How Far We've Come

The El Cajon 20k Race Report or How Irene Got Her Groove Back

I must admit to some ambivalence after I agreed to participate in the track club's El Cajon 20k race, but I knew it would be a good half marathon training run since it's almost half marathon distance, complete with some kick-ass hills. This was also the same day as the train run, which is one of my favorite runs because we take the train* 16 miles up the coast and run back along the coast and a few of the coastal towns along the way. I love running along the coast. The El Cajon 20K is inland, which is usually a good 10 degrees (or more) warmer than it is on the coast.  I've never run this race before, but EVERYONE kept talking about the hills.  In the few days leading up to the race, I was concerned about the weather.  It was warm in my 'hood, which is by the coast, so I could only imagine the warmth in El Cajon.  I was not looking forward to running an almost half marathon with hills and heat. 

Race day comes and it's rather overcast and a little humid.  It's not cold out, but far from hot.  It actually drizzled a little when we arrived at the race venue, at Granite Hills High School.  This isn't a big race, perhaps about 200 people.  A lot of the people I normally run with were at the train run.  After the usual formalities it was soon time to race, and I wasn't ready.  Waking up at 4:30 AM didn't help.  I felt tired.  Since the air was on the humid side, a bit of asthma kicked in, and I needed to get a forced breathing pattern down right away.

Into the first couple of miles we all noticed plenty of road kill and eau de skunk in a few areas.  We also encountered a dead snake on one of the uphill climbs. As with most races, it started out with everyone running somewhat clumped together until we arrived at the first steep hill, then the clumps of people thinned out. Several people walked up the steeper hills.  People who were well ahead of me were soon behind me and never passed me afterward, which surprised me.  At times I was running alone.  As slow as I was going up those steep hills, I was still running.  I was still moving. 

I have not much to say about the route, other than it was hilly, but we did run through some beautiful areas along the lush countryside, past some huge custom homes with horses, and (of course) rocky hills.  This race was not on a closed route, and we all had to be mindful of bike riders and car traffic. What goes up must come down.  The thing about running up hill is that there's a little relief coming down.  The last 3 to 4 miles were mostly at a slight downhill, and I was able to make up some time, and was able to pull out whatever I had left in me to jam to the finish line.  

Notice the elevation gain?

Those kick-ass hills kicked my ass.  My hamstrings and glutes were screaming when I was done.  It was hard to stretch, but I managed a little stretching without falling over or screaming.  After grabbing the usual post race muffin and banana, I walked around the high school a bit just to keep my legs and butt from locking up or cramping.  I also chatted with a few track club members and met a few new people.  Hubs ran this race too, and wasn't that far behind me.

Soon after hubs finished his run, the race coordinators began announcing the over all winners and age group winners.  I though I might have a chance at something this year due to the fact that everyone who usually wins my age group were probably at the train run.

I WON THIRD IN MY AGE GROUP!

 Me and my prize for  3rd in my AG.   I actually had a choice between socks, running shorts, t shirt, coffee mug and beer glass with the track club insignia.  Of course I selected the beer glass.  I have my priorities! Cheers!

For all I know there were probably 3 women in my age group.  It doesn't matter because I showed up and I took on those kick-ass hills.  You can't win if you don't show up.  Oh, wait, I take that back. *cough*  This time I earned my prize.  Everyone who ran this race deserved some sort of prize because it truly was not an easy course. 

According to Lucy** moving time was 02:15:30 and elapsed Time was 02:16:19. I'm still waiting on the official time, but it was in the 2:16 range. This race did not use timing chips or D tags.  Posted race results are pending.

EDIT

Final results 70 IRENE M  33 51  3/6  F 2:16:19 10:59

Tuesday's Song:
No Scrubs - TLC - Run-DMZ

PEACE

*What's not to love? You get to take a train ride with friends and run along the Southern California coast. 
**My Garmin.

That's It, I Quit, I'm Moving On

...moving on from injury and illness.

This week I'm starting over. For the past 6 months I feel as if I've gone from illness to injury over and over again. I need a fresh start without acting like I'm making up for lost time. I need to approach running and the whole fitness thing as if it's new. I feel like I get started again then I get sick, or injured, or both. I don't know the body I have right now and how it will react to what ever I'm doing. I started swimming two weeks ago then I got sick, which wiped me out last week. All I want is to be healthy. Last year was so promising and I was beginning to make progress again. This year is half way through and I feel as if it's been full of setbacks. It's time for some good karma and maybe a more conservative approach to my training. I don't think the  "full speed ahead" approach is working for me. I know I can't dwell over how the past 6 months have been,  PRs in sight (again) only to vanish between illness and injury.

FROM HERE ON OUT THERE WILL BE NO MORE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES THAT IMPEDES MY PROGRESS!

• I will rebuild.
• I will meet my goals.
• I will see some PRs. 
• I will persevere.

Unfinished business / randomness...

