April: 38.15 miles

Ouch.

Have you heard of Pure Barre? It's my new obsession. I have 10 days left in my one month unlimited trial. I. Love. It.

Carlsbad 5000

I'm leading the pack!

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This morning's Carlsbad 5000 was a great race, as usual. It is definitely my favorite 5K because of how well organized it is, how family friendly the whole weekend's events are and just the great crowd support. I love that kids can participate the day before (both of mine did!) and today it's the adults' turn, followed by the elites who run the invitational. It's truly an amazing and very fun event.

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Not a PR for me this morning, but I was pleased with the results today. Running hasn't been easy these last two months and to just get out there and run was awesome. And a 7:52 pace for me is pretty good!

March: 58.02 miles

starting over

It feels like I am starting over with the whole running thing. January was a fantastic month with high, quality miles and a PR at the Carlsbad Half Marathon. Then came along February. I had a last minute 4 day trip back home the first weekend, surgery mid-month and no running the second half of the month. I'm just now starting back after giving my body some time to heal. Probably way more time than was necessary, but I didn't want to push things. My body needed the rest. However, now I need to get back to running and, as always when I take a break, I feel like I'm starting over. It was almost 3 weeks between my surgery and yesterday's first run back. It was hard and this evening's run was also hard. I'm looking forward to 5 miles being quick and easy again.

February: 28.92 miles

January: 101.20 miles

Carlsbad Half Marathon

seeing my family at mile 11 along Hwy 101

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The Carlsbad Half Marathon has become my favorite 13.1 race. You just can't beat the scenery, the size (10,000 runners today, but it doesn't feel like it due to the wave start), course support is unmatched and the weather is always perfect for running. This morning I ran it for the second time -- last year was the first. I'll be running this one every year for as long as we live here!
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This morning's race was my 10th half marathon since I started running them 8 years ago. My first half was finished in 2:32. Today's finish? A new personal best (by a full 2 minutes!) of 1:52:29. The 8:35 pace felt very comfortable and my overall pacing was pretty consistent. The first 7 miles I ran with the 1:50 group. My strategy was to stick with them through the entire race and then kick it up at the end to finish just under that mark. However, I slowed to take some GU with water and never caught sight of them again. I'm very pleased that I was able to continue at that pace for the remainder of the race.
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Next up: Carlsbad 5000 in April and the world-famous Camp Pendleton Mud Run (10K) in early June.

2009: 1019.87 miles

After knocking out 1019.87 miles in 2009, it feels a little strange to be starting back at 0.00 miles. Today I ran a quick and easy 4 miles up and down Hwy 101 with the glow of the gorgeous sunset alongside me. Looking at my 4 miles and thinking about my goal of 100 miles a month this year, well... it feels a bit overwhelming, but I know I'll get it done.

December: 70.3 miles

November: 58.80 miles

Ouch. You'd never guess I'm in the middle of marathon training with such low miles... :(

October: 106.57 miles

September: 100.40 miles

Carlsbad Marathon

Twenty-six point two!

Sweat, smiles and great fun -- whoo hoo!

I signed up today!

August: 80.40 miles

America's Finest City

The AFC Half Marathon in San Diego was yesterday. I knew it'd be a challenge given the last few weeks of icky runs, two weeks away from home and the course itself. It was tough. The course is a point-to-point, beginning at Cabrillo Monument out on Point Loma and ending in Balboa Park. The 7am start meant everyone had to be shuttled to the start which meant I woke up at 3:30am and carpooled with friends to the start since we live 35 miles away. It made for a tough morning and one I was not familiar with in terms of when to eat, drink, how much, etc. But the course itself is a good one. The first mile is scenic... then you run downhill for about 3 miles... miles 4 to about 11 are pretty flat and all around the Harbor Island/airport area... then you start climbing from downtown to Balboa Park... the last .5 miles or so are downhill again to the finish. We were fortunate the sun stayed away for much of the race or it would have been pretty warm out there. I was ill-prepared and not focused at all. I didn't even get across the finish line in under 2 hours. !!!

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I would love to try this one again, but only to prove to myself that I can run it much better than I did yesterday but that early start with the shuttle is tough. I'm thinking my races are going to be more local and definitely not require a shuttle at the start.

July: 118.07 miles

Goal was 120 miles -- pretty close!

Orange County Mud Run & Eco Fest. 2009

during the race ~ after rinsing off

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A woman I met last month hurt her back this week so she offered me her race bib for today's 10K Mud Run. I had wanted to run the Camp Pendleton Mud Run last month, but the event was full within two days of opening registration. Today's event had all the good mud run obstacles like water bodies you wade through, hills to run up, short walls to climb over, tires to high step through, mud pits to crawl through, tunnels with sand and it was a great first experience, but I'm still thinking that Pendleton has to be on my race schedule next year. I need to mark my calendar now to ensure I have a spot when registration opens in January.

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Time today looked to be about 54:30. I'm pleased because it's actually quite a bit better than I had expected. Getting out early towards the front of the pack was key since some of the tighter spots like the tunnels got really bogged down for folks who got there later than I did. It was also a very warm morning in Irvine, Calif.

