Tag: mile

Spooner’s Cove 5 mile- Race Recap

Thursday and Friday were crazy days at work. I don’t know why, but I think they made me stupid. By the end of Thursday, I could barely speak without stuttering. It was ridiculous, but my co-workers thought it was hilarious.

I packed my running gear of Friday, thinking optimistically that I would try to run on my lunch. Then I got a call inviting me out after work. One of my coworkers from my old location was moving and Friday was her last day, and they were going out to dinner to say goodbye. For some reason being slightly run worn at work was ok but being funky for going out- not so much. There was no time to get home and change in between work and dinner. So no run for me. The dinner was fun though, it was sad to see her go. Quite a few people went for drinks after but I had a race in the morning! I headed home like a good girl.

This morning was the Spooner’s Cove Trail Run. They offer a 5 mile, 7 mile, 25K and 50K. The races are small, only about 160 people overall. Which is good, because the majority of the race route is single track.

This was also my mother’s very first race. She could have chosen an easy one like the HOB 5K, but she chose a trail race. She’s crazy like that. 🙂 Sign in and shirt pick up was organized and super easy. No goody bag, but who needs random flyers anyway? All races started at the same time and on time. And we were off!

First 100 yards was uphill (woo hoo), on a paved road, and then it was trail bound. The first 2 miles weaved along the bluff and it was the widest part of the trail. I said that this race would be run at my mom’s pace and that is what we did. We ran when she wanted and walked when she wanted. And, like I said before, she walks fast! As the trail narrowed into single track, it was amusing how frustrated she got when we got stuck behind someone who had slowed down. We eventually got passed her and we were running again.

We were heading into the real climb part of the trail when I felt something stab me in my shin. I was momentarily confused, the trail had widened and there weren’t any bushes with branches on the side. I tried to ignore but it just seemed sharper. So I looked down at my shin and there was a giant wasp/ yellow jacket on my sock. I had been stung by a freakin’ bee! I had to flick it off; luckily it seemed my knee socks took the worst of it. However it stung for the next couple of hours. For the next ½ mile, I was trying not to turn into a hypochondriac. I was just out of breath because of the incline, I was not allergic!

Miles 2-4 were pretty much all uphill. There was no running just walking, hard to feel bad though, most everyone else was walking too. We tried to pick up the pace on every slight downhill when switching hills but it was harder than we thought.

The area has had very little rain. The last time I did Valencia Peak, the mountain path was hard packed. Not so much this time. The sand was very loose; we were either sinking in it or sliding on it. That did not help our time. We finally hit the split, the 7 miles, 25k and 50K runners continue up the mountain another mile, and the 5 milers headed back down. At this point, we had about a mile to go.

We ran down as fast as we felt we could, at one point being overtaken by the speedy 50K’ers. They were hauling. We hit the road and walked for about 30 seconds. Another 50K’er ran passed and told us were so close. They had 23 miles to go and they were cheering us on.

We ran down the hill, and across the finish line. We crossed at 1:06:??. My phone was in my jacket pocket and by that time it was tied in knot around my jacket. I couldn’t get it to stop it, so I am unsure of what the exact time was. My mom is a bad ass and finished her very first race ahead of me. And it was a hard one. She just kept pushing. We got our medals and were stretching by the cove when she asked when the next one was!

It was a good race and I am proud of our time. We followed it up with a good lunch from Woodstock’s, a great salad and a slice of pizza. Now it’s time for bed for me, my legs are kind of sore!

Playing with apps :) — Playing with apps 🙂

Anyone running Las Vegas this weekend?

Good luck to those bloggers (everyone else too!) running half-marathons, marathons and ultra’s this weekend.

Running on Empty (almost)

Friday was rough but I made it through most of the day at work. After leaving work, I decided since those 4 days off hadn’t helped me feel better so why not try a little walk? I walk/ crawled 3 miles with my mom. That way if my stupid idea backfired, I’d have help nearby. See? Not so stupid. I know I wasn’t feeling well but man she walks fast! I had troubles keeping up. At our race next Saturday, I said I would go her pace. At this rate, I may have to run just to keep up with her walking pace!

