Recovery Monday, 4/2/2018

Even though I kept having to make up runs and I always seemed behind, I ended March with good mileage. I ran 266 miles, and I did all of my SOS runs.

Yesterday, I had to wake up very early to get my long run in. I ran 18 miles. My legs felt incredibly heavy. I ran very slow, and there was little fun to be had. I don't know what the problem was. Later that day, we all went hiking and I felt fine.

Hiking

I almost missed this guy in the tree. I think that it is a California Whipsnake (striped racer). I know little about identifying snakes, so I could be wrong. The only snake that I can identify is a rattle snake. I'm not particularly afraid of snakes, but I don't like them a whole lot either.

Today was a recovery run. I ran 11 miles very slowly. this should be my peak week in mileage. We'll see how it goes.

Long Run Thursday, 3/29/2018

trail run

I have trails close to my house, but I normally don't run on trails during the week. I find the downhills to be too hard on my knees. However, it just rained. It is amazing out right now, and it won't last long. To make up some miles, I had to run pretty long yesterday; so I couldn't resist a few miles on the trails.

beet juice

I have been feeling super tired lately, so before I left I juiced a beet.  Beets are supposed to give you energy. I started out on the trails, and promptly got lost, but I had no worries. I could see landmarks the entire time.  I wasn't really lost. It was as beautiful as I anticipated. That was a wonderful run.

I stopped home to change shoes and shirt, have a scoop of Ucan and pick up my handheld (filled with tailwind). I set off for an easy ten. It was fine, but as I've said before, anything over ten miles in training turns into work. I was ready to be done by the time I got home. I logged 14.5 miles on Wednesday.

Usually, I would run my MP on Thursday, but since I ran so long yesterday, I wanted to give my body some recovery time.  I'll do the MP tomorrow. Today, I ran 6 before work at an recovery pace.

Skirt Sports Challenge: Funniest Race Pic
The challenge is to post a race pic that you love to hate. I had a great time on the day the photo below was taken and not because I like color runs. I loved running with my son. It was just he and I, and I enjoyed every minute of hanging out with him. This pic represents a fun day, so I can't really hate it, but it is so stinking unflattering.  Ugh...

Color Run

Sunday Long Run, 3/25/2018

It is Palm Sunday, so there is no way that I could skip church, today. I had 17 on the schedule and to get that in before church required an early wake-up. I ate a grill cheese sandwich, had some coffee and got out the house pretty quickly.

It was cold and on the first leg of the run. Somehow, I managed to get myself stuck behind orange do not enter tape. I won't say any more about that. I stopped at home to use the restroom, change to a short sleeve short, pick up my handheld and have a scoop of Ucan. I was home a lot longer than I would have liked,but I was moving as fast as possible. I wore a short sleeve, shorts and gloves for the rest of the run.  I assumed that I would take the gloves off eventually, but I didn't take the gloves off until I was about 1/2 mile from home.

There weren't a lot of people out, but weird things happened. At about 8:30 in the morning, as I'm running, I smell the strong and undeniable odor of marijuana. People are in front of their house, hanging out, smoking weed. Did they even eat breakfast? I was running through a nice neighborhood, so I guesspublic smoking is going mainstream.

I little while later, I car turned onto the dirt path that I was running on. The car had no business being there, and it was headed straight for me. I wasn't scared, but I started all of my contingency planning for escape. The car stopped about 100 meters from me and the driver pulled out a massive camera and took a picture of me. It was really strange.

Finally, a record number of people were walking their dog off leash. The only situation that was scary was when I encountered a guy with his two German Shepherds off leash. The dogs were fine, but there is no way to really know until it is almost too late.

I ran the first 4.5 miles really slow. Just eyeballing the paces, I probably averaged something like an 11 minute mile.  Again, just eyeballing, I'd guess that miles 4.5-13 were about 9:45.  Miles 13-17 were at an 8:40 pace. I averaged those 4 miles with a calculator. The last 1.3 were basically a cool down (about 10:50). I guess it would be fair to call it a progressive run.

