Tag: miles

2017- The Shiny and The Dull

It’s that time again- time to recap the Shiny and the Dull of 2017.

Let’s get the Dull out of the way first.

So yeah, remember that post 12 months ago where I said I hated goals, that I considered them 4 letter words so I wasn’t making any? No? Well, here it is if you’re feeling really bored. I was going to make 2017 the year of Challenge. Ha! More like the year of complacency.

Instead of running all the miles in 2017, I didn’t even clear 650.

Did I find my old pace? Yeah, no.

I was turned down for 2 jobs I applied for.

Should we even mention the weight I put on? I’m less irritated about the number and more irritated about how uncomfortable I feel in my skin.

Had migraine issues, thyroid issues, leg issues, back issues, bed issues. Maybe I’m the issue?

Ok, enough with the dull.

Shiny!!!!!!

I ran 10 races, 8 13.1’s, one 5 miler and one 5K. If I had to pick a top 3, they would be –

Las Vegas! I went to Vegas! I ran a half and a 5K in one weekend. I finally met Kate in real life! We ran her first half together. I met Helly! I hung with Mai and other BibRave Pros! There were lights and miles and good times and it was awesome. Tiring but awesome. And I am a bad blogger because I don’t have the pictures.
Rock N Roll San Diego 13.1– My first Rock n Roll race and it was great one. I loved the course and the whole experience. I met Mai and Emily and made the We Run Social photo on race morning. And I met Chelsea! It was also my fastest race in a few years. Until…
City to Sea– Home town love. Yeah, I consider the entire county my home town. 5th time running this race and I still love it. Somehow pulled off my fastest race of the year too. Still don’t know where that came from.

Honorable mentions- Salinas Valley Half Marathon, SLO Ultra 5 Miler

I had the opportunity to work with BibRave again in 2017 and it is a great group of people. Plus I tested some pretty awesome products. I’d have even fewer miles if BibRave hadn’t pointed me in the direction of my Ultra Boost X’s. My running store doesn’t sell them so I wouldn’t have found them on my own. I’m on pair 2 now.

I was also given the chance to be an ambassador for Miles and Pace. If you’ve been around this blog for the last few years, you may have noticed that I am pretty attached to my Miles and Pace trucker hats so I was stoked. My current hat count is 4.

As for work, I have a Rock star crew, so can’t complain about that.

So 2017 did not go like I hoped but then again I maybe got a little too comfy in the comfy chair and rationalized my way into being a little too Slacker like. I mentioned on Twitter the other night that I have a tendency to get in my own way.

As for 2018? Time to Sound the Alarm.

Week 52-And a cold

And just like 52 weeks have gone by and bring 2017 to close.

And the calendar did me a solid and worked out perfectly… unlike last year.

I had my second PT appointment and this time they had me try lumbar traction. Then all laughed at the expression of fear on my face as they described it. It really wasn’t that bad.

Last week was a little rough, I felt a little ragged around the edges. I was looking forward to the 3 day weekend- not for the New Year’s parties but more for the opportunity to sleep. Truth- I just barely managed to stay awake through midnight on New Year’s Eve but I still managed to miss the ball drop on TV. Oops.

Monday- Christmas And I was about as active as a lump on a log.

Tuesday- Rest/ PT Exercises I knew work was likely to be busy after the 3 day weekend and oh boy was I right.

Wednesday- Missed Run Work was exhausting and I was tired and cranky so instead of running I just headed home. Which might have been fate telling me something- maybe that’s dramatic but barely moments after picking my mom up to go to dinner, we were driving down the street to see flames literally shooting out of the top of an apartment building. Then it hit the power lines. I pulled over while my mom called 911 and jumped out and stood with the homeowner, we asked if anyone else was inside or if there were any pets. I then just got my car out of the way and stayed out of the way while we waited for the fire department and PD to show up. It was definitely not how I thought the night was going to go.

Thursday- Rest/PT exercises Work this week just kicked my butt. Plus I was denial that I was sick. If I ignored the sore throat and the coughing, that meant they weren’t real right? Despite the fact I’d fallen asleep in my chair almost every night. I missed a dinner with old high school friends because I didn’t want to get anyone sick, so I wasn’t being completely stupid.

Friday- Rest More of the same. This time I missed a dinner with a coworker who was leaving another location. Boo. Also fell asleep in my chair again.

Saturday- 3.1 miles After sleeping in, I headed out for what I figured was going to be an afternoon slog. Except I was moving way faster than I should have been for only having run once last week and being sick this week. Legs what are you doing? I had no business seeing miles in the 10 minute range and my lungs let me know so I ended up take a break to sit on a wall at one point.

Sunday- 4 miles Once again I headed out expecting a slow run and once again my legs and lungs were at war. My legs just wanted to go! But my lungs were not quite on board. It was better than the day before though. Other than a little wheezing, this 4 miles felt pretty good.

7.1 miles for the week. Better than last week. Still super low but I’m not mad. The last week of the year always throws me a curve ball and this was no exception.

How was your week?

Week 49- Of Christmas Lights and Colds

Last week was a little wobbly.

I ended up feeling like crap for most of the week. I felt like I was fighting something and I had an odd migraine from Tuesday on. I actually even went home early one day which is something I rarely do but my head was just so damn fuzzy I wanted to be off the hill before it got dark.

