Embracing the California Side and ALL the Challenges

Newsflash - Still pregnant.  Still ready to not be. If he's anything like me, this kid is going to wait until his actual due date on Sunday to complete his first race.  In order to take my mind off it, let's talk about why I am excited to get my body back.

This year especially, I am very motivated to get back to racing. Having a 6 mo. break will do that for you.  When I originally thought about what I'd like my 2016 racing calendar to look like, I had three goals:
1.  Get myself back to marathon shape by the end of 2016 (10 months post baby)
2.  Run multiple half marathons, maybe some 10K's and only 1 marathon (as to not burnout a'la 2014)
3.  To run more races in California.  Although my co-workers kindly (I think) refer to me as a true Califoregonian, it's time to embrace the CA side of the equation.  I've lived in the bay area for almost four years now and I love it.  Northern CA has so much to offer, especially in terms of amazing races so I don't need to spend every extra $ I have flying up to OR to get my endurance fix on.

With those three goals in mind, The San Francisco Marathon was my first stop.  I've been wanting to run this race for all three years I've been in the city but it's always conflicted with previous trips.  This year was going to be different.  I made the commitment in November and blocked it on my calendar. Tritreats and I have been talking about doing the Half It All Challenge for years so 2016 is gonna be the year I kicked it off.  Because I am type-A, naturally I'll run the first half in 2016 and the second in 2017.  I'd love to do the full but 5 months post baby seemed a bit aggressive.  I've heard nothing but amazing things about this race from the November Project crew and everyone else I know who's ran it. I can personally vouch for how amazing the city is, something those attending the Superbowl festivities this week are finding out first hand.  70+ degrees in February and crystal clear? Yes please!

With CIM in mind as my end of year marathon, I knew I wanted one more local half to work into training.  In December MFR and I made a VERY rash/last min decision to buy a house and move to Berkeley - all of which happened in 14 days.  Could we be more of a cliche?  They say not to make big life decisions in your third trimester - whoops!  Pregnancy can cause you to do crazy things. Without even realizing it was happening,  as of January 2nd I became an East Bay'er.  When I came to, my first course of action was to immediately start researching local running groups and races. Childcare and all that boring stuff can wait.

I found the Berkeley Half on November 20th.  What better way to ingrain myself in a community? Plus it starts less than a mile from my new home and works with the CIM training schedule.  And any race that is the Sunday before Thanksgiving - the week where I inhale ALL the food and drinks - has my vote.  Since I've lived in Berkeley for over four whole weeks now, I am pretty much an expert and can tell you that this is an awesome running town.  There are runners EVERYWHERE.  The course looks like it covers the best parts of Berkeley plus some added views of the Bay so it was a done deal.  After that decision was already made, this magical unicorn appeared:

I love challenges, whether it's completing all 12 legs of Hood To Coast, drinking all the top IPA's, or traveling to all 50 states.  Like most endurance addicts, the bigger the challenge the better.  Anything to make me run further and faster.  It starts with an innocent sprint triathlon and before you know it you've spent thousands on gear and have an Ironman on your calendar.  I do better when I have a carrot to chase so add some checkpoints and some extra bling and I am there.  I ve run many a races because of they are part of a challenge and I've never been disappointed.  I've done the Beach Cities Challenge,  multiple Rock N' Roll challenges and all the ones I make up myself.

If you live in the Bay Area or are looking for an excuse to visit, I highly recommend signing up for the SF/Berkeley challenge.  Two great cities, two great courses, three great medals and you can pick your poison for running lengths.  If you're an avid runner, join me in the half marathon distance, if you're just getting started there is a 5K option at both races or mix and match as you see fit.  Put those resolutions to work before they fall apart on Sunday with Superbowl snacks.  Need added incentive?You can use the below discount codes to sign up for the SF Marathon to get you started;

Add in a December marathon to round it all out, and I've got one hell of a California race year to look forward to. Now I just need to make it through this labor thing:)

Ready To Be Done

Well it's week 39+, I am still pregnant and finally getting to the point where I am ready to not be. I was not mentally there the last few weeks because we had so much to do around the new house, work etc... I've had it pretty good for nine months when you compare it to the horror stories out there. I wasn't really sick, I had decent energy.  I did want to eat EVERYTHING and sleep constantly but I think that's 99.9% of pregnancies.  The thought of having a baby was 100% scarier then still being pregnant.

