Trail Less Traveled and my walk for a cure

First a shout out to Ed who ran the Paris Marathon Sunday morning. He took in his first sub 4hour marathon despite the crowds and cobblestones. I'm sure when he gets home you can read all about it here. We're so proud (and so jealous) but can't wait to run with him again soon.

Trail Less Traveled. This trail run took us up and around the hills overlooking (kind of) Lake Oroville. My plan was to have no goal, to just go out and have fun, take my time and cross the finish line. Some of us ran the Quarter marathon and some of us ran the 5K. I took off too fast into the race and when I hit "the hill" I was dragging. This hill just kept going and going and going. Vicki said it was about .6 miles or so of up, up, up. You look around the next corner for a reprieve. There wasn't one. At 3/4 of the way up I had to walk. I was walking faster than I was running. It was so awful and all I wanted to do was throw up. Thank goodness I didn't. When the top came I was so relieved!

The rest of the race was a lot of up and downs but just enough to push me but not so much as to make me cry, which wouldn't have taken much I'm sure. I caught up with Susan and we talked for a while. There was these guys who popped out of the bushes. I hadn't seen them before so I think they were taking a potty break, LOL. We kept them motivated for a mile or so making them run if we got too close to them. It's funny what a girl behind you can do for motivation hu? By the time we got to about 5.5miles I passed the boys and kept pushing it home. I came in at 1hour 6 minutes and 46 seconds. That's 10:12 a mile. Not great but not bad for the first trail run out of shape.

I'm looking forward to upping my mileage again trying to hit 25-30 miles a week through the spring. Summer will include a 10K program and a 5K in June, the Avon Walk for Beast Cancer (more info on that below) with my friends and then the Nike Women's Half Marathon in October while training for the CIM again.

This summer I will participate in my 6th Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in SF. 26.2 miles on Saturday and 13.1 miles on Sunday to raise awareness for the fight against Breast Cancer. Each year I have a new reason to walk. This year my Uncle Larry has been re diagnosed with cancer and this time it won't be an easy fight. Actually it is eventually going to be terminal. Chemo and surgery will help him hold on for awhile but eventually the cancer will take over. My biggest hope is that finding a cure for Breast Cancer, that my Mother in law is a survivor from, will be a key to finding a cure for cancers like Pancreatic cancer that took my Grandpa, Leukemia that took my Uncle James, and stomach cancer that is effecting my Uncle Larry.

This charity is more than a walk to me. It's a family affair. My Aunt Sandy (Uncle James' wife, Uncle Larry's sister), my mom, my Grandma all do so much for me to walk. They are throwing this huge Bunco party for me and last year raised an amazing $2100 toward my two walks. So if any of you are in the bay area and would like to come hang out and play bunco on June 13th give me a call. I'd love to see you. My family is so amazing. My Mother in law and her friend Jewels have had wonderfully successful yard sales that have raised as much as $1200 for me in one day. My friend Jenni and I are having fundraisers to ensure that we both walk including a local bunco game here in Chico. You see that this is more than a walk, its a mission for me. I am thankful for every day that I spend with my family and friends, thankful for my health and thankful to have the power to help.

mom, me, Aunt Sandy in Long Beach for my 5th AWBC

That sweet spot

So far we've had a good week. I took Sunday off of running and Monday the rain came. I headed out when the hubby got home and about a half of a mile in the rain started. Cindi didn't like it but as long as we kept moving everything was good. We took off towards KK's house and the levy and when we turned East onto the levy the wind and the rain came on strong. It was a hard run but we had a good 2.13 mile run in then turned around to head for home when the rain got harder. I have to say it was fun to go out and run next to the channel and have Cindi off her leash and the route to myself. I loved having the wind in my face on the way out so I could push myself through it and to my back on the way back. Once we got back to the houses and turned off the levy the wind wasn't so bad. I got home, soaked, dried the dog and got on with my day.

