Week in Review / PFTW

First, thanks for the comments last week regarding #1's racing aversion. A few people mentioned taking the watch away from her. Ironically, she doesn't run with a watch. Pretty much the only time she knows her training paces is when either the coach is riding his bike while they run, or she's doing track work (once a week).

I feel like there's a combination of reasons that she races at the times she does:

• She's 15 and stubborn.
• She's my child, and stubborn.
• Running faster than is comfortable is HARD, and so far, she's skated by without needing to get uncomfortable.
• She doesn't want it bad enough - she's just not super competitive, she didn't grow up participating in sports, and the need to win is not something that comes naturally to her.
• Trusting your training is a difficult concept to grasp for her. {related to above, an idea I had was to have her do a tempo run with a Garmin, so she could see what she is actually running, and apply that to her races - she says she sees the clock time, and thinks she cannot run that fast, even though her training clearly says otherwise.}
• Her first year in HS sports was incredibly successful - being on varsity for XC meant she ran more races than the non-varsity runners as they moved on to state prelims and stuff; the jump into track was pretty quick, and being faster meant running more races than a lot of her teammates. Burnout, I'm sure, has played a part.
• She was OVER hearing her obnoxious parents yap about it and wanted to teach us a lesson in shutting up.

Luckily, she's almost done for the season, and outside of a couple of 5k's and a 10k this summer, she's done racing until XC starts in September.

Last week was her last dual meet, and terrible weather aside, they had a lot of fun - they won by about a billion points or whatever, and the team they raced was SO NICE about it. Temps were 97*+ the whole time, with 30mph winds (and I heard on the news 70-80mph gusts, the heck), so no one had a good race, but also no one puked or passed out, so I would say it was successful.

Two league meets this week, and WE ARE FREE. Finally. I can't wait for XC season. Track was not my most favorite.

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Last week!

Monday - rest. I don't know why I keep pretending I'm going to do stuff on Monday, because inevitably, I take a rest day.

Tuesday: XT, tempo
5 miles with 3 at tempo -  a little tough, but not the worst! Followed with a new Fitness Blender video, 17 minute Six Pack Burn Out - Intense Abs Workout. I REALLY liked this video.

Spent the late afternoon sitting on the bleachers in 99* sun watching track practice - the girls were sad that it was "only" 99, because apparently, the rules say 100*+ and they call off practice. SO CLOSE. Lucky for me, I've been hoarding my free drink reward, and enjoyed this while they ran 4x400 and 6x200 haha suckers.

Wednesday: XT
50 minute upper body video (this one), the 17 minute abs again, and a quick stretch/yoga video.

Thursday: Long 
12 miles easy, with middle 4 at "race pace". Easy easy easy, caught up on some old Real Housewives from last season on the treadmill (in fact, all of my runs this week were on the mill - IT WAS SO HOT ALL WEEK).

Friday: XT
Core (same 17 minute abs video) and arms.

Saturday: rest
This was the Worst Day Ever - uckfed up Gab's race (it was actually Saturday, NOT Sunday, and I realized it too late - I was sad, she was NOT. "It's okay, mom, I hate running!"), and then - THEN! - our car broke dead while I was on the way to a party. Sigh. Then I came home and ate ice cream for dinner.

Sunday: easy run
5 easy miles catching up on more Real Housewives of OC. This was easy, but apparently less easy than the woman on the treadmill next to me, sipping on a frappuccino (dude, not even during happy hour window!).

Total of 22 miles, which is the most I've run in a week in ages - actually, the most since early December. Huh.

Obviously I kind of settled on a RLRF type program for now, because I still really enjoy the strength training. Since I plan on doing iTRY in August, I doubt that will change until then, because I'll need to add the cycling and swimming back in (ugghhhhh).



PFTW

Monday: rest (I give in)
Tuesday: SPEED! 5 miles with some 800s, XT lower body/abs
Wednesday: easy 3-4, XT upper body
Thursday: XT total body
Friday: Long - 10 miles with strides, yoga
Saturday: rest
Sunday: 4-5 easy

Get out of yo head

#1's track season started out really promising. She ran a 5:25 1600 at a pre-season all comer's meet, and her coach was psyched ("That's just seconds off of {insert fast girl}!!"). We were psyched. It was all very exciting.

Fast forward 3 months and (what feels like) a billion races, and her 5:25 PR holds strong. She hit 5:27 once, and 5:28-5:30 are pretty much par for the course for her. She knocked a chunk of time off her 3200 last month - from a 12:01 to 11:46, but that one has also stood since then.

Obviously 5:30/11:46 is a great time. It's so fast, and I know it's hard work. But months of training and conditioning haven't budged that time.

