Rachel (Runnerchik) Content Library

No Description

Contains 5 photos

A fantastic run in the mud in beautiful Monterey...

Contains 10 photos

Finished my 12-mile run this morning and I feel great! I had hoped for some sunshine but I was greeted with drizzle instead. I sucked it up though because there was no way I was running 12 miles on the treadmill! My new shoes were simply awesome!!! Between my 3 - 5 mile weekdays and my 10 miler last week and then today's 12 miler, I feel ready for Santa Cruz on the 19th. I've got eight days to recuperate from today's run and I will be doing no more than 3 - 5 miles a day until Thursday (16th).

Ran 3.1 miles today just to stay limber...felt good..pace was good...nice and easy...tomorrow is rest pack day...

Feeling much better today after following the doctor's orders and resting for 24 hours. Still in a bit of pain but I will attempt the gym this evening and get my 5-mile run in. Still planning on doing my long run tomorrow. I hope the wind dies down by then ...

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat. Now it's time to taper....:) T-2 to race day...It's going to be awesome!!!

Went out for my five--mile run this afternoon. Warm and slightly breezy in Northern California...felt tired... but still managed a good pace...loved the sun on my back though...haven't felt that in awhile...

Tired and a little sore but overall feeling great after today's half-marathon in Santa Cruz...weather could not have been more perfect..hung out on the beach all day after the race...check out my blog for the details of the race...

Weight training in addition to my usual run this morning... hard to fit in due to my busy schedule but managed it somehow....still working on my core and upper body as that helps with balance and the overall results of running ... harsh winds in Northern California again...not fun to run in...

Hey Runners!! Ready for all those fall races?!? I'm training for CIM in December....What are you all up to?

Hard run this afternoon. The winds were just crazy...nearly stopped me in my tracks...I ran at least 45 sec to a minute slower per mile...insane...Had to cut my run short by a mile so ended up running four instead of five miles so I could still make it to work on time...they don't call us weekend warriors for nothing...rock on runners...

I am gettting so excited about Avenue of the Vines on Sunday ..This was a great race for me last year and I am hoping to at the very minimum, shave off some time from last year. It is supposed to be hot and that is just the way I like it... Starting off the week with a five-mile run this afternoon...

5K race tomorrow...whole family is running it so this is going to be fun, fun, fun...great way to celebrate Memorial Day and show honor to our veteran's and those who still serve to protect our country...Happy Memorial Day everyone!!

Today's 5K race was positively amazing!!! Prefect weather, pre-race and post-race festivities were an absolute blast, and my time improved once again...I ran a 27:27 which put me at an 8:45 min/mile! I am completely psyched...this new training is definelty improving my pace..my daughter also ran her very first 5K and her first race ever and ran it in 33:04...she is the BOMB!! No Excuses 5K is definitely a race I will repeat EVERY year!!

Great training last week. Got my miles in...did my 11-mile training run on Sunday...visited my rheumatologist on Friday and he said I have fluid in my left knee...no wonder it was hurting like hell on the long run...gotta ice every day until race day... looking forward to this week...the sun is supposed to make a reappearance...perhaps Mother Nature has finally worked out all her bipolar issues?

Taking it easy today after my long run yesterday. I plan on running an easy 5 miles tomorrw...

Relaxing day today...packed...everything is ready for the race tomorrow...heading to Santa Cruz...let's see what this Runnerchik's got...

Great 10-mile training run today through the vineyards in preparation for Avenue of the Vines...I pulled a Lance Armstrong today and ran with a trainer/pacer who carried my water and gels...sure was nice running without a pack on my waist... not very realistic for a weekend warrior though... all in all it was a great run...good weather...good pace...

Last night's workout was great! Accomplished my five miles in record time and felt strong the entire workout. My breathing was not labored at all and I pushed myself the entire time. I guess listening to my doc and taking the 24 hours off by doing complete bed rest really paid off. I should listen more often. I'm going for my 10-miler today...stay tuned...

Took Friday and Saturday off from running...good rest...I know better than to try and get in "just one more run..." :) especially this close to race day. Race day is tomorrow...now it's time to get some zzzzz's....so psyched for tomorrow!!

Santa Cruz Half is a week away...I'm on Spring Break this whole week so I plan on getting plenty of sleep and getting my last runs in...I will be rested and ready to race on Sunday...the plan is to PR...we'll see how that plan goes...

Accomplished my 10-mile run this morning and it felt absolutely awesome! What a rush!! I felt energized all day...My pace was great despite the wind... Next weekend calls for another long one...stay tuned...race day is coming up...

