tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61562907314978128162024-03-05T14:06:46.242-08:00baysiderunnerliving, running, and dreaming by the bayKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-11513484903175535272012-12-13T16:17:00.001-08:002012-12-13T16:17:35.897-08:00Science Experiment<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take one pair of running shoes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Expose to wet, muddy conditions for an extended period of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put wet, muddy shoes into a plastic bag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tie the bag shut.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put the bag in the laundry room, which is uninsulated and maintains an average room temperature of 50 degrees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leave the bag there for a week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Open the bag, and realize that you've grown grass in your shoes! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaHAJGe8dTHV3B7IvxUowjs0F7gv5SKWRS7iv_iwdL61rPza6il9BzAFHzG5clhBbeg6P2bxfJ3teyl9mcV6ei_5SRjxN8yBuv0p7PlzwO76gmh1GH4Nqiz_7sI3iFS6gS9tJ4GOGqWz-/s1600/shoe1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaHAJGe8dTHV3B7IvxUowjs0F7gv5SKWRS7iv_iwdL61rPza6il9BzAFHzG5clhBbeg6P2bxfJ3teyl9mcV6ei_5SRjxN8yBuv0p7PlzwO76gmh1GH4Nqiz_7sI3iFS6gS9tJ4GOGqWz-/s1600/shoe1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-81658748628372582712012-12-10T12:45:00.004-08:002012-12-10T12:45:54.739-08:00North Face Endurance Challenge Marathon<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been trying to figure out what to say about this race for the past week, when really all that needs to be said is this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">26.2 miles of rainy, hilly, muddy trails in 6 hours and 42 minutes equals a really big smile at the finish line.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOcRjsaNnZHB5tD-kf5JnahHVX31k40PewqpnZ4ppt9LZZUi866Pf_7XZDAcupLVTalaVDw6gYocmQ8BlPpWztje6yESvGft3HvuP6po42VALPMJRcwU0AYgN37hZQQXtAnEbLicmZnJ_/s1600/finish1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOcRjsaNnZHB5tD-kf5JnahHVX31k40PewqpnZ4ppt9LZZUi866Pf_7XZDAcupLVTalaVDw6gYocmQ8BlPpWztje6yESvGft3HvuP6po42VALPMJRcwU0AYgN37hZQQXtAnEbLicmZnJ_/s1600/finish1.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> (photo by <a href="http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/tam50k12/mladrillono" target="_blank">May</a>)</span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-38267113556205025942012-11-02T09:03:00.001-07:002012-11-02T09:03:21.365-07:00Running > Writing<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't been writing. I've always been a writer in that I love language and I love how seemingly random words can connect to tell a story. However, most of that writing takes place in my head, rather than on paper or on a computer screen. Does it still count as writing if it's not written down? No? Ok then, I am simply a story-teller who hasn't been telling her stories recently, but that doesn't mean I haven't been creating stories to tell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I haven't been writing but I have been running. I'm coming up on the last few weeks of my training for the North Face Endurance Challenge Marathon on December 1st. I have <a href="http://www.coastaltrailruns.com/lc_lake_chabot.html" target="_blank">several</a> <a href="http://www.brazenracing.com/DTAmain.html" target="_blank">upcoming</a></span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.insidetrail.com/ai1ec_event/mt-tam-trail-run/" target="_blank">races</a></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which I am using as training runs for <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/en_US/endurance-challenge/san-francisco-championship/?stop_mobi=yes" target="_blank">NFEC. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been having lots of lovely trail running adventures with friends over the past few months, and getting more confident about solo trail runs, especially those in areas where there have been recent mountain lion sightings and those that I don't finish until it's dark. Yes, I am a wimp about certain things!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's hoping November and taper time will bring me the added motivation and time to start writing a little more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-63924357778869619292012-04-27T10:11:00.002-07:002012-04-27T10:11:35.539-07:00Race Recap: Hollywood Half Marathon<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;">It's been almost a month since I ran the <a href="http://www.hollywoodhalfmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Hollywood Half Marathon; </a>hopefully I can remember the details!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;">I signed up for this inaugural race sometime last summer and had pretty much forgotten about it until March, when my friend Ashley reminded our group of runners about the fun outfits we had ordered to wear during the race. My first foray into the world of running skirts would be a short, red, sparkly one from <a href="http://www.team-sparkle.com/" target="_blank">Team Sparkle,</a> complete with rainbow striped leg-warmers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;">To be honest, I was a little hesitant to wear this skirt. Not only had I never worn a running skirt before, but this one was short! I had to wear it very low down on my hips so that it would be longer than the shorts underneath. However, after running 13.1 miles, I can honestly say that it was one of the most comfortable running outfits ever. It did not budge at all during the race, it did not chafe, or brush annoyingly on my thighs. In fact, I barely noticed that I was wearing it while I was running. Plus, it looked great in photos!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">pre-race with <a href="http://running4thereason.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Laura</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The race was Saturday, so A and I drove down Friday and headed right for the expo at Universal City. We waited in line for about 30 minutes just to get in to the Hilton for parking, and another 20 minutes for a parking spot. After the 6 hour drive, this was not fun, but we kept ourselves entertained. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The expo itself was pretty crowded, which was likely due to it being 4 pm the day before the race. We picked up my race shirt, bib, and were out of the expo within 15 minutes. We found our hotel in Burbank pretty easily, and then basically crashed. We found a pizza place that would deliver to our hotel room (it was amazing, but I can't remember what it was called) and had lights out by 9.