"You ran....on purpose??"

Holy heat wave Seattle!

Well, summer is here all right....we hit 94 degrees in Seattle! To be fair, it was 91 degrees when I went on my run. I was set on getting at least 5 miles in, and I really didnt think it would be that big of a deal while at work. Yeah, I was wrong.

That was one of the most difficult runs ever! I made it my 4 miles at a 10:00 pace, but it wasn't pretty with the hills. For kicks, I decided to run another mile, thinking I could run back through a few sprinklers on my way. Within FEET of reaching the sprinklers someone turned them off! So much for my cool down.....it must have been there to tempt me :)

Anyways, when I got back from my run (dazed and confused, haha) a woman was walking through the front doors. She looked at me and said:
 
"You ran? In this heat......on purpose?"

I smiled and said yes, and she looked at me like I was crazy. Getting a few miles in isnt that crazy, is it??

Happy heat stroke running!

Well, hello summer!

In true PacNW fashion, summer has finally arrived AFTER the 4th of July. Most of you who are from around Seattle know this, but for all of you who are not, we rarely, rarely get hot weather before July. Then BAM, summer arrives just in time! Literally, we might hit 95 degrees tomorrow! A week ago Monday, it was a lovely 60 degrees, and it might have dipped into the 50's during the day.  Im not kidding....

Check the time....its 10:00 PM!

I decided to finally get a good run in since the RnR half, yet the weather was not cooperating. I ran 6 miles at about a 9:30/mile pace. The heat just takes it out of me. I did pause a few times to take the follwing pictures:

Hello, Seattle!

Rat-cows on the loose....

Sunset over the Olympic Mts

Love the awesome sunset......and no, that wasn't enhanced! Ill spare you all the self portrait this time....85 degrees at night wasn't a pretty picture :) We'll see how many I can get in in tomorrow's heat! Here's hoping to more than 10 miles this week, why wont the weather cooperate?? Recaps to come...I didn't forget!

Happy hot running!

Changes In Latitudes & Attitudes

 "Changes in Latitudes, changes in Attitudes..."

**Bonus points for anyone who knows the song!! :) So much going on for me personally lately, that I havent had time to post. Luckily running is keeping me sane. Thanks for all the kind comments and regular posting should happen soon!


Wednesday, March 31st: 5.1 miles (9:36 pace)

This was my last evening in Oahu. I decided to head down to my favorite park, Ala Moana, located in downtown Waikiki. I made sure to go down to the park at sundown so that the heat wasnt overbearing.

Notice my tan burned forehead!

The park is roughly a 2.6 mile loop which runs along the water between two marinas and overlooks Waikiki Beach. The beautiful park is well lit and maintained, and has seemed to be safe to run. (Although, don't bring valuables to leave in your car, it might be broken into!!) The park has various fields, benches, beaches, trees and tennis courts to play in. It is really a beautiful park.

Running path along the water

This was the first time in Oahu that I actually felt like I was running normally. Although the 9:36/mile pace was slower than my regular pace, it felt great. Even though it was really humid, and difficult to breathe, I was able to hold a decent pace without stopping twice around the park. I just missed taking pictures of the sunset (I didnt want to stop!!) but the few pictures I snapped should show the beauty of the park.

Evening clouds and people walking the Ala Moana path. The beach in the distance is also part of the park. Clouds usually roll in during the evening. But its still around 80 degrees!

Thursday, April 1st: 4 miles (8:45 pace)

West Seattle and Downtown Seattle from the plane

I flew home on an early flight Thursday. Even though it was a long day, I was really wanting to get a quick run in. I went up to BHS and ran the track. It was a LOT colder in Seattle than when I left. Meaning it was about 45 degrees and it was over 65 degrees when I left for Hawaii. How does that even happen? Brr....

Anyways, it felt great to be able to run AND breathe again. I easily ran 4 miles in under 9:00/mile pace. I have to admit it was pretty chilly though...it took over a mile and a half to warm up! What happened to the nice 50-60 degree weather from March?

