JOG-O-THON

Today rest day.
Yesterday I had  speedwork: 8x400 intervals on the treadmill at 5k pace.  Again I went for faster pace then that.  First 4 at 9:13 and last 4 at 9:05. 

Tomorrow I have a 10k race in Seal Beach.  I hope to break 1:00.  I am close.  If it is not too hot, it is possible.  Today it was 90.  I HATE the heat.  I get really bad congestion and also numbness in toes and fingers. Very annoying.

On my last post I talked about Canadian runners and a scandal at the 1980 Boston Marathon.  A couple people mentioned Terry Fox.  To me he is in a class of his own, not just runner but a National Hero.  The other runners mentioned in my post were competitive runners so that is why I did not include Terry Fox in that story. 

Today my son Will had a JOG-O-THON at his school.  He was so excited to be THE ONE running this time.  They needed parents to come help and count the laps so of course I went!  He wanted to do well, I could tell.  When they were lining up I heard him tell one girl from his class "You know my mom she runs half marathons, THAT IS A LOT OF LAPS!!" Ha  Ha! So cute!!  It was hot for running, these poor kids turned purple after one lap!  They had 20 minutes to run and the laps were around the baseball field.    Some kids were just walking and looking at the butterflies and others meant serious business!   Will is in a combo class 1-2 grade and he was the only 1st grade boy to do the run.  He finished 3rd overall with 8 laps.  Best one had 10.  I was very proud of him!   He loved it! 

Before running!

The start: see the little guy in the blue hat, that is Jonathan trying to get in the action!!!

Good arm action!!!

These 2 pics make me laugh, the 2 boys in front of Will are 2nd graders and Will wanted to pass them so bad.  He ended up passing them twice!

After the run, back inside with cool AC running!!!

Racing at home

Ran 4 miles outside today, felt OK but I cannot wait to get my new shoes!  Since the half marathon I get pain under my foot, I think it is my current shoes.  Soon we will see if I am right.

In June I will be going HOME!!!!!
Home is Quebec in case you did not know yet.  My favorite place ever.

June 4th is my  25th High School reunion and there is NO WAY I am missing this.  I have not been back home in over 2 1/2 years.  This is the longest I have gone without going home.  Finally the price of the tickets are going down ..from 860 to 550.  I found a 10k race that I could do while I am there. 

Only problem is that it is the day after the reunion.  I still want to do it.  I have never raced in Quebec yet.  This will be the 58th year they have that race and the course is in a beautiful part of the city, running by this:

The Montmorency Falls: The falls, at 275 ft high  and 150 feet wide are the highest in the province of Quebec and 98 ft higher than Niagara Falls.

Free Geography lesson of the day over.

Now I want to convince a few of my classmates to join me for the race.  That won't be easy.  They will have an open bar at the reunion.  I cannot drink so I don't care about that part!

To be continued...

Now I must decide on a training plan for my next race: a 10k.  It is in 4 weeks, I am going to have to modify one I think because training for next half starts next Monday.
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Training for this week

MON: 4 miles
TUE: 3 miles tempo at gym
WED:  4 miles
THU: 3 miles + strength
FRI: rest
SAT: 2 easy miles + 30 min elliptical @ gym
SUN: 5 miles
TOTAL: 21 miles

 

2010 RACES

Today I ran 5 miles and I felt like I could have gone a lot longer so that gives me hope for my Half coming up very soon....
I have been able to run outside a lot more because I have my parents here to watch the boys I feel this is helping me a lot to prepare for my half also.

Went to see a movie with Bill...a rare thing for us!  We saw The little Fockers.  It will not win any Oscars but funny like the other 2, just what I needed!

Tomorrow movie again but with my boys : Yogi Bear this time!!


I am done racing for 2010.
I started in March with my very first race and ended up running in 12 races this year!
I did not have this blog for most of 2010 so I wanted to have a post to recap the year.

1. March 2010: Susan G Komen Race for the Cure: 5k.:
I will be back for this one as long as I can walk so for a long time hopefully.  It started it all for me and also it is for an important cause! If you are in California and you want to join a team you are welcome to join mine!

