My 30th Year Challenge

Last year my friend and riding partner Samantha rode all 545 miles and raved that it had truly been an an experience of a lifetime.  So much so she is doing it again this year.

As I turn 30 in 10 days I wanted something "big" to start this new chapter of my life, something unlike anything else I have done before.  After hearing about Samantha's experience, the physical and mental challenge, the sense of community along the way and the opportunity to support an excellent cause I knew this was exactly what I was looking for.  After a talk with the husband, my family and my boss I decided to go for it and from June 3 - June 9 I will ride with 2200 others 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

There are a lot of things that scare me about this ride - how will I ride an average of 80 miles a day for 7 days?  How do I even begin to make a training plan?  There will be hills, we will be sleeping in tents, there will be no electricity.  Will I really be able to raise the $3000 I need to ride this event?

However, the fact that I have these fears makes me know that this is exactly the challenge I am seeking.  I think it is good to be a little {a lot} scared - it makes you work harder and push yourself further so you know you don't fail.

The other thing that intrigues me about this ride is the chance to not only do something good for myself but something good for others.  I have to raise $3000 in order to participate in this ride.  All the money goes directly to support the fight against HIV/AIDS.  I know everyone has a cause that they support but if you find yourself with any extra change hanging around I would love to have your support.  I will take dollars, I will take pennies, I will take your well wishes - nothing is too small and everything is greatly appreciated.

 

I feel so lucky to have found hobbies that bring me such joy and if you asked me five years ago what I would wanted to do to celebrate my 30th birthday I can 100% guarantee I would not have said ride 545 miles for fun.  Now I can't think of anything better.

Here is to a great start to a new decade of adventures!

Race Report: Brazen Races NYE 10k/New Years Day 5k

Mid-December as I was checking out race websites planning my 2012 race calendar I came across Brazen Races.  I knew they hosted primarily trail runs and given that one of my goals for 2012 is some trail running I decided to see what they had to offer.  As I was perusing the site I saw they had a NYE race and a New Years Day race and if you did both you got a really cool medal - even if you didn't do the half marathon.  Motivated by bling I signed Kevin and I up for 10ks for both days.

NYE 10k

My back, while better, is still not 100% and I am on my way to the doctor today to discuss some more options.  However, race morning I felt pretty good but slightly nervous since I haven't run more than 5 miles in about two months.

The course was a out and back course - half paved trail and half packed dirt trail - running along Lake Chabot.  Not having ever done trail running before I wasn't 100% sure what to expect but I knowing I was only doing this race for fun took pressure off.

The race started and we were off.  The first mile and half was on the paved trail.  Around mile 1.75 we ran over a little bridge and were on the dirt trail for the rest of the race until we hit the bridge on the way back.

Right at mile 2 we hit a fairly good size hill - that kept going, and going and going - for about 1.2 miles.  I had looked at the elevation chart but guess I was picturing a hill that was more like the ones that can be found in the Nike Women's half.  In my opinion this one was way steeper than any of the hills in that race.  I ran the first 1/4 mile but some points were so steep I ended up walking most of it but I wasn't alone, everyone around me was too.  Despite the climb, the top provided fantastic views - I wish I would have taken a picture. 

At the top was a water station stocked with not only water/Gatorade, etc but fruit, pretzels, gummy bears and other yummy snacks.  I was so impressed as I had never seen this for a running event before.

It was fun to fly down the hill on the way back.  It was precarious at points but I love a good down hill.  Once we were down the hill it was an easy 1.75 miles on paved trail back to the finish.

Garmin Stats
Distance: 6.37 miles
Time: 1:11:48/11:16 min/mile avg

Race Stats
Distance: 6.2 miles
Chip Time: 1:13:01/11:45 min/mile avg

New Years Day 5k

As I mentioned above, originally I had planned to do two 10ks but I think that climbing that hill threw my back for a loop because it was not happy Sunday morning despite my attempts to stretch it around.  I decided to drop to the 5k.  Like I said, these races were for fun, not time, and there was no sense in pushing myself farther when I didn't need to.

We had a fairly mellow NYE, fun, but mellow so I woke up feeling just fine.  The 5k course was the paved portion of the 10k so I knew exactly what to expect.

Once we started my back was pretty angry so I focused on trying to keep a slow (i.e. not a 5k race pace) and steady pace.  Once I settled in I felt a little better but was not regretting the decision to only do the 5k.

