Planet Ynnep Running

Surf City Half race Report

2012-02-07T07:18:00.001-08:00

This is not my favorite race! I signed up for this race because I became a legacy runner! A free cotton long sleeved t-shirt, a little sticky pin to add the my medal and the most important reason... Legacy club access to the beer garden! No waiting in that ridiculous line!

We found "secret" parking this year so no waiting in that ridiculous bus line! Another reason I dislike this race.

The main reason I don't like this race, it is usually hot and sunny and there is no shade on this course!

This year was no different! Sun and cloudless skies from the gun! The half starts at 7:45am... Wow late for this sun hater! But this race I was doing only for fun! I was running with Kristy and I knew the sun would suck the life out of me.

We had fun! I ran in my half fanatics shirt- amazing the people you meet when you don your shirt! Lots of cheers! Awesome fun!

The race was ok. I finished 7 minutes faster than the Carlsbad half two weeks ago. Still slow as molasses but oh we'll! 2:45... At least I get out there and run and have fun!

The odd part of this race is that I felt sick to my stomach after the race. I've never felt like I was going to hurl, but boy I sure felt like throwing up after this one. I was waiting for Kristy to cross the finish line and had to go sit on the curb in case I threw up!

I decided a beer would be the best thing to settle my stomach. So off I headed to the beer garden...drank my free beer and wow... I felt so much better!! So much better that I was craving a been and cheese burrito!!!

All in all it was a fun day with a fun friend, Kristy! I live running races with friends!

An Auction for my Carlsbad Half Marathon charity

2012-01-16T23:20:00.000-08:00

On january 22nd, I run the carlsbad half marathon for one of the races official charities, Labrador Rescuers.

This year I am lucky enough to have an original piece of artwork to auction off for my charity! Chris Colfer, Kurt Hummel on Glee, donated an original drawing for me to auction off for my charity!!! Please spread the word about this auction! 100% of the winning bid goes to labrador rescuers!!!

Chris Colfer aka Kurt Hummel original drawing

First Half Marathon since May

2011-10-08T21:59:00.001-07:00

And first time I've blogged since July! Wow slacker!

I am running the Long Beach Half Marathon tomorrow morning. Ugh- I don't think it will be pretty! Not really ready to run 13.1 and the weather is going to suck! Sunny and warm!

Here goes nothing....

2011-07-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

On July 31st at 8:35am I will be toeing the line at the San Francisco 2nd Half Marathon start line in order to get this. Yeah it's a medal, it's a special medal and I'm a sucker for a special medal!! This is the first year this "Half it All Challenge" medal is being given out.....and I "hopefully" will get it! I have 3 1/2 hours to slog my way thru the 2nd Half. I've run 9 miles lately and that is it. I just havent had my running mojo for long runs at all...but I'm still flying up to San Francisco, having my carbo load dinner with friends and will run/walk to that damn finish line to get that medal!

I ran the 1st Half last year..I was supposed to run the 1st Half again this year but changed to the 2nd Half for this damn medal....hell, my running sucks right now so I might as well get something for my effort!

I asked, pestered, bugged, pestered Linda to help me run the last 3 miles of this race....and she said YES!!!!! I can't tell you how relieved I am that I will not be alone for the last 3 miles!! I know it's only 13.1 miles but 13.1 miles to me right now is like an effing marathon....

So, if you are in the San Francisco area and want to cheer me, push me, feed me beer along the course, whatever will get me to the finish, I will be starting in wave 5 (yeah the joys of changing from the 1st Half to the 2nd Half-they shove you in the back) and my bib# is 19949. I'm going to try to get in an earlier wave.....

I've heard the 2nd Half is kinda downhill-woot woot!!!

SLACKER!

2011-07-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

I have been off an entire month.....and I haven't blogged for 2 months-I am a blog slacker! I just havent had anything to blog about! I havent run any races since the Fresno Half Marathon so nothing really to write about!

I've been running-but even my running has suffered! I have lost my mojo! Running is a chore and it hasnt been fun!

I dont know if thats because I was so mentally and physically exhausted from my 11 months of working 70 hour work weeks. maybe my body just said NO! I've been sleeping! And running -as these pictures can prove! Nothing longer than 5 miles until the 10th of July when i struggled thru 9 miles!

Ugh! I have the San Francisco 2nd Half on July 31st-and I think I'm going to DIE!!! I'm not ready but must run it 1) because I have to get out of LA and 2) I want the new special "Half it All Challenge" medal for participants running the 1st and 2nd Half's in consecutive years! I will be the first group to get the special medal-the things i will do for a medal!!!

Other than that I have done nothing with my time off! I didnt take a trip, I've spent most of my time at home with my dogs, yes dogs....I have a new addition who is a fantastic running companion as well!

My new dog, Ceilidh (K-Lee) loves to run!! and she and Velcro have fallen into the perfect running pattern! Ceilidh on the right and Velcro on the left! The Double Buddy System rocks!

As for what happens next....well, I'd love to go on a trip soon-really need to go camping, but I think I'm running out of time!

I have the San Fran half on the 31st and then some "hopeful" races after that! It all depends if I get that "mojo" back. Come on mojo, where are you???

Anyone want to run the last 3-5 miles in San Francisco with me???? Let me know...I will accept all the help I can take!

The Inaugural California Classic Fresno Half Marathon

2011-05-21T17:39:00.001-07:00

Yeah I know stupid! But how can one pass up a road trip with Kristy?? And to run and finally meet Row? And to see Ms V again?? Yeah thats why I'm putting myself thru another half marathon 7 days after Palos Verdes. I will say, this was planned months ago well before I fell into my running funk!

So tomorrow I will attempt to have FUN!

Do I have to write this race report?

2011-05-18T21:35:00.000-07:00

Palos Verdes Half Marathon...May 14, 2011...the NEW course....

line for the buses to the start

I had grand plans to beat last years time...yeah, I should have known that would be almost impossible after working and getting beat up for 10 months and getting 6 hours of sleep every night. On top of that, the week before the half I worked 46 hours in 3 days- then had an 8 hour wrap day on thursday-total of 56 hours worked in 4 days. Needless to say, all i wanted to do was sleep-but didn't do much of that on friday and then BAM sunday I'm up at the butt-crack of dawn to run a half marathon. Seriously, what was I thinking???

Well, this year the Palos Verdes Marathon and Half were being run on a new course! It no longer started in San Pedro and ran up the 'Western Hill"...this year parking was satellite and everyone was being bused to the start line which was right beside the Terranea resort.

Dont get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Terranea Resort-love it....but I just knew this was not going to be the Palos Verdes home-feel course. This was going to be a tour of fancy houses, thru fancy neighborhoods with very few porta potties and honking cars.

I didn't like the new course at all. The start was uphill towards the Lunada Bay area. At Hawthorne Blvd, we took a left into a rather posh neighborhood. Hmm, where are the porta potties?? We saw the sea, then if was hidden by houses! We ran thru neighborhoods-and I'm sure they didnt want us here! no porta potties! Why are we running down some sort of alley???

A porta potty!!! But the line was ridiculous-and there were specatators standing in line...come on really?? So I plodded on. I had decided to run a 5/1 as a test....I thought since I was tired this might be the best way for me not to die....of course this course was supposed to be "flatter"...ha ha ha ..I don't think so...

I really had to pee now. We ran along Paseo del Mar to Palos Verdes Drive West...at the lookout there were a few people cheering.. but no porta potty! At this point my bladder was screaming at me. I was stopping at the next one-I didn't care how many people were standing in line!

Finally we made it back into Lunada Bay and there was heaven, ONE porta potty. I swear everyone in front of me stopped to pee! They were all complaining about the lack of porta potties...so needless to say, I lost a bit of time standing in line. Not that it really matters since I wasn't winning the race.

I had been running with the same people throughout the race. Kinda nice to see the same shirts when i passed them and in turn when they passed me.

We were now heading back to the start area.....up a hill to the downhill finish..oh wait.. TEASE you get to run past the finish for another 1.5 miles then turn back and run back! Ha Ha Ha!! Look at all the runners coming into the finish-not you penny because you are as slow as molasses and you are bringing up the rear! Good thing I saw Emil here cheering! Took my mind off the fact that I wasn't finishing but continuing to run!

The last 3 miles sucked ass and were horrible! My back was hurting, I had passed the finish line already and what a Debbie Downer that is! I did see my friend Vinnie Torres who was running the full. He was hurting but was powering thru! I just wanted to be finished! Just after the final turnaround at Wayfarers Chapel, I stopped to take a picture and as I started back running, fell off the curb and fell on my left hand! Stupid Penny. My hand hurt a bit and of course it didn't make my back feel any better, but I didn't hurt myself. But now I had to run about a mile uphill.

Really? A mile uphill back to the finish that I had already passed? Good thing I wasn't running the marathon, they had to run this course twice! I would have killed myself if I had passed the finish line 3 times before actually finishing!

I was done! I was not having fun and just wanted to finish. The only positive-the downhill to the finish. And I ran it all, picking up my slow slug like pace and running in with a girl i had met who liked my shirt ("my running partner has 4 paws shirt) because she runs with her dog as well!!

DONE! In an altogether crappy time of 2:48:39-absolute CRAP! To say i was a bit disappointed would be an understatement. I know, I should be happy that i ran after the week and the prior 10 months of work I had just finished. But I was disappointed, frustrated, irritated...

I got my finishers shirt, took my finishers picture and headed toward the small expo at Terranea and the food and shuttles.

By this time it was cold and windy. I had thrown away my throwaway (i had thought about picking it up since we ran back the way we ran out butI didn't !). So I put my finishers shirt on and put my arms inside and headed to the LONG ASS shuttle line. Seriously, I stood in line waiting for a bus for 45 minutes! HORRIBLE!!! this was by far the worst part of the race-and I already said I didn't like the new course. Once on the bus, I was one of the lucky ones to be standing as we made our way up Hawthorne Blvd, our 15 minute drive to the Shops at the Promenade and parking.

horrible...thank goodness for a Starbucks at the parking structure. I'm sure they made a killing off of runners!

All in all, I am really disappointed in my local race! I dont think i will run it again if they keep this course!

RUN: 13.1 miles in an abysmal 2:48:39

Wow over a month since my last post-ULTIMATE FAIL!

2011-05-13T22:01:00.000-07:00

I am finally finished shooting season 2 of GLEE. Now I have time to run, tweet, blog, sleep, eat you name it! So what did I decided to do....I'm running the Palos Verdes Half Marathon tomorrow! This is my local route-but with a new course this year! I dont know if I'm ready but I'll be at the start line with a smile on my face! I would like to beat last years time and to finish happy!! I'll be writing a race report tomorrow since I have LOTS of time now!!!

Now I must get some sleep! I slept 11 hours last nite-until 11 am, cant be doing that tonight!!!

Race starts at 7:30am! Go me!

Postponed until May! Run For Japan

2011-04-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

Had to Postpone until may due to my work schedule this past friday nite! But please dont forget to donate!!! And come may we will be out there running for Japan. I will follow with a new date!

"A massive earthquake, the seventh largest recorded in history, struck the east coast of Japan on Friday the 11th of March 2011. The earthquake, measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, triggered a tsunami which hit the east coast of Japan with 7-metre-high waves, leaving a trail of destruction.

With a death toll in the thousands, an economic cost in the billions, and the threat of nuclear meltdown imminent, the people of Japan face their greatest disaster for decades."-http://runforjapan.com/about.php

I had to postpone the original Run for Japan on April 9, 2011 at the Pier in Hermosa Beach California at 5:30pm.I am rescheduling for a Saturday in May - most likely May 7th or possibly May 14th at the Palos Verdes Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K. A $10 donation is appreciated, or more!

Please spread the word about The Run for Japan, and if you cant join us in Hermosa Beach, please log a run on the Run for Japan website ( http://runforjapan.com/index.php ) and please donate. Lets help the people of Japan!

Let me know if you will be able to join us in May...if not let me know if you'll be joining us in the virtual Run for Japan-just let me know what distance you run and then either donate to the Red Cross for the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief (http://american.redcross.org ) or to JEARS (The Japan Earthquake Animal rescue and Support http://jears.org/

Thanks so much!!!

The Coaster Run 5K

2011-03-29T21:53:00.000-07:00

start line - 2500 runners

Cute medal!

I came....I ran....I ran pretty darn fast for slow me...and I finished the Coaster Run 5K with an over 40 year old PR and the fastest 5K I've run since 2004! Actually.the 6th fastest 5K i've ever run...and I started running 5K's in 1997.

And after I crossed the finish line ahead of alot of people (yeah thats a novel concept as well) I got the cutest medal!! Yep, Snoopy is in da house!

And then I inhaled a yummy piece of Boysenberry Pie ( a Knotts Berry Farm piece of pie).... did I say i inhaled it? yeah it was gone fast!

PIE

I stayed long enough to get my results, wow you get them early when you run faster than normal. Check these numbers out!!!

Time: 30:53.6
Pace: 9:58 (yeah you read that right sub 10:00!)
Overall Place: 363 out of 1294
Sex place: 161 out of 819
Div Place: 20 out of 91

Yeah, I may bask in this small glory for a week!

The view from my 8.3 miler

After I got my results, I headed home! My legs were getting stiff. I had planned to run at least 7 miles that night, but decided that if I got home and sat on the couch, that would be me for the night! So I grabbed velcro when i got home and went out for more miles! I ran 6.7 miles with my girl. She is beginning to show her age-she tires and slows down sooner than she has in the past. Then I decided to get a total of 8.3 miles in....to bring my daily total to 11.4

with my girl

Yeah, I was feeling it but it felt good! This was the most miles I had run since the Surf City Half in February! Yeah I've been a bit of a slacker with my running. Work and lack of sleep have really caught up with me!! But after this weekend I feel like I'm getting back on track!!

Runs...

March 13th - 5.01 miles
March 16th - 2.6 miles
March 18th - 3.1 miles
March 19th - 4.5 miles
March 22nd - 2.6 miles
March 23rd - 2.0 miles
March 24th - 3.1 miles
March 26th - 3.02 miles
March 27th - 3.1 miles + 8.3 miles = 11.4 miles

Run 4 Christchurch Virtual 5K

2011-03-12T22:38:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone ran their 5K for the people of Christchurch New Zealand this weekend!

Tonight was the night for our Run 4 Christchurch Virtual 5K. I had no time this week to make a "real banner" for our "race" so I put one together today at home.

I have never been to New Zealand.One day I hope to! I live in an earthquake area so I felt the need and desire to do something for the people of Christchurch who were devastated by an earthquake! So I joined the virtual 5k run 4 Christchurch and recruited some of my friends!

Jordan, Bob, Tina, lauren, Kari, Me, Kristy and Velcro

We met at the Redondo Beach Pier at 5:30pm. This was going to be a sunset run!! We had 4 runners, 3 walkers, 1 dog and 3 "cheerleaders".

We set off toward Torrance beach (heading south) and witnessed a beautiful sunset! It was perfect running weather! Chilly!

I wish Velcro could have run with me-dogs aren't allowed on the beach path, so she walked her 5Kwith my dad above the beach. But we hit the path and off we went!!

Did I say it was a wonderful night! The weather was perfect, the company was great and we were running for a great cause! And considering I have had crappy sleep lately and didnt get home from work until 3am this morning (and in bed at 4am) I was pretty darn pleased with how I felt!!

We rana nice pace-we stopped for a walk break and then I powered to the finish to a "throng" of cheering friends!!! Bob was there snapping photos at our "finish"...it was a wonderful atmosphere! Kristy and Kari came in next and Billy, who ended up running about 5 miles, came in to the final cheers of us all!! Our Run 4 CHCH walkers had shortened their walk so that they could cheer us in!

We ended up going for beer and dinner afterwards. The company was greta but the restaurant was HORRIBLE!!! never go to kilkenney's on the Redondo Beach Pier-horrible service!

All in all it was a wonderful night of charity, running and friends!!!

Thank you all for joining me! We raised $86 ($116 NZ) for the people of Christchurch and I had a wonderful saturday night with friends!

Please check out all the races held around the world for Run 4 Christchurch! So very happy I was able to support in some way! I do feel very honored to have been included!!!

Remember you can still donate to the fundraising effort!
http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/run4chch/

RUN: 3.35 miles (37:13)

I want to thank Jordan, Bob, Tina, Billy, Katie, Lauren, Kristy, Kari, my dad and Velcro for coming out and showing their support for the people of Christchurch by either running, walking or cheering and donating!! thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Please Run 4 Christchurch with me

2011-03-05T22:17:00.000-08:00

On march 12th at 5:30pm, I will be running a virtual 5K for the people of Christchurch, NZ. Please come and join me! I'll be starting at 5:30pm at the Hermosa Beach Pier. The only requirement is to wear red and black and come with a smile!

Please visit the Run 4 Christchurch website and donate any amount you feel you can-any amount will help! And then on saturday please join me for a 5K in support of everyone in Christchurch affected by the earthquake.

Run 4 Christchurch

Remember Saturday March 12th at 5:30pm and if no one commits to joining me in hermosa beach, I'll be running on my own...

Coastal Trails LaJolla Canyon 5.5 mile race

2011-02-27T15:45:00.000-08:00

A saturday race??? What was I thinking?? I coerced a twitter friend, Kari, to run this race with me. So when she signed up I knew I couldn't back down. But wow, when saturday morning came around (and that was yesterday) , after the work week I had had, and I had to get up on a rainy saturday morning at 5:15am, I was really wondering what had gotten into me! I usually cant do anything on saturdays!! I veg on my couch! Not today!

So I fed the cats, made my tea, shoved my clothes on (that I had laid out 2 days before) and grabbed velcro and we headed to the car. I took my greek yogurt with me and ate it in the car. We had to pick up my son first, who is on the way anyway, and ended up getting to LaJolla Canyon around 7:20am. the race started at 8am but I had to pick up my bib and find Kari.

with kari

I had Velcro, so i was easy to spot! We both picked up our bibs and then I headed back to the car with velcro and my son and put my shoes and dirty girl gaiters on.

All the distances started at 8am. Us short 5 milers (it ended up being 5.5 miles) had the pink ribbons. We headed up the hill. Yep, up up up! I started off tired and it took me a bit to get into climbing!

We walked the steeps and ran with very short steps some of the less steep parts. Kari and I talked the entire time! Just getting to know each other! We passed a few people and maneuvered thru some awesome mud!! I was expecting it to still be raining-but we ended up getting brilliant blue sky and about 48 degrees. perfect temps-I had wanted to rain...but instead of rain we got MUD and lots of it!

Parts of the uphill were muddy and then it would be dry! After going thru the mud, i felt like I had mud snow shoes on. It was awesome and squishy!!

I knew the downhill would be entertaining especially going thru the mud! But I was enjoying the beautiful views, the cool crisp air and a friend to run with and squishy mud! can you tell i was enjoying the mud???

We made it to the top of the hill and were greeted by a true mud fest! it was awesome! Slip sliding away. Mud collected on my shoes, slop slop slop...it was great!

At the turnaround point, I decided to tie my shoe laces a bit more. I had felt my heel pulling out of my shoes every step I took in the mud. So with my tighter shoe laces, off we went down the hill and into the downhill mud!

mud during the race

The first mud we hit was spectacular. We ran thru it and I realized how much easier it was to run thru it than to walk thru it. So off we went! We ran down the entire hill, thru the mud, passing people and chatting up a storm! We would pull to the side when the "speedy kids" running the longer distances came by. And in true trail running fashion each one of them said "great job ladies" I love trail runners! No matter what your ability, you are cheered on!!!

On our way down, we passed a hiker entered into the 5 mile race who had given up on the mud and taken off her shoes!! She said she just couldn't take the feeling of her feet coming out of her shoes every time she went thru the mud. I don't know if I could have done that! Happy with my shoes and playing in the mud.

We were racing down the hill-I looked down and saw we were running around a 10 min pace on the trails thru the mud-not too shabby!

post race mud accumulation

I mentioned to Kari how great I was feeling. i'm not sure how or why...maybe it was the cool weather. It sure wasn't the great amount of sleep I got! But i really felt great and was having such a great time!!

We got to the finish and were cheered across the finish line. I saw the time of 1:25...wow, not too shabby considering the elevation climb, about 1200'. and the mud we ran thru!

I had an amazing time. And to top it all off, I was first in my Age group!! Yes 1st!!!!! That has never happened! I was the only one in my age group but I was still 1st!!!!!! I got a medal!! Woot Woot!!!

I realized today that trail running and races are my favorite!!! I have now signed up for next sundays PCTR Malibu Creek 25K! A stream crossing will be in my future next sunday as well as a 6 mile uphill! Bring on the trails!!!

RUN: 5.5 miles on the trails approx. 1200' elevation climb 1:25:08

Untitled by southbaygirl at Garmin Connect - Details

Bandit Trail Race 15K.....

2011-02-27T15:21:00.000-08:00

Bandit 15K on February 20th 2011.....First trail race of the season!!! And it was up hill for over 4.5 miles. Yeah, that's trail running and I love it!!

This was the first time I had run any trails in Simi Valley-I had no idea the trails in this area. So I came into this race not knowing what to expect!

I knew we'd be running up to Rocky Peak-hmmm that should have keyed me in on what the course was like, and that would be rocky!!!

The first 1.5 miles was pretty technical-there was alot of scrambling and walking up the single track and rocks-and because we had had alot of rain these rocks were pretty slick! So being the old slow gal that i am...I took these slow!

Once past this point, we were on fire roads-and even these were rocky! I ran when i could but some of the "ups" were pretty steep and i find my walking is faster than my running!

The sun was out for the entire race...good thing it was relatively cool! But i was a bit over dressed-good thing I wear a camelbak so i can stash my jackets in it! Gotta love that!

At the turnaround point, at mile 4.2, I stopped and filled up my water bottle and then headed back down. I had picked up a fellow runner, Dan. He and I stuck together the entire downhill. I ran the downhills, until I hit rocky areas and then I cautiously "trotted" over them. We chatted the entire way down!! It was nice to have someone to run with!!

We were joking about the last 1.5 mile technical downhill-we both said we'd be on our asses sliding down! We practically were and then bam-we were passed by one of the "speedy kids" who obviously felt a bit more comfortable running the slick rocks than dan and I did! Oh well!! I was feeling the quad burn and this technical descent wasnt helping! Dan had rolled his ankle just before this part...and I rolled mine just coming off the technical part-silly!!

But we finished with smiles are our faces and just behind three 30K runners-yeah we're slow!!

I realized this was going to be the year for more trail races! I love the trails! i love the feeling of freedom and watching your step! It's fantastic running!!

RUN: 9.4 miles on the trails( 4.2 miles uphill) 2:50:33 with over 2000' elevation climb!

Surf City Half Marathon race report otherwise known as a over 40 year old PR Bitches!

