200 Miles

I made it to 200 miles on my run this morning!!!

YEAH!

Joggin' with the Dog

Changed my layout again. It just didn't feel right! It may happen one or two more times, but eventually I'll get it!

Today, I went to Reid Park with my mom and the two dogs. I was hoping to run with my pup, Sookie, but since it was 10am it was a little too warm for her (It's Tucson, go figure). So, we ended up running a little up the track and then back to my mom and our other dog, Ellie. We did this around the entire Reid Park, which is roughly about 3.1 miles, but the running ahead and backtracking added a little more.

Miles: 4.19

Time: 1:34

Avg Pace: 22:35

I didn't pause my Nike+ when we took water breaks and when I was walking, so the pace is really slow. We want to try and do this loop once a week. I was trying to talk my mom into running a 5k eventually (hopefully Race for the Cure this April). We'll see. :

After taking Sookie out today, I realized again (for like the 50th bazillion time) how hard it is to run with a dog. Or maybe it's just my dog. Either way, it was tough. She kept zig-zagging across my path, slowing down smell something, speeding up to catch a rollerblader or another dog, and when she got really stubborn/tired, she would just stop and sit down. What a pain!! I hear about all these other dogs and their owners having a great time running! And here I am, with an ADD/world's most stubborn/lazy dog.

After our run

Pooped pup

I read the Runners World section on running with dogs  and took some advice on how to start out running with dogs. I started slow with her, only took her running for about 10-15 minutes a few times a week. And I thought as I worked with her on this, she'd eventually build up endurance. Granted, I don't live with her (yet) which makes it harder to train her, but I thought she'd get the idea.

Well, she hasn't yet, but I'm hoping it won't take too long before I can run a little farther with her. Especially since it's cooling down. I may head up to Mt. Lemmon and go trail running with her sometime. But before we do that, she definitely needs some more training.

And speaking of Mt. Lemmon, tomorrow is the Mt. Lemmon Marathon! I will not be running it, as it's said to be the worlds toughest road marathon. But I will be volunteering. I get to wake up at 2:30am tomorrow morning (hello sleeping pills) and help load the marathoners on the buses. Then, I get to ride up with them to the base of the mountain, change cars, ride up with the event organizer to the top and start handing out t-shirts and medals. Tomorrow should be a very exciting day. Supposedly, Bart Yasso (Runner's World Chief Running Officer) is running it. So, maybe I'll get a chance to meet him and usher him onto the bus. How cool!

Off to get some homework done and then I'm going to sleep at 6pm...oh boy.

Have great rest of your weekend!

Ragnar on the Brain

All I can think about lately is the Ragnar Relay! I think about it when I'm running, while I'm biking to school, at work and so on. It's on the brain, that's for sure. And recently, I achieved what I thought was going to be pretty much impossible: find 11 people to run this with me.

Coincidently, my Daily Mile friend Kevin had the same idea. I talked to him about it and I wrote a note on DM and wall-ah! A relay team. A whole team in under a week! We were aiming for tomorrow, at the latest, because we wanted the early registration price. And we got it. OH YEAH.

So, my team is registered and ready go. Most of us want to run it right now. We are so excited. :)  Thanks Daily Mile for being awesome.

Our current team consists of 6 girls, and 5 guys (we have one slot sort of open, it keeps jumping between people, but we already paid, so there's no turning back!). 

The next step we're taking right now is looking for vans. Many of the rental vans in the area are already sold out for that weekend. That's so crazy. It's in February and the early registration date hasn't even passed. I can imagine the kind of people I'm going to see at the race (awesomely crazy people?).
The next step I want to take is picking who runs which legs. There are 12 runners and each runners run 3 legs, of varying distance. I really really really want to be Runner #1. This runner will run the hardest leg of the course (according to the Ragnar website) of 8.3 miles on an incline that rises 400 feet. I'm not afraid. I'll step up and take on this leg, as for the other two I'll have. I can do it!

Okay, that's all for now. I save more details for later. And I'll let you know the outcome of who gets what leg. Friday is almost here!!!

Columbus Day = My Lifesaver

So, yesterday didn't work out. I was planning to run the Phoenix Race for the Cure with my sister Sunday morning. Unfortunately, the night before, we stayed up late with her friends playing Settlers of Catan (a board game) eating cookies and having a drink or two. BAD idea before a race. Joann woke up feeling sick to her stomach and I felt a little dizzy. My guess is that since we knew it was only 3 miles we could do it on lack of sleep, sugar highs, etc.

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Get plenty of sleep and eat well before a race. No matter the distance. Basically, we showed you what not to do.

I was tired that whole day too. What a bummer. But I did get to hang out with my sister and her family. So, at least there was an upside. :)

Fast forward to today. I get up at 6 (okay 6:15, darn that snooze button!), get ready and head off to work. I get to work and see that no one is in the parking lot. Okay weird, I think, but think nothing more of it. I go in, sign in, and de-arm the workroom. I get to my desk and start entering worksheets. After a while, I look up and see an email attached to the top of my desk, highlighted. Thinking it's a note my boss left me about turning off the lights in the repository or something like that, I semi-ignore it, but then become too curious. I pull it down and it's a note about the holidays for the building. And guess what day is on that list? Columbus Day, October 11th. Off to the right it says no student work, sorry. Sorry? That's it? That's all you have to say to me? The building arms up every hour, on the hour, on holidays. So, basically, I had to get out of there at 8:00 or else it was going to go off. And it was almost 8.