Garmin Stats
Distance 3.34
Time: 35:14/10:32 min/mile avg

At the finish both days they had quite the abundance of snacks - the standard bagels, oranges, bananas but also pies, a candy table, hot chocolate, coffee and ice cream sandwiches!  Not wanting to "ruin" my workout I only took some hot chocolate but the organization of this race was beyond amazing and the fact they give you a medal no matter what distance you do it pretty cool too.  The prices were also completely reasonable despite the little extras.  I will definitely do more Brazen Races in the future!

Of course, I got what I came for - my medals!  One for each race and then a third connector piece to make one large medal.

Both runs were a really fun, and different, way to say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012!  Hope your new year started off with a bang!

Farewell 2011/Welcome 2012

Wow!  What a year 2011 was - a complete 180 from 2010.  I sure hope this good fortune continues into 2012.

I approached my goals for 2011 differently than in the past.  Ending the year with a pretty severe injury and having to re-take the bar again, I didn't want to set myself up for failure.  Instead, I focused on setting small goals throughout the year based on my back recovery and getting my career on track. 

I did lay out a few small goals to get the year going and I can proudly announce I accomplished them ALL!  That feels SO good to say after the disappoints and failures of 2010.

2011 Goals

1. Complete Oakland 1/2 Marathon, Cinderella Challenge, Big Sur Marathon, Wine Country Century and Levi's Ride. 

DONE!  Due to my never-ending back injury saga I didn't run/ride all these events like I hoped BUT I completed them all and had a blast.

2. Spend more time on my bike.

DONE!  I did 5 organized bike events this year - one being another century ride - plus two triathlons.  I also hit my goal pace on my bike for my 70.3 - at least 15 mph for 56 miles!

3. Complete a 70.3.

DONE!!  Recaps here and here.  I am so happy I was finally able to accomplish this goal which had originated in 2009.  I can't wait for the next one.

4. Dive into trail running.

DONE!  I squeaked this in just in time and completed the Brazen Racing New Years Eve 10k.  Race report coming with the Brazen Racing New Years Day 10k.  Brazen Racing might just be one of my new favorite race organizations - it was awesome!

5. Pass the Bar.

DONE DONE DONE!!!  Despite knowing that for some this was an easy, "pass on the first time no big deal" event, this accomplishment for me still makes me giddy.  I even took it one step further and even have an awesome job!!  This made my year.

This picture will NEVER get old!

Without further adieu, here are my goals for 2012:

Athletic Goals
1. New PRs

• In 2012, I will be gaining a "3" in front of my age and losing a "2" which means I will be moving into a new age group and hoping to set new PRs in each of the following distances:

• 5k
• 10k
• Half Marathon
• Marathon
• 70.3

• As they say, I hope things get better with age. :)

2. Become a stronger cyclist.  

• This is a little difficult to measure as organized bike rides are just that, "rides" not "races," but my Garmin distinguishes between "overall time" and "time actually riding the bike" so I am hoping to see faster "time on the bike" times for the distances as the year goes on.  I also hope to become a stronger climber.  Again, slightly hard to quantify right now in terms of measuring results but I think this will be a good one to incorporate into specific rides as the year goes on.

3. Continue exploring trail running.

Professional Goals
Bro Bono Work

• First, I cannot stress how much I am enjoying my job.  I am extremely lucky to have landed it in this economy and I don't take it for granted for a second.  I have an incredible, patient, smart boss and mentor and wonderful co-workers who put up with my incessant questions.  Despite some long hours and struggling to find that "work/life" balance (my own time management) I truly enjoy going to work everyday.  However, outside of work I would really love to take on some cases pro bono and help give back.  I have always felt strongly about public interest work and now I am in a place where I have the time and resources to give back in this way. 

Personal Goals
While I was in law school I picked up a bunch of new hobbies - sadly, I never had the time to actually cultivate them.  FINALLY, I can make them a priority.
 
1. Re-learn to knit.

2. Learn to use my camera.  (I have a beautiful DSLR camera and use the auto setting)

3. Get caught up on all my photo albums.  (I am still working on 2009)

4. Limit computer usage (I can get lost online for hours)

Easy enough right?  I can't wait to get started!  And for a trip down memory lane, here is some of the highlights of 2011.

January and February

I did a lot of studying.

March

I hobbled through the Oakland 1/2 Marathon but had a blast.

