Truth be told I do 99% of my shopping online. It easy and shipping with most places is so quick that it’s not worth a trip to the store. One thing that MUST BE PURCHASED IN THE STORE…RUNNING SHOES!! My recommendation find a local running store. My go to here in Maryland is Charm City Run. The have locations all over the state, are super helpful and I get to shop a small business!! But, here’s really why going to a reputable store is key for getting running shoes:
They are going to watch you walk barefoot. So that they can see your gait and arch. This will allow them to make a recommendation of what type of shoe you should consider that matches your body and mechanics.
They are going to size you! I’m normally a 6.5 in shoes. So I had I ordered running shoes online I would have certainly purchased a 6.5. My running shoe size is an 8. Yes, an 8. There is no chance had I not been properly sized and had it explained to me that the additional room in the toe box is necessary to accommodate for swelling and such that I would have EVER purchased a size 8 running shoe.
You can ask them questions. I’ve been wearing New Balance shoes for the last year. Same model through the various new releases. I have several pairs and I’ve never had a problem. I could take them out of the box and run ten miles….I know this because I did it this summer. Anyway, my point is that they were my shoes, no problems. Until, recently when I’ve started to have some arch pain. I mildly panicked. So what did I do…I went to see my friends at Charm City Run. I explained my situation and what I thought I was looking for in a shoe. I tried on two other pairs of shoes and ultimately bought something other than my beloved New Balance. I’m not going to lie, they were the ugliest running shoes ever. But if they felt good I would have worn them. Note: you aren’t buying running shoes that look pretty. You are buying running shoes that fit your foot properly.
Many retailers (including Zappos- but remember you want to get fitted in a store!) offer a try on period that allows you to return worn shoes if they aren’t the right fit. I just took advantage of this for the first time. I gave those shoes I purchased the run test. Ran in them three times. Ran about 15 miles in them. Ran outside and on the treadmill. Guess what?? They were not the right shoe for me. I was getting pain in a completely different place on my foot. So what did I do? I headed back to Charm City Run.
They want to get it right. They want you to be in the right shoes as much as you want to be in the right shoes. So I met with a super helpful woman. I explained that I had been in days before, what I had purchased, how I had run in them, etc. Her response: “sounds like you need an insole, rather than a new shoe.” But she went through all the steps with me. I walked so she could see my gait and arch placement. She sized me. I tried on yet another different pair of shoes. Ultimately, I wound up back in the New Balance 1080. This time the 10th edition. But with an insole. We tried multiple insoles to get the right feel. I could immediately feel the difference. Now I’ll put these new shoes and insoles to the 14 day test. I’m hopeful this new combination is going to be exactly what I need!
Thursday, December 5th I said to my husband, I think I’ll run that 5K on Sunday. It’s close and convenient. Originally we had talked about all going as a family but our oldest had a commitment in the morning so I decided to just go alone. So Friday at 4:00 PM, I registered. Friday at 6:00 PM my oldest spiked a crazy high fever that he would continue to run throughout the weekend and into the next week. With little sleep and Mom guilt I got up and out on Sunday morning for the race. I really had no plan throughout 2019 as to what races I would run, as I found them I signed up if they worked for our schedule. But I had never decided quite so last minute to run a race.
This was the first time I would run a 5K since June. Much had changed since June. In June I had been running for just about three months. I had not yet started to go to the trainer and it was my first race in nearly twenty years. Fast forward to December of 2019. I had been running consistently for nearly ten months. Going to the trainer for five months. Not to mention I had run several longer races. The temperature was also significantly different. As opposed to hot and humid it was quite chilly!!
Off I went, with the promise of “Mommy Snuggles” when I returned. Oh, and yes, he wanted to know if I was going to win this one too. I knew there was a chance I could be first overall female. But I gave my usual response, of trying my best!
