Category: Run!

25- Baby Steps

Last week was better.

Well, a mountain lion moved into one of the elementary schools but that’s far closer to normal than the previous week.

I was still coming up with any reason not to run. Too hot, too much wind. I ate too much, I didn’t eat enough. Don’t want to wash my hair, forgot my shoes. Yada, yada.

I knew I was in my head and spooked due to the previous week’s events but I couldn’t seem to shake myself loose.

I watched lots of Disney movies in the evenings in an effort to distract myself. And finally on Saturday, I ran.

I slept in but made myself run as soon as I got up. I headed across town to run the river path. Although the river bed made me nervous, I was reassured by the number of people out. I swear I have never seen so many walkers, runners, and cyclists out on the path before. It was kind of awesome. It was by no means crowded but the number of people was kind of nice. And everyone smiled as people passed.

As for the running, it was kind of rough, but really what can I expect considering how unmotivated I have been this year? But it was still a little over 4 miles.

I then somehow had a burst on inspiration and cleaned my car and overhauled my closet and dresser. Also forgot to eat until I was trying to figure out why I was so lightheaded. Oops.

Sunday, I headed out for a late morning run in my neighborhood. Forced myself to run in both locations this weekend. However I knew shortly after starting my run that it would be more of a walk. Apparently I am so out of shape that 2 days of running in over 80* temps was too much. Ha!

So 6ish miles for the week. Yep.

How was your week?

24- Fear

I am behind this week as I didn’t know what to write or how to.

Last week was rough.

I live in a smallish town. We’re quaint and cute and prior to COVID, tourists flocked to town for either the lake, the close ocean beaches, the outdoor concert venues or the literally hundreds of wineries and breweries. It’s entirely possible to see a Tesla and horse drawn carriage in downtown on the same day. I can literally run across town and back in a long run and go from a thriving downtown to pastures filled with cows and back again. If you drink wine or beer, you might know our name, if not, then you’d have a hard time pronouncing it.

Last week we made the national news.
Last Wednesday I woke to a shelter in place order- there was an active shooter downtown.

I didn’t know how to process it. I still don’t. It wasn’t long before the texts started coming in- what do we do? I work downtown. We told everyone to stay home.

As the news was updating and more information coming in, I realized the fireworks I had slammed my bedroom closed against in the dark of the morning had not been fireworks.

Even as I am writing this, I still don’t understand. It was 2 days of chaos that we may never have answers for. A family lost their dad as he ran into the wrong person at the wrong time and 4 officers from various agencies were hurt before it ended.

I haven’t run outside in my town since before that day.

As runners we often feel like a mile can be the farthest thing ever, lying in bed on Wednesday night, hearing the CHP helicopters and plane circling, a mile was not far enough.

Giant Race- San Jose

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 was so pumped to run this race this year.

Then came COVID and with it a complete lack of motivation to run or work out on my part. Which hasn’t been helpful for me at all. But that’s not the point.

I had orginally registerd for the 5 mile but come race day, I knew I was not there. Which is sad but true. So I dropped to the 5k. I would like to think I would have done the same if the race had still taken placed as planned but we all know I don’t make the best choices.

Race day round the home town

On race day of June 6, I laced up, geared up and headed out. The advantage to a virtual race is that you can pick a good route- i.e one with a downhill finish. And if you count my warm up and cool down, I did do 5 miles.

Ok, back to the “race”. I decided to attempt to run it at a race effort. Yeah, downhill didn’t help.

11:49, 12:32, 12:12 for splits and 38:00 flat for the 5k.

Slower then my very first 5K back in 2010 and I felt like I worked much harder. However seeing it on the tiny watch screen was a little depressing.

Sacramento’s gear

I am looking forward to receiving my race swag in the mail soon though. Based on what I got with the Sacramento race, I know I will actually wear this race shirts again.

That said I was glad I made myself make the effort. And this marks race 2 of the Giant’s series for me- I “ran” Sacramento in April. We’ll see what happens in September with San Francisco.