Saturday was work and not so bad. It was a little busier than usual but that just made the day go by quicker. After work, I wandered around a few antique stores before heading to the gym with my mom. I still wasn’t feeling the greatest so I was just putting along on the treadmill when I glanced over to mom. This was only her third time at the gym so I was checking how she was doing. I thought I read the damn thing wrong; she had the incline at level 15!! I looked at her and said what the hell?! Her response was that she was training for next weekend’s race. I was like, its Valencia Peak, not Everest and we’re not even going all the way up! See what I mean? She’s going to leave me in the dust!

So with Fridays’ slow miles and then Saturdays, I managed to make my goal for Week 1 of Pile on the Miles. Granted it was a small goal to begin with but I did it!!!

One of the reasons that I put in a few miles on Friday, maybe when I shouldn’t have, is because I have a race tomorrow! And could I have signed up for a nice, quick 5K? Nope, instead it is an 8 mile run for Operation Run. Operation Run is a charity event that that Operation Surf puts on Veterans Day. I was interested in it last year but didn’t sign up, so I made sure to this year. After the past week, not sure how it will go, but it’s for an awesome cause. Check this out-

Today, I just relaxed (slept in!) and took care of some chores. I now have a clean car and freshly cleaned bathroom and closet. Though I maybe used a little too much bleach in the bathroom, I am feeling a little loopy. 🙂 I also helped my mother with a chair purchase. She now has a new “comfy chair”. Can’t wait to hear what the pops will say when he sees it.

My gear is ready for tomorrow and I am in my comfy chair, sadly or awesomely, watching Battleship for the umpteenth time. I have no idea why I like this movie so much, even I know it’s cheesy. But at least the soundtrack is helping pump me up for tomorrow!

Hope everyone had an amazing weekend!

For anyone lucky enough to run the Disney Wine & Dine, I’m jealous!

Anyone else running a Veteran’s Day race?

Creepy Running

I did make it to the track like planned on Sunday. Headed out around 10:00 hoping to avoid the heat. My legs felt tired before I even started so I set Mr. Nike for a timed run of 45 minutes. Figured that sounded like a good amount of time for the day and I would just do as many laps as I could at a steady pace. By the end of my 45 minutes I had done a little over 4.5 miles. I maintained pace and by mile 3, my legs felt a little better. So I walked a short cool down and stretched out. I have no idea what the football players use this thing for, but I love stretching with it-

After my run, I headed home for a lazy day of eating way too much. Seriously, I ran a half marathon not Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim. But I still gave myself license to eat way too much last week. The amount of times I ate pizza was just ridiculous. Amazingly tasty but ridiculous. Plus for work, we are having a candy crush October. I have most of the treats for the crew in my drawer and have been snacking on them way too much. Bad!!! They are not for me!!! Plus my skin has decided to tell me that it is not happy with the unending string of junk food either. Ugh.

Yesterday I was pumped to get in a run after work at the lake. I figured with the looming time change, this would be one of my last chances. Getting out of work was a little delayed due a waiting for a big announcement that was supposed to come down the pipeline. There’s always a moment when your stomach sinks hearing that but no need, it’s all good. We’re expanding!! That was a good thing to hear! But it did put me a little behind schedule. I changed and started the drive towards the lake path. The sun was behind the hill a little more than I planned when I got there but I still set out for a good run.