In the last week that has changed. It's gotten uncomfortable and I am ready to have my body back to do things other than grow and maintain a human.  Lauren Fleshman sums it up pretty well in her How I am Doing, Really post before she gave birth.  I would add to those complaints, just the intense amount of pressure and feeling that my stomach is still stretching even though it clearly is maxed out, being out of breath always and that I am down to one outfit that fits.  I refuse to buy anything at this point because I should at least be a little smaller within a week. So no I am not spending more money on clothes that could fit John Goodman.  Not gonna do it.  Remind me of this bitching when I have a crying newborn and haven't slept.

Considering it's a Monday and it's February 1st, all I want to do is plan a month of workouts and get moving.  I have to constantly remind myself that although I may not be pregnant in a few days, I will not be running 5 miles or busting out a bootcamp class anytime soon either.  Apparently there is this whole healing thing I have to get through.  I did jot down a few goals for the week just to bring my overactive brain some normalcy:

• Do some easy 5lb weights and walk 10,000 steps daily - until I can't b/c I am in labor:)
• No sweets - the ice cream cravings have been out of control lately so in an attempt to not give my son diabetes in the final week, I'd like to kick that habit
• Get my thank you cards done 

These will also give me something to concentrate on other than "am I going into labor" and obsessing over work details while preparing others to cover me during my maternity leave.  In the spirit of obsessing about working out in six weeks, I've already tweaked my schedule a bit to include a local run club to help ingrain myself in the Berkeley running community:

Monday: Speedwork or Barry's

Tuesday: Spin/Barre/Yoga

Wednesday: Run Club 6:00pm

Thursday: Spin/Barre/Yoga

Friday: Spin/Barre/Yoga

Saturday: Long Run
Sunday:  Rest

The plan is to get one more post up this week about the San Francisco Marathon/Berkeley Challenge and why I am so pumped to run it!  Let the countdown begin.  In the meantime, I'll leave you with this because I am beyond excited for Feb. 13th!   Maybe I'll be in labor and these ladies will be my inspiration to woman up:

2015 In Review & 2016 Goals

This years review is a little different.  I had a great year but unlike others, I didn't race, I didn't travel the world, I didn't blog and I didn't have race goals.  I did reset.  Although I've spent over 7 months of this year pregnant, I feel relaxed, refreshed and ready to start-up again.  I am content where I am at with my life and very excited for the next chapter.  Professionally my  career is challenging and engaging.  Personally I am excited to have moved into a new house in Berkeley in January and welcome our son in February.  And athletically I am excited to race again and find out what this new-runner looks like post baby.  I am sure it will be completely different, 100% more challenging both physically and mentally, but I am looking forward to it.  I've always had the most success when my life is packed to the brim and I don't have a moment to second guess anything. I think an infant, new (very old) house + a full time job should do the trick.

2015 was a different year of goals and experiences.  I created a human..congrats I am a mammal.  I did some serious US travel, mostly for work but some for fun.  Here it is broken down in numbers:

2015 Travel Numbers:

• 107 - # of flights 
• 125 - # of nights I spent on the road
• 15 - # of states I traveled to
• 27 - # of cities I traveled to
• 3 - # of new states (Montana, North Carolina & Wisconsin)
• 7 - # of new cities/locations (Austin, TX, Deer Valley, UT, Sequoia National Park, CA, Aspen, CO, Three Lakes, WI, Asheville, NC and Whitefish, MT)

I am sure it's not surprising to learn that my type A personality would like to travel to all 50 states by the time I am 50.  I am currently at 23 + D.C. and so I need to average 2 new ones every year.  2016 I am looking forward to Vermont, New Mexico and potentially Iowa and/or Virginia.  Besides going home to Oregon, my favorite trips this year were to Austin, Chicago, New York, Deer Valley, Three Lakes and Whitefish.  A healthy mix of big cities and beautiful outdoors.