The race was run primarily on the campus of the local Jewish Community Center. It was much hiller than I was expecting it to be but it was a good course. There were approximately 150 other runners. At the start I might of been taking inventory of the other women out there that morning and who I thought was in my age category. Race, running is a personal sport and I simply wanted to beat my time from June. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t competitive. Another woman and I went out basically together. Here’s where running is a mental sport. She was slightly ahead of me for the first mile and a half. But I was staying with her, could see her. However, I convinced myself that she was 1) a more seasoned runner and 2) was clearly faster than me. Do I know either of those things for certain…absolutely not. So I pushed on but I also resigned myself to the fact that I couldn’t catch her. Turns out she finished 31 seconds faster than I did. So what’s that 10 seconds a mile. Seemingly not much, but in reality a pretty good amount when you consider the following:
I had hoped to finish in under 25:00.
I ran 3 miles the day before in 25:50
I finished the race in 24:27.
I finished the June 5K race in 26:57
So rather than focusing on what it would have taken to be first overall female, I focused on:
The amount of time I took off my time from June…2 minutes and 30 seconds!!
The fact that I hadn’t run a 24 minute 5K in A LOT OF YEARS!!
Oh, and I won my age category so my kids still think I won.
In all seriousness, I don’t know if I could have run any faster than the 24:27. That was already shaving a considerable amount of time off my other times. But I do know I got into my own head during the race. Whether that changed the outcome or not I don’t know. I’m still super proud of my finish, had a fun time and rounded out my first running year back with a great race!
The day after I finished the Charles Street 12 a friend said “how about we run the Baltimore Half Marathon?” I paused and thought then reached out to my friend Suzy Goodwin (She has an amazing Podcast. If you don’t know her you should!! http://runliftmompod.com). In addition to being a friend, she’s my go to for my running questions among other things! The question this time: “is seven weeks between big races too soon?? Should I run a half in October?” The resounding response: “Absolutely!” That was all I needed to hear.
The plan: A reverse taper. Basically the week after the Charles Street 12 I would have a week of active recovery. What does that mean?? It means I didn’t run for a few days- four to be exact but I continued with my training sessions twice that week. The following week I picked up with my running. I ran three miles a few times that week, then I took my ten week plan and backed into it from the October 19 race date. And the training continued. As the mileage increased I started to have some serious right hip pain. I worked with the trainer and we determined that my hamstrings are VERY tight. We continue to work on the hamstrings, foam rolling and stretching.
Race Weekend
Despite the 12 mile run just weeks before this race was different. It was a huge running festival with a 5K, Half Marathon, Marathon and Relay. There were going to be thousands of runners. So it was a BIG DEAL. The unknown in regards to logistics makes me nervous. So my first big race made me full of nerves. We decided that rather than get everyone up crazy early on race day we would stay down town in Baltimore at a hotel right near the start of the race. So we packed up our two boys ages 4 and 6 and our mini-Goldendoodle, Ruby and turned race day into being tourists in our own city. Earlier in the day I ventured down town with my oldest to go to the Expo. We were both excited and took in all the sights and sounds. I got my t-shirt, bib, along with a few extra goodies along the way! Yes, I stocked up on Honey Stingers and some race specific Pandora.
Picture with Blue the Crab while waiting for the expo to open
That night we went down before dinner. Got settled…yes everyone and the dog. The boys thought it was amazing to stay in a hotel so close to home. We enjoyed an early dinner and went to bed early too. But I slept TERRIBLY. Much of it was nervousness. Much of it was a dog who was used to traveling years ago and isn’t used to hearing sounds during the night that are part of staying in a hotel. But the major plus was waking up and being able to just be at the start of the race. You could literally see it from our hotel.
Race Day
Did you race if you didn’t do a flat lay??? The weather in Maryland can be unpredictable in October. Let’s be real, it is always unpredictable. I had originally planned to wear shorts but then the temperature was such that it was going to be in the forties so I switched to capri pants. Again, after consulting my good friend Suzy when I had a wardrobe panic moment. So here you see some of my running favorites. My go to running gear is from Zyia Active (https://www.myzyia.com/KELLYBLAVATT/) Stay tuned for a dedicated blog post all about my love of Zyia and why I became a rep. But you can see I went with capri running tights, a supportive sports bra, tank and a head band. You’ll also see I wore a “throw down” long sleeve shirt at the start of the race that I quickly discarded.
