Tuesday, August 3, 2010

July

I had a personal best in terms of mileage this month!  I ran 167 miles!!  Considering that the week of July 5 – 11 I only ran sixteen miles (I was on vacation), I am pretty happy with myself.

The month started out with my three-races-in-two-days the first weekend.  I did a 5K, a 10K and a 15K all within 24 hours.  I PR’d in two out of three of those races.  Woo hoo!

Then we packed up the kids (and a BUNCH of stuff) and drove up to Mammoth Lakes to go camping.  I had never been to Mammoth and fell in LOVE with it.  It was a perfect first camping trip for the kids.  We camped with another family and kept busy with bike rides, hiking and enjoying the area.Mammoth Lakes bike ride Devils post pile group shot
There were cool geologic features as well as gorgeous and powerful waterfalls.
Rainbow Falls.23  
I even was able to show off my Jamba Juice “super powers.” *
jamba riverOn our second to last night, I checked Facebook from my phone and saw that Alissa (one of my blogger, facebook, dailymile buddies) posted something about being on her way to Mammoth Lakes.  I sent her a message that we should get together for a run.  We were able to meet up the next morning for a nice run around a bike path.  Alissa and I had met once before at a race, but this was our first chance to run together.  The altitude was kicking my @ss, but it was a great run.  We decided to run again the next morning.
DSCN1908  It was a great run with fabulous company in an unbelievable setting.DSCN1906The next day we decided to explore some of the trails near our campground.  I had run briefly here earlier in the week, but felt much better going deeper into the woods with a friend.  It was GREAT.
Mammoth Lake run woods
Mammoth Lakes trail run Alissa
Mammoth Lakes trail run Lisa We ran a little more than nine miles.  Unfortunately, I forgot to bring Gu.  Normally, I can muscle through a nine mile run without fuel.  However, at over 7000 feet on the last day of sleeping (or not sleeping) five nights in a tent and not having breakfast that morning….I bonked around mile 7.  I haven’t felt that weak during a run in a long time.  And I have never felt that weak that early.  Luckily, Alissa had  Gu with her that she generously offered me.  It made all the difference in the world.  I don’t know if it was mental or physical, but I was able to finish the run.

When we returned from vacation, I jumped right back into my runs.  It was time to kick my long runs into gear.  I ran 16.28, 17.72  and 18.69 miles on successive Saturdays.  This past Saturday was the easiest for me of all of them.  Ironically, the Huntington Beach 16-miler was the flattest yet most difficult of my recent long runs.
 
The weather for most of the month has been perfect for running.  We have had overcast mornings followed by somewhat mild afternoons.  We had some normal hot days, but nothing like years past.  I hope that August continues like this…but I’m not optimistic.

If July was my best mileage month ever, I’m excited to see how August shapes up.  My training calls for increased mileage, including several 20+ mile runs.  This is good, since lately, my mood is more and more dependent on my running.  There are some days where I am cranky all day except when I am running.  My poor family….  But more on that in another post.

Happy Running….
  
*I posed for the picture for a Team Jamba photo contest.  The funny thing is… I climbed out onto a cliff that was 100 feet or so over the rocks and rapids, much to the worrying of my family.  The picture doesn’t show my precarious location at all.

11 comments:

abbi said...

Looks and sounds like a great month! Congrats!

Unknown said...

that's a LOT of miles. Good job!

Alissa said...

Nice job putting in those miles! I'd say you have a very solid base for training for that Boston Qualifier! Thanks for the run in Mammoth. Our runs are some of my favorite memories of that trip!

Char said...

What a gorgeous location! I loved your pictures.

Evolving Through Running said...

167 miles - awesome! Looks like a great setting for logging some miles. I'm trying to add some location variety to my training. Beginning to feel a bit trapped in suburbia as the long-runs get a bit longer.

The Alien said...

wow... 167 miles!!! that's a lot, and seems like you will be doing even more on august. Great pictures too.

Doran & Jody said...

Can't remember how I found you but I wanted to let you know You. Are. A. SHEra!

I have a friend that loves to run just as much as you.

I, on the other hand, am just a beginner and I want to be like you gals when I grow up....nah, never mind. I just want to be able to run and LOVE to run.

Right now I am nursing a shin splint and I am in the middle of training for my first Half on Aug 28. I might have to go get me a rolling crutch to tape on my leg. Sigh...

People like you inspire me! Keep it up! Gotta go get my chocolate now.

Leah B. said...

Great month! I love all the beautiful photos :) I just found your blog and am excited about following!

Aka Alice said...

Awesome pix of Mammoth. Nice that you got together with Alyssa. You both look fabulous.

167 is alotta miles Girl! You rock.

So...the End of Fire Summer Run is coming up. You coming down? Think about it. We could try to get some face time again!

Glenn Jones said...

Wow. Sounds like everything is hitting on all cylinders! Great month!

By the way - here's another guy who runs in Mammoth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcUmGzciPfo

Terri said...

Very cool you got to see Alissa again and also that you got to run together, and in such beautiful surroundings! We can only dream of running in places like that on the East Coast!!

Um, don't laugh but I take along sports beans for short runs like 4-5 miles...:-)

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