Racing Journal (June 2009)

Week 26 (6/22-6/28)
Week 26 miles: 28.33
Week 26 race miles: 28.33
2009 miles: 709.76
2009 race miles: 509
2009 races: 46

On pace for over a thousand race miles in '09! Races this week included a track meet, the thursday night DSE race, the Double Dipsea and the Fourth Sunday LMJS race, which I can't usually do because most DSE races are on Sunday. The track meet was ridiculously hard as usual and my first time on the track for months, but I love the Tamalpa track meets because they are so low key and okay for non-track runners like me, as well as some speedsters. And, of course, I did every event right in a row so that doesn't make it feel easier! Thank god the Double Dipsea went better than last year or else it would have ruined my birthday! It was hot and sunny, but nothing like last year. I went about 6 minutes faster than last year and was happy to outkick a dude at the end. I think I should do some dipsea training runs in the fall because I want to have that course completely memorized. I think I can take some time off of both my Dipsea and Double Dipsea, and I'd like to go under 6 hours in the Quad this year if possible. As for LMJS's race, well, I think there is room for improvement (ie, don't make us wear those weird wristbands and for g's sake have some fruit, water or something at the finish!), but at least it was only $5... Really looking forward to Florida vacay this week and the 6 short 5Ks I plan to run in the heat :)

Race Stats:
Tamalpa Track Meet - 1 mile: 6:35?; 400: [___]; 800: [___]; 200: [___]; 100: [___]; 2 mile: [14:10?]
Lake Merced Thusday Night #3 - 32:47: 7:14/M; 11/45 overall; 1st F
Double Dipsea - 2:51:11 [actual time]; Place 153 [handicapped], 254 [actual]
LMJS 10K - 48:13; 14/41; 6th F; 4th Age

Week 25 (6/15-6/21)
Week 25 miles: 23.03
Week 25 race miles: 23.03
2009 miles: 681.43
2009 race miles: 480.62
2009 races: 47

I'd like to note that compared to last year, this same week, I've only run a little less than 20 miles more (including racing and training miles); however, at this time last year, I had raced only 19 races for a total of ~165 miles, averaging 8.7M/race. As you can see, I've raced now 42 races and ~480 race miles, with an average of 11.4M/race currently. So, I'd say I've got a lot more quality miles in this year so far! I'm on pace for over 1100 race miles, but we'll see how the year plays out. I almost got a 5K PR on Sunday so I'm looking forward to hitting the track and trying to get a little more speed goin'. Next weekend: double dipsea - my Bday race!

Race Stats:
DSE Lake Merced #2 4.5M: 32:49; 7:17/M; 17/45; 1st F
PCTR Angel Island 25K: 2:29:45: 31/131; 8th F; 2nd Age
DSE Conservatory 5K: 21:53; 50/171; 3rd F; 2nd Age

Week 24 (6/8-6/14)
Week 24 miles: 32.2
Week 24 race miles: 16.6
2009 miles: 658.4
2009 race miles: 457.64
2009 races: 39

It's funny how some Mondays I'm on such a high after an amazing weekend and then others are just, well, super low. The races all went fine last week. I had a fun first Thursday evening race in SF (I was just glad I managed to make it there considering I work in Palo Alto and I usually work past when the race starts!) and kept pace with Mark Mooney until the end - we'll both try to go a little faster each week. Saturday's race was a bit silly, but I liked the local feel of it even though it had an unexpectedly competitive field racing... It was on a dairy farm in Hilmar, CA (where is that, you ask - well, half way to Yosemite in the middle of nowhere really - the cows were the highlight and they are famous for cheese there). Jason even won a pound of free cheese for being first in his age gruop. I was only second in my age group but I did get a nice medal with a running cow on it for that :) hah. Of course, the good ole Dipsea was Sunday. It was a very different experience for me this year since I ran in the invitational. I went only a minute faster than last year, though I thought being in the invitational would have allowed me to take more time off than that! Part of it was the fact that I ran horribly on the downhills as my left leg is bothering me in multiple places - it was not like Diablo where I felt confident and strong on the downs, on the Dipsea downhills I was tottering and fearful of falling...I actually had a lot more fun last year in the open trying to pass lots of people and the adrenaline that comes from that - in the invitational, it felt more like a normal race and I'm pretty sure I was passed much more than I passed others...no way did I make the top 450 to lock in an invitational race again (prelim results say I was 511th and I would've had to run 8 minutes faster to be #450), though I can't say I'm sorry for it as I have much more fun in the runners section. I just hope I get into the runners section for the centennial next year! Think I'll try to hit the hot tub to soak this left leg if I can. Strangely, I'm actually looking forward to the Angel Island 25K, which I usually don't like - I want to see if I can beat my last time there.

Race Stats:
DSE Thursday Evening #1 4.5M - 33:12: 7:22/M; 18/52; 2nd F
Udder Run 5M - 37:44.72; 27/93 overall; 6/45 (F); 2nd Age
Dipsea - 1:19:11 -511/1416 (across finish); 700/1416 (actual time based); [other stats to come]


Week 23 (6/1-6/7)
Week 23 miles: 22.3
Week 23 race miles: 18.8
2009 miles: 626.2
2009 race miles: 441.04
2009 races: 36

Note I've changed the name of my journal entries from "Running Journal" to "Racing Journal" since I realized I don't usually write about training runs... This weekend was totally fun and the races went well. Saturday was the Mt. Diablo 25K and after three 50Ks, I was more than happy to be doing a nice short race. It was one of those days where everything goes well and my mood was good - the weather was cool for Diablo and I was just loving the course the whole way, even on the steep up. The real high point for me was being able to run fast on the downs, which isn't usually the case as it's usually jarring on my body when I'm tired. I didn't feel tired at all really, at least until about a mile from the end when I couldn't quite catch the girl ahead of me. Nevertheless, I was really happy with how I did - under 3 hours when I was expecting around 3:15-3:25. On top of that, Sunday's Muddy Buddy race ended up working out great and I had a lot of fun with it. My biking legs were easy and generally downhill so that part wasn't bad, and between me and my teammate (also named Erika), we kept up a decent clip on the runs. For a relatively non-competitive race, I think we did well. I'd like to do that race again next year...

