2011 Bay to Breakers

This race pretty much went exactly as planned and not in a good way.


The husband and I met up with a couple friends at 6am and took muni downtown. We made a quick port-a-potty stop, there were like zero lines, and headed to our corral.  After getting hit in the head numerous times with tortillas, the race started. It took about 5 minutes to get to starting line.


I was feeling a bit anxious, like I knew I shouldn't be running seven miles, but the first few miles went OK. There were just way too many people! I felt like the whole race I was in a game of frogger, trying to get around the slow people in front of me. 


We saw some fun costumes, the salmon running the opposite way, and some naked people. Around mile 4.5, I started to feel pain in my hip. I tried to ignore it but i knew it wasn't a good sign. At this point I was also feeling a bit fatigued and it felt really hard to keep my pace, even though I finished with negative splits? Maybe it was just mental. My head was just not in it. I didn't want to be out there and, I just wanted my medal. Once we saw the ocean, I knew we were approaching the finish line and I was SO happy.  I finished with a time I was happy with, 1:13:59, like thirty seconds from a PR. IT might have helped if I had checked my 12K PR time before the race. I definitely PR'd on the course, since last time I ran B2B was 5 years ago and my time was 1:35:xx.  Of course, after we finished we had to walk forever to get our medals. Compared to the T-shirt, which we picked up at the expo, the medals were super nice. Since we already had our T-shirts, there was no reason to go to the footstock. So we headed out of the park to catch muni home. 


So now I know that the SF half is definitely out of the question. My hip pain is way out of control. This week I'm going to take the week off running, get in some cross training, and foam roll like crazy. I'm pretty bummed about this hip issue but luckily I was smart and didn't sign up for any summer races, so I can take it easy. Not sure the medal was worth it, oh well....

Cardio Time

After a fairly mellow weekend, I actually had a good Monday and felt very well rested. It helped that all my bosses were out of the office as well, and  I was able to fit in 30 minutes on the elliptical machine after work! I also did 3 sets of 10 of leg extensions with 20 pounds of weight. It felt really good. I will definitely be happy if I can fit in at least one day of elliptical cross training a week.

This week my plan is to do only one 3 miles run this week, since running Bay to Breakers on Sunday is really going to up my weekly mileage. I'm crossing my fingers I don't kill myself or my IT band on Sunday. Then take it easy the next few weeks and lower my mileage to prevent or heal any injuries.

Tuesday
It was yoga Tuesday again. I need to remember how good yoga makes me feel. The yoga room was warm, which helped loosen my muscles. I just felt like I had a really great practice. I need to work on turning every other Tuesday into every Tuesday. Plus, my piriformis muscle felt way better afterwards, almost pain free. It might have also been the tennis ball self-massage I gave myself.

Wednesday
Rest

Thursday
Woke up before work and ran 3 miles in under 30 minutes. All day afterwards I was exhausted and my legs felt super sore. It must've been the cardio, leg extensions, yoga and then this run. Time to rest my legs for a few days before Sunday's race.

Workout Recap

Last week was a good week running-wise, but not so much for my piriformis muscle. It has been acting up ever since the 5 mile run I did before my 10K and running seems to irritate it.  Sitting irritates it as well and lucky me sits about 10 hours a day, between work and my commute, le sigh.

Monday
I did an easy 2.5 mile run in the morning. Monday morning runs always make for a great start for the week.

Tuesday
Tuesday is supposed to be yoga, but I got my haircut and didn't want to mess it up. That was my excuse to be lazy and not go pretty much.

Wednesday
My new hair cut didn't keep me from going on a 3 mile run in the morning. This run felt better than Monday's run, which I was happy about.

Saturday
I did my "long run" of the week of 4 miles. It went really well and I felt great afterwards, which is a really good sign. No runners knee pain in my left knee, (yay!), which probably is due to the fact I bought new shoes. I had read online that the Lunarglide 2 fit differently than the original Lunarglide, which I love, but my pair is about a year old and has well over 350 miles on them I'm sure. So, I had a groupon for Lombardi Sports, which I used to buy these:

So in review, I need to fit in more crosstraining. Yoga is good, but I'd also like to get in some elliptical machine  to help balance out my muscles a bit to help with this piriformis issue I've been having. The research I've done seems promising, that it responds quickly to stretching and massage, so lets hope that works. I also am almost over my horrible cold, still a bit congested, ugh, but getting there. And trying to stay positive for my 12K next Sunday!.

Yoga tuesday

The consequences of going to Chicago last weekend, were that I caught a cold on the plane. So Monday I was feeling pretty tired and under the weather. Tuesday I felt a bit better and since I missed yoga last week, I was really in the mood to go and stretch out my muscles that still felt a but tight from last Sunday's 10K.

I almost used the "I'm sick" excuse and didn't go but in the end I knew I really wanted to go and would be sorry if I didn't. It was a rough day for me mentally at work and I just needed some yoga to clear my head. It definitely did and it felt great. For the first time, the instructor showed us "Birds of Paradise" pose, which I didn't attempt but can envision being a new yoga goal for me in the coming weeks. She also gave us time to practice inversions which reminded me I need to practice my headstands at home. Its a lot less embarrassing to fall over at home, than in class.

Wednesday, I continued to be sick, maybe yoga last night wasn't a good idea, I thought.

Thursday morning, my run didn't happen but I did make it out after work for a windy 3 miler down at Chrissy Field. 

I guess I overdid it during the week, because I had zero energy over the weekend for a run. I was pretty bummed out but I was still feeling way too congested and sick.

My plans for the SF half seem to be diminishing. I'm even worried about Bay to Breakers at this point. At least I was able to practice headstands and birds of paradise on Saturday.

