Alright, so I’ve been gone for a crazy long ass time.

I don’t have a great reason for being MIA. There were no family emergencies. I didn’t win the lottery and pick up to travel the world. No, nothing like that. No friend drama. No drama of any kind. Nothing. When it comes down to it, I just didn’t have much to write about. My training was pretty non-existent for SFM.

How non-existent you ask? Here’s the breakdown.

May: 16.31 mi (base building?)
June: 12.32 mi (uhm, more base building? losing base is more like it!)
July: 6.47 mi, 19.57 (w/ SFM, for the MONTH)

Compare this to my training for LB 2008 when I set my last half marathon PR:

August: 32.6 mi (base building)
September: 55 mi (speed, speed, speed)
October: 9 mi (first 2 weeks of Oct, the 2 wks before LB), 22.1 (incl. LB)

Yeah….

I was basically averaging one run every two weeks while “training” for SFM. That’s pretty damn sad.

But what can I say? Even though the hills of SFM scared the bejeezus out of me, I just couldn’t find the motivation or the inspiration to get my ass into gear. Funnily enough, on the morning of the race, I felt nervous but confident at the same time because what few runs I did do were pretty solid despite my sad training cycle.

So, let’s get on with the race report!

You guys have already seen what little I did to prepare for SFM. Here’s the other stuff.

Pre-Race
I picked up my bib on Friday. The expo was pretty small, PACKED and hectic.

We didn’t get to stay long because we had to head over to Alameda for dinner at Sarah’s house. We were rushing out the expo doors when I remembered that I hadn’t picked up my CA Dreamin’ jacket yet. That was why I was doing SFM, afterall! To finally complete the last installment of a trilogy of coastal races.

Dinner was fantastic. It was so great seeing Sarah, Shane, and Jonah again. It was also a special treat to finally catch up with Virginia and James and meet their baby boy, JoJo. We left super late that night (2am!), with full bellies, happy souls, and me, with a huge bag full of books (hello, Hunger Games!).

Race Game Plan
I had to finish SFM in under 3 hours. I normally wouldn’t worry about this, but most of the half marathons I’ve done have been relatively flat. I was worried that the SF hills would kill my legs, plus I wasn’t training well. But even given all this, I still felt like a sub 3 hour finish was doable. Looking back now, I don’t know exactly where this confidence came from. Perhaps I was delusional!

My goal was to keep my pace evenly at 12:30 for the first 5-6 miles, then I was anticipating a slow down in the last half. In the end, I thought this would average out to be a sub-3 finish.

The Race
Before lining up at the start line, Christine and I waited in line for this hi-tech standalone bathroom that cleaned itself and washed the floors after each use. I’ve never seen anything like it before, but it took ridiculously long to do its cleaning. Each cleaning cycle took 45 secs. Ok, so it’s not THAT long. But when you have like 20 people in front of you and you have to get to the start line in 30 minutes, it feels like FOREVER. In the end, I guess it was better than using a port-a-potty.

taken after the potty break and before heading to the start line

waiting for waves 5 and 6 to get going before wave 7 can toe the start line

we were queued up right next to the Bay Bridge

Wave 7, finally queued up and ready to cross the start line

The first 4 miles ticked off pretty quickly. Somewhere around 3-4 miles into the race, Christine caught up with me (she’s got some real running talent! More on this later). Running with Christine was unlike running with anyone else. The most RANDOM stuff happened to us!

Randomness #1: First off, Christine was running in completely new shoes. The shoes were not only brand new, but she had never used this particular brand before (Brooks), and they were a different type of shoe she was used to wearing (stability, instead of neutral). Leading up to the race, she was experiencing some right IT band issues. She bought an IT band velcro wrap, which helped a lot during her training runs but she felt that the neutral shoes, even with stability insoles, weren’t giving her enough support – so she got a pair of Brooks shoes in the stability category the week leading up to the race. Race day was the first time she used them

Well, it turns out those Brooks did NOT help in the support area and only led to her having issues with her left IT band on the day of the race. Yikes! So, throughout the race, we would either have to stop or walk slowly so that she could switch her IT band wrap from one leg to the other. She ended up having to switch the wrap about every mile to every other mile.

