tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806596961075991622024-03-13T12:58:09.149-07:00Discovering San FranciscoWalks, Books, and Green Politics: Life by the BayAlisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.comBlogger397125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-14963297014384782632013-10-20T17:03:00.002-07:002013-10-20T19:57:33.386-07:00Race Report: Grape Stomp HalfThis morning I got up dark and early and prepared to head out to Livermore for the race I have decided is a consolation prize for those who didn't get in to Nike, since they are on the same day. But boy, does this race have some perks compared to Nike. For starters, there was no traffic anywhere, and I rolled right into the nearby parking lot, minutes from the start and finish line. No tricky logistics to take care of there.<br />
<br />
I started having some foot pain during my run on Thursday, presumably part of the never-ending big toe/first metatarsal dysfunction. During Saturday's 10k, the pain was pretty intense after mile 5. My foot felt fine after I loosened my shoe completely up and the rest of the day, but I still worried about running 13 miles on it. And indeed, when I put my shoe on this morning, my foot already hurt. I tried an older pair of shoes and loosening the laces, but it didn't help. I contemplated not driving to the race but figured I would go pick up my tech tee at least. I drove sans shoe, so my foot felt fine, and I walked over to packet pickup with it partially laced to avoid pressure. I was thrilled to discover there was a sports chiropractor already set up before the race, and he graciously offered to take a look at my foot. He did some quick adjustments and got everything moving much better. I also relaced my shoe to skip part, and then I could run without pain!<br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">I picked up my packet and went back to my car to drop the goodies off and get ready to race. Super easy! On the race logistics, there was a bit wanting. There could have been a few more port a potties, but the line moved quickly. The gate we were supposed to run through was locked, but they got it opened only about 10 minutes after supposed start time. There were also two cars parked on the course right at the start because it was so poorly marked and they had to make announcements for the owners to move them. Eventually we started. I only noticed because the people in front of me started moving - no one bothered to do a count down.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Once the race started, it was beautiful! We started on a bike path out to some vineyards with rolling hills. After a 7 mile loop we were back near the start/finish and heading out on an out and back on another multi use path bordering a stream that was full of water! I had no idea such things existed. There were fall colors in the vines and the trees. Luckily they changed the course to do the exposed part first and the shady part last as the temperatures were soaring into the 80s today. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">There were hardly any spectators, but there were several friendly ones as well as some people out for walks who were kind enough to cheer for me. One lady I saw several times told me at mile 8 that I was almost there. I said I didn't know about that. I saw her again at mile 9.5 and she said, Now you're really almost there. What can you do?</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">The race could have been marked better. In a couple locations the path splits with no signage, and there wasn't always someone immediately in front of me. Basically you had to just stay on the main path, and it did work out in the end, but an extra arrow or chalk marking would be well regarded.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I had a great run. I felt good from the beginning, and my foot behaved itself for the most part. There were a few instances in the early miles where I could feel it, and I discovered that it hurt a lot on the sharp corners and uneven surfaces, so I spent the rest of the race trying to land perfect footfalls. That seemed to do the trick - it never became more than a discomfort except for a couple of twinges. I decided that I was feeling so good, I might as well go for the PR, because if my foot is messed up, I have little hope for a good marathon given that I am right in the middle of peak mileage training that may or may not happen. So why not have one good race?</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">My garmin is not working now, so I am relying on my phone to map distances. Since it lives in my pocket and not on my wrist, I don't look at it as much. I looked it it about once a mile for the first several miles and was presently surprised to see I was running 8:15. I never looked at it after mile 9.5. I felt this was a good strategy for the next couple of miles, but after the 11 mile marker when I wanted to start picking it up and it was getting harder, I really could have used a sneak peek at my pace. When it feels that hard, I have trouble judging if it is hard because I am going so fast or just because I was tired. Turns out it was the latter. My last two miles were 8:19 and 8:26, significantly slower than all the other miles except the first. If I had seen that in real time, I think my rain could have convinced my body to go faster. I don't think it helped that the field had thinned out,I had passed people, and no one was passing me. I didn't really have any good indicators.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Regardless, it turned out to be a PR by nearly 2.5 minutes. At 1:49:41 it is sub-1:50, which I am pretty excited about. After the race, my foot did not feel too pleasant, so I stopped back by the chiro and got another adjustment that enabled me to walk back to my car without pain. I already booked an appt with my chiro tomorrow and hope to get this sorted out soon.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">All in all, I enjoyed the race. The scenery was beautiful, the weather was great, and the parking was superb. No Tiffany necklace, but I am over $100 richer for my race choice.</span>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-77320936561440728882013-09-05T17:52:00.004-07:002013-09-05T17:52:59.579-07:00Adventures in MontereyAfter some extremely busy weeks at work, watching everyone else go on summer vacations, I became obsessed with the idea of needing a vacation myself. A few days before Labor Day weekend, I realized that a 3 day weekend could at least partially fill that need, so Matt and I booked a last minute hotel in Monterey.<br />
<br />
We drove down Saturday morning, along with the rest of the Bay Area apparently. First stop - CSU Monterey Bay for some disc golf. What a weird place - the campus appears to be built on old military grounds, and contains vast open spaces with random deteriorating foundations and pavement (and fire hydrants under trees in the middle of empty fields). There are millions of parking spaces, but all require campus parking permits. All of the buildings appeared to be dorms, and I have yet to figure out where they attend classes, but I'm sure they must have to drive. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AIUgp1DhQV4/UiklNh95B0I/AAAAAAAALmk/pb74sx0df70/s1600/20130831_132012_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AIUgp1DhQV4/UiklNh95B0I/AAAAAAAALmk/pb74sx0df70/s320/20130831_132012_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg4LcJEYZb8/UiklGG5UvhI/AAAAAAAALmE/2wKGB-m7m1g/s1600/20130831_132327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg4LcJEYZb8/UiklGG5UvhI/AAAAAAAALmE/2wKGB-m7m1g/s320/20130831_132327.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The next explicitly Monterey experience was heading out to dinner to get Matt some pasta for his pre-ride meal, only to be told that there were no tables available that night. We had arrived before 6pm, and at least half the tables in the restaurant were empty. We went across the street and had some less than mediocre food. Matt for some reason claimed he would still rate them 4 stars.<br />
<br />
We then wandered down to the coastal access point at the Aquarium, and saw several cute sea otters through the scope, as well as a lovely sunset. Sea otters are my favorite.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCj6JSaT8XI/UiklCY_VWqI/AAAAAAAALl8/Uh3GNMHL1E8/s1600/20130831_192729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCj6JSaT8XI/UiklCY_VWqI/AAAAAAAALl8/Uh3GNMHL1E8/s200/20130831_192729.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0gzPJFrBho/UiklAOOnNEI/AAAAAAAALl0/AKQJ-DXgQ9I/s1600/20130831_193316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0gzPJFrBho/UiklAOOnNEI/AAAAAAAALl0/AKQJ-DXgQ9I/s320/20130831_193316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The next morning we got up early - me to run 9 miles and Matt to ride 70 miles. My run took a little longer than usual given that I stopped every 50 feet to look at the all the seals and take pictures of gorgeous views. I decided to not worry about meeting my pace and just enjoy the run, and it turned out my pace (not including picture stops) was actually just a few seconds off from goal. I covered the Coast from Lover's Point to the end of the boardwalk inside the 17 Mile Drive.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGroBchm5PA/Uikk-pL_E2I/AAAAAAAALls/ZHHFtRCihr8/s1600/20130901_072016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGroBchm5PA/Uikk-pL_E2I/AAAAAAAALls/ZHHFtRCihr8/s320/20130901_072016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O97GWaj_AAw/Uikk8nmrOaI/AAAAAAAALlk/hF5ZWK4B_9g/s1600/20130901_072357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O97GWaj_AAw/Uikk8nmrOaI/AAAAAAAALlk/hF5ZWK4B_9g/s320/20130901_072357.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4pk0VlT75ss/Uikk3o8mgEI/AAAAAAAALlU/OcxDDXXRAW0/s1600/20130901_072718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4pk0VlT75ss/Uikk3o8mgEI/AAAAAAAALlU/OcxDDXXRAW0/s200/20130901_072718.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After my run, while waiting for Matt, I walked back down to Point Pinos and explored some tidepools. I didn't find too much exciting except for some crab wars. I had settled in to watch a crab about the size of my hand try to pry something open, while dozens of hermit crabs in snail shoes followed it around. Eventually another larger crab sidled over and made a quick play for the first crab's prize. After some claw snapping and scurrying around, the second crab sidled back off. I was fairly certain that the thing the crab was trying to pry open was in fact another crab, but the internet does not seem to indicate that this is something they do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBBorVAPxY4/UikkgOhj17I/AAAAAAAALkc/m2cJQmL--v8/s1600/20130901_103820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBBorVAPxY4/UikkgOhj17I/AAAAAAAALkc/m2cJQmL--v8/s200/20130901_103820.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After tidepooling, I headed into downtown Pacific Grove for a lovely lunch outdoors at a bakery, and then wandered back to my hotel via the long route on the Coast. I had run in the same location that morning, but enjoyed it even more. Just past Lover's Point, there were several seals hanging out on rocks, mostly just one or two per small rock. As I was walking past one, I saw a seal head emerge from the water and appear to take a nip at the tail of a seal that was on the rock. The seal immediately swung around and started growling at the interloper. It maintained its place on the rock. The losing seal swam away, slapping its fin on the water every so often, which apparently is a sign of aggression. By this point I had settled in by the side of the trail to watch the seal wars. I was soon rewarded as another seal made a successful attempt on the same rock. For awhile they shared the rock, but eventually the original seal was forced off. Another rock was in contention also. Apparently in that location, there just weren't enough rocks to go around.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nURUNrhGG7s/UikkeNPNiJI/AAAAAAAALkU/bcJi9gyUBcA/s1600/20130901_125750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nURUNrhGG7s/UikkeNPNiJI/AAAAAAAALkU/bcJi9gyUBcA/s200/20130901_125750.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After Matt came back from his ride, we headed down to the Aquarium. We had been able to purchase tickets from our hotel, thus skipping the line and walking straight in. It was a nightmare. Screaming children everywhere. There is a chance that 3pm is nap time. We first hit up the sea otter feeding, which was pretty great, except for several adults who had places at the glass and refused to let any small children in front of them to see. We then pushed through masses of humanity to see puffins, seahorses, and some weird disco-themed jellyfish exhibit. I think my favorite was the Octopus, which delighted us by crawling all over the window of its tank. The octopus as the Cal Academy was always holed up in a corner. Poor things. Also, I just learned that sea otters sometimes actual eat giant octopus. Yikes. 1.5 hours and we were done. I remember loving the Aquarium the first time we went, largely because of the emphasis on conservation. I felt that message was lacking this time, especially because we couldn't find a recycle bin anywhere on the premises. However, perhaps it was just too crowded for me to read the messaging.<br />
<br />
After the Aquarium, we headed to a non-pretentious pizza place with red and white checked table clothes that let us in without thinking twice. Still cost an arm and a leg though.<br />
<br />