Looking now to 2016, I don't have any conventional resolutions except trying to establish a routine of waking up at the same time every day.  I do much better when I am on a routine schedule and working from home gives me the luxury of waking up at all different times, so I'd like to fix that before it gets out of control. Otherwise they all relate to scheduling and making sure my son is happy and healthy when he arrives. Side note - saying "my son" still seems incredibly surreal and freaks me out even though he could be here at any point.  Still crossing my fingers and legs that he holds off until February.

For my 2016 goals, it's hard to put much down on paper, since I have no idea what my life will be like post baby but here goes:

• Run 3x a week, Classpass 3x a week (post maternity leave)

Monday: Rest or Barre

Tuesday: Speed work  or Barry's Bootcamp

Wednesday: Spin/Barre/Yoga

Thursday: Mid-Length Run

Friday: Spin/Barre/Yoga

Saturday: Spin/Barre/Yoga

Sunday:  Long Run

• 10,000 steps on non-workout days, at least 5,000 on days when I workout
• Train for and feel good running one half and one marathon (SF Half* on July 31st & NYM or CIM)
• Diet - low carbs and no sweets or juices 

I am not going to hold a PR over my head but instead run a few halves and one full with one target race in each category.  I've decided CIM will be my backup choice for NYM if the lottery doesn't work out.  It's not ideal but I spend so much time in Sacramento anyway and know tons of people running, I think it just makes sense for my accountability and wallet.  I've already added another race to the calendar - Berkeley Half Marathon on 11/20.  Both because I live here now and because of this. You know I can't say no to extra medals especially when they can be claimed less than a mile from our new house!  I love me a fresh start and I am hoping 2016 will be a good one.

*I just received notice that I've been chosen as an ambassador for the 2016 SF Marathon so much more to come on this race!

2016 Plan

Alright I have plan for 2016.  I am sure it will go straight to hell when I have a baby in February and realize that making plans is a thing of the past but here goes.  I want to run New York again because it's New York.  I know I can run a faster pace and that race is just the best.  I am going to enter the lottery for the NYM 16, which is taking place on 11/6/16.  Chances are pretty slim I'll get a spot that way; considering it took me 5 years to get in last time.  Therefore backups are very necessary.  I would L-O-V-E love to do Chicago on 10/9 but I am trying to be realistic with the fact that I am going to feel very different next year and getting back into marathon shape with a newborn will not be easy.  New York is probably even pushing it but 10 months seems doable.  If NYM is a bust, my alternatives are:

1st choice - Santa Barbara Marathon 11/12/16
2nd choice - California International Marathon 12/4/16*
3rd choice - Austin Marathon 2/12/17*

*dates not confirmed

These are all bucket list races for me so I'll use the letdown as an opportunity if I don't get into New York.  2016 Race Schedule will look something like this:

4/3 - Rock N' Roll San Francisco - Registered for this one last year before I knew I was pregnant. Highly doubt I am going to be wanting to even walk a half 9 weeks after having a baby but we'll see. Most likely I'll be cheering on MFR and my dad from the sidelines.
6/4 - Bend Beer Chase
7/31 - San Francisco Marathon Half (1st Half)
10/1 - Levi's Gran Fondo (30 or 60 Miler)
11/6 - New York Marathon or alternative

2017 - New York Marathon or Chicago Marathon

Just looking at this makes me happy.  I miss racing and I look forward to toeing the line again.  In the meantime I am still doing lots of Barre and Spin classes.  Each day it gets harder but I feel much better when I workout during the day.  Trying to breath through some back pain and bruised ribs (darn kid) but otherwise feeling good.  I look massive but I feel good so I am taking it as a win:)

Kids Don't Try This At Home - Goals For New York Marathon

What in the world is up blogisphere?  I've officially fallen off the face of the blogging earth.  I think about it every now and then in a fond memory sort of way.

