11.28.09
Posted in Run
at 7:00 am
by luluorange ·
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Perfect weather, perfect group! We headed to the Santa Monica Canyon, running thru winding hills to Sunset Blvd then enter the Will Roger State Park. Ascend thru dirt trial, rounding up along the mountain and got up to the top. Beautiful view of the entire LA Basin is below us. When we got up to the top, we took a break, and taking in the view. There are a lot to be thankful for in my life, but to be able to do this…what a blessing! To memorialize this moment, a picture is in order!
Group Picture on top of Will Roger State Park
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 11/28/2009
- Time: 07:00:00
- Total Time: 2:18:00.00
- Calories: 1631
- Distance: 13 miles
- Average Pace: 10:37.17/mile
- Ascent: 1,258 ft
- Descent: 1,263 ft
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11.22.09
Posted in Run
at 7:00 am
by luluorange ·
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Our firm put together a team of runners and walkers for a charity run sponsored by California Society of CPAs. I had mix feeling about it for several reasons, one being I am still in recovery mode from my Marathon a week ago. Two being that 5k is not the kind of distance I am comfortable with for a race. Running marathon is my thing, long, slow and steady. With 5k, you have to go out and push the pace; and every time I run fast, I hurt myself. For most of my training runs, 5k is just warm up. However, the wheel was set in motion and I have to go out there and represent.
A group of 10 of us are in the team, everyone gathered and chatted while we stretched. I started running warm up 30 minutes before the race. As the gun went off, I ran with one of my partner’s daughter who does cross country in high school. We had a blast, I push the pace all the way. This feels very different from my training run or the marathon. I don’t have to reserve myself for anything, just put it all out there! 3 miles went by just like that!
We waited for the last of the walkers to come in, picking up free chocolates and juice offered by the sponsors while the winners were being announced. One of my partner’s son actually won first place overall - 17 minutes. I can’t even imagine running that fast. Then I heard my name being called, I actually won first place in my age group. Going up to the podium to get my medal and photo ops. What a hoot!
Afterwards, we all went out for breakfast! This day exceeded my expectation by miles!!!
Our firm came in 7th place amongst 22 teams of CPA firms, we got some good press for the firm and a great day with my friends.
Group picture before the run - I am 665
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 11/22/2009
- Time: 07:00:00
- Total Time: 00:28:00.00
- Calories: 368
- Distance: 3.1 miles
- Average Pace: 9:02.17/mile
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11.15.09
Posted in Races, Run, race
at 7:00 am
by luluorange ·
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Coming into the finish line, Finally!
This is going to be my last marathon for the year. So I know I have to make it count. Malibu is paradise; it’s one of the most expansive real estate in the world. I have done quite a few out of town races this year; the idea of a local race is really appealing. It’s 40 minutes from my house; I can just get up and go, no travel! Despite the fact that I just ran the Nike Women Marathon less than a month ago, I had to do this one.
The course of the marathon started from Camarillo Airport, where it will take us through the flat farmlands of Ventura Valley. Acres upon acres of farmland are a site to see for a city girl like me. The Santa Monica Mountains loom to the east as we run the first ten miles towards the Navy base at Point Mugu. Coming onto the southbound Pacific Coast Highway, we make our way two miles along the base before entering the “Keyway to the Coast”, the rock valley passageway to the ocean at Point Mugu.
As we ran along the beautiful cliffs lining the undeveloped coastline around mile 11-12, we were hit with strong headwind. The wind was so strong, it was pushing us back as we ran uphill, the wind was also creating mini sand storms. This was a rough challenge that I have never experienced before. I held my footing firmly on the ground while keeping my head down so the sand doesn’t get into my eyes. I thought to myself, “This must be what a derma abrasion procedure feels like. My skin better be baby soft after this…”
During this section of the route, I recognized “my rocks”. There were two huge rocks hanging off the cliff over the Pacific Ocean where I used to drive here to think and contemplate in the middle of the night. In the era of dealing with “loss”, lost of family through divorce, lost of my father, lost of relationships; a lot of emotional stuff. I used to get in the car, drove on to Pacific Coast Highway and just drive until I see “my rocks”. I would park my car, put the seat down and look up in the sky and watch a million stars while I listen to the Pacific Ocean wave pounding the coastline. I am at a different place in my life now, but actually running by “my rocks” in broad daylight was surreal.
As the wind died down, the sun came out and there were no shades to relief us from the sun beating down. The next 8 miles was a test of mental toughness. The rolling hills don’t seem to let up, but the coastline in its pristine beauty distracts me from thinking about how uncomfortable I was. I ran passed a restaurant called Neptune’s Net; my husband and I used to come out on his motorcycle for a Saturday morning ride. Neptune’s Net was the restaurant where all the bikers ended up for lunch. Bikers are scary creatures to me when I am in a car, but when I was on the back of my husband’s motorcycle, all the bikers were so friendly, they would wave as we rode by each other. I’ve never experience such friendliness. Running by Neptune’s Net brought back some fond memories.
