Monday, April 22, 2013

"The Biggest Loser 15k"

April 14th I got to run The Biggest Loser 15k in Springfield OR.  I was given this race from Laura at Girls Gone Sporty, because I'm a Sweat Pink Ambassador. She couldn't run this race.  Since I'm from the area, she offered it to me.  This was my 2nd 15k.

Sunday morning I rolled out of bed about 4:30, UGH!  I needed to get to Springfield early because I couldn't go get my race packet the day before.  Not too much traffic around 5:30am on a Sunday morning!  I got there with plenty of time to spare.  I got a good parking spot close to the start/finish line.  It was cold out!  I went inside to get my packet and see what the sports expo had going on.  I was happy to get my shirt and number without a long line.  I walked around and got a few photos and then sat down for a bit.  The gym area was starting to get busy and the lines were getting long.  I was glad I got there early.  I headed out to my car to wait until it was time to start.  I felt kind of weird to be all by myself, yet in a big crowd.  I knew Tori from Monmouth was coming but never did end up seeing her before the race started.

That's me in the yellow visor...lol!
About 10 minutes before 9:00am I decided I better go join the crowd.

I made my way into the gate.  We were all bunched together.  I stood by a lady from Alaska who was doing the 5k.  She was cold and couldn't believe I had short sleeves on...lol.  I was also by a guy from Roseburg who ended up coming in 1st for the 15k.  That's him in the yellow jacket.

We stood while Dan from Season 5 of The Biggest Loser sang the National Anthem.  A runner up front had an American Flag...how perfect!  The runners were all
Dan singing the National Anthem
asked to come to the front.  There were lots of walkers for this race.  I happily worked my way through the crowd and barley fit into the first wave of runners.  It was chipped timed, so they started us in waves.


The gun went off and so did I!  I was mixed with 5k runners and 15k runners.  We started on a wide road so I didn't feel like it was hard to make my way around people or stay out of faster runners way.  The road was nice and flat.  I knew it was an out and back course and I liked knowing, all I had to do is go out, and come  back!  I had my watch (Garmin), but had been given some advise to not take my watch.  I wore it only to be able to check my mile splits after the race.  I never looked at it.  The reason I did this?   Focusing on your pace can mess with your mind (your mental game).  I was told to just find my pace and go with it and that's what I chose to do.


We quickly made it to the 5k turn-a-round and many turned to go back.  A timer was set up, and I thought, wow, if I was doing the 5k I might PR...oh well!  I wondered if I should slow down, but just went with it.

I started passing people and kept my eyes on the man with the American flag.  I love it when someone runs with the flag!  We turned down a road headed to a park path.  Before I knew it, I was running with the guy with the flag.  He was talking with another runner about the Eugene Marathon.  I passed them and headed onto a more narrow path in the park area.


I think this path was my favorite part of the course.  We ran along water, but the creek was pretty low. I passed a man that looked about my age.  Up ahead was a man/lady couple.  I settled in behind them and just stayed awhile.  After awhile, I decided to give it a go and pass them.  They stayed right on my tail.  Then passed me back. We did this a few times, then the lady passed me and the man got left behind.  Never saw him again.  This lady and I started running together.  


Soon we came to the 15k turn-a-round.  I looked up at the timer and saw I was on target for a 1:15 finish time.  That would be a nice PR, but I would have to hold the pace I was at for another 4.6 miles...UGH!  I didn't know if that was possible, but I might as well keep going!  

I loved running back.  Since I got to start in the lead wave, there were lots of people behind me.  I decided to watch for Tori...this gave me something to do.  The lady I was playing passing games with started to chat with me a little.  I found out her name was Laurie and she had been running with her husband who wasn't feeling well. That's why he fell behind.  We continued to push each other and it was great.  As we got closer to the finish we got into the "walker" groups.  Some of the people made me laugh.

I saw a lady walking with her kindle..yes, she was reading while walking her 15k.  Several groups of women walking together...I think that's great, but in one group, one lady was turned around walking backwards so she could talk to her friends...lol!