2011-02-06T21:09:00.000-08:00

You know I didnt have any thoughts on todays race! I was running it to finish off the California Dreamin series for the second time-gotta love getting a jacket and a big medal of the state of California!

A big bonus to running this race was the possibility of finally meeting Ron aka @Punkrockrunner! I just happened to see Ron standing in the line to get into the expo on saturday! How exciting!!!! Finally I get to meet the all famous Punkrockrunner!!!!

I was running this race with Lauren and Kristy-we were using this race as a long run. Kristy and i were planning on getting 16 miles in. We opted for 2 miles before the race and 1 after the race. So we decided to park at one of the south parking lots on PCH and run to the start! Lauren wasn't going to join us for the additional miles so we were going to meet her at the start!

with Ron aka Punkrockrunner!!!

my stuff!

the morning view from my parking spot...

I am happy! There is a marine layer!

Kristy and i got rockstar parking! Right on the beach and beside the bathrooms! Which we proceeded to use before we headed north!

We started our run and the first thing I noticed was my running skirt was literally falling down to my ass! OMG this was not good! I decided to head back to the car so i could get some safety pins to "take my skirt in" how sad is that! Well, I guess it means I've lost weight so it's not all sad but sad that i had to pin my skirt! Kristy took a picture.....

We made it to the start and immediately found Lauren and Ali, Ali was here to PR her half..... (she did by the way!) And we started walking to the corrals when we ran into Lori and Candace..... what an amazing photo op!!! A group of hot chicks getting ready to run the half!!

with Lauren, Ali, Lori, Kristy and Candace

Kristy, Lauren and i decided to run together. Lauren was on a 9/1 interval so we stuck with her for awhile...then for some odd reason, Kristy and i started to pick up the pace. We turned around and all of a sudden we had lost lauren-what horrible friends we are! We decided to push on-well, I decided I needed to push on since the weather was in my favor right now (the marine layer was in so there was NO SUN!) So we continued. I have to admit, the pace was a bit faster than i was used to. But i kept going. I really wanted to get as far into the race before the sun came out! We ran up the hills and then ran down them-all of a sudden we were running in the 9's-stupid Penny, way too fast for me!!! We took the right turn onto PCH and thats when is aw the best signs of the entire race! I had to stop and take pics!!! How could I not!

my favorite sign of the day!

We were heading north on PCH now, the marine layer was still in and I was feeling a bit wasted. I had been sick during the week and when i started running I felt like I had zero energy...but for some reason i felt the need to push since the sun wasn't out ..( might be because every race i've run lately has been in sun and 70-80 degree heat!)

Around mile 8 I began to feel my chest tighten up and I began to feel shortness of breathe. I pulled my inhaler out and took 2 puffs but alas, I had left it too late. All of a sudden I was in the midst of an asthma attack. Its a horrible feeling when you cant take an entire breathe. it's hard to explain. But when it happens I start to panic a bit-which makes it worse. Right in front of Kristy, I was having an asthma attack. Gasping for air and crying (yeah i know that doesn't make it better but it's scary)...we stopped and I stood there in tears trying to relax and concentrate on my breathing and calming myself down. i cant tell you how happy I was to have Kristy standing there with me! There is something to be said for "not being alone" when something happens! Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Kristy!

We started off again, and i decided to keep my pace around 11:00, we had been hovering around 10:30 and i think it was just too much for me right now-with the lack of training and speedwork due to my wonderful work schedule!

the same guy with the "b" side of the sign

But i was smart enough to pay close attention to how I was feeling-and when i needed to walk, we walked. Kristy stayed right with me...love her!!! When we hit the turnaround point, we started looking for Lauren-we finally saw her. She said she was having knee pain...but we were happy to have seen here.

At this point, I looked at my watch and realized we were running at a really nice pace-a 2:30 pace....should I try??? I decided I'd try my best! I'd run as fast as I could and if I needed to walk i'd walk (yes, I am not afraid to walk). Kristy said she'd stay with me, since she had PR'd 2 weeks ago at Carlsbad.

I was pushing as much as I could....in hindsight could I have pushed a little harder-maybe, but my brain takes over and I'd rather finish feeling decent than find myself in the med tent on oxygen.

I hit the 10 mile mark in 1:57-that was 3 minutes faster than my fastest 10 mile time during a race....could this be the day?? At mile 11.66, I said to Kristy "leave" she was within another PR and with a short distance left, i was ok by myself-even if I had to walk! Off Speedster Kristy went and here I was on my own, having to push myself when not feeling 100%. yeah, it's alot easier when you are running with someone! I'm sure i walked a bit more during this last 1.5 mile stretch than I would have had Kristy stayed, but what can I do. I am who I am....I run with asthma and I take the good with the bad. And today hadn't been fun at mile 8, so i was happy to still be running at mile 11.66!

with Kristy at the finish

The last 1.5 wasn't easy. I would pick a person and follow them in....but would inevitably walk. I was a little pissed off at myself and then would start running again. I saw the 2;30 and then it was gone! Oh well...I know t's within reach-it just wasn't going to be today!!

I crossed the line strong, after running past an older runner who had collapsed right before the finish line. He wasn't looking good. he was getting cpr and an ambulance had been called. He didn't look good-and I said a little prayer as I ran past.....I really hate seeing that!! But it makes you realize that you never know what might happen while running...and it made me thankful that I am a bit paranoid about my breathing...maybe I'm not so stupid!

I crossed the line in 2:35:33....I was a little bummed but then thinking how my race had gone I started to feel quite proud!!! I really pushed thru a tough time and pushed and tried my hardest to get a time goal. I didn't make it but I ran my heart out and in the end had fun and was very proud of myself!!

I found Kristy,she hadn't PR'd but I'm glad she had taken off and tried! Now we waited for Lauren. I knew she was hurting, what we didn't know was that she wasn't having a good race. So we waited until she finished!

my **Bling**

We all headed to the expo tent to pick up the heavy California Dreamin medal! This was my second one! And this was a hard fought last segment of the 3 race series!

I didnt really pay any attention to my time-I didnt get my 2:30, so it would go into the pile of races that were well past my 2000 PR of 2:11 (back when i was a bit younger and had more free time). What I didn't know though was that I had just run the fastest half marathon since the 2003 Winter Wonderland Half marathon!!!! And had taken 2 minutes off my 2010 Surf City Half time!!!

I have a new 0ver 40 year old PR!!!!!! And I have run the fastest race in over 7 years! WOW!!!!!! So excited!! thrilled and so surprised!!!!

O course what did I do to celebrate. Got a chocolate shake, veggie burger and fries and went home and popped open an ice cold beer!!!

nothing better than a burger and beer after a race!

Yummy!!!

Surf City Half:

2:35:33 new over 40 year old PR

Carlsbad Half Marathon race report

2011-02-06T19:33:00.000-08:00

yeah 2 weeks later I'm finally writing this! work is my excuse!

This was the 3rd year I've run the Carlsbad half. I run this race for one of the official race charities, labrador rescuers. So this race is special to me. To be able to raise money and run for an animal charity is the best of both worlds!

I've been working pretty insane hours at work-so my training hasn't been great-but it never stops me from running!

We headed down to carlsbad on saturday and went straight to the expo. The first stop, the Labrador Rescuers booth. I got to meet some of the Labs that have benefitted from the monies raised! And of course got doggy kisses!!

I am thrilled to say I raised quite a bit of money!!! $3646.00 to be exact!!! I am thrilled! Thank you to everyone who helped me surpass my fundraising goal!

I went into the expo and got my bib and then went to get my race shirt and visit Amy at the Gypsyrunner.com booth! I LOVE their bamboo running shirts! They are the best! And every year she donates 20% of purchase noted as a Labrador Rescuers purchases to my carlsbad charity! super people! thanks Amy!

After the expo, my dad and i headed to the hotel to veg before our dinner with a bunch of friends! Fern had come down from Colorado, originally to run but a virus got the better of her, so she was cheering, Beth was running her very first half, Kristy and her dad were running the carlsbad Half for the first time and everyone else was just enjoying an evening of pasta and good fun!

with Beth, Fern and Jenny

Robert and Kristy

it was an early nite since we all had to be up early to run! My dad and i headed back to the hotel and I laid out all my running stuff and settled in to watch a movie on free HBO-it's the little things!!!

I stayed up later than planned-but whats new-that always seems to happen the night before a race! My dad fell asleep right away but he was sick and needed his sleep.

For the first time, I'd be driving to the start instead of my dad dropping me off. i wanted him to sleep as much as possible since he was sick!

I was driving Kristy and her dad and also beth. A car full!

my race outfit

The first thing once we got to the mall in carlsbad, which is where we park and the race starts, was head to the toilets. We went into the mall to use the bathrooms. An odd sensation using an actual toilet before a race instead of a porta potty! The lines were ridiculous-I think everyone was using the mall toilets because it was "chilly" outside (whatever)....after the toilets, I headed back to the car, which was luckily right by the starting line and grabbed my water bottles and dumped my jacket.

with Beth and Kristy

I was starting in wave 4...i hunted it down and waited for the start! I was lucky to start the race with some wonderful women! Always nice to start a race with friends!

I ran quite a bit with kristy, when the sun wasnt out and it was cool. She was gunning for a PR and I was hoping for a sub 2:30 but that didnt happen once the sun came out and it warmed up!!!! So Kristy took off in search of her PR and I trudged along hiding from the sun and heat waiting to see my girl, Velcro, at the turnaround! I was counting down to see her-she always gives me a pick up!! And i needed it!!!

with irene and beth

The views during the race are really to die for! The half takes you along the beach in carlsbad and it is beautiful! But all i wanted to see was my dad and velcro! I cant tell you how happy I was to see my furbaby and my dad! He had my ZICO coconut water ready for me and I drank quite a bit of it! I'm a big fan of coconut water!! And of course my girl gave me a doggy kiss-actually i think she was licking the salt off my face! ha ha

I'll let you look at some pics and then I'll get to the last stretch and the finish!

doggie kisses!

crossing the finish line with irene

with irene and our bling!

with my bling!

BLING!

a post race beer!

All in all it wasnt the race i wanted but I'm still happy. Considering my training really sucks, i get crap sleep and work 65-70 hours a week, I'm happy to run let alone finish half marathons!!! I raised alot of money for an amazing charity and i had fun! And thats really why i run...ok, I run for the medals as well but it is because i love to run and I love meeting new friends and sharing the experience with my friends!

thanks for reading and sharing my running experience!!

Half Marathon:

2:41:58 pace 12:22

the cliffnote version of the carlsbad half marathon

2011-01-25T16:11:00.001-08:00

First of all thank you to everyone who donated to Labrador Rescuers, my charity of choice for the Carlsbad Half! I raised over $3600!

On race day I so wanted to run a fast race. It didn't happen! It was sunny (not a cloud in the sky) and I knew it was going to be warm! Not my favorite running conditions at all!

I started off strong but around mile 9.5 the inhaler came out and I felt the heat and sun starting to win!

I was gunning for 2:30, I was on pace for it for a bit and then bam it was gone!

Oh well 2:41:58 is about what I run. Guess sun and heat are my nemesis and maybe I should rethink races in Southern California!

One day I hope to have a post 40 year old PR......

I will post a longer race report and more pics from Saturday nights dinner and Sundays race when I find I have a break from work! Ha ha ha!

a sunday long run.... Cobwebs

2011-01-17T10:36:00.001-08:00

12.3 miles with 800' of elevation climb! Yep we had a "girls" long run yesterday morning! And it was fantastic! The four of us, Kristy, Lauren, Jordan and me each have a weekend. This Sunday was my day to map a route. And since I live in a hilly place, the Palos Verdes Peninsula- our long run was HILLS.

We started around 6:30. The sun was just beginning to start it's rise- I was secretly hoping for clouds- but I knew that wasn't going to happen. The weekend was warm, in the 80's and cloudless so this was going to be a sun- filled and warm run a the hours ticked by! Can this be done now while the sun isn't out?

I can't tell you how wonderful it is to run with a group!! We had a blast! We ran hills and more hills. We stopped for a potty break at the starbucks on Palos Verdes Drive west and snapped a picture. Then we continued on. I had dropped a mini aid station in Portuguese Bend around mile 7. A bottle of water and some m&m's. I was the only one who inhaled m&m's at mile 7 but the water was gone in a matter of minutes!

We continued on. We were now on the Palos Verdes Half marathon route and my home turf. I knew the hills we'd be running. And the sun was coming up.

Each of us alternated with running the hills strong. There was some walking involved but we each tried to run the hills as strong as we could.

We were running a point to point- and ended at my house! The point to point was awesome! I hate running loops. And running hills would have made a loop absolutely miserable!

I ended with 12.3 miles. The latter quarter of my run I started getting a headache. I couldn't suck down enough fluids. The joy of running in the sun and heat! Just one if many reasons I dislike running in the sun.

We all went out to breakfast afterwards! A great way to end a wonderful Sunday! Each Sunday, as long as one of us isn't racing, we will be meeting for our Sunday long run! I'm so lucky to have a group of girls I can run with! Lucky lucky me!

My runs then past 3 days have been 3.5 miles on Saturday. That was to make up for my lack of a Friday run! 12.3 miles on Sunday and a "working out the cobwebs" run this morning before work of 1.5 miles.

This weekend is the Carlsbad Half Marathon that I run every year for Labrador Rescuers! You can still donate I you'd like!

Now I must continue working!

fraturday

2011-01-08T03:45:00.001-08:00

It's 3:30am and I'm sitting out on a football field working. It's cold, i'm tired and I've had enough fun for the night and the week! First week back after vacation has been tough! But I've actually run quite a bit this week!

Sunday I ran 7 with the girls! Monday was a 4:30am wakeup- so there wasn't any running on that day but I did muster a one minute plank and 50 situps on the balance ball.

The rest of the week was short runs. I ran 2 miles on Tuesday and Wednesday (taking 2 minutes off my slug time) then 3 miles on Thursday and 3.5 miles before working all night... I'm still working and it's now 3:45am.... Can I go to bed yet???

My 2010 in Pictures....

2011-01-01T14:55:00.000-08:00

I just want to thank you all for making 2010 such a fun and amazing year for my running! I met so many amazing people-and I call you all friends!! I ran a total of 972.21 miles for 2010. A November burnout and a december sickness sidelined my attempt at 1000 miles for the year-but I'll try again next year!

I'm hoping 2011 is just as good and I hopefully will get to meet more new friends! I have a list upcoming races that I'm interested in running in 2011, some of those include:

Carlsbad Half

Surf City Half

Leona Divide 30K

Eugene Marathon

PCTR Big Basin Redwoods

NYC Marathon

I'm sure my list will get longer-it always does.

and remember, if you'd like to donate to my charity for the Carlsbad Half Marathon, you still have time.....all it takes is $1 thats it! A $1 goes a long way! Thanks so much!

Penny's Labrador Rescuers Donation Page

Merry Christmas from Nashville

2010-12-26T17:47:00.000-08:00

My Family

starting my Christmas Eve run

Another Christmas in Nashville. This trip was much shorter than my previous trips. There was no driving with 5 animals this year-just flying by myself! The joy of only having two weeks off for the holidays! I do miss my furbabies and I missed my time on the road but since I've was sick all week it's probably a good thing I flew!

Centennial Park

The last time I ran was Monday 20th December. I was supposed to run on Tuesday with the girls but I started feeling like crap: achey, coughing, sore, chest hurt-so I did the smart thing and decided not to run and stay at home and try to go to bed early! I missed a great 6 miler with Kristy, Jordan and lauren but I did the right thing-for on Wednesday I stayed inside all day and felt like crap! I have had double pneumonia before and I don't want to get that sick ever again!

very early morning Christmas

I left LA on Thursday, I had to give my girl some exercise, so I walked Velcro before I left-got a 2 mile walk in and felt winded!

Yeah, I was sick. So when I arrived in Nashville and the weather was in the 30's and 40's I said to myself, I HAD to run on friday, Christmas Eve. The weather is too perfect not to-even if it's a short run!

So on Christmas Eve I went out on a "short" run bundled up in hats, gloves and cold weather clothes! I LOVED it! I was still coughing but I didn't care. I felt invigorated running in the cold! I ran a route I usually run when i'm home. Around Vanderbilt University and Centennial Park, since that is my hood. I got home and felt really good but I still had my cough!

our house on the first day of snow

I hacked all night and woke up coughing on Christmas. What's new! But I was determined to get another run in on Christmas. I decided to run roughly the same route as yesterday but this time is was quite a bit colder and it had snowed and was still snowing! Have I said how much I love this weather! I wish I wasn't coughing! Because it is the absolute best weather to run in! I tried to just enjoy my run! It was Christmas, we had eaten some yummy home made cookies, opened presents and were going to be eating our dinner when I got back. So this was my Christmas present to myself!

Today I was supposed to run 6.2 miles for Operation Jack, but my cough is a bit worse and I just don't feel 100% so I decided to give myself a day off. I will run tomorrow!! I will run tomorrow! Because it's the last day i'll be in this glorious weather and I must take advantage of it before i head back to california and sun and heat!!! can't I import this weather?? Please!!

I head back to LA soon-looking forward to getting back to see Velcro and the Kitties but not happy to be leaving my family. We have such a fun time on the holidays! I just wish i could have stayed longer! I guess a short trip is better than no trip!!!

The TENNESSEE VOLS are in town. I drove past them practicing at Vanderbilt! I so wish i was going to be in town on the 30th for the Music City Bowl.....but I guess I'll have to deck myself out in TENNESSEE orange and watch from Southern California! I screamed Go VOLS as I drove past and took a picture of their big 18 wheeler-yeah i'm a geek!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas!!!! Until tomorrow!

Friday RUN: 4.36 miles (53:90) in 38 degrees
Saturday RUN 4.5 miles (57:56) in 30 degree temps and snow

Happy Holidays!!!

2010-12-20T10:51:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share one of the three electronic Holiday Greeting Cards I made this year! I hope everyone has a fantastic Holiday and a very safe and fun New Year! I plane on sleeping and running...ok and having wine too!! I'll be heading back to Tennessee to see my family, without my furbabies! So it will be a short trip-must get back to be a furbaby mom! And to also run a Year to Year fun Run at Pt Mugu on December 31st! Let me know if you'd like to join me!!

Customize your own free digital ecard

Also a little reminder.....as 2010 comes to a close, I just wanted to remind everyone that I am still collecting donation for my Carlsbad Half Marathon charity, Labrador Rescuers. I am so close to reaching my $3000 goal. If you feel you can spare $1, $5, any amount, I will be so grateful for your help and donation. This is the 2rd year I will be running for Labrador rescuers. Each year I've reached my goal, I hope to do the same this year! ANY and ALL amounts are a gift!

Penny's Labrador Rescuers Secure Donation website

If you still need to buy a gift, gypsyrunner is graciously donating 20% of the final purchase to my charity! They have the most awesome bamboo shirts with great sayings-running, animals etc! I have 3 bamboo shirts and LOVE them! All I want to run in now is Bamboo-so I know I'll be buying more! They have long and short sleeved performance Bamboo shirts. To give 2 gifts in one purchase, all you have to do is add "Penny Sprague/Labrador Rescuers" in the comment section at checkout! Its that easy!!!

Holiday Giveaways:
Go-Lite Hydration Christmas Eve giveaway-go to Mile Posts.
Rad-Runner's runner cupcake giveaway!

Have a Very HAPPY HOLIDAY!!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY my Santa to the Sea half Marathon report....I am such a slacker on so many levels!

2010-12-18T21:24:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I "ran" a race last sunday-if you can actually call what i did running! What makes me laugh and then cry is that last Sunday we had RECORD DECEMBER HEAT! And what have we had sandwiched between that horrific sunny warm Sunday, RAIN AND COOL WEATHER! Seriously! Who is punking me?

I did know last Sunday was going to be Africa hot. Now if you're new to reading my blog, ha ha that's a joke since I think only 3 people read my blog now because of the lack of blog post written due to my fantabulous work schedule, you'll know I HATE running in the sun and heat! I don't sweat alot, so I become an internal sauna! I burn easily and I feel like I shrivel...that is what my Sunday "run" was like!

I had great intentions! I really wanted to race a decent race. I had a holiday costume and I was going to have fun no matter what! Yeah yeah yeah keep spouting off about that Penny and how the times you run, even when you're out to have fun with your friends. don't matter!

The Short Story: the race sucked ass! It was hot and sunny and Oxnard California doesn't have one single tall fucking tree or building that might give any shade whatsoever!I ran then walked and really didn't want to run anymore. But at that point all I wanted to do was finish and get out of the sun and heat that was beating down on me!

The Long Story:

I ran this race last year with my son as a relay. And we had a blast! So I decided it would be a fun race to run with him again this year, as a half marathon for both of us. I conned some of my awesome friends into running with us. Kristy, Jordan, Bob and Stuart all signed up for the race! This will become an annual December event for me. This race benefits Toys for Disadvantaged Children-so I not only run but am hopefully making Christmas a happy day for some children!

Bob picked up all of our race packets on Friday, so I didn't have to make the trek up north to pick up race packets. I was keeping in touch with my kid-he was sick, so it wasn't looking likely that he would run....hmmm, this was my out! Or it would have been my out had I not wrangled so many people into running this race with me!

I offered, planned to carpool up to Oxnard from the southbay with Kristy and Jordan. I drove, since I kinda knew where we were going and because I just like to drive. We met at 5am at a Park and Ride and off we went to Oxnard.We had to arrive at the finish line by 7am to get the shuttle to the start and to also meet Bob who had all our race stuff. We arrived around 6:15, parking right opposite a toilet!! YIPPEE and waited for Bob to arrive. While we were standing outside the car I saw Stuart!

Stuart, Jordan, moi, Kristy and Bob

Once Bob arrived we all made our way to the school buses and were transported the 13.1 miles to the start at the GIANT SANTA! We deposited our toys at the base of the Santa and then had to have pictures taken!!! Pictures are mandatory! yes I know, it looks like it's a bit chilly because we are all wearing long sleeved disposable clothing. In true California tradition, we always feel it's cold at the start-even if it's in the 50's or 60's. Once the sun comes up, the long sleeves come off! And this is what happened this day! The sun came up and all of a sudden the heat came....and came and came and EVERYONE running was stripping down...I'm sure the locals or whomever the clothes go to, made out with the free items left at the start!

Once we deposited our toys, yes, I had to include a GLEE board game-just had to! We all headed to the porta potty line. Yes there was a line-but what I was thrilled to see was the arrival of more porta potties as we were in line. Nice to know someone realized they needed more porta potties!

with Stuart

The national anthem was sung and then the race started with very little fanfare. This is a very small race, a community race, that grew twice as big from last year! At least twice as big! Must have been Julia Roberts running last year!

