My ankle is just about healed enough to get back into a regular training routine.  

On saturday I enjoyed a beachside run with ginger.

(6 miles)

And then felt well enough to try for some more distance in Nisene Marks.  Ginger has taken to my stationary routine and I literally had to drag her out of bed for our run....

(9 miles)

running partners

I don't have many running partners..so the few I've had mean a lot to me. I generally like to run alone, or with my dog. Having a 2 hour stretch of time all to myself is the greatest! I can think about anything I want...or nothing at all. I can run fast when I feel like it, and slow down when I can't keep up.

My first running partner in California lived in an adorable little cabin just down the road from the beach. We would run a mile and a half along the promenade, do some adorable little stretches, and then turn around.
Not only would she meet me 3 days a week (sometimes more) at 7 AM for the same run, but she always offered a hot shower and a cup of coffee before my full day of classes.

here's her adorable little blog

http://boundlessoptimism.blogspot.com/

and here she is feeding cheezy soup to her hot brazillian lover

Springtime in February

Cherry Blossoms en route to the east field.

coping with an injury.

the best way to cope with injury induced depression is with...



and...
and...

Guess what?

sprained ankle!



I'm healing quickly, and hope to be hitting the trails again soon...!

looking back...

Here's to a year of 13.1's!


The Big Sur International Half Marathon
November 11, 2007 Monterey to Pacific Grove, California

My goal was to finish, and finish I did. Getting it done in less than 2 hours wasn't half bad either.

The Stats:
time: 1: 57:18, 8:57 mile pace
place overall: 1164 out of 3596 runners
place female: 392 out of 2032
place F 20-24: 40 out of 147


********************************************************************************************

The Santa Cruz Half Marathon
West Cliff to Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz, CA
April 12, 2008

The training leading up to this race shaped running as a therapeutic tool for me. I could push my body to a state that was uncomfortable, and somehow stay in control... so why not run a little faster...go a little farther? Running made me happy and offered me the strength I needed to overcome a difficult time.

The Stats:
time: 1:51, 8:32 mile pace
place overall: 329 out of 1558
place F 20-29: 31 out of 252



********************************************************************************************

Jungle Run
Los Gatos, CA
July 14, 2008

My fastest race time. I really gunned it at the start, and kept it up for the first 8 miles or so until I slowed to a more reasonable pace. It felt really good to finish. . and I lost 3 pounds in the bathroom.

The Stats:
time: 1:49:07, 8:20 mile pace
place overall: 159 out of 759
place F 20-29: 17 out of 86


********************************************************************************************
The Other Half
Moab, Utah
October 19, 2008

Moab's elevation of 4,026 ft literally knocked the wind out of me...I almost asked for a ride to the finish line at the course's highest point of 4,300 feet.
The Stats:
time: 2:20:37, 10:44 mile pace
place overall: 769 out of 1200
place F 20-29: 118 out of 199

camping by the colorado river on the night before the race

********************************************************************************************
The Big Sur International Marathon
Monterey to Pacific Grove, CA
November 9, 2008

My familiarity with the course made it easy to set my nerves aside and relax into a comfortable race pace. I took my time and reflected on a year of personal growth and adventure.



The Stats:
time: 1:56:04; 8:52 mile pace
place overall: 1153 out of 4278
place female: 418 out of 2605
place F 20-24: 35 out of 180

Big Sur Marathon

Course Mileage and Elevation Charts for the Big Sur Marathon on April 26, 2008.



See the 600 foot elevation climb at mile 13?


Gots to get ready for thems hills!