Running the Lake... Sunday

I am going running tomorrow morning. Looks like on my own, since I haven't heard from anyone. I am thinking about going around twice. Then I can eat a cookie or two without feeling so guilty.
Also, we are changing the workout for Sunday 12/21. There is a run in SF to benefit the SF Food Bank in Golden Gate Park that Meave, Vinay and I have been planning to run. Maybe you would like to join us?
Happy training!

Back on Track!

Hi everyone,
We are going to get back out there and train!! Becca, and I (with doggies in tow) went on an hour run on Sunday. Maeve did a slightly shorter run. Good work girls!
Other great news is that Becca is moving to Oakland on December 20! YAY!! So happy to have you on this side of the hill!
With that being said, it will be easier to schedule all of our runs closer to Oakland.
I am hoping people will be up for some weekend runs around the Bay and possibly some evening runs around Lake Merritt. Although it's dark, it feels pretty safe when you have a few people out there with you. Safety in numbers as they say.
So, while you are gearing up to celebrate the holidays, think about getting out there for a bit of exercise too. Then you can eat with less guilt!
I will be back on www.aimtotrain.blogspot.com to post the coming schedule. Check it out!!
Happy training!
Elisabeth

Maeve's First 5K!!!

I just have to tell you all how proud I am of Maeve! (See us in the photos! Don't we look great in our spandex? Oh, yes, I cut my hair off too!) She started running a few short months ago and now she is running 5Ks! We signed up for Run Wild for a Child when she first started running so she would have a goal to work toward. On 11/30/08 Maeve, Vinay, and I drove over to San Francisco at the break of dawn for Maeve's first race. Vinay and I also joined in the race. We could have done a 10K, but we needed to make sure someone was at the finish to see Maeve win! So we also both did the 5K. After a quick warm up jog and a pee in a beautiful redwood grove, we lingered at the starting area. Vinay took off ahead of us. Maeve and I started slowly together, crossing over the start line about 1:25 after the official start. It was a crazy mob scene. There were people everywhere and lots of walkers. I would definitely get closer up next time so as not to get stuck behind a bunch of walkers. Eventually I hit a good pace and left Maeve a little bit behind me. Maeve looked good, solid, and happy. We ran up JFK and out to the Pan Handle, down Fell Street over one block and back up Oak Street. On the way down Fell, we started seeing the first 10K runners who basically sprint the entire race; first men and then the first woman. It is always really exciting to see them and I really love runs that have courses that allow the crossover. I was hitting Fell at a good clip but knew that Oak was going to be more difficult as it is a slight uphill grade. Also, I get psyched out over long straight stretches. But, I kept a good pace and didn't let too many people pass me. There were a few who I could tell I was going to pass at the end. 5K passes very quickly. On the way back down JFK I saw Vinay walking, apparently looking for Maeve. He finished in just 25:35! He is also getting faster and faster. Then I passed the starting area which was a bit weird since the finish is actually around the corner! Darn. Also, it is a bit hard to know where to really kick it in if you don't know exactly where the final chutes are because you don't want to tire yourself out too much before you get there! I did pass the few women I had picked out to beat across the finish line. My official time was 34:59. But factoring in the later start, my time was actually 33:34. This puts me under 11 minutes per mile!! Very exciting. My goal was 11 minute miles.
After crossing I got some water and went to watch for Maeve. She came in strong at an official 41:54. Her actual time was 40:29!! Great job! And I see Maeve getting much faster and more comfortable as she continues training. We are signing up for a 5K on 12/21 just before Christmas to benefit the SF Food Bank. It is so exciting to see her progress. And I also love having a workout partner, my ulterior motives for getting her into running! Thanks Maeve!

Back in the Game!

Today I did a short race in San Francisco to benefit the SF Food Bank. It was a 1 mile (Miracle Mile) race and then a 5k run. I finished the Miracle Mile in 9:45 which is the fastest I have ever run a mile. And, I think with a bit of prep I could have done it even faster. It was a little hard because it starts on a bit of a hill and it took me a minute to catch my breath. But I could have started sprinting to the finish well before I actually did. Although I have to say, my chest and lungs were killing me at the end of that measly little mile!
Maeve and Vinay were with me. Maeve has been under the weather so she was just there for support. Vinay did a 6:50 Miracle Mile. WOW.
Then in about a half an hour later we did the 5k. I ran into a bunch of friends from See Jane Run and Donna who I work with at AC. It was really nice to see them. I decided to do the 5k really slowly so I could hang out with Donna for a while. Her goal was to do it in under 44 minutes. I didn't really set a goal, but ended up doing it in just over 40 minutes. I was running with Donna for the 4k at least and then ran ahead at some point.
It was fun to get back into it and I am looking forward to next weekend! We are running in SF again, Run Wild for a Child. I think there is a link on the blog if you are interesting in joining us. It is a 5k or a 10k and a costume (of your favorite childhood toy) contest as well. I am debating running the 10k. It seems so long :-)

What Do I Do With Myself Now?

