From apprehensive to assertive

Please excuse my lack of blogging, as I've had my nose to the grindstone training hard for CIM, working lots, and traveling. This last month saw me race a half marathon at San Jose in early October, where I finished 6th in a PR of 1:16:19, feeling comfortable and strong. Then it was back to work, with longer runs and workouts than I'd ever done, prepping for my 26.2 debut.

Thankfully, Providence has blessed me with beautiful fall weather, making this training block go pretty smoothly. Of course, there have been a few challenging days, but I can honestly say that I've enjoyed this process -- this journey -- more than any other training segment I've done! Changing it up with a new event was just what I needed; combine that with the welcoming, wonderful running community in Providence -- sisters in sport -- and I'm doing pretty good!

Another change is that instead of being intimidated by workouts, I'm excited for them - I'm eager for each long run and hard effort, approaching them ready to get after it and see what I can do! This is a shift for me - away from the at times timid runner that I've been in the past, from apprehensive to assertive, a change toward dwelling in positivity and truly running joyfully!

So riding this wave of positivity, I'm racing the Pittsburgh 10-Miler tomorrow! A tune up for CIM that's a month away, this hilly 10-miler across Pittsburgh's 3 rivers should be an excellent opportunity to practice running assertively, competitively, and of course joyfully. Tune in to Twitter tomorrow morning at 8 am for live race coverage - follow @PGH10Miler or hashtag #PGH10Miler #PGHElite for updates!

Yes, this is a personalized ketchup bottle - awesome race gift from the PGH 10 Miler team!

From 3.1 to 13.1

Last month I raced a 5k at the USA 5k Road Championships at home in Providence. It'd been a while since raced a 5k on the roads, let alone done any 5k pace work, so the race was a bit of a shock to the system! But it was a good shock - it was nice to feel the pre-race butterflies in my stomach again...

...the rush as you sprint off the starting line,

...and the burn in your legs as you press hard during the final 0.1 of the race.

I finished in 16:44, the 20th American and 22nd woman overall. Though not a road PR, I was happy with the effort on a hot, humid day, in the midst of marathon training. I'll be back for a road PR next year! 

Post-race with former NBSV teammate Steph

Now I transition from 3.1 to 13.1 - I've got the Rock n Roll San Jose Half Marathon on tap tomorrow! There's a talented field assembled and San Jose is a flat, fast course, so it should be a great day! I haven't yet given the half an honest effort, so tomorrow I'm eager to improve on my 1:18.15 from 2012. Here's to hoping for a faster time and good preparation for 26.2!