as i left my house this morning alone (T and M didn't come this time) the sun was bright and there wasn't much of a chill in the air...the kind you expect at 7:30 in the morning. i started to worry a little...but since my flat 9 mile road run in the midafternoon on weds didn't kill me i was reasonably optimistic that i could handle the elements today.
i've been to Joaquin Miller Park many times....just not in awhile and i missed my exit. at least i gave myself extra time to get there. luckily that was the last time i got lost today. i left two things behind. my sunglasses and the garmin...
i charged the garmin along with the ipod the night before, it was ready to go.
i think it was when i remembered i had to gas up before heading to oakland that i got hurried. plus spending too long looking for my sunglasses before settling on a lesser pair. as it turned out i never even needed sunglasses since the trail was mostly covered. i paid extra attention to my solid pink and striped flags and didn't veer off course once. i just wished i had the garmin to gauge the miles....12 hilly, windy, trail miles is very disorienting.
i was adequately warmed up by the time i walked from my car up what would be the first of many hills that dropped down into a cool pocket in the valley where the registration area and start line was. the sun filtered through the tall pines and you could see people huddled in bands of light on the grass to keep warm.
i arrived a little after 8:00 am, grabbed my bib, hit the porta john than stashed my bag before finding a place to loosen up and stretch. i had plenty of time and mossied up when the 20ks were called to the starting line at 8:45 am.
in usual pctr fashion it wasn't long before the first monster hill showed up.
i walked. i walked ALOT. though technically, it was more like hiking. a heart rate monitor may be next on the gadget list. in the end, walking proved to be a good stratedgy and helped me shave 3 minutes off my last pctr 20k time.
the weather has been good all week and the sun was able to dry the trail up , other than one or two mushy parts it was pretty dry. one fellow runner commented on liking more mud. i prefer the drier conditions, as they make for faster funner not too mention safer descents.
pctr event's welcome both runners and hikers. there designed to be less competitive, and are more directed at personal achievement. the trails are as challenging as they are beautiful, and offer a variety of terrain and technical stuff. sequoia was no exception. it had it all. steep rocky rooty descents, merciless climbs...that willed your ass to walk before you even got to the foot of it, well groomed single track, nice wide flat duff covered trail that snaked it's way through the canopied forest.
the downhill portions were knarly. i LOVE fast descents. you can't hesitate on the steep downhills. i just go (as much as i can) with gravity's pull, eyes fixed on the terrain ahead searching for the next footplacing. eventually the fast descent slows to a slow jog or shuffle and i try to hold steady until i see the beginning of another hill before starting to walk again. with 1.7 miles to go after the last aide station. the final stretch was an awesome descent.....so narrow and fast, it flattened out as i approached the last 400 yards or so. the final descent did me in and i half walked and ran the rest of the way for a semi-strong finish.
my time was 2:35:??...i pr'd a whole 3 minutes! not bad for a last minute decision to jump into a pctr event...which if i do say so myself is kinda badass...in a middle aged wannabe trail diva kind of way.
oh and i save the best for last . today i got meet a real trail diva known in blogland as Catra the DIRT DIVA. she was just as sweet as i imagined she would be. i spotted her at the first aide station..she was working the race. we hugged and chatted for just a brief moment...but i know our paths are gonna cross again soon...
while i didn't miss the hassle of getting M out the door this morning, i did miss not seeing she and T at the finsh line. i didn't stay around very long afterwards, i even left before collecting my t-shirt...needed to get home so T could work for a bit. after i showered M and i headed out to lunch then to the mall for peddy/mannys and a little retail therapy. i found out a pedicure after a 12 mile run isn't such a good idea. i was mostly looking forward to a foot and leg massage plus i have 2 grayish toenails. there all pretty now though. i was wiggling and making a major spectacle of myself as the pedicurist attempted to exfolliate my tender feet much to the delight of M...until it was her turn.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
PCTR Seqouia 20K
At the last minute yesterday I registered for this race being held tomorrow at Joaquin Miller Park, one of my most favorite places to run locally.