Race Stats:
PCTR Mt. Diablo 25K - 2:57:56: 48/181; 11th F; 4th Age
Muddy Buddy (Run 3.3M) - 52:31; 124/~1100 overall; 5/66 Age (also included 3M bike)

Running Journal (May 2009)

Week 22 (5/26-5/31)
Week 22 miles: 37.3
Week 22 race miles: 31.1
2009 miles: 603.9
2009 race miles: 422.24
2009 races: 34

Ohhhhhlone. I just didn't have it in me for this race. Long. Grueling. Lots of climbing. The one good thing I liked were the seemingly pristine untouched by mad lily pad ponds at the top sof the hills along the course. I made it to the end (finally) and am doing my best not to question my entire running plans due to one bad race, but in general I'm really ready for a break from ultras, which I'll have now for the next couple of months. Too many ultras in a month makes for slow and painful races! Time to concentrate for a while on shorter races, speedwork and long training runs on my own! Also taking swimming lessons and doing more yoga. Makes for a good summer plan I think :)

Race Stats:
Ohlone Wildnerness 50K - 7:54:05; 110/155; 11th Age

Week 21 (5/18 - 5/25)
Week 21 miles: 18.6
Week 21 race miles: 18.6
2009 miles: 566.6
2009 race miles: 391.14
2009 races: 33

Triple race weekend completed! I didn't have high hopes for the Morgan Hill race going in, but it turned out to be a great little race. I did suggest to the race director that she include the directions to the start on the website link (it only appeared on the hard copy application), but I managed to find the start thanks to my friend's early arrival and timely phone call. The DSE race is on a course I absolutely love; in fact, it's my second or third favorite DSE race (after the Double Dipsea and Practice Dipsea). Unfortunately, this year I'll miss the Practice Dipsea due to Ohlone, which I'm feeling hesitant about doing... It'll be hard, long race but I'm hoping to finish better than in Silver State. After races on the two days before, the Marin race was slow for me and I finished middle of the pack for my age group. But that's what I get for pushing myself on the first two races - I have no regrets. The best part of the Marin race was the party at Eduardo's house after where bbq became synonomous with jumping pics. :D

Race Stats:
Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras 10K - 45:57; 2/22 Age; 3/64 F overall
DSE Golden Gate Vista 10K - 50:20; 39/111; 3rd F
Marin Memorial 10K - 47:08; 337/562; 22/40 Age

Week 20 (5/11-5/17)

Week 20 miles: 41.3

Week 20 race miles: 38.55

2009 miles: 548

2009 races: 30

Had a great time up in Reno for the Silver State 50K, which was definitely the hardest ultra I've run so far I'd say. It's a climb of 5800 feet and hit an elevation of 8,266 twice. On top of that, it was fairly hot out and I had just done the Quicksilver 50K the week before. I went in anticipating a slower time than usual and I guessed around 7 hours, but ended up finishing in 7:36:34 for my longest running time ever (by a lot)! I really felt the altitude as I "power hiked" up the big climb - I was breathing as hard as I would in a fast 5K even though I wasn't moving very fast at all! The course was very scenic with snow-capped peaks (Rose Peak, etc.) off in the distance and the trails wound through many wild flower covered fields. The trail was rocky and rooty, causing me to completely fall over once (first time on a trail to fall like that) and gash my hand (which is still infected). But overall, it was a good race and I'd do it again... On the way back, I saw Lake Tahoe for the first time and soaked my feet in the icy cold, while the crazy guys I was with decided to jump right in! After Silver State, I was ecstatic that I was able to run Bay to Breakers, my favorite SF race and I even managed a decent time despite starting way in the back! Love that race and the bbq at Fred's house after :) Can't wait 'til next year!

Race Stats:
Silver State 50K - 7:36:34; 30/39 overall; 8/11 F
Bay to Breakers - 1:04:59; 1649 overall; 269/11403 F; 96/3141 Age


Week 19 (5/4-5/10)
Week 19 miles :40
Week 19 race miles: 34.2
2009 miles: 506.7
2009 race miles: 333.99
2009 races: 28

My triumph this week was actually being able to recover fast enough from the 50K on Saturday to be able to run the DSE race on Sunday - not fast, but I could do it so I was pretty happy with that. I don't know if I'm building up recovery or if it was my shoes or the fact I walked a lot in the 50K (up the hills). Quicksilver was hot and hilly this year - I felt great for the first 15 miles or so but lost steam after that, finishing in a little over my skyline to the sea time, which I guess makes sense since it's a harder course and I certainly didn't push myself to my edge. I think I need to get consistent 40M training weeks going to be better prepared for these, but I still had fun and was glad to see Chikara win the 50-miler claiming a course record! He was already in when I finished! What a speedster :)

Race Stats:
Quicksilver 50K - [stats to come]
DSE Marina Green 5K - [stats to come]


Week 18 (4/27-5/3)
Week 18 miles: 32.9

Week 18 race miles: 18

2009 miles: 466.7

2009 race miles: 299.79

2009 races: 26

The Relay!!! What a ride! Thanks to Janet's amazing leadership, we all had a great experience (except for maybe Janet due to injury!)...I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone on the team and our drivers and volunteers for being so wonderful! We really couldn't have done it without you guys. I think our team did really well, placing 34th overall out of 222 teams and placing 13th in our competitive open men's division (despite everyone on the team being over 30 except for our 19 year old friend) out of 75 teams, with a finishing time of 27:38:34! Also, congrats to the other DSE racing team and Steve's team as well - great races all around. Some highlights of the race included Mike's wicked steep hill climb in leg 10, the mucky but fun cross-crounty like trail I ran in leg 8, the sleeping spot we found with amazing views of the GG bridge, Vincent and Rick's super speedy legs, Chikara and Kenley's high energy at exchange for leg 31 where we ran into them, Janet's amazing finish despite her injury and the Olallieberry jam and fresh strawberries I bought at the farmer's market at the finish! I'll post more pics on my facebook page.

Race Stats:

The Relay - 27:38:34; 34/222 overall; 13/75 division

My Relay legs: Leg 8 7.4M: 57:47 -7:49/M; Leg 20 5.9M: 51:15 - 8:41/M; Leg 32 4.7M: 34:07: 7:16/M

Running Journal April 2009

Week 17 (4/21-4/26)
Week 17 miles: 3.6
Week 17 race miles: 3.1
2009 miles: 433.8
2009 race miles: 281.59
2009 races: 25

Takin' it easy after Boston. Had a nice 5K at the Polo Field with DSE on Sunday, but that was it this week. Went down to San Diego and spent a great day at the zoo and at Sea World - I loved Shamu and I got to pet a dolphin :) This coming weekend's the Calistoga to Santa Cruz Relay so it should be interesting...

Race Stats:
DSE Polo Field 5K - 23:03; 7:25/M; 38/147; 2nd F


Week 16 (4/13-4/20)
Week 16 miles: 27.2
Week 16 race miles: 26.2 - FIRST BOSTON
2009 miles: 430.2
2009 race miles: 278.49
2009 races: 24

Well, wow, Boston's over and done with! What a wild week. The Artichoke Half Marathon the Sunday before left me with a sprained hamstring that was a major source of stress leading up to Boston - I tried to run a really scenic Massachusetts 5k on the Thursday before Boston and I actually had to DNF out of the race (for the first time ever) after a mile because it hurt so bad! I was pretty sure I wouldn't actually be able to run Boston at all, but I had to plan as if I would. So, come Monday morning, I ate well and had my coffee and a handful of advil (not really that many, about 4). I got to the race and got psyched up watching the elites take off - very cool to see. I took off in the third corral of wave 2 and did about an 8:28 first mile due to the crowd, but my hamstring felt fine so I picked it up. After that I kept up an 8:05 clip for way too long. I kept telling myself to slow up after the downhill ended, but every mile that went by was just another 8:05, resulting in a 1:46 first half - way too fast for me. Sure enough, I was tired by the time I was approaching the hill and battling a bonk for pretty much the rest of the race. I think next year (since I'm already qualified) I'll definitely try to control that first half pace a lot better! My second half was around 20 minutes slower than my first, which is ridiculous. But, that being said, despite my lack of training and series of injuries leading up to the race, I still did way way better than Phoenix so I'm actually happy with my time. I think I'm learning a lesson about stupid races pre-important races though. And I'm gonna let myself rest after this marathon - no skyline to the sea 50k this time (i wanted to do it b/c it was my first ultra last year, but oh well). Looking forward to the Relay and Quicksilver...

