Fort Point 10k

Hail Mary, Full Of Grace, thank you for getting me through this race.

I didn't want to get up. I really didn't. But I knew that if I stayed in bed, my whole day would have been wasted. It was a beautiful morning and San Francisco, and I had no excuse not to run the Fort Point 10k. When I got to the start line, I saw my buddy Pete. We exchanged salutations and when the race director said go, we took off.

To my surprise, Pete stayed with me and paced me through this 6.2 miler. He didn't have to but did. I ended up with a 1:17 finish, a 15 minute improvement from my last 10k. I'm glad I got out of bed for this. Thanks getting me to that finish line Pete!

Woo Hoo! Another 10k done.

Conservatory 5K

38:50 5k. That's a 12:31 pace. This is definitely an improvement, but I can certainly do better! I can't wait until the day that I see a sub-30 minute 5k again. 38:50 is not too bad, considering that I did run a half marathon yesterday!

Best part about today? I got to run with my side kick, The Almighty Riley!

Bay Breeze Half Marathon

I am clearly undertrained for a 100 miler, so I pulled out of the Rocky Road Endurance 100 Mile Endurance Run. My 2012 goal is to get that belt buckle, but right now is not the right time. I'm looking at Across The Years on New Year's Eve to go the distance. For now, though, I need to get back into shape. I barely made it through 13.1 miles of Surf City, so I need to get back to the basics. This weekend, I opted to run Brazen's Bay Breeze Half Marathon instead. I love Brazen. They're fun, they give you It's It ice cream sandwiches at the finish line, and their bling is awesome.

You gotta love the Brazen bling.

I am happy to say that I went from a 3:46 Surf City finish to 3:15 at Bay Breeze! That's a 30 minute improvement! I still have a lot of work to do to get back to my pre-Titanium form, but I'm motivated and excited. It's hard carrying this extra weight and it's no fun being in the back of the pack all the time. I'll get there. I've done it once before, I can do it again! 

The best part about today was hanging out with my Brazen family. It's always fun to see Half Fanatics and Marathon Maniacs out there, but there's something extra special about seeing them at a Brazen event. I've become regular fixture here and I love that we've become a little family. I worked hard today out on the course, but I did manage to have fun. How much you might ask? This much fun...

Half Fanatic Group Photo!

Got to run with Sabrina Hill today. Yeah, we had a little fun.

ATTACK OF THE BLISS!!!

Jennifer Walker giving us Asian Pop Star!

Woo Hoo! My sister got another half marathon under her belt!

I met this guy on the bus at the Salinas Half Marathon back in August. He's a Half Fanatic and Marathon Maniac now because I told him to sign up!

Me with Danni Baird.

We are trying to recreate the medal here.

I didn't go to Rocky Road to attempt my 100 miler, but I sure had a lot of fun back home running Bay Breeze. I love Brazen and can't wait to do more!

Golden Gate Bridge Vista 10k

This is what happens when you dress in the dark.

I couldn't pass up the chance to run the Golden Gate Bridge Vista 10k. The start and finish line is two blocks from my apartment! Also, I needed to get out there and push myself. I've been down and out with my recent weight gain recently. I don't ever want to return to that insulin dependent couch potato former life of mine, so I got out there and did the best I could. It took me over an hour and a half to complete 6.2 miles, which is probably one of my worst 10k's to date, but at least I got out there and did it. 

I'm going to take Chewbacca for a walk this afternoon. That 10k tired me out, but I'm motivated to get back on the wagon. I'll have to change out of this outfit though. I look like a bag of Skittles exploded on me.

Surf City 2012

Surf City Done!

I really know how to take a good photo. Tyra Banks has taught me well over the years. A model needs to work the angles and lighting to make themselves appear tall and thin. By jumping on to the cement wall, sucking the gut in, sticking the chest out, and straightening out the neck, I give the illusion that I am Cover Boy material! It also helps that I am sporting the slim fitting black Endorphin uniform. I look great in the above photo, but don't be fooled by that huge grin. Deep down inside, I was hurting.