no plans to PR this one, I haven't trained on hills or trails in awhile but i have free entrance for volunteering for PCTR so it makes sense to get my hill workout in a beautifully supported event like this. plus i have access to a few hundred ultra runners and i'm sure a few my have some tips or advice regarding my altitude questions for Bizz Johnson
have a great weekend all!
no plans to PR this one, I haven't trained on hills or trails in awhile but i have free entrance for volunteering for PCTR so it makes sense to get my hill workout in a beautifully supported event like this. plus i have access to a few hundred ultra runners and i'm sure a few my have some tips or advice regarding my altitude questions for Bizz Johnson
have a great weekend all!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Hello Lover
anyone will tell you i run for the buzz. the buzz, other terms of endearment include runner's high, the rush and so on. the buzz doesn't show up with a box of candy and flowers everytime either. it's elusive and makes me work for it .
just like a good lover when it does decide to show up your mighty glad it did. today my "lover" brought candy, roses and did this thing that had me grinining ear to ear. it was infectious too, every person i came upon was smiling back at me as i rambled along the marina trail.
Happy Valentines Day, make someone smile.
just like a good lover when it does decide to show up your mighty glad it did. today my "lover" brought candy, roses and did this thing that had me grinining ear to ear. it was infectious too, every person i came upon was smiling back at me as i rambled along the marina trail.
Happy Valentines Day, make someone smile.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Starting Over and Other News
went to the track today and started over with speed work. i'm straining to remember the apparent enthusiasm i had for it when speaking with mia awhile back.
ugh!
i jogged 2 miles to warm up and then headed over to the track around foootball field....it was too soggy in places...so i switched over to the blacktop's shorter track. the 3rd lane all the way around was approximately .17 miles
there was a couple playing basketball and they had their vehicle parked across the "track" so i would (gratefully) slow down when i got to that part. i don't know if what i did was technically speedwork but any pace that leaves me gasping for air is speedwork in my book.
i kept altering the pace and the distance either running a full loop at 7-8 min pace then walking a full loop...sometimes i'd run half a loop then walk until i caught my breath before running again. it was all pretty random but a good workout. i was too pooped to jog the whole mile and half home!
i signed up for a race in Oct '07.
a BIG one
and it's far away.
i'm sure the magnitude of this decision has yet to set in but i have plenty of time to prepare.
any suggestions on how a bay area resident and first time marathoner should go about training for the Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon in Susanville, CA with an elevation factor of 4200 feet?
ugh!
i jogged 2 miles to warm up and then headed over to the track around foootball field....it was too soggy in places...so i switched over to the blacktop's shorter track. the 3rd lane all the way around was approximately .17 miles
there was a couple playing basketball and they had their vehicle parked across the "track" so i would (gratefully) slow down when i got to that part. i don't know if what i did was technically speedwork but any pace that leaves me gasping for air is speedwork in my book.
i kept altering the pace and the distance either running a full loop at 7-8 min pace then walking a full loop...sometimes i'd run half a loop then walk until i caught my breath before running again. it was all pretty random but a good workout. i was too pooped to jog the whole mile and half home!
i signed up for a race in Oct '07.
a BIG one
and it's far away.
i'm sure the magnitude of this decision has yet to set in but i have plenty of time to prepare.
any suggestions on how a bay area resident and first time marathoner should go about training for the Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon in Susanville, CA with an elevation factor of 4200 feet?
Monday, February 05, 2007
San Francisco Half Marathon Report
As we entered the Panhandle I noticed lots of runners walking towards the park. I had T and M let me out a few blocks along and I walked up to a guy wearing a bib who later I learned was from New England...and asked him if I could walk to the start with him as I wasn't quite sure where it was. The chill in the air and the orange sunrise made me glad I layered clothing appropriately. We walked briskly towards the starting line.
Once we were in the registration area we bid our farewells and I headed towards the sweat check area and then to the porta-john line. I was still in line at the start of the race. 5 or so mins after the official start i jockeyed for position among the masses.