Race Stats:
Boston Marathon - 3:46:52; 12,236/23,162; 3,552/9432- female; 2522/5093 division (female 18-39)

Week 15 (4/6-4/12)
Week 15 miles: 43.8
Week 15 race miles: 29
2009 miles: 403
2009 race miles: 252.29
2009 races: 23

Well, finally, I had a couple of decent races after a while of blahhh. Saturday was the Envirosports Muir Woods 25K and, I have to say, it's one of my favorite courses around. I especially like the part after you finish the tiny road section after the pantoll aid station and you're winding down for what seems like forever through the ewok forest! Although, this year, I managed to fall down during this part, probably b/c I was letting myself go pretty fast, faster than my usual conservative downhills. My knees felt fine, which makes a huge difference! In fact, for the whole race, I went almost a minute faster per mile than last year's race - I cut 13 minutes of my April '08 time! I'm pretty jazzed about that. The whole time, I kept thinking, just try to beat last year's time (~2:38), I was even going fast down the last set of stairs, and proud that I didn't hurt myself, when I popped out into the easy downhill trail, and rolled my ankle like you wouldn't believe - I heard a snap! After a bit of limping, I was able to run the rest of the way without too much pain so I figured it was either nothing or it'd swell up later after the race adrenaline vanished. It did end up hurting later, but not so bad, I iced it and elevated it over night, and was able to run the half marathon the next day. The half was in Pescadero and the course ran along hilly paved roads and into a redwood forest for a bit. I tried to stay with the lead woman most of the way even though I knew I was pushing a faster pace than I planned, but figured I might actually be able to kick at the end and beat her. Around mile 8, the third place woman just came whizzing by out of nowhere (apparently she had been holding back) and zipped past both of us - the lead woman tried to stay with her, but couldn't hang. Meanwhile, I knew I couldn't speed up enough to stay with either, so I was good with third and thought I might be able to catch up to second, but it wasn't meant to be. Around mile 9, I got the sharpest most awful burning pain up the back of my left knee. I tried to keep going and ignore it thinking it would go away, but it proceeded to get worse and somehow I managed to keep a decent pace during the next four miles, but three other women went by, which was disheartening to say the least. I knew I couldn't go faster though, so there really wasn't much I could do. It felt like a real injury and all I could think about was whether it would affect Boston on the 20th. My time through the end was around a 1:47, which was decent considering the course was about .4 long (the race director said it was long at 13.5M), so that means my time at the half was around high 1:44-1:45, which I'm happy with considering I ran the day before. I did cook and eat the free artichoke we received as our race swag. Anyway, going to see my sports massage guy to work out the kinks and then I'm out to Mass this Thursday with the somewhat pyschotic intent of doing four 5Ks and the marathon while I'm there - we'll see! Can't wait to eat my old law school staple while I'm there - an Anna's black bean burrito! :D

Race Stats:
Envirosports Muir Woods 25K - 2:25:57; ~9:25/M; 34/157; 8th F; 1st Age
Artichoke Pescadero 13.5M - ~1:47:25; 6th F [other stats unknown/race director doesn't post]

Week 14 (3/30-4/5)
Week 14 miles: 31.9
Week 14 race miles: 13.1
2009 miles: 359.2
2009 race miles: 223.29
2009 races: 21

This weekend was a blur. I woke up early Saturday morning and drove up to the Marin Headlands for the envirosports trail half marathon I was racing. The race went well enough. I liked how at the end of the race, there was about a mile of fast downhill road and then at least a quarter mile on the beach at the very end. The sand was deep and pebbly, the kind that swallows your feet - so it was very difficult to run through, but I was proud of myself for passing at least three people on that part and finishing strong. Then, I didn't tarry at the finish because I wanted to speed over to Auburn to try to catch Jason's finish at the AR 50. I thought that race started at 6:30 so I might make it, but it turns out it started at 6, so both Chikara and Jason were already there when I arrived after great races for both of them. After hanging out in the sun and watching the racers coming in for a while, we drove back to San Bruno and then I headed up to Berkeley to meet a relative - it was around 9:15 by the time I arrived and around 11:30 I got home and just crashed. Unfortunately, I didn't set my alarm right and I woke up the next morning way late for the DSE race that I really wanted to run! Turned out okay though since I volunteered and got a good run in along the Great Highway when it was sunny there for once. It was so nice I pondered moving closer to SF. After that I went and visited a friend - a visit long overdue since her baby is now talking and walking and the last time I saw her, she was basically a newborn! Well, my foot is slightly better than last week, and I'm thinking I might try some different shoes, even though the ones I'm using, I've used forever...just never know.

Race Stats:
Envirosports Marin Headlands Half Marathon - 2:03:54; 48/254 overall; 13th F; 5th Age

Running Journal March 2009

Week 13 (3/23-3/29)
Week 13 miles: 28
Week 13 race miels: 15
2009 miles: 327.3
2009 race miles: 210.19
2009 races: 20

The highlight of this week was the Big Sur Mud Run, which was down in Monterey the CSU military base. The race was 5 hot miles of mostly trail and sand with a hill climb one giant woodchip pile that had to be climbed and four mud pits, one with a balance beam and pushups at the end! Jason got fifth overall and won a nice plaque, but I didn't quite make top five. The day was nice and sunny and cold mud actually felt good. Also this week, after the Presidio 10 miler, which was enjoyable because of the sun in San Francisco and interesting (but slow) course, Jason and Chikara and new DSE friend Mark went to run/climb up Mt. Tam and back down. Jason and Chikara went up ahead so Mark and I hiked most of the way up and ran down, exploring as we went. Great views for once off of Tam in the sunny clear skies. It was a good weekend! My foot's still off but I think it's on the mend (crossing fingers).

Race Stats:
Big Sur Mud Run [stats to come]
Presidio 10M - 1:23:58; 245/764 overall; 15/80 Age


Week 12 (3/16-3/22)
Week 12 miles: 29.75
Week 12 race miles: 26.05
2009 miles: 299.3
2009 race miles: 195.19
2009 races: 18

This week, I went to see Dave the torturer again. He worked on my hips a long time, but again, I wasn't sore the next day. I tried to run the dish on Friday and it was a bit painful, so I wasn't sure if I'd be able to pull off a Pirate's Cove race the next day. Strangely, on the day of Pirate's Cove, nothing hurt all that bad. I mean, I knew I couldn't go crazy on the downhills, but other than that, I felt okay and my foot didn't bother me too much. My time was only a few minutes better than last year's, but that was plenty good enough considering my expectatons going in. The 12k on Sunday hurt a bit more and was in the middle of the strongest winds I've ever run in! I was sandblasted around mile 4 as the wind rolled in from the Bay and kicked up the beach sand! My time was still okay. And, today, as I write this, my foot isn't terrible, so maybe I can get a few decent runs in this week before next weekend's wild mud run. I heard of a dirt track in sunnyvale I want to check out. I want to try to do some faster short runs for speed for Boston purposes...we'll see how it goes.

