Tag: long run

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.

Race Day, Recap, Run!

Surf City 10-Recap

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

What’s a runner to do when she needs motivation to actually run her long runs? She signs up for a race! I saw that Surf City 10 fit in my schedule and there was a 10 miler. Even better was when I looked online and found a sweet hotel for cheap. Yes! So I registered. Then last week happened and I was doubting my ability for a 10 mile race in the dark. Could I finish it even after being sick all week? Yes but that didn’t mean it was the right choice. So I dropped to the 10K.

Oh 10K’s. We have a love/ hate relationship. Well, mostly hate.

My 10K times are either great (for me) or a total crap show. Good- 55 to 58 minutes. The rest all range around 1:10-1:15 because I blow up. There has never been an in between. I rarely run 10K’s for this reason.

I headed down to Huntington Beach on Saturday. Checked into the hotel and then headed back to find race parking. Yes, I used the distance from my car to the start judicisouly – warm up and cooldown and added 2+ miles to my total for the day.

The race was a lot bigger than I thought it would be but I did my best to line up in the proper pace area but it was damn crowded. The race started on time but it took me a few minutes to hit the starting line.

Who wants to take bets?

Mile 1 was decent- 10:22. Not too bad, not too bad.

Mile 2– Well, crap, I know what I forgot. My inhaler. Mother ….. 11:16 Know what Huntington Beach has? High humidity. What triggers my asthma? High humidity.

Positive split like a Boss

Mile 3- 4 Yeah no, straight running wasn’t gonna work. How about 2 run, 1 walk? Could my asthmatic lungs handle that?? 11:20, 11:49

This is a runner on asthma

Mile 5-6 Ok, can’t breathe, how about 1 run, 1 walk. Oh and I had decided to wear a new skirt, nope. I was less running and more waddling due the chafe I could feel, how I crossed the finish line not bleeding, I have no idea. It still hurts 4 days later.

Finish- 1:11:44

So maybe we should place bets on how long it takes me to run another 10K? Haha.

I did enjoy the race though. Running at night is kind of fun when you’re surrounded by people. A little more light might have been nice but guess who left her Knuckle Lights in the car?? Yep. Winner over here.

What race distance is your nemesis?

Run!, Slacker, Training

Week 37- Little Late

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

Yeah, this is a little late but I had important things to say Monday!🤣

Last week was part awesome and part rough. So does that mean it was roughly awesome or awesomely rough? Choices.

So let’s get into it. Mostly because I can’t remember what else I did last week.

Monday- 7 miles
I was in a weird mood after work. Part of me wanted to run and part didn’t. I headed out and honestly thought I would turn around at the 5k mark. Except I kept running. And running. And ended up doing 7 miles after work. Who knew?!? I actually might have kept on running but I had a late start so it was getting dark and I was wearing all black.

Tuesday- 3 miles
I knew my schedule was a little wacky for the week so I headed out for some nice recovery miles on Tuesday. They actually felt pretty good.

Wednesday- mixer
Instead of exercising physical muscles, I had to exercise the social ones for work. So much harder.

After work on Saturday but pre 2 hour migraine nap

Thursday- Saturday
Here’s where things kind of derailed. I woke with a little headache on Thursday morning but it turned into a raging migraine by the end of work. Friday was more of the same. In fact by the time work was over, I had that watery eyed, teary look from the pain.

Sunday- 4 miles
I meant to run 8 miles for my long run but I knew my body wasn’t quite there. I was still feeling the migraine fog and just felt off. I headed out and told myself to do what I could. My legs felt ok but I was having massive heart burn issues that made everything uncomfortable. I am less than impressed with this medication change.

14 ish miles for the week. Better than last week but not great.

How as your week? Last week or this one?

oops!, Slacker, Training

Week 30- Headcase

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

If I could stop injuring myself, that would be great.

Also could the ants stop invading my bathroom? I know they are just looking for water in the heat wave but there cannot be ants on the toilet seat!!

Last week was a little off. I started the week with a possible concussion and just rolled on from there. This is not the first time I’ve had a concussion, nor is it the first time I’ve given one to myself. Oops.

So that was fun.

Monday- 1.5 miles/ Rest
Once I finally figured out what was wrong with me, I knew there was no way I was running that day. I just went home and tried to chill in a dark room.

