Heat waves (sort of), hikes and coconuts.

This weekend was great in every possible way – everything from the weather to the activities to the people I was able to spend time with was fantastic!   The last couple of weekends have not only been warm but have also been relatively fog and wind free (somewhat unusual for this time of year… well, actually for any time of year other than approximately 2 weeks in October) which drove people en mass out of the coffee shops, restaurants, bars and comfort of their own homes in to any and every square inch of outdoor space this city has to offer.  Needless to say, there have been a lot of hot pink shoulders, lines 6 blocks long for gourmet ice cream in flavors such as Secret Breakfast (think bourbon flavored ice cream with clusters of frosted flakes) and Jesus Juice (red wine sorbet… need I say more?) and a severe shortage of things that could be grilled as well as the frosty beverages that would normally accompany said grilled items.   

So, as not to be left out of the outdoors fun, I slathered up in my newly acquired coconut scented sporty sunscreen (jury is still out on this one as I’m not entirely sure I enjoy smelling like coconuts and it makes me want to be poolside with some sort of umbrella drink rather than trying to be active) and went on two vastly different hikes over the weekend.  The first one was a long and beautiful uphill climb to the top of Mt. Tam with a good friend who I don’t spend nearly enough time with… she’s one of those people who makes you happy just by being around her – she glows from the inside out and is beautiful in the ways that only someone who is making choices for the right reasons, staying grounded and living the life they want can be.  It was a gorgeous day and a wonderful time.

The second hike was of the urban nature and took me and my better half on a 5 mile journey across the city to a super fun restaurant/bar located by the piers on the bay.  It’s a fantastic place to settle in for a leisurely afternoon of food and beverages while gazing at the passing sailboats, tourists and crazy locals so we did just that and it was simply perfect.  The challenge with urban hikes is usually the return trip and this one was no exception as it’s just not that easy to motivate to walk the entire distance home after a few hours in the sunshine sipping chilled chardonnay (don’t worry, I had water and food as well... I’ve learned my lesson… for the most part) so I was rather proud of us when we made it the majority of the way back before option for public transportation to get us the last couple of very steep and very uphill miles. 

So with the weekend behind me, I am now focused on the half marathon that is coming up this Sunday.  It’s still so strange to think that last year all my training, efforts and fears were around the completion of a half and now it’s more of a step in my training than anything else – totally crazy and does make me have a slight panic moment but it’s nothing compared to last week’s complete and utter state of panic.  

Before I go, I would be remiss if I didn’t update you on the enthralling subject of my never-ending quest for the perfect (or at least non pain and/or injury inducing) running shoes.  I did find a new pair and gave them a 7 mile test run today along Crystal Springs Reservoir (a nice paved trail with some rolling hills and lots of pretty scenery located about 20 minutes south of the city) and am happy to report that they did pretty well!  I do think that I need to give some different socks a whirl (annoying seams are bothering my big toes) but the increased cushioning from the last “new” pair seems to address some heel and knee pain I was feeling.  Fingers crossed… again. 

I would love to show you the pretty location where I did my run today but I forgot to take a picture afterwards so instead I have created a lovely montage photo which includes the new shoes, new fancy muscle stick thingy (I’m sure that’s the technical term for it) and the umbrella drink sporty suntan lotion for your viewing pleasure.

Cheers,

SF runner in training

Tick tock...

I spent some time later in the day yesterday (umm, the SUNNY part of the day… what happened to the torrential downpour I ran in??!) with the training schedule that I created for myself based on plans for novice marathon runners from some pretty well known experts (Hal Higdon and Jeff Galloway) and as a result, am now in complete panic mode about the fact that there are 92 very short days until the marathon (serious yikes). I immediately did what I do best by added to my level of anxiety through obsessively looking up and reading all about the general training, hydration & nutrition errors I’m apparently making.  

So, armed with reminders of all the things I should and shouldn’t be doing, I set off for some nutrition and hydration… the avocado in the guacamole contains the “good” fat and there were muddled strawberries in the margarita so I figured that was a pretty good step in the right direction!

Once my body was appropriately fueled (possibly more appropriately for a night of salsa dancing vs. a runner in training), I decided to shake off the negativity I was feeling earlier and look towards the future and what I can do differently rather than backwards at things I cannot change… something I have struggled with my entire life and that the Dynamic Duo, parents, other friends, random strangers and a therapist whose children I probably put through college have helped me work through for years and years.  So here it is a new day, a new chance to make decisions that support my running goal as well as all of my other goals in life and an opportunity to make the best of this beautiful Friday-and I'm off to do just that!