What was not cool was the creepy guy walking two dogs that was totally weirding me out. Granted it could have been the border collie he was walking that was giving me the willies. I love all dogs but not border collies, sketchy devils. But the way he kept looking back and staring, not cool. It may have even been someone behind that he was staring at but, ew. I passed him quickly and tried to settle into a decent pace. My legs did not like me so much last night. I felt like I was mincing my steps. I kept looking down at my form and it felt ok, but my legs were off. I just felt funky. Clocked mile 1 at 10:25, ok then. The sun was even lower but I pushed on for another lap. My legs still felt funny. 😦

Coming through the park section of the path again, I swear I saw creepy guy sitting on a bench staring at the path. But without the dogs… ummm what?! I wasn’t sure if I was more skeeved out by him or the fact that there may be a border collie on the loose. They’re the reason I carry pepper spray. Yeah I was done. I finished the lap coming in at just under 2.5 miles. I stretched really quick and jumped in my car to leave. Best way to get a negative split? Run from something creepy.

The bottom of my left foot felt funny today. Not painful, just kind of odd. I had no problems at volleyball though, so who knows. We won!!!!! Well, 1 of the 2 matches, but woo hoo! Both matches went to 3 games and now I feel a little bruised but it was fun. Could have done without the second team of the night deciding to intentionally aim everything at me but I said bring it 🙂 Not sure what I did to them but oh well, women can be so bitchy. (myself included). They were pretty vocal about it too. Maybe the fact that we took the first game spooked them, there are the first place team right now.

Now I am relaxing in the Comfy Chair, watching The Biggest Loser and eating potato chips. Wait, what? Oops. Why does this show make me want to snack? 😦

Anyone else have any sketchy encounters while running?

Slacker to the Sea

City to the Sea race recap!!

Today, I had a 2 part goal. Goal 1 was stated on this blog under my Goals, Gear, Stats page and what I publicly told people. I was aiming to finish at 2:10:00 or below. However, what I kept to myself was that the crazy in me wanted to try and hit 2:04:00.

So damn close!!!! Official time -2:05:53

Also because the course is flat to downhill for the first 5 miles before changing to hills, I was intentionally aiming for a positive split. So backwards I know, but I knew I could bank sometime in the beginning for when I knew I was going to slow down. It worked!

It was dark when I left my house this morning. And cold. The start line is about 30-35 minutes away so I made sure to head out with plenty of time. Found a very nice Chevron and they were nice enough to let me use their restroom when I got into town. The starting line is literally in front of the Abercrombie and Fitch and I was able to get a parking spot 2 blocks away. I could see the starting line and crowd from my car. Since it was so close and cold and dark, I stayed in my car until the last possible moment.

Once I joined the masses (2500 runners plus spectators in a half block space) I tried to find the right pacer. Since I was aiming for 2:10, I figured between the 2:00 pacer and the 2:15 pacer would be a good idea. The pacers wear costumes so I figured they would be easy to spot. Spotted 2:15, he was a pirate, but couldn’t find 2:00. By then it was a little past 7 and only just starting to lighten up, and we were off!

We crawled over the start line and the next 1.5 miles were chaos. This pack of runners did not separate like usual. It was 1.5 miles of dodging left and right, falling back and surging ahead. The 2:15 pacer was about a block ahead of me, what the heck? Mile 1 clocked in at 9:08, so what pace was he running? Too fast. 😦 It had just started to even out when we hit the first water station at mile 2, time to dodge the obstacle course. I passed up the 2:15 pacer here. It got better after that but I have to say that course seemed more crowded than last year, or maybe it was just the difference in my pace compared to last year.

Miles 1-5 were what I had planned to be my fastest miles and by mile 4.5 I was on track. At this point, it was the first crossover, so under the freeway we went. Coming up the other side, there was the second aid station but I was feeling ok. Hit mile 5 and now it was rolling hills time and time to lose the arm sleeves. I just kept running. I told myself I could take a walk break at mile 8 if need be. After just shy of 2 miles, it was crossover time again, this time over the freeway we went.

