Category: Run!

Space Rock Trail Race Recap

I am not exaggerating when I say if I hadn’t dropped to the 10K, I would have DNF’ed the half and likely have needed help off the course.

I first heard of Space Rock last year and thought it looked awesome but likely too far away. A little Googling and I learned it was only 3 hours south! But I had an insane October already last year with 2 halves at opposite ends of the state and a 2+ week work trip. So I passed. Instagram adds got me this year and I signed up.

Then the last 3-4 weeks went to hell in a hand basket and I wasn’t sure I was going to even start the race. However I knew that if I did, I was not in the mental shape for a tough trail half nor was I feeling physically up to it so I messaged the race and dropped to the 10K.

If you watch anything sci-fi- you’ve seen this rock

I headed down towards Santa Clarita on Friday wondering if the race was even going to happen due to large fire about 20ish miles away. Somehow the air over Vasquez Rocks seemed clear. I picked up my race stuff and checked into a hotel.

The race swag was awesome- the coolest tye dyed shirt and cutest canvas bag.

Race morning dawned clear and early. Parking was fairly convenient in a dirt lot. Then I walked the mile in to the start. The race started about 30 minutes late due to one of the bus shuttles breaking down. Just gave me time to use the port a potty.

Did I mention I was running this race in new trail shoes and a new watch?? 😂
We lined up and we were off.

Mile 1- 11:58
I was wheezing 1/4 mile in. Wait, what? It wasn’t cold and it wasn’t humid. The only thing I can figure was that I breathed in a bunch of dirt. I’ve run numerous trail races but I’ve never seen as much dirt in the air as I did here. I now understood the people I saw with Buffs over their face at the start- they knew. Other than that, we had a decent downhill and then we on to the single track. And the first person to fall in front of me hit the dirt. He rolled well and was up and running before I could finish my question if he was ok.

Mile 2-15:17
There was some climb here and I still couldn’t breathe properly but the main slow down was the out and back. We were running super narrow single track and it was and out and up then down and back. Those going up slammed to a stop numerous times to let the runners coming down through. We were doing the best we could but we kept bottle necking. And the second person took a tumble.

Mile 3-4- 14:58, 15:12
I still couldn’t breathe. I loved the downhill and I loved the scenery of the canyons as we were running. We came out of the canyon and started the climb that would break me. Oh, did I mention we ran through the darkest tunnel ever??

Mile 5- 18:06
I have never stopped during a race before, and I have run some doozy trail races. I stopped a few times going up this climb because I could not breathe and I felt like my heart was going to pound out of my chest. My only consolation was that I was not the only one struggling. Everyone around me was hiking and I wasn’t the only one coughing.

Mile 6- 17:20
Are we ever going to stop climbing?!! The woman next to let a few f-bombs fly when we reached a false summit. I agree. I ran all the downhills and struggle bus’ed the climbs and stopped a few more times. Passed an adorable orange haired boy doing the 5K and he cheered me on. So cute! Then we were down near the rocks again and I was walking to the finish. I maybe jogged 20 yards at the end?

Finish- 1:33:57

Slowest 10k ever! I crossed the line wheezing and tired.

But the medal made me smile and the hot coffee being served made me want to jump for joy.

I would do this race again for sure, just maybe a little healthier and with my face covered in the beginning. Plus for all the roadblocks this race organization hit, they did a remarkable job adapting on the fly. Like water- their original water provider couldn’t get to the race due to the fire but they had plenty of bottles on hand at the finish and the 2 aid stations on the course seemed well stocked. Also, other my lungs, my body handled all the ups and downs well, I was only a little sore in my calves the next day. Oh and somehow in my struggle up the hill in mile 4, I landed in the top 10 in Strava segments. Yeah right!

What was the last race you underestimated?

Week 42- What Day Is It?

Seriously, what day is it? I was wrong most days last week. The drama of Sunday continued on into the week. Roll with it right?

My dad had more health drama, I was supposed to be running a half marathon on the weekend. I tried to cancel, he insisted I go. It was a lot of back and forth. I also drove around the county numerous times. I knew a couple vacation days were coming at the end of the week, so I just tried to hold on. I was feeling a little fried.

Oh, and I got a new watch!

Monday- Rest or Stress
I dropped my dad off at the hospital in the early morning and made my way to work. I had running gear for an after work run but then things changed and I ending up leaving work early because they said I had to pickup my dad at 2:30. Get there and they wanted another hour. I was regretting leaving my running gear at work. I could have run laps around the hospital. I napped in the car.

Tuesday- Nothing
Or just something I did that I can’t remember.

Wednesday – 3ish miles
After so many days off, I had a feeling this was going to be rough. It honestly felt pretty good. In fact I probably would have run more but every now and again, the end section of the street where I park my car gets super full. Like cars idling in odd spots and people talking to each other in and out of cars. And I mean like 10 cars. It’s always odd so I bounced.

Thursday- Nothing
I had planned on running and was hoping to break in my new watch but again life. My dad had gone back to the ER on Wednesday night and then he wasn’t answering his phone that afternoon. So I went straight to check on him after work.

