Friday, December 30, 2011

2011: July-December

First part of my looking back at 2011 is here.
I had 7 races in the first 6 months and 10 in the second half of the year for a total of 17 races this year!

Here is the second part of the year: (for race recaps click on the race name)

July:
Races: 4th of July 5K
             Cypress 10k

2 races in July that were not great and not that bad.  July = HEAT here in Southern California...well anywhere really right? Here it is 100 +.  So heat does not = PR for me.  I have to accept it and do the best I can during those months.  I did not do terrible at either one of those races, no PW so that is good!!  I will do those races again this year.  The 4th of July 5K is local and I try to do the few local races we do have near where I live.  Cypress I will go back even though 2 things bugged me there: 1) It is a double loop course...not always easy mentally...but the course is flat so I cannot complain too much and I can see the kids at mile 3! 2) One cop STOPPED me to let traffic go! During the race! That was not cool.

In July, ex-blogger and swell guy (his own words I would never use the word swell !) Chris K..remember him? CK? Are you reading? We miss you....(EMZ is lost without you..no really)..ok where was I? Ah yes so Chris had this idea to make us play Q&A in July.  It turned out to be a great idea.  So I played here, here, here (this one even has a video of me talking and here.

August:
Races: 5k Pride of the Valley
Another one that I will do again in 2012.  It was a small race, close to home with a fun kids race.  I got a PR (went from 29:52 to 29:29) that day and I ran negative splits...something that does not happen often enough for me.  I had a strong finish, also does not happen often and I even chicked a couple guys at the finish!

This was the race where little brother (first red shirt) beat big brother (2nd red shirt)....


September:
2 Races: Disneyland Half Marathon
                9-11 Tunnel to Towers 5K race.
Disney was Half Marathon #3.  I got a PR there taking another 9 min off my time.  I am happy I did it.  I don't think I will do this one again.  They are raising the cost this year by $25 I heard.  That will be way too much for a race even at the Happiest place on Earth!  This was a fun race, got to run inside Angle Stadium and in the parks.  The kids race was fun but not the best one of the year for sure.  Run Racing has the best kids races.  At the Expo I got to meet Jeff Galloway, really nice and friendly guy.  We also met Drew Carey and Megan Price, that was fun.





On 9-11, I ran a very emotional race; The Los Angeles Stephen SillerTunnel to Towers 9-11 5K run.  Tunnel to Towers honors the courage and dedication of 9/11 first responders, our military men and women and their families. You can read more about it here and find out who Stephen Siller was.  It was an honor for me to be a part of this one.  I will do it every year for as long as they have this year here in LA.

October
Races: Long Beach Half Marathon
             Race for Rescues 10K

Ah Long Beach....that was a tough one.  Half Marathon #4 and it did not go well.  I got very dehydrated and had calf pain and chest pain.  It was not good.  I should have stopped around mile 7 and I did not.  That cost me big time and I ended up in the ER and admitted to the cardiac unit for 36 long hours.  This was probably the lowest point of my 2011 running year.  I am already signed up for Long Beach 2012. REDEMPTION.

 I loved the town and the course.  The kids race was fantastic. Next year will be better.



The night BEFORE this, we went to see our famous BFF, Keith Urban, play some tunes in Los Angeles.  I got to meet him with Jonathan before the show.  Such a nice guy and not bad looking also :) What a great night! But I have to say, I do not recommend going to a concert the night before a half marathon.


November
             Turkey Trot 5K

It was my 2nd year running Mission Inn 10K.  This is not an easy course, it is pretty hilly.  My goal was to do better then last year and I did just that: 9 minutes better.  I was happy with that.

At the Turkey Trot I got my PR for 5K, I went under 29 minutes for the first time: 28:59 and ran negative splits! I was really happy!


.
December

Race #17 for 2011 and Half Marathon #5.  This was the hardest course I have ever ran.  I had ZERO expectation...well I did not want to do my worst time but other than that I just wanted to finish.  This ended up being my best race not only of 2011 but ever (I have done 31 races since March 2010).  I PR on a very hard hilly course.  I still cannot believe it but it is true.  2:24:05.  Took 2 min 34 sec off my Disney time.  It was not easy, I collapsed at the end.  I still need to figure out a better way to fuel and HYDRATE.
They had a fantastic kids race at this one also, pretty medals..Again Run Racing team.





To  finish the year, I had the honor to be featured on the Another Mother runner's blog for a guest post, you can read that here if you missed it.
So that is it for 2011!
I am happy with what I accomplished!
17 races.
I will end the year with 1228 miles.  I did not even think I could reach 1000!!!
  • I took 3 min off my 10K time.
  • I took 1 min and 2 sec off my 5K time
  • I ran my first 5 half marathons this year and took 18 minutes off the first time.
I want to thank all of you for reading my posts and for supporting me and giving me so many great advices.  This year I met Julie (Hotlegsrunner), Carrie (family fitness food), Heather (365 days of awesome) and on Christmas Eve I saw Sandy (Boston Bound Brunette) on my local trail!  I hope to meet many more of you in 2012! Come race in Southern California! We have great races and pretty good weather!

I want to wish you and your families all the best for 2012, HEALTH and lots of joy!
Here's to many happy injury free miles for all of us!
CHEERS!







12 comments:

BabyWeightMyFatAss said...

Have a great New Years!!

Anonymous said...

Wow crazy busy year. Fantastic job. What's up for 2012?

Jill said...

You are one crazy running chick :). So inspiring to see how far you have come in such a short amount of time. Cannot wait to see all the greatness 2012 brings you!! And yeah...about that Chris K.!!!!!!

Happy New Year, my friend! Hope to see you next month :).

Black Knight said...

Happy New year to you and your family.
I am sure that at the end of 2012 I will read another recap with many PB.
2011 was a great running year for you: many races (you and kids), many PB and many memories (the pictures are fantastic).
I also like the pic with the military men who run all together, indeed I always repeat that I miss "my" Coast Guard that I left 14 years ago after 20 years in uniform.

Unknown said...

You are one fit mama! I was just admiring your body and how strong it looks in every single picture. You look so full of joy in every picture. :)

Wishing you the best in 2012!

Cotter Crunch said...

what an amazing year! Your sure did exceed that goal and more. And in each picture you are smiling. That makes me happy!

Unknown said...

I love how much fun your kids have at races. I think we're going to be at several of the same races next year. It's been wonderful to follow your running and even better to have met you. Happy New Year!!!

Teamarcia said...

These are such great memories and I have enjoyed celebrating your incredible progress with you all year long. Here's to a happy, healthy and fulfilling 2012.

Chris K who? Lol jk. : P

Terzah said...

I loved reading your recaps and finally went over to Another Mother Runner to really read your post. Wonderful and I loved all the comments. I hope that made your day--you deserve it. You are one blogger I definitely hope to meet someday. Happy New Year, Caroline!

The Unexpected Runner said...

You had a great year! I am so happy to have 'met' you! Bonnie annee, mon ami! Can't wait to hear what this year will bring you...great things, I believe :)

Unknown said...

Happy New Year Caroline! What a fantastic year 2011 was and cheers to an even better 2012!

Darlene said...

Wow. It will be hard to top 2011 but if anyone can, you can!