Omaha HM race report

As this weekend approached, I honestly questioned what the hell I was thinking signing up for a half marathon 11 weeks after having twins. I don't sleep anymore, I constantly forget to eat, and everything on me aches from picking up babies and sitting on the floor all day. Last week's 10K gave me confidence, but 13.1 is quite a bit further.

But at $70, there was no turning back. I honestly had one goal: beat my first half marathon time of 2:10:53 from back in 2008. That seemed doable. My awesome parents had offered to watch the boys over night, so I was beyond thrilled to be getting more than 3 hours of sleep for the first time in 11 weeks. The Husband made dinner, so I had sleep and food covered.

Pre-race

I was super late getting to the start line. I'll spare you the details of why it took me to long to get out of the house, but the words, "I didn't pump overnight and REALLY should have" were involved.

The start gun went off while I was climbing a fence, jumping active railroad tracks, and weaving around cows. Seriously. Cows in a parking lot. Only in Nebraska.

The race

The plan was to keep a 9:30 pace to allow for probably walking toward the end. I'd only done one very sketchy 10 mile training run, so I knew I was in questionable shape. The first 6 miles were all sub-9:00. I assumed there was not only walking in my future, but also potential puking and probably crying.

But I kept plugging along and eventually calculated (barring a meltdown) I could easily make my 2:10 goal. Then around mile 10, I got greedy and thought I could do sub-2. It would be close, but it was doable if I pushed.

I'll spare you the suspense, but I didn't quite make sub-2. Those last three miles were honestly the most painful and miserable steps I've ever taken. My mind was screaming at my legs and they were dying.

Final: 2:00:58
Pace: 9:13/mi

Post-race

Three words: Marines and medals. Well played, race directors. Very well played.

I gathered some food and slowly limped back to my car past the cows, beyond the railroad tracks, and over the fence. Again. While I was disappointed that I didn't make my on-the-fly New Goal, I was thrilled to have done as well as I did. One of my biggest fears about having twins is that I wouldn't be able to do things like this for quite some time. But thanks to my fantastic mom who watches the boys while I run, I'm back baby!

After a quick shower and breakfast, my parents brought the boys home where I gobbled them up with hugs and kisses. Their first slumber party was a success for everyone, and I can't wait until they can come watch me race some day. I'm pretty proud of how far the boys and I have come in the last year. From here:

(Council Bluffs 5k at 28 weeks)

To here: (And for the record, CPS, The Husband took this picture.
I didn't attempt my usual corner self-portrait with two squirmy babies.)

Omaha CC 10K race report

I've never raced a 10K, so I knew regardless of how well I ran, it would be an instant PR. But I DID run well. Really well!

Pre-race:

The highlight of race morning was the fact that the boys slept a 5.5 hour chunk the night before. Granted last night was our worst night ever, but it was nice of them to sleep on race night.

Anyway, the morning was cold. Like, my car thermometer went from 71 in the garage to 49 in less than three miles. Oh, and it was raining. Awesome. I quickly found a parking space and met up with the dozens of work people for some pictures.

They set up the start with separate corals for seeded and non-seeded runners. It was a great idea since this race tends to have quite a few clueless walkers wearing jeans line up at the front.

The Race:

After hopping around to stay warm, the gun went off and away we went. I have to admit that I got a little emotional. I just felt like me again for the first time in almost a year.

Miles 1-3 flew by as I people-watched and enjoyed the morning. After the turn-around, things got a little more challenging since my pace was faster than I've ever run post-babies. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it up. (Hello positive split!) I did manage to spot a few friends, wave like a crazy person, and ride that smile to the finish.

Final: 51:47
Pace: 8:20/mi

I can not believe I ran it that fast. Seriously. My training runs have been at 900 degrees and among a million hills, but still. I was so damn proud of myself.

Post race:

I power-walked back to my car and took off for home in record time. The Husband always does great when he stays with the boys, but I missed all of them. Thankfully, the boys did perfect. I walked in the door to everyone in their jammies watching football pre-game together.


Best. Sunday. Ever.

Sub-9...FINALLY!

Thanks to my fantastic mother who watches the boys while I run, I've gotten into a pretty good routine. I'm not a threat to PR anything soon, but with a 10K and half marathon rapidly approaching, things are feeling easier every single day.

While I was grateful for the "feeling" of progress, I couldn't get an average pace less than 9 minutes. Been close for weeks, but it was driving me crazy to see things like "9:04" and "9:01" when I checked Garmie during my cool down.

Until yesterday. I FINALLY clicked off 5 miles at an average of 8:40 min/miles! Woo hoo! We'll see how this weekend's race goes, but I'm feeling pretty good that I can come in around that pace. Regardless, I'm just ready to race! Bring it on.

Babyland update:

The boys will be 10 weeks tomorrow, and things continue to go fantastic. They entertain us more and more every single day. To answer the questions we get most often:

• Sam weighs almost 10lbs
• Luke weighs almost 9lbs
• They sleep in 3-4 hour chunks at night (Although last night was great... which I probably just jinxed.)
• Yes, I'm as tired as you'd imagine

But who wouldn't want to wake up to these peanuts at 1:00A, 4:00A, and 7:00A every single night?

BOB's maiden voyage

Per manufacturer instruction, we waited 8 weeks before taking the boys out for a walk in the BOB. OMG, this is the greatest stroller in history of the world! Worth every single penny. We glided over all the cracks and bumps like they were nothing. It's a fraction of the weight of the other stroller/car seat combo I've been using. I can't wait to start running with it.

Unfortunately, the boys were less than thrilled when we got home. Although we may have walked 30+ minutes past their feeding time. Mom fail! They loved it while we were moving though, promise. (They sat in it much more comfortable before the squirmy meltdown too.)

As for me, I celebrated 8 weeks by running 8 miles. The weather was perfect, and my wonderful parents offered to watch the boys at their house all day. I forgot what a long, post-running shower even felt like. I even had time to resurrect the kitchen corner self portrait!

And finally, as is Nebraska law, the boys were dressed and ready for their first Husker football game last night. Go big red!