5 Windy Miles

I got out for a short 5 mile run today.  It was so windy that it took me a while to muster up the ambition.  But once I got out there, it was very enjoyable.  I wasn't feeling my best and had trouble sleeping last night so I was really fighting the urge to just go back to bed.  But I am always happier if I get myself out there and do a nice run. I got in some good hills while I was out there too.

I changed the picture on my Team In Training website.  I wanted to use the new picture from the Nike Women's Marathon and incorporate it into my fundraising page.  This is my new picture now, complete with the red text.

 

If you click on that picture it will take you to my fundraising page.

My Nike Photo

I decided to buy one of my photos from the Nike Women's Marathon on Sunday October 20, 2013.  They seem to have lost my finisher's photos which is kind of a bummer.  But I decided to at least get this one. I look like I am still hanging in there.  Not sure where I was on the course in this shot.

Wind Rain Hills

I'm back home now and running up and down Wolverine Road getting a daily hill workout.  Today was kind of brutal with a howling wind and rain.  But adding my raincoat seemed to do the trick.  I didn't get too wet.  I felt really good going up those steepest hills today.  I actually think I may be improving.  I've been doing my best to incorporate the Chi Running techniques into my workouts.  I don't seem to get very sore anymore so I must be doing something right.  I still need to speed up but I think that will probably always be the case.  I was so tired this morning that I wondered if I would ever drag myself out the door to run.  Amazing how much better and how much more awake I feel now that I had a good 5 mile run.  I think most of my tiredness is all in my head.

I loved running in the rain.

I have my minimum for my Team In Training fundraising now, but that's just because I finally donated the rest myself.  But my goal is to raise enough to end cancer.  That's really what all of my running is about. I'm still hoping to raise a lot more than my minimum before I take off to run in New Orleans in February.

Next marathon Athens Greece on November 10th.  Looking forward to that one for sure.

Please help me raise enough to cure cancer by visiting my fundraising page here. 

San Francisco Bay Shoreline

Wonderful 10 mile run along the shoreline today.  I ran out 5 miles then retraced my steps.  I really had no idea where the trails went, but just kept going until I hit 5 miles.  I was quite surprised to find that the trail spilled out onto the bike trail that runs along US Highway 101.  I wasn't expecting that.  I only had to run about 1/4 mile on 101 before I reached 5 miles and it was time to turn around.  It was nice and cool but the sun came out so it was a beautiful run.  I saw amazing birds, lots of egrets, pelicans and coots, and even a beautiful blue heron.  I took a few pictures along the way and even carried my small Nikon camera along with me. I felt pretty good considering that I ran a full marathon just a few days ago.

Nike Women's Marathon

What a perfect day it was for the marathon today.  It had been so warm the last two days that I was really worried about heat issues.  But it was quite cool all day.  The typical San Francisco fog rolled in last night and lingered until way after everyone had completed the race.  I really can't say I beat my old speed record, but compared to the races I have run in the last several years, I definitely picked up my pace.  Back in 1979 I did my first marathon in just about 5 hours, then later around 2007 I did one at 5:36.  But I finished today at 5:39:44.  I guess running 145 miles on the treadmill up in Deadhorse last month paid off because I not only finished with a much better time, I felt great the whole time.  I feel encouraged by it. I suspect the run in Athens will take longer simply because it has some very long hills.  But at least I feel confident that I will be able to complete that one in sufficient time also.

The Tiffany necklace for this race is quite lovely as usual.

Tiffany Necklace

Short 3 Miles

I decided to do a short run up and down the local hills just to test out my shoes.  I have had some numbness in my right toes so tried out an arch support.  I think it helped.  I will probably leave it in for the marathon on Sunday, knowing I could always stop and pull it out if it seems to be causing more problems than it is solving.  It felt fine, but that was a pretty short test run too.  I don't want to run too much these last few days before the actual marathon.  I will probably run a little there in San Francisco though. I am checked in for my flight and anxious to hop on the plane tonight.

5 Miles Indoors

It's pretty nasty outside today. So I decided to try an experiment.  I have not tried to run in my Vibram 5 Fingers minimalist shoes in quite some time.  I have had some trouble with my right toes going to sleep on me so thought I would try running on the treadmill with them.  I did 5 miles with no problems.  They seem a little hard against the balls of my feet so there is no way I would try them on a marathon.  Probably won't use them outdoors until I have a better place to run.  But they did give me a better idea of where my foot actually strikes.  Seems like I do strike mid-foot like it is suggested.  So it was a nice little run.

