13.1 to 26.2 and other

Runners don't always like to go run...

2012-01-10T09:49:00.000-08:00

Let me clear up a misconception. For as excited and disciplined of a crowd as we are - Recreational Runners - we don't always like to go run.

Case in point. My 5:30AM alarm went off, my skylight was pitch dark. My 6:00AM alarm went off and I managed to turn it off. At 7:30AM my sister Facetimed my iPad, and I pretended not to hear it, so she Facetimed my iPhone.

Okay, I was up and contemplated staying in the flannel sheets a little longer on this average winter day. But finally after much consideration, I got my butt in running pants, grabbed a sweatshirt from the clean laundry got my shoes on, and was grudgingly out the door.

Because it was late, I could only do a short run, which means it had to be faster than a longer leisurely run...

It is true that runners love running but the act of having to go on a run: getting out of bed, getting dressed and out the door is a whole different story from time to time. Or am I wrong?

New Year's Resolution 5k

2012-01-01T22:59:00.001-08:00

The weather was perfect for one of the larger road races in town. More than a hundred runners were ready for a beachside race.

Because my debit card number had been stolen and recently cancelled, I mailed in our check for my sister's and my registration on Thursday and was assured by the race organizer that it would be received by the time of the race - but it wasn't so with only seven minutes to go before the race start my pukey sister and I reregistered... We got to start on time although my time wasn't impressive to say the least, I'm glad we were out there to start off the year on the right foot!

5k 1/1/2012 - 35:58:5

Cheers to hoping that you started 2012 doing some running, without a hangover or any other hitch.

Location:Santa Barbara

2011- 2 Halves, no fulls, plenty of of 5ks

2011-12-22T16:27:00.000-08:00

{EAV:6e225f1fbc9f8912}
2011 was a fun, laid back, mediocre racing year for me, however living in Santa Barbara every year is a great running year!

I'm happy to report there were NO running injuries this year. Yay. While I did break my shoulder and it did put me out for a few months, it was not running related.

2011 Summary

- Logged 350 miles - that's pretty low.
- I ran Ojai 2 Ocean and the Las Vegas half marathon. Loved the first, but not the second.
- Downgraded my Montecito half marathon to a 10k cause it was so unbelievably unorganized!
- Ran a lot more of the nite moves than I have before (4 or 5) then I broke my shoulder and couldn't continue.
- Missed State Street Mile - I want to say because I was sick?
- Sold my Wine Country Half Bib at the last possible minute because I double booked it as the same day as a friend's wedding.
- No PRs.

In 2012 I'm looking for a few things
- Another full marathon
- PR in a full marathon
- I'm considering a 10 mile trail race
- A 5k PR
- No running or other injuries that will put me out for anything longer than an average cold would...

One of the highlight of 2011 was the medal rack my best friend made, so I could display my medals :)

Cheers to hoping that you had as good of a running year as I did if not better!

{EAV:6e225f1fbc9f8912}

Vegas Bound - Rock & Roll 1/2

2011-10-17T01:21:00.001-07:00

Before this week, I had run a total of 15 miles since Aug 1st. Well really Sep 17ish. (I fractured my shoulder which derailed training and running the Pier to Peak and the SB 1/2. Last week I ran 5.5 miles because I hardly have time to breathe, right now. After I pulled 2 back to back 12 hour days of just sitting on my comp, I had to get out an run on the sbcc track and had a lot of fun. I'm very impressed I wasn't off kilter more. I feel like I can get to 13 by the time 7 weeks roll around.

Either way I signed up for this big race and booked a place at the Stratosphere cause I could use doing something fun this year. I think this will be great! Yay. It's a night time run on the strip - probably cold but maybe not TOO cold.

Run - if you can

2011-09-07T19:16:00.000-07:00

Urgh - really? I find myself saying this again, but it's worth repeating.

You know on days when you choose not to run, because you have to get up too early or work harder to get you work finished? Or sometimes we're just not in the mood to run, or would rather do nothing... there comes days where you'll regret these decisions...

So last year I was sidelined with a stress fracture for 3 months, and although I did an ok job running after that and completed another half early this year, on August 1st the beginning of a good running season with plenty of races on the horizon, I busted my shoulder. (6 weeks in a sling, a few more of physical therapy) and I'm on week 5.

Days like yesterday and today that are absolutely fabulous Santa Barbara days, I would not be caught without running if it were absolutely impossible. And days like today really make me regret the days I don't run when I could have run.

Tonight I tweeted (@osum) "Good thing I still have a busted wing I know for a fact if that weren't the case I would ditch tonight's work and school and go on a run!"

Worst organized race award goes to: Blacksmith Endurance for runmontecito.com

2011-07-18T10:08:00.001-07:00

Blacksmith Endurance - your award is in the mail.

First the good:

1. Weather
2. Sunrise
3. The running area - Montecito + Summerland are always great places for running or biking.
4. Saturday Race

The Bad:

1. Race website was never fully updated and certainly not ahead of time.

2. The 1/2 marathon course was changed in the last week from a loop to an out and back course with a huge elevation gain.

3. The was so little advertising that none of the local runners had heard about it. (in retrospect that's almost a good thing).

4. No timing chips

5. Shirts were not available at packet pick-up. Nor was there a packet. Only a bib.

6. No expo

7. The 4 email series the week before the race with logistics information such as parking, start time etc. This info was key for planning - not an exciting raffle, so why draw it out in a 4 part series!

8. The start time was changed to a later time. (8:00 AM)

9. I was so surprised/ unprepared for the new course that I made a last minute switch from the 1/2 marathon to the 10k . And of course there were no course maps at the race to see what this course looked like.

10. The traffic management was terrible

11. Related to #4 - there was only one girl maybe two manually taking times which will lead to plenty of wrong times.

12. No medals - "they are in the mail." Because I did the 10k it doesn't bother me so much. But if I had done the half and hadn't gotten a souvenir medal I'd be fairly upset!

13. (7/20/11) Oh yes, I just remembered, there wer no mile markers.

Having run many races, I know fantastically organized runs (disney half / LA marathon) to bare bones local little road races (Goleta Turkey 4 mile / Guadalupe 5k), and I have never experienced such a poorly organized race. It felt as though the organizers did minor set up months and months in advance and either procrastinated on the planning or flat out forgot this was coming up. I know I wasn't the only annoyed runner, and I know how much work goes into these. But I also know I paid $75 + online sign up and did not get an $82 value.

This same company is organizing the Santa Barbara Women's Half Marathon next February (2012), which for their sake and that of the participants, I hope is better, but I will not be among them. - Already their site says it will go live on July 14 - and it didn't.

Having vented, I would like to put an additional praise for two specifically good races - beyond my expectation: Santa to the Sea 1/2 Marathon in Oxnard in December, and Ojai to the Ocean (Compete Green) in May, both of these were small, but very successful and enjoyable!

Location:Summerland - Montecito

1000 Miles Logged

2011-06-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

Logged 1000 Miles on Daily Mile since Sep 2009

That's roughly the distance between Santa Barbara + Seattle

2nd best PR

2011-06-05T21:40:00.001-07:00

Ran Ojai 2 Ocean half today. Very small field specially since more people usually run the half than the full. The only thing we got at the expo: Fruit + vegetable chews.

For dinner in Ventura we (coach extraordinare and I) went to Olive Garden. Got the Tour of Italy and ate 2/3. Yum. For dessert: cold stone! Coffee w/ Snickers.

Race started at 6 AM. Absolutely perfect weather. We expected rain but got 58 degrees, no wind, sun or anything. A little sun toward the end.

Me at the start. No bathrooms. They were counting on the state park ones being open at 5 but they weren't. Oops. Good thing I didn't need it. This is what the mile markers looked like.

Forgot my hat so I bought this one. A lucky one is my guess.

I expected to come in under 2:45 close to 2:30 was my hope. I thought a double loop course would be boring but knowing the course was great - mentally. At mile 6.5 I was at 1:12. It occurred to me that not only would I come in under 2:30 but possibly PR (2:23:23.) Things went well up to the 11th mile where I started getting leg cramps. I wasn't able to PR but I was happy to beat 3 other half marathon times. (2:26:26)

Had fun overall. I'm gonna shoot for a PR next month at the Montecito Half Marathon.

Summer Runnin'!

2011-06-02T08:48:00.001-07:00

Sorry about the long absence. While I havent been writing, I keep on running.

I signed up for the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon in Santa Ynez right before it sold out - because I was thinking about it and someone I knew was encouraging me to do it. I signed up for $95 bucks. Three weeks before the May 7th race I ran the Chardonnay 10 miler as a training run and with a decent time. Two weeks before the race I got a message in my FB inbox from a bridesmaid of a friend inviting me to a dinner with friends of the bride (My friend Angie) the night before the wedding. "Sure!" I said and even threw in a couple of suggestions. "Then it occurred to me to as for details - she said oh the day before the wedding at 5:30." Hmm this can't be a good answer cause I don't quite remember the date of the wedding although I know it is sometime in May. Then she adds, "The wedding is May 7th". Oops, I thought.

After envisioning how horrible and unrealistic it would be to try to fit both events into the day, I looked online and found that I could sell my race bib. After posting it on FB, Twitter (@osum), and DailyMile, I had some interest and was able to sell it successfully for the price that I paid for it.

My first thought after I sold my entry was finding another half as close to May 7th so that the runs leading up to it were worthwhile but close in proximity. I didn't want to spend much to do a run. I found the Ojai 2 Ocean marathon and half-marathon, but I wasn't crazy about the two loop oceanside course. (Being obnoxiously spoiled, most of my runs are oceanside and I wanted something different.) The half marathon entry was $64 but I didn't sign up. I kept looking and nothing quite jumped at me. One afternoon I got a push notification on my iphone from Groupon, the group coupon site that this race was 50% off. For $32 bucks?! Heck yes, so I signed up for Ojai 2 Ocean, coming up this weekend.

My last fast run in preparation for this race was yesterday, June 1st, official NATIONAL RUNNING DAY. I posted about it on FB and my sister called to say she was interested in coming, so we ran it together. It was a fun run, with perfect weather, and a good crowd. While my run up was rough, at about the 2 mile mark I decided I could still put in a better time, and wrapped up with 35: 34 on the 5k.

Nite Moves 6/1/11

Location:Santa Barbara

Fear of speed?

2011-02-18T09:09:00.001-08:00

I've said it time and time again, "I'm not a fast runner." I know this and can almost embrace it, but sometimes on some runs we turn the speed up a few notches and kick into a full sprint. The motivators can be thoughts of future plans and goals, or frustrations or anger or sometimes just to see how fast we can go. Sometimes these moments last under a minute, or if we are really into it, maybe it will continue for a while, then suddenly we tune into the feeling of speed- the wind blowing and heart beating just a little faster- and a huge fear sets in.

For me the speed is fun but I get scared that I might lose control- I'm not sure why. I fear injuring myself, maybe not stopping, maybe a misstep, maybe just more?

I've been meaning to write about this for a while but it wasn't until today that I rolled my ankle for the second time this year- in that last sprint home- that I got to writing this. The lesson of today was twofold.

In analyzing the last time I rolled my ankle (1/1/11) and today, both times, I was a little distracted, or careless, and both of those injuries could have been avoided. Which leads me to believe, speed is nothing to fear, but carelessness is. While speed can always be controlled, so can carefulness. Ahh. A light bulb. Next time I get out (prob in a couple of weeks) I will no longer have a reason to fear a little sprint.

As always, I take my lessons one step further and extrapolate them in the context of life. I bet it is not the challenges that we take on that we should fear, but rather the carelessness we sometimes give into, while taking on these challenges that we should be aware of?

Always a new runner inside.

2011-01-29T09:02:00.000-08:00

Hadn't run all week. I had plenty of excuses, but I had so much fun today that I finally got out. When I don't run for a bit (even a week) and I run again, I feel that same initial love for running that got me into it for the long haul. "This is so much fun! I should do this more often, I should train for something." Luckily, I already signed up for the wine country half marathon in May. And am making a point to plan runs with other people.

The other thing I like about getting out there are all the things I see. Even along a worn down route. Today, I ran on the bikepath along the bird refuge. The sun was breaking through the pacifi ocean morning fog, and the sun shone brightly over the mount on the beach side. Through the trees at a short distance, though the sun shone a little dimmer, a bit darker, and then I remembered, just where it shown differently, lies the graveyard.

The other day I posted on twitter a quick thought about how running doesn't really get easier. When we are disciplined, (or in training) we are used to getting up when it is still dark and cold and get going, during a good season, we won't event think about it twice. But just because we don't think about staying in bed another five more minutes or for the morning, doesn't mean we wouldn't be able to. This is a small and subtle challenge, maybe even a temptation. Because we don't follow the temptation, it was another successful morning! Everything about running is filled with challenges, opportunities or temptations, and just because we have been running for a year, 5 or 50, overcoming any of these -walk breaks, easy days because of laziness, skipping a work out- isn't easier when we face them. A mile is still a mile, 10 miles are still an achievement of their own, even if you're used to running 20, and so on.

I once read Dean Karnazes point out, in a magazine or maybe a book, that he thinks this when he is not entirely sure he is up for a run. (paraphrasing) "I have never gone out to run, and felt worse when I finished." Ah! So true! So this post is to acknowledge the days you overcome the excuses and challenges, and attain achievements, some will be repeated, but not any less meaningful, and others will be new and exciting.

Cheers to more running as the days get longer and warmer!

