Well we survived week #1.
Cheryl and I did our 9 miler yesterday and every time we got to a hill we charged up it. The thing about these hills is that we use to dread having to run them. In 2011 & 2012, Cheryl & I were a part of a training group here in Vancouver. Our coach would email us a few days in advance the route that we would be doing on Sunday morning. Anytime I read the name Reserve, 6th, Blandford, Devine and the path to 5th. I would cringe. I was sure our coach could have found a better route. I attempted each and every hill he had us run, but it was torture. Well this year we signed up with a different training group. This group didn't run a route that didn't have multiple hills. I HATE hills and LOVE hills equally, now.
Well on Saturday we picked an old training route that had four of these hills. Yes I said "We picked". Oh my it felt good to run these, I still do not like them, but they no longer scare me. I didn't make it all the way up Blandford, but I got close.
Also this week I went to my Dr. about my knee still bugging me.She asked me when do I feel the most pain. I told her anytime that I sit still. I told her that it doesn't bother me when I run, so she told me to run more :) and that I have runner's knee and I strained my ligaments. PT for me and to keep running were her suggestions.
Now to prep for week #2.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Marathon Training begins tomorrow :)
Wow, I really suck at blogging. It has been so long. I know every time I pop back on here I say I will do better. Not going to say to say it this time.
My first marathon was about finishing and that is all I focused on and I suffered. I got in all my short runs and long runs, I just went for it. This time around I am reading about trail running, marathons and nutrition.
My running buddy Cheryl and I will be running our first trail marathon in July. I am so excited!!! Our training plan starts tomorrow. If anyone has any tips or suggestions on trail running, fueling, etc. PLEASE share.
Cheryl and I recently ran a muddy trail run. It was slick, steep, cold, warm and SO much fun. It did not feel like we ran 6.5 miles with a 2000 ft elevation gain. This is one of the reasons I am so excited to run my second marathon, on a trail this time.
So far this year I have step out of my comfort zone with both feet and taken a big step. First started with signing up with a new training group fully knowing that the coaches love hills and that they would push me just enough. Second running three races, in three weekends and these races were Hilly!!! And I had a blast.
Can't wait to see what happens this year.
.
My first marathon was about finishing and that is all I focused on and I suffered. I got in all my short runs and long runs, I just went for it. This time around I am reading about trail running, marathons and nutrition.
My running buddy Cheryl and I will be running our first trail marathon in July. I am so excited!!! Our training plan starts tomorrow. If anyone has any tips or suggestions on trail running, fueling, etc. PLEASE share.
Cheryl and I recently ran a muddy trail run. It was slick, steep, cold, warm and SO much fun. It did not feel like we ran 6.5 miles with a 2000 ft elevation gain. This is one of the reasons I am so excited to run my second marathon, on a trail this time.
So far this year I have step out of my comfort zone with both feet and taken a big step. First started with signing up with a new training group fully knowing that the coaches love hills and that they would push me just enough. Second running three races, in three weekends and these races were Hilly!!! And I had a blast.
Can't wait to see what happens this year.
.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Article in the Local paper
http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/oct/13/girlfriends-half-marathon-brings-friends-together/
Now that I am home and have no races for three weeks I will catch up on the blogging :o)
Now that I am home and have no races for three weeks I will catch up on the blogging :o)
Monday, September 17, 2012
The Best Bad Run Ever!
Have you ever had one of those mornings where you wake up
and know that you need to run, but have no desire to? Well that was my Saturday
morning. The only thing I was looking forward to was hanging out with Cheryl.
When Cheryl showed up at my house, she warned me that she
was in a mood and needed to run. (It is always nice to warn your running
buddy).
We drove for about 2 hours to Silver Falls, Oregon. We were
going there to scope out the trails since we will be running the Silver Falls
Half Marathon in November.
Once we arrived at our destination (said in a GPS tone) we
got out of the car and gathered our stuff. That is when I noticed that my
Garmin was dead. Ugh! It would be a naked run for me, but Cheryl had charged
her Garmin so we would be fine. Yay! Cheryl.