The next morning I think was the highlight of the trip, for me at least. We again woke up early and hit the stretch of the 17 mile drive along the coast, skipping the fee by taking our bikes. The roads were empty and the sky a gorgeous morning overcast blue. We saw a large rock so covered with brown seals that we didn't notice them at first except for the sounds. We rode past cypress trees and rocky outcrops. We stopped for awhile to look for otters in the kelp forest, only to be rewarded with the sight of 3 dolphins. I happened to see a fin pop up out of the corner of my eye as I was turning away, and sure enough some dolphin heads and tails followed as they arced through the water in front of us. Beautiful! We did see some otters also, but they were pretty far away. On the return trip we were sprinkled on a bit, but it was so beautiful even I didn't mind.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwaOibX98xQ/UikkWF80lxI/AAAAAAAALkM/xd2s94AvxOc/s1600/20130902_080844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwaOibX98xQ/UikkWF80lxI/AAAAAAAALkM/xd2s94AvxOc/s320/20130902_080844.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWx9HzHbAto/UikkQFj8peI/AAAAAAAALj8/hY14zuvg7So/s1600/20130902_080957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWx9HzHbAto/UikkQFj8peI/AAAAAAAALj8/hY14zuvg7So/s320/20130902_080957.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mtXPnVXtdQU/UikkOUakmcI/AAAAAAAALj0/9T7NTSlZTtc/s1600/20130902_082249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUrGgESdPls/UikkJY7OtuI/AAAAAAAALjk/J9PH9cF7w5U/s1600/20130902_082341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUrGgESdPls/UikkJY7OtuI/AAAAAAAALjk/J9PH9cF7w5U/s320/20130902_082341.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-hR0bXoo7Y/UikkCYEYhII/AAAAAAAALjU/wAtjfgf_890/s1600/20130902_083237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-hR0bXoo7Y/UikkCYEYhII/AAAAAAAALjU/wAtjfgf_890/s320/20130902_083237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xs7FMwYzck/Uikj0ndp2yI/AAAAAAAALi0/n-VhGprDMvw/s1600/20130902_084217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xs7FMwYzck/Uikj0ndp2yI/AAAAAAAALi0/n-VhGprDMvw/s320/20130902_084217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For our final vacation outing, we headed up to Elkhorn Slough to go kayaking with the sea otters. I have to say, I was slightly disappointed by this experience. I'm sure Matt would tell you it was because of my constant complaints about how uncomfortable the sea kayak was (I prefer sit-on-tops), but I also felt like the (non-animal) scenery was depressing, and I felt rather uncomfortable about how many kayaks were out on the water and how close we were to the animals. We were told to stay 100 feet away from the animals, but it is often impossible when there are seals and otters popping up all around you. However, that part was pretty awesome. We saw otters, much more close up than any others that weekend, cleaning themselves, eating, and one even carrying a baby around on its stomach (we think at least). I found the seals rather frightening, as they would pop their heads up, stare at us for awhile, and slink away. I always felt they were lurking. We also saw lots of pelicans fishing and flying low overhead which was also amazing. Luckily my elbow was functional, because we may not have made it back to the dock against the current if only Matt had been paddling. The other crazy part of this trip was the jellyfish - they were giant! After I saw the first one awfully close to the kayak, I made sure to keep my elbows far away from the water at all times. They were pretty neat to look at, but also terrifying - and I don't even know if they are harmful ones. But the last thing I wanted was one in my spray skirt.<br />
<br />
To wrap up the trip, we had an amazingly smooth trip back home, where I promptly showered and climbed into bed for the rest of the evening. Vacations are hard work.<br />
<br />
You can see the rest of the pictures <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/109189957738350547442/MontereySept13?authuser=0&feat=directlink" target="_blank">here</a>. Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-91709246578459380492013-06-04T20:31:00.001-07:002013-06-04T20:33:06.170-07:00America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride 2013We have lived in the Bay Area for going on 5 years now, and we have only been to Lake Tahoe a couple of times - once in summer when Matt got sick and we had to go home, and once in the winter. That's all I remember at least. We've been to the Truckee area a few times also but not to the Lake on those visits. I am pretty sure we are crazy. Lake Tahoe is awesome.<br />
<br />
Saturday: a little relaxation time at the beach.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ihpd4wuni6Q/Ua6q40F5WeI/AAAAAAAALgU/l_QKpS6H7uU/s1600/20130601_160458.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ihpd4wuni6Q/Ua6q40F5WeI/AAAAAAAALgU/l_QKpS6H7uU/s320/20130601_160458.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Sunday: A 72 mile ride around the lake, AMBBR 2013. The first 40 miles were amazing! The last 30 a little less so, due to my poor preparation and some possible altitude issues. But still amazing.<br />
<br />
Still fresh at mile 13, overlooking Emerald Bay.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyU4MF4MLb0/Ua6s-_yzlDI/AAAAAAAALhA/sH59m-9vzGo/s1600/935825_10200614625421631_1908180705_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyU4MF4MLb0/Ua6s-_yzlDI/AAAAAAAALhA/sH59m-9vzGo/s320/935825_10200614625421631_1908180705_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo courtesy of Laura Marshall)</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POlpODgRIEs/Ua6s_w0uPkI/AAAAAAAALhY/rq4GqJD1Gsc/s1600/7001_10200614626141649_467914217_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POlpODgRIEs/Ua6s_w0uPkI/AAAAAAAALhY/rq4GqJD1Gsc/s320/7001_10200614626141649_467914217_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo courtesy of Laura Marshall)</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hL2AGAs7Eww/Ua6tAHmh9TI/AAAAAAAALhg/vk7YoYPQom0/s1600/968840_10200614625941644_66703358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hL2AGAs7Eww/Ua6tAHmh9TI/AAAAAAAALhg/vk7YoYPQom0/s320/968840_10200614625941644_66703358_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo courtesy of Laura Marshall)</span><br />
<br />
Somewhere in California (I think):<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-akqC7VUAzMg/Ua6s-MtW5EI/AAAAAAAALgw/wYF2D2g0rt8/s1600/AMBBR_2013+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-akqC7VUAzMg/Ua6s-MtW5EI/AAAAAAAALgw/wYF2D2g0rt8/s320/AMBBR_2013+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo courtesy of Joseph Torralba)</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7cIgLcA3AY/Ua6s-u118SI/AAAAAAAALg8/ILo9OA4sBkc/s1600/AMBBR_2013+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7cIgLcA3AY/Ua6s-u118SI/AAAAAAAALg8/ILo9OA4sBkc/s320/AMBBR_2013+%25283%2529.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo courtesy of Joseph Torralba)</span><br />
<br />
Lunch stop at King's Beach:<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1fXdxzBq6E/Ua6tBVDUaNI/AAAAAAAALh4/8CBxyTzROok/s1600/705329_10200567406618883_1978991628_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1fXdxzBq6E/Ua6tBVDUaNI/AAAAAAAALh4/8CBxyTzROok/s320/705329_10200567406618883_1978991628_o.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Beginning the climb to Spooner Junction:<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c5ATiyTTM_E/Ua6tBP6M_mI/AAAAAAAALh0/mxifiIqMM-k/s1600/978035_10200567406858889_778347962_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c5ATiyTTM_E/Ua6tBP6M_mI/AAAAAAAALh0/mxifiIqMM-k/s320/978035_10200567406858889_778347962_o.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Finished! (With some speedy friends who arrived an hour before us, but kindly waited for us anyway):<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVn0hBMsEMQ/Ua6s_vTpF0I/AAAAAAAALhU/4C2D1F9YiVc/s1600/934604_10101849513382183_1513248242_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVn0hBMsEMQ/Ua6s_vTpF0I/AAAAAAAALhU/4C2D1F9YiVc/s320/934604_10101849513382183_1513248242_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo courtesy of Lais Oliveira)</span><br />
<br />
Sunday: Some more beach time at Zephyr Cove, including track ball and frisbee. And finally, mini-golf!<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyWXOtugCQ0/Ua6s_LIg-eI/AAAAAAAALhI/d2iVA6faZpo/s1600/485800_10101851918856593_918394289_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyWXOtugCQ0/Ua6s_LIg-eI/AAAAAAAALhI/d2iVA6faZpo/s320/485800_10101851918856593_918394289_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo courtesy of Lais Oliveira)</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HtRcLJhS9I/Ua6tAqww_fI/AAAAAAAALho/6YPkWvhiX9A/s1600/966877_10200574754882585_622599078_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HtRcLJhS9I/Ua6tAqww_fI/AAAAAAAALho/6YPkWvhiX9A/s320/966877_10200574754882585_622599078_o.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Nearly everyone we know who rides a bike was there. We shared a house with three friends, saw numerous others out on the course, had some drinks and laughs with others after the event, and even somehow missed seeing some people entirely. The weather was perfectly sunny and about 80 degrees. It turns out property is actually strangely affordable, so research will begin on our vacation home... Since we can't afford a house in the Bay Area, maybe we can claim it is our primary residence?<br />
<br />
Thanks to everyone who helped make our weekend enjoyable, and especially to those who planned it for us. You rock!Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-2597418171610094562013-04-30T08:00:00.000-07:002013-04-30T12:12:07.553-07:00ChallengesI was browsing through a <a href="http://foodfoodbodybody.com/" target="_blank">teammate's blog</a> last night, when a post about <a href="http://foodfoodbodybody.com/2012/10/17/challenges-can-be-challenging/" target="_blank">Challenges</a> caught my eye. Like Foodie McBody, I love challenges. They are pretty much the only way I get anything done. That's why I sign up for races. However, sometimes I forget to challenge myself. Now that I've been reminded, here are a few challenges I'm planning to pursue:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>15 minutes of cleaning (or tidying) every day</b>. I think I saw this recommended on <a href="http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/" target="_blank">Crazy Aunt Purl </a>before, but I've never implemented it. I hate cleaning, mostly because it always takes so long. I am going to try to make a commitment to do just a little bit every day. I am going to try to figure out an accountability path for this - I don't want to bore you with blog posts or facebook posts about my super exciting cleaning, but maybe I can record it in a sidebar of sorts.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Complete a <a href="https://www.coursera.org/" target="_blank">Coursera</a> course</b>. I have heard of MIT's open access courses before, but I'd never heard of Coursera until a friend/co-worker told me about it last week. She is taking a stats class with some others here at work, and they have an accountability group so that they actually complete it. This isn't real school, obviously, but you do get a certificate of completion at the end if you do the work. I have found several courses in which I'm interested, and I am currently choosing between two starting this week. (I want to do both but overloading myself probably won't help get the job done.)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Train for a <a href="http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-Half-Marathon-and-5K.aspx" target="_blank">half marathon on June 8th</a> including at least two days of strength a week (and maybe even one day of yoga)</b>. Given that this is only 6 weeks away, maybe I can actually maintain that commitment. Generally strength training shouldn't be part of the last month before a race, but although I do plan to use this race as a gauge of my fitness, I am not too worried about messing something up with strength training. (Note that I have not specified an amount of time that I will spend each session. Gotta start somewhere...)</li>
</ul>
<div>
If you are interested in completing any of these challenges with me, or in trying to hold me accountable (i.e. posting on my wall about whether I've done a core workout this week or what have I cleaned today), your participation would be most welcome! I love to have partners in crime. Since my first season of TNT, I have been mostly a failure in the stick to a schedule department, so I'm hoping to get back into the groove here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Do you have any challenges I should know about? Or any methods of accountability?<br />
<br />
***<br />
UPDATE: Check out my sidebar for a Joe's Goals tracking score. I'm aiming for 1-3 points per day and an average of 2 points per day in any given week. (7 points a week for cleaning, 5 for working on Coursera, and 2 for strength training.) Please yell at me if I'm not achieving these goals.</div>
Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-45458560144100186262013-04-29T09:31:00.001-07:002013-04-29T09:54:45.204-07:00Sasquatch Scramble Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Several months ago, Matt learned from one of his co-workers about a new racing company, <a href="http://www.sasquatchracing.com/" target="_blank">Sasquatch Racing</a>, who would be putting on a <a href="http://www.sasquatchracing.com/the-sasquatch-scramble/" target="_blank">trail half marathon in Redwood Regional Park</a> near our house. It was in April, about a month after the marathon, and it seemed like a good opportunity to take part in my second ever trail half marathon in a convenient location. Plus, the event advertised a 9:30 am start, medals that functioned as bottle openers, and beer at the end that wasn't Coors Light (and would be drunk after noon because of the late start).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So on Saturday we headed for the hills. We arrived an hour early because I was afraid of parking lines like the ones at Quarry Lakes, but there were no lines to be had, so we shivered in the fog for a long time. Finally the sun came out - still not much going on; I call this low-key racing:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_xQ5nJlkQIk/UX6atTQbLtI/AAAAAAAALbw/8CxosPRRzG8/s1600/12487_10200375778868309_961210142_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_xQ5nJlkQIk/UX6atTQbLtI/AAAAAAAALbw/8CxosPRRzG8/s320/12487_10200375778868309_961210142_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's the start line:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPIvet8njRg/UX6atTBQsXI/AAAAAAAALb8/2PUtWnIuRAg/s1600/399850_10200375779388322_282982318_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPIvet8njRg/UX6atTBQsXI/AAAAAAAALb8/2PUtWnIuRAg/s320/399850_10200375779388322_282982318_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After a short pep talk about following the red ribbons and who knows what else, <a href="http://www.marathonmatt.com/" target="_blank">Marathon Matt</a>, one of the founders, walked us a few feet forward toward the line and suddenly started counting down. From 3. Okay, I guess we're starting!<br />
<br />