2011 Running in Santa Barbara County is easier.

2010-12-28T10:10:00.000-08:00

Running in Santa Barbara should be easier than in most other places...if you don't believe me, check out dailymile.com where many of my fellow runners say things like:

"Running at -3ºC, lovely and cold... loved it!" @Jacky in Giorna Spain.

" Yeah, so remember last week when I tacked on a few extra miles to my long run, because 36ºF and sub-10mph winds is pretty good running weather? I had to cash in my chips today. Temp 27ºF, winds 16mph, and slippery snow. Any day when the temperature is higher than the wind speed is a day to give thanks, but I was glad to stop at 12mi. Good grief, I've become soft" @Elodie in Toronto (she's one of my faves!)

"When I left this morning the temp was about 15F which felt substantially better than 15F at home in the Windy City - thank goodness." @Will in Flossmoore, IL

These folks are committed.

I love the 50 degrees we get in Santa Barbara in the winter for a comfortable 7 and even 8am run. In the summer its warmer, but we seldom see 100 degree days. I think it is safe to say, that the willingness for us to get out there should come relatively easier than for those in other places. Besides, we have in SB, the ocean and mountains, we have a lot of open space, and in north county, we have fields to run by. (I've done it)

If you enjoy running and are looking to run races this upcoming year, here are the races, (that I usually try to run) that go on in our county all year long. A few I have yet to try, and could always use a buddy for any of these ;)

Jan 1, 2011 8:00 AM New Year's Resolution Race - Cause who wants to start out the year hungover?
Jan 29, 2011 9:00 AM Romeo's 4- Miler- part of the UCSB Running Series, with a couples relay too
Feb 6, 2011 9:00 AM Superbowl 4-Miler in Goleta
Feb 27, 2011 9:00 AM Roses en la Playa 5k
Mar 5, 2011 9:00 AM Shamrock 5-miler also part of the UCSB Running Series
April 16, 2010 8:00 AM Chardonnay 10 miler and 5k - This is one I have never run
April 30,2010 9:00 AM Gaucho Gallop 10k & 5k- I've only done the 5k, 3 times and although it gets better every year, I'm not crazy about this race- but I keep running it
May 5, 2011- Sept 1, 2011 at Sunset Nite Moves 5k Series - these are really fun! Once a week on Wednesdays.
May 7, 2011 7:00 AM Wine Country Half Marathon 13.1- I'm planning on this one for this year. Who is in?
June 5, 2011 8:00 AM SB State Street MILE - one miler, what could be better? This race is a special one for me, because the profits go to the District Attorney's office Crime Victim's emergency fund, which is helpful to people at very critical situations.
July 16, 2011 ? Montecito Half Marathon never heard of this one? Has anybody run it?Good, bad, indifferent?
Aug 21, 2011 8:30 AM McConnell's 5k and 10k - as we get closer to the date and a reg link comes up, I'll post it. (I never miss this one, because your registration includes post race ice-cream!) And it is closest to my birthday, so this is always my birthday race.
Sep 4, 2011 6:30 AM Pier to Peak 13.1 I'm dying to do this half-marathon. It is always labor day weekend, but I often end up working on a political campaign- and that's a big weekend for campaigns- which means I might never run it. It looks super tough, but fun. I might need a friend to run it with me...who's up for it? It starts by the dolphin statue by the pier to the top of La Cumbre peak. Yea...
Sep 12, 2011 Guadalupe 5k and Half Marathon- did the 5k this year. It was cool to run out there. Very small field of runners
Oct 2, 2011 8:00 AM Carpinteria Avocado 5k
Nov 14, 2011 SB International Marathon and Half-Marathon. Last year I did the half, and it was pretty fun.
Nov 24, 2011 Thanksgiving 4 Miler out of Noleta- because we all know a big dinner awaits on Thanksgiving
Dec 19, 2011 Santa Clause Run 5k- this was the first year and it rained, but it was still fun. I hope they keep it.

Anyhow, here are three more useful resources:

2011 for Uribe-

This year, I'm keeping it local. Running the 5ks and 4 milers.

In regard to big races, I'm thinking the Wine Country 1/2, the Pier to Peak 1/2 (hopefully) but if not, the SBIM half or maybe full.

Running in the rain

2010-12-21T11:48:00.001-08:00

Although it seems counter intuitive, there are few things more fun than running in the rain!

Santa Run 5k on 12/18/10

Register Early or Wait

2010-12-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

Life seems to just be one long string of decisions...door #1, or #2? go, or stay? and so on. Running life is pretty much the same. One decision I haven't figured out quite how to address is the right timing for race registration.

Obviously due to the nature of the sport, one would not wake up and decide to run 26.2 miles that morning, because they saw the street closure signs the night before. Almost equally true is the decision to run a 13.1 miler. Most large races (Half or Full marathons don't allow on-site registration anyway) but what they do offer are discounts for registering early. I have heard of people say, "I just decided to sign up!" but I still don't know logistically, how close to the race, they did so. But how early is too early?

If you register 6 months early you can save anywhere from $20-$40 but the registration for a half marathon already is about $60 or more and for a half it is about $80 or more. The small price difference between the two creates an interesting psychological purchase- for only 20 dollars more, I can run twice the distance!- suddenly you have spent an additional $20 and now have to train for 26.2 miles.

When you think of a race that you want to register for, it is important to take into consideration the time available that you have to commit to training and the appropriate expectations for your goals, given that commitment. What kind of family support do you have to train? What do you do for work? Are there slow times in your business, that are good for training? I for one do campaign work among other things, so since elections are either in Nov or July, I expect my busiest months to be Oct/Nov and June/July so I try not to set unrealistic goals during those times.

Next is where will you want to run, this will determine how early you make the decision, because if it is somewhere with different weather or altitudes, you will want to take that into consideration. Not to mention saving money for the trip, or on the trip, when are there hotel vacancies and so forth. These things you will have to discuss with your partner, friends, or coach, whoever accompanies you, if someone does come along. But all of the above, can be taken into account and plans can be made accordingly.

The million dollar question of when to register arises, not because of the things that we know, but rather the unforeseen and the unexpected such as changes at work, injuries, illnesses, lack of preparation. Last year I had a stress fracture, and luckily it didn't fall upon the time that I had scheduled any races, but if it had, I would have been out anywhere from $80- $150.

My rule of thumb to plan a race is to research it, look at the registration schedule/fee increases, and shoot for a decision before the last price increase. To make the final decision I enter a race of about half the goal distance around the same time as that deadline. If I did okay - in relation to what my goals are, or I think I can maintain a schedule to be successful, and I am not waiting for the final date of my Sister's wedding date or something somewhat foreseeable, then I'll register before the last price increase,

For example If I were considering the Santa Barbara International Marathon on Nov 12, 2011, I would pull up this schedule, run a half in June or early July and if I did well, and knew I had time to commit to training for the full, I would register in late July.

$95 Early Bird registration by Feb 28
$115 Mar 1 - July 31
$130 Aug 1 - Nov 2 (or until maximum number of entrants reached).

So far that has worked for me, but I'm not sure that there is a right or wrong answer. What are your thoughts on registering early vs. registering late? How early, is early?

That's a wrap- Racing 2010

2010-12-18T11:32:00.001-08:00

Today was my last race of the year- a fun 5k in the rain!

2010 was a good year (despite the stress fracture and 3 month break/ recovery).

I raced 1 full marathon (LA) and 2 half marathons (sb & Oxnard)

Ran a 4-miler the turkey trot and 6 5ks (McConnell's, gaucho gallop, night moves, Guadalupe, Avila Beach & Santa Run)

I am most thankful for each of these races and each run in between. Onward to bigger and better for 2011. Best wishes for you and your running in the coming year!

Santa to the sea

2010-12-13T16:57:00.001-08:00

Dear fellow runners, this is the blog about my latest 13.1. The entries were made and saved as a mobile post, with a retrospective summary. Hence, the interesting tenses. Last time I blog posted immediately, I didn't like the way it looked- created a new entry every time- but the microblogging (i.e. Twitter) was odd too. Let me know if you have any feedback re the style.

6:18 am Bus ride from harbor blvd to the start. In life in general I'm not known for being overly enthusiastic ever, but I often seem under- enthused on the races bus rides, in comparison to many hyper 30 some year old women...I'd say they seem the most excited. Least excited "looking"group I would say older men, but that was to be expected.

Overhearing first timers- wondering if they'll finish the half, certain they will never train for a full, but maybe if all goes well...

I don't know what makes somebody decide to run a full. For me it was the lower percentage of finishers than a half- especially women. (The second time it was for a better experience). The half though is an optimal distance. I still am aiming for a full once a year or every other year- if anything for the training, and the marathon weekend. The challenge of the marathon doesn't really get easier, it's just approached differently and with more experience every time.

Interestng start location, but at least I caught the sunrise

Why am I at the start time so early? On a random thought, a case can be made to race directors for technical race shirts because in addition too people actually wearing them (as opposed to tshirts, they are great conversation starters among runners).

7:39 am The worse part about races? Port-a-potties and even worse waiting in line for it.

7:42 still in line- seeing vibram fivefingers a lot more. Have any of you tried them? Any feedback? I want to try them but I don't want to spend $100+ and wear them once to find that I don't like them

12/13/10 The race was fun. My overall time did not improve although, my 10 mile time did. Weird, I know. My overall time was 2:42:21 which is just 9 seconds less than the SB Half last month. (and 10:23 more than the Disney half, and 19:00 minutes more than my PR of the first SB Half).

My first mile was a 10:06 mile, the second was a 20:20 mile, the 3rd, was at 32:00 so I was running between a 10 and 11 mile pace for the 5k. At the halfway point I was at 1:17:00 so an 11:50 mile. So far so good right? A little while after mile 10 I looked at my watch and it had been about 1:52:00 so at that point I was doing 10:58 pace, but it was all downhill from there. I was exhausted. The last 2.8 miles more or less took me 44 minutes :p yikes!

So, lesson is, again I went out way way too fast. I did find a guy that was running a nice pace and followed him from mile 4-6, but then he ran past where I could see him. ( I was following his foot turn over, and when I mirrored it, my pace got steady). But then he stopped at the halfway point to get water. At mile 7.5 he caught up to me and asked if he could run with me, cause he liked my pace...lol...go figure. Eventually he passed me though. I find that I need to be able to find my own pace, and maintain it. I had a good time, and the course was flat. The people were fun. I was a little dissapointed about the end result, mainly because it looked like while I might not have PRed, there was no way I would come in at a 2:30 or more...and then I did. Oh well, running is a sport where you live and you learn.

The one cool thing about this race is the guy that I was following, at some point was following me, and we were shooting for 11 min pace. And there were 2 other guys that were pacing me! First time it either happens, or I notice it. Which means, I can't be that bad of a runner.

Oh yea, and did I mention it was in the mid 70s? Who would've thought a blazing sun in December. Next up- Santa Run 5k this Saturday...no reason why I should not do well. Heck, if I just go out as if it were a half-marathon, or a long run, I could even PR.

Turtle Power

2010-11-29T00:17:00.000-08:00

All I needed was an excuse to associate myself with the forever awesome Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and here it is: TURTLE POWER! - hey, I'm a child that grew up in the late 1980s...

Not so proudly, this year I have massively evaded a single PR- I have a million excuses but I also believe I have 2 more opportunities this year (Santa to the Sea 1/2 marathon 12/12 & Santa Run 12/18) ...and worst case scenario there is a near opportunity next year (New Year's Resolution Run 1/1). Cheers to Turtle Power, let's get past this though.

The last race I ran was the Turkey Trot with my sister last Thursday- my third consecutive year, and sorry to say slowest time (46:11:7) for this fun 4 miler. In my defense, I was a bit sick...but on to bigger and better.

Cowabunga Dude!

Santa Barbara Half Marathon

2010-11-08T18:00:00.000-08:00

For some reason I never blogged about the SB half of November 7th.

Having just wrapped up a political campaign it kind of came and went but it was a nice one. Good course, perfect weather but not an amazing performance: 2:42:30

Midnight 5k Avila Beach

2010-10-24T01:23:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot to write about how much fun at the special olympics fun run in SLO. Because I was working in Santa Maria, my sister drove up to meet me there. We grabbed some dinner- shared a plate at The Olive Garden, then drove to SLO together. We checked into a classy motel 6 and then headed to our race. We didn't get lost, and I had never been to Avila Beach before. Although the rain seemed to be a threat it turned out to only be a drizzle.

It was the smallest field of racers ever, but it was fun to see some in costumes- the best was the girl creature from Avatar.

There was some police presence and search and rescue lights had been provided for what would be the start/end of the course as it was an out and back 5k.it was a full moon and as always running next to the ocean is peaceful. I was surprised to see some light traffic on the road we were running on. My sister kept a slow but constant pace...although she claims otherwise, at times I slowed down to stay with her. (Toward the end of our summer running class she developed shin splints and didn't really keep running post summer so I did not want her to hurt herself). At one point she did complain of pain in her leg, so we continued at a constant but slowed pace, and wouldn't you know it, despite it all, she saved the last few feet to get it and beat me... Not so fast. I too put in a last minute push to beat her by seconds... And with that we ended a random but fun run!

Location:Avila Beach

Almost there...A quarter of recovery

2010-10-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

This year has been a fun one. After the recovery from the stress fracture I began running well enough again in late August at the same time as I took a temporary job in Santa Maria,CA. I am now training for the Santa Barbara Half Marathon which is on Nov 6, only 4 days after the completion of my current work assignment. Because my work is also wrapping up in 12 days, I figured, it is possible that I might fall off the training schedule, which is why my goal for SBIM(1/2) is only to finish strong. I have also scheduled myself for the Santa to the Sea race on December 12, with a goal of a PR.

