track fan

They had 3 races, the runners 1/2, a walkers 1/2 and a 5K.  The race was run on a 32 mile bike path -- actually the California International Marathon runs a bit on this course.  It was pretty flat, a few short hills but nothing serious.  The race got started 20 mins late - which was not fun.  They told us "we will be starting late so you have time to jog around a few more minutes".  What I heard was "we will be starting late so you have time to run over to the bushes for one last bathroom stop" - about 15 of use (2 women 13 men) took off to the woods ;-)  it was pretty funny.  They had a bagpipe procession that was pretty cool - but would have been cooler if it had happened 10 mins before when the race was supposed to start ....

Finally, we took off, I started pretty close to the front, because I knew this was bike path and getting a good position was critical since there was not a lot of room.  

My splits:

mile 1: 6:58 (way too fast - I backed off after this first mile)

mile 2: 7:18 (good pace - there was a woman running next to me who was already starting to sound like she was having an asthma attack - I really felt like saying - "you do realize this is a 13 mile race don't you? -- she actually hung with me until mile 5, breathing super hard the whole time, I never saw her at the finish).

mile 3: 7:18

mile 4: 7:18

mile 5: 7:18 (starting to see a trend here)

mile 6: 7:18 (wow).

mile 7: 7:16 (finally out of my rut ;-))

mile 8: 7:16 (new rut)

mile 9: 7:19 (gu - feeling tired, but told myself I did not even have to do a fast finish, I just needed to hang on for a PR) - was running with about 4 guys, I wanted to drop them, but I was scared because I was getting tired)

mile 10: 7:22 (water stop to wash down the gu, it took me two tries to grab water, both times the water spilled all over me -- it was warm so it felt good).

mile 11: 7:11 (I want to stop running - tried to figure out if I could still PR if I walked in, unfortunately, I did not think so -- the wind started picking up here - headwind, of course).

mile 12: 7:17 (windy - no shade, I felt bad)

mile 13: 7:10 (tried really hard to get the woman in front of me, but my legs were getting pretty rubbery)

0.1: 42 (tried to do a sprint -- still couldn't catch her!!!)

Very very easy cool-down jog, I was so tired ... but pretty pleased.  Wished I could have found 7 more seconds to break 1:35, but a 1:30 pr is not bad so I won't complain!

Congratulations to all the PROVO 1/2 bloggers - it looks like you had a great day.

GOOD LUCK in EUGENE ALLIE!!!

easy 4 without a watch.  I am in reverse taper mode this week -- undecided about one more race before going back to base for the summer.  I will wait and see how I feel this week.  I am pretty happy with results from this year ... and looking forward to training for a Winter marathon.  

I am so worried and sad for all my friends in Nashville ... I can't tell you how many of them have had substantial damage (perhaps even lost) their homes ... and it is going to get worse today when the Cumberland river crests.   Many of them have forgotten about the horrible Country Music Marathon fiasco now ... though that was disappointing as well. 

On happier news, a new American record in the mens 10K (26:59) congratulations Chris Solinsky!  And Galen Rupp (27:10) - since the old record was 27:13 (Meb Keflzighi).  What a great meet on the "short" track at Stanford!

Another thing I did not blog about, yet, was my incredible lunch with KungFuBlond and youngKFB.  It was so awesome.  We talked and ate these incredible salads for over 2 1/2 hours!  it completely made my day, my weekend and my race.  I believe we will be fast friends forever (FFFs) now.  I might have pictures soon - I had brought my camera with me, just to get a picture of them, but then I forgot it when I left the hotel.  My list of "bloggers I have met" is growing!

54:38.  Easy run on the Yeatman trail.  I figure I have about 2 more weeks to run on this trail before it gets too snake infested to run for a while.  I hope to get up there as much as possible until then.  I have also been figuring out new long run routes that will not be nearly as scenic as my winter ones, but will be safer ... lots of nice hilly loop courses with available water -- and dirt shoulders so I can continue my quest to avoid asphalt and concrete ;-).

I hope you are all doing well bloggers, I hope the sun is out and you have warm days! 

~53 mins.  Up the trail again.  Beautiful day!  Last lecture today and I have a masters defense this afternoon  .... but I am SO happy the semester is over.  It almost makes the 90+F easier to handle.

I hope you are all have a wonderful Spring day!

