Turning Dreams into Goals

"It's a dream until you write it down, 

and then it's a goal." - Anonymous

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I have some running dreams.  And I'm ready to turn those dreams into goals.  They've been written on my calendar, but I think they'll become even more real once I write them for the whole world to see.

 The first event on my calendar is the Philadelphia Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon.  I love the Rock 'n' Roll series, probably because I had such an amazing experience during my 1st marathon.  So I'm really looking forward to this one.

Another reason why I am so excited for this event?  My sister, new blogger (<---check her out)  and newbie runner, is signed up too!  This will be her first 1/2 marathon and I am so proud of her training so far!

Now here is where things get tricky.  I am most definitely running a full marathon this fall, but I have 2 choices a week apart from each other.  Basically it's dependent on if I get a big girl job for the fall!

Choice number one, is the Philadelphia Marathon on November 20th.

In 2009 this was my first ever 1/2 marathon.  I distinctly remember around mile 12 the full marathoners split off to continue running and in my mind I asked myself, "They are so crazy;  who would ever want to run 13 more miles after this?".  Guess I've gone a little crazy...

If I do get a job it would be a dream to run the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon on December 4th.  Who gets the chance to run the strip at night?  There are also plans for a blogger conference!

This sounds like it would be an AMAZING marathon to run. 

The only part I'm scared about is the 4:30:00 cut off time!  I ran my first marathon in 4:58, and I was focused solely on finishing.  This time around I have speed work and tempo runs incorporated into my training.  I'm thinking I can do it and this marathon would be the push I need to break the 4:30 barrier!

After my second full marathon the sky's the limit, right?  I'll have to see how it all goes.  But if I'm feeling good I may begin training for a 50k or 50 mile-er.  Being honest with myself, running is my passion.  At the beginning of the summer I thought I would train for a sprint triathlon for the end of August, but my heart wasn't in it.  For right now, I think I will stick with running and save swimming and cycling for cross training activities 2x week, as per my training plan :p

 *Awesome motivational pictures from I <3 to Run <--like them on Facebook!

What are some of your dreams?  Come on, write them down and turn them into goals!

La Jolla 1/2 Marathon Recap

Let's start with the expo! 

Parking was ridic in La Jolla!  But after snagging a spot, which I didn't have to parallel park in (hallelujah) I waited in a short line for my race packet. 

 

 They had some good vendors and I ended up buying a Halo headband in teal.  I know you're not supposed to run a race in new gear, but I seriously *loved* it.  No sweat got in my eyes and my headphones didn't slip out of my ears the whole 13.1 miles! 

They also had shirts with super funny slogans on them from One More Mile Running Apparel 

 After the expo I took it easy for the rest of the day, set out my race day gear, and went to bed!

 

"I eat hills for breakfast"

was my mantra as I trudged up hill, after hill, after never ending hill.  I said it so I felt tough, and it was also a bit silly at the same time.  It's the simple things that can help get you through 13.1 miles.

The course ran along the coast from Del Mar down to La Jolla. 

Since I live closer to La Jolla I left my house at 4:15 to get there by 4:45 to be on line for the first shuttle bus at 5 a.m.  The organizers stressed that the last bus would depart from La Jolla at 6, and if there I was a long line I did NOT want to be left stranded at the finish of the race!  So I literally got on the first shuttle bus in pitch blackness and headed for Del Mar.

We got dropped off at the Del Mar Racetrack parking lot and it was empty, minus the never ending line of what seemed to be a hundred porta-potties.  As 5:30 turned into 6 and 6 turned into 6:30 a.m.  the parking lot slowly but surely began to fill up.  And the sun came up!

*DISCLAIMER* pictures from my cell phone came out grayish and blurry.  Although it was perfectly overcast race weather, the scenery is actually way more beautiful than the pictures show it to be!

Luckily for me all of my family lives on the east coast, which is 3 hours later than west coast time.  So I got to chat with my sister, who was already awake and starting her day.  Thanks for helping me get through the morning Alli!

At around 6:45 I finished up a quick warm-up jog, stretch, and headed for the start.  When I first got there it was not crowded at all.  They had 2 waves, first was for 8 minute/mile anticipated pace or better and then the rest of us.  While we're waiting for the start the announcer describes the course to us, adding to be prepared for the  "character building" hills!

Of course the first wave goes and then my bladder decides it's too full.  So I end up at the end of a ridiculously long line to use a port-a-potty.  

 

It was all good because there were so many runners that it took a while for everyone to get across the start line and actually start to run. 

By the time I got to the start, for the second time, it was just stranglers.  I was  relieved to have made it in time and started to calm down enough to get into a groove and enjoy the scenery.  I liked how at every mile there were people in red shirts holding up mile signs and shouting the clock time.  It's always nice in a race to know what mile you're on...and how many are left to go! 

