April Recap

April was good to me. I felt good the whole month, my runs got better, faster. I hit 66 of a scheduled 66.5 miles (I skipped my last run pre-half last week, due to crappy scheduling on my part). I even went to yoga twice, and did some at home. Which was great, and makes me wonder why I don't do it more often.

I started speed work about 3 weeks ago, and have seen my paces drop a TON. I mean... 11:45-11:30, to comfortably maintaining 10:45-10:35.

Amazing what you can pull off when you train for it ;).

Suck Less Challenge: I sucked at it. I skipped 1 full week, because... for no reason, other than I was just TIRED. It's back on for May, though.

I'll cover the PCRF half in a separate post. I will say, that I PR'ed significantly (hard not to when there aren't costumed characters every mile...), I did ALL of my training right and felt really strong going in, and completely failed on executing. Bombed.

What's on tap for May?

Not sure. It's the first month since October that I've not had a training plan to work off of. I start training at the end of the month for Disneyland in September - gives me a 16 week schedule to work on. I'm putting this one together on my own, so we'll see how that goes. I've got a 5K at the beginning of June, my Corona del Mar vindication. My time last year was 37:57. I hit 35:XX in Dana Point after that... and pulled out a 32:xx yesterday during the half. So I'll probably fill in May with some shorter runs, focusing on speed work and hills.

All in all, it was a good month. I'm bummed about how things went for me yesterday, but... meh. I did everything right heading in, so that really good to know.

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.”

Gabby had a clinic visit yesterday. It was nothing special, nothing interesting. She had some blood drawn, and she likes to help the nurse transfer her blood into these little tubes. She knows the green and purple have to be shaken.

The nurse paused, and asked how old she is. "She's so mature for four!"

I don't want my 4 year old to be... mature.

We got our road map for the next phase of chemo, that she starts next week. It's called "Delayed Intensification", and they're not really joking. It's pretty intense. She'll lose her hair again, but we expected that. The Steroid makes another appearance. I was googling some of the drugs that are being introduced, and found this gem amongst the descriptions of side-effects:

Due to these side effects and its red color, it has earned the nickname "red
devil" or "red death."

Really?

That's really our BEST CHOICE FOR TREATING LEUKEMIA IN A FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD?

I've been freaking out a little (in case you hadn't noticed...) about the half this weekend. Can I stick the pace I'd like to, for 13 miles? Seems so tough.

Probably less tough than giving your child an IV loaded with "red death".

In the end, my goal time is irrelevant.

We raised, you, me, this blog, over $2000 for Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

The team I'm on raised over $45,000.

That all goes to find better treatments. Treatments better than this.

You can still donate through this weekend, LINK HERE.

But you can make a difference in so many other ways, too.

Volunteer for an event. Volunteer for office work, for a local foundation or charity. Volunteer at a local children's hospital.

Kids are resilient. They're stronger than we think. They take their treatments, and they often don't say a word. They don't complain. They don't let it phase them.

But they shouldn't have to be strong. They shouldn't have to be mature. They should be... kids.

Anyway.

Enough preachy preachy.

A bunch of people are running this weekend - I know Little Fruit Fly and (Just) Trying are running Eugene, and Skinny Runner (and maybe Bro?!). Rad Runner and Canadian in Exile are hitting the OC Marathon. Once Upon A (L)ime and I are doing PCRF Cinco De Mayo Half (not together, she's way fast).

I know I've forgotten a bunch, but good luck everyone!

Three Things Thursday, Random Style

1. After my Tuesday run, I feel like... maybe, maybe I can stick that 2:20 goal pace. Splits: 11:09, 11;23, 9:45, 10:22.

9:45???? I don't even know how that happened.

2. Just checked the browser history on my kids' computer. Someone, yesterday, was searching for "How to sabotage parents", and "How to ruin someones life". Um...

3. Royal wedding? Meh. But shuttle launch on Friday? Psyched. I'll be live streaming NASA TV.

Wordless Wednesday

Our weekend....

Jelly Bean Virtual 10K

I've never raced a 10K before, so yay for an instant PR! :D

This run was kind of disjointed. I was scheduled for 6 with PCRF Saturday, but the course we ran was short - like, a lot. 5.7 miles. Gr.

