Shamrock Shuffle 5k

St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Shuffle 5k in Lemoore, CA

This was my first time running in the city of Lemoore and I look forward to going back.  I had a great time meeting a new group of Central Valley runners and exploring a new city on my feet.  A great family atmosphere and I would highly recommend trying it out next year.  Even had a local group of girl scouts on hand in case you were looking for some cookies.

The volunteers and traffic directors were friendly all along the course as well as the ladies working packet pick-up in the morning.  Most of the runners were friendly and welcoming as well.  Ended up giving my ear/antlers to a young lady runner who was playing on the swing set as I walked to my car.  She called out, "I love your ear" as I walked by, so I asked if she would like to have them.  I got the biggest smile and a "Thank you".  Only wish I had gotten a picture of her wearing them.
 

With my friend Emelia before the race.  She went on to win the best costume of the morning, so proud of her.

The 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place Age Group awards (done in bronze, silver, and gold), as well as the overall trophies and the trophy for best costume.

Some of the best costume contestants.

More of the best costume contstants.

Location of the start/finish area for the event.

My shirt and bib for the morning.  Since I wasn't speedy enough to win an AG award, I gave myself a pair of Gizmo Socks instead to celebrate another half marathon finish.

One of the more animated race t-shirts in my collection.  Only thing that could have made it better was if it wasn't white.

Another successful local event in the books.  Look forward to my next running adventure in the city of Lemoore. 

Tule Fog Run

A little late but here we go...

The Tule Fog Run 10k, 5k and kids run:  I have been trying to get this one since moving back to the Central Valley in June 2011 and have had conflicts with other events.  Was so happy to finally make it out this year.   I have had mixed feeling about events held at Cutler Park in the past.  While the events themselves have been enjoyable, the path chosen for the miles is not always fun. 

I was happy to see almost all of this event was on paved pathways.  Only dirt part was getting from the loop around the park onto the actual St. John's Trail.  We couldn't have asked for a better day weather wise.  The event was hosted by Visalia Parks and Recreation.  Sole 2 Soul was there for timing.  Clif Bar was helping with the fuel.  Visalia Times-Delta was out to capture all the moments. 

Spirits were high as we all gathered around to see of the kids run participants.  Was so much fun to see the youthful runners make their way to the finish line.  And seeing them get their special kids finisher medals put a smile on everyone's face.

While I was not having a bad day, I still just wasn't feeling it.  Little did I know, I was another runners "rabbit", helping them to reach a 5k PR.  As we came around the final corner of the trail around 2.6 or so, a lady came up to me and told me "thank you for helping me keep pace today".  Apparently she had decided to pace off of me.  Not sure why she picked me, she talked almost like she had seen me at other local events, which is possible, and knew I was typically close to her current goal.  Whatever the case, knowing I had helped her made it all worth it.

By 2.85 on my GPS, I was starting to feeling a little off in my tummy.  In the end, I think I was just hungry, which is not normal for me on race morning.  I will managed to stay under 40 minutes and helped my new friend to cut almost 2 minutes off her time.  So much fun.  Will for sure look for this event next year.

 Since we didn't get a medal for finishing, I gave myself a new pair of Gizmo Socks!

 Thank you Clif Shot Blocks for being a sponsor.  Loved finding you in my goody bag and at the finish line!

 Self portrait at the finish line.

Made it into the local newspaper, the Visalia Times-Delta, as I was coming around the final curve into the finish line.  So happy I was wearing my Charlie Alewine Racing shirt.

Bank of the Sierra Resolution Run 5k

What a great way to start the new year!  I went in with no expectations about what I hoped to achieve other than finishing.  When we started out, I was a little concerned to see we were heading in the same direction as we used for the Turkey Trot.  I was hoping they had learned something from the almost fiasco of the elite runners running into the rest of us.  They learned and rerouted us so this problem didn't happen again.

Other than the late 9:30 start, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this morning and look forward to returning again next year.

