June 11th, 2011 – 10.05 Mile Run

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

I started out this run with the sole purpose of covering 10 miles. It didn’t matter how long it took. I just wanted to be able to cover the distance because I hadn’t done it in quite some time.

I have the Half next weekend and I just need to get through it because I feel like I haven’t trained for it all. So this run was very important. Of course, I would like to PR, but at this point am just determined to finish it.

In order to PR, I have to finish in less than 2:45. I have been frustrated lately because I have been following a couple of people who had decided to train for a Half for various reasons: weight loss, better fitness, some life milestone, a sense of accomplishment, etc. They are very like me, not super-athletes, not stick thin, busy mothers and wives making time to train whenever they can. And they have managed to finish this distance in under 2:30, one was 2:33, but I’d gladly take that too.

So I looked back on my past blog entries to see if I could see where I went wrong.

With the Wounded Warrior Half, I finished in 2:45. After looking at the blog entry, I saw that I stopped at every mile to take a snap shot of every mile marker. I took pix of the funnier military signs and the cute Navy kids (well, they were grown, but they were 20-something).

It could be argued that this was an opportunity wasted. This took place on a Naval Airport Base so it was a flat course and if I was going to PR, this would have been the venue to do so. However…. It was my very first Half Marathon, so any finishing time would have been a PR. Also, I wanted to be very present for this race, so I am glad to have it well documented. But all the unnecessary stops really cut into my time. I can avoid that this time.

Also, for that race I had only trained for 10 miles. I had only covered the full distance once in my training. This remains an issue. Sure have several months of steady training under my belt now, but I have only covered 10 miles once in my training and have not covered the full distance. This being the week of, it’s likely that I will be tapering and not covering the full distance during training at all. So I fully expect to hit the mall. If I can stave it off until mile 10, as opposed to mile 7 or 9, I will consider myself a success.

The Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon was even worse as far as time goes. After looking at my blog entry for that race, I realized, I’d forgotten my watch in the car, so I couldn’t time my intervals. I had trained all year with 4 and 1 intervals but had no way of tracking it for the race. This was a major time killer. I finished in 2:50.

Also, I was scheduled to be on the ABC hit game show, WipeOut the next day. That was just a scheduling fluke. I had auditioned for the show, never dreaming that I’d be selected, but I was and we were set to shoot the day after the Half.

All the goals I had been nurturing all year were (no pun intended), wiped out. I just wanted to finish without hurting myself so I could be on the show the next day….. and then hurt myself. Which is exactly how it went.

Finally, miles 8 and 9 were almost completely uphill, so I ended up walking almost a mile, which sliced into my time. Having hills, so close to the end of the race was cruel and unusual…well maybe not unusual, but cruel.

Well, I have studied the course of the race this weekend and found it to be flatter than the routes I have been training on. This is good. I will *NOT* forget my watch, even if I have to sleep in it the night before! I have no bone-crushing game shows to appear on the next day and while Ventura is beautiful in spring, the nostalgia of my first Half is passed, so I won’t be stopping to take pix during the race.

With that in mind, even though I have only trained up to the 10 miles, I feel like I am up to posting a PR on this race. Anything under 2:45 would be fine with me and if I can add another medal to my collection, I will consider myself a success.

May 31st thru June 7th – 20.73 Miles Total

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

I am logging 5 activities with this entry. I have fallen behind on my blogging and I want to bring myself up to date.



May 31st, 2011 – 4.83 Mile Run
This run was a labor of love. I really didn’t want to do it. I had done a 5.51 mile run two days before and I really could have talked myself into skipping it.

As usual, I was glad I went through with it. This was a hilly workout out. I took it very easily because I have been having some AT issues.

When I got home, I sat on the floor and stretched, which is one of my least favorite things to do. But you gotta do it. It’s much more pleasant if you can distract yourself with a good article!




June 1st, 2011 – 3.15 Mile Run
If I’m being honest with myself, here was another run I really didn’t want to do. But it’s the first day of the month. And I can always hear my step-mother telling me “The way you start somethin’ is the way it’s gonna be!”

