Time to Volunteer

At work, we created a Live Well program and I was chosen to be part of the committee.  We are responsible for creating a program that encourages employees to take better care of their physical and mental health.  We've set up several events to promote better exercise habits for our employees to attend such as local 5ks.  Our last event touched on the altruistic part of our program.  We decided to volunteer at an aid station at the Carlsbad Marathon/Half Marathon.  I was excited about this event because its one of my favorite races to run but since I couldn't run it this year, volunteering in it was the next best thing.

Due to the time commitment we asked of our employees so we didn't have a great turn-out but we did have about 20 ppl show up.  We had to be in Carlsbad by 530am since the marathon start was at 6am and they could be asked to stay as late as 1230pm.  We volunteered with a group called Mended Little Hearts.  They were responsible for making sure they had enough volunteers for the entire race. There were quite a mixture of volunteers at this aid station - high school and college students and other adults.  The aid station was situated at mile 3/23 for the marathon and 3/10 for the half marathon so we were very busy both during the beginning and ending of the race. (There were about 8500 runners in both distances) Thank goodness, they provided breakfast and lunch for the volunteers! (and they gave us some nice tshirts too!) The majority of us were stationed at the water tables, but a few of us were scattered about the mile to clean up and to make sure no cars entered onto the course.  But our biggest job was to cheer for the runners!  It was so inspiring to see all these people - some veteran runners, some beginner runners - finishing this great distance!  I know from experience all you need to hear sometimes is that you can do it or that you're looking strong (even if you aren't) or just someone to hand you that cup of water when you just don't have any more energy to get it yourself. 

We had a couple of our employees running in the half marathon as well.  It was great for us to be able to be there to cheer them on!  They both finished in great time!  I also had a couple of my own friends running in the marathon and half marathon. I loved being there to hand them a cup of water and give them a big hug for doing so well!  :) 

What's even better is that the Monday after we volunteered, several of the employees who volunteered were so inspired that they wanted to run/walk some races this year.  A couple of them even wanted to complete the Triple Crown Series (three specific halfs) in San Diego!  It's been a few weeks since we held the event and these employees are still taking steps towards these new goals! 

I haven't volunteered for a long time and I'm really sorry about that.  I really should try to make an effort to do that more this year since I'm not racing (we are expecting our second child!).  It really inspires me as a runner and as person not just to run but to remember why I love running so much.  It can push you to do things you never thought you'd be able to do, it can calm your mind, it helps your heart and it can really show you what your fellow humans are made of.

2011: A Year in Review

Another year has flown by... but I can't complain.  It was a really good year for me!  I PR'd in almost (damn the 5k! grrr!) every distance (that I've tried) this year.

Here are my new race PRs:

10k - 55:26
Half Marathon - 2:00:59
Marathon - 4:31:16

I'm proud of those times.  They reflect the hard work and energy I put into it.  And I did all this training alone. However, I did miss my 2011 goal for the half.  I had a goal to get a sub-2 hour time.  As I've mentioned previously, I missed it - by one minute!  Grrr! *breathe in, breathe out* But this is about appreciating how far I've come as a runner.

Every year since I've been running I've tried to make it a point to run a new race at least once a year.  I've definitely found my fav races here in California and I can't give them up!  But out of the 8 races I ran this year 7 of them were new.  Wow!  Blew that goal away!

I had a couple of "firsts" this year as well.  I ran my first mud run - the Gladiator Rock n Run - in Irvine.  My friend Bridget, her husband, brother and some friends ran too.  Since I have never run one of these before I wasn't sure what to expect.  I read on the website that costumes were welcome but almost everyone we saw had a costume or team uniforms of some kind.  It was fascinating to see!  People dressed up in S.W.A.T. team gear to wedding dresses and tuxes.  It was so crazy!   The obstacles weren't nearly as bad as they described them to be. But those mud pits were no joke! Yuck! They said you'd get mud in places you never thought - and they were right! LOL! Overall it was more like a party than a race.  I'd definitely like to do another one!

The "before" picture

The "After" picture of the entire crew

The other first this year was when I ran a trail run.  I usually run road races but when I saw this race and it was in remembrance of the 9/11 Heroes, I decided to run it.  It was a good experience and it is totally different than a road race.  We ran through lots of gravel and rocky ground.  Jumped over boulders and tree trunks.  The most I had to be aware of in road races were dropped Gu packets and crushed solo cups.

Mission Trails - 9/11 Heroes Run

Probably my most memorable race this year was the LA Marathon. I ran it with my friend Bridget who lived in Santa Monica at the time.  All week they had been forecasting for race weekend.  But not just rain - ALOT of rain.  The rain held off Friday and Saturday.  In anticipation for the rain, we got some unused garbage bags to use as rain ponchos.

Early Sunday morning as Andrew (Bridget's husband) was dropping us off, it began to drizzle on and off. Surprisingly, it was only a light sprinkle when the race began. I was wearing our make shift rain poncho over two layers.  After a couple of miles, it still wasn't raining and I was getting super hot! So at mile 4, I ripped off the poncho.  And of course, you know what happened.. it began to pour!!  The rain was so heavy at times that all I could see was a little waterfall from the bill of my cap. (Found out later that race day had historic record rainfall!)  I kept my eyes on the road because there were tons of puddles and little rivers on the streets.

