A Little More Conversation

Well my friends are all out of town for the holiday weekend, so I recruited my husband to run with me at Central Park while the High Schoolers had practice. While I so appreciate him going with me, it is just not the same as when the girls run together! I don't know if he is embarrassed to actually run as slowly as I do or if it is just not a good enough workout, but we didn't actually run together and when we were near eachother there was no conversation. Now it's not like I didn't have a good run, the weather was great and my legs felt pretty good so I was trying to keep up with him and not doing too bad. The thing I missed though was the conversation that takes place when the girls run together. I can truly say that we are masters of the running conversation. We have talked, laughed (alot), cried (alot), and basically covered every subject possible while we are running. There are times when I can't talk and just enjoy listening to my friends talk, it really keeps me going. Other times, I can't wait to get to my run to tell a story or share something that happened to me at home or at work, or get their opinion on a problem that is bothering me. I hope you are all having a great time with your families during this holiday, but hurry back, I miss our conversation.

Thankful

I'm thankful for the wonderful community we live in where we can walk out of our door and find any number of trails to run on. I'm thankful for the friends that join me through hot, cold, and windy conditions whenever I want to run. I'm thankful for all the wonderful friends I've made throughout the years while running with my kids. I'm thankful for my family that allow me to drag them out of bed on Thanksgiving morning to run at the SCR's Turkey Trot. Running has been a blessing for me, not only for the obvious health benefits, but mostly for the people it has brought into my life. Happy Thanksgiving!

Timing is Everything

Patty and I couldn't have planned our run more perfectly today. It really didn't look good this morning and it was coming down rather hard when I left the house for our run. I figured we could at least get our coffee. However, by the time I got to Peete's Coffee the rain had slowed and patches of blue sky were visible. We ran toward the Wiley Bridge on the South Fork trail dodging puddles and sliding through mud (true cross country conditions). We forgot about the work they have been doing on the trail so much of it was closed off after Magic Mtn Parkway, forcing us to run under the power lines and in the mud. This detour also caused a glitch with my GPS because we ended up losing signal part of the way. I'm not sure if it was the power lines or the trees, but I have noticed that running under or near power lines tend to upset the Garmin. Anyhow, when I got home and downloaded the map of our run, I noticed that it did not record at least 1/3 of our run (from Wiley to Magic Mt Pkwy). I think we probably did somewhere around 6.5 to 6.75 based upon what it was at the turnaround and what I know of the mileage from Lowes. It's 10 miles from Lowes to the Wiley Bridge Loop and we picked up the trail before the 2 mile mark, so I think that puts us close to 6.5 miles I'm guessing. Anyhow, just as we got close to Pavilions, the rain had just started again. Like I said, timing is everything and we couldn't have planned it more perfectly today!

Gadgets are Good!

I readily admit that I am not much for gadgets, up until recently I couldn't have imagined needing anything other than good running shoes to accompany me on a run. I don't even like to wear a watch, I might glance at it and trip over something (my friends know that this is a true possibility). However since I have been running with a friend who faithfully wears a GPS and I have to say I have come to appreciate the perks that come with it. It is nice to know the exact mileage of a certain route, which comes in handy when we run on trails that can't be measured in my car, also it tells us how fast we are running which is sometimes a pleasant surprise. We have truly come to rely on the GPS when we run and it makes running in a new place so much easier because we know exactly how far we are going. I don't love it enough to want to wear one, but I am happy to reap the benefits of those that love the gadgets. My brother Dave is a true gadget guy (notice I did not say the other "g" word) and he has been exploring walking/running trails all over Santa Clarita, here is the address of his blog where he has detailed info on trails and parks that he has discovered,
http://sirdude.com/musings/

Night Run

We ran in the dark tonight along the hilly paseos of north Valencia. Our pace was slower than what we're usually used to, but like I said it was a hilly 4.15 miles. I think what we're realizing is that we have actually gotten much stronger and the hills are not as bothersome as they once used to be. As we lose our daylight, it also becomes more challenging to find places to safely run. I was extremely happy to get my favorite light clip working again. Thank god for small miracles. As we run, I am very much aware of my surroundings. I think it's from years of running with the youth running clubs that have made me somewhat paranoid, which is a good thing when running at night. All in all it was a good run. I think we're ready for the Beast!

