My next event is going to come much faster than I would have anticipated.
Arlynn asked me to run the Rock n Roll Maraton in Vegas and I was a bit iffy at first. I told her that I would decide after the Nike Marathon was done.
Obviously, I decided to do it. It will be along the strip so it should be an interesting run. And, there aren't many hills if any, so I'm hoping to come in some where between 2.30 and 2.40. I'd be SUPER HYPED if I came in at 2.30.
We'll see how this goes. I will get back to my run/workout schedule on Monday. I'm in rest mode, but have been itching to run. Maybe I can get a run in on Sunday morning. =)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Run Like a Girl
I've always wanted to run the Nike Women's Marathon here in the city and this year I finally did. Needless to say there was much excitement leading up to last Sunday. I felt like I've been waiting for this day forever. I know most girls say that about their wedding, but this is where I get my kicks. Finishing an event, a 12k, half marathon, triathlon, a hard workout...but the best feeling of accomplishment is beating my time!!!
My first and only official marathon was the Kaiser Permanente Half in January 2007. My official time was 2hr 51min. I ran the Bridge t oBridge 12k (7.5) last month in 1hr 31min. Sooo, I was hoping to get in about 2hr 45 min. I would be estatic with a time of 2hr 30min, but I knew I had to account for the hills.
I was actually kindda relaxed before this event. Not as frantic as normal, but I forgot my water bottle (rookie move). I got my pre sports massage on Friday, and was running with my friends, so the chit chat must have helped the nerves.
We finally crossed the starting line at about 921am. Arlynn and I were talking and she suggested that we not even think about walking until mile 6. I told her I was shooting for mile 7. She looked at my crazy and asked, "you know that's on a hill, right?!" I shrugged it off and said "It's ok, I'll try."
Running through mile 6 which was already on an incline and you can see the bigger incline coming up on mile 7. This was a mountain! The elevation map goes from practically zero to 295'. But, I pushed my way through, slowly but surely and didn't even think about walking until between mile 8 and 9. Goal #1 ACCOMPLISHED!
I walked for less than a total of 3 min in between mile 8 and 9 and then picked up the pace again. We started a huge decline coming up on the Great Highway, and I thought to myself, downhill is not a resting point, push through and make up some time. I kept looking at my watch and didn't even think that I would break the 3hr point, so I did what I do on my bike during a decline, spin those legs like no other. I was passing people up left and right and wasn't getting winded. =) But, right before mile 12 by the soccer fields, I was starting to hit the wall. My legs were getting tired and heavy and my stomach was starting to cramp. Now the talking to myself really begins. "Come on, Mel! Only 1 more mile. One more mile!" Coming up on the race shoot, my cramping is getting stronger, but I see the finish and look at the time. I beat the 3hr mark! Hell yeah! I do the time in my head and I came in at about 2hr 46min. OVERALL GOAL ACCOMPLISHED!
After the finishline, there were firemen in suits passing out the infamous little blue boxes with our gifts, an official Nike Women's Marathon Tiffany's necklace. Ahhhhh! The feeling you get when you are done!!! It can't really be explained. You are just on a natural high.
Running Diva Results:
Deb: 2.03.22
Jess: 2.16.46
Melanie: 2.47.36
Marlene: 2.50.20
Eileen & Arlynn: 2.55.38
And the only Running Diva to do the FULL MARATHON
Janelle: 5.18.32
the upper left hand corner says "Run Like a Girl"
My first and only official marathon was the Kaiser Permanente Half in January 2007. My official time was 2hr 51min. I ran the Bridge t oBridge 12k (7.5) last month in 1hr 31min. Sooo, I was hoping to get in about 2hr 45 min. I would be estatic with a time of 2hr 30min, but I knew I had to account for the hills.
I was actually kindda relaxed before this event. Not as frantic as normal, but I forgot my water bottle (rookie move). I got my pre sports massage on Friday, and was running with my friends, so the chit chat must have helped the nerves.
We finally crossed the starting line at about 921am. Arlynn and I were talking and she suggested that we not even think about walking until mile 6. I told her I was shooting for mile 7. She looked at my crazy and asked, "you know that's on a hill, right?!" I shrugged it off and said "It's ok, I'll try."
