As athletes, we understand the importance of hydration.

As somebody with past beer pong addictions, and an undying love for south-of-the-border spirits, and less than ideal coping/celebrating/destressing mechanisms, I also understand the importance of a perfectly crafted beverage.

When I don’t feel like cracking the top off a pale ale or uncorking a bottle of zin, I put on my mixology cap and get to work at my fully nuun-stocked bar.

If your beverage cart at home doesn’t look like this, it should.

This weekend I tested out my Nuun-arita on our Super Bowl patrons.  It was a perfectly sunny and warm afternoon playing cornhole and grilling on the deck, and I felt it warranted something a little more refreshing than a lukewarm Bud.

Consensus?

Freaking amazing.  Move over, Skinny Margarita.  There’s a (more hydrate-y) fiesta cocktail in town.

Happy Friday.  Happy Hydrating.  Happy Cheers’ing.

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

Sarah OUaL

So all of this “serious” running is happening during my kind of “fake” training right now.  My 10-week plan for Ragnar/Eugene doesn’t start until the 19th, but I’m all jacked up on running right now so I’m taking advantage and applying it towards my “base training.”

(bad ass base training, IMO. For OUaL terms at least)

((all the “ “ should tell you how serious I really am))

Training will be great.  I have a real life plan and high expectations.  I’m ready for it.  Ball drops next Sunday.  Game time.

But in reviewing my schedule, there IS something missing.  Apparently.

Races.

BLAH BLAH BLAH I know I said I was going to be stingy with my racing this year.  Focus on a few key events and give them my all.  Damn internet back firing and calling me out on all my silly old promises.

But a key part of nailing your goal race?  Having the right prep, including some trial runs.  Dress Rehearsals.  Shake outs.  Practice.

Soooo this is that.

The Hot Chocolate 15K is March 25th and is four weeks out from Ragnar, where I’ll be running 34.7 miles over 24ish hours with my ultra team.

You’re right, I probably need a psych eval more than a 15K to prep for that.  But a solid race can’t hurt, right?

Plus it’ll be a great place to test out race pace for Eugene, where I’m hoping to PR.  I know that’s a little ambitious just 8 days post-Ragnar, but to be honest, my 3:57.34 PR is seeming pretty weenie lately compared to all this “real” running I’ve been doing.

Turns out I might be faster than I’ve been giving myself credit for?

So earlier this week I hopped in the car with a few of my fellow OC runnerds for a planning/strategizing/brainstorming dinner with the RAM Racing folks.

p.s. It’s totally cool to go to a party with a bunch of legit industry professionals and introduce yourself as a blogger.  Totally.  After 3 people asked what a “running blogger” (yes, they made the bunny ears) means I may have started using “independent internet affiliate” just to sound like we had some business being there.

Sarah SkinnyRunner, Nicole HauteRunningMama, Margot FasterBunny, Monica RunEatRepeat, OUaL, Linzay BrokeRunner, Celestia

(disclaimer : Linzay and Clestia actually did have real-work business being there. Unforch for them they got duped into hanging with us thanks to Ragnar obligations. Enforced by me. Sorry.)

Truth is, Hot Chocolate/RAM Racing has some social recon to do.  They’ve had a few “hiccups”* at previous races and are really trying to turn this series into a steadfast nationwide event that lives up to the hype and excitement surrounding it.

* subject to judgment at your will

Hearing Steve Ginsburg (RAM owner) talk about their history and success in the Chicago running community, and his commitment to making San Diego a top-notch event was promising.

(Not quoted. Blog license to subjectablity and paraphrasing in full effect. SOPA/PIPA is to thank for that, right?)

We spent a lot of time talking running with these dudes.  What we feel makes an event successful (cohesive parking/logistics, well-manned course, on-time start, etc), what their target market is looking for in a race (70% of their registrants are women), and why the internet community is vital to their survival.

True. But we’re a good time!

