Saturday, I went for an 18 mile long run. 10 miles around my neighborhood and the rest on the Trinity Trail. It took me a few hours to complete.
Amy (my run buddy) wants to meet tomorrow to run before she goes on vacation, I hope she doesn't want to go fast. I'm not sure I'll have it in me.
Someone could use a new GPS watch.
If you have any model recommendations let me know or if you'd like to donate one to me, that's cool too. I think this week, I'm going to start researching. I love my Nike TOM TOM, but lately it's been flaky. Sometimes, it stops tracking my miles, mid-run…It's like it gets stuck and thinks I'm standing still, when I'm still running. It doesn't happen every time, but it's happen enough times, for me to get annoyed.
Often when I talk with other endurance athletes we talk about how we fuel for long workouts. This has been my go-to meal before a long run:
1 cup of oatmeal, with almond milk, 1 cup of blueberries (or whatever fruit I have), and lots of cinnamon.
Some runners like to consume GU's during long runs, I do that too, but I prefer real food.
When I pack real food to eat during a LR, sometimes I pack the following:
plantain chips, nuts, almond butter wraps, or fruit.
Yesterday, I made my own sunflower - chocolate chip - dried berry - trail mix. YUM!! I didn't eat all of it and accidentally left the bag outside on the driveway. When I went to get it around 10 am, the chocolate was melted. I still ate it.
I may have found my new crew member.
This morning, Chey went for a bike ride around the neighborhood. I ran beside her for 1.75 miles. EXCITING! She wanted to keep going, but I told her that was enough for one day.
It's crazy to think that not too long ago, I was pushing her around the neighborhood in a baby stroller, now she's riding a bike.
September 27, 2010
Showing posts with label Trinity Trail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trinity Trail. Show all posts
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
I Discovered a New Running Spot
This morning, I headed out for a long run. Sometimes, I'm not sure where to run. This morning I didn't have a plan, especially, since I'm not training for a race. This morning, I decided (as I was running away from my neighborhood), I wanted to be surrounded by trees, so I ran towards the Trinity Trails. The Trinity Trails looks like this…
For years, when I've ran the Trinity Trails, I've passed a dirt path and wondered about it. Where does it go? Is it a short trail? Is it a runner friendly trail? Is it even a trail or just a little path? Since I didn't have a distance or a time goal for the day, I decided what the hell….I'm going to check it out. Look what I discovered! Some of the areas were overgrown, so I avoided those trails, but from what I could tell, in general, it's a nice little area. If you are looking for miles of trails, I don't think this is it, but if you are looking for a beautiful view of Ft. Worth and a nice dirt loop with a few uphills, this is the spot!
I finally got some dirt on my new shoes!
For years, when I've ran the Trinity Trails, I've passed a dirt path and wondered about it. Where does it go? Is it a short trail? Is it a runner friendly trail? Is it even a trail or just a little path? Since I didn't have a distance or a time goal for the day, I decided what the hell….I'm going to check it out. Look what I discovered! Some of the areas were overgrown, so I avoided those trails, but from what I could tell, in general, it's a nice little area. If you are looking for miles of trails, I don't think this is it, but if you are looking for a beautiful view of Ft. Worth and a nice dirt loop with a few uphills, this is the spot!
I finally got some dirt on my new shoes!
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
2014 Cowtown Official Race Photos
My Race Results:
Distance: 50K (31 miles)
Duration: 5:28:56
Average Pace Per Mile: 10:37
Overall Place: 145 out of 451 Ultra runners
550 Ultra Runners Registered. 451 Finishers.
Gender Place: 42 out of 201
Division Place (25-29 yrs): 9th out of 21
The Trinity Trails aka the painful miles. Mile 26 'ish.
I heard a spectator yell, it makes it easier if you smile, so I tried to smile. He was right, it helped.
Sprinting to the finish line. At the end of a 50K, a 10:30 mile is a sprint (for me).
About to cross the finish line! PRAISE THE LORD! Also, holla and food me!
Happy.
I already passed one mat, it's over right? Can I stop now????
Sweet victory tastes like salty sweat.