The tricky thing for me for race morning was the start time. I’m a rise with the sun or before for the sun and run kind of runner as I try to get my run done before the boys are even awake. With the other races happening that weekend the Half Marathon didn’t go off until 10:00 AM. I ate my normal pre-run meal which at the time consisted of Kind Peanut Butter Bar and a banana along with some water but worried about how the later start would change my performance.
Right before the start of the race. All smiles but truly full of nerves!
The time came to head to the start of the race. As you can see it was a beautiful sunny day. It was cool, but as I would quickly learn not quite as cool as I thought it was going to be. My husband and boys walked me to the starting line. At that point there were races still going on around as. The half marathon would meet up with the marathon and marathoners were coming through the streets surrounding the start. So my support team wished me well and went for their own walk and to occupy themselves while they waited for my return. As has happened with every race I’ve ever run, I then had to go to the bathroom again, despite having just gone. The line for the porta potties was ABSURD. So I ran back to the hotel and used the restrooms there. Before I knew it, it was go time!
Running and racing is just as much mental as it is physical. If you are like me and run by yourself (I actually enjoy it!) you have A LOT of time to think and talk to yourself. You also have the ability to get into your head. I had told my trainer my goal was for a sub two hour half. Based upon my time at the Charles Street 12 just seven weeks before he wasn’t so confident that was a realistic goal. I knew my average mile had to be less than 9:20. I also knew that I had to consistently keep that pace. I was also having serious mom guilt. I had packed up my family for a night away from home. They were walking around keeping themselves occupied so that I could run 13.1 miles…for fun. I didn’t want to disappoint them. Really, I wasn’t disappointing them. They could care less what time I finished, it was me that would be disappointed. Right before they went off to explore I joked with my husband…you know they are going to have someone here to engrave your medal with your time. “You should do it,” he said. My response…”only if it’s a sub 2 hour time.” That’s just to give you some sense of the self imposed pressure.
But I digressed. The race was hillier than expected. And the temperatures warmed up more than expected as well. It was still far from hot. But I felt good. In the final weeks of training I had been dealing with some serious hip pain. Fortunately the taper time allowed it to feel better and I was feeling good during the race. Some runners can run by feel- some need to monitor their watch. I fall into the monitor my watch camp. With each passing mile split, I knew I was still on target for a sub-two hour finish. But I also knew not to count my chickens before they hatched. I kept pounding the pavement, hydrating as best I could at the water stops, popping my Honey Stinger Chews every four to five miles. I also kept looking around to see how the City had come out to support the runners. There were so many supporters with signs, water and spirit willing us on. There were also the messages from family and friends that were popping up on my watch cheering me on what sometimes felt like a silly endeavor.
The night before when we drove down to the hotel we saw a sign for Mile 12. Immediately following the mile marker was a huge hill. As we drove up it all I could think was oh man, that’s not going to be fun to run. But I was wrong, when I got to mile 12 I felt like I still had energy to give and I was ready to finish strong. Don’t get me wrong, I was hot and tired but I was ready to run hard and finish strong.
I’m not sure if you read my race recap on the Charles Street 12, but when I finished that race I was early and no one was really ready for me. So once I got up that monster hill following Mile Marker 12 I wiggled my cell phone out of my tights pocket and called my hubby’s cell. He answered and was clearly worried. “where are you?” Me: “I just passed mile marker 12, get ready to cheer me in.” You realize that it wasn’t so much for me that I needed to the cheering, as much as I knew the boys were anxiously waiting and had been patiently waiting that whole time. I also knew it was going to be much more crowded and I might not be able to spot them. So I wanted them to know I was on my way.
After the call, I looked at my watch, saw the time and then I just ran. I ran hard. I ran with all that I had and I finished strong. My final mile was forty seconds to a minute faster than every other mile of the race I worked hard for and I wanted that sub 2 hour time and I was going to get it.
