Zombie Runner?

Hello!

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I'm not sure which came first - the retirement, or the blog quitting. But since they seem to go hand in hand, I'm picking both back up at the same time. I tried this before and it didn't stick, but maybe.... 

Some bulletpoints to catch-up:

• I am still with the same company I was when my job ate up all my running time and I retired. 
• But now I'm doing the work in Texas! I took a great promotion a few months ago to lead a new branch of the business, and it's been swell. Especially the super comfortable and pleasant summer parts.
• I tried running while retired, and it didn't go super great. I was DFL at a trail race in Colorado, DNF'ed CIM, and slowly. SLOWLY finished a half marathon earlier this year. {links courtesy of Becka, who continued to blog and do fun things while I did neither of those}.
• I'm running the Austin half marathon in February! I plan to a. finish, and b. not be last.
• Lora (previously known as #1) continued her high school running career, and was a big shot. She finished 29th in the state in XC her senior year, and is now running collegiality. I tried to convince her the PNW is where it's at, but she selected a school in the south. Related, she's now An Adult, and apparently makes her own decisions. 
• Marissa (#2) is still feisty and likes to keep us on our toes. This is the understatement of the century. 
• Gabby is still healthy, and adorable, but also getting mouthy, so that's new. 
• I'm still married, and I still really like that guy.
• We've added a new friend to our family!

Giant.

Adorable

Oh yeah! We went to the Grand Canyon!

I do a poor job of keeping track of my workouts and since that hasn't worked out so great for me over the last few years (see: my DNF at CIM last year), I'm rising this mess from the ashes to rekindle my PFTW and other things if I feel like it, tdb. 

I also joined a gym when we moved here, and have been working with a personal trainer. This wasn't my choice, but I was suckered into paying for it, so I'm certainly not quitting. It's not great, and it's really, REALLY tough, but I guess it's working because I seem very strong now. 

HA. 

I see my friend twice a week, but I don't really know what my workouts are until I get there - I've asked not to be warned in advance so I can't chicken out. Ideally, I'll post this plan on Monday, and recap the following week with what I did so someday when I stop paying a million dollars a month for this guy, I remember what the workouts are. 

PFTW:

Wednesday - Gym (30 min run, 30 min with the trainer) 

Friday - Gym (30 min run, 30 min with the trainer)

Saturday - "Long" run

PFTW #7

Last week:
Monday: lower body/HIIT
Tuesday: upper body, 4 miles "fast" (with The H), and it was awful
Wednesday: HIIT/abs
Thursday: 30 min cardio, 20 min yoga, 3 miles easy
Friday: XC "fundraiser"

Saturday: stretch/yoga, 5 miles at Peters Canyon with ex-neighbor Will. This was Will's first real trail running experience, and I was afraid it would scare him away. Lucky for meeeee, he says he'd do it again :D. 

Sunday:3 miles, lower body

Total: 15 miles. #elite.

It rained, rained, rained, RAINED all weekend, and it was GLORIOUS, if you can overlook the soul-crushing humidity. Turns out, I can't, so while I adore the rain and thunder, I was just the whiniest jerk yesterday while I lounged around complaining about the heat. 

I'm so weak. 

This week!

Monday: Upper body (I just finished this, and I'm pretty sure I cannot move the rest of the day)

Tuesday: 4 miles, lower body

Wednesday: upper body, cardio; 5 miles

Thursday: HIIT/abs

Friday: rest

Saturday: stretch/yoga; 6 miles

Sunday: lower body, 3 miles

PFTW #6 / #SummerTrailRun, Mt Rainier, and the most beautiful place I've ever seen

June 28-July 4

Monday: Day 1 of some Fitness Blender Challenge I found - HIIT and lower body strength. 

Tuesday: Day 2 - Upper body and cardio

Wednesday: Day 3 - HIIT and abs

Thursday: Day 4 - This was a kickboxing video, but kickboxing confuses me (I spend so much time trying to keep the moves straight, I basically stop moving), so I did an upper body and cardio video instead

Friday: I worked, then PACKED FOR VACATION! (All of the pictures in the universe down below).

Saturday: 2 miles-ish hiking

Sunday: 7-8ish miles, hiking

July 5-11

Monday: nothing 

Tuesday: walked ALL OVER Seattle.

Wednesday: nothing (flight home followed by an all-day communications training class for me, because I'm the luckiest).

Thursday: Hold on to your hats. For the first time in almost 7 months, I pinned on a bib and RAN A RACE. 