I have run many of these trails before, with my typical route being a 7.5 mile loop on West Ridge and Stream trail. During the race, I got to experience several other trails. My very favorite was a hair-pin near-loop off West Ridge made up of Baccharis, Dunn, and Graham. The trails wound through several small canyons full of Redwoods. It was absolutely gorgeous! I will definitely be heading back to those trails on future visits to the park.<br />
<br />
The first couple miles are pretty much straight up hill, and having suffered from a head and chest cold for over a week, they weren't super easy. But I have no shame in walking up hills anymore. After that it starts to get more uphill rollery rather than straight uphill, and around mile 7 there was a nice downhill on Stream. Many parts of the upper trails were sun-baked and felt like running on concrete, which wasn't fabulous.<br />
<br />
Then another short uphill on Prince, where at the top, I was demoralized by seeing runners heading the other way, 3 miles ahead of me. I continued run-walking, walking up most of the hills no matter how steep. I had started coughing fairly often by this point, which would continue throughout the rest of the race. (It is physically difficult to run while coughing, by the way.) Finally on my way back down, I was walking up another hill but had pretty much crested it and should have been running again. A friendly hiker cheered for me by bib number. When I looked up I realized it was the TNT hike coach. I promptly started running again and thanked her for the inspiration - I was embarrassed to have been caught walking.<br />
<br />
I was feeling pretty exhausted by mile 11 and wishing it to be over, but luckily it was nearly all downhill at that point (although quite exposed), which was nice. Most of it was so steep though that I had trouble running very fast. Here I am, arriving back at the picnic area, at the bottom of the last hill, so close to the finish:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0yAz8B8oRvk/UX6atk7t83I/AAAAAAAALb0/v9NfaE-OA6k/s1600/475975_4304803393045_491268609_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0yAz8B8oRvk/UX6atk7t83I/AAAAAAAALb0/v9NfaE-OA6k/s320/475975_4304803393045_491268609_o.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
After finishing, I promptly had an extraordinary coughing fit. Poor Matt had to dig out my inhaler as fast as possible, but it didn't help much, probably given that it was likely sickness related and not asthma related. He informed me later that people were looking at me, so I guess I embarrassed him. Alas. Eventually I was able to calm my lungs down and feel like a normal person again.<br />
<br />
The race would have been much better had I not been sick, but I still enjoyed it. Running on trails makes me count the miles less; I simply enjoy the scenery. It was great to find the awesome new (to me) trails. At the end I was handed a giant sugar cookie with a picture of Sassy, as well as a medal that does NOT double as a bottle opener, but with a bottle opener attached. Bummer. Maybe next time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMMJSqJp5_0/UX6at9Wa-zI/AAAAAAAALb4/c8c_PBz1aMc/s1600/478152_10200375778428298_1825461882_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMMJSqJp5_0/UX6at9Wa-zI/AAAAAAAALb4/c8c_PBz1aMc/s320/478152_10200375778428298_1825461882_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
All-in-all, it was a good race for an inaugural race. I would have liked more food at the end besides the cookie, like salty snacks. The Red Hook Beer was tasty though. They did have a signage error on the last turn, marking it with solid flags instead of swirly flags, but hopefully no one missed it. I was also confused about the aid stations because they had changed their approach since the initial course description, but that maybe was my fault.<br />
<br />
I would do one again, if priced right, especially the awesomely-named <a href="http://www.sasquatchracing.com/the-honey-badger-half/" target="_blank">Honey Badger Half</a> for which I still await details.<br />
<br />
However, while I do enjoy trail racing, I think that I will not forgo road racing completely. Because every trail run is different, with different elevation gain and levels of technicality, it is hard to judge your performance in comparison to other races. For instance, according to Strava, this race had 200 feet less elevation gain than <a href="http://whoneedsacubicle.blogspot.com/2012/12/xterra-trail-half-marathon-world.html" target="_blank">the one in December</a>. I finished 10 minutes faster. Is this all due to elevation gain? Who knows.<br />
<br />
I plan to sign up for a road half marathon soon as a way to judge my fitness level - to see if I'm still making forward progress, or plateauing, or even going backwards. (Ugh, I hope not, but this is my fear.)<br />
<br />
In addition, although I like low-key racing, I also like at least some of my races to have more excitement, like the Xterra race, and the <a href="http://whoneedsacubicle.blogspot.com/2012/12/turkey-weekend-race-reports.html" target="_blank">Brazen races I did Thanksgiving weekend</a>. I'll just keep mixing it up.<br />
<br />
***<br />
I also totally forgot to mention, since I was sitting down while writing this, that my calves have absolutely seized up and I can barely walk let alone go downstairs. I remember after Xterra being shocked about how not sore I was given the elevation gain. Not sure what in the world happened this time.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-50222410273562108052013-04-28T18:13:00.000-07:002013-04-28T18:13:11.052-07:00The American DreamSometimes when I am bored, I look at the Trulia app on my iPad. I have it set to single family homes less than $500,000. Usually this doesn't kill too much of my boredom because there isn't much to look at.<br />
<br />
This last time I found a beautiful house in the hills for $400,000. This is amazingly cheap for the Bay Area, and it also contains a potentially rentable lower level. Matt and I became somewhat serious about potentially investigating and purchasing this house. In the end it appears to be seriously underpriced just to start a bidding war.<br />
<br />
But it has gotten me thinking. I love the idea of renting because you are not tied down. Awesome job in another location? No problem. What if one of us loses a job? Just downgrade. What if we decide to spend a few years in another country? What if my wayward spouse decides to go back to school?<br />
<br />
However, I am now intrigued by the thought of actually owning a house, preferably one larger than the 500 sf we live in. At least big enough for a couch. Where we can do projects in the yard and in the house. Where I don't have to worry about when the landlords will kick us out. Where maybe we can invest ourselves in something besides our jobs. Like chickens. (And goats.)<br />
<br />
But here in the Bay Area, that is an enormous and scary monetary commitment. And it makes, by default, so many decisions about our future. Will we ever be old enough to make these adult decisions?Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-58942840982218320822013-04-23T08:33:00.002-07:002013-04-23T08:33:39.889-07:00Boston MarathonLast Monday, I spent my first hour in the office watching the women's finish of the Boston Marathon. A few hours later, I took a brief glance at facebook only to find numerous posts linking to the explosions at the finish line. I was glued to my computer, trying to learn about what had happened, shakened by the random violence on the marathon spectators. Though I didn't know anyone running the race this year, I know many people who's dream it is to get there. And I can't imagine the guilt a runner would feel when their family and friends, who had come to watch them finish, ended up in the hospital instead, or worse. It was shocking; how could this happen to one of America's great institutions.<br />
<br />
That same week, 14 people died in a fertilizer plant explosion, 7 died in election protest violence in Venezuela, 2 Richmond teenagers were shot in front of their homes. Probably some ungodly number of people died in countries where war and terrorism are a common occurrence.<br />
<br />
At the Boston Marathon, while more than a hundred people were wounded, many severely, very few died. So many fewer than in Newtown, Aurora, Tucson. And yet, our lovely Congress failed to enact meaningful gun-related legislation that same week. Because a background check? God forbid. <br />
<br />
I remained glued to the news throughout the release of the photos, the search for the bombers, the killing of the MIT policeman, the grenade launching, the manhunt in Watertown, the blood on the boat. To find one teenager.<br />
<br />
I am complicit. We are all complicit. We live in a world where traditional terrorism freaks us out enough to shut down an entire city for an entire day, while more frequent mass shootings appall us, but not enough to do anything about it. Where we fight regulations, the kind that might keep a fertilizer plant from exploding and flattening a town. We are confused.<br />
<br />
Last Thursday, I participated in a run for Boston and a candlelight vigil. It was lovely; it was a celebration of running and unity. While I will continue to run marathons, I certainly can't ask anyone to spectate. That's why terrorism is insidious, making us second guess our actions. But are random mass shootings and giant explosions really all that different?<br />
<br />
<br />Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-6807572509393378582013-03-25T11:13:00.002-07:002013-03-25T11:40:26.248-07:00Oakland Marathon Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was nervous and anxious for about a week before the race. I tried to keep myself busy so I didn't think about it. When I showed up at Inspiration Lunch on Saturday, my coach told me I was breathing awfully shallowly. So that was fun. Day of, I was ready to get it over with:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SK16Ulz5GPY/UVB-Mhit5DI/AAAAAAAALWQ/HSFN-JyKPPw/s1600/269257_10200213328447150_1983911367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SK16Ulz5GPY/UVB-Mhit5DI/AAAAAAAALWQ/HSFN-JyKPPw/s320/269257_10200213328447150_1983911367_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My pre-season goal had been to finish in 3:55, based on a race equivalency chart from my half marathon PR in October on a similarly hilly course. However, I lost about 3.5 weeks of running due to a mysterious foot ailment everyone thought was a stress fracture, but did not show up in x-rays and eventually went away. Then I got a cold for a few weeks. When I made the mistake of looking at my training logs a couple days before the race, I realized I had averaged only about 2 workouts a week during my training season. Gulp. Only part of this is attributable to my injury and illness; I also just didn't have much commitment. It might be time to take a season off. In addition, because of the injury, I only had 3 "long" runs: 14, 17, and 20 miles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, I basically didn't know how fast I could expect to run on race day, and therefore how to pace myself. I knew I wanted somewhere between a 9:09 pace (which would put me just under 4 hours) and a 10:00 pace (which would put me around 4:25 or so). I am super good at pacing myself in half marathons just by how I feel that day, so I figured I would do the same thing. And therefore ignored my coach, who told me to have a 20 mile warm-up run followed by a 10k race. He said the most important thing was to set a goal for the last 10k.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, I felt pretty good going out, and was running between the 4:00 and 4:15 pacers. I saw Matt at mile 5, right by our house. The 900 feet of elevation gain is between miles 6-11. I enjoy hills. Turns out I didn't have an over-10:00 mile the first half of the race, despite these hills. Oops. After 11 it is all downhill and then flat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By mile 12 I was starting to get a little bored. I was having trouble with my nutrition. I was not sure if I was hungry, full, needed more water, needed more salt, or needed nothing. I hit the half-way point in 2:03. I was reassured that I could easily run the second half in 2:27, and thus still feel good about finishing under 4:30. I didn't plan to run that slow of course.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'd also been feeling a blister since about mile 6. I kept having an inner conversation about whether I should stop at a medical tent to get taped up but never did. Miles 14-16 have no turns and run straight down a boring street in which you go from 34th to 4th and therefore can see with each street sign how far you have left to go. I knew at mile 17 I would be merging with the halfers, see Matt, and see my housemate playing Taiko, and that did give me a little pick me up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Merging with the half had its downside; I was merging with runners who were slower than I was, so not only did I have to dodge them, I had to avoid being sucked in running at their pace, which was a little challenging at that point in the race. I was thinking I'd like to be done. There were more spectators there and entertainment, which was nice. I finally hit mile 20. I decided that instead of the outrageous 9:00 mile goal I was thinking for the 10k earlier, I would go ahead and shoot for 10:00. I hit 20 miles at 3:09, so this would give me a finish of 4:09, or a 9:30 pace, which I felt good about.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Turns out that didn't go well. Miles 20-23 were rough. I walked a few times, with the excuse of getting food out of my race belt and eating it. Or walking through a water station. It was hard to get started again. Hitting mile 23 was awesome. It's at the beginning of the Lake, near the Finish, so tons of spectators are there and it was full of energy. Matt was there also. I had a momentary feeling of joy, which was soon diminished, as I headed onto the lake path and realized there would be very few spectators the rest of the way. Around mile 24, I stopped to walk again, getting out my last gel packet. I couldn't force it down, although I needed it. Forcing myself to start running was hard again. That mile was also tough as the lane got narrow, and I had to dodge a lot of slower half-ers. I did run into some teammates, which was nice. I knew at mile 25 I would finally have the mental fortitude to pick it up, and I did. I was given an extra surge part way through when the 4:15 sign holder caught up with me - I knew I wanted to beat them. My coach picked me up with .2 to go, which was awesome. And I finally finished at 4:14:11. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't say I had fun at this race, even in the first half. And then I ran a positive split, finishing the first half in 2:03 and the second in 2:11. I couldn't even meet my 10k goal. I ran four of those miles at a pace significantly higher than 10:00. I had trouble keeping it together. Starting at mile 18, all my paces were 9:50 or higher. Perhaps if I had run the first half more prudently, I would have had more fun and more left in the tank in the second half. I guess I'll chalk it up to a learning experience. Even though I am disappointed I couldn't mentally get it together for a 10:00 pace in the last 10k, based on my complete exhaustion and mental confusion at the end of the race, I'm pretty sure I left most, if not all, of it out there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My friend had told me that she had a time goal for her first marathon, and that while running it she was totally okay with not making it. I didn't believe her, but now I understand. Even by mile 1, I was thinking, I'm running a marathon! Who cares how fast I am. But I do think my desire to meet my goal did push me too fast in the first half.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's me with my awesomest spectator at the end, probably 30 minutes later. I still look awfully shell-shocked.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOI2AF0Eka4/UVB-M22VIBI/AAAAAAAALWc/ZMZGpMpo6AM/s1600/882272_10200215922632003_1987357894_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOI2AF0Eka4/UVB-M22VIBI/AAAAAAAALWc/ZMZGpMpo6AM/s320/882272_10200215922632003_1987357894_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here's the bib, medal, and the 26.2 and ROCK STAR additions to my TNT collection. Thanks to all of you, I became a rock star by raising $2000 more than my minimum. Thank you so much!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIUzkjGBNfk/UVB-MzmWuwI/AAAAAAAALWU/HWUEgVWaMTY/s1600/314929_10200216237119865_443936889_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIUzkjGBNfk/UVB-MzmWuwI/AAAAAAAALWU/HWUEgVWaMTY/s320/314929_10200216237119865_443936889_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