Made a pit stop and then we tried to figure out where the
heck the start would be. We gave up and headed out on the Rim trail. Wow it is
beautiful and hilly!
Gorgeous day for a run. As we were heading down Rim Trail we
started to see more and more people out hiking we had a gentleman tell us how
great it was that we were able to run these trails J We felt pretty
awesome.
At one point Cheryl was behind me (due to the trail being
narrow) and yet out of the corner of my eye I see her start to pass me on my
right L
Then I notice that she is stumbling and out comes the parent arm (you know when
you swing out your arm to block them from flying forward) I missed and I
noticed she was headed for a tree. So what do I do? That’s right I shout
“TREE!” (like she didn’t see it) She was happy to see the tree, it kept her
from falling. And then we were off again on the trails and at this point
wishing we saw a porta-potty, I was looking for a good bush too, but our
choices were very limited. Up a steep hillside or down a steep hillside, plus
the trail was just too crowded.
I really don’t
remember what I was talking about as we rounded a corner, but my mouth was wide
open and a winged bug flew in straight to the back of my throat. I came to a
complete stop and started hacking like a cat trying to cough up a huge hair
ball. It was not working, so I drank some water and washed the protein down. At
this point Cheryl is laughing so hard she is about to wet her pants and then I
join in with her. I am glad no one came up the trail at that point, two women
crossing their legs and laughing so hard they were crying, might have scared
them. We hugged and decided we really needed to find a potty. And off we went.
Again we were told how awesome we were that we were able to
run the trails. It is a great feeling, and that is why I love to run. It makes me
feel amazing.
About mile 4 the trail was really crowded, lots of bobbing
and weaving. And then I went trail surfing. My left foot caught a rock and I
just could not recover. I just had too much forward motion, I came crashing
down on the rocky trail. OUCH!!!! I got up and we headed back to the pottys and
her car so I could clean up. My knees
are scraped, two sores on my hands and a few bruises. After I got cleaned up
and put on some Neosporin (Thanks to Cheryls first aid kit, Thank you Cheryl).
We decided to call it a day and go get some food.
While in the car getting ready to head out of the park we
started laughing about the bug I ate. It was funny. At this point we are also
drinking our chocolate milk. Cheryl made the cat coughing up a hair ball sound
and we laughed some more. Then we composed ourselves and started laughing again
and that is when the chocolate milk came out of Cheryl’s nose. You guessed it
we laughed about that too.
The thing is, is that even though this was a horrible run,
it was the best. We both needed to run. It didn’t matter that she ran into a
tree and coughed chocolate milk out of her nose or that I ate a bug and went
trail surfing. (I could have done with out the bloody knees though). We felt
better.
So there it is, the Best Bad Run Ever!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Portland Muddy Buddy Run
Portland Muddy Buddy Recap Team Hot Mess (and boy were we)
I ironed on "HOT MESS" (our team name) to our shirts, we wore bright teal eye shadow, RED lip stick, brown eye brow liner really heavy and thick. We looked like 5 years old put on our make up on for us.
Cheryl and I got there early to scope out all the obstacles so we could scope them out and plan our strategy. We knew that we had to stick together since it was a buddy run and some obstacles required team work. (Very happy she was there by my side).
After wandering around, it was finally time for us to line up for our wave. It was a blast just waiting to start, the announcer had us dance, jump, yell and it got us all pumped up. Like that was necessary, Cheryl and I were in the back with all the party people . 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, (insert air horn sound) off we ran. We were running next to some ninja turtles, princesses, biker chicks, and a lot of different costumes. Very interesting.
The event was on a farm on Sauvie Island, the ground was uneven and had lots of holes. Our first obstacle was called over under over. We had to get over a low wall (approx 3ft), then crawl under a net, then get over another (3 ft) low wall, no problems all was good. We ran a bit and came to a tunnel, where we had to crawl a ways on a slip n slide with a net over it. Ick it was soapy and very dirty, but we made just fine. Then we had to go over walls about (4 ft) slightly higher wall. Done.