1:12:12.  Pleasant hilly run ... was pretty warm, but I was running slowly enough that it was not as bad as I had anticipated.  My Mom is coming into town today, so I was up late washing guest room sheets and towels and trying to at least straighten up the house a little.  I am hoping I can get some of my grading done at work tomorrow so I can take some time off and hang out with her this weekend.  To that end, I better get my lazy behind in gear!

Happy Trails bloggers!
 

55:51.  Ran on the Yeatman trail.  Did a lot of thinking about running goals - and training - both short term (1 year) and longer term (2 + years).   This months Running Times has a great article by Max King (podcast of the article here) - and I spent a lot of time on this run thinking about what he said.  Although, I do admit this was not my smartest hour, I really do have to pay more attention these days, there are gazillions of lizards out (which means there are a lot of snakes) and I really do need to pay attention!!  It is hot here - I think we have been warmer than Phoenix (which is not common) - even though my Mom loves the heat, even she thought that the high of 98F yesterday made it difficult for her to do much walking outside.  Today she left really early to get some investigating done while it is on the cooler side - I think she was going to the botanic gardens (it is actually a park).  I think that next week is supposed to be a little cooler (highs of 90F ;-) ).

Have a wonderful weekend bloggers -- to all the blogging mothers out there: Happy Mother's Day!

Just got the stats from my race ... I was 9/1905 women and 43/2838 overall.  That said, I was second in my age group, where the first place finisher ran a 1:28:03 -- which is truly an incredible time and mine sort of pales in comparison.  That said, I was 3rd woman over 40, so I am pretty pleased.  There were, obviously, more women than men, which was pretty different from most races I have participated in.   Ok ... enough play, I have to go back to work!

AM: (8 hilly miles, 1:14:07).  Got out late, it was pretty hot (88F) but partly cloudy so it made it more tolerable.  

PM: (30 mins easy).

Happy early Mother's Day to you blogging Moms!!! 

1:50:12. Very easy run on the Rillito path ... kept it very slow for two reasons. First, I am still a little sore from last weekend, and second, I am still getting used to the heat -- even though I got out early, it is still very hot when the sun comes up.

Nothing major to report ... except Dean told me a story about his walk yesterday, he was near the trailhead for the Yeatman trail and he heard a very loud "buzzing" sound ... just a swarm (thousands) of bees flew about 6 inches above his head!! WOW!

I hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday, and all you Mom's are getting spoiled!

Doing my part to share with fellow fastrunningbloggers:

Elliott Schotz 11/20/2007 - 5/9/2010

 
I watched with amazement and virtual energy as Eric and Nevels ran across Alabama for Elliott, and have intermittently kept tabs on other events (100 mile Delano Park run).  This group, and Elliott himself, have been an inspiration to me through the fastrunningblog.  It is through this "virtual" friendship/kinship, that I find myself very sad today to hear the news about Elliotts passing.  The video is particularly moving and will warn you that you will need to have kleenex handy when you watch it. 

AM: (9+ hilly miles, 1:20:30).  I felt so good today!!  In part it is because it was only 76F, and in part it is because I am pretty recovered (finally).  I have decided not to run the 5K this weekend, mainly because I couldn't really keep any leg speed last week, but also just because I am plumb tuckered out.  I am now going into base mode ... my plan for the summer is to keep up my usual running routine, but put a little extra energy into my work and family life.  I am also going to start doing some core and form drills, since I will likely have a few extra hours a week (since I likely won't be working 65 hours/week or more).  Ahhhh ... 

PM: (4 easy).

I hope you all have a wonderful day!! 

1:03:54.  Wonderful run up the Yeatman trail.  This might be the last day of high 70s ... by Saturday it will be in the 90s again for my runs.  I just feel oh so much better these days, sigh.  So the javelina have been by our house 2 times this week, neither time was I able to get any good pictures ... just more javelina behind going up the hill -- both times there were anywhere from 6-10 of them too.  

I hope you are all having a great week!

Go SPURS! ;-) 

AM: (10 miles, 1:24:57).  30:46wu/24:03cd.  20 x :30 w/1` recovery.  Another beautiful day ... warming up, but still tolerable.  You know it is summer when you run up on sticks and either: 1) jump because they look like a snake, or 2) don't pay attention and then when you come up on them they move!!  You also know it is summer when Titus the cat seems to lose 20lbs and the yard is completely littered with dead ground squirrels, decapitated lizards, and mice. 

PM: 4 miles easy.

Have a wonderful day bloggers.

