Tinkerbell, Take Two.

Back in July, I wrote about how I was just running to run and that I had no races on the horizon, but I was OK with that.

Well, we can all guess how that turned out.

The thing is, that only works when you're in good shape.  When running is easy and enjoyable, it really doesn't take a whole lot of motivation to get yourself out the door.  However, I will admit that spring quarter took a toll on me and I definitely got a little out of shape... and then summer dawned and I got a serious case of the summer lazies and my running became really sporadic and unfocused.  So in order to get myself up and running again, I've reverted to my old tactics: race training.

My ultimate goal is to run Tinkerbell 2013 (at the end of January), so I can see how far I've come in a year.  I had such a wonderful time at that race last year, and I think it will be a really neat to see what a difference a year can make.  But this time around, I'm getting really serious about it and I'm going to do the Rock and Roll Los Angeles Half at the end of October as a practice-slash-tuneup race.  And that is the story of how this blog became the road to Tinkerbell for a second time!

I've been back to training for almost six weeks now, but I haven't really felt like writing because I've been struggling a little bit.  I've been incorporating lots of different types of runs- short speed work and fartleks, mid-distance tempo, and long runs- to keep myself from getting bored, but I've still been having some difficulty.  Maybe it's the hot weather here in LA or the fact that I'm still below my "best shape of my life" threshold that I hit in March.  I also went gluten-free recently after reading a terrifying book about modern, genetically, modified wheat, and my workouts have been suffering as my body adjusts to a new quality of carbohydrates in my diet.  Whatever it is, I've been having a hard time finding my bliss.

This week, though, things seem to be looking up.  I used my Labor Day holiday to enjoy an early morning 6-miler in Santa Monica, a place that never ceases to amaze me.  Running on the cliffs above the beach and seeing nothing but hundreds of miles of water and sky... it feels like I'm running on the edge of the world.  And then this morning, I had a really incredible speed workout; it was only two miles, but sometimes those short, intense runs are the best it gets.  I just feel so light and powerful... and then I think about Olympic runners, who run anywhere from two to four times as fast as I do, and I just imagine how that feels.  I think that must be as close as anyone gets to flying.

I know that my bliss is close.  I can feel it coming back to me, slowly but surely... hopefully, the arrival of fall and the cooler weather will help, too.  I recently read an article in Runner's World about a man who traveled to Kenya and ran with some of the greatest runners in the world, and he mentioned that when they all run together, they use the phrase "choma moto," which literally means "to stoke the fire."  While they use it to signal a coming increase in pace, the phrase stuck with me and has taken on a different meaning: I need to find that fire I used to have.  I know it's still in there... I just need to stoke it.

Choma moto.

Long time, no see.

It has been brought to my attention that I haven't posted here since before my birthday... May just got really busy, and by the time things slowed down, I had just really gotten out of the habit of writing.  But now that summer is here, I suppose I should get back to it.

Unfortunately, I don't have anything all that exciting to report.  I haven't been racing at all lately, partially because it was getting too expensive, but mostly because I got a little burnt out on it.  It just became way too much, and I needed a break.  So now I'm just running to run, and I'm hoping to feel back up to some shorter races (maybe 5K or 10K) by the end of the summer.

The one thing that racing does give me is a destination; I'll admit that when I don't have a specific goal on the horizon, my running can become really sporadic, and I'll end up not running as often or as far as I'm capable of.  This definitely happened to me in May and June, but I think a big part of the problem was the treadmill.  I've always loved the treadmill, but lately it seems to be my worst enemy.  I used to be able to run five or six miles at a time on the treadmill, and now I find myself bored to tears at the two-mile mark.  It got to the point where I was giving my mind more control than my body and stopping when I had so much more left in my legs but just couldn't stand the monotony.

So I've moved outside (what a novel idea, right?)... I mean, this is California, after all.  It's summer and the weather has been gorgeous.  The area I live in is VERY hilly, though, so I've only been running moderate distances- about 3.5 to 4.5 miles at a time.  But it's wonderful.  I'm discovering that I'm a lot stronger and a lot faster than I believed (isn't that always the case, though?), and instead of focusing on running long distances three times a week (which is what I've always done in the past), my goal for July is to run moderate distances more often.  I'd really like to be running 5K-10K five times a week by the end of the summer.  I've got my Nike+ system to help keep me on track- believe it or not, I'm approaching the 400-mile mark on that thing- and I'll just trust that me feet are going to take me where I want to go.  Happy running!

Because I want to.

This is the first time in a few weeks that I've actually felt calm and un-stressed out enough to get on here and write something, so here I am!  News flash: I am indeed still alive and still running and still loving it.

