Run like a Goddess gets ENGAGED!

Early this year I was over ambitious with a running to-do list. Major fail! Now that we are in Spring, I'm hoping to get out of my "running break" mode and lace up my new Newtons to train for the OC Half Marathon and San Francisco Half Marathon. I will be the first to admit - I ran out of running fuel after the Disney Goofy Challenge in Orlando and completing the Coast to Coast Challenge all in a month. It was a runner's high I can't begin to describe :)

And after the high comes the low ... in my world that meant switching it up with some Bikram Yoga and eventually taking a few weeks off to let my body rest. THEN when I was about ready to start up running again , I went out of town for a weekend and GOT ENGAGED!! I know it's not an excuse for training, but it's my excuse :) With long work days and planning the initial steps of a wedding - I'm overwhelmed and exhausted in a good way!

After a few crazy weeks, I'm hoping I can now focus on getting back into long runs and tempo runs to prepare for the OC Half Marathon. The race is a few weeks away and I'm looking forward to get my runner's high back and drive me into this next season of races!

Phu and I right after we got engaged in SF! <3

Inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon (1/29/12)

Gotta love the Coast to Coaster medal!

This past weekend I completed the Disney Coast to Coast Challenge by running the Inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland in Anahiem. This was a female dominated race with over 11,000 women and under 1,000 men. Like all runDisney races, runners dressed up as Disney characters ranging from Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Snow White ... and or course Tinkerbell. There were hundreds of fairy wings fluttering around! I thought about dressing up, but the closest I came to being in costume was my neon green running razor-back tank top :)

The race started at 5:45am with the national anthem, fireworks, and Minney and Daisy at the start line sending runners off. I wish I was more into the Disney spirit, but after sleepless night of indigestion I was mustering up race energy.  Normally the day before my race I’m really strict about what I eat and drink, but we had a family function so gluttony took the best of me. 

It was still dark when the race started so I ran the first few miles cautiously. The last night I needed to do was trip and fall while battling GI issues. The race started on the streets of Downtown Disney and circled around the north side streets of Disneyland before we entered into the park on the west side. Miles 2-4 were inside Disneyland running through many backlots and behind the scenes stuff. I felt like we spent a fair about of time running in the park compared to the Disneyland Half Marathon which takes place every Labor Day weekend. 

We left Disneyland and ran through Downtown Disney before taking on the streets of Anahiem. Miles 5-11 were mainly through the streets of Anahiem and were not too exciting. My GI butterflies settled down and I started to get into the race spirit a little more by high-fiving little kid supporters and course cheerleaders along the way. I find that when I have fun running the time flies by and it’s a quick race :)

Before I knew it I reached California Adventures at Mile 11 and had some fun striking different poses for the Brightroom Photographers :) Disney races have the most photographers out on the course, especially in the parks. It’s also a Disney thing to stop along the way and take pictures with your digital camera. I don’t think I’m quite there with the costumes and digital camera running. Running allows me to be a minimalist - me, music, and my Garmin ;) 

As I crossed the finish line, I gave Minney and Daisy high-fives and clocked 2:06:32. Not to shabby for my first long run back after 39.3 in Orlando :) Overall it was a fun run and embraced the power of female runners/walkers.

runDisney Medals - January 2012

Fall 2011: Tis the season for Half Marathons

During the months of Fall 2011, I was super busy running and training for a handful of half marathon races! It seemed like I was constantly traveling and lacing up for a race every other weekend. The race season started with the Long Beach International Half Marathon (10/09/2011). The LB Half wasn't anything special and at times very flat and boring. The highlights were seeing Phu at mile 6 cheering me on and having my good friends Allie and Joel at the finish line. As for the running part, I recall it being very warm towards the end and feeling very thirsty while running along the beach bike path with the sun beating down on me .... I stopped carrying my bottled water/ hydration belt during races because it's one more thing I have to worry about and takes away from the racing experience. (In all honesty, I threw away my water bottle during my mental and emotional break down at the LA Marathon - somewhere around mile 17). After running so many races, I have the water stations down to a science - I don't get my water until the very last table of the water station. This usually avoids the bottleneck effect at the first few tables. Once I get my water, I pour out half of it so I don't over drink and take about 2 gulps. It's quick, easy, keeps me hydrated, and doesn't effect my overall time too much :) 

Overall, the LB Half marathon isn't a race or course I'd run again. So why did I run this race? To complete the beach cities series and get the beach cities medal :) 

Me and Allie hours before her baby shower!

