Yes, it has been several weeks since I've updated you all on my half-marathon training adventure. Here's what you've missed:
Training
Our 10 mile run at Crissy Field and Baker Beach coincided with what must have been the hottest San Francisco weather we've had all year. I'm not one who particularly enjoys running in the heat, so all I can say is that it was a struggle. It was by far the hardest run I've done yet, mentally and physically. I finished, with much team support, but just barely. I slept the entire rest of the day!
Our 11 mile run, however, was the complete opposite. It was a mild San Francisco day--read a little cold and windy--but it felt like perfect weather after the previous weeks scorcher. Any run that long is a challenge for me, but it was also quite enjoyable. I was able to pick up the pace to run somewhere around 9:30 minute miles and came in strong. I hope I am able to repeat this performance on race day.
Following two heavy distance weeks, the next week we backed off for a meager 6 mile run. 6 miles seems like nothing after running 10 and 11 miles. In fact, by the end I had enough energy to pick up the pace for the last 200 yards. Sadly, that is when disaster struck. With only 100 yards to go, I started experiencing sharp pains in my right knee and hip. I tried to push through the pain, but that just made it worse. I was forced to walk the last 50 yards. :( Thank goodness for our team coach, Jason, who quickly identified that I was having IT band issues and prescribed multiple stretches that would help. I don't fully understand what causes the pain, but I do know that your IT band stretches from somewhere in your hip/butt area and connects down near your knee--which is why I had pain in both areas.
The stretching regimen seems to be helping, but sadly, the same problem struck last week during our 12 mile run. I made it about 3.5 miles before the pain intensified. Once it started, I knew I needed to back off to avoid an injury that could keep me from running the race on July 18th! This week, I've been strictly prohibited from running. Instead, I'll be focusing on stretching multiple times a day and doing other types of cross training. There's still time to get my IT band back in shape, and I'm doing everything I can to make it happen.
I'll be sure to update you on my recovery before the race. I am committed to doing the race either way--even if it means walking a substantial part of it. It would be a let-down for sure, but I've worked too hard not to complete the race one way or another.
Fundraising
My fundraising is also going great, thanks to the amazing support of all of you. Can you believe that almost 30 people have donated over $2000 to CCFA already?!?! We're almost at my minimum fundraising goal of $2,600. We CAN do this. While donations will be accepted towards my goal through August 31, the official fundraising deadline is just TWO DAYS AWAY. Please help me cross the finish--it's only $549 away. Every donation gets me one step closer to my goal, and CCFA one dollar closer to finding a cure for Crohn's and Colitis.
Thank you again for everyone's support. Keep a look-out for my upcoming pre and post-race updates.
http://www.active.com/donate/napa10norcal/napa10MPrice
Monday, July 5, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Survived!
It's Monday morning, which means I survived my seven-mile training run on Saturday! Woo woo! It was challenging to put it mildly, but definitely worth it.
We ran through Golden Gate Park and in front of the ocean near Beach Chalet. The first 4.5 miles through Golden Gate Park was a loop we'd already done a few weeks back. We ran there during my second week of training, and I remember how much that hurt! But this week, I was still feeling pretty good at the end of 4.5 miles. I was so psyched to realize how much I have progressed in just a few short weeks!
But--then came the last 2.5 mile loop. Dun Dun Dun Dunnnnnn. That is when my muscles started feeling tired. The idea of starting another loop after already finishing 4.5 miles seemed tortorous. Fortunately, I had my running-buddies Carnley and Will to lean on. Carnley and I were keeping about the same pace and just kept trucking along. We were constantly passing other Team Challenge members so we received and gave a lot of encouragement along the way.
The worst thing about the last loop, aside from a bit of wind, were the rolling baby-hills. I hate hills--all I have to say--but considering the race is from Napa to Sonoma I guess its good practice because there are a bunch of rolling hills on the course.
When we finally hit the last water station, with a little over a mile to go, I got my second wind. Just knowing that I soon could stop was motivation enough to hurry my ass up! We came in for a strong finish, at about 1:13 minutes! Not bad if I do say so myself!
Here are the keys to my success this weekend:
1) Running buddies --> check!
2) Trashy pop music and latin beats --> check!
3) Teammates dressed in crazy wigs at water stations to keep you motivated --> check!
4) Knowing the butt-kicking is good for you and helping a great cause --> check!
After the run, when we were all sweaty and smelly, a group of 6 of us had lunch at Beach Chalet. Oh, I totally earned that burger!