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I won't do this specific event again because I thought it was so poorly organized, but I'm definitely up for another Mud Run challenge!

Coronado 15K

Finish today was 1:20 for this pancake flat 15K. I had hoped for a little faster pace but it just wasn't the day for it. My finish was still a personal best by almost 4 minutes. Today I learned many things...

• Running with a tummy issue is not good or fun. The pharmacist two days prior had told me when she gave me my prescription that it might cause diarrhea. It did.
• I've become too dependent on my Garmin. A low battery today meant the thing didn't work. Grrrr.
• The pockets in my running skirt don't really hold things, they only pull the skirt down when filled. I ended up carrying my cell phone in my hand today. Ugh.
• The core exercises I've been doing are definitely paying off.

June: 107 miles

May: 100.02 miles

It has been THREE years since I've had a monthly mileage total this high. Wow!

April: 59.70 miles

Carlsbad 5000

Ran the Carlsbad 5000 this morning. Actually, my race started at 10:20am. !! It was weird to wake up lazily, eat breakfast, drink a grande Starbucks coffee, play with the kids, shower... and then drive over to the race with the whole family. Very strange, but something worked despite the warm weather and I improved my time from the Turkey Trot 5K in November. That one was my first 5K and today's event was my second -- today's time was about 1.5 minutes less. I finished in just under 24 minutes! Setting a goal like that and achieving it felt really, really good.
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Official results:
#107 out of 1228 and a chip time of 23:53

March: 75.65 miles

February: 64.54 miles

Started March with a nice 6.3 mile run... you know, one of those really good ones where you lose yourself and completely forget about time, pace, etc... yeah, I had one of those today.

thinkin', thinkin', thinkin'...

I've driven this course, but mostly in the opposite direction from La Jolla to Del Mar. And I've driven up the hill in Torrey Pines State Park that makes the quick 420' climb in approximately half a mile. Just thinkin'...

January: 78.42 miles

Carlsbad Half Marathon

Earlier this week I began to doubt whether or not the half marathon would happen for me today. I was hit with a nasty bug that was relentless. I finally conceded and went to a doctor Thursday afternoon. The lovely doctor gave me two prescriptions, some advise and promised I'd be running this morning. He was right!

Carlsbad puts on a pretty nice little marathon and half marathon event. They are both out and back courses that begin inland at the mall, but make a beeline for the coast. The bulk of it is down and back up the Coast Hwy which is glorious in Carlsbad. You're as close to the ocean as you can be and the cooling breezes off the Pacific are wonderful.

Temperature this morning started around 55* and only warmed to 60* by the end of my race. The sun eventually came out but not until nearly all the participants had finished. It was a perfect morning for running!

Not my best time, but a good time for me. Garmin finish of 1:58. I'm very pleased with this race. I started out really strong and ran the first several around an 8:30 pace, sometimes faster but never slower. At the halfway point I began to tire (the route is like a roller coaster and the hills were beginning to wear me down), but managed to run the entire route at a slower pace. It was especially nice to see my husband and kids around the 12.85 mark. I was really tired at that point and to see them there really sparked up my running and pushed me to the finish.

Next up: "the world's fastest 5K" in April ~ the Carslbad 5000. I watched it last year and have been looking forward to participating all year long. My goal is to better my time at the Turkey Trot and run sub-8 minute miles.

December: 59.25 miles

Carlsbad (half!) Marathon

I'm a little nervous since it has been 2-1/2 years since I last ran a half marathon, but I'm in...

November: 56.14 miles

Turkey Trot 5K

This morning I ran the local Turkey Trot 5K. I've always wanted to run a Thanksgiving morning race because it seems like a great way to start the holiday, but for whatever reason I hadn't until today. Today's race was also my first 5K. I've run many organized events from 8Ks to marathons, but never a 5K. It may be a new favorite distance.

This morning I finished strong and, in hindsight, I totally could have run faster the entire distance. Today I finished 12th in my division (age & sex) and ran an (official) 8:11 pace to finish in 25:18 or thereabouts. That's my Garmin finish time. The race was "old school" and didn't have chip timing but my finish time was just a few seconds more.

In all, a fantastic race and a great race for me personally!

October: 54.16 miles

September: 0 miles

August: 18.40 miles

July: 38.64 miles

June: 63.15 miles

Yay!

new runners

Aren't these the prettiest running shoes you've ever seen?? I cannot wait to run in them tomorrow morning! (188.98)

IronGirl 10K

This morning's 10K race was brutal. I knew it would be hot since yesterday was also very warm, but it was already in the low 70s by the race start time. Ouch. It was my first race in nearly 2 years and I'm okay with how I did given the conditions and route. Still, you always wish you could have gone a little faster or not taken a walk break. Slowly I will get there...

** Also, when did a 10K mean 6.54 miles...??

over!

Woo-hoo!! This morning's run put my mileage for the year over last year's total mileage. It's been a slow start as I get myself back into running, but things are definitely becoming easier and the runs are getting longer. Yippee!

upcoming race event

I registered for a 10K yesterday! I haven't participated in a running event in almost two full years. The last one I ran was a 4th of July half marathon in 2006 and it was a personal best with a pace of 8:43 minute miles. Running has been spotty due to life happenings and getting back into a rhythm has been difficult. Running hills all the time is difficult. I'm a little nervous about the 10K coming up!