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A was nice enough to wake up super early with me and drive me the few miles to Universal City for the 6 am race start (best race supporter ever!) She dropped me off about 5:30, and as I watched her drive away, I realized I had left my water bottle and GU in the car! Oops. Luckily, when I met up with <a href="http://running4thereason.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Laura,</a> she gave me her non-running water bottle, and I actually carried it through the entire race. This turned out to be a very smart idea, as the aid stations ran out of cups by the time I hit mile 7!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It was still dark when we started running, but already warm. I was comfortable in my tank top and short sparkly skirt. The first 1/4 mile of the race was within Universal City, and it was fun to run past all the shops and restaurants. Around mile 1, we hit some lovely downhills, and I think I just flew down them. Running downhill is pretty much my favorite thing ever, and I always have a goofy smile on my face. I was with <a href="http://running4thereason.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Laura</a> for the first mile or so, but lost her somewhere on the downhills. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All of a sudden I heard a familiar voice, and looked up to see Sammie speeding down towards me. She was running with another friend, pacing her to a PR, which she did successfully. I ran with Sammie and Shannon until about mile 6, as we cruised down Hollywood Boulevard chatting and people-watching. The course was an out-and back, so it was fun to see the front-runners flying back towards us as we headed out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">After the turn-around, I picked up the pace a bit as I was feeling pretty good. Miles 6-9 were at a sub-9 pace. It was getting really hot by this point though, and I was missing my GUs. Just after mile 10, there was an aid station handing out some brand of gel, and I have never been so happy to see an aid station before!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The last two miles of the race were back up-hill. I liked the downhill portion much better. There were a lot of folks walking. I just tried to keep a steady pace but definitely slowed way down here.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Then, the finish! Conveniently located next to a Starbucks, for my post-race iced coffee!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Post-race with Sammie, showing off our bling!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We had a bit of a walk back to the main part of Universal City from the finish line, but I think it did my legs good. A came and picked me up, and we went for an amazingly delicious brunch at <a href="http://www.patysrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Paty's</a> in Toluca Lake. Then, we headed out to Riverside to spend the rest of the weekend with some friends who live out there.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Overall, the weekend was a blast, and A and I even enjoyed most of our 12+ hour drive between the Bay Area and LA. The race was fun, and I liked being part of its first running. That being said, I don't think I'd make the drive South to run it again. However, if you are local, it's a very fun race.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-36231359660193944102012-03-20T20:29:00.000-07:002012-03-20T20:29:27.658-07:00Tales from the Trail<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Although I've only been training for <a href="http://www.headlands50k.com/" target="_blank">my first ultra-marathon</a> for about a month, I've learned a lot about trail running so far. Here's the top 10:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. I need to eat more on trail runs. While I can run 14 miles on the road fueled by only 2 GUs, the same rule doesn't apply on the trails. I haven't figured out the exact best formula for my body's needs, but what I've been doing so far isn't enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1a. When I am grouchy, not smiling, and saying things like "running sucks" this means I needed to eat about a half an hour ago, and didn't eat. My lovely teammates Jenn and Donna got to experience this on Saturday. I hope they'll still run with me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. What I used to refer to as "hills" are really just inclines. These are actual hills:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuSrn_aGKrEPznuS7YtT8tbhAGtU6eGlV02J2RrFR2RNXtrZNOStl87mdikMojEXgj7w_EosYk6J-vE2cIaOCW7RN7XpfPAArlKyLPMBA7606jJPyZegChP8h476QjL8NbE17TkW3-OEd/s1600/hill2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuSrn_aGKrEPznuS7YtT8tbhAGtU6eGlV02J2RrFR2RNXtrZNOStl87mdikMojEXgj7w_EosYk6J-vE2cIaOCW7RN7XpfPAArlKyLPMBA7606jJPyZegChP8h476QjL8NbE17TkW3-OEd/s320/hill2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, I ran up these hills. Also, photo credit belongs to my teammate and coach Brian L.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. Mud may slow me down, but as long as you don't fall in it, it's not so bad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. Running downhill is really, really, really fun. It's worth the super steep uphills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. I am sure that I will deny #4 many, many times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">6. There is (almost) no way to quit in the middle of a trail run. Each run starts at a trailhead, and that's where the car is parked. No one can drive down that trail and pick you up if you decide you don't want to finish the run. Also, there's no cell reception to call anyone to pick you up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">7. The woods are not full of wild animals or serial killers. I grew up in surburban New Jersey, and watch way too much <i>Criminal Minds.</i> I've usually been frightened when in the woods by myself, but the more trail running I do, the more I can let go of that fear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">8. My ultra teammates are really incredible. I'm inspired by the variety of endurance events many of my teammates have completed, and especially by the huge commitment they've made to <a href="http://www.teamintraining/sf.org" target="_blank">team in training.</a> Plus, they're lots of fun to train with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">9. Trail running can take you to beautiful places that are inaccessible except by foot or bike.