Shades Of Normal

The past week was closer to normal for me. As far as volume goes anyway. Speed...not so much. It's a little frustrating but I guess I can't expect miracles, eh?

I was really happy that I was in good enough shape to get back to run commuting since it poured on Wednesday and Friday. I took it slow and easy and shorter than I had been doing. On Wednesday, I ran as the crow flies and did 5.5 miles before work. I felt good after so ran the long way home - 7 miles. On Friday, I ran a roundtrip of 12.5 miles again. Because, you know, I can't knowingly leave my mileage at a half for the week. It's okay if each run is .1 or .2 over but .5 just bugs me. I don't know why. It's a thing.

On Saturday, I decided not to run trails because of the rain and snow so I rode my bike over to Bonelli and ran the path along the lake's edge. We called it Puddingstone when I was growing up and I always liked that name better. It was a cold day but pretty.


This is the route for the Turkey Trot 10K I do so I like to run it a few times a year to remind my legs what it's like. Bonus for the day was watching an osprey dive bomb the water and come up with fish right in front of me.

Stats for Saturday were 13 miles on the mt bike to Bonelli, a 10 K run, then 13 home (w/a bit of a bonk and stomach cramps that I could have done without) and then another 10 miles later in the afternoon to REI. A good full day that took the mile totals for the week to 111 on the bike and 43ish running. That's getting closer to my regular weekly totals and makes me so, so happy to see. :)

However, this morning I ran 12 miles and it was miserable. :( I am so out of habit for long runs that I didn't fuel properly for it. It wasn't so bad until after mile 10 and then I was kicking myself for:
-not eating anything before
-not bringing food for just in case
-not bringing money w/me so I could stop somewhere and buy something (this is often my biggest regret!)

It was iffy for a while and I was really tempted to head home early but I got it done. My legs and feet were achy afterwards like I'd run a 22 miler or something. What is up with that? How did my legs get so mushy in such a short time? I may or may not have cursed nature while I was running. It's just not fair that it takes so much hard work to get to a point where you can run long and then BAM, you take a little time off and your muscles decide to revert to pre-running days. If we are meant to run shouldn't it be the other way around? Come on! Life is so unfair sometimes.

Sigh.

Still, I'm running. That's what matters. I'll get back to where I was soon.

And so I don't end on a depressing note...I took this on my ride this afternoon. I rode the bike path and had great views of our mountains dusted w/snow from the last two storms. I kept thinking while I was looking at them "I'm going to have to run up there one of these days". Mt Baldy is about 10,000 feet. Lower Monroe Truck Trail (the one I ran a couple of times earlier this year) is only 3400 feet so it'd be a liiiiiittle bit more. Just a little. It would be a fun challenge! Want to join me?

Yeah, I'm a nut, but it's totally doable. Right?

Lean Mean Running Coyote

Operation Lean Mean Running Coyote (LMRC) started yesterday! I am focused. I've spotted my prey and I'm stalking it. Just like this coyote...

(I swear it looks like she was smiling at me. Don't you think? I think it was 2 kindred spirits recognizing each other. At least, I'd like to think so. :) )

So what do I mean by LMRC? I mean that I'm going to get serious about doing all the little things like strength training and eating properly and doing speed work again. I am going to work on getting my speed back! I miss it. :( I want to be the girl who did this just one year ago at the Lovell Canyon Love Me Two Times challenge (back-to-back halfs)...

"Why should I practice running slow? I already know how to run slow. I want to learn to run fast." ~Emil Zatopek

I didn't worry about speed or anything while I was training for the New Years One Day or the 50Ks. I was thinking finish not fast. Well, that's changed. I want to finish AND be fast! So tempos, intervals, hill repeats...they're coming back!

I have a Half in less than 2 weeks and I don't think I can do a whole lot to get speed back by then but I hope to by the next one on May 6th - the San Diego Safari Park Half Marathon. Not only do we get to run a half marathon thru the park but our registration fee includes entrance to the park for the day. I haven't been there in forever so I'm looking forward to hanging out with my camera after. It's also relatively flat so I'm wondering what I can do there. Hmmm.

I also signed up for the Nanny Goat 12HR at the end of May. Yep, another loopy course. This time with a twist. I can start at 8am or 8pm. The 24HR and 100 milers start at 8am on Saturday so I can run with them at that time or I can start at the later time and do a night run. Right now, I'm thinking night run. And not just because there will be a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning. Ok, yes that did have a little bit to do with it. Fine. A lot. What can I say...I run for pancakes! Or burritos. :D

The Nanny Goat raises money for the Wounded Warrior Project and I'm hoping to raise a little money for my run for it. We are supposed to be able to accept pledges per mile but it's not active yet. Right now, it's just straight donations. I have a late start since there's just over 6 weeks til the race so I put a goal of $300. I hope I can raise at least that much. Crossing my fingers. This is my page:
Wounded Warrior Project

2 weeks after the 12HR, I hope to do another Half and then do the Firecracker 5000 on the 4th of July. I want to be speedy for those as well. So, no more playing around. I'm bringing spreed back. At least til mid summer. After that, we'll see.

