20 Miles and a Decision is Made

The glory of a 20 mile run is in how many thoughts can go through your head as you approach such a significant number of miles. If you don't believe me, check out a recent post by a friend (who writes and runs much better than I do).

The past weekend was my venture into the realm of 20 miles. I chose to take part in an organized run put on by the Oakland Running Festival. For those running the full, you could run the first 20 miles of the course. For those running the half, you could run the entire course. By far a great opportunity to gauge your readiness before race day and a fantastic (and out of the box) idea by the event. Take note other races.

Nearly 300+ people came out and we were sent out in waves according to pace. It was a rainy morning, so they also provided laminated routes (bonus points for preparedness). I on the other hand showed up late AND right on time to join the 10-10:30 group.

I wasn't sure if I was ready for the full distance and I was about to find out. The first 10 miles flew by pretty quickly. I was moving smoothly and my recently updated playlist was bringing life to my legs. I started to think that perhaps I was going to do fine. Heck, I was right on pace and this was over a hilly course. Look at me go. I might be ready to PR in three weeks.

Remember when I said different thoughts pop in your head throughout 20... well, four miles later things were about to drastically change. My legs started to feel fatigued and the music wasn't doing it. Slowly block after block, my mind and body just quit. I was still a good 5 miles from the end of the training course and I knew it wasn't in me. A sad realization after a spectacular first 10 miles — which happen to be the more challenging section of the course. One thing was for sure, if it wasn't in me today, it wasn't going to be in me in 3-weeks. Face it: I'm not ready.

To remove any doubt, it wasn't just a single bad run. If that were the case then I might be able to convince myself to give it a go, but this would make it 2 weekends in a row that I didn't have more than 14-15 miles in me. That's a sign. My training isn't there and the last thing I want to do is set myself back by pushing too hard.

The good thing is that I know I have 14 miles in me. I had a great time at last year's ORF, so I've decided to give the Half a go. I want to be a part of this wonderful thing that is happening in Oakland. A couple friends are also running the half and having a stress free event might bring my mojo back, cuz it sure has left the building, Elvis style.

26 Day Countdown

With 26 days until the Oakland Running Festival, it seemed appropriate to make a list of what I plan to do over the next three weeks to prepare for the race.

Note: As of right now, I am planning to run the Full Marathon. After a tough couple weeks of training (and my lack of running in Dec. and most of Jan.) I may decide to drop down to the Half Marathon. This weekend's 20-mile preview run will be the deciding factor. 

The Oakland Running Festival helps organize several course-preview or practice runs throughout the months leading up to race day. It's a great way to have an actual "race day" training experience, complete with water stops.

3/2 - Wednesday

Create this list (done)

3/3 - Thursday

Run an 8 miler before work

3/4 - Friday

Make sure I drink plenty of fluids and get a good night sleep. Sleep 36 hrs before a run can be just as key as the night before.

3/5 - Saturday

Try to stay off my feet most of the day. Go see a movie?

3/6 - Sunday

Run the Oakland Running Festival 20-mile preview. Crucial run. Have dinner with some running friends later that night.

3/7 - Monday

Decide if I am ready for the marathon, or the half marathon.

3/8 - Tuesday

Second guess my decision over an 8 mile run before work. Register for Oakland Running Festival

3/9 - Wednesday

Work the foam roller and get a good stretch before bed.

3/10 - Thursday

Look at a picture of Dean Karnazes (below) and imagine he is giving me a pep talk.

3/11 - Friday

Look at picture of Kara Goucher (below) and imagine she is giving me a pep talk AND ask for a hug and kiss.

3/12 - Saturday

Run with a group of friends in San Francisco (either 20-22 or 13-15, depending on race day distance).

3/13 - Sunday

Watch DVR'd episodes on television and imagine it has something to do with running. This helps avoid me being labeled as a couch potato.

3/14 - Monday

Recovery run, distance depending on Saturday's run.

3/15 - Tuesday

Play Bond GoldenEye on the Wii. Code Name: Stolichnaya (seriously)

3/16 - Wednesday

Wake up early and get a run in with Mika, she is always good for a 5-miler.

3/17 - Thursday

St. Patrick's day. Green beer counts as carboloading, right?

3/18 - Friday

Have a Starbucks for breakfast, most likely my usual: Triple Venti Skinny Hazelnut Latte  and 3-pack of Madelines. (Skinny = sugar free syrup and non-fat milk, no whip) 

3/19 - Saturday

Run with a group of friends in San Francisco (either 15-18 or 8-12, depending on race day distance).

3/20 - Sunday

First day of Spring! Finalize race day goals, pace strategy and realize that anything can happen on race day making my goals irrelevant.

3/21 - Monday

Make sure I have everything needed for race day (includes comfortable running clothes, GU, Gatorade, glide... essentially a supplies check)

3/22 - Tuesday

Create my final play-list for race day.

3/23 - Wednesday

Get in possibly my last run (3-5 mi.) before the race (if not, schedule for Thursday)

3/24 - Thursday

Celebrate Prince Thursday by rockin' some bad-ass purple.

3/25 - Friday

Carbo Load - pasta always sounds nice

3/26 - Saturday

Expo Day - pick up race day packet and awesome scwhag!

3/27 - Sunday

Race Day - go out and enjoy a lovely event for 26.2 or 13.1 miles. Either way, have fun, enojy the local scene and bring home a shiny medal.

A Snowy Run

Alarm off. Running pants, long sleeve NYC shirt, a second sleeveless running shirt, hooded sweatshirt, running gloves, ear warmers and a beanie on top of it. And finally, snow shoes. Wait, I don't own snow shoes. Anyone have tennis rackets and some duct tape? No? Ok, my trusty Asics will have to do. Grab my water belt, Garmin and I'm ready to go.

