Check out my 1/2 marathon pic! (BELOW)
Sunday's run was already behind by two miles. I was supposed to be doing 22 but with the injuries and taking time off, I had built up and trained to run 20. By the time I was only half of the first mile in, my left foot started acting up. I tried to fight through it, hoping the pain would go away but at mile 5 I knew that running 15 more miles today could quite possibly end my running career all together. So, I only ran 5 miles on Sunday. Big bummer because finding 4 hours during the day to run by myself is impossible when you are responsible for managing a family.
I went back to Road Runner to double check my shoes and buy some "Super Feet" - Orthodics that slip right into my shoes. IT'S A MIRACLE! I ran 2 miles yesterday with them and NO PAIN! I ran 3 miles today with them and I notice that I'm standing up straighter, there's still no pain and I can feel the muscles in my legs working differrently than before. It's amazing to me that this little arch support can do so much. Boy, do I wish I would have gotten these before. I have really flat feet, so these orthodics keep my foot and ankle straight when I run, instead of rolling inwards toward the ground. It's like, I didn't have any shocks to begin with and then I totally wore out whatever was in my foot, and now I have new shocks! I feel awesome! I can't wait til Sunday's 10 mile.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Race Results
Actual Race time was 2:48:03
I finished 35 out of 38 in my age category (30-34)
I finished 832 out of 879 racers that day!
I finished 35 out of 38 in my age category (30-34)
I finished 832 out of 879 racers that day!
Here are 4 photos from the race photographer...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Camp Pendleton's Hearbreak Ridge
2:40:00 As all of you have been such an encouragement and excited to see "How I did" on race day, My response has simply been "I finished!"
Boy - Did I underestimate THAT course! There's certainly something to be said about blind faith. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I knew I would finish the race (there was a 3 hour limit) I knew I wouldn't win a medal. I didn't know how physically and mentally hard it would be.
I ran at the end of the pack the entire race. Come to find out, this is NOT a good race to start with. HA! This race is part of a series entitled "Hard Core Race Series" not pansy weenie series... hmmm. But seeing that I gave birth to my daughter at home, I could surely run 13.1 little miles on a hill course. Childbirth was a little easier...
I was pacing with a very nice lady named Paula from San Diego. We were talking about how you use different muscles groups to run different courses. That was the first thing I had to conquer.
Next came the "electrolyte refueling" They mentioned there was water and gatorade at each mile. That didn't seem accurate as I only saw gatorade 3 times on the course. Which means I was running on an empty tank once I reached about mile 5. I brought a Power Bar with me (which is exactly what I always do) but I couldn't choke it down.
My third mistake was with my ipod - I always - always - run with music the whole way. I know that I don't do well if I'm running & talking with someone because it breaks my concentration. I could run with someone as long as we weren't talking, but for some reason I felt compelled to talk with this nice lady. So, not only did I not have any energy, it was also very hard to concentrate. And let me tell you about the hills....These hills were the equivalent of running up Cove Rd. in Dana Point Harbor a couple of times, with smaller hills in between. Yea - like that! And remember - this was 13.1 miles.
The good news is that I finished! I did it! I did a great job of keeping my normal steady pace for the first 6 miles, then walked/ran back the second half. My injuries from last week didn't bother me either.
So you know what this means? 4 Weeks until the Long Beach Intertantional Marathon!
Woo-Hoo!
Boy - Did I underestimate THAT course! There's certainly something to be said about blind faith. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I knew I would finish the race (there was a 3 hour limit) I knew I wouldn't win a medal. I didn't know how physically and mentally hard it would be.
I ran at the end of the pack the entire race. Come to find out, this is NOT a good race to start with. HA! This race is part of a series entitled "Hard Core Race Series" not pansy weenie series... hmmm. But seeing that I gave birth to my daughter at home, I could surely run 13.1 little miles on a hill course. Childbirth was a little easier...
I was pacing with a very nice lady named Paula from San Diego. We were talking about how you use different muscles groups to run different courses. That was the first thing I had to conquer.
Next came the "electrolyte refueling" They mentioned there was water and gatorade at each mile. That didn't seem accurate as I only saw gatorade 3 times on the course. Which means I was running on an empty tank once I reached about mile 5. I brought a Power Bar with me (which is exactly what I always do) but I couldn't choke it down.
My third mistake was with my ipod - I always - always - run with music the whole way. I know that I don't do well if I'm running & talking with someone because it breaks my concentration. I could run with someone as long as we weren't talking, but for some reason I felt compelled to talk with this nice lady. So, not only did I not have any energy, it was also very hard to concentrate. And let me tell you about the hills....These hills were the equivalent of running up Cove Rd. in Dana Point Harbor a couple of times, with smaller hills in between. Yea - like that! And remember - this was 13.1 miles.
The good news is that I finished! I did it! I did a great job of keeping my normal steady pace for the first 6 miles, then walked/ran back the second half. My injuries from last week didn't bother me either.
So you know what this means? 4 Weeks until the Long Beach Intertantional Marathon!
Woo-Hoo!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Sunday's 17 Mile Run
My Run on Sunday started out good. It was early and cool - 6:30am 65 degrees - I ran down through Doheny Beach first and then out San Juan Creek Trail. I was just past the 10 mile mark, when suddenly my aductors (top inside of my quads) were hit with a shooting pain I inadvertently incurred the day before while riding our bikes down to the Harbor for the Tall Ships Festival.