Tuesday's weather was high clouds and no rain, light wind. We did a .75 mile warm up then some plyometric work on the baseball field. then we did 1200m intervals at 15 seconds faster than 1/2 marathon pace. That was supposed to be 8:30-8:45pace. Of course I hung with Vicki, Liz and Vince (or tried) and did way faster intervals I was shooting for, more like 8 minute pace. I'm sore today. But I felt really good when I was done. I'm going to be sad when this program is over and I hope for the best for all of us in this half since it is quickly approaching.

Today I will be running with Good Neighbor and Gehrig, slow steady and great recovery run from last night.

Thursday is my long run so I won't have to have a sitter. Liz, Vicki, Vince and their significant others will be headed to Tahoe for a ski weekend and need to get it done early and if I get a weekend off of getting up early. Maybe I'll even make it to church this week.

My whole dream of doing one legged squats with the kettle bell... didn't happen. I'm having some guilt over spending more money on myself but I'm afraid to do the kettle bell thing myself.

Over achievers

You know those crazy people who run TO the race, then run the race and PR, then some of them even place in the top 3 of their age groups. Yea sorry. I'm part of that group and had Liz and I actually signed up and not just crashed the run (I must remember to write a check to Durham Sport Boosters this week) then Liz probably would have placed.

It was the perfect day for the "Almond Blossom" run. We went out along the midway and through the orchards and everything was blooming beautifully. Everything was wet with dew and fresh from the rains of the last few weeks. We could not have chosen a better day to do this long run out my favorite path to Durham. I'll have to steal pix from Ed, he was smart and had his camera with him.

So we left Vicki's at 7:20 Saturday morning and headed out to Durham. It is just under 7 miles out there so we jogged along campus to hit that 7 mile mark on the dime. So there were 7 of us I think running out there and Ed and Tracey headed back to get the big miles in. Vicki, Ross, Vince and Ross's parents all ran the 5k for real and Liz and I just jumped in for fun, this was my first (and probably only) bandit race. We would have PR'ed at about 25 minutes (had I not veered off course at 3.05miles) and Liz would have come in at 24:50 or so. She definitely would have placed. Vicki came in first in her age group, Ross placed, Vince placed, Sue placed. Our group kind of swept the top spots didn't we?

The run was great. We were doing mostly 9:40's out there, I ran 8:06 too fast for mile 1, 8:19 for mile 2 which is better time for me, and 8:22 for mile 3 even though I tried to speed up I had a side stitch that just would not let up. Liz creeped farther and farther in front of me and Vicki and Vince took off like a shot so I never even saw them once the gun went off.

We did run a little over a mile loop afterwards at a REAL easy pace. I think that helped Sunday to keep us from being sore.

I did see Good Neighbors husband "Coach" out there and he did good for his first run. He came in about 35 minutes but is feeling the pain from not stretching. I used to be that person... the one who didn't stretch. If I want to keep running though I can't make that mistake any more. LOL. I hope he's feeling better today and to see him out on the race field again.


*** I know I should not have crashed the race, I know that the money raised for this run goes to a very worthy cause and since I'm a huge supporter of local public schools and their sports departments (or lack of in this time of school cuts) I will donate directly to their boosters. It was not my plan originaly to run and with no time to sign up before hand, no extra $to pay for the race once I got there since I was running to the race. So I appoligize to anyone who is upset for my rebelious ways***

The Run Around

Today Good Neighbor and I went to KK's house to run with her on "her" route. Just beyond her house is the levy that goes all the way to 5 mile, the same levy I follow from the opposite side on our long runs into upper park. KK signed up for 5K program and she's going to do great! We took her dog Comet and Cindi and off we went. since I forgot to hit the start button on the Garmin (who needs a name) when we left I started it at the turn around and we got in about 3.3 miles with a couple of walk breaks today. The doggies were great. They stayed pretty close and when called they generally came running back. I hope that we ran off some steam since she hasn't been out for a run in over a week. OUCH. yea. But it was a nice recovery run for me and we had a nice girl time jog together. It was kinda cool to see the same old route from a new perspective, the clean air, the rushing water through the creek, the sunshine and beautiful park we live so close to. I can't wait to do it again.

and SLOW it GOES

I kept hearing (thanks Liz) that after a marathon you're in that speed zone (10 minute miles) and its hard to get out. Yea, I did my worst 10K time today and I was hurting. We were averaging 9:10 or so not bad but not really good either. My last 10K time was round 56:06 or so. We did the standard park loop and I run that route (generally in reverse though) about once a week so it is not really fun for me anymore. Actually its kinda of dreadful... knowing what we'll be doing. I didn't have an ipod today since Cindi ate my earphones and standard ipod buds don't fit in my ears. I was on my own with some companionship from Patty, Vicki and Liz.