Cheers,

SF runner in training

Brrr!

Despite this being the view out the windshield when I parked at Crissy Field this morning, I braved the very windy and very wet day and got in 6.5 miles.  I did have to bribe myself in to getting out of the car with promises of a little shopping trip for some new running necessities but once I was out and going, I was set on getting through the whole session... it's nice to know my hardheadedness is good for something and especially since I plan on it getting me through a significant portion of the marathon!  

Once I was finished running, I kept true to my promise to myself and made my way to the very conveniently located sporting goods store a few blocks away.  I had some success in the form of some serious looking sweat-proof sunscreen, some of those gummy-like energy items that I’m testing out for the marathon (look at me trying to be prepared!) and a new pair of socks to try out.  I also spent what felt like hours trying on running shoes as the “new” pair will absolutely not get me to the finish line.  Unfortunately, I left without any shoe options and am beginning to think I may have to become a shoe designer/manufacturer in order to get some which will fit correctly and not lead to any issues.  I'm holding out hope for next week as I'll be in the vicinity of a great running store on Monday so stay tuned as I’m sure my feet/shoe issues are utterly fascinating!

Speaking of shoes, I should have clomped through some of the giant puddles vs. skirting around them so that I got more than one speck of mud on my shin... it totally doesn't look as hardcore as it felt to be out running in the rain and giant wind gusts.  I'll have to keep that in mind for next time.

Cheers,

SF runner in training 

Double digits

I’m officially in double digits on my long runs thanks to the 10 miles I put in at Crissy Field this morning!  The first couple of miles seemed particularly difficult today and the new shoes that I was raving about are starting to show some signs of potential issues (I think they may indeed be too narrow) but I was able to work through the troublesome miles and deal with the shoes enough to make it through without collapsing or better yet, shoving the lady who was disrupting the peaceful setting by screaming into her phone (on speaker of course) about the "lack of class" her sister showed at the wedding.... clearly it runs in the family.

I’m still a few miles behind based on my original plan of attack but according to the very friendly and extremely fit guy (he was wearing an Iron Man shirt) in Starbucks  who overheard my anxiety-ridden chat with the barista, I still have time to safely ramp the rest of the way up.  I’ve decided to believe him as it’s much easier to stomach than the alternative which would likely leave me quivering in a corner mumbling incoherently about wine-induced decisions to run marathons… if you’ve ever seen the movie Overboard (yes, it’s old but so am I), I believe the state in which Goldie Hawn was in when Kurt Russell dumped her into a barrel of cold water is similar to the place which thinking about running 26.2 miles can easily take me to. 

So while I do feel a bit panicky about where I am in terms of my mileage, after today’s run I feel pretty well prepared for the upcoming Run Like a Diva half marathon that will be taking place a week from this Sunday.  I wasn’t sure how this race would play out as my propensity for indecision resulted in being wait-listed but I’m now officially registered and ready or not, will be running 13.1 miles along the San Francisco Bay on May 6th!  Despite the fact that I’m really very un-diva like (no comments from those who know me well enough to think otherwise), who doesn’t like a race with tiaras and feather boas along the way and a glass of champagne waiting at the finish line? Oh, and they also have a pre-race event the Friday before at the local Lululemon store… a company that I have a total crush on and whose clothes I would dress head-to-toe in every day if given the opportunity (in all fairness, I would likely dress in anything stretchy at all times if given the opportunity... just a great added bonus that their stuff is well cut and incredibly cute on top of being stretchy!).

Alright, several major muscle groups are voicing displeasure at the 10 miles from earlier today so I’m off to spend some quality time with my beloved foam roller and yoga for runners DVD (love the poses but the instructor has a scary vacant-eyed look that makes her look like a Stepford wife). Fingers crossed the weather holds for the rest of the week and if not, be prepared for some soggy feet photos!

Cheers,

SF Runner in training

Where are your feet?

The last couple of months have brought a lot of change to my world and while the majority of those changes have been really positive, it has nonetheless been somewhat of an unsettled time.  I have a friend who would ask “where are your feet?” when she saw one of us struggling or trying to work through something – a question that I’ve always taken as more of a gentle reminder to stay grounded, to remember what matters and to keep things in perspective.   So with her words bouncing around in my head, I've muddled through most of April with all of its "what ifs" and "what nows" and tried my best to find my feet.

Amidst my muddling, I’ve learned a few things... there is no better way to clear my head than running, it’s highly likely that I’ve read one too many self-help books, running shoes that have reached their limit will give you warning signs that you should NOT ignore, don’t drink red wine after you’ve been drinking whiskey and I believe that the phrase “run your own race” applies to all aspects of my life vs. just the running part of it (see what I’m saying about the books??).

