Category: Slacker

Run!, Slacker

Castle to Coast 2020

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

What is a runner with a slacker mentality who has a long run on a cold day but likes to be lazy? She signs up for a local race of course.

Castle to Coast is a super chill, laid back 8 miles along the coast. No bibs, no medals, just running. Actually I was surprised with the timing chips this year. Those could have been around last year too but I DNS’ed. Oops.

Far away castle

The morning dawned early and cold as I made my way over to the coast. Things started a little rocky as the park rangers hadn’t gotten the memo and the gates to the park were locked. In an odd way I feel it made check in go faster. Eventually the gates were unlocked and we were all able to get parked and hop in the portapotty lines. We started a few minutes late due to gate snafu but like I said it’s all chill.

We lined up and we were off. Now here’s the maybe not chill part- the roads aren’t closed and we run along the highway. Highway 1 to be exact- from Hearst State Beach to Cambria. Hearst as in Hearst Castle.

I planned to take it easy and was aiming for my current long run pace around 12:00. Or my all around pace right now, like I’ve said, I’m out of shape.

Miles 1-4 10:57, 12:18, 12:30, 12:28
Started a little too fast but nothing crazy and I felt like I settled into a nice, easy maintainable pace. Due to the running along the highway portion, the race is limited to 300 people and usually sells out. We started out in a big pack, sort of, all in the bike lane. With no room to pass, it takes a few miles to thin out even with so few people. That said I was still feeling pretty ok.

Mile 5- 13:23
I have no idea what happened. I hit the only water stop around 4 and it was like my body quit. I went from feeling fine to being done. And I mean done.

I may have made this one the wallpaper on my phone

Miles 6-8 12:55, 12:48, 13:18
Yep still done. I turned on my headphones – didn’t help. Had a gel- didn’t help. I was basically walking and sprinkling in running. People were passing me right and left. What the hell? The previous week’s long run had gone so much better. If this had been a regular run I would have quit but my ride was at the finish line. Apparently I wasn’t the only one having a bad day, I was passing people who had previously passed me. One runner told me I walked fast.

Finish 8.2 miles- 1:43:51

Only 20 minutes slower than the last time I ran this race. And I thought I was out of shape then, ha! Even days later I am trying to figure out why I ran out of steam. The humidity was high but my asthma was manageable. Or I thought so. My stomach did flare that afternoon and it lasted about 3-4 days but I don’t think pre-tired is a thing. Is it a thing?? Ha!

It was slow but I showed up.

animal encounter, Run!, Slacker

Week 47- Better- ish

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

Well, if you don’t count Monday through Friday.

I still haven’t figured out the weekly running thing. I didn’t realize how much one change in another area of life was going to affect my weekday running.

I did get on the bike on Tuesday but I only managed 4.2ish miles before I was running to the bathroom. I blamed it on my GI condition being an asshat but turns out it could have been food poisoning. I pick up lunch for my coworkers once a month and Tuesday we chose Panda. And on that Tuesday, half of us got sick. We’re on Panda strike now.

Oh and for extra fun, my dog treed a possum on Wednesday evening. In the cold and pouring rain. Picture me in my pajamas in the rain trying to catch a crazed dog and attempt to keep the possum up the tree. Sorry neighbors.

Thursday brought Thanksgiving and rain. No complaints by me, I gave up on snowy holidays long ago and just ask for clouds and rain now. Success! Except I was volunteering at a new local Turkey Trot and it was so cold! However that did not effect the turnout- it was a smash! It was also a fundraiser for the local homeless shelter so double win! Oh and the cutest Turkey Trot-er ever!

Then it was family time. With both parents having fun hospital trips in the last couple months, no one was feeling the effort of cooking a turkey dinner. And let’s be real, any attempts on my part would have ended up with my mother cooking it. So we flopped with the usual Christmas dinner and had Beef Stroganoff. Which meant I needed the stretchy pants. I don’t like turkey so I usually eat very little with traditional Thanksgiving fare.

Saturday brought some damn cold rain. I layered up to run outside but changed my mind when I took the dog out on a leash to go to the bathroom. I de-layered and headed to the gym instead. That one I pay for monthly but never use. It wasn’t horrible and I finished 4ish slow miles. Anyone else run 1-2 minutes slower on the treadmill?