The view was so nice in one particular spot, that I went back later in the day to take a pic. Most of my run is in suburban neighborhoods, so the view was a nice treat.

Long Run Sunday, 3/18/2018

I was supposed to race today, but I just couldn't muster the desire. The alarm rang at 4:30, and I turned over. Three hours of driving and freezing temps did not inspire me to get out the bed. Since I didn't run my half, I figured I'd better pick up the pace of my long run.  I warmed up on the TM and, and I ran 13 at an 8:40 pace (14 total miles). I kept waiting for it to warm up to leave, so I ate too early. I had a scoop of Ucan, but I probably had that too early, also. I packed 8 oz of tailwind, but it just wasn't enough calories.  The run was very hard. The first 4-5 miles were great, but around the middle I started feeling like crap, even nauseous at the end. It is legitimately a difficult route, and I didn't have enough to eat or drink, but, also, I'm getting tired. I'm on week 9 of Hansons. That is exactly the halfway mark and this is where you just have to dig deep to get it done.


#24Skirt: Lota Breeze Capris

#Lottabreeze

One of the nice things about the Lotta Breeze skirt is that I can workout in it, but also feel comfortable doing an errand or other activities while wearing it. I have no problem wearing tights or compression shorts when I’m running, but if I’m hiking with my kids or going to the grocery, etc., I like a little more coverage. The Lotta Breeze is definitely a versatile skirt. In the top pic, I'm stretching and doing core work. In the bottom, I'm going on a walk with my kids.

Why I Run, 3/11/2018

Long Run Sunday

I set my alarm to get up and run before church, but it was another early morning failure.  It didn't matter, because everyone woke up late. Once I got up, I had breakfast, but I didn't actually get out of the house. I did not start running until after 10AM, so I was really hungry on the run. The route I chose had lots of hills. I thought that I would pick up the pace a little, but that didn't happen. It was truly a long, slow run (17 miles @ 9:25). It was pretty enjoyable for maybe the first ten miles. Then, it turned into work. The last 3 miles were difficult.

Elevation Profile

Why I Run

I have been thinking a great deal lately about why I run, and what will it take to keep me running in ten years. Competition is what has driven me up to this point, but I know that it won’t be enough to motivate me running for a lifetime. I ran my first 5K at the age of 39. My story is not unlike many women. After I had kids, I stopped working out, but when my kids got a little older, I started to take better care of myself. Working out gradually led to jogging, which eventually led to me running my first 5K. I was hooked with that first race.  I had never done anything competitive before. I didn’t know a single girl, before I entered high school, that participated in any organized sport. Approaching middle age, I knew that I loved the outdoors and that there were periods in my life when I loved to workout, but I had never actually experienced the thrill of competition.

I found out that the thrill of competition wasn’t figurative. It is an actual thrill.  I started taking training more seriously, and I did well. I ran 5ks thru half marathons for a few years. Below is a picture of my first half marathon. I'm pretty sure that I am wearing a skirt sports running skirt. I just gave that skirt away a few months ago, because it was too big.

Half Marathon, Santa Barbara 2010

I told myself that I would run a marathon if I ever ran 1500 miles in a year. I got close, but in 2015, I ran 1500 miles, so I felt like I was ready to take on a marathon. That first marathon was the best race of my life. I had put so much into the training, and I had no expectations of myself. It was the first time that I ever felt that I had already achieved my goal before I even started. I was happy and chatty for almost the entire race. It got miserable around mile 20, but I think that is the nature of a marathon. I truly loved that experience. I love to compete, but I loved running for the joy of the experience.
For me it is difficult to put down the burden of expectation. I get closest during some trail races.  There is often a time during a trail race when you know that you aren’t lost, and you are running completely alone. I love those moments. The expectations melt away, and I am just happy.   Frankly, most of the time, I’m running for time, competing against myself or someone else and seeking AG awards. I enjoy competition, but that just isn’t going to cut it in long run. It is going to be the joy that keeps me doing this over the long term. I’m not really there yet, but I’ve had a taste of what it can be like and that is my goal.

