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!