About a month ago The Black Knight had a random drawing for a Race for the Cure t-shirt from Italy.  Lo and behold, I won!

Front

Back

This T shirt is incredibly soft and I've been wearing it as a night shirt. I kept meaning to get a photo* of it ever since it arrived. Grazie molto, Cavaliere Nero!!

We received my daughter's graduation photos, finally!

Renee Alexandra Morton - June 3, 2010 - Associates of Arts - Dance, Certificates in Dance and Education **

Our senior citizen kitty, Cruiser, has to be about 18 years old, which makes him something like a hundred years old by cat standards.  He's slow.  He can't jump fences or stalk birds outside, but his head is all there, still seeks attention, and can meow louder than any other cat I've known.  He's a little scruffy looking due to his advanced age, but I captured a photo this morning that makes him look like the kitten he once was:

"Meeeeeoooooow! " translates to "Let me in!"

In World Cup Soccer today, Brazil shut out Chile, 3 to 0. Since the USA is out, I'm now completely behind Brazil, but I am out-numbered since 4 of the 5 people living in my house are part Brazilian.  Do I have a choice?  Yes, I suppose I could be a rebel and root for Germany or Spain since I have descendants from both of those countries, but it wouldn't be pretty. I'll root for Brazil and keep the peace.

Photo - Soccerfanhouse.com /Associated Press

Thursday's Song:
That's Not Me - The Beach Boys

PEACE

*Photo credit to my almost 7 year old grandson, Evan.
** How often do you use your kid's full name?

With A Little Luck

I thought I'd have more time to blog once everyone was back at school, but it hasn't exactly worked out that way. My computer has been buggy and it even took forever to put up a few words on Facebook. I hope whatever Michael did to the computer last night settles the bugs, at least for now.

Lately I've been feeling a little lucky...

I won a canister of French Vanilla Juice Plus Complete from Fair Weather Runner's blog give-away last month. This is pretty awesome stuff because I'm not allergic to anything in it, and it tastes good. I'd give it my seal of approval if I had one. I was also hooked up with a small case of Pom pomegranate juice for free from the nice folks over at Pom. I've tried Pom before, but it has been a while since I've had any. It's still great! I received the Pom and the French vanilla Juice Plus Complete at the same time. I put both products in the blender with some ice and that was a delicious post workout concoction.

I won a shoe odometer from the Runner's Lounge. It's an interesting concept, especially since I became lax about tracking my shoes once I got the GPS running app for my cell phone. Prior to that I would write the mileage on the inside lid of the shoe box and do a weekly total. I'm saving the Shoe Odometer for a new pair of shoes, which will probably happen in another month or so. I'll let you all know how it works then.

Last month Runner's Lounge was hit by a major wave of generosity, and Wright Socks gave their readers who responded two pairs of socks each. That's a lot of socks. I've worn Wright Socks ever since I became serious about running. Quality running socks do make a difference and are worth the investment. The two brands I usually go for are Wright Socks and Ininji.

I also thought I would have a new photo to share. Sorry, no photo. Michael hasn't downloaded the pictures from his camera. It's still at the office. Michael and I went out to breakfast with AKA Alice and Heffer friends Betty and Elsie after our run with the track club last Saturday. Yes, mimosas were served. AKA Alice has proof on her blog here.

This week I was surprised with the track club's half marathon training's "Runner of the Week." I really did not see that coming at all. I have my photo and a blurb about me on the track club half marathon site. I'm not going to link to it because it's only up for a week but here's the blurb:

Irene Morton is proof that a debilitating injury doesn't mean you're down and out for good. Three weeks before last year's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, she broke her hip and immediately underwent surgery, then physical therapy just to learn to walk correctly again. A year later, she made good on that marathon goal and finished strong as part of the SDTC's training program. In addition to being such an inspiration, she's also an active volunteer. Right now she and her husband Michael are training for the Silver Strand and Las Vegas half marathons. Her running advice: "Listen to your body. If something hurts and does not feel better within a short time, rest and/or seek medical advice.”

The quote is missing a the part about "be your own advocate" in regards to medical advice and getting a second opinion. I know they had limited space to put the blurb, and I know I made that advice quote up there, but it sounds kind of obvious. I also realize people dislike having to go to the doctor and put it off as long as possible. Ah, well. I am really, really, really honored to be a "Runner of the Week." It's a good thing.

In addition to the track club, I started half marathon training with Rehab United for the Las Vegas Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon in December. OH . MY . GAWD. Can we all say "intense?" I think it's safe to say that I will improve my times working with the RU training program. No luck involved, just a lot of hard work -- really hard work, but it's exactly what I need. There's about 20 of us, all different levels and ages. Since I've just started with them tonight, I'll save my comparisons to the track club for later on.

Whew.

Last Thursday's song:
Only You Can Bring Me Cheer - Allison Krauss

PEACE

Photo by cygnus921 on Flickr