I never did get to see the Hollywood sign or really savor running down Sunset Blvd.  And Rodeo Drive was a big watery blur.  But I was making great time!  At the half mark, my time was apprx 2:05 and I was feeling good.  Wet and cold but good. Until mile 22.  It was then I think the cold and rain finally got to me.  Even though they were moving, my legs just couldn't get warm and felt pretty numb. So I tried a walk/run combo for the next couple of miles and stretching at each mile.  At mile 24, I scarfed down a bag of Sportbeans and said, "Legs, let's go!" and they went!  LOL!  As fast as they could go! Which wasn't very fast but it was faster than those last few miles!  Finally on the last mile, the race turned onto Ocean Blvd which apparently was the where the gale force winds decided to push us sideways!  Grrrr! I said really loudly, "Seriously?!  The last mile?!  C'mon!" This guy next to me laughed and said, "Right?!" (he also said some other choice words, but we'll leave those out) We could see the finish line but it seemed so far away and it was so hard to get there!  I yelled, "Finished strong!" and took off.  I finished with a new PR of 4:31. And given the weather conditions, I couldn't be happier with that time.

It was a great year!  I hope 2012 brings just as much hard work, energy and blessings as I was able have in 2011.

My Race Wish List

It's December and it's time to think of the races I'd like to run in 2012 (or thereafter!)

My Race Wish List!  This list is compiled of races I've heard first hand are a great experience and just plain old fun!  I hope I'll be able to check off some or all in the next couple of years. Although this list will probably grow greatly in the coming years!

1. Boston Marathon What runner's list doesn't include this? But I don't want to just run in it - I want to QUALIFY for it.  So it may never happen but I won't stop trying!
2. ING New York Marathon My friend Darryl told me that when he ran it he literally felt like thousands of his closest friends were cheering him on.  How's that for support?!
3. Bay to Breakers in San Francisco. Word is this is the biggest party race.  Missed the anniversary of the 100th race last year but I'm sure all the years to come will be just as fun!
4. Soldier Field 10 mile in Chicago.  Since Chi-town is my hometown, it would only make sense that I'd list one of the iconic races held there. I am able to combine two of my favorite things: the Bears and Running! I ran the Chicago Marathon last year so I was able to cross that off my list. (Yes!)
5. Ragnar Relay What a great experience this race would be!  Running with and supporting 11 of my friends over 200 miles.  I couldn't think of a better use of my time.
6. Goofy Challenge This race is held in Walt Disney World (hey family vacation!) and it takes place over two days.  On Saturday, you run a half marathon and then on Sunday you run a full marathon.  Definitely for those a little "Goofy" in the head.. like me!  LOL!
7. RnR Las Vegas Half  It'll be interesting to run a race that starts at 5:30 at night!  Wonder if there's slot machines along the course? ;-P

What races do you have planned for 2012?

Silver Strand Half

The last few weeks of my training for this race were.. sporadic, at best.  I was planning my daughter's birthday party (which was the day before the race) and things were extremely hectic at work (budget time!).  I did get up to 13 miles but my pace was off.  Anyhow, earlier in the week they forecasted rain for the weekend and all I could think was, "Oh no! Shannon's first race!"  As I mentioned before, my friend Shannon is flying in from Chicago to run her first half marathon here in San Diego.  I really wanted her to have a great experience.  Thankfully, they only forecasted rain for Saturday and not for Sunday - woo hoo!!

So after my daughter's birthday party, I picked up Shannon from the airport and we headed to our pre-race meal at Puerto La Boca in Little Italy.  Yummy!  Then we went home to do some race prep.

The next morning we were up at 430am and started to get ready.  My co-worker Joseph carpooled with us.   We arrived at the start line and it was turning out to be a beautiful day already.  The sun was shining and the weather felt chilly - great running weather!

Shannon had said that her goal was 2:15 so we started in that wave.  I knew from my training that I was going to be hard-pressed to reach my goal (sub-2 hr) but I would be close.  However, after catching up with Shannon at dinner, I just wanted to run with her and help her get to her goal.  I rarely ever get to run with friends (especially the ones from my hometown Chicago) so I wanted to savor this opportunity.  Ha!

The race started and it was a clear sunny day!  You couldn't have asked for better weather!  So good in fact that we made a rookie mistake and ran a little too fast for the first 3 miles (like 8:40 mile, yikes!) knowing that was waaay too fast, we decided to slow it down for the next few miles.  I was afraid we had already done damage but it worked out.  It was a great flat race (which is hard to come by in San Diego) and had some nice scenic parts.  Shannon did awesome!!  We only had to walk twice and only for 30 seconds. We finished in 2:07!!  So proud of her!  She dug deep at the end and finished strong!

I think she had a good experience - she's talking about doing the half marathon in Vegas next year!  Got another one addicted... Yeah!

Shamu & you walk

Great weekend for the Shamu & you walk! Beautiful sunny skies and cool breezes along the south shores. It was a great event to benefit Rady's Children's hospital. The event had a one mile and four mile distance. The first mile went through Seaworld where they had huge lizards, penguins and llamas out for the kids to see up close. Then you could either join the family festival or continue on to the next 3 miles. My family and I had a great time and we hope to participate next year!

9/11 Hero Run

Just hearing the national anthem before the race brought tears to my eyes.  It brings me back to that fateful day and I can remember so clearly exactly what I was doing when I heard the news about the World Trade Center. 

The race was in Mission Trails Regional Park here in San Diego.  It was a beautiful place to hold an event that honored so many. 

There were alot more runners than I expected.  It started a little late and there were quite a few bottlenecks on the course.  I ran with my co-worker, Joseph and his dog Marley.  It was Marley's first race.  He did very well!!





Thanks to all the volunteers who help to make a race run smoothly and who ensure that we runners get to the finish line!  We couldn't do it without you guys! 

Towards the finish, I saw a man in full military uniform with all his gear on his back running.  I felt honored to be able to run in this race with him. 

It may have been 10 years since that day, but we will never forget...