Bonk!

I really don't mean to only write about running. But I'm on a mission to get better at it so it's what I do these days. Well, that and watch baseball.

Today's lesson learned: EAT DINNER! I was busy watching my boys last night and never actually ate dinner. I had the thought at one point but wasn't really hungry and couldn't decide what to eat and then it just never happened. MISTAKE!!

I didn't change up anything else that I did to prepare for this morning's "long" run so I'm pretty sure that was the difference maker. That and I didn't really have a plan of a route. But I don't think that was a factor. Where I ended up would've been just the distance I was aiming for (4ish miles).

The first mile was hard. My legs were tired. But I kept going. I was all in my head about how hot it was. I was trying a new system to deal with that. I got an extra, light-weight, collapsible water bottle that I could easily use to wet the bandana and/or my head. Turns out it wasn't all that easy. I actually stopped in order to wet the bandana. I wasn't even that hot. But I wanted to get ahead of the hot. Again, all in my head.

Anyway, I kept going. About 2 miles in, I just couldn't run anymore. I could've, I guess, but I wasn't having fun. So I walked. The entire last mile basically. And cut my route short. I think it was when I realized that I COULD cut it short that my mind won the battle. By then my legs were okay. It was just an overall, "not happening" kinda day.

Not sure any of this makes sense. But well, that's running!! Right?!

Training Update - Founders Day 5k

I actually had two nice runs while I was in SD. I was hoping that I'd be able to get back in to the habit and get inspired and all that. Worked!! This morning I set out for a "long run". But I decided to do something different. I had a goal of TIME instead of distance. I sort of had a route thought out but wasn't sure how long it take me. The plan was to run 30 minutes out, turn around and come home making an hour long run. I figured this should be 3-4 miles or so.

I started out heading toward the aqueduct on roads. Actually I basically ran as if I was going to work. Once I could see the aqueduct, I realized I'd be there before 30 minutes but not by too much. I really wanted to explore running on the path along the aqueduct but I had no idea where I'd be able to get back off the path besides WAY up at Main street which I knew was beyond my distance level. But I started that direction anyway.

This kind of led to some mental issues. I was tired and hot and had no idea if I'd end up going miles out of my way (okay a mile or two). I kept telling myself if I ended up having to go all that way, I'd just walk. I had plenty of water; I'd survive. There was a dirt path that more or less wandered parallel to the asphalt path I was on. I kept wondering if I was over there, I'd find an out. But then I wouldn't get in my whole hour cuz it'd put me closer to home. So, yeah, I was all up in my head.

I finally got to a point where I knew where I was, just on the wrong side of the fence. There are gigantic power lines inside the fence, which is why it's fenced off. Those power lines were between the aqueduct and my house, basically. I chose to transfer over to the dirt road/trail that went along the fence line in hopes of finding an opening in the fence. I passed one said opening because I couldn't see anyplace to get through the fence on the other side of the power lines. At the second opening, I took it as a sign (I could now see Main St and I REALLY didn't wanna go that far!!). I was directly across from another fence and I knew that road. I figured if I couldn't get through, I could follow THAT fence back toward home until I could get through. Sure enough, there WAS an opening. So then I ran home. I had actually walked quite a bit (3 minute intervals with a 2 minute run) trying to figure out where to go next.

Turned out I was out about 55 minutes and ran 3.7 miles. Not bad! And now I know I can get through there so the mental part won't be a factor next time.

I'm calling this my Founders Day 5k for the Stars Hollow running club. Go me :)

Forgot to wear the bib!

And I think I'm back into the running habit. I enjoy it and the feeling afterward (well, not the tired/hot but the satisfaction, etc.). My weekday runs were longer than normal cuz of being in SD and exploring there. I think that left me a little more tired today. So a little lighter week and perhaps the same long run next weekend. I don't have a new race registration yet but maybe soon. Maybe a thanksgiving 10k? or Christmas?? And finally a half by mid spring?

HTH San Diego trip

I was fortunate to be selected to attend an event at High Tech High (HTH) in San Diego. It was a 3 day workshop on Project Based Learning (PBL). HTH is entirely PBL and has grown to include schools K-12 in several locations in the San Diego area. It's an interesting concept. We were basically walked through the process of how to create a good project. We toured the campus; we met teachers and students; and we produced ideas of our own. I didn't get quite to the point of having a project to go home and implement but I at least started the idea process. It is hard to come up with good PBL in math. This was actually confirmed for me by a student. It's not impossible though!!

