Tag: Running

Come on now!

This may actually be my 15^th attempt at trying to post this damn thing. I tried numerous times last night and then again on my lunch today. No luck. WordPress and I have been having a tense conversation, mostly one sided, by me, with some very colorful language.

As Monday’s go, today was actually pretty good. Got most everything squared away from last week’s mess, plus the computers were up and running. I was sad to see just how dark it was tonight when leaving work. No run tonight, busy getting ready for a long day tomorrow. Driving to Upland with the tennis team. Wish me luck, I’ll need it.

Happy Monday!!!

And now for the original post-

This Saturday I did not have to work, so yay! I had the intention to run some errands, go phone shopping with my mom, and get in a good run in the afternoon.

The errands were tedious, lunch was yummy, and the phone store was hilarious. My mother had a droid which she loved and then hated with a passion. She was ready for a new one and kept asking my opinion. I have had an iPhone for years and knew nothing about droids, so I couldn’t really help her. She claimed she hated iPhones but couldn’t tell me why. So she did her research online and decided that she wanted the new Moto X (I think). The phone store was slammed, I was very surprised by how freaking busy they were. We talked to the representative there for a while before my mom said she would buy the Moto. The salesperson replied that they did not have any and it would have to be ordered. Uh oh. The thing about my family is they have no patience. When they want something they want it yesterday. My mother thought for about 45 seconds, looked at the sales rep and said “I’ll buy an iPhone.” I cracked up laughing.

So my mother was the brand new owner of an iPhone, I spent the afternoon helping her set it up and download all the apps she may use or need. Then she and I went for a run/walk. I have talked her into doing the Spooner’s Cove 5 mile with me. Her first race!!! She was tired so we walked together sometimes and sometimes I ran ahead and then doubled back. I don’t know why, but I loved hills yesterday. I saw an incline and thought I have to run that. All in all it was a good 4.5 miles. Also I took a few fall themed pictures-

The plan of attack for today was to hit the track for some speed work. I was thinking a mile warmup, 3 miles of speed work, and a mile cool down. However the headache that greeted me this morning derailed that. I still headed to the track hoping that running would ease it back. Mile 1- no such luck. Mile 2- still ouch. Finshing mile 3, I still felt like crap but figured I would complete 4 miles with trying some sprints for the last mile. Apparently I should sprint with a headache more often, my last mile came in at 8:47. And I was done. I stretched out and headed home to some cleaning and laundry.

I also had the New York marathon on in the background while doing chores. That was a crazy amount of people!!! And some very impressive running. I don’t know if I want to run in a race that big or if it kind of scares me. 🙂

As for the November challenge, I chose to sign up for Pile on the Miles over at Run Eat Repeat. I was torn between this one and The no excuses challenge at Running Bug. I was also tempted by one I read about called No-Run-vember. Got to admit that sounded tempting! But I was good and chose to run instead. 🙂 So 2 3 days in and 8 miles in, I can do this!!!!

And now tomorrow is Monday and fingers crossed, the network and computers will be working again. Also that it doesn’t take too long to fix the mess left after Friday.

I hope everyone who ran or raced had an awesome weekend!

Sun and scarecrows

I managed to get in a run on Thursday before heading to school for my exam. Oops, sorry mixer!!! I’ll go next month- it’ll be too dark to run then 😦

I wanted to take it a little easy, so I set Mr. Nike for a 3 mile run. I love the distance mode. He comes on and tells you at the halfway point, great way when to know to turn around. Otherwise I get distracted and just keep running. Which if it wasn’t my first run after my half or if I didn’t have an exam that I should have been studying for, that wouldn’t have been a bad thing. 🙂

The halfway point is just inside the state park, I barely get to breathe in the Eucalyptus before I had to head back. I take a slight detour on the way back just to see this-

Bonus, the weather was amazing! 70 and shining sun! Usually by this time of evening the marine layer rolls in and it’s just gray. All in all, finished a nice 5k when I made it back to my car. And I averaged a 9:46 pace, fine by me.

Since I work 3 of the upcoming 4 Saturdays, I admit to a little whining. But I have an awesome boss, so I got a few extra hours to sleep in on Friday. I have been so tired; I just wanted some time with a few less alarms. Yeah, I set 5 daily. Usually sleep through the first 2 and snooze the rest repeatedly. While a better person may have snuck in a Friday morning run, I am a Slacker. I chose to sleep. It was so nice. Then I headed into work, picking up a birthday cake along the way for the afore mentioned awesome boss. I really need to stop eating junk. This has been a very indulgent week.

This morning’s commute actually wasn’t that foggy! As I drove into town, I tried to take a few pictures. This town has an annual Scarecrow festival that I never knew about. Last time I worked there, the fog was so heavy and zombie like, then creatures were just popping out the mist. WTF? The first 2 scared the crap out of me before I figured it out. This time, I was prepared and snapped a few pictures along the way. Yes, I should have gotten out of the car, but I am lazy.

