Hawaii Week 1 = Epic Fail!

Diamond Head on Sunday Morning

My "Running Hawaiian Style" didn't happen this week.  Les woke up Saturday morning with the flu.  I ran Sunday morning and have been fighting a cold/sinus infection since.  I know there are rules of when to run and when not to run when you're sick, but personally if I can't breathe, I can't run!  I have been doing a lot of walking each day, my running skort even felt a little loose when I put it on this morning, so I guess it's not all bad!

I finally felt well enough to run this morning.  Destination:  Diamond Head!  I wasn't exactly sure where I was going, so I followed the crowds and made my way up, just at sunrise:

This view made it worth the climb!

Looking at a map now, I see that I was about half way around Diamond Head.  I ended up turning around at the 3 mile mark.  I totally bonked at about the four mile mark.  Between my cold and the humidity, I really struggled to finish. My body has some major adjusting to do!

Surfers waiting for a big wave

6.3 miles in 1:10:17, 11:13 pace
Ave HR 147
Max HR 165
Calories burned 604

Running Hawaiian Style

I received this email from Runner's World on January 2nd.  Les had received a verbal job offer that day so it was quite the coincidence!

There is no better way to experience a place than to run it.You get to experience the deep crevices of an area, the senses beyond the visual, something you would never do if you didn't run.
~Tawnya MacNeil, Runner's World Challenger

The island of Oahu is 597 square miles.  I'm very excited to start exploring!  Diamond Head is on my list of "must run."  I can see it from my hotel.  Les has been talking about riding his bike up Tantalus for weeks - there is a 10 mile running loop that I want to try.   I'm also looking at some races that I want to enter.  The Hibiscus Half Marathon is calling my name, but it is on our anniversary weekend so we shall see!

My other plan is to run on the beach in the early mornings before the crowds are too thick.  There are many benefits of running in the sand.  I've read quite a few articles and here are some of things I've learned and hope to find out for myself:

• Running on the sand burns more calories because it takes more energy.
• Expect a slower pace, it will be harder at first.
• It's easier on the joints instead of running on concrete.
• It is also recommended that one pair of shoes be dedicated to beach running - all the sand will never come out!  I'm not sure I want to try barefoot running, but I might!

I am bike-less, so for now my plan is 2 days of beach running, 2-3 days of road running and 2 days of strength training.

A New Adventure!

McMoments and Memories and McMarathon Moments are now private blogs.   Welcome faithful readers.  And now for the explanation you’ve all been waiting for:

Les is taking a job with a company in Hawaii!

Yes, it’s true.  Les is joining a company in Hawaii.  For the next six months or so, we will be living in Honolulu for 3 out of every 4 weeks as Les goes through an “immersion” period.  After those six months we will come home and Les will work from our home in California, with some travel.

Why the privacy?  Les’ new job is not a big secret.  We have counseled with our pastor about this every step of the way, so we’re not running away or anything like that!  The main reason for the privacy is that our home will be sitting empty much of the time (we will have someone coming in once a week and a neighbor keeping an eye on things.)  I don’t know if there are any stalkers reading my blog, but I didn’t want to risk it.  I don’t want to worry about blogging about what’s going on in Hawaii and wonder if someone is breaking into our home in California!

How did this major change come about?  Les was laid off his job on October 22^nd.  We had a feeling that might happen, but it wasn’t easy when it did. The job search began immediately. He looked for work locally and no doors opened. We spent much time in prayer about this decision and asked God to close the door if it was not His will. Well… this is the only door that opened. His first day of work is tomorrow, January 21st, one day shy of three months without a job.

In some ways, this might seem like a fun adventure, and it is.  In other ways, it’s a bit scary leaving the comforts of home, including our home church.  Being even farther from our families is not ideal, but we truly feel that this is God’s will for us.  I felt in prayer that God has a plan that we just can’t see.  I have prayed that this will be a time of growth for us.  That we will be a blessing to the church we will be attending.

I’m sure there will be many posts as we travel and settle in.  We arrived in Oahu Friday evening.  For now we are in a hotel, but we'll be moving to corporate housing soon (I hope!)  I’ll be giving the grand tour at that time.  Please feel free to ask questions via comments or email me directly (kathymmc@yahoo.com)

My number one running goal?  Learn how to run in the sand!

Mood Swings

I know I said I wouldn't be back until Sunday, but I just had to share the mood swings of Mother Nature.  Monday, it was 37 and icy.  Today it was 59 and windy.

There's really no way to get a good pace on this type of run.  I did a bunch of hills and walked when the wind was too crazy.  At about the 5 1/2 mile mark a gust of wind pulled my hat right off my head!   Strava's Grade Adjusted Pace had me at about a 10:30 pace.  I just wish there was a Wind Adjusted Pace!

6.3 miles in 1:17:51, 12:21 pace
Ave HR 136
Max HR 160
Calories burned 597
Elevation gained 902 feet

Be Back on Sunday!

