Run to the Hills: Week of May 25th Runs

[solobiker]

Way to Limewave, that is awesome.

I went for a short 3 mile run this morning, everytime I try to ramp up my mileage hamstrings and IT band start complaining. I am going to try again. I used to be able to run 60 min without any trouble. It is my goal to get back to that. Everyone here is doing great.

[jesvetmed]

Teigyr: How did the 1/2 go? Can't wait to hear.

I spent the weekend in Spokane at a friends' and did some hiking / walk-run stuff. Unfortunately hit the 80 degree heat at noon on Saturday, so attempts at running much then were short lived. I WILT in the heat! But got in 9 miles Friday and 7 miles Saturday -- not running much, but covering the distance!

[teigyr]

The half went awesome!!!

We got to California the night before and did the hotel check-in thing before going to pick up race packets. Alameda is a cute town as was the bit of Oakland we went to for packet pick-up. I love the San Francisco area transit system!! We then ate dinner (after not eating all day really...file that under what not to do) and had drinks.

The next day was race day. We woke up and decided that we could walk the 2.5 miles to the race start. Our walk was right along the water so it was really pretty. I ate a pancake sandwich (another what not to do thing?) and had some Cytomax. I really felt pretty good, all-in-all.

At the start, we got chipped and basically meandered around. SO many people looked to be "runners". I was figuring for a womens only event, there would be a lot of people who were not 100% in shape. There was a fun "warm-up" event complete with 80's music and aerobics instructors in leg warmers and headbands.

At the start, I went to the 11 minute mile starting spot because I am not fast. There were about 1,000 runners and we started out kind of slow as we got out into the street.

The course was beautiful. It was along the water in Alameda, it crossed a bridge into Oakland and circled around a golf course then back along the water. There was a good breeze, some occasional drizzle, and the temperature was really comfy. The rest stops were every 1-2 miles so I tried to drink water at each one. I did slow down and briefly walk while I drank because I don't have that running and drinking artform down yet.

Honestly, I felt good. By mile 9, my friend was getting tired and got tired of hearing my need to be chatty. I think that's what happened...she put on her headphones and I started talking to the animals. The people who were out walking were SO supportive, they were clapping and being encouraging.

Also at mile 9, I realized we were almost there. Some of the runners that had been ahead of me were slowing. There was a slight incline and many runners started walking. I was feeling better and better so I decided to gradually speed up. I started passing people and it was a very strange feeling! It was fun though, I'd tell myself I wouldn't look at the time until I passed 20 more people. It was almost a game. I also realized I would finish faster than I thought I would. In training, I was running 2 hr 47 min 13 mile runs. My fastest average EVER (for distance) was 11 min. 16 second mile.

By mile 12, I realized that perhaps I was pushing too soon but I decided to stay with it and see how I did. I was starting to feel a bit ragged but I liked my pace and it felt good despite the fact I felt like I was going to barf. At this point people kept saying "you're almost there!" though even 1/4 mile was seeming to be too far away.

Finally, I saw the finish. I focused and willed myself to pick up the pace just a bit more. I passed a few more people too.

My finish time was 2 hrs 22 minutes. My average was 10:56/mile! I wish I would have sped up earlier but it's all about learning limitations and that might've tired me out more.

We then milled around at the expo (my friend was 4 minutes behind me), drank champagne, and walked back to the hotel. We all had tickets (DH came along) to Alcatraz so we went to San Francisco. It made it a long day with about 18 miles worth of race related running or walking to/from the race. I have to admit we were whining on the Alcatraz hills By that point it was 5pm and we had been on our feet all day.

Anyway, it was a fantastic experience. I am not sore either, oddly enough. I feel it but it isn't bad. I would go out and run today but I think I shouldn't. One of the really fun things was the race was called "See Jane Run". My name is Jane! The announcers tended to call everyone Jane and for me, it worked.

I looked at final results and placed 50.4% overall. That made me sad...I worked SO hard for this and I'd like to think I was better than average. I guess there's always next time

[Kimmyt]

Hey teigyr, congrats on the great race!

Don't feel bad about your ranking, look at WHAT you did. I mean, heck. You stomped your previous record by 20 seconds/mile! That's pretty dang good!

For myself, I did a run on Saturday. It was not good. I mean, easily the worst run I've ever done. It shouldn't have been hard, just a nice easy run of 4.5 miles. I've done runs up to 7.25 before without feeling bad, though not since injury.

Maybe it was the heat and humidity, or the fact that I did the run right when I woke up without eating or hydrating before (but I never hydrate or eat before runs <5 miles!), or maybe i'm just exhausted from training. Maybe a combo of all three. But I had to walk, so many times just to finish. Several times I was almost in tears. My legs just felt like lead and I had no energy.

I hate running in the heat, so maybe that was a big factor, but next time I'll make sure to eat and hydrate beforehand, just to make sure I have the energy I need.

[limewave]

YAY Teigyr!

Congratulations! Wasn't that your first 1/2? I think you placed fantastically! 13.1 miles is a tough distance and it sounds like you did really well. And I say placing 50.4% is pretty DARN GOOD

[tattiefritter]

Ooh Teigyr well done, I was thinking of you as I weaved my way up the big hill in my race, I was hoping you weren't going to have to deal with a monster like it.

My trail race went pretty well though it was far, far too hot for me. I took the earlier start in an attempt to beat it a little but I still got caught out and had a few dizzy spells where I was pushing too hard in the heat. I think it was around 22C (about 70F) which I know isn't hot for some of you but for me its too hot to be racing really particularly as there was very little wind. Apart from the heat making me slow to a walk when I didn't want to I actually finished quite strongly and was running well when I could. The descents were an absolute hoot and I overtook quite a few people on them (though a few did get me back as I'm relatively slow on the flat). I have blogged an epic report here : Garburn Race Report

The outcome was 14.81 miles and 2155 feet of climbing in 2:41:42, I was pleased to come in under the three hour mark. I actually have a couple of race photos where I look like I am running, they are at the start of the long descent after the big climb, you can see some of the loose rock I had to contend with...




Then I start getting into my stride, I like the mountains in the background, makes it look really high up.




I had a complete day off yesterday but my quads are feeling surprisingly ok, I am going out for a short run tonight not sure if on or offroad but no hills will be involved! I have a 4 mile road race on Wednesday which I will be taking fairly steady I think, just hope its not hot again.

[OakLeaf]

Way to go tattie & teigyr! Love the pictures tattie!


Yesterday I did the same loop I'd done on Friday, 4.38 around the industrial park where our hotel was. Today was a travel day I hate this.