Sunday was still raining but about 10-15 degrees warmer. I was probably overdressed for my 5 mile run but whatever. Parts of this run felt pretty good and part was a struggle thanks to the moisture in the air. Oh well.

9ish miles for the week. Not marvelous but better than last week!

How was your week? Do you like turkey?

BibRave, Hiking-Trails, Run!, Slacker

Week 46- Solid

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

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.

Poor pic attempt

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?

Run!, Slacker, Training

Week 45- Dark

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

Daylight savings never used to bother me. This year I feel like it smacked me in the face.

Which is odd because I thought it would be better now that I work so much closer to home. Doesn’t make a difference, I still don’t get off work until it’s full dark. Boo. Someone want to come run with me?

On the work front, things are looking up and we should hopefully be fully staffed in a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed, I think I can, I think I can.

I watched more Christmas movies this weekend. I am trying to wait until Thanksgiving but I am losing the battle. This is one way the stupid 80* weather is helping.

I also slept. A lot. I really mean a lot. I took the weekend to reset after a rough few weeks… well, truthfully I didn’t plan but that’s what my body dictated. Surprisingly no naps were involved.

Monday- Wednesday- Dark
I packed clothes to run after work but I kept putting it off. I told myself I hadn’t had time to test my lights since spring. I even went so far as to order new ones. I mean extra light never hurts, right?

Can you see me now?

Thursday- 1.6 miles
The plan was to run and then meet my mom for dinner. What I didn’t account for was traffic on the freeway being at a standstill. One fender bender had turned into 4 and they backed up both sides of the freeway. Thankfully it looked like everyone in the accidents were just irritated. I made it to my running spot but I only had 20 minutes. So I ran. Slower like I do in the dark… maybe I should use winter as a way to work on my heart rate?

Friday- Nope
Another open to close.

Saturday- 4 miles
It’s freezing overnight and 85 in the day. Should I be melting on runs in November? No! I rode the struggle bus the whole time. I know it won’t be long until I am complaining about the cold but right now, it’s welcome.

Sunday- 4 miles
I was so tired. I woke with a headache so went back to sleep. Even with that, by afternoon, I had zero desire to run. Hell, I didn’t even want to move. I wanted to nap. I forced myself to get up and drive to my running spot. Less than a mile in, I knew running was not going to happen. I could have thrown in the towel and quit but instead I walked. 4 miles and I even managed to negative split the thing. Better than nothing!

9.6 miles for the week. Not too surprising considering it was the first week of Daylight savings and it usually takes me awhile to rip off that bandaid. Missing a long run is what really killed the mileage. But let’s be real….when was my last long run??

How was your week?

Slacker, Training

Week 44- Oops

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

So, apparently I was stuck on week 42 for a while??? Like here and here. Oops.

You know how they say that if you want something put it out in the world? Well, there’s also the inverse- don’t jinx yourself. I was just rambling on about how I needed November to be better than October. And then I was taking my mother to the hospital at dark o’thirty on November 1. She’s out now, but things are still a little off.

Plus work has been a little stressful as we are interviewing for my location and have been running a little tight. I’m just going to be Thomas- I think I can, I think I can.

Monday- 2.7ish miles
There was a lot of smoke in the air but I was looking forward to this run. And it wasn’t too bad, yes breathing was a bit harder than I would like but not too bad. It would have been longer but a girl out walking spooked me on the path, then I spooked her going the other way and then there was a shady dog. So I called it at my car instead of running beyond like I usually do.

Tuesday- Nada

Wednesday- Poor Air Quality
I don’t understand the ways of wind but the fires burning 3 hours north and 3 hours south were pushing the smoke our way. The county was under an air advisory. There’s only so far I will push these whiny lungs.

Thursday- 3.1 miles
This run felt pretty good. It also made me realize that it would be last run after work in daylight. Boo.

Friday- Chaos
See above.

Saturday- Nada
I was exhausted. I sprung my mother from the hospital, picked up her meds and basically became a couch potato. My brain couldn’t process much so I spent my evening watching Hallmark Christmas movies. Which broke my vow of waiting until after Thanksgiving.

Sunday- 5ish miles
I needed the time change as I slept horribly. I dragged myself out for a few miles and chased Fall. Which is funny as it was 85*. It’s November and I was in shorts and a tank. I also kind of crawled this run but it is what it is.

10ish miles for the week. Could be worse, could be a helluva lot worse.

Just gotta keep moving.

How was your week?