Luckily for me, someone else set it off at 7:45 and that gave me time to gather my stuff together. However, before I could get out of there, the maintenance man came in and told me I should probably leave. How embarrassing. I really wish my bosses told me on Thursday that I wouldn't have to wake up early on Monday to come in to work. Would have been really helpful. UGH.

 Anyway, I decided that Columbus Day is my lifesaver because I didn't have to work. And that means I had time for something else. Running! I had 5 hours to kill before classes so I decided to get a 6 miler in before I went to school. And it worked out perfectly because by the time I got home I was already completely awake (no sleeping in for me today!) and I got home early enough that it wasn't too hot. I was dying for time for a run like this and I'm so grateful for this day!

I decided to run down to the U of A, lap around Old Main and come back home for a total distance of 6 miles. But, I was so happy that I finally had some time to run a good distance, I added a few more streets to make it a total of 7.2 miles!

Miles: 7.20
Time: 1 Hour and 23 Minutes
Avg Pace: 11'33"

I felt really good...mentally. However, physically was a different story. Around mile 4, the left side of my chest began to hurt so badly! It became hard to breathe and I had to take a few walking breaks. I stretched a little to see if that would do the trick, but nothing. I am full of mysterious pains lately. Hopefully this one won't come back. It really hindered by running and hurt for about half an hour after I cooled down. Otherwise, this run was awesome!!

I got home and enjoyed a bowl of Moroccan Chickpea Bisque with dill weed and olive oil and a side of warm wheat tortilla. Tasty! I would have taken a picture, but I was so hungry and it was so good! Next time I'll snap a quick photo before I scarf it down. :)

My Ragnar Relay team update will have to wait for another post. We have a team and a theme! 

Is There A Fast Forward Button On This Thing?

And by thing, I mean life. And by fast forward, I mean to this weekend. I have quite a few fun things planned (maybe more things than the weekend has time for) to get me pumped up again. :) It is October  which = my favorite month…for now (not my birthday month but I don’t particularly like the month I was born in…it’s too cold to do anything!). There’s so much to do in the fall, especially when you live in the desert. Fall means cooler temps which (for me) means more hiking, running and basically any outdoor activity. Awesome. And this year, I have a whole new way to celebrate my favorite time of year…racing! 

First off, I am running a race this weekend! Nothing like a race to get me pumped up again. :)

Joann @ Teach. Mom. Run. (my sister!) convinced me to drive up to Phoenix (she knows I can't pass up a good race, even in the midst of school/work overload craziness) and run with her in the Race For The Cure. I love races with a cause, especially something that effects so many people. I recently found out (at my last Race For The Cure in April) that my grandmother was diagnosed with it. I never knew this! My sister told me it was probably because I was young. I figured no one wanted to trouble a kid with something so horrible. And then it just never came up again. Until last April. So, now I feel way more connected to this race and its cause. I'll let you know how it goes, of course.

This Friday night, I'm doing something really spooky. I'm getting together with a few friends and going to a haunted house! It's called Slaughterhouse and it has a really interesting location. The Tucson Screamers (our local haunted house operators) took over an old...wait for it....slaughterhouse. So, this old, abandoned slaughterhouse (called Farmer Johns) has now been transformed into a HUGE haunted house. AWESOME. I'm excited to go and I plan to take a lot of creepy photos (unless I'm too scared to take out my camera). 

This is what it used to look like. 

Lastly, for my activities this weekend is an extra credit geology field trip with my class. Not too exciting for the running world, but very exciting for someone who loves rocks. Like me. We'll be collecting samples in the field and crushing them later in the rock lab (sounds way cooler than it probably is). 

Now, I'm really REALLY excited for this announcement. That's why I saved it for last. 

RAGNAR RELAY!!!

That's right. Ragnar Relay Del Sol is almost here (or at least the early registration date is).
A team is forming and I'm in it and we need your help.
We need more runners.

Here's the quick and dirty version:
---Teams of 15.
---202 miles from Wickenburg to Tempe.
---Each runner will run three legs ranging between 3 to 8 miles.
---About 24 Hours.

That's the scoop so far! I'll put up some more details later.

Finally (I swear this is it), I went for a quick run today on the mill. I had about 20 minutes of free time and I took it!

Miles: 2.4
Time: 23:00
Avg. Pace: 9:36

It felt pretty good using my time wisely. :)

A Bad Week For Running

Life can be busy, especially when you throw running into the mix. I’ve been slowly discovering this the hard way. As my plate fills up, it seems that running is the one thing really pushed off to the side. And this depresses me. Mainly because it’s the only thing that’s really only for me. My other activities involve others and I think that great (I don’t want to be a hermit), but I always end up putting ‘me’ time on the back burner.Not healthy. I never really had a desire to be alone. I love being surrounded by people, they make me happy! :)  But I have become so busy that I’m sort of craving a few good run with just my iPod and myself (good times). I’m currently eyeing the Tucson Mountains for some alone time. They’ve been calling my name for awhile now. 