May: 43.57 miles

So close to going over last month's total, but that last week in Oregon didn't include a single run. I thought about running, but that doesn't count so no miles the last week. Bummer.

5:30am

Some mornings I want to crawl back into bed and save my Saturday run for another time, maybe even another day. But mornings like today's make getting out of bed all worth it. It was cool, crisp and the sunrise was beautiful. Having the ocean all to myself for a half mile run on the beach was also pretty nice. Today's run (six miles!) was my longest distance run in quite some time. It was a fantastic way to start the weekend.

April: 46.29 miles

Hooray! Always a good thing when your mileage this month is more than the previous month!

spotted

I'm always surprised by just how long it takes for my body to get back into the rhythm of running. I've been running 3 or 4 times a week for the past several (five?) weeks and this morning's run was finally the one that felt good. It finally felt comfortable. It finally felt like it wasn't a struggle the entire time. I actually felt like I could have gone further but that pesty little Garmin I was wearing began beeping "battery low" and with me being the total nerd and information-obsessed person I am with running, I turned around at that point to double back. Because if the battery died along the way back, I would still know exactly how far I had run. Yes, I know, I'm a slave to the darn thing...

Later in the morning I bumped into a woman I know and she said the dreaded "Hey, I saw you running this morning." I always wonder if I looked miserable at the time of the spotting. Was my running form good? Was I running a faster pace at that point? I guess this is why I don't like family and friends to be spectators at races. Silly, silly me.

Carlsbad 5000

Yesterday was the world famous Carlsbad 5000. The race touts itself as being the world's fastest 5K and there have been many records, both national and international, set at this particular race. But along with the invited elite racers are the runners who simply run for the pure joy of running. I didn't run it this year, but will definitely be toeing the line next year.

This year we were all spectators. It's weird how runners never really look like they are moving that fast, but they really, really are! We watched the 30-something men finish and the first guy crossed in at 15:06. That translates to a 4:51 minute mile. Amazing!

Today during my treadmill run I punched up the speed to a 7:30 minute mile. And I could barely keep up. And I only held on for about a 1/4 of a mile.

I have so much respect and admiration for everyone who runs, regardless of pace or distance. Seeing runners push themselves like they did yesterday really inspires me.

March: 36.83 miles

I've impressed myself with my mileage this week. No particularly long or fast runs, but I finally was able to knock out some mileage. Whew! It's hard to "get back into running" once you've stopped for awhile. I'm really making an effort to get out there and find that love I have for the sport again. It's always been my thing, my time. I'm finding that I need it these days more than ever.

new running routes

Running has totally taken a backseat these last several months. I'm hoping some new running routes and races will revive my running. I started today by heading out for a run along the beach. It was a perfectly cool and cloudy afternoon for a run.

February: 0 miles

January: 9.09 miles

December: 2.30 miles

Wow. My mileage for this year is not even close to what I had hoped to hit. It would be a major disappointment if I were to dwell on it, so I'm not going to do that. Instead, onward and upward. I'm hoping to turn things around beginning today. Today is the first day of my marathon training program and I actually ran. Yippee!!

November: 9.84 miles

Eugene Marathon

I've officially registered. Now I just need to train. Actually, I need to start running first and then think about a training plan. Only 156 days!

October: 16.52 miles

Meet Millie

She's the new treadmill in our basement. She's going to make running much more convenient for me and with the days getting shorter and more wet, it'll be great to have a dry, well-lit place to go run!

September: 8.35 miles

This month was not a good month for running. However, I am enjoying the Bikram Yoga classes!

new shoes - yippee!

I took my kids with me this week to purchase some new running shoes. My two year old got a kick out of watching me run in the store in the new shoes. He told me these shoes will make me run really really fast. I hope so!

August: 63.16 miles

I only met my mileage goal again last month. Disappointing...

My goals for September? I'm not even going to bother making any. I'm simply going to run as much as I can, for as long as I can and as fast as I can. We'll see how this goes.

I'm also taking Bikram Yoga classes again. I've already been to two (after two years!) and I feel amazing. It's going to be a very good thing and I'm looking forward to not having to stop again after just getting started. This seems to have happened the last couple of times I started classes.

August goals

mileage - 60 miles
distance - 9 miles
pace - 10 minute miles (for 9 miles)

July: 48.65 miles

I didn't make my goals for this month. I had a feeling they were a little ambitious when I initially made them, but I wanted to give myself something high to shoot for and knew I wouldn't be disappointed if I didn't quite make them. And that's what has happened.

JULY goals
mileage - 45 miles
ACTUAL - 48.65 miles
distance - 7 miles
ACTUAL - 6.03 miles
pace - 10 minute miles (for 7 miles)
ACTUAL - 10:09 mm for 6 miles (furthest), 9:34 mm for 3 miles (fastest)

I'm pleased with my running progress this month! The only thing I'm disappointed with is my inability to lose these remaining pounds. I had hoped to be back in my pre-pregnancy clothes and hovering around 130 pounds by this time. I'm not there. Not. Even. Close. *grumble, grumble* In fact, I've only lost a whole 2 or 3 pounds this month. That is it. *heavy sigh*

happy happy joy joy

I hate to quote television personalities, but wow! was that a good run - Bam! That was exactly what good runs are made of. For me, it was my best run yet. Who knows, maybe I will hit all my July goals afterall?!

