race – Slacker Runner

Castle to Coast 2020

January 17, 2020January 16, 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.

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.

Run!, Training

2- Baby Steps

January 14, 2020January 13, 2020 Fallon @ Slacker Runner

Last week was more of keep on keeping on.

I made a few better choices while eating and still some bad ones. I ran a little more. I ran a race. I knew I was out of shape but wow…. but more on that next post. I forgot cross training. Oops.

Oh, and I learned that multi vitamins make me sick so that was fun. I am trying to make healthier choices here! Just don’t ask me about the Carl’s Jr. Sometimes a burger is just needed.

Monday– Vitamin fallout. What’s sad is it took me a few times to make the correlation, ha!

Tuesday– Nada

Wednesday 3.33 miles I changed as fast as I could to enjoy as much of the sunset as I could. Which wasn’t as much as I would have liked as I had to still drive to my running route but it was still kind of glorious. I feel like every day is getting so much brighter. I enjoyed a few easy miles with the sunset and the dark.

Thursday– Honestly have no idea what I did this day.

Friday– As if.

Saturday- Castle to Coast 8.2 miles.
More to come on that. Oh and a 2 hour nap that may have resembled a coma.

Sunday- 2.6 miles Ooof. I was feeling tight post race and my stomach had hated me since Saturday after the race. I struggled out the door and managed to straggle out 2ish miles. Truthfully they ended up mostly a walk. My stomach let me know running was not an option. But I did something.

14ish miles for the week. Slowly going up but I am also coming to grips with just how out of shape I’ve let myself become.

How was your week?

BibRave, Run!

Heading off to Napa

December 29, 2019December 27, 2019 Fallon @ Slacker Runner

I am 2 weeks into training for Napa Valley Half Marathon. Which makes me realize I forgot to tell you about Napa…

Disclaimer: I received an entry into Napa Valley Half Marathon 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!

Silly Slacker.

Napa Valley. People, I live in wine country but it’s not Wine Country. Prior to running, I actually paid little attention to the hundreds (not an exaggeration) of vineyards in my area. My first half marathon was lined with vineyards and vines. I learned harvest patterns thanks to a house I run past with a couple acres of vines. Vines grew on me you could say.

I am so looking forward to running in Napa. I’ve thought about it for years but for some reason, don’t go north as often for trips. Oops. Napa Valley Marathon has been running since 1979. In 2018, they added a half. Which is what I will be running. The race course runs down the Silverado Trail from Calistoga to Napa. The half starts around the midway point. I do love a good point to point race. Throw in rows of vines along the way and I am in!!

Now if only I spend more time running than taking pictures. It’s a toss up. I am a picture hoarder after all. Also this may be half marathon #40. Or 41…. I do have a tendency to throw races in at the last minute.

Oh, did I mention this will be my time trying the VIP experience at race?????? I’m excited!!

Want to join me on March 1? Use code BIBRAVE10 to save $10 on registration!

Race Day, Run!

Rambling Up to San Jose

October 4, 2019October 4, 2019 Fallon @ Slacker Runner

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?

Race Day, Recap, Run!

Surf City 10-Recap

September 26, 2019September 25, 2019 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.

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

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?