This year the Santa Clarita Marathon Race Committee will be using the newly open trails along the San Francisquito Creek to be part of the 2011 Half Marathon. The new trail system will be used for the majority of the race and will reduce the amount of street closure on McBean Parkway.
Uh oh.
I’ve never run on trails! Will that be a problem?
Happy Running!
Monday – Tennis 1.5 hrs
Tuesday – 4 miles
Wednesday – 3 miles on treadmill, Yoga 1.25 hrs
Thursday – 5 miles
Friday – REST
Saturday – 12 miles
Sunday – REST
3 weeks to go… until Half Marathon #4!
(Will post about my High School Reunion tomorrow 🙂 )
Happy Running!
Since I work in a law school, the image above seems appropriate.
1. I have my high school reunion this weekend (my 40th cough cough). Thanks to Facebook for planning this event and that there’s no hiding how we’ve aged… I will not post our high school photos but here’s one of the 6 of us at the last (20 year) reunion:
2. My diet isn’t going so well. First I had to carb load for my 3rd half Marathon and now I have to carb load for my 4th Half Marathon. What’s a runner girl to do? Wear loose clothing, I guess.
3. I hate being sick!! I’m not real ill but just have that annoying stuffed nose, sneezing, sore throat, itchy eyes kind of cold. It makes it hard to run when you feel crappy. But better now than on Nov. 6, I say.
4. Thanks to all those slow runners who commented on my last post. I’m glad I’m not alone. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy reading blogs by those runners who want to PR every race, run the NYC Marathon, qualify for Boston, etc. Unfortunately it’s not me. I’m jealous, of course. But we, penguins, still go out there and run and compete at our own pace.
5. I can’t believe it’s mid October. The end of 2011 is right around the corner. Almost time to think about racing in 2012. Unless Nov 6 goes horribly, I will want to do another Half Marathon. I definitely want to try a 10k and maybe get back some 5K speed (speed is relative here).
6. The running community where I work is growing!!! Two more just completed their first half marathons last weekend. YAY! There are quite a few casual runners but now we have at least 7 serious runners. It’s fun to talk running with them and have something in common beside work.
Happy Running! Happy Thurday!
FOUR WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!
Here’s what some people say about this race:
This is a great race. The start of race is at the Mall, so there is plenty of parking. Access from the 5 FWY to parking lot is also fast and efficient. A big plus is that there is access to Hyatt Hotel’s convention hall bathrooms before the race starts, which is definitely an upgrade waiting in a long line in the cold for portable toilets. There are water stations every mile, and the volunteers that are working are plenty enthusiastic. Size-wise, it’s definitely smaller than Long Beach, Surf City and other SoCal Marathons. This means everyone starts at once, and the course is definitely not crowded.The Course winds it’s way thru some commercial areas before spending several miles on a trial besides the dry riverbed. There are a few minor hills, but nothing major, a pretty fast course. Santa Clarita is a well-planned city, which is well highlighted in the course. The PA announcer at the end of the race was one of the more enthusiastic announcers I’ve heard. He made sure every racer got their due applause by the crowd, especially the seniors. Finally, the tech T-Shirts included are not loaded with ads like other races, so that’s plus. Overall, one of the best half marathons in SoCal, both operationally as well as the overall race experience.
One of my favorite half marathon experiences. The parking was easy and it was easy to get to the start line. The Hyatt restrooms near the start line were a big plus. The course was mostly flat. Somehow, impossibly, it felt like there was more downhill than uphill. Maybe this is because the uphills were very gradual, while the downhills were a little steeper. Anyway, the course felt fast and energizing. The spectator support was a little sparse, but this was compensated by the fact that the course was mostly narrow and the runners energized each other. The spectator support that was out there was much appreciated — especially the cheerful kids and a dude playing guitar outside his apartment. The water and gatorade stations were excellent. You know what else was great? The “Whole Foods Market Recovery Zone” didn’t interfere unduly with my ability to get to my car.