Chicago Weekend

This past weekend the hubby had to go to Chicago for work, so naturally I tagged along. We made a long weekend out of it and got a run in along the Lakeshore trail, which runs along Lake Michigan.

I have a feeling I might have over done it last week as my left knee started aching a bit around mile 3.5. And unfortunately, since we were travelling, I didn't have my trusty foam roller or ice pack. I just took some advil and figured that would help. Overall it was a great trip, so nice to get away and to see a new city!

2011 Presidio 10- 10K

Yesterday I ran the Presidio 10 10K. I felt really good about it and now I'm really getting excited about doing some more races this year(I will discuss this in my next post.).  I was really nervous all day the Saturday before. I think i put a lot of pressure on myself. I really wanted to beat last years time and since i hadn't raced since my half marathon last July,  I was a little on edge.

Beautiful views of the Golden Gate before the race

The race started out really congested. I still don't understand why the walkers get way up front, close to the starting line, they are annoying to have to dodge. The race runs up Lincoln and ascends towards the Golden Gate bridge.About half way across the bridge, at about mile 2-2.5 the crowd started spreading out.  We loop underneath the bridge and then run back across on the footpath on the opposite side. At this point I was afraid I went out a little too fast, but I was still maintaining around a 9 minute per mile pace, so i was happy. The descent down from the bridge was painful and I remember this from last year. I just made sure I kept my stride short and tried to keep myself from barrelling down the hill, even though a lot of people were passing me. It was OK, i figured once the course flattened out on the gravel path I'd pass them, which i did.

My last mile I averaged an 8:12 min/mile pace and came in at 53:41, seven  minutes faster than last years time! Although my garmin distance only read 6.07 miles, so I think the course was a tad short. I did remember it looping one more time although the gravel at Chrissy Field last year. Not sure what happened with that this year. But its OK, i still would've PR'ed even if the course wasn't short, so i was happy! It was a successful race and it makes me super excited for my next race, Bay to Breakers. After hanging around for pancakes, nasty Asqew Grill breakfast burritos and free bloody Marys we headed home for the real deal. Homemade cinnamon rolls we made the night before. These were the real deal, straight from Paula Deen herself(don't even ask how many sticks of butter we used to make these) but they were like I died and went to butter and sugar heaven. Especially delicious after running 6 miles.

Nom nom nom. If you like cinnamon rolls, I highly suggest you make these right now! If I can make them, so can you!

Marathon Training Program

Last night I went to an info session for the SF Marathon Training Program at the Bryant Street Sportsbasement. I was dragging my feet to get there since its been super cold out and all I wanted to do was go straight home after work and cuddle up under a blanket.

I've been really wanting to get more information on the training program and explore my options, since the thought of running 14, 16, 18 and 20 miles by myself isn't very appealing. I wasn't sure the info session would solve my training program woes, but at least I went. As I assumed, it didn't give me the answers I was looking for but it did give me some things to think about.

Since I feel like I could do the mid-week runs on my own, I don't know if I want to pay $185 just for Saturday long runs. This brings in the big question, do I:

a) Sign up with the SF marathon training, maybe meet some new people, and commit to training with them

or

b) Sign-up for the San Francisco Road Runner's Club and do long runs for the marathon with them, as well as get a full year's membership for $150.

or

c) Be a crazy runner person and try to do my runs solo? Or possibly find other running groups/clubs to run with?

I did get an informational handout to ponder over and a few of my random questions answered, but the highlight of the night was really the green beads that gave me 20% off discount. I got some new smart wool socks(they are very cozy on my feet today), a few packages of GU and some Luna bars.

So I have a few things to think about. After Wednesday's somewhat discouraging run and the meeting last night, I am doubting myself. Can I REALLY run a marathon?

First Run of the New Year

Yesterday morning, I finally went on my first run of 2011. It was a brisk 38 degrees out, but I layered up, which helped, and wore my favorite headband. I was pretty cold the first half a mile or so but I warmed up fairly quickly after that.

About 2 miles in, the chronic pain in my left knee kicked in. I'm hoping it's just being arthritic, since it's been so cold outside. I went home and iced anyways, as a precautionary measure. I guess it's just a reminder that I need to build-up slowly, work on my strengthening exercises I learned at physical therapy last year, and stop running when my knee starts to bother me. It is definitely discouraging but its still early in the year.

On a happier note, I made enchiladas for dinner! My favorite new thing to make.

In an effort to save money and clean out our freezer, I used some frozen chicken I found floating around getting frost bitten, as well deliciously spicy enchilada sauce I bought at Target a few weeks ago.Those two items, along with a handful of other ingredients made husband and I a delicious dinner. Next time there will be photos, I swear.

My Blog

One of my new years resolutions this year was to start a blog. Check! (and tell people about it, so people read it other than me). I've actually been wanting to start one for quite awhile but knew I needed a topic to focus on, otherwise I'd be all over the place. So my other resolution this year is to run a marathon. So I figured what better way to keep myself on track as well as fulfill the "Start a blog" resolution than to blog about my experience training towards said marathon, and to blog about running in general. To date, I have run 3 half marathons and a couple 10K's. In the past I've had a few injuries and consider myself fairly injury prone. So, if I suck at running this year, as I have in the past, due to injuries, then my other resolution is to run a 5K, just because it's a distance I've never raced before.

A photography blog has also been an interest of mine. A friend of mine suggested photography during running. Hmmm, there's a thought, I might keep the photography separate from running or combine then. I assume my blog content will be a lot of running if I'm training, unless I really suck at running this year, as discussed above and then it'll be photography and life. Cheers!