Expo and the Race

This sign was outside the Armory where the expo was held the day before the race. Of course, it provided the perfect backdrop for some photos!

Jess and Craig

Jess and Nancy

Jess and Nancy

We stopped for a late lunch salad at Union Station

Then we had some wonderful pasta the evening before the race!

Nancy, Aunt Gay, Craig, and Uncle Bill

The START line as the sun is coming up the morning of the race!!

The morning started around the mid 40*s, but quickly warmed with full sun and a beautiful blue sky with temps reaching around 75*. The first half of the race was full of spectators and lots of neat landmarks to enjoy. I really had a great half-marathon race, just a totally enjoyable run! My ankle really didn't bother me too much more than the rest of my body. Around mile 18 and 19 my pace really fell and I could really tell that I had taken the past 6 weeks off and hadn't trained to 20 miles like I was supposed to. The last 5 miles were really rough and I was so extremely glad to find that last mile. My spirits rose that last mile and I felt so much relief to finally be done!

When I first decided to run a second marathon, I was really hoping to finish around 4 hours. (I finished the Chicago Marathon in 4:38.) I was pretty much on pace in DC until mile 18 with my finishing time being 4:26. I'm disappointed that it wasn't closer to 4 hours because I still think I'm capable of a better time, but I really don't see myself attempting a marathon anytime in the near future.

I ran last night for the first time since the race. I could tell that my quad muscles are still repairing and the my ankle is still tender. I went back to my sports chiropractor today and she still recommends rest and ice. She said that according to where my pain and tenderness is she is still surprised that it wasn't a stress fracture.

Day One in DC

Our trip to DC started very early last Thursday morning. Our flight was at 6:10!! However, arriving so early allowed us the whole day for sight-seeing! The weather was great and it was a nice day to walk around.

Our first stop was the Supreme Court.

We were able to attend a lecture in the courtroom and learn a little more about how the system works. It was neat to be in the same room that such important people sit to make such important decisions.

We then headed across the street to the Capitol.

We took a tour through the new Visitor Center.

The rotunda is amazing. It is hard to grasp just how tall this area is. Our tour guide told us that the Statue of Liberty could sit on the floor of this building and there would still be room above her head before the top of the ceiling.

The semicircular room, called the Statuary Hall has almost 40 statues. Each state is allowed 2 statues, but not all fit in this room. The tour guide also said that because the statues weighed so much, they were limited to how many the floor could stand to hold.

I just happened to stand next to this guy during the tour and didn't catch his name.

Our last stop was the Library of Congress.

I think the thing I was most impressed with here was the fact that every little detail of the architecture had a story. We had a very knowledgeable docent that explained so much of what we were seeing.

After all that sight-seeing we met a family friend, Helen at a wonderful Italian restaurant, Portofinos in Gay and Bill's old neighborhood. It was a very long day, but very very good day. It was great weather for walking around and seeing so much. It was also nice to sit and chat with Helen and catch up with Gay and Bill! I think we all slept very well that night!

Almost race time...

I finally have a list made...a couple actually and I'm finally getting organized for our trip! I went to my chiropractor this morning for the last time before the race. I have really appreciated everything she has done to help speed up my healing. She was nice enough to extended her hours on two different days and stayed 2 hours after work just to accommodate my schedule.

My ankle is feeling ok. It was a little sore last week after I started slowly running on it again. So we decided that the best chance for my ankle to feel the best was to stop running again. The whole goal is to have fun at the race.

The weather for the race is forecasted to be in 50*s at the start with a high in the 60*s.

I can't wait!

Chicago Mid-Winter

One of the many reasons that I didn't post a whole lot in February was because I spent a few days in Chicago for work! 3 out of the 4 doctors and 2 other co-workers and I went to Chicago Mid-Winter for 3 days. We all took some classes for continuing education and also had a little fun. In the past, a bigger group from the office has gone to the conference, but this year it was just a few of us. Dr. Compton drove Chelsea, Lisa, and me up to Chicago on a Thursday and we were home late on Saturday.

Here is Chelsea and Lisa sitting on the shuttle on our way from our hotel to the conference! Both of them were great to spend time with! It was good to get to know them better.

We stayed at the Hyatt and this was our view from the hotel room. I love Chicago's skyline!

The Hyatt was just off of Michigan so we could just take a quick walk to shopping!

Of course I made us stop to shop at Nine West!! I found some boots that were super on sale! I had totally worn out my old pair of black boots and it was great to find a wonderful new pair!

The other gals wanted to stop at Garrett's, famous for their popcorn. The line was out the door and I soon found out the reason it was so popular! I bought some of their Chicago Mix - cheesy and carmel popcorn mixed! It didn't sound good at first, but it was wonderful!

On the first evening, Dr. Compton took us to the Cheesecake Factory! It was wonderful...

This is one of two pieces of cheesecake that we shared. Of course we didn't really have room for dessert, but we ate it anyway!

Windy City!

When we weren't in class (or shopping) we spent a lot of time on the floor. The expo floor for all the latest and great dental products was huge!! (This is actually the same place that the expo was held for the Chicago Marathon.)

To receive many of the free samples we had to sit through a product presentation. Some were pretty cheesy, some were really flashy, and others were really informative. I almost had enough samples to fill another suitcase!

Unfortunately, the classes that I spent 8 hours in weren't too informative, but I'm still really glad that I had the opportunity to go. I always hate to be away from Craig, but I'm glad that I went.

Great night!

I ran in SHORTS tonight! I was able to run with the endurance class tonight and it was a beautiful evening!

I was huffing and puffing on the hill work out tonight and I was feeling like I had lost a lot of my fitness. After the hill repeats though, I still had a lot left for the last mile back to the Y. So I am trying to stay positive!

Weekend

Running went well this weekend!! I had no pain on Saturday's 3 mile run. When I was running Sunday, I felt some soreness and a little afterward. So the ankle isn't perfect, but it's getting there!!

We picked up some sturdier luggage today for our trip that is in less than 2 weeks - can't wait!

Here is another shot of Aunt Gay and Uncle Bill's house 1 month later!! Still have quite a bit of melting to do! I can't wait to see them!

Good news!

My Chiropractor not only approved running this weekend, but actually recommended it! Whoo hoo! It is supposed to be 50 degrees! She said no more than 5 miles and not all at one time. It's a start and I can't wait!

Game Plan

We have finally figured out what is going with my ankle. It all started after the first of the year and continued to get worse until I couldn't be in denial anymore. I went to a sports chiropractor who has been really great at trying to figure out what is going on. They tried a couple techniques and I saw some improvement, but still wasn't able to run. The pain was the most intense after I ran most of 18 miles in the snow. Last week we decided to do an MRI to check everything out. The MRI came back negative for a stress fracture but showed some swelling and a ligament sprain. The plan is to get treatments twice a week until the race to speed up healing. I will continue running in the pool and cycling to try to maintain some level of fitness. I can't wait for the race, which is only 18 days away, but I have no idea how my performance will be. The whole purpose in doing a second marathon was to improve and have more fun than I had at the last hot and humid race. I hope it is possible to feel good through the whole race and enjoy the beautiful landmarks and scenery.