Running through mile 6 which was already on an incline and you can see the bigger incline coming up on mile 7. This was a mountain! The elevation map goes from practically zero to 295'. But, I pushed my way through, slowly but surely and didn't even think about walking until between mile 8 and 9. Goal #1 ACCOMPLISHED!
I walked for less than a total of 3 min in between mile 8 and 9 and then picked up the pace again. We started a huge decline coming up on the Great Highway, and I thought to myself, downhill is not a resting point, push through and make up some time. I kept looking at my watch and didn't even think that I would break the 3hr point, so I did what I do on my bike during a decline, spin those legs like no other. I was passing people up left and right and wasn't getting winded. =) But, right before mile 12 by the soccer fields, I was starting to hit the wall. My legs were getting tired and heavy and my stomach was starting to cramp. Now the talking to myself really begins. "Come on, Mel! Only 1 more mile. One more mile!" Coming up on the race shoot, my cramping is getting stronger, but I see the finish and look at the time. I beat the 3hr mark! Hell yeah! I do the time in my head and I came in at about 2hr 46min. OVERALL GOAL ACCOMPLISHED!
After the finishline, there were firemen in suits passing out the infamous little blue boxes with our gifts, an official Nike Women's Marathon Tiffany's necklace. Ahhhhh! The feeling you get when you are done!!! It can't really be explained. You are just on a natural high.
Here are my official race results
Running Diva Results:
Deb: 2.03.22
Jess: 2.16.46
Melanie: 2.47.36
Marlene: 2.50.20
Eileen & Arlynn: 2.55.38
And the only Running Diva to do the FULL MARATHON
Janelle: 5.18.32
And...dun da da dah!!! Our Official Nike Women's Marathon Tiffany's Necklace.
the upper left hand corner says "Run Like a Girl"
Monday, October 19, 2009
Oracle Open World
Last week, Oracle had their big yearly event, Oracle Open World. Basically, we offer classes on how to use the products we have, announce new products coming out, etc etc. If you need something to compare it to, I would say, it's like Apple's MacWorld.
Every year that I've worked for Oracle I've worked in the Oracle Open World bookstore. And, every year, I hear about the concert that Oracle provides for their partners and costumers. I think one year they had Earth, Wind and Fire. I never paid too much attention b/c I never got to go. Well this year, I had the privilege to enjoy myself. I heard that Aerosmith was performing, which was cool, I was just excited to be invited. Then, I seen the line up...
THE WAILERS were on the bill. THE WAILERS! OMFG! I GET TO SEE THE WAILERS. (For those of you that are a bit slow...Bob Marley and the Wailers...insert "ooohhhhhhh" here...) Now I was amped!
This whole Oracle Open World concert is HUGGGEEEEEE! It was on Treasure Island, enough said. There were 2 concert stages, a beautiful huge outdoor one, and a concert tent, carnival rides and games, food tents, beverage bars with beer and wine...oh and did I mention EVERYTHING IS FREEEEEEE!
The first thing we did when we got in was ride this ride like Drop Zone in Great America. We positioned ourselves to see the stage b/c Aerosmith was already performing. OMG! I could not believe my eyes. The view from the top was spectacular. If I could be up there long enough to take a picture, it would have been amazing.
So, we ate food, drank a little bit and wandered around. I made sure to be close to the outside stage b/c that's where the Wailers would be performing. I managed to wiggle myself all the way to the front. And, I'm sure glad I did. It was the best raggae performace I have ever seen in my life. I was brought to my perfect euphoria...dancing and being lost in the music. Needless to say, this goes down in my life recordbook.
View from the front
The Best Reggae Performance of My Life
Every year that I've worked for Oracle I've worked in the Oracle Open World bookstore. And, every year, I hear about the concert that Oracle provides for their partners and costumers. I think one year they had Earth, Wind and Fire. I never paid too much attention b/c I never got to go. Well this year, I had the privilege to enjoy myself. I heard that Aerosmith was performing, which was cool, I was just excited to be invited. Then, I seen the line up...