A special thanks goes out to the two teenagers who "raced me" down the hill - one on his skateboard, the other running. This old lady still has something in her! I picked it up to run that little bit with them at something faster than an 8:30 pace and when they stopped at the bottom of the next hill, I kept going. Booyah!

"Mommy run!"

I have always enjoyed running with the jogger because my little guy is such a good sport. He never fidgets or complains. Usually he doesn't even say a single word the entire time we are out there. I've often wondered how long it would be until he started talking to me more during the run and maybe (hopefully!) cheering me on as we run. He's two years, two months and talks up a storm so I knew it wouldn't be long.

This morning I heard "Mommy run!" several times during our run. I don't know where he came up with this but it was terribly cute and really got me to pick up the pace and continue running during those times I wanted a walk break. Each time I would answer "I am running, honey! I'm running as fast as I can." It really made the run this morning enjoyable and fun.

[Thanks, T! I'm looking forward to the day when we go out for runs together. Please, no rush though. You're growing up too fast as it is.]

reflections while running

I went out for a short run this morning and took T in the jogger with me. I haven't pushed the BOB while running probably since October due to my pregnancy. Morning sickness got the best of me then. It was really nice to have T with me today, but pushing a 30+ pound boy in a jogging stroller was quite a workout -- even if it was a short run!

While running this morning, I thought about what I was doing last year on this same day -- a half marathon out at Sauvie Island. I ran with a group of friends and everyone had a personal best. It's a fantastic course - super flat and fast - for that sort of thing. It got me thinking about other personal bests at different distances so when I got home I looked them up. Being the nerd that I am with these kinds of things, I had them all listed in a file...

8K - 49:44 (2001)
5 Miler - 52:35 (1998)
10K - 58:56 (2003)
15K - 1:23 (2006)
Half Marathon - 1:54:21 (2006)
Marathon - 4:20:30 gun time (2006)

Post-baby #1, all of my times for longer distances dropped. It was amazing. I had heard the year immediately following a birth is the best year for a woman runner and I believe it. I'm hoping I can get back to where I was last year at this time and drop my times even more. I've never been a fast runner and never will be, but I would love to get closer to averaging an 8:30 for all my longer distances. It would get me to Boston!

running blogs

We had too much going on this morning to get out for a run and we seem to be in a heat wave so no run this evening either. However, tomorrow morning I'll be out there!

And because I can't get enough of running and talking about running, I've joined another running blog. I'll still be posting things here, but I'll also be contributing to Marathon Mommy. See my profile for a link. These three women are amazing -- both as runners and individuals.

So, to the few out there who check here to see what I'm doing, take a look over there, too. I have no doubt you'll find yourself motivated and inspired to run!

June: 19.62 miles

Last night I was thinking about what my running goal should be this month. I definitely need a mileage goal, but shouldn't I have distance and pace goals, too? June was spent easing back into running, but now I feel like I really need to step it up. Maybe still a bit conservative, but my goals for this month are...

JULY goals
mileage - 45 miles
distance - 7 miles
pace - 10 minute miles (for 7 miles)

I also need to kick the remaining pregnancy pounds to the curb. A BBQ with old friends at the end of the month is my incentive to lose these last 12 pounds. It's certainly more than the recommended pound or two for healthy weight loss but it would put me back under 130 pounds. If I can somehow pull this off, the last 5 pounds I'd like to lose can wait until Labor Day. If the 12 doesn't happen, I'll try not to sweat it. I just want to wear my regular clothes again!

just call me "speedy"

Longest and furthest run yet! I was up every hour, almost on the hour, with the baby last night and did not feel like running this morning at all. However, having taken care of someone else all evening left me really wanting to take a little time to take care of myself this morning. Fresh air does wonders (coffee helps, too!), so out the door I went. It. Felt. Awesome. !!

I run for Toblerones

I'm happy that my runs are getting easier every time that I do them. I haven't been able to get out much yet, but that's okay since I'm still easing into it and figuring out when the best times are for me to run. With every run, I'm running a little faster and a little bit further which in turn means I'm burning more calories and eventually losing more of this pregnancy weight. I gained A LOT (just as I did with the first pregnancy) and still have 15 pounds plus to go. I pretty much hit a plateau after the first 40 or so pounds. [Okay, so I indulged a little while pregnant. Since many of my favorite things were off limits, I found new favorites that did nothing for me nutritionally but sure loaded me up with the calories and pounds.] But all my hard work with running and eating healthy is handsomely rewarded with every 10 pounds lost with my favorite indulgence -- the perfectly delicious Toblerone. I'm guessing late this week I'll be enjoying another one. Oh! how I love thee...

I'm on the road again!