Friday- Road trip!
After much back and forth with both of my parents, I headed down towards Santa Clarita for my Saturday race. By this time I had already messaged the race and dropped from the 13.1 to the 10K. I had canceled my hotel in the beginning of the week so I was also booking a hotel en route. Oh, and Northern Los Angeles was on fire.

I picked up my bib and did a little wandering around Vasquez Rocks.

Saturday- Space Rock Trail Race
Recap to come.

Sunday-Recovery
And coughing and wheezing.

So, 9 ish miles for the week. This is not how you approach running a 50K. Not even if you are training glacially slow.

How was your week?

Rambling Up to San Jose

Disclaimer: I received an entry into Rock n Roll 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!

It’s been a rough week. But it’s race week!!!

Also, this is going up late since I have been having WordPress issues. Anyone else?

This weekend should be seeing my 40th half marathon but I have a feeling it will be seeing a 10K instead. Maybe I shouldn’t have said I hate them?

I was looking forward to this weekend and the race, I was feeling good after last week’s peppy 8. Then I had an endoscopy on Tuesday. And hurt so bad I could barely move the next 2 days. I’ve talked to doctors and surgical centers on the phone so much this week. I had one years ago and was fine, we all have no idea why I reacted like this this time. Grrrr.

I am still looking forward to the race. I still get to race through San Pedro Square, errrr walk? I still get to enjoy the sights of downtown. And we never know I may just do something stupid.

No, I will be smart, I will be smart. If I repeat it over and over, I have to follow through right? Catch you on the flip side!

What are you doing this weekend?

Keeping it Sporty

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Knockaround Sport Edition Fast Lanes 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 may have a problem. Maybe. But I don’t think so.

There were 2 missing at the time of this photo too😹

I didn’t need BibRave to introduce me to Knockaround, as you can see, I had a pretty extensive collection already.

I love Knockaround for a variety of reasons. The fun colors, the polarization, the comfort and the price point. Let’s face it- I am Destructo Girl I’m so many ways I don’t want to pay $$$$ for sunglasses I will inevitably break because I always do. Or drop down a port-a-potty but that’s another story.

The newest addition to the Knockaround line is the Sport Edition. The Sport Edition is all polarized and comes with those grippy nose pads so your glasses don’t slide down your face when you get all sweaty. The Sport Edition is currently offered for the Premiums and The Fast Lanes.

I was excited for my new shades to arrive. And maybe did a happy sunglass dance when they arrived. I received the Sport edition Fast Lanes in Clear Grey frames and Green Moonshine lenses. Love.

The Fast Lanes are one of the larger frames that Knockaround offers… at least in my opinion. I own other Fast Lane frames too and while I love them, I realized I forgot something at ordering.

I have a small head! Between my hats, my sunglasses and my Aftershokz, there is not a lot of space left on my head. Which is why I don’t usually run in my Fast Lanes. Oops.

That being said- these glasses do not move. I ran in them with a hat and without a hat. Wore in them 100 degree days without a hat when I turned into a nasty, sweaty mess and they didn’t budge. They also never fogged up on me either on some humid runs.

I’m sold! In fact, I’m probably going to buy a Sport Editon of the Premium’s too. Now if only they would make a Sport Edition of the Paso Robles, my favorite style. That’s ok, I’ll console myself with a new pair of Premiums while I wait.😂

Want your own? Use code BIBRAVEKNOCKS3 to save 20%!

What are your favorite sunglasses?

Week 39-Social

I had to be social this week. So social. I can’t people anymore.

First up was a mixer on Thursday after work. Then Saturday morning got as a volunteer for an event at the homeless shelter. Ok, truth that one was the best one and I had no problems helping out. But the kicker was the charity fundraiser dinner on Saturday evening.

Peopling is hard. So hard I make up words.🤣

Monday 2.5 ish miles
This is as my first run since the asthma attack fun of Surf City. My only goal was to keep my heat rate in the green and go for about 30 minutes. I felt like I was crawling but still spent half my time in Orange. 😒

Tuesday—- can’t remember what I did.
Sure it was something though. Oh wait- I had an all day work meeting. How did I forget that?

Wednesday 3.2 miles.
I had a crap day and just needed to run it out. Which I did by either hauling ass or walking text venting to a friend. Oddly enough my heart rate stayed lower which is funny considering my pace dropped into the 6’s and 7’s at some points. The things anger and a downhill can do for you. 🤣

Thursday- mixer and it was freezing.
Got to tour some more homes though!

Friday- Ill.
I woke up feeling super crappy. I blamed the massive swing in the previous day’s weather.

Saturday 8.2 miles
I had the volunteer shift in the morning and the fundraiser that night so why not throw my long run into the middle?😂 Actually the run was kind of great- kept a chill pace and felt pretty good. Minus the 2 miles where I was trying to shake some foot pain. I changed my route due to an off leash dog and then my left foot had a disagreement with a bump in the side walk. Graceful, I am not.

Sunday- oops
I meant to run, I meant to hit a trail. Then I started reorganizing my closet and dresser and that swallowed my day. Like it does every time I do it.

This week had its ups and downs in running and life, but like I said last week, I’m just going to keep rolling with it.

How was your week?