workout" where you interval walk with a change of incline throughout. Finally. That was getting me somewhere and I started seeing results again.

 Around the New Year, like I mentioned in a previous post, myself and some other Marine Corps wives began going to the gym 5 days a week (or other forms of exercise be it at home or outside). One of the wives created an exercise support forum on Facebook that has been tremendous help! We can check in with each other on what we're doing, how we're feeling, offer up encouragement, post recipes, etc. Since my high school days (yes, I know it's been awhile!) I haven't been this committed to exercise. Why oh why did I not get in shape and stay in shape a decade ago? I know I can't undo the past and can only carve out what's in front of me but I kick myself right now for not putting my needs at the top a long time ago like I should have.  I'm so glad I have finally found the motivation and will within myself to be active consistently again. No one else can do that for me. John has been at my side for a long time encouraging me and while I do owe him lots of credit as well as other family and friends, I couldn't do it without WANTING to do it! And now, 10 weeks after starting the gym again, I'm finding myself wanting to do something active throughout the week. Whether it's yoga, pilates, zumba - I crave to do more than just hit the gym. In fact, four nights a week, my friend and I are now walking 2 miles after our husbands get home from work. We both have four kids, we are in need of a mommy break and it's great exercise!

{view of a nearby pond before sunset while on a walk}

The beginning was rough!! I can't even describe it other than getting up at 5am is not a natural time for me. Not yet anyways. Sometimes I get in there at 5am and sometimes I don't. My kids have been little turkeys lately waking up at night while either being sick or complain and cry of growing pains. Doesn't make for a good night sleep. I really just wanted to make some positive changes in my life and getting up early has helped out in more ways than I ever thought it would! I sleep better due to going to bed earlier, I'm able to focus on what I'm eating and making better choices as well as adding more fruits and veggies to my daily diet (it also helps that we don't have fast food readily available here which means we don't eat out a lot), I'm drinking more water, I'm less stressed which in turn makes me a better person, wife, mom, friend and helps me think more clearly and sleep better, I can get ready for the day before the kids get up - which often times gives me a chance to get a head start on some house work too or some personal reading time. It's the only chance for me to do something just for me. I just feel healthier all around. And I feel like I can carry myself more confidentially and have more energy to get more done. Or at least attempt to. Cleaning while kids are awake isn't always productive. ;) But I DO have the energy if the cleaning fails...to play with my kids.

I haven't reached my fitness goals yet but I'm already starting to see results. I'm walking and running about 20 miles every week. And I've lost 10 pounds since moving here to Germany. I can partially thank all the walking that we do here living so close to the city as well as my three flights of stairs. :) When we first moved here, I tried finding ways around going up and down those wicked stairs more than I had to. Now I don't think twice. Some days I'm up and down those stairs 10 times a day!

So back to the gym. The gym atmosphere makes me self-conscious. Not just this gym. ANY gym I've ever been a member of. But as painful as it may be, I still go. I remind myself that everyone there has the common goal to get in shape and be active and I try with all my might and strength to disregard the negative thoughts and hang-ups I have about myself. I have to instead focus on my ultimate reward: being a healthy woman. And a trip to Greece (maybe) is helping too I suppose! :)

After I started doing the butt-busting workouts and walking 5 days a week, John and some helpful websites (like "skinny ms") helped me get started with incorporating strength training into my weekly routine. This was all so new to me - still is in fact! But I have found that instead of doing the same old stuff over and over again, that I would change it up and give it some variety every so often. Like another Marine Corps spouse said, "keep your body guessing what it's going to do next." Being at the gym with all these wonderful ladies has inspired me to run as well. And a HUGE factor into this whole lifestyle change is my dear husband who started running 12 years ago when he joined the Marine Corps. He always inspires me to do better. To be better. And I figured that if I started up running, it would give us something to work towards together and another activity to spend time together. The Marine Corps wives started talking about signing up for a race. I jumped online one day and found one happening right here in Frankfurt on June 3rd. I had the choice of running a 5K or 10K. Boy was I already way over my head! With some coaxing (more like A LOT!) I signed up for the 10K. Then I immediately signed John up too. Figured I'd need someone to run with me to help me through my first race and encourage me (or scoop me up and run me) to the finish line!!

So, now I have this 10K race dangling in front of me. To start training to run, I had no idea where to even begin. But in order to sign up for the race, I needed to have a definite plan of how to meet this new goal of mine. Deep down I was starting to second guess this whole thing. What in the world have I done!?!? :) After finding a training guide to run called "Couch to 5K" I actually wasn't scared as much as I was at first. It breaks it down into 9 weeks - 3 days each week and slowly progressing from walking to running. Two weeks ago, I started on week 4, taking me up to running 16 minutes of the total 27 minutes. After getting halfway done and running the first 8 minutes, I really wanted to give up. I think being stubborn as well as not wanting to fail helped me pick up my legs and continue on. What else has helped is remembering that there are people out there that can't run for one reason or another, so in a way, I ran it for them! Using our body to it's full capacity is a gift!

A funny thing has happened through all of this...I'm finding that I'm really enjoying running. It has helped me especially in the stress department - clearing my head and making me feel better. I have found that I also have thoughts of my Grandfather; memories that just appear out of no where while I run. This is the other reason for the heavy heart. He was my favorite Grandfather and he passed away from Parkinson's in 2001. I used to call him Bumpass. Not sure why other than not knowing how to say Grandpa when I was really little. :) I can still remember his laugh. The smell of the mint gum he chewed. The aftershave he wore. Oh how I miss him and I wish he were still here but I know he's in a better place now and no longer has to suffer from his pain and discomfort. He used to be a track runner back in his school days. So that probably is why he appears in my thoughts so much while I'm running.

{my grandma + grandpa holding Aubrey on her blessing day in 1999}

{our family - minus Andrew who was asleep in the car - at my Grandpa's grave last summer before we moved}

Ten weeks now and still going strong! I am now running a 20 minute stretch!! Which is by far one of the hardest things I've ever had to do - right up there with delivering my children! Last Friday during my week 5 training, I ran my first 20 minutes without stopping. Oh my how that was tough! But I felt good that I finished. Listening to music and watching people walk by out the window in front of me was extremely helpful. I owe a lot of getting through it to those two things. But I also strongly feel that if it's important to you, you'll find a way! No matter how difficult it may be. Which at first, it's hard! I'm not going to lie! But after a few weeks of consistent exercise, it gets easier and you'll find yourself WANTING to get up and do something you love doing or know will help you be active and strong - both mind and body! To help you feel better about yourself, about your health and the precious life you get to live.

And a little monthly reward as you meet your fitness goals doesn't hurt either! :)

So get out there and MOVE! 

I did!

 And I haven't regretted one single workout yet!

Family 5K Run for Food

About 8 weeks after having Landon, I decided to walk a 5K event that was put on by the church and local community to raise food for the food bank here in Fredericksburg. Entry fee was one can of food per person. It was a family run but everyone chickened out last minute and decided to sleep in. So I took the opportunity get up early and go walk it with my friend. 

I'm so glad I did...it was a lot of fun! And it helped me get a kick start back into working out again after getting cleared postpartum just 2 weeks ago. I think we got done with the race around 50 minutes or so? Definitely helped having a walking buddy! And more fun too! :)

{Me with: my friends, Sabine & Beth}

When I got back home, I was greeted at the door with these two little cuties! :)