2012 I'm BAAACCKKK!!

I've been extremely lagging on this blog and my readers haven't been shy at letting me know I've been a slacker! So I'm recommitting myself to keeping ya'll updated on my running world!

In a nutshell, 2011 was a busy running year! In total I ran 2 full marathons and 7 half marathons! I'm gonna try and recall some of the special ones for the blog to share over the next few weeks. (This also serves as a running journal for me too!) 

This weekend I'll be running my THIRD race of the month - Disneyland's inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon! I will be very honest, this will be a "fun" run b/c I haven't done much running since completing the Goofy 39.3 Challenge at Disney World. Many months ago I thought it would be ambitious to do the Disney Coast to Coast Challenge in a month, today I'm thinking I'm just a medal-whore ;) ... Maybe I'll get into the Disney "spirit" by dressing up and running w/ camera to take pictures with the Disney characters? Haha! Ya'll know me, I'm way too competitive to "slow down" to take pictures :) However, I always seem to find the Brightroom photographers for a quick snapshot!

Orlando 2012 Goofy Challenge. Medals galore!!

Third's a Charm: San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon

Originally written June 6, 2011

Not a single cloud in the sky!

Many people think I'm crazy for wanting to run a full marathon on the same weekend I'm invited to 2 weddings ... all I can say is that I have an addiction for running long distances and hoarding race medals. Not sure what it is about pounding 26.2 miles on the pavement, but the empowerment and surge of endorphins as I cross the finish line is indescribable!

This past weekend was the San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon (along w/ the weddings of my good friends Trisha and Ariane). Sounds overwhelming; however, it was a lot of fun and a huge success! On Saturday Phu and I were socialites and attended 2 weddings and a 20 year anniversary party. After all the festivities we drove down to San Diego late at night, checked into our swanky Se Hotel room where I got about 4 hours of interrupted sleep before I had to get up for the race. (I wasn't too concerned about the lack of sleep b/c I usually don't sleep too well the night before a race).

Sunday morning arrived and there was not a single cloud in the sky!! My wake-up call was at 4:30am and I was out the door by 5:15am to take the hotel shuttle to the start line. The SD RnR Marathon is the original RnR race and it draws a huge crowd! This year there were 32,000 participants - by far the largest race I've taken part in this year. While waiting in line to get on the shuttle, I met a very nice married couple from Phoenix, AZ. The husband was running the full marathon and hoping to qualify for Boston and the dedicated wife chose to wake up at the butt-crack of dawn to join her husband at the start line. We had a really nice conversation about San Diego and running, wished each other good luck, and parted ways after we arrived at the start line ... As I've shared in the past, meeting runners and having the most random conversations are my favorite pass times before the start of a race.

I arrived at the corral starting area around 5:45am and was very mindful to stretch and get into my zone. The last thing I wanted was to cramp up and be off my running game. The LA Marathon was a distant memory as there was not a single cloud in the sky; however, with the bummed IT band I was a little anxious about completing the 26.2 miles w/o pain. While standing in my assigned corral, a nice lady asked me "You must me an experienced runner, any advice?" I laughed and said "I'm an avid runner but I'm no elite status." This broke the ice and the conversation began. This Monrovia lady was running her first full marathon and was obviously nervous. I shared a few tips from my personal running experiences and we talked about other stuff - my memory is a little foggy after 26 miles :)

Let the running begin!! .. Miles 1-6 were nice and strong! My legs were feeling good and I was running at a 9:15 pace. Even though my body was able to push a faster pace, I mentally told myself to take it nice and easy.  This part of the course was a scenic downtown. We ran around Balboa Park to the Gaslamp District and Seaport Village. The energy level was still very high and the race adrenaline was streaming through my veins.