I really did plan to run today but the Slacker in me finally beat out the twitchy feet. After work and lunch and errands, I was tired and lazy. No lies, I was just a Slacker. Tomorrow, I get back on track. Literally- track Sunday!!!!! Woo hoo!!!! I love the track. It’s supposed to be over 90, but hey, soon I will be complaining that it will too cold, so I may as well enjoy it while it lasts.

Today wasn’t totally running free, I did finish my scrapbook page for my City to the Sea bib. Yes, I keep a scrapbook of all my bibs. Cheesy but I love it. Wish they made better embellishments though.

To anyone who ran or raced today, you’re awesome!!!!

Anyone’s towns have any interesting Harvest traditions?

Getting twitchy

Normally, the first few days after a big race, I feel sore and achy and look forward to rest days. This time around, I have twitchy feet. I want to run so badly, but haven’t worked it out yet.

Monday was a holiday and a day off for me, so I thought I would be able to get in a very, very easy 2-3. But between physical therapy, running errands and the sudden urge to overhaul my entire closet, I ran out of daylight. I had a short amount of time when I may have been able to squeeze in a run but my guilty conscience reminded me that I have a big exam that I needed to study for. 😦

Tonight was volleyball and I wanted to run instead. However, I have never missed a game (5 years!), so I followed through. I am glad I did, it was fun and we played really well. I finally ponied up and bought new shoes, actual volleyball shoes this time. Not sure if it was because I don’t have a big race on the horizon (less fear of injury) or if it was the shoes but I was like a freakin’ jumping bean. I didn’t know I could block like that. Hopefully, that skill sticks around.

Tomorrow is my brother’s birthday (27, I feel so old) so it will be a speed race back to town for dinner with the family. Thursday is supposed to be a business mixer after work, then off to school for the big exam. So, short of dragging myself out bed at 4:00 in the morning, I have a schedule problem. No lie; I am a huge Slacker in the AM. Big time. The bed is so warm and comfy, yay for flannel sheets! Transitioning to a daily commute was hard enough.

I want to run and I want to race. I am a procrastinator when it comes to registering for races; you never know when life may throw a speed bump. There is a half locally on the 27^th that I kind of want to do, but it’s freaky expensive. There are 3 races in November I am contemplating and I am still looking for December options.

Two of the November options are Turkey Trots. The other November race sounds awesome, it’s a 7 mile trail run at a nearby state park. What makes me leery is this:

Yep, that says a 1700 foot elevation gain. I have actually done the incline portion before. Now, granted, I walked a lot of it last time, but my splits looked something like this-

And I almost took a header on the way down. Hmm, decisions decisions. There are also 3 half marathons in the beginning of 2014 I am interested in. Those will be determined around finances. I will admit it, races cost money!!!!

I hope everyone is having a good week so far! How is it almost Wednesday?

Any thoughts on what to get a 27 year old with expensive taste for their birthday? (yeah, I procrastinated that too.)

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!

In the home stretch…

The final countdown has begun!!!

I am torn between being super excited and freaking out. It happens before every big race, that feeling of “oh what have I taken on?”. But I can’t wait! Due to the previously mentioned dream, I may be setting 6 alarms but I am still excited!

Judging from what I have been reading on everyone’s blogs, I am not the only one with a big race this Sunday! So it looks like October 13 is a good day to race. Good luck to everyone who is running! Bring it on! 🙂

Tuesday was volleyball night and we won! Ok, only one match, but that is better than none! I still haven’t picked up new volleyball shoes but I managed to get last season’s shoes workable. They had been turned in gardening shoes, oops! So a little water to rinse them off and a borrowed pocket knife and I had some traction; no more slipping and sliding all over the floor. We won our first match in 2 games and had a little down time before the second. The thing that frustrates me about the team is that when we lose, we aren’t being beaten. We are making unforced errors that cost us too many points. We have the skill but we just can’t seem to close. Guess that provides the justification for our team name of “Aimless”.

Today, I thought I was going to have to drop my 2^nd work school course but a last minute change yesterday meant school was back on. I do not understand why it takes me 30 minutes to go 17 miles. From one town to another and 10 of those miles are highway! And I do not drive slowly. Class ran late but that was ok as I like to space out my runs during race week. 2 days between each run, so, I ran Monday and I will get in some miles tomorrow, then race day on Sunday!!!! 🙂

I may try to do an easy 2 either on the treadmill or at the track on Saturday, but not likely. I plan to drive down and pick up my race packet and shirt and do a bit of shopping that day. I would rather spend the gas money and go down twice than have to stress about picking the packet up on race day. Plus I am kind of OCD and I like to get all my gear together the night before. This way I don’t have to think about it race morning. I can worry about other things.

Like how crappy race photos turn out! The race photographer sent an email tonight saying there will be 7 photographers on the course along with 2-3 people filming. Great, more cranky looking pictures. Like this one from the 10K I just ran-

And seriously what kind of lens does he use? Everyone looks very stout, even the tallest skinniest of people. Oh and the course? It was flat, like pancake flat-

Where did those slopes come from?
(Photos by Brian P Lawler)

So here’s to hoping this next photographer uses different filters and I get one I may actually want to pay for.

Hope everyone made it through Wednesday and is having a good week!!

Anyone else with OCD tendencies?