I feel my running is once again steady and boy am I thankful. I did one 5k in September, theSalad Bowl 5k in Guadalupe (pic below), and will be doing the Avila beach midnight fun run 5k this sat (at midnight, of course).

My favorite part about training, other than coming up with a schedule is the long runs! I did one in Santa Maria out by the strawberry fields, but although it was beautiful, it is too secluded. The next weekend I returned to The Goodland to do my long runs. The first was the average perfect temperature and sunshine. The second, just this past weekend was in a constant mist and gloom. While it was not inviting at 7am on Sunday when I headed out the door, within minutes, I was loving it. It was fresh, and misting enough to be comfortable. The thought did cross my mind that I must be the only crazy person to enjoy this, but it just so happened I encountered a total of 19 other runners on the road that day. When I made it out to the bluffs, the ocean was a little louder than usual, and although at times the setting could seem ominous, it was very peaceful.

After my run, I jumped in the shower and dashed out the door, with just enough time to grab a banana. Before I made my 1 hr drive back to work, I filled up my coffee mug, grabbed a banana and remembered I had a box of Kardea Nutrition bars in my car. Kardea (found me via twitter) and sent me a sample box a few months back and although I had tried their banana nut bar in one moment of extreme hunger, I hadn't actually taken the time to eat one in the appropriate setting. After 8 miles, I was definately hungry. The bar I pulled was a cranberry almond bar, and although it is small in size, it filled me up. It is flavorful, in that you can really taste the cranberry and the almonds. The problem for the most part with nutrition bars I find - at expos etc- is that sometimes they are so healthy, they taste horrible. But luckily that was not the case with these bars. They are enjoyable, and work perfectly as part of a small post run meal! I look forward to trying their two other flavors, lemon ginger and Chai Spice.

All that to say, it has been a very good few months: healthy, fun and yummy. Cheers to a happy winter to all of us runners!

The Birthday 5k

2010-08-15T01:36:00.000-07:00

On my birthday I had the great luck to run a race. Not only that. I ran the McConnell's 5k with my sister and my best friend.

The run was an ok one more so on the side of good- 33 min 5k which came out to a 10:33 pace

Happy Birthday to me! *<:0)

Also was happy and I must mention that both my parents came to cheer us on :)

Location:Goodland

Good running week

2010-08-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

Mind you it just started yesterday. But I logged 1.83 miles yesterday at 11:09 pace (so 20:25) and today I logged 2.59 miles at an 11:14 pace (so 29:00)

The 11:09 is my fastest run time (other than the 5k time of 10:50 miles) in the last four weeks.

Today Body felt good. Suprisingly there was a strategy. Because I have a fascination with negative splits but can usually not do them, today I went out on an easy (11:20 ish average) 15 min then turned around and walked half a minute and turned up the pace for a few minutes then came back with a steady 11 ish average for the last 10 minutes. My fastest time today was an 8:45 in the 17th minute.

I think tomorrow I'll just run 3.1 miles non-stop at an easy pace. I'm guessing that 11:20ish pace. I will be running another 5k on my birthday, the McConnell's 5k and while I don't expect a pr, I can maybe beat my last night moves time. This week I'm feeling in good shape.

I plugged in my PR (29:00) 5k times into the Runner's World Training Pace Calculator and it found that my

Easy Run training pace is: 11:40 min/mile

Tempo training pace is: 9:47 min/mile

VO2-max training pace is 8:50 min/mile

Speed form training pace is: 8:11 min/mile

Long run training pace is: 11:40-13:06 min/mile

Bart Yassos 800s training pace is: 4:32 min/800s

When I plugged in my current 5k time into the Calculator here is how my numbers turned out.

Easy Run training pace is: 13:28 min/mile

Tempo training pace is: 11:21 min/mile

VO2-max training pace is 10:17 min/mile

Speed form training pace is: 9:33 min/mile

Long run training pace is: 13:28-15:03 min/mile

Bart Yassos 800s training pace is: 5:16 min/800s

The calculator also gave the following advice:

The ingredients
Easy runs
Top coaches and exercise physiologists believe that most runners should do 80 to 90 per cent of their weekly training at the easy run pace (this includes your long runs, done at approximately the same pace). Easy runs build your aerobic fitness, and your muscular and skeletal strength. They also help you burn more calories and recover for harder workouts.
Tempo runs
Tempo runs help you improve your running economy and your running form. They are sometimes described as 'threshold' or 'hard but controlled' runs, and they will help you prepare for races of 10K to the marathon. Tempo sessions generally fall into one of two categories: steady runs of 2 to 6 miles; or long intervals with short recoveries. Here's an example of the latter: 4 x 1 mile at tempo run pace with 2 minutes of recovery jogging between efforts. You should do tempo runs no more than once a week, and they should make up no more than 10 to 15 per cent of your total training.
VO2-max runs
VO2-max training helps you improve your running economy and your racing sharpness. These sessions are sometimes called 'intervals', and are most useful when you are preparing for a race of 5K to half-marathon. Here's an example of a good VO2-max workout: 6 x 800 metres at VO2-max pace with 4 to 6 minutes of recovery jogging between efforts. You should do VO2-max workouts no more than once a week, and they should make up no more than 6 to 10 per cent of your total training. (When you run these workouts, you are running at or near 100 per cent of your maximum oxygen capacity, which scientists call VO2-max.)
Speed-form runs
Speed-form workouts help you improve your running economy, form and leg speed. These are also interval sessions tailored to help you prepare for races of 800 metres to 5K. Here's an example of a good speed-form workout: 8 x 400 metres at speed-form pace with 3 to 4 minutes of recovery jogging between efforts. You should do speed-form sessions no more than once a week, and they should make up no more than 4 to 8 per cent of your total training.
Yasso 800s
Yasso 800s are an invention of Runner's World US writer Bart Yasso, who has run more than 50 marathons and ultramarathons. They're simple: if you want to run a marathon in 2:45, 3:29 or 4:11, you should train to the point where you can run 10 repetitions of 800 metres in the same time: 2:45, 3:29 or 4:11. The only difference is that your marathon time is hours:minutes and your 800 time is minutes:seconds. Bart suggests doing Yasso 800s once a week as part of your marathon training. Start with perhaps 4 x 800 and build up to 10 x 800. Between the 800s, take a recovery jog that lasts as long as your 800s. A good Yasso 800 workout: 6 x 800m at Yasso pace with recovery jogs between the 800s.
Long runs
long runs form the foundation of all marathon training programs. long runs build everything from your confidence to your discipline to your fat-burning. So, even when you're not training for a specific marathon, it's a good idea to do at least one semi-long run a week. Because long runs are done at a relaxed pace, there's great latitude in how fast you actually run. In general, we believe that slower is better than faster. Let your long runs be your slow runs, and save your legs for other days of the week when you might do tempo runs or maximum-oxygen runs. But there are a thousand theories about how to do long runs, none of which have yet been proven superior to the others. The important thing is building up the distance and training your body to keep going for 3, 4, 5 or however many hours it's going to take you.
Putting it all together
Don't overdo your training!
Hard days
We recommend that most beginner and intermediate runners do just two hard days a week. More advanced runners can do three hard days if they're careful. Each of the following is a hard-day workout: tempo runs, VO2-max sessions, speed-form workouts, Yasso 800s, long runs.
Hard days/Easy days
A hard session should usually be followed by one or (even better) two easy day sessions. Easy days can include rest days and cross-training days.
Rest days
Most beginner and intermediate runners should run no more than 4 to 6 days a week. We recommend one or two rest days, when you do no training at all (or just take a relaxed 30-minute walk) and one or two cross-training days.
Cross-training days
The world of cross-training has expanded dramatically in recent years. While research indicates that cross-training probably won't make you a faster runner, it can make you a stronger and healthier and less injury-prone runner. Runners do best with cross-training exercises that are non-weight-bearing. This includes swimming and aqua-running, strength-training, bicycling and rowing. We also like non-impact exercises, which include nordic skiing, elliptical training and step climbing.

One last thing. I went to see SALT last night, you know, the new Angelina Jolie movie. (spoiler alert) She ran for most of the movie, when she was barefoot after running in heals and had a chance to go get shoes from her apartment, she took some boots with her. The first thought that crossed my mind was, "really? she doesn't own a good pair of running shoes?!"

New Territory

2010-07-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

Daily Mile.com's server seems to be down or slow or whatever, so here is today's entry:

2.60 miles @ 32:28Both of my feet fell asleep :0l No fun. I moved briefly for work (for a few months) so now I am checking out the surrounding area and what better way to do it than running, right? Temp was 61 degrees. I used RunKeeper app on my phone to tell me where I am (since daily mile does not yet have an iphone app). Something interesting and worth recording is the best three minutes. For this run they were:

#15 @ 8:42

#14 @ 9:12

#27 @ 10:37

Racing again

2010-07-21T21:26:00.000-07:00

Had a fantastic time at Nite Moves 5k today. My time was very average (for me) 33:38 but what was great, was that I felt good, no pain, no discomfort. The pasta, beer, ice-cream and company were welcomed, but I am very happy to just be back to being ok. I feel like I'm back to leveled place, and can only keep moving forward. I learned a lot from the setback this past year, but now there is only the opportunity to continue onward. :)

Finding confidence again.

2010-07-09T17:27:00.000-07:00

I never claimed to be a great runner, not even a good one, just a happy one seeking to accomplish some goals. Two marathons and local races were enough to make me feel sure of myself and of my body- at least mechanically speaking.

Yesterday wrapped up my 10th week after figuring out the pain I had was a stress fracture- common enough- but it had me out for 6 weeks and these last 4 weeks of running have been far more challenging and slow than I had expected. Coincidentally, yesterday was my first run with absolutely no pain, and this week has had the highest mileage (11 miles) since the week of March 22-March 28

The last several weeks that I have been running with the running class, at an even slower than normal pace, I have constantly been split between enjoying the running time, and being concerned about my recovery. The last thing I want is to make a mistake and have to sit on my butt for another 6 weeks. (especially in the summer time).

Something interesting that the Scott, the running coach told me is that with stress fractures, once they are completely healed, the previously affected part becomes even stronger. Hard to believe, and even harder to trust, based on fear. Finding confidence again in something as simple as running without the fear of failure is a challenge; I'm sure not an insurmountable one, but a more difficult one than I would have hoped for. There is, however, excitement that I am now at a turning point where it's only uphill from here (or at least mainly uphill from here). We'll see.

For right now my only goals are to keep running a little further and a little faster every week. Oh yes, and in a couple of weeks we'll race (as part of the running class) the Nite Moves 5k, and on my birthday (Sun, Aug 15th) I'll race the McConnell's 5k! (if all goes well)

Good & Bad days- That's life.

2010-06-28T19:41:00.000-07:00

The tibia some days is still extremely painful, for no reason too. I am beginning my 3rd week of running with the running class. My pace varies and so does the comfort. I've had some good days of running in between some not so good.

Last week for the first time I took on a hill. That hill there on that Elings park is a killer. Left calf felt extremely tight, almost in pain, so I didn't want to rock the boat, but also, honestly, I've never really been a hill runner. Regardless, I feel that any and all hills can be conquered if they are ran enough. So for my free day, I think I will try the damn hill again, and shoot for at least a couple of repeats. So, there.

The good from today, is that I have logged my second longest run 2.7 miles in many weeks. The bad, it hurt today.

Class was cancelled today, so I ran in the evening with my sister. Did 3 x 10 min run with a 2' walk break the first time, and a 3 min break the second. The first 2- 10 min segments hurt a good bit, the last one didn't hurt as much, but it wasn't too comfortable either- but was significantly faster. I have noticed it hurts a little less when I wear the KT tape AND the Compression leggings,(which I didn't wear today) so I guess I'll stick with those.

I got some "Airr" women's performance insoles with heel and arch encapsulated air chambers, since I have never gotten insoles for the over pronation thing- so I will be monitoring to see if they help, which I hope they do. I also got an ipod holder for my music :)

Until next time, I'll just Keep on, keeping on, as a friend would say.

Running again!!!!!!!!! yay =)

2010-06-15T00:12:00.000-07:00

After 6 weeks rest due to a stress fracture, I finally went out on my first couple of runs again!

The first was last Friday with my sister, we covered 1.83 miles without any pain or discomfort- unusual discomfort, I mean. In order to keep the pressure off, I didn't even take my watch with me.

Prior to the stress fracture, I had signed up with my sister for a running class, and I have been hoping to be well enough to take part in the class. The class was today, it was coached by Scott Fickerson, SBCC's track & field coach. Other than Team In Training, where I trained for my first half-marathon, I have never taken any formal instruction, so I thought it would be good to do it, to learn some new things, from an experienced coach, and to encourage my sister to run. Since the stress fracture, I felt that it will be the best way for me to recover. My goal for this 6 week class is to get to a 100% and begin training for the Santa Barbara Marathon (Nov 6th) at the end of July.

Scott, a laid back total California guy, seems cool. He created a schedule for 4 different groups "self-selected" by ability level for each of the 6-4day- weeks. My plan (which I talked about with him) is to be with the A group for a couple of weeks, the B group the middle weeks, and the C group for the last two weeks.

The first work out was a 3x 5' runs w/2' walk breaks. Easy enough. For some reason, I was the only one in my group to make it an out and back exercise, the rest did the exercise all the way out, and I guess ran back. Coach asked me what happened to the rest of the group when I came back by myself, I pointed, and he said, "I thought it was self explanatory..." I think this is the kind of stuff we "runners" know but we take for granted. While these first couple of runs feel like baby steps I am so immensely thankful to be able to be out by the beach, in the summer heat, and in my running shoes!