Friday, April 2nd: 5.1 miles (10:25 pace)

Little Bro and I went on one of his runs through the neighborhood on Bainbridge. We decided to run hills, so we were not running for time on this one. Good thing, because our pace was pretty slow :)

We took our time and talked through most of the run (which means that we were not working too hard, even though the hills were long and steep). While watching the Garmin through the run, I noticed that it wouldn't be 5 miles by the time we reached the house, so we decided to run through the golf course to get extra distance in. WHY DIDN"T I THINK OF THIS BEFORE?? Not only was the path paved and flat, but it had rolling hills and was very scenic. No, there were no golfers on the course that we interrupted. Ill have to keep this in mind for future runs......go on golf course paths!! :)

Image found here

Saturday, April 3rd: 9 miles (9:56 pace)


Since the Whidbey Half is next weekend, I needed to get a long run in beforehand. I went to Battle Point Park to attempt a 9 miler on Saturday. Battle Point is roughly 1.5 miles around, so I had to do 6 laps to get to 9 miles! That is a lot of circles....

Luckily the park has many trees and a pond so that you cannot see your entire path at a time. My dad joined me for 3.5 of the miles, which was great. He has been running for years and has inspired me to keep running and staying active while growing up. It was really nice to have the company while running too :)

While coming to the end of his run, it started to rain POUR. I mean, it was movie-style rain and I wasnt prepared. It took a full 2 miles to get warm again after stopping and I was still shivering at the end of the run. Even though it was a flat course and I got my miles in, it was a struggle because it was so cold, rainy and windy.

Yet another cheeseball photo

Guess it was a chilly welcome back to the PNW!!

Tuesday, April 6th: 5 miles (9:16 pace)

I was planning on a longer run today, but Im starting to feel sick :( I decided to go on a short 5 miler with hills - similar to the route with Little Bro a few days ago, but not on the golf course :) The run was short and hilly, but I think it was a good training run. Also, my time greatly improved by less than a minute per mile off my past time!

No running for me today, Im totally exhausted and have a HORRIBLE sore throat. Honestly, Ive never had one this bad :( Im hoping to get better by tomorrow and fit a long run in tomorrow. Probably lots of tylenol and cold medicine tonight.....boo. It was probably from the airplane air.


Happy running and hope everyone else isn't sick!

Product Review Time!!

Taking a break from running yesterday....still really sore from the Koko Crater hike. No sense in injuring myself a week out from the Whidbey Half! Over the weekend I took a trip to Sports Authority in Downtown Honolulu and it was awesome. I don't believe I have been to a SA before, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a wide selection of gear for running and working out. Not only was there a variety of shoes, but they also were WELL stocked in some of my favorite brands (Under Armour, Nike, Adidas, Champion, etc). Even better was that SA had a ton in both Men's, Women's and Kids wear. Here are a few goodies I picked up:

Nike Pro Women's Sports Bras  ($28)

LOVE THEM!!!

No matter what your workout, whenever you're working up a sweat the Nike Pro Women's Training Bra gives you a dynamic essential with a revised body shape for outstanding support along with technical seams and fabric for maximum performance comfort. 

• Dri-FIT fabric to wick sweat away and help keep you dry and comfortable
• Compression fit
• Swoosh design trademark at center chest
• Flat seam construction to help minimize chafing
• Fabric: Dri-FIT 85% polyester/15% spandex
• Machine wash
• Imported

Im not going to lie, I havent bought a new sportsbra in over 2 years. I always buy new tops, shoes, pants, etc, but I HATE buying sports bras. The last new one I bought (and then returned) zipped up the front and left me with a scar from where the zipper rubbed a hole in my skin. Not pretty, and no, Im not showing pics :)

Anyways, these sports bras are awesome. The fabric is easy on your skin, and the elastic around the ribcage didnt seem to irritate me while running (and sweating, ew) in the heat. I will be SURE to pick up more of these in the future. Also, the colors are really cute!


Under Armour Women's Catalyst T ($29.99)

The Cornerstone of the UA Green Collection: Recycled Bottles Become Performance Fabrics.

• Performance Fabrics made from Recycled Plastic Bottles.
• Signature HeatGear® moisture transport system keeps you cool and dry.
• Lightweight, durable high-gauge knit fabric provides maximum comfort against the skin.
• Raglan sleeves elminate shoulder seam abrasion points.
• ArmourBlock™ technology prevents the growth of odor-causing microbes.
• UPF 50+ protects against the sun's harmful rays.
• Semi-Fitted (fits closely, contoured to the body).
• 100% Recycled Polyester (excluding trims).
• Imported.