In one way, being sick wasn’t a bad thing- combine with the rest from last week, it kept me off my left leg for 8 days. Had I not been sick, that would not have happened. I probably would have run on Tuesday or Wednesday. Instead by Thursday I was mostly pain free and outside of 2 truly gnarly charlie horses overnight, Friday was pain free.

I also admitted defeat and returned to the bed store. The brick is going back. I tried for almost 90 days to break in this new bed and no luck. My whole body hurts. Fingers crossed the replacement is epic-ally better because I used up my one return.

In bad news, the Thomas fire is out of control, it’s now pushed into Santa Barbara county. The smoke has inundated our county. We’ve had closer fires but not seen smoke like this. They’re saying the Santa Ana winds are likely partially to blame. Let me be clear that the fire is still over 100 miles away.

Saturday- 3.1 miles I ran!! Some parts were so damn slow and other parts were probably way too fast but I ran! I started off nice and easy and walked the first 10 minutes. From then on I alternated walking and running. I’m using a cool new running app and I’m hoping to improve my cadence so I have to say the running parts felt pretty dang good. In fact, I hauled a** up a hill like I never have before. It was awesome. Until my lungs reminded me that I had been fighting a cold all week and I bent over wheezing at the top, haha.

My legs probably also didn’t appreciate the annual visit to Vine St but it’s tradition!

Sunday- 3.1 miles. I had hoped for more miles but underestimated how much smoke was in the air. I was wheezing 1/2 mile in. I stuck it out for the same route as the day before but I took a more than a few breaks as I was wheezing more than normal. Considering how visible the smoke was I just slowed down and headed for home.

6.23 miles for week. It’s going up! Baby steps! Baby steps!

How was your week?

Do anything fun this weekend?

Rambling On 21

I haven’t rambled in a while. 😛

I’m so glad it’s Thursday but I needed more time in this week. Does that make sense? I may have over extended myself in November and didn’t quite figure it out until it was too late. I also didn’t manage my time too well. That’s all on me. And it’s not like I was spending it running.

I had an interview today. Second time I’ve thrown my name in the ring for something in a little over a month. This is a leap. I want it. So of course, before my interview I realize I forgot to print off an extra resume. Then just before I go in I notice a huge hole in my new heels. WTH?! So, of course, that’s on my mind for most of the interview- keep your foot angled in a way that hides the hole. Grrrrr.

Run Laughlin is this Saturday and I’m super bummed to miss it for the second year. I’ve never been a bucket list race kind of person but I really want to do this race. If you’re in the area, you still can and save 20% with BIBRAVE20. Then tell me all about it. 😉

Not that my leg could handle 13 miles right now. I took 7 days off. No, wait….8! I just had to count on my fingers. That’s not a good sign. Maybe I need some sleep. I haven’t been sleeping well either. Too wired. See what even missing my measly running miles does to me???

I am so behind on your blogs-I’ve read, I just need to comment. I think my computer and browser hate me right now, I have maybe 30 tabs open? It’s ridiculous. My plan to get all squared away by end of day Thursday. I can do it! 🤞

How are you? Share a random!

Week 46- Vacation

I currently have no upcoming races. Say what?

With that in mind, I planned to take a step back week- run 4 times but no long run. My thought was to have my longest run be 6 miles. I was also on vacation so that would change if I randomly threw in a hike (I didn’t) but I didn’t want a return of leg pain from last week.

Other than that, I had a giant list of things I needed to do while I was on vacation that I can’t get done regularly. Spoiler alert- I didn’t get most of them done. Slacker. 🙂😛

Monday- Travel day Between leaving the hotel and getting to airport, then the flight and driving home from San Jose, all of Monday was spent traveling. I didn’t make it home until after 8 that night. Plus after the stress of the flight being overbooked, then finding out it was a TINY plane, all I wanted to do was take a shower and go to sleep.

Tuesday- Rest I had a blood work appointment to get done before an appointment on Thursday. I also completed the mountain of laundry that I came home from Vegas with. The highlight of the day though was the DMV- after months I finally have the Slacker plates back on my car!👍

Wednesday- 5 miles I headed for the river path around 3, taking advantage of daylight and the near 80 degree temps. I kept the pace super easy but randomly threw in a 9:20 mile just prove I still could.

Thursday- 4 miles I left at a similar time to the day before but talk about a temp change- it was about 30 degrees cooler than Wednesday. I ran a surprisingly peppy, progressive 4 miler.

Friday- Rest I can’t remember what else I did. That’s kind of sad.

Saturday- 4 miles The downhill slide. Same route as Thursday, 2 minutes slower overall and a drastically different run. My calves and achilles screamed for damn near the entire run. 2 miles in my stomach started yelling in an entirely not good way. This run was so not pleasant.

Sunday- Rest My lower left leg was talking all day. Walking and sitting were uncomfortable. I have no upcoming races in the near future and hadn’t been planning on a long run anyways so I saw no point in making things worse just to add 5-6 miles to my weekly total.

13 miles for the week. I’d be happier with the low mileage if it was due to laziness but this is the second week in a row I’ve backed off due to leg pain. That is not cool.

How was your week?

Anyone planning a Turkey Trot?