Leaving the marathon behind and going for INSANITY

2010-04-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

Took an 11 day break after my las workout (a 3 mile run) after I had already taken a week long break but I'm back. It's tough after running a marathon to have the motivation to keep running, so I decided to start the INSANITY training (by Beachbody) to switch things up, and to make running, the easy/happy part of my day- in comparison. Insanity is a set of videos ofMaximum interval training, killer cardio and plyometrics. Luckily for me, my best friend happens to also be doing it, since I mentioned to her I was considering taking it up, and she is already on week 3. I started it Monday and couldn't fit it in yesterday but I'm moving on to bigger and better, and just did day 2 today. It's fun in its own way. It's pretty intense, but also, I'm not sure if it is the intensity, the speed or the high low and jump exercises, but it does make you feel a little sick to your stomach. (which reminds me of PE in elementary school & junior high.) Once I finished today's 43 minutes, I went for a really short run (2.45 miles) which was nice :)

Run today was

mile 1-12:33

mile 2-10:10-

mile 2.45- 5:21

LA Marathon- 3/21/2010

2010-03-21T20:23:00.000-07:00

The 25th LA marathon was great. (only my 2nd). I had a fun time and the weather was perfect. My time however, not so much, in fact I finished 8 seconds slower than my first marathon. Despite the time, I enjoyed the race greatly. Volunteers and public were great. I ate much more than ever before on a race & drank a good amount of water. For most of the course it was slightly foggy, which means there wasn't that direct sun, or heat that I was expecting.

As far as time, I am a bit surprised I didn't improve significantly, especially given the different type of training. I will look in to all the specifics in regard to numbers but here are the raw figures- To a degree, I considered one difference from training to racing is the style in which you run. Either focused and in a straight line, or as is the case with the race scenerio, dodging people, running from side to side to find a gap, and expending small bursts of energy running through gaps of runners. Whatever the factors are, I need to find a way to do better for the next full, which I am thinking I will do in Santa Barbara, my hometown. It'll be cheap and hopefully I will be able to train even better.

*Looking at the numbers now, I realized I hit 30k a little less (2k) than 20 miles at 3:55- at that point I only had a 10 k left (6.2) miles. If I would've run that 10k like the first 10k -which happened to be average of my two race 10ks-I would've come in at 5:10, 5:15ish...but it just got worse from there.-- more numbers to come.

And here were some of the highlights:

The Starting Line! This is what it's all about
The excitement is palpable.
(of course once the bus got there a little past the original start time for the masses)

Making your way past mile 1.
No problem piece of cake (repeat 25 more times)

Some good entertainment here and there...run, run, run...

Legacy Runners
These individuals with marked bibs, have run each of the 25 LA Marathons
wow
Capitol Record
A recognizable landmark

Temptation at Mile 12
Yes, In & Out! Can't stop...bummer

Two more landmarks The Kodak Theater and El Capitan
While the movie at El Cap seems irrelevant, yrs from now, it will stand as a mark in time.

Beverly Hills, they even made their own sign before the mile mark
Running on Rodeo drive was beautiful!

And there it is, in the distance that makes 26.2- finally
and if I hurry back to the hotel, I might make the check out time at 2:00pm

2010-03-21T07:23:00.001-07:00

Race starts in 4 min and we are still on the bus about 2 miles from dodger stadium. Apparently someone on the bus said they are delaying the start time. Who was in charge of setting a start time & scheduling buses? In the words of The Donald- "You're fired."

2010-03-21T07:11:00.001-07:00

So marathon start time is in 16 minutes- and our bus is still on the road. Some folks are getting off their buses & running to the start. Runners on my bus weren't worried at first but a mild panic is setting on with many. Not all. I figured a 6am shuttle from Santa monica to dodger stadium was pushing it but figured race organizers has a good sense of traffic etc. Oh. Passed a fender bender that included a limo

The folks in front of me don't look so happy and I'm afraid he might be the hulk.

2010-03-21T06:37:00.001-07:00

I think that the 1st marathon is invaluable. It teaches you all the logistics, regarding outfits, transportation, etc which decreases worry on any subsequent race.

2010-03-21T06:25:00.001-07:00

This morning my only post included a pic of my bus and this text "Riding the "Special" bus to the Dodger stadium. (one of hundreds) - a bus full of some excited and some semi asleep runners. Many share their marathon careers (while I text this blog) Cool.The temp is 52-53 ish and foggy...it's great! Went to the olive garden but I'm starving this morning."

2010-03-21T06:23:00.001-07:00

Lol. It figures that the last post was the only one to work. Maybe I can only send text or pics one at a time? My first pic I wanted to post was of Dean Karnazes at the Elliptigo booth at the LA Marathon expo and of me riding the Elliptigo.

2010-03-21T06:18:00.001-07:00

A little worried that we won't get there on time& wondering why mobile blogging isn't working

Heading to LA shortly

2010-03-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

1 day away, the LA Marathon website reports. I have made a checklist of things to take with me (which is funny given my relationship to them.)

I have a folder filled with confirmations of entry, shuttle, and what have you. I have updated my running playlist (not a quick thing to do), and synced my ipod & iphone. (music plan A and plan B).

I am shortly heading to LA with my honorary "coach" - my mom :)

I have shared a link with my family to track my race on race day.

This should a great weekend, and with a little luck, the temperature will be just perfect- I think it will be. Also, since my phone problem- I have an iphone, the menu button doesn't work, so to change function I have to turn it off & on again, not good for quick stuff you can imagine-I have signed up for text blogging, which can include pictures, and then synced this blog to google notes, so I should in theory be able to share anything worthwhile fairly simply without a computer.

That which he thinks and dreams about is that which he will become

2010-03-18T07:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure where I first read this-it might have been one of those odd English translations from a Chinese saying- but I liked it and I find that I often keep reminders of an end goal with me in the process of getting there. This image was the postcard, that first got me to thinking about running the LA Marathon. I used it as a bookmark in running books I have read this year. Today I have 3 miles and 6x100s. Unfortunately, my POLAR heart rate monitor that has been with me for the last 5 years decided to be done now. I got it two batteries, but have concluded, the batteries aren't the problem. So I am off to finding a new HR monitor...boo.

LA Marathon is only 5 miles and 6 x 100s away

2010-03-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Since Jan 1st I have logged 287 miles in training for LA marathon which is only 5 miles and 6 x 100s away, or 4 days away. I have closely followed twitter updates and images like this are super exciting.

The "realistic" goal for this race is 4:48:00 (an 11 minute pace). The hopeful goal is 4:30:00 (10:18 pace) provided it is not too hot or anything goes wrong. But usually there are surprises. Part of the goal of this race is to redeem the marathon experience from the Huntington one. In retrospect, I'm surprised I even finished that one in the rain, cold and wind (5:44:39). This race should be far more fun, I've trained much better and I expect to do well.

19 miles

2010-02-21T21:06:00.001-08:00

Today I ran just one more mile than last week's long run, so 19 miles. While I didn't photograph the same stuff on the route as last time, due to the weather I did catch a few cool pics.

Sunrise behind me.

Caught a 6:30 rainbow!
Although, I heard there was one in the afternoon too,
which means I could have slept in without missing it.

Left the rainclouds behind

Well mostly. There was some drizzle

Sun shines through

Valentines18

2010-02-14T18:51:00.000-08:00

Valentines 18 are the 18 miles I ran today. I thought of taking pictures today, and having a blog that is not as wordy as most of my blogs tend to be. Enjoy.

The Santa Barbara Mission
A landmark - at 6 am before the sun came up

Sign for the Natural History Museum
I lit it up with the bike light I carried.

Foothill/Cathedral Oaks (192)

Here is where I find my main road for most of the morning run

Santa Barbara from the bridge by La Cumbre
Nice morning- temp went from 49-65 degrees in the 18 miles

Southwestern style home
caught my attention.

35 mph? not to worry-it's been noted. 5 mph, that's more like it!

Shut down gas station right by the 154-
It still makes sense there. Does anybody know why it shut down?

The bright sun
and my shadow join me at 7 am.

Cathedral Oaks
and its safest residential zone- looks a little East Cost style to me

Goodbye Gatorade- 20 oz of it
Saddest part of my run at almost 10 miles I took a sip of Gatorade from the bottles I carry.
Somehow I manage to not wash out all the soap, so both bottles were soap filled and mixed with the Gatorade- well it's better than bleach, which I've done before too. Was starting to get thirsty though, darn!

Fairview Rd
Here is where I get 2 miles going out and back, it's a great road. Lots of agriculture

The End
This is how I know I've come to the end of a rd...

H20
At mile 11.5 I get to Stowe Grove Park- one of the highlights of my run for one reason only.
Cold Water!

Gu
or also known as Gel, after finding the water, I can wash it down.
Mmm breakfast of champions. (it tastes pretty gross)

The Goodland- (Goleta)

Hey another Museum Sign!

Bishop Ranch.
When Goleta is mentioned, it's hard not to also remember Bishop Ranch..

Lemon Groves
After all, this is the land of the Lemon Festival.

Snail
He's so tiny...on such a long and hot and lonely road.

Dos Pueblos High School
That's my High School, although that huge building wasn't there when I attended.
(Saying things like that make me feel old)

The very very dangerous Winchester Canyon overpass
I'm surprised nobody has been killed on it. But I hear plans are in place to create an appropriate overpass.

Seasons
While we don't get too much in the way of season around here, the field below is one ever changing landscape, throughout the year. I found today there is a whole neighborhood behind it. (That's where I picked up another extra mile)

Eucalyptus Stumps
As soon as I crossed the freeway, where I am usually greeted by Eucalyptus and other large trees, today I found these stumps and the culprit...This is why the battles in Goleta are over development.

The Bacara Golf Course
(part of the luxury hotel)

The Bluffs
A project of luxury homes which makes me sick every time I run by it. It could've been worse, it could have been right ON the Ellwood bluffs. Which, I am told is enough reason to be ok with this...

The Old Gas Station, A County Landmark
Barnsdall- Rio Grande Gasoline Station. Love it.

Entrance Road
Home sweet, home, or close enough to it, this is the last turn I take before visiting my parents'

So it was, 18 very enjoyable miles.

Huntington beach 1/2 marathon- what an experience (as a spectator)

2010-02-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, I didn't run due to a funky schedule-partly because I tagged along with two of my friends to Huntington Beach, where they ran the half-marathon, and I watched.

I didn't race with them, because I hated my 08 Huntington marathon experience, and there was no way I was going to risk another race, in really crappy conditions!) Not surprisingly, although Saturday was pouring, and the expo tents were faulty and everything was flooding, Sunday was a PERFECT day for a run. The morning was crisp and the day, cleared beautifully. I might one day again consider Huntington "Surf City, USA".

Surprisingly, this is the first race I ever attend, as a spectator and not as a participant. I had a great time, I had no morning stress when you wake up at 4/5 am, and instead of working hard, I wandered around what was left of the expo and then headed to the finish line where I watched the first Marathoner finish! I also, waited patiently, and used the restroom at the Hilton- instead of the ubiquitous porta potties.

There were 20,000 participants in the half-marathon, 64% of which were women. I cannot say for sure, but I am pretty certain marathons, have a higher percentage of male participants. There was a national anthem at the start, and of course, brief speeches by the Congressional rep of that district and their Mayor. (I for one, love this!)

I did observe things about runners that I have always know, but can call out or praise (because it comes from a place of self-improvement).

1. Amazing determination and drive- time and time again as runners passed the finish line, they did so, to achieve a goal, personally or competitively, in their own way and with their own pace, no runner decided to ditch the running with only hundreds of meters to the finish line, and amble to the goal. The heart that goes into what they do is admirable. I've never watched those few super "ambitious ones" that run past that line come despite everything else, and coming up to the line the color on their face is gone, and as soon as they pass that line they puke, and or in cases just collapse right there past the finish.

While that sounds self destructive, and it might be- can you imagine what goes on in the mind to say, no matter that I feel these symptoms, I have to finish (at a certain time). The mind really has some amazing powers over the body. Then there were the pace groups. I saw so many "influxes" of runners periodically, and I realized they were the ones that stuck with a pacer, for example right before the 2 hr mark, there were TONS of runners, and again at 2:10, 2:20 and 2:30. Clearly they had a goal and maintained their efforts the entire way.

2. Little recognition of accomplishment- One guy at some point crossed the finish line and gave a little, "oh yea!" shout. Those close by chuckled. A woman turned to me and stated, "I'm surprise more of them don't do that." And that made all the sense in the world to me. Most runners, I think have found some really valuable traits in pursuing this sport (even if just recreationally). There are goals that are set, and they are either met or not. I for one, always beat up on myself when I don't fulfill a goal, and just accept the accomplishment of a goal, but I'm thinking now, that's the wrong attitude. Finishing a race, with a strong finish, (hopefully completing a goal) is not only the end of 13 miles, it is the end of hundreds of training miles! So, an "oh yea!" is the minimum self- recognition each runner deserves. Why not?

3. No recognition of emotions- children, unlike us recognize all their emotions, they skip they have tantrums, and one girl probably around the age of 10 maybe a little older or a little younger, cried upon finishing a the race with her dad. In response her dad picked her up and he hugged her. This is beyond the recognition of acomplishment, this is the awknowledgment of full emotions. I found it interesting, as adults we no longer skip and throw tantrums, but have we entirely muted our emotions? I doubt that's the case, but it might not always be a mistake to show them.