So that means: No matter what and no matter how far, if you want to have a decent month, you get your butt up and get that run in on the first day of the month!!! Runners can be as superstitious as boxers and baseball players.

Being a woman of Faith, I don’t claim to believe in superstition, but one bad experience with ShotBloks made me a lifelong Sports Beans fan; I never fail to pray during a run; My run is always “off” if I forget to wear a sweatband on my right wrist; I never feel completely safe without my pepper spray and I *ALWAYS* try to get a run in on the first day of the month!!

I took Jordan with me this time and did the trail I did with Lloyd a few days earlier. I let Jordan set the pace so it was pretty slow but that was OK with me because I was still a little fatigued from my last two runs.

It was a beautiful day and we saw enough bunnies to make it worthwhile. A very pleasant way to start the month with my boy!



June 5th, 2011 – 1.62 Mile Run
My brother and I drove up to Visalia to be at my Dad’s Retirement Dinner! It was such a great time. We presented him with a pocket watch and we both gave speeches. It was like old times. We laughed and enjoyed our time together.

We rented a room and got up the next morning for a brief run. Runs with my bro are always brief because he’s like chocolate lightning! He is so fast! I can’t keep up with the guy! He’s amazes me. He’s good without even trying.



June 6th, 2011 – 5.86 Mile Run
Now I have to really start focusing on adding distance to my runs. I have to be ready for a half marathon in 12 days.

I decided to combine two of my routes. I was hoping for an even 6 but I was just shy. This run had some hill work but it wasn’t too bad.

I am still having some AT issues after mile 5. I’m starting to get concerned about it. I’m not sure if it’s form, overtraining or my new shoes. The pain goes away almost immediately and with a few seconds of stretching the next morning is completely gone. It doesn’t impede my wearing dress shoes and going barefoot doesn’t seem to exacerbate it. I am considering trying my old Asics just to see if I can isolate the problem to the new shoes.

That would be a tragedy, as they are the most expensive running shoes I’ve ever owned, but it would confirm quite few articles I’ve read about fancy running shoes. *sigh*

But here’s a new piece of equipment that gets full marks!!!! I got to try out my new handheld fuel belt. It’s a 10oz bottle, which makes it great for short runs. The hot pink strap makes it just perfect for me. So far, I am loving this little guy!



June 7th, 2011 – 5.27 Mile Run
This was another attempt at getting some mileage in. I mapped this route and the entire loop is 10 miles. I decided to run the first 2.6 or so miles and head back home because I knew I would lose my daylight. Once I hit the 2 mile mark, it got pretty hilly. I was excited to do about a half mile of hills, then head back down. It's a good start.

This run was OK. I started to feel that familiar twinge in my right AT right at about mile 5. I stretched it out at a traffic light but it’s really starting to worry me.

Another product Review! Here are my new running glasses! I never realized that eyewear mattered. My regular shades always fogged up before I even reached the one mile mark. I figured all glasses did this but apparently not! There are sunglasses made for sports!!! Imagine that.

Sports sunglasses are much lighter, they wrap around to cover your peripheral vision and they allow more air to circulate between your face and the frames so they don’t fog up! These claim to be unbreakable but that really does remain to be seen. I’ve only had them for about a week and I’ve only run in them three times.

So far, I’m really happy with them. My son says I look like a super hero in them (Rainbow Girl – I’m not sure what her powers are, but I’ll take it).

May 28th & 29th, 2011 – 3.37 and 5.51 Mile Runs

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

This was a really great Memorial Day weekend. I got to train with both Lloyd and Kathy. Super stars, in my opinion. They are both accomplished runners so I was excited to learn all I could while I was with them: about running and about myself.

It was an early rise.



The first thing I learned was that I will never be an elite runner. Who gets up at 5am on a Saturday to train?! Elite athletes do. When Tiger Woods agrees to meet you to work on your swing, you don’t gripe about the time of day. So when Lloyd said “6am”, I said, “See ya there”.