Remember when I had a running blog? That was fun.  It really did keep me motivated and accountable to my workout schedule.  Maybe I should start writing again.  Or maybe I should put down this beer and go for a run and then write about that run.  Oh look someone just posted a video of dog riding around on a Roomba.  <30 secs later> What was I going to do? Oh right, go for a run and blog.  Well there is a game on in 90 min so I really don't have the time, but for sure I'll do it tomorrow.

You get the idea.  As I said before, my motivation went from 60 to zero after Hood To Coast.  In an effort to figure out why, I looked back at my races over the years.  Turns out that ALL of my PR's and successful races have been in the Feb-June time frame.  I am not sure exactly what that means but I think it has something to do with my brain thinking fall = football + travel (see two weeks in Europe) and not long distance training.  It's not that I don't want to workout at all,  I just don't want to train.  I've actually been dying to do anything but run long distances. I think fall races are just not my jam.  Pour some out for my bucket list fall races: Santa Barbara, CIM, Chicago etc... Going forward I think I'll plan on spring/early summer for any sort of goal or distance races, maybe a few fun ones over the summer and end my season with a group relay in the August/Sept time frame.

Nike Half SF Last Weekend

Regardless of my lack of motivation and being incredibly under-trained, I am running the New York Marathon this weekend.  So that's happening.  I am not nearly in the shape I was for Napa and my longest training run was 18 miles (13 of which were Nike Womens Half).  I am not worried about a DNF.  I know I'll finish, it's just a matter of when. I am just trying to focus on the positive. Regardless of the time, on Sunday I am going to run the New York Marathon.  Even knowing it's not going to be a PR for me (currently 4:12:05), I am still really excited to experience this race.  I have no idea what to plan for a goal so instead here's three goals:

1. Good Goal: Cross the finish-line healthy and injury free regardless of time.
2. Better Goal: Finish between 4:30 - 4:45
3. Best Goal: Finish under 4:30, I think it would take a minor miracle to get in under 4:30 but I am putting it out there

New York will be my 5th marathon overall and 3rd marathon this year. I've been trying to get into this race since 2010 and I've heard nothing but amazing things.  This may be my only opportunity to run it and I want to soak it all in.  Also I'll be cheering something hard for this girl to win!  I adore her and am inspired daily by her choices and determination.  Add to that some Nuun ambassador events, lots of good friends, Duck football and a night on the town for Halloween and I am sure it will be an epic weekend.  See you on the other side.

September Workout Stats*:
Running - 40 Miles
Tennis - 75 min
Weights - 45min

*And that is why running New York in under 4:30 will take an actual miracle

Stats & Desperate Attempt To Motivate

July Stats:
Weights/Core/Nov. Project: 80 min
Running: 54 Miles
Spin: 24 Miles
Yoga: 50 Min
Tennis: 2 Hours
Total: 78 Miles + 4 hours 10 min 

August Stats:
Weights/Core/Nov. Project: 65 min
Running: 64 Miles
Spin: 14 Miles
Total: 78 Miles + 65 min

Everything was down from June except Core/Nov Project and Tennis because it's never been on there. Mileage wise these are the lowest months all year.  I need to start "really" training for New York. Nothing like starting your 16 week training plan at week 9.  I am not starting from zero but I've been VERY unmotivated since Hood To Coast.  There are just other things I'd rather be doing then running - tennis, golf, watching football, traveling, drinking beer, eating food, drinking wine, watching more football, hanging out with friends and watching football.  I keep saying this is my retirement marathon (for awhile) so I'd like to run it well.  But if you add my lack of motivation to the fact that I've been traveling 4 weekends in a row and I am about to leave for Europe for 2+ weeks, the Sub 4 dream has come and gone.  I still have a very small amount of hope for a PR to end my marathon-ing on a high note IF I can get my ass in gear this week today.