April

Rode 65 miles in the Cinderella Classic

Headed to Michigan where Kevin was a groomsman in one of our good friends' wedding

May

Had a great weekend in Carmel running the Big Sur 9 miler

 Rode 100 miles in the Wine County Century with my favorite riding partner

Passed the bar (I won't make you look at the picture again)

Celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary whitewater rafting

June

Got sworn in as an attorney

Rode 71 crazy, cold, wet miles in America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride

July

Rode my bike around 17 mile drive

Started planning my sister's wedding

Did my first Olympic distance triathlon - the California International Triathlon

August

Took a much needed vacation to Costa Rica

Rode 65 miles in the Tour of Napa

Made it to the summit of Mt. Diablo on my bike (the hardest 10.8 miles of my life)

September

Finally got to cross the finish line of a 70.3 - Big Kahuna

Started my new job

Hosted a baby shower for my sister-in-law and new nephew

October

Rode my favorite 60 mile ride at Levi's Gran Fondo 

Oh, and met this man

and Levi himself

 Was lucky enough to run the Nike Women's Half again

 Became a godmother

 November

 Took Kevin whale watching for his birthday and got incredibly sea sick

 but we saw a great white shark

 Enjoyed watching our 49ers have a wonderful season

 Became an Aunt and Uncle

Continued our Thanksgiving tradition with a Turkey Trot

December

 Spent a weekend in Lake Tahoe

After 4 years of producing the Nutcracker at my old job, got a treated to the REAL one in SF

Got completely spoiled and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with family

and finished the year with a 10k on NYE

Cheers to a wonderful 2012!

Race Report: Walnut Creek Turkey Trot 5k

One of my all time favorite days to run is Thanksgiving morning.  It always feels great to get in a few good miles before the feasting begins.  This year was no exception and Kevin and I lined up for our 5th year in a row for a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.  While we lived in Sacramento it was Run to Feed the Hungry, last year was the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot and this year we decided to run in the Walnut Creek Turkey Trot. 

When the alarm went off I heard rain on windows.  I actually don't mind running in the rain but always have a hard time deciding what to wear as the rain always makes me think it is colder than it really is.  I went with long sleeves with a tank underneath, capris and my favorite Northface headband.  Around mile 1.5 I was regretting the long sleeves (which is why I usually just wear arm warmers) but knowing I only had 1.5 miles to go I resisted the urge to stop and take it off.

I hadn't picked up our race packets before hand so we left at 6:30 am because I wasn't sure about traffic, parking, etc.  Needless to say we had our packets and were back in the car by 6:55 am with an hour and five minutes to go before the race started at 8:00.  I spent the whole time massaging my back with the stick as it was a little tight from my run the day prior and giving me a little bit of trouble.   


We walked over to the start around 7:50 and easily got a spot in the 9:00-10:00 minute mile corral and the rain was just starting to let up at this point.  We were both signed up for the 10k but I told Kevin that if my back started to tighten up I was going to cut out at the 5k split.  I had no goals for this race other than to have fun so it was not worth being in pain for.

The gun fired and we were off.  One thing about Turkey Trots is they usually allow baby joggers (I guess a lot of 5ks do for that matter) so I spent a good portion of mile one dodging them (that's what happens when you are slow).  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE that families are out there together and I fully intend on continuing the Turkey Trot tradition with a baby jogger when I have kids but I promise to be considerate and stay to the far left or right so people don't have to go around me. 

Around mile 1.5 I felt the all to familiar twinge of of my muscles tightening in my back.  I told myself to just try and stick it out but I have been having such successful (short, but successful) runs lately I didn't want to push my luck and knew I would be much happier to finish a shorter race pain free than a longer race in pain.  When I finally caught Kevin I told him I was going to duck out at the 5k but for him to continue on with the 10k.  Once I knew I only had less than 1.5 miles to go I picked up the pace and really enjoyed the rest of the race. 

Mile 1: 10:43
Mile 2: 10:18
Mile 3: 10:03
Mile .1: 9:55
Total: 32:00 (10:21 avg)

I have clearly lost a lot of speed over this past year being injured but this past month I have been completing runs without having to stop and walk (a huge improvement) so I consider that a success and a step in the right direction to being healed!

 

I got in some good stretching and ran into a friend waiting for Kevin to finish - he wasn't too far behind me!

There wasn't much time to hang out after though as we had an important person to go see:

My nephew was born on November 22 and was still in the hospital on Thanksgiving which was only minutes from where the race finished.  I am so in love with the little guy (even though he looks a little terrified of me in this picture!)  He was scheduled to be born on November 28th but decided he wanted to make his appearance a little bit early.  He is healthy, happy and truly blessed to have two of the best parents in the whole world - and of course, the best uncle and auntie in the whole world. :)

From there we rushed home as I had a turkey to get in the oven.  We hosted my family and Kevin's parents for Thanksgiving.

Today we got in a good ride with great company and tomorrow I get to catch up with one of my best friends and my godson.

 

There are just too many cute babies in my life!

2011 has brought me so much to be thankful for - I am such a lucky a girl.  I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with your families!