2. April 2010: Carlsbad 5000:
A very popular and fast 5k.  I loved it! I would do it again but not in 2011 because I am doing the half marathon in Carlsbad in January.

3. May 2010: Cucamonga Challenge:
A 5k Race, will not do this one again.  It was the worst organization ever.  No time, no real start or finish.  We had to wait for the lights at crossing streets.  I am not paying for this race again!

 
4. June 2010: Fontana Days of Running:
I loved that one! First I PR for 5k by a lot, it was a fast course, very popular, very organized, they also offer half marathon at that race.  I would have done it again, the half this time but I will be in Quebec in June this year for my 25th High School reunion (yep I am that old!!) !

5. July 2010: Claremont July 4th 5k race:
I loved having a local race on the 4th of July! I will do it again even though not perfect as far as organization goes.  They had a really crazy start...walkers in front, strollers in front...not good for the runners...hopefully they learned something...but I will be back for that one.

6. August 2010: Angel Stadium 5-10k race:
Loved that one! We got to run inside Angels Stadium twice! The second time the team was practicing and it was really cool!  I am doing the 10k next year!

7. September 2010: Disneyland 5k run:
Loved it! My kids ran the Kids race also.  It was the best, running inside both parks, really fun.  Next year I am doing the Half Marathon!

8. September 2010: Rose Bowl 5k:
Fun race. Beautiful place. loved the course.  I won my first top finisher medal!  I will do that one again!

9. October 2010: LA Cancer Race:
This was a Halloween Race, I did the 5k and the kids ran the Kids race.  We liked it a lot, it was on the Veterans Ground, really nice place but VERY HILLY, will be back for the 10k next year.

10. November 2010: Mission Inn 10k:
My first 10k.  It was hard.  Hilly and also very windy that day.  I want to do it again to do better!  They do offer a half marathon so maybe....but at least 10k for sure.

11.  December 2010: Universal Studio backlot 5-10k race:
I ran the 5k.  If I do it again I would still do just the 5k.  This is a really hard course, the HILLS are killer.  It was the hardest course for me of all 12 races.

12. December 2010: Make Room for Santa 10k in Tustin:
My second 10k. I PR by 5 minutes so I was really happy.  I would do it again for sure!
Fun Holiday Race everything was great for me that day!

Week 6 recap and Week 7 plan and the meaning of 5 minutes

This was week 6 and I did what is in red

Mon: Stretch and Strength: Stretch and Strength
Tue: 4 miles: 4 miles
Wed: 2 miles or cross: 2 miles 
Thu: 4 miles + strength: 4 miles
Fri: Rest: Rest
Sat: Rest: Rest
Sun: 5 k race: 10 k RACE
total: 13: 16.2 miles

Good week for me, ended with my best race this year!

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Started week 7 today, was afraid my legs would hurt after the 10k, but no all is good.  This week will be challenging..last week of school before the Christmas break, lots to do for the kids and helping at their school...will have the dilemma...motherhood vs runninghood....we'll see how that goes plus I have  husband's Christmas party this weekend...

8 miles on Sunday....I have never ran 8 miles...hope it wont be too hot..in the 90s here today crazy weather...yes I complain about that...what can I say I am Canadian!!!!

Week 7

Mon: Stretch and Strength: Stretch and Strength + biking
Tue: 4.5 miles:
Wed: 3 miles or cross:
Thu: 4.5 miles + strength:
Fri: Rest:
Sat: 50 minutes cross:
Sun: 8 miles:
total: 20:
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I want to thank all of you who read my blog and leave nice comments for me, I appreciate this a lot. 

Yesterday after my race we went to a kid's birthday party at a friend's house and people asked about my race and when I said I took 5 minutes off my time it really meant nothing to them.  They did not understand why I was so happy about "just 5 minutes"...but it is OK and I get it.  What is 5 minutes? It is nothing in a day..what can we do in 5 minutes really? not much right...It is all relative and a question of context.  Yesterday 5 minutes meant a lot to me.  It meant progress, getting better, that I am on the right track, hope, pride,  that I can show my kids that if you make an effort you will get results, that age does not matter.