When I saw my coach after the race and thanked him for a great season, he proceeded to talk about how 4:14 was great for this course, and after we get my foot all taken care of, I should think about CIM or Chicago, because those are great qualifying courses. Really? Oh Coach...<br />
<br />
The problem is, I did get injured this season, but I took time off to let it heal. And I'm sure my super minimum mileage contributed to my relative injury-freeness and my ability to finally successfully run a marathon. To get better I need more mileage, and for me this is often counter-productive.<br />
<br />
Also, I have to say, I think half-marathons are more fun. Even if you are trying to PR, the first 10 miles are still quite pleasant, and only the last 2-3 are kind of awful. That's a much better ratio than I experienced in the marathon. I do run some halfs just for fun, without trying to run super-fast, so I guess maybe that is a marathon option as well.<br />
<br />
There were definitely a lot of miles during the race where I wished I weren't there, but I'm not as dead set against ever running another one as I thought I might be. The cross country ski marathon (40k) is still the hardest event in which I've participated. I'm still unclear how much of that was due to sickness, but I was on the verge of tears for a long time after that one. It did take me a good 1:30 longer than the marathon though. I still think I should be able to ski faster than I can run.<br />
<br />
Here's <a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/45729447?sref=1MT1yaWRlX3NoYXJlOzI9ZmFjZWJvb2s7ND00MzE3NjE%253D" target="_blank">my stats</a>.<br />
<br />Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-32567067541810459752013-03-14T20:31:00.001-07:002013-03-14T20:31:08.570-07:00Oak Ness Monster Part DeuxThe other day I was discussing Lake Merritt and the Lake Chalet with a colleague, when for some reason I felt it was a good idea to note the existence of an <a href="http://whoneedsacubicle.blogspot.com/2011/03/oak-ness-monster.html" target="_blank">Oak Ness Monster</a>. After telling me I was crazy, said colleague finally agreed that it was indeed a cool art project and maybe it did exist. This prompted me to do a bit of internet searching, at which time I discovered that my previous post about the monster has nearly 300 page views - by far the most I've ever had.<br />
<br />
Since the publication of my blog post in March 2011, a UC Berkeley publication contained <a href="http://oaklandnorth.net/2011/06/22/is-there-a-monster-in-lake-merritt-scientist-says-yes/" target="_blank">a serious albeit likely tongue in cheek article about the monster</a>, apparently on the author's last day.<br />
<br />
In addition, you can now purchase a <a href="http://whomadeoakland.com/the_LAKE_MERRITT_MONSTER" target="_blank">t-shirt with a 1940's era representation of the monster</a>. <br />
<br />
Of course, the Lake Merritt Institute has been touting the existence of the monster <a href="http://www.lakemerrittinstitute.org/newsletters/11_06_tidings.pdf" target="_blank">since 2006</a>, but given that they also discuss <a href="http://www.lakemerrittinstitute.org/lake_people_mermaid.htm" target="_blank">mermaids in the lake</a>, they really can't be trusted.<br />
<br />
In 2008, the Oakland Tribune <a href="http://origin.insidebayarea.com/ci_9642081" target="_blank">picked up the story</a>, and the monster was apparently <a href="http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_9926684" target="_blank">named Merrittzilla in a poll</a>. (I prefer Oak Ness.)<br />
<br />
Still, I'm rather flummoxed by the lack of information on this monster. If you do a google image search for the Lake Merritt monster, my picture is one of only three apparent real photos. Why do more people not see this monster? How long does it sit on the bottom of the lake? <i><b>And most importantly, will it rise from the depths to support me during the Oakland Marathon on the 24th?</b></i><br />
<br />
***<br />
Have you seen the monster? Please tell me.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-61262911848730803022013-03-13T19:58:00.003-07:002013-03-13T20:11:21.253-07:00Quiet<img alt="quietbookiconlarge Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Cant Stop Talking" border="0" class="NoBorder" src="http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/images/quietbookiconlarge.png" title="Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Cant Stop Talking" width="110" /><br />
<br />
A friend just lent me the book <a href="http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/about-the-book/" target="_blank">Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking</a>, by Susan Cain. I finished it in two days, which might provide some indication that I am in fact an introvert, since I spent two straight nights curled up with a book instead of speaking to anyone.<br />
<br />
I have a feeling that some people who read this will be well aware that I'm an introvert, while some may be shocked. In certain social situations with small groups of people with whom I'm comfortable, I have been known to be loud and obnoxious. At work I'm assertive and out-spoken and have been known not to shy away from trouble no matter the price. (Although I'm being remarkably good at my current job.) I love public-speaking and am good at it, and one of my dream jobs is in stakeholder engagement. I have volunteered to teach classes and enjoyed it.<br />
<br />
When I took the Meyers-Briggs test several years ago, I rated I/E, or an ambivert, but the four-letter description with I was way more apropos than the four-letter description with E. <br />
<br />
My biggest introversion? <b>Meeting new people without a well-defined role</b>. I would never go to a party alone, and when I do go, I am liable to only talk to the few people I already know. When I participate in Team in Training, I love to be a mentor, because
then I have a job to do that requires me to talk to people, so I don't
have to figure out how to socialize on my own. Networking? Forget it. How do you walk up to a group of people and insert yourself in an ongoing conversation without seeming like a weird lurker? I have no idea. I collect very few business cards and give away even fewer.<br />
<br />
My favorite conference is the <a href="http://aceee.org/conferences/2012/ssb" target="_blank">ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings</a>. Besides its amazing location at the beach in Asilomar and the amazing range of fascinating topics, everyone eats meals in a huge dining hall at round tables. And it is not uncommon for people, like me, to go in by themselves and be seated at random. I have a feeling this situation still might be difficult for some introverts, but for me it's perfect - I have a reason to talk to people - we're trapped at the same table. In fact, this is how I got my current job - I happened to be seated next to the director of the energy technologies division at LBNL, we discussed our shared interests in energy and water, and we exchanged cards. When I emailed him later, he passed my info on to someone else, who passed it on one more time, and suddenly I had an interview and a job offer. The problem with this version of networking? It's the luck of the draw. I mean, I could get seated next to someone like me, who doesn't have much cachet in the world.<br />
<br />
My next biggest introverted tendency? <b>Fear of small talk</b>. I ride the lab shuttle to and from work nearly every day. A few other people in my building ride the same shuttle, and I know them. Every day, we each sit in our own seats in the shuttle. Then when we arrive at the lab, we walk into work together and chat on the short walk. I can handle this few minutes of chatting. But being trapped next to someone on the shuttle for 20 minutes and having to engage in conversation without awkward silence? That's anxiety-inducing for sure. And these are nice, friendly people. I'm not entirely sure if they are introverted as well, or if they are just respecting my obvious introversion. I often prefer hanging out in small groups instead of one-on-one so that there is less pressure on me to keep the conversation going. Obviously with some people this is no problem, but having back-up is often fabulous. <br />
<br />
I'm also very <b>threat-oriented</b> instead of reward-oriented. I abhor criticism, even of the constructive variety, I worry about making mistakes, I worry about people being angry at me. I refuse to participate in the stock market.<br />
<br />
I <b>rarely talked in class</b> and thought that most be who did were full of B.S. and just liked to hear their own voices. <br />
<br />
And finally, my introversion produces a need for <b>downtime</b>. I can be exhausted by certain social situations. I actually feel as though I am getting better at this over the years, but it might just be that I have so much downtime built into my schedule now. I am a pretty good homebody, so I have plenty of time for recharging.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
Cain talks about how some introverts are able to basically meld them into someone else to be extroverts in certain situations, and how having special projects that you care about makes it easier to take on this role. I am not sure if I just happen to have extroverted tendencies in key areas that help me deal with a world that loves extroverts, or if I've just conditioned myself over the years.<br />
<br />
Cain notes that shyness and introversion are not necessarily the same thing, but for me they are very related. Until I was 16, I was often painfully shy in school, except with my groups of friends or basketball teams. I remember one incident in the bathroom of high school, which at lunch time was always so full of girls doing their make-up that it was nearly impossible to wash one's hands. After trying to wriggle in to the sink without having to talk to anyone, some girls started making fun of me. I realized I needed to be more assertive. We moved to a new town that summer, and I was able to sort of reinvent myself. Maybe that helped spurred my collection of some extroverted tendencies. Nature vs. nurture - that's discussed in the book as well, of course without any real answers.<br />
<br />
After reading the book, I actually feel as though I am doing pretty well in the world of extroverts. I could certainly learn from some of the tips, such as how to use my introversion to be a good negotiator. (I am a terrible negotiator and have a lot of difficulty selling myself, especially in places that aren't meritocracies.) There are also great sections on how to deal with relationships between extroverts and introverts and how to deal with introverted kids.<br />
<br />
One of the things that interested me was in the discussion questions at the end, when it asked who you know who is an introvert. I realize that I have no idea. I have several guesses. But when I think about people I know, I have a lot of trouble determining whether they are introverts. Maybe this is part of my extroverted tendencies - to not reflect on every little thing. Perhaps I'm not observant. I don't know.<br />
<br />
Are you an introvert? (<a href="http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/quiet-quiz-are-you-an-introvert/" target="_blank">Take the quiz.</a>) Have you read this book? How do you feel about introversion? Do you feel discriminated against? Have you made changes to help you succeed in the extroverted world we live in? <br />
<br />Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-65519402668842115832012-12-28T20:52:00.001-08:002012-12-28T20:52:55.536-08:00Drinking in the GardenJust under two years ago, I had accepted a job at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and discovered that the commute from San Francisco was easily 1.25 hours each way. Matt and I set off on a rapid apartment search, exploring areas in the East Bay close to BART. One day we went to check-out an in-law unit in Rockridge. The walk-out basement opened to a beautifully maintained, gorgeous garden and patio. We were in love. We chatted with the lovely landlady who lived upstairs and hit it off immediately. We were a little worried that she might be a crazy landlady with a lot of rules, but we decided it was worth it. She claimed that we got the apartment because she liked us best, but my guess is that no one else had committed yet.<br />
<br />