Albeit slow and not for very long, but I went out for my first run this afternoon post baby #2. I waited 6 weeks, 2 days and definitely felt the difference from my first run post baby #1. Two years ago, I ran 5 weeks post delivery and it was a very slow and painful run. Back then I ran 4 minutes, walked 1 minute, ran another 5 minutes, walked 1 minute and ran a final 4 mintues to log a total of 15 minutes and maybe 1 mile. Today, I didn't feel any pain and ran 2.15 (very slow) miles for a total of 24.5 minutes. I feel great - it was wonderful to get out and start moving again!

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This Garmin is totally addicting. It was my first run with any sort of GPS device and I know it made me want to run further and faster than I would have without it. I don't know just how I'm going to use all this data, but I love having it!

Happy Mother's Day

I've had my eye on a Garmin for what feels like forever. They are a fantastic way to track your running progress and a really great tool for runners of all abilities. M made my Mother's Day today by giving me my very own Garmin Forerunner 305. I am one very happy mama!! It's almost been three weeks since Meredith arrived via c-section, so how much longer until I can run again...??

goals

1. deliver a healthy baby ~ check!
2. lose the pregnancy weight by Labor Day
2. run a sub 1:50 half marathon in October (new PR)
3. log 600 miles (I'll have half the year at best)
4. start training for an early 2008 marathon

new year, new resolutions

1. deliver a healthy baby
2. lose the pregnancy weight by Labor Day
2. run a sub 1:50 half marathon in October (new PR)
3. log 600 miles (I'll have half the year at best)
4. start training for an early 2008 marathon

November: 9.25 miles

I remember the days just this last summer when running 9.25 miles in a single run was effortless and felt great. I haven't officially thrown in the towel just yet, but it has been two weeks since my last run. I may not run again until next summer. Call it a winter hibernation.

At any rate, I doubt there will be any posts on this blog until late June or early July. See ya then! Good runs to all.

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly run any slower...

I went out and ran twelve minute miles. I admit there was some walking included with that *run* to get that pace, but yowzers! I'm not even sure if that pace is still considered running.

I felt really great the other day and decided to go for a run during the afternoon. I can't remember the last time I ran in the afternoon. I took the baby with me in his jogger so this was quite a big deal for me. Not only was I out running in the afternoon, but I was also pushing my close-to-30 pound baby in the jogger, too! It wasn't a long run and it was pretty slow, but I felt awesome afterward.

I felt so good that I decided to rake the back and front yards. While raking the front yard, a friend in the 'hood ran by. She was pushing her son in the jogger and running with her two large dogs. Did I mention she is 13+ weeks pregnant?? Holy smokes. It totally burst my bubble and I really wish I hadn't seen her. Of course, she smiled and waved to me as they passed. Ugh.

I'm not an overly competitive person, but man oh man do I have my moments. That was one of them. I must keep running, no matter how slow the runs become...

October: 29.5 miles

My goal this month was to log at least 40 miles, but I just wasn't feeling it. I haven't run in over a week and my last run was horrible. I had gone out for 3 miles but stopped after 2.25 and walked my tired a$$ home. I haven't felt well these last four weeks and the cold mornings are not helping to motivate me. We'll see what happens in November (if anything!). I may need to go into hibernation and not run for awhile...

slowing down

Wow, did I run slow this morning...

M and I have been running together (with the jogger) for several weeks now but this morning he and our son stayed in while I went out in the 40 something degree weather for a little run. I decided to run an old favorite loop that is approximately 4 miles. This particular loop was a staple during marathon training. If nothing else, I made sure I got in this loop as a minimum. The first 2.25+ miles of it I used to run in less than 20 minutes. This morning it took me 24 minutes and I didn't even run all of it. I took a little walk break up the big hill to slow down my heart rate and another one later on in the run. My total distance was 3.34 miles and I averaged just over an 11 minute mile pace. Good grief. Wasn't I just running 8:20s not that long ago??

Portland Marathon

The next best thing to running in a race is being a spectator at one. We spent this morning cheering on friends at the Portland Marathon. For some, it was their first running of Portland but I think all had run at least one prior marathon.

We first staked out a spot near mile markers 7 and 11. It is the dreaded out and back portion of the course that takes you two miles down the industrial (read: non-scenic) part of Portland and back. Not so much fun for the racers, but great for the spectators because we get to catch them twice and we also get to see the elite runners as well as the 5 hour runners. Thomas wore his Halloween costume, a purple dragon, and it was definitely getting some attention from the runners. We also held up signs for our friends, waved pom-poms and rocked out with a cowbell. It was great fun!

After seeing the last friend pass mile 11, we jumped back into our car and drove across the river to the next viewing/cheering point. We found ourselves on the bluff in North Portland around mile marker 20. Again, we cheered on our friends as they each passed us by. They all did a fantastic job out there this morning! They were confident, strong, relaxed and looked to be having a great time. One friend even ran a Boston Qualifier this morning -- kudos to Carolyn! She totally rocked it. Another friend's husband finished in 2:37 and some change, also a BQ. Do you realize how fast one has to run (and sustain this pace for the entire 26.2 mile duration) in order to finish in that time?? I can't even run a single mile in 6 minutes.

I haven't run Portland, but it's on my list to run someday. I love that we are the same age, Portland and I. Maybe in two years when we are both 37 years old we'll meet up for a 26.2 mile run around town.