Also I suck at blogging lately.  I just don't seem to have the inspiration or energy to put in to it.  I'am not even interested in reading other running blogs lately.  Clearly I am in full burnout mode but I need to woman up for one last race before I start pursuing other interests. I've waited 4 years for this race so it would be so stupid to waste this opportunity.

I keep planning on writing something interesting and giving this blog a refresh but it's just not happening.  I am literally boring myself while typing this sentence.  So to keep with the craptastic content that's been on here lately, I present 10 things you could care less about need to know about my life right now:

1. In Week 4 of not NY training, I had a minor scare with a popped SIJ . Turns out that all my right leg issues (knee, ankle, SIJ) are all stemming from a horribly weak right glute.  
2. I am now in physical therapy 1-2 times a week.  I had never been to a PT before but so far I am a fan.  Luckily my PT is willing to work with my (non) training and made a deal that I have to do these daily exercises before I am allowed to run.  She's no nonsense and says thing like "typical fucking runner" in response to my comments of, "no I didn't see anyone, I just took Advil." Also, PT is hard. I leave sweating and I am always sore for multiple days after.
3. MFR and I ate healthy the month of August which meant: no cheese, no beer (exception of 2 cheat days - HTC & Bend Brewfest), low carbs, minimal sweets and portion control.  I did pretty good but I am glad it's over. 
4. It's FINALLY sunny in SF and that makes me happy.
5. Football season is here which means Sat, Sun, Mon and sometimes Thurs I am booked
6. Besides one other weekend in the beginning of August, this will be my first full weekend in San Francisco in over 14 weeks
7. After Tour de Europe we made a deal not to travel for a few months (other than work trips, holidays and the NY Marathon...but other than that)
8. We ran Hood to Coast and per usual it was a great time.  Leslie has a good recap.  In summary, I not only survived Leg 5 but ran the best I've ever ran HTC.  It was a great feeling to finally run a good even relay and know I put everything into each leg.

   

   Entire team at the finish line!

9. I blame the high of HTC for my lack of excitement for New York.
10. This announcement helped!

And because I need it, I am posting this again:

Zooma Napa Valley Runner Report: Me

On Saturday I ran the Zooma Napa Valley Half Marathon. It was a great race and a blast running with my fellow ambassadors. Over the past weeks, a few of us did runner profiles of other Zooma participants and last week we were asked to post our own. It's a little late but here goes:

Name: Kara, Bird Legs or Bird to my friends

Age: 32
Current City: San Francisco, CA

Race (10K or half marathon): Half Marathon

Why are you running ZOOMA Napa Valley?  
I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ambassador for this race but I would have run it regardless. It's local, it's my favorite distance, it's in wine country and I've heard great things about the Zooma race series. When they announced the new location in Napa, it was a no brainer.

When & why did you start running?  

I started running in 2006 when I signed up to do an Olympic triathlon with Team in Training. For a few years I only did it as part of tri training. I've only really been serious about running on it's own since 2012. I run because I love the community and experiences running presents. I also love the way I feel when I am done with a run.

How many races have you done & which was your favorite?  

I've done over 50 races (60 if you include triathlons). It's hard to pick but the Napa Valley Marathon which I ran in March was definitely one of my favorites. The course was so beautiful, it was the perfect sized field and I ran a great race. I'd recommend it to anyone considering doing a marathon.

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be & why?  

Jennifer Aniston because she is my life idol. I am pretty sure we'd be besties if we started running together and she could fill me in on her anti-aging secrets. I know that's ridiculous but I don't apologize for my lifetime celebrity girl crush.

What is your favorite running memory?  
Running Hood To Coast with Team Nuun last year. It will take a lot to top that weekend.

What is your one running must-have?  

My Brooks and my allergy medicine.

What is your favorite post-run indulgence?  

