It’s been a while since I felt a true runner’s high. And not for lack of running… I’ve been logging my miles since the SF Marathon, with these three months seeing a few hundred miles run as well as three half marathons raced and one spectated while running farther than the course distance. But something has just been missing. That feeling where everything clicks.
I fell in love with running during my first marathon training cycle somewhere after 11 miles. I realized that no matter what I tend to hate the first 5 miles of a run. Sad but true. Hence my twitter headline saying I need 10K to warm up. I really do! There was something about coming back from a 16, 18, or 20+ mile run totally wasted but also kind of floating on endorphins. I finally found that again today!
I did NOT want to wake up at 7 this morning but after hitting snooze til 7:30, seeing everyone’s tweets about the Marine Corps Marathon dragged me out of bed. There was a 4-mile race happening on the Great Highway that Cate and Alyssa would be at, so I had to make it down. I got dressed and then got on my way. The only problem was that there was a 4-mile run for me to just GET to the race! Luckily it was running DOWN MLK which is SO. MUCH. EASIER. I was trying to take it really slow and somewhat succeeded.
4 mi run to race: 35:43
I got down there and connected with Cate and family. I love DSE races. So chill and such a fun environment. I need to commit to getting to know a lot of these people!
When the race started we started in the back since they had the baby stroller. Unfortunately for everyone in front of us, Cate and Mike are faster than the majority of the crowd even when pushing baby! I hung with them for the first 1.5 mile or so and then they hightailed it out of there, picking off people one by one. Alyssa managed to sprint her fast feet up to catch up with us and I stayed with her til right around the turnaround and then I dropped back. I was not feeling great and just out to have fun and try to survive 12-13 mi for the day. I took a 30 second walking break to take off my long sleeve shirt (oops) which meant readjusting iPod and Garmin. Then I finished out by counting the alphabet backwards as I passed the Sunset streets (Santiago… Rivera… Pacheco…)
I kept in minimal effort mode because I knew I still had miles in front of me, but it was fun to participate!
- Mile 1: 9:2X (weaving with stroller)
- Mile 2: 8:26
- Mile 3: 8:53 (walk break)
- Mile 4 kind of: 7:45 (it was only 0.95 mile)
So I’ve got a new 3.95M PR of 34:32 despite the walking and slowness. Woot!
After that, I hung out and dawdled and filled my water bottle and fueled up with 3 mini chocolate chip cookies. I REALLY needed the calories after running 8 miles on only one graham cracker. I’m a big breakfast before long run person, but I got out of bed only 30 minutes before I had to run so it didn’t happen.
After that, I just wanted to get a ride HOME! I was tired and over the running thing. However, I knew that Kristine and Alyssa were doing laps at Stow Lake and I hadn’t seen Kristine since the Giant Race so I decided I’d make the trudge over to Stow Lake to see them. Two slow miles UP MLK (ugh) and I was there. One break for this:
I was feeling okay and figured I’d do one lap with them and then head home for 13 for the day, keeping with my goal of running at least 13.1 miles per weekend even though I’m not training for anything.
Imagine my surprise when I saw Layla and Karin there as well! This is when my day totally turned around. We headed out together around Stow Lake. And then I had so much fun catching up with Kristine and chatting with the others that I ended up running 3. At that point I decided I should probably run another half lap so then with my 2 miles home it would make 16 miles for the day.
Total: 16 miles/2:26, 9:07 pace
From miles 10 to 16, I felt better every mile. My legs got looser and wanted to run faster than they were. While I had wanted to walk so much between miles 4-8 (in a “race”!), I didn’t even want to stop. I almost headed back into the park for another 2 to make it 18 for the day, but then I realized I haven’t hit 15+ in three months, so why risk it when my knee was bothering me a bit anyway. My last mile I was just so happy, because I remembered why I love to run. It’s that feeling, ten miles in, with no clock ticking to stress me out, with friends nearby to support, with nowhere to be or go, the only goal just to move and enjoy running for running’s sake.
Today was awesome. I loved this run and it reminded me that I CAN run despite my confidence issues as of late and that I can rock a distance run even if I’ll never be speedy. That doesn’t mean I can’t love it.