As most of you know, my blog will be going private on Sunday.  I won't have time to blog between now and then, so this will be the final public post.  During the "going private" process there will be some time on Sunday that my blog will be private before I can send the invitations out.  Please be patient as I work my way through that process.

How this will work:
1.  Between now and January 20th, anyone who wants to continue reading my blog(s) can either leave a comment or send me an email (kathymmc at yahoo dot com) requesting an invitation.  If you want to read both blogs, please let me know.  I will send you an email confirming your request.  The blogs will still be public at that time.  Please note:  I will not publish comments that contain your email address.  I will use your email address to contact you personally, but I won't make it public on either blog.
2.  On January 20th, my blogs will go private.  Everyone who requested an invitation will receive an email generated by Blogger that looks like this:

The Blogger user Kathy McElhaney has invited you to read the private blog: McMoments and Memories (or McMarathon Moments)

To view this blog, visit:
http://www.blogger.com/i.g?inviteID=  there will be a bunch of numbers here that are unique to you.

You'll need to sign in with a Google Account to confirm the invitation. If you don't have a Google Account yet, we'll show you how to get one in minutes, or you can view the blog as a guest for up to 30 days.

Kathy McElhaney's blog was created using Blogger, a free service for easily communicating and sharing ideas on the web. To learn more about Blogger and starting your own free blog visit http://www.blogger.com.

3.  Do I have to have a Google account?  Yes, but that does not mean you will have to change your email - I still use Yahoo for my email, none of that had to change.  If you have a blog of your own hosted by Blogger, you already have a Google account.   

 

This invitation is to everyone!
I have had several requests from people who I do not know personally but have been reading my blog.  I said yes to all those requests.  If you stumbled upon my blog from the blog of a friend or friend of a friend (that's how blogging usually works) please don't hesitate to request an invitation.  I'm not trying to get rid of anyone!

Running on Ice

Don't forget!  This blog will be going private next Sunday, January 20th.  If you still want to read it, please go here for the all the details!

Our cold weather has continued, I can't remember a winter when we have had so many days with lows in the 30s.  The weather when I got up:

Okay, I can handle that.  I knew it was going to be cold, especially with the wind, but I headed out.  After about a quarter of a mile I got quite a surprise - ice!  Automatic sprinklers were running all over the neighborhood and as soon as the water hit the sidewalk it was freezing over.  After a couple of slides, I became very aware of every patch!  I ended up running mostly in the bike lane and surprisingly ended up with a very good run.  Even had my best time on one of the toughest climbs in the neighborhood!

6.00 miles in 1:07:22, 11:13 pace
Ave HR 152
Max HR 165
Calories burned 603
Elevation gained 763 feet

Weekly Wrap-Up

Don't forget!  This blog will be going private next Sunday, January 20th.  If you still want to read it, please go here for the all the details!

This was just one of those weeks when I don't feel like I accomplished much.  We've been super busy, up much later than usual, and it's been SO cold!  Yep, all excuses, but that's all I've got!

Sunday - Rested

Monday - Ran 5.02 miles in 54:17, 10:48 pace
Then drove 220 miles to Fresno, visited with my Dad, and drove another 220 miles home.

Tuesday - Strength training
These sessions aren't taking very long right now.  I can only do so many reps.  I've been using this torture device for hanging abs:

Last week I did 3 sets of 8.  This week I did 3 sets of 10.

Wednesday - Rode 10.51 miles in 1:14:12, 8.5 mph

Thursday - Rested

Friday - Wimped out

Saturday - Ran 10.25 miles in 2:02:43, 11:59 pace
It was 36 when I got up and 32 when I got home this morning!  I know there were places that were even colder.  The only thing I know to do when it's this cold is to keep moving!
I also came home and did more strength training (that's twice this week, which is my goal for 2013.)

Av HR 141
Max HR 167
Calories burned 1,002
Elevation gained 1,145 feet

Totals:

Running:  15.27
Cycling:  10.51
Total:  25.76

Confessions of a Weather Wimp

I had big plans for this morning.  I was going to ride my bike...until I woke up and it was 32 degrees outside!  I could have gone for a run, but I'm planning a long one tomorrow so I wanted to give my feet a break.

We don't have a single inch of snow, but I thought this picture was cool!

The biggest difference between running and cycling in the cold is the downhill.  With running, once I'm warmed up, I stay warm.  With cycling, the first half of my ride would be all uphill.  I'd get nice and toasty warm and start sweating.  Then I would turn around and ride much faster downhill, in my wet clothes, shivering all the way.  I know I'm being a wimp, but I just couldn't do it today!

I'm not a pro, I don't get paid to ride in this stuff!

Hats off to all of you who live where it's really cold for months at a time and stick with it!

Still Running, Cycling and Blogging

I didn't mean to leave my blog sitting here so lonely for so many days after making my announcement about going private!   I will keep running, cycling, and blogging between now and January 20th.  It's been a busy few days that included a trip to see my Dad.  He is continuing to recover from two surgeries that took place just before Christmas.