I’m excited about it.  Not only because a mid-distance race is a GREAT fit for my training plan, but because I want to see how RAM pulls this one off.  Admittedly after the fiasco in DC I was skeptical, but their commitment to making this series succeed gives me hope.

(This has nothing to do with the wine – my love cannot be bought!)

If you’re looking for a SoCal race to gear up for Spring racing I really suggest you look into Hot Chocolate.  And not just because we’re all going to be there and there’s a 20’ chocolate fountain and cocoa afterwards.

But those are good reasons, too.

There’s a 15k and a 5k, and if you’re looking for some validation, Hot Chocolate Dallas is this weekend.  It’s sold out and they’re excited.  Let’s all watch and see if they pull off the flawless and fun event they’re capable of.

Sarah OUaL

Time travel back to Track Party Tuesday.  Since I’m still so new to this whole “real” running thing (aka training plans, and workouts other than casual strolls down the beach path) we had a 3200m (2 mile) time trial on the schedule.

A time trial is good to use as a basis for future speed workouts and paces and such.

And testing your puke threshold.  Trying to make you cry.  Et cetera.

So it didn’t go great.  SHOCKER, “I <3 THE TRACK!!!!!!!!!!” only lasted two weeks.  My legs weren’t fresh (damn you, sexy yoga teacher and your level 2 class the night before) and I had some wicked stomach cramps I’ve NEVER had to deal with.  All y’all with sensitive stomachs?  God bless you.  Running in that pain f’ing sucks.

Anyways, my team of kidnapped running guru consultants told me I could run the 3200m in 13:00-:30 (6:30-:45/mi).  Rookie blue here still has no concept for speed/distance so I was just all, ‘alright then, if you say so!’

And then I didn’t. 13:40.

I know 10 seconds isn’t a big deal, and it’s still a pretty awesome time for me, but it was my first time missing a “goal” on the track.  Probably because all other “goals” were just random times based off nothing, since a 4-hour marathon isn’t a very accurate measuring tool for this kind of stuff.  Regardless.

So weekly Track Party with Coach Margot will continue, but I’ve had my little reality check.  The fear of mid-distance speedwork has been effectively instilled unto me.  Also, the kidnapped gurus know what I’m made of now.  Not fooling them anymore – time to get to work.

Sarah OUaL

* FTR/those playing along at home – 2 mi warm up and 1 mi cool down ~9:00/mi.  5 mi total

Blah blah blah, Superbowl, blah blah food salsa guacamole beer commercials, whatever. I enjoyed it as much as I’m obligated as a red-blooded American. Forgive the pathetically sad little Browns fan for not getting all geeked out on the NFL Holiday.

Prior to all the pigskin nonsense, I took my beautiful 6am face and spirit fingers north on the beach path to shower the Surf City runners with my presence.

Brian’s coworker that I stole and forced to be my friend was hoping for her first Sub-2 hour half, and wanted somebody to get through the last 3 miles with.  Luckily for her, I know a little about getting near the end of a goal race and needing a friendly push…

I just hoped she’d get to me feeling a little better than I did when I found @EmilySweats at mile 24 of Sub4OrDie Long Beach.

That was not so fun. But it would have been a lot worse alone.

Believe it or not.  I think.

So I did what any responsible pacer and run-friend would – got up early, sent precise course coordinates where I’d find her, and sharpie’d the splits we needed all over myself.  (Yes, they are still faintly visible this afternoon.)

When I text her that picture with “Good luck see you soon!” I got this back :

Tough girl.  I thought everybody threw hissy fits when last-minute derailings happen to months of hard work and training?  Just me?

Brian and I ran the 6 miles up to the start (yes, together, go ahead and throw up on yourself) and caught Rebecca in the pack just as they took off. Gave her a big yell from the side lines and hoped for the best.

I got another 2.5 miles or so in (total for the day ended up being around 12) running out to our designated meeting spot and found myself along the full marathon route.

