26.2!!

Hi Blog I never write in. I thought I'd let you know I ran my marathon, finished under my goal time (Which was anything under five hours) and had a blast and am ready for the next one!!! I ran lots of long training runs that paid off and now I am a marathoner!! Yay!!!

Lately.

My grandmother passed away May 31 early in the morning. I flew back home to Boston last week and spent some great time with my family and celebrated her life with lots of friends and relatives in a fashion she most certainly would approve of. (Especially the Merlot toast.)

Gorgeous sunset that greeted me on my ferry ride from Boston to Hull. 

I somehow managed to stick to my marathon training schedule and only miss one run out of the nine I have had scheduled so far. Pretty happy I managed to do that, despite flying around the country and back, trying to work, spending time with loved ones and even going out of town last weekend for some much needed quality time with J. (We haven't seen each other and spent time just the two of us in three weeks.)

Gorgeous Lake Tahoe where we kayaked.

We went up to Lake Tahoe (it was my first time and now I am obsessed) and had a wonderful weekend of kayaking, pool lounging and eating at our amazing hotel the Ritz Carlton. (Best hotel I have ever stayed at.) It was lovely.

Our cozy room that looked out to the mountains

This week I am back in SF until Thursday night. Then I fly to Arizona. I haven't visited since I moved over a year ago. I am looking forward to seeing friends, celebrating Emily and Jeremy's wedding, trail racing and drinking a GIANT Macy's Special in my little mountain town.

Workouts this week include:

Monday: 3 miles (9:45 pace)
Tuesday: yoga
Wednesday: 5 miles (9:11 pace)
Thursday: 3 miles (pace tbd)
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 6 miles (pace tbd) - 5k trail race followed by 3 more miles (assuming they let me buy a bib)
Sunday: Rest

I am looking forward to my longer runs coming up, oddly. I can't wait to get up to the 14 mile, 15 milers. I must say though adding an extra mid-milage run to my week is a challenge. Thankfully we have so much sunlight now, otherwise I'd be on the dreadmill which I can only handle for about 30 minutes.

And on a cheesy note: My favorite person and myself from last weekend in Tahoe on a gondola from our hotel to the village. I like him.

Wanderlust and Bridge Runs

You know that feeling in the middle of your long run where you pass mile three and you feel like you're flying and you just run faster so effortlessly you think you're weightless? That  has gotta' be the sweetest feeling in the whole world and perfectly describes how I felt almost the entire time on my run over the Golden Gate Bridge this Saturday.

Lauren and I set out Saturday morning to run across the GG and get in six miles for her half training and my ramp up to marathon training. I had never run over the bridge before so I was EXTREMELY excited. She picked me up and we made a pit stop at Sport's Basement and I finally bought a new running hat. Another Nike pink one. I am such a creature of habit.

Me and Lauren after coming off the bridge (Girl Scouts in background) also, new pink hat.

We hit the bay trail and ran up some steps and through winding paths and we realized there was a Girl Scout event going on. There were literally hundred upon hundreds of girl's doing a project for a badg which involved walking across the bridge. Somehow, despite weaving around all these kids we still managed to have a great run. The weather was perfect (55 degrees, light flog, breeze and some sun) Running over the bridge was amazing and gave me a whole new perspective on the city and how beautiful it is. I had a blast and clocked 6 miles at a reasonable time considering the weaving and how hilly it is.

Perhaps the only people-less part of this run

The rest of Saturday was followed by laundry, eating giant breakfast burritos with J and some drinks with friends.

Yesterday, I went to Wanderlust in the City, an awesome city version of the famous Wanderlust Festival. I ate lots of samples and got my Vinyassa on in the sunshine. It was very fun and nice to dedicate my practice to my lovely Mom.

Me in the white tank top! Thanks random Instagram photo taker.

View of the stage from my mat

I love doing yoga outside with a ton of people. I did City of Hope's Yoga Fest last year and loved that, too. I'd love to do a girlfriend trip to Wanderlust in Tahoe someday. Speaking of Tahoe, we are going for a little weekend out of the city in three weeks. Can't wait!

I am already looking forward to this coming weekend and along run in Golden Gate Park (I LOVE running there, it's so peaceful and I have so much room to run!) Oh and it's Bay to Breakers, too. Yeah!

Happy Monday, friends!

Happy Marathon Training!

Ordered myself some gifts as a celebration to kick off marathon training. Who's ready to eat 26.2 miles for breakfast?!

Run commuting

Sometimes I like to get my miles in before work. I feel more energized and relaxed going into the day and have way more time to make dinner and eat before 8:30pm unlike days when I try to run after work. It also means I can try to get to yoga class, go lift or even grab a drink with a friend. Plus, who doesn't love running through downtown SF and along the Embarcadero in the morning? It's gorgeous and not crowded. I love it.