After I crossed the finish line I sat down to catch my breathe, text and call my friends and family who had been following my race. When it was time for me to stand up, I felt every ache in my body. I saw two gentlemen and asked them to help me up. They laughed at me and called me crazy, but they did help me. Today, I'm feeling less sore. All the foam rolling and stretching has helped.
Similar Post:
2014 Cowtown Ultra Results
http://domandtrey.blogspot.com/2014/02/2014-cowtown-ultra-results.html
Friday, September 20, 2013
Trailhead Clearfork
Hey, guys I kind of love my town. One of my favorite places is the Trinity Trails. The TT covers over 40 miles across Cowtown and connects to 21 parks. It's a hot spot for running, walking, tubing, paddle boarding, fishing, cycling and more.
I've taken a handful of photos of the Trinity River during my runs and outings, over the years.
The city has been developing a recreational area right off the trail, it's called the Trailhead and it's located near the Clearfork development. On Saturday, the girls and I went to the grand opening.
enduraLAB was out there leading a complimentary workout. (This is the Group photo, from them).
The area is nice, there were two food trucks, picnic tables and an area for children to play. I like how they have a bathroom and access to cool drinking water! I wouldn't mind swinging by there during a long run.
Check out The Trailhead site to find out about more complimentary workouts and family friendly activities going on this fall.
http://www.trailhead1848.com
Chey loved it! She even got a cool tin bottle with the Trailhead logo.
I've taken a handful of photos of the Trinity River during my runs and outings, over the years.
The city has been developing a recreational area right off the trail, it's called the Trailhead and it's located near the Clearfork development. On Saturday, the girls and I went to the grand opening.
enduraLAB was out there leading a complimentary workout. (This is the Group photo, from them).
The area is nice, there were two food trucks, picnic tables and an area for children to play. I like how they have a bathroom and access to cool drinking water! I wouldn't mind swinging by there during a long run.
Check out The Trailhead site to find out about more complimentary workouts and family friendly activities going on this fall.
http://www.trailhead1848.com
Chey loved it! She even got a cool tin bottle with the Trailhead logo.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
2011 Cowtown Ultra Marathon (50K)
Distance: 31 miles
Ultra Marathon Eve:
I ate baked ziti and no I did not eat this entire dish by myself. Can you believe I had more pasta?! You could say I went a little crazy with the carb loading this time around, but I must've done something right. I didn't have any stomach issues and didn't have to stop once to use the bathroom during the 5 hour race.
I know a handful of runners who put their clothes and gear out the night before a race. This was my first time to do this. I'm glad I did because this morning I didn't have to scramble to find things. It made it easier to dress while I was half asleep.
Race Details:
Duration: 5:27:24
Average Pace Per Mile: 10:33
Gender Place in the Ultra: Placed 15 out of 65 women
Age Group: Placed 4th out of 9 women
Average Pace Per Mile: 10:33
Gender Place in the Ultra: Placed 15 out of 65 women
Age Group: Placed 4th out of 9 women
Weather: An hour before the race started it was 66 degrees with a South Wind at 12 mph. The wind got stronger towards the end of the race. At first, it was cool and overcast -- a few hours later the temps rose and the sun came out. I got a nice tan, borderline red.
Breakdown by Major Mile Markers:
10K – 1:01:20 ** 13.1 mile – 2:07:50 ** 30K – 3:01:17 ** 26.2 marathon – 4:23:23
Breakdown by Major Mile Markers:
10K – 1:01:20 ** 13.1 mile – 2:07:50 ** 30K – 3:01:17 ** 26.2 marathon – 4:23:23
Ultra Marathon Eve:
I ate baked ziti and no I did not eat this entire dish by myself. Can you believe I had more pasta?! You could say I went a little crazy with the carb loading this time around, but I must've done something right. I didn't have any stomach issues and didn't have to stop once to use the bathroom during the 5 hour race.
I know a handful of runners who put their clothes and gear out the night before a race. This was my first time to do this. I'm glad I did because this morning I didn't have to scramble to find things. It made it easier to dress while I was half asleep.
