City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day half marathon, 10k, 5k

This one is/was for my Dad to celebrate his service with the United States Marine Corps.  I was originally just going to do the 10k for the event since I had been having some feet/leg issues but when Renegade Racing announced they were doing a 5 year salute to the Armed Forces and this year would start with the USMC, I knew I had to do the half so I could bring home the biggest bling for my Dad.

I lost track of how many times I cried Monday morning while out on the course, while walking around the finish area, while thinking about how much my Dad means to me.  I was hoping for as close to a 3 hour finish time as possible but around mile 9 I knew that was slowly slipping away from me.  There were a lot of factors keeping me from pushing.  Part was knowing it didn't matter how hard I pushed, it was still a finish and I had an ultra in 2 weeks I needed to be ready for.  The other part keeping me from pushing was the emotion of it all.

I met some great people out there.  Two gentlemen were doing their first ever half marathons.  Their wives had both finished multiple half events, and both had at least one full marathons done.  These men were inspired by the Memorial Day holiday and the salute to all of our service men and women.  They were both veterans themselves I learned while sharing a few miles with them.  Was even able to help one by handing off some sports beans, as he was just hungry and hadn't planned for it.  He slowly slipped behind me but before I knew it, he was speeding past right at the finish.  Guess all the burping after he ate the sports beans was just what he needed.

When I got home and presented him with first his new event shirt, and then the medal, he was speechless for a moment.  He was standing maybe a foot away from me as he took the medal in his hands and turned it around and over looking at ever part of it, even the lanyard.  He then took my face in his hands and kissed my forehead, then pulled me close and help me for a minute before kissing my forehead again, looking me in the eyes and thanking me.

I tried to get him to pose for a picture with me wearing the shirt and medal but he just smiled and kept reading his newspaper.  May add a photo of that some day when he just happens to put on his new running shirt.

To all of our service men and women, both past and present and future, THANK YOU for all you sacrifice for all of us.  And THANK YOU to your families as well for sharing you with the rest of us.

Sempra Fi!

One of my favorite parts of the race.  Photo credit to Lance Null

Running strong around mile 7.  Decided to pull up my sleeves so I could even out the farmer tan a little.  Photo credit to Lance Null

Enjoying good friends and fellow Renegade Racing team members at the finish area.  Photo credit to Bill Voong.

I feel so blessed to have been a part of this celebratory event.  It was so much fun to see families out enjoying the day and the concert and other things happening at the finish line festivities.  Looking forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Dala Horse Trot 10k and 2 miler

Saturday, May 17th, 2014
Dala Horse Trot 10k and 2 miler
Kingsburg, CA

Last year I took part in this event for the first time and I knew I would be back.  I was supposed to make a trip to So. Cal. but decided I would stay home and run local.  Saw a few familiar faces and met a few new ones.  While I still wasn't feeling 100%, I am glad I got out there, even if it was just for 2 miles.

Pre-race and post-race fun...

Feel free to stick around and enjoy the Swedish Festival after the race.  Have never been anywhere else where I can run and then buy a used book all in one place.  

Selfie, trying to capture the water tower/tea kettle.

One of the many fun things to take your picture with around town.

Getting some love from Katie upon getting home.

Katie always enjoys my saltyness after a race.

Since we didn't get a finishers medal, I gave myself a new pair of Gizmo Gear running socks to celebrate!

And now...some scenes from the 10k start line....

Run the Beach with Charlie Alewine Racing

Couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to "Run the Beach."  Always a fan of CAR events and the beach path of Long Beach.  While it sometimes gets a little lonely out on the course of low-key events like this, you couldn't ask for a better group of friends to see on the course as you loop each other.

Run the Beach, quarter, half, and full marathons all run along the same beach front course.  While you have to make a complete loop to get to the RD and the aide station, there are multiple opportunities for water along the way, as well as restrooms.  Charlie will have just about anything you would like to see at an aide station, just make sure to email him in advance for any special requests.  

Even better is your car is right there on each loop, making it so you always have just what you need to refuel. 

While the morning was cool, it didn't take long for the sun to come out and the temperatures to warm up.  I had been dealing with some allergies and breathing issues so I decided to just slow down and enjoy the morning.  I was blessed with seeing two first time runners finish with times above what they were expecting and take 1st overall for both male and female.  Was such a joy to see their faces as they crossed the finish line seconds apart and embrace each other.

Please visit www.charliealewineracing.com for future events from this great low-key southern California director. 

Group photo before the start of the race.  Had a lot of first time runners out on the course this morning.

With the race director Charlie Alewine.  One of my favorite RD's!

Spinner medal for finishing.  Glad I didn't know there was also a quarter marathon, I may have opted for that instead.

The Heavenly Half Marathon

The Heavenly Half Marathon in Auberry, CA, Sunday, February 9th, 2014

This is set up to be the first of 3 sister races in the central valley sponsored by Sole 2 Soul Sports.  I have done the Hell of a Half Marathon in Exeter twice now, and while I don't love it, I know it is sure to be a good event with lots of support until the final runner crosses the finish line.

I have never done an event that is advertised as being mostly downhill so I was a little worried about letting my feet get away from me.  While I knew it would be a PR and my 2nd under 3 hour finish, I knew if I wasn't careful I would end up doing some damage and hurting myself.

I knew after getting up the 2nd incline I had to be careful and not let me feet get away from me.  I felt as if I was constantly reminding myself to lean back and make sure my posture was alined and I wasn't stumbling down the hillside.   The volunteers were all amazing and it was fun to see some of the locals come out to encourage and cheer us all on.  The buses seemed to work well for getting everyone to the start line.  I caught a ride back to my car so I didn't take the bus back but the lines appeared to be moving fairly smoothly and there didn't appear to be any complaints.

Look forward to this one again next year, as well as completing the series of races.

They gave us random raffle tickets as we got on the school bus to take us to the start line.  Lucky winners got a new beanie.  Mine will go to a good home in Georgia. 

Was so much fun to see so many familiar faces before the race.  With Terry and Michael Caldwell and one of their friends keeping warm before the race.

With Dr. Sy after the race.  She is the general practitioner for my parents and was a volunteer at one of the aide stations.  She tried to get away from me but I sprinted past her so I could get a picture at the finish line.

Working packet pickup with my friend Emelia.

Working packet pickup with my friend Heather.

All of my race bling.  Gave myself the Gizmo Gear runner girl hat for hitting a new PR.  Everyone got a cool 1/4 zip sweater for finishing, love the thumb holes in the sleeves. 

With my friend Josette at the start line.

Stefanie & Jason's family at the finish line.  So happy to have them waiting at the end.

At the finish line with Stefanie.  So happy we were both able to PR for the day.

With Julia (Jj) at the start line.  So proud of her for all of her improvements this year as she reaches for a spot at the start of the Boston Marathon.

One of my favorite event photos.  The photographer was suspended off the side of the cliff as we ran around the corner. 

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.