Long Run Saturday, 3/3/2018

Breakfast yams

I have a long run on the schedule for Sunday, but my kids and my husband are out of town all day today, so I figured that I would do the long run, today, instead of tomorrow. It was raining when I got up, so I had to wait a little bit to let it clear.  I had an egg, toast and coffee, as well as a bowl of sugar covered yams for breakfast.

Equipment

I had a short(ish) long run was on the schedule, but since I had a big chunk of the day to myself, I decided that I would do a long(er) long run.  I took a loop around the neighborhood and made a bathroom stop at home and picked up my handheld. It had started to drizzle a little, so I left my sunglasses. The weather was gloomy, at first, but it never started to rain.  The temperature was mild, but the weather was all over the place. Sometimes it was windy, sometimes the sun shown through and sometimes it was dark and drizzly. I ran 17.4 miles at 9:42 pace.  I lost three pounds during the run, and I made a real effort to take in 48 oz of liquid fairly quickly.  I feel no headache right now while I'm typing, so I think it worked. This run topped a 61 mile week which is the longest of 2018.

Juice

Yesterday, I made a delicious juice from mostly dinner scraps.  The recipe included uneatable strawberries (I would have had to throw them away if I hadn't juiced them.), arugula stems, lettuce scraps and a handful of spinach. My juicer doesn't do well with soft fruits, but it was still yummy.

Long Run Sunday, 2/25/2018

I had a 15 miler on the schedule, but I decided on a 17 mile route. I go to church on Sundays, so I have to be finished running by 10:30AM which meant for a pretty early Sunday wake-up.

I had a breakfast of a bagel, banana and coffee. Even though I got up early, it wasn't early enough to take care of all my bathroom needs. I started the run with a loop near my house. At first, everything was great, but I had to go to the bathroom about halfway through, so it was torture until I got back home.

I took a quick bathroom stop and picked up my backpack. The rest of the run was an out and back. I listened to an audiobook for about 2/3 the time and turned on some music for the final 3rd. I stopped two more times to go to the bathroom.

I run pass a parking lot that is usually just dirt, but today I noticed that the lot was covered with what appeared to be some kind of squash.

Parking Lot

I, also, run pass strawberry fields and the berries looked perfect.

Strawberry Field

This run was fine, but it felt long. I was tired of running at about the 10 mile mark. I completed the run just under 3 hours at a pace of 10:17. When I do it in a couple of weeks, I'll speed it up a little.

Long Run Sunday, 2/11/2018

I had a nice long run this morning fueled with a piece of toast and boiled egg for breakfast, as well as a scoop of Ucan right before I left the house.  The weather was perfect, and I felt good.  I stopped a twice, once to go to the bathroom and once to take a pic of blooming hedge that caught my eye.

I decided to carry a hydration pack.  I’m pretty sure that I’ll never find the perfect pack, but my magnet clip improves this one. I have a magnet attached to the hose and a clip attached to the pack. It keeps the hose out of the way but easily accessible. I pulled the clip off of my ultraspire pack.

Long Run Sunday, 1/28/2018

Yesterday, I watched The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young.  You can see the trailer here.  The Barkley Marathons is an ultra-marathon trail race held in Frozen Head State Park  near Wartburg, Tennessee in which runners attempt to complete (5) 20+ mile loops within a 60-hour time limit.  Since 1995, only 18 people have completed all 5 loops.

The race and the people who run it are unusual and interesting.  I enjoyed the movie a great deal.  I'm not sure if someone who isn't a runner would enjoy it as much as I did.  There was an understated approach to production that zapped the excitement.  Instead of building anticipation, the production choices actually served to mute the viewers awe of these eccentric, amazing people. It is a great story that runners will enjoy, but I think it could have been better.

I had a long run on the schedule today. I stepped out the door & immediately realized that I was not recovered from yesterday.  I knew that trying to hit paces would be an excercise in frustration and no fun, so I decided to change plans.  I ran on my local trails.  My legs were heavy and the pace slow (11:30), but I enjoyed the run.  I went home for a pit stop at about 8 miles.  I had some water, an electrolyte pill & a goo.  I had already drank 10 oz. of tailwind.  I went back out for a few more miles.  I did 11.5 altogether.  Most of the miles were fun.  Predictably, I started getting tired at about 10 mile mark.  For recovery, I made a protein shake and took a soak in the spa.