Miles 7-12 ... Normally this leg of the marathon is pretty steady for me; however not on this course! There was a gradual 200 ft incline along the 163 Freeway that really pushed me more than I wanted to at this point in the race. I remember telling myself: Just to the bridge Nhat, it flattens out! I believe I told myself this at least 3 times. At this point, my bladder was telling me I need to expel the fluids I had consumed before the race and in the first 6 miles. I thought it was a mental obstacle, but as I continued to run and my bladder was taking a toll on my pace ... So just before mile 13, I decided to make a pit stop b/c I was ahead of my pace schedule so I thought I could afford to stop for a few minutes. The port-a-pottie line was taking WAY TOO long and I grew very impatient as my Garmin was ticking seconds away. About 7 minutes into my wait, I decided I needed an alternative plan! I asked the lady in front of me if she would guard me as I popped-a-swat in the side bushes and I would return the favor. Surprisingly, she was more than willing exchange the favor and before we both knew it we were back on course to run! (This pit stop ended up costing me a PR!!!)

Miles 13-18 ... Nice and steady. I was still feeling good, but then AGAIN another gradual incline from miles 15-17 that took a toll on my legs. The sun was out out and beating down on me. I could feel my skin burning. Even though I applied sunscreen in the morning before the race, I was now into my 2nd and 3rd hour of running so the sunscreen had mostly worn out. The heat started getting to me and my legs were feeling heavier by the minute. I continued to push myself b/c I knew once I got to mile 18 I would have some moral support running alongside me the rest of the way!

Mile 20-something.

Miles 18-26.2 ... My friend Mita joined me at Mile 18 and was full of energy. Her energy was contagious and I was so happy to see her! There was a slight surge of energy in me but my legs were starting to feel extremely heavy. At this point, I was afraid that if I pushed my legs too much I might not make it - so I strategically ran and walked for a minute at the water stations. There were moments I felt a sharp pull in my left quad - however, MIND over matter at this point in the race. At mile 21, Phu joined us and my running support team was complete. This was the first time I had a running support team, and it made a world of a difference! It's a mental race at this point so having the encouragement along this final stretch was a huge bonus. At times I felt like I was a super star runner b/c I had my own support team holding cups of water and handing me ice chips while I ran.  These two were keeping my spirits up as my legs wanted to quit on me. The last 5K around Fiesta Island felt like a 10K - it took forever!!!! Once I looped the island, the finish line was in sight! My eye was now on the prize! As I made my attempted dash towards the finish line, Mita and Phu shouted "finish strong!" and ran off to the side. This was my time and my race .. step by step ... one foot in front of the other ... I crossed the finish line at 4:42:13.

My third marathon is now completed and in the books! It's shy of a PR and the pit stop cost me those minutes, however I'm extremely pleased it was an overall strong race and I didn't have a mental break down :) I'm very thankful for the support team on race day and all the prayers for a healthy race!

It's now time for a summer hiatus from marathon training. My body needs to rest and soak up some sun to erase the hideous razor back tan lines. I plan to keep up w/ the running and pick up swimming and strength training over the summer :) Maybe a triathlon in the future?!

26.2 #3 completed! 

Run like a Goddess is BACK on!

It's been WAY too long since I've updated this blog. I basically took a summer vacation from training after the SD Rock n' Roll Marathon and officially became an Apple user - bye buh PC world. It's been a technical transition, but after some help from the great Apple folks, I'm back on! I'm hoping that life will also slow down a bit so I can get this blog going again and inspire other women to RUN like a Goddess!