At the start, Stuart said his goodbyes and was off. He's a MUCH FASTER runner than I and he had planned on a 1:45 Half......WTF is that time?????? **faint** in my dreams I'll run that fast!

I knew this race was going to be slow and ugly for me. The heat and sun were already beginning to beat down(the race started at 8am-pretty darn late for a race in Southern California!) And my running has been crap! Since Marine Corp I just havent been into running! I feel like I've lost my mojo. I ran 12 crappy miles the week prior to this race-so I knew I had the mileage, but I swear my running speed has gotten slower! Even though I'm now with a "coach" and "attempting speedwork, tempo runs etc, with my stupid ass work schedule, I just cant do anything.

with my fellow tutu diva, Kristy

So, because we were all running as a fun race, I was determined to have fun! Much to the horror of all my friends, I ran with jingle bells on my shoes-yeah, I'm that person! This was a holiday festive race and I was in a tutu.

with Jordan-she was a trooper today-she stuck with me to the end!

Well, I knew right off the bat that this race was going to suck ass. From the get go I was holding my head down and trying to hide from the sun! Doesn't work very well when there are NO TREES OR SHADE ANYWHERE!!!

I plodded. I walked, I grumbled, I drank all my water and NUUN and re-filled at the water stations. I wanted it to be over before I hit mile 6. Yeah I know, pitiful! I did like the mile marker signs though-so cute!!! I kept looking for them...knowing each one I saw I was closer to the end and a ice cold beer!!!

Nice view

Around mile 10.5 we finally hit the coast. I swear it got hotter! And still no trees and no shade-but the course took us onto the bike path along the water overlooking the channel islands. BEAUTIFUL! I never knew this bike path was here let alone how gorgeous it is. It was a hot day, lots of people out cheering us! And I so wish I wasn't running!!! I wanted to jump in the ocean and cool off! I knew the water was the only cool part of the day!

As we ran back into a residential area, we heard the finish line! Oh Thank You God!!! But we still had at least a mile to go. Thats when we literally ran into HEAVEN! A wonderful man was out with his garden hose spraying everyone! I cant tell you how amazing it felt! Even though I was in a white shirt with a pink sports bra underneath and realized after getting doused with water that I was the newest member of the wet white t-shirt contest, I didn't care-it felt amazing!!! I could have stood underneath that hose for the rest of the day! I think it might have been the only thing that got me to the finish line!

with Jordan around mile 11

I had been ready to quit, had wanted to hurl, had taken a puff of my inhaler-yeah all the wonderful side effects of Penny running in the sun and heat!

We "powered" ha ha ha to the finish. I was just so thankful to be done with this godforsaken race! It was SLOW SLOW SLOW! I looked at Ms Garmin when I crossed 2:55-FUCK-that sucks! But some races you feel great others not so great-this was one of those races. But, as usual. there was a part of me that was disappointed! Could I have run more? I should have pushed myself those miles that I just couldn't run.....But I didn't so what is done is done. As Jordan, My life saver, and I crossed the finish line, we were asked our names and our bib numbers were taken down. I didn't realize why until I didn't get a medal! AACCKK!! No MEDAL!!! I just ran a race in 80 degree sun and heat and I cross the finish line shriveled, burnt, dehydrated and fucking miserable and I don't get my Santa medal???????

Seems, this race was more popular than the race director was expecting-registration and runners who showed up the day off were 150% more than last year! The race director estimated more runners than last year when he ordered medals-but didn't expect that many more. I understand this-but I WANT MY MEDAL! The website has stated that the runners who didn't get a medal will be getting them in the mail....I am still waiting!

Kristy, Jordan, Moi and Bob-yeah, I had already bailed out of my shoes!

We all met up at the finish line-everyone was suffering from the heat, but I do believe I might have complained the most. I'm ok with being the whiner of the group!! That's me-I HATE running in the SUN AND HEAT! HATE IT!

What I did get was a BEER with Bob after the race! Thank you Bob for being my post race life saver! That beer tasted SO GOOD!!! I think I run these races for the post race beer!

I had fun, don't get me wrong! I loved meeting up and running with friends! I am so happy I have friends I can run these races with!

I'm also very happy with this small race! For being a small community race, it's very organized and the volunteers are FANTASTIC!! I am bummed they ran out of medals-but I guess when it's your 3rd year running the race, you don't expect to get 150% more runners than the previous year! Will I run this race again? YES! Without a doubt! I will be hoping for RAIN!

Beer with BOB!!! HEAVEN!

Did I say how tasty and fantastic the beer tasted???? And have I said that the weather is perfect right now!! Rain and cool! HEAVEN!!!

RUN: 13.1 miles 2:55:33

4 dogs FOUND!

2010-12-02T09:06:00.001-08:00

All four dogs have been found and are safely back with their owner!! The 2 Akitas were found in Compton,Ca and I'm not sure where the Corgi's were found yet- they were picked up at 1:40am. So thrilled!!!!!!!

On running news, I ran on Tuesday! 3.5 miles! An today is my Friday! So I slept today and will get a decent run in tomorrow.

On Sunday I have 12 miles on the book. I will either run the Lasse Viren 20k or run the 2010 Holiday 10 miler put on by the Pt Fermin Flyers in San Pedro- if anyone is interested it's a very LOW key event. You bring an new unwrapped toy and $10! This is NOT an organized event but there will be snacks and refreshments afterwards!
If you want to runrhis, it starts at 8am at Pt Fermin Park

Off to work!!

4 Stolen Dogs in Long Beach (Bellflower) California-Please spread the word!

2010-12-01T00:17:00.000-08:00

Terrible news. Kristina Rickard's (Dream Hi Akitas) van was stolen while it was parked last night at the hotel in Long Beach, CA. They don't know when it was stolen, but it was gone this morning (11/30/10). It has Trace (Top 5 Akita) and a young female Akita, and two corgis in it. Please cross post this to every list you are on and get the news out. Anyone in the Southern California area, please notify your vets office and local animal control in case the dogs are found, turned loose or taken to a vet. http://www.akitasdreamhi.com shows a photos of Trace, I don't have info on other dogs.

If anyone knows how to get this on the local news, MSN, etc. it would be a great help. Tom Rickard is on his way to Long Beach right now, and Lori is at home manning the phones, and Nener (Kristina) and David have Tamera Houser driving to hotel right now, so they will have help and wheels. Nener's cell phone is: 530-351-2412--please do not call to talk, but only if information is found or you have amazing suggestion--please text if possible. E-mail:dreamhi@c-zone.net . The police have already come to take a statement and hopefully they will be a great help.

2006 White Chevy Express Cargo Van, California license 8D20252, with a big black box on the back and three dog stickers on the back windows. If anyone was to see this van on the side of the road or parking lot, please report asap and check on the dogs. Hopefully, they will be found inside.

Christina Stanley
http://www.moonlightakita.com

Here is an ad/reward with pictures of the dogs:
http://dogpostdaily.com/stolen-dogs-reward-bellflower/

Here is a link to the news story.
http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-s

Here is the Craigslist post that was put up today! Please spread the word!!! Lets get these dogs back to their owners! http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/pet/2087397890.html

Thanksgiving brought 4 days off!

2010-11-28T20:32:00.000-08:00

Wow!!! Nothing like spending my favorite holiday recovering and sleeping!! I did some running, but not as much as I would have liked!

I started the holiday off with a bang, working until 11:48pm on Wednesday, and yes, I had a Turkey Trot early Thursday morning! Kristy and I had planned on running the Long Beach Turkey Trot 10K at 7:30am-yeah I just knew I'd go late Wednesday night. And I have been fighting major exhaustion and burnout on all fronts!!! So starting off the holiday with only 5 hours of sleep was not what I had in mind.

But what is a girl to do! I slept as long as I possibly could, good thing I live close to Long Beach! My son and I got to Long Beach and met Kristy, who had been fighting a holiday illness-she said she sounded like Darth Vader - I dont think she sounded that bad, but I know how it can suck running when you are sick. So I gave her the go ahead to make the "run-time" decision about running the 10K or dropping down to the 5K. She decided at the 5K turnaround that we would run the 5K-Yippee!!! My tired self was super happy!! But a part of me felt super guilty, since I had 6.2 miles on tap for the day!

But, I cherish the races I can run with friends, and had a blast!! I hope we can run this race, or another race every thanksgiving!

We finished in about 37 minutes..and we were not lucky enough to have the last digit that would have given us a pie!

But as we were walking away from the the finish line a very nice girl, who was getting ready to run the 10K after running the 5K asked if I wanted her pie!?? Um hell to the Yes!!!

So I got a pie!

happy me!!!

What were we to do now?? Chuck Chickens!

Yes, you heard it right, after running we went over to the "Chuck Chicken" tent to "Chuck Chickens" for charity. lets just say chucking a rubber chicken that has sand in it is alot harder than you would think!! I can throw a decent throw with a ball (lots of practice with Velcro) but wholly rubber chicken I looked like some sort of Super Bowl failure chucking a rubber chicken. We have video of it-we will not be showing it right now....

But we laughed! And you know what, that is very important!

It was a wonderful way to start my favorite holiday! Time running with my son and my dear friend, Kristy. What a great start to my Thursday!

We left the race and my son and I went back to the house-and yes, you guessed it, we ran some more!

I felt like I hadn't run enough-since 10K was on the training books for the day. So when we got back to the house, we immediately took Velcro out for a 2 mile run! It took us a little bit to get the legs back up to speed. Chucking chickens and sitting in the car makes them want to say "no"...but it sure was nice getting out again and adding to the mileage that we had already run! And of course, Velcro loved running with her family!!

I had 2 nice pleasant fun-filled runs with my son, my dog and my friend. I cant tell you how much I needed these runs! I have major running, work, life burnout! I have had sucky runs-runs that have caused me to cry and want to stop and give it all up! So I really needed a good positive running experience-and I got it on Thanksgiving!

And now we were heading up to the valley to eat!!

My dad and brother decided to have Thanksgiving at their house-so my son, Velcro and I drove up to spend the day in the valley.

It was really nice not to cook. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE cooking. But it was so nice to just sit and have everything taken care of....feet up, glass of wine in hand! nice!!

I slept 11 hours after my vegetarian Thanksgiving feast! Wow! Guess I was tired! Can't tell you the last time I slept that long! It felt great! And we proceeded to do much of nothing all day long! And it felt great!!!

It's really nice when my son comes home. makes me realize how much I miss him when he's at school.

Saturday, we planned on a trail run! I needed to take Velcro to hunt bunnies and I needed to put my shoes in dirt! My son came along as well, but seems to be dealing with an arch injury. So Velcro and i ran while he walked. I love the trails! Must get on them more and I think at some point I'll start running more trail races! it's just so hard to motivate to run any race when I'm working brutal hours!

But I forget how much I really enjoy trail running! And spending it with two of my family-fantastic!

Yes, my son got his hair chopped off during the holiday-yikes! freaked me out-I didn't want it that short....good thing hair grows!

I leave you with a picture of how most of the holiday days looked like. Don't let the sun fool you, it was chilly here in Southern California-and it was brilliant!!! I loved the weather this weekend!! if only the rain had lasted longer than one night!!

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday with their family! I did and am not really looking forward to a full week of work!!

And to top it all off, I had a LR fail today!! Just couldn't motivate this morning, and if I skip my run in the morning, it takes ALOT to get me out the door....yeah, it didn't happen!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Sunday 21st Nov - RUN 8.1 shitty miles (1:46)
Wednesday 24th Nov - RUN 2.11 miles (24:43)
Thursday 25th Nov - RUN 5.24 miles (1:02)
Saturday 27th Nov - TRAIL RUN 4.0 miles

And in case any of you are interested....there are 2 races coming up!

Santa to the Sea Half on December 12th
Year to Year Fun Run 5K on December 31st

And of course it is mandatory that I start promoting and pushing my upcoming charity race, the Carlsbad Half Marathon in January for one of the races' official charities, Labrador Rescuers. This will be the 3rd year in a row I will be running for this amazing charity! If you can help in any way and with any amount of money, I will be forever grateful!!!! And so will the Labradors you have helped! Thank you so very much!

http://www.active.com/donate/labrescuers2011/PennySprague

If you feel you cant donate but would like to help, for the second year, www.gypsyrunner.com will be donating 20% of sales designated to my charity! All you have to do is shop! When you check out, just add "Penny/Labrador Rescuers" in the comment section and VOILA...you will have helped me raise much needed funds!

Santa Paws Drive for Shelter Animals

2010-11-21T11:08:00.000-08:00

As most of you all know, I LOVE animals! And I have a bit of a zoo of my own! Since I really cant adopt anymore animals, I am trying to help the thousands of shelter animals who don't have a warm cozy place to sleep and a mom or dad to love. So many dogs and cats out there don't have a home and will spend the holidays alone and in a shelter. But we can help them! Santa Paws has started collecting toys, food, gift, cleaning supplies, gift cards and money to donate to shelter across the country! Can you help?

I will be starting my own donation box, that I will have at work, but will also be taking donations to give to Santa Paws drive, if you are interested in helping. I will be donating toys and gift cards for the animals at our local shelter. You can to..you can even set up a box at your work to collect lots of stuff for the shelter animals.

Here is the link to the Santa paws-it has all the info you need:

http://www.hautedogs.org/santapaws.html

You will see the location of donation boxes all over the country. If you would like to start your own donation box you can contact the organizer at Justin@JustinRudd.com. You can also print out a flyer, start your own box and donate items for your local shelter. Here is the pdf file for your very own Santa Paws poster: http://www.hautedogs.org/santapawsposter8.5x11.pdf or this one

http://www.hautedogs.org/santapawsposter8.5x11.pdf

Please help the shelter dogs and cats if you can!p th

Let me know if you'd like to mail a financial donation, gift card or toy for Santa paws....but if you check the website, they have donation sites all over the country! Just check http://www.hautedogs.org/santapaws.html

Thanks so much!!

Penny, Velcro, Kodak, 3 Perf, Blossom and Skye

shelter dogs and cats if you can!

The Marine Corp Marathon Race report

2010-11-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

"I would never run a marathon unless I knew I would finish in about 4 hours and I wouldnt run Marine Corp Marathon in 6 hours and I sure wouldn't run it if I couldn't beat Oprah's time when she ran it..for that matter I'd want to beat "Puffy's" time he ran NYC"..... this is what was said to me when I was re-telling my Marine Corp Marathon weekend to some of my co-workers ... my race time, which was 6:12:06

Yeah, I cried. I cried at work after I was basically shot done 2 days after toeing the start line, running the race, beating that f-ing bridge and finishing my 4th marathon. Yeah, Congrats to me you slow ass runner-hell cant even call myself that-"jogger"...that is how I felt on Tuesday morning at work after I had accomplished ALOT in my book!

It took me so much to sign up for this race. In 2004, after running the NYC Marathon, I had decided that running marathons, which were great, were too hard for me to train for with my ridiculous work schedule! I never thought I'd run another one...and as I trained for Marine Corp, I honestly didn't think 1) I'd get on the plane 2) start 3) beat that godforsaken bridge and 4) finish but I did all of the above! Accomplishing those goals was a win for me-but I felt like a complete failure on Tuesday! I shook that feeling-but it was hard and it's still sometimes hard to call myself a "runner"...

I did get on that plane. I contemplated not getting on the plane when 6 days before the marathon I had a "recurring" pregnancy irritation rear it's ugly head...... GUYS and GALS....you can move onto the next paragraph if you don't want to hear or are squemish about how pregnancy and childbirth left me with a "little gift"...on Monday, 6 days before the marathon, I woke to horrible pain. The hemorrhoid that developed during childbirth was thrombosed. Lets just say walking was painful! I had to work and walk with a thrombosed hemorrhoid-how the hell was I going to run a marathon in 6 days?? I seriously thought about not going! But I "worked" on relieving the pain with the help of my parents-gotta love mom and dad-and was able to get "it" to the point that the pain was alleviated but it was still thrombosed.....so i got on the plane...

@mksinmd, @rshill37,@ultrarunnergirl, @Bklynrunner and @sarahstanley

I arrived in DC around 7:30pm and was immediately whisked away to the Friday tweetup hosted by @ultrarunnergirl . How cool is it that I can fly across the country and meet some amazing runners from Twitter, who I feel I know already! I love the running community! I love runners!

@mksinmd, ME, @sarahthequeen1, @AshinMO,@TinyJenna, @Bklynrunner

By around 9:30 or 10pm I was EXHAUSTED! We left and immediately realized we (Sarah, Ashley, Michelle and myself) we were starving! We were staying with Michelle in Maryland-so we headed back to her house and luckily found a PF Changs that was open and serving food late! Whew! I ate yummy food, had a glass of wine and was so ready to sleep!

Saturday

Saturday was expo day and "move-in" day into our Hotel and of course dinner! We headed into DC so that we could be at the expo around 11:30am. I wanted to also go see my TENNESSEE VOLS play SC at one of the local TENNESSEE bars in DC. Then we had to be back at the expo at 3pm for yet another tweetup!

@britishbulldog,me, @mksinmd and @allyspeirs

I collected my bib number, talked to a very polite marine, picked up my goody bag and of course bought 3 marine Corp marathon shirts. Hell, who knows when I'll run another marathon-might as well buy swag! Then we ran into @Allyspeirs and @Britishbulldog-"the fast kids". I felt in awe in their presence!!

Michelle and I were at the expo, Ashley and Sarah went sightseeing. So after our whirlwind expo jaunt, Michelle and I dashed to the bar to eat lunch and watch a little football. I had a delicious beer-nothing like a little carbo loading. Just before 3pm, we headed back to the expo to meet up with more "running frineds" and of course to finish walking around the expo. The next 2 pictures are thanks to @nycbklyngirl

@Jenzenator and moi

with @MsV

I met old friends and new friends. Friends I had met before and friends I hadn't met before. I love blogging and twitter running friends. Its so amazing that you can travel cross country and not be alone! So very cool!

@deefsu

We hung at the expo tweetup for about 10-15 minutes. I finally got to meet Dee who had flown up from FL to cheer us all on at MCM-wow!!! What a rockstar she is!

I still had to wander around and so did Jennifer aka @Jenzenator. She had just flown into DC from New Orleans and was staying in the same Hotel as we were! So we had to "do the expo" before heading back to the hotel and dinner at 6pm!

Here are more Expo Tweetup pics:

@Jenzenator, me, @Bklynrunner and @Deefsu

We left the exp and finally were allowed to check in to our hotel room, The Capital Hilton. Nice hotel-had a view if the White House when you walked out of the main door and LOTS of runners were staying here..but in hindsight, far from the finish!! Would change this if I ran the race again!

Dinner was at 6pm and we, Sarah, Ashley, Michelle, Jennifer and myself, raced to the restaurant. Good thing we had made a reservation-it was packed!!! And slow! I had my pasta and lots of water-as we all did! And we were back at the hotel by around 8pm.

Thats when the "fun" started. Do you know how hard it is to find a Starbucks that is open after 8pm in downtown DC? Almost impossible!! Jennifer found one-whew, had to get our morning oatmeal, but it was at least 1.5 miles away at George Washington University. It closed at 10pm, so we had to dash out immediately or we wouldn't have our morning oatmeal!

ok..yeah working my way to race day......for slow penguin penny its as much about the journey and people you meet as it is about the race.... My race outfit I laid out saturday night....

Sunday

I didn't sleep well. I usually don't, but I think my "west coast time" got the best of me! I was wide awake at 10pm on Saturday night while my fellow runners were snoozing away! I think I was pretty worried! I really did not want to be pulled off the course! My last 20 miler was shit-and after it I was a bit worried about "Beating the Bridge."

I came to DC a little concerned about Beating the Bridge and Finishing. I SO wanted to finish...but my training wasn't great, my work schedule was ridiculous (70 hour work weeks), since starting work in July, I've survived off of about 5.5-6 hrs of sleep a night, and I've run 4 x a week, one of those a long run the rest slow slogfest runs before work usually 3 miles!-yeah, fantastic preparation for a marathon, I know..>I can send you all this marathon preparation plan! It's easy! Have no time and think you can finish a marathon!

Deep down, I didn't want to run with anyone because I didn't want to hold anyone back because of my pedestrian pace! We had a huge group at the start and everyone was super excited and stoked. I think I might have been the only one who wasn't. I didn't want to be there! I didn't feel prepared and didnt want to fly from California to DC to be plucked off the course at mile 20 because I'm a Penguin! so when we all had to use the porta potty for the last time, I wasnt concerned that I lost my group.

with Eva and Lauren at the start

After using the porta potty for the second time since arriving at the pentagon-yeah pretty cool start!! I made my way to the Corrals-wow, what a cluster! I knew @Runninglaur was near the 5:29 sign so I was tweeting her as i neared the post. I also ran into @EvaTEesq near the 5:30 area so we all decided to start the race together!

Eva and i run around the same pace-and in hindsight, when she stopped for her first walk break, I should have stayed with her-stupid me, but I didnt. And never saw her again! I wish i had stayed with her because I was planning on a run/walk strategy as well and it would have been so much easier with her! Instead I continued on with Ms Speedy, Lauren (@RunningLaur) and then once she was warmed up she decided to pick up the pace-yep "fast kid" and off she went. it sure was nice seeing them briefly though!!

I was now alone. We were running and all of a sudden Michelle (@mksinmd) comes up to me. We ran a little together-I let her know I was on a walk/run strategy so if she wanted to leave for her to do that-and she did. i cant remember when she left but once again I was on my own. I was having to look at my watch alot because I cant figure out how to set up a 2:1 and still have total time etc on my garmin. Am I going to have to run with my garmin and an interval watch?

At Mile 5, as we were heading "into the woods" near the Georgetown reservoir I saw Ashley rockin her race-she was at mile 8-yeah i'm slow. This area was beautiful! Green, woods, Green, trees, leaves changing color! I loved it. But it was also hilly! I held to my 2:1 and when we were heading down a hill towards mile 8 I decided I could hold my pee any longer!!! I dashed into the wooded area and peed! Gotta love nature! No porta potty lines for me! I felt so much better after this!

We then headed into the Georgetown area-wow, what a great are! Loved it! Lots of people out cheering, including the Hoya cheerleaders. Lots of shops to look at-yeah i'd go back there to shop!

We were now making our way into DC, running past the Kennedy Center and then onto the area of miles 11-15 aka HELL and boring! Wow, it was pretty but no people cheering and I felt like I was just running and running and not getting anywhere! I talked to a girl just before mile 14 who had been throwing up uncontrollably since grabbing an orange slice just after mile 12. She was looking for the next med tent because she was going to call it a day! As I ran past the med tent just past mile 14, I saw lots of runners who had called it a day. So i said my blessings that I wasnt feeling that bad!

I plodded on! Once I reached mile 16 I was nearing the tourist sights! Now I had something to see and snap pics of! We ran past the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. I was on The Mall.... and was awaiting more sights!