The pain is gone. I only have a 10k to train for. What shall I ever do with myself?!
Go to Mexico of course! I am leaving on Tuesday evening. I am bringing my running shoes, in case you were wondering. I would like to do some running down there, but I know I will feel strange. Only tourists run in Mexico. I am sure I will get some looks. That is okay though. I am already feeling antsy, having not done much of anything since Sunday. I would have gone running yesterday, but I got some really nasty blisters from a new pair of shoes. Bummer.
Oh, and did I mention I will be turning 41 soon?!! Wow. Times flies. I feel like I just had my 40th birthday party a couple months ago! The running and training can only get better with age, like a good wine!

I HEART PAIN

There is a painting in Cody's studio made by a kid for him which says, "I heart pain." That is exactly how I am feeling right now. Every time I go down some stairs or get up out of a chair, my legs cry out in pain. And I love it. It reminds me that I am alive, that I just ran 13.1 miles two days ago, that I am able to run, walk, sit, stand and feel pain. I have such gratitude for these simple pleasures. Love the pain. Getting ready for some more running!

Official Times

Well, the official times are posted!
The link is listed on the right side of the blog, so you can see the results yourself.
My official time was 2:41:31. I did an average of 12:19 per mile. This is where I wanted to be. With plenty of room for improvement over the next year. Those hills are really a killer.
The splits show that in the first 5k I did 11:31/mile. And I got slower as the race went on. Funny how that works, seeing as I got more and more tired AND the hills started getting crazy at about mile 7.
I am getting excited for the next runs I have scheduled:
Run Wild for a Child in SF (see links) and another race TBA in December.
Come join Maeve for her first race!!

FINISHER!!! Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon!!!

October 19th, 7 am.
Although I can't check the official results for a few days, unofficially I did about 12.5 minute miles!!
I am so happy! Happy to have it behind me, happy I finished, just happy all around. It was a really fun race. The weather was perfect - cold and cloudy. For the first 6 to 7 miles my neighbor, Winnie, and I ran together. She was a trooper. And we did between 10 and 11 minute miles. I will know better when I can see the results which have quite a few splits recorded as well. At some point I passed her on a hill. I was really focused on finishing in under 3 hours. The hills on the course are a bitch. Well, duh. San Francisco, what do you expect?
I was really craving seeing my friends and thought I might have missed them when I passed mile 9 and hadn't seen them yet. But, there they were... very close to where my grandparents lived on 36th Ave. I was so happy to see them. And Vinay joined me for the last 4 miles. Before I reached mile 11, but a bit after 10, I really hit a wall (as they call it). I was really starting to hurt and it seemed hard to breath. I felt like the littlest effort was making me hyperventilate. At mile 13 Vinay split off and I took off for the run into the chutes. It was very exciting. So exciting, actually, that I totally forgot to turn off my stop watch. But, I believe I made it at about 2:40 or so. And I got the "medal" handed to me by a really nice looking fireman in a tux - a Tiffany necklace - well worth the pain and suffering!
Thanks everyone who supported me! I am looking forward to next year. Hopefully some of you will join me next time.
Love, Elisabeth

RACE DAY DETAILS

I have just posted the "Race Day Details" from Nike.
Check it out. It looks like it is going to be a great day!
I am really looking forward to the hot firemen with my Tiffany necklace!
See you out there!

Hungrier than Hungry

Ok, there is that time of month and then there is THAT time of month. You know?! I am so darn hungry it is out of control. I want to eat everything in sight and then some. I just cleaned out a bag of popcorn in about 10 minutes. I guess this is due to hormones, but I think there is part due to the anxiety about Sunday. EEK.

Less than a WEEK!!

Well, I am less than a week away from the Nike 1/2 Marathon in SF! It is happening on Sunday 10/19 at 7am! EEK. But really, I am as ready as I am going to be this time around. I feel pretty good about it and all the training that I have done.

