Happy National Running Day!

My plan did not include a run this morning, but since it is National Running Day I talked Les into a short run.  It was a recovery run for me - I ran the trail again yesterday and had my best time ever - 11:30 average for 7 miles with over 700' of climbing.

I love this story about Harriette Thompson.  She ran the San Diego Marathon on Sunday in 7:07:42.  She is 91!!  She ran her first marathon when she was 76 proving it's never too late to start running!  “We’re seeing more and more people of all ages entering marathons as they discover that running is something that can keep you fit for a lifetime,” said Tish Hamilton, the executive editor of Runner’s World.  Harriette just finished nine rounds of radiation on her legs for cancer treatment.  She's also raised over $90,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training.

Harriette Thompson with Meb Keflezighi, the winner of this year's Boston Marathon

Did you run today?

Trail Running Adventure

I'm not going to waste your time giving you reasons/excuses/sob stories/lies about why I haven't blogged here in over two months.  No reason really, just lazy! 

I have been very active - running and cycling.  My new favorite is trail running.  I've been going about once a week and it's so enjoyable.  I know I can't go as fast, so I don't worry about pace, I just get my heart rate up and go.

This morning, I really got my heart rate up at about the 2 mile mark when I saw this:

Yep!  Bear tracks!  Bear tracks that I followed for about 1 1/2 miles.  They were definitely fresh, no foot prints or tire tracks over them.  There is a bear that lives in the hills behind the cattle ranch and in dry conditions, he/she's been known to come down the trail looking for water.  This usually happens late summer, but with our current drought it makes me wonder if he'll be heading to neighborhood pools by then!

The trail splits at the 3.4 mile mark - the bear tracks went left towards the cattle ranch and I went right, further up the trail.  I turned around at the 4 mile mark with 866' of climbing in my legs!

I'll try to do better about blogging, at some point I will start marathon training again and that will make for more interesting weekly reports!

Weekly Review

I seem to be back on track this week.  I'm posting this from the town of Buellton.  Les is out riding the Solvang Double Century and I've been practicing my photo-bombing skills.  As of 2:00 p.m., Les has ridden 136 miles, just 64 to go!  He started at 5:00 a.m. and his goal is to be back by 7:00 p.m.  This includes rest and water stops.

Sunday - Rode 8.77 miles in 48:11, 10.9 mph
This is my "Sunday Spin" route - an easy, flat road ride on my mountain bike.

Monday - Ran 5.0 miles in 59:33, 11:54 pace
An earthquake happened while I was out - I was moving so fast I didn't even feel it, ha! 

Tuesday - Brick, Part 1: Rode 9.42 miles in 1:10:39, 8.0 mph
Brick, Part 2: Ran 1.98 miles in 26:02, 13:11 pace
This was tough, but I will be doing it again!

Wednesday - Rest Day
Did Pilates - I really needed it, I was very stiff and tight.

Thursday - Ran 8.08 miles in 1:45:27, 13:03 pace
I ran the trail this morning and went a little higher up than before.  Over 900 feet of elevation gain in just 4 miles.

Friday - Rest Day
I was a bit sore from Thursday's trail run - especially my ankles from all the side to side action.

Saturday - Ran 4.3 miles in 48:15, 11:13 pace.
I waited until it was light out before hitting the streets of Buellton.  I've never run here so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I headed on the main highway towards Solvang until I came to Ballard Canyon (all the pictures in this post are from today's run.)  It was a wonderful country road, winding its way past horses, goats, sheep and cattle.  Just me and the pickup trucks on the road!  My right shin was tender, I think I may have twisted it on the trail on Thursday, so I cut the run short.
I also walked 2.1 miles in Solvang.  Tourists have a fun way of stopping wherever they desire and I have a fun way of photo-bombing when they do so ;)

Running 19.33
Walking 2.10
Cycling - 18.19
Total  39.62

Last Week's Training and a Brick Workout

I decided to call last week a taper week - because my miles were really low.  The time change knocked me for a loop.  It just seemed SO dark and I had a really hard time getting out the door.  We also had Santa Ana winds with gusts of over 50 mph - NOT happening. I'll spare you all the details, I ran twice (14.01 miles), walked twice (6.01 miles), and rode once (10.31 miles) for a total of 30.32 miles. So far this week I have over 25 miles, so I think I'm adjusting.

This morning my plan was to go riding.  Les had a 7:00 meeting, so he couldn't go.  He mentioned going running when his meeting was over and I said I would join him, creating a Brick workout.  Bricks refer to training on two disciplines during the same workout, one after the other with minimal or no interruption in between, just as you would do in a triathlon (source.)

I headed out for my ride and there was no wind.  About 3 1/2 miles up the trail, the wind became fierce.  Since the trail isn't straight, the wind was constantly changing - from a headwind, to a tailwind, to a crosswind and back to a headwind.  9.42 miles later, I was home and the wind was getting stronger...