I was happy to finally see Tori...she looked like she was doing great! 
Tori and me at the finish line

  
Finally I made my way out of the park and back onto the road.  I knew I had maybe two miles left.  I needed to dig deep at this point.  It was getting hard.  I would start to feel like really slowing it down, then realized I didn't want to let Laurie get way ahead, so I just kept steady with her even though my stomach was starting to feel it! Blaaaaa.....

As we came close to the finish line, lots of 5k walker were just
Me and Laurie (green) nearing the end
coming in.  The road was wide, but these walkers would make these walls you would have to go around and it was kind of annoying.  I just went around the walls of people and kept going.  I had no idea if I was at 1:15 or not.  All I knew was I had stayed with Laurie.  I did end up passing her just before the end, but her chip time was the same as mine when it was all over (we didn't start at the same time).


I crossed the finish line and stopped my watch.  I was handed a finishers medal and then looked at my watch.
Laurie (in green) and me stopping my watch
 It was right at 1:15.  NO WAY!  I wondered what place I had came in?  I knew I was near the front but I also new there were some women who were in front of me.


I went inside to get some food and wait for race results to come in.  At this point I was just happy to know I did PR by quite a bit.

I got a half of a bagel, a banana and a bottle of water, then stood with the other 15kers waiting to see how we all did.  When the times went up, I had to do a double take.  It said I came in first for my age-group.  This has never happened to me.  Overall I came in 14th place.  5th place in all women. 1st in my age group.  There were 142 15k finishers.  103 females, 39 males.  The average finish time was 1:41:41.  My finish time was 1:15:03 (8:04 pace).  I was pretty excited.  I knew I would get a certificate so I found a spot to sit.  Dan and Jackie Evans from Season 5 were there talking to people and letting people take photos.  Dan and some other guy sang to us up on the stage.  Finally certificates were given out along with ribbons to the top 3 in each age group and overall.  
It was a good race!
Dan and Jackie Evans from Season 5


I went to meet my brother in Eugene for a very nice lunch at one of his favorite places.  I was so hungry!!!

Next race is Hippie Chick Half Marathon,  coming May 11th!  In the meantime, I'm in training for Newport Marathon, coming June 1st!

Happy Running friends.....

Sunday, April 7, 2013

I CAN DO THIS Challenge-Julie Style



I am excited to announce that I have teamed up with Uberthon's Running for a Challenge giveaway. 

 This is how it works.....

You take on a four week Challenge with me, Julie... and earn yourself (along with 7 friends) a two night stay at a vacation home in Lincoln City, OR. Check it out here. The challenge will start on Wednesday April 10th and end as soon as one person completes the challenge according to the rules.  I will be in the challenge along with you because I want to win as well.
   I challenge YOU to join ME and lets get healthy TOGETHER!  In the end, what do you have to lose?...ok maybe some fat...lol!  Win or lose, we will all be working on building healthy habits together!


~Contest starts the morning of April 10th
~On April 10th (or whenever you decide to join the challenge) post a photo of yourself (a before photo) on our event page.  This photo enters you into the contest.
~Exercise - Run at least 30 minutes 3 times each week for 4 weeks in a row.  (you may use walk/run intervals if you are just a beginner runner)
                         -After you do your runs, you must post on our event                                             page.

~Eat Right
            -Fruits & vegetables:  At least 4.5 cups a day 
            -Fish:  At least two 3.5 ounce servings a week 
            -Fiber-rich whole grains:  At least three 1-ounce-equvalent servings a day
            -Sodium:  Reduce your salt intake
            -Sugar-sweetened beverages:  No more than 450 calories (36 ounces) a week.  (I really challenge you to be off of sugar sweetened drinks altogether by the end of the four week challenge)
            -Nuts, legumes and seeds:  At least 4 servings a week
            -Processed meats:  No more than 2 servings a week

