My Run with Dean

My run with Dean Karnazes tonight was really awesome! I left work around 4:30pm today because I really wanted to be on time for the 6pm start. Traffic wasn't too bad since it was Veteran's day but it still takes time to trek through the Bay Area around rush hour. Especially trekking 50 something miles! Anyway, I knew I was going to cut it close when I was about half way there... When I finally got to Berkeley, I had 5 minutes to spare. I quickly changed in the car and rushed over the Fleet Feet store on Solano Avenue. I saw couple of dozen people already standing outside. Apparently, Dean was a running a little late, too! He showed up a few minutes after. Dean is a bit shorter than I imagined and looks even thinner in person. I have run in couple of races that he's hosted but I had never actually seen him! Once he arrived, it didn't take us long to set off. Fleet Feet told us we were going to do a 6 miler on the program but we ended up doing only 5. It was an out and back route from the store to the UC Berkeley campus.

Here's our group photo before the run. I had positioned myself right up in the front but some guy showed up last minute and ended up standing right in front me. With his bright reflector vest. Grrrr.

The run was relatively easy even though, I did keep up with him most of the time. Ok, let me rephrase that. He ran slow. Apparently, he just got back from the Sahara Desert on a 150 miler run. More on that later. I did get to admire his muscular calves for most of the run. Man, he has ropes of muscles for legs. I was just amazed at his powerful legs. (And, I usually check out other runner's legs. I have a thing for calves!) We got back and noticed that I was running about 8:20 min mile pace! Ok, so we weren't running so slow after all! (Well, "slow" and "fast" are relative words!!) Once we got back and stretched, Dean got settled in his spot and gave a short talk about his book. He was a great speaker and I really enjoyed his 50 marathons in 50 days synopsis. I cannot wait to read this book.

Here he is talking about his new book...

I had asked him what his latest challenge was and he shared with us that he is running "five of the planet’s most inhospitable places on five different continents, all in one year." He's finished 4 deserts and has one more left: Antartica in 2 weeks!! And, he just finished running 150 mies of the Sahara Desert and just flew home yesterday. You can read more about his Desert Grand Slam here and about the desert race series here.

He is just amazing! After his talk, the book signing began and I made a bee line to the table. Here is Dean signing... (for someone else!)

And finally, here is Dean and me. Omg, I *heart* Dean!!!

I love how we're right in front of the sports bras. Hehe. And he is such a cutie!

Meeting Dean Karnazes was quite an experience today. I am truly inspired and motivated. He said that if his book helps someone reach their dream then and "go far", he's done his job. Or something like that! I was so inspired, I went for another 2 mile run around my neighborhood after the book signing. I was supposed to get 7 miles in today. I didn't want to short change myself!

Dear Julianne,

Keep on smiling. & keep on running! May you go far...

Dean

11-11-08

Upcoming Week

After reading various TIaRTs from the running community last week, I felt a little ashamed. Compared to some of the serious and amazing transitions that fellow runners have gone through, mine seemed a bit trivial. My post last Thursday felt more like whining than anything. I was literally in tears after I read Danica's moving post about the loss her mom, very hopeful after reading TwoDog's battle with cancer and inspired by N.D.'s progress with her pregnancy and running... among others! Ok, I'll try not belittle my experience but I guess in the grand scheme of things, my transitions seemed not so bad. To so many of you who did open up and shared your story, THANK YOU. You put my life into perspective. I'm actually quite humbled.

