Category: BibRave

Excite-d

Disclaimer: I received an entry into Giant Race- San Jose as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I briefly alluded to waning to do things differently in 2020 in a previous post. I also recently mentioned that I had registered for 4 races. So let’s talk about one of those!

I used to run short races. And they were fun. I also want to do new things and run new races…

So, I am running the Giant Race in San Jose! I am so excited.

The Giants Races first came on my radar a few years ago. There are 4- Scottsdale- Arizona, Sacramento, San Jose, and San Francisco. There’s even an extra medal for running the whole series. Yay for medals!!

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The San Jose race takes place around the Excite Ballpark which is home of the San Jose Giants. I grew up playing softball and watching baseball with my mom and grandfather. We only got Denver news stations when I was younger so I did not grow up watching the Giants, oops.

It might sound odd that I’ve wanted to run these races for years but I really have. I’ve been telling everybody at work about it I am so excited, now I am telling you!

Want to come run with me? They offer a 5 mile, 5k, and a virtual option. I am running the 5 mile. My first non trail 5 mile race – that should guarantee a PR, right?? Who cares??? I just want to have fun.

Join me and use code GIANTS2020 for $10 off.

What sport did you watch or play growing up?

Heading off to Napa

I am 2 weeks into training for Napa Valley Half Marathon. Which makes me realize I forgot to tell you about Napa…

Disclaimer: I received an entry into Napa Valley Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Silly Slacker.

Napa Valley. People, I live in wine country but it’s not Wine Country. Prior to running, I actually paid little attention to the hundreds (not an exaggeration) of vineyards in my area. My first half marathon was lined with vineyards and vines. I learned harvest patterns thanks to a house I run past with a couple acres of vines. Vines grew on me you could say.

I am so looking forward to running in Napa. I’ve thought about it for years but for some reason, don’t go north as often for trips. Oops. Napa Valley Marathon has been running since 1979. In 2018, they added a half. Which is what I will be running. The race course runs down the Silverado Trail from Calistoga to Napa. The half starts around the midway point. I do love a good point to point race. Throw in rows of vines along the way and I am in!!

Now if only I spend more time running than taking pictures. It’s a toss up. I am a picture hoarder after all. Also this may be half marathon #40. Or 41…. I do have a tendency to throw races in at the last minute.

Oh, did I mention this will be my time trying the VIP experience at race?????? I’m excited!!

Want to join me on March 1? Use code BIBRAVE10 to save $10 on registration!

Smart or Stupid?

Those are my choices… what do you think I will choose?

Disclaimer: I received Gatorade Endurance products to use as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Yep, my 25k is on Saturday.

While my fueling game is stronger than it ever was (Thanks Gatorade Endurance), my actual endurance is up for debate.

I had big plans for getting back on track post October chaos, but I swear the universe laughed and said hold my beer. November was more of the same plus some extra crazy which saw me changing my running MO. Actually still a work in progress, my week day running has been completely derailed. The farthest I’ve run in 2 months is 10k. And it wasn’t a walk in the park.

We finally said goodbye to lingering summer warmth and rain came for the first time since April. And hasn’t stopped. Don’t get me wrong, we need the rain as we are in a constant state of drought, but too much too fast brings along a new set of chaos.

Saturday is currently showing an 80% chance of rain.

25K is 15ish miles. 2ish giant climbs. The first one the hardest and the shale rock is tough on a good day… what will it be when wet?

That’s more than double the longest I’ve run in months. In less than optimal circumstances.

There is a 13K I could drop to but my pride stings at that. I set a half cocked goal for a 50K this year and if I dropped I wouldn’t even be completing half of that goal. But would pushing myself to finish the 25K just hurt my odds of training for a 50K in the first half of 2020? And training healthy at that??? The greatest fuel (did I mention I love it?) in the world won’t help me if I hurt myself.

So, decision time. Smart or stupid? How may Blackberry gels should I pack?

For more on Gatorade Endurance go HERE and learn on to Fuel Your Journey.

Week 46- Solid

By most standards, last week would seem less than stellar. By my standards, it was a surprisingly solid week.

Not that it was without it’s ups and downs but I’m going to stop challenging the universe by saying “things should calm down soon”. The past few months have shown that it only comes across as a challenge. Message received.

Monday- Rest
Normally on days when I don’t work, my goal is to push for extra miles. However for the first time in months, I actually woke up feeling not tired. It had been so long I almost forgot what it felt like. I was loathe to lose that feeling so I just enjoyed it.

Tuesday- 3 miles
I wanted to try the river path for a night run. I knew most of it was lit but was unsure on the rest. Good news- the big section has the most lights I’ve found in my town. Bad news- the dark section is DARK. I’m still looking for the best option for night running. Plus was this run was pretty chill.

Wednesday-????
ummmmm, crickets?

Thursday- Nothing
I should have run but I wasn’t feeling it. Stupid.

Friday–
Let’s just forget Friday was a thing.

Saturday- 6.3 miles
I was feeling not great, not horrible but off. I had an odd back pain and felt just sluggish. I headed out in the mid afternoon, not expecting much. I never got over the sluggish feeling and there were plenty of walk breaks- ok, let’s be real- run/walk intervals- thrown in. That being said, it was a decent run.

Sunday- 3.5ish miles
Dirt. I headed for a trail to get in some time on the hills. This was also the first time I’ve run trails by myself so that was pushing my comfort zone more than a little. There were plenty of people out there but I never realized how the time change effects the light on the trail. So much shadier and darker! Not cold- it was 85*, ha! Where is fall? But it was exactly what I needed. Just me, my running shoes and the dirt. Can’t think about anything when you have to watch your footing right?

So, 12ish miles for the week. Like I said not much by most people’s standards but decent by mine. Especially recent weeks.

How was your week?

Detour

Sometimes you get lost on the trail.
Actually that’s kind of fun, and something I’ve done more than once.

But sometimes, you’re paying attention to the trail markers and you head back the way you came before too much harm or drama.

In this case, I pause.

I had big plans for October. 1 road half and 2 hard trail half’s. The last one was supposed to be my victory dance for the year. Ok, maybe less victory and more proof of will power but still.

Then October knocked me back a few pegs. I feel like I lost 5 years of fitness in the last 4 weeks. Is that possible? I feel like it is now. This bout with asthma is kicking me hard. It’s been years since it’s been this rough and I still can’t figure out what triggered it. I ran 5 miles last week- 5. (Also consider this Week 43) How is that going to get me to a 50K? It won’t.

And for once I’ve been smart about things. I dropped to the 10K for both the road race and Space Rock. And that last trail half that was supposed to be a party? That was supposed to happen a few days ago- Sunday. I didn’t even try. I knew I wasn’t in the head space or shape for 13ish miles of hard effort climbing. And they had no shorter distances. Attempting it likly would have set me back months in the long run.

I’ve run numerous races sick, some feverish and possibly out of it. Why? Because Goonies never say die? That’s stupid. I may be getting to an age I don’t want to admit anymore but maybe I am finally learning a few things. Maybe.

So when the road hits a fork, you have choices. I could bury my head in the sand and just be a lazy bum until next year. I mean, cold weather is coming right?

Nope. I am still aiming for a 50K in the early months of 2020. So in keeping with that theme, I have a new plan for the next 7 weeks culminating with a local-ish 25k in December. This should give me time to make up some of the ground I lost in the last few weeks. Also this race is a known entity– I know where the killer climb is and where the other mountain is. And the cruel turn-around. And I will be training on these trails. If I say it decisively, it will happen, right?

I may have finally figured out how to fuel my body, now I just need it to breather properly.

Join me while I fight my way back?