I am midway through training for the LA marathon, after a bad training week, but a good experience as a spectator, I am re energized for the last haul. I hope that I heed some of my own advicefrom my observations as I continue these last 5.5 weeks and race day.

Being a spectator who knows the running culture was fun. The running culture is really a funny one. And once you "get it" then hearing from those on the outside is amusing. I remember, coming back from a marathon, and my grandma asking, "did you win?" I though, Yea, I didn't quit, but I was very tempted to do so, that's kind of like winning. In a conversation someone asked me yesterday, how long the Huntington marathon was...all marathons are 26.2 miles (42 Kilometers) and all 1/2 are 13.1 miles (21 kilometers)- pretty standard, anything more than 26.2 is called an ultramarathon, and those can also either be road races or trail races.

I was happy to join my buddies, and after the race we headed for the beer garden, where we had a beer to running & good friends. They both had a good race, my friend Amy came in at 3:29:03 and my friend Hafiza came in at 2:22:22 (which is exactly 1:01 minutes faster than my half PR).

My mom, who comes to any and all of my races, has often questioned the sanity of runners. because of what we do, how we train, what we eat, drink etc. We're sane, we're just a little...

1 month overview + a bad training week

2010-02-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

If you count the last long run I did of 17 miles (which should have been run on Sun the 30th, but instead was run Feb 1st in reality) then here is the numbers coming out of the first month of training for the LA Marathon

136 miles in 25:56hr which is roughly a 10:20 pace which is not bad.Certainly beats the 11:06 average pace from Dec- my pre training month. So far, I am definitely hating tuesdays, they're hard.

Including the 17 on the last sunday (plan)
week 4- 40 miles 9:47 pace
week 5- 7 miles 10:20 pace

Including the 17 on the 1st monday of the month(actual)
week 4- 23 miles 9:47 pace
week 5- 24 miles 14:02 pace

This last week of training, was hard. I dealt with a difficult schedule & rain. Because I moved that 17 miles to monday, I rested on tuesday and ran the terrible tuesday run on Wed. I was scheduled for 11 miles but was only able to do 4 including a quitter last mile. The wed & thursday runs were fine, but then I couldn't get a run in on friday or a 5-10k that was laid out in my plan for this past weekend.

Week 6 is off to a better start, not spectacular, but acceptable. For fun I ran 20 min yesterday and used it to run some errand! Cleaver. Today for Treadmill tuesday I ran 10 miles (instead of 13) at 10:18 pace, which is not bad. I am certain the rest of the week will be better, and am ready to have another good long run on sunday, where I get to hit 18 mi. If all goes well, I expect to register for the race and the hotel at the beginning of next week. :0)

3 weeks completed of LA Marathon Training

2010-01-24T21:19:00.000-08:00

I've now completed 3 weeks of training for the LA Marathon which is in 54 days according to their website. (8 training weeks left). Ran 16 today on my long run.

It's been tough avoiding the so called Santa Barbara STORM. (We Santa Barbarans are "special", when it rains, meetings are cancelled, and we like to complain a lot. You would complain too when it rains if your average weather is in the mid 60s with lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s pretty much all year)

Over the last 3 weeks, I have run

week 1 -26 miles- 10:20 pace
week 2 -30 miles- 11:22 pace
week 3 -39 miles- 9:48 pace

I'm having fun, but tuesday treadmill workouts are killing me :0p

Onward.(If you care to read more details about the training, pace etc I'm loving dailymile where I log all my runs)

Under the weather

2010-01-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

Flu took me out for a total of 4 days (including 2 official training days- one long run, rest day, one non-official easy run, and a treadmill Tuesday) but I'm ready to get back to the track tomorrow and we are officially back on track.

LA Marathon Training has begun

2010-01-05T21:14:00.000-08:00

Awesome picture! I found it online, look how far ahead Bolt is. Anyhow, tomorrow, I am running my first set of 5 x 100 meters for my LA Marathon training. I have come up with a whole schedule based on the Runner's World Guide to Road Racing (pg62-65). It includes the regular downtown 3.6 loop on Mondays, Treadmill Tempo Tuesdays, Track Wednesdays, Time Run Thursdays, Easy Fridays and Long Run Saturdays.

Countdown for LA Marathon is 73 days.

Final 2009 Work out summary

2009-12-31T11:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the summary of all the running I started tracking on daily mile starting Aug 31, 2009- Dec 31, 2009.

Total mileage & pace were:

SEP- 32- 13:27
OCT- 18-11:47
NOV-41-11:53
DEC-87-11:06

Dec update- and about track work outs in SB

2009-12-22T11:21:00.000-08:00

December has been a great month for running in SB. The temp has been cool enough to be enjoyable. (And since I continue unemployed, I do nothing but run)

I started track work outs, which I dread because they are taxing on the body, but as I've done them I realize there is no other way to improve than to just put in the time. I can't just run the same routes time and time again "hoping" to improve. Logging my workout in www.dailymile.com has also maintained me motivated.

For now, the short term goal was just to get into the habit of running everyday again, and starting track work outs. Soon I hope to chose a race (most than likely LA marathon-March or Colorado- April, maybe even both.) and start training toward that.

Because it is Christmas week, I took off the week from track workouts and am just gonna do 3 long runs, did 10 miles yesterday, prob run to my parents tomorrow (12-13) and do the 10 again friday, cause there is nothing I love about running more than just getting out there for a while.

The first race I have coming up is the New Years Resolution Race 5k on Jan 1, and I am sure I'll be ready for a much better time this year than Jan 1, 09!! (and I sure hope 2010 altogether is far better- in general, but also in regard to running, because my life was so, hectic this year I didn't get a single 1/2 or full in). 2010 I expect to be the year!

Lastly, I friended Bart Yasso on facebook and as his 4000 friend, he said he would send me a prize package- cool! In my email to him, I mentioned my blog, and mentioned the SBCC track and what a great place it is to work out at. I didn't ever consider it in the abstract, but there isn't a better place to do track work outs, how can I possibly dread them when they are done in a place like this!

Happy Holidays and best wishes for 2010!

Running blogs, twitter lists, posts- oh and run

2009-11-24T21:45:00.000-08:00

Today I created a running list on twitter! (http://twitter.com/#/list/osum/running) Oh and I found a website with a directory of running blogs (http://completerunning.com/running-blogs/) which I am working through. If they are good about updating on an ongoing basis, I will add them to my blog list. Also, I saw on one of them the idea of writing your races on your blog, so I added a Race Results list on my blog, and am now displaying my labels! Lots done regarding running communications- oh yes and I ran.

Good Short- Downtown – 3.69 mi / 00:44 11:52 pace

The run itself was good. (emotionally I just was feeling restless...) the run was smooth, I felt a little tight in the calves. The run up state street is where I made up for some time. It was fun running on state while there was a farmers market and a good crowd. Requires a little focus and alternating speed. (Although I'm not sure the pedestrians enjoyed it as much as I did)- I would do it again. Got dark exactly when I came back. Perfect timing and weather.

As the year wraps up, I am beginning to look for a goal for next year. I'd like to train for a marathon. The LA one seems appealing in March, but I'm open to finding a race I REALLY want to do. (I lost my runner's world latest issue which includes many of the upcoming races- if it is not at my parents' I might buy it again) urgh.

Saw Aaron & now for a little run, dance & bike

2009-11-17T21:56:00.000-08:00

My knee was killing me last week - to the point to where I began icing it. Yesterday I got dressed for a run when I remembered how much my knee hurt, so I called Aaron, the owner of Channel Island Chiropractic and he said they were open until 6pm. I considered taking the bike, except for that hurts far more than walking.

He found me to be quite "off". He did his thing and within minutes I was good to go again. Today I took a short bike ride to the gym, got 1.91 miles on the treadmill still at that 4.0 for 25 min with 149 avg HR, 162 max & burned 283 cals (which I'm quickly recuperating as I chow down on a choc. chip cookie).

The real reason for the gym though was a cardio/dance class from 8-9 which now I found out is TUE and THU. I might have a new hobby. Nevermind the fact that I am ridiculously uncoordinated. (It's really not funny at all) Learning to follow dance steps seems to tap into the same part of my brain as learning a foreign language. You know that moment when you are reaching in there to find just the right word translation, yea, that's me trying to remember, repeat and coordinate steps (and this is not even with music yet!). I had a good time, and I am honestly enjoying my time off to he fullest...cause hey, why not?

fall back

2009-11-02T08:28:00.000-08:00

Time change let me go to 24 hr fitness & church on Sunday morning. Did 10 min warm up on elliptical machine, then 15 min of those machines 3 sets of 12 reps primarily legs and arms, then I wanted to run 20 minutes and do the 5 warm down, but instead input 25 min (run) + the 5 warm down. I had a great time SUNDAY, but it was really hot. Today I'm going for the same run time and warm up, no weights due to time but really to ease into it.

Yesterday I forgot my watch, but I do want to track the heart rate for the run time. Right now it is slow at a .5 incline and 25 min on a 4.0 speed (15 mi/hr) but I want to get up to 40 min runs at 5.0 and even 6.0 speed (or 11 min/mile) so I can then have the endurance and work on the same speeds but on the street.

Today's (11/02/09) numbers only for the 25:05 that I worked hardest, 12:35 were in target zone, avg HR 163, max HR 177 & total cals 330.

Lazy Bum October

2009-10-30T12:42:00.000-07:00

Maybe not lazy but busy- even then, I know I could have gotten up instead of staying in bed and watched the beautiful sunrise every morning. Oh well I did go to the gym on monday(10/26) and logged in 51:38 minutes of a work out on the eliptical machine and the treadmill. Total time in target zone was 28:09 with an average heart rate of 142 and a max of 184 and burned 543 calories, which isn't much for a whole month, but it is better than nothing. I think I'm gonna head out for the 7.4 mile run now. Why not. I have an hour and a half to kill anyways and the temperature outside is 67 degrees. Sunny (very much so)

One's essence doesn't change because of isolated failures

2009-10-12T22:44:00.000-07:00

I want to get this made as a poster. It was a picture spread in Runner's World, which in my memory was this cool! (In the actual mag. it turns out it was like divided in two pages, without the dramatic color contrast and half the size) but I loved it the way I remembered it, so I recreated it as it should be.

No matter what went wrong in one race (the DNF in Athens 04') doesn't essentially change the character and the abilities of Paula Radcliff and the champion she is.

Cut back that effort, kid!

2009-10-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here is the short downtown loop I'm doing. It's a good enough distance to feel accomplished.

Brought the pace down to a 10:49, which is no accomplishment on its own, but it is for me, for this time.

I thought of a habit of a bad runner (that I sometimes have) and wonder if we are prone to it in life outside of running. I'm sure that we are.

It is embracing mediocrity not for its own value but rather to not raise the bar high enough where we will not be able to reach it again without extraordinary efforts.

In other words, when we take on new routes and use them for training, for the most part the first time will be the slowest and we cut time from there on, but on the third run do we cut back the effort just so that the challenge is incremental and so is the achievement, so that today we wont give 110% not because we don't want to, but because in order to beat it, we will then have to give 120% and that is too much tomorrow, so the 110% today isn't worth it.

I would say I'm guilty of this in my running life, and maybe outside of running too, but I'm uncertain. How about you?

October and rethinking the plan

2009-10-08T14:53:00.000-07:00

October pace is far better 11:28. Mind you, I've only run 7.38 miles in 2 days. I am thinking the half on 11/7 and full 12/6 might be too much too soon. (and a little expensive) but I would hate to not run any (big) race this year.

I missed many small ones I like to do, and the ones I did, were not impressive, PRs or anything. So I dunno what to do. Maybe keep increasing the mileage and if I'm at 13 in a month (which is kind of easy since a I have a 7.6 regular) and a (4 and 5 loop) then it might be worthwhile to shoot for the full. They're kind of expensive too. ($55 for the half and $115 for the full) (I guess it's all relative) but the way I see it, both of these races are $0 for travel and $0 for lodging. So, who knows...

September- Month Running Summary

2009-09-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

Total Distance :31.58total miles
Total Time:06:58total time
Avg Pace:13:14avg pace
Total Calories:5739calories burned

I've only run 6 days this month (with a 16 day brake somewhere midway) urgh. I feel a little old and out of shape. It's a special feeling since I'm not really categorically old, and I might be at one of the more constant parts of my life regarding weight. (I've been biking and walking far more since July 28th.) However, I haven't been running constantly and it's taking an obvious toll on me.

At this point my current avg pace is 13:14. According to Runners' World Pace Calculator my projected time for a half is 2:53:21 (30 min over my pr- sb half) and at a projected 5:46:42 for a full (2:03 minutes behind my pr- Huntington).

I want to run the sb half (11/07/09) and the full (12/06/09) and I would like to do a descent job, but I don't know how good it'll be. Also, I need to find a loop that is fun, safe and roughly 5.5 miles to have a run that is between the 3 sbcc miles and the 7.5 shoreline/carrillo loop.

SBCC Track Workout

2009-09-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

3 mi 00:3712:26 pace

It was good. A bit slow. (didn't stretch) I was just really trying to get a run in before I had to do something else a little bit later. I rested yesterday and wanted to do a flat work out so I that tomorrow I can do the 744 again. The knees feel much better now than before. They actually felt much better since yesterday and I didn't even have to take anything for it. (although that was the plan)

744 and those damned KNEES!