Long Run Sunday and Recovery Monday, 1/22/18

Last week was a 50 mile week, but this week is a cutback.  I have 42 miles on the schedule with only an 11 miler scheduled yesterday, but I did a little over 14 (13 miles at 9:38 pace).  The weather was perfect, and I felt good.

There was a lot of activity out there during Sunday's long run.  I engaged (3) situations concerning off-leash dogs, none scary but all unnecessary.  In one, a man was yelling at another because the other guy's off-leash dog was being aggressive with his on-leash dog.  I managed to run past without being noticed.  If only people would follow the law and leash their dogs, but it is never going to happen.

I encountered a semi-hostile homeless man on a bike path.  I always give homeless people a wide birth, but I disturbed him, and he woke up agitated.  I knew that there was no way he could catch me, but I made mental note to stay alert on the way home.  He was still there on my way home, but he seemed very much asleep.

At one point, I had a race with a small child.  She might have been 4 or 5.  She was running up the bike path trying to get her mother and grandmother to chase her, but they weren't interested.  As I ran past, I asked the Mom if she wouldn't mind if raced the little girl.  She was all for it, so as I approached her I asked her if she wanted to race.  The gal got a huge smile on her face.  Said "yes," and took off.  We ran about 50 meters.  I didn't want her to get too far away from her Mom, so I made her stop.  She laughed the entire way.  Just thinking about how delighted she was fueled me for 5 or 6 miles.

It was a great run for about ten miles.  I felt good at the ten mile mark, but I was just ready to be done.  In general, 10 miles is where I lose interest.  Anything past 10 is just for training.

I did a tabata at 13 to keep myself motivated.  I had about 1.5 miles uphill to get home.  I figured that I was going to be miserable no matter what, so I might as well get it over with. I thought that I was running so fast during the tabata, but only about two of them were actually fast.

I have a 5 mile recovery run on the schedule today.  It hasn't happened yet, but I'll get it done.

MLK Long Run Monday, 1/15/2018

Yesterday, I ran 5.82 recovery miles.  All I remember is that it was slow.

I wouldn't normally run long on a Monday, but since it's a holiday, I ran a long run of 13.5.  I didn't fuel particularly well.  I had a boiled egg, coffee and a piece of corn bread for breakfast.  Right before I left, I drank 4 oz. of water with a scoop of UCAN.  I carried 10 oz. of tailwind in a handheld.  I was aiming for a pace of 8:55-8:59.  I ran non-stop for 8.5.  At 8.5, I went to the bathroom, refilled my water bottle and took an endurolyte pill.  I stopped a few other times at lights.  Each of the times I stopped I milked it for a little more than I actually needed to.  I did 13 miles at 8:57 pace.

My pace was pretty even throughout.  I stopped my watch at 13 and then did a 1/2 mile recovery.  By the time I got home, I was feeling both nauseous and dizzy.  I had some milk and whey protein which evened me out. 

Wet Windy Miles Monday 1/8/2017

Saturday, I ate a bagel about an hour before my run, and had a scoop of UCAN with 4 ounces of water right before I went out the door.  I ran 13.5 at an easy pace.  The first 11 miles were fine, but it was difficult toward the end.  I hope to run my marathon at a 7:53 pace, so I aim for my easy runs to be between 9:45-9:55 once I really get into training.  At the amount of mileage that I’m doing right now, I could run the easy runs faster, but I usually don’t.  I  haven’t done my hip and ab exercises in a while, so I should get on that.


I hoped to get up and run this morning in the rain, because at least there wouldn’t be too much wind, but I didn’t get up early enough.  I did 3.9 in the rain and wind, but the temp was mild.  I can't figure out how I misread my watch.  I thought that I had ran 4 until I got home and checked.