Then we ran about 50 feet and came to the first obstacle where I was going to have to climb up. (I have a huge fear of heights, step ladders freak me out). So I started up the 2x4's, It was about 7 ft off the ground at the top, once I made it to the top I had to swing myself over and get to the ledge. Well while I was in the process of swinging my leg over a nice gentleman asked if I was ok, I responded in a Forest Gump tone "I am afraid of heights" he smiled and said you are doing awesome it made me feel so much better and it helped a lot that Cheryl was there. I completed the obstacle, Yay me!!
Then we went on to the team uneven wall, it was very uneven. And the balance beams were made for buddies with long arms. Both of these obstacles required holding on to your team mate at all times. Done!
Back running through the fields again. Next obstacle was at 6 ft rock climbing wall , I got up of then notice the other side was just a rope net. My heart started to race, I swung my leg over and went for it. Cheryl was telling me how awesome I was doing :o) WooHoo I made it, turned around and there was the same obstacle again, Crap. But I did it.
Then the one obstacle I fear most was next. The high cargo net climb, it was a wood frame with the net on each side at an angle. You had to climb up and over and down. I ran at it and told myself "Don't think about it, JUST DO IT" I did, I did it!!!!! twice. By the time I was running to the next obstacle my heart was racing and my hands were shaking and Cheryl was telling me how proud of me she was.....I was so happy she was there to keep me going.
We ran for a bit after that and came to the rope climb. Lets just say we are not rope climbers. Lol.
And we are off running again, we got a break from the Muddy Buddy obstacles for about .5 mile, but we had the farm sprinklers and muddy road to run through.
Then we came to the spider web (lots of bung cords to crawl through) Done.
Yep you guessed it we are running again.
This is were I got nervous again. This was our first obstacle with a line. It was time to climb up a net that was attached to an inflatable structure about (20 ft just a guess) straight up. When we got to the top we had to slide down a very steep slide, Holy Crap the was fast and steep. Yep had to repeat that one a second time too and we think the second one was higher and steeper.
We jogged to the next obstacle the tall rope climb. I did not make it over, but I did try my best just could not get my footing and started to freak out a tad bit.
No running this time 4 ft away was the wall rope climb. I made it to the top, grabbed the guys hand and lost my footing. I went crashing down on the rope and wall. That hurt, because the knot in the rope was between my sternum and the wall, It knocked the wind out of me a little bit. I went around that one, due to pain.
Nope no running again. Now it was the time to crawl through the mud to the finish line, it was slimy, nasty and I loved it. And the announcer kept saying Cheryl's name, like 3 or 4 times. He liked her name I guess.
We crawled through the mud and walked across the finish line. It was a blast! I would do it again tomorrow, if I could feel my arms. Lol.
Very happy that I did the obstacles, even though I was scared. Yay me for stepping out of my comfort zone. And a High Five to Cheryl for being there for me and with me.
Now to think of another adventure........
I ironed on "HOT MESS" (our team name) to our shirts, we wore bright teal eye shadow, RED lip stick, brown eye brow liner really heavy and thick. We looked like 5 years old put on our make up on for us.
Cheryl and I got there early to scope out all the obstacles so we could scope them out and plan our strategy. We knew that we had to stick together since it was a buddy run and some obstacles required team work. (Very happy she was there by my side).
After wandering around, it was finally time for us to line up for our wave. It was a blast just waiting to start, the announcer had us dance, jump, yell and it got us all pumped up. Like that was necessary, Cheryl and I were in the back with all the party people . 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, (insert air horn sound) off we ran. We were running next to some ninja turtles, princesses, biker chicks, and a lot of different costumes. Very interesting.