Thanks For the Run

I really want my friends to know that I enjoyed our run today. I enjoyed the cooler weather, I enjoyed
the fact that we were able to put in 6.5 miles quite easily, and I enjoyed the fact that we were going slowly enough that we really got to have a conversation. I know the harder runs are coming, something about "hill training" that I am trying to block out, but for today I am happy. I know that it was my idea to do the longer run, and I think our plans were changed for me. That is what I truly love about my running friends, they pay attention to my moods and sometimes change their plans for me. I hope it was a good run for all, but I just wanted to say thanks!

Running Skirts

At first when I first saw them, I thought "how ridiculous!", but now they're kind of growing on me. Unfortunately by the time I fully accept them as appropriate running attire, I think I will be considered too old to be seen wearing one. You would have to be under a certain age to wear one. They are cute and it really is no different than playing tennis in a skirt, I guess. I just don't know if it would bug me to feel something "swishing" around as I'm trying to run. I have enough things on or in my body "swishing" around that are permanently attached to me. I don't know, what do you gals think? Would you ever be caught wearing one?

Here's a link to the history of running skirts:
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-369-371--12799-0,00.html

Youth

I was at the junior high school cross country race at Central Park today and it got me thinking about how lucky the kids are to have youth on their side. I doubt they experience the same aches and pains we feel in our 40's. The one thing I regret from my youth is that I didn't participate in any organized sports. I wish I had tried out for some sort of team in high school. But then I wonder if I would have appreciated the opportunity as much as I do now that I am older.

Anyhow, it was a nice day at the park to watch the races. It was also nice to see some old familiar faces that we've met throughout the years when our children ran together.

Missing My Running Friends !!

I hope this is going to get posted !! It sounds like I missed a good run tonight ! I really wish my head would allowed my body to run with you. I will have to try and go out on my own which is never as enjoyable ! Kudo's for starting on the hill training, even if they were small to begin with. I do want to try the beast one more time and hope to not let it get me this time. In other words maybe run it smarter ! What do you think ? Well we have time to ponder this before we commit. Hey there is a "Say No To Drugs Race " 5k /10k at Griffith Park on Sunday Dec. 14th maybe we can do this one ? Bye for now. C

Why We Need Hills

Hills... let's face it, we hate them. My running friends and I pretty much plan our runs so we can avoid them at all costs even if it means running farther AROUND the hill rather than over it. We know they're good for us and they'll make us stronger, but it's like a lot of things that are good for us. We dread and avoid them, sort of like taking our vitamins, getting immunizations, or going for the annual OB/GYN check up, if you know what I mean. I have a shirt with a great saying on the back from the COC series, home of the "Killer Hill" and "Aftershock". It says "If it doesn't kill you, it will only make you stronger". So I thought it was time to run some modest hills tonight to start making us stronger and a little faster. It really wasn't all that bad. Mind you, these were not the "Killer Hill" types, more like a hiccup, but we had to start somewhere. If we have any thoughts of running the Beast in a couple of weeks ( yes, a couple of weeks) then we better start some hill training now.

Well if you need further convincing to run for the hills, here is a link:

http://www.active.com/story.cfm?CATEGORY=Running&CHECKSSO=0&STORY_ID=8855

Surprises

It's funny how you just never know how you're going to feel on any particular run until you start running. I was dreading our afternoon run because it had been so hot and smoky and I felt physically exhausted. As we settled into a light pace during our first mile at Central Park, I began to realize that I didn't feel all that bad afterall, other than my stomach acting up. As we ran further, I also began to realize that what started out to be a hot and smoky day actually turned out to be a rather pleasant early evening. So I guess the moral of this post is to expect the unexpected, to never judge a run by the way you're feeling beforehand, and also to always be prepared with your water belt just in case!

Today is a "Present"

I watched "Kung Foo Panda" with my son this weekend and would recommend it to everyone. The message of the movie was that we can do anything as long as we believe in ourselves. There is a great quote in the movie "The past is history, the future is a mystery, today is a gift, that is why they call it the present". I have heard advice like this about running, along the line of not dwelling on what you've already done or thinking about what still lies ahead, but keeping yourself in the moment and focusing on only that. I thought how much that would help on the second mile of the COC race, when I don't know how I will get up the hills ahead much less finish that horrible lap around the track at the end. Anyway, I wanted to pass this along, I can't remember if it was the Panda, the bushbaby, or the old turtle who said it, maybe I'll watch the movie again. You should too!