The Tucson Mountains

This week, I only ran 0.66 miles. I pushed myself to get out the door, but I lacked the drive that would help me tackle the distance, so I headed back. I just wasn’t feeling it. I’m disappointed with myself about this run as well as another important issue: The RnR Arizona. I was planning on running the full marathon this January, but then realistically took a look at my training and how I’ve been doing. Truthfully, it doesn’t look good. I got behind when I went to the UK (running is hard to do while traveling!!) and I missed some very important long runs. So, I backed out of the marathon and signed up for the half instead. The half is also an excellent goal, but I was so psyched to run the marathon. Instead, I am aiming to run the full marathon at RnR San Diego this coming June! That gives me another full semester to train. I basically just need more time to train and to dedicate more focus on running. I would also like to join a running group to help me with my training which is something I should have done this year (I need all the help and motivation I can get!). 

So, yes, this week was a bad week for running, but I’m ready to get the most from it and learn from my mistakes. I’m determined to run a marathon (damn it!) and I will! 

“Running is a big question mark that’s there each and everyday. It asks you, “Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?”

                                                                                ---Peter Maher

The 1st Annual Sabino Canyon Classic Race Recap

This was definitely one of my favorite races (so far). I have a few reasons for this. First of all, it was in Sabino Canyon and that = beautiful in my mind and a great place to host a race. Secondly, I really tried to race this one. I didn't hold back near the end (even though it got tough) and I finished strong. This is definitely an improvement for me, considering the last two races. I felt more confident with this one. Another reason is that my sister ran it with me (this is always a good thing). :)  Lastly, I got a great race photo!

Okay, on to the details.

I woke up at 4am which did not make for a happy Chance. He wakes up whenever I wake up (light sleeper) so this was inevitable. I did feel bad though considering he was going to meet me at the race later so he could sleep in...whoops. Anyway, I woke up (groggy, only 5-ish hours of sleep) and went to pick up my mom and my sister. We got to the race about 5:20 ish (?) and Joann and I picked up our bib and our goodies. BTW, I love goodies. :)

Joann showed me some active stretches such as the can-can dancer one (what is this called??) and butt kickers (I like to make up names obviously). It was still pretty dark outside and a little chilly. Yes, chilly, in Tucson, in September. I swear it was. It was like 5am! 

Joann and I stretching.

After we stretched (and got some looks...it looked silly, I'll admit it) we used the restrooms (not porta potties, yay!) over and over again. Why does this always happen before a race?? I swear I go once and usually I'd be fine, but 5 minutes later my body is saying, "quick, just one more time!".

After our repetitive bathroom trips, we headed over to the start of the race. It was a pretty good size crowd for the first annual.





I made Chance and my mom take a few quick photos of us before we got situated...



....and then we were off! *(I should mention that the course used to be 4 miles, but a few days before the race there happened to be a very large sinkhole on the bridge we were going to use, thus the extra distance)* The course was flat at first and then it took a right...right into the hills from hell. Okay, they weren't that bad, but very hard if you don't have too many hills to train on around your house. Joann and I stayed together for about two miles (maybe, more or less). Then we came up on another hill (ugh, those darn hills) and Joann wanted to walk. I had a lot of energy at this point (energy drink a while back?) so I tried to push her. I made sure she didn't want to come and then I was off. My goal was to just keep running (especially up those hills). 

I remember passing certain people and then slowing down and they passed me and I sped up and passed them again...this went on and on like a game. I'm not sure if I should feel bad or what?

I pushed myself really hard on the hills and only let myself walk flat parts. I did really like the downhill aspect to hills though. Downhill is fantastic! I just let myself fly down the hill.

 I hit 3 miles when the sun started to come up. The cool morning air had felt so good! But I was almost finished so I pushed myself and kept replaying "All the Small Things" on my ipod to keep me going. 

I remember seeing the photographer and straightening out my earphone cord and my shirt so I wouldn't look so awful. Funny, I know. 



I was not too far away from the finish when I decided to just sprint it. I wanted to see if it would have made a difference in my place, which it almost did. I ended up being the 201st finisher. Had I passed the lady in front of me, I would have been a nice even number. Darn. 
Time:  49.31
Miles:  4.5
Avg Pace:  11:00

Place Overall:  201
Place in Age Division:  16th

I remember thinking how hard that race was when I finished. And it was, because Joann thought so too. Joann came in about 4 minutes after me. I'm very impressed with her, considering she didn't run for the past month. Great job Joann! Thanks for running with me!!

This is me finishing. You'll have to find me though. :)




Joann has a much better finishing photo. Am I right?





Our finishing tech tees.

Modeling our tech tees.

Afterwards, we got a free mexican breakfast ( scrambled eggs, beans, a tortilla, and salsa) and free leg massages. = awesome! (Why didn't I get pictures of this stuff?)

Overall, I really liked this race, I had a great time and I hope to do it again next year!! :)

Have a great end of September!!