Sunday, March 29 - 14.5 miles

Because I missed my group's 18 (!) mile run yesterday due to a work-related event, I was determined to run 17 miles on my own today. Nope - only managed 14.5 miles. It's so much harder to stay motivated on a long run without the group - can't wait for next Saturday's run. I'm feeling a little behind should be able to catch up. Legs, don't fail me now.

March 27 - 7 miles

Sore ankles and lower shins - otherwise a decent run and not plagued by the weakness of recent runs. Not feeling quite up to snuff, however.

March 25 - 6 miles

Really awful run - felt tired, weak, and sore. At one point, thought I'd have to walk home (didn't, though). Bleah.

March 24 - 5 miles

Legs were sore from Sunday's race but the five miles felt fine. Slow to moderate pace.

Pix and results

Woot woot! Here's proof that I was really there - and my results were finally posted on the Pasadena Marathon website as well.

Bib:
4543
Name:
Eva Mitnick
Gender:
F
Age:
43
Hometown:
Venice, CA
Overall:
670 out of 2974
Women:
185 out of 1654
F 40-44:
33 out of 224
Age/Grade:
58.51% Place: 408
Finish:
2:00:31 Pace: 9:12
Tag Time:
2:00:31
Gun Time:
2:31:05
10 Km:
57:15 Pace: 9:13

Sun, March 22 - 13.1 Miles

I popped an Ambien Saturday night at 8 pm, which threw me into a hard sleep until 4 am Sunday. Got up, ate a leisurely breakfast, put on my running gear, shoe chip, and bib, and headed out to the car at 4:40 am.

Damn. Flat tire. And I had to be in Pasadena by 6:30 am for my half-marathon.

AAA came quickly and I zoomed off on a temporary tire to Pasadena. It began to pour rain on the way - argh. But I made good time, taking a circuitous route from the 110 to the 210 as the Pasadena Marathon planners dictated - and then I spent almost an hour trying to get off the freeway at the designated offramp. By the time I got to the start line, I was at least 30 minutes late and the place was deserted.

I duly went through the start gate and ran the first 8 miles at a moderate pace, picking up slightly toward the end and really chugging the last mile or two. It poured rain - I mean really bucketed - during several points in the race, leaving everyone with soggy shoes.

Managed to put off a pit stop until Mile 10 - an achievement for me and my walnut-sized bladder.

I think I ran really well - but I can't prove it. When I looked up my time, it showed all zeros - except that my 10K split was up (57.15, with an average pace of 9.13). All I can assume it that my shoe chip wasn't read at the finish line. It's really frustrating - I think I ran better than my 2 hour 7 minute finish at the City of Angels, but unless I get an official time, I won't know (because I stupidly forgot to note my start time - which must have been 30 minutes or so past the official start. I did notice my end time of 2.31 - so I very likely did break 2 hours).

Anyway, it was a great day despite the flat, the rain, and the lack of an official time.

Thurs. March 19 - 7 miles

This was a slow and unpleasant slog - was tired, thanks to our incredibly noisy neighbor, and somehow had no energy. I'd much rather be having invigorating, fun runs in this pre-Pasadena Half Marathon week, but at least I'll have a two-day rest before Sunday.

I'm looking forward to the Half despite my aches and pains. The racing high I experienced during the City of Angels Half was so exhilirating that I felt strong and fast the whole way through, and I'm hoping for a similar experience on Sunday. It'll make up for getting up at 4 am that morning!