Well, we were right. She was a little crazy and had a lot of rules, but she was also fascinating, generous, and welcoming. She frequently brought us delightful food - extras from lunch or dinner, or part of the fancy dessert she had picked up for an occasion. I had worried about living with a landlady in such close proximity, but it turned out to be kind of like having a delightful grandmother upstairs. She told hilarious stories, brought down bottles of wine to share when we were out on the patio - which is how I learned one day that working from home was not so viable.<br />
<br />
One day in late October she came downstairs and asked us to take her to the Emergency Room. Matt took her and I planned to meet them there, but she told him to just drop her off. When Matt picked her up later, we learned she had been diagnosed with lung cancer. I can't imagine going to the ER by myself and receiving a cancer diagnosis. The next day she came down for pumpkin carving, plying us with wine and chips. She remained extremely positive and cheerful, going to endless doctor's appointments and having numerous tests done. She ended up with pneumonia at one point; I ran into her in the driveway as she came home from the doctor, and it was the only time I ever saw her look exhausted and a bit downtrodden.<br />
<br />
Over Thanksgiving weekend, she was downstairs telling us hilarious stories about how she had gotten her oncologist's notes and was trying to decipher them. She thought he had written that she was "a lonely old woman" and could not understand why he thought she was lonely. She then later figured out he had actually written that she was "a <i>lovely</i> old woman." She didn't seem to be sure that that was a better assessment.<br />
<br />
On December 4th she learned she would be having lung surgery the following week. She wrote us an email saying, "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I may be gone (but not dead </span><img alt="Winking smile" height="19" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1356106156375_17022" src="http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr04/ltr/emo/winking_smile.gif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: text-bottom;" title="Winking smile" width="19" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">) and will be at the hospital...</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Then, I may start chemo, will be a little weak but look forward to be on the road to recovery. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Thank you for being generous, patient and understanding." Always thinking of her burden on us and focusing on the good.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">On December 12th she underwent successful lung surgery. On December 14th, when a housemate called the hospital to see about us going to visit, we learned that the night before she had suffered a massive stroke. She had been moved to the ICU and we were not to visit yet. She was at first minimally responsive, but then stopped opening her eyes. I went to visit this week with another housemate. We told her stories and chatted to each other; read her mail and gossip magazines.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Today, her daughter is bringing her home for hospice care, to be surrounded by her beautiful flowers and music. She is just 66 years old. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">***</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I wrote this post a week ago, the day she came home, in an attempt at catharsis. Yesterday, our lovely landlady passed away. It is so strange to be in the house she loved without her, looking at the garden she loved even more. It has been just two months since her diagnosis, less than a month since she was putting winky faces in emails related to an outcome that if she suspected or feared, she certainly never let on.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-58981278081971129322012-12-09T19:54:00.003-08:002012-12-09T19:54:45.014-08:00The Training Log ResumesAbout two of you probably remember that back in early 2011, I began chronicling my training for the Big Sur Marathon over at <a href="http://alstraininglog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alison's Training Log</a>. Well, now that <a href="http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/Oakland13/AlisonW" target="_blank">I'm back</a>, I've decided to resume the training log. Most training programs recommend keeping a training log and diary so that you can learn what works and doesn't work for you, and in particular for my case, how you become injured. In fact, as I reviewed my 2011 training log, I remember things I'd completely forgotten, like how my left arch was causing me problems back then. I had only remembered my right toe.<br />
<br />
So anyway, I'll be starting the log back up in case you're interested. I was hoping to find a more useful platform than a blog, where I could see my workout stats as well as my entries in more of a calendar format, but I guess I'll just have to go with this for now. Let me know if you have recommendations for something else.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, after looking through some training plans and my old training log, I've become paranoid that I will once again get injured before the marathon. I have four months to go. I'm already at half marathon distance, so I will be maintaining fairly high mileage (for me), for the whole four months. I worry that my body can't handle it. I start thinking that maybe I should find an earlier marathon and get it out of the way while I'm still healthy even if it means I'm undertrained. After all, the TNT program only calls for two long runs longer than a half marathon: 14-16 mile and 17-20 mile. Maybe I should just go knock a couple of those out over the next month, and get a marathon over with. Or maybe I should calm down and follow the program until the end of March. Maybe if I keep up with rolling and core work and strength (hah), I will have a better outcome.<br />
<br />
Isn't exercise supposed to help you manage your stress rather than cause anxiety?Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-47693685395400101042012-12-09T19:13:00.000-08:002012-12-09T19:41:00.654-08:00Xterra Trail Half Marathon World Championships Race ReportIn January 2011, Matt and I were in Oahu on vacation, taking a movie sites tour at Kualoa Ranch. It was amazingly beautiful. The tour guide mentioned that they had just held a half marathon on site in December. I immediately knew it was a race I had to do. The ranch is private, so you just can't go out and run it anytime you want to. I made a vow to come back.<br />
<br />
It didn't happen in 2011, but we made it out this year, 2012. I booked frequent flyer tickets way back in April. I love Hawaii, so we weren't going just for the race, but the timing did revolve around it.<br />
<br />
Here we are before the start. A group called Team XTREME parachuted in with a wounded warrior and his wife. It was pretty awesome. It was quite windy at the time, and the parachute with the wounded warrior actually missed the landing area, flew over the restrooms, and then I'm not sure what happened. They did emerge later, but when we went to look, it seems they must have ended up in a farming area. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OGwIEQ3qys/UMOjRrSnO5I/AAAAAAAALBQ/cRgB0bd5kJs/s1600/P1040229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OGwIEQ3qys/UMOjRrSnO5I/AAAAAAAALBQ/cRgB0bd5kJs/s320/P1040229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Some of the beautiful scenery at the start:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUALDT-ekWE/UMOjSAF2MCI/AAAAAAAALBY/gfKd7CrSrbM/s1600/P1040231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUALDT-ekWE/UMOjSAF2MCI/AAAAAAAALBY/gfKd7CrSrbM/s320/P1040231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMV853Vxys4/UMOjSnZhk5I/AAAAAAAALBg/6ZdOS23jHKw/s1600/P1040233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMV853Vxys4/UMOjSnZhk5I/AAAAAAAALBg/6ZdOS23jHKw/s320/P1040233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The area where the parachutist seems to have landed:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZG_hmI4WsU/UMOjTLa_ouI/AAAAAAAALBo/Ps2bd_wAzL0/s1600/P1040234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZG_hmI4WsU/UMOjTLa_ouI/AAAAAAAALBo/Ps2bd_wAzL0/s320/P1040234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here we are, taking off. I really must work on keeping my arms at 90 degrees and not overstriding.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1yvQSdWyz-0/UMOjUPVCFDI/AAAAAAAALB8/U0bY-_1TIZY/s1600/P1040241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1yvQSdWyz-0/UMOjUPVCFDI/AAAAAAAALB8/U0bY-_1TIZY/s320/P1040241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At about mile 2, I ran into a queue at some single track and decided to get out my phone and take some pictures. I think all the rest are in reverse order:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoNcIiY_l7s/UMVPtHBMStI/AAAAAAAALQ4/KtEIDQ6u9Cs/s1600/imagejpeg_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoNcIiY_l7s/UMVPtHBMStI/AAAAAAAALQ4/KtEIDQ6u9Cs/s320/imagejpeg_9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdxyBemoEyg/UMVPqeJbVzI/AAAAAAAALQI/zOsC8LskPRE/s1600/imagejpeg_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdxyBemoEyg/UMVPqeJbVzI/AAAAAAAALQI/zOsC8LskPRE/s320/imagejpeg_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsDCXHZbQ1U/UMVPq6SYtiI/AAAAAAAALQQ/CD63ECwrn8s/s1600/imagejpeg_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsDCXHZbQ1U/UMVPq6SYtiI/AAAAAAAALQQ/CD63ECwrn8s/s320/imagejpeg_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4m-a1BYXMI/UMVPrVSY-6I/AAAAAAAALQY/ghzM-6drtjk/s1600/imagejpeg_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4m-a1BYXMI/UMVPrVSY-6I/AAAAAAAALQY/ghzM-6drtjk/s320/imagejpeg_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1YACb4cGCDM/UMVPr9zzEVI/AAAAAAAALQg/H5bJtUZ0Nxg/s1600/imagejpeg_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1YACb4cGCDM/UMVPr9zzEVI/AAAAAAAALQg/H5bJtUZ0Nxg/s320/imagejpeg_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QjxZ4EZ9spg/UMVPsdpW7gI/AAAAAAAALQo/i0xDUbbVGwA/s1600/imagejpeg_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QjxZ4EZ9spg/UMVPsdpW7gI/AAAAAAAALQo/i0xDUbbVGwA/s320/imagejpeg_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZGto3KMTAY/UMVPsqAgGAI/AAAAAAAALQw/0vAIeQknDW8/s1600/imagejpeg_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZGto3KMTAY/UMVPsqAgGAI/AAAAAAAALQw/0vAIeQknDW8/s320/imagejpeg_8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Nearly finished! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v4iMT5QQ5bE/UMOjWXeteVI/AAAAAAAALCg/RdV_QiMqcWo/s1600/P1040250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v4iMT5QQ5bE/UMOjWXeteVI/AAAAAAAALCg/RdV_QiMqcWo/s320/P1040250.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xeh5XLwHKfo/UMVU3YNShfI/AAAAAAAALRI/3tW4E1-Ngrw/s1600/IMG_4088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xeh5XLwHKfo/UMVU3YNShfI/AAAAAAAALRI/3tW4E1-Ngrw/s320/IMG_4088.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And finished! (Wearing my Komen shirt. I realized about half way through the race that I was wearing it and spent awhile stressing about the fact that people would be thinking I was a terrible person. For the record, I participated in their Marathon for the Cure program in honor of my mother prior to the Planned Parenthood fiasco. The shirt was so filthy following the race that I trashed it.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4kO0hf17_Fg/UMOjW9jYRuI/AAAAAAAALCo/mamWRm_WWTs/s1600/P1040251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4kO0hf17_Fg/UMOjW9jYRuI/AAAAAAAALCo/mamWRm_WWTs/s320/P1040251.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gHOy9SWcUM/UMVU4Mx3H9I/AAAAAAAALRQ/UUintBJqk4M/s1600/IMG_4089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gHOy9SWcUM/UMVU4Mx3H9I/AAAAAAAALRQ/UUintBJqk4M/s320/IMG_4089.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It was amazing course. So beautiful - but hard to look around too much because of the various rocks and roots all over the place. Nearly the entire course was rolling hills. I had thought we were going to the top of the cliffs, but it turns out there were just a lot of ups and downs, and we went through a pass to go between valleys. The course claims to have 2900 feet of elevation gain. I uploaded my gps data to various websites that show between 2000 and 3000 so I am not sure what to believe. I kind of think 3000 might be high because when I ran 10.5 miles and 2000 feet at Usery is took me 2:15 and this only took me 2:26. It is hard to know if I did much better than I expected or if the elevation gain just wasn't as much as claimed. How does one learn the truth?<br />
<br />
Overall, I was a bit disappointed that it didn't rain during the event (I mean CIM got a downpour and the North Face Endurance Challenge half marathon was cancelled that same day). Trail running in the rain in a jungle would be super fun and up the bad ass factor so much. (I'll pretend I wasn't freaking out the night before the race about reading the description of the 1/4 mile descent involving ropes and thinking how treacherous it would be with water cascading down the mountain.) I was also disappointed that the course didn't actually go to the top of the mountains. However, I had a great time, and I wasn't even that sore afterwards. I can't say I trained a whole heck of a lot for that kind of elevation gain, so I'm guessing the lack of pounding on asphalt just makes a difference in that regard.<br />
<br />
I previously thought that I wouldn't enjoy trail running as much because I hate to stop running in the middle of a race. But I really didn't mind walking up some of the hills (along with everybody else) - it was a welcome reprieve when I felt my legs could carry me no further otherwise. I also had to settle my pace during a lot of the single track (including walking) because it was have been rather douchey to try to pass people. We only let the 10K leaders pass. At one point a runner behind me told his buddies that he was enjoying the nice, casual pace we were doing. The last mile when the field finally opened up, I picked off some people, but even so, I felt as if I could only take teeny tiny steps, so I'm guessing that my slow paces earlier in the race probably helped me rather than hurt me. I'm pretty pleased with my time given all the elevation gain.<br />
<br />
I highly recommend this race - so beautiful! Maybe not great if you are trying to PR because of the queues in the single track, but a great opportunity to get a unique view of some outstanding scenery.<br />
<br />