My goal is to run 12 minute miles on average and finish the race in about 2.5 hours. This will be a significant improvement over the last times I ran this race. So, send out good vibes for me on Sunday morning, 10/19. Or even better...

Come see me out there on the course! A link to a map of the course is at the top of the Links section on the right side of the blog. Check it out and hopefully you can pick a place to see me run by and cheer at me! But I probably won't stop to hug you...even though I will want to... I have to keep going if I want to reach my goal (2.5 hrs)...The last two times I have done this race I have gone alone and done it completely alone, so it is a new experience having so many supporters... and I really like it!

Thank you all so much for your support!

I have to put a specific shout out to CODY who has been the best trainer ever! I could never have gotten to this point, both physically and psychologically, without him. A link to his website is also in the list of links. Check it out. He is the best!

Feeling Faint and Frustrated

Well, I have been running the last two evenings at Lake Merritt. Both times I had to walk a bit because I felt a bit faint toward the end of the run. I don't really know why. It isn't like I haven't been eating. I even took a Gu before going out tonight. I think I lasted longer before stopping to walk than last night, but still didn't make it all the way around without stopping. I am wondering if getting my period has anything to do with it. Also, I am worried. If I can't even make it 3 miles, how the hell am I going to do 13?!? Yikes. Well, my period should be over by then. I plan to do a longish run over the weekend. So, I will have to see how that goes. I plan to take water and at least one extra Gu with me. If anyone has any advice or comments, I would love to hear what you know, think, etc. Thanks.

Spur of the moment 12k - Bridge to Bridge Run

Well, I am currently recovering from my 12k (7.46 miles) run this morning. It was good training for the Nike in two weeks (eek.. two weeks!!). So, I wasn't planning to do this run until Thursday I think. I was driving home from work and heard an ad for the Bridge to Bridge, to support the Special Olympics. I thought, "what a perfect training run." Unfortunately Becca wasn't able to join me, but I was joined by Vinay (who ran past me in the first mile) and Maeve and Caroline who were perfect cheerleaders.

We arrived at about 8am to register, drink copious amounts of water, use the port-a -potty, and stretch before the race.

Ok, so don't ever underestimate the joy of a good poop before taking off on a long run. Really it is essential and if you can't go, it can really screw things up out there! Lucky for me I have been eating lots of green veggies and good fiber which passes through very well. Actually, I had a beautiful, very healthy dinner at Allyssa & Andy's last night and it was a perfect pre-race meal with a balance of carbs and protein. And I controlled myself with the wine.

I drank a ton of water. I had to pee a couple times before we started and I had to pee the first 4 miles of the race. This is probably not the best tactic. It's good to hydrate the entire week before a race and some in the morning of. But, I think in the future I will bring my water bottle as I have been during training. Today I thought I would try something new: a race belt with a pocket for gels and my phone and two little bottles for water, gel or sport drink. I used the later. This wasn't a good plan, so it's good I tested it out. It was bouncing around too much which was really bugging me. Also, I was really thirsty (Did I mention how freakin' hot it was out there?! It was blazing which must have something to do with how thirsty I got.) and the sport drink wasn't cutting it. I was also unable to eat a gel or shot block because I didn't have enough water to wash it down. At the Nike I will bring my hand held water bottle with water only and try to go pee right before the start.

VInay and I took the time to stretch and warm up with the group before the start. It is always good to do and I am delinquent during most of my training runs. I am glad I took the time. I need to remember to stretch and warm up a bit in 2 weeks.

The route was good and flat: along the Embarcadero at the Bay Bridge, through Fisherman's Warf, Aquatic Park, up a short steep hill that comes out just above Fort Mason, then along the Marina and out almost to the edge of the water and finally up to the Golden Gate Bridge. Then the course tracks back to a street right by the Sports Basement and up, up, up a hill to the finish line. The last hills were killer. I would have been happier if I had known ahead of time exactly how far it was going to be to the finish line. At one point I thought I was almost there and then the course turned and I actually had another 70 yards or so to go. Once I was finally in the chutes at the finish line I was behind a bunch of people who suddenly stopped. I wanted to really run across the finish line, but they were definitely in my way.

The clock read 1:32:08 when I crossed the finish line. That makes my pace about 12:20 minutes per mile. If I subtract the 4 minutes I spent in the bathroom, it would have been 11:48/mile. I was happy with that pace. I was working toward a 12 minute mile or less, so I pretty much hit it. Now, the trick is to be able to do something similar in two weeks... with an added 6 miles!! I am feeling confident.

