Before I completely figure out what that crazy dream will be I feel as though I should update you on what has taken place since November 2011 (my last post...yikes!). 2012 was no slump year (although I do have to say, I did slack on some of my training....I know, I know, I shouldn't have allowed that but trust me when I say it's so easy to do). I did however finish out 2011 with one more race, I did the 5K Jingle Bell Run in Freeport, Maine again but only this time I was joined by two newcomers...my friends and co-workers Audrey and Kylie. Originally it was just going to be me and Kylie running but at the last minute Audrey decided to join us and surprise me. We didn't do so bad time wise either (under 42 minutes!), granted it was slower than what I ran the year before but this year was different, we were running a new route and I told the girls that no matter what I would run with them...and I did, hey that's what friends do!
For 2012, the three us decided that we should do another race together and after one of my runs with the Mainely Running group mid-January, we decided to sign up for the MDI Marathon held the second weekend in October as a relay team. We thought, hey it's only January...we've got plenty of time to train and we can totally do this. But as the months started to tick by, we soon began to realize that no one of us we're completely ready. Granted I'd gone out for a few runs but by August the most I'd done was 3.5 miles and my section of the race was going to be 10.1, yep I was starting to get scared. By the time September ran around, the three of us had gotten some new running sneakers thanks to that really nice guy at Footlocker (although I'm now afraid to show my face back in the store because I just know if he recognizes me he may ask how things went) and we had all the attention to really kick our training into high gear. Some of us even got up early before work to get our runs in...while others decided to take to the indoors and get the run in on the treadmill. A week before the race, we were finally in the mindset that we could do this and then it happened...two of us had to drop out! So there I was left without any teammates and the race only 5 days away thinking to myself "okay, what are we going to do" and then I remember two of my other friends said that if I needed them, they would be willing to step in. I made a few phone calls but only one was available now, so that left me still one teammate short. That's when one of my other co-workers came to the rescue and was willing to be my third teammate, I was happy that we were still going to be able to race but also a little worried since they had very little time to train for the miles they were about to encounter.
On race day, the weather could have been better as it was raining but I was thankful that it wasn't like my half marathon. A few rain drops here and there are nothing but a downpour is no fun! We had changed our running lineup and I was now the starter for my team, to be followed by Elizabeth and Amanda (my two last minute lifesavers). When the gun went off, I was able to hang with a few of the other Mainely Running members but as time went on, I settled myself into an easy pace and started running with this lovely lady who was doing the whole marathon. My plan was to run my portion of the race (8.5 miles) in 2 hours (I thought this would be doable since I didn't train as much as I had in years past) but by the time I reached Elizabeth I was over by 10 minutes. Granted 10 minutes is not a lot and I probably would have made it in my time frame if it wasn't for the fact I decided to be good samaritan and help the lady I was running with. You see by the time we reached mile marker 4, which also happened to be a water station, she had pulled her left hamstring and we just knew that she wasn't going to make it to the medical tent at mile marker 13. So we stopped and talked to one of the people running the water station and asked him if he'd be willing to drive her to the medical tent so she could get the help she desperately needed. As we got her into the truck and she was on her way, I began to trek my way through the course. If it had been a nice sunny fall day, the sights would have been breathtaking....especially as I ran along the ocean! Anyways, when I handed off our team relay bracelet to Elizabeth, she was the last one standing there for the relay teams. I felt bad but I knew that she would do great and it would only be a matter of time before she found everyone else.
As Amanda and I made our way to the next hand off location, we were thinking that it may take Elizabeth close to 2 hours also since she was running 10.1 miles, but when we got there...there she was running up the hill like a natural! And soon Amanda was off and we were back in sync with all the other Mainely Running teams. Soon Elizabeth and I were making our way towards the finish line area, where we would wait for Amanda so the three of us could cross the finish line together as a true team. We thought that it would be a while before we saw her but as we were walking along the road, we heard someone yell out my name. As we turned around, there she was coming up behind us. So away Elizabeth and I went running alongside Amanda towards the finish line and surprisingly we were able to finish within 4 hrs 45 mins. I couldn't have been more proud of my two teammates for not only doing an awesome job with very little training but for also picking up the time I put us behind.
I did two other races during 2012. One was the Bangor Y's Milk Mile and this one I was able to run with Audrey and Kylie. We were a team is this years race and thanks to our friend Jerry for coming up with our team name. This year we called ourselves "The Bachelorette's" and we even had the sashes to match! We didn't do so bad in out time either, both Audrey and myself finished with the same time 10 mins 16 secs and Kylie came in right behind us.
The second race I did was the Koman Race and just like last year, I was part of the Mainely Running team. I enjoyed this race so much last year that I had to do it again. Granted my time wasn't perfect but hey, I didn't care. This race wasn't about getting the perfect time, it was about being out there and supporting all of this amazing women who are survivors. As I crossed the finish line this year not only did I feel the same sense of pride I did as last year but I was also happy to see my mother standing there cheering me on to the finish!
So, that pretty much sums up my year of doing road races for 2012 and although I didn't do great, I'm still happy with what I was able to accomplish. Heck, I still can't believe that I'm even out there running!!! I know that in previous post I was planning on doing a Sprint Triathlon this year but that didn't completely happen. You see, I did not participate in one but I did help put one on....the very first Bangor Y's Sprint Triathlon. This was such a blast, I enjoyed cheering on everyone who took part and I can't wait to do it again in 2013!
As the new year is upon us, it's time for me to decided where I want to start first. A friend of mine is planning on running a 5 mile race this coming March, maybe I will join her. I've also thought about doing one of those color runs (the closet one to me would be in Boston) as a way to celebrate turning 30 years old (yes, you read that right...2013 will indeed be a BIG year for me!) Or just maybe by biggest crazy dream would be to finally reach my goal weight....but that's something I'm willing to work towards and if it takes me a few years, then well....I guess I'll be blogging for a while :)