The truth of the matter is that I have gained quite a bit of weight in the past few months. During my Titanium quest, all I ate was junk. Sure, I'd burn off a lot of those calories by completing 26.2 miles every weekend, but once the running stopped, the weight started to pile on. I was burnt out after hitting 52 marathons in 52 weeks and I just did not want to run anymore. Surf City was a huge disappointment to me. I completed this half marathon in 3:46. It took me three hours and 46 minutes to complete 13.1 miles! You know you have hit rock bottom when you peter out at mile 0.8 and downgrade your pathetic jog to an excruciatingly slow walk. Had I been on the Galapagos Island, turtles would have passed me up.

This year's Surf City Half Marathon served as a huge wake up call for me. I had plans to run my first 100 miler at Rocky Road in mid February, but seeing how out of shape I was after this race, I made the decision to pull out that race. I really want that belt buckle, but I certainly cannot do it the shape that I am in. Heck, I barely got through this half marathon! Back to the drawing board. Time to reboot and get back to the basics. Starting tomorrow, I will take Chewbacca on a walk around the block.

Tinkerbell Half Marathon

Before heading out to the Tinkerbell Half Marathon, I attended the DSE Awards Banquet & Gala! This is the Golden Globes of running. All runners dress up in their finest for this event, feast on a meal, and congratulate their peers as they pick up various awards throughout the evening. I walked away this year with second place for most race miles of the year. Yup, I ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks this year and placed second over all! Here's the killer: I lost by 2 tiny miles. That one DNF at Drag 'N' Fly cost me the big prize! I'm fine with this, as most race miles was not my ultimate goal. I had my eyes on that Titanium prize, and at the end of the year, I got my ten stars. WIN!

My DSE running family all came out for this event and the paparazzi went into high gear. The following photo is, hands down, the best of the evening. I love this little guy. Riley is my little side kick and this kid took home a big trophy for completing 10 DSE races this year! I have him my own special trophy: a plate with two egg rolls on it. Congratulations Riley!

After the gala, I headed down to Southern California for Tink. It was a long drive through the night, and I was was very happy to arrive at my Motel 6 in Anaheim. I spent Saturday hanging out at Disneyland with some running peeps and then on Sunday ran the race. I had fun hanging out with my friends, but the race was pretty painful. I opted to walk the whole way, which is the thing to do at a Disney race. Any half marathon put on by Mickey Mouse is a parade! You're supposed to leisurely walk it and have fun! I kept telling myself this through out the race. 

The truth of the matter is that I'm out of shape and I'm going to have to do something about it. I've gained so much weight that I couldn't pull off the running skirt, which was my plan for Tinkerbell. I was going to be the sexiest Endorphin Dudette ever! Well, I did have the pink cape and the Marathon Maniac Diva shirt, but the skirt was a no go. I emailed the ladies at Running Skirts and let them know that once I drop the weight, I'll sport their creation. It'll happen! Hopefully sooner than later.

Waterfront 5k

Wow. I just ran a 45:20 5k. I can't even call what I did running. I don't think I can even call what I did walking! This is not good. I am out of shape and I need to do something about it. I guess the first step was actually getting out there and doing it. I could have easily just stayed in my warm bed with the chiweenie. Thank goodness my DSE family was out there. The last thing I need is people laughing and throwing bagels at me (not that anyone has ever thrown carbs at me at a race before)!

Ooh, there are actually runners shorter than me!

Golden Gate 10k

With Titanium done, I can now return to my happy running club, Dolphin South End Runners. I opened my DSE season as a race director for the Golden Gate 10k! Together with my partner in crime and co-race director, Diann "Fun Size" Leo, I made sure that every runner crossed that finish line and had fun. A lot of people showed up. I guess it's that new year's resolution thing!

Fun Size showed up in a cape too!

New Year's One Day 24 Hour Race

After the New Year's One Day race in 2010, I boldly made this statement: "I have lofty goals for 2011. I will be going for the Titanium, which is the highest level in Marathon Maniacs. In order to achieve this, I will need to complete 52 marathons in one year. I can do it. I firmly believe I can do it. By this time next year, you will see 10 stars by my name." 