But by golly, I'm going to make wearing my Run It Fast shirt be a call to arms if it's the last thing I do!

Did I just say "by golly"? Sigh.

Do you have any big race plans? Anything big or fun on the horizon for you?

Trails & Peeps Weekend

Whew, what a weekend! AZ Peeps were here! Family, fun, and trail running. What more could a girl ask for?

My sister came over for Easter with my niece Madison & my nephew Max and when they come over, my mom's house becomes the hub for us and we all stay there. We packed a lot of fun into the weekend but the best part is just hanging out together. I keep saying this but they are growing up so fast. Madison is almost as tall as I am and she's not even 12 yet!

On Saturday, we all went to an Easter Egg Hunt and then I took the kids to a Car Show so the "Easter Bunny" could get some stuff done without prying/curious eyes. Madison wasn't too thrilled about it but once we were there, they both enjoyed it. Max, being a complete boy, was in heaven. I became his personal photographer as he had me taking pictures of him with all of his favorite cars.

They are both really good kids and I love spending time with them. A few more pics of them with my Grandpa...


I did have some running time this weekend though. Or, I should say I made time. My mom's house is just a 1.5 miles from Bonelli which, as you know, is one of fave places to run. On Saturday morning, I got up and drove to the trail head on the south side of the lake (I drove so I could go pick up bagels for breakfast after I was done). It was a gorgeous morning and I was so happy to be back running on the trails again. I'd brought my Merrell Trail Gloves and was anxious to see how my foot would do on the trails. I'd also brought my Garmin w/me to my mom's but walked out the door with it still left on the charger. Doh! So I just ran one of my favorite loops that includes some sweet single track. I was all alone out there and it was really, really great. I can't believe people wasted such a great morning but good luck for me! I ended up running for 1 hour and 15 minutes. I wanted to do more but was still being cautious so called it. Besides, I didn't want them waiting and hungry while I was out daydreaming & living the running life.

This morning, I waited for Max to get up so he could see that the Easter Bunny HAD found him in California and then ran from my mom's house to Bonelli for my run. Today's run was on the north side of the lake which just has rollers and no big hills. It was a mix of road and dirt and fun. I only did 8 miles because I wanted to get back & not miss Easter stuff.

Both runs went well. My butt was a little sore from yesterday's hills and my calves were tight so I've obviously lost some running fitness. Damn it. But overall they were awesome. Of course, part of it is probably that I missed being out there. No. No. They WERE awesome. :)

When I got back, my sister and mom and I were talking as we made breakfast and my sister said she didn't understand how I could be out there for hours on end and not be bored. She said she's bored after 20 minutes on the dreadmill. I said it was different outside. I have never been bored while running. I am bored out of my mind while watching TV but never during a run. Not even when I'm running in circles!

So, I feel like I'm back and ready to start building up my mileage again. Woo! Long run - I missed you so. :) Now the question is...am I good to start run commuting again? It's supposed to rain this week. Hmmm...

Back In The Saddle

I'm running again! It ain't pretty, but I'm running again! And finally back to being civil. I'm telling you it was bad. Even my cat was pissed at me for being stuck inside so much and so grouchy. Apparently I was disturbing his nap time/peace because on Saturday, I was sitting on my bed reading and he came up and attacked my legs. You know you've been annoying when even your cat is fed up with you. Well, okay, cats aren't known for their patience but you get the idea.

So...I ran on Tuesday, another easy 5K. It was better than Saturday's run and there was a glimmer of the old Lisa in that run. The only problem I had with that run was that I put my capris on inside out. Apparently, I forgot how to wear my running clothes. Luckily, they are all black and there was no tag so hopefully no one noticed. Of course at 5:30, there aren't too many people out anyway and it's still dark. So lucky me! <--And that's why I like to run pre-dawn. A lot less embarrassing when you have wardrobe malfunctions. I've had a few.

I ran again today. I planned 4 miles and this time got dressed with my running clothes on the right way. So far, so good. But when I went to turn on my Garmin, it said the battery was low. Normally, I'd panic. Because I need to know exactly how far I ran and how long it took me. Because I'm a numbers geek like that and I track everything-mileage, time, pace, & calories. But then a very strange thing happened...I just shrugged, turned it off, and left for my run. Huh.