The Renegade Summer Trail Run Race #2 was a great time, as always. It's super hard coming out of retirement (ahem not running in 10 days on top of that...), and this race was certainly challenging. 

But I've really really missed racing!! Super psyched that I made it out for this one, even if I was grossly under-hydrated and unprepared. Renegade Races are just so great. 

Friday: Nothing

Saturday: 6.5ish miles on trails while #1 was at XC hill practice - luckily, I ran into another mom who was kind enough to join me and my slow pace.

Sunday: 4 miles with ex-neighbor Will

I am working a wacky schedule for the next several weeks while I have some new hires working at night, so hoping I can fit some runs in after work (even if it's a little late). Before work is tricky, because Gab can't be left home alone, and the other kids are in XC camp until 10am. I keep making excuses in my brain about not having time, but I really just need to make the time.

I know, this is revolutionary. Don't steal my idea. 

This week!

Monday: Lower Body, HIIT 

Tuesday: Upper body, 4 miles

Wednesday: HIIT and abs

Thursday: Upper body, 4 miles

Friday: Lower Body, HIIT

Saturday: rest

Sunday: 6 miles

***VACATION!!!***

Saturday: In an effort to convince #1 that the PNW is obvs where she should spend her college years, we spent a long weekend in Seattle. #2 was dressed the part. 

We got into SEA at 11:30am, and spent the day wandering in the Carbon River area. 

Me, all weekend: Man, that is a Big Mountain. 

We trekked up a giant hill in search of a waterfall that was apparently all dried up. It was kind of pretty. 

Sunday: We headed around the north side of the mountain, stopping a gajillion times for coffee and pretty views, before landing at the Sunrise Visitor Center and doing the Frozen Lake trail. 

Aside from a bathroom incident with Gab and #2 trying to fling herself off the mountain to avoid flies, it was a lovely hike. 

After lunch in Sunrise, we headed to Tipsoo Lake, where the wildflower game was strong...

After my family was sick of hearing me exclaim, "LOOK! So many flowers!", we headed south to the Stevens Canyon entrance, and hiked Silver Falls and Grove of the Patriarchs. 

Monday: Drove up to Bellingham via Chuckanut Dr and Larrabee State Park.

We wandered around the Fairhaven district for awhile and ate delicious, delicious pizza (for real, Fat Pie Pizza in Bellingham, you should go there). We took a walking tour of Western Washington U, which #1 did not LOVE, but I kind of did, and then ate all the food in the universe at Boundary Bay Brewery, which came recommended by internet friend Alma.

The beer was great, the food was great, the desserts were great, the service was great, it was all great. 

Tuesday: So many hours of walking and drinking coffee, and farmers marketing, and monrailing. 

After a super quick coffee with Alma at the craziest library I ever have seen, we took the ferry over to Bainbridge Island, which was fun for a couple hours (and so peaceful, besides the part when #1 lost her mind because she thought we might miss the ferry back, and didn't accept that there were later ferries to be had). 

Wednesday: 3:30 wake up for a 6am flight that was delayed to almost 7am when the co-pilot's chair broke. No, really.

PFTW #3

I ran 5 whole miles last week, so I'm probably marathon ready RIGHT NOW.

Last week...
Monday: 10 minute butt and thigh (killed me dead), abs/upper body (hard to do when you can't use your legs anymore...)
Tuesday: 3 miles easy* - was scheduled for 4 at run club, but work went berserk and I couldn't make it.
Wednesday: total body strength and cardio
Thursday: rest
Friday: 2 miles easy, arms and upper body
Saturday: Spectating CDM5K
Sunday: Nothing!

*I've been doing a run/walk interval (4:30min run, 30sec walk), while I get back to running regularly, and I really like it.

It's a mystery to me how I ever trained for marathons with a real job that forced me to keep regular hours. My current (awesome) job is incredibly flexible, I just haven't really taken advantage of it.


This week!
Monday: Strength. Maybe those same videos up there. Maybe.
Tuesday: 4 miles with Run Club
Wednesday: Total Body
Thursday: 3 miles easy
Friday: Arms
Saturday: 4 miles
Sunday: rest

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I am SUPER DUPER excited for the new frap flavors from Sbux. I'm so ridiculous, because I don't ever really get fraps, but if it is limited release, then I MUST HAVE IT. I'm a marketing team's best friend.

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Saturday AM I spectated while #1 ran CDM5K - #2 was going to run, but wasn't feeling well last week. WOMP.