The race started at stowe lake and looped around the Panhandle then back through golden gate park. mile 9 is where we left golden gate park and where the great highway began. the surf on my right was visible through spaced out partitions but i was more aware of the wave of bodies in front of me. this section was rather tedious and seemed to just go and go and go.....every once in awhile a surfer would scoot across our path to get to the beach.
i stopped to pull off my long sleeved shirt ...instead of wearing 2 sports bras i wore one plus a tank top with a bra built in. this turned out to be just the right amount of layering. because of my change of clothing T didn't see me right away...he was looking for a long blue sleeved shirt...not a white tank top, but M saw me and T says he got pictures of me crossing the finish line. if i ever get around to removing the jammed cd in the tray i might start posting pictures again.
miles 10 to the finish are a bit of a blur. i knew i had reserves still just wasn't sure how long they would last.
the finish shoot was a first for me and i was startled when the runner in front of me stopped abruptly while the race volunteers collected the bottom half of his bib number. even as i watched this taking place it didn't occur to me to stop and they had to call out to me...i was concentrating more on not puking...having pushed running faster than i was fit for..one too many times this race... i left it all out there.
2:27:00 official
2:22:00 garmin
13 miles is a good stretch for me still. this is a good distance to continue to train for. i like the idea of a marathon in the fall...but this race was a reminder to respect the distance and train properly.
I'm ready for spring and cross training.
Once we were in the registration area we bid our farewells and I headed towards the sweat check area and then to the porta-john line. I was still in line at the start of the race. 5 or so mins after the official start i jockeyed for position among the masses.
The race started at stowe lake and looped around the Panhandle then back through golden gate park. mile 9 is where we left golden gate park and where the great highway began. the surf on my right was visible through spaced out partitions but i was more aware of the wave of bodies in front of me. this section was rather tedious and seemed to just go and go and go.....every once in awhile a surfer would scoot across our path to get to the beach.
i stopped to pull off my long sleeved shirt ...instead of wearing 2 sports bras i wore one plus a tank top with a bra built in. this turned out to be just the right amount of layering. because of my change of clothing T didn't see me right away...he was looking for a long blue sleeved shirt...not a white tank top, but M saw me and T says he got pictures of me crossing the finish line. if i ever get around to removing the jammed cd in the tray i might start posting pictures again.
miles 10 to the finish are a bit of a blur. i knew i had reserves still just wasn't sure how long they would last.
the finish shoot was a first for me and i was startled when the runner in front of me stopped abruptly while the race volunteers collected the bottom half of his bib number. even as i watched this taking place it didn't occur to me to stop and they had to call out to me...i was concentrating more on not puking...having pushed running faster than i was fit for..one too many times this race... i left it all out there.
2:27:00 official
2:22:00 garmin
13 miles is a good stretch for me still. this is a good distance to continue to train for. i like the idea of a marathon in the fall...but this race was a reminder to respect the distance and train properly.
I'm ready for spring and cross training.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Pre-race S.F.Half Marathon
The alarmed sounded off at 5am. I leaped out of bed to get the coffee going. I can hear M stirring in her room and T is out like a light. I like to savour this pre-race alone time.
Today is just another long slow Sunday run...my favorite kind.....except I'll just have alot more company.
M was cute lastnight as she cautioned me not to let the other runners force me to run too fast. I love that she knows that. I love that she's proud of her mama. I love that T is willing to haul me into the city at 6:30 am giving up several precious hours of sleep to support me.
I love that Mia loaned me her Garmin......knowing that I have a way of tracking my distance puts me at ease.....I'll be thinking of you running the same course when you were pregnant with Scotty getting choked up at the KP wellness messages......girl I get choked up too and I'm not even pregnant.
I have come a long way since my first 5k race. That little race taught me so much and I have been learning ever since. I will run my own race, I will be strong and when fatigue or pain sets in I will remember I've been there before and I will succeed.
13.1 here I come.
Today is just another long slow Sunday run...my favorite kind.....except I'll just have alot more company.