SO pretty!

Usually I just take the bus to the office, drop off my bag and head out for a run. This means I need to leave the house by 7:15 in order to get to work, go for a run and shower. (I am lucky enough to work at an office with a locker room.) Lately, when I do this I noticed a ton of run commuters. At first I thought it was a little lame to run to work with a backpack on you back, but I thought I would put my snowshoe day pack to the test and run to work to see how much more time I could save and how running with a pack was.

Tuesday I geared up and decided I wanted to get four miles in (I only work 2.5 miles from my apartment) so I mapped a route, packed my bag and hit the streets. The first two miles were fun and then by mile two and a half the pack started to get a tiny bit annoying but it was definitely manageable. I got to work so fast that I decided I was going to try it again today.

This time I packed a little lighter and had no problem at all with the backpack. I took the faster route (2.65 miles) and got to work/showered/made breakfast and was at my desk all in 40 minutes. Woohooo!

Now, obviously running 2.65 miles a day during the week for marathon training isn't going to cut it. But, this was definitely a fun, fast was to get to the office and get some miles in. I am going to make it part of my routine now that the sun is out earlier and the temps are warming.

Next on my list? Maybe find a better suited pack for run commuters. Mine is teeny and I can't fit my lunch in it too well with all my other stuff. Any recommendations?

Happy running, friends!

Getting Fast(er) (my version of fast)

I ran a 5K today and PR'd! Hooray. It was my first one since July where I ran a 29:17. My 5K PR was previously a 28:46. I went in to today not expecting too much because I didn't feel super fresh but I had three goal times in mind.

Goal A: 26:15
Goal B: 26:45
Goal C: 27:30

I had no idea how the course was going to be and I knew I just really wanted to break 28 minutes with secret hope to break 27. (Yes, I am probably much slower than you.)

I woke up late feeling rushed and not very excited. However, once we got lined up I was feel pumped and took off near the front of the pack which is unlike me. I went out wayyyy too fast and struggled to get into a groove with my breathing the first quarter of a mile. Once I did I felt fine and just pushed at a pace I knew I could keep the whole way. I put in a few bursts of speed on a few stretches of the course then felt terrible the final .2 miles uphill to the finish. In fact, this was the first time I nearly vomited while running. I had to do everything I could to not got sick. I held it back, kicked it up a notch and ran across the finish line. I thought I ran around a 26:25 but found out my official time was 26:18!!!! NEW PR!

13/144 Age group
67/1181 Females
233/1820 Overall

I'll take it! Here's to my sub 25 5K, a sub 2:00 half, and a sub 5:00 marathon!!!

I am taking the next month off from any running over six miles. I am focusing solely on strength training, yoga and getting into really strong gear to start my marathon training. I can't believe training starts soon. Eeeeep!

Holy moly, I am running a marathon.

Saturday on my long run something struck me as I ran passed a woman in a 26.2 shirt; that's going to be ME!

Looking at my training schedule I know this is going to be A LOT of work and dedication. I am thinking about joining a running club so I have company on those 18 milers, 20 milers, etc. This is going to take a lot of support for someone like me who can sometimes decide that 7.5 miles is as good as 8. I think it might take a village to raise a marathoner? No? OK, but it may take a little push from behind to really get through those long runs.

This is something I still have a little time to think about but it's seeming like a good option.

My favorite little cheesy motto. I usually hate these things but I love this one

This week workout wrap up!

Monday: Two speedy miles just because
Tuesday: Three miles of fartleks
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Three miles
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 10 miles
Sunday: Yoga

I got a massage Saturday for the first time since April. It was delightful and my left calf with the terrible knot is all better now. Ahhh.

Can we talk about the Oscars for a minute? I like, Anne Hathaway but really? She won? I think I just loved Silver Linings Playbook way more than Les Mis. C'est le vie, I guess...

Also,  I am going to Vegas Friday night for a bachelorette party. It's the first one I have ever been to. I can't wait to hang out with some lovely ladies and get my dance on.

Happy Monday, friends!

To 26.2 or not?

I keep toying with the idea of running a full marathon this year. I'll be 26 in just over five months and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than by running at mile for each year I have been on this planet. (Except for maybe eat 26 chocolate croissants for 26 days in Paris.)

Also, the marathon I am looking at happens to be in Portland (where my parent's live) and four days after my mom's birthday anddddd one of my favorite people on earth is also running it.Not only is she always an inspiration to me but she's the reason I signed up to run my first 5k. So I'ld love to hug her when we cross the finish line.
The problem is I keep thinking about how hard 26 miles is going to be. I like a challenge, but damn...


I REGISTERED FOR A FULL MARATHON!!!

AHHHHHHH. 26.2 on 10.6 in Portland.

In the meantime I resume to my half training schedule. I am so nervous/excited/afraid/stoked.