2009-09-08T17:49:00.000-07:00

7.44 miles was the run for this morning and it felt good! (744 SB weekends 7.43 mi 01:40 13:26 pace). I think it is a route that made sense and I had thought about for a while but didn't map until this weekend.

The Carrillo hill was much shorter uphill (and steeper) than I expected. A lot of downhill so in every run, that requires taking care of the knees!!! It was fun, I felt good at the end but at about the hour I felt a little tired. It was always humid, and I started half an hour later than I would have liked (630am)

That's not the interesting part...now at 6pm my knees are killing me (more so the right one) and usually the one that hurts is the left one post downhill work outs. Took a couple of Advil but I would like to learn how to protect against the pain, because the last time it hurt this badly was on the last or second to last long run leading up to Huntington (feb 08) and I couldn't run at all after Huntington due to the knees for a good while.

Anyhow, for now I feel old! Whenever something hurts a good amount it makes me wonder if it's worth it. Especially since I've heard a lot about runners getting knee replacements as a cost of running. I'd hate to force that on myself, but running so improves MY quality of life (and I believe in turn, those around me) so it might be worth it in the end... who knows?

P.S. This was the stillness by the ocean on this morning's run

New Races in sight

2009-09-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

A lot happened since the last running blog. I ran a race and had a first personal DNF, too bad this one was no particular distance.

In the process I missed the San Franciso half, but now I'm moving on with two races on the horizon. The first is a repeat and hopefully will get a better time in the SB half on November 7th. The second race is the ignagural Santa Barbara Full Marathon (http://www.sbimarathon.com/site3.aspx) on Sunday Dec 6th.

Also I signed up for http://www.dailymile.com/people/OliviaU which I think has potential! I wrote on my fb, "

For my fellow runners on fb, I found this site. From all of the different networking/fitness or running site, this one seems to have good infrastructure. It's easier to make routes than with myfavoriterun.com (which so far has been my fav). It also syncs with Nike + I think. If you check it out let me & like it let me know...it might need the natural networks to really be useful but it has potential."

I want to learn how to get the widgets up on this blog, but it might be more complicated than I will ever know :0/

The Garden Incline

2009-04-24T22:51:00.000-07:00

It's hardly that big of an incline it's all about getting used to a different run. I've logged it on favorite run.com (http://www.favoriterun.com/270297)

Tweets I've posted on Twitter read as follows about this 5.84 mi (9.39 km) run:

-just put in an hour to east beach and back. the sequential Garden St. incline is going to kill me unless i dominate it first (13 days ago)

-tweetdeck has been fascinating. i gotta go to sleep if i plan to get up early enough to try the Garden incline again. (9 days ago)

-ran went well. saw the prom kids down by the beach.also some drumming festival and lots of tourists. Didn't let the garden incline win! :) (6 days ago)

- took off 2min 07 seconds from the Garden incline. yay (today)

The first time I did it, it took 1:10 (approx) a few times later I was down to 1:03 and by today I got it down to 1:00 exactly. Part of bringing down the time has to do w/pure repetition, but I did also start some basic training for non running stuff, essentially strength training and core building, because when one is balanced in their strength, it also enables stability and endurance.

As I keep moving through challenges (some more successfully than others) I really can use a parallel run and the Garden incline will be just that, with the possibility to cut time and eventually add distance. I will get my heart rate battery before Monday so I can really meet this challenge head on, as is the only way that any endeavors can really be approached.

Tomorrow I'm doing the Gaucho Gallop, 10k which I haven't "trained for" but expect to cut a good amount of time from last years 1:06:59.

"To run or not to run?" That is the question.

2009-03-03T01:00:00.000-08:00

I love to run given the opportunity to run.

I need to have the time and I prefer good weather although I know it is the rougher weather that really tests the commitment and tenacity of a person.

When I talk with people and running (long distances) comes up, they do often ask why I do it. I do it because it gives me serenity, clarity, and a little bit of space from the everyday stuff. I also like the challenge it provides: neither insurmountable or insignificant.

Recently I've been running not in a disciplined way, but much like a child: running away from things or toward things-I'm not certain which of the two I'm doing most. A couple weeks ago I ran the usual 5 in the morning with my buddy Bri, and later, that evening had such a storm going that I put in another 7. I had barely been running 6 a week but all of a sudden the 12 didn't feel so bad. For the first time in a long time, I was running with stored up energy, not the normal supply but the kind that taps into your every frustration and excitement all at the same time.

This Saturday I had some time on my hands and some thinking still pending, so I headed out for 13.3 miles and didn't even think twice about it. (Partly because I didn't remember the exact distance) The first 5 were in the company of a friend which was unplanned but welcomed-the next 8.3 was just me. I ran the Goleta 13.3 (or so I call them). During a marathon training this loop replaces the 6 miler, but Saturday, it was certainly a welcomed challenge.

Races can be done for a whole host of reasons. They can be a part of training (5ks, 4milers) they can be end goals in it of themselves, so a 1/2 can be the goal or training for a full. They can also just be something to do to stay continuously motivated. Each race, the way I figured needs to be done purposefully. There is no such thing as just doing it. Each is run with a sense of determination, and you bring to it whatever goals, and training you have acquired. So for me now the question is, "to run or not to run?"

I am looking to maybe (most likely/possibly) run the SF half in July (w/Hafiza and Amy) and the SB full in December. I am still uncertain because I need to know what will happen with this election season. One of my biggest mistakes last year was to plan, register and pay entry fees for races that just did not match an electoral calendar. So in the primary (election) I missed the NY half, and in the general (election)I missed the SF full and prep for the SB9T.

Running will be done regardless, but this time, I am trying to carefully decide which races I run if any...but most importantly when, why, what are the costs and benefits and if/how do they fit into a long term plan.

In 8 months I...

2009-03-02T23:00:00.000-08:00

Haven't written in a while maybe since last summer. And while I have not been running consistently, I have not stopped running entirely.

Last August, my friend Hafiza, my sister Ceci and I ran the McConnell's 5K and while the race course was a little odd (by Goleta beach) the reward at the end was all well worth it. (33:55)

Later that month, I got a chance to meet Dean Karnazes - The Ultramarathon man. I bought his book 50/50 which chronicles his endeavor to run 50 marathons in 50 days in all 50 states. I shared with him, that my favorite part about his first book is that he included the challenges and failure on his road to success. In his dedication in the book he wrote:

"Best wishes in failure & success. Just never give up!"

Nearing the end of the summer, I finally had a free Wednesday to participate in the Santa Barbara runner's tradition of Night Moves. Night Moves is a series of 5ks that take place once a week, and you can even swim a mile in the ocean ahead of the race! I had been intending to participate the past two years unsuccessfully, but not that I have, I hope to do it again this year. The course is essentially the first part of the SB half marathon, so it has its ups and downs ;0)

I did this race with my long time friend Jen and then we had beer, food, meet a lot of new people and finished off with some ICE CREAM. (31:54)

Oh yes, and then there was Disney last summer

Last bigger race I did was the Disney Half...TONS of fun. Didn't train until maybe a few weeks leading up to it. I think my chip time was around 2:32:32 (Because I remember it being 9 minutes more than the SB half).

Because I hadn't trained long, I didn't expect to do well,

so I was just happy to run it. They call this one in their advertisement, "The Happiest place on earth". It really was neat. It ran through the Disney park and California Adventure around L.A. past the Angels' stadium and LA Aqueduct. I would strongly recommend this one for anyone looking to do something fun to finish off the summer.

Post August came campaign season (political campaigns) election stuff, so I was quite without some running. The only memorable run due to its distinctiveness was one I did up in Arcata, CA. I saw a deer run right past me and it kind of startled me.

I didn't do any type of event until Turkey Day (late November) when Hafiza and I did the turkey 4 miler, which was fun, but perhaps I felt a little, "out of my element". (45:27)

For New Year's, my sister and I decided to start off the year on a good note and we ran in our first ever Resolutions Run in SB, yet another 5k on by the beach. I set a really bad time that can easily be improved on throughout the year! There is something to be said about very early morning races after very late nights...(think new year's eve). (37:33)

long time gone...

2008-06-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

Long time gone...

Hmm I worked on a campaign for a while...and it took me a little from the routine (not that I had an amazing routine after the Huntington break) but I have broken most of my discipline and gotta get somethin' together. I lost my training log :(

I did do the gaucho gallup! 1:06:59 was my time, which was a 10:47 pace. Which was not bad for a mid campaign morning run!

On the docket I have the NYC 1/2 marathon on July 27! (my favorite, favorite place) Followed by the Disneyland 1/2 marathon on August 31st (the happiest place on earth). I then have San Francisco Full Marathon scheduled October 19...and maybe if I get my act together now, I will shoot for SB 9 Trails November 29... So the countdown would be from today:

(7/27) NYC 46 days
(8/31) Disney 74 days
(10/19) SF 122 days
(11/29) SB9T 163 days

Back to running....

2008-03-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

I'm quitting school. But not running.

I got an nike+ thingy to track my distance =) that was exciting.

I started strength training. Yuck! I had NO record 'loop' all feb so I gotta make up for it in March.

My SB Roses to La Play 5k time was 29:00. (not fantabulous but it was alright) tons of fun!

Up next is 10k Gaucho Gallup April 26th and the next bigger one is SB Wine Country Half (May 10th)

Finally...

2008-02-21T21:15:00.000-08:00

I finally ran for the first time yesterday, and then again today :D

I was starting to get easily aggravated, annoyed, confrontational and mildly depressed after 2.5 weeks of sitting around with a cough/flu thing. I kicked the cough on the day of my first run...so i wonder if I should've never stopped running to avoid the cough?

Here's a pic of my first "loop" run today in almost 3 wks. (1 hr & 4 min)

Sick since HB

2008-02-18T13:36:00.000-08:00

Haven't run since HB (running either today or tomorrow for the first time again)...Gotta run at least a few times before next Sunday...I got my favorite sis to run the 5k with me and Hafiza, my buddy, just agreed to run it too! Should be great fun! If I get to running soon. I've never done a 5k before so, we'll see how 3.1 miles goes...

Huntington Beach Kicked my ass!

2008-02-07T17:52:00.000-08:00

"Weather is shitty.cold.wind.rain."

Bib: 1288
Place Overall: 983 out of 1087
Women: 365 out of 419
F 01-24: 29 out of 35
AgeGrade: 40.73%
Place: 984

FINISH: 5:44:39 pace: 13:09
3 Mile: 29:30 pace: 9:50
6 Mile: 1:01:48 pace: 10:18
12 Mile: 2:20:30 pace: 11:43
20 Mile: 4:14:15 pace: 12:43

Chip Time: 5:44:39 Gun Time: 5:45:29

My first marathon was a rougher than I expected. My finishing time was way beyond what I had hoped for. It took me a while (about 7 miles) to finally accept that it was raining and it wasnt going to stop. The wind might have been a more difficult element to deal with than the rain. My first 6 miles were GREAT!!! but by the 12th mile I was already at 2:20:30 (had it been a half marathon, I would have done worse than the SB one). Come mile 20 I was pretty done...i wasnt in pain at all anywhere that I could pinpoint, but in general i was exhausted. (more than during my average long runs). I would say the toughest part of HB Marathon was not the course (because it was pretty flat) but the weather conditions, which affects not only one as a runner, but the mood. While at times I'd forget it was raining, spectators with umbrellas and jackets reminded me that it was raining. Hmm HB was certainly a mental challenge, almost as much as it was physical. (although of course it takes a toll on your body, and here I am thursday after running a fever a few days this week).

I wish it would have been different, and I had fun on some of the course, but I wouldn't say most of it. However, I have a feeling every marathon I run after this will be much smoother. (provided I don't have the same weather conditions.)

As for a lesson found in the running of this marathon, I finally understood the bible verse on Hebrews 12:1

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Runners took off their gloves when they felt they no longer needed them. Likewise, they removed layers of shirts and those too they left behind. In order to finish the run to the best of their ability, they left it all behind. While it sounds simple enough, it's not. I kept my two shirts tied to my waist. The GEORGETOWN shirt, because it's my favorite and I always wear it on long runs. The HB Marathon shirt, is nice, good quality, I wasnt going to part with it after having it less than 24 hrs. I made a conscious decision that it was more important to me to keep these on than to leave these soaking shirts that were adding weight primarily in my back (most needed to run). Maybe if I had been able to let go, I would have done better...

When seeking to follow a righteous path and in the goal to follow God, we too must leave things behind that are hard to leave behind. While there is a perfectly good reason to hold on to one bad habit or another, finishing the race requires that we drop all the excuses and the BS and do what we are called to do. The race is long I'm sure longer than 5:44:39...but in the end I am sure it will be well worth it.

(woah...i just found the same concept, when i searched the scripture http://www.xenos.org/teachings/nt/hebrews/gary/heb12-1.htm)

24.86 mi. - Last long run before Huntington 2.3.08

2008-01-21T15:33:00.000-08:00

Alright, Last weekend I did my last long run (on Saturday) it was a total of 24.86 mi and a little unintentional. I was looking for a certain turn around point, but when I didn't find it and got to La Cumbre road I figured I should turn around.

The first 11.78 miles I ran in 2.10 hours. The next 6. 79 nine miles I ran in the next 50 minutes...and then it was all downhill from there. I figured out how to get a pace that is decent, and maintain it at least a few hours. The total run took 5 hrs, 35 min and 43 seconds. It was great, and at the end of the day, the only mild annoyance was my knee. (specially hurt running downhill). The rest of training will be getting into that perfect pace every time...by doing "The loop" in consistent times.(54:29 today)

21.2 and only 16 days left until the big 26.2

2008-01-17T14:54:00.000-08:00

Saturday I ran 21.2 miles in 4 and a half hours. Hmm I wish I were running these faster, on the up side,I hardly feel any discomfort the following day. This next saturday I am planning on hitting 23.2 and letting 26.2 be a surprise on the 3rd. More excitingly, I finally did the Fairview mile (from cathedral oaks) to the top of fairview & back down of course). This weekend I hope to get to San Marcos Pass before turning around.