Activity Streak?
I tried to get an activity streak going.  I ran 13 miles in January 1st.  Did strength training on January 2nd.  Ran 7 miles on January 3rd.  Rode 8.73 miles and did some more strength training on January 4th.  I got up on Saturday, January 5th and my legs were so sore!  I eeked out 4 miles, running and walking, but I think rest days are just too important to pass up!  Maybe if I was younger... but I'll be 50 next year (that's the first time I've written that!) so I'm going to take rest days.  At least one a week, maybe two.  I am proud of the fact that I managed two days of strength training - that's almost as many as I did in all of 2012!!

I love green hills in January!

Climbing Up!
Today I rode Las Llajas.  The trail was perfect today.  We haven't had any rain in about 10 days so there are only a couple of puddles. The dirt is hard packed.  And today there was no wind.  I felt stiff and sore when I headed out, but was able to do some of the steeper climbs in a higher gear.  I even moved onto the leader's board with a 10th Overall Female on the "Oil Wells Climb."  This is a little two-tenths of a mile segment with an average grade of 13.1%.  It took me 3 minutes and 43 seconds to ride that, but it was enough to jump into the top 10.

10.51 miles in 1:14:12, 8.5 mph
Ave HR 140
Max HR 164
Calories burned 698
Total elevation gained 1,359 feet

Special Announcement ~ Making My Blogs Private

On January 20th I will be making my two blogs (McMoments and Memories and McMarathon Moments) private.  There is a long story behind this decision and I will explain it all when my blogs are private. 

Since there is no point in having a blog without readers, I want to invite each of you to view my blog.  I will need your email address to send you an invitation.  I promise not to sell it to anyone!  I know not everyone reads my blog daily or even weekly, so I hope this will give all my readers time to see what's up.

How this will work:
1.  Between now and January 20th, anyone who wants to continue reading my blog(s) can either leave a comment or send me an email (kathymmc at yahoo dot com) requesting an invitation.  If you want to read both blogs, please let me know.  I will send you an email confirming your request.  The blogs will still be public at that time.  Please note:  I will not publish comments that contain your email address.  I will use your email address to contact you personally, but I won't make it public on either blog.
2.  On January 20th, my blogs will go private.  Everyone who requested an invitation will receive an email generated by Blogger that looks like this:

The Blogger user Kathy McElhaney has invited you to read the private blog: McMarathon Moments (or McMoments and Memories)

To view this blog, visit:
http://www.blogger.com/i.g?inviteID=  there will be a bunch of numbers here that are unique to you.

You'll need to sign in with a Google Account to confirm the invitation. If you don't have a Google Account yet, we'll show you how to get one in minutes, or you can view the blog as a guest for up to 30 days.

Kathy McElhaney's blog was created using Blogger, a free service for easily communicating and sharing ideas on the web. To learn more about Blogger and starting your own free blog visit http://www.blogger.com.

3.  Do I have to have a Google account?  Yes, but that does not mean you will have to change your email - I still use Yahoo for my email, none of that had to change.  If you have a blog of your own hosted by Blogger, you already have a Google account.   

I really hope you'll all stick with me.  I think God has some amazing things in store this year and I hope to continue sharing them with you!

Running and Relaxation

I received this quote the other day from Runner's World:

Running is a form of relaxation. 
That's one of the curiosities of life - that such a high-energy activity could be so relaxing.  
~Lee C. Bollinger, President of Columbia University 

Do you ever feel that way?  You're out running, pushing hard, but you feel yourself relax.  I think running is a great stress reliever!  I've laughed, cried, problem solved, and prayed all while out on a good run.  I can't run away from problems, but I've come home lighter and happier by running my problems away!

13 for 2013

I got up and had a great run this morning!  I started 2013 with 13 miles and I ran every single step!  I wasn't overly fast, but I purposely ran a very hilly route.  It was a cool, breezy 38 degrees when I headed out.  I took a break at the local dog park just past the halfway point.  I refilled my water bottle and used the restroom.  When I started running again, I was cold for about a mile!  My top was wet from sweat and the wind was blowing right through me.  But I kept on moving and eventually warmed back up.

For the first time in a long time, I had a negative split.  I ran the first half in 1:13:46 and the second half in 1:12:04.  My slowest mile was mile #1 at 11:47 and my fastest was mile #9 at 10:33.

13.01 miles in 2:25:50, 11:12 pace
Ave HR 146
Max HR 174
Calories burned 1,316
Total elevation gained 1,748 feet - any run over 100 feet per mile is hilly in my mind!

I was pleasantly surprised when I hit the 9 mile mark and realized I only had 4 miles to go.  That's when I decided I want to do "13 in 13" - in other words, I want to run 13 half marathons this year.  I realize today's distance was .09 shy of a true half marathon, but it was close enough!  These obviously won't all be organized races, since today was just a solo run, but I think this is the running goal I'm going to work on this year.  This is not out of reach since I ran 16 runs of 13 miles or longer last year.

I've seen "13 in 2013" on several running blogs.  This is committing to run 13 races of any distance in 2013.  I like that idea, too, but I'm too cheap to sign up for that many races!

Any 13 for 13 plans for you?