OMG it was SO SO cold that my windshield had about a half inch of ice to defrost this morning and it took water, a scraper and 15 minutes of defrost to leave a little hole to see while driving so I wouldn't be late. I'm from California... AND from the valley, and we're just not used to this. It was easily 25*F or so and we didn't even leave til 8am or so. It never did seem to warm up and I'm hoping this isn't what its supposed to be like all Winter because its going be a long 10 weeks if it is.

This sinus issue was not fun either but at least Liz was not feeling good too. did that sound bad?We stuck together through it all and I skimmed in a whole two seconds in front of her. My hope is to up the mileage and condition my body for those longer hauls and to work in a little more speed work and hills (maybe Thursdays) to get my speed up too. I also need to work on core and building my bone density levels by ugh... using kettle bells, before May when I have my dexascan. Hopefully it will be better than my bone scan two years ago. My IT band didn't hurt so bad today but I will be sure to stretch and roll anyway. I did buy three new pairs of socks since my old ones are finally falling apart (4 years old and all). Jenni calls them cloud socks. I agree.


Oh yea and the hubby and the surgeon killed an ENORMOUS amount of ducks this week. Like so many that its kinda disgusting. Really. He was so excited and giddy to get the text last night inviting him to go on a hunting "date" that I teased the hubby about having a boyfriend. I decided to renam the surgeon, he's now the Bro-Friend.

Here is the tentative plan for the week:

Sunday-FMH3 (Flying Monkeys Hash House Harriers) run in upper park with Cindi (4-5 miles)
Monday-rest day from running but maybe Kettle bells with the girls at 5:30
Tuesday-Speed work that night with FF training
Wednesday-easy run with Jenni and Gehrig (and Cindi) maybe and head to the bay area to see Gma and Aunt and if I'm lucky some old friends.
Thursday-Easy run in my old stopping grounds of MTZ. (4-6miles w/ some hills)
Friday-another easy run down by the bay and maybe Kettle bells that night (4-6miles)
Saturday-long run with FF training.

Don't just run... walk

Not only do I run but I walk in efforts to raise $$$ to find a cure cancer... especially Breast Cancer. My hope is that finding a cure for Breast Cancer will be the key to unlock other cancers too. I got this from Good Neighbor and thought I would pass it on. Running has been a great preperation for my 39.3 mile walk in SF in July. I can't wait to walk in my 6th Avon Walk for Breast Cancer!

Repitition

Things were feeling a bit repeditive so I thought I would change things up a bit for the day.

I took a rest day on Monday after Clarksburg and boy did I need it. It just took everything out of me, emotionally and physically I think. I needed a recharge. We had an easier run on Tuesday. We ran from the shop to one of the local High Schools tracks since the one at the University was dark and locked up. We did 15 minutes of easy pace 10 minutes of Marathon to Threshold pace then 15 minutes of easy pace again. I just never felt good though. We ran back to the store for a total of about 6 miles for the night. Stretched really good then headed home for some Ice Cream and Biggest Loser Action.

Wednesday I ran the 3mile loop with Good Neighbor. She is doing so good. I don't time myself or even take a watch on Wednesdays because Tuesday night workouts are usually so crazy and our run only starts 12 or so hours after our speed work is done that I just take a very easy pace with GN to get my miles in. I've been running in the park so much that I dread it though. I almost just want to run up to the airport and that has ALWAYS been my least favorite place to run to because of the even steady upward path it takes for 2 miles to the baseball field and the wind that never lets up. ... oh and its ugly. But there is a dedicated path so you aren't in danger (hopefully) of being hit by a car or truck, but maybe a bicyclist who thinks the paths belong to them.