So I threw back a quick breakfast. I wasn’t hungry, but I knew I had to eat something. Starting out improperly fueled can mean a really rough workout.



I knew this was going to be a short run. Otherwise I would never have milk and certainly not Raisin Bran. Milk and high fiber before a long run can be a DISASTER, but it was OK this time.

So off we go!!!

May 28th, 2011 - 3.37 Mile Run – I met Lloyd at the trail head and we started out walking and talking about my habits. I told him where I feel pain and/or tightness during or after a run. So after about a quarter of a mile, we started an easy trot. He assessed my form and offered advice.

I have to remember to relax my shoulders and well, just relax. I find myself clinching my teeth at times and that’s gotta stop. It causes mild headaches that will only get worse.

When I watched his form, I noticed that his back stays completely straight, his chest stays up and his heels don’t touch the ground at all. I’ll have to work on that. Hills don’t phase him in the least. He powers right through those with no deviation from proper form. Impressive.

The first mile was kinda rough. Not only was it a trail run, for which I have zero tolerance, but it was a slight incline. We took several walk breaks, which is new for me. I can typically do this distance without stopping with no trouble at all.

We were on an incline when we reached the halfway mark and decided to turn around. This was glorious. A much better run for me. The decline meant I needed to be careful and spare my ankles and 40-year-old knees but, there were no stops and we picked up a little bit of speed. I enjoyed this part immensely. I listened as Lloyd talked about some of his races and running habits. That was great!!!

At the end of the run, we reached the trail head again, did a quick session of stretches and talked about running. I was exhausted, but Lloyd waved good-bye and headed back up the trail.

I gotta come out here and run this trail again. I really want to get better at trail running. This was great! Thanks Lloyd!!!




May 29th, 2011 – 5.51 Mile Run – This was a great run. I nice relaxing run with Miss Kathy! It started out as a typical Sunday morning, where I get dressed and go to church.

Only this time, I wore my running skirt and cap. Kathy and I had chatted about it before hand and I knew that she had planned to change after the service but I just thought it would be a lot more convenient to just dress for the run.

The guilt from my Southern Baptist upbringing was overwhelming. Never had I *ever* shown up for church so improperly clad. I know that anything goes in Southern California, but I thought this was ridiculous, even by SoCal standards.

But then, as the LORD would have it, Kathy was decked out in her running gear too!!! We both sat in the last row and enjoyed a wonderful service!

This run was all bliss. I was still a little fatigued from yesterday’s run but it was all good. We warmed up with a little walk, then did the entire run 4 and 1.

We talked about life, marriage, running and racing. You just can’t beat that. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We will definitely do this again.

We ran all the way to Kathy’s house. It felt GREAT. She was generous with her licorice, cuz you know every great runner has licorice on hand for a post run snack. Then we went into her garage and she strapped me to her Inversion Therapy Table and turned me upside down to stretch out my back. Ahhhh…..

That was awesome!! Thanks, Miss Kathy!!!



A weekend of Super Stars! One thing I noticed about these super stars is that they both wear proper runner's sunglasses. I don't know why I never picked up on that before. I'm constantly wiping my glasses because they get foggy when I'm running. So I ordered a pair. Can't wait to get 'em.

May 23rd & 26th, 2011 – 4.86 & 2.49 Mile Runs

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

I am EXTREMELY stressed out right now! A very dear friend of mine is an elite runner (I didn’t get his permission so I won’t give his name) and I asked him to consult me during a short run this weekend. This run is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Needless to say, this gentleman is *’way* out of my league. Clearly, he lost some sort of bet. Otherwise, there is no way he would waste his time and considerable talent correcting my form and offering me advice.

I can’t imagine how this session will go but I will absorb all I can while I’m with him. He is a master at his craft. We have run a few races together… and I use the word “together” rather loosely. A more accurate statement is: We have run a few races in the same area, on the same day.