This is my second time running the half-marathon here and I loved it!!! A little rain at the beginning was encouraging but it got really hot after mile 8 😦 Great water and gatorade stations throughout the course and visible mile marks. It can get lonely on the trail but its also very relaxing. If you feed on the fans energy, this is probably not the race for you….lol
This was the 2nd time I have run this race. Last year I hit a new PR on this course. The half marathon had about 1300 people start the race. The race is run on some city streets but mostly on the Santa Clarita Trail, which is a paved path that runs along the dry river bed. Lots of course support and spectators cheering you on. Post race food and drink is average. All in all, a fun race to run…very hometown feel.
FOUR WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!!!
Anyone else ever run this race?
Happy Running!
Today was bittersweet. We have had the best weather this summer (& fall) for boating. But you never want it to end…Do you think the sign above was for me??
I got up this morning very tired…not enough sleep but the weather was perfect…(well, maybe a little warm for this time of year, but who’s complaining?)
breakfast at the marina before my run
I was planning 11 miles but would settle for 10.
I decided to do the first half around the Sagamore Hotel.
view from the bridge heading to the Sagamore
waiting for customers...I was tempted
view of the lake & a little fall foliage
View from the Nature Trail at the Sagamore
With only one frost, most of the leaves were GREEN. Definitely not peak colors…
Then I ran through the town of Bolton Landing which was very CROWDED…garage sales…crafts fair, etc. I did stumble upon some interesting sights.
Yes, he's real
a bufferfly among the mums
As I passed the marina, I was pooped already and it was hot…I ate some gu & took a swig of water and continued down 9N south for the rest of my run. I was running SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. I told my hubby I’d be done in 2 hours… oh no…
I ran down through the cemetery and then headed toward the lake. It was beautiful, as usual. I just had no energy.
along my running route
me running in one of the neighborhoods on the lake
the gang toasting our last island picnic of the season
And I was able to drink, finally. I discovered a way to add alcohol to my Root Beer Float addiction.
whipped cream vodka & root beer
Awesome!! You can use orange soda & it tastes like a creamsicle..
We hung out as late as possible … I have to work tomorrow 😦
view of the Sagamore & the moon from our marina
Of course, we stopped on the way home for a real (ice cream) Root beer Float!!!
Until next year….
Happy Running! Happy Columbus Day!
This week, I was scheduled to play tennis both Monday & Tuesday. As a result, I did not run those days. I’m okay with that since I put in 14 miles over the weekend. I am trying to put my heart into tennis. Tennis used to be everything to me. Now all I can think about is running.
I got my orthotics last Friday. They were pretty uncomfortable at first but are getting better. I’m supposed to wear them for one hour and then add one extra hour each day. Today I’m up to 7 hours so that means I bring them to work & wear them all day at my desk. The Dr says it’ll take a month to get used to them!!! I may try to run in them after work & see if they cure all…
After my race on Saturday, I just wanted a re-do. I didn’t do poorly. It’s just that I have done better in the past and others who are usually slower, ran faster than me. It’s an ego thing.
I’ve been wrestling with running a race every Saturday (there are at least 4 possible 5ks this Sat) until my Half Marathon…
Pros:
Races make me feel good.
Races are good speedwork.
I could do my long run on Sunday.
I could add on miles after the race on Saturday.
Cons:
Races cost money.
I should focus more on my Half Marathon training.
I could re-injure my heel.
I’ll be depressed if I don’t do well.
Right now, I’m leaning toward fitting running in with my hubby’s plans…he may have to work, we may go up to the lake…we’ll see.
Happy Running! Do you do short races while training for a long race?
Five weeks to go!!
So yesterday was supposed to be a 10 miler!
I woke up with a headache and feeling nauseous. It was also raining! I contemplated skipping my long run. I ran an emotional race on Saturday. Maybe that was enough.
So I hung out on the couch and watch some Tivoed shows.
Then the rain stopped and though it was cloudy and rain predicted for the whole day, the sky brightened.
I put on my running clothes and dragged myself out the door. I decided that if I still felt bad, I would only do 6 miles. 4 Saturday + 6 Sunday = a weekend 10 mile long run, right?