When I got home, I was famished. I had only had those three cookies which seemed like a lot at the time (maybe 200 calories?) but after 16+ miles on just those calories and the graham cracker I was dying. I knew exactly how to get delicious and replenishing fuel into me FAST:
One cup chocolate milk + one frozen banana + one spoon PB. Everything you need. And amazing.
After a good bit of dawdling and lounging around in my bathrobe (TMI?), I jumped on my bike to meet Alyssa at Quickly for some really (not) nutritious and very much needed post-run fuel. (She did 20 and kicked ASS.) I had a lovely bike ride over to the Richmond—really getting the hang out riding in traffic. Still scary but I MUST attempt a ride to work this week—I’m thinking Tuesday.
We got Oreo Snows with large tapioca and fries (curly for her, sweet potato for me). It was absolutely just what the doctor ordered.
After some time lounging around the wave of post run tiredness hit me HARD. I had wanted to hike up Twin Peaks, but a 16 mile run + bike ride +strenuous hike seemed a little bit much for the one day. But all told, this was the absolute perfect Sunday.
I’ve got a busy week in front of me which will culminate in the FOODBUZZ FESTIVAL next weekend! I am seriously excited for that. I’ve got a few goals for the week:
- Two good weight training sessions
- Four runs
- No junk food at the office. Fo realz this time.
- GO TO BED BEFORE 11. I was up til 1-2am every night last week (college flashback!) and I piad for it. Sleep matters!
- BUY A DIGITAL CAMERA!!! I need recommendations stat. Anyone?? Something that is purse-able if not pocket-able, that I can carry around easily, not super complicated, Please advise if you have any recommendations!
- Hope you all had a WONDERFUL weekend!
- Courtney
- What do you use to take pictures? Do you have any camera recs for me?
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I LOVE THIS POST!!!!!!
I could tell after the DSE race that you were looking a little out of it, but by the time you charged up to Stow Lake, you looked completely refreshed! So awesome how it takes you 10 miles to warm up. I wish I could say the same.
You were meant to be a true long-distance runner…. embrace it! (And I am SOOO impressed you did 16 while not training for anything. You’ll be doing 100-mile races before you know it.)
Oh, I have a Canon PowerShot SD 750 point & shoot (it’s a few years old… I’m sure they have new models now), that purse-able & pocket-able, and takes AWESOME photos. It was relatively cheap too! That would be my suggestion, but I’m no expert.
Alyssa recently posted..Race Recap: Nike Women’s Half Marathon
Yay for a great run! I bet the miles kind of flew by with all the friends you were meeting and the race thrown in there too! I have never done a run like that before but I think it would be a nice way to break up a long run.
I have been loving running lately too. I’ve been going into the trails behind our house a few times a week with the pup and just loving trail running and ignoring my garmin and pace!
Oh, I need to try this banana + chocolate milk + PB idea stat!
Amber from Girl with the Red Hair recently posted..Sunday Mornings
I love this post too! I had so much fun chatting and catching up with you today! I agree with Alyssa – you are seriously amazing at running distances! I have a Canon Powershot too and I LOVE it it’s great!
PS – I know the guy who holds the records for that race! I saw his name and thought wait a minute! He’s a former co-worker of mine!
Kristine @ Running on Hungry recently posted..5 Things
Yay, nicely done! Wish I could’ve joined you guys this morning!
I love a little chocolate milk after a workout! I wish I loved bananas because that mixture sounds like it would kick things up a notch… (emeril much?) haha
As for digital cameras, I’m working with an old Olympus and the iPhone. I’ve used a nikon point and shoot before, and LOVED it. I’m saving for the SLR, otherwise I’d probably would have retired the Olympus and sprung for the Nikon a year ago…
Aww, I’m so glad the run turned around for you! That was a cool surprise to see you turn up out of nowhere! Man, SF is so great.
I have never been to Quickly, and hadn’t even heard of it until recently. This situation must be rectified next time I run long enough to justify eating such calorie-iffic food.