Last week, I sat in the bleachers during her speedwork day, and watched her knock out 2x800, 2x600, 2x400, and 2x200...

Once I was over how consistent she was (seriously, robot??), I played around with McMillan trying to figure out what race pace she's actually training for - she mentioned that her coach told her it was sub-5, so I wanted to check for myself, because I'm a helicopter. If McMillan is not lying to me, it looks like she should be racing closer to a 5:00 1600.

That's a little faster than 5:30, eh? She says she sees her time on the clock while she's racing, and freaks out, because in her brain, she's a 5:30 runner, THE END. Despite what her training shows, and despite how easy it looks. Seriously, not one race has she finished and looked like she needs to sit down right now. It's a comfortably hard pace for her, and so far, she's not willing to push through that.

She's been so frustrated with her racing lately, and it's - frankly - frustrating for us, too, to see her performing consistently under what she's capable of. Obviously we're not disappointed in her - not at all - but if you're gonna complain about your time, suck it up and run harder, yo.

It's a hard thing to tell someone else - it's going to hurt, and you just have to do it. I don't know how to make someone else run uncomfortable, you know?

Shockingly, this didn't work.

On Saturday, she was PISSED that the head coach yelled at her during her 3200 that she wasn't working hard enough.

Well, guess what kid? After a full season of you not PR'ing, and consistently running slower than you do in training... it's a valid thing to say while you're running an 11:58. I bet he's pretty frustrated, too.

Anyway. I guess I'm really just venting about this track season. I'm trying to impart on her the importance of at least taking a lesson away from each race - maybe today you don't PR, but you kick it the last 200 and pass someone, or you keep someone else from passing you, or you stick to the person in front of you, or you work your way up slowly and patiently. And someday, these pieces will all come together, and you'll run a great race. I feel like she's putting the cart (a big PR) before the horse (the basics of running a track race), and sabotaging herself. She's chasing a PR while not taking the coaching advice. The faster times will come, when you learn to trust your training and run smart.

It's a tough thing for runners to learn - trusting your training and shutting up your brain while you run.

Anyway. Here's a cute shot of her teammates cheering for her.

Go Lora.

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Recap of last week....

Monday: Nothing

Tuesday: XT, 4 miles
It was cool and cloudy, so I ran 4 miles easy in the AM, followed by an arms/core video (my favorite one!, and total body with HIIT intervals - 55 min total.

Wednesday: XT, 5 miles
5 easy treadmill miles catching up on RHOC. After this, I got stupid and did a killer lower body video, which almost killed me dead - Brutal Butt and Thigh Lower Body Sculpting. I actually really enjoy this video, but it's hard, and perhaps was not a wise choice immediately following a run? Eh.

Thursday: XT
Combined 3 FB videos for a 50 minute strength day - warm up, Strength Training for Strong Toned Arms and Shoulders, 10 Minute Abs.

Thursday afternoon, #1's team was hosting a dual meet, so I spent some time on the field volunteering. The view was OKAY, I GUESS.

Hey, Varsity Girls.

Friday: lame
Intended to do a long trail run this day, but that was thwarted by a mystery sick day that made me vaguely pukey and lethargic.

Saturday: "rest"
Track meet for A MILLION HOURS. I think we left the house at 8, and got home around 6. I have a pretty gnarly sunburn to show for it. (Always use sunscreen!) It was really long and do you know it's exhausting to sit in the sun and cheer for that long?? #1's events are the 1600 and the 3200, which were events 9 and 32 on this day (they're generally one of the first and then one of the last events, respectively), so we generally take off shortly after her last race, because by then it's already been a long day. Saturday, we stuck around until the end, and man, so glad we did because the very last event - boyx 4x400 relay - was SO GREAT, and we won by just a teeeeeeeny tiny bit, and it was very exciting.

Sunday: More rest
Yeah, it's true. We also took #2 to the track to practice for her event next month.

"I'm a starfish. Starfish don't run." 

PFTW
I was slightly thwarted by the mystery illness last week, and then just didn't have any pep in me to make up the miles, because default=lazy. At least it was a scheduled "cut back" week? Ha.

Monday: XT (arms/core), 3-4 easy maybe.
Tuesday: 5 tempo, yoga
Wednesday: XT (arms/core)
Thursday: Long run (10-12, with middle miles at goal pace OR hills?)
Friday: rest
Saturday: 5 easy, XT (legs/lower body)
Sunday: Gab is racing!

Friday Five - Woodbridge 5K Recap

1. Yesterday, #1 ran our local neighborhood 5k with her new Cross Country team. They've only been training for a few weeks, so this was nothing high pressure - just to get the kids acclimated to the race atmosphere. #1 is pretty much a professional at this already...

