Upcoming Training

It's almost a new year and my has it flown by. I'm looking forward to the new year. My husband and I will be transfering in April and I will be training the next four months for a half ironman (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride finishing up with a 13.2 mile run) in Texas. I'm getting really excited about the training but I also know it will be hard work and dedication. I will start training January 4th and my first week will consist of three thousand yards of swimming, sixty-five miles on the bike and 12 miles of running with one day off! I enjoy these work-outs and what is really exciting is finishing the race knowing how hard I will have worked. Stay tuned for training updates!

Pictures of Trail Run

Half Marathon Trail Run in Hawaii

First of all, I convienced two of my friends to do this run with me. One did the 5K Tour Walk and the other did the 10K. We all three arrived at the run and the scenery was just beautiful. We got everything in order by grabbing some gels and water before the race. I wasn't feeling a 100% that day and contiplated if i should do the 10K with my friend but I wanted to see the "bigger" trail so I told myself to get it together and be ready for a 13.2 mile trail run.

The gun goes off and we are off! It hasn't even been a half mile and already we are running straight up, crazy I thought. It got a bit easier and I was crusing along enjoying being out in nature looking at the mountains and ocean. By mile 6 and 7 I was feeling a bit fatigue due to the monster hills we had to run. I began noticing that another runnner and I were going the same pace and when she stopped I would stop and so forth. This went on for about two more miles and finally I asked her what her name was. She replied and from that moment on we agreed to finish togteher. The farthest she had ever run was nine miles and no trails so I knew this would be a chanllenge not only for myself but her as well.

We finally make it to the very top of the mountain which was mile eleven and there was a small drink station which I kept calling them mountain angels because they were deep into the trails with water, gatorade and gels. The "mountain angel" told us we could see the finish line once we got over the mountain. He was correct and my body then wanted to go for it and finish the race. My new friend did not feel the same way and had to walk some and do a light jog. I kept her motivated and told her only to stop and walk only if an emergency and that it would be over soon. She did great and did just that. The finish line could not have come sooner but we finished together as we sprinted across the finish line.

That was the most difficult but beautiful trail run i had ever run in my life. I am so glad I did the 13.2 miles and met someone that helped me and that I could help as well.

The Next Race

My friend is gone and it has been back to work and such. I recently signed up for another half marathon but this time it is a trail run in the mountains. I am very excited about this one, I've never dona a trail race before much less trained in the mountains as well. I did my first trail run last week and the altitude was a slap in the face so I ran most of the 5 miles but had to walk some of the "up" parts. The views from this trail run/hike is beautiful. The actual hike is 15 miles long but the first 2.5 miles in is a nice trail to run along. The race is an Xterra Trail Run; xterraplanet.com so go to the website and check it out. The race is going to be held on Sunday, December 6. The pictures posted here are of my trail run that I will be tackling a few more times like today.

Race Day

November 8, 2209 was the half marathon for my friend and I. We woke up around 4am and got ourselves ready and headed to the race. It was about a 30 min. drive so we had plenty time to wake up a bit more and do a little chit chatting before the race. We finally get there and we both had to use the restroom really bad and of course the line is way out to tim buck too! As we leave the restroom we come to find out the start gun had already gone off so we began our run and we started at the end of the pack. That was okay because we were not trampled by hundreds of people. It was still dark when we started and being able to watch the sun come up was a beautiful sight; especially on the East side of the island. I felt pretty good going into the race but my poor friend on the other hand was getting over being really sick. Each hill we came up to, I thought oh dear here comes a hill but rather I was cruising up very nicely. Instead of looking back for my friend I would hear her cough here and there so I knew she was not far behind me. The course went through a beautiful neighborhood and also along the beach, which my friend enjoyed the new scenery as well as I did! After 13.2 miles we reach the finish line at 2:22 and both very happy to have gotten to run together. I enjoyed having her with me all the way, it was nice to run with a friend. After the race we went back home to enjoy fresh fish tacos, football, friends and some ice cold beer. I will miss running with you, friend!

One More Day Until Race Day

My friend and her husband arrived Monday, October 2nd and it was great seeing them safe and sound. We just hung out Monday and caught up on old times. Tuesday, October 3rd was our deep sea fishing expedition which left me throwing up three times and remaining in the horizontal position for roughly ten hours. While getting up to see all the excitement (caching a fish) I hurled once more on the side of the boat, but glad we finally caught a fish. It was my friend's husband that caught the fish which made me very happy. Although I was sea sick it was kind of nice to just lie down and relax and do absolutely nothing. Wednesday, October 4th, my friend and I do our first run together in preparation for the half marathon. We did five miles and my friend did great, due to the fact she is getting over bronchitis. Thursday, October 5th I took my friend and her husband on a hike to some beautiful waterfalls. We then stayed the night in Wakiki and have a nice and relaxing evening. Friday, October 6th we did a small run, hiked Diamond Head, and then hit the surf. They did great and had a really nice time on the waves. They got up a little but are ready for some more. Today is Saturday, October 7th and we are preparing for our swap meet shopping and our pontoon boat adventure. We will have a nice relaxing day in preparation for tomorrows' race.

10 Miles Completed!

Last night I kept waking up and the first thought that would pop into my head was "I must run 10 miles tomorrow morning"! By 5:30am I was tired of this thought racing through my head over and over again. I got up, ate a piece of toast and had some coffee (caffeine goooooood!). I headed out by 6:45am and the first mile was a nice warm up. The second and third were a bit sluggish but by the fourth mile I had my rhythm and groove kickin. I felt strong and enjoyed the music that was coming out of my IPOD. It amazes me what music does to the speed of my run but then again I still had six more miles to go so didn't want to rush it. I ran through my neighborhood and then got onto Ft. Weaver (some may know this road) where I got close to the hospital and didn't need to visit, just my turn around point. I was happy to be 1/2 finished and knowing I was closing the gap. I also found the smells along the way very interesting. I smelled flowers, the early morning, people cooking breakfast and my favorite smell was the do-nuts coming from the 7-11. I never eat do-nuts but if one was in front of my face at that time, I would have jogged on eating it with no remorse. Mile six and seven were good as well and felt confident I could run all the way! By mile eight the knees began to bug a little and my left heel felt uncomfortable as well but I kept on going knowing I only had 2 more miles to go. My goal time to finish was 2 hours and looking down at my watch I had plenty time to beat that. I picked up the pace for the last mile and a half and finished in 1:47. I was pleased of the time and that the run was over.

This coming week is a taper week but a week from today is the 1/2 marathon. I'm looking forward to it!