Saturday, November 10, 2012
10 miles welcomes cool temps and wind
It was a great day for a 10 mile run and the first day we had strong cool winds, which reminded me of my runs in San Francisco. The cool temps make this a great time of year to train. We did our 10 miles easy. We have some great things planned for the holidays including our Santa to the Sea Half which includes a jaunt down a street called Candy Kane Lane, and a Hot Buttered 10k (what's more fun than a 10k followed by a hot buttered rum), Christmas Parade and Kringle Mingle, a collection of vendors, food, and music, and a Christmas dinner as well as a family reunion in Santa Ana. All of this occurs before the end of the year. Eddie always says he likes to have things to look forward to and this holiday season, we've got a lot in store. Also, I've got a little surprise planned for his birthday. More to come.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
9 miles - A Breeze
It was tough getting out of a warm bed this morning. The cool weather was perfect for running though! Eddie ran strong and felt like he could have done 10 today. I ran a comfortable pace and enjoyed the run, but today, I was more so looking forward to breakfast and relaxing the rest of the day. We've decided to take on the Beach Cities Challenge with Long Beach behind us and Surf City and the OC half ahead of us. On a side note, we're very glad the NY Marathon is not taking place. As runners, we recognize that running is a luxury and whether it's attached to raising money for charity or even generating revenue for a city, more pressing matters should and deserve resources in times of crisis. We hope that our friends and family are safe and continue to have their needs met.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
8 miles...We're Back
Running 8 miles was tough for me, but Eddie felt strong. We headed on a northern route that took us on some twists and turns that seemed go on forever. It's another hot fall day in San Diego, which didn't make it any easier. We're glad we're back in training and with our next half coming up in Dec, it's a good thing. There's also been talks about doing another half marathon in Feb. We're enjoying a relaxing weekend at home today. I've got an ice pack on my neck, an injury sustained from attending a Zumba class, a clear sign of premature aging. Eddie is watching the Jefferson's and eating Chinese take out from last night. I'd say it's a pretty average, but wonderful weekend with no where to go, just the way I like it.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Palm Springs Getaway
We had fun this weekend at one of our favorite places to relax - Palm Springs. It was a comfortable 80 degrees during the day and 70 at night. We hung out at the pool, enjoyed live music, and the spa. Even though we've visited multiple times, we discovered a newish movie theatre very close our hotel where we saw Pitch Perfect - thumps up - and a decent sushi place. There were a lot of laughs, as you can see below.
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| Snoring by the pool |
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| Ben and Eddie's |
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| Is that a chicken on your head? |
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| Looking regal with an octopus |
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Revised Training Schedule
Our Training Schedule
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10/27/2012
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8 mile
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30 min easy
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45 min - hills
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45 min - tempo
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11/3/2012
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9 miles
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30 min easy
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45 min easy
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45 min - tempo
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11/10/2012
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10 miles
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30 min easy
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45 min - 6-8 30/30's or hills
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45 min - tempo
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11/17/2012
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11 miles
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35 min easy
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50 min - 8-10 30/30's or hills
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45 min - tempo
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11/24/2012
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12 miles
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35 min easy
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50 min easy
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45 min - tempo
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12/1/2012
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6 miles
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35 min easy
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50 min - 5-6 60/60's or hills
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45 min - tempo
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12/8/2012
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Half
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35 min easy
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55 min - 6-7 60/60's or hills
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50 min - tempo
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Running Group Schedule
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10/27/2012
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8 miles
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30 min easy
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45 min - hills
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45 min - tempo
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11/3/2012
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9 miles
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30 min easy
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45 min easy
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45 min - tempo
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11/10/2012
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9 miles
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30 min easy
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45 min - 6-8 30/30's or hills
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45 min - tempo
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11/17/2012
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10 miles
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35 min easy
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50 min - 8-10 30/30's or hills
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45 min - tempo
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11/24/2012
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10 miles
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35 min easy
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50 min easy
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45 min - tempo
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12/1/2012
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8 miles
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35 min easy
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50 min - 5-6 60/60's or hills
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45 min - tempo
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12/8/2012
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10 miles
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35 min easy
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55 min - 6-7 60/60's or hills
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50 min - tempo
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Monday, October 8, 2012
Long Beach Half
Just a 1.5 hour drive from San Diego, we were thrilled to finally head to Long Beach. Off to the expo to get our race packet, shirt, and other goodies. At night, we walked along Shoreline Village, where Eddie scored a few souvenirs. By 6:30a the next day, we were at the start line. First the pros - the race was very well organized for 11,000 people. We were in Wave 3 and unlike our first half in Vegas, there was no shoving and we started quickly. Miles 1-3 looked like we were running on a freeway and then there was what?!...hills? The course was touted on the website as flat. As a cramp developed, Eddie sped passed me as I settled into a more comfortable pace. Miles 4-5, things are prettier, but the smell of...yes, fish. Miles 5-8, a stretch of white sandy beach and nothing else - the sun beating on us heavily. This is what is must feel to run in the desert. I am feeling optimistic "5 more miles - I tell myself I can do it." 9-10 mile turn around, we're heading towards the finish now, but little did we know water stations are now 1.5 miles apart. The last 3 miles were the toughest. As the fork at 12ish mile mark appeared - we said goodbye the marathoners who sadly paraded uphill to the right as we halfers descended to the left in a slight decline to the finish. I was never so glad to see a wire fence, signaling the end. We'd like to say we finished strong, but at that moment, we were just glad we made it. What we anticipated as our easiest half was actually the hardest half marathon we have yet to complete. We celebrated our success with a gondola ride and dinner on the Queen Mary, an old military ship, turned hotel. Proud? Yes. Sore? Yes. Looking forward to the next one? Definitely.
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| Run Forrest Run |
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| Cheese |
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| Shoreline Village |
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| Eddie received a high five from a fellow wrestling fan for wearing this shirt. |
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| Eddie as Peter Pan |
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| Surprise! I secretly planned a gondala ride in Naples. |
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| Our 3rd half marathon! |
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Naples in Long Beach, CA
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| Melissa Results |
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Saturday, September 22, 2012
When 10 Became 11
We got a late start at 7:30a, which sounds a little ridiculous considering it's a Saturday, but as seasoned runners - starting times can mean the difference between a pleasant run or enduring sweltering heat. Fortunately, it was perfectly overcast today, which helped our run tremendously. At the 5 mi turn around, Eddie began to turn back and I said - let's go for 11 mi instead of 10. He said he'll meet me at the start line, but to my surprise, I heard footsteps as I approached the halfway point and there he was behind me. That's how 10 mi become 11 mi! So next week, we are planning on running 6 or 7mi to take it easy before our half marathon on Oct. 7. That's an easy goal, which is doable despite my trip to San Antonio, TX for work next Saturday. So, we're taking it easy this weekend, no plans, just relaxing after a job well done.