After spending most of my youth and college years lazily using an elliptical machine and half assing my way through yoga with poor form I finally got serious about working out in January 2010. I started running and within the first year had run my first half marathon. In the time since I’ve run 4 half marathons and a full marathon in addition to several short distance races.
I began incorporating weekly yoga into my running routine in January 2011. I practice vinyasa flow yoga or heated vinyasa flow yoga and in the past I’ve practiced Bikram yoga. Currently I’ve been focusing on yoga over running practicing three to four times a week. I also like to hike, take dance or zumba class and walk.
Running
Race Recaps
Marathons
Chicago Marathon– October 9, 2011
1/2 Marathons
Malibu International 1/2 Marathon– November 14th, 2010 – 2:11.56
San Diego Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon– June 5th, 2011 – 2:02.58 (PR!!!)
Half Marathon of the Harbors – August 28th, 2011 – 2:09.20
Pasadena Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon – February 19th, 2012 – 2:20
Pasadena Rock n Roll Half Marathon – February 17, 2013 – 2:07:11
10 k
Santa Monica 5000– September 12th, 2010- 54:06 (PR)
L.A. Cancer Challenge, benefiting pancreatic cancer research- October 31, 2010- 56:10
5k
Keep LA Running 5k– July 11th, 2010- 25:50
Santa Monica to Venice Christmas Run– December 11, 2010 – 25:25 (PR)
LA Cancer Challenge 5k – October 30, 2011
Left Coast Contessa 
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Hi Congrats on your running!!! I am 46 and just signed up for the Malibu 1/2 in Nov. I am a little scared because of all of the hills. Was it brutal? I am wondering if it is not a great first one to do? It is such a beautiful area that I really want to go for it but don’t want to fail either. My 16 yr old daughter who ran XC for 2 yrs is doing the full. Did you see any teenagers running it? Thanks and BTW how did you do in SD last month?
Judy
Hey Judy!
That is so amazing that you just signed up for the half marathon! Malibu is a BEAUTIFUL half marathon to run. The hills are, well, hilly but the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. If you want to see butterflies, dolphins, and the ocean Malibu is a great half. I would just make sure to train on hills. In retrospect I wish I had walked up some of the hills to save my energy. I also ran Malibu on a freakishly hot weekend. As long as you stick to your training plan and listen to your body you will do great! As for teenagers, I saw a lot of younger people (college age) and several high school students. If she’s a runner she will do great.
I did do SD last weekend and it was a great race! Definitely a Southern California “must do”. I was in way better shape and I beat my prior time by 9 mins.
Good luck on your half!
Thanks for the reply. I am glad you did good in SD, I knew someone that passed out from heat stroke in the 1/2 on the 11th mile 😦 Felt so bad for the guy. I heard the Malibu one was hot. Hopefully we will be lucky and it will have some typical coastal cool weather. Hate to bug you with questions but this is my first one and I am so filled with them. How much of the 1/2 was filled with hills? Any idea what the grade is? We live in an area where there are a lot of hills so I am trying to get a feel for the depth of the ones in Malibu compared to ours. Also strange ? but do you know when the marathoners and the 1/2 marathoners hook up in the race? I am trying to explain to my daughter how it will go. It looks like from their site that the 1/2 start at the hill area.
Again many thanks for all your advice!!!
Hey Judy,
The hills are rolling for the first 5 miles and then become larger around mile 6. I’m not positive about the grade but the race website should have an elevation chart. It was freakishly warm last Nov and the 1/2 doesn’t start til 8 am potentially making it warmer at the start time. The full marathon meets up with the half at the half marathon start time. Last year the elite marathoners passed us just before the half started.
As for heat exhastion, thats really scary. I really try to be mindful when I run of how my body feels, how much water/calories im taking in and when I feel myself getting uncomfortable I walk. Maybe it would be a good idea for your daughter to talk to her xcountry coach or a doc before she runs. Let me know of you have anymore qs!
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