Race Stats:
Pirate's Cove 30K - 3:14:11; 10:20/M; 40/116; 9th F; 4th Age
DSE Ft. Point 12K - 59:?; 4th F [stats to come]

Week 11 (3/9-3/15)
Week 11 miles: 16.5!
Week 11 race miles: 7.45
2009 miles: 269.55
2009 race miles: 169.14
2009 races: 16

Got a totally awesome deep muscle sports massage at F.I.T. by Dave, my new favorite guy - it hurt so bad I swore out loud at least 3 times! But after, I felt my muscles were so much more relaxed and fluid. My foot issue was still there, though, so I took it really easy and swam a lot last week, not to mention the few crossfit workouts I threw in. I ran the Emerald Across the Bay again and basically ran the same time as last year, which is fine considering I haven't been training for that kind of thing. I forgot how hard that course is! On the fast New Balance team (excluding me!), I was the fifth team member so we could officially score a women's open team, which was great considering how well the other women ran - they are amazing! NB hooked me up with a pair of racing flats that I can try out in one of my road 5ks, which made doing the race totally worth it. My conclusion - it's time again to do some speedwork and get my legs spinning.

Race Stats:
Emerald Across the Bay 12K: 59:19 (minus 10 secs at start); 7:57/M; 521/2860; 155th F; 31st Age

Week 10 (3/2-3/8)
Week 10 miles: 24.25
Week 10 race miles: 7.75
2009 miles: 253.05
2009 race miles: 161.69
2009 races: 15

Snowshoeing pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/hillrunner08/Snowshoeing2009?feat=directlink

This week ended with a wonderful trip to Portland and Mt. Hood for the National Snowshoe Championship race. The course was straight uphill and then back down a windy single track. I felt like I ran a lot harder than at the Bear Valley qualifier, but my time wasn't much different, so either it was a harder course or I have no idea what's up. We got a ride up with a fellow snowshoer named Rick and ended up running the relay event 3x2.5K as well with a guy named Andy as our third member. We were the only mixed team out of 7 teams, and all I could think was, with all those elite women racers there, how could not a single other woman want to double up and do the relay? Even as a cooldown. I was disappointed by that a bit. On the relay uphill, I ran in probably the worst weather I've ever run in - was pelted with icy snow and wind and had to hold my coat over my face, but it all cleared up at the top of the hill. I managed a good time and had lots of fun, though I preferred the feel of the Bear Valley race more. Looking forward to next year's snowshoeing season.

Race Stats:

U.S. Snowshoe National Championship 10K - 1:13:25; 2nd Age - 1:13:25; 13/36 overall; 2nd Age (excluding top 3 women)

U.S. Snowshoe Relay 3x2.5K - between 1:02:46 and 1:07:43 (only mixed team)

Running Journal February 2009

Week 9 (2/23-3/1)
Week 9 miles: 24.5
Week 9 race miles: 22.54
2009 miles: 228.8
2009 race miles: 153.94
2009 races: 13 - One Year Anniversary of Racing!

The Sequoia 30K marked my one year anniversary of racing - I can hardly believe it! Last year, I remember prepping for the 20K and being pretty worried as I pulled headphones on; now, I don't have to think or prepare that much to run a 30K and I would never wear headphones! It's dangerous and who needs it anyway? This year I took the 30K slow and easy and had a good race. What else is there to say? Other than I hope all my little annoying injuries go away so I can actually train!

Race Stats:
PCTR Sequoia 30K - 3:23:16; 10:56/M; 34/100; 9th F; 6th Age
DSE Great Highway 3.95M - 29:58; 7:29/M; 43/110; 6th F; 1st Age


Weeks 7 and 8 (2/9-2/22)
Weeks 7-8 miles: 31.7 Weeks 7-8 race miles: 28.6
2009 miles: 204.3
2009 race miles: 131.4
2009 races: 11

Week 7 was shot - life got in the way - busy at work, tired and my hip/leg were being weird. I just rested, which is fine sometimes. Not to mention all the rain... it rained for the Ballpark 5k, for the President's Day race and for the Embarcadero race. I don't mind running in the rain sometimes (sometimes I even like it), but enough is enough! I went swimming this week, which I'd like to do more of, and I'm thinking about checking out a new weight training center where they do cross-fit classes. I'll go check it out. I'd like to get back in the swing of some weekday running, but I think I need some time.

Race Stats:
DSE Ballpark 5K 2/15 - 22:45; 7:19; 29/78 overall; 2nd F; 1st Age
President's Day Coyote Point 10K 2/16 - 46:40; 2nd F; 4th overall (out of 24)
Buzz Half Marathon 2/21 - [to come]
DSE Embarcadero 10K 2/22 -47:28; 7:38; 42nd/1327th F; 2nd Age


Week 6 (2/2-2/8)
Week 6 miles: 31
Week 6 race miles: 31
2009 miles: 172.6
2009 race miles: 102.8
2009 races: 7

Well, despite the fact that after the Kaiser half my right hip was out of whack all week, preventing me from running at all, Saturday morning rolled around and I felt almost better, but not quite. I really wanted to run Jed Smith though so I decided I'd wait until the very last minute to decide whether to run or not. Literally, after running around the grass a bit minutes before the race, I just decided to go ahead and run it and if my hip hurt too bad, I decided I would drop and not feel bad about it. So, I started the race, which consisted of a a tiny extra leg and then a 3.3 mile loop 9 times around a flat farm north of Sacramento, in a type of figure 8 with one paved loop and one dirt trail loop. I thought it might be boring, but because there were so many people I knew running the course and I saw them a lot, so that was entertaining, plus you got to count down the loops to go and have your bag of stuff along the way. My hip didn't really hurt that much actually and I ended up enjoying the course, thinking that it pretty much looked like Michigan where I grew up and it was nice for once not to have to do any hills. I didn't go all that fast, but I was pretty sore afterwards so I ended up getting some volunteer points at DSE's Sawyer Camp races, which is too bad because I like running that course. I know I need more consistency in my training to avoid this type of soreness. I'll try not to spend this entire week in recovery mode, maybe some swimming or a massage will jump start me out of it.

Race Stats:
Jed Smith 50k: 4:52:42; 9:25; 28/70; 7/20 (F); 2nd Age

Running Journal January 2009

Week 5 (1/26-2/1)
Week 5 miles: 35.6
Week 5 race miles: 13.1
2009 miles: 141.6
2009 race miles: 71.7
2009 races: 6

Nothing so exciting as snowshoeing this week, but I did manage a PR at the Kaiser half, which I think was long overdue considering my Phoenix marathon split beat my old PR and my old PR was from the San Francisco half (the first half), which is hillier than most halfs and definitely hillier than Kaiser (net downhill). I liked the course - it was a combo of different DSE races I've done, so I felt comfortable and was able to just enjoy myself. I also liked the out and back piece along the Great Highway because it gave you a chance to see the front runners as well as faster friends go by on their way back. It's an expensive race though, so I think if I do it again, I'll try to register in advance. The bad news is that, even though I was fine during the race and after, I sat down to do work on the couch that day probably for way too long without standing , and so when I finally did stand up, my hip/glut hurt...and they still hurt, and it's Wednesday now. I wouldn't care, except I have the Jed Smith 50K this Saturday...and I really want to be able to run it - it's a flat, fast, trail/pavement mix around a 3-mile figure 8 loop, so what's the point of doing it if you can't run well??? I just hope this hip issue dissipates before Saturday...