The finish line came in sight. I tried so hard to find my cheering squad. While I didn’t see them, I knew they were there. And you know what- they did see me and cheer me on to a 1:58:18 finish.
There was a holding area just for runners after you finished. You got your medal, some water and fruit. I quickly got my medal, banana and water. The plan was for Jeff and the boys to meet me right outside the running holding area. I waited, enjoying my water and banana then I saw them. The boys running towards me yelling “Mommy, you did it!” While I was certainly proud of my race, I was so proud that they were there to see me do it and support me. To think I had suggested just going myself was crazy. We’ve now made running a family event!
By nature of it being my first half marathon it was a personal record (PR). But since I also beat my goal time I felt the need to ring the bell. You could not wipe that smile off my face!! So yes, I most definitely got my medal engraved.
So how did the numbers play out for overall results:
There were 6903 runners in the half marathon. I finished 1378/6903.
There were 3724 female runners. I finished 449/3724.
There were 527 runners in my age category (35-39) I finished 60/527.
Race post script:
We went to a friends house for a party after the race. Yes, home, showered and party. That’s the way I roll. At the party I was chatting with a gentleman who said you will runa marathon. You’ll do a few more half marathons but then you’ll do a full marathon. Make sure you select which one carefully. Throughout the race when we met up with the marathoners all I kept thinking to myself was “I’m never going to run a marathon.” But wait just a second, I certainly would have never thought that I would run a half marathon, so maybe never say never?? More to come!
Remember that Half Marathon I’m planning to run in February of 2020. Well, you can submit a proof of time for your corral assignment. No proof of time and you are automatically in the last corral. I was so happy with my Charles Street 12 time and certain that it would qualify for a proof of time submission….wrong!! Granted it’s an odd distance twelve miles, but come on. You can submit a 10K or half marathon time but not an odd twelve mile time. I have a half scheduled for October 19, 2019 but I don’t want to leave everything up to that race.
Leading up to the October 6, 2019- 10K I was sick all week. Like, I should have gone to the doctor I probably could have used an antibiotic kind of sick. Instead I was popping Advil Cold and Sinus and hoping for the best. When Saturday morning rolled around I HAD NO BUSINESS BEING OUT OF BED, FORGET ABOUT RUNNING A 10K!! But I’m guessing you can imagine where this is headed. I needed that proof of time submission and therefore come hell or high water I was running this race. Off we went as a family to the Maryland Zoo, where the race would start and finish. The bonus to this race was that the boys and my husband were going to get to do a family 1 mile run/walk around the zoo while I ran. After the race we could then go and explore the zoo. We had our usually conversation in the car. “So, Mommy are you going to win this one?” “No, sweetie. Mommy isn’t going to win, she’s just going to try her best.” In my head, I’m just going to try not to kill myself out there today so we can go see the penguins and the new giraffe exhibit.
While there were lots of race participants for the 5K and the Family walk/run the field for the 10K was sparse. The course was hilly and through a challenging section of Baltimore City. While I tried to pick a runner or two to stay with after the first two mile or so I found myself running basically alone. There was the front pack (not me) me and then everyone else behind me. I felt lousy the ENTIRE RACE. At the 5K mark I started truly questioning my sanity. The last mile or so of the race the 10K runners began to meet up with those running the 5K. I also spotted a woman that I knew had started the 10K with me. Now I began to access how old I thought she might be. After all, while I wasn’t going to win the race, I could still try to win my age category, couldn’t I?? I ran hard the last mile. Ran past the woman in the purple leggings for a time of 53:50. PS she wasn’t in my age category she was in the one below me but she still gave me the push I needed to finish strong a race that I should have never run!
So how did my time shake out with my expectations. My healthy expectations would have been to finish in 54:30/55:00. Based upon how I was feeling I would have been happy to finish in less than an hour. Given the fact that I felt truly miserable I was super pleased with my time. How’d I place overall?? I was first in age category. Woohoo! So I did kind of win, right? Overall I was 20th out of 65 runner. For a race I wasn’t going to run and shouldn’t have run seems like it all worked out well!