Somehow (because she teleports, probably), she was this far behind this woman 50m from the finish line, and ended up beating her by a second.

#1 ran a 45 second PR, at 20:01 - which landed her 8th female overall, and SIXTH in her age group.

No wonder XC and Track in OC are so competitive. O.o

PFTW?

So, let's catch up? I kind of assume if you're reading this, we've kept in touch through other social media, but it feels awkward to just start talking about training as if I didn't resurrect this space after a lengthy vacation.

#3 is still happy and healthy, with so much hair. 

#2 is a mini-me. She would be loathe to admit it, but... it's truuuuuuue. She's going to be in high school in the fall, and is joining XC/track. Wheeeee.

#1 had a KILLER track season, setting meet records, PR'ing with a 5:14 1600 and 11:17 3200, taking 3rd place in league, and going to CIF prelims.

We spent the Memorial Day weekend heading north.

And on our first college visit because I am OLD.

So that was exciting.

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PF(What's Left Of The)Week!

Wednesday: 3 easy, arms

Thursday: Lower body

Friday: 3 easy, arms

Saturday: 4 easy ("long")

Sunday: Rest, track banquet

I've been very, very slowly working back into running - it's shocking and humbling when you run zero miles for months, and then try to run 2-3 miles. 

After running Holiday Half (which I didn't blog about, but Becka did!), I had a thutt situation that I decided to rest, which rolled right into "resting" for 3 months. Okay, 5 months. 

I've been wanting to get back, and craving that terrible dead-leg-post 20-miler feeling, but was stuck in this cycle of well, I'm not registered for anything, so it's hard to be motivated to train, but I want to register for something, but what if I don't train. 

So obviously.

Spooky 10K - Race Recap / PFTW

hey guys! I ran a race!

It was in a new-to-me area, that was not the worst place I've ever been.

Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach

Since I haven't really run anything AT ALL in months, I elected to not run the 10 miler, and instead pace friend Will in the 10k. We had a goal of around 11:30 pace, and planned to go out conservative, because - surprise! - the course was hilly, hilly, hilly.

The race promised tricks AND treats, so I'll let you ponder which is which.

Logistically, the race was spot on - Renegade Race Series always puts on a stellar event, which I really appreciate. Easy parking, easy packet pick up, course was well marked and well supported.

The age group awards were AMAZING.

Super cute short-sleeve cotton tee, and medal for the 5k/10k (the 10 mile also had a great medal).

I obviously had the Most Fun Ever.

Summary: Great event - there are also kids' races, pumpkin decorating contests, costume contests, and a small expo. Parking was a breeze. Well marked out and back course. Lots of hills. Lots of great views. Loved it!!

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So, last week, I did stuff!

Fitness Blender introduced a 5-day Plan for BUSY PEOPLE, of which I am one, so I did it. It wasn't the worst, but it was certainly hard. It's so awkward to start working out and realize that you have become incredibly weak.

Since I ran a 10k in a fairly respectable time and felt GREAT, I figured I'd go ahead and start running again more regularly. I'd been procrastinating on this because I was really concerned that I'd forgotten HOW to run, and also the longer I remain lazy, the easier it is to remain lazy. But it was a really great time, and I remembered that I kind of do like running.

Also, because I registered for this:

I really make the BEST choices.

Monday: arms/abs FB video
Tuesday: 3-4 miles easy
Wednesday: Legs?
Thursday: rest - #1 is racing! maybe a video in the am
Friday: 3-4 miles easy
Saturday: rest!
Sunday: 5-6 easy

What's this? What's this? What is THIS! PFTW.

(I've been working hard on convincing Gab we should go to Disneyland for her birthday, and have Nightmare Before Christmas on the brain)

Last night, I did a Fitness Blender video. It for REAL almost made me vomit and/or pass out.

This is very sad, because in the not-too-distant-past, this video was challenging, but not That Hard.

It shouldn't come as a shock, but it was: working out does not become any easier when you take a month+ off.

PFTW:
Monday: I did this video. More accurately, it did me (in).

Tuesday: While I would like to say I will run, HAHAHAHA. I will probably do an arms/cardio video.

Wednesday: Total body OR lower body. Maaaaaaybe a run?

Thursday: #1 is racing, so rest day (besides all the trekking around following her race).

Friday: Arms/Cardio

Saturday: Gabby's birthday!

Sunday: RUN FOR REAL - 4ish.