M was cute lastnight as she cautioned me not to let the other runners force me to run too fast. I love that she knows that. I love that she's proud of her mama. I love that T is willing to haul me into the city at 6:30 am giving up several precious hours of sleep to support me.
I love that Mia loaned me her Garmin......knowing that I have a way of tracking my distance puts me at ease.....I'll be thinking of you running the same course when you were pregnant with Scotty getting choked up at the KP wellness messages......girl I get choked up too and I'm not even pregnant.
I have come a long way since my first 5k race. That little race taught me so much and I have been learning ever since. I will run my own race, I will be strong and when fatigue or pain sets in I will remember I've been there before and I will succeed.
13.1 here I come.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Life in Forward Motion
so Garmin and me have seen each other twice this week and it's going well mostly due to the fact that we ask so little of each other.
if Garmin is right my BART trail run is 3.6 miles ...about what i thought. the richmond marina loop from my house is over 14 miles...i was way off on this, i thought it was between 8-10 miles. we got off to a sketchy start when Garmin failed to notice the first mile or so and i had to restart it. this is were it's wise for me to not get hung-up on the numbers because despite this marvel of technology...it's got two strikes against it:
1. me
2. it's only technology.
today's 13 plus mile mostly flat run boosted my confidence for my upcoming race. around mile 7 i felt pretty good and loose. by mile 8 the hot spot on my right arch started to bug me and i began to tense up abit.
a few times my right arm felt that weird tingling like a pinched nerve or something. only once or twice did i notice any shin pain or side stiches. i gued a total of 3 times and had water and gatorade left in both flasks by the end of the run. when i got home and had a look a small blister had begun to form but after a shower and rest it seemed to go away on it's own.
this is week 6 of the novice training plan i've been casually following and today should've only been a 10k. next sunday a 10 miler is on the schedule but we'll be in Mendocino celebrating our 7th wedding anniversay and a shorter run seems more likely.
the richmond marina urban trail run is mostly concrete with sandy trails on either side. i didn't like the feel of the sand wearing the asics plus i've been running on the harder stuff to get conditioned to it.
had i actually trained properly for this race mile 10 was where i was supposed to go into "race pace". the training sessions leading up to todays run well...don't look so good on paper. i'm just glad i hung on to finish. my legs had taken a pounding and by mile 12.7 i circled my neighborhood, determined to run the full 13.0
13.1 could kiss my tired ass...today.
conditions: low 60s, sunny blue skies, mild cross winds
distance: 13.03
time:02:32:53
best pace: 10:33
please send good vibes for these exact conditions on 2/4th.
because i'm not above bailing on lesser conditions.
i'm serious.
on a less wimpy note. i'm meeting Reba, my personal trainer at
All in One Fitness tomorrow at 5 pm for our first session. we'll meet again on weds at 3 pm. i paid for an 8 week start-up package and it wasn't cheap..but according to my demographic, i deserve it. plus my lazy butt got way soft this past couple months and i want to give personal training another try now that i've got a better base to build on. i was a bit wary of them (personal trainers) before but this studio seems different (better be for the money). so we'll see.
anger management is coming to and end...2 more meetings...remember the bad attitude guy i mentioned that first meeting? he's turned out to be an alright guy. class attendance dwindled during the holidays and there's only 6-7 of us left out of the original 18. it's been a good starting off point. i listened and learned. i'm far from done however. doubt i ever will be.
i've made a decision to request a transfer to the walnut creek facility. my boss won't like it but i don't think she'll be too surprised. i've gotten into the groove there and because it's a larger facility i have a greater pool of patients to draw from thus eliminating the need to travel as much to get my hours. i know there are no guarantees there never is in my industry the case load fluctuates everywhere...the advantage in w.c. is that it's a larger facility and has both rehab and sub-acute units. doesn't hurt that it's 5 important miles closer to berkeley.