A huge benefit of some of the changes that have come my way as of late is that I’ve been able to dedicate more time to my training efforts which is something I’m so glad about as July 29th seems so very, very soon and I feel so very, very far away from my goal.  Despite my growing panic and despite having a bit more time to spend on training, life seems to have a funny way of throwing curve balls and challenges so I’m still working on getting a solid routine down and adding in the much needed cross training on a regular basis.  That being said, I have made some progress during this wacky month and as promised in War and Peace (a.k.a. my last blog entry), I have included a summary of the month this far along with some photos for your viewing pleasure.

April 1st @Santa Cruz 10k/Half Marathon:  Second time running the 10k portion of this beautiful and laid back race (could there be any kind other kind in Santa Cruz?!).  Turned it into a “destination race” by spending a few nights at the Dream Inn (so very retro-chick with great views from the balcony!) and indulging in some much needed relaxation, sunshine and wine (that part was more of a want than a need). 10k time was 56.27 which may be considered slow to many but was a full 3 minutes faster than last year and seemed lightning fast to me!

April 3rd @Crissy Field:  This is my absolute favorite running spot in the city.  There is a dirt/sand/gravel surface which is easier on my pieces and parts than pavement, there are stunning views in every direction, it’s full of locals and their dogs, tourists (watch out for the ones who are riding rented bikes while taking pictures and looking at maps simultaneously!) and is blissfully flat.  I managed to get in 6 miles despite getting tripped up by a dog leash and taking a quick stop to snap a picture for a lovely couple from Sweden.

April 5th @Crissy Field:  Another gorgeous day for a run (so glad I don’t live where it snows or gets to be 120 degrees… I hate treadmills).  Completed 6 miles but was bothered after about 3 miles by a few toes that started to hurt.  I clearly need new shoes but am having the hardest time finding a replacement for my beloved Brooks Ghost 3 (someone please tell me why they always seem to change the shoes right after I discover them?!). Ah well, at least my shins and knees are holding up their end of the bargain still!

April 7th @Crissy Field:  Got somewhat of a late start which resulted in the need to bust out some serious  Frogger moves to dodge the other runners, walkers, strollers, doggies and bikers that were out taking advantage of the beautiful Saturday.  I inadvertently ended up running without my iPod (note to self – while it holds a charge much longer than the last one that met its match in the form of the washing machine, it does need to be charged more than once every few weeks) which turned out to be an interesting 9 miles spent listening to my own breathing patterns and footfalls.  The breathing thing turned out to be really interesting because I think I was actually able to keep a better tab on my pace by going not only by how my body was feeling but also by how labored my breath was and the footfalls were interesting as well because if they became heavier, I reacted by checking in on my form and making corrections as I went.  Who knew!  Other than my toes hurting for about 60 of the 90 minutes I ran, it was a fantastic time!

April 11th @Crissy Field:  It’s official… the shoes have to go.  The 9 miler over the weekend pushed my poor toe over the edge and has resulted in a toenail that is not the color it is supposed to be (I know, totally gross) and that hurt for all 6 of the miles I ran.  Ouch and yuck!! Despite the nail issue, it was great to get out and run after days of wet & stormy weather and it was an exercise in agility to jump over the deep puddles and dodge the splashes from passing bikes.  I love that you can see the reflection of the clouds in the puddle I'm standing by in this picture.

April 13th @streets of San Francisco:  Replaced today’s scheduled run with an “urban hike” which took me from my house to the ballpark for the SF Giants opening day and back again after the game (which was SO much fun!).  Hopefully the 12 miles walked will cancel out a few of the indulgences of the day (although I highly doubt it will even make a dent).  Go Giants!

April 16th @Crissy Field: Look who got new shoes!!  Despite being told to break them in with a few short runs, I took them on a 9 mile test drive today and am happy to report that they seem to be working out quite well.  I’m still a bit skeptical as they aren’t a wide width (what I usually require to get the toe box space I need) and they are a brand I’ve never worn before but the people at Fleet Feet are wise running machines so keep your fingers crossed and hope for happy parts!

April 18th @Crissy Field:  Run number 2 for the new shoes and while I’m wary of letting go of the last of my skepticism (somewhat of a theme for me in general), they seem to be doing the trick.  6 miles in the early morning followed by a few minutes of relaxation with a view of Alcatraz before the rest of my day began…  what an amazingly perfect start to the day!
 