A sandwich in my neighborhood called the SanFranPyscho - honey turkey, gouda, garlic spread etc... and an ice cold 10 Barrel Apoclypse IPA.

Who is your running inspiration?  
All my friends who run, both in real life and in blogger-world. I take pieces of inspiration from each of them. Everyone has different training plans, goals and attitudes towards running. No two runners are the same so I look to different people to inspire me in different areas (training, speed, nutrition, recovery, mental toughness, strategy, fueling, races, attitude etc...). That's what's so great about the running community. Even after years of running, I still learn something new and am inspired daily.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from running? 

It's all about balance.

Check out some of the awesome ambassadors I had the honor of running with this weekend:

Miriam from LongRun Happiness 
Amanda from Running On Waffles 
Katherine from Dream Body Warrior 
Lynda from FITNESSMOMWINECOUNTRY 
Karen from Reason To Play 
Nicole from The Slow Life

Bay To Breakers - The Mardi Gras of Footraces

On May 18th I ran Bay To Breakers.  It's a 12K race from the San Francisco Bay, through the city to the Pacific Coast's Ocean Beach.  It's also the oldest consecutively run annual footrace in the world and is a staple to San Francisco both for the race and the party.  Unless you've seen it, it's hard to explain but here's my list of the top 10 things that make B2B so unique:

1. Only 35,000 actually register for the race but close to 100K participate in some way.  Either by running/walking portions of it, spectating, finish-line party, house parties along the route or running/walking the entire thing as rogue participants.
2. There is A LOT of drinking involved - I was offered at least four different kinds of alcohol before I even entered the start corral.  I declined because I was actually looking to run it and unidentifiable liquids from a Stranger Dangers Camelback usually doesn't end well.
3. The costumes are out of control.  You will see the most creative and amazing costumes which include huge groups, theme music, floats etc...

   

   Muppets

   

   Even playing the Tetris music 

4. You will see a lot of nudity.  I was in corral B which means the majority of the madness was behind me.  Yet I counted 24 fully naked runners during my seven miles.  This does not include the hundreds that were mostly nude.
5. Hayes St. Hill is no joke.

   

   There is a hill challenge mid race as well - timed separately

6. Despite the madness it's a beautiful course that takes you past some iconic SF sites and quite a few elites show up to run B2B.

   

   Alamo Square Park

7. Tortilla Toss - For some reason it's always been tradition to throw tortillas in the air to pass time when you're waiting to cross the start line.  Picture hundreds of tortillas flying through the air.

   

   The aftermath

8. Centipede Division - There is a separate division where you run as a team of 13 people who are connected as a unit.  Apparently it's pretty competitive too.  There is a Head Pede, a pacer/floater in case someone has to drop and B2B is the official World Centipede Running Championship.

   

   Mens LinkedIn Team

9. It's got some great history - Not only is the oldest consecutive race, at  one point it was the largest footrace in the world with 110,000 registrants.  Now there is a race in Australia that's bigger and B2B official numbers have dropped since most don't register.  It was started in 1912 as a way to lift the cities spirits after the 1906 earthquake and it's a point of pride for SF residents.
10. The Spawning Salmon - The salmon have always been my favorite part!  Every year a huge group dresses like salmon and runs the course backwards (upstream).  It's amazing to watch them navigate through thousands of people in the opposite direction.  It's hilarious and their costumes are pretty legit.  I got really excited when I saw them around Mile 3ish this year.

    

    These spawners couldn't handle the current

    
    

    

    At least they get to go down Hayes Hill instead of up

It's such a bizarre mix of partiers, families and serious runners in a Mardi Gras like atmosphere. When I was in high school my dad would bring my brother and I down from OR to go to a Giants game and run B2B.  I hadn't seen or experienced it since then - 20 years ago.  My plan was to run it with the caveat that I knew it would be slow so I'd try to take in the experience.  It was a bad plan, I should have done one or the other.

For future years I'll plan on running or experiencing but not both.  I think the best way to do B2B is to line up in corral A and actually try to race the course as much as possible.  Or go all out in costumes, with drinks and friends and just take your time while enjoying the madness and house parties along the way.