The event was on a farm on Sauvie Island, the ground was uneven and had lots of holes. Our first obstacle was called over under over. We had to get over a low wall (approx 3ft), then crawl under a net, then get over another (3 ft) low wall, no problems all was good. We ran a bit and came to a tunnel, where we had to crawl a ways on a slip n slide with a net over it. Ick it was soapy and very dirty, but we made just fine. Then we had to go over walls about (4 ft) slightly higher wall. Done.
Then we ran about 50 feet and came to the first obstacle where I was going to have to climb up. (I have a huge fear of heights, step ladders freak me out). So I started up the 2x4's, It was about 7 ft off the ground at the top, once I made it to the top I had to swing myself over and get to the ledge. Well while I was in the process of swinging my leg over a nice gentleman asked if I was ok, I responded in a Forest Gump tone "I am afraid of heights" he smiled and said you are doing awesome it made me feel so much better and it helped a lot that Cheryl was there. I completed the obstacle, Yay me!!
Then we went on to the team uneven wall, it was very uneven. And the balance beams were made for buddies with long arms. Both of these obstacles required holding on to your team mate at all times. Done!
Back running through the fields again. Next obstacle was at 6 ft rock climbing wall , I got up of then notice the other side was just a rope net. My heart started to race, I swung my leg over and went for it. Cheryl was telling me how awesome I was doing :o) WooHoo I made it, turned around and there was the same obstacle again, Crap. But I did it.
Then the one obstacle I fear most was next. The high cargo net climb, it was a wood frame with the net on each side at an angle. You had to climb up and over and down. I ran at it and told myself "Don't think about it, JUST DO IT" I did, I did it!!!!! twice. By the time I was running to the next obstacle my heart was racing and my hands were shaking and Cheryl was telling me how proud of me she was.....I was so happy she was there to keep me going.
We ran for a bit after that and came to the rope climb. Lets just say we are not rope climbers. Lol.
And we are off running again, we got a break from the Muddy Buddy obstacles for about .5 mile, but we had the farm sprinklers and muddy road to run through.
Then we came to the spider web (lots of bung cords to crawl through) Done.
Yep you guessed it we are running again.
This is were I got nervous again. This was our first obstacle with a line. It was time to climb up a net that was attached to an inflatable structure about (20 ft just a guess) straight up. When we got to the top we had to slide down a very steep slide, Holy Crap the was fast and steep. Yep had to repeat that one a second time too and we think the second one was higher and steeper.
We jogged to the next obstacle the tall rope climb. I did not make it over, but I did try my best just could not get my footing and started to freak out a tad bit.
No running this time 4 ft away was the wall rope climb. I made it to the top, grabbed the guys hand and lost my footing. I went crashing down on the rope and wall. That hurt, because the knot in the rope was between my sternum and the wall, It knocked the wind out of me a little bit. I went around that one, due to pain.
Nope no running again. Now it was the time to crawl through the mud to the finish line, it was slimy, nasty and I loved it. And the announcer kept saying Cheryl's name, like 3 or 4 times. He liked her name I guess.
We crawled through the mud and walked across the finish line. It was a blast! I would do it again tomorrow, if I could feel my arms. Lol.
Very happy that I did the obstacles, even though I was scared. Yay me for stepping out of my comfort zone. And a High Five to Cheryl for being there for me and with me.
Now to think of another adventure........
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Cheerleader
Wow it has been to long since I last blogged this marathon training is kicking my butt.
The last couple of weekends I have played the role of Cheerleader instead of the athlete.
On May 12, I went to the Hippie Chick Half Marathon to cheer on a few of my running buddies (Cheryl, Kim and Stephany). I walked around with them, watched them line up for the start, and kept my eye on them as they crossed the starting line. What do I do now? well I went and check out all the vendors. Mmmmm Peet's was giving out free coffee and free samples of Luna Bars. This was nice, so this was how the support team lived while the participate ran/walked. Hmmmmm, not bad. Well I knew that Kim would be finishing her 10k, so I made my way to the finish chute. Oh my goodness, I was at a loss. I started laughing out loud. I turned to a gal next to me and said "Well this is new for me, being on this side" It was her first time too. She had injured her leg and could not run. (I did not run due to me running an 18 mile training run the next day.) It was so much fun to cheer all the runners and the walkers on. It was great to see Kim, Cheryl & Stephany come across the finish line. I had so much fun that I went and cheered on running buddies and some "Chicks" at the Portland Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon.
