Carlsbad Race Report

I can't even tell you how happy I was when I realized yesterday I'd

be able to sleep until 6am on a race day. Most races I'm out the

door while it's still dark, catch a bus to the start line and then freeze for an hour or so until the gun goes off. But, Carlsbad is superior for many reasons:

1. The staggered start: marathon at 6:00/half at 7:30. Wave starts for the half (I was in Wave 2).

2. The View: all but 4 miles (of the half at

least) is along the water. Just like the picture shows.

3. Organization: loads of water, aid stations, Gu and Vasaline.

If you've got to run an out and back race like this one, at least run one that is well organized and has everything you need or could need. However, because of my lack of training, I knew it'd be rougher than usual...

So, last night I loaded a bunch of Ricky Gervais Show podcasts on

my iphone and laughed my ass off for the first 9 miles.

I must have looked mental to the bystanders on the street, but it helped cover up the slacker-pain I should have felt. In fact, I don't remember feeling uncomfortable until about here (around mile 10):

That's when it became more burdensome than distracting to laugh and my pace began to slow. I don't really know why I took that picture--in fact I don't remember taking it at all. What was I thinking? Maybe it was an accident as I scrolled through my phone to cue up my Flo Rida Pandora station to give me a kick to the finish. It worked.

In other running news, my running buddy, Angie, convinced me to do the OC Marathon this year with her. It's in May. So. Guess I better start a real training program again soon. I also plan to run the Washington DC Halfer, on March 26th, for my 30th birthday. I'll keep you posted on that (since I know you're holding your breath). The only uncertainty is whether or not to register for the La Jolla Half in April and go for the Triple Crown this year. I guess I'll just take it one run (and paycheck) at a time.

I guess I did make some resolutions

Without realizing I was doing it, I've sent my life in a new, chaotic direction. The ball is rolling, now I have to keep up with it. Actually, that's a little dramatic for what I've been up to, but in case you haven't noticed, I've been an unfaithful blogger the last few weeks. My excuse is that I'm having a busy year and honestly forget sometimes that I have one of these crazy fun bloggy things.

Last week I started ballet and piano classes. Not sure what I expected, but it's more than just two hours at the beginning of my week to work around. I guess if I didn't want to be any good at them it could be; however, working in a little extra time to practice my new hobbies means my weekly mileage totals have taken a hit.

I thought I'd be able to stick to my running schedule (doing a halfer in a couple weeks and want to run Catalina in March), but I'm finding it difficult as my initial enthusiasm for these new hobbies is fading and I'm no longer running on adrenaline. On top of my new pursuits the school semester is coming to a close in a couple weeks which means I have to figure out what I'm testing the kiddos on and then write finals for all 140 of them-- plus grade all the papers I have right now. Then there's the freelance deadline I'm up against next week--an article I haven't even started yet. (Hope my editor doesn't see that.)

I jumped with both feet into the new year and now find myself in new depths. It's probably time to get out the old day planner and caffeinated coffee because I will have my ballet shoes and run in them too. I'll do my best to keep up in the blogosphere, but indubitably postings are going to suffer. Don't forget about me.

On a side note: Anyone out there running the Carlsbad Half or Full in a couple weeks? Maybe I'll see you out there.

Keep on truckin'