I am not really feeling like running, so.... I don't know. I will, I just don't want to? Bah.

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XC Update??

#1 had a KILLER race on Saturday - they ran an event that was new-to-them, so we didn't know much about the course. For any other XC teams considering the Central Park Invite in Huntington Beach... let me tell you, that course is not easy. It is lovely, and great for spectators, and seems like a real XC course - it has everything, wood chips, trail, roots, hills, sand, grass. It was fun... for us to watch.

It was also 90* and sunny, and she raced in the hottest part of the day, so that was not great.

And yet... she ran a really, really strong race.

 

Do you know that she passed EVERY SINGLE GIRL in those pictures?? Including that one on the bottom right in the red jersey waaaaay ahead of her IN THE FINISH CHUTE??? She's been working hard on finishing strong, so.... I guess that's working out okay for her.

 

They finished 2nd overall in the girl's varsity race, finishing ahead of some incredibly strong (and high ranked) schools. Wheee.

 

This week is her first league meet, so that's pretty exciting. 

 

Also exciting, is the introduction of the parent's hospitality tent. Why yes, I WOULD enjoy standing in your shade and thank you for the muffins and coffee.

 

XC is really the best.

Summer Trail Run #1 Recap / PFTW

Ways to make a trail race seem like an awful idea:

• run when it's super hot and sunny
• eat pizza immediately before leaving the house
• do a hiit video in the morning

This was not ideal, but somehow (probably because we're just the fastest people ever), Angry Julie and I squeaked out a course PR by FIVE MINUTES. We're amazing runners, obvs.

The course this time was the counter-clockwise loop. For some unknown reason, we (Julie, Sheila and I) decided that we remembered this route being eaaaaaasy. This was a lie, because it was HARD. Okay, maybe it was harder than we remembered because last year when we did this one, it was cool and overcast.

We started right on time (this really is the start line, despite it saying Finish), like all of Renegade's events. There were three water stations available on the course - one at about a mile, one around mile 2.5ish, and one at mile 4.

The course starts off running the bike path into the back of Peter's Canyon park, up to the ridgeline. The ridge was hot hot hot hot and so dusty, because hello drought. There are - I think? - 4 or 5 big climbs before you start downhill, then down into the canyon on the way back - and it was glorious and cool down there. Perfect.

Number 1....

We finished right around 55:35, and our time on this last year was 1:00:25, I think, so despite FEELING like it was very rough, I was pretty pleased with the time.

After the race, you're given a choice of barbeque or t-shirt (the shirt is the same for all three races in the series, and you can also choose to do both the food and the shirt for an extra $5). I always choose the food, obviously.

I really, REALLY love these races - there is a kids' obstacle course at the finish line area, and it's just so fun and family friendly.

The next race is July 10th, running the clockwise version of the course - last time, we ran faster on that course, so maybe we can PR AGAIN.

We are the champions.

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Quick recap of last week/PFTW

Monday: Nada

Tuesday: run
4 easy easy miles with run club. I am LOVING this new run club - it is a fun, social run organized by Lifetime Run. The only con (for me) is the distance - we start at the Lifetime Fitness in Laguna, so it's a bit of a trek, but luckily I've worked out some carpooling with a friend close by. (Tuesday evenings at 5:45, 1 hour - join us!)

Wednesday: Nothing

Thursday: XT, trails
I forgot that I hate HIIT. I got confused, because the video I selected was only 16 minutes, so I thought... huh, how bad could that be. THE WORST EVER, BECAUSE HIIT SUCKS. I kid, it was fine, just really hard. I did THIS video, followed by 9 minute abs/obliques, and then 20 minute Lean Arms workout - did you know rhomboids are the weakest muscles ever? I hadn't done this video in awhile, but I immediately remembered. All videos courtesy of Fitness Blender, of course.

Trail run in the evening.

Friday: Nada
Saturday: Again nothing

Sunday: "long"
6 miles - 1 mile solo, 4 with a friend, 1 with The H - he's been injured, and wanted to see how things were feeling. Apparently they're feeling GREAT, because he ran faster than me JERK.


I feel like I'm missing a key component to triathlon training. OH RIGHT, EVERYTHING BESIDES RUNNING. Hashtag lazy.
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PFTW:

Monday: 3 miles easy (spoiler alert, I did 3 easy trail miles yesterday)
Tuesday: 4 easy, arms
Wednesday: Swim/Bike hahahaha
Thursday: 5 with 800s gross, arms
Friday: Swim/Bike
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 8 miles