Age group win #1....

Age group win #2 (plus her standing 5k PR - not that I'm keeping track or anything...)....

Age group win #3...

Since I've barely been running, I decided not to run this year. I know I'm nowhere close to in shape to beat my PR (from this course last year), and 5k's kind of hurt.

Instead, I played race photographer with The H (who is, in fact, fast enough to run out to meet #1 for a photo op and then run back to the finish line).

(Spoiler, I'm a not great photographer).

Can you spy the #1?

The Jesus looking fella towards the left started out in the lead, and crushed everyone. Apparently, he's one of #1's coaches. They do, in fact, call him Jesus. Also, I think he's wearing a kids' sized shirt????

Hey dad, just out for a stroll.

Nice chatting, see ya.

Creepy focus.

Better than her time on this course last year by a minute, and she was barely even exerting herself.

Natural talent is a jerk.

2. Also, this guy finished I think 3rd male??

So in our top 3, we had Jesus and Elvis.

We saw Elvis out on our way home, jogging a cool down, STILL in costume. That's dedication.


3. I also got to see Julie! She looks so festive!!

She PR'ed, nbd. Maybe it was that bike pacer next to her. (JK, that woman was just randomly riding her bike on the course right by the finish line. What.)


4. All this spectating made me want to start training. I don't know why, because man, some of those people looked miserable - finishing a hard 5k is TERRIBLE. But, it made me come home and do my first for real speed work session in MONTHS. Seriously, months - according to Daily Mile, my last legit speedwork was some 800's back in MARCH. That's 4 months ago.

No wonder I'm so slow.

Anyway, I did 400's and I didn't die. I kind of liked it. It was pretty humbling to realize that my 400 pace is significantly slower than it used to be, but I guess I'm glad that I thought to be practical about it, and not just try to run the same pace I used to and then be a whiner that I'm so slow now - realistic expectations, for my current fitness level.

Totally related, I TOTALLY recall now how speedwork makes your legs feel FATIGUED. That was exhausting.


5. In the meantime.... I've drafted a training plan, that starts next week. I might throw in the City of Cypress 5k in a few weeks - it was a good race, and #1 needs a second 5k for the summer, and this one was pretty affordable. And there were ice pops at the end.

I guess I'm feeling like I'm done resting and taking things easy?

I'm waffling between two potential fall/winter races - Paso Robles Marathon in October, and Santa Clarita Marathon in November. Both look like smaller races, scenic, and are not too pricey. My only real hesitation right now is some work stuff, but hopefully that will be sorted out over the next few weeks.

Long Beach is dead on at the right time frame for what I was looking for, but I really just don't want to run LB. Not any part of it looks like fun to me. Once was enough, thanks.

Tinker Bell Half Weekend - Kids' Race Recap

RunDisney offers some great stuff.

Somehow, though... somehow, these Kids' Races seemed extra chaotic to me.

Maybe it was the super long line to get in the "super secret special" entrance in Down Town Disney.

Maybe it was shoving a billion small people AND their siblings AND their parents AND their strollers AND their grandparents AND AND AND into a pretty small space.

Maybe it was the 8am start time that was really a 9:15am start time.

I'm not sure.

But, $10 (for Gabby's 200m) and $25 (For #2's mile) included a medal, a shirt, and refreshments at the end. Can't argue that.

I ran with Gab, and #2 was supposed to run with Becka and A. #1 wasn't registered - she was too old for the kids' races, and the 5K was $99 and at 10:30pm - too much on both counts. Buuuut, she didn't want to be left out, so she bandited the course and ran with #2.

Don't worry, she didn't take water or a medal.

Anyway, I won't waste time complaining about the chaos that was the start to everything EXCEPT the mile. I didn't get to see 1 & 2 run, so imagine my enjoyment seeing these pictures on brightroom today....

#2's official time - 8:55.

Gab and I were supposed to run the 400m, but I got tired of waiting, Gab was tired of waiting, and we took off with the 4-6 yr olds in the 200m.

This actually turned out to be better; I'm not sure if Gab would have run through a 400m - her legs were already tired from the 200 (boooo chemo).

Powered by Sparkle.

Racing is a spectator sport. Holiday Half 5K Recap...

Saturday morning, I woke everyone up bright and early for the Holiday Half 5K, that started at 8am.

Oh, except it didn't. It started at 9. So, sorry, family, for making you get out of your toasty warm beds and wait outside in the freezing cold for an extra hour. Sorry 'bout that....

I talked The H, #1, and my BFF and her husband into running the 5K with me, months ago. And then this happened, and I jumped over to the Half Marathon instead, which worked well logistically, because I could babysit my friend's Shady Baby.