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7uGX6qpBAhpgWfmz80GyzsanMvjAjtnju-stOWm9YR7DX540Mm0FmdkSu9d6WqAn-tpJmx1ecUwtiMABOSaehrTuqlvT9JbqVfrhl2ryC8_6IBbBr17oMFnhdVWCU7M1bBFBYKP1coMf/s1600/runner17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7uGX6qpBAhpgWfmz80GyzsanMvjAjtnju-stOWm9YR7DX540Mm0FmdkSu9d6WqAn-tpJmx1ecUwtiMABOSaehrTuqlvT9JbqVfrhl2ryC8_6IBbBr17oMFnhdVWCU7M1bBFBYKP1coMf/s1600/runner17.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> Again, photo credit to Brian L.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">10. There are no porta-potties in the woods. Not that I was really expecting any, but it's a different experience. Also, learning how to identify poison ivy and poison oak has been a very useful skill!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-9633347461804184982012-03-20T20:00:00.000-07:002012-03-20T20:00:16.236-07:00Where have I been?<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's been a while!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm still here. Still running. Still training for this <a href="http://www.pittsburghmarathon.com/" target="_blank">http://www.pittsburghmarathon.com/</a>. It's in 6 weeks. I'm excited. And nervous. But mostly excited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also, I've signed up for my next adventure. <a href="http://www.headlands50k.com/" target="_blank">My first ultra-marathon!</a> I'm running and fundraising again with my very favorite <a href="http://www.teamintraining.org/sf/" target="_blank">team.</a> Even though I haven't been blogging here, I've been writing a little bit about my ultra training experience over on my fundraising page:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/tam50k12/ultrakate" target="_blank">http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/tam50k12/ultrakate</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That's it in a nutshell. This weekend is the <a href="http://www.oaklandmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Oakland 1/2</a>, and I am looking forward to running with my friends and enjoying my local race. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Happy running!</span><br />
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</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-30820949790451413492012-02-14T11:40:00.000-08:002012-02-14T11:40:14.146-08:00Running: A Love Story<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, running. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You know, I can still recall the night when we first met. I was alone in my college dorm room, no doubt filled with some sort of young-adult angst. It was late at night, in the middle of an Ohio winter. I found myself leaving the warm comfort of my dorm, making my way down the hill to the track that I could just glimpse from my third-story room at the top of Leonard Hall. At that hour of night, the track was deserted, but a full moon gleamed overhead. Propelled by nothing more than my angst, I began running around the track, slowly at first, then working up to a full-out sprint. Round and round I went, tears from emotion and cold blurring my eyes until I could no longer see the red clay beneath my feet or my legs spinning beneath me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And running, even though you knew that I subsisted at the time on a diet of cigarettes, cheap beer and bean & cheese burritos, even though you knew that the most exercise I got was stumbling home from a north end campus party to my south end dorm, even though you knew that there was no earthly reason why I would be running and it would feel amazing, you wrapped me in that seductive embrace of yours and on that night, I flew.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our night of passion was short-lived, however, and I am sad to say that except for a few fleeting encounters on tree-lined country roads during my senior year (remember the autumn leaves? weren’t they glorious?) we wouldn’t meet again feet to road for another eleven years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Full confession here: I spent quite a lot of time with walking in those eleven years. Sure, walking and I had some good times, but walking was always better when someone else was present too. Walking was a great big snuggly fleece blanket – comfortable and safe. For a while, I was satisfied in my safe cocoon with walking, but eventually I realized just how much I missed you, running.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I tried, multiple times, to reconnect with you, to find that magic again. I would go out to the Marina, and get my legs moving, but something was different. My legs hurt, and I couldn’t breathe. Red-faced and panting, I’d try to catch you, but you were elusive, taunting and teasing from a place I couldn’t quite reach. And when I’d slow to catch my breath, walking would be there by my side. I was weak, and it was easier, to just reach for that familiar cocoon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One day, though something changed. I heard that a friend of mine on the other side of the country had been spending time with you, running, and that she had done something amazing – she completed a half-marathon. And I was jealous. Not of her accomplishment, but that she had found that connection with you that I longed to have. So, running, I know this is something I shouldn’t be too proud of, but I set out on a mission to make you mine. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a simple plan. I would register for my own half-marathon, and I would surround myself with people who supported me in my endeavor. Not only that, I would work towards a cause, running and raising money for cancer research.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let’s be honest here, running – between my new-found determination and my passion, you really didn’t stand a chance. I think you knew it too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You met me again in Sedona, two weeks before my half-marathon training officially started. Nervous with anticipation for what my training would bring, I rolled out of bed early even though on vacation, and laced up my running shoes. I went to the hotel lobby, had some coffee and Danish, and headed for the hills. I pounded up paths past deserted vacation homes, drawing closer to the red rock canyons lined with rocky scrub brush. I felt you behind me and around me, your warm wind on my face. Something inside me said that you were finally here to stay.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since then, running, we’ve had some wonderful times. Whether on roads or trails, short distances or long, you’ve brought that magic to nearly every run. Even though you deserted me in San Diego, you’ve more than made up for it. Sure, there’s been some black toenails, blisters and chafing, but there have been so many moments of pure joy that it makes the blisters worth it. You’ve stuck by me through achy shins, tendonitis, and weird foot problems. Most importantly, you’ve pushed me to go farther and faster than I ever thought possible, and you’ve taught me how to really believe in myself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Running, I am so glad that I found you again, and I don’t plan to ever let you go. Even if I can no longer run an 8 minute mile, or cover 26.2 miles, I want you by my side. Together, we accomplish beautiful things.</span><br />