I have been running A LOT lately.... closer to five times a week rather than the three I normally do.  I've just felt so stressed out and overwhelmed by schoolwork, and running is the only thing that seems to take the edge off.  I feel absolutely nothing when I run... so stress, so anxiety, no pain, nothing.  I just feel so calm and peaceful and unbothered and untouchable.

Also, for the first time ever, I'm not actually training for anything.  I'm just running to run.  No specific speeds or mileages or times.... just running because I want to and not because I "have to."  Quite a few people have been asking me questions about it lately, most of them because they want to start running as well, which I must admit is totally thrilling to me because I have NEVER before been considered the go-to girl in any type of physical activity.  They mostly want to know about how much I run, how far I run, how I got started, and how I stay motivated (someone said to me, "Running sounds so nice, but every time I try, I remember how much I hate it.").  The motivation question has been a really interesting one for me lately, because two weeks ago, I would have said "Sign up for a race!  Even if it's only 5K, it'll give you a goal and something to work towards."  Races have always been my motivation, but lately I've realized that the races are not what keeps me going.  I run because I love it.  My desire to run has become totally insatiable.... I ran five and a half miles this morning, and it wasn't enough.  If the treadmill didn't shut off at an hour, I would have just kept going and going and going.  So now when people ask me the motivation question, I end up showing them the little tiny white words that are printed next to the zipper on my Lululemon windbreaker: "Run with your heart, not with your legs."

In the midst of talking about how races are no longer my prime motivation to run, I realized I never posted my pictures from the She Runs LA 10K two weekends ago... I had a blast!  I ran pretty poorly (over three minutes slower than the 10K I ran in Hollywood), but you can't PR every time, right?  Plus, racing two weekends in a row isn't particularly conducive to great finishing times, but whatever!  I ran it, I had fun, I finished, and I did it all while rocking some sweet '80s neon!

Hanging out pre-race on the Paramount Studios backlot... a whole lotta color going on back there!

Waiting for the race to start through the Paramount Studio arches onto the iconic and ever-so-much-fun Melrose Avenue.

A post-race shot with the Hollywood sign... I always forget how small it really is.

Had to get one of the outfit in all its plastic-jewleryed, side-ponytailed, blue-eyeshadowed glory....

My race bib and my finisher's bracelet (Nike races don't really do medals so much as custom-designed jewelry).

These are obviously just a few of the pictures I took, but the rest of them are more pictures of the backlot and such rather than pictures of me.... not nearly as interesting.

On a less cheery note, I skipped the race I had scheduled for this past weekend, The Color Run in Irvine.  I just ended up having too much work and too little time, and driving an hour each way all alone just didn't seem worth it.  Instead, I just went for a nice, long run here and then met up with some friends for brunch.... must less stressful, more social, and it ended up taking less time than the race would have.

I have a few races on my radar right now (a potential half-marathon relay in June, if I can convince my friend to do it with me), but for now, I'm just running to run.

Getting my star on the Walk of Fame!

After a long break, I am officially back on the racing circuit!  Yesterday morning, I ran the Hollywood Walk of Fame 10K, and it was wonderful!  The weather was very nice and the course ran along (surprise surprise) Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame, which was quite cool.  I also (sort of) set a PR for the 10K distance- 1:07:10, which is about a 10:45 pace.  The reason I say "sort of" is because I've never run a 10K race before, but in all of my unofficial ones (training runs/half-marathon splits) I always came in around 1:10, so I'm counting it!

And now, of course, the main event: pictures!

I had to drive all the way to Universal City on Friday morning to pick up my shirt and bib at the Expo....  a bit of a hike, but luckily the traffic wasn't too bad.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to hang around the Expo for very long because I had to get back and go to class!

The starting chute ran along Hollywood Blvd, right near Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hard Rock Cafe- what a great location for a race!

Hanging out in front of the Chinese Theatre before the race... starting to feel the nerves!

Waiting for the race to begin.... you can kind of see the inflatable red starting arch in the distance.  It was actually a pretty good turnout for an inaugural event!

The finish line arch, sporting probably the most iconic image of Southern California!   After I finished, I walked back along the course to get this shot.... it was just too cute!

"Beam me up, Scotty!"  P.S. Don't judge me.

Just a girl and her race bling, hanging out on Hollywood Blvd, basking in the glow of her PR!

A better shot of the medal... it's a Walk of Fame star!  You can't really read it here, but it says "Inaugural Hollywood 5K/10K"... now that I think of it, that was my second inaugural event this year!