The Rock-n-roll half was a blast, I felt like I knew half of the runners, Lol. And the best part...I got a few hugs from them. Thanks...Robin, Mimi, Chanda, Travis, Brenda and Heather. Oh and there was a BIG bonus to cheering with Rose, Margaret, Michelle, Kate & Megan. Oh and I can not forget a real treat....We got to see the Kara Goucher race by....Can't wait to see her in the Olympics this year.
I think I will be adding these races to my schedule next year.
The last couple of weekends I have played the role of Cheerleader instead of the athlete.
On May 12, I went to the Hippie Chick Half Marathon to cheer on a few of my running buddies (Cheryl, Kim and Stephany). I walked around with them, watched them line up for the start, and kept my eye on them as they crossed the starting line. What do I do now? well I went and check out all the vendors. Mmmmm Peet's was giving out free coffee and free samples of Luna Bars. This was nice, so this was how the support team lived while the participate ran/walked. Hmmmmm, not bad. Well I knew that Kim would be finishing her 10k, so I made my way to the finish chute. Oh my goodness, I was at a loss. I started laughing out loud. I turned to a gal next to me and said "Well this is new for me, being on this side" It was her first time too. She had injured her leg and could not run. (I did not run due to me running an 18 mile training run the next day.) It was so much fun to cheer all the runners and the walkers on. It was great to see Kim, Cheryl & Stephany come across the finish line. I had so much fun that I went and cheered on running buddies and some "Chicks" at the Portland Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon.
The Rock-n-roll half was a blast, I felt like I knew half of the runners, Lol. And the best part...I got a few hugs from them. Thanks...Robin, Mimi, Chanda, Travis, Brenda and Heather. Oh and there was a BIG bonus to cheering with Rose, Margaret, Michelle, Kate & Megan. Oh and I can not forget a real treat....We got to see the Kara Goucher race by....Can't wait to see her in the Olympics this year.
I think I will be adding these races to my schedule next year.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
On the running road again.
Well I went out for an 11 miler today with my training group Vancouver Fit. I was also testing out a "Magic Cocktail" so that I won't hit a wall like I did last week. It worked really well, I feel great. The only issue I had were with the Gummy Bears, they reminded me that I ate them. May need to change my fuel on these longer runs. Any suggestions beside GU or gels, Can't do them.
Well one thing that I LOVE about running is, other runner's. All the runner's I know are amazing. Yes there are a few out there that should just keep to themselves. Before I started running, I thought all runners were elite and that I could never be apart of that group. I would drive passed people running and think "man I wish I could do that". Well now I am! I am a part of that elite group. And I have been welcomed, by some amazing people. I know several ultra runners, marathon maniacs, half fanatics, 10kers & 5kers. We all do these races because we like it, Yep we do, Honest!!!.
Tip from a fellow runner.......Never getting your Body glide and your Deodorant mixed up. (lady parts are unforgiving)
Hey you should check out my friend Heather's Blog She just won Best blog in Clark County! http://www.willrunforcoffee.com/
Well one thing that I LOVE about running is, other runner's. All the runner's I know are amazing. Yes there are a few out there that should just keep to themselves. Before I started running, I thought all runners were elite and that I could never be apart of that group. I would drive passed people running and think "man I wish I could do that". Well now I am! I am a part of that elite group. And I have been welcomed, by some amazing people. I know several ultra runners, marathon maniacs, half fanatics, 10kers & 5kers. We all do these races because we like it, Yep we do, Honest!!!.
Tip from a fellow runner.......Never getting your Body glide and your Deodorant mixed up. (lady parts are unforgiving)
Hey you should check out my friend Heather's Blog She just won Best blog in Clark County! http://www.willrunforcoffee.com/
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