‘Oh! SR and Pam should be coming through here soon!’

photo cred – SR

If you are in the market for a very drill-sergeant’y pacer, SR’s your girl. Pam was all, “Hi SarahOUaL! So nice of you to run a bit with us, how are you hun??” and SR’s all, “QUIT TALKING YOU’RE WASTING ENERGY! SPEED UP. SLOW DOWN. LIFT YOUR KNEES SQUEEZE YOUR BUTT SUCK IN FLEX YOUR ARMS. LET’S GOOOO”

So I ran with them until SR’s threats of shanking me if I bumped Pam or derailed their race in any way became a little too much for my sensitive self to handle.  I ditched them at the 18 mile mark and made my way back over to Rebecca’s pick up spot.

I watched runner after runner after hundreds of runners go by – hawkeye’ing every inch of course looking for her pink shirt and white hat.

No Rebecca.

I couldn’t help but get anxious as the seconds/minutes ticked past her projected arrival.  I was nervous I’d missed her, nervous she’d be too far behind to save, and mostly, nervous I wouldn’t know what to say or do when(/if) she got to me.

All I’ll say is she was in a world of hurt by the time that point came.

I asked how she was feeling.  Offered water.  Asked what I could do to help.  ”Too fast?  Too slow?  Do you want to push or do you want me to stay here next to you?  Do you want to hear a scandalous story to take your mind off the pain??  We’re drinking later, right??“

All of these came with either a tiny nod or weak shake of her head.  I felt like the worst run-friend in the universe.  Why don’t I know what’s wrong?!  Why can’t I fix this?!  Why can’t I give her the PR and picture-perfect finish she wants and deserves?!

Talking to her afterwards, I profusely apologized for not knowing what to do.  She laughed.

R : “Sarah, I would NOT have gotten through that race without you.  I missed my PR, but knowing you were waiting for me at mile 10 was the only thing that kept me moving when it started to hurt at mile 8.  You did perfect.  I got to the finish because of you.”

… cue teary eyes.

R : “We’ll try Sub2 another time. You’ll wait for me at 10 again?”

Ummm, F Yes I will.  Game on, pacer pants.  I’ll start working on my telepathy skills.

Sarah OUaL

In college it was Thirsty Thursday. 

In the beach cities it’s Sunday Funday.

In OUaL-land, it’s Tuesday Track Party.

You’d be hard-pressed to find something I liked more than weeknight and/or day drinking in my early 20’s, but Speedwork on the track in the early AM with Margot has done it. 

(OMG, who am I???)

Instant cure for all that nonsense I was talking about “hating running”.  Guaranteed #runboner and track high for the rest of the day.  And going to work with a sweaty ponytail.

We set out with what smart running people call a “long ladder” workout on schedule.  It was pretty cold pre-dawn, so I sported my nasty old Cleveland Marathon race gloves for a bit of finger protection and hometown nostalgia.

Sweet, sweet, terribly miserable first marathon…

Maybe you’re asking “What the F is a “long ladder” you lunatic track-loving fool?”

… that’s what I asked Margot, afterall.  I’m still all new and green on this fast-running business, and suspect a few of you might be too.

So essentially we ran fast, recovered, ran fast a little longer, recovered, ran fast a liiiiiittle longer, recovered, and so forth the way back down.  Great for testing your short race pace, running on tired legs, and pushing (/holding on for dear life) at the end when you’re not sure you’ve got anything left in the tank.

At least that’s what the wise ones tell me.

In case you want to play along, this is what we did :

(:90 recovery between each set)

• Warm Up 1 mi – 8:54
• 1200 m (.75 mi/3 laps) – 5:20 (7:08 pace)
• 1600 m (1 mi/4 laps) – 7:07
• 2000 m (1/25 mi/5 laps) – 9:00 (7:12 pace)
• 1600 m (1 mi/4 laps) – 7:08
• 800 m (.5 mi/2 laps) – 3:15 (6:30 pace)
• Cool Down .5 mi – 3:58 (7:56 pace)

That’s me with my heart on my sleeve.  With Coach Margot’s name in it.  My name is not Coach Margot.  I just love how fast she makes me.

