Life has been crazy… crazy… busy lately in our home. There is always somewhere to go, something to do, or an obligation that needs to be met. Life is not slowing down and with my husband’s work load, the boys and I have been spending a lot more time together. Which is fine and totally normal… but we needed a change of pace and focus on fun this weekend.
Mommy needed a time out and a break from being Mommy. I decided to run the Sacramento Women’s Fitness Festival half marathon as a last minute attempt to get a long training run in for the ZOOMA Napa Valley half I am doing at the end of the month.
I have been struggling with finding time to get my miles in with family obligations. I figured this would be a great way to get miles in and treat it as a training run. No stress. No pressure. Just run.
It was a beautiful morning (at 6AM) to run 13.1 miles with 4,000 other women around Sacramento. This was the inaugural event for the half marathon (they usually have only the 5K).
I was surrounded by a sea of pink as it seemed the majority of women were wearing that color to run in. I was sporting my Polar shirt… representing Polar as an ambassador. This was my first race running and representing Polar. Pretty neat.
I got to the event a little early. I had plenty of time to walk around, chat with people, and use the port-o-potties. The one great thing about an all women’s race is that there was a lot of potties available! They even had a hand washing station (which was welcomed!).
Asics was one of the sponsors for the race, and I was reminded that no matter what happens today on my run… I should just continue to do my best. I shouldn’t focus or worry about failing anyone or compete with others. Only to better my best.
My plan of attack for this last minute race, was to tackle the 13.1 miles as a long slow training run. I was wearing my heart rate monitor to see how I would fair running in the heat and with the race vibe. I knew at the start, I wanted to run it nice and slow. I wasn’t sure exactly how slow or how the race would go… as you never really know how a run will go.
While waiting for the race to start, I ran into my friend Shannon. She and Kate (not pictured) decided on a whim (like me) to run this race. They did awesome. Not only did they finish strong, they only trained for this event 6 days prior. Serious kick-booty in these girls!
The race started and we were off. Like all races it was crowded the first few miles. I ran with Shannon and Kate the first few miles and told them to run on. I was hot and I really wasn’t wanting to run hard. I ran with no music and just wanted to enjoy running for the love of running.
Around mile 8.5 I felt the desire to call my mom. Yes my mom in the middle of a race!? I had this wild hair of an idea to ask her if she wanted to run/walk a half marathon with me. I really would love to do one with her. I totally think she can and should! We talked about it. She laughed at me. Then I continued on the remainder of my race.
You will probably never see me leading the pack of elite runners. You may not even see me winning a place in my age group. That is okay with me.
What you will find is a woman who encourages and LOVES to chat with other runners on the course. I LOVE to smile and thank the volunteers and crowd. I will be the runner who has a big smile on her face… even when the race is hot and get tough. I run with heart.
I walked a lot. I ran a lot. I drank a lot of water because I sweated (and salted) a lot. It was a hot day in Sacramento to be running. I succeeded and finished my long run with 4,000 other runners.
I need to remember to sign up for races during my long runs should I ever run another full. It makes the time go by so much faster and it is a lot of fun! I finished 2:3x. Not my fastest time. Not my slowest. I finished with a smile on my face and was still able to resume my mommy/wife duties when I came home.
It was so hot outside, that we spent the rest of the afternoon taking turns (my husband and I) having a water fight in the backyard with the boys. Oh the giggles and squeals of enjoyment coming from everyone. Bliss. Happy.
Okay. I just don’t know how to do this stuff. I started a response and then poof it was gone. So I have started this one. First though (and I realize that I am revealing that I am a luddite) I want to make sure my communication with you is just seen by you. Is there an email address where we two can just communicate. We do not do FB or any multi-view sites. We stay pretty private–with good reason–so our communication is one on one. Would you still like to communicate that way? If not I understand. My sisters have kept email ONLY because of us! They are FB/Pinterest social media savvy–keeping old technology just for us! So sweetie…..proud of your latest run. Keep it up. Give our best to Gabe. Deborah
You are too sweet, Deborah. Yes. I replied to your email (from last week). Did you get it? If not, you can email me at runningrachel@hotmail.com 🙂
All moms need a break sometimes and we are usually much happier once we have one. Most of us will never be elite runners or lead the pack-I’m ok with that too because that’s not why I run. Looks like you had a great time. Good luck with Zooma!
Thank you. Yes. A mommy who has had a break is a happy mommy! 🙂
AWESOME JOB! That medal is CUTE! And I love the flowers on your friend’s shirt!
We didn’t do anything special – cleaned house, watched the Spurs, had fun with friends.
Thanks. I thought the medal was cute too. Oh… I need to stay at home and clean house. Funny how that “simple” act always goes neglected. #sigh
You are just the cutest!!!! … & that’s why I would want to do a race with you. I’m enjoying it talking to strangers along the way too. Running community always makes a race go by faster 🙂
haha Thanks! Running together would be fun! I am all about the fun! 🙂
Good for you! I’m glad you got out there. We were all out there in HOT solidarity together! Everyone I talked too, couldn’t believe how hot it was. Yeah, maybe it was in the high 70’s, but it literally felt like it was in the 90’s! I was beyond grateful for those people who came out and hosed us off, bless their lovely hearts!! I love saying thanks or giving a thumbs up to the volunteers and cheer-er’s too! I never know if I should say something encouraging as I pass a person – It’s always a game time decision. I just hope no one gets offended…
Yes!! Those neighbors with the hoses! They were angels! I think they got just as big of a kick spraying the runners as the runners did running through them! 🙂
Regarding encouraging other runners as we pass/get passed. I find that I will cheer and encourage someone who is passing ME… rather than ME passing them.