 

I look quite happy in this picture.  Little do you know that inside I'm freaking out because I see the massive Torrey Pines hill looming in the distance.  (Which it turns out is not AS bad as I expected it to be!) Oh, and I almost ran into another runner.  So much for being able to take pictures of myself while running!

  Up until this point, I was maintaining a 10 minute/mile pace, which I was content with.  This hill however got me off track by 4 minutes!  Even the downhills couldn't help me make up lost time and I was consistently 4 minutes over at each mile marker.  

*Side bar* It's kind of easy having a 10 minute/mile pace, especially with my super simple, only has a stop watch type watch.  Example, at mile 8 it should have read 1:20, but instead it read 1:24 argggg!  Maybe a Garmin will help me speed up past this 10 min/mile rut I've been in my entire running life! wink wink

 Love running along the beach!

 Love Lululemon signs!  Almost done with the final hill!!

 It's all downhill.  The finish is right around the corner!  

My first half marathon I had nothing left to give at the end.  Same thing goes for my full marathon.  At the end of those 2 races I was so beat that was not able to sprint across the finish line.  At the end of this race I booked it.  The finish line came into sight a pretty good distance away, but somehow I had to energy to sprint and I passed quite a few people :)

2:14:45

Overall:	3498 out of 6101
Women:	1466 out of 3203
F 25-29:	350 out of 674
Age/Grade:	48.86% Place: 3494

Although not a new PR or even "fast" by any measure, I'm proud of my finishing time.  I completed a challenging course, didn't injure myself, and had a pretty kick ass time doing it!  I may not have beat my first 1/2 marathon time, but I feel like I have grown and am stronger and more confident as a runner.  That final sprint helped solidify that feeling.

Post race Shane and I headed out to Casa De Pico.  Thanks for the gift card Leslie, Nicole, and Jamie!

 After an "ice bath" in the unheated pool and a hot shower, I threw on a cute dress and big earrings to detract from the *I just ran a 1/2 marathon and don't feel like doing my hair or make-up look*.

 I love it when resturaunts have vegetarian and seasonal menus.  I went with the Fiesta Vegetable Burrito of the veggie menu.  I was a bit disappointed that it was smothered in salsa fundido, which is NOT a salsa but some sort of cheese based cream sauce.  Oh well, it was tasty, the sauce just made it a little to heavy for my liking.

I know it was way back on April 17th but congrats to all the runners who completed this challenging course!

Do you order sauces and dressings on the side?  I like to, so I can control how much I put on, but a lot of the time I forget!

Do you have a Garmin Forerunner 405 (or another watch) and love it?  Tell me what you like/dislike about it.  I need to buy one ASAP!  

Tell me about a running race or training run you're proud of :) !!!

Dreaded 12-miler

Hey there bloggy-boos! I have been such a bad blogger lately.  I take pictures and have so many post ideas, but then life just gets in the way!  

Just know my little hiatus is over and I have some yummy things in store for you!

First though, I want to tell you all that I finally got in a 12 mile training run!  I don't know why, but I have been d r e a d i n g this mileage.  Which makes no sense because this time last year I was running 15 and 18 milers.  The only *downside* to this run is that it was here, along Mission Beach:

 

Right now you must be thinking to yourself, that girl has let living in San Diego get to her head!  How dare she say that running along the gorgeous coastline isn't good enough!

whoa, whoa, whoaaaaa!

I'd be crazy not to know that I am super duper lucky to run in such an amazing place.  However, this gorgeous, scenic, makes you take off your headphones and listen to the ocean run was lacking one key training element.... hills <--- yes I am technology savvy

It was completely flat and I loved every minute of it.  Well, as many minutes as you can love a 12 mile run that is.

Yes, I chose to run here.  Yes, I knew it would be flat.  But I just needed to break through my 9 mile rut and score a 12 mile distance.  I'm {sort of} confident in my hill training thus far, and I think I'll be able to kick it up a notch race day.

La Jolla 1/2 Marathon here I come!

T-minus 11 days

(What does t-minus even mean??)

*Just Googled it.  Laziest Googler ever, from the website descriptions, it is something that Nasa and the military use!*

And being at the beach has other benifits.  Like the most amazing ice bath ever!

Dreaming about jumping in the ocean got me through some of spots that were lacking an ocean breeze.  It was sweat city!  And I have a nice little sports bra tan to boot!

I am so happy that my ghetto ice packs, water bottle with 1/2 ice and a plastic ziplock baggie of ice, kept my lunch cool.

"Cheezy" quinoa, lentil sloppy joes, and a banana.  How's that for protein and carbs?!

Be on the lookout for a Lentil Sloppy Joe recipe, they are yummy!

So Cali

I love how they California-fied this Jersey sign bros!  <3 Jersey Girl 4eva <3

...

Wait, one more thing!!!

MY NEW KICKS! I am so in love.

I took a risk and ordered them off Zappos.com.  I previously had Adidas so I ordered the same size and hallelujah, they fit!  And I broke them in with this 12-miler.  It could have been bad, but no blisters, no chaffing, no nothing!  