This weeks bit of advice: don't run 7 miles in cotton socks. Splurge on the synthetic ones. Can you say BLISTERS??? All. over. my. feet!
No pictures this week. You'll have to stay tuned for next!
We ran through Golden Gate Park and in front of the ocean near Beach Chalet. The first 4.5 miles through Golden Gate Park was a loop we'd already done a few weeks back. We ran there during my second week of training, and I remember how much that hurt! But this week, I was still feeling pretty good at the end of 4.5 miles. I was so psyched to realize how much I have progressed in just a few short weeks!
But--then came the last 2.5 mile loop. Dun Dun Dun Dunnnnnn. That is when my muscles started feeling tired. The idea of starting another loop after already finishing 4.5 miles seemed tortorous. Fortunately, I had my running-buddies Carnley and Will to lean on. Carnley and I were keeping about the same pace and just kept trucking along. We were constantly passing other Team Challenge members so we received and gave a lot of encouragement along the way.
The worst thing about the last loop, aside from a bit of wind, were the rolling baby-hills. I hate hills--all I have to say--but considering the race is from Napa to Sonoma I guess its good practice because there are a bunch of rolling hills on the course.
When we finally hit the last water station, with a little over a mile to go, I got my second wind. Just knowing that I soon could stop was motivation enough to hurry my ass up! We came in for a strong finish, at about 1:13 minutes! Not bad if I do say so myself!
Here are the keys to my success this weekend:
1) Running buddies --> check!
2) Trashy pop music and latin beats --> check!
3) Teammates dressed in crazy wigs at water stations to keep you motivated --> check!
4) Knowing the butt-kicking is good for you and helping a great cause --> check!
After the run, when we were all sweaty and smelly, a group of 6 of us had lunch at Beach Chalet. Oh, I totally earned that burger!
This weeks bit of advice: don't run 7 miles in cotton socks. Splurge on the synthetic ones. Can you say BLISTERS??? All. over. my. feet!
No pictures this week. You'll have to stay tuned for next!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Pictures as promised
Rachel, my other running buddy, stretching me out.
Jackie, my mentor and me.
Group shot after the 6-miler.
"Hey! Put that camera away. That is not going to be a good picture."
Man that last mile was hurting.
Photo-op and really bad sunglasses. At least Rachel is looking good after 5 miles.
Almost the whole SF team.
...I may have to work on getting someone to capture my less flattering moments. These aren't nearly as embarassing as I promised, but they'll have to do for now. Enjoy.
Jackie, my mentor and me.
Group shot after the 6-miler.
"Hey! Put that camera away. That is not going to be a good picture."
Man that last mile was hurting.
Photo-op and really bad sunglasses. At least Rachel is looking good after 5 miles.
Almost the whole SF team.
...I may have to work on getting someone to capture my less flattering moments. These aren't nearly as embarassing as I promised, but they'll have to do for now. Enjoy.
Rolling in the dough, racking up the miles...
Training and fundraising are moving along nicely. Here's the latest news:
We've been slowly but surely upping the mileage. This Saturday will be longest distance I've run so far--7 long miles. I can't pretend that I push through our longer runs with ease, but every week I feel stronger. I also have a couple of great teammates that run at my pace, so we encourage and challenge each other as we go! One of my running buddies, Carnley, is in the picture above. (Since last weekend was a recovery week, we only ran three miles, and Nimo did it with us. He's a champ!)
For me, it's time to add at least one more run to my week. Thus far, I've only had time for a couple of group runs a week. But--as the mileage goes up my body is starting to complain and that means more training to prepare all of my muscles for the crazy beating it gets every Saturday.
My fundraising started taking off a few weeks ago--already $441 donated!!! Thank you so much to everyone who donated. I know we can make it, but we only have 10 weeks left. Gotta keep our eyes on the prize. So keep it coming, and I'll keep running.
Saludos,
MP
Monday, April 26, 2010
6 miles in almost perfect weather...
Nelson and I got up bright and early on Saturday to head over to Lake Merced where Team Challenge was meeting to do our six-miler. (Yes, Nelson was in town. No, he didn't run with me, but he did take Nimo out for a LONG walk while I was running. It was so amazing to see him at the end!)
I was super nervous about the run in general because I haven't run six miles in 10 years, literally. It was a beautiful sunny day, but there was a cold breeze which made it an almost ideal running day. In the end, the run was challenging but not impossible. I ran almost the entire way with my teammate, Rachel. She and I have similar paces and both run to trashy pop. It's a pretty perfect match if you ask me!