Randomness #2: While she was wrapping, either she or I would end up dropping random stuff on the ground. She dropped her water bottle a couple of times and her wrist band. She was constantly fiddling with her jacket, which kept falling off her arms (too hot for her to wear it). My mp3 player unclipped and swung precariously around, bounding on my legs, and yanking out my earbuds. At one point, while running on the bridge, her hat blew off and we stopped to chase it down. We were looking around frantically, hoping it hadn’t blown off into traffic or off the bridge. It was her favorite hat! All the while, it was stuck, hanging on her ponytail. LOL We must have looked SO STUPID. hahaha

Randomness #3: Around mile 10, Christine had to take a port-a-potty break. So, while she stood in line for one, I went to refill my bottle at the water station just a few feet away. I also drank some Cytomax – man that stuff is WAY too sweet!. About half a mile after that little pit stop, she drank out of her water bottle and started gagging. It turns out, she had dropped her water bottle while she was in the port-a-potty and she had forgotten! YACK! *shudders* Then she told me about how she hadn’t properly locked the door to the port-a-potty that well, so a little boy ended up walking in on her. ROFL

Randomness #4: As we were heading into mile 11, I looked down and saw that my skirt had fallen down to mid-thigh! I guess my compression tights were a bit slippery. I dunno how long I’d been pseudo mooning people. I quickly pulled up my skirt and relayed the story to Christine. We had a good chuckle about it.

Randomness #5: Christine did not know where any of the photographers were! I’d point one out, and she’d look the opposite direction. Then I’d point out that he’s on the other side and she’d look right beyond him! LOL Check these pics out.

Oh man, I can’t help but crack up thinking about this stuff!

We also made some pit-stops to take some pictures, because although this is a tough race, it’s also really scenic.

my attempt at a shot of me and Christine with the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop. FAIL.

We were snickering at the picture when a nice guy ran by and offered to take a proper picture of us.

yes, much better!

Then later on, as we were running the Golden Gate Bridge, we HAD to take some pics of us on the bridge bed!

After we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, it was allll hills til the very end. How were they, you ask?

The hills were pretty tough and I found that while my body was ok to run up them, I was mentally very weak. I think part of it had to do with my music selection that day. I didn’t have time to make up a playlist like I usually do, and all the songs came on at the wrong time. The other part was having the pressure of running with someone else who is way faster than you. I ran some hefty hills in the few runs I did. While they were tough and I would slow down a bit, I always managed to make it over them ok, without having to walk. I got pretty good with keeping track of my breathing and pacing myself so that I didn’t burn out early.

But while I was running with Christine, I pressured myself into trying to keep up with her, which was a terrible idea. I ended up burning out and having to walk more than I normally would.

I was spent at the end of the race. I didn’t even have it in me to sprint. My legs were burnt. I didn’t bring enough to eat with me so my stomach was eating itself. I just wanted to be done!

at the finish line

wrapped up and toasty in our space blankets

I managed to meet up with Chris at the food area and then later on, randomly ran into Kim, too!

me and Chris with our CA Dreamin’ bling!

me and Kim, fellow CA Dreamin’ finisher

Official Finish Time: 3:00:04

Maggie Garmin’s Stats:
Finish Time: 3:00:23
Distance: 13.35 mi
Calories Burned:1,502
Avg Pace: 13:28
Avg HR: 166

Christine’s friend, Thuy, met up with us after the race and we walked about 3 miles over to her place before hitching a ride to our place for a hot, hot shower. Man it felt good to get clean!

SFM was a great race. It was nicely organized, and it had some nice scenery. I just wouldn’t want to do it again. What can I say? I’m just not a hill-loving girl. Christine, on the other hand, LOVES hills and LOVES stairs! So, this is right up her alley =) I’m glad to be done with the CA Dreamin’ series. LB and Surf City will always hold special places in my heart with Surf City being my very first half marathon and LB being the culmination of months of hard work and a well earned PR.

But now, I can let them go for a while and look for new races to enjoy. I have the Rock n Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon to look forward to in October. I’ve already made my training plan for this race and for once, I’m looking forward to starting it. Then, the year will end with what will hopefully be my redemption marathon. I have CIM listed as my marathon for the year, but I’m toying with the idea of doing the Rock n Roll Las Vegas, mostly because it’d be a better destination race. There is more to see, do, and eat in Vegas than in Sacramento. The only negative thing (and a slightly big one at that), is that nearly 65-70% of the course is a complete snooze-fest.

What do you guys think? CIM or RnR Vegas? :)

It’s been exactly one year since I did my very first marathon! My, how time flies. It actually feels much, much longer than just 1 year. I guess this type of pseudo-amnesia is what makes you sign up for more marathons ;)

I also just noticed that I did NOT post a single pic in my race report. *gasp!* How unlike me! So, here are a few pics to commemorate the day =)

me and Raciel, shivering, pre-race

Raciel is either pointing out that we made the course cut off time
or where my family n friends are.
Either way, have you ever seen anyone look as excited as I do?? haha =)

crossing the finish line together

post-race, all sweaty, with my medal =)


Going into my second marathon, I feel much, much stronger and way more confident. And although training hasn’t really been ideal, it’s still WAY better than it was last year when I was training for San Diego. I think I’ll be able to defeat that 15 mi wall that plagued me so badly last year. And in general, I feel hopeful for a more positive experience with #2 (CIM).

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. On tap for tomorrow: 9 miles.