Race Details:
I started the race with Lee, ½ of the running couple. We met here (see pic below) and walked to corral three. I didn’t feel nervous at all. When we started, we planned on running a 10 min pace. It took everything in me to hold back and conserve my energy. I'm use to gunning it from the get-go. Not this time. Long distance running is different kind of beast.
Lee and I ran about 5 miles together. He stopped for a bathroom break and I kept moving. I was hoping he’d catch back up, or at least that was the plan, but as I'm learning more and more with racing I have to be flexible, especially because half the things I plan for a race always seem to change on the fly, so we never re-uninted. Bathroom lines were crazy busy too, especially for the first 13.1 miles. Oh, so after Lee went MIA I saw a marathon pacer, his finish goal time was 4:15. I ran on his heels from mile 5 thru 21. Around 21 miles, I started to lose my energy. Pace went from 9:45 a mile to 10 minutes. Then when I parted ways with the Marathoners, there were only a handful of Ultra runners or so it seemed. We (the Ultras) ran a few miles loop/in and out type of route and then met back up with the marathoners to complete the last mile. Oh, I saw Travis and Jennifer during the race. They are the couple I ran the half marathon with a few weeks ago.
The Cowtown course took us to the stockyards. I saw Isis spectating at mile 14. Seeing her was like taking a shot of GU. It gave me some extra energy to pick up the pace.
Sherri ran her first full marathon. She is my Abilene running buddy. She blames me for running. Supposedly it's all my fault, that she is running/racing. Homegirl, is fast! She ran her first marathon under four hours and that's with FOUR bathroom stops! I hate her! HAHA! She met me at the finish line. She watched me cross the line and said I made her cry as I was finishing. I have that effect on people. :)
This is what marathoners look like after a race. Tired with frizzy hair.
I got so much "free" stuff. I guess the organizers had loads of yogurt they needed to get rid of. They were handing out cases of yogurt and I jumped all over it. Now, I have about a months worth of yogurt. Both cases are mine. Sherri got some too, not pictured. Check out the dude in the background sitting on the bench. Whoa.
I got a ton of compliments on my lululemon run skirt. Spectators were yelling out, "Ultra girl, I LOVE your run skirt." "Where did you get that?" "So CUTE." While I was running with the pace group, they were getting a kick out of all the spectators noticing me for another reason, my Ultra bib. The spectators would yell, "Way to go Ultra runner!" "Wow, ultra girl -- you're going the distance." "Or they'd point at me and say, "Look she's running the ULTRA." The pace group was all like...HEY, we're running too! Notice US! At the end of the whole event I got a cool finishers shirt. I'll see about posting that later.
I'll leave you with this video of me crossing the finish line. Watch the entire clip and notice the commentary--random girl tells Trey when she realizes I just ran the Ultra marathon. I LOVE her reaction! Note to self: watch clip if I ever need an ego boost.
P.S. Try not to cry, when watching. JOKING! maybe.
Lee and I ran about 5 miles together. He stopped for a bathroom break and I kept moving. I was hoping he’d catch back up, or at least that was the plan, but as I'm learning more and more with racing I have to be flexible, especially because half the things I plan for a race always seem to change on the fly, so we never re-uninted. Bathroom lines were crazy busy too, especially for the first 13.1 miles. Oh, so after Lee went MIA I saw a marathon pacer, his finish goal time was 4:15. I ran on his heels from mile 5 thru 21. Around 21 miles, I started to lose my energy. Pace went from 9:45 a mile to 10 minutes. Then when I parted ways with the Marathoners, there were only a handful of Ultra runners or so it seemed. We (the Ultras) ran a few miles loop/in and out type of route and then met back up with the marathoners to complete the last mile. Oh, I saw Travis and Jennifer during the race. They are the couple I ran the half marathon with a few weeks ago.
The Cowtown course took us to the stockyards. I saw Isis spectating at mile 14. Seeing her was like taking a shot of GU. It gave me some extra energy to pick up the pace.
Sherri ran her first full marathon. She is my Abilene running buddy. She blames me for running. Supposedly it's all my fault, that she is running/racing. Homegirl, is fast! She ran her first marathon under four hours and that's with FOUR bathroom stops! I hate her! HAHA! She met me at the finish line. She watched me cross the line and said I made her cry as I was finishing. I have that effect on people. :)
This is what marathoners look like after a race. Tired with frizzy hair.
