Race #8: Whole Foods Running School Half Marathon

 

I left the warm, clear skied Oakland, CA for the hot and muggy capital Sacramento to run my 8th race this year. A year ago when I created The 12 Race Challenge I set time goals for each race; and up until now I had achieved each one. My 14 hour work day limited my ability to train as consistently as I’d like so I was truly grateful to have ran at all.

 I arrived the day before to soak up some Northern Cali sun. I ate my carb load dinner at Olive Garden where I ordered basic pasta with non-dairy sauce and all you can eat salad for only $9.99 (I still had food to go for the next day) a win.

The race was sponsored by Whole Foods Market Roseville and an organization called the Running School which instills healthy habits in children. The race course was pleasantly peaceful and all of the race participants were very friendly and encouraging. It was by far the least populated race I’ve participated in which sometimes made the course feel lonely. There were stretches of time in which I was the only person on the path no one in sight behind or in front of me. The course directions were either non-existent or confusing which left me wondering if I was lost. Struggling to understand the course added at least 10 minutes to my time.

I maintained a 10:30 minute pace yet most runners were either drastically ahead of me or behind me. By 8:15 a.m the Sacramento sun came creeping out and instantly the race became more challenging. I talked myself to the finish line and once I crossed it I was greeted with a medal and complimentary continental breakfast provided by Whole Foods. 

After, I returned to my hotel where I relaxed and packed to return to my own stomping grounds.

Veggies is What's for Dinner: Stir Fry for Beginners

Sooooo...., I've been sleeping on the easiest veggie dish ever. Yes! stir frys. I have to admit it wasn't until earlier this year that I made my first stir fry. I know your thinking what planet was I living on? Stir fry's are truly the easiest and tastiest meals to make. Once you start making them there is no turning back. Here is my beginners recipe:

Ingredients:

red pepper
green bell pepper
yellow pepper
mushrooms
onions
garlic
asparagus
sugar snap peas

Directions:
Wet pan with water, fry onions and garlic until brown. Add oil of choice (not olive) combine remaining ingredients on low for 5 minutes, stir. Serve over brown rice, quinoa, in tortilla as fajitas. 

Race #7: Summer Breeze 10K

On Saturday August 3, 2013 at the San Leandro Marina I completed race #7 of The 13 in 2013 Challenge. It was a rushed morning. I worked late the previous night so waking up was hard to do. I started the morning with a green smoothie and a handful of blueberries.

Upon arriving I still had to get my shirt and bib. Just when I attached my bib the race gun shot-I quickly hustled to the start line almost a minute behind the crowd. I gradually gained my ground. It was smooth, flat terrain, a peaceful view of the marina, and the weather was perfect.

This was my second Brazen Racing Race in 2 weeks and I realized this organization has the most post-race junk food I've ever seen. It's Its, cake, cobbler, candy bars, danishes, chocolate, brownies, cookies, etc...It was like a dieters worse nightmare but trust me no one was complaining. Racers surrounded the food tables like a swarm of bees; each person reaching for their share from the smorgasbord of sweets. I opted for the fresh bananas, watermelon, and oranges. Oh were they good.

My medal was heavy, cute design, but I prefer medals that state the particular distance I did as opposed to the ones that state all the distances offered. No worries, I had a great time.

I completed the race at 1:06 which is about at 10:46 minute mile (I can do better). Next month is a half-marathon-ooooh!!! I am so excited.

13 in 2013 Challenge

With 7 Races under my belt this year The 12 Race Challenge is beginning to feel not so challenging after all. Originally, I created The 12 Race Challenge to encourage myself to run one race a month. Yet, lately, I've been hearing a lot of buzz about another challenge among fellow race addicts like myself called 13 in 2013.

This race refers to completing 13 races of any distance in the year 2013. I love the cadence of this challenge and will thus throw out The 12 Race Challenge for 13 in 2013 Challenge. 

Lets recap the races I've already done:

1. March: Oakland Half Marathon
2. April: Running of the Elk Half Marathon
3. May: Divas Half Marathon
4. May: Fit, Fab, and Lean Half Virtual Marathon
5. June: Live Ultimate Quarter Marathon
6. July: Bad Bass 10k
7. August: Summer Breeze 10k

6 more to go....

Eat well, Give thanks, and Love yourself

As much as I sleep, eat, and breathe health and fitness there are still times when I need an extra push to get into the gym or turn down sweet treats. To keep me focused I surround myself visually and mentally with positive and encouraging affirmations. Below is an example:

Race #6: July 2013 Bad Bass 10K Race

Race #6 of the 12 Race Challenge began early Saturday July 27, 2013 at Lake Chabot in Castro Valley, CA. This race by far, proved more challenging then any other race I have ever completed.  Originally, I approached the race slightly snooty, believing that I could easily conquer a mere 6.2 miles.

Little did I know I should have trained and prepared for a hilly terrain as a opposed the flat terrain I am used to. The hills in Lake Chabot were more extreme than the hills I've ran in Atlanta or San Francisco. Although it was only a mere 6.2 miles (shorter than 13.1 I also do) the steep, rocky unpaved hills made jogging up difficult and going down dangerous. (I nearly tripped twice)

A major highlight of this race was the beautiful scenery of Lake Chabot- the combination of the still water, the clear sky, and the towering trees brought a sense of calm, peace, and serenity to the run. There were times I was literally beaming ear-to-ear in gratitude as I marched up the tall hills of Lake Chabot.

I completed the race with one mantra echoing in my head: "you're a gladiator, you can do this". I was right I did do it and I did it well.

I finished strong and I finished proud.

Time: 1:16

Race #5: June 2013 Live Ultimate Quarter Marathon

Almost one month has passed since my last race. As apart of my 12 Race Challenge I signed up for The Live Ultimate Quarter Marathon at San Francisco’s Crissy Field. This was the shortest race I've done this year yet somehow a 6.55 miles race in Summer heat can be just as grueling as a 13.1 mile race in Fall.

 

The race had a nice turnout, which was expected being that it was promoted on Groupon for a great price. For only $28 I got some great pre/post-race snacks, a cute shirt, race bib, a mediocre medal, and a complimentary post race photo.

The race course was simple and predictable. We ran twice around a local bike/jogging trail. Which made the race crowded with Ultimate racers and locals. My goal for this race was 1 hour and 6 minutes, unfortunately I missed my goal by 7 minutes and finished at 1:13. I wasn't sad about missing my goal time because I was just glad to have made it there. I had a long work week and only 4 hours of sleep the night before. Making it there and completing the race was an accomplishment in itself.

The run was peaceful, near the water with a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge it was a great way to begin the morning and the rest of the day nicely followed suit.

 Complimentary post-race photo