Yoga class was quite a tough workout this morning though. Love that class.

10 Miles

I started out intending to run 5 miles.  But when I got to the halfway point, it was so nice that I just kept on going.  It was perfect running conditions.  I ran all the way past the Matanuska River Bridge and back.  Lots of long hills, especially on the return trip because it is mostly uphill going back.  I had planned to go cross country skiing but my car was not able to plow through the unplowed snow on the Hatcher Pass Road.  That was really disappointing.  I plan to put my studded tires on tomorrow.  Maybe that will help but I think they just need to plow the road.  It looks like there is plenty of snow up there for skiing.

The view of the new Matanuska River Bridge from the old bridge was gorgeous today.

Matanuska River Bridge

Rainy Hike

I had a very enjoyable but very wet hike with Diane up along the trails by Hilltop Ski Area in Anchorage.  We only walked 2.75 miles but it was a really nice little workout.  It was pouring rain the whole time.  I had the Ski Patrol CPR refresher all morning so only had a little time for anything else.  It was nice to get outdoors even if only for a short walk in the rain.

6 Miles

What a lovely run.  6.2 miles in perfect running temperatures.  Up and down the hills on Wolverine Road.  They are tough but I think quite helpful.  On my way down my last  hill I ran into two neighbors who were busy chatting and had a gigantic dog on a leash.  The leash was very long and the dog jumped at me and almost knocked me over.  It took all 3 of us by surprise.  Before the guys could reel him in, he leaped on me again and this time knocked me right off my feet and I went flying down into the brush off the road.  But I managed to stay on my feet.  He was a harmless big puppy dog but weighed more than I do, and I burst out laughing.  The owner was so apologetic but I told him not to worry I was fine.  Sure caught me off guard though.  I will have to keep that in mind from now on even if a dog is on a leash.  I carry pepper spray but didn't think I would need it.

I also had 3 cute spectators as I ran by.

Spectators

Caught In The Rain

It seemed like a lovely day when I started my run to Wolverine Creek and back, but as soon as I got all the way to the creek, it started to rain.  I tucked my phone into an inside pocket and hoped it would stay dry.  It did. My legs are still a little sore from the climb on Saturday.  I am amazed that they would still be sore this many days later.  I guess I got a good workout that day.  Maybe tonight in my yoga class I can loosen things up.  I only ran 5 miles today and actually felt pretty sluggish doing it.  There are some very steep hills on the route that I took, so they certainly slow me down.  But even if I have to slow to a walk sometimes, I think they are better than a totally flat run.

The winds yesterday pretty much eliminated the autumn leaves.  I did catch a few as I drove down the road this morning.  Lots of snow on Pioneer Peak now.

Pioneer Peak & Wolverine Road

Twin Peaks Trail

I did a combination hike and run today.  Up the Twin Peaks trail then down across the creek and up to the top of the ridge to look over into Palmer and the Knik River.  It was an amazing view, and very windy. When I got back down to the second bench at the 2.5 mile mark, I ran the rest of the way down because I needed to meet my friend Diane for dinner. It was nice to get a good run in after a very steep hike.  The fall colors were positively amazing too. The total distance was 7.44 miles.

Twin Peaks Ridge Top View

Eklutna Lake

 

Ran The Road

I just ran 5 miles down the road from home and back.  Still dragging a little getting used to being awake during the day. But it did seem better than yesterday.  The wind was horrible though. Lots of dump trucks going by too, which was distracting.

I got my Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend check today and donated all $900 to my Team In Training fundraiser.  I also got a nice $200 donation in the mail.  I'm almost to my required minimum but I hope to actually reach my goal of $5000 and more I hope.

Wind Rain Hills

Finally able to run outdoors again.  Not my best run, but nice to be out on the road again.  I ran the hills on my road.  It was raining and windy and beautiful with the fall colors.  Leaves were falling along the road as I ran.  It was a beautiful experience, so peaceful.  But I was running pretty slowly.  Not quite feeling my best today. Probably just still recovering from the transition from working nights back to trying to sleep nights.  I had hoped to do my long run but could tell I wasn't quite up to it today.  Also, I ran for the first time in my new running shoes.  I just love them.  So comfortable.

I will take the yoga class tonight and try to gain some flexibility.  I have almost none anymore.  At least that's what it feels like lately.

Beautiful scenery here now.

Matanuska Peak