One year later, I came back to where it all started and nailed my first 50 miler. I threw in two additional miles for good measure. 52 marathons in 52 weeks with #52 being a 52K and then a 52 miler two days later to cap off an incredible 2011. I nearly lost it when I crossed that finish line. Sometimes the paparazzi catches you at your very worst. This is not one of those times. I am not afraid to publish this photo because it truly captures the raw emotion I felt when I was moments away from completing the toughest task of my life. I may not be smiling in this photo, but if you put an x-ray in front of my chest, you will see my heart grinning from valve to valve.

Across The Years

A few days before the final race of my Titanium Quest, I received an email from my publicist. My first thought was, "Huh, I have a publicist?" Apparently, the folks at Power Capes had their PR people contact me about hitting the media circuit. That came completely out of left field, but then again, it's not every day that someone completes 52 marathons in 52 weeks, so this is news worthy! I happily obliged.

I showed up on race day ready to throw endorphins at Fox News. I experienced runner's high early in the morning for two reasons: A) Across The Years was #52, and B) I was going to be on live TV! I really wanted to burst out with an emphatic "LIVE FROM NEW YORK, IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT!" but I opted to engage with the news reporters like a professional instead. Behold, here is my live interview. You be the judge as to how "professional" I am!

This Titanium Quest was a lot like a video game: you keep running marathons to move up in levels until you reach 10 stars. There have been numerous times when I saw the Endorphin Dude avatar quickly fade and the much dreaded "Game Over" warning blink before my eyes. But I never gave up. Injuries almost knocked me out of the race, but I fought to get to every finish line, even when it hurt the most.

Had I been on track to completing a marathon every weekend, I would have hit the halfway mark at the Seattle Rock 'N' Roll Marathon by the end of June. That did not happen. Capsulitis, tendonitis, sciatica, and kidney stones pushed me behind, and as a result, I did not reach #26 until the end of August. It really looked bleak for me, but I kept going. I crammed in five doubles and two triples in the fall, and that's how I got to #52!

There's my Titanium cake, and I'm gonna eat it too! Thanks Yolanda!

I may be the one wearing the cape, but I was surrounded by super heroes at Across The Years!

And away we go!

I came to Across The Years fantasizing about the 50 miler. How awesome would it have been to finish Titanium with a whopping 50 miler? Unfortunately, that was just not in the cards. Even with ten days of rest, I did have 51 marathons on those tired legs. I decided to just take my time and take it easy, as I had 24 hours to complete the required 50k distance.

As I strolled along the one mile loop, I had the opportunity to reflect on my incredible journey. I thought about every Marathon Maniac and Half Fanatic whom I have met on the race course or online this past year. I flash backed to Mardi Gras, Seattle, and Morgan Hill--the marathons that caused me grief. I smiled as I basked in the glory The Tahoe Triple, Labor of Love, The San Francisco Marathon, and Chicago. Most importantly, I went back to that day when I had my heart attack scare three years ago.

If you had told me five years ago that I would run one marathon, I would have laughed in your face. If you had said I would complete 52 marathons in 52 weeks, I would have had you seek psychological help. My life has changed dramatically, and I really like who I have become. And of course, you all know that this paragraph would not be complete unless I mentioned my dog. Rather than me regurgitating how important this chiweenie is to me, you see it for yourself here:

As the day went on, I continued to circle that one mile loop. When I reached the marathon distance, I posted on my Endorphin page that I was a tiny 10k away from Titanium. The flood of encouragement and congratulatory posts poured in. I truly felt like the whole Insane Asylum and all my running friends were cheering me on as if I were Ryan Hall going for the victory in Boston. I kept plugging along. 

With only two laps left, I caught up to Yolanda, who gave me the biggest smile I had seen all day. She said to me, "This is it, isn't it?" I quickly responded that I only had two laps left and I wanted more than anything to cross that finish line with her, the person who told me about this little club called "Marathon Maniacs." Together, we powered it in.

This is me just a few feet away from that finish line!

When I crossed that finish line, I immediately gave Yolanda a hug so big that I thought she was going to pop. I then dropped to my knees in shock. I looked up and the race director stood there with my cake. Other runners arrived at the finish line and I hugged them one by one. There was Mad Hatter Fancy Pants, Kansas, Ken Rubelli, my Endorphin Dudette of the month Kimberly, her son Zachary, Uncle Mike, and even the runners I had just met. 

