What Works for Me

Last year, my husband encouraged me to begin running.  I was thirty pounds over weight, my cholesterol was crappy, and my self esteem was low.  He started me out by doing 2 miles at my own pace.  I couldn't even jog a half a mile without being winded.  I literally made grunting & winded sounds.  At that time, we had been doing P90x and somewhat of a diet.  This only made my arms and thighs bigger. Running changed all this.  In about 3 months I had worked up to 3 miles.  It felt good.  This is my Forest Gump moment: I decided why not run a longer distance?  So I did just that!  It was a natural progression.  My weight began to come off.  The diet I adhere is low carbohydrates with little to no carbs for dinner.
Now I get excited about up coming races.  I'll be doing the San Diego Petco Half in March 2012.  It's going to be huge and I can guess it will be hard to keep good pace on this one too.  Most importantly, the race will be fun with great friends!

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Tri-City Medical Carlsbad Half Marthon 2012

Fantastic!  I got there 2.5 hours before the half marathon started & parked near the port-potties; great advised from a friend who runs marathons & has race this one in the past.  This is my second half marathon.  For breakfast, I have a half of peanut butter sandwich.  I'm not a huge fan of protein bars.  There's some sorta weird after taste to most of them.   At about 7:00, I head to the Expo tent to stay warm.  This event is huge & there are gobs of runners.  It smells like wet dog in there.  Around 0715, I head for the start line. 






I forget I hadn't stretched!  No problems, there's plenty of time.  I'm in wave 5.  It's about 48 degrees outside.  I wore a head warmer, running jacket, light weight long sleeve, running skirt; thanks http://www.runningskirts.com/,  no under layers, & gloves.  Hahaha I'm ridiculously nervous for no reason.  The headband mushes my forehead, but it keeps my ears warm :)  Before the race started there was a lot of guys running up onto the hill next to the road. I figured out pretty quickly what they were doing & ewwwwwwwww! Look away! Look away!


My tunes are all fast tempo songs to keeps my pace going.  The event is well organized for this many people.  I LOVE California for the weather & most of us are very laid back attitudes. Especially runners. These guys made everyone smile!

About 15 minutes after the elite runners start, my wave moves up & off we go!  The scenery is amazing!  The first 3 miles take me through a residential area.  There are a lot of hills.  I had been considering signing up the the La Jolla Half Marathon, so I had changed my running schedule to focus on running nothing but hills.  The new training schedule worked!  The website for the Carlsbad Marathon/half states:
The marathon course is rolling. Much of it is along the beautiful Pacific Ocean. The highest point of elevation is 308 feet above sea level reached gradually between miles 5 and 9. 
My posted pace split time at 6.6 miles is 1:11:50 Pace: 10:53. At the 5th mile is a large steady hill, difficult for about 1 mile, then continues up through the 6.6 turn.  I didn't need a watch to tell me I was going slower, but I kept going.  I had already mentally prepared at mile marker 8, I will need to begin picking up the pace.  The Silver Strand Half Marathon is flat compared to this course.  The challenge was accepted & conquered!  It's hard to keep a steady pace because runners are EVERYWHERE!  I had to run around people constantly throughout this race or run slower. At the 5 mile and the 8th mile I take a BLOK.  

 Mile markers are hard to see and it could of been because of all the runners. The wind wasn't bad & the weather stayed cool.  My gloves came off pretty quick at the 2nd mile & my head warmer & jacket came off at the 8 mile marker.  Who wouldn't love looking and see beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean as you run?  There's a large down hill through the 10 mile.  Race information stated there would be water stations about every 2 miles, but it seemed like there was more.  As miles 11 came up, two guys ran with large flags one of the United States & the other of USMC go running by!  How's that for motivation!  I finished the race:
Overall: 3885 out of 7269
Women: 1850 out of 4289
F 40-44: 293 out of 664
Age/Grade: 51:50%  Place: 3207
Finish/Tag time: 2:14:53 Pace: 10:18

At the finish line, my friend surprised me by being there to congratulate me!  I was so shocked & happy!  I even teared up!  Thank you Ann. She took this photo of me.  Can't wait until next year!!! 

Carlsbad Half Marathon Expo 2012

My daughter & I head out to Oceanside, California to the Carlsbad Marathon/Half  Expo.  My daughter points out it's raining, she may get car sick, & my husband & I share a lead foot. I've rationalize this is her way of telling me she doesn't want to go.  Tough love right?

The Expo & starting line are at the Westfield shopping mall. There is an area outside the tent where you locate your bib number before entering. The lists are in alphabetical order and we figure out my bib number pretty fast. Lots of people are taking a picture of their number with their cell phones. I have no idea why. Quick turn into the large tent, there are tables to pick up the bib/timer chips.

I am handed the bib and no shirt. This is my second half marathon and I didn't attend the Silver Strand Expo. The Expo is a smaller version of the Del Mar Fair. The http://www.runningskirts.com/ are there. I will tell you what I tell my husband, I'm a girl. I like girl things! Love these skirts!

In the back of the tent you pick up marathon/half shirt. They are pretty cool with breathable material.  I think they were put in the back to get you walk through the Expo.

Running Motivation

Motivation is always a struggle. Weight loss, is the reason I run, but doesn't motivate me to get up, get dress, put my shoes on, pull my hair back, open the door, step outside, & begin running. Whether I run in the morning or I run in the evening, I just have to simply go. Got a sore knee? Just go. Got a headache? Just go. Not feeling it? Just go. So I start by stretching to get my mind set on my goals. Dallas & Cowboy give me kisses to help motivate me!

Carlsbad Half Marathon 2012 Crunch Time

It's the final stretch to the Carlsbad Half Marathon.  This is my second half marathon.  So when do the butterflys go away?  After the 3rd or 4th half marathons?  I would like to say I'm no longer worried about finishing, but anything can happen! For my first half marathon, I peed about 4 times before the race.  Thank goodness for all the porta-potties.  This Saturday, the morning of my long run, I woke up with gastritis.  I did go for my run and finished my target miles, but I should have went back to bed.  I'm still trying to learn when to just say "it's okay, take the day off" and listen to my body. It's a working progress.

Let's talk Cherry!

Cherry flavored Chap Stick has saved my lips this winter.   I buy a lot of these.  They are stored in every vehicle, at work, & in my purse.   It's stores easily in my running bra during my long runs.   I've tried to replace it with lip gloss but it's too sticky. Cherry Chap Stick is a wonderful small pleasure & the shizzle!

Christmas Present

My Christmas present from my step daughter!   The book covers how to train for a full marathon.  I've find myself thinking about doing a full.  The book is very clear on how it's a huge commitment.  Right now my training for half marathons come second to my family.  This means a lot of late night training.  All I can say is that I'll think about it. :)

Happy New Years!

Thanks you for stopping by.  This is my first post.   As I began to run, I found the best advice and information came from blogs!  In each blog there was a wealth of information from people with real life experiences.  I'll keep posting and use this a vice to keep myself out of the refrigerator!  These are my chocolate labs, Dallas & Cowboy!