This race ended up not being a good one, performance wise, but it was great in so many other ways =)

I drove down to San Diego on Friday afternoon, picked up my race bib from the Del Mar Race Track (along with some crazy cool ass freebies), and then headed on over to the brother’s place where I’d be spending the night. We dined on L&L Hawaiian BBQ that evening and I promptly fell asleep at…. 1:30am. haha =)

I woke up the next morning at around 5ish, got dressed and headed on over to Del Mar. The 5k wasn’t starting until 7:50, but they were closing off the parking lot (for the 10kers) at 7 so 5kers had to get there early. I got there at around 6:30 and scored an uber close parking spot. w00t! =)

As I was sitting in my car, eating a Luna bar (dark cherry, mmmm) I saw Marissa, Ashley, and Kelsey making their way to the start line. With all the women there that day, we still can’t believe we managed to run into each other!

Marissa, Ashley, and me, pre-race

The race itself was pretty awesome. I loved running with all those women and girls, such great camaraderie. The weather was nice, although it got too warm later on. It just wasn’t a great race for my legs. They were still feeling sore and tight from speedwork a couple of days ago. And even tho I could see that my heart rate wasn’t even tipping itself over 155, I couldn’t make them go any faster. I did, however, manage to run negative splits =)

Split 1: 11:43
Split 2: 11:24
Split 3: 10:44
Split 4: 1:21 (8:51 min pace!!!)

Average HR: 151
Average Pace:11:03
Calories Burned: 403
Overall: 466/1346
Age Group: 90/217

post-race!

I look so chipper for someone with screamin’ legs lol

they had a photobooth at the race!

This race had some of the best swag ever. Race registration was only $25, you got to personalize your bibs, you got a sport tech race shirt, a very cute medal, a suuuuuper cute Aflac duck plushie, an ice cold Aflac sponge post-race, an insulated lunch baggy with breakfast (banana, yogurt, muffin, orange juice), a sturdy black, Aflac canvass bag, free photobooth, and some crazy awesome freebies (goodie hair ties, Luna protein bars, pink canvas bags, drinks, etc). Seriously, I plan on doing it again next year!

my medal from the Great Race of Agoura Hills was nice and chunky,
but this is by far the cutest medal I’ve gotten for just a 5k =)

insulated lunch bag

Now that my shorter races are over with, I should be focusing on getting ready for the San Francisco half marathon. I’m nervous but still feeling hopeful that I’ll get it in under 3hrs, even with all those scary, mountainous hills.

So many things to update you guys on! I haven’t been a very good blogger when it comes to writing about my training. But then again, I haven’t really been doing much of it this year. Plus, because I also updated on Running Ahead and Daily Mile, I tend to put updates here on the back burner. Mah bad!

Running Updates:

• Saturday 4/10 – Seal Beach 10k – I’m counting this as the official start to my training for SFM. Ran 6.2 miles hard in 1:08:22 =)
• The following day, I ran 3.25 miles, easy, with a coworker at a 3:2 run/walk interval. It was her first run ever, so I wanted to try to make it a positive experience. We took it nice and easy and ran down a portion of the Mountain to Sea trail.
• Tuesday, 4/13 - Speedwork! – Ran a 1 mile warm up, then ran 4x400m at a 9:40-9:15 pace. Splits came in at 2:16, 2:20, 2:20, 2:21. I ran each under 9:30 pace, my fastest being 9:08 (!!!). Blew it out of the water! Felt good but definitely was spent by the last 400m. Finished  with a half mile cool down.
• Thursday, 4/15 – Tempo Run - Ran a 2 mile tempo. I programmed Maggie to have me run until my HR reached 75% of MH,. Then I’d go for 2 miles and cap off the run with a 10 min cool down. That totaled 2.85! I guess my HR spiked early on when I tackled a steep hill. Total run took 32:39. I felt good until I got to the into the second mile, then I really wanted to die. Mental note: must redo my tempo run programming! Totally not right!
• Monday, 4/19 – Long Run – Ran 4 miles, nice and easy. Wanted to keep things at Zone 3. Total time: 53:08. Avg HR at 153 =) Win!

Total: 18.8 miles over the past 9 days

Yippeee! I think this is the longest streak I’ve had this year ;)

Today, I’m suppose to do some a set of 3x800m at a throw-up everything in my stomach pace of 4:43.4 to 4:56.4 each. Ok, I guess it’s not that bad, but I don’t normally look forward to speedwork reps that go over 400m hehe ;) I’ll be pushing it to tomorrow morning since I had a horrendous work day today and I’d rather relax in my warm bed than go out in the rainy evening to do speedwork. Don’t worry, this is all VTB (Virtual Training Buddy a.k.a. Raciel) approved!

Race Updates:

Here’s the ONLY pic I liked from the Seal Beach 10k.