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</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-20281006697894795842012-01-31T20:38:00.000-08:002012-01-31T20:38:14.227-08:00End of January Rambling<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm not entirely sure where January went! </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I remember New Year's, and Martin Luther King Day, and a fair amount of running as well. This month absolutely flew by. Tomorrow is February, and I am also halfway through the fourth week of this training cycle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Week 2 was pretty uneventful, although I ran my first marathon pace run (5 miles) and was mostly successful. I was sick for much of last week, but managed to recover and get my 10 miler in on Sunday. It went well, and I was pleased that my "easy" pace for my longer runs now seems to be a pace that less than a year ago was a struggle for me to maintain in a race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm looking forward to my speed workout tomorrow. I missed last week due to being sick. I actually enjoy speedwork. I think it's weird that I enjoy it as much as I do, because it's definitely hard and at times I hate it while I'm doing the workout. Yet I always anticipate the track workouts, and get so excited when I think about trying to run really fast. </span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-269109026979809572012-01-16T19:30:00.000-08:002012-01-16T19:30:10.314-08:00Week 1 Recap<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">These recap posts are really just for me to track my training. This week flew by, and I felt pretty good during most of my workouts.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><i>Monday</i></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cross training day. Went to spin class, 45 minutes. My spin class uses RealRyde bikes, which are stationary bikes that twist and turn, similar to real bikes. There's a lot more core work involved just to balance on these bikes, and the instructors usually make us do all sorts of turns. It's a great workout.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><i>Tuesday</i></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4 miles, easy. Pre-work morning run, rather uneventful.</span></span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Wednesday</i><i> </i></span></span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4.43 miles</span></span><u><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For months, I've been planning to attend the Speedy Demons track workout that my TNT coach, Coach Al, holds on Wednesdays at 6 am. And for months, I came up with one excuse after another to avoid going. I didn't want to be the slowest person, and getting up at 5 am is never fun. This week, I finally did it. And, it wasn't so bad. It was even a little bit fun. We did 4x800s with negative splits, and then ran a mile with 4 sets of steep stair repeats after each 1/4 mile. The stairs were not the fun part. I'm committing to attend this track workout every Wednesday for this training cycle. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><u>Thursday</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A last minute work trip had me departing SFO at 8 am and returning around 8 pm. I decided that I'd take <i><u></u></i>Friday's planned rest day on Thursday.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><u>Friday</u></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Realized that I did not account for Wednesday's mileage in my weekly total when creating the schedule, and since my weekend runs involved runs with other people, I ended up with a second non-running day on Friday. I did some stretching and core work instead.</span></span><br />
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<i><u><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Saturday</span></span></u></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><u> </u></i>5.5 miles</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joined the TNT Ultra-Marathon team for a run in Marin. The hilly course took us up into the Marin Headlands with amazing views of the ocean down below. Photos courtesy of Brian and May!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyPBqpV-JSb_imCi91EyP7huJeKbVwBp8MJBDAXOCW3SAkoSnAgrvvpZFs-h0UyX4uOSLTz2hgAmBhH9Ug4qx0M-yv5Pvlk8hk-eKXbdxYAPgC-KtZTyC31_LDQKMu3mHjYFZd47satwi/s1600/TVT1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyPBqpV-JSb_imCi91EyP7huJeKbVwBp8MJBDAXOCW3SAkoSnAgrvvpZFs-h0UyX4uOSLTz2hgAmBhH9Ug4qx0M-yv5Pvlk8hk-eKXbdxYAPgC-KtZTyC31_LDQKMu3mHjYFZd47satwi/s320/TVT1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7X09PsP9EHVo13Gk0ZqpCwnVu41kA67rWiqf8I5OxzgiI5NNQawkKGH7IJErOFsOty4w4UfNw4LY_0YlpHhndNnuomiu1Qx-QQ4OxxQUseAbLQRZAuoMozjWYHA2y_YgparJ_ZHIkQcq/s1600/TVT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7X09PsP9EHVo13Gk0ZqpCwnVu41kA67rWiqf8I5OxzgiI5NNQawkKGH7IJErOFsOty4w4UfNw4LY_0YlpHhndNnuomiu1Qx-QQ4OxxQUseAbLQRZAuoMozjWYHA2y_YgparJ_ZHIkQcq/s320/TVT2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><i>Sunday</i></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">10 miles.<u> </u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Several of my friends were running the Nike+ virtual half at Lake Merritt, and I joined them for 3 loops of the lake. I ran with my friend Sammie who kept me moving at a sub-10 minute mile pace. My legs were tired from Saturday's hilly run, so I really appreciated having someone else set the pace. I am sure I would have been slower on my own. I got to enjoy a post-run brunch with some wonderful running peeps afterwards, which always makes for a great run!