I got so much "free" stuff. I guess the organizers had loads of yogurt they needed to get rid of. They were handing out cases of yogurt and I jumped all over it. Now, I have about a months worth of yogurt. Both cases are mine. Sherri got some too, not pictured. Check out the dude in the background sitting on the bench. Whoa.
I got a ton of compliments on my lululemon run skirt. Spectators were yelling out, "Ultra girl, I LOVE your run skirt." "Where did you get that?" "So CUTE." While I was running with the pace group, they were getting a kick out of all the spectators noticing me for another reason, my Ultra bib. The spectators would yell, "Way to go Ultra runner!" "Wow, ultra girl -- you're going the distance." "Or they'd point at me and say, "Look she's running the ULTRA." The pace group was all like...HEY, we're running too! Notice US! At the end of the whole event I got a cool finishers shirt. I'll see about posting that later.
I'll leave you with this video of me crossing the finish line. Watch the entire clip and notice the commentary--random girl tells Trey when she realizes I just ran the Ultra marathon. I LOVE her reaction! Note to self: watch clip if I ever need an ego boost.
P.S. Try not to cry, when watching. JOKING! maybe.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
18 Mile Long Run
Distance: 18:11 Miles
Duration: 2:55:05
Average Pace Per Mile:9:40
Weather: When I started my run it was 33 degrees. Wind = 2 mph. When I finished my run the temp had dropped to 31 degrees. Wind = 3 mph. My face and hands were freezing.
I had a lot going on today, so I wanted to start my 18 mile run first thing in the morning. I set my alarm for 4 am and had pre-cooked my breakfast the night before. There for a while, I was on an english muffin with egg kick, well now it's an egg with flaxseed bread wrap. Any-who: I was hoping to be running by 4:15 am. Well, the alarm went off and I came up with every excuse why I should stay in bed. The bed is warm. I ran so hard this week already, I even did 2 speedwork sessions. I deserve a break. It's freaking COLD outside. I finally convinced myself, "If you miss this run, you will regret it." That's what got up and moving. Sometimes getting out of bed is the hardest part of a workout, but I did it. By 4:30 am I was running.
I did something different this time. Since it was so early, I decided to start my run on the treadmill. I ran on it for 6 miles, so by 5:30 am I was ready to complete my run outside. Only 12 more miles to go. Even by that time, it was still dark, but I ran through the neighborhood and ran to a well-lit track. I circled the track and covered another 5 miles. Finally, the sun was rising. I headed in the direction of the trail for an in out --- back to the house.
So here is what I think about treadmill running, followed by running outside:
Running on the treadmill felt like I was putting so much effort into it, which is funny because I ran at a 0 incline the entire duration. When I went outside to run, I ran faster and it seemed easier even with the hills. I won't run every long run like this (treadmill and then run outside), but sometimes you have to be creative when trying to fit a three hour long run into your busy weekend. I know my family appreciates me being home at a reasonable time. I love coming home from a long run and seeing Trey and Cheyenne in bed, still dressed in their PJ's.
Splits. Starting at Mile 7.
Mile 7 9:38
Mile 8 9:29
Mile 9 9:27
Mile 10 9:11
Mile 11 9:11
Mile 12 9:21
Mile 13 9:18
Mile 14 9:37
Mile 15 10:43
Mile 16 10:02
Mile 17 10:43
Mile 18 9:14
Bring on the taper!
Duration: 2:55:05
Average Pace Per Mile:9:40
Weather: When I started my run it was 33 degrees. Wind = 2 mph. When I finished my run the temp had dropped to 31 degrees. Wind = 3 mph. My face and hands were freezing.
I had a lot going on today, so I wanted to start my 18 mile run first thing in the morning. I set my alarm for 4 am and had pre-cooked my breakfast the night before. There for a while, I was on an english muffin with egg kick, well now it's an egg with flaxseed bread wrap. Any-who: I was hoping to be running by 4:15 am. Well, the alarm went off and I came up with every excuse why I should stay in bed. The bed is warm. I ran so hard this week already, I even did 2 speedwork sessions. I deserve a break. It's freaking COLD outside. I finally convinced myself, "If you miss this run, you will regret it." That's what got up and moving. Sometimes getting out of bed is the hardest part of a workout, but I did it. By 4:30 am I was running.