In terms of an actual running recap, I'd say the race went pretty well, but it definitely wasn't perfect.  I felt a little undertrained (a little too much treadmill running and not enough hills), and as a result, it took me about two miles to shake out the cramps in my calves.  Not fun.  The air is also really dry here in LA right now, so my sinuses were absolutely on fire my the time I was finished!!  There were also some race organization issues (I'm guessing because it was an inaugural event): the water stops were all but chaos, and there were no mile markers or timing clocks along the course, though this kind of turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  

I had my running watch on (of course), but as soon as I realized that there was nothing along the course to gauge speed or distance by, I was immediately reminded of an article I read in Runner's World this month.  It basically said that runners should "unplug" every once in a while and just run... no watches, treadmills, GPS systems, nothing..... just run by feel.  It also made the claim that many of us will run faster when we do this, and that all of our gadgets actually inhibit us from running at our optimal speeds. So I promised myself I wouldn't look at my watch until I crossed the finish line, and that I would just run by feel.  And sure enough, as I came close to the end and I could see the clock at the finish line reading 1:10:30-ish (I had crossed the line around 4:00), I knew it had worked.  

My goal had been to come in below 1:10:00 (11:16 pace), and I beat that by nearly three minutes.  Human instinct: 1, technology: 0.

And with that, have a wonderful, happy, and joyous Easter!  

Back on track.... April's gonna rock!!!

I know I haven't been on here in a while, but that's because I wasn't running for a while.... About a week and a half ago, I ended up getting really sick (and I mean REALLY sick - my fever was bad enough that my roommate had to take me to the ER) and took about a week off from running.  It was terrible, but my body really needed it.

I'm now back on track, but unfortunately feeling a little rusty... distances that once felt so easy are kind of difficult right now!  I figure it'll just take a little time to get back in stride, so I'm just pushing through it.  It's also finals week here at good ol' UCLA, so I think I might also just be tired.  Such is life... hopefully spring break will bring me some rest and relaxation, a boost in energy, and lots of time to run!

On the racing front, I am sad to say that I did not go the race I had picked out for March.  I had planned on running the LA Marathon Big 5K on St. Patrick's Day, but I was a little worried about it due to the fact that I had a chemistry final the very next day and had just gotten over my illness.  So when 17 March dawned cold, gray, and intensely rainy here in LA, I decided to skip it.  I just couldn't risk getting sick all over again.

So to make up for it, I have registered in not one, not two, but THREE races for April!!!  It's my birthday gift to myself: a month-long running bonanza of cool, themed events!!!

On 7 April, I'll be running the Hollywood 10K (not the half-marathon... not ready for another one of those yet), which starts and ends on Hollywood Blvd!  It's super close to Universal Studios City Walk, and there's a post-race brunch at the Hard Rock Cafe!  We haven't yet decided if we're going to brave brunch yet, though... it might be super crowded!

On 14 April, I'll be running the Nike She Runs LA 10K, an 80's themed race down Melrose place.  The after-party includes an giant concert in the Universal Studios backlot with the Spazmatics, an 80's cover band from LA.  I'm getting ready to break out my neon!

And finally, on 22 April, I'll be running the SoCal Color Run, a 5K race slightly reminiscent of the Indian festival of Holi.  Basically, you have to wear white, and at each kilometer mark, people throw colored powder all over you, so by the end of the race, everyone is all rainbow!!!  It should be interesting... not the place to try and set a PR, but it should be tons of fun.

Well, there you have it: my totally awesome, completely self-indulgent, all-April-long running celebration of my 21st birthday!!!  I can't wait.

Oh, yeah, Mom and Dad, don't let me forget.... I owe you $140 in race registration fees.  :)

It seems as if my body's been holding out on me again....

Well, I was all ready to get on here and write about how my training for my upcoming 5K has been okay but not spectacular, that I've been feeling a bit unfocused since my last race (not unmotivated, just unfocused), and that I'm a little discouraged with my progress- it seems to take me so long to get faster!!!  The only ray of sunshine I had planned for this post was that I ran a 5K PR last Thursday- 34:15, which is about 30 seconds faster than my last record.

And then I went running this afternoon.  I've been roughly following a 5K plan I found on the internet, and today was supposed to be a 6x400 speed workout (six 400 meter sprints separated by 400 meter recovery jogs).  But as I was walking to the gym, I was thinking about my mile time- I actually had no idea what it was.  It's been so long since I ran a single mile that I really didn't know how fast I could run one, so I decided that I'd get on the treadmill and try to run a 10:20 mile (it seemed like a stretch, but still reasonable), and then I'd finish up with just 4x400 repeats.

Well, I started running the 10:20 pace.... and then I sped up a little... and when the first mile was over, I just kept going.  I felt totally fine.... in fact, I felt better than I usually did at my normal pace.  I just kept running and speeding up and running, and before I knew it, I had run the whole 5K.  And I still felt awesome.

30:56.