Layla recently posted..“Mr.” Layla meets concrete
great job! i have a fancy nikon point & shoot (the p100…bigger than a regular p&s, so not what you want, but super awesome). i love nikons! my nikon p&s is pretty old but doing pretty well. my suggestion would be to go to a camera store…not a big box store…not online… but a camera store. test them out, ask questions, get advice. more pixels does not equal better camera. hope that helps!
my old nikon p&s is tiny…not the p100…sorry, i was confusing myself. i have 2 nikons and love them both!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef recently posted..Homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes–sans espresso machine!
Glad you found your runner’s high again. I recently bought a DSLR which is a major purchase but before that I was using a Sony point-and-shoot.
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic recently posted..3 Musketeers Event at the W
I loved reading this! Sounds like a great Sunday! I have such a hard time getting into runs until about mile 5. I LOVE pearl milk tea. Mmmm, Quikly! I didn’t know about DSE. I really want to do one fo the runs, it sounds awesome!
Jamie recently posted..Nature is Restorative
I’m sooo impressed you did 16 yesterday! And I’m super jealous of your Quickly visit.
I think this weekend proves that Big Lantern is the ideal day-before-a-long-run food!
Cate recently posted..Halloween 4 Mile
Sounds like a great day of running — and good to hear you’re feeling the running love! I hate the first 3 miles of any run, so it’s amazing I EVER kept running when I started and wasn’t running longer than 3 miles at a time. (Still, 16 seems so hardcore to me! I’ll get there…someday…)
Kimra recently posted..Good Ol’ Meatballs
I am kicking myself over missing that race. I had a 5-miler scheduled on Sunday, I could have totally done this!
Congratulations on your new 3.95-mile PR, ha ha. DSE Runners’ races tend to be smaller and more chill, which I appreciate. Also, next time you see Alyssa please snatch her cute running skirt; I am still sweating over it. That skirt must be mine.
Great run! I’m glad you found your runner’s high again
I just got a small digital camera for the pursable and pocketable reasons. The boy has a larger baby DSLR that’s great fun, but I wanted one I could just always keep with me. http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-ELPH-300-HS/dp/B004J41T7Q I got this little guy, and it’s actually on sale on Amazon right now. I paid the full $229 for it, but it’s on sale for $179. It takes great pictures, does have the ability to alter some manual settings, and does video too (though I haven’t bothered to use that yet.) Mostly it’s really light and easy to carry with you everywhere 
Beth recently posted..A Saturday Trip to the Berkeley Farmers’ Market
i have this and it is awesome. small, light, easy to use, great photo quality.
http://reviews.bestbuy.com/3545/2044131/canon-powershot-elph-300-hs-12-1-megapixel-digital-camera-red-reviews/reviews.htm
Great run! I’m glad you found your runners high again. I can definitely relate. I feel like the more I run, especially after marathon training, the harder it is to get a high.
Caroline recently posted..My weekend in photos
Sounded like a great day on Saturday!
Those DSE races do sound like a lot of fun, if I lived in SF I’d probably do a lot of them.
That pic of the sun shining on the boats is awesome, it almost looked fake to me, lol
About bubble tea – my favorite in the south bay is Fantasia, not sure if they have them in SF. I’ve been to Quickly before too, that place is solid. Is that bad that I’m becoming a bubble tea snob? haha
As for digital cameras, currently I have the Canon Powershot SX 210 IS. It is small, but takes high quality pics. I bought it last summer, so likely something better than it for the price as come out. I’ve heard good things about the Canon S90, this camera might be worth looking into.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=canon+s90+camera&gs_upl=3682l4333l1l4468l2l2l0l0l0l0l72l72l1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1440&bih=775&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6154853888138422522&sa=X&ei=3CavTvaeOMbXiQLB_d0L&ved=0CGoQ8wIwAA
And your bucket list items all sound good to me!
Nelly recently posted..Victory weekend part deux
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel recently posted..Halloween Decorations and My Costume
OK that drink is GENIUS! Chocolate milk, banana, peanut butter? Holy swear words batman!!
I have a Canon Rebel T3I. It’s big, complicated, AMAZING but definitely not pocket-able…Unless you wear MC Hammer pants
Katie@Real Food Katie’s Way recently posted..It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!