Did I mention that the sun had been out since the start? How could I have forgotten that important "Penny Fact" SUN-yeah hated it! The only saving grace was that it wasn't super hot, it was warm but not hot. But i felt the sun beating down on me and sucking the hydration out of me! Now I was running with my camelbak that had NUUN in it. I decided not to carry any water bottles but since I'm slow I have to carry some fluids-boy was I happy I had my camelbak! I had bought a smaller 45oz container to put in it to keep the weight down-ended up being plenty of fluids for me!

As I was running along The Mall, I ran across a father and his daughter who were running the race. The first thing I noticed was how the dad was yelling at this poor girl, who was obviously struggling with her breathing and running in general! i was horrified and disgusted! This girl may forever be put off by running because her dad was pushing her so hard-just to Beat the Bridge. This fucking Bridge! Wow! Now don't get me wrong, at this point, I was close to the bridge cutoff-well, not close but close enough. i was thinking about not getting there in time and what i'd do. yeah, i'd find a bar and drink lots of beer! I pushed as much as I could. I did briefly stop to take one more picture then I told myself I had to push as much as I could in the sun to reach that bridge before 1:15pm.

Now I had to dig deep. I was nearing mile 19 and honestly didnt know if I would make it. i kept plodding along and told myself to run. This was when I found Michelle again. She was around mile 19 and I think she was in a bit of pain. We knew we were so close to the Bitch of Bridge so we dug deep together and we stuck together for the rest of the race.

Yes we passed mile 20 saw the bridge sign and knew we had made it! The Bridge became my Bitch-take that you fucking Bridge! I was not going to be plucked off the course! I'd have to wait for my beer now....

with Michelle on the Bridge

The bridge was endless. We walked most of it-at this point my two big toes were so sore. Every step hurt! I have no idea what was causing this! yes, there had been downhills, but I'm used to running downhills. had I not cut my toenails short enough? were my shoes too loose causing me to slide into the toe box of my shoes more? who knows-all I know is that each step hurt!! Running was less painful on my toes than walking so we tried to run as much as we could.

I just wanted to finish! Thats all. Get me to the Fucking finish line with my toes intact!

Once we crossed the bridge and passed mile 22 I was blessed with the hash house Harriers handing out beer-and yes, I took beer and downed it! hell yes!!! I was going to finish this race!

These were a hard 4 miles! I took my shoes off just before the mile 24 mile marker-I tried to run in my socks-but that didnt last long. I thought it would be less painful because at this point my toes were screaming bloody hell! ouch ouch ouch each step hurt ouch ouch ouch. Fuck! Really? what the hell. I had to put my shoes back on and I did what I could! I knew I had a fantastic cheerleader around mile 25...Dee had come up from Florida to cheer!!! How cool is that!! And she had been out all day cheering all the "fast kids". She was waiting for me at mile 25 with a beer! Can you say "Angel".....!!!

Just after mile 25 I saw Dee...and what did I get-her infectious smile and BEER! Wow it tasted so damn good!! best beer I had all day! thank you so very much Dee! You were my Angel and my savior on that super sunny course!

I dont really remember the last mile-It felt like it kept going and going. I remember that stupid hill up to the finish! Talk about a slap in the face! My toes were so sore at this point I tried to power up the hill but my feet said Hell No. But once I turned the corner and saw the Finish banner, I pushed as much as I could!

I crossed and looked at my watch-it read over 6 hours. Wow thats a long time to be out running, in the sun. But I got my blanket and headed to the area I was so looking forward to-the area where I get MY MEDAL!

And then I headed to get my official picture taken in front of the Iwo Jima memorial. I will have to buy that picture-even though I'm not a big fan of buying race photos!

Yeah I finished! And I felt pretty damn good, except for my poor toes!

Michelle was now a Marathoner and I had just finished my 4th! Was i happy? hmm, mixed feelings. yes, thrilled that I finished, but as always, I suck as a runner and am sick and tired of being so slow. I don't get faster I get slower! But I accomplished my goals: I beat the bridge and I finished! I really didn't expect anymore than that! I knew I wasn't prepared and really didn't have the best preparation under my belt-no fault of mine just life! But it is still disappointing.

Michelle and i made our way to the Finish Line festival. We bought our Finisher t-shirts (gotta love being slow-I carry credit cards, money, everything) and then the UPS trucks to pick up our bags.

Then we had to stand in a line for the Metro to take us back into DC. A line for the Metro? Really? Are you kidding me. The good thing is it didn't take a long time. We made it back to our hotel stop and then walked the short few blocks to the hotel. It was a good thing we had to walk-guess i got about 28 miles total!

Once I got back to the hotel (mind you i forgot to let you know that we had to store our bags with the bellman since we couldn't get late checkout). Luckily we were allowed to come back to the hotel and get our bags late. And since i took so long to run, I knew I'd be late in getting my bag. But I left my bag to go to the bar and drink 4 beers!!! Michelle and I sat at the bar and Jennifer met us down there and we had a celebratory brewski!

Yeah the medal is pretty! And will look nice surrounded by my 3 other marathon medals and my half medals! Its pretty and looked so good with a beer as it's background!

We (Ashley, Sarah, Jennifer, Michelle, Mr Z and myself) all went out for food after the race!

I was so hungry! I hadnt eaten anything since my oatmeal at 5am. So I feel like I inhaled my food and another beer. You know beer taste so good after running 26.2 miles in the sun! nectar of the Gods!

After a late lunch, we parted ways with the rest of the gang, and Michelle and i headed back to her house. A boring relaxing evening in front of the tv was in store!!!

I downed more Cherry Juice when i got back to her house (BTW, I am a HUGE advocate of Cherry juice). I had been drinking Cherry Juice a week before the race, had some the morning of and was drinking lots of it as my recovery drink. Fantastic stuff!!

Monday, I had to take lots of pics of trees with the leaves changing color. My favorite season is fall, and in California we don't get to see the leaves changing color!!

I ended up sitting on a plane for 7 hours! Great way to spend the day after a marathon! I got home around 6pm. I had "lost" my camera on the plane somewhere-so my picture taken with 5 marines is in someone else's hands! sad!!

I downed more Cherry juice and got ready for work. yep right back at it early Tuesday morning.

Since I'm writing this on Saturday, I just want to reiterate about my LOVE of Cherry Juice!!! fantastic stuff!!! I was stiff but by Wednesday, I was running and was pain free! I've had 3 post marathon runs: Wednesday 1.35 miles, Thursday 2.2 miles and Friday 3.11 miles. I truly believe drinking Cherry Juice enabled my fast recovery!!

So what is next?

I dont know. I think I want to do another marathon. I'm supposed to run Eco Catalina this coming Saturday and then attempt my first 50K the weekend after that. But I dont have my trail legs under me. And I'm concerned about being stuck on Catalina after the last ferry leaves without a hotel room. The race is on a Saturday, which sucks for me! Saturday races are close to impossible for me to run! And with an 8 hour time limit, I dont think I'd make the last ferry. So I might see if I can run the Wine Vine Half in San Louis Obispo or find something in LA. As for the 50K...hmmmmm

I will run another marathon, maybe LA. I'd like to run Big Sur-but alas I dont think I run fast enough. If you guys have any suggestions let me know. Until then I will continue to run and train to the best of my ability and continue to remind myself how lucky i am to have such amazing friends and to have running in my life!!

RUNS

Sunday Oct 31 26.2 miles 6:12:06

Wednesday Nov 3 1.35 miles (23:28)

Thursday Nov 4 2.2 miles (30:29)

Friday Nov 5 3.11 miles (43:06)

Marine Corp Marathon Cliffnotes version

2010-11-01T06:09:00.001-07:00

To be honest- I really didn't feel good about this race! I just didn't feel like I had the training behind me, top that off with my crazy work schedule and lack of sleep- yeah I was just hoping to finish and not hurt myself! I briefly thought about not running! But I guess stubborn Penny won!

All I had to do was "beat the bridge" by 1:15pm- the bridge was at 20 miles. My last 20 miler about a month ago had sucked ass- so "beating the bridge" was a concern of mine! And became more of a concern when the sun came out at sunrise! Not a cloud in the sky! It was cool- my saving grace- but the sun still baked me! And started to suck te life out of me!

I dug deep for marathon #4! But this might as well have been marathon #1a for me since my last full was NYC 2004!

I beat that f-ing bridge! My two big toes were so sore- actually took my shoes off and attempted to run in socks- but that didn't last long! I've never had toe issues! Every step from around mile 20 hurt! But I beatthe bridge so I would finish- even if I walked!!!

Finished! A longer report with pictures (of course I took pictures!! When you are a penguin you enjoy your race with picture taking)

I am a marathoner again!

One week until the Marine Corp Marathon

2010-10-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

yeah, stupid me is running a marathon in 7 days! What was I thinking??? This week was supposed to be a short run weekend-it ended up being a sleep weekend for me! I did run both days but it was at night. last night Velcro and i got a short evening run in before bed. We were supposed to run the race for the rescues this morning but all i wanted to do was sleep. So I knew i had to run tonight! Well how lucky was I!! It was sunny this morning when I was supposed to run and as the day progressed the weather got more perfect! When i set out for my trail run (yes i ran a trail run tonight-I was jonesing for dirt!) it was raining! That wonderful misty rain! I had my new bamboo long sleeved shirt on from www.gypsyrunner.com and off we went!

It was absolutely fantastic! We got wet and dirty, the mud was caked on the soles of my trail shoes but I didnt care! It felt so freeing and I realized how much I miss trail running!!! I think it's my favorite and where I feel at home!!! We were soaked and I loved it.I LOVE rain! I love when it rains in Los Angeles. I might be the only person who likes it when it rains here. Funny, the only people out on the trails today were dog owners!

Now on to this pesky marathon I am running. What was I thinking when I signed up for it? Obviously I wasnt thinking. Do I feel ready-honestly I have no idea. I have run 3 marathons before, the last being NYC in 2004-thats like a lifetime ago. I do have one thing going for me, I'm an older smarter runner now! I probably wont be any faster but I will pay attention to other things!

So on Friday morning I fly to Washington DC. There is a "tweetup" friday nite. I'm being picked up from the airport and wisked to the tweetup. We will then be hitting the expo on saturday. I think there is a dinner on saturday night-then i will try to get my west coast time zone body onto east coast time so i can get sleep and get up early to run 26.2 miles. Seriously, what was I thinking!!

If you care, here is my bib# for the Marine Corp Marathon. Bib # 11127 I will be accepting all kinds of cheers and support from anyone who cares to send me texts, emails, tweets, facebook comments-they will all be accepted on October 31st 2010!

Thank you!

Bib# 11127

Oct 13 RUN: 3.11 miles with Velcro before work (42:38)
Oct 14 RUN: 2.00 miles with Velcro before work (27:14)
Oct 15 RUN 3.5 miles with Velcro before work (43:04)
Oct 17 RUN 18 miles (LB Half + 5 miles)
Oct 19 RUN 1.5 miles with Velcro before work (22:28)
Oct 21 RUN 3.15 miles with Velcro before work (47:07)
Oct 22 RUN 2.6 miles with Velcro before work (34:26)
Oct 23 RUN 3.12 miles with Velcro (44:38)
Oct 24 RUN 5.61 miles on the trails with Velcro ( 1:37)

BTW here are 2 of my official race photos from long beach and my favorite picture, Velcro kisses after the race!

Long Beach Half Marathon Race report plus some added miles

2010-10-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

well since I had such a craptastic run last weekend, I felt the need to run 18-20 today! I had registered for the Long Beach Half Marathon already so I had 2 choices. Run the half and tack on miles or run the full and run 18-20 on the course and bail. Well, I wanted a medal-yeah I know it's all about the bling! So I stuck with the Half. I had alot of friends running the half as well, so I thought that would be fun! In hindsight, I only saw 2 of my friends and probably could have run the full course but then I wouldn't have had a great race experience!!

with the Heffers

The weekend started with a dinner last night, put together by Glenn! I took my dad, since he was down to be "race support and Velcro sitter" while I ran. It was a nice turnout. The Heffer's were there-they ALWAYS make me laugh! Glenn and his son were there, Maggie, Mary...a nice turnout. I had a yummy Rigatoni dish and a glass of wine! I know-I was racing the next day, but since I don't drink at all during the week due to my work hours, Friday and Saturdays are the only days I'm allowed to experience a nice glass of red, in this case it was a Malbec!

The heffers!

with mary

Glenn with his son and carol

As always it's super nice seeing all my twitter/blogging running friends! I'm always thrilled to realize I have amazing friends!!! You guys rock!! and I think we should do this before every race!!!

Now onto the running portion of this post:

mile 12/25 water stop

Yes, I did sign up to run the half. Did I think about running 18-20 miles on the full course? Yes....I probably should have done it but then I wouldn't have been able to run the 4.5 miles with Velcro before heading down to the very crowded start area. Velcro and I ran down Ocean Blvd, towards the 12 mile mark of the half. We saw all the amazing volunteers setting up the water tables and really enjoyed "our" time. I really wish I could run these races with her-but understand why dogs aren't allowed! (Even though I did see a girl running with her dog and kinda made me grumble! I listen to the rules and don't bring my dog...) Oh well...

this was the outfit I decided to run in. Since it's October, I opted for PINK. I know that's a stretch for me since I seem to own alot of pink. But I really wanted to try a race in my Bamboo shirt and just felt like it was a pink day for me!!! I love these bamboo shirts-they are from www.gypsyrunner.com and they have great sayings! Now here is my plug:

If you buy anything from www.gypsyrunner.com and add Penny/Labrador Rescuers in the comments section at checkout, 20% will go to my charity, Labrador rescuers, for the Carlsbad half Marathon in january! This is a no brainer way to donate to my charity and get stuff for YOU!! Just saying....check them out and if you do buy something PLEASE add Penny/Labrador Rescuers in the comment section so the doggies get money!!

Plug over....

I tried to meet up with Kristy @KristyLPants at the start, but we just couldnt find each other-might have to do with the non-existent cell service at the start! I was lucky to have found Karen @Torontogirlwest. She was in wave 5-and that was the only place I could enter the wave areas since I had arrived at the start later than most! Those silly extra miles I had put in!

Now, I had planned to run this as a training run. I wasnt going to race it at all. I needed miles and I was going to get GOOD miles in anyway I can-so how lucky was I to run into Karen and to be reminded that this was her first half marathon! I told her I'd run with her as long as she wanted me to! Now I had a plan!!!

We started around 7:30am-the race had 6 waves and we were in wave 5. No biggy-everything is chip timed and I wasn't fighting the sun!! yes, the marine layer socked in Long Beach and it was cool, crisp and overcast!! Perfect running weather!

I asked Karen what her normal pace was and I tried to stick to that. She had been having ITB issues, so she wasn't sure how this race was going to go. But I'd try to help her out as much as I could!

I forgot how flat this race is!! Of course you have the inclines up Queensway bridge and then back into downtown, but all in all a pretty flat course. I'm not sure if I know how to run flats! ha ha!

Karen was doing great! She ran solid until about mile 2 then we started walk breaks. It was so nice to run with someone-most races I run by myself! I tried to be as supportive as possible and was so very happy to have met a new friend and to be helping her and in turn she was helping me!

We ran a nice easy even pace throughout the entire race. Around mile 9, Karen't ITB was really beginning to bother her. At this point you never know if you should push someone because thats what they want or slow them down and make sure they take care of an injury. I tried to find a middle ground-tried to be smart and make sure she didn't hurt herself but also push her a little bit.

Throughout the race I was tweeting. Karen had been told NOT to tweet by Ron @Punkrockrunner "he he" he never said I couldn't tweet!! The out pouring of support for Karen was really awesome! There is something about someone running their first "long" race! It's such a wonderful feeling! And I was so incredibly lucky to be sharing this with her!

Just after mile 12, and around Esperanza on Ocean, Karen told me-"dont let me stop-even if I want to don't let me stop" we were SO CLOSE to the finish we could hear it! So i said ok and we were off! She was going to finish and finish strong!

As we turned onto Shoreline Drive and she could see the finish line, I think she began to get emotional. I could see it in her face-and it made me get very emotional. I actually started crying when we crossed the finish line! WOW! I cant tell you the last time I got that emotional at a race! It was wonderful and really made me reflect on my running and running in general! I LOVE running! I think I re-found my love for running today-and it was thanks to Karen!!!!

yes she has 2 birds on her shoulder and yes she was walking the race

I had a fantastic day!!! It wasn't my fastest race-but I had fun, really enjoyed running and didn't care about my time! I had the great pleasure of running with a new friend and watching her joy in finishing her first half marathon, Not that I'm, jaded, but they have become just that, another half marathon. I vaguely remember my "first" half ...it was a long time ago...I want to get that feeling back! I remember my first marathon, I've run 3, but not since 2004, so running Marine Corp in 2 weeks might be like running a first marathon again!

Today I ran the Long Beach Half Marathon in my slowest time but it was by far the most fun and most fulfilling race I've run! I had a running re-birth of sorts today! I realized why I love running and why I love the friends I have met along the way! Some days it's not about "the time" it's about the experience!

Today was an awesome "experience"

Thanks!

RUN: 4.8 miles before the race with Velcro

RUN: 13.1 miles with Karen 3:01:24

Lost Dog in San Clemente, California-please repost and Help if you can

2010-10-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

APOLLO IS MISSING! PLEASE HELP US FIND HIM!

Apollo is a 2 year old Black Labrador Mix. He has a small patch of white on his chest and is around 55 lbs. He was wearing a black collar.
He was last seen on Saturday, Oct. 9th at approximately 2pm in the canyons around Talega Golf Course in San Clemente near La Plata and Hermosa. Apollo was recently rescued from the shelter where he was turned in by his owner.
He is up to date on shots. He is likely confused and scared out there on his own. We need your help! If you have seen or found Apollo, or are in the San Clemente area and are able to help us look for him, please contact us at 619-819-0234.

Labrador Rescuers

Camarillo Half Marathon Race report (a week late) and a crap run today....

2010-10-10T15:58:00.000-07:00

This is a week late. But what's new. My blogging lately has been shit! I have no excuses-well I could say work-but I use that excuse for my crappy runs!

I signed up for this race a LONG time ago. I was given a free entry because I was unable to run the Lake Casitas Half, which is put on by the same company. So when the date neared-I debated if I should use this race as a long run for my Marine Corp Marathon training. I decided that would be a good idea-so I decided to run the full. Then my son decided he wanted to run his first half-and we picked Camarillo, since he goes to college in Camarillo and the route ran right past the entrance to the school.

Yeah, my kid was going to be running his first half!! Proud Mom. As we got closer to bib pickup day, my kid told me he'd really like to run the half with me. Hmm, ok, I guess I can put off my 20 miler to the following weekend and run the half with him.

When we got to the packet pickup, at Sports Authority, I realized just how small this race was. Two lines-one for the full and one for the half. I had been emailing back and forth with the race director, Bill Escobar, about my entry-transferring it from Lake Casitas and then changing it to the full. So once I got there, I stood in the line for the full marathon. Only to find out my name wasn't on ANY list. Hmm, I guess all those emails back and forth caused my transfer to disappear.

I was a little peeved. I was going to have to fill out an entry form. But I was determined that the emails about my registration transfer wasn't going to be for naught!

I was able to register for the half. So I was happy. My son got his bib and t-shirt and then I had to front the money for my son's roommate who decided at the last minute to run the half (youth!). He didn't realize races cost money though-this was his first ever race!

We spent longer there than I had planned! My dad and Velcro had come up with me. So after an hour, we dropped them back off at school and headed back home. AT this hour on a Saturday it was about a 2-2.5 hour drive. At this point I was exhausted and just wanted to be home! I had to settle into my pre-race mode.

I had told my kid we'd pick them up at 6:30am, since the half started at 8am. 8am-really??? Late, don't you think?? The full started at 7am. Why couldn't the half start at 7am?

Once we got home, I started laying out my stuff. I had to make dinner for my dad and I and had to open the wine for my father. He was on a mini-vacation. It was late and I was trying to organize my stuff and food and water for my son and his roommate.

Flat Camarillo

I should have known then that something was going to be forgotten....I wouldn't know what until we were at the race!

As usual, I got a crappy sleep. I was concerned that the start time would be changed since we were in a bit of a heat wave. But it didn't. We picked up the teenagers around 6:45-yeah we were late-and headed to the start.

Plenty of parking at this race!! It started near the Camarillo airport. We had scoped it out the day before-sure didn't want to get lost on race day.

FLAT!

We arrived with plenty of time and I started gathering all my stuff. handed off water bottles to the two boys and started pulling my stuff out of my bag-OMG, I looked in my shoes.....to my absolute HORROR, I had forgotten my orthotics. WTF!! How absolutely stupid, idiotic could I have possibly been! I haven't run without orthotics in over 5 years! The first thing I thought-there is no way I can run this race. But then I remembered my son had specifically asked me to run the half with him-so I was going to have to suck it up and be a "mom" a stupid mom but a mom and run this race with my kid. I was not happy about it at all!

To say I wasn't a bit concerned about this, would be an understatement. My shoes felt odd!! Lots of room in them-just not a good feeling. I luckily had some vet wrap with me, so I made "poor man orthotics" and wrapped both of my feet. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

I decided to "try" my feet out-so I took Velcro for a short run before the race, 2 miles. They felt different. Stupid!

We all headed to the start, I ran into a friend of mine, who had gone looking for me on the full course, oops! And then before I knew it the gun was off and we were off. My dad took a pic of all of us at the start, but it was a bit blurry because Velcro was pulling on the leash as she saw her beloved mom running off without her! An I might add, as soon as we started, my son and his roommate were off, leaving me in the dust!! Seriously!! WTF! I was going to be running this race, without orthotics, and by myself!

This is when I decided I was going to baby my feet and attempt a 3/1 run/walk ratio. I thought this might be a good idea. And it might save my feet. I was really liking it! Feeling pretty good-considering. I was keeping a nice pace and was ping-ponging past a group of three who were doing a 5/1. Hmm, not a bad strategy! maybe this is a good running strategy for me. I would occasionally see my kid-yeah he was ahead of me. Good thing he had his own water bottle. Taking water would be the BEST thing I did at this race!!

We met up with the full marathon runners around their 11 mile mark. The one thing I noticed-not alot of water tables-and the ones that were there had a few volunteers and not alot of water. Good thing-it was overcast! But it was a bit humid and water would be a necessity for the full runners. What I didn't realize, since I never use the electrolytes out on course, was the lack of electrolytes on course-none! Supposedly they showed up late!

I saw my son's girlfriend at a water stop-she was volunteering! I thanked her! This race didn't have alot of volunteers, so I really wanted to thank the ones that showed up! The race had also said there was going to be music on the course-none! Good thing I hadn't forgotten my shuffle!!