As for the loop, although I have not done it as often as I wish, I did have a 3rd best time, as I tried to catch up to an elderly lady that passed me by the 2nd mile and out ran me until she was out of sight at around 4.5miles.

I'm thinking this Sat will be my last long run, and then the following 2 weeks I'll devote to 1 hr runs and STRENGTH TRAINING (no matter how much I hate it).

Okay, that's it for now.

4:08:14 New Year's 20-mi.

2008-01-02T15:27:00.000-08:00

I ran this past weekend. Saturday I ran the loop setting a 4th best time (after not running for about a week and a half). Sun I ran again. And my first four hours of the New Year (7:17am-11:25am) I spent running 20 miles.

It felt good. My legs were not in pain last night and I only feel them today when I think about it. I still have to find a way to get at least 5 more miles onto that distance before 2/3/07 (Huntington Beach Marathon). I'd love to run a 4 hr. marathon but today it seems a little tough, I can probably be ready in a month though.

Among the things I experienced on Tuesday's long run: I saw a condor catch a bird mid-flight, a lot of people slept in, I could tell by the difference in quantity of newspapers lying on the floor, that I had to jump over. I saw a sticker that said "Blessed are the peacemakers", which made me reflect on a lot of annoyance and confusion I've had about Bhutto's assassination, but I think it made me be somewhat appeased. In the last hour, I got to the bluffs and met Morgan, a young boy 7 and a half to be exact and his sister (a bit younger), they ran along with me until we acquainted ourselves and they shared what they got for Christmas. I was pleased to see many families walking on the beach as the day got hotter. (and I'm glad it did because by 830 it was still 44F according to the clock and thermometer by the fairview theater).

Short update

2007-12-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

Hmm Still not running. The weekend was nice but I got this cough that wouldn't stop, which led to an inflammation in my rib cage and chest cavity, and I visited the ER on Xmas day...thanks to enough "NORCO" it no longer hurts. (still coughing)...not running for a little bit, maybe this weekend.

Dec 23rd...only 2 runs in many days

2007-12-23T18:11:00.000-08:00

So the first week of not running was due to finals(12/9-12/12) and then taking a couple of days after finals (which obviously led me to not going on a long run)(12/13-12/15).

The following week it rained and I was sick (12/17-12/19) and although I'm still sick by thursday I went on an indoor run... treadmil which isn't my favorite but I did 6 miles followed by another 6 on friday.

The lesson was: when you can, run! (instead of bumming it after finals I could've put in a good long run and not fall behind too much.)

Then after hanging in the cold friday and saturday night this cough got much worse...(yuck) but I'm hoping it will go away so I can put in a long run on wed!!! I'm up to 20 miles on wed here (hopefully, hopefully)

Uh and what prompted me is that I'm seriously considering the SB9 Trail Run...35 mil endurance run in Nov. We'll see how Huntington goes (if I don't absolutely hate it, then I'll get another marathon under my belt between Feb and Oct and then train for SB9T)

1:00:27 almost there...

2007-12-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

I wasn't trying to break a record time today, I got out there in a new jacket ready for the rain and ran a mediocre run...and when I was about 1/4 of a mile away from home I realized I could come in that 10th time and make all my times for "the loop" be under an hour. But I didn't quite make it. I did come in my 10th best time but not under an hour. Tomorrow I will run 18.36 miles and I can't wait. (I have uploaded a torts review unto my ipod) and will waste not even a minute of studying time for midterms. I am really writing just to get this picture up from my run on wed...

I keep forgetting to write

2007-12-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

Okay, since Nov 21st (my last entry) I have gone on two more long runs the one on Sat 24th was amazing. I found the secret to running well. Streching, eating properly and resting enough. I did all of this the friday before my long run and ran 16miles in just under 3 hrs.

This past weekend unintentionally I did the very opposite, I didn't strech, I went out w/a friend Saturday night till about 3 am and had a salad and some drinks. The consequence...I had a 17.64 run that was mediocre at best. I felt tired after a couple of hours (more so than I usually do after a couple of hours). It took me about 3hours and 32 min averaging a 12 minute mile.

On the more exciting note, I got my best time on Dec 1st on the loop 53:21 (?) I think. (I gotta check out my log at home). On my list of top 10 times only the 10th is above an hour that is 1:01:59. All my other times are under an hour and I'm stoked.

Next week's run (Dec 8th) is special one for me to focus and clear my mind for finals. It is set to be 18.36 miles, and if I do things correctly I would love to come in at 3 hrs and a half.

A day before Turkey Day

2007-11-21T13:21:00.000-08:00

I felt like I was totally bumming it but I ran on Sunday my planned 15.2 (though I had to change the route a little due to way way too much fog in a very isolated area. Then on Monday I naturally rested and I felt today like it had been ages since I last ran, but it's just because yesterday I just didn't get up. (there was no reason, I just didn't get up), but today...I got up and ran my favorite 5.35mi (the loop) in a best time! Came runnin' in today at 54:25 and I felt plenty accomplished. Bring on one more run and a turkey!

Gym followed by SB gorgeous run

2007-11-14T11:23:00.000-08:00

So my time for 5.28 miles was awful (1:10:00), but I had been at the gym for an hour (which is no easy task). On the better side, I will soon conquer that shoreline hill (ever since after the 1/2, I am determined to beat that hill). Here are some pics from today's run.

Training for the Huntintgont Beach full- Weekend #1

2007-11-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

A view of Isla Vista from the Ellwood bluffs (above)
Ellwood bluffs- Sun morning (below)

Saturday's run did not happen. I slept in and when I woke up it was too sunny (and hot) to get the run started (about 8:30) I had to let it go, and try for Sunday. Sunday was a different story, I got up extra early and was on my way. I ran 14.70 miles in 2:49:32 (that's of course the longest I've ran). The day was overcast and perfect. Hardly any wind, and at about mile 8 or 9 it began drizzling. I loved it!
Sunday's route

Race Day was good!

2007-11-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

Final Time 2:23:21 (better than my expected 2:30!)

Race is tommorrow and I can't wait

2007-11-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

This week I went out for the morning 5 on Mon, Tue, and Wed.

Monday was an alright run. I felt I could've done better. My mind was a little scattered and so was my pace...

Tuesday I had a perfect run.Body was feeling good, came in with a 3rd best time, pace was continuous and I was stoked. Hoping to have a repeat performance wed.

Wed It was really cold. I wore two long sleeve shirts on top of my tank top. The body took forever to warm up, the ankle was bugging me, and somewhere between 5 and 6 minutes, I realized I forgot to stop my watch. (hence the estimation). Toward the last 2 parts of the run I got a knot in my calf and walked the rest of it. I would've run but I know better than to push for an injury. I think while I was in city college a few years back I ignored pain every time, and eventually I couldn't get out at all to jog for up to 6 months.

Tonight the Team in Training (team) has a pasta party. (loading up on those carbohydrates today). And I am hoping for a good run tomorrow. We start at 8:30 but gotta show up at 7:30 for a warm up with the team and some stretching.

Today has been very much a day to think about all different aspects of the run. I still gotta load my ipod shuffle w/music, and charge the battery. I got some chocolate gu an energy gel of sorts. (I find it really gross, but it makes a difference by the time you've been running 2 hrs.)I also stared reading "Confessions of an all night runner" last night, i heard its good.

I'm a little anxious not nervous about the running w/a lot of people part of it. I heard it takes a few miles before the pack breaks up.I am expecting to come in around 11pm (thats 2:30) which is a good time for a first time. Uh that reminds me...(well I'll write about that later) Anyways, just a short update. Only 18.5 hrs until race time!

Only 5 days left

2007-10-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Only five days left until my first half-marathon. Although I haven't been blogging, I haven't stopped running. I have twice ran 13.5 miles and twice have ran 11.1 miles. I have continued to run my morning 5, and on my board, 9/10 best times for the "morning 5" are from the time I began training (august)until today. Here is this morning's picture from a perfectly lit day (with the moon above)

The unexpected rewards of running.

2007-10-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday I got up extra early to run what I estimated would be 13 miles. Sure enough, I ran 13.33 miles (21.46km) They took me 2:40 minutes, and now the goal will be to work on the time!(click to see map http://www.favoriterun.com/174014)

People wonder what the joy might be in testing one's body, but I feel it is more of testing one's mind and heart. I don't only mean it literally, but you learn so much when you push yourself. You work on your character, will, drive, self-esteem. It does wonders for any individual when they challenge themselves! (Even more than when others challenge you)

Besides all the warm, fuzzy feelings...you have rewards such as this view at the downhill of Lagoon Road overlooking Goleta beach. (Thanks to the times, I can carry a small cell phone with a camera in the pocket on my belt everywhere I go.)

Way to break those records...

2007-10-09T16:25:00.000-07:00

The more I run, the more I like it! After this half marathon is done, I would love to keep running long runs on Saturdays, so I can run a full marathon sometime next year.

Today I got a best time on the loop, looking back actually since I posted my top 10 times for the loop on August 11th, I have finally gotten a chance to compare my chart.On today's chart there are only 3 numbers* that were there before, all the others are new, and have replaced previous times. Here is what my chart looks like (for the 5 mile loop):

1. 57:45 October 9,2007
2. 57:54 October 5,2007
3. 1:01:02 September 26, 2007
4. 1:01:59 August 29, 2007
5. 1:02:56 July 8, 2006*
6. 1:03:18 October 4,2007
7. 1:03:43 September 25,2007
8. 1:04:43 August 27, 2007
9. 1:06:59 June 16,2006*
10. 1:07:16 January 23,2007*

Here is an exerpt from the 8/11/07 blog

"One of my goals is to cut the time in which I run my regular 'loop'. My current 10 best times are as follow:

1. 1:02:56 July 8, 2006
2. 1:06:59 June 16, 2006
3. 1:07:16 January 23, 2007
4. 1:07:20 March 1, 2007
5. 1:07:23 April 23, 2007
6. 1:08:07 February 27, 2007
7. 1:08:10 July 27, 2007
8. 1:09:59 June 17, 2006
9. 1:10:15 February 10, 2007
10. 1:10:21 February 20, 2007"

...although I am not a "fast" runner, I am often content with my perseverance, not everyday that I run I set a record yet I must run over 100 miles a month (5 miles, 4 days and one day of 10miles or more every week)

Almost there...

2007-10-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

I still have 1 month and 2 days until 1/2 marathon day. This past Saturday, I ran 11.09 miles. (http://www.favoriterun.com/172055) And I found a website called favoriterun.com where I can save my routes. The link above is to Saturday's run. I ran this route in 2 hours and 14 minutes. The day was absolutely perfect for a run!!! =0) My next goals are to run 13.1 miles (at once)and as soon as I get there, run them to work on cutting down my time. I also got this belt with two 10 oz water bottles and a place to store a cell phone and some gels for the long runs (on my own). .

Following my shadow...

2007-09-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

When I get up to go for a run at 7 am, the sun is also rising but it is somewhat light. Right at the end of my first mile I can see the yellow light emanate from the sun. At about mile two right on Cathedral Oaks and Glenn Annie, I turn to run away from the sun. All of a sudden I face my least favorite part of the run (DP hill) which is not a very steep hill but maybe it is mildly and continuously steep for 1/2 mile. With the sun higher than before and at my back , it is at this time when my shadow is long and tall and ahead of me. I run, and I try to keep up with my shadow that stands tall, and reaches the end goal several strides ahead of me. The top of DP hill is about 20 minutes into my run, but once I conquer it, the rest is just cruising.

The most dangerous part of my run is on the Winchester Canyon crossing primarily the part between the paved stuff and the bridge that hasn't even rails/barriers on the sides. (In fact long before I cared about municipal governments, I complained to the city about this...it's an accident waiting to happen) Luckily for me right at this time of the year (more so about a month ago) the sun is still behind me but a little off to the side, so my shadow is long and sticks out not ahead of me but at an angle, so when cars drive beside me, they move all the way to the end of the shadow. In this case, my shadow protects me. At the end of the entire Winchester ordeal, I realize I facing the sun, and open pavement, the road is ahead of me, the shadow behind me, and it depends on how much heart I have whether or not I complete another record.

Yesterday I came in at my then 3rd best time: 1:03:43
Today I completed the usual 'loop' in my best time: 1:01:02

10 mi. & it didn't Rain!

2007-09-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

After a dry summer, we finally got a tenth of an inch of rain on Friday. I was a little worried it would rain on Saturday morning say around 7-10 but it didn't Rain. It was a prefect morning for my first 10 mile run. The air felt fresh, the clouds and sky morphed continuously as it does during the rain seasons. It was gorgeous. When I had 40 minutes left, I started to feel fairly tired but I got my second wind twenty minutes later...I'm not sure what triggered the extra surge of energy.

The run started at Leadbetter beach and we ran up Shoreline around a a block by the Lazy Acres and back down, on the beach bike path to the bird refuge and back to Leadbetter beach.

For the first time I tried those 'gels' and it was an orange flavor...but a little gross, i washed it down with pink Gatorade and I feel it helped maintain a certain energy level but it was kind of nasty. I heard that other flavors are better. Any suggestions?