Rules:   -Contest last four weeks. Starting date is April 10th and will last until someone follows these exercise and eating rules for four weeks straight.
             -To enter, send a BEFORE photo of yourself to our event page (link posted here).
             -Go to Uberthons, like their page and tell them Dallas, OR Run the Open Road sent you. 
             -Like Dallas, OR Run the Open Road and join the I CAN DO THIS CHALLENGE-Juie Style
             -Register for the upcoming community 10k (details to come)
             -Post every time you run on our event page or at least twice a week.  You must update your runs and eating for the week, photos will be fun to add too.  
             -At the end of your four weeks, post a AFTER photo of yourself.  
             -Winner will get to do a video with me, Julie talking about how the challenge was for you.  It will be posted on Uberthons website.
             -Winner will receive two night with a total of 8 people at the Lincoln City vacation home - Debbie's Place in Lincoln City, Vacation Rental
                   -In the event of a tie at the end of the four weeks, we will have a drawing to pick the winner.

Exercise challenge is from "Exercise is Medicine"  


Food Challenge is from"American Heart Association"


~Some helpful tips:
             -Use the App My Fitness Pal.  This a a great way to keep track of you food intake.  It's free and easy to use.  I'm on there, feel free to look me up and add me as a friend. Look for juliemullins1.
            -Use Daily Mile to track your running.  It's free and can be linked to facebook.  They have great maps you can use to plan out routes.  Look me up on there too....Julie M. Dallas, OR.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Long Run Plus my First 10k...WOU 10k

Today I was scheduled to run 10 miles for my long run.  I found out about the WOU Criminal Justice 5 and 10k and thought it would be fun.   My running friend Chris was doing this race and suggested we run too Monmouth and then race the 10k.  I have never ran too a race only to turn around and race.   It sounded crazy but I though it wouldn't be too much of a big deal because we would run slow to Monmouth. 
 I posted about people joining us on Dallas, OR Run the Open Road thinking surely some other crazy will join us!  We decided to meet at Dallas Safeway and I talked my husband into joining in on the fun.  We got going about 6:45 early Saturday morning.  It was 50 degrees out and beautiful.  It looked like it could rain, but it wasn't yet.  My husband Jerry and I meet Chris and off we went.  Nobody else showed up....lol!

We ran through beautiful Dallas and down Riddell Road into the WOU campus.  I love it this time of year.  All the trees are blooming and the red brick on the campus buildings is so pretty.  As we got to registration we were at mile 10.75.  I thought, "what am I doing?"  "That's all I needed for this long run weekend and now I'm going to run another 6.2 miles fast!!!!!."    Well, I just tried not to think about it...I needed to find a bathroom and the doors to the buildings were all locked. 
My bathroom buddies
We got registered and then went on a bathroom hunt.  The wind had picked up and I was chilled and stiff.  Moving around helped.  I knew a few others were on a bathroom hunt as well so I was keeping my eye's on them.  I realized somehow they had gotten some keys and were heading to another building.  My friends and I took off after them and found a bathroom.  If you have ever ran a race, you totally get how important this is!!!  From that time on, these people were my bathroom friends.  They were so nice out on the course.  We encouraged each other in passing, even gave out some high 5's...it was fun!  People like this group are one of the great things about running races.  You get to meet some awesome people.
   
It was finally time to start.  I was very chilled at this point, the wind had picked up.  We started a little late but that's ok.  My daughter had brought Jerry and I our car, but was leaving to go back to Dallas with her friends.  She saw us starting so waited to "give me the keys....lol."  It was so funny, I told her I have keys, keep them..... in passing. I didn't want more keys to carry in the race.  I was so thankful she brought us the car because I knew I didn't want to run home!!!

  The first two miles were pretty good.  We ran by my friend's house, and she was out on her porch waiting for us....HI TEASA!!!!!  Was so fun to see her out there.  I was behind Jerry and Chris but one of the volunteers left her station or something weird, and they made a wrong turn.  A guy yelled at them (and a few others) and they got back on course.  I knew they would eventually pass me up, but hey...I WAS AHEAD of them!!  I fully enjoyed them moment!  
Jerry and I waiting to start the 10k
As we came to about mile 4, I was ready to be done but kept telling myself I was almost done.  My friend Teresa was walking the 5k so I started looking for her.  Soon she was in sight.  It's so nice to have people you know out there...somehow it helps mentally.  This women just got over cancer treatments and she is out walking a 5k!  A huge inspiration if you ask me!  Way to go Teresa!