Before our next run I have to get some familiarity with the course. Why you ask? Since I'm still new to San Francisco, I never really know how long we have been running or how far until the end. I was really frustrated when I realized that I walked a few minutes on mile 5 that I probably would have pushed through had I known we were almost done! Oh well.
Oh--and the new sneakers are great. Still need a little more breaking in, but they were super comfy!
Stay tuned, embarassing pictures to come!
I was super nervous about the run in general because I haven't run six miles in 10 years, literally. It was a beautiful sunny day, but there was a cold breeze which made it an almost ideal running day. In the end, the run was challenging but not impossible. I ran almost the entire way with my teammate, Rachel. She and I have similar paces and both run to trashy pop. It's a pretty perfect match if you ask me!
Before our next run I have to get some familiarity with the course. Why you ask? Since I'm still new to San Francisco, I never really know how long we have been running or how far until the end. I was really frustrated when I realized that I walked a few minutes on mile 5 that I probably would have pushed through had I known we were almost done! Oh well.
Oh--and the new sneakers are great. Still need a little more breaking in, but they were super comfy!
Stay tuned, embarassing pictures to come!
Friday, April 23, 2010
New kicks!
The best part about running a half-marathon is that you need new shoes to do it! These beauties just came in the mail, thank you, endless.com. I'll be debuting these bad boys tomorrow for our 6-mile training run at Lake Merced. Pictures to come!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Donation Incentives (bribes)
hola.
So a huge part of my commitment to Team Challenge involves fundraising $5000 to find a cure of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. While I think donating out of the goodness of ones heart is laudable, for some it may take a little more encouragement to part ways with their money.
On that note, I plan on giving a little something back to anyone who donates more than $100 to Team Challenge to help me reach my fundraising goal.
But--I need to know what the world wants in return for their generosity. Cookies? Zucchini bread? Dinner? Framed picture of me AFTER I finish the marathon (when I'm a hot mess). Give me your suggestions and I'll see what I can do to oblige specific requests. Get creative people--$5000 is a lot of money!!!
So a huge part of my commitment to Team Challenge involves fundraising $5000 to find a cure of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. While I think donating out of the goodness of ones heart is laudable, for some it may take a little more encouragement to part ways with their money.
On that note, I plan on giving a little something back to anyone who donates more than $100 to Team Challenge to help me reach my fundraising goal.
But--I need to know what the world wants in return for their generosity. Cookies? Zucchini bread? Dinner? Framed picture of me AFTER I finish the marathon (when I'm a hot mess). Give me your suggestions and I'll see what I can do to oblige specific requests. Get creative people--$5000 is a lot of money!!!
Half-Marathon Training
I started training for the Napa-Sonoma half-marathon two weeks ago with Team Challenge and I've already run 4.5 miles. My favorite part so far is the fact that I have so much incentive, and support to get my ass of the couch, out of the office or out of bed as the case may be. We have a huge San Francisco team that is ridiculously supportive and fun. I've already started making new friends, which seems to take a bit of time in SF. It's definitely humbling because most of my teammates can kick my butt--I'm usually one of the last people in from our group runs--but they still cheer and smile (instead of pointing and thinking, maybe she should just get back on the couch). I can't say I particularly look forward to the training runs yet, but they are growing on me, if anything, because I know that there will be a plethora of smiling faces to share the pain with, rain or shine.
So--keep an eye out on my blog. I fully intend to keep up with this thing a little more regularly to keep people posted on my training. And yes, I will even subject myself to the humiliation of putting pictures of me in action up.
On another note--Nelson gets here in the morning AND I get to do 6 mini-trials tomorrow for the Homeless Rights Project. What a week--and I actually have work to keep me busy! Woo hoo.
Shameless plug below (hey sorry, donating is part of the deal).
www.active.com/donate/napa10norcal/napa10MPrice
So--keep an eye out on my blog. I fully intend to keep up with this thing a little more regularly to keep people posted on my training. And yes, I will even subject myself to the humiliation of putting pictures of me in action up.
On another note--Nelson gets here in the morning AND I get to do 6 mini-trials tomorrow for the Homeless Rights Project. What a week--and I actually have work to keep me busy! Woo hoo.
Shameless plug below (hey sorry, donating is part of the deal).
www.active.com/donate/napa10norcal/napa10MPrice
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