Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Shinzen 10 mile, 5 mile, 2 mile run/walk

Woodward Park is one of my favorite places to run an event.  Since coming back home to the Central Valley, I have been trying to make a point of signing up for all local events, no matter how big or small.  When I saw this one, I knew I had to take part.  I had originally signed up for t 5 miler, but knew with my left foot still recovering from my Texas size blister, there was just still no way without re-injuring it.  My left quad was also feeling a little discomfort, so I decided to play it safe and do the 2-miler.

I emailed the contact listed about a week before the event, asking permission to drop down.  The reply was to just let them know when I picked up my stuff.  The volunteer handing out bibs/shirts on race morning just looked at me blankly when I tried to tell him this, but I smiled and thanked him anyway. 

I looked around the finish for someone to tell but didn't see anyone so I headed out to the start line, but took some pictures of the awards before heading over.



While I didn't win any of these, I love that such a small event had so many beautiful awards.


At the start of the race in front of their sign.

While I didn't win any of the awards for fastest runner, I did do well for myself.  I have learned it is always about racing myself and having fun.  I met a new friend in the last 1/2 mile.  We helped to keep each other running strong to the finish, just wish I had gotten a picture with my new friend.  My finish time (according to my watch) was 24:35.  That means a 12:18ish for a per mile pace.  My pervious was 12:38 during a 5k so I was super happy!  Don't think it will be official, but I did let the timing guy at the finish line know, and he made note of my number. 

Well organized event.  Course was easily marked and there were plenty of cheerful volunteers and spectators.  I would highly recommend this one and would gladly do it again!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Labor of Love 2013

This is one of my favorite events.  Labor of Love is a 2 day running event about 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas sponsored by Calico Racing.  I have done this event 4 years in a row and will be sad when they only offer one day next year.  Aside from the elevation gain, there isn't anything I don't love about this event.  The stations are always stocked with plenty of water and heed and have the best volunteers.  Finish line is filled with a variety of goodies for when you get back.  My favorite is the pasta salad. 

 At the start line before the race on Saturday.
 With my favorite photographer!
Shane working on his 50 mile age group award!  How fab-o is he for getting the age group in his first 50k and his first 50 miler!!

Walking on Sunday with one of my favorite people, Deb! 
 All the bling for doing both days!  You had your choice of a 100 miler, 50 miler, full marathon, half marathon, or 10k on Saturday then a 50k, half marathon or 10k for Sunday!

Please visit www.calicoracing.com for a complete list of all of their races the next time you are looking for a reason to visit Las Vegas.  Next up with Calico Racing is Running with the Devil on June 29th.  Look forward to seeing all of my Calico family there!!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Stride Boxes!

Stride Boxes:  I can't say enough positive things about this program.  Found out about it from another runner and knew we had to sign up.  For just $15 a month, you get a box of random running stuff delivered to your doorstep.  While there is always bound to be something either you don't like the taste of or can't really use, it is sure to feel a little like Christmas or your birthday every month.  Cannot say enough positive things about Stride Box!!

We are still enjoying our 1st box and just opened our 2nd.  Will work on getting up our thoughts on the contents soon (with pictures when possible), and will also include a link to the products website!

Happy Running!!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

William M. Maguy 1st Annual Scholarship 5k run/2k walk

Perfect morning for a run.  I have been trying to sign up for as many of the local events as I can, just to get out and meet new people and support local causes.  I had mixed feelings when I saw the location of Cutler Park.  Had only been out there once and remembered not feeling 100% about the experience. 

First off, want to say great job for a 1st year event.  While it looked like most of the people were employees of Proteus (who was the main sponsor and who was in charge of the scholarship the money was going to fun), it was still nice to see so many people outside moving.

In front of some of the "Lincoln Log" type playground at the park.  A great place for a family to spend a few hours outside. 

With one of the local sponsor signs along the course.  They made signs for all of the local businesses who had donated to make the event possible.  I picked this one since I worked there for a few months after high school (and my brother worked there as well).

While I didn't see a mile 3 orange runner dude, this little guy showed us the way for miles one and two.

Race shirt and number.  Was surprised they had technical shirts for this event. 

Since they didn't have medals or ribbons at the finish line of this event, I decided to reward my feet with a pair of new Gizmo socks as my "bling" for the race.  Actually gave them to myself before the event since the shirt I was wearing matched them.  Funny how the event shirt was the same color.

There was plenty of water, bananas, and oranges at the finish line as well as a crowd to cheer everyone in.  Maybe it was because it was mostly a group of co-workers out there, but it was still great to be almost the last runner and still have a crowd to cheer me in (where there was only about 50 people). 

They only negative was not one the RD could have helped.  Running loops around the park takes you off road into the grass and sand areas of Cutler Park.  While I am all for an off road trail run, I do really like ones that I have to constantly be watching for holes.  The gophers were plentiful at Cutler Park, that much is certain.  You could tell maintenance had been working hard to keep up with the problem by all of the fresh areas of dirt.  With all of the possible out and back options available out there, my only suggestion for improvement is to try that next time.  I was told by a couple of other runners that they had been to events at Cutler Park that had done just that. 

I managed to hit one of the gopher holes with my left foot just before mile 1.  This poor leg/foot still has not healed completely from my marathon March 16th.  While my calf had been feeling better and the multiple blisters had began to heal, hitting this hole just did a number on me.  By the end, my right leg was feeling the majority of the pain due to trying to over compensate for the discomfort of the left.  While it was nothing major, it will still be a concern in future events at Cutler Park.  Gopher holes are not good for runners, at least not this one. 

Look forward to trying it again next year!  Great job Proteus!!  Hope we were able to help your scholarship fund!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Crazy 8's Saturday w/ Tracy's Racing

This was my second time doing an event with Tracy's Racing.  There is this 8 day event called Crazy 8's.  You can either run one day, or 8 days, or anywhere in between.  You get to choose the distance:  5k, 10k, half or full marathon.  If you do all 8 days, you get a pool ball for each day.  There are gender 1st & 2nd place for all distances too. 

I had wanted to try and make it for all 8 days, but knew because of the expense it wouldn't be possible.  Race registration is actually very inexpensive (please visit www.tracysracing.com for more details). 

My race day album can be found on my facebook page on the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200437821721819.1073741829.1044716918&type=1&l=dc758f3a0c

I can't say enough positive things about this race.  My goal for the day was to shoot some pictures of the other runners, spend time with my running family, and get in a 5k (so I could earn some new bling).  While it was a little windy, and there was a few drops of rain, it was a perfect day to be outside. 

I was still feeling a little bit of a twinge in my left calf from my full 2 weeks prior so I knew I would not be doing much running.  Having been on the course before (for the MLK triple), I knew where the turn around was.  Lake Merced is a 4.5 mile loop.  Depending on which distance you choose, you just keep running around in a circle until you get there.  For those of you counting, no worries about going over your distance for the full or half.  There is a bridge that makes it perfect, you just cut across and it keeps your distance right on track.  The 5k and 10k's both have volunteers out there to make sure you turn around at the right spot as well.

I am hoping to one day be able to do all 8 days of the Crazy 8's.  There is a spring and a fall addition of this event.  If you do them back to back, you have a chance to earn all 16 balls for your efforts!!  Just too much fun!!!