Around mile 9-10, the wraps on my feet began to hurt. So I decided to drop to a 2/1. Much better. i actually stopped and loosened the wraps a bit-helped a bit but what would have been better was to have had my ORTHOTICS!!!

I saw my friend up ahead-he had pushed ahead at the start, but I was slowly reeling him in! Hey maybe this run/walk stuff works! I finally reached him just after mile 10. Right about when we were heading back to the Camarillo airport. The bummer about this race-you run right past the finish line! What a tease!!!

At this point the water stations out on the roads were non-existent. I saw marathoners grabbing water jugs off tables and leaving them on the street just to have another marathoner pick it up and chug! I was SO GLAD i carried my own water. i was drinking it and usually fill up at aid stations, but I decided I didnt want to take any water away from the full runners!

We passed the finish and headed around the airport for another 2 miles or so. This is when I saw my son's roomie and then my son. My kid was hurting and said he was starving! Glad he had water though! I continued on. I had so wanted to run a faster race, but once i realized I had forgotten my orthotics, I decided finishing without an injury would be the wisest choice! And I was beginning to hurt-in places that don't normally hurt! Lets just finish this race NOW!!

Finally a water table-on the turnaround to the final mile stretch. There were some beat up runners out there. i passed a guy who was hurting. I offered him some NUUN-he declined. I felt really bad for him-I think he was going to hurl.

Come on finish. I was done. I was sore and I wanted to take the wraps off my f-ing feet!! As I took the second to last right before the final turn to the finish, I began to feel a bit disappointed in myself. I could have run this race faster! Oh well, no point crying over spilled milk now! Just finish and free your feet!

I finished, pushed it at the end, I was following a marathoner who got her BQ! That made me smile! When i crossed the finish I saw my dad and Velcro!! But didn't see my son. Seems he was SO STARVING he was inhaling pancakes instead of cheering his aging mother in! Teenagers!!

I'm so proud of my son!! He got this medal and he is very proud! And so am I!! I think he has the bug! I'm hoping he does!! I have another couple races lined up for him...psst don't tell him!!

he did a good job for a first-he learned alot and actually said he wishes he had stayed with me. I had the pb&j and NUUN! He'll learn and improve-he is young! He has his PR and now he has a time to beat!!! And I know he wants to beat it!

My time: 2:39:53
my son's time: 2:31:28

Now since I didn't run 20 last weekend, I had 20 planned for this weekend. I was supposed to be running The City to the Sea Half from San Luis Obispo to Pismo Beach with @petfxr. But my plans were thrown a curve when i got sick! I woke up on Wednesday feeling like ass! I went into work, and tried all day to find someone to cover me. Alas no one was available. So I worked sick! There is nothing worse than running around shooting a performance when you have chills, aches, a headache and feel like crap. I knew that I was ill-all I wanted to do was curl up and sleep! I lined up someone to come in on Thursday in case I woke up Thursday morning feeling crappy-and guess what. I woke up feeling crappy! So I stayed at home and slept!

I usually don't run on Mondays-and depending on my work schedule try to get a run in on Tuesday, but usually by Wednesday, I'm back to my short pre-work runs. But not this week. I was SORE on Monday and Tuesday and then Wednesday I felt like ass. Thursday I was sick, and when Friday arrived and I woke up, I didn't feel 100%. So I did the adult thing and didn't run! And decided that heading north this weekend and running a race wasn't the best idea! So I cancelled my plans and stayed home. rest and a run on Sunday were my new plans.

I lounged all day and last nite decided to try a run. It had been 6 days since I had moved my legs. I waited until dark, because for some ungodly reason we have HOT weather again. Hello, it's OCTOBER-I'm sick and tired of heat and sun!!! Velcro and i got a nice 3 miler in-but I felt tired!! I had made plans to run with @KristyLPants. On the calendar was 20 miles...hmm, feeling the way I was feeling, 20 was going to be hard.

I found out late last nite that @KristyLPants wasn't going to be able to make it, so I was going to be running by myself around my hood. I decided to start the run with velcro-she so hates it when I leave her. We left the house around 5:30. And all i hear were fog horns! I was going to try to run a 1.5/1 since I was running 20. Velcro was happy with that-gave her opportunities to walk and sniff!

This is how the morning started-foggy and damp! Heaven!!! I wanted it to stay like this. But that wasn't going to happen. It was going to get hot! And I was already not feeling it! I was tired and sluggish-I guess I didnt give myself enough time to recover!! STUPID!

We ran. It was nice until mile 9! thats when I had a meltdown and cried! I was feeling awful! I had zero energy and just couldn't do it! I am so disappointed in myself!! I cried, Velcro consoled me.She doesn't like it when i cry!! I love my dog. I tweeted that I suck and that i was going to quit and not run Marine Corp-wow, what amazing friends I have on twitter!!! I cried reading such wonderful responses. I know we all have bad days. I was only running a training run, I wasn't running Portland in the rain (even though I would have LOVED to have been there in the rain) and I wasn't running Chicago in ridiculous heat (no I would NOT have been a happy camper running a full in that heat!!). I had no right or reason to whine! So I shut up..thats when we were greeted by a black female lab, who decided to follow us. And you know me-I cant have that! We stopped our run at 10.5 miles and went door to door at 8:30am knocking on doors trying to find out where this beautiful girl lived! I should have taken her home-her owners were completely clueless!!

At this point, I was over my meltdown. I was till a bit emotional and felt crappy, but I wanted to get some decent mileage in...so I put my head down, tried to ignore my aching body and Velcro and I continued on at our slow as molasses pace. We finished in the sun and heat. We were so slow, we finished 13 miles 1 hour slower than i run a half marathon-P I T I F U L!!!! Absolutely P I T I F U L! I do remember, I didn't turn my garmin off while I was searching for the dog's house....so maybe it wasn't as slow as I initially thought-but still CRAP!!

I didn't get 20 miles in. Not even close! And are these crappy slow 13 even worth it??? I'm running the Long Beach half next weekend-now I'm thinking I should run the full and try to get my 20 miles in on course-and if I feel good (ha ha ha) maybe finish!!

yeah I know-crazy!!

Pilates tomorrow!! We are starting a monday Pilates class at work-very excited about that!! It will be a nice way to exercise on my non-running day!!!

26th Sept - 14 miles
27th Sept - 50 balance ball situps
28th Sept - 75 balance ball situps, planks: 1 min/36 sec
29th Sept - 75 situps
30 Sept - RUN: 3.1 miles
1 Oct - RUN: 3 miles "NAKED"
3 Oct - Run: 2 miles + Half Marathon= 15 miles
9 Oct - RUN: 3.1 miles
10 Oct - RUN: 13 miles

stuff

2010-09-28T07:53:00.001-07:00

I run with alot of "stuff" .... When running with Velcro I have the buddy system leash and then long runs consist of 2 handheld water bottles, my garmin, my shuffle, my asthma pal on my ankle with my puffer, my road id, a pb&j sandwich, sport beans and possibly reflective items or a head lamp if I'm running in the dark. And of course don't forget the white or light colored clothing.

While out for my long run this past Sunday, which I was determined to get in before te 100+ temps arrived, I started in the dark w/Velcro, so I had ALL of my "stuff". I have to carry water for myself and Velcro. And since I was running more than 8 miles, all the "stuff" was a necessity for me! I ended up running past a girl, who was not running long, with NOTHING! She had on all black, while running in the dark. Now granted, I'd live to run NAKED, but I just can't do it while battling the elements of So Cal heat! Need water, need puffer, addicted to my Garmin, love my music.....one day... One day.

I did get 14 miles in on Sunday. I wanted 15 but the sun came up and the heat started to rise. And as all of you know, we have had MISERABLE heat the past 3 days! Over 100+ temps each day! Yeah, this white northern European girl doesn't do well in heat- anything over 70, 100? Craziness!

I ran 14. It sucked ass! And it hurt me for the rest of the day! I felt dehydrated and literally napped on and off all day long. But I guess I got the mileage in!

This Sunday, I'm running the Camarillo marathon. I'm using it as a training run. If needed, I can dump off the course at mile 23. I will try to finish- but this is my last long run before Marine Corp Marathon on October 31st.

The past 2 days I've done core work. Hoping to run tomorrow! Hoping. My left ankle and leg are a bit sore and tight- stupid me rolled it 2 miles into my 14- stupid stupid stupid!!! But I continued on....Velcro ran 9 miles with me and then I struggled thru 5 by myself in the sun. I ire hope I'm ready for MCM. I'll know more after this weekend!

My First 20 miler since October 2004

2010-09-19T20:47:00.000-07:00

yeah, its obviously been a few years since I've been in marathon training mode.it feels kinda nice in that "punish yourself" kind of way!

I was a complete flake on the long run last weekend-so I really needed to get the miles in this weekend. I was lucky, I was home from work by 1:45am, so I was in bed and sleeping by 3am. Thats an early night!!

I slept until about 10am (well, I was up at 7am to feed my furbabies and to give one of my cats his insulin then I went back to sleep). I didn't really plane anything on Saturday-never do! It was a rest day and a day to run all of my errands since I had this long run planned for Sunday!

I was VERY fortunate that Kristy said YES to my plea to run the last 13 miles with me! We planned on a Huntington Beach run. I was going to get there and run 7 before running 13 with her.
I, of course, got off to a late start. i find it very difficult to motivate early on my weekend since I'm always up at the butt crack of dawn to go to work. But I got up and headed to Huntington Beach. I had "planned" on getting there by 6pm-ha ha, yeah that didn't happen! I arrived around 6:30 and started running around 6:40! I knew I'd have to cut my portion short and pick it up with Kristy or afterwards.

I headed north on PCH from Sunset Beach to Seal Beach. I ran past the Anaheim wetlands area (never even knew it existed!) and turned around at the 3 mile mark. Kristy was heading to the parking area and I didn't want to start our portion super late in case the sun made an appearance!

When I got to our meeting area, I had run 6 miles-ok, I needed 14 to get my 20 miles in. Kristy and I headed south-we noticed that Charlie Alewine was there-he had a "race" running. I was feeling ok at this point.

I was taking my sport beans and was feeling pretty good with my nutrition. I was pounding my NUUN-it felt a bit humid today. I was having issues with my Nathan sprint bottle-i would fill it up and all of a sudden it was half full-I think it leaks! I wont be taking it on long runs again!

I just didn't "have it" today. Don't know why-probably the 1 1/2 glasses of wine I had last nite-stupid me! Stupid! I know better but just had to have that wine!

I began to feel blah around mile 10. It wasn't a fueling issue but a lower back issue. And when my lower back starts to go-it affects everything!

I tried to ignore it and walked when I needed to. Thank goodness Kristy was there! I would have quit and hit the bar for an ice cold brewski had I been alone!! But she pushed me-it was fantastic!! When I had to walk, I'd follow Kristy...it was wonderful having a good friend to run with! She is a rockstar!!

We made it to the "boring" section of the run that seems to go on forever!! I like the dog beach section-it gave me doggie distractions!!

I really had to push myself and this was really when my back was seizing up! OUCH!! It was hurting! I had to stop and stretch it. Walk it out-but it did get to the point when stopping was hurting more than running! So I had to really suck it up!

My back is my "Achilles heel". I have ruptured L4 and L5-they've been ruptured since I was 24, so I expect my back to act up-it is my weak area. But I'm now concerned that my core strength has taken a nose dive!! I've been doing situps but I'll have to get back to planks! Must improve my core!

All in all I'm relatively pleased. my goal was to run 20 miles-and I did. It wasn't fast at all and it hurt but I had great support and I finished-and I finished strong....the last mile I began to feel better-probably because I knew I was closer to that ice cold BEER!! And yes, I was going to get that BEER!!! It was my motivation from about mile 16!!

After we finished, Kristy and I headed to the harbor House in Sunset Beach. We sat at the bar, instead of waiting for a table. I, of course, immediately ordered 3 drinks: Mr Pibb, Water and a Fat Tire. Wow, my beer tasted SO GOOD! I could have had so many more-but decided one was enough!!

I inhaled a delicious veggie burger and fries and really started to feel better! My back was SUPER stiff-especially after sitting but my tummy felt good. You know, other than my back-I felt pretty darn good!

Kristy and I separated and went our separate ways! I am so thankful and blessed to have such wonderful friends, who run, who will run with my snail-like self!!! Wow, I am one lucky gal!!

Yes, I napped. Got home, put football on and fell asleep on the couch with Velcro and one of my kitties!

Now, I feel fantastic. i'm tired and I'm going to bed like a good "old person" but considering I just ran the longest I've run since 2004-it's all good!!

Next up, 16 miles next weekend-who's in?? and then the Camarillo Marathon on October 3rd. Don't get silly people, I run at a pedestrian pace and am using Camarillo as a training run. I've looked at the map and I can bail off the course very close to the finish at mile 23 if I need to! I'm running this race because my son will be running the half marathon-his first ever half marathon! So proud!!!

RUN: 20 miles with Kristy (4:22)

A wrap up and what's on the horizon...

2010-09-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

Yes I am actually sitting at my computer (rather than on my iPhone) writing a post...** GASP** I'm actually shopping online, since I never have the time to go to the store to get necessary items and waiting for my TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS to play Florida. 102,000 people are in Neyland Stadium waiting for the game...I am 1 person in my house! GO VOLS!

I wanted to start with an update on my running for September since I have been such a blog slacker and a Daily Mile slacker. There just aren't enough hours in the day!

Sept 1-4: 7.56 miles total
Sept 5-11: 28.66 miles total
Sept 12-18: 9.12 miles (lets hope I get out for a short run tonight)

Tomorrow, I have a 20 miler on the book. I'll be heading out to Huntington Beach for an early start! I'm running 7 miles by myself then will be meeting Kristy for an additional 13 miles! I opted to run alone before meeting Kristy-it will be nice to have company on those last miles! I'm actually really looking forward to my run tomorrow. I need it physically and mentally! I think it's all of a sudden hit me that stupid me is running a marathon on October 31st. When I ran my last marathon (NYC in 2004) I thought it would be my last! Working the hours I work, I thought I'd never be able to put in the training. Now don't get me wrong, I probably still haven't put in the training that would make me fast or strong, but I think I have put in runs when exhausted and have gotten out there and toughed out long runs by myself! So I am VERY excited to be running with Kristy tomorrow!!

What's coming up in the future....

well, I'm running 20 tomorrow, and then I'll "work hard" to get at least 3 runs of 3 miles or more in before working during the week, Next weekend calls for 16 miles. There is a PCTR Santa Cruz race next sunday-but thats awfully far to drive to run a 29K.... Anyone want to run 16 miles on Sept 26th???

As for October:

My son will be running his first half marathon on October 3rd at the Camarillo Marathon/Half. So what should I do that day? Run 7 miles. But the following weekend has me running 20 miles. Hmm I have a The City to the Sea half in Pismo Beach on Oct 10th, so I think I'll run 20-22 miles of the Camarillo Marathon on October 3rd. Hell, maybe if I'm feeling good, I'll attempt to finish it....might walk in but why not!! Then there is the Long Beach Half Marathon on October 17th and then i have to decide if I want to run RnR LA, Run for the Rescues or the Coastal Trail Runs Malibu Canyon 10k or 25k on Sunday October 24....the week before the Marine Corp Marathon ***GASP*** my first marathon in 6 years....what was I thinking???

To make matters sillier-I am thinking of tackling the Catalina Island Eco-Marathon and then possibly the PCTR Santa Monica Mountains 50K. Have I completely lost my mind? I think so!!!

So here's to running and some races in my future! I hope I get to see some of you out there!!

I have once again registerd for the Carlsbad Half Marathon on January 23rd. I will be running for Labrador Rescuers for the 3rd year in a row! I've reached and surpassed my fundraising goal each year, and I hope to do it again this year! If you can spare ANY amount to help this fantastic organization rescue, rehabilitate and rehome Labradors, please go to my secure donation page remember your donation is tax-deductible!!!

Penny's 20100 Carlsbad Half Marathon Fundraising page

Happy Running!!!

blog slacker!

2010-09-14T07:08:00.001-07:00

Wow! I must really blog more! I have been a #1 blog slacker! So I'm putting it in writing here right now that I will blog more!

And I do have runs to blog about! My training for the Marine Corp Marathon is happening. I wish I had more free time to train but I guess everyone wishes that!

I ran a crappy 16 miler 2 weekends ago. I was supposedtorun an 18 this past weekend but with my birthday- yeah that didn't happen! But the prior weekend was a recovery weekend, and I ran the Disneyland half- so I needed a rest weekend!

I got a really nice 6 miler in on sat the 11th. It was a wonderful birthday run with Velcro! Then started my birthday!

Our work hours have been somewhat reasonable lately! 12 hour days! I'll take it! It's amazing how much better I feel when I'm getting 6-6 1/2 hours of sleep instead of 5!

We wrapped early from work last nite and I forced my fat tired chubby self out the door for a shirt run! Especially since I was a running slacker thus weekend! And this morning I got my sleepy fat ass out of bed to run 2.8 miles before racing to work. I ran this morning with the imapmyrun app- my garmin isn't charging! And I was short on time- I so wanted to get at least 3 miles in but I guess any miles are better than no miles!!!

This weekend I WILL be running my 18-20 miles! I will! You can all yell at me if I flake! Sunday in Huntington Beach I'll be there- so if any of you want to join me or will be out there on Sunday early morning- let me know!!

Sat: 6 mile birthday run
Mon: 2.75 miles at 9pm
Tues: 2.8 miles at 5am

9/11/2010

2010-09-11T00:41:00.000-07:00

We will never forget....

I will never forget. This day will always have a tinge of sadness even though it is my birthday

Disneyland Half Marathon race report

2010-09-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

I lucked into running this race!! I hadn't registered, and as many of you know, these races sell out.So I began the great twitter search for a race bib...and I found one!!! The one and only PunkRockRunner, Ron, wasnt able to run Disneyland this year, so I (lucky me) inherited Ron's bib!!! Now running as Ron comes with a lot of pressure-for he is an IronMan!!! I decided that since I couldnt run as an IronMan, I'd run in a way Ron might never attempt-in a tutu with 2 other tutu running girls!!!

Saturday:
I woke up at 9:30am after getting about 6 hours of sleep. I had a full day planned so I had to get to the expo early and race thru it! I didnt have any problems getting my bib and goody bag. The expo had the same cast of characters! I was able to see my friends from Gypsyrunner.com and bought some Nathon Sprint water bottles. I've been wanting to try these.

After staying at the expo for about an hour I was gone-I had a vet appointment at 1pm and then had to watch my Tennessee Vols play their first game. Then I had a dinner in Anaheim planned with Sandra and Audrey! They had come down from Nor Cal so I was determined to see them since I didnt know if we'd meet up in the morning! Wow, eating out in the Disney area before the half marathon is crazy!! The waits were ridiculous!! But we finally found a place in garden grove and had our italian carbo load. We finished around 10pm and I drove them back to their hotel and I headed home. I was hoping to get to bed immediately when I got home but great plans dont necessarily happen the way you want them! I think I finally fell asleep at 11:30pm.

Sunday:

2:30am........beep beep beep beep beep beep....wholly shit man, 2:30 am is not morning!! It's night!! But this was when I had to get up!! 3 hours of sleep-oh this was going to be fun!! I left my house at 3:07am-yikes 7 minutes late. My animals were VERY confused!! I realized as I was about 5 miles from my house that I had left my shuffle and my garmin happily charging in my house! Seriously Penny?? WTF! If I had been running by myself, I would have turned around, but I was running this race with my 2 friends, Lauren and Kristy, so I thought I'd be ok running "naked" for the first time ever!!!

I arrived at kristy's house around 3:45am-I had to have my tutu "fitted" to my amazon frame! Lauren had made my tutu (yes I am forever grateful and in awe of her tutu making abilities!). I was wide awake and super chipper at this point! Must have been the lack of sleep...so I decided it would be fun to carbo load again before the race, so I pounded a pre-race beer!! I realized I had a good chance of sucking wind due to the lack of sleep I had gotten the night before, so why not try a new tactic! We left Kristy's house at 4:15 to make it to Disneyland by 4:30.

Traffic??? Really? at 4:30 in the effing morning on a sunday! Crazy! We found parking on the Mickey level and headed to the start area. I was in Corral G but Kristy and Lauren were in Corral D-so we were going to try to get in D. No problems-the Corral nazi's weren't out yet (like in San Fran!)

We had gone to the porta potty coming out of the parking structure around 4:45..we passed porta potties heading to Corral D but once we got into Corral D and the throngs of people started pushing into the area, we realized we would not be able to go back and pee....hmmm....Kristy and I had to pee! And by the time we got to the start our bladders were full. Yeah, mine was filled with water and a beer but hey! The silver lining......the marine layer had come in right as we started!!!! Overcast skies! HEAVEN!

It seems everyone else had to pee as well-for every bathroom, once you crossed the start line, was packed! We waited until we got into the park and lucked out with a bathroom. As we were coming out of it the line was huge!

Lets just say, I'm not a HUGE Disney fan. I've been to Disneyland once and thats it. But I really enjoyed running thru the park and snapping pics of the characters. We realized once we got into the park and the course narrowed that a PR coming out of a deep Corral might not happen. So we decided to run as fast as we could thru the park, take pics and enjoy!! And that's what we did!! I snapped as many pics as I could. We stopped at took group pics! This was the first race I've run with friends, beside running last years SF Half with Stacey! I was having a blast and didnt even notice I wasn't listening to music! I kept looking down at my wrist-oops no garmin!

Once we got out of the park the race got deathly dull! Wholly shit, there must be a better route the course could take winding it's way to Angels Stadium! We ran thru the ugly industrial/commercial area of Anaheim. There were high school bands and cheerleaders but OMG....the scenery was horrible! But we were heading to Angel Stadium, which we'd run into and out of!!

Angle Stadium-ok, this part was cool!! We ran on the outside track...there were tons of people in the stadium and outside and they had a camera so that everyone ended up being on the Jumbotron! Cool!!! very cool!!

with Dave Mari

Now we had about 3 miles left of ugly Anaheim roads until we got back into the park area! We had been running together most of the race! We'd separate for a bit either to take pics with someone (I saw Dave Mari and had to take a pic with my marathon Maniac and Half Fanatic friend) or to walk but would always run together. But around mile 10 Kristy and I lost Lauren. She sent me a text message to keep going so Kristy and I continued on without our third!

I have to admit, I was feeling pretty good! I realize the pace thru the park was slow due to circumstances we had absolutely no control over, but once out of the park we were holding steady to a decent pace. I normally hit the wall around mile 10-11 of a half but it didnt happen this time. Hmm was it the beer :-) or maybe it's the long training runs I've been doing!!!??? Whatever it was I was feeling good!