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Week one down...17 more to go until Pittsburgh! </span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-30648228306108154142012-01-10T20:04:00.000-08:002012-01-10T20:04:01.665-08:00Doing Something Every Day That Scares Me<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This week, I started training for my fourth marathon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll be running <a href="http://www.pittsburghmarathon.com/">the Pittsburgh Marathon</a> on May 6th, 2012. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And (deep breath) I will be attempting to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Which means that I need to run 26.2 miles in 3 hours and 40 minutes. Just looking at those words on the screen is terrifying me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My goal here is not based on past performance in any way. My fastest marathon time is 4:56. Essentially, I will need to take 1 hour and 16 minutes off my marathon time in order to qualify for Boston. And probably more than that if I want to actually be able to <i>register</i> for Boston. (With the new qualifying times, folks who run faster than their qualifying time get to register first.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Running a 3:40 marathon is not going to be easy. I am not expecting that it will be easy. I keep telling myself that am prepared for the level of commitment and training that it will take to achieve this goal. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mostly, I'm scared. I threw out my first training plan because it scared and overwhelmed me. (<i>My second training plan is better anyway.</i>) I'm planning some track workouts with some super speedy people, and I just hope they don't laugh me off the track. (<i>Runners are nice. They wouldn't do that.</i>) I don't want to get injured. (<i>I know how to foam roll, ice, stretch and do yoga to help prevent injury.)</i> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What if I can't do it? What if I fail?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I don't want to be the kind of person who lets fear prevent her from doing something. I want to live with Eleanor Roosevelt's mindset, and "do something every day that scares you" </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I think about training to qualify for Boston, the thought that stands out above all else is this:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What do I have to lose by trying?</b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aside from a few hours sleep and maybe a toenail or two, I cannot come up with an answer to that question. So I'm going to try. I will do my long runs and tempo runs and interval workouts. I will tell the butterflies in my stomach that if they're going to hang out, they'd better use their wings to help me fly down the road. I will feel my fear, and I will do it anyway.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-40329575945818355912012-01-04T20:10:00.000-08:002012-01-04T20:10:20.114-08:00A Tale of Two Races<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C2idDIlhtLz0IUkydjLS6pwrtXP7I8Z1vN_NEpSzbPHJyItOrS3EyTufqEY1EBGNK6bHwridSZte0o2-VhJVyok89_l-I7ER8WDfbiKnclHc6rbziZvS9S6mdWB2wjf8KLH8Hv06DuD_/s1600/Brazen+Medals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C2idDIlhtLz0IUkydjLS6pwrtXP7I8Z1vN_NEpSzbPHJyItOrS3EyTufqEY1EBGNK6bHwridSZte0o2-VhJVyok89_l-I7ER8WDfbiKnclHc6rbziZvS9S6mdWB2wjf8KLH8Hv06DuD_/s320/Brazen+Medals.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Kicking off 2012 with some serious bling!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's funny how running can bring both the highest highs and the lowest lows. Ok, maybe that's just a <i>tad</i> dramatic. A great run can make me feel like I'm on top of the world, and then the very next run can toss a cold bucket of reality over my happy glow of accomplishment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNCQB6GQPzC0uicHB1o-ALYUTQY7PjksHJpXbsdQTSFFWlWqHIiGAmq6R8GC3fr8aUHUQs60yca49Hd5qII6doHM4okrTAIXZE-wQoRLoH7VXOt8vfu-I6iLulWoTY0W7asXohdLFhVAb/s1600/NYD1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNCQB6GQPzC0uicHB1o-ALYUTQY7PjksHJpXbsdQTSFFWlWqHIiGAmq6R8GC3fr8aUHUQs60yca49Hd5qII6doHM4okrTAIXZE-wQoRLoH7VXOt8vfu-I6iLulWoTY0W7asXohdLFhVAb/s320/NYD1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This past weekend, I ran <a href="http://www.brazenracing.com/">Brazen's NYE/NYD</a></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">runs - the 5K on NYE and the 10K on NYD. From start to finish, Saturday's 5K was a blast. As I was pulling into the parking lot, I spotting a running buddy I hadn't seen in a while. We went to pick up our bibs, then sat and chatted in my nice warm car until it was time for her to start the half-marathon. I wandered around a bit after that, ran into some more running buddies, and before I knew it, it was time to run!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The course for the 5K was and out-and-back on paved trail with some rolling hills. There were a few damp patches with some wet leaves, but overall pretty smooth. The first half went by quickly, as it was mostly downhill. On the way back, </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">a number of people shouted out hello, but I was pushing too hard to do more than wave.</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My lungs started to really burn </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">by the time I could see the finish line in the distance, and I nearly fell on my butt running over a short wooden bridge.</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Final finish time was 28:43 on a long (3.33) course. Turned out to be good enough for 3rd place in my age group! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was definitely riding a runner's high after that race. I couldn't stop grinning, and even declared I was going to wear my age group medal when I went out that evening (I didn't, but I thought about it)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After a New Year's eve filled with delicious Ethiopian food and spending time with great friends, it was time to head back to Lake Chabot on Sunday morning for Race # 2. There were far fewer runners overall on Sunday, but many more runner friends to see (by far my favorite part of these small local races!) A part of me wished I was running the 5K again, but I geared myself up and started the 10K with a small group of friends, planning to stay with them for the race. We </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">chatted and ran just under 10-minute miles for the first two miles, and it felt pretty good. Then, we hit the hills. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgSj9-TJszvjs020mAD0H4GITNm2gwwCorzFz3XoGm0pHpVf4gPhYO6TFnCCF8UPlUCJAO2k3LzicsEuvmORrzWWMQjYBn_Z7PCfetk5Fnd2EX_ie42jEU6QAft5_4oajVnWyt0SfJ7hk/s1600/Brazen1_2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgSj9-TJszvjs020mAD0H4GITNm2gwwCorzFz3XoGm0pHpVf4gPhYO6TFnCCF8UPlUCJAO2k3LzicsEuvmORrzWWMQjYBn_Z7PCfetk5Fnd2EX_ie42jEU6QAft5_4oajVnWyt0SfJ7hk/s320/Brazen1_2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jumping for joy that</span> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I made it to the top, and naively </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> thinking I was done with the hills</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Lake Chabot hills kicked my butt pretty thoroughly. I attempted to run for the first stretch of hill, but that didn't last long. The hills went on for all of mile 3 and most of mile 4. Even when I hit the turnaround and headed back down the hills, I found many of them too steep to run down. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By the time I was back on the paved trail, around mile 5, I found myself pretty much alone. I had fallen far behind my friends when we first hit the hills, but I was surprised that there weren't any other runners nearby. My legs were feeling the effects of the hills. I tried to get them to move more quickly but they just wouldn't do it. Finally just before mile 6 I met up with my friend Sammie and we ran it in to the finish. Official finish time was 1:10:xx.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I definitely felt disappointed afterwards. I would have liked to have finished faster, and I definitely would have liked to run vs. walk more of the hills. The events themselves were wonderful though. <a href="http://www.brazenracing.com/">Brazen Racing</a> puts on great races, they are so well-organized, and they have ice cream sandwiches at the finish, even in January. </span></span><br />
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</span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-2642668927520447962011-12-30T08:55:00.000-08:002011-12-30T08:55:18.971-08:00Reflections<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2010 was a hard year. I know, 2011 is the year ending, but it's impossible for me to properly reflect on 2011 without considering 2010. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I started 2010 in a job that I loathed, to the point where I would come home and cry because I worked with people who were horrible to each other and at times horrible to the patients. Luckily I found another job which I love and continue to love. Also in 2010, A and I made some very mature, grown-up decisions. They were the right decisions to make but meant letting go of certain dreams. A was laid off at the end of 2010, and we started 2011 with a great deal of uncertainty as to what the year would hold. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I didn't go into 2011 with any concrete goals. And I tend to define goals very specifically, where the culmination of that goal is that something has changed dramatically. I know it doesn't have to be defined like that, but it's how I've tended to do it in the past. Since 2010 and the beginning of 2011 were rather tumultuous, I felt like I needed 2011 to be a time of stabilization, rather than </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">bringing more dramatic changes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So what did I do? I ran (of course) but raced less. I focused on quality races rather than quantity, with a great deal of success. I had a marathon PR, a 5K PR in which I received 2cd place for my age group (I'm pretty sure there were only 2 of us in my age group as it was a tiny race) and <a href="http://baysiderunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/race-recap-zombie-runner-bay-trail-run.html">my sub-2-hour half marathon! </a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I completed my first triathlon and my first overnight relay race. I had one of my favorite Team in Training seasons with the awesome Team Driven, and made lots of new friends who I hope to keep in my life. A and I traveled to Wisconsin for a family vacation, and we spent a long weekend in Las Vegas with some of my college friends. We prepared ourselves and started to prepare our home for some life changing events that we hope to see in 2012 (more on that below).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2011 was pretty awesome, even without having any goals defined at the year's start. Going into 2012, I'm trying to keep that openness, and allow for exciting opportunity to come my way. Yet, as A pointed out to me the other day, I get bored when I am not challenged. Thus, I have created a big challenge for myself, which will take place during the first part of the year.</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.pittsburghmarathon.com/">Pittsburgh Marathon - May 6th, 2012</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have some big, crazy goals in mind, but that deserves its own post. Also, my parents are going to walk the 5K!</span></span></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That is going to be my sole athletic goal for the first half of 2012. I have some shorter races earlier in the spring, but they will be run as training for Pittsburgh. I haven't registered for anything after Pittsburgh either, but would like to do some trail running in the summer/fall. I am a city girl who hates being alone in the woods, so that will be a challenge!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm not scheduling much past May, as we are hoping to add to our little family by the middle of the year. And I have no idea what our lives are going to look like when that happens, but I'm pretty sure it will be amazing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm kicking off this holiday weekend with <a href="http://brazenracing.com/newyearseve.html">a back to back 5K and 10K</a>, followed by my very first Raiders game! </span></span><br />