September: 61.5 miles

This was my lowest mileage month since last August 2005. Wow. Many reasons, but the short of it is that the miles just weren't there. I have a new game plan for October.

August: 82.75 miles

I wish I could have run more this month, but it's good enough. The 82.75 miles is still more than some people and better than those who don't run at all. Or so I tell myself.

Hood to Coast

The annual Hood to Coast relay was this weekend. It is the largest relay in North America and the 12 person teams cover a total of 197 miles. Each member runs 3 legs of the race which range from 3+ to almost 8 miles. It kicks off Friday morning atop Mt. Hood and finshes Saturday in Seaside, Oregon.

Friday night we stood at a nearby park to cheer on the runners. I realized then that it was my first time actually cheering for runners and not being somehow involved in the running. Kind of a cool experience. My 15mo clapped, blew kisses and waved at the runners. One guy even stopped to give him a "high five". It was fun but I stood there feeling envious of all these runners and not being a part of it myself.

However, when I crawled into bed that night I was glad to not be on some gravel road in the dark running by myself or trying to catch a few zzzzs while traveling down the road in a van full of sweaty, smelly people... Maybe next year.

Happy Feet! - part deux

Happy Feet likes the new shoes! Got out for a second short run today -- 3 miles at a 9 minute mile pace with one of my dogs. Bela is totally wiped out.

Happy Feet!

I bought new NIKEs today and I'm so excited to try them out. They are the same shoe as before, but a half size larger and in a new color. In honor of the new shoes, I thought I'd post a toenail update. There are additional photos in the archives (May 2006) if you want to see just how far this toenail has come.

May 2006
The pointer toenail was purple. No soreness or lifting at this point, just an undeniable color change in the nail. The big toenail is disgusting. Having fallen partially off, it's a mess. Original trauma was in February and some of the new nail has come in, but I wasn't able to cut all of the old nail off because it started to bleed. Yuck.

August 2006
The pointer toenail has fallen off and a new toenail was waiting below! It's shorter than I'd normally keep it, but it's a toenail! Complete and absolutely normal. The big toenail is also looking good. There is a ridge about halfway down the nail. The cuticle side of this ridge is totally normal and smooth; the other half of the nail is bumpy and still weird. But, it's growing in and it appears that it'll all look normal and healthy in the end. [Note: I say this because M also lost his big toenail during a marathon and it has not grown back in normally. It's been six years.]

July: 89 miles

This is the second month in a row that I did not log 100 miles. So what's a girl to do? Change her goals! I didn't say it, but my goal this month was to actually log around 75 to 80 miles. It's tough to get the miles in when you aren't running long runs anymore so somewhere around 75 to 80 miles is a more attainable goal for me right now. Yes, no long runs. My runs are generally between 4 and 6 miles these days. This is the sort of mileage I'd like to continue running for the long haul just to keep the blood pumping and myself healthy so when when I'm like 80 years old and my grandchildren want to run the local 5K, I can run it with them.

my addictions: running & coffee

I love running. I love coffee. My favorite way to start the day is to have a good run followed by a hot cup of coffee. Very little beats this. It really sets the mood for everything else I do that day. We were on vacation this week in the high desert of Central Oregon and where we stayed wasn't conducive to either running or grabbing a cup of coffee from a local coffeeshop. I was only able to get in one *run & coffee* this week while away. And I had to drive 20 minutes to get there.

As much as I enjoy being *away from it all*, it sure feels good to be home where I can step out the door for a run and Starbucks is just six blocks away.

My sub-5 minute mile!

So what if I wasn't running this sub-5 minute mile!?

I had planned to go out for a short run this morning with the jogger. I had everything ready to go only to find the jogger seat full of water. A sippy cup sat in the seat, leaking all night long. Not wanting to sit the baby in a pool of water and really wanting to get some exercise this morning, we went for a bike ride.

This morning's ride was only 8 miles, but took us all over the neighborhood and several miles were on the local rails-to-trails path along the river. On that path, there are mile markers every half a mile so I decided to time myself. With the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic last weekend (we saw some cyclists finishing Saturday evening -- 200 miles in 10 hours!) and the Tour de France going on, I wanted to see how *fast* I could pedal a mile.

So I timed myself and my one mile was cycled in under 5 minutes. Granted, I was on a mountain bike and pulling a 2-seater Burley with my 27+ pound baby riding along. But maybe 5 minutes is okay. It surely sounds fast.

However, those STP riders we saw finishing in 10 hours were averaging 20mph or 3 minute miles. That's a pretty good clip and to sustain that for such a long period? Amazing. I also can't help thinking that some people actually run one mile faster than I can bike it. Wow. I think my neighbor down the street is one of them and maybe J.P.'s spouse. Yowzers.

recovery run

Last week I ran a half marathon on July 4th and the next day went out for a short 3.25 miles with one of my dogs. It's called a recovery run. They are meant to be shorter in distance, slower in speed and they provide a great stretch following a big effort. I felt amazing on this recovery run. Every part of my body felt really strong and I felt like I could run forever. It was the first time I had run the day following a race, but definitely something I will do again.