One day at a time...some faster than others

2007-09-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

This "chronic cough" as I have deemed it has still been bugging...but now i decided to ignore it. Going on 4 weeks, I've had enough... Last night I went to track training which was moved from Tuesday nights to Wednesday nights, which means I can go (provided that there are no meetings I ought to be at).

Last night's training at La Playa stadium was good. It was challenging (I blame 1/2 of it on this cough). But we ran a 6 lap 12 min warm up, 2 x200 (one lap, running a half of that at 90% intensity-1:38 min) and then we did 4 x400 (one lap, running the whole lap at 80% intensity- about 2:00min) and then just two cool down laps. It was fun after, once the endorphins kick in enough to be more fun and less struggle. I am lucky to fit (time wise) with a group of about 5 girls, so we often run together and thats always a good motivator (to lead, or to keep up with these ladies).

Saturday we will be doing a "mock" run of the race day trail. We will be out there for 2 hours. And our biggest task is to be hydrated enough.

I wanted to also mention that thanks to your contributions, the money raised so far has been $1,033 I am certain when I am through the amount will surpass my 2,500 goal!!! Thanks!

Sat Sept 15th 2 new records

2007-09-16T15:24:00.000-07:00

I finally got out there again and it was Good!

I ran the longest distance I have run, and the longest time (for that distance). Saturday's run was 8 miles. (4 each way from Arroyo Burro Beach down Last Positas, through Modoc to Encore (almost the Hollister/Modoc intersection)

I had fun and it was only 1.5 hour

Super Excited

2007-09-15T00:24:00.000-07:00

I am super EXCITED for two reasons. The first is that I am at 22% of my fudraising goal! Thanks to every one of you that has sent a donation and good wishes my way!

The second is, this cough has still not gone away, but I'm still running tomorrow, cause its about time and I am feeling extra encouraged to get out there again now!(see reason #1) =0) Okay, off to bed to begin a busy weekend!

Day 38- Still not running >:0(

2007-09-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

So this cough...still hasn't gone away, and last night I had decided to run this morning. This morning I woke up and it's as if I'd gotten worse rather than better. But I have to run this Saturday (cuz it's starting to affect my overall mood and productivity).

Actually, that's why I took up running after quitting soccer, because I needed to do something to get negative energy out and restore new energy. At the most stressed times of life I run.In general I run to be pretty well balanced and take in new things, and figure out solutions to old problems. Sitting all day at work and school without running, makes it hard to focus...hmm and I haven't quite figured out the correlation.

On a more exciting note!!! I have had new donations added to this effort. Check out the donation page http://www.active.com/donate/tntgla/ouribe

Almost a week without running

2007-09-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

Hmm this week kind of sucked. I have had this cough since last Tuesday and I haven't ran. It specially bugged me on Saturday because it was a perfect morning for a long run. I got there for the stretching clinic though, and learned good advice. I hope to run by Wed night. Weekday practices have moved from Tuesday to Wednesday which means I'll be able to make at least 2/month now!!! I hope to run by Wednesday, because it's long overdue. My ribs hurt from coughing...yuck.

A week without blogging...NOT without running

2007-09-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

I've gone a week without blogging, and I apologize.

Saturday training (Day 26) was a longer run than before. We ran from the Camino Real Marketplace to Goleta Beach and back in a little more than an hour. (an estimated 6 mi run altogether). We then had an injury prevention clinic and it was informative enough.

Sunday (Day 27) I woke up completely sore so I absolutely had to run in the morning. (I find it if I don't go when I am sore, then I'll be very sorry the first time I do run again) So I ran and I was a little slow, but proud to be out on a hot Sunday morning. =0) I did the loop and carried on with my day.

Labor Day Monday (Day 28) Again I woke up a little less sore but much more tired. Again I went out on an even slower run, and I had to take a minor detour to return a key to friend along the way.

Tuesday (day 29) I woke up feeling not only tired but a little sick. I skipped the run and got some DayQuil...Wed (day 30) also skipped the morning run. But tomorrow I have to go run because Fridays we are expected to rest so that we can do well on the Saturday run. I heard that this weekend we are running from Leadbetter to the Biltmore and back in 1:15 so, I need to run tomorrow so as to NOT be thrown off guard on Saturday.

Day 22 & 23, A restful day led to completion of a goal!

2007-08-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

Day 22~ I didn't get up Tuesdy morning :0( after having been awake from 2:40-4:30am to watch the eerie lunar eclipse!

Day 23~ Wednesday- I got up early and headed out on my run. I completed 'the loop' in my best time so far. Yay! 1:01:59 which cuts off 55 seconds from my previously #1 record. That was the highlight number one of my day, the second was that I got my first donation. It was for $100, thanks Larry!

Day 21- Monday's 1st accomplishment

2007-08-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

I ran outdoors this morning (the 'loop')and thankfully there is no more ash. It is the first day of school around here so I got out early enough to miss all the school traffic. I was surprised to cut a minute out of the first mile. I knew it would be a good run. (Monday's can often be a good run day). Although I ran better than usual, I didn't push myself even close to enough. However, I did come in with my second best time! 1:04:43 , which allowed me to get here just in time to watch Gonzales' resignation. (Had I taken 5 more minutes as usual, I would've missed it!) I am thinking I can get a best time at the latest by the end of next week. That's all for now. =0)

Day 19- How MANY miles?!?!

2007-08-25T11:12:00.001-07:00

Saturday morning, I rolled out of bed, got dressed and rolled back into bed for those last 10 minutes. I got to training 3 minutes before 7 and we got started. Ran from the Camino Real Market Place past the new Engeneering Buildings out at UCSB. I don't know how many miles but I came back in 58 minutes.

The run was long I felt, but 58 minutes is fairly shorter than my usual outdoor run. I think running w/other people really pushes you the whole way (vs. running by yourself, at least I kind of slack a little on my own). It's not bad though to be pushed...

I have a theory that if you push someone to do better they benefit, and in them doing better, you have to at least maintain your efforts, which is true of running, bowling or overal work ethic, study habits etc. If you're the one pushed...then the extra encouragement really helps (and it never crosses your mind that your improvement come to the benefit of your peer/s.)

oh yea...and my left leg fell asleep which was the second time this week...hmm

Day 12- Day 18 A failure in blogging

2007-08-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Day 12 - Saturday night, I scheduled my work out so tightly that in order to make the most of it, I only ran on the treadmill for 25 minutes, but I pushed most of that time.My heart was going and it just felt GREAT!!! My average heart rate was 177 beats/min and my Maximum HR was 190 beat/minute.

Sunday I rested and Monday too(because I knew it would be a long day and the beginning of the Fall semester.)

Tuesday- Day 15, I did some strength training followed by 30 minutes of a run just like the one I did on Saturday, only I went a little longer and pushed a little harder. The outcome?Well, I actually burned 52 calories more (so exactly 5 min worth of working out) but my average heart rate and maximum heart rate decreased.(172/avg HR, 189 Max HR)

Wednesday -Day 16, I did it once more(except without the strength training) and continued to push just a little harder. By Wednesday again my average heart rate had gone to 163 and my maximum heart rate was at 186.

Thursday- Day 17 I just didn't get up on time to go work out. Hmm I attribute this to the fact that I forgot to set my clothes for the day. =0(

Friday- Day 18 I wanted to go run outdoors now that the fire is gone, but running in the dark is still not my favorite, so again I went in for a run on the treadmill, apparently I took a liking to this routine. It is fast, it is consistent and it is challenging. Today again my avg HR was at 168/ and my max HR was 189. No record setting even though I worked longer and harder. And since last Saturday, even though I push a lot harder, my 'polar heart rate monitor' swears I'm in my 'comfortable target zone'.

Lesson- Applicable in life: If you push yourself hard, and often enough, you believe this is not only doable, but doable comfortably, and once you get this far, you cannot go back in your efforts and become mediocre while claiming to 'work hard'. In order to work hard, now this has become your new 'average' and to be better you must push harder.

Day 11- Friday...I rested/ Day 12

2007-08-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

On Fridays, our coaches don't want us to run or train...so that we can rest for a long run on Saturday...little did I know that it would continue to be SOO ashy.

Day 12- Saturday....it was super ashy and if you run in that it really feels bad. So, since we had the choice to do an indoor run, I think I'm gonna do that this afternoon after nap time! (I got a case of V8 to have in the office, for the 'sleepy' afternoon hour right around 3pm, however, I have not gotten it from my car since tues...darn!)

Day 9/10- The 'Birthday Run' and thursday...

2007-08-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

Day 9- August 15- 23rd bday
For the 5th year in a row, I went on a 'Birthday Run'. I almost didn't because it was dark and ashy. VERY ashy from the fire still, but how can I of all people break a habit as good as the "Birthday Run"?! I have 2 runs every year that are special...the first is the 'Birthday Run', the second is 'New Year's run'. Neither can be ignored.

Of the two, I'd say the b-day run is most important. Yesterday I did the 'loop' around the house in 1hour 13 min. (I'd venture to say the ash was not helping!)

The birthday run is really a thinking thing...The questions that must be answered are good for the most part and its really the best time for reflection...

What are/have been your accomplishments since you turned 22?
What have you accomplished in the last year in your education?
How about 'professionally' or with work?
Where are you in regards to your short term goals?
Where are you in regards to your long term works?
What is the single larges accomplishment for this next year that you seek?
What is the greatest obstacle to achieving success in that and how will you overcome it?
How will this help you in the long run?

How are you doing socially?
How well did you take care of your friendships this year?
Did you grow in any friendship/relationship/
Are there any relationships you could do without?
Are there friendships/relationships you would like to pursue?
How can you improve with each of your closer friends?

How is your relationship to your family?
Which area of how you relate to your family members?
How are you balancing your time? Are you spending enough time with your family?
How could you improve your time spent with mom, dad, sis and grandma?
What do you hope to work on with your family relationship?

In general are you trying your hardest?why or why not?
Where could you try harder?

How are you doing internally? Are you happy?
What could improve your motivation?
What would make you happier?
Are you fulfilled?
If there is something you want, is it a need or a fairly unnecessary want?
Did you rely on your faith in the past year?Was all that you did this year done in a way that it ought to have been done?
Did you grow in your faith or distance yourself? why?
What can you do better in this regard? What is one thing you will commit to, in order to grow in your faith?

Physically are you secure enough? why or why not?
What is a fitness/habits goal that you have for this next year?

Outline your top priorities...and we'll see for the New Year's run how far you've come.

And so, by the time I'm there mentally I'm pretty much right around the corner from home. I find this reflective time really gets me focused and its consistent enough that if something is awfully wrong, it often won't last too long. The other thing about this...is you can fool anybody and tell anybody what they want to hear, but when it's just you, you have to be accountable for yourself, and honest...there's no way to go wrong with a little self reflection. Socrates' thing was "know thyself", and I have for years lived by this with a little Uribe twist, "know thyself, and you will never be disappointed". (for good or bad).

Day 10-
Too much like tuesday...a lot of strength training at the rec cen, and a short 20 min period on the eliptical machine...

Day 8- Tuesday TNT

2007-08-14T06:18:00.000-07:00

Today at 6pm is our training, so this morning as I head out to the gym (to maintain my morn routine), I know it will be short and maybe not easier but certainly not really tiring. I gotta do all the 'fun' stuff...sit-ups, push-ups, weight training which is repetitive and slow. Although you burn absolutely no calories, it can get kinda tough.

Tonight is TNT at the track at 6! (my last one for a while, since I will have school on Tuesday nights starting next week, however, they will move practice in September to Wed, but even then I can probably only make practice once a month...but it's alright...my daily training very well complement the Tue track training. And I can also get the exercise pattern and go to the stadium on my own...the only thing I would need is to figure out the shower problem...hmm...

Day 7- Monday mornings

2007-08-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

I worked out and had a good 40min. run on the treadmill...not very exciting I guess, but always working on the stamina. Getting up on Monday really gets me the right start for the week!

Image

2007-08-12T03:02:00.000-07:00

This is the image that I will be using for most stuff related...It's kinda cool I think.

Day 5- Continued...Determination, Will Power & Fortitude

2007-08-11T22:41:00.001-07:00

Today's run was a short one. 15 min down Cathedral Oaks and 15 min back! I was glad because I usually run longer...but it is definitely different to run by yourself than around/with others.
In fact, that might be one of my biggest challenges, just cause it's changing routine a bit.

I generally run a mile in 10 min...on a nice laid back run. When I run at home I run 6 miles (when there is no fire that is) and I go from my house down Hollister across Storke onto Cathedral Oaks and across the bridge by the Bacara back down Hollister and straight home or through the bluffs depending on the time constraints. If for some reason I have to be indoors (ash, rain, etc) then I run at the UCSB rec center...but I hate paying for parking and the treadmill really doesn't amuse me even half as much, but it does work on my consistency.

Lucas, our coach spoke of three words today: Determination, Will Power & Fortitude. I find that these qualities will be quite tested and strengthened throughout this process that requires a lot of self-discipline, and I'm excited to take on this challenge. One of my goals is to cut the time in which I run my regular 'loop'. My current 10 best times are as follow:

1. 1:02:56 July 8, 2006
2. 1:06:59 June 16, 2006
3. 1:07:16 January 23, 2007
4. 1:07:20 March 1, 2007
5. 1:07:23 April 23, 2007
6. 1:08:07 February 27, 2007
7. 1:08:10 July 27, 2007
8. 1:09:59 June 17, 2006
9. 1:10:15 February 10, 2007
10. 1:10:21 February 20, 2007