 

AM: (7 miles, 1:04:50). Slow run up the mountain. I was going to run this afternoon too ... but I am not sure I am going to now, it depends on how I feel later today. I ordered a new office chair - because of my sciatic and upper back problems. I got it off of eBay (I had to buy it myself because the University is broke) -- I am excited to see if it helps. I am also starting my core work today -- trying to get in 15-30 mins a day when I can - I am hoping this might help too.

PM: (4 miles easy).  I wanted to get home before it got dark and run from there -- but I was grading finals and it took way way longer than I had anticipated ... so, it was a dark run at Reid Park at about 8:30PM.  Felt much better than I did in the morning.

Have a great day bloggers!

8 hilly, hot miles.  But, it is done and I am going to try really hard not to work today -- we have a housewarming party to go to this afternoon, should be fun.

Today I saw a snake - it wasn't a rattlesnake, but it was pretty big - and I got "swooped" upon by a huge bird (not near the snake).  It really scared me, I thought for sure it was going to grab my head -- instead, it was just a "drive by" ;-)

Happy weekend bloggers -- I can't wait to see how everyone did at Ogden!
 

1:54:31.  Very hilly mountain run, two laps + a little under a mile added on in the middle (59:17, 55:34).  I tried to get out earlier, but the best I could manage was 7:30 and it was already 70F, it is 87F and sunny now.  Now that it is hot, I plan on running at least 10-20 secs/mile slower than I normally would (well, I don't know exactly what pace, I guess I would say I start out running no faster than 65-75% effort).  Most of the time, this works fine and I can pick it up the later part of the run - or not if it is really hot out.  

So, today I ran on the big dirt road that goes through Saguaro Park West.  This is were the BIG snakes live ;-).  It is a safe place to run though, because even if I see a snake the road is plenty wide enough to go around them.  I saw two snakes, one live and one dead, neither of them were rattlesnakes (they were much too pretty and colorful - although one of them was easily as big around as my forearm).  The VERY COOLEST thing?  I saw my first Gila Monster, he/she was much larger than the one in this picture, about the size of a small cat (larger than a kitten - maybe an adolescent cat).  They say that a Gila Monster bite is the most painful desert creature bit there is ... I did not put my hand down to test it out -- it did not seem like it cared that much about me watching him/her.  It was very pretty, bright orange spots/lines.  Very very cool - I sped it up after this, because I wanted to check the internet to make sure it was a Gila Monster!

Today is the final day of NCAA PAC 10 track and field regionals (as our own Ruthio knows ... although I think she is in the Mountain region).  Anyway - after 7 events Arizona women are ahead of U of Oregon ... wow.  Of course, the 1500 and the 5K are today, so who knows what will happen; not to mention the 800m!  Still, I was happy to Arizona in number 1 status, even if it is short lived.  

Have a wonderful day resting and enjoying your family bloggers.  Congratulations to all of our awesome Ogden Marathon and 1/2 Marathon runners! 

AM: (9+ miles, 1:20:13).  Warm, hilly run -- but not as mountainous as Sunday.   I felt really good today.  At first it felt like I was running really slowly, but when I hit my first landmark I was actually faster than usual.  I went to my "landmark" turn-around today (rather than my watch turn-around).

PM:(easy 4).  

Keeping in the never-ending summer saga -- this week we should see some 100F days.  Luckily the lows are still in the high 60s, so my morning runs will be in the mid-to-high-70s (because I just can't get started early enough to get the lows ;-)).  My PM runs will be in the 100s I am sure, but by then the sun will be down and it won't feel as hot.

So, Sunday night I had a very scary dream about snakes.  And then, Dean had to tell me (really he actually did) that yesterday morning he found a scorpion in his bathroom drawer -- EWWWWW.  So, I had to get up and go to the bathroom last night and I just KNEW I was going to get stung - I think I must have laid there for an hour before I got up to go ... I really don't like spiders, and to me scorpions are too much like meaner spiders.   

1:03:28.  Up the mountain.  A day without snakes on the trail is a good day.

I slept fine last night, despite Burt's attempt to ruin my good nature.  

I hope you are all having good weather, and happy trails! 

AM: (10 miles, 1:25:28). 30:33wu/25:58cd 20 x :30 w/1` recovery. It is going to be a very hot day today ... already well into the high 80s, probably over 100F for my PM run.