April 20th @Bidwell Park, Chico CA: Bidwell Park in Chico is gorgeous…. and HOT!  Decided to try and sneak in 6 miles while visiting my extended family* despite the very warm morning. I made it about 4.5 miles before opting to stop and rest in the shade before my pomegranate colored face explode and the 86 degrees it had become got the best of me. Needless to say, it took great restraint to keep from jumping into the river at the end of my run!  *while not technically related, my gorgeous, sweet and amazing friend and her two phenomenally beautiful, talented and remarkable kids are precious presences in my life and, other than the fact that it’s biologically impossible, I like to believe that we are actually related.

So apparently I lied about not writing another horrifyingly long post (and I didn't even have any tequila... I swear!).  If you promise to keep reading, I promise to exercise more restraint whenever possible. I swear.

Cheers,

SF Runner in training

Timing is everything. Or not.

I’m not very good when it comes to the lack of a definitive starting point for things so it was really difficult for me to start this blog after my training for the marathon had already begun. I spent weeks crankily complaining that I should have started it last year before the half, immediately after the half, the moment I decided to go for the full, when I started training for the full, blah, blah, blah.  So it turned out to be somewhat of a breakthrough for me when instead of following my usual instinct to simply not begin because I had done it “wrong” from the get go, I threw my slightly unhealthy need for order and control out the window and dove in somewhere in the middle (look at me… living on the edge!).  

While it truly was somewhat of a breakthrough to get out of my own way long enough to start the blog despite the “wrongness” of the timing, my inner control freak requires that I summarize what’s taken place thus far so bear with me while I restore order to my world by getting everyone caught up (I said it was a breakthrough, not life-changing).

Birth – May 2011:  Although a fairly active kid growing up, I was never really “sporty” and thought running was what you did when passing by the house down the street with the mean dog that barked at you from behind the rickety fence.  Subsequent years were spent vacillating between bouts of being totally sedentary and countless hours climbing to nowhere on Stairmasters and Elliptical machines. There were also the occasional stints spent taking classes with the word “pump” in the title, sweating out any and all bodily fluids possible in Bikram yoga and during particularly ambitious moments, deciding to go for a run (more like a fast bouncy walk that lasted approximately .50 miles). 

May 2011 – July 2011: As I recall, it was around May of last year when I realized the half marathon I had pledged to run for my 39th birthday was approaching very quickly.  I had been doing some running for several months before but it had been sporadic at best.  I was easily distracted from investing much of an effort by a stressful job, long commute, wine, cheese, bad reality television shows and pretty much anything else that came my way. Pure and utter fear of not being able to follow through with my plan of finishing the race took over and I buckled down for the last couple of months of training.  I made a ton of rookie mistakes and spent a lot of time dealing with the ramifications of them (shin splints totally suck) but made it across the finish line in spite of it all and in spite of myself.

July 2011 - January 2012: It took a while for my body to forget enough of the discomfort of the half marathon to allow my head to make the decision to go for the full as a way of celebrating my 40th birthday however once it did, I registered and immediately sent my confirmation to the Dynamic Duo as well as telling my parents and several other close friends.  If nothing else, my pride will keep me from quitting! I did some running here and there during this time but mostly focused on improving and rounding out other areas of my life (kind of like in high school when my dad would say that I was “focusing on developing my social and interpersonal skills”  which was a nice way of saying I was doing everything but being home on time, doing homework and going to class).  

January 2012 – March 2012: I started training “officially” on January 1st of this year.  This time I consulted my favorite source for anything and everything, Dr. Google.  Now some of you may think she/he is simply a search engine but to me Dr. G can pretty much fix anything… where to buy running shoes for my apparently abnormally shaped feet, how to tell the difference between shin splints and a stress fracture, what exactly an ice bath is and if people really take them, how to get rid of skunks who have taken up residence in your front yard despite the fact that you live in the middle of a city (don’t ask), etc., etc. So once I consulted at length with Dr. G and became adequately armed with my research, several books and articles as well as some conversations with real live marathon runners, I came up with a plan of attack and dove in. There were a few starts, stops and bumps in the road the first few months but things generally kicked off pretty well.

Okay, we’re almost there… you’ve almost made it to present day! I apologize for the War and Peace length of this post and promise that it won’t happen again (unless I find I have a lot that needs to be said all at once or have had tequila… then all bets are off). Next up will be a rundown of April thus far and will include the photos of my running clad feet which I started taking at the end of each of my training runs. If nothing else, stay tuned to see the new running shoes I just got... they totally look like something a lady who lunches and plays tennis would wear!

Cheers,

SF runner in training