Friday, April 29, 2016

Five Year Wedding Anniversary Getaway and Big Sur Marathon

Five Years of Marital Bliss



One of the things I like about running is that it takes you to places that you may not normally go to.  Runners often call this “runcation” where you schedule a vacation around a run.  Running has brought Lance and I to Napa Valley, Florida, Texas, and most recently Monterey/Big Sur. 

The Big Sur International Marathon is one of the most popular races in America.  Due to its popularity, it is also very, very difficult to get in.  You have to win a random lottery, and I know several runners who have entered the lottery multiple times and have yet to be selected.  Last July, I entered the lottery.  I didn’t think I would be selected, but a few weeks later, I received the congratulatory email.  I got in!  The Big Sur Marathon was just 10 weeks after the LA Marathon.  I knew that it would be physically challenging because as soon as I completed LA Marathon, I would have to continue my training for Big Sur.  I am not one of those people who can run two or three marathons a month.  It takes a huge toll on my body, because I HAVE to train.  Unlike a half marathon, a full marathon requires consistent training/dedication. 

The LA Marathon in February was a hard lesson.  I was undertrained, and when I completed the 26.2 miles in 5:05, I was in agony.  The usual runner’s high that accompanies a finished race eluded me.  I just wanted to cry, and I began to seriously contemplate dropping out of Big Sur.  There was no way I could complete the more challenging course of Big Sur.  However, after a few days, I realized that I had to do Big Sur.  I was lucky to get in, and who knows when my next opportunity would be.  I had to be smarter though. I had to train better.  I diligently and consistently followed my training schedule.

Lance and I had our 5-year wedding anniversary in March, but we postponed the celebrations so it would coincide with our trip up the California coast.  It would be a five-day weekend with just me and him.  No kids.  No dogs.  Just us, and believe me, we needed it.

We started our trip on Thursday morning, stopping off at Solvang.  It is a quaint Dutch town nestled in the Santa Ynez valley.  We walked the streets, had  a buffet lunch at a Danish restaurant, and ordered goodies from a Dutch bakery.  We then headed to Morro Bay, which is a town along the California coast.  It is famous for Morro Rock, a 581 foot volcanic plug.  Lance and I renewed our vows at this site. We have a very silly tradition of renewing our vows in notable, worldwide sites.  It is incredibly sentimental, but I like this little tradition of ours.  Following Morro Bay, Lance and I continued to San Simeon, where we spent the evening devouring our Dutch baked goods and watching the OKC Thunder game.

Solveng
Morro Rock

Early Friday morning, we toured Hearts Castle, William Randolph Hearts famous estate.  I have never seen anything like it.  Hearst Castle is an estate that has 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms, 127 acres of gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a movie theater, an airfield, and at one time, the world's largest private zoo.  Unfortunately, we did not get to enjoy the gardens as much nor did we take the tour of the three cottages located on the estate.  The weather was not our friend. A storm came through, and it began pouring.  The rain along with the strong winds did not create an ideal environment for touring.  I did not want to leave the castle and venture out into the grounds in that crappy weather.  We left early and decided to have lunch at Sebastian’s.  We returned to our hotel room in hopes the weather would improve, which thankfully, it did.  In the late afternoon, we headed to William Hearst’s State Beach and the elephant seals.  I LOVED the elephant seals.  I could sit there for hours watching them. 

San Simeon


Hearts Castle (just before the storm came through)

William Randolph Hearts Pier 


Elephant Seals


On Saturday, we began our drive to Big Sur and Monterey.  I cannot even begin to adequately describe the BEAUTY of Big Sur.  Seriously, no words.  When we drove through the Santa Ynez valley and San Simeon, I was in awe of the beautiful valleys, farmlands, and beaches, but these sites are incomparable to the majestic beauty of Big Sur.  I have never seen anything as beautiful as Big Sur.  The drive is sublime.  On one side, there are the redwoods or farmlands and on the other side is the ragged, rocky coast.  In some areas, the water was turquoise.      
                                   
W-O-W!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 








When we reached Monterey, we immediately went to the expo to get my bib.  Afterwards, we checked into our hotel, which was in walking distance to Fisherman’s Wharf and the Monterey Aquarium.  Dropping off our luggage, we walked to the aquarium, passing the famous Cannery Row.  It was difficult to adjust from the quite beauty and solitude of Big Sur to the tourist crowd at the aquarium.  Lance and I spent a few hours at the aquarium, and though I think it is incredible, it was probably my least favorite activity of the trip.  It was difficult to maneuver through the crowds, and this was in April. I can only imagine how difficult it is during the summer.