I knew a good time was gone-that was ruined in the park-but I wanted to finish strong so that I could have a decent training "race" and I did! I felt great coming into the last mile and began to pick up the pace!! It was still overcast and I felt like I could have run alot farther!! I took off after Kristy said go ahead (she's been battling shin issues) and powered past people to the finish!

with Audrey

I inhaled water, a banana and a bagel and headed to the family reunion area. We were wondering where lauren was and had "planned" to meet people at the H area of the family reunion area. Lauren had gotten sick so we were a bit concerned! I did get to see Audrey in the finish line area! She had her Coast to Coast medal dangling around her neck, lucky girl!!! and then I ran into Eva, one of my twitter friends, who had flown in from New York to finish her Coast to Coast experience. Hmmm, I want one of those Coast to Coast medals!!! Guess I might actually think about doing Goofy in January-yeah I know sick girl!!! Then who walks up but Bob! Bob and his wife had run the half (I had seen Bob in Corral D early in the morning before eating his dust!)

with Eva

The time wasnt great-I knew it wouldnt be fast when we got bogged down in the park! And we did stop to snap pictures. So Ron, I'm sorry to disappoint you with a crappy time to add to your times! Sorry! But I had a great time and really appreciate your generosity!!!!! You looked HAWT in a tutu! I hope you get lots of pictures!! :-)

RUN: 13.1 miles
Chip Time: 2:55:36

Overall, it was a fun race that I think someone should do once! Running thru the park is fun but outside the park make sure you have your music with you because there are ZERO sights!!! But what fun i had!!!! I had a great time running with Kristy and Lauren! Thank you so very much, ladies!!!!!

with Kristy

Would I do it again....YES because now I want that Coast to Coast Medal. I'm already being poked and prodded to do the Goofy Challenge in january then I could finish the Coast to Coast at home at Disneyland in September. yes, there is a small appeal...I'd like to get all that BLING!!! So I am thinking about it!!! Let me get thru the next few months races and then I'll make a decision...of course if it's close to selling out you might have to pester me!!

Ron...nice Tutu and bling!

BLING!

My San Francisco Half Marathon race report-VERY LATE!!!

2010-09-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

well....what can I say-San Francisco is probably one of my favorite US cities! I LOVE it! The weather is a HUGE attraction since I am not a sun lover!!!

at the Fairmont Hotel

I had coerced my sister and niece to run this race with me. They were coming over to the US from England for their holiday, so why not add a first ever half marathon into the mix! yeah why not!! I had given them months notice to train so it was all good! I p-lanned on it being a mini vacation! I took a day off from work and drove up-picking them up at the airport on Friday! We went to the expo and then hit the Fairmont Hotel for a much needed friday evening cocktail!!!

We had a BLAST!!! we met lots of friends, wandered around San Francisco (drank and ate delicious food) a of course ran a phenomenal race in phenomenal running conditions, cold and foggy!! My favorite!!

Bart Yasso

MsV!!

Friday we had a tweetup! met some awsome peeps! ms V and Bart Yasso included-lucky me!!! We had a greta turnout at the tweetup! And it was fantastic to meet people I felt like I had "known" for years!!! MsV rocks!!

Saturday we went on a "run around San fran" as our tour of the city-it was great fun and so nice to get the legs going! We saw all the sights-or as many as we could. We ran about 5 miles in our tour!

dinner w/Glenn, Meg and the Heffers-not pictured

After hanging out and vegging in the afternoon, we had dinner plans with a bunch of friends from Oklahoma and San Diego! I love these blogger, twitter meetups! What amazing friends I have met thru running! It makes going to out of town races so much fun!!!!

Ellie, moi and Ms RBR

As far as times go. Well, my sister and niece rocked it! They are way faster than me-so they took off around mile 1 and I was left eating their dust and taking pictures!! They were running without a camera so I decided to take as many for them as I could! Yeah, that's why I was so slow!!! ha ha ha!!

My goal for this race was to beat last years time. I was in slightly better shape this year, but still hadn't run anything over 13 miles. But I finished feeling somewhat ok. This isn't the easiest course and the hills coming off the Golden gate are kinda a kick in the ass but I knew what to expect! Doesn't mean it makes the race any easier!! ha ha ha!! But I do this race for the Golden Gate bridge because I LOVE running bridges!!!

Here were my times from last year and this year:

Happy!!!

celebratory mimosa

2009- 2:50:36
2010 - 2:43:12

I love this race!!! Love it. I think it's on my list every year-and maybe one day I'll do the full!!!

Run: 13.1 miles

2:43:12

Disneyland Half Marathon......

2010-09-04T17:34:00.001-07:00

Yep I am one lucky gal!! Tomorrow I will be the proud runner of none other than THE IRONMAN himself, PunkRockRunner's DIsneyland bib! Yep that is me, Ron, running tomorrow! Ron asked that I "not run too fast" ha ha ha.... Guess he hasn't seen my race times! Don't worry Ron, nothing to worry about! I am a bit concerned at the official pictures you might see of me! I'll be in a tutu! I hope I don't ruin your reputation!!!

It's been super warm here lately! I am not happy about the possibility of it being warm while I'm running but with a 6am start I'm hoping it doesn't warm up too much!

I have to leave my house at 3am to meet up with my fellow tutu wearing gals, Kristy and Lauren! That means up at 2:30- maybe I should just stay up!

I'll be taking los of pictures! I don't think a PR of any kind is in the cards for tomorrow- alot of first timers in this race! So we have deemed this a fun raining run! We'll be picture happy!!!

I'll be tweeting while I run! And unlike the San Fran Half report (which I still haven't written up-yeah I'm a slacker) I will try my best to write a race report tomorrow! Complete with pics!!!

I hope to do you proud, Ron!!!

Dinner tonight with Sandra and Audrey and I will get to meet lots of Twitter friends tomorrow!!!!

Proud Mama

2010-08-23T11:23:00.001-07:00

My son ran 10 miles yesterday with me! His first long run and the farthest distance he's ever run! And he loved it!!

He's running his first half marathon in October in Camarillo and just yesterday decided he wants to run the Marine Corp Marathon in 2011! Can you say Proud Mama!!!

I ran 12.5 yesterday with Velcro! It got warm and the sun was out (my favorite conditions) so I was happy to be done as was Velcro!

We started at 6am- later than I had planned but getting a 19 year old up on a Sunday morning at 5am is a chore! But he did it and ended up having a great run!!

I went a little further- I needed to run 14 yesterday but with the sun and heat and Velcro I felt I needed to stop. I also was meeting alot of people at Hennesseys for breakast- yep a Bloody Mary after a run is heavenly!!!

I've been averaging about 3 runs per week while I've been working! They have been roughly between 3-4 miles. I guess that's better than not running! My training plan has called for 6 and 7 miles during the week but I just don't have the time! I hope what I'm doing is good enough to plod thru the Marine Corp Marathon!

On a completely separate note, my birthday is coming up on September 11th. I'm thinking of running a race on the 11th- this one has some appeal to me: http://endurebear.wordpress.com/ in Big Bear or there is a 9/11 run in Irvine. I'll be doing one of these to celebrate my bday- let me know if you want to join me!

Ad if you are around later on the 11th I'm thinking of drinks and possibly dinner at Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes. I'd love you to join me- I'll be watching my Tennessee Vols play Oregon starting at 4pm at Nelsons overlooking the ocean at Terranea... Come by!

Back to work!

Wednesday RUN: 3 miles
Thursday RUN: 2.5 miles
Friday RUN 4 miles
Sunday: RUN 12.5 miles

TGIF...... Woot Woot!

2010-08-20T14:59:00.001-07:00

I'm tired! I'm not quite sure how I'm going to manage to run the Marine Corp Marathon on October 31st. I'm being peeled, diced and quartered with the hours I'm working. I'm still managing to run three times a week even working the 68+ hour work weeks. Once again we're on track for another 68 hour work week. 68.4 last week and probably te same this week. I am TIRED!!

I mustered a 3 miler on Tuesday! That was after our 14.6 hour Monday. That's a hard way to start the week. It made my 3 miler suck ass- but I got up and out of bed with my girl.

I skipped Wednesday, I was just too tired!
I opted for the extra 30 minutes of sleep. I know it's not alot but I'll take any extra I can get!

Thursday I has hoped for a decent run but my trusty running partner, Velcro, hurled while we were out. So I cut our run short! Must take care of my girl!

We worked until midnight last nite- another 14.1 hour day. So I slept late, if you can call 8am sleeping late! I wanted to get a "decent" run in before work today. But I has strikes against it: 1) last nite at work we were shooting on a set that had "fine paticulate matter" on the walls- I have no idea what it was but it bothered me. I felt like a 50lb weight was being pushed down onto my chest. It kept tightening and tightening, I started getting short of breath and out came my puffer! Puff puff... And when I could I stepped off the stage to breathe "clean LA air" ha ha! And 2) it was sunny and hot already!!

Velcro and I ran. It was slow, hot and sweaty. We stopped when Velcro needed shade. We consummed all of our water out of my handheld. Yeah sun sucks! I didn't notice issues with my breathing- probably because it was slow and I walked when I had to. But now, I am feeling a heaviness in my chest- I'm not thrilled with this feeling at all! I feel kinda miserable! I can't believe I'll be working until at least 1am if not later (earlier)... Yep it's a FRATURDAY!

Tuesday: RUN: 3.0 miles
Thursday: RUN: 2.5 miles
Friday: RUN: 4.1 miles

Have I mentioned that I am so happy it's Friday! I have a long run set up with my gal J. Notorias and then a bday run for @liloruns afterwards! And he best part... I am only working 4 days next week- moving my son into school on Friday.

I'm still hoping to run the Mosesto Midnight Half next Saturday night and then I'll also be running the Disneyland Half over the labor day weekend. I am really going to hae to push myself to run longer than 13 miles on my Sundays!! I think I'm going to have to beg friends to drag my butt out and run! If I am held accountable and am meeting people to run I won't "skip" my long runs!

Now... Time to sit and wait until we finish lighting this performance that we are shooting. I'm so hoping for a short day! Ha!

numbers

2010-08-12T10:58:00.001-07:00

67.5 hours ... The number of hours I worked last week. I'm guessing this week will be more if yesterday is any indication of how my work weeks are going: 14 hours worked, 19 hours awake, 6 hours of sleep last nite.

Even though I felt like I had been hit by a train this morning, I still got a run in before work. It wasn't great- as a matter of fact it was pretty slow. I could have quit in the first 2 miles but I pushed thru! When I hit the 2 mile mark I finally started to feel better! I finished "strong" - of course "strong" is a relative term when the start o my run feels like ass! But I did it! I got out there and got some miles in and now I'm at working "hoping" we only work 12 hours today!!

RUN: 3.5 miles with Velcro (44:34)

Tuesday....

2010-08-10T07:49:00.001-07:00

I was TIRED on Saturday. Lazed about most of the day. I ran a few errands but didn't run.

Sunday was my "long run" day and I had a "running date" in hermosa beach with one of my Twitter running friends @liloruns. I was super excited! We started at 6:30 under a marine layer and headed north. I think we were both happy we had someone else running with us because I wasn't super motivated and neither was she! Staying in bed on Sunday was a HUGE option! But we were out there!

Around mile 8.5 my back really started hurting. The same thing happened the last time I ran on the strand. Hmm maybe concrete and me don't get along! We finished our 10 miles strong! My back was sore but I tried to ignore it because we were now heading to breakast with @kristyLPants at Hennesseys!

It was a wonderful morning with wonderful new friends! I hope to run many more runs with both of them!

Monday was my day off- good thing! I woke up tired! I was so happy that we worked a short day! I was home by 8pm!!! Woot woot! I was too tired to run but went to bed early so I could get up at 4:15am this morning to run!

And yes I was up at 4:15am and out the door at 4:45am for my run with Velcro! There aren't many people out at that hour-and none running!! Velcro and I saw 3 ducks and a woman and her dog and that was it!!! But what a beautiful morning! I really do love being the only person out running! It was incredibly peaceful!!!

Now I'm at work! I'll be looking forward to my lunchtime nap. Hopefully we don't have a long day so I can do it all again tomorrow!

Sunday: 10.1 miles (2:03:47)
Tuesday 3.07 miles (39:21)

TIRED on TGIF

2010-08-06T10:56:00.001-07:00

Thank goodness today is Friday! This is the first full week of work being completed-so happy it's Friday! I'm a bit tired! I thought the week would be "short"- of course that is a relative term in the film industry.

Let me re- cap the past weekend. Ut SUCKED!! My cat, Perfy, has IBD ad GI Lymphoma and Saturday and sunday i thought I was losing him!!! He was super Ill, lethargic and projectile vomitted 3 times on Saturday! I knew he'd have "bad days" but wow- this was a bad 2 days!! I ran 5 miles Saturday morning before knowing how sick my cat was. I spent the rest of the day hovering around him. Sunday I had 10 miles in the books. I woke up Sunday and Perfy wasn't any better. Needless to say I hadn't slept well at all and now I was supposed to go run 10 miles in the sun? NO! I decided to try for an evening run of 10 miles. What I didn't realize was how spent I was! I had spent Sunday willing Perfy to eat and drink!! Because those are the two criteria I use with aging animals- if they continue to eat and drink then I willdo whatever I can for them. But assoon as they stop eating- that is usually a sign. Perfy wasn't keeping his food down. Nothing like seeing a cat projectile vomit! Unfortunately, I didn't have a bag of fluids in the house- sobi was attempting to give him water in a syringe!

At this point, I had to go out and run. My son and I headed to the ocean. I had planned 10 miles but knew as soon as I started that 10 miles wasn't going to happen! I was crying and had zero energy!!! I pushed and pushed thru tears and a beautiful sunset!!! But I ran 5 ugly slow miles filled wih stops and crying breaks! But I did it!! I finished and felt spent an exhausted but a tad better!

I got home and Perfy was off the bed drinking water!! Good news!! I had picked up some chicken baby food after running- I put a little bit on a spoon and tempted him-he ate it!!!! He was still lethargic but he was eating!!!

Monday started my first full week of work! The "goal" has been to finish our work days in 12 hours (that's 12 hours shooting) with our 1 hour lunch- that would be a 13 hour day at work for me! I will accept that- last season we were doing 14-15 hours worked!

Monday and Tuesday were held to 12 hours! I had 6:30am calls- so I didn't run. Monday is a normal rest day and I was suppose to run 5 on Tuesday (hmm 5 miles before work has NEVER happened for me). I'd have to have gotten up at 3:30am to get 5 miles in- yeah NO. So I waited to run on Wednesday since I didn't have to be at work until 8:30am.

Wednesday I powered thru a 4 mile run before work!! So proud of myself! That's the longest "Pre-work" run I've done in a very long time! I felt great! We worked outside half of the day- yeah in the sun and heat... It started sucking the life out of me! And when we for into our stage aka the cave, I felt fried! And then it started- our first 14 hour work day!! Brutal! With the hour lunch and my commute time and "getting ready" time, working a 14 hour day means I'm up for about 19-20 hours!

I got 6 hours of sleep Wednesday night. I had to run beore work! Had to!! Must get 3 runs in during the week and a long run on Sundays if I'm going to attempt Marine Corp Marathon in October! 3 ugly miles were all I accomplished Thursday morning. They were ugly and slow but I got my arse out of bed and onto the streets!!

Yep- worked another 14 hour day yesterday! I was up for 19 hours yet again! Getting up after just 6.5 hours of sleep was harder today than yesterday!! I set my alarm to get 3 miles in! Wow- they were a hard 3!! I could have so hit snooze and slept but I knew I'd be very disappointed in myself. So off Velcro and I went for a slogfest of 3 miles! I felt like crap before running but felt so much better afterwards!!

So all in all, considering I've just started workig again and I don't quite have my work legs under me, I'm happy with my runs!!!

Tomorrow I'm sleeping!!! And I'm FINALLY getting my new Asics Gel Nimbus womens size 12! Only taken 3 weeks to get them from Asics!!

Sunday I will get those 10 miles in that I missed last weekend!

Tuesday 4.5 miles
Thursday 2.5 miles
Saturday 5 miles
Sunday 5 miles
Wednesday 4 miles
Thursday 3 miles
Friday 3 miles

The Cliff Note Version of the San Fran Half Race Report

2010-07-28T05:32:00.001-07:00

I went, I ate, I saw LOTS of friends, I ran, it was foggy and cool, I finished with a course PR bettering last years time by 7 minutes.

I will write a more detailed, picture filled race report on Saturday! I am back to work now so my time is limited and this race report will take some time!

A HOT weekend.....

2010-07-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

The sun was out all weekend. And I am not a big fan of the sun or heat! Yeah pretty much hate it! I realize those are harsh words but I am an overcast and rain lover-it's just who I am!!! Must be my Scottish mother and all the summers I spent in Scotland away from the scorching sun and heat of the South.

So Needless to say, I was not happy about the sun being up and out when i woke up (just thought I'd say that today, Monday, I woke up to the marine layer-of course this is my rest day! Typical!)

Saturday I didn't realize just how warm it was when I started my run at 7am. Way too late! What was I thinking? Oh well-what could I do at this point? Not much but suck it up and get out there. I wanted to do about 4 or 5 miles.

Off Velcro and I went-heading toward the cruise ship terminals. I know this route can give me a 4 or a 5 miler. Ugh-it was HOT and sunny! And there was NO SHADE on my run. Velcro and I were sucking water down-thank goodness there are water fountains on this route!

We got back to the house and literally collapsed-it was horrible! Bleck I hate this weather!

On Sunday, I HAD to get a long run in. I had set my alarm for 5am-but for some reason I was exhausted when I heard that alarm and changed it to 6am. I have been SO TIRED lately. I realized it had been about 5 days since I've had my Thyroid medication. I mail order my pills-and I left it until the very last minute-I guess I left it too late. For they didnt arrive for 5 days. So I'm sure my Thyoid was screaming!. I've been a bit depressed and tired...gotta love that stupid Thyroid!

But I forced myself up at 6am and got out the door around 6:45-yeah late! Ugh!

In my mind I wanted to do 8 miles. And 8 miles was on my Marathon Training Plan for Sunday. Yeah, that started this past week as well. Great!!! Lets see how long I can keep this up once I start working!

I had originally wanted to run a new route-but I wasnt able to map it out and thought it might be toasty warm since it took me away from the ocean. So i fell back on a route I knew, which took me to the beloved ocean where it is usually cooler! And I was running in my "free Runners World Photo Shoot" shoes....hmmm I had run the Rockin the OC Half in them and wasn't too thrilled because I felt my back twinging!

It was sunny!!! And it was warm, even at 7am. At least it was going to be a little cooler than it would have been if I had gone inland!

I had both of my water bottles with me and was running with Velcro. I was a bit concerned about her running so far with the temps increasing. So I took more walk breaks than I probably needed (I needed some don't get me wrong!) And we occasionally stopped so that she could get a lie down in the shade!

Luckily she drinks out of my Amphipod handheld!! And there were quite a few water fountains on our route-so I filled up whenever we passed a water fountain! Cant imagine what it must feel like to run in a fur coat in the sun and heat! Who else runs with their dogs? Do you stop more? Does your dog drink out of your water bottles? Do you carry a bowl for your dog? Maybe I'm the only one who is overly concerned about my dog. If I'm hot I know she is! Back to our run!

We were heading back from our turnaround point and I saw a VERY welcome sight-a marine layer working it's way in! Wow!! Couldn't have come at a better time! I was beginning to really be hurting! My back was screaming at me! Damn these free shoes! I don't know what it is-they are not my Asics Gel Nimbus! Oh how I miss you Asics Gel Nimbus! You are on order (since my womens size 12 is not normally in any running store including mine!) I will have you SOON, I hope!

I had to put off buying them since $120 is alot to drop when you aren't working! But at this point, after running the Rockin the OC Half in these Rebook Aztrecs, I had to order them!!

With the marine layer coming in,the temps began to drop! Sheer joy!! Physically and mentally it was a huge difference! Something positive to combat the pain in my back!

I'm sure by now I have psyched myself out about running in the heat and sun. But if you burn like I do, have breathing issues and asthma attacks when the heat and sun are present and feel an over all "sucking of your life" you too might psyche yourself out and feel an overall BLECK when you run in the sun. Yeah, I'm sure it's mental-but I'd better there are some of you who do the same when it's overcast or raining??!Oh well-time to conquer the rest of the flat and head up the .75 mile uphill that I put at mile 7.5! All this in preparation (mental) for San Francisco that is this Sunday!

I will just tell you that it was a bit easier to run the uphill with a marine layer! The road I run up is in the midst of construction-so all the sidewalks have been ripped up. It's curvy and people FLY up and down this road-so I don't necessarily like running on the road on this stretch (think F1-love the corners!) but I had to!

I was happy when i got to a sidewalk portion so that I could leave the wanna be F1 drivers to their own devices! And concentrate on "no pain" "no pain"

Just a little more uphill until the final mile and a half which is relatively flat or downhill. My neighborhood is fairly hilly! Some pretty steep climbs! I seem to love to sprinkle them into my runs!At this point the marine layer had come in pretty heavy! The sun was losing it's battle!!! And I immediately was feeling better! If only my back would STOP! I had to stop and stretch it. And then the start up was hard! Sorry Velcro no breaks for you or momma wont be running anymore! Thank goodness for no sunshine for my back was winning this battle!

We finally made it back to the house! 9 miles completed. One more than my Marine Corp Marathon training plan had specified but a good pre-San Francisco Half Marathon run! I felt good-except for my aching back! OUCH!

I hobbled inside-yeah, it was that stiff, and sat down on my couch. i realize this could have been a HUGE mistake. Good possibility of not getting up from the couch! But I had to get off my feet and put my back on a soft surface! So sore and stiff!! Horrible! It felt like I had run in shoes that had 100 miles over their "bad" limit. It was that sore!

And this morning-I got out of bed like an old lady! Stiff and sore! That hasn't happened in years! I bought a temperpedic bed to remedy that ever happening again!

So what to do. Well, my Asics Gel Nimbus are ordered-and I'm hoping they arrive this week. I still have an older pair. They are hovering around the mileage limit-but at this rate I'd say they are a better pick than running any long distance in the Rebook Aztrecs! They may be relegated to "work shoes"

I start prepping for Glee tomorrow-so I think I'll try to get evening trail runs in before I leave for San Francisco on Friday morning. I want to run a few this week but I dont think I can put my back thru all of that on the roads!

Remember, if you are going to be in San Francisco this weekend for the race we have a tweetup going on Friday starting at 6pm at The Royal Exchange. It's near the San Francisco host hotel. Please stop by-our little meet up starts at 6pm. Here is the invite: http://twtvite.com/SFMarathonFridayTweetup we will have a raffle with some great "prizes" also, some of us will be "carbo loading" at Il Fornaio on saturday night at 6pm....we have a reservation but if you'd like to "join us" so to speak, I'm sure you can make a reservation (www.opentable.com) and join us!