It was a very eventful day yesterday, first, I made some awesome headway on my grant resubmission. I only get one more shot at this so I am working really hard to get this right, and a whole bunch of stuff came together yesterday, yea. Movement in the right direction. Then, last night I found out that I was elected to serve as a representative on the Board of Directors for the American Statistical Association. It is an honor to be elected, and looks really good on my dossier for promotion/tenure. Lots more visits to DC are in my future.

I am so disappointed with Floyd Landis. I can't even tell you how upset this makes me, I really wanted to believe he was innocent -- I haven't been this disappointed in an athlete since Justin Gatlin. I just can't abide by cheaters.

PM: (4 miles easy).

Have a great day bloggers.

1:03:xx.  Run up my favorite trail.  It was very hot, and pretty uncomfortable, except it was SO pretty and therefore I have no complaints! Last night my run was a very comfortable 88F and I saw a beautiful coral snake (not poisonous, but very colorful) so it is only right that this morning would be slightly uncomfortable ;-). 

Very very busy today -- and still -- I am so far not expecting to get home for several hours.  However, it has been a wonderfully productive week and I am energized and can easily hang in here for these many more hours. 

I wish you all happy trails and a wonderful weekend!

AM:(hilly 8+, 1:10:32).  It was super duper hot.  Yesterday I brushed up against a prickly pear cactus on the trail.  I have a 3-4 inch area on my thigh that looks like a big rash (it isn't it is that there are tiny spines ebedded in my skin) -- the worst though, was that I got a huge spine stuck in the side of my thumb, and I did not know, and when I brushed my hand against it yesterday it stuck it way down inside and then broke off the top ... now it is all infected and really hurts.  I hope it comes out soon ...  Close by, I saw these guys out spraying stuff on the side of the road yesterday - I asked what they were doing and they pointed out this tall green grass - they said they were just neighbors and were killing the grass that is growing and is not indiginous to the area (it kills all the native species).  So, I jokingly said, "I guess you can tell what belongs here by how dangerous it looks" (this was nice smooth green grass, not brown, dry and prickly). 

PM: (4 miles easy).

I hope you have a great day bloggers!

 

1:57:04 (1:00:39/56:25). I decided to take a break from mountain running and drove to the heavenly flat Rillito trail today.   I did not really check my splits much, except on the first few miles to make sure I wasn't running too fast.  One thing I have learned about summertime running is that once I overheat there is no recovering ... and it is sort of dangerous.  So, I kept it as easy as I could, and then just went with how I felt after I turned around.  It looks like I averaged about 9 min/mile on the way out and 8:25 on the way back.  Partly that was because there was a headwind on the way out and a tailwind after the turnaround, I pretty much felt that until the last 3 miles I was running about the same effort.  

It was a little cooler today (85F) than yesterday (mid 90s) ... so that was good.  However, I really did not feel good for most of this run.  I think I have been running most of my runs a little harder than usual of late, since my mileage is down and I am not doing any workouts I probably have a lot more energy and am not taking it as easy as I generally do on my recovery days.  I will need to work on this a little and concentrate more on slowing down and ensuring I am running easy enough.  

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and enjoy all the time with your family and friends!

AM: (9 hilly miles, 1:19:17). Beautiful day, a storm blew through on Sunday night and brought some unseasonably cool temperatures into town ... it was great to run in 70 degrees again. Unfortunately it should be up in the 100s again by Thursday. I tried to time a little of this run, just to see how my effort was in relation to pace. My first milestone (Crestview Road - the name kind of sums it up, it is one of many "crests") took 18:21 on the way out and 17:15 on the way back (it is predominately uphill on my way home). Not too surprising since it takes me a while to warm up. Just worthwhile to note, maybe.

PM: (4 miles easy).

I saw a mule deer today (usually I see white tail, it is not really that common to see mule deer in the Tucson mountains), and about 7 javelina crossing the road (I was glad they made it before the car came down the hill!!!).

I hope you are all having a good day and that Spring is back ... weird about the last Winter days you had last weekend!

1:04:29.  Probably closer to 7.5 + change, because: GILA MONSTER sighting #2!!!! yea!  I was finishing up the trail part of the run and there he/she was right in the middle of the trail.  I had just passed 2 young women on the trail who were walking a little puppy so I turned around and ran back up to them (~1/4 mile) so I could warn them to pick up the puppy (I am pretty sure the Gila Monster could kill a puppy either with its neurotoxin or its sharp teeth) and let them get a look at it.  Wouldn't you know, it left by the time I had gotten back! darn.  But still wow, twice in as many weeks! 

