Getting Lost and a Weekly Recap

I have to be careful running in new places.  While I was visiting my sister in South Carolina I managed to get lost on my supposed to be 6 mile run! I had mapped out a route to try but some of the street were not marked so I am not sure where I was going so I just kept moving.

I was waiting for the sun to set before I left so I didn't leave her house until 7:30pm. It started to get dark about 30 minutes after I left and then it was really hard to see out there.  Not only are some of the streets not marked but the lighting is also very poor. The area looked familiar but I took another wrong turn and I was lost! I had to call my sister and explain where I was and she loaded up the kids and came to rescue me.  After I went to bed that night she posted this on Facebook. I (red star) was actually really close to her house (the orange triangle) but it was so dark that I didn't realize it. The good thing is that I ended up running 7 miles instead of 6!

My next run took place during the day because it was not fun getting lost in a strange dark place! My sister and my niece came along on my 5 mile run with me and rode their bikes but then my niece ended up with a flat tire and her chain also fell of of her bike.  FAIL!  They had to call for help and headed back home. I kept on going by myself and it was around 90 degrees so that was probably a good idea that they went home. I really struggled on this run because of the heat but I made it through and I was glad that I was able to get some miles in while I was away.

I also went for a 12 mile run with my Ragnar team at 5am on Sunday morning.  I was still on South Carolina time so I was able to get up without a problem. It was definitely an easy paced run but it was nice to get together and get to know these people since I only know a few of them. We realized that we are all connected in different ways and that we know some of the same people.  I guess it is a small world.

I had 40 miles planned for the week but it ended in only 30. I wanted to run further than 12 miles on Sunday but there was a last minute plan go to Starbucks after the group run and that sounded much better at the time since it was 75 degrees when we started and into the mid 80's when we finished. This week should be better since there will be no traveling and my routine is starting to get back to normal.

 Have you ever gotten lost on a run?  

This was the first time for me. I always dream that I get lost while running races though!

Earthquakes or Humidity?

So my sister posted this on Facebook the night before I left to South Carolina...

The funny thing is that it hasn't rained at all since I have been here. The weather here is actually better than what it is in California. There have also been a couple of small earthquakes in California so I think I will settle for the humidity. It is 90 degrees here in South Carolina and 102 degrees back home. 

An even funnier thing is that I have not ran at all in South Carolina! I am so messed up from the time change that by the time I wake up it is already in the mid 80's. I also forgot my hydration belt for some strange reason. I could have sworn it was in my carry on bag. So much for over packing! I have decided that it might be easier for me to run at night right before the sun does down. I am going to try to get a run in tonight.

The visit has been great so far. My niece and nephew are so well behaved and this baby never cries! I don't think he knows how to cry. My sister's Yorkie, Jazzy, is my friend again so I am relieved. She likes very few people and will not hesitate to bite!

The scenery here is beautiful and I just love it. The only negative thing I can say is that I have been eating way too much! My poor son misses me to death and is sending me text messages every five minutes. 

I will be heading home early Saturday morning so I am going to get back to my visit since I don't have much time left!

Have you ever experienced an earthquake? How hot is the weather where you live?

Vacation Time and A Record Month

I spent a good part of Sunday evening packing my bags for my trip to South Carolina.  I am taking a pretty big suitcase because I am taking back a bunch of gifts for my sister and her family that everyone here wanted to send them. I carry my most beloved belongings in my carrying bag since these are the things that I cannot live without or would be expensive to replace like my running shoes, hydration belt, my Garmin, my contact lenses (I have the worst vision ever) and my magazines that I have been putting aside to read while I am on the plane. I am sure that my niece will keep me entertained but if she falls asleep or watches a movie on her DVD player, I will try to catch up on my reading!

The weather is going to be hot with a very big chance of rain but I am planning to get a couple of runs in if I can. I mapped out a small loop around my sister's house so I can easy get back if it starts pouring. 