Race Stats:
Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon - 1:42:02; 7:47/M; 890/5816 overall; 42/630 Age (30-34)

Week 4 (1/19 - 1/25)

Week 4 miles: 15

Week 4 race miles: 6.2

2009 miles: 106
2009 race miles: 58.6

2009 races: 5
I LOVE SNOWSHOE RACING!!! It was so incredibly hard, but after the first half mile of figuring out how the heck to do it and trying to get enough oxygen at our 7,000 or so foot elevation, it was tons of fun and absolutely gorgeous scenery - deep snow and pine trees everywhere you looked. I think the Michigan girl in me appreciated this little taste of winter. I think I have at least some idea of how to snowshoe now, but I could use more practice for sure based on my almost 12 min miles - keeping an eye out for other snowshoe races at this point. Even though it's a bit of a trip to get there, the race itself was great too, with tons of food, prizes and awards after. And, I won! First female (out of six)...Mark McManus was the first male in a time of 50:26...the wonders of small races! :) I'll take what I can get!

Race Stats:
Jazz Trax Snowshoe Stomp 10k - 1:14:47; 6/19 overall; 1st F

Week 3 (1/12-1/18)
Week 3 miles: 26.2
Week 3 race miles: 26.2
2009 miles: 91
2009 race miles: 52.4
2009 races: 4

Well, what can I say about the Phoenix marathon? I can say that the red rocks of Sedona were beautiful (climbed up Bell Rock the day before the marathon). I can also say I now have the experience of running a marathon when things don't go exactly as planned. I started out fine, and hung with the 3:30 pacer group for the first ten miles or so when the stomach issues hit and I had to make the first (out of six) pit stops! When things aren't going well, 26.2 miles seems really, really long. Especially when I was expecting a more interesting course - there wasn't much rock in the rock 'n roll marathon and it was a pretty boring course overall. In the end, I still broke 4 hours with a running finish, but it was a physically and psychologically painful race - oh well, many of them are! I'm not sure why my stomach tripped out so all I can take away is that I think I might be able to do around a 3:30 if things were going perfectly, which is not often the case. I could be all depressed about missing my goal by about a half hour, but a runner I know with lots of experience reminded me that marathon times vary a lot and every one can't be a PR race so I'll take that statement to heart. Maybe I'll try to do more 8 min/mile long tempo runs as part of my training. 'Nuf on that - majorly excited for snowshoe racing next weekend and even for Jed Smith the weekend after.

Race Stats:
Phoenix Rock 'N Roll Marathon - 3:58:31; 9:06/M; 1838/6411 overall; 591/2972 F; 131 Age


Week 2 (1/5-1/11)
Week 2 miles: 41.4
Week 2 race miles: 15.5
2009 miles: 64.8
2009 race miles: 26.2
2009 races: 3

I added spin to my normal training regimen on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and by Thursday I felt like I had run an ultra! I decided I like it, but need to do it less often so my quads don't feel so tired at the beginning of my weekend races! Considering how I felt, I'm okay with my Angel Island results, even though they weren't that great. The first 10K of the race was basically on hilly pavement, which was really difficult for me since my knees had been bothering me from the new spin addition. I don't love the Angel Island course, so I think in the future I should really consider skipping any races in the Baylands or Angel Island. I guess I'll be running the Phoenix marathon this Sunday, which I am feeling ambivalent about. My goal is a 3:35 (~8:12 pace), but there is no 3:35 pacer group so it may be tricky, plus the course is flat, not downhill like CIM, so maybe my goal is unrealistic. We'll see.

Race Stats:

PCTR Angel Island 25K (2,035' gain) - 2:23:21; 6th Age [other stats to come]

Week 1 (1/1 - 1/4)
Week 1 total miles: 23.4
Week 1 race miles: 10.7
2009 total miles: 23.4
2009 race miles: 10.7
2009 races: 2

On your mark - get set - go! A new year.

(I'm three from the right, to left of guy in red)

I've been thinking about my running and racing goals for 2009 and what I hope to accomplish. Aim high, I say.

Here are some highlights:

- snowshoes races!
- 10 ultras, including one 50-miler (if possible)!!!
- Boston, Phoenix, Alaska road marathons
- Pike's Peak marathon
- DSE series

- PCTR trail running series

- PAUSATF ultra series
- 100 races
- 1,000 race miles

Race Stats:

New Year's Day Run for a Healthy World 10K (mostly flat trail + paved)- 47:31; 7:39/M; 31/182; 2/22 Age; 2nd F overall (out of 85)
DSE Lake Merced 4.5M (paved, mostly flat) - 33.19; 7:24/M; 45/136; 9th F; 4th Age

Running Journal Month 12 (December 2008)

YEAR ONE OF RUNNING - COMPLETE~!
Week 52 (12/22-12/31)
Week 52 mileage: 20.5
2008 mileage: 1401.7
2008 race miles: 624.89
2008 races: 69

And so my first year of running comes to an end! I really feel like it flew by in a heartbeat! Here are some '08 highlights:

Series Finish: PCTR Trail Running Series - 2nd Age (20-29), 3rd Overall

Club Finish: DSE [Stats to come]

Ultras: 2 (PCTR Skyline to the Sea and the Quad Dipsea)

Goal Race Sequence Completed: Dipsea; Double Dipsea: Quad Dipsea!

Road Marathon (CIM): Qualified for Boston!

Favorite Races of '08:

Mt. Tam Hill Climb (straight up Tam to summit finish, anyway you want to go)

Golden Hills Trail Marathon (loved the course in the fall season, first technical marathon distance)

CIM (first road marathon, qualified for Boston)

Dipsea and Quad Dipsea (loved both, the double was too hot! Quad was the most climbing per mile by far)

DSE Daly City Scenic Run (straight up and back down, loved it)

Other notable races of '08:

PCTR Pirate's Cove 30k (gorgeous scenery, first longer race), Quicksilver 25k (awesome course), Bay to Breakers 12K (thought I'd hate it, but loved it!), Mt. Madonna Challenge 12k (mysteriously won race and prize money, plus awesome course), Skyline to the Sea 50k (first ultra, nice course, minus the bees), PCTR Santa Cruz 21K (love river crossing), DSE Sawyer Camp (fast! PR'd by more than a minute), Enviro Angel Island 25K (met a great friend)

Some other year end numbers:

Ultras: 2; Trail Marathon: 1; Road Marathon: 1; Road Half-Marathon: 1; Trail 30-33Ks: 5; Trail 25Ks: 5; Trail 20-23Ks: 6; Trail less than 20ks: 10; Road 12Ks: 4; Road 10Ks: 11; Road 4-4.5Ms: 6; Road 5Ks: 10; Road Mile: 1; Track Mile: 1

12/28 Race Stats:
DSE Mission Rock 5K - 22:29; 30/118; 7:14/M; 3rd F; 2nd Age

Week 51 (12/15-12/21)
Week 51 mileage: 19
2008 mileage: 1,381.2
2008 race miles: 605.29
2008 races 68

I'm happy with this week's races. Saturday I finally felt up to actually really racing a PCTR race - it helped to have some close competition and legs not in total recovery mode! Finally, I broke 2 hours and by a lot so I was happy. I really felt I could not have gone faster than I did when I finished. Sunday's races were ...interesting. Although some claim I cannot count it because it's a downhill course, the 1 mile distance was certified, so I'll at least mention that I beat my mile PR by a whopping 21 seconds. I've only run two timed miles, but was pretty happy when I got around a 6:08 (the race clocks were messed up so I'm not entirely sure to the second). The 5k that came right after was not as good, but who cares? I probably won't do this race again next year as it was so disorganized, but it was good for one time. I only have one more race this year and I'm looking forward to a little r&r.