Lance and I had dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf, and we ordered fudge from a confectioner’s shop before we headed back to the hotel.  I had to get to bed early as my wake-up time was to be 3 a.m. so I could catch a 4 a.m. shuttle to the start of the marathon.  It took 1.5 hours for the shuttle to reach Big Sur from Monterey.  I arrived at the marathon start line, nestled in the redwoods of Big Sur at 5:30 a.m. 

Big Sur Marathon is not only popular because of the incredible views along the course, but it is ,without a doubt, one of the most challenging marathon courses in the world.  It is 26.2 miles of hills.  Yes, with hills, you also have downhills, but the uphills were brutal.  Mile 10 – 12 was a steep - almost 9 percent climb up Hurricane Point.  I walked (as fast as I could) up this point.   Though I was walking, it was a strenuous walk.  In addition to the hills, the 15 - 25 mph winds were brutal.


The winds were so strong, they knocked over the port-o-potties. 

I had a lot of anxiety about the marathon.  There is a sweeper bus, and if you cannot complete the course within six hours, the bus will pick you up.  If you are not at mile 21.2 at a certain time, the bus will pick you up. This was communicated repeatedly through multiple mediums.   I was not confident in myself.  I never ran a hilly marathon with winds so I didn’t know how this would affect my time.  I was also nervous, because most of the runners at Big Sur are hardcore.  I looked at last year’s results and I thought I would be in the bottom 20 percent, which made me feel less of a runner.


At the start line
The thing about running is there is always a strategy.  You don’t enter a race and just run.  You have a strategy of how you are going to tackle the course, and I had my strategy. I knew where I was going to have to walk on some of the steep hills and when it was downhill,  I would make up time.  I knew I had to pace myself.  My only goal was to not get picked up by the bus.  Guess what?  I not only met my goal, but I kicked its ass.  While running, I always look at my Garmin, and I knew I could possibly beat my February LA marathon time (5:05), but as I kept running, I knew there was potential for me to get under five hours.  I just had to push myself, recognizing that at mile 25 (when you are about to collapse), there was a giant hill that I needed to tackle.  I found my inner strength, and I was able to complete the Big Sur Marathon in 4:54 minutes.  It is my second best marathon time.  I was in the top 50 percent overall, and for my gender/age group, I was in the top 40 percent.  Again, Big Sur runners are not novices to running. 


When I crossed that finish line, I was euphoric.  Lance commented that I was talking so much and so fast.  What a difference training makes!  The person who finished the Big Sur marathon was completely different than the one who finished the LA marathon ten weeks prior.  I was sore, but I was not dead.  I was tired early and it was not from the run, but from the fact that I woke up at 3 .m. We spent that evening walking along Fisherman’s Wharf. 

When we left Monterey Monday morning, we returned on Highway One and drove back on the course.  I stopped to take photos of the Bixby Bridge, which marked the 13.1 mile of the marathon.  It was at this point that the classical pianist played music on the baby grand piano.  It was hooked to speakers so you could hear the music from a half mile out in both directions.  I stopped my IPOD and just listened.  I have never experienced anything like it….running with that music, looking at all of nature’s wonder.  Magical.




Bixby Bridge 



We drove to McWay Falls and did a hike to the falls as well as through the redwoods.  I felt so amazing and so alive.  I had just ran a marathon the day before, but here I was hiking steep trails.  I am in great shape.  I am very proud of the dedication I have to physical fitness.  I am now officially done with marathon training and can resume lifting weights and doing HIIT.  It’s been a long time (six months), and I’m eager to pick up some dumbbells.

Lance can be seen hiking up the trail. 





McWay Falls


The beauty of Big Sur brings tears to my eyes.  I have lived in California for 30 years, and this was my first visit.  Why?  I cannot believe I neglected this gem.  I am definitely going back.  No question.  It was difficult for me to adjust back to reality and the fast-paced world.  I missed the serene tranquility of Big Sur.  It is probably one of my most favorite places on this Earth.  I could easily live in Monterey and go to Big Sur every weekend.  Big Sur—we will see you again next year. 

I am so in love with the California coast and Big Sur.

Thank you to my sweet husband who is always so supportive of me achieving my personal goals.  I love traveling with him.  He is my best friend. 


Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Ragnar So Cal 2016

"WE BELIEVE THAT BEING A RAGNARIAN IS ABOUT MORE THAN BEING A RUNNER; THAT MISERY LOVES COMPANY AND HAPPINESS IS “ONLY REAL WHEN IT’S SHARED”; THAT THERE IS A BADASS INSIDE ALL OF US; THAT EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE CHEERED AT THE FINISH LINE; THAT TUTUS MAKE YOU RUN FASTER; THAT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE VAN STAYS IN THE VAN; THAT ADVENTURE CAN ONLY BE FOUND IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IT; AND THAT A LITTLE SLEEP DEPRIVATION IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY TO WATCH THE SUN RISE WITH OUR FRIENDS. TOGETHER WE RAN 200-ish MILES. TOGETHER WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING"

the Quote on the Ragnar Medals which could only be read when the medals were together.  It was a puzzle.



Ragnar Relays are incredibly unique experiences.  I have completed nine Ragnars (six in the van and two on the trails).  I wanted Dylan to have this experience so though I promised myself that I was done with  them, I did one more for Dylan.  It is a very physically exhausting feat, and I think it is definitely harder than a half marathon and can potentially be more challenging than a full marathon (depending upon your miles).  This past weekend, our Lost in Transit team ran from Huntington Beach to San Diego (a total of 190ish miles). 


 Ragnar Relay Exchange (where you exchange your team's runners)


We started at 8:30 a.m. on Friday and did not cross the finish line until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.  In that long period, we ran and ran and ran.  There was always someone on that 12-member relay team that was running.   I had the second longest legs - running a total of 22 miles.  Dylan ran a little over 14 miles.  The course had several steep hilly legs, which I actually requested to do.  I wanted the training for Big Sur.  One of my legs was 7.4 miles and some of the hills were at an 8 percent incline. Yes, I walked.  I ran two of my legs at night, which does become a safety concern.  I have very poor night vision.  When you run at night, it is mandatory to wear safety vests, headlights and taillights. 




I loved the members of my van. We were van 2, which is always the most difficult van to be in because normally, you have the longer legs at the worst hours.  They are such amazing, easy-going, fun loving people and most importantly, they are as annoying as me in their obsession with pictures.  I was really proud of Dylan.  I did not think he would run fast because frankly, he hasn’t run since the LA Marathon, but he did amazingly well.  He ran his first and shortest leg of 3 miles in 23 minutes. 

Marking our completed legs on the van.  Ragnar vans are always decorated.   Some teams go all out!

Dylan finishing his first leg and running into the exchange. 

Dylan taking off on his last leg where he ran by Lance's old boat dock. 

Our theme for this Ragnar was 80s, and we got a few photos at the start, but the pictures at the finish line were few.  I was not feeling too well, because on my last leg of 8.7 miles, I tripped over the sidewalk and landed forward, breaking my new ipod, skinning my knees, and bruising my thumbs.  I hobbled the remaining 1.7 miles to just finish my leg.  When the team finally finished, I had already visited the First Aid tent and was just eager to get home.  Quite simply---I felt like crap. 

My 80s costume (mostly from the thrift store and swap meet)

the ladies of the team (minus one)

Van 2 team members (minus 2)



Starting my last leg


The most difficult thing about a Ragnar is not the running.  For me, what makes Ragnar so physically challenging is the lack of sleep.  Surprisingly for this run, I got more than my usual one-hour sleep.  I probably got a total of four hours of sleep, but running  my last leg of almost nine miles in the heat on such little sleep  was just PAINFUL.   (Several runners just sleep in designated areas in parks and on the beach.  I slept in the van.) 





Ragnar So Cal is such a beautiful course especially once you get to the San Diego area.  We slept in Torrey Pines, and it was just breathtaking. 

most of the team at Torrey Pines 

Van 2 at Torrey Pines





Dylan LOVED Ragnar.  He is already eager to do another one.  He said they were so much more fun than a half marathon.  I had to remind him that he was lucky to be in a good van. A Ragnar experience is just as good as the van you are in.  I don’t know if I would be eager to run another one though.  I’m just too damn old for this sh*t.  Unless…..it was Cape Cod.  I would definitely do that one! 

Finish Line Photos:

Van 2

Entire Lost in Transit Team

 12 medals that fit into a puzzle


Dylan and I also received an additional medal for running both the LA Marathon and Ragnar So Cal. I'm very proud of him.