Super Easy Run, Gutierrez/Garden/Beach Loop

I have raised $1615 of my $1950 goal. Please support me and Donate Today!

Time: 5:30pm, approx 35 minutes
Distance: 3.25 miles
Meal: Panino Chicken Curry Salad (yum, yumisiss...)

OK, I know I was cleared only for walking, hiking and biking but I really needed to jog! I tried walking...really I did. I couldn't help myself. I need movement, an elevated heartbeat...SWEAT! I ended up jogging pretty much the whole time, but trying real hard to keep it at a 10:30-11:00 pace (as opposed to my usual 8:30).

OK, so I know the coaches said not to try anything new this week (right before the race), but the only way I could control my pace (keeping it slow) was to try out landing on the balls of my feet (a running technique I've been kind of learning about lately). Please don't tell coaches Neal and Nicole (are you reading this??) :-) Anyway, it's a really challenging calf workout, but I can kind of see how it can improve efficiency. Once I'm feeling stronger (i.e. my rib heals a bit more) I'd like to seek some more professional training on how I can improve my running technique.

So I jogged and tried new things - shame on me - but the good thing is that I feel good. My rib was a little tender for a couple of hours after but not anywhere near the doubled-over, excruciating pain of a couple of weeks ago.

My hopes remain high for a sub 2 hour finish on Sunday...shooting for sub 1:55:00.

Hike, San Ysidro Trail to the Waterfall

I have raised $1615 of my $1950 goal. Please support me and Donate Today!

Time: 6:00pm, approx 2 hours
Distance: 3.5 miles
Meal: Spoonful of peanut butter and some nuts

Still nursing my rib injury, but hiking seemed like a safe enough activity. It was great (and felt SOOO good to get my heartbeat up again). At one point, however, I tripped on a rock and the impact of catching myself on my left foot jarred my rib a bit. I am really concerned about delaying the healing process, but I also don't want to be overly protective of the injury.

I still have high hopes for being able to RUN during the race on Sunday. But I also need to mentally prepare for the possibility that I may just be walking across that finish line.

Training Update

This morning I realized I hadn't posted any updates since August 9th. Boy, was that a busy month or what?! I went back in and added the workout data from my Garmin, but thought I'd do a whole separate update on where things are as of today.

First, I've raised $1260 of my $1950 goal, all supporting Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the fight against blood cancers. Thanks to all who have donated! It's not too late to jump on that bandwagon. Click here to make a donation. Your support, either morally or financially, is greatly appreciated.

The Disneyland Half Marathon is this Sunday, September 5! I can't believe how fast the time flies.

My body is more than conditioned for this race. Training was going so well (new nickname - "speed demon"), that I registered for the Santa Barbara International FULL Marathon on November 6th. I've exceeded the half marathon distance three times during my training...getting as high as 17 miles in one run.

However, after a spill on my mountain bike early last month, I suffered an injury to my lower left rib. I nursed it for a couple of days, and the pain went completely away. Unfortunately, it came back with a vengeance during my Long Run on Saturday, 9/21. I ran 15 of my planned 17 miles an the coaches pulled me off the course...I was practically doubling over in pain.

Since then, I haven't been able to do much. I have to say, when you're used to getting so many miles under you in a given week, instantly switching to sedentary is a total shock to the system. It's been difficult not to move, and the lack of motion really frustrated me for a while. I keep reminding myself that this time of quiet is necessary for preparing and healing me for Sunday, and I'm hopeful and optimistic now that I can walk and ride my bike without any pain.

So, I am excited about Sunday...ready to kill my personal record (previously 2:02...anticipating under 1:55). But I'm nervous about the rib flaring up again. Worst case, I'll walk to the finish line in Disneyland...and I still have 2 months of healing before the Santa Barbara Full.

Once again, thanks so much for your support. I'll let y'all know how the race goes!

Walk, Cabrillo Bike Path

Coached Training, Walking

Long Run, Crane School to Mesa to Biltmore

Easy Run, Gutierrez/State/Beach Loop