And then The Shin happened, and none of that mattered 'cause I wasn't running anything. And apparently I also stopped reading schedules to see what time the race started.
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Anyway, Holiday Half is run by Run Racing, the same folks who put on Long Beach Half. Rock n' Roll should take some notes, because Run Racing seem to be experts at putting on pretty seamless events.

The race started right on time...

I kept an eye out for my runners...

while babysitting Shady. I swear she likes me. She just doesn't know it yet.

Spectating makes me look homeless?

After all the runners passed by, I hopped over to the other side to watch the finish line.

Too much, my friend. Too much.

It was a pretty successful day, for everyone. The H finished in 26:52, after having not run much at all (not that I'm jealous...). #1 finished at 26:30, good for third in her AG. She had a rough day out there - I think she wasn't prepared for the cold air, or something; kind of a bummer, based on her last PR she could have placed in the top 3 overall, but whatever. She's rad and I'm proud.

She looked like she was gonna puke after she finished, but 15 minutes later was talking all about how awesome she is going to be next year. PSYCHED.

We had planned on sticking around for the kids' races with #2 and #3, but Gab was still not feeling great, so we bailed on those.

The shirts are NICE, and the medals are rad. #1's AG medal is hanging happily amongst her other AG wins.

I've heard good things about the Half, as well, so I'm extra bummed that I had to miss out. Oh wells. There's always next year.

Chapman 5K - Race Recap

This race was a late addition to my calendar - I think I registered three weeks ago, when the girls at Team Sparkle tweeted about putting together a team. I adore Team Sparkle, so of course I was in.

I picked up our bibs and bags Friday on my way home from work (Chapman is literally down the street from my office), and it was SO FAST and easy. And man. The swag did not suck, either...

Tech tee, reusable drawstring bag, panther paw (Chapman's mascot!), tea, more tea, iPhone arm band!, chapstick, chips... Super rad for a $25 race.

The race was held about 15 minutes from my house, and started at 7:30, which meant a pretty reasonable wake-up time here. This time, everyone was coming along - all three girls were running (plus me), and The H was (FINALLY!) spectating.

We got there around 7, picked up #2's new lime green sparkle skirt, and were ready to race. There were pace groups, but they were pretty weird... 7-10:59 group, 11-14:59, and 15+. Random. #1 made her way up to the front. I knew she'd be running on her own, but I wasn't sure how much of a race she could eek out. She runs every day in PE, but hasn't run any type of distance in awhile.

#2 and #3 were with me. #2 is NOT a fan of running. Not one bit. Gabby tires easily, so we borrowed a jogging stroller for the event. But, she got out a couple times and ran for a bit - she probably ended up running about .75-1 mile, all told. Super exciting for her :).

#2 decided (after starting SUPER fast) that she was over this racing business around mile 1.5. I got her to run alternating blocks, at least, and despite her complaining, she was smiling the entire time. I think her default setting is just constantly "mildly displeased".

The course was really cute - ran through downtown Orange, through some cute neighborhoods full of old Craftsman style houses. A bunch of residents were out cheering, and, randomly, playing the trombone. Of course.

Then, around mile 2.5, the course loops back into the Chapman campus, which was full of spectators, cheerleaders, bands, etc.

At this point, #2 decided to TAKE OFF, and I didn't see her again until the finish line.

Final time, 38:41. I am SO proud of her - her final kick was hilarious, and she totally had a great time.

I convinced Gab to get out for a little bit, hoping she'd run through the finish line, but she made it about .25 away and was tired again. Oh well. I strolled in slightly after #2 at 39:36.

#1, though... Let's discuss #1.

Remember back in June, when she ran that 5K, and finished in 25:xx, and took 2nd in her AG?

I was expecting, since that course was hilly, and this was flat, for her to pull out a 23:30-24 minute 5K.

22:08. That's a 3:30 PR.

Good for 2nd in her AG. Again.

Crazy, right?

It was a great race - I think their FB page said something like 2000 participants, so not too giant, but not teeny, either. There were TONS of volunteers, tons of spectators cheering, and two (two!) water stations. The course was super spectator friendly, running basically in a giant, counter-clockwise loop. Oh! Plus, a full oatmeal bar after. That was pretty great, too.

Team Sparkle was out in full force (there are tons of pictures up on their Facebook, as well - link HERE), and I FINALLY met Madison, one of my Ragnar teammates! Sarah was there, and PR'ed - go congratulate her!

Annnd, Margot, the Faster Bunny came out to spectate as well.

I'll totally do this race again, in a heartbeat.

Plus, afterward, we found some random diner, and ate delicious food.

I totally earned that, off of my 3.1 miles. Don't judge me.

Thanks, Team Sparkle, for peer pressuring me into this one!