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</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy New Year. See you in 2012!</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-85453832277295620842011-12-22T08:34:00.000-08:002011-12-22T08:34:24.245-08:00Race Recap: Zombie Runner Bay Trail Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagjlvifPBOzQFUEuX5Vc9LsFijYXGtpjLnA0G_btkfoAf0Z7Wt1UPjgqq9bwU2oIBwk9fdgq9K84ZMrnMFSuGNkJp61lSc7mgQXHmdqyGQiuEJG5ZxxAIDy_mVYST80CBM6T7L_EePMrF/s1600/Zombie2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagjlvifPBOzQFUEuX5Vc9LsFijYXGtpjLnA0G_btkfoAf0Z7Wt1UPjgqq9bwU2oIBwk9fdgq9K84ZMrnMFSuGNkJp61lSc7mgQXHmdqyGQiuEJG5ZxxAIDy_mVYST80CBM6T7L_EePMrF/s1600/Zombie2.JPG" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The above quote is my new favorite saying. I definitely disproved my mental liar on Sunday, and ran the most mentally focused race that I've ever run. But I should start from the beginning...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sunday dawned dark and cold as I made my way from the East Bay down to Palo Alto for the <a href="http://www.coastaltrailruns.com/bt_bay_trail.html">Zombie Run.</a> Bib pickup began at 7, and I arrived at 6:55. Being late stresses me out, and so the plan was to arrive early, grab my bib and hang out in the car for a while.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was able to park about 10 feet away from the bib pick-up, the bathrooms, and the start line (Reason #1 why small races rock!) Got my bib and my neon pink t-shirt, then hopped back in the car with the heater on.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">About 7:50 I saw <a href="http://ourfamilybm.shutterfly.com/teamladrillonoblog">two of my favorite ultrarunners </a>and went and chatted</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">for a bit. Then, exactly at 8 am we were off!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Miles 1-4</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The race course was primarily flat paved/packed dirt trail. I specifically chose this race because of that, as the terrain is similar to Point Isabel and the East Bay marinas where I do most of my long runs. The start was rather narrow but opened up quickly. The race organizers did a great job in keeping the number of participants proportional to the course size. Throughout the race, there were always other runners around, but the course never felt crowded (Reason #2 why small races rock!). I felt great for the first few miles, and they just flew by. I skipped the aid station at mile 2.5 and just drank my nuun and enjoyed the scenery.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Miles 4-8</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Somewhere around mile 5, I came up on a runner who looked so much like my friend David from the back that I did a double take. His hair, his running attire (except for the fuel belt) and even his form where nearly identical. So for a while I pretended that he was David, and he became my speedy rabbit just pulling me along the trail. I was still feeling good at this point. I hit the turnaround at mile 6.5-ish around 57 minutes and was happy to be on track for my time goals. The mantra in my head this whole time was "sub2 sub2" and that kept me motivated.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Miles 8-13.1 </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The one hill on the course came around mile 8 or 9. It was short but steep, and my lungs were hurting once I reached the top. It had been 35 degrees when we started, and although it was very sunny, it was still really cold during the race. I had two long sleeve tops on, and wore them both for the whole race.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Around mile 10 was when the race got really, really hard. I kept looking at my garmin trying to make sure I was still on track with my times. I also realized that I forgot my second gu, which I had planned for mile 9. I took the gu, which helped for a bit, but my head just really wanted to stop. My legs still felt good, but my lungs were not happy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hit the last aid station around mile 12, and when I held out my water bottle to get it filled up, one of the volunteers took both the bottle and the cap from me, then proceeded to fill it slowly. I was so tired at this point that I nearly screamed at him. I had just wanted a quick splash of water in the bottle! I knew I only had a mile to go, so I just pushed on. I had this voice in my head yelling at me to stop or slow down, and it was very hard not to listen to it!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally I turned a corner and could see the finish line up ahead. As I got closer, I realized May (who ran the 5-miler) was there with her kids cheering and taking pictures. She took this one as I ran towards the finish:</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDOv__M9rLsdbJjS3_QuJzLaSXUg8Y0arjpNdQ2d6pgGAWJwLKFFy_LuiJPaJciAKCWkveqk-mXDkNxHzjtRghy_nSL3IWITBpRV67S0MTkbEqOmwW4bJE8WAGO7M0K6Abpax5MZM1MYM/s1600/Zombie%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDOv__M9rLsdbJjS3_QuJzLaSXUg8Y0arjpNdQ2d6pgGAWJwLKFFy_LuiJPaJciAKCWkveqk-mXDkNxHzjtRghy_nSL3IWITBpRV67S0MTkbEqOmwW4bJE8WAGO7M0K6Abpax5MZM1MYM/s320/Zombie%2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> If you enlarge the picture, you can see the clock time. I was so thrilled to see a 1 on the left side of the clock!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was not a chip-timed race, so my official finish time was my clock time: 1:59:42. Also, I was 7th out of 28th in my age group (Reason #3 small races rock!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They had some very yummy soup at the finish line and lots of other treats, none of which I sampled as I was too busy hovering over the lady with the soup. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a great race, and I'm not just saying that because I PR'd, although that helps. The race staff and volunteers were great, and the whole race seemed really well put-together. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrunmnYPHeRXmQKoUaCQbZTNEO3JHg8tiJrHm6dlEMjdPJPe9uUb1CfxGnex3z4b3PiRVjbFNMVe-SPAvZtLVnYOJH7hr9Z9OwZqm0kLq4YtIw5i-pFjR_OJDmA70tniZ_3RRYOQg9Us0/s1600/zombie3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrunmnYPHeRXmQKoUaCQbZTNEO3JHg8tiJrHm6dlEMjdPJPe9uUb1CfxGnex3z4b3PiRVjbFNMVe-SPAvZtLVnYOJH7hr9Z9OwZqm0kLq4YtIw5i-pFjR_OJDmA70tniZ_3RRYOQg9Us0/s320/zombie3.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Happy zombie runners: May, Brian, Me, and Ron who rocked his first half-marathon!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-27962649739473055482011-12-08T15:48:00.000-08:002011-12-08T15:48:33.035-08:00Wanting it All<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Over the past few days, I've been trying to plan my racing and training calendar for 2012. I'm also trying to avoid a situation in which I frequently find myself. I call it being a race junkie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usually, it starts with a well-intentioned post on Facebook about a really exciting upcoming race. Perhaps the medals are the size of your head, or there's a new course that's flat, fast and PR-friendly. Then, the comments begin. Friend after friend writes that they're registering for the race, that they're so excited, and that there will be costumes and parties and post race mimosas! Before long, there is the realization that every single runner-friend you have will be running this race, and you will be missing out if you don't sign up right this second.