I don't know if that is over-dressed or under prepared and there is only one way to find out. I almost slip on the way out the door and consider that this may be a nightmare waiting to happen. But, I know I just have to get to the road where snow won't be a problem. A hundred or so feet more and I hope I am now in the clear.


I run in the Bay Area (in California) where snow isn't an issue. Im used to 50 degrees being cold, requiring gloves and 5 mins of complaining about how cold it is before our group run. Once I get out to the street it takes me a few steps to get the blood flowing. I wind a few curves and climb some rolling hills, which comes with the territory on a side mountain road and start to breathe heavier than normal. I can see altitude will be an issue today, but it makes me a stronger runner, right? Now I can race with the elites after some training at altitude. (insert sarcasm) After awhwile, I check my watch to see how far I've gone and all of a sudden, .4 miles doesnt seem right. Can the satellites not find me? I decide to run based on time, rather than distance since my Garmin seems to be "on vacation."

I left the iPod at home since I need to be able to hear cars coming down the two lane road. Traffic is really light to begin with and everyone still seems to be asleep on a snowy holiday morning. But to play it safe, no earbuds for me. The dogs are awake and several come and greet me as I run by their yards. I wonder what they are saying: "Hey, how far are you going today?" I wonder if they are mocking my out-of-sync Garmin.

I hit 45 mins and see that I am estimated to have traveled 3 miles. That doesnt seem right, but it was hilly and I did enjoy a couple walk breaks. I decide to turn around and conclude that a 90 min run sounds pretty good. Besides, it's warm inside and the TV probably misses me. As I head back the same way I came, the miles seem to fly by. But that is always the case. I climb up what was downhills on the way in and see the same dogs who greet me with the same demeanor. "Hey, have you figured out how far you've gone yet?" Nope, still not working. Beep. Now my Garmin AND the dogs are mocking me. I snap a few photos on the way back since it isnt very often I get to run near snow.


As I reach the house, my Garmin reads almost 7 miles which makes complete sense on an out and back where I turned around at mile 3. Dogs 1, Me 0. I stayed pretty warm the whole way, legs felt strong. I would have liked to have logged more miles and got in more time on the road, but getting up and out on a snowy morning was half the battle... so half the distance seemed appropriate.

Runner Cards

I heard on the radio that moms are starting to (or have been for some time) carrying "Mom Cards." Essentially it is a business card that has all vital information pertaining to their child that a mom might want to hand out. For example one might say: Kara Goucher, Colt's Mom. It would have information such as Kara's phone, cell, e-mail address or any contact information she might want to share with another person. It can be useful if you want to arrange a play-date or meet another mom at the park that you would like to see again.

Mom's can also take it a step further by including information about allergies or emergency contacts. The radio hosts were making the case that this can be handy if you happen to run into another mother and are in a rush and don't have time to exchange information on the spot. Boom! Here is my Mom card, let's hang out. Also could be used for sleep-overs, birthday parties, car pool, etc.

Soooo, being the runner that I am, I started to think: "Could this be useful for us, as a running community?" Many times when I'm out running, I see other runners and think, maybe we are running the same distance. Looks like we are running the same pace, in the same location, why not run together? I've chatted with other runners at stop lights or intersections and had pleasant conversations. Boom! Here's my runner card.

Haha. Ok, no one would want to carry a business card for miles. First, it would get all sweaty and often times the pockets are being used for keys, gu, etc. But, it could be pretty fun. It could have extremely important information such as: pace, location preference (trails, parks, roads), iPod, no iPod, desired running times (a.m. vs. p.m.), favorite Gatorade flavor, potty intervals... who knows? We are a picky bunch, we might have to use both sides.

Note: it could come in handy when you run by an attractive runner. I know I'm not the only one that corrects their form and picks up the pace when a cutie runs by. And I run in a group, so I've seen it happen whether it be male or female.

Ode to the Hare

With today being the celebration of Chinese New Year and the beginning of the year of the Hare, I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of our famous furry friends.
The Hare
From Aesop's Fables, the hare is critical of a slow-moving tortoise who then challenges him to a race. With the hare being well ahead in the race and confident of his soon-to-be-victory, he decides to take a nap. The tortoise moving slow and steady, takes the lead and wins the race. Possibly the most famous hare in history, we give kudos to his impressive first split... not so much on the second.

Roger Rabbit
My favorite and the one I grew up watching a million times on VHS. Roger, a toon star, exists in a world where toons and humans live side-by-side. P.I. Eddie Valiant is hired to investigate Roger's wife, Jessica, playing patty-cake with gag king Marvin Acme. When Marvin shows up dead, Roger is the lead suspect. Hilarity ensues. I love this movie. From Baby Herman, to Christopher Lloyd as Judge Doom, it is a great film.


Bugs Bunny
Rabbit Season, Duck Season, Rabbit season, Duck Season, Duck Season. An iconic Looney Tunes (and Merrie Melodies) character with his catchphrase "Eh... what's up doc?" has been a part of American culture for over 50 years. And just an FYI, if you are ever lost, you probably "shoulda taken that left turn at Albuqueque."

Energizer Bunny
Keeps going, and going, and going. I don't know why he is always playing that drum, but pink has never looked so fashionable paired with sunglasses. As endurance runners, we are thankful for his oh so catchy mantra.


Thumper
One of the more famous side characters from Disney's animated film Bambi, he is known for thumping his left hind foot. From calling Bambi "kinda wobbly" to his all important lesson "if you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all," Thumper will always put a smile on our faces, even in a very sad film such as Bambi. 

Honorable mentions

the Easter Bunny, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland's the White Rabbit and the silver rabbit from Donnie Darko.


Kung hei fat choy.