This morning's run was also a recovery run of sorts, but not the same as last week. This morning's run was 2 miles and felt very slow. It was work. This recovery run though wasn't the day following a big running effort. Instead, it was the day after a bike ride so I'm not sure if that's really a recovery run. Different muscles and all, you know?

I took my 14mo son out yesterday afternoon for a 10 mile bike ride. I hadn't pulled the bicycle trailer before and it really wasn't bad except for hills. One climb in particular was pretty steep. In fact, the ADA signage posted at the bottom of the hill indicated the grade to be greater than 12%. Gears were shifting and my heart was pumping, but I pulled him up that hill. That was work in the 2:30pm sun.

Using those different muscles yesterday made the run this morning tough and it was only a 10 mile ride! This weekend is the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic. Two hundred miles. On a bicycle. I've known people who've done it in the past and my neighbor is riding it this year. Two hundred miles. On a bicycle. Color me impressed.

Foot Traffic Flat Half Marathon

This morning I ran the Flat Half Marathon out at Sauvie Island. I ran this in 2003 but it was a much smaller race that year. This year's event included a full marathon as well as a half marathon for walkers. Friends and I ran the half marathon. I knew it was going to be a good race for everyone and that there would be many PRs. I think every one of us got a PR today. The weather was perfect for running and the course is super flat.

I haven't seen official chip times yet, but by my watch I finished in 1:54:40 (in 2003, I finished in 2:32 -- full sun and a hot day made for slow conditions!). Not a huge distance PR for me (I finished the Race for the Roses Half Marathon in April this year around 1:57), but it's still a PR and I'm happy to have run under the 1:55 mark. Maybe next time I'll go under 1:50. I knew my friends would all finish somewhere around 1:45 to 1:50 so I had planned to stay with them as long as I could, but they were ahead of me after half a mile. I passed the 4 mile mark in 33 minutes and knew I needed to slow it down. The 7 mile mark was passed in 58 minutes flat. Not slow enough. I knew there was no way I could maintain that pace and after mile 10 I began to incorporate some short walk breaks. It was a tough finish, but it felt awesome knowing I had a new half marathon PR. Also, the plus to finishing after all your friends is that everyone is there waiting for you!

M and our little guy were at the finish (along with other spouses and babies) and we all sat in the grass and ate some island strawberry shortcake. It was a great way to stretch, catch my breath and enjoy the start of a nice 4th of July day.

This run ends my streak of races this year. Since the baby was born last May, I have run a 10K, a 15K, four half marathons and a full marathon. My times have greatly improved over the last year and though I plan to continue running in the coming months, my mileage will likely decrease. I'm playing things by ear, but I have no other races planned at this point for 2006. Just lots of good easy runs for awhile...

[ETA: Official chip time of 1:54:21 for an average mile of 8:43. I finished #161 out of 506 total females and #35 out of 107 in my age group. I'm very pleased.]

June: 97.25 miles?

I'm always a bit disappointed when I don't log 100 miles for the month. I have been sick all week so I haven't run since Monday morning. I got out for 4 this morning, but they were slow and painful. I was coughing so hard at times that it just wasn't much fun. I'm a little concerned about a half marathon I have coming up, but maybe this forced taper is a good thing. Sometimes they are and can result in a PR so who knows. I just need to lose this cold first!

If I can find the energy, I may go out for the extra 2.75 miles later today. I just hate being so close...

summer sizzle

Got out for 14 good hilly miles this morning with the marathon training group. This is good for several reasons. It got me out there to do the miles. I got it done before the weather is too warm since we're heading for 90 today and 100 tomorrow. And I got to meet up with a friend I haven't seen in months. All in all, a very good run.

Ahhh, now I can kick back and enjoy this warm, sunny weekend...

1000 miles!

It has taken me almost exactly one year to reach 1000 miles, but this evening's run put me over that mark at 1005.25 miles. I remember my first run after having our baby. It was five weeks post-delivery and the total duration of my "run" was about 15 minutes. This wasn't even a continuous 15 minutes of running. It was something more like 4 minutes of running alternated with 1 minute of walking. It was painful. It was slow. But I had missed running all those months and just couldn't wait to get moving. It sure feels great to be regularly running again!

[I even found a $5 bill on the sidewalk tonight! I don't think I've ever found something of value while on a run.]

Happy Running!

Running makes me a happier person. No question. I hadn't run since the half marathon, but got out this morning for a quick 3.5 miles in 31:13 (8:55 pace). It felt great to get a good stretch and feel the sweat drip from my ponytail...

adidas Helvetia Half Marathon

This morning I ran the 6th annual Helvetia Half Marathon. I ran this in 2002 in preparation for the Chicago Marathon and I'm pretty sure at the time I swore I would never run this one again. It's incredibly hilly, the field is sizeable and composed of both runners and walkers, and I remember the weather that day in 2002 as being really sunny and warm. Being a rural race, there is very little chance for shade.

Having said that, I registered two days ago and showed up to run this morning.