I did something different this time. Since it was so early, I decided to start my run on the treadmill. I ran on it for 6 miles, so by 5:30 am I was ready to complete my run outside. Only 12 more miles to go. Even by that time, it was still dark, but I ran through the neighborhood and ran to a well-lit track. I circled the track and covered another 5 miles. Finally, the sun was rising. I headed in the direction of the trail for an in out --- back to the house.
So here is what I think about treadmill running, followed by running outside:
Running on the treadmill felt like I was putting so much effort into it, which is funny because I ran at a 0 incline the entire duration. When I went outside to run, I ran faster and it seemed easier even with the hills. I won't run every long run like this (treadmill and then run outside), but sometimes you have to be creative when trying to fit a three hour long run into your busy weekend. I know my family appreciates me being home at a reasonable time. I love coming home from a long run and seeing Trey and Cheyenne in bed, still dressed in their PJ's.
Splits. Starting at Mile 7.
Mile 7 9:38
Mile 8 9:29
Mile 9 9:27
Mile 10 9:11
Mile 11 9:11
Mile 12 9:21
Mile 13 9:18
Mile 14 9:37
Mile 15 10:43
Mile 16 10:02
Mile 17 10:43
Mile 18 9:14
Bring on the taper!
Monday, August 04, 2008
Trinity Trail Fiasco
Its been outrageously hot these last two weeks so I've been sticking to an indoor workout on the elliptical. Saturday, I wanted to change things up, so I headed out the door to Trinity Trails with both dogs.
For those of you who don't know, TT is a huge trail that runs along Trinity River. It's my favorite place to run and walk because there is a perfect view of the Ft. Worth skyline. Before I headed out the door, I already had great expectations.
About the running
I was lucky I got Harley to walk. I was so excited about running but she just wouldn't cooperate. Every chance she got, she tugged and pulled and made the experience one that I want to forget. It was so embarrassing because she kept barking every time a cyclist would zoom past us. Occasionally, she would sit her butt down and refuse to move, which would only frustrate me more.
While all this was going on Corky was probably thinking, "Get it together!" Corky is my pro athlete dog, okay more like semi pro, so I'm sure he was just as disappointed as I was. We were both ready to get at least a 2 miler in. Needless to say, I don't think I'll be making a second trip with Harley. Next time we'll stick to the neighborhood. And it'll be a while before I'll even want to go outside (by then I might not be able to run). Yesterday the temperature shot up to 107! Even if I want to go outside at dusk it'll still be scorching.
On a side Note about Church:
Sunday morning worship was great. I played bass and Trey played his acoustic guitar. It was great to be playing again and I pray that more opportunities will come from it.
For those of you who don't know, TT is a huge trail that runs along Trinity River. It's my favorite place to run and walk because there is a perfect view of the Ft. Worth skyline. Before I headed out the door, I already had great expectations.
About the running
I was lucky I got Harley to walk. I was so excited about running but she just wouldn't cooperate. Every chance she got, she tugged and pulled and made the experience one that I want to forget. It was so embarrassing because she kept barking every time a cyclist would zoom past us. Occasionally, she would sit her butt down and refuse to move, which would only frustrate me more.
While all this was going on Corky was probably thinking, "Get it together!" Corky is my pro athlete dog, okay more like semi pro, so I'm sure he was just as disappointed as I was. We were both ready to get at least a 2 miler in. Needless to say, I don't think I'll be making a second trip with Harley. Next time we'll stick to the neighborhood. And it'll be a while before I'll even want to go outside (by then I might not be able to run). Yesterday the temperature shot up to 107! Even if I want to go outside at dusk it'll still be scorching.
On a side Note about Church:
Sunday morning worship was great. I played bass and Trey played his acoustic guitar. It was great to be playing again and I pray that more opportunities will come from it.
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