* Coach Margot’s not technically a coach, if we’re being full-disclosure. She’s just fast and more awesome than me.

And in case you’re in OC and want to play along IRL, Tuesday Track Party is here to stay.  Email me if you want to tag along – we’re friendly and are doing a 2-mile test run next week.  And other fun stuff, obvs.

Sarah OUaL

Well this week marked another “I’m not training but I’m running long on the weekends anyways” run that totally blew.

Right now I’m in my “off season”, although there still is some calculation to my workouts. I’m trying to maintain a decent base so I can jump right into my 10-week Ragnar/Eugene Marathon cycle (Feb 19) without dicking around with low-teen long runs early on.

So right now I’m technically just running for fun.

Haha.

Ha

(I don’t DO fun-running)

Last week I ran 8 of a 10 mile loop.  Hated it.  If I had been anywhere near public transportation or strangers with vehicles I would have 100% hitchhiked a ride home.

I was pretty sure this week would be better.  I had a week full of great runs (track, tempo, and recovery) and was ready to tackle 12 with Ash and her bf Saturday.

… not quite.

“Wah wah this sucks running is stupid. Bet you can’t wait until you have to run twice this far! Signing up for another marathon was such a great idea! Dumbass.”

After some thought and blabbing to anybody that would listen (/read) I think I’ve figured out my problem.  Luckily, it has a healthy prognosis and I don’t have to bail on my Ragnar team for a less destructive hobby.

Although I’d argue I can turn anything into a practice of hate-filled futility with enough time and energy.  It’s a real sterling quality of mine.

The first few miles of the wretched “fun” long runs were actually great.  Feeling good, confident, and fast.  The stabby, kill-me-now feelings don’t settle in until around 6 or 7, coincidentally right around the time the run starts to feel a little hard.

Yes, the (new-to-me) Brooks Launch is just as dreamy as you probably imagine

So this thing I’m supposed to be doing for “fun” suddenly becomes “hard” and immediately warps into “work” and immediately I go from happy runner to pissed why-the-f*Ck-am-I-doing-this??!!

Spoiled Sarah doesn’t like doing things that are hard for shits and giggles. Fun things should be fun! Or taste good. Or make you hate yourself in the morning and crave a big greasy breakfast.

But during training, runs are supposed to be hard.  They’re supposed to feel like work.  That’s the point!  Working towards making yourself a better runner so you can kick ass (and hopefully hurt less) on race day.

Serious Runner Sarah gets that, so she doesn’t want to throw herself into Back Bay when the going gets a little less than ideal.

Which is why I decided not to stress out about a couple crummy runs.  On February 19th when the hypothetical training ball drops, we’ll be back to kicking ass in my Brooks/Sauconys, rather than trying to fart glittery rainbows in them.

And before you call me stupid and tell me to just start training now if I’m sick of fun running, it doesn’t work that way.  Not in OUaL-land.  10 weeks.  It’s already in Google Docs.  Sorry Charlie.

Which means you get to hear about 3 more weeks of shit runs until the real games start!  Are you so excited?

Poll : Are you a fun runner?  Or are you a little crazy type-A competitor that doesn’t see a purpose in something if you’re not going to win or get something beneficial out of it?  You can tell me.  It’s a safe place here.  Practically confessional.

Sarah OUaL

Dear SR,

I see the super terrible unflattering photos you posted of me ready to annihilate that choco taco at dinner Friday, and raise you … this. 

Whatever this is.  Other than blackmail.

Just thought I’d help balance out the cuteness from your ab-riffic Tink pictures today.

Sorry if you don’t want to be friends anymore.

xoxo,

Sarah OUaL