***<br />
Also, I totally failed to note that this race had a photo finish. They could not decide who won, so they awarded a tie for first place. I find it so crazy that after more than an hour, two people can finish at exactly the same time. I wish I'd been there to see that. (Hah.) Incidentally, one of the guys had apparently run off-course more than once... Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-48488405119977714092012-12-09T18:48:00.002-08:002012-12-09T18:48:42.493-08:00Turkey Weekend Race ReportsI like to race. More specifically, I like to sign up for events. They keep me motivated and entertained. Sometimes I race them, and sometimes I go out for fun. The Hellaween race was strictly for fun, so I'm not race reporting here. Turkey Weekend was another story.<br />
<br />
First, Nitro Turkey on Thanksgiving morning. I signed up for the 5K (instead of the 10K) to run with Matt, but then Matt decided not to train. This means he would have to run-walk the 5K in deference to his testy IT band. I used this as an excuse to abandon him (are turkey trots supposed to be family events?) and go after my 5K PR. (I also had a friend at the event, but she was in the 10K.) I haven't run many 5Ks, and my fastest 5K time is actually during a half marathon this past March. I was pretty sure I wouldn't have to try too hard to beat it; however, short races are not my thing. I don't really like being that uncomfortable, even if it is only for something less than 30 minutes. In longer races you just kind of settle in and keep plowing foward, but in a short race, you kind of have to kill it.<br />
<br />
The race was a bit hilly, about 200 feet of elevation gain, and I found it challenging. I think I had eaten or drunk too much before the race, because I could feel things bouncing around in my stomach most of the race, which is not too pleasant. Nevertheless, I plowed onward and finished in 25:45, or an 8'18" pace. Not as fast as I felt I should be able to do (based on pace prediction at least), but it was good enough for first place in my division. Turns out most good runners do the 10K instead, making that field much more tough to crack. So here's a tip for winning awards - sign up for short distances in local races. The race itself was very well run, nicely scenic, and had a smorgasbord of pumpkin pie and other delightful treats afterward, including hot chocolate with marshmallows. One could easily eat about 10 times as many calories as the 300 burned during a 5K.<br />
<br />
I had also signed up for a race on Saturday of that same weekend, the Quarry Turkey 10K. Why, you might ask? I guess I was sucked in by the promise of a Double Turkey Mega Medal. Also we had no plans for the weekend, so why not race? Matt didn't plan to run this one, but luckily he came to spectate, because the parking lines were ludicrous! I had to abandon him in the car and walk to the start, and I still was only ready with about 10 minutes to spare. They ended up pushing all the races back 15 minutes, and Matt actually made it to the start. Here we are:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XUS7FtJK3-0/UMVJ4CL1HpI/AAAAAAAALPU/B8_zF93t2gI/s1600/P1040078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XUS7FtJK3-0/UMVJ4CL1HpI/AAAAAAAALPU/B8_zF93t2gI/s320/P1040078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
One might think that trying to PR two races in one weekend is not the brightest idea ever, but I thought it was fabulous. I had never actually run a 10K race before (shocking, I know), so anything I did would be a PR. I could just enjoy the scenery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T379Dac5igU/UMVJ6MlP1JI/AAAAAAAALPc/iouUFZFqKXE/s1600/P1040087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T379Dac5igU/UMVJ6MlP1JI/AAAAAAAALPc/iouUFZFqKXE/s320/P1040087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Nope. I went for it. I knew from my pace prediction charts that I should be able to run at about an 8'11" pace, so I tried to keep that up. It felt quite difficult. I kept looking down and seeing that I was running over 8'30" and internally chastising myself for not being able to run faster than half marathon pace in a 10K. So I kept pushing it. I spent the whole race being appalled at how tired I felt. Here I am, near the end, looking in pretty bad shape:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMwIu27Y_dI/UMVJ8AuA4JI/AAAAAAAALPk/JYtg7zbalS0/s1600/P1040092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMwIu27Y_dI/UMVJ8AuA4JI/AAAAAAAALPk/JYtg7zbalS0/s320/P1040092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
But then, I crossed the finish line, and low and behold, I finished in under 50 minutes: 49:42 to be exact, or an 8 minute mile. My Nike Plus was off by about 0.3 miles, which at this short a distance is enough to put the pace off by 24 seconds per mile, apparently. So my Nike Plus basically tricked me into running a super fast time for me. I wasn't struggling running at half marathon pace; I was struggling because I was running an 8 minute mile! My pace declined throughout the race, so I actually ran it very poorly. It worked out in the end, but I always need to remember to just go with my gut instead of trying to meet a pace. If I had started the race running by how I felt instead of by trying to hit 8'11" on my Nike Plus, I might have been able to get an even better time in the end. However, I should thank Nike Plus for tricking me. I think about calibrating it so my paces and mileage would be more exact, but it seemed to work out. Even if it doesn't tell me I set a 10K record because it thinks I only ran 5.9 miles. Anyhow, obviously I look super spent and relieved to be done at the end:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ijbH9Oy4LWg/UMVJ-0WIbmI/AAAAAAAALPs/mi-EXGHCHmQ/s1600/P1040095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ijbH9Oy4LWg/UMVJ-0WIbmI/AAAAAAAALPs/mi-EXGHCHmQ/s320/P1040095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My rewards for the weekend. I finished 4th in my division for the Quarry Turkey 10K, just 20 seconds out of an age group medal. However, it was another great event despite the parking fiasco, and I will definitely consider Brazen Racing for future events as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3V1d6RKJ014/UMVKCMvKIlI/AAAAAAAALP0/qGTC9FUkWU4/s1600/P1040099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3V1d6RKJ014/UMVKCMvKIlI/AAAAAAAALP0/qGTC9FUkWU4/s320/P1040099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-8623089364931448292012-12-09T18:31:00.001-08:002012-12-09T18:49:17.183-08:00Du the Bears Race ReportI had a fabulous experience at my first and only duathlon back in April. It was quite fun, and I did pretty well. It turns out that being okay and two sports is an advantage in the duathlon. I think other non-competitive types tend to have one event better than the other.<br />
<br />
Since that duathlon, I'd been looking for more to enter, but it turns out there aren't very many, and most of them are on Saturdays, which interfered with my TNT trainings. As a result, I signed up for one shortly after the end of cycle season, along with two of my cycle teammates. It was a beautiful morning at the reservoir just over the hills; I had never even been there!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPwnRjR4LO8/UMVF5HZaVvI/AAAAAAAALOQ/W1PmQPAfVtE/s1600/DU_Bears+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPwnRjR4LO8/UMVF5HZaVvI/AAAAAAAALOQ/W1PmQPAfVtE/s320/DU_Bears+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It was a very small field, which was great. No stress getting all set up for the event. As we started, my friend asked me if we were going for it, and I said yes, not just for fun this time. (We apparently don't make decisions very far in advance.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0xbyfup3c0/UMVFyH3SxvI/AAAAAAAALNw/pumDFPNfQVo/s1600/DU_Bears+(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0xbyfup3c0/UMVFyH3SxvI/AAAAAAAALNw/pumDFPNfQVo/s320/DU_Bears+(11).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
That's about when we took off:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvU8vi5cngY/UMVF0NOdRKI/AAAAAAAALN4/zf9c1uIcgCw/s1600/DU_Bears+(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvU8vi5cngY/UMVF0NOdRKI/AAAAAAAALN4/zf9c1uIcgCw/s320/DU_Bears+(13).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here I am finishing the first run:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWdspZ06GIg/UMVF2cHZMrI/AAAAAAAALOA/GZtA_FSXOGw/s1600/DU_Bears+(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWdspZ06GIg/UMVF2cHZMrI/AAAAAAAALOA/GZtA_FSXOGw/s320/DU_Bears+(17).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Transitioning:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRao-scYAf8/UMVF4GDPpWI/AAAAAAAALOI/bxISGHKfnZU/s1600/DU_Bears+(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRao-scYAf8/UMVF4GDPpWI/AAAAAAAALOI/bxISGHKfnZU/s320/DU_Bears+(18).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Coming back in on the bike:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfJ7CdzLOVc/UMVF7lSpGYI/AAAAAAAALOc/hvxochw90Uw/s1600/DU_Bears+(34).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfJ7CdzLOVc/UMVF7lSpGYI/AAAAAAAALOc/hvxochw90Uw/s320/DU_Bears+(34).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And here we are with our age group awards. I actually finished first in my age group, just 30 seconds ahead of my friend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ_BEsNWASQ/UMVGCeAm_PI/AAAAAAAALOs/ZfiVhANaK_I/s1600/DU_Bears+(52).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ_BEsNWASQ/UMVGCeAm_PI/AAAAAAAALOs/ZfiVhANaK_I/s320/DU_Bears+(52).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It was not easy. The run was very hilly, which I was not expecting. I also still struggle with going fast on my bike. I don't really know how to pace myself for that sort of thing, and to some extent, I still see bike riding as a casual event to check out the scenery. Plus, you're not allowed to draft in duathlons, so you can't use people in front of you for too much inspiration.<br />
<br />
This was a super fun event. The race director stopped by afterwards to thank us for coming out. I realize I'm not competitive at a non-super-local level, but it's always nice to feel some sense of accomplishment. Plus, I discovered a great new place to run (not that I've been back) and a company (Wolf Pack Events) that puts on great races.<br />
<br />Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-24134570072165466912012-10-14T16:36:00.001-07:002012-10-15T12:51:11.039-07:00Nike Race Report1:52:49 PR. 782nd place (out of ~20,000!) and 97/2677 in my division. The end.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Just kidding! I have plenty more to say.<br />
<br />
Woke up at 5 am, and Matt was driving me to the race at 6 am. (Thanks Matt!) Arrived at my fairly empty corral around 6:25. Was amazed as always by the sea of humanity at the starting line. Seeing 25,000 people lined up in the streets of San Francisco is an amazing sight. The race started at 7 and I crossed the line only 6 minutes later to my surprise.<br />
<br />
The first 2-3 miles, and really kind of the whole race, were a maze of trying to pass other people including walkers. I had started in a corral too slow for me because I estimated my time way back in the beginning of the year,before my last PR in March. I tried to mentally calm myself down and stop getting annoyed with all the slow people that should have started behind me. I ran into a friend in the first mile or so and slowed down to chat with her for awhile. I never saw anyone else I knew the whole race, except Matt cheering at mile 10, a former teammate turned coach at mile 11, and my cycle teammate at the finish. And then of course some more TNTers at the tent at the end.<br />
<br />
But back to mile 3. The first small hills come near Ghiradelli Square. There are two of them before the also fairly small Fort Mason hill. Perhaps because I am faster now, I did not hear as many out of towners complaining about the hills as when I ran in 2009, but on the second tiny one, I did hear someone ask how many more of these there are. Well let me tell you, there are two more much more significant hills after Fort Mason, beginning at mile 6. About half way up that hill, I concluded that there was no way I could PR because the hill was slowing me so much. Fog + my lungs + hills = wheezing,which I try to limit as much as possible. Speaking of fog, it was so socked in but kind of warm, that I took off my long sleeves before the end of the first mile and was dripping sweat the entire race. It was disgusting. I even gave Matt my hat at mile 10 because my head was starting to get hot in the humidity pressure kind of way I cannot describe.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, after the two big hills, the second of which was not so bad, and after a lovely downhill that dropped my pace, I passed the timer at mile 11 and realized it said 1:42. I was 6 minutes off gun time,which meant I had 20 minutes left to run 2.1 miles and PR. This math confused me for awhile. First I thought I had to maintain an 8 minute mile which I knew I could not do,and then I concluded it was 9 minutes which I could pull off if I tried. I am pretty positive now it was actually 10 minutes which would have been easy, but luckily this confusion led me to push my pace and motivated me toward the finish. My legs were quite ready to be done, my foot hurt, and I was a bit hungry, having only eaten 100 calories during the race. But I plowed through and made a fairly significant PR.<br />
<br />
I do enjoy running half marathons for the fun of it, but I especially love a good accomplishment! However my two races this year that resulted in PRs were both completed with very little run-specific training, which might be teaching me a bad lesson. Or maybe I have just figured out how to still run without hurting myself - by severely limiting my mileage and replacing it with other activities. With that said, I hope I can train without injury for my first full marathon in March.<br />
<br />
Thanks to Matt for his support of my endeavors, as per usual! And thanks to my teammates who were out there or at the finish!<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
I should also mention how I spent my pre-race day. It involved a trip to wine country with my parents; wine tasting, beer drinking, and hiking up a super steep hill. All things one is supposed to do before a race, right? I did however eat an awful lot of carbs, and despite what some people think, I firmly believe carbs make a difference for me, even if it is placebo!<br />
<br />