As we came back around to the finish, we had to loop up to the end of the road and come back down.  One of the guys from Willamette Valley Running Club said, "good job Julie" in passing and I took off a little harder and finished up strong.  

While standing around waiting for the drawings I got to meet Vince, Jeff, Britt, Matt and Jill all from Willamette Valley Running Club.  Was so fun talking to them about different upcoming races.  What a great group that came out this morning.

This was my very first 10k, I have run 5k's, a 15k, half marathons and full marathons but somehow the 10k's never got done.  I enjoy this distance for racing but after running almost 11 miles, it wasn't as enjo
All DONE!
yable as it could have been.  I had no goals for this one but came in at 50:57 (8:20 pace).  I was very pleased with that pace for today.  It was a small race but I was the 2nd female who came in for the 10k.  The girl that came in first was very fast.  



Jerry and I didn't win anything in the drawing and realized we were very hungry.  Our favorite taco stand was over in Independance at the Farmer's Market today so guess what?  We headed over there and I got my favorite....pork tacos from El Pique.  Yummy!  

Newport Marathon is less than two months away and I am excited! I would love to have you join my in some upcoming races or on my fb running page.

Some other races on my wish list for the year.....


A HUGE thank you to DC Electric...my sponsor for Newport!

HAPPY RUNNING!


Monday, April 1, 2013

April Goals and Stuff....

Today is April 1st! The year is FLYING by!  

Today over at Dallas, OR Run the Open Road we have teamed up with Allied Medal Displays for a sweet like and share give-a-way.  Winner is being picked tonight (this is not an April Fools Joke!)  Head on over here for all the details.

Looking at my month....

Saturday April 6th is my first race of the month.  It's the WOU Crimianal Justice Race.... 10k in Monmouth OR.  There will also be a 5k...if your interested in joining me, check it out here.  It's only $2.00 for ages 17 and under, everyone else, still only $5.00.  I'm excited to see how this goes.  I'm meeting some running friends at 7:00am to run from Dallas to Monmouth.  Then I will attempt to race a 10k at 9:00am.  Should be great fun!  Not setting any goals.  Just making this my long run for the week and plan on just having a good time.


April 14th I travel to Springfield OR to run the The Biggest Loser 15k Race.  I was honored to be given this race entry from Girls Gone Sporty because I am a Sweat Pink Ambassador!  I would like to try and get a good time for this one.  I have only ran one other 15k and that was Shamrock last month. We will see how it goes.  I also plan on meeting up with my brother who lives in Eugene.  Should be great fun! He knows lots of the local favorite's for FOOD!!!!  

The 19th or 20th I will run 20 miles for my Newport training.  So far my training for Newport is going so well.  I am doing training different than I ever have before and I am liking the changes so far. Newport is in exactly two months from today!  Can't wait to see how this year goes!  

I have a couple friends playing with the idea of running a half or whole marathon this year.  I am so excited for them.

This is a typical week for me with my new changes (just in case anyone was wondering...lol)....

Monday.....cross train 30-60 minutes (depends on time for the day).  Will ride the spin bike, do yoga, light weights or cardio boxing.  It is fun to have lots of options so you don't get board of it.
Tuesday....Track work/speed work, using  Yasso 800's.  I am working up to ten before the marathon.
Wednesday.....8-10 mile fatigued tempo run.  The reason I'm doing this is it will help with the last 10 miles of the marathon (my week point). 
Thursday....off day or light cross training day.
Friday.....Long run day.  10-20 miles at a slower pace and work on my negative split goal for Newport.
Saturday....5-6 miles
Sunday....Cross Train 30-60 minutes and sometimes a short easy run.

I do have a goal for Newport and I know I CAN do it!  Thank you DCE DC Electric, Inc for sponsoring me for Newport Marathon!

Run Love, Self Love

This morning I headed to the hills for an easy run on sore legs. The ache I felt was a good ache. The ache that you know you ran a good trai...