Thanks everyone for all of your incredible support! I really appreciate it!
HAPPY TRAINING!

Santa Cruz Mermaid Triathlon

Well, first I have to publicly thank Maeve for supporting me on Sunday before, during and after my race. She was a perfect assistant!! I really couldn't have done it without her. Secondly, I would like to thank all of you who worked out with me over the last few months... I may not have even made it to the race had it not been for the group workouts. Thank you!!

It was perfect weather for a triathlon: foggy and a bit chilly. There was no chance of overheating. Maeve and I got up by 5am and left the hotel by just before 6am. We arrived at the Seacliff State Beach just after 6am and started setting up my transition area. It was a little difficult to do in the dark! Note to self: bring a headlamp next time. Once my transition area was set, we had some time to walk the transition areas and check out all of the places where I would be coming in and out of transitions. Then of course I had to make the ritual trip to the outhouse. Success! This is extremely important and can really make a big difference in a race. Next it was time to wriggle, pull, grunt, and squeeze my way into my wetsuit. After much lingering and trying to shake off the pre-race anxiety, it was time to descend to the beach (down the 180 steps that I would later be climbing after my swim). I took a pre-race plunge for a quick warm up. While I was acclimating, 4 seals swam by to say hello. I felt that it was the perfect, fortuitous sign of a great race to come.
The swim is a 1/4 mile counterclockwise tour around a pier that has a sinking ship parked at the end of it. The water was fairly calm with no real waves. I felt pretty strong and came out of the water 16:28 minutes later, 12 seconds slower than in 2006. The run along the beach was a bit longer because we did the swim clockwise which put the finish farther away from the stairs. It took me 3:47 to get up the stairs and on my bike, this is about half the time it took me in 2006; a significant improvement.

The bike ride is an 11 mile loop through the town Aptos, CA. There are two major hills, one on the way out and one on the way back. I made it up both of them! I felt that I could have pushed harder during some parts of the ride, but at the time I did what I did coming in at 54:35, about 10 minutes slower than before.

And finally, the run... the part I was most looking forward to strangely enough... it having been the hardest part of all my previous triathlons. I ran almost every step of the 2.5 miles. I walked a minute after the first water stop, didn't stop for the second one and walked a little bit of the hill up to the finish line. I completed the 2.5 mile run in 28:39... a whopping 7 minutes faster than two years ago! That is an 11.27 minute mile as opposed to 14:04!

So, indeed, I placed 2nd in my division. I was completely shocked. Ironically, my race time was actually 2 minutes slower than it was 2 years ago when I competed. So, I figure if I gave more attention to the biking and swimming next year I could really shave off some time. That will be a goal in the coming year.

For now, I will be focusing on the running and increasing the mileage significantly over the next few weeks. I have very little time left, but I think I can work in at least a couple of good long runs.

I would love to see all or any of you out on the Nike Marathon run course. I will add a link so you can check out the map of the course and figure out a good place to cheer me on. Of course I would also love for you to see me crossing the finish line!

Congrats!!!

I just wanted to congratulate Elisabeth for completing yet another triathlon on Sunday in Santa Cruz! Not only did she complete it, but she came in 2nd in her division! She totally dominated the race! I was lucky enough to get to be there to support her, and I was truly inspired watching her cross that finish line.

I can't wait to watch you cross the finish line in your 1/2 marathon next month, and I'm almost sorta looking forward to running my first race in a couple of months!

Getting Out There - Share

Hey there my friends!
It was a rough week but I am almost through it. Jeeze. My cycle was extra harsh this month. That makes everything suck the energy out of me. So tired all the time. Funny how exercise REALLY helps turn that all around for me. If I am feeling really crappy, a bit of exertion really gets my mind off whatever is bugging, hurting, etc. It works every time. On the other hand, the hunger I feel during this time of the month is extreme. It seems there is nothing I can do to fill myself up and feel satisfied. This is a struggle, especially when I am trying really hard to lose some weight again.
Also, I have been so incredibly tired. It is hard to even lift my head from the pillow to hit the snooze button. And as I am writing this I am falling asleep....

Training Schedule Updates!!