i'm a little uneasy about breaking the news to my boss, understandable i suppose. but i've listened to my instincts on this and while the census will eventually go up again in concord i've been contemplating a change from there for awhile. a nicer larger facility, more patients with better rehab potential. i've examined the negatives...my new boss is tougher about time off, the culture is a bit "highbrow" in this building and there are still difficult patients that stay on caseload for too long but the pros and cons have been scrutinized carefully and i want to make the change.
personal training, anger management, new work place, and a half marathon on the horizon. who is this person i appear intent on becoming?
if Garmin is right my BART trail run is 3.6 miles ...about what i thought. the richmond marina loop from my house is over 14 miles...i was way off on this, i thought it was between 8-10 miles. we got off to a sketchy start when Garmin failed to notice the first mile or so and i had to restart it. this is were it's wise for me to not get hung-up on the numbers because despite this marvel of technology...it's got two strikes against it:
1. me
2. it's only technology.
today's 13 plus mile mostly flat run boosted my confidence for my upcoming race. around mile 7 i felt pretty good and loose. by mile 8 the hot spot on my right arch started to bug me and i began to tense up abit.
a few times my right arm felt that weird tingling like a pinched nerve or something. only once or twice did i notice any shin pain or side stiches. i gued a total of 3 times and had water and gatorade left in both flasks by the end of the run. when i got home and had a look a small blister had begun to form but after a shower and rest it seemed to go away on it's own.
this is week 6 of the novice training plan i've been casually following and today should've only been a 10k. next sunday a 10 miler is on the schedule but we'll be in Mendocino celebrating our 7th wedding anniversay and a shorter run seems more likely.
the richmond marina urban trail run is mostly concrete with sandy trails on either side. i didn't like the feel of the sand wearing the asics plus i've been running on the harder stuff to get conditioned to it.
had i actually trained properly for this race mile 10 was where i was supposed to go into "race pace". the training sessions leading up to todays run well...don't look so good on paper. i'm just glad i hung on to finish. my legs had taken a pounding and by mile 12.7 i circled my neighborhood, determined to run the full 13.0
13.1 could kiss my tired ass...today.
conditions: low 60s, sunny blue skies, mild cross winds
distance: 13.03
time:02:32:53
best pace: 10:33
please send good vibes for these exact conditions on 2/4th.
because i'm not above bailing on lesser conditions.
i'm serious.
on a less wimpy note. i'm meeting Reba, my personal trainer at
All in One Fitness tomorrow at 5 pm for our first session. we'll meet again on weds at 3 pm. i paid for an 8 week start-up package and it wasn't cheap..but according to my demographic, i deserve it. plus my lazy butt got way soft this past couple months and i want to give personal training another try now that i've got a better base to build on. i was a bit wary of them (personal trainers) before but this studio seems different (better be for the money). so we'll see.
anger management is coming to and end...2 more meetings...remember the bad attitude guy i mentioned that first meeting? he's turned out to be an alright guy. class attendance dwindled during the holidays and there's only 6-7 of us left out of the original 18. it's been a good starting off point. i listened and learned. i'm far from done however. doubt i ever will be.
i've made a decision to request a transfer to the walnut creek facility. my boss won't like it but i don't think she'll be too surprised. i've gotten into the groove there and because it's a larger facility i have a greater pool of patients to draw from thus eliminating the need to travel as much to get my hours. i know there are no guarantees there never is in my industry the case load fluctuates everywhere...the advantage in w.c. is that it's a larger facility and has both rehab and sub-acute units. doesn't hurt that it's 5 important miles closer to berkeley.
i'm a little uneasy about breaking the news to my boss, understandable i suppose. but i've listened to my instincts on this and while the census will eventually go up again in concord i've been contemplating a change from there for awhile. a nicer larger facility, more patients with better rehab potential. i've examined the negatives...my new boss is tougher about time off, the culture is a bit "highbrow" in this building and there are still difficult patients that stay on caseload for too long but the pros and cons have been scrutinized carefully and i want to make the change.
personal training, anger management, new work place, and a half marathon on the horizon. who is this person i appear intent on becoming?
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