Looks sorta like I’m running with ease! But inside I’m literally dying and the only thing that’s keeping me from falling apart right then and there is the thought of food at the finish line. The other pics were a pure testament to how I was feeling inside. I literally looked like I was going to die lol

I have only one more race coming up before the San Francisco Half Marathon. It’s the Aflac Iron Girl 5k. I’ve managed to convince two of my co-workers to do it also, so I’m very excited! I don’t know what the elevation profile looks on this so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to PR it, but if it’s not crazy hilly like the Firecracker 5k, I’ll be gunning for it! I’m hoping to break the 32 min barrier this time around. I think I can do it!

Misc Updates:



The Boy whipped up some dog tag Road IDs I can have on me while I run. I’ll probably be attaching these to my shoes =) They’re nifty and cute and sooooooo me! Lurve that they’re pink and that my girl in pigtail logo is on it! The Boy did good.

Welp! That’s all for now. Gonna try hard to keep the momentum going this week. Happy running, everyone!

Unfortunately, I have no pictures from this race yet, so I’ll keep this report nice and short so as not to bore you guys.. or as short as I can possibly make it ;)

Pre-Race

Sleep was elusive for me the night before the race. I went to bed at 10 only to be woken up by a text from a friend. I then didn’t fall asleep until a little past 3am. I managed to drag myself out of bed at 5am. I got ready, walked the boys, then left for Seal Beach, which was about a 30 minute drive away. I got there with plenty of time to find parking and pick up my bib and my race shirt. I could feel the tiredness behind my eyes… totally reminiscent of the RnR San Diego Marathon when I got only 2 hours of sleep the night before. I tried to nap for 20 minutes but I couldn’t fall asleep so I decided to walk on over to the start line. A quick stop by the port-a-potties and I was good to go.

Race

This race was fairly flat with soft inclines and declines throughout the race. It sorta reminded me of the PCH portion of the Surf City half marathon.

My race strategy was to try to run negative splits. I used this little article by Jeff Galloway (thanks, Raciel!) to figure out my plan of attack. I planned to do the first 2 miles at about 11min pace, the next two mile at 10:46min pace, and the last 2.2 miles at about 10:35min pace. Even though I wasn’t feeling comfortable about getting my A goal (1:07:02), that’s what I was aiming for.

The race started and I felt totally sluggish. The first two miles were the worst. I could not, for the life of me, stick to an 11min pace. Either I was running too slow (11:30) or too fast (10:00). I spent the first two miles wasting energy, going between those two extremes. To top it all off, I was feeling really exhausted from having gotten so little sleep. It was seriously SD all over again.

Mile 1: 11:06
Mile 2: 11:20

I was averaging an 11:15 pace after the first two miles. Once I hit miles 3-4, I started to feel a bit better and I got into a nice groove. I started thinking… ok I can really do this! I can get my A goal! WOO HOO!!!

Mile 3: 10:36
Mile 4: 10:49

I chipped away at my average pace until I got down to an 10:57 average. Then, it all went to hell when I got into the 4th mile. I bonked and I bonked HARD. My left hip/thigh, which had sorta been bothering me from the start of the race, started to really scream. I was fighting off urges to start walking and to even just take a seat on the grass and take a nap. I was SO. Tired. I watched as my average pace slowly started to creep back up to an 11 min pace.

I kept telling myself that I could still get my B goal, if I could just push it harder. And push it I did. I can seriously say I left it all out on the course today. When I crossed the finish line, I had nothing left in me.

Mile 5: 11:14
Mile 6: 11:21
.2: 2:19

I felt faint and exhausted and I really needed to eat. After completely missing the food stations (and getting really irritated about not finding it), I finally managed to score me a few banana halves, orange slices, and a bottle of water.

I gobbled everything down as I fought off some serious light-headedness.

Then we waited for the results to come out. Maggie (my trusty Garmin) told me that I ran the race in 1:08:48, but I wasn’t sure if it was right since I accidentally started her way before crossing the start line. I normally wouldn’t wait, but there was just something in me that HAD to know right then and there, before I left to go home. So, I continued to munch and I chatted it up with some runners as we waited an insane HOUR for 10k results to be posted. Seriously, Prime Time, get your act together!

Official Chip Time: 1:08:22
Average Pace: 11:02
Average HR: 170

Overall: 1331 of 1675
Age Group: 117 of 168

Calories Burned: 823
Shoes: Nike LunarGlide

I’m not too disappointed I didn’t get my A goal. I just didn’t have it in me today. But perhaps with more sleep it would have been within reach. Based on my 10k time, McMillan says I’m expected to run a 2:32 half marathon but… I’m gonna train for a 2:29 half marathon and have 2:32 be my B goal :) My C goal will be 2:35. Either way, they’ll all be a PR.

Tomorrow, 3 recovery miles with a coworker =)