He runs a 5k in about 17 minutes and he could have run the Wounded Warrior half marathon twice in the time it took me to run it once…. And he still would have beat me to the finish line! He could qualify for Boston easily but that wouldn’t be a challenge for him. This guy is a machine!

Why is he meeting me tomorrow? I really have no idea.


May 23rd – 4.86 Mile Run
This run was just OK. I’m not exactly sure what the trouble is, but lately I have been having pain in my Achilles Tendon after my runs. It may be my news shoes.

For Mother’s Day Chris took me to specialty store just for runners to have my gait assessed and shoes recommended. I bought the shoes they recommended and have been having trouble ever since. Great.


May 26th – 2.49 Mile Run
This had to be a really short run because We all had to be dressed and ready to go to Open House to see all the projects Jordan had been doing at school by 7pm. So after work, I changed my clothes, downed a quick meal and took Jordan on his bike for a quick run.

It was a pretty decent workout but there were quite a few stops. There always are when I run with Jordan but he’s getting much better and I really like running with him when I’m not using it as a form of discipline.

Even though this run was quick and short, I still had AT issues. I’ll try my Asics tomorrow and see what happens.


PHOTO NOTE: I am registered to do the Love Run 10k in Westlake Village on June 5th but my father has retired and is having his celebration dinner on that weekend so I’ll be out of town and won’t be able to do it. Chris knew I was bummed about it and told me he would have the kids make me a bib because he knows I like to collect them. How sweet is that?

This is the one Jayda made for me. It’s my new favorite bib!

May 16th, 2011 – 3.30 Mile Run

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

This run was more of a quest. Somewhere along the way I have lost my love for running and I have to find it again because I can’t seem to make myself stop doing it.

My last run was just a mess. I couldn’t find my groove and settling into it was very difficult. I suppose I could be addicted to worse things. And I call it an addiction because, like I said, I can’t seem to make myself stop.

I don’t do it because I want to. I don’t do it because I’m being forced to. And at this point, I don’t do it because I enjoy it.

I could stop now, never run again and no one in my world would blame me. My family and friends think I’m completely bonkers, to put it mildly.

I don’t do it because it makes me special, for everyone and their grandmother runs. I don’t do it because I have a gift for it. I am woefully mediocre at it. I don’t do it because it’s my only option. We are certainly not people of means, but if we had to, we could manage a gym membership, dance class or rider’s club tuition.

I don’t do it to stay healthy, fit or lose weight. I banished my scale long ago, but I do know that I haven’t really lost any weight with running. This is just the size I’m supposed to be at this point in my life. I could lose weight, but….. Nah. I’m at a healthy weight. I’m good with it.

I don’t do it to keep my husband interested. He’s crazy about me and would be if I weighed 200 lbs. I know this because he was crazy me about when I did weight 200 lbs right after the children were born.

I don’t do it so my children will admire me. I keep Rice Krispy Treats stocked in the house. I make Kettle Korn from scratch. I make up fairytales and nursery rhymes with them as the heroes at the the drop of a dime. I’ve never met a knot I couldn’t unravel. Prayer is forever and always my first line of defense. My hugs and kisses have magical healing powers and I can spot mischief behind closed doors. They think I’m a super hero.

Do I do it to feel good about myself? Have you met me?! Well, probably not, but trust me when I tell you that I’m fabulous!!!! Largely because I think so.

So why?

Why, why, why can’t I just give it up? Why not stop because I’m not enjoying it anymore? Why run out the door looking for the joy of the run when joy greets me around every corner at home?

Why keep running?

Because I have to….. I just do.

May 14th, 2011 – 3.15 Mile Run

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

This was a rough run. My legs were heavy and stayed heavy for almost the entire run.

It was the regular route. The weather was perfect. And I was only playing the best of my iPod play list. Everything was set for a perfect run but I just wasn’t feeling it.

I seemed to tire very quickly and oxygen deprivation came after the slightest bit of effort. It was weird and frustrating.