Mile 7 was another aid station, this time I took some water. Now was the part of the race I dreaded, the out and back. Running down a street and then back up may add miles but it also bites when you see all the other runners coming back and they are so much faster than you. It should work in reverse when I am running back but it doesn’t. I thought I remembered the out and back only being ¾ of a mile… nope, it was 1.5! Ugh, mile 8 was part of that out and back. Normally mile 8 is my favorite mile. This is the point when I know that even if I have to crawl, I will be finishing the race, and there are just 5 miles to go. Having 8 hit in the out and back, just didn’t hold the usual excitement. 😦 This where I finally saw the 2:00 pacer, turns out he was behind me until that point. He was dressed as a cyclist. Passed the aid station on the way out and was heading towards 9. And I was still running!!!

Up a hill and across a wooden bridge and it was mile 9, time to lose the gloves. I was still running but slowing down. Mile 10 was at downhill slope and then it was the last crossover, back under the freeway. Here I picked up the pace a lot because I did not want to be stopped for traffic like I was last year. Powered through the intersection and was met with the last uphill.

This is also where I started wheezing. Um, what? I haven’t used an inhaler in years, not to mention, I don’t even have one. So I took a walk break. 😦 I was so close to running the whole thing!!! I told myself that I would walk for 2 minutes. I got my breathing under control, made it to the top of the slope and started running. My toes were hurting and my knees were cranky but I was so close! I just kept pushing. I hit mile 12 at 1:53:something. Hell yeah! Only 1.1 to go. 12-13 I picked up the pace. Then just the .1 left to go. I swear this race seems like the longest .1 ever.

The finish line was crowded and people were cheering as I ran past. Not for me, but I can be in denial, right? Crossed the finish line and the clock said 2:06:54. Goal #1 done and done! Just shy of goal #2 and I knew that my chip time would be different than gun time since it did take a while to get across the starting line.

My mom and dad were at this finish line, so we took advantage of some photo opportunities and I took the chance to stretch. Since this was a point to point race, I was also very glad to have them there so I could hitch a ride back. It was really cold and my mom (race photographer) was not feeling well at all so we didn’t stay too long and chose to bypass the expo.

What you can't see is that my legs are shaking! — What you can’t see is that my legs are shaking!

I am so pumped that I hit 2:05:53. It was something that I wasn’t sure I could do, and its great knowing that I succeeded. My next goal is to break 2:00, eek!!! That’s scary. I feel pretty good right now, just some pain in my knees. The real question will be how I feel tomorrow and Tuesday- always the worst day. 😦

Highlights-

Best race sign I saw today- I had just hit the halfway point and was beginning to drag. I saw some people standing to the side with a sign that read “Keep going, you’re running better than our government”. I don’t care what political affiliation you are, that was just the touch of smart ass sense of humor that I needed at that point. The liquid awesome ones were pretty good too.

Best improvement– My medal was handed to me ready to go at the finish line. Last year they handed it to me folded and wrapped in plastic. Thanks killjoy.

And– I ran all but 2 minutes of a half marathon!! I had no idea I could do that! 🙂

Hope everyone had an absolutely fantastic weekend, and if you ran or raced- awesome!

HOB Fun Run-Race Recap

Race day!!!! However, I was so comfy this morning; I had a very hard time getting out of bed. I pushed it as far as possible before getting up and ready to go. I ended up choosing to go with my new capris and a green running tank. I have a problem eating food before a race but I got one Belvita cracker down, grabbed my Gatorade and candy corns and was out the door.

As I wandered down to the starting line, it was so cold. My arms and toes were so cold but I had nowhere to stow a jacket, so I made sure to stand on the sunny side of street. Waiting to line for the starting gun, I always have a sudden moment of panic. A dizzying array of thoughts that all lead back to “oh my god, why am I doing this, I’m gonna fall on my face”. There was a little delay with the starting gun, had to wait for the police escort to get back! Another thing I like about this race- a motorcycle cop leads the way for both the 10K and the 5K. He arrived and we were off!