Saturday: RUN 5.1 miles with Velcro (1:00)
Sunday: RUN 9.0 miles with Velcro (1:50)

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to the Trails I go......

2010-07-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

The SUN is back! My morning lovely cool crisp heavenly overcast is gone! We are being pummeled by heat and I am not happy about it! I am in hiding during the day! You wont catch this pale girl out in the heat and sun! Because I've been taking my kid to summer school in the morning, I had been running later than normal. So now, that it's sunny and warm at 7am, I had to run at night last nite. Lets just say, if you are a morning runner, it's damn hard to get up and moving in the evening! And that's what I felt like last night! I felt like I had been run over by a big ass train! Exhausted! Of course, sitting in a house without ac when it's butt-ugly hot outside doesnt make for a sprightly evening person!

So around 6:30, Velcro and I headed to Ocean Trails. I really want to get trail runs in this week for a few reasons:

hills! Need those since San Fran is less than 2 weeks away
I am trying to avoid running in the Reebok shoes until my Asics Gel Nimbus arrive (sad I realize)

So, we will be running trails as much as I can this week! I do love the trails. There is something about running in dirt, up hills, sweating (ok, I dont like sweating), getting peeled by the hills and then being able to go down! I just really enjoy it!

The sun was still pretty high when we started. I pulled my cap down as low as possible over my eyes and off we went! I only had one water bottle with me-I nearly forgot it!

Because I was so tired, and it took alot to get me started. I was yawning and miserable, I decided I'd just do about 3 miles, But once I get out there, I cant not do at least 4 miles! Feels like such a waste! So I decided to run the same route as I did the day before. Wow, what a difference a day makes!! It was like night and day! I couldn't run today! legs felt like someone had poured lead into them!!!

But I kept plodding away! I think it's a little easier to run trails when you just dont want to run at all-well, mentally easier maybe not physically easier! So many things to distract you-sunsets, bunnies, lizards, bunnies, bunnies and more bunnies! Yes, it was bunny hour-sunset usually is! And Velcro was having fun when she saw the bunnies but not liking the heat. She and I make the perfect running partners!! I do wish I could have gone farther today-but I guess I should be very happy that I got out when I could have stayed by my computer!! But staying indoors makes me crazy-and nothing will make your day better like a run!!

We ended feeling good! But boy it took me at least 2 miles to feel better! That really sucks when your run is only 4 miles long!! Half of it was crap and half was ok! Hey, at least i got out there and enjoyed the dirt and the sunset!!

Now, an update of sorts.

The San Francisco Marathon and Half Marathon is in less than 2 weeks-Yikes!! Wht do I do this to myself. I have had 3 months off-I should be in the best shape of my life-but life sometimes doesnt allow you to be selfish. And mine has been spent dealing with my son and his summer school and being a bit down about not working and eating into my savings. But luckily, that will be coming to a halt. Work starts next week and then BAM, San Fran!

I think I am more prepared this year than last year! I will be heading up there on Friday and we have set up a "tweetup/meet and greet" on Friday night. So if you are in San Francisco on Friday for the race or not, please join us at The Royal Exchange. It is a few blocks from the Host Hotel and it will be fun to meet lots of new people! Here is the link to the invite: http://twtvite.com/SFMarathonFridayTweetup. We have enough people to reserve the backroom.

Hope to see you in San Fran! And I hope to continue running as much as I can before work starts!!

Tuesday: RUN 4.0 miles (53:16) on the trails with Velcro

I "Rocked the OC" in a "little" Half Marathon....

2010-07-12T16:36:00.000-07:00

I signed up and participated in my very first Charlie Alewine racing even this past Saturday. The "Rockin the OC" Half Marathon. I had heard "interesting" things about the events-most not positive, but i'm a big believer in trying it out for myself-hell, I might like it! He puts on races, I swear, every weekend! Usually half marathons and Fulls-sometimes longer. Some on trails some on "roads/pavement." I had read some descriptions of some of the races and opted, and was lucky that it wasn't sold out (he limits his "races" to 25 people) to a race along the beach in Huntington Beach. I chose this race for numerous reasons:

I'm running the San Fran Half in 2 weeks and needed a long run because I just don't have the discipline to get my fat ass out there by myself and run 13 miles without having spent $$ on it.
it was beside the ocean which meant a HIGH possibility of overcast for a good portion of my 2 and a half hours out there pounding away!
Unlike many of his races, this "half" was an out and back-not 3 or 6 loops of the same course! (I might have shot myself if I had to do that!)

So, here I was, in the OC running this "very low key half marathon." I had heard most participants are members of Marathon Maniacs and run the marathon-yep, there were quite a few marathon maniacs out there running but I represented my group, the Half Fanatics, and I was surprised that there were more people running the Half (16) than the Full(13) hmm yeah that is more than 25 people..I found out, there are ALOT of regulars!

He gives you the option of starting early, but you aren't eligible for the "trophy" for the top 3 places! In hindsight, maybe I should have started early but it was fun starting with "the pack" Yet felt rather odd running a "race" with such a small group of people-felt like a group out for a training run!

I had decided I was going to run this "race" a particular way. I'd run .9 walk for .1 and then run again. I was running in my "free" shoes the Rebbok Aztrecs 2 that I had received as a gift from the Runners World photo shoot. I hadn't run any long distance in these shoes-so I was a little wary! And this was a training run after-all!

I headed south from the "start line" at Sunset beach. BTW, if you want a "race with a "race number" these might not be the races for you! I did get a tech t-shirt but no race number. But, there were only 25 oops 29 runners!

We headed south on the beach path. The first thing i noticed was the large number of people out at 7:30am at the beach! And the large number of people bundled up like it was friggin winter carrying fire wood to the beach and starting fires in the fire pits-really? On did bother me was the smoke from these said fire pits-hmm-sucked! I LOVE to inhale smoke as I'm running! Love it! There was at least a mile and a half of "fire pit heaven" and then we made our way to the Huntington Beach Dog beach area-my kind of beach! Dogs! Velcro and I have been there once-but since she's not big fan of water or large packs of dogs, we dont really frequent the Dog Beach much. But I love seeing happy dogs playing in the water and on the sand!

Keep pushing south, Penny. I know we had to run past the Huntington Beach Pier and I saw it in the distance. Lots of people out running! So technically speaking, I could drive down there and do a long run and "technically" I wouldnt be running alone! I just kept plodding along, lets face the facts, my pace is a plod! I'm a happy plodder, but a plodder none0the-less!

The first aid station was supposed to be around mile 4.5, but it was earlier-I think alot of people ran past it. I talked to two girls around the HB Pier who were looking for the aid station-I had to tell them that they had past it. So if you run these "races" look for the 2 orange water coolers on a small table-they have water and Gatorade.

Charlie had said that we would see a huge turnaround chalk mark on the path once we ran passed the pier. I started seeing fellow "racers" so I knew I was close-yep, couldn't miss it! Boy, was I happy I was only doing one loop of this! It's pretty and flat but an out and back is enough for me, but an out and back and then back out and back again?? HELL! Woot Woot for only doing the Half!

Heading back along the same way I came, I began to see Marathon Maniac runners-I think some of these guys had started earlier. I was keeping a pretty decent pace and was sticking to my run .9 walk .1. The turnaround was at 6.55 and now I was around mile 8 just past the pier. This is when my tummy, intestines whatever decided to cramp! Wow Bubba!! What is going on??? NO-we will not be causing the Penster to stop and go potty!! NO! I did have to walk and was a tad concerned that this was going to turn into "one of those runs" but it didn't. The cramping subsided but the heaviness was there and never left. My only guess, I deviated from my normal pre-race meal the night before. I usually have pasta or make a pizza, last night I decided to "try something new" ha ha, yeah, I wont be doing that again!

I was inhaling my NUUN, hoping it might help and it was a tad humid. I had re-filled my NUUN bottle right past the pier, so I should be "good to go" to the finish! I didn't want to stop again-because even though it was a training run-stupid me still wanted to break 2:30! Stupid! I should have known better than to think running the first "long" run in a pair of shoes I've never run that far in nor a brand of shoe I have ever bought (I've run in Asics Gel Nimbus for YEARS).

Around mile 10.5, Todd, the barefoot runner (come on-you all know who I'm talking about-I see him at SO MANY races!!) caught up to me. He had said he'd been trying to catch me and that I was doing a nice pace, a consistent pace! He runs alot of Charlie's events and runs with his camera! He's a fellow "if I'm slow I'm going to have fun runner" so he and I talked for a bit. It was super nice to breakup the race and chat with someone!! I would have continued to run with him if I hadn't seen a couple coming up from the dog beach with a red and blue cattle dog! I had to stop and admire their beautiful cattle dogs! Us cattle dog owners stick together! By this point Todd was ahead of me, and my penguin pace didn't allow for me to pick up the pace to catch him! So the headphones went back on and I got into my own little running world.
** I had forgotten to mention that I had lost my shuffle somewhere in my car before the race. To say I was freaking out about it was an understatement! Luckily, i have an iPhone, so I wasn't music-less-but it was different running without easy access to the controls!**

This is when my lower back started to stiffen up-now I don't know if it was the shoes or the hard path I was running on but it was getting sore. I hate that! Come on, cant I run a long run without "something" happening? Guess not. And then, bam, I was back in the "firepit area" More and more people had arrived, churches were gathering, surf camps were setting up and people were settling in for a DAY at the beach burning wood in their firepits. First of all, seriously a firepit and fire at 10am on a Saturday in Southern California? and all DAY at the beach? Are these people crazy? I had already had enough of the beach-I could sense the sun wanting to breakthru my beloved overcast!!

I saw the finish! It was at the restrooms at the Sunset Beach border. YEAH!!!! Done!! But not under 2;30! BOO! My garmin said 2;34;10 and the "official time" was 2:35:35. Not absolutely horrible but not what I wanted! Oh well. One day!!

The official results were:

2:35:35 13/16 Half Marathon runners-hell yes I wasn't LAST!!! woot woot!!!

And I was handed my medal-I guess I didn't finish in the top 3 to get a trophy! Ha Ha Ha!!

What kinda bummed me out was that when I got to the finish, I saw a few people stretching, who had "finished" but who hadn't passed me after the pier. one woman in particular. She and another woman had stopped at the pier and I never passed one of the women again on the way back-hmmmmmm. Joys of no chip timing. At least I know that I completed my "race"

Now, I know a few of you are interested in my experience with a Charlie Alewine race. The half marathon cost $50 the full $60-so the full is a way better bargain for your money! I was a little disappointed that I didn't get a race number!Now, I don't know the reasoning for this-my guess is he doesn't have permits and we basically look like a group out for a training run with a few aid stations. I didn't have a big issue with that! I got a tech t-shirt, which is better than some "official races" I've run and the people were lovely!! They all said hello when they passed me and smiled and talked! That was a very nice experience! So I'm sure I would do another of his races. BUT, I wont do a 3 or 6 or 12 loop course! Hell to the NO!!! It will be an out and back for this girl!!

Now onto my trail run today. Yes, I got back in the dirt! Oh DIRT how I have missed you! I have ignored you and I am so very sorry!! It has been a few weeks since our last contact-I know that is awful but I promise I will NEVER stray far from you for that long again!

I headed out late. No excuse! The World Cup is finished and it was a rest day on the Tour. I was just sitting on my fat ass piddling! I finally realized if I didn't get out soon it would be sunny and I'd be in hiding! So off Velcro and I went to my beloved Ocean Trails! We started off at Trump National-this isn't normally the place I park, but I had planned on a short run today, maybe 3 miles. Just to get my "trail legs" back! Once I got out there I realized how much I LOVE the trails! The sun was trying it's darnedest to breakthrough the clouds, but to my surprise there was fog rolling in!! Yeah, the sun was not going to ruin my run! So I went a little further! Velcro and I got 4 miles in-in hindsight I should have gone farther but I only brought one water bottle with me and since Velcro drinks out of it when we run I was low on water! But I was thrilled with our run! Hills, dirt and overcast! Loved it! We finished and I felt pretty darn good! Velcro had been dragging though. When she was off leash she was lagging behind more than normal so i had to put her on The Buddy System (which works wonderfully on the trails as well!). After our run we went and sat on the grass overlooking Catalina Island on the green grass of Trump National. I love my local trail!!

All in all it was a decent running weekend. I had planned on running the MLB 5K on Sunday but Iwas a bit tired from running the Half on Saturday, so i opted for sleeping in until about 7:30am! Yeah, it's sad when sleeping in is before 8am!

I was supposed to work this week on re-shoots of a movie, but it cancelled. But I think I've picked up a day on a commercial on Thursday and then next week I start prepping my camera package for Glee.

July 23rd I head to San Francisco to run the First half with my sister and my niece who are flying in from England to run the race with me (it will be there very first Half Marathon). I'm really excited!!

I'm trying to organize drinks on Friday night-so please let me know if you'll be there on Friday! I'll be there Friday to Sunday. Gotta drive back to LA on Sunday so i can work! Yes I'm driving and then working...here we go...back to my "fun schedule".....Marine Corp Marathon here I come in October! I will be leaning on ALL of you to help motivate my ass on the weekends! I'll have to get long runs in!!

Thursday 8 July : RUN 3.32 miles with Velcro (39:28)
Saturday 10 July: RUN 13.1 miles Rockin the OC Half 2:35:35
Monday 12 July: RUN 4.0 miles with Velcro at Ocean Trails (52:13)

"Het is al begin om nu te klikken"

2010-07-07T12:09:00.000-07:00

"Het is al begin om nu te klikken" Dutch for "it's all beginning to click now" in celebration of Holland being in the World Cup Final

My July 4th was a complete and utter bust! I didn't go to Santa Barbara to run the 15K, I couldn't justify paying money and driving 2 hours to run 9 miles, so I decided to stay home and run 10 miles-HA! What a fucking joke! And what a disaster! I ran alright, I ran 2.23 hideous, shitty, tear-filled miles! I felt AWFUL! I felt sluggish, fat, exhausted, emotional, my back hurt, my shins hurt, I was hungry-you name it it happened so I said "screw this" and ran home! I was not going to put myself thru a sufferfest! The run didn't warrant any pictures! That is how bad it was!

The rest of the day I spent cleaning! Scrubbing floors and tiles! There is nothing better that a cathartic cleaning session to clear your mind!

To say I wasn't disappointed with my shitty 4th of July run would be a lie! I was very disappointed!! VERY! So I decided to try again that night! I had a small running window-in between the sun setting and my cousin flying into LAX. But I got out there, with my "trusty partner" and we ran and it felt better! It wasn't great but it was better!!

I was then in psuedo mom mode to my cousin (who, I might add, is only 2 years younger than my son). She had flown in from NYC and stopped for the night before a LONG trip to a remote island in Indonesia! She was flying out of LAX on Monday the 5th-so we did breakfast and hung out at the Tom Bradley International Terminal for a few hours. Yep, I need to go overseas again! It's been way too long!! But no trips for me until next summer!

After she was safely tucked away into the bowels of the Secured area of the North Terminal of Tom Bradley, my son and I headed up to Burbank to see my dad and to check out my new little Scamp camper, all 13' of her! I can not wait until I get to take her out on little trips!!!! But that wont happen until December when I drive her back from Tennessee. She will be taking a little trip without me! My dad, sister and niece will be driving cross country back to Tennessee after the San Francisco half marathon!

Have I mentioned how AMAZING the weather has been the past week! I realize the East Coast is getting BAKER, BROILED AND FRIED right now...but I personally can happily say I am enjoying the Southern California summer right now! This may not last, but the June Gloom that has pushed into July has been fantastic!!! I only see the sun for about 3-4 hours a day! It finally breaks thru the overcast around 2pm and of course then it slowly starts to set! It's been 60 degrees, cool and overcast! HEAVEN!!! I don't mean to rub it in-and I really am not, for when all the rest of you have fantastic autumn, winter and spring weather, we have SUN and HEAT! So I am taking this "change of seasons" and running with it so to speak!

I have had two of the best back to back runs the past 2 days that I have had in a long time! I don't know if it was the shitty run on the 4th or if it's the weather. But the past 2 days I've felt strong and happy running!! I'm sure the 60 degree overcast weather has ALOT to do with it. I am very strongly influenced by temperature and sun (or lack of sun as the case may be). I also am running in new shoes. I had to retire one of my pair of Asics Gel Nimbus, I was getting shin pain and lower back pain, so I have been running in the Reebok Aztrec 2's I received as a "gift" from the Running World photo shoot! I just realized these shoes come out Fall/Winter 2010...hmm, they arent bad! But Yeah for free new shoes! I cant quite drop $120 on a new pair of Asics quite yet-not until I start getting regular paychecks again. Soon, not yet but soon!

And of course I'm running every run with the Buddy System Hands-free Leash System which I LOVE!! It has completely changed my runs with Velcro! I absolutely LOVE having both hands free and no leash to deal with!! If you run with a dog or two dogs you MUST try this system out!! It is so easy!!! And I'm not getting "leash elbow".....try it!!! It works great and I think would be so easy for anyone's dog!

Of course, I'm still down about money-but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am working 3 days on re-shoots of some movie next week, then I'll start prepping for Season 2 and then it's San Francisco Half Marathon time! I'm actually really looking forward to the race! I have been purposely running up alot of hills and making my runs "hilly" runs, which the last 2 runs have been. maybe it's the hills I like????

So I'm on the road back. I'm feeling better, feeling stronger, still a bit freaked about money but that is silly and that too will no longer
be a big worry!

Sunday July 4th: RUN: 2.23 miles with Velcro (27:05)
RUN: 4.10 miles with Velcro (47:52)
Tuesday July 6th: RUN: 4.6 miles with Velcro (52:23)
Wednesday July 7th: RUN 4.5 miles with Velcro (51:55)

Ga Holland! Ga Holland!

Gelukkige 4 van Juli

2010-07-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!!

I had every plan to run a 4th of July race but I got hit by one of my infamous and horrible sinus eyeball headaches! I had plans to drive up to Santa Barbara and run a 15K. But after the day I had the slight thought of sitting in the car for 2 hours, running 9 miles and then sitting in the car for another 2 hours or more just didn't sound very appealing. So, I'm going to force myself to get up and go for a 10 miler with Velcro in my hood! It will be my own way of celebrating the 4th (it's also free, which is a good thing right now!)

Needless to say, I did not run on the 3rd because my eyeball felt like it had needles being stabbed into it! Excedrin Migraine ROCKS! Enough said!

I did run on the 2nd. That's when i felt my head start to hurt-so what do I do? I go out right when the marine layer burned off and I run 5 miles in the sun. Yeah-sure fire way for me to get a headache. I felt it coming on but I wanted those 5 miles-so I just pushed thru the hated sun and warmth run. Even Velcro was miserable on that run! Why do I do that to us? Because I'm stupid and stubborn and had to watch the worldcup!!!

So hopefully the 4th of July brings a 10 miler.....then next saturday I have a Charlie Alewine Half marathon- yeah I know....they are small and some people have had "issues" or haven't liked his races-but I thought 1) it's in Huntington Beach so it's near the water and 2) it's close to my house and 3) he says everyone gets a medal-and I'm a sucker for a medal!! and 4) Velcro can run with me! (ok, I think Velcro running with me was the selling point)

I'm hoping I will have a decent base for the San Francisco half on the 25th. Good thing I live in a hilly place. I still feel like a slacker! But come hell or highwater, ready or not, I will be running the San Francisco Half with my sister and niece, who are flying in from England to run their very first half marathons! How exciting is that!!!!

Friday: RUN: 5.0 miles with Velcro in the sun (57:32)

Pourquoi je cours......

2010-07-01T17:14:00.001-07:00

why do I run? Well, I started off running track in the 7th grade. I ran the 800mm because it was a "distance" event and I was not fast enough to run sprints. Hell, I wasn't fast enough to run the 800mm either but I did it!

When i got to high school, I didn't run track-and I sometimes get really irritated with that. But I've always been a bit of a tomboy and sports person-so I played volleyball, basketball and tennis. I lettered in all three but Volleyball was my sport. I'd run on my own at home but never competitively.

When I went to college(The University of Tennessee) I had thought it would be fantastic to try out for the Volleyball team, but once I got there and realized most of the girls were over 6' and if I was lucky to get chosen for an SEC team, I'd be a walk on and probably never play and would practice from 5-8am every morning....hmm,I decided yeah NO. So i played club volleyball and started running again with a group of girls in my dorm, at night before we all went to the bar!

I did a year abroad in Wales, loved it and would recommend a year abroad for everyone, and played volleyball for the University of Wales, Swansea team. Yeah, I'm a studette! It was amazing-the team consisted of so many foreigners, it was really cool! I also really got back into running again while I was there-nothing like running along the sea in the rain and overcast!!

My running has always been there and it has always been my drug! I've gone thru patches of greatness and thru patches of dodgy/sketchy running...but I have always fallen back on my love of running!

My reasons for running have changed over the many years I've been doing it. Initially, it was a sport I thought I was decent at. Then in college it was a way to keep the freshman 15 off....but also became a very social activity with some of the girls in my freshman dorm.

While in Swansea, I also ran to keep the beer weight off but it was the start of my obsession with running! I'd run before dinner every night-and the feeling I'd get was hard to describe! I think this is when it really began to hit me that running was going to be the sport of choice for me...the sport I loved and the sport I would need to do!

And it has remained this way for me. Now don't get me wrong...I've had pretty shitty years (yeah the 2 1/2 years with the ex when we ate good food, drank alot and did nothing athletic-I gained alot of weight and began to really hate myself!) When my ex walked out on me-I was devastated. I lost weight, became a vegetarian and decided that NO ONE and NO MAN would ever change my life like that again-and they sure as hell wouldn't take away my running!!

So now, I run for ME! I run to keep the post 40 weight off as well, but running is a part of me. It makes me whole, clears my head, brings a smile to my face when I'm in a shitty mood, makes me cry when i'm emotional. Running is my drug!Running is my church! Running is my time with Velcro-just she and I and no one else! And I need it to survive! My mother can always tell when i havent run-because she says I get short and nasty! Yeah-I NEED running. I may not be fast or win races but I NEED to run to survive and to stay peppy penny.

Now, it's not only my drug and part of my life but it has become my social life! I have met so many friends from running-wow! It's so cool!! I feel like my running friends, even the ones I haven't met yet, get me and understand me!! You guys sure as hell understand me wanting and needing to run! Alot of people don't get that at all!! I have "girlfriends" now....working in the entertainment industry, I've never really had alot of "girlfriends" but that has changed in the past couple of years-lets call it the post ex years.

So,why do you run? what got you started running?? I always want to hear others stories. For me it was athletic first and then developed into my passion and love. But what about you?