Tuesday- 3 mile tempo, 1.5 up/down/ 1.5 miles
I was still feeling off- less dizzy, mostly head pain. I took my run super slow and easy. Which might have happened anyways as it was almost 100*.

Wednesday- 1.5 miles/ 2x 1 mile repeats, 1 mile up/down
I decided to attempt what I thought was the easier of my speed work and as it was 105* out, I headed to the gym. Yeah no. Lingering head pain made me super wobbly on the treadmill. My Garmin tracking was way off again too. Then I had a coughing fit and was getting the stink eye from other gym goers so I bailed. 2.25 miles done

Thursday- 3 mile tempo, 1 up/down / 2 mile tempo, 1 up/down
I didn’t feel like the previous day had been an actual workout so I decided to attempt my other speedwork. It was 95* but there was a decent breeze so it felt ok. I actually probably would have finished the whole workout but I had worn the wrong shorts and the thigh chafing was extreme.

Friday- 1.5 miles/ Rest
Friday snowballed and by the time I left work I was not feeling it. Plus it was the last Friday of the fair and I didn’t want to deal with any potential idiots on the roads.

Saturday- 1.5 miles/ Rest
I had to work on Saturday so I had already planned on pushing my long run to Sunday. Which, considering it was 106* seemed better anyways. I meant to get out in the evening for the missed 1.5 mile run but didn’t.

Sunday- 10 miles/ 9.3 miles
I set an alarm but still snoozed for 2 hours, I was out the door a little after 8. It was still too hot. I don’t know if I was still feeling the affects of the giant bruise on my noggin or what but somehow this run turned into a walk and then a shuffle. I was not feeling it at all. I kept moving forward but it was like I had no ability or desire to move any faster. It was one of those old type runs where I was running to a certain place and then my mom was picking me up to go to lunch. I hit the meeting spot at 9.3 and didn’t even care enough to push it to 10.

16.4 miles for the week. 6 miles off target and the workouts were kind of a farce but it was better than it could have been. And my head is feeling better and the heat wave broke, so yay!

How was your week?

Run!, Stomach, Training

Week 8- Finding the Track

Fallon @ Slacker Runner
  • 2019 Race Schedule (so far):
  • 3/24 Oakland Running Festival (Thanks BibRave)
  • 4/28 SLO Half Marathon
  • 5-4 Wildflower (Thanks BibRave)  Canceled
  • 8-11 Oaktown Half (Thanks BibRave)

Last week had its ups and downs. More running and exercise- yay- but some stomach issues for a few days too. Boo. But then I have been emotionally eating for a few weeks and that’s never a good idea, particularly when you have a GI disorder. So I guess you could say I brought it on myself.

I’ve also had some leg issues. I’ve been sitting in my chair at work more since the Varidesk arrived and that is never a good thing. My chair aggravates my back which then jacks up my leg. I’ll get the height right one of these days. Well, hopefully.

Monday-7.3 miles
I was feeling like a long run on a day off but not sure if it would happen. In the first few miles my calves were screaming they were so tight. More than 6 miles was looking unlikely. I kept moving forward and just figured I would see what happened. For the first time in months I was too warm- I lost my long sleeves 3 miles in. This coming from the person who finds 60* cold. It was in the low 50’s. Somehow my only gonna do 4 turned into 7.3 miles. They also ended up being speedier than my last few months of running too. Who knew?

Thursday- PIYO
I wasn’t feeling so great but didn’t want to be a slug. I also didn’t think anything too strenuous was a good idea. Good lord, my abs (or lack thereof) hurt for 2 days after this.

Saturday-10 miles
I wanted to run but didn’t want to run, you know? I am working on getting out of my head though so I headed out thinking I would just do 4 and push my long run to Sunday. Except again I kept on running. Granted much slower than Monday. My leg was a little sore but not bad, I barely noticed it and finished my run feeling pretty good. Other than once again I was in a tank top in the low 50’s. Who am I?

Sunday- 2ish miles
I put off my recovery run but finally made it out the door around 3. I was aiming for 4 but by a mile in I knew I was in trouble. My right leg was screaming at me and I couldn’t run without a limp. I turned around and headed for home. I am not going to do anything stupid but I was irritated. Grrr, where’s my roller?

19.53 miles for the week. Well, look who hit double digits. It’s been a moment, haha. I know what’s up with my leg so I am not concerned at the moment just keeping an eye on it.

How was your week?