Counting down

The clock is ticking down to my "race".  I am starting to feel a little nervous - silly really as I've run it before it's just the thought of all those people is freaky.  There are 200 men and women in my 10k. Case says I will be more prepared than most (that is why I love Case, he is good for my confidence) - I don't much care about where I place so much as I run well (okay I am not keen to come in last either).  Nerves are supposed to be good; hrumpf really?  I guess they only hit me when I think about it so maybe the answer is to not think about it and just remember to turn up on the day!

Wilder Ranch and breaking the 9min mile

I had the sweetest thing happen on my run today.  I went to do a 7 miler through Wilder Ranch (which is this lovely State Park that offers expansive views of the ocean, grassy meadows and winding trail runs through the trees).  I was literally trudging up a rather steep incline when a guy on a bike comes flying down the hill, big grin, puts out his hand and we high five on his way through.  Way cool and completely inspirational. So glad as I was going to turn around but kept going and discovered the most delightful track.  Then as I hit the end of the downhill I look across to a trail nearby to a woman on a mountain bike grinning at me - we'd met in the carpark way back when i.e. before I'd run 5miles and she'd biked I don't know how many - sweet interactions with folk!  

Best achievement of the week.  I did my standard 3.8 miler and hit 8:49min miles.  This is amazing because when I first started that run it took me over an hour, now I can do it in a little over 34mins....wow.  

Seriously....

Case has found new forms of torture....all in the name of my health.  Yep today I worked out in a weight vest.  As he dropped 12 pounds on me I had flash backs to the Army days and the body armour we wore in Bosnia...seriously. We then proceeded to run through a series of exercises just like the good 'ole days, only this time carrying all the weight I have lost then some.  Is it too weird to admit that at the end I felt kinda proud of myself for surviving it.  I am going to be so sore tomorrow!

Truck'n on

I guess I've gained some confidence that this running thing is going to last....I've entered into two more races including my first half marathon.  The half isn't until July but Case hinted at thinking I could do one in February (yikes, that doesn't seem far away).  Today I ran 7.5 miles, add another 5.6 and I've got my half.  Easy to type I am thinking.  Funny too, ended up chatting with my hairdresser about running and nutrition.  Turns out she volunteers as a marathon charity trainer, she is currently training folk for the Hawaii Marathon, which is my fall back if I don't get into NY. This whole running thing is changing my world.

Kill'n it

Okay so while it might appear I am obsessed with animated characters that shake their butts (Percy was a little creepy).....boogie bunny does pretty much capture how I'm feeling. Just ran a trial run of the trail run - killed it! Actually I ran a little more than the run itself (yes, yes, I got a little geographically challenged). Whatever, assuming I can hold it all together I might actually be able to complete the run in under an hour (although I think that's a stretch.....). The run up wasn't as hideous as I thought it was going to be so I think I can run faster on some sections. Woohoo!
Of course I did have the previous weeks run in Nisene Marks Park to compare it to. OMG, that really did prove to be a trail - single lane, tree roots, river beds, up and up - did have me appreciate all the work Case has done on getting my core strength up!