Thursday: Today. I did to a different run. I started at 5mile which is part of Bidwell park but links lower and upper parks together. I did the 2 mile Centenial loop with offers up another steady long .75 mile long hill. I wanted to break up the run by taking the second half of my run to upper park and hitting a bit of trail. First I stopped to see Margo who is a friend of the hubby's family and lives across from the entrance to the park, lucky girl hu? She has a new Minnie Aussie who is BEAUTIFUL she's a blue merle and has crystal blue eyes and I want her. Sorry Margo... I do! When its time for us to get a new dog I'm so looking into mini aussies. Margo says there is a breeder in Vina... I'm off to scour the internet for it... just to see if her puppies are as cute as Shelby. After taking a 10 minute break I drank some water, took off the long sleeved shirt and headed to upper park. I took the trail up to Horseshoe lake then looped back down. I was crossing the bridge back to 5mile when my 2 mile alarm went of. It was perfect timing. I had a great run(s) today. I felt good for the first time in a long time. I don't think I had a negative thought about running the whole time. I love days like this. OK I'm off to shower, eat and pick up the little guys!

Vote

Today will change history. Get out there and vote... your voice counts.

I just had lunch (cashew chicken, pork fried rice, chow mien that I didn't eat, an egg roll and yummy soup) with Good Neighbor who is pretty Liberal... I'm pretty heavy Conservative. Glad to say that most things we talked about were pretty spot on the same. OK, not who we voted for president but all the California ballot measures anyway. Funny thing is the things we agree on are for different reasons. LOL~ It was nice to get a different perspective though. No going back now... my ballot went out in the mail over two weeks ago.

I'm off for a run although I would much rather be shopping. Mervyn's is going out of business and they are having a huge sale. I don't want to take the kiddos so I guess I'll have to go through whatever is still there tomorrow.

Run outta steam

I don't know what happened today. The first 10 mile warm up before the race was so good. I really felt REALLY GOOD! Then I ran the Almond Bowl 10K and I struggled all the way through it. I just didn't feel good then my thighs and calves started cramping. I must have not eaten enough and I ... I just don't know. My last 18 miles was great. My 20 mile run was good too. We finished off with almost 2 mile cool down and I struggled through that even though Vicki and Liz put up with me the whole way. I literally thought I was going to throw up after the 10k.

10.1 miles 1:40:38 or so... then a nice jog to the REAL restrooms put us at 1:44:35 overall and 10.43 miles. We ate a half of a PB&J so I guess I won't be doing that again. Stretched then headed to the start line of the 10K. The race started and I stayed with Liz through the first 4 miles then I shuffled through the last 2 miles. It was SO HARD, to stay focused, not to walk, to slow enough to keep my heart rate down. It was a miserable race. I finished in about 58m and change. Not to hot for me but oh well.

Good Neighbor ran her first 5K today and Rocked it at 34:25! GREAT JOB GN! thats an 11:05 pace. I wish I could have been there to take pictures of you. Next 5K, maybe Fost or Fog?

I'm hoping next weekends Clarksburg run is better. 20 miles again. I'm going with Vicki and Liz and I'll try to keep up.

NO Time Like the Present

Its Wednesday, you know, run with Good Neighbor Day. She and I met at one mile (the spot everyone starts at) and did the dreaded loop. I swear, I could run those 5.2 miles in my sleep forward and backwards. But its so nice to not have to think about if you turned left or right here, if the bridge you took actually looped back where you wanted, that you won't get lost, that I can talk to GN to my hearts content. We talk a lot about parenting and the difference between her girls and my boys who are the same age. We talk about our other friends and our goals; hers is to run the Almond Bowl 5K in a few weeks! YEAH!. We talk about getting together to do girly things like watch chick flicks and drink margaritas or Mikes Hard Lemonade (yumm-o). 5 miles sure does go by quick. Before you know it we're at the kiddie park and its time to part ways. But there is always next Wednesday, Bidwell Park and a running partner waiting.