I kept going - praying and asking God for help to get through the second half of my run. I slowed down a little bit, struggling through it. As I came up on the 17 mile mark, I just couldn't endure any more of the stabbing pain which had distributed itself through my knees and ankles. I was so bummed, I cried.
I could hardly walk but my car was about a mile away. Just then, Brad & Kacie showed up in the dune buggy, honking the "Aaa-ooo-ga" horn. It was serendipidous to say the least.
The good news is, that this is the second long run I've done without the energy drinks and as a result, my post run recovery has been much easier. I was tired of course, but I didn't have the bad side effects of nausea (there's other bad things, but I won't gross you out)
This coming weekend of the 13th will be my VERY FIRST RACE EVER!! Camp Pendleton's Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. WOO-Hoo!! Wish me luck!
I kept going - praying and asking God for help to get through the second half of my run. I slowed down a little bit, struggling through it. As I came up on the 17 mile mark, I just couldn't endure any more of the stabbing pain which had distributed itself through my knees and ankles. I was so bummed, I cried.
I could hardly walk but my car was about a mile away. Just then, Brad & Kacie showed up in the dune buggy, honking the "Aaa-ooo-ga" horn. It was serendipidous to say the least.
The good news is, that this is the second long run I've done without the energy drinks and as a result, my post run recovery has been much easier. I was tired of course, but I didn't have the bad side effects of nausea (there's other bad things, but I won't gross you out)
This coming weekend of the 13th will be my VERY FIRST RACE EVER!! Camp Pendleton's Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. WOO-Hoo!! Wish me luck!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Post Run Recovery
I've found that I've been having trouble with recovering after my long runs - so badly that I was pretty much lying in bed for the remainder of the day. I've shared with you before that I had felt "hungover" and I thought to myself that surely there was a better way.
Ya know, part of training is not only building on the distance I'm running, but to also key into my body and giving it what it needs. This is a process of trial and error because what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for me. To my dissappointment, the XS energy drinks (Amway) that I had been using, could quite possibly be the culprit. I didn't use them the last couple of runs and I'm not going to use them tomorrow - I'll be running 19 miles. I did go to REVO in Dana Point (bicycle shop) and the owner there was extremely helpful. He suggested I try out an electrolyte mix instead of G2. I drank it all week to introduce it to my body and I really like it (more than G2) But here's the really cool thing...
A friend of mine just recently purchased the Japanese technology (machine) that process' water - making it more alkaline for the body. The benefits are that it get's rid of free radicals vey quickly, hydrates the body more efficiently, provides more oxygen to the muscles and I've felt like I've had a lot more energy overall. AMAZING!! I am aware that ther very idea of this might be a "placebo effect." But I have to say, that my short runs this week (less than 4 miles) have been awesome! I ran faster than usual and for the first time in months, my cardio was actually getting a workout!
I used to have to drink coffee, or an XS energy drink or something to get me moving in the morning before the run. I always thought to myself "how do runners do this? THIS SUCKS!!" My trainer says she doesn't drink anything like that before a run and I used to think she was nutz. But I now wonder if her body is better hydrated, with better nutrition and performs at a different- better level than mine.
In the past on all of my long run days, I've felt crappy. Last weekend's 10 miles wasn't soo bad, but I didn't feel my best. I am curious with the new water and the new electrolyte mix-- how I will feel after the 19 miles Sunday. For me, the running itself is not the hardest part. The hardest part is figuring out what my body needs to properly replenish it.
Ya know, part of training is not only building on the distance I'm running, but to also key into my body and giving it what it needs. This is a process of trial and error because what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for me. To my dissappointment, the XS energy drinks (Amway) that I had been using, could quite possibly be the culprit. I didn't use them the last couple of runs and I'm not going to use them tomorrow - I'll be running 19 miles. I did go to REVO in Dana Point (bicycle shop) and the owner there was extremely helpful. He suggested I try out an electrolyte mix instead of G2. I drank it all week to introduce it to my body and I really like it (more than G2) But here's the really cool thing...
A friend of mine just recently purchased the Japanese technology (machine) that process' water - making it more alkaline for the body. The benefits are that it get's rid of free radicals vey quickly, hydrates the body more efficiently, provides more oxygen to the muscles and I've felt like I've had a lot more energy overall. AMAZING!! I am aware that ther very idea of this might be a "placebo effect." But I have to say, that my short runs this week (less than 4 miles) have been awesome! I ran faster than usual and for the first time in months, my cardio was actually getting a workout!
I used to have to drink coffee, or an XS energy drink or something to get me moving in the morning before the run. I always thought to myself "how do runners do this? THIS SUCKS!!" My trainer says she doesn't drink anything like that before a run and I used to think she was nutz. But I now wonder if her body is better hydrated, with better nutrition and performs at a different- better level than mine.
In the past on all of my long run days, I've felt crappy. Last weekend's 10 miles wasn't soo bad, but I didn't feel my best. I am curious with the new water and the new electrolyte mix-- how I will feel after the 19 miles Sunday. For me, the running itself is not the hardest part. The hardest part is figuring out what my body needs to properly replenish it.
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Christian T Heckathorn
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