A Run of Many Parts

I had a very odd and broken run today, but overall very good. First, I ran 10.62 miles with my dad (with a .38 walk back to the house up a steep hill at the end). He's training for his first half marathon on April 22nd and this was his longest run ever! I'm so proud of him!!! I've also talked him into letting me email around and try to find a trail running group that he can join. He's been worried about his joints becoming damaged from the running, since he did lots of sports in high school that beat up his body a bit. I'm trying to be very non-pushing, but I have fantasies of us going running on trails together and maybe even doing races together someday. He loves hiking and such (did the John Muir trail, 220+ miles over a month after high school) and I think doing trail races would be a great thing for him. He's still a bit slow right now, and uses walking breaks, but, to me, that seems perfect for the trail running mentality ;) He's promised to come to the pre-race dinner with me for my 50k, and I'm hoping a bit that seeing so many other men his age doing the race will make it seem achievable.

We've got to get through the 1/2 marathon first though!

(My Dad and Me at Christmas with my first pair of trail running shoes and a tech shirt I got him for his 1/2 marathon training. We were both about to embark on new running adventures here!)

After the run I rested for a bit, had some water, and then headed out to the RSM lake, which is 1 mi. around. Got myself situated, shut the car door and realized the keys were still inside!. I used to lock my keys in my car quite frequently in high school, but hadn't done it since then. My spares are up in Berkeley, so I was definitely in a fix. Felt a bit like crying and sat for 20 minutes or so trying to figure out what to do. I then decided to run to a phone to call home (running is such a great way to deal with stress!), so ran the 1/2 mile or so to a pay phone. I didn't have money though, so I then ended up going to a B of A and they kindly let me use their phone. I called AAA and spoke to a very nice man who made me feel much better and talked me through everything. I bought their insurance, and they sent someone right out to unlock my car within 15 minutes.

After getting through all that, I finished up my run, doing another 4. 38 miles and a .62 mile cool down.

All together, my second run was 5.38 miles, giving me 16 miles for the day.

And it only took me 5 1/2 hours ;)

Round and Round and Round She Goes...



I ran around RSM Lake today to give my legs a break from the hills. Unfortunately, my legs were remembering only too well the hills that I've been battling in the last week, and didn't let me forget it. I hadn't run a flat course in a while, and I can't say that it was as 'easy' as I had imagined. I think I like hills to break up the monotony of things. Plus, I love running downhill :). Anyways, since my legs were sore, I decided to take it easy, for the first lap. However, after that, I decided that instead of indulging my legs, I'd make them work, and decided to go for negative splits. Each lap got progressivly harder, and after 5 miles, I was pretty tired, but definitely wanted to push out for the end. The results were well worth it:

m1- 9:59,

m2- 9:36,

m3 - 9:24,

m4- 9:17,

m5- 9:04,

m6- 8:38

for an average of a 9:20 pace :D

Whenever I get below 9:30 pace, I'm super excited, and getting below 9:00 is a cause for celebration! Granted, I was wiped at the end and definitly couldn't have gone longer at that pace, but I'm excited that I was able to keep it up for 6 miles. I also ran at high noon, so it was warmer than I've been used to (high 70s). Getting hot in that, though, reminds me of all the heat training I need to do to be ready for this summer.

Tomorrow is an off day, which should be good in terms of doing work for my thesis, if nothing else. I did work for 2 hours this morning, and am planning on doing in for the rest of the afternoon/evening after I shower and eat, but I have so much work to do!

I think I'm going to try to suggest a family hike for Sunday up on Saddleback Mountain. I've never hiked there before, and just looking up at it today during the run made me eager to go exploring. Hopefully I can get some takers!

8.5 Miles

Did a nice 8.5 mile route today with lots and lots of hills, and still managed to keep the pace below 10 min/mile :) I'm starting to get used to being faster than I used to be. I definitely wasn't thrilled about the hills while I was out there, but I'm glad that I"m doing them. The hills around here aren't incredibly steep, but they all last about a 1/2 mile at least. And nothing is flat. We'll see how I feel tomorrow though. I'm planning to do 6 tomorrow, but if I'm too sore I might go down to another lake nearby and do the run there instead, as its a flat loop. Downside is its only a mile around, so I'd have to do 6 laps! We'll see.

(RSM Lake with Saddleback Mountain in the background)

In other fitness news, I can now dow at least 5 'real' pushups at a time now. This might not seem like anything, but up until less than a month ago, I was unable to do even one normal pushup. I've been religiously doing modified pushups though, as well as arm weights, and its really starting to pay off. My motivation is looking at female ultrarunners (A Race for the Soul especially) and seeing how fit they all look, and how strong. I want to be like that someday :)

I can't believe it's already wednesday. My how the week does fly by!

Sore!!!



Well, I safely got down to Orange County for the start of spring break, and despite some definite soreness from yesterday (especially the quads!!!) I got myself to do 6.2 miles around the lake at a 9:38 pace!!!






I'd be happy with that pace on a flat course on a good day, and to hold that around the lake (very hilly) after yesterday's 18 miles is really reassuring. Of course, my legs hate me now, and going down stairs is a serious challenge. One of my toe nails is also starting to turn purple...we'll see if it actually comes off or if its just complaining :)



It was really fun to be out there running though, even with the soreness. I'm amazed at how much easier the lake loop is than it used to be.



In other news, plans are definitely going forward for the TRT 50k It sounds like my parents have accepted my goal and will be supportive, which is a definite plus. I'm so excited!!!