Warriors - up close and dirty

Brigette did the Warrior Dash in 32:07. Now my Cross Fit training will take on new meaning: I am coming back next year, stronger, leaner, and faster. That's my Warrior goal!

Post Warrior

The first obstacle was about 1.3 miles into the course and none of the obstacles were as difficult as I'd imagined they'd be but even after the first one I realized I lacked stamina. It was hard to gear up for the next obstacle unless I walked some in between but my fears of being the only one walking were quickly allayed. Weather was great, not too hot or it would have been even more difficult. The effort of climbing and balancing sapped my energy and I finished in 56 min. By the time I reached the mud pit at the finish, it was a relief to dive in.

Pre-Warrior Dash

Brigette and I did the Warrior Dash in Florence, Az, billed as 3.4 hellish miles with 8 different obstacles; hurdles to go under and over, hay bales, rappelling after running thru a muddy creek, a vertical cargo net climb, running thru tires and atop junk cars, leaping over fire and last but not least the mud pit.

Pat's Run 2011

This was my third Pat Tillman Run in Tempe, 4.2 miles, and this year with nearly 30,000 runners. Each year I've gotten a bit slower, but Brigette ran with a 20 lb vest and completed it in 38:46. I came in at 50:30 and definitely planning to rest my heel after this one.

2nd Annual Anthony Holly Run

I signed up for this run which honors a Glendale police officer killed in the line of duty in 2007. I've been having heel problems and not running much, icing my heel and limping around on it. But I really wanted to do this one and Kate joined me to cheer me on. It was cool and rainy all morning, except during the race. I just ran an easy pace (i.e. slow but steady) and Kate decided to sign up too and do a walk/run/shuffle, her second 5K while pregnant. It was a small race and I took first place in my age group and 55 overall. (And then I found out I was the only 1 in my age and only 59 total runners. Ah, well...)

More Spartan fun

And here are Walter and Hayden dressed as a Ninja and Luigi, the only guys in costume, I might add.

Second Annual Nun Run

I did a 10K Nun Run in Kiwanis Park. Great weather, great crowd. Where else can you see teens wearing "I love nuns" T-shirts and begin a race with 3 Hail Marys and the National Anthem? It was hilly, hadn't run all week, and knew I wouldn't be setting any records. I finished this my 3rd career 10K in 1 hr 13 min, not my best, better than my first. Afterwards I drove over to where Brigette was finishing her Spartan Race at Rawhide. She did 8 miles and many obstacles finishing with a mud crawl which I got see. Then the 4 kids did the Spartan Kid obstacle race. Awesome stuff!

Spring again

I read that conditioning is about the good, the bad, and the ugly runs. I must be in the ugly phase; can't seem to go very far, can't go very fast, and stuff is hurting. Just not sure whether to rest my heel or just push on through the discomfort. On the brighter side, the weather is great. Days in the 70's and 80's, flowers blooming, and plenty of sunshine.

Texas inspiration

So inspired by the Austin relatives and their family-style half-marathon/marathon adventures, I went out for a longer run. 5.5 miles, that's long for me, still trying to stretch my sore heel and figure out what slowed me down yesterday. It's been suggested to me that I shouldn't feel bad when I don't set a new PR but really, I set the bar so low--I just think each run has the possibility.
Also I have new running shoes and new inserts, even better than my last pair. I didn't break my new shoes in yesterday because of the muddy conditions.

10th Annual Lost Dutchman

Brigette and I ran the 8K which was supposed to be a trail run along the foothills of the Superstition Mountains but after the rains they changed it to a road run, same course as the 10K route. All the rain held off, it wasn't too cool, sunny at times and very well organized with parking, shuttles and bag drop. I struggled until after 2 miles then felt steady and began to falter after 4 miles. I tried to keep running, walking only to drink water but felt completely depleted by close to the finish. We were running on some hilly roads but I couldn't help but wonder what is going on with me? I finished in 57:04, slower than my last 8K but 7th out of 19 in my age group. Brigette finished in 39:51, 3rd in her age group and 11th in all women and 57 out of 492 runners in the 8K. We enjoyed lots of snacks then headed back to the hotel for a trip to the hot tub. By then it was pouring so we opted for a pita place for lunch.Great run, even better company.

Weighty matters

This morning I ran a little over 3 mile using just one of my hand weights. That way I could switch it from hand to hand when it seemed too heavy. At first I tried to switch every half mile but then it was more often with my right arm able to carry the load longer. I can't believe how it wore me out (maybe the constant switching had something to do with it) -- it's only 1.5 lbs. It made me wonder about the 5 lbs or so I fluctuate in weight and how that impacts my runs.