I donated blood on Thursday so I skipped the workout that day. I had plans yesterday so I had to skip it then too. Two days of rest should have been enough, so I haven’t any idea why this run was so rough.

I pushed through it because I thought I might feel the same at about mile 10 when I do the Half next month. I had to get in at least 3 miles. It wasn't great but I was glad to get it done, so I’m still calling it a win. Happy Weekend!

May 9th & 10th 2011 – 4.83 & 6.70 Mile Runs

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

4.83 Mile Run - This was never meant to be a training run. This was merely a maintenance run, to get the miles in. I usually give myself a couple days’ rest after a race but I didn’t run for a week before the Mud Run so I didn’t think the usual rest period was warranted.

My original intention was to run a full 6 miles. Now that the Mud Run is over, I need to start training for the Love Run, a 10k. I would really like to PR.

According to my calculations, if I want to finish in 60 mins, I need to maintain a 9:40.8 min/mi pace. I’ve never maintained that pace for a race. Ever…. Not even for a 5k.

Nevertheless, that is the goal. *sigh* That would be a 9 minute reduction from my best 10k. I know people who can do that with no trouble at all, but for me it is a daunting prospect. I hate to set goals that I honestly don’t think I can do, but here we go!

This run was far far far from that pace. But that’s OK because again, I was just trying to get the miles in.

I started out with the greatest of intentions and I was excited to start putting some miles on my new shoes.

I had never gone to a specialized running shop to get my gait assessed and then actually purchase the shoes that were professionally recommended for me. The good folks at Tri Running in Old Towne Camarillo were patient and wonderful and got me set up with some shoes that were supposed to change my life. I was excited to get started.

So I changed into my running shorts and tank top at the office and laced up my news shoes.

< insert chorus of angels singing here >

This was going to be awesome! Nothing can stop me now. I’m a running goddess and I am going to take over the world!

So it’s time to head home and I am ready to leave the office. I clock out and burst through the door. Happy to be released from my 8 hours of incarceration and embrace the freedom that comes with a good run. But then…..

< insert record scratch here >

It’s friggin’ FREEZING out here! It’s 68 degrees and windy! I am *waaay* under dressed. I can’t run like this! I must be the goddess of some warm and tropical place because this is too much for me!!

So instead of getting dropped off at the BGC and running home, I decide to go home, change into running pants and a long-sleeved top and take Sarah. It’s been a while since I’ve taken her for a run and she was so excited.

I always get a little more banged up when I run with Sarah because she’s getting so strong, it’s more difficult for me to run with proper form when I’m trying to keep her from running after other dogs. It’s a good thing I had on my super cool new shoes then, right? Well worth the money.

I cut this run short because I was losing daylight and didn’t wear any high visibility gear. That’s the only regret I have about this run. Otherwise, I’m calling it a win.

I was sure to take the time to get a good stretch afterward because after a race, it’s not the day after that’s the problem, it’s the day after the day after that kills you and this was that day. I knew if I wanted to be able to walk or get out of bed the next day, I’d better take the time to do it.

Jayda did it with me and made it much more pleasant than usual.

So here’s to impossible goals, good dogs and cute little baby girls who seem to make everything worth it. Happy Monday!

6.70 Mile Run - This run was about distance, form and stretching. I wanted to get the full race distance in without hurting myself and I really wanted to work on my form which I have to relearn since I'd been running in my 5-fingers so much. I had to reacquaint myself with running in proper shoes. So I did it 4 minutes on 1 minute off.

At around mile 4, my back tightened up and I couldn't relax into the run. As I was closing in on mile 6, I stopped at a traffic light that takes about 30 seconds to change. I spent the time stretching, so the last .70 mile was much better.

I was trying to maintain my half marathon goal pace, which is 12:??. Just anywhere under 13 mins was fine with me. I *just* reached my goal, which may be an indicator that I should rethink my goal.

Also, I am realizing that I am passed that age where I can run and run and never stretch. So now, stretching has to be just as important as my warm down. So I have to work on learning to love it.

It's gotta be easier than learning to love hills, right?