I saw this shirt on the rack and knew I would love it immediately. Not only does it have a great fit (semi-fitted in medium works for me, and isnt tight) but the fabric is my favorite Heat Gear, which keeps me cool (and I wear through the winter if it isnt too cold).

I also learned that UA Green on the tag means that they are recycled from old plastic bottles. So not only does it fit well but you can feel good about wearing it!

Under Armour Tech Shortsleeved T ($19.99)

Also shown are the Nike Hero Mesh Shorts ($25) and my review here

The Essential Under Armour T.

• Updated style and fit, with a Feminine crossover v-neck, and longer body length.
• UA Tech™ fabric moves moisture away from your body keeping you cool, dry, and comfortable with a soft, cotton-like feel for total comfort.
• Raglan sleeve construction allows for total mobility and a full range of motion, while eliminating shoulder seam abrasion points.
• Moisture Transfer System keeps you Dry and Comfortable.
• 95% Polyester/ 5% Elastane.
• Imported

This UA shirt is awesome too. Unlike the Catalyst T, this shirt feels more like a cotton blend than tech fabric. The fit is awesome (loose, but I still got a medium) and super comfortable. While running it wicked away the sweat and didnt ride up. Not going to lie, I love the grey and v-neck combo! I pretty much love everything UA!!

Off to run tonight. The heat is much more bearable if you run near sunset or early in the morning (I prefer sunset or later). Hopefully the run will have a sunset like this:

Trust me when I say that my iPhone doesn't do it justice :) 

Monday I ran 2 on the dreadmill, then did another 3 in the neighborhood. My time was 5 miles in 53:31 minutes, but I didn't have to stop, which was a relief.  I was HORRIBLY sore from the Koko Crater hike on Sunday, and Im limping around today. Its amazing that I was fine and not sore at all after the half marathon, yet one hour long hike will do my legs in! Ill know to stay away from stair-climbers before any of the next races :)

 Happy running :)

Hawaiian Hikes

After my disastrous run on Friday night in O'ahu, I went with my Dad to 24 Hour Fitness to workout quickly before dinner. Even though I had that awful run earlier that morning, I needed to boost my ego and show myself that I still can run over 2 miles at a time without passing out. I was planning on jogging a few miles, but I started out quick on the dreadmill and saw this:

 Whoa!!!

7:52?? A new mile PR!! Unofficial of course, but it counts to me! I wasn't even pushing it that hard, so I was extremely surprised when I saw it! (Note: I have never really tried to see how fast I could do a mile. For all I know I would probably go .2 then blow out my knee or pull a hammie. Ill stick with the real PRs for longer distances!) I also did another mile to round out the day at an even 7 miles. Not too bad considering the start earlier that day :)

On Saturday and Sunday I went for a few hikes this weekend with my Dad and Step-Mom. I did end up running on Sunday, but giving myself a few days to TRY to adjust to the heat made a huge difference.

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail (3/27/10)
Distance RT: 2.0 miles
Elevation: about 500 ft.
Time: 1:05

 View from the top of the lighthouse. Yep, the water is that color.....

Makapu'u is a relatively easy hike up a paved path to an amazing outlook and view of their lighthouse. The hike is located on the Southern Windward side of the island, and is a nice hike for all ages because the path is paved all the way to the top. Along the way you can see views of the other Hawaiian Islands (Moloka'i) and whales! I saw a few spouting off in the distance on the way up.....maybe it was Willy....

Just make sure you bring plenty of water and sunscreen. There is little shade and no places to get water on the path! Luckily we brought water, so I didn't feel dehydrated on the way up (a surprise to me). Also, the trade winds blow of the ocean, so there was a constant nice breeze.

View from the top with Dad and Step-Mom

Windward Oahu from lookout

Love the color of the water! Turtles below....

Koko Crater Trail (3/28/10)

Distance RT: 1.13 miles

Elevation: 1208 ft

Time: 1:08:31

After the easy Makapu'u hike yesterday, my Dad and I decided to hike Koko Crater (not to be confused with the smaller Koko Head or Diamond Head in Oahu). This hike is a trail that goes STRAIGHT up Koko Crater and relies on train slats to help you up the crater. This old track was from over 60 years ago when there was a military base at the top.