This year I was a tweener in B2B purgatory.  I didn't have a costume (lame) and was in Corral B which meant I was in the thick of it all for the first few miles.  I heard from some runner friends that Corral A is the only option if you want to actually run the course.  Corral B made for tons of stopping because it was so crowded.  Even when I was running it was only shuffling since there were so many people.  Once I got to Hayes Hill, it really thinned out and became mostly runners but at that point I had already been stopping to talk with people, take pics etc... so I was in a non-race mind frame.  I wanted to turn around and head back to see all the non-runners come through. I didn't but I wanted to.

If you are a purist runner and don't like being around intoxicated people in a giant street party then this is not the race for you. Personally I think it should be on every runners bucket list just for the experience. Some of the things you just have to see to believe.  It's a blast and I will definitely participate in some form as long as I live in this city!

UA Shirt & Finishers Medal

Overall Time: 1:19:04
Pace: 10:37 min/mile
Gender Place: 2317 / 15,073 - gives you an idea of how many actually run

In other news:

May Stats:
Running: 35 Miles
Spin: 52 Miles
Weights/HIT: 1.5 hours
Yoga: 2 hours
Total Miles: 87

Big Sur recovery plus a week of illness made for a really light run month but  I stepped up my spinning and got in some good core training.  June is looking to be much higher mileage and I am officially back on the bike, as in outside.  Mind. Blown.  Now if I could just find my way back into the pool.

April Stats and May Training Plans

I had a weekend filled of running, getting sh** done around our place, watching lots of shenanigans go down at Bay To Breakers* and celebrating with friends.

April Stats
Running: 81.7 Miles
Biking: 46.7 Miles
Yoga/Bar Method: 1 hour, 45 min
Weights: 50 min
Total Miles: 128

I beat my March stats in every category but yoga.  Damn. I've knocked down my running mileage and am concentrating on speed and shorter distances for the upcoming Zooma Napa Valley and Eugene Half Marathon's.  My goal is to Sub 2 both and PR one of them.

I've always been a runner who thinks that it's all or nothing when it comes to getting out the door. Meaning, if I don't have time to get in the 10 miles on my schedule then I don't do it at all.  This is a similar mentality I have with blogging.  Also I never saw the point of getting all sweaty if it wasn't going to be 5 + miles.  A lot of weeks this left me only running twice because that's when I made the time.   I am going with a new approach for this training cycle.  Running 4 times a week: one long, one track workout and two short runs (3-4 miles).  I am working hard on creating good habits (daily flossing, taking vitamins etc...) and consistency and repetition is the only thing that keeps me on track so I am applying this groundbreaking philosophy to running.  Here's what a typical week's training plan looks like:

Monday - Spin Class
Tuesday - 4 miles easy, lunch yoga + weights
Wednesday - REST/November Project* when I can get my ass out of bed
Thursday - Track Workout (4-8 miles w/ tempo in the middle) + weights
Friday - 3 miles easy or November Project hills
Saturday - REST
Sunday - Long Run

*More to come on November Project SF and Bay To Breakers.  Both deserve their own posts.

I am going to stick with this schedule until Zooma and then reevaluate before Eugene.

How many days a week do you run?  

MIA: Life Lately

I've been MIA for a few weeks and instead of making excuses, I'll just say that I've been busy and the blog has not been a priority.  I don't want to word vomit every day missed so here's the gist.

I ran Big Sur Marathon.  It was an incredible experience and so much more then running a "normal" marathon.  It was also really hard.  The last six miles were some of the most difficult and painful miles I've ever ran but it was so worth it.  TriTreats did an awesome recap that I am going to try to duplicate so check it out for the full play by play and pictures.  If you get a chance to run Big Sur, do it!    Remember they sold out in 57 minutes last year, I have a feeling a lottery for registration is in the not too distant future.

Other non-sweaty highlights of the past few weeks:

Watching these guys in the playoffs - every other night!

