Boston Marathon

What a sad day.  The 117th running of the Boston Marathon ended in tragedy.  Three are reported dead with over one hundred injured.  I cannot imagine the terror.  There were those who had just crossed the finish line, while others were seconds away. 

As we were talking about it, Les said, "I sure am glad you ran slow at Ojai."  I just stared at him, then I remembered...

The Ojai marathon was my first marathon.  Ojai to Ocean, 2012.  My public goal was 4 hours.  The goal that only Les and I knew about was 3:55.  Three hours and fifty five minutes would have qualified me for Boston.  I would have still needed to get in on the registration day, but the first thing I had to do was qualify.  If I could have gotten in, I would have been there, Les and I talked about it last year.  He would have been in the stands waiting for me.  I could have been one of those crossing the finish line while Les waited in the stands when the bombs went off.

I agree with Les, I'm glad I ran slow at Ojai.  Very glad.

My thoughts and prayers are with those who were there today.

A Great Week!

I started 2013 with a half marathon and declared I would run 13 in 2013.  Such an easy goal!  I've run dozens of half marathons!  No problem! 2013 has not been a normal year. I've run exactly ZERO half marathons since January 1st.  Instead I've moved temporarily to Hawai'i in January, tried to adjust to high temps and humidity while running in February, and was handed a devastating blow when my father passed away in March.  I finally feel like I've turned the corner this week:

Sunday:  Ran 4 miles in 47:31, 11:53 pace
It was a beautiful Resurrection Sunday morning!  I ran through Ala Moana Park and there were two sunrise services going on.  At one point I thought about how Mary must have felt when she went to the empty tomb and then went running back to the disciples!  What a joyous feeling ~ I'm so thankful for a risen Savior!

Monday:  Walked 3.1 miles

Tuesday:   Rested

Wednesday:  Ran 9.02 miles in 1:34:29, 10:29 pace
Also walked 2.8 miles

Thursday:  Ran 5.08 miles in 55:00 minutes, 10:55 pace
Also walked 2.8 miles

Friday:  Walked 5 miles

Saturday:  Ran 13.1 miles in 2:28:10, 11:19 pace

6.12 miles, almost half way, at Waialae Beach Park

Finally!  I ran my second half marathon for the year!!  This was probably the toughest half I've ever done.  It was 68 when I headed out and 75 when I finished with 95% humidity.  I got rained on during mile three and would have gladly taken some more of that around mile 11.  I was drenched with sweat, but I did it!  This was only 7 seconds a mile slower than the one I did in January when it was 38 degrees out.  I think I'm finally adjusting to the warmer, humid temps and learning to take Endurolytes on a regular basis while I'm out.  Two down, eleven to go...

8.27 miles - Diamond Head Lookout

Ave HR 147
Max HR 163
Calories burned 1,292

Totals for this week:
Ran 31.20
Walked 13.70 
Total 44.90 miles

Two Days in a Row

I had another great run this morning.  I was sore from yesterday, so I wasn't sure how it would go.  I decided to do intervals and was pleasantly surprised with my results.  My intervals were 5 minutes running, 1 minute walking:

Warm up: 3 minutes
Interval 1: 10:25 pace
Interval 2: 10:12 pace
Interval 3: 10:22 pace
Interval 4: 10:17 pace
Interval 5: 10:09 pace
Interval 6: 10:13 pace
Interval 7: 10:25 pace
Interval 8: 10:36 pace
Interval 9: 10:30 pace

Total 5.08 miles in 55:00, 10:50 pace
Ave HR 142
Max HR 156
Calories burned 499

I'm so pleased with how April is starting out!  March was such a tough month, I'm glad to put it behind me.

This Morning's Run

At the top of the final Diamond Head climb

 I constantly remind myself that resting takes confidence. Anyone can train like a mad man but to embrace rest and to allow all the hard training to come out takes mental strength.

~ Ryan Hall

The above quote was in my inbox this morning.  Perfect, since I had taken the last two days off from running!  Those rest days paid off - I had a fabulous run this morning.  I think I'm slowly adjusting to flat, warm and humid running.  I cranked the iPod and ran:

Mile 1:  12:10  (this included 3 minutes of warmup walking before I started running)
Mile 2:  10:29
Mile 3:  10:52
Mile 4:  10:10
Mile 5:  9:55
Mile 6:  9:51
Mile 7:  10:26
Mile 8:  10:03
Mile 9:  10:17

9.02 miles in 1:34:29, 10:29 pace
Ave HR 150
Max HR 164
Calories burned 912

With views like this, who wouldn't want to run?

This Week

Our view yesterday morning

It's been a busy, busy week!  We bought a car on Sunday, but I have determined not to drive it unless the trip is over 5 miles.  That means I'm still walking to the grocery store and the zoo and the bike store and...

This is my highest mileage week this year!  Keeping track of all the walking I'm doing is really making a difference.  I've started a new game when I'm out walking.  I look ahead and find the next person on the sidewalk who is also walking, then I pick up my pace to see how long it takes to pass them.  This really helps me to focus, otherwise I just get slower and slower!  It works!

Sunday - Rested
It was pouring, plus we had scheduled to meet the seller of a 2002 Saturn at 9:00.  We ended up buying it - our second Saturn!

Monday - Ran 5.04 in 1:06:19, 13:10 pace.
I was experiencing a lot of knee pain so did quite a bit of walking.
Also walked to the bike shop - 5 miles.

