Spring Break

My spring break has begun, well sort of.  I have three weeks off from my afternoon teaching job, which means I will be able to put in some more miles during the next few weeks.  I'm sure my poor neglected friends will be glad too.  I am so thankful to have very patient friends who still let me run with them, even if it's only on the weekends.  I do wonder why they keep me around.  Is it because they like having an even number of runners? Three's a crowd, four is more?  I mean, is it really a team jersey if only two out of the four wear the same shirt by accident?  Would they only get to sample 3 pastries with coffee after a run rather than 4.  Besides, who will wear the GPS watch if I'm not there and share the GU?  Who will be there to crack the whip when bathroom and water breaks are beckoning?  Watch out girls, she's back, at least for three weeks :)

Hello Blog!

There is something about having your own blog versus posting on facebook.  I've neglected this site since spending more time on FB, but really a blog that's meant for a specific purpose, running in this case, really does serve an entirely different purpose.  It's a way to reflect your thoughts, but in a less intrusive way than on FB because people get annoyed at you if you post things they aren't really interested in.  I guess if you are reading this, it's because you specifically went to the site to find out what we're up to.

Which leads me to what we're up to......
I first wanted to say not much since I took on another job this year.  My poor friends' running have suffered as a result of my new work schedule; however, we have decided to not be completely defeated by my job and have registered for an upcoming 10K.  We decided to just sign up since it would give us a goal and help us train for something rather than just running aimlessly, which we seem to do a lot of.  Thankfully due to the upcoming 10K, we have been a little more focused. Regardless of how we do next weekend, the race helped us run a little better and a little stronger as a result.  Stay tuned for results next week and maybe a picture or two.  It's good to be back.

Hills

Caryn and I set out to do a more intensive hill workout today.  We had planned on running to the top of the plateau at Central Park two times, but our glutes and calves were screaming NO MORE!!!!!!  Ironically it was actually easier on the second attempt, but we had already planned to go only halfway up and come down the other way.  Our goal is to make it all the way to the top without stopping.

I have been inspired by a new book I'm reading called "Born to Run".  The story got me hooked right away because the author went on a quest to find out why his foot hurts when he runs.  As it turns out, his pain is in the same exact spot as where I've been having problems and so I'm curious to find out how it all turns out.

The Perfect Run

Just as surfers look for that one perfect wave, runners are always chasing after that one perfect run.  Today, I would have to say was pretty much near perfect except we were missing our running buddy, Patty.  We couldn't have asked for better running weather this morning.  Caryn and I ran a slow and steady pace out of Lowes and really focused on distance rather than pace and was able to log in 7.8 miles with no pain.  We even managed a decent pace of about 10.5.  It was so nice to finally get in a long run without any aches and pain and the legs feeling pretty good.  Now if only Patty would return to join us and then it will be perfect.

Creeping up

Today just Caryn and I ran since Patty is away in paradise.  All I can say is that I'm glad we ran as long as we did at a respectable pace considering we haven't been doing any long runs.  It's nice to finally see the miles creeping up again.  Now if only we can see the pace start creeping down.

No More?

We have been very bad lately as far as keeping up the blog and running that some might be wondering if we have completely given up running altogether.  Trust me the thought has crossed my mind and we've come close, but we are still at it.  Now that I am all done with my credential program, we have been adding the number of runs we are getting in during the week to more than just 1.  My body is going into shock, but I am going to work towards getting back in shape.

I know my friends are on the same page as me about getting back in shape because we seem to be telepathically sending messages about what we should wear while running.  Two days in a row, we have managed to show up wearing the same color, and even the same shirt.  We have even received comments like "hey great color coordination!" from fellow runners.  I guess great minds do think alike.

Yes We're Running

Yes, my friends and I are still running...sort of.  We're running whenever our hectic schedule allows us to, but just not writing about it lately.  Between my credential program, Caryn's new job, and Patty's busy social life (ha, ha) we barely get two runs in a week.  We're still out there so don't give up on us yet.

Shopping for a New Car?

As Caryn, Patty, and I went for our long run on Saturday along the South Fork Trail, we unexpectedly also went car shopping.  The morning started out nice with the sun shining and most of us feeling pretty good, except for me.  I could tell that I was fighting some form of a cold or sinus infection and almost called in the night before to say I wouldn't make it.  That should have been an omen for me.  As we started running, my stomach became more and more upset, but I didn't say anything to my friends.  Then when we stopped at the water fountain off of Magic Mtn. Pkwy, Patty suddenly announces that she has the same problem.  Well we decide to try our luck and run to the end of the trail at Wiley and back.  Thankfully the Honda dealer is open early on Saturdays so we made a brief stop and used their facilities.  I think the three of us looked rather pathetic since it was rather hot out and we were dripping with sweat.  Both Patty and I are frequent customers there with past purchases and repairs so we didn't feel too badly about coming in without buying anything, but the look on the salesman's face was rather funny.  It was somewhere between shock and annoyance.  I wonder what he would have done if we decided to sit and sample the coffee and donuts too!

Central Bark

Lately, we've been running at Central Park quite often.  We like the new trails and the hilly terrain because it gives us a little more intense cardio workout.  However, every time we run there, someone mentions that they smell poop.  So far none of us have stepped in any, but it sure does smell like it from time to time, especially when running next to the dog park.  I love dogs.  In fact, I have one, but one of my biggest pet peeves (no pun intended) is when people don't pick up after their dogs.  And it isn't just at Central Park.  I see it all over the paseos of Valencia and along the river trails.  Sometimes going for a run is like running through a mine field.  Okay, enough with this topic.

Holidays are Here!

I cannot believe it is already December.  I really want time to move slowly because I know that once January is here, I will be hitting the books again in full swing and I will have very little time to run with my friends again.  I am really enjoying the little break I am having from school now that I am back to my regular running schedule with my friends.  It always seems like once Thanksgiving has passed, then Christmas is right around the corner.

After our run today at Central Park (our new favorite trail) Patty mentioned doing a cookie exchange party and instead we decided on a happy hour cocktail party.  Yes it's nice to trade many different types of cookies, but that would mean that I would have to actually bake cookies to exchange, which would send me into stress mode and it would also probably mean that I would eat all those different types of cookies to make sure they were all okay.  No, I think a cocktail party is much safer for my waistline.