Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Indy Mini Marathon Update

So the Indy Mini is over, and I am so glad!  Let's just say every year I go to bed the night before the race and say a quiet prayer.  It involves rain and lightning and the race being cancelled.  And again this year I woke up to clear skies, a slight breeze, and the forecast showing sun until the race would be over.  So once again I drug myself out of bed and met the girls I ride with every year and found myself in Corral X waiting and waiting with the huge mass of people.  The view is always a good one, and I love what they did to the side of the JW Marriott.  May is definitely all about Indy Car Racing in Indiana!!


So this year I actually started training in January (unlike any other year), and I was looking forward to seeing how it would pay off in the end.  I was able to do 6 solid miles at a 12 min/mile pace on the treadmill.  The one thing I did not do was run outside at all.  This had me a little nervous because I wasn't sure I would be able to pace myself at this speed.  I quickly found a lady who was going the pace I felt like was 12 minute miles and decided just to follow her.  It worked out great....until she started walking at mile 3!  So I decided to see how far I could go without stopping to walk.  And guess what?  The training paid off big time!  I was able to complete the whole 13.1 miles without stopping to walk (unless I was forced to by the people in front of me, or if I got stuck in a water pit stop).  Here you can see I kept my 12 minute mile pace roughly close.  When I saw my pace or the whole race, I was thrilled.  And to finish under 3 hours was the icing on the cake (more on that later)!


The medal they handed out this year was my favorite so far.  With the 40th running of this particular race, I think the design is perfect.  As a lady in her 40s, I appreciate it a little more!


My employer gave out free Fitbit zips this year, so I was able to see how many steps I actually took that day.  I'm pretty sure I won't see numbers like that again until next May.  Yes, I've already signed up for next year!  I couldn't resist the $10 discount they offer right after the race.  Now I need to work on my goal for next year!



This is my 4th Indy Mini, but only the 3rd under my own name (a friend gave me her entry the first year, so I was Jenny that time).  You can find your archived times on the Indy Mini Marathon website. And I absolutely love seeing the progress I've made!  Momma has gotten faster in her old age!!


I couldn't do a post without sharing this beauty.  Oh my word!!  Marathon Foto, I will not be ordering this or any pictures from you.  (This was the best one!)  I cannot decide if I am in pain, need to use the bathroom, or just plain crazy here.  I've offered 8x10s to my family, but so far no one has taken me up on the offer.


I talked about cake earlier, and this was part of what I ate Saturday evening after the race.  I was able to join my mom, sister, and niece for a Mother's Day celebration that evening.  I was glad to be able to walk and sit down without too much pain.  This banana cake with peanut butter icing from The Cake Bake Shoppe was delicious.  I ate it all without feeling one bit guilty!

Final thoughts about this year's mini marathon.
1.  I'm so glad I trained this year!  My longest training run was 6 miles which felt like forever on the treadmill.  For next year, I think a longer training run will be in order.
2.  I bought a FlipBelt at the packet pick-up/vendor expo and was very glad I did.  In the past I have dropped my phone at least twice during the race.  I did not have to worry about it at all the entire time.  And I didn't have to switch hands or worry about getting drinks at the pit stops with a phone in one hand.
3. I used wireless headphones which I highly recommend.  One less thing to worry about!
4. I want to continue to do a run at least once a week.  I'm thinking 3.1 miles sounds good now, and it will feel like a breeze compared to 13.1!
5. May 6, 2017 will be here before I know it!  Time flies.