Archive | January, 2011

Carlsbad Half Marathon

24 Jan
In case you’ve missed the last few posts, my running blogs have been sparse, because, well, I haven’t been running.  For three months, I’ve been sidelined with (incredibly annoying!) ITBS and a (mostly just embarrassing) tailbone contusion.  Finally (FINALLY!!!!!!!!) I’ve been running pain-free.  It’s only been a couple weeks and I haven’t logged more than 4 miles at a time since October, so I really had NO IDEA what to expect from today’s event!

Goal #1 was to enjoy the day and the memories.  Jared and I ran the full marathon last year.  It was three weeks before we got married on the beach in Carlsbad, so it was super special to run the course again with my now HUSBAND!  We actually ran by the place where we exchanged vows and again, it really was so special…

As you can see, it was an insanely fun day, full of laughter and joy… and, well, fist bumping…

Goal #2 for the half marathon was to avoid re-injuring myself.

Last year, we were off and running with the other marathoners in the (very chilly) predawn darkness of 6am.  This year, as half marathoners, we didn’t start running until 7:30am.  The sun was out and it was considerably warmer than last year.

We were 4 miles in when I was finding my groove and feeling fired up.  Jared said he was going to back off and urged me on.  I decided not to look at my Garmin anymore, but simply focused on running light and easy and pain-free.  At the first twinge of discomfort, I promised myself I would walk.

And so I forged ahead and zoned out.  I’ve often described running as meditative and zen for me and this was definitely one of those awesome zen experiences as I floated along, light and easy.  

I felt a twinge in my right knee just shy of the Mile 12 sign, so I briefly slowed to a walk until an elderly couple hobbled past me.  Then, I was back in the game (nothing against the elderly, because this duo was seriously kicking A… even if I did smoke ‘em in the last mile…)!

Given that I was hoping to run 11 or 12 minute/miles and finish somewhere in the ballpark of 2:30, I was flabbergasted to approach the Finish Line and see 2:13 on the clock.  I hit the stop button on my Garmin as I crossed the mats and broke into tears when I realized my tag time would be under 2:10.  Sure enough, the official results were just posted and it’s no fluke!

Garmin Time: 13.21 miles, 2:09:53
Official Time: 13.1 miles, 2:09:53

I have no idea how long it’ll take to get back under 2 hours or to break last year’s PR of 1:53, but I’m overwhelmed with joy to be back to doing what I love most with the man I love most.  Next Monday, 1/31, we’ll kick-off our 18-week training plan for the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon and after today’s 13.1 mile welcome back party, I am feeling SO ready!

In the limo on the way to get married… the most indescribably daunting, overwhelmingly emotional moment of my life… much like the moments before a marathon :)

every setback is a setup for a comeback

17 Jan

What do you write in a running blog when you aren’t running… when you’re recovering from injury (or injuries)… when your thoughts are single-minded as you eagerly await your comeback…?

Exactly three months ago, on October 17th, I ran the Long Beach Marathon and developed ITBS, or iliotibial band friction syndrome, severely affecting my right knee and landing me in physical therapy.  I limped around with strict orders to rest and stretch and rest some more.

On December 11th, while in Chicago for a wedding, I slipped on an icy sidewalk, cracked the back of my head on the pavement, and landed on my tailbone with such force it knocked the wind out of me.  Again, I found myself limping around and swallowing ibuprofen every 4 hours.  My head healed within a week, but my tailbone ached and twinged for several weeks…

Until last week, when I ventured onto the treadmill after work and plodded through two miles, shocked and surprised to realize I had absolutely no pain–in my tailbone, knee, or anywhere!  I joyfully tacked on another mile and ran my way straight into the most indescribably joyful runner’s high!

Now here I am, with five runs and 15 miles in my log and all of them were finally, FINALLY pain-free!!!!

So here’s to an injury-free, eventful and endlessly joyful 2011!  It should come as no surprise that I already have a long list of races to blog about in the very, very near future.  After all, I’ve had three long months to plot this comeback!

  • 01/23: Carlsbad Half Marathon
  • 01/29: Lake Hodges 5k (Trail Run #1)
  • 02/06: Surf City Half Marathon
  • 02/12: Black Mountain Summit 7k (Trail Run #2)
  • 02/13: Coronado Valentine’s Day 10k
  • 03/05: Mission Driven Eco Run 10k (Trail Run #3)
  • 03/12: St. Patrick’s Day 10k
  • 04/03: Carlsbad 5000
  • 04/17: La Jolla Half Marathon
  • 05/01: Cinco de May Half Marathon
  • 06/05: Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon
  • 08/21: America’s Finest City Half Marathon
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