It meant a lot to me that you left comments after my race yesterday. 

Thank you.

Make room for Santa 10k Race Report

Today was my 12th race since I started running in March of 2010.  It was my second 10k race and.....

I PR by over 5 minutes!!!!

I am so happy!!!  I got up at 4:20 this morning to get ready and have my coffee and hopefully get the system going..if you know what I mean....well no luck...so I was a little worried...Got the supporting crew up at 5 am and out the door at 5:20 am.  Got to Tustin at 6:20 am and had plenty of time to get bib and goody bag (they had great goody bag and long sleeve t-shirt!) and hit the lovely porta potty.  Temperature was low 50s so perfect for me.  I was anxious, did not sleep well last night, tried to warm up as best as I could.  I wanted to beat my time really bad.  Lot's of people had Holiday costumes, a few Santas, lots of elves! I had the cutest elves on my supporting crew I think...

 Went towards the back for the start, I did not want to start too fast and I figured it would be better to pass people as I go then to be in the way.  The course was 2 5k loops.  I saw my kids at the start, they had their bells to cheer everybody passing in front of them, I was told they were a big hit!!!

I started not too fast and was feeling pretty good..the course was FLAT, a nice change from last week.  I passed the first water station and I decided not to stop until the 2nd loop. 

 

 

 First 5k went by fast!  I saw my kids again coming out of the first loop and decided to take the gloves off for the 2nd half.  This is me trying to get my son's attention to get him to catch my gloves!

I was still feeling pretty good at mile 4..no side pain and I passed the water station and again decided to skip it and continue...I knew after that the last one would be at mile 5.5 after the turning point at the top of the loop.  When I got to that one, I was afraid to stop and loose my momentum and was afraid to drink and get side pain for the last stretch.  My mouth was really dry so I grabbed a cup and just rinsed and did not stop to drink any water.

Saw my crew for the last time before getting to the finish line.  I was tired but I still had some juice in the tank, I did not want to stop, I had not stopped once and was not about to do it at that point!  I looked at my watch there and I knew that I would beat my time for sure.

After that I just focused of passing one person at the time and keeping my pace and oh yeah not throwing up...(sorry gross portion of the post).

I passed all these gals

 Celebration pose where I look like a dork

PR by over 5 minutes!!!

I was so happy with my time and that I did better then a month ago.  I tried something different and it was better for me:  no walking breaks. Of course it helped that it was flat and we had no winds.  A good last race for my first year of running!  Next is the BIG ONE!

The big guy was there!

Got a free massage after the race! They told me I need to find a good chiropractor pronto!

It was the night before the make room for Santa run!

Second rest day today...I feel weird on rest days especially when I have 2 in a row.  But it is on the plan and I follow orders!  Hopefully it will make me run super fast tomorrow am for my 2nd 10k!  Start time is early....7 am and it is 1 hour away....feel bad for my supporting crew...Got the kids Christmas bells and Santa Hats for the race!  It is a double loop...not my favorite but the good part is that it will be easy for me to see my kids at the half way mark.
Course is supposed to be flat, after the HILLS at last week's race I am ready for flat, REAL flat!!!  Santa is supposed to make an appearance that's good..for the kids and for me to remind him I want a GARMIN for Christmas!!! Ho! Ho! Ho!  We got our tree today all is good..my kids were threatening to find another house, one with a real tree!!!!

Must go get some rest now...will be up early..to be continued with report and I hope a PR!!!

3 things Thursday

1. I ran my last run before 10k race, 4 miles on treadmill, went ok, shins are getting better, made one stop to practice drinking during a run.  I am not good at drinking and running, just cannot do it, I have to stop and then a lot of times I get side pain and so I kind of avoid drinking during runs and races but I know for the half I will have to drink so I practice the art of drinking on a run!  Nest 2 days are rest days....we will see how that goes...usually on a second rest day I am not the most pleasant person to be around...Mr Higdon did not think about that when he made the plan...!!!

