Today, on the 105th anniversary of the great quake that leveled San Francisco, I experienced my first earthquake! We had a tiny 3.8 tremor that jolted my apartment building back and forth exactly once -- it was more or less noisy rather than disruptive. But anyone who knows me knows I've been waiting for this day for a long time! :)
And, today, on the 115th anniversary of the Boston Marathon, I was able to sit down and reflect on a few of my own running accomplishments. It was so inspiring to stream the Boston Marathon this morning, knowing I could count on two hands the number of people I knew in the race. While I'm sure a BQ is no where in my immediate future, watching this race and my friends' journey to get there made me realize that I've come a long way, too, baby.
In two weeks I'm going to be running the Big Sur 21-Miler (which will be an off-course this year due to a landslide that took out part of Highway 1.). Despite the change in scenery we'll see, I'm excited to get in another long training run in preparation for the San Francisco Marathon later this summer. Originally my goal was to build up to 18 miles two weeks before the 21-mile race, and then taper back down. After Big Sur, I'll step back for a few weeks before ramping up my long runs again in preparation for SFM.
On Saturday morning I took a bus down to the Ferry Building and told myself I'd run the first 17 or so miles of the SFM course at a leisurely pace, and then run home from there to make it to 18 miles total. I didn't want to push it on the hills -- I wanted to get in a quality run on big hills to mentally get ready for Big Sur. After those 18 miles, I was feeling so good -- unusually good -- that I ran another 2 around my neighborhood to finish up at 20.
I was pretty surprised at my mile splits. In the span of less then one year, I went from running this...
My first 20 miler: May 1st, 2010 -- relatively flat MN route
To running this...
My latest 20-miler: April 16, 2011 -- super mega hilly SF route
I have essentially cut 15 minutes off the time it takes me to run 20 miles, decreasing my splits by almost 45 seconds per mile. To me, this is crazy! I never thought I'd improve at long-distance running after my somewhat-disastrous marathons (1 & 2) last year. Although the hills were hard along the SFM course, I never felt like I was pushing my pace beyond a comfortable zone. Naturally I want to think this 20 miler was a fluke, but for how great I felt afterward and how I had no muscle pain the next day, it can't be, right? Right?!
I'm excited to see how Big Sur will go and what else my legs have in store for me the rest of this year. This was exactly the kind of training run I needed to have to boost my confidence in covering long distances.
Next up ... Big Sur!
It is a bummer about the mud slide but still it will be a great event. I did 21mi a couple of years ago and it was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, and don't forget to enjoy the views as you run.
It sounds like you have improved a ton. To finish a planned 18 and want to run 2 more is great.
ReplyDeleteWow! that is some serious improvement in a year! Good job A!:)
ReplyDeleteGreat job A! And lucky you on running Big Sur - enjoy the views!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is SERIOUSLY impressive!
ReplyDeleteI am not jealous of your earthquake experience. We live right on the New Madrid fault, and all the "experts" say it's just a matter of time before the big one hits here again.
that is a huge milestone! you are so going to rock big sur! all that hill running in the city has paid off! you know what they say about san francisco women -- strongest legs ever!
ReplyDeleteand glad you were finally able to experience a good 'ol bay area earthquake :)
Wow, very impressive!!! Enjoy your reward for all your hard work
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS HUGE A, H-UUUUUUUUUU-GE
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you, I knew you could do it! and then you proved it to yourself with the cherry on top 2 extra miles, and then you wanted to run more the next day, seriously awesome.
P.s. I will start working on my master plan to have Mr. Awesome lace a pair of running shoes up :)
That's AWESOME!! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI am *still* waiting for an earthquake, and we've been in SoCal for almost 2 years!
That is awesome!!! I can't even imagine! I think I hit my speed peak already and am just getting slower. I have thought about signing up for the San Fran full, but without having a job I'd hate to be in the race and not be able to afford the travel part!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and good luck at Big Sur!
Great run! You have come so far. I'm so excited for you at Big Sur! Definitely on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteCan I ask what kind of speed and distance monitor you use? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTracy: I use a Garmin Forerunner 305.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm currently training for my first 10k. My parents are buying me a Garmin for a graduation present next month. I heard that the Garmin Forerunner 110 does not count laps that is the reason I was curious, which I find disappointing. I may go with the Garmin 305.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I know nothing about the 110. I think the 305 is probably cheaper now since the 310XT, 405, 410, and 610 came out. It's a quality device & will definitely do the trick! I know plenty of people who use the 205 and like it, too. The only difference I know between the 205 & the 305 is that mine has a heart rate monitor (that I never use).
ReplyDeleteI had to manual set my laps to count after every mile, and that was the only trick. I got back after a run the first day I had it and was sad to see that it counted my 5 miles as 1 lap, so I didn't have individual mile splits. :) I only had to set it once, and now it defaults that way. I wonder if it's that way with the 110.
About your first 10k: Congrats & good luck!
I heard that the 110 doesn't count laps at all. It takes your distance and total time and averages your time per mile. At least that's what I've been told. I will have to do some research and maybe ask a few people in my running group. Thanks for your help!!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome -- have a great race!! :) :)
ReplyDeleteI felt the earthquake at work and was pretty worried, since I live in Pacifica. I honestly didn't know how lackluster a 3.8 is, and I felt pretty silly after leaving work early and finding my apartment in one piece.
ReplyDeleteYour improvement between 2010 and 2011 is amazing, and it lets me know I will be a speedier runner in 12 months, too. I need to dig up the manual for my 305 so I can record my mile splits. Right now I just get one huge lap. I need more data!
great improvement over the year..but doesn't this post need to be updated to "i'll be running a marathon in a week.."
ReplyDelete