And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I looked up at the clock and was stunned to see that I completed a 52k. What a way to end this quest, 52 marathons in 52 weeks with the 52nd being a 52k. I absolutely could not believe that this day finally arrived. Endorphin Dude is a TITANIUM Level 10 Star Marathon Maniac. WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's all about heart, and this is the only part of me that never cramped up. I did it. 52 marathons in 52 weeks. I am still in shock. Peeps of the Endorphin Empire, thank you for your overwhelming support. I encourage you to dream big, but also know that you must work hard, take risks, and make sacrifices. Only then will everything fall into place. Runner's high has taken me over the moon, and right now I am dancing on cloud nine with 10 shiny stars circling around me.

Titanium Score Board: Completed. Mission Accomplished.

Santa's Marathon

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is Titanium. Is that too much to ask? I've been nice all year long. Well, there was that one naughty moment when I peed on someone's flowers, but the port-o-potty line was too long. It's not like I pooped on their rose bush. I hope you won't hold that against me.

Yeah, that's right, KEEP GOING!

I felt a bit of guilt for peeing on that flower bed, so I made sure that I did a good deed at this marathon. I took the early start and marked the course for the race director. I wanted Santa to cancel out that naughty with this nice. I wish I was more artistic so that I could draw exciting graphics on the concrete, but alas, my sister is the one in my family that got that gift. Instead, I scribbled arrows and directions for the runners.

I didn't realize it at the time, but one of my scribbles had a double meaning. When I wrote "Endorphin Dudes says keep going," I meant that in the very literal sense. I was telling the runners to keep moving forward. I now see motivational meaning behind "keep going." How apropos, as this was my mantra all year long. In any case, I plugged along on the four mile loop until all the runners arrived for the start at the crack of dawn.

And there it is! The crack of dawn!

Ok, I didn't just scribble down directions. I wanted to entertain the runners too!

I didn't recognize Jessica Wabbitz until she hopped up to me.

Go runners go!

Finish line with Race Director Charlie Alewine, my twin brother Esteban (I'll explain that on in my book) and the Van Gough'ed Jessica Wabbitz.

I smiled ear to ear when I crossed that finish line because I knew that I only had one left after this one. The best part was that I had a whole 10 days off before #52, so I would be very well rested. As happy as was, I couldn't help but feel a little bit of sadness because this would be my final Charlie Alewine race.

Charlie has been instrumental in getting me to my goal. Without his races, I would not have been able to double and triple up on the marathons to make up for the ones I lost during the sciatica days. If I lived in southern California, I would run many more of his races, but unfortunately, my wallet will not allow it. I'll definitely be back for his races in the future, but it just won't be every weekend. Thank you Charlie, I'm going to miss running every weekend with you!

Titanium Score Board: 51 down, 1 to go.

Only one left and I reach my goal of 52 marathons in 52 weeks. Can I get a WOOT WOOT!?!?!?!?!?!!?

Deck The Halls Marathon

It's my final weekend of car camping in the Mini-bago! I am ecstatic that I will no longer need to sit through Friday rush hour traffic as I inch along 400 miles to southern California. No more snoozing in my car in random parking lots so I could run a race at dark o'clock early Saturday morning. Woo hoo!

Titanium is really taking it's toll on me. My body and mind are absolutely beat. You know when you're in trouble when you cramp up before the race. I found myself sleeping in my car in an alley behind a gas station in El Segundo. I woke up with a slight cramp in my leg. I got out of the Mini-bago, stretched a bit, took a make shift shower in the form of bottled water splashed on me, and headed to the start line. I tried to run but my legs were not having it, so I did my version of the power jog. Thank goodness there were no cameras around.

I really struggled through this marathon. My feet hurt and my legs stiffened up, but I had to get it done. I kept plugging along patiently. It took me awhile to get to that finish line, but I got there. I stayed focused and kept my eyes on the prize.

Early morning sun rise.

Love these two random trees. It's like a really tall person standing next to a short one.

Lonely bicycle.

Birds!

The plane! The plane!

#50 for the year! Can't believe it. It seems like it has taken a decade to get here. I am soooo close. ONLY TWO TO GO!!!