In addition to enjoying and learning at the conference, I had time to experience a little of San Diego! My first thought was that I wanted to run on the water. I found a park that had a nice path along San Diego Bay. I didn't even know there was a bay! So see I also learned things about SD, not just PBL! Wednesday afternoon after the conference I set out for Harbor Island for an afternoon jog. I tend to not run in the afternoon due to heat but also because when I do, I tend to get shin splints.  On this particular run, it was beautiful weather  but I did experience shin pain. I ran through it :) Here are some shots from before and during the run...

After my run, I decided to drive around a bit. I had run further than I thought I was going to (cuz math) and was pretty hot and tired but I wanted to explore. I drove toward downtown on Harbor Rd. I basically stayed on that road for several miles. I came to the USS Midway. It's a museum and has a little park. There were a lot of people but I found a parking spot and decided to walk around a bit. I had cooled off a little so I don't think I stuck out amongst the crowd. Here's what I saw...

USS Midway

statues of Bob Hope performing for military

I kept driving and eventually passed the Convention Center and Petco Park. Hope to see the Padres play there eventually.

PetCo Park, taken out my car window...

I eventually made my way to the bridge to Coronado. For some reason I remember it being a toll bridge. It's not anymore - even had signs that said that. Coronado was beautiful. I'd love to go back and spend a day exploring! 

Then I drove back via interstate. It was faster :) Also, I was pretty darn hungry and had put in an order at Native Foods Cafe. This is a vegan place I've heard about but never been to. It was good but not the best. I ordered nachos, 2 cupcakes and a peanut butter parfait thing (I actually ate that the next afternoon). I took it back to my hotel and enjoyed it in front of the TV. Cuz cable! I also figured out how I wanted to spend the next afternoon. I planned to go the other direction and explore Point Loma and Cabrillo Natl Monument and lighthouse. The only issue was that I'd have to leave the conference as quickly as possibly and dart over there cuz they close the gates at 5pm. Conference was scheduled until 3:30!

The conference actually ended the day's session by giving us time to work with the group we'd come with from our own schools (we'd been separated for the most part for the rest of the time). We all walked back to the hotel, talking about our ideas as we went, much earlier than we'd expected to be let loose. One of the group had the project idea to incorporate an Escape Room as a final product. So we chatted about that and several of us admitted to never doing one cuz we were were nervous for various reasons. As a group, we decided we should go do one together. So we did. This meant I didn't get to visit the lighthouse though. This was a HUGE escape from my comfort zone - to go against my plan, to socialize with strangers, and to do an escape room. But I did it!!! We failed to escape but I had a lot more fun than I thought I would!! I actually think it was good doing it with a group I didn't really know well. And now I want to try again so I can escape successfully!! 

After that, we went our separate ways. They were going "out" and well, I'd had enough socialization time! I still drove out to Point Loma toward the light house even though I knew it was too late to get into the park. I thought maybe I'd go back on my way home the next day. Along the road is a military cemetery. I had known this but wasn't expecting the long rows of white headstones, similar to Arlington in DC. I drove through the cemetery a little, stopped and wandered through some memorials. I hadn't heard of any of the incidents  I read about on those memorials. But said some prayers for the lost and their families. I then enjoyed the sunset from my car, within the cemetery. 

Memorial

looking back to SD bay

helicopter flew by

The sun basically just sank in to the water. It was fascinating and mesmerizing. And quick. Here's a video of it disappearing.

I drove back to the hotel via vegan fast food place (that's what they called themselves). I got a burger and chili cheese fries and cheesecake. I took them to the hotel and watched TV while devouring. Still prefer the Beyond Burger from Veggie Grill but this one was yummy. The cheesecake was okay. Didn't taste like cheesecake at all. I decided to just go home on Friday and not try to take in the lighthouse. I was worried about traffic and I missed my pooch incredibly! 

I very much enjoyed my visit to SD. I learned stuff at the conference and had fun exploring various parts of the city. I definitely want to go back and do more sightseeing!! Of course, I won't be staying at the same hotel. It was much nicer than I could afford!!