I normally start out too fast and slow from there. This time I wanted to maintain pace as best as I could. I had a goal in mind but wasn’t sure if I could pull it off, but I was going to try. So I focused on my breathing, picked someone in front of me to pace-stalk and kept going.

Mile 2 I was feeling good, hit the turn-around at 2.2 miles and headed back to complete the first loop. Here I discovered a new running fear. I have always been afraid of being the last to finish a race and yes I know that last is better than never started. However at 2.5 miles, the leaders with the lovely pace officer were heading towards their mile 5. Umm, what? Was I going to get lapped before I had even completed the first lap? Yikes!

It didn’t happen, whew. I rounded the corner to finish lap 1 and the Grizzly Academy in uniform was standing in a line over half the block, cheering runners on. Good pick me up! Now, here’s a question, does a 5k PR count if it’s during a 10k? When I ran passed the clock, it said 27:44… hell yeah! But now I had to maintain it, and I really wanted to take a walking break. No! This was partially practice for my upcoming half, so I pushed on. By mile 4.5, the person I was pace-stalking graduated from a 1 block lead to a 2 block lead. I was actually maintaining pace, so they must have been one of those people talented enough to pull negative splits. Finally mile 6 and the finish line was just around the corner. Just keep running, just keep running, just keep running and done! 55:57. Only by 3 seconds but still 55 minutes!!!! Part of me wanted to do a little jig but I was tired! And I had another race in 15 minutes.

Met up with my mom (photographer) and C and her husband at the finish line. I was running the 5K with them. Took some photos and had a quick shirt/ bib/ chip change. I also refueled with some Gatorade and a few candy corns. Yummy, carbs and sugar. Ok, time to line up again. I told C and her husband that I would probably tire quickly and drop back. The gun rang out and we were off!

I was able to stay strong with them for the first 1.5 miles. Plus it was kind of nice having someone to talk to while running. The halfway point was a little rough, but I hung in there and we kept running. Around 2.2 again, I really wanted to walk but forced myself to pick it up a bit. Yeah that lasted for like a block. Just before the 3 mile mark, C’s husband starts telling us to pick it up; we could do it, just run! Seriously dude? But we did, rounded that last corner and finished at 30:22. C and I managed to finish at the exact same time, he finished a few seconds ahead. I’ll take it!!! Way better than I was aiming for. I told him thanks because without his prodding, I so would have walked at least part of that.

We didn't plan to match,we're just good like that, hehe — We didn’t plan to match,we’re just good like that, hehe

Then I realized, I had just run a 10K and a 5k without any walking! Where did that come from! We took some more pictures and waited for everyone we knew to cross the finish line. I also ran over to the race truck to check the official finishing times, have to see it to believe it you know.

Then C and I lined back up. We were running the half mile with a co-workers son. Yep, another race. I think I lost my mind. He was so cute and so excited, though, I was hoping he would go slow. Starting gun sounds and he was off like a bullet. Woah, C and I had to bolt to catch him. He held strong till about the 3^rd block, and then he needed a walk. Oh, thank you. So we walked half a block and then ran the other half. Rounded the corner and he slowed. It was piggy back time! C carried him for a block, then he ran/ walked another 2. 2 blocks from the end, we rounded a corner at the park and there was a park bench. Perfect time to take a seat! We got him moving with another piggyback ride before he ran the final block and collected his super cool dog tag. All in all a success! And fun, too.

I was so done then, but M showed with Baby G. I stuck around a little longer.

Eventually it occurred to me that I really needed food and a chair, so I headed out. I met my mom for lunch and re- fueled with some amazing pizza! Later in the afternoon, I indulged in some racing of another kind. We went to the movies and saw Rush. It was seriously good. Very loud and very intense, but very good. Don’t hold the popcorn in your lap; you may tip it when you cringe! Not my usual cup of tea but I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.

Tomorrow should be an easy 3, but we will see how it goes.

Hope everyone had an amazing weekend! Any one run a race or see any good movies?