Tough, tough course. I was actually having a really good race up until mile 9. At that point, the hills were pretty much over and so was I. All the folks I had passed on hills soon began to pass me. The sun peeked out briefly late in the race for me and there was a lost dog that distracted me (I tried to get him to follow me and he did for about a mile.), but I finished strong in the stadium and that felt good. Overall, it's a well-organized event and a good one for beginning runners to do, but the hills on the course will knock you out. Oh, the hills...

Chip time today: 2:00:23. I wish I could have cut that time by 24 seconds to get under the 2 hour mark, but it was still a good run for me. My time in 2002 was about 2:20.

[edit: I just checked my 2002 Helvetia Half Marathon time and it was actually a 2:32:31. I knew it was a slow one; the sun and hills totally took it out of me that day. Yesterday's race was a full 32 minute improvement. Yippee for me! It feels great to see progress like this. Maybe I will have to run this again someday to see if I can improve even more!]

trail running (with the jogger!)

I've been mixing up my runs lately and trying new things in a quest to keep it from becoming mundane. Tonight I ran 4 trail miles with the jogger. It's an old fire lane that is very rocky and essentially up for 2 miles and then back down for 2 miles. Seemed a little bumpy for the baby, esp. in the first mile, but he did fine overall. My jogger weighs 21 pounds and the baby is an additional 25 pounds. Needless to say, it was a tough run. I definitely earned that beer afterwards!

marathon training group run

I knew I'd have some motivational problems with getting out the door this morning for 12 miles solo, so I joined the local marathon training group run. Approximately 25% of the route was on streets and the other 75% on a trail. This particular out-&-back route is pretty much straight up and straight down. It felt great to cover the 12 miles in 1:45 to average an 8:46 minute mile. My legs are covered in mud and I feel great!

May: 100 miles

Yes, I did it. Two runs today just so I could log 100 miles for the month. M thinks I'm crazy, but it's something I needed to do and it feels great. No run for me tomorrow!

new running pal

Another great motivator for me is to find new people to run with. This morning Thomas and I met a woman and her baby from our neighborhood for a nice run. It was great to meet her! We have a number of similarities and are a really good match for running together. We ran 5.25 miles at just under a 9 minute mile pace. Hopefully we'll meet up for another run again soon!

This morning's run put me at 95.75 miles for the month which means I'll be out circling the neigborhood this afternoon/evening to get those extra miles. I need to hit 100 miles for the month.

motivation?

Every few months I look for something new to motivate myself to run. Sometimes it is an upcoming local race, sometimes it is changing who I run with. I find that making some changes every once in awhile helps to keep things interesting.

Yesterday I tried a couple of new things on my long run. Instead of heading out the door to run the entire distance by myself, I took my son with me for the first half. M was home so I estimated my time for the first half and we did a hand-off halfway through my long run. I thought this worked really well. I enjoy taking him with me and 5 miles is about his limit.

The other new thing is tied into this first one and that was to run loops. I always run a single loop because to me it's all over once I see the finish. Mentally, I stop.

Yesterday's run was composed of two different 5 mile loops. The first through the neighborhood with a nice flat stretch in the middle miles and the second on a hilly route. The break between was very brief. M was waiting for us and came right out to retrieve our son so I didn't have to stop for more than a minute. Maybe it was this little distraction at the "finish" that helped me to continue on for a second loop?

It was a really great run.

trail running & toe update

Ran 7+ hilly trail miles this morning and I think all the downhill loosened up the toenail because tonight most of it came off. I couldn't take all of it off because some of it is still okay and pulling on it is causing it to bleed. Ugh. It's bumpy, multi-colored and not a pretty sight.

I need new running shoes.

Yes, the toe adjacent to the big guy has also suffered some trauma (though this was weeks ago). It's purple and will likely fall off eventually also. The third toe over was just trimmed too short.

The run was good though. Initally had planned for 5 miles but we ended up doing 7.25 miles total. The group pace was comfortable, but the hills were a workout!

5 miles

Five miles with the jogger in 42:47. Whoo hoo!

something is clicking

Two things are clicking: my left knee when I walk up stairs and something with my running this week. I think it's due to my runs with the jogger, but it may also have to do with running in the afternoon versus the morning. Anyway, I finished my 6.5 miles this afternoon in 56:35 which is an 8:42 minute mile pace. I hope these faster runs this week continue!

resistance training

I ran my usual 4 mile route this morning in 31:08. This is the first time I've run this route in under 32 minutes. A full minute is pretty substantial and I'm feeling awesome! I'm crediting this faster time to the runs I've been doing with the baby jogger. With the weather warming up, I've been doing some of my runs in the late afternoon pushing the jogger. The additional resistance, particularly on the route we run which curiously always has a headwind regardless of direction or time of day, must be paying off. [note to self: must continue training with jogger.]

my big toe

Since early February, my toenail has been changing colors. Over half of the nail has now separated from the nail bed, but the rest of the nail remains intact and there's no sign of this thing coming off any time soon. The white area is thicker than the normal nail from almost the cuticle to the end of the nail. I've been keeping all nails short since January, but this one in particular is kept really short so nothing happens to it. I would hate to return from a run and take my sock off to find no nail on this toe.

Note: This ugly toenail does not keep me from wearing sandals. Pedicure, yes. Sandals, no.