Race Stats:
PCTR Rodeo Beach 20k - 1:52:42; 9:10/M; 28/100; 4th F; 3rd Age - PR
Miracle Mile - 6:08; 20/97; 4th F
Christmas Classic 5k - [stats to come]


Week 50 (12/8-12/14)
Week 50 mileage: 26.7
2008 mileage: 1,362.3
2008 race miles: 604.5
2008 races: 65

Have to say my legs were pretty tired after CIM, but I was able to run on Saturday and since I had already signed up for the 33k, I went ahead and did it knowing it would be a slow and somewhat painful race - the scenery on Muir Beach course, however, is so amazing, I was able to enjoy at least some parts of the race. I must have warmed up my legs because on Sunday, even though I started off very slow, I almost beat my PR without really aiming for it. I think that this is due to three things: 1) I do run better if I run the day before even if my legs are tired from it; 2) I started off slow not caring about the race, which always results in a better time; and 3) I think I'm actually overdue for a significant 5k PR and as soon as my legs are somewhat fresh I'll be able to shave off major time (since I recently did so in my 10ks). Other than the PCTR race next Saturday, I think things will be a bit calmer race-wise during the holidays (there just aren't as many good ones going on) and I guess my next task is planning what to do in 2009. I'm thinking it will be a road/trail marathon year...hitting phoenix, Boston, maybe Anchorage, maybe even Pike's Peak (we'll see).

Race Stats:
PCTR Muir Beach 33k - 4:05:31; 38/70 overall; 9th F; 6th Age
DSE Conservatory 5k - 22:28 [stats to come]

Week 49 (12/1-12/7)
Week 49 mileage: 29.7
2008 mileage: 1,335.6
2008 race miles: 580.9
2008 races: 63 - First Road Marathon!

Well, able to check another goal that wasn't even really a goal off the list. Actually, two non-goal goals in this case: running a road marathon and qualifying for Boston. Got both, unexpectedly, in one fell swoop the week after the Quad Dipsea. I must say my legs are more sore after the marathon than the Quad, but that's not that suprising. CIM has got to be the ugliest course I've ever run (can't imagine much worse), but it was a fast course with many gradual downhills, which was nice for a first marathon. I just stayed with the pacer and I felt that the pace needed for the 3:40:59 qualifying time wasn't that hard to keep up - I was able to chat some with the girls next to me, one of whom is the lead in broadway tour of Phantom of the Opera and the other of whom was an air traffic controller (making sure planes don't crash into each other)! My friend Lisa who I went up with also qualified for Boston, so we'll both be going there in '09 I guess. Congrats to Lisa! The whole road marathoning thing wasn't really a goal or something I trained for specifically, it just kind of happened along the way, which is great. I'd like to get a faster time at Boston if possible, but I'd really like to get faster without taking my focus away from the trails too much.



Race Stats:

CIM - 3:39:28 -8:22/M; 1576/5198 (clock time); 347/2183; 82/355 Age (clock time)

Running Journal Month 11 (November 2008)

Week 48 (11/24-11/30)
Week 48 mileage: 40.8
2008 mileage: 1304.9
2008 race miles: 554.7
2008 races: 61

And....the Quad Dipsea is history! I ran easy alongside Lisa in the 5 mile Turkey Trail Trot on Thursday and so I felt good on Sunday for the race. What can I say? There was perfect weather and I ran a satisfying time, with splits at 1:30, 1:30, 1:35 and 1:38. Now that I know the course, I think next year I'll go a little faster on the downhills and try to break 6 hours. Strangely, I feel much better than after the skyline to the sea 50k, either because that was the first or because that had a lot more downhill (so more running). One thing I did during the Quad was to take some extra ibuprofen, which I think helped prevent my knees from swelling up, and they feel fine. I'm curious to see how it all feels this coming Sunday at CIM, where my goal is just to run it with no time goal in mind.

Race Stats:

Quad Dipsea 6:12:57 - 100th overall/221; 4th Age

Turkey Trail Trot 5M - 44:41; 155/676; 23/158 Age

Week 47 (11/17-11/23)
Week 47 mileage: 17.8
2008 mileage: 1264.1
2008 race miles: 521.30
2008 races: 59

Ahh, races! Got to the SC Turkey Trot on time, but waited in the bathroom line too long and missed the start by a minute! Due to that, ran it not caring about my time and enjoying the views a bit more than usual, but as not many women showed up, I still got 2nd in my age group. Overall, I liked the race and would probably do it again. It must have been a good warmup because I ran Sunday's 4 mile race at a faster pace than my 5k PR pace! I went out faster than usual - I think my mile splits were around 6:48; 7:00; 7:12; 7:18. I wonder what would happen if I could pace myself a bit better and try to do all 7s or 7:05s. It's hard to pace exactly, though, but I think it's key. This week will be wild because of Thanksgiving's 5 mile trail trot followed by Saturday's Quad Dipsea!!! I'm really excited as I've been anticipating doing this race since the Dipsea, but have to admit to being a little bit scared! Hang in there knees!

Race Stats:
Santa Cruz Track Club Turkey Trot 10k -48:16 [watch - ~47:20]; 68/267; 2nd Age
DSE Great Highway 3.95M - 28:19; 3rd F


Week 46 (11/10-11/16)
Week 46 mileage: 43.4
2008 mileage: 1246.3
2008 race miles: 511.15
2008 races: 57

This was a backwards week because it was a great training week and not such a great racing week...well, at least Saturday wasn't great. Saturday, everything hurt and I'm not entirely sure why, but I'll just chalk it up to being tired. Sunday I tied my 5k PR though, so that was good. For training, I was able to make it to Rancho twice, the dish once and the track for intervals. I won't be able to do that this week because it's just too hard to run on Monday after a double race weekend (and not smart either). I may be able to do something light on Friday though...I could do Dish (or Rancho), Rancho, track, dish perhaps... I really hope I do well at the 10k that's coming up because it's a certified course so if I can just shave 16 seconds off my 10k time I could get into the sub-seeded category for certain races. Although, probably because I'm hoping for it, it won't happen. We'll see.

Race Stats:

PCTR Stinson Beach 30k - 3:27:59; 6th F; 40/133; 4th Age

DSE Polo Field 5k - 22:21; 32/154; 2nd F; 2nd Age

Week 45 (11/3-11/9)
Week 45 mileage: 20.4
2008 mileage: 1202.9
2008 race miles: 489.45
2008 races: 55

This weekend I only did one race for a change - another DSE 10k and I'm happy to say that I held close to my PR of last week (missed by 10 seconds), but considering the crowds, cobblestones and headwinds, I was happy with my time. I think perhaps the speedwork is helping even though I've only done it for two weeks now... I'm feeling strong and relatively uninjured and I just hope I can keep this going through the end of the year (or at least until the quad dipsea). I'm pretty nervous about doing the quad dipsea because the double wreaked havoc on my knees, but I think I'll run more gently in the quad and there are no killer shortcuts so perhaps it won't be as bad as I think... we'll see.