We run down this bike path next to... the San Diego Creek Channel. As we all know, all rivers are really concrete on the sides, right?

No?

Hm.

It was H O T.

There was some water left over from the last time it rained, but.. not much.

Beautiful.

We eventually climbed out of the drainage ditch river path, and ran down this lovely, lovely sight...

But then turned around and went back the way we came. Curses.

If you can overlook the river, it's really a pretty view most of the run...

It's not really all curvy like that. Just my incredible picture taking skills while in motion...

So, part one done - 5.7 miles, 1:04:57

Next, I jogged from our end point to my car. .21 miles, 2:05.

Finally, I went home, and #1 asked to come out with me for my final .29. By now, I'm still drenched in sweat (ick), and now it's kind of breezy and overcast. So I'm freezing. That's cute.

#1 continued to show me what's up, and took off like a freaking gazelle.

Pretty!

Final run, .29 miles, 3:22

Total time: 1:10:24

I completely failed to print and bring my bib with me - FAIL! But, I wore the Disney Princess Half shirt (pretty!), paired with this fab skirt that really didn't fit me 2 months ago :D




...And that's a wrap! I had a goal of a 1:15 10K when I started running, and punched that right in the throat. I'm registered for another 10K in July... June appears to be shaping up as the Month of Speed Work.

Thanks, Jess, for organizing!

Weekly Recap, taper madness, a pacing question, and a winner!!

I love love love Hyperbole and a Half... I started writing my first sentance, and realized it sounded like I was a little dumb, unless you were also familiar with this post... I'm sorry to have ruined any chance of productivity for your day.

I did ALL THE THINGS I had planned for last week.

Monday: Suck Less Program done
Tuesday: Ran 3.5 miles (ish). I had a running buddy, and we spent a lot of time chatting and walking fast, rather than running, so. Oops. It was worth it :D
Wednesday: Yoga!!, and Suck Less Program
Thursday: 5 miles done, some speed work, but I felt crappy. I was scheduled for 4, but made up my missing time from Tuesday. #1 came with me, and put me to shame.
Friday: Suck Less Program
Saturday: Scheduled for 6, did 6.2 to complete the Jelly Bean Virtual 10K (recap to come)

Plan for this week....
Monday: Suck Less Program
Tuesday: 4 miles easy pace
Wednesday: Suck Less Program
Thursday: 3 miles easy pace
Friday: Suck Less Program
Saturday: REST
Sunday: 13.1

So, my pacing issues.

Prior to about three weeks ago, I was pretty consistent with a 11:25-11:45 pace on my 5-mile mid week runs.

Then, magically, I was consistently running 10:35-10:45.

I kept my long runs at a slower pace, just getting the miles in.
8.5 miles - 12:21 pace
9 miles - 11:46 pace
10 miles - 11:45 pace
6.2 - 11:21 pace

It's certainly getting easier to HOLD a faster pace...

But maintain it?

For 13.1 miles?

Questionable.

I would LOVE to hit 2:20. Can I? Possibly.

I'll be happy with 2:30. But I think that's an easy goal to make. I feel like I could do that with minimal effort. That seems like cheating.

I *know* I'll PR. Unless Princesses and Pirates magically show up and force me to stand in a million lines for pictures.

What think the more experienced racers?

And, of course, taper madness is in full swing. I have random, unexplained aches and pains and made up problems :D. I'm sure I'll be spending my day stalking pace calculators and googling "Why does my shin muscle hurt?"

6 more days of this nonsense!

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Winner winner!

According to Random.org...



Kerrie at Mom vs. Marathon!! If you haven't yet checked out her blog, do so :D

Congrats, Kerrie! Shoot me an email a hmgiraffy at gmail dot com with your address :D

Happy Monday!

Photo Friday

Waiting for our nurse at CHOC yesterday. There, like, aren't even words. She looks so content and peaceful.

Crazy.

So, she didn't need a transfusion. In fact, her numbers were OUTSTANDING. I think the best they've been yet. So, in return, she got a super high dosage of chemo. That ought knock her around a bit. Sigh.

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WWYD, Spring Break edition...

San Diego Zoo

or Sea World?