This upcoming weekend is the Nike Women's Marathon! The NWM was my first full marathon race a year ago, and this year I'm returning w/ my sister Tina and old bestie Liz to run the 1/2 marathon.  From experience, the first half of the race is hands down more scenic and entertaining, and the second half is just dreadful! The majority of the runners participate in the 1/2 marathon, and a mare 30% trek on to finish 26.2 miles. I'm not ruling out the fact that I will never run the full distance in SF again, but there are other full marathons I'd like to run before I conquer SF again.

I'm Famous! This picture came off the NWM website :)

I'm super excited that my oldest friend from high school Liz is running her first full marathon and I'm looking forward to cheering her on and running a few extra miles alongside her. After running 3 marathons this year, I appreciate any support along the way - whether it be cheering on the side lines or lacing up your shoes to run a few miles. There is something special about seeing those familiar faces along the course that gives me the extra shot of energy.

This past weekend, I just completed the Long Beach International 1/2 Marathon. This was my first race in a series of half marathons I have planned for the Fall/Winter. I wish I could say I was prepared for this race, but I wasn't as motivated to train and half-assed the training ... This reflected my mediocre performance; I finished the race in 2:05:38. It's probably one of my slower half marathon times, but I'm happy I ran the race to get race endorphins to get me going again.

Finishing the LB Half completed the Beach Cities Challenge for me. All this means is I get an extra bling medal for running the HB, OC, and LB races consecutively in one year ... What can I say - I LOVE race bling!

2 Great loves: Race bling and Bella 

My social endurance marathon ...

OC Half Marathon 5/1/11, 2:06:30

It's been over a month since my last posting and I'm guilty of being overwhelmed with a crazy work schedule, social gatherings galore, and squeezing in time to run - all while nurturing a bummed IT band! .. I know I'm lagging on my OC Half Marathon update (which was a success!) and the status of my training for the San Diego Rock n' Roll full marathon next weekend! I'm hoping with my new laptop and some down time this upcoming weekend, I can find some more time to write :)

In a nutshell: The OC Half Marathon was a fun course and the weather was great on race day! (Kinda too warm for my liking!) I was nurturing a bummed IT band during this run, so I had Rock-Tape and every imaginable sports medicine remedy applied to my right leg. Overall, I was very thankful to run the majority of the 13.1 miles pain-free and still smiling as I crossed the finish line! It as also fun to share this experience w/ one of my closest friend Liz who recently picked up running. (Go Liz! I'm looking forward to your 26.2 NWM!)

The San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon is next weekend!  I can't say with confidence I'm ready to rock this run b/c I haven't put in half the training time AND my legs are finally getting over the runner's injury slump. I'm praying for a healthy race AND good weather (that's it!). Running a PR would be nice, however I really don't expect to break any records. The competitive nature in me wanted to run another grueling 26.2 miles to redeem the misery from the LA Marathon; but in the midst of weddings, bachelorette parties, bridal showers, and baby showers, my running endurance has shifted over to social endurance ... and I'm exhausted! With one week till the marathon, I'm mentally telling myself to slow down, relax, and breathe! ... Just keep running!

Below are non-running pictures ... but stuff from my social endurance marathon the past few weeks! :)

Easter was later this year; even though it was in the midst of social event chaos, Easter is one of my favorite holidays, for HE is my Savior! (Picture from my baptism Easter 2010)

GOOOO Lakers! This was my first Laker game at the Staples Center. Lakers lost the game and ended up losing the series :(

Trisha's Bachelorette Party in Vegas! Can you see the color scheme? We're smurfs :)

Welcome into the world, Alex Kagawa Tabay! (5/20/11) ... You're a precious little blessing and I look forward to watching you grow up and making your own little footprints in this world! XOXO!

 Tis' the season for ... WEDDINGS!! Last counted we have 7 weddings to attend this year; so it's time to get creative and recycle dresses!