Yea, I didn't run yesterdays speed work out. The hubby was gone for 3 days and I was gone ALL day at a field trip and didn't think it was right for me to be home for 3 hours then leave again. He had to go to bed early anyway so he could leave the house by 5am to get to work early. So the tentative plan is to do that work out tomorrow morning after I drop the kids. Now I just have to let Laura in on that little jem because I know she's gonna love the plans... not.

So

I signed up for the Summer Sizzler 10k here in town this weekend. I had signed up for the training so I get into the race for free but that day is my oldest sons 8th birthday and I'm photographing a wedding 40 minutes away that I have to be ready for at 10am. I couldn't decide but I think I'm ready, even if I just use it for my 8 mile run and do two miles before the race to warm up then do the 10 miles then head home to shower and go. I guess if I have everything together it won't be that big of a deal.

I am fighting off an injury though. I'm sore and tight from my neck down to my toes including my shoulder and my arm. There is obviously some nerve issues going on so I went to the chiropractor and he used Active Release Technique on me. I felt so much better... than I ran 4.5 miles that night and was sore again yesterday. But I do feel better overall. Not well enough to do weights but running actually felt REALLY GOOD as long as I didn't push it too hard.

I'm not after PR's Saturday morning. I mean, it would be a PR no matter what since I'll be running a 10K for the first time but I'm not going to worry about my timing. I'll be tired and I don't want to hurt myself more before going to Seattle next week.

Today Good Neighbor ran with me. She hasn't run since High School (a few decades ago) so I started her out slow. We walked 5 minutes then ran one minute walked one minute for a while. Then we jogged 2 minutes and walked one minute for about 35 minutes then walked 5 minutes back. Not too bad for a girl who said she'd never run. I've hooked another one. LOL.

The most amazing FOOD (Friday recap)

This weekend I participated in my 4th Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I walked with Good Neighbor, side by side, to raise awareness and $$$. It was incredibly emotional and also painful but as we were reminded walking nearly 40 miles is no easy feat (for your feet). More on that later. This first post is about GRUB. We ate the most AMAZING meals this weekend.

We did eat amazingly well. We stopped in Davis on the way down and had Chevy's. We split two yummy salads that both sounded yummy. She got one, I got one, ohh and a yummy quasidilla with chicken and beans and some sort of chipolte sauce, split them down the middle and went to town. We stopped my Gma Ruby's where my mom, sista, niece and nephews where hanging out and visited for a few minutes before taking BART into the City.

Our wonderful hotel was just steps away from our Powell St. station so we checked into the Parc 55 hotel and settled into our 31st floor room with the most amazing view of the city. Then we headed over to our host hotel. This year, with all our $$ in early all we had to do was walk up to the table and they handed us our packet. Seriously, an hour process the last three years I walked was cut down to an amazing 5 minutes.




We headed out to find a yummy dinner. We had reservations at a place a couple blocks away but after reviewing their menu nothing really seemed appetizing. We did walk past a Jewish pastry/deli/restaurant that looked amazing but fear of eating anything out of the ordinary before the walk kept us looking. We did find this place called Max's. We had delicious food and a cocktail. Again sharing our appetizer of Thai veggie raps with hot dipping sauce. Then some Mauritanian chicken with veggies. Ohhh and a MUCH TOO STRONG cranberry Cosmo. It was pretty close to the most PERFECT meal I have ever had.




We left a wonderful meal and headed up the street to stop back by the Jewish place called DAVID'S to pick up dessert to go. After much ohh-ing and ahh-ing we broke down and chose the Almond bar ... it was almonds covered in a honey sauce with some sort of crumb crust on the bottom then dipped in dark chocolate. It looked and she said with a wicked grin on her face, that it was delicious. I on the other hand had a macaroon with the same kind of graham cracker crust on the bottom but in the middle ohhh the best mocha cream filling. Then of course it was dipped in the same dark chocolate. We took them back to the hotel, got ready for bed and for the next few crazy days to come, settled into bed and indulged. OH MY GOODNESS! It was the single most amazing food day I have ever had. I love my kids but you just can't eat like that with them around. I now look forward to more than just the amazing walk, to the amazing company of all my friends who walk beside me. I now look forward to FRIDAY for the FOOD!!