mindplunge

I’m running the San Jose half Marathon this weekend!

This weekend I’ll be running my first half Marathon in my life. Although I’m pretty excited I’m also a bit scared. Who wouldn’t before a first race (1/2 Marathon none the less)! My training schedule fell apart the last month so another reason to be scared… But I will finish! I feel prepared, maybe not for the full 100% but I’m certain I can do this!

I’ve received the last notifications of the organization and all forms are filled out. For those who can’t make it to the South Bay there is an actual live webcam! Visit www.rnrsj.com to view the finish line! The magical race number to watch: 7179. I expect to run a 2:30hr time so with the start at 08:00AM I should cross the finish line around 10:30AM.

And for those living near San Jose come see me finish! Start and Finish is at the Plaza Cesar Chavez and since this is a Rock and Roll ½ Marathon event, tons of entertainment is offered. For the runners there is a live band every mile (13 bands). At the finish line there is the Festival. Lots of bands, beer and an expo!

Of course I will follow up on this post with the end result and how things went. I’m excited! Now I have to compile a Marathon playlist to accompany me on my race…

Running update

I’m raising the bar on my running regime. I’ve set a pretty high goal and this goal is approaching relatively fast! I intend to run the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon in San Jose CA. The run will be on October 4th so less than 4 months… More about this ambitious plan in my next post. For now just a talk about running in general.

As you might know I started the C25K (Couch to 5K) last year. Basically a program to get you running a 5K within 12 weeks. Since I’ve completed the program I’ve been running 5K on a regular basis. I’m extending these runs lately and for the past two weeks I’m running 8K (Kilometers) almost daily. You can find my full schedule at twiike, runner+ and the Nike+ running websites.

The challenges on the Runner+ website are a great motivator as you try to outrun your fellow runners. It’s quite competitive but I must say that the running community, although always on the run (pun intended), is a pretty relaxed. You know what I’m talking about once you become a runner.

My favorite time to run are the early mornings. No traffic, cool breeze and it is just stunning to see the sun come up. I’m privileged to run in California. Not only for the weather but the views are amazing. I run through walnut orchards towards a dormant volcano (Mt Konocti) and passing some vineyards. Yes, I’m blessed.

So yeah… 4 months to go. San Jose, here I come!

Memorial Day Weekend

I know… this post is long overdue but I have my reasons. Summer is approaching so it’s time for a new theme! Hope you like it and please let me know if something is not working properly for you. I still have to adjust some settings but it’s pretty much all there. Also time to kick it up a notch when it comes to posting. I’ve been off ‘the grid’ for a while but I intend to post more frequently.

For now a quick post about Memorial Day Weekend. Since I’m a freelancer a ‘day off’ sounds kinda weird now. I’m having so much ‘free’ time a holiday has a new meaning to me. Not sure how to describe it but it doesn’t feel like a holiday…

Below some pictures of fresh herbs and vegetables from our garden. In the morning we went on a kick ass canoe trip at Anderson Marsh. Water was so still, simply amazing. Fish were jumping all around us. One made it almost in our canoe. Trippy shit… Anyways.. Enjoy the pics!

First real post-C25K run!

It took me 23 days to finally clock some miles after finishing the C25K. I though my muscle strain wasn’t that severe but it kept me from running for a straight 3 weeks. This morning I had a good feeling. Walking wasn’t a problem anymore the last couple days and when I was walking the dog I tried a few sprints in between. No problem.

So this morning I hit the track again along the creek and ran for a 5K. My first K was way too fast since I just got of the injury. I slowed my pace down to a 10’45″ /mi. I was amazed I actually could run a 5K! Haven’t run for 23 days and being a couch potato just 3 Months ago I was pretty happy with the result.

I finished the 5K in 32’27″ which was faster I was aiming for. Anything close to 35 minutes was my goal. Maybe a short run tomorrow?

W9D3 Graduation Day

I think the above picture says it all. I FINISHED the C25K! My initial plan was to run yesterday but with temperatures in the mid 90′s (32C) I didn’t feel comfortable running in this condition.

Today was a different story. Temperature dropped to 78 (25C) with some cloud cover. Perfect to end my program! I ran my usual route along the creek and I told myself to start slow. Hitting the 1K spot I was running a 09’38″/mi race. Way too fast! My normal pace would be 10’00/mi and I tried to slow down. After the 1K I zoned out and didn’t bother checking my split times until I hit halfway point. I still was on a 09’38″/mi schedule!

I felt so confident and strong that I decided not to check the time anymore but instead trying to focus on the 5K. My last 500 meters were the most difficult ones and once my iPod told me I finished the 5K Lance Armstrong congratulated me (not in person, duh… but it’s build into the iPod nano) with a new PR for the 5K: 29’58″!

I shouldn’t be focused in speed so much since I’m still a novice runner. Gary of ‘hitting the wall’ has an excellent post about it: The No-Need for Speed. I will remember this next time but I guess my adrenaline got the upper hand…

So what’s next? First of all I’m proud of myself finishing something. I’m pretty impulsive when it comes to new fads but I know running will be a keeper. Tomorrow I will sign up for my first race (scary!) and I intend to run at least 3 X week, preferable 5K. I will continue this until the end of 2008 and as a pre-resolution for 2009 I will start the OHR program beginning of January.

I also want to thank the readers of this blog and giving me positive feedback. Especially Daisy, thanks for the many inspirational and motivating comments! I’ll be virtually running your graduation day (tomorrow?) with you! You can do it!

Enough talk! I’m sure I will dedicate lots and lots more posts to running and give you updates as a runner!

Keep on running!