WHAT?!?!?!  That's a 9:57 pace for 3.1 miles.... I had shaved off over three minutes in less than a week.

Obviously, it didn't really happen in a week's time; I had just settled into my 11:20 pace rut and my mind was completely and totally convinced that that was all my body was capable of.  This is not the first time I've fallen into this trap and I'm sure it won't be the last.  It's just proof that running really is 90% mental....  If you can't get out of your head, you're screwed.

It would seem as if that 30-minute threshold I've been idolizing is a whole lot closer than I imagined...

2:36:39.

I am fully aware that this post is long overdue, but my life has been nonstop schoolwork and studying since I got home on Sunday night.... but now that my midterms are done, here's it is:

I actually did it.  I actually completed the Disney Coast to Coast Challenge.  A half-marathon on the west coast, a half-marathon on the east coast.... and in less than a month.  Crazy!

Needless to say, I had a blast in Florida.  This weekend (like the one in Anaheim) was so jam-packed with Disney goodness that I'm not even going to bother trying to narrate it and just skip straight to the pictures!

Saturday morning, circa 5:45 am... We arrive at Epcot for Courtney to run the Tangled 5K, and who should we see but Maximus!! (If you haven't seen Tangled, go watch it right now.  It's so cute and Maximus is one hilarious horse).

Rapunzel bailed on us, but we got to meet Flynn!

Rapunzel and Flynn posing at the finish line... The race has been on for about seven minutes by this point, and we only had to wait another ten to see the winner cross!

Courtney crossing the finish line (she's in the white jacket) with the Epcot ball in the background.

She's got her race bling on!

We headed over to the race expo to pick up my race bib and ran into these two dapper gentlemen in their golden breeches... so fancy!

Bib #17399, Corral C... ready to race!!!

My race shirt and bib... and my lucky Green Lantern lying facedown on the bed.  I love that little guy.

After the expo, we headed to.... (drum roll).... Magic Kingdom!  Get a load of that castle... There's actually a restaurant inside it, but it's super pricey.  I've also heard rumors about there being super-duper-deluxe honeymoon suites in the castle, too, but it's probably just Disney urban legend.

Race morning, approximately 3:45 am.... got my blue dress on and I'm ready to roll!!   I decided to dress as Belle for obvious reasons (she's my favorite), but I opted for the blue dress because it's the one I had (and loved) as a little girl.  Note Mrs. Potts and Chip on the apron- it's exactly like the one I used to have!

Starting line.... 20,00 runners!  Can you believe it?

Done, done, and done!!!

Minnie and Mickey looking quite regal at the finish line!!
(Ok, I admit, I took this picture off of the Run Disney Facebook page..... it's just so cute!)

In front of the Epcot Ball - sweaty, tired, and happy.

Me and my race bling... plus the commemorative tiara  bought at the expo.  It lights up!!!

After I took a shower, we headed to Downtown Disney for lunch, and I just had to have my picture taken with Belle in the World of Disney store.  That place is huge - the largest Disney store in the world!  My three-year-old self would have died.

There they are - all three medals!  Tinkerbell, Coast to Coast, and Princess... hard to believe I actually made it.

As far as the actual race, there were ups and downs.  I did not hit the 2:35 goal I was aiming for, but I did make a new PR (I beat my Tinkerbell time by over two minutes), so I really can't complain.  Admittedly, I didn't feel great.  It was a tough race and I had to push a lot harder than I did at Tinkerbell. I think the biggest problem for me was traveling.  Before Tinkerbell, I was very strict in the days leading up to the race about what I ate, how much I slept, the amount of time I spent on my feet, etc.  Before Princess, everything went out the window: I was running on very little sleep, traveling made it hard to find the foods I wanted and needed, and I walked around at Disneyland all day the day before.  Going in the race, I was totally aware of those of those deficits, and I just compensated by pushing harder.  I ran poorly, but I set a PR... does that make any sense to anyone?!

Anyways, all in all, a great weekend.  Definitely a lot of traveling, though.... I think I'm going to stick to California races from now on!  I've got a few races lines up in the next dew months, but there won't be any more half-marathons until at least May... my hip has been hurting a little, so I'm going to ease up and run some shorter distances.  I really don't want to end up getting seriously hurt!

You know, I'm positive I had a few more things I wanted to say in this post, but they're just evading me right now.  I'm sure I had some deeper thoughts, realizations, and emotions to share upon the completion of my second long-distance race, but these midterms have drained me so badly that I can't for the life of me remember what they were.  Ah, well.... If I remember, I'll let you know.

Just for posterity and reference, a shot of the original Belle dress.  And yes, I am celebrating a PowerBar I had just received for my birthday... don't judge me.