This hike is STEEP. I mean, there are no switchbacks and you are in the direct sunlight the entire time. I saw one girl getting into a fight with her boyfriend and refused to hike any further. She was only about 1/5th of the way up....

Train tracks help you up the crater

I would have called this the "Stairway to Heaven" but there is apparently another hike with that name already. Just if you were wondering, there were 1048 slats on the way up (1208 ft gained in elevation). Some people were running up and down this thing. I think they have lost their mind!

My Dad and I at the top

The top of the crater had views of Hawaii Kai (South of Waikiki and Honolulu) and surrounding views of the South End of Oahu and Makapu'u. The camera was on the wrong setting, but it was a stunning view.

 

At the top with Garmin. Hawaii Kai in the background

On this hike I would recommend going early in the morning for the best views. Temperatures would also be lower and much easier to take. After all, there is no shade or place to stop on this hike. Be prepared to climb!! Its one HUGE stair-stepper!! Be sure to bring water as well and take your time to not get sick.

On the way down

Side note: If you are wondering, YES, I am completely sore today :( You use different muscles on Koko Crater than in half marathons.....

Evening Run: 5.08 miles/ 50:30 (3/28/10)

At this point I wasn't sore from the Koko Crater hike that morning. The temperature had lowered considerably since earlier in the day, so I knew it was either then or never to get my miles up for the week.

I started running just at sundown around the neighborhood. I did roughly the same path as Friday, but with much better results. Basically, I didn't feel like I was going to die the entire time, and best of all, I didn't need to stop to suck air (!!) I ran at roughly a 10:00 mile pace, which is quite a bit slower than I run in WA state, but given the heat and the few days I have been here, Ill consider it a success.

Happy running everyone, and thanks for the kind words you have posted in the past few days. It really means a lot :)

Aloha Oh Boy

Wednesday recovery workout: 6 miles/61:00 minutes 

On Wednesday I went for my first run since the Mercer Half last Sunday. Unlike the Seattle Half in November, I was barely sore the day after, and I felt that I could have run on Tuesday without injury. I decided to wait until Wednesday just to be sure....

This was one of the first runs in a LONG time that I had to purposely slow down. I used my Garmin and stuck right around a 10:00 mile pace. I must have still been in race mode, because I kept trying to go faster than that. I even made myself stop at mile 4 and stretch, which I never do. Overall, it was a great post-half recovery run.


Today - 5.07 miles/53:45 minutes

Due to some unexpected circumstances, I ended up flying out to Oahu late last night. Not wanting to miss out on running, I put on my shoes this morning and went out around the neighborhood for a run.

Hibiscus from the neighborhood

After mentioning to my Dad and step-mom (who both live in Oahu) about my Half last weekend, I was eager to get out and run. Good thing they didn't run with me because this was the most difficult run I have had....EVER.

I am the first to admit, I am a wimp when it comes to heat. Every time I go to somewhere warm, it takes me a few days to get used to the heat (if I ever do get used to it) and I'm usually nauseous most of the time out in the sun (note: this doesn't stop me from trying to get a burn tan though). I have run in Hawaii before, but I must have not noticed that I was sick because I was out of shape at the time. Anyways, for some reason I forgot about the heat and started running on a large hill, in the direct sunlight, while it was humid....

BAD IDEA.

I realized that I was draining of energy and turned up a road that was less steep and started a few switch-backs. After about 1.75 miles I had to stop and take a breather. I havent had to stop while running in the past YEAR. Yeah, this isnt something that I was used to. 

I caught my breath and made it about another .75 and had to stop again. This continued every half a mile until I finished 5 miles. I was pooped (haha). I laid down for awhile afterwards but after eating I was only slightly nauseous the rest of the day. Im hoping the next few days will get easier, but my confidence was seriously knocked down a few notches after that run!

I have SO much respect for people who run in ANY kind of heat or humidity! I guess my strength would be running in the cold or rain :)

It felt more like 90 degrees with 100% humidity

Ill leave you with this palm shot.....much better than a shot of me sucking air!

Maybe Ill try running at night or indoors for the next few days. Hope everyone has a great weekend!