I had a great running weekend, by the way. Friday morning, I went out for a 6 hilly miles and felt really good. I did stop and walk up the hills (twice) but the last time I did the same run (about a month ago), I walked a lot more than that. Saturday morning, I had to change my training plans from 12 miles and run only 6 due to a baby shower that I was throwing for a very good friend of mine. The hubby and I ran with my training group and ran on the Nimitz Way Trail at Tilden Park in Berkeley. It's a beautiful trail with rolling hills and on a clear day, you can see right across the Bay! The 6 miles were done in less than an hour, averaging about 9 min miles. Again, I felt pretty goo about the run and felt like I was finally getting back into the groove of things. Sure, the body still "hurt" during the run but it felt good! So, this morning, after much hemming and hawing I decided to go out for my 12 miles. I slept in like a lazy bum and didn't start the run until about 10:30am. Good thing we started mid morning because it was a sunny, cool 58 degrees and breezy. Love that crisp morning air! I also love that I have a constant running buddy who sticks it out and runs with me... even when he doesn't feel like it. My husband is the best running buddy ever. Even if he did quit on me around mile 8 this morning. ;-) Ok, he *did* have a good excuse... his Achilles was acting up. Poor guy walked back most of the way hoping I'd catch up to him. Which, I didn't!! I finished the 12 miler around 1:53 at about 9:09 min pace. Woohoo!

Ok, here are some activities this week:

Monday: Rest (Yay!)
Tuesday: Run with Fleet Feet Berkeley... a 6 miler with Dean Karnazes! Anyone else in the area interested???
Wednesday: Track Workout
Thursday: 8 miler planned (not sure when I'll squeeze this in)
Friday: Rest... Flying down to Orange Country at 8am to visit Duane's nephews & niece!! There's a birthday party for his 8 year old nephew. MIGHT squeeze in a 6 miler in the PM?
Saturday: 20 miler planned (before Disneyland maybe????)
Sunday: Hmmm... maybe have to do the 20 on Sunday before the birthday party. Fly back to the Bay Area in the evening.

Yeah, I got some serious activities planned for this weekend. Still trying to figure out where and when I can run 20 miles this weekend. Hmmm. Anyone down in SoCal got any ideas? I've searched for runs on Mapmyrun.com but haven't found anything, yet. I'll be in Rancho Santa Margarita!

TGIF!

The Sunset Run was quite an event on Thursday! Over 100 people showed up for the social run and apparnetly we raised about $1400 for the Live Strong Foundation. It was freezing in San Francisco that night. Very windy and chilly. Very typical summer evening in the city. Ha! And no, I didn't win the raffle for the Nike Women's Marathon. I was pretty bummed. But I did get a nice technical shirt with the Sunset Run design on the back from Nike. And they had free food and even Jamba Juice. I'm always happy with free food! Anyway, I'll have to find another way to get entrace into the marathon now... Anyone want to sell me their bib??

The run itself was great. I felt good and ran about 8:57 pace for the 5 mile run. The run started from the "monkey bars" at the start of the Marina greens (near Safeway) and ended at Hopper's Hands. The route was very flat so that probably had a lot to do with it. The only thing that sucked was the drive back home after I was all sweaty and icky from the run. Note to self: Need to move closer to San Francisco...

I was supposed to do an 8 miler on Wednesday but I got home and totally fell asleep. By the time I got up around 9pm, I had no desire to go run. Just wanted to eat at that point. This morning, I ran only 3 miles on the treadmill, just to make up for Wednesday. But, as Marathon Matt said on his email broadcast this week, "Literally, there is NOTHING more we can do these next few weeks to better prepare you for race day. The best thing you can do is 'maintain' your current level of fitness and focus on rest, recovery, and mental preparation for race day." I think I did a good job this morning, trying to "maintain."

12 miles tomorrow morning... Right before my bridal shower!!! I am so excited. About the bridal shower, that is.

Sunset Run on Thursday

Just signed up to do the 5 mile Sunset Run with SF Fleet Feet Sports this coming Thursday. The Sunset Run is a social run sponsored by Nike and FFS and 100% of the entry fee will be donated to the Lance Armstrong's Livestrong foundation. Registration fee is $10 and if you're in the SF area and interested you can sign up here, too! You also get a t-shirt for running, as well as (and most importantly for me) a chance to win a spot for the Nike Women's Marathon in October. This race has been sold out for months now and pretty much the only way in is via Team In Training. TNT is a great training group with a fantastic cause but I just don't have the desire to do fundraising... I was talking to another runner this morning from boot camp and she told me someone from her running group may not be running the Nike Marathon due to an injury. Oh that would be so awesome if I could take her spot!

Planning to do a 5 mile run after work today, with some hill training.