Hey ladies!
Please make note, I have changed a few of the training - times and places.
Tomorrow we will be going to Sibley. It is just off Skyline on the north side where Tunnel Road and Skyline come together. We'll be meeting up there at 6:30pm. There are some nice trails up there, with some rolling hills.
See you soon!
Happy training!
e

One ton shoes

Why does it seem like my running shoes weigh a ton? Although my body feels better, my mind clearer, and my outlook brighter when I am jogging on a regular basis, why is it that when I go to put on my sports bra, it is stuck to my drawer, unable to be lifted out? When I go to get my shoes out from under my bed, they are too heavy to lift? It doesn't make sense. But it does, in a sense. It has become so much more difficult for me to initiate self-care since becoming a mother. Part of the incentive to get in shape is compromised by the fact that I am no longer in the dating pool, thus do not actually have to look hot in order to attract the male species. Part of my incentive is also compromised by a lack of time: by the time I get home from work, I do not want to leave my one year old again to go for a jog. I ordered a jogging stroller, and noticed to my dismay after putting it together, that it was broken in one area. Now I have to send it back and wait another couple of weeks for the replacement to arrive. Ugh!

But all of these explanations do not offer me solace or lighten my spirits when I go to put on a pair of underware and the elastic cuts into my hips, or I try to put on an old bra, and my surplus boob fat swims over the sides of the material. Let me take this moment to remind myself that in addition to being a mother, I am also a woman. That although I am no longer in the market, I still want to look hot for me (not to mention my husband). And that although every moment away from my little one is a moment missed, I have an opportunity, but more importantly, an obligation, to set an example for her about basic self-care and self-love. Someday she'll be a woman, and I hope by then, her running shoes will be a little lighter than my own.

See you next time you are in Danville!

Train With A Focus

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to Elisabeth for inviting me to post. I'll not usurp the blog - just try to add some seasoning to the process.

Let's look at form...

One's form is obviously critical to the 'ease' of one's running. Keeping track of the form elements while fatigued however, is challenging. 

One tip that I'd like to recommend you experiment with is to have one key focus (or foci is it?) per training run.

On your next run for example, try placing your attention primarily on your 'kick'. That flick with the hamstrings that propels you~~~of course your attention will wander to your speed, an ache or the scenery - but bring it back to your kick.

I do not mean to exaggerate your kick (as if you were sprinting), just to bring your attention to that critical motion and see how it goes. 

Leave comments if you like.

The video below is an exercise called 'butt kickers'. It's a good warm up/excitation of the hamstrings and is good in general but works especially well when you're focusing on the work of the hamstrings.

Good Training.

Cody Fielding

Punchy

Well, looks like I may be in for another insomniac night. Last night I was up until 3:30 am. And I should have been in bed at least 50 minutes ago! Really doesn't work to not sleep when you are trying to train. Although I probably needed a little break. I was really proud of myself... Sunday I did 7 miles!! That is the longest run I have done in a very long time. Then Monday night I did a 3 mile run around Lake Merritt in 32.26 minutes. That is a record for me! Usually it takes quite a bit longer than that. It's not exact because I didn't start my watch until I had already started and I walked a little at the beginning. On the other hand, if the lake is really 3.4 miles around, as the website says it is, then I probably actually did a little more than 3 miles while on the timer. I walked only once for 2 minutes. I may take two watches next time and see if they give me the same result.
Anyway, it felt really good to get out there. And I really like running Lake Merritt because it is so familiar and I have done it so many times. It makes it easier to judge how well I am doing in terms of not walking, timing, etc. I am looking forward to being out there tomorrow evening.
Tonight I had big plans to go swimming or biking near Lake Temescal. As it turned out I was way too tired for either one, having been up all night long. So, I went for a walk with Maeve, Charlie and Ruby. It was very pleasant and I still worked up a little sweat. Sometimes you just need to rest. They call it "Active Recovery."

Your Posts

You should have received an email inviting you to post onto OUR blog. I also invited my trainer, Cody from Empowered Health to post if he is so inclined...
Welcome everyone! Take control of your training and your health for that matter!
Happy training! See you at Lake Temescal tomorrow evening.

Aim to Train Girls!

Here is our new blog. I will post workout schedules here, links to locations and their directions, photos (now there's a concept), and whatever else makes sense. I will post blogs about my personal training. And you can post comments on how your training is going.

So, here is our current training schedule through this week...

Tuesday 8/19 6:45pm Lake Temescal swim
Wednesday 8/20 5:45pm Lake Merritt

I will return to the Bay Area around 9/1, Labor Day, and resume a training schedule on Tuesday 9/2.