What did I learn?
I should have skipped the hat. I was afraid it was going to rain. It didn’t and the hat made me hot.
My first “real” race and likely the best race photos EVER!
By way of a reminder, my training started in February of 2019 because I wanted to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February of 2020. Yes, a full year later. After doing my first 5K I knew that would certainly not be my first “long” race. A friend and I started chatting about the Charles Street 12 on August 31st. A twelve mile run, the day before my soon to be six year old’s party seemed like a crazy idea. So, of course…sign me up!!!
What did I start to do differently??
A little bit of history. I ran track and cross county in middle and high school. Yes, I took a um twenty year hiatus but I still remembered that strength training was an integral part of practice and success. So, once the kids were settled into camp, I scheduled my first appointment with a trainer. Mind you, we had a membership for nearly a year and I hadn’t stepped foot into the gym and now here I was showing up and meeting with a trainer. Spoiler alert, I’m not coordinated. This is something my trainer would quickly find out and kindly adjust our workouts to meet me where I was at the time. Another fun fact- I can laugh at myself. And did I do a lot of laughing as I realized how my balance was lacking, my overall strength so so. You get the point. I was still very much out of shape and basically starting at the beginning. So I started working with the trainer twice a week for thirty minutes. My plan was to have him teach me some things so I could lift twice a week to strength train and call it a day. Well, it’s been months and I’m still going twice a week and don’t anticipate stopping any time soon.
Back to your regularly scheduled program
I followed a half marathon training program to get ready for the Charles Street 12. It was summer and it was HOT. So that meant getting up and out early if I wanted to run outside versus on the treadmill. I adhered to my training schedule strictly (because that’s how I roll). I experimented with nutrition. I learned what didn’t work…i.e. fastest run home to get to the bathroom and what nutrition gave me the boost I needed on these longer run. (Honey Stingers are my go to!)
Over the course of the training I started to experience some pain below my left knee and in my right hip. The pain in my leg wasn’t my knee, but right below and you know what…it hurt badly! So badly that I found myself sitting with ice really wondering what in the world I was doing to myself. Fortunately, the real pain came as I was preparing to taper (cut down on my miles) before the race. During the taper period I kept my runs at an easy pace and I saw the pain in my hip and leg lessen.
Race Day– August 31, 2019
The weather the end of August/beginning of September in Maryland can be hot. I was fortunate and it wasn’t too hot but it was more than 70 at race start time and definitely humid. Hydration would be key! As expected I was a total ball of nerves. A friend dropped me off at the start and my husband and boys were going to meet me at the finish line. I worried, would they find a place to park? What would my husband do with them for so long while I waited? You know still “Momming” while preparing to run my longest race to date. My goal time was 1:57. It seemed reasonable based upon my training runs and the fact that it was my longest run…EVER!
The joke about the Charles Street 12 is that it’s down hill. Having driven the course the week before I had confirmed that it was in fact not downhill until pretty much the end. It’s still a great course. A course that took me past the Baltimore County Courthouse, where I worked for nearly a decade, through the campus of Towson University, where my brother in law and sister went to school, and as I got closer to the finish past University of Baltimore where I went to law school. So basically, it was like a run down memory lane.
How did I feel during the race?
HOT!! The answer is hot. I was overheated just about the whole time. I used water stations more to douse myself with water than to drink water. Another side note, I generally spill more water on myself than I get in my mouth. My nutrition was working for me. It gave me the boost I needed as I was running. As much as I try to run by feel, I was watching the clock a bit. My pace was faster than anticipated. But I worried whether I would have enough in the tank to get across the finish line.
Ah, I reached the downhill portion of the race. Honestly, at that point there’s less than two miles to go. My longest training run was ten miles so I was entering unchartered territory. But I also knew I was getting closer to the finish and was going to come in well below my anticipated finish time. Did I mention I was really hot?? I continued to feel very overheated throughout the race.