Les' meeting finished up and we headed out.  We were immediately blown around!  Since Les doesn't run often or long, I knew our route was going to be about 2 miles, I figured I could get through it.  The real "beauty" of a brick workout is how rubbery your legs feel on the run!!  We had one steep climb that Les went up without any trouble - I had to take a couple of walk breaks.  Then we turned a corner and were faced with our strongest headwinds yet!  We finished our 2 miles and I was ready for a break.

I do think this is another great way to train for a marathon.  Running on tired legs is going to happen during a 26.2 mile run.  I think riding 10-12 then trying to run 8-10 would be great practice, but for now riding 9 and running 2 was more than enough!

She's On a Roll!

I have been active everyday in the month of March so far!  It started with last Saturday, March 1st, when I ran in the rain.  This week has gone really well, including two bike rides.  I am NOT looking forward to the time change tomorrow - I have been enjoying the early daylight.  I don't mind running before dawn, but I won't ride my bike until the sun comes out.

Sunday - rode 8.77 miles in 48:22, 10.9 mph
I got rained on just a little, but enjoyed an easy cruise around town.

Monday - walked 1.66 miles in 24:42, 14:54 pace
I had planned on taking the day off, but Les wanted to do a short run/walk.  I felt better after doing so!

Tuesday - ran 7.01 miles in 1:29:36, 12:47 pace
This was on the trail and boy, was it different!  All the pictures in this post are from that run.  Puddles, creek crossings and mud, oh my!  Last week's rain turn a sandbox into a mud pit.

Wednesday - ran 2.02 miles in 25:36, 12:42 pace
Another short run with Les.  I then did Pilates - the first time in about 6 weeks!  After I fell, my hands and knees were too scraped up to do most of the exercises so I fell off the wagon (again.) 

Thursday - ran 6.01 miles in 1:08:58, 11:29 pace
We had an 8:00 appointment with our tax preparer, so I had to get up move quickly.

Friday - rode 5.06 miles in 31:47, 9.6 mph
I had planned a longer ride this morning but when I got up the wind was howling.  Grr...
I headed out and decided to cut it short when I was getting blown all over the road.

Saturday - ran (??) 4.74 miles in 1:06:27, 14:01 pace
I think it's time for a rest day!  I had zero energy this morning.  I'm always amazed at how much rest days count.

Totals
Running 19.77
Walking 1.66
Cycling  13.83
Total  35.26

February in the Books!

I didn't do a single weekly review for the month of February!  I've been sick the last three Saturdays, so sitting down to blog about what I accomplished for the week has not been on my priority list.  February definitely had its challenges - moving home, a cold that would not go away, and rain this week!  With California in a serious drought, I'm thankful for every drop!

I decided this morning that I really need to get out and walk at least a couple of miles on my rest days.  I did so much walking in Hawaii, there's really no reason for me not to do that here.

Totals for the month of February:

Running 65.18
Walking  13.30
Cycling  22.69
Total  101.17

This is a bit less than last February's 132.87, but I'm planning to make those miles up in March.

I'm trying to get back into cycling.  So far I've ridden twice!  I'm thinking about a two week training cycle with 3 runs/2 rides during week one and 2 runs/3 rides during week two.  I'm really looking forward to getting back on the trail now that we've had some rain.  It will be muddy for a few days, but there have been some really sandy spots that should be easier to get through.

I kicked off March with a run.  I knew the weather was going to be iffy when I went to bed last night.  I told Les, "If it's not raining, I'm going."  I was awake around 4:30 and it wasn't raining.  I was out the door before 5:15.  It started misting a little and I got poured on for the last mile, but I'm glad I got out!  15 degrees warmer and it would have felt like Hawaii!

Columbia Trail Shoes and Active GearUp

When I started doing a little trail running last Fall, the one thing that really needed to change was my shoes.  Running shoes are not suitable for a rocky, rutty, dirty trail!  I knew I needed better support.  Enter Active GearUp...

A smooth part of the trail

Active GearUp is a "member only site for endurance and fitness enthusiasts offering discounts up to 70% off top brands and products."  They have shoes, clothes, and all kinds of gear for every activity.  The best part is it is free!  When you join, you automatically receive daily emails.

Most days I don't take the time to look at what is marked down, but as I started thinking about moving home and more trail running, I kept an eye out for trail shoes.  About a month ago they featured Columbia.  Les has a pair of Columbia trail shoes that he really likes - he wore them when we hiked Koko Head and felt great and safe.  I ordered the Columbia Women's Master Of Faster Low Trail Shoe.  It's no longer available at Active GearUp, but is currently on Amazon for $128.  I paid $45!

The bottom of the shoe with lots of grip

When I first tried them on, I wasn't so sure.  They are so stiff!  Of course that's what you need when trail running, but after years of cushioned running shoes these felt so odd.  Les said they felt just like his, so I trusted his expertise.

Dirty after just two outings!

Last week I took them out for a short run/walk - 2 miles up the trail and 2 miles back down.  I was so pleasantly surprised at how stable they are.  I never felt like I was going to twist my ankle.  I stepped on and kicked rocks without any pain.    I took them out for a longer run today and had the same happy experience - 7.64 miles of dirt, rocks, and sand without any incident = 1 happy customer.