Lots of folks out and about on "my" trail today.  I saw a couple hikers (besides the young women/puppy combo), a mountain biker, and one super fit trail runner/ultra runner guy.  I am sure this guy was either a local elite ultra runner or trail runner.  He was cooking down the trail and just had the look of an ultra runner -- and he was super friendly, which in my mind is much more indicative of people who run a lot - sort of a "size you up" as "kindred spirit" kind of person.

I am so excited, my Nexus One should be in today -- and I will be installing Android 2.2 on it ASAP, I have been holding out on buying a new phone while I contemplated an Android versus iPhone -- and because I am a t-mobile customer this was a big decision (since Dean and my Mom are on my account they would have to switch carriers if I did).  When Android 2.2 came out I was SOLD ... I love Google, and I can't wait to see what their phone (and more importantly their operating system) can do!!

Have a great day bloggers!
 

AM: (10 hilly miles, 1:28:12).  A little on the side of the road, a little off road, a lot of hills.  Last 10` at a little faster than marathon to 1/2 marathon effort (probably about 7:30-7:45 pace).  

PM: (4 miles).

I might have to leave my new phone at home so I can get some work done.  It is so cool .... I can't believe I have lived this long without one of these things.  Downside is that when I am at home I can't get 3G service, so it is not as fast.  But as soon as I come "down" the mountain things are just lightening fast.  The new Froyo (Android 2.2) is not actually being distributed yet (except to the geeky developer folks who have "rooted" their phones) -- but even with the earlier version it is soooooo fast.  I can't play today though, I have way too many things to do!!

I hope you all have productive days bloggers!! 

1:03:27.  Up the trail and down again.  90F ... summer is here, I doubt I will see any run under 85F again until November, so sad.  

My leg hurts.  I need to go up to Phoenix and see the miracle worker soon I am afraid.  

I hope you all have a great Friday and beginning of the weekend!

AM: (8 hilly,  hot miles, 1:12:35).  Worked late last night so we did not sit down to eat until 9:30 (I hate when we do that) ... and did not get to bed until around midnight.  It was hot this morning (the air-conditioner kicked on at 5AM - it is set at 75) so I knew if I did not get up it was going to be uncomfortable ... but, I still did not get out the door until 9.  So, yup, it was uncomfortable.  But, it is over ... ;-).

PM:(4 miles easy).  

Have to go check race results, BB, Comrades marathon, and NCAA regionals .... lots of racing going on!

Have a good weekend bloggers! 

1:57:48 (58:28/54:45 + 4:35). 2 hilly loops in Saguaro Park West. I mapped this run, to see what the actual elevation is (because it feels so slow to me!) ... most of the steepest climbs are in the first 3 miles, one of them is a mile long and 7% grade and then there are 2 others that are about 3/4 - 1 mile long and about 5-6% grade. Not bad, but enough to get your legs working! I added on a little at the end, because I think that the loops are a little short of 6.5 miles each.

I saw a red racer snake today! It was very cool - there was a couple standing off of the road staring at a tree ... so I looked over at them and they pointed to the snake who was wound up on a branch of the tree. I guess they had seen it slithering on the road so they stopped it went up the tree! It was very cool. The couple were British (though they live here) -- they said to say hi to Chris M and Samantha Dean Howard.

Great NCAA action this weekend, I can't wait for two weeks for the finals. Wheating is on a tear, wow! and Jordon Hasay is really shaking things up for a freshman. Heres hoping the Utah man, Luke Puskedra can save up for a good showing. In the Commrades marathon, the two winners were the winners from last year. In the mens race Stephan Muzhingi (from Zimbawe I believe) ran the 55.9 mile (hilly and hot) course in 5:29:01 (5:53/mile). Th womens winner, Elena Nurgalieva (Russia) ran a 6:13:03 (6:13/mile) has won this race 5 times, trading wins with her fellow countrywoman two times over the past 4 years! The first American was Michael Wardian, 26th with a finish time of 6:02:36 (maybe not as "rested" as we had hoped Nevels); First American woman was Kami Smick who was 4th woman (a masters runner who ran a 6:32:55 (7:01/mile)!!!  WOW!!! LetsRun favorite, Josh Cox, had a tough day and finished 186th with a time of 6:51:29, but he finished and raised money for World Vision in the process.

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!