Run Lizzie, Run. Blog Lizzie, Blog.

It's been awhile since I last blogged. Like a really LONG while.

Last time was a few months before IMCDA. Nope, I never blogged about my IMCDA experience. Some day I will.

Now, it's time to document my latest adventures...
I'm running a half dozen, half marathons during the first half of 2012. That's one "half" per month!

Race Schedule
January 29 – Wild Horse Half
February 12 - San Dieguito Half
March 11 - San Diego Half
April 29 - La Jolla Half
May 6 - Safari Park Half
June 3 - Rock and Roll Half

That's right... no swim - bike for the first half of the year.  Will I go back to doing tris?  Probably.  I got me some unfinished business to take care of.  But for now, I'm focusing on my run.

I've completed 2 halfs (no, not halves) so far.  

My first half was the Wild Horse Half *Trail* Run.  

Goal - Finish in 3 hours or less.

I love to run trails.  So beautiful, so close to nature, so far from cars... so frigging challenging.  Trail running is a lot slower than running on the road.  And sure does seem to take a lot more energy.  But I do love it. 

I'll say that my first trail half marathon was a success.  But I have lots of room to improve.  Ever seen the movie "Grease"?  You know that scene where Sandra Dee realize that she has to step up her game if she's gonna get/keep Danny.  She stands up strong and tall, then runs down the embankment.  Skirt flowing, arm/hand sticking out to keep her balance as she skips her way down... yeah, that's what I looked like when I started trail running.  I'm getting better, but still have a ways to go.  Now, my boyfriend Hal, he barrels down the hills like he's on a friggin mountain bike.  Jeez!

Anyways, yes, I did meet my goal.  Well, mostly.  My official time was 3:03.  However, the course was 13.56 miles, not 13.1.  So, yes, goal was met.  

Half #2 was the San Dieguito Half, held in beautiful, yet snobby, Rancho Santa Fe.  Yes, snobby.  Way too many RSF women driving their land yachts tried to run down us runners.  Not cool.  Besides the ladies with the superiority complex, it was a great run!

Goal:  Run at least 75% of the hills.

Absolutely beautiful!  And extremely challenging.  Lots and lots and lots and LOTS of hills.  I actually did a lot better on the hills that I expected to.  I even passed people running up the hills.  ME!  Passing people!  On hills!!!  Holy crap!!!  That was pretty cool.

I felt a lot stronger on this run than I did for the trail run.  My time was definitely faster for this race than the trail race.

As for the hills, I ran at least 90% of the hills.  I even ran the last hill the entire way.  Imagine running uphill for a friggin half-a-mile after running over 12 miles worth of hills.  Sucks ass!!!  But I did it.  I sooooo wanted to quit.  But I didn't.  AND... I even passed a few more folks on my way up that last damn hill.  Yep, goal met!!!

My next race is the San Diego Half.  

My goal for that race is to PR.  My fastest Half Marathon time is 2:24.  Gonna be faster than that on March 11.