14th Annual Alhambra Foundation for the Future 4K

Last year, my grandson, Hayden, and I ran this 5K, our first one together, so we were looking forward to doing it again. Very cool and brisk in Papago Park but sunny. Hayden was the only student from his school. He took off and I didn't catch up to him til after the 1 mile marker. Not a large group running but it was hilly and winding around the canal and park. It was a race where you just noted your own time crossing the finish line and then told them. I ran back afterward, to watch for Hayden and cheer him on to finish. He ended up 2nd in the 8-12 yr old group(he's 8) and I came in 3rd in 50-59, male and female. We also both won door prizes and enjoyed bagels, muffins, fruit, and juice.

P.F.Chang's Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon

Brigette was signed up for the Half Marathon and Janice and I did the Half Marathon Relay. First runner did 8.4 miles then switched off with second runner at transition point to finish the 4.7 to finish line. Janice did the longer first part so she and Brigette left the house by 6 am to get downtown, catch the shuttle and make the 8:30 start time. I actually went to 7 am Mass, came back and dressed for the race and had Jim drop me off before 9 am. Racing partners' bib numbers had the same last 3 digits so when Janice was .3 miles out from our transition point they announced her number and I got in position to receive the baton from her. I'd had an hour or so to kill, pacing, listening to the bands, giving Toby directions who eventually joined me there and oh, yes, watching Brigette pass. It was awesome watching all the half-marathoners run by; every size, shape, outfit, and running style you can imagine. When I finally took off it was like all the races where I struggle to get my pace and feel like I'm not going to make it for at least the first mile. Much more crowded though and lots of walkers to dodge around. With less than 2 miles to go, the streets are lined with spectators and more music along the sidelines. It was hard to believe I was a part of the P. F Chang's that I'd always heard so much about. The finish line is near the Sun Devil Stadium so once that came into view it was exhilarating. All participants are handed a medal upon crossing the finish line and plenty of refreshments to replenish. I met up with Brigette and Janice in the family meeting area and we got our free beer. Toby and Luis and Killian were also there. This event is so well organized, we retrieved our gear and headed out to a big breakfast and then to drop Janice off at the airport. Brigette ran the entire half marathon at an 8:38 pace and Janice and I figured our relay to be a 12:30 pace. We will be back!

Before the race

at the transition point, quelling my pre-race jitters

Sources of inspiration

Sometimes you think of who the race is supporting -- like fallen heroes, or disabled athletes, or the various cancer research. It helps to put things in perspective and reminds me of a quote, "it's not how well you run, but the fact that you CAN run."

Thoughts

Running is a lot like child raising. You can't measure your progress by the mile, you've got to be in it for the whole race.

7th Annual "Run to Remember"

Brigette and I did the 5K for fallen police officers in Chandler. Cool temps at 8:30am but sunny and nice level surfaces around and over the canal and back to Tumbleweek Park. Yesterday I blamed the cold for my good time, today I wanted to blame it for my slowness. My legs felt like concrete for the first part but I always feel lousy for a mile or so. Brigette finished with a phenomenal 24 min something (under an 8 min mile pace) and I was about my usual but only 4 women in my age category. I got a awarded a very cool 2nd place medal "honoring fallen officers".

First race of the year

I ran my second ever 10K in the "2nd Annual Run, Walk, and Roll 10K" which benefits Arizona Disabled Sports. Wheelchair races went off earlier and it was cool and sunny at Tempe Town Lake. Brigette and her boys joined me to cheer me on. At the halfway mark I was at my usual pace and was just under 46 min at 4 miles and around 57 for 5 miles. At my 10K last year, I lost steam after mile 5 so I knew I just had to stay steady. I walked a little at each of the 3 water breaks but after 6 miles I felt pretty good. I finished at 1:11:44 which is 5 minutes faster than my first 10K. A new PR and didn't feel too exhausted. I was 7 out of 13 in my age group which this time included all 50-59 yr olds. (you know how I feel about those young 50-year old whippersnappers!) Hayden did the kids 1/2 Mile Fun Run and got 2nd place for the boys. (He takes after his grandma.)

Sometimes not knowing is better

With less than 2 weeks before our PF Chang Relay, I need to do some serious training. Right now, to put in poker talk terms, "I've got no business being in this hand." But that's always been my style, sign up before I'm really ready, run without knowing proper form, run courses not knowing where they lead, because if I consider everything I should know, I'd probably back out.

New Year, new goal

I intend to keep running this year and in order to do that I need to have a rather specific goal. I've decided to do 57 "race miles" in 2011. Random, lucky 57.
Race miles are only the ones I run during a registered race. In the past 2 years I have averaged 42 race miles so I'll need to step it up a little and also need to keep running consistently to be ready for races.
I'm not really concentrating on speed because that tends to depress me and sucks the joy out of running. This is my year to enjoy the ride.