Today is my rest day...well..at least from running. Going to tackle the yard though and all the weeds that are harrassing the grass...The sun is out and it's warming up in northern California...there's no way I can stay indoors on a day like this...

The week has gone by so fast! I got my runs in every day and am improving on my pace consistently. It helps to be able to rely on the running techniques I learned from previous coaches to get me back to where I was a year ago. I got all my mileage in this week and did my long run (6.25 miles) on Friday. I know better than to run too much a week before a race or to push too hard so I ran hard on Friday but only half the distance of my race on Sunday. I will continue with the training this week...

Race went well despite the heat (mid 80's at finish)...managed to shave off two minutes from last year's race...goal was to shave off more but it will have to do...running is a metaphor for life...one learns something from every race...there are valleys and there are mountaintops. I definitely took away more valuable insight from today's race and I will use it to stategize for future races and in particular for next year's Avenue of the Vines. Rock on runners!!!

I've been sick and have not run for a few days...I don't know how this is going to affect my run on Sunday...Santa Cruz half and I just don't seem meant to be...heading to Sunnyvale to pick up my bib today...I will attempt a five-mile run this afternoon...

Not able to run today. Doctor's orders. No lifting weights for at least 24 hours either he said... maybe more. The plan is to go for a run tomorrow and I am still planning on doing my long run on Saturday but it's a waiting game right now...yesterday's precedure took a lot out of me....

Knocked off 5 miles at the gym at 5 am this morning... It felt awesome! Tomorrow I go for my 12-mile run... Santa Cruz in only ten days away...

Went to Fleet Feet today and picked up my new Brooks Ariel shoes.. What would I do without "motion control?" Can't wait to try them out. I've worn Brooks for years now and they fit like a glove...My old Ariel's will become my "mowing the lawn" shoes...they're due for retirement...

Still training although difficult with the extreme heat that we have been having...I think I need to move to San Diego where the weather is PERFECT!!! Training for CIM starts next week...

Positively phenomenal run this afternoon!!! 5 miles in 47:50 which puts me at a 9:33 pace. Wow! This is the best time and pace I have run in about two weeks! I got new orthotics today (thank you FleetFeet) and tried them out on this run. First two miles didn't feel much difference, but the last three miles I felt so light and also no pain in my left knee...Don't know what it means for Sunday but to say that I am psyched is an understatement...Rock on fellow runners...I'm cheering for you!

Positively phenomnenal run this afternoon! Ran 5 miles in 47:50 which puts me at a 9:33 overall pace. Wow! This is the best pace and time I have had in two weeks! I feel great!!! I got new orthotics today (thank you FleetFeet) and the first two miles I felt no difference but the last three I felt so light and felt like I could run forever! Don't know what this means for Sunday but to say that I am psyched is an understament!!! Rock on fellow runner...I'm cheering for you!!!

Absolutely awesome run at the gym last night! My 5K speed is coming back to where it used to be before these medical setbacks and I am ready to kick butt!!! It's raining and cold in northern California again so I am headed to the gym again tonight to knock off 5 miles...

Training continues and my pacing continues to improve...June is all about VACATION!!! :) LOL ...Still running everyday but will not run any events this month...having too much fun on vacation...:) first event for the summer will be on July 4th at which I plan to PR again...:) LOL... Rock on Runners!!!

Still too cold and dark to run outside by myself so I went to the gym at 5 am like I have been doing for most of this winter. Ran 3.1 miles... still trying to get my time back where it used to be... This past year has been hard on me healthwise and I am seeing the results of that now. Still in the 10 minute-mile range... sucks...

After recuperating for two days from Santa Cruz Half, it's time to get back to the training...Avenue of the Vines is only 26 days away...Going to hit the gym tomorrow and ease into a 5-mile run...

Winds are still INSANE!!! Hard run this afternoon...tired...sun is out though and that always puts a smile on my face...T-5 to race day...

Great 5K training run this afternoon...light breeze (Mother Nature finally got it together), sun on my back and a new route...anything to break up the monotony of the same scenery...I'm all about the scenery people...nice pace...feeling strong and excited for Sunday. I have a bunch of friends running this race and hanging out later (c'mon... it's at a winery...) so I'm looking forward to this one. Plus it's flat. HOWEVER, it is going to be a whopping 97 degrees...yikes!!

Ran a 5K training run this evening in 29:02...a 9:20 pace... feeling absolutely FABULOUS!!!