So much to write, so little interest in taking the time to get it all out, but a quick pop-in to say that as we are approaching the 12-week mark for the Biofreeze San Francisco Marathon here in late July, I have an updated discount code for ya’ll š (I’ve talked before about my racing experiences at SF, so if you missed it, click here, and go back and read through the old RRs… or email me if you have any questions!).
If you’d like to run the 5k, either 13.1, the full marathon, or the ultramarathon, you can save 25% with my code AMBOERIN25. Easy to remember, right?Ā
More fun: the 25% discount extends to ALL race distances (which is awesome), all the different Challenges the race is hosting, RUN365 Training (which is fabulous if you’re local and are looking to join a training group), and Virtual Races.
I’ve been a social media ambassador for the race since 2014, and as much as I can recall, our ambassador discounts have never been so widely-applied before. Enjoy š
I suppose March is as good a time as any to (hopefully) resume writing regularly, dare I say even predictably, in this space. Itās the same olā song and dance with me: I have a lot of ideas for topics but limited time (donāt we all), but when push comes to shove, when the opportunity to write arises, I choose to do other things. Sometimes I wonder if I were to make some sort of writing āschedule,ā as in new post every Wednesday!, for example, then maybe Iād feel more compelled to share my musings on a more predictable basis ā¦ and then, alas, the wind blows a different direction, and my mind changes. Cāest la vie.
in the hills above home, early December
So, March. 2019. Looking back, it was my intention to write a 2018 year-end summary, an annual report, recounting the yearās travails and successes, but eventually, disinterest to reflect and navel-gaze won out; this is why Iām not much of a journaler. Suffice it to say that 2018 was pretty awesome in the āinspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fearā denotation of the word. Having a stroke at the ripe age of 34, without any warning or any risk factors, has a good way of shaking your soul for a while thereafter and fundamentally challenging how you view life and its minutiae, as well as reminding you to be even more grateful for every breath you get to take and mile you get to run. (Related: Megan and David Rocheās The Happy Runner hits on this subject hard, and I have a book report about it already written in my head that Iād like to share). Ultimately — fortunately — life resumed, as though nothing ever happened on 2/4, and in the rest of 2018, I ran a couple (disappointing) marathons, countless other race distances, my first Wharf to Wharf (earning that top 100 jacket), and about 2,020 miles before taking time off after CIM.
on my 5 year Californiaversary (it’s a thing), I ran in Nisense Marks for the first time with ~10 other women. It was *lovely*.
^^ said women at Nisene Marks. (Sorry for the random arrow on your shoulder that I couldn’t remove, Connie).Back in the hills high above home, post-CIM, post holidays, back-into-lightly-training while these two train for Boston (J) and a crazy mountaineering adventure in Nepal (S) … I’m the slacker enthusiastically along for the ride in January and February.
Three months into 2019, I think I can say with certainty that my running is better than where it was this time last year, though still being challenged differently. For the first time in a few years, Iāve decided to train for a spring marathon (Mountains to Beach, Memorial Day weekend), which allowed Coach Lisa and me to begin ālightlyā training in January and February. Originally, my plan was to pace the 3:35 marathoners at Modesto at the end of March first, before going all-in for MTB training, and then Old Man Winter, or Mother Nature, or The Many Bugs With Which My Children Come Into Contact threw a hearty wrench in my plans, leaving me sick for four solid weeks and missing four long runs in six weeksā time. As much as I can recall, I missed about 15-20 days of training in February, which is basically like the entire month. Damn. No more pacing gig — I did the responsible thing and bowed out — so here we are, beginning of March, with about 12 weeks ātil MTB. Letās roll.
at the 2019 408k here in SJ with the fam bam. the kids both did the kids’ race (and loved it), I ran the 8k after being sick (but in denial about it) for a week, and we got rained on. It was quite a morning but remains my fav local race.feeling pretty awful at the 408k but trying to make the most of it; I started off at 8k pace and spiraled to recovery pace by the end because I felt so bad, ugh. I hadn’t run this race since 2014, so I was super bummed that I was sick but was too stubborn to admit that I shouldn’t try to race it. Lesson learned. (PC: Janet)
quick weekend down to Disney before our passes expire; if memory serves, I was sick for about 2 weeks by then š
My schedule is a bit prohibitive between now and MTB, which means that Iāll likely only really race once (SV Half) before the big day, but Iām confident that weāll be able to make it work. In the interim, non-running life is hoppinā as always between the girls and their stuff, C and his, and that of our family, so some days it feels like the victory is simply fitting in the run in the first place. Itās a good challenge to have and a delicious one to conquer.
filed under “labor of love”: Girl Scouts
Iām not sure if I have the interest right now to post monthly summaries and training recaps as I did in 2018, but hey, if the people want it, Iāll try to deliver (related: soliciting writing promptsā¦ send āem over, por faā).
Training cycles are always adventures in their own rite, and I think weāre about to embark on a good one.
We learned how to change a tube when she was on break from school, and I think she’ll be learning to ride pretty soon. (Like her big sis did, she doesn’t have much interest in using a balance bike first). Also, she loves rainbows, evidenced by her wardrobe choice.
Postscript:
If you like to read, thereās a lot of great stuff out there right now. Hereās my end of 2018/beginning of 2019 book list so far, nearly all of which I’d recommend: The Happy Runner (review forthcoming); The Incomplete Book of Running; Small Fry; Running is My Therapy; Never Give Up, Never Give In; Dopesick; My Year of Rest and Relaxation (it was terrible); Beautiful Boy; Atomic Habits; Maid; Tweak; Futureface; Becoming. Thereās a lot of running lit coming out in the next couple months, too, most of which looks excellent.
