I always say that I am more of a “blogging runner” than a running blogger. I do like to write about running, races and tips/tricks for running but that is not enough to call this a running blog – not even close! That said, here is my running recap of the first quarter of 2016. This was a pretty mild winter and I was in California FIVE times, so running was not too challenging from a weather perspective. I did have a hamstring strain/tear in December so this was definitely a rebuilding quarter. It started slow but finished strong. Hopefully, that is how the whole year will go.
Races run this Q– 4 – 1 marathon (Los Angeles), 2 Half Marathons (Carlsbad and NYC) and 1 5K. I will provide brief recaps and photos below!
Miles run: 625 – which averages to ~6.9 per day – though I don’t run every day. This is one mile more than 1Q15 – but we did have an extra day from leap year!
Falls: 2 – one on ice with the girls on the path and one in NJ on a country road. In NJ, my left foot got lassoed by my right foot shoe lace. I can’t make this shit up! Two kind ladies stopped their cars to make sure I was OK. Who says people in NJ are not awesome?
Personal Records (PRs): 0 – I had a PR for fun in Los Angeles. Read the recap HERE.
Pairs of Sneakers: 2 used up. Karhu Fast 4s and Mizuno Wave Rider 18s. Started a pair of Hoka Vanquish 2s and ordered a pair of Nike Pegasus on super sale.
Exciting News: I am on Diz Runs’ podcast!
How come @EAgran has guaranteed entry to @nycmarathon for life? She’ll tell you. https://t.co/NuripTs4oJ #podcast pic.twitter.com/MFkMBPj7xn
— Denny Krahe (@DizRuns) March 23, 2016
In other exciting news, I am a race ambassador for the Esprit de She series again and now for The San Francisco Marathon. You can join me in the Chicago Esprit de She 5K/10K in July (or any Esprit de She race) and get $5 off with code GEDS16AMB000 or join me in San Francisco in July for the Marathon, Half or 5K and get $10 off with code TSFM2016ERICA (or $5 off 5K with code TSFM2016ERICA5K).
New Running Goodies that I tried:
- IRUN Pro Running Belt
- The Original Worm Body Roller
- SLS3 Dual Pocket Running Belt
- 2Toms SportShield
- C2 Performance Wear
Popular Running Posts:
- 5 Reasons to Support My 5th NYC 1/2 for Alexandra’s Playground
- A PR For Fun in a Marathon – LA Marathon Recap
- Sunday Shuffle #2
- Friday Five: 5 Ways To Run Healthy Forever (Guest Post)
Races Planned for Q2: Shamrock Shuffle, Good Life Race, Naperville Women’s Half, Quarryman 10 miler, Run to Remember 5K, Brooklyn Half Marathon and who knows what else I will sign up for!
Brief Race Reports – I included a few “how I did” postscripts on posts that I wrote on race days. Here is a brief recap of the races I ran this quarter:
1. Carlsbad Half Marathon, Carlsbad, CA. January 17, 2016
I strained my hamstring and had a slight tear in December. I could barely run a mile. By Christmas, I was able to jog and I was back to 8 miles on New Year’s Day. I pretty much decided not to run Carlsbad, but I had no pain, so I went for it anyway. It was a fine decision for my leg (no issues), but a tough one for my brain. I felt off from the start and between my brain and the heat, I was toast. It was my slowest half since 2011 and it was really a slog. I had a fun weekend with Kristin and loved seeing Smitha and Carlee and meeting Pam and Kristin. It was a tough racing start, but a good, sunny day.
The Results: Net Time – 1:48.01 (8:15/mile). Overall place 655 of 5,817. Gender place 195 of 3,728. Division place 30 of 516
2. Los Angeles Marathon – Los Angeles, CA. February 14, 2016
After Carlsbad, I tried my hand (well, legs…) at a 20 miler. I felt fine, so I decided to do LA after all. I wanted to run “with” Wendy, Dave and Kristin and to run with The Husband, his parents and lots of our friends in attendance. I have not run the LA Marathon since 1999 and I LOVED the new course. I had a blast running and sightseeing. Stacy and Ken ran 7 miles with me and I saw a bunch of friends and family along the way. The heat was pretty bad, but not as bad as expected and the fog rolled in for the last few, downhill miles. I finished strong and with a smile. It was terrific to celebrate Wendy and Kristin’s PRs and to have so much friend and family support. I loved the course, so I hope to take it on when I am healthy another time.
Read my full report HERE.
The Results: Net time: 3:49.36 (8:46/mile). Overall place 2026 of 20627. Gender place 411 of 9128. Division place 61 in women 40-44.
3. Country Corral 5K – Anaheim, CA. March 12, 2016.
Nicole found a 5K a few miles from the Expo West venue, so we ran before we started the day. This was a fun small race with a flat, fast course. Plus, we got a belt buckle medal and they had cowboy hats instead of shirts. My goal was to run sub 7s, so I was excited with a 6:52 pace and 4th place female. Maybe, this will be a decent running year after all. I also got to see Ivonne and to meet Dean Karnazes at Expo West!
The Results: Net time: 21:18 (6:52/mile) Overall place 11 of 624. Gender place 4 of 478. Division place 2 of 73 in women 40-44.
4. NYC Half – New York, NY – March 20, 2016
I joined Alexandra’s Playground again this year and supported fundraising by hosting another raffle. I raised over $1800! Woot. Woot! I was not sure how this would go given the start of my racing year. I tried to remember that this was one of my favorite races in one of my favorite places. Positive thinking WORKS! I thought of my mantra (“happy place, happy race”) and enjoyed the park, Times Square (still cool after running the race at least 7 times) and the West Side Highway. I concentrated on keeping an even pace and I did it! My 3rd 5K was my fastest by a few seconds. I was proud to run for Alexandra’s Playground and to run strong, positive and inspired. I was a wee bit slower than last year, but coming back from an injury, I was ecstatic with my run!
The Results: Finish: 1:38.02 (7:29/mile). Overall: 2006 out of 20,166. Women: 409 out of 10,565 F 40-44: 45 out of 1,444.
How was your first quarter in running? Please tell me about it in the comments!
PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways!