The Weather Outside is... Unpredictable!

It was a typical week in Southern California ~ sun, rain, warm, cold, breezy and calm!  Here's how my week went:

Sunday - Ran 10.03 miles in 1:57:51
It was a cool 42 when I headed out, but was quickly warming.

Monday - Rest Day
The forecast called for Santa Ana winds with gusts of up to 45 mph.  The winds never showed, but I enjoyed a rest day anyway.

Tuesday - Rode 12.41 miles on Backbone Trail in 1:57:08
The most beautiful day of the week.  Sunny and warm, we had a high of 77!

Wednesday - Rode 9.36 miles on Las Llajas in 1:02:16
A storm was moving in.  Temps were low 50s, I got lightly sprinkled on.

Thursday - Rest Day
It started raining Wednesday night and was raining steadily when I woke up.

Friday - Ran 7 miles in 1:23:52
The storm brought much cooler temps.  It was 38 when I got up to run, we don't see that very often!

Saturday - Ran 4.40 miles in 56:28
We got a bunch more rain on Friday night.  Temps dropped to 37 early this morning.  It was cold, but I loved it!  It's so much easier to put on an extra layer.

All in all, a very fun week.  I'm really enjoying running and cycling when I want, without a training goal at this time.

Totals:
Running:  21.43
Cycling:  21.77
Total  43.20

Single Track, Sunshine, Rain and a New PR

I asked Les yesterday if I should rename this blog.  I've been doing a lot more mountain biking than running lately!  I read so many running blogs that talk about injury, I think cycling is great cross training.

For the last month Les has been telling me, "We need to go ride Backbone."  Backbone Trail is in the Santa Monica mountains with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.  We finally decided yesterday would be the day and we couldn't have picked a more beautiful one!  It was about 65 out, sunny, clear, and calm.

The trail is to the right of Les in this picture

There are several types of mountain bike trails.  Las Llajas, my usual ride, is on fire roads.  These are wide enough for vehicles.  The first three miles of Backbone was on single track.  It's exactly what the name implies - wide enough for a single bike, and tricky when someone is coming the other way. This was a first for me.  I've ridden a few other trails, but they've all been fire roads.

The Pacific Ocean, as far as the eye can see

We rode about 5 miles when we came out on Yerba Buena Road.  We somehow lost the trail, so we rode Yerba for a little while before turning around.  While I didn't mind going up the single track because we were going so slow, coming down was a bit scary.  I even took a small tumble trying to navigate a steep hairpin turn. I have a couple bruises, but didn't break any skin.  So maybe this cross training isn't exactly injury free, but it's still fun!

Total distance 12.4 miles in 1:56:59, 6.4 mph
Ave HR 136
Max HR 164
Calories burned 787
Elevation gained 1,716 feet

We are suppose to get rain sometime this afternoon or evening.  Since I can run in, or right after, the rain, I decided to ride again this morning.  About 4 miles from home it started sprinkling.  My legs weren't feeling completely recovered from yesterday, so I decided to just go the Y and call it a day.  Coming back down, I got wet, but not too bad.

I also set a new PR on Marr Ranch Blacktop.  Are you tired of hearing about that?  Today was huge for me - I rode it in 40 seconds.  I am now ONE second from first place!!

Total distance 9.36 in 1:02:16, 9.0 mph
Ave HR 136
Max HR 170
Calories burned 504

Elevation gained 1,030 feet

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?  Do any fun cross training lately?

Double Digits

I took a planned rest day yesterday.  A Saturday without running has been rare this year and I enjoyed it so much!  I set the alarm last night though, because I needed to run today.  Our forecast is typical December - Santa Ana winds are headed our way sometime this afternoon.  That's how reindeer fly in my neighborhood - 45 mph gusts of wind.

This morning was the calm before the storm - 42 degrees, clear and calm.  I had my first double digit run in a month - 10 miles and they felt great!  I wasn't fast, but I was steady.  My fastest mile was 10:51 and my slowest was 12:58.  I loved watching the sun come up and start warming things up a bit.

10.04 miles in 1:57:51, 11:45 pace
Ave HR 144
Max HR 160
Calories burned 997
Elevation gained 724 feet

Trail Pictures

I don't always take pictures when I ride, but today was too gorgeous out not to!  We rode to the top of Sunshine Mountain.  5.7 miles from our house and this is the view:

Today's ride:  11.4 miles in 1:30, 7.6 mph
Ave HR 144
Max HR 171
Calories burned 865
Elevation gained 1,644 feet

Mud Ride

I must have been smiling, because there was mud on my teeth!
~ Me, this morning

I had such a fun ride this morning.  We had rain for about five days, which meant a muddy trail this morning.  Lots of puddles, including one that went across the entire trail.  Going up the trail was a little slow as my tires collected more and more mud.  Just as I got to the split, I saw this downed tree:

Hmm... that takes me further up the trail.  To the left is a cattle ranch.  I was able to skirt around the tree and made my way up a little further.  The higher up the trail, the muddier and slicker it got, so I turned around and headed back down.  Going back down, my tires shed all the mud they had collected.  More than once, I felt mud hit my face and teeth.  I hit a really slick spot and thought I was going down for a few seconds, but was able to stay upright. 

Muddy Myka after I got home

And once again, I PR'd Marr Ranch Blacktop!  On November 16th I rode it in 57 seconds.  On November 20th I rode it in 54 seconds.  Today I rode it in 49 seconds!  This is one tenth of a mile with an average grade of 21.8%.  I really didn't think I could get that much faster, but I am. And having a lot of fun in the process!

Mud splattered clothes - just part of riding this time of year!

10.19 miles in 1:15:18, 8.1 mph
Ave HR 136
Max HR 162
Calories burned 587
Elevation gained 1,234 feet

Determination

I really like this quote!  Great things don't happen by accident.  Crossing the finish line, whether it's your first 5K or your 20th marathon, takes a lot of determination. And brings a lot of satisfaction.

I had a great run this morning.  I didn't have a plan, I just got up and ran.  My legs felt strong.

7.02 miles in 1:22:37, 11:46 pace
Ave HR 146
Max HR 166
Calories burned 687
Elevation gained 793 feet

Being consistent, even through the final month of 2012, will take a lot of determination.  I'm going to do it, how about you?

I Needed to Run

I know I'm super spoiled when it comes to weather.  The only things that keep me from running are rain or wild fire.  I probably get rained out about 20 days a year, so I don't worry too much if I miss a day due to rain.  I use to have a treadmill, but I gave it away since all it did was gather dust.  This week I was rained out on Thursday and Friday, so I went to bed last night planning on running this morning...

I woke up and could tell the roads were wet.  It didn't seem like it was actively raining, so I decided to go for it.  It was 58 out, so I put on a light jacket (hoping to stay dry) and a baseball cap.  As soon as I stepped out, I knew it was going to be a wet slog.  It wasn't raining hard, but it was misting.  I told myself, "Go a mile and see how it is."  I then decided to go two miles, then four, and finally ended up with five miles!  I ran a pretty hilly route.  Even PR'd to capture second overall on one of the climbs!

The conditions never changed.  I was completely wet by the time I got home, but I felt so good!  My legs felt fresh, I think I'm completely recovered from my latest marathon.  So glad I went.

The face of a wet, but happy runner!

5.01 miles in 59:43, 11:55 pace
Ave HR 143
Max HR 159
Calories burned 515
Total elevation gain 607 feet

What keeps you from running?  How many days can you go before you're stir crazy??