 

 

A very successful 2013

So many things to be thankful for during my 2013, not only in running but in life as well.  I wanted to take a few moments to share my thoughts on all that happened for me in my running adventure.  I was a little surprised to see just how many events I had taken part of.  Not sure if that is good or bad, but I am grateful for all of the amazing friends I have made along the way.

Some of the numbers: 
54 = total number of events completed
14 = total number for half marathon completed
14=  total number of 10k's
18 = total number of 5k's
378.8 = total number of race miles

First time experiences:
Sub-3 hour half marathon finish
Quarter marathon in Wisconsin
Full marathon at Pathfinder Ranch near Palm Springs (also earned my 1st ever age group award)
Consecutive back to back half maraton (day 1 was actually in 2012 as I completed the New Years Double in Allen, TX)
Back to back half marathons in the same day (6am and 1pm start times for a total day of marathon miles)

States added to my quest for a half in all 50 states:  Texas, Mississippi, Indiana, Michigan, Illionis

Multiple PR's (personal bests):
Jan 19th:  half marathon 3:01:05
Feb. 3rd:  10k 1:20:31
May 4th:  5k  38:44.64
June 16th:  5k  37:36.52
Sept. 28th:  5k  36:56.23
Nov. 3rd:  half marathon  2:59:48 (first ever sub 3 hour finish)
Dec. 14th:  5k  36:34.20

Looking forward to 2014 and seeing what new adventures and new friends I can discover.  As well as meeting up with already friends along the way.  And most importantly, my 1st ever ultra event, a 50k in March!

Mavericks Pony Express 5k run/walk and kids fun run

 I have been happy to find so many new races springing up around the central valley.  When I left Las Vegas to return home to the valley, I was sad to loose so many fun events.  The Mavericks Pony Express is on the top of my list for events I will return to around the valley.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, I took a lot of them on Saturday, September 28th, and as you can see from all the smiles, it was an event I truly enjoyed, benefiting the Happy Trails Ranch in Tulare, CA.  And an added bonus, upon going back and checking results, it appears it was a PR too!!

Official race photo on the home stretch and a new PR!

Smiling faces before the race.

Smiling faces at the finish line sporting our bling.

Smiling faces at the pancake breakfast.

Happy to be done with the race.

Kids race!

Kids race.

Mom and daughter sprinting to the finish together.

Mom, Dad and Daughter finishing the race together.  One of the many families who use the Happy Trails facilities.

Husband and Wife finishing strong together.

Map of the Happy Trails facility and our course for the morning.

Until we meet again next year.....

Run with Realtors 5k and CVC Cavilers 5k

These were both new events for me this year.  I signed up for both to help feed into my quest for a 5k a day.  Only thing I wish I had done was take more pictures of both.  The Realtors event had some booths set up after for everyone to wonder around and pick up some information about various things.  There was plenty of refreshments at the finish too as many of the vendors had snacks and drinks for the runners. 

 Start line with everyone getting ready to go.  This was by far one of the most friendliest groups I have come across.  Seemed everyone knew someone and if you didn't they would still welcome you with a smile!

 After the finish in the parking lot.

 My KT Tape application for the day.  I love this stuff!

 Relaxing with Katie in the backyard after a shower and some lunch/breakfast.  Don't know who was more sleepy.

Since there was no bling, I rewarded myself with another new pair of Gizmo Socks!  My feet are so happy when they are in Gizmo.

CVC 5k:  Another great local run.  I recognized many of the faces, aside from the being all grown up.  I was also able to spend almost the entire race visiting with my friend Vera.  Vera has grandchildren who go to school at Central Valley Christian and at least one on the cross country team who this event was benefiting.  Only regret for this one was not getting a picture of us together.  

This was a very well organized race.  There were cross country students all along the course to make sure you didn't get lost.  And they were out there until the very end.  They also had a slightly modified course for those with strollers so you didn't have to worry about getting stuck or getting a flat tire when we went off road.  

