Half 2/2/14



I am so very happy to have completed my second Half Marathon, Surf City in HB, and even beat my first time (2:20)!  Overall, this was a good run for me and my body felt great.  I trained hard for this one since Christmas and felt much more ready and confident than my first Half last January.  Miranda and I plan to do the Beach Challenge, where you run 3 in a row (LB, HB and OC) and you get a very special finishers medal after the third.  I was also very happy to run it with a very old friend and my family! : )

 

Here are some pictures of us before the run in the Expo tent, riding some waves.  My friend Kevin and I went to Whittier Christian Jr. High and Sunny Hills High school together so have known each other for over 25 years!  It was sooo awesome to see his smiling face this morning.

   

 

My greatest accomplishment of this run was keeping with my fellow marathon runners, the General (AKA Miranda) and Uncle Ricky for the first 6.5 miles!  My pace was 9:30 and I felt great.. I was hoping to stay with them until the finish line, but it always seems that my body likes to slow down around 7 miles.  When we hit Bolsa Chica and turned back up PCH to head back up towards Main Street, the headwind was strong and it sucked ASS!  My time slowed down to almost 11 minutes a mile and my legs felt like they weighed 100 lbs each.  But, I focused hard and dug deep until I saw the balloons over the finish line.  Miranda finished in 2:09 and her sweet face was the first thing I saw when I crossed.  She snapped this great picture of me, capturing my moment of joy to be DONE.

 

 

In just 13 weeks, we will be out there again for the OC Half Marathon on May 4, 2014.  But, for now I am going to sit on my couch with a beer and some yummy Mexican food from Joaquin's and watch the Super Bowl with my family.  Go Bronocs! 

 

 

 

 

Fitness Gadgets

Many of you who follow my blog know that I am a sucker for the latest fitness app or newest gadget. I have two new Christmas presents that I want to share with you all..

 

The first is one of the coolest things ever.. the Fitbit (http://www.fitbit.com/).   Thank you to my amazing Mother n' Law for this one. It is the greatest little device that you wear 24/7 and it tracks all of your daily steps, distance, stairs climbed, calories for even sleeping patterns! I love it so much and I find myself walking around the house or backyard late at night if I haven't reached my daily goal. The following is a screen print of the app, that uses Bluetooth to sync up with the little Fitbit.

 

 

 

The next gift was from my Momma... new running compression socks!  I had seen these on occasion out on the trail or at a fitness expo after a race.  I had experienced some minor shin pains and runners knee in the past.  These compression socks are AWESOME!  They feel like they are constantly massaging your calves as you run.  But, my favorite part is right after a long distance run while I am resting on the couch.. they continue to provide comfort and support and almost eliminate any "after running" pains I used to experience.

 

 

 

 

Training for Half #2

We are so lucky to live in beautiful SoCal and I can appreciate a sunny day anytime!  Even windy days are normally very enjoyable.. being outside with the kids and watching all the nasty smog be blown away or up in my office looking out at the beautiful view of downtown.  BUT, windy days are NOT fun when you are going for a distance run!  

 

As of today, I have 4 weeks until my second half marathon.. and it feels like crunch time!!  My training routine currently consists of a 5k during the week and my long distance runs on Sunday morning. Today was my 9 mile day, next week will be 10, then 12, and finish off with an 8 mile run one week before the Half. When I make my goals, I always set out to complete them and do not allow myself any excuses! 

So, back to my windy day.. I parked in my normal dirt lot of La Palma and started running around the Yorba Regional lake. The head wind sucked, I mean it seriously felt like I was carrying an extra 50 pounds! So after my second time around the lake, at about mile 3, I had a choice to make:

 

1. Start my 3rd lap around the lake and hit the head once again

2. Head back to my car and be very pissed off at myself for the week

3. Run out on the Santa Ana river trail and just keep going and gamble with the wind

 

So I of course, I chose #3.  As I ran out on the river bed the tail wind hit me right on the butt and it was kind of like the hand of God picking me up and carrying me as I was running! It felt so flippin good! Miles 4, 5, and 6 were amazing and I was making very good time. I passed some bikers and other runners going the opposite direction, against the headwind, and they were struggling big time.  It kinda made me feel like I was a running champion and gave me a huge boost of self-confidence! : )

Miles 7, 8, and 9 were pretty tough as the wind changed direction and I was fighting it head-on once again.  When I finished at mile 9, I felt good but then I looked around and realized....WOW, I am  really far from my car!  So, I did the only thing I  possible could do... I called my hubbie to rescue me!  "Honey, I am on Van Buren and La Palma by the trout farm, can you please come pick me up?"  And my knights in shining armor came to the rescue!! : )

Next Sunday for my 10.. I really hope there is no wind...