If you know your size, go with Zappos! It was super easy, and I think I may have saved some moolah.

Enjoy your Wednesday xo

***PS: head on over to Munch and Crunch for a super spring playlist giveaway!*** 

-AND-

***Julia is having her first giveaway here, and it involves Easter candy...just sayin!***

Banana Envy

So I'm pretty sure I'm not the only runner out there who has certain race day and even long run training day routines that you just. don't. mess. with.

Help a sista out.  Tell me I'm not totally crazy.  

For real,  just keep reading and then tell me...

My story begins in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, if you need to brush up on your geography.

To be more exact, a freezing cold, pitch black,  November morning around 6 am.  This was the morning of my first 1/2 marathon, so I was understandably a little tense.  

Let's rewind to the night before real quick.  I laid out all my gear, attached my timing chip, pinned my bib, and packed a bag with water and bananas.  I went to bed early and of course couldn't sleep a wink with all of my excitement.

Back to the frigid, early November morning...  Shane and I arrived, parked, and made it to the race site with time to spare.  Somewhere in between the line for the porta-potties and my corral I realized I had forgotten my banana in the car!  

And I swear, at that moment, this girl walked by us with a bunch of bananas.  I kid you not. In that instant I felt banana envy for the first time in my life. 

And then I took a trip to melt down city.

Poor Shane had to deal with my little freak out.  I was sure that not eating my pre-run banana would have dire consequences.

I'd have no energy.

I would feel tired.  

My muscles would cramp up.  

I wouldn't be able to finish.

I'd be a failure.  

Thankfully Shane kept his cool and reminded me of all the hard work and training I had done to get there.  And he wondered aloud if my body would even be able to turn a banana into energy for the race.  I bought it and told myself the banana was pointless and it was a mental thing.  

Although I was still a little envious of banana bunch girl.   But whatever, I could run 13.1 miles with out no dang banana!

And I did.  And it felt awesome.

But I learned my lesson.  I don't want to experience banana envy ever again.  So now I always make sure to bring my bananas.  And Shane likes to remind me too...just in case.

Do you have any running/ race day routines that you stick to?

Have you ever had race day fiasco?

Runner's Motivation

I love getting mail. I'm like a little kid.  Although I have a slight aversion to walking down two flights of stairs to our apartment complex mailbox, so Shane checks it every night after work.  But still, I love the anticipation of Shane walking through the door with my goodies.  

What did I get?!

Most times it's bills.  Ick.  Our grocery store circulars. Fun!  Junk mail. Recycling bin.  AARP offers.  How old am I?

Then there are the days I am downright giddy.  

Packages of "love".  Best Gma ever<3 

Cards of any sort. Melt my heart.  

Mosby, Shane's dog at home, says hi!

 And of course, my magazines. 

In recent economic times I've had to scale back my magazine consumption.  But my Grandma (really, how wonderful is she?!) subscribed me to a couple of DIY/home magazines which are amazing for Shane, me and our little apartment.  

But there is one magazine that I renewed myself.  And that would be....Runner's World!  As Shane tosses me the current issue I feel a rush of emotions.  Excitement and joy, mingled with anxiety plus a big dash of motivation.  

It's here!

Let me break it down for you.  I love, love, love my Runner's World. No duh. They have interesting articles, great tips, motivating interview/profiles, and all the race ads make me want to win the lottery and spend my life running races around the country.    

But I feel anxiety because I always am left feeling like there are so many workouts I need to include in my week and I don't know how to fit them in.  I want to incorporate hills, speed, distance, strength training, and cross training.  But it all feels so overwhelming.

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And I *try* and incorporate them, but I do it my own way because....

Running workouts confuse me!  Take this benchmark workout for a 1/2 marathon: 10 to 15 x 1000 meters at race pace with 60 seconds recovery  (Runner's World April 2011 issue).  I don't know my exact race pace!  Do I need to go find a track?  I'm gonna loose track counting 10 to 15 times on a track!

I've come a long way since my early days of running.  I used a cell phone to keep track of how long I ran for and ran the same loop over and over in a park which I guesstimated was about a mile.  Not the most accurate of methods. 

Nowadays I have a basic watch to keep track of time, and log my mileage on DailyMile.com, which gives me an idea of my pacing.  I also use the treadmill to work in basic speed intervals, and I've just started incorporating hilly workouts.

I really want to take my running to the next level.  I want to rock my hilly half marathon in April.   need to start pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I don't want to be content with an average run. 


After reading this months issue, I may feel a little overwhelmed, but I'm motivated.  And just from writing this blog post, I've come to the realization that I don't need to take every piece of information and use it.  It's important to have the knowledge, but I can take what I need, which doesn't make me any less of a runner.


Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with all the information you read about running? 
Do you run according to how you feel or have a strict schedule, incorporating a variety of workouts?