I am excited but traveling can sometimes be hectic because I will come back to a desk full of work and a list of things to do at home. I do not enjoy unpacking either. I have been good about unpacking the day that I get home from a trip but there have been times when the suitcase sits in my bedroom for days! Before I go, I have to leave my other half a "Honey Do List" since there are certain things that I handle at home that he will have to assume while I am away. Most of the tasks are pretty simple but they must be done...like give the dogs clean water and don't forget to check the mail!

With the exception of being lazy and not getting my long run done on Friday instead of Sunday, I had a good week, a record week! I woke up at the crack of dawn to watch the women's marathon and that was not a good idea when you have 18 miles to run. I only slept 5 hours and I could feel it every single mile but I fought through it. I am glad I did!

• Miles Planned: 40
• Miles Completed: 40.12 (This is actually my biggest week to date so I am pretty excited about it!)

My calves have been feeling sore after runs of 15 miles or longer so I am spending more time stretching, using my stick and icing right after my runs. They are feeling pretty normal today so that is a big relief.


Thankfully I live about five minutes from the airport and my flight leaves at 2:20pm tomorrow so I am hoping to get a decent run in before I get out of town! I am already starting to feel sad to leave my family behind but sometimes a small break can be a good thing. It makes you appreciate people more :)

What do you bring in your carry on bag when you travel? Do you tend to over pack like I do?

Three Things Thursday

1. I have to stop eating all of these yummy cupcakes! My local cupcakery is always trying out new flavors and they get me every single time. This Mint and Chip cupcake was heavenly! How can I pass up a cupcake that is the same flavor as my favorite ice cream? I can't....

2. I have another long run planned for the week.  I want to do 20 miles but I just might settle for 18 because my calves have been feeling pretty sore lately. I think I will map out a run that is not too hilly and maybe that will work out better for me. If my calves are still sore, I will be doing much less than 18 or 20 for sure!

3. I will be leaving for South Carolina in less than a week. I am getting really excited to see my sister and her family but at the same time I am going to miss my family and my pets! My niece is really excited to be going back home because she misses her mother. I sure I will have a great time and I hope to be able to get some runs in but this weather may change things.

Do you enjoy running in the rain? 

I don't mind light rain since it can be refreshing but thunder and lightning kind of scare me!

South Carolina Bound and a Weekly Recap

I will be packing up my bags and heading out to South Carolina for a few days in mid August. It will be just me and my niece since we have a house full of puppies and cannot leave them alone. I asked my son if he wanted to come along but he did not want to leave his Daddy behind. My sister and her family are now residing in Charleston and I have not seen them since January. My brother-in-law is in the Navy so this is where they are calling home for the next couple of years. We are hopeful that once he finishes school they will be able to move closer to California so that we can see them more often. 

My niece is here visiting and we will be flying to South Carolina together so that she does not have to fly back home alone. I am also excited to see my nephew who just celebrated his first birthday. Jazzy, the family Pitbull Yorkie may or may not be excited about my presence so hopefully I come back home in one piece! She is only four pounds but swears that she is ten times her size!

Last night I was busy searching  for a race to squeeze in while I am in South Carolina but no such luck. I was only able to find triathlons and I am not ready for that yet. I am still very excited to go for a couple of runs while I am there since I enjoy the change of scenery and running in new places. I have heard that South Carolina is a beautiful place so I am looking forward to visiting a state that I have never experienced.  I am a California girl at heart but I do enjoy visiting new places.

Weekly Recap: I had a good week.  I finally ran 100 miles in the month of June!  I have not seen a decent month since December due to my injury.  I am slowly increasing my mileage and hoping to return to better days again.  

I ran 25.55 miles last week and I had a great long run on Saturday with an average pace of 8:19.  The warm weather does not make it all that enjoyable but I guess I will get used to it . When the sun is out, 61 degrees feels like 80 degrees to me! I have been avoiding the treadmill this week for some reason that I can't seem to explain. 

Any ideas of fun things to do, or places to visit while in South Carolina?