2023 Update

It's been quite a while since my last blog post, and to be honest, I had to do some serious digging to recover my login information for this account. Life has kept me busier than my blogging. Since 2017, I've had three boys! They are now ages 5.5, 3.5, and 1.9!

As we approach November, I'm gearing up for a significant milestone in my running journey – my first half marathon since becoming a mom. While I haven't been consistently blogging, I have been consistently running, leisurely. Over the past few years, I've participated in more than a handful of 5k and 10k races. I have yet to add these to the Race Results widget on my blog. None of them were record-breaking in terms of speed or personal bests, but they've helped me stay connected to my passion for running, and I even added a new category - the stroller division!

The races I found records for include: 

• Sep 2016 She Is Beautiful Santa Barbara 2016 10k in a time of 01:12:45 >> 11:44 min/mile 
• Santa Barbara Half Marathon 06/2016 
• Thanksgiving Day 4 Miler 2016 
• Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker 5/10K 2017
• 2017 Gaucho Gallop 5K Benefit Race 04/17 36:56 >> 11:53 MIN/MI
• 2018 Santa Barbara Chardonnay 10-Miler 4/18 2:06:23.5 >> 12:38
• 5-mile Bumbleride Baby Mama with Baby Finisher (Stroller Division) - Sep 2018 01:20:14 >> 16:02 min/mile
• 2019 McConnell's 5k 34:15 >> 11:01 MIN/MI
• 10K - Bumbleride Baby Mama 5 Miler with Baby finisher item (Stroller Division - Sep 2019
• 2022 Resolution Day Run 5k 37:25 >> 12:02 MIN/MI
• She.is.beautiful Santa Cruz 10k - 2022 1:11:19 >> 11:30 min/mile
• Dole Great Race Agoura Hills 10k - April 2022 01:17:03 >> 12:25 min/mile
• 2023 Resolution Run 5k 37:24.8 >> 12:04/M
• 2023 Superbowl 5k 33:41.9 >> 10:52/M
• She Is Beautiful Santa Barbara 2023 10k in a time of 1:20:47 >> 13:01 min/mile 

Looking ahead, I'm eager to set the foundation for working towards those coveted PRs. With the big 4-0 on the horizon next year, I've read that your 40s can be one of the best decades for running. It's said that you accumulate a wealth of knowledge and experience by this age, which can greatly benefit your running performance. So, I'm excited about the journey that lies ahead.

In 2021, we sadly said goodbye to our beloved Mabel. As our youngest boy grew and became more stable on his feet, we decided to bring a new furry friend into our home. This time, we had the opportunity to welcome the type of dog I had always dreamed of; a runner – Rocco, is a 5-year-old Husky mix. He's not only loving and gentle but also full of boundless enthusiasm!

In terms of health and injuries, apart from pregnancy-related changes, I've been fortunate not to have faced any major health or running setbacks. I did battle bronchitis/pneumonia last winter, and since March, I've been dealing with a mild to moderate Achilles heel/tendon issue. Fortunately, it seems to be improving overall, though it does flare up occasionally.

The other huge change to report regarding running is that I've gone from listening to music during training and races to listening to audiobooks and podcasts. Since 2016 I committed to reading more books consistently setting a yearly goal between 20-35, and the only way I can do it is with audiobooks these days. 

This post is prompted by a race I participated in over the past weekend, Sep 9, 2023, the She is Beautiful 10k. It turned out to be my slowest 10k race to date; my chip time was 1:20:47 >> 13:01 min/mile. So, I'm essentially hitting the reset button on my blogging journey, concurrently with my disciplined running journey, and plan to document my progress as I strive for significant improvements.

My goal is to shed a total of 20 pounds, with the aim of losing at least 10 of them permanently by the end of this year and the remaining 10 by my birthday next August.

On the horizon, I have a 10k race next weekend, the Goleta Lemon Festival Fun Run. Following that, I've signed up for the Santa Barbara Veteran's Day Half Marathon, and, if all goes well, the Santa to the Sea Half Marathon in December, which is a favorite of mine. Anyway, that's all for now. I hope to write a blog post on this week's race, then a photo montage of all the races I missed (that I have pictures for), and next week, I'm hoping for a debrief on the Lemon Fest 10k! Until then - keep putting one foot in front of the other, friends!