I wanted to run some place scenic like the trail along the Mohawk or the Hudson Rivers but I was afraid to waste time with the impending rain.
So instead I ran in town along Delaware Ave.
Believe it or not, the sun came and it turned out to be a nice day.
The more I ran, the better I felt and decided to do the 10 miles.
I ran down the main street – nothing scenic at all… some stores but they were closed…and then hit the Rail Trail.
Eventually, it will be about 9 miles and lead from Albany to Voorheesville. Now it is only 2 miles. I ran it once before. It’s kinda rocky and hard to run on.
I ran it yesterday for a bit but not the whole thing since it was very muddy.
My reward at the end of my run was a cupcake, pumpkin with cream cheese frosting, at my favorite local shop (Maybe that’s why I chose this street!!!)
I was hoping to be faster than last Sunday but I still don’t have the stamina. I run and when I get tired, I walk. I felt like I walked less (about once a mile) but my running pace was slower. (I always run faster with people around me to motivate me.) I finished the 10 mile run at 2:02 (lst half 00:59, 2nd half 0:63).
I ended the day with a visit to my favorite 3 people:
my mentee, Amanda & 6 wk old Matthew
Amanda's son Richard, almost 5
and then a stop at Target…I couldn’t resist – pumpkin pop tarts, pumpkin coffee, running tights, running pants, running bra 🙂
And then the rain came….
Happy Running! Have a great week!
I woke up to cool temps and RAIN. It was just sunny and 80 degrees on Sunday!!
I parked my car at work as I usually do for this race since there will be so much traffic & confusion. I planned to jog a mile or so to meet up with my team for a group photo.
However, a friend from work who was walking the race was there and convinced me to ride with her friend who had a private parking space near the race. Reluctantly I agreed because it was raining.
I left my camera behind because of the weather but I wore the same outfit as last year but added white compression socks & had a jacket.
Race 4 the Cure '10
After we parked underground, we headed up the stairs to the museum and waited where it was dry for all 80 members of the team to arrive. It was raining but it seemed to be raining less. I chatted about half marathons with a professor that just ran one and another who will be racing her first next week. Finally we took the group picture and I headed down to the start line.
most of our team
closer up
What a crowd! I just squeezed in and tried to get a signal on my Garmin.
The race began and the rain was just a drizzle. YAY!! I took off my jacket and tied it around my waist. The rain never started up again until after the race.
I am very familiar with this course. It is my 8th time racing it. It starts with an uphill and it is also very crowded.
I didn’t plan to PR it but as I glanced at my Garmin, I secretly wanted to run fast again.
However, my legs didn’t agree with my mind and they are tired from Sunday’s Half. I even stopped for water and I wasn’t thirsty??
I saw my friend Mary who whizzed by me near the end…she had her fastest 5K ever and she is training for a marathon!! So proud of her!
Unfortunately, I ran out of steam and finished with my slowest 5K time in over a year…
Garmin Time: 29:39 (Official time: 29:53-gun, 29:47, chip)
Mile 1: 9:40 (uphill)
Mile 2: 9:51 (waterstop)
Mile 3: 9:18 (downhill)
.1: 9:56
I hung around for awhile with some profs and then jogged a mile back to my car debating on whether to do my 10 miler today or tomorrow. It started raining harder so I put it off until tomorrow. Now the sun is out… Oh well.
I am glad that I did this race. It is such an important cause!!!
Our team did great…those young speedy runners…and we raised almost $4000. I raised over $700 myself.
Happy Running! Have a great weekend!
Warning – there are lots of photos on this page.
First on Wednesday, our Komen Race for the Cure team which has almost 70 runners on it was interviewed for the TV news.
running for the photographer
getting interviewed
just part of the 70 member team
looks like I'm having fun
thumbs up pose
running cuz I see a camera
pretending like it's a not a hill
I see the finish line!
I ran the whole month of September and haven’t run this many miles in a month since April!!
Here’s what I planned for September:
running by Huddle Bay on Lake George
running my 3rd Half
So now what’s planned for October?
Happy Running! What are you planning for October?