THE WAILERS were on the bill. THE WAILERS! OMFG! I GET TO SEE THE WAILERS. (For those of you that are a bit slow...Bob Marley and the Wailers...insert "ooohhhhhhh" here...) Now I was amped!
This whole Oracle Open World concert is HUGGGEEEEEE! It was on Treasure Island, enough said. There were 2 concert stages, a beautiful huge outdoor one, and a concert tent, carnival rides and games, food tents, beverage bars with beer and wine...oh and did I mention EVERYTHING IS FREEEEEEE!
The first thing we did when we got in was ride this ride like Drop Zone in Great America. We positioned ourselves to see the stage b/c Aerosmith was already performing. OMG! I could not believe my eyes. The view from the top was spectacular. If I could be up there long enough to take a picture, it would have been amazing.
So, we ate food, drank a little bit and wandered around. I made sure to be close to the outside stage b/c that's where the Wailers would be performing. I managed to wiggle myself all the way to the front. And, I'm sure glad I did. It was the best raggae performace I have ever seen in my life. I was brought to my perfect euphoria...dancing and being lost in the music. Needless to say, this goes down in my life recordbook.
The outdoor stage
View from the front
The Best Reggae Performance of My Life
Monday, October 5, 2009
Bridge to Bridge Run
Yesterday, I did the Bridge to Bridge Run in which all proceeds go to the Special Olympics in Northern California. All runners/walkers could chose from either 12k (7.5 miles) or a 7k (4.5 miles). I opted for the 12k, of course. My intentions were to use this as a training day for my Nike run in 2 weeks, which I did!
I also encouraged my cousin, Mae, who has been running with me for the past couple of months to do this run with me. She was hesitant to do the 12k but she stuck it out and finish strong with me.
As for the run...it was a beautiful course. It starts off along the Embarcadero in front on the Ferry Building and goes along all piers, including Pier 39 and Aquatic Park, then it ventures up the steep hill that connects to the Marina, into the Marina and through Crissy Fields, under the Golden Gate Bridge and into the Presidio.
Thankfully my Ironman trainings were frequently in this area and I was rather familiar with the course's surroundings and I felt really comfortable. I even got to see some swimmers at Aquatic Park who are training for Ironman 2010, and saw Anthea, one of my coaches from Lavaman. I shouted a couple of "Go Teams!" to the few people that were wearing TNT swag. Once a TNTer always a TNTer!
The weather couldn't be better for a run either. I couldn't have asked for a better day. According to my watch to when I passed the start line it was 902am, so I finished in 1 hr 30 min, exactly what I was expecting/aiming for. Mae and I crossed the finish line together =)
I also encouraged my cousin, Mae, who has been running with me for the past couple of months to do this run with me. She was hesitant to do the 12k but she stuck it out and finish strong with me.
As for the run...it was a beautiful course. It starts off along the Embarcadero in front on the Ferry Building and goes along all piers, including Pier 39 and Aquatic Park, then it ventures up the steep hill that connects to the Marina, into the Marina and through Crissy Fields, under the Golden Gate Bridge and into the Presidio.
Thankfully my Ironman trainings were frequently in this area and I was rather familiar with the course's surroundings and I felt really comfortable. I even got to see some swimmers at Aquatic Park who are training for Ironman 2010, and saw Anthea, one of my coaches from Lavaman. I shouted a couple of "Go Teams!" to the few people that were wearing TNT swag. Once a TNTer always a TNTer!
The weather couldn't be better for a run either. I couldn't have asked for a better day. According to my watch to when I passed the start line it was 902am, so I finished in 1 hr 30 min, exactly what I was expecting/aiming for. Mae and I crossed the finish line together =)
Here's my clocked time, but I didn't cross the start until 9:02am so minus 2 min.
this is me approaching the finish line. my hair is all over the place! i thought it was a cool picture.
i don't like this picture very much, but the fact that i'm not touching the floor at all was uber cool to me. I'M IN THE AIR!
Here we are planning on crossing together! I'm all smiles, Mae is feeling the burn. lol She finished strong and that's all that matters.
Here we are planning on crossing together! I'm all smiles, Mae is feeling the burn. lol She finished strong and that's all that matters.
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