Race #3: Hearts 911 Trail Race

Race Website: https://shadowsfoundation.org/hearts-911-run/
Race Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Race Distance: 10km (actually 6.4 miles)
Finish Line Time: Unknown
Strava Time: 1:42:30
Elevation Gain: 813 ft
Max Elevation: 7,402 ft

This was not an easy race by any means.

When I originally signed up for this race, I signed up for the almost-11 miler. It seemed like a good idea at the time, especially because it's just over half of what I will be running at the beginning of next month. However, a number of factors inspired me to drop down to the 10k once I reached registration this morning. I ran this race pretty slowly, so that's one of the reasons I'm glad I dropped down.

What was tough about this race?

1) The Elevation

Flagstaff is "at elevation." What this means for those that don't speak in runner parlance terms is that it is higher than usual for someone like me, who lives in Phoenix. Flagstaff sits at an elevation of just under 7,000 ft compared to Phoenix's just over 1,000 ft. What does this mean for somebody who runs mostly in Phoenix? Its makes running harder. See this article for more on that.

The first mile or so of the run was difficult until I felt myself get into a rhythm. I actually felt pretty good until I landed the wrong way on a rock, knocking myself off balance, which started the first twinge of discomfort in an old injury (see #3 for more).

2) The Terrain

Lots of rocks, a bit of mud, and a section with a lot of sand. All of these can make it harder to run.

Some parts had some great tree cover, but other parts were in the scorching sun.

3) An Old Injury

This was the worst part for me. There is literally nothing like finding a steady (if slow) pace, feeling good, and passing people who pushed themselves too hard too fast, only to have to slow down because you land the wrong way and your body is threatening to put you on crutches if you push it.

A little over 2 years ago, I was running my second race ever in Sihanoukville, on the coast of Cambodia. I was used to training on a flat road, and the roads in this town were rolling - up a hill, down, then up another hill, and so on. I was feeling good, really pushing myself because I was running with friends, when my left hip flexor started to feel a bit of discomfort. I pushed on, thinking my body would eventually adjust to the hills - after all, this was a 10k, nothing too long. 4 kilometers in, I could barely walk, let alone run, and when I hit the halfway point, they had to take me back to the start like in an ambulance, tears streaming down my face from both the pain and the embarrassment. I ended up on crutches for the better part of a week - I had strained my hip flexor.

Today, the first bit of discomfort started again about halfway through, after I bombed down a hill and landed/slide a bit on a rock, so even though my lungs felt fine, I slowed down to a walk. I do not want to injure myself again, especially when I can recognize the signs as they happen. I tried to run again a few times, and even managed some uphills without any discomfort, but downhills were getting really painful.

I'm currently still in a bit of pain, but I walk, so I'll consider that a win.

4) Yesterday's Hike

Yes, you are supposed to rest before a race - what runners call "a taper." Yes, I decided not to do that. And yes, I paid for it. My legs felt a bit like jell when I woke up this morning, but I pushed through anyway. I knew I was going to have trouble today when my legs wouldn't stop shaking halfway back up the trail yesterday.

I don't regret it though. I hiked a bit down the Grand Canyon yesterday and it was glorious, beautiful, and breathtaking. I wouldn't trade that for anything. I haven't been before, and I don't know what I'll get the chance to go again.

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My takeaways:

This race was great, but difficult, and I'm glad I did it.

Stay tuned for entries about my first 2 races, and maybe even an entry about why I run.

Run 28 Before 29: My Newest Goal

Again, I apologize as it has been awhile since I last posted. However, I have something new and exciting to write about, and it will definitely have me writing quite a bit over the next year.

I'd been tossing around the idea of running 28 races after I turned 28, mostly because the older I get, the harder this is going to be to achieve. On my birthday, I decided to go for it.

As of right now, I've already run 2 races and I have another race coming up tomorrow. I'm probably signing up for another race next weekend, and then I'm already signed up for a 31km race at the beginning of August, bringing my total to 5 of 28 races by approximately 10 weeks out from my birthday, which means my timing is good for now.

More exciting news: I'll be attending graduate school starting in August! I will be getting my Masters of Public Health from Columbia University in NYC, meaning I'm moving once again. Perhaps I will blog about that trip as well, since I'm driving cross country. It's been 6 years since I made the cross country trip on the train, and that was heading away from my time at undergrad, so this almost feels like a good book-end to that.

I'd also like to write an update comparing my time in Peace Corps to my time as an AmeriCorps VISTA, which will be wrapping up on August 12th. This past year has absolutely flown by!

With that being said, I should probably get some sleep before my race tomorrow.

I hope you're having a great day!

2 Years Is Long (and So Short!)

It's been almost 2 years since I posted on this blog, and so much has happened since then. I figured that now would be the perfect time to get this up-and-running again, for a number of reasons. However, the main reason is simple: I forgot much of what I had put down here already, so I want to create a blog of memories, so-to-speak. Also, a writing instructor reached out to me to ask if he could use one of my Peace Corps essays in his class on how to craft a good one, and I couldn't say no. I was flattered!

I want to tell you all what I've been doing since I last wrote, but I don't want this to be an extremely long post, so I'll break it down by date and a brief description. Here we go:

• March 2015 - August 2015: Finished up Peace Corps service, applied to a bunch of jobs, then decided that I wanted to stay in Cambodia - no extensive traveling after service, no heading home, just staying and living. Not even a week after my service ended, I started a new position. 
• August 2015 - July 2016: Living and working in Phnom Penh. During this time I had two jobs, discovered that what feels like failure can lead to new opportunities, and I figured out that, at this point in my life, I'm not the biggest fan of working in the private sector, but I still absolutely love teaching. I was in a moto accident with accompanying injuries, I went home to be a bridesmaid, and I made the choice to move back to the US because it felt like the right time.
• July 2016 - August 2016: Funemployment, or "My new position starts in 3 weeks, this is the second time in less than a year that I haven't had a job to go to every day, and existential dread."
• August 2016 - Present: I'm an AmeriCorps VISTA (because I can't get enough of service, apparently) and I live in Phoenix. 

Since I've moved to Phoenix, I'm learning much more about myself. I enjoy moving to new places, and discovering that yes, it's hard to make friends as an adult, but much easier if you put yourself out there. I finally joined a November Project tribe and ran my first half marathon! I've made countless friends, and I went to a real Superbowl party for the first time in years. I'm also working part time for Kaplan (I really, really love teaching). My VISTA position has me in constant contact with the justice-involved population, which has been both challenging and enlightening. I've learned so much and I continue to learn something new every day. I'm extremely thankful for all of the opportunities that I've had along the way, and continue to look forward to the new opportunities that each sun rise brings into my life.

Oh, yes! And I forgot to mention - I've been applying to graduate programs in Public Health. I've heard back from the majority of schools that I have applied to (all "Accepted" so far) and I've even been offered some scholarships. So, I will definitely be moving again come the summer, but I don't know whether it will be 2 hours away by car from Phoenix or if it will be on the East Coast once again. Only time will tell.

I hope you all have enjoyed my update! I'll be sure to put some more time into this - I want to remember all the big joys I've had this year and will continue to have.