Race Stats:

DSE Embarcadero 10k - 45:29; 6th F; 2nd Age

Running Journal Month 10 (October 2008)

Week 44 (10/27-11/2)
Weekly mileage: 37.9
2008 mileage: 1182.5
2008 race miles: 483.25
2008 races: 54

I was happy with this week's training and races. I ran the dish on Tuesday for just one loop because my legs were still tired from the races on Saturday and Sunday, then I ran Rancho with my friend Lisa on Wednesday and we did around 8.5 at a pretty good clip (definitely faster up the hills than I would have done alone) and on Thursday I did 400 intervals at the track. It's not that much mileage wise but I felt good and not worn down and had the extra energy to do a lot of weight training, which I like. Saturday's race was totally muddy and wild, with pouring rain and gusting wind - but it was totally fun! It wasn't that cold so I just added a hat with a visor to my usual running wardrobe and that was all I needed, plus I beat my time that I had on that course last time in dry weather by 4 minutes - I was happy considering the fact that I felt the muck really slowed me down in places. And Sunday's race was crazy as well, not weather wise, but time wise - I got a PR by ~1:30! I didn't feel like I was going that fast, but when I got near the clock I couldn't believe it!

Race Stats:
Enviro Stinson Beach 25k - 2:42:56: 48/132 overall; 11th F; 3rd Age
DSE Sawyer Camp 10k - 45:16; 7:18/M; 4th F


Week 43 (10/20-10/26)
Weekly mileage: 31.4
2008 mileage: 1144.6
2008 race miles: 461.55
2008 races: 52

I took a trip up to Redding for the Whiskeytown trail race that took place off of Whiskeytown Lake. It was pretty up there even though I only caught a single glimpse of the looming Mt. Shasta, which I definitely want to hike up (maybe next spring/summer). Also explored a local museum about the gold rush and stopped by an olive tasting place on the way back. If I do Whiskeytown again, however, I should do the 50k because most of the scenic trails and stream crossings were on the 50k route, not the 30k, which was almost all fireroads due to recent burns in the park and nontechnical somewhat boring trails. Missed the start of the DSE race on Sunday by 4 minutes, but ran the 12k anyway, a few minutes faster than that stupid bridge to bridge 12k - it was fun playing catchup to the other runners and even with the 4 minute late start, I finished strong. I'm feeling good and without injury and I hope I can keep that up through the Quad Dipsea.

Race Stats:

Whiskeytown 30k - 3:00:10; 9:41/M; 5th F; 2nd Age

DSE Fort Point 12k - 57:55 (by my watch); 7:46/M; 6th F; [?] Age

Week 42 (10/13-10/19)
Weekly mileage: 22
Mileage to date: 1113.2
Race miles to date: 435.5

I didn't run much during the week as I was in semi-recovery mode from the trail marathon/10k weekend before, but I felt okay by the time Sunday rolled around to do the Carmel 25k. I did not know what I was in for! Unexpectedly, I think Carmel was one of my most difficult races thus far. It included at least three very steep climbs and I got lost at the top of the middle mountain and added probably a mile and a half to the course by accident. On top of that, I got a mad blister on my foot -well, not really a blister, more like my skin just rubbed away entirely. It was so painful on the way down to the finish that I had to walk even though I could've run. The good thing, though, is that the Carmel race will still count for the PCTR series at least, since I got second overall (due to the lack of competitive women in the race)!

Race Stats:

PCTR Carmel Valley 25k (+~1.5miles of getting lost) (4,285' gain) - 3:16:28; 1st Age; 2nd Overall

Week 41 (10/6-10/12)
Weekly mileage: 32.4
Mileage to date: 1091.2
Race miles to date: 420 - First Marathon (Trail)!

I really felt unsure the week leading up to this last minute decision trail marathon; my other race got cancelled and this one fell that same day, but it was longer than I was planning for. I was concerned that I'd have a super hard recovery like after the 50k a few weeks ago and I hadn't run that much during the weeks leading up to it. But, lo and behold, it was an AWESOME race! I loved almost every moment of it. It was a beautiful, cool fall day and the trail took us through shady, beautiful forests. At the top of the hills were trees that were creaking in the wind. Appropriate for October, it felt like a haunted race, especially when a runner pointed out the place where a local woman's body was recently discovered! I had some knee pain going downhill during the first half but it disappeared. My right foot hurt again in a familiar place, but hopefully that will go away with rest. The best part of it was that my quads didn't feel at all like after the 50k when I was done - I felt a bit sore, but it was more even spread and not nearly as intense. Was it the extra five miles? the difference in the two courses? the experience of having done one before? I'm not sure. Whatever the reason, I was able to race the DSE 10k the next day and come close to my PR, taking third. I plan to rest the next few days and look at my upcoming schedule. I need to prepare for the quad dipsea and/or CIM, and I may cut out some races to do so. We'll see.

Race Stats:

Golden Hills Trail Marathon - 4:43:59; 33rd/132; 9th F; 4th Age

DSE Golden Gate Park 10k - 47:16; 7:36/M; 3rd F; 3rd Age

Week 40 (9/29-10/5)
Weekly mileage: 22.9
Mileage to date: 1058.8
Race miles to date: 387.6

This was one of those races that fell into the category of "they can't all be good" as it really was not good. Part of it had to do with my high expectations of getting a fast time and also my failure to pay attention to some obvious signs, like the fact that I couldn't muster any speed at my track workout on Tuesday. I felt pretty tired the night before and just thought that would go away like usual, but it didn't really. When I started running, I knew right away I couldn't go much faster, and then I almost threw up in the first mile, not from overexertion, but it felt like something was stuck in my throat... anyway, I got progressively slower during the race and was just happy to finish in under an hour! After I finished, and I wasn't breathing hard when I finished, I started having some kind of asthma or hyperventilating thing where I kept breathing super fast and couldn't slow it down. The whole race sucked. I'm not going to blow it out of proportion, though, I'm just going to take it easy for a bit this week.

Race Stats:

Bridge to Bridge 12k 59:47; 8:01/M; 281/2517 overall; 23/527 Age

Running Journal Month 9 (September 2008)

Week 39 (9/22-9/28)
Weekly mileage: 18.1
Mileage to date: 1035.9
Race miles to date: 380.15

Well, this week I learned the meaning of recovery. I felt fine after the 50k except for extremely sore - no, not really sore, more like totally disfunctional - quads. I wasn't really able to walk quite right until maybe Thursday night when I went on a long night walk (with a tiny bit of jogging). Other than yoga and some arm weights like usual, I didn't run at all, and wasn't sure I'd be able to do the Santa Cruz PCTR race on Saturday. Somehow I did manage to do that race, and I'm pretty happy my quads complied because it was a great race - I especially liked making my way through the waist level river on the way out (taking off my shoes and socks) and on the way back (running through it w/shoes and all). Despite the loss of time, I think taking off my shoes was worth it as they really absorbed a lot of water weight when I kept them on. Sunday's race was satisfying because it was five flat paved miles and I tied my PR pace. I have no idea how fast I could have gone if I hadn't race the day before or done the 50k, but it'd be interesting to find out. Looking forward to the bridge to bridge race.

