Cathleen’s Running Log

This year, I’ll be running in memory of my Mom.

As many of you know, in 2007 I ran the Great Bay Half Marathon in honor of my mom and raised just over $1800 for research for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. I started thinking about the race and confirmed with the race director in December that PFF was still a race charity for 2008. In early January, I set the goal of $2,000 in sponsorship for the 2008 race. I talked to my mom early in the month to let her know I was going to run the race and try to raise money again. She even said to me she was not sure how I would do reaching my goal as so many of our friends and family donated last year. She told me people may not want to donate again after donating last year . . . I never would have imagined that I would be running in her memory this year.

Thank you to the friends and family that donated to PFF in lieu of sending flowers to the family after her passing. I know my mother was so happy to help with this disease the best she could . . . even spending hours at the hospital with student doctors trying to diagnose her condition. It would mean a lot that donations were made in her memory. Our family thanks you as well.

For those of you who may not have already made a donation in my mother’s memory, I ask that you consider supporting my run in her memory by making a donation to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation via my online donation page or by allowing me to collect a check from you to send to the foundation.

Thank you so very much for considering supporting me in what is sure to be the most emotional race I will run.

Cathleen

It has been some time since my last post . . . but so much has happened. That second Triathlon is now in the books and I have added some more races to my history. The amazing thing is I came home with some hardware! Considering I NEVER ran before May of 2006 and this is all new, I am thrilled with my results.

The last weekend of July, I was on the Cape and ran the 30th Annual Dennis Road race . . . the town I spent all my summers in since childhood. I finished the 5 mile race in 35:48 on a very humid and hot day. Luckily, the sun was not out. My average mile was a 7:10 and I placed 1st in my division and 4th female overall.

This past weekend, I was back on the Cape running the Irish Pub Road Race on August 4th. Another hot and humid day with cloud cover. I was still getting over a cold and had a voice coming in and out all weekend. Overall, I did not think I would really be “racing”. I finished the 5.25 miler in 39:27, running a 7:31. I was the 10th female finisher and 3rd in my division.

The most surprising achievement thus far is scoring as the second overall female in the Tri-State Half-Marathon Series.  This includes the Hyannis and Big Lake (Alton Bay) and Portland Half Marathons.  I plan on completing the series at Portland in October as part of my marathon training.  Not bad results for someone who was interested in the series just to get the jacket!

This week - back to some serious training. I run a Monday through Sunday mileage cycle and I am at 21 miles already. Taking the next couple of days off to plan for the all important long run. Now I need to concentrate on the distance. This is when the marathon training plan starts to exceed distances I have run. The time to buckle down is now.

Thanks for the support to my running partners . . . the guys at work and my college buddy who gets me through the long runs.

This week is the official kick off of training for the Manchester Marathon being held on Sunday, November 4th.  I am following a novice, 18 week training program designed by Hal Higdon.

This week’s training will include another Triathlon.  We had so much fun a couple of weeks ago, we signed up for another one this coming Saturday.  Due to the Tri, I have modified my training slightly this week, but I will still make the mileage total according to the plan.  I will miss the long run this week though - which is not ideal.  Having 4 Half’s under my belt though, missing the long run week one should not be a problem.  I won’t be able to do that further into the program.

More to come . . .

Well, I have to admit I was not looking forward to the experience . . . a little apprehensive to say the least, but what a fabulous time!

It was a chilly 52 degrees at race start, but the lake temp was 72, so getting in the water was actually welcome. The swim is what I dreaded the most. I truly cannot recall the last time really swam. I took approximately 14 minutes to finish the swim. I was not racing through it at all. I was surprised by the number of people who actually ended up needing help during that stage of the race. The lifeguards out there were absolutely fantastic.

I took my time at the transition between the swim and the bike. Peeled of my wet suit, changes my shirt and put on my shoes, all taking my time. I can see how it really can effect people’s time during this particular transition.

Hopped on the bike - was told it was a rolling course - whatever! We were up and down some serious hills. There was a little rough rode and the wind was very strong. That head wind would slow us down on the downhills. I only saw a max speed of 25 mph. No problem with the transition from bike to run. Racked my bike, grabbed a drink and found my way to the run gate.

The run - the hubby kept telling me I will make up so much time here. My legs have never felt so much like jelly in my life as they did getting off the bike and into the run. It took me a good mile before they felt normal. I felt very slow and it felt like a very long 5k. Overall, this portion of the race took me a little over 26 minutes. Not a PR for a run by any means, but I was surprised. I was surprised by the number of people I actually passed on the run since I felt so slow. All this on a trail run.