Titanium Score Board: 50 down, 2 to go.

Seasons Greetings Marathon

There's someone behind me, isn't there.

This is the course for the Seasons Greetings Marathon. 13.1 miles along a canal in Riverside, CA, and then back. My legs were aching after the rattle snake marathon the day before, so I decided to run this with my dog. Who am I kidding, the chiweenie can't run. We walked it. Listen to me, now I'm blaming my 6 pound mutt for me not running. Ok, ok, ok, I walked this whole race with my dog because I was dog tired! There, I said it.

If Chewbacca could run a full marathon with me, I'd take her to all my races. However, my dog has the legs the size of French fries, so she can really only last about a 5k. I have to carry her in her doggie back pack most of the way. She did very well at the canal though, clocking in about 4 miles of walking. After that, she got tired, so I stuck her in the chiweenie dorm on my back. Geez, I wish I could have someone piggy back me for 22 miles. Having Chewbacca along for this walk-a-thon helped ease my aching legs and mind. It felt like 2009 all over again when the two of us took those long urban hikes all through San Francisco. My mind was completely at ease as I walked along the canal with my best friend.

That's my baby!

Yeah, I'm the Canal Troll, and I'm gonna break the law!

Moo!

Looks like there is going to be 6 more weeks of winter!

Peking duck? More like Peking Chiweenie!

I owe a lot to this six pound flea bag. Because of her, I got healthy and am now in the best shape of my life. Chewbacca was a rescue dog with a pretty troubled past. She was a pregnant stray when the Peninsula Humane Society found her.  There was probably some abuse that went on as well. Thankfully, the kind folks at PHS took very good care of her.  I knew right away that she was the one for me and it didn't take long before I adopted her. People tell me all the time that I did a good thing by rescuing this dog, but the reality is that she rescued me. 

For those who don't know, I am pursuing Titanium for all of Chewbacca's homeless four legged friends.  All proceeds of my fundraising will go to the Peninsula Humane Society, the folks who helped me find my side kick. This dog has changed my life for the better, and it is my hope that her furry friends at the Peninsula Humane Society will do the same for another. If you would like to throw some coins at the chiweenie, please do so here!

Titanium Score Board: 49 down, 3 to go.

I love that Chewbacca looks so unimpressed. Sorry Chew, we're going home now, promise! Only three left! COUNT IT DOWN WITH ME PEEPS! THREE!!!!!!!!

Jingle Bells Trail Marathon

I had a little break last weekend and only had to run 39.3 miles. Now it's back to the marathon double weekend. I only need to complete two more 52.4 mile weekends and a single and I hit my Titanium goal. I'm getting so close, yet these final races get harder and harder. I am exhausted. On top of cranking out the 26.2 miles, I have to deal with traveling 400 hundred miles and car camping in the Mini-bago. I can tell you that sleeping in a Mini Cooper is like trying to snooze in coach on a transatlantic flight. These are the things I have to do to get to Titanium.

Another road trip? Really?

For life time marathon #55, I returned to roam the rattle snake invested trails Sycamore Canyon. Up and down hills that never seemed to end, I plugged along. I started out with four layers because it was so cold at dark o'clock, but by 10am, Mr. Sunshine threw rays of warm shines at me. I had to peel most of what I had on off. If it had gotten any warmer, I probably would have had to complete this marathon naked, which wouldn't have been a bad thing because it would have scared all the rattle snakes away! In any case, what got me through this brutal trail race was a couple of Marathon Maniacs who kept me laughing throughout the 26.2 miles of trail hell.

Trail hill. Yay.

These two kept me plugging along on the trails.

I asked for an action shot, and Jean Ho delivered!

Finally got to meet ultra runner Rachel Spatz. She's ultra cute :-)

Dale Dale on the trail.

I'm so happy to get this done because it brings me one step closer to reaching my goal of 52 marathons in 52 weeks. Like I said, as I get closer and closer to the goal, it gets harder and harder. With only a few left and a lot at stake, it's do or die. I have to finish the mission. Any DNF at this point and it's GAME OVER.

Titanium Score Board: 48 down, 4 to go.

48 down. Really? Wow, that just sounds so surreal. ONLY 4 LEFT!!!