But first...why I've been MIA.
I was preparing for a cross country move. I was actively looking for a new job and it just so happens the biggest area for my career is in California. I had been interviewing for positions in Southern California when an exciting opportunity came up in the Bay Area. After many long months of preparing, I took a chance and moved to California. All of this meant that I had not signed up for any major races. I did not know what city I would be in, if I would have the ability to take vacation right away to travel, and financially risking the racing and travel costs of a marathon just was not an option. No more excuses. I am settled in at our new home (my loving supportive boyfriend and Watson the cat made the trip with me). I am still sorting out my workout routine and the best routes for running but nonetheless I have a marathon in mind.
While I was gone I ran a 5K and two 10Ks. Both were small local races that I signed up for fun but also to gauge how much I have improved after a short year of running.
Turkey Trot 5K (November 2014):
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| Lauren and I after the race |
I ran this race with one of my oldest and best friends back near my home town. It was the morning of Thanksgiving and flurries during the start of the race. I ended up with a 21:22 and first in my age group (4th women overall). I was very surprised and happy with my time since I had not raced a 5K since I was a sophomore in high school.
Martha's Run 10K (April 2015):
This was held just a few blocks from where I was living in Pittsburgh, PA. It is by far the toughest 10K route I have ever run. The hills of Mt. Lebanon are unforgiving. The first 2 miles of the race are at a drastic incline. Despite being warned by two of my co-workers at the time, I ran the race with no fears. I ended up with a time of 46:27 (which was a PR at the time) and 2nd in my age group (6th overall for women). These shocking results gave me some much needed confidence. I had not signed up for the Pittsburgh marathon because I did not know if I would even be around for it. All of my runner friends were preparing, and I was super jealous.Trooper Iwaniec 10K (April 2015):
Just a week later I ran a local 10K through the roads of St. Vincent College. I had run the race the year before and was desperately trying to place in the Top 3 Women. I had a 1.5 hour drive prior to the race and was still feeling the affects of last weekends race. I was having some stomach issues but obviously wasn't going to let that stop me. The course is two loops (the 5Kers drop off after 1). I felt good the first 5K. I was third for the women with no one around. I just had to keep that pace and I would have finished happy. Shortly after the first loop, my stomach started cramping and my legs were shot. I was heading up a steep hill when I noticed my pace at dropped almost a minute from my goal. Shortly after I was passed by another female. I did my best to keep her in sight. I finished strong, but not strong enough. I ended with a 46:10 a new PR and more than a minute faster than the year before. I finished first in my age group and 4th female overall.Then by mid May I was interviewing and flying to California for a visit. With all the traveling and stress I trained very little. I was given about 3 weeks to pack up and move. With a crazy schedule from May to June I did my best to run when I could and strength train when I had the opportunity.
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| Rancho San Antonio Park |
For the past 2 weekends I have been doing a run through a local trail we found not far from our new home. To be honest, those 7-8 mile runs have been awful. The sun is hot, my legs are week, and my endurance is far from where it was. Today I prepped a schedule for the next two months and tomorrow I start running with a local club (something I have never done before).
My goal is to PR by the end of December. There is a marathon in Sacramento that I have my eyes on. I have a lot of work to do.
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