So today's run was naked. No garmin and no music (also not charged) and it was rather nice. I spent the time running as quiet as I could and didn't worry about how fast or slow I was running. For an added bonus, I saw a shooting star! I'm taking that as a good sign that things are going my way again.

I really want to run tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that. But I don't want to overdo it either. I'll just play it by ear. I have some distractions this weekend anyway. My sister and Max & Maddie are coming over for Easter. Yay! I'll be staying at my mom's in La Verne so I'll be running in Bonelli this weekend and the weather is going to be flipping awesome - 80's. I'm going to see if maybe the kids will go hiking with me there too. After Saturday's Easter Egg Hunt that is.

I just realized I'm going to HAVE to run this weekend...I'm going to have to "help" them with their Easter baskets. And by helping, I mean eating the good stuff. ;) It's my job as their aunt, right? Yeah, I'm going to need to run off a chocolate bunny or two. And those darn peeps.

Does the Easter Bunny bring running shoes to good little runner girls? ;)

Have a fantastic weekend! Happy Easter!

Not So Wordless Wednesday - Part 2

The photo in the earlier post was one of mine. It was from the Renaissance Faire and it was a photo of one of the Irish dancers there. If you follow me on twitter, you may know that I have a running shoe addiction. Well, let's just say I have a shoe addiction...period. :) Oh, I don't buy a lot of shoes. Mostly because I have a wide foot and I can't walk in heels to save my life. But I do love shoes. It's probably a good thing I can wear expensive ones or I'd be broke!

Anyway, one of my favorite things to photograph is dancers and I often focus on their feet. There is drama in the dance and the feet tell the story. I keep trying to catch the essence of that. I can't sing. I can't dance. I can't play an instrument. But I do feel that I can express myself artistically with photographs. Here are a few more of my favorite dancing shoes photos.

Spanish Dancer:

My favorite of that same Spanish Dancer:

My second favorite Irish Dancer photo:


The Faire will be starting in a couple of weeks here in So Cal and I can't wait. It's my favorite place to photograph and catch some colorful portraits and action. This is a gallery of my Faire images.
At The Faire

Have you ever been to a Renassaince Faire? Isn't it a blast? :)

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Feet

"Put on your red shoes and dance..."

New Trails

If you can't run, then hike...

This weekend, I got tired of waiting for my foot to get better. I've been feeling like a caged coyote and I needed to get outside! I did run on Saturday but only 5K. I decided to check out the trail at the North Etiwanda Preserve later that morning to get more time out in the fresh air. It's an easy trail and a short loop about 7 miles from my apartment. I've never been on it though. Saturday seemed like as good a time as any.

The day was gloomy and cool but it never rained so it was a nice hike. It's kind of a civilized, touristy trail in that it takes you by some of the historic/nature sites in the area. There is an old settlers ruin, a Native American site, an old water pumping station, a cool bog area, and it's right on the Cucamonga fault so there is interesting geological stuff too.

Because of the weather, there weren't too many people on the trail so there were sections were I was by myself. With the gloom and clouds hanging over the area, it gave me a feeling of being a long, long way from civilization even though I was just above a housing track. I ran across this cool, spooky tree that had been split by lightning too. What with the ruins and the tree, it made for a ghostly hike of about 3.5 miles. ;)

On Sunday, I went to my old stomping grounds...Bonelli. Even with all the times I've been there, I haven't hit all of the trails that are in the park. So I went with the goal of hiking some new trails and as many hills as I could. Sunday was a much more beautiful day and with all the rain we had, the hills were green and lush but there wasn't too much mud.

It was cool, with a slight breeze and big, puffy clouds drifting across the sky. Once again, I had the trails mostly to myself except for a few mtn bikers and a couple on horseback. Who I did have for company was birds. Lots and lost of birds singing their little hearts out. A veritable concert just for me. I also got to see a golden eagle, an osprey, and a bunch of turkey vultures. One of them circled me for a bit. Ok, I was going slow but not THAT slow. But I did stop and watch them circle around me in the sky. They can be mesmerizing, don't you think? I would love to be able to soar like they do.

I ended up hiking 5.5 miles yesterday It was a really nice hike but not very tiring so after going to the store, I took my mt bike out for an hour. THEN I felt like I'd done "enough". It wasn't as satisfying as it would have been if I'd spent the same amount of time running, but it was a good day and helped relieve some of that caged in feeling. Coyotes gotta be free! Seriously.

I still miss running though I ran on Saturday. It didn't feel...fluid. What I miss is my body moving thru the world effortlessly, over hill and dale, thru streams, and wherever I want to go. I miss feeling strong and powerful and sexy and free. I want that back. NOW but I'm willing to work back up to it as long as I know I'll find it again.

Until then, I have my Shark to feed the urge and keep me from going nuts. Mostly.