The final 6 miles took us on a tour of beautiful and secluded homes of Hollywood superstars. Because of the inaccessibility of the road, there were few supporters cheering for us. But a lot of residences came out of their huge home; sat on the driveway with their morning coffee and newspapers; cheering for us as we run by. At this point, all I can think about was my coffee and newspaper and maybe a nap.
As I approached the edge of Zuma beach, the activities started to get busy, there were crowds cheering, I turned into the beach parking lot, smiled and waved at two photographers as they snapped my pictures. Crossed the finish line as my friend Julie came up and gave me a big hug! The medal was beautiful and heavy, I loved the feeling of a medal around my neck!
I wasn’t really thinking about finish time, I set a silent goal of sub 5-hour. I ended up with 5 hour 4 minutes. Better than San Francisco marathon of 5 hour 15 minutes. I think overall considering the terrains and the weather, this marathon was a tougher race than San Francisco. I was proud of myself that I shaved off some time. As for all physical challenges I took on this year, I suffered the agony during the challenges but gloat in the knowledge that I’ve done it again! That’s something that no one can ever take away from me!
So this is it for the year; with four marathons and two half marathons under my belt, not bad for a newbie on her first year of racing.
The fitness goal and my training will continue as I wrapped up this year. Setting new goals for next year, continuing on with new challenges. Until next time…
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 11/15/2009
- Time: 07:00:00
- Total Time: 5:04:00.00
- Calories: 3195
- Distance: 26.2 miles
- Average Pace: 11:36.32/mile
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11.10.09
Posted in Run
at 5:45 am
by luluorange ·
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Treadmill run this morning, try to run easy but when the music is good…I can’t help but run fast. Left ankle still feel a little wobbly, slightly worry about the Sunday marathon. Once I run past mile four, I was feeling like I can run forever. But I do live in a real world and have to eventually get off the treadmill and go to work. :)
Great workout.
Malibu Marathon - ready or not, here I come!
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 11/10/2009
- Time: 05:45:00
- Total Time: 1:00:30.00
- Calories: 716
- Distance: 6.01 miles
- Average Pace: 10:04.03/mile
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11.08.09
Posted in Walk
at 7:15 am
by luluorange ·
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My Mom came to visit from Northern California, she is almost 70 years old, she walks three miles a day, four days a week for years. We got up Sunday morning and she wanted to go for a walk in my neighborhood. I wanted to push her a little so I took her to the golf course near my house and walk the rolling hills. She struggled a bit but had good spirit and kept up as much as she could. I am really proud of her and I hope my health will be as good as hers when I am 70. :)
Workout:
- Type: Walk
- Date: 11/08/2009
- Time: 07:15:00
- Total Time: 1:15:00.00
- Calories: 591
- Distance: 4.5 miles
- Average Pace: 16:40/mile
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11.07.09
Posted in Run
at 6:45 am
by luluorange ·
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Malibu marathon in 7 days! This will be the last long run before race day. It was a strong run, at time a bit too fast, but overall feeling good. I knew I shouldn’t push the pace so close to my next race but I had a really bad week, and something in me just wanted push and then forget about this week behind. It worked. :)
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 11/07/2009
- Time: 06:45:00
- Total Time: 1:40:00.00
- Calories: 1183
- Distance: 9.8 miles
- Average Pace: 10:12.24/mile
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11.04.09
Posted in Cycle
at 6:30 am
by luluorange ·
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We did a lot of hill climbs today both seated and out of saddle. The instructor also mixed in sprints and intervals in between the hills. There was a big puddle of sweat in front of my bike when I was done. Awesome workout! Now I can go take on the day. :)
Workout:
- Type: Cycle
- Date: 11/04/2009
- Time: 06:30:00
- Total Time: 00:45:00.00
- Calories: 710
- Distance: 12 miles
- Average Speed: 16 mph
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11.03.09
Posted in Run
at 6:15 pm
by luluorange ·
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Taking it slow at the beginning, then pushing into pace for 4 mile repeats. Quarter mile into the mile mark, I pickup the pace for 1/2 mile then slow down a bit and push even faster the last 0.1 of mile. Then walk for one minute.
Starting to visualize my next marathon in 11 days. It will be the held in beautiful Malibu beach. I am getting excited, can’t wait to take pictures!
Stretch for quite a while afterwards, 4 miles hard effort feels harder then 6-7 miles easy run. Funny how that works. :)
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 11/03/2009
- Time: 18:15:00
- Total Time: 00:40:00.00
- Calories: 526
- Distance: 4.2 miles
- Average Pace: 9:31.43/mile
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