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And there is nothing wrong with that scenario. In fact, it is completely awesome and one of the things that I love about my running community. My problem is that it happens frequently, and I hate to miss out. I mean I really hate to miss out. And I love to run. When I combine the two, I end up with bunches and bunches of races on my calender. Which I also love. However, my wallet and the rest of my life really hate it. Also, it gives me less time to focus on goals, and decreases the chance that I might reach those goals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So I'm trying to be realistic. I'm trying to pick only the races that I really, really want to run and to have very specific goals that will be attached to those races. Of course, I've already registered for three half marathons in 2012: <a href="http://www.oaklandmarathon.com/site10.aspx">my hometown race</a>, <a href="http://www.napa2sonoma.com/">the race that sells out in three hours</a> and <a href="http://www.usrahalf.com/Events/Tracy_Half_Marathon.htm">the very fun race that all my friends will be running.</a> I have <a href="http://www.pittsburghmarathon.com/">a spring marathon</a> in mind for early May, and <a href="http://www.brazenracing.com/newyearrun.html">a New Year's Day 10K.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am not allowing myself to register for anything else that takes place before July. Is there a nicotine patch for race registrations???</span><br />
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</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-86313848039949112942011-12-01T20:19:00.000-08:002011-12-01T20:20:51.275-08:00One More Month<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the beginning of 2011, I had many running/athletic goals that I wanted to accomplish this year. My personal favorite was the completion of my first sprint triathlon!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7MGtxvaoj1Z2QRQM0tnea3PYU2UHhfDqKV3Z8P5CooVtZZLFFwiW7JstBHB9J_b5vggRRNLUyOnFXlTfnmiixO6f3-B8Fo2dxpia90hnwcgeLVIK8eNalqAPeGOurC4M0EUoNPDwcG8y/s1600/tripic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7MGtxvaoj1Z2QRQM0tnea3PYU2UHhfDqKV3Z8P5CooVtZZLFFwiW7JstBHB9J_b5vggRRNLUyOnFXlTfnmiixO6f3-B8Fo2dxpia90hnwcgeLVIK8eNalqAPeGOurC4M0EUoNPDwcG8y/s320/tripic1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I finished and I won the post race eating contest! It's hard to tell in the picture, but there are two burritos under that banana! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The goal that has so far eluded me all year, though, is the sub 2:00 half marathon. I trained last winter and spring to run the Oakland 1/2 Marathon, but injured myself shortly before the race, ran the race anyway, went out way too fast, then crashed and burned around mile 10. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was signed up for a 1/2 marathon in July, but my tri training took over my life, and I decided to pace a friend for her PR rather than shoot for my own. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then came marathon training and the Nike Women's marathon, leading me to December, and one final race to attempt my sub 2:00 goal for the year - <a href="http://www.coastaltrailruns.com/bt_bay_trail.html">The Zombie Runner Bay Trail Race.</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm either going to kick some Zombie butt, or be a Zombie. Hope it's the first one!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-85887313015516212142011-11-29T08:59:00.000-08:002011-11-29T08:59:41.111-08:00Turkey TrotOn Thanksgiving, I got to run my favorite race of the year - Brazen Racing's Nitro Turkey Trot. <a href="http://www.brazenracing.com/nitroturkey.html"></a><br />
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I first ran this race in 2009 just because I loved the location. I got up, went to the race, ran the 5K, and drove home, all without saying more than a word or two to another person. By the time the 2010 race rolled around, I found myself as part of a running community, and had so many runner friends to enjoy the race with. So of course I was excited for this year's race, and to be running with so many of my favorite running buddies.<br />
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I was so excited for the social aspect of this race that I hadn't really given any thought to the actual running part, and while waiting for the race to start my friend David asked me what my goal time was. I told him I was just running for fun, not shooting for a PR. About 45 minutes later, I would find myself really regretting those words.<br />
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It was a slightly drizzly morning, and the trails were a little muddy, but the run itself was beautiful. After finishing the 5K, I of course headed straight for some coffee and pumpkin pie, then went to watch all the 10K runners come in.<br />
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I then went with some of my speedy friends to check the race results. My friend David got 1st in his age group for the 5K, and one of my TNT coaches got 1st in her age group as well as second overall woman! She is a speeding bullet!<br />
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I checked my result and was really surprised to find that I was fourth in my age group. My finish time was 31:08 - not what I expect to see as a fourth place finish time. When I checked the time for the first place finisher in my age group, I was really surprised to find that her time was 28:xx. It was at this point that I started kicking myself for not at least attempting to PR, as my 5K PR is nearly two minutes faster than that. Not that I necessarily WOULD have PR'd, but at least I would know that I tried.<br />
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Now I have a new challenge for myself - enter as many Brazen 5K races as possible and try to get an age group win. And I guess I'd better work on my speedwork too!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156290731497812816.post-18926256620690556962011-11-23T14:59:00.000-08:002011-11-23T15:02:50.605-08:00<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've been a runner for a little over two years, and enjoy reading running blogs. I thought I'd try this out as I gear up for my next training cycle in January.</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960916693217255635noreply@blogger.com0