Wow! Kudos to you for being fit enough to finish a half marathon. I just want to have a nice time on a 5K. The thought of 13 miles scares me a bit!!
Thank you. If you have the desire to run 13.1 miles… you can totally do it. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. 🙂
A very much needed fun run 🙂 Congrats on getting through it in the heat! It was hot down here in the bay so I can only imagine the temps up your way. What a nice medal too. and a great way to cap off the day with a water fight 🙂
Thank you. Yes. The water fight was MUCH NEEDED by everyone. 🙂
Awesome job! And I too will never lead an elite pack of runners. Heck, I’d be happy to just finish a race!!! If you’re having fun, then you’re doing it right!
Thanks. 🙂
I’m not a runner myself but I give you props for this race!
Thank you. 🙂
What a great run. I love that you finished with a smile on your face. I’m not anywhere near being an elite runner (I haven’t even attempted a 10K yet) but I run with a smile.
I am no where being an elite runner either. I am okay with that. Smiling.. I love smiling. And I love that YOU run with a smile too! 🙂
What an inspiration! I haven’t ran since I was a teenager, but I long to run. However, I don’t know if my ankle will ever let me run again. I need to get off my duff and hit the gym! Congrats!!! You look so utterly happy in the pictures. I love that one woman’s shirt “Moms in motion.” What a great way to spend your “Mommy time out.”
Thanks, Crystal. 🙂
We didn’t run a marathon, but we did have friends over from out of town and we all went to Kelly Springs State Park. It looks like you guys had fun running the marathon though, and we had a great family day at the park 🙂
Kelly Springs State park as a family sounds like a SUPER FUN time! 🙂
Great job! I’m glad that you were able to get some time to run this fun race. I love how you approach running and the smile on your face! That’s the best way to do it – enjoy what you love doing.
Thanks. Yes. Do what you love. Love what you do. 🙂
You are awesome! I love that you called your mom mid-run, who does that?! lol
Haha! thanks. Apparently I do. I knew I wasn’t competing on this race and wanted to give her a call. LOL
Great job! I am not a runner but I admire those of you who are. We had a weekend packed with birthday and graduation parties. Fun!
Thanks. I bet you covered just as many steps as I did over your busy weekend!! 🙂
It seems like you had a wonderful weekend. One day, just one day, I’ll compete in a half marathon. You did great 🙂
Thanks, Ericka. If you have the desire to do so… you can! You can do anything you set your heart/mind/desire to! 🙂
Rachel, what a fun and great way to get away last minute. I don’t know who you can run without music {something I can’t do}. I am really inspired by your work and runs under your belt. I am looking very forward to our Zooma race together and am hoping I get more half marathons under my belt 🙂
Yay! Zooma will be so fun! Who knows… I might be running with you and gabbing your ear off. Then you will HAVE to NOT wear and listen to music while you run. 😉
Your words send recaps always make me smile! Yes your mom can do it .. My mom and I trained for our first marathon together (we ran in Hawaii) when I was 32 and she was 51 .. The best thing we did together! Go for it!!
That is awesome! 🙂
Great job. My hubby and I are planning on trying to run in a few 5k’s to see how we do. I admire someone like you.
Thank you! I So want to do a 5K with my husband this summer. There is a Wipe Out like obstacle 5K race here in Sacramento that would be SO much fun.
I ran a few half marathons during my MCM training and enjoyed it.
Congrats on your ambassadorship.
It is the smart (FUN!) way to enjoy your training. 😉 And… thank you! 🙂
Wow, great job! My son and I ran a 5k. For unlimited bacon. I would do it every weekend LOL.
Bacon… did someone say bacon!? I think my 8 year old would do that race for bacon too! 🙂
It was for ages 8+ for the 5K, all ages for the .05K LOL maybe there is one coming near you
Awesome freaking job! Your weekend makes me happy 🙂
Thank you!! 🙂
I think I need to get ANY fitness done! You are inspiring me!
Thanks. 🙂 ANY fitness is good. 🙂 Do what you love. 🙂
The fact that you run 13 miles is amazing! Who cares if you aren’t the fastest? I can barely even run one mile!
You are too sweet, Emily. Thank you! 🙂
I keep telling the husband that one day I am going to burst out of this dislike for our current town and lack of safe running areas that don’t involve running in traffic with the baby because I want to do build up to runs like these! You’re inspiration and so glad you had fun.
Thanks, Chelle! Is there anywhere that IS safe you could run? DO you have access to a gym or park ?
I totally love your happy spirit while you run. As a spectator, I’d be rooting you on even more for that!
Thank you, Liz! That makes me VERY happy. 🙂