Houston Marathon

I ran a marathon on Sunday. 

In Houston.

Thats 26.2 miles.

I ran it in 3:29:35.

That's a new PR and my best race EVER!

I didn't go out too fast.

I ran steady and strong.

My splits were even and all right at 7:58 per mile!

I maintained my pace in the last 6 miles.

and

IT WAS AMAZING!

Snapshots of my trip:

The sunrise on our flight to Houston

Coffee starts the journey

The gang at the Nike booth at the expo

Cool looking wall

Wall wide version

Convention center expo

Convention center

Start and finish of the Olympic Trials Marathon!

Park

Cool looking windows

The fast ladies running the trials marathon

So fast, so inspiring

AMAZING!

Cheering for Camille in the trials marathon!

Waiting to watch the race!

More really fast ladies!

Saturday morning shake-out run

Race bib

Finisher's Medal

MY TIME!!

Amazing burger and fries after the marathon

From where I stand

Pasta dinner the night before the marathon!

USA!

Downtown Houston

Port-o-potties ready to go

Will, Mike, Mary, Chuck and Maurice

Pizza after cheeseburgers after the marathon

We devoured the pizza

Trying to make my legs feel better by walking around

Shopping

View from our hotel room

Heading home

Water and ibuprofen

Coffee is always a good idea

Marathoning

"The marathon is not about the race, it's about commitment...it's not about instant gratification, it's about endurance. It's not about the thrill, it's about passion. To run a marathon, you need to not only commit to the sport, you need to commit to yourself."

Training and Houston

Well, it's here. It's that crazy, exciting, nervous time I refer to as race week. In less than seven days I will be running the Houston Marathon. I'm excited, but a little nervous. This race will be a first for me because it is a race that is not following my typical spring/fall marathon schedule. In fact, this is the first time I will run a marathon on less than the full 16 weeks of training. Of course, I wasn't slacking off since a little over 10 weeks ago I ran the St. Louis marathon, but I'm still interested to see how things go. I'm hoping for a PR (but not expecting one) and redemption (as in running a more strategic and smart race) after my lackluster performance in St. Louis. I know I've put in the effort, despite not always following the training plan. The first few weeks of training were pretty rocky as I recovered from a wicked case of bronchitis that showed up the morning of the St. Louis marathon (horrible timing!) and just feeling down after a disappointing marathon. I questioned my training tactics, my abilities and my reasons for running marathons. But, after a couple strong and hard weeks of training I began to feel more confident in my running and again feeling that love of running. Now, just a week out from Houston I am excited and confident but cautious. In St. Louis I approached the marathon expecting to PR and when I didn't do that and struggled almost the entire race, I was so confused. I learned not to expect a PR so easily in the marathon. I'm looking forward to a good race and enjoying the experience; a PR isn't expected but would be nice. I can't wait to watch and be inspired by the amazing marathon women (and men) running in the Olympic Trials marathon the day before the race. I'm ready to run smart and hard. I'm ready to push my body to the limits. I'm ready to lose feeling in my toes for a few miles...if that's what it takes! And I'm ready for the result, whether good or bad. Happy Running!

2012 Goals

I think I try this every year, like everyone else, but I can't let too many days in January go by without somehow writing down and acknowledging my goals and dreams.

Allow God to guide my life and accept His presence more in my life

Warren Home Renovation 2012: make the house I live in feel like OUR HOME

Become more focused with work and my business

Allow myself to learn more and grow; don't be afraid to take risks and do scary things to grow

Continue working towards confidence in my own personal style of photography and confidence in myself and my abilities as a photographer

Seek out other photographers and establish relationships: mentors and peers in the industry

Find and attend a conference or learning opportunity to grow myself and my business (WPPI Conference)
*I'm attending WPPI 2012

Blog twice a week on a regular basis

RUN HAPPY!

Run a sub-3:30 marathon
*I ran 3:29:35 at the Houston Marathon, January 15, 2012

Enjoy every moment (even the mile 25 moments) of running the Boston Marathon for the first time

Cook more new recipes and try more new ingredients all with the goal of eating healthfully and wholesome foods to strengthen our bodies

Cook more asian influenced meals on a regular basis

Eat and think of food in a more body-conscious way, consider food as a fuel for my health

Avoid "death by hard drive" of my personal photography

Spend more time (whether in person or on the phone) with friends - don't allow my great relationships with friends to fall away

BE HAPPY!

New Years Day Baking