I also went out Thursday morning for my race-pace run, had a terrible time of it, and called it quits after only 3 miles to avoid freaking myself out. Luckily I totally forgot about that experience and therefore it didn't affect me. <br />
<br />
Finally, I kind of wonder how much of my new found ability to PR is due to the fact that I was diagnosed with anemia last fall and now take iron. Nothing like some PEDs, right? Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-65350175738428238092012-10-08T10:23:00.001-07:002012-10-08T10:23:27.062-07:00Countdown to NikeIn 2009, I received a piece of direct mail, attended an information meeting, and <a href="http://www.teamintraining.org/" target="_blank">registered to train</a> for <a href="http://whoneedsacubicle.blogspot.com/2009/10/thank-you-for-all-your-support.html" target="_blank">my first ever half-marathon</a>. The rest, as they say, is history.<br />
<br />
This weekend, I'm back for the 2012 reprisal of the Nike Women's (Half) Marathon. This will be my 10th half marathon, and I'm getting excited! This race benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and there will be thousands of TNTers dressed in purple out on the course, and of course milling about the City. Thursday evening I'll head to Union Square to pick up my packet at the Expo and volunteer at the TNT lounge at Macy's. Sunday morning I'll line up in the corrals amidst a sea of purple.<br />
<br />
Similar to my very first season, I sprained my ankle part-way through, making 8 miles the farthest I have run this training season. Unlike the first season, I haven't been diligently spending every evening at the gym on a bike or elliptical, but I'm hoping my base fitness will carry me through for a finish time faster than my 2009 Nike time of 2:25:47, but presumably nowhere near my half-marathon PR of 1:56:20.<br />
<br />
I've been looking back at my blog for accounts of my first training season and was surprised to note that I said hardly anything about it. I blogged plenty during that time, but for other reasons. It seems that over the years, this blog has turned into my training and race blog, as Team in Training has taken over my life. Perhaps I should strive for more balance. But perhaps I'm right where I should be.<br />
<br />
Though I'm not part of the Team for this event, having focused on cycle this season, I just might wear purple so people will cheer me on.<br />
<br />
<br />Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-91764965272057668352012-09-30T17:42:00.001-07:002012-09-30T17:42:55.590-07:00Gran Fondo Ride ReportI've been debating about whether to write this post now or to wait a few days to let everything settle in and my body recover.<br />
<br />
Second Gran Fondo complete, this time before the official cutoff, although rumor has it that the RFID reader at the finish broke, which means that I might still have a DNF record this year. Ah well. I felt great through about mile 70, and started to fall apart on the notorious Coleman Valley climb. As soon as we turned onto that road, it felt harder than either of the other times I have climbed in, and the first part isn't even that steep. I apparently made it to the top of that climb in PR time; however, I slowed significantly down at the top. I told my ride group to continue on without me, and I finished about 10 minutes behind them, with one of my teammates from the Moab season who was kind enough to bring me in.<br />
<br />
I haven't had a bad ride all season, so it was disappointing to fall apart at the signature event. I'm not sure what happened. I may have bonked. I realized I didn't use one of my packets of sports drink. I had a deli sandwich and a soda at the lunch stop, which is food I never have on a ride. It was hot. I just rode 100 miles last weekend. Who knows. I wish I could pinpoint it so I could avoid it happening again. My quads were killing me and I just felt physically exhausted. It was all I could do to look up every now and then to enjoy the scenery.<br />
<br />
While I felt great the first 70 miles, I'm not sure how much fun I was having. The first 20 miles are chock full of people so that it is hard to go as fast as you want. Then there was the fretting at all the rest stops about how much time we were taking (and in fact we ended up with nearly 2 hours of stop time, which is problematic on a timed ride). On all the climbs, there was the difficulty of passing all the slower riders swerving around in the middle of the road and the walkers on the side. There was a long line for water at one of the rest stops. I think I enjoyed this ride a lot more on Labor Day weekend when there weren't 7500 people on the course.<br />
<br />
That said, my ride group had an amazing day. I am so proud of all of them! I think they really enjoyed the ride, and that makes it worth it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFsD1n8OsnI/UGjmtdnpFuI/AAAAAAAAK7M/1BjdPyk2JQQ/s1600/P1030975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFsD1n8OsnI/UGjmtdnpFuI/AAAAAAAAK7M/1BjdPyk2JQQ/s320/P1030975.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wL0yeAR4M_s/UGjmvnrFKhI/AAAAAAAAK7U/9XJCCT83Z4M/s1600/P1030976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wL0yeAR4M_s/UGjmvnrFKhI/AAAAAAAAK7U/9XJCCT83Z4M/s320/P1030976.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-it2iXHltbng/UGjmxFVgVgI/AAAAAAAAK7c/S7mcYtfa6bE/s1600/P1030979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-it2iXHltbng/UGjmxFVgVgI/AAAAAAAAK7c/S7mcYtfa6bE/s320/P1030979.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mk9ZXQ5PqAs/UGjmzRR6ScI/AAAAAAAAK7k/6UQ_POUYTkM/s1600/P1030987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mk9ZXQ5PqAs/UGjmzRR6ScI/AAAAAAAAK7k/6UQ_POUYTkM/s320/P1030987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RH0sSqR5gg/UGjm2ZJMMbI/AAAAAAAAK7s/WHsyMHHMXr8/s1600/P1030997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RH0sSqR5gg/UGjm2ZJMMbI/AAAAAAAAK7s/WHsyMHHMXr8/s320/P1030997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I also had fun at the expo watching Levi, McDreamy, Kristin Armstrong (2 time gold medalist), Tom Danielson and others <a href="http://www.fatcyclist.com/2012/09/27/why-the-grandonut-race-matters/" target="_blank">stuff their faces with donuts</a> and ride around on tiny bikes with a support moto behind them. And got some pretty cool swag. And of course had a fabulous weekend with my team, for whom I'm extremely grateful.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-64246391128724750742012-09-26T21:38:00.002-07:002012-09-26T21:38:15.026-07:00Moab in the Fall<b>Day 1 </b><br />
<br />
Wednesday morning I headed to the airport to begin my five-day TNT vacation for the Moab Century Ride. The adventures started almost as soon as we landed in Salt Lake City, when the rental car company gave us a Lincoln Navigator with tinted windows. Shortly thereafter we parked the behemoth in a Kmart parking lot, resulting in a loss of all my liberal cred.<br />
<br />
We drove through beautiful canyons and desert, arrived in Moab in the dark, and promptly rolled up to the Moab Brewing Company where the beer was less than stellar. It is, after all, 3-2 beer.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 2</b><br />
<br />
The next morning I went for a sunrise run in the neighborhood, and then waited about 3 more hours before my fellow travelers were finally ready to head to Arches for the day. Oh the waiting. We finally arrived in Arches approaching noon and popped into the Visitor's Center to see what the rangers might have to share with us. Somehow we must have spoken with the only ranger in all of the National Park Service who doesn't care for hiking. He suggested we visit the Windows section of the park because you can see a lot of Arches from the car. Really?<br />
<br />
Ignoring the ranger's advice, we drove out to the end of the park to hike in the 7+ mile Devil's Garden, where he said we might find "one or two arches." But there were all sorts of arches, each more amazing than the last! We may have all run out of water with 2 miles to go (don't tell Coach!), but we made it back safe and sound and had an amazing time!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QkonbPSEz3M/UGPVPlvesRI/AAAAAAAAKhQ/9wJGojXKR1w/s1600/Arches+National+Park+%252871%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QkonbPSEz3M/UGPVPlvesRI/AAAAAAAAKhQ/9wJGojXKR1w/s320/Arches+National+Park+%252871%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Joseph Torralba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next up, Delicate Arch, the only hiking trail I think I've been to before at Arches. Neither Matt nor I remember much about this and we only have one picture to show for it. It's amazing how much photos must have to do with memories! Anyway, Delicate Arch was phenomenal! As we walked away I kept stopping every 2 feet to look back at it - I didn't want to leave.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FtlWlz52coM/UGPVZaHOhZI/AAAAAAAAKjw/gtjkyJn7xX0/s1600/Arches+National+Park+%2528100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FtlWlz52coM/UGPVZaHOhZI/AAAAAAAAKjw/gtjkyJn7xX0/s320/Arches+National+Park+%2528100%2529.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Joseph Torralba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Finally we did hit up the Windows section that the ranger had suggested, right as the sun was setting, and it did not disappoint.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9E215TPUGQ/UGPVmAwa-FI/AAAAAAAAKmE/m1R5poiof3I/s1600/Arches+National+Park+%2528121%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9E215TPUGQ/UGPVmAwa-FI/AAAAAAAAKmE/m1R5poiof3I/s320/Arches+National+Park+%2528121%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Joseph Torralba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Day 3</b><br />
<br />
Breakfast, bike pick-up, gorgeous tune-up ride by the Colorado River (cliffs! petroglyphs!), lunch, packet pick-up, inspiration dinner.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfzhVy6V9ns/UGPWPVkHThI/AAAAAAAAKuQ/1rb85oY4nOM/s1600/487490_4172718749813_577728365_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfzhVy6V9ns/UGPWPVkHThI/AAAAAAAAKuQ/1rb85oY4nOM/s320/487490_4172718749813_577728365_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Laura Marshall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--SDqJ_gbH6E/UGPVqjBRD-I/AAAAAAAAKm8/qolp983aMKs/s1600/Tuneup+%252861%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--SDqJ_gbH6E/UGPVqjBRD-I/AAAAAAAAKm8/qolp983aMKs/s320/Tuneup+%252861%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Joseph Torralba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Day 4</b><br />
<br />
100 mile bike ride. Highlights: sunrise along the bike path, Canyonlands appearing out of nowhere at Dead Horse Point, finishing! The 32 miles of flat along the Colorado River was beautiful but not my favorite, as I prefer climbing and descending to pedaling nowhere.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j24nW-72VF0/UGPVvH9SiGI/AAAAAAAAKn8/rwNo1istAHc/s1600/Moab_Century+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j24nW-72VF0/UGPVvH9SiGI/AAAAAAAAKn8/rwNo1istAHc/s320/Moab_Century+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Joseph Torralba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TM9-gdzSLT4/UGPV0ejyQCI/AAAAAAAAKpY/H-WLFLnZ2s0/s1600/Moab_Century+%252831%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="72" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TM9-gdzSLT4/UGPV0ejyQCI/AAAAAAAAKpY/H-WLFLnZ2s0/s320/Moab_Century+%252831%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Joseph Torralba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Day 5</b><br />
<br />
Again, my crew dawdled in the morning and we didn't leave Moab until nearly noon. We headed up to Park City to take part in some adventures at Utah Olympic Park: Alpine Slide and ziplining. I think perhaps our favorite part was watching the freestyle ski jumpers launch into the pool. A quick trip to Temple Square, and we were back at the airport to return to the real world, leaving the Navigator behind.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ljd2A3dAJU/UGPWGFJw7PI/AAAAAAAAKtk/G8myodFHGQY/s1600/Utah+Olympic+Park+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ljd2A3dAJU/UGPWGFJw7PI/AAAAAAAAKtk/G8myodFHGQY/s320/Utah+Olympic+Park+%252812%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Joseph Torralba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qPhsYUl10Kw/UGPWEaer0yI/AAAAAAAAKtA/Xh-7iSHuCzQ/s1600/Utah+Olympic+Park+%252822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qPhsYUl10Kw/UGPWEaer0yI/AAAAAAAAKtA/Xh-7iSHuCzQ/s320/Utah+Olympic+Park+%252822%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Andrew Farren/Joseph Torralba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y-uxiUBZ8jw/UGPWCmbg9kI/AAAAAAAAKso/_rnMHUIITbs/s1600/Utah+Olympic+Park+%252819%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y-uxiUBZ8jw/UGPWCmbg9kI/AAAAAAAAKso/_rnMHUIITbs/s320/Utah+Olympic+Park+%252819%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Joseph Torralba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-31621519518463980212012-09-17T22:22:00.003-07:002012-09-17T22:22:47.695-07:00Race Season is Here!Fall may be a strange season for racing, but here in the Bay Area it's beautiful! Having not competed in an event since May, I guess I was feeling like it was time to go for it. So despite twisting my ankle two weeks ago while speed-walking to a Giants game (yeah, I'm that graceful), I have added several cheap races (~$30) to my already rather full Fall racing schedule, which you can see in the sidebar.<br />
<br />
First up is the Moab Century coming up this Saturday in Moab. I am super excited! This will be my second century, and I expect it to be "easy," with only 3000 feet of elevation gain. I plan to enjoy the ride through the beautiful Moab countryside including Dead Horse Point and the Colorado River. This will be my "warm-up" ride for the big event the following weekend, Levi's Gran Fondo. You may remember me <a href="http://whoneedsacubicle.blogspot.com/search/label/LeviGF" target="_blank">blogging about last year's experience</a> again and again and again. Following last weekend's 80 mile training ride filled with 2 hours and 30 minutes of stopping for a crash and mechanical problems (which kind of offsets the 6 hour ride time for 7,000 feet of gain), I'm just hoping we've gotten all the crap out of the way before the race this year.<br />
<br />
