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!

I suck..

I really do.  I've neglected my blog for almost a month!  I could tell you all the reasons, like I had to plan my daughter's birthday party, finish up training for Silver Strand and then get ready for some holiday travel (which is all true), but it would probably sound just like excuses so I will definitely get this blog caught up! PROMISE!!  It truly has been a busy November!

Training Update

The race is only two weeks away.  Training has been going well for the past couple of weeks - I got up to 13 miles last week. But these next couple of weeks are gonna prove tough to keep up with training.  There's lots of things going on with Halloween, races and my daughter's birthday party coming up.  So I'm gonna use this time to rest and recover.  I'll do some short but fast runs so my body remembers its still in training.  Cross your fingers for me!

Random Stuff: It's so me..

Just wanted to share this picture going around the web. It totally reminds me of me when I run. (I think I may even have a yellow jacket like the one the little girl is wearing!) Whenever I look at it, I can't help but laugh!!  Have you ever seen the episode of Friends, where Phoebe and Rachel go running together?  And Phoebe runs all crazy because she says it more fun to run like that.  Now I may not run quite as crazy as Phoebe does, but I know I sure don't look like the girl at the top of the picture but I sure do have fun running and that's the whole point, isn't it?

Random Stuff: Why do you run?

"People ask why I run. I say, 'If you have to ask, you will never understand.'  It is something only those select few know.  Those who put themselves through pain, but know, deep down, how good it really feels."
~ Erin Leonard, competitive runner.

I don't think anyone could have said it better. 

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Track Workout

I went to my first track workout with Ekiniris Performance.  Glenn Matanza, the head coach, is friends with my husband and we saw him and his wife (who is an elite tri-athlete) at a picnic this summer.  We got to talking about the races and their coaching services.  They have weekly track workouts along with swim and bike sessions (for tri-athletes).  Glenn invited me to come to their track workout session to check it out. I had set a goal earlier this year to break the 2 hour mark for the half marathon.  As I told you before, I missed  my goal in February by a minute.  Seriously so frustrating every time I think about it.  Anyways, I hadn't been able to attend all summer and was definitely out of training mode.  But with Silver Strand only 6 weeks away, I figured I'd better get on it.  So I went to the track workout this past Tuesday.  It was at NTC Liberty Station in Point Loma.  It's a nice open grassy area with the bay in the background.

We ran several 600s and Glenn gave us several tips on running form.  That night, boy, did I feel sluggish! (That'll teach me to eat carne asada fries and Hodad's burgers all summer! But I have to admit, it was still worth it!)  We finished up the night with some ab exercises.

The next day, I had a recovery run of 2 miles.  Then I rested the next day.  Last night, I set out to run 6 miles.  I ran 6.5 miles @ 8:59 pace!  And it didn't feel too hard!  I am amazed!  I haven't ran that pace since earlier this year.  I focused on my form and it made running easier.  Felt like my legs had alot of energy. Guess that track workout helped! I will be back next week for another grueling track session.  Crossing my fingers that it'll get me to my half marathon goal!