Kentucky Derby party in Portland

Vegas for MFR's birthday where I treated myself to a little Britney action.

And saw my brother, sister-in-law and adorable nephews

More country concerts: Tim McGraw & Kip Moore

18 holes of golf in Half Moon Bay - I golf now because the views look like this.

It's been a fun couple of weeks.  I am looking forward to a few weekends at home before it picks back up in June.  On tap this weekend is running Bay To Breakers with 100,000 other crazies. I haven't done this race since I was in high school.  Looking forward to the all the madness.

Zooma Napa Valley Runner Report: Heather from Clovis

I have been traveling all week from Portland to LA to San Diego. Now I am back home for 15 hours before heading to the airport tomorrow morning at 6am for a quick weekend trip to Palm Springs.  I did want to take a quick break from my jetsetter lifestyle to bring you week 2 of our Zooma Runner Report Series:

The ZOOMA Napa Valley Ambassadors are excited to bring you our Zooma Napa Valley Runner Report Series. Each week we’ll be featuring a ZOOMA Napa Valley half marathon or 10K runner on each of our blogs. As women runners, we want to use our role as Ambassadors to highlight and share the stories behind the incredible women preparing to run ZOOMA in June. Each runner has a special and unique story, and we invite you to learn about our runners through this series. Please feel free to click through the links at the end of each post to read about additional ZOOMA racers.

For week two, I have the honor of spotlighting Heather from Clovis, CA.  Based on her comments on Mindy Kaling and Delarosa pizza, I am pretty sure we would be besties if we ever met! Heather I hope to see you in Napa and good luck on an awesome race!

Name:   Heather Bender

Age: 42

Current City: Clovis, CA

Race (10K or half marathon): Half Marathon

Why are you running ZOOMA Napa Valley?

 Running and wine, do I need to say more? Being serious, when I heard there was going to be a Women’s focused race in Napa I knew right away I wanted to do it.  I live in the Central Valley but consider myself a Non-Local Local to San Francisco and Napa since we get up there quite often.  I wanted the opportunity to enjoy the views on foot, Zooma Napa is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

When & why did you start running? 

 I flirted with running off and on since I was in Middle School until I was in my mid-thirties.  I started running consistently in March of 2010 when I was told I was pre diabetic. I am a single Mom and I knew I owed it to my son to be as fit and healthy as I could be, I also wanted to set a positive example for him that activity should be part of your everyday life.

How many races have you done & which was your favorite?

Since 2010 I’ve completed six 5k’s, ten 10k’s, nine Half Marathons and one ten miler.  My favorite race was the Mermaid Run 10 miler in San Francisco, the weather was perfect and the views were stunning.

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be & why?

 I heard Mindy Kaling is a runner, she would be my top choice hands down!  I love her sense of humor and I bet the miles would just fly by.

What is your favorite running memory?

This is extremely simple but when I ran the Livermore Half Marathon at the end of March, I took my phone out about mile 1 and my son (who stayed home) had texted me “Good luck Mama” It meant so much to me that he knows how important my running is to me and that he wanted to show his support.

What is your one running must-have?

Easy, my Road ID

What is your favorite post-run indulgence?

Pizza at Delarosa in San Francisco.  If I’m not running a race in the city I like to get a good Bloody Mary after my run.

Who is your running inspiration?

My friend Victoria, she is an amazing runner!  She’s fast, consistent and she always looks great in her race pictures (how do you do that?)

What is the most important lesson you have learned from running?

Just how amazing my body is!

Want to read about more of our amazing ZOOMA runners? Check them out here: 

Melodie on LongRun Happiness 
Sarah on Running On Waffles 
Susan on Dream Body Warrior 
Chandra on FITNESSMOMWINECOUNTRY 
Beth on Reason To Play 
Susan on The Slow Life

Are you running ZOOMA Napa Valley and would like to be featured in our Runner Report series? Email runningonwaffles@gmail.com for more information