A Day Off

It was nice to take a day off from running and get together for just a day of fun. We have been looking forward to seeing "Wicked" for some time now and I for one thoroughly enjoyed myself, aside from the smokey smell in the sky and also next to me. When we're on our runs, it's sometimes hard to talk amongst ourselves (probably because we're just too busy trying to breath and not pass out). It was so nice to not worry about rushing off to pick up one of the kids from somewhere or to go home and get dinner started. While I enjoy running with my friends, I enjoy having dinner and a glass of wine with them even more.

Persistence

I really didn't want to get up this morning and run. I heard the winds howling all night and I knew that they would be there to meet us during our early morning run to push us back. There is no doubt I would have stayed home and slept a few more hours, but I knew someone was waiting for me. It is that knowledge that helps motivate me and get me going when I really don't feel like it. So even when one of us is having an off day, maybe not running as fast as we would like to, I'm grateful that someone is waiting for me and holding me accountable.

Next Run

Our next run will be from our new favorite coffee spot (Peete's) at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning. What's nice about this loop is that we can modify the length of the run depending on how we're feeling that day. Tthe most important thing is that the run ends where there is good coffee awaiting us. I've been thinking about my next latte since we were last there. Just like Patty said in the previous post, I am also inspired, but mostly by the thought of good coffee waiting for me at the end of my run.

MARATHON IN MAY? What the Fox!

I guess the latest "new" date for the L.A. Marathon is Memorial Day. The organizers must not be from aound here. Do they not know how hot it is here during Memorial Day? Well I don't know about you guys, but I think that pretty much put ANY thoughts of running the L.A. Marathon out of my mind. I think that was just the excuse I was looking for to get out of it!

New Coffee Spot

Hey C and M,

We missed you at our post-run coffee. It was actually very good, especially the latte. Looks like we found a new spot! We are going to run tomorrow at 4:30 at Bridgeport. We'll do our usual loop. We're also planning on checking out the trails at Hart Park on Saturday. At least it's somewhere different. I think the SOAR kids are doing a race at Balboa that day. Anyhow, it was a good run today. We did 5 miles at 9.2 pace in case you're wondering. Go Purple!!!

BTW Patty, I saw your new picture. Very cute and very fitting.

Hart Park Trail

Yesterday we took the train to Union Station to check out Olvera Street. Very interesting. Anyhow, as we were approaching the tunnel, I noticed that there was a great, fairly flat trail just past the historical buildings in Hart Park. It seems to go on forever. Does anyone else know about this trail? There's a lot of oak trees and the path looks like it's dirt. I wonder if we are allowed to run back there. The only concern I have is that it looks like mountain lion territory, but then so is Mentryville. It's very lush and wooded and there was even a campground along the trail. I can't believe I've never seen it before, but then again I wasn't looking for running trails the last time I took the train, which was about 10 years ago!

L.A. 1/2 Marathon?

I just got a postcard for the L.A. 1/2 Marathon. If we are not going to run the full marathon in February, how about the 1/2 in December? We're pretty much already trained for it and it's just a matter of keeping up our miles. I think it would be fun to run the 1/2 marathon in different scenery. You know who is the "official whatever" for that race. Anyone else up for another 1/2 marathon?

HAPPIER TIMES

We look so excited, don't we! I especially like the beautiful porta-potties
in the backround. Little did we know how hard it was going to be. I
have to practice a little more with the hat, I obviously don't know how to
put one on properly, I still think it affected my race.

I AM INTERNET CHALLENGED!

I am trying to post, because I got an error message and wanted to see if it would accept my thoughts. I know I am getting up there in years and this computer stuff doesn't come as easy to me as to our much younger friend Marathon Mom. If it works then I am going to find out how to put a picture on, mine are much more flattering, of course they were taken before we broke a sweat, but that is a technicality.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Patty! You look great for 30! I felt okay after our 4.25 miles today. It was a nice day and I'm glad we were able to sit and have breakfast afterwards and chat. I'm looking forward to Mentryville. I'm seriously rethinking the marathon and would really like to look into the relay races like the one you mentioned and maybe some 5k's and 10k's. Let's keep our eyes and ears open for some interesting ones.

Welcome

Welcome to our blog. My friends and I run several times a week and discuss all sorts of things from running to raising a family. Not too long ago we talked about starting a blog to chronicle our ups and downs and some of the challenges we face as running moms. My friends and I started running later in life after we had kids mainly because our kids ran. It was a way for us to connect with our kids and have something in common with them. It certainly made us appreciate how hard they worked. Now as our children grow older and no longer need us to run along side them, we now run for ourselves and for the camaraderie we share with each other.