2. I want a Garmin for Christmas. There I said it.  Santa do you follow my blog secretly?  I send emails with all the good deals Amazon has ($99 for the e305 yesterday!) to my husband thinking that is an obvious hint....and he says things like : "why are you sending me this?" or "Why would you need this you have your liar Itouch with Nike+?"  I have 2 chances of getting a Garmin: Christmas or my birthday (1-11-11 )...wish me luck. 

3.  I need to get our real Christmas tree pronto.  My 4 yrs son told me he will be looking for another house who has one if we don't get ours soon.   I did put a fake one up a few weeks ago thinking it would buy me time to get the "real tree for Santa" but it looks my time has run out!!!  The pressure is on!

Santa: remember #2...thank you.

Week 5 recap and Week 6 plan

This was week 5 and I did what is in red

Mon: Stretch and Strength: Stretch and Strength
Tue: 4 miles: 4 miles
Wed: 2 miles or cross: 3 miles
Thu: 4 miles + strength: 4 miles
Fri: Rest: rest
Sat: 40 min cross: 30 min Elliptical + 1 mile
Sun: 6 miles: 5k RACE
total: 16: 15
I am happy with that week, except for the pain in my shins from all those hills in yesterday's race :(
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Today was the start of week 6....half way point of the plan...getting closer to the BIG RACE.
This week I also have my last race for 2010, a 10k on Sunday.  It will be race #12 since I started in March 2010. 

Week 6

Mon: Stretch and Strength: Stretch and Strength
Tue: 4 miles:
Wed: 2 miles or cross:
Thu: 4 miles + strength:
Fri: Rest:
Sat: Rest:
Sun: 5 k race: 10 k RACE
total: 13:
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Today I did some biking at the gym and strength, then went to see the dentist (would have rather run the hills from yesterday again instead) and was told I need a root canal....crap crap crap. :(

10k RACE!

Today I ran my first 10k race!  I already had a couple things not going my way: back pain and a cold and then last night my neighbors decided to have a really loud party from 5 pm to 2 am.  The kind of loud that makes you call the cops....not once but 3 times....so thank you rude neighbors.  We got to the race early, me and my supporting crew aka husband and 2 sons!  Parking was insane so they just dropped me close to the starting line and off I went.  First goal: finding the porta potty...well no porta potty at the start! Really? This race had a half marathon, a 10k and a 5k...more then 5000 runners....porta potty at the start should be a must I think...Anyway...saw a Starbucks and decided to go there to take care of business...I figure I get coffee from them enough they kind of owe me that much!  Thank you Starbucks!  Ok so that is done now back to the starting line!
At the start the usual funny stuff...people with strollers trying to get in the front in the already packed crowd..I don't get that.  The sun was out already and it was warmer then I would have liked but oh well could be worst.   And finally the start! I had decided to try the Galloway method for this race with ratio 5:1.  First 5 minutes went by real fast and  I hesitated to stop but I stayed with my plan.  First mile went by quick and easy, I skipped the first water station and continue...Mile 2 first hill...a nasty one...Mile 3 came following a pretty hard hill and that was the best part of my race because my crew was there with signs to cheer me on!!! I checked the time: 26:00! WAY too fast for me.....must slow down.

Best Supporting Crew ever!

Getting to half way point, I saw my kids there

Waiving to my family, best part of the race!

 

"See you at the end!"

After that things got pretty hard.  The nasty GUSTY winds! NOOOOOO! For 2 miles that included hard hills we raced against really strong winds.  That was really hard.  I had to take an extra walk break, made me upset but it is what it is.  After mile 5 I thought ok you got this, hang in there, the worst has to be over...and it was.  The winds were not as bad but we had one more big hill...ok I can do this...turning the corner for the last stretch a guy yelled at me: "Come on finish strong!" thank you stranger I needed that!!!

Turning the last corner.  I can see the finish line!

I finished a little over an hour, don't know the official time yet, forgot to stop my watch but I think 1:06 something like that...so second half much slower but that is ok.  I did it!  I was very tired at the end and I had a few tears but I was happy!  Now my back is not happy with me...so tomorrow must take it easy I think!!!

Smiling at end that is a plus!!!