As I made my approach to the finish line I anxiously began looking for my husband and boys. After all, they had been waiting for me all that time I didn’t want them to miss me. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted my son and his friend and her mother (her dad was running too!). My husband was fetching something for our youngest who was in the stroller (you know because he was HOT). I was early and no one was expecting me. I called out to them and it took them a few moments to register that it was me. They cheered me across the finish line to a finish of 1:52:28. Five minutes or so below my anticipated completion time.
Competitive nature
Let’s be real for a moment: I know that I am certainly not the fastest runner. I’m not even the fastest in my age category. But you know what, I’m competitive. I want to know how I shook out against my peers in addition to pushing myself to get the best time possible. So here are the numbers:
9:22 per mile pace
559/1904
221/1080 female runners
80/388 female runners 30-39
What did I learn??
I’m faster than I thought.
I can run longer distances than I thought.
I want to run more longer races!!
Get headphones that are connected. I dropped one of EarPods during the race and nearly got trampled when I innocently bent down to pick it up.
I had no desire to eat after I finished. I enjoyed my luke warm beer and plenty of water.
Having the support of my family along this journey is priceless!
In the early morning hours of June 2nd we rode as a family to what would be my first official race after I rediscovered running in February of 2019. A race to benefit a local school. While, not a huge race it was still the first time I was going to compete. Real talk: I’m very competitive and was not quite sure what I was capable of doing beyond a training run.
As my husband drove, our three year old and five year old were in the back seat. They peppered me with questions. How far was I going to run? Could they run too? Wasn’t it too hot to run? How long would it take me to finish? And on and on. Then the question of all questions from our oldest, “You’re going to win the race, right Mommy?” I admired his confidence in my abilities. At 37 years old, having not run for nearly twenty years and having just started running again three months before, winning was the farthest thing from my mind and certainly not on my radar. My goal was to finish in 30 minutes. Based upon my training runs that seemed like a reasonable outcome. My response, “Well, Mommy is going to try her very best but she’s definitely not going to win.” My son struggled with this response, how could I do my best and my best not be good enough to win?
We arrived at the school and instantly the wave or pre-race nervousness came upon me. Anyone else familiar with feeling like you need to go to the bathroom one hundred times before a race starts even though you just went and certainly do not have to go again??
It was hot that morning and I was really concerned with overheating. Even though I had no expectations, let’s be real I had expectations for my finish. The horn sounded and we were off. There was one female runner ahead of me and I stayed with her as long as possible. Rather than drink at the water stations I was pouring water on myself to try to cool off. I ran harder than I had imagined. While, I lost sight of the first female I continued to push through the run, surprising not only myself but others who didn’t know I could “run like that.” As I came around the corner to the finish, my boys were waiting and beyond excited. They started running along side me as I came across the finish line. Time: 26:57. Much better than my goal of 30 minutes. It was good for a second overall female finish and to win my age category. My son’s response “see Mommy, I told you you were going to win.”
What did I learn?
This was the first of what would become many races. I had the running bug. I loved the feeling of having a great race and knew I wanted to do it again.
Shortly after the race I proudly posted my race results. I’m a runner, it’s what we do, we share our results. If we don’t share our results, did the run or race happen??? A family friend who is a physician pointed out my average heart rate was high. I knew I had worked hard and it was hot that morning but I hadn’t paid much attention to my heart rate. After that comment I pay careful attention during everyone run.
Hello, I’m Kelly. A lawyer, turned stay at home mom who in 2019 rediscovered her passion for running. I ran track and cross country in High School more than twenty years ago. In my quest to get more active I started running again. One thing led to another and I was registering for races, logging more miles and setting bigger goals.
Why did I start this blog?? Because I’m certain there are other busy women like me out there on a running journey. I wanted a place to document the good, the bad, celebrate the PRs but also the struggles of balancing family, life, and keeping to a training schedule. Along the way I’ll share my sass, humor and sarcasm. Thanks for visiting!