Tuesday: RUN: 5.26 miles with Velcro (1:01)
Thursday: RUN: 3.6 miles with Velcro (39:54)

"CACH"

2010-06-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Ciamar a tha an latha?'
'Bha e Uabhasach cach

How was your day?'
'It was terribly cack (Shit)

Yeah, thats how I feel today! I had a good weekend. Ran a long run on Friday with Jordan and Ashley in the beach cities under overcast skies, made a trip to San Diego Friday afternoon and ran again with@runnrgrl, Bettie and @AKAalice,lazed about Saturday watching the World Cup, Track and Field and then Sunday did roughly he same thing but added "Ironman stalker" to my list of accomplishments! I realized i was so amped up last night from "stalking" @Smellycents and @PunkRockRunner that I couldnt' go to bed. But alas, Monday waits for no one, not even an "Ironman stalker" and I was up at 6am to begin my week. What do I have to do today or for the rest of the week? Absolute nothing, zilch! I'm over being unemployed! I have loads of time to do all kinds of things but no money! I haven't had a paycheck since April-don't get me wrong, I needed some time off and I am collecting unemployment, but my mortgage and my son's college tuition and housing (that they seem to want to start collecting in June) don't give a flying shit that I'm eating thru my savings and paying all of this by myself! I know-I should feel lucky, I do have a job I'm going back to but we don't start shooting until July 28th. That's another month. i might go nuts by then!

I have all these races I really want to do in Nor Cal in July, before I head up for San Fran Half. Yeah, I know, hotels in San Fran are expensive-yeah I don't know why or how I'll be dealing with this-luckily my sister is coming over to run the race with me. Maybe I'll win the lottery or something....guess I have to play all of this by ear.

I know, waaa, waaa, waaa...I have my health, a job to go back to, a roof over my head, a loving family and fantabulous friends-but this is my blog and I want and need to vent about what is bothering me right now....

So here I sit in a "cach" mood. My son is at school, I just got called for 2 days on a tv show-but it's with a camera I've never worked with (you cant really go work as a 1st AC and not know the camera) seems everyone wants to shoot with the RED camera-yeah, I don't know that one. maybe I should spend this week and go get familiar with it. But even when you do that, you never really know it unless you work with it-double edge sword!

I'm also stressing over my cat, Perf. He has GI Lymphoma-well, suspected GI Lymphoma. The ultrasound saw indications of it BUT since he is absolutely awful at the vet and stresses and loses hair when he goes to the vet, I have decided against a biopsy (which would be a definitive diagnosis) and chemo. So I am "attempting" to treat him with Pred and Green Tea Extract (which has been shown to slow tumor growth). Well he is AWFUL! He foams at the mouth when I give him pills or liquid. He's losing hair on his neck, from stress, when I give him pills and the little shit wont eat his food when I hide pills or even the crushed up version of the Green Tea Extract. It's not getting better or easier-it's getting worse-and I am VERY good at administering meds to my zoo!

On the running front, because that seems to be something that is going fairly well except that I live in my Zensah sleeves or my Compression socks because of shin issues (yeah, I think it's time for new shoes-but I cant justify spending the money on shoes when I have huge college bills due 11th July) so I am trying to take care of my shins as best I can until I start working....

I have run. I ran on Thursday, Ran twice on Friday, and ran yesterday. Not too shabby! I guess. Am i ready for San Fran-hell to the No. But what's new! I never seem to be able to feel confident and ready for a race! Even when I have time, life seems to catch up with me. So i'll just continue on this road and try to keep my head high and attempt to smile and realize I am lucky and this is just a blip on the radar screen of life.

Oh well, I realize this post seems completely ridiculous and useless. Sorry! I'll try to get out of my funk today. Wish I could run this race, Dirty Dozen 6 hour, before San Fran-might make me feel a bit more comfortable about the race.

Thursday: RUN: 3.53 miles with Velcro (41:24)
Friday: RUN: 10.5 miles with people (2:20)
RUN: 4.2 miles in San Diego with people
Sunday: RUN: 4.22 miles with Velcro (49:38)

A run with The Buddy System

2010-06-22T11:16:00.000-07:00

I recently received The Buddy System as a gift. I had seen this dog leash system before and had wanted to get one-but just never did! I decided to try it today on a short run.

Now let me give you a few specs on how Velcro and I run:

1) Velcro wears a harness

2) Velcro ALWAYS runs behind me on my left side

3) Velcro doesn't pull at all but occasionally will drag when she's hot/tired

So armed with the knowledge of how my dog runs/walks on a leash. I decided to try a run with the Buddy System on without the lunge buster (because Velcro doesn't lunge or chase anything while we are running). I put the belt on and then added the leash to the loop that moves freely around the belt and attached it to Velcro's harness. And we were off!

First of all let me say-YEAH, my left hand is now FREE and I dont have a constant pull on my left side. I felt such immediate freedom in running! I loved the Buddy System from the first step!!! I will not run without it! I might get the extension to add to the leash-but I didn't need it (until Velcro wanted to roll in the grass-thats when I needed a little extra length).

Why haven't I been running with this until now? Stupid me! It's fantastic! We tried it with Velcro in front of me and behind me-I felt nothing! The belt was very comfortable around my waist. I had it quite loose (really never felt it) and with the loop that can move all around the belt-even if your dog moves from one side to another-there is freedom. Now I wont get "dog leash elbow" again!!!

If you walk or run with your dog or dogs, I would highly recommend getting one of these. You can get additional attachments for more than one dog. I obviously haven't tried it with two dogs so I don't have a review for that!

I loved it! It will be added to all my running stuff!

This is what I received:

The Buddy System (size regular) in Red/Reflective - Retails for $37 (you can buy without the reflective stripe for $26)

The Lunge Buster - retails for $12.50

if I were to add an accessory it would be the Extend-a-Buddy which retails for $7 or $12.50 for the reflective stripe version.

All these prices are for the Regular Dog System. They do have the Buddy System specifically for small dogs as well. Please check out their website. You can buy online or find a retailer close to you! http://www.buddysys.com/how_to_use.php

I love this product!! Did I say I LOVE this product?

How was the run you ask? Well, I left right when the sun came out-so as you can guess-the run was crap! Velcro was hot, I was hot-we looked for shade, consumed lots of water (the both of us since she drinks out of my Amphipod Handheld Lite

RUN: 3.1 miles with Velcro in the **aack** SUN (37:54)

June Gloom in the LBC...

2010-06-21T18:06:00.001-07:00

My son started summer school today. I had planned on taking him to school early in the morning, so I laid out my running stuff and at 6am this morning, while watching the World Cup, I got my son up, fed the furbabies and got ready for my run and the short drive to Long Beach.

My son wanted to be there at 7:30am-perfect, I'd be able to get a short run in after dropping him off.

Velcro and I parked on Ocean. It was overcast-thick June Gloom! Wonderful! So off we went. i really didn't have any plans on a distance. Since I didn't do a long run this weekend, I kinda felt I needed to do something over 6 miles, but it was weather dependent-since I was starting rather late.

We ran down Ocean and just kept running! We're not allowed to run on the bike path on the beach-so we weren't on the "outbound" section of the Long Beach marathon but we ran the last portion of it!

We ran onto the Peninsula-all the way to the jetty and then turned around. OMG, it's still overcast! And we were at 4 miles! Could I possibly be getting an 8 miler in under June Gloom? That would be heaven.

It wasn't a fast run. With Velcro, the runs aren't the fastest- but they are with my girl so they are wonderful! This portion of the run would be slightly uphill. Velcro was a little warm today-might have been the distance and the fact that she wears fur-so she was getting water out of my amphipod whenever she wanted!

8.2 miles completed with ZERO SUN!! Woot Woot!!! I'm very happy we just continued on!!

RUN: 8.2 miles with Velcro (1:36)

OMG never again

2010-06-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

So Yesterday, Velcro and I went on a sunny warm run. I thought we would get the marine layer for the entire run-ha...the God of Sun had other plans for me! he wanted me to feel his power, strength and warmth...whatever...give me the God of Overcast anyday!

We got a slow 4 miles in. I didn't take my bottle of water with me and once the sun came out Velcro got a little warm. So I was giving her time in the shade. i felt like a super bad doggie mom! I ALWAYS carry a running water bottle for her and I and today I forgot! Might be because I was in fulls tress mode for this Runners World photo shoot that I was heading to, with Velcro (thank God) at 1pm.

OMG, why did I agree and want to do this photo shoot? I gave up my PCTR Angel Island 25K to put myself thru stress? I had been feeling sick to my stomach trying to figure out what I should wear. I don't do "in front of the camera stuff" unless it's with my camera around people I know! This photo shoot was so out of my comfort zone. I know you will all say, Hell No to this but I am a very shy person when I'm in a new situation. And I like to stay in the background-I don't "flaunt" myself, might be why I work behind the scenes!

Well, i laid out all my stuff and then freaked when I couldn't find my shoes-yeah stupid me ended up taking my older running shoes, the ones that are a bit darker and dirtier, to the photo shoot. the photographer was heard saying "those have alot of miles on them"....yeah dork photographer, in my fear and stress of picking the "perfect" outfit for a Runners World photo shoot I grabbed the wrong shoes-yeah stupid me and now I'm kicking myself for it!

All I can say is I am SO GLAD this photo shoot included Velcro. I wouldn't have done it had it just been me. And I still feel I wasn't laid back and "me" at all. I was so nervous to be in front of that camera. I had to go thru hair, makeup and wardrobe before heading to the "shooting area" come on-me, in makeup and having hairspray on my ponytail? so out of my comfort level!!

We got to the "backdrop" and thats all it was us and a backdrop! I thought they might have the dogs on a podium so that I could hide my knees behind Velcro but no! (I had put some makeup on my knees so that my ouchies were't glowing like some sort of neon sign!)

I wouldn't have done this photo shoot had it just been me. And I still feel I wasn't laid back and "me" at all. I was so nervous to be in front of that camera. I had to go thru hair, makeup and wardrobe before heading to the "shooting area" come on-me, in makeup and having hairspray on my ponytail? so out of my comfort level!!

We had our pictures taken with each other (the first set just had my legs-can they use those!??) then they shot Velcro by herself. I was at ease at this point because I was off camera being a "stage mom" to my girl. She was SO good-she listened and stayed in position-she was FANTASTIC!!! But after a certain amount of time, my stubborn cattle dog decided "that was enough" and she walked off the backdrop and lights and sat beside one of the carts. Thats my girl.

Thats when they took pictures of just me-OMG can you say "VOMIT?" Wholly shit it was awful. I was having my shirt pulled down, my jog bra adjusted so that your couldn't see it, told to pull my ponytail back (come on I want people to know I have hair!!!) It was awful. I felt so self conscious, fat, ugly, inadequate, nervous and stiff. I just know they were saying "this girl is awful-she just cant relax" Yeah that was me....maybe I should have had a beer before hand to calm myself down!

Luckily, Velcro and I needed more pictures taken together. And this time I was down on her level. the photographer kept telling me to be tall-get taller than Velcro's ears and dont hide behind them (um, thats the whole point of being in the picture with my dog-she's the star and I'm in the background!). I think we had some decent pictures taken in this position. She was on my knee, I was turned to the side with my face looking out....who knows. I've kinda blanked about the entire thing!

After they finished shooting us (mind you there were about 17 other people and dogs who were invited to this photoshoot so who knows if Velcro and I will be chosen) the videographer asked if he could interview me. OMG....I said yes but hell no-we go from still to moving and now I have to talk? This is like acting-did I say there is a reason I'm behind the camera!!!

I felt like I was awful-I'm sure I sounded like an ass and if they use my ramblings I hope they edit any part where I sound like a complete moron! But the videographer was definitely not a runner and didn't know what questions to ask. I had a mike on myself and was sitting in front of the video camera on a couch, with Velcro, looking at that horrible red light on the camera-yep red means RECORDING!

As soon as we were finished and I answered the questions he asked. The mike came on and the sound engineer started asking questions about Velcro-because his brother had a cattle dog. I was very talkative then and spoke about her. The videographer then said "that was great stuff I wish we had been rolling" ...great does that mean I sounded like an idiot when i as on camera??? Shit!!

Of course, the day after, I'm thinking about all the things I could have said and how I could have stood that might have looked more comfortable on camera. Why did I do this? I hope that at least a picture of Velcro makes it into the September issue-because then it would have been worth missing my race....but if none of our pictures make it into the article and I missed running in the "foggy, misty place" in Nor Cal I will be upset. I'll also be upset because I was absolutely exhausted when I got home after the shoot-my blood pressure must have been so high-I had better make it in to put my body thru so much stress!

I did get a free pair of shoes for all my stress. But they are mens-could it be possible that Runners World doesn't have womens size 12 lying around? I got Reebok Aztrec 2 shoes-I looked them up, they are a neutral shoe. I might end up giving them away in a giveaway-mens shoes tend to be too wide for me!

AACCKK!!

Saturday: RUN 4.0 miles with Velcro (50:46)

Summer Solstice Watermelon 5 Mile Race

2010-06-17T21:34:00.000-07:00

An evening race on a Thursday! This is a first for me! I NEVER have free time to run a race on a thursday night at 6pm...is this what it's like to have a life when you work a "real job?"

I coerced my son to run this race-well i signed him up and told him he was running!Aren't I the best mom ever?? I knew once he was out there he'd have a blast and want to beat me...it was the hours before the race when he was sitting on his computer that he was complaining that he didn't want to run!

The race started at 6pm at El Dorado Park in Long Beach. Not that far away from me but at rush hour who knew how long it would take us. We left at 4:45-so glad we did-we arrived at 5:30 for a 6pm race. Parking was $5 cash -yeah, I didnt know that and only had $3. Thankfully the wonderful parking attendant let me in for $3. next year, I'll pay the remaining $2.

We went to the packet pickup-we got our race numbers and our goody bags. I had asked for an XL shirt, which i always get. OMG-these shirts ran VERY LARGE! I was swimming in my XL-I'll be able to wear it as a dress it's so big! That got me giggling, and I didnt stop! I was there to have fun-much to my son's horror! I was snapping pictures and acting silly and embarrassing him-gotta love that!

The race is one of the oldest races in Long beach-very low key! It benefits track teams and some middle schools and Long Beach City College. So there were alot of young track runners out for this race-that means FAST! I did get to see Mary, The Running Green Girl, and Erica, Rad Runner before the start. We all run at different paces so we usually see each other at the start and finish!
We started at 6pm-I was so hoping it would start later so that the stupid sun could go down and the cool evening air could greet us-not so lucky!! And of course, today was warmer than the rest of the week and warmer than this weekend is going to be-of course because I was running a race!

I wanted to beat my last 5 mile race time which was at the Conquer The Bridge 5 miler-yeah, over the Vincent Thomas Bridge. yeah, no comparison-this is a flat race that was not. But this is in sun that race wasn't!

Off we went and off Rad Runner went and off my son went. he did look back at me before I started to eat his dust! What a nice son! No point in holding him back since he's 19-a bit younger than my 44.

It was hot. Why can't I run a race in the dark? or fog? or cold? Why must there always be son and heat? I just don't get it. Yeah, living in Southern California doesn't help with my need and want for a cool foggy race! I pushed the first 2 miles, sweating, and then began to get a tight chest-puff time! I took my puffer out of my handy dandy "asthmapal". Have I said how much I love this little pack! It ROCKS!! I don't even notice it's on my leg! I highly recommend getting one if you are like me and need to puff during hot/humid races....

Oh yeah, the race-it sucked. And it was hot. The race didn't suck-just the weather. I had never been to El Dorado Park-it's pretty damn big and has lots of water, archery sites, birds. It was nice! I like running in a place I've never been to before! I was counting down the miles-come on 5 miles!!! Get me out of this cruddy weather!!

Of course about an hour after we finished it was cool and the sun was setting! Why couldnt we have run later? The only bummer about this race was NO MEDAL! The 3K walkers got medals but the 5 mile runners did not. Hmmm, not quite sure if I understand that reasoning. But we got a watermelon, a seedless watermelon at that! I cant hang it on my wall but I could throw it at someone or onto the street.

We stayed around a little while they gave away awards and raffle prizes. I won a cute Watermelon umbrella. I was so excited. i actually asked if they had any of the umbrellas left since one of the young "track kids" had won one. He was twirling it and I wanted to twirl it too!!

All in all, it was a fun race! A very low key race put on by residents of Long Beach. I love supporting these smaller community races!! They have a Winter Solstice race as well-they give away Christmas trees at that one.....wonder how big they are!BTW, I ran this race in my Skirt Sports Gym Girl Ultra running skirt-LOVED it!!! I had my iPhone in the pocket of the compression shorts and the skirt didn't come down or anything! I may have found my new running skirt!!

RUN: 5.0 miles in the sun and heat without my Velcro**insert tears here** (56:39)

Official results:

My son: 54:03
Me: 56:27

Still hunting for the Running Skirt...and fall down go boom

2010-06-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

I had been buying and running in Atalanta running skirts, which are da bomb! But alas, they are no longer being made-AAAHHHH! Luckily I have 4 skirts and 2 of their capris, so all is not lost but I must now find a running skirt that is as good as the commitment skirts!

I have a few skirts from Runningskirts but I was having some issues with putting a heavy phone in the side pocket. So I continue to look.

Yesterday, I stopped by Sporteve in Culver City because I knew they sold the skirtsports running skirts. The one I've been interested in trying is the Gym Ultra Girl running skirt. I tried it on and really liked the feel of the fabric, the shorts underneath and the length of the skirt! While I was there, I also bought a Brooks PR Mesh Skort (since it was on sale for only $9).

Last night I ran in the Skirtsports Gym Ultra Girl for the first time. A short 3 mile test run in the new skirt. It has 2 pockets, on the shorts. Which is new for me since my running skirts have the pockets on the skirt!! But it has pockets-which is very important to me!! So I thought it was worth a try! Off Velcro and I went, and into the left pocket went the iPhone. I felt initially the skirt was falling down-I kept hiking it up. I had bought a Large-now I'm wondering if the medium would be a better fit for me. Once I got running, the "hiking up" issues subsided and it was a very comfortable skirt to run in!! I love the fabric and the feel of it! I tried my cell phone again in the pockets of the shorts-this time on the right-and I finished my run with no iPhone in my hand! All in all I was VERY pleased with this skirt! I have a very high waist, so finding a running skirt that sits properly on my waist and does hike up to my crotch is sometimes very hard! But the Gym Ultra Girl is a little longer so it was GOOD! The price of this skirt is $60, which seems to be the going price for running skirts these days.

This morning, I decided to try the Brooks PR Mesh Skort, my $9 purchase! This skirt only has one SMALL pocket in the back of the skirt-thats it. Not good for me since I use these pockets to carry my phone, sport beans, pb&j sandwiches etc. But I was willing to give it a try. The first thing I noticed and didnt like was the tight band around the bottom of the shorts. Horrible-why would you design the shorts this way?? I opted for the same distance run this morning as I did last night-just to see how this skirt held up to last nights. I HATED the Brooks PR Mesh Skort! besides the fact that I was running with my phone in my hand-mega FAIL-the shorts kept riding up and curling up toward my crotch. Seriously?? They have this seriously tight band around the bottom of the shorts-which feels odd-and the shorts dont stay in one place? All i did was pull the shorts down throughtout the entire run! This might have contributed to my "fall down and go boom" today on my run.

Well, the skirt, the crappy sidewalk and my 50lb weight! Yeah, down I went onto my right hand (holding my iPhone I might add) and both knees! Ouch! Scuffed and bloody!! Not the way I wanted to run this morning! Nor do I want yucky looking knees for my Runners World photo shoot on Saturday! Oh well. I brushed myself off and continued my run. My right knee was throbbing a bit but I had to get home.

I've since cleaned my knees and have put neosporin on them! Lets hope for pretty knees on Saturday!!

RUN:3.1 miles with Velcro (38:41)

Runners World here I come.....

2010-06-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

So alot has happened since my post this morning! I was all set to drive up north to run the PCTR Angel Island 25K. I had emailed Jo Lynn and Stacey-everything was set...then I received an email from the Assistant Photo Editor of Runners World concerning an article they are doing for the September issue about Runners and their dogs.

Attention, L.A.-Area Dog Lovers!

06/10/2010 11:46 AM

Do you run with your dog? Do you live in or around Los Angeles? Would you like the chance to appear in Runner's World? If so, we'd like to hear from you!

Runner's World is casting for a "runners and their dogs" photo shoot to take place within the next two weeks near LA.

If you're interested, please e-mail us at RWPhoto@rodale.com.

Please include the following information:

* Your name
* Your dog’s name
* Your contact info (e-mail and phone number)
* A brief bio about you and your dog
* A few photos of you and your dog

Thank you!

- The Editors

You see, I had been clued into this "casting call" by numerous people because they were asking for runners and their dogs in LA. Well of course I submitted pictures and info on Velcro and I...and then thought nothing about it until this morning! It seems we were chosen along with other runners and their dogs for the photo shoot. Here is what part of the email said:

Hi Penny and Velcro,

I am writing you in reference to your submission for the Runner’s World runners and dogs story. We would like to invite you to participate in our photo shoot, which will take place in a photo studio in West Hollywood, California, this Saturday, June 19th.

We will be taking portraits of you and your dog for the September 2010 issue and possibly also interview you for a video component.

You would need to wear running clothes and running shoes to the shoot. No hats and no sunglasses. A number of portraits will be taken throughout the day with various runners and their dogs. Your total time on set with be approximately 2 hours in length and please be flexible with your time and allow for some waiting. Please let us know if your dog is comfortable/friendly with other dogs, as there will be other pets on set.

That's just a portion of the email. Well, I initially turned it down because I REALLY wanted to run Angel island. but then I began to think about this chance...and sent out a message on Facebook and Twitter asking everyone what they thought I should do-well the overwhelming consensus was "the photo shoot." So I decided to do the photo shoot with my running partner Velcro! When will this gal EVER be asked to be in a photo shoot for Runners World? Never! And it's with my only running partner, Velcro! I began to think this was perfect and a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and for Velcro!

So come Saturday, I will not be racing in the cool misty place also known as Angel Island, but I'll be in a photo studio with other runners getting my picture taken and possibly being interviewed for a video piece they are doing as well! YIKES! what have I gotten myself into! I'm a behind the camera person! I think I'd feel more comfortable running 15 miles on the trails but I am stepping way out of my comfort zone and I'll be "posing" so that I will always have something super cool to remind me of my favorite running partner EVER, Velcro!

Wish me luck!!

Needless to say, i had loads of energy for my short run this morning. I felt great!! Wow! nothing like a little boost to make someone feel better!!

I'll try to take pictures of us there, but if it's anything like any other set, I might not be able to.....

here is to normal people being in the September issue of Runners World-for I am as normal and non-model like as they come!

RUN: 3.04 miles with Velcro 38:03