It was a fabulous time. I would absolutely do it again and recommend it to anyone

Last Saturday, June 16th, we had a hometown 5k road race.  95 participants in all.  Although I did not run my fastest 5k, I ran faster than any other woman who participated.  I posted a 7:07 average minute mile to come in at 22:09.  Not only was I the first place “townie” woman finisher, I was the top woman overall.  I won my first race, including two prizes.

We are running another local race next Saturday in the neighboring town.  It will be fun to see how we fair in that one . . . a 5.25 miler.

Continuing to increase average speeds in races.  Ran a 10k on June 9th . . . averaged a 7:25.  That was the first post Redhook race where I posted my PR in the 5k at 6:58 minute miles.

Soon - training will begin for the marathon!!

The Eastman Splash Mash and Dash is tomorrow.  My first triathlon.  I am a little nervous . . . I have not trained at all for swimming . . . got back on a bike for the first time last week and rode only 4 miles . . . running . . . not a problem, but will it be after swimming 1/3 of a mile, followed by a 12 mile trek on the bike?  I think the 5k tomorrow will be a very LONG 5k to me!

It will be a fun time for the hubby and me . . . and most certainly a challenge.  I am not looking forward to how I am sure I will feel on Sunday.  I bet I will be re-introduced to muscles I forgot I have.

I will post results.

Sorry for the lack of updates.  It has been a bit busy since the Great Bay Half.   Since the race I have officially passed my one year anniversary of running.  Huge accomplishment that I have stuck with this.  Never thought it would happen.  YAHOO!

Mid-May, I ran the Big Lake Half Marathon.  That was my 4th Half in 6 months.  Challenging course and gorgeous weather.  Ran a great 8 minute mile, putting me in 10th place for females in my age group.  Talk about exciting . . . at least to me. 

The Seacoast Road Race Series has begun and I will be participating for the second year in a row.  Now I will have the opportunity to compare race results for races I ran last year.  The series began with the Red Hook/Runner’s Alley 5k on Memorial Day weekend.  I saw the most fantastic results in my running to date - posting a 6:58 minute mile.  The attached pic is from the race.

Today, I ran the Market Square Day 10k - the second race in the series.  I posted a 7:25 minute mile in this race and placed 19th in my division.  I was the 45th female finisher overall.  Total field of runners finishing the race was 1393.  I came in just over 46 minutes.  Considering last year’s 10k’s were above the 50 minute mark, I was pleased.

Marathon Training will begin in July for the Manchester Marathon on November 4th.  I have also asked the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation to apply as a Race Charity for the Boston Marathon.  Keep your fingers crossed that they are accepted.  All applications receive a response by September 5th, so I will keep the site updated in the results there.  Here’s hoping that I will have another opportunity to raise money for the foundation!

In upcoming posts, I will share some details around plans for training through the summer to get me to marathon condition.  Anyone out there who has trained and participated in a marathon?  Share your learnings with me!

Anyone can become a runner - I am proof of that!

Gotta run!

The inaugural Great Bay Half Marathon has come and gone.  It was a fantastic day for a race.  It was perfect New England early spring running weather.  Sunny skies . . . highs in the 50’s, beautiful scenery along Great Bay and a wonderful turn out of over 1200 runners.  The biggest surprise - the course.  I guess it has been a long time since I have lived out that way.  It was a challenging one!  Many steep hills along the way.

It was by no means my best race as I had to take it slow due to an ankle injury.  I surprised myself coming in under 2 hours at about 1:56.  The official chip has my average minute mile at 8:53, though my Garmin had me at 8:45.  (I started my watch at my starting position.  There was no net time, so we all had an official gun time only.)  I look forward to participating in this race next year.

NEW FEATURE - I have posted pictures from the race on the website.  Please check out Other Content for Race Pictures.  My family came up and you can see pics of my mom and me.  The money I raised for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation for this race is in honor of her.

Thanks again to all who contributed and supported me.

It will be interesting to see how I do at this race . . . just took the week off to rest a sore/slightly sprained left ankle.  Heading out for an easy 5k this morning just to get my legs moving again.  Race day weather shows temps in the high 50’s and partly cloudy.  Sounds like perfect running weather!

Thanks again to all who contributed to the cause and that have sent their good wishes.  The pledge total now stands at an impressive $1665 and more is still coming in last minute.  Look for pictures and results to be posted after the race.

To all that sponsored, a letter will be out in the mail to you all with a HUGE thank you and some of my thoughts about the race and experience.

Thanks again!!

I wanted to say thank you to all that answered my $1000.00 pledge goal.  So many people made such generous donations.  I look forward to collecting pledges above and beyond my goal.  There is still time to pledge.  Race day is 22 days away!

Thanks,

Cat