I was able to keep up with my friend Vera until about a quarter mile from the finish.  I had to walk in a part of it and she ended up coming in about a minute faster than I did.  Again I found myself just sitting down at the finish line with my water bottle and banana.  Look forward to doing this one again next year.

No bling so another new pair of Gizmo Socks earned for this one!  Earned the matching hat the next day when I celebrated my 4 week completion of a 5k a day outside!

Hell of a Half Marathon 2013

2nd time around:  I was not happy with this race last year.  I was suffering from a hairline fracture on my right baby toe and by the top of the first hill, I was done and suffering.  I knew I had to come back and improve my finish time.  While I did not get in all of the training I was hoping for, I did manage to cut off 18 minutes for a course PR!  I had a few issues with fuel that didn't help much either, but I met some great runners and the volunteers were great as always.

I had recently discovered an allergy to Stevia and didn't realize until after the race that one of the electrolyte tables I took during the race contained it.  I could feel my stomach doing something funny as I climbed the first hill but didn't know the cause of it.  I guessed it may have been the tablet since it was a different brand than I usually use but had grabbed since it was there.  Made a mental note and tried to move on.

The sun was starting to beat down upon me, as was evident in my rosy cheeks.  Dripping would describe how sweaty I was, but that is normal during a half marathon, just usually not as bad as with this one.  By the time I reached the top of the first hill, I knew I was going to struggle to get the rest of it done.  At the same time I knew I was still feeling way better than last year and as long as I got in under that time I was good.  I knew I had to fall back on play B, getting under 3:30 since my 15 minute per mile pace was lost forever by the top of the first hill.  

I was out of gas but the top but knew I would pick up a little strength on the downhill.  The cool breeze felt good but I knew it wouldn't last.  I knew I had to keep moving as fast as I could until the next hill or I wouldn't make my 2nd goal either.  The aide station at the bottle of Rocky Hill (hill #2) offered frozen e-lyte's like Otter Pops.  This was super yummy but didn't help much in regaining my strength.  Just get to the top, I kept telling myself.  I don't remember ever moving so slowly as I did up this 2nd hill.  About half way up, I was beginning to feel a little dizzy and just wanted to sit down.  I knew if I did sit, I would DNF and that was not an option unless vomit was involved.

The volunteers were great.  They were still smiling and cheering all of the runners on.  I wasn't the only one struggling to get up the hill but it seemed that many who I had passed on the flat portion were now passing me on the hill.  I was just done, but knew I wouldn't give up.  As I reached the top, I knew I was home!

The coast down Rocky Hill was just what my body needed.  Many of the people who had passed me on the way up were now struggling with the down hill, something I am usually good at.  I kicked it into the next gear and had a 10 minute mile coming down, something that is good for me at the beginning of a race let along around mile 10 and 2 climbs!  I had refilled my water bottle at the top of the hill so I didn't need to stop until I was done.

There was a fire pit at the bottom of Rocky Hill, a nice touch to the race, just wish I had gotten a photo of it along with the crew working the station. 

I continued to coast past people who left me on the climb.  I finally knew I had turned the next to last corner and was heading to the finish line.  I walked until I saw the final mile marker ahead then kicked in the last ounce of what I had.  I grabbed my water bottle, chocolate milk and banana and just flopped down on the grass.  I was so happy to be done!   While it was not my first goal of 15 minute average per mile, I got my under 3:30!  So I will be back again next year Rocky Hill & Hell of a Half Marathon!  Guess I need to get some hill work in before I do!

  

Sunrise before the start.

Although I will never get an age group award, this is what they looked like.

 Another award I won't be getting anytime soon, the Overall finisher award.

 Logo for the event!

 Pile of bling!  Was super heavy too and with the custom lanyard, who could ask for more.

 Water bottles for all the finishers.  Super heavy and a welcomed treat at the finish.

 Getting ready to climb the first hill just after mile 5.

 Almost to the top of the first hill!

 Feeling good as the first climb is almost done!

 Refueling with Gatorade chews.  Wasn't happy with the texture but the flavor was good.

 Snoopy sporting my medal after I got home!