Looking to Santa Rosa

My bad. (Do people still say that?) I swear I published this back in February. A search of my blog history told me I was crazy. Then I found it in my drafts. Oops. And now things have changed drastically.

This was supposed to be a post where I cagily announced I had my third marathon on the calendar. Actually I am still registered for the full but let’s be real here, the events of the last few months have changed so many things and least of all was my running. Like I kind of just stopped. I had less then 30 miles in March and April.

So instead- I really hope this race will be my next in person race and my 41st half marathon. I even have a real training plan for it. Like, real real. And if we have to go virtual- which the race is prepared to do if needs be- I will still run the 13.1 miles. Prove to myself that I can follow a training plan.

As for the original post or parts of it—

Disclaimer: I received an entry into the Santa Rosa 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!

In the spirit of running new and different things this year, enter Santa Rosa Marathon. So far every race I am running this year is north California- changing it up!

Also for a person who doesn’t drink, my favorite types of runs are those by vineyards. Or through them.

Santa Rosa Marathon offers a full weekend of fun. There is a full marathon, a half, a 10K and a 5K. The 5K and 10K are on Saturday and the half and full on Sunday. Who knows, be crazy- run 2 races! The full marathon gives runners the chance to run through the barrel room at Deloach Winery. Ok, kind of bummed to miss that. Oh, and the full and half runners get a hoodie instead of a tech tee. I love hoodies.

Santa Rosa takes place the last weekend in August. Fingers crossed for good weather, but really, isn’t north cooler than where I am? Now fingers crossed it’s small enough to happen.

Also I need to find a hotel. Scratch that, that was true the first time I wrote this, I have booked a hotel since then… in February.

If you want to join me in August use code SAVE10 to save 10%.

What are you looking forward to?

21- Goodbye

This week was an odd one.

Still dealing with the current events everywhere, got my butt back on the training wagon, oh and I said goodbye to my office of 13 months. Like I said it was odd.

But my favorite Mexican restaurant opened for dine in service and I’ve already been twice. So good and still social distancing. Plus supporting local.

I moved my 1st training run to Monday as that fit my schedule better. Actually I almost didn’t run. I didn’t change at work and headed home because we ran late. However, once I got home I said screw it, changed and ran out the door. I kept it slow and easy as it was my first real run in over a week and it was kind of awesome. 3.1 miles

I had a real life doctor’s appointment out of town on Tuesday. People!

Plan called for a rest/recovery day on Wednesday and I took it. I had started packing at work and was realizing how much of a hoarder I am. Yikes. My goal was to only need 3 boxes to get me to the other office. Oh, and I had to eat all the food I had stashed in the fridge.

Thursday was meant to be run right after work but as I was changing, I realized that I forgot my shoes. Doh! So I headed home. Grabbed my shoes and again ran out the door. This run was slower than Monday’s as it was around 90* but it was still ok. I was a little warm by the end though. Ha! 3ish miles

Friday was my last day at work, and it was bittersweet. I am sad to go but looking forward to the chance as well. My coworkers brought donuts and flowers for me. I will miss them. And my 3 box goal failed- it took 5, 3 boxes and 2 bags. I then dropped my stuff off at the new office so I wasn’t holding on to it all weekend and headed home for a much needed, hopefully chill 3 days off.

Saturday dawned with a very rare occurrence- I was the only person in my house. Score! I slept in and went for a mid morning long run. I had pushed the run up from Sunday due to predicted heat wave coming. 70 felt great at the beginning of my run but toasted me by the end. And I only ran 5 miles– hah! They were pretty steady paced though and I had the chance to run the river path after a few months.

Then it was a weekend of relaxing and laundry and possibly watching too many Marvel movies. My favorite restaurant may be open but I’m not going to go crazy and do all the things- I still chilled at home.

11.3 miles for the week. Small but I hit all the key points of my training plan. Onward and upward!

How was your week?