One weekend off, and it's back to running - the Nike Women's Marathon in particular. This was the race that <a href="http://whoneedsacubicle.blogspot.com/2009/10/thank-you-for-all-your-support.html" target="_blank">started it all for me</a> back in 2009. I was having a fantastic training season for Nike as well, meeting my goal paces even on hilly courses, but then I went and twisted my ankle. It is recovering well and I ran 3 miles yesterday, so I plan to be in fine form come Nike, but likely not as fast as I had hoped. I really should just walk around always with both my ankles taped up.<br />
<br />
The following weekend it's on to my second duathlon ever. I had an amazing time at my first duathlon back in April, and even finished 5th in my division. (And apparently never blogged about it!) For this duathlon the bike course will follow a popular route on the other side of the hills - the three bears, which feature Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Baby Bear, Goldilocks, and what I believe to be at least three other unnamed bears. However, once you climb over the hills to get to the Bears, they just don't seem as big as they used to.<br />
<br />
Next up, the inaugural hella-ween 5 Miler, put on by the same peeps as Oakland Running Festival, which I have <a href="http://whoneedsacubicle.blogspot.com/2011/03/running-oakland.html" target="_blank">blogged about</a> a <a href="http://whoneedsacubicle.blogspot.com/2012/03/oakland-running-festival-race-report.html" target="_blank">couple of times</a>. This will be a Saturday night evening race through Old Town Oakland and Jack London Square, including a beer stop at our TNT-supporting Linden Street Brewery.<br />
<br />
Skip ahead to Thanksgiving weekend, and I will be partaking of the Double Turkey Challenge. Matt and I will be running a 5k on Thanksgiving morning, and I'm adding a 10k that Saturday. Just to get an awesome<a href="http://www.brazenracing.com/nitroturkeydoubleturkeys.html" target="_blank"> three-piece medal</a> that says "I heart seconds." This will be our fourth annual Turkey Trot, each one at a <a href="http://whoneedsacubicle.blogspot.com/2009/11/happy-holidays.html" target="_blank">different</a> <a href="http://whoneedsacubicle.blogspot.com/2010/11/all-sorts-of-events.html" target="_blank">location</a> (although I'm missing a blog for 2011).<br />
<br />
Finally, the very next weekend I'll be rounding out the race season with my very first trail half marathon in Kualoa Ranch, Oahu! I'm nervous about the elevation gain (~2900 feet), especially since my ankle twist has set back my hill training. But it's going to be gorgeous, and I still have two months to train. Plus I'll be in Hawaii, so how bad could it be?<br />
<br />
So in case you never hear from me this Fall, you'll know why. Hopefully I can stay healthy and uninjured for these events, and I wish health and happiness to you as well! I hope to remember to blog these!Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-55041568439078313972012-08-25T20:18:00.001-07:002012-08-25T20:18:37.884-07:00 Dessert on the HouseToday after our ride, several of my teammates and I headed over to a local restaurant for some food and beer. As we straggled in, a woman asked us if we had been cycling - it was that obvious. Awhile later, she returned and said, "Are you all part of Team in Training? I want to thank you. My daughter is a survivor of ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia). They tell me that the reason the survival rate has increased from 40% to 90% is because of all the treatment that has been funded. Dessert is on the house." We learned that her daughter was diagnosed at 5 and is now 14 years old and doing amazing.<br />
<br />
The girl to my left was nearly in tears. The girl to my right noted that she didn't actually know anyone with blood cancer, and that this really brought home the importance of what she and her husband were doing as part of the team. I did not know anyone with blood cancer when I first joined the team either, but unfortunately now I know several. We all have so much fun on the team, most of us would do it even without these reminders. I generally feel as though I don't deserve to be thanked for spending my time having fun.<br />
<br />
But I do want to thank all of you who have generously donated to my campaigns over the last several years. Even if you do not know anyone with blood cancer, there are real people whose lives are being saved by the money LLS raises and you never know who they might be. In fact, in the last decade, half of all new cancer therapies were first approved for blood cancers! Thank you!Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-82475862137916598382012-05-29T20:50:00.001-07:002012-05-29T20:52:40.454-07:00A San Francisco EveningThis past Sunday evening, we had a true San Francisco experience. First we attended the members' opening night of the California Academy of Sciences' new <a href="https://www.calacademy.org/academy/exhibits/earthquake/index.php?dc="> earthquake exhibit</a>. We watched the planetarium show, which featured amazing images and animations of the earth, plate tectonics, and earthquake action. I loved the overhead view of Tomales Bay, Point Reyes, and the entire Bay Area. The show was narrated by San Francisco local Benjamin Bratt.<br />
<br />
After that, we lined up for the shake table, which replicates the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake as well as the infamous 1906 quake. Apparently the 1906 quake lasted 90 seconds; the table only replicates 30 seconds, and even that seems like forever. If only my house contained hand rails and had everything bolted to the wall the way the "dining room" on the shake table does. We waited about 30-40 minutes for the shake table, during which we enjoyed complimentary cocktails. After that, we had to head out for our next adventure, so we have to return to check out the actual exhibits, including live ostrich chicks, as well as the 3D show on other planetary geology. If you are in San Francisco, you should definitely go check this out!<br />
<br />
The next adventure was a celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th anniversary - a fireworks show. I was not sure if this would be worth the adventure in getting there, but we figured since we were in town, we should go check it out. After being passed by several chock full buses, we managed to flag down a taxi, and flew up to the Bay with remarkably little traffic. As soon as we started walking toward the Fort Mason hill, however, we realized we were joining forces with untold numbers of other pedestrians. They were streaming in from the Fisherman's Wharf area, lining the hills and the path. We managed to get a pretty good vantage of the bridge, behind only a couple of other people. Soon, the lights on the bridge turned off. The crowed oohed. And suddenly, a cascade of fireworks falling from the entire span of the bridge - an amazing <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2012/05/28/MNM71OOE7J.DTL&object=%2Fc%2Fpictures%2F2012%2F05%2F27%2Fba-bridge28_ph_d_SFC0111304410.jpg">sight</a>. The rest of the show was also spectacular; the best fireworks I have seen in ages. I do wish they had the bridge towers lit up the entire time, as you could not always see it. The fireworks that lit up the towers and the span were the best. I shudder to think about all the chemicals falling into the Bay. The fireworks were the talk of the office today, two days later. It seems at least half the populace must have seen them.<br />
<br />
Well, happy 75th GGB. Thanks for serving the community well and looking so good in the process. As for you earthquakes, I hope the 4.0 near us on the Hawyard last fall is the worst I have to experience when not in the comfort of a shock table. The magnitude of such an event is truly terrifying, but it is all the good things about the Bay Area that keep us here.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-83896804603572883222012-04-16T12:15:00.002-07:002012-05-21T20:26:00.135-07:00EphemeralThis weekend, local sailors participated in a race around the Farallones, islands off the coast north of San Francisco. This water is known to be difficult - windy with large swells. On Saturday, one boat did not make it - three people were rescued, one was found dead, and four are missing. The Coast Guard called off their search Sunday night, saying the window of survivability had closed.<br />
<br />
One of those missing is my co-worker. He sits in a cube catty-corner from mine. I do not know him well, other than to smile or say hi as we pass, but he is close with others here. His cube remains with his belongings strewn about, just as he left it, although someone has laid flowers at his keyboard. It is hard to comprehend that he will not be returning; that we will not hear his Irish brogue.<br />
<br />
I think it is the suddenness that is baffling. I have been lucky enough to not have been touched my too many deaths in my life, particularly unexpected ones. In college, a friend went on a solo-backpacking trip in Zion and was found dead. It was hard to comprehend that I would not see him at the next party or adventure.<br />
<br />
These two young men were doing things they loved - enjoying the outdoors. One could say, "Life is short, do what you love," but that context seems perplexing here. Perhaps you would not choose to do what you love if you knew it would be your last time to do anything at all.<br />
<br />
Obviously we accept risk in many of our daily activities. I have to constantly remind myself that driving is more dangerous than most things I do. It is probably more dangerous than sailing or backpacking. And still most of us choose to drive on a regular basis, primarily for the convenience. Here, the risk is accepted; why not in the other areas of our lives too? Are the rewards for driving greater than the rewards for things we love?<br />
<br />
Perhaps the aphorism that applies more appropriately here is, "Life is short, love hard."<br />
<br />
<br />
UPDATE: After I wrote this I went back and looked at the news from my college buddy's death and realized that I totally mis-remembered it. What I wrote about is what I imagined had happened when I first heard he had died, but it was not true. The memory is a strange thing.<br />Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-25876629117502502082012-04-10T20:55:00.000-07:002012-04-10T20:55:00.427-07:00The Great Abandon (Part II)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
It has now come to
the time of hanging, stagnant heat.
Approaching mid April, the temperatures are surpassing 90 degrees, but
the air conditioning in our apartment is not yet on. The screen door gapes, all three windows are
open, and two fans spin languidly. Today
is the first day a pleasant breeze has not been blowing. So the heat settles. Mid-afternoon was like a long summer day in
the Midwest; it seemed noise had stopped. The stillness surrounding me was surreal, and
the heat drew me into a restless sleep on my bed, waking only to the phone, a
pierce to the not-quite-summer day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
It is past six o’clock now and the sun still
hangs in the sky like a child refusing bed.
Birds cheep-cheep, children laugh and chase outside, cars rumble down
the road. The world has awakened from
the oppression. It is only early
April. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
The heat of the
desert is sometimes agreeable, like being wrapped in a warm blanket with a cup
of hot cocoa. Spending a summer in the
high desert of Utah accustomed me to 85 degree days and
30 degree nights, but a trip to St. George brought back the pleasantries of
home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
“That
thermometer just said it is 108 degrees.
This is stifling.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
“I
love it; it isn’t too hot yet.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
“Let’s
get back into the car and the air conditioning; my feet are sticking to the
asphalt.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
I could not put
into words how the heat made me feel alive again, the sun testing my skin to
see if it still functioned properly.
Somehow, for that moment, I was happily hot. A few days now and I have had enough. But every so often, it feels just right.</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180659696107599162.post-42699305828737275982012-04-09T20:52:00.000-07:002012-04-09T20:52:00.311-07:00The Great Abandon (Part I)<br />
I think I have figured it out. That is, the reason Phoenix holds no place in my heart. I always feel I am a stranger here, though I’ve been a resident for four years. I love the Sonoran Desert; I am attracted to this land. The desert lies naked, quivering with heat, calling to me. The wide, embracing skies and rocky mountain walls stand testament. To something. I am drawn to the starkness, the great abandon. I cannot take water for granted, but rather search it out, pleadingly. A tinaja hidden among the rocks. A spring daring to rise above ground, filtering quickly back into the land. I felt it for a moment, just now, the reason I love the desert.<br />
<br />
Tucson was my home for eight years, my middle childhood, played out in the foothills of the Santa Catalinas. I sprawled outside on our concrete pool deck/backyard and watched the monsoon roll in over the mountaintop nearly every summer afternoon around four. I transferred to the front porch to watch the lightning show from under the relative safety of an overhang. The rain came down and turned our perfectly landscaped yard into verdant fields of Texas Ranger, bougainvillea, birds of paradise. The natural desert portion of our land heaved with saguaro, palo verde, mesquite, cholla, prickly pear. If only the lightning came and the rain forgot to make an appearance, I watched the side of the mountain turn orange with flame, slithering like a snake, while the Forest Service decided whether or not to let it burn.<br />
<br />
<br />
The mountains near Phoenix are far off in the distance; here I can never watch the storm come rolling in. The Valley of the Sun is not like the Old Pueblo, filled with native plants and visibly surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges, though development there is spilling out the passes, striving, always striving to become a second Phoenix. The desert here hides at the edge of town and sulks somewhere beyond the grass and shade trees. Here the desert is the enemy. Native cacti are ousted by plants from around the world, a usurpation of the native ecosystem, known as the ASU Arboretum. Snowbirds and displaced Midwesterners plant the vegetation of their childhood. Green grass is good memories brought to life again. Phoenix is not the Sonoran desert.Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01336882772390870045noreply@blogger.com0