Tuesday - Walked 6 miles.
Here, there, and everywhere!

Wednesday - Ran 9.10 miles in 1:39:56, 10:59 pace
I wore different shoes and my knee was much better!  I ran around Diamond Head going counterclockwise, I think this direction is much tougher.
I also did a ton of walking this day!  I dropped our car off to be detailed, then walked to Don Quijote's (groceries) and home.  Later, I walked back to pick up the car.  Total walked 5.3 miles.

Thursday - Walked 6.8 miles
A trip to the zoo and some wandering in Waikiki.  Special treat at the zoo was watching three lion cubs.  They are 3 months old and have only been on exhibit a couple of weeks.

Friday - Walked 3 miles
Met Les for lunch, then took another trip to Don Q's.

Saturday - Ran 9.02 miles in 1:37:54, 10:52 pace.
Another trip around Diamond Head, this time I went clockwise.  It's tough, just not quite as tough as counterclockwise.
Also walked to AMFM (Ala Moana Farmer's Market)  2 miles.

Totals
Running:  23.15
Walking:  28.10
Total:  51.25

Slump Buster

View from the mountain side of Diamond Head

You know the best way to get out of a running slump?  RUN!  That's what I did this morning.  I wore my iPod and listened to upbeat and uplifting tunes.  It kept my mind occupied and I think that really helped!  I did my new favorite route - around Diamond Head - with a little bonus run part way into the crater.

View from the Crater Road

There is a Strava segment called Pokapahu Climb.  It is the road into Diamond Head Crater.  It is 3/10th of a mile with an average grade of 15.2%!  I really didn't push myself on it today, I was just trying to find my way and I still captured 9th overall of women.  I'll be hitting that again to see how high up I can climb in the rankings!

When I got to this tunnel, I turned around and headed back out of the park and finished my loop.  I can't believe I caught this surfer with my iPhone!

View from the Ocean side

About halfway around the crater, I passed a couple.  As we exchanged "good mornings" the man said, "You're the best dressed runner I've ever seen."  Thanks, sir, you made my day!

9.3 miles in 1:46:08, 11:25 pace
Ave HR 147
Max HR 165
Calories burned 880

Where Have I Been?

 It's been over two weeks since I blogged here.  It's been almost that long since I've done any running.  If you don't read my other blog, you probably have no idea what's gone on since February 28th (date of my last post.)  We flew home that night, arriving in LA at 5:30 Friday morning.  By 2:00 p.m. that same day, we were in Fresno.  My Dad was extremely sick, I actually wondered if I would make it home in time to see him.  He passed away on the following Tuesday, March 5th and his funeral was last Monday, March 11th.  It has been a heartbreaking time.  I am really, really going to miss my Dad.  He was a great Dad!

We are now back in Hawaii and settling in for an extended stay.  I'm ready for lots of running and walking.  I've avoided the scale, I know my eating was out of control for a few days and exercise was non-existent.  I had actually started a post the week of February 24th, but never finished it, so I'm gonna get you all caught up!

February 24th-March 1st

Sunday - Walked 4.5 miles
I turned my Strava tracker on as I headed out this morning.  I knew I walked a lot, but was surprised by the total!

Monday - Walked 2 miles in the morning (Don Q's, of course!)
Ran 2.36 miles in 30:00, 12:43 pace.  I did this on the treadmill in the evening while Les was working out on the weight machines in our complex.  It has been YEARS since I was on a treadmill.  I was a sweat drippin' mess!  Average heart rate 149!

Tuesday -Ran 7.75 miles in 1:30:25, 11:40 pace
Got up and ran long and hard this morning.  Saw the full moon and the sunrise, while running in wind and rain!

Wednesday - Rested
I didn't even walk to Don Q's today.  My legs really needed the rest.

Thursday - Ran 8.6 miles in 1:33:53, 10:54 pace
Felt great this day!
Walked 3 miles.

Friday - Rested
Took a red eye flight home and arrived at 5:30 a.m.

Saturday -Stood at my Dad's bedside with my heart breaking in two.

March 3rd-9th
I know I should have gotten out and run during this stressful time, but it didn't happen.  After my Dad passed away, Les and I moved from his house to a hotel - it was really stressful trying to stay there.  I managed one run on the hotel treadmill on Friday afternoon.
2.45 miles in 26:12, 10:43 pace

March 10th-16th
This week was a little better once we got back home to Simi Valley. My energy level has been pretty low, with lots of emotional stuff weighing me down as well.

Tuesday - Ran 4.6 miles in 1:06:01, 14:20 pace
This really can't be called a run.  I remember starting out running, but I think it turned into a walk at some point.  Honestly, I don't remember!

Thursday - Rode 9.32 miles in 1:10:52, 9 mph
Les prodded me out the door and I'm so glad he did.  I probably would have stayed in bed and cried for a couple of hours if he hadn't.

Friday - Back in Oahu!  Walked 3.5 miles, including a trip to Don Q's, of course.

Saturday - Walked 4.58 miles in 1:09:11, 15:06 pace.
I headed out planning to run, but again had no energy.  I had to remind myself that walking is excellent cross training.
Also walked 2.7 miles in 42:35, 15:33 pace
I took a trip to the AMFM (Ala Moana Farmer's Market)  I went early this time and found some great things - corn, tomatoes, Lilikoi bread, and macadamia nut stick buns!

So that's my last three weeks in a nutshell!  I know this slump will end with time, because time is definitely the best healer.