Race Stats:
PCTR Santa Cruz 21k - 2:20:41; 10:35/M; 30/100; 6th F; 3rd Age; 2175'
DSE Oyster Point 5M - 37:25; 7:29/M; 1st Age; 2nd W; tied PR

Week 38 (9/15-9/21)
Weekly mileage: 38.7
Mileage to date: 1017.8 - 1000 MILES! 1st ULTRA!

This was obviously a week replete with achievements. During the week leading up to the 50k, I did yoga on Monday, a track meet on Tuesday, yoga Wednesday and an easy 5 miles on the treadmill on Thursday, but not weights and no running outside, so I was well rested. The track meet gave me my first timed mile on a track, and I know I can go faster next time so I'm pretty excited - the cool thing was how fast the mile went by in a race compared to track workouts where I can't barely stand to do a whole mile. I was worried that my legs would still be tired from the track meet by the time the 50k rolled around since I'm not used to that kind of work out, but I had mostly recovered by Friday. Although my feet didn't feel perfect and I felt like I hadn't done enough good quality long runs prior to Saturday, I was more excited than worried going into the 50k. I expected it to feel much worse than it did. I didn't start with the gun as I was taking care of some business in the portapotty and I'm glad I did; luckily, I didn't seem to have my usual stomach problems during this run, which was a huge relief, especially after being stung by the swarm of bees 4 times (once in the head) and dealing with a blister from a rock in my shoe, which required me to sit down at the 1st and 2nd aid stations to tape up my foot. I was on a first-timer's high, the course was beautiful (and I was going slow enough to enjoy it), the weather was perfect, and I felt great during the last 10 miles. I ran extremely slowly during the first 30k and much faster for the last 20k, which was a great plan, though it didn't result in an awesome time. I'd say it was a good strategy for my first ultra, especially considering I'd never run more than around 19 miles at once before. My quads started to have little pains in them near the end and now they are extremely sore, but nothing else is. I hope they recover by Thursday or Friday as I'm preregistered for a race next Saturday. My main concern now is that I'll never enjoy an ultra as much as this one!

Race Stats:
Tamalpa Track Meet: 1 Mile: 6:29 - 1st F; [other stats to come]
PCTR Skyline to the Sea 50k - 6:05:25; 71/178 overall; 13th F; 4th Age - 1st ULTRA


Week 37 (9/8-9/14)
Weekly mileage: 33.8
Mileage to date: 979.1

Another triple race weekend. Friday night at the Moonlight Run there was little wind and it was fairly mild, but my legs felt a little heavy I think from the tail end of the cold I had during the week. Next time I'll bring a headlamp as the dark slowed me down a bit. Saturday's race was...not fun. I fell, felt crappy, and when I took off my shoe my entire sock was soaked in blood from the blood blister under my toenail that popped. It hurt on and off, but not as bad as it should have for the way it looked. Anyway, Sunday's Stern Grove race was fun and unexpectedly hilly for DSE. All I can think of now is that the 50k is this Saturday. I'm excited but also scared I'm not really ready. I'll just try to make it through and have fun with it. Appropriately, the 50k will put me across the 1,000 mile threshold and my goal of doing ultras.

Race Stats:
Palo Alto Moonlight Run 10k - 47:54; 121/920 overall; 1th F; 5/168 Age
Mt. Tam 18k - 1:38:27; 32/69 overall; 12/26 F; 2nd Age
DSE Stern Grove 4M - 31:02; 32/103 overall; 1st F

Week 36 (9/1-9/7)
Weekly mileage: 25.6
Mileage to date: 945.3

After the Mt. Tam Hill Climb on Monday (Labor Day), I came home with a big head cold that lasted 'til the end of the week. I wasn't sure I would be able to do the 30k on Saturday, but with Skyline to the Sea in mind, I thought I needed the long distance, so even though I didn't feel close to 100% and hadn't run from Tuesday through Friday, I did the race anyway. The first 10k felt like a warmup to loosen my stale legs, the second 10k felt normal and okay, and the third stretch was a bit painful and hot. There were a lot of steep uphills in the last 10k and it was slow going. Nevertheless, I made it through, and decided not to run the DSE 5k the next day (opting instead to gormandize on sweets at the Chocolate Festival in San Fran). I still don't feel 100%, but hopefully I will by mid-week. This coming weekend will be another triple race, including Friday's moonlight palo alto run, which I'm pretty excited about since it's nearby.

Race Stats:
PCT Redwood Park 30k - 3:25.50; 32/86 overall; 4th F; 2nd Age; ~2780' elevation gain


Week 35 (8/25 - 8/31) + Labor Day (9/1)
Weekly mileage: 38.2 (excluding Labor Day)
Mileage to date: 919.7 (excluding Labor Day)

I'll dub this week Mountain Madness -haha. It ended with a triple race weekend and a crazy hike up Mt. Diablo (finally)! Before I get to that, I'll mention quickly that I signed up for the Palo Alto Running Club (PARC) on the offchance that I'll feel like mixing up my training routine every now and then and I know some people in it; realistically, though, I doubt I'll train very frequently with them as their runs don't really fit in my schedule and I think I get a better quality run when I'm on my own. Sometimes, though, I think it's nice to run with other people, especially when I'm not feeling up to it. Anyway, three races in a row meant that the middle race suffered a bit, but it was a fun weekend! Saturday was a 10k race on flat gravelly trails in Hayward followed by a hike up (and down) Mt. Diablo. Diablo is visible from almost everywhere in the Bay Area, so I was glad to finally do it. It was hot, dry and pretty steep for the first third, a bit gentler for the second third, and then steep uphill again, though not as extreme as in the beginning, for the last third. I kept thinking about the 25k on Diablo and how I wouldn't be able to go much faster than when I hiked! Hiking, it took 3 hours up and 2.5 down. Curious what my race time will be when I do that race next June. Sunday was DSE's Potrero Hill - 4 miles around SOMA with a hill climb from mile 2-3ish. I actually really liked this race, but my legs were tired and I couldn't go very fast. Didn't do much the rest of Saturday, but Sunday was an absolutely awesome race: the Mt. Tam Hill Climb! Mt. Tam is the other mountain (other than Diablo) that you can see from many places in the Bay Area. This race is somewhere around 3 miles long, from the base of Mt. Tam to the summit, any way you want to go! The first mile or so is runnable, and after that, for me, it was mostly power hiking up the steep rocky terrain, with a bit of running where the switchbacks flattened out. There were shortcuts I know I didn't take and even better paths I think I missed, so I'll need to do some hiking or running reconnaissance there to figure it out. I finished in less than an hour, and felt pretty good, so I ran back down the mountain with some other runners. I liked this run down almost as much as the race, just because it was nice to hear an older, very good runner tell us all about his past while we ran down the mountain. Can't wait to do this Mt. Tam race again next year - I know I'll go much faster.

Race Stats:
10k on the Bay - 47:47.40; 41/146; 3rd F; 1st Age
DSE Potrero